Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-16
THE AFTERNOON.

A
assembled In front OF the hall Of Brown
Post, which was Grand Army head
quarters for the day, and after playing
few patriotic airs, led the veterans tc
the stand where the exercises Of the
afternoon were to be held.
The sky had by this time become
bright and clear, and the northwest wind
was so strong that 1t interfered some
what with the speaking, and the crowd,
instead of assembling on the common, as
was the intention, had to gather In the
street on the other side, and the speak
ing was from what was intended as the
back Of the stand.
At 2:20 the audience was called 10
order by Hon. T.. w. Woodbury., chair
man Of the day, and Rev. Israel Jordan
Of the Congregational church offered an
earnest prayer.
The act OF incorporation Of the planta-
ton Of Sudbury, Canada, as the town OF
Bethel, in the county Of York and Com
monweslth of Massachusetts, dated
June 10, l796, was read by Leander L.
Barker, town clerk.
Judge Woodbury. then extended a
cordial welcome 10 all present--to the
stranger as well as those who were TO
the manor born. quoting the words OF
one of our gifted poets;
80 We. whose wandering feet retrace today
The path that led you from these scenes astray,
Within whose breasts wherever you may roam.
The faith still lives, that points to ehildhood's
home.
Upon the meadows, In the shady delis.
The sunlight gilds. with all its ancient grace,
The winsome beauties OF your native place.
still Bethel sits, queen. In modest pride.
And calls her willing subjects 10 her side"
Judge Woodbury. paid tribute to
Bethel's wonderful natural beauty Of
situation, and to the many men who,
having gone out from Bethel. have plac-
ed laurels on her brow. He spoke Of the
Importance Of the birthday Of a town,
and dwelt upon the fact that the town Is
the embodiment of true democracy. He
called Bethel 1.-The most charming, home
like, health-giving town In Maine" He
gave no historical address. as that work
had already been done by others, but
confined himself To brief mention Of
some Of the facts of the towns early
history, and closed thus;
zone hundred years What hath God
crowiing the streets to-day. Look M cur
churches AMI school buildings. See cur streets.
archcd by the silvery maple and the stately elm.
Look at our artistic, convenient dwelling houses,
our stores flied with merchandise. our manu-
factories, our savings bank. our post Office, our
printing Office, our photograph gallery. our law
Offices, our drug stores, our well appointed
ho-tcrtes, our telephone. our railroad and teic
graph offices. Then extend your vision 90 our
well cultivated farms. with their capacious
barns and their neat. commodious dwelling
houses. Then let ono grateful song OF thanksgiv
tnE AMI praise ascend from each heart 10 Hin.
that the linc- have fallen - us In such pleasant
place.. and that We have 20 goodly a heritage. ="
A poem written for this occasion by
Mrs. 4. r. ilerrick was read by Hon. A.
r. Iierrick.
MRS. HERRICk's POEM.
Unto the hills viii m up mine eyes,"
Long years ago the inspired poet sang,
And cen TO -day within our hczrt- doth rise
The -elfsamc song that strong within him rang
For who. that IN these circling hills hath dwct,
But deep within feels of aud Oft again,
The solemn rapture that the Psalinist fci,
NOictng itself In his ccstatic stratnf
knd who hath seen how mornings early light
Tinges these heights with Softe>t purple ray.
or views the splenior- of approaching night
When sunset glory crowns the closing day
or booking up from midday toll or rest,
when slumbrous shadows softly on them lie,
And wrap Ia calm each high. upliftei crest,
That liits not up again the old. obi cry,
"From which my help doth come? while spirit
thrills.
With holy bcnciic,lon from the hills.
Which rssts upon him. going forth to strife,
To storm and -trcss Of ,umultuous NE,
Or harder far, t. walk the dusty ways,
Through level rcIrh OF uneycntful days.
We wonder not that pious man OF Tod,
Whose sanity feet these hills and valleys trod
i..sf,s
Toward thoughts Of saints OF the old Testament,
should deem these peaks celestial slopes - fair
As those Of Old. whcreon. through moonht air,
The angels came and went. In heavenly grace,
should find cen here reminder Of the place
Where Jacob, foo,sorc, found his hallowe'l rest,
Pillowed on stone, aud rising in the morning.
blcst
The place, and called II Bethel, HeAyens gate.
since heavenly visions here on men might wA'-
We men and women. who your childhood passed
Reneath the glorics OF this earth and ky,
To whom these peaks were mountain heights NJ
A. Alps or Andes reared their heads n high,
To whom this river that through meadows ran.
Wa- stream fun OF magic mystery
A. fahled Alph. through caverns bid 10 man.
That flowed 20 meet the sOmbrc sunless sea
You unto whom these scenes are OF the past,
" hose lives are -Pent remote from village WAYS
Crowds there not OF upon you thick aud fast
Md thrungtng mem rtc- Of your childhood days,
Some haunting visions OF this springtimc bliss
Enchanting pictures ever new anrollci-
OF hillsdes calm. which dreamy shadows kiss
And submits strong In soft carcss enfolds
OF tree fr'ngcd river, bearing In IL breast
Reelected gloric- under which II glides,
The mirrored beauty OF each cloud and crest,
And stretching far alown IT. fertile sides,
The out spread fields % tairc-t living green,
The prosperous promise of the strong, black sol!
Hidden beneath It's emerald nsnIle's sheen,
Witch with rich largCss e'er rcpays our toll,
And round about. climbing the -loping hill,
Dr nesting In the valley. safe AMI still.
The clustering village homes, while calm against
the sky,
Mute speaking Of mans aspiration high,
AMI Cots own peace unto him given.
The white church spire, uprising unto heaven.