The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-10-20
ANNIVERSARY SERVICE
ON SATURDAY night

The anniversary gathering. held Sat
urday night in the beautiful auditorium
of the parish house, was a most de-
lightful affair. and an exceptionally
pleasant and profitable time was spent
by the members and friends OF the con-
gregation present.
The stage was prettily set with an
interior scene. and Rt. Rcv. Bishop
Ethelbert Talbot, who acted as chair
man, occupied chair in the center.
The others on the stage were Rev. DR..
Lloyd, of New York. secretary of the
board of foreign missions: Rev. j.
Philip b. Pendleton, ID. d.. of Schencc-
tady, n. Y, a former rector: Rev. Dr.
c. Nj. Giffin, pastor of the Elm Park
Methodist Episcopal church; Rev. Dr.
James Mcleod, pastor of the First
Presbyterian church; Rev. DIR. Robert
f. Y. Pierce, pastor of the Penn Ave-
nue. Baptist church; Rev. e. j. Haugh-
ton, in charge of st. Marks and ST.
Georges missions: Rev. Robert e. Roc
| curate: Rev. DR.. Rogers Israel. rector,
and Samuel D. Hines, vestryman and
lay reader.
DR.. Israel opened the meeting with a
brief address. in which he compared an
anniversary to an old mansion. remind
ing one of both the joys and sorrows
of past years.
''rhere has been some bitterness and
much love-" said he, "some sorrow and
much rejoicing, and through the years
can be seen the spirit of God working
to accomplish the best things always"
Dr. Israel then read letter of con-
graduation from the congregation OF
Church n Shanharf I or
ters were also read from all of the for
mer rectors, save one, who We're un-
able to he present at the celebration.
Most interesting of these was the letter
received from Rev John Long, the first
rector, who is still living, at the ad-
vanced age of 81 years. The letter was
written by his own hand which had to
be held to permit the use of it. Other
letters sending greetings We're received
from the following former rectors: Rev.
w. C. Robinson. Washington, d. c.,
1S52-5S; Rev. A. Augustus MARBLE,
Reading. 1S6S-77; Rev. Henry c. swent-
Eel. ID. d., Brooklyn, n. Y, 1SS5-92
AT this point Samuel Hines read Il
most carefully prepared history of the
church, which will be found in another
place.
spirit OF Christian Unity.
Bishop Talbot made reference to
the growing spirit of Christian unity.
before introducing the various clergy
men who were to make addresses.
Il am glad" said he, Ito see the rep
resentatives of other denominations
here. 1t would be IA sad reflection, in
deed, upon our Christianity if we could
not rejoice at the prosperity of II church
other than our own"
The clergymen who followed indulged
in IL good deal of playful railery at
each others expense, but gave every
evidence of their hearty good will.
Dr. Mcleod expressed himself as be-
Ing heartily in favor of Christian unity.
He hoped to see the time when all
evangelical Christian churches will be
brought into closer touch, one with the
other. and when the only kind of
rivalry will be as TO which shall do The
most for the service of God.
Il hate seCturianism," said the doe
tor, "and ] love denominationalism
When prejudice and intolerance first
saw one another they We're married and
their frst-born child was bigotry. | de-
test and despise bigotry. The soldier
who tries to fight in all regiments is
never successful
II care not whether an Episcopalan
be high church, or low church, or broad
church or whether he be AN altitudin-
arian or pladitutinarian If he stands
up fearlessly for principle.
God has blessed this church i'm the
past and its future promises to be more
glorious even than its past Your
church is growing, but II is not merely
numbers that count. 1t is the names
of those written ON the Lambs book of
life"
Rev DR., Robert +. Y. Pierce followed
DR. Mcleod and in beginning his re-
marks referred TO his brother, who is
an Episcopalian clergyman. 81 am
glad said he, Ito be a brother-in law
to the Episcopal church,
The years of this church's life have
been golden years" said he, but who
can estimate the service rendered to
suffering humanity. You have heard
the statistical figures given, but they
give no adequate idea of the real work