The Penn's Grove record., 1911-09-01

1t is being newly weather boarded. An
open fire place has been built and 10
doubt when finished it will be an ideal
place for the Ardenites to discuss weighty
matters, to listen to stirring lectures,
grand opera, and "trip the light fantastic
toe" The floor shows evidence of the
latter having been, or still being n OF
the pastimes of the place. A piano occu-
pies one side and the waxed floor shows
evidence of wear.
Not the least charm of the place is its
magnificent woods. The greater part OF
the place is timberland. The central
part has been cleared and at one time
farmed, but it looks as if for many years
it had been a neglected farm.
Is it worth going to see? Depends upon
your point of view. 10 us it is intensely
interesting. We would like nothing bet
ter than to spend some time in Arden.
1t seems a getting back to the simple lie
away from the conventional, out OF the
"Hurley Burley." 1t does seem that
| tired nerves there might get back their
elasticity and verify the statement tina
Crest is health" We saw nobody ex-
cept children and they we're mostly dress
ed in ''rompers," giving n the idea
| that this was a good place to raise chill
| dren away from fuss and ruffies. We
| hope to learn more of Arden.
Upon our return to Wilmington we
| found we had a little more than two
| hours until boat time. So we thought we
| would visit old Swedes Church. Not
wanting to do any unnecessary walking,
we began ing uiring how from Market
| Street we could most easily reach the old
| land mark. We first accosted a group OF
four young men who looked at home.
| Not one seemed ever to have heard OF
Old Swedes Church. They were very
polite, but good gracious, not to know Of
Old Swedes Church. We went into
candy store run by a Jew. He knew
just how to find the place and directed us
correctly. Foreigner ahead again.
Well. we reached old Swedes Church
and all ideal spot it is. Situated in the
midst of railroad trains, ship yards, ETC.
EThere sleep quietly the dead OF many
gen erations, in the beautifully well-kep'
grave yard, shaded by centuries old trees
There stands the quaint old stone church
n the midst of those who probably plant
ted it, and surely OF those generation
who have worshiped within its walls.
When the old sexton opened for us it
doors and we entered the cool, dim in
,erior it'll it's brick aisles, its richl.
stained windows, its white fences finished
in mahogany, and hanging pulpit of tn
same, polished by age to a mirror-like
smoothness, it seemed hallowed by oil
associations, by the spirit of old saints
who had worshiped here and gone GU
with the world to battle as best the.
could for the right.
Nv friend remarked that God seemed
nearer in a place like this. Surely Coz
was here ages before the ope~ra-house-llke
churches of today were built, and her
worshipped the people Who had a han6
in the making of this greatest nation o
this great round world. Four young
Americans at least, probably living almos1
within the shadow of its stately trees
had no interest in it, shows the Amerl-
ali sentiment to-day.
AS we sat within those quiet old walls
and noted how carefully the old thing
had been preserved, even the old brick
in the aisles, we felt anew the sadnes
that creeps over us when we look at TIN
monstrosity that occupies the site of ou
tquaint old Emmanuel.
Then when seated under those old tree
surrounded by the we'll kept graves o
many generations here in the very hear
of the busiest section of the city, WI agail
rebelled as we thought of our own grav'
yard where lie our loved and lost turned
into a chicken yard and given over t.
weeds. And how we had to skirt al
evergreen hedge. stumble over othe
peoples dead to lay our own dear fathe
away.
Again, shows an American sentiment
s. T.