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Gc 974.802 H23s 1825732
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02230 3686
1794-1894.
CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL
ENGLISH
PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION,
HARRISBURG, PA.
1794-1894
GEO. B. STEWART, Editor.
HARRISBURG, PA .. HARRISBURG PUBLISHING CO.
1894
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/centennialmemori00stew 1
1825732
ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. NAKKET SQUARE. EFE TED 1858-59.
, D STEWART, GEORGE BLACK, 1854-1932, ed.
.8
285439 ". Centennial memorial, English Presbyterian congregation, Harrisburg, Pa. Harrisburg, Pa., Harrisburg publishing co., 1894. 435p. 23cm.
At head of title: 1794-1894.
( 104
HARRISBURG DAILY TELEGRAPHI PRINT.
PREFATORY.
Pursuant to a resolution of the Centennial Committee, the following account of the Centennial services is given to the public. The work of editing, entrusted to Rev. Dr. George B. Stewart, has been done with conscientious fidelity to fact, and in a manner as gratifying to the com- mittee as it will no doubt be to the Congregation.
M. W. MCALARNEY, Chairman. E. J. STACKPOLE, CHARLES H. BERGNER, SAMUEL C. MILLER, HENRY C. SPICER.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION.
PRELIMINARY WORK, 1
DECORATIONS AND HISTORICAL EXHIBIT. 11
CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE, 15
CENTENNIAL CHOIR, 17
ORDER OF SERVICES,
18
PROGRAMME OF ORGAN RECITALS.
27
CENTENNIAL WEEK.
SUNDAY MORNING, 33
Beginning of Presbyterianism in the Middle Colonies, 37
SUNDAY EVENING, . 63
Mr. George E. Sterry's Address, 67
Rev. Dr. Robinson's Address, 76
The Pastor's Address, 80
MONDAY EVENING, 85
Communion Address, 87
TUESDAY EVENING, 93
Hymnology of the Mother Presbyterian Church, 97
The Musical Festival,
107
Some Additional Reminiscences,
112
125
WEDNESDAY EVENING, 127
Address by Rev. Albert B. Williamson,
Address by Rev. Geo. B. Stewart, 132
Address by Jacob F. Seiler, Ph. D., 148
Address by Mr. Cassius M. Brown, 159
Address by Mr. Samuel H. Garland. 167
Address by Rev. Geo. S. Duncan, . 176
Address by Rev. William P. Patterson, 180
THURSDAY EVENING, 189
" A Century Plant," 192
FRIDAY EVENING, . 275
Remarks by Dr. William C. Cattell,
279
Remarks by Major-General George R. Snowden, 286
Remarks by Col. J. Ross Thompson, 290
Remarks by Rev. Henry E. Niles, D. D., . 295
Remarks by Mr. W. Franklin Rutherford, 300
vi
Contents.
CENTENNIAL GREETINGS, . 304
God's sure covenant, 304
Resolutions adopted by Elder Street Church, 307
Letter from Judge Joseph Allison, 309
Letter from Mr. D. C. Buchanan, 310
Letter from Rev. Joseph R. Vance, D. D., 314
Letter from Mrs. Mary M. McArthur, 315
Letter from Rev. Samuel G. Niccolls, D. D., 316
Letter from Rev. Robert F. McClean, 316
OUR SECOND CENTURY, 319
Characteristics of a True Pastor and a True Church, 320
The Duty of our Second Century, 336
APPENDIX.
A CENTURY OF PASTORS, 355-368
A CENTURY OF ELDERS, . 373-399
THE CHARTER OF THE CORPORATION, 401
ACTION OF THE CONGREGATION IN 1838, 406
FORMS IN USE DURING DR. DEWITT'S PASTORATE, 412
PASTORS, 416
ELDERS, 416
DEACONS, 417
TRUSTEES, 417
CHURCH CHOIR, 419
ROLL OF COMMUNICANTS, 420
OFFICERS, 123
MEMBERS RECEIVED, 429
PRESBYTERIAN COLORS,
480
REV. JOHN ROAN'S SCHOOL,
430
INTRODUCTION.
CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL.
PRELIMINARY WORK.
