Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-22
A PURSE OF $500.
Testimonial to Rev. FIR. Goggin
By His Former Parishioners.
In Spite of the Storm Very Many People
Heard the Address in Elm Hall Mon
day Evening.

lie Church assembled in Elm Hall Mon
! day evening, to give a testimonial to
their former pastor, Rev. William H.
Goggin. Seated upon the platform
We're: Rev William H. Goggin, Rev.
! Charles j. Boylan, Rev. J. A. Charland,
Thomas II. Sullivan, Esq.
Chairman Thomas A. Dowd said: THE
duty of presiding tonight at our testi-
monial reception rendered by grateful
people to their former pastor, Rev. FIR.
William II. Goggin, is indeed pleasing
in the extreme. and this splendid gath
| ering speaks far more eloquently than
| could any words Of mine in proclaim
ing its welcome. warm and earnest, to
| him who consecrated his life to the he
| roic work Of our grand old church. He
! comes here tonight at the request Of
our parish, that we may again renew
| our unfailing devotion and to attest to
the splendid work he accomplished while
| among us. Truly, like unto the wise
shepherd, he has brought his flock into
/ green pastures. he has led them beside
( the still waters. His work while among
I us attestS as a monument to his
achievements, deep imprint on the tab
let's of memory. Our cause was his
cause, our interests were his interests
| His strong and sturdy words of coun-
sci admonished us, in his kindly way,
1 TO ever place conscience above expedi-
ency and principle above popularity,
and to be guided in conduct by a SOL
emn sense Of duty rather than of self
| interest"
Mr. Dowd then introduced Thomas H.
| sullivan, Esq Mr. Sullivan said:
1t is great pleasure for me to be
\ mere tonight and with whatever ability
| L may possess, voice the sentiments OF
| Your numerous friends in Millbury As
a child is delighted upon his fathers re-
| turn in the evening, so are We your
| children, glad to look upon your face
| again and to realize that you are with
US even though your stay is limited
] But TWO weeks have passed since the
| announcement of your departure came
! upon us like thunderbolt from a
cloudless sky. How can any of us for
| get that Sunday morning which saw
! happy congregation suddenly changed
INTO mass of weeping humanity?
Many an eye was dimmed which hith-
efto remained dry through times of deep
! af1lcton. Warm tears dropped at your
departure on the very floor which felt
the cold drops Of rain upon the day OF
| your arrival
You came and found US in trials and
! trlbulations, when the long sickness
and death of former pastor burdened
our church with debt and our hearts
with sorrow. But by constant care
ana watching, by untiring and devoted
laoors, you steered the ship through
the financial stress, avoiding Scylla on
the one side and Charybdis on the 9th
er, staying at the wheel without rest
or assistance until the g-sought-for
| with 9 from ka,-
US to its peaceful bosom. But such a
limit was not pleasing to your praise
worthy ambition.
Not satisfied with bursting the fin
ancial shackles which bound us. bv
your economy you placed us upon a
sound financial basis far beyond the
probability of relapsing into our former
condition. While the labors of which I
nave spoken demand our praise and
admiration, still they form but small
part of the considerations which are
the foundations of our love. In the
great fight for salvation, you were the
lodestone which guarded US in the
stra1ght and narrow path; you were
i ever ready to assist the spiritual hung
ry and to remove the burden from the
man heavy laden with sin and sorrow,
| You congratulated us upon our sue
cess and sympathized with US in our
! sorrows. Who of us cannot bear witness
70 your friendship and love in time Of
ah11ctfon? Where Is the sick room that
dld not lind you a constant companion7
How often was the face of the sick
man frightened by your presence when
unsolicited you sought him7 How many
souls went before their Maker on the
| way made smooth and straight by spir-
ltual assistance administered by YOU at
| the bedside of the dying man? When
death entered our household and took
| In
| quicker than yourself to offer words OF
sympathy and consolation? Were not
our burdens hghtened, and was not
death robbed of its bitterness when the
beautiful doctrines of our religion con-
cefntng the hereafter were explained by
| you in our household, and when we
We're brought to realize that death is
merely transition from a world of
trouble to life of joy? Many a wolf
has been driven from the door by your
| assistance, and though justice to your
merit demands me to mention your
many charities which are little known
outside of the circle composed of your
self and the objects OF your bounty,
yet defernce to your well known
desire that charity should be its own
reward, causes me to desist from fur
ther comment upon that most praise
worthy virtue.
Time will not permit, nor will your
modesty allow me to enumerate further
the qualities for which we love you, and
for which that love is so deserving. In
summing up it will be suffice to repeat
the words of the bishop, when he said:
Wherever you see Father Goggfn, you
see the priest
In behalf Of all l extend you the earn
est hope and desire that your relations
In your new field will be as pleasant
and fruitful as they have been in Mill
bury To our present pastor we offer
our feelings toward you as pledge of
our good will and friendship toward
him. Finally, as a testimonial of the
love, loyalty and affection of your nu-
merous friends, I now, in their behalf,
present you with this offering, which we
hope and know, you will accept con-
sidering not the gift itself, but the spirit
in which it is given"
Mr. Sullivan then presented FIR Cog
gin with a purse of $780, FIR Goggin
thanked his former parishioners for
their kindness towards him, and also
hoped that they should still continue
TO exist after he had left Millbury.
Remarks were made by Rev. c. 4
Boylan and Rev. J. A. Charland.
J. ]. Sullivan and Miss Sarah Muir
ply rendered vocal selections
NEWS NOTES.
The sale of the Dennis Duggan prop
erty on Millbury avenue was postponed
until March 12
The storm of Monday delayed the
electric traffic,
The ponds of Millbury are very high.
Several of the mills kept the flood gates
open all night to allow the surplus of