USA > New York > Onondaga County > Pompey > Addresses delivered at the centennial anniversary of the First Congregrational Church, Pompey, N. Y. June 21st-23rd, 1896 : together with a historical sketch of the church > Part 2
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
In the early history of the church I find the name of Mrs. Debby Judd, who united with the church March 18, ISO2, and died in June of the present year at the Sand- wich Islands. Rev. Artemus Bishop, who, if I mistake not, was born in Pompey, and to some extent assisted in his education for the ministry by this church, was an honored missionary to the Sandwich Islands and died on- ly a few years since at a ripe old age, having witnessed the most marvelous and happy change which has ever taken place within the same length of time in the whole history of Christian missions. At a later date we have the name of Rev. Charles Jerome who labored faithfully in the ministry while his health and strength would per- mit with marked usefulness, but who has now been called to his reward. The names of younger brethren in the ministry, who united with this church during Mr. Hast- ing's ministry, have already been favorably mentioned.
And what are our feelings in view of the sacred associ- ations and tender memories which this day brings ! The departed ones do not speak to us from their final resting place in yonder cemetery, but from their glorified homein the skies, asking us to be true to our trust, true to the
16
POMPEY CENTENNIAL ADDRESSES.
interest of Christ's kingdom, true to the grand purposes of which the church was established among men.
And what a contrast between the past and the present. We dwell in pleasant homes surrounded with all the com- forts and conveniences of life, but our fathers came in a solitary wilderness and have made it bud and blossom as we see to-day.
Our history would be incomplete without the mention of Manoah Pratt, Sen., who built the first saw mill at Pratts Falls in 1797, and the first grist mill the following year, who was the early friend of our Academy, and without whom it could hardly have been built. His bus- iness taet and energy, no less than his Christian life, were and invaluable blessing. And then we have the names of Lyman Morgan, Henry Seymour, Daniel Gott and Victory Birdseye, Sen., who were identified with the interests of this church and all whose families were men- bers. It is said of Mrs. Henry Seymour that she pos- sesed rare grace and accomplishments and we do not won- der that her affianced husband should go nine miles to Cazenovia on snow shoes over otherwise impassible roads to meet the engagements of his wedding day. Horatio Seymour owes a large debt of gratitude to her refined manners , devoted training and earnest Presbyterian piety. Both himself and his brother, John F. Seymour, and his sisters also, were baptized in the faith of the Presbyterian church, a church of which we may be justly proud to- day and especially in this Centennial year for the blessings of civil and religious liberty which it has bequeathed to the world. And we cannot tell how much of the inspiration
17
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
and poetic power of Grace Greenwood may have been imparted by the pure air, fine scenery and magnificent surroundings of her native home. Nor can the history of this church to the close of this Centennial be fully written. It has diffused itself in every community where the sons and daughters of Pompey have emigrated, making its distinct impress from the bay of New York to the bay of San Francisco, not overlooking any of the pro- fessions and more distinguished walks of life. And when we reach either extremity of our land it overleaps the boundaries of time and has eternity for its field and heaven for its most glorious consummation. * *
It is a great privilege to take up at this point and carry on to completion the century of history of this church. It is a pleasure to testify to the great efficiency of the service rendered by Rev. J. Petrie whose work forms a large portion of this sketch. Mr. Petrie has the honor of having served the church through a longer pastorate than any other and the warm place that he still holds in the hearts of this people is a living testimony to his great fidelity. During his pastorate fifty-six were added to the church.
Rev. A. J. Abeel began his work with this people on July 1, 1886, serving the church as pastor for nearly two years during which time there was a marked activity and spiritual interest. During Mr. Abeel's pastorate sixteen were added-to the church and Henry H. Baker and Win. J. Mason were elected and ordained deacons.
On June 30th, 1888, occurrs the first mention in the records of the service of Rev. Smith Ordway. Mr. Ord-
18
POMPEY CENTENNIAL ADDRESSES.
way served this church with great efficiency during his two and one-half years of pastorate and in that time there were added to the membership of the church, twenty- five.
Mr. Ordway was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Cole, who served this church one year, then being called to an- other field of labor. During Mr. Cole's ministry here there were added eight names to the roll of members.
