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1820=1895 DIO Stone Church
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Cleveland, First Presbyterian church.
ANNALS
OF THE
First Presbyterian Church
of Cleveland,
1820-1895.
BEING
SERMONS AND PAPERS
CALLED OUT BY
THE CELEBRATION OF
HER SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY, CLEVELAND, O.
PRESS OF WINN & JUDSON, 1895.
BX9211 CGF4
TO THOSE WHO COME AFTER US, IN THE LOVING SERVICE OF CHRIST OUR LORD, IN THE COMMUN- ION OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, THIS VOLUME, WHICH BRINGS DOWN TO DATE, WITH REASONABLE FULNESS, THE HISTORY OF THIS CHURCH, IS INSCRIBED. "OTHERS HAVE LABORED AND YE HAVE ENTERED INTO THEIR LABORS."
By exchange Western Reserve Hist. Soc 1923
0
5 € ¢
G. W. B. 4/28/23
Stone Church Annals.
The Seventy- Fifth Anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church was appropriately celebrated, beginning Sunday, October 20, 1895. The Sunday School led the way with the following program :
EXERCISES.
INVOCATION .REV. F. W. JACKSON
USUAL QUARTER'S RESPONSIVE EXERCISES.
SONG SENIOR DEPARTMENT
READING OF SCRIPTURES. REV. F. W. JACKSON SONG PRIMARY DEPARTMENT
SHORT TALKS .. .. BY T. P. HANDY, F. C. KEITH AND R. F. SMITH SONG SENIOR DEPARTMENT
SHORT TALKS BY H. N. RAYMOND AND DR. HAYDN
SONG.
INTERMEDIATE DEPARTMENT
SHORT TALKS.
. BY DR. DUTTON AND E. C. HIGBEE
LETTERS FROM ABSENT SUPERINTENDENTS.
SENIOR DEPARTMENT
SONG.
MR. JACKSON BENEDICTION.
Then followed in order, to the social festivities of Thursday evening, the program, herewith presented. The interest continued, unabated, to the end. Several octogenarians looked in upon the occasion, and the interest of many outside the Church was very gratify- ing. Mr. T. P. Handy not only read his paper, but was daily present-none more welcome, none more interested. From New York came Dr. Wilton Merle
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
Smith, to arouse the enthusiasm of other days, and tell us the secret of power in doing the work given us to do. Rev. Henry Elliott Mott hastened from the ocean steamer that brought him home, to speak of the "Down-Town Church," and its mission, which he knows so well how to magnify. Every body seemed to feel that it was good to have been a part of such a history. Special interest centered in the parlors of the chapel, where were grouped a vast number of pictures of former members, and tablets with names of elders, trustees, etc. A reproduction of the chapel and parlors, in part, is presented in these pages.
The committees in charge were constituted as follows :
General Committee on Program :
HIRAM C. HAYDN, SERENO P. FENN,
RICHARD C. PARSONS, CHARLES L. KIMBALL,
REUBEN F. SMITH, MRS. H. KIRKE CUSHING,
MRS. GEORGE W. GARDNER.
Committee on Invitation :
REUBEN F. SMITH, MRS. GEO. W. GARDNER,
EDWIN C. HIGBEE, MRS. L. AUSTIN,
HERBERT E. BROOKS, MRS. SERENO P. FENN.
Committee on Finance :
SAMUEL A. RAYMOND, MRS. W. S. TYLER,
FRANK HERRICK, MRS. J. V. PAINTER.
The Social Reunion was under the management of the Ladies and Goodrich Societies, assisted by the Haydn Circle of young misses.
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
The following invitation was in due time issued :
1820 -- 1895
OU are cordially invited to be present and partic- ipate in the Exercises commemorative of the
Seventy-Fifth Anniversary
of the organization of the First Presbyterian Church of Cleveland, Ohio, to be held in the Church Edifice, corner of Ontario Street and the Public Square, October 20th, 21st, 22d, 23d and 24th, 1895.
Hiram C. Haydn, Pastor.
William P. Stanton, Clerk of Session.
Reuben F. Smith, Edwin C. Higbee, Herbert E. Brooks, Mrs. Geo. H. Gardner, Mrs. L. Austin, Mrs. S. P. Fenn,
Committee of Invitation.
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
The program decided upon and carried out is found in the pages following :
1820-1895
Pastor :
Choir :
HIRAM C. HAYDN,
1872-1880 1884-1895
MR. W. B. COLSON, JR., Organist and Choir Master. MISS BLANCHE NIELSSON ARMSTRONG, Soprano.
MISS SARAH LAYTON WALKER, Alto.
