The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-09
BOEHN'S CENTENNIAL.
Affecting Birthday Scene and PreSenta'
ton 10 a Minister.
The Oldest Clergyman in
the Country.
RECOLLECTIONS OF A CENTURY,
An Affectlonate Greeting with
President Grants Mother.

One hundred years ago Henry Boehm, the Oldest
clergyman or any denomination In the world, first
saw the li9 hit in Lancaster county Pennsylvania.
His centennial was celebrated yesterday IL the
Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, Jersey CITY,
in a manner that will not be soon forgotten. ms
venerable man was one OF the pioneers OF the
Methodist movement In the United States, and
was a most valuable auxiliary TO Bishop AsDury az
tne close OF the last century. e-size portrait
OF Mr.. Boehm hung in front of the pulpit At ten
O'Clock the churcn crowded. The exercises
were opened by hymn written Tor the occasion
by the Rev. Thomas H. smith. The audi.
cnce then sung the hymn, "Ihe rock
on which our church is built" and before the
singing was concluded the venerable clergyman
accom- panied by his physician, Dr. Hadden, entered
the cnurch and took seat behind tue pulpit. he
appeared to be remarkably vigorous ana happy
as he gazed upon the multitude. When ne nrst
sat down he was moved TO tears; but as the
clergymen who sat near him snowered attentions
upon him he assumed childish attitude, and II
was only at intervals that lie seemed to realize
tn force OF the remarks concerning him. brlel
consultation took place between his friends on
the question OF his reclting hts experience, ana
he closed the controversy by arising and speaking
as follows 81 rejoice 10 meet you my brethren
In the Lord, and that am permitted 10 see the
wonderful progress or the Gospel Of Christ In the
land. There was no town here in 1902 wnen l
passed through There were no houses but the
ferry house, thinS. Blessed be Coo for HIS won
derfu WORK throughout the land. / cannot say
l much but / commit the rest to my venerable
brother Atklnson."
Rev. Mr.. Atkinson opened his address by con-
graduating the aged clergyman on his centennial
anniversary and announcing that the mother OF
The conqueror OF the rebellion and President oil
the United states. Mrs. Grant, was present. This
announcement greeted with loud applause.
Mr.. Boehm at this point hung his head, and was
so Affected that the proceedings were suspended
for few minutes. Rev. Mr.. Atkinson then pro-
ceeded 10 read the narrative OF Mr.. Boenm's life,
as dictated by himself After stating that Father
Boehm was oorn IN lancaster IA, 1une issTa
with my own eyes the many changes IN
s suS we're bus tnrteee states IA tas country
witnessed the system OF slavery and rejoice that
have lived 20 see IL wiped out from the Iand.
knew the time when there were no steamers or
locomotives. | cave travelled over 100000 miles
on horseo and have seen the increase OF cities
from small towns. When was young man New
YORK city only extended to Canal street ana
Brooklyn was only small town with few houses.
was born nine years before me nrst Metno1is.
, chnrcn was built. At the time l commenced
TO preach there were but nin.teen Iravel-
ling preachers and but lew commo1itus
CHURCHES. Our meetings were ned IN houses and
barns then and have had stones hurled ~ me
while preacnin0. The time occupied IN trave ling
with Bishop Asbury was the most important OF my
lie, az was the representative OF the Chnren
crossed the ALE many Mountains many times In
tnirty-six hours, but nave since done IL IN al ex-
press train In much less space o. u visited
tue state OF indiana, and went tntrtS-hve mica
into the interior and only the faces OF six nu-
man beings ! hope 70 see union oil the Metnoulss
Church, North and South. TINS desire leaps strong
and warm IN my heart. which still beats for the
welfare OF the Church In when nave
saw the drst steamship al Elizabeth, n ]. It
was then saw Tor the first time the noble HUDSON.
1t would be impossible 70 recount the many scenes
OF the Cnurcn out Tor none did bear the anecton
ops horse run away, anu was very much lrignt.
ened ana darea not rua 70 MN WIN my norse ,oI
and prayed most earnestly, when MS morse
Rev. De- Porter then presented Mr.. Boehm with
an envelope containing $780, Of which sum the
Philadelphia Conference contributed $3.50. Pc9-
and stared tnst Mr.. Boehm desired, ln.case he did
not need the money, tnat i should he applied 70
Rev. Dir. Todd, OF rne Philadelphia Conference,
delivered a most interesting address, IN whIih he
made toe point that nineteen men living 10 tne
age OF Mr. Boehm would bring US back 10 the blrih
OF Cnrst. he also stated that the century tnrouGn
important the world ever saw steam. the PRINT.
ing press aud telegrapny we're all crowded lnto
REV. DR.. Bartine, an aged gentleman, tnen
cenoed tne pulpit ana created some merriment %
statlnG that he was one OF Mr.. Boenm's Oois. he
baptized by him. he Rlorled thar he was
Methodist still he could never fogget tue camp
nd, fdtherly Rrestlng ne received rom Mr.
Boehm. Through tnat graJd ola man ne was con.
verted and lndaced 10 devote himself TO ChrlI
and the Gospel he denounced the ouscry Tor In.
provement IN the Cnufcu. There could DC no I'm.
neat On purs Is s ,Pe old man
VINO was present and VINO must soon pass away.
The speaker concluded an eloquent address "a
bark Is sailing into port; l. Will soon drop 10
anchor FOR 40 eternal rest Ihe olJ pilgrim TODAY
rests upon hls stan; holy twill nt owe shadows
INN. only little while longer and the glorious
WORK Will os ended. lie wiz then stand upon tns
hils Of zion 10 declare before mis- CHRIST 81 nave
fought the good ngat; have kept the iatth ms
audience, the speaker and Mr. Boenm were 10 az
fected at TINS posat that tue iean0er OF the sen.
tence was lost and the speaker left the pulpit
1t was tnsn announced that In consequence Of
Mr. Boehm's weak condition ms physician, Or.
Hadden, recommended tnat ne DC showed 10 pass
cut witnoat being subjected 70 the custsmay
..tnere Is one person present whom 'Fnther'
Boeam desltes 70 greet, ana tnat y the mother Q!
tals point there was a movement among the
audience, aud for while the proceedings were
suspended. Mrs. Grant, low-sized, pleasant
looking lady, gttred In olacg, her gray cuss form.
Ing - strong contrast 20 ner mourning costume,
arose and sno meeting between her anu sns
patriarch OF Methodlsm was most affecting.
The exercises were concluded BY the singing o.
the occasIoni--
htsrnal ever present Lord,
We INT our grateful hearts to Thee
In praise Tor wnat ears have heard
And what our eyes this momoat soc.
ais BY Thy proviIenus care
Is vita u in nv house o. PRAYER
and celebrates his huadreith Year.
As Thou Israels tents OF old
Did'st bid The cloudy pillar shine,
To US, Inv chosen, now untold
lis light ami MAJESTY divine
And "a we cave this halloved place
INV benedction lmplore.
10 aim, our lre, grant Ihy grace
AMI keep US ali forever mOrel
We may not meet again now.
Eut when icw more days nave pak3ea
In Time own Kingdom may we bow
Aud each receive crown az las
Mr.. Boehm then r4lsed MS hands and pro-
nounced the bene 1lctlOn. THIS was the most
alectlng scene Of the exercises, aiter which the
audience slowly dispel sed.
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIA
TON.