Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-06-01
FIRST EDITION..
A VENERABLE CHURCH.
BODY RECOVERED.
A Horse for the Street Commissioner.
The Ex-Treasuler's Roo dsmen.
The Old sweaes' Church.
CELEBRATION OF ITS 18TH .NNIvRRsAHY IN
TEREsTING SERVICES.


opening OF the Old Swedes' Church, uhe oldest
house OF worship now used in the Uniled Statesl
preparations were made for an appropriate ceIe.
bration OF the Important event. For nearly two
centuries thls old landmark OF Christianity in
Amsica has withslood tho crumblinR effects Of
time and decay, aud stunds no a. It's old wal,a ns
staunch ns ever, living, tnduriug monument OF
the CONSCIENTIOUS Workmanship and religious de-
votion OF the early settlers aiong the Christiaua
aud the Delaware. The grounds and church ward
WALL however, are sadly in need OF attention and
repairs, and the Wardens awaited themselves OF
this anniversary occasion, TO ask of the Christian
pubiic small contributions which would enable
them 10 keep the historic old church and its sur.
Iouudings III state OF constant repair so that their
existence might be perpetuated Tor years to
come.
la the morning the usual Trinity Sunday SER
' ces were conducted by Rev DR. Frost, of Trinity
Chapel, assisted by Rev. Bishop Lee aud the Rec
tors OF the Old Church. Afterwards au infant was
baptized at the old font by DR.. Frost, and the
right or confirmation was administered to a youpe
man ana young woman by Bishop Lee
Or. Frost then mounted the little, high old pul-
PIT, ana announced that as an appropriate pail OF
the services he would deliver sermon which had
been preached from that very same spot over one
huhureo years ago, AD'il IL l714, (the manuscript
Of which mad come into his pussession) by one Of
the English missionaries who were in the habit
OF stopping here then and preaching to the English
and Swedish congregations. 1t discourscd upon
the following text:
That the aged men be sobsi, grave. temperate,
sound In faith, in charity, in PATIENCE" Titus ~
chapter I'd verse.
1he sermon appeared to be directed chiefly to
the old men, bur was practical la it's application
10 men OF all ages, aud 10 men Vt the present as
well as OF that far distant day.
The SERVICES closed with the Sacrament of the
Loids Suppsr, administered by Bishop Lee from
the Swedish Communion Plate presented to tho
Church In l7l5. over one hundred and fifty years
ago IL 10 quaint and curious in appearance, but
saone as brightly as when it originally came from
the makers hands. The congregation were dis
missed with the Doxology aud Benediclion.
la the afternoon at four o clock, the church was
again hlled with au interested and attentive con.
gregation. After the opening services DIR. Frost
arose and read a letter from Bishop Lee, in which
The writer regretted his inability to be present,
and expressed his hearty interest in The old
CHURCH. anu his desire Tor ITS perpetual presefva
ton.
DR.. Frost then made n brief address saving
| that ms Old church dated its existence back k
SIX generations amt day cOmme em0rated the
| NO anniversary OF its opening Ii Is the oil
dest building In the city, aud one of the oldest
| in the country, 1t is only exceeded in age by
| two churches within the bounds of the origi-
| nal thirteen states. but this edilice preserves
more OF ITS original features than either of the
other, Here Is the same old pulpit from which
the word OF God was preached one hundred
L
minister which was sent out by the Swedish
| King. Here is the original stand on which
| the Daptlsnal font stood. Here is the old
English Bible aud Prayer book combined,
| which has been in use over one hundred and
thirty years. Then the Swe,les held services
here in the morning and the English settlers
| in tho afternoon, both services being conduct
| ed by the learned Swedish clergymen.
The Doctor then referred to the need OF
| taking measures for the preservation of the
old church aud its surroundings, and announ
ced that addresses would be delivered by a
| committee OF the Historical Society of Della
ware who had been appointed for the purpose
of attending thus anniversary,
The first member OF the committee to speak
| was Rev, John Wilson, president of the ives
leyan Female College. Mr.. Wilson alluded
feelingiy 10 the tender associations connected
| with The time hOnOred structure which the OLD
settlers had erected In the primeyal forrest
long before the revolution. and forty years be
fore George Washington was borne. He allu-
ded to the Necessity Of keeping the church
aud surroundings In repair aud hoped the
public would would libery contribute to thi.
purpose.
Rev. Fielder Israel, pastor of The First Uni
iarlan Church, followed In an earnest appea
for the old Church. He believed that tn,
swedish cOl0nists who bame here fifty years
before the arrival Of William Penn were III,
founders of religious liberty nthis country and
/ uut tho ANohah SutuOhCS, u.
claimed. In the charter which Gustavu'
Adolphus gave 10 the colony whose descen
dants built this church, provision assuring
them religious liberty was contained
a This genera lion is in duty boand Il
preserve this last and greatest memorial of thu
| efforts of these good men, who have long sine,
passed to their reward. Aud this old church
together with Its hallowed surrounding O. shoul(
| be transmitted 10 future genera ions as a Sd
| cred relic to be preserved for ages yet 10 come
The Reverend gentleman closed with al
earnest appeal FOR pecuniary assistance.
The congregation were then dismissed will
the Dox0l0gy, and before leaving for thei
homes they wandered around the old gray,
yard, viewing the ancient tombs and indulg
ing IN the reflections naturely induced by tn,
i surroundings. About this time funeral cor
tege entered, and the remains OF an infan
were consigned to the grave. This was a SAT
conclusion of the holy rites of the church, il
the m orning the rites OF baptism and confr
nation We're administered, In the evening th
sad rites of the grave.
In the evening. at eight o. o'clock, vor,
! pleasant services were held. Rev. DR.. Eros
spok ke ana gave many interesting reminis
ceuces OF the old church. Ssy eral Swsdes
who we're present, also sung several hymn
in their native tongue.
During the day collections were taken al
for the benefit of the church, which wer
: quite liberal In their extont.
OUR COURT REPoRTs.-Court ahjonrnet
| Saturday afternoon, and to- day We publisl