USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > Centennial services of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Delaware, October 13-20, 1889 > Part 19
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The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad and for which we ascribe to Him all the glory.
REV. WALTER E. AVERY, Pastor of Mt. Salem Methodist Episcopal Church.
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History of Mt. Salem Methodist Epis- copal Church.
BY THE REV. WALTER AVERY, PASTOR.
The word Salem means "peaceful," and if the founders of the church had searched the Bible from Genesis to Revelation they could not have found a more appropriate name. It is in harmony with the quiet and peaceful surroundings of the church. A man of learning once remarked that he thought it was the duty of a historian to draw conclusions. Bishop Ames said on one occasion that he believed his- torians ought to state facts. It occurred to me, as soon as the sentence fell from his lips, that the bishop was right, and I have found no reason to change my mind since. Mt. Salem, like many of her sister churches, has suffered so far as her historical record is con- cerned, and it is very difficult, under the circumstances, to write a correct history. The Centennial of Asbury has not only kindled the fires of enthusiasm in our hearts and caused us to rejoice, as the child- ren and grandchildren have paid their tributes of respect to their mother and grandmother, but it has incited us to search for facts in local church history which will make us better acquainted with the good men who have preceded us. Ancient church records, gray with dust and age, have been taken from their hiding places and carefully examined. The fathers and iuothers in Israel have been interviewed and questioned as to their knowlege of the growth and development of their respective churches, and fragments of historic value have been gathered both from books aud men. We have doubtless been im- pressed with one fact while listening to the many excellent papers which have been read during this Centennial week, and that is, that the fathers of Methodism not only made history rapidly, but they made exceedingly good history.
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Mt. Salem Methodist Episcopal Church, according to the record, was commenced in the year of our Lord 1847, and finished in the spring of 1848. It was opened for divine worship on the 23rd of April, 1848, by the following ministers : Rev. Francis Hodgson preached the dedicatory sermon in the morning from Galations, vi : 14 .- "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
Some who heard him preach are still living, and they say his sermon was powerful. It moved the hearts of the people wonderfully. Rev. I. T. Cooper preached eloquently in the afternoon from the eighth chapter and ninth verse of the II Epistle of Corinthians: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye, through his poverty, might be rich." Rev. Joseph Castle preached at night, but his text was not recorded in the minutes. The collections and subscriptions during the day amounted to nearly $400.
Mt. Salem Church was added to St. Paul's station under the pastoral care of Rev. Joseph Castle, and the pulpit was supplied by the local preachers belonging to the Wilmington and Chester circuit, as follows : John Talley, Jesse Ford, Samuel Hance, Solomon Prettyman, Marcellus A. Keene, Beverly Waugh, Richard Martin, James Riddle, Franklin Supplee, with other brethren in the ministry. On Sunday, the Ioth of September, 1848, a protracted meeting began under the superintendence of Marcellus Keene, who was appointed by Joseph Castle, preacher in charge, to take charge of the work at Mt. Salem, Bro. Castle not being able to attend to the work in person.
In 1847 the first board of trustees was elected. Their names are as follows : Franklin Supplee, president; Richard Martin, secretary; James Riddle, treasurer; Thomas Smith, Samuel Montgomery, John Miller and Jesse Elliott. In 1848 Bro. Keene died and Rev. Win1. Kirkman, a local preacher of Asbury Church, took charge. Bro. Kirk - inan was a ship-carpenter in the employ of the Harlan & Hollings- wortlı Company. Toiling hard all the week, lie preaclied with great acceptability to the people. On one occasion, when he was not as clear in his statements as usual, he remarked that his mind had been full of ships all the week and he did not seem to be able to get rid of them on Sunday. As we study the lives of these two unas- suming, yet earnest men of God, we find, in response to their fervid appeals, that men and women presented themselves to the altar and were saved.