A CENTURY of history must be insignificant indeed if it is not worth recording. A church whose history stretches over a century ought to have a story to tell. Especially if the century has been lived in these last days when every year is crowded with great events, and life is full of intense activity. Hence it was that on September 14th, 1891, the Session of the English Presbyterian Con- gregation of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, commonly known as the Market Square Church, resolved to celebrate in a fitting manner the Centennial anniversary of the founding of their church, February 16th, 1791. As a first step in the execution of this purpose they invited Rev. Thomas II. Robinson, D. D., Reunion Professor of Saered Rhetoric, Church Government, and Pastoral Theology in the Western Theological Seminary of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, to de- liver a historical address on that occasion. This choice was eminently wise, since Dr. Robinson's long connection with this church as its fourth pastor, and his fondness for historical study, had given him much familiarity with the church and the community. Though the selection was made at an early date, it allowed none too long a time for the performance of the onerous task laid upon him.
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Centennial Memorial.
Several months later, on May 1st, 1893, the Session re- solved to call a meeting of the three official boards of the church for the purpose of further considering the proper celebration of the Centennial. This meeting was held in the parlor of the church on May 15th, 1893. There were present: George B. Stewart, Minister; Jacob A. Miller, J. Henry Spicer, John C. Harvey, Elders; Robert H. Moffitt, M. Wilson MeAlarney, Trustees; Jacob J. Franck, David Fleming, Luther R. Kelker, Samuel C. Miller, Melanethon S. Shotwell, Peter K. Sprenkel, Deacons. The pastor was made Chairman of the meeting, and Dr. Jacob A. Miller, Clerk. After a full discussion of the subject, it was resolved to endorse the action of the Session, and to celebrate the Centennial anniversary of the founding of the church by appropriate exercises during the week beginning February 11th, 1894. It was further decided that there should be a Centennial Committee, together with various sub-commit- tees, for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements for this celebration, the Chairmen of the sub-committees, together with the general Chairman, to constitute the Cen- tennial Committee. The Pastor, Rev. George B. Stewart, D. D., was chosen General Chairman. The meeting then adjourned to the evening of May 29th, 1893, for the further consideration of the arrangements.
On May 29th, 1893, the second meeting of the officers was held pursuant to adjournment. The following were present :
George B. Stewart, Minister; Jacob A. Miller, J. Henry Spicer, John C. Harvey, Elders; M. Wilson MeAlarney, Trustee; Charles W. Foster, Luther R. Kelker, Samuel C. Miller, Melanethon S. Shotwell, Peter K. Sprenkel, Deacons.
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Introduction.
The following sub-committees and their chairmen were appointed :
Invitation Committee-Charles L. Bailey, Chairman. Programme Committee-Samuel J. M. McCarrell, Chairman. Entertainment Committee-Gilbert M. McCauley, Chairman. Publication Committee-M. Wilson MeAlarney, Chairman. Finance Committee-Samuel W. Fleming, Chairman.
Decoration Committee-Mrs. Isabella S. Kerr, Chairman. Reception Committee-Mrs. Gilbert M. McCauley, Chairman. Music Committee-George R. Fleming, Chairman. Ushers-Peter K. Sprenkel, Chairman.
The names of the several committees indicate their re- spective dutie .. The Programme Committee was to arrange a proper programme of events for the celebration, and to have charge of its execution. The Invitation Committee to have charge of extending invitations in the name of the congregation to its friends. The Entertainment Committee to arrange for the suitable exercise of hospitality by the members of the congregation toward its guests. The Decor- ation Committee to have charge of the preparation and the decoration of the church. The Music Committee to direct the musical features of the celebration. The Reception Committee to have charge of a social reception. The Ushers to serve in that capacity during the week. The Publication Committee to arrange for such publications as might be found desirable in commemoration of the occasion. The Finance Committee to provide means for defraying the ex- penses. Of all these committees the General Chairman was a member ex-officio, and all committees were to act under the supervision of the Centennial Committee. The scheme
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Centennial Memorial.
combined the advantages of a single responsible head with the advantages of adequate specialization. The Centennial Committee, through its Chairman and several members, was in close touch both for information and for direction with all the sub-committees, while the sub-committees each had their definite and well understood duties.
The Pastor was requested to inform the congregation on the following Wednesday evening, May 31st, of the action of their officers, and invite their co-operation in making the celebration worthy of the occasion. After authorizing the Centennial Committee to fill up the sub-committees, the further arrangements were entrusted to the committees, and the joint meeting of the officers adjourned.
On the following Wednesday evening, the Pastor, as re- quested by the officers, addressed the congregation on the subject, and there was cordial and universal approval of the action of the officers in planning for the fitting observance of the first centennial of the church.
