The Savannah morning news., 1903-03-07
A CHEST OF SILVER
PRESENTED BY ST. JOHNS CHURCH
TO REV. c. ii. STRONG.
RECEPTION IN HIS HONOR
GIVEN IN GUARDS HALL AND At
TENDED BY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE


Behalf of the Clergy, and by
Judge Adams, representing the
MISREPRESENTATION Made by Col.
George T. Cam, Master of Cere-
monies - Response, Marked by
Much Feeling, Made by Rev. MIR.
strOng-ReceptiOn Followed Close
of PrOgramme-HaII TastefuIIy
Decorated by Ladies of Church.
Music Furnished by Singers and
an Orchestra.
In commemoration of the twenty
fifth anniversary of his pastorate of
st. Johns Church, Rev. Charles Hall
Strong was the guest of honor at a
reception held in the Guards Hall last
night by his congregation and which
was attended also by a large number
of his friends of other congregations:
in fact, the hall was almost filled.
The programme consisted of prayer
by Rev. ]. L. Scully rector of st.
Paul's Church; an address by Rev. DR..
j. Y. Fair, pastor of the Independent
Presbyterian Church, who represented
the clergy of the city: an address by
Judge Samuel b. Adams, on behalf of
the laity: the reading of a number of
letters of congratulation, benediction
by Mr.. Scully. the presentation
through Col. George T. Cam of a
handsome chest of silver, and an ad-
dress by Rev. Mr.. Strong after which
those present advanced to the plat
form and congratulated him on his
silver jubilee.
Rev. Mr.. StrOng's Silver Gift.
The gift, which is an exceedingly
handsome as well as valuable one,
consists of ten dozen and one pieces
of silver table ware, knives, forks,
spoons, etc, and in addition a large
and heavy salad bowl of silver applied,
work of scrolls and antique heads, gold
lined and accompanied by a salad
spoon and salad fork each of iris de-
sign.
The entire set is contained in q
heavy oak chest, brass bound and
bearing on a brass plate the follow
ing inscription: REV Charles Hall
Strong, from the Congregation of St.
Johns Church, Savannah, March 9Th,
1S7S-19O3
Under the direction of the ladies' of
the congregation the hall had been
beautifully decorated for the function.
The walls had been entirely covered
with white cloth extending across and
shutting out the windows, these aper-
which borders were formed along the
upper Fart of the walls extending all
the way around the hall, and which
was also plentifully used for twining
around the iron beams of the roof.
Platform Covered with Flowers.
In the corners, on each side of the
platform, was banked numbers of
palms, and smaller plants of the same
kind also adorned the platform. Above
the platform and against the rear wall
of the hall were &C. H. S., 187S-1903,"
the figures and letters being formed
of small electric lights, which were
lighted for the first time as
lily, preceded by the s wardens
of the church and followed by
the members of the vestry and their
wives, advanced down the center aisle
to the foot of the platform around
which they were seated.
On the platform were Col. George T.
Cam, master of ceremonies; Rev. Dr.
j. Y. Fair, Judge Samuel b. Adams,
Rev. j. l.. Sculiy, Rev. William z. Nc
Corkle, and Rev. Alexander Henry. Be-
tween the addresses songs We're sung
by Mrs. t. 2. Wickenberg and Mr.. r.
Cuyler Gordon. An orchestra of sew
eral pieces also gave a number of Sc
lections during the evening. During the
reception Mr.. Strong was assisted by
the wardens and Vestrymen and their
wives.
Many CONCENTRATIONS.
Letters of congratulation and of re-
greet at the writer's inability to be
present were received from Bishop Gle
land x. Nelson, Mr.. Clark Howell, Col
Beirne Gordon, Bishop B. j. Kelley
Rev. c. C. Williams of Augusta, Rev.
Mr.. Reese of Macon and Rev. DR.. I. p.
Mendes. letter was received also
from Rev. Robb White of Christ
Church. who stated that unforeseen cir
cumstances made it impossible for him
to be present.
When these had been read Rev. J.
L. Scully delivered a benediction, ana
then Col. Cam made a short but elo-
quent address of presentation and at
stood at the side of the platform, and
a little to the side of where Mr.. Strong
sat.
MIR. Strong's Address.
For the first time since 1 have been
your rector" said Mr.. Strong, II find
myself without words / have neither
thought or form of speech. l stand
before you with everything swallowed
up in my emotions. This week, and
particularly this day, you have de-
moralized me by your kindneSses.
There are few occasions in life that
give rise to pure and earnest feel
ing of joy. but while feel that much
allowance must be made for the kind
ly eXaggeration of those who have
spoken, yet for those words you have
said l do fell in the presence of God
that my life has not been entirely
failure
The speaker grew reminiscent and
told of his experiences in his Connec-
ticut pastorate, where at one of the
national elections during reconstruc-
ton times in the South he had voted
the one Democratic ballot cast in the
village and had been taken to task for
the sinfulness of his politics by his
senior warden. He also told of how
the call to st. Johns Church had come
to him and how he had wondered why
the parish had selected him, and what
St Johns Church and its people were
like.
'Now," he said, II know what st.
Johns people are like. I have met al
ways nothing but unfailing kindness,
help and sympathy and I'm thankful
q Cod for all UOu'ya haar, oil