USA > New Jersey > Somerset County > Basking Ridge > The Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge, N.J. : a historical discourse delivered by the pastor, Rev. John C. Rankin, D.D., August 11th, 1872 > Part 3
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Mr. Van Dervoort was released by the Presbytery, to accept a call to another field, in the spring of 1834; and in the autumn of the same year was succeeded by the Rev. John Anderson, a foreigner ( from the North of Ireland!), who, after trial of one
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year, was ordained and installed on the 28th day of October, 1835. With the brogue and some of the eccentricities of his country, he still seems to have been abundant in labor, and to have given general satisfaction to the congregation. In the report of his first and only family visitation, which is very full and minute, he gives "308 families, comprising 1,672 individuals, of whom 258 are members." In less than a year after his installation ( August, 1836), he was, at his own request, released from his pastoral charge, that he might accept a call to the Canal Street Presbyterian Church, in the city of New York. When consenting to his re- moval, the congregation adopted the following minute, the first and only record of an opinion or feelings, touching the death or · removal of a pastor: "We feel that we shall loose the labors of a truly pious and talented divine, and the society of a man whose gentlemanly deportment has ever justly secured for himself a grateful remembrance in our recollections."
After a vacancy of nearly two years, the Rev. Oscar Harris was installed as his successor, on the 27th of March, 1838. He was a ripe scholar, a fine theologian, a modest, retiring, gen- tlemanly man, who commanded the respect of all who knew him. The causes already reverted to continued to operate, however, and the classical school went down entirely, so that the congrega- tion gained no strength, to say the least, during his ministry ; but for this he ought not to be held responsible. It would have been true under almost any preacher. The neighborhood had been declining for several years; and yet, to the credit of all, it should be said, that during this pastorate, and almost immediately after it began, in 1838, our present commodious and comfortable house of worship was erected. About this time a gradual im- provement in methods of cultivating the soil began to take place, and the neighborhood began to rise in strength and resources. The coming of the railroad recently has greatly accelerated this upward movement.
This pastorate ended in the spring of 1851 by the resignation of Mr. Harris, whose health had been very infirm for one or two years. On the 4th of September, of the same year, the present incumbent, who is the tenth in the line of pastors, was installed. In extreme bodily weakness, and with many fears, he came among you, and, by the grace of God and your clemency, has continued until the present time, twenty-one years. His predecessors have
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all gone to their reward. He, too, must soon follow. Oh, for grace to be found faithful! It is no credit to him, to claim that some advances have been made within this period. The whole neighborhood has advanced not a little during this time, and it would be greatly to our disgrace if we had not made some progress, also. The old parsonage farm was long ago sold, and its proceeds used in part to build the new church, and in part to meet annual deficits. But within this twenty-one years we have built a commodious parsonage, erected a new and comfortable lecture and Sababth school room, which is already too strait for us; once refitted and then enlarged and ornamented the church, until it is now as large and as handsome as the congregation can desire. With this, the membership, which had declined to one hundred and seventy in 1851, has again advanced to two hundred and sixty, and the benevolent contributions have increased many- fold. While mentioning these things with gratitude, beloved brethren, let us still feel that we have been unprofitable servants.
And now, with such a history; with so many personal and family hopes identified with this church, with such a door of usefulness open before us in the neighborhood and in the world, shall we not, with redoubled energy and devotion, consecrate our- selves to our God, the God of our fathers, and, above all, The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? And "Unto him that hath done all things for us, and is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
BASKING RIDGE, N. J., March 24th, 1892.
