The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-08-29
CHARLES BAIRD sPEAKs.

After an Introduction OF the thought
that nearly two score years OF history
connect this church with eternity.
Elder Charles Baird. one of the found
ers of Central and West Presbyterian
churches and certain missions, spoke
as follows:
ut is because an important part of
the life of our departed friend, Dr.
lWiswell, in whose memory we meet
to-day. is so closely allied to the work
of this church that we refer to these
matters, and that we also think of
Those faithful ones who held up his
hands in the good work Of this branch
lof Zion. Many OF them have gone.
lOnly ono OF tho original elders is row
living. and he Is still with you honor
ing the position you called him to at
the organization. =....
All the building committee but one
have passed away. and he waits bellev.
ling that when our earthly house of
this tabernacle is dissolved, We have a.
building OF God, q house not made
with handle, eternal in the heayens."|
IOnly three OF the original board of
trustees remain. one OF them In an
other city, the other two still with
Iyou, one of whom now serves as presi
dent of the board. Then there are a
few others of the early membership
mat TeAHdlH anu IOntllue III inns
glorious work. You have heard
ALREADY this morning OF the useful
passionate of Dr.. Wiswell here. II can
lie truly said that he was an earnest,
Jealous, lnburer. Activity. enthus-
asm and patience he exercised with
[ hristian prudence.
"He had unusual Executive ability, he
could plan and execute and was
peculiarly gifted in being able TO Sc
cure large part OF the church to en-
gage In active christian work. Part
Of his ministry here was during the
troubloue times OF civil war that
made division in families and sepa-
rated friend from friend, but through
lit all he loyalty carried forward the
Interests of the church. In the Green
Ihlll PresbYterianC Church, Philadelphia,
The field or his labor utter leaving this
Church in the spring of 1857. he con.
ltinued to engage in the Masters bust
ness until 1855. when within two
years of three score and ten. falling
health constrained him to give up
lpustorate work and preaching,
Early in his ministry death entered
his home and carried away his first
born, his two-year old Anna.
During his ministry In Philadelphia
we was suddenly bereft OF the wife of
mis- youth. Subsequently he married.
the noble helpmate who in her widow
hood mourns his loss to-day.
"a little more than year ago his IL.
year old boy Clyde who promised 30
we'll, was claimed by death, and the
stricken parents, Who had hoped so
much from him, trustfully said: ut
is the Lord"
"Dr. Wiswell was born at Nhithall,N
~, May 29th. 1917. His parents died
when he was quite young, and he COIN
menced life as farmers boy In Yer.
mont. He early manifested desire
for knowledge and u love for books.
Some OF you remember, perhaps his
telling OF the promise of the farmer
THAT If he worked well he should be-
sent to the academy in the winter.
by diliEent study he was prepared
Ito enter Aliddlehury College. After
finishing the course there lie spent 81
years in Union Theological Seminary,
graduating in 1874. He was ordained,
and Installed pastor at SouthhVldl
June Is. 1916, by the Presbytery OF
Long Island. His trial sermon at his
Examination was from the text: The.
wicked is driven away in his wicked
ness, hut the righteous hath hope in,
his DEATH" Erov. 1852.
in November. 1850, he gayeEup this
pastorato and accepted The position
lOl InRtIlaA abtAlt Va tlllOH 1ltp
logical Seminary. He was for time
the stated clerk of the preshytery OF
Long Island. In 1858 he resumed pas
ltoral work by accepting call from
tho Second Church of Peekskill, where
| he remained until 1856. when he came
Ito this city ana this church. He had
the respect and confidence of his
brethren in tho ministry.
He was a member OF the Presby-
terrain board of Publication and ut the
time of tho reunion OF the church a
mem Der of the New School Committee.
He was honored by the President of
the United States by being appointed
just after the war national visitor to
the government Military Academy at
West Point The last three years of
his life were spent In Washington. He
attended the services of the sanctuary \
as long as his health would permit
though not able to take any active
part. He was fond of reading and was
able to crafty this desire until within a.
week Of his death.
"A fayorite poem of his was written.
in the year 1882 by pastor who had
been obliged to resign the ministerial
Office on account OF falling health. 1t
was entitled Submission" Thus
saith the Lord thy days of health are
over"
This poem he would frequently read
and with tears In his eyes would say
this fits my case exactly but cannot.
feel resigned to my lot" 1t was my
privilege to call on him In Washington.
lin April lust and l shall not forget the
pleasure 1t afforded him to m set and
talk with one from his old Wilmington
home.
HE talked over the events Of bis
mini6try hare and manfinnad tha