USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > Centennial services of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Delaware, October 13-20, 1889 > Part 20
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It was during this year that the name was changed from "Seventh Street " to "Scott M. E. Church." On inquiry as to why the change was made, I was told "it was to get $100 out of Bishop Scott, and we did it, too," the brother laughingly added. The change in name first appears in the minutes of the Sunday-school association, under date of October 12, 1855.
While their church was being enlarged the Sunday-school met in the old German Baptist Church, corner Fifth and Walnut streets.
It was also during this year that something got the matter with their "constitution." I find that on Sept. 28, 1855, a committee was ap- pointed to revise their "constitution." The next week the revised "con- stitution" was adopted. On the following week, Oct. 12, a new article was added to their "constitution." On Nov. 4 a new committee on "con- stitution " was appointed, and in July, 1856, the committee on "constitu- tion" reported progress. Thus five times in ten months their "constitu- tion" gave them trouble. I do not know what the matter was with it, but it must have been pretty badly out of order to have needed so much repairing, and it must have been pretty tough or they would have doctored it to death. .
It was during this year that Scott had its first Sunday-school ex- cursion. The school also began to have what it called a " Missionary Committee," whose duty it was to go out and hunt up children and bring them to the school. This was kept up for years, and was un- doubtedly one of the agencies that tended to build up the school so rapidly. The first committee of this kind consisted of Abraham Schrader, Wm. H. Rumford, Lewis Jackson, Margaret Grieves, Cor- nelia Benson, Ann E. Worrell, and Mary E. Stewart.
It is only just to say that Sister Stewart, who afterwards became the wife of Bro. Isaac H. McKaig, and is now so well known as "Auntie McKaig," has been one of the most untiring workers ever in
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Scott Church. She was a member of the first class, led by Brother Grieves, which met in a frame house on Sixth street. From the beginning until this day no one could ever say she did not do her part. For months, when the little, struggling society was not able to pay a sexton, she would do her day's work in the factory, and then go up to the little church and sweep and dust it out and pre- pare it for the Sunday services; and He who has promised a reward to him who gives a "cup of cold water to one of the least of these," will not forget to reward her in the days to come.
In 1856 the Rev. Andrew Longacre was appointed pastor ; but be- cause of feeble health he never entered the pulpit. Rev. H. G. King, supernumerary of the Conference, filled the vacancy. He was much beloved, and was quite successful in the work, both spirtually and temporally. During the revival held by Father King Brother Joseph Locke was converted, who is still an honored member. Brother Locke is the first probationer received into the church at Scott who is at present a member there.
The following incident occured during the progress of this revival: Father King had a great habit of crawling all around the church on his knees during time of prayer, praying. and groaning, and mourning as he went. On one of the front seats was a well- grown youth of seventeen or eighteen, who sat up on his knees at prayer, looking all about the room. He would stretch his neck out to the greatest length possible, and peep and peer to see all that was to be seen. When the congregation knelt in prayer Father King was away off on the opposite side of the room, and the youth had no idea he was anywhere about. But Father King had seen his actions dur- ing prayer and without the youth's knowledge had crowled up to him; and before he knew he was anywhere near, Father King brought his open palm with a resounding whack down upon his head with a force that knocked him flat on the bench, saying, "You had better get to praying." Whether the lad prayed or not was not found out ; but he certainly kept his head bowed during prayer the balance of that meeting.
In 1857 the Rev. E. I. D. Pepper was appointed to succeed Father King. He was a successful revivalist, and a good pastor. Among those who were converted during his pastorate who are still members at Scott, are Isaac H. McKaig, Lewis T: Grubb, Sarah E. O'Daniel, Harriet Wode and George McCall. Perhaps it was due to his zeal for God that we find the Sunday-school officers and teachers on motion resolving, "that no child shall be permitted to use the libraries of this school unless they learn the catechism." This was afterwards repealed.
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During the meeting in 1858, when nineteen penitents were at the altar, Brother Pepper called on Brother Stewart Carlisle to lead in prayer ; and heaven was so opened and God's power came down in such measure that seventeen were converted during that prayer.
In 1859 Rev. Wm. H. Ridway, at present a member of the Phila- delphia Conference, was appointed pastor. Being a married man a parsonage was secured on Eighth street, near Poplar, and comfort- ably furnished. The Lord blessed liis ministry to the edification of the church. The church was crowded, and many converted, among them Rev. I. N. Foreman, now a member of the Wilmington Confer- ence, and Sister M. Josephine Mearns. Brother Ridway remained two years.
