Weekly Caledonian. (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1919-1920, 1919-09-03
OLD HOME DAY
Notable Reunion at St.
JOhnsbury East

The sixth annual "Old Home Day
celebrated at the church, Thursday
August 81, was Il distinct success.
In his Welcoming address Irwin!
NJ. Locke asked the audience to ris
for Il moment as an expression o
respect for Miss Charlotte Morrill,
from the first an enthusiastic workc
for the Old Home day and only las
year the speaker of the day-on
deeply loved and sincerely mournc'
by the entire community.
After the opening exercises whicl
included scripture reading and re
marks by Rev. A. V. Fisher of Nc
lndoes and prayer and welcome by
the minister, Rev. J. Newton Perrin
Jr., letters were read from Ruff,
| Wood, Il former superintendent OF
the Sunday school, Scovillc McCurdy
of Andover, Mass, whose absence
was kcenly felt by many, and Eugene
Harrington of Bradford, Mass.
Mr.. Wood, in spite of long alb
sense still feels an interest in the
welfare of the boys and girls, and
sent valuable maXims for their con-
sidcration. Mr.. McCurdy alluded to
the older people of the village who
have passed away during the year
and paid a heartfelt tribute to Miss
Morrill, as an educator and friend.
Mr.. Harrington INDUCED in what has
become the favoritc sport of the sea-
son in the village, Renaissance, and
recalled pleasantly the days when the
hills hereabouts were higher than the
Alps and Moose River was verit-
able Amazon, "thc days of real
sport"
The main address was given by
Rolfe Cobleigh of Boston, managing
editor of the Congrcgationalst. He
had not been in the old church for
over 20 years. and his "Reminiscences
took the form of appreciation of the
wholesome atmosphere of farm and
village that had influence his earlier
life.
He referred to the old heroic days
that formed the background for his
generation, the days when East Viii
lage dominated the town socially and
industrially, and then paid tribute to
those who had been his teachers in
school and church. Since his days
are spent in religious work, Mr.. Cob
leigh's praise of Dennis Chase as the
finest man that he had ever seen in
the position of Sunday school super
and of Rev. G. w. patter-
son, a pastor who could understand
and reach the heart of every boy and
girl in his parish with his wholesome
teaching, carried much weight.
The speaker read two poems writ
ten by himself during the years when
Mr.. Patterson's broad culture was
making its impress on the boys
mind, genuine poems, simple and
giving promise of the valu-
able work to follow. He alluded also
to the splendid enthusiasm of Rev.
Mr.. Hertel and congratulated the
community on the lasting monument
to Mr.. Grants pastorate, the church
so artistically rebuilt. Mr.. Cobleigh's
recollections were of a more recent
period than is usually recalled on
Old Home day and occasioncd much
among his former neigh
5ors and schoolmates. In conclusion
Mr.. Cobleigh alluded to the rural life
of the present as influenced by the
enormous scientific progress of the
past few years.
Mrs. Lois Lee Parker of India
deep admiration for her
whole-souled love for her missionary
work. Although sc years old, Mrs.
Parker came back from India alone
earlier in the year and will return to
her work this fall. The prayerful
interest of every member of the con-
will attend her in the COM
ing days as she possesses personal
ity that will not be forgotten.
The chairman was forced by the
lateness of the hour to close the OK
ercises without completing the pro-
gram as planned. The music con-
sisted of old familiar hymns and
songs by a chorus of girls assisted
by former members Of the choir and
by Tabor Gates of Woodsville, who
delighted the audience with two
solos. One, u song Of the miller,
was so popular that he repeated it by
1t brought back to many
of the time when the
Did mill was busy, fascinating spot
md Ezra Gates was the miller.
Taken by and large, Old Home
Day, with it's substantial Ladies'
Aid dinner, was a most creditable oc
,asion. The dinner was served by
Mrs. Bugbee, Mrs. Allies, Mrs. Nef
md Mrs. Nichols and it's program
arranged by Mr.. Locke and Miss
Iovey with Mr.. McCurdy's assist
nee. The former officers deserved
heir unanimous reelection. Guests
rom out of town were Mrs. Carrie
)lcott, Lawrence, Mass, Misses Mel
lie and Jennie Ranney of Concord,
Nathan H., and Bliss N. Ranncy of
lockland, Mass, Miss Ruth Day,
Newport, Mrs. John S. Powers, Lam
astcr, N. H., Rev. and Mrs. A. V.
Usher, McIndoes, c. Tabor Gates
md, Mrs. Stella Stuart, Woodsville.
Mr.. and Mrs. Barton Grout, Derby,
Mrs. Leila Piper, Epping, N. H.,
Mrs. George E. Morse and Lorraine