USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > Centennial services of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Delaware, October 13-20, 1889 > Part 27
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It soon became apparent that the arduous duties devolving upon Brother Bryan would not permit him to give that attention to this work that was needed, and being satisfied it was better to have some one to take special charge of its spiritual interests, at a meeting of the ways and means committee, held December 9, 1888, it was resolved to ask the writer to attend to this matter in connection with Rev. Jas. E. Bryan, until the ensuing session of the annual Con- ference. Accordingly he was appointed by the Presiding Elder.
Brother Bryan had commenced an extra meeting, and had formed a class of eight persons, consisting of Mrs. Rebecca Thompson,
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Millard T. Toft and wife, Elijah A. Toft, Miss Mamie Flynn, Miss Lena Weible, Mrs. Marthia J. West and her daughter Mary Lizzie, and Miss Indiana Thompson. Several of these had been converted during the meeting then in progress. As a further result of this meeting five other converts were added.
Feeling his need of Divine help, the new pastor commenced his work by preaching on Sabbath morning, December 13th, from "Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified."
Visiting in the neighborhood it was soon found that there were Methodists who did not go to church, having almost lost their church relation, and that there were others who, because of early training and associations, if ever saved must be reached through Methodist influ- ences; and so he informed the community that we had not come there to hinder our Baptist or Presbyterian friends in their work, but to bid them God-speed, and to do a work for God and for souls, which they could not do.
When the time came to hold watch-night services as the pastor approached the church he found the fife and drum corps in full blast in the upper room. Rev. W. E. Thompkinson was preacher for the evening, and while those who cared not for the things of God amused themselves above, the children of God listened to His word, and worshiped Him with praise and prayer in the room below. For a time it was matter of doubt as to whether both parties would see the Old Year out, and greet the incoming of the New. But a little before twelve the drum ceased to beat, the fife was laid aside, and our friends quietly left us alone with the Lord.
Another short extra meeting was held, during which other souls were converted. Thus we labored on until the approach of Conference, when the writer was asked if he would consent to act as pastor for the ensuing year. To this he agreed and at the Conference at Easton, the name of Cookman Chapel was for the first time announced with Alfred T. Scott as pastor.
It is with regret that our duty as historian requires us to state that some of our friends deemed it needful, in order to secure the money to purchase another organ to be used in the lower room while the one then in use should be taken to the upper room which had been secured for an infant department, to hold an "apron bazaar." Satisfied from long and careful investigation that it is better for the church to lay aside all such methods for raising supplies, the pastor and some of the members had hoped Cookman's record would be found free
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from such affairs. On his return from Conference, before he reached his home, the pastor was greeted with the news of the finan- cial success of the bazaar and that it was also proposed to follow it with "a strawberry festival," so as to help "pay the preacher." Up to Conference, in order to pay off all bills for furniture, etc., the pastor- al service had been free of charge. At a meeting of the ways and means committee. held soon after Conference, the matter was brought up and the pastor declared his purpose not to receive any money toward his support raised by any such method; but, if need be, to relinguish part of the salary, the $260 agreed upon, and take only what was given directly for that purpose. After considera- ble discussion a motion prevailed directing the treasurer to pay the pastor five dollars each week. He is thankful to say that with the exception of one week this has been done; and as. yet the "straw- berry festival" has not been held, nor have we resorted to anything of the kind. All other expenses have been met. We have tried to lead everyone to feel it a privilege to give to the support of the Lord's cause and to give regularly A number of friends, not connected with Cookman, but feeling an interest in it have regularly given their assistance.
