eight o'clock
shouted Fred , who was always in for anything in the line of music and innocent pleasure . All instantly agreed , and the town and neighboring places were informed of the fact of the intended reception that night . All necessary preparations were made , and it is needless to say that the building was packed to its utmost limits long before the appointed hour . At eight o'clock the curtain raised , and our friends marched upon the stage and sang in their best form an anthem of praise and thanksgiving to God . All were in the pink of health , free from all carking cares and vanities of life , and they sang as if inspired . Such singing had never been heard by the audience ; and this fact , added to the romance connected with the occasion , carried the thousands of listeners completely off their feet . The encore that went up at the conclusion of the piece was tremendous beyond description .