USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > A Century of history of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church of Evansville, Indiana : with sketches of it's [sic] pastors, officers, and prominent members and reminiscences of early times > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
There are now some of my dearest brethren and friends, and from thence have gone many who are now en-
44
tered into rest, having been cordial co-laborers with me, and toward whom I feel that I am moving, and with whom I shall take sweet counsel and talk of the loves and labors of the past. Sweet will be the greeting when we meet to see each other there, "knowing as we are known," to sit down in the Kingdom of our Father hereafter.
Shortly after my retirement in 1868, I was appointed one of the Secretaries of the American and Foreign Chris- tian Union, traveling in the interest of its Missionary work. But in the spring of 1874, some of my friends urged upon my acceptance the pastorate of the Second Avenue Mission Work. I accepted it. Without detaining you here, you know matters led to a new organization, with a change of loca- tion and the erection of this new and beautiful building, the First Avenue Church, which we are now seeking to put upon an enduring foundation, so that it may be to the people of this part of our city a fountain of good for years and years to come.
But here a few reflections as to the manner and matter of my life among you, and my convictions of what is the best way of making the Gospel a power through the churches and its ministry.
As to the manner of my life, I think I can honestly say I have sought to be a true man, faithful in my calling, and ever ready to be to all the people, "their servant for Jesus' sake." I have aimed at all times and under all circumstances to stand up for the truth, and to stand up for the right. I have never laid aside the Gospel trumpet, and never know- ingly given it an uncertain sound. I have worked in season and out of season, in my own church and as called upon in other churches, and among those who were of no church and as sheep without a shepherd. I have hastened to the call of the sick and dying at midnight as well as at mid-day. I have gone with the poor and with the rich, mid-winter cold and summer heat, saying now, with due consideration, that in no case have I ever declined to speak for the truth or to visit the sick, or to attend funerals when I was able. Yea, and that I have often gone beyond my strength, and gone with joy.
As to my preaching and my utterances for Christ's cause, it has been all the time the "old, old story." It has been Christ and Him crucified. I have had defined and posi- tive convictions of truth, and he is not a man who has not, and I have expressed my convictions, giving a reason of the hope that was in me. I have had my creed, not formulated
45
from my own or any body else's philosophy, or after the wis- dom of the world, but according to the Word of God. I have never been inclined to preach other than the words of truth as found in the Bible. The symbols of my denom- ination I love, and I accepted and adopted them cheerfully and voluntarily, ever and only interpreting them by the Word and not the Word by the symbols. From the begin- ning of my ministry I have held that doctrines and princi- ples of my denomination spiritually set forth, do most high- ly exalt God in his authority over men, and that they devel- op and foster righteousness, justice, truth and sincere liber- ty and good will in society, and that in setting them forth as a minister, I was working to lead men nearer to Heaven, and aided in promoting the earthly interests of the com- munity that I have long learned to love.
And this allusion leads me to believe that while I have been emphatic and positive in preaching my honest indi- vidual belief, my fellow Christians, who differ from me in certain points of doctrine and principles, will bear me wit- ness that I have never made myself offensive or unready to co-operate in the common work of the common salvation. In building up my own denominational work, I have not depreciated the work of others. If I have had little ability to raise mortal to the skies, I have had none of the spirit to drag angels down.
Thirty years of preaching, and I have yet to preach my first controversial sermon. There has been no sectarianism in my heart, no bitterness in my thought, no intolerance on my tongue. I have labored in all the denominations, and this was particularly so during the earlier days of my min- istry when our mutual needs were greater. By kindly in- vitation (and I think acceptable,) I ministered in homes of affliction and bereavement. I have been widely among peo- ple in times of gladness and sorrow, at the cradle and at the coffin, at the bridal and at the burial; at the alter and at the bier ; weeping with those that wept and rejoicing with those that rejoiced.
I cannot recount the number of baptismal and wedding ceremonies in which I have participated. I find parties to these offices of mine everywhere over the city. I have bap- tized children whose parents I had baptized in infancy, and I have married parties whose parents I was privileged to unite in holy wedlock. Children who were trained in my first Sabbath School are now found in substantial depart- ments of life in extensive business firms; found connected with the press and the pulpit; in office in the service of the
46
State, and in service of the United States. Two Superin- tendents in this Church Sunday School, the present, and the one who has just retired, and the present Superintendent of the Walnut Street School, were scholars in my earlier school, and in my school of today, and as members of this church are children of parents who as Sunday School chil- dren listened to me thirty years ago.
