Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-06-02


afternoon, when interesting exercises
were mold In tho church under the
direction OF a committee from tho vestTy
OF Trinity parish. The Rev II. Ashton
Henry, rector of tho parish, officiateil,
insisted ny the assistant minister, the
Rev. Martin u. Dunlap. The speakers
were the Rev. Snyder b. Shines, rector
Of Gloria Del tOld Swedes), Phiadel-
phia. and City Solicitor Henry q. Con.
rad, librarian of the Historical Society
ct Delaware. Among those present were
Hon. Thomas H. l3ayard, Chief Justice
Charles b. Lore, Judge William g.
HpfuenCe, Judge Ignntius G.. Grub.
the RevH. Charles II. Murray, ID. D.,
u. J. Hammond and Archdeacon George
q. Hall.
Altar brief service, the rector in.
ttodunod the Rev. Mr.. Shines, who
spoke entertuiningly Of Wait to Sweden
and of the characteristics of the
swedish race. lie eulogized tho Rev.
Eric Hiork, tbs first pastor of Old
Swedes for his great work. lie remarked
that this was the first time be had been
within ths old church, having delayed
his visit probably on thu principle that
what is easily dane is often neglected.
lis wished the parish Rodspesd in the
purpose of renovating and restoring the
ancient structure.
Henry q. Conrad charmed the large
congregation with his paper which was
as follows;
We live in a world that changes like
cloud. We are the actors on the stage
of life when all is activity and oommO.
tion. We are mere tn. day and gone to-
morrow and tha great mass OF the
AtnnriCan panpla uKa onpafanflu ~ n
move anu 10 action. How refreshing to
gather almost in the twilight Of this
last day Of the week half spring with its
showers. and hall summer with its
bright sunshlne-and listen TO the story
Of the patient men and gentlswomen
who Two centuries ago gathered here aud
in their simple unpretentiouH way laid
the foundation stones of this generated
building. Two hundred yeare--aix
generations of man have been born and
been buried. Little Of all we value
here wakes on the morn Of it's hun
dredth year'-hut here are stones that
were laid, and mortar that was tempered
200 years ago and they have stood the
stress and storms of time and stand to-
day as a lasting monument Of tho faith
fulnesa of the work. The worker dies,
but the work goes on. The thrifty
people who built this church were com
Portable, as far as the temporal affairs
of life were concerned. the mon plowed
the fields, ana tina country being rich
and fruitful, they were able to supply
not only their own wante, but they sent
nut yearly to their neighbors in thsir
little circumscribed world. broad and
grain and flour and oil. The women
folk wove and spun the flax and wove
and added to tho thrift of the house.
hold. AS Charles Christopher Springer
nut H.: I'VE live also in peace and
friendship with one another and the
Indians have not moleste1 us for many
years. "
They were happy and contented
people But like the rich man of old
.-one thing they lacked. They wanted
the Bread OF Life. The fond and raj
ment which were abundant did not
aatisfy. Thay were little colony of
people. not over |, 200 in number with
broad ocean between them and the
old home ties, and they thirsted for
the living waters which Christ had
promised; "lf any man drink Of the
waters which l shall give him he shall
thirst no more. =
know Of nothing more pathetic or
mora beautiful than the entreaty of
these people that they should be sup
piled with Bibles and with ministers.
Plniu, piuus, honest Charles Christn-
pher Springer in writing to the Swedish
authorities says: God grant thst We
may also have good shUpherds to feed
us with His holy word and sacra-
ments, " and in obedience to that heart
felt supplication ths Biblea came, and
with them the minister, Eric BjOrk.
through whose oxertiOns chiefly this
church was built.
For other foundation can no man
lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
church," and on that rock this church
was built, and the storms have de-
acended and the winds have beat, and
the flUods have come, but through the
poril Of 200 years it has stood. and
stands to-day as testimonial of the
enduring strength Of the Christian life,
the life that is hid with Christ in God.
''lf God be for III, who can be
against u.s." On the outer walls, in
ietter8 Of iron, these words were placed
M that all men could Hee to whom their
faith was tied. No half hearted re-
ligion, no Huhierfuge, no pretence-w
are marching under Gnd's banner, we
go wherever Ills banner ia unfurled.
He bs for us WIN can be against us.
The years have gone by. The words
ROMAN. This corrodIng rust of time has
made it's Impress. but the truth of
Gods word-the love Of God remains
the same.
''We live in peace and friendship
with one another, wrote Springer 200
years ago. The handful OF Swsdes has
become a multitude The old church
is hedged in by the bustlinr industries
Of great city, and in its train has
come the rush for wealth, the struggle
for plaes and power, the insaiiate greed
for gain. In this wild rush nre we not
apt to forget that we owe the first and
higher duty to thu God who made w.
IL have loved you with an everlast-
ing love-" but our love in return We
make secondary. Wealth and gain first,
God afterwards 1t is better to be
alive to. day than it was 200 years ago.
IL is a glorious heritage to bo living
human being to these latter days of the
nineteenth century.
When Eric Biork left this church and
went back to Sweden his prayer was
ssthAt thhre should never fail those who
Worship in spirit and in truth. "
His prayer in measure has heen full
filled. The first church founded here has
prown intn more than half hundred,
and many thore be who to this day are
worshinng tho Lnru in apirt and in
truth. hut in the quiet of this closing
hour each ono in this haIlowed presencc
shuTM cnnsecrate himBslR now to the
seryire Of tho Allviae nnd Mercitnl
E.tt,a. ,a,na,nbprinp TINT The that