Rev. Wm. L. Boswell, a graduate of Dickinson College, was Mt. Salem's first stationed preacher. A few months ago Bro. Bos-
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well preached for us. £ He was surprised to see so many houses stand- ing where corn grew thirty-nine years ago. Mt. Salem has liad her dark seasons. Her life has not been all sunshine. During the pas torate of Rev. I. R. Merrill, a panic occurred. The factories were closed and many of the church's best supporters were thrown out of employment. The officials inet to pay their pastor's salary, the members being willing to make sacrifices in order that he should not go to Conference unpaid. But their preacher, possessing the true Wesleyan spirit, said to the congregation: "I can do without the money better than you can," and refused to take it. Thank God for men who are willing to share losses with their people; they are "the salt of the earth," and "the light of the world." In 1858 a Sunday- school was started on what is known as "Riddle's Banks ; " called the "Union" or "Woods" school. An infant class was also taught in a private home. This school was not far from the home of one of the most philanthropic spirits that ever graced this earth. Bro. James Riddle, whose memery is a benediction to all who knew him, felt that a commodious house ought to be built to accommodate those need- ing religious instructions in that vicinity, for the Sabbath-school met, at that time, in a small school-house. Bro. Riddle built on his own land, near his home, a beautiful chapel, which was dedicated December 25, 1871, by Rev. George Watson. It was called Riddle's Chapel in honor of the donor. It cost $9.000, and Stats between three and four hundred scholars. Riddle's Chapel Sunday-school is in a flourishing condition, and gave last year, for missions, $125. This godly man who said to one of his friends that he never went into a community without "leaving a school-house and a church," left this chapel as a memorial of his generosity. In him the worn-out preachers had a friend, the missionary cause a warm supporter, and all the benevolences of the church a large place in his affections. Heaven alone will reveal the good he did and is doing to-day. Mt. Salem Church looked upon him as a father. He was her father and in her early struggles she leaned upon him for support. When the pulpit needed a supply he could always be relied on, and his widow, as generous as her large-hearted husband, is seen in her church every Sabbath unless prevented by sickness or stormy weather. If time per- mitted, I would like to speak of the heroic efforts of the many loyal spirits who gave their time, influence and money to build up Zion in this place. It would be interesting to note the zeal which characterized the members of the first quarterly conferences ; their willingness to give of their little means, and their love for their preacher : but their records are on high and God has chronicled every good deed that characterized their lives. In 1878, during the pastorate
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of Rev. Charles F. Sheppard, it was deemed advisable, because of its. insecurity and lack of room. to tear down the old church and build a larger structure. While the new building was in process of erection, the congregation worshiped in a temporary tabernacle.
The new edifice was built at a cost of $15,000, and dedicated by Dr. R. L. Dashiell, November 3, 1878. Bishop Scott was present, but was very feeble. The worshipers were not permitted to enjoy their handsome church very long. At two o'clock in the morning of February 2, 1879, it was discovered to be on fire, and was burned to the great sorrow of pastor and people. The disheartened company rose above their discouragements and decided to rebuild. Great sacrifices were made by these devoted followers of God. While the present church was building, the congregation worshiped in the . Young Men's Christian Association room, at Rising Sun, and in Riddle's Chapel. It was completed, and dedicated by Dr. John H. Dashiell of the Baltimore Conference, July 13, 1879. Brother Sheppard deserves great credit for his noble work. In two years he collected $22,000. When it is known that our people were not rich, but felt every dollar they gave, this is one of the finest specimens of liberality in the history of Methodism. Rev. John Weston, who served the church from 1875 till 1877, fell at his post of duty and was buried in Mt. Salem cemetery. Mt. Salem Church has given some noble sons to the ministry. Rev. John France was licensed to preach by the Mt. Salem Quarterly Conference, and is to-day a member of the Wilmington Conference, and the honored Presiding Elder of the Easton district. Rev. A. J. Crozier, whose dust rests in our cemetery, was a member of this church, and also of the Wilmington Conference. Rev. George Cummins, who worked in the Henry Clay Cotton Factory, labored to build up the cause of Christ here, and is, at present, a member of the Philadelphia Conference and is considered one of its best preachers and ablest debaters.
Bros. Gregg, Kirkpatrick, Webb and Anderson, left here for larger fields of usefulness.
The following pastors have served the church: 1850-1851, W. L. Boswell; 1851-1852, Newton Heston; 1852-1854, Wm. Mullen; 1854- 1855, T. W. Simpers and Wm. M. Dalrymple; 1855-1856, T. W. Simpers and John Dyson; 1856-1857, James Hand; 1857-1858, Isaac R. Merrill: 1858-1859, G. D. Carrow, whose place was filled by A. T. Scott; 1859-1860, A. T. Scott; 1860-1861, N. B. Durell; 1861-1863, D. George; 1863-1866, W. S. Pugh; 1866-1867, W. C. Johnson; 1867- 1868, O. W. Landreth; 1868-1871, John D. Rigg: 1871-1873, G. D. Watson; 1873-1875, John France; 1875-1877, John W. Weston: 1877-
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1880, C. F. Sheppard: 1880-1883, T. I. Tomkinson; 1883 1885, J. E. Smith; 1885-1888, R. C. Jones; 1888-1890, W. E. Avery.
