The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-02-19
TIE PASTOR And HIS BRIDE
WELCOMED HOME BY HIS CON-
GREGAT10N LAST NIGHT.
AN Enjoyable Occasion at the
Westminster Presbyterian
Church.

There was a most enjoyable assem-
blage last night in the basement Of the
Westminster Presbyterian Church, and
IT. seemed as if none Of +:ie congrega-
ton had forgotten to be present.
1t was reception given to the pas
tor, Rev. r. J. Johnston, on his return
from a visit. to his old home in the
Emerald Isle. bringing with him the
bride he had gone there TO make his
own. It. was a spontaneous outpour-
ing Of the esteem and affection felt for
him by the congregation to whom he
has ministered for q. few months past
and to whom he has so aendeared him.
self. and it was evident that it was no
mere perfunctory gathering, but that it
meant what it appeared to be, a hearty
and sincere welcome, to the newly mar
ried couple
After an invocation by the pastor,
Walter Wylie delivered the following
address Of welcome:
THE committee have asked me to
announce the programme which they
have arranged for the evening. /
thank them for the honor which they
have thus conferred upon me, and the
pleasure it affords me to welcome home,
on behalf of the members Of the church
and congregation-ou pastor and his
wife
You left US some two months ago
TO speed away from shore to shore
across this broad land of ours and sail
over the deep blue sea-and all for
what? Not that you loved US less, but
that you loved Mary more and longed
to be blessed with a sight of her eyne
once MARE Of course you never
said all this in so many words-but you
dare not deny its truth-for actions
speak louder than words After you
had gone from our midst our thoughts
followed you and even went before you
TO her who was thus drawing you. her
willing victirn-calling to mind that IA
miliar song entitled, Reuben and
Rachel a few words Of which are as
follows:
What a queer world this would be-
III the men were all transported
Far beyond the Northern Sea"
While we waited patiently for the hap
Ply climax. We need not tell you how
much we wished to hear from you, nor
how glad we were to receive the mes
sage from you announcing your mar
riage and extending to Us all an invi-
tation-nor how deeply we regretted
that we could not be present. These
are only a few of the sweet lingerings
of the recent past. But now we stand
face TO face with the present. while
the great future lies before us-to greet
you and yours with glad welcomes back
to your own.
This sweet to be remembered is an
expression that no one present does
not know the meaning Of in his or her
experience. This evening we are
brought together to participate in an
event which viii doubtless be the nue.
leus around which win gather unnum-
bered acts Of kindness and love. in
the days, weeks and years TO come,
which VIII be full Of sweet memories,
10 be fondiy cherished in the yet dis
taat future. This glad welcome home
ia you, our pastor and your wife, I am
sure comes from deep down in the
hearts Of the members Of this church
and congregation.
Welcome. thrice welcome back TO
your own. You are welcome as you
re-enter upon your work so recently be
guu-to the best that there IS in US.
We invite your most careful study Of
our individual selves-for It's said that
mans proper study IS man'-we think
there may be something IN each Of us
that VIII be helpful to you in carrying
forward the great work before you
seek out, therefore, whatever Of good
there may be in US and lay hold upon
it as your own.
we welcome you in all the varied
relations that you sustain to us-as a
friend, as leader, as a teacher and
as a pastor. A friend to win us to
Him who sticketb closer than a brother
IA leader to go beyond present limita-
tons Of church work and surroundings
and confidently call to follow. A teach
er to set clearly before Us in burning
words from the pulpit, truth and error,
so that we shall always behold the
beauty Of holiness. a pastor to be the
man Of God. 70 visit US In our homes 10
speak words Of cheer when shadows
darby gather, and comfort in times Of
sorrow and trial, as well as to be
sharer Of our JOY in times Of prosperity
and happiness.
Thus we greet you with glad well
comes and God grant his richest bless
ings to be round about you and upon
her whom you have chosen TO be a
helpmeet to you IN your life and min
istry. and Il there has crept into her
soul a sense of strangeness and home
sickness in these new Surroundings, may
they be quickly dispelled by the genial