USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > Centennial services of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Delaware, October 13-20, 1889 > Part 16
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156
CENTENNIAL EXERCISES
reflection upon her standing that she is regarded as nearer primitive Methodism in her modes of worship than any other church in the Con- ference. It may easily be imagined what bitter opposition was aroused when, during the civil war, the question of the introduction of an organ into the church was agitated. On June 3, 1864, the trustees received a communication from the choir, asking permission to intro- duce an instrument of music into the church. They were about to settle the question, but, proving too weighty for them, it was referred to a joint meeting of the trustees and stewards. This meeting was neld and the matter was debated with interest, but it was too large for even this meeting. Upon motion of Alexander Kelly, it was decided to appoint a committee to wait upon all the members of the Quarterly Conference and secure their vote, yea or nay, for the government of the trustees in their action. When this committee had completed its work it was found that eight had voted yea, fourteen had voted nay, and the others had shown the white feather and would not vote at all. The trustees accordingly deemed it inexpedient to grant the request. On November 3, 1865, it was again brought forward upon motion of Bro. Kelly, but negatived. During the strife the choir refused to sing, and for some time the church was without its assistance. On May 4, 1866, however, the trustees appointed a committee to raise the money for an instrument of music, and in the fall of that year, the organ was introduced into the church. Mr. C. Wells, at a salary of $100, was the first organist, and Mr. Ashley Simpson the leader of the choir.
During the latter part of the term of Enoch Stubbs, and during the pastorate of John A. B. Wilson, and the last pastorate of Chas. Hill, the Sunday-school suffered greatly for want of proper accomnio- tions. The main school was unpleasantly crowded, and the infant department had no proper place to hold its sessions, being compelled to use the gallery of the church for this purpose. After many discus- sions, in the board of trustees and among the members, relating to the building of a large chapel in the northeast corner of the church lot, the problem was finally solved during the pastorate of W. L. S. Murray. At this time the sixth and last improvement was made upon the church, David S. Truitt, John Gray, Benjamin J. Downing, Charles F. Welch, and George Rickards, being the building committee. The outward appearance of the building was radically changed, and no one who looks upon the church to-day, can imagine the little one-story church, thirty-five feet square, from which this structure arose. In this improvement the lecture-room was extended twenty feet to the building line on Third street, the church being thus converted into an L-shaped building. The floor of the lecture-room, in order to give greater height
157
ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
to the room, was lowered two feet. This improvement added fifteen feet to the lecture room, and provided space for an ample library. 'and a large vestibule on the ground floor. In the second story, on a level with the floor of the auditorium, it provided a room 50 × 20 feet for the infant department, and in a third story, on a level with the gallery, is another room of the same dimensions now used as a church parlor.
On November 8, 1885. when this much needed improvement had been completed, the church was re-opened with appropriate services, including a collection. The Rev. C. N. Simms, D. D., LL. D., Chancellor of the Syracuse University, preached in the morning, Bishop H. W. Warren in the afternoon, and the Rev. J. Richard Boyle, D. D., of Grace Church, Wilmington, in the evening. The day was very inclement, yet nearly $5,000 of the $10,000 needed were raised in cash and subscriptions. During the pastorate of the Rev. J. F. Bryan, whose indefatigable efforts to complete the payment of this debt will long be remembered, the debt was nearly cancelled, the last dollar being paid during the present pastorate, October 6, 1889.
In 1875, at a time when Asbury was on a high tide of prosperity, the Rev. Geo. R. Kramer was appointed pastor. This appoint- ment seemed at first to promise great beneficial results, but soon the pastor began to promulgate doctrines antagonistic to the Methodist faith. The brother, without doubt, had a perfect right to his opinions, but he had no right to use a Methodist pulpit, as a Methodist preacher, to attack Methodist doctrines. As soon as a preacher of any church feels impelled by his conscience to preach doctrines out of harmony with his vows there is but one honorable step left for him to take-resign his pulpit at once. The preaching of Mr. Kramer, who was a man of great eloquence, greatly disturbed Asbury Church, and, when in 1877 he retired from our communion, many useful and honest but mistaken members went with him. A church was established by them, entitled "The Household of Faith," which had but a brief exist- ence. Their pastor received a call to a better position in Brooklyn, and accepted it. The members, left shepherdless, struggled againt debt and disappointment for a while, and finally succumbed. A few still be- lieve the doctrines of "The Household of Faith," some have drift- ed clear away from all Christian moorings, a number have returned to Asbury, and Mr. Kramer himself is now a preacher in the Baptist church. It was thought at first that great and lasting dam- age had been done to Asbury by this schism. but the old church quickly recovered, and advanced in her career of prosperity more rapidly than ever.