On September 22d, 1893, the first meeting of the Conten- nial Committee was held in the parlor of the church. Mr. Peter K. Sprenkel was chosen secretary of the committee. This date was the beginning of the active work of the com- mittees. From this time until the celebration was com- pleted they were busy planning and executing the various details incident to such an undertaking.
Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon these commit- tees. They worked with great diligence, with unceasing fidelity, with imperturbable good nature, and with diserim- inating judgment. The perfection of the arrangements even to the minutest detail, the entire absence of friction, and the
5
Introduction.
complete success of the whole celebration gave abundant evidence of their ability and faithfulness.
The work of the committees almost from the first was deter- mined by certain leading ideas, and aimed at certain definite results. While this was to be the Centennial of the English Presbyterian Congregation, the mother of Presbyterianism in Harrisburg, nevertheless, our wish was to have all the Pres- byterian churches of the city enjoy with us the pleasure of the occasion. This thought was kept prominently before the committees, shaped many features of the programme, and prompted the Union Communion Service. The pastors and all the officers of the Presbyterian churches and their families were personally invited, and a formal invitation to all of the Events was extended through their church Ses- sions to the several congregations.
As the church has always given a prominent place to music in its services, and has been favorably known for the high character and attractiveness of its musie throughout all of its history, it seemed eminently appropriate that special prominence should be given to music during the cel- ebration. This led the Musie Committee to plan a musical festival of a high order, and to arrange for exceptional mus- ical features in the other services. A large Centennial Choir was organized, composed of our own and singers from the Pine Street Presbyterian choir, with Mr. George R. Fleming as director, and Mr. David E. Crozier as organist. This choir, by its skillful rendering of beautiful music contributed in a large degrec to the delightfulness of the occasion.
The history of the church was naturally the principal theme of the occasion. It was fitting that a whole evening
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Centennial Memorial.
should be set apart for it. Nevertheless there was associate history which must receive attention that the celebration might be complete. Therefore, the occasion was appro- priately inaugurated by an address on " The Beginnings of Presbyterianism in the Middle Colonies," by the Rev. John DeWitt, D. D., LL. D., Professor of Church History in Princeton Theological Seminary, and the eminent son of the Rev. William R. De Witt, D. D., who for fifty years was pas- tor of the church. And an evening was devoted to the past history and present condition of the several Presbyterian churches whose life is directly connected with thie church, and to the present condition of this church.
That the congregation might have the pleasure of renew- ing acquaintance with former members and friends in attendance upon the celebration, and that delightful fellow- ship might characterize the occasion, an evening was set apart to social festivities.
As the church has a history already written and preserv- ed in monuments of the past, it was arranged to have an historical exhibition of church relies, pictures, books, mu- sical instruments, diagrams of pews, and memorabilia of pastors and officers. This exhibition was displayed in the church parlor, and was an attractive feature of the celebra- tion. It is probably not saying too much to record that the plan proved to be a most symmetrical and harmonious blending of varied and necessary features of such an occa- sion.
By beginning the celebration on Sunday, February 11th, and concluding it on Friday, February 16th, the two dates especially connected with the organization of the church
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1.
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Introduction.
were commemorated. For it was on Tuesday, February 11th, 1794, that the first Bench of Elders in the congrega- tion was elected, and on Sunday, February 16th, 1794, that they were ordained to their sacred office.
Invitations were sent in the name of the congregation to members of the church not residing in the city, to former members so far as their address could be ascertained, to descendants of former Pastors and officers, to members of the Presbytery of Carlisle, the officers of the Synod of Pennsylvania and of the General Assembly, to former Pastors of the other Presbyterian churches in the city and other Presbyterian ministers having had some relation with this church, the editors of the Presbyterian religious jour- nals, to the Pastors and officers of the city Presbyterian churches, to all the clergymen of the city, without distinc- tion of creed or race. It was the intention of the congrega- tion to celebrate the occasion on the broadest lines of catholicity, and their desire to have all their friends enjoy with them the pleasures of the celebration.
The Committee on Programme prepared a full descriptive programme and had it printed as an elegant souvenir.
Centennial week arrived. Everything was in readiness. The decorations of auditorium, lecture-room, and parlor, under the skillful guidance of the committee in charge were harmonious, appropriate, complete. The ushers were organ- ized for their onerous duty of caring for the comfort of the large audiences anticipated. Nothing remained to be done. There were no last things to be thought of and no hurried final arrangements.
