And the hill where the Patriots' dauntless young sons Still rings with the shouts of the sturdy West-enders While the bright Golden Dome of the State House looks down Who can tell in a volume the fame of our City, And the wings of his flight must falter and fail 'Tis the ray of the Sun in a pool by a river, 'Tis a fragment of plume in an arrow-full quiver! III. I. Yet a chaplet of praise we would ardently lay at the feet. Of love, consecreation, and sacrifice as it is meet In return for the blessings she gives in her largess unbroken, And a prayer from our hearts which our lips can with fervor repeat As the prayer of a child at the knee of his parent is spoken. 2. "May we serve thee, O City we love, so that over the land Like a tide sweeping wide through the populous towns of the nation, Like a Fire Pentecostal by God's spirit kindled and fanned That flames in all hearts with a deep and a fine consecration!" O BOSTON, fair City enthroned like a radiant Queen, May thy future be bright, they skies beam with light all serene, Which to read or to hear swells the heart with a sacred emotion! MAY 1, 1922. The chronological observance of Boston's Centennial on May 1, 1922, intended by the Mayor and committee as the occasion for simple ceremonies marking the presentation and dedication of the memorial tablet to be placed in Faneuil Hall commemorating this historic event, and the reading of appropriate original essays by high school pupils chosen by the School Committee of Boston, proved to be of great interest and importance, finally developing into a splendid and spectacular celebration and attracting to Faneuil Hall an even greater throng than on April 19. A motion picture record of the event was made, all the national film news weeklies having representatives present for this purpose, as well as the official city photographer. Again the newspapers gave fitting and generous publicity to the importance of the event, and many of the mercantile establishments gave interesting window displays of rare old costumes and wearing apparel of 100 years ago, or prints and pictures of that period. The Mayor's suggestion that the occasion presented an opportunity for a more general use of the official city flag, followed by an appeal by the committee to business establishments, hotels, clubs and newspapers, resulted in a widespread flying of this beautiful civic emblem, together with the national colors, all over the city. Another stirring feature of the day's exercises was the general ringing of fire and church bells at eleven o'clock a. m., continuing for ten minutes and followed by the pealing of church chimes. On Sunday, April 30, many of the churches throughout the city gave special attention to the city's birthday and its significance, in their regular services. Previous to the Faneuil Hall exercises, which were held at noon, there was an official flag raising at City Hall, where the national and city flags were flung to the breeze before a large and representative crowd, while the Mayor, surrounded by the committee and city officials, briefly addressed the assemblage after presentation by Chairman George W. Coleman. A unique feature of these exercises was the "Pledge to the Flag by a group of Boy Scouts from the North End, who executed their military evolutions to the accompaniment of a Chinese Boy Scout Fife and Drum Corps. One of the largest audiences ever gathered in Faneuil Hall greeted the Mayor and his distinguished guests upon their arrival for the noon exercises, during which the memorial tablet was unveiled by the Mayor's daughter, and the following program conducted: Hon. JAMES M. CURLEY, Mayor of Boston, presiding. Orchestral Selections 11.30 to 12 Opening Prayer. Rt. Rev. Mons. Arthur T. Connolly, Chaplain Anthem, "America" Audience Essay, "Inauguration Day," Mary Spurgeon, Girls' High School Selection Essay, "Some Aspects of Boston in 1822," Orchestra |