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M. L.
Gc 977.702 B92m 2008952
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
1.
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01084 8429
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HAND BOOK
OF THE
first Presbyterian Church
BURLINGTON, IOWA.
216- 1828
M-71 17.50
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HAND BOOK
OF
·THE FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
BURLINGTON, IOWA.
REV. J. C. MCCLINTOCK, PASTOR.
MAY, 1877.
" For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded ; therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed." Is. 50 : 7.
BURLINGTON, IOWA : CHAS. I. BARKER, STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTER. 1877.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
S. W. Corner of Fifth and Washington Sts.,
BURLINGTON, IOWA.
Pastor.
REV. J. C. MCCLINTOCK, 919 Washington Street.
Ruling Elders.
DENISE DENISE, THOMPSON MCCOSIL,
J. ALLISON SMITII, J. R. NELSON.
W. E. BLAKE.
Deacons.
O. II. SCHENCK, SAMUEL ROBINSON, JOHN DICKIE.
Trustees, 1877.
J. V. BEAN, President. O. H. DENISE, Secretary. (. II. WILITING, Treasurer.
Officers of the Sunday School.
J. R. NELSON, Superintendent.
W. E. BLAKE, Assistant. WILL ROBINSON, Librarian.
Ushers, 1877.
WILL ROBINSON. JAMES PENROSE.
The Annual Meeting is held on the first Saturday of January.
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2008952 DIRECTORY OF SERVICES.
The Lord's Day.
Teachers and Scholars' Prayer meeting, 8:45 A. M.
The Sunday School, 9:00 A. M.
Preaching, 10:30 A. M.
Children's Service, on the first Sabbath of the month, 2: 30 P. M. Congregational Prayer and Praise, forty-five minutes before the evening service. Evening Service, in summer, 8 : 00 P. M., winter 7: 00 P. M.
THE COMMUNION.
The Lord's Supper is administered in connection with the morn- ing service, on the second Sabbath of January, April, July, and October. Preparatory lecture on Saturday previous, at 3 P. M.
BAPTISM OF INFANTS.
On Saturday, before Communion, or if more convenient, on any Sabbath morning, before the sermon.
MEETINGS OF SESSION.
First Monday evening of each month, and on Saturday before the Communion.
WEEK DAY MEETINGS.
Cottage Prayer-meetings, Tuesday evening.
The Ladies' Society, Thursday, 2:00 P. M.
The Church Prayer-meeting, Thursday, 7:30 P. M.
The Teachers' Meeting, Friday, 7:30 P. M. The Ladies' Prayer-meeting, (weekly), and Missionary Society, (monthly), Saturday at 3: 00 P. M.
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INTRODUCTORY.
The following Historical Sketch of the First Presbyterian Church, of Burlington, Iowa, was prepared, and read to the con- gregation on the first Sabbath of July, 1876. At the request of the Session, it is now published with the accompanying Hand Book, for the use of the members.
The sources from which I have drawn the facts recorded here, are the Minutes of Session, the Records of the Board of Trus- tees, and the Annual Statistical Reports to Presbytery. The' older members of the Church have also furnished many items of interest that were not spread upon the records; and they will please accept my grateful thanks for the assistance which they have rendered me. I am especially indebted for information about the early days of the Church to one of its first members, Mrs. Lucy Short Henry, who has recently fallen asleep in Jesus, (October 25, 1876). Mrs. Henry was an active and deeply interest- ed member of our Church from its first year, and she was the last survivor of the little band which partook of the first communion celebrated by this Church, in the year 1845.
In the hope that this history may prove of permanent interest, and that by the Divine blessing, this Hand Book may be a help in your Christian life-to the beloved members of the First Presby- terian Church of Burlington, it is affectionately inscribed by
May, 1877.
YOUR PASTOR.
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THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
IN BURLINGTON.
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments. Ps. 78 : 7.
THE REV. L. G. BELL.
