USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Annals of the First Presbyterian church of Cleveland, 1820-1895 > Part 11
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During the long pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Aiken this church outgrew its primitive conditions, taking its place among the masterful influences of the country. It would be a grateful duty, did time permit, to recount the developing and out-reaching interests which enlisted the zealous effort of this congregation under his direction-to people this church once more with the men and women, who, in the faithful service of their efficient years, held up the arms of their high priest-a man, who in his intellectual supremacy and earnest life, ranked among the foremost preachers of his time.
In this retrospect come to us visions of busy gatherings in the church parlors, of the Ladies' Society, one of the conspicuously useful outgrowths of that period. How heartily those dear women worked in
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the forwarding of their pastor's schemes of benevo- lence! One of the sweet memories of this epoch is the affectionate relation between pastor and people- the admiration of and the unquestioning loyalty to the minister. Who thought, in those days, of pulpit here- sies ? We seem to see again that venerable and stately man moving slowly up the aisle, with the conscious dignity of his sacred office.
Apropos of the declining years of Dr. Aiken, a pathetic incident is recalled revealing the sensitive and child-like nature hidden under his solemn and somewhat awe-inspiring exterior. He had announced from the pulpit his purpose to resign because of enfeebled health. The congregation were unprepared for the inevitable crisis. The local papers made note of the incident, and in one of them appeared a ryth- mical protest. We doubt if the author of that remon- strance ever received more signal or gratifying tribute, than when on the following day, the familiar white horse of Dr. Aiken stood at her gate, and the dear old man, carrying awkwardly, as though unused to such service, a pot of pink hyacinths, begged her accept- ance of the gift, and still further electrified her by inviting her to a seat in his carriage. "Do you think," he asked on that well-remembered drive, with an earnest simplicity that betrayed his yearning for re-assurance, "do you think that those verses in last evening's paper, represent the feeling and wishes of the congregation ?"
The resignation was delayed, but the time was not
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far off when Rev. Dr. Goodrich assumed the responsi- bilities and the care of this pastorate.
We may not stay even to speak the many names held in grateful remembrance, of those who in Dr. Aiken's time "set forward the work of this house of the Lord." We give place to but one-that of Mr. De Witt, who for many years "pitched" our tunes, and whose rich voice, sometimes from the aisle and some- times from the gallery in the remote end of the church, opposite the pulpit, was like a signal from some answering watch-tower.
Lovingly and tearfully we gather up the hopes and memories of the years in which Dr. Goodrich went in and out before us, the very idol of this people. In the prime of his mature manhood, his genial, sym- pathetic nature at once adjusted itself to the varied conditions of his charge. He guided and developed our abilities. He had the happy faculty of putting every one on duty. Social, literary and philanthropic organizations were formed. Our young men were appointed to the gracious and hospitable duty of church ushers; (was there on his part, a subtile pur- pose to secure regular attendance on Sunday service ?) our young women were invested with the responsi- bility of furnishing flowers for the church, and in various ways of making their accomplishments and diversions tributary to church work. Dr. Goodrich's love of flowers and of nature was a marked character- istic. "The white chrysanthemum is my favorite," he said to one of his congregation, as he passed down the aisle after a morning service with a bunch of the pure
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blossoms in his hand; "I love them because they bloom so bravely, even after the snow comes." Ever since, the white chrysanthemum has been a memorial flower to the friend who recalls the incident. It was from the depths of his own mind that he seemed to draw an inspiration that lifted him above the ordinary level. Closely associated with Dr. Goodrich, in our memory, is the name of Mr. George H. Ely, whose more recent death has brought sorrow to this people and commun- ity, and filled it with a sense of irreparable loss. Of none was it ever more truly written, "His heart was rich, of such fine mould, that if you sowed therein the seed of hate, it blossomed charity."
