History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II, Part 35

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co.
Number of Pages: 680

USA > Ohio > History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 35

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The church remained without the regular ser- vices of a minister from the death of Mr. Day until July, 1824, when the Rev. John T. Hamil- ton became stated supply, and acted in that ca- pacity until February, 1828. ' Mr. Hamilton gave the congregation one sermon in two weeks and . received a salary of $160 a year, of which $100 were contributed by Mr. Elias Ayers. Near the close of his ministry here, Mr. Hamilton re- moved his family to Louisville, where he engaged in teaching, and preached there three times while he preached once here. Thirteen members were received under him, of whom seven were ad- mitted upon profession of faith and six upon certificate from other churches. At the date of his resignation there were twenty-seven members in the communion of the church.

It was during Mr. Hamilton's ministry that the Female Bible society of this church was formed, an institution which has had a vigorous and use- ful existence and which still survives. It was organized at the house of Mrs. Phoebe Scribner, September 20, 1824. The first officers were Mrs. Margaret Robinson, directress; Mrs. Ayers, treasurer; Mrs. Hannah W. Shields, secretary.

Mrs. Joel Scribner, Mrs. Abner Scribner, and Mrs. Jones constituted the executive committee. The names of sixty-six ladies appear upon the original list of subscribers. At first it was nom- inally a union society, but soon passed entirely into the hands of the Presbyterians, although the name of The Female Bible Society of New Albany, was not changed for that of The Female Bible Society of the First Presbyterian church of New Albany, until 1844. From the beginning until now, this society has been the means of great good, and a very large amount of money has been raised for the dissemination of the word of God. Besides the regular annual col- lections, extraordinary offerings were frequently made. I may mention a jubilee offering of $100 in 1866, in thankful acknowledgment of the com- pletion of the fiftieth year of the American Bible society; and one of $267 in 1868, for the pur- pose of sending Bibles to Spain, then happily opened for the first time for the free circulation of the Scriptures.

The next installed pastor was the Rev. Ashbel S. Wells. He was born in Vermont in 1798; was graduated at Hamilton college, New York, in 1824. After a short course in Auburn Theo- logical seminary, he was ordained as an evangel- ist by the presbytery of Oneida, and came with his wife, as the pioneer of the Western Fraternity in Auburn seminary, and as a missionary of the American Home Missionary society, and under the direction of the Indiana Missionary society, to the village of New Albany, where he arrived in May, 1828. He was warmly welcomed by the few remaining members of the church, and earnestly desired to stay and labor with them. At a meeting in the court-house Mr. Ayers proposed that Mr. Wells' salary should be raised by sub- scription, and the whole amount of four hundred dollars for the first year was subscribed upon the spot. There were at this time only twenty-seven members and very little wealth.

After laboring among the congregation for six months, Mr. Wells was installed as pastor, hy Salem presbytery, December 17, 1828, Rev. John T. Hamilton preaching the installation sermon. Mr. Wells' ministry was the turning point in the history of this church. He received one hun- dred and thirty-eight members into its com- munion; at the close of his pastorate, the num- ber of members was one hundred and thirty-one.

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

The new church having been so far completed that it could be used, was dedicated February 26, 1830. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. J. M. Dickey, the father of the Pres- byterian church in Indiana; and Rev. Leander Cobb assisted in the service. The church was situated on State street, between Market and Spring, on the ground now occupied by Mr. Mann's mill, and Mr. Loughmiller's store. It was a one-story brick building, with a steeple and a bell, and was very creditable to a small place and congregation.

In April, 1832, Mr. Wells requested leave of presbytery to resign his pastoral charge, and the relation was accordingly dissolved. At the same time Messrs. Ayers and Adams resigned their office as ruling elders.

After Mr. Wells' departure the church secured a new minister almost immediately. On Sabbath, 12th of June, 1832, the congregation met after public worship, and gave a call to the Rev. Samuel K. Sneed to become the pastor of the church, and he entered immediately upon his duties. Mr. 'Sneed's ministry was a period of great activity and continuous growth, but a time also in which there was frequent occasion for discipline. Under his ministrations one hun- dred and thirty-nine members were added to the church.

One of the first things to be done was to strengthen the session, William Plumer being the only active elder remaining. On October 7, 1832, six additional elders were chosen, viz : James R. Shields, Jacob Simmers, Harvey Scrib- ner, Charles Woodruff, John Bushnell, and Mason C. Fitch.

