The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-01-05

make every heart SAD, DuC we Ola MIN
a hearty and affectionate God-speed
wishing him as happy life as it is
sure to be useful one wherever his
lot shall be cast.
Exceedingly pleasant and enjoyable was
the impromptu call and informal reception
| rendered to Rev. and Mrs. Lees at the Con-
gregatiOnal parsonage on Monday evening.
| Nearly one hundred friends of the pastor
and his family assembled to show their APP
| probation of them. After an hour had
| been taken up in social intermingling and
conversation, Hon. Joseph Tebbetts stepped
| forward and addressed Mr. Lees as follows:
MR.. LEEs:@I have been selected by your
friends gathered here this evening, to express in
some degree the respect and esteem in,which you
| are held by them Why was selected / do not
know unless it be on account of my size, as 1t is
not always safe for small man to tell another
what he thinks of him, especially If that other be
a Scotchman.
But testing aside-It would be very pleasant
to enumerate, if we were able all the good quail
to us, We have known and heard you for more
than eight years, and you have ever commanded
the closest attention of your hearers that portion
of the audience in your rear being not the least
attentive. ~,,,.
AT no time have we been called upon to sympa.
thize with weakness, or apologize for mistakes.
The young have been made your especial care;
the more mature have not been neglected. and all
have had "meat in due season." suited to their
needs In all questions political and ethical you
have had mind of your own which you have not
hesitated to express, usually finding the larger
part of your hearers in accord with you. No per-
son can accuse you of plagiarism, for each SER
mon has been as distinctly marked with your own
individuality as though labeled in capitals j. w.
Lees. For these, and many other reasons, you
and your family have become endeared to the peo-
pie of this place, and we deeply regret the circum-
stances that make it necessary that your connec-
ton with this people be severed,
We shall miss the christian gentleman from our
streets; we shall miss the minister Of God from
the pulpit, and to whatever field of labor you
may be called, you take with you the best wishes
of this people. The Society will not soon forget
the advice and material aid received at the time
OF the purchase OF the organ and the corporation
owe you many thanks for the support given the
friends of the village improvements.
Now, Reverend Sir, am well aware that talk is
cheap, but have something here that, like your
sermons, is, in the language of trade "all wool
and yard wide," and worth hundred cents
on dollar" the world over Please accept it
with the best wishes of your numerous friends in
Bradford. The amount would have been larger
had our means been commensurate with our
wish. Take it Sir. and in the language of the old
song, you may find it "better farther on " Take
it, and may health peace and prosperity attend
you to the end of life, and in the hereafter, may
the God whom you preach and serve grant you
and yours life FREE fall and everlasting.
A fine silk purse, the gift of Mrs. DR..
Stevens, containing forty-five dollars in
gold, given by his friends, was the sub
stantial remembrance referred to by Judge
TebbettS in his remarks.
Mr.. E. o. Leonard then presented Mr..
Lees with two volumes of the Parliament
of Religions by John Henry Barrows, d. d.
elegantly bound in full morocco, in behalf
of the Sunday school. Mr.. Leonard spoke
fluently and with much feeling, bearing
testimony to the great interest Mr.. Lees
had always taken in the young people of
Bradford, and declared that the influence
of his daily walk and teachings would long
be felt by the Sunday school. At the con-
cluSlOn of Mr.. LeOnard's remarks the pas
tor responded. Those who saw and heard
him will long remember the lmpressiveness
of the occasion. A man universally re-
Spected, having ability of high order, an
industrious student in his chosen profession,
his labOrs resulting in sermons that impress
all with being PRACTICAL the ideal life not
beyond the possibility of any one to live if
they so willed; a man who has seen the
world in nearly all its phases, and POSSESS
ing human heart himself, tries to intel
lectually present the cause to his fellow
men and bring them to a correct moral and
religious standard,
Going to leave Bradford? What for? If
there is one substantial reason we have yet
to hear it.
HIS remarks were characteristic of the
man. Nothing superficial or snowy, but
replete with practical, thoughtful candOT,
glowing with kindness and affection for
those who have stood by him and his.
"With malice towards none and charity for
alp he will take his leave of Bradford.
The party dispersed at an early hour, wish
ing the family long and useful lives of hap
pinesS and cOntentment.
Rev. H. T. Barnard, late pastor of
the Congregational church at West
Rutland, will preach in the Congrega-
tional church Sunday morning and
evening as candidate for the vacancy
Occasioned by the resignation of Rev.
j. W. Lees. He comes well recon-
mended.
Owing to the reception at Mr. Lees
Monday evening the entertainment
Miss Bo Peep" given by the Locke
family at Village Hall was enjoyed by
but few people. This was Mr.. Locke's
second visit to town and it is to be re-
GREETED that so few were present, as
the children are clever artists and the
entertainment clean and elevating.
Little Miss Helen danced herself into
h. -. g l.