USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > A history of the Harriet Hollond Memorial Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, Pa. > Part 12
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"Mr. Kennedy was one of the four elders chosen at the time of the organization of the church, in March, 1882. During all the years of his service he was faithful, not only in his attendance upon the regular meetings of the session, but in all the duties of his office. In his personal life he was singularly blameless and true; a man of gentle heart, of loving spirit; thoughtful, unselfish, kind, yet of strong con- victions and unflinching steadfastness. As a church member he was exemplary ; always in his place, a devout worshiper, and prepared for every good work. As a church officer, he was faithful in all duties, wise in counsel, discreet, spiritually-minded, cordial in all his relations, having favor with the people. His death has disclosed, in a way not even suspected before, his wide personal influence in the community. Hun- dreds of lives will carry forever the impress of his life and the memory of his words and acts."
On the following Sunday evening, July 30th, Dr. Miller preached a memorial sermon from the text : " He was a good man." Acts II: 24. A few extracts are here given :
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SAMUEL M. KENNEDY
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"Mr. Kennedy was a friend of those who were trying to recover themselves from a sinful past. We all know his deep interest in the temper- ance cause. Never did any young man, trying to free himself from the bondage of the drink habit, turn in vain to him for sympathy, brotherly love, and help.
" He was a man without envy. It gave him no pain to see others of his fellow-workers pro- moted and publicly honored even above him- self. Indeed, he seemed to rejoice more in the honor that came to others than that which gathered about himself. He wrought solely for Christ. Every other name shone in pale light before his eyes in comparison with the splendors that burned about the name of Christ. He shrank from positions which would seem to give him prominence. Well do I remember when I spoke first to him about becoming an elder. Our church was about to be organized, and he was one of the four men of whom all the people thought for elders. I told him of this desire, and it seemed almost to give him pain. He said he had not the needed qualifi- cations, and begged me not to permit his name to be used. I spoke to him more fully of it saying that it was evidently the call of God to him. When the time came, and he was unani- mously chosen, he quietly came forward to be set apart for the sacred office ; and we all know
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with what a loving and beautiful spirit he dis- charged the duties of this position until he was called up higher.
"On the floral tribute sent by the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor were these words: 'Faithful Always.' These words carry the secret of his life. He was always faithful to God. He never forgot a promise, nor failed to keep an engagement. He did his work conscientiously-the smallest things as carefully as the greatest. Far more than any of us know does such minute and painstaking faithfulness build up beautiful character, and make a life bright and holy."
Few men have met with greater success in their life's work than Dr. Miller. He was born on a farm in Beaver county,
DR. J. R. Pa., of Scotch-Irish ancestry.
MILLER As a rule it is a good thing to be
born a farmer's boy and to come of Scotch-Irish stock. Dr. Miller's career gives emphasis to the rule. He has won well- deserved distinction as a pastor, a teacher and an author. His name is a household word in thousands of homes, and his uplifting spiritual teachings have endeared him to thousands of hearts. He was graduated in 1862 from West- minster College, New Wilmington, Pa., and then spent two years and a half in the work of the Christian Commission, being connected
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chiefly with the Army of the Potomac. In 1867 he graduated from the United Presby- terian Theological Seminary, Allegheny, Pa.
Dr. Miller's first charge was at New Wil- mington, where he remained for two years. He then accepted a call to the Bethany Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, where he remained for nine years. It was during his early ministry in Bethany (1870) that he mar- ried Miss Louise E. King, of Argyle, New York. Three children have been born to them. In 1878 he was installed pastor of the Broadway Presbyterian Church, Rock Island, Illinois. He relinquished this charge in 1880 to connect himself with the editorial work of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, Phila- delphia. During the same year his Alma Mater conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
January 2nd, 1881, Dr. Miller began his work in the Hollond field. On the 24th of March, 1882, the Mission was organized into the Hollond Memorial Church, and Dr. Miller was installed as its first pastor April 23rd, of the same year. The pastoral relation was dis- solved September 3rd, 1883, in order that he might devote himself more fully to his duties in connection with the Board of Publication.