In consulting the records I find that nearly all the fathers and mothers who blessed the first church with their presence and prayers have received their crowns and robes, and "exceeding great reward." Only a few, like the scattered leaves on the trees in the last days of Autumn, are left, and they are patiently waiting for the boatman to guide them over the river. They never heard an angel from heaven say, "Thy prayers and thine alms have come up for a memorial before God;" but they have heard the better angels of their natures say it a thousand times. To-day we thank them for their magnificent work. Age has not marred it. They trod the thorny road of duty, but made it smooth and easy for us, their children. They cut down the forests, and to-day the flower gardens greet us. They worshiped gladly and uncomplainingly in dimly-lighted and inconvenient sanctuaries. Pure, unselfish souls, with a steady flame of heaven glowing in their hearts ! No poem has been written to immortalize their deeds, but their lives are poems read and remembered by those whose souls were made musical by their upright living. Time, the great historian of us all, has leveled many of their graves, but their immortal deeds have reached the eternal throne, and we gladly, entwine these wreaths of affection around their memories. They seem to be with us to-day. It may be that they are near enough for us to see them, if from our eyes these mortal films were removed. I rejoice that the ardor of the fathers is not dead.
The class-meetings at Mt. Salem are still loved and honored; the songs of Zion are sung there every Sabbath morning by the old, middle-aged, and young ; the Sabbath-school room is thronged and the audience room well filled with souls hungry for the truth.
As Salem means "peaceful," "Let peace within her walls be found;
Let all her sons unite, To spread with holy zeal around Her clear and shining light."
As the church of our choice has more wealth and is in better cir- cumstances than ever before, we may flatter ourselves with the thought that there is no danger to be feared. There is more danger now than there was fifty years ago ..
The most dangerous period of a nation's life is not when it is struggling for existence, but when it is resting in the lap of wealth. Methodism was safe when fathers did without new overcoats, and mothers deprived themselves of the pleasures of new bonnets to for-
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ward God's cause ; but when men have plenty of overcoats and women plenty of bonnets and feel very little need for exertion, then it is that we are to be most watchful. The father who works "from morn . . . to dewy eve," taking advantage of every opportunity, is in very little danger of becoming a spendthrift, but the boy who never earned a dollar in his life and is left $50,000 is in far greater peril than his father. A precious legacy has been handed down to us, a legacy that was achieved by toil and blood. We have read of the struggles of the men who gave us this moral wealth. May we keep untarnished the treasure which has been bequeathed to us.
God of our fathers, "From out whose hand The centuries fall like grains of sand,"
help us to sing with all their earnestness the words they loved so well:
"I love Thy church, O God ! Her walls before Thee stand, Dear as the apple of Thine eye. And graven on Thy hand.
"For her my tears shall fall, For her my prayers ascend ; To hei my cares and toils be given, T'ill toils and cares shall end."
As Elijah cast his mantle on the ploughman. Elisha, and co111- muned with him till he went home to join the brotherhood around the throne, so may we drop worthy mantles on the Elishas who shall succeed us. I feel, to-day, like making the lines of a good poet mine, and saying, "Unto Him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father,"
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" We thank Thee for the era done,
And trust Thee for the opening one."
REV. VAUGHN S. COLLINS, Pastor of Scott Methodist Episcopal Church.
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History of Scott Methodist Episcopal Church.
BY THE REV. VAUGHAN S. COLLINS, PASTOR.
It seems quite the thing during this centennial occasion for all the Methodist churches of the city to call old Asbury their "mother; " but I am not quite sure that Asbury can claim the honor of being the 111other of that lively church called Scott. Its birth was on this wise:
On the 28th of September, 1851, a few members from Asbury and Union Methodist Episcopal Churches, and Hanover Presbyterian Church, met and organized a Union Sunday-school in the building known as "Kennard's Church," corner of Seventh and Walnut streets. Now whether Asbury is father or mother to the new organization I am unable to say; and what is the exact relation of the three churches which seem to be parents of the new church, I know not; but one thing I know :- from the date of her birth until now, Scott has had the fire of old Asbury, the perseverence of a Presbyterian, and the concord of "I'nion" among her members.
