Information from Second Souvenirs, by Francis C. Waid, 1890, pp. 257-293 Extracts from his diary 1889 Sabbath, December 15, 1889--Yesterday afternoon my youngest son and I drove to Meadville, where I had business, and here I learned that Bishop J. H. Vincent, LL.D., would preach at the First Methodist Episcopal Church on the following forenoon. Being desirous of hearing this reverend divine, I remained over night at Meadville, the guest by invitation of my kind friend, Mr. S. C. Derby, between whom and myself acquaintance and friendship have long existed, and I may add that this is not the first time I have been made welcome at his quiet home. To-day (Sunday) he accompanied me to church, to listen to Dr. Vincent (after attending Sabbath-school), and shortly after taking our seats in the church, near the center of the audience room, the Bishop and Dr. T. L. Flood entered the sanctuary. The latter gentleman, after sitting down, recognized me and approaching to where we were sitting he shook hands with us, and invited us to seats nearer the pulpit, for which we thanked him with the remark that where we were was "good enough." Bishop Vincent took for his text part of the 20th verse of the Epistle of St. Jude: But ye beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith. I was greatly helped in my Christian life, and appreciated the Church in the sense set forth--the school for an eternal Heaven, the Christian's imperishable home. On coming out of church Bishop Vincent and Mr. Flood overtook Mr. Derby and myself, to the former of whom we were introduced. Honored again, thought I. My dear reader, I tell you that my regret to-day is that I did not begin in childhood, to regard and have faith in the Bible ami serve the Lord, instead of in youth; and I have resolved this day to be a better man, through having additional light thrown on my pathway. At 4: P. M. I again heard Bishop Vincent, this time in the Second Presbyterian Church, where he delivered an address on the subject: Mind your own business. To the lecturer, and perhaps to some of his hearers, may have mentally occurred the pungent saying of Savile in effect that "the man who can not mind his own business is not to be trusted with that of the nation." In the evening, at the First Methodist Episcopal Church, we, for the third time to-day, were privileged to listen to the teachings of the learned Bishop, his text on this occasion being from Psalm cxix: 96: But thy commandment is exceeding broad. This Sabbath was truly a profitable day to me. I had heard Bishop Vincent at Ottawa, Kas., and several times at Chautauqua, N. Y., but I have to thank my friend, Dr. T. L. Flood, for personal acquaintance, by introduction. In fact, I realized, that until then, whilst I had known Bishop Vincent, he had not known me. I believe one of my native characteristics (a commendable one, I trust) is being somewhat reserved in my manner, perhaps too much so for my own good at times, without being indifferent or exclusive, however. I do not forget, nor am I likely to, that for one to keep in his proper place is to "mind his own business." >From the first time I heard Bishop Vincent I had a desire to become acquainted with him, and at Chautauqua, during the Assembly, I had an opportunity to speak to him; but here my natural reserve stood in the way. In passing me he saluted me with "good morning," to which I simply bowed assent and passed on. The opportunity I had been wishing for was lost, and I soon thereafter wished I had spoken to him and introduced myself, so that I could let him know how much I appreciated his preaching, and loved and respected him as a good man--one who had helped to build me up in the faith and lead me into the way of doing good work in the Gospel. In regard to Dr. T. L. Flood I will briefly say that I became acquainted with him at Jamestown, N. Y., where my wife and I heard him preach at the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1874, since when our acquaintance has ripened, I believe, into true Christian friendship. During his pastorate at Jamestown and Meadville, as well as on other occasions, we occasionally had the pleasure of hearing his sermons and discourses. Christianity and true friendship are both productive of good, and in true friendship there are some very bright, happy days. Of this I will give the reader some poof in my own experience. On December 16, 1888, the Forest Grove Methodist Church (Crawford County, Penn.) was dedicated, and after the ceremony my cousin and I, in company with Dr. Flood and others, had the pleasure of taking dinner at the house of my friend, A. J. Owen. That to me was a delightful interview, and another day's march nearer my heavenly home. Surely, I thought, the path of duty is the path of safety, and the pathway of the just shineth more and more till the perfect day. Here let me quote three lines of what the poet, Matthew Prior, says about duty: "The sum of duty let two words contain; O may they graven in my heart remain: Be humble and be just." With the reader's permission I will relate yet another incident that cast a ray of sunshine on my life's pathway, which I will give substantially as I wrote it in my diary at the time. February l6, 1889--To-day, while engaged in business affairs in Meadville, I was walking up Chestnut Street on the west side, and when near the Corinthian Block I met Dr. T. L. Flood and Dr. W. G. Williams (president of Allegheny College), the former of whom exclaimed: "How do you do, Brother Waid?" After a hearty shaking of hands, Dr. William's wife (who had come out of a store) joined her husband, and to her I was, at once introduced, to me both a pleasure and honor. There could be no better time, thought I, to introduce the question of the Soldiers' Monument than