On a beautiful day in September 1891 the present pas- tor, Rev. John C. Ball, found his way to this mountain top of privilege, and on May Ist of the following year, he entered upon his labors as pastor, being installed on June 28th. It would be unbecoming in me to characterize in any way the work of my own ministry; that duty will be reserved for some future historian. However, it may not be out of place to say that it has been counted a great privilege to have stood in the place once occupied by so many worthy predecessors, and bring to completion this first century of history for this beloved church. God has blessed the work in the addition of thirty-two mem- bers during the present pastorate. And during the same time L. L. Woodford and Chas. Jerome were ordained deacons. A people united in every good work have completely remodeled and beautified the interior of the old church and turning from this glorious past to the possibilies of the future they are not unmindful of this great opportunity before then1. During the one hun- dred years of its history the church has been served by twenty-two regular pastors, ten of whom are still liv. ing. In that period there have been enrolled ten hun-
19
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
dred and fourteen names upon the register. The lov- ing friends of these pastors, and of the faithful band who united to form this church have purchased two marble slabs to be erected in the church as a memorial of their service. The church enters upon its second cen- tury conscious of the fact that " our fathers worshipped in the mountains " and with the inspiration that comes from a study of the glorious past is coupled a determina- tion to make the future even more glorious. The move- ment looking toward a fitting observance of the centen- nial occasion was first started in June 1894, and from time to time meetings were held, which finally culminat- ed in the centennial anniversary, June 21-23, at which time the following program was carried out:
PROGRAM. SUNDAY, JUNE 21. 11:00 A. M.
Organ Voluntary, -Theme and Variations, op. 14, No. 2,
MRS. J. C. BALL .. - Beethoven
Doxology, Invocation.
Gloria, , -
Responsive Reading, -Psalin 77,
Hymn No. 25, -
Scripture Reading,
Rev. J. Petrie
Prayer, -
-
-
Rev. Nathan Bosworth
Coenen Solo .- "Come unto me."
MISS HELEN FULLER.
Hymn No 254.
- Notices, -
Offertory, -Andante, -
- Battman
1
4 20
POMPEY CENTENNIAL, ADDRESSES.
Sermon, -
-
Rev. J. C. Ball - -
Prayer, Hymn No. 714. Benediction, -
Rev. W. W. Cole
Organ Postlude,-Allegro,
Volckmar
SUNDAY, JUNE 21. 7:30 P. M.
Organ Voluntary,-Prelude, Stern
Invocation,
Hymn No. 99.
Scripture Reading,
Rev. W. W. Cole Rev. J. Petrie
Anthem. - Praise ye the Father,
Gounod
Sermon, -
Rev. Nathan Bosworth
Prayer, -
Hymn No. 95.
-
Benediction.
MONDAY, JUNE 22.
7:30 P. M.
Organ Voluntary,-Adagio, Theo, Winter
Hymn No. 233.
Prayer,
Rev. Ira D. Brown
Solo, Rev. HI. Grant Person
Address,-Pioneer Influence, Rev. J. Petrie
Duet,
Rev. and Mrs. Smith Ordway
Hymn No. 459. -
Benediction. -
-
Following this service an informal reception was held in the parlors of the church.
TUESDAY, JUNE 23.
10:00 A. M.
Organ Voluntary,-Gloria, - Mozart Hymn No. i. -
Prayer,
Hymn No. 129.
21
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
Prayer,
Anthem, Address,
Rev. W. W. Cole
Hymn No. 986.
Address,
Rev. A. J. Abeel
Solo, Miss Elizabeth Chapman
Address,-The Fiftieth part of a Century,
Rev. Smith Ordway
Hymn No. 371.
Benediction.
TUESDAY, JUNE 23. 2:30 P. M.
Organ Voluntary,-op. 28, No. I. -
Schutt
Hymn No. 252.
Prayer, -
Solo, - Miss Helen Fuller Address,-Greeting from the Churches of our Neighboring
City,
Duet,
Address,
Hon. Frank Hiscock - Mrs. Chas. Clements
Read by MISS JENNIE A. JEROME.
Informal Addresses by Neighboring Pastors.
Hymn No. 1056.
Benediction.
TUESDAY, JUNE 23. 7:30 P. M.
Organ Vuluntary,-Andante from Mozart, Bendel
Hymn No. 316.
