USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > Centennial services of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Delaware, October 13-20, 1889 > Part 22
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Brother Davis' appointment marks an advance step in the church's history, it being by Conference arrangement. Epworth now began to take the form of a regular Conference appointment. His brief pastorate was one of great prosperity in revival work. At every public meeting held during the one year of his pastorate, there were penitents at the altar of prayer, with one exception. At the expiration of Rev. A. D. Davis' term, Rev. L. E. Barrett was appointed and served two years, 1876 and 1877. The church grew apace during these two years. The records show it to have been a period of financial prosperity, as well as of vigorous spiritual vitality.
From 1877 to the present period, the following named brethren served as pastors in the order mentioned: Revs. E. C. MacNichol, W. S. Robinson, E. Davis, J. W. White (local,) C. A. Hill, W. B. Gregg, and the writer. Revs. MacNichol, Robinson, White, and Hill, served one year each; Revs. Davis and Gregg two eachı. The present pastor is now serving his fourth year. The Sunday-school work has always been very closely identified with the growth of the church; Job H. Jackson, and W. H. Billany, continued their connection with the school until 1873. In1 1872 Mr. Jackson resigned the superintendency, and Mr. Billany became its chief head for one year. These two brethren who so faithfully labored in this school, and whose lives and labors were the means of saving so many souls, will be remembered through eternity by those to whom they were benedictions. Although not now connected in any official relation with the church work, which they founded and prosecuted so well, nevertheless the bond of sympathy with, and love for this their God child, causes theni still to watch with anxious care and solicitude over its welfare.
In 1873 Rev. J. White, a local preacher of the church, was elected superintendent of the school. For sixteen consecutive years he has been elected to this responsible position. Brother White has proven him- self to be a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. He has won the affections of both the church and school. He has sown good seed; already the harvest is being gathered. The history of Epworth has not always been bright. It had a long and dark night, so dark that the last beam of hope at one time was well nigh extinguished.
In the year 1878 the church seemed to meet with reverses; one after another followed. The revival spirit which characterized the place and people in former years seemed to die out; congregations
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diminished. The iron works, upon which most of the membership of the church depended for a livelihood, suspended operations; many members were under the necessity of moving to other parts of the country. An unmethodistic element settled in the community. The church building became old and uninviting in its appearance. Effort after effort was made to regain the lost ground, but without avail. The membership decreased from two hundred to about seventy-five. These were dark hours, but for a few families the church must have been a failure. Those who bore the burden in this dark hour, and constituted the principle part of the congregation from Sabbath to Sabbath, were the following:
Revs. John and Wm. White (local preachers,) Wm. P. Booker and wife, with their two devoted sons, George and John; Joseph Grahanı and wife, G. V. Anderson, wife and mother, Wm. Robinson, Mrs. Mary J. Brice, Thos Corson and wife, Geo. King, Mrs. Emmons. Mrs. Spring, and a few others which time will not allow me to name. These seemed to love the place more than others, and were always in their places whatever the discouragements. So desperate had the con- dition of affairs become, and so hopeless the outlook, that in the winter of 1888, preparations were being made to abandon the place, and divide its membership between the other churches. The matter was thoroughly discussed by the Sunday-school Union of Grace Church. Many of the members advocated blotting out Epworth forever, and this would inevitably have been the sequel of the deliberation, had not such men of keen insight and foresight as J. G. Baker, the honorable chairman of this meeting, Job H. Jackson, and W. H. Billany, the church's God fathers, Washington Hastings and J. T. Gause, friends of the struggling society, interposed their objections, and in every possible way opposed it. They believed that to be the proper place for a church: financial aid was promised.