now. However, the president spoke of his college, and so I told him that I had been a student there in the spring of 1852. Dr. Flood then said to me: "Donate $100 toward the Soldiers' Monument fund," to which my reply was: "Why not?" Yes, why not? I had been wanting to do something in this way from the time the project had been set on foot, especially since the Pioneer Monument had been erected. My love of country still lives, and my patriotism, my respect for the honored dead, seek utterance in this way. I love the Lord first; next to Him I love my country, and my contribution (as promised to Dr. Flood) of $100 toward the Soldiers' Monument fund, I trust will be accepted as a proof of the sincerity of my declaration." December 16, 1889--To-day I renewed my subscription to our country papers, and I mention it not as of any consequence, but because I wish it as a rider to make known my appreciation of and love toward the printer. I have always loved the reading of newspapers, and I have profited much by the information disseminated by the public press. I say, patronize the printer, and settle with him for your paper, once a year. At page 48 I have given a list of the newspapers and magazines I am at present taking. When first starting out in life, I remember we began taking our county paper which has been continued ever since, the number being considerably increased, and what affords me gratification is--they have all been paid for as well as read (to some extent). So much do I prize the newspaper, that I have frequently sent some one or other of our county papers as a present to a friend. I think it a good, useful present, one sure to be appreciated, and when renewing my subscriptions to-day I remembered five relatives residing in as many different States, by ordering sent to them a county paper that will visit each one fifty-two times a year. Then leaving $20 in the hands of an editor, to be applied to our church finances, I returned home with a glad heart. December 21, 1889--On this (Saturday) evening I went from Meadville to Saegerstown, also in Crawford County, where I had the pleasure of stopping with my friend, George Floyd, and on the following Sabbath forenoon of accompanying him to the Methodist Episcopal Church, where we heard a good sermon by the pastor, Rev. J. A. Parsons. In the afternoon my friend and I drove to Blooming Valley (some six miles distant), which is also one of Mr. Parsons' appointments, and here we again heard him proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I then returned home to remain till after Christmas. HOW AND WHERE I SPENT CHRISTMAS, 1889. I was about to have headed this article "Christmas at Home," and would have done so had my wife been here to enjoy it with me; but she is still at home with her parents, whither I expect to return soon after the holidays, should my business then permit. In our spare hours and leisure moments we have thoughts and thoughts, but the most active of them usually come to us in our busiest moments, when we are employed. And here I am to-day, thinking of WIFE, HOME, BUSINESS and CHRISTMAS. Christmas--A year ago I spent a very pleasant Christmas in company with my brother, George N., among relatives at Athens, Penn., as related on pages 91 and 92. Of late years I have frequently been absent from home during holidays, so, when I do spend a day such as this at home, I am naturally anxious to make the most of it, and turn it to best account. There were two Christmas tree entertainments held in Blooming Valley--two, at least, in which I was interested--one given by the Advent Church Sunday-school, and the other by the Methodist Episcopal Church Sunday-school, former of which came off on Christmas Eve, and latter on the evening of Christmas Day. I am glad these pleasing entertainments came off separately, for it gave me an opportunity to attend both. The programs were very interesting, and Santa Claus was as usual generous and good to the children. The large arched or twin Christmas tree at Advent Church was lit up and loaded with hundreds of gifts for both children and parents. It looked beautiful, and was attractive to even "children of an older growth." At the other church the innumerable Christmas presents were hung up in a sort of house, which when opened up displayed a truly splendid sight delighting the eyes of all present, and some one near me I heard exclaim: "Oh how grand! Isn't that beautiful?" And what added so much to the pleasure and enjoyment of the occasion was the music by the choir and the Blooming Valley Band, still in its infancy, having been but recently organized. A vote of thanks was given this band at the close of the entertainment; and after they had left the building, I said to some of those present: "Can we not show our appreciation for the band in another way? This thanking people is all right, but it is too cheap. This is a day of gifts, and there is pleasure in giving. If the audience will raise $5, I will make the sum $10." No sooner said than done, and the money was paid over. Then, to the Methodist Episcopal Church Sunday-school I made another offer. I said that if the scholars would give $5 for the missionary cause this year, I would add another $5. I then addressed myself to the president of the Sunday-school, telling him to raise the amount by collection, or if he thought better to get his scholars to earn their money in some way, and I would put $5 into his or the secretary's hands, which money he could lend to the scholars in sums of five, ten, fifteen or twenty cents, and if any of them were farmers they could raise potatoes, corn, beans or any other product such as chickens; or they might speculate, make an investment, and so earn something for the cause of missions. More to follow, David