Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-07-16


the very interesting ceremony of laying the
corner stone Of the new Church now bong
erected on the spacious lot on Front street,
above Maiden, Philadelphia, took place. The
Church is under the pastoral charge of the Rev.
I. A. Fernley.
There was an immense assembage of per-
sons present, among whom were hundreds OF
ladies and children. Tine Building Committee
had made every preparation for the comfort Of
the spectators, a large sail being spread over
the first floor of the building. A shed was also
erected for the accommodation of the minis
ters, large number Of whom were in attend
ance, and the choir.
The kew. Bishop Scott presided, and read u
hymn, which was sung by the choir, the vast
assemblage joining in.
The exercises were then opened with prayer
by the Rev. A. Atwood, Of the Salem NJ. II.
Church.
Rev. Mr.. Fernley enjoined upon the vast
cOncourse the necessity of remaining until the
close Of the proceedings they might be pre-
tracted but corner stones were not laid every
day.
Bishop Scott made the opening address,
which was discourse on Methodism.
Rev. A. A. Willetts, Of the Dutch eiOrmed
Church, followed the Bishop. He said there
was no view in which this enterprise could be
looked upon save with gratitude and pleasure.
1t behooved all citizens to put their shoulders
| to the wheel, or rather PIT their hands in both
pockets, and aid the enterprise, Every Amer
| lean citizen should feel proud upon this occa-
sion, for it was such enterprises as this that
| caused the perpetuity of our institutions.
There arc buildings i'll our city that make 4
| great display take, tor instance, the Bank OF
1 Pennsylvania; but they have no connections
| with our institutions as such an enterprise as
this. Its vaults may be filled with money, but
unless we have q strong conservative, religious
| interest in our midst, tho institutions OF the
| country cannot he sustained.
The man who does not love this country and
appreciate the liberties given him, ought to
have ticket of leave given him, and made to
depart at once. In this country u man can
| take this Holy Bible, read it, and interpret II
| as he finds it. These privileges were given u
by our fathers, with tears and prayers, and 1t
| is our duty to hand them down to pOsterity I'M
| furnished. Every citizen ought 10 thank God
for each church that is started.
He had heard Of nm inf lei who, on one DC
casion gave ten dollars to a church, Tor the
reason that since the church had been erected
in his neighborhood, the boys had not stolen so
many of his apples as when the church was
not there. If this community desire to stop
| rowdyism, and let the black mania remain idle
| then they had better sustain churches. Take
these little children, rear them in our Sabbath
schools and churches, and you will prevent
crime and dispense with our army Of police.
This is the best enterprise to which any one can
contribute either one dollar or ten Who can
tell how many souls may be transplanted to
Heaven by this great enterprise Bishop Scott
talked about some one having spoken OF the
Methodist church being ignored, but that can
not be done, for it is fixed fact, nay, Il grow
ing fact. There is no sponge that grows on
our rocks, or water enough in our seas to wash
it out.
Sometimes, said the speaker, | envy the
money making faculty OF some men, when
see how much good can be done with it. The
story of the Widows mite has led to the cree
ton of many church, and caused men who
have heretofore held gold piece until the
eagle squealed, to contribute towards the house
of God. He could not help finding little fault
with those good people, the Quukers, for build
ing their churches in by-ways. This church,
however, was, he was pleased to say, located
just where wisdom wants it.
The Rev. Pennel Comb, tn presiding Elder
OF the district, followed the Rev. Mr. Willetts.
He said that church associations have no right
to call on the public for aid, unless they had
done something themselves. Here, then, was
the condition of this congrc gatisn. Simply
this, they had raised 81 900 among themselves,
and have they not a right TO call upon the
public when they have done their duty 50
noblyi
1t was hard to part with the old church, ior
IN 1t many souls had been converted, and there
are warmattachments associated with it. This
church, for which we now ask the sympathy oil
the public, is intended for future generations,
as well as our own. 1t cannot be said, except
in limited sense, that the congregation are
working for themselves, for their chlldrcn's
children will derive the advantage from its
erection.
Suppose all cur religious societies were
broken up, and there was no church, no minis
ter, no Sabbath Schools, what would become
| of us 2 What security would there be for our
citizens? Could they go to sleep in security Z
How dearly, then, should we appreciate an I'M
dertaking of this kind, calculated, as it is, to
do so vast benefit to mankind generally.
wish the reporters present to note this part
of my remarks, il they leave out all the rest
of my speech. 1t is this Writers for the
press are in the habit Of landing it as graat
conservator Of public morals, but ii is the
church that purities the morals Of the press,
and causes it to work on moral ground.
The speaker related several amusing anec-
dotes and urged upon all present to constitute
literally to the cause.
The collection was now taken up, and the
plates were pretty well filed with coin.
Rev. Stephen Miller made a very eloquent
address, and was followed by the Rev. Mr..
Hickman, of Camden, N. j., to whom was as
signed the duty of collecting subscriptions.
very large sum was contributed through the
earnest appeals of the eminent divine
Bishop Scott then laid the corner stone.