USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > Summit Hill > A history of the sabbath school of the first Presbyterian church, Summit Hill, Carbon county, Pa., and a narrative of the diamond jubilee > Part 3
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himself the commendation of the Master," She hath done what she could."
This Sabbath school was born under conditions which tried the faith of the saints. Seventy-five years ago this place was a veritable wilderness. Located on the mountain top over 1600 feet above the tide of the restless sea. Fanned by the cool breezes of heaven's pure air in Summer, and swept by the fierce gales and storms of Winter, yet the voice of the living God was heard above the elements by the sons of the martyrs from across the sea, and they planted the cross of Christ upon this hilltop, that coming generations might drink deeply from the wells of salvation.
As a matter of course I can tell you nothing about the early history of this Sabbath school from personal recollec- tion, but I remember very well my entry into the school on February 21st, 1858. This event is impressed upon me be- cause the Superintendent presented me with a small book entitled "Pictorial First Book," published by the Presby- terian Board of Publication, 265 Chestnut Street, Philadel- phia. I still have this book in good condition, and prize it exceedingly, because of this inscription on the title page, in the Superintendent's writing, "Presented to James McCready by Nathan Patterson, Supt. of the Presbyterian Sabh. School Summit Hill, Carbon County, Pa. 2 Mo. 21, 1858." At this date the school was laboring under difficulties that would now seem intolerable. Some of you will remember the appearance of the old Church, with the high steps in front and the double row of small windows, giving it the appearance
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SUMMIT HILL, CARBON COUNTY, PENNA.
of a manufacturing establishment of some kind. The wood- work outside had never been painted, and was built upon a stone foundation about seven feet high.
These foundation walls were built of rough stone, more for safety than beauty, and within them the Sabbath school held its services. The walls inside were plastered against the stone without the use of lath, so that in wet weather the walls were always damp to such an extent that it ran down the sides in small streams.
The seats were long benches of a single plank about a foot wide and of various lengths to fit into available space. The room was partially heated by a large stove with a sheet-iron top. This stove was encased in a large sheet-iron drum about six feet in diameter, which diverted some of the heat to the room above. There was nothing attractive about the room with its low ceiling, dingy looking walls and rough hard benches, yet to many a wayfarer it was the very gate of heaven.
Let me digress a moment at this point and call to remem- brance the Session of the Church as constituted at this period, viz .: Rev. John White, Pastor; Jonathan Simpson, Andrew Weir and Dixon Lewers, Elders. I can but faintly remember Dixon Lewers, as he left town in 1859.
This Church will perhaps never know, on this side of the Jordan, how much we are indebted to the life and services of this particular Session.
Andrew Weir was a typical Scotch Presbyterian Elder, stern and uncompromising in all affairs pertaining to the
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Kingdom. He held his office and the things pertaining thereto as a sacred heritage. His delight was in the law of the Lord, and his chief joy was in the sanctuary of his God. He never hestitated to rebuke what he considered to be wrong, and his dearest friends were no exception to his reproof. I remember going with my mother to see his family at their residence in Jamestown one Sabbath after- noon, and I shall never forget the greeting he gave us, which was this, "I am very glad to see you, but I want no more visiting on the Lord's day."
Elder Simpson was the direct opposite of Elder Weir in many respects. He was quiet and unassuming, patient and submissive under physical suffering, sympathetic and kind upon all occasions. He was one of those approachable men to whom the smallest child would not hesitate to confide in, because they could see in his countenance the expression of love and tenderness.
