The sun., 1903-12-09
DR.. COLLYER'S SOTH BIRTHDAY
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH GEL
EBRATES THE OCCASION.
Reception Given Him Last Evening In
the Church - Over Four Hundred
Persons Present - The Venerable
Pastor REPLIES to His EulOg gists.


Pastor Replies to His Eulogists.
OF all the 400 or 500 people assembled
in the Church Of the Messiah, at Thirty
fourth street and Park avenue, last evening
to congratulate the Rev. Robert Collyer
on his eghtieth birthday, none looked
fresher, ,heartier or more full OF deep-chested
vitality than did the venerable clergyman.
Those who saw him there last night and
in the same place ten years ago. when
his SEVENTEEN birthday was commemo-
rated, agreed that he looks now as young
and as full Of promise OF years of activity
as he did then.
The proceedings last evening were divided
into three parts. From to o'clock there
was an informal reception in the chapel
Then from O clock to 10 o clock there were
music and speechmaking in the church
proper. At the end Of these two rather
trying hours Mr.. Collyer was apparently as
buoyant as ever. Several original poems
had been read at him, too, when it was all
over.
At the end OF the services in the church
proper there was an adjournment to the
chapel again, where refreshments were
served
De Borden Wilmot was the chairman,
and after few words of congratulntion
on his own part he introduced Mr. Z; e.
Stedman, the poet, as the first speaker.
Mr.. Stedman said that when he first met
Mr.. Collyer, something more than quarter
of a century ago, his first feeling was one
of regret that he had not met hun before
He referred particularly to Mr.. Collyer' 9
marked poetfcal cast OF mind, and said
that there must be something in the York.
shire air which developed poetry IN those
who were born and reared in it,
The Rev. George Bachelor followed Mr.
Stedman.
Il first met Mr.. Collyer in Chicago many
years ago." "he said II remember It we'll be-
cause he took me to McVicker's Theatre.
There was clergyman in Chicago then who
was friend of Mr. Collyer's and of mine,
and who took good deal OF pride IN saving
typesetting if need be. asked a master
printer there just how much the clergyman
could earn at this trade, and the printer
said: Earn! He couldn't earn his salt.
Nov, l suppose that Mr. Collyer m the
same way thinks he could earn his living
at blacksnlit hing because he used 10 oe
blacksmith
.Yes, and l could. too" interrupted DR..
Collyer.
The Rev. T. R. slicer, the Rev. J, W;
Chadwick, the Rev. F.. G. Williams and
the acting pastor Of the Church of the
Messiah, closed the speechmaking. .,
AS he rose TO close the proceedings with
the benediction, Mr.. Colyer said:
Il have no words in which to express
my thankfulness and gratitude for the
manifestations OF the tender love, l think
/ may call it, which abides in your hearts
for me AS sat here this evening listening
to the kind words of the speakers | could
not but think how little deserved 1t all
said to myself. can't be the good, the sur
prisingly good man you have made me out.
It brought to mind story heard once in
England of man who once said to woman:
'Ah, Mrs Blank, what an admirable, ex-
emplary man your husband isl 'Exem-
plary! said the woman, you should follow
man he is