The sun., 1898-11-21
CHURCH CLEAR OF DEBT
Over $4,000 Raised at the Re.
dedication Exercises Of AS
bury N. E. Church.
SUCCESS OF THE PASTOR
The Congregation Enthusiastic of His
Work-The Church Has Been In
Existance for Over a Century.
The Extensive Altera-
tiOns Made.
SUCCESS OF THE PASTOR

Money seemed very plentiful about
Third and Walnut streets yesterday
morning, or, to speak more accurately
in the Asbury N. Z. Church, located or
the corner.
This has been occupied as church
site for lO9 years, but it is doubtful il
a larger sum was ever before raised
there either in cash or by subscription
at one service than was secured at the
close OF the sermon at the morning ser.
vices.
The members of the congregation and
visitors, who completely packed the first
floor and gallery OF the auditorium,
seemed to have come prepared to contri-
butte their share.
The amount raised was $1,000. This
will be sufficient to pay for all extensive
improvements made to the cAurch and
parsonage.
The immediate occasion Of yesterday IS
gathering and the wonderful enthusiasm
exhibited was the rededication of this
venerable church.
The first dedication OF the church took
place just 100 years ago. At that time
the dedicatory services we're in charge OF
the sainted Bishop Asbury, the first
bishop of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He also delivered the dedicat.
ory sermon and it was, of course, from
him that the church takes its name.
The church was rebuilt about fourteen
years ago. Part of the original found.
ations are still under the church. The
small graveyard still adjoins the church
and next to it is the parsonage which is
occupied by the pastor Rev. James
Grove.
Work on the present alterations was
commenced on August q last, and have
just been completed. Church services
were held in the Sunday school room
while the work was in progress. This
room and the vestibule leading to it
were about the only portions OF the
church which were not included in the
The walls of the main auditorium were
frescoed as were also the walls
Of the vestibule and stairways.
Then too the platform was enlarged.
Neat new carpet was placed on the first
floor, gallery, vestibule and stairways.
A handsome new organ, built by John
Brown, OF this city, was placed in posi-
ion. 1t is a two manual instrument,
md has very sweet tone. The builder
of the instrument played on it at the var
ous services OF the day.
A new cement pavement was laid
'bont the entire church property in
,luding church, graveyard and parson.
lge.
The parsonage also came in for its
hare of the alterations. The rooms on
he first two floors were repapered and
wo windows placed in the parlor. Some
were made in the dining
DOM, the cellar cemented and new
heater placed in the cellar.
The services of the day were all well
tended and were in charge of Rev. DR..
;. l. Ives of Auburn, N. Y. prominent
Iethodist divine, who has great expert
nee in conducting dedicatory services
nd showed master hand in his work
f yesterday.
The day was begun with love feast
t 8 a. m. The dedicatory sermon was
elivered by Rev. DR.. Ives at 1890
clock.
His text was III Corinthians, A.: "In
'hom the God OF the world hath blinded
linds of the unbelieving that the light
+ the Gospel of the glory of Christ who
J the image of lGod should not dawn
pom them" His theme was 1.-THE
lorious Gospel of Christ" He preached ,
n eloquent sermon and at its close made
strong appeal for contributions to pay ,
he debt incurred by reason of making
le numerous alterations and the whole ,
5000 was raised before the service
osed.
No special exercises were held in the
|ternoon when the regular session OF
le Sunday school was held.
At Up. M, however, a song service :
as held, when the new organ was again y
sted. 1t was followed by powerful =,
rmon by Presiding Elder Robert Watt.
he choir rendered a number of selec- G
ons at the morning and evening SER S
ces in an excellent manner, and num- q
er of voices were added to it for the oc- O
lsion. q
Some additional money was raised at =
10 evening service. The pastor was :,
congratulated on the great :.
ccess he has attained in this charge.
Mechanics Worship.
Rev. j. D. G.. Hanna preached a special