The herald., 1896-12-12
FOREFATHERS' DAY
Duly honored by the Pine Tree State
Ass0ci alton
Judge Enoch Knights Eloquent Re.
countal Of the Pilgrim Settlement
On These Shores


On These Shores
meeting at the rooms of the Friday
Morning club last night to commemorate
Pilgrims day. The rooms had been
prettily decorated with smilax. and about
$50 members and friends of the associa-
ton were present. Dinner was served
promptly at 7:30 o'clock, after which the
following interesting program was rem
dered: Music, Mrs. Brown; address.
Judge Enoch Knight; music, Mr.. Wood;
recitation, Miss Jessie York; music,
Mrs. Webb.
The address of the evening was made
by Judge Knight, who spoke Of the
landing of the pilgrim fathers on our
shores, and the causes that led thereto.
Among other things Judge Knight said.
AS a conclusion of the whole question
presented by the spectacle of the pill
grim settlement on these shores, it mus:
be fairly concluded that no other event
in modern history matches it in conse-
quence. Through natural change, doc
trine and discipline were softened into
that reasonable liberation which made
opportunity and home life harmonious
and wholesome. From the years of ex-
lie in Holland, through every experience
which followed, everywhere was taught
the discipline and dignity of labor. No
where out of New England was ever de-
veloped such symmetry of neighborhood
life, for it was built upon the true unit
the family. The genesis of our civiliza-
ton is traced to the Free States govern
ment in the Netherlands. and the town
meeting of New England, and what they
stood for. in the way of patient working
and waiting of patriotic purpose, and
of Individual responsibility. TIE men
and women who wrought out what the
matured policy of the pilgrims stood for.
developed phases of character that have
been the dominating influence IN our
civilization for two centuries. They
were co-workers with Providence. and
it was a hard bargain; for they had to
put in all the labor and most of the cap
ital. They could not make much OF the
soil, but they did make much of them
selves, which was better. They created
the very means and sources of growth
and power. AS Michael Angelo founo
in the very dirt of the Vatican gardens
the ochres that went into his marvellous
frescoes, and pulverized ana mixeo theni
with his own hands till they became a
secret power in his matchless work. so
these men and women found the alchemy
of life in the mastering of whatever was
at hand. making it to serve them as the
very elements DO.
II is said they were narrow in belier;
but all belief that has thickness must ue
narrow. Too many people spread ous
belief so thin that it is only capaole OF
raising a crop of doupts; Cur Tew "
England ancestors had the kernel Oh
Christian truth in their belief: and tnas
is ali the most of us can ever be sure OF
or hone for. confess to feeilne o!
nitv for those people who invent anu
clothe with fippant phrase many or tne
new notions about faith ana rensious
ALLEGATION. One man with sincere co, ,,,,
viction. who will honor 1t, keep sun
about it, and let it work us ieaven ~ nle
,;se as an example and inspiration TO
,oonLind ia worth to the world multi
tude who walk in the shadow OF their
own conceits and fads, till they pecone
the confused and crippled victims OF tnen
own vocabulary.
1t is said these ancestors Oh ouIS 49,,
slow. Yes, they were slow, andSa !n.n an
who go surely go slowly. NO man .,t
Wv co falv trod a level or scaled height
Who did not go every inch of the way
with his feet upon the solid ground. Iney
nlayed the game of life seriously, ana no
doubt, seltishly; but they played !. open-
ly and fairly. They never gamole9. aMvS is,s
led earnest, and, therefore, proouciMne M
lives, knowing that all the Iacts 49, VI ~
man existence show that every uhpro-
ductive life must sooner or later pe-
come a burden, if not revenge upon
mankind. They earned and they saVeu'
as it was necessary and nonoraoie ~
save. And 1t is because they earneu
and saved that the sons Of the Puritams
have carried their enterprise ana tnrlIt
nvervwhere. have followed the sun west
ward over the Hudson, the Mohawk, tne
Alleghanies, the Mississippi, the ROCK
les, the Sierras. until at length, as Amei-
ica's greatest orator has said, Iney
have mingled their voices IN the soIt
murmur Of the Pacific seas
Rut If is rather to the homes of New
England that our hearts turn tonight, as
we celebrate Forefathers' day. The IKE
of them we shall never see again, not
even here in this smile of softer SKY:
That intense household life, with It's milo
amusements and its serious stuuy, its
long evenings and its few good books
that were learned by heart, will never be
possible where all things invite to out
of doors and an easier life. But we must
not forget our heritage. We can. at least,
remember the old homes, with the saw
ing grace they carry to every WANDER
er's heart, and like the young prophet
called to serve the new king IN the new
land, we can keep our windows ever
open towards Jerusalem.
And If for some of us there are no
homes left. If they have been swept
away, if there do not even remain Life s
last relics, cellar and we'll" we can
never forget the mothers that made
households dear and sacred. No other
inspiration can be equal to our memory
of these. They dedicated and conse.
Grated their lives to us. Others might
doubt and deny, but they never. They
trusted us. they believed in us. They
praised and encouraged every good deed,
and kissed every childish offense into
everlasting forgetfulness. With un-
eaualed courage and self-denial they
lived their quiet and often hard lives,
carrying immortal hope in their hearts
and the light of Heaven in their eyes.
Safe cornered by the household fire,
Behind the heads of children"
They found duty their shrine and the
home their world. Their first solicitude.
their latest prayer, thought. look and
touch on earth were for all OF US and the
sweetest and sublimest faith that can
ever come into these souls of ours is that
when we stand forth at last IN the clear. y .
ing light of the Eternal Morning the
faces Of the waiting angels who hold out
their arms to 'uS shall be the faces OF our