At that organization meeting Judge Willard Hall led in singing and prayer, and Rev. Andrew Manship led in a collection-which amounted to S23. Forty-five scholars were present, and twenty-four volunteered their services as teachers. Jacob S. Weldin was elected superintendent, Stewart Carlisle, librarian, and Thomas Orpwood, secretary. From this first meeting to the date of his death, Brother Weldin was the life and soul of the new enterprise; and it is agreed by those acquainted with the facts, that without his sympathetic help, of time and thought, as well as of money, it would have been difficult, if not impossible, for Scott to have survived some of the dark periods of her history.
The notes of that year show increasing interest. On November
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30, the school is taken to Asbury Church to listen to addresses by Judge Hall, Rev. A. Atwood, and a stranger from Baltimore. Seven hundred are said to have been present at the service. February 1, 1852, a prayer-meeting was held, it being the first Sunday of the month. At the close of the school the constitution and by-laws were adopted. February 15, 1852, it is noted that "Rev. J. A. Roche is present, led in prayer, and gave us a good little lecture." March 7, "A large attendance and a refreshing time." March 28, "Rev. A. Atwood is present, related several interesting anecdotes, and gave us a good little lecture." April II, "Rainy, chilly, and unpleasant weather; had no school exercises to-day except singing, on account of being turned out of our house, and having to consider how and where to get another." April 18 finds them in the basement of the Old Free School House, corner Sixth and French streets, and J. T. Van Burkalow leads in prayer. April 25, "Adjourning early to attend church to hear Rev. Mr. Lee, a converted frair." October 17, 1852, it is noted: "In consequence of our being dispossessed of a place to hold our school in, and getting ready to build our house, we have been thrown into con- fusion, and have not kept our account correct. We are still encour- aged to persevere in the cause of Christ." Where they met from this date until their own house was finished in December, I can not find out.
The little society were now anxious to have a building of their own. Brother Samuel McCauley, a good Methodist, donated them a lot at the corner of Seventh and Spruce streets. He told them to stake off just as much as they wanted. They staked off all they supposed they would ever need; but long ago they wished they had taken twice as much. At that time Seventh and Spruce was in the country. All east of Poplar and north of Sixth street was farm lands and brick yards; so these early workers did not suppose they would ever need more than they staked off. Work was pushed rapidly, and on the last Sunday in December, 1852, the new building, a one-story brick, 40 by 45 feet, was dedicated as a Union School House by the Rev. Andrew Manship, assisted by Rev. Nicholas Patterson of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. John A. Roche of Asbury, and Judge Willard Hall. Col. McComb was secretary of the meeting. From that day the church was never free of debt until the first day of December, 1887, when the last dollar of indebtedness was paid, and the mortgage marked "satisfied" on the court house records.
At this first dedication the following incident occurred, vouched for by an eye witness: The Rev. Mr. Patterson subscribed $10. Brother Manship said, "Put me down $10. I won't let a Presbyterian beat me."
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Mr Patterson said, "Put me down $10 more." Some one in the con- gregation gave Brother Manship a wink and he promptly cried out "Put me down $10 more." Brother Patterson just as quickly responded, "Put me down $10 more." Brother Manship looked all over the congregation for another friendly wink or nod, but none came. After waiting in vain for some one to come to his rescue the arch beggar plaintively said, "My friends have gone back on me, and I will have to back down."
The first session in the new building was held January 6, 1853. The Presbyterians and other denominations, who had been working with our people, now gradually dropped out, until only the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church remained as workers. The sister church said that the Methodist Church had stolen the school front them. The charge was unfounded; but if it had been true, I do not think they ought to have complained. It certainly could not have gone over in toto to the Methodists unless God had ordained it; and if He had ordained it from before the foundation of the world the Methodists could not help it. The good Presbyterians certainly ought not to grumble at the eternal decree of Jehovah.