It was in 1872 that our present pastor, Dr. Haydn, entered this pulpit as the assistant of Dr. Goodrich, whose overtaxed energies made a season of rest imperative. It was in 1874 that the shadow of Dr. Goodrich's death fell upon this church. Of Dr. Haydn's taking up of the work, we may fittingly quote from a former record: "Coming by direct Providence into the place, which was not surely of his own seeking, he received the sacred trust in no spirit of self-sufficiency, but as one who should say, 'neces- sity is laid upon me.' He shared our sorrow, and he carried the burdens of the many." The years of his long and prosperous pastorate have but cemented the tie between pastor and people, and we may truly say that through the seventy-five years this church has known no more progressive period. We were about to write that these later decades are the epoch of the activities and zealous aims of Miss Sarah Fitch, but
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who shall set the bounds to her work and influence ? Noble, self-forgetting woman, thy consecrated life should have its own memorial! Side by side, with the tablets which perpetuate the memory of our beloved pastors, write, in letters of gold, the name of their hand-maiden, than whom none ever achieved a grander immortality! She wrought, not for this church alone, but for humanity, and for all time !
When the one-hundredth anniversary of Cleve- land's first Christian organization shall be celebrated by our children, may they gather as we do today within the gray walls of the OLD STONE CHURCH.
Rev. Chauncey L. Hamlen, a son of this church, writes a letter which may fittingly supplement these gleanings from other days:
"I have just received the invitation to be present at the seventy-fifth anniversary of the First Presby- terian Church of Cleveland. While I must send my own regrets, I cannot refrain from writing an additional line for my parents' sake. When I remember that my father was one of the original founders and an honored officer, for so many years, of this Church, and that my parents' home was so long the 'minister's home,' in those early days of Cleveland, this line is due them.
I remember the venerable Dr. Aiken saying, at the funeral of my father, almost his last public words: 'The time was if anyone wanted to know of the reli- gious and church life of Cleveland, they must go to the home of Deacon Hamlen.'
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My father's services antedated any house of worship. I have heard him tell so often of wheeling the wood over to the old Academy on a barrow, sweeping the room and ringing the triangle for service, and then carrying home the only Sabbath School library of Cleveland in a half-bushel basket on his arm. While my mother's stories, as she told of Christmas gatherings and Christ- mas wreaths, the marriages and greetings of brides from the East, in all their quaint costumes and shy ways, were always like fairy stories to us children. The names of Long and Weddell and Perry and others honored among the fathers of Cleveland, often mingled in her stories. She never lost her attachment to the Home Missionaries of the early days. Her loving services to Rev. Bradstreet and his fair wife from the East, unused to the privations of pioneer life, would always bring tears to her eyes.
My own memory carries me back to the first stone edifice, with its deep well hole in front and its high, rounding steps, up which it was the delight of children to scamper. But, dear Brother, those early days are past. The fathers' work is done, and they have entered in. We are all but links in that endless chain that is to bring us at last to the General Assembly and Church of the first born in Heaven. God bless you in this anniversary."
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OUR SPIRITUAL LEADERS.
HON. RICHARD C. PARSONS.
To write a history of the eminent men who have been pastors of the Stone Church during its existence- glance at the work they accomplished, and do justice to their memory, within the space of twenty minutes, is a task I wish had been placed in other hands. We can only take a passing look at each, and pay our tribute of affection to their self-sacrificing noble lives, believing that those who ceased from their labors, hav- ing done God's work faithfully on earth, have heard the welcome voice saying: "Well done, good and
faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
The office of a minister of the gospel is the most sacred profession a human being can embrace. For he is an ambassador of the Most High-the represen- tative of Christ his Master to a world of sin, misery and death. The ambassador of a nation is clothed with dignity and power. For the time he represents the majesty of royalty, or the people of a republic like our own. His person is secure. Whenever his flag floats over his dwelling, he is the supreme master owing no allegiance to any government but his own; and when he speaks, his voice is the voice of his nation. The office of ambassador is one of the highest to which men aspire; and in the earlier days of civilization it was always surrounded with pomp, splendor and parade.
PASTORS OF THE FIRST CHURCH.
SAMUEL C. AIKEN, D.D.
WM. H. GOODRICH, D.D.
ARTHUR MITCHELL, D.D.
HIRAM C. HAYDN, D.D.
