USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > An historical catalogue of the St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia, with biographical sketches of deceased members > Part 3
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ALEXANDER HARDING
Treasurer
MALCOLM MACFARLAN, M.D.
Physician
WHARTON SINKLER, M.D.
Physician
REV. JAMES H. LAMB, D.D.
Chaplain
M. HAMPTON TODD, EsQ.
Counsellor
PETER BOYD, EsQ.
Counsellor
JOHN FERGUSSON
Assistant
WILLIAM McM. KERR
Assistant
JOHN J. S. RODGERS
Assistant
ALEXANDER HARDING
Assistant
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Extracts from the Minutes
1908, November 30. The 159th Anniversary of the Society was held this date at the Bellevue-Stratford, Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, President, in the chair. Grace was said by the Chaplain, Rev. James H. Lamb, D.D. Dr. Mitchell, in announcing the set toasts, made an interesting address, reminiscent of past times of the Society's meetings and strongly suggesting that more attention be given to Scottish songs and stories.
The response to "Our Mother Country and her King" was made by the Hon. James Bryce, British Ambassador ; " Scotland," by Dr. George W. Guthrie, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa .; " The Land we Live in," by Hon. John S. Reyburn, Mayor of Philadelphia; "Pennsylvania," by Hon. M. Hampton Todd, Attorney-General of Pennsylvania. The addresses were all thoroughly interesting.
1909, November I. The annual meeting for the election of officers was held this date at the Manufacturers' Club, Broad and Chestnut Streets. The following were elected :
S. WEIR MITCHELL, M.D., LL.D. President
JOHN GORDON GRAY Vice-President
ALEXANDER C. FERGUSSON, JR.
Vice-President
FREDERICK S. GIGER
Secretary
ALEXANDER HARDING
Treasurer
MALCOLM MACFARLAN, M.D.
Physician
WHARTON SINKLER, M.D. Physician
REV. JAMES H. LAMB, D.D.
Chaplain
M. HAMPTON TODD, EsQ.
Counsellor
PETER BOYD, EsQ.
Counsellor
JOHN FERGUSSON
Assistant
WILLIAM McM. KERR
Assistant
JOHN J. S. RODGERS
Assistant
ALEXANDER HARDING
Assistant
Hon. John B. McPherson, Vice-President, had requested that his name should not be presented for re-election, and, in consequence of his declination, Alexander C. Fergusson, Jr., was elected Second Vice-President. All the other offi- cers were unanimously re-elected.
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Extracts from the Minutes
It was decided that an office in a fire-proof building should be secured for the better preservation of the records of the Society. This office was later located at Room 610 in the Brown Building, southeast corner of 4th and Chestnut Streets.
1909, November 30. The 160th Anniversary of the Society was held at the Bellevue-Stratford, Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, President, in the chair. Grace was said by the Chaplain, Rev. James H. Lamb, D.D. After the set toasts, " The Land we Live in " was responded to by the Rev. James H. Darlington, D.D., Bishop of Central Pennsyl- vania Protestant Episcopal Church; " Hills, Heather, and Haggis," by Mr. Charles Heber Clark; " Scotland," by Peter Boyd, Esq .; " The Keystone State," by Alfred G. Hethering- ton, Esq.
1910, February 28. At the quarterly meeting held this date it was decided to establish a Library of Scottish Litera- ture. A statement in relation to this subject follows on page 28.
1910, May 31. At the quarterly meeting held this date at the Penn Club, the committee appointed to procure a set of standards for the Society reported, through Mr. Caleb J. Milne, Jr., chairman, the completion of their work, and presented flags in finely embroidered silk of the United States, Great Britain, the Standard of Scotland, and one specially designed with the insignia of The St. Andrew's Society beautifully embroidered thereon. Later Mr. Milne presented a silk flag of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the colors of the City of Philadelphia.
