USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > First Church chronicles, 1815-1915 : centennial history of the First Presbyterian Church, Rochester, New York > Part 9
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The genuineness of the advance which the church was making under Mr. Robertson, in regaining strength lost during its troubles of 1860-70, was shortly to be tested. Quite
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suddenly, on May 31, 1877, Mr. Robertson presented his resignation. The letter is only half a dozen lines in length and tells nothing of the reasons. But that they seemed ade- quate to pastor and people is indicated by the pressing and acceptance of the resignation. In accepting it, however, the church adopted by a rising vote a series of affectionate reso- lutions. "We cannot express," these said, "our love for him or our gratitude for his ministry and work among us." It was noted that there had been a "net increase of 114 in the Communicants of the church, though the total resident membership is only about four hundred "; that as a preacher Mr. Robertson had "presented the truth with great tenderness and faithfulness, and with power over the heart and conscience "; and that "as a pastor he has sympathized with us in affliction, guided us in perplexity and con- firmed and strengthened us in trial."
It is proper to add that coupled with the sorrow occasioned by the departure of the pastor, there was very keen regret for the leav- ing of Mrs. Robertson. She had been an "ideal pastor's wife. Every one loved her and confided in her; while the love which she returned to the people of her husband's church expressed itself in all manner of helpful-
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ness and ever ready sympathy and under- standing."
On June IIth, Presbytery dissolved the pastoral relation, unanimously adopting reso- lutions expressing warm appreciation and esteem. After leaving Rochester, Mr. Robert- son went to Cortland, N. Y. Still faithfully engaged in the Master's business, he is now pastor of a church at Bronxville, N. Y.
XXIX
Dr. Robinson as Pastor
Six months after Mr. Robertson left, the church elected as pastor Rev. Lawrence M. Colfert of Philadelphia. The call was declined. On February 5, 1878, a committee was again appointed to select a candidate, and a month later announced its choice as Rev. Charles E. Robinson, D.D., of Troy, N. Y. Dr. Robinson was unanimously elected.
The pastor-elect was then forty-three years old. He was a graduate of Hamilton College and of Auburn Theological Seminary. He had been pastor of the Second Street Pres- byterian Church in Troy for eleven years, and previous to that had had a three-years' pastorate in Oneida. At the time of his com- ing to Rochester, a newspaper said of him, " He is of noble presence and graceful carriage,
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exhibiting in his speech the refinement of elegant culture. ... In the simplest service he possesses a persuasive eloquence. . . . He has large, beaming, tender eyes, and there is about him a tenderness that takes hold of the human nature in you and pleads with you."
Dr. Robinson preached his initial sermon in the church on the morning of March 16th, before a congregation " which filled it to over- flowing." At the close of this service he announced his acceptance of the call.
Beginning his duties on April 7, 1878, his installation took place on May 14th. The program included the anthem, "Oh, be joyful in the Lord "; prayer and Scripture reading; the hymn, "Oh, Lord, our God "; sermon by Rev. Dr. Herrick Johnson, of Auburn Theological Seminary; the anthem, "Sweet is Thy Mercy "; constitutional questions by Rev. Charles Durfee, Moderator of Presby- tery; installing prayer by Rev. Corliss B. Gardner; anthem, "How Lovely are the Messengers "; charge to the pastor by Rev. Herman C. Riggs; charge to the people by Rev. George Patton; and the hymn, "I love Thy Kingdom, Lord." A Session record notes that "the Chapel was filled with an attentive audience. . . . Rev. Dr. Herrick Johnson's discourse was one of great power
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and eloquence; and the charges to pastor and people were solemn and forcible. The heartiest and happiest congratulations were extended to the newly installed pastor after the congregation was dismissed."
The eight and a half years of Dr. Robinson's pastorate carried still further forward the rehabilitation so well commenced under his predecessor. The church grew in numbers, financial strength, and spiritual grace. Again there was a net gain of approximately a hun- dred members. A debt of $12,700 was paid off in the church year of 1879-80, leaving the valuable new property entirely clear of en- cumbrance. Contributions for benevolent pur- poses, which had fallen from the $8000 reached under Dr. McIlvaine to an approximate of $3000 in 1879-80, exceeded $5000 in the last year of Dr. Robinson's pastorate. The total enrollment of the Sunday School, including Emmanuel Mission, rose from 425 in 1878 to upwards of 900 in 1885.
