USA > Ohio > Logan County > Bellefontaine > History of the First Presbyterian Church of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and addresses delivered at the celebration of the thirty-fifth anniversary of the pastorate of the Reverend George L. Kalb, D.D > Part 12
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OUR TEMPLES OF WORSHIP, BY E. J. HOWENSTINE.
The first structure or building erected and dedicated ex- clusively to the worship of God, was the great Temple of Solonion at Jerusalem. From that ancient and historic day, all peoples, whether believers in a living, omnipotent God, christian or pagan, have followed the example of Solomon and have had and kept their temples for worship. Athens had her temple to the goddess Minerva; Ephesus to Diana and Rome to Jupiter. Later in his- tory, Rome had her St. Peters; London her Westminster; New York her Trinity and Plymouth church. Not so costly or impos- ing, but far more dear, have been the temples of worship of the pioneer christians of the western world.
In the year A. D., 1825, what is now the First Presbyterian church of Bellefontaine was organized. Following the example of the great and wise Solomon and yielding to that impulse of the christian heart, which was created by the injunction implied in the promise that "where two or three are ยท assenibled together in my name, there shall I be with them," on the 20th of May, 1827, that revered father of this church, Rev. Joseph Stevenson, purchased lot No. 150 in Bellefontaine, on which, through his efforts, the First Presbyterian church building of Bellefontaine
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was erected in the year 1828. In 1823 the county government completed a frame building standing on lot No. 142 on Main street, where H. M. Annat's store now is, for the purpose of a court house. The use of that court house for worship was had by our clurch from 1825 until the building referred to was completed in tlie winter of 1828-29. That building was occupied as our temple of worship from 1829 till March 11, 1841, when it was transferred to what was organized in Bellefontaine as the Second Presbyterian church.
From 1841 to 1845, worship in our church was held for part of the time in what was called McLaughlin's school house, a brick building yet standing at the northeast corner of Sandusky avenue and Elm street, and for the remainder of the time in what was then the new brick court house.
On the first day of February, 1845, the trustees of our church acquired title to lot No. 120, in Bellefontaine, and in that year erected thereon the building on North Main street, now occupied by the Reformned Presbyterians. That building was used as our temple of worship from 1845 till May 14, 1870. Preparations for the erection of our present temple of worship were begun in 1867 by the purchase of the ground, but the building was not completed and dedicated until January 1I, 1874. During the interval be- tween May, 1870, and January II, 1874, services were had for part of the time in what was then called Opera Hall, it being the place now occupied by the Masonic Fraternity, and the remainder, beginning in 1871, the services were held in the basement of our present church building until the date of dedication.
This temple of worship was dedicated on Sabbath day, the IIth of January, 1874, and has been in use for a period of twenty-five years. Its walls are festooned with hallowed memories. Here lovers have met and their souls were bound as one. Here our little ones have been christened and dedicated to God. Here we have parted with and buried our dead.
When this temple of worship was dedicated it was the largest church building in Bellefontaine; was up-to-date in all its appoint- ments, and was considered a grand and imposing structure; but the laws of evolution apply to church buildings as well as to all things else. Tastes in architecture have changed. Ideas as to comfort and convenience have advanced and improved. The popu- lation of our city has more than doubled and the list of our niem-
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bership, as well as the attendance at Sabbath-school, lias increased in equal proportion, so that now our temple of worship is not up-to- date; is not equal to modern built houses in convenience and coni- fort, and is inadequate in size to accommodate either the Sabbath- school or the congregation at worship.
WORK AND INFLUENCE OF THE CHURCH IN THE COMMUNITY.
BY REV. G. W. HAMILTON, D. D.
Brethren, christian friends, I am here to convey the greeting of the United Presbyterian church on this most interesting occa- sion. Many of the people of this congregation were of the Asso- ciate Reformed church, that originally constituted my congregation.
At the time of our union in 1858, the Associate element of the United Presbyterian church, true to their nature, seized the church property and this congregation in accord with their genius grasped the larger share of the membership, and thus strengthened the foundation for what has proved the strongest and most influ- ential religious and social organization Bellefontaine has ever known.
I am quite certain of the truth in saying that what our city is and has been for culture, refinement and progress must, in a large measure, be credited to the people of this Presbyterian church, who, by their education, opportunities of travel, and wealth, have constituted the very center of that bracing social circle that has made that phase of life in this place so charming to those who live here, and a model for imitation to the many favored and deliglited sojourners.