Rev. John White was a man of profound knowledge and scholarly attainments. He was a graduate of the Univer- sity of Glasgow, Scotland, and as a matter of course was rooted and grounded in the faith of John Knox. He conse- crated his life, soul and body to the service of his Master. Upon a certain occasion I ventured to ask him if a college professorship had ever appealed to him, his reply was, “Woe unto me if I preach not the Gospel of Christ." He was pastor about seventeen years, when he resigned on account of the infirmities of age. That he took with him into his retirement the peace that passeth knowledge was fully made
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known to me in the last interview I had with him in his home in Tamaqua. When I called he was sitting alone in the room set apart for his use, busy compiling an easy book for beginners in Latin. As I was about to leave I said to him, "Do you not get tired and lonesome sitting here the greater part of the time." He replied, "Yes, tired sometimes, but never alone, because I draw that chair close beside me, I fold my arms, close my eyes, and the living God comes to me, sits in that chair, and I can feel the touch of His presence." He never knew that I went from that room with fear and trembling, for he had shown me a life in daily touch with the Almighty; and at that moment I could not understand, but in the interim of years his abiding faith and loving trust as declared to me that day, has often been an inspiration in the midst of the storm and stress of every day duties, for is it not a fact, that at times we catch the inspiration of the poet, and from our heart of hearts sing,
"One sweet hour alone with Jesus, Where no eye but His can see, When my soul to Him is lifted, What a calm it brings to me!
"One sweet hour alone with Jesus, When He bids my weary heart, Come awhile and rest beside Him, From the cares of earth apart.
"One sweet hour alone with Jesus, When I climb the mountain's height And behold as in a vision Yonder world of pure delight."
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It is unfortunate that no recorded data was kept of the Sabbath school during the early years of its history, but from reliable information we learn that in the year 1835, Robert Henry, assisted by Mrs. Alexander McLean met in the sitting room of one of the boarding houses for the study of the Word of God. For three years following there appears to have been no regularly appointed Superintendent, owing no doubt to the absence of any Church organization, but in the Spring of 1838 James Edgar was appointed, and succeeded by Joshua E. Barnes, August, 1844; Nathan Patterson, February, 1845; James McCready, Jan- uary, 1878.
At the time of my entrance into the school, February, 1858, Nathan Patterson was Superintendent. He was the pioneer of Sabbath-school work in this region, having organ- ized at various times five schools. He was eminently suc- cessful against adverse conditions and circumstances, be- cause he was completely consecrated to the work. As we look back over the years past and gone, and recall his method of conducting the school, we see clearly and distinctly that successful Sabbath-school work must have for its basis the teaching of the Word of God. In those days the sole equip- ment of the school was the Bible, the Shorter Catechism, and for the younger children the Youth's Catechism. Some of you will remember how thoroughly we were drilled in the catechism, and at nearly every session some class was re- quired to answer the questions in open school, the Superin- tendent himself asking the questions.
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SUMMIT HILL, CARBON COUNTY, PENNA.
Mr. Patterson placed great stress upon the necessity of memorizing the Shorter Catechism, but never to supplant the sacred page. In 1860 he inaugurated a system of memor- izing the Word of God, and offered a Bible as a prize to the scholar who would be present every Sabbath in the year and recite to his teacher the greatest number of verses from the Bible. This you can readily see incited a spirited rivalry to acquire the prize. As the months rolled on the interest increased as it became evident that two of the contestants had outdistanced all others.
On the first Sabbath in the year 1861, the result was made known at a special meeting. Amidst an almost breathless silence Mr. Patterson announced that Miss Martha Lees, having been present each Sabbath in the year and having recited over 5000 verses was entitled to the prize. The other contestant did the best he could, but fell by the way- side, having memorized about 4900 verses from the Scrip- tures. This system was kept up for a number of years, excepting that the number of verses to be memorized on any Sabbath was limited to twenty-five.
Mr. Patterson was not an orator, so-called, but he was a thorough organizer, and devised means and methods by which he kept the school in a healthy and prosperous condition. He kept in personal touch with each scholar by keeping a book of attendance for his own use, going to each class every Sabbath and calling out the name of each pupil. By this method he became acquainted with them personally.