158
CENTENNIAL EXERCISES
Thus after a century and a fifth of history we stand to-day within these sacred walls to thank God for his never-failing care over this people. . As we look about us how different are the surroundings from a century ago ! Then we were persecuted, now we are in honor ; then we were reviled for preaching salvation for all men, now everybody preaches it ; then we were a little, obscure company, now a mighty liost. Of the old church only a small part remains. On the south side about 35 ft. from the east end, 10 ft. from the west, and 712 from the eaves, and on the west side in the partition that divides the vesti- bule from the rest of the church, part of the original wall still remains. The rest, like our fathers who founded the church, is gone. The " alterations in the building are but an emblem of other and equally in- portant changes constantly being made in the membership. There have been many vicissitudes, a few discouragements, some schisms, yet the church to-day has upon her record 840 full members and 52 proba- tioners. St. Paul's, Union, Scott, Brandywine, Mt. Salem, Silverbrook and Cookman, as will be seen from the papers read here from these churches, have gone directly from this family circle, and many more sons and daughters of old Asbury have departed with the mother's blessing upon them to work for Christ in church-homes of their own choosing. To change the figure, the old hive is still full. Though swarın after swarm ha; gone forth in search of a hive of its own there have always been hundreds more of busy workers to take its place, and to-day the old hive is in good condition to swarm again.
We begin our second century with a bright outlook. Our services are soul-thrilling ; often the saints of God shout aloud the praises of the King. Our classes have the old time fire still resting upon them; our lecture-room, on Friday evening, is usually well-filled with earnest souls, verifying the promise of Christ to meet with them, as they renew the vows of fidelity to Him; the Sunday morning prayer meeting is of the primitive type, no man there is afraid to tell what the Lord has done for his soul; old-fashioned revivals are frequent, in which nothing better than a Methodist altar for a sinner to seek Christ is wanted, and cries of penitence mingled with the shouts of rejoicing of the converted, and the triumphant songs of the saints, are often heard; at the ordinary Sunday services often hundreds, who would gladly worship with us, are turned away, and we are well assured that God is in our midst.
The work of the church is varied. A Sunday-school doing work that will be felt in eternity; a Ladies' Aid Society, caring for the com- fort of the parsonage inmates and the beautifying of the church; a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society and a Murray Band of young
159
ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
ladies, sending the gospel to the benighted women of the Orient; a Woman's Home Missionary Society and Home Circle attending to the work at home; a King's Daughter's Society, ever ready to assist in any good work; a Young People's Christian Endeavor Society, build- ing up young Christians, and saving the unregenerate youth about us; twenty classes meeting weekly for testimony and prayer; these repre- sent some of the energies of the church; while trustees, leaders, stewards, faithful men of God, watch and forward every interest of our Zion.
From our church have gone forth the following men into the traveling connection of the Methodist ministry : John B. Hagany, Samuel H. Higgins, Edward Kennard, Thos. L. Poulson, Jas. Mc- Laughlin, A. T. Scott, Jacob Dickerson, Wesley Johnson, T. B. Killiam, T. J. Cochran, W. W. Sharpe and Asbury Burke.
The following Annual Conferences have been held at Asbury:
CONFERENCE.
DATE.
SECRETARY.
Philadelphia, Ap. 11-19, 1832,
1
BISHOP. McKendree and Hedding, Hedding, Waugh,
G. G. Cookman.
W. A. Wiggins.
..
Ap. 6-14, 1842, Nov. 25, Ap. 3, 1857. Mar. 9-16, 1864.