Between the years 1833 and 1837, the Rev. L. G. Bell came from Tennessee to reinforce the little band of missionaries who were planting the Presbyterian Church on the fast-filling prairies of Illinois. Full of Apostolic fire that would not let him rest in the face of the Master's work, he looked with longing eyes across the father of waters to the fair domain, then known as Iowa Terri- tory, and he finally determined to make this the field of his toil. His purpose was faithfully carried out in gathering the scattered members of the Presbyterian name, and organizing them into churches. In the last year of his life, when he was about four score years old, he rode more than one thousand miles on horse- . back, in the western part of Iowa, hunting up the scattered sheep, and bringing them under Gospel influences. To Father Bell, as. we in Iowa loved to call him, belongs the honor of first planting the Presbyterian Church in Burlington, sometime in the year 1838. The records of that organization have passed from our hands; but the infant church must have been a likely child, worth raising, as it is reported to the General Assembly three years later, with thirty-two members, the Rev. John Mark Fulton, stated supply.
In 1844, this church was dropped from the Assembly's roll. It lived on however, and still lives in the large and flourishing Con- gregational Church on fourth street, of which Rev. William Salter, D. D., has for thirty years been the efficient and honored pastor. Thus the first Presbyterian planting in Burlington, bore Congregational fruit.
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Hand Book and Record of the
There were a few who were not satisfied with the change ; they longed for the "Old paths-the orderly ways" of their fathers. Enough of like mind were gathered in the winter of 1844-45, to effect a new organization. In February, 1845, Rev. Dr. Cummins, and Rev. William L. McCalla, met these persons, organized them into a church, and ordained Mr. David McIntyre the first Ruling Elder. Mr. David Rice was elected and ordained to the same of- fice July 29, 1846. William B. Ewing, John F. Henry, M. D., J. C. Fletcher, Robert Armstrong and Nathaniel Ervin, were selected October 29, 1846, the first Board of Trustees for the young church. Col. Isaac Leffler presided over the first meeting called for the purpose of taking measures to build a house of worship-and at this meeting a subscription for the building was started, Dr. John F. Henry and Nat. Ervin, Esq., heading the list with $50 each, which was considered a very large and liberal amount. The church building was so far completed that services were held in the basement in the autumn of 1846. In the early part of the fol- lowing year the house was completed, and dedicated to the service of God. Father Stewart, then of Macomb, Illinois, preached the dedication sermon. Before this house was ready for use the con- gregation met in the school room of Miss Mary Calkins, which stood on Main street, nearly opposite Old Zion Church. Here the first communion was administered by the Rev. Aaron Leonard.
For three years the church depended upon occasional supplies for the Ministry of the Word. Rev. Thomas Bracken preached for six months, and was followed by Rev. W. R. Stewart, then of Macomb, Illinois, who came over once a month as the roads and river permitted. Up to the autumn of 1848, fifteen persons were ad- ded to the membership of the church, of whom Mr. and Mrs. O. H. Schenck are the only ones now remaining among us.
REV. JAMES. G. SHINN.
Early in the year 1848, Rev. C. C. Cuyler, D. D., pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, visited Burlington, and preached for the congregation. In response to the earnest inquiry of the people for a minister, Dr. Cuyler recommended a young man, just out of Princeton Theological Seminary, by name, James G. Shinn. On returning to Philadelphia, Dr. Cuyler per- suaded Mr. Shinn to come out to this, at that day, far off place. He arrived in the summer of 1848, and gave such satisfaction by his preaching, that he soon received a call to be pastor. Previous to his ordination and installation, a week of religious services was
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First Presbyterian Church, Burlington, Iowa.
held. At the close of the week, November 2, 1848, the ordination took place. The Rev. Salmon Cowles, Moderator of the Presby- tery of Iowa, presided, and preached the ordination sermon. The next day, Sabbath, the new pastor held his first communion sea- son, and welcomed seven persons on profession of faith, and nine on certificate, of whom Mr. and Mrs. Denise Denise still remain. Possibly, some who read these words were present at that com- munion, and can recall the high hopes, the bright prospects, and the sweet and holy joys of that hour, as the church, for the first time led by its own pastor, gathered around the table of the Lord.
During the pastorate of Mr. Shinn the organization of the church was brought up to the full Presbyterian standard, by the election of Charles L. Rentz, to the office of Deacon. William Grier, M. D., and Nathaniel Ervin were shortly after added to the board of Deacons. On the removal of Ruling Elder John G. Law to St. Louis, in 1849, Mr. Rentz was ordained Elder in his room, and Peter Jacoby and John Thompson were made Deacons.
At this time the church was not self-supporting, and the an- nual application for aid to the amount of $200, is a very forcible reminder of the fostering care of the Board of Home Missions, and of the obligation we are under to that "Mother of Churches."
