Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-10-27
CORRESPONDS



VISIT TO srrnxr. sMxrr1xo ROUSE" m SUSSEX
"a COUNTY. I'm
FEDnnA1asuaa, Md, Oct. II, 1870.
Ihave recently visited this anclent temple,
erected by the Msthodists Of North West Fork
hundred, in Sussex county,nearly century ago
It's traditions, which learned In my boyhood tell
that the contemporaries Of Asbpry, the Browns,
Dsyisss Twinords and Others erected here
injecting house, and within It's walls listened toH
the words of life from the lips Of the earnest
and valiant men of that day, even before the
floor was laid upon its sleepers.
L The people Of this neighborhood are excellent
citizens and would be d valuable acquisition to
any community. - Originally composed of Ger
man Lutherans Quakers and Episcopalians, they
have long since harrnonized their minor differ
ences Of opinion and have boon cohtent to wor-
ship God inone common temple. The evils that
have afflicted other communities, growing out OF
causes to which it is not necessary here to allude
seem to have been comparatively unknown and
unfelt in this region. The lapse Of time and the
march of intelligence have brought with them
many changes which are apparent in improved
manners, modes ofhusbandry, dress and CONVEX
sation of the people. ,-.-1
The shrill whistle OF the iron horse, and the
heavy tread OF rushing trains, now brake the
echoes of the slumbering forests, quickening the
| ideas and movements Of the people, and ushering
| in the day Of new and some respects better
civilization.
| Twas present yesterday alta quarterly meeting
held at Bethel when her sons and daughters
were gathered from far and near until house and
galleries were filed to Overlooking, and her an
Gent walls made vocal with the notes Of prayer
and praise. Much attention had been paid to
vocal music, and the whole congregation appear
| ed to swell the volume of sound led by Mr.. j. NJ
| A. Davis, whose reputation as vocalist is well
known. Looking over that vast audience. we
missed not only the faces Of our fathers long
since passed. but we missed, too, also, the faces
of many of our cotemporaries.
| MANY of them persisted in the morning of life,
in their youth aud beauty. Peace to their ashes
| 1t were pleasant to lnger amid these scenes, and
recall the events of our boyhood, coniure up
| from the dead the joyous faces and ringing
| laughter of youthful companions, who played
with us under the shadows or these venerable
oaks, but we must leave them to their long re-
| pose: Requiescat in pace. But antiquarians have
an eye and heart to the present as well as the
past, and we must chronicle the pleasant fact
| that the congregations at Bethel are even more
celebrated now than formerly, for the beauty Of
its fair worshipers, and the manly and polite att
| tentions of its male members. Let them not
forget the sterling, though homely virtues and
manhood OF their ancestors. So shall they con-
tinue from age to age, a community distinguish
ed for hospitality, uprightness, and manly bear
ing among the children of men.
Tine venerable old house, like its children,
has lately put OH an improved appearance, the
ancient red mas given place 10 the mouern Drown
and what with yenitian shutters, raised pulpit,
carpeted floors, sofa. ETC., etc. it presents quite
a youthful appearance.
We listened to an able Sermon feelingly pro-
nounced by DR.. T. j. Thompson, who is chris
tan and gentleman and an honor to the county
and State that gave him berth, the vast congre-
cation preserving proper decorum the while.
We were told that the Sons and Daughters of
this time honored edifce would in little while
assemble to celebrate its centennial anniversary
hall as,,Ix
interesting occasion.
Long may it continue a temple Of worship Of
the true God, and may her Sons in every quarter
of our broad land, whether they have wandered
forget no. the lessons they have learned within
her walls.
| A SrynI