Middletown transcript., 1893-05-06
FIFTY YEARS AGO.
Reminiscensces of a Pastor Who
Preached in Middletown Half
a CantuI.v AGO.

"Reminiscences OF IdSIoF NAO
Preached in Middletown Half
a Century ago.
The following paper was read at the
anniversary of the Historical Society OF
the Wilmington Conference :e at its last
session:
Brethren and friends-By virtue of the
position l occupy, deem it proper to make
some remarks at least. take advantage
of the occasion to do so. My object is t.
present in written words few gems gath
cred from the ltinerant Strand.
First-I will begin by saying find my
self at point of observation such as seldom
falls to the lot of man illustrated in tht
phenomena where the past and the preseni
blend and where youth and age meet and
present the same personality. You know
it is said in Holy Writ that "O Old men shall
see visions and young men shall dream
Dreams" To verify these statements and
to give dignity and cheer to the occasion,
may not say l am dreamer and some
times see visions, things terrestrial and
celestial blend and brighten in my contem-
plations, both when awake and asleep.
Second-This is semicentenary period
with me, keep sufficient mote of this"
to say, fifty years ago | was pastor of this
church, known then as the charge of Mid
dletown and Cantwel's Bridge" One of
the two years of my pastorate here, was i'll
delicate health and contrary to my doctors
advice l held an extra meeting of several
weeks. The meeting was blest with the con-
version of souls. l survived it and here
am after the lapse of half a century, giving
this testimony and still in the effective
work and l am almost certain there is
some one, if not more still living who was
converted at this meeting.
Third-Allow me to say the remincences
that occupy a place in this address were
spontaneous with the writing and without
record or diary. | recalled the fact that
the first text l announced and discoursed
upon in this charge of fifty years ago, was
this Il determined not to know anything
among you, save Jesus Christ and Him
crucifed." And it may be well enough to
add, nor has it been soiled by too much use
on similar occasions, for have seldom or
never repeated it, variety has given spice
to my sermons, but this great theme have
tried to make prominent in my preaching.
This 1 tell you is he Gospel message with
Methodist Theology as its exponent, en-
dorsed by the Scriptures, it has improved
the orthodoxy and inspired the Evangelism
of Christianity along the past century
Pauls' theme was "Christ and Him Cruel
fed" here we find 1.-The height and depth,
the length and beadth Of the Love of God,
and of the truth as it is in Jesus" And to
quote the words of the long departed Dr.
Hagany, once pastor of this church, This
is the preachers theme, the story of the
Cross, the Resurrection and triumphant
fight to Heaven of deaths great Con-
queror," Glory to His name.
Fourth-Again, as you may know, there
is two-fold law operating in our timer
ant work as well as in some other things, it
is marked by the processes of enlargement
and construction. Middletown once be-
longed to old Smyrna Circuit, but became
associated with Cantwells Bridge, now
Odessa, and formed charge. / was the
third pastor of that charge, having been
preceded by Brothers Cunningham and
Carries, both of precious memory. After
some years Of enlargement the contraction
force formed the appointments into separ-
ate charges, and the same process
is working through all our borders.
Fifth-Again, if it is boasting, be it so,
when l say, in the history of this Church,
both in its former and present order find
myself associated with illustrious names.
In the roll of pastors at later period than
my own, was DR.. Ragany above mentioned.
1t was under his ministry in my yhood
that / embraced religion and joined the
Methodist Episcopal Church, he was man
| wrote poetry and to quote his words written
i'll his early ministry in eulogy of Lot War
field, his senior colleague which l would
apply to the author and to each of those
| who have been pastors of this charge and
| let it pass into history, he wrote:
Thine was noble soul and hadst thou
lived in Romes' proud day
She had owned another victor as ner guide
| To glorious conquest in the storm OF war,
IN xyn6 fhno frnI. InfGa n
And gave thee birth for deeds OF nobler fame,
Deeds chronicled In Heaven-whlcn shall
Survive the gilded pageantry of earths' vain
Sons and shine eternal, when the warriors
name
And telmet-sword and SHE d together
rust
Sixth-Aud it is surely privilege and
| pertinent to say that Goldsmith CarroW
now DIR. of Divinity was youthful men,
ber of this church at the time of nv pas.
torate. l gave him license to exhort and
recommended him to the travelling ministry
He filled prominent appointments in the
Phllaoelphla conference and he was a mis-
slonary to South America. He is now
living as veteran in the Supernumerary
ranks and no doubt with 1.-THE feast OF
reason and the flow Of SOUL" which his
literary culture Supplies; he also sits at the
higher banquet Of grace and as opportunity
affords breaches the unsearchable riches
| of Christ"
Seventh-And think it becomes me to
say that there are now living in this place
a gentleman and lady who at the time OF
my pastorate, one living near Odessa the
other resident of this town, were by me
united as husband and wife at the marriage
altar, and their honeymoon is still bright ~
l mention this as an incident, pleasant ]
am sure to the parties themselves, and il
will come as strain of music to thrill the
hearts of all present, for the subject of
Loves young dream" can never lose its
power.
Eighth-And as a coincidence of interest
with the general subject, it was my privi-
lege to p rform the rite of baptism in the
case OF the present pastors wife of this
church, after had been pastor here in the
days of her childhood. in CentrevilIe, Md.
Nor has the bloom of her youth decayed,