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The Bible which is given to every minister of Heaven is his code of instructions. The message he has to deliver to mankind is found in that book. The lines of his mission are clearly defined, and the rules for his government written by an unerring hand. His work is before him. He can go confidently for- ward, secure in the knowledge that no change will be made in the sublime text of his instructions; and that his duties end only with his life.
A true minister has before him a mighty work. How inspiring his calling. He is to teach mankind that God is love-that he hates sin, but loves the sin- ner-that he gave his only son to die upon the cross, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He is to preach the beauty of holiness, to urge sinners to repentance, to point man- kind the way of happiness in this life, and the enjoy- ment of heaven hereafter. He is to help the weak, raise the fallen, comfort the sorrowing, soothe the sick, awaken men's hearts to the duties of benevolence and charity, enlighten their minds, elevate their affec- tions, rebuke pride and arrogance, and with all his gifts of learning, eloquence and speech, tell the story of the cross and the plan of salvation. His mission is love. Love! the most powerful influence that con- trols mankind. Love, without which the world would only be the abode of cruelty and crime. Love, that shines with equal fervor in the palace of the great, and the home of the poor. Love, that kindles every virtue-that binds in chords of sweetest affection, husband and wife, parent and child, sister and brother
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which robes the world with the beauty of friendship! Love, which refines, elevates, glorifies the heart; love the only power that can destroy hatred, malice and revenge; cleanse the soul from sin and wickedness, and bear it safe, ransomed andredeemed to an immor- tality of happiness, in a paradise where love only is supreme.
The bible is full of promises to the ambassador of Christ. His reward is to be great and for him are the high places in the Heavenly Kingdom. Among the celestial mansions his will glow with unusual radiance. "For then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father."
"The path of the just is as the shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
"And they that be wise shall shine as the bright- ness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever."
The Stone Church Society was organized in 1820, but the church edifice was not completed until 1835. The first settled pastor was the Rev. Samuel C. Aiken, D. D., a name to be held in grateful memory by every member of this church. Doctor Aiken was born at Windham, Vermont, September 21, 1790, and died January 1st, 1879, aged 88 years. He graduated at Middlebury College, a member of that remarkable class of 1817, of which Justice Nelson of the Supreme Court of the United States, Silas Wright, Senator and Governor of New York, were members. He studied theology at Andover, and in 1818 was installed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Utica, where he
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remained 18 years. He became the pastor of this church in 1835, in the prime of a vigorous manhood at the age of 45 years, and was the active head of the church for 24 years, when Dr. William H. Goodrich became his associate.
When Dr. Aiken came to this church it was weak in numbers, poor in purse, and the religious spirit pretty much at low water mark in Cleveland. The city was small and new, having as late as 1820 but 150 inhabitants, and in 1835 only 5,080 souls. Dr. Aiken was singularly fitted to gain public trust and confi- dence. His experience was mature. His sincerity manifest. Of imposing, dignified person, strong head, most winning countenance, a face beaming with good- ness and refinement, he won his way from the outset in the confidence and hearts of the people, and at once became the most prominent and influential of our citizens. Everybody learned to trust and honor him. In morals, temperance, education, and religion he was ever the leader. Under his care the church rapidly increased in numbers and power, so that after ten years of the services of Dr. Aiken, the church was found too small for its congregation; and another edifice had to be erected to provide for the pressing needs of the people.
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Dr. Aiken educated Cleveland. No man in the early history of our city did so much as he in forming the sentiments of our citizens in favor of temperance and piety. To him at the time of his death the city owed a debt of the gravest obligation. He had been the friend and counselor of all. His talents, simple
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address, affectionate manly temperament, guileless life, and powerful preaching, won for him a lively interest in the hearts of men. He gathered around him the best and most useful members of the com- munity, and with their aid, pushed forward his plans of benevolence, education and religion.
As a preacher Dr. Aiken was calm, conservative, and somewhat slow in speech. When specially roused to grapple with some great subject, his manner was impressive-at times commanding. His fine per- son, simple manner, plain speech, great earnestness, and profound sincerity, always secured the most respect- ful attention.
