USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > Harrisburg > Centennial memorial, English Presbyterian congregation, Harrisburg, Pa. > Part 19
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I want to say that in those days in my youth there were not the Christian liberality and spirit prevailing as to-day. We can recall how we Old School Presbyterians warred with
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the New School, and how we warred with other denomina- tions. But there is a Christian liberality all prevailing. It seems sometimes to me as if while not agreeing on the non- essentials, we all agree on the essentials.
My grandfather was very happy in his later days when he could mount his old iron-gray horse, and with his old saddle bags, travel to some brother pastor's church and preach on Sunday. The old gentleman always spoke kindly of Harrisburg. I have heard him say that when he preached here it was scarcely a village. My mother was born in this town. I feel as I am talking to-night that I am talking to old friends of my family and myself. My grandfather preached in various places throughout the State, but he always had a kind corner in his heart for Harrisburg and Harrisburg people He often spoke of his church here and of the kindness of the people, and that some of the happiest days of his life had been spent in the city, or then village, for it was not even a borough, of Har- risburg. He belonged to the Old School of cast-iron Pres- byterianism. He belonged to that class of men that Gen. Snowden spoke about, who, with the axe on one shoulder and the rifle on the other, went into the virgin forests, and cleared them away and also drove out the savages. He belonged to that stern class of Presbyterianism that in the West sat with the Bible on top of the pulpit and the rifle in the corner. These Presbyterians swarmed through here into the Western States, diverging into those. Western States and conquering them. I am proud of the Presbyterian Church, the Church of my grandparents, my parents, the Church whose mark has been made in the history of our
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common country. A Church that did more than any other in winning the great West, the Church that has stood by the country in all times of distress and trouble. A Church that has produced more great divines, more great statesmen than any other. A grand Church laboring in the cause of religion and humanity and will continue its work until time shall be no more.
The PRESIDENT: I quite agree with General Snowden, that there ought to be more Presbyterians. Still, they are by no means a feeble folk or few in number. This region contains many of them, and in a neighboring town there is a strong congregation of our brethren whose pastor is here to-night to bring us their greetings and his own. I have great pleasure in presenting to you Dr. Niles, of York.
REMARKS BY REV. HENRY E. NILES, D. D.
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : I am not here to-night for the purpose of speech making, but had I come for such object I think it would plainly be the part of wisdom, at this late hour, not to trespass upon your time and patience. Hindered from an earlier acceptance of the kind invitation of your committee, to partake of the pleasures of your various exercises on this anniversary weck, I was glad to come even at the eleventh hour. I wanted to revisit scenes that have been familiar in the past, to reclasp old bonds of friendship, to form others that shall be new, and to drink in some of the intellectual and spiritual ozone which I felt sure must be flowing about abundantly here.
I suppose I am called upon now, not so much for my own
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sake, as because I may represent a Sister Church in a neigh- boring city, which, according to its charter, bears a similar distinctive name; which is, I believe, somewhat older than this; and also, for a portion of the last century, was asso- ciated ecclesiastically with this. I take pleasure, therefore, in presenting to the members of the "English Presbyterian congregation of Harrisburg," the fraternal salutations of the "English Presbyterian congregation of York." Your senior by several years and a little more venerable, perhaps, but a Church, I am sure, which, cherishes the most kindly interest in your welfare and rejoices that you have come to this period of maturity, with so many evidences of spiritual vigor and general prosperity.
If you want me to say more, it shall be in the line suggested by our dear brother, Dr. Cattell, for I too, am carried back to my first acquaintance with Harrisburg. It was in that time which tried men's souls, near the close of the war, when from an old dingy car that had seen hard service for the country, and was then filled with soldiers going towards the front, I first looked upon this goodly city. Of course, I had some general ideas of its character and importance, as the State Capital, but as from the window of that car standing a little while, on the other side of the Susquehanna, the view was presented, "beautiful for situa- tion" seemed your loved city, which might well be the joy of the whole commonwealth. While I could not but notice the substantial buildings that lined the streets, symbolic of the character of the population, and those on the Capitol Hill, well suited for the legislators and other officials of the State, my attention was soon turned to a tall, symmetrical,
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beautiful spire which loomed up in the foreground, and which I learned was of the First Presbyterian Church.
