St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-06-12

III IlubtC tluIl III lHc Evening"
Saturday and Sunday were red letter
days in the history of the st. Johnsbury
y. NJ. c. A., and the celebration OF its
41st anniversary was well planned and
well executed.
THE FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY.
Attractive invitations were distributed
throughout the village last week for the
first birthday party to be given Satur-
day evening by the Womans Auxiliary
Each one was invited to bring an offer
ing, and as a result of this request over
$50 was received. The rooms were
handsomely decorated for the occasion
with flags, bunting, flowers and potted
plants. Light refreshments were served
in the gymnasium during the evening
and music was furnished by the st.
Johnsbury orchestra.
About nine O'Clock the visitors were
invited to the hall above, and called to
order by Judge Smith, president of the
Association. After a selection by the
orchestra, Charles II. Horton presented
the president of the Woman's Auxiliary,
Mrs. George H. Cross, with the basket
containing the offerings. Mrs. Cross
gracefully responded, promising that the
money would be wisely expended and
thanking all tor this testimonial of their
appreciation Of the work Of the ladies.
Rev. Henry Fairbanks was introduced
as the only charter member of the associ-
alton now living in st. Johnsbury, and
he contrasted briefly the work of the
association in the carly days and in these
times. Rev. Thomas lyric was the last
speaker, and in closing said that he
hoped the time would never come when
he should lose his interest in the welfare
of young men. During the evening a
flute solo was given by Leon Batchelder,
a violin solo by Miss Sadie Batchelder,
and a soprano solo by Miss Shufelt. B.
Frank Harris accompanied the soloists.
THE SUNDAY AFTERNOON MEETING.
The mems meeting at 4 O'Clock was
devoted to "reminiscences of the older
members of the association. Rev. Ed
ward T. Fairbanks presided, and after
recalling some of the events of the early
years, called upon Judge Ross. He spoke
of the zeal OF the young men who organ
lied the association and urged the young
men present never to abandon the study
of the Bible. G. H. Taplin spoke of the
debates and discussions that used to be
held and the district meetings. Daniel
Carpenter thought the young men OF
today were dropping out Of the Sunday
School and believed such a course was
serious mistake Rev. Henry Fairbanks
recalled particularly the missionary zeal
that existed about 1853 and thought the
members did more district work then
than at the present time. Prof Putney,
who was president of the association for
II years, spoke of some of the notable
features of the work in that period, The
meeting was thrown open and brief
remarks offered by E. N. Randall, Prof.
S. H. Bracket and l.. G. Spencer. This
meeting was largely attended and one of
the most interesting features of the ami
celebration.
THE MEETING IN MUSIC HALL.
The anniversary exercises were held in
Muse hall on Sunday evening. Good
music was furnished by male chorus,
and there was large attendance of our
townspeople at the exercises. The scrip
lures were read by Rev. Edward T. Fair
banks and prayer was offered by Rev. G.
c. Waterman.
Judge Smith, as president of the asso-
citation, gave the Introductory address in
which he expressed the hope that no one
would lose their interest in Y. M. c. A.
work or fail to support it.
Secretary Smith gave review of the
years work which he said was a year
Of hard work in developing the work al
ready started rather than year ofopen-
ing up new work, and the work is begin
ing process. At our annual meeting we
shall be able to report the largest legal
that the association has had
for some years. In the gymnasium classes
more than twice as many pupils were en-
rolled than ever before. The members
and reception committee
have won popularity from the members
by the good times they have had. Our
sick committee has had little to do the
past year. Next year we hope to do
more in boys work and separate rooms
for the boys are contemplated. The re-
lgious work of the association has been
especially gratifying. Speakers have
Travelled an aggregate of 5000 miles to
speak at the Sunday afternoon meetings
As an outgrowth of this Evoke Fellow
ship Club has been established. The
Woman's Auxiliary has been ever ready
to help and the plans they are making
for the future show we are to be the re-
cipients of more selfsacrifce and gener-
osity. Our fiscal year closes in Septem-