USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Annals of the First Presbyterian church of Cleveland, 1820-1895 > Part 8
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by Mrs. Mather. Mrs. Wm. E. Jones is at the head of the vacation class, and was assisted the first year by Mrs. J. A. Foot, Jr., Miss Weaver, Miss Nichols and others. To these and their faithful helpers much credit is due for the successful work accomplished.
The last work we will speak of, and not by any means the least, is that of the "Boys' Club," which was organized in February, 1892, under the charge of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Haines. The enrollment was in 1892, 257 ; in 1893, 200, and in 1894, 178. The average attendance has been about sixty. Many of the boys have been with the club from the beginning, and evidence much love for it. There has been marked improvement in the character and manners of the boys who have longest been with the club. The workers have never numbered over twenty, and last year but ten, and nearly all of these, with the exception of Mr. and Mrs. Haines, who give so much of their time to this work, are from outside of the church. If a suffi- cient number from our own church would enlist in this work, the capacity of the rooms would soon be taxed to their utmost. New members are now charged a fee of ten cents. At least six of these boys have this year joined the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion. A number have entered our Sabbath School. Monthly lectures are held and a monthly examination in history. Certain classes of boys have been taught drawing and book-keeping, by volunteer teachers; the number reached and the good accomplished being apparently limited only by the number of teachers available for such work. Surely no work in the church
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is more important than this boys' club, and there ought to be plenty of helpers. The club has, from the start, had one paid assistant ; first, Miss Nibloe, whose health failed her, and now Miss Lewis, of this city. About sixty of the other boys are about to be formed into a club of their own with a gymnasium and class work. A Parish house is also in contemplation, which is designed to greatly broaden this work.
Very likely we have omitted the names of many who have deserved mention, and we ask the indulgence of all if this is found to be true. In a paper of this kind, going over so many years, it is well nigh impos- sible to get the names of every worker, or duly to credit each with the measure of service which is his due.
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OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
MR. GILES R. ANDERSON.
The exact time when the first gathering of young people of the Old Stone Church, met for a prayer meeting, is unknown.
It was probably in the latter half of the pastorate of Dr. Goodrich. Previous to this, there had been meetings on Wednesday evenings, that were of the nature of a Bible class and prayer meeting combined, and it was from these that the idea of a young people's prayer meeting was conceived.
They were first held on Sunday evening, before the church service, and I am told that our present pastor, years ago, when considering a call to the Old Stone Church, made the remark, "that the heartiness with which the young people conducted that prayer meet- ing, was one of the things that made him desire to cast in his lot with us." The meeting was finally changed to Tuesday night, and was carried on for years, with occasional summer intermissions, and from them, in due time, came the Young People's Association and the Christian Endeavor Society of later years.
Our Young People's Association was formed in 1881, and united with the Union Young People's Association of Cleveland. In the same year, in far off Maine, Dr. Clark started, with a few others, the first Christian Endeavor Society.
The main difference between it and our Young People's Association was the pledge of consecration to
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a more devoted Christian life, of daily prayer, scrip- ture reading and church attendance. This one feature of the Christian Endeavor Society was the vital point, and one by one, the various Young People's Associa- tions adopted the Christian Endeavor name and pledge and became Christian Endeavor Societies.
In 1892, the Old Stone Church Association voted to become a Christian Endeavor Society, that it might be in touch with the young people of the city. There was no marked change in our society when the new name and pledge were adopted, for we had always been known to have good meetings, and our young people were heart and soul in the work.
Our Christian Endeavor friends had a hard time, therefore, to convert us to their idea. The associate pastors had all been young men, who had regularly attended our meetings, and to their energetic work and kindly advice, the success of our services must to a great extent be attributed.
As we look back over the past few years, we are confident that the pledge has helped the leaders, and made stronger the weaker members, enabling them to do their part in the meetings, and to-day, we are glad we belong, first, to the Old Stone Church, and next, to the vast multitude of Christian Endeavor workers, who have stirred up all denominations and sent a new life- blood thrilling through the veins of the universal church.