A new edition of the foregoing discourse being called for, it is but proper that a brief sketch of the twenty years that have elapsed since its publication should be added by the writer. With- in this period extensive and important changes have taken place in our geographical borders. The building of the railroad seemed to develop the nucleus for a new congregation at Stirling; and, accordingly, a church was organized there in 1873. This was done with the cordial approval of the Pastor and Session of the parent church, and into the new organization several of our important families entered. This diminished our numbers and
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contracted our borders very materially in that direction. At the same time the advent of the railroad brought into prominent notice the beautiful hill or mountain district to the north of us. This soon attracted the attention of several wealthy gentlemen of New York City, as affording attractive sites for country resi- dences. The earliest among these were A. V. Stout, Geo. B. Post and Geo. I. Seeney, each of whom erected a handsome mansion and became an extensive owner of real estate. Largely through their presence and influence others have followed in the same course, until most of the farms on these beautiful hills, originally belonging to the Basking Ridge congregation, have passed into their hands, and the families that occupied them have removed to other localities, many of them beyond our boundaries. This has resulted necessarily in great changes in that direction also. It is matter of congratulation, however, that these gentlemen, with their families, have largely and generously identified them- selves both with our churches and our general local interests.
In 1887 our Lecture and Sabbath School room having become too strait for us, a new and commodious chapel was erected, and furnished with carpet and chairs, at an expense of about twenty-three hundred dollars. In the previous year a new organ had been purchased at an outlay of more than one thousand dollars. At this date (1892) arrangements are complete for the thorough renovation of the interior of the audience-room of the church, the cost of which will be about twenty-five hundred dol- lars. This is probably the last work, in the way of material improvement, that will be attempted under the present pastorate. When completed, there will probably be little more to desire in that direction for many years to come.
The spiritual history of the church during these forty years is, of course, its most important and interesting feature. All else has been subordinate to this one great end. During all these years divine service has been held every Sabbath in church or chapel. The attendance of the people upon the ordinances of God's house has been general and uniform. There have been many seasons of special religious interest, the most remarkable of which were in 1874 and in 183. In the former year forty- nine persons, and in the latter fifty-one, were added to the church on profession of their faith in Christ. Another of these refresh- ing seasons has just passed, as the result of which fourteen per-
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sons were for the first time admitted to full membership. In all these spiritual movements there has been a quickening of God's people which has been most gratifying. This is particularly mani- fest in the one last referred to, and especially so in the impulse given to our beloved young people. Never before have they been so well organized or animated by such a hopeful spirit as at present.
Amid all the changes by deaths, removals and curtailment of boundaries, it is a matter of thankfulness that the number of communicants and the average size of the congregation remain very much the same. Since September 4th, 1851, six hundred and ninety names have been added to our roll, of whom four hundred and fifty-two were received on profession of faith, and two hundred and thirty-nine on certificate from other churches. The membership at present is two hundred and forty-five. There have been four hundred and eighty-eight baptisms, two hundred and ninety-one marriages, and three hundred and forty-five funerals. The liberality of the people, both in self-support and in contributions to benevolence, if not all that it should have been, has yet been gratifying and encouraging. Never has such cheer- fulness in giving been manifested as in the subscriptions to the improvements now in progress. For the spirit of harmony that has always prevailed, and for the encouraging prospects before us, let us be grateful to God and faithful to duty.
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Pastors.
Rev. JOHN CROSS, pastor A. D. 1732 to 1741.
" CHARLES MCKNIGHT, pastor 1742 " "
66 JOSEPH LAMB, pastor. . I744 " I749.
SAMUEL KENNEDY, M.D., pastor 175I " 1787.
ROBERT FINLEY, D.D., pastor. I795 1817.
WILLIAM C. BROWNLEE, D.D., pastor, 66
JOHN C. VAN DERVOORT, pastor.
JOHN ANDERSON, pastor .
OSCAR HARRIS, pastor.
66 1838 66 1851.
JOHN C. RANKIN, D.D., pastor .
1851 1895.
EDGAR C. MASON, pastor .
1895 1899.
6 JOHN T. REEVE, D.D., pastor.
1900 1912.
LAUREN G. BENNETT, pastor
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1913
Roll of Officers in 1872.
PASTOR.
REV. JOHN C. RANKIN, D.D.
ELDERS.
PETER D. CROSS, JAMES I. HILL,
JOHN V. STEVENS, ABRAM B. MCCOLLUM,
ALEXANDER COOPER, CALVIN THOMPSON.