In 1861 Rev. H. Bodine was appointed pastor. This is recognized as about the darkest period in the history of the church. There were "wars and rumors of wars," and the political and civil strife affected the church. There was a falling off both in membership and benevo- lences.
In 1862 Rev. Andrew Cather was appointed. He found the church in a very deplorable condition. The volunteering of members to aid in the suppression of the rebellion, the numbers thrown out of employ- ment by business panic, and the other circumstances of that critical period, conspired to crush out the church. But he set himself zealously to work, and each of his two year's administration show an increase in membership and in benevolences.
It was during this pastorate that instrumental music was intro- duced. In the minutes of the Sunday-school board I find under date of December, 1863: Bro. George McCall moved to introduce a "harmo- nium" into the school, but not to bring it in until paid for. After con- siderable debate the motion was adopted by a vote of twenty-four to three. On February 5, 1864, committee reported harmonium bought and paid for. May 6, 1864 motion prevailed to allow the church to use the "harmonium" in the morning and evening service. Thus was instrumental music formally introduced at Scott. There are rumors of strong opposition on the part of some; but that was only to be expected. Some few went so far as to leave the church.
It was in the year 1863 that it was permitted men and ladies to sit together. The motion to so order was made by L. T. Grubb, in hope that it would tend to preserve better order, and to prevent men from spitting tobacco juice on the floor.
In 1864 Rev. Horace A. Cleveland was sent to succeed Bro. Cather. Many are the live reminiscences of the brother, still extant
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among our people. ` He believed in preaching for the Union, and the cause of the Union. Crowds flocked to the church to hear his eloquent lips plead for God and a united country. It is said he took for his text one day, "As Herod feared Jesus Christ, so did Gov. Wise fear John Brown." His theme was, "As John the Baptist was the forerun- ner of Christ, so was John Brown the forerunner of the rebellion." With such a text and such a preacher we may easily guess what the sermon was like. A brother who heard it says: "That was the time he took the bark off of them." Some men and women got up and started to leave the church. The preacher paused, waved his long arm toward them and said: "Go ahead. Leave if you want to. The shot bird always flutters."
At another time, when the good brother had been worried by members of the church and congregation going to sleep during the service, he stopped suddenly in the midst of his sermon, threw him- self down on the old sofa in the pulpit, and for a minute or more snored as loudly as he could. Then, opening his eyes, mischievously asked: "Now, how do I look asleep in church? Not very pretty, I reckon; and yet I guess about as pretty as you do." Then getting up he went on with his sermon. It is scarcely necessary to add that there was not much more sleep there that morning.
Before leaving the war period I ought to say that Scott was loyal to the Union. When the President issued his call for volunteers, Scott sent so many members to the field that there were hardly enough left at home to man the church. At one time only two official breth- ren were left at home. Many times did her walls ring with the burn- ing plea for fidelity to the Union; and while the pulpit issued no uncertain sound there came hearty "Amens" from the brethren in the pews. One Sabbath morning a drum corps stopped at the church and left orders for all volunteers to report at headquarters immediately. There was not much service that morning. Again, on the Sabbath of the battle of Gettysburg, the congregation was dismissed and the church closed, that all might go home to scrape lint and prepare band- ages for the wounded.
In 1865 Rev. J. O'Neil found the church very much depressed. Debt and hardship were sapping what little life remained. The good friends of Asbury very kindly offered to take Scott under their care as a mission; but the offer was declined.
A movement was now on foot for the erection of Grace Church. In order that it might be carried forward successfully, Scott was joined to Grace-at least in name. Rev. W. J. Stevenson had served St. Paul's the full legal term1; and Grace was to be organized principally by members
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from St. Paul's: therefore Brother Stevenson could not be legally returned to Grace, as yet unbuilt. as its pastor; and the brethren at Grace thought Brotlier Stevenson was essential to the success of their enter- prise. So they asked Scott to lend its aid to help them out of the difficulty. Scott agreed, and by joining the movement the majority of members now were not parshioners of Brother Stevenson, so the legal difficulty was removed. The Conference of 1866 agreed to the arrange- ment, and Brother Stevenson and Rev. J. J. Jones were appointed to Grace and Scott-the latter, of course, to be Scott's pastor. For a year the name "Scott" was dropped, and "Grace Chapel" substituted. The brethren of Grace helped Scott handsomely on their salary, and at the New Year the union was dissolved, and Grace and Scott were again two separate societies. The trustees were also relieved somewhat this year. By selling the old camp meeting tent and fixtures, and by having a big supper at which over $500 were cleared, the pressing need of the trustees were tided over for the time.