In November, 1835, Mr: Sneed began preach- ing at a private house in the neighborhood of the present Mount Tabor church; usually, on every alternate Tuesday evening. At the same time he formed a Bible class of young persons, who met on Sabbath afternoon. Many serious impressions were produced by these means, and in a short time almost all the members of the class were indulging in hope in Christ. In the summer of 1836 a few of the members of the New Albany church purchased three acres of ground for about $60; and an acre more was donated by an unconverted man whose farm adjoined. This plat of ground was set apart as a camp-ground and solemnly named Mount Ta-

bor, in commemoration of the place where our Saviour was supposed to have been transfigured. Camp meetings were held here annually, and sometimes twice a year, until 1843. The first camp-meeting was held in June, 1836, when quite a number were awakened and converted, among them the donor of part of the land. An- other was held in September, 1837; and, as the result, thirteen persons were received into the church upon examination. Upon the division of the church the camp-meetings were continued under the auspices of the Second church, and the direction of Mr. Sneed, and a house of wor- ship was erected at Mount Tabor in 1838.

Although Mr. Sneed had received a call at the beginning of his labors in this church, he was not installed as pastor until June 14, 1837. Diffi- culties and dissatisfaction, chiefly of a personal nature, and involving a difference of view be- tween the pastor and a portion of the people, led to a division of the church in November, 1837. The presbytery granted permission for the organ- ization of a Second church; and one hundred and three of the members, including Jacob Sim- mcrs, one of the elders, went into the new enter- prise. A committee of presbytery was appointed to make an equitable distribution of the church property. The Second church became con- nected with the New School body. An excellent state of feeling has always been preserved, how- ever, between the two churches; and into the same brotherly circle came the Third church, upon its organization, in 1853.

Mr. Sneed remained with the Second church until 1843, when he removed and took charge of the Walnut Street church, in Evansville, as stated supply.

At the division, the First church was left with seventy-one members, including Elders William . Plumer, M. C. Fitch, J. R. Shields, Charles . Woodruff, and John Bushnell. Elias Ayers and Benjamin Adams, who had retired from active service in the eldership, were also among the number.

December 18, 1837, Rev. W. C. Anderson, of the presbytery of Washington, was unanimously elected pastor, at a salary of $800; and a call was forwarded to him, signed by Rev. W. L. Breckenridge. On the first Sabbath of February, 1838, he entered upon his duties as stated sup- ply, but seems never to have been installed pastor.

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

The church was entirely united and ready for work. At the end of the first pastoral year thirty-six persons had been received into mein- bership, and the number of communicants · amounted to one hundred and two; the attend- ance at Sabbath services and prayer-meetings had doubled; the tone of piety in the church was plainly elevated, and the benevolent contribu- tions were greatly increased. The second year was likewise prosperous; twenty-seven members were added to the church; perfect union pre- vailed in the session and congregation; no exer- cise of discipline was required; and, though it was a year of great financial embarrassment, the contributions of the church were larger than ever before, amounting to $2,865, including $1,500 for the support of the minister. The third year, however, was one of great deadness, the pastor being sick and unable to attend to his duties during a large part of the time. Ninety- seven persons were added to the roll during Mr .. Anderson's connection with the church. Ill health compelled him to resign his position in November, 1841, and his loss was deeply re- gretted by all.

Upon Mr. Anderson's departure the church was without a pastor for a year, but was supplied by Drs. Wood and Matthews, professors in the theological seminary. Through their faithful labors, this year of vacancy was one of the rich- est in results in the history of the church, forty- nine members being received, chiefly upon pro- fession of faith.

In December, 1842, Rev. F. S. Howe was unanimously elected pastor, at a salary of $600. He never accepted the call, but continued to supply the church until April, 1844. During his stay twenty-three persons were added to the church.

The Rev. Daniel Stewart was elected pastor, with the usual unanimity of this church, June 6, 1844, the salary being increased to $800. Mr. Stewart was graduated at Union college, New York, in 1833, and at Princeton Theological seminary in 1838; and, previous to coming to New Albany, he had passed through a short pastorate at Balston Spa, New York. During his pastorate here one hundred and three men- bers were received, the last year being one of precious revival.

