They rendered me endless acts of kindness, and at their anniversary meetings I met many of the most prominent advocates of the temperance reform in Great Britain.

It gives me a sharp pang to recall the fact that of all the leaders whom I met at those meetings, the gallant Sir Wilfred Lawson and Mr.Caine are almost the only survivors.
Returning now to the scenes of our happy home life I should be criminally neglectful if I failed to give even a brief account of the gratifying incidents connected with the recent commemoration of my eightieth birthday.

Reluctant as I was to quit the _good Society of the Seventies_, the transition into four-score was lubricated by so many loving kindnesses that I scarcely felt a jolt or a jar.

During the whole month of January a steady shower of congratulatory letters poured in from all parts of the land and from beyond sea, so that I was made to realize the poet Wordsworth's modest confession: "I've heard of hearts unkind kind deeds With coldness still returning, Alas, the gratitude of men Has oftener left me mourning." In anticipation of the event Mrs.Houghton, the editor of the _New York Evangelist_, to which I have been so long a contributor, issued a "Birthday Number" containing the most kindly expressions from representatives of different Christian denominations, and officers of various benevolent societies, and from representative men in secular affairs, like Mr.Andrew Carnegie, Mr.Jesup, General Woodford, the Hon.
Mr.Coombs, Dr.St.Clair McKelway, and others.

On the afternoon of January 9th, the National Temperance Society honored me with a reception at their Publication House in New York, which was attended by many eminent citizens and clergymen, and "honorable women not a few." Letters and telegrams from many quarters were read and an eloquent address was pronounced by Mr.Joshua L.Bailey, the President of the Society.