The Penn's Grove record., 1896-02-28
Golden Anniversary
EMMANUEL M. E. CHURCH.

tlOn OF EmHlaDuet M. Il. Church has
been celebrated with appropriate ser
vices during tie week. On Sunday
morning the pastor Rev. ID. w. q. Nc
Intire preached an
HISTORICAL SERMON,
part OF which was as follows: lie took
for his text,
Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.
Samuel 7.12.
God had done great things for his people.
Against a foe more numerous and more full
ly equipped for battle he had VIGOROUSLY
led them. In grateful recognition of that
great victory, Samuel their leader set up a
stone on the site of the battle and named
the stone Ebenezer, '.the stone of help and
said, Hitherto the Lord hath helped u.s.
Gods people should never fail to recognize
him as their helper, but should with thank
fulness acknowledge and permanently re.
cord, that all wisdom to plan and power to
execute is from him.
History greatly strengthens our faith.
We are inspired by the heroism of our faith
ers to be heroes ourselves. The foes they
met and conquered inspire us with conf
dence and hope as we face our foes. Gods
people have the assurance that his mercies
fail not toward them, that his help is prom.
jsed unto all generations. The foes of ths
Church are the most difficult of all foes tC
dislodge. 1--WE wrestle not against flesh,
and blood, but against principalities, agains
powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this world, against spiritual w~ickedness
in high places" But if the people of God
under his leadership, have put down these
foes in the past, we may look for a contin-
us9ce of victories, grounding our expecta-
ton on the promise ofthe ~unfiiling presence
of God. On this fiftieth anniversary of our
church we have reason to thank God and
take courage. "God hath done great things
for us whereof we are glad.n We will still
need him to lead us against the u~nconquer.
ed legions that are gathering against the
Church of God.
The help he has given to our form of doc
trine and worship is a guarantee that such
is acceptable to him. We will not need to
revise our doctrines or change our policy to
have his favor in the future, as we have had
it in the past. We need only to be loyal
and devoted to the faith of our fathers and
we will see in the next half century a repe-
tition Of the stirring events of the past. What
hath God wrought? Fifty years ago the
little school house situated nearly a mile be-
low gave ample accommodations to the PEG
pie known as Methodists residing in and
near Penn's Grove. Now three churches
with an aggregate capacity for seating over
1 1000 persons would not accommodate all
the people in the same territory who glory
in their Methodistic training. For over ten
years the little band had no church home,
other than the district school house, known
as Lafayette Seminary, and of much small
er proportions than the one now occupying
the same site, but even here were indica-
tions of the Divine power that gave promise
of showers of blessing that should make this
garden he Lord yield sach precious fruit
to the ors of his servants. In this school
house in 1885 the first Methodist services
was held and in 1886, a class of nine per-
sons was organized with Rev. John Boqua
as leader. This quaint and faithful man of
God has the honor of being the father OF
Penn's Grove Methodism. In that class n
nine persons were seven females, his
and three daughters, Catharine, MAY
Anny Mary Flanagan, Rebecca sd
Hannah Vanneman. The last M
wife of Daniel Vanneman who wasA N
male member except the leader.
nine persons, constituted the original Ell.
manuel Methodist Episcopal Church of
Penn's Grove Only one of this little ba>
is left in the flesh. Mrs. Catharine Be /.
Barber, widow of the late Elijah Barber.
She is still identified with the Methodism
of PENIS Grove.
Under the leadership of Rev. r. Z. Nor
rison a great revival spread through the
community in 1s36-37. The meetings were
continued all winter and 1870 were convert
ed uniting with the various churches on
the circuit. The little band al the Cove
was augmented and encouraged and a num-
Der who afterward rendered efficient service
in their church, were the fruit of that re.
vival, Among many were Robert Walker
and wife, Francis P. Walker, VIM. Sum
merrill and wife. Most of these have been
called home. Robert Walker and wife and
Mrs. VIM. summerill, though they have
passed their three score and ten years still
abide among us. At this meeting Sarah
Dolbow was filed with the spirit OF the
Lord and until 1892 was an active laborer
in every good work. At this meeting VIM.
Sack was converted. He was a very ia.
and when convicted fell like one shot
dead. Father Boqua raised his voice above
the confusion and shouted, "a sturgeon in