The daily gazette., 1878-03-06

the Revd. Presbytery, in the emplatical
language Of the Man of Macedonia, to
let qualified person come over unto
Detmoore and help us. If this is not the
voice of inspiration, you have mt least the
evidences OF your senses for the truth of
our allegations. The objects in relation
to the church are undoubtedly important,
and we appeal to your knowledge of the
man whom we desire, If he be not quail
fed for the task.
Gan additional argument may be drawn
from the interest of learning. Delaware
Is the only Atlantic State in the Union,
that is unprovided with college, large
building was erected in Wilmington
more than 20 years ago for an academy,
1t fiourished for some years, but owing to
the late war, and the neglect of the trus-
tees who reside chiefly in Philadelphia it
is now totally out of use, the present
trustees have proposed to resign their
trust to persons within the Borough I;
when this is done the school will be re-
vived, and under prudent management
may become extensively useful. 1t is
unnecessary to mention, that Mr.. Gem
mills abilities might contribute greatly
to mature and perfect this design"
This elaborate burst of eloquence was
wasted on the desert air and the pathos
of its appeal fell upon hardened and in
different ears. 1t failed to sednce Mr..
Gemml from the church of his affections,
and it failed equally in securing the
action of Presbytery in its behalf, who
refused te exert the due measure of pres
sure upon the honored subject of their
call
Disheartened by their defeat, the little
band remained without guide until ten
months after, they persuaded the Rev.
Francis A. Latta to come to their rescue
and their relief. For seven years, lack
ing few months, he continued with
them in their struggles for existence and
name. The Rev. Mr.. Henderson then
officiated briefly as their supply. For the
ensuing nine years, the place was left un-
to them desolate, and the tidings OF the
gospel were seldom heard within these
walls. In 1913, the Rev. Mr. Snowden
assumed the charge Of the decaying Or
ganization, but, at the expiration of one
year, probably abandoned it as hope
less and a cheerless task. -Four years of
silence and desolation again interviewed.
In 1917 the Rev. DIR. Thomas Read, who
had labored with great success in the
more fourishing and thriving Second
Church, upon his resignation of that
charge on account of enfeebled health
gave the time and strength he had at his
command to the weaker brethren, weak
er in number, but not, we are confident in
zeal or endurance, of the overshadowed
First Church.
During the four years of his work in
their midst, there was temporary reviv-
al of interest, and temporary increase
in number, and in strength. AS the re-
suit OF this awakened interest, Sabbath
school was organized within these walls
in 1919, which has continued with vary
ing success, and but few Interruptions,
up to the present time. Upon the death
of DIR. Read, tablet to whose memory
was placed upon the central floor, the
church was supplied for one year by the
Rev. James Taylor. A period of five
years then intervened, as twice before,
during which there were no stated min
istrations of the gospel. The Rev. Thom-
as Love, at the expiration of that time,
commenced his labors among them, con-
tinuing three years. The seven years
that follow, from 1882 to 1889, were the
critical and turning point in the history
of this church. 1t was its final struggle,
in which it has often engaged, between
life and death. During that period, the
question hung in the balance whether
this city of yours should have a First
Presbyterian Church.
The earnest and faithful defender of its
existence, and the ardent supporter OF
its claims, was the Rev. Samuel M. Gay
ley, whose labors were at first performed
In connection with the Reformed Pres
byterian Church. From 1888 to 1886 he
seems to have allowed the long protract-
ed struggle to go by default, and this
venerable building, in which we are now
assembled, was closed. In 1896, he re-
sumed the contest, that increased from
that day in animation and in bitterness.
He preached on Sabbath afternoons and,
as his sole argument that church was
still in existence, he proved, in his own
person, that there was regular preaching
from Sabbath to Sabbath. There was
preaching here, though only the walls
and benches We're listeners to his voice.
He and the walls.an benches were, on
many Sabbath, the church, but equivo-
cally constituting the apostalicJ quorum
of two or three. Mr.. Gayley was his
own pastor, and Mr.. Gayley was or were,
(here our grammar fails us) his sexton to
light his fires, his usher to wait at the
door where nobody was pleased to come,
his audience to listen to his voice, his
parishoners to furnish him with all due
encouragement and support IN the
Lord.
In this condition of things, there might
not be growth, or any remarkable degree
of prosperity, but certainly there was
harmony. Pastor and people were unani-
nous. There were no dissentions from
within. But trouble came from without.
The proposition was to open the doors
to Mr.. Gilbert, the pastor of Hanover
street church, for an occasional service,
to the exclusion of Mr.. Gayley. To this
proposition the pastor, sexton and con-
gregation aforesaid did not accede. In
1887 there was shrewd device concoct-
ed whereby it was proposed ito entrap
Mr. Gayley as in a snare. A curb was
laid by the City Fathers in front of these
grounds, and the assessment therefor laid
upon this church. Through the enter
vention of kind friends, this new peril
was averted, and the levy was discharged.
The final struggle assumed the form OF
personal contest between Mr.. Gayley,
the champion of the expiring organiza-
ton, and Mr.. Hamilton, for the posses
sion of the keys. Whether Mr.. Gayley
excelled Mr.. Hamilton in pounds avior-
dupois, or in shrewdness of management
in great emergencies, whether bones
were broken, cOuntenances distorted the
faithful historian saith not, but the keys
were Mr.. Gayley's and with them he un-
locked for this church, of SO many vicis-
situdes, and so great calamities, not the
doors only, but a bright and brilliant
future.
That better day began with the pastor
ate of the Rev. Stephen II. Wynkoop,
of blessed memory, and strong, vgor-
n IL. ..s..A. uVxNNIT