And we would further state in connection with this family, that, by an allwise Providence, an event has occurred which is very rare in the history of Methodism. That is this; that one of the grand sons of Lemuel Davis has become, and is at this time, the pastor of a people that worship God in the same church that the grandfather took so much interest in building, and in which the grandfather and one of his sons preached the gospel as local preacher for many years. And no doubt this event has had something to do in leading our brother, Dr. Jacob L. Noble, to conceive the idea of proposing this family gathering; we call it a family gathering, because the Nobles, Kinders and Davises have married and intermarried, unil it seems almost like one great family, and as we look over these families here assembled to-day, in this time-honored temple, built by the hands of our forefathers, we can truthfully say that we are “not ashamed to call you brethren. '' And this re-union of these christian families here assembled to-day, causes our minds to go back to many long years ago, and to bring to us, by memory, many pleasant and delightful recollections of the past It was here, in this temple, this sacred spot, that our fathers and mothers led us, in our childhood days, to hear the joyful sound of the gospel, and the songs of praise, and taught us to worship the true and living God. And while we look over this respectable assembly, and witness such love and christian fellowship that has brought us together at this re-union, it kindles the fire of love in our hearts, and moves us to say that we feel proud that we are Methodists, but prouder still that we are Christians; and we are led to say, in the language of the Psalmist, "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion, for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for

But this re-union at Bethel is only for a day; we meet here in these happy greetings, and spend a few delightful hours together as christian friends, but in a few hours we will have to take the parting hand and bid each other farewell, and in all probability never be permitted again to see each other in the flesh.

But this happy event, this re-union of these families here, on this 27th day of October, 1885, turns our minds forward also, to a future, a brighter, a happier re-union, in the upper Temple, in that heavenly home, where many of our loved ones, who have gone on before us, are waiting to greet us in the mansions of

light. That re-union will not be for a single day; it will not be to meet for a few hours in a temple made by men's hands, which is subjected to decay, and crumble to the dust. It will not be in a world blighted by sin, stamped with morality, where our hearts are often made sad by death entering our homes, and cutting down our loved ones by our side, and we are called to follow their lifeless forms, and see them buried in the grave.

No, no, but that future re-union will be in the "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," where there will be no sickness, no sorrow, pain nor death, but where the people of God shall dwell forever in that beautiful home, that land of rest, to behold the King in his beauty, and never part again. Then,

The Kinder Family

BY S. W. KINDER, ESQ.

Jacob Kinder was born in Rotterdam, South Holland, about the year 1736, and was married to Miss Katey Clay, in the year 1760.

The happy couple elected, for a "bridal tour, a trip across the wide, wide ocean, and started forthwith for the continent of America. With modern facilities for travel, we can now cross the broad expanse of water in eight days; it is probable that, then, it required more than as many weeks. The good Book declares that "man is born unto trouble, " and a crushing sorrow met this man and wife upon the very threshold of their newly begun life. On reaching this country, they ascertained that they had failed to take the proper vouchers for the money paid for their fare, and the proprietor of the boat demanded that it should be paid again. This must have been a sore conflict at the very outset of their married life. Strangers in a strange land, without money and without friends. However, nothing daunted, and possessed of those characteristics of German blood--honesty, industry, and unfaltering courage-they devised a plan equal to the emergency, and light broke again long their pathway.

They met a man who proved himself to be a high-toned gentleman, and a friend to them in time of need.

His name was Lightfoot, and the proprietor of an iron furnace, located about the spot where the town of Millsboro now stands, along the Indian River Shore. They agreed, if Mr. Lightfoot would repay the fare, that they would work for him until the debt was canceled. Lightfoot accepted the proposition, and when the obligation was met, he gave the man an honorable discharge, and the happy hearts full of hope, and inspired with self-reliance, began life anew.

On reaching this country, this party proposed to locate in Lancaster County, Pa. But, probably, owing to the trouble to which we have just adverted, their plans were thwarted, and they came, instead, to what was called Deep Creek; now Concord, Del. At the latter place, in the year 1770, their first child was born, whom they called Jacob.