1910, October 31. At the meeting held this date at the University Club, the following officers were elected :
S. WEIR MITCHELL, M.D., LL.D. President
JOHN GORDON GRAY Vice-President
ALEXANDER C. FERGUSSON, JR. Vice-President
FREDERICK S. GIGER Secretary
FREDERICK S. GIGER Treasurer
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Extracts from the Minutes
MALCOLM MACFARLAN , M.D. Physician
JOHN K. MITCHELL, M.D. Physician
REV. JAMES H. LAMB, D.D.
Chaplain
HON. M. HAMPTON TODD
Counsellor
PETER BOYD, EsQ. Counsellor
JOHN FERGUSSON
Assistant
WILLIAM McM. KERR
Assistant
JOHN J. S. RODGERS
Assistant
FREDERICK S. GIGER
Assistant
Dr. Wharton Sinkler, Physician of the Society, and Alexander Harding, Treasurer, died during the year, and the vacancies so caused were filled by the election of Dr. John K. Mitchell as Physician and Frederick S. Giger as Treasurer.
1910, November 30. The 161st Anniversary was held this date at the Bellevue-Stratford, President Dr. S. Weir Mitchell in the chair.
After the usual preliminary toasts, Dr. Mitchell, refer- ring in his usual felicitous and interesting manner to the long life and work of The St. Andrew's Society, intro- duced the speakers for the evening :
Talcott Williams, LL.D., on " The Land we Live in.".
Francis Harvey Green, A.M., Litt.D., on " Scottish Literature."
Rev. Robert Johnston, Rector Church of The Saviour, West Philadelphia, on " Scotland."
The meeting was interspersed with marches by the piper and by a number of Scottish songs.
19II, October 31. At the meeting held this date at the University Club the following officers were elected :
JOHN GORDON GRAY President
ALEXANDER C. FERGUSSON, JR. Vice-President Vice-President
CALEB J. MILNE, JR. CHARLES E. RONALDSON
Secretary *
* On February 20, 1912, the honored Secretary of the Society, Charles Edward Ronaldson, passed away. Mr. Giger then served as Secretary pro tem. until another should be chosen. On February 29, 1912, Mr. Benjamin R. Hoffman was elected Secretary.
25
Extracts from the Minutes
FREDERICK S. GIGER
Treasurer
MALCOLM MACFARLAN, M.D.
Physician
JOHN K. MITCHELL, M.D.
Physician
REV. JAMES H. LAMB, D.D.
Chaplain
HON. M. HAMPTON TODD
Counsellor
PETER BOYD, EsQ.
Counsellor
JOHN FERGUSSON
Assistant
WILLIAM McM. KERR
Assistant
JOHN J. S. RODGERS
Assistant
FREDERICK S. GIGER
Assistant
HENRY DARRACH
Assistant
At this meeting the President, on behalf of the Society, presented to Colonel Robert B. Beath a gold badge of the Society for his work on the " Historical Catalogue."
19II, November 29. The 162nd Anniversary of The St. Andrew's Society was held this date at the Bellevue-Strat- ford. One hundred and twenty members and guests present.
The fine standards of the Society, with the sword of General Hugh Mercer, were carried into the dining-room by the guard of honor.
Dr. S. Weir Mitchell presided at the opening and after an interesting talk on Robert Burns, introduced as the President elect Mr. John Gordon Gray, who ably presented the claims of Scotland to consideration for its many men distinguished in Religion, in the Sciences, in the Arts, in Manufacturing, in Finance, in Prose and Poetry.
Rev. Dr. Alexander MacColl, Pastor of 2nd Presby- terian Church, discoursed eloquently on the history of Scotland.
Mr. Willis L. Moore, Chief U. S. Weather Bureau, spoke interestingly, and from a different stand-point from others on the conservation of the forests; he believing they had no influence on the rain-fall and that the acres now wooded were needed to produce food for the people.
Hon. Dimner Beeber spoke upon " Philadelphia " and in his address eulogized a former President of The St. Andrew's Society, Hon. James Wilson, as one largely in- strumental in shaping the destinies of our country.
