Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-12-07

ADDRESSES, &u.
The twentieth anniversary of the founding OF
the Central Presbyterian Church was celebrated,
last evening, in the church eiifce III King St.,
below Sth. The audi nee room was well filled
with the present and former members OF the
church and their friends, and the social reunion
OF the elements thus scattered became the fit
ting occasion OF q revival OF old recoliectionh
and Friendships. Many of the sons and daughters
OF the church from West and elsewhere were
present, as were also the parents from the time
honored structure further down the street.
The decorations were few, ,and simple, but beau
tifully suggestive. The pulpit had been re-
moved, and il its place arose a beautiful pyra-
mid Of plants and flowers. Other emblems of
the freshness and fragrance of old memories
were conspicnously displayed in. suitable places,
shedding an additional lustre over the scene.
Above ths central flora decoration arose mem
oral arch with the inscription Mot unto us
but unto thy name give glory" At the bases OF
the arch were memorial wreaths Of immortellee
| To Mrs. Latmer, the pious lady who was one Of
| the main instigators OF the church enterprise,
and to Mrs Wl7well, the wife Of the first pastor
These Wrcathes very appropriately icroNned q
| golden anchor and golden crosA, -usggestiye of
| tho faith and hope of tie church.
| The exercises were opened at T. 80 BY prayer
| by Rev. Gaylord l., More, after which an an
| them was sung by the choir, when DIR. Bush
| proceeded to state tho obiec5 OF the reunion
and read list of the former Lastors to
| whom Invitations had been sent The Dr. also
read letters of regret from Rev ChaA. d. Shaw,
Paterson, n. j., Roy. James i. Pinch, Orient,
| Long Island Rev, Vi. II. Cobb, CLetonvlle
| Mass. and Jordon W. Warner.
| Rev. q, f. Miswell, y, j wa4.inr1duced to
make the historical address. He said that the
! biography OF the church Was short, as the best
| part OF It's history waa net wlitten and did not
| strike the eye but it lived III tle hearts of men
Great investments, which created deep inter
| est, had been made III the church; and as for
| himself during tho eleven years of hitfpastorate
| he had made probably larger Investment than
| he could elsewhere BY reason Of the passing
away OF that period OF Lie lfa--a IN Investment Of
time hard work and sympathy.
| The church was organized on December 9Th,
| 1900, under influences which MIR. Niswell thought
weru clearer eyidenres OF G9d- planning than
| most aay other cAulch lie knew Oh. lie thought
| When he fist came, and still thinks, that 1t was
| organized at the right time lie spoke of the
manner OF his first coming a. the first pastor OF
| the church~-of Ills decluat.on TO I'LL the pulpit
| except upon formal cal, which was not TO be
| binding upon either Limself or the church
II thty ga not like each other,
and said 10 iistt landed in viii.
mngton on Christmas day 1855 The church
| was then established in the little church now
standing at OH & Walnut rhis was an old
| Presbyterian church. originally occupied by Han.
over church but not built Ly it. After it was
vacated by the Hanover Society, the Second
| Baptista purchased it, and 1t was still in their
| possession when Central church WAS organized
| Ihe Second Baptsts had then moved INTO their
| new edtico at 4.h and French, ard il was
through this vacancy tltat Central was enabled to
| occupy the building . he building IL now occu-
| pied by the tt9Iinan Reformed $. .ciety.-- REp
| CoMMtnCIAI.
| Mr. Wlswe.i did not recJllect tie number Of
| the members when le first cime to the church,
| but at tic first ceIumaniun enuuuh were leceiy.
| ed to make tho @hclo number ~. Onthe 18th
1 OF june, ls2j tho corner stone Of the present
| church was land, DR.. Thomas Brsiuard ard Rev.
| Mr.. Pollock, Of Hanover as-istinp ~ sthe cere-
monies. In the Fall OF 1857 most disressfu
| financial revolution took place, but notwit-
| standing the numerous failures, the work did
| not stop, and on the 18th of february following
| the society moved into the lecture room, which
| Mr.. Wlswell imagined in his joy could hold
| three thousand people. His asl sermon before
| leaving the old church was from the text ''If
| thou 20 not up with u, lead lis not hence" A
reviYal followed and so or 90 were added to the
| church.
In the Fall of IS another revival broke out
which was one of the most spurious MIR. Wawell
/ ever knew of, but the Central Church seemed
snRnarly freed from this influence and the 50
| or W conversions made by it remained stead
| fast. In 1853 thirty more persons were brought
| IN, and in GU about as many more. In 81 there
| was no special revival but some members were
| received al each communion. In 62 most TO-
| freshmg revival broke out, beginning with an
| appointed meeting at which Mr. Wiswell did
l'NSb
met him. Tie revival went on till late in the
| sinng, and was one Of the best ever held. In
| March, 1868 succeeding the communion, sea-
son Of revival prevailed, which, while not mark
| ed BY any special power, was good In 1S6i
| when II was thought impossible to do any good
| work. the March communion waa postponed to
| ApTll, aud about GU persons we're converted. In
| % nothing was done, but in &C the revival
| covered almost the whole year, and 81 were re-
eelved INTO the church. In 81 something like
| II persons We're admitted making nine special
Seasons in the eleven years of Sir. Wiswells
| pastorate. During these years he said tile
| most perfect harmony prevailed, the greatest
| affection was lavehed upon him. and lis pas.
| 1oIal connection waH one series of delights
| II. I. Taylor followed in wel-writIen poem
reclting many personal recollections and recall
| ing many incidents in connection with the hia-
| tory of the church.
remarking his connection with Central church
| when boy and explaining how it had spiritual
| lied him, and enabled him to build up his church
| at Phlladelphia starting with membership OF
| only four persons.
| Rev. H. Marks, of Hanover church. addressed
| the audience on the changes, both civil and re-
| igous, which have taken place within the his
| tory OF Central church, remarking some of the
| grand mechanical achievements OF that period
| He also spoke of church life and influence and
urged q careful writing and preservation of the
| church history.
| Roy. j. NJ. 7, OTIS, Of West, was detained by
| sickness and his address was omitted Rev. DR.
| Wlswell. however arose at this point aud said
that during the eleven years OF lis connection
with lie church, 33G persons had been admitted
| on profession of faith, OF these only were
| over 50 years Of age, u over 40 Sc over So
| While under 80 there were 23G This he regarded
az conclusive eyidfnc Of the period in life when
the heart il most susceptible to religious inhu-
ences. Tho addresses were nterspersed with
| by tho music choir.
| When the addresses had been concluded
those present repaired to the church parlor, and
there season Of social commngling followed
an abundance OF refreshments being provided.
| LEFT FOR PARTS observation-disclosures IL. Kemp
| States Attorney elect for Caroline county, Md
now that his name has been stricken from tho
roll Of practicng attorneys, has left the county,
| to take up his residence elsewhere. Whittier he
has gone is not known but soma say he is in
Nevada, and others III Florida, while one report
places him in Canada. His family are still at
| his home near Denton, but they are expected to
follow him as soon az he locates.