Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-11-25
Smyrna.
THE NJ. E. oHURoH-ITs RECoNsTRUcTIoN AND DIED.
EgATIoN.
Especial Correspondence of the Commerclall
gntvnIA Nov 05th 1870

THE NJ E. ouURoH-TTs RECoNsTRUcTIoN AND DED-
EgATIoN
Especial Correspondence Of the CommerclaLl
SMYRNA, Nov. 25th, 1872.
The reimproyed and enlarged Methodist Epis-
copal Church, in this town was dedicated to the
service of Almighty God, yesterday. 1t is the
third building which that denomination has
erected here. The first was completed in 1856,
having been begun in the previous year. 1t was
thirty feet square, and cost 200e.
This was succeeded in 1845 by.a brick edifce
which was regarded as very commodious and
| neat building the dimensions being 43x57 feet.
For several years past, the house OF 1845 was
found too small for the accommodation Of the
large and intelligent audience that worshipped
around its alters and at last, through the en-
ergy and enterprise of the Methodist population,
headed by their tireless Pastors, ReYs. A. Rtten-
house and ]. f. Olymer, the present house was
projected and carried forward almost to compile
tion.
The present building is an enlargement OF the
house of 1645, its improvements consisting of
an addition of 1sft to the length, making the
dimensions about 43x76 feet beautifully fres-
coed walls, stained glass windows, a tower 1856
feet high, in which is deep toned bell Of 1900
pounds, The whole improvements costing over
$4,000.
The day for the dedication was fine. Early
| in the morning the throng began to assemble,
| and by the time of service the auditorium and
| galleries were we'll filed with an appreoiative
hudlenCe III tu6 pulplut WHICH lS gem OF
beauty, were Reys. Bishop Foster, r. L. Dashel
| D. d. and the Pastor Geo. A. Phorbus, while j.
Thompson D. d. of Smyrna and +. NJ. Chatham
of Kent, Md. occupied seats in the chapcel.
Miss Sturgis presided at the Organ The ex-
| ercises were opened by chanting the Lords
Prayer, after which a handsome Bible and
Hymn Book were presented by the Sunday
| School.
Bishop Foster preached, announcing as his
| text Isaiah IXth,6. The sermon was thriliDgly
grand iand highly affecting. At its close DIR.
| Dashiell undertook what we all considered the
| hercuean task of raising $4,000, the sum needed
| to paw off the indebtedness of the church. The
result of the morning effort was the pledging of
| S5 300 In the afternoon the Sunday School sub
| scribed 300, leaving balance of $4,000 to be
| raised at the night service.
DIR. Dashel having suffered from chill,
| Bishop Foster consented to preach at night His
| text was John, III chapter, 2y. The sermon
| exceeded that of the morning, and was listened
| to with wrapt attention 1t will rest upon us for
| a long time to come. At the conclusion of the
evening sermon, DIR. Dashiell appeared again,
and by his inimitable skill and tact, succeeded in
| raising the balance of the debt after which II g
| house was presented for dedication by John Ii.
/ Bewley, Esq, in behalf of the Board Of Trustees,
| aud solemnly consecrated by Bishop Foster.
| Thus has been consecrated to the service Of Al
mighty God, the finest, most elegantly furnished
| and tasteful church on the Peninsula, south of
| Wilmington. May Gods blessing rest upon the
| people Of Smyrna. +.