USA > Ohio > Butler County > Middletown > A history of the life and work of the First Presbyterian Church of Middletown, Ohio (Dayton Presbytery) from its foundation in 1819 to 1919 > Part 8
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An attempt to recall the activities of the church in those bygone days would go far amiss if it did not include the prominent mention of the fine spirit of cheerful and effi- cient participation by the women, a characteristic then as now that we delight to honor and respect, but while this is a dependable quality at all times I now am recalling fond recollections of the building of the church only and not of anything added since of which there are many evidences that the women of our church today worthily maintain the same spirit as then exemplified.
The Ladies' Aid Society, or what is now known as the Woman's Society, was composed of every woman in the church, and while giving more than $500.00 in cash to the Building Committee, it also gave $700.00 for furniture, car- peted the entire building, except the Ladies' parlor, at an ex- pense of $1,200.00, and furnished all the hangings in the church. The Sabbath School classes of Mrs. A. T. Wilson, Miss Lou Hartley, Mrs. Irene Dickey, Miss Jennie Blair, and
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The Official Boards of the Church (1905).
Top Row-W. H. Johnson, W. K. Rhonemus. Middle Row-A. L. Foster, J. L. Blair, Rev. W. H. Shields, Joseph Shafor, G. N. Clapp. Bottom Row-William Caldwell, C. S. Barnitz, J K. Thomas, P. P. LaTourrette, Theodore Marston.
others gave through this society. The Sabbath School classes were all organized in a system to raise money and to work for the building of the new church and succeeded in raising a considerable amount. The King's Daughters Society, which was then affiliated with the Church, gave the bap- tismal font.
The assistance of the women of the Church was invalu- able in the selection of the pews and decorations and in many other details.
On Monday evening of Centennial Week, Rev. J. Kiny Gibson, D. D., brought to our Church greetings from the Presbytery of Dayton. Dr. Gibson has been a member of this Presbytery for forty years and its Stated Clerk for twenty-one years. He has preached in our Church on many occasions and so his greetings came from friend to friend as well as from Presbytery to Church. Dr. Gibson spoke as follows.
T HE history of the Presbyterian Church is one of deep interest. Including its various branches it is the larg- est Protestant body in the world as the alliance of the Re- formed Churches holding the Presbyterian system includes twenty-five million members.
This would be nothing to our credit if something more could not be said. But more can be said in all fairness. Our Church has borne a distinguished part in the history of the Christian religion. It has told for the betterment of man- kind. In works of philanthropy, in popular education, in the ends of Civil Government, as well as in things distinctly religious, it has had a conspicuous part. So competent an authority as George Bancroft has traced our greatness as a nation, in no small part to the principles of the English Pur- itans, the Scotch Covenanters, the French Huguenots, the Dutch Calvinists and the Presbyterians of Ulster.
Francis Mackemie builded better than he knew when he planted the Presbyterian Church on the eastern shore of Maryland. No more truly Catholic body is found on the face of the earth. It has no doctrinal test for those who would enjoy its privileges other than a credible faith in the common Savior of the world. It receives without re-ex-
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amination or rebaptism, those who are members in good standing in other Christian churches and its catechisms con- taining its doctrinal basis are so broad and generous that in some instances other communions have used them for the instruction of their children. We would not boast, but the rather, on bended knee, confess our shortcomings. But, after all, is there not good reason to thank God that such a history is our heritage ?
But the efficient fellowship of our form of government is the basis of my errand tonight. We are a representative body in character, from the Session, through the Presbytery and Synod, to the General Assembly. The Presbytery cov- ering this region organized this particular church one hun- dred years ago, and from then until now has watched over it with religious care. We have heard with unfeigned interest of this anniversary week and our Presbytery has gladly sent a representative to convey its greetings of affection. Your joy is our joy. It is not in place that I should speak at length. I am but a messenger. I bring you greetings from the venerable Presbytery of Dayton covering hereabout seven counties, embracing fifty-four ministers, forty-four churches, and twelve thousand communicants. We are glad to number in this body the First Church of Middletown with its fine history and bright hopes. We are not ignorant of your labors of faith and patience and love, and, as Paul for the Philippians, we "thank God at every remembrance of you." And with our congratulations we bring the prayer that the fellowships and accomplishments of the past may be surpassed in the days to come; that your devotion to mis- sions at home and abroad may increase; that your place in the hearts of the people among whom you are planted may be deepened and strengthened; and that your force for righteousness may gather a sacred momentum as the years go by. And so we bid you "God-speed."
