Opening Court With Prayer

1895

One of the learned justices of the Maine supreme court, than whom no man better knows how to appreciate a really amusing thing, was holding court at Ellsworth, and, according to honored custom, called in a local clergyman to open the session with a supplication to heaven. This worthy gentleman came, and after a chat with the justice proceeded to address the giver of all good and perfect things thus:

"Almighty God, we beseech thee to bestow upon the presiding justice the wisdom which he so greatly needs!" It is said that the same judge once opened court after prayer which began this way: "O Lord, we pray thee to overrule the decisions of the court, to thine own honor and glory." — Bangor Commercial.

Go-to-Sunday-School-Day

1916

To the People of the State of Maine:

Whereas, the Maine State Sunday School Association has called my attention to a general movement having for its object the arousing of interest in Sunday School work and increasing of Sunday School attendance, and has requested me to issue a proclamation for the purpose of advancing this movement in the State of Maine, and

Whereas, the Maine State Sunday School Association has appointed Sunday, October eighth, one thousand nine hundred and sixteen, as "Go to Sunday School Day," to be observed with appropriate exercises by Sunday schools of all denominations represented in the association:

Therefore, I, Oakley C. Curtis, Governor of Maine, do hereby proclaim Sunday, October eight, one thousand nine hundred and sixteen, as "Go to Sunday School Day," and commend to the people the observance of this day by attending Sunday School in the church of their choice.

Given under my hand and the great seal of the State of Maine, in the executive chamber at Augusta, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and sixteen, and of the State of Maine the ninety-seventh.
(L. S.) OAKLEY C. CURTIS,
By the Governor.
JOHN E. BUNKER,
Secretary of State.

His Amendment on Heathens

1900

Years ago a bill entitled "An Act for the Preservation of the Heath Hen and Other Game" was introduced into the New York House of Assembly.

The speaker of the house, who was not especially interested in matters of this kind, gravely read it, "An Act for the Preservation of the Heathen and Other Game."

He was blissfully unconscious of his blunder until an honest member from the northern part of the state, who had suffered from the depredations of the frontier Indians, rose to his feet.

"I should like to move an amendment to the bill," he said, mildly, "by adding the words, 'except Indians.' " — Youth's Companion.