The faithful few encouraged, resolved to make one more effort before writing Ichabod over the portals of the place, where, in former years, had dwelt in power tne majesty of the Most High. They sought the throne of grace. Their prayer, like those of Cornelius, seemed to have come up as a memorial before the Lord. They were answered. In September, 1888, a protracted meeting was begun with but little prospect of much success, but the people tarried and prayed. The spirit came. It was noised about the city. The people came flocking to see what it all meant. Night after night from September, 1888, to May, 1889, a period of nearly nine months, the church was taxed to its utmost capacity to accommodate the people. During that time four hundred souls were converted: two hundred and eighty of which joined
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the church; one hundred and twenty joining other churches in the city and outlying charges. The old-time fires were kindled. The people got happy and shouted and leaped for joy, and are at it still.
The pastor and people were aided in this great work by Andrew Dalbow, an exhorter of Asbury Church. For nearly six months, night after night, this devout man of God, after working hard all day, would come and sing his soul-inspiring hymns, and exhort and preach with the power of an Abbott. He never failed to hold and enthuse his audience. The result of his labors will last throughout eternity.
Early in the meeting very efficient aid was given by Rev. J. Thorp, a local preacher from Mt. Lebanon charge. Both these brethren are now engaged in evangelistic work and are meeting with abundant success.
The church was now too small. Plans were drawn up, and early in May the work of rebuilding and remodeling the church was co111- menced. July 28 the building was re-opened. The work of repairs cost $3,300. In the meantime the church property was conveyed by the Sunday-school Union of Grace Church to trustees of Epworth in con- sideration donation of the sum of $2,000. Epworth is now a beautiful church with a seating capacity between 600 and 700 persons, with prayer class, infant school and library room. The full members with the pro- bationers in good standing make a membership of a little over 300, and a congregation larger than the church will accommodate.
In the early summer of this year the Lord put it into the heart of Sister Ann Perkins of Asbury to deed to the trustees of Epworth, to be used as a parsonage, a three-story brick house on Third street, between Poplar and Lombard, on the most favorable conditions. The property was accepted by the trustees. With a parsonage, a large and beautiful church, and a large and active membership, this church which had such an humble origin, bids fair to be the peer of most of her sister churches in the city. Epworth congratulates great-grand- mother Asbury on this, her Centennial anniversary, and prays that age nor sin may never abate her wonted power. She also assures her that her great-granddaughter will keep the revival fire upon her altar and be loyal to the faith of our fathers.
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History of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church.
BY WM. H. BILLANY, ESQ.
"Grace" is the grandchild of "Asbury, " and she comes to-day, at the age of twenty-five years, to greet and congratulate you upon attaining the age of one hundred years, and to give due praise and honor to the faithful and earnest Christian men and women, who for a century have maintained the cause of Christ in this community.
You are justly called the mother of Methodist churches in this city, for from you have gone out directly and indirectly twelve churches, of which you have no reason to be ashamed, to own them as your children. For they all are doing a good work for God and humanity.
It was during the successful pastorate of Rev. Wm. J. Stevenson at St. Paul's in 1863-4, that there was a felt need for further and enlarged Sunday-school and church accommodation, as the attendance in church and Sunday-school had increased beyond the capacity of the building to accommodate, comfortably, the membership and friends.
During the fall of 1863 and the early part of 1864, the congrega- tion and Sunday-school had so largely increased that more room seemed absolutely necessary. It was at first concluded to erect a building somewhere in the vicinity of the church for the accommodation of the schools.
With this object in view, a few friends, members of the Sunday- school, purchased the lot at the southwest corner of Seventh and Market streets, running through to Shipley street, known as the "Milligan" property, with the intention of erecting thereon a chapel and Sunday-school room. But there was objection on the part of some
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members to demolish or sell the old church, and it was determined that the property purchased was not large enough for a church and chapel for Sunday-school purposes.
The idea of an entirely distinct church in a different section of the city became fixed in the minds of many; and it was not long before this culminated in a design to erect a costly and handsome edifice, as a thank offering in the centenary year of American Methodism.
