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 9
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ject of discussion, recorded in the minutes, is the spiritual condition of the church. In the old days, when Zion lan- guished," it was cause for sorrow and prayer, for planning protracted meetings usually under the leadership of Rev. Henry Little, Synodical Home Missionary and Saint of God, in later years uniting with other churches in great taber- nacle evangelistic meetings. When numbers were converted and enthusiasm revived, there was joy and thanksgiving among the elders on earth as well as the angels in Heaven.
MEN'S ORGANIZATIONS-BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
The official title of the church has always been the Ev- ansville Presbyterian Church, but it has been at various times popularly known as "The Little Church on the Hill," the "Old" Presbyterian, the "First" Presbyterian, and the "Walnut St. Presbyterian Church." Mrs. Reilly gives in de- tail the efforts of trustees in 1831 to purchase a lot and erect a meeting house.
In 1848 there was a movement to build a new church in a different location, but it was dropped and we find in the records committees appointed to repair steps and fences and redecorate the interior "agreeably to the wishes of the ladies inasmuch as they have to foot the bills." The trus- tees that year were Alonson Warner, John Shanklin, Sam- uel Orr, Daniel Woolsey and Conrad Baker.
Treasurers' books from 1849-1872 are preserved and show frequent personal advances to meet current expenses, which are carried as a note for years, but finally ordered paid and allowed on future assessments. Our businesslike budget is no new thing, for in 1857, Dr. Daniel Morgan, Chairman of Finance Committee, presented an itemized es- timate of receipts and expenditures showing a probable de- ficiency of $57.00, "provided all relied upon is collected." The congregation promptly added to the "probable deficiency" by increasing the pastor's salary $200.00, making it $1,000.00
The election of trustees and the renting of pews were for many years advertised in the daily newspapers, and spirited bidding for the first choice of pews was encouraged.
One cannot but wonder at the faith of the trustees who undertook the building of this church in 1860, and their names deserve to be recorded :-
Wm. Baker, Treasurer John W. Foster, Secretary James E. Blythe
Charles S. Wells James Swanson Dr. Daniel Morgan
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Dr. Morgan and Mr. Swanson were especially active, being on the committee to select and purchase the ground, engage contractors, oversee construction, even to the "count- ing of the bricks." Dr. Morgan was graduated from Yale College in 1837, the same year coming to Evansville and uniting with the Presbyterian Church. Although one of the leading physicians of the town, he found time for this im- portant church duty, climbing to the top of the steeple when in process of construction and watching every little detail. An itemized account of reecipts and expenditures was sys- tematically kept by the Treasurer in a small blank book which is preserved.
The summary of the Church Erection Fund in 1861 is as follows :
Lot sold
$8,575.00
Subscriptions
5,252.43
Loans 1,800.00
Interest 87.67
Ladies' Sewing Society
975.00
Old bell
146.80
(Old bell-weight 400 pounds, sold to packet City of Evans- ville, at Cincinnati.)
Disbursements.
Lot purchased
$ 1,739.26
Excavation
172.20
Sand and water
360.95
Incidentals
581.44
Rock work
741.43
Basement floor
21.28
Brick and brick work
5,290.00
Clark's contract
3,307.70
Lumber
2,165.44
Lime
460.60
Iron work
785.31
Painting
10.00
Roofing
222.00
Contract
100.00
$15,957.69
Among other items for the completion of the upstairs auditorium in 1863, $3,750 for carpenter work and seats in allowed.
Plans and specifications were furnished by S. D. Button of Philadelphia. Levi S. Clark was superintendent of con- struction. Slate was purchased in New Orleans. Mr. George
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Lant, Sr., had the brick contract with Mr. George W. Goodge as apprentice. Both Mr. Lant and Mr. Goodge are still living, Mr. Lant in his 92nd year.
Mr. George W. Goodge, requested for some remini- scenses, writes: "I attended Sabbath School and Church services in the little frame Church on the Hill which stood on the alley corner on the east side of Second Street between Main and Locust, where Strouse and Bros. store is now lo- cated. There was a vacant space of ground between the church and a frame store on the corner where Schlaepfer's Drug Store now stands. I attended the church between the years of 1853 and 1858. Rev. Wm. H. McCarer was the min- ister, a man not only loved by the members of the church but also by the people generally. In the year 1859 I went with Lant Brothers to learn the brick laying trade and in 1860 they were given the contract to build the church build- ing on the corner of Second and Walnut. Their contract called for the wrecking of the little Church on the Hill and I was sent to help in the work of tearing down. Although sixty-one years have passed, I have not forgotten the wasps. In those early days they were thick in the cracks and crev- ices of all buildings and fought hard when their homes were destroyed. They had lodged in the cornice of the church and stung the workmen . It was in the Lant Brothers' con- tract to use two thousand of the old brick out of the foun- dation of the old church in the new building, which was done. I worked on the building till it was ready for the roof."
