briefly by wire, supposing it to be the original invitation, although the language seemed to imply that some communication had preceded it. It would have been impracticable for me to be present with you; nevertheless I should not have been quite so laconic in my reply had I fully understood the situation. Regretting the contretemps, and congratulating you on your success, I am,

Very truly yours,

ORLAND SMITH.

RESPONSES IN BEHALF OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE CHURCH.

The presiding officer called upon Rev. Francis E. Marsten to respond to the sentiment, "The Ladies." THE PASTOR'S REMARKS.

Have I not already written all that, as pastor, I possibly ought to say on this theme? I pause before the greatness of the subject and my inability to do it justice. It must be a difficult task, for our noblest men have shrunk back abashed from its essay. I pause. I seem to stand to-night on holy ground. The white wings of the sainted dead seem to move noiseless through these halls, shedding benedictions as they pass, for I am to speak of the departed as well as the sisterhood of the living. Elder Thomas has paid a pretty tribute to the memory of that devout woman, Mrs. Mary E. Campbell. Too much cannot

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be said of the influence of the women of this church in promoting its prosperity, spiritual and temporal. When the semi-centennial of this church was celebrated, which appeared in the report of the exercises in the public journal of the following morning, I find the name of Mrs. Kelsey as prominent among those who helped to make that occasion a great success. And it is auspicious of the future institution that the mantle of the mother has fallen on the daughter, and she, with the daughters of other heroic and saintly women, have contributed so much to make this festival one that our memories shall not willingly let die.

It speaks well for these wives and mothers of the past that their religion, taught by both precept and example, has become the well-spring of activity on the part of their children.

It is a good omen also, and a witness to the value of the gospel they preached, both by precept and example, that the children, grand children and great grand children of the venerated founder of this church and his wife of blessed memory, are found following the same Saviour they loved so well and obeyed so faithfully, and are here with us to-night partaking in the general joy, verifying the truth of Holy Writ that the covenant of God is to the children's children, even unto the third and fourth generation of them that love and serve Him.

The ladies of this church have been in the past, and are now in the living present, its strong support on the human side in doing the Master's work in the development of piety, and in those practical deeds of benevolence which demonstrate that the kingdom of God has come down to this weary world. Where would the missionary work of this church be if it were not for the women? Where would this chapel be if not for the women? Where would our Sunday school work be? What would become of the prayer meeting, the spiritual thermometer of the church.

The ladies! God bless them. May benedictions of love and hope and peace rain upon them now and forever.

I dare not stop to mention names to-night, on my own account, for if I should start in the perilous catalogue I know no good reason why every woman who has ever been connected with the "Old First" should not receive appropriate recognition, and I tremble in my inmost soul at the appalling task. They were all good women!

I want to thank the ladies whose deft fingers, exquite taste and tireless diligence have done so much to evoke the perfect harmony of this hour. Their united beauty shining in a starry galaxy in the firmament of memory shall serve to enlighten many a dark

experience on the changing sea of life. Again, I say, God bless the ladies of the "Old First."

HON. CHAUNCEY N. OLDS

brought the greetings of the Second Presbyterian Church, and said:

"It gives me pleasure, Mr. Chairman, to participate by your kind invitation in these anniversary services, and to speak briefly in the name and on behalf of the Second Presbyterian Church, the eldest daughter of this mother of churches in this city. It is a pleasure to me personally, as well as the representative of the Second Church.

"The Second Presbyterian Church was organized on the first Sabbath in March, 1839, with thirty-one members, of whom twenty-seven were granted letters of dismission from this church for that purpose.

"It is true, I suppose, as a matter of history, that the organization of that church resulted in part at least from the then recent division of the Presbyterian Church into what was known as the Old and New school, which separation took place in 1837. And it is probably true, also, as a part of the history of these two churches, that the mother church gave a rather reluctant consent to the eldest daughter going out from the old homestead and setting up housekeeping on her own account. But if there ever were

any heart-burnings resulting therefrom, it is a pleasure to be able to say they have long since passed away.

"I became connected with the Second Church in the spring of 1856; nearly thirty years ago; and I can bear cheerful testimony to the mutual kindness, harmony, Christian courtesy and Christian fellowship, which have characterized the intercourse between these two households of faith, from that day to the present auspicious hour.

"In this connection it may be pertinent to revive the recollection of the following item in the history of these churches:

"A daily morning prayer meeting was organized in the basement of this church on the 14th of March, 1858. It was a union meeting of several evangelical churches of the city and was kept up for nearly seventeen years. For a short time it was attended by large crowds of Christian people, but for most of the years of its existence by a small company only. And yet when reduced to the smallest number, there were usually representatives from at least five different denominations of Christians. That daily prayer meeting attracted little public attention, and probably is now remembered by very few persons, but its history is written on more than one immortal soul, and will live as long as immortality shall endure. I was a