USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > Centennial services of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Delaware, October 13-20, 1889 > Part 21
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About this time prayer-meetings were held in the academy by Rev. Isaac Stratton, whose faithful labors were crowned with a gracious revival, which began early in 1856. They well remember the dimly- lighted room and the smoky tallow candle of those revival times, as to-day they worship under an electric blaze which pales the stars and transforms night into day. But the spirit of the Lord was there, and among those who worked and worshiped in this dingy place, at the time of which I write, may be found the names of men who have since
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graced the pulpits of our churches, as Joseph Smith, S. W. Thomas .. John France, Mr. Kellem and Matthew Barnhill, the last three having been among the boys who were gathered into the school. In the fall of 1856 the first Methodist Episcopal society was formally organized in the Old Academy, and Rev. Wm. J. Kennard, of Asbury, was placed in charge. As far as I have been able to ascertain, the following are the names of those who deposited their certificates to form this nucleus : Sarah Rigby, Mary A. Hill, Catharine Labele, Sarah Mor- row, Elizabeth Hill, Emeline Bullock, Mary Hill, Edgar Pierce, Re- becca Burton, Franklin Lloyd, Elizabeth Lloyd, James H. Spencer, Sarah E. Spencer, all from Asbury, and James Dangle and wife, Joseph Bratton, Elizabeth Bratton, Annie E. Pierce, David Lurten, Elizabeth Lurten, William A. Brian and William H. McKenny, from other charges.
On November 19, 1857, the society met in their place of worship and elected the following board of trustees : Rev. Charles Moore, Geo. W. Sparks, Geo. Tally, Lewis Weldon, Wm. Todd, Garrett Morgan, Jolın T. Gause, John S. Kennard and John S. Crossley. It became an in- corporated board of trustees of the M. E. Church on May 3, 1858. Meanwhile active preparations for building a church were made. A lot well out of the center of population, at Twenty-second and Market streets, was obtained of Joseph Tatnall, for which the deed was not obtained until February 10, 1860. A two-story brick building, 40 x 65, was begun, the corner stone being laid on September 28, 1857, Revs. Alfred Cookman and Newton Heston officiating.
In the spring of 1858 Win. J. Kennard was re-appointed, but left the work in the middle of the year, and Rev. John France was trans- ferred from Oxford to Brandwine by Presiding Elder Wm. Urie. He found the building nearly finished and a small, struggling society, whose finances had been badly managed, and a burdening debt of $6,000. The church cost a little more than this amount. The society was'small and poor, as well as wronged and discouraged. Just when they transferred worship from the academy to the church, or who dedicated the church, I have not been able to learn.
Rev. A. Manship did the financiering on the day of dedication. Our worthy chairman, Bro. Grubb, distinctly remembers that, because some one sat upon and mashed his silk hat during the excitement caused by Bro. Manship's appeals for money. Now began a struggle with dark times-poverty, distrust, festivals, fairs, entertainments, excursions, creditors, and the sheriff, the history of which I dare not take time to relate in full. I will only give the outline. During this struggle the pastor's time was taken up by planning and begging to
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liquidate debts, while the church was left by necessity to do the best it could for its own spiritual life. The salary was $400, $150 of which was missionary donation. Bro. France remained in charge until 1860, when Thomas Montgomery was sent to serve as pastor. He found a mortgage for $2,000 and a floating debt of $2,800 against the church, and could do but little because of the discouraged state in which lie found the people. In the spring of 1861 Wm. H. Fries was appointed preacher in charge, and served until January 1, 1862, when he left to go into the army. This man is remembered as one of striking peculiari- ties, one of which was the swinging of his hand to his back and ex- citingly rubbing the back of his coat while preaching. When asked why he did it, he replied that he was scratching for ideas. It may be noted that duringThis pastorate the first marriage in the church took place, Edward Morrow andy; Miss Rebecca L. Burton, two active workers in the church, being the contracting parties.