As our membership increased it soon became apparent that it would be better for us-specially as Asbury had been true to the contract (not to incur any financial responsibility) to take our place as one- although a small and weak one-yet as one of the Methodist Episcopal churches of the city. Accordingly Asbury Quarterly Conference granted the request made by Cookman to be severed from connection with her at the Quarterly Conference held August 31, 1889. And on the following Thursday evening, September 5, 1889, the Presiding Elder preached an installation and a charge sermon from the first Psalın, and afterwards organized us into a church. The following are the names of the persons thus formed into Cookman Methodist Epis- copal Church : Mrs. M. L. Crozier, Mrs. Mary Ingram, Miss Emma J. Ingram, Miss Mary J. Ingram, Samuel F. Bannar, Mrs. Martha Bannar, D. T. Harman, Mrs. Maggie Harman, Mrs. Eleanor S. Clark. Joseph T. Cannon, Mrs. Minerva Salfner, Miss Maggie Salfner, Mrs. M. J. Cannon, Miss M. Elizabeth West, Miss Indiana Thompson, Miss Mary Dillon, Millard T. Toft, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Toft, Miss Lena Weible, Mrs. Rachel MacConnell, Arthur Clinton Davis, Clara V. Toft, Mrs. Rebecca Thompson-full members. On probation there remain Miss Mamie Flynn, Miss Lizzie MacConnell, Alderman B. Sent- man, Mrs. Clara V. Sentman, Mrs. Isabella Sharp, Miss Ruth Toft, Cecil C. Lynch, Mrs. Mary E. Lynch and Miss Ida Salfner. Brother Millard T. Toft was appointed class-leader ; Joseph T. Cannon,
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Samuel F. Bannar, M. T. Toft, Mrs. M. L. Crozier and Mrs. Mary Ingram were appointed stewards.
M. T. Toft was appointed recording steward and Jos. T. Cannon a committee on church records.
As we recognized ourselves as a Christian Endeavor Society, all the members with exception of two residing at a distance, were put on the various committees.
Our Sabbath-school has an average attendance of sixty-seven. We are in need of devoted teachers.
It was judged expedient to secure from Bro. Jno. S. Miller, of Mt. Salein, into whose hands the property had fallen, a lease for the build- ing until March 25, 1892, as there was no other room anywhere in that locality suitable for our purpose, and it might be some time before we secured a lot and a church home. We have been anxious to secure the kernel of the living church-a band of converted people-assured that sooner or later it would gather to itself a proper outer form.
We have on the wall of our church the portrait of the sainted man after whom we are named, and as he rejoiced to consider himself "dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God," and as "holiness to the Lord" was his motto, so we are striving to gather a holy people zealous of good work.
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History of Newport Methodist Epis- copal Church.
BY THE REV. VINCENT G. FLINN, LOCAL PREACHER .*
In coming to take part in this Centennial anniversary, Newport does not come as one of the offspring of old Asbury, or as part of the result of her large success; but rather as a sister, a sister indeed, lack- ing only a few years of being as old as she is herself, our church being built only twenty years after. We come therefore to unite our rejoicings with yours, and to mingle our professions of gratitude to God with yours, feeling drawn by the bands of Christian brotherhoood, and glad to add our offering of thanksgiving to our common Father.
Methodism at Newport began in a very small way. The best sources of information on the subject furnish us with the fact that about the year 1786 or '87, there came to Newport a young Irish girl, who was employed in one of the families there. This young girl had been converted at a Methodist altar in her own country, and inquiring if there were any Methodist people about, she was told there were some in Wilmington. Thither she went and called upon one John Thelwell, the same who pitched the tunes for Capt. Webb, when he preached there in 1769. Thelwell told her of a Methodist preacher named Cald- well stopping with a family in town, and when she called upon him and stated her case to him, he at once consented to go to Newport and preach. The school house was secured for the service, and so great was the novelty of the proceeding, that the house was crowded, while many stood around and listened at the windows.
#The Rev. Vincent G. Flinn, who prepared this excellent paper, a good man full of faith and the Holy Ghost, was buried from the Newport Church on November 15, 1889, exactly one month from the day on which he read this history at Asbury.
REV. JAMES E. BRYAN,
Pastor of Newport Methodis' Episcopal Church, and of .Asbury in 1886-'89.
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Here began Methodism at Newport, and there is every reason to believe that from that time, 1786 or 1787, to the present, there has always been a Methodist society here. There does not seem to be much information obtainable at this distant date as to just where they worshiped, or how they prospered; no doubt they had their share of persecution and opposition, in the years'that followed; but we find that in the year 1796 at the annual Conference held in Philadelphia, Ezekial Cooper was appointed pastor of Asbury Church, Wilmington, and Newport. He preached at Asbury in the morning and evening, and at Newport in the afternoon. Under date of February 11, 1797, which would be the following spring after his appointment, he gives an account of our society at Newport, which is perhaps the first reliable account of this society in existence. He says: "Our society here is small. but I am very much pleased with it. Mrs. Lattimore, Mrs. Robertson, and Mrs. Miller, are three excellent souls. There is but one white man in society, that is Mr. Miller. After preaching and class I returned to Wilmington and preached again in the even- ing. Preaching three times a day, and class and general society meeting, is rather too much for me."