MR. H. A. PRESTON, Tenor.
MR. W. S. DUTTON, Baritone.
Programme.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20TH, 10:30 A. M.
ORGAN PRELUDE-"Allegro Moderato" (Pontificale Sonata )
Lemmens - DOXOLOGY AND CREED.
INVOCATION.
ANTHEM-"Still, Still with Thee," - Arthur Foote
RESPONSIVE READING-From Scripture.
PASTOR .- Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
PEOPLE .- In the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion,
On the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
We have thought of thy kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth.
Thy right hand is full of righteousness.
Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad because of thy judgments.
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
Walk about Zion, and go round about her : tell the towers thereof.
Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces ; That ye may tell it to the generation following.
For this God is our God for ever and ever ; He will be our guide even unto death. Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion ; And unto thee shall the vow be performed.
O thou that hearest prayer,
Unto thee shall all flesh come.
Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee,
That we may dwell in thy courts :
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his. praise to be heard.
Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
God be merciful unto us and bless us : and cause thy face to shine upon us :
That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
Let the people praise thee, O God, let all the people praise thee.
Of Zion it shall be said, that this man was born in her : And the highest himself shall establish her.
The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, That this man was born there.
As well the singers, as the players on instruments shall be there.
All my springs are in thee.
Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound.
They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day.
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
And in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
For thou art the glory of their strength :
And in thy favor our horn shall be exalted. Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kind- nesses,
For they have been ever of old.
Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us.
Establish thou the work of our hands upon us.
Yea, the work of our hands, establish thou it. ALL .- Now unto him that 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.
GLORIA-"Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost."
SCRIPTURE LESSON.
HYMN-No. 753.
PRAYER. HYMN-No. 757.
OFFERING AND PRAYER OF CONSECRATION.
OFFERTORY-" O Rest in the Lord," (Elijah) - Mendelssohn
MISS WALKER.
SERMON-By the Pastor.
ANTHEM-"God so Loved the World," - Stainer PRAYER AND BENEDICTION.
ORGAN POSTLUDE-" Marche Pontificale ( Pontificale Sonata )
Lemmens
3:30 P. M.
SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. Union of Presbyterian Churches.
ORGAN PRELUDE-"Adoration," - - - Dubois To PRESIDE-Rev. D. O. Mears, D. D.
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
THE SERVICE OF THE BREAD-Rev. Paul F. Sutphen, D. D. THE SERVICE OF THE CUP-Rev. Jas. D. Williamson.
ORDER OF SERVICE :
INVOCATION-The Pastor.
SCRIPTURE AND HYMN-No. 606-Rev. John S. Zelie. ANTHEM-" O Lamb of God," - - Lake -
ADDRESS-Dr. Mears. THE BREAD-Dr. Sutphen. THE CUP-Rev. Jas. D. Williamson.
HYMN-No. 1021-Announced by Rev. T. Y. Gardner. BENEDICTION-Rev. A. J. Waugh. ORGAN POSTLUDE-Offertory in D flat, - Salome
EVENING SERVICE. 7:15 P. M.
ORGAN PRELUDE-" Prayer,"
-
-
Gigout
HYMN-No. 964.
INVOCATION.
ANTHEM-"God to Whom We Look Up," - Chadwick SCRIPTURE LESSON .- Dr. D. O. Mears.
ANTHEM-" God is Love," -
-
Shelley
MR. DUTTON AND QUARTETTE.
PRAYER-Rev. John S. Zelie.
OFFERTORY-" Cantilene in A,"
-
Salome
MR. COLSON.
-
SERMON-"Then and Now-A Contrast."-By the Pastor. ANTHEM -- " Love not the World," -
-
Sullivan
MISS WALKER AND QUARTETTE.
PRAYER. HYMN-No. 911.
ORGAN POSTLUDE-"Hosannah,"
-
-
Dubois
-
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
MONDAY EVENING.
7:30 P. M.
ORGAN PRELUDE-" Marche Religieuse," - - Guilmant DEVOTIONAL SERVICE-Conducted by Rev. J. S. Zelie.
ANTHEM-" Benedictus in E flat," SOLO-"I will Sing of Thy Great Mercies," (St. Paul) - Mendelssohn
- Klein
MISS ARMSTRONG.
ADDRESS-" The Church and the Community."
Dean Williams of Trinity Church
ANTHEM-" All Praise to God," - Wagner
ADDRESS-" The Church and Religious Progress." Rev. L. L. Taylor of Plymouth Church
SOLO -" O Saviour Hear Me," MISS WALKER. - Gluck-Buck
ADDRESS-"The Church as a Witness to the Truth."
