Religious forces and other activities in the history of Vineland, N.J., Part 2

Author: Conwell, Joseph Alfred
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: [Vineland, N.J. : Smith printing house
Number of Pages: 58


USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > Vineland > Religious forces and other activities in the history of Vineland, N.J. > Part 2


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2


. Rev. A. E. Ballard, who is at the present time President of Ocean Grove, was in charge. This meeting was a great success and all visitors went


-16-


home singing the praises of Vineland. What was the result? Its success led to the establishment in the following year of Ocean Grove as a permanent National Camp Meeting ground, incorporating features of government like Vineland, only perhaps more so. It was found that to make such an institution a success, permanent buildings must be erected, and the erection of permanent buildings suggested meetings of other sorts, and soon the added custom arose that when the camp meeting had closed its exercises, to devote some days or weeks to matters outside of religion. Music and art and intellectual, scientific and other subjects were taught and promoted. As an outgrowth of Ocean Grove other similar national Camp Meetings were established. Among the most famous were at Martha's Vineyard, Mass .; Lakeside, Ohio; Bartley, Neb. and Pacific Grove in California. The success of the special features of these camp meetings caused Bishop Vincent and others to consider the matter of establishing centers devoted to various special subjects, and in response to this idea, in 1874, Bishop Vincent and Lewis Miller, of Ohio, founded the "Chautauqua" in western New York and out of this beginning grew a great system of education along neglected lines, until the growth of the Chautauqua movement has reached almost every town and community in the United States. Two hundred and sixty thousand people have joined in its work and more than fifty thousand have graduated after a full four years term of study. The Catholic church and the Jewish church both have established Chautauqua centers. The Chautauqua idea inspired the founding of a system in which talent of all kinds-music, lectures and an almost endless variety of entertainment-was placed within reach of almost every platform and community. This system has revolutionized the Lyceum platform. The entire field devoted to this kind of work is organized in our nation


-17-


today. It fills a place between the school house and the church, and outside of the church and school it is now the greatest power in existence in developing wholsome thought and progressive sentiment in the United States.


And if we trace its history, we find one of its chief beginnings and inspirations in the success of the first national Camp Meeting held in Vineland Park forty-six years ago. And when we recall the fact that for more than twenty years Vineland has annually maintained one of the most successful Courses of Star Entertain- ments in the nation, it shows that we have retained our appreciation of moral and intellectual culture and that Vineland in a signal and practical way has profited by the cultured zeal of its early pioneers.


VINELAND THE FOUNDER OF GRAPE JUICE


Another great movement to the credit of Vineland is the adoption of "Unfermented Wine" for sacramental purposes, and the promotion of Grape Juice as a com- mercial article. In the spring of 1869, when Vineland was only eight years old, Dr. T. B. Welch was elected Recording Steward of the Vineland Methodist Episcopal church. He protested against his election on the ground that he would not provide fermented wine for the communion service. He was told that "he was elected to the office and could furnish what he pleased." When grapes were ripe that fall, Dr. Welch, helped by his son, Dr. Charles E. Welch, squeezed grapes with his hands and made the first unfermented Grape Juice of modern times. It was made and sold under the name of "Unfermented Wine" for over twenty years, when the name was changed to "Grape Juice." It then appears that the Vineland First Methodist Church first used Unfermented Wine for communion purposes.


-18-


Dr. T. B. Welch, Dr. H. L. Tuller, Mr. Harrison Durgin and Captain Daniel Tracy were all pioneers in promot- ing its use and later Mr. Frank A. Breck, Mr Henry Raisch, Mr. John Maytrott, The Vineland Grape Juice Company and others have done much to introduce its use to the public. Dr. Welch, Harrison Durgin and Captain Tracy promoted its use for sacramental purposes, and Dr. Tuller advocated it as a medicinal and household article. While all of these men deserved great credit for the enterprise they displayed in its adoption by the public, to Dr. T. B. Welch and his son, Dr. Charles E. Welch, now known as The Welch Grape Juice Company, belong the special credit of in- troducing Grape Juice to the world for sacramental purposes and as an article of commerce. I am in- formed that from the small beginning in 1869 the Welch Grape Juice Company now annually press over fourteen thousand tons of grapes, making an output of over two million gallons of product. Many concerns now manufacture Grape Juice and its sale is enormous. At the present time practically all of the Protestant churches almost throughout the world use the unfer- mented Grape Juice instead of fermented wine. As a temperance movement its influence is beyond compu- tation. The Grape Juice business will always be associated with Vineland, as it was for years almost the source for the world's supply, the first gallon being bottled at Fourth and Plum Streets. Vineland Grape Juice is now known all over the world. For years Vineland supplied not only churches in every State in the union, but it was sent from our town to every mission center of the Methodist church throughout the world. Large quantities are sent to South America,