In 1867, Grace having been built, and there being no need of continued union, Scott again appears, with Rev. L. Dobson as pastor.
In 1868 Rev. A. Cather was returned to Scott for the second time. At once he began to agitate rebuilding. Plans were made to extend the room to eighty-three feet in length, and to make the main audience room twenty-four feet high. Work was at once commenced. The con- gregation met in Institute Hall, and part of the time in City Hall; and the Sunday-school met in the public school on Spruce street just opposite the church. When the work was well under way, the roof off, and the front wall down, Brother Cather suddenly announced his appointment to a mission in the Far West Scott was now in a predica- ment-without a pastor, and without a church. Rev. J. D. Curtis, pastor of Asbury, now came to the relief of the brethren, and told them he was at their service. Never will the old members at Scott forget how that faithful brother stood by them-preaching for them whenever he could supply his own pulpit, and paying them a regular sum in cash every month to help them on their current expense. Brother Moody, of precious memory, was by common consent put in charge of the religious affairs of the church; and by standing together the members were able to run a successful revival meeting for several weeks. At last, after many difficulties, they succeeded in enclosing the building, and in furnishing the lecture room. This was opened for service. Bishop Scott officiated, assisted by Brother Curtis. While this rebuilding was going on a portion of the front wall fell out into the street, instantly killing a hod carrier, who had been at work, but had now stopped, it
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being to a quarter to six o'clock. If he had not been in such haste to shorten his day's work, he might have been alive to-day.
On March 17, 1869, the first session of the Wilmington Annual Conference met in Asbury Church, Wilmington. At this Conference Rev. F. M. Chatham was appointed pastor. For three years he labored faithfully in this field. The records show his guiding. hand in every department of work. There was an almost continual spirit of revival during his entire pastorate. He is still remembered in love by many of the people. One of the first duties he was compelled to perform after coming to the charge, was to bury the much beloved Brother Moody. A large concourse of friends and brethren attended the funeral and followed him to his last resting place. Brother Moody was noted for the wonderful power he possessed in exhortation. While he spoke God owned his words; and often sinners were overwhelmed, and saints were inade to shout aloud, or fall prostrate under the power of God. Brother Chatham labored hard to fit up the main audience room of the church, and to pay off the debt. His success was remarkable; but the task was too heavy for him to fully accomplish his desire. After three years of hard labor on the charge |he was obliged to leave with the audience room not quite finished, and the debt not quite paid. Some think that overwork at this time was the beginning of that nervous prostration which finally wrecked the mind, happiness, and life of our good brother.
In 1872 Rev. T. L. Tompkinson was appointed to succeed Brother Chatham. The work begun by Brother Chatham was completed in May of this year, 1872. It seemed almost a miracle that the little church that had struggled so many years for its life should at last have a large, commodious building it could call its own. It was dedicated in May. As the General Conference was in session in New York, Brother Tompkinson wrote up to secure the services of a good preacher and beggar to take charge of the dedication; but on Saturday afternoon a telegram was received saying that Brother Ives, who had promised, could not come. Brother Tompkinson at once went to Philadelphia and secured Rev. J. Neil to come help him. It was dedicated next day, and was supposed to be free from debt; but it was found, when the subscriptions were collected, that there was a deficit of over $2,000.
It was during this pastorate, the last Sunday in March, 1873, that the morning Sunday-school was organized, with L. T. Grubb, super- intendent, and Levi Coverdale, assistant. In order that this move- ment should not be a financial burden, these two brethren provided the money to run the school for the first year of its existence.
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I11 1874 Rev. J. O. Sypherd was appointed pastor. During his pastorate the church was greatly strengthened by a most wonderful re- vival. It is still called the "big " revival. Brother Sypherd was greatly beloved.
In 1877 Rev. C. M. Pegg was pastor, and in 1880 was succeeded by Rev. P. H. Rawlins. Brother Rawlins made an effort to rid the church of debt, but failing to receive the proper support was obliged to abandon tlie attempt.
