Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1897-02-03

DEA. c. w. OsGooD.
Few social events of recent date in this
,illage have been OF pleasanter character
,r the occasion celebrated more unusual or
If greater import than that of last Thurs
day evening which took the form Of a re-
ception rendered Charles Wesley OSgood
by the members of his Sunday school class,
which was organized under his direction %
years age. The class itself is remarkable
one for size, numbering now S3 active
members and averaging an attendance Of
about 40. Record is kept OF each past and
present member and it shows g total mem
bership OF about 800 who are scattered over
many states of the union. As far as known
but one who has been upon its rolls has
died. A quarter of a century ago 1t was
composed of nine boys from Ii to 16 years
old, one OF whom is still an active member.
A short time after its organization a class
of girls was added, and these grew to ma
turity and middle life in it. For some years
it has been composed of men and women in
middle life and active in the affairs of the
world The class has grown the most rap
idly in membership and interest during the
last 10 years. Many have gone from this
class to teach others, here and elsewhere,
and the influence Of the % years must have
been widespread in leading thousands to
better knowledge OF Gods word, and to a
better lite. The class itselfis getting quite
an enviable reputation throughout New
England and is often mentioned by reli-
gious papers in different localities as
noted one in many ways, as well as its
teacher.
For some years it has been Mr. Osgood's
practice to tender reception each winter
to all the present and past members, but
this year the class took it upon themselves
to celebrate the quarter centennial and he
was their guest instead of host.
A large number Of invitations were ex-
tended, oil which about 1873 were accepted,
but owing to the blizzard which ragged that
day there were but l03 present.
The parlors OF the Congregational church
were each handsomely decorated with pic
lures, rugs and draperies. j c. Day in
troduced the guests as they arrived, Mr..
and and Mrs G. w. Osgood, Mr.. and
Mrs A. N. Swain, f. G. Hildresh and Mrs.
l.. S. Hayes receiving. Shortly before .
o'clock tables were spread and a delightful
collation. served, during which time the
Bellows Falls Guitar and Mandolin Club
discoursed sweet music to aid the powers
OF digestion, after which the speaking held
the closest attention OF the party until after
- o'clock.
DIR. KIRKLAND POSTMASTER.
DR.. Edward Kirkland as postmaster in
troduced Mr.. Osgood saying in part.
"To-night we find change from former
years, our kind and genial host is the guest
of the evening and the members OF the
class assume the part which he has been
accustomed to take. This is unique &C.
casion, the 18th anniversary of the &c. W.
Osgood Sunday school class Twenty five
years is long time for teacher and class
to be associated together. In that time we
have seen our village grow from small
place to large manufacturing town. We
have seen the steady growth OF the church.
from small struggling body to large and
prosperous church, reaching out its arms
to all good purposes. The class has grown
from small to goodly numbers | think
there are very few such large and flourish
ing Bible classes in Vermont. This is
| largely due to the efforts of our teacher
Few persons, indeed, in that capacity are
accustomed to devote so much time to study
and research into matters pertaining to the
Sunday school lesson, in order that his
class may be benefited by his knowledge
Then, too, the character OF the man. Not
only the words which are spoken, but the
character OF the man, teaches. If he take S
journey we are allowed to take that Jour
| ney with him afterwards. and many pleas
ant trips OF that kind have we enjoyed
very appropriate are these quotations il
closing my remarks, before giving way tc
MIR. Osgood, Why can't fellow hear the
good things said about fellow when Eel
low is deadg and oh, be thou blest with
all that heaven can send long health long
youth, long pleasure and friend
Mr.. Osgood, after speaking feehngly o.
the kindness of the class said he felt some
what Ike the passenger riding in a Pull
man car, when the porter rushed in ex
claiming 1--WE are going to have a colt
sion," he answered, ..Oh, that's nothing t.
me, I'm only passenger, speak to the con
ductor about it." I've nothing to do with
the arrangements tor this delightful occa-
sion but come here as your guest. Th
occasion is unique in that l have been per
mitted With all my faults and failings, Il
remain your teacher for % years and thi
should celebrate your forbearance and long
suffering with me. The recollections o
the time, and of those who have been il
the class, are very pleasant to me il
many ways, particularly watching thos,
who have grown up with families OF thei
own, and gone out from among us. | am
anxious to know what has been the produc
OF all these years. My teaching should be
for purpose, what is that purpose?
ought to develop in your life, as well as il
my own, something that will stand for al
time and eternity. The period covered by
the history of this class has been a wonder
full epoch in the worlds history. Every
thing has changed. We have been giveI
the electric motor, the dynamo, the elec
tric ear, electric light, the Westing- hou5,
air brake. eating gun and dynamite, tn,
Itype-setting and moulding machines, th,
cash register, the modern bicycle, th,
horseless carriage, the Harvesting of Mia
CARA, and now we are just emerging into
arbitration. which with the Young People,
Society of Christian Endeayor and oihel
advancements in church and Sunday schoo
work make period which cannot be ex