Centennial memorial, English Presbyterian congregation, Harrisburg, Pa., Part 2

Author: Stewart, George Black, 1854-1932, ed
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Harrrisburg, Pa. : Harrisburg Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 918


USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > Harrisburg > Centennial memorial, English Presbyterian congregation, Harrisburg, Pa. > Part 2


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29



ORDER OF SERVICES.


SUNDAY MORNING, February 11th, 1894, at 10.30 o'clock.


PUBLIC WORSHIP .- The Minister of the Church conducting the service, assisted by the Minister's Assistant and by Rev. Thomas H. Robinson, D. D., and the Rev. JOHN DEWITT, D. D., LL. D., Professor of Church History in Princeton Theo- logical Seminary, preaching the Sermon. Theme of the Sermon, " THE BEGINNINGS OF PRESBYTERIANISM IN THE MID- DLE COLONIES."


ORDER OF SERVICE.


ORGAN PRELUDE-Iste Confessor, Guilmant DoxoLody, in Long Meter, [Congregation standing] INVOCATION, closing with the Lord's Prayer [Congre- gation standing], . Rev. David M. Skilling


TIYMN,* , No. 718, vs. 1, 2. 3 SCRIPTURE LESSON, Isaiah 60 : 1 9; Colossians 1:1 18


PRAYER, Rev. George B. Stewart, D. D. ANNOUNCEMENTS.


ANTHEM-Jubilate Deo, . Buck


Guilment OFFERTORY-Adagio from Sonata in C Minor, HYMN, t . No. 575, vs. 1, 2, 6 SERMON, Rev. John DeWitt, D. D., LL. D. PRAYER, . Rev. Thomas H. Robinson, D. D. HYMN, No. 730, vs. 1, 2


BENEDICTION, Rev. Dr. John DeWitt ORGAN POSTLUDE-March in D, . Smart * In place of the hymn, Miss Rachel T. Briggs sang " The Good Shepherd," by Barric. + Omitted.


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Centennial Memorial.


Miss Caroline Reily, Miss Mary W. Kerr, Melancthon S. Shot- well, George W. Reily, Miss Anna C. Weir, Mrs. Edward Bailey, Mrs. Samuel J. M. MeCarrell, Miss Rachel T. Briggs, Mrs. Frank R. Schell, Mrs. John C. Harvey, Mrs. Samuel C. Miller, Miss Sara B. Chayne, Miss Annie R. Kelker, John C. Harvey, James B. Bailey, William E. Bailey.


RECEPTION COMMITTEE .- Mrs. Gilbert M. MeCauley, Chair- man ; Mrs. Charles H. Bergner, Mrs. George C. Bent, Mrs. Anna M. Bigler, Mrs. David Fleming, Jr., Mrs. Dr. Jacob A. Miller, Mrs. Ellen W. Stees, Mrs. D. Truman Boyd, Miss Maud A. Hench, Mrs. Luther R. Kelker, Mrs. David Martin, Mrs. Howard F. Martin, Mrs. Dr. Henry L. Orth, Mrs. M. Wilson MeAlarney, Miss Caroline B. Sheafer, Mrs. Elizabeth Reily, Mrs. M. Elizabeth Cathcart, Mrs. Horace A. Chayne, Mrs. Samuel W Fleming, Mrs. Lyman D. Gilbert, Miss Ella L. Hart, Mrs. J. Henry Spicer, Miss Mary Vandling, Mrs. John H. Weiss, Mrs. Henry F. Quickel, Mrs. Spencer C. Gilbert.


MUSIC COMMITTEE .- George R. Fleming, Chairman ; Wil- liam G. Underwood, Mrs. John O. Harvey, David E. Crozier, Miss Sara B. Chayne, Miss Margaret B. Mowry.


USIERS .- Peter K. Sprenkel, Chairman ; Charles W. Fos- ter, William H. Sharp, Horace A. Chayne, Melancthon S. Shotwell, William M. Fahnestock, William M. Graydon, Wil- liam H. Shaffer, Edward J. Stackpole, Edward Baily, Samuel W. Fleming, Dr. John B. MeAlister, Joseph G. Ewing, B. Edward Taylor Luther R. Kelker, Charles F. Spicer, Henry 1. Quickel, Jacob J. Franck, George W. Reily, Warren H. Wasson, Dr. Cherrick Westbrook, Jr., Lucian Notestine, Edward L. Groff, William H. Middleton, Gilbert M. McCauley


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ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-INTERIOR. TAKEN FEBRUARY 12TH 1894.


--


CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE.


Rev. George B Stewart, D. D., Chairman ; Samuel J. M. MeCarrell, M. Wilson MeAlarney, Mrs. Isabella S. Kerr, Peter K. Sprenkel, Charles L. Bailey, Gilbert M. MeCauley, Samuel W. Fleming, George R. Fleming, Mrs. Gilbert M. MeCauley.


SUB-COMMITTEES.


