Smyrna times., 1897-09-08
WANAMAEER'S FAST TRAVEL.
Passed Through Town to Woodland
Beach-HOw His Sunday School
Spent the Day,

An event of Monday was the visit
of Bethany Bible Union, of Phila-
delphia, (familiarly known as John
Wanamaker's Sunday SCHOOL,, the
Steamer Clyde having been chartered
to bring them down to Woodland
Beach. Mr.. Wanamaker saw them off
and went back to the store to look
after the business until the departure
of the Norfolk Express, 1920 O'Clock,
his chief partner being away, but on
getting through some special business
and looking at his watch, saw there
was only one minute until train time.
He told his school he would be
there, and to keep his word had to
secure special train, himself the only
passenger, starting at lilo, making
the travel to Clayton in less than a
mile minute. The time from Phila-
delPhia to Wilmington was made in
less than % minutes and from Will
mlngtOn to Clayton in 36 minutes.
H. B. Grieves had been telegraphed
to to meet him at Clayton and he
passed through Smyrna at 12. 40 O. clock,
and in fifty minutes had passed over
the 81 miles to the beach-making the
total run in one hour and fifty-four
minutes.
The day was beautiful one, and a
number of the people from this town
and vicinity went down to the Beach
also, this being virtually the closing
day, and last trip of the boat. II
proved to be an enjoyable day all
around, or was, at least, to the visitors
from this section.
The arrival of Mr.. Wanamaker was
of course an event to those gathered
there, both to ''his own household
and those who had come to Join them
by the bayside. In little while one
OF the party suggested that there were
a number there who would like tc
hear him speak. He was in a certain
sense forced to the porch, an organ
brought out for accompaniment and
the hymn, "Alas! and Did My Saviour
Bleed" was sung, closing with the
chorus, sat the Cross, at the Cross, ;
IN inspiring song. This was followed
with, "When the Roll is Called III
YOnder," )" and other favOrite evangel
ical hymns, the closing one called fOl
by Mr.. Wanamaker, ''Blest be tn,
Tie that Binds"
Mr.. Wanamaker's address was full
OF good humOr and religion and seemed
to deeply impress the hearts of his
hearers, numbering some 1000 people
He was followed by Rev. John G
Thompson, one of the Bethany minis
ters, who was loyal citizen and abl
pastor of the Presbyterian church il
Smyrna at the breaking out of til,
Civil War. Addresses were also made
Gnterspersed as the others with sacred
sOngs) by Revs. G. w. Dame anC
Adam Stengle, of this town Mr.
Dame referred to Mr.. Wanamaker as th
| | SACobCo1 Uuo4nCoS uldu III ILC udblOu
and yet found time to conduct one o
the largest Sunday Schools, while tn
men in our small towns objected t
Sunday School work because the
hadn't time. Mr.. Stengle said he ha
been at Woodland Beach several times
but had never before seen the atmOs
phere of the place so pervaded by til
spirit of religion. For more than a.
hour the speaking and singing contin
ued with the fervor of a Methods
campmeeting, the people gathering
around the north porch in cOmpac
and wrapt attention, and only dis
persed at Mr.. Wanamaker's solicita
tion, saying that their visit there wa
for recreation.