USA > Kentucky > Franklin County > Frankfort > A history of the First Presbyterian Church, Frankfort, Kentucky, together with the churches in Franklin County, in connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America > Part 9
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
186
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
instrument now in use in the church, at a cost of over two thousand dollars.
The Society still maintains its active organization of over thirty members, working usually with some definite end in view, after accomplishing which another object is taken up.
The present officers of the Society are: Mrs. John W. Milam, President, and Miss Rebecca G. Averill, Secretary and Treasurer.
BIBLE SOCIETY.
The first Bible Society in the United States was the Philadelphia Bible Society, organized in 1808. The fol- lowing year brought forth the Connecticut, the Massa- chusetts, the New York and the New Jersey Societies.
The sixth Society organized in this country, for pub- lishing and distributing the Holy Scriptures, was the Kentucky Bible Society, formed in Lexington in 1811 .* Among its founders and active supporters were: Revs. James Blythe, Robert H. Bishop, Nathan H. Hall, John T. Edgar, James McChord, John Lyle and Eli Smith ; also Hon. Benjamin Mills, Joseph C. Breckinridge, David A. Sayre, and other prominent laymen. Gov- ernors Isaac Shelby, George Madison, John Adair and Gabriel Slaughter were in succession also active mem- bers and promoters. The dues from members of the Society were one dollar and fifty cents a year, with the
* The data used in this part of the work are taken from "Sketches of Bible Work" by Rev. Dr. George S. Savage, for thirty-two years the District Superintendent of The American Bible Society, for Kentucky.
DAVID NICOL, Deacon.
189
FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
payment of three dollars upon entering the Society and signing the constitution. The field of operations, besides Kentucky, was the territories of Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee and Louisiana. The Society placed Bibles on all the steamboats of the Western rivers, and Testa- ments in the hands of the soldiers of the War of 1812, in addition to canvassing and supplying its own exten- sive field. Branch associations were rapidly formed in the various towns and counties of the State, and these were supplied from Lexington with Bibles and Testa- ments for local distribution. To aid in the collection of funds, " Cent Societies " were formed by the ladies and children in the churches, and we find allusions to the Frankfort Cent Society in the records of our Sunday- school. In 1818 the American Bible Society of New York granted the Kentucky Society two sets of stereo- type plates, different sizes, to aid in the work, and later on the Board of Managers in New York made this sig- nificant record in their annual report: "There have been printed during six years of the Society, at the depository of the American Bible Society in New York, and in Lexington, Ky., on stereotyped plates, 36,375 copies of the Scriptures."
In 1818 the Kentucky Society was merged into an auxiliary of the American Bible Society, a new con- stitution was formed and officers elected. Governor George Madison was President; Lieutenant-Governor Slaughter, Vice-President ; and among the Directors were Rev. Eli Smith and John Brown, of the Frankfort Church. Thomas T. Skillman, at that period the most noted publisher and bookmaker west of the Alleghenies, was the publisher of the Society, and in one year alone hie issued three editions of two thousand copies each
190
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
of the Scriptures, printing them on paper made near Georgetown, Ky., "and equal in workmanship to the Eastern publications." This Society made a record for itself and for the State. "Its early date, its liberality, its efficiency, its zeal and the wide range of its operations, the conceded influence it had in the organization of the great American Bible Society, and the framing of its constitution, make a chapter of history worthy to be recorded and perpetuated. Kentucky was in the West, and concentrating interests were eastward, and it became apparent that the Kentucky Bible Society, with its noble and heroic record, had about served its day and generation as an independent organization, and should become an auxiliary to the National Society."* One of the articles of the new constitution provided that the annual meetings of the Society shall be held alternately in Lexington and Frankfort.
. In 1823 the Frankfort Society was reorganized as an auxiliary to the American Bible Society, with Rev. Eli Smith Corresponding Secretary, and at the same time, in accordance with the principles and constitu- tion of the National Society, all the other Protestant Churches were included in its membership, under the name of " The Franklin County Bible Society."
This Society has continued without intermission to the present day, and each year, on the last Sabbath evening of February, holds its anniversary reunions in one of the participating churches, making its annual report and electing its officers for the ensuing year. The resident pastors are cr-officio Vice-Presidents of the Society and members of the Board of Managers. This
* Dr. Savage's Sketches of Bible Work.