INVITATION COMMITTEE .- Charles L. Bailey, Chairman ; David Fleming, Mrs. Julia A. Briggs, Mrs. David Flem- ing, Mrs. George B. Stewart, Alexander Roberts, John H. Weiss, Dr. Jacob A. Miller, Mrs. Sarah Doll, Mrs. Jacob Haldeman, Miss Sibyl M. Weir, Samuel D. Ingram, George W. Boyd, Lyman D. Gilbert.


PROGRAMME COMMITTEE .- S. J. M. McCarrell, Chairman ; John C. Harvey, David Fleming, Spencer C. Gilbert, John G. Orr, Robert HI. Moffitt.


ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE. - G. M. MeCauley, Chairman ; John C. Harvey.


PUBLICATION COMMITTEE. - M. Wilson MeAlarney, Chair- man ; Charles H. Bergner, Edward J. Stackpole, J. Henry Spicer, Samuel C. Miller.


FINANCE COMMITTEE. - Samuel W. Fleming, Chairman ; Robert H. Moffitt, Henry C. Orth, Spencer C. Gilbert, David Fleming, Dr. Cherrick Westbrook, Jr.


DECORATION COMMITTEE. - Mrs. Isabella S. Kerr, Chairman ; Mrs. Gilbert M. McCauley, Mrs. Elizabeth C. Kunkel, Miss Carrie Pearson, Mrs. William O. Hickok, Jr., Mrs. George R. Fleming, Mrs. William E. Bailey, Miss Margaret B. Mowry,


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Order of Services.


SUNDAY EVENING, February 11th, 1894, at 6.00 o'clock.


SEVENTY-EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL. Mr. SAMUEL J. M. MCCARRELL, Superintendent, presiding.


ORDER OF SERVICE.


ORGAN PRELUDE -- March in F, Silas


ANTHEM-I was Glad, Choir of Senior Department INVOCATION, * [Congregation standing]


LORD'S PRAYER, [Chanted, all standing]


HYMN, , No. 30, vs. 1, 3, Winnowed Songs REPORT OF PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.


EXERCISES BY PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.


ANTHEM-Lord, Thy Mercy Streameth, .


Choir of Senior Department


ADDRESS, .


+ Rev. John DeWitt, D. D., LL. D.


REPORT OF INTERMEDIATE DEPARTMENT.


EXERCISES BY INTERMEDIATE DEPARTMENT.


HYMN, . No. 48, vs. 1, 3, Winowed Songs, [All standing]


ADDRESS,


Rev. Thomas Il. Robinson, D. D.


REPORT OF SENIOR DEPARTMENT.


SCRIPTURE LESSON, . . . [All standing and read responsively ] Supt. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.


School. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; it giveth light unto all that are in the house.


Supt. Let your light so shine before men that they may sce your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.


* Offered by Rev. William P. Patterson.


+ Rev. Dr. De Witt was unable to be present. Mr. Geo. E. Sterry, of New York City, gave an address.


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Centennial Memorial.


School. Lay not, up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal :


Supt. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal :


School. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.


Supt. Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you :


School. For every one that asketh receiveth ; and he that seeketh findeth ; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. ANTHEM-Thee will We Worship, Choir of Senior Department


REPORT OF CHINESE DEPARTMENT.


REPORT OF CALVARY CHAPEL SCHOOL.


SUMMARY OF REPORTS.


ANTHEM-Rest for the Weary, Choir of the Senior Department ADDRESS, The Pastor


DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES-For unbroken attendance during the year.


HYMN, . . . No. 104, v. 1, Winnowed Songs [All standing] BENEDICTION, Rev. David M. Skilling


ORGAN POSTLUDE-Chorus in D Major, Guilmant


MONDAY EVENING, February 12th, 1994, at 7.30 o'clock.


SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. Rev. GEORGE S. CHAMBERS, D. D., Minister of Pine Street Presbyterian Church, presiding ; and .Rev. Albert B. Williamson, Minister of Paxtang Presbyterian Church, Rev. George B. Stewart, D. D., Minister of Market Square Presbyterian Church, Rev.


21


Order of Services.


David M. Skilling, Minister's Assistant of Market Square Presbyterian Church, Rev. Reuben H. Armstrong, Minister of Elder Street Presbyterian Church, Rev. George S. Duncan, Minister of Westminster Presbyterian Church, and Rev. Wil- liam P. Patterson, Minister of Olivet Presbyterian Church, assisting.


The Elders * of Paxtang, Market Square, Pine Street, Elder Street, Covenant. Westminster and Olivet Churches distribut- ing the Emblems as followeth :


The Bread : Elders Spencer C. Barber, Jacob A. Miller, Gilbert M. MeCauley, John C. Harvey, H. Murray Graydon, Francis Jordan, Cassius M. Brown, William J. Adore, Turner Cooper, Sr., John Curwen, John J. Craig, William Jones, J. Wallace Elder, William S. Shaffer, Sr., and Abram L. Groff.