The name "Evansville Presbyterian Church," made in wooden letters, cut by hand from a single piece of wood, was nailed to the front of the church. Two letters "L" and "E", were preserved by Mr. Goodge and recently presented to the church.
The subscription list included all the prominent mer- chants of the town, of all creeds.
The indebtedness in 1863, on the completion of the building, was $10,200.00-a sum to daunt the bravest hearts.
It was not entirely paid off until 1881. During Mr. Kumler's pastorate and under his persuasive eloquence in spite of debt, the church benevolences increased three-fold, making' a total to all boards of $1,015.43. Concerning one item of $300.00, the following tale is told. Under the elo- quent plea of Dr. Kumler preaching on the text, "Watch- man, what of the night?" a stranger was seen to put into the plate a large roll of bills. When the Treasurer counted it and found it $300.00, he was sure a mistake had been
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made, and called upon the stranger at his hotel to rectify it. The man proved to be Mr. Thaw, a millionaire of Pitts- burg, and a loyal Presbyterian, who explained that it was his custom, on that day, wherever he might be, to put in his offering for the Board of Foreign Missions.
In 1869, the trustees bravely launched out into the ex- periment of free pews, the necessary budget to be raised by assessment of members, the amount ranging from $8.00 to $200.00. There was some objection, of course, and although the income produced was larger it was still insufficient. In 1873, in a hope to remedy this deficiency, the envelope sys- tem of weekly contributions was inaugurated. In 1873 also the choir box at the front of the church was built and the choir moved from the gallery at the back. The trustees gave their consent to the change, "if they were not asked to pay for it." In the same year two new furnaces were installed at a cost of 450.00, but had to be replaced in 1884 at a cost of $700.00.
These seem to have been "lean years," for time after time, the trustees met to "discuss the situation (lack of funds), failed to come to any definite conclusion ; postponed action and adjourned," renewing the note in the bank mean- time. In 1875, the Treasurer proposed an assessment of members, based on the county lists for taxation. He pre- sented figures from tax duplicates, showing members had ample property to produce required income by the impo- sition of an advalorem tax. This plan did not meet with the approval of the majority of the wealthy members and provoked a spirited discussion between property own- ers and salaried men. They decided to assess each one at what they ought to give and to get them to stand for it if possible, a plan still followed.
The church clock now hanging in the lecture room was purchased in 1875.
In 1883, after clearing the church of debt, there was a fat year with a balance of 42 cents. Encouraged by this un- usual balance, the trustees plunged into debt again in the purchase of a new organ for $2,300, plus the old organ. In 1883, also the present parsonage was built by Mr. James L. Orr and Mrs. Martha Orr Bayard as a memorial to their father and mother; Mr. George Goodge taking especial in- terest in superintending the building.
In 1886 the projecting gallery was removed, stairs changed from the dangerous winding type to the present ones with landing, a new galvanized steel ceiling was put in, walls redecorated, a new carpet bought, oak pews re-
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placed the uncomfortable, square walnut ones, and similar pulpit furniture, the marble mantel and mahogany sofa, the communion table being presented by the C. E. Society. The next few years, 1887-1903, improvements mulitplied-street paving $800.00, fence removed and cement walks laid "at the request of the ladies who offered to pay the expense."
Mr. George Goodge superintended all this work with- out pay, venturing fearlessly to the top of the roof or the depths of the cellar in his investigations. There have al- ways been among the trustees practical men of affairs, whose business was consecrated, as well as themselves, to the use of the church. Among such, one recalls Mr. Mat- thew Dalzell, whose daily walk lay past the church, Mr. W. H. Lehnhard, whose mill supplied all the board and tres- tles needed for entertainments, Mr. Alexander Crawford, with advice and tools for every leak (this was the days of gas), and Mr. James L. Orr, to whom the Lord's house was an especial care. Today a mechanically inclined pastor and Mr. Henry B. Veatch can supply every need.