"The first meeting of the friends of the enterprise was held in one of the class rooms of St. Paul's Church, on Thursday evening, November 17, 1864, eleven persons being present, namely: Rev. W. J. Stevenson, J. Taylor Gause, Geo. W. Sparks, Delaplain McDaniel, Henry F. Pickels, Dr. Geo. Pepper Norris, Edwin Albilmer, Job H. Jackson, C. F. Rudolph, S. M. Harrington and W. H. Billany. Af.er an earnest invocation for the blessing and favor of God, the subject of building a new house of worship was fully discussed. It was unani- mously
"Resolved, That we pledge to each other our most zealous efforts and constant labors in the work of constructing a new and handsome Methodist church in this city; and that with the blessing and help of God our labors shall not be relaxed until this great and good work shall have been accomplished."
A committee was immediately appointed to procure plans.
The movement thus started met with favor from the people. When a second call was made for a meeting, which was public, and held in the lecture room of St. Paul's Church, on Friday evening, Jannary 6, 1865, George W. Sparks presided, and Bishop Simpson eloquently addressed the meeting, which gave great encouragement to the friends of the enterprise.
The following resolution was unanimously adopted:
4. Resolved, That it is the unanimous sense of this meeting that the interests of Methodismn, church enterprise and city improvement, unite . to encourage the erection of a new church somewhere in the improv- ing western section of the city; and that the congregation of St. Paul's M. E. IChurch, and the friends of the enterprise, will build a new church on some eligible site in the western part of the city."
The enterprise was now fairly started, and its friends were fully committed before the church and public to perform the "great and good work." It became now necessary to form a legal organization. For this purpose, pursuant to a call signed by J. T. Gause and others, a meeting of the friends of the enterprise was held in the lectere room of St. Paul's Church, on Friday evening. January 27, 1865, for organi- zation.
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The following named were elected trustees for the new church : Daniel M. Bates, Delaplain McDaniel, C. F. Rudolph, Job H. Jackson, John Merrick, Dr. Geo. Pepper Norris, Jarratt Megaw, Geo. W. Sparks and J. T. Gause. Of the nine members composing the first board of trustees, but three are living, the others have gone to their reward. and their works do follow them. At this meeting "Grace" was chosen as the name for the new church. An address was issued to the public, and a soliciting committee appointed to procure subscriptions.
The first meeting of the board of trustees was held at the house of Daniel M. Bates, on the evening of March 24. 1865. The board organized by electing Geo. W. Sparks, chairman, S. M. Harrington, secretary, and Wm. H. Billany, treasurer. The board was soon called upon to lament the death of one of its members, Dr. Geo. Pepper Norris, occurring at a time when his career promised so much useful- ness to the church and to society. But recognizing the wisdom of God and faithfully trusting Him, the board firmly resolved that "though the workmen die, the work must go on." H. F. Pickels was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. Norris, on March 28th. The trustees elected Geo. W. Sparks, J. T. Gause and Job H. Jackson a building committee, and adopted plans for the new building, furnished by Thomas Dixon of Baltimore, formerly of Wilmington.
On April 6, 1865, the lot at the corner of Ninth and West streets was purchased for the sum of $10,000, and on the evening of April 13th the trustees instructed the building committee to commence operations immediately, and to build the chapel this year.
The ground for church and chapel was broken in the early morning of a day not long after. the building committee and a few friends being present. Geo. W. Sparks dug the first spadeful of earth.
And now commenced the hard work of the enterprise. It was a comparatively easy thing to say, let us go up and build; yet this required faith in God and His people. "Work must now be linked with faith," and thus united, with big hearts and willing hands, and the blessing of Almighty God, success is assured.
The struggle which continued for several years, had now com- menced. Could we have seen the end from the beginning possibly some would have fallen at the outset.
Plans for the building had been procured, contracts entered into, ground had been broken, and the work was progressing. Money must be raised, as the workmen must be paid promptly, bills for material were maturing. True, liberal subscriptions had been made, and the soliciting committee was working nobly; but the full amounts were not collectable, as the subscriptions had been made payable in
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installments. Whilst the subscribers responded promptly, yet there- were times this year and the years following, when the building com- mittee was sorely perplexed for want of ready money; but the way was, in the Providence of God, opened, and the means provided as needed.