The first Sabbath School work of the church was done while using the school room of Miss Calkins, on Third street. From a very interesting account of it furnished by Mrs. M. B. Robertson, the following extract is made :
"In this room, Mrs. Jerry Lamson gathered her own, and a few other children, and formed a Sabbath School. Mrs. Lamson was very much in earnest, and was general manager; acting often as Superintendent, Librarian and Teacher, the same day. When the Oregon fever became epidemic here, Mr. Lamson decided to go; but his wife said that she would never consent to the trip unless the whole party would make a pledge to rest from Saturday night to Monday morning. Finding her resolute in her determination, the pledge was finally given, and the party proceeded. Mrs. Lamson, through the kindness of a friend, had secured a small Sabbath School Library, which she took with her; and every Lord's day during the long journey overland, taking many months, this pious woman taught a Sabbath School, made up of the emi- grants and their children."
Mr. J. B. Browning succeeded Mrs. Lamson in the charge of the school. When Mr. Shinn became pastor, he took the school under his especial care, and labored hard and successfully to interest
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Hand Book and Record of the
both the children and the adults of the congregation. Mr. J. G. Law followed Mr. Shinn, and was in turn succeeded by Mr. Ed- ward Wallis. The church was at that day, loyally Presbyterian in its ideas about Sabbath School control, as appears from a resolu- tion of the Session, which has since, in substance found a place on the minutes of the General Assembly, as well as in the practice of all well regulated Presbyterian Churches. It is as follows:
"June 9, 1851. Resolved : That the Sabbath School of this church is under the watch and control of the Session of this Church."
Mr. Shinn continued his labors until October, 1851, when he was · called east by the illness of his wife. In November, following, his resignation was received, and on the 22d day of December, 1851, the pastoral relation was dissolved, at a meeting of Presby- tery held in West Point. During this pastorate of three years, eighty-five persons were added to the church, of whom thirty-one were on profession of faith in Christ. No other statistics of the work remain.
The church had a hard struggle with finances. Besides the sup- port of the Pastor, it was burdened with a debt incurred in build- ing. The burden was nobly borne by both Pastor and people; the former contributing towards his own support by teaching; and many of the latter laboring with their hands on the building. They were not without the sympathy and help of God's people in other places. The old Pulpit Bible, and the lamps that originally lighted the house, were presented by friends in Dr. Rice's church, Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bible now in use was presented by Gen. J. G. Lauman. The first communion service was the gift of two sisters of the Rev. Mr. Shinn. The present communion service is a memorial in memory of Mr. Silas Williams and his daughter, Miss Louisa Williams, given by two surviving daughters, who are still members of this church.
Mr. Shinn was a faithful and successful Pastor. He is described by one who was intimately acquainted with him then, as "a man of culture and refinement; an able and forcible preacher of the great doctrines of grace; bold in preaching the whole truth, but in private of almost painful modesty and humility. He was gen- erally beloved by his congregation."
He now resides at Waterford, New Jersey.
REV. JOSHUA PHELPS, D. D.,
Was stated supply for one year, from May 27, 1852. Salary $700. At the close of the year Dr. Phelps received a call to become
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First Presbyterian Church, Burlington, Iowa.
Pastor, but declined, preferring the presidency of Alexander Col- lege at Dubuque, to which he was elected about this time. Dr. Phelps was a talented man, and a strong preacher, but lacking somewhat of the earnestness and spirituality which characterized his predecessor. The Church was prospered under his ministry. Thirty-eight persons were added to the membership, eight of whom were by profession of faith. The total membership in the spring of 1853, was one hundred and eighteen. In this year we find the first record of contributions to the Boards. The amounts given were $57 to Foreign Missions, and $10 to Publication.
Dr. Phelps now resides at Santa Barbara, California.
REV. W. E, LARKIN.
For a period of six months the Church was supplied by the Rev. W. E. Larkin, then of Rock Island, Illinois. There was not much growth during this time; and the only item of interest on the re- cords, was the issue of a call to the Rev. I. N. Candee, D. D., of Lafayette, Indiana. The call was declined on account of the large, opposing minority.