26
Extracts from the Minutes
1912, October 31. At the annual meeting held this date at the University Club, the following officers were unani- mously re-elected to serve for the year ending November 30, 1913:
JOHN GORDON GRAY
President
ALEXANDER C. FERGUSSON, JR.
Vice-President
CALEB J. MILNE, JR.
Vice-President
BENJAMIN R. HOFFMAN
Secretary
FREDERICK S. GIGER
Treasurer
MALCOLM MACFARLAN, M.D.
Physician
JOHN K. MITCHELL, M.D.
Physician
REV. JAMES H. LAMB, D.D.
Chaplain
HON. M. HAMPTON TODD
Counsellor
LATIMER P. SMITH, EsQ.
Counsellor
JOHN FERGUSSON
Assistant
WILLIAM McM. KERR
Assistant
JOHN J. S. RODGERS
Assistant
FREDERICK S. GIGER
Assistant
HENRY DARRACH
Assistant
Peter Boyd, Esq., Counsellor, died December 9, 1911, and Latimer P. Smith, Esq., was elected to fill the vacancy.
1912, November 30. The 163rd Anniversary of The St. Andrew's Society was held this date at the Bellevue-Strat- ford, President John Gordon Gray in the chair. Mr. Gray in his preliminary remarks referred to the long and interest- ing record of the Society, its work, and objects. The speakers for the occasion and the sentiments responded to were :
"Our Country and its Military Policy," Major-General Leonard Wood, Chief of Staff U. S. Army.
" Scotland," Rev. William Muir Auld, Pastor Calvary Presbyterian Church.
" Scotland's Great Romancer," Prof. Francis Harvey Green, A.M., Litt.D.
" The Religious Influence of Scotland," Rev. Charles Wadsworth, Jr.
" Our State and City," Hon. William M. Bunn.
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Extracts from the Minutes
The addresses were all in excellent taste, thoroughly in- teresting, and were listened to intently by the large audience.
Scottish songs and the bagpipes by the piper, interspersed during the evening, added interest to the occasion.
THE LIBRARY
At the stated meeting of The St. Andrew's Society held February 28, 1910, the Secretary stated that the President, Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, had suggested that a collection be made by gift and purchase of Scotch books, especially those relating to local history, manners and customs of Scotland, county histories and kindred works that either are difficult of access or are not to be found in the United States. Thereupon David Milne offered the following Resolution, which was unanimously adopted :
Resolved, That the President appoint a Committee of five to be known as "The Library Committee " whose duties shall be to form a Library, increase it from time to time, provide for its care and make regulations for the use of the books therein.
The President appointed as the Committee :
DAVID MILNE, Chairman PETER BOYD, EsQ. CHARLES E. RONALDSON ROBERT TAITE MCKENZIE, M.D. FREDERICK S. GIGER
Later the names of Col. Robert B. Beath, Historiog- rapher, and Prof. John J. Stewart, Librarian of Lehigh University, were added.
On May 18th the Committee issued a circular, which after reciting the Resolution under which it was formed, said :
"In pursuance of this Resolution we appeal to the members for contributions of either money or books to carry forward the project to success. As it is desired that this shall be a distinctively Scotch Library, we solicit works
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Extracts from the Minutes
on Scotch history, biographies of eminent Scotchmen, maps, volumes of prose, poetry, or fiction ; also Scotch music and songs.
" We believe that ours is the first Society to undertake this work in America, and trust that our members will realize its importance and will cordially co-operate. Each book will bear the name of the donor with the date of presentation."
Among the first to respond to this appeal was Andrew Carnegie, who made a gift of ten pounds. This and other contributions of money impelled the Committee to have passed a motion to create a fund to be called " The Library Fund," " the principal and interest of which shall be kept apart from the general funds of the Society, all money from whatsoever source received, intended for the Library shall be deposited in said Fund, payments from which shall be made by the Treasurer upon requisition of the Library Committee."
In 19II an engraved bookplate was adopted, designed by J. E. Caldwell & Co. The design is a reproduction of the insignia of the Society with the date of foundation, 1749, in an oval encircled by the inscription, "Library of The St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia."