That it may be preserved for future reference and com- parisons more than for any other reason, the budget of our Church for the year ending March 31, 1920, is here given. This budget includes only items of expenses and benevolences that are paid directly through the Church treasury, and docs
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not include the budgets of The Woman's Society, The Mis- sionary Society, The Westminster Men's Club, The Sunday School and The Christian Endeavor Society.
CURRENT EXPENSES.
Pastor's Salary
$3,000.00
Pulpit Supply
100.00
Financial Secretary
150.00
Janitor & Extra Labor
1,000.00
Music
1,000.00
Relief Fund
100.00
General Assembly
75.00
Telephone & Light
300.00
Fuel and Water
350.00
General Improvements & Repairs.
500.00
Printing & Supplies
250.00
Contributors Envelopes
60.00
Taxes & Insurance
750.00
Loan & Interest
2,000.00
New Era Magazine
135.00
Session Fund
200.00
Miscellaneous
100.00
Total Current Expenses
$10,070.00
BENEVOLENCES.
Home Missions $ 721.00
Foreign Missions
721.00
General Education 200.00
Publication & S. S. Work
100.00
Relief & Sustentation
101.00
Church Erection
100.00
Freedmen
100.00
Temperance
100.00
Evangelism
10.00
Men's Work
10.00
Total Benevolences
$ 2,163.00
Grand Total . $12,233.00
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It seemed appropriate to the Committee that "Middle- town's War Record" be included herein. The Churches of Middletown very actively supported all the various cam- paigns and aided very much in making them so successful. The Middletown Chamber of Commerce furnished the fol- lowing information.
Movement
Quota. $350,000.00
Result. $1,067,800.00
1st Liberty Loan
2nd Liberty Loan
454,000.00
1,182,250.00
3d Liberty Loan
418,500.00
981,300.00
4th Liberty Loan
955,950.00
1,424,150.00
5th Victory Loan
833,450.00
1,112,850.00
1st Red Cross War Fund
20,000.00
113,630.70
2nd Red Cross War Fund.
40,000.00
129,638.00
*1st Red Cross Membership
3,200
11,484
2nd Red Cross Membership, ex- clusive of 3,509 Juniors
. .
7,286
Salvation Army 1918 $
2,000.00
$ 2,000.00
Soldiers' Library 1918
1,000.00
1,320.00
War Savings Stamps 1918
450,000.00
536,520.00
Y. M. C. A. Red Triangle War Fund
25,000.00
33,989.44
U. W. W. Fund, including Ar-
menian and Syrian Relief ....
48,000.00
83,684.60
*Honor Chapter of the Lake Division (Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky).
95.6% of all housewives signed Food Conservancy Pledge.
1236 Boys in Service.
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PASTORS AND SUPPLIES OF THE FIRST PRESBY- TERIAN CHURCH, MIDDLETOWN, OHIO.
1819-1919.
Francis Monfort, 1819-24.
Samuel B. Smith, 1828-32.
John Hudson, 1832-33.
Alexander Guy, 1833-35.
John S. Belleville, 1837-39.
Moses Russell, 1839-40.
John B. Morton, 1840-47.
Simon M. Templeton, 1847-53.
John B. Morton, 1853-65. Gideon I. Taylor, 1865-67.
Joshua L. Russell, 1867-72.
Joseph W. Clokey, 1873-78.
Thomas W. Hench, 1878-83.
Henry B. Elliott, 1883-84.
Scott F. Hershey, 1884-87.
James M. Simonton, 1888-90.
George M. McCampbell, 1890-95.
Thomas S. Scott, 1896-1900.
W. Hamill Shields, 1900-1910.
David Garrett Smith, 1910-18.
Bernard J. Brinkema, 1918-
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RESPONSES FROM PASTORS.
Our present pastor and our former pastors who are li ?- ing were asked to send a few words of greeting or some rem- iniscences for our story. The response was most cordial and we are glad to present these messages.
From Rev. Thomas H. Hench, Carthage, Missouri.
The kind invitation to your approaching Church Centen- nial Anniversary is very much appreciated. I fear it will be impossible for me to be present personally, but I rejoice with you in the joy of the occasion.
I fear it would be more an occasion of sadness to me in missing the old friends of my day so long ago and with all things so changed from the days of yore.