The Wine: Matthew B. Elder, Francis W. Rutherford, Samuel J. M. McCarrell, J. Henry Spicer, Jacob F. Seiler, Daniel W. Cox, Thomas J. Miller, Walter W. Williams, John


* All the elders were not present. Those not present sent reasons for non-attendance. Those present distributed the Emblems accord- ing to the following arrangement :


Left side aisle ; The Bread, Daniel W. Cox, Dr. Jacob A. Miller : The Wine, J. Henry Spicer, Thomas J. Miller.


Left center aish, left side ; The Bread and the Wine, Jacob F. Seiler, Gilbert M. MeCauley.


Left center aisle, right side : The Bread and the Wine, Francis Jordan, Matthew B. Elder.


Right center aisto, left side ; The Bread and the Wine, John M. Stewart, Abram L. Groff.


Right center aisle, right side : The Broad, William S. Shaffer, J. Wallace Elder ; The Wine, William S. Shaffer, Samuel H. Garland.


Right side aisle ; The Bread, William Jones, John J. Craig ; The Wine, David R. Eller, Alexander Adams.


Gallery ; The Bread and The Wine, John C. Harvey.


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Centennial Memorial.


M. Stewart, Samuel H. Garland, John E. Patterson, David R. Elder, John E. Daniel, Jacob K. Walker and Alexander Adams.


ORDER OF SERVICE.


ORGAN PRELUDE-Chorus from Passion Music, Bach ANTHEM-Holy Spirit, Come, O Come, * Martin


INVOCATION,


. Rev. Reuben H. Armstrong


HYMN-No. 696, vs. 1, 2, 6, . Rev. Albert B. Williamson SCRIPTURE LESSON. . Rev. David M. Skilling ADDRESS, . Rev. Geo. S. Chambers, D. D. WORDS OF INSTITUTION, . Rev. Geo. S. Chambers, D. D.


PRAYER,


Rev. William P. Patterson


DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD, . Rev. Geo. S. Chambers, D. D.


DISTRIBUTION OF THE WINE, . Rev. Geo. B. Stewart, D. D. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING, Rev. Geo. S. Duncan HYMN-No. 688, vs. 1, 4, 5, . . Rev. Geo. S. Chambers, D. D. BENEDICTION, Rev. Geo. S. Chambers, D. D. ORGAN POSTLUDE-Hymn of the Apostles from the Re- demption, Gounod


TUESDAY EVENING, February 13th, 1894, at 7.80 o'clock.


Rev. DAVID MI. SKILLING, Minister's Assistant, presiding. MUSICAL FESTIVAL. Mr. George R. Fleming, Director. Mr. David E. Crozier, Organist.


PROGRAMME.


ORGAN PRELUDE-Vorspiel to Parsifal, Wagner ANTHEM -Festival Te Deum, Buck PRAYER. +


** Lead, Kindly Light," was substituted.


¡Prayer by Rey Harris R. Schenck. Chambersburg, Pa.


23


Order of Services.


SCRIPTURE LESSON, * Psalm el. SOLO, t Miss Rachel T. Briggs


ORGAN INTERLUDE-Andante in F, Mozart


ANTHEM -LO ! It is I, Faure-Shelly Sono, # Miss Reba Bunton HYMN, by the Congregation, all standing, sung as in ye olden time, . No. 456, vs. 1, 2, 4


DUET, ¿ Mr. and Mrs. Edward Z. Gross ORGAN INTERLUDE-Pastoral from Sonata in D Minor,


, Reinberger


ANTHEM-O! Clap Your Hands,


. Buck


ADDRESS -- The Hymnology of the Mother Presbyterian


Church of Harrisburg, with Some Reminiscences of


Choirs and Choir Days,


. H. Murray Graydon, Esq.


ANTHEM-Qui Tollis,


Farmer


SOLO, Il . Miss Helen Espy HYMN, Congregation standing and singing as in the days of the fathers, . No. 394, vs. 1, 3, 4 BENEDICTION, . 1 Rev. David M. Skilling ORGAN POSTLUDE- Marche Pontifical, Lemmens


WEDNESDAY EVENING, February 14th, 1894, at 7.30 o'clock.


Rev. WILLIAM A. WEST, Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Carlisle, Welsh Run, Penna., presiding.


*Lesson read by Rev. James Fraser, Ph. D., of Sparrow's Point, Md. +Miss Briggs did not sing. William G. Underwood sang, " Glory to Thee, my God, this Night." ¿Miss Bunton sang, " Eye hath not Seen, " from Gaul's " Holy City." ¿Mr. and Mrs. Gross sang, " Forever with the Lord." |Miss Espy sang, "Jerusalem," by Henry M. Parker. Benediction by Rev. Charles Edward Greig, Paris, France.


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Centennial Memorial.


THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF HARRISBURG. Addresses by representatives appointed by the several Sessions.


ORDER OF SERVICE.


ORGAN PRELUDE-Marche Religieuse, Guilment


ANTHEM --- Hark, Hark, My Soul ! Buck


SCRIPTURE LESSON, t Philippians 2 : 1-11 PRAYER. İ


HYMN, . No. 232, vs. 1, 3, 4 ADDRESS-Paxtang Church, organized about 1726, .


Rev. Albert B. Williamson ADDