Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-12-25
. //FOREFATHERS' DAY.
Fitting Celebration of the 2S3d Anniver.
sary of the Landing of the Pilgrims.

=
sary of the Landing of the Pilgrims.
The celebration of the 2S3d anniver-
sary of the landing of the Pilgrims, held
at the Congregational church. Monday
evening, Dec. 81, was an occasion of
unusual interest. In addition to the
customary audience, the Historical
society was favored in having as special
guests the Congregational club of
Western Vermont, SO the gathering was
a large and appreciative one. The pro-
gram begun at 5 p, m. when, with Prof.
Walter E. Howard presiding, the follow
ing order of exercises was carried OUT
Organ Prelude and Anthem.
Ode, THE Breaking Waves Dashed High
Choir.
Reading of Scripture and Prayer.
DIR. w. S. Smart of Brandon.
Solo, "Hold Thou My Hand
Mrs. Gushing Hill.
Address,
Pres. Charles O. Day of Andover, Mass.
Hymn, America"
Benediction.
President Days address was peculiarly
fitted to the occasion and to the audi
ence. His theme was "The Making of
an American. The speech was full of
reference to those sturdy men and
women who first landed on the inhos-
table shores of New England and who
through their belief in God and in them
selves, iuilt the moral foundation on
which the nation now stands. and also
full of lersonal illusions to the strong
men of these latter days who are giving
their lives to maintain the high standard
established. The speaker defined the
true American as one with strong belief
in the rights of the individual coupled
with deep enough sympathy to recognize
the rights of others. and energy of
character. Aside from the logical
reasoning and the wealth of illustration
in the address, Prof. Day spoke with an
earnestness and intensity of conviction
which assured him the closest attention
and interest of his audience
Following the literary exercises. "A
large part of the audience went to the
vestry of the church where. after the
invocation by DR.. G.. w. Phillips of
Rutland, the ladies of the Labaree
society served one of their most delicious
and II ordered banquets. After the
repast came the after dinner speeches
and an excellent musical program.
Profosser Howard, acting as POSTMASTER,
tl e., -:
and "a most felicitous greeting, called
upon the Rev. Clifford Smith of Pitts
ford to respond to the toast, "Our
Guest" This speech, full of wit. was
most graceful and hearty and established
at once basis of goodfellowship and
earnestness. DIR. Gerald Beard of Bur
lington followed with the first of the
series of toasts planned specially with
reference to the occasion, in which he
set a high standard, coupling keen,
intellectual power with happy playful
ness and repartee. This standard thus
highly set, was held to with remarkable
evenness throughout the evening. DR..
Beard, whose subject was "The Puritan
Minister" was followed by Judge j. NJ.
| Tyler of Brattleboro, by Professor
Emerson OF burlington on line Puritan
Scholar" by Rev. j. S. Sewel of st.
Adams on THE Puritan Citizen" by
Prin. A. f. Howes ON Public Schools
and lastly, by DR.. Day The program
was delightfully."- completed by music
under the direction of Mrs. q. ID. Miner.
Frank Thomas sang in his usually ac-
ceptable manner. and the club was
further favored in having present Miss
Ella Bond, who sang with violin obli-
cato, Miss Florence Chapman, who
played a violin solo, and DR.. Harry
Wells. who rendered Hungarian Folk
Song of exceptional beauty. The hearty
applause evidenced the appreciation Of
the listeners.
In the year 1S43, Philip Battell, whose
name stands for so much that is best in
this community, inaugurated the annual
custom of celebrating this important
event Since the death of Philip Bat
tell, his son, Col. Joseph Battell, has so
interested himself as to make sure its
continuance. This celebration has come
to hold so unique and important a place
in the social and intellectual life of the
community that the public recognize
the importance of cooperating to guar
antee its Observance far beyond the
sixty/Sears of its history