Prayer,
Solo,
Rev. 11. Grant Person
Address, Rev. Hiram C. Haydn, D.D. Quartette,-Mrs. Smith, Miss Chapman, Rev. G. P. Sewall and Mr. M. W. Smith.
Reminiscences and parting words, Hymn,-"Auld Lang Syne." Benediction. - - .
Rev. Geo. B. Spalding, D. D. Rev. and Mrs. Smith Ord way
Poem,-The old Church Speaks, -
SERMON.
BY THE REV. JOHN C. BALL, PASTOR FIRST CONGREGA- TIONAL CHURCH.
"Remove not the ancient land mark Which thy fathers have set."
PROV. 22, 28.
Principles know nothing of years. Truth is not hamp- ered by time, and the revelation of God first made known at the dawn of creation, is yet as new as every morning. The seed of divine truth may be long in showing its fruitage but of the final harvest there can be no doubt. It is to the glory of God that thought in the human family remains unbroken. That though the thinker may be carried to other spheres of activity and of wider useful- ness, yet in the mind and heart of another he lives. Time works many changes. Years come and go, one generation rejoices in the works of another and then passes on, but through it all like a golden cord that can- not be broken runs the divine purpose.
Impressive as may be this occasion to us, at the sun- mit of a century's history it is made doubly so, when we consider that thousands of witnesses with joys and sor- rows like unto our own while on the earth now in the clear sunlight of heaven enter into our hopes and aspira- tions and became the sharers in our rejoicing. One year
23
HISTORICAL, SERMON.
of history may mean little more than another under ordi- nary circumstances, but in the long line of the redeemed every year of this century speaks to some one and endears itself, and as a land-mark indicates the beginning of the new life. To us looking backward there can be no just appreciation of what it all means. The joys, privileges and comforts that we know were unknown to the fathers and mothers who united to form this household of faith. Truth is cumulative as well as eternal, and each year of privilege and fulfilled promise has but served to in- crease our responsibility in meeting the great questions of life, and intensify our admiration for those who under circumstances less propitious have been true and loyal to the cause of Jesus Christ.
Our thought this morning spans the century and imagi- nation must serve us in good stead if we give a proper setting to the picture presented. Forest everywhere, save here and there a clearing where the industry of man has opened a way for God's sunlight to warm the soil that has been shaded throughout countless ages. Here and there a single log-cabin and winding paths that led to the valley below. In these days of rapid transit and easy communication we can but little appreciate the inconveni- ences and privations of our rugged and courageous ances- tors, and yet what a heritage is borne to us across this century of years. In it we discover the source of many present blessings and its true reading is full of incitements to a better and a more spiritual life. As to the impulse which may and should come to us at such a time as this Emerson has well said. "There is a relation between the
24
POMPEY CENTENNIAL ADDRESSES.
hours of our life and the centuries of time. As the air I breathe is drawn from the great repository of nature, as the light on my book is yielded by a star a hundred mil- lions of miles distant, as the poise of my body depends on the equilibrium of contrifugal and contripetal forces, so the hours should be instructed by the ages, and the ages explained by the hours," and again "all that is said of the wise man by stoic or oriental or modern essayist des- cribes to each reader his own ideas, describes his unat- tained but attainable self. * * * The student is to read history actively and not passively; to esteem his own life the text, and books the commentary. Thus compelled, the muse of history will utter oracles as never to those who do not respect themelves. I have no expectation that any man will read history aright who thinks that what was done in a remote age by men whose names have resounded far has any deeper sense than what he is doing today. From which we infer that, if we would know the deep doctrines which is written in the hundred years his- tory of this church, that is most exalted, we must do and be the history over again. This occasion becomes then one of instruction as well as one of inspiration. We shall gain little by our retrospect if it does not beget within us a greater determination to make the future still brighter. No chapter in history will be read by us with more inter- est than that which contains the account of the founda- tion of this church. As the apostles of old gathered in one place that, having received the gift of pentecostal power, they might lay the foundation of the Christian church, so we find a little company assembled for the
25
HISTORICAL SERMON.
exercise of that same gift in the establishment of this branch of the church militant. Far removed from the scenes of their childhood; denied the gospel privileges that had been their lot in far-away New England, yet the principles of true religion, which were first given utter- ance on American soil at Plymouth Rock, filled every heart and home and found expression at every fireside. No wonder then that we find this little community, as yet destitute of a single frame dwelling, seeking for that closer union and that spiritual temple which was to be- come the help and inspiration of all, and mark the begin- ning of this epoch of history.