The future of most things is uncertain. Whether in years to come this city will be able to roll back any and every evil tide that threatens our social good name, depends very much on this people. Upon them, more than others, will rest the responsibility of bravely facing the advance of any foe to our domestic life and social joys, We are not in doubt either of you or of the final results.
You will lead and the other congregations will bravely co-op- erate in this field of christian work. May God give you grace and wisdom to show us all the way into this higlier, better and hap- pier social life and influence so necessary and beneficial to nian- kind, and so well pleasing to our common Lord.
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SINGERS IN ISRAEL. BY GILBERT M. STEVENSON.
I take it the "Singers in Israel" are the leaders of the church music, for there were many sweet singers in the congregation wlio did not act as leaders, except when called upon by the chorister to assist when the regular ones were absent, and others who never took part in the leading. So many of these there were that no attempt will be made to name all, and if some are named who lielped but little and otliers not named who helped more, it is with no inten- tion of slight for in the short time allotted the memory will not pres- ent every name.
The first leaders of which we have been able to learn were Josiah Moore and James E. Stevenson, who lead the singing in the square brick church which stood on the rear end of the lot where the present A. M. E. church stands.
They stood up just in front of the pulpit, facing the congrega- tion. One would read two lines of the hymn to be sung, when the other would "raise the tune." At the close of the two lines he would read, or "line out" the next two, and the one who first read would lead in the singing, and thus they would change throughout the hymn.
The next were four singers instead of two, who occupied the same position as the ones named, and were James D. Campbell, Charles Porter, Joseph Stevenson and James Kerr.
The tunes must be learned from the note books at singing schools and memorized, so as to be sung in church without the use of notes. Charles Porter was the teacher of these singing schools, and the notes used were what we call the four notes, or Fa, Sol, La, Mi.
When the congregation got into their next church, which is now the Reformed Presbyterian church on North Main street, several singers, including both sexes, sat together near the center of the church, and thus lead in the singing. They were Joseph Stevenson, leader; James E. Stevenson, Robert Henderson, Marga- ret Ann Kerr Stevenson, and Mary Marquis.
They now began to use their note books in church. Later the choir was given the six rear seats in the church, between the doors, which were raised higher than the others; two seats were for soprano, two for bass, one for alto and one for tenor. Racks were then placed on the backs of the seats in front of the singers to hold the note books.
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Choir meetings were held each week (except during harvest) to which any or all members of the congregation were welcomed. When the roads were good these meetings were often held in the country; conveyances used, farm wagons or bob-sleds. When the roads were bad the chorister often brought the singers together in his carriage, and after rehearsal took them to their homes again.
Anthems were sometimes sung as opening pieces for the ser- vice, and any new tune must be thus used a few times to let the congregation learn it, somewhat, before singing it to a hymn in worship.
It was not until 1874 when the Presbyterian Hymnal was introduced, that the notes were set to the hymns throughout the book. When round notes were introduced, the task of teaching the singers to read music thus written, instead of each note having a different shape, was undertaken by the pastor, Rev. George Gregg. The meetings also were often held at private houses, and when they met at the Rev. Joseph Stevenson home, north of town, in the large room built to accommodate neighborhood prayer meetings, as many as seventy persons have been counted in the class.
It was in the second church building, while the choir occupied these raised seats, that the first instrument was introduced. It was a bass viol and played by Mr. Frank Creswell. The next was a cabinet organ, used in Sunday-school, which soon found its way into the church service and was superseded by a better one, and it, in turn, by our present pipe organ.
