Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1885-06-11
An Historic Building.
BY WILLIAM h. ADAMS.
Chicago Inter Ocean.

Matthew Arnold. on his return to Eng
land, deploring the prevalence OF disre-
spect and irreverence among Americans
toward people or things worthy OF ven
GRAFTON, is reported as saying, I'm this
lies the prophecy Of decay" In emsha-
sizing this matter Mr.. Arnold only gives
stress to fact often noted by visitors TO
our country, and to which as charge
we are compelled in large measure to
plead guilty. While we have not so
much that is venerable, nor indeed any
thing that is so ancient Except our
taitlI) as have our sister cOuhtrl across
the ocean, yet if our headlsng activity
be but checked, even we may not lntre-
quantly find objects whose visible pres
ence shall cause US to become temporary
phrsnOlOgists and to look aaxi0usly Tor
the bump of veneratien. Such an OBJ
ject is Christ Church, Philadelphia, inc
visitor to the Quaker City IL pretty sare
to find his way 10 Independence ua;i.
Frankl;n's grave, and Carpenters Hall,
and when at the Geological Gardens may
see the old Penn House, removed from
Laetita street, but these in the M IN
comprise his historic pilgrimage. LII,
however. he will follow the stream OF
life that flows along Market street
street is reached, and then turning TO
the north pass few business houses he
will presently find himself before the
kings Chapel" or the Trinity OF Phil
adelphia.
Following the peculiar custom once
praetlced in Church construction, the
rear is apparently in front. That Is, the
steeple is at the back of the building
and fronts on nothing but the rear or
certain other buildings. The material
is brick arranged with that odd alterna-
ton of red and black TO be seen In the
construction of Carpenters Hall ana
other ancient buildings of the city.
Every brick was brought from England,
and solid and substantial As the struct-
ure now is. it has stood since It's erec-
ton i'm 1877. Few If any American
buildings of its kind have a greater his
tOric interest. In 1895 the first church
was erected. Standing just back from
| the Delaware river, its natural site must
have held forth no common attraction
for the worshippers who gathered 10 It's
service. For upward of thirty years
this irst building answered the demands
made upon il. Fortunate was 1t, more.
over. in being the object Of royal regard.
for not only was assistance given Dy the
! Crown. in the construction OF the church
but when few years later, DR.. Evans
Gts rector) returned from visit to Eng
land Queen Anne sent by him a set OF
communion plate, which is still in use.
1t bears the inscription Anna Regina
in usum Ecelesie Anglican8, apud Phil
adelphiam, A. ID, 170S." William Penn.
in a letter written in September OF the
presentation year, refers to an addition
al Gift of "twO as gaudy, costly, common
prayer books as the Queen has in her
chapel"
The growing needs Of the church at
lenght necessitated a new edihce. Ac-
cOrdingly, in 1927, the corner stone Is
laid. and the new building rises about
the old one. The latter is taken down
as the former nears completion until
only the foundation remains to give STA
bility to the hOer.
In the interval from its completion to
the present time Christ Church mas
! known some strange vlclsSltuues. LII
has an investure of real honor such as
perhaps clothed no other OF our church..
es. On dark and forbidding day OF
autumn in 1854, when ocean passages
were at best preearioHs. vessel drop
ped anchor off the Quaker City. upon
landing her redoubtable little master
announced the arrival OF n chlne Oh
eight bells all east at White Chapei Bel
Foundry, London, for the Phllaaelphla
church, and with an OIL haad gesture vi
peneroslty he waived all transportation
Charges from the brazen chorus. Ae'
cOrdingly it came TO pass that ever aft-
or when his gallant ship hove la sight
of the cb urch sweet poals of music is
sued frem the bslfry, Fastening to bear
him assurance of a cordial welcome.
| To him who touches the old bell to-day
they tell no now story. They only break
forth into voice when the key board
summons to their duty. But none the
less are they famous bells. When lnde.
pendence bell is met with 0utstretched
arms of welcome on its entrance into
the Crescent City, it is hardly fair TO lst
their modest bearing prevent the W0rla
from knowing that the Christ Chureh
chime joined its joyous proclamation OF
liberty, on that memorable day, WITH
the veteran of Independence Hall. Trey
surely share the honor as they did the
later danger. When the city fell into
the hands of the British, they were OBJ
liged to flee to the sanctuary OF the Del
aware, where covered by its waters, they
lay till danger passed and they were re-
instated. A joyful hymn they sang, in
deed, the FIRST sabbath after their return
from exilel
One of the earliest rect0rs OF this
church was Mr.. Duche, whose name Is
inseparably linked with the illustrious
men who met in Carpenters Hall. con
tinsntal congress, to deliberate witt
closed doors upon British outrages and
encrOachmsnt. The second morning OF
their assemblyiRg DR.. Duche was invi
ted to offer PRAYER. After reading from
the prayer book the petition for the day
he closed the book and broke forth int
so eloquent and thrilling prayer II
God as brought the tear to many an anx
| tons Iatri0t faca Tha nlctura illuStra