land county, Pa. The later descendants, prompted either by business enterprise or piety, have erected their tents in different States of the Union. The family retains traits of its mixed Anglo-German origin. For three generations the male members were noted for their chase-loving propensities. The chase is a favorite English sport. And in the primeval forests of America, wild beasts, and Indians as wild as they, gave them ample opportunities to cultivate this hereditary inclination. The blood-thirsty red men murdered their neighbors. In those earnest times, the Reformed people of Heidelberg township worshiped in the Hain church, still crowning the hill above Wernersville, and brought their rifles along on Sundays. A certain number were selected to stand on guard around the church, while the others stacked their arms, and worshiped God. In a very literal sense, the early members of that flock learned to "watch and pray." Some weaker brethren would now and then be tempted inadvertently to desecrate the Lord's day, on their way to church. A bear or a panther would cross their forest path, when, up goes the rifle, and with a steady aim, away cracks the man of God, and down comes the bear, and great is the joy of the skillful huntsman. Indeed it is related of Parson Stoy, for many years pastor of the Host church, six or eight miles south-west of the Hain church, that his passion for hunting sometimes led him to neglect his appointments. One Sunday morning as he was on his way to this church a fox, pursued by several hunters on horseback, crossed his path. The temptation was too great to be resisted. Giving spurs to his fleet horse, he dashed after the fugitive fox. Over fences and grain fields, through thorny thickets, over steep mountain-side and slippery rocks, wildly dashed good Parson Stoy, for two hours, forgetting his flock, devoutly waiting around the church-door for the appearance of their frail-willed pastor. At length they see him coming up the road on his foaming hunting steed, his gray coat and hat (he hated "black coats") bearing the marks of his rough-and-tumble chase. "Why, dear Parson," said a mortified Elder, "where in aller welt have you been? For two long hours has the congregation waited for you with painful impatience." In his coarse speech he replied: "Well, the accursed fox would not allow us to catch him sooner." Thereupon he ascended the pulpit, and the people entered their pews and worshiped God as well as the freaks of the fox-hunting parson would allow. It is said that the late Father Thomas H. Leinbach once had a country funeral. In a thorn-infested family grave-yard the mourners and their neighbors stood around the open grave. As the man of God was in the solemn act of reading the burial service, a rabbit was startled out of the thickets. This was too much for a mountaineer, whose love for game was greater than his good breeding or love for God. "Guck a mol der Haas!" he wildly shouted, to the confusion of pastor and people. This is a digression from our story of the Addams' tribe. Like Parson Stoy, I am tempted from the proper path by a fox-chase. Still the incidents are in place, as they give us a picture of those early times. Many a hale and heroic huntsman was found in the tribe of Addams. Long after the wigwam of the Indians had disappeared, the exciting sport of the chase was a favorite amusement on its fertile farms. Possibly this healthful out-door life helped to develop such men, mighty in stature, as our good brother, Rev. George E. Addams, of Mifflinburg, Pa., who, physically, is an average specimen of his tribe. In due course of time, the tribe became thoroughly Anglo-German. The husbands taught their German wives to speak the English language; the wives taught their English husbands to speak German. English and German were spoken equally well. English much better than among their neighbors; whose German prejudices called them "die irische Addamse." Bating exceptional cases here and there, they were known, and still are, as kind neighbors, people aiming to lead a just and upright life, albeit members of a fallen race. A due proportion of piety they likewise possess. Several generations ago, they were all members of the Reformed Church. Since then, the force of circumstances has occasionally led one into another denomination. Still, in the region of the original settlement, nearly all adhere to the Church of their fathers. Not a few are among its most active members. By direct descent and intermarriage, four useful ministers of the Reformed Church are connected with this family. One of its members was a member of Congress. Another is now a member of the Illinois State Senate. Not a few have been called by their fellow-citizens to fill other important offices. In Berks county they were among the first to engage in the Sunday-school work; and here and elsewhere they are still among its foremost friends and laborers. Such were the children of Addams, men of stature, straight and strong. They fought with equal courage the beasts of the forest, and the foes of their country. In four wars they fought; with the Indians, against the British, in the Revolution, and in 1812; and against the rebellion. Warriors they were. Leaders among the brave. A leader, too, was the Rev. George E. Addams in earlier life. A noted captain, noted in his county. Captain in a military company, who thoroughly understood that business. Admiring crowds gazed upon his tall form on parade days, his gay plume proudly waving in the breeze. He sheathed his sword, and entered the service of another Master. With the sword of the Spirit he now fights the bloodless battles of the Prince of Peace. And fights them bravely and well. Nor is the other sort of fight all out of him yet. The beat of a drum, the sound of martial music, or the peril of his country, on all proper occasions, awake him to glory again. In the Summer of 1862, some one knocked at my study door in Chambersburg. It was my martial brother. The North was aroused to repel the invader, and its vast population flooded upon our town, and my friend drifted thither with the flood, set an example of patriotism to his flock in Cumberland county, Pa., and exchanged the shepherd's crook for the sword. "Whither are you going, George?" I asked. "Whither! To fight," was his laconic reply. "As a chaplain?" "No, sir; in the ranks, as a private soldier. Many a member of my flock is in my