The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-05-26
AN ANNUAL OBSERVANCE
The Services and Basket Dinner of the
Christian Church at Libertyville
Last Sunday

the threatening look of the clouds
the crowd would have been larger.
There were people there from Freder-
icktown, Pennington, Flat River, Ell
wins, Bonne Terre and other points.
Of course they could not all get into
the little church building to join in
the service, but strolled about the
ground and enjoyed the meeting with
and greeting of friends, for it didn't
rain and the weather was fine. Rev.
j. M. Bailey, pastor of the Farming
ton Christian Church, conducted the
services, and being in good fettle de-
livered one of his best sermons. Rev.
j. o. Snodgrass of Fredericktown
was to have delivered the afternoon
discourse, but for some reason did
not arrive, and Mr.. Bailey was press
ed into service for second sermon,
although pair of anxious young low
ers were awaiting in Pennington for
him to come and launch their life
boat out onto the matrimonial sea.
But we have skipped the noon hour
Immediately after the morning SER
vice, crowds were seen carrying tempt
ing looking baskets towards a long
table that had been provided for the
occasion, where they were emptied
and feast fit for the gods was spread
If you have ever been to an old-fash-
ioned picnic-and of course you have
you may have an idea of the bounti-
full refreshments that gladdened the
eyes and whetted the appetites of the
already hungry crowd. 1t was enough
to make the dispeptic and dietetic
forget his delicate stomach and to
suffer afterwards, comforting him
self with the grim satisfaction, "Well,
it was worth it."
The old-time hospitality and cor
diality of Libertyville--we mean that
large area of rich agricultural coun-
try surrounding the few houses that go
by that name-are perennial growths
whose roots are deeply imhedded in
the soil of human love and kindness.
There was no stilted formality, and
it made the visitors heart feel good
and at home as some bronze-faced
stalwart son of the soil extended a
cordial hand with the self-introduc-
tory remark, "my names so-and-so,"
as if he were really glad to see you
there--and he was; or as some sweet
motherly-faced woman held out her
gentle hand while her eyes smiled a
welcome which you realized was as
genuine as the heart that beat be-
meath the motherly bosom; and the
charming young women and girls
with faces as fresh and fair as the
first blush of dawn, and young men
and boys with glad faces looking out
upon life with the courage and hope of
undaunted youth. 1t was moving
picture of rural life, beauty and
wholesomeness, pleasing the eye and
gladdening to the heart, causing one
to realize that God is good and boun-
tiful in his blessings to mankind--a
gracious Father to be worshiped and
praised and served.
The writer is glad to have been with
that goodly company. May these
gatherings continue in their annual
rounds to bless and brighten the lives
of these gracious people, drawing
them closer and closer together in
their mutual, social and religious re-
lations, until in one universal chord
they sing with spirit and under
standing,
"Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts In Christian love"