The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-05-04

Yesterdays Weather Conditions Idea
for Such an Eyent-A Large Com
pany Of Wilmington's Best People
Thoroughly Enjoyed the Daytime
Services IN the Ruins of the Old
Church-Beautiful Address Written
by Mr.. James -Sprunt-The Noble
Work Undertaken by the st. Philips
Committee.
The sacred uin of old st. Philips
church, and the historic grounds by
which they are e~nvironed, where, in
the earlier days of American history,
fourished the town Of Brunswick.
were on yesterday the scene of n of
the most delightful and completely
successful outings tina could possibly
be given.
1t was the first of what will, The
Messenger is pleased to announce, be
annual pilgrimages by the North Caro-
lima Society of Colonial Danes, and
any and all of their friends who may
wish TO Join them. Indeed, so thor
oughly delightful did yesterdays pill
grimage prove for every participant
that their patrons in 1901 can but be
legion.
The fact is, il is safe TO predict that
this historic spot and the district in
which it is situated, rich in historic in
terest and ~marvelously beautiful, Will
in the near future be visited with
much frequency by people of Whining
ton and pleasure seekers from a dis
lance as we'll. But limited space will
not admit in this connection of extend
ed reference to the wonderful attrac-
iveness of the place, save as 1t is so
beautifully outlined in addresses and
other features of the exercises held
under the auspices of the Colonial
Danes yesterday n reproduced fur
Their on in this article.
The steamer Wilmington left her
wharf at the foot of Market street at
10 o'clock with a merry company OF
Wilmington's very best people, Co
1onial Danes and others, bound for st.
Philips church. Arriving at the pier re-
Gently constructed there at consid-
cradle expense by the st. Philips COM
mittee of the Colonial Danes, the pill
grims wendell their way over a newly
constructed roadway to the old church,
a half mile distant
On every hand were evidences of the
HODle NOIh D6lIS uOuG ny Tic ~.
Philips committee in restoring and
preserving the ruins, especially the
walls of the church and tOmbs in the
adjacent churchyard, notable features
being that the masonry of tombs have
been carefully repaired, broken slabs
cemented, the walls of the old church
strengthened and vines planted o
them in a way which gives promise of
entwining them in their lovely ten
drills of green. And, too every feature
of the changes wrought under the d1-
rection of the committee is such as not
to detract in the least from the gen.
eral appearance Of the sacred and his
toric spot as a typical colonial ruin"
SERVICES CONDUCTED IN THE
RUINS.
When the delighted pilgrims had
spent possibly a half hour examining
the ruins with reverentfal interest, they
assembled with one accord within the
sacred confines of the old church walls
some seated on camp stools under the
shade of the well-developed cedar
trees which now lift their
the church pews in which the sturdy
~cOlonists and dignitaries of church and
state once sat and Joined in the wor-
ship of God.
The services yesterday were con-
Quoted by Rev. Robert Strange, ID,
ICSlOI VI ~. Odl1lCo NhoASbS oA0 1NN''
NJ. A. Barber, rector of ST. PauPs
church, this city. AS the people Joined
in singing the opening hymn, THE
Church's One Foundation" the Off
ciating ministers entered and look
positions near the a S wall, about
where the chancel ono was.
The psalms from the psalter and the
creed were rendered, Rev. Mr.. Barber
officiating, and then DR.. Strange fer
vently offered the following beautiful
prayer:
20 God, the Almighty Builder and
Ruler of the nations, whose name Is
excellent in all tn earth N Thy glory
above the heavens, We praise and adore
Thee for all the great things which
Thou hast done for us
I'VE thank Thee for the fearless pio-
neer and hardy settler, who crossed the
painless ocean, who faced the savage
foe, who felled the forest and cleared
the land, who builded this noble COM
monwealth of states to be the pride
and glory of our own people. the won
der and admiration of the world.
I'VE thank The for the civil and
religious liberty which they brought
to this new land; for the wisdom which
held that the foundation of men and
nations success is Christian character;
for the faith and generosity which
made them build in the centre of their
rude settlements a stately church for
the worship of Almighty God, We rem
der to Thee our praise for the work
which these good women have done
and are doing here; that Thou hast put
it into their hearts to rescue from
times decaying touch these walls,
which once reSounded to the chant
and hymn of Thy sweet Worship; that
under their reverent and tactful care
time himself will make them more
beautiful, that, as the years rol! on, the
shaven turf, the flowing moss, the
clinging vine will change this ruin into
a monument, which will tell the lin
gering stranger how true our ances-
tors of old were to their God and their
fellows, and how truly our own fa1r
mothers, wives and daughters appre-
ciated their good works.
And now, o Lord, as we stand be-
fore Thee this day, We beseech Thee to
keep Thy church and household con-
tinually in Thy true religion, that they
who do lean only uDon the hone of