USA > Indiana > Johnson County > Franklin > History of the half century celebration of the organization of the First Presbyterian church of Franklin, Indiana > Part 12
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The county was then comparatively new, and the people had but little spare means. Father King, who had more substance than any one else in the church, had dropped the remark that he would give $1,000 toward the erection of a new church building, on the condition that a church worth not less than $4,000 were put up. Some persons found fault with this condition, and took the ground that the amount ought to be given for any kind of church. I justified
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the condition, wrote and circulated a subscription, raising between $4,000 and $5,000, which resulted in the erection of the present church building, out of debt. This was at that time regarded as a fine super- structure, and in good taste, and was quite an achieve- ment of the church. But the material building did not satisfy. We longed to see the spiritual building strengthened and beautified. In due time the Lord gave us our desire. About the first of January, 1852, we entered the lecture-room of the new church building for the first. Not long after the Lord sanc- tified it by giving us to see the hopeful conversion of about forty persons, who, with few exceptions, have remained steadfast in the faith. The membership when I accepted the charge did not exceed one hundred and fifteen. More names were on the roll, but the persons could not be found. The above- mentioned ingathering added very much to the cour- age, strength and members of the church.
During the summer of 1852 the audience-room of the church was completed. The winter following the Lord visited his people again, bringing into the fold some twenty-five or thirty persons. After these re- vivals, it was ascertained that for months before mothers in Israel had been deeply exercised, spend- ing even whole nights in prayer for the conversion of their children, and the spiritual welfare of the church. But it was in the winter of 1857 and '58 we enjoyed the richest blessing from the Lord. During a long season of dearth our hearts had ached in sad- ness over the low state of religious interest. Political excitement ran high, causing strife, and other adverse
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winds blew upon us, till our hearts were well-nigh broken. But when men were brought low, the Lord again appeared for the deliverance of Zion; and every day or evening, save two or three Saturdays, for eight weeks together this church was open for worship.
The whole community was moved with a desire to hear the word of the Lord, and scores were hope- fully converted. Some fifty or more became mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and others chose a connection with other branches of the Church. This revival was peculiar, in that no noisy demonstrations or clap-trap means seemed to be attended with suc- cess. "The Spirit made the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of con- vincing and converting sinners." "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." (I Thess. i. 5.) There is one more important fact I desire to put on record, in justice to the history of this church.
During my pastorate the church did an excellent work for the town and vicinity, in promoting an edu- cational interest, the fruits of which are enjoyed to this day.
Twenty-four years ago our common school system was in its infancy, and in all this region the educa- tional standard was low. Then Hopewell had no graded school. In the erection of the church rooms were allotted in the basement for a select female school. Mrs. McKee had had experience in teach- ing; and here, under her management, for several
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years, until the graded school system was put in operation, and even after, a select school for young ladies was conducted, affording opportunities of in- struction, not only in rudimental, but also in the higher branches of an education. I do not hesitate to say that this school did much, not only in this city, but throughout this whole region, in diffusing an educational interest; and the future historian who fails to recognize and record this fact will be deficient in crediting the church with one of its most import- . ant and useful enterprises. The school was under the care of the officers of the church, and for years they sat in council from time to time, for the further- ance of its interests. When necessary they called teachers from a distance, pledging and making up their salaries. While the school was not sectarian, it yet exerted a salutary influence on the moral and religious interests of this region. But it is especially on account of the influence of the school in advanc- ing the educational interests of the town and vicinity that we have desired to notice it, greatly aiding, as I firmly believe, in laying the foundations for present success in educational matters.
And now, brethren, a decade of years and more have passed since our relation as pastor and people has been severed. What changes have passed since then? Your course has continued to be onward. You now constitute a strong church, with a numer- ous membership. Many strange faces have come in to occupy those seats. But where are the fathers ? Where are King, and Banta, and Bergen, and Terrell? Who fills good Father Sloan's seat in the sanctuary,
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so recently vacated? And a score of others, where are they ? All, all gone to their reward; and we are following close up in their footsteps, and will soon be with them. Let us ever abide faithful, that we may wear the crown of life. May the Lord prepare us all for a glorious union, memorial meeting beyond the flood-where not only those present in your as- sembly to-day, and the absent ones still living shall be gathered up, but where those who have gone be- fore, and those who come up hereafter to fill their seats, pastors and people, shall all be united in one glorious blood-washed throng, shouting the victories of redeeming love, is my prayer for Christ's sake.
Ever yours in gospel bonds,
JAMES A. McKEE.
LETTER FROM REV. P. S. CLELAND,
FOR MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE YEARS PASTOR OF THE CHURCH AT GREENWOOD.
TOPEKA, KANSAS, November 17, 1874.