My pastorate of some five years was not especially event- ful in any way except for its perfect harmony and general good feeling. This was all the more remarkable because in the days of the previous pastorate there had been some divi- sion and bitterness of feeling caused by the rising Temper- ance agitation and crusade which was spreading over the land, beginning in Ohio, the storm center, and starting a campaign which in the forty-one years progress was des- tined to ultimate, as we see today, in the final temperance victory and the triumph of National Prohibition and in the National Constitutional Amendment making it the perma,- nent policy of this great country and government.
But the people of the Church in the beginning of my pas- torate, good naturedly, kindly, and in the true spirit of Christian unity and fellowship, suddenly concluded to drop all differences, and from that time on I never knew a more harmonious congregation.
Universal good feeling prevailed and I had a very quiet, peaceable and altogether delightful pastorate and I revert to it with a great deal of pleasure.
From Middletown I went to Connersville, Ind., where I remained for twelve years and did, I might say, the best and greatest work of my life and the most successful.
I wish all of you a most pleasant and helpful time at your celebration.
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From Rev. Scott F. Hershey, Angola, Indiana.
I recall with all the force of a pleasant memory of the far away days my short ministry in the Middletown Church.
There were some wonderfully fine people in those days as
now. Some of them, as always, were trying to serve the Lord by guarding the Church confessions rather more than serving the world in the spirit of the Christ. Some of them were among the very choice ones I have ever known. Some with whom I had years of happy fellowship were not even members of the Church. Possibly they were more Christian than they thought.
I remember with most comfort the large number of young people who connected with the Church shortly after I began my temporary ministry. In the days since I have met, here and there, in different parts of the land, quite a few of them. The most worth while comment I can make on this is that those most Christian were the most happily situated in life.
As I think back over the people I have known in Middle- town, Washington, Boston, Wooster, New Castle, the most lingering thought I have is, that the life that serves best and loves most is the life of largest vision, richest comfort and brightest hope. So, "Let me live in my home by the side of the road, Where the race of men go by, And be a friend to man."
From Rev. W. Hamill Shields, Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
In the long fight for righteousness the Church leads the way and it is a joy to a Pastor to note that passing years do not lessen the zeal of his co-workers of other days.
In a ministry of nearly ten years-September, 1900, to April, 1910-I was permitted to see The First Presbyterian Church, Middletown, Ohio, grow in power and influence, getting ready for the increasing demands of an expanding community life. The years saw a steady substantial growth in numbers and influence.
As a young Pastor, surrounded by a most loyal Session of devoted men of age and experience, I was encouraged in every way. For a number of years a heavy debt, heavy for those days, rested upon the Church after the completion of
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the present building. With the loyal support of the Session and Board of Deacons a Ten Thousand Dollar debt was raised with the effort of but a few days and the handsome edifice was dedicated with reverence and thanksgiving after an inspiring dedicatory sermon by Rev. W. O. Thompson, D. D., President of Miami University, now President of the Ohio State University.
Another outstanding event in this ministry was the or- ganization of a Presbyterian Brotherhood and, a little later, a Junior Brotherhood. These organizations have played a notable part in the development and spiritual life of the Church.
During these years the missionary zeal of the Church was developed by a most loyal band of women working through the Missionary Society. The women were helped and encouraged by the new interest manifested by the men and a delightful atmosphere of spiritual earnestness was created. The passing of the years has sanctified and deep- ened the bonds of former years.
Middletown, with its growing power and population, will appeal to the Presbyterian Church to carry on the work with ever increasing usefulness. As Pastor and Friend of former years, I bid you "Go Forward, Always Forward, helped and inspired by holy memories and friendships from the past and beckoned by the glory-light of a golden future."
From Rev. David Garrett Smith, Middletown, Ohio.
Mr. Smith closed his ministry in Middletown so recently that he can not indulge in reminiscences. He mentions as a few of the most interesting features of his work here the great Lyon evangelistic meetings which included most of the Protestant churches of the city and resulted in a consid- erable revival of religious interest, as well as large acces- sions to the churches; the transfer of the Presbyterian Brotherhood to the city-placing it on an interdenomina- tional basis, so that all the churches could contribute propor- tionate support, and have equal privileges-the name being changed to the Middletown Brotherhood; the destructive flood of 1913, demoralizing all the interests of the city, and causing a financial loss to the First Church of about $5,000.