Two treasurers merit especial mention. Mr. Wm. Baker for 15 years and Mr. Philip Decker for 20 years' continuous service. In meeting monthly bills with insufficient funds, they were obliged to walk by faith, not sight. They, like their successors, Mr. Alex Crawford, Mr. Wm. E. Wilson and Mr. Harry Dodson, were called as Israel of old to make "bricks without straw."
Ushering has always been a duty of the trustees. Among the pleasant memories of the old church one remem- bers the welcome of smile and hand clasp at the door of Mr. J. N. McCoy, Mr. James L. Orr, Mr. Byron Persons, Mr. Ed Wemyss and a host of others. Mr. Elwood Moore has a well earned record of faithfulness, day and night, as usher.
In 1916 the duplex system of envelopes, with weekly payments ,one side current expenses and the other benevo- lences, was adopted. It involved a systematic visitation of every member on a certain Sunday in April for definite pledges for the year. This largely increased the income. The New Era assessments set a new standard of benevol- ences and again tested the faith of the trustees. The assess- ment for 1917 for the church boards amounted to $600.66 and was increased in 1921 to $2,288.00, including the Wo- man's Missionary Society. In 1919, the manse was repaired and electrified at an expense of $1,322.88, exclusive of the work done by the Ladies' Aid. In 1920 the repair bill for
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replacing of the cornice of the tower was $2,060.03. In 1921 a Centennial fund of $1,500.00 was raised to provide for the expense of the celebration and to start the old church into the new century free of debt.
The present Board of Trustees consists of :
Mr. Samuel L. Orr, Chairman. Mr. B. F. Persons, Vice-Chairman. Mr. W. H. Cutler, Secretary. Mr. Ed. Kiechle, Treasurer. Dr. E. C. Johnson. Dr. E. P. Busse.
In 1920 a Board of Deacons was instituted of the young- er men of the congregation, as a training school for elders and trustees and to relieve the trustees of the details of rais- ing and expending funds, the trustees retaining the holding and auditing powers. A joint meeting of both boards is held quarterly and when any financial policy is in question the two boards must act in conjunction.
Mr. Ed. Wemyss, Chairman. Mr. A. H. Swanson, Vice Chairman. Mr. Downey Kerr, Secretary. Mr. H. C. Dodson, Treasurer. Mr. Henry B. Veatch. Mr. Boaz Crawford. Mr. Roy S. Atkinson. Mr. Henry Faul.
Mr. Glen Ogle.
Mens' Brotherhood.
A Brotherhood of 68 members was organized in 1904 and continued until 1912, the number increasing to 81. There was frequent banquets with speakers on topics of in- terest, but no altruistic object for united and continuous ef- fort. Of late years the monthly congregational suppers and the Mens' Bible Class have taken the place of the former Brotherhood. The latter was organized in 1920 with a membership of 87, and is taught by the pastor.
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CHAPTER V.
MEMORIES OF THE EARLY DAYS OF THE WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE WALNUT ST. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Our President has asked for a short history of our so- ciety. Figures you would soon forget. Part of what I bring to you today, some have heard, for it is history which can- not be taken from, but may be added to. I will give a few incidents regarding the formation and progress of our work; which stand as beacon lights of memory; as I can hardly give a connected history of forty-eight years work, in the ten minutes allotted me.
May 31, 1871, Mrs. J. P. E. Kumler, wife of our pas- tor at that time, called a meeting of the women of our church. Twenty-six responded. She informed us of the or- ganization of a Woman's Board of Missions and of a call made to all Presbyterian women to fall in line, to assemble themselves in societies, as auxiliaries to it. We entered heartily into the project and elected our officers :
President-Mrs. Abbie Kumler.
Vice-President-Mrs. Sarah McCarer ( wife of a former pastor).
Secretary-Miss Lavinia Scantlin.
Treasurer-Mrs. Lorain M. Cutler.
