Bridgeton pioneer., 1899-05-25

III.
preached.
The services will be continued this
afternoon and tonight. The historical
exercises will occur this evening.
Friday Afternoon.
The meeting opened with a hymn, toll
lowed by an earnest and impressive
prayer by Rev. Charles H. Elder. The
main thoughts were for blessings for all
who draw near; that God will speak to
our hearts while we wait. May God
continue to bless this church from
preacher to sexton; may God let hearts
be filled with power divine, and the tri-
umph of Methodism advance, and lastly,
the God who helped the early struggle be
present to-day. Then came that good old
hymn, II love to tell the story"
Rev. d. B. Harris, the pastor. said he
was glad of the spiritual feasts they were
enjoying, also the social parts like this
afternoon.
Rev. j. B. Graw, the pastor of 1861, next
addressed the meeting, and said he saw
very few present that were members
when he was sent here, youngster. He
for fear the suspicion would be that they
we're old; but like him, they would al
ways be young, though years rolled over
them. When he first came to Bridgeton
to preach in 1861, the steamboat brought
him; when he landed, he saw the JAIL the
court house and the church. He was en-
tertained by. Bro. Hanthorn. The first
railrpo6 RI Rri6nofnn
he was passenger on the first train, and
was glad not to go by stage.
Rev. G. L Dobbins spoke of Bridgeton
as his best pastorate-they had the best
choir, always in place snow or blow sum-
mer or winter. Every thing was harmon
ious, no friction in the official board dur.
ing his three years. stay, though his lot
fell in the hardest times, when they had
taken off the pew system. 1t worked
we'll at first, the congregation increased
and then the income decreased. The
business interests of the city were so
stagnant at that time not ten men in the
church were making a living, However
struggled and raised $4,000. At the end
of his time they desired his return, but
it matter of prayer and said he was at
the service Of the church-they started out
trusting in God and saying they would
pay what they could. Sister Lizzie Smith
spent five weeks among them, God bap-
tised her wonderfully and eighty-five
were brought into the church-They
raised $1,000 easier than $500 the first
With Rr0 P,1r 30 ha1x No. -,
front we're set out and their straightness
is now to be admired. The church stands
straight and shows signs of life.
Rev. w. 8. Zane was preceded by two
presiding elders, whom he said were
generally loaded like double barrelled
gun. He came in 1881; a committee met
him at the annual conference and asked
directly if he would preach for them; he
replied that he was under the influence
of the powers that be-but he felt good
that he had an invitation. A revival of
nine weeks was held, the doors were
darkened with the crowds. A good old
fashioned revival of religion; the decks
we're cleared and all went in for salva-
ton in earnest. He recollected how peo-
ple prayed, how tears flowed and how
quick 10 o'clock rolled around. Bro. Jos.
B. Sharp was converted, now he is being
entertained in Bro. Sharp's home.
Rev. j. F. Heileman's remarks followol
an original line of thought. His sum.
mary of the characteristics of the former
pastors, was brief and extremely inter-
esting.
Rev. D. B. Harris, in lis closing re-
marks, said all were back numbers but
himself. God had helped them and is
still ready to help.
Announcements were made and the
doxology sung.
Friday Evening.
The chief feature of last nights services
was the excellent historical paper pre-
sented by J. Lenhart Rice, who had made
earnest, careful research in all available
archives for the information that would
prove of value to the listeners. So ably
written was the paper, that after its read
ing, at the suggestion of pastor Harris,it
was decided to have the paper printed in
pamphlet form.
The historian was particularly able to
to tell the story of Trinity Church, for as
boy OF twelve, forty-six years ago, he
joined the church and has never had any
other church home. Methodism in
Brldgeton has grown in less than one
hundred years, the first society being the
old Commerce Street, and to day there
are six regular churches, with member
ship OF more than 1000, with over 1900
Sunday School scholars, and property
valued at 1921 900.
The church has had twenty-seven pas
tors and the Sunday School fifteen super.
intendents. Christiana Kirk was the
first member of the church to die, In
1858 there was quite rumpus over pro-
miscuous sitting and the introduction of
instrumental music. The matter was
finally settled in favor of the innovations.
1t was impossible for Mr.. Rice to re-
count the great good done in the religious
life, but to-day the faithful Church has
membership of nearly 450, and a great
good has been accomplished in the COM
munity.
Mr.. Rice then recalled the pastors of
the church, referred to the pecularities
and special characteristics. Some of
these references We're especially INTEREST," |
ing. Rev. w. Margerum and Rev. j. F.
Heilenman were present, and recallad |