Dr. Paden succeeded Dr. Miller, and was installed pastor November 20th, 1883. He
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labored alone for awhile but the work con- tinued to increase so rapidly that Dr. Miller, at the request of the session and the trustees, returned in January, 1886, to assist in the field, still keeping up his connection with the Board.
During Dr. Paden's enforced absence in 1892, recuperating his health, the pastoral work was carried on by Dr. Miller. As a token of their appreciation, the congregation presented him with a handsome oak library suit, consisting of a desk, couch, book-case, rocker and chairs.
On the 27th of March, 1893, Dr. Miller left Philadelphia on his first vacation in thirteen years. He travelled with the Hon. John Wanamaker through the Pacific states. He had a pleasant experience in San Francisco : Going into the home of a Christian Chinese, the man said, "I know you well, for I have read your books," and from a near-by table he brought to the Doctor several of his works. On his return, the Pastors' Aid Society gave him a reception in the chapel on the 18th of May.
The first sermon in the new church was preached by Dr. Miller on Monday evening, October 16th, 1893, from the text, "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for- ever."
On the Ist of July, 1896, Dr. Miller sailed
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with his family from New York on the St. Paul for a two months' vacation tour of Europe, going as far south as Naples. The Christian Endeavor Society gave him a parting reception. The chapel was crowded and many of the church organizations presented him with flowers, accompanied with appropriate senti- ments. He returned to Philadelphia on the 26th of August, and was given a hearty recep- tion by the congregation on the 28th.
On the fourteenth of October, 1897, Dr. Miller wrote to the session resigning the work which they had invited him to take up years before. He was, however, at the request of the session, appointed moderator by the Pres- bytery, until a pastor could be secured to take the place made vacant by his and Dr. Paden's resignations. He continued with us until after the call to Dr. Martin had been accepted. His last sermon was delivered on Sunday evening, June 5th, 1898.
He ended his connection with us by conduct- ing the Christian Endeavor consecration ser- vice on the following Tuesday evening. A number of earnest, heart-felt talks were made in which the speakers gave expression to the affection they had for him and told of some of the many ways in which he had helped them. It was specially fitting that he should receive these loving tributes in the room which had
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witnessed so many of his most active efforts to inspire in others truer ideals of living.
It was no small thing for such a man to give seventeen years of his life to the service of one church; and such a service as but few churches are ever blessed with. He was to all of us the faithful pastor, the wise leader, the generous helper, the safe counselor, and the resourceful friend. No one deserving of help and sympa- thy ever appealed to him in vain. Whittier's lines apply to him with singular fitness :
" With us was one who, calm and true, Life's highest purpose understood ; And, like his blessed Master, knew The joy of doing good."
Mr. Henry A. Walker thus writes of Dr. Miller's connection with Hollond : "His pul- pit work commanded our respect and admira- tion. In these days when sensationalism holds such a prominent place in so many of our churches, we need to be thankful that there are men who do no ' show preaching.' Rugged earnestness, backed by sincere living, is the only preaching that counts.
"In the practical dealings of life, when the hard pushed needed sympathy and encourage- ment, his work was strong in splendid results; and when the final roll is called, it will be found that this type of man has lived the biggest and best because he has grasped the Christ idea of service.
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"Dr. Miller's work in our church was most timely. In the critical periods, when a strong, capable man was needed at the helm, he was equal to all emergencies. He has always had enlarged conceptions of what the whole Hol- lond work should be. For his work, and for all that he has been to us, we are grateful."
Dr. Miller fills his position as editorial super- intendent of the Board of Publication and Sunday-school Work with marked ability and to the entire satisfaction of the Church. The Westminster Teacher, of which nearly one hundred thousand copies are issued each month, receives a large share of his personal attention, and is a treasured help to Sunday- school teachers all over the land. He has written between twenty-five and thirty books, and he is to-day one of the best known and most widely read religious writers of America. His name is also a familiar one in Great Britain, where more than a quarter of a million copies of his works have been sold. These works have been translated into German, French, Japanese and Hungarian.
