USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Lafayette > History of St. John's Church > Part 5
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LIST OF DONORS TO EASTER OFFERING MARCH 28TH, 1875.
J. L. Reynolds. $1000 00
L. B. Stockton. 625 00
Mrs. Anna M. Mayo 625 00
J. M. Nash 366 55
Ladies Aid Society 358 30
William Garland. 250 00
Miss Anna M. Mayo
250 00
Charles T. Mayo.
250 00
Rev, W. H. Roberts
150 00
Robert Morey ..
100 00
Mrs W. H. Hatcher
75 00
St. John's Guild
74 33
Mrs. Cyrus Ball.
50 00
Daniel Royce
50 00
Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Wilson
50 00
George N. Stockton
50 00
Miscellaneous
39 96
E. H. Andress.
25 00
J. B. Earheart
25 00
Nat S. Wood
25 00
T. A. Littledyke
25 00
William F. Hoes
25 00
Ben. Bayle
35 00
G. S. Orth
25 00
E. V. Burt. 25 00
Mrs. J. B. Earheart
25 00
Mr. J. B. Earheart.
25 00
As will be seen, Mr. J. L. Reynolds headed the list with $1,000. Mr. Reynolds, though never a member of the church, had been a regular attendant upon its services from the beginning, and had always willingly and liberally contributed to its support. He was one of those who " honored the Lord with his substance," and his great gifts to the church will always be held in grateful remembrance. Upon sev- cral occasions, such as the Bishop's golden wedding, he had given $100, and each year he gave a large sum for the general expenses. He admired and re- spected Dr. Roberts, and while he lived gave substan-
66
tial aid to his administration. He died before Dr. Roberts left the parish.
The next work engaged in was taking down the gallery in the church, remodeling the pews, and paint- ing the walls. This was done in 1876. It was quite a relief to the congregation when this gallery was taken down, for each rector had a different opinion in regard to the proper place for the organ, and it had been moved up and down several times. But since this year it has found rest in the northwest corner of the church. In 1874 Miss Dane Brawley had been appointed organist, and served with great acceptance for several years. The choir was mostly voluntary, and was composed at different times of Mr. John Graham, leader; Mrs. Crary, Miss Annie Stoy, Miss Jean Darby, Miss Nettie Garland, Miss Lizzie Rouse. E. C. Ball, Mr. Alfred Smith, Dr. Wash- burn, Misses Etta Fultz, Ida Reynolds and Nellie Schilling also sang for some months at this time. Mr. H. W. Mead also added much to the music by his services in playing upon the cornet. In Jan- uary, 1876, some of the singers were presented with gifts by the congregation as an acknowledgment of the value of their services. Among these was a handsome silver tea-service to Mrs. Anna Crary, who had sang for a number of years, and who also served upon the music committee of the church, of which she is still a member. Miss Lizzie Rouse was also given a handsome present at this time.
In November, 1878, occurred the death of Mr. L. B. Stockton. This was a great loss to St. John's. Although Mr. Stockton was not a member of the church, yet out of respect for the lovely Christian
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character of his wife while living, and to her memory after death, he was always a staunch and hearty sup- porter of the church to which she belonged. No one was more regular in attendance upon the services than he. He represented the congregation in the Diocesan Convention perhaps a greater number of times than any other vestryman. He was punctual in attendance upon the vestry meetings, many of which took place at his residence. He took great interest in the work of the ladies of the church, attending the socials, and by his genial manners adding much to the enjoyment of the occasion. He exercised the old-fashioned Vir- ginia hospitality, and his home was always open to the clergymen of the Diocese. He loved the Sunday- school, and always attended the picnics and Christmas tree festivals, seeming to enjoy the sight of happy child- hood. Upon the records of the church will be found a testimonial of the vestry to his worth and services, as follows:
"Resolved, That the rector, wardens, and vestry of St. John's Parish, deeply moved with grief at the loss of their friend and brother, the late Lawrence B. Stockton, desire to record this memorial of their sorrow.
"Resolved, That his long association with the parish, and his services for many years as a vestryman, closely endeared him to us, and the honesty, integrity, purity and courtesy which he ever manifested ren- dered him a man of great personal worth.
" Resolved, That in the deliberations of our body he was discreet and wise; in the work he had to do he was earnest and efficient, and in our efforts for the prosperity of the church, no one was more gratified at success."