Not long after, as I well remember, came my introduction to the pastors of the Church, the venerable, scholarly and accomplished Dr. DeWitt; and his junior colleague, con- cerning whom, here in his presence, I forbear to use such adjectives as my heart prompts me to employ, and such as I am sure your high appreciation of him would endorse.
The circumstances were peculiar. The events transpiring in our country were such as the world remembers with thrilling interest.
On Friday evening, April 14, 1865, the Presbytery, with which our churches were connected, convened in semi- annual meeting at York, and in connection with the usual business of that session, it was expected that I would be installed pastor of the York congregation. It was the evening of that memorable day when the stars and stripes, which had been, for four years, lowered at Fort Sumpter, were restored to their former position, Henry Ward Beecher being the orator of the occasion. This fact, together with the recent capture of Petersburg and Richmond, and the surrender of Lee and his army to General Grant, had filled the country with joy. Dr. Robinson preached the opening sermon of Presbytery, and on the next day it was expected that the regular business would be attended to, and on Sabbath, together with various popular meetings, would be the ceremony of installation. But on Saturday morning, how startling the intelligence that was flashed across the land, and filled every loyal heart with consternation ! What a thrill of horror passed through our communities,
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on that 15th day of April, when successive telegrams announced, " President Lincoln assassinated !" "Secretary Seward simultaneously assaulted !" "Secretary Stanton and Chief Justice Chase imperilled !" " The President dead !"
When Presbytery convened that morning, no wonder that our expected delightful service was turned into a scene of anxiety and sorrow and shame! And when the venerable Dr. De Witt was called to lead us in prayer to the God of Providence, the Governor of the Universe, no wonder that we felt our help must be in Him alone. Next day, that church which otherwise had been decorated with symbols of joy and gladness, was hung with the black emblems of mourning. Although the appointed services were held, conflicting emotions were in our hearts. Under other circumstances, I might be tempted to say more in this con- nection. I have only alluded to that memorable time, as the beginning of my acquaintance with your pastors, in connection with the little " New School Presbytery of Harris- burg." " Little " she may have been " among the thousands of Judah," but by no means " least " in the loyalty of her devotion to Evangelical principles, in the readiness of her members for Christian service, and in the variety and liberality of her contributions for objects of Christian beneficence. Her ministers and elders met together as brethren, innocent of rivalries, rejoicing in each other's com- panionship, and confident in each other's fraternal affection.
But, when the reunion of our denomination in 1870 gave occasion for the readjustment of Presbyterial boundaries, the wedge of separation was driven between these churches, and some of us were brought into new ecclesiastical con-
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nections. From that time, though geographically neigh- bors, the churches of Harrisburg and York have had but little intercourse. And so, at length, I am here to-night, amid familiar scenes, yet somewhat as a stranger. Here, where I once felt so much at home, and in view of this pul- pit where I often stood as a co-Presbyter, it almost seems that I need a fresh introduction !
Yet, I am not entirely ignorant of your history during these recent years. I have known something of your activ- ity and power, and continued enlargement. I have marked "your work of Faith and labor of Love and patience of Hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God, even our Father, knowing brethren beloved, your election of God."
In conclusion, therefore, let me repeat to you, my dear Brother STEWART, and to your good people, the salutations of "The English Presbyterian Church of York," and assure you that, with thanksgiving to God for distinguished favors shown to you in the past, we will pray that, from the begin- ning of this new century on which you are entering, the Shechinah may be yet more constantly manifest among you, and the joy of the Lord be the delight of your souls!
The PRESIDENT : I do not know how we can better con- clude the evening than by just one further word. It is probably out of the regular order from a chronological point of view, but sentimentally it seems appropriate to conclude this celebration with a few commendatory words from the Mother Church. I am glad to call upon one who bears a name so honored in this region as does Mr. W. Franklin Rutherford of the Paxtang Church.
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REMARKS BY MR. W. FRANKLIN RUTHERFORD.
