Middletown transcript., 1893-06-03
CELEBRATE THEIR BI-cENTEN-
NAL IN IMPRESSIVE
SERVICES
ST. STEPHEN'SANDST PAUL'S
Two Old Landmarks of Episcopalism
ON the Peninsula Commemorate
Their Growth and Prosperity Dur
ing the Past Two Hundred Years


Church or State. On Wednesday ant
Thursday of last week, May "a and 25, ole
st Pauls, vigorous in its hoary age ane
beautiful in its consecrated mission, cele
brated its Two hundredth anniversary
The Bi-Centennial exercises commenced
at six O'Clock on Wednesday morning
when the Holy Communion was admins
tered by the rector. Rev. c. ]. Denroche
This was one of the most impressive ser
vices of the bi-centennial ceremonies. In
the dewy freshness of beautiful morning
the brilliant colors sifted through the
stained glass windows and fell upon the
consecrated vessels which we're presented
to st. Paurs by Thomas Smyth in 1853
and which through the sunshine and
shadows of the past, have re-echoed te
troubled hearts:
Then his parting word he said,
Blessed the cup ana broke the bread
."This when e'er ye do or see,
Evermore remember me.
Years have passed; in every cline,
Changing with the changing time,
Varying through thousand forms.
Tern by factions rocked by storms,
Still the sacred table spread,
Flowing cup and broken bread
With that parting word agree,
tDrink and eat-remember me-"
At 10 80 the Holy Communion was again
administered by Dean George G. Sutton,
assisted by the rector. Rev. C. T. Denroche,
and was followed by sermon by Rev.
Sewell Hepbron,, rector of st. Pan's from
1874 to 1881. but at present rector of the
no text, but gave pleasant discourse upon
a series of interesting "reminiscences of the
parish. Mr. Hepbron was followed by
Rev. s. C. Roberts, rector of Emmanuel
Church, ChestertOwn, and who has on var
ions occasions filled the pulpit of st. Paul's
i'm the absence at regular minister. Mr..
Roberts discourse was appropriate to the
occasion and highly interesting.
! The ladies of st. Paul's, who have won
golden honors by the elegance and lavish
ness of their hospitality and meals. gave a
splendid dinner on tables spread within the
shadow of the old church and beneath the
rugged arms of the stately oaks, sustaining
their enviahle reputation.
At $3.50 o'clock p. M, the impressive but
extremely beautiful memorial service of
the faithful departed, commenced. The
congregation standing, the rector, Mr.. Dem
roche, read out the names and dates OF
decease of the old church officers, coupling
with them all departed worthless of St.
Paul's. The first names read were those
two beacon-lights of Historic ST. Paurs,
Horatio Beck and Stevenson Constable. as
representing the later church officers. Mr..
Linnington Roberts Shewell, responded,
paying a beautiful tribute of respect to
Horatio Beck, who died in 1870, and who,
though unknowApersonally to the speaker
had left an excellent record behind him.
Tie tribu.e to Stevenson Constable,
that worthy and upright man of God was
feryent, eloquent and beautiful and grandly
true.
Then were read the names of James
Frizby Freeman, who died 1916, Thomas
Miller. 1849; jacob Theodore Freeman,
1851, and Ezekiel +. Chambers. 1867. The
response was by Rev. Peregrine Wroth,
who was eloquent and impressive in his
remarks. Then were read the names of
Walter T. III. Miller, 1868; James Page
Wickes. 1869; Lawrence NJ. Ricaud. M.
D., 1869, and George S.sHollyday, 1870,
eloquentiy responded to by Rev. William
Munford, of Salisbury. Next were read
the names of T. w. Ringgold, George ID
S. Handy and Capt. j. G. Hynson. coupled
with all the departed wardens, vestrymen,
Sunday school teachers, church workers
and friends of St Paul's from 1878 to the
funeral of Mrs. Helen Denroche, the esti-
mable and Christian wife of the present
rector of the church. Responded to by
the Very Rev. Dean Sutton. Prayers were
offered for the faithful departed, fervently
o,,r o.,diffr fI,a,, f,,G G0l nd haco
that they with the living, may have
their perfect consummation and bliss both
in body and soul, in His eternal and ever
lasting kingdom.
The services were very largely attended.
Appropriate hymns were sung between
each portion of the service.
THURSDAYS SERVICES.
a. 1890 o'clock, with morning PRAYER. and
a fine sermon by Rev. William Munford;
text, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" !"
After the morning services splendid din
ner was partaken of, and at 2:30 o'clock
the afternoon service opened with the
evening prayer, readily the lay reader of
the chu ch. Mr.. L. R. Shewell, after
which appropriate and interesting ad
dresses were made by Rev. s. s. Hepbron,
Rev. George Z. Sutton and Rev. William
Munford.
One of the most beautiful features of the
services was. the procession of ministers
from the robing-room into the church at
each service. to a professional hymn rem
dered by the choir and congregation. Miss
Beachem, talented vocalist of Baltimore.
sang several beautiful solos each day. Her
rendition WAS sympathetic, cultured and
exquisite. The services were so largely at
tended that chairs and benches were placed
in the aisies for the accommodation of the
large congregations, and by special request
the services were continued at n ght,l ,lwhen
standing room was scarcely available At
night. fearing that the congregation had
become wearied by the contil. ned services,
only three sianZas of that soul-stiring and
beautiful hymn, Nearer My God to Thee, -
were given out. The choir sang the first
two and started TO take up the harmony OF
the last. when the congregation in its deep
fervor took up the third verse and sung the
hymn entirely through.
The Bi-Centennial of old s.. Paul's was
glorious success, and this account of the
services will he appended to the History of
the Parish. completing in delightful full
ness the history of its two hundred years
of existence and earnest and effective work
!
hearty letter of greeting TO Sassafras Par.
ish on its Bi Centennial, held on Thursday
last at old st. Stephens Church, Cecil
county. Sassafras Parish promptly re-
sponded. and sent heartfelt letter to old
st. Paul's.
Among others who took an active part
in making the entertainment of friends
SO eminently successful weie: Mrs. Thos
w. skirvin. Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. Bell, Mr.
and Mrs. Walter B. Strong, MIR. Walbert
Mr.: and Mrs. ]. Thomas Blackiston, Mrs
Geo. Jessop, Mrs. J. Charles Beck, Mrs. /
Clark Taylor, Mrs. Earle Strong, Mrs
Geo. Beck, Mrs. Bert DeCorse, Mrs. Sded
Ger Harris, Mrs. C. B. Lamb, Mr.. and Mrs
4. Sterling Jones, the Misses Mamie Cloth
Ter, Edna Gale, Edith and May Reese, Har
NADINE. Mamie and Matte Ringgold AMI
! Clara Reyser,.