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He was not forgetful of the pleasures of youth and ar- ranged at intervals picnics and parades that were most enjoyable. I copy from his record a description of one of these occasions, which was intended for a Fourth of July celebration, but was observed on the third (Saturday) :-
Sab. 7 Mo. 4, 1858. Cloudy and warm.
Read 48 Psalm. Hymn and Prayer by Jonathan Simpson.
Present.
Teachers.
Scholars.
Male.
8
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Female 7 43
Yesterday, the 3d inst., a celebration was held by the Sab. Schools of this place at the Town Hall, the day was pleasant and passed off very satisfactory without disturbance or accident to mar the pleasure of it. Rev. John White made an appropriate and excellent address.
James McLean was Chief Marshal of the day, assisted by Messrs. Lewers, Long, McMurtrie and Sisty. Refreshments were served. Estimated 1000 persons were at the gathering. The order of procession was as follows :-
1st. Summit Hill Brass Band, headed by Mr. John Jones.
2. Presbr. S. School of Summit Hill, N. Patterson, Supt.
3. Welsh Baptist S. School of Summit Hill, Jos, Powell, Supt.
4. Welsh Congregational S. School of Ashton, Mr. Evans, Supt.
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5. Presbn. S. School of Jamestown, Sam'l Nevins, Supt.
6. Episcopal S. School of Summit Hill, Mr. Ibbitson, Supt.
7. Presbn. S. School of Ashton, W. Leisenring, Supt.
The school continued to increase in numbers so that it became necessary to do something to enlarge the place of worship, and in 1871 the old Church building was remodeled, giving the school a much larger room and fitting it up with modern seats and equipment.
In September, 1876, Nathan Patterson resigned on ac- count of the infirmities of advancing years, thus ending a continuous service of about thirty-one years. A service re- membered by the survivors of that period with the most tender recollections.
Personally I knew Nathan Patterson not only as a Super- intendent of the Sabbath school, but as a man who tried to reflect in his life and character a degree of perfection worthy of imitation. The first nine years of my married life (until the time of his death) was spent under his roof; thus morning, noon and night I came in daily contact with him, and ob- served in him the noblest qualities of human life, as he often disclosed to me the desires and expectations of his life as he did to none else.
I succeeded him as Superintendent January 5th, 1878 (no appointment in the interim between September, 1876, and January, 1878, the congregation being without a pastor a portion of that time). I was particularly fortunate in hav- ing the advice and counsel of Mr. Patterson during the first
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four years of my term of office, and any special uplift in the School during that period was due entirely to his inspiration.
The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Sabbath school was ob- served in 1885. Rev. J. H. Doremus, Pastor, presiding. John McMichael, Superintendent of the Jamestown school delivered an excellent address; the singing was led by Andrew Crowe. Jamestown School at that time had a membership of 125, and this school had present at the anniversary 270 members.
In 1895 the old Church building was torn down and re- placed by the present brick structure, giving us a large and beautiful Sabbath-school room.
In 1905 the Bible class of Elder Joseph Jones presented the school with a beautiful Memorial Tablet recording the names of the officers and teachers who had passed away in the activities of Sabbath-school work. I attach herewith a copy of the order of service on that occasion as it appeared in pamphlet form :-
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SUMMIT HILL, CARBON COUNTY, PENNA.
1839 PROGRAM 1905
OF THE
DEDICATION OF THE SABBATH SCHOOL MEMORIAL TABLET,
SABBATH 2.30 P. M., MARCH 19TH, 1905, AT
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (H. I. NICHOLAS, MINISTER) SUMMIT HILL, PENNA.
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
1. Scriptures and Dedication Prayer Pastor
2. Memorial Hymn: "Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me" Joseph Nevins
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me, Over life's tempestuous sea; Unknown waves before me roll, Hiding rock and treach'rous shoal;
Chart and compass come from thee:
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.
As a mother stills her child, Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boist'rous waves obey thy will,
When thou say'st to them "Be still!"
Wondrous Sov'reign of the sea, Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.