As to the spiritual condition of the church, Dr. Robinson inaugurated the custom of following the week of prayer by four weeks of special services, during which he preached almost every day or evening. This was done for a number of years, and in the Session records of 1881 there is a note on " the large
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number of young men that are being drawn to the Church and Sunday School." In the winter of 1886 the First, Brick, and Central churches united in special daily revival ser- vices under the leadership of Rev. Edgar E. Davidson. Many came into the church as a result of these meetings and of the Communi- cants' class conducted by the pastor. In fact, at the April Communion of that year the acces- sions by profession numbered forty-six.
Under the rule of rotation in the Eldership, four new Elders were ordained in January of 1879-George C. Buell, Thomas Chester, Menzo Van Voorhis, and Charles H. Webb; two in Jan- uary of 1882-Newell A. Stone and David M. Hough; one in February of 1884-Henry Goold; and one-John M. Pardee-in Jan- uary of 1885. In 1880, D. M. Hough succeeded George C. Buell as Superintendent of the Sun- day School and he, after five years' service, was succeeded by John M. Pardee. Mr. Pardee, acting 1885-1886, was followed by Charles P. Ford. In 1882, George W. Car- penter, elected Treasurer of the Sunday School, began a term of service which was to continue uninterruptedly for thirty-two years .* At or about the same time James Johnston, made
* The conclusion of it in 1914 was fittingly marked by the presentation of a silver loving cup.
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Treasurer of the church, took up duties which he still performs.
There were many volunteer workers in Em- manuel Mission during these years; and to supplement their efforts, the Session, in Feb- ruary, 1886, employed Rev. T. M. Hodgman " to labor in the Mission Sunday School field for three months." So satisfactory were the results of Mr. Hodgman's efforts that in September he was appointed to take charge of the Sunday evening services at the Mission. On May 3, 1887, Emmanuel was organized into a church,-the youngest child of the Mother First. Its church life began with a Communicant roll of sixty-eight, of whom ten went from the First.
The Girls' Mission Band was started in the First Church in 1885, through the efforts of the pastor's wife. She, as in the case of Mrs. Robertson, was a most efficient and loved co-worker with her husband. The first meet- ings of the Band were held at her house, and she was its first president, giving to it the start which has kept it through thirty years an efficient organization-with its annual dis- tribution of Christmas baskets still one of the most successful community activities of the church. The first Secretary and Treasurer was Miss Julia O. Robinson. Other organ-
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izations of Dr. Robinson's pastorate included a Young People's Christian Union and a Mite Society.
An interesting event of this period was the part of the old First Church in the semi-cen- tennial celebration of the city of Rochester in June of 1884. On June 8th memorial services were held both morning and evening. The pulpit was decorated with palms and tropical plants and in the space in front of it was arranged a mass of white flowers with the figures " 50" in yellow roses. As already stated, the morning sermon by Rev. Tryon Edwards was the same that he delivered at his installation, fifty years before. In the even- ing, the pulpit was occupied by Rev. F. De W. Ward, D.D., of Geneseo, who in 1834 had been ordained in the First Church as a missionary to India. His text was from Psalms XVII, 15, " I shall be satisfied when I awake in Thy likeness." Having closed his sermon, Dr. Ward drew from his pocket an old and yellow manuscript, which, he said, was the same sermon in substance as that which he had just delivered. On its margin was written, " Preached in the First Presbyterian Church, Rochester, June 8, 1834." He then paid tribute to the pastors, Elders, and early mem- bers of the church.
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For many months Dr. Robinson's health had been so poor that for weeks at a time he had had to abstain from active work. It was therefore with no shock, though with great sorrow, that at a church meeting on No- vember 16, 1886, the people received from him a letter in which he asked that, on account of his health, they join with him in requesting Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation.
After many expressions of regret, a commit- tee was appointed to urge his reconsideration of the action, and to offer him a six months' leave of absence. To this committee Dr. Robinson replied that his resignation must be considered final. He felt assured, he told them-" though I love Rochester, and though this church is dear to me"-that there was little probability of the prompt regaining of his health. To remain would mean, then, doing only a part of his work, and the letting go of responsibilities. This, considering the needs of the church, was an action he could not contemplate. He closed his reply by say- ing: " Having put eight and a half years of my heart life into this church in the joyful labors and privileges of the Gospel ministry, I shall not forget the tie that has bound us together, and I can never cease to remember you with affection."
