Catoctin clarion., 1917-02-22
Old Friends Remembered.
Services of Rev. Albert Eyler,
of Bedford, Pa, Appreciated.
lFrom Bedford Inquirer. ]

(From Bedford Inquirer
'The Rev. Eyler, pastor of St. John g
Reformed Church, Bedford, does not gen.
orally celebrate his birthday until Febru-
ary 9Th, but the year 1917 will remain
long in the memory of both Mr.. Eyler
and host of his friends as an exception,
for this year he Unexpectedly celebrated
this event week earlier than usual.
1T was Thursday evening, February
l, that more than two hundred of the
members Of his congregation and their
friends went to the Sunday School room
and, as they arrived, the orchestra under
the leadership of Alexander Russell, play
ed number of pieces. Then when prac-
tically all had arrived, they were formed
into double line or roadway, winding
irregularly back and forth through the
Sunday School Room. At the head Of
this line were some of the brother minis
ters and their wives.
"A committee was then sent to the
parsonage for Mr.. and Mrs. Eyler, and,
as they entered the Sunday School room.
it seemed packed solid full of people and
to them it looked like a confused ma So of
people, but they were not long in seeing
a way through this long and crooked
road, lined with friends on either side, to
extend greetings and hearty hand shakes
and, after travelling this road for some
twenty minutes they came to the end of
the route, to find It blocked by Henry C.
Heckerman, who after personal greetings,
as spokesman for the congregation, IN
few brief words explained to the Eyler's
the reason for this gathering of their
friends and tried to tell them for the con-
gregation of the high esteem in which
they were held and the affection and love
that they had for them and as remem-
brance of the day presented them, for
the congregation, with handsome leath-
er rocker. Some of the women then add
ed bouquet of carnations, one for each
of Mr.. Eyler's birthdays.
LAS guests of honor Mr.. and Mrs.
Eyler were seated centrally among their
friends when most delightful program
was given. Each number was we'll rendered
and should have special praise; however
of these H. A. Cook, impersonating Old
Black Joe, in makeup and song, and the
chorus which sang 'Mortgaging the Farm
were especially applauded.
Refreshments were served and the
visiting ministers added much to the
pleasure of the evening by the tributes
they paid to Mr.. Eyler and his success
and at the same time telling many laugh
able experiences and crossing wit in such
a manner as to help make this one of the
most delightful social evenings ever spent
by the members of St. Johns.
"Up until this time the Eylers had
been strictly guests, but Mr.. Eyler was
now asked to speak and he was visibly
touched by this demonstration of love
and affection for them. 1t was with
some difficulty that he got started, and
and in his talk he surely let each one
know how happy be was for the privilege
of such an evening.
"Mr. Eyler has been pastor of st.
Johns for nine years, each one more
successful than the last. The church er-
rollment doubling and the enrolment of
the Sunday School has much more than
doubled, and the wish was freely express
ed during this gathering that he might
be in Bedford many more years"