When at last I near the shore, And the fearful breakers roar; 'Twixt me and the peaceful rest, Then, while leaning on thy breast, May I hear thee say to me: "Fear not, I will pilot thee!"
3. Presentation address for the class
Pastor
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4. Memorial Hymn: "My Jesus, as Thou Wilt" Joseph Forrest
My Jesus! as thou wilt! Oh, may thy will be mine;
My Jesus! as thou wilt! Though seen through many a tear,
Into thy hand of love
Let not my star of hope
I would my all resign; Grow dim or disappear.
Since thou on earth hast wept
Through sorrow or through joy Conduct me as thine own, And sorrowed oft alone,
And help me still to say,
My Lord, thy will be done.
If I must weep with thee, My Lord, thy will be done.
5. Acceptance and Memorial address S. S. Supt. James McCready
6. Memorial Hymn: "Lead Kindly Light" Joseph Nevins
Lead, kindly Light! amid the encircling gloom, Lead thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home; Lead thou me on;
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene; one step enough for me.
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years.
7. Address Rev. G. G. Kunkle, Pastor Lutheran Church
8. Memorial Hymn, "Come Unto Me When Shadows Darkly Gather" Joseph Forrest
Come unto me when shadows darkly gather,
When the sad heart is weary and dis- tressed,
Seeking for comfort from your heavenly Father;
Come unto me, and I will give you rest.
Ye who have mourned when the spring flowers were taken.
When the ripe fruit fell richly to the ground, When the loved slept, in brighter homes to waken, Where their pale brows with spirit- wreaths are crowned.
There, like an Eden blossoming in gladness, Bloom the fair flowers the earth too rudely pressed; Come unto me, all ye who droop in sadness, Come unto me, and I will give you rest.
9. Announcements and offerings. Memorial Sermon and Memorial Hymns at 7 P. M. Please bring this with you.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead thou me on;
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10. Memorial Hymn: "In the Morning" Joseph Ross
We are pilgrims looking home, Sad and weary oft we roam,
But we know' twill all be well in the morn- ing; When, our anchor firmly cast,
Ev'ry stormy wave is past, And we gather safe at last in the morning,
O these tender broken ties, How they dim our aching eyes, But like jewels they will shine in the morning ; When our victor palms we bear, And our robes immortal wear, We shall know each other there, in the morning.
CHORUS
When we all meet again in the morning, On the sweet blooming hills in the morning; Nevermore to say good night In that sunny region bright, When we hail the blessed light of the morning.
11. Address Rev. Calvin P. Wehr, Pastor Reformed Church
12. Memorial Hymn: "Take Time to be Holy" Esther Hoag
Take time to be holy, Speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, And feed on His Word; Make friends of God's children, Help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, Let Him be thy Guide, And run not before Him, Whatever betide; In joy or in sorrow, Still follow thy Lord, And, looking to Jesus, Still trust in His Word.
13. Memorial Prayer Supt. McCready
14. Memorial Hymn: "What a Friend we have in Jesus" John Lees
What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Ev'rything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Ev'rything to God in prayer!
15. Prayer: "Our Father"
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Congregation
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16. Memorial Hymn: "Jesus Lover of My Soul" Joseph Nevins, Jr.
Jesus, lover of my soul! Let me to thy bosom fly
While the billows near me roll, While the tempest still is high; Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide, Oh, receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none; Hangs my helpless soul on thee; Leave, ah! leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me; All my trust on thee is stayed, All my help from thee I bring; Cover my defenceless head With the shadow of thy wing.
17. Doxology
Congregation
18. Memorial Hymn: "My Sails are Spread"
Elizabeth Henry McMichael
My sails are spread to meet the gale,
O glory, hallelujah!
My trusty pilot will not fail,
O glory, hallelujahj!
Farewell, farewell to every care, O glory, hallelujah! My home, my home, I'll soon be there O glory, hallelujah!
