Middletown transcript., 1874-05-16
Local and State Affairs.
! Laal.., Tsmp...ns. A.ses..tlen.
[Copsn uuieatsd,

.g.1 [Conmuaieatsd.]
The last regular meeting or the Ladies' Temper
ance Association was but the outgrowth and ex-
pausiou Of those that preceded il. The ever
increasing interest and ever widening influence
are too marked TO need comment
On Saturday evening was held the children's
Temperance meeting; and its success was far
beyond the most sanguine expectations Of its
friends. Although an unfavorobls evening for
the attendance Of adults, the church was well
filed, and great interest was manifested. Such
was the power and enthusiasm that possessed
the volunteer choir that, without books, and al
most without rehssrssl, the "Old 0aken Bucket
and other songs wsss rendered with spirit that
left no doubt Of sympathy with the inspiring
scnsiment. Rev. Mr.. Preityman and others
spoke briefly and pointedly upon the sub
ject Of temperance. Although the pledges had
been universally circulated throughout the town,
yet afty-twc names were added 10 the list.
This meeting, considered a. . great success
was but ripple before the sweeping wave Of
eloauence and incisivs argument that followed
on Sunday evening at the NJ, 3. church, when
the Rev. DR.. Matlack, 10 response TO respectful
request of the Ladies' Temperance Association to
the clergymcn Of Middletown, delivered a dis
course, to q rapt audience that filled the church
and crowded its galleries, from the text, Matt.
fii., 10, "And nsw, also, the axe 10 laid unto
the root Of the trees
Here is stated the Christ plan of treating
the great evils of society they are to be hswn
down, root and branch. The American rum
tree demands our sturdiest blows with the axe Of
Truth. Intemperance is a deep-rooted system
with centre of sustenance in almost every social,
civil and religious organization. II is proposed
to root il out Of Middlatowa. The ladies ask
help ofthe clergymen. This should be the mis-
sion OF all Christian men and women and good
citizens. The total abstinence pledge, or agree
ment, aims at the uprootng of the rum tree
through all our grounds. These grounds en-
brace our personal habits, social customs, bus-
ness pursuits, rsai estate Investments, elective
franchise, church organizations, ministerial
sphere of duty. II is rooted in the appetite for
stimulant, almost universal social custom of
friendly wine drinking; greedness for gain,
which pampers the vilest passions, for pay !;
avhrice, which induces prefessed Christians to
Political demagogues, of both parties, buy up
rum sellers to accomplish their ends, including
sometimes church members. 1t is rooted in that
pulpit whose preacher is silent in this. matter ;
as says Isaiah, "A dumb dog that cannot bark !
1T is rooted, grounded and fenced in by that
clergyman who gives Bible sanction and perso-
nal example in favor of wine bibbing Who
uch Nil dr;n ,lo al.
Saviour a wine bibher, manufacturer of lntox-
icating wine in Galiee, and thereby yiolator
of his own law, is traitor TO truth and slam
derer of Christi
The preacher dwelt pcintedly in tie Bible
teaching in Gods own language; ellara, terizng
the effect of wine and strong drink as raging
mockng, poisoning, biting, singing, damning.
Mere persuasiyes are but tin knives pew ter
shovels. The grubbing hoe and broad axe of
ecclesiastical law are needed, that proper dsc-
pline may be enforced and a correct public SEN
timent established. This will be laying the axe
at the root of the American rum tree This
alone will be effective. Cut it down, root and
branch, and cast it into the fire. Let all the
people say-Ameu "
This is but the skeleton of the sermon, utterly
stripped OF all that vital pulsation the warmth
and glow of color, that gave il power and vigor.
DR.. Crowell Of Odessa, will preach upon the
same subject tomorrow evening at the Presby-
terian church. All persons interested are most
cordially invited.
Church Organization.
On Tuesday, May 18th, Presby teriaa church
was organized in Kent county, Md. by a COM
mission from the Presbytery of New Castle. Al
the appointed tine DR.. John Crowell, of Odessa
the chairman of the commission, preached SER
mon from Is. xvi, 6. "The lines are fallen unto
me in pleasant places: yea have gocdly heri
tags." At the close of the sermon Rev. E. W
Gaylord, of the Westminster church, read the Con
fession of Faith and Covenant to the candidates
for membership Of the new church, which being as
sented to- the chairman then declared the +" Ken
nedyvile Plesby ytsrian Church constituted
DR.. VIM. Maxweil and Mr.. Robert Stewar
were then elected elders and Mr.. Stewar
ordained.
The new church starts out with twenty-tw,
members and more are expected at its first com
munion. A Sabbath School was organized il
May which now numbers twenty-seyen, of which
Mr.. Stewart is superintendent.
A movement has been started towards buildin,
a church for the new organization, and 1885,
have been subscribed by the citizens of Kennedy
willie and vicinity. The young church may b.
congratulated on the good prospects with whcl
it begins life. 4
I'VE take great pleasnre, always, to give "credi
10 whom credit is dus.' We learn that th
community of Kenpedyyills is indebted to th
instrumentality Of the Rev. E. W. Gaylord
pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Churcl
at Georgetown, Md. who has been preaching
there for the past year very acceptably, and hi
labors have been blessed in the organization 0
this new field of labor.
Delegate to the General Assembly.
Rev Dr. Patton, pastor Of the Presbyterian
Church in this town, left home last Tuesday t.
attend the meeting of the General Assembly 0
49, prarhv ter;an Church to he held in st Louis