Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-10

that of the city. Here worshiped many Of
the sturdy pioneers whose energy placed
Memphis on the road TO prominence and
and here were disse minated the
principles of a simple religious faith that
soflened their hearts and developed the feel
ing Of charity and love Of one another that
are the foundation of well ordered commu-
nifty. Not long ago the coRgrega alton re-
solved TO
BUILD NEW CHURCH
on the site of the old chapel, and have al
ready given out the contract. 1t is to be OF
brick, in the gothic style, and will cost S15,-
600. The work of demolishing the chapel
will be begun this week, and the erection Of
the new building will be carried forward as
rapidly as possible. Last Sunday night
THE LAST SERVICES
were held in the old sanctuary and attracted
an immense crowd. The other Methodist
churches in the city were closed in order TO
give their congreg atoms an opportunity OF
doing the farewell honors to Asbury. The
services were conducted by the pastor, the
Rev. Warner Moore, and consisted OF good
Old hymns, hung by the entire assembly, and
r.marSs by different persons, including the
Rsv. II. A. Jones, pastor Of tue Cumberland
Presbyterian church; the R@v. DR.. Boswell,
Poston, DR.. ID. +. Goodyear, DR.. Samuel
Watson, L. II. Estes aud the Rev. S. A. Steel,
pastor of the Fret Methodist church. The
R,v. r. II. Mshon, pastor of the Central
Methodist church, gave the following
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
The FIRST house of worship built by
the Methodists in Memphis was on Second
street, near Poplar, where the First church
now stands. That WAS in 1882. AS the
population increased, lew years later, they
began 10 hold meetings down in South Mem
phis, as il was called. AS there was no house
of worship they met about in private houses
for PRAYER aud exhortstion. Among those
who were active in the work were DIR. Horn
cott, local preacher, and John Brown, a
carpenter. The interest grew. and John
Browns carpenter shop, on the corner of
fernando and Vance streets, was made the
place of regular meeting. Hrs. Brown made
some calico curtains for the little windows,
and her husband arranged some planks for
seats. The shop still STANDS. Ia this humble
place the work went on and took shape
About the year 1S43 there was an extensive
religious awakening in this part of the city,
and a Methodist church WAS organized. The
original roll is not at hand. They were not
many, but they were Plsin, active and
pious. They began TO look about
for more suitable place OF wor-
ship. Under the advice of the Rev.
Moses Brock this lot on the corner of Her
nando and Linden was selected. Time has
INDICATED the wisdom OF his judgment. 1t
belonged 10 the South Memphis Company.
Robertson Topp, member OF the company,
agreed TO transfer the property TO
the church, provided they would sell ten or
a dozen other lots for them which lay round
about. John Brown sold them all but Two, and
took them himself to secure the deed. The
frat house built upon it, if house il could be
called, was in 1S4S. 1t was a shaniy. Holes
we're dug in the ground and poss set up, and
rough planks nailed on the sides. 1t was
covered with planks. Some scantling laid
along on the ground and wide planks laid on
them made the floor. Thus titled up they
asked for pastor, and the bishop appointed
the Rev. B A. Hayes 10 the work. He was
the first pastor Of this church. As he still
lives, perhaps l ought TO cay that he was a
very young man then. This shanty was en.
larged little and the congregation continued
TO worship in it until 1S47. In February of that
year a committee consIsting OF John Brown
William CoDley and John L. Brown was ap-
pointed "to consider the subject of building
a church." The Rsv. L. D. Mullins, pastor
J. D. Williams, Barnett Gran am, j ohm Brown
L. DdFlubOD, -. auu d w
Waldran were appointed TO take up cub
scriptions for the building. There were nc
women on the committee, but l venture to
say they had a good deal to do ia the mat.
ter. The result of these labors was this
plain wood structure in which we are now
| assembled for the last time. John Brown
planned the building and superinlended the
work, doing dood deal of it himself
Others helped. 1t was completed that year
No doubt they had the usual trials in build
| ing, but they persevered and pulled through
| As the other church wss called Wesley
| Chapel, in honor of our great founder, they
named this Asbury, in homer OF him who
| more than any other man was the founder o
Methodism in America.
The original trustees were John Brown
| Jesse Waldran John p. Davidson, William
| Conley, John L. Morgan, j. w. MorelanC
yestment these people made. Nearly all 0
them have gone TO their reward, but fe'
remain to this present day. This churcI
was once the largest and most hourishing il
| the city, or even in the Memphis Conference
1t was particularly noted for it's zeal AM
spirituality. 1t was truly a candlestick il
lis place. They used toicall it the "burninI
bush" A preacher felt honored to be th
pastor of this congregation. Numbers hay
been saved here, and the great day alon
| will reveal the extent of the good done
| There is no reason why the future may no
be as the past. The glory OF this latter hons
may even exceed that Of the former. Th
same elements of success are AT command. /
| you hold to the doctrines and customs of tn
fathers you will prosper. The decline o
Asbury has been from within. You hav
long needed house that afforded better ia
| ciities for Sunday school work aud worship
one that the members could delight in. Th
effort at building and the interest aroused b.
1t is nearly always a means Of grace. No,
| you have a chance.
Some people think of Me,hodism as be
hind the times and poorly adapted to an So
Of culture. They want something NOR
stylish than ia found in our plain, simpl
forms of service, and must needs leave u,
Well, we are sorry to lose any of the frat
of our labor. We have never heard of any
one who left US to get more religious helE
Some go off to get into society, they say. l
we should take out Of some churches this
We could mention all who had been Meth
odists, there would be a slim showing lief
A system that can supply another denomins
ton with q principal part OF its clergy an
membership, and then outstrip the bal,nc
of the world, is grand afair. 1t certainl
contains the elements of SUCCESS. You hsy
succeeded here, you will succeed agsir
Make it your aim TO save souis. Preserve
pure, spiritual worship, and the God OF peac
will be with you. The following is list c
the pastors OF this church in their order:
LIST OF PASTORS