Middletown transcript., 1906-06-09
OLD DRAwYERs ANNIvERsAY

Hundreds OF people from far and near
gathered at Old Drawyefs Church last
Sunday to celebrate the 1876 anniversary ol
the ehurch's history. Many persons in
and near Odessa entertained friends who
wished to visit the church once again.
Persons drove from Smvrna, from Mary
land and all the towns near the church,
while some came in their automobiles and
on the train. Longs automobile line did
good service in taking the people 10
Odessa and the trolley took many over in
the morning, but in the afternoon it was
brokendown The day was as fair as if
made to order.
The morning service opened at 1890
| O'Clock, with singing the Doxology, fol-
lowed by prayer by Rev. Robert Hallett,
Of Odessa Presbyterian Church. Quar-
tette Looking this way" by members of
the choir, followed by the congregation
singing 30, could I speak the matchless
worth" Mr.. Hallet read the bible lesson
and Rev. F. H. Moore lead in prayer
Mrs. Warder Humphreys, of Wilmington,
who always assists the choir on Drawers
Day, sang "Glory to Thee my God I"
Mr. Hallett introduced Rev. Joseph
Brown Turner, Of Dover. who preached
from the text "He has made everything
beautiful in his time" &C.
flor tho car,,,ar, ha <,f
Merciesh was sung and the benediction
pronounced by Mr.. Turner.
At one o'clock business meeting OF
"The Friends Of Old Drawers" was held
and at 2.30 the afternoon service began
with duett "All the way Zone" by
Mrs. Humphreys and Mr.. Clarence E.
Pool and prayer by Rev. Grier A. Foote,
of Delaware City. After singing by all
''God bless our native land" Mr.. HaIlett
announced that ''The Friends of Old
Drawers would take chargeo of the meet
ing. The President Mr.. John Y. Craven,
of Salem, N. j., being absent, the Vice
President, Mr.. Daniel W. Corbit, of
Odessa, took charge. Mr.. Corbit spoke
of the Friends of Old Drawers" society,
told its object and what the society has
accomplished. He said that in the past
ten years, the society has spent nearly
100000 and has just finished fres-
Going and painting the inside walls of the
church, and during the past year have
erected new fence and handsome gates
about the graveyard. Mr.. Corbit re-
ported the following officers elected at the
business meeting: President, Daniel w.
Corbit, Odessa; Vice-President, John V.
Craven, Salem, N. j.; Secretary, Miss s.
Cornelia Bowman, Wilmington; Treas
urer, George Janvier, Middletown; Trus-
tees, Thomas H. Craven, West Chester,
Pa; Herbert H. Boyd, Philadelphia, Pa;
i. Janvier Woods, McDonough; Mrs.
Lewis G. Vandegrift, Clarence E. Pool,
McDonough and William G. Janyier, St.
Georges.
A collection was taken to assist the
Association in their work, after which
Mr.. Corbit introduced William s. HiIles,
Esq. who eulogized the life and work of
the late Lewis G. Vandegrift. A tablet
to the memory OF Mr.. Vandegrift was un-
yelled by his daughter Miss Barbara VAN
degrift. On the tablet was engraved:
In Memoriam
Lewis G. Vandegrift
1S55-1900
Founder of
'tFriends of Old Drawers"
Organized in 1895 to Preserve
This Church of our Fathers.
Rev. A. W. Lightbourne was to have
made an address in the afternoon, but
was unable to be present. His place was
ably filled by Rev. Mr. Turner.
After the benediction, the people spent
some time in pleasant greetings.
Among those noticed from distance
were Mr.. and Mrs. William S. Hilles,
William F. Metten, Henry G. Conrad.
John Carpenter, Mrs. Lewis G. Yande-
grift, Miss Yandegrift, Mrs. Garrett, Mr..
and Mrs. Frank Garrett, Miss Helen Gar
rett, Mrs. Preston Lea, Mrs. Mary E. San
born, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Naudain, Miss
Bowman, Mrs. W. Humphreys of Will
mington; Mr.. and Mrs. William P. Mlf-
fin, Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Janvier, Of
Philadelphia; Miss Lidie Woodall, of
Washington, Mrs. NJ. F. sutphin OF
Trenton; Col. Harry Rogers, Of New
Castle and many from nearby towns.