The corner-stone of the church was laid by Bishop Simpson, on the afternoon of October 7, 1865, who, with others, made addresses. The exercises were appropriate and impressive, a large concourse of people being present.
The ladies of the church had not been idle in the meantime. During the summer and autumn of this year, they had been working and making preparations, with an enthusiasm which was unbounded, to hold a fair for the purpose of raising money to furnish the chapel and Sunday-school hall. The fair was held in the Institute Hall, in the month of December, 1865, and was a social and financial success, some $3,000.00 being realized as the result of their effort.
I have said that it was a social success, for many persons not con- nected with any church, were attracted to the fair, became interested in the church enterprise, and came under Christian influences which bore fruit in the revival meetings which followed in January, 1866, for the church. "St. Paul's" was in a good spiritual condition. Many of the persons referred to were converted, and became active and use- ful members of the church. A number identified themselves with the new movement, and some have held and others are at this time hold- ing responsible positions in Grace Church. Work on the chapel pro- gressed steadily during the autumn and winter, to have it ready for occupancy by March at the commencement of the next Conference year.
The first service was held in the lecture-room, on Sunday morning, March 25, 1866. There was preaching by the pastor, tlie Rev. W. J. Stevenson, who had been assigned to the new congregation, at the late session of the Philadelphia Conference. The congregation was large, every available seat being occupied, and the deepest interest manifested.
The Sunday-school held its first session on the afternoon of the same day, in the lecture-room. The hall not yet being finished, the organization of the afternoon session of the school was effected on the evening of March 16, 1866, at the residence of C. F. Rudolph. J. T. Gause was elected superintendent, and C. F. Rudolph, assistant. The morning session was organized March 11, 1866; Wm. H. Billany,. superintendent.
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Friday evening, March 30th, the first prayer meeting service was held. After the meeting the public rental of the pews in the chapel took place, the rental being $2,360.00; the premiums, $1,250.00; total, $3.610.00; almost every pew was rented.
Out of this money, the first received by the new church, $500 were appropriated to the Sunday-school, in recognition of the fact that the church had its origin in the wants of the Sunday-school, and that this was expected to be the main source of her success, influence and membership.
The chapel was dedicated to the worship of God on Sunday, June 10, 1866, at 10.30 o'clock, A. M. After a most able and eloquent sermon by Bishop Ames, on the subject of "Faith, " the chapel was presented on behalf of the trustees, by the Rev. W. J. Stevenson, pastor, in an address of grateful acknowledgement to God, as a centenary offering, thus giving to Him glory for the one hundred years of His favor and goodness to the Methodist church in America.
"And now, in grateful recognition of the mercy and, love of God, the trustees of Grace church have
"Resolved, That we present this church, through the formal act of dedication by our honored Bishop Ames, as a centenary offering, with fervent prayers that God will accept it and make it instrumental in the salvation of souls; and that we invoke His blessing upon all its members, and upon those who may join them in Christian fellowship; to increase their faith and love, and to sanctify to eternal life; that pure religion may abound; that peace and harmony may prevail; that His cause may be advanced, and, that the coming hundred years may witness the victories of truth and righteousness, giving glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will to men.
"Resolved, That a suitable stone bearing the inscription, 'Our Cen- tenary Offering' be placed in a prominent position in the main church edifice, as an abiding witness, of the motives that have inspired us and our fellow members, in the erection of this Temple."
The stone was placed as resolved upon.
The Bishop then received the offering, and consecrated it with prayer to the service and worship of God. In the evening the pastor, Rev. W. J. Stevenson, preached a most excellent and appropriate sermon. On Sunday, June 17, 1866, the Sunday-school was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies.