Some of the fathers of the church have felt doubtful as to the wisdom of giving their sup- port and approval to this youthful band, and have
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looked upon the phenomenal growth of the united societies with fear that it might prove to be subversive of church discipline. These doubts are fast wearing away as the true meaning of the Christian Endeavor pledge and principles become better understood and the result need not be feared.
Our society now has among its members some of the older young people, who well remember and cher- ish the memories of the beloved fathers and mothers of this church ; and again, we have the newer recruits from the Sabbath school, to whom the past is only a matter of history. Such relative differences must always exist as the years roll by ; and as the scroll of our church history lengthens, there is no doubt, but that as we, who in our youth, knew and loved the grey haired leaders of the past, are loyal to the Old Stone Church, so will they who follow us in the Christian Endeavor Society be loyal to this beloved church, and endeavor in their lives to emulate the virtues of those who, though dead, yet live in the work done here, "In His name."
Our Sabbath school is a preparation for Christian Endeavor work, and what West Point is to our armies, the Christian Endeavor Society is to the church, with one valuable additional thing, namely, practice. The Christian Endeavor Society gives theory, drill and practice ; this latter West Point does not give. Her foes are imaginary, ours are real. The West Point man may know how, but is not now often called into practice; whereas we have always before us opportuni- ties for battle against the evils in ourselves and in
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our midst, and can thus gain greater victories in the cause of Christ.
When any definite church work has been placed in our hands we have endeavored to prove ourselves worthy of the trust, as to our success let others speak, and not we ourselves. Our desire is that our members may have such training, that as the years roll by and we are called upon to fill the places of the honored ones gone before, we may be able to carry on the work, so near to our hearts, in a manner befitting mem- bers of this historic church, and worthy of record in her history.
We have now fifty-three active, sixteen associate, and fifteen sustaining members, and are organized with the usual officers and with committees for special lines of work.
Our Devotional committee has charge of the prayer meetings. Our Lookout committee endeavors to get new members and also to keep all members alive to their duties. The Entertainment committee has charge of our social gatherings. Our Missionary committee cares for the funds collected and provides for mission- ary meetings. The funds disbursed by this committee and its predecessor thus far amount to about two hundred and fifty dollars.
Our Good Citizenship and Temperance committees follow out the general plan of work laid out by the Union committees of like name. Our Systematic Beneficence committee tries to promote systematic giving among our members, especially through the tithe-giver's pledge. This work will tell in the future
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receipts of this church, if our members are prospered, as about twenty-three per cent. of our active member- ship are tithe-givers. Our active and associate mem- bers are indebted to the few sustaining ones, our special friends in the church, whose kindly aid has enabled us to do many things, in a limited time which, unaided, we could not not have accomplished, and for this help we are truly grateful.
The letters, "C. E.," stand for more than Christian Endeavor, and many mottoes have been made with them, but the one which seems to fit the C. E. idea the best, is "Christ Everywhere." The Christian Endeavor societies aim to place and keep Christ first, in their own hearts, and then spread the good news and take Christ with them, into business life and citizenship.
Our midweek meetings have been helpful. The past history is good to look upon, and yet, as our pastor said in his anniversary sermon, "It is better to live than to write about life." So we, the young people, turn our faces to the years to come. "Reach- ing forth unto those things which are before," we "press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God, in Christ Jesus."
As in the past, so in the future, will we stand ready to answer the calls of our beloved church, remember- ing that, "the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal," we will endeavor to give all things their proper place, and be loyal to the Master's word, which carries in it a promise :---
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his right- eousness and all these things shall be added unto you."
AN INTERIOR OF THE CHAPEL AT ANNIVERSARY TIME.
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THE LADIES' SOCIETY. 1856 -- 1895.
MRS. H. K. CUSHING.