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : Away back in those shadowy times, before the Quaker had crossed the Brandywine, or the famous cherrytree had been planted in the garden of Mr. Washington, a band of choice spirits irom Ulster, composed of men, women and children had penetrated the wilds of Paxtang and appropriated to themselves the southern slopes of the beautiful hills, east of the spot upon which we now stand. And as a characteristic of the race wherever found, they brought with them the Church and the school-house, and with admirable taste, and a prescience not yet fully appreciated, located both in Paxtang Valley, and when history reached the place in 1732 as recorded in the minutes of Donegal Presbytery, she found there Old Paxtang Church.
The building thus found was of logs, and was replaced in 1740 by a stone meeting house, which like Concord, Lexington and Bunker's Hill, still remains, and there we hope, it will remain until the Church Militant shall have been supplanted by the Church triumphant. Every one knows that the history of Paxtang Church, down to the close of the Revolution, is in large measure, the history of this portion of Pennsylvania, but its history throughout has been so lately and so ably recited on several different occasions, that I shall not now inflict upon you a thrice told tale.
There is, however, one circumstance relating to the makeup of the congregation during the Revolutionary period, and for many years thereafter, which may be of interest to you as descendants, and which I think has never
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been brought out. And when I bring it out do not demand documentary evidence. I rely upon the deeper and more solid foundation of tradition, and follow the injunction which the Apostle Paul endeavored with all the force of his matchless eloquence to impress upon the Thessalonians, "Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught." The minister of Paxtang and all his office-bearers were men of high military rank. Mr. Elder was a colonel, and his bench of ruling elders ranked from Captain to Brigadier, and were a body of men who never thought of shirking duty under cover of the. old excuse implied in the question, "am I my brother's keeper?" Their meetings savored strongly of the camp : discipline was complete and the word of the reverend com- manding officer was both law and gospel.
Trials before this body partook of the brevity and direct- ness of a martial court, and the culprit was usually convicted. The laity was of like material, and ranked from Corporal to Major General, comprising magistrates and statesmen from constable to Senator of the United States, all patriotic to the backbone, and woe betide the unfortunate Tory or " Britisher," who dared to show his face within the portals of the old stone meeting house.
There is also a little episode in our history, which I think you will pardon me if I mention, as it has a very important bearing upon the present happy occasion, and, but for which you would have had no Centennial to celebrate After having passed successfully through the struggles of early youth and the bitterness consequent upon numerous civil and religious controversies, we had just settled down
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to the enjoyment of that peace and comfort which follows a consciousness of work well done, when suddenly trouble arose in the family, our eldest daughter, (a wayward child), began to scheme for a slice of our territory, upon which to establish a Church of her own. This proceeding was looked upon by the stern old rulers of Paxtang as treason and rank in- gratitude,-and they must not be censured on this account, for, be it remembered, they lived in the tallow candle age, when the delusion prevailed that parents were wiser than their children, nor are we sure that the discipline then admin- istered to our daughter, which restrained her impetuosity for at least a decade, was not a blessing in disguise, as it developed that fortitude and earnest endeavor to be worthy of the claim she then set up, which has characterised her career ever since, and has rendered her one of the brightest jewels in the crown of Old Paxtang's glory.
I wish to say further, that although the Mother Church, for a long time after the separation, sulked in her tent, and said some severe things about the daughter, she never per- mitted any one else to do so in her hearing, and was all the while secretly rejoicing in the prosperity and religious growth of the new enterprise. Long years ago all animosity ceased and from the beginning of Dr. DeWitt's ministry down to the present hour, her ministers have frequently filled the pulpit of the Mother Church, and have been al- most as well known and as much beloved there as here.
And now in these commemorative exercises, which it is eminently fitting you should observe, I would say to our daughter, The Mother Church is here to rejoice with you and to give voice to her pride in the noble record which
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God has enabled you to make during the century just now folding itself away, and to bid you God-speed throughout all time to come.
At the conclusion of Mr. Rutherford's speech, the com- pany in the auditorium returned to the social rooms, and resumed their participation in the social intercourse of the hour.