After a service of five months, at which time the Philadelphia Conference was again convened, Mr. Cooper reported an increase of members at Newport of eight whites and eleven blacks, a greater per centum of increase, probably, than we have ever reached since. Mr. Cooper was again appointed to Wilmington and Newport, and preached as before, until the yellow fever broke out in Wilmington that summer, when he came to Newport to live, and went in and preached at Asbury on Sunday. While living here he was entertained at the house of Major Robertson.
To "Lights on Early Methodism" by Dr. Phœbus, we are indebted for some incidents occurring about this time. On Sunday, July 8, 1798, about the close of his sermon, a violent storm of rain, wind, thunder and lightning arose, detaining the congregation while it lasted. So severe was it that the people became intensely alarmed, and the windows of the building not being glazed, the storm beat in and through the house, whilst they took refuge under the pulpit and in it. and huddled together wherever they could until the fury of the storm was over. On the 28th of the following October. 1798. Mr. Cooper preached his last sermon at Newport, having been appointed book agent by Bishop Asbury.
The question might be asked why Newport seemed to get a start in Methodism earlier than other points adjacent. The answer probably lies in the fact that we are on what was then the main line of travel
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between Philadelphia and Baltimore. This was the old stage route, as well as the mail route carried by stage. The oldest citizens tell of crisp rumbling of the mail coach as it came driving through the crumbling snow up to the hotel where the liorses were changed. Here also at that time two lines of vessels sailed to Philadelphia, carrying the grain and produce of the farms for miles around, and bringing back merchandise for the needs of the community in return. It was, therefore, most natural for the pioneers of Methodismn to drop into this channel and thoroughfare of business, and plant her banners and set up her altars.
It will be remembered that white and colored people sometimes worshiped together in the Methodist churchies in those days; it was so at Newport, and there seems to have been some colored persons living and worshiping here that enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the entire community. One of these, Grace Bailey, was much interested for the success of the cause here and opened her house and entertained the preachers when on their visits to preach the gospel.
Another item of interest is found in the fact that Anderson Brinkley, a colored man, and Joseph Springer Lynam, well remembered by many present, were converted the same night in the old church.
Thus they went on meeting in school house, in private house or shop, or wherever they could, until finally, in 1809, the first church was built. The lot on which the church stands was sold by Thomas Latimer for one dollar, and the original deed, bearing. the names of Joseph Lynam, Benjamin Hersey, John Miller, Dennis Dougherty and Samuel Wood, is still in the keeping of Bro. Abram Chandler, our oldest active meniber. It would be very interesting to have a picture of the congregation as it then assembled; our fathers and mothers in the simple and plain attire of eighty years ago, most of them coming afoot, some walking for miles, few had means of riding. I am told there were three families who came in vehicles. Father Lynam and wife, in one of the first of carriages, Mother Miller and family in about the same style, and Shadrach Morris (colored,) with his ox team.
Newport was connected with other churches from 1809 to 1825, forming Cecil circuit. In 1825 New Castle and Newport were placed together; but"New Castle may not have liked her company or vice- versa; at any rate the arrangement continued but one year, and we were again placed on Cecil circuit, where we remained until about 1851, at which time the circuit was divided, and Newport. Christiana and Salem were placed together. In 1859 this was changed and Newport and Brandywine Springs were our appointments.
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In 1863 Chandlerville and Ebenezer were connected with Newport and this was the plan of appointment until 1868 when we be- came a station. In 1876 and 77 Stanton Church was built during the pastorate of Rev. H. S. Thompson, and continued with Newport until last Conference, 1889, when we became a station again.