Creditors now began to get restless, so much so that the trustees had been afraid to secure the deed for the property lest litigation should result. Hence it is recorded that a committee was appointed to wait on the creditors and ask them if they would be patient, pro- vided the deed was secured, and give the church time to make strenu- ous efforts to raise funds with which to pay off their claims. Eli Mendinhall, and Wm. H. Fries;were[appointed a committee to canvass the city and solicit aid. One creditor was going to push for his claim of $700. Lectures"and stereoptican entertainments were given, but the lecturer and managers usually took all the proceeds. Brother Mendinhall and Fries made the canvass and received but little encouragement and no help. It seemed that the church must go. At night, after a fruitless days effort to get money, Brother Fries said to Mendinhall. "What shall we do ?" "I will go home," said Mendinhall, "and tell the Lord about it." The next day the burden was made lighter and hope again infused, when Fries received a check for SIoo from Sabilla Stone. This check was the means of tiding over the first crisis.
Rev. Benjamin Crist, whose wife and child had been killed by the Indians in a massacre at a place in Minnesota, where he had been sta- tioned, and who had came East for rest and change, was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Win. Fries, from January I to March, 1862.
The Conference of 1862 thought perhaps a good singer would make the church more prosperous, hence Thos. McClary was appointed preacher in charge. Soon another crisis was apparent. On January 30, 1864. the trustees made this minute.
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Resolved, That in view of the failure to secure help it is our delib- erate judgment that the sheriff should be allowed to sell the church for the benefit of the creditors.
Some of the members refused to vote and the mnotion did not pre- vail. A committee was then appointed to wait on the trustees of Asbury, Union and St. Paul's, and ask them to make Brandywine a city mission under their joint care. The committee reported having waited upon the aforesaid boards who refused to take any official action, but who consented to allow Brandywine's claims to come before their several congregations.
The distressed society made its next appeal to the annual Con- ference in 1864, to which it stated that it was not able to support a preacher, and if one was sent it would be at his own risk. The church was then put under the care of W. C. Robinson, pastor of Asbury, who supplied the pulpit by local preachers until the midde of the year, when the Presiding Elder appointed Eli Wilson preacher in charge. About this time all the trustees except Chas. Moore are said to have resigned. This faithful man stood by the church with noble sacrifice.
He, Capt. Alex. Kelly, Jos. Pyle and H. F. Pickels took plates of ice cream at an ice cream saloon and became so impressed with Brandy- wine's financial embarrassment, as they ate and talked, that they each gave $50 ere they left the saloon.
The sheriff had now advertised the church for sale, and just before the sale was to have taken place, in the fall of 1864, Harry Pickels, Capt. Alexander Kelly, and Joseph Pyle, three noble-hearted Christian gentlemen, whose names perfume the records of the church they saved, came to the rescue and stopped the sale by assuming the responsibility for the debt. Soon a change in the board of trustees was made, and Bros. Pickels, Kelly and Pyle, of St. Paul's, having consented to serve on the board, were elected. These three, together with Rev. Chas. Moore, the chairman of the board, and one who had worked and struggled and sacrificed all along, said to Eli Mendinhall, we think it essential to have a young, active preacher. We will take care of him and leave the church, lead by your financiering, to look after the debt. The church was paying $250 salary. These brethren went to Con- ference in 1865, and asked that John France be appointed to Brandy- wine, promising to pay him $1,000 and house rent.
Joseph Pyle and Harry F. Pickels each pledged himself for $300 of this salary, leaving the trustees and the church to raise the remain_ ing $400. Besides paying $300 each, annually, these brethren fur- nished the parsonage at an expense of about $175. The help of these
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faithful men and that of Capt. Alexander Kelly, in this time of struggle, was a lasting blessing to the church. Mr. Pyle was for some time superintendent of the Sunday-school. During this time he would drive over on Sunday and put his horse under the shed at the hotel during school hours, always paying the hotel keeper for the privilege. One day the hotel keeper objected to receiving the money, saying that Mr. Pyle was coming over to attend the Sunday-school at a sacrifice, and that it was a good work and he would like to donate the use of horse shelter to the work. Mr. Pyle told him that he had no sympathy with the business of selling liquor, and if not allowed to pay for horse shelter he would not take his horse there any more. The hotel keeper then accepted $5 for a year's rent.