TRUSTEES.
JOHN H. LYON, Pres.
IRA B. PRUDEN, Treas.
EDWARD A. WEBSTER, Sec.
BENYEU DUNHAM, JOHN L. VAN LIEW,
JOHN H. ANDERSON, THOMAS LEWIS.
SEXTON.
DAVID B. HEATH.
66
I744.
66
1818 " 1825.
1826 "
1834.
1834 " 1836.
Historic Oak as seen from the street.
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Roll of Officers in 1892.
PASTOR. REV. JOHN C. RANKIN, D.D. ELDERS.
ABRAM B. MCCOLLUM,
CAVIN D. SMITH,
CALVIN THOMPSON,
JAS. H. MCCOLLUM,
WM. DEMUN, C. B. DUNHAM,
STEPHEN C. DAYTON.
TRUSTEES.
P. C. HENRY, Pres. JOHN L. VAN LIEW, Sec. and Treas.
C. D. SMITH, JOHN V. BUNN,
S. C. DAYTON, WM. DEMUN,
THOMAS LEWIS, WM. R. BROMFIELD,
A. IRVING.
SEXTON.
DAVID R. MOFFATT.
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Review of the Later History of the Presbyterian Church.
PREPARED BY THE PASTOR, LAUREN G. BENNETT.
During the seven years of my pastorate in Basking Ridge there have been many requests for a new edition of Dr. Rankin's HISTORICAL DISCOURSE and SUPPLEMENT. There have been so many changes in the congregation in recent years that it is prob- able a majority of those now worshipping here are not familiar with what is beyond all question the best, in fact so far as I am able to learn, the only complete history of our church. With the approach of our two-hundredth anniversary these demands for a new edition have become more frequent and insistent, indicating a general and commendable desire on the part of the congregation for a better acquaintance with the history of the church we love. Since it seems a most appropriate time for the refreshing of our minds in the achievements and lives that have entered into the making of our history, I am undertaking, upon the urgent request of many to whom this church is very dear, to add a short survey of her more recent life. It is my purpose to center these com- ments about the lives of those who, in the Providence of God, have had the privilege of laboring here as pastors. I shall, there- fore, without going too much into detail give some personal im- pressions of the pastorates of Dr. Rankin, Mr. Mason and Dr. Reeve, together with a few facts having to do with my own work.
In Dr. Rankin's HISTORICAL DISCOURSE and SUPPLEMENT he modestly disclaims holding any large place in the life and work of our beloved church. He refers with great generosity of spirit to the services of those who had gone before him in this pastoral office, but with regard to his own work his comments are few. I never knew Dr. Rankin. He went to his eternal reward thirteen years before I came to preach the Gospel in the pulpit which in forty-four years of unremitting labor of love had come to be a part of the very life of this great man of God. He had retired from active service five years before his death, and two pastorates of four and twelve years had intervened between the ceasing of his work and the beginning of my own pastorate. Now after these seven years in which I have had the opportunity of forming
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a deeper acquaintance with the life of this community, I look back on the life of this man and count it a joy to join my voice with the great multitude in this vicinity who to-day rise up to call him blessed.
It is impossible to speak in extravagant terms of his life and work. Mere words can never do justice to such a life. Now after the lapse of all these years the impress of his life upon the church he loved, and the community in which he lived, remains as a glowing tribute to the man in whose footsteps we could well desire to follow. He preached the Gospel in great earnestness and vigor, and in his pastoral visitation his faithfulness was unfailing. The secret of his great usefulness, however, was in the life he lived with God. His prayer life and his diligence in the study of the Word of God receive frequent comments from those who knew him as pastor.
It is a remarkable tribute to Dr. Rankin's zeal and influence as a preacher and pastor that even with his advancing years the work of the church did not falter. The largest ingathering of souls during his pastorate came after thirty-two years of service. What an evidence of the worth of the long pastorate! He kept pace with the changing times and was not slow to recognize the necessity of some changes in method. It was during his pastorate that the Woman's Missionary Society and the Christian Endeavor Society were organized, and these societies have contributed greatly to the spiritual life of the church. His life has left a wonderful impress on the community.
