Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1888-10-11
BApr1srs IN SESSION. /:
tsROb,, Rurdette licensed tO Offi-
cfate aA preachers

ciate as Preacher.
The second day Of the 1slst auniver-
sary Of the Philadelphia Baptist Assoeia-
ton, in which tho Baptist churches OF
Delaware are represented, was opened yea
terday morning week, the new moderator,
Rev. J W. Wilmarth, presiding. The
Rev. j. Wesley Sullivan, formerly OF this
city, led the devotional services. The
Rev. J. T. Beekley, d. D., pastor of
Beth Eden Church, preached the doctrinai
sermon on the "Tfue Idea OF Church
Unity"
DR.. @. O. Biting spoke in behalf of the
Publication Society. Professor Martin,
Of Bucknell University, made an appeal
for gymnasium and asked that SIC, 900
be appropriated to this object. The an
nouncement that Robert j. Burdette, the
we'll known humorist, has been licensed
to ofiiciate as q preacher at Lower Me-
rion caused a stir. The standing COM
mitteei were appointed for the ensuing
year.
During the afternoon the Rsv. George
M. Spaeth, OF the committee on educa-
tion, addressed the assembly and said
that ia his estimation ministers OF great
eIoquenoe were, as rule, poor pastors.
Prof. George G.. Croft, acting president
Of Bucknell University, gave brief re-
view of the work done at that institution.
The Rev Robert M. Luther made an ap
peal in behalf of foreign missions. The
| Rev. z. " Farmer. Benjamin Griffith,
D. D., and Miss Maria Jones also spoke
| on the same subject. The Rev. B. Mac
Mackin presented the report of the corre-
spending bodies. All the institutions
I Il. -. n.Wotffr5nn aryf-
dences of continued prosperity.
Throughout the commonwealth the
total number of churches is 572, without
pastors, 1876; there have been 5,l15 hap-
| inns and the total membership is 75 579,
q net gain OF 2 ,760 Over hslf million
dollars is the annual bestowment or the
church. Additional addresses wore de-
livered in the evening by the Reys. james
French DR.. Howard and }. b. G. Pidge.
The Philadelphia Baptist Association
concluded its labors Thursday night and
adjourned to meetnext year at Roxbor-
ough Baptist Church, The Rev. Russell
FL, Oonwell was chosen to preach the in
troduetosy sermon and the Rev. Waltei
Galley was named as alternate. Pro,
fessor B. O. Taylor of Grocer Seminary
will preach the doctrinsl sermon, sub.
ject, ''Voices Of the Prophets, Anawered
in jesus
At Thu,sisy's session the annual report
of the board Of trustees was adopted.
The total receipts for the year amounted
to $944 Al The disbursements were
$64U. so. The Rev. j. g. Walker and
Charles Il. Banas were chosen trustees
for six years. During the year SS47 81
were collected for the ministers and
widows fund, and $210 were paid tc
ministers and $440 to six ministers
widows.
The annual record and statistics Of thl
association show the following figures
Churches 1l3; church property, so 496,
30G; total membership, 27 145; sittipgs
. 46 756; care Of church poor, 1851 666
city missions, $472 S74; state missions
$3.50 COS; home missions, $655 1877; for
eiRn missions, $3.50 S29 The association
supports ITO Suudsy-schools, with an at
tendancei Of ~, ,844 persons. The Rev
e Is. Cook, d. D., OF this city, was ont
of the speakers for the evening.
Benjamin i Knowles, Joseph NJ. Adami
and John s. Stevens were reelected tru6
tees Of the ministers and widows fund
Resolutions were adopted ordering thai
sketches of the Oldest churches in tht
association be secured and printed. Thu
original copies of II letters sent by tbs
churches Of the association to the annua
meeting in 1778 were presented to tht
association by Horatio Gates Jones on be
half of Mrs. Anna u. Wilstach. BY reso
luton the Baptist Orphsnaga was placed
on the list of benevolent objects. Th'
Rev Mr.. Reese, from the committee on
obituaries, reported large number o
persons connected with the association
who had died during the past year. Com
mittees for the ensuing year were ap
pointed and delegates TO the Genera
Association named,