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Thus had the church lost two of its most liberal supporters. At this time, also, there came upon the financial world the reaction from the flush times, and all business was stagnant. It became difficult to raise the money for the church expenses. Dr. Roberts
aided the church in every possible way. He volun- tarily reduced his salary, and all other expenses were These were trying times. The struggle ended by Dr, Roberts resigning in 1879, correspondingly reduced.
to accept a call to Erie, Penn. His farewell sermon will long be remembered in the church. He took for his subject the " Parting of Joseph with his brethren," and although everything in the sermon was intended to comfort his people, yet there was scarcely a dry eye in the church. When he left the city many of the newspapers had articles expressive of the sorrow of the citizens, for, as one expressed it, " saint and sinner loved Dr. Roberts."
From December, 1879, to December, 1880, the church was without a rector. The vestry deemed it best to call none until the finances were in better con- dition. A majority of the pew-holders contributed the same amount as usual, and thus the church gradually emerged from its pressure of debt. There were a number of clergymen officiated at this time, and a large number applied for the position of rector, either for themselves or for some of their friends. This was in marked contrast to the condition of the church in 1859, when, perhaps, twenty different clergymen were called, and all declined. In December, 1880, the Rev. Joseph E. Martin, of Illinois, assumed the rectorship. Mr. Martin's ministration was marked by his brilliant oratory and ritualistic manner of conducting the ser-
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vices. The Easter services were very elaborate, and he introduced the observance of Whit-sunday as a Sunday-school festival. During the service of Easter Even of 1881 occurred a touching incident, which is thus narrated in one of the newspapers of that day:
"EASTER EVEN.
"The forty days of Lent were over, And we had come to Easter even, We sat with widely opened doors, Through which came balmy airs from Heaven. We sat amid the Easter flowers,
Which loving hands had placed around
Our altar, chancel, font and choir; Sat listening to the white-robed priest, Our hearts all filled with sweet desire, When in our midst there stood a mant Who, years before, in manhood's prime, Had with us prayed and Zion's songs, And often sung at Easter time.
But now his limbs were stiff and old,
His sightless eyes had long been closed, A daughter's hand his step must guide Along the old familiar aisle.
In a distant village long he'd dwelt, Bereft of service held so dear,
And now the only wish he felt
Was once again to worship here In the dear old church where, years before,
With wife and children kneeling near,
He oft had knelt in prayer to God, With heart uplifted, prayer sincere. And as we saw the holy joy
That lighted up his old, worn face, His sightless eyes upturned to Heaven,
As he knelt in the old accustomed place, There seemed a holy calm to rest
O'er priest and people, church and flowers,
While sunbeams from the glowing West, Bathed all in crimson, golden showers."
During the winter of this year Bishop Seymour, of the Diocese of Springfield, visited the parish, and, while here, ordained the Rev. Seymour Roosevelt, of
+Mr. Elijah Bemiss, one of the first vestrymen.
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St. John's, Bristol. He was presented by the Rev. Dr. Wakefield, of Richmond. During this rectorship the musical services were well conducted. Most of the singers were volunteers. Mr. Alfred Smith was leader of the choir; Miss Belle Murphy and Charles H. Ball were organists; the Misses Nettie Garland and Jean Darby were the sopranos, and Miss Lizzie Rouse the alto. Mr. Martin resigned the rectorship in August, 1882, to accept a call to Peru, Ind.
On November 29th, 1883, Dr. William M. Pettis, the present rector, took charge of the church. His letter of acceptance will, perhaps, best show his char- acter, and we will give it in full.
"NEWPORT, Ky., October 31st, 1883.
"To the Wardens and Vestry of St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette.
"MY DEAR BRETHREN .- Your official call to the rectorship of your parish was duly received. Thanks for the unanimity in which it was made, and the kind words in which it is expressed. Believing it to be God's will that I should do so, I accept the call, look- ing to Him for wisdom and strength to perform the duties of the charge.
" The forming of such a connection is no trivial matter. It is a union ordained of God, and to be made only in His sight, and in recognition of Him. There is only one other relation closer and more inti- mate-that of husband and wife, and to which relation this one of pastor and people is often compared.
" May we all realize this solemn connection in all its importance, and strive, by God's help, to discharge faithfully our respective duties in love and trust; and
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to do so there must be mutual confidence, and aid, and forbearance. Do not expect perfection in your minis- ter; remember he is human, fallible, of like material and mould as yourself-even as he must not expect to find you a colony of saints. But together we will try to do our best, and ask God's blessing upon us.