Finally the burden of advancing years became so heavy that he was compelled to give up the active pastorate. With great reluctance his beloved congregation acquiesced in his desire and he retired July 28, 1895. He continued to live in the village until his death April 24, 1900. He died as he had lived, strong in the faith, beloved by his own church, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. Few churches have had such a pastor. Few pastors have had such an influence. Truly it can be said of him "Though he die yet shall he live." His picture or his autograph may be found in many of our homes, but what is of vastly greater importance his memory lives in the hearts and lives of those to whom he ministered.
He was buried beneath the old oak. What a fit resting place for the earthly tabernacle of the man so intimately identified with
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our church! A tablet was placed in the rear of the church by the congregation bearing this inscription: "And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."
It was in April, 1895, that Presbytery dissolved the pastoral relation of Dr. Rankin with the understanding that he was to continue until his successor was chosen. With commendable promptness the congregation set about securing a new pastor. On July 28 Dr. Rankin preached his last sermon, and with him in the pulpit was Rev. Edgar C. Mason who had been chosen by the congregation as the new pastor. Mr. Mason began his pastorate the following Sabbath, and again we point to an example that should be held up to other churches. There was no long interim which is always so harmful to the spiritual life of a church.
The new pastor brought a vigor, earnestness and vision that gave a great impetus to the work and forward step in the church activities. There are several things in this short pastorate of four years that deserve special mention, and as I look back to them it is with a feeling that I am able to appraise them at their true worth.
When Mr. Mason began his work the church membership was 226; when he closed his work, October 15, 1899, there was a membership of 283. In a community having little or no growth this must certainly be considered a creditable advance. But the interesting thing about it is that during his pastorate the church had one of the greatest additions by profession of faith in her long history. On December 5, 1897, fifty-nine persons were received into the membership, forty-six of whom came by pro- fession of their faith in Christ. Many of these persons are today among our most faithful members. It was a day not only of un- usual significance because of the large number uniting, but a day in which many useful lives were dedicated to Christ. I believe there have been few days of equal significance in this church. So far as I am able to learn it is the largest addition in one day since the great awakening during the pastorate of Dr. Brownlee in 1822. The Sessional Records indicate that the spiritual con- dition of the church had frequently been a matter of discussion and prayer, so we know beyond any doubt that this notable day was not a mere coincidence but a definite fruit of the spirit.
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There were other advances of scarcely less significance dur- ing the days of Mr. Mason's leadership. The Sunday School made a remarkable gain in membership, being more than doubled in numbers between 1896 and 1898. A Home Department and Cradle Roll in the Sunday School and a Junior Christian En- deavor Society were organized, and in every way there is an evidence of an earnest effort to make all activities of the church measure up to their greatest opportunities.
The thing which to us is the most constant remembrance of Mr. Mason's work, aside from the presence and help of those whom he was instrumental in leading to Christ, was the assum- ing the support of a foreign missionary, Rev. W. T. Mitchell. We must not forget that in large measure the pastor was building on the foundation of those who had gone before in his office, particularly Dr. Rankin, who was most zealous and earnest in preaching a gospel for the whole world; but it is of lasting credit to Mr. Mason that he had the vision and courage to lead his congregation to this very definite work outside the immediate neighborhood. It was in November, 1898, that the congregation undertook this work, and Mr. Mitchell has continued during these twenty-two years the faithful, devoted missionary of this church in Mainpurie, India. No single undertaking of the church has been more fruitful in a spiritual way. There are many in our membership to-day who can trace their world vision of the world for Christ to a personal interest in Mr. Mitchell as our repre- sentative. At various times there has been a generous response in the congregation to urgent appeals from Mr. Mitchell which could not be met by the Board, and it has always been with great profit to the givers. When on furlough Mr. Mitchell always visits the community, and in 1915 he, with his family, occupied the manse during the pastor's vacation.