The story of the Ladies' Society of this church, for the first twenty-five years of its existence, has been written by an abler pen than mine-Mrs. Mary Fair- banks. As there is no other record of its beginning, and of its early aims and labors, I trust that the writer of that record, who was one of the earlier secretaries of this society, will pardon me if I give the history in her own words :
"Because there are many now of this congregation who are not familiar with the youth of this organiza- tion, and because its record antedates and its work opened the way to some of Cleveland's noblest philan- thropies, it has been thought advisable to give the story of its beginning, its purpose and its accomplish- ment. And here "Remembrance wakes with all her busy train." Not many of you can recall the vision of the old stone church of blessed memory.
It was very plain in its outward form, And had little of sculptured grace, But the heirs of a rich inheritance Came oft to that hallowed place.
It had high-backed pews with paneled doors That opened with willing hands, For saint and sinner welcome found Alike in that Christian band.
9
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With the picture of the Old Stone Church, comes back as memory's most honored guest, the beloved pastor, Dr. Aiken, who for more than a quarter of a century, went in and out before this people. Stately and commanding in form, lofty in his every thought and purpose, powerful in his logic and unflinching in his truth, he held the faithful love and reverence of this people, and stood among the priesthood of his time as an oracle.
That pictured face upon the wall, cannot reflect the fire of his eagle eye, nor the resounding tones of his earnest voice. Though, he perhaps would have said, as did Moses of old, "Oh Lord, I am not eloquent, but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue," yet every utterance was one of wisdom and often flashed with a brilliancy for which he never labored. Unstudied and self-forgetful in all his move- ments, there was a fascination in his simple manners which belongs always to men of genius.
Is it strange, that with such a pastor, the limited accommodations of our first church, should have become inadequate to the demands of the rapidly increasing congregation ? A new house was decided upon, and while many a heart felt a pang to see the shrine at which it had worshipped, thus rudely broken, there arose, in 1853, on this familiar site a stately edifice, commodious in its arrangement and beautiful in its proportions.
Still cherishing tenderly the memory of the olden time and the humbler church, all felt a just pride in the completion of the new, and at once sought to meet
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all obligations and expenses. And here we come to the origin of this society.
Hitherto the business interests of the church had been cared for exclusively by the trustees, and the secular affairs of this organization were in the hands of our business men, whose multiplying duties were bringing to them heavy burdens. The question arose in the active minds of some of the zealous sisters of the church, whether there was not for them something to do in the accomplishment of the church plans- might not they be helpers and co-workers ? The prime movers of this innovation were women, discreet in opinions and judicious in counsel-none other than Mrs. Henrietta Day Aiken, wife of our pastor, and Mrs. Emma Mason, one of his most zealous adherents. The utterance of these names is like the sweet refrain of a vanished melody. In that well-remembered sick room, from which Mrs. Aiken so rarely ventured, were held the conferences of these two Christian women, and when on a certain Sunday morning, our pastor announced from the pulpit his wish to meet in counsel with the female members of his congregation, there was a flutter of surprise as to the motive of this unusual summons.
The meeting was largely attended, and the proposal of a plan for systematic effort on the part of the ladies for creating a fund and assuming the responsibility of certain expenses, was received and discussed with interest.
The several objects of the organization were, assist- ance in the completion of the church, its subsequent
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furnishing, supplying the necessities of the poor who should come under the notice of the visiting commit- tee, and the contributing to other works of benevo- lence, in which this church, from its history and location, should be quick to engage. Another object, by no means secondary, was the uniting in Christian friendship, those who should thus make common cause.
A constitution was submitted, officers were chosen, and in January, 1856, "The Ladies' Society" became in the fullest sense, the help-meet of the church.
The fund was to be sustained by each member pledging herself to contribute each month a specified sum, ranging from twenty-five cents to one dollar, some even contributing five dollars per month. The membership of the society was assigned by districts to a visiting committee, whose duty it was to collect the monthly dues. A President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, with various committees constituted the Board of Management. Its first President was Mrs. Fanny Parsons. Apt in suggestion and ready in device, she was a leading spirit in this society so long as her health permitted her to share its labors. In 1865 her useful life ended, and her grave was made among the friends of her earlier days.
