USA > New York > Onondaga County > Jordan > Our church and her interests : being a souvenir of the past history and a survey of the present and future interests of the First Presbyterian Church of Jordan, Onondaga Co., N. Y. . . . > Part 2
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4th. No subscription, other than the purchaser's, to apply un- less it is mentioned at the time of sale.
5th. The purchaser of a slip or slips, who shall refuse to pay the first payment within ten days after the same shall become due, the slip or slips to be re-sold, and the loss, if any, to be paid by the first purchaser, he forfeiting all right to any advance which the sum may be sold for.
6th. The purchasers to give their notes to the Trustees for the amount of their purchases, payable as above stated ; and on the receipt of said notes by the Trustees, they will give to the purchaser a certificate for a deed to be given to the purchaser when the whole amount of the purchase money shall be fully paid.
7th. No material alteration to be made in any of the slips, un- less by the consent of a majority of the Trustees.
8th. The purchasers to sign their names to the above condi- tions."
25
OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
No.
PRICE.
PURCHASERS' NAMES.
WHOSE SUB. TO APPLY.
42
$125 00
Ira Jenkyns
12
115 00
66
66
44
125 00
Isaac Otis ..
10
115 00
Herman Jenkyns.
46
100 00
A. D. & E. W. Botsford.
8
105 0
Herman Jenkyns
40
110 00
Nathan Munro
14
96 00
John Dodge
43
125 00
Isaac Otis.
41
85 00
A. D. & E W. Botsford
13
81 00
P. Smith & Co.
39
70 00
Hollis Knowlton
15
75 00
David Steel.
48 16
75 00
Jas. W. Redfield
47
70 00
Edward Crane.
49
70 00
Eben Daggett.
Nicholls, Stevens.
17
65 00
Ira Jenkyns and B. Coonly .
51
75 00
H. Daggett.
37 9
60 00
O. Partridge and Botsford.
11
64 00
Erastus Baker, Jr
19
55 00
Henry Barr.
7
65 00
Wm. Stevens.
50
58 00
Sidney M Norton.
4
65 00
Pomeroy Tobey and Morris
5
70 00
Aaron Pitney
36
52 00
T. L. ( 'arson.
18
50 00
John Stevens.
53
50 00
William Nicholson.
35
45 00
James C'oonedale.
34
40 00
Aaron McKissick and brother
21
45 00
Benj. Coonley.
2
40 00
Eben. Moorehouse
3
40 00
Elihu Frary
52
40 00
Salmon Greene.
54
62 00
Mason, Carson, Newall, Benson
23
37 00
David, Henry and A. Ward.
22
35 00
John Eggleston, Simeon M. Carter. Herman Jenkyns
33
40 00
Ithamer Miller
1
49 00
L. B. Raymond and S. Powers.
30
40 00
Nathan Munro
20
30 00
E. E. Fulton
24
31 00
Ezra Breed and Van Valkenberg. Robert Steven.
21
D. Wilson (half) at $2 Feb. 1.
26
McBurney and Hurlbut, $4
28
Wililam Porter rented for one year from March 1st at $4.
29
25 00
Henry Warren.
31
68 00
H. Dodge
45
The sale of seats realized $3,173 ; the highest price per seat being $125, the lowest $25.
32
35 00
25
25 00
Beli, Cafflins & Riggs.
75 00
W. H. Knowlton.
6 rented Fred Prince.
26
OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
The seats were in the ancient, straight, high-backed style, con- structed, one would imagine, to screen sleeping children from, and prop up adults to, the preacher's gaze. The original pulpit was on the old principle. When we see one now, we involuntarily think of that toy of toys, "Jack in the Box," or the traveling institution of " Punch and Judy." The head only of the occu- pant being visible, we find ourselves making a free application of the passage " He taketh no pleasure in the legs of a man !"
Calvin Foote Daggett remembers that his father, being desirous to see more of the minister's fair proportions, caused the box-pul- pit to be replaced by one of more modern style, and placed for the ministerial seat the sofa now in the small session room.
Later in the history, a bell was subscribed for, costing about $450.
It has been said and repeated by divers informers, that a par- sonage was sold and the proceeds applied to defray this expense, on the principle, we presume, that it is better to furnish music for the multitude than a habitation for the needy pastor !
No material alteration was made in the structure till 1863, when the church was reconstructed to its present shape, at a cost of $ 4000.
Besides the society members, quite a number of business men of the village contributed to the enterprise.
Here let honorable and grateful mention be made of Mr. W. Thomson Graves, of Auburn, Mr. Stuart McKissick, of Albany, and Mr. William Newall, of Syracuse, as liberal subscribers to the reconstruction.