In 1882 Rev. T. R. Creamer was appointed pastor. During his three years' term of service the church was blessed with revivals; and the lecture rooni was repainted and reseated at a cost of $1,700, which was paid.
In 1885 Rev. N. M. Browne was sent to Scott. One thing, at least, lie determined to do: to pay off the indebtedness. He set himself systematically about it; and to say he succeeded hardly does justice to the labors of the pastor and the self-denying brethren and sisters who stood by him.
As a history of Scott Church cannot be written without writing a history of the debts, here will be the place to introduce it. Scott from its inception seems to have had a facility in getting into debt, but a wonderful tardiness in paying them. When it was first dedicated in 1852 there was a balance unpaid. When it was enlarged in 1855 this debt was increased. It finally was placed with Bro. Samuel McCauley; and on September 5, 1856, a bond and mortgage was executed to him for $600. That bond ran on for thirty-one years and three months, less one week, before it was paid. Delay in payment of bills seems to have been the rule. This bond was given iu September, 1856; paid for recording same, July, 1858. The corporate seal bought in 1855 for $9.00, paid for ten years after. In 1864 W. H. Foulk was ordered to cut a door between the two back class rooms for an infant school room, provided he would wait two years for his pay. If these small bills were thus neglected, it is surprising that the larger ones were not paid? In 1861, July 1I, the bond was transferred to Brother Jacob S. Weldin, who held it for fifteen years. He then proposed to the church that if they would pay the principal he would donate the interest due. The money to pay this was borrowed from Sister Josephine Mearns, and Brother Weldin's claim satisfied. The debt was not paid, only changed hands, with the advantage of the donation of interest.
After the rebuilding and repairing which was completed under Brother Tomkinson, there was found to be a large deficiency. Many were not able to pay what they had pledged, and others would not pay; while others who would have paid were not called on for the money
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until they had lost all interest in the matter. The consequence was that there was a deficiency of $2,000; and what to do the trustees did not know. In the extremity Sister Mearns again came to the rescue, and furnished the $2,000; in return for which a new bond was executed June 1, 1876. Sister Mearns kindly carried that $2,600 for over eight years, before transferring the obligation to George D. Armstrong, which she did August 7, 1884. And besides these bonds there was a whole batch of old bills for gas, and floating debts, and current expense that had been allowed to run behind. All these were before our brother when he took charge of the church; and they were enough to make even his two-hundred-and-fifty-pound soul tremble within him. But he set about the work.
Brother Browne reported to the Conference of 1886 that he had raised $375 on old indebtedness. In 1887 he reports $1, 160 paid on the debt, as the result of his second year's effort. Pastor and people de- termined to cancel the debt during his third year. May 29, 1887, was set apart as the day for that great effort. In the morning at 10.30 Rev. Vaughan S. Collins preached ; and at the close of the sermon $1,300 were pledged. In the afternoon the Sunday-school pledged $150 more. At night Rev. S. H. Morgan preached, and Rev. W. L. S. Murray, Pre- siding Elder, assisted in the finance, when $800 were pledged-making a total sufficient to pay off all the debt. By the first of December the . subscriptions had been paid, and Brother J. T. Bartlett had paid the bills, and had the mortgage marked "satisfied" on the records of the court. When on the IIth of December, 1887, pastor and people gathered around the altar, which was now the funeral pyre of those old bills and mortgages, and watched them slowly turn to ashes, I am not surprised that they sang "Praise God from whom all blessing flow" as they never sung it before. Brother Browne will long be remembered as the Moses who led Scott from the bondage of debt.
It was during this year, 1887, that Sister Ann Perkins, a member of Asbury, made a very valuable and timely gift to Scott-a house and lot at 809 Poplar street, on condition that the trustees pay her $13 per month as long as she lives. The trustees accepted the proposition most gladly. Brother Murray, our active Presiding Elder, was largely instrumental in bringing about this glad consunnnation.
In 1888 the writer was appointed pastor. During the first year the benevolences went up to $461-the highest in the history of the church. The membership was increased by receiving twenty- one by letter, fifteen into full membership, and one hundred and thirty- seven on probation. Toward the close of the year the brethren set about fixing up their own property, so that it could be used as a par- sonage for their pastor.