As to the choir, some would sing for a time then move away, or quit for some cause, and others take their places. As we have been unable to get dates, we can only mention as many of the namnes as come to our knowledge, as at some time having belonged to the choir; neither can we give them in chronological order, but after the ones that have been named, there were Mr. Philo Dorwin, Frank Creswell, Ebenezer Nelson, Morrison Kerr, William D. Faris, William Mackey, Mary Patterson, Joan Smith, Lottie Swan-Lake, Levina Nelson Anderson, Nancy Nelson-Kerr, John K. Kerr, Hattie Gregg-Akey, Mollie Durkee-Reynolds, Margaret Byers-Jackson, Charlotte Knox, Mary Stanton-Allison, Peggie Huber-Apple, Carrie McClure-Price, Kate Huber-Beal, Lucinda Stevenson-Silver, Mrs. George P. Bergen, Marion M. Stevenson, John Milton Stevenson, William McLaughlin, Charles McLaugh-
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lin, G. P. Stevenson, J. K. Stevenson, R. S. Kerr, Mary Niven- Kerr, G. M. Stevenson, Martha Martin-Stevenson, Jas. V. Steven- son, Alice Stover, Mollie Bergen-Coldren, W. A. Ogden, Mrs. Hattie Wilkinson, Lowrie Faris, J. Ed. Stevenson, J. Q. A. Camp- bell, Lizzie Emerson, Sadie Parker-Lawrence, John Fichthorn, Sallie Kennedy-Goodwin, Mrs. Maggie Riddle, Sallie Emery-Pat- terson, Ella Kerr-Martin, Mame Kerr-Emery, Mame Patterson- Cartmell, Mrs. Laura Wallace, Effie Mclaughlin-Hoffner, George W. Emerson, J. D. McLaughlin, Isaac Neer, Ida St. John, Thomas O. Taylor, Dr. R. W. Chalfant, Mack Dickinson, Frank Kerr, John Brand, Frank Kennedy, Beatty Bunker, Laura Nichols-Em- erson, Helen Noble, Harry S. Kerr, Jennie Emery, Jennie Howen- stine-Cushman, Mrs. Thornhill. As teachers, I might mention Charles Porter, Rev. George Gregg and W. A. Ogden.
Choristers :- Joseph Stevenson, John Fichthorn and R. W. Chalfant.
Organists :- Belle Dorwin, Mary Pollock, Belle Knox, Mag- gie Kalb-Fowl, Miss Tuttle, Louie Kalb-Hamilton, Emma Shaw, Katie Kernan-Whitworth, Hattie Wright-Brand, Miss Jordan, Mrs. Sakie Walker, Mrs. Mamie Brandon, Mattie Loofborough, Emma Fuller-Howenstine, Arthur Ridgeway and Dana Dewey Coulter.
Special mention might be made of many of these singers, but time will permit but a word or two and that of but a few of them. Philo Dorwin was an educated musician, sometimes called the lawyer of the choir, to whom the hard questions were referred; I would mention for clear, strong, powerful voices, Lottie Swan- Lake and Mollie Durkee-Reynolds; expert readers of music, Mrs. G. P. Bergen, Mrs. Wilkinson; for sweet musical voices, Levina Nelson and Frank Kennedy. May I be pardoned for mentioning the name of Margaret Ann Kerr-Stevenson, who was a member of the first choir, and one to be depended on for many years, and whose voice today, in her 79th year, is, to me at least, sweeter than any bird that carols from the trees. For voices cultivated to a high standard of excellence, I would mention Mrs. Jennie Howen- stine-Cushman, Mrs. Laura Nichols-Emerson, Mrs. Belle Thornhill, and Mr. Harry Kerr.
Much might also be said of the music which, from the choir of two men, has advanced step by step to the present, which, under the very efficient leadership of Dr. Chalfant, has been raised
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to such a standard that but few city churches have better singing, or use a higher grade of music, than is enjoyed by this church. The hymns too, have been somewhat changed, but to the older ones now living, the following lines by Frank L. Stanton, seem very appropriate:
THE OLD HYMNS.
There's lots o' music in 'en1-the hymns of long ago,
And when some grey-haired brother sings the ones I used to know I sorter want to take a hand !- I think o' days gone by:
"On Jordan's stormy banks I stand and cast a wishful eye !"
There's lots o' music in 'em-those dear, sweet hymns of old- With visions bright of lands of light, and shining streets of gold; And I hear 'em ringing-singing, where mem'ry, dreaming, stands, "From Greenland's icy mountains to India's coral strands."
. They seem to sing forever, of holier, sweeter days,
When the lilies of the love of God bloomed white in all the ways; And I want to hear their music from the old-time meetin's rise "Till "I can read my title clear to mansions in the skies."
We never needed singing books in them old days-we knew The words-the tunes of every one the dear old hymn book through. We didn't have no trumpets then-no organs built for show: We only sang to praise the Lord "from whom all blessings flow." An' so I love the old hymns, and when my time shall come- Before the light has left me, and my singing lips are dumb, If I can only hear 'em then, I'll pass without a sigh
"To Canaan's fair and happy land, where my possessions lie !"