NOTE-In a recent Report, George E. Anderson, Consul General at Hong. kong states that American Grape Juice is rapidly gaining foothold in China. that already about $50.000 worth is being annually distributed, that there is a climatic demand for nonalcoholic drinks; that Grape Juice is being found specially whole- some for women and children; that alcoholic drinks are being less and less used and that the market for Grape Juice is constantly increasing in the Empire. U. S. CONSULAR TRADE REPORTS, MARCH 21, 1914


-19-


Australia, to Europe, to China and Japan and to the Islands of the sea. Minister Wu, Ambassador from China to the United States, became acquainted with the virtues of Grape Juice while in America, and upon his return to China, he occasionally ordered it in quantities and it was sent direct from Vineland to his home in the Chinese Empire.


From every viewpoint which it is possible to con- sider the subject, Grape Juice is one of the greatest factors in promoting temperance that has yet been devised. Nothing so takes the place and is so well calculated to become a substitute for alcoholic drinks as Grape Juice, and the time surely will come when it will be almost as much of a common household article as is milk to-day. Those who promoted its adoption are to be considered among the world's benefactors. For Vineland to become the originator and promotor of such an enterprise destined to so bless mankind the world over, is an honor worthy of the highest praise.


VINELAND'S PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS


Another achievement of Vineland is found in the establishment and history of its public institutions. Near our town are three public institutions with a population of over one thousand and all of them are models in construction and management. Twenty- five years ago the care and training of unfortunates, either of mind or body, was not only crude, but the whole subject was treated with almost universal in- difference. When in 1888 Rev. S. O. Garrison founded the New Jersey Training School for Feeble Minded Children, it became the nucleus of what was destined to become in the course of its development, the center of a new era in this line of benevolence. The Train- ing School in recent years has developed a system of study and of investigation that has attracted attention.


-20-


not only in this country, but in foreign lands. There is much not only interesting, but closely related to the happiness and security of the human race associated with the study of the cause and prevention of mental deficiency. Those connected with our Training School have undertaken to systematically study and, if possible, to solve the great questions which arise in connection with this subject. Progress in research work by those connected with the Training School has already made of Vineland a world centre in the study of mental defects. They have so far succeeded that they have attracted the attention of students and specialists in this particular department throughout the nation. They have also instituted a course of study, carried on during the summer months, devoted to such subjects and methods as have a practical appli- cation in the education of children in general who are backward in the regular school studies. This field is an exceptionally interesting one and invites increasing consideration along lines that are eminently practical and vital. Already more than three hundred teachers have taken the prescribed course at the Training School and have gone out into various parts of the nation better equipped not only to teach, but no doubt impressed with the importance of the subject of mental conditions. This movement cannot fail to have a permanent basis and will develop in many ways, and as people are instructed and an intelligent sentiment is created regarding the desirability of im- proving the race, great good will result to mankind in general. The study of this subject has gone far enough to prove that the progressive thought of the world in the social, political, intellectual and medical fields will become interested and concerned, and the day is not far away when a more correct knowledge of the causes which lead to all defects of mind will prevail and the measures either of legal enactments or


-21-


education that can best prevent their occurrence will be utilized and the improvement of the race will then become a living issue and one of the duties of the patriot and of every lover of his fellowman.


FRIENDSHIP AMONG RELIGIOUS BELIEFS


In looking up the achievements of Vineland along religious and moral lines, I have been impressed with the part that the churches have taken and how friendly they have worked together in building up not only the cause of the Master, but in promoting everything that was for the good of the town and community. When the walls of our church were erected and the roof had been finished, boards were used in this room for seats, resting on nail-kegs, and the good Presbyterians of those days invited the Methodists to come in and wor- ship, and I have been informed that the Methodists helped buy the original seats in this church, and when our church has been undergoing repairs we have ac- cepted invitations to worship in other churches.


While those who came here represented the widest differences of religious faith, yet they lived in com- parative harmony. In Vineland were all kinds of beliefs, orthodox and otherwise, and yet as we look back on its history we find that unfriendly controver- sies have largely faded away. Almost every belief exists here to-day and have houses of worship or independent places where they adhere to their own forms of ceremony. This is desirable. Divided into separate groups we no doubt live in greater harmony and accomplish more good than possible otherwise.


