Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1889-06-17
AT OLD SWEDES'.
REV. EDWARD HENRY ECkEL
ORDAINED.
Very Interesting Services In the Old
Church on sunday Morning
Bishop Coleman's
Sermon.

iully equipped TO enter into the battle |
against iniquity and sin. Old Swedes' 10 |
a fit place for the ordination OF young
ministers. A solemn, holy awe seems to |
pervade the place that is not 80 marked |
In other churches. Could those old |
walls and rafters but speak. what could |
they not tell from the days OF the first |
colonies down to the present.
Long before the services were to COM
mence yesterday, devout hearts full of
reverence Tor the holy Place came from
all directions and flied up the quaint,
benches. Great-grandchil-
dren of the first worshippers were there,
and as they entered they stepped as II the
place was holy ground. The seats were
all filled, extra seats were occupied, aisles
were crowded, and still there were others
who could not obtain admission. Promi-
nent among the audience was ex-Secre-
tary Bayard and his three daughters. As
the venerable old bell tolled the hour OF
10 o clock the Episcopal clergy of this
city, headed by the Right Rev. Bishop
Leighton Coleman, Of the Diocese of
Delaware, marched In from the vestry
and took their seats within the chancel.
Following the Bishop were Revs. II. Ash
ton Henry, Charles Z. Murray, Martin B.
Dunlap and Alexis i. DUPONT Coleman.
Rev. Edward Henry Eckel, who has just
completed his study for the ministry and
who was a candidate for ordination to the
deaconship, took seat in front of the
altar.
The services opened with the beautiful
Episcopal ritual set apart for ordination
occasions, led by the bishop.
Bishop Coleman then preached Q new
eriul and eloquent SERMON from Judges
4th chapter and Sth verse: "If thou wilt
go with me, the1 will l go; but If thou
Will NOT g5 with me then will not 60"
Ih3 bishop entered into an interesting
relation OF the circumstances attending
the declaration OF Barak, who would not
go up against the enemies of Israel
unless Deborah went with him. The
bishop laid great stress upon this decara
tion and strongly affirmed the doctrine
Of the Trinity and OF the great necessity
OF publishing and maintaining it In the
face of the easy and assented abuse OF
Christian principles by those who do not
give to them ther real Significance. There
was more to be feared, he thought, from
an incomplete assent Of this Catholic
faith than from downright open opposi-
tlon to it.
1t was the consciousness Of God being
with the Church that enabled the doctors
and confessors OF old to 90 Oh in uphold
ing against all odds the truth which they
had received, when they would without
this assurance have felt that they could
not obey the summons TO do battle against
schismatics apd heretics,
The Bishop then In fitting terms ap-
piled tie principles Of the text to the
pr esent occasion, festival worthy TO be
held OH Trinity Sunday, Old Swedes It.
self being Holy Tri,.lty Church. 1t was
the assurance of God, nc said, going
with them and of His continued pres
ence in their midst, that encouraged he
men of old times to begin the work for
God which has been in operation on or
near this hallowed spot for two centuries
and half. Tie preacher congratulated
the clergy and members of the Parish
upon what has already been accomplished
and bade them perseyere hopefully In
their various enterprises, inasmueh as the
Lord would go with them. He especi-
ally commended the new church enter.
prise to their prayers aud a ms, and
hoped that ERE long the erection OF the
new editice might be begun.
The Bishop then In the third place ap-
piled the teaching of the text to the or
dination services to follow. He showed
how that unless the clergy could feel
that In their arduous work and manifold
trials, and In their own natural weakness
they could have the guarantee OF Christ's
and sustaining presence, they
would be tempted to refuse the summons
which might come TO them to go out |
against the Lords enemies.
Mr.. Eckel then stood up, and the |
bi- hop addressed aim in his surpllce as |
he stoOd ready to be ordained. lie com |
mended to him especially the text as one |
that would encourage him IN his work in |
which he was about to enter. He CON
graduated him on the honorable COM
plttlon of his studies and on the dill
rence and fidelity of his preparation,
assuring him OF a hearty welcome from
all the clergy into their ranks. He ex.
pressed the utmost confidence in the
OF his labors In the important
aud inter e3ting field to which he was
going, where he doubted not he would
ind the people ready and glad to CO.
operate with him. He alluded to the
act that while there were several pos tu-
ants for The ministry IN the diocese here
Sele TO candidates looking forward to
immediate ordination, and earnestly sp-
lehled for fresh recruits from Delaware
or the growing work of the church. He
,nce more expressed his gladness at the
which was TO follow, aud
prayed In behalf oil the Candidate
or Gods abundant and constant bless
ng.
Alterward the Rev. Mr.. Murray of st.
Andrews Church duly presented Mr..
sckel to the bishop, who then proceeded
o examine him according to the form
prescribed in the prayer book. Being
atlsfed with HE replies to the questions
.sked him, the bishop, surrounded by all
he other clergymen, laid his lands on
i'm aud solemnly admitted him 10 the
)rder oil Deacons. He also licensed him ,
o olllciate by handing him copy OF the
'ew Testament and giving him authority
n the form laid down. Then, placing
he stole on his lett shoulder, the bishop ,
ook the new deacon by the hand and
Onducted him TO the altar, where he /
to read in clear and pleasant (
o.ce The Gospel for the day.
A ter the ordination services the con-
'regation was dismissed, but great
hr5np ro;-'aed around Mr.. Rckel to
osgratulate him upon TN 'mportant
'ork upon which he was entering, Ex-
ecretary Dsyard being among the first
, extend to him the warm, hearty grasp
friendship.
Mr.. Eckel will Immediately enter upon
is duties as rector Of ST. James Church
Newport and near Stanton.