MESSRS. McCASLIN, MARTIN AND CLARK,
Franklin, Indiana :
Please accept my thanks for your kind invitation to the approaching "Half-Century Cele- bration of the Organization of the Presbyterian Church of Franklin, Indiana." I should have greatly preferred to have replied to it in person. But in the good providence of God I am prevented from so doing; not because I have arrived at that period of life when "the grasshopper is a burden," but because the grasshopper has not respected the rights of a "poor preacher," and has thereby made a 21
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trip to Indiana impracticable to me at present. For several reasons an attendance on your jubilee would be deeply interesting to me. I was a resident of your county for nearly thirty years, and for more than a quarter of a century I had charge of the church in Greenwood. And while, during that time the two churches were on different sides of the line which divided the Presbyterian Church into two Schools, their relations to each other were always amicable.
My intercourse with the pastors of your church was always pleasant and fraternal, and I sympathized with them in their labors, their trials and their suc- cesses. Moreover, some of my former parishioners, and a part of whom are my spiritual children, are members of your church. I should greatly rejoice to unite with them on an occasion so deeply interest- ing. And among the chief reasons why I should like to attend the approaching anniversary is that as the former pastor of your pastor I have a special interest in him, and I should greatly rejoice to be with him on an occasion so interesting in the history of his church, and to him as its pastor. As a son in the ministry I greatly love him, and rejoice in the blessed and manifold results of his labors in the service of Christ. I charge you to love him and to be fellow- helpers in his work among you. God bless him and make him a still greater blessing to you and to the cause of the Master.
Permit me to congratulate the church in Franklin on the event of the Semi-centennial Anniversary of its organization. It is surely a vine of God's plant-
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ing. It was planted in the wilderness. God has preserved and nurtured it. Its branches have spread far and wide. Its clusters have been abundant and good. Many souls have been trained in it for the kingdom of Christ. Some are not, for they have been gathered into the Church above; others remain as witnesses to the power of the gospel, the faithful- ness of Christ, and laborers in the vineyard of our Lord.
May your past history be an earnest of other suc- cess in the future. Your brother in Christ,
P. S. CLELAND.
LETTER FROM REV. JAMES H. JOHNSTON,
Among the earliest Presbyterian ministers in the State of Indiana.
CRAWFORDSVILLE, November 28, 1874.
BRO. WISHARD: Your letter of November 6, inform- ing me of the Semi-centennial Celebration to be held at Franklin on the closing days of this month, was duly received, and would have been answered before this, if I could have sooner decided whether I could comply with the invitation. I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that the prospect of the weather is such that it is not advisable to undertake the journey. I therefore write you a few lines in answer to your inquiries.
The first time I passed through Franklin was in the last week of December, 1824. I reached Madison, in Jefferson County, on the ninth day of that month. I preached on the first Sabbath that I spent in the State, some thirteen miles north of Madison, preached the next Sabbath at Madison, then started for the in-
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terior of the State, in a direct course to Indianapolis. I reached Mr. Joseph Young's, at the forks of Sugar Creek and Young's Creek, either Friday evening or early enough on Saturday to have word circulated for preaching at his house on the Sabbath, and sent an appointment to Franklin for preaching there on Sabbath evening.
I have not a distinct recollection at whose house the evening meeting was held; neither can I recol- lect whether a Presbyterian Church had yet been formed at Franklin. If so, it was still without a pastor. When I came to this State, from information I could receive, there were not more than fifteen Presbyterian ministers in the State. Some of these were in the eastern part of the State, and I never had an opportunity to become acquainted with them. Those with whom I became acquainted, in a short time, were Samuel T. Scott, of Vincennes ; Wm. W. Martin, of Livonia; John M. Dickey, of Washington ; John Finley Crow, of Hanover; and Isaac Reed, of Owen County. Samuel Gregg and Tilly H. Brown were shortly after added to the number; also Alex- ander Williamson. There was a Presbyterian Church at Indianapolis, to which the Rev. George Bush was preaching, and one at Bloomington, supplied by Rev. Baynard R. Hall. Of Wm. Henderson, of whom mention is made in Bro. Banta's letter, I have no recollection. William Duncan was, I think, a Scotch minister, without charge. Rev. John Moreland came in at a later period. These were all faithful laborers in the Master's service. For want of time I am pre- vented from going more into detail. Sincerely yours, JAMES H. JOHNSTON.
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The meeting of the afternoon closed at this point, with the announcement that the ladies were prepared to serve tea, in the lecture-room below, to those of our friends who must take their departure by the next train.
THE EVENING COLLATION.