Side by side with her in council and in zeal, was the first Vice President, Mrs. Julia Starkweather. As we turn back the leaves of this record, we look in vain for those who were the vigorous and efficient women of that earlier time, whose well-bestowed zeal and hearty co-operation with their pastor, made the First
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Presbyterian Church a name and an influence to be honored for all time in Cleveland history.
Tenderly do we remember those who have "entered upon that day which no evening ever closes." The simple calling of some of their names will touch the hidden spring in many a heart that keeps their memory green, and will people this room with familiar faces, that long since vanished from our sight : Mrs. Gardner, Mrs. Stetson, Mrs. Carson, Mrs. Aiken, Mrs. Mason, Mrs. Mary Cushing, Mrs. Mary Jane Sterling, Mrs. Sizer, Mrs. Bingham, Mrs. Stedman, Miss Martha Stair, Mrs. Raymond, Mrs. Wooden, Mrs. Sargent, Mrs. Sackrider, Mrs. Cutter, Mrs. Spencer.
Our first Secretary was Mrs. John E. Lyon, who put courage into the hearts of all who worked with her.
Our first Treasurer was Mrs. J. B. Waring, whose present home is in California.
Though the fund of the society was at that time exceedingly modest, we have record of its most judi- cious disbursement. We gratefully record here the early services of these first members.
Probably one of the proudest days in our history was when after much conference, we drew with a royal hand upon our Treasurer for the requisite funds to pay for the pulpit furniture of our new church. A committee had been delegated to select and purchase in New York, the sofa and arm-chairs that should be worthy of their purpose, and when in due time they stood in their appointed place, and our then stately pastor sat upon the crimson cushions, we felt that each was worthy of the other, and they who had made this
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offering to our temple, were almost self-righteous in the deed. One of that purchasing committee was Mrs. Weddell, whom some of us still hold in loving remembrance.
A year of zealous work and gratifying success had passed, when by one of those inscrutable providences, which defy human wisdom and foresight, our beauti- ful temple was laid in ruins. None who were con- nected with this congregation in the winter of 1852, will forget with what dismay we saw the relentless flames darting through and encircling the lofty spire. Nor will they forget how sadly we gathered on the Sabbath following, within the circumscribed limits of an "upper chamber," (then known as Chapin's Hall) to listen to the pastor as he spoke to us those tender words, Isa. 64-11-"Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire, and all our pleasant things are laid waste." Here again was a new incentive for combined effort. Scarcely had the smoldering fires died out, ere the stroke of the hammer and the skill of the architect were bringing out of the unsightly ruin, the edifice in which we next worshipped. The Ladies' Society, a recognized power in the church, devoted itself with increased ardor to the work of re-building. Under the leadership of Mrs. John A. Foot, as President, and Mrs. S. Williamson as Vice President, with the most efficient committees that ever seconded the efforts of their officers, we may perhaps claim for our society its most self-sacrificing and eventful period. The years were bringing weakness and infirmity to the
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Moses upon whom we had leaned in his strength, and God raised up Aaron to be a mouth unto this people. Ah! those were sad days in the history of this congre- gation, when we could not shut our eyes and ears to the faltering step and failing voice of our beloved Pastor, and yet could scarce consent that another should take his place.
It was in 1859, that Dr. Goodrich came to us, nom- inally as our assistant pastor, but virtually assuming control of church affairs, and never did a finer or nobler nature adjust itself to the exigences of peculiar circumstances. With tender reverence, he honored the dear old man who still held his seat in the pulpit chair, while he took up the work of the pastorate, not as though he assumed a charge, but rather carried out and fulfilled what another had begun. With his advent came a new impetus to our work. The growth of the church was rapid, and numerous were the demands made upon the time and funds of the Ladies' Society. A mission school was established at what was then known as Wassonville, and under the pro- tection of the First Church and Ladies' Society after- wards became the North Church. When a new organ was needed, there were drafts made upon our treasury to aid in payment thereof, and there floats back to us as on some anthem strain, the memory of one, who for years like David of old, praised "the Lord with instruments and organs." How vividly do we recall the tall form of Mr. Dewitt, who sang in the "singers seat," and how gratefully do we remember his ready responses to our appeals for help in the carrying out of our Society's work.
