New-York tribune., 1901-09-09
NEW-JERSEY NEWS.
OLD FOLKS DAY SERVICE.
INTERESTING EXERCISES IN THE FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. IN VINE
LAND-TWO CENTENARI
ANS PRESENT.

vineland. Sept (speciaD.-At the twelfth
nral observance of "Old Folks Day in the First
Presbyterian Church this morning. where had
gathered nearly five hundred people who had
passed the half-century mark. the Rev. Dr.. d. ii.
King paid glowing tribute to President Mckln-
ley. When he pathetically referred to the shoot
ing of the President. tears to glisten
on the cheeks Of many of those present. DR.. King
called out passionately to all American patriots
to "arise and exterminate these red handed an
archists who plotting the destruction of our
great republic" He then led the large congrega-
tion in fervent prayer for the recovery of the
President.
''old Folks Day" which was originated by DR..
King, is exceedingly popular among old people.
and is rapidly being adopted by other churches
throughout the land. Nearly all the morning
hicles Of all descriptions at the call Of the church
officials, dispatched different parts of the
county and into adjacent counties to bring in the
old "unces" and ''aunties.' Irrespective Of color
or creed. and not nook Granny was over
looked. Almost remarkable as the assemblage
was the assembling, for the bedridden and the
crippled carried to the church to a place
Of healing; the crippled sat in invalid chairs which
placed in wagons; those simply very old but
fairly active hobbled to the sanctuary with the
aid of crutches, and those who old but still
hale walked proudly without assistance.
The service of great interest. No more re-
markable congregation in point of age at least
probably assembled. Among the congre-
CATION two centenarians. one being March
Lamb. colored, of Vineland, 1O4 years old and the
winner Of the first prize. and the other James
Green, of Willow Grove, Salem County. 100 years
old. who took the second prize.
DR.. King took for his text Genesis xiv, 1928:
And when he the wagons which Joseph had
sent to him, the spirit OF Jacob their father
revived, and he said. IT is enough, Joseph is yet
alive. viii go and see him before l die" He
said in part;
The hearts of all true Americans are inexpres-
sibly sad at this hour midnight gloom hangs
days Of 1855 when our noble Lincoln fell at the
hands Of the inf Infamous Booth or as in the days
the bullet of the cowardy assassin Guitea9.
peS66 IN a fhf Ty OF a9 @ 0gF Pe
wound inflicted by infamous beast in human
Tcuy pray Il this @ day to AmfsRty God H that ns this
cruel wound may not prove fatal. that his sorrow
high for this bitter ordeal; and let all arise as
handed anarchists the Booths the Guiteaus. the
Rrescis the Czolgoszes;. who have taken shelter
the destruction Of our great republic.
DR., King then prayed with great feryor for the
recovery of President Mckinley, and was followed
with prayers by several of the patriarchs present
March Lamb the oldest attendant firmly be-
lteves that his advanced age and good health are
due to the grace of God, whom he has for many
years served faithfully as a religious eXhorter
has felt the patriotic thrills of four victorious
American wars. He remembers the hustle and ex-
ctement incident to the War OF 1872, and can still
see in his minds eye, the heavy artillery as it
was dragged through the streets. Lamb he
then boy slave. fifteen years old and that
he ran from his master to serve in the navy.
He was pursued. captured and brought back to the
plantation, and his patriotism only saved him from
being fogged.
with Mexico, and was again disappointed in his
efforts to battle for his country. He managed to
enlist I'm the Civil War, however, and fought for
the Union in the battle of Chckahominy in Cen
eTal Reynoldss brigade He had been a slave of
Joseph Welstor, of Elizabeth City. y. c.. who in
herited him from his father. Ambrose Walston.
Lamb uses tobacco with moderation. He thinks
that besides living religious life, his longevity
Is due to the hoe cake diet which he lived while
a child The church officials. who acted as judges
awarded TO March Lamb the first prize. a hand
sOmely bound book, with card TO certify that he
the oldest attendant.
Next came James Green, who has Just rounded
out a hundred years of life. "Old Uncle Jimmy -
as he is Familiarity called, is one of the original
oldtime Jerseymen, and born at Weymouth
Furnace. Atlantic County. He, toe, remembers
| the War OF 1872, and remembers three other vic
| torious American wars. He says he has always
voted the Democratic ticket. II voted for Andrew
| Jackson says Uncle Jimmy 'and have voted
| for every Democratic candidate for the Presi-
dency since that time, including William Jennings
RY1yaD