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The Session and Trustees, reporting to the church " the failure of all efforts " to change the pastor's decision, passed resolutions in which they said: "Not alone has he labored faithfully and ably in the house of God; he has come intimately into contact with the individual members of our organization. To young and old he has been trusted guide and loving friend. Strong in encouragement, gentle in reproof, abounding in sympathy and love, he has softened our griefs and intensified our Joys. . Our hopes and prayers go with him."
As already indicated, Mrs. Robinson also held a very warm place in the hearts of the congregation. She was prominent in every activity of the church. There was a peculiar charm in her strong personality, and both the pastor and his wife wonderfully drew to them the young people of the church, who were ever sure of their sympathy and under- standing.
Other convincing testimony to the affection which was felt for Dr. Robinson-if further testimony is needed-was offered in the cir- cumstance that quietly, without notation in the formal records of the church, there was made up for him a purse of $2000, which was presented at the time of his departure.
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After leaving Rochester, a considerable period of rest so restored Dr. Robinson's health that he was able to accept a pastorate in Scranton, Pa. He is now a resident of Pelham Manor, New York.
XXX
Dr. Millard
After the departure of Dr. Robinson, the pulpit was very acceptably supplied by Pro- fessor Oren Root, of Hamilton College. The sermons of Professor Root established so high a standard of thought that the committee appointed to secure a new pastor could not fail to place value on vigor of intellect. Their choice fell upon the Rev. Dr. Nelson Millard, who then was pastor of a church at Norwich, Conn. Dr. Millard was born in Delhi, N. Y. in 1834; was a graduate of Union College, and had received his theological education at Princeton and Union Theological Semina- ries. He had then spent a year and a half in Europe. Before going to Norwich, he had had pastorates at Montclair, N. J., and Peeks- kill and Syracuse, N. Y. The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity had been given to him in 1874 by Union College.
Dr. Millard accepted the unanimous call which the church extended to him at a meeting
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held on June 8, 1887; and on the 18th of the following September he began his labors. His formal installation did not take place, however, until April 24, 1888, Dr. Millard desiring first to feel assured that his breadth of view was not incompatible with the opinions of the church. The program was as follows:
Voluntary, organ. Invocation, Rev. C. P. Coit.
Scripture Lesson, Rev. W. R. Taylor, D.D.
Hymn, Rev. J. S. Root.
Prayer, Rev. Edward Bristol.
Anthem, Choir.
Sermon, Rev. S. S. Mitchell, D.D.
Constitutional Questions, Rev. T. D. Hunt, Moderator.
Installing prayer, Rev. George Patton, D.D.
Charge to pastor, Rev. J. B. Shaw, D.D.
Charge to people, Rev. Charles E. Robin- son, D.D.
Hymn, Rev. J. E. Kittridge, D.D.
Benediction, Rev. Nelson Millard, D.D.
The coming of the new pastor was followed, as so often, by considerable changes in per- sonnel among church officials. Thomas Chester was elected Sunday School Superintendent, serving from 1888 to 1890, when Charles Chichester succeeded him. On February 3, 1889, four Elders were ordained-Arthur S.
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Hamilton, Prof. Geo. D. Olds, Charles F. Pond and Thomas Chester-the latter re-elected. With the beginning of the new church year, April 1, 1888, the envelope system was adopted for collections for benevolences, and coin- cidently with the change George W. Carpenter was made financial secretary-a position which he has since held continuously. The follow- ing year the envelope system was adopted also for the current expenses of the church, and, as stated, James Johnston, Treasurer then, is Treasurer still. On Easter Sunday, in April, of 1889, there was begun yet another term of service whose length is still unbroken, William Rowe commencing then his work as sexton. The fidelity of the latter is sufficiently attested by the fact that in the twenty-six subsequent years, he has missed only two services-when, for one Sunday, he was ex- cused to attend the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Thus it may be noted that in all departments the loyalty of service which the First Church has ever been able to com- mand, did not pass with the older generation.
While scholarly sermons were the dominant characteristic of the pastorate of Dr. Millard, and while it is proper for the historian to pass with rapidity over these well-remembered later years, yet there stand out certain events
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which demand chronicle, that the History of a Hundred Years may be complete.
