Smyrna times., 1902-10-08


Asbury was appointed preacher-in-
charge of Kent circuit, which then ex-
tended over the Peninsula that now
gives seat to the Wilmington Confer
ence of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. On the 1st of December he
crossed the Bay, and, few days later
wrote in his journal: ~ am persuaded
that my appointment to this circuit is
by Divine Providence" Before the
month expires he is, at Thomas Whites
and Richard Shaw's preaching, Glory
to God IN the highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men.
Twelve months pass away, and in
December, 177s, Kent circuit around
Dover is announced with Francis AS
bury in charge thereof. Five months
before he paid compliment to Della
ware that her godly citizens will never
cease to reiterate. He said: Gas the
Gospel of Jesus Christ meets with in
diligence in this free State, entertain
a hope that it will prove a general
blessing to the ineabitants thereof;
and that Delaware will become as the
garden of the Lord, filed with plants
of his own planting 1t does not sur
prise us that he made choice of Della
ware to be the State for the first en-
rolment of his name as an American
citizen.
How gladstone is our task to-day as
we celebrate with honor the 125th an.
niversary OF his coming into Smyrna,
in a church that carved his name on
its frontal one hundred and sixteen
years ago; and around whose altar fires
thousands have for the first time offer
ed up their sacriicial lamb, laying as
it were their hands upon the devoted
head of Jesus, and cOnfessing,
Lord, believe thy precious blood
Which at the mercy of God,
Forever doth for sinners Plead
For me, e'en for my soul, was shed"
I do not think the planned show of
sssshe Methodist Society scheme was ap-
parent thus early in this city. Glasses
we're formed infrequently in our trad
ing centres as a sequence Of the first
sermon there pronounced. SMYRNA
then Duck-Creek Cross -Roads-was
one of these centres. The farm settle
ments on the Atlantic boarders in
America were for the most part along
the water courses; and the ports of
entry were the cities contiguous to the
Atlantic, within whose docks America
and Europe might give and take,
mutually, in exchange. For this
reason farmers, merchantmen, inhabi-
tsnts of cities, large and small, as well
as itinerants with saddle bags, may,
then, besorted be floating population.
The most direct aud speedful route
from Norfolk and the South to Phila-
delphia was by way of Chestertown
near Chesapeake Bay and Smyrna
near Delaware Bay, the one having
Duck Greek, the southern boundary oi
Appoquinimink, for its water outlet,
at Bombay Hook, and the other the
Chester River, whose mouth form was
laid between Love Point and Kent
Island. A down the State in Kent
county, Delaware, there was no trad
ing access by water to Delaware Bay
north of Murderkill Neck, save that tC
be obtained by Old Duck Greek, &
winding inland stream that flowed into
Duck Greek proper, few rods wes
of Bombay Hook.
By reason Of these facts Duck Greek
Cross Roads-Smyrna-was a place
credibly for trade, exchange, conven
tion and talk. And Asbury who's,
exploitation was th aprovement ot
morals, the developing of beauty fol
ashes, of culture for minds unheedy
and of glory for tribulation endured
be who hated deferment in exploita
tion deemed Smyrna place too i'm
portant for intercourse with the eartl
only, and he hastily prepared to max
it one of the conspicuous cross road
from the earth of world life to tn
heaven of spirit life. And traveller
have been trading here using tn
heaven coined currency that is issue'
under the seal of the owner of besyei
and earth. And it has free circulation
But some have halted here Yes
Will you hear Francis Asbury tell 20
of some of these? tits March 25, 1910
He is standing, and walking in an
around his old abiding places in Smyi
ma. 1t is Sunday. He is the preache
of the morning. Seated near him i
the pulpit is George Pickering, gil
of the Peninsula-for be was born j
Talbot county, Maryland-to Bosto
aud all New England of one of il
greatest, wisest, most honored an
veteran misters of the black-clot
fraternity. He is with Asbury,