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The war which passed over us, leaving in its train thousands of wrecked and shattered lives, opened to us a branch of labor.
Well-filled boxes went out from our busy rooms to gladden the hearts and homes of many a missionary, who had taken up his cross amid the privations of the frontiers. When the poor freedmen reached out their helpless hands, from which the shackles had but just fallen, our Society gave of its time and its funds to their necessities.
Perhaps one of the most signal undertakings of this Society, fraught with richest results, was the opening in 1863, of a temporary home for the protection of friendless women, who through misfortune were pen- sioners upon public charity.
As has been before implied, the location of our church in the very heart of the city had made it one of the centering points of mission work. Our pastor, Dr. Goodrich, a man in the prime of his years, with a large heart and clear judgment, was early recognized in this community as humanity's friend. The many women in misfortune, who applied for help, suggested to him the idea of a "Strangers' Home." A special fund was raised by a fete given by the Ladies' Society, and a house rented for the purpose specified.
We may not follow here the progress of this work, but it would be interesting to note how step by step we climbed, and how encouraged by the hearty co-oper- ation of other Societies, the great chain of charities unfolded into a Woman's Home, a Retreat, a Hos- pital, a Young Woman's League, an Old Ladies' Home,
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and an Open Door, and how this church, and notably this Society, gave to two of these charities, the noble woman Sarah Fitch, whom they long honored as President.
For fifteen years she was the trusted banker of this Society, and even when pressed by other duties, she resigned that office, we still made her the almoner of our charities. It has not been possible to gather the entire list of those who have been officially connected with us. Mrs. Ursula Andrews served as one of our earlier presidents, and Mrs. Foot, Mrs. Williamson and Miss Fitch measured their terms by years. The duties of Secretary were successively assigned to Mrs. J. E. Lyon, Mrs. A. G. Colwell, Mrs. A. W. Fairbanks, Mrs. Proctor Thayer, Mrs. Henry Raymond, Mrs. G. H. Ely, Mrs. Henry Johnson, Mrs. Charles Whitaker, Mrs. E. C. Higbee and Mrs. George Gardner. Mrs. Morrell was for many years the effi- cient treasurer and Mrs. A. H. Potter filled the Presi- dent's chair during 1880.
There are many incidents of interest, and evidences of progress and efficiency in this organization which this limited record may not embrace. We may mention here the change in the mode of collecting the monthly subscriptions, when, instead of a visiting collector, the present custom of receiving the dues on the third Sunday of each month in a marked envelope was inaugurated. The sum total which this Society collected and disbursed during its first twenty-five years, was not less than $25,000.
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It is not in egotism, but rather in tenderness that we recall a tribute once paid to us by Dr. Goodrich, when he said he could "not well see how the work of this church could be carried on without the Ladies' Society." So thoroughly did he endorse the principle of our association, that he desired to have the daugh- ters early trained to take their share of responsibility, and in 1863, he called the young ladies of his congre- gation together, as Dr. Aiken years before summoned the mothers to conference and co-operation. The out- come of that gathering was the formation of the Young Ladies' Mission Society, now called the Good- rich Society, in honor of its founder, whose first duty was to care for the North Church Sunday School, meeting its expenses, and in various ways looking after its interests. Keeping step with the culture and love of the beautiful, which friendly surroundings must inevitably develop, and recognizing the fact that the tastes and fancies of our fresher natures may praise the Lord, he assigned to this new society the congenial duties of sustaining social, literary and musical enter- tainments, that should unite the congregation in common interests. It was in his time and rather as a tribute to his love of flowers, that their perfume became a holy incense, and a floral committee was established, which has since rendered loving service in filling the church vase with the choicest offerings of garden and conservatory.
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