The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1905-08-24
THE MERRIAM FAMILY REUNION.

Inc interest shown IN the Merriam family
reunions was again proved Aug. 18th when
rs persons assembled at the home of Elisha
Merriam in Morrill, iii response to his in
vitation to do honor to the memory of
Matthew 7. Merriam. To be sure, not all
who were there bore the name of Merriam,
was to be expected. Not all who were
there could claim relationship. Esteemed
friends and s'elboW'' relatives helped to
swell the numbers. But all were Merriams
in spirit, buoyant and boyish-the latter
term applying particularly to some of the
middle-aged men-optimistic generally TO-
wards mankind, with special optimism to-
ward the virtues of one another.
Mr.. and Mrs. Merriam must have had ac-
cess to talented help in the matter of the
decorations, which surpassed last years
efforts. Every available point in the din
ing place was made to support masses of
well-arranged evergreens, ferns, goldenrod
and wild flowers generally. Mrs. Merriam's
superior capacity in domestic. affairs was
evident, and appreciation therefor was
manfully expressed by MI. Merriam, whose
only cause for disturbance seemed to be
that more were not there to enjoy it all.
After dinner the usual formalities oc-
Cured in the yard in the shade. Prayer
by the reading of the records of last years
meeting. This was followed by some in
troductory remarks by President Eli C.
Merriam, in the course of which he read
letter from Mrs. Sarah E. Jackson contain
ing an account of some interesting features
of the home life of Matthew 7. Merriam.
One was his custom, prompted no doubt
more from his largeness OF heart than from
loyalty to the teaching, not to turn any man
hungry from his door, to see in the ordinary
tramp suffering fellow creature and to
feed him. His good wife, however, while
such generosity and pursued a different
policy in his absence. Deaf tothe plea that
she might "entertain an angel unawareS,"
she would Shunt Weary Waggles off with
neatness and dispatch somewhat out Of
keeping with the times Her descendants
make no unfavorable comparisons against
her on this account.
Mr.. Elisha Merriam welcomed the COM
pany in few heartfelt words, and in re-
Spouse to calls from the president and
others remarks Of varying degrees Of brew
Mccooi, Mrs. n. 4. ?. saySard, : Mr.. and and
Mrs. D. 0. Bowen, Mrs. Walter, Charles
Brown, Miss Rice, W. F. Sayward, Mrs.
Buck, Mr.. and Mrs. White, and others.
Mrs. Sayward closed her remarks by quot.
Ing Paa the re-, very appropriate poem, The GA
value of reunions in general in fostering
fraternal feelings. Mrs. Bowen good ma
turedly reminded the company that they
were ordinary people, that the family had
never produced any very distinguished
own estimation OF themselves is apt to be a
little high. Every speaker, it is believed,
said something which reminded the presi-
; dent of a story, which he proceeded to tell
in a most acceptable manner.
Greetings were sent to the two absent
daughters of Matthew T. Merriam, Mrs.
Jane Rice of Thomaston and Mrs. Sarah E.
jackson of Rockland.
rising vote of thanks was extended to
Honesty Grange of Morrill, for the use
of dining room furnishings. A similar vote
was given to the host and hostess for their
half.
By Mrs. Jackson's request "Old Hun
dred" was sung as fitting tribute to her
fathers memory, whose custom was to
close the days activities by singing this
song, in which he was joined by the whole
family, many of whom were good singers.
Following is list of those present: Miss
Viola BOSWOrth, Mr.. and Mrs. D. 0. Bowen,
Ernest E. Bowen, Mr.. and Mrs. G. E. Bow
en-. Elisha Brown. Stanley Brown, Mr.. and
Mrs. l.. R. Elder, Mrs. Linda Gray, Mrs.
Lucy A. Harding, Miss Carrie B. Harding,
Mr.. and Mrs. c. E. Harris, Miss Ida May
Harris, Mrs. N. S. McC00l, Mr.. and Mrs.
c. W. Mears, Mr.. and Mrs. Eli G. Merriam,
Victor Merriam, Kenneth G. Merriam, Mr..
Herman Merriam, Frances M. Merriam,
Helen Merriam, Adelaide c. Merriam, JUS
tin Merriam, Mr.. and Mrs. Richard Mer-
RAM, Mr.. and Mrs. Charles F. Merriam,
Harold Merriam, Ethel Merriam, Ida Mer
RAM, James 81. Post, Miss Mary A. Rice,
Mrs. M. A. P Sayward, Mr.. and Mrs. j. H.
| Sayward, William d. Sayward, Lucy A.
Sayward, Elmer w. Sayward, Ralph Say
ward, Mr.. and Mrs. w. F. Sayward, NAL
colin J. Sayward, Mr.. and Mrs. Edward
Sheldon, Gladys Sheldon, Florence N. Shell
don, Mr.. and Mrs. J. F. Sheldon, Mr. and
Mrs. Tileston Wadlin, Mr. and Mrs. w. Fl.
Walter, Daniel Weymouth, Miss Zodie
! Weymouth, Mr.. and Mrs: Ivory D.. White,
Mr.. and Mrs. Maurice Wood. S. Louville
Charlaa Wn0d=W f. SaYHard. Secretary