The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-06-02

-8>~
been travelling preacher in the MethC.
dist connection, but had opposed the
erection Of the Methodist society into an
independent church, and subsequently
took Episcopal orders. He is described
as g a learned man." and as being ''mOTe
of student than the preacher" lie
was also ''the author of several religious
and poetical works. He remained i'll
charge Of the parish for only three years;
residing at Elkton, during part Of the
time at least. And at intervals, for many
years after, he made his residence in
Elkton, becoming, in 1918, principal Of
the Elkton Academy. He died here in
1910, aged eighty three years.
While teaching here, about the close
of the last century we fine him occasion
ally officiating at North East, in his
school room at Elkton, Con Bow street,
and in a church near New London, Pa,
also at the Aims House. Many baptisms
were performed by him; though at Elk
ton his opportunities for carrying on any
| extended work seem to have been few.
He writes to Bishop Claggett, under date
of 1901 that he preached sometimes by
special appointment at home but never
dreamed of doing anything more; 'for. >
said he, Ihare made my last effort eth
these people. Elkton, however, was dis
| tineG to present better report in the
on coming years.
We have reached now the period of
depression; witnessing a seeming collapse
of the church in this region. From 1901
until 1885 North Elk Parish was without
any rector. The old church at North
East fell into disuse. 1t is described as
becoming "a desolation, windows broken,
doors open, old bible and prayer book
neglected and abused" Things Jared 10
better, indeed far worse, with the old
church at st. Augustine, which was not
only suffered to go to ruin; but it was
actually pulled down, and the bricks used
for material for building chimneys and
for other purposes, by the people OF the
neighborhood.
During the war of 1912, the church at
North East, upon one occasion was used
by company of soldiers as barrack
while awaiting transportion to Baltimore
The parish organization was kept up by
few faithful laymen, Mr.. ii. Iollings-
worth being especially active in the mat
ter. During some four years, from 1914
to 1918, the Rev. Nh. Duke, while living
in Elkton, oficiated, as he had many
years previous. In 1921, and for an I'M
certain period thereafter, the Rev. DR..
Mason, of Delaware College, preached at
North East, on Sundays, his duties at
the college preventing his doing any pas
toral work. In 1896 the Rev. Mr.. Rey-
nolds. of Havre de Grace. ofliciated in the
old church.
For some thirty years, from about the
beginning OF the present century up to
the time which we have now reached, the
Church in this region was in a feeble and
PROSTATE condition. Different causes
may be assigned for this lamcntabe state
of things; the dislavor and hostility
aroused by the Church, not entirely,
but largely, during the Revolution, in
adhering to the royal cause; the odium
which it had incurred previous to the
Revolution, as the State Church, taxing
for its support other rcigionists, and
those who felt no attachment to religion;
its clergy appointed by the ruling power
in the State. and too often, it is to be
feared, the mere dependent iavorites of
such power, and anything but an orna-
ment to their calling, and credit to the
Church which they represented. Added
to this the great revival movement i'll the
English Church, under John Wesley,
had reached its height, and at the close
of the Revolution swept everything be
fore it i'll this region, the ground, untor-
tunately; having been only too well pre-
pared by reason of the causes already
noted. The times were ripe for such a
movement. Well, however, would it
have been, both for our Methodist breth-
rem and for the Church. had the unity eI-
isting between fellow-memb of the
same old National Church been preserved,
and the elements blended harmoniously
in new national organization, presery
ing an Apostolic Episcopacy and giving
room for freedom of evangelistic move
ment and elasticity of method within Its
pale.
In spite. however, of the seeming de
cay. period of restoration and renewed
vigor was at hand. Beginning about the
year 1880, new era for the Church
in this region set in, marked by a steady
advance, and a healthy if not rapid
growth. With the later portion Of the
history Of this new and more hopeful era.
you are familiar, and upon 1t | need not
enlarge, except III its more general
aspects.
Trinity Church. EIkton, was organized
in 1892 have therefore completed
the first half century OF our existence as
a congregation. Among those prominent
in the effort at organization, the names
of James Sewell and Samuel IIollings-
worth. deserve mention. The Rev Wn.
Henry Reese assumed charge as Rector
and the first church was built, in this,
the year of organization. The church
was consecrated By Bishop Stone. Ser
vices had been held, when held be. ore
this, i'll frame building, on Bow street,
owned by the Rev. Mr.. Duke, and nearly
opposite his residence.
Mr.. Reese was succeeded by the Rev
Henry Lyon Davis, formerly of North
Sassafras Parish. lie remained a short
time, in charge, and, after an interval Of
two years when the church was without
rector the Rev. Henry Williams as
sumed the charge, i'll connection with
that of St. Mary Anne's, North East.
Mr.. Williams was succeeded by the Rev.
Robert Lloyd Goldsborough, in 1911.
The close of bis (Mr Goldsborough' 81
rectorship belongs to 4 period in the his
tory of the parish within comparatively
recent remembrance. The present church
was built in 1851, though its conservation
did not take place until 1867. Shortly
after the erection of the new Diocese of
Easton, Trinity Parish was organized,
being set off from the venerable Mother
Parish of North Elk The southern