Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1910-09-03
Mr.. BAWDEN
IS WELCOMED
Baptists Have Unique Way
of Showing Their Pleasure
at His Return Home.
GREETED AT CHAPEL

There was a unique gathering in
the Baptist church in Fayette street
last evening. Rev. William H.
the city shortly before o'clock.
called, telling them that their pres
evening. When they reached the
place the room was filled, and a
shout of welcome went up.
The chapel was tastefully decorat-
ed with golden rod and other season
able plants and flowers, and "Wel-
come Home" in large letters adorn-
ed one end Of the room. Mr.. and
Mrs. Bawden were led to seats un-
derneath this, Mr.. and Mrs. Ira j.
Bacon sitting with them. Mr.. Bacon
first called upon M. r. LETTER to lead
in prayer, and Joseph F. Walker to
express the greetings for all and to
extend a welcome home, and to as
sure the pastor that although absent
from the pulpit he had not been alb
sent from thoughts and prayers. A
welcome back to the pastors work
and the promise of his people to fol-
low his leadership. A welcome back
to our church, our home, our gar
dens and our hearts. A hearty
greeting from all.
Jonathan Roberts then sang a
solo, after which Lois Letter came
forward drawing a wagon full Of
peaches, which she presented to Mrs.
Bawden, followed by Frederick
Walker wheeling in a small barrow
a large watermelon, which he pre-
sented to Mr. Bawden. Finally
Ross Nelson wheeled forward large
barrow full of all kinds of garden
vegetables, which he presented to
both in behalf of the Ushers' Asso-
citation. Immediately a song, writ
ten especially for the occasion, was
sung by chorus, the words of
which are as follows.
The Welcoming Song.
1.-The harvest is gathered-vacation
Our Pastors return makes us happy
once more;
We greet him with onions, beans,
carrots and beets,
Cucumbers and squashes, white
'taters and sweets.
"Peas, apples and peaches-he'll
like every one
The cabbage and turnips will boil
>till they're done;
His wife, Heaven bless her, the
board will adorn
With garnish of peppers, tomatoes,
sweet corn.
Chorus:
Home, home, sweet, sweet home
What's like big watermelon to
welcome one home
"And now of our banquet much
pleasure you'll find,
The ripe watermelon we'll gnaw to
its rind!
If churches were all of our fond,
happy class,
They'd set up their pastor with fresh
garden sass
Chorus:
Home, home. sweet, smeet home
If ever SO humble, there's no place
like home.''
My Bawden, In response, said
that few things in connection with
his life as minister had touched
him so deeply as the occasion, the
like of which he had never before
heard of. and voiced the appreciation
of himself and his wife There is
nothing like love-" he said, ito ce-
ment people together With 1t
pastor and people can accomplish
wonders as they work together for
the uplift of the community, wheth-
er the church be large or small"
Following this the Philathea Glass
served refreshments, and the even
ing was brought to a close with the
opportunity for personal greetings.
The committee which planned the
evening and carried it to its success
are Joseph F. Walker, NJ r. Letter,
Clayton w Sheath and Mrs. J.
Bruce Smith.
Mr.. Bawden has spent the month
at Winchester, a little village of
Connecticut among the Lttchfield
Hills, situated some 400 feet above
tide water. Here he has taken his
family sumer by summer since 1902.
One Sunday he supplied the Con-
gregational church there, where the
pastor is completing forty years of
continuous service; another Sunday
the Baptist church of Winsted, down
in the valley, where he has frequent
iy preached, and the other two Sum
days at Port Chester, N. Y, where
he commenced his ministry fourteen
years ago. On the return a brief
visit was made to friends at Port
Jefferson, l.. l.. whence the return
last evening.