Smyrna times., 1907-05-15
ST, PETERS PEAL OF BELLS
PUT INTO SERVICE SUNDAY
NOTABLE OCCASION AT THE DEDICATION
OF Mr.. CLOTHlERS SPLENDID GIFT.
Bells Blessed Before Large Gathering After
Which Bishop breaches Sermon and Con-
firms Class Rev. Cummias' Sermon.


Sunday was a day in st. Peters
Parish long to be remembered. The
Westminster peal of four bells so
generously given by Mr. Morris Lewis
Clothier, of Philadelphia, in memory
of Rev. Alexander Griswold Cummins,
of this town, were blessed and put into
service in the presence of happy and
joyous congregation, who had looked
forward to the event with much pride.
1t was a glorious day. The storm
clouds of the few days previous were
dispeled and the day dawned bright
and beautiful, an ideal spring day that
seemed to smile with becoming favor
upon the benefcence of Mr.. Clothier.
Besides those of the surrounding coun-
try who drove in to attend the services,
there were a number of visitors from
Dover, Wilmington, Philadelphia and
other places. Sweet toned and har-
moniOus the bells sent forth their glad
peals at the appointed hour, the COM
pliment for ringing the bells for the
first time for service being given to
Mr. Joseph Wright, Smyrna's esteemed
and venerable citizen who for a period
covering Al years was sexton of the
church and rang the old bell which has
been discarded for further use. Mr..
Wright's service dates back to the early
days of the church when John Cum
minis, father of the late Rev. A G..
Cummins, in whose memory the Sun
day services were given, was largely
instrumental in founding the parish.
Members of the Cummins family for
many generations have been associated
with st. Peters Church and it was out
of compliment to the family as well as
for the personal esteem in which he
held the late Rev. A. G. Cummins,
that the munifcent gift was donated to
the church, Ii was a tender tribute of
mans generosity to the memory of
departed friend.
The Blessing Of the Bells By Bishop Coleman.
The blessingof the bells took place
at 1915 o'clock, when a large congre-
cation gathered on the lawn and IN the
street in front of the church for the
ceremonies. That the residents of
Smyrna we're deeply interested could
be seen from the fact that persons of
all denominations were present. The
vested choir of st. Peters, directed by
II oil
on the lawn and assisted in the services.
The professional hymn was "Crown
Him With Many Crowns" Bishop
Coleman, the Rev. g. V. Gilreath,
rector of st. Peters; Mr.. Clothier, W.
E. Waters, senior Warden; Vestryman
II. B. Grieves and Joseph Wright,
the sexton, were in the belfry, from
which Bishop Coleman conducted the
pretty service of the benediction of the
bells. The Bishop read the service and
the Rev. Mr.. Gilreath and Mr.. Cloth
ier and others of the party high above
the ground said the responses. 1t was
an unique picture, with the vested
choir and congregation grouped about
the lawn, all intently gazing mp at the
belfry and eagerly listening to the SER
vices being said by the Bishop. After
blessing the bells the Bishop said
prayer, concluding with this special
prayer in addition to that prescribed in
the service:
Almighty and merciful God, whose are the
silver and the gold, and all else that is in the
world, and vet VINO art so gracious as to entrust
70 US Thy unworthy servants as Thy stewards
what Thou willest, we pray Thee TO bless this
Thy servant into whose heart Thou dijst put the
desire to give and dedicate to Thy service this
peal of bells. Reward him seveniOld INFO his
bosom, and make as all mind 'ul Of Thy divine
ownership and of our responsibility, as the mi n
lister Of Thy gift: so that we may always do that
which is acceptable in Thy sight, and ever live to
Thy honor and glory through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
AT the conclusion of the Bishops
prayer the bells were pealed for the first
time. Following this part Of the cere-
monies all joined in singing the hymn
beginning Lift itgently to the steeple,
let our bell be set on high" The
Bishop and party in the belfry and the
choir and congregation on the lawn
united fervently in singing the hymn,
which was one of the most beautiful
and impre ssive parts of the service.
dwelling Of the Beautiful Bronze Tablet.
Bishop Coleman then pronounced a
blessing upon the people. After the
Bishop and party descended from the
belfry the procession was formed and
marched into the vestibule, where Mr.
Ciothier, with his daughter Emily
standing besides him, unveiled tbs
memorial tablet. The clergy and chon
reformed and the procession and con
gregation entered the church, where
the services were resumed. The Rev.
CONTINUED ON FOURTH PAGE.