Dr. Miller is a forceful and popular writer. His thoughts leave a lasting impress upon the hearts and minds of his readers because he writes of life as he finds it-in the homes of happiness and affluence, and in the homes of the lowly, the discouraged, and the tempted.
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Here he gives a glimpse of joy, there a bit of heart-break, but never for an instant does he lose sight of the all-absorbing purpose of his writing-to encourage the hopeless, to uplift the fallen, and to inspire in all a holy desire for truer and nobler living. In all his writings there is fullness of strength and helpfulness, and those who follow his teachings cannot fail to have
" Promptings their former life above, And something of a finer reverence For beauty, truth, and love."
It is doubtless true that "there is no royal road to learning," but it is none the less true that one may win his way to learn- DR. WILLIAM M. PADEN ing right royally, and this is what Dr. Paden did.
He was born in Washington
county, Pa. His father was of Scotch and his mother of Pennsylvania Dutch extraction. He worked on the farm during the summer months and early acquired a passion for nature. For a few midwinters he went to the district school and then rode nearly five miles to recite Latin and algebra to his pastor, Dr. J. S. Marquis. He attended a summer session of the Canons- burg Academy, and then taught the home school for three winters, continuing his sum- mer studies at the academy, diligently prepar- ing for college. By 1875 he was ready to enter
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the sophomore class, but at this time a pro- fessorship was offered to him in the Canons- burg Academy, which he accepted and taught Latin and Greek there for three years. He entered the junior class of Princeton Univer- sity, without conditions, in 1878, and gradu- ated with honors two years later.
During his college course, he took the first Junior Orator Medal and the $120.00 prize for best written oration ; was editor of the Nassau Literary Magazine in his senior year ; took two medals for essays, and won a $100.00 Lynde Debate Prize. He was the superintend- ent of the Stony Brook Sunday-school during his college course, and of the First Church Sunday-school, Princeton, during his seminary course. He had three calls, besides the one from Hollond, during his senior year, and re- ceived eight calls during his Hollond pastorate.
Dr. Paden graduated from Princeton Semi- nary in the spring of '83, and spent the sum- mer travelling in Europe. He entered upon the Hollond work on the first Sunday of October of that year, and was installed on the twentieth of the following November. In 1888, he was a delegate to the World's Conference of the Young Men's Christian Associations, held at Stockholm, Sweden. He spent the first nine months of 1892 in the South recuperat- ing his health. He had the degree of Doctor
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of Divinity conferred upon him in 1895. He sailed for Paris November 21st, 1895, on a six months' leave of absence, to take charge of a movement having for its main object the reach- ing of the English-speaking students in the Latin Quarter of that city. He returned June 5, 1896, and on the following Monday evening a pleasant reception was tendered him under the auspices of the Pastor's Aid Society and the Ushers' Association.
He spent his summer vacation of 1897 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and preached in the First Presbyterian Church there. After his return to Philadelphia he received, and finally determined to accept, a call from that congre- gation. This decision he announced from the pulpit on Sunday morning, October 3d, when he said, in part :
" You have heard, I am sure, of a call I have had to Salt Lake City. It has come to me in such a way that I am bound to consider it.
" I do not expect to find a larger place in any other people's affections ; you have given me a support and sympathy which I can hardly expect to find where my lot may be cast during the coming years. Nor do I think of leaving you because another church has taken a larger place in my affections ; I go among strangers, or among acquaintances of a few weeks' stand- ing. My tried affections are all here. This has
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been the church of my first love, and into it I have built some of the best years of my life. I know every stone in this building. I have stood on these walls from the foundation to the roof. * * The membership of the Salt Lake church is scarcely larger than the member- hip of Hollond when I came here, and the church accommodations are inferior to our accommoda- tions fourteen years ago. The necessities of the field are, however, most urgent, and its place in the metropolis of the great intermoun- tain region and in the capital of one of our youngest and most interesting states is unique- ly important. The church has also a most im- portant place as situated at the headquarters of Mormonism, and at the very head of the Gentile work among this peculiar people. The call has come to me with prayerful emphasis and phenomenal unanimousness ; all this, with the unique importance of the field to our Chris- tian work has had much to do with its favor- able consideration. * * * I believe that I am under God's orders to go, and the announce- ment of this morning is made that you may join with me in asking Presbytery that I be released to obey orders."