The number of volumes now exceeds three hundred. Many of them are books of reference valuable to the his- torian, antiquarian, genealogist, and to the student of Scottish literature. Early editions abound and in acquir- ing by purchase books have been selected only that have a recognized permanent worth. The collection is indexed and catalogued and is arranged in multiple cases at the room of the Society in the Brown Building. Many of the im- portant acquisitions have been due to the generosity of members who presented the books from their private libraries ; others made liberal gifts of money. Through the influence of Charles E. Ronaldson the Franklin Institute presented thirty-five rare books. The Library has become one of the most important of the possessions of the Society.
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Extracts from the Minutes
INVESTMENTS OF THE ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY September 30, 1913
GENERAL FUND
Par Value
Phila., Wilmington & Balto. R. R. Co. 4% S. T. Certfs., due 1921
$5,000 00
Penna. R. R. Company, Reg. 41/2% Bond, due 1921 3,000 00
Phila. & Darby R. R. Co. Coupon 4% First Mortgage Bond, due 1927 500 00
Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf R. R. Co. General Mortgage 5% Coupon Bond, due 1919 2,000 00
Perkiomen R. R. Co. First Series Mortgage 5% Bond, due 1918 1,000 00
St. Louis, Iron Mtn. & Southern Ry. Co. Equipment 5% Gold Bond, Series I, due 1917
2,000 00
Reading Company and the Phila. & Reading Coal & Iron Co. Gen. Mortg. 4% Coupon Bond, due 1997 1,000 00
Real Estate Title Ins. and Trust Co. Mortgage Trust 4% Certificates, Series N, Registered 500 00
New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk R. R. Co. 4% First Mort- gage Coupon Bonds, due 1939 1,500 00
Sixty Shares Penna. R. R. Co. Stock 3,000 00
Seven Shares Phila. Nat. Bank Stock
700 00
Ten Shares Lehigh Coal & Nav. Co. Stock
500 00
Mortgage J. A. Cavanagh, premises 1513 North St., 5%, due Dec. 29, 1905 1,500 00
Deposit in Philadelphia Savings Fund
771 54
$22,971 54
SUPPER FUND
Par Value
Real Estate Title Ins. & Trust Co. Mortgage Trust 4%
Certfs., Series P and N $2,500 00
Perkiomen R. R. Co. Ist Series 5% Mtg. Bond, due 1918 . . 100 00 Reading Company and the Phila & Reading Coal & Iron Co. Gen. Mortg. 4% Coupon Bond, due 1997 3,000 00
Phila., Wilmington & Balto. R. R. Co. 4% S. T. Certfs., due 1921
1,000 00
Mortgage Chas. O'Neil, Jr., premises 924 N. IIth St. . 2,500 00
New York, Phila. & Norfolk R. R. Co. 4% Ist Mortgage Bonds, due 1939 2,500 00
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Extracts from the Minutes
Par Value
Chicago & N. W. R. R. Co. Equipment Trust 41/2% Bonds due July 1, 1942
2,000 00
City of Philadelphia 4% Loan, registered, due 1939 500 00
Deposit in Western Saving Fund
706 95
LEGACIES
14,806 95
1829 William Mckenzie
$1,000 General Fund
1874 Charles Macalester 1,000 Supper Fund
1879 John L. Neill
500 General Fund
1910 Craig D. Ritchie 2,000 (Payable Later)
MEMBERSHIP
Honorary Members
3
Active Members
192
Active Life Members
40
Minor Life Members
7
242
Admitted during Year 1911-1912
II
Died
19
NOTES OF SPECIAL SERMONS Preached by the Chaplain of THE ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY
REV. JAMES H. LAMB, D.D. Rector, Old St. David's P. E. Church Radnor, Penna.
IN ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA, PA., ON THE AFTERNOON OF APRIL 14, 1907.
THE Chaplain preached for the members of our Society, taking for his text St. Luke, xix, 13, " And he called ten servants of his, and gave them ten pounds, and said unto them, Trade ye herewith till I come."