company. If they shall be wounded or killed, it may be a comfort to have their pastor by their side. Besides, the country needs my services; perhaps my blood." On the damp earth he bunked as a common soldier, content with his meagre rations, not unfrequently performing the duties of their absent chaplain, and picket duty as well. Not long did he need to serve thus, but while serving he was fearless and faithful. THE GATHERING OF THE CLAN. BY THE EDITOR. "The It was on the 11th of June, last. The place was on Island," at Mohrsville, Berks county, Pa., on the Philadelphia and Pottsville Railroad. Under the large trees the gathering was to have taken place, somewhat after the fashion of the pioneer assemblies of one hundred and fifty years ago. Busy hands and strong, extemporized seats. Ere long a rain changed the programme. Mr. Seth Zimmerman, a member of the clan, opened the doors of his palatial residence in Mohrsville, whither all repaired. Some eighty persons were present; not one tenth of the Addams' connection, 'tis true, yet a large, merry crowd withal. From city and country they came; the young mother with her suckling, and the venerable grandsire came with well-filled baskets; she proudly trundling her first-born in a baby-carriage. With baskets, babies, and gay bonnets dreading the rain, all flocked into the capacious house. On the long verandahs the little cherubs took their pleasure rides, crowing and chirping to their heart's content. Young men and maidens, and some no longer young, sang cheerful songs and engaged in mirthful plays. At length they repaired to the barn floor to secure ample room for indulging in innocent fun. Some older folk, too, might there be seen, where "The gay grandame, skill'd in gestic lore, Has frisk'd beneath the burden of threescore." In older minds the rain falling on the barn roof helped to revive old memories. Hast ever tried it, dear reader? Full well I remember those welcome rains in summer-tide. On the new-made. hay in the mow, we boys laid us down; down on the back with upturned face, looking at the large, long rafters in the roof; lined with the mud huts of the swallows, out of which the young stretched their heads with mouth wide open. Thus we lay listening to the pattering of rain on the roof. And to this day few things bring back to me so many pleasant and pure memories of boyhood as a half hour's reclining on a hay-mow, lying leisurely on the back, inhaling the odor of the new-made hay, and looking at the swallows' nests on the rafters and listening to the rain. All this I partly lived over at this Mohrsville meeting. While some were playing and others merrily chatting, a group of busy matrons, in white aprons and hands as white, spread the long table, and unpacked the carefully prepared contents of many a basket. For be it known, that from time immemorial, the female members of this tribe have been noted for their housekeeping excellenciesknowing how to bake a loaf of bread and make a cup of coffee, and finding pleasure in the baking and the making; and in doing it in acts of hospitality. Great must have been the pleasure of these abundant providers, as they saw how their relishable provisions were enjoyed by old and young; saw how the work of their hands vanished as vanish the harvests of Egypt before the invading army of locusts. In the afternoon the meeting assumed a more specific character. The guests gathered in the large parlors and hall. Among them were six ministers of the Gospel. Three that were relatives of the family-George E. Addams, D. B. Albright and W. A. Good. Three that were pastors of some of them-C. F. McCauley, A. S. Leinbach and B. Bausman. Each of these was called upon to speak. Subjects sad and joyful were spoken of to an audience such as one rarely meets. Friendly guests mingled with the family; were seated on the floor, no less than on chairs and sofas. Now all joined in a hearty laugh, then all gave the tribute of a tear. Naturally the nearer relatives of the family felt reluctant to speak. Only after earnest entreaties could Rev. D. B. Albright be constrained to bear his testimony. It was brief and to the point. In substance as follows: "Many years ago a certain boy lost his parents. He was left homeless at nine years of age. Whither could he flee for friends? In his wanderings the poor boy knocked at the door of an Addams' family. With kind words and gentle hands, they took him in.' In them he found a father and a mother again, and a home too, a Christian home. For thirteen years he ate at their table, slept in their soft bed, prayed at their altar, and by them was trained to Christian manhood. They followed him with their kindness and love. In the Providence of God he was led into the Gospel ministry. Besides giving him all this, in another branch of the family he found a damsel, whom he loved and she him. This daughter they gave him to wife, and their blessing to boot. That orphan boy was myself. I thank God that he led my homeless feet to the door of an Addams' family." And well you may, my dear fellow. 'Tis an instructive Providence, no less than pleasing, which has led the orphan boy and his wife to become the united head of a Home for the homeless--foster parents to hundreds of the fatherless. Such a training helps greatly to fit a man for such a position; such a position enables a man to express his gratitude to God and man for such a home and training in his state of early orphanage under the hospitable roof of an Addams' family. If ever there will be another gathering of this clan, and due notice should be given, it will bring the members from the North and the South, the East and the West. So ought it to be. Not to raise a clannish exclusiveness, but to keep alive the traditions, memories and ties of old families, ought such reunions be held. They afford an opportunity gratefully to recount merciful providences, to form the acquaintance of the later-born members of the family, to impart and derive Christian counsel, and encouragement to meet future as well as present duties and trials. To engage in prayer and praise, and pledge themselves, by God's gracious help, if on earth they no more should meet, they all would meet in heaven. Thus bowed and prayed this festive assembly, and thus they sang: "Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in mutual love, When we asunder part It gives us inward pain, But we shall still be joined in heart, |