The period from 1835 to 1860 covered the great anti-slavery trouble in the United States. But for the conservative, wise, judicious course of Dr. Aiken, and the confidence his exalted character inspired in the minds of his people, the church would have been shattered to atoms.
He was literally the father of his people. Few men were ever more warmly beloved. He married and blessed the young men and maidens, was a ministering spirit at the bedside of the suffering and dying; and with words of sympathy and prayer buried the dead, and whispered words of consolation to the bereaved.
When this patriarch died he had reached the great age of 88 years. At his funeral were gathered the surviving members of his church that welcomed him here in 1835, their children and grandchildren. They came to pay the last services of love to the grand old christian hero, and saintly gentleman. For like Enoch,
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"he walked with God." Age had rendered him help- less as a little child. He had survived nearly all the members of his family and kindred, and eagerly looked forward to the better country as his final home. Truly he had fought the good fight, he had kept the faith.
"How beautiful it is for a man to die upon the walls of Zion! to be called like a watch worn and weary sentinel, to put his armor off, and rest in heaven."
The mantle of Elijah fell upon Elisha. In 1859 Rev. William Henry Goodrich became associate pastor of the Stone Church, and soon after sole pastor in active service. He was born in New Haven, January 19, 1823. His father was a distinguished author and professor. He was a grandson of Noah Webster, and on both sides his ancestry was of the best New Eng- land character. He graduated at Yale College in 1843, and came to Cleveland in 1859.
There was something in the character and per- sonality of Dr. Goodrich that at once attracted confi- dence and regard. Every one felt that he had found a friend, everybody trusted him because honesty and sympathy seemed ingrained in his nature. His gracious manner, pleasing voice, comparative youth, and charming presence made him the idol of the young; while his practical wisdom, broad culture, sincere piety and zeal for religion won the hearts of the older. He soon knew every member of his church and much of their history. In every household he was a welcome guest. For twelve years he preached
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in this church and was trusted and loved by all, for he had become the personal friend of all. Where the hand of kindness was needed, there it was. If charity was needed it came in bountiful supply. If sympathy was required he was at once the brother or friend. So wise and discreet was he in regard to the benevo- lent work of the church, that many of his congrega- tion gave him privately large sums to distribute, feel- ing assured his judgment was better than their own.
He was the loyal descendant of Revolutionary Sires. Everybody who heard the sermon of Dr. Goodrich, as the echoes of the cannon fired upon Fort Sumpter were sounding in the air, will recall his glowing patriotism, his sublime love of country and that earnest zeal for the cause of freedom, which knew no rest or satisfaction until victory rested upon the banner of the Republic.
As a preacher Dr. Goodrich was instructive and persuasive. He wrote with grace and finish, but never made any attempt at eloquence or display. He was as modest as he was sincere. It is not putting it too strongly to say that from the time of his coming to this church until his death he had the hearts of his people. Whatever he did seemed good in their sight. In 1872 his health became impaired, and with his family he went abroad, hoping rest and travel would restore him. But it was not to be. His useful, hon- orable life closed at Lausanne, July 11, 1872. He was a true knight-a faithful ambassador, a soldier without fear and without reproach. The aroma of his memory still fills the church with fragrance.
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When Dr. Goodrich went to Europe in 1872, he left the Church in charge of Rev. Hiram C. Haydn as Associate Pastor. Upon the death of Dr. Goodrich, Mr. Haydn became sole Pastor, entering upon a term of service, which, with a brief interruption, has continued until the present day. His long connection with this church, his identification with every part of its work, his services in the cause of edu- cation, morality and religion, and influence upon public affairs, we will say a word about hereafter, so far as it is possible to speak in the presence of Dr. Haydn himself.