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On returning from Conference of 1889, the writer and his wife were cordially greeted by a company of the members in the new par- sonage. An addition had been built to the rear of the old building. for a kitchen and bath room, the entire house renovated and papered, and painted, while the "Ladies' Aid" liad put in new carpets for the parlor, one bed-roon carpet, a new bed-room suit, and some other im- provements. The total cost was about $1,000.
.At this writing it is not quite paid for; but will be before tlie session of the Conference. To date eighty-four of those received 011 probation last year have been received into full membership, and others are to follow.
The present official board consists of :
Local preachers .- Revs. D. Dodd and F. . \. Roop, M. D.
Exhorters .- A. S. Feaster, I. T. Grubb, E. L. McKeag, and George Davis.
Stewards .- L. T. Grubb, E. L. McKeag, A S. Feaster, Mark H. Pierce, W. H. Valentine, Harry S. Valentine, Charles Seyfried, W. H. Updike, Owen Hughes, F. O. Bennett, T. J. ()'Daniel, Enos W. Clair and J. C. F. Carver.
Trustees .- Thos. Wilson, J. T. Bartlett, George Davis, Jos. H. Davis, John B. Kindall, W. H. Valentine, A. J. Harvey, I. H. Mckaig and James F. Lank.
Sunday-school Superintendents .- Enos W. Clair and, Mark H. Pierce
The following are the dates on admission on probation of some of the oldest members of Scott:
1857 .- January, Jos. Locke; February 18, Margaretta Phillips; Sep- tember, Mary Guthrie.
1858 .- February 21, I. H. Mckaig; February 28, L. T. Grubb, Henry Biddle: March 7, Catharine Wilkinson; March 14,, Harriet Wode; April 25, George McCall; September 26, Mary E. Grantland; December 26, Saralı E. O'Daniel.
1859 .- July 17. Elizabeth J. Davis; October 16, Isaac N. Foreman, now of the Wilmington Conference.
1860 .- September 23, Sarah E. Brown.
1861 .- February 24, M. Josephine Mears.
1863 .- January 18, David W. Hall, Martha T. Hall and W. H. Valentine: December 13, Elizabeth Scout. Among those who were converted and joined during the "big revival" under Brother Sypherd are: Isaac T. Parker, W. H. Grantland, Josephine Locke (now Camp-
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bell), Emma R. Feaster, Margaretta G. Wiley, Hannah Talley, Lottie P. Cummins, Maggie J. Kelly, Fannie E. Litzenberg, Maggie D. Updike, William H. Updike, John B. Lloyd, Alice E. Lloyd, Emma L. Brown, Wm. T. Gallagher, Anna M. Applin, John T. Bartlett, Virlenia Bartlett, Emily L. Wiley, Henry W. Perkins, Thos. H. Wilson, Margaret Wilson, Fannie L. Thomas and Anna M. Under- wood.
There are many of our brethren and sisters at Scott whose nanies are worthy to be recorded among those who have built up that sanctuary. I can not name them here, however; nor is there need that I should. Their names are written in the Lamb's book of life. And when the faithful of the Lord are crowned and blessed in that last great day, I feel sure that among them will be many who have lived, and loved, and labored for God in the humble church at Seventh and Spruce.
REV. C. A. GRISE, PH. D., Pastor of Brandywine Methodist Episcopal Church.
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History of Brandywine Methodist Episcopal Church.
BY THE REV. C. A. GRISE, PH. D., PASTOR.
About the year 1839 Sarah Haislette and Sarah Morrow, both of Asbury M. E. Church, went into Brandywine village and gathered what children they could into a Sunday-school class, which held its meetings in the Old Academy. This old stone building is yet stand- ing on Vandiver avenue, near Market street. At this time the village was not a part of the city proper, and had less than 400 inhabitants. This Sunday-school class teaching continued and grew in interest other faithful workers helping, until about 1853, when the work was somehow transferred to a band of workers from Union M. E. Church. They held the field until 1856 or 1857, when the work again passed into the care of Asbury. Who were leaders in these transfers I have not been able to learn, but it seems that one Wmn. Calvert and Eliza- beth Stevenson were the male and female superintendents after the last transfer. They were assisted in the work by Rev. S. Thomas, Dennis Orpwood, Thomas Orpwood, Isaac Preston, Rev. Joseph Smith, Jacob M. Garretson, and a Miss Stevenson, sister of the female super- intendent.
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