CHORUS
I hear his voice in sweet command While at the helm I see him stand; I soon shall reach my fatherland, O glory, hallelujah!
19. Benediction
Nathan Patterson, Superintendent 1845-1876.
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MEMORIAL TABLET
OFFICERS.
NATHAN PATTERSON Superintendent 1845-1876
JOSEPH ROSS Assistant Secretary
TEACHERS.
Joseph Nevins,
Joseph Forrest,
Robert McMichael,
Elizabeth Henry McMichael,
Joseph Nevins, Jr.,
Esther Hoag,
John Lees,
Isabelle Clark.
Presented by Elder Joseph Jones' Bible Class.
Since the placing of the tablet upon the walls of the Sab- bath-school room, one name has been added to the list of teachers, and, singular to relate, it is the name of the beloved teacher of the class which presented the memorial tablet -- Elder Joseph Jones. As I look at that tablet two emotions take possession of me; one of sadness as I bring back the days when I stood at the open grave of each one of those recorded there, and looked into the tomb as they were tenderly laid away; one of joy, that I was permitted to know them intimately, as we labored together in the Master's service, without a single cloud to mar the sweet counsel that we en- joyed so much, as we assembled from Sabbath to Sabbath in the Lord's vineyard. For those teachers, who, in addition to Sabbath-school work, sang with me the songs of the sanc-
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tuary in the Church choir, I still have the most tender recol- lections. After the lapse of many years I can still hear the tones of Elizabeth Henry McMichael, the sweetest alto that ever voiced the hallelujahs of praise within the walls of the old Church. Some years later Esther Hoag passed away, another addition to the choir celestial.
When I accepted the office of Superintendent, I had no idea that thirty-two years afterward would still see me in service. These years I would not obliterate if I could; some disappointments, and a few trials of course, but these have been far outnumbered by the sweet remembrance of by- gone years, and the hallowed memories of those we have loved and lost awhile. This long tenure of office has been made possible by the loyal service of the teachers who have held up my hands in every emergency that confronted us. My every wish was cheerfully complied with and executed with a willingness sometimes surpassing my fondest expectations. I am beginning to feel lonesome at times as I recount the changes that have taken place, and am able to see only two or three survivors of those early days. Yet it is a joy to know that they have entered upon their reward, and to us who remain may it be given to know that our supreme joy consisteth not in material blessings but in an overflowing heart, filled with the consciousness of having performed every duty in life in accordance with the gospel of peace.
Present Church Building, Erected 1895.
SOCIAL EVENING. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1910.
Greetings were brought by Rev. William J. Mewhinney, Moderator of Lehigh Presbytery, who presided.
Rev. James Robinson, pastor of the Church from 1893 to 1897, in usual felicitous manner brought the greetings of himself and his charge at Bethlehem.
Rev. Irwin P. McCurdy, L.L.D., pastor of the Lansford Presbyterian Church, a child of this Church, gave an inter- esting address, bringing fraternal greetings personally and from the members of his flock. He closed his address with the rendition of an original poem of greetings and well wishes.
Rev. John F. Nicholas, D.D., a brother of the pastor, was prevented from being present.
The local clergy were represented by the Rev. Charles F. Freeman, of the Reformed Church, and Rev. Frank Mack, of the Methodist Church. At the anniversary banquet and social hour, which followed, these gentlemen gave most felicitous and complimentary greetings.
Elder Charles Stewart, of the Lansford Presbyterian Church, also made an interesting address. At the banquet Rev. James Robinson presided.
As members of the Presbyterial Committee the following addresses were made :-
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The Rev. James Cattanach, pastor of the First Presby- terian Church of Mauch Chunk, whose history is closely connected with this Church, spoke as follows :-
I bring you the greetings of the Presbytery of Lehigh on this joyous anniversary occasion. I also bear you the affec- tionate good wishes of my own congregation, which is so closely related to your own. You are a child of the First Presbyterian Church of Mauch Chunk, and naturally we are interested in your welfare, present and future. You have back of you a splendid history; a history full of inspiration for the men and women of the present, and of the future of this Church. You are to be congratulated upon what has been accomplished during the past seventy-five years. I trust the past may be prophetic of greater things yet to come.