The names of the preachers who were in charge of Newport from 1810 are as follows:
1810, Thos. Smith and Geo. Sheets : 1811, James Aikins and Win Torbert : 1812, Jamies Aikins and Thos. Miller ; 1813, James Moore and Thos. Miller ; 1814, Thos. Walker and John Poice ; 1815, John Goforth and Samuel P. Levis : 1816, John Sharpley and Edward Stout ; 1817, John Sharpley and David Ireland ; 1818-19, Wm. Torbert and John Woolson : 1820, Samuel J. Griffith and Thomas Miller ; 1821, Samuel J. Griffith and Daniel Fidler ; 1822, John Smith and William Lummis ; 1823, William Rider and Jesse Thompson ; 1824, William Rider and James Long ; 1825, Edward Page and John Goforth ; 1826, Edward Page and John Goforth ; 1827, Solomon Sharp and James B. Ayars ; 1828, Solomon Sharp and William Cooper ; 1829, Thomas Miller, and William Rider : 1830; William Rider and Samuel D. Jones; 1831, William Torbert and James Nicols : 1832, William Torbert and William Spry ; 1833, E. Reed and George M. Yard : 1834, E. Reed and J. Woolley ; 1835, E. Kennard and J. D. Onins ; 1836, E. Kennard and J. S. Inskip; 1837. William Rider and John Dutot; 1838, William Rider and William W. McMichael ; 1839, S. Grace and H. S. Atmore ; 1840, Edward Kennard and John Ruth; 1841, Edward Kennard and J. Aspril ; 1842, William C. Thomas and D. L. Patterson : 1843. William C. Thomas and George Quigley ; 1844. Gassaway Oram and William Campbell : 1845, Gassaway Oram and Abram Freed ; 1846 James Cunningham and Stearns Patterson ; 1847, James B. Ayars and Willian Robb : 1848, James B. Ayars and J. Bayne ; 1849, Christopher J. Crouch and W. L. Boswell : 1850, Christopher J. Crouch ; 1851. Levi Storks : 1852, S. R. Gillingham ; 1853, S. R. Gillingham and William M. Dalrymple: 1854, Henry Sanderson : 1855, Thomas W. Sinipers and J. Dison ; 1856, Thomas W. Simpers ; 1857-58, James Hand ; 1859. Thomas Sumption : 1869, Thomas Sumption and David Makee ; 1861, J. Carlisle and David Makee : 1862, J. Carlysle ; 1863, Joseph N. Magee ; 1864, Samuel Powers, during this year the building of the present church was commenced and completed the following year and dedicated by Rev. Thomas T. Tasker ; 1865-66, William H. Fries : 1867-68, H. H. Bodine ; 1869-70, Joshua Humphriss : 1871-72, John Allen; 1873-74-75, John D. Rigg; 1876-77-78, Henry S. Thompson; 1879-80, John D. Rigg; 1881-82-83, James E. Bryan; 1884-85-86, Edwin H. Nelson: 1887-88, John D. C. Hanna: 1889, James E. Bryan.
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I wish also to call up the names of some of the early laymen and women of the church here. Those who were the class-leaders, the stewards, the trustees and the pastors' assistants in those days. What could he do without their co-operation and aid? What would all his efforts amount to, especially in these first attempts to found a society without the faithful few on whom he could depend and in whoni he could trust? What faithful men those Methodist fathers were; full of faith, zealous, true, devoted to God and Methodism. We had such at Newport, and while I find it the greatest pleasure to trace out and reproduce the names of the faithful itinerants who in the past have been stationed here and proclaimed the unsearchable riches of God's word, and who have many times been successful under God in leading souls to him, yet, to me there comes a desire to place side by side with these the names of those old veterans of the cross, who, in the primitive days of our beloved Meth- odisn, gave support to the preacher, encouraged him, prayed for him, and bore the burdens of the church in the heat of the day. Oh ! that our churches were filled with the same kind to-day. May there always be life and vitality enough in our congregations to say amen to what the preacher says, "and be able always to give a reason for the hope that is within us to him that asketh."
Absolam Thomas was one of the early pioneers of Methodism here, and it was at his house preaching was often held previous to the building of the church.
Benjamin Hersey was another, and mentioned as one of the first trustees. He lived near Marshallton and with him Bishop Asbury stopped on his way up and down the Peninsula.
John Miller another, being owner of horse and vehicle, was often called on to take the preacher from one point to another.
Mrs. Lattimore, mentioned by Mr. Cooper, was the mother of John R. and Henry Lattimore, then living at Newport. She seemed to take a deep interest in religious services, and with Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Miller were ever ready to do what they could to help on the good cause.
Joseph Lynam, J. Springer Lynam and Jacob Lynam, a father and two sons, deserve to be remembered while time shall last, for their efforts to bless and benefit the neighborhood, and for their zeal for God's house. The first named of these, known for many years as father Lynam, lived to be nearly 102 years of age, and died February 4th, 1872, and was buried at Newport, Rev. Jacob Todd preaching his funeral.
