Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-05-24
FIRST EDITION.
The 176th Anniversary.
tuR ANCIENT CHURCH THAT THE swHDEs BUILT
COMMEMORATIVE ExERCIsEs, YEsTERDAY.

| IuR ANCIENT CHURCH THAT THE swEDEs BUILT
COMMEMORATIVE ExERCIsEs, YESTERDAY.
The l76th anniversary of the dedication OF tn,
Old Swedes Church was commemorated, yester
day. In the morning communion service was
held, and an appropriate sermon preached by
Rev. Wm. Murphy, assistant rector of the par
ish, from Numbers, XIII, 23-" What has Go;
wrought9" The discourse was suited to the day
and gave general view OF what God had
wrought in this venerated edifce. The ancient
| silver communion service, presented through
the influence of Pastor Biorck, by the FahuI
Mining Co., of Sweden, in 17l8, was used for the
occasion.
| In the afternoon further interesting exercises
were held in the Sunday School, larger number
OF scholars being present than usual. Besides
the beautiful singing by the school and other
exercises those present were appropriately adj
dressed by Rev. DIR. Frost, Rector of the Parish,
and afterwards by Rev. DR.. Clemson, of Clay
mont. The children paid particular attention
to the recital OF the self-sacrice and devotion
OF their forefathers, century and threequar.
ters ago.
In the evening the main body of the church
was filled to its utmost capacity, and extra seats
had to be provided. while a number repaired to
the old-fashioned gallery. Rev. DR.. Frost led and
hev's. Murphy and Clamson participated in the
preliminary services of the occasion.
Rev. DIR. Clemson then announced his text
from the general epistle OF Jude, 20-21: "But
ye beloved, building up yourselves on your most
holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost; keep
yourselves in the love of God, looking for the
mercy OF our LORD Jesus Christ unto eternal
lfe." The Doctor said he had the double duty
to perform OF fulfilling his obligation to Christi
anity, and of properly representing the 176th
anniversary OF this place of worship. His own
forefathers worshipped in this temple, the erec-
zion Of which was started III years ago. He
faith aud belief of the founders Of
that church in the Holy Trinity,
their faith being shown in the name Of "I rini-
ty, with which the church chrstened and
which name 1t yet bears. The Trinity, he said
was the foundation Of true Christianity. He
spoke OF the three persons in the Trinity sepa-
rate and yet indiyisibe. God the Creator /;
Christ the Redeemer and the Holy Ghost the
Sanctifier, all forming the basis of true religion,
and without which 1T would totter and fall. He
then explained why the doctrine of the Trinity,
which il incomprehensible WAS not repugnant to
our senses. The mystery of the Trinity comes
under the character of faith, and lucid expla
nation was given Of the difference between faith
and reason. We know of the union OF the soul
with the body, but Of the manner of that union
we know not
If God be but one, then child could compre-
hend all, and the exercise Of faith would not be
required Trinity means "three "-ope-desig-
mated by incomprehensibility. The three are
spoken of az separate and distinct ard though
spoken of all through the sacred scriptures, 1t is
not, for wise reasons, explained
Bishop Lee, at the close OF DR.. Clemson 8 dis
course, came forward and feelingly referred to
the committee of men, women and coildren, who
1T years ago stood upon this spot and showed
that they we're God serving people, when they
resolved to erect such a temple as this in that
day when there were but few houses, and no
roads, and when the settlers had to come from
great distance OH foot, on horseback,
and in boats, to this place OF
worship. Their zeal and piety was shown by
the erection of building far exceeding in value
and stability, the most costly dwellings, of the
most wealthy settlers. The Bishop then referred
to the NEGLECTED state of the cemetery, and
hoped that the descendants of the illustrious
dead entombed there would feel it to be their
duty to come forward and repair the grounds 80
that they would be credit to the city and an
honor to the dead.