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SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

It was determined about the 1st, of September, 1866, by the First Presbyterian Church of Utica, to celebrate the FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY of its Sunday School with more than ordinary ceremony. For this purpose, a committee of arrangements was appointed, consisting of the following named persons: Mr. ROBERT S. WILLIAMS, Chairman; ERWIN A. HAMMOND, Mrs. MARY W. BUSSEY, HENRY H. HURD, and Mrs. GEORGE L. CURRAN, and on the 20th of September, the following Circular was issued:

UTICA, N. Y., 20th Sept., 1866.

The SUNDAY SCHOOL of the FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH is happy to record you among its former members, and begs your attendance on the celebration of its FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY, on Saturday and Sunday, the 20th and 21st of October next.

The order of exercises is as follows:

Saturday Evening, October 20.-At the City Hall, TEA MEETING and interchange of Reminiscences-oral and written-Letters and Addresses.

Sunday, October 21.—101⁄2 A. M.-Sermon by Rev. P. H. FOWLER, D. D., present pastor of the church. 3 P. M.Children's Meeting. 7 P. M.-Semi-Centennial Report of the School, and Addresses.

Please reply to this invitation; and whether you accept or decline it, will you favor us with your reminiscences of the school, its officers and teachers; they will be of value in the preparation of the Semi-Centennial Report, or of interest as read at the meetings. Awaiting your early reply, Respectfully yours,

R. S. WILLIAMS, Ch'n Com.

The invitation thus given to the old teachers and members of the school, was handsomely responded to, either in person or by letter. A large representation appeared at the Jubilee, many persons coming hundreds of miles on purpose to enjoy its festivities. The veterans of the school, who resided in the city and its immediate vicinity, were present in very respectable force. Although many of them had belonged, for years, to other communions, they seemed now to forget the fact. They renewed their youth amid the inspiring scenes in which they necessarily played no inconspicuous part, and perhaps breathed more than one sigh for the good old days of that Christian unity which gave to their beloved school the name of "the Union Sabbath School." Too much praise cannot be awarded to those who had immediate charge of, and to those who contributed to the festive arrangements for Saturday night, and the religious ceremonies on Sunday. Every thing was planned and conducted on a scale of liberality befitting the dignity of the occasion; and the gratitude so justly due, was warmly expressed by all who were privileged to enjoy the fruits of so much thoughtful preparation.

EXERCISES AT THE CITY HALL ON SATURDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 20, 1866.

The hour appointed for the opening of the meeting at the City Hall was seven o'clock, P. M. No sooner were the doors opened, than the crowd of guests began to fill the Hall, and although nearly all had arrived before half past seven, it was found impossible to call the meeting to order before eight o'clock, so many were the greetings to be exchanged between long separated friends, and so many the introductions to be made between members of the same

school at widely different epochs. The hour thus passed was most exhilerating, and made a happy prelude to the more formal exercises which followed. The Hall had been admirably arranged for the Festival. Ample space was provided in the middle of the large area for the throng of promenaders, while the seats which skirted the walls, and filled the ascending platform at the south end, afforded ample accommodation to those who were disposed to quiet. The decorations were characteristic. Over the door of

entrance was this inscription:

1866.

THE YEAR OF JUBILEE.

On the south wall, and opposite the entrance door, were three large tablets. The first, beginning at the left hand, was inscribed with the names of

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The middle tablet had the honored names of the five

young ladies who founded the school in

1816.

ALIDA VAN RENSSELAER, ELIZABETH BLOODGOOD,

CATHARINE W. BREESE, SARAH MALCOLM,

MARY E. WALKER.

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The right hand tablet was filled with the names of

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A spacious platform had been erected on the east side of the Hall for the accommodation of the Presiding officer and Chaplain of the meeting, the clergy of the city, the

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