Mr. Mason's pastorate closed October 15, 1899. The con- gregation was then without a pastor until the following spring, the pulpit being supplied by visiting ministers during the interim.
On June 6, 1900, the congregation called by unanimous vote Rev. John T. Reeve, a young man who had just finished his course in Princeton Seminary. There have been many times when God's leading has been apparent in our church, but never were the evidences more unmistakable than in this call. While the community was not growing to any marked extent many changes had taken place and many other changes were soon to follow.
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It was the time when the typical rural aspect was being given the color of a semi-suburban community. Many improvements had been or were about to be made. Good roads, commuters' trains, electric lights, water system, better schools, are but a few of the many influences that were helping in this transformation. If our church was in any way to face these new conditions without losing ground she must have as a pastor a man of vision, cour- age, sound judgment, and willingness to work as well as the always necessary qualities of piety and knowledge of the Scrip- tures. The choice of pastor could not have been more happy or fortunate. It was the hand of God. Doubtless many felt this at the time, but now, after twenty years, the evidence of it is un- mistakable. The young pastor took up his work with an energy and in a power that were prophetic of great usefulness, and the church entered upon what is unquestionably one of the greatest periods of her development. Dr. Rankin, in his HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, calls attention to what he considered the brightest part of our church's history in the pastorate of Dr. Finley. The pastorate of Dr. Reeve was certainly one of equal achievements, though by the very necessity of the case the two were not alike,
The beginning of Dr. Reeve's pastorate was not easy. There were circumstances and conditions that required the greatest tactfulness. There were new people to be attracted and held by our church, people whose early environment had not been that of a community similar to ours. There were improvements to be made in church property, for nothing the church owned was in good repair. There were new methods to be introduced, for, after all, Christ fitted His work and His methods into the times in which He lived, and this was His evident purpose for every apostle and minister who should preach His gospel. The old standards of organization, equipment, finances, had to give way to the more modern standards. All this had to be done without losing the essential emphasis, that of the Christ working in the hearts of men. It is doubtful if a man could be found in the whole Presbyterian body who could have done all this better than the man chosen by the congregation.
Dr. Reeve began his work undaunted by any difficulty, and these were many, any one of which might have broken the spirit of a man less earnest in purpose. The thing that impresses me as I attempt to review this pastorate is the permanent quality
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of the things accomplished. This applies not only to the material improvements but to the spiritual work around which all our energies should center.
In the changes made in the church property a new idea seems to have been emphasized. What has been done has been done well. No longer is there any mere. make-shift in alterations that have become necessary. From the laying of the new floor of the church porch, to which Dr. Reeve refers in his historical sermon as one of the first improvements of his pastorate, to the crowning achievement in a material way, the rebuilding of the church, this idea of permanence stands out. Repair bills have been small, and will continue to be small for many years, all because those who builded were looking not to the present alone but to the future.
I shall probably not be able to tell of all that was done in a material way during the twelve years of this pastorate, but by depending on the historical sermon of former reference and by calling upon my own observation I shall attempt to call atten- tion to some of the outstanding features.
The building now occupied as a Public Library was at this time our chapel, and it seems to have occupied much of the earli- est thought of the new pastor. First it was painted, then a new front was added, and the grounds about it were made more attractive. The unsightly hitching-posts about the church were removed and the gutters laid and the roads improved. At about the same time the carriage sheds were built on a strip of land that had been purchased adjoining the old cemetery on the north. This improvement was one that meant much, especially in stormy . weather, for it provided for the comfort of the horses. Within the past year about two-thirds of these sheds have been removed, for with the coming of the automobile their usefulness is not as great as once it was.
The manse, while comfortable in some ways, was most incon- venient and by no means modern. In 1903 it was rebuilt, giving us what is unquestionably one of the most comfortable, con- venient and pleasant manses in the country. It is in excellent repair, and we have every reason to believe it will for many years be a great comfort to the families of pastors who may succeed to this office.