On the morning of Sunday, February 11th, the sun
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Centennial Memorial.
shone forth beautifully upon the crisp and not severely cold air. Everything to be desired in the weather was found. The day remained perfect to its close. It was a most auspicious beginning. Joy seemed to be in the very atmos- phere, and friend remarked to friend as they met on the way to the house of God : " We could not have had a more beautiful day." That this weather should continue through- out the whole of the second week of this winter month was not to be expected. It was not surprising, therefore, that Monday brought with it a violent snowstorm. The storm raged throughout the day and night, and with longer or shorter intervals continued through Thursday of the week. On Friday the heavens were bright and the sun was warm. With the exception of Monday evening when the storm was especially violent, the size of the audiences was not affected by the weather. Though many would have attend- ed the services had the weather been more propitious, yet with the single exception mentioned, more could hardly have been accommodated. The church was on some even- ings crowded, and many were turned away.
The programme was carried out as printed with only some slight modifications made necessary at the last moment. The sole important change in the programme of the week was due to the sudden illness of Hon. Samuel J. M. MeCarrell, who was to have presented at the Wednesday evening meeting the paper setting forth the present condition of this church. In the emergency the Pastor took his place both in the preparation of the paper and in presenting it.
On each morning during the Centennial Week, from 11 to 12 o'clock, Mr. David E. Crozier gave an informal organ
9
Introduction.
recital. These recitals comprised selections from the best composers for the organ, chiefly those of the German and French schools. Every day except Monday, when the weather was especially inelement, the audience was large and its interest in the recitals manifested by close attention and numerous requests for favorite pieces. These recitals were a most delightful feature of the celebration.
The historical exhibition in the parlor attracted large numbers of visitors, who received valuable object lessons in church history in general, and the history of the Market Square church in particular, from the curios and relics displayed.
From Sunday morning until Friday night this centenary celebration was a season of unbroken joy. It was in all its features a brilliant success. Throughout there was a deep and true senso of gratitude to the risen and adorable Lord, the Head of the Church, for his multiplied goodness and grace toward this congregation during all its history and in the present moment. It was pre-eminently an occasion for rejoicing before the Lord. All the people praised him in his sanctuary for his mighty acts according to his excellent greatness. "This honor have all his saints."
This story of the Centennial would not be complete with- out mention of the most delightful closing of the work of the Centennial Committee. On Wednesday afternoon, Feb- ruary 28th, at 1 o'clock, the committee met at Mrs. Isabella S. Kerr's in final session. There were present Mrs. Kerr, Mrs. McCauley, Messrs. Stewart, Bailey, MeAlarney, Mc- Cauley, Samuel W. Fleming, George R. Fleming and Sprenkel. Mr. McCarrell was the only member of the com-
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Centennial Memorial.
mittee not present, being at Atlantic City for a season of rest. Reports of the work of the several sub-committees were made by their respective chairmen. These reports were all approved, the committees commended, and expenses ordered paid by the Finance Committee. This committee reported that voluntary contributions had been made by the congregation to an amount sufficient to meet all the ex- penses incurred. The committee then "adjourned without day."
After adjournment, together with Mrs. George B. Stewart, Miss Rachel T. Briggs, Miss Mary W. Kerr, Rev. David M. Skilling and Mr David E. Crozier, especially invited, the committee sat down as the guests of Mrs. Kerr to an elegant supper. It was & most enjoyable hour and a delightful and fitting conclusion to the arduous but pleasant work of the committee.
The Centennial is a thing of the past, but the memory of it will linger in the mind of every one participating in it as a precious treasure never to be lost. The monument is reared. The praises of a grateful people for the goodness of God are inseribed thereon. Whatever He may have seen in it or us that was unworthy may He forgive. To glorify Him in the earth and basten His kingdom was the purpose of it all. May He be pleased to accept the purpose as an ample mantle wherewith to cover the imperfections in its execution. "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."
" This shall be known when we are dead, And left on long record, Thai ages yet unborn may read, And trust, and praise the Lord."
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ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-INTERIOR. TAKEN FEBRUARY 12TH 1894.
DECORATIONS AND HISTORICAL EXHIBIT.
