Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-02-16
SOCIAL AFFAIRS.

The following officers have been elected aud
installed in Diamond State Lodge No A, /. q, Vi
q. Y. for the present quarter; W. Q. ], Alice
Hret; W. V. r., G. W. Pyle W. g.. VIM Sh
yer, ir.; ". T. H., n. II J, Naif; W. +. S, John
Quinn; W. c., Hannah NJ. fennoek; W. NJ,
Lizzie Davis W. |. G Martha Huskns W. q.
g. Scott Riley W. A. S., Matte Wilson w. b,
NJ, C, Richards W. Il. II. s, Edward Lefeyrc;
W. l.. II. s., Joseph Todd; p. W. G, T., james
f. Mckay Editress. Alice lIirst Musician,
Edwin Hirst; Lodge Deputy, Solomon llersey.
Institute OF REwARp.-we are pleased to
learn that the friends of the Institute Of Reward.
for the orphans of our brave soldiers and saior%,
arc urging the matter strongly on the people, iu'
various sections of the country. In this oOnneG-
ton we transfer to our columns from the circu-
lar, the following iu relation TO the "Wnshnglon
Prize Fund -
Among the early objects Of the Institute Of
Reward was that of creating fund, to he callri
| the
"lFdsiiagfon Prize Fund"
the interest OF which should be devoted to the
purchase of books, illustrating the highest types
OF patriotism, MS annual prizes to orphans having
made the greatest proficiency in the history OF
the United States, according to the report Of
their respective teachers in existing asylums, and
and in thosl which might be formed under the
friendly auspices of the Institute.
As one of the means towards creating this
fund, we suggest that Superintendent and
Teachers of Schools in any convenient proximity
to each other, unite in arranging for the cele-
bration of the Anniversary of the birthday Of
Washington on Monday Feb 22l, 1864.
Passing events render it important, that liter
nry institutions should severally keep record OF
the patriotic service rendered by their former
rupils and it has occurred to us that an Ap-
propriate exercise for this anniversary might be
the reading of extracts from these records, from
the records of local Historic Committees, or
from the records Of pubic officers appointed ac-
cording to legislative acts in the several States
In some places these and other appropriate
exercises Of the united schools will probably oc
cur during the day, forming valuable auxiliary
to the more public celebration during the even
ing.
We shall be pleased to aid parties interested
in this washington Prize Fund" by opening
the columns Of the "Journa" to suggestions on
the details and progressive development Of this
patriotic cause.
Whenever this fund shall have been commenc-
ell by the concurrent action rs proposed we are
, assured that individuals stand ready to make
liberal contributions thereto.
Funds raised on this annverary celebration or
otherwise for this purpose may be transmitted to
Arthur +, Willmarh, Esq., Treasurer, l3j
Broadway, New York, and the same will be duly
acknowledged
ATTEMPT AT CHuRCH SECESSION, The Smyr-
m Times, of Thursday says AN attempt
has recently been made to sesede or draw
of two appointments of Smyrna Circuit NJ II
Church. This Circuit is composed of eight
appointments" or churches. The operation
seems to have been conducted from po!iti-
cal 'hase !" the aodas operdRdi of the secession
having been attempted in the same manner MS
its great prototype, which is now finding rather
= and unsuccessful issue.
The facts, according to the information that
y has reached us, are as follows: The preacher
in charge of Smyrna Circuit, Rev. John +.
Boone, it is asserted, has been agitating the
question for some time quietly among the COP
peihend members with whom he 0fliliates) Of
! the Union and Friendship appointment for the
secession OF those two churches from the Circuit,
10 "set up for themselves" Finally they got the
= plans fully laid, and Sunday week was decided
: on as the day to spring the thing the people
= Nlter the sermon at Friendship, when the adso-
Va Gates Of the movement were " be on hand and
% vote it through In the meantime, however, il
reached the cars OF a leading Unon man, jus
% before its debOuchment, and not liking such
. movement, especially such a principle, fun
IT known TO the polity or deliberations of the de
r nomination. he hastily informed some OF thl
II leading official men, who were promptly on hand
and when the chosen Lay aocomplioe announce,
y the contemplated project, they at once ''squelch
l. ed" the thing and thus it euded--as futile as i
s was surreptitious. The Union men did not lie
u sire 10 leave the Circuit, rightly considering tina
i If the whole Circuit would not meet their finan
cial obligations without some effort, it would b.
n vastly difficult for two appointments to sup
II port minister; and, besides, if they did 60
!, they did not desire it to be done under the viii
II and spur Of political riders. The preliminarie
II ID. Nl.u l.a.ss rf ELa.rN
"a half mile this side of Blockbird, was to be pur
It chased for parsonage and intimations had bee
iu given, and it is said, by the pastor, that Ii
y, would serve for one year for sum less than hi
us present salary.
s. This movement, we are also further informed
explains what then seemed like strange frea
e' at the last quarterly conference. At the eleC
as tiOn OF stewards DR.. Boone nominated copper
no head to succeed Union man for the Univ
e. church. lie was elected with out dissent
ry ing voice. AT another appointment he mad
~ similar nomination. One OF the members
w who could see no reason for the changes
hn asked him why he nominated another man in tl
~ place of the brother then occupying the plac
he (who had held it for 20 years. that he chad al
yer ways made them an excellent steward" when b
ne received in reply, "beoause have the right
cd nominate whom please" Well, said the men
Ih- Der, 1--WE have the right to poie for who "
C. please" and the persons so nominated by III
ey pastor were rejected by the vote of the steward
H. and the Circuit is to-day without three steward
'ut because the conference was unwilling TO sancio
iA' what seemed to be pandefing to political rath,
IN, than religious standing in making selection
oi As interpreted il was to secure majority
me political associates in the board of stewards, WI
III would vote for or ask the Conference to graz
the secession of the churches desired That su.
,r, a compounding Of politics with religion is detti
hu mental to the unity of the congregations mu
u" be apparent to every one, and if not suddenl
ine cut short will be direfu in it's results upon ii
10 finances and morals of the circuit.
his TIVE DATEEpoRT BROTHERS. These wepderf
lys performers will appear before our citizens {
of Friday and Saturday evening, at Institute IIa
pit Ihelr performances consist Of selies of spiri
ioa uQl manifestations, which has astonished Ii
- people wherever they have appeared. A Philt
ger delphia paper in speaking Of them, says: tia
The evening these mysterious performers appear,
or before a large and fashionable audience nj ii
re- Assembly buildings. The performance of Il
les Davenport Boys, although they have only be,
us, win us three days have almost set the peon
led wild with excitement. Those who go once a
nat sure to repeat their visit with The expectation
in. seeing some one who may be able to unravel Il
of great mystery Their performances consist of
res series OF spiritual maniiestations-the like
ou which have never before been witnessed n Phil
raj ueiph'h' 4he tho mellums are pound hand al
Use foot TO their Seats hSdoors of the cabinet close
of when all sorts of noises are heard and four
the five musical instruments play at Que time. vii
yet free bands it can scarcely be believed that tw
the men could perform on more than the same nun
lth her OF instruments at one time but to cap ii
n. climax, the hands of the mediums are filled wi
ing Hour still the music continues, and when Ii
eA young men step forth on the stage, the flour u
er- on examination, is still found tightly cutche
hat with closed fists, the same as when handed
au them, We understand that at the end of ii
nld present week the Davenport Boys will leave Il