The first organ was put in the school during Mr. Pyle's superin- tendency, and donated by him. There was some objection to an organ in church. One old lady made special objection. The organ was placed in the class-room so that no one who went into the church could see it. The superintendent opened the school by reading the 150th Psalm. At the conclusion of reading the psalm, four young men, who were in readiness, brought the organ in and placed it behind the chancel. Mr. Pyle's daughter played the opening hymn, after which the old lady seemed entirely satisfied.
During the pastorate of Bro. France, 1865-68, the church overed her greatest struggle. Early in the summer of 1865 John Gouley, a former member of Brandywine but then of St. Paul's, arranged to run an excursion to Cape May for the benefit of Brandywine. Bro. Gouley had toiled and done much all through her struggles, but this effort was the climax and practically settled the struggle with the debt. The steamer Manhattan was chartered, the excursion went, and $1,000 was netted. This gave a new impetus, and efforts were vigor- ously pushed to raise the other $1,000. So happy was the result that by the close of 1867, just ten years from the beginning, the church was for the first time in her history free from debt. The last collection to pay off the final portion of this debt was taken up in the parlors of Joseph Pyle's private residence.
Much has been said about sacrifice for the church, but to enumerate the struggles, denials and sacrifices made by this Spartan band of Christian heroes through this whole struggle of ten years' duration, would make a volume of pathos. You may hear of men taking turn at keeping the church, of women scrubbing the walls and floors. of many wearing rusty-looking clothes, of men wearing the same hat for three years and going without an overcoat, of men and women not having shoes sufficient to attend church, all in order to help pay the
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debt and have something with which to lielp support the gospel. The burden fell on about eighty members, for the names of whom I refer to the church records. Debts all paid and the struggle over, a reaction and rest ensued, in which the salary dropped to $700, and very little of importance took place.
Pastors during this period were : Joshua Humphries, 1868-69 ; John Shilling, 1869-72 ; T. B. Hunter, 1872-74 ; W111. M. Warner, 1874-75. During Bro. Shilling's pastorate $1,000 were expended on improvements, $500 of which was borrowed and a mortgage given. In the spring of 1875 A. W. Milby was appointed preacher in charge. Another dark period was approaching. Money was scarce, the panic was on, and spirituality was at low ebb. Conference was approaching and Bro. Milby's salary was over $300 behind. A dear brother, now present, told me that he stood on the pavement talking with Bro. Milby one night after a very dull prayer-meeting. He said, "I told Bro. Milby that something must be done. I was so depressed that I came near sinking upon the curbstone. Oh, how gloomy the prospect seemed. In a few weeks the first of the two greatest revivals that Brandywine ever had broke out. Many joined church on probation. This made the people forget hard times, and the $300 deficiency was all raised on one Sunday.
J. W. Pierson was pastor from 1876-78; E. F. White, 1878-SI, and John Shilling, 1881-84. Slight improvements were made during Bro. Pierson's pastorate, amounting to about $150. In the fall of 1876 Eli Mendinhall presented the trustees with $500 to pay off the mortgage which had been placed on the church six years previous. Improvements amounting to about $600 were made during Bro. White's pastorate, when the church was again mortgaged for $500.
The church deserves special mention for the way it helped Brother Shilling during his late illness. Early in 1883 Brother Shilling's health failed. Many thought it wise to secure another pastor, but his flock said no, we will care for him, though he be not able to preach to us. Rev. Eli Mendinhall looked after the pulpit supply, while Richard McClure, M. B. Bullock, and others of the church, assisted in looking after the salary. Another discouraging struggle for existence seemed manifest at the end of this year.
The appointment of E. L. Hubbard to the pastorate in 1884 marks the beginning of a new epoch in Brandywine Church history. Up to this time the membership vacillated between seventy-five and one hundred and fifty, averaging about eighty members, which was about the number Brother Hubbard found. Early in the year improvements
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and enlarging the church were begun. Fifteen feet and a recess pulpit were added to the length of the building, with the other improvements costing about $4,800, all of which was raised on or before the re-open1- ing, at which Drs. Jacob Todd and J. R. Boyle assisted the pastor. While the improvements were in progress a tent was pitched on a lot at the corner of Twenty-fourth and Market streets, in which revival services were held. Here the second great revival, during which a great many joined the church, broke out. A singular fact is that these two most sweeping revivals succeeded the two darkest periods of the church. When the churchi went into the improved building, it took a new life, of which the present flourishing condition is the result. Brother Hubbard served until 1887, when the writer was appointed to the charge. During 1887 $900 were raised to liquidate the old mortgage of $500 and a floating debt of about $400.