We certainly did begin right in some respects. "What shall we call our Society?" Mrs. Kumler asked. One woman replied, "The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary So- ciety of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church." Another said, "Christ never spoke of Home and Foreign, but did say, beginning at Jerusalem, 'Go preach the gospel to every crea- ture'; let us call it 'The Woman's Missionary Society of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church'". All agreed. In those days, the only word used to designate our gifts was dues. The President asked, "What shall the dues be?" One re- plied, "Twenty-five cents a month is as little as any one would think of giving." Another, a catch in her voice, (who never thought of beginning with less than that herself)
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said, "Oh! Madam President, today we have nineteen widows in our church, two of whom, with their needle, sup- port themselves, feed, clothe and educate two fatherless boys ; they are praying women, we must have them and how can they pay fifty cents a month ?" "What do you suggest?" asked Mrs. Kumler. That was a home thrust, she had never once thought of naming any sum for others to give, but im- mediately answered, "From five cents to five dollars, if any one is able and willing to give it."
A muffled clap of hands, and that suggestion was adopted, and comes very near the pledge called for today, viz., "To give as God has prospered us." The two widows especially mentioned, came and they prayed, and gave five cents each. There came a time when we missed them for a few months; being visited, one of them with tears in her eyes confessed that they did not have even the dime to con- tribute. Suddenly a silver dollar fell on her lap and her vis- itor said, "You seem to have money; give me that dollar, it will more than cover delinquencies, come back, we need you." They came and they did pray more earnestly than ever and were with us until they left the town.
Well do I remember, with what trembling speech, the elected treasurer besought Mrs. Kumler to fill that place with a more capable and experienced person; but that wo- man of powerful presence and settled determination, re- plied, "You need not think that these women have plunged blindfolded into this business. You have been discussed in private session. You never were so much talked about in your life. The conclusion is, that you shall be the treasurer, that is settled.' ' So meekly submitting to that woman's strong will and forceful speech, she timidly turned away and out of total inexperience, with trepidation of spirit, tried to evolve a Treasurer; but it took forty years, for at every election she was returned to the Treasuryship. At the end of that time, a prolonged illness away from home, com- pelled her resignation. On returning in November, she found no treasurer, so gathered up the scattered gifts and forwarded to Presbyterial Treasurer and declared the office vacant; since which time Mrs. Etta Archer served us faith- fully five years and was obliged to resign because of illness in her family. For the past two years Mrs. Rose Greek has done valiant service and I trust that she will fill the office for many years to come. Our instructions from superior of- ficers, both Presbyterial and Synodical, are, "Retain Treas- urers as long as possible, if satisfactory, as changes dis-
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arrange the work." Our Presidents have come and gone, with the change of pastors; our minister's wife being hon- ored with that office for years.
Allow me to say here that God has given to us a leader of rare ability and acceptability, with a heart consecrated to His service. Let us show our appreciation by retaining her, as our President as long as she is given strength for the work. Let me name her-Mrs. George S. Clifford.
The Secretaries, I confess to have failed to keep pace with. Mrs. Robert Smith served many years as Secretary and President. In August of the same year we were organ- ized, Mrs. Kumler, with her husband, left the city, when we were less than three months old. One of our dear, good sis- ters, among the most generous givers, has repeatedly de- clared that she did not think the Woman's Missionary So- ciety would survive six months after her departure. Truly we felt like a child bereft of its parent, but realized that it was God's work and that He would care for it, if we stood with a strong arm faithful to our trust. The first year we numbered sixty-two. Of the charter members, only five re- main today-Mrs. Emily Dalzell, Mrs. Oella Parsons, Mrs. Elizabeth Elles, Miss Lavinia Scantlin and Mrs. Lorain M. Cutler. Only recently Mrs. Ann Davidson passed away, and as we re-write this record, we must add the names of Mrs. Lizzie Shanklin and Miss Hannah Hubbs (these three also charter members) as having finished their work on earth. In the early days of our Society, Mrs. Martha Orr (wife of Samuel Orr, our oldest elder) was a constant attendant of our meetings and ever watchful of our interests. Mrs. Eliza R. Drew, afterwards Mrs. Barnes, was rarely absent; al- ways ready to pray, read Scripture, or give an account of the Presbyterial meetings which she was sure to attend, and from her, we received outside information of the work.
Yet another, Mrs. Sarah Tyrrell, was a most devoted, capable and generous member; her special gift being ex- pounding Scripture, of which she made a constant study and led many woman's meetings of various organizations throughout the city. With faculties somewhat impaired as to earthly things, but keenly alive to the interests of the Kingdom, she lingered on the border, longing to be called over into the land of eternal light and glory, whither she went in early September, 1919.