OUR PASTOR, HIS WORK AND HIS INFLUENCE BY JUDGE WILLIAM H. WEST.
The theme assigned to me, Mr. Moderator, is too great to be more than epitomized within the space or ten times the space allotted, and even that but indifferently, I fear, from want of familiarity with the varied work and multiplied duties of a pastor in charge. As only a soldier can fittingly portray the heroism and achievements of his comrade in the field, so a preacher, I have supposed, is best qualified to sketch the life work and moral hero- ism of a co-laborer in a kindred field. Happily the ground has been reaped over by the reverend gentleman, who preceded, leav- ing only the gleanings for me, unless peradventure, a sheaf or two may be purloined front his rick.
Long ago it was said, "blessed are they that diligently serve the Lord-When they rest from their labors their works do follow them." For five and thirty years, a time longer than the life of a gen-
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eration, nearly half the life of this church organization, Dr. Kalb, in sunshine and storm, has borne the Ark of Covenant before this congregation, and now when his pilgrimage is nearing its end, lie is ready and able to hand it over, all lustrous and untarnished, to whom ever may come after. The magnitude, character, diver- sity and fruit of this life work in the prayer-meeting, the Sabbath- school, the Bible class and tlie pulpit, in the Presbytery, the Synod and the Assembly, in upbuilding and sustaining the educa- tional institutions and missions of the church, and especially in ininistering to the sick, comforting the sorrowing and burying the dead of his people, only the recording angel can fully compre- hend and adequately sketch. Besides his many miscellaneous addresses, religious and secular, educational, anniversary, memor- ial and others, he has, in these five and thirty years, delivered from this pulpit nearly as many hundred discourses, not windy harangues, not roaring declamations, for the Doctor never boasted of being a vox praeterea nihil orator, voice and nothing more, but discourses enriched with the thought of a student, embellished with the learning of the scholar and laden with the weighty truths of gospel inspiration; discourses furnishing food for babies when needful, strong mneat for veteran sinners when required, but always something fresh, something substantial which the mind could lay hold of, feed upon, ponder over and profit by if capable of appreciating and profiting by intellectual and moral excellence. As fruit thereof, this church, from a little germ warmed into life by the prayers of the grand old pioneer, the venerable "Father" Stevenson and his associates, watered by the sterling common sense of the lamented Gregg, nurtured by the genius of the gifted Raffensperger, and sustained by the zealous piety and christian devotion of Bergen, under the fostering care of Dr. Kalb, has attained its present growth, a sturdy cedar of Lebanon under whose branches a multitude find shelter and repose.
Amid the multiplied cares and herculean labors in which his ministerial office engrossed him, Dr. Kalb never forgot that he was a citizen as well as a preacher, and never shrank from any duty his citizenship cast upon him. In every benevolent enter- prise, in every movement set on foot to ameliorate the sorrow and secure the happiness of homes, conserve social order, advance pub- lic morality, promote the general welfare and lift humanity to a higher and nobler plain, his services, never offensively obtrusive were ever laudibly conspicuous and useful. Especially is this
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true of liis labors in the educational field. For eighteen years he was a member, and I believe, the secretary of our city School Board, and for thirty-three years school examiner thereof, for which positions his boyhood education in the common school, his profound and deversified classical learning, and his practical judg- ment of men, measures and character preeminently fitted him. To his scrupulous and efficient discharge of these official duties and his vigilant care of their interests, our public schools are indebted in a large measure for the high character of their instruct- ors, the high order of their instruction, and the great excellence they have attained, making them the pride and glory of the city and community on which their light is shed. In the local Chau- tauqua, university extension, and literary clubs, instituted for the diffusion of useful knowledge and the cultivation of a taste for learning, his services liave been scarcely less unremitting and val- uable than in the public schools. With others he was pioneer in founding the first literary club in the city, giving to it the encouragement of his personal and interested attendance, the influence of which has brought into existence kindred clubs, whereby is stimulated among our young people the study of his- tory, sacred and secular, classical and dramatic literature, the arts, architecture, biography, archeology, ethnology and all the other ologies in the catalogue, correspondingly augmenting culture, refining taste and enlarging the field of intelligence in marked contrast with what they were before the advent of these intellect- ual stimulants.
