The daily gazette., 1878-03-06

upon eho kiohht, pNtt WhSh tht btotti
could be with them, they wanted TO look
upon his familiar face, and hear his fa-
miliar voice. But, whatever their pref
erence, destiny pointed to Mr.. Smith, and
in this little town he was the rising star.
If fond admirers could not listen with
out interruption to his eloquence within
these walls, the world was big enough
and Wilmington was too, and they could
hear him some where else. This they
proceeded resolutely to do. They left
the frame work of church behind them,
but, as so often before and since, in the
rivalry of mother churches and their
colonies, they took with them the bone
and sinew of its strength. On Oct. 25,
1774, they were organized, under the
pastorate of Mr.. Smith, as the Second
Presbyterian Church of Wilmington.
Mr.. McKennan continued for q number
of years to labor on alternate Sabbaths
among the feeble remnant that We're left
behind. But Mr.. Smith continued fatally
to draw Where eloquence and sterling
ability are, there will the people be gath
cred together. 1t was so in 1774, no less
than in 1873. Interest centered upon the
new organization, a church was early
erected on the corner of Fifth and Wal
nut streets, and the old first church was
left TO its unhappy fate. Henceforth for
years 1t becomes difficult TO trace its his
TORY, 81 leeDlc Wtis us lHnueIce III blilS
community, 80 faint and faltering its
life. Ten years of struggle with adverse
circumstances brought It to condition
similar to the play OF Hamlet with Ham,
let left out IL was Presbyterian church
in 1874 without an elder, and Mr.. Nc
Kennan was compelled to improvise one
for the discharge of seasonal business.
This he did by calling upon nsympathizing
brethren from abroad.
In 1895 another disappointment await
ed this struggling band, who, amid their
spirit in which they endured them, show
ed that the true Scoth-Irish blood, which
indicates pertinacity and endurance in
equal proportions, was flowing in their
veins. They endeavored to secure the
services of the Rev. John Gemmil, who
was laboring with great acceptance in
the Church of the Valley. So stirring
was the eloquence, and so marked the
ability of Mr.. Gemmil, that the authors
the people of Wilmington with guile,
and steal away the laurels of the church
down on the corner. Their address to
Presbytery as IL sets forth the condition
of religious affairs at that time in your
city with so much force, and gives ex-
preston to degree of consideration tor
the church they hoped to deprive of the
services of Mr.. Gemmil that in our day
would pass for meaningless sentiment
and gush, is full of interest. Although
it has appeared in print, you will not
censure me If l read 1t.
owe the undersigned Commissioners
of the First Presbyterian Church of Will
mington, in the State of Delaware, to
the Revd. the Presbyterv of Philadel-
phia, convened in Arch street Church,
respectfully shew
s'That altho we acknowledge it is not n
light matter to remove Pastor from one
charge to another, and altho 1t would
seem at first view that the Presbyterians
of Wilmington in seeking the removal
of the Revd. Mr.. Gemmill, have not acted
toward their Brethren of the Valley on
the principles of the Golden Rule of
"doing as they would be done by," yet
we trust the magnitude of our own cause,
in which we believe the cause of Christ
is interested, will not only save us from
blame, but secure our success.
owe attempt not to seduce Mr.. Gem
mil by the prospect of charming resi-
dence or the promise OF high reward.
A competency Is all we offer, and the
| task for himis arduous but to you, Revd.
Sirs, who are Stewards of Christ's King
dom and who are responsible for the
| faithfulness of your conduct, shall our
| arguments be directed.
"Conformably to this purpose we shall
| first state some matters of fact, and from
| thence draw such differences as embrace
| our principal hopes and expectations in
| the call of Mr.. Gemmil.
"The Presbyterians of Wilmington and
| its vicinity are more numerous than any
other denomination whatsoever, and in
| the county of New Castle they outnum-
Der all other denominations put together,
yet such is our misfortune that most of
| our congregations are vacant, the whole
State, with respect to religion, is in a
| lethargic condition, the Presbytery of
Lewes is nearly broken up, that of New
Castle is much declined between the
town of New Castle and Drawers Bridge,
| a distance of II miles, there is no settled
ministry, and between Drawers Bridge
| and the town of Lewes, a distance of IL
miles, every church is vacant on the Post
road, among the few Pastors that remain
| to lead and guide our bewildered tlocks,
| it Is difficult TO find the wisdom of the
serpent connected with the harmless
| temper of the dove, hence relaxation of
discipline, Laodicean lukewarmness and
| the threatened danger of removal of
our candlestick, for at this time multi
tudes protesting themselves Presbyteri-
ans are not even associated with any con-
gregation whatsoever, and still greater
| multitudes, rendered ignorant thro ne
glect, are carried away with eUeTy ,cind o I
doctrine officiously opposed upon them,
| and have thus fallen into snares the most
| hazardous to themselves as we'll as inju-
rious to the cause of the Gospel.
"The number of subscribers, therefore,
to Mr.. Gemmips call is to be regarded
| only as voucher for his support. When
duly folded there are Presbyterians
enough in Wilmington and its vicinity to
form two respectable congregations, but
our walls are broken down and our fiocks
are scattered. A pastor qualified to do
the work of an Evangelist is wanted to
replant and build up our churches, who
| to sound form of words addeth a fervent
zeal in the cause of God, who can be all
| things 10 all men that may be brought
home to our Lord and Master.
"We have presented call for Mr..
Gemmil, because we think him fitted
| to our pressing occasion. We have heard
his words, and think them powerful; we
have seen his success in building up other
churches, and are therefore led to hope
that divine blessing may likewise attend
his labours when eXerted in favor of US.
| "The only circumstances of regret in
this business is that we must tear Mr..
Gemmil away from the charge of the
people that love him, but we trust that
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