The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-04
CELEBRATION OF
ITS ANNIVERSARY
interesting Exercises at Grace Re.
formed Church Last Night.
REVIEW OP WORK ACCOMPLISHED
Church is Seventeen Years Old and
During That Period Its History
Has Been One OF Constant Prog
ress--One of the Three Former
Pastors of the Church Was Present
Last tNight.-Letters Received from
the Others.

A large congregation crowded Grace
Reformed Episcopal church last night
at the celebration of the seventeenth
anniversary of it's organization. The
programme was excellent in every de-
tail and contained much of interest
and of tender memory. 1t had been
hoped that all the former pastors OF
the church would be present but only
Rev. G. Albert Redles and the resident
pastor, Rev. G. l.. Alrlch, were able
to attend. The services opened with
devotional exercises, Rev. Richard
Horns offering prayer. w. IT. Hackett
read a valuable historical sketch of the
parish, beginning with the date of or
ganization, Feb. 13, 1881, when Rev. Mr..
Redles presided over the meeting, which
was attended by seventy-five persons.
c, p. Matthews was chairman and w.
7. Hackett, secretary.
The following vestrymen have served
the number of years that appear after
their names: w. w. Lathrope. II; G..
p. Matthews, 10; G. w. Fritz, II; John
owens, 4; ]. f. Chandler, II; S. G..
Smith, 16; w. T. Hackett, II; d. j..
Newman, Z; II. T. Warren, 6; B. G..
Morgan, /; r. II. Frear, 12; +. H.
Ripple, II; w. II. Storrs, A. j. s. Mil
Ter, 2; Henry Jifkins, 1; T. e. Lyddon,
s; A. p. Tuthill 4; w. NJ. McCulloch,
l: c. T. Hess, 11a.
The hymn, Lord With Glowing
Heart I'll Praise Thee" sung at the
first service, was then rendered. Rev.
Mr.. Redles followed with an address,
in which he spoke of the first service,
when he preached from Eph., lid,
Pauls greeting. Mr.. Redles began his
official work June s, 1881. Rev. DIR.
Logan and Rev. DR.. ]. f. Smith, of
Adams Avenue Methodist church, made
addresses in the building now occupied,
Dec. 23 of that year.
ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH.
The speaker told of the origin of the
Reformed Episcopal church in New
York in 1873, and then spoke of his
work among the people here and how
dear they were to him. God had grac-
iously blessed it in the conversion of
souls. In referring to the losses by
death he said: "The choir sang in
those days at their funerals appro-
pirate hymns. I never hear those
hymns sung, especially that one be-
ginning "My Jesus, as Thou Wilt"
without going back in thought to
Scranton, and to those homes of sor-
row." The pastoral relation here was
unique, being remarkably free from
friction.
Rev. D. NJ. Stearns, of Germantown
could not be present, but he sent a
paper which was read. 1t was list
ened to with the utmost interest. He
spoke of his experience in this church
and his love for it and from his greet
ings to the people passed quickly to
his favorite topic, that of missions
giving statistics of the work accom-
plished during his pastorate. He de-
precated asking for money for this
purpose in a secular way, but advised
earnest prayer and faith, being sure
that the desired funds would be sup
piled.
Rev. Alfred X. Bates sent his greet
ings, which were read and Rev. Mr.