Vineland has occasionally suffered from the ex- aggeration of those who did not understand the situation. The chief difference between Vineland and other places has been that here every man and woman


-22-


1


BEE


--


THE NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CORNER STONE LAID THANKSGIVING DAY, 1913. NOW IN COURSE OF ERECTION


has felt free to publicly express his or her private opinions upon all subjects, including religion, and where a sufficient number agreed upon any doctrine or line of thought they felt at liberty to organize and hold religious meetings suited to their own views and tastes no matter how widely they differed from the prevailing beliefs and more widely accepted forms of worship. Many years ago the great Metropolitan papers seemed to delight in creating an impression that Vineland, religiously and otherwise, was different from other places, yet this might be strongly question- ed. I have seen copies of these newspapers asserting that at certain meetings held in Vineland, doctrines were preached that deserved to be criticized, that marriage vows were loosely held and religion in general was ridiculed, yet these things were circum- scribed to narrow limits. It was true, however, that differences of opinion in religion, politics and other matters, caused many a controversy, and there have been as many pop-guns filled with hot air to explode in our midst as in any town in the United States, yet it can be as truly said that when there was genuine reason for a united effort on the part of our people to crush some evil, no town in the United States could summon heavier artilliery and deal a more crushing blow to any invasion that threatened the welfare of the community, than could Vineland.


When I came to Vineland thirty odd years ago I received a letter from a friend of mine referring to these things. My attention was called to a national con- vention, that had been held in this town, composed of women with peculiar notions regarding religion and morals, at the time styled "free thinkers" and where one of the leaders more bold than others made asser- tions regarding marriage and moral relations that were considered grossly improper. But let me tell you that this same woman, born in the rurals of Tennessee, has


-23-


experienced poverty, obscurity, notoriety, fame, social position and a title as a wife and widow of a millionaire philanthropist who was knighted by England's King. And though her life has had many changes including a period of mazy religious belief, she is now "Lady Cook" of London noted for her intelligence, and interest in the poor, an earnest Christian, a genuine philanthropist devoting her wealth and talents to uplift those who are downtrodden and discouraged.


Many years ago during a special revival of religion in this town, when the churches were united, and con- certed effort was made to reach outsiders and bring them into the fold of the church, those who were opposed to that sort of thing, paraded the streets, and a young lady riding on a white horse led the procession up Landis Avenue. It was looked upon by some as a defiance of that which was sacred and holy. But let me tell you that this same young lady came back to Vineland years afterward a converted and consistent Christian, and for years, in the town in which she has lived, has been zealous in church work, and I know of others, less conspicuous, who have joined the ranks of Christian workers, who in early life sympathized and to some measure took part in activities that seemed to be in opposition to that which we religiously hold sacred and dear. The prevailing thought of our people how- ever has always been loyal to scriptural doctrines and the prevailing trend of effort has always been toward higher ideals. Let us learn to look upon the antago- nisms in the religious life of Vineland during its history as rather a virtue than an evil. There has always been not only an earnestness, but a joy and a hearty enthusiasm in the moral and religious activities of Vineland.


The churches, taken as a whole, have always been willing to join hands with every good work, and in


-24-


few towns have the various religious elements lived in greater harmony. Our church bells on Sabbath morn- ing, ring in unison and the musical tones of the Episcopal church chimes are a delight to all.


I was impressed sometime back in reading a notice of our Methodist friends during Vineland's early history. In those days they had plenty of room, plenty of ground outside, and their advertisement of a church fair ran thus:


"To our citizens:


FAIR, AT METHODIST CHAPEL. Bring anything worthy of a show. Fruits, vegetables, live stock, tools, driving horses, cows, etc. Let Vineland fairly represent itself. Ladies are especially expected to show flowers, fancy work, specimens, etc. No danger of crowding. Come all. Whatever you bring you will get a prize or receive honorable mention."


Our Presbyterian church sometime afterward, not to be outdone, held a fair and it offered as a prize-"A New Bonnet"-to the pastor's wife, including all the churches of the town, who received the most votes for her popularity. The object of the fair was to raise money to finish the top of the tower of the Presby- terian church. I do not know what pastor's wife won the bonnet, but they made enough money to finish the church tower. Whether the four peaked top of the tower was patterned after the bonnet or not, was not stated. But these events show that in those pioneer days when churches needed money, they used means at hand to get it.


