Evening star., 1897-02-22
AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
Joint Meeting to mmemOrate Wash-
tnEtOn's Birthday.

"oAHs MeetlnB 10 commemorate Wash.
tngton's Birthday.
Services in commemoration of the birth OF
the first President of the Union were held
yesterday afternoon at the New York Ave-
nue Presbyterian Church under the Joint
auspices of the societies of the Sons of the
Revolution and the Sons Of the American
Revolution. The church was crowded to the
ocors ana many were turned away, unable
TO obtain admission. The French ambas-
ssdor was present by special invitation, ac-
compaLied by several members of the en-
bcsSy.
- Seats had been reserved in the front of
the church for the members of the two So
cletles, and at the appointed hour they en-
,ered in procession to the music of the
March Religeuse," played by the Marine
Band, which was stationed in the south
gallery. On the platform were seated Vice
PRESIDENT Stevenson, Rev. John R. Paxton.
ID, OF the New York Society of the Sons
OF the revolution, Rev. Wallace Radcliffe,
DID; Rev. Thomas D. Childs DID, and
Mr.. William Van Zandt Cox, who acted as
chairman.
The services were opened by the audience
singing old Hundred" DR.. Radcliffe in
the societies. Thanks were given to God
for raising up Washington in the time of
the country's need. The President sena-
tors and judges were also remembered.
he Watching Over Israeli was sung
by the church choir, after which DR.. Childs
read appropriate selections from the Scrip
ture. The congregation sang a hymn. and
the Marine Band played Massenets "Ange-
lus." sS
DIR. Paxton was then introduced by Mr.,
Cox and delivered an. eloquent eulogy OF
the life and character of General Washing
ton. :. tc
The church quartet, consisting Of Mrs.
shir-Clif, soprano; Miss Edna Scott Smith.
contralto; j. Taylor Cronin. bass, and NJ
ID. Bensey, tenor, rendered Shelley's" Angels
of Jesus" at the CONCLUSION of which Vice
Ialf1 olI
When he finished all present sang Amer
ica," DR.. Radcliffe pronodnced the benedic-
ton and the congregation filed out while
the band played the Star Spangled Ban
ner"
Appropriate to the Day We Celebrate.
The following bit OF verse is from the pen
Of iona than Ashley Saxton, esq.,, of Deer
field, Mass, father of one of our townsmen.
General Rufus Saxton, e. S. A., retired
1t wnr composed for Washingtons birth
day celebration February %, 1892, Hon.
George Bancroft being the orator of the
day:
Hail to the day which gave Washington birth!
And JOY 10 America, hope to the earth.
Wreaths to the chieftain his country who guided
And vanquished her foes in the strength Of their
might
Established the peace, to his wisdom confided
or his country the father and glory and light
Lift high our voices in triumph and Joy
The freedom he gave Time cannot DESTROY
Hail to the day which gave Washington birth,
And Joy to America, hope to the earth.
Long shall his name live the first in our story
his love in the hearts of the free ne er decay
his coinsels still guide to greatness and glory
Till time shall be lost In eternity's day.
Lift high ,ur voices In triumph and JOY
The freedom he gave Time cannot DESTROY
Ever be honored Washingtou's name;
The nations exult in the light Of his fame.
What though the fetters Of tyrants have bowed
them,
And chained the free heart down to bondage and
shame
Through tempests and clouds which now darkly
enshrOud then,
The star Of their hope points to Washington's
name.
Sing for the hope of the glory to be,
VIXEN tyrants shall perish and earth shall he free
Yet there Is gladness awaiting the slave
Nor heaven abandOns the hopes of the braye.
Onward the light, through the nations advancing
Warns millions Of hearts with the glow of its
fire;
From hilltop and mountain its bright CLEANS are
glancing,
And libertys foes in its blaze shall expire
BE, then our banner in triumph unfurled
Till knowledge and freedom have ransomed the