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whose embrace all creatures live, in whatsoever world or condition they be, I beseech Thee for her whose name and dwelling place Thou knowest. Lord, vouchsafe her light and rest, peace and refreshment, joy and consolation in Paradise, in the companionship of saints, in the presence of Christ, in the ample folds of Thy great love.

Grant that her life (so troubled here) may unfold itself in Thy sight and find a sweet employment in the spacious fields of eternity. If she hath ever been hurt or mained by any unhappy word or deed of mine, I pray Thee of Thy great pity to heal and restore her, that she may serve Thee without hindrance. Tell her, O gracious Lord, if it may be, how much I love her and miss her and how I long to see her again: and if there be ways in which she may come, vouchsafe her to me as a guide and guard and grant me a sense of her nearness in such degree as Thy laws permit. If in aught I can minister to her peace be pleased of Thy love to let this be, and mercifully keep me from every act which may deprive me of sight of her as soon as our trial time is over or mar the fulness of our joy when the end of the days hath

come.

Pardon, O gracious Lord and Father, whatsoever is amiss in my prayer, and let Thy will be done, for my will is blind and erring but Thine is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

XVII

OCTOGENARIAN

Eleven Years on the Bench-My Eightieth Birthday Celebrated by Friends-Reprint of Speeches and Letters — Retirement.

I never was and never pretended to be the equal in learning and legal ability of the distinguished men who preceded me on the bench of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, but in the eleven years that I served as judge, prior to my 80th anniversary, I was fortunate in having the confidence and friendship of many judges, lawyers, and other citizens.

On the morning of February 12, 1918, there was assembled in the Court room in which I presided, a large gathering of my friends and acquaintances. On that day the following proceedings took place.

FELICITATIONS

OF THE BENCH AND BAR AND OTHER CITIZENS TENDERED TO THE

HONORABLE DAVID P. DYER

Judge of the United States District Court
For the Eastern District of Missouri

ON HIS

EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY

ST. LOUIS, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12th, 1918

CONGRATULATORY MEETING

of

The Bench and Bar of St. Louis and other Citizens

in Honor of

HONORABLE DAVID PATTERSON DYER

United States District Judge
Eastern District of Missouri

Tuesday, February 12th, 1918

Ten O'Clock A. M.

COMMITTEE IN CHARGE OF PROGRAM

HON. JAMES E. WITHROW

Ex-Judge Circuit Court, City of St. Louis, Chairman

HON. HENRY S. PRIEST

Ex-Judge United States District Court

HON. ALBERT D. NORTONI

Ex-Judge St. Louis Court of Appeals

HON. MATT G. REYNOLDS

Ex-Judge Circuit Court, City of St. Louis

FREDERICK N. JUDSON, Esquire

HON. SELDEN P. SPENCER

Ex-Judge Circuit Court, City of St. Louis

HON. WALTER H. SANBORN and HON. WILLIAM C. HOOK, of the United States Circuit Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, occupied the bench with Judge Dyer.

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, convened in regular session on Tuesday, February 12th, 1918, at ten o'clock a. m. in the Court Room, St. Louis, Missouri.

Hon. Walter H. Sanborn and Hon. William C. Hook, were seated on the Bench with Judge Dyer.

Hon. James E. Withrow announced that it was the purpose of those present to extend to Judge Dyer their congratulations upon his Eightieth Birthday, and thereupon the following proceedings were had:

HON. JAMES E. WITHROW, Presiding.

The Chairman: If the Court please, a large number of the members of the bench and bar, some ladies, and many other citizens, have assembled here today to tender their felicitations to your Honor upon the eightieth anniversary of your birth.

It has been your Honor's good fortune to have held as many important official positions as any man in Missouri, and you have discharged your duty in them all with ability and efficiency, and to the satisfaction of the people.

Having lived to a happy old age, we sincerely trust that you may yet be spared for many years to enjoy the brilliant evening of an eminently successful and well-spent life, surrounded by your family and friends.

If the Court please, as we all know, Judge Henry S. Priest is the only living predecessor of your Honor in the office of Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Our Committee in charge of the program thought it would

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