Now, in hastening these reminiscences to a conclusion, I am not here to deny or affirm, nor am I anxious to have any opinion even offered as to how much my poor efforts have aided, if at all, any of these in their life work or life journey, or whether those efforts may help to exhibit them at last as among the redeemed of the Lord when He com- eth to make up His jewels. I am content to know that the Master whom I serve is keeping the account and keeping it correctly, and I know that he will, anyhow, give me bet- ter than I deserve. Behold, my witness is in Heaven; my record is on high.
I had wanted very greatly in this memorial discourse to speak particularly of a question that comes up naturally and might be stated thus: After thirty years of labor and observation, do you think that, as Christians and Churches, we are improving in our ways of reaching men by the Gos- pel, and our methods of practical work better, and is pure Christianity increasing, and are the churches of the city keeping pace with the progress of the city? A proper an- swer would furnish theme for two discourses.
Our working for the extension of religion can never be improved upon, unless in the main it leads men to see that they are sinners, lost and condemned, and that they must perish forever unless they repent and be converted. Our Gospel must be the same Gospel preached at Pentecost eighteen hundred years ago. We shall never save men by representing them to be any better than lost in sin and under God's just displeasure. Nor are we likely to extend a pure and vigorous religion by lowering its claims or authority.
My long and deliberate conviction both as a worker and a looker on, is that Christianity gains nothing by compro- mises of any kind, nor by lowering her claims to suit the ex- action of either pleasure loving professors or a pleasure loving world. Christians must show that their religion is a religion of happiness, and kindness and love, and that, so far as they can do it without sacrifice of principles or duty, they are "willing to be all things to all men that they may by all means save some, doing it for the Gospel's sake. These have been the views by which I have shaped my life
47
among you, and have sought to conform my church conduct, say, as to church entertainments and matters of financial need, where the usage is in the direction that "the end justi- fies the means,' or "let us do just this little evil that good may come." This is not a case where, if the mountain will not come to Mohammed, Mohammed must go to the moun- tain. Without biterness or ill will, or fault finding, I have withheld myself from all these things, and expressed my fears as to their tendencies; and never did I feel a stronger conviction than I do at this moment that these things have weakened and neutralized the moral power of the church, and detracted from her divine majesty as the elect of Christ.
The moral power of all our churches would at the pres- ent time be vastly greater than it now is, if from the begin- ning, consistently and constantly it had shunned the en- tanglements of folly and doubtful morality and doubtful ex- pediency. Yea, if it had in the spirit of meekness and kind- ness rather erred on the side of severity than of the laxness and licentiousness into which too many have been drawn. The precipice is to have a wide berth rather than to be ap- proached too closely.
The same in uttering the severer doctrines of the Gospel. Do it lovingly and kindly, but utter even the unpalatable truths of God. An emasculated Christianity is a powerless region.
As to the relative advance of the churches compared with the growth of the city and perhaps I ought to speak only of my own denomination, I do think that we have not done all that we could have done if we had been more faith- ful. The influence of our church is not what it should be nor what it could be if we were consecraated, united, wide awake and working. Without work there can be no harvest. This city is a field white for harvesting, but who will be the laborer?
There needs be co-operation among all our churches. We are falling behind the race-there is no concealing the matter, but past losses may be retrieved, and now is the time to do it. To delay it may be too late forever. Each church should organize for its individual work, and we should be in correspondence with one another. Let us re- member the Captain of our salvation holds us responsible that we lose no more ground, but go up at once and possess the land.
A single thought as to my present work. I feel that I am now in my last earthly enterprise in the glorifying of
49
Christ. I thank Him for what He has permitted me to do- enabled me to do-but there is just one thing more that I beg at His hands. It is that He would give me grace and strength, with your faith and labor of love, my people, to bring our little church into such conditions, that I may say it is a success; that is, beyond the contingent and so free from every embarrassment which it is in our power, with the sympathy of its friends to free it, that we can see our way clear to do the one only grand work which any church should care to do-the bringing of honor to Christ through the abundant saving of souls.