J. BUFORD HENDRICK, Deacon.
193
FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
Society, during its seventy-eight years of active life, has been a source of blessing and a power for good in the community and the adjacent country. It has made many general canvasses and visitations in the city and county, supplying the Scriptures to the destitute. At one time the Society employed a special agent, who in the course of his work explored the adjoining county of Owen, visiting five hundred and seventy-seven families, of which number sixty-nine were without a copy of the Scriptures. It has also at different times aided in spe- cial work in the mountains of Kentucky. In the year 1866 Rev. George S. Savage was appointed agent of the American Bible Society for Eastern Kentucky, and has, almost without intermission, made annual visitations to 1. this field, usually upon the occasion of the anniversary of the local Society. To his ability, zeal and fostering care the continued success and efficiency of the Franklin County Bible Society are largely due.
The congregation of the First Presbyterian Church has been actively identified with the work of this Society from its formation, and for many years furnished its officers, especially during its earlier decades. Ex-Gov- ernor Robert P. Letcher was for a number of years President, and Colonel Alex. Rennick served in this office for many terms. But for many years past the officers and committees have been taken in rotation from the various churches of the city, all of whom co-operate in the work and give it their cordial support.
We find some allusions in our Church Sabbath- school papers and records to a Female Bible Society in this church, but no account is given of its work, except here and there an allusion is made to its dona-
194
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
tions of Bibles and Testaments. Rev. Dr. George Savage, in his "Sketches of Bible Work," referred to elsewhere, mentions that "the Frankfort Female Bible Society was organized in 1833, with Mrs. Margaretta Brown, Secretary." and adds that he was not able to find any further record of the Society.
THOMAS P. AVERILL, Deacon.
-
CHAPTER V. FIRST CHURCH SABBATH-SCHOOL.
Any sketch of this church would be manifestly incomplete did it not include an allusion to the Sab- bath-school, and some account of its early history and methods. This was the pioneer school of the West, and was second only in date to the one formed in Pitts- burg one year earlier. This school has been from its beginning a leading factor in the development and work of this church, its strong right arm, which in the faith- ful labors of its teachers, by the blessing of the great Head of the Church, has done much to add to and strengthen the body. It may be truly said that it has been, and still is, "the nursery of the church," from which it has drawn its largest accessions, both in num- bers and spiritual strength. It has numbered in its workers many wise and consecrated teachers, and who may estimate the benefits it has conferred upon the pupils who have enjoyed the privilege of its instruc- tions, many of whom went elsewhere to teach others. The beginning of the Sabbath-school antedates the organization of our church about six years. In the year 1810 Rev. Michael Arthur, a Scotch Presbyterian minister, was induced to come to Frankfort to open a school for boys. He was brought hither by Hon. John Brown and other citizens, who felt the need of better instruction for their sons than was afforded in the town. Shortly after opening the school, at the earnest solici- tation of Mrs. Brown, Mr. Arthur gathered the boys together also on the Sabbath day, and spent an hour
198
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
teaching them the Scriptures and the Shorter Cate- chism. This was the beginning of our Sabbath-school, and after the departure of Mr. Arthur and the closing of his day school, the Sabbath instructions were main- tained by Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Elizabeth Love, Mrs. Berk- ley and Miss Humphreys, and in March, 1819, a school was organized for girls only. Mrs. Margaretta Brown was chosen superintendent, with six teachers - Mrs. Love, Mrs. Berkley, Miss Humphreys, Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Brown. The school was held for the most part in the "big room " of the Love House, but occasionally in the home of Mrs. Brown, when more expedient.
Mrs. Brown was at the same time superintendent, secretary and treasurer.
.
The school opened with eighteen girls in the six classes. During the ensuing summer the number in attendance increased to forty, but the average attend- ance the first year was thirty.
In this day of abounding Sunday-school literature and helps, we can not realize the difficulties with which these devoted women were forced to contend in carry- ing on their labor of love. The American Sunday- school Union had not been yet organized, and suitable books could not be procured unless made to order by the printers. Among the papers and accounts yet pre- served in the records of the school we find these and similar items of printing bills :
Mrs. M. M. P.rown to Randall & Russell, Dr.
