Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-03-09
Dedication Of the Bridgeport M. &.
Church.

NHUFCu.
Wednesday, March j, 1899, was a men,
orable day at the pleasant village of
Bridgeport, the occasion being the dedica-
ton of the beautiful new NJ. E. church.
Long before the church bell rang for
services, crowds of people gathered at the
edifice filing it to its capacity, anxiously
waiting for the hour of ten o'clock, that
they might see and hear Bishop Foss, who
was to dedicate the church. Punctual at
the hour, the Bishop accompanied by Rev.
s. G. Chatter, the Pastor, Rev. d. B. Har-
ris, Presiding Elder, Rev. j W. Marshall,
Rev. Dr. HsndIey, and other pastors, enter
ed the church, and with Presiding Elder
d. B. Harris, presiding the services opened
with prayer led by DIR. Handley The
choir sang an anthem, was glad when
they said unto me, let as 90 into the House
of the Lord Scripture lessons were read
BY Revs. J. r. Thomson and Jos Garrison
Then the Bishop arose and announced that
the sermon for the occasion was the result
of thoughts derived from three texts, viz
Matthew, 26-39; John, 1871; 1st Phillip,
3-24. The sermon was one of eloquence
and power, and the congregation was unit
ed in expressing their high appreciations
for Bishop F0ss. In a wonderful and
effective manner did he picture the differ
ence between the death Of Jesus and Paul
AT the close of the sermon the Trustees
formed around the alter, when Capt j. F.
Truit, the PRESIDENT Of the Board, pre-
sented to the Bishop the building to be
dedicated as church for the service and
worship of Almighty God. At the con-
clusiOp of the dedication of the church
clear of all debt, Prof Geo. Fl. Hewitt and
wife sang a Duet, which was sublime.
After which the pastor announced that
dinner had been provided at the Town
Hall by the ladies, where all were invited
to 60 and partake. At the close of the
services, the invitation being so broad, !
| accepted, and upon entering the room l
was amazed - beholding two deliberately
spread tables laden with eatables of all
descriptions, and handsomely decorated
with palms, ferns and flowers, which were
kindly loaned by Mr.. John Smith, florist.
The committee OF ladies on arranging the
tables was Eva May Truitt, chairman, Mrs.
S. K. Oliphant, Mrs. Sarah " Cooke, Mrs.
George PIatt, Mrs. B. A. Holdcraft, Mrs.
Jamie ID, Hewes, Mrs. Frank Kroes, Miss
Laura Chattin, Miss Edith Platt, Miss
Mamie Sheets Mrs. E. 7. Sweeten, Mrs
Thee. Fleetwood, Mrs. Thomas W. Sheets,
Mrs. Emma Gill, Mrs. L. L. Kille, Mrs
Anna Stetser. Miss Kate Cummings, Mrs.
S. B. Platt, Mrs. Maggie Sheets, and others
were highly c0mplimented by the Bishop,
pastors and others numbering 400 who
partook of the bounteous spread assuring
them that the decorations and feast ex-
celled anything they had ever witnessed
on such occasions. Mrs. Martha Cooper
kindly furnished the cut flowers, and also
with Mrs. A. B. Jordan made great sacra
| flee by giving the entire day in looking
after the dinner and supper which de-
| priVed them of enjoying the pleasure OF
the meetings. Mr.. E. T. Sweeten very
kindly furnished the dishes, for which the
committee extend to him many thanks.
At two o'clock song service was held,
| led by Prof. George FL. Hewitt, who also
was the leader of the Bridgeport choir
during the entire day and evening, and it
was the universal opinion OF the coDgrega-
ton that the choir rendered three anthems
of their selection, which were the grandest
that they bad ever listened to. Miss
Edith Platt, the organist, rendered the
| finest music that was ever produced in
Bridgeport church, showing full we'll that
she kept hid her musical talent for this
special occasion. There were several pro-
fessors of music present who passed the
highest compliments upon the organist and
choir, claiming that the city churches
could not excel Bridgeport talent. Mr.
William H. Duffieid, of Woodbury. rendered
elegant music with the cornet, for which
| be was highly complimented. At the
special request of Capt. Truitt, Mrs. Frank
Carey, of Chester, Pa, was present and
| -, II..r a
angelic, melted the hearts of the people,
and all present with one voice exclaimed
beautiful She also received many con
ordinations and was strongly urged to
remain for the evening service. which she
was unable to do. At the conclusion Of
! the song service, addresses were delivered
| by the former pastors Of Bridgeport church
which we're very interesting. DIR. Johr
Handley was requested by the Presiding
Elder to make few remarks which were
full of eioquence and power. At the close
OF the afternoon service the pastor kindly
invited the multitude to again repair tt
the hall for supper. In the evening Rev
J. W. Marshall of Camden, preached an
able sermon captivating his hearers.
It is right to give credit where it is due
and therefore it must be acknowledged
that through the indefatigable efforts o
Rev. S. c. Chattin and Charles G. Hold
craft, Bridgeport has one of the Drettiest
and neatest little churches of any village il
the State. George FL. Platt and Benjamin
Stanton, the contractors and builders, arr
congratulated upon the success attending
their efforts and laboTs. The pleasant
village of Bridgeport now having beauti
fol school house and church. all is neces
sary now for the citizens to wake up anG
make known to the outside world tht
facilities that exist here for n manufacturing
interests and boom will soon follow.
| would not fail to extend many thanks
to George Baxter, Rev. J, v. Hoidcraft
Harry Fowler, G.. Cummings, Frank Kroes
George Gill and Michael Carigan for theiI
labors in building the tables and arrangins
all matters required By the committee O.
ladies. Also Mr.. George Il. Platt who is {
kind hearted man, provided the lumber fol
the tables and would accept nothing excep
thanks OBSERVER
ALMONESSoN.
/