Rev. Levi Gilbert, D. D., of the First Methodist Church ANTHEM-" O for a Closer Walk with God," Foster - -
ADDRESS-"The Church in Her Fellowships." Rev. A. G. Upham, D. D., of the First Baptist Church HYMN-No. 824.
BENEDICTION.
ORGAN POSTLUDE-March in D, - - - Smart
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
2:30 P. M.
DEVOTIONAL SERVICE-Conducted by Rev. Giles H. Dunning. HYMN-No. 399.
ADDRESS-" The Founders of the First Church."
Hon. T. P. Handy
HYMN-No. 4II.
PAPER-"Our Work with the Young." Mr. Charles L. Kimball SOLO.
MRS. MARY FOOTE SEVERANCE.
PAPER-" Our Young People." Mr. Giles R. Anderson
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
HYMN-No. 427.
PAPER-" Personal Recollections of Bygone Times." Mrs. Mary M. Fairbanks HYMN-No. 523.
TUESDAY EVENING. 7:30 P. M.
ORGAN PRELUDE-Cantabile, - - - Lemaigre DEVOTIONAL SERVICE-Led by Rev. Jas. D. Williamson.
ANTHEM-"The Day is Gently Sinking," - Gilchrist MISS ARMSTRONG AND QUARTETTE.
ADDRESS-" Our Spiritual Leaders." Hon. Richard C. Parsons SOLO-" Here Let My Tears Flow." - Handel
MISS WALKER.
ADDRESS-" Men of Mark in Church and Society."
Hon. Samuel E. Williamson
ANTHEM- " Benedictus," " Lord of all Power and Might," Chadwick Case
ADDRESS-" The Cleveland Sisterhood of Presbyterian Churches." Rev. S. P. Sprecher, D. D.
HYMN-No. 962.
BENEDICTION.
ORGAN POSTLUDE-Allegro Vivace, Sonata No. 2, Guilmant
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. 2:30 P. M. WOMAN'S WORK.
DEVOTIONAL SERVICE-Led by Rev. Theodore Y. Gardner. HYMN-No. 370.
PAPER-"In the Inner Circle-the Ladies' Society."
Mrs. H. Kirk Cushing
HYMN-No. 173.
PAPER -"In the Outer Circle-Missions." Mrs. E. C. Higbee SOLO-
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
MRS. JOHN SHERIDAN ZELIE,
PAPER-" Leaves from Goodrich Society Annals."
Mrs. Samuel Mather
HYMN-No. 416.
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
7:30 P. M.
ORGAN PRELUDE-"Benediction Nuptiale," - Saint Saens PRAYER.
THE OUTLOOK -Report of Committee-
S. P. Fenn, Moses R. Swift, Mrs. Samuel Mather.
ANTHEM-"Still, Still with Thee," Foote
ADDRESS-Rev. Henry Elliott Mott, Central Church, Buffalo.
ANTHEM-" Abide with Me," Biedermann
MISS WALKER AND QUARTETTE.
ADDRESS-Wilton Merle Smith, D. D., Central Church, New York. HYMN-No. 557.
BENEDICTION.
ORGAN POSTLUDE-Scherzo from Sonata No. 5, Guilmant
THURSDAY EVENING.
7:30 to 10:00 P. M.
A SOCIAL REUNION,
Limited, of necessity, to present and former members of the First Presbyterian Church and invited guests.
It should be said that the recent discourses here- with printed, seemed essential to completeness, and do not over-lap each other, while the re-print of the historic sermon on Presbyterianism in Cleveland, brought down to date, seems to be justified by its statistical value, and its probable usefulness to those
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
who come after us. It aims also to set the First Church fairly in relation to other churches and the vital interests in our city.
It is to be regretted that no report of the exercises of Wednesday evening was made. The addresses were all delivered ex tempore, and followed upon the Report of a Special Committee, consisting of S. P. Fenn, M. R. Swift and Mrs. Samuel Mather, upon The Outlook. This report is here presented with these outlines of the Anniversary. It is thought by many that the report anticipates, in some of its features, a period yet quite remote. The financial strength of the parish, if available, is adequate for immediate needs, and the thought of outside help, now or ever, is felt to be illusory.
REPORT OF THE OUTLOOK COMMITTEE.
READ BY MR. FENN.