The evening wore on, and yet such was the delightful- ness of the occasion that the company dispersed slowly, and it was not until after eleven o'clock that the last guests left the house, and Centennial Week came to a close. It was a fitting conclusion of a most delightful celebration. It could hardly be said to be anything less than a goodly fellowship of the saints. The whole celebration from Sunday morning to Friday night was one continuous, brilliant, gratifying success. Those who were most closely identified with it, and who lingered till the last in the sanctuary where it had been carried forward felt that as it began with the Dosology, it ought to close with the same.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow ; Praise Him, all creatures here below ; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
CENTENNIAL GREETINGS. GOD'S SURE COVENANT .*
By CHARLES NELSON HICKOK.
Lines suggested by an invitation to the centennial celebration of the Market Square Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, and by coinci- dental recollections of the writer's membership and associations therein, more than a half century ago.
'Tis said that sires were wont to tell Their sons, in ancient Israel, The wonders God had wrought ;- How the oppressor's hosts were slain, While, seathless, through the riven main, The chosen tribes were brought :-
How, by ITis own almighty arm- Through tumult, danger and alarm ; Their pilot, comfort, stay ; Their beacon through the baleful night : Their shelter from the noonday blight- He led their devious way :-
How manna fell-by Heaven bestowed ;- From smitten rock how waters flowed, 'T refresh the weary band ; Till safe, with neither serip nor gold ; With sandals never waxing old, They reached the promised land.
*The centennial celebration called out several poems from members and friends of the congregation. The Committee on Publication being unable for lack of space to publish all of these contributions, have selected the one written by the oldest person among the con- tributors, himself for several years and until his removal from the city, an honored member of the church .-- EDITOR.
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So, in these courts, God's people may Recount His wondrous deeds to-day. Midst grateful, joyful tears ; His myriad benefits recall, His guiding, prospering hand through all The century of years.
A hundred times the tireless sun His annual chariot-race hath run Back to his starting place ; Yet every changing cycle past Beheld, unchangeful as the last, God's covenant of grace !
Successive generations bear Witness to His unfailing care, Whom our forefathers praised, When to the wilderness they came And, to the honor of His name, Their ebenezer raised.
The little flock, whom Jesus led- By holy, faithful pastors fed -- Hlas numerous grown and strong : And it becomes their children well. The numbers of His love to tell : In a perpetual song ;
For precious is their heritage -- The holy birthright to engage In ministries divine ;- Theirs lineage of nobler blood- The sons and daughters of our God- Than comes through royal line !
Bless'd flock ! Whom sweeter fruits regale Than clusters, plucked from Eschot's vale, The sons of Judah fed !
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Bless'd Shepherd ! By whose gentle hand, Midst peaceful scenes of Christian land, Thy saints are comforted !
O Zion of Christ's plighted love, Thy strong foundations who can move, Or, hopefully, assail ? Though all the ranks of darkness swell, Against thy Rock nor death, nor hell Hath power to prevail !
Dear House of Prayer ! How bless'd who wait To meet The Lord within thy gate, Seeking to know His will ; Learning, with Him, to bear the cross ; Finding-midst conflict, grief. or loss- In Him, their refuge still !
Walking with God, no foes dismay ! With strength apportioned to their day, Nought can their hope destroy ! Oft sorrows cloud their " vale of tears, " As oft The Comforter appears 'T" overflow their cup with joy !
And when -life's days of trial o'er -- Their feet draw near the darkling shore That borders death's cold sea, Their faith discerns a heavenly form, And hears the voice that still'd the storm, Of old, on Galilee.
Whether in Kalmia's* peaceful shade, Or stranger-land their dust be laid, Or 'neath the ocean's wave.
* The name by which Harrisburg Cemetery was popularly known forty years ago .- EDITOR.
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Christ's covenant that dust secures : His resurrection-pledge assures
Their rescue from the grave !
Then let glad chants and hymns arise, As fragrant incense, to the skies, With mighty organ's swell ! Join every voice in loud acclaim ! Shout to the heavens the matchless name Of our Immanuel !
Let youth and age, with one accord, Proclaim the glories of our Lord, Th' Eternal God-head bless ! The fathers trusted well His love, And children's children live to prove Jehovah's faithfulness !
BEDFORD, PENN'A, February, 1894.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE ELDER STREET CHURCH, HARRISBURG.