" May He grant us all His grace to know His will, and to have strength faithfully to fulfill the same, to His honor and glory and the benefit of souls.
"Yours affectionately in Jesus, "WILLIAM M. PETTIS."
In December, 1883, the church was gladdened and strengthened by the first visit of Bishop Knickerbacker. At this time a public reception for the Bishop was held in the Lahr House parlors, for the purpose of introducing him to the people of LaFayette. This reception was largely attended, not only by the church people, but also by the citizens of LaFayette generally. Soon after this the Bishop pub- licly instituted Dr. Pettis as rector of St. John's-a very impressive ceremony, of which no other instance is recorded in the history of this parish. Dr. Pettis' theory of carrying on a church is to set the people to work, and therefore there has been a complete reor- ganization of the parish, an account of which will be given under the head of "Ladies' Work." In 1884 the old parsonage was remodeled, and turned into a Sunday-school room and Guild-house, at a cost of $1,000. The music has received a great deal of at- tention from the present rector. At first we had the old choir, with one change-Miss Nettie Garland took the place of organist, which she still retains. At pres-
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ent the choir consists of Mr. Fred Dorner, leader ; Misses Jessie Levering and Georgie Stockton, so- pranos; Miss Emma Cable, alto, and Dr. Washburn, bass. This choir has mastered some of the most difficult music, and have given a great variety of chants and anthems, requiring constant and diligent practice, and it is no disparagement to the choirs that have preceded it to say that sweeter and finer music has never been rendered in the church.
In accordance with the wish of Bishop Knicker- backer, Dr. Pettis has added the beautiful festival of Harvest Home to the festivals of the church. The ob- servance of All Saints Day is also more marked, and the custom of speaking of those who have died during the year at this time, instead of at the Easter services, has been introduced. The first commemoration of All Saints Day was made memorable by the presence of Bishop. Knickerbacker, and the services were of the most beautiful and touching character. During the rectorship of Dr. Pettis the members of Grace Church have abandoned their organization, and have again become members of St. John's. There has also been established the Fourth Parish School. It is for both girls and boys in the primary classes, and is taught by Miss Semple Pettis. The children receive not only mental culture, but are taught in churchly ways. They are brought to the week-day services, and are taught to work for and feel an interest in the church.
Thus have we sketched in a brief manner the work of those who have cared for the spiritual needs of the church for fifty years, Working with them has been a body of men who have cared for the
.
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material wants. They are known as the vestry. Their organization has never ceased. Whether the pulpit was filled or vacant, their work has gone on. They have built, in these fifty years, two church build- ings, and one large dwelling-house. They have settled questions of law, of boundaries, of street improve- ments, and many other questions that arise from the care of property. They have carried on the church. They have worked faithfully, not only without pay, but often to the neglect of their own business. Among their members have been statesmen, judges, editors, lawyers and physicians, but the majority of them have been prominent business men. Their work and their names should be gratefully remembered. St. John's has built no costly edifice to adorn the city, but from the founding of the church until a few months since, when a handsome sum was sent to the relief of the churches destroyed at Charleston, she has shared her means with other churches. But now her own walls are desolate, her own needs pressing, and the vestry are considering plans for remodeling the church build- ing-plans which it is hoped and expected will be put in execution in the coming spring. The history of this work of the church we will leave for the historian of St. John's centennial.