The architect of the work was Mr. White, of Syracuse ; the builder, Mr. Gibson, of this place.
The porch at the entrance way was affixed, and the entrance altered and improved. The galleries and old seats were taken away. The recess at the rear of present desk added, stained glass windows inserted, and the entire arrangement of seats re- versed, more modern seats being substituted for the old ones.
27
OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
The whole was frescoed, painted and renewed, making it one of the prettiest country churches for miles around.
There are indications of necessary repair and improvement, which will. we hope, soon be undertaken.
October 8, 1849, a large body of the seat-holders reliquished their " right, title, and interest in all pews belonging to them for " three years from the 1st Nov., for the purpose of raising the " salary of the minister, and for such other purposes as may be " necessary. " Ultimately the pews all passed into the hands of the trustees, to be rented or subscribed for as on the present basis.
At the time of the reconstruction of the church there was or- ganized, in an another form, the present Ladies' Society. It was then called the " Sans Souci Society, " or informal organization of Ladies for aiding in church labor and enterprize, notes of which are found in another part of this work, under the title "Our Ladies' Society."
It is a most valuable auxiliary to church enterprise, raising funds by means of sociables, entertainments and other suitable experients, to defray the cost of our music and singing, and aid in other departments of church work and benevolence. Already, as we trust, their warm hearts and busy brains are planning future improvements.
The sketch on the next page shows the present position of seats, and gives a list of those who occupy them :
28
OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
ORCHESTRA.
G. Barnes.
J. W. Dye.
Society.
PULPIT.
Society.
W. Sohnson.
Society.
48
49
50
1
2
3
47
Society.
Society.
26
25
Society.
Goodwin.
4
46 45 41
U. Hoskins.
Society.
27
24
Society.
Walker.
5
W. H. Pack.
A. B. Howe.
23
C. Barnes.
Burrell
9
W. Wagner.
Mrs. C. Daggett.
29
22
Society.
Van Keuren.
43
Goff and Howland.
Mrs. Weed.
30
21
Kelly. Reed.
R. E. Greene.
00
42
Jared Tyler.
C. McKissick.
31
20
C. Lull.
Hoskins and Spinning.
6
41
W. F. Jayne W. T. Stevens
I. C. Otis. S. Wood.
32
Mrs. Otis.
Gillespie. Broughton.
10
40
T. Stevens.
A. B. Howe.
33
18
S. Mann.
W. H. Nash.
11
39
J. Brown.
J. McKissick.
34
17
C. D. Barnes,
Mrs. Purce.
12
38
N. Breed.
John Tyler.
35
16
Carr and Dygert.
Auyer.
13
37
G. Jacobs.
Mrs. Lewis.
36
15
T. C. Ward.
Blakeslie and Carson.
14
Society.
Society.
ENTRANCE HALL.
FRONT.
The seats marked "Society " are to be rented.
28
.
19
29
OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
The financial arrangements of the church are now, evidently, on a better footing than ever before. The present system is a good one, and works well. There are some few points, however, where we think improvements might be effected. The weekly subscription plan-the " pay-as you-go " system-is undoubtedly the best for the individual Christian, the church and the com- munity, and should be adopted wherever practicable. The rais- ing and paying a minister's salary at uncertain times, and in uncertain amounts, is embarrassing alike to ministers and mana- gers of churches. Arrearages are fruitful sources of difficulty and unpleasantness to pastor and people alike. They worry the former by disarranging his affairs and detracting from his influence and good standing in the community ; while a church, which has the reputation of being always in debt, is shunned by many who would otherwise attend. Church debts are usually church curses.
To Dr. A. B. Howe, as actively interested in securing the transfer of the seats to the trustees and the present arrangement of the finances, much credit is due. Nor ought these memorials to go down to posterity without that meed of praise so justly due to our present Treasurer, Mr. William F. Jayne. His prompti- tude, regularity and integrity eminently fit him for the position he holds, the duties of which are so satisfactorily discharged.
Doubtless, if the present financial system had been set on foot years ago, the Society would own to-day a good parsonage ; for already two parsonages given to the Society have been sacrificed to ·the Moloch of debt. The house now owned and occupied by Nicholas Craner, clothier, was given to the Society about 1830, by Isaac Otis (grandfather of one of our present trustees and active supporters, J. C. Otis). Revs. Wm. Page, Washington Thacher and Huntington Lyman occupied it as such. It was sold, during the pastorate of said Huntington Lyman, to defray the debt on the bell and make up salary arrearages. During Mr. Thacher's ministry, he built for himself the house now occu- pied by the Misses Graham. On the death of Isaac Otis, Sr., in 1854, another lot, with a small house on it, came into the pos- session of the Society, which he bequeathed to it for a parsonage ; but Giant Debt gulped it down at one swallow! On the 27th
30
OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
of February, 1861, the Trustees of the Society petitioned the Onondaga County Court, and through its Judge (the Hon. Rich- ard Woolworth) obtained leave to sell the said lot to the present owner (Mr. Isaac C. Otis) for $250-it being distinctly stipulated in the order of the said court " that said sum of money shall be " used and expended for or toward the purchasing or procuring " of a parsonage for the use of the said corporation."
