Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-05-03
TESTIMONIAL IN COLD
kdrse Of $265 Presented to Rev.
Roy N. Houghton
at Brotherhood supper-European Trip
viii Begin Tomorrow

viii Begin Tomorrow.
More than 100 men partook of the
Brotherhood supper in the Congregation
al chapel Tuesday evening and then &C.
CURED one of the most interesting scenes
that ever TRANSFERRED there. Without an
nouncement, while the men were seated
at the long tables, about 100 women of
the parish came into the chapel from
the church and Deacon George H. Clapp,
the senior deacon, in behalf of the whole
parish, presented Rev. Roy M. Hough-
ton a bag of $685. in gold as a testmo-
NAL of esteem and affection on the eve
of his departure for a vacation trip in
Europe. Rev. Mr.. Houghton had no
inkling of what was coming, as was
plainly evident from the expression on
his face as the women began to assem-
Bile in the chapel, and although he was
deeply impressed with the manifestation
of good will his response, which came
from deep down in his heart, was very
effective in fact rather exceptional.
under the circumstances. The present
alton was but one of many instances of
the existence of cordial relations. as
several sent material expressions of re-
gard before concerted action was begun,
and when Rev. Mr.. Houghton went to
the railroad station Wednesday morning
he was met by a good number of par
ishioners, who gave him a hand shake
and extended best wishes for a safe and
pleasant voyage.
The Brotherhood supper planned as a
farewell to the pastor, was served about
O'Clock by Andrew Hamilton, propri-
etor of the new restaurant in the Vim
ton building women of the church act
ing as mattresses. The supper consisted
of chicken-pie, mashed potato, rolls,
coffee, cake and ice cream and ii was
very much enjoyed. Three long tables
extended the entire length of the main
room. Toward the close of the supper
a male quartet consisting of w. A. Gill
bert, w. S. Stearns, F. c. Adams and
~ 7. Clapp sang a selection and re-
SNonded to an encore. An informal pro-
gram of speaking had been arranged,
to include John r. Howard of North
field, George L. Durham, F. E. Perry,
Judge j. NJ. Tyler, j. G. Stafford and
Rev. Mr.. Houghton, but as the supper
was not over until the hour set for the
women to arrive it was decided to give
up the speaking, and succeeding devel-
opments demonstrated the wisdom of the
idea
Just as supper was over one or two
men started to go and Rev. Mr.. Hough-
ton arose and said he hoped all who
could would remain as 1.-The best part
of the program was to come, adding
in a jocular way that the pastor was
going to speak. He did speak, but the
speech was not the one he intended to
sembled in the ROOM II guess we are
going to have some guests said Mr..
Houghton as they began coming into
the room. but the fact that anything
special was to take place did not dawn
upon him until their number increased
to such an extent that no other inter-
probation was possible Then the change
which came over him was very notice.
able. Deacon Clapp presented the gift in
pleasant words and after some hesita-
ton Mr.. Houghton made a delightful
response, expressing his love for the
people of the parish and stating that the
past few weeks had been the happiest
in his life. His remarks were followed
by enthusiastic applause and all joined
IN singing one stanza of "Blest be the
tie that binds"
A unanimous vote of thanks was given
to the women for their efforts and the
rest of the time was spent in exchang-
ing greetings between the pastor and
the people. The solicitors for the purse
were much impressed with the eager
ness with which persons responded
to the opportunity to give. Several out
side the parish asked for the privilege
of contributing.
In the annual society meeting Dec. 13
Rev Mr. Houghton expressed by letter
to the trustees a desire to visit the
Holy Land as part of his preparation
for the gospel ministry, stating his be-
lief that such a trip would increase his
efficiency as a teacher of the Bible. By
a unanimous vote he was granted a
leave of absence On Wednesday he
went to Derby, Conn, his former par
ish. He will go from there today to
New York, and tomorrow afternoon he
will sail from Brooklyn on the steam
ship Alice of the Austro-American line
being one of a Dunning party of 10
They will stop first at the Azores and
will visit Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Tur-
key, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, the
Rhine region in Germany, France and
England, returning to Boston Aug. ~