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The grounds were receiving more attention every year, and the old cemetery was about this time redeemed from what had been an almost impenetrable wilderness, and given its present attractive appearance. The planting of shrubbery has helped to no inconsiderable degree in this transformation. To-day these grounds are regarded by all visitors as among the most attractive to be found anywhere, and many expressions of admiration are to be heard on almost any occasion.
All this time it was constantly being held in mind that some- thing must be done with the church building. The interior had grown dingy, the east wall was considered unsafe, the detached chapel was not satisfactory. Finally, in October, 1907, the actual work was begun. The first Sunday in July, 1908, the building as we now have it was opened for use. These twelve years of constant service have not robbed our church building of its attractiveness, and to-day it stands as a monument to the far-reaching vision of the pastor, the skill of the architects, George B. Post and Sons, and the generosity and devotion of the congregation, who by their gifts of more than $27,000 made it all possible. We are told by those who have visited many churches that ours compares favorably with the most attractive. There is an atmosphere of worship about it that has been helpful not only to the worshipper in the pew but to the preacher in the pulpit. It is our earnest hope that no disaster may overtake it, and that it may be preserved in its present form for many years.
The Italian church at Bernardsville, made necessary by a flourishing work that had been going on several years, was erected. A little later the Italian manse was erected and the grounds beautified. Then the cemetery was enlarged, a new roof placed on the church, the old barn on the manse property turned into a convenient garage, and many other changes and additions that have resulted in giving us what is without doubt one of the best of church properties.
But we must not lose sight of the spiritual work during this pastorate, for it was here the greatest progress was made. At the beginning of Dr. Reeve's work there were 277 members; when he closed his work in the autumn of 1912 the member- ship, including that of the Italian Mission, was 445. The Sun- day School, which had fallen away somewhat a year prior to his coming, was reorganized and the membership and attendance
Chapel erected in 1908.
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steadily increased well beyond any previous record. All organi- zations in the church were greatly stimulated and new societies were added, notably the Ladies' Aid Society and the Men's Brotherhood. A greater frequency of meetings of the Session and more businesslike methods in the Board of Trustees are other evidences that a new day had dawned in the life of our church.
Every year there were added to the church many new mem- bers by confessing Christ as their Saviour. The total received in this way during the twelve years was 286, while 118 united by certificate from other churches. There were on several occa- sions special evangelistic services resulting in a deepening of the spiritual life and the winning of souls, but as I read the records I am impressed with the fact that this large addition to the mem- bership was the result of faithful pastoral visitation and per- sonal work rather than a spasmodic effort at infrequent inter- vals. The attendance upon all services greatly increased, the gifts to benevolent and missionary purposes advanced by leaps and bounds until our church became the leader of the Presbytery in per capita gifts, a position which it has held ever since.
One of the outstanding features of this pastorate was the work among the Italians. The changing conditions, before re- ferred to, had brought into the community a large number of foreign-speaking people, among whom the Italians predominated in numbers. Nothing had been done for these people in the way of social or spiritual uplift. They were in the community but not of it. They had no more than nominal allegiance to any church, and in many cases not even that. Dr. Reeve led the way in a new and vigorous work among these neglected people. At first it was the bringing an Italian preacher from New York, Newark or Bloomfield Seminary, and the holding services at various points in the township. A Sunday School was organ- ized in Bernardsville, and the attendance of the children was large. It became apparent that something more permanent must be done, so a resident minister was secured and plans laid for a church. These plans were rapidly carried out and a beautiful and substantial stone church was erected. This proved a great stimulus to the work and an enthusiastic and earnest congre- gation was soon worshipping regularly, being ministered to by Rev. Tommaso Barbieri. The Sunday School continued to
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flourish. With the completion of the church and manse we to- day have what in many ways is one of the best established and organized Italian Missions in the Eastern States. The build- ings and equipment are among the best, and only the limited population keeps this work from taking rank with that in the larger centers.
