Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-04-22

1t was goodly number of preachers
and delegates that attended the meet
ing of the New Castle Presbytery in
Mackenzie Memorial Church, Snow Hill,
last Tuesday and Wednesday. The visi-
tors, many of whom had never before
been in Snow Hill, arrived on the noon
train Tuesday, and the reception COM
mittee had sufficient automobiles at
the railroad station to put them to
their homes in few minutes. Dinner
awaited them, and all attended the first
meeting of the Presbytery. well fed
and refreshed, ready for the work be-
fore them. The Presbyterian Church
of this town, which was the host of the
historic Presbytery, has record of
which it is justly proud. 1t was among
the five churches organized on the East
ern Shore of Maryland by the founder
of the denomination in America. Francis
Mackenzie, in 1853, and from the time of
its organization to the present there has
been no break in its services, for when
the church has been without pastor,
an elder has found supply or has him
self conducted the services.
The present pastor, Rev. ]. B. North,
l.. l.. D.. has filled the pulpit for 10
years, having come to this charge from
the Presbytery of Washington city, of
which he was moderator. He was mod
orator of New Castle Presbytery twice
by election and third time filled out an
unexpired term.
Within the bounds of New Castle
Presbytery. which takes in the whole of
Delaware and the Eastern Shore of
Maryland. there are 40 churches and Sc
ministers.
The first session Of Presbytery was
called to order Tuesday afternoon at
2.30 o'clock, Rev. j. r. Henderson,
moderator, was called to the chair and,
after the opening exercises, called for a
nomination for moderator.
Rev. julius A. Herrold. of Lewes,
Del, was nominated and elected with
out opposition and formerly inducted in
to office by the retiring moderator.
Rev. Edward A. McLaurie was re-
ceived from the Presbytery of Union,
Tenn.
The committee on education reported
that there were seven young men under
the fostering care of this Presbytery
now preparing for the ministry in semi
naries and colleges and two more ready
for enrolment.
Rev. j. r. Milligan, stated clerk,
asked to elect two temporary clerks.
and upon the nomination j. w. Louden
and J. II. Frazer were elected.
An overture from Rodney Street
Church, Wilmington, Del, asked that
the name of the church be changed to
that of Westminster and so reported
to the next General Assembly. Permis-
sion to make the change was unani-
mously granted.
To packed house DIR. L. p. Bowen,
of Rehoboth, preached upon 'Our
Founder" at the evening service. He
reviewed the life of Francis Mackenzie
from the time when he heard the Mace
donian cry in his home in Laggan, Ire
land. and going before the Presbytery
90 which the appeal had come from the
new land. the Eastern Shore of Mary
land, for minister of the Presbyterian
faith, said to the fathers there assem-
bled, Here am l." and soon after took
sail for this land and began his work
Immediately by organizing five churches.
which are still in existence. The SER
mon was an able one and the music
rendered by the choir of Mackenzie
Memorial Church was exquisite.
On Wednesday the reports of stand
ing committees were read:
Rev. John McElmoyle, d. d.. for
Foreign Missions, reported the total
contributions for the Presbytery for the
year just ended to be $5.265.6s. which
was s46S. So more than last year.
The committee on Sunday School made
most encouraging report. The Sun
day School membership for this year is
7O2S, being an increase of 300 members.
The largest increase was at White Clay
Creek. Hanover, Central, West and
Zion. On the Eastern Shore Wicomico
and Snow Hill reported interesting pro-
gress. 100000 90 was the amount raised
by the Sunday Schools.
Rev. Joel S. Gilfillin. ID. d., chair
man of the Committee on Sustentation
and Home Missions made his report in
which he gave a graphic account of the
work done within the bounds of the
Presbytery during the year just closed.
There are twenty-nine churches within
the bounds of the Presbytery which re-
quire aid. During the year several OF
these churches have been grouped un.
Il y. r Al.