The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-16
SERVICE FOR
AGED PEOPLE
Youths Of Three Score Help
Elders in Evening Of Life.
VETERANS THERE IN A BODY
Oldest Man Present, Agst los Years, Re-
CslHs Pin and Others Are Re.
Numbered.
VETERANS THERE IN A B0DY

Vineland. n. j., Sept. 16.-Facing a con-
gregation of 400 the youngest of whom
was 80 years and the oldest l05 years,
genarians. the Rev. DR.. David H. King
celebrated the 18th anniversary of "old
Folks Day" in the First Presbyterian
church, Sunday.
| 1t was a remarkable gathering. Every
inch OF vineland township had been
searched days in advance and arrange
ments made TO bring all OF the old peo-
pie within its boundaries to ethe church
Color and creed made no difference. Men
and women, invallded by extreme age or
by ailments, who had not left their
homes I'm many a day. were tenderly
brough. TO the church in invalid CHAIRS
placed in easy-riding wagons. Those In
the chairs were wheeled up to the far
'front.' or the church and presented an ex-
traordinary picture. Others. hobbled to
the church on crutches
Hale and hearty octogenarians dsdained
arrangements made for their comfort by
the committee and proudly walked. Juye-
niles In the fifties and sixties, with the
generous exuberance Of youth, helped
along those in the eighties and nineties
Old beaus and bellies stopped and chat
tered on the steps of the church as they
years back Children. grandchildren and
great-grandchildren Of the worshippers
watched the wonderful spectacle from the
street.
DR.. King founded "ofd Folks Day" 10
years ago, and 1t is now observed in many
churches throughout the land Yester-
days gathering was more extensive and
remarkable than any OF Its predecessors.
A dash Of exceptional interest was given
Sundays observance by the azfering OF
a first and second prize to the two oldest
worshippers.
VETERANS THERE IN A BODY.
The congregation was swelled by the
attendance in body of delegation of
the State Soldiers Home. They were led
into the church by tyol Jarvis Wanser
commandant OF the home.
Then there was a touch OF romance that
nightly pleased the white haired wor-
shippers. Bravely escorting his bride OF
seventy-six summers James Mason, who
has just passed the three-quarter century
mark. marched into the church. The sep
tuagenarians were welded only a few
weeks ago, and II was their hrst public
appearance since. Several old beaux pok-
ed Mr.. Mason slightly in the ribs when
haired old ladies complimented the sep
tuagenarian bride upon her youthful ap-
pearance
sheaves of wheat, clusters of golden
rod and other wild flowers wreathed the
pulpit. and assisting DR. King who is a
venerable man. were number OF white
haired divines.
Tremuloue voices chorused the hrst
hymn How Firm Foundation" and
then the Rev o. o. Campbell, who be-
came an octogenarian three years ago,
sang solo In voice astoundingly Wig
-
many whispers of We'll donel" In the
congregation.
printed service. prepared by the Rev
Il. c. Romine OF Philadelphia. for use in
all the churches which observed the day.
was followed. The Rev. Mr.. Romine was
present and addressed the congregation.
and the Rev DR.. j. p. Black, a venerable
member Of the Presbytery OF Aberdeen,
g. Oak. read the Scriptures. and a prayer
was offered by the Rev. DR. George A.
Hubbell. seventy-eight years old a Meth
odist divine.
THE FOUNDERS REASON.
Or. King in his address explained that
az Children's Day was observed by the
churches In June, as the summer OF life.
he thought IL appropriate that Old Folks
Day should be observed on the second
Sunday OF September at the autumn OF
life.
Pharaoh asked OF Jacob: How old art
houf When the preacher carried the
congregation back to scenes and Incidents
OF their childhood many OF them wept
After the sermon four little sirls passed
through the aisles and presented every
one over eighty years with a handsome
bouquet OF flowers. All those who had
passed the SEVENTEEN milestone were
given as souvenir an engraved card
March Lamb. n colored man whose age
is lO5 years, got the first prize, a finely ,
bound book. for being the oldest attend
ant
Lamb believes his great age Is due TO
his religious faith and a continuous diet
OF hoecake. His old wife cooks hoecake
every day In the ante-bellum way. Lamb
has always used tobacco.
Stephen r. Clough got the second prize.
He is ninety years old, and neither
smokes, drinks nor chews. He has not |
missed a single Sunday church service, |
morning or evening. for seven years. He |
has a brother living who ts ninety-three. |
His youngest sister Is seventy-efght years |
old.