With the sanction of the session, the pastor

began, in 1848, giving two lectures a week in the theological seminary, upon ecclesiastical history. In 1849 he made application for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, that he might accept a reg- ular professorship in the seminary; and the con- gregation, expressing the highest regard for him and undiminished confidence, reluctantly acqui- esced in his decision. He remained in the the- ological seminary until 1853, when the professors resigned and gave the institution, which had been under synodical control, into the hands of the general assembly.

Rev. John M. Stevenson, D. D., was the next pastor. He was born May 14, 1812, in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania; was graduated at Jefferson college, Pennsylvania, in 1836, and was ordained April 14, 1842, while professor of Greek in Ohio university. He resigned his professor- ship and took charge of the Presbyterian church in Troy, Ohio. Having lost his health at Troy he resigned his charge in 1846, and accepted an agency for the American Tract society. He ar- rived at New Albany September 15, 1849, and began his labors at a salary of $1,000.

An outpouring of the spirit began in De- cember, 1853, which lasted for several months, and resulted in the addition of a large number of members to the church.

A new church edifice began to be spoken of as early as 1850, and preliminary steps were taken for its erection. The old church on State street was torn down in the spring of 1851; and the congregation worshiped through that summer in the second story of Mr. James H. Shields' iron- store, on State street, between Main and the river. In the fall of 1851 they began holding services in the lecture room, which had been fin- ished. The present church building was com- pleted, with the exception of the spire, in 1854, and dedicated in the spring of that year. The spire and bell were added fifteen years later, during Dr. Anderson's second term of service.

The whole number of members received un- der Dr. Stevenson was two hundred and one. His pastorate was the longest in the history of the church, lasting nearly eight years. He re- signed in June, 1857, in order that he might ac- cept the position of secretary of the American Tract society. He was an excellent preacher and a man of superior executive ability.

Dr. Thomas E. Thomas occupied the pulpit

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

for several months after Dr. Stevenson's resigna- tion, but relinquished his position and left the town in April, 1858, to the great regret of the congregation. During his stay James W. Sprowle and Silas C. Day were chosen elders, and were inducted into office January 10, 1858. On the same day the first deacons of the church were ordained and installed. These were Thomas S. Hall, William C. Shipman, Alfred W. Bently, James H. Shields, and Miles D. Warren.

Rev. R. L. Breck was unanimously elected pastor July 19, 1858, and was installed on the 17th of April, 1859. He was a man of most gentle and courteous manners, a good pastor, and highly successful and popular, until the beginning of the war. His feelings, however, were with the South, and, on this account, a con- tinuance of the relation became undesirable, and it was dissolved, in May, 1861. During his pastorate one hundred and five members were added to the roll.

After an interval of more than a year, in which Rev. S. S. Potter supplied the church, Dr. J. P. Safford took his place in the succession, being chosen pastor in October, 1862. His elec- tion was unanimous, like that of all his prede- cessors and successors. He was born at Zanes- ville, Ohio, September 22, 1823; was graduated at Ohio University in 1843, and at Princeton Theological seminary in 1852, and was ordained pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Frankfort, Kentucky, February 19, 1855. He began his work in this church in December, 1862, and was installed on the 23d of April, 1863. One hun- dred and thirty-four members were received by Dr. Safford into the church by examination and certificate.

A short time before Dr. Safford's arrival, the Mission chapel Sunday-school began its career. It was organized by A. W. Bentley, May, 1861, in the United Brethren church, corner of Spring and Lower Seventh streets, and was intended for soldiers' children and the destitute classes. In August, 1862, the school was compelled to seek new quarters; it was held for a few weeks in the lecture room of this church, and afterwards in the second story of a building on the corner of Main and Lower Fourth streets. In 1866 a small building, which had been attached to one of the Government hospitals, was donated for its use; and about thirteen hundred dollars were con-

tributed by various persons in the city, for the purpose of moving it to its present location, making additions to it and fitting it up. After 1866 the school was supported by this church, which also supplied its officers and most of its teachers; but it did not come under the control of the officers of this church until 1870, when they purchased the ground and assumed all the responsibilities. From its beginning until 1870 Mr. Bentley was the efficient superintendent. Since then it has had a series of excellent superintendents and a corps of devoted teachers. The Mission-school bell is the same one which formerly summoned the worshipers to the old State Street church, and it has lost none of its music. It was the first large bell cast in New Albany, and is said to be one of the best bells, for its weight, in the country.