I feel when I can do this-bring this church and lay it at the feet of Jesus as a trophy, and say "here, Jesus, am I and my people, the people whom thou hast given me, and here is our work. We bring it that it may be a star in the crown of a Saviour's rejoicing." I feel that when I can do this I can then say, with the aged Simeon, "Lord, now let- test thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation."
And I don't want my work in Evansville to close until I can do this. I have referred to work in the days of my prime, my undiscounted manhood. The strength of those days may not be in me now, but I know that God is ready to give me the strength needful for all that this enterprise demands-if only you will work with me-and so with no vaunting spirit, but humbly depending upon divine grace, I offer myself to God and to you as ready to work with you all and with the foremost of you all, and, being your leader do challenge you to keep up with me in whatever may be agreed upon as most likely to prosper the church and ensure the blessing of God upon it.
As I ask of the Master, so will I-so do I ask of you, His people-"What wilt thou have me to do?" Ready to spend and to be spent until God shall crown us with blessed victory.
That the "crown of blessed victory" is now his, and the community in which he lived felt individually bereft when he was taken from their midst. He was looked upon as a pattern of all that a minister ought to be. He was a de- vout and cheerful Christian, a counsellor and friend, to all alike, a genial and agreeable companion. He had outlived the time when it seemed necessary for a minister to wear a long countenance and talk only on serious matters, and his pleasant face and cheerful greeting comes up before us, as
49
he was cordially welcomed in all social gatherings among his friends. Whatever Mr. McCarer says of himself in the sermon is known to be true and is heartily responded to by all who knew him.
"My present work," of which Rev. Mr. McCarer speaks, was the First Avenue Church. By his efforts this church was sustained and built up, and if he could have re- mained with it till to-day he would have seen his wish real- ized in regard it is being "a success." The beautiful struc- ture which stands on the corner of Second and Walnut is a grand monument to his memory. His zeal and persever- ance were embodied in it as well as his devout desire to honor God by building a temple wherein to worship Him and sing praises to His holy name. The prosperity of this church in all these years is largely due to the principles in- culated by his earnest labor and his unselfish surrender of his own interests to the good of the church, and there have been many regrets since his death that his labors, to which the best years of his life were given were not more gener- ously rewarded. The salary he received, and with which he was satisfied, was insufficient to give him that ease of body and mind that he richly deserved to enjoy. The pur- pose of building a church made it impossible to increase his salary as it should have been, and though never a hardy or robust man, he was seen cultivating his ground with all the energy of a farmer, to make his income a little more. If he could always have had a summer vacation such as the ministers of to-day enjoy, his usefulness might have continued many years longer than it did. His home, at the head of Second Street, has been sold to Miss Caroline Rath- borne, of New York, for an Old Ladies' Home. It is a mat- ter of regret that the property should ever have been al- lowed to get out of the family, particularly during the life time of his wife, Mrs. Sarah H. McCarer, who still sur- vives him. Much to the regret of her many friends, Mrs. McCarer now makes her home in Texas, owing to the re- moval of some members of her family, to that place, with whom she wished to reside. The fact that any particular publicity was always offensive to her and that she might
50
some day see these pages will prevent all the good being said of her that ought to be. But with the hope that she will excuse, for friendship sake, just a few words will be said. It is true that no one in Evansville ever had more friends than she has left, her life in the eyes of all these friends has been perfect.
The position of pastor's wife was never more appro- priately filled than it has been by her, and she possesses all the traits of a kind hearted, noble, Christian woman, and deserves to be and is most kindy remembered by all who knew her and particularly by the members of the church of which her husband was pastor.
51
CHAPTER X.
DR. LINDLEY AND MRS. LINDLEY.
There was also Dr. Lindley and wife, who still live in the memory of some of the oldest residents. They came to this country from Connecticut and made their home in Stringtown. The doctor was for many years an El- der in the church. This couple were well advanved in life when they sought a new home in the West, and the New England principles instilled in them in youth bore excellent fruit when trans- planted to a new climate and new sur- roundings. In goodness and benevolence they could not be excelled, the doctor administering to the poor and afflicted "without money and without price," and his wife binding up the broken heart and giving her meagre substance with- out stint to those who were more needy than herself. At that early date Dr. Lindley was the first person who ever advocated woman's rights in this community. His views were entirely new and considered rather Eutopian, then, but now it seems that he was only an advanced thinker. A paper for which he subscribed, which was an exponent of these views, was called the "Banner of Peace." If he could have lived to these days his highest anticipations would have been almost realized. That women would help to reform the world in temperance and politics was a theme on which he often discoursed. The lives of these good peo- ple were examples that could not fail to influence all who knew them. Peace to their ashes, and a blessed reward for them above!
