Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-10-17

days in the history of Asbury Churo h.
The occasion was the beginning OF its
centennial celebration. Services were
held almost continuously all day. Tie
devotions were marked by spirit OF
fervency and the music was fine. Large
congregations were in attendance. Dur
ing preaching h0urs the church was
thronged. While the evening sermon
was being delivered those who could not
gain admission to the mhia auditorium
attended services in tue lecture room.
Profuse and pretty decorations adorned
the main auditorium. The front of the
pulpit was completely hidden by an i'm
mense bank of palms, ferns and other
plants. Above thus mound aud in trout
of the pulpit deSS was large scroll,
made of ivy leaves and edged with moss.
On the scroll, in lettering OF white
chenille, was the inscription: ''l7S9-
First the biads, then the ear. then the
full corn in the ear-1SS9." the front
Of The puipit alcova was orpamentad with
large arch. On the lstier's face, at the
top, was painted keystone, containing
the inscription: "17S9--AsburY--lS6g
On each side OF the arch, extending
downward from the keystone, wAre seven
blocks1 thoae on the right being in
scfr6ed, respectively: "Ezion, Union,
Mt. Salem, Grace, Madeley, Kinpswood
and Wesley" and those on the lett "St.
Paul, Scott, Brandywire, Epworth, Sill
verbTooB, Swedish Mission and Cook
man." These blocks represented the IL
churches which became outgrowths OF
Asbury. On the arch's left base was the
inscription: "hithelto hath the Lori
helped us-1T99" and on the right base,
"Thus far have we come-lss9." On
the fronts OF the side galleries were wide
EtreameTs OF red, whits and blue bunting,
Ealing in graceful loops, ana on the front
OF tue front gallery and o1 the walls OF
each side Of the pulpit recess were large
American flags, also icoped.
The committee on decorations was
composed OF Mrs. James ii. Floyd, John
T. Askew and Isaac S. Rainer. James
Coffin constructed ana erected the arch,
e. F. Uber painted it and John Stradiey
lattered it. Florist Lewis arranged the
floral ornRmeDtations.
Services began at 8 a. M, with love-
feast, conducted by the Reys. John d. @.
Hanna and 7. SnoTden Thomas. Many
Christian experiences were related. E!gat
persons said they bad Been 1lem bafs of
AsbuFY Church for SO years sad 20 others
stated that they had bsen Mesaodisss for
half century.
Morning preaching service b. 3sn at
10 80 o'clock. The musical programme
was as follows:
Anthem, "How Happy IN This Plaes,n
Choir
Hymn, "lIy hope, Ny All, Ny Saviour,
Ihoa".'' ..........'...'i 4; Oonsregatlo a
John Lowery. Fred. a. Adams and
Misses Ole Cnalfant and
Caliie Barnhlll.
Hymn, Some Thou FouHt OF Every Bless
Flynn, IN jolce, the Lord Is King
Congregation
The Rev. Horny w. SandeEson offered
the opening prayer.
Announcement was made by Mr.. Hanna
thst he had engaged Bishop Hurst to
preach the ncrliag sermon. The invita-.
tion was given last spring and was 40.
ospted. Recently SIR. Hanna heard that
the bishop was net coming. After send
ing lsttec CT inquiry to the bishop Mr..
Hanna received Rots stating that the
biSaGp had not accepted tine invitation.
Hi. danna wrote again and inclosed in
tbs letter the bishops acceptance. In
Yeply the bishop stated that he had for.
gotten TO erter the engagement in his
diary and asked 20 be relieved from full
filing the engagement. Ar. Hanna con
tlaaee the correspondence, urging that il
was too ate to aitsr his programme and
inRisgilR that use bishop come. The
latter dad not reply to Ar. Haara's last
Letter and no did not attend Sundays
services. MIR. ERnha made the explana,
tion in justice TO himself. Many peopl,
had come with the expectation Of hearing
the bishop but they uoald not have beer
interested more IL he mad besn present
Ihe venerable Rev. John a. Roche, d
D., of Brooklyn, a former pastor o
Asbury ChuTcA, was sskad to serve n
substitute fer The bishoo and h
graciousiy ccmphad.
Dr. Eoebs bsgan ais discourse at II. q
O'Clock and preached Interestingly tor al
hour and six minutes. lie was given tn
atrictest attention and hil Ene thouehta
eloqgeatly eIpressed, frequently evoke
ordinations Of appreciation. His them
was .Ehe Ohrihtls,p's Strength For hi
text he cAose the lsst clause OF the lOt
verse Of tie Win chapter Of Nehemiah
',Fhe icy Of ghe Lord is your strength.
wiz nations End Churches rs With it
diyiduaiE, he sad in introducing hi
theme, there il tiae to weep Bnd
time to laugh, Gods ancient peopl
were commanded to keep the fsast VT
rejoicing.
Continuing he distressed the joy of Ii
LORD as an cement OF Ohr,aiian sl:erg.I
JOY IS a delight OF the rand, with wan
the m.a OF the world are sc!aNnise.
nGay instances 1t IS llsia uots tbs
mentG! buosancy. The joy mentiopy
in tie tez. IS not ordinary 10y; /, Is q jc
Of the Lord, joy Of which tue Lord
tie origin, the support had tie psffe
ton. l. is "a GAGIstan's strength. 4,
strength OF Aan differs. 0Au MAJ
strength is distinguished by ils fotle
luEF3iGu; aa3tha S ny hts elCqEenc
euO5hHr'a Sy E!s administration U. 30
erG9rnt. The athletes strength il
his L4lscle; she phitosop hse's in MS "
don; tbs p2Ysie.al's Ia LIS medical -ki
the lawyers in uia EEoFleiga Of l9sa al
hog tC uss il. Tho particular str M
enlQaCs!asd ia the tsXt il the ICY of !
Lord. I. IS rleEsG ia ilith Efguaaed
lcys Ead Increased by exercise Tie /
of tbs Lord g Inspiration to aooIt
deeds. T5e Joy! sui mad il bright b8ng
active, inhguutial, going ont sud c..
sorlelaInF. Tie II slGaChuly Casistlar
incerluntible With Christianity. Ma4
never at Tor work except wi!h baoya
mind and brave and ind pendent spi,
In art, science, literature, affairs o.
tions and matters OF mtn 10y ls an {
ment nacaasgry. II sueh is fact
earthly Joy wat snail say 81 the
Of tie LORD 1, is Che joy that is re-
it is tie Strength divine it tits sos eyj
service. Il maAes Us ulprs than G
qusress through Him that loved us.