Waugh,
Ames,
· Wilmington,
Mar. 17-23, 1869, Mar. 5-11, 1884.
Harris,
P. Combs. R. H. Pattison. Samuel L. Gracy, John D. Rigg.
Ap. 4-12, 1838,
. .
Simpson,
In the 100 years of our history 62 men have officiated as pastors. Of these one died while pastor, George Quigley, in 1866; six served two pastoral terms, viz: John M. McClaskey, Ezekiel Cooper, Joseph Rust- ling, John Kenneday, Joseph Lybrand and Robert Gerry; to Chas. Hill alone belongs the honor of having occupied this pastorate three times. Of the 62 pastors, one, Geo. R. Kramer, is now a minister of the Baptist church, and 51 have gone to their eternal reward. Of the ten who are still in the ranks of the Methodist ministry, Joseph Mason and Gassoway Oram are on the retired list of the Philadelphia Confer- ence, John A. Roche is an active member of the New York East Con- ference, W. C. Robinson and Enoch Stubbs are serving churches in Philadelphia, John A. B. Wilson and W. L. S. Murray are Presiding Elders in the Wilmington Conference, Chas. Hill and J. E. Bryan are pastors in the same Conference, and the writer is the present pastor of Asbury.
*This was the first session of the Wilmington Conference.
100
CENTENNIAL EXERCISES
The following is a list of the pastors that have served Asbury in the last hundred years :
TIME.
PREACHERS.
WHITE. COLORED.
PRESIDING ELDERS.
1789 William Jessup,
43
19
Lemuel Green.
1790 John McClaskey, 40
20
Richard Whatcoat.
1791 Thomas Ware,
93
8+
Lemuel Green.
1792
Silvester Hutchinson,
83
41
John McClaskey.
1793
Robert Cloud, 6 mos.,
82
55
1793
Evan Rogers, 6 mos.,
90
55
Freeborn Garretson.
On Chester Circuit. Wm. Earley,
Valentine Cook.
James Smith,
66
1795
Fredus Aldridge,
1796
John Vanneman,
of
30
66
1797
Ezekiel Cooper,
61
37
Wilmington & Newport.
1798
Ezekiel Cooper,
69
18
66
66
Wilmington.
1799
Daniel Fidler.
73
9+
1800
Caleb Kendall,
87
47
Joseph Everett.
1801
157
85
1 802
James Lattomus,
125
117
Thomas Ware.
1803
Thomas Jones, On the Circuit.
113
98
Christopher Spry.
1 804
Wm. Hunter,
Wm. Colbert.
Jos. Osburn,
66
66
1805
J. Stephens, Wm. Hunter, D. James. James Moore,
Solomon Sharp.
Wilmington a station again.
1806 Joshua Wells,
1807
John McClaskey,
112
96
66
Wm. Chandler.
1809 Ezekiel Cooper.
126
145
Wn. Hunter.
1810 Wmn. M'Lenahan,
I32
134
66
1811 James Sanders,
137
137
1812 James Batenian,
142
178
1813 George Sheets,
138
9t
Henry Boehm.
Chester and Wilmington.
1814 Geo. Sheets and Thomas Miller to change once a month,
123
71 Henry Boehm.
1815 John Emory,
127
72
Robert R. Roberts.
66
1808 William Bishop,
99
John Merrick. Thomas Ware.
66
1794
161
ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
TIME. PREACHERS.
WHITE. COLORED. PRESIDING ELDERS.
1817 John Goforth,
190
67
1818 Samuel J. Cox,
212
67
1819 Joseph Rustling,
215
68
1820 . .
305
74
James Bateman.
Wilmington and New Castle.
1821 Lawrence Laurensou, 325
70
Wil .. N. Castle and Newport.
1822 John Potts,
339
77
Wilmington a station again.
1823 John Potts,
203
88
1824 Solomon Sharpe,
319
78
Joseph Lybrand.
1825 Henry White,
279
42
1826
L. M'Combs,
288
55
1827 1828
Solomon Higgins,
290
104
..
