Diary of William Quesenbury Claytor, February 4, 1849

Went to the methodist church and heard the Rev Mr Dashiels. His text was taken from Rev 3d chap 5th verse "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my father, and before his angels." He spoke principally of the christians warfare. His enemies, his friends and his promised rewards were each spoken of separately dwelling more particularly upon the first. It was the longest but the most inferior sermon I have heard from the gentleman. After the sermon he spoke in favor of Dickinson College, the only one in the United States under the government of the Methodist society. he warned his congregation against sending their children to Catholic institutions and even disparaged  those under the supervision of any other denomination except the Methodist. He took up a collection in favor of Dickinson college, in order that it might reduce its tuition fees and at the same time enable it to compete with other institutions.