Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-04-02
REcEprIoN Ar oRAoH onURcn.
DIR. and Mrs. Dobbins Warmly Greeted
nv Many New Friends.


The high regard which Grace M. Il.
Church has for its new pastor, the Rev,
Dr. John Y. Dobbns, could not have been
better expressed than by the reception
which was given him and his wife Monday
evening. Their welcome was most cordial.
The reception was held in the main sun
day-school room of the chapel and was a
success in every particular. With its
wealth of bloom the platform presented
magnificent appearance. Its entire front
was hidden by a mass OF Easter lilies,
palms, cacti and other exotics, which were
artistically grouped and gave to the north
end of the room the semblance of a beau
tiful flower garden. Behind this bank of
floral beauty Grace Orchestra was seated,
discoursing charming music almost con-
stantly. The spacious room was thronged
with people anxious to meet DIR. and Mrs.
Dobbins. In the gathering there were
many persons who are not members of
Grace Church, including several ministers.
II is estimated that 600 people were present.
About oclocl. the orchestra began the
rendition of 'Tha Prussian Prize March,
by Warren, which was followed by "Reya
Apres lie Bal" by Boustet. During the
next selection, Coronation" a procession
composed of DIR. and Mrs Dobbins, Viii
liam NJ. Field and job II. Jackson, mem
bers of the board of trustees, IL. g. Down
ward, president Of the Young Peoples
Assbtlubluis anu Mfs. ltlu Gllt6Tctl,
Messrs. Downward and Jackson leading
and Mr.. Field escorting Mrs. Dobbins and
DIR. Dobbins escorting Mrs. Field. The
procession passed up the centre aisle
to seat Immediately in front of
the platform. When The party turned
and faced the congregation the latter, led
by Henry f. Pickles, sang two stanzas Of
| Coronation" the orchestra accompany
ing. AT the conclusion of the hymn Pre-
siding Elder Murray offered prayer. Next
Mr.. Jackson, on behalf of the church and
its several organizations, delivered an adj
| dress of welcome. He assured the new
pastor and his family of a hearty and affec-
tionate welcome to the city and to the pas
! torate of the church and invited him to
visit the homes Of the people, assuring him
| that they would receive him without re-
jecting any of their old loves. In reply DIR.
| Dobbins said he came to Grace Church as
a Methodist preacher. He did not come to
| lecture on science orto attempt to please the
| fancy of his hearers with eloquent addresses.
He came to preach the whole Gospel of
Christ. He came also as pastor. He
wanted to win, as he thought he was
worthy of winning, the confidence of his
people. He thought the success of his
| pastorate depended on this. He asked for
advice and suggestions not only about his
| public ministrations, but he asked also to
be made The confidential friend of each
member of the church and congregation
to know alike of their Joys and of their
sorrows that he might be able to conform
| his efforts to their needs and be helpful to
each and every member of the church. Re-
| ferring to his visit to the Sunday he
| expressed pleasure in seeing so many
| young men engaged in its work. He
claimed to be a young man, despite the
testimony of his bald head, and asked for
the confidence and love of the young peo-
"a nh In ho ,e,-
sured his hearers that he had but one pur-
pose in accepting the pastorate of Grace
Chnrch-the upbuilding of Gods king
dom on the earth by the edification of
saints and the conversion of sinners.
During the next two hours DIR. and Mrs
Dobbins were kept busy receiving intro
auctions and shaking hands. They were
assisted in receiving by Mr.. and Mrs. Field
and Mr.. and Mrs. Jackson. Meanwhile
the orchestra played the following seec-
tions
Passing Regiment. Coverley
"Chimes of Normandy. ........... .Planquette
Overture, "Lustspiel' ,................ Keller Bel
'Faust up to Date. .....................T abani
"Galop on the Sand". .....,.. Charles Puerner
The pleasant affair continued until 1870
o'clock Among those who contributed to
its success were William H. Hawkins, Mrs
Washington Hastings, Mrs; R; II. Jones,
MI lDtyLei w llllaln u, lOuu, Edgar H.
Haynes Nathaniel I. Davis, Esq, Charles
W. Pussy, y. James Belt, G. T. Rudolph,
Mrs. George S. Capelle, Mrs. O. Wesley
Weldin, Mrs. Henry f. Pickles, H. g.
Robinson, Miss Rachel Rowland, Mics
Ilanche Weldin, Miss Alice Pussy, Miss
Mamie Mendinhall, Miss Smith, William
II. Curry, Henry F. Pickles, II. II. Ward,
Esq, Joseph Mendinhall, John q. Baker,
Mrs. 9. $. Robb, Mrs. William II. Curry,
Mrs. John g. Baker and Enoch Moore.