344
IOI
1829
David Dailey,
347
90
1830
John Kenneday,
334
98
1831
360
98
1832 1833
Joseph Lybrand,
385
100
6 4
Matthew Sorin.
1834
J. Rustling; Levi Storks, 439
134
1816
Wm. Williams, 130
57
Daniel Hitt. Matthew Sorin.
1835 1836
Matthew Sorin,
363
173
David Dailey.
1837 1838
William A. Wiggins,
348
90
420
IIO
Joseph Lybrand,
558
119
Henry White.
1841
Robert Gerry,
580
136
1842
700
140
1843
John Kennaday,
750
150
1844
884
163
Daniel Lambdin.
1845
Anthony Atwood,
810
170
1846
594
192
IS47
Thomas J. Thompson,
693
256
1848
١٠
694
260
James Smith.
4 0
Lawrence Laurenson. L. M'Combs.
46
437
I31
Jos. Rustling, W. Urie,
382
130
1839 1840
505
I36
..
. .
Previous to 1849, no report of probationers was made in the general minutes.
II
CENTENNIAL EXERCISES
WHITE.
COLORED.
TIMI PREACHERS.
MEM. PROB. MEM. PROB. PRESIDING ELDER.
1849 W111. Cooper.
622
121
277
29 James Smith.
1850 6
550
70
235
32
After this colored people are not reported in Asbury minutes. They are independent.
1851 John A. Roche,
529
185
James Smith. Anthony Atwood.
TIME.
PREACHERS.
WHITE.
COLORED.
PRESIDING ELDERS.
1853
Robert Gerry,
637
90
Anthony Atwood.
1854
640
90
1855
Joseph Mason,
584
70
T. J. Thompson.
1856
562
64
1857
Gassaway Oram.
570
42
Wm. Urie. 4.
1858
550
62
1859
Wesley Kenney,
568
20
1860
Charles Hill, 16
661
46
Joseph Mason.
1862
663
33
1863
W. C. Robinson,
592
25
1864
6
589
160
1865
George Quigley,
664
75
1866
4 4 died, and I.
1867
639
144
1868
640
30
1869
Charles Hill,
572
ot
1870
569
87
1871
628
119
1872
Enoch Stubbs,
63
63
1873
612
62
1874
620
170
1875
Geo. R. Kramer,
675
105
1876
690
238
1877
Geo. R. Kramer, tell, T. B. Killiam, remainder of year.
764
63
1878
J. A. B. Wilson,
618
14
6 0
1879
575
65
L. C. Matlack.
James Cunningham.
Mast filled out the year. 670 J. D. Curtis,
IO2
J. D. Curtis.
T. J. Thompson.
T. J. Thompson, died Nov. 29, 1874, John B. Quigg. John B. Quigg.
6.
1852 ..
621
580
I20
1861
163
ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
TIME.
PREACHER.
WHITE. COLORED.
PRESIDING CLPERS.
ISSO
Charles Hill,
601
19
..
1881
594
27
1882
587
49
1883
W. I. S. Murray,
593
52
Charles Hill. ..
1884
650
191
1885
750
50
1886
Jas. E. Bryan,
720
So
1887
813
45
W. L. S. Murray.
1888
..
700
90
1 889
John D. C. Hanna,
720
I 26
..