Churches as well as indviduals have their ' crosses,' ' thorns in the flesh,' and 'troubles.' Ours has been no exception. With many blessings, it has had some bitterness in the cup. Causes that the writer does not fully understand, and that if understood were, perhaps, better unrecorded, led to a difference between the Session and the members of the Church, which culminated about the time Mr. Larkin's engagement expired, in an appeal to Presbytery for. advice. The Presbytery sent Revs. Salmon Cowles and Robert McQuigan to give counsel, and help the church out of its difficulty. Their judgment was, that the acting Session ought to resign, and that a new Session, acceptable to the majority, be elected. This advice was followed; and on the 10th of April, 1854, John Flournoy Henry, Denise Denise and J. B. Browning were elected, ordained and installed Ruling Elders, Mr. Cowles presiding over the meeting. Of these brethren, Mr. Denise alone survives, and is the honored senior member of the present Session. Mr. Browning and Dr. Henry both abounded in labors for the welfare of the church; both now rest from their labors, and have gone to stand with the Saints and Elders that gather about the Throne on High.
The change of administration did not bring the harmony hoped for. On the day after the installation, the new Session, as its first official act, granted certificates of dismission to twenty-three per- sons, who formed a new organization known as the Second Pres- byterian Church of Burlington. There are no records of this
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Hand Book and Record of the
church accessible. I learn from some of the members, that the Rev. Mr. Jennings was stated supply for a time ; and then the Rev. Tracy M. Oviatt. They erected the house of worship on Third street, and after struggling for a few years with a debt of over $7,000, the organization broke down. It was at once followed by another, in connection with the New School Assembly, under the name of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, which for a while occupied the house, and attempted to pay the debt. But disappointed by failure to obtain aid from abroad, on which they had relied, they too were compelled to give up the enterprise; and the house was sold for debt, and purchased by the Roman Catholic Bishop. The time covered by these events, (from the organiza- tion of the Second Church to the final abandonment of the enter- prise,) was about five years. At one time a proposition was made for a union between the Second and the First Church, and a com- mittee had the matter under advisement. The proposition was, to sell the property of the First Church, pay the debt of the Second, and then elect a new Session and other officers for the united con- gregation. After a full consideration the proposition was declined.
REV. JEPTHA HARRISON, D. D.
The pastorate of Doctor Harrison began September 27, 1854, and ended October, 1857. During this time the Church was in a fairly active and healthy state. Extensive repairs were made on the church building and lot; debts were paid; the salary increased to $800; and $187 were contributed for missionary purposes. Fifty- five persons united with the Church, sixteen of whom were re- ceived upon profession of faith.
Doctor Harrison was a man somewhat advanced in years, wholly absorbed in the duties of his calling, and with but little knowl- edge of men and things outside of it. As a preacher he was very earnest in manner, and hortatory rather than doctrinal in matter.
Following the pastorate of Doctor Harrison the Church was supplied for a year by Licentiate W. L. Mitchell, who though twice called to the pastorate, declined. During this time, (1858,) the membership remained without increase. The number reported to the Assembly, April 1st, 1859, was ninety-seven.
REV. JAMES HARVEY CLARK,
Began his labors as a supply in July, 1859. In September of the same year he received a call, and was installed Pastor. He re- mained two years and one month, resigning his charge after taking the field as Chaplain of the 7th Regt. Iowa Volunteers. These were years of excitement, and the spiritual life of the Church ran
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First Presbyterian Church, Burlington, Iowa.
low. Six persons were received on profession, and fourteen by certificate. Mr. William L. McPherren was added to the Session February 10th, 1861. He proved himself a faithful Elder, and an earnest Sabbath School worker. (Died 1870.)
The Rev. W. E. Westervelt became stated supply in August, 1861, and continued after the resignation of Mr. Clark, until the spring of 1864, when he was succeeded by the
REV. GEORGE D. STEWART, D. D.
For six and a half years Doctor Stewart ministered to the Church as stated supply. Under his labors the difficulties that had hindred the progress of the work, were gradually surmounted. One hundred and six persons were added to the Church, and a net increase of forty members was gained. Through the able manage- ment of the Trustees, the financial interests of the congregation were brought into good shape. The salary was raised from $800 to $1,500 per annum. A considerable amount was expended in enlarging and repairing the house of worship.
Many of the present members of the congregation were under Doctor Stewart's ministry, and can recall him as a pleasing, fluent, and forcible speaker, and a scholar fully abreast the current of The- ological and Philosophical thought. He is a man of popular address, of liberal and progressive tendencies, and a zealous and able Pres- byter. He removed from Burlington to Omaha, Nebraska, in the autumn of 1870, having accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church of that city. He has recently accepted a call to the Church in Ft Madison, Iowa, where he now resides.
