Smyrna times., 1888-03-21
Changes on Smyrna Circuit.

Smyrna Circuit that fifty wears AGO
embraced all the churches between the
Delaware Bay and Cecilton. Md. and
from Dover to Middletown. north and
south, has been divided and subdivided
since the church in this town was set
up as a station some fOrty-four years
ago, until there is little oft left worthy
of the name. The divisions and separ-
ations do not however represent dete-
rioratiOn but on the contrary growth
and strength. Where at the time first
named two circuit riders with the aid
OF an efficient corps of local preachers
did all the work, there are now five or
six itinerants, with charges growing in
work and Importance.
The most important change for
sometime was effected at the last ses-
sion OF Conference. The progressive
portion of the population of Kenton
nave felt, especially since the incorpor-
alton OF the village into a town, what
II IS wonder they have not felt before
the need of a resident pastor among
them with the moral influence and
beneficial social flavor that centres
about the home of a pastor and spirit-
ual leader. Kenton has been coptent
at a low rating in the scale of church
1eneVolences, or the step would
doubtless have been taken earlier, but
change in this particular is promised.
and hence the change. The church
has full congregation when there is
something to bring them out, made up
largely of an interesting class of Young
people. Heretofore they had preach
ing on y every other Sunday morning
Hereafter they will have preaching
every Sabbath with such other active
duties as the pastor may feel necessary
for the benefit and growth of his flocl
kenton takes with it from Smvrna
Circuit Central Church, several miles
south Of the town, and Blackstone
chuFch which has been for some wears
connected with the Millington charge.
The new pastor is Rev. VIM. w
sharp, who for the past two years has
been at lngleside, Md, and from rem.
TesentatiOns, KentOn is exceedingly
fortunate in getting him. Kenton both
as charge and in its minister is in a
certain sense the child of what is called
Smyrna Circuit, Rev. T.. T.. White who
remains in the charge of the latter be-
ing the pastor of Mr.. Sharp in viii
mlngton when he was converted and
brought into the church-since leaving
a successful mercantile business to
obey call to the ministry.
During the past year a new, and
what promises to be a vigorous society
has sprung up at Clayton. Not being
able to stand alone at present as they
were ambitious to do, the congregation
here has been added to Smyrna Cir
cult, which with Bethel and Severson's
will consist Of three appointments, Civ
ing Clayton preaching every Sunday.
The new church is expected to be
ready for dedication in two or three
months.
The present status of Smyrna Cir
cult IS IN no sense a permanent one.
Ihe clayton congregation, feeling the
impulse that oharacterizes the town
otherwise, will want as soon az thew
are able, a minister to dwell and pnt i1 |
all MS time among them. Nooiton ar |
rather Cheswold, actuated by the same |
feeling u Is thought will soon demand /
both church and pastor, their pres
entt place Of worship, Bethel, being a
mile and a half away. When this con-
elnsiOn is reached, it is probable tbst
bethei church win be moved to that