Besides the men who were the pillars of the church there were "honorable women not a few," who were as nec- essary and useful to the superstructure as the pillars them-
52
selves. They were consistent Christian women, who gave all their influence on the side of religion. The diversions they sought were pure and simple. Reading societies and sewing societies where like one family, they were all inter- ested in the same object, jealousies were unknown. There were no theatres here in those days and if there had been, no church member would have attended them. There was no beer drinking or card playing mothers, and few tempta- tions to anything but a moral life.
MRS. WARNER.
The first Mrs. Warner was the wife of Alanson War- ner, a sister-in-law of "Father Chute," and one of the first church members when it was organized. She was an in- fiuential woman and active in good works. The second Mrs. Warner, afterward Mrs. Chas R. Hopkins, was an en- ergetic worker in everything relating to the welfare of the church, and at her death she left a handsome bequest to the Walnut Street Church.
Mr. Alanson Warner, though one of the trustees of the church, was never a member. He was a man of ster- ling worth and honesty, interested in every good cause. He was prosperous in business and gave freely of his means to benevolent objects. It was at his house the first meeting was held to consider the building of the church. For many years he kept the only hotel in the place, the "Mansion House," which stood where the People's Opera House stood.
MRS. J. H. MAGHEE
Was a pattern of lovliness of character, delicate and refined; her conscientious and pure life and her deeds of charity made her beloved and honored by everyone. She passed to her reward years since and her parting words to her dear child were "Be kind to the poor." Her sister, Miss Parker, who took the place of mother to the bereaved child, carried out her sisters wishes in all respects, being an excellent Christian woman. The latter is still living in New York and retains pleasant memories of her life in Evansville and her many friends, few of whom still sur- vive.
53
MRS. ROBERT BARNES.
Mrs. Barnes was another lovely woman whose memory is precious. She was one whom any person with aspira- tions for a higher and better life might wish to imitate. Gentle, kind and conscientious she performed all the duties of a Christian woman with zeal and pleasure. She had many trials which were borne with patience. An irrelig- ious husband was a great grief to her, but her perfect life and prayers for him were no doubt the means after her death of his conversion, which it was truly believed, took place. He manifested a strong desire to lead a new life and joined a church, not the one to which his wife had belonged. But his ardor was dampened by the persistent efforts of his brethern to bring him forward as a prominent member, insisting upon his praying in public and taking an active and conspicious part in the church, while the man himself had more sense and modesty than to accede to their wishes. He was a wealthy man and they wished him to be a bright and shining light in the world.
Another cause of his "fall from grace" was the good brethern wished to administer upon his estate before he was done with it himself. In other words there was no end to the demands upon him for money, to which he responded in a reasonable degree, but not at all satisfactory to the ap- plicant, and to prevent any further expectations he became a Spiritualist. The doctrines and belief of that sect suited him better. He thought the more spiritual people became the less money would be required from him. He made his will leaving his property to the Spiritualists, but at his death his will could not be found and his rightful heirs came into possession of all he had owned.
MRS. SARAH L. FLAGLER.
Mrs. Sarah Leland Flagler was one of the earliest members of the Walnut Street Church. She was born in Pleasant Valley, N. Y., in 1794, and died in Glen Cove, N. Y., in 1882.
Mrs. Flagler was the daughter of Rev. John Clark, who was for more than thirty years pastor of Pleasant Valley. She was a genial Christian woman; life had no dark side to her, whatever of sorrow or care came upon her she rallied from it and became cheerfully resigned to her lot. In her extreme old age she preserved her youthful feelings. She enjoyed making everyone happy, particularly the children.