There is a peculiar interest in the parable from which the text is taken, because it can be directly connected with the historical event of Archelaus travelling to Rome to obtain from the Emperor the confirmation of the heritage of his kingdom. The command to trade with what God has given us is applicable (as all Christ's words are) to all time. One cannot disregard the command because he may not have received as much as another, and whoever does so brings upon himself the condemnation of the slothful servant.
God has given to each one of us at least two gifts, that of will and influence. Through the supreme gift of will, aided by the Holy Spirit, we can mould and shape the in- herent qualities of our nature : curb the unruly passions and govern all immoderate desires, and so build up strong Christ- like characteristics.
And by our uprightness of life we may obtain such in- fluence over others as to make them brave in doing right and at the same time thoughtful and kind-hearted, and so make all with whom we come in contact happier and better.
The Scotchman's early training teaches him considera-
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Notes of Special Sermons
tion for others. It is a rare thing to find among our people conscienceless men, caring nothing for their fellow-beings and only looking for the gratification of self. Hold fast then to that which was taught you in your infancy. Use your will and influence so as to bless others. Bring the love of God and the love of man to your daily work wherever that may be, and thus, through the proper use of the pounds which God has bestowed upon you, you will not only increase their value, but make the world around you the better because of your positive work for God.
IN ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, WEST PHILADELPHIA, ON NOVEMBER 28, 1909 :
" One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto Him, There is a lad here who hath five barley loaves and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? "-St. John, vi, 8.
The frank, artless way in which St. Andrew made an answer to Jesus' question about the disciples' store of food shows at least a half expectancy in his Master's ability to increase the supply. This leads us to inquire somewhat more particularly about this apostle.
Our first source of information is the Scriptures, and we learn there that he was a disciple of John the Baptist, and that under his influence and teaching he was led to look for the Coming One. One day, as John saw Jesus approaching, he pointed Him out as the Lamb of God who was to take away the sins of the world. Memorable as this testimony was, it seems to have produced no immediate result. On the second day, however, as Jesus passed by, John exclaimed again, " Behold the Lamb of God." These words were too remarkable to be again neglected. An irresistible impulse bade Andrew and another disciple (doubtless St. John) to follow Jesus. As they came near, Jesus turned and asked them, " What seek ye?" They did not answer Him at once. But at length they said, " Rabbi, where art thou stay-
33
Notes of Special Sermons
ing?" Jesus bade them come and see. They went with Jesus and stayed there that day. Before they left they felt in their hearts that the Kingdom of Heaven had come, that the hopes of long centuries were fulfilled, and that they were in the presence of Him who was the desire of all nations.
The first thought of Andrew was to seek his brother, Simon, and rejoicingly tell of his great discovery and to bring him to Jesus.
Andrew was the first of all the disciples to accept Jesus, and he seems to have been the link of communication between Jesus and the other disciples; beyond this nearness little that is distinctive is told us about him.
St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and is greatly reverenced there, although it is not very clear how he came to be chosen as such, but I love to think that he was so chosen because of his love to Jesus and because of his desire when in difficulty to go and tell Jesus. I love to think that St. Andrew was chosen for the patron saint of Scotland because of his love for his brother and his seeking him first of all to tell him of the glad news that the Redeemer had come. I love to think that St. Andrew was chosen the patron saint of Scotland because of the unaffected simplicity of his manner in calling Jesus' attention to the lad who had the five barley loaves and the two small fishes. These and his reliance upon Jesus are characteristics of the Scottish people. It may be that by following their patron saint these characteristics were developed. At any rate, they appealed to the Scottish and are now characteristic of them. Many illustrations might be given of their calling upon God when no way seemed to be open for an escape from an enemy dur- ing the times of persecution, and their strong faith seemed to be always rewarded.
It is characteristic of Scottish people to be solicitous for a brother's welfare and, when one has found a blessing, to share it with those who are near and dear to him.