Within two years after the installation of Dr. Millard-i.e., in 1890-the First Church had not only paid off an accumulated float- ing indebtedness, but had canceled the mortgage on the property of Emmanuel Church, raising a fund of $2000 for Emmanuel's debts. At the same time there were sub- stantial increases in the contributions for benevolent purposes, and the Session notes record "a new awakening " in the spiritual life of the church. In 1891-2 the second Sunday service was changed from evening to late afternoon; and in the summer of 1892, under the direction of the women of the church, the walls of the auditorium and chapel were redecorated, the beautiful mosaic by Mait- land Armstrong, which is now in place behind the pulpit, was installed, and new carpets and upholstery were provided-the whole expense amounting to $5224, exclusive of the cost of a memorial window which was given pri- vately. Other windows of exceptional beauty have followed, and in 1895 the small parson- age which so crowded the church lot was torn down, and the old pipe organ was replaced by the present instrument, representing a value of nearly $10,000.
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INTERIOR OF THE PRESENT CHURCH
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On May 15, 1896, a great sorrow came to the church in the death of the pastor's wife, Mrs. Alice Boyd Millard. Mrs. Millard was admired, loved and honored by the entire congregation. The resolutions adopted by the Session fittingly speak of her "rare social qualities " and of her "intelligent devotion to the work of the church." The latter was shown through her activity in the Women's Missionary Society, in the Sunday School, and in every department of the church life. In Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Millard, there was a consecutive trinity of pastor's wives in which the church had been exceptionally blessed. The individuality of each was strongly marked, and each was deeply loved.
On October 1, 1898, at the house of Mrs. Gormly, there was organized the Women's Association for Christian Work. Subsequently rechristened the Women's Guild, this is still a very important factor in the work of the church. It is composed of chapters, to each of which some special branch of activity is assigned; and its monthly meetings, which have been held regularly during the seventeen years since its formation, never fail in interest. Much of both active work and financial aid have resulted from the Guild. Its first officers
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were: President, Mrs. William R. Gormly; Vice-presidents, Miss Sallie Hall, Mrs. Arthur Robinson and Mrs. John H. Brewster; Treas- urer, Miss Rumsey; Assistant Treasurer, Miss Mary Morse; Secretary, Mrs. Arthur L. Baker.
In 1893 the children of the Industrial School, who for many years had attended the First Church-marching in a body up the south aisle to occupy the front cross pews -ceased their attendance, the School giving up at that time the housing of children. On January 30, 1895, Professor Arthur L. Baker was ordained an Elder of the Church, and on February 27, 1898, Delbert C. Hibbard was so ordained.
At the morning service of October 1, 1900, Dr. Millard read to the congregation a letter of resignation. His pastorate was then the longest which the First Church had had. " You have made for me," he said, " these thirteen years of my life among you, by your unbroken respect, loyalty and love, years of such enjoyment of the pastoral relation as falls to the lot of very few ministers." Yet, he announced, he had come to "a settled conviction that some other and younger man can do better than myself the work needed to be done by the pastor of this church and can
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inspire you to do more thoroughly the work which you, its people, need to do. I believe you are entitled to the more vigorous services that some younger man can render." He therefore presented his resignation, adding, "No words can express the sadness I feel in contemplating that the time is near when I can no longer say that you are 'my people.'"
The church earnestly asked that the resigna- tion be withdrawn, proposing the appoint- ment of an associate to relieve Dr. Millard of pastoral cares. On October 17th, he re- plied that his conviction was final, and a month later, November 15, 1900, Presbytery dis- solved the pastoral relation. He still occupied the pulpit for a time, however. Taking no other pastorate, he remained in Rochester, maintaining close social relations with the congregation. His death occurred January 5, 1910, and the funeral was from the church which had so long been his and where his friends were so many.
XXXI
Dr. Miller
At a Wednesday evening meeting on No- vember 21, 1900, the committee appointed to secure a successor to Dr. Millard reported its choice of the Rev. George D. Miller, who
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then had a church at Warsaw, N. Y. Mr. Miller was a graduate of Hamilton College and of Union Theological Seminary. He was a young man, as Dr. Millard had recommended that his successor should be, being but thirty- two; but he had had his charge in Warsaw for six years, and prior to that had been pastor for two years of a church at Southold, Long Island. The call was unanimously given, and was accepted, Mr. Miller beginning his work with the new year.
The installation took place on May 3, 1901. The sermon was by Rev. William R. Taylor, D.D., of the Brick Church, who selected Ephe- sians II, 8, as his text. The charge to the pastor was delivered by Rev. Herman C. Riggs, D.D., and the charge to the people by Dr. Millard. Rev. Dr. Kittridge, of Geneseo, offered the closing prayer and pro- nounced the benediction.