Our churches have been holding Union Thanks- giving services since the beginning of the town. One of the first was held in this church. We are informed that the church was crowded, although a rainy day. In those days they knew better perhaps than we know now how to get a crowd out Thanksgiving Day.


-25-


Pastor Wells was the speaker and on that Thanks- giving morning when the congregation had assembled, a young man came up one of these aisles with a young lady leaning on his arm. They stood in front of this altar and were united in marriage, and after receiving that famous kiss, given to all young brides by Pastor Wells, they went out man and wife. I say this for the benefit of the young men and women present, because our handsome new church when completed, will afford a delightful environment for the marriage ceremony.


This church was first organized July 7, 1863, with twenty-nine members. The first sermon preached in Vineland was by Rev. Mr. McConnaughay, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Millville, the services being held in Mr. Mabbitt's barn, then located at the corner of Landis avenue and Myrtle street. The first communion service was held in a school house where the Grove House now stands, and was conducted by the Presbyterians, with sixty participating. This church was dedicated by Rev. Ezra Eastman Adams, who had been Professor of Theology in Lincoln University, and Editor of "The Presbyterian" of Philadelphia.


Rev. Samuel Loomis, the first pastor, was installed July 7, 1863.


Rev. John O. Wells, was installed April 19, 1866.


Rev. D. H. King, January 1, 1877.


Rev. J. Russell Verbrycke, November 3, 1912.


While the church has been in existence fifty years, it has been served by only four pastors. All of these pastors have been able, earnest, christian men, and be- loved by the people they served.


Mention should be made of the career of Miss Abbie F. Leavitt as a member of this church. She


-26-


REV. J. RUSSELL VERBRYCKE PASTOR SINCE 1912


REV. DAVID H. KING, D. D. PASTOR FROM 1887 TO 1912


served as a Sunday School Superintendent for seven- teen years, was a Trustee and Treasurer for many years. She was active, aggressive and especially devoted to the cause of temperance. She was President of the local and county W. C. T. U., and during her administration in our community the cause of temperance was a live one. For many years union temperance services were held in rotation in the various churches, one Sunday evening every three months. Temperance meetings were held in the W. C. T. U. hall every Sunday afternoon for many years. A temperance Sunday School was carried on in con- nection with these meetings, and during these years Vineland was visited by nearly all the leading temper- ance workers of the nation. The first Order of Good Templars in the state was established in Vineland. Among those who have visited Vineland and delivered addresses upon the subject of temperance are John G. Woolley, Clinton B. Fisk and Governor John P. St. John, all presidential candidates, Francis Willard, Neal Dow, Mary Lathrop, J. Ellen Foster. Dr. Anna Shaw, Francis Murphy, Clinton Howard, Col. George W. Bain, Dr. C. H. Meade, Helen Gouger, and George Scott, a number of whom have been here several times.


During the pastorate of Rev. D. H. King, D. D., our church enjoyed unusual prosperity and he display- ed great energy and earnestness. Dr King can well claim to be the founder of "OLD FOLKS' DAY" now so well known and adopted by many churches throughout the country. While isolated services had occasionally been held of special interest to the aged, Dr. King's enthusiasm and interest in old people made the celebration popular for which he deserves special credit. Old Folks' Day has been observed in this church on the second Sunday of September annually


-27-


for twenty years and has been heartily appreciated by the old people of this community.


Dr. King during his ministry, made over sixteen thousand pastoral calls, carrying sunshine and en- couragement into the homes of his parishioners. He received into this church nine hundred and twenty- four members. He performed four hundred and twenty-seven marriage ceremonies and what a delight- ful vision this must be to his memory. What a con- noisseur of bridal flowers! What a splendid judge of wedding cake! He also conducted six hundred and sixty-five funerals. This would be a funeral every day for nearly two years. To stand beside so many coffins and speak words of consolation to those who are bereaved, and offer the assurances of the gospel surely entitles a man to a special reward in the home of the blessed.


POETRY, LITERATURE AND CULTURE


Poetry and Literature have been indigenous to Vineland since its birth. Our town is greatly indebted to those who are inspired by the Muse. I was sur- prised at finding eight volumes of poetry in the Historical Society written by Vinelanders. These poets have done much to keep Vineland's popularity and progress on the crest of the wave and to combat those who have been disposed to criticise and belittle.


