The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-05-13

EVEEL EHt.H HNHHE# fraEsIEa 90 I-EHatF -
the invitation OF his fellow townsman.
Rev. Mr.. Speers. Referring to this fact.
Mr.. Coffey remarked that producing
two such men was something that Bal
lymoney. the county Antrim town gull
", OF giving birth to Messrs. Coffey and
Speers, had as yet given no logical ex-
PLANTATION OF. incidentally, Mr.. Corey
congratulated the congregation OF the
Second church on It's semi-centenniaL
Following the conclusion OF the pro-
gratntne the Kings Daughters served
light refreshments, at the various Ia
bles conveniently arranged about the
room. The reception vas a most pleas
ant feature OF a happy celebration.
CHURCH MEMORIES.
AtNthe, afternoon reception the pastor
read some memoaes OF the first pastor
ate written. by Miss Margaret Dickson,
which described Wheeling as It was
nifty years ago. It described the view
from the old stone bridge; the cotton
factories and saw mills, along tho north
bank OF the creek; the Iron mill which.
stood at the point where the creek en-
tiers the river. The description Of the
Chapllne property, where the church
now stands, carried !the old folks back
to the time when lanterns. were very
desirable when one would 60 about after
dark; when the streets we're In a state
OF nature with here and there high
stepping stones for crossing the deep
clay, mud OF wet weather which would
otherwise have seemed as impossible
as Bunyan's Slough OF Despond. The
recollection OF the opening Of the Bal
timore & Ohio railroad caused many a
mind to dwell upon the advancement
OF the last fifty years, but OF most in
terest, perhaps, to the large and appre-
clatlve audience gathered, was the
building up OF the Second Presbyterian
church, both in its temporal and splr-
itual affairs. The year and a half In
which services were held In the Chap
line residence seems to have been full
OF tender fellowship, and when at last
the bell purchased by Mr.. Edgar Woods
and Mr.. Henry Crangle summoned the
people to worship In their new church
home there was great rejoicing. The
mention Of bells brought back the awe
inspiring tone Of the hand-bell rung by
the city bell man as he slowly rode his
horse through the streets announcing
that a child was lost, or some other
tidings demanding immediate attention.
The comparison OF the old fire depart
ment and that OF to-day caused a smile
to pass over the audience, and compels
one to believe that things have
Changed" The tender recollection OF
her fathers work and his anxiety for
his flock dimmed many eyes, as the
reader reviewed the sacramental season
and Its hallowed associations, and those
who had enjoyed the family prayer
meetings" held on Friday nights, in the
several homes, were constrained to feel
the weight of years. and that at best
but a few years would pass and there
would be a sweet and everlasting gath
ering in the Fathers house OF the saints
not lost but gone before.
The memories OF the Sabbath school
made the young smile. and yet it was
then that the deep things of God were
stored away In the mind, in the men,
orizing Of scripture texts, the catechism
and the Psalms in meter The noble
efforts in missionary work spoken OF
have not been neglected in this church,
and the %peroration was the earnest
prayer that every name on the rolls of
the church and Sabbath school be found
written In the Lambs book Of life in
lines of mercy.
THE EVENING SESSION.
At the evening service. the pro-
gramme, which had been prepared, was
followed. The pastor, Rev. Joseph
speers, read q history Of the church. He
began by saying:
Some n has said, This age is the
result OF all former ages and II We can
read Alright the signs OF the times, 1t
would seem as II all ages were pouring
themselves into It. The struggles, pas
sions, discoveries, revolutions, reforma-
lions and educations Of oil former times
survive in their influence on the pres
ent moment. The tendency OF the pres
ent is expansion in things both temper
81 and spiritual and the church OF
Christ must not be one whit behind In
the great activity Of the age"
Continuing. he said that when Luther
SO grandly won the battle OF the ages,
little did he dream Of the glorious re-
suits which should follow. The speaker
gave in substance the beginning OF the
Presbyterian church In Wheeling; Its
growth and expension, the organization
and growth Of the Second church: Its
influence and work. OF the personality
and work of the pastors he said:
II can add nothing to what our old
and honored friend, Brother DR.. Lester,
said this morning. But I do want to
pay n tribute to the memory Of Rev.
William H. Cooke, who for nearly four
teen years served this church so faith
fully and we'll. All. how little OF his
kindly deeds and noble work Is known!
As the present pastor goes about he
hears OF much that was done under the
motto Of the Kings Daughters, Of this
church, known as the William Fl. Cooke
circle. A man Of genial character, a
ripe scholar, a sympathetic friend, he
was. ever ready to bring the comfort OF
Gods word to the Borrowing, and his
pleasant greetings made the Respondent
to smile and take fresh courage. With
q heart burdened by the trial OF a sore
bereavement in this early ministry here
he cheerfully fulfilled his sacred trust
until the Heavenly Father. touching his
physical being with the finger OF dis
ease, called him suddenly from the
sight of men, October Il, 1895. into the
full fellowship OF God. Can human pen,
can human tongue tell the story OF his
work here? All. no! Only the records OF
eternity can fully reveal the work OF
this godly man who, In sunshine and
shadow, In calm or In storm, was ever
ready to be about his Fathers BUSH
ness. The poor and the non-church
goer, the publican and sinner as well,
aye, perhaps better than the church.
goer, knew him and loved him, and he
Is not forgotten. He Is not simply re-
membered by the tablet placed on the
wall here, which Is garlanded Tonight
with flowers, but by n loving remem-
brance in the hearts OF all who knew
him."
Continuing, the speaker gave On nc
count OF the work done by the church
during Its fifty years, speaking OF the