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One of the compensations of the flood was the new civic pride awakened in the work of restoration and reconstruction. It was also the occasion of the conversion of the Presbyterian manse into a parish house, and the purchase of the beau- tiful new manse on Yankee Road at a cost of $13,000. About this time the Oakland Church which had been out of use for several years was put in repair at considerable expense, re- opened for services, and a pastor was called to take charge of the work. The entire property was soon turned over to the congregation free of debt.
Mr. Smith's greatest satisfaction in review of his work in Middletown is the steady growth that the church main- tained and the broadening scope of its work, so that under most favorable auspices it now enters upon a new and most promising era of Christian service.
Added to this are the ever enriching memories of faith- ful co-laborers and loyal friends, not a few, who are the most prized fruitage of his ministry.
From Rev. Bernard J. Brinkema, present pastor.
To All the Members of My Household of Faith.
Less than one year ago I came to be the Minister of Jesus Christ to the First Presbyterian Church of Middletown, Ohio, and to be your pastor. The days of my pastorate have been few, but they have been days of ever expanding joy. The vision of the possibilities has brightened the horizon of what is, without a doubt, our share in ushering in the great- est age in the Kingdom of God. The path that lies before us may be unmarked, as was the path of our pioneer fathers, but we have the same promises and a greater experience. The stars that guided them are with us still, and are only paling before the dawning light. Soon midnight shall be as the noon-day sun. We stand on an unbeaten path, yet One has gone before, and, though the path is marked with His blood, His foot-prints are traveling toward the dawning. He is our greater experience, tested and tried anew in the heart ache of the Twentieth Century's travail. We are com- rades of all who have gone before; we lean on our fathers, mothers, saints and ministers who once stood in our place ; we appreciate what they have done; we shall register our
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appreciation, not in words, but in deeds of devotion to the institution that they held dear.
The Story of A Hundred Years has been told. We cannot alter it and would not if we could. The story of the second hundred years is unwritten and it is our blessed privilege to make the future. The Church of God marches on. The First Presbyterian Church of Middletown shall move with it. "Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it." Our Lord and Master is possessing the land. We will step forward with Him.
Sincerely, your pastor,
BERNARD J. BRINKEMA.
Rev. Joseph W. Clokey sent the History Committee some facts relating to his ministry in our Church and stated that he had many pleasant remembrances of his pastorate here which he would be very glad to give us. This was preventel by his death which occurred a few days later, early Sunday morning, August 17, 1919, at his home in Oxford, Ohio. Many of our members were looking forward with pleasure to see and hear Mr. Clokey during our Centennial. We do not want to miss having a message from him and so we are submitting here a letter written to the Church by Mr. Clokey at the close of his ministry, July 3, 1878.
For the members of my congregation and for their his- torical archives, I have prepared the following sketch of my ministerial labors in the church of Middletown. It is sub- mitted humbly and with the hope that future readers may deem my labors not altogether vain. .
As I look back over the years intervening between my installation and my release, my mind recalls a multitude of scenes and incidents that have awakened and always will awaken in my heart thankfulness to the kind Father who directed my footsteps to Middletown as my home. As I look back my mind also recalls a multitude of scenes and inci- dents of a different character, which for more than four years have kept my heart under a burden of anxiety and have often caused me to ask the question, "Why did the Lord send me here?" Our congregation has passed through the severest trial in all its history. It is not proper for me
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to sit in judgment as to who have been responsible for that trial. It is proper for us all to humiliate ourselves before God and pray him that the dark shadows of the past may not be prolonged into the future. I am, in making my re- view, exceedingly grateful to the Kind Providence that has kept His grace in our hearts and preserved us from ab- solute coldness and death in the midst of our dissensions. We have not been a dead church. To a stranger looking in on our work we have given every evidence of thrift. The at- tendance both on the services of the Sabbath and at prayer meeting has continued unbroken to the end, our Wednes- day evening gatherings averaging no less than 100 the year round, and often running up to 140 and 150 persons. Dur- ing my ministry here our congregation has been blessed of Heaven with two gracious outpourings of the Holy Spirit, the one occurring at the beginning of the year 1875 and con- tinuing for nearly two months, the other in the spring of 1877 and continuing over one month. The first of these awakenings was remarkable for its results among our adults, and the second for its results among our children. Can we ever forget in the spring of '77 that beautiful sight of the children from seven years to fourteen crowding the study for special prayer? Out of this same awakening came our Young People's Association. This Association has been indeed a phenomenon. Ninety-seven of our youth and chil- dren have signed its constitution. Its meetings have now continued for nearly one year and a half, the attendance seldom falling below fifty, and often running up to 70 and 80. The splendid socials of the Young People, the facility they have displayed in doing all kinds of church work and espe- cially the advance they have made in all the exercises of public worship have caused many particularly among parents to consider the last as the best of the five years of the pastorate just closed.
