The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-30
SILVER ANNIVERSARY.
Celebration of the twenty-five
Years Passionate
OF DOCTORR LINUS BLAKESLEY
At the First congregational Church
Last Night Handsome Presents
Given DIR. and Mrs. RIakesley.

At the First Congregational Church
Last Night Handsome Presents
Given DIR. and Mrs. RIakcsley.
Twenty-fiv years ago a young man
and his young wife came to Topeka
from the east and he became the pastor
of the First Congregational church of
the city. He has been the pastor OF the
same church without interruption of any
kind since and his good works have been
so appreciated that last night When the
quarter of a century mark was reached
his friends to the number of 800 testified
to their friendship and love for him by
giving him a reception and gold watch
and his wife some handsome spoons.
With last night Rev. Linus Blakesley
completed his twenty fifth year as pastor
of the First Congregational church of
Topeka. The reception given him and
his wife at the church parlors last even
ing was well attended and most enjoy
able. 1t was under the auspices of the
ladies' society of the church of which
Mrs Edwin Knowles is president and
Mrs. NJ. c. Hammatt is secretary.
The church was handsomely decorated
with asparagus at the windows, palms
and green things at the doorways and
along the dividing point between the
auditorium and the Sunday school room
the partitions had been raised making 1t
all one room, and there were oak leaves
and oak boughs everywhere. Mrs. Ham
matt had charge of the decorations and
her assistants were: Mrs. Theodore
Mason, Mrs John Terrence, Nrs. Frank
Crane, Mrs. S B. Brett, Mrs. Walter
Bates, Mrs Dan Small, and Mrs G. c.
Foss.
Above one of the doors in the large
room vera the numbers that told the
story, "1S70- 1895"
The Sabbath school room was crowded
and the reception committee occupied
place almost in the middle of the room,
where they stood for an hour or more
shaking hands with the hundreds of
guests that came in to pay respects TO
the faithful pastor and his wife.
Next to Mr.. and Mrs. Blakesley stood
Mrs. Ross Burns and the other
members of the reception committee
were Mr.. and AIrs. Peter Fisher, Mr..
and Mrs w. Jewell. Mr. and Mrs
Geo P, Bates. II. w. Farnsworth, Mr..
and Mrs. a. A. Ripley, Mr.. and Mrs.
John Elliott. Mr.. and Mrs w. J. Stage,
| Mr.. aud Mrs. j. s. Size and Mrs. Griffin.
/ all of whom were members Of the church
when Mr.. Blakesley took charge Of its
pulpit and its future.
Near d door sat the Alhambra Mando-
| lin club.
/ In the little class rooms off the Sab
/ bath school room, amid palms and flow
/ ers, six pretty young women with W hite
! collars and lace caps served dainty
4 lunch of cake and coffee The mattresses
were: Misses Lucy Knowles, Florence
Stewart, Bessie Burnham, Belle Stagg,
Genevieve Butterfeld and Blanche Car
nahan.
The Amphion club, led by Prof. Leib,
came in afterwhle and sang, and the
big audience Assem- bled in the audit
orium, where Mr.. Bowman was to mako
the presentation speech.
Mr.. Blakesley's present was a hand
some gold watch from the ladies' soc. G y
and Mrs. Blakesley was given a set Of
silver spoons. Mrs. Blakesley also re-
ceived a set of beautiful Worlds fair
souvenir spoons from Mr.. and Mrs. AL
man Benton and MIR. and Mrs. a. II.
Case.
The auditorium was well filed when
Mr.. and Mrs Blakesley and MIR. Bowman
stood at the pulpit ready for the presen-
tation.
Mr. Bowman said: 81 offer you the
congratulations of your many friends and
your congregation. Twenty-Five years is
not a long time, but il human life it
measures a great deal Many of those
you baptized since you came you have
since married. We are all glad you have
five years, but there are few of
those here tonight who welcomed
you when you came to this city. Your
connection with this church has been but
OF earnest love and work, and what you
have done has not been merely within
the walls of the building but has been
broadcast throughout the homes of the
city As an expression and testimonial
of the ladies and every member of this
congregation and your friends l have
been requested to hand these to you as
tokens of the feeling and love of the
members and the boys and girls and
friends of the church. The givers of
these are not emily joyful givers, but hi
larious givers."
In replying Mr.. Blakesley said: 81
have prepared no speech for this happy
occasion and indeed it would take Ion 9
to the occasion and the spirit which
participates in it 1 thank you, NJ.
Bowman, for these delightful presents
and all these kind words and for this
large reception. 1t is seldom we have
the honor to celebrate two silver ami.
versaries But a short time since Gel
ebrated, and again tonight. appreciate
the love of this congregation and have
been glad to stay. 1t is not often that {
church gets such poor "a stor that he
never has an offer to go elsewhere"
The rest of the evening was spent ir
conversation and music. Hiss Florence
Townley sang two solos.
Among the guests were Bishop Mills
paugh, Rev. Dr.. Anderson, Rev Dr. EN-.
bree, Rev. Stuart Sheldon and DR.. Nc
Vicar.
STAGE WITS PERS