The change was also blessed with a gracious revival during the year. In the early part of this year ('89) cathedral glass windows were put into the audience-room at a cost of $400. A few days ago the Sunday-school, under the leadership of A. M. Pierce and Jas. T. Mullin, purchased a lot 31x70, for $690, in the immediate rear of the church, on which a neat chapel will be built in the near future. Work has already begun.
This brings me to the close of the history of one of the most noble struggles of a loyal Methodist Episcopal society. Time will not allow 111e to mention the names of all who took part in the struggles. In addition to those whose names form the first record of membership, the trustees and stewards whose names run through the period, I must take space to make special mention of Elizabeth Lloyd, Mary A. Tally. Mrs. Wesley Hawkins, Mrs. Daniel Urmy and Sarah Warden. But there is the name of one man woven all through the records front the beginning until now. That man might be seen roving the city with the pastor to solicit and collect funds: in the class-room encour- aging the despondent: in secret on his knees before God pleading for Brandywine; in her pulpit supplying the place of a regular pastor; handing the trustees of his consecrated means to save them from em- barrassmient; at Conference looking after the interests of Brandywine; helping the stewards in their struggles; always interested. That man is Rev. Eli Mendinhall, licensed to preach while a member of Brandy- wine, during the pastorate of Wm. Fries. His patience, faith and hope have been ingratiated into the hearts of a grateful membership.
Would the mother know what the third daughter has done ? She has taken a noble part in transforming the moral condition of the
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Ninth ward. When she went there rum and ruin were rampant. Saloons were numerous. Now she dwells amid a population of nearly 4,000, with but one hotel where liquor is sold. She has graced your age with one worthy grandchild-a neat chapel at Edgemoor, 35×70, erected during Hubbard's pastorate and largely through his efforts.
Over 1330 souls have been converted at her altars. Her member- ship is 319 with a Sunday-school of 750 scholars. This is her record at the age of thirty-two.
REV. D. H. CORKRAN,
Pastor of Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church.
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The History of Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church.
BY THE REV. D. H. CORKRAN, PASTOR.
Epworth Church had its origin in a revival and missionary spirit in St. Paul's Church.
Whether or not this spirit was wide-spread in the church I am unable to say, suffice to know, that the burden of souls was laid so heavily upon the hearts of a few godly men and women of that church in the autumn of 1863, that they went out into the highways to seek and save the lost.
At this time there was a section of the city east of Church street without either fold or shepherd. It was not an inviting fold of labor to the ease-seeker or the searcher after mere worldly fame. Only those who were possessed of the Christ Spirit, and with an intense longing to save the perishing, would have chosen it as a place in which to begin the work of evangelization. The people were poor, illiterate, and desperately wicked. The name given to this section by the up-town folk was synonomious of everything that is bad in human nature. But as Christ while on earth sought the wicked and most neglected classes that he might win them to himself, so these persons in casting about for a wider field of labor than the circumscribed limits of their own church parish were soon attracted by the pitiable condition of this section, which condition was to thein a Macedonian cry. They were not heedless of this voice. One bright October afternoon in the year 1863, might have been seen a small company of five or six persons, with Bible and hymn book in hand, wending their way toward this neglected part of the Master's vineyard. Whither bound or on what mission bent was known to but few, if any, except themselves.