St. Andrew is not worshipped in Scotland, but he is held
34
Notes of Special Sermons
up as a man who did what he could with what he had. In endeavoring to imitate St. Andrew, many a Scottish boy, by his simple testimony and honest life, has become a con- spicuous power for blessing others,-as, for instance, David Livingstone, Thomas Carlyle, Robert Stevenson, and many others who were notable exemplifications of faithfulness and trustworthiness in the positions they occupied,-above and beyond that, faithful and true to Jesus Christ. St. Andrew taught the Galilean boy to bring what he had to Christ, who multiplied the gift many times beyond the original amount. St. Andrew brought his brother to Christ, and we may learn from him how to bring men to Christ; to show them His power to save, and how the greatest joy of His life is to bring close to human nature the helping hand of God.
May we, through the help of the Holy Spirit, give earnest service to the uplifting and saving of souls by bringing them to Christ, who is never far from any one of us. As the loaves and fishes were increased by Christ's blessing, so shall our efforts be blessed to the bringing in more fully the Kingdom of God and the reign of Christ here upon earth.
Try it, and learn how God will bless your efforts for Jesus' sake.
SPECIAL SERMON PREACHED BEFORE THE ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA IN OLD ST. DAVID'S CHURCH, RADNOR, ON THE AFTERNOON OF APRIL 25, 1909
" For this is our God forever and ever, and He is our guide even unto death .- Psalm xlviii, 14.
The words of the text show the height and perfectness of the confidence which the manifold mercies of God should produce in human hearts. A literal translation of the text would make this confidence in God much stronger than it now appears in our ordinary Bibles : it would read, " For this is our God forever and ever : He is our guide over and beyond death," -- i.c., till death to us is over; till we have been led
35
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Notes of Special Sermons
over death to Resurrection-fulness of bliss in God's King- dom beyond.
These words have been chosen for our consideration this afternoon because I believe them to be applicable to us who have Scottish blood in our veins, and with that great rever- ence, trust, and confidence in Almighty God.
It is usual in Scottish homes faithfully to instruct the children in God's Word and teach them how such a portion was written, and how it was not only applicable to the generation then alive, but helpful to all who should live after them. Scottish children are taught to think more of a knowledge of God's Word and other branches of learning than of worldly name or fame : of truth and honesty between man and man: of fidelity to trust, personal integrity, and honor and pride of race.
This last may seem a strange thing to mention, but pride of race is natural in a Scotchman, and when rightly used is a very great help to every one. Pride of race, you will remember, was David Livingstone's inheritance. His poor old ancestor, when dying, called his children around him and said to them, " I have searched diligently through all the traditions of our family and I cannot find one dis- honest man or woman among them. If therefore any of you should take to dishonest ways as you go out into the world, it will not be because it runs in your blood. There- fore, I leave you this precept, 'Be honest in all you under- take to do or say.' "
This is our inheritance, my friends : we are of honorable descent and can by our trust in God so remain. Honesty has been thoroughly incorporated into our blood. Yes, not only honesty to man, but to God as well; for we have been taught not to deprive Him of any portion of that which He claims as a right, of service or of means.
Our fathers trusted in God and they were strengthened and supported. We struggle to retain many things con- nected with our forebears, shall we not struggle harder to keep what was to them the dearest possession of all-
36
Notes of Special Sermons
their religion? Their belief in God's guidance restrained them in their youth; made them strong in their manhood; comforted them in their old age; closed in peace and radiant hope their dying eyes. We believe in the God of our fathers. We believe in the religion of our fathers. We may take the liberty of expressing our belief in forms suited to the spirit and habits of thought of the age in which we live. We derive our knowledge and inspiration from a study of God's Word. This enables us to see with clearness where the right lies and trust implicitly in God even when times are dark and drear. This trust in God enables one to rise above all earthly troubles, for we know there is something to live for far beyond the mere material things of life, God being our God all through life and even beyond death.
After the service, the visitors were conducted by Doctor Lamb and members of the congregation through the burial- ground of the church where so many prominent persons are interred, among them General Anthony Wayne, whose remains were removed from the block-house at Erie, Pa., where he died, to this place, and where other members of his family are buried.
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