Following the installation of Mr. Miller, Charles P. Ford and Frederick A. Sherwood were ordained as Elders, on June 2, 1901, and Frederick Durand and Charles Mulford Robin- son as Deacons. Mr. Durand died the fol- lowing year, and Mr. Robinson and John P. Silvernail were, on March 7, 1902, made Elders, when E. N. Walbridge, G. H. Parmelee and A. Findlay were elected Deacons. On
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June 6, 1904, Edward N. Walbridge was or- dained an Elder; and in October, 1906, F. A. Combs was made Deacon.
Under the new pastor's leadership the activ- ities of the church began to expand, and within the church itself to aim at greater efficiency. At a meeting of the Society on June 12, 1901, it was voted that an invitation be extended to the Rev. Robert F. Fitch, of Ningpo, China- now of Hangchow-to be its representative in the China mission field. The invitation was accepted, and the Church has made itself ever since responsible for the major portion of his salary. In October of the fol- lowing year Miss Florence Mclaughlin, who had been doing volunteer work through the Sunday School for six months, was retained on part time as Pastor's Assistant, and in the spring of 1904 she was engaged to give all her time. In September of that year, the work becoming still further specialized, Miss Mc- Laughlin's efforts were concentrated on the Sunday School-especially on the younger children and on the visiting of the homes of the pupils of all departments-and the Rev. Stanley F. Gutelius, just graduated from Auburn Seminary, was called to serve as Assistant Pastor. Both Miss Mclaughlin and Mr. Gutelius performed their duties to the
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great satisfaction of the people, and it was with real regret that in just a year the church yielded to the necessity of letting Mr. Gutelius go, that he might accept a call to the pastorate of a church in Iowa. Miss McLaughlin is still serving. The Superintendents of the Sunday School during the pastorate of Mr., now Dr.,* Miller were: Roland B. Wood- ward, 1900-1903; Clarence A. Mclaughlin, 1904-1905; Charles Winslow Smith, 1906- 1907; Lloyd G. Davis, 1908-1909.
On Sunday, January 9, 1906, the church celebrated the ninetieth anniversary of its organization under a regular pastor. At the morning service, Dr. Miller presented a val- uable historical paper reviewing the career of the church; and in the afternoon there were short addresses by Dr. Millard, Dr. William S. Ely, and Charles F. Pond. On the fol- lowing evening, the Men's Club of the church held a dinner, at which a hundred guests were served. There were speeches by Charles M. Williams, grandson of the first pastor, by Eugene Denton, Rev. Dr. Converse of St. Luke's, Rev. Dr. S. Banks Nelson of St. Peter's, W. W. Webb and Charles F. Pond. Music was in charge of W. W. Chapin.
* Hamilton College conferred the honorary degree of D.D. upon Mr. Miller in June of 1903.
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As if the recollection of its past had given new impetus to the church, there was a largely attended meeting on May 16, 1906, to con- sider plans for an enlargement of the chapel, in order that the Sunday School might have better facilities for work. Tentative plans for rebuilding were exhibited, and a finance committee and a building committee were appointed. When the plans had been care- fully worked out, the Trustees, at a formal meeting in February, 1907, voted to under- take the proposed construction together with such alterations of the church building itself as might be necessary.
Actual work was commenced in May, the sessions of the Sunday School being at once transferred to the assembly room of the Mechanics' Institute. The church services were continued in the auditorium until the beginning of the vacation period, July Ist. On their resumption, in September, 1907, they also were transferred to the assembly room of Mechanics' Institute. The Sunday School was able to convene in its new building on June 20, 1908. The church did not get back to its auditorium until the second Sunday in February, 1909.
It seems unnecessary to include in this vol- ume a description of the church buildings as
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now improved. Their convenience and beauty are obvious to all who enter. But the com- pleteness of the kitchen may be mentioned, because every one will not see it; nor will every one know of the heating and venti- lating system. This includes a battery of four warm air furnaces and a Sturtevant fan, which keep a large volume of air, warm in winter and cool in summer, moving steadily. All the air, before it is moved by the fan, is filtered through a screen of water, and in the main auditorium-a space of 180,000 cubic feet- the air can be changed every twelve minutes. A notable feature also is the quality of the glazing which supplements the memorial win- dows. The skylight in the Sunday School room reproduces in glass a coffered wooden ceiling; the aisle windows of the main audi- torium are adaptations, in vertical lines and flamboyant cuspings, of the great window in the front façade of Milan cathedral; and in the outer and vestibule doors crystal leaded glass has been inserted.
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