In view of this statement, and not in accord- ance with their feelings, the congregation yielded to the request, and on Sunday evening, October 17th, Dr. Paden preached his final
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sermon as our pastor. On the following Wednesday evening a farewell reception was given him by the Ushers' Association, which was very largely attended.
The following editorial appeared in the Presbyterian Journal of October 21st :
" While the brethren and friends of the Rev. Dr. Paden in Philadelphia sincerely regret his departure from their immediate circle and com- panionship, and mourn with the Hollond Church the sundering of near and dear and valued relations, at the same time they are gratified that he goes to occupy a position so important and so far-reaching in its influence to Church and State, as the pastorate to which he is invited in Salt Lake City. Many prayers will follow him, and we can assure him that the Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia and vicinity will watch with great interest his work as pastor and citizen of Utah."
Mr. Robert H. Preston thus writes of Dr. Paden in his relation to the young men of Hollond :
"He has profoundly and permanently af- fected our intellectual life. His mind has put many of us in living and loving touch with a large and beautiful world of thought; his spirit has quickened in us a noble discontent with unrefined and unrefining relations ; his view of the possibilities of young men-espe-
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cially those employed during the day-have fired many of us with new longings after a higher intellectual standard. In a word, he has revealed our deeper self to ourselves, and the revelation has become the power which has sent us onward and upward towards a nobler ideal of life."
Dr. Paden gave the very heart of his life to Hollond, and no one could question his devo- tion to its interests. He early won and easily held the affections of his people. To the work of erecting the new church he gave himself and his means unreservedly. He was specially anxious that the building should stand on the site it now occupies, and to the attainment of that desire he used his utmost endeavor.
He was never lacking in those finer qualities which kindle in other men aspirations for better living. If he loved to develop the intellectual it was that the spiritual also might " grow from more to more." Of him it could be said-
" he spake of men
As one who found pure gold in each of them. He spake of women just as if he dreamed About his mother ; and he spoke of God As if he walked with Him and knew His heart."
Higher praise than this cannot be given-he honored mankind, reverenced womanhood, and walked with God.
In our Christian Endeavor meetings he was
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specially earnest and tender. He was rarely absent. Our cozy "upper room " had for him an inexpressible charm. Surrounded as he was by the love of his young people, he fre- quently gave the fullest expression to his feel- ings, revealing a heart rich in spiritual experi- ence, and a whole-souled charity which brought us all into closer and more reverent touch with the Eternal. His rare spiritual gifts and his splendid intellectual attainments combine to make of him a, man to be honored as a pastor, to be proud of as a friend-a man to be forever held in grateful remembrance by all who have known and loved him, and who have felt his helpful touch upon their lives.
Dr. Paden has been very successful in Utah. During his first year above one hundred mem- bers united with his church, and an old debt of $10,000 was canceled. He is to-day one of the ablest anti-Mormon leaders of the country. Our present pastor, Dr. George Edward Martin, preached for us for the first time on the 24th of April, 1898, and at
DR. GEORGE a congregational meeting held EDWARD in the chapel on the roth of the MARTIN following month, he received a unanimous call to our pulpit.
Dr. Martin was born in Norwich, Connecti- cut. He was graduated from Yale in 1872.
REV. GEORGE E. MARTIN, D. D.
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After a theological course at the Yale Semi- nary, he was installed pastor over the Centre Congregational Church of Brattleboro, Ver- mont, July 9th, 1879. After a successful pastorate of four years in this church he was called to the First Congregational Church of Brockton, Massachusetts, and was installed October IIth, 1883. He remained in charge of this church less than a year, leaving it to accept the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, Missouri, over which he was installed in October, 1884. Here he labored for fourteen years and made a splendid record. He was moderator both of the Synod of Missouri and of the Presbytery of St. Louis. He was greatly interested in educa- tional matters and was officially connected with several institutions of learning. He accepted the call to our church, and was installed pastor October 17, 1898. Dr. S. W. Dana, pastor of the Walnut Street Church and moderator of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, presided, and proposed the constitutional ques- tions. Rev. E. P. Terhune, D.D., preached the sermon; Dr. Samuel A. Mutchmore (who died thirteen days later) delivered the charge to the people, and Dr. Charles A. Dickey made the charge to the pastor. Dr. J. R. Miller delivered the installation prayer.
