Evening journal., 1894-04-07
TWO new CLERGYMEN.
Welcomedto Epworth BY Pre-
siding Elder Barrett.
TEE NEW UNITARIAN MINISTER.

Rev. James II. Hodgins, of Germantown,
Preached the Sermon at the Instaila-
tion of Rev. Alexander t. Bowser, who
Comes From Boston.
The reception rendered TO Rev. L w.
Layfeld, the new pastor of Epworth NJ
+ Church, and his family, last evening,
was very cordial aud partook more OF the
features Of a home gathering than of the
meeting of strangers. TIE pastor aud
family arrived in the city from Zion, Nd,
in the morning and partook of lunch at
the residence of Mr.. and Mrs John A.
Booker, No. 52l French street
The parsonage, which has been
renovated by the Ladies' Aid Society, was
the scene of a merry gathering in the
evening, and the supper, prepared by the
women Of the church, was thoroughly
enjoyed by the pastor and family,
together with number Of others promi-
nent in the work Of the church
At o'clock they adjourned to the
lecture room Of the church, where large
audience had gathered to welcome the
pastor TO his new field Of labor
After the audience had sung Corona
tion" and 20 for a thousand tongues to
sing and prayer had been offered by
Rev John White. the presiding elder
Rev l.. E. Barrett, stepped forward. aud
made the Introductory remarks. He said
In substance as follows:
| People in the old countries wonder at
US Americans as. every four years we
elect q ruler, without any semblance of
a revolutiOn-but on election night the
( people, or at least the majority of the
/ people, retire peacefully TO rest and
| L.m .
I'll they awaken ia the morning to hear
who is the successful candidate None,
seemingly, are hurt, by the chanpes,
except possibly, the defeated candidates
aud party. II could hardly be done in
the mother countries without bloodshed
and revolution. AS il Is with our govern.
ment, so IL is with the Methodist
Church Preachers may serve one, two,
possibly Eve years ct a church. They
go TO annual conference, however, ready
and willing to change their circuits OF
stations, IL the presiding elder and
bishop in their wisdom, see ft to so
transfer The preac er packs up his
boxes moves on 70 the next charge and
is content One goes, another comes.
and the churches of our denomination
never are without pastors. and people
wonder, how can it be-. Only one other
| system can be compared with ours. but we
do not believe IL can surpass IT, although
the Roman Catholic Church has a very
complete system. Epworth Church has
lost its ex pastor. but we are glad that
the Wilmington Conference has not lost
it's Jewell Gods messengers are ready
aud willing to 60 anywhere and
should be, and are received graciously
and heartily When everything is
sifted, for doubtless the bishop and pre-
siding elder are fallible, it will be found
that but few mistakes are made, aud every
church receives its pastor with opsn
arms. Your new pastor is not a heavenly
vsitant' but a man Of flesh and blood,
and should be, aud no doubt will Be,
welcomed, and he is here to preach to
you pure gospel minister unto the sick
aud distressed and assist in helping
forward the ark of the Lord.
In conclusion Mr. Barrett said that in
this particular case Mr. Layfeld was
marching away from Zion, instead OF
marching to Zion. However in coming
to the large and commodious new Ep-
1, worth he was falling into the hands Of
good people, and be would not need tC
, exhort the members to rally around him
for that they surely would do. He ther
: extended TO the pastor and his family
. consisting Of his wife, daughter Blanche
and two sons, a most hearty welcome OF
b behalf Of the membership, to Epwortl
Church.
Mr.. Layfeld then answered to the re
marks Of Mr. Barrett. He is a man o
medium build, rather tall, with loug side
. | whiskers, and is very fOrceful anC
y energetic In his speech, commanding th'
] strictest attention of his audience from
the start to the finish. In reply, he sail
the presiding elder could not embarasi
= him, nor did be feel embarrassed, for twl
: or three reasons First, he did not seel
the field; the field sought the preacher
He never asked a favor from his pre-
siding elder as Mr. Barrett coulC
n testify, except to expect fair play
A lie was a son of the church, ani
n endeavored to be loyal one
He always accepted appointments q
o having been made by Divine order
i A second reason is he is not a strange
~ TO Epworth. The reception given hin
u on Sunday last completely reconciled hin
4 to the fact that he was in the midst o
,s friends and was sure Of being made &
n feel at home among them Every energ.
, Of mind and body would be devoted &
IL his people. He had learned to distrus
/ ullloHll Anu AAueN AANAN AiA MAHA
power. He found the old Gospel NOR
healthy for himself and his people tba
n scientific or theological sermons b
in reclprocated the kind welcome given I
~ him by the presiding elder on behalf @
y bis people, and speaking for himself
m wife and family was glad to be anon
ar the good friends at Epwortb, and in con
clusion expressed lis earnest desire tha
the blessing Of Almighty God would res
upon the people and their labors durin
this year.
Ds During the singing of "Were Marcel
OF ing to Zion" the entire audience file
a. past Mr.. Lsy6eld and family, wh
III stood Ia front Of the chancel, and greete
each with warm handshake, and
hearty welcome to Epworth aud the cit
of Wilmington
REY. 4. 7. BOWSER IhSTALLEI
in Interesting and Impressive Services