erity of
our Society. There is in our treasury the sum of $14,506.21, and we have
no debts. [Applause.] This shows an increase of $1,266.26 over last
year. As occasion requires this money is used for charitable purposes
and in other useful ways, as provided by our by-laws. Such a gathering
as we have here to-night is an inspiration. It must be especially so to
the distinguished gentlemen, our guests, who will address you. So it
comes to pass that you are to have to-night the advantage of listening
to inspired men--an advantage not uncommon in the days of the prophets,
but rare in our times. [Laughter and applause.] It is proper and
agreeable to us all just here and now to recognize as with us our friend
and benefactor and president emeritus, the Hon. Benjamin D. Silliman. [A
voice: "Three cheers for that grand old man." The company rising gave
rousing cheers.] He is with us with a young heart and a cheerful mind,
and continues to be what he has been from the beginning--a loyal and
devoted friend of our Society. [Applause.]

We are here this evening enjoying the sufferings of our Pilgrim Fathers.
[Merriment.] Their heroic work takes in Plymouth Rock, ours takes in
the Saddle Rock. They enjoyed game of their own shooting, we enjoy game
of other's shooting; they drank cold water, because they could no longer
get Holland beer. The fact that they must give up Dutch beer was one of
the considerations (so we are told by one of their Governors) that made
them loath to leave Leyden. [Laughter.] We drink cold water because we
want it and like it. The Pilgrim Fathers went to church armed with
muskets; we go to church with our minds stuffed and demoralized by the
contents of Sunday morning newspapers. [Laughter.] The Pilgrim mothers
went to church dressed in simple attire, because they could afford
nothing elaborate and because they thought they could better catch and
hold the devotional spirit. The Pilgrim mothers of our day go to church
with costly toilets, because they can afford it, and are quite willing
to take the chances as to catching and holding the aforesaid spirit.
[Laughter.] The Pilgrim Fathers, when they made the compact on the
Mayflower, planted the seeds of constitutional freedom; we, their worthy
sons, commemorate their work; try to perpetuate it and enjoy the fruits
thereof.

It is sometimes said the Pilgrims were a solemn people; that they were
not cheerful. Well, in their severe experience in England and Hollan