If I inquired the whereabouts of the $250, or of the Presby- terian parsonage (toward the purchase of which it was to have gone), I fear about as consoling a reply would reach me as did the Dutchman concerning the fate of his "leetle dorg"_"ground in the sausage mill"-of debt !
Before passing from this question of Church Finance, as illus- trating the result of debt, with a view to enforce the lessons of the past and not as censuring any one (for I censure no one in this paper, but simply desire to be "a faithful and true" histor- ian), there is one item worthy attention, and that is the un- doubtedly mistaken and near-sighted policy in selling the land at the back of the church, now owned by the Clinton Hotel. This was done many years ago, and many inconveniences have been the result. The lack of shed-room is a constant detriment to us.
It is for the present generation, as far as possible, to remedy the mistakes and retrieve ground lost by former indiscretion or mismanagement.
It will be a great and permanent advantage to the Society to seize the earliest opportunity possible for securing a parsonage and contriving for the erection of sheds near at hand.
The society has raised in building and repairing the church to the present time, not less than. $12,000 For supporting the ministry and sustaining the varied ap-
pointments of the church-i. e., "Congregational Expenses"-as nearly as can be estimated. 38,000
Benevolence reported to the General Assembly for
twenty-six years, and averaged on that basis for the remaining twenty-one years, about. 4,000
Total amount raised in forty-seven years not less than. $54,000
31
OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
The Statistical Table appended to this paper gives the list of ministers, length of service, salaries, and other figures pertaining to congregational expenses and church benevolence.
Here, with hearty appreciation, let me briefly refer to a beau- tiful custom which has contributed so largely to make the arrangements of the sanctuary attractive and pleasing. " A thing of beauty is a joy forever." It is a worthy part of religion to minister to the æsthetic instincts and appetites of human life. There is no warrant in scripture, or reason for excluding from God's house and worship everything beautiful and elegant and pleasing, in form and style and color. Religion, rightly appre- ciated and obeyed, harmonizes all the powers of human nature in joyful accord ; nor cramps, nor curtails the exercise of any faculty God has given. In external form and internal arrange- ments, a church should be so elegantly and beautifully constructed and furnished as to be worthy the title, " Our holy and beautiful house."
Whatever shall add beauty and grace to sanctuary services, and impress men that the religion of Jesus conserves and com- mends all that is pure and lovely and joy-inspiring, ought not to be despised.
Much as we admire and honor our puritan forefathers ; stren- uously as we would maintain those holy principles of church life and polity, which have given backbone and muscle and sinew and strength to our religious institutions and the characters of their supporters, we must dissent from that rigid and frigid ascetisin, which, in many of the exterior arrangements of religious edifices and services, has divorced beauty from holiness, and ·artistic attractions from christian profession and conduct. To reveal the harmonies of God's words and ways and works, that men may rejoice in God with all their powers and gifts, and that " their joy might be full," is the aim of true religion. To give " beauty for ashes ; the oil of joy for mourning ; the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." But I am wandering, unduly, into dissertation upon the æsthetic, as opposed to the ascetic aspects of religious worship and service, when I merely wanted to speak of floral and other tributes of beauty, which our ladies
32
OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
on special occasions, such as Ordinations, Sabbath School Con- certs, &c., have provided for the gratification of these tastes and the illustration of these harmonies.
Not only at these special services, but through the Floral season and whenever plants blossom into beauty, our ladies have brought them to the house of the Lord that the beauties of nature and the beauties of Zion's worship might be contemplated side by side.
Let honorable mention be made in this connection of Mrs Dr. Paine and Mrs Amanda Weed, who for many years have given this their care and and attention. Having themselves an eye and a taste for the beautiful, they have brought that into admirable exercise for the house of the Lord, into which men are to bring glory and honor, gifts and graces, "according to what they have, not according to what they have not." " Whatsoever things are " true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, " whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever' things are lovely, " whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue " and if there be any praise think on these things."