The church was organized, as you know, with twenty- two members, by the Rev. Ammi R. Robbins, of Nor- falk, Conn., and as insignificant as that bit of history may seem when taken by itself, it was full of meaning to the coming generations, full of meaning to us today. The silence which had before been broken only by the wild beasts of the forest and still wilder savages, was thence- forth to be given voice in songs of praise and great sobs of prayer.
Men were to be taught the great truths of the Fatherhood of God, and the brotherhood of man, and " as a city set upon a hill cannot be hid" so this center of divine life was destined to become the great controlling influence of this community. From the very beginning the church seems to have been characterized by healthy and vigorous growth. There is a simplicity and trustfulness about the faith of our fathers that is most refreshing to one in sea- sons of doubt and discouragement, and certainly no one
26
POMPEY CENTENNIAL ADDRESSES.
can read the covenant of this church as it was written and subscribed to on that memorable 19th of Oct. 1796, with- out feeling that he breathes the atmosphere of a past in which God is accounted supreme in every thing, and that man created by a loving Being with so much of promise, may one day be brought back into divine favor, and live indeed in the image and likeness of God. If we are to form any just estimate of the work of this century of progress; if we are to follow the development of the di- vine seed from the time of its first sowing through each succeeding seed-time and harvest; if indeed we are to know why, long years after those who first assembled to to form this church have gone to their last sleep it still stands as the embodiment of truth and righteousness; in fine if we are to know the reason for the abiding and eternal character of the Christian faith, we must find it in this sacred covenant of promise which, founded upon the word of God, must be as unchangeable and eternal as the Deity Himself. Hence we may lay down as the first reason for the success of this church as well as that of every other branch of the church of Jesus Christ that it is securely founded in unchanging truth.
The interests of a human soul are of supreme impor- tance. No vacillating or changing truth can safely be used as the foundation upon which it is to build its hopes for eternity. No one will presume to take issue on this point. So sensible are men that they need a foundation for hope toward God, that every one is disposed to lay his own. Everyone feels that without some restitution made to a holy God, sin cannot be pardoned nor the sin-
27
HISTORICAL SERMON.
ner saved. The question at once suggests itself. What is the true foundation for our faith? Where shall an adequate restitution be found ? In answering these ques- tionings of the human heart the voice of prophecy and that of sacred history speak in harmony. "Therefore, thus saith the Lord God: Behold I lay in Zion a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone for a firm founda- tion," and the inspired apostle, catching the spirit of these words and appealing to the experience and insuffi- ciency of man, is led to exlcaim, "For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." The insufficiency of man and the sufficiency of God is a truth not readily learned, but it lies at the basis of all true spiritual growth and development. Pride suf- fers many defeats in the contest of life and nowhere more frequently than when we are made conscious of our own inability to do the works of righteousness, relying upon our own strength. Our forefathers were not slow to grasp the truth of this doctrine and hence when we open the records of this old church, pages yellowed now by the onward march of time, we are not surprised to find the covenent relation expressed in this language: "We do now in the presence of God, angels and men, so far as we know our own hearts, solemnly choose and avouch the Lord, Jehovah, Father, Son and Holy Spirit to be our God Jesus Christ to be our Mediator and the Holy Ghost to be our Sanctifier. We give up ourselves, souls and bodies to be the Lord's, together with our seed, faithfully to serve him in the ways of his appointment sincerely promising by the help and assistance of divine grace that we will
28
POMPEY CENTENNIAL ADDRESSES.
deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly in the world, and renouncing sin and Satan, we do bind our- selves to walk together in a church state in Christian fellowship and communion in all the ordinances of the gospel." Thus was the covenant established between this band of devoted followers of Christ, and the God of faithful Abraham. What whole-hearted whole-souled consecration is this! I cannot but believe that the third chapter of First Corinthians must have been a favorite portion of the Scripture to those who gave expression to such genuine consecration. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God? " says the apostle, and the line of argument is most natural and logical. If Christians are the temple of God, and if the spirit of God dwells in them, 10 stronger motive can bear upon them than the need of holiness, and holiness is a matter of personal, concern. A man's duties to the church are duties to the spirit of God in the church, and the purity of principle and affection, purity of motive and aim, purity of life which he is bound to maintain, in brief his spiritual character grows out of his relation to the Holy Ghost. The church of Jesus Christ is much more than a society for mutual helpfulness, much more than a human institution and most truly human when most divine. It is a medium which in a large degree must furnish to the world its knowledge of a redeemer and the doctrine of the new incarnation is that of Christ made real to the world in you and in me and in every follower of the Divine Master.