"Friends, come and see-nor stay and cry,


'Utopian,' 'a sell,' 'a lie,'


Once here you'll find like one of old,


That the attractions have not been told, While through each coming golden year,


Your Vineland home shall be more dear."


Nearly every public event in the early history of the town was accorded the recital of a poem special


-28-


for the occasion. The first newspaper published con- tained an original poem; most of the issues for years contained original verses, many of them singing the praises of Vineland. I have known most of these poets, and their acquaintance has been a pleasure and a profit. They have loved Vineland and its people and their efforts were to make happiness and sunshine attend the struggles and sorrows of life's experiences.


Dr. King is to be numbered among Vineland's recognized poets. He has enshrined in verse the sentiments of many occasions and at his anniversary every year we have sung together a hymn of his com- posing. This has added an interest and a charm to the recurring exercise as the years went by.


We also have in our membership Mrs. Carrie Ellis Breck, who has written over twelve hundred hymns and over two hundred other poems and articles for papers and magazines. Many of her hymns have won a national reputation. One of them has been a favorite for years wherever Christian people have gathered and raised their voices in song and praise. I refer to that beautiful hymn, "FACE TO FACE."


Face to face with Christ my Saviour, Face to face-what will it be? When with rapture I behold him, Jesus Christ who died for me.


Face to face shall I behold him, Far beyond the starry sky; Face to face in all his glory, I shall see him by and by!


This hymn written by Mrs. Breck, was first sung years ago by the evangelist Grant Tuller in front of this pulpit, and is now found in most of the modern collections of sacred songs.


-29-


Work of this kind and the recognition it has received surely is a compliment to our community and is worthy of being considered as one of Vineland's honored achievements. May Vineland's poets long live and others be born, because we know that so long as they do, it can be said that:


"The very name of Vineland charms,


The weary ones elsewhere,


The beauty of its meaning warms Desires to breathe its air.


The land of fruit, the land of spring,


Land neath a favored sky,


Land where the strange bird's weary wing


May fold, no more to fly. Land of adoption swift to come,


Fair clime, vines and flowers,


Clime that affords the heart a home, A sunny clime now ours."


General literature, as well as poetry, has also been native to Vineland. One hundred and four books are to-day in the Historical Society written by Vinelanders. This is a surprising number, and few towns the size of ours in this nation can claim as much. About forty of these books were written by men and women who have worshipped in this church. Not only has litera- ture been produced and flourished here, but men and women devoted to patriotic and progressive measures, have visited Vineland and delivered addresses to a greater extent perhaps than any other town in the nation.


Vineland people have always been awake and willing to listen and learn. A square deal has awaited every question and every vital issue. Nowhere has woman's voice or woman's cause received a more cor- dial welcome. When Vineland was only nine years old, the county elected one of our citizens to the state


-30-


Legislature. He carried with him a liberally signed petition to change the state constitution in favor of equal suffrage. "Women's Rights" which meant woman suffrage, was as familiar a term and as much favored in Vineland forty years ago as is "Votes for Women" in the average town to-day. Vineland has never been a laggard but a leader and always among the first to make new footprints forming the aggres- sive and advancing pathway of progress.


One of the first great orators to come to Vineland was the giant reformer, Wendell Phillips, who oc- cupied this pulpit. And from that time until now reformers, patriots, temperance workers, men with a message who loved mankind and had special powers to lead in world movements, have delighted in visiting Vineland and addressing our people, always going away convinced that here the popular mind and popu- lar heart were in full accord with the onward march of progress and civilization. Among those with a national reputation, who have addressed Vineland audiences are the following: Woodrow Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt, President Taft, President Grant, Vice President Colfax, Grace Greenwood, Mary Livermore, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Julia Ward Howe, Dwight Hillis, Theodore Tilton, Governor Hadley, Henry George, James G. Blaine, Horace Greely, Fred Douglas, Bishop McCabe, John Temple Graves, Thomas Dixon, Frank Dixon, Hon. George R. Wendling, Russell H. Conwell, J. Irving Handy, Gen'l George B. Gordon, Dr. Harvey Wiley, Josh Billings, Bill Nye, Robert Colyer, Judge Lindsay, Joseph Fels, Frank Gunsaulus and a host of others.


PHILANTHROPY


Our church has also made a name for itself in the cause of philanthropy. One of our officials, Mr. B. D.