Before passing to the question of the spiritual interests and appointments of the church, it seems appropriate to allude to an event which excited profound sensation in this village-disarrang- ing its commercial arrangements, and, in more or less degree, affecting the financial interests of the churches. I refer to the recent fire, in which two or three of our supporters suffered heavy losses-Dr. A. B. Howe, Mr. Calvin Foote Daggett and Mr. Charles Kelly. Among the books of the latter, in his law office, which were completely consumed, were the trustees' records of our church.
On Sabbath evening, October 15, last, the villagers retired to rest as usual, everything apparently secure. The first hour of Monday morning had hardly dawned before they were startled by the cry of "Fire !" and awoke to find the village brilliantly illumined by the raging conflagration, which, in less than an hour of its discovery, utterly destroyed "The Munro Block." It was only by strenuous efforts that other buildings were saved.
33
OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
Many others, in different parts of the village, ignited, but by vigilance and activity the flames were put out, and the conflagra- tion limited to the block referred to.
Considerable snow having fallen on the previous Saturday evening, covering the roofs, largely accounted for the salvation of the entire business part of the village from destruction. It was necessary to keep watering the front of the church, to prevent its ignition.
The following account of the fire appeared in the Syracuse Journal of the same week :
TOWN NEWS.
A MOST DISASTROUS FIRE IN JORDAN-THE MUNRO BLOCK AND OTHER BUILDINGS BURNED-EIGHTEEN INDIVIDUALS AND FIRMS BURNED OUT-TOTAL LOSS, $61,600.
At an early hour Monday morning, a fire occurred in the village of Jordan, which destroyed one of the largest buildings, together with several smaller ones, and occasioning a loss of $60,000 in money, to say nothing of the losses which will accrue to the individuals and firms who were suddenly turned into the street, by a loss of time in pursuing their several avocations.
The fire was discovered at about a quarter past 12 o'clock, in the rear of Cra- ner's store, which was situated west of and across a lane from the Munro Block, one of the largest buildings in the village. A gale was blowing from the west at the time, and as soon as the flames found vent they spread with wonderful ra- pidity, to Jackson & Warner's coal and lumber offices adjoining on the west, to a dwelling still further west and partially occupied by the postoffice, and to a tene- ment house on the north, upon the bank of the canal. While these were burn- ing, the flames were driven against the roof of the Munro Block, built of brick, and despite the efforts of the firemen with their steamer, the fire swept through the entire upper part of the building, and with fearful rapidity worked its way to the basement. To save it was impossible, and the firemen abandoned it to save the Rogers Block and the Davis Block across the street. The wind blew so furiously that large pieces of burning wood were carried a long distance, at one time setting fire to Mr. Buck's house, nearly a quarter of a mile distant. School house No. 14 also caught fire, as did other buildings in the line of the current of air which was made red with sparks and cinders. The villagers gen- erally worked heroically in assisting the firemen in saving property, and only for their combined efforts it is quite certain that the fire would have swept through to the east side of the village and until it could have found no more buildings to conquer
The Munro Block was built about thirty years ago, at a cost of about $25,000. It is said to have been purchased by R. S. Sperry for $16,000, who now esti- mates his loss at $18,000 and holds policies for $12,000. Other losses and insur- ance are reported as follows :-
Mr. Craner, clothing, loss $10,000 ; insurance, $6,000.
Fancher & Cole, hardware, loss $7,000 ; insurance, $4,000.
C. H. Tucker, druggist, loss $6,000 ; insurance, $3,000.
Dr. A. B. Howe, druggist and stationer, loss $4,000 ; insurance, $600.
Daniel Guilfoyle, grocer, loss $3,000 ; insurance, $1,500.
Hunt & Murray, grocers, loss $1,500; insurance, $600. James Peck, market; loss slight.
C. F. Daggett, manager of the Western Union Telegraph office, loss on per-
34
OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
sonal effects, $500; no insurance. The company's loss is very light, the pro- perty having been removed.
S. M. Goff, grocer, loss small.
Stocking & Waterbury Brothers, tobacco and cigars, loss $3,000 ; insurance, $2,000.
H. P. Winsor, proprietor of the Transcript, loss $3,000 ; no insurance.
William Porter, law office-library, furniture, everything-loss $3,000; ınsur- ance, $700.
Charles Kelly, law office-part of library and furniture, legal papers saved- loss $1,000 : insurance, $500.
Jackson & Warner, coal and lumber office, loss $1,000 ; insurance unknown.
A. F. Tracy, jeweler, loss $1,500; insurance. $500. Much of his stock was re- moved.
Nichols & Bates, loss $100 ; no insurance.
Total of losses, $61,600.