At the present time the members of the Quarterly Conference, upon whom rest the responsibilities of the church, are as follows:
Charles. Moore, Dr. J. H. Simms and John Simmons, local preachers; Jolin Wise, Matthew Megarvey, Andrew J. Dalbow, Robert Humphreys, Chas. A. Foster and A. Sergeant, exhorters; Chas. M. Leitch, recording steward, Wm. T. Groves, district steward, Chas. Moore, J. C. Johnson, John Wise, Chas. Wood, John T. Mortimer, Wm. F. Maclin, H. A. Roop, H. H. Ferguson, Chas. Heald, Wm. F. Johnson, and Geo. S. Hagany, stewards; David R. Truitt, president of the board of trustees; David Whitsell, secretary: John Gray, Benj. J. Downing. Augustus Dennis. Chas. F. Welch. Jas. H. Floyd. Wm. B. Wharton, and T. A. D. Hutton, trustees; Chas. Moore, Johr Banthrum, Wm. B. Genn. Jas. E. McKay, Louis Maxwell, A. Sergeant. John Wise, Mrs. Chas, Moore, Wm. Pennell. Jacob Ellwanger, Chas. F. Bordner, Chas. A. Foster, Win. T. Houpt, Andrew J. Dalbow, T. B. Ridgway, B. F. Leonard, Noah Cunningham, Robert G. Humphreys, Geo. Heisler, and the pastor, leaders. Jas. E. Mckay is superin- tendent of the afternoon school, and the assistant, Wmn. J. Johnson, has charge in the morning. Miss Sallie Shaw and Miss Ella Marvel are also assistants in the main school. The infant department is in charge of Mrs. M. A. Taggart, assisted by Mrs. Chas. Moore and Miss Georgia Carver.
Thus most imperfectly have we traced the century's history of our beloved church. The forty-three white members have become four thousand four hundred and sixty-one members and probationers, the nineteen colored members are now seven hundred and forty, and both white and colored people have given off many more to assist in build- ing other folds. We are standing together and looking back during this centennial week. Yet we are not so much concerned with the past . as with the future. How are we building for the generations to come?
164
CENTENNIAL EXERCISES
God of our fathers make us faithful to our goodly heritage. Make the next century more glorious in heroic endeavor and magnificent results even than the one now closing. Make the children of to-day faithful, determined, persistent, self-sacrificing, victorious. And when the generations to come review our work, may they pronounce upon us the- encomium, "They did what they could."
165
ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
History of Asbury Methodist Epis- copal Sunday School.
BY CHARLES F. BORDNER, EsQ.
In the year 1818, three noble Christian women, one by the name of Elizabeth Cable, who afterwards became the wife of a man named Yeager; the second one was Anna McClees, who afterwards married a man by the name of Ford; the name of the third one we have been unable to obtain; but while we are unable to record her name here below, we feel safe in saying that her name is registered above. These women of God were deeply impressed with the thought that a Sab- bath-school should be organized in connection with Asbury Church for the purpose of instructing the children in the nurture and adnio- nition of God, and thus fit them for a life of usefulness in this world, and prepare them for the world to come. Through the persistent efforts of these women, the school was organized in Asbury Church. Though the school was organized in the church, they were only allowed to meet there on condition that they would take no boys as scholars. The objections raised against the boys by the board of trustees was, that the boys would cut the benches with their knives.
It will be remembered that knives were not so plentiful as they are nowadays. Not every boy was the owner of a knife, and those who were favored with this very useful article were determined to use it, if even the furniture at times would have to suffer. These restrictions, however, did not suit the broad philanthropic ideas of the originators of the school; but determined in their minds that the boys should not be excluded if they could help it. After some effort they secured a place to hold the school in the house owned by John Taylor, on the S.
106
CENTENNIAL EXERCISES
W. corner of Second and Walnut streets. Here they continued the work of instructing both boys and girls in the words of eternal life. From Second and Walnut streets the school was removed to a loft over David Bush's storehouse, known as Nos. 6 and S Fast Front street. From Front street the school was removed to Sixth and King streets to a frame building which stood on the site where Hanover Presbyterian Church now stands, from which place the children, in company with the officers and teachers, could be seen every Sunday morning march- ing down King street en route to Asbury meeting-house (as it was called in those days) where they would attend preaching services.
Through the persistent efforts of the few who organized the school the good work grew in interest to such an extent that it drew the at- tention of the officiaries of Asbury Church, and they resolved to take hold of the new enterprise and thus help and encourage its growth.
On the 5th of July, 1819, a meeting was called by the Rev. Joseph Rustling, the preacher in charge, for the purpose of organizing a Sabbathı-school, on which occasion a constitution was formed and adopted and an election of officers was held. The pastor, Rev. Joseph Rustling, was elected as president; Benjamin Fred and Samuel Sapping- ton were elected as secretary, treasurer and superintendent for the first quarter.