The reminiscence meeting had been continued un- til a late hour in the afternoon. Immediately at the close of that meeting the ladies of the church and congregation spread their tables in the lecture-room below. Ample provision had been made for the en- tertainment of the large number of friends present. The arrangements of the evening were admirably executed by the ladies and gentlemen of the com- mittees. The evening hours were passed in a de- lightful social reunion at the table in the lecture room, followed by informal greetings and conversations in the audience-room above. It had been the purpose of the pastor, in concert with visiting friends, to in- troduce at a suitable time the subject of a new house of worship for the congregation. But the current of social feeling for the evening ran so strongly in other directions that nothing was attempted in the way of speeches. Indeed, it would have been out of place to have introduced at this hour any other subject. Hence everything was left to that spontaneity which is the crowning beauty of such a social gathering.
All were fed, all were entertained, all were joyful. Never did the family tie of a Christian people bind together more tenderly and beautifully than on this closing evening of the three days' service. Nor was
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the occasion enjoyed by any more than by those whose hands furnished the evening's repast. Long will the jubilee meeting linger in the memory of those of us who were privileged to enjoy it-rising in interest, as it did, to the very last moment. Yet, as everything must terminate in this life, the supreme moment of interest came when those who had met on this occasion must separate again.
Then was sung the Sabbath-school hymn :
I need thee every hour, Most gracious Lord ; No tender voice like thine Can peace afford.
I need thee every hour, Stay thou near by ; Temptations lose their power When thou art nigh. .
I need thee every hour, In joy or pain ; Come quickly and abide, Or life is vain.
I need thee every hour, Teach me thy will; And thy rich promises In me fulfill.
I need thee every hour ; Most Holy One- Oh make me thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.
CHORUS. I need thee, oh ! I need thee; Every hour I need thee ; Oh bless me now, my Savior ! I come to thee.
After the hymn was sung, the pastor of the church offered prayer and pronounced the benediction, when the goodly company retired.
PRESBYTERIAN DOCTRINE AND LIFE,
AS A
MORAL FORCE IN SOCIETY.
A SERMON,
PREACHED BY
S. E. WISHARD,
In Connection with the Half-Century Meeting of the Presbyterian Church
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FRANKLIN, INDIANA.
SERMON .*
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TEXT .- Isaiah ii. 3: " For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
There clusters about the text a beautiful description of the events which were to accompany and follow the advent of the Messiah. The prophecy indicates a great turning to the Lord. Mount Zion and Jeru- salem, types of the Church of Christ, were to be - thronged with those who should eagerly seek God.
"The mountain of the Lord's house shall be es- tablished in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And many shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths." Here the prophet assigns the reason for this great reformation : " For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
You may consider for the present hour the state- ment that " Out of Zion shall go forth the law," both as a historic and present fact of the world's experience. The Zion of the period in which the text was spoken,
* This sermon was prepared for the Sabbath following the half-century meeting, and (although not strictly belonging to this volume) was an out- growth of that occasion. Hence at the request of the session it is assigned a place in the volume.
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the Church of God, was the source of religious knowl- edge to the world of that time. There was no true knowledge of God in that period except what came to the world through Zion-through the Church. The world by wisdom knew not God. Knowledge came only as God spake. He gave truth to his peo- ple, and committed to them the transmission of these oracles of truth to a world in darkness.
One of the best scholars of the past generation says : " It is capable of about as clear demonstration as any other fact of ancient history, that no incon- siderable part of the knowledge of God in ancient Greece was obtained by intercourse with the sages of distant lands, and that the truths held in Zion or Je- rusalem thus radiated from land to land." Hence the prophecy, that "Out of Zion shall go forth the law," was literally fulfilled. And the effort of the cultured heathen to bring their idolatry up to the standard of beauty and glory which characterized revealed relig- ion, resulted in the peerless statue of Minerva, at Athens, and the Parthenon.
It is equally true now that the Church of Christ is the center and source of religious truth to the world. Erase what of moral truth God has made known to the Church, to Zion, and there will be nothing left. Take from the world the words of this inspired history and song, the prophecies, precepts and promises of this law-book of Zion, and our heritage would be one of darkness unilluminated by a single ray of light. This accords with the facts announced by Christ, as he marked out the mission of the disciples in the world: "Ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Je-
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rusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." The language of this distinct mission was the re-echo of the old proph- ecy : "Out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
The teaching and enforcement of moral truth, in the doctrines and life of Christ's Church, pre-emi- nently constitute the mission to which she is called. It is thus, that " Out of Zion the law is to go forth."
The Presbyterian Church is one of the branches of that Zion out of which the law is to go forth. We claim to be allied to every other branch of Christ's Church by the precious blood of cleansing by that redemption which makes all of God's people one. With sincere and brotherly affection for the members of Christ's glorious Church, of every name, let me, while we are yet within the shadow of our half-cen- tury commemoration, discuss the theme of
PRESBYTERIAN DOCTRINE AND LIFE AS A MORAL FORCE IN SOCIETY.
For I conclude that it was spoken of us as of all who love and obey the Lord : " Out of Zion shall go forth the law,"
The Presbyterian Church has, by the grace of God, had some humble part in the propagation of the higher forms of life and character in society. It has done this only as it has taught and exemplified the law of God as revealed in his word.
