Smyrna times., 1900-06-27
BIG SUNDAY AT SEVERSON'S
CHURCH RE.OPENEO AFTER UNDERGOING
SOME EXTENSIVE REPAIRS.
Pastor, ex-PastOrs and Congregation Unite
in Making the Service a Memorable
One-Large Attendance Present

One-Large Attendance present
Sabbath last was a memorable day
in the history of Severson's Methodist
Episcopal Church After undergoing
extensive repairs, the church was
re-opened for divine worship with an
all-day service, both enjoyable and
successful. Friends of the church,
from near and far, filled the house to
its utmost capacity, drawn by their
love for their old church house, and
a desire to hear the gospel from two
ex-pastors, who had been secured to
lend their assistance.
At 1870 a. NJ, Rev. r. X. Stephen
son, of Seaford, preached stirring
sermon from Exodus, the 3rd chapter
and 4th verse: ''And when the Lord
saw that Moses turned aside to see,
God called to him out of the midst of
the bush and said, Moses, Moses! And
he said, here am [. " The sermon
deeply interested the congregation, and
their generous response to the finan-
cial appeal, showed conclusively, that
nothing loosens the purse strings like
the grand old gospel sent with power
to the heart. One hundred dollars
was cheerfully laid upon the altar.
At $50 P. NJ, great sea of faces
were turned to the pulpit to greet the
stalwart form of Rev. w. r. Mowbray,
of Zion, Md, and his presentation
of the gospel from Matt. 18th chapter,
7th, 8th and verses, was as rugged as
that of the man apostrophized within
text (John, the Baptist The text
was as follows: "And as they departed,
Jesus began to say unto the multi
tudes concerning John. What went
we out into the wilderness to see? A
reed shaken with wind? But what
went We out for to see? A man clothed
in soft raiment? Behold, they that
wear soft clothing are in kings houses.
But what went you out to see? A
prophet? Yea, l say unto you, and
more than a prophet
AO OfOuAAS SSl NlCC was principally
devoted to platform talks at which the
pastor, Rev. G. l.. Hardesty made the
principal address. Other talks were
made by Rev. r. X. Stevenson, and
Rev. W. r. Mowbray.
Not the least interesting feature of
the occasion, was the inspiring music
of the choir, with Miss Matte Jones
presiding at the organ.
The congregation responded cheer
fully to the call for fifty dollars, the
amount asked to meet in full all ex-
penses. Great credit is due the ladies
of the Church Aid, who led in this
splendid forward movement. They
not only were instrumental in having a
pretty carpet placed on the church
floor, but they made handsome con-
tribution of 800 to the church i'm
provement fund. This with the $50
raised at the above services, made $3.50,
enough to liquidate all expenses in
Cured.
Mr.. Joseph E. Carter deserves un-
stinted praise for the thorough and ar
tistic work upon both the interior and
exterior of the building Had he
heard the many exclamations of delight
from the visitors during the day, he
would have been highly elated. The
happy blending of colors in the exter.
ior, the paper, moulding and painting,
called forth most favorable comment. In
addition to this was the handsome new
carpet, the gift of the Ladies' Aid So
ciety. The improvement made in rails
ing the platform where the choir sits,
was also noticeable feature.
The pastor, Rev. G. L. L.Hardesty, is
more than pleased with the successful
work of the day, and is very grateful
to all who contributed to the work
in anyway.