The funds of the school were provided for according to the pro- visions presented in Article II of Constitution, viz : That each mem- ber upon signing the constitution shall pay the sum of twelve and one- half cents, and quarterly the same sun to the treasurer.
Article VII, relating to duties of teachers and officers. This article provided that the superintendent should see that promptness be ob- served in opening the schools, and also to see that the school be closed fifteen minutes before Divineservice commenced, then to have the child- ren conducted by their teachers to the Methodist meeting-house, and see that they behaved well and kneel in time of prayer. In case either of the superintendents being absent they were required to furnish a sub- stitute or be fined twelve and one-half cents.
Section II of By laws provided for the classifying of the scholars. as follows : The first class were to recite from the New Testament, and commit to memory a portion and answer questions from the catechism. Class No. 2 were to commit to memory hymns and small lessons out of the spelling book. The third class were to be taught the alphabet and words of one syllable.
Section 2nd, By-Laws, Rewards. First class for every six verses.
167
ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
of Scriptures, or each lesson in the Catechismn, should receive one blue ticket.
Class 2nd, For being present at roll call one blue ticket, and for every lesson or hymn they recited one blue ticket.
The third class for punctual attendance, and for good behaviour during dav, one blue ticket. -
Punishment, Section 3rd. Children absent at roll call, or neglect ing to recite, would forfeit one blue ticket, for bad behaviour one, and for general bad behavior during the month should receive no tract. A teacher absenting him or herself, would be fined six and one-fourth cents; under these and similar rules, the school grew in numbers and interest.
The 25th day of April, 1822, the board of trustees of Asbury Church decided to build a school house on the southwest corner of the church, and appointed as building committee, Bros. Richard Williams, Miller Dunott, and Edward Worrell. On August 2, 1822, the committee reported the building completed at a cost of $375.581/2 - Week day school was held in this building also. In the fall of 1822, the Sabbath-school moved from Sixth and King streets to their new quarters in the school house, which had just been fitted up for their accommodations, where the school remained until 1835, when the objections against boys as scholars had ceased, and they were admitted into the church proper.
At a meeting of the Sunday-school Association held March 13, 1827, it was decided to procure a library of such books as would suit the capacity of the children belonging to the school. The books were to be loaned to such scholars only who distinguished themselves as learners, and for good behaviour in and outside the school. On September 25, 1837, the board of managers of Asbury Sabbath-school presented the following interesting report:
There are at the above date sixty-six male and one hundred and twenty-six female scholars on the roll, with an average attendance of one hundred and fifty three scholars. Recited during the past year, eight thousand one hundred and fifty-nine verses of Scripture, and two thousand eight hundred and seventy-one verses of hymns. In this year the school sustained a great loss, in the death of Bro. Edward Worrell, who from the first organization of the Sabbath-school worked for its best interests. Under the management of various superintend- ents the school increased in numbers and interest to such an extent that it was necessary to have two schools, known as No. 1 and No. 2.
168
CENTENNIAL EXERCISES
The sessions of No. I were held in the lecture room, and the sessions of No. 2 in the auditorium of the church.
During the year 1866 the officers of No. I School were as follows: superintendent, Alex Kelley; assistant superintendent, Rebecca Matlock; secretary, William Moore; treasurer, Bennet Matlack; libra. rian, H. A. Roop.
Officers of School No. 2 were: superintendent, John C. Thomas assistant superintendent, Virginia Robinson; secretary, William Loyd; librarian, Elisha Cole.
As separate bodies these two schools were carried on successfully until September, 1869, when, by the action of the Sunday-school board, they were consolidated. On January 23, 1872, the Sunday- School Association adopted the Berean lesson system, which system is still being used.
I can not close this paper without referring, particularly to Sister Rebecca Matlack, who departed this life May 7, 1884. She was a charter member and also its assistant superintendent for many years. Her interest in the school was untiring and much of its success must be . ttributed to her. Her's too was a nature that poets like to sing of and philosophers moralize upon. So filled was she with the love of God, that she was never satisfied unless making another life happier. She died as she lived the very embodiment of Christian perfection.
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