Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-03-17
Our First Anniversary.



Fais ton fat, Do thy little stroke of
| work :" this is natures voice, and the sum
OF all the commandments, to each mani
-Cdrlyte
1t is time of rejoicing with US. First
OF all, we render unieigned thanks to AL.
mighty God for all the benefits we, as a
Club, have received at His hands From
the first, We recognized the work as His
own, though unattended with sacred forms.
We firmly believed that no labor which
trustiully sought to educate, refine, and ele-
Vate the mind, and improve the moral
nature, could be without His smile. We
have tasted the earnest of our reward.
One shadow fell. Death took from US,
almost at the start, one who was an I'M
hlnching supporter of your president in
work OF this kind in former years. He was
q mild, inotfensiVe man, an ardent friend
OF our undertaking. Many members have
been victims of an epidemic, but their lives
have been graciously spared.
AT the beginning, there were grave fears
that 1t would be hard to overcome the hin.
ORANGES that lay directly across our path.
These difficulties were very real and very
great. But they have been overcome. To
the relief and Joy OF him TO whom you en-
trusted the collection of funds for the estab-
lishment of a library, the success of the
former enterprise has been quadrupled in
pledges, and doubled as to time. That was
conceded by all to be wonderful achieve.
ment; this is many times greater. Your
president is not ashamed to say that his
heart has been stirred, and his eyes suffused
time and again, at the exhibition of conf
de nee reposed in him by the leading citi-
zens OF our county. Outside our imme
IF b
OF the workings OF the club, but they do
know your leader, and without question,
give him the means to carry on the work.
WORDS are cheap, requiring only certain
organs OF afticul alton, and ar Face to face
nattery, which Tennyson says is the same
thlng as back biting, costs no effort. The
thing that talks, with eloquence incompars.
Die, IS Mss quick turning oOer Of the CASH. Our
library contains 739 volumes only a be
ginning, but beginning for which we are
devoutly thankful. With the exception OF
nve volumes by Kipling, which amount to
precious little, but which some would like
10 LOOK through, there is not more choice
collection OF books any where.
The absolute harmony prevailing through
out the year has been a cOnsta Mt Joy and "a
mighty source of power. On no single sub
lect has there been one word of dissent
Not one utterance has fallen on wounded
ear Our step has been like that OF veteran
soldiers, and, by consequence, no enginery
OF influence has been able TO break our
ranks. A feeling of affectionate interest has
sprung up, and is growing. No member
snip OF any kind in this town is more loyal
To one another than the membership Of this
Club. Very much of this spirit OF unity is
due to the appointment of a standing com
mlttee on applications-a new departure
born oil past sorrowful experience. Every
application is scrutinized before presenta
ton Tor the action OF the body. Those who
dislntegrate and ruin clubs, break up lodges,
ana convulse churches, are not wanted
among US. This is widely known, and will,
we trust, safeguard US from annoyance in
that direction Ii, in spite of all our vigi.
lance, such character shall slip by the
black balls, when the disturber is revealed,
the Club will hand him his resignation
80 lar, the office has emphatlcally sought
the man, and not the reverse. Within the
maintenance of that disposition resides a
gracious prophecy.
The attendance of members has not been
as large as could have been wished, though
there have not lacked extenuating circum-
stances. Perhaps no town OF its size on
earth has 30 many meetings every week in
the year-one every night, and sometimes
| vice of the Club has, however, been excel
lent Especially when it is remembered
that the programme has never been pub
llshed, either before or after rendition. II
| is perfectly understood how it tickles not u
| few to read their names in type, and the
| temporary enthusiasm thus engendered
but we believe we have chosen wisely, and
that the end will prove IL. Splendid ad
dresses, excellent essays, fine readings, bril-
liant musical performances, have been given,
and not name Of an active member has APP
peared in print. In the case OF visitors, or
honorary members, publicity would be
proper enough All honor TO youi You
havenot deemed it neediul TO have a trump
eter, bribed, or otherwise; but have been con-
tent to do your part as does the modest
flower that offers all it has, with eye of
beauty lifted to the silent yet responsive
blue You have gained applause OF better
kind than that which breaks forth from the
ieet No one doubts that we could have
had at any time and constantly packed
hall had we been willing to lay aside the
dignity which has clothed US, and descend
to the level of the vulgar. But then we
should have lost entirely the respect, the
confidence, and the support essential to the
existence of the body The fruitage of the
educated brain usually has small drawing
power over the general. Thank God we
have not particle OF circus talent, and pray
never to have any. The harlequin and
monkey would soon tire OF our company.
One of the best crIteria OF your intelligence
has been the profound attention given the
editorials Of your paper Though In danger
OF being thought rather heavy for such an
assembly, you have seemed unwilling TO
miss word In this you have compli-
mented yourselves as much as you have your
editor.
The growth 10 membership has been very
gratifying; shown by comparison with data
now under the eye OF the editor. When the
former institution was at the zenith OF It's
pride and glory, the statistics published in
the papers say the membership was sixty
This was alter four years OF hard labor
which was, in the main, united aid delight
iul-a green spot in the memory oil num-
Der here. Now, in one year, our member
ship is forty I've, several having been drop |
ped from the roll for non-payment OF dues. |
Not a deadhead on the list Our rent has
ways been paid three months in advance;
every item of expense promptly paid leav-
ing snug balance In the treasury. That's |
the record.
What of the future2 Everything that's |
bright, If you are true TO yourselves. We |
are doing foundation work, the hardest OF |
all but the most honorable forever Years |
from now, eleventh-hOur workers will claim
full wages paid in honor. Rushing u the |
front, waving the banner, shouting, Didn't
we do itp Yea, verify, Eve" But the truth
will be known. The names OF the workers |
and the giVers will be framed In gold and
hung upon our walls, that the generation
following may reverence those who delight
ed To do noble and god-like things The
fup mil tall V ~
generous and the faithful, Stand together.
Copslder every Jeffersonan brother or
sister. Never say aught against them, nor
allow any body else 10 say It. Help every
one of them with all your might Mark
the men who are giving US their money,