At a trustees' meeting held on May 9; 1866, the building com- mittee was instructed to proceed with the work on the church. Thus far only the excavations had been made and the foundation walls
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built, and the first floor joists laid. So the work went on, amid trials, and vexations of many and various kinds: difficulty in getting stone, trouble with workmen, and above and beyond all, trouble and worry to raise money. Many months the pay roll amounted to five hundred dollars per week. Brother Sparks, chairman of the building committee, nobly maintained the credit of the church, aided by Brothers Gause and Jackson. It took hard work and good financiering to raise the large amounts needed. It will be well to state just here, that we started out to build a church to cost $75,000. With the commencement of the year 1867, we had received subscriptions amounting to $50,276. Of this amount $9,729 was unpaid. In addition to these unpaid sub- scriptions we needed $20,000 to pay bills and loans, and the work was not half done.
Labor and sacrifice were required, and these were not withheld; for had we not consecrated our all to the service of our Master and His cause? I could relate many instances where our members made sacri- fices, which they felt keenly, for the good of the cause; where a careful housekeeper would postpone the purchase of a needed carpet, and a good brother would relinquish the need of a new overcoat and wear the old one a year longer. It was really wonderful how the people lived to give. As an instance, the trustees resolved to ask the people for $10,000. Sunday, April 7, 1867, was the day selected.
A numerous audience collected to hear Bishop Simpson. After an eloquent and powerful appeal the sum of $15,300 was subscribed in less than one hour. The subscriptions came in more rapidly during the last ten minutes than at any previous time. For fear that I weary you with these recitals, I pass on to the day of the dedication of the church, which occurred on the morning of Thursday, January 23, 1868. The weather was unpropitious, rain and sleet, and the pave- ments were covered with ice; but this did not deter the crowd front assembling, for the church was packed with an interested audience. Many strangers from different sections of the country were present. Rev. Dr. Stevenson read the preliminary portion of the dedication service. After singing, and prayer by the Rev. Anthony Atwood, Bishop Simpson preached the dedicatory sermon from the text: "For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everelaasting Father, the Prince of Peace."
After the eloquent and powerful sermon, Psalms cxxii was read responsively by Bishop Scott and the congregation. Bishop Ames read the consecration service. Geo. W. Sparks, president of the board
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of trustees, presented the building for consecration. The prayer of .consecration was also made by Bishop Ames.
It is unnecessary for me to give any description of the building. The press of the day pronounced it the finest Methodist Church in America, and, as was remarked by Dr. Stevenson, it would build many more; which it has done, notably, the Metropolitan, Washington; Mt. Vernon, Baltimore; Arch Street, Philadelphia; St. John's, Brooklyn; Grace, Harrisburg; Union, in our own city. Many others could be named did time permit. The cost of the structure, including the organ and furniture, was $210,000. A debt remained of about $100,000, which was left for a future generation to take care of.
During the pastorate of Dr. Todd, in the year 1871, an effort was made to provide for a portion of the debt. A meeting for this purpose was held in the Sunday-school room in May, 1871, and all that was asked for was freely given, $43,000.
And later, just ten years since, Dr. Stevenson, then pastor for the second time, was impressed with the idea that the time had come when an effort should be made to extinguish the whole debt, and under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and with the blessing and help of God, he was successful in enlisting the interest and sympathies of the congregation. In a short time he had $68,007.58 subscribed.
A congratulatory meeting of the members and friends of Grace Church was held in the Sunday-school hall on Friday evening, November 7, 1879. After an hour pleasantly spent in tea drink- ing, H. F. Pickels, chairman of the board of trustees, announced that Geo. W. Sparks would preside at the meeting to follow. Addresses were made by Bishop Simpson, and Drs. Todd and Stevenson.
This ended the efforts of the friends at debt-paying. The church was now in a good financial condition. We felt that a great burden had been removed. Is it any wonder that we sung rapturous praises unto our God, who, during all these fifteen years, had so won- drously blessed and prospered us, and we are led to exclaim in the language of one of our beautiful hymns:
"When all Thy mercies, O my God, My rising soul surveys, Transported with the view, I'm lost In wonder, love and praise."
Notwithstanding the burden of debt which rested upon us for so many years, our people measured up to their responsibilities in other directions. The benevolences of the church were not neglected, as
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will be seen from the following exhibit, which are the contributions to the commencement of this year. For ministerial support we have paid
To the pastor of Grace church $53,700 00
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