The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1917-06-21
INTERESTING PAPER READ BY
MR. JOHN Il. BLAINE AT The
CENTENNIAL CELEBRA.
TION OF THE FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH.

/ want to thank you Mr.. Barbour
and friends for your invitation to be
present on this happy occasion.
Al have always held the Maysvillo
Church In deepest love and veneration,
because It contained the friends whom
/ esteemed the most, and because the
most intimate and sacred things of
my life are associated with 1t; from in
fancy TO matured manhood 1t was the
only church home knew; it was here
that took first public step in Chris
tian life; It was within its walls was
given the bride of my. youth, who has
been my constant and loyal companion
for 46 years and here too, our infant
boys and only daughter received the
Sacred Ordinance of Baptism.
1t was from before its pulpit that
mother and father and brothers and
sisters and life long friends were car
ried to their last resting place; peace
to their memories, and though my
membership has for very proper rea-
sons been in other churches for many
years, have through all the years
carried in my heart the sentiment that
my home church was In Maysville and
| rejoice in being with you today.
l congratulate you sir, and the Off
GERS and members of the Maysville
church on this happy occasion, for with
the close of century of service, your
church takes rank with the few that
claim that great distinction.
With the succession of pastors, men
of power, of earnest convictions, Of
purity of life, and enthusiasm in
Christ's work, the banner Of Presby-
terianism has been upheld, defended
and carried forward; the city and COM
munity has been enriched and lifted to
a higher standard of living and the
Maysville Church has been made a
tower of strength throughout the state,
and in the great assembly of the
church, of which it is part. i con-
graduate you, for the good work that
has been accomplished, and for the
good work that is in progress; and l
congratulate you too, on the splendid
men and women who through all their
lives, from one generation to another
have stood bravely, as bulwark of
strength for the Lord against the
mighty.
AS l stand in your midst tonight
my heart is filled with emotion as
recall memories OF the past, of Mays
vile, the beautiful city under the hill;
of its men and women, and boys and
girls, among whom, Though absent
many years. the most of the years of
my life were spent
wander through its streets with
their myriad Of strange faces; note
many new buildings and the changes
of the years and turn to the unchang-
ing hills, that once bounded my boy
ish vision.
visit long cherished viewpoints
and resting places; and overlooking
the city and its surroundings, see the
unchanged majestic river, winding its
way as of old, between picturesque
shores; rich and beautiful valleys
flanking 1t on North and South, and
the stately hills, of which | know none
grander and more beautiful, standing
as great sentries guarding the APP
proaches to the city, look on the
roots below, on the familiar spires and
public buildings, on the homes, and
here and there and all about, locate
the homes that were radiant with Joy
and happiness; homes that speak OF
the mothers and fathers, and sons and
daughters whose companionship was
my joy and delight, and there too my
own fathers home, that speaks oil
All affectionate father, of mothers
devotion, of the flush Of young health
of an unbroken circle of sisters and
: brothers, of the home affection and
my heart finds expression in Longfel.
lows song:
Often think of the beautiful town,
That Is seated by the Sea:
Often In thoughts go up and down
The pleasant streets of the dear ole
town,
And my youth comes back to me.
And q verse of lapland song
Is haunting my memory still;
A boys will is the winds will
And the thoughts of youth, long, long
thoughts.
can see the breezy domes Of groves