Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-03-15
FOURTH EDITION.
vaIedictory at Asbury.

REV. hfR. sTUBBs FAREwELL-AN IMMENSE CON-
GREaATIoN-REvIEw OF THE WORK OF THREE
YEARS.
Asbury church was full to overlooking, last
night one hour before the time for service
arrived. Hundreds failed to secure admission.
The services commenced at 7 o'clock. The
audience presented most imposing spectacle,
every available space being occupied either with
chairs or by persons standing.
The preacher read portions of the 10th chapter
Of Acts as all appropriate lesson, and delivered
a discourse consisting mainly Of a review of the
past three years of tho Asbury charge
The speaker said
preach. People are assembled to 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 is won
dering who his next people will be. His heart
is sore with the thought of parting. He is half
quarrelling with the itnerant system, question:
ing how far he had done his duty ; confused by
the crowding recollections of three years. Yet
il these feelings could be mastered, what a
grand time to preach when we are gathered in
this relation for the last time, perhaps.
We have dreaded the hour-tried to get away
from it have thought of David and Jonathan,
and felt like saying with Ruth "Whither thou
dwellest will dwell;'' but our eve turns toward
Smyrna, and we see an august Bishop with the
terrible 3 years rule in his hand, and we must
Loyalty submit
We can talk appropriately, this evening, with
saving somewhat of ourself. We feel however,
more like taking some inappropriate theme, for
we might then delude ourseif into feeling this to
be the 14th of March 1879, instead of 1875. We
feel like Paul at Miletus, standing on the deck
of the ship dropping out with the tide, gong to
Jerusalem not knowing what may befall him
there.
Allow us to review the work of the three years
and its results. We have preached about 800
sermons. Our gospel has been the old gospel
Al. NJ 1..x.a
tried to give it plain illustrations using for this
truth from any quarter, for all truth may be made
to serve Chrlsts gospel. We have tried both in
sermons, lectures and protracted meetings to feel
our responsibilities and perform our work earn
estly Pastoral visitations is almost out OF the
question in this great change, but we have sue
ceeded in paying about 1000 calls, making
them as religious as possible. The attention
to the sick and upon funerals has been large
share of our work, our sick list frequently con-
tanning over 80 names and at 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-
barrasmeut. In the midst of these labors tie
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 so 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 chi,dren's religious meet
ing, IN which 100 children have been instructed
by the pastor in person ; also church temper
ance 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
the church on profession of faith, 140 have taken
certificate to distant places, 40 have gone to the
church above The number now in the church
is $50, besides 100 probationers. The house has
been improved at cost of s11, 200.
In our pulpit ministrations we have tried to
shake hands with Presbyterians, Baptists, Epis-
copalians and Friends, many of whom have been
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
mense charge, imperfectly done, we
we'll know, and for the peace
and union we have enjoyed. There has not
been ripple upon the water. We have attend
ed IL quarterly conferences and So leaders meet
| ings, and have not heard ore unkind word.
81 How good and how pleasant for brethren to
dwell together in unity" Satan has scarcely
the church so full. or the singing 80 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 time, grave officials
| furnishing the bass, general membership the
| tenor, probationers the alto, and the children
| the soprano. We have not played go skillully
| as some could have done, but we have not been
without the musc-sometimes with all the stops
out, and playing with both hands, both feet,
| knee swell ana pedal bass-a little bosterous
| to those who have been use to all EElian 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
ty ever attend the dear friend of "Old Asbury.