If I have any special message for you at this time, it would be to remind the children, of whom there are so many present, that the future well-being of this Church is in their safe- keeping. They are to be the men and women of the future, who shall conduct the affairs of this Church. From among them are to come the future officers of the Church and Sabbath school. I would remind them that they are now members of the Church, and that they owe it to their Church and pastor to cultivate a spirit of loyalty to both. They belong to a great historic Church-a Church with a great history-and they should be glad because of that fact.
That the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon pastor and people, and that your labors may be crowned with abundant success is my earnest prayer.
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SUMMIT HILL, CARBON COUNTY, PENNA.
The Rev. T. C. Sterling, pastor of the East Mauch Chunk Church, a grand-daughter of this Church, brought greetings as follows :-
As I bring to you the greetings of the Presbytery of Lehigh, permit me to add that I also convey the greetings of my beloved flock, the Memorial Presbyterian Church, East Mauch Chunk, and can assure you that we congratulate you on this most laudable, praiseworthy occasion. You have been as travelers, ascending a large mountain, which con- sists of seventy-five long steps, but now, as you stand on the summit, you can retrospectively, like Moses, look back and look upon early struggles that betimes seemed to spell defeat, but with your courageous leaders that have stood around you breathing into you their consecrated walk and life, you have marched onward and forward until you stand with the laurels of a diamond. As you scrutinize this diamond, you consider its worth, but as your eyes become prospective you perceive a crown "which the righteous judge shall give to all on that day" when He removes us all from the battle to the rest that awaits the faithful warrior that "is faithful unto death, for he shall receive the crown of life." While great achievements resulting in progress and abounding with the cry of victory have been yours, still from this mountain we perceive other fields that are beckoning, glowing with opportunities, and as you have now passed from the nursery into the ranks of the experienced soldier, knowing that "it is not by might, nor yet by power, but by my Spirit" that success will come, therefore, "let us in the name of our God
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set up His banner," and thus convey that consecreated spirit of our noble leaders, our spirit-filled fathers, to the generations that are surely coming forward. I am reminded of a three- fold prescription that makes every Sabbath school a mighty working force. First, praise your Pastor, your Super- intendent, your teachers and your school. Second, pray for your Pastor, your Superintendent, your teachers and your school, and thirdly, always pay your tithes, that God's blessing will be advanced. To do this effective work, a teacher one Sabbath said to her class that they were to remember that each scholar was an engine and no engine was performing its function unless it was pulling cars behind it. Thus, see how many cars we can bring into this school by next Sabbath. As the next Sabbath arrived and, as the school was about to begin service, the door opened and up the center part of school came a boy puffing and puffing, and as he reached the side of teacher she said, "Please keep quiet." "Oh," he said, "I am an engine and I am pulling my six cars into the station, and here they are-the first boy is Monday car, second Tuesday car, third Wednesday car, fourth Thursday car, fifth Friday car and sixth Saturday car." Thus, by seizing the opportunity to do good unto all, we shall bring in the sheaves that will become the diamonds, which shall result in our leader, the greatest Teacher, which is the Christ, commending you with these most hearty words: "Well done, good and faithful servants, enter into the joy of thy Lord."
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SUMMIT HILL, CARBON COUNTY, PENNA.