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This old man delighted to the last of life to converse with the preachers, and had one question which he always propounded to them, namely, "what is the best word in the Bible ?" and while some would answer God, or love, etc., his own answer was the word Truth. His wife, Joanna, is said to have been one of those sweet spirited, meek and kind women, whose appeals to sinners were hard to withstand. It is said of her that she sometimes visited from house to house and talked with the people about religion, and besought them to be saved. I was told of one instance where she called on a hardened old sinner living alone on the banks of the Christiana, who on seeing her coming, left the house, got into his boat and rowed over to the other side. When taken to task about it, he said "if Josey, (meaning her husband,) had come, he would not have left but he could not stand Joanna." Springer Lynanı, a son of these two, inherited their zeal and love for God's house and for many years was an exhorter and class-leader in the church. Nivin C. Miller, Thomas Lamplugh, Joseph Grubb, Peter Torbert, Joseph Killgore, fifty years a class-leader, and later on, John R. Lynam, Albert J. Lynam, and Lewis Weldon, with others that might be mentioned, who have been the active men of the church, and guarded her interests with jealous care during the past eighty years of her life, have now all passed from labor to reward. The church owes all these a debt of gratitude for what they did, and generations to come will bless them for their interest in the church and community, in their day and generation.
Now what has been accomplished in the past eighty years? Who can tell ? By what rule can it be measured ? Where will the influences of saintly life and christian example end ? Eternity alone will reveal. The church in our community is as a light house giving light to all around. What would the community be without it ?
In these years agone some have been marked by sweeping revivals of religion. I have heard of one which occurred during the pastorate of Rev. Thomas Miller, which was remarkable for its attractive and saving power. Another was in 1842, during the pastorate of Rev. W'm. C. Thomas and Daniel L. Patterson, spoken of as extensive and wide-spread. But the greatest revival perhaps ever known on Cecil Circuit occurred in 1848, under Jas. Brooks Ayers and William C. Robb. The whole circuit seems to have been in a blaze of revival power and glory. At the Union appointment there were one hundred and sixty- eight conversions; at Cherry Hill, one hundred and forty-seven con- versions; at Newark, seventy-three conversions; at Wesley Chapel fifty conversions; at Christiana, one hundred conversions, and at New- port, one hundred and seventy-three conversions. The meeting at New-
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port commenced February 14, with both the preachers away at other points on the circuit; but after an exhortation by that man of God, Springer Lynam, the power of the Holy One seemed to come upon the assembly, and then and there a most wonderful revival commenced. A record kept by Rev Jas. L. Killgore, then a youth of sixteen years, shows the number of penitents, and the number converted each night until the 25th day of March following, giving the whole number saved to be one hundred and seventy-three, probably the greatest revival Newport has ever known. In 1855 and '56, Rev. Thos. W. Simipers, a man who being without horse and carriage, walked his way to the homes and hearts of his people, was blessed with another large ingath- ering of souls; and of later years a revival that should be mentioned on account of the blessed results and large number that were added to the church, occurred in 1874 and '75. At this time over one hundred and fifty were converted, and many who were in official place in our church to-day are of the fruits of that revival.
This then is intented as a brief epitome of Methodism in Newport from its infancy. I wish it were fuller. I wish it were more complete. It has been indeed very meagre. I have only touched the subject here and there along the line of years. Another pen might have done better than my own, but no man could properly portray the grand results attained, nor the wonders that God hath here wrought. Suffice it that here He choose to meet with his people, and here He poured out his spirit. Our fathers named the church Peniel, signifying face to face with God, and verily upon her His face has shined in the past. May her future be as blessed as her foregoing years.
REV. E. L. HUBBARD, PH. D., Pastor of New Castle Methodist Episcopal Church.
ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
History of the New Castle Methodist Episcopal Church.
BY THE REV. E. L. HUBBARD, PH. D., PASTOR.
As early as 1772 Bishop Asbury preached in New Castle. He stopped at a tavern kept by a Methodist, and preached to a handful of people, meeting with great opposition. The Court House which was open for dancing and all frolicking was closed against a Methodist service. So hot was the blood of antagonism that all the guests of the hotel left, when the Bishop was registered as a lodger for the night. Asbury characterized the people of New Castle as "full of pride, vanity and folly." Three years later after preaching twice in New Castle on one day, the Bishop writes, "I hope my skirts are clean of the blood of the people of this little town, whether they reject or accept an offered salvation."
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