Many other evidences of vigorous leadership are to be found in the records of these twelve years. Whatever divisions there may have been were entirely lost to view and memory. For harmony and unanimity of action the church became almost a model. The result was a new prominence, not only in the com- munity but in the larger ecclesiastical relationships. It is a time long to be remembered by those who were active participants in it, and to which future generations will look with grateful appreciation.
Dr. Reeve had many opportunities to go to other fields of labor, but he resolutely refused all such invitations until 1912, In this year he was called to the pastorate of the Fourth Church in Philadelphia, and with deepest regret the congregation acqui- esced in his request for a dissolution of the pastoral relationship. He preached his last sermon late in September.
The present pastor was installed March 26, 1913, after having supplied the pulpit about two months. The events of this pastor- ate are too fresh in the memory of the congregation to merit a review. We leave to those who may come after us the summing up of whatever we have failed to do or what in the grace of God we may have accomplished.
When I began my pastorate the total membership was 436, several having been dismissed in the interim before my arrival. Since that time we have received 141 by profession of faith in Christ and 85 by certificate. There have been many deaths and removals, so the total membership now is 476, of which number 60 belong to our Italian Mission. We reported a membership of 297 in our Sunday School at the beginning of the present church year and 35 in the Italian School. The Home Depart- ment and Cradle Roll are not included in these numbers. The membership in the Church and Sunday School is for the most part loyal and faithful, and there have been many gratifying responses when the call has come to make some new sacrifice or take some forward step. I have felt many times that whatever
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has been accomplished during these seven years has been the mere building upon foundations which others by forethought and devotion had laid, and I may say in the words of Dr. Rankin, "It would be greatly to our disgrace if we had not made some progress."
We should here record the contribution our congregation made to our country's defense in the great world conflict. When the foundations of liberty were threatened forty-nine communi- cant members of our church entered the armies defending the right. Of these three young men in the prime of young man- hood made the supreme sacrifice. William B. Neill, James For- rester and Joseph Labadia were killed in battle. With solemn hearts we reverently record their names and their deeds, and, that they may not have died in vain, we prayerfully renew our covenant of devotion to our God and our country.
Our beloved church looks hopefully to the future. We are determined to let no achievement of the past dim our eyes to what ought to be and can be her future glory, the glory of in- creasing usefulness as a faithful servant of the Christ whose name we bear. United heart and hand in the work made dear to us by so many sacred memories, we lift our eyes to our Lord and offer our prayer of dedication :
"Lead on, O King Eternal : We follow, not with fears; For gladness breaks like morning Where'er Thy face appears ; Thy cross is lifted o'er us ; We journey in its light : The crown awaits the conquest ; Lead on, O God of might."
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Roll of Officers in 1920.
PASTOR. REV. LAUREN G. BENNETT.
ELDERS.
G. S. VOORHEES, Clerk, LESLIE W. BLAZIER,
FREDERICK CHILDS,
CHARLES L. ROBERTS,
SAMUEL A. ALLEN,
CHESTER C. BROWN,
HEMAN CHILDS,
DR. C. M. HENRY, ULRICH EBERHARDT.
DEACONS.
G. H. DOBBS, Secretary,
FRED MCMURTRY, Treas.,
G. L. PĘCK,
THOMAS RAMSDALE,
PETER MCARTHUR,
DAVID NEILL,
FRED ORTMAN,
H. O. COURTER,
LUTHER CHILDS,
JOHN D. CROSS,
J. HERBERT CHILDS, HARRY HIGGINS.
TRUSTEES.
CHAS. L. ROBERTS, Pres. DAVID NEILL,
P. C. HENRY, Treas., WILLIAM CHILDS, JR.,
DR. C. M. HENRY, Sec., ULRICH EBERHARDT,
THERON B. SMITH, G. S. VOORHEES,
R. A. HENRY.
SAMUEL S. CHILDS,
LEONARD W. HYER,
LLOYD H. NELSON,
HECKMAN BINDERY INC.
NOV 95 Bound - To-Pleas® N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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