The problems that confront the Old Stone Church, in the future no less than in the past, may be classified, very naturally, under three heads, viz: money, methods and men. But with this difference : the present conditions, as to each, are radically at variance with those existing seventy-five, fifty or even twenty- five years ago. Money which came then in pew rent- als and liberal gifts of individual members of the church and congregation, must, after awhile, be secur- ed largely from other sources ; for with sorrow we are forced to note that the ranks of men and women of
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
wealth and liberal means, upon whom we once de- pended, are thinning out, as the years go by. Not less, but rather a larger amount of money is demanded for the prosecution of the work of the future; for the population dependent upon our ministrations is greater, and the ability of those who can be counted upon to help themselves and others, is much less; and their gifts, liberal though they may be, in proportion to their means, must be supplemented by a regular and reliable income, larger by far than is now in sight.
Moreover, our work is to become, in an ever- increasing degree, an outlet and expression of the evangelical efforts of the city in this district, and must enlist the active sympathy and support, not only of sister churches and congregations, but also that of the public at large.
The substantial endowment already provided, through the devotion and thoughtfulness of a few of our number, we believe we are not presumptuous in assuming, will be enlarged by the gifts of many more noble men and women of our membership and con- gregation. This will come from those who love the work, love the church, and can find no greater delight than in being the means of perpetuating their influ- ence after they, like others gone before, are gathered into the number of the silent host. The gifts of the Old Church which have been in the past, so liberal to missions and mission churches, and to the work of church extension, under the conditions of the future, must grow less, and be reversed in a large degree upon herself, for her own preservation, the nurture of
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
her own life, and the developing of her own field.
The solution then of the problem as to money, we believe to be, first, the providing of a more liberal en- dowment; second, contributions, as usual, by the church herself, and, third, annual gifts from the mem- bers of other churches and congregations, and the generous public as well.
2. As to methods, the Old Church should remain on its present site. Services, as attractive and in- structive as any in the city, should be maintained, and this for an audience composed partly of strangers, somewhat from the old families not yet severed from the early home, and largely of people dwelling in hotels and boarding-houses, and of such as have learn- ed to love the place for what it has done for them in brightening their lives and homes, and saving their children and friends. Of these classes there will never be a lack, while the influence for good, among the transient people alone, will reach to the remotest ends of the earth, unhindered either by race or na- tionality.
While we say this for the church as it stands, we, at the same time, are thoroughly of the opinion that the mission of this greatest of all institutions can never be fulfilled in this neighborhood through these services or under this roof alone.
* There is needed a central Parish House, with an audience-room comfort- able and of easy access, where popular and evangelistic services can be held regularly, with doors always open and a hearty welcome assured to all, both by day and night ; into which the poorest and most abandoned,
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
the unfortunate and the outcast need never hesitate to enter, and where they could be certain of finding a refuge for both body and soul; where, in both sum- mer and winter, the common people will be sure to hear the gospel, in and by and through which they may be led upward into better lives, and to an awak- ened sense of what the church is meant to be to all who come within its shelter, and to know how much there is in Christian life and worship wherever they exist, whether in stately edifice or mission house. Under its sheltering roof should be found ample ac- commodation for several of our benevolent organiza- tions.
The Boys' Club, than which there is nothing more promising at present, reading room, amusement and study room, gymnasium and bathing facilities ; a like organization for girls, with similar facilities; Kinder- garten, Mother's meetings, Sewing school, Cooking school, and last but not least a Training school for Christian workers, into which and from which may be drawn those who are to be helpers in all departments, including the Sunday School.
With these two centers of influence fully equipped, two, and yet to all intents and purposes one, the in- fluence of the Old Stone Church can be perpetuated indefinitely. The Pastor and Session of the church, with a board of managers, might constitute a body of counsellors, to whose wisdom could safely be confided the entire work of the church within its proper field.
We would also emphasize the need of thorough co- operation and counsel with the management of all
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
other benevolent organizations operating within these boundaries, both in view of the greatest efficiency as well as economy in the prosecution of the work.
As to men, one fact must be recognized at the out- set, that in the changed constituency of the church, and the possible failure of volunteer workers, more dependence must continually be had on the paid services of a competent corps of helpers, sufficient to assure efficiency in all plans adopted. We fear no loss in this, by the change from present methods, but rather a vast gain. Comparatively few individuals, devoting all their time and thought to the prosecution of a common object, can accomplish far more than many people engaged in fragmentary and irregular services. Besides, the extent to which workers can be developed out of the material at hand, depends upon the amount of training they may receive in the schools and classes of the Parish building. Surely it would be a step in this direction to establish an effi- cient Training school from which could soon be drawn helpers of great value in the prosecution of all lines of work. Your committee counts one thing certain that, if the work cannot be planned to run with an equipment of men and woman living close at hand, it will be crippled and unsatisfactory in results. Agen- cies should not be multiplied beyond the limit of thorough equipment. Consecration is demanded from every member now upon, or that may come upon, our church roll ; and there should not be one, in possession of full powers of mind and body, who does not lend a hand in some of these lines of effort. Still it will
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
always be true that no large number of volunteers will regularly come from distant parts of the city to labor, either on week-day or Sunday, in Sunday School or mission house.
