The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-05-01
ELkTON +. NJ. CHURCH,
THE DEDICATION LAST SABBATH
A Brief History of the Building and the
Work of the Society.

In accordance with previous announce
ment, the Elkton Free Methodist Churcl
was dedicated to the service of the Lord or
Sabbath last. In connection with an nc
count OF the services ON this occasion, il
seems proper to give some facts relative I,
the history of this old building, which have
not been published heretofore, as we'll us Il
brief review of the work of the Society in
this place.
About the year 1914, the Methodist Epis-
c"pai Society OF this town, numbering prob,
ably about Il dozen persons, although
harin. had an existence Of fifteen wears or
longer in this place and vicinity, by which
fact, us also by reference to the minutes OF
the early conferences, it must be remenl-
I bered that McthodiSm, even though in its
simplicity and purity, grew very slow and
was exceedingly unporular,-purchased two
adjoining lots of land, containing an acre,
/ on east High street, one from Thomas How
ard and the other from Levi Tyson, paying
therefor 500 each. Upon Il part of this
ground, the people of the town, not having
al that time any place OF worship, erected
Il brick building, 30x3S feet in size, to be
used rs Il union church for the different de
nominations. For several years, Rev VIM.
Duke, an EpiScopaliau Clergyman, preached
i'll it on Sabbath mornings, and on each
alternate Sabbath afternoon the Methodist
preachers occupied it, there being two then
travelling on Cecil Circuit. Thus these two
denominations worShiped here for some
Years, when the Episcopalians withdrew
from the place and held services in il build
ing on Bow street, leaving the house in the
exclusive control of the tIethodiStS For a
long time the walls were not plaStered and
the seats were rough and uncouth Yet, as
is easily remembered by our eldest citizens,
these were the days OF power with the
Methodists here, us elsewhere in the county.
But i'll 1872, the Society, having increased
III numbers, enlarged the building by add
ing fourteen feet 10 the rear end and remod-
cling and refurnishing the interior, and con-
tlnued to worship in it until 1860, when
they removed to their large new editice on
east Main street, which they now occupy
The building was very soon afterwards
sold to the School Commissioners, who again
changed it and fitted it up for public
school room, for which purpose it was used
until 1870, when they also vacated it and
erected the new school house on South street.
1t then remained vacant until May, 1877,
at which time the room i'll tie rear end of |
the building was rented and used for reli- !
gious worship by an earnest exhorter of the |
NJ. +. Church. who was DESTROYS of bring |
ing about Il reform movement and to restore |
primitive simplicity i'll church Worship
He was subsequently assisted in this work .
by Free Methodist clergyman of Philadel-
phla, who preached in this place and in the
hall. In June following, n tent meeting
was held on q vacant lot near the depot. by
Hevs. VIM. Gould and NJ. u. McDcug:tl,
which was the introduction proper of Free
Nethodisln (by that title) on Maryland
soil. The services We're continued in the
humble room spoken of until November OF
hat Year, when the building was purchased.
The front room, size about 2Ux3p feet. was
then temporarily fixed up, and Society,
numbering six persons, organized, as a
branch or appointment of the Philadelphia
District of the New York Conference of the
Free Methodist Church. the first pastor
being Rev. ID. W. Hart, an earnest worker.
who remained in charge until September,
SlS, when he was superseded by Rev VIM.
W. Parry, who laborcd acceptably and sue
'essfully until September, 1879, being fol-
owed by his son, Rev. \. w. Parry, the
PRESENT pastor, to whose personal labor and
energy and perseverance much of
he recent improvement is due.
y camp meeting held in July, 1878, in ,
ickett's grove, near this town, and another
lear North East, in August, 1879, which
we're both well attended and very success
III, tended much to break down opposition,
o contradict false reports regarding their
elef and practice, and TO establish the
work i'll this section. Because Of their rigid
of the Methodist Discipline, as
hey assert, they do not increase in num-
ers very fast, but have Il Society number
ng, We are informed twenty-five or thirty
Il this town, besides good congregation; a
lSo Society at North East Of about Il Il
Oxen, the out growth Of their mission work
The recent Improvements consist in re- 7
ooting the building, laying Il new floor, |;
nd in relnodeing the interior by moving $
le partition that rhe main room is now d
bXiS feet, or just the size of the original "
ructure, leaving Il class room 14X30 feet, Il
l the rear. Comfortable seats We're put in, r
neat altar ami pulpit erected, the walls !,
iaStereti and coated with pink cuored kali :,
mime ANA the ceiling blue was4el-the :,
hole making Very pleasant, neat and at
active place of worship. The carpenter /"
ork was chiefly done by Mr.. Alfred Smith, J
astering by VIM. Rambo, painting by j. T. =,
esley Freeman, and kalsomining by Peter ;,
ilburn. Much of the labor was done W
lthout cost by persons anxious to assist in Al
lie work. y very neat and Serviceable CT
Flpit liihie was presented BY Sir. John ID
likinson, al this town. These improve, "
ents cost about S4lj, hut when tie citizens ~
I'd other friends were called upon to aid in fr
us effort, they responded SO nobly that b
hen dedication day arrived only So We're al
-eded TO finish paying the expenses which a
mount was raised in less than ten minutes +
' the congregation, one gentleman con
ibuting So. 70
The hehicatory services We're conducted IL
: Rev. j. T. Michael, Of Phillipsburg, y. pr
=, who preached an exceedingly able and :"
'propriate sermon from Daniel 11:32- -
The people that do know their God shall ca
, strong, and do exploits" After the nee p;
sary money had been raised, as stated al
,ove, the reverend gentleman concluded o'
lie solemn services By dedicatins tie house = =
TIT ae.ri..e u Almighty tod free of debt -,
e also delivered an able discourse in the to
orning from Psalm 1876, and preached es
,ain in the evening, using Luke 1:1:i-4-5 &C
+ his text III
Thus it will be seen that this venerable IL, IN
Hiding, in which the primitive Mrthodists A.
this part of the county at first Eorshiped, a;
aS@sist i,cG..l,Gi. ~ ..,.si. whose .saunings
ID whose faith are in strict accordance nc
th those of its founder and also rather be
rangely fulfilling the words of an ancient s''
ophet about =" building up waste places" " ca ca
d restoring old landmarks which thy 49,,
theirs have set W.
For the commendah'e l'A:sla,...s anu nvely an
fereSF ln;tniIe>tcd in this effort by all the pc
ends of the cause, the trustees desire us re-
hereby express their grateful thanks. II
or