Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-10-02
snoonD n4fr1sr az Ukon.
commencement ON sunday ~ "A
FceK's Celebration of SIS 53th
Anniversary.

commencement on Sunday ~ a
IFceH's Celebration OF IDS J5th
Anniversitry.
The congregation of tho Second Bnn.
sist Church commenced et its mornings
servio on Sunday, the 55th anniversary
OF the establishment of the church. Ths
celebration observnnoe1 will continue
throughout the whole o. the week
Morning and evening services on Sun-
day wera attended by crowded audiences.
The platform ia tastsfnlly 4 scosatsd with
palms, fsrng and aowera. The Gnuiyse-
saTy sermon was preached in the N Tning
by he pastor, the Row. Richard Il. Cook,
D. d Dir. Onok il the twelfth pastor OF
the church, and entered on his duties
December LIST, 1876.
The preacher took for his text the posi-
ton OF the prophet Nehemiah ahea he
exclaimed to ths Jewg who wished By
conferences 60 delay his werk, q an
doing great work SO that l cannot CONS
down." the application was that Chris.
tiana can mad more sub3tantial results
for their aesife Tor ohutca wo!k in per.
aonal tf3rt more than in conferences
over arrangements 1hichtoo often hinder
direct results. at The close OF Lis sd.
NA1Ah wv HhuaSA e. btiAFG AaA4D6k'GSF
of the chprch's history. 1t was founded
IA 1885 by l3 members. They were
Gideon Fl Iindali, john Heazlett, Moses
Rannistar, Robinson Beckley, sally Ann
Todd, Margaret Stefrett, Susanna
Boulden, Susan Darby, Ann BaaniaIdr,
Margaret springer, Sargu A. Granala,
Mary =. s.rcui ond James Cochran. Of
this original ID, only one survives, Mrs
Mary b. Stroud,
The evening services were devoted to q
Sunday -sehoJi celebration Sup4rinten-
dent Alfred GaSthrop was in charge and
H6nry w. Zimmerman led the sin ing.
Between $50 and 800 pupila and teachers
occupied the atst d9zan pews. In his re-
view Of The schnol history MIR. Gawthrop
stated that the first 5undRy-sohool meet.
ing was held in 1886. onn year attsr the
organization of the church.
The first sessions were held tho 10 old
First Presbyterian meeting house, near
shs corner of Fenlh and Hlatlfet streets,
which il now used by tic Historical 10.
oety. TIE following Is List Of The
yuperintendents OF tine school from 1856
until the present tiiit: nr. Her age,
1885 to 1887; Dr.. barris 1887 10 1888
Willism y. Mhesler, 1898 to ISL: VI. L.
Cooper lS4i 10 1875: j bhn 4. Z,b'sy,
1919 to 1850; William Is. Sharnar, 1850 70
1856 J8cnb NJ. Chalfant, 1856 to 1857;
Warrington Jones, 1857 to 1872, and
Alfred iawthrop, resent superintendent,
from 1872 until 1899. d complete list OF
the assistant superintendentg could not
be had. Miss Lydia P. Drew, who still
is an active member OF the churoh, was
made o1siatant superintendent in 1887,
aud owing to the increasing number OF
the class she resigned in 1912. Tho
present treasurer OF the church ia John
Davis, who enjoys the distinction OF
being the Oldest officer OF the church In
active service.
at the close Of the superintendent ad-
dress the Rev. w. a. Geistwelt OF Gam
den, N. j., made an extremely interesting
address to the childrsn. His text was
"Ye are the light of the world" He
demonstrated his subject by thu use OF q
succession of illuminated candles OF
various colors placed 10 turn on the table
in front of the lecturer. In the csntEe
was small spirit lamp from va ich all
the others obtained their light. The
children were go extremely interested
that they could hardly keep their segts
while Mr.. Geistweit was telling his story.
The anniversary tx,rciaes Will continue
each evening of the week.