As the school continued to grow, some of the faithful ones who labored there thought it wise to organize a church. Until this time it had been called the "Seventh Street Sabbath-school." When the Presbyterians all withdrew it was called the "Seventh Street M. E. Sunday-school." It had been the standing rule from the inception of the movement, to devote the first Sunday in every month to a prayer meeting: and after the building at Seventh and Spruce was completed a week-night prayer meeting was started, which became a power for good. By the spring of 1854 everything was ripe for a church organization. On Thursday night previous to the session of the Annual Conference held that year, Rev. Robert Geary, pastor at Asbury, was invited by those engaged in the work, to hold a meeting to see what ought to be done. Brother Geary explained the modus operandi of organization, and asked all who desired to join in with the church about to be organized to volunteer their names. Fifteen gave their consent to enlist in the new departure, among them being Jacob S. Weldin, John Lonsdale, Joseph Spurway, George Mortimer. William H. Riley, Thomas Orpwood, Gilbert Holmes, William Bicking, John Dick, William Heisler, William Griffenberg, John B. Kindall, William H. Foulk and Stewart Carlisle. Of these original members many have died, others removed; so that now Brother Kindall is the only one left at Scott of the faithful fifteen who pledged to stand by the infant enterprise.
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Being now organized as a church, the Philadelphia Conference, at its session in 1854, appointed Rev. Henry A. Hobbs pastor of Seventh Street Church. Immediately on the adjournment of Conference he came to his charge. It was late Saturday evening when he reached Wilmington, and he proceeded at once to the church. There he found some of the leading members busily fixing up a plain wooden altar, in order to transform the school house into a church; and as he came limping in, (for he had the rheumatism,) the brethren all dropped their work, and gathered around their first pastor, "as proud as a lot of kittens with their first mouse," as a brother, who was one of them, told me. As Brother Hobbs was a married man, it was necessary to pro- vide a parsonage. The bretliren responded promptly to this new demand upon them, and rented a house on Lombard street above Sixth.
The minutes of the first Quarterly Conference shows the following record: "Wilmington, April 24. 1854 .- First Quarterly Conference of the Seventh Street M. E. Church, held at Bro. Jacob S. Weldin's. Bro. Stewart Carlisle was appointed secretary. Meeting opened with prayer by Bro. Anthony Atwood, P. E. Members present: Bro. Atwood, P. E., Bro. H. A. Hobbs, preacher in charge, Bros. Jacob S. Weldin, Jos. Spurway. Win. Bickings. Wm. Griffenberg, Stewart Carlisle. On motion of Brother Hobbs, Bros. Jacob S. Weldin, John Lonsdale, Moses B. Gist, Jos. Spurway and Stewart Carlisle were elected a board of stewards. On motion of Brother Griffenberg the board of stewards were appointed a committee to estimate preacher's salary and report at the next Quarterly Conference. The preacher verbally reported the Sabbath- school in a flourishing condition. On motion, adjourned. Minutes read and approved. Stewart Carlisle, secretary."
It would be interesting to know the first list of membership, but I find no record of it. Besides the fourteen mentioned above, Joseph D. Aldred was among the very first to unite with the new organization. He had previously been a member of the school, and as soon as the church was organized he drew his letter from Asbury and cast in his lot with the new enterprise. From that day to this he has been a live worker in the church and school, and has filled acceptably almost every office in the church. He is still with us, and still active and zealous. God grant that he may be spared us many years !
In 1855 the Rev. Charlton T. Lewis was appointed pastor. The church seems to have flourished under his pastorate. The building would not accommodate the crowds that came to hear him. During the summer the church was enlarged to nearly twice its former size, and two class-rooms built at the rear of the church. It was with April of this year, 1855, that regular minutes of the Sunday-school teachers'
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meeting were kept, and of which we have an unbroken line to date. The officers and teachers of that date were Thomas Orpwood, Jacob S. Weldin, W111. H. Riley, Gilbert Holmes, Joseph Spurway, Charles H. Heald, George Carpenter, James Grieves, Thomas Rogerson, Joseph D. Aldred, John Fisher, James Mitchell, M. B. Gist, Win. H. Rumford, John Lonsdale, Abraham Schrader, Lewis Jackson, Lewis Orr, Ricard Ameli, Sarah Jane Hastings, Hannah B. Fisher, Eliza Mortimer, Mary A. Riley, Mary E. Stewart, Sarah E. Biddle, Margaret Grieves, Mar- garet Rumford, Ann E. Worrell, Deborah Ogden, Anna MI. Caudrass, Cornelia Benson, Mary E. Genn, Mary J. Staggers, Lydia M. Aldred, Margaret M. Caudrass, Isabella Fletcher, Elizabeth Faunce, Anna L. Jackson, thirty-nine in all.
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