Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/223

Rh Abraham, ‘who commanded his children and his household after him,’ and like Joshua, able to say, ‘As for me and my house we will serve the Lord’; while our mother, like Hannah and like Eunice, has dedicated her children from the birth and trained them in the fear of God. When we think of the first commandment with promise, we are glad that we have parents whom we have such good cause to honor. Though we each have families of our own, we still rejoice to ‘hear the instruction of a father,’ and as for our mother, ‘her children rise up and call her blessed.’ May your lives long be spared, that we may long enjoy these privileges!”

Some of the letters from the grandsons at college were very full of fun, dwelling on family jokes, and not hesitating to indulge in what might be called teasing of the venerable bride and groom. Some one who read the letters said, “Is it possible that a man of Mr. Carter’s dignified character allows his grandchildren to address him in such familiar terms?” “You little know Mr. Carter,” was the reply, “if you imagine that his grandchildren stand in awe of him. They themselves do not enjoy their fun more than he does.”

Many beautiful gifts were sent him, some of them with a tender sentiment attached. One that pleased him much was a vase with fifty lovely roses, from the printer that he had employed for fifty years.

On the 1st of April he passed the fiftieth anniversary of entering into business. The publishers of New York united in sending him the following testimonial.

, April 1, 1884.

,—Your friends and associates in the book-publishing and book-selling trade of this city desire, on the