54
She was a lover of the beautiful in nature and art, and pos- sessed the art of making beautiful things with the painters' pencil, which she excercised until a short time before her death. Many homes this day have samples of her skill and taste-Beautiful vases and articles of fancy work with which she decorated the dwellings of her friends. She was untiring in her labors for the church, and many dollars were realized from the sale of her fancy articles at the fairs held for the benefit of the church. After leaving Evans- ville she was always busy aiding poor and struggling churches by contributing her work which was sold to their advantage. Mrs. Flagler was always met with a friendly greeting wherever she went. For many years, with rare kindliness of heart, she ministered to others with true Christian sympathy, rejoicing with the happy and sorrow- ing with the sad. Her pastor wrote of her after her death : "Her memory will long me cherished here and elsewhere. To the last her childlike faith in her Savior never wavered and she was ready to depart and be with Him."
55
Rev. J. P. E. Kumler.
56
CHAPTER XI.
REV. J. P. E. KUMLER.
Rev. J. P. E. Kumler, in his own words, gives the fol- lowing account.
"I received a call to the pastorate of the Walnut Street Church, of Evansville, Ind., in May, 1868. The call was ac- cepted and the work entered upon about the first of July following.
The Rev. Wm. H. McCarer had been pastor for nearly a score of years; he had led the church from weakness to strength, and built a large and elegant church edifice. He was greatly and justly loved by his many old friends, who were pained at his retirement, and though he continued to reside among the people he had served so long and faith- fully, he was not, as is often the case, an obstruction to the work of his successor, but a: decided help and a loving friend, as was also his devoted and accomplished wife. Fortunate indeed is the pastor who finds such parishoners as we found in Brother McCarer and his beloved compan- ion. The elders fitly represented the church. The names of John Shanklin, Samuel Orr and Dr. Tyrrell were held in reverence. They unselfishly sought the purity, peace and prosperity of the church. Two of these were well ad- vanced in years, and the church was growing in numbers so that they requested an addition to their number. Gen. John W. Foster, Prof. A. M. Gow and Daniel Mark were chosen and proved themselves efficient overseers of the flock. All were in harmony and seconded every effort of the pastor. The hand of the Lord was with us, and many were added to the church. Special mention should be made of the godly women "not a few," who at this distance of twenty years come vividly before me, I can hardly refrain from beginning the catalogue of their names, but I would not know where to stop. They were a host in themselves; to their prayers and untiring successful work the prosperi- ty of the church was largely due. As the mind to work be- came more manifest there was a necessity felt for a more thorough organization for church work, and with prince of
57
organizers, Gen. J. W. Foster, we effected the most com- plete division of labor, that assigned to every man his own work, I have ever seen put in operation. Nearly every member of the church was placed on some committee; there was no branch of church work overlooked. The congrega- tion, the prayer meetings, the young peoples' meetings the Sunday school, Cottage prayer meetings, Temperance so- cials, canvassing and religious literature. The latter com- mittee, I remember, saw that every family in the church had one of our church papers.
"As there was no Y. M. C. A. Association in the city we had also committees to visit the jail, station house, in- firmary, and to distribute invitations to attend church at the different hotels. The chairman of each committee re- ported regularly to the session what the committee had done. Then followed this increased activity an increased ingathering of souls and a manifest growth of grace in all the workers. The contribution to the different Boards of the church increased. The church also began to take a more active part in the mission work of the Presbytery. The church during my pastorate was exceedingly fortunate in her Treasurer, the Hon. Wm. Baker, nothing was allowed to go at loose ends-business was business. The annual reports were exhaustive and models of accuracy and a great stimulus to greater liberality. The payments of salary were as prompt as the sun. It was my sad duty to follow him to the grave, and my privilege to voice a general senti- ment of all who knew him, to declare that in his departure the community and the church lost one of its most upright and valuable members. I cannot refrain from mentioning a few others whose names have starred. Mr. Shanklin and Mr. Orr, were prominent pillars in the church. They were men of God and of might, upon whom the church and so- ciety is built. They were identified with the foundation and superstructure of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church. Nor can I omit the name of my warm-hearted and enthu- siastic friend Mr Daniel Mark, and still another, Prof. A. M. Gow, whose great experience as an educator enabled him to introduce many improvements in our Sabbath school methods; and still there comes back to memory both men and women whose faces we shall see no more in time. "Part of the host have crossed the flood, part are crossing now." There was no discord during that three years pas- torate. No wonder there was a breaking of heartstrings when the relation was sundered. Its precious memories are counted among the richest legacies of my life."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.