Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-08

With Y. NJ. C. A. hall appropriately
decorated in the national colors and
an audience Of men present that filled
all the seats in the body of the house,
the Lincoln centenary was observed on
Sunday afternoon by a special pro-
gramme arranged by the religious
work committee of the association. AS
specially invited guests were a body
OF Sedgwick post Of the G. A. R., I'M
der Commander Vine S. Stetson,
delegation from Major r. S. Griswold
command, Spanish War Veterans, un-
der Commander Frank Q. Smith, and
members Of the Citizens corps, the
sons of Veterans, and the local coast
artillery companies.
The services were opened with a
well rendered selection, Boston Com
mandery March, by the Paramount or
chestra. after which President A. A.
Browning, who presided, presented
Mrs. Frank H. Merrill for the soprano
solo, Columbia. the Gem of the Ocean,
with the audience joining enthusiast
tically in the chorus The solo, Arm,
Arm. Ye Brave, from Handers Judas
Maccabeus, was finely rendered by the
rich baritone voice of Charles D.
Geer. The accompanist was Frederick
w. Lester.
After the Scripture reading by Pres
ident Browning and the prayer by DR..
Lewellyn Pratt, General Secretary
Frank H. Merrill made the announce
ments, while the collection was taken.
This was followed by the soprano solo,
Lead, Kindly Light (Shepperd), ex-
quisitely rendered by Mrs. Frank H.
Merrill.
Speaker Greeted With Applause.
Speaking briefly Of three prominent
facts for which we have reason to
remember Lincoln, viz: His saving of
the union, his part in freeing the
slaves, and the worthy example he
left. President Browning presented
Principal Clifton H. Hobson of, the
Greeneville school to introduce the
orator Of the afternoon, Hon. Robert
z, Luce Of Somerville, Mass.
Mr.. Hobson's hattering introduction
Of Mr.. Luce as an orator worthy of the
occasion, and one who, like Lincoln,
was a laborer for the common people,
prepared the way for a burst of ap-
plause which greeted the speaker as
he arose, and which was redoubled at
the conclusion Of his admirable ad-
dress.
Gracefully referring to the difficulty
of presenting anything new about a
man Of whom so much had been writ
ten. who had been so idolized and who
was the wonder OF all his critics that
out Of such an origin could arise the
man 10 ernanclpdLe q race ana make
this land the free republic of which we
are proud today, Mr.. Luce went on to
sketch with easy and intimate touch
the history of the great presidents
early life. Lincoln's poverty. he said,
was only comparative, as Lincoln new
er knew that he was poor. He was
an omnivorous reader and yet not a
scholar in the sense we would under
stand it. For his biography In the con-
gressional library, Lincoln wrote ed
ucation defective" but he was study
ing men and therein was his strength.
There was nothing in his early life to
indicate that greatness was to be his
lot. AS a business man, as a survey
or, he was not a great success. but
through it all he was thinking of pub
lie life.
He Kept on Learning.
How remarkable it is, continued Mr..
Luce, that only here in our little cor
ner Of the world is 1t that the desire
to be in the public service is looked
upon with apprehension and distrust.
while in the west of our own country
and in the European countries it is
considered a natural and laudable am
bition. Nobody thought any worse of
Abraham Lincoln for bis announce
ment that he was a candidate for
public office. He was a politician,
willing to work with and for the peo-