Your committee considers the outlook as being full of promise, both as to such an equipment and the occupancy of our church field. We have a useful plant now, but we should have more by half, both in land and buildings. We have an endowment that should be doubled. We have an efficient Pastor, and should have two ; and the church as it stands is then equipped, and well equipped. The Parish house, of which we speak, must have an equipment of its own, where, with missionary helpers and teachers, the mul- titude shall be ministered to in a way as broad as the gospel of Christ will allow. The poor will here find a church home from the start, and the way-farer and wanderer a resting place and harbor of refuge. The combination of church and mission Parish house will furnish the opportunity to lead the child to the full- grown man, in body and mind, for the present life and the life to come; and if in the end the outgrowth of it all be that our constituency become some time less strictly denominational, it will only be because it is the more thoroughly Christian.
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS.
Mr. Ogden, the First Associate Pastor, Writes to his Senior:
"I owe to your kindness an invitation to be present at the 75th anniversary of the First Church. That it would give me much pleasure to be able to accept it, I trust I need not say; unfortunately I shall not be able.
"Though my connection with the church was but brief and subordinate, many friendships were formed at the time which retain a warm place in my memory. My indebtedness to you, in particular, was something great in those years, and I hope you have believed me sensible of it, even if I have been chary in ex- pressing it. It may be hard for you, it is for me at times, to believe that my life now and then is all of one piece in aim and master-motive, if so widely dif- ferent in outward circumstance; yet I am bound to believe it, nevertheless, on Browning's principle, 'a whole I planned.'
"However, I want only to thank you for the invi- tation. If, by chance, any old friend should mention my name, in anniversary week, be kind enough to express my interest in the celebration, and to say that I am well, busy and happy-both in work and family."
President Simpson, of Marietta, writes:
"Upon my return from the National Council and the meeting of the American Board, I find two invita- tions to attend the seventy-fifth anniversary of the
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
old First Church. I very much regret that the invi- tations came too late for me to accept and be with you, for I am deeply interested in the old Church, and would have been very glad to have met you and the other pastors and those who are still carrying on the good work. Be assured of my deep interest in the Church and of my readiness to rejoice in all the pros- perity that comes to it."
Rev. Joseph H. Selden, former Associate Pastor, now Pastor at Elgin, Ill., writes:
"I am well aware that you are one accustomed to say to a man come, and he cometh. It is not easy to say 'no' to a suggestion of yours, especially where it would be a pleasure to assent, as it would for me in relation to the Old Stone Church celebration. I am sincerely obliged for the repeated invitation, though I still find it impossible to attend. I trust everything will move on as you would choose, and that the stirring of memory this 75th anniversary will bring, will insure fresh courage and zeal for the work that remains."
From Saginaw, Mr. Knight Responds:
"I was away last week, and overlooked responding to the reminder kindly sent us of the anniversary meeting. We want to send our most heartfelt con- gratulations on the occasion and our grateful thought as to what it means for the past and for the future."
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
Mr. B. F. Shuart, a former Assistant, expresses his good will:
"Your invitation to the exercises commemorative of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Old Stone Church came a day or two since, and we appreciate your kind remembrance of us in connection therewith. I think of you and the work often. I trust the approaching celebration may mark the beginning of a new era in the life of the Stone Church. God grant that it may; and that 'showers of blessing' may descend upon pastor and people during the exercises and during the weeks and months to follow."
Rev. Chauncey W. Goodrich, son of a beloved Pastor of this Church, whom we hoped to have with us, expresses his interest and regrets in the following terms:
"Your very kind letter has come duly to hand. I need hardly tell you how deeply all of our family are interested in this anniversary of the Old Stone Church. For myself, whatever diffidence I might feel about standing up to speak in that pulpit of so many associations, I still could not say 'no' to your kind invitation did my circumstances here permit me to come. Unfortunately, however, I am not my own master in this matter. I am but just established in my new charge here in Orange with all that that implies and my installation is being arranged for some date close to the 20th. The days are not long enough for the things that must be done and I could not with-
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STONE CHURCH ANNALS.
out truancy run away for a single day from my people at this juncture. It is with very great regret that I write you as I must. I think, however, that you know that no light matter would keep me from taking part in a service of such significance and interest.
"With sincere regret that I must disappoint you and with cordial appreciation of the kindness of your invitation, very truly yours."
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