As I before stated, the first year we numbered sixty- two. From removals, death, and change of mind, fifteen left us, to close the year with forty-seven. An interesting
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item of our first year's work is, that five persons gave fifty cents per month ; after a time one member who had thought she was not able to give more than twenty-five cents began to wonder why, and decided to "Provoke her sisters to good works' 'by doubling her gift. As soon as this was known, several who had been paying fifty cents, doubled also; thus came about the first one dollar monthly contribution we re- ceived. Since that time others have joined them and some have doubled more than once.
It was our belief, that twelve meetings should be held every year ; few omissions occurred. Once we disbanded in prospect of a violent storm and all got safely home. Once the janitor forgot us and once our room was taken for an- other purpose. These are all the lapses I remember during forty-two years, but there were several postponed metings.
About 1912 or 1913 it was voted to hold no meetings in the months of July and August. Alas! there one of our idols was shattered. Up to that time we had a record rarely equaled, and we wanted to preserve and sustain it. The year 1874 included but ten months; having decided to begin our year in March; but in 1875 it was voted to cut that year to eleven months and hold our annual meeting in February in order to be able more surely to meet the requirements of our Presbyterial.
In 1879, Mrs. J. Q. Adams, our pastor's wife, organized a Mission Band, by request of this Society, and it proved a delight to the children as well as instructive and helpful, planting the seeds of Mission work in youthful minds. In early days our meetings began at two o'clock; thus avoiding the anxiety we now see on the faces of housekeepers, as the shadows on the sunlight begin to gather, and they are re- minded of that family supper.
On our tenth anniversery, Mrs. Kumler, the organizer made us an unexpected visit and rejoiced in the results of our work; even after we had confided to her our griefs, that of a membership of forty-seven to sixty-five, only a small number felt the responsibility of keeping our meetings up to a high standard; seeming to think that when they had paid their money, that was sufficient until another year began. From this time, 1881, we increased in membership and money until there came a year when we lost by death, removal and withdrawal, forty-nine members; still we re- corded sixty names for the ensuing year.
No record was kept of attendance but I remember a time of anxiety when six, eight and ten were present. The
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money was faithfully collected and forwarded to Presby- terial Treasurers, since as an organized body we had the right to gather and disburse funds, if only two members came monthly, to pray for missions and for the forgetful ones. After 1890, our membership was from several years from sixty-three to eighty-five. Funds did not always de- pend upon numbers. Our success in meeting apportion- ments (I remember but one failure in forty-two years) is sufficient evidence, that we had generous givers, even in those days. May I speak especially of one-our beloved and sainted Mrs. Martha Orr Bayard-stands first, with a brain for business and a heart for distribution, she watched the reports and when more was required, than she thought the Treasurer would be able to gather, she quietly slipped an envelope to her saying, "Do not mention it, use it.' '
Now she careth not, and we love to tell it, and commend her example to all present mission workers whom the Lord has blessed with much worldly goods from His storehouse of treasures. I recall with gladness younger ones also, who gave private contributions, and still continue to do so. How blessed are they who believe that "what they spend is gone, what they keep is lost, and what they give is saved."
LORAIN M. CUTLER.
August 15, 1921.
The writer rewrote this account, read at the 50th an- niversary of the Missionary Society, June 3, 1921, with her own hand, in the present year, the 91st of her age.
Additional items from her carefully kept record as Treasurer are here added.
The budget was $175.00 in 1871. With a slight increase each year, it suddenly, in the New Era apportionment was almost doubled, being increased to $600.00, still further in- creased to $1,180.00 in 1921. In the early days, boxes to the value of one to two hundred dollars were sent to the home missionary in the far West; today a box is annually sent to a colored school in Kentucky.
There have been several special collections. In 1881, the sum of $700.00 was collected toward 50 per cent, fund Decennial offering of the Woman's Board. In 1889 the as- sessment was 29 per cent for Million Dollar fund for dis- abled ministers. In 1914 the society raised, in addition to regular assessment, $105.00 for New China Fund. The money needed has been raised by monthly subscriptions and a thank offering of over a hundred dollars collected in No- vember. The last two years the Women's assessment has been part of the church budget.
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There is a record of two legacies to the Missionary So- ciety, one in 1909, of $200, from Mrs. Martha Bayard, which was distributed in yearly subscriptions and the other of $100 in 1917, from Mrs. Elizabeth Gilbert.
Officers in 1921 are:
President-Mrs. Fred Ruff.
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