Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-03-18
v.,ea.csery q. Asbury.
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TEARS.
Asbury church Was full to overfowing, Sunday
night, one hour before tho time for service
arrived. Hundreds failed to secure admission.
The services commenced at O'Clock. The
audience presented most imposing spectacle,
every available space being occupied either with
chairs or by persona standing.
Of Acts, .. al appropriate lesson, and delivered
. discourse consisting mainly Of . review Of the
past three years Of the Asbury Charge.
The speaker said:
We find the present 4 difficult time 70
preach. People are AAsemblc,hto look upon the
preacher for the last time. The speakers voice
will remind you Of many occasions, some pleas
ant some sad. The preacher himself III won
dering who his mex. people will be. His heart
ID sore with tho thought Of parting. He is half
ing how far he had done his duty confused by
the crowding recollections Of three years Yet
IL these feelings could be mastered, what
grand time to preach when we are gathered in
this relation for the last time, perhaps.
We have dreaded the hour-tred to get away
from 1t have thought Of DAVID and Jonathan.
and felt like saying with Ruth "Whither thou
dwellest will dwell" but our eye turns toward
Smyrna, and we sec an august Bishop with the
terrible years rule in his hand, and we must
loyalty submit. =,
We can talk appropriately, this evening, with
saying somewhat of ourssif We feel, however,
more like taking some inappropriate theme. for
We might then delude ourself into feeling this to
be the 14th Of March 1879. instead Of 1875. We
feel like Paul 1t Miletus, standing on the deck
Of the ship dropping out with the tide, gong to
Jerusalem not knowing what may befall him
there.
Allow ms to review the work Of the three years
and its results. We have preached about 500
sermons. Our gospel has been the old gospel
that shook the world in Wesley's days. We have
tried to give 1t plain illustrations, using for this
truth from any quarter, for all truth may be made
to serve Christs gospel. We have tried both in
sormons, lectures and protracted meetings to feel
our responsibilities and perform our work earn
estly. Pastoral visitsti0ns is almost out OF the
question in this great change, but we have sue
ceeded in paying about 1900 calls, making
them ~ religious ~ possible. The attention
to the sick and upon funerals las been large
share Of our work, our sick list frequently con.
tanning over 30 names and ut some seasons fun
erals were daily and often twice per day. Over
$50 children have been baptized, and the small.
er calls havo been numerous, sometimes to en-
barrasment. In the midst Of these labors the
pastors social life has had to be sacrificed to
duty, and pulpit preparation has sometimes
been impossible.
Among results may be mentioned the pastors
adult bible class, where about 80 persons have
assembled,to study the word Of God the Ladies'
and PASTORS christian union, which has done
most efficient service in visiting the sick, reliev
ing the poor, &c the chiIdren's religious meet
ing, in which 100 children have been instructed
by the pastor in person also q church temper
snce society, and . meeting for the promotion
OF the higher christian life-All of which have
been organized during the past three years.
During this time, $50 have been received into
tho church on profession OF faith, l4o have taken
certificate to distant places, 40 have gone to the
church above. The number now IN the church
il $780, besides 100 probationGrs. The house has
been improved at cost OF I'll, 200.
In our pulpit ministrations We have tried to
shake hands with Presbyterisns, Baptists, Epis-
frequent attendants upon our ministry. We are
grateful for the very many marks OF esteem OF
which We have been made the recipient They
shall constantly remind US OF the pleasant inter.
course OF the past three years. We thank God
especially for health to do the work Of this i'm
menso charge, imperfectly done, we
and union we have enjoyed. There has not
been a ripple upon tho water. We have attend
ed IL quarterly conferences and SO leaders meet
ings, and have not heard ore unkind word.
" How good and how pleasant for brethren to
dwell together in unity" Satan has scarcely
looked in upon us, or, il he has, he has found
the church no full or the singing 30 loud and
earnest, and the prayers so hot, that he did not
show himself
Our dear old Asbury has been like some grand
old organ, all the keys in tune, grave officials
furnishing the bass, general membership the
tenor, practitioners the alto, and the children
the soprano. We have not played 70 skiltully
III SOME could have done, but we have not been
without the music sometimes with all the stops
out and playing with both hands, both feet
knee swell ana pedal bass-a littl0 boisterous
to those who have been use to an Elian harp,
but all in place because offered from full
heart to the God who made the thunder.
Now We take our hands off the key board and
give up our seat to our successor. May God
bless him. whoever he may be, and may prosper.
ity ever attend the dear friend Of "Old Asbury.