St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-05-11
Mrs. MitchellS8 Years Old
Reception Given In Her Honor at
First Baptist Church.

There was delightful social affair at
the parlors of the First Baptist church
Saturday evening when the congrega alton
gave reception in honor of Mrs. julia
Mitchell who was SO years old that day.
Mrs. Mitchell is also the oldest charter
member of the church which was organ
lied SO years ago. Two other charter
members are now living, Mrs. Mitchell's
daughter, Mrs. F. 6. Stevens, and Mrs.
Dwight Gould of Passumpsic.
The rooms were decorated with green
and white and flags by the young ladies
of the Bible class. By request OF Mrs.
Mitchell, the pastor and his wife, Rev.
and Mrs. F. S. Tolman, and the Sunday
school superintendent and his wife, Mr..
and Mrs. o. II. Henderson, received with
her. Mrs. Mitchell is an honored MEM
Der of the Seventy club and that these
elderly ladies and other old friends of
Mrs. Mitchell might attend, automobiles
were provided to carry them to the
church The ushers were Misses Eula
Sheldon, Ruth Flint, Marion Henderson,
Katherine Morrison, Edith Lloyd and
Laura Burbank.
A program was rendered consisting of
a vocal selection by Miss Isabel Hender-
son, piano duets by Miss Ruth Flint, and
Miss Ethel Knight, and the following
original poem by Miss Alice Clark.
Full oft the kindly tribute falls
On ears that cannot hear,
And sweet earn ations lend their breath
To those they may not cheer.
Not so the flowers we bring tonight
Not so our need of praise.
We come to wish you joy and peace
And health and length OF days.
Fair are the morning hours of life,
Full are it's days of care,
At eve take a backward look,
At the hour of peace and prayer.
Three score and ten, and hap1y four,
Was the Psalmist's age for man;
But you have measured eight full years
Beyond the allotted span.
Labor and sorrow you have found
In measure full, doubt
But joys, like lovely flowers, have spread
Their fragrance round about.
Years have otrobbed your mind of strength.
But wit and wisdom still
Sit side by side and yet hold sway,
Crowned by a dauntleSS will.
That will is bent on serving God
Unto 1ife's eventide.
The benefactions of your hand
Are scattered far and wide.
The orphans in A1aska's Home
Have had your thought and care,
The needy in the South have been
The subjects of your prayer.
Far DER the seas your thoughts have roamed
And felt a sisters need,
In India, China or Japan,
Whate'er her name or creed.
And in the church at home you've succored
Many a needy soul,
AS Phoebe 1abored once for God
In the Christian church of old.
Mother in Israel we say,
And well BELTS the name;
For lions veal has been your joy,
Her woe your grief became.
May the Good Shepherd of the flock
Whose staff has been your stay,
Make bright the sunset hours of life,
And still direct your way.
Light refreshments were served and
Rev. F. S. Tolman in behalf of the church
people presented Mrs. Mitchell with S8
carnations, the flowers being brought in
by Miss Helen Burbank. Mr.. Tolman
also read letter from DR.. w. A. Dawson,
state missionary, to Mrs. Mitchell.
Mrs. Mitchell is a remarkable woman
for one of her years and her age rests
lightly upon her. Her days are happily
spent with needle work and reading and
the friendship of all who know her en-
riches her life. Julia Vosmus was born in
Danville, Me, May 7, 1922, one of nine
children of whom only one other is living
E. w. Vosmus of Lewiston, Me. In 1850