The Republican journal., 1899-02-02
A Pleasant Occasion.

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A Pleasant Occasion.
When the ladies of the Current Events
Club of Stockton Springs learned that
their meeting, Jan. 10Th, would occur on
the 62nd wedding anniversary of Mr.. and
Mrs. Isaac Griffin, with whose daughter
they were to meet, they determined to
make little surprise for the aged couple.
The day dawned bright and clear, re-
production of that long ago eventful one.
That the surprise might not be too great,
by previous arrangement. about noon,
niece, an active mover in the matter. call
ed to tell them of the ladies' plans and
the joyous appreciation, reflected from
the dear aged faces, was beautiful to see.
"And they wished to do this for u.s. said
she who so long and worthly has labored
for others, while the keencst iov was
shown from her still bright eyes. AT the
close of the Club exercises, Mrs. Lillas
Staples, a niece and grand niece of the
couple, read the following original tribute:
Blessings on the heads to-day
Wearing natures crown of grav
Heads erect with honest pride,
That have Journeyed side by side
SlXty-two long years. We say
BLESSINGS on the heads to-day.
Blessings on the hearts to-day,
Faithful, loving hearts are they
Every throb is pure and deep,
Making ropes of love that keep
Strong the family ties, and show
What devotion here below
Can accomplish when it makes
A chain so strong it never breaks
Truth has ever been their guide,
Faith their comfort, home their pride
Knowing well their worth, we say
Blessings on the hearts to-day.
Blessings on the home today
May the honored couple stay
Long to make the home complete
Long their many friends to greet.
One and all sincerely say
| Blessings on the home to-day
Jan. 10, 1899.
| Following this, Mrs. Maria Hichborn
read these selected, appropriate lines,
both Mr. and Mrs. Griffin being above so
years of age.
AS there are times that mark some great
| world deed,
| Which lifted life above some pressing need
| Or days that tell of some grand victory Won
Of tyranny suppressed, OF peace begun,
| So there are days that mark some epoch
bright
In every ife-that send their rays of light
! So near the patch of travel, that we see
Llfes something more than mere monotony
| And such a day is this to thee, dear friends,
AS tour score precious years above thee
bend
| t.
| Gods angels, sent to cheer thy latter days
| Thou at hfe's dawn to God thy life did give.
| He at iife's closing period bids thee live.
| That is the secret of thy grand old age,
Each year thou didst III duty's work en-
gage
For country fight, for the poor outcast toll,
| That slavery thrive not on thy native soil.
| For Christ's eternal kingdom thou hast
stood,
Thy creed not empty words, but deeds of
good.
So at eighty, in true strength possessed.
And through it all Gods grace made mani
fest.
Thy days in blessing rich are being spent,
Thy loving family round thee, Gods gifts
sent
To cheer 1hee-till the heavenly Fathers
Leads sure and strong to the blest rest
above.
When, at his request, the company had
sung "America," Mr.. Griffin fervently
repeated, THAT strikes me, that strikes
me-"
Then came many "reminiscences of the
wedding day, and the years since passed
the trials and sorrows, the untiring pa
!. triotism during the civil war, sending son
after son to do battle for his country; the
war just ended, in which they took the
deepest interest.
In the midst of this delightful CONVEX
satlon, tea was announced and Is sat
down to bountifully laden tables, tie
choice viands being provided chiefly by
the Club ladies.
The only daughter at home was untir-
ing in her efforts and had the always i'm
portant wedding cake all ready.
The occasion Was one long to be re-
membered, and wishing the couple re-
turns of the day, the festivities closed
with tn singing OF DARBY and JOAN by
the writer.