Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-07-20
COUNTY NEWS.
EAST LAMoINE.

CHAPLAIN JONES ADDRESS

I hbN
rain began TO pour many talked OF post
poning the lecture. About p. m. II be-
gan to clear, and at the sun was shining
brightly, and the large American flag
flung out it's graceful folds from tbs
steeple OF the church.
The interior OF the church was heauti-
fully decorated with bYnting, eyergreens
and flowers. The platform was enclosed
with a canopy Of green, a beautiful arch
encircling the front. On this was fast
ened fne blue banner with the word
"Welcome" in large white letters, the
work OF Mrs. Toms. Above this, and
resting on the canopy was the word
"Nsvy" in large rustic letters, two feet In
length, and covered with cedar, with red
banner as a background.
Beautiful japanese lanterns were sus-
pended from the ceiling of the canopy,
and when the candles They contained
were lighted it added greatly to the
beauty OF the scene. The pulpit was
covered with elegant flowers.
To the right OF the platform was a flag
stsd on which was raised the American
flag. Notwithstanding the muddy state
of the roads, the church was crowded,
Ellsworth, Bar Hsrbor and other towns
being well represented.
A large number from the Prairie were
present, and the whole scene formed a
thing of beauty long to be remembered.
Rev. Mr.. Toms escorted Chaplain Jones to
the platform, and the audience rose as
Miss Gussie Graves, of North Lsmotne,
and Mr.. Toms sang the 'StsrSpsngled
Banner, the large congregation joining
heartily in the chorus.
As the strains Of the grand old song
arose young Master Willis took his place
at the halyards of the flagstaff and slowly
raised "OId Glory" to the masthead,
where 1t remained ell the evening.
This part of the programme was very
impressive, and the audience showed its
delight by hearty and prolonged applause.
In brief spsech Mr.. Toms stated the
object of the meeting. Miss Gussie
Graves, who Is only fourteen wears OF age,
but has a magnificent deep eontralto
voice, rendered that splendid solo
Dreaming" in a manner that caused the
haSt " 8RRAaA1 AheSt hS1AShys
Ralph Hsgsn, OF North Lamoine, pre-
sided at the organ, and his playing was
much appreciated.
The string band Of the Prairie divided
honors with the lecturer for the fret place
In the exercises of the evening. They
were repeatedly encored, and every seiec.
ton brought forth burst OF applause.
rr1 gt,t . ~
lecturer, Chaplain Jones, who was really
the central figure of the evenings gather
ing, and after the usual f5rmslities, de-
| livered one of the finest lectures ever
heard in this section.
| As he proceeded to portray the scenes
that led 20 the Spanish American war,
and to The circumstances that led him to
accept position as chaplain in the navy,
at times his pathos would bring tears to
the eyes OF his hearers, especially when be
depicted the scenes around Santiago de
Cuba. He told OF the noble spirit of the
men who seemed to rejoice in being called
TO suffer or die for their country.
His description Of the funeral service
which was interrupted by sudden at
1 SaNAs tut tiaNNtf Va tbN eQi ESOb,
who, rather than desert his post and leave
his men to suffer aud die, remained In the
field and gave up his lite as the cost of
such bravery; the going out to finish the
funeral ceremony with the bullets whist
ling all around him; the prayer of his little
son when he had to leave SO early that
the child was not awake when be left,
L nd hsr. he Ia
not realize that his father had gone away
without seeing him, went to the bed and
prayed; Papa, come back" and how,
v hen he got letter from his wife telling
him of the incident, il had proved such a
comfort TO him all through The struggle.
and when the bullets were whistIing aud
shells were flying, he seemed TO see his
little child praying to the great God OF
the universe: Papa, come back" with
such faith In his prayer that he felt that
God would surely bring him back to his
| praying child, his afectionate little
daughter and his loving wife, the tears
ran down the face of the lecturer as he re-
counted these things.
His description Of Capt. John W.
Philip afterwards admirall was sublime,
and his description OF the fight of Santi-
ago, when the Spanish fleet was destroyed,
and when Capt. Philip, of the Texas, at
tered those memorial BILE words: Don't
cheer, boys; the poor devils are dying"
and when be asked them to bow in silent
prayer and give God the credit for the
victory, were graphic and thrilling.
At times the audience would be con-
Vulsed with laughter as he recounted the
humorous events of the war.
Chaplain Jones is a powerful speaker.
He is loyal to the men of the navy, and
they in return honor him and listen to his
| advice and counsel.
The officers and men of the Prairie are
a credit to our navy. Rev. Harry w.
Jones, ID. D., is credit to the men who
in their wisdom appointed him chaplain
The people of the East Lamoine parish
through their pastor, Rev. Il. Newberry