Middletown transcript., 1909-06-12
OLD DRAWERS ANNIVERSARY
District Attorney JOhn P. Nields De.
IiYers Address on estate Loyalty

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District Attorney J0hn P. Nields D.
Iivers Address on estate Loyalty
/ The 20lst anniversary Of the foundin
Of Old Drawer Presbyterian Church, on
mile east Of Odessa, was celebrated Sur
day. In the morning the sermon wa
preached by the Rev. Francis Brown
president Of the Union theological Semi
nary, New York, and John P. Nields
United States District Attorney for Dela
ware, delivered an address in the after
noon. The services we're in charge 0
Rev. R. L. Hallett, of Odessa, and thi
choir of Odessa Presbyterian Church
sang.
Tie following officers of the society o
the Friends Of Old Drawers were re-elect
ed: President, D. W. Gorbit, Odessa; vice
president, Thomas j. Craven, Salem, N
j.; secretary, Miss S. G. Bowman, Viii
mington; treasurer, George Janvier, Mid.
dletown. The trustees of the church are
John V. Craven, West Chester; H. Boyd,
Philsdeiphia; Mrs. Lewis G. Vaudegrift,
Wilmington; William G. JanyieT, st.
Georges; Clarence f. Pool. Isaac ]. Woods
and Howard A. Pool, McDonongh.
The services and the reunion of the
Friends" was largely attended and the
beautiful weather made. the gathering
one Of the most enjoyable Of many years.
The Presbyterian Churches in this neigh
borhood were closed so that the members
might attend the services at the mother
church. The old church property has
been greatly improved during the year.
Much new shrubbery has been set out.
Another plan OF improvement which
proved OF great value was that OF planting
100 or more hitching.posts in an adjoin.
ing field, SO that tie hundreds who came
by team could bitch their horses to these
posts instead Of in the graveyard, which
has been done formerly.
The attendance in the afternoon was
unusually large. United States District
Attorney John P. Nields was the speaker,
his subject being, State Loyalty"
Mr.. Nlelds said in part:
Delaware is a small State with noble
traditions. These traditions should ami.
mate her citizens with feryid loyalty to
preserve her institutions and distinctive
citizenship. The nation need not pass
laws and assume powers because Delaware
will fail in her duty. The conscience of
the people of this State is as sensitive as
the national conscience. We are as ready
as the people Of any State to respond to
the call for righteous living and square
dealing. There are laws now upon the
statute book of this State that should be
repealed or radically amended. There
are laws that should be passed to bring
this State abreast with other States in the
Union. A proper appeal to State loyalty
will help our people to pass these laws.
Keep tue great traditions of Delaware in
ihe minds and before the eyes of the
people and noble loyalty will uphold
.he State.
"State loyalty should find expression
N our public buildings, libraries, parks,
schools and roads. The worth aud dig
nifty We attach to our State can be ex.
pressed in our new State House. lit
'hah be a beautiful piece Of colonial archi-
lecture fitly embodying our great colonial
traditions, it will be source as well as
IN expression of State pride and loyalty.
These annual gatherings should be and |
should continue to be occasions for re-
lewing our pledges of loyalty to Della.
ware. Our State comes within the grasp |
II our affections like our own irssides.
If the past cannot guide, it can inspire
ls. Delaware history extends a century |
md half before and since the Revolu.
ion. Her part in the Revolutionary |
,eriod is inspiring history. One thir.
eenth Of the credit for the independence |
II the colonies and the establishment Of |
he Government belong to Delaware