Resolutions adopted by the members of the Elder Street. Presbyterian Church on the one hundredth anniversary of the Market Square Presbyterian Church :
" WHEREAS, God in his all-wise providence has blessed and preserved in our midst the Market Square Presbyterian Church for the period of a full century, and in that century God through the Holy Spirit and His Word has wrought miraculous temporal, moral and spiritual good to the com- munity through the instrumentality of the church ; there- fore, be it
" Resolved, That we, the members of the Elder Street Presbyterian Church, realizing that through the good men
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and women, who have been God's products and outgrowth of the Market Square Presbyterian Church, are grateful for our existence as a Church in this community and most heart- ily join with the Christian people of our city in extending congratulations to this Church which has labored so suc- cessfully in God's vineyard for the past hundred years, lifting up the fallen, building up and sustaining the weak, and advancing the principles of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. We unite in prayer to God for continued prosperity and such an out-pouring of the Holy Spirit upon the congregation of the Market Square Church as they have never yet experienced ; and we further pray that Presbyterianism as taught by the Market Square Church through the gospel of our blessed Lord and Saviour, may in this community do a greater work for humanity and Christ in the century to come than Presbyterianism has accomplished in the century just passed.
B. F. STEWART, MRS. ELIZA ZEDRICKS, JAMES HI. W. HOWARD, TURNER COOPER, JR., MISS ANNIE HIGGINS, Committee."
LETTER FROM HON. A. LOUDEN SNOWDEN, GRANDSON OF REV. NATHANIEL R. SNOWDEN.
No. 1812 SPRUCE STREET, February 13th, 1894. DEAR Mr. STEWART :
I deeply regret that an unexpected call to New York on important business will deny me the pleasure of participat-
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ing in the interesting ceremonies of your Church, of which my revered grandfather was the first pastor.
It was fully my intention to be with you, and to this end- had accepted the polite invitation of my cousin, Mr. Henry McCormick, to be his guest. I can assure you that nothing but very important interests could prevent iny being with you. I shall fully explain this in a letter to Mr. McCor- mick. I beg to assure you of my high appreciation of your considerate kindness in asking me to be with you, and of the sincere regret I have in not being able to meet your wishes. I am,
Respectfully yours, A. LOUDEN SNOWDEN.
Rev. GEORGE B. STEWART.
LETTER FROM JUDGE JOSEPH ALLISON, A FORMER MEMBER.
No. 4207 WALNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, February 13th, 1894.
LYMAN D. GILBERT, Esq. :
DEAR SIR : Yours of the 12th inst. has just been received at this 8:30 p. m.
Thanks for your invitation to be present during some portion of this week with the English Presbyterian congre- gation of Harrisburg during the Centennial Celebration of the founding of the Church.
It would give me no little pleasure to accept this invitation, if it was possible for me to be in Harrisburg during any portion of the week set apart for the services in commemo- ration of this interesting occasion; but I have been quite unwell for some time, and am now unable to make the
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journey to my native city, or to take part in the exercises in which I would be glad to share with the present congrega- tion.
With respect, therefore, I must deny myself the pleasure of an acceptance.
Very truly yours, JOSEPH ALLISON.
LETTER FROM MR. D. C. BUCHANAN, SON OF REV. JAMES BUCHANAN.
BARRACKS NO. 21, SOLDIER'S HOME, NEAR DAYTON, O,
February 10, 1894. REV. GEORGE B. STEWART :
DEAR SIR : My sister, Mattie B. Buchanan, of Logansport, sent me a letter written by you, inquiring if she knew of any likeness or picture of our dear father, the Rev. James Buchanan. I do not think there is one. Artists of any kind in the wilds of Indiana were very scarce in his day. The only likeness ever taken of him that I know anything about was from memory. An artist by the name of Geo. W. Winters settled in Logansport a short time before father's death. He said to me one day, "I hear you have no likeness of your father, a great pity. If you would desire one I can paint one from memory nearly as good, as if he were present. I thought your father one of the best repre- sentatives of the old divines we read about. I have often talked with Judges Stewart and Biddle here about it." " How much do you want for painting it?" " Forty dol- lars." " All right, with this understanding, if mother don't like the picture I am not to pay for it." " All right," he
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