From Deep Creek they moved to the farm now owned and occupied by Mr. Joseph B. Allen, situated along the Delaware Railroad, near Cannon's Crossing. Mr. Kinder rented this farm of a man named Bradley-there being a number of families of that name living in that vicinity. While living on this farm, their second child was born, and they called him Isaac, after a prominent man living in that community, named Isaac Bradley.

While living on the aforesaid farm, he ascertained that there was a piece of vacant land-land which had never been surveyed or taken up-close by.

He walked to Philadelphia, a distance of 125 miles, took out a Patent, had the land entered to his account, and returned, performing the tedious journey in about one week. This tract of land he called "Jacob's Choice,'' and is the identical piece of land now owned and occupied by Mr. Jesse Allen, located about three miles north-west of the town of Seaford.

While Jacob Kinder lived on the Bradley farm, Mr. Bradley died, and bequeathed to Mr. Kinder, as a legacy, the use of the farm for three years free of rent, showing his deep interest in, and high appreciation of, the man.

At the expiration of this time, by selling the tract of land he had taken up, he was enabled to purchase the farm located one and a half miles from this church, now owned and occupied by one of his great grand-sons, William Kinder.

moved to this farm in the this time a daughter was called Nancy.

Mr. Kinder latter part of the year 1777. About born unto this family, whom they

In the year 1781, this time-honored Temple, Bethel M. E. Church, was built.

The same year, Mr. White Brown, who owned and lived on the farm adjoining the church lot, (now belonging to the heirs of John Twiford, deceased,) built the brick dwelling which still stands, despite the weight of years and the peltings of the storms. Mr. Brown was a prominent man in this community, and a leading spirit in the erection of this church.

His time was so occupied with his own building and the building of the church, he proposed that Jacob Kinder should take his, Brown's hands and his own hands, and cultivate both farms without remuneration. Mr. Kinder, anxious to help in every good enterprise, accepted the proposition, and all things moved along smoothly and harmoniously while this house of God was being built.

Jacob Kinder remained on the farm where he last settled, until the year 1790, at which time he died, aged 54 years, leaving

three children, viz. Jacob, Isaac and Nancy. His widow survived him about 32 years.

Some years before his death he received a letter from Holland, stating that his father was dead, and that there was property left him, and if he or any of his children would come, they could obtain it. He thought for a time he would go in quest if it, but the matter was postponed from time to time, and finally altogether abandoned.

Their eldest son, Jacob, married quite young, before he had reached his majority, Miss Rachael Owens, who resided in Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex County. There were born unto this marriage eight children, viz. Isaac, Lizzie, Polly, Lovey, Katy Owens, Milley and Nancy.

For want of information we are obliged to pass this interesting family, excepting a brief sketch of the two sons, Isaac and Owens.

Isaac Kinder spent his boyhood on the farm in his father's home. His early manhood was given to educational and mercantile pursuits, in the city of Philadelphia.

At the age of 25 years he sought his fortune in the west. He located in the State of Ohio, Pickaway County, and engaged in school-teaching for a livelihood. It was while teaching and boarding around as a country school master, that he made the acquaintance of the fair-haired girl who afterward became his wife.

On May 4th, 1819, he was married to Miss Maria Brown, eldest daughter of Peter and Mary Polk Brown, and granddaughter of Judge William Polk, of the Superior Court of Del., the ceremony being performed by Squire Stephen Horsey, also of the State of Delaware.

Some two years later, emigration set in toward Indiana, and it was thought that fortunes lay in that direction. Mr. Kinder drifted with the tide, traveled extensively through the State, entered government land, and in March, 1822, removed his family into the very midst of the "Western Wilds. " The journey was long and perilous, through the almost trackless forest, through swollen gorges, and over frozen streams, until at length it was ended. The log cabin was reared, and for ten long years he worked steadily and hard, the farm all the time improving, from the cabin to a handsome two-story brick, which still stands in good repair.

At this juncture, owing to impaired health, he was obliged to quit the farm and moved his family to the rapidly growing city of Indianapolis,