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Their object, however, was not long a matter of conjecture to those who observed them, At the southeast corner of Seventh and Church streets is a private entrance to Old Swedes Cemetery, on either side of which stands an old stone building of unique design, connected the one with the other by a gothic archway. One has recently been remodeled, and is now the parish rectory, but the other stands to-day as on this October afternoon. At the entrance of this cemetery the company paused. One of the buildings was untenanted at the time. . Permission was given to hold religious services in one of the rooms. The company entered, sang a hymn, and prayed in good Methodist fashion. Down the street apiece were seen some boys playing in the gutter. A delegation was sent out to induce them, and as many more as could be found and persuaded, to come to this little room, and hear singing and talking, and help make up a Sunday-school. The delega- tion, after diligent search, in due time returned, bringing with them three ragged and dirty urchins. Work began in earnest. A part of the company kept order. while the remainder endeavored to entertain and instruct, by singing and Bible stories, these first fruits of their labors. Here, and in this manner, was planted the mustard seed which has since sprung up, grown to be a church, under whose care and influence hundreds have found rest to their weary souls.
The names of all this company are unknown to nie. But at its head was Job H. Jackson, Bro. Crouch, W111. H. Billany, and Miss Lizzie Spearman. Much encouraged in their enterprise, and perceiving that God had opened to them an effectual door, which no man could shut, they soon took steps toward organizing a Sunday-school according to the laws of the church. Early in November the organization was effected, with the following officers : Superintendent, Bro. Crouch ; assistant, Job H. Jackson ; secretary, Miss Lizzie Spearman ; musical director, Wm. H. Billany. In connection with the mission Sunday- school, Miss Mary Belt formed also a day school in the same section about the same time. In this school several business men of this city received the first rudiments of an education. Both schools grew rapidly. Soon the room at Seventh and Church was inadequate to the demands made upon it by the increased attendance. More room was needed; what should be done ? In this hour of need, J. Taylor Gause, a man of God, whose wealth was consecrated to his Lord and Master, erected at his own expense a frame structure, 30x50 feet, at the corner of Seventh and Buttonwood streets, for the use of the Sunday-school.
About the same time Rev. Alfred T. Scott began preaching and pastoral work in connection with the Sunday-school. His labors were abundantly blessed, souls were converted. Some are still members of the
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church militant, others of the church triumphant. A class was formed with William Jackson as leader. The class grew apace with the Sun- day-school.
In the meantime the society of Grace Church was formed, includ- ing among its members the founders of this mission work, hence the child of St. Paul's became the adopted child of Grace. About the same time also the superintendency of the school, by the removal to another field of labor of Mr. Crouch, fell upon Mr. Jackson. The pastoral care also passed from Bro. Scott to Rev. Bro. Criss. Under the leadership of these two men the work entered upon a period of re- newed activity. The keen insiglit and foresight, as well as the unsur- passed business tact of Bro. Jackson, combined with, or rather supple- mented by the intrepid zeal of Bro. Criss, formed a force which no. ordinary obstacle could withstand.
The time had now apparently come for some permanent form of church organization. But the present location, being but two squares from Scott, was not to be thought of as a place of location. On the east side of the Brandywine Creek, opposite Eleventh street ferry, the population was increasing. At this time the creek was being bridged, and there being no church organization in that part of the city. it was deeined wise, by Mr. Jackson and those associated with him in the work, to remove as far away from Scott as possible, and yet be within easy reach of that section of the city so much needing care, also to be within easy reach of the settlers on the east side of the creek. Accordingly a lot 100 X 150 feet, running from Church to Bennett, on Tenth street, was purchased by the Sunday-school Union of Grace Church, from Mr. Hillis, for the sum of $2,000, for which amount a mortgage was given to Chas. Howland.
The erection of a building 36 x 56, gothic in architecture, was soon begun. In the erection of this building Mr. Jackson was deeply inter- terested. By his personal solicitation most of the material was con- tributed for the building. In April, 1869, the building was completed and dedicated to the service of Almighty God. Dr. Stevenson preached the dedicatory sermon. The march from the Seventh Street Mission to the new church on the day of dedication is an event in the history of Methodism in east Wilmington, referred to with happy memory by many who were then little children and are now pillars in the church. Brother Criss continued to be pastor until the following spring, when he was succeeded by Rev. H. H. Davis, a local preacher of the Phila- delphia Conference. Brother Davis was not a great preacher, but a man of deep piety and indefatigable energy. He soon won the affec- tion of all who knew him. During his ministry many were won to
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Christ. He served the church six years. Father Davis, as he was called, left the imprint of his character upon the lives and character of his people so indelibly that eternity will never efface it. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. A. D. Davis.
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