We cannot get away if we would from the foundation upon which our fathers were satisfied to build. Eternal
29
HISTORICAL, SERMON.
truth that originated in the bosom of God, lies at the foundation of this spiritual temple, and though the pages of this old bible have been made to yield "treasures new and old," though these scriptures have ever been given a great variety of interpretations by each age of the world's history, to-day we stand where the fathers of the church stood, where all the saints and apostles have stood and looking into the face of our heavenly Father we can say "I know him whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." Ves the truth of God is unchanging and it is the glory of the work of Christ's church that it moves on after the workers have finished their tasks and gone to their reward, and in this truth we see another reason for success. What an army of the faithful would fill this presence if we could in a moment's time, muster all the forces that have preceded us on this field of ac- tion. But being denied that privilege, we can still re- joice in their works, for truly " their works do follow them." The glory of the Christian church is not alone in its foundation, but also in the indestructible of the materials of which it is composed.
The soul of man is immortal and redeemed souls forin the superstructure that is reared upon the foundation. It is indeed a wonderful provision God has made for the expression of the divine life. Human effort taken by itself avails but little, but when coupled with the mind and will of Almighty God, there is no limit to the pos- sibilities of attainment.
Could I summon before you this morning the long
30
POMPEY CENTENNIAL, ADDRESSES.
line of faithful pastors whose names and service are held in such grateful remembrance and ask of each one that same question that Paul asked of himself, "For what is your hope, or joy or Crown of rejoicing?," I am sure that the answer in every instance would not be polished discourses and literary efforts but rather that God had been pleased to honor their ministry by turning souls from darkness to light. It is not working but co-work- ing that evidences the spirituality of the service and gains its recompense.
If it is true that in the universe of God nothing is left at loose ends, equally is it a fact that no one placing himself in line with the plan and purpose of God can fail of see- ing the reward of his toil. It may be in another sphere of activity that he receives the recompense but there is no failure in the economy of God.
This century has witnessed the building of a spiritual edifice in which each part finds its own setting and shows divine beauty only as it shows divine life. Every true worker, now, in proportion as his work is true indeed, reveals the Father to the eyes of his fellow men.
In this sense there is much of beauty in the lines of Goethe, as translated by Carlyle:
" In Being's floods, in Action's storm
I walk and work, above, beneath,
Work and weave in endless motion Birth and Death and infinite Ocean,
A seizing and giving the fire of living
"Tis thus at the roaring loom of time I ply
And weave for God, the garment thou seest Him by."
31
HISTORICAL SERMON.
To you and to me is committed the task that was as- signed to the disciples of old, the task that has been as- sumed by all the followers of Christ, that of making Him a real power in the matter of daily living;and if this old church stands for nothing else today, if its hallowed and sacred walls echo no other thought this morning that shall find an abiding place in your hearts and become a living force in your life, may the thought that Christ died that you might live, awaken within you a new ill- pulse to live.
But there is another thought that comes to mne at this time suggestive of the glory and success of the Christian church, viz., that it invites all men to share in its privi- leges.
However far we may become separated from each other in matters secondary in importance, gathering in our different regiments to carry on the work of the Kingdom, we cannot get away from the doctrine of a full and free redemption and the offer of mercy that is sufficient to meet the needs of all mankind. I rejoice this morning in the thought that from this desk there goes forth as for a century past this welcome and soul-stirring invitation " Whosoever will may come." " All things are yours " says the inspired writer in a burst of enthusiasm. Workers are secondary and their work is eternal in its influence. There is no room and no excuse for party spirit and dividing lines in the church of Jesus Christ. I thank God that the dividing lines are being wiped out and that the names of denominations are being subordin- ated into their proper places as legitimate divisions of our
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.