To printing 60 Catechisms, 21,000 ems. $6 30
To paper used for the same. 3 00
To Mr. Woods' bill for binding I 50
To press work. I 20
$12 00
WILLIAM A. BULL, Deacon.
20I
SABBATH-SCHOOLS.
Also the following bill :
To printing 50 copies of the Commandments $2 50
To printing 36 Primers. 2 00
To printing 12 Brown's Catechisms. 1 00
To printing 25 copies "Food for Lambs". 6 25
$II 75
In the preparation of the lessons the classes used questions on the Scriptures which were prepared and written out for them by the superintendent. For this and other literary work Mrs. Brown, by early educa- tion and religious training in her Eastern home, was eminently qualified. In addition to a number of beau- tiful hymns written for the school, she compiled a Bible Dictionary, "Food for Lambs," and " Brown's Cate- chism " for the younger scholars; also " Exemplifica- tions of the Golden Rule," based on the Scripture, Matthew vii. 12. Under sixteen sections, or " exem- plifications," she taught the children to put themselves in the place of others, and to act as they should do under the teaching of the text. And in concluding the series she turned their minds to contemplate the Savior in his work of love for each one individually, and urged them in return to give to Him their love and obedience.
" Be you to others kind and true. As you'd have others be to you; And never do nor say to them Whate'er you would not take again."
Mrs. Brown also taught and trained the younger teachers, and when entering upon her work as a teacher, each one would receive from her a carefully prepared paper, in which her duties were detailed, and her respon- sibility to God and the class affectionately urged. As secretary, Mrs. Brown kept a record of the weekly work
202
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
of the classes and the individual scholars. As treasurer, she kept accurate account of all funds she collected and disbursed. The school as yet had no library, and the scarcity of suitable reading matter for the children was severely felt. In the year 1822, however, Mrs. Brown notes in her record: "Received from the Rev. Mr. John Breckinridge. of Princeton Theological School, the gift of fifty books." This was the beginning of the Sunday-school library, which was subsequently added to when the school was reorganized in the First Church building some years later. The school was supported mostly bv individual subscriptions, and a collection was regularly made in the church once or twice a year.
The exercises of the school were largely devoted to the recitation of Scripture, which had been memorized during the week by the scholars, together with the Assembly Shorter Catechism, Brown's Catechism and hymns. In looking over the class books we are impressed with the aptitude displayed by the children and the faithful work performed.
At the close of the year 1823 Mrs. Brown records a summary of the five years' work :
Average attendance, 30.
Number of verses of Scripture. Shorter Catechism, Brown's Catechism and Hymns recited in-
1819, 45,000, averaging 28 per scholar per Sabbath. 1820, 36.922, averaging 23 per scholar per Sabbath. 1821, 36,640, averaging 22 per scholar per Sabbath. 1822. 41,000, averaging 26 per scholar per Sabbath. 1823, 41,140, averaging 26 per scholar per Sabbath.
One little girl is mentioned who entered the school in 1819, at five years of age, and had recited in the five years 10,55I verses.
As treasurer, Mrs. Brown reports funds collected,
·
203
SABBATH-SCHOOLS.
$86.60. Amount expended, mostly for printing, $101.60. As secretary, she reports 113 pupils instructed, 509 rewards bestowed, 446 tracts, 202 Catechismns, 21 Bibles and 100 copies of the Commandments distributed. These statistics serve to show the very faithful work done by the teachers, and at the same time the industry and spirit of emulation on the part of children in storing their minds with the Holy Scriptures. At this time the following girls, Martha Todd, Mary W. Brown, Cather- ine Scott, Margerite Sproule and Frances Bibb, were " honorably dismissed from the school with testimonials of approbation." In these papers it was stated that during their attendance of two and a half years upon the school they had read the Bible regularly through, and some books of it several times over; had each recited from six thousand to seven thousand verses of Scripture, and were perfect in the Shorter Catechism; they had each searched out, transcribed and memorized six hundred verses of Scripture proofs in support of the doctrines which they had been taught, and had studied and drawn the maps of such parts of the world as were connected with sacred history.