There seems to be no doubt that the fire originated from the stove in the of- fice where it was first discovered Considerable property was saved, though the progress of the flames was so rapid as to prevent many of the sufferers from saving anything after their arrival. Mr. Porter's loss is particularly severe, since important papers, upon which no estimate in money can be made, are burned. The contents of the postoffice were saved.
Mr. W. C. Rodger and Mr. Converse have purchased the site, and the block will be rebuilt as soon as possible.
On the following Sabbath the pastor of this church preached, morning and evening, from Exodus iii., 2 and 3 : " Behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed ; taking as his theme, "Lessons from the Recent Fire, or Burnt yet Un- consumed," and applying, as the concluding reflections and ad- monitions, these points :
" I. The infinite superiority of the spiritual over the ma- " terial.
" II. The infinite folly and danger of neglecting the spir- " itual for the material.
" III. The infinite wisdom and blessedness of those who " make the spiritual their first and supreme concern."
" SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS."
Here we pass suitably to the consideration of the higher in- terests of our Church-those for which all material organiza- tions, all temporal arrangements, are made, and upon which all the energies of our hearts and hands should be focalized.
35
OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
The Spiritual Interests and Appointments.
In this connection, we speak first of the creed and constitu- tion, required to be subscribed by candidates for church mem- bership.
1521468
These were, originally, very lengthy and abstruse, but since their first framing have been twice altered.
The creed at first contained 18 clauses, and, with the covenant, extended to 18 folios, without Scripture proofs. One would im- agine a candidate required a regular course of study in a the- ological school before being able, with any degree of satisfaction, to subscribe. The creed remained in its original form until Jan. 6, 1844, when the Session, with Rev. Aaron Judson as Moder- ator, remodeled and simplified it, so as to reduce its bulk to 10 clauses, and, with the Covenant, 11 folios. March 5, 1876, the Session further simplified and shortened these requirements, so that now the Creed has but 7 clauses, and contains only 6 folios. A clear, simple, concise creed, couched in language intelligible to ordinary minds, and containing only the scriptural terms of church membership, free from the incumbrances of human inven- tion and prejudice, is most desirable ; and is what is aimed at in our present creed. While " the Spirit and the Bride say come " -and Christ, with inviting words, such as " the wayfaring man though a fool " may understand, bids the downcast and degraded come (without demanding an elaborate intellectual preparation)- shall the church bar her doors to the humblest Christian, until a subtle, abstruse and elaborate system of theology is mastered and subscribed ?
" With the heart man believeth unto righteousness ; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." There is great danger that the weak, timid, trembling, untrained lambs of the flock be rudely repelled and kept from the fold, by making the door too narrow for their entrance, or by those who are appointed as doorkeepers exacting a larger fee in coin or creed than the Great Shepherd, whose fold they keep, has authorized them to demand.
36
OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
The Constitution of the Session, on the rotary plan, was at- tempted under Mr. Dunning's pastorate, in 1859; restored and established in May of this year, under section viii, of chapter 13 of Form of Government (the new section added by General As- sembly, 1875). It is now composed of six elders. Their names and terms of office are given in the paper, "Our Present Ap- pointments."
The installed pastors of the church up to the present pastor- ate, have been Revs. Washington Thacher (8} years) ; Richard Dunning (5 years) ; Cyrus M. Perry (4 years) ; J. V. C. Nellis (2} years).
The stated supplies have been Revs. Aaron Judson (5 years) ; Immer N. Crittenden (3 years) ; Calvin Waterbury (2 years) ; J. O. Fillmore. D. D. (1} years) ; John Ingersoll, William Page, Huntington Lyman, H. B. Hosford (now president of a Western college), Ransom B. Welch, D. D. (Professor of The- ology in Auburn Theological Seminary), William Wakeman, Judson Aspinwall and Robert Proctor (one year each).
During long and short intervals, many students from Anburn Seminary have preached long and short sermons to a congrega- tion trained in the critical art by the frequent occasion given for its culture. Many a young man, with fear and trembling, has attempted his first public discourse from our pulpit, and not a few of these supplies have subsequently filled high positions in the ministerial calling.
It has, undoubtedly, been unfortunate for this (as for other churches near), that Auburn Seminary is so easily accessible. Longer and more settled pastorates would have been the case, had it not been so easy to get students. A false economy and oversight of the incalculable advantages of a resident, settled pastorate, has occasioned lengthy seasons of supply, during which the congregation, like sheep having no shepherd, have been more or less scattered abroad. Moreover, frequent change of supplies, with all kinds of preaching, "good, bad, and indifferent," un - settles the habits of a congregation and gives to the succeeding pastorate labor in resettling unsettled plans, which might be di- rected into other more agreeable channels of usefulness.
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