Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-27
TWO ANNIVERSARIES.
C. N. Bailey and Wife, Win
throp, Greeted by Friends.
His 83d Birthday and Their 59th
Wedding Anniversary.
Occasion Also Marked by Reunion of
Bailey Praying Band.

Winthrop Center, Me-, Oct. 90
(SpeciaD .-Saturday and Sunday We're
notable days in the life of Charles NJ.
Bailey and his wife, two of the most
prominent and best beloved residents
of our town Saturday was the SD
birthday anniversary of Mr.. Bailey, and
ii was also the 59th anniversary of the
marriage of Mr.. and Mrs. Bailey. The
celebrations which marked these ami
versaries were a complete surprise to
Mr.. Bailey, and the chief among them
was q reunion of the Bailey Praying
Band, which was so far famed for it's
evangelistic work throughout the State
Il few years ago.
Late Saturday afternoon, Mr.. and
Mrs. Bailey's four children and five
grandchildren gathered at their home
and after extending congratulations
presented them with flowers and other
gifts. Then Mr.. Bailey was led to the
dining room where. to his complete
surprise, he found assembled the menu
bers of the Praying Band. who had
gathered from far and near to greet
their beloved leader again. Those
present were Henry 3. Smith, Wood
fords: Joshua NJ. Frost, st. JohnsbuIy,
Vt; Frank H. Jones, South China and
AleXander A. Allen of Portland. Fred
W. Mckenney of Portland an original
member of the Band WAS unable to be
aresent. The supper hour that fol-
owed was filled with a delightful in
$50,
i-ears when Mr.. Bailey and these men
we're closely associated in evangelistic
work. 1t had been many years since
Ill Had been together before.
Az eight o'clock, another great sur
prise was in store for Mr.. Bailey. This
time il was a reception given him at
the church, where a great cOncourse of
his friends. from this and neighboring
towns, had gathered to greet him. Den
MIS- orchestra of Augusta was pres
ent, and furnished music during the
evening. Punch, ice cream and cake
was served and the reception was a
thoroughly Informal and delightful at
fair for all present.
During Sunday there were services at
Winthrop Center in the morning and
evening, anu y l)itstNiiiii5 s'ol ' I've O.
Winthrop village in the afternoon. At
the morning preaching service, Rev.
Joshua NJ Frost of st. Johnsbury, Vt,
preached upon the theme of "Crucified
with Christ" taking his text from
Galatians, II-20. In the afternoon he
preached upon Seeing Jesus" taking
his text from Hebrews II-9. The even
ing social services at Winthrop Center
was led by Mr.. Bailey, and by the re-
quest Of the former workers of his
band. he read the 91st Psalm, which
was the favorite lesson of the old days
and was often called the insurance
policy" The two sermons of Mr..
Frost were marked by the deep spiritu-
atty which was strong characteristic
of the work which was done by these
men in the 90 years they We're in the
field.
The work OF the Bailey Praying Band
was inaugurated by Mr.. Bailey nearly
80 wears ago, and began as a part of the
State Y. NJ. c.. A. work, but rs it was
carried out it became an independent
work. under the personal direction OF
Mr. Bailey and with the whole expense
paid by him. The first workers were
Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Mckinney. Mr..
Smith remained with Mr.. Bailey for
seven years. After that for the next
Il years the work was carried on in the
field by Mr.. Jones and Mr.. Allen. Mr..
Frost was called to the work when he
was teaching in the Normal school At
Gas tine. HeTemained with the band
for two years and then entered the
Methodist ministry, having pastorates
in turn at Wilton, Skowhegan, Portland
and Bangor. After being at Bangor -
years, he went to st. Johnsbury, VT,
where he is now located. About half
dozen years ago, the band ceased its
field work and this gathering in honor
of the SGD birthday of their leader, was
the first reunion the members have
had.
The reception and the reunion, which
were arranged wholly without the
knowledge of Mr.. Bailey, were in every
way successful affairs and gave much
pleasure to all concerned, and to none
so much as to Mr.. Bailey himself. His
So years rest lightly upon him, and he Is