In the advanced methods of education of the present day, which include Sabbath-school teaching as well as secular instruction, the practice of the earlier Sabbath- schools, in requiring the memorizing of Scripture, may not be approved. Indeed, one of the prominent Sab- bath-school papers of recent date, in adverse criticism of the practice, concludes an article on the subject with these words : "Parrot or rote reciting of the Bible and Catechism is a poor use of children's minds and time, and does not tend to impress the truths taught in the Bible. Hence there is no true gain in such memorizing
204
IIISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
and reciting, however valuable and important are the words thus misused." This may have been to some extent true in some cases, but as a general rule it does not hold good. The survivors of the old system, though now few in number, will bear testimony to its benefits and lifelong blessings. Under judicious selection much of the Scripture used was adapted to the comprehension of the average child, and portions not fully understood at the time were more fully apprehended in after years. This was especially the case with the Shorter Catechism.
During the last year covered by Mrs. Brown's report the highest number of verses recited was 3.394, by Cor- nelia Crittenden, an average of sixty-five per Sabbath. The next highest number was 3,229 verses, an average of sixty-two. The list of teachers had changed some- what, the following being those in charge of classes at the end of the school year, October, 1823: Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Love, Mrs. R. Bibb, Miss Bibb, Miss Todd and Miss Sproule. In the expenditures the greatest amount went to the printer ; the next heaviest outlay was for "reward books and cards," which were procured in Philadelphia, usually by the courtesy of the Frankfort merchants when they went East after goods in spring and fall. Tracts were occasionally sent out from the East as a present from friends, and the only expense to the school was the postage. An item that frequently occurred was paper for covering the books, catechisms, tracts, and other reading matter, showing the care used in preserving these precious helps. The strictest econ- omy was used in the expenditures, and an accurate account kept, to the fraction of a cent. The following memorandum occurs at the beginning of the treasurer's report :
-
THE BROWN MANSION, 1796. (See Appendix. )
207
SABBATH-SCHOOLS.
" Though the accounts are all kept in specie, some of the receipts are in commonwealth. These, however, are credited as specie, according to the current rate of exchange at the time, one dollar commonwealth to seventy-five cents specie."
While printing and literature came high, labor appears to have been held on a low scale of. wages, judging from the amount paid the janitor, Miles, for attendance. "For making fires and sweeping, two years, 1819-1820, seventy-five cents." This man Miles appears to have been a faithful and devoted servant of the school. His name occurs regularly in the reports as janitor until the year 1837, and his wages were advanced from time to time, as the school grew, until he was paid as much as two dollars a year.
The year 1826 was a notable one in the history of the school. On September 3d it assembled in the new church, which had just been entered by the congrega- tion. The school was reorganized and a special service was held, consisting of reading, singing and addresses by the superintendent and Rev. Eli Smith, and a dedi- catory prayer. The teachers were: Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Love, Mrs. Roberts, Miss Gray and Miss Sproule. Among the names of scholars, listed by classes, are those of some of the " mothers of the church": Agnes Todd, Jane Davidson, Maria L. Crittenden, Fannie Phil- lips, Mary Jane Todd, Ann Watson, Margerite White- head, Mary Lee Rennick, Sarah H. Russell and others.
In 1828 the school had increased to eleven classes. In the annual report of the superintendent occur the following entries : "In consequence of the establish- ment of a Sabbath-school in the Baptist Church, eleven
205
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
of our scholars have withdrawn to enter that school, and four have also joined the Methodist school. Dur- ing the year twenty new scholars have been added to our school, and a boys' department has been organized during the last quarter by Judge Mills. The children of the school have formed themselves into a society for aiding in the education of the poor children of the town, under the name of the A-b-c-darian Society, and it has already three children under its care."
The dues in this Society amounted to six and one- quarter cents per month, and each subscriber was required to earn the amount, and not receive it as a gift from parents or friends. The lady to whose school the children were sent generously offered to take another scholar free for every one sent by the Society. So in this way six children were benefited who might have otherwise grown up in ignorance.
To show the Christian spirit that animated the superintendent, the following entry in her diary is given here :
" I desire to record with humble gratitude that one of the scholars, Josephine A. Gray, has solemnly dedi- cated herself to the Lord by uniting with the Methodist Church. Grant, O Lord, that glory and joy may be her everlasting portion."