The ornate auditorium of the church was greatly beauti- fied by the tasteful and appropriate decorations made for the occasion, under the direction of the Decoration Com- mitte. The central feature was the pulpit. From the Corinthian capitals of the columns there hung in graceful lines smilax and asparagus fern. On the two side columns were suspended blue banners, on which in gilt letters were inseribed "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified," and "Jesus Christ, the Chief Corner-stone." The arch which spans the pulpit recess was draped with blue and red bunting' which furnished a background for the bright lettering of the two mottoes, "Vox Clamantis in Deserto " and " Philadelphia Mancto," meaning respectively, "The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness," and "Let Brotherly Love Continue." In and about the pulpit were century plants. The varied green of these harmonized with the lillies, roses and other cut flowers renewed from day to day.
In the two front angles of the room were red and blue banners bearing the historic names of John Calvin and John Knox. On the window ledges, in gilt letters on a background of blue or red, were the names of Francis Herron, Jonathan Edwards, John Witherspoon, John Rogers, John McMillan, Archibald Alexander, David Elliot, Charles Hodge, Albert Barnes, Philemon Fowler, John Elder, Charles Nisbet, William R. DeWitt. Many of
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Centennial Memorial.
these were men who have been identified with this church in some part of its history, and many were men whom the whole church delighted to honor. The red and blue, the colors of the Scotch Presbyterian church, were prominent also in the decorations of the choir gallery in the rear of the auditorium. The front of the gallery was covered with blue bunting, fluted in vertical lines and drawn together at regular intervals, and fastened with red bows midway be- tween top and base. The effect was heightened by the delicate green of the licopodium and the sheen of the rho- dodendron leaves. A line of ground pine ran around the wainscoting, windows and doorways, making a pretty border of living green for the woodwork.
The whole was a poem in color. The prevailing white of the room lent itself sympathetically to the red and blue of the decorations and to the green of plant and vine.
The tasteful distribution and graceful arrangement of material gave a symmetrical completeness to the design. The historical appropriateness of mottoes and names, added intellectual finish to the aesthetic effect. Color, form, significance, all conspired to produce an effect, full of delight, and " whispered of peace, and truth, and friendli- ness unequalled."
As one passed from the auditorium into the lecture-room and parlor, still further evidence of the decoration commit- tee's activity was seen. On the walls of the former room to the right of the platform were a large water-colored picture of the present church edifice and a large crayon portrait of Rev. Thomas Hastings Robinson, D. D., pastor from 1854 to 1884. To the left of the platform were large crayon
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Decorations and Historical Exhibit.
portraits of Rev. William Radcliffe De Witt, D. D., pastor from 1818 to 1867, and of James Wallace Weir, Superin- tendent of the Sunday-school from 1834 to 1878.
The parlor walls were adorned with photographs of the first and second church edifices, the old Court house, called "the cradle of Sunday-school enterprise in Harrisburg," Brant's Hall, in which the congregation worshiped while the present edifice was being constructed, and Calvary Chapel. There were also floor plans of the first church, before and after it was remodeled in 1826, and the second church. Over the mantel was a large frame containing a photograph of the present pastor, his assistant and the five elders of the present session. On one of the sidewalls was another large frame containing photographs of nineteen former elders. The committee found that there are no likenesses in existence of the other six former elders. Near this hung a crayon loaned by Rev. Henry C. MeCook, D. D., of Philadelphia, showing an early sacramental occasion in the woods; also a frame containing several handsomely painted church seals; another frame containing pictures of the log colleges out of which grew Princeton and Jefferson, and a typical pioneer Scotch-Irish school-house, and two flags of the Scotel Covenanter Church, all loaned by Doctor McCook.
In large glass cases there were gathered and carefully pre- served many early records and relies of church and Sunday- school. There were the account books of John Kean, Treasurer of the congregation from 1790-1792, old receipts, lottery tickets used in the lottery, from the proceeds of which the first church was built, the first Sunday-school minute
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Centennial Memorial.
book, a complete set of the different hymn books used in the church lecture room and Sunday-school, several of the musical instruments used in the choir, the communion sets of Paxtang and Derry churches, communion tokens form- erly in use in these congregations, a communion cup from old Hanover church, printed and manuscript sermons by former pastors. Indeed the memorabilia and curios were numbered by hundreds and cannot be mentioned, much less described. Many persons in the city and out of it kindly co-operated with the committee in making this interesting collection-so many, in fact, that it is impossible to name them in this place. The exhibit was visible history. It told the story of the church's progress from primitive days through the most active century of the world's life. It revealed that this church has kept abreast of the best thought and life. It has evidently not marched through the years with laggard steps.
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