Middletown transcript., 1916-06-24
THE ANNUAL SERVICE
Of Old St. Anne's Church Was
Well Attended
REV. ]. J. D. HALL SPOKE

versary, "Old St. Anne's" las all love
to style that historic, venerable church,)
welcomed the sons and daughters many
times removed, of those who long ago
amid many difficulties and privations
laid her enduring foundations.
That massive, aged oak with its more
than a century old arms reclothed in
grateful leaf, also welcomed with It's
wide spreading, outrageous canopy,
the smiling throngs that came to pay
homage to the fond old pile.
1t is happy omen that low, hori-
zontal arm. longest of all the huge
limbs that compose this oaken giant,
stretches away towards the very church
door, as if mutely bidding the beholders
enter and worship Him who from tiny
acorn could with His wondrous alchemy
of sunshine, rain and earth cause this
mighty Briareus of the wood, rise in his
glory and strength to praise Him thru
the centuries.
This lovely spot. sequested apart from
the noise and dust of the town, bosky
retreat whose green sword and silently
white cleaning memorials of the dead
invite to contemplation. never looked
fairer than on last Sunday, which was
choice sample of the superb days June
keeps in her young Summers quiver.
The day was neither too hot, nor yet
lacking in agreeable warmth, and a
gentle west wind. Zephyris of the
ancients, blew across the enchanting
scene bringing the pleasing odor of wood
and flower.
In honor of the big day, the old
Sanctuary had been repainted without
and within, its woodwork inside, pure
white, its walls kalsomined a soft cream
and Its ceiling a light blue, and outside,
dark olive tint on the shutters and
blinds Wed in hue with the charming
ivy verdure that lovingly clasps the
sacred walls.
Full houses, morning and afternoon,
greeted the speakers. Dozens of auto
mobiles from at least three states were
parked in the yard or along the high
way, while as many carriages were
lined up along the handsome wall of
brick that encloses the church and yard.
In the morning the Rev. J. J. D.
Hall, of Philadelphia, spoke. He is
Superintendent of that highly useful
gospel effort known as the Galilee
Mission at 8.9 Vine Street, where in the
very heart of the city's wickedness this
enthusiastic preacher is implanting a
blessed Gospel Eden.
Perhaps since the days of the eccentric
Lorenzo Dow, that flaming frebrand of
early Methodism, no such red hot
evangelism has been known in these
parts
He began by alluding to the early his
tory of ''Old st. Anne's": This church
was founded before the Wesleys were
born-even antedates that great religi-
Gus movement which profoundly stirred
all Europe from center to circumfer-
ence. Then he spoke Of the hard
labors of the early Episcopal Church
missionaries here, Thomas Bray, George
Keith and the Reverend Jenkins, and
also told how great a missionary work
the Episcopal Church was doing at the
Galilee Mission where in the past year
over 200, 900 have used the different de-
partments of the building; its chapel
attendance has been 76, 109; with 1850
converts and 20 volunteers for the
christian ministry.
Mr.. Hall gave number of instances
of how his Mission had made a blessed
salvage Of utterly abandoned human
wrecks-of men and women hopelessly
lost in vice, reclaimed to a virtuous and
useful life.
He is all on fire with religious zeal,
devoting himself to his work with
tireless earnestness that knows no
pause. He wanted to do some street
preaching Saturday night in Middle
town. GAS walked around your town
/ felt like horse tied to a stake. l
wanted to get my gospel gun and cut
loose"
His sermon was shot thru and thru
with wit and humor, and marked by a
highly original way of putting things;
and while it was pungent to a degree,
80 caustic at times it made some of his
hearers gasp, it was thoroly evangelical
sparing neither the sins of Society
nor the grosser forms of evil doing.
He hit rum, cigarets and gambling
hard blows, including fashionable bridge
whist gambling, telling how a bridge
whist gambling matron begged him
rsscue her son from the faro table.
"Madam, where's the difference-you
plav for spoons or peanuts-a any thing
he for $50 gold pieces?
The rector, Rev. Percy L. Donaghay,
assisted in both the services of the
morning and those of the afternoon.
Bishop Kinsman in the afternoon
preached to a large audience in his
wonted pleasing manner. The singing
was fine at both meetings, number of
solos being added to the regular pro-
gram given by the choir. The offerings
auoounted to S108.