At this time the long-wished-for library was secured. For some years, by the efforts and self-denial of the teachers and some of the scholars, a fund had been slowly accumulating for this purpose, and now friends here and elsewhere came to their help, some donating books, others giving money. The library was bought in Philadelphia, and the occasion of its opening was one
209
SABBATH-SCHOOLS.
of great rejoicing. After leaving out old and injured books, the catalogue, which is still preserved, written out by the superintendent, contained four hundred and eighty-seven volumes.
Special services were held, at which a poem, written for the occasion by Mrs. Brown, was read. The first and the concluding stanzas are here quoted :
" Oh! that the Power that reigns above, And governs all below, Would on this little work of love His gracious smile bestow, And send his Holy Spirit down, The labors of our hands to crown.
" And these so loved -- our hope, our care, Our grief and our delight; ª
Our theme by day, our earnest prayer, Our frequent dream by night --- Oh! may their names recorded stand Amongst the happy few
Who yet shall feast at thy right hand On pleasures ever new, And scan (all earthly love above) The mysteries of redeeming love."
The total number of verses recited during the year 1828 was So,691. Books and rewards distributed, 338. Number of scholars on the roll, 79. In the expendi- tures we note this entry: " For uniting the school with the American Sunday-school Union, $3.00."
In 1829 the boys' department, which had hitherto met at a different hour, assembled with the female school, and from thenceforth the two were united as one school, but in two distinct departments. In her report for this year the superintendent mentions with gratitude that ten of her teachers had united with the church. She mentions also " that Miss Elizabeth Birch
210
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
had recited with great accuracy during the year 6,974 verses, being the greatest number recited by any scholar in the history of the school in the same length of time. Thirty scholars have left the school during the year, and thirty-eight have been added. Total on the roll, 96. Three of the teachers, Miss Phillips, Miss Taylor and Miss McCurdy, have married during the year."
In 1831 Mrs. Brown gave a review of the work for the five years since its reorganization as a girls' school. In that time only three of the girls had died.
Number of verses recited in the five years. . 342,500 Number recited previous to that time. 200,000 Total since organization in 1819. 542,500 Books and rewards given in the five years. . 2,274
Books added to the library. 390
Funds collected during the five years. $256 50 Amount of expenditures. . $246 12
The A-b-c-darian Society had furnished tuition to poor chil- dren amounting to forty quarters.
As a considerable number of scholars had removed from the town, the number uniting with the church could not be accurately given. Several had joined the Baptist and the Methodist Churches of this place, but the greater part had united with our own church. Number of teachers, sixteen, all of whom were now members of the church.
Special mention was made of the faithfulness of the teachers, and praise for punctuality and efficiency was given to the librarian, Frances Deaver, who had been previously for nine years a scholar, and had in that time recited over twenty thousand verses of Scripture.
From the concluding sentences of the report we are led to infer that there were some in the community who
-
-
Margaretla
Brown
1
First Superintendent of Sabbath-school.
213
SABBATH-SCHOOLS.
were not in sympathy with the work as conducted by the school. She writes :
"The common saying that it is impossible to please everybody holds good with respect to the Sabbath- school as well as in less important matters. While many object to it as being too sectarian, others oppose it upon the claim that it is not sufficiently so. But recently I had a conversation with a Christian gentle- man, who was a most violent opponent of the whole system."
To the report was appended a list of " donations not connected with the regular subscriptions to the school."
From Dr. Wilkerson, 7 loads of wood. "
From Mr. John Brown. 4 hymn books.
From Mr. John Brown, Bible Dictionary (Morocco).
From Mr. John Brown, Life of Christ.
From Mr. Mason Brown, four books and twelve primers.
From Mr. Mason Brown, "The Young Christian" (Abbott).
From Mr. John. H. Hanna, Works of Josephus, (4 vols).
From M1. Page, nineteen Question Books.
From Mr. Edmond Taylor, "The Cabinet" (15 vols.).
From Mr. John Vest, "No Fiction."
From Mrs. Hodges, "Dun-Allan."
From Miss Mary Jane Todd. "Religious Events."
From Female Tract Society, six volumes of tracts.
From Female Bible Society, thirty Bibles.
From Mrs. Margaretta Brown, bookcase and sixty-one vols.
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.