Evening journal., 1889-03-25

Special Correspondence EVENING |othNAi-
SALISBURY, Md, March S4.-Ih'
Wicomico Presbyterian Church OF this
town. which has been closed for repairs
since last Thanksgiving, was reopenec
to-day with appropriate services.
The church is of brick and is net 6
building of attractive appearance out.
warlly, but the interior has been so en-
firelv remodeiei aud improved that il Is
now considered BY some handsomer than
the new M Z. Church dedicated last
May
Rev. Mervin j. Eckels is pastor of the
church, and the improvements are the
fnlilment of an agreement by which
Mr.. Eckels remained here, when called by
the Central Presbyterian Church of Viii
1nington last May.
At both services to-day the church was
crowded. seats being put in the aisles to
accommodate the people Rev. A. N
Keigwin, pastor of Vest Presbyterian
Church of Wilmington, and j. T. Clymer,
director Of the choir of the same church,
and Mrs. Clymer assisted in the services
at the morning service, after the singing
of the doxology, Rev. NJ j.
Eckels made the Invocation and
Rev. A. N. Keigwin read Kings, viii. 12
to 30: Solomons 5 prayer at the dedication
of the temple. The choir then sang the
anthem 'sOh, be Joyful, by Corbin, and
PRAYER was offered by Mr.. Ecbles. As an
offertory SOLO Mrs. J. I. Clymer sang
" Jesus My Saviour, by Myers Mr..
,Eckles made a few remarks on the con
summation Of the work, and briefly re.
viewed the history OF the church, which
by coincidence had been dedicated twen-
ty-eight years ago today. Mr. Keigwin
preached a thoughtful and interesting
sermon from John TX, 4 Il must work
the work Of Him that sent me while it is
day, for the night cometh wherein no
man can work.
At the evening service Mr. Keigwin
presehed from John xii, 81 Sir, we
would see aJesus" The music of the
service. was an anthem by the choir
Come unto me solo. Mrs J. T. Clymer,
Nearer My sGod To Thee !" duet, Mr..
and Mrs J. 7. Clymer, In the cross Of
Christ we glory
The improvements Of the church cost
%4, 600 all of which is paid or provided
for The walls were cut down two feet,
new roof put on and four posts that
supported the old roof removed. Stained
glass windows have been put In and the
walls beautifully frescoed. jackson Gott
of Baltimore was the architect of the i'm
provements, and Thomas Slemons of this
town the contractor.
The tower of the church, which has
been unfinished for years. has been hn-i
ished by the erection of wooden super
structure, which contains the bell making
the tower over 100 feet high. The walls
are wainscoted to the sills of the win.
dows, the wainscoting being finished in
mahogany. The ground color of the walls.
is light, pleasing shade Of terra Gotta
and the frescoing has been artistically
done in subdued colors by N. Goldberg Of
Wilmington The organ occupies an
arched recess back of the pulpit platform
1t Is not new, but has fine mellow tone
Over this arch is frescoed a facade Of
Egyptian style, of which the arch Isl a
part. Above this is. a scroll on which Is
the text "The Lord Is in His Holy
Temple. Over the doors that lead to the
: lecture room, at each side Of the pulpit
are frescoed banners, on which are in
scrlbed these sentences: Come unto
Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden.
and will give you rest and II give
anto them eternal life and they shall
never perish. The trusses Of the roof.
which are exposed TO view, are finished
in mahogany. The ceiling follows the
slope Of the roof nearly 70 the apex ItI
is OF yellow pine, in natural finish. and
with the trusses gives light, pleasing
effect to the entire church The floor Is
covered with crimson carpet, and the
choir curtain and upholstery Of the pul-
pit IS Of the same color, the eject of
which is to give warm, luxurious an,
pearance to the whole church
The pulpit rostrum takes the form Of
an arc The rail which separates il from
The choir Is conoave to the rostrum, a
new and very effective feature. A new
black walnut desk occupies the platform.
The church is lighted by incandescent
electric lamps. Three handsome. four
light electrolierF hang lover the middle
aisle, and with the side lights projecting
from the base Of the trusses, make TWEEN
ty-four lights in ALL
Eight beautiful memorial windows Of
stained glass let in the softened day.
light to the auditorium. The windows
were manufactured by William Reith Of
Philadelphia, and ara Of cathedral and
Jeweled glass. The colors are rich and bril-
and the designs artistic. The windows
are much handsomer than are usually
seen IN churches Of this size. All were
glyen by members Of the congregation in
memory Of members of their family.
feature Of the windows are the typical
ngures IN each. The person in whose
memory they are given, with the figure
IN each window, follows: DR.. Catheu
Humphreys, a decending dove; Maria
v. Humphreys lamb with banner
John B. Slemons, crown and anchor
Rev Alexander Sinclair, died while mas
tor Of the .church in 1885, cross ana
crown; Mrs. Mary and Miss Annie VIII.
hams. harp; Rev. James j. Smyth. III.
d.. former pastor of the church An
open Bible; Todd family, tablets with the
ten commandments; James and Matilda
Slemons a sheaf Of wheat large win.
dow given by the Ladies' Mite Society Of
the church has been placed in the tower
also window donated by the Your !.
Peoples Association Of the chu. =
Comfortable chairs fip..unad IN mahoc-
any form the seasing Arrangement of tRe
chnrce.. There are 956 in the auditorium,
-saffanged in a semi-circle The seating
capacity Of the church. including the gal
lery is about 300 With seats in the
aisles 400 can be accommodated
& 1.-THE Sunday school room has been
newly papered in terra Gotta. and the
wood work is finished in light cherry 1t
is carpeted and lighted by electricity.
The entire church is heated by furnaces.
This church was one Of those organized
by Rev. Francis Mackenzie, the pioneer
Presbyterian minister in the United
States. Il was organized prior to 1906.
Probably about 1890 Records Of the