In discussing the moral force of Presbyterian doc- trine and life, it should be premised that our Church holds in common with all true believers the doctrines
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of repentance toward God, of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, of cleansing by his blood, of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, of a holy life as both the fruit and the evidence of a regenerated nature, of the inspira- tion and sole authority of the word of God, and of the retributions of an endless existence beyond the grave.
In addition to these doctrines which are held in common by all Christian people, there are other doc- trines which are commonly distinguished as Calvinis- tic, which have ever been held and taught in the Pres- byterian Church. The Calvinistic system, as it is called, has taken on considerable breadth. Sometimes it has been pushed to the extreme of fatalism, and again it has been held in harmony with the doctrine of human responsibility.
While the system teaches the sovereignty of God, his purposes and decrees, it recognizes the fact that God has established the freedom of moral beings, and has decreed their free participation in every work that pertains to their well-being. Men are to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in them, both to will and to do of his own good pleasure."
In discussing the moral force of Presbyterian doctrine and life, it will be necessary to refer to those doctrines which the Presbyterian Church has prominently taught, and the teaching of which has entered into and given cast and tone to her religious life. Among these doctrines is :
I. That of Man's Utter Ruin and Helplessness in Sin; that every soul begins life with such a ruined nature
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that his moral acts start him in the wrong direction ; that he is prone to evil, and invariably chooses the evil until God by his Spirit shows him and draws him into the better way.
The doctrine is, that no man can save himself. He is ruined by sin, lost to all good, unless God delivers him-dead in trespasses and in sins until created anew in Christ Jesus.
The influence of this doctrine, as fairly and scrip- turally presented, is to beget in the soul a deep sense of the terrible nature of sin, which can thus pervert and ruin a race of beings who had been created in God's image. Here you perceive is one of the first conditions of deliverance from the thralldom of sin- a discovery of the ruin which it has wrought, and with which it threatens us in the future. The logical force of such truth is to put the soul on its guard against sin, to send it in haste to the only Source of help and deliverance, to give one a deep sense of per- sonal unworthiness, to lay true foundations for a new character. "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." "He that humbleth himself shall be ex- alted." The first step out of the death of sin is the discovery of that death. Show the soul its ruin, and it cries for help. God responds, "Behold, he pray- eth!" The hand of sovereign grace is stretched out to him. Once delivered from the guilt and corruption of sin, something can be made of the soul. But until this deliverance is secured, the life is a series of moral failures and disasters. The individual is not helped.
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Society receives no help from him, who will have no help from God.
As the complement of this doctrine of man's ruin in sin, the Presbyterian Church holds and teaches.
II. The Doctrine of Divine Sovereignty.
It is a part of the creed and life of the Presbyte- rian Church that God has a plan in the government of this world ; that his plan of government was matured according to his own will and wisdom; that he will execute that plan as a Sovereign, doing his pleasure among the armies of heaven, and among the inhab- itants of earth; that " there is no counsel nor under- standing nor wisdom against the Lord;" that "he giveth not account of any of his matters." He is over all, above all, God blessed forever more. He speaks, and it is done. He chooses his methods of government and providence, and carries them out despite the op- position and rage of wicked men. So wise and all- controlling is he in his sovereign administration of the affairs of this world, that all the opposition of the wicked can only reveal the spirit of rebellion which is in man, then be overruled to the accomplishment of God's purposes, so that he causes the wrath of man to praise him, and restrains the remainder.
The logical effect of this doctrine upon the life is to bring low every imagination, to abase all human pride. It strikes to the heart of every godless am- bition, and cuts to the quick every soul that has lifted itself up against God. When Peter preached that powerful and effective sermon to Jerusalem sinners on the day of Pentecost, he flashed this doctrine upon their consciences: " Him, being delivered by the de-
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terminate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain." History asserts that " when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do ?"
It is in the preaching, proof and conviction of the doctrine of God's sovereignty that sinners are brought to see both their danger and help. This doctrine makes itself felt in the life by enkindling the highest courage in the hearts of those who trust in a sover- eign God. They may well say: "If God be for us, who can be against us?" If he who holds the des- tinies of all men and nations and kingdoms in his hand, who can transform the malice of enemies into a blessing upon his people, is at the helm of univer- sal government, the cause of righteousness is safe. A few souls on the solid basis of this truth will stand against all combinations of evil. This is the kind of truth that makes heroic lives. It inspires the faith of martyrs. The Puritans and Huguenots put to sea with this doctrinal keel under them. They endured as seeing Him who is invisible, and yet is seen in every event of His providence.
A sovereign God working out his immutable pur- poses by the instrumentality of all mutable things, holding in his hand the final success of his cause, this has been the undergirding confidence which has molded men and society.
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