Middletown transcript., 1900-05-26
rHE sEsou1-cENrENN1AL.
Communicated.

| communicated.
The Sesqui- Centennial Anniversary (
Forest Presbyterian Church was an emph'
tic success. Great interest was manifesto
in the services not only by the citizens {
Middletown but also by members living q
distance. The first service was held o.
Sunday mofningy May 18th. The floral de
coration of the Church were elaborate.
large audience assembled within the wall
of the sacred edifce, and in the pulpi
were the Rev. R. A. Dawson, the Rev. W
G. Alexander, D. D., of Washington, the
Rev. J. c. Potter, of Glasgow, the Rev. O
A. Gillingham, of Drawyer's, and the Rev
F. H. Moore, D. D., pastor of the Church.
all of whom participated in the service.
The special music rendered by the choir at
this, and all of the services showed careful
preparation and was greatly appreciated
The first address was made by the Rev. R..
A. Dawson who gave very interesting ac-
count of the Rev. John Rodgers, the first
pastor of Forest Church. This pastor was
converted under the preaching of the fam
GUS Whitefeld, and he was also Moderator
of the first General-Assembly convened in
the United States. The Rev. F. Il. Moore,
d. D., delivered the second address, and
gave a historic sketch of Forest Church,
and also summaries Of the spiritual and
financial work accomplished by the Church
during the last fifty years and closed by
comparing the history of the first one hun
dred and fifty years Of the Church Uni
versal with the last one hundred and
fifty years of her history, and expressed
the conviction that the Church had trium-
phantly survived every form of persecution,
and of intellectual attack, and predicted,
for the future Of the Church an era of great
spiritual victories. The last address was
made by the Rev. w. C. Alexander, D. D.,
and abounded in personal "reminiscences of
his impor tant and very successful pastorste |
The Church was crowded at the evening |
service, when the Rev. W. G. Alexander, D. |
D.,-the only surviving former PASTOR
preached an able and impressive sermon |
from John IL: "a. The Rev. Mr.. Caswell'
pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
was in the pulpit-and he and his people
had paid the Forest Church the very grace.
full and fraternal complim ent, which was
very highly appreciated of closing their
Church on that evening in order that they
might be present at the anniversary, and
express their deep interest and fraternal
with Forest Church, on this
occasion.
The popular meeting on Monday evening
vas a great privilege to all who were able
o hear the cultured, dignifed and spirit
lal addresses of the Rev. Joseph W. Coch-
an, of Philadelphia, who spoke words of
Inspiration to the young people whom he
egarded as the hope of the Church, and
lso of the Rev. I. Ralston Smith, D. D., of
Jew York, who in polished sentences of
aultless English recalled the tender mem
ries of the past, expressed his admiration
t the successful renovation of the Church
nd prayed for her future usefulness.
The Rev. w. c. Alexander, D. D., then
rose and spoke of the work of the present
astor in very appreciative terms and of
,red the following resolution, which was ;
lopted by unanimous rising vote; :
"Whereas, In view of the fact that the
ev. F. H, Moore, D. D., has been pastor of
le Forest Church for more than ten years,
i'd in view of the marked progress which
as been made in the material possessions
the Church during that time-including
nprovements in the Manse consisting of
"a large and we'll appointed heat \
and other improvements: and in the most !
steful alterations and Improvements in n
e church building so than it cannot be Y
rrectly spoken of il any other terms than \
a "House Beautiful, mot to omit refer
ICE to the sweet toned pipe organ up \
airs, and the two new cabinet organs in =
e Sunday School rooms, and other inn \
ovements which cannot be enumerated,
ID in view of the fact that these advances
e due in great measure, to the indomi- :.
BILE energy aud unfailing courage of her
loved pastor, the Rev. F. H, Moore D. D., =.
erefore,
Resolved, that we, the members of Forest !.
lurch and congregation, on this glad iubi-
, occasion do avail ourselves of this :
portunity to express our high apprecia-
N and heartfelt thanks to our pastor, :
:. Moore, and through him to those out
lie our own numbers, who have made it
ssible for him and US to effect such de- II
htful and useful results. -
Mr.. Moore responded in fitting terms ex-
essing his appreciation of the resolutions
lich had been adopted, his love for his Y
ople, and hoped that they might continue 4
work together in the vineyard of the Y
lster
The Soprano and Organ Recital which v
IS given by Mrs. Marie Nassau and Mr..
L. Nassau on Tuesday evening was very Y
gely attended-some of those present vi
wing come from Philadelphia and others y
IN Dover. The selections were of high
Ter and very numerous were the words
and approval at the render -
: of the different numbers.
The grand prayer-meeting on Wednes- L
y evening was full of interest and earnest
IS. The Pastor end Elders addressed the
,eting, and Miss Annie Ellison spoke on
half of the Young Peoples Society of
ristian Endeavor. Prayers were offered i
God for His continued blessing and thus
re appropriately concluded the Sesqui-
ntennial services of this venerable T
urch.
-. al
A Thousand Tongues y