-31-


Maxham, in his will, left $100,000 to the Training School. Dr. R. B. Moore, during his residence in Vineland, I have been credibly informed, gave per- haps nearly as much to the cause of benevolence, education and religion. Mrs. Leake and others have done their part and I think it is within reasonable bounds to state that during the history of this church outside of what was given to various church Boards that more than a quarter of a million dollars have been given to various causes by those who worshipped here.


Our people in general have always been devoted to benevolence. In the founding and development of our public institutions they have done much to pro- mote their growth and insure their success. And in the broader field of patriotism and philanthropy Vineland has always shown a spirit of loyalty and liberality worthy of the highest praise.


Special mention should be made of Dr. Moore's gift of the Italian Mission church and parsonage locat- ed in this town, both of which he built at his own ex- pense. This mission has become a most worthy and successful field of Christian work. It is under the management of the Presbyterian Board. A flourishing Sunday School is maintained in connection with the church and the work is increasingly appreciated by those it is intended to reach. This church and the work connected with it is worthy of full confidence and support.


A COLONIZING SPIRIT


The early settlers of Vineland gave to the world a practical lesson in city building. By adopting the system of small sized farms they developed a new era in the growing of fruits and produce. The new colony they helped to found and make successful has had a


-32-


wide and important influence.


As nature had given this region only limited ad- vantages, the settlers employed artificial methods to meet the occasion. Our wide avenues and streets, ample sidewalks, beautiful shade trees, uniform build- ing line, extensive advertising, under the magic power of brains and industry and sobriety, made this a model community. Vineland's success and growth establish- ed the success and growth of the colonizing spirit. This colonizing spirit has shown its power and influ- ence not only throughout South Jersey, but beyond the borders of the state. The same brains that founded and established Vineland founded Hammonton, Rosen- hayn and Sea Isle City. Out from Vineland went the founders of Holly Beach, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, all of them splendid examples of constructive thought and enterprise. Wherever Vinelanders have migrated, whether to Florida or California, they have carried with them the cohesive and constructive qualities of genuine home and community builders.


Vineland's colonizing spirit was early recognized across the sea. Italian immigrants have been coming to Vineland almost from the beginning, and they have taken a foremost rank in developing and improving our land, establishing homes and promoting every form of enterprise by their industry, frugal habits and thrift.


It is estimated that at present there are over three thousand Italians living within a trading radius of Vineland and they constitute an important factor in every department of progressive activity.


When the Hebrew exodus from Russia took place in 1882, one of their chief colonies was founded in the vicinity of Vineland. This early settlement has been constantly growing and while the Jews have been successful at farming, their aptitude for business and


-33-


manufacturing enterprise has been increasingly mark- ed. Their business acumen is a challenge to every form of rival and in our community they are main- taining the same spirit of thrift which history all through the ages has recorded in their favor. The Hebrews have shown their urban tendencies by found- ing villages and towns as centres of their population. Among these are Alliance, Norma, Brotmanville and the modern development of Rosenhayn. Much of the business and manufacturing in our town is conducted by the Hebrews and they keep in touch with the enterprise of our larger cities and many of them are affiliated with well known establishments of Philadel- phia and New York. About three thousand Hebrews are located in this section, and their numbers and influence are constantly on the increase.


I have been informed that an average of three hundred letters per week are sent from Vineland to Europe, chiefly written either in Italian and bound for Italy or written in Hebrew and addressed to Russia. When we add the additional fact that more than one thousand persons get on and off the trains at our depots every day in the year, we realize that Vineland is in constant and vital touch with the outside world.


CONCLUSION


It can well be claimed that few towns of Vineland's size are better known in America or Europe. We are as a city set upon a hill. Vineland's influence covers a realm upon which the sun never sets. Let us realize that whatever we do to establish the cause of religion or promote the principles of truth and morali- ty, is of wide and vital significance.


Let us feel that the moral and religious history of Vineland's first half century is secure. The men and women who settled this wilderness and built the


-34-


churches and school houses and made it the success that it is, have mostly gone to their reward. Vineland is their monument. To possess a heritage so associat- ed with noble efforts and high achievements is our good fortune. As we look about us we are proud of what we see.


Four thousand homes From a wilderness grown, Beautiful Vineland Everywhere known.


And to-night as we stand between the Vineland of the past and the Vineland of the future, may we re- solve that by the practice of morality, of industry, of patriotism, of religion and of civic devotion, we will transmit unimpaired this garden spot of New Jersey to those who shall take our places in the years that are to come.


HECKMAN BINDERY INC.


AUG 94


Bound - To -PleasĀ® N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962





Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.