Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-10-09

On Sunday week Rev.lpr McCape ciosea ms
aborers as the Rector of'thc Parish Of st.
Anne's Church Middletown. In the morn
ing the Doctor preached from the text as an
nounced the day before, Give an account
of thy Stewardship, for thou mayest no lon
ger be Steward. The Reverend speaker
confined his remarks to a general application
Of the text. advising his hearers that the
words were warning TO all that they would
be called upon at the great day OF final reck
oning to give strict account OF the manner
in which they had spent their lives, and used
the various talents committed TO their
charge, whether of mind, influence, wealth
or time. At the close OF his sermon he ex-
tended to all present an invitation TO attend
the services Of the evening, when he would
endeavor to present to them an account OF
his Stewardship as Rector Of st. Anne's.
Out of respect to DR.. McCabe and the con-
gregation Of st. Anne's, the Methodist
church was closed in the evening, and the
service at the Presbyterian church was held
at an early hour, and made much shorter
than usual that those congregations might
have an opportunity to listen to the farewell
sermon of the retiring clergyman.
At an early hour, long previous to the
ringing Of the first bell, people began to pour
into the church and before the hour OF SER
vice arrived every seat was taken. Benches
and chairs were then procured, oil Of which
were speedily occupied, and the entire
church was filled to its utmost capacity.
The evening service having been perform
ed the Doctor read in u clear, firm voice, the
text, as previously announced Finally,
brethren, farewell ! BE perfect, be of good
tho God of love and peace will be with you
n n
of his text, the speaker, in fulhlment Of his
promise Of the morning, proceeded to give
an account of his labors as Rector Of st.
Anne's.
He then returned his thanks to the mem
bers ofthat congregation, and to the people
Of Middletown and vicinity generally, tor the
many kindness that he had received at their
hands and for the respect and courtesy with
which he had been treated. He referred to
the long Spell of serious illness with which
he was afflicted two years ago, and to the al
most uniform sympathy he received during
that time Of suffering, from the people
among whom he lived. He spoke with some
feeling Of a few persons he said began cru
SADIE of petty annoyments against him soon
after his arrival in Middletown. for these
he said he entertained no unkind feelings
though he could not forget their treatment.
He begged these particularly to receive and
treat his successor in different manner, and
advised the congregation to uphold tho
hands Of their pastor ut all times and to
work in harmony together for the up-build-
| ing of the church.
The Doctors tribute of farewell in Old
st. Anne's Church and Cemetery was most
beautiful and touching
But must say, finally farewell to Old
ST. Anne's. Farewell, then aged, mute wit
ness OF my ministry among this people J.
Farewell, We once well-worn, but now grass
grown, pathways to the Old Church porch |!
4 In storm and in sunshine | have trod your
walks with those with whom shall never
tread them again! Farewell, We quiet
graves, ye marble memorials, ye shrines
| where sleep so calmly and so dreamessly
the dead of other years; ye mounds where
moulder many "heart once pregnant with
celestial fire." green graves which have been
| dug since Lcame among this people, and
over which love has wept its unavailing
tears, and devotion has held its untiring vigil;
| Old Churchyard, whose bosom has been
opened SO often to pillow so many Of earth 5
tired and wearied children, in their long, last,
untroubled sleep; old, noble and majestic
| trees, around whose trunks and branches
have played the lightnings and broke the
thunders OF more than hundred years. Old
| St. Anne's, at whose walls stand silent wit
| nesses to the march of eventful time whose
asles have been trod by so many Of those
who lie now so calmly slumbering in thy shad
ows; within whose courts have been uttered
the lofty and sublime ritual, which, repeated
| by apostles, martyrs and confessors, fol
more than q thousand years;has borne up on
F., the wingsof' prayer and praise the deyotioDs
Of 80 many, whose lips are now so cold,
and whose hearts have beat themselves to
rest-Old St. Anne's, FINALLY, FAREWELL!
Oh, ~ scenes forever dear,
Memory shall Shrine you with her warmesi
tear:
Dropping shull bend ser peusive Fancy
TO trace the hour which never can return.
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