Connecticut western news., 1914-11-12
FIRST BROTHERHOOD SUPPER
Splendid Opening of the Festive Sea-
 ... son, by the Pilgrims.


 ..... son, by the Pilgrims. There were ninety and nine who climbed the hill To feed on the Pilgrims hash;
 And each one ate till he had his i'll,
 And cheerfuly settled in cash
 Ballads of Beaujon.
 It was the first Union Brotherhood Supper for the season of 1914-15, given last Friday evening under the auspices of the Pilgrim Church Brotherhood, in the social rooms of Pilgrim Church. Exactly 99 men, "of all churches and of no church" sat at table and were graciously and abundantly served by the Pilgrim ladies with one of those delicious corned- beef hash suppers for which the Pilgrim ladies are famous.
 The Rev. Arthur Ball, of Long Island. transient sojourner with his bride, at the Naples, invoked the bless ing, at the beginning of the supper, and after the feast-which consisted of hash, cabbage salad, rolls, doughnuts, coffee and pumpkin pie-the toastmas- ter, Charles J. Beaujon, president of the Pilgrim Brotherhood-stood up smiling a response to the cordial ap- plause that greeted him, and started the post -prandial ball a'rolling He said he had protested when he was requested to preside at the supper and asked that the function be delegated To some of the moro experienced ones, "whose old familiar jokes would be missed" 7" but his protest had been over-fdled by the retort tliat "it was time we had a new joke" He then proceeded to extend a graceful welcome to the guests and made all opening speech that sparkled with hunlor and kept the listeners in good spirits. He introduced as the first speake' the Rev. A. B. CrichtoD, rector of Christ Church, who raised laugh at the start by his interpretation ot lile toastnaster's sally. "The toast .asiasteE says, let's have new joke and then he introduces me,' said the rector. He made brief but interest ing addressed favored with humor and philosophy, and concluded by inviting the Unlon Brotherhood to hold the next banquet at the Christ Church parish house, an invitation which the com pany voted unanimously to accept.
 Superintendent of Schools Edwin B. Stone, the next speaker, made fine impression. To illustrate some, of the various types of character with whom the school superintendent has to deal, in his work, lie related a number of funny stories, which kept the feasters convulsed with laughter, and made a decided hit.
 MT. B. A. Creevey, who had served as United States Consul at St. Michael's, one of the Axore Islands, gave an intensely interesting talk on the Azore Islands, the habits and cus- toms and characteristics of the people, etc., and promised to go into further detail at future time if it should be so desired-and he may rest assured he will be taken at his word.
 The feature of the evening was the address of Prof. Curtiss M. Geer, of Hartford Theological Seminary, who spoke of the fundamental causes of the present war in Europe. His discourse was illuminated by several maps of the countries in which that great conflict is raging. He said the war was not caused by the assassination of the Austrian prince in Servia, though that
 
 starting hostilities, which awaited only an excuse for beginning. The war may. have had its origin in any one of these possible causes-the German fear of | Pans Slavic aggression led by Russia, Germany's ambition to acquire colonies and increase its power as commercial nation, and Alsace- Lorraine, which had been annexed by conquest, alter nately by Germany and France ever since the year 900. The recent en- trance of Turkey into the war, as an ally of Germany may also be accepted as indicating that the old quarrel be- tween Russia and Turkey, for the pos session of Constantinople and control of the Dardenelles, had something to do with the attitude of Russia in so readily plunging into the war. Prof. Geer was listened to with the closest attention, and his address was highly appreciated. Rev. J. E. Tinker followed with | few humorous remarks and selections from his own poems which, as always, were good, and received with unmis- takable evidence of keen appreciation.
 The Brotherhood glee club sang number of good old melodies, during the feast, and the Pilgrims set pat tern, in the first banquet of the season, that will make the other brotherhoods Ego some" as Postmaster Beaujon said if they hope to keep up the pace.