Dr. Safford gave up the pastoral charge of this congregation in June, 1867, and removed to Ohio.

In August, 1867, Dr. W. C. Anderson, a former minister of the church, returned and re- mained as stated supply until July, 1869. Eighty- three members were received during his term of service. A rich outpouring of God's spirit was received in 1868.

Dr. Anderson was a man greatly beloved. He was a wise expounder of the word of God and an interesting preacher. Upon his removal from New Albany, he spent some time in Europe in the unavailing search for health, and died in Kansas, August, 1870, much lamented.

Rev. Samuel Conn, D. D., began his regular labors with this church on the first Sabbath in July, 1870, and was installed on Sabbath even- ing, October 30, 1870, Rev. Dr. Lapsley, of the Presbytery of Nashville, preaching, by request, the installation sermon. Within this pastorate, to July, 1876, ninety-four members were added, of whom fifty-one were received upon examina- tion, and forty-three upon certificate. Hand- some and commodious church parlors were at- tached to the lecture-room ; additions have twice been made to the Mission-school building, and a comfortable parsonage was purchased. The present membership of the church [January, 1882,] is about two hundred and twenty-five, and the strength of the Sabbath-school one hundred and forty members. The officers of the church are as follows : Pastor, Rev. J. W.

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Cloakey ; ruling elders, John Bushnell, Silas C. Day, Harvey A. Scribner, James M. Day, and John F. Gebhart; deacons, James R. Riely, Robert G. McCord, Samuel W. Vance, James W. Snodgrass, and John E. Crane; trustees, John Bushnell, William S. Culbertson, and Silas C. Day.

William H. Day is superintendent of the Sab- bath-school, with Mrs. Mary L. Bragdon as as- sistant. Of the Mission Sabbath-school John F. Gebhart is superintendent, and Mrs. Charlotte P. Needham assistant.

Forty young men or more, who subsequently became ambassadors for Christ, were members of this church for a longer or shorter time. Some are scattered over the United States, and others laboring on missionary ground. A majority of them were connected with it only during their course in the Theological seminary. Among this class the most conspicuous name is that of Dr. Jonathan Edwards, a man of commanding intellect, who has occupied various high posi- tions. Others, although brought to Christ else- where, had their home here and were connected with the church for a longer time. It does not take a long memory to recall Dr. S. F. Scovel, for some time chorister here, afterwards the able pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania, and Joseph S. Potter, a missionary in Persia. Still others were trained here in the knowledge of Christ, and here made their profession of faith in His name. The first of these was Allan Graves, who was received upon examination in 1828. The next was Dr. Charles W. Shields, pastor for some years of the Second Presbyterian church of Philadelphia, and then professor in the College of New Jersey. "A scholar, and a ripe and good one."

The next was Dr. John M. Worrall, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Covington, Ken- tucky, one of the ornaments of the American pulpit. Then comes Edward P. Shields, who, after spending one year in the New Albany seminary, went to Princeton to have the best possible back-bone inserted into his theology, and fell so in love with the Jersey flats that he has clung to them ever since. He became pas- tor of the Presbyterian church, Cape Island, New Jersey. Others are Edward P. Wood and John R. Wood, sons of Dr. James Wood. The atter of these two brothers was a man of sweet

and gentle nature, who died in the bright day- dawn of a most promising ministry.

The total number of communicants in this church to July, 1876, was 1,252, of whom 714 were received upon examination, and 538 upon certificate. Four hundred and thirty-five were males, and 817 females.

The following is a complete list (to the middle of 1876) of those who had held the office of ruling elder in the First church, with dates of their election:

Thomas Posey, 1816; Joel Scribner, 1816; Jacob Marcell, 1817; Stephen Beers, 1817; Elias Ayers, 1827; Benjamin Adams, 1828; William Plumer, 1831; Mason C. Fitch, 1832; Charles Woodruff, 1832; Harvey Scribner, 1832; Jacob Sim- mers, 1832; James R. Shields, 1832; John Bushnell, 1832; W. A. Scribner, 1847; Pleasant S. Shields, 1847; David Hedden, 1847; James W. Sprowle, 1858; Silas C. Day, 1858; F. L. Morse, 1870; Thomas Danforth, 1870; Harvey A. Scribner, 1870, James M. Day, 1875; John F. Gebhart, 1875.

THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

As has been observed from the record of the First church, this church came into existence in November, 1837. It was organized on the 24th of that month by authority of the undivided Presbytery of Salem, in session at Livonia, and was originally composed of one hundred and three members, who had been connected with the First church. Of the causes of the separation Mr. Conn, in the history of the First church, merely says: "It is enough to say that difficulties and dissatisfaction, chiefly of a personal nature, and involving a difference of view between pastor and a portion of the people, led to a division." This church became what is known as New-school Presbyterian.

On Sunday, December 3, 1837, the church first met for public worship in the court-house. Rev. S. K. Sneed, who had been for some time pastor of the First church, was the pastor in charge, and so continued until 1843. The second meeting of this church was held at the house of Mr. James Brooks on the 4th of De- cember, 1837, at which time the officers of the church were elected. On the 5th the presbyterial commission appointed to divide the church property, assigned to the Second church the fe- male seminary on Upper Fourth street, in which building, suitably remodeled, religious services were held nearly twelve years. This building was subsequently disposed of to the German Pres- byterians, who used it as a place of worship,

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

until their church was merged into other organi- zations, after which it was occupied as a German school.

The first communion season of this church was observed January 7, 1838, and for several years the Lord's Supper was administered every month with occasional exceptions, after which it was celebrated bi-monthly on the second Sabbath of the month, beginning with January.

Camp-meetings were favorably regarded dur- ing the earlier history of this church, and were repeatedly held amid the beautiful groves of Mount Tabor, during which many members were added to the church. The church con- tinued to increase rapidly in strength until in 1849 it became evident that more ample accom- modations were needed, and the building of the present beautiful church on the corner of Main and Upper Third streets began that year. It was enclosed in this year and the basement first oc- cupied for services in the spring of 1850. August I, 1852, the whole building having been finished and paid for, it was publicly dedicated to the service of God, Rev. W. S. Fisher, D. D., preaching the dedicatory sermon. The church edifice is of brick, one of the finest in the city, having a clock in the tower, and cost $24,500. In 1853, the growth of the city and congregation having made it desirable that the Third Presby- terian church should be organized, twenty-four members of the Second church were, on the 31st of October, at their own request, dismissed for that purpose and efficient aid was rendered them by the Second church in erecting a house of worship.

In 1860 the benevolent efforts of this church were thoroughly systematized ; certain causes being specified for public presentation at stated periods, and in addition a monthly payment be- ing solicited from every member in behalf of home and foreign missions. The system exer- cised has, beyond doubt, greatly augmented the charitable gifts of the church.

A female prayer-meeting was formerly an ele- ment of considerable strength in the church, and the continued weekly prayer-meeting is a never-failing source of spiritual comfort. For many years, also, the church has observed a week of special prayer near the beginning of the new year, and at different periods of its history there have been times of more protracted effort.

It is said that during the great revival of 1842 one hundred and fifty persons were converted, of whom, however, but eighty joined this church, the remainder following their preference for other denominations. As the fruits of a revival in 1849, over fifty new members were received; in 1853 seventy-six were received, and in 1867 thirty-six persons joined during a revival. Up to that time the church had received seven hun- dred and forty-two persons in all into the church since the first organization. Up to the present time the whole number enrolled on the church books is about one thousand. The present membership is about three hundred and sixty.

It has been customary to grant the pastor an annual vacation of six weeks, during which the pulpit has usually been filled by ministers resi- dent in the city. It was occupied in 1865 for several months by Rev. D. M. Cooper, while the pastor was in Europe. The church partly sup- ported the Rev. T. S. Spencer from February to September, 1862, as a city missionary; and in February, 1867, they jointly, with the First church, employed Rev. William Ellers in that capa- city. In seasons of revival, when pastoral cares and duties were greatly multiplied, the temporary services of many different clergymen were se- cured. The eloquence of Rev. Lyman Beecher, D. D., gave its charm to some of the camp-meet- ings held at Mount Tabor. Rev. J. T. Avery rendered essential aid during the protracted effort in 1842. Similar help was given by Rev. James Gallagher in 1849; the Rev. Henry Little, D. D., in 1853; Rev. W. W. Atterbury in 1858, and Rev. F. R. Gallagher in 1867.

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History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II, Part 35

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co. Number of Pages: 680

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co.
Number of Pages: 680