The Rev. G. Archibald Humphries, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Tamaqua, a sister Church, spoke as follows :-
MY DEAR CHRISTIAN FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS :- While I respond with alacrity to the command of Presbytery to come here and help convey her greetings and congratulations, I wish to speak more fully in behalf of my own congregation. We are sisters, not in the common acceptance of the term, but in a very vital sense. The old saint, who used to climb this hill from Mauch Chunk to declare to your fathers the "coun- sels of God," traveled over the mountains to Tamaqua, that there also might be delivered the "Bread of Life." We are offspring of the same parent. And in-as-much as these two churches have had many things in common, in the line of hardship as well as prosperity, I think we at Tamaqua are in a very logical position to intelligently express our con- gratulations on this your seventy-fifth birthday. This we do from the depths of our heart. May your shadow, like that of your pastor, never grow less. May the glory of the latter house far exceed that of the former. May the richest blessings from the Father's hand fall lavishly upon you.
I feel, however, that on this anniversary we have not only come to praise Cæsar; but also to bury him. If this week of glorious services is to mean nothing more than the senti- mentalizing of the past, and the exchange of reminiscence, then to all practical purposes it is mere sounding brass and tinkling cymbals. If all that it means to you is to sit with folded arms on the seventy-fifth mile stone of your existence
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and calmly contemplate what has been done, with no thought of what must be done, then, notwithstanding all the glory of this week, it is a failure. Our Lord does not yet stand in the market place of the world at the close of the day. The night, when no man can work, is not yet here. We are in the midst of the noon-day labors in the Lord's harvest field; we must, therefore, be about our Father's business. My friends, this is a ten-talent Church. The noble achievements of the fathers have produced this magnificent inheritance and placed it in your keeping. See to it that you gain ten other talents also. Like Zion of old, you are built upon a hill. See to it that clouds of a diminished faith, nor the weeds of slothfulness diminish the clear rays of your Christian fervor and service.
The hope of America is not in the great centres of industrial and economic activity, but it is in the smaller ones. Wall Street and banking institutions do not produce prosperity, they only feed upon it. The wealth comes from those sections where men dig the treasure out of the mountains, or gather it out of the fields. This is also true of the main- tenance of a high moral standard. The great moral upheaval which is turning topsy turvy the course of conduct of this nation did not spring up in the city, but in the country, down in the broad valleys and up near heaven, on the moun- tain top. The call for purity in politics and honesty in business springs not in the deep canyons of the city streets, but out in the open, in the pure air of God's untrammeled presence. It is for this Church and the thousands like it,
ʻ
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SUMMIT HILL, CARBON COUNTY, PENNA.
all over this country, to keep the flame of morality brightly burning.
So, also, in a theological sense, it is given to us to be the balance wheel of theological thought. In the great work of sifting out the chaff from un-essentials in religion, it is the strong in an unsophisticated faith, that can see most clearly the difference between the verities of God and the sophistries of men. It is the country congregation that does not demand fads and fancies in preaching. The peculiar duty of the church in the small community, to-day, is to keep the faith once for all delivered to the saints. A personal God, salvation in Christ, not in evolution, and the blessed hope of the future life, these have been given to us to hold inviolate, as a sacred trust for the generations to come.
Herein, then, lies the sphere of your usefulness and pro- gressiveness. In thus keeping alive the old altar fires of truth eternal, you will find your true mission. Let your past achievements produce neither lethargy, nor arrogance. Be alive; but be alive in Christ. Keep close to the common people, for the testimony of history is to the effect that, the hoi polloi of one generation is the aristocracy of the next.
"The parish priest of Austerlitz, Climbed into the high church steeple,
That he might be near God, And thus, hand His Word down to the people.
" In sermon script, he daily wrote, What he thought was sent from heaven,
And he threw this down on the People's heads Two times one day in seven.
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THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, SUMMIT HILL.
" In His wrath God said,
'Come down and die.' And he cried out from the steeple,
'Where art Thou, Lord?' and the Lord replied, 'Down here among my people.'"
May you, my beloved, be filled with all grace and strength and wisdom necessary for every good work. Keep your face turned toward the east. May the warm rays from the Sun of Righteousness ripen the green fruit of the past into the rich mellow gold of a glorious harvest.
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