The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-06-02

threatening WedCIl0r OdJuTudy
afternoon last prevented many who
had intended attending the unveil-
ing exercises of the tablet placed
upon Richards Oak, one of the fine
old landmarks of this section, from
being presents A good sized crowd,
however, had assembled at three
o'clock when Mrs. Frank Benson,
president of the Hytheham Club, of
Port Deposit, under whose auspices
the exercises were held, acting as
chairman, requested all to join in
singing America.
Mrs. Jennie Gillespie then read
her original poem dedicated to the
tree and written on the occasion of
the pilgrimage to the tree November
13, 1920.
It was through the efforts of the
ladies of the Hytheham Club that
funds were raised making possible
restoration work on the tree and the
purchase of tablet, and the found
er of the organization and it's first
president, Mrs. Charlotte Newell,
gave a sketch of the tree, extracts
from which follow:
He, who in genuine love of Ma
ture, holds communion with her
creations, finds tongues in trees; to
him, they speak language, audible
and sincere, and ever adapted to his
needs. They speak balm for his
sorrow; hope for his dependence;
endurance for his weakness; cheer
for his sadness; faith for his doubt;
courage for his faint-heartedness!
The Gospel, they preach, is always
gospel of blessing, and they preach
it with myriad voices. One is
amazed at the versatility of their
voices; the fir and the pine; the
cedar and the maple; the walnut
and the willow; the sycamore and
the elm; the apple and the pear; the
yew and the cypress, twin trees of
tears" And every tree family
boasts of it's own aristocracy-mem-
bers of it's race, who for some reason
place, size, fitness, have been
chosen for the Inauguration or the
development or the consummation of
some momentous event. Usually,
such events have been symbolic of
Peace.
Grand ministers of peace! Grand
old trees! Patriarchs in the world
of growth! Priests, who have min
istered long and nobly at Natures
altar! Monarchs who have receiv-
ed, as their due, the homage of
generations!
But is is to the Oak that today,
we offer our tribute. And, of many
oaks, famous in history and song,
we can say nothing. In every age,
in every cline, they have been
known and honored. Ancients and
moderns, unlike in much, have
agreed in generating them. The old
world and the new have sung their
praises.
How insignificant seem the three
score years and ten or even the four
score years of man when contrasted
with the centuries of the oak! How
wonderful to reflect that this great
tree, which seems to have entered
upon new era of vigor and
majesty, has been a witness to the
whole splendid panorama of Amer
ica's history!
When Columbus, and his small
band of adventurous followers fear
fully making their unknown way
over tempestuous waves amid chart
less seas, to lands beyond their ken,
this oak, in the early vigor of it's
growth, was deepening it's hold upon
the nourishing earth, and lifting
high it's proud head towards the
only canopy, destined and fitted to
cover it! Adown the centuries it
has gazed.
1t heard the sounding and re-
sounding Of marching soldiers at it's
feet, and it's branches famed their
heated brows!