On the following Wednesday evening the
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Ushers' Association gave Dr. and Mrs. Martin a pleasant reception. Many floral tributes were presented by the several church organizations.
Dr. Martin made an earnest address in which he expressed the hope that the bond of union between himself and his people might grow stronger and more helpful, and that great good might be accomplished by both pastor and people in their united efforts to do the Master's will.
On the Ist of June, 1882, Dr. Martin was married to Miss Emily Herrick, who was born in Tirumangalam, South India, where her father was a missionary. She has charge of our largest adult Sunday-school class. In many other ways also she is giving important service to the work.
Dr. Martin received the degree of D. D. from two colleges-Wabash and Park. He is a talented musician, and is specially interested in preparing music for children. He is also the author of several books, among them being an attractive little volume, entitled "Sermons and Sermon Rhymes." In "Sunday Songs for Little Children," recently issued by the Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath- school Work, Dr. Martin displays his remark- able versatility by successfully entering three great fields of culture-poetry, music, and decorative art. The pages are adorned with
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dainty marginal designs, and each song is accompanied with an appropriate illustration which puts into visual form the spirit of the words. The art work is Dr. Martin's, and with but few exceptions, the words and music also are his.
Dr. Martin is an able preacher. His fine command of language enables him to express his thoughts in choicest speech. His broad culture, ripe scholarship, refined manner, and long experience should make him a leader of whom any church might be proud. As the pastor of the First Church, St. Louis, he was unusually successful. He found it in uncon- genial quarters with less than 250 members and with scarcely any organized activities ; he left it in new and commodious buildings, with nearly 700 members, and with a number of organizations thoroughly equipped for aggres- sive work. This gratifying change was due almost entirely to Dr. Martin's efforts.
With God's favor, and with the hearty co- operation of our congregation, Dr. Martin should easily repeat his fine record. It is pleasant to know that he is growing in favor with his people-especially with those who are " shut in" and who are thus in a position fully to appreciate his kindly ministry.
We will serve God best, and best advance the highest interests of our beloved church, by
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being true to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, and by uniting heartily and prayerfully in all plans that have for their aim the upbuilding of a broader, deeper, truer spiritual life in this portion of our city. We believe in the ability of Dr. Martin, and we have confidence in the loyalty of our people. We doubt not that God has a great work for us to do. We are all " workers together " with Him. We face the future gratefully, hopefully, courageously. "Let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God; and the Lord do that which seemeth him good."
The Rev. Leslie L. Overman occupied the pulpit as Dr. Martin's assistant for the first time on the 5th of December, REV. L. L. 1898, and took an active part in OVERMAN the service.
Mr. Overman is a native of Ohio. He was graduated from the University of Wooster, and took a post-graduate Philo- sophical course at Princeton University. His theological training was received at the Prince- ton Theological Seminary, from which insti- tution he was graduated in 1882. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Portsmouth, Ohio, November 8th the same year. He has been pastor of the McNeily Presbyterian Church, Nashville ; Montgomery Church, Presbytery of Cincinnati ; Page Boulevard
REV. L. L. OVERMAN
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Presbyterian Church, St. Louis ; assistant pastor of the Lafayette Park Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, and assistant pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, St. Louis.
Mr. Overman has had wide experience, and although he has been with us but a short time, has won our esteem by his genial manner and conscientious performance of duty. By his attention to the sick and by his visits to the homes of the congregation he is rendering valuable and effective service. During Dr. Martin's summer vacation, he had full charge of the field and zealously labored to meet the many demands made upon his time and strength.
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