Class of 1886 Forty-Fifth Reunion

President and Mrs. Newton were on hand to welcome the early arrivals Friday afternoon at South Massachusetts Hall, the assigned headquarters for the Eighty-Sixth reunion. By Saturday noon a majority of those expected had exchanged the usual warm greetings and reminiscences had begun. Members had been brought up to date by a sixty-two page report, "Our Forty-Fifth Reunion," compiled by "Billy" Williams at the solicitation of the Secretary, who found his own available time inadequate for its preparation. The complimentary appraisals of this production, from all hands, must have partly paid "Billy" for the work and thought put into the appealing and artistic little volume. It was unanimously declared to be a worthy supplement to Will Hatch's "Lest We Forget" of 1926. Its timely appearance not only brought a message from those unable to be present but enabled the absentees to have a real part in the reunion.

The report shows that the class has suffered more than the normal losses since our "Fortieth." Since the publication of the class report of five years ago twenty of our members have passed on. Of the forty-three known survivors, twenty, or 46.5%, were present at some time during this reunion. Considering the fact that no determined drive was made to secure attendance, and in view of the disturbed financial condition of the country which was responsible for several absences, the officers of the class were, on the whole, gratified with the result. Notwithstanding the decrease in membership and the smaller attendance, expressions were general by those present that no more enjoyable reunion has ever been held.

The members of the class, and their families, present at someone of the functions were: Bittinger, Mr. and Mrs. Burley, Ellis, Prof. Fairbanks, Ferguson, Fowler, French, Prof, and Mrs. Edwin B. Frost, Dr. and Mrs. Gilman D. Frost, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Harris, Howard, Rev. and Mrs. Marden, President and Mrs. Newton, Dr. and Mrs. Richmond, and their daughter, Eleanor, Dr. Smith, the Secretary and Mrs. Snow Thompson, Wales, Rev. Williams and his son, John, and wife, and Rev. Wiswall. We were happy to have with us Mrs. Burnham, her brother and son, Dr. Eliza Taylor Ransom, Elmer Howard, son of our Elmer, and Mrs. Howard.

From four to six, Saturday afternoon, the class and their ladies were delightfully entertained at a garden party given by Prof, and Mrs. Frederick Larson nee Betty Frost, for her father and mother, Dr. and Mrs. Gil Frost. Their most attractive home and spacious lawn made a wonderful setting for a successful tea. We were honored by the presence of President and Mrs. Hopkins. The afternoon was all too short. The only regret of the occasion was the failure of the camera to reproduce the charming party. The cut published herewith, to supply the deficiency, was taken the following day after the departure of several of our members. The class dinner was held Saturday evening 7:30 o'clock, at the Outing Club House on Occum Pond, which furnished a delightful setting for such an occasion. It was attended by members of the class and their families and guests to the number of thirty-three. Postprandial exercises were presided over by President Newton. By reason of the past and prospective travels of attending members, these took the form of a travelogue. Responses were made by French, Ed Frost, Harris, Mrs. Ransom, Eleazar Cate of the class of '88, a guest, and the Secretary. Mrs. Ransom reported a delightful visit by herself and daughter, Eleanor, and entertainment at the home of Robert Brown, where it is assumed that Prof, and Mrs. Kelly are now enjoying a like touch with our classmate abroad. Ed, refusing to be limited to this mundane sphere, took us far out into cosmos, and from that distant point invited us to look at our relatively infinitesimal world and get a better perspective of this life in all its bearings. Letters and telegrams from absent members were read and the balance of the evening was spent in more informal and intimate converse.

Sunday morning a large portion of the class went to Strafford, Vermont for a memorial service for the members of the class who had died during the last five years, and especially for William M. Hatch, who had served as Secretary for more than forty years. Proceeding to the beautiful cemetery situated upon an eminence overlooking the little village, the names of departed members were read and prayers were offered by Rev. Mr. Wiswall of the class, after which a memorial service was held in the Congregational Church in conjunction and in cooperation with the regular services. This was Hatch's old church—the church at which all his people worshiped, in which he was reared, and from which he was buried. Here a short address was given by Rev. Mr. Williams of the class which emphasized not so much the facts of his life as the response to the eternal mystery of existence as expressed in a poem which he wrote in memory of the members of the class who had died at the time of our Fortieth reunion; One wonders at the scheme of things which takes a man Fresh from his prime into the world beyond. It isn't that we doubt or cannot understand But simply that we wish we knew God's plan.

One wonders at the trials and the strife, At courage which the worker shows in toil, At strength which "conquers fate"—ne'er yielding to the end. It must be just the scheme of life.

One wonders what the future has in store, Whether those we've loved await us. E'en with faith in life eternal, with trust that's everlasting, None the less—one wonders.

It was an impressive service made more impressive by the circumstances with which it was attended.

The final function of the reunion was a visit, Sunday afternoon, to the Newton Cabin in Norwich, one of the chain of Cabins of the Outing Club. This cabin, together with a tract of some twenty acres on which it stands, was a gift to the college for the use of the Outing Club by our President and dedicated at the 1927 commencement. The site was a part of the Newton farm which had been in possession of the family for four generations. Guests on this occasion were George H. Tripp and Dr. Frank Hill of the class of '76 and Judge George H. Bingham of the class of '87. A hayrack ride by the ladies and' fat men of the party, from the foot of the; hill to the cabin, furnished both riders and. pedestrians all the thrills of a modern movie.: A delightful picnic lunch was served and the occasion furnished a most enjoyable climax to the reunion.

Those remaining over night attended the charming out-of-door reception given Sunday evening to the alumni by President and Mrs. Hopkins at their home. Ten of the class lingered for the Alumni dinner and witnessed the presentation to the gathered alumni of the members of the class of '81 at the close of their fiftieth, or last formal reunion. Expressions of intentions to make the attendance at our fiftieth 100% were freely made.