In 1880, Dr. Haydn concluded to seek some relief from pastoral labors, and accepted the Secretaryship of the American Board of Foreign Missions in New York. The Rev. Arthur Mitchell was installed as his successor. Dr. Mitchell was born in Hudson, N. Y., August 13, 1835. He was graduated from Williams College in 1853, and from Union Seminary in 1859. He had been a successful preacher 21 years when he came to this church. He was an old-fashioned pulpit speaker, of wide intelligence, learning and culture. He was slight and delicate in person, guileless in manner, gracious in disposition, and his social qualities were of a high order. He was specially a Bible scholar, but few men had more general knowledge of all subjects of public interest. He was a master of the geography of the world, and in the domain of history his knowl- edge was broad and familiar. He was largely a statesman as well as a preacher. He died while Secre- tary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, in
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New York, and it was said of him, before his death, that he knew more about foreign missions, and more of the missionaries than any person then living.
But what made Dr. Mitchell a marked man, that seemed to create a special atmosphere of purity about him, was the transparent goodness of his nature. Devotion and dedication were written upon his coun- tenance. With him religion was a reality, and he gloried in its power to save. For him death had no sting, the grave no terrors. Beyond them he saw "the resurrection and the life."
Dr. Mitchell entered actively into the work of the Church, giving every moment of his time to promote its interests. But the Church did not thrive under his hands as he desired, and he was too wise a teacher and Pastor to blind himself to the fact. It became in time evident to him, that if the Church was to be maintained as a powerful factor in the religious world, it should have for its Pastor some one clearly identi- fied with its history, bound to it by ties of long friend- ship and association, one who could exercise a wider influence upon individual members, than any compara- tive stranger could do. Hence, after a ministry of four years, Dr. Mitchell resigned his place, carrying with him the most devoted regard of the entire con- gregation. He died in 1893, after visiting, personally, nearly all the leading mission fields of the world, just as such a man would die, loving and trustful. His faith never wavered. His end was peace. It can truly be said of him, as of Charles Kingsley: He was one
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"Who loved God and truth above all things, Loyal and chivalrous, gentle and strong, Modest and humble, tender and true ; Who lived in the presence of God here, And passing through the gates of death, Now liveth with God forever more."
Upon the resignation of Dr. Mitchell, Dr. Haydn was unanimously requested by the congregation to return here and resume his active labors as head of this Church, which call he accepted. It will be seen that save the four years in which Dr. Mitchell occu- pied the pulpit, Dr. Haydn has been pastor of this church for 23 years.
Dr. Haydn was born at Pompey, New York, in 1831, graduated at Amherst College in 1856, and at Union Seminary in 1859. In his presence it is impos- sible to speak of his personal qualities, describe his gifts as pastor or orator, analyze his character, or write the story of his virtues and christian life. But we can assure him of the sincere love and abiding affection of his people, and express the hope that the tie which binds our hearts to his own, may not be severed until the final call shall come to him to join the great congregation in the heavenly Kingdom.
It would be doing Dr. Haydn great injustice if we failed to speak of the results accomplished during his term of service here. These are legitimate subjects of examination and commendation. For we can say, "Si monumentum quaeris, circumspice." "If you would see his monument look around you." Under his guiding hand have been erected various beautiful and costly churches in our city, a college for women, and
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in great part a thriving, noble university of learning -schools, hospitals, Christian associations, boys' clubs, kindergartens and societies to encourage temperance have been established. There is not a mission field in all the world, where the name of Dr. Haydn is not known and honored. In every cause where a cham- pion was needed to help purify public sentiment- denounce immorality, elevate public morals, provide for the poor, help the fallen, and stand forward in every work of charity and benevolence, Dr. Haydn has helped to build his monument.
In looking back over the work accomplished by the Stone Church during the last seventy-five years, under the leadership of these godly men, we are amazed at its far reaching influence for good. To this community it has been the great leader in the cause of good morals; a cloud by day, a pillar of fire by night. During all this period it has kept the banner of the cross floating triumphantly in the field, under which it has fought and won splendid victories for Christ and His Kingdom. Through its influence thousands have been rescued from sin and destruction -- homes have been beautified by religion, millions given to advance the cause of education, society refined, elevated and quickened in every good word and work, the heathen and the missionary in far off lands strengthened and encouraged, and Heaven itself has been enriched with her devoted children.
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