The daily gazette., 1878-05-18
RECEIVING THE BISHOPS.
A HOST OF PEOPLE GAZE UPON THEN
AND SHAKE THEM by TIE HAND.

AND SHAKE THEM DY TIE HAND.
The Sunday school room of Grace NJ.
+. Church was crowded last evening, on
the occasion of the reception rendered by
the ladies of the Church to the Methodis
Episcopal Bishops. All the Bishops wer
present excepting Bishop Ames.
Rev. w. j. Stevenson, pastor of Grace
Church, presided over the meeting, which
was opened withprayer by Rev. j. L.
Caldwell. Mr.. Stevenson then announced
the object of the gathering, stating that il
was an occasion ofsocial enjoyment, orig
mated for hepurpose of extending cor
dlal public welcome to the Bishops of thu
Nj. +. Church. lie then introduced Bisb
Simpson to the meeting.
Bishop Simpson spoke for about half
an hour, taking, in his remarks, general
view OF the progress and extent of the M
T.. Church. He referred to its home
growth and its foreign extension which
had grown to such dimensions that Me-
thodism was now known in every quarter
OF the globe. This rapid progress had
all been achieved during the past hun
| dred years, and the speaker felt his heart
glow with thanks to God, as he thought
of the glorious possibilities of the Church
during the next century. lie would like
to be pelmittedto return to earth at the
expiration ofone hundred years from now
to witness the progress that would be
made in that time. He felt that in such
an event he could return to Heaven hap
pier than ever, shouting praises and glo-
ry to God for his mighty works.
Referring to the meeting of the Bishops
he said il was not for the benefit of the
Wilmington churches that they had as
sembled, but TO 60 over the whole vast
vast field of labor cOmpassed by the M.
e. church. They had to look beyond
the seas, and attend to the interests of
missions and conferences, in India, China
Japan and other places in Eastern Europe
as well as in other parts of the continent.
There also were children of the church
assembled, whose eyes glowed with won
denment and whose hearts swelled with
joy when they were told, of the great body
of the Methodist church on the other side
Of the world of which they were living
and component part. 1t was these people
tina, claimed the anxious and prayerful
attention of the Bishops, in their general
review of the whole church work.
In conclusion Bishop Simpson request
ed the people to be present at the Opera
House on Sunday evening, when Bishop
Wylie would tell them of the glorious
mission work in China and Japan, Bish-
op Andrews would speak of Methodism
in Western Europe, and Bishop Merrill
relate his mission work in the adjoining
country of Mexico.
Then, speaking of his colleagues, he
regretted that their modesty impelled
them to screen themselves upon the side
seats of the room, instead of standing up
to be looked at. For his part, he seldom,
declined when called upon to face an aul-
dience and give them an opportunity of
looking well at him, believing that ga
thing of beauty is joy forever" He
paternally alluded to himself and Bishop
Scott being regarded as the senior Bishops
not that they were so much older than
the rest, but on account of their seniority
in the Episcopacy. He could say though
that they were proud of their children,
who were bravely shouldering the great
work of the church which was thrust upon
them, and fortifying the Kingdom of God
in every part of the earth. He then re-
quested the earnest prayers of all for the
safety of Bishop Bowman, who in a few
days will sail for Europe, for the purpose
of visiting number Of Eastern missions
and Conferences.
AT the close of the address, which was
listened to with breathless attention and
eager interest by the audience, Rev. Mr..
Stevenson announced that the audience
could come forward and personally greet
the Bishops. The announcement was
hailed with pleasure, and nearly all per-
sons in the room took occasion to avail
themselves Of this rare opportunity. The
old, the young and the middle-aged press
ed forward, and even little children,
scarcely able to walk, were taken up to
receive the Episcopal blessing from the
exalted followers of Him who said,
''Sufier little children to come unto me-"
For over an hour this friendly ovation
continued until all present had fully salts
fled themselves by looking upon the
comely forms and grasping the welcom-
ing hands of the great heads of the
church.
During the reception vocal and instl1l-
mental music was furnished by the ladies'
of Grace Church choir. The pulpit stand
in honor of the occasion, was decked with
HONtlo3 hnliC St olih
adorned the wall in the rear.
THE BISHOPS TOMORROW.
Tomorrow the Bishops will occupy the
NJ. f. pulpits as follows:
Asbury-Bishop Peck.
st. Paul's-Bishop Bowman.
UniOn-Bishop Wiley.
Scott-Bishop Merrill.
Grace-Bishop Foster.
Brandywine-Bishop Andrews.
In the evening no services will be held
in the Methodist churches, and general
gathering will take place in the Grand
Opera House, at which all except Bishops
Simpson, Haven and Harris will be pres
ent. Addresses will be made on the
mission work by Bishops Wylie, Andrews
and Merrill, and the othesr will probably
speak briefly.
The last Opportunity.