The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1908-04-02
Their Fiftieth Wedding
Anniversary.
Col. and Mrs. w. J. Hicks Gel
ebrate the Fiftieth Anniver-
sary Of Their Marriage
Well Have They Journey
ed and Well Have They
Wrought Together.

Rev j. n. Cole in Raleigh Christian Advocate
1t WAS q brimming cup that two
young hearts drank from fifty years
ago-it is a brimming cup yet-only
fuller and sweeter. 1t was two brave
hearts that hand in hand, began
their welded journey fifty years ago
it is two brave hearts that now,
hand in hand pursue their journey
toward the Eternal city. Then they
sang their matin song Of faith and
hope-now they sing their ve-per
song of praise and trust. In those
years agone the Lord mated them
for IL long and prosperous journey.
He gave to each IL gift. He must
have loved them then, and He has
loved them all the way. And they
have loved and kept their trust with
one another and with Him. Well
have they journeyed and we'll have
they wrought the will of God
On the evening of Wednesday, the
4th of March, in the parlors of the
Oxford Orphan Asylum, Colonel and
Mrs. W. j. Hicks received their friends
in celebration of the fiftieth ami zer-
sary of their marriage. | felt honor
ed to be named among the friends
whose presence was desired at that
festive hour. 1t was scene not Oft
en- looked upon and one not to be
fOrgOtten-twO such spirits coming
TO the tiftieth stadium OF their we'd
ded life. There they stood, he the
noblest type of man-siie the gentlest
fashion fwoman-back of them fifty
years OF nercies-fifty years OF strug-
giles and triumphs-fiftyy years of love.
W. J. Hicks has lived a great life.
He made a good start, the start of
noble blood-and he has been true to
the blood. There has never been an
act OF his that has swerved a hair
breadth from the truth-the thought
of dishOnOrable deed has never
east its shadow across his pure mind
Ill dishonest dime has never found
it's way into his till-he has earned
by the sweat of his brow the bread
that he has eaten and the goods that
he has gathered Back of this man
as he stands to-day in the mellow
evening of ripening years is a life de-
voted to honor and the cause of hu-
man progress.
W. J. Hicks has done two things
he has shown the world the true pat
tern of a man and he has worked the
! works of man. He has been in a very
lofty sense a builder-a builder of
homes for men and a builder of char
acter for God-and in both he has
built true. No man has ever been
brought close to this man without
| feeling that his own ideal was elevat.
ed and that the lines of his own char
acter were made truer. A chief citizen
"a high Mason-a servant of God,
| he has lived notable life and he has
wrought a good work. In his later
years he has been called to the head
of one of the greatest institutions in
our State, and he has shown eminent
capacity and fitness for administering
its affairs. 1t is a place that calls fol-
n man, in the largest measurements
OF a man, and he has filled it. And
such a life has been possible to him
besause of the good woman who
stands by his side and has been the
gentle partner of his bosom and the
mother of his children and the keeper
of his home. AS friends look upon
! them in this hallowed evening hour
they can but wish for them the con
tinued mercies of our God and Other
added years-and then the final ap
proach to Heavens gate and the
abundant entrance.
John Anderson my jo, John,
When were first acQuent,
Your locks were like the raven,
Your bonnie brow was BRENT
But now your brow is beld, John,
| Your locks are like the snaw,