During his ministry here he received thirty-two persons on profession of faith, of whom he baptized fourteen; he received seventy-four on certificate ; baptized forty-four infants, and raised $938 for the Boards of the Church. The Session was increased by the installation of Prof. J. Allison Smith, Thomas Darling and Thompson McCosh. Samuel Robinson, and afterwards O. H Schenck and John Dickie were added to the Board of Deacons.
REV. JOHN C. M'CLINTOCK.
At the request of the Session, the present Pastor came from Mt. Pleasant, where he was then preaching, to preside over a congre- gational meeting for the election of a Pastor. This meeting was held on the 5th of December, 1870. Some of you may remember the embarrassing position in which the chairman of that meeting found himself before the evening closed. Unpremeditated by the people, as it was unsought, and unthought of by him, the result of the meeting was a unanimous call, in answer to which he be-
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Hand Book and Record of the
came your Pastor. The installation took place January 19th, 1871. The Rev. W. B. Noble of Ft. Madison, (now of Fagg's Manor, Pa.,) presided and preached the sermon. The Rev. Alexander Scott of Kossuth, delivered the charge to the church, and the Rev. H. B. Knight of Ottumwa, the charge to the Pastor. We have great oc- casion for thankfulness in the many tokens of the Divine favor which, as Pastor and people, we have received since that day. From among the many matters of interest that have occurred in the six years of this pastorate, the following are selected for this record.
1871. THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS' MEETING was organ- ized early in this year. It has been one of the most profitable means of instruction and of grace, enjoyed by those engaged in the Sunday School work.
1872. ROBINSON'S SONGS FOR THE SANCTUARY was adopted by the Session, after a careful examination of various Hymn Books, as our book of praise. It has been in constant use since July of that year, and has given continued satisfaction.
1873. THE LADIES' SOCIETY was organized in January. Its ob- ject is to raise funds to furnish our much needed, much longed for, new house of worship. This society has been efficiently managed, and the ladies have now laid up to their credit a good sum, against the glad day when these time honored, time stained walls shall give place to a house, such as the Lord's cause in Burlington de- mands of His Presbyterian flock.
Mr. John R. Nelson accepted the office of Ruling Elder, to which he had been elected some time before, and on the second of February, he was ordained and installed.
During this month a series of union meetings was begun by the Pastors of various evangelical churches of this city, assisted for two weeks by the Evangelist, Rev. E. P. Hammond. A very deep religious interest was developed in our congregation, in common with the others; and as the fruits of the meeting, we received sixty-one members on profession of faith, and thirty-six on cer- tificate; the total, ninety-seven, being the largest number ever re- ceived by this Church in one year.
THE LADIES' MISSIONARY SOCIETY was organized on the 10th of November, under the direction of Mrs. S. J. Rhea, formely a Mis- sionary in Persia. This society, though not large, has been growing in interest and vitality. It has contributed a consid- erable amount to the work of Missions among women.
1874. W. E. Blake, Esq., was on the 3d of May ordained and installed a Ruling Elder.
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First Presbyterian Church, Burlington, Iowa.
1875. With the beginning of this year the Church adopted and put in operation the envelope plan, as a medium for its Benev- olent contributions. The result was a very marked increase in the amount given; although under this plan, no special appeals are made. Giving to the Lord is presented as a matter of conscience, and as an act of worship.
1876. With this year, our Church took its place along side of the most advanced in the matter of doing away with pew rents as a means of church revenue. All the funds for the support of the Church, and for its Benevolent work, are raised through the envelope plan, by voluntary pledges and weekly offerings. The plan has been highly successful so far. At the end of the year the Trustees reported for the first time in the history of the Church, (as far as is known,) that the salary had all been paid be- fore it was due, that all the contingent expenses for the current year had been met, and that a small surplus remained on hands. All that is needed to make the plan a constant success is the hearty, regular and conscientious co-operation of every member of the congregation.
1877. This year opened with a marked increase of interest in spiritual things on the part of the members of the Church. Special services were held by the Pastor, beginning with the week of Prayer, and continuing to the close of February. The spirit of revival first manifested itself in the prayer meetings, among a few members of the Church. From them the interest extended to others, until Christians were greatly revived, and prayer was answered in the conversion of sinners. A working band has been organized to engage in personal work for Christ, under the direc- tion of the Session, and the zeal and faith of many has been quickened.
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