The social qualities of Dr. Kalb have endeared him to his peo- ple no less than his pastoral and public services. He was never one of those who regarded morose austerity as the only godliness and religion as consisting of a white necktie and somber melon- choly. Naturally youthful, exuberant and companionable, he enter- ed with zest into all the better kinds of social entertainments and amusements of the young and old whereat his genial humor, spark- ling repartee, apt anecdotes, droll stories and entertaining conversa- tion, of which his cyclopedic store of knowledge rendered him cap- able, charmed, delighted, or convulsed, making him the life of the occasion, sometimes the envy of his companions, for which, low- ever, he was without blame, for he could not help being what he was and is.
Such is an attenuated epitony of the work and services of Dr. Kalb as pastor, preacher, instructor, citizen, companion and
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christian gentleman. The influence of this his life work, of his gospel teaching, his moral instructions and example, his nobility of char- acter has impressed itself on the children whom he has baptized, on the young whom he has instructed, on the adult whom he has counseled, on the aged whom he has comforted, on the congrega- tion before which he has walked, on the community in which he has dwelt, and is the better for his dwelling therein, in lines more enduring than monumental bronze or sculptured marble. When he rests from his labors his work will follow him.
But the inexorable flight of time has brought us to this parting. Judging the feelings of all by my own this separation is like the breaking of home ties; like severing the cords of filial and parental affection. When a week ago it was suggested the time had arrived for drinking this bitter cup, the response was with one accord, not yet, at least not for a little while. As when the shadows of twi- light were closing about the imprisoned Socrates in the evening of the day on which he was condemned to drink the fatal hemlock at sundown, turning to Crito, his devoted friend and attendant, he said: "Crito, has the time arrived to quaff the cup?" "Not yet," was the sorrowing response, "not yet Socrates, tlie sun still lingers upon and lights the mountain top." So we, to the announcement that the time had arrived for this parting with one voice said, not yet; not while the brightness of Dr. Kalb's vigorous intellect still lingers to light the frail tenement encasing it. But the die is cast. The Omniscient One and Dr. Kalb best know the progress of his physical infirmities. As it must be, it is well that it be done fittingly. And fitting it is that this leave tak- ing occur on the five and thirtieth anniversary of his pastorate with us and the fifth semi-centennial of the promulgation of the Westminster standards. In behalf then of the children he has baptized, the young whom he has instructed, the adults whom he has counseled, the aged whom he has comforted and the congrega- tion which he has led so many years, permit me, in parting, to say, friend, philosopher and sage, counselor and guide, hail and farewell, thy works do follow thee.
OUR PASTOR'S WIFE.
BY MRS. J. M. RIDDLE.
This occasion would not be complete without some acknow- ledginent of the service and influence of her, who, during all the
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years of this long pastorate, has earnestly prayed and labored for the welfare of our church, and we are happy to speak a few words in kindly remembrance and loving appreciation of the gentle "Mistress of the Manse."
It is a fact of church history that the success of a pastorate depends largely upon the prudence and christian spirit of the pas- tor's wife, and we can hardly realize how much of the peace and prosperity we have enjoyed, has been due to the sweet tempered, self-denying woman, who not only made her husband's interests her own, but whose deep solicitude for the prosperity of the church and the salvation of souls impelled her to work beyond her strength, resulting in weeks of weary illness, and her absence today from this most interesting anniversary. We do not under- estimate her influence, because her life has been, in a measure, secluded, and her work done so noiselessly, remembering that silent forces have greatest power, and as the quiet hours of every life have been hours of richest blessing, so the quiet life-"the life that seeketh not its own," is most helpful to others.
Her influence has not been merely passive, for although always in delicate health, and with many home cares her seat is very rarely vacant at the Sabbath service, the prayer meeting and the missionary society, and her promptness in visiting the stranger, the sick and the sorrowing is a rebuke to the lovers of ease and pleasure. In faithfully and willingly doing "what she could," and especially in the "keeping of the tongue from evil and the lips from speaking guile," she has been an example worthy our imitation. If the saying of Ruskin-"No man ever lived a right life who had not been chastened by a woman's love, strengthened by her courage and guided by her discretion"-be true, then we may believe that without our pastor's wife we would . scarcely be celebrating this thirty-fifth anniversary, so we joyfully accord to Mrs. Kalb a large share in the honors bestowed and the love expressed here today.
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