Smyrna times., 1907-01-02
ASBURY CHURCH REOPENED
WITH IMPRESSIVE SERVICES
AFTER BEING CLOSED SIX WEEKS FOR RE-
PAIRS WAS RE-0PENED SUNDAY.

Bishop GoodselI breaches Dedlcatory Sermon
and the Choir Rendered Special Christmas
Music-Rev. Vaughan S. Collins at Night
Sunday was ''red letter day" in the
history of Asbury NJ. E. Church, when
after being closed for repairs for six
weeks, was re-opened with impressive
cermonies. These services were given
prominence by the visit of Bishop
Daniel A. Goodsell, of Boston, who
preached the dedicatory sermon. I'm
fortunately the weather was heavy and
showery, a disappointment to many
who had hoped for bright sunshiny
day. Despite this fact large congre-
cation assembled. On every hand
there were complimentary expressions
on the beautiful interior decorations.
1t was jubilee occasion which found
deep response in the beautiful anthems
sung and in the impressive words
spoken. The congregation of Old As
bury had every reason to be proud for
no church in the Conference is better
fitted up or more pleasing to the eye.
One of the features of the service was
the music and it can be said that on no
public occasion has it ever been ex-
celled. Christmas was the one heme
in all the anthems sung, and under the
direction of Chorister Walter o. Hof-
fecker its rendition was a treat to all
who heard it. There were six anthems
sung during the day, three in the
morning and three in the evening.
The first one in the morning was ''Sing
Oh Heavens" the second one, after
the offertory, was 'Star of the Orient"
and the closing one was Birthday of
the King" In the latter Chorister w.
o. Hoffecker sang the baritone solo
and the choir came in the chorus. So
we'll did this take that special request
was made that it should be repeated in
the evening. The evening anthems
beside Birthday of the King" were
"He Shall Reign" and ooh Little
Town of Bethlehem" The solo work
of the choir was executed by Mrs. NJ.
NJ. Wendell, Miss Mary Roberts and
Mr.. j. Edward Hoffecker. Mrs.
Marion Coverdale presided at the or.
gan with her usual efficiency.
Bishop GoodseII Gives Scholarly Discourse.
Bishop Goodsell was the speaker of
the morning and he took for his subject:
''And they heard the voice of God, Gen
3-S. Bishop Goodsell at once showed
himself strong, vigorous man with a
massive intellect and his sermon was
what the congregation had looked for,
forcible and eloquent discourse. In
showing that God did speak to men,
he began by contradicting the state
ment of the late Robert Ingersol, the
agnostic, and proved by analysis of the
old and'new testament and by the ex-
perience of men, that the ''Voice OF
God" has been heard through all the
ages, and is heard to-day. After the
morning service many pressed forward
to take him by the hand including the
little children who were INVITED to
meet the Bishop by special invitation.
The evening discourse was delivered
by the Rev. Vaughan S. Collins, ol
Port Deposit, former pastor of the
church. The latter took for his text
'And he was called friend of God,
st. James 2-23. For an hour and ten
minutes he spoke on the meaning o.
friendship and its relation to GOO
the great blessings that has come
to humanity through discoveries
inventions, &c. 1t was sermon show
ing much historical research and wal
instructive as we'll as entertaining.
Sunday School Christmas Service in Afternoon
In the afternoon there was q larg'
turnout at the Christmas exercises
given by the Sunday School. Super
lntendent l.. M. Price had charge o.
the program and ChorIster Walter o
Hoffecker had charge of the music
Rev. Vaughan $. Collins gave the ad
dress to the scholars. The program in
full was as follows: Chorus, "Coms
With Anthems Glad" School; Prayer
J.P. Burdett; Roll call; Address oi
Welcome, William Jacobs; Chorns
christmas Stars are Shining Schoc
Recitation, isChr istmas Night, Eliza
beth Wilson; Recitation, "What w
May Have" Helen Shapley; Chorus
Christmas Bells, School; Recitation
What Makes Christmas" Hele
Lewis; Recitation, Florence Cummins
Recitation, Samuel Armstrong; Col
lection; Quartet and Chorus, "Them
Divine" School; Reading, "The Nigh
Before Christmas, 3" Miss Anna Beckett
Chorus, Happy Christmas" School
Address, Rev. Vaughan s. Collins