The statistics of my pastorate make the following ex- hibit. Two hundred and twenty-seven have been admitted to membership in the church. Of these, one hundred and fifty-six (156) have been admitted on profession of their faith in Christ; and of these latter sixty-four (64) have been baptized. Among those admitted on profession, I find
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at the time of reception 53 married persons, 26 of these be- ing the couplets of 13 families, who came as couplets into the church. In looking over the list of all these 227 new ad- ditions, I have asked myself the question, "Where are they ? And how do they now appear in their relation to the Church ?" I hope I will be excused for expressing myself as most highly gratified as I begin at No. 261 in your church roll and pass along over the names to No. 487. Here is ac- cording to my best judgment the result of the review. Thir- ty-five have been dismissed upon certificate to other churches; fourteen of them have died, and I trust are in Heaven ; eleven are absent without certificate. This leaves one hundred and sixty-seven (167) on the ground to be ac- counted for. Of these, I regard not more than ten (10) as being now lost to the church, and not all of them are so living that they would disgrace the church if they were still in regular membership. Looking over the entire roll of our present membership, and leaving out those, who have lost membership by long neglect, I find among the balance more than fifty persons who, though they are not lost to the church, yet are now and have been for months in very irreg- ular attendance on the ordinances of divine worship. I have called these the unreliables. It is with something of pride that I can say that not more than fifteen of this number come in the list of those who have come into the church within the last five years. Deducting the lost and the unre- liables, you have at this moment as the result of our com- mon toil during this last pastorate, a clear gain of more than 140 good substantial members of the church, persons who may be found with great regularity at their posts of duty. Surely we have reason to praise the Lord for His goodness to us. The church of Middletown has now all the elements needed for future success, and if the members pre- serve the peace and secure the utmost fellowship in the Lord Jesus Christ, this success will be assured by the grace of the Holy Spirit. As your retiring pastor, I wish you the most abundant harvest under the new shepherd the Lord may send you. Compose your differences, confess each his own sins to the Lord, humble yourselves at the mercy seat and Heaven will grant you its benediction.
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--
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Some Members of the Official Boards (1919).
Front Row-D. D. Lefferson, G. N. Clapp, O. F. Kendle.
Second Row-C. E. Margerum, W. H. Johnson, J. L. Blair, Z. W. Ranck, William McLean, R. C. Van- derveer, W. H. Minton, C. E. Burke, J. C. Phillips, C. F. Williamson, E. G. Barkley, Dr. J. C. Stratton. Third Row-H. S. Wise, Rev. B. J. Brinkema, W. S. LaTourrette, E. C. Woodward, R. C. Phillips.
OUR HONOR ROLL. THE WORLD WAR.
*Raymond Alvin Pinkerton.
Rev. David Garrett Smith James Bryan
Norval E. Diver
Paul J. Banker
James Saunders
Ray Hahs
John O. Dearth
Chauncey McCoy
Thomas K. Calder
Frank L. Pinkerton
Edward G. Lamme
William Ross Crane
Ronald Griest
Percival Johnson
Harley A. Bate
Paul E. Buss
Leroy Newlin
Paul M. Foster
Robert A. Solborg
Paul A. Diver
Graydon Schenck Earl Beatty
Harold Shugg Mark Denny Herbert C. Boykin
Adam E. Bridge
Harold Albert Roney
George Edmund Denny
Robert B. Edson
Calvin W. Verity
Dr. W. T. Shipe
Charles Wells Shartle
Moxie George
The following were enrolled in The Students' Auxiliary Training Corps :
Glenn Hoover Charles Shyrock
Ohmer Steward Charles Schaerges
Harry Newlin Sam McAdow Milton Blair Charles Johnson
Jacob Jackson Blair
Raymond Alvin Pinkerton, Co. G, 6th. Marines, was wounded in Soissons, July 19, 1918, and died soon after- ward, the exact date not being known.
The following is from a letter sent by General John J. Pershing to Mr. Pinkerton's parents :
"He bravely laid down his life for the cause of his coun- try. His name will ever remain fresh in the hearts of his friends and comrades. The record of his honorable service will be preserved in the archives of the American Expedi- tionary Forces."
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