,
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THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The Sunday-school was the first thing established after the organization of the church. Since then its work has never ceased. The rectors of the church have been the superintendents ex officio. The assist- ant superintendents, have been Mr. Joseph Yundt, Sr., T. A. Littledyke, I. L. Beach, Joseph Yundt, Jr., J. C. Doblebower, J. M. Ewing, Charles T. Mayo and James L. Yundt. Sometimes in the early days of its history there would be no teachers present but Mr. Johnson and Mr. Yundt, but afterwards Mrs. Johnson and her brother and sisters, Misses Hannah and Rebecca Wil- stach, and, finally, almost every one connected with the church assisted in this work. At this time a Sun- day-school library was begun. Some of the quaint old books belonging to it are still in existence. This library grew until, in the year 1876, it numbered one thousand volumes. Christmas was observed by trim- ming the church with evergreens, and having Christ- mas services in the church. There was no special Sunday-school celebration, although Parson Johnson often gave the children a treat of cake and candy on that day. The great children's festival of those days was on the 4th of July. This was of a religious and patriotic charcter combined. The reader of the Dec- laration of Independence was usually Mr. Ben Henkle. The orators were Hon. G. S. Orth, Dr. O. L. Clarke, Dr. Elizur Deming and Hon. H. L. Ellsworth. All of these, with the exception of the last named gentleman, were connected with St. John's Church. As these
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celebrations have become obsolete, perhaps an ex- tended description of one will be of interest. From the one of 1842 I take the following description of " the procession," which seemed be divided in two sec- tions-one of the Sunday-schools, in which they took precedence according to their numbers, and the other the citizens' procession :
PROCESSION. 1st-FaFayette Hussars. 2nd-LaFayette Blues. 3rd-Lafayette Minor Blues. 4th-LaFayette and Dayton Brass Bands. 5th-Chaplain and President. 6th-Orator and Reader. 7th-Clergy. Sth-St. John's Sunday-school, with banner. 9th-First Presbyterian Sunday-School, with Banner. 10th-Second Presbyterian Sunday-school, with banner. 11th-Methodist Sunday-school, with banner. 12th-Baptist Sunday-school, with banner. 13th-Citizens generally.
The Hussars, Blues, Minor Blues, and the Lafay- ette Band escorted the children to the edge of Stock- ton's Grove, where the companies then right and left obliqued, and formed lines, through which the pro- cession passed, after which the companies counter- marched, and returned to town under the marshal's care to prepare for the citizens' procession, which was thus composed :
1st-LaFayette Hussars. 2nd-LaFayette Blues. 3rd-LaFayette Minor Blues. 4th-Independent Light Companies of County. 5th-Committee of Arrangements. 6th-LaFayette and Dayton Brass Bands. 7th-Presidents and Vice-Presidents. 8th-Orator, Chaplain and Reader. 9th-National Flag.
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10th-26 Young Ladies, representing the different States of the Union. 11th-Choir. 12th-Revolutionary Soldiers in carriages. 13th-Soldiers of the Late War on foot. 14th-Clergy. 15th-Members of the Bar. 16th -- Ladies in carriages. 17th-Laborers on State Works. 18th-Citizens and Strangers.
EXERCISES.
The exercises were also in two distinct parts. That of the children was opened by prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. A. Johnson, the Declaration was read by B. Henkle; the oration delivered by Dr. E. Dem- ing. These exercises were interspersed by music by the band. In 1839 the programme was a little differ- ent. At that time the Rev. S. G. Miner delivered an address on the "Idol Worship of the Hindoos," and there was also an address by Dr. Baldwin, of Wabash College, on "The Influence of Sunday-schools." In both cases these exercises were followed by an abundant Fourth of July dinner, after which the chil- dren were given candy, cakes and raisins. A writer of these times says: "It was the children's jubilee, and many a young heart beat quick with enthusiasm at the recital of deeds of heroism by which our national independence was achieved."
The other programme was similar, but with differ- ent actors. Rev. S. R. Johnson was chaplain. The Declaration was read by J. McDonald, and G. S. Orth delivered the oration. At the dinner there were toasts, interspersed with music. I have no record of the toasts of 1842, but those of 1837 have been pre.
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served, and are perhaps as good specimens of the "Spread Eagle" style of oratory as can be found.
They are as follows:
"REGULAR TOASTS.
" Ist-The event we celebrate-a proud epoch in our nation's history. While thou- sands are assembled around the tables in commemoration of the event, may they look to the 4th of July, '76, for a true guide to glory, and the welfare of our country. Two guns. Three cheers.
"6th-General Washington-a patriot, a statesman, and the Father of his Country. His name will be cherished by every lover of liberty, and handed down from generation to generation, until 'the arch-angel shall place one foot upon the sea, the other on the land, and proclaim that time shall be no more. Drank in silence.
"General LaFayetie-a philanthropist, a soldier, and Washington's companion and counselor in the struggle for the privileges we now enjoy. Peace to his ashes. Drank in silence.
"8th-Indiana, a shining monument of our union. Engaged in a system of internal improvements that will increase the wealth of the State, her march is onward, while wisdom is characteristic in her legislative councils. Two guns. Six cheers.
"12th-The Constitution of the United States-may it be preserved from the un- hallowed touch of the aspiring politician, and be held in its purity to a gazing world as a true principle of government. Four guns. Six cheers.
