Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-05-27


The consummation which was attained yes-
terday, in the successful dedication Of Scott NJ.
Il. Church was milestone in the history of
Methodism in this city, and the realization of an
event which has been earnestly prayed for by
the members of this church for many yeara Its
history has been, by no means, a continued sue
cession OF pleasant and gratifying events but ia
checkered throughout BY tedious DELAYS. ner-
picking troubles and, at times, it would seem.
almost inevitable and crushing defeat ONLY
stout hearts and willing hands, aided and an
oouraged by divine unction, would have applied
themselves so assiduously to the work amid its
disheartening and embarrassing opposition. and
the event OF yesterday only indicates and am
forces the vitality of Methodism and the spon-
taneity of all truly christian enterprises.
Like some Of the other churches OF Whining
ton, scott church grew out of a mission school
organized at 7th and Walnut streets, in the
building now owned by the colored people. Inv
Judge Hall, Henry McComb and Others. in the
Spring of 1851. The school prospered and in
the Spring of the following year was removed to
the basement of the public school at Sixth and
French streets-now the German church. In
the fall Of 1852 the erection Of a chapel on the
site OF the present church was begun and COM
pleted before the cloee of the season. This
school was called the Seventh Street Sabbath
Sehool, and prosperity continued to smile upon IT,
But it was not until 1854 that the church was
organized. In the Spring OF this year, fifteen
members from Asbury and Union feeling the
necessity for the establishment of a Methodist
church in that part of the city, and not from any
factious opposition to the churches of which
they had been members applied for and received
pastor and held church regularly in the chapel-
The pastor sent was Rev. Mr.. Hobbs, now in the
West - ''iS
In 1856 the chapel was enlarged and while
tnis was pelng done the congregation Worship
ped in the present German Church, at Fifth and
Walnut. Up to the beginning of the war, the
new church was unusually prosperous but in
response to the call for volunteers so many OF
it's members answered that it well nigh wrecked
the organization. And from this period dates
It's besetments and its trials-trials, which as we
have already said were very sore and disheart-
ening, and which we do not care to repeat here
but it has lived through them and beheld the
precious fruitage Of its constancy of purpose in
the erection OF the neat and cozy edifice which
was dedicated yesterday. 1t was in 81 that the
enlargement and construction Of the present
edlfce was begun, but its completion has been
drawn out over period extending almost down
to the present time.
l. And now word Of the building. 1t is built of
Drlck with Sabbath School on ground floor and
auditorium above. The Sabbath School room "a
45x6O feet with 10 feet ceiling Two small class
rooms and an infant school room are also on tbis
hoor The auditorium is 45x63 feet with "a It,
oellng, and is reached by two broad stairways
which lead from the lower hall to the yestibnle
above. The furniture is OF walnut and stained
ash and the wall from the floor to the windows
about four feet, is paneed, being grained to
represent maple. The windows, fifteen in num-
ber are OF the most beautiful ricbly-stainod
glass, making pleasant contrast with the dark
furniture and the richly carpeted floor. The
frescolng is executed in delicate neutral tnts
and the whole appearance of the room is very
gratifying to the vision. The seating capacity
OF the church is about 600. Since October 1861
worship has been held in the basement, but it
Will hereafter be held in the auditorium
The dedicatory exercises were conducted by
lev. James Neall, of the Philadelphia Confer
ence, hev, MIR. Ives having notified the pastor
heN. L. L. TOmpknsOn, at very late hour of
his inability to be present. The text was the
"a verse OF the SD Psalm - 1.-THE Lord loyeth
the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of
jacob. Defining the figure employed by the
rsalmst and promising that by the expression,
tne dwellings, OF Jacob, was meant the indvidu-
ais in Israel, he said that Gods love was indlca-
ted in the text not by contrast bnt by compare
SON. That He loves Jacob is evident from the
manner in which He addresses him. EMPLOYING
only the most endearing names-children, heirs,
not OF God only but of all He has created Jewels
and he declared that only father could COM
prehend Il. Then see the sympathy with which
he regards their interest Like as a father pity-
eth his son, so does God sympGthize with us in
al our troubles. Whatever our condition or cir
cumstances, His love is sufficient to find us ont.
il we but seek Him. Living evidences Of it are
recorded IN the bible. 1t is illustrated in the
destruction Of Pharoah and his army. the smi.
ting OF the mountain, the descent of mama from
heaven, the stopping of the mouths of lions and
the many other miracles which were wrought in
the days OF the patriarchs. But miracles are no
longer necessary in our day-God has 80 monld-
ed human consclences that the evidences Of His
love are grasped by faith; if they were he
shoulu expect to see the earth darkened by the
descent OF the heavenly mama and the perform
anee OF the other miracles Just as of old
But, great His love for the dwellings, NJ
Jacob, II Is said that He loves the gates of Zion
lnofe-how much we cannot tell-but the rea-
son why he loves we can. 1t is because the
church Ii an organization of spiritual men
brought out of the world and organized for do
ing good, and because it is the repository Of
COD = plan for the salvation of the world. The
Ola temple at Jerusalem with all it's beauty,
sTandeuT ana glory was only typical Of the more
glorious heritage of our day-a type transformed
INTO reality. God has furthermore placed All
power lu the church, and it is the co-operative
agency in converting humanity. The command
10 go preach my word" was not for one man
Dut ior an men II is universal duty. The
world ID the field and if we cannot follow with the
sickle we can CLEAN along after the reapers-if we
cannot lead IN prayer we can minister at the
bedside of the sick and point the soul to Jesus.
ihere Is room Tor every talent and God requires
that we shall use il, and not become as paralvzed
and dumb dogs that cannot bark. Again God
loNes the church because it is His instrument
Inc Application OF the sermon was that as God
ioyes us and has surrounded us with so many
temporal blessings and that as he loves tbe
church more, we should contribute Of our means
and influence to its sustentation and helm in tbe
liquidation of the debt which had been incnrred
IN the erection of the edifce which was dedicated
yesterday.
In the afternoon reunion service was held,
and others. FsS'O-'
The evening service was conducted by Rev,
jacob Todd, Of Grace Church. He preached in
his usual forcible and eloquent style from John,
VII NAANl-''If the Son shall make We free We
shall be free indeed. After the service the
formal dedication took place and the right 10
the Church was vested in the Trustees
debt of about $4,000 was resting upon the
church yesterday morning. or this sum sl6O0
WAS raised at the first service, 5000 in the after
13S} noon and $1,000 in the evening, leaving $500
still unproyided for.
nI,n l....I.-- AL.