"13th-The American Fair. A DIAMOND FACE upon a body of PEARL. The PARAGON of beauty. An emblem of purity. A splendid specimen of the founders art. Four guns. SIx cheers."
"VOLUNTEER TOASTS.
"The President of the United States, the Star of the East-may its brilliant rays illuminate, by its accidental qualities, every cloud that interferes or obstructs the on- ward march of internal improvements; then will the whole people as one man ex- claim : . We will try him again.'
"Our Star Spangled Banner, a blazing ensign, hung up before the face of high heaven in all the four quarters of the globe. Its motto: 'Where liberty dwells there' is my country.' Before it thrones tremble and monarchs nod.
"Give freedom of conscience, give freedom of action, and the freedom of the press- it is the sentiment of the wise, noble and brave. These are the sentiments that make men wise, noble, brave, and independent "
As we have seen, St. John's Sunday school was the largest in the town at this time, and on the 4th of July headed the procession of Sunday-school scholars, with a banner which Parson Johnson pre- sented, and which is still in existence. The children of each school had different colored badges. That of St. John's was printed from a copper-plate, which was purchased by the rector, and is now in possession of the Sunday-school.
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As time went on, these 4th of July celebrations became obsolete, and, as we have seen in the church history, Mr. Russ introduced the Christmas tree festi- val, and Dr. Carver the Easter festival. Between the years 1879 and 1880, while the church was without a rector, the Sunday-school was unusually active, and its services, in a manner, took the place of the church services. The superintendent and teachers conducted the funeral service of an infant child of the church, and during the Lenten season of 1880 the teachers formed a Lenten Society, which met at the different houses for consultation and work. The names of the members were: Mrs. J. M. Ewing, Mrs. Joseph Yundt, Miss Emma Yundt, Mrs. Russ, Mrs. M. J. Noble, Miss Brockenbrough, and Mrs. J. C. Harvey.
At these meetings they made eighteen articles for the next Christmas tree, and two dresses for poor children. Fifteen articles of clothing were collected and distributed among the poor, and a committee ap- pointed to receive all clothing that should be donated in the future. The coming Easter festival was planned, and successfully carried out, as the following account will show, which I take from one of the newspapers of the day:
" EASTER FESTIVAL.
"The Sunday-school festival of St. John's Church on Easter Sunday evening was one of the most de- lightful ever held in this city. The church, under the skillful hands of Mrs. Russ, Mrs. Winter, Mrs. Vaughn, Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. Ewing and Miss Yundt, had been tastefully decorated in evergreens and flowers, while around the chancel stood superb floral emblems, memorials of loved ones to the cherished
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dead. The exercises consisted of the Sunday-school services, and singing of carols by the children, assisted by. the choir. Mr. James Yundt, superintendent, then read an address suitable to the occasion, prepared by one of the teachers. The address was as follows:
"DEAR FRIENDS AND CHILDREN-We have met once more on this happy Easter Day to celebrate what is to us the most joyful of all anniversaries in our church year-that of the resurrection of our blessed Lord. This anniversary has been celebrated in the church for centuries, dating as far back as the time of the Apos- tles. And not only have ages past observed this "Queen of Feasts," as it is called, but it is pleasant for us to know that all over our own land, and in lands beyond the sea, teachers and scholars are now joining with us in the same happy and joyous celebration. The em- blems that have been used are various, but all have the same meaning, all point to the bright hereafter-the flower, whose seed must first be buried in the earth ere it burst forth in beauty; the egg, which tells us of the strong-winged bird that soon shall burst its bonds and soar aloft to the blue vaults of heaven; the chrysalis, which we know is only the shell in which is held the bright and beautiful butterfly, folding its wings, in darkness awaiting God's summons. It is not necessary to dwell upon the doctrine of the resur- rection-we will only reflect upon the blessed fact that on this day our Lord rose from the dead, and the great consolation and hope it brings to us, that "WE TOO SHALL RISE."
It has been a beautiful and appropriate custom in this church for many years to recall on Easter the
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names of those who have gone from us in the course of the year. In the year just past our list began in May. We all remember the two loving little sisters whose presence so often gladdened our infant class, and who so soon were taken from us, to walk in the garden of our God. Although it was very sad to see those two coffins borne into our church for the last sad rites, yet we felt that God knew best, and that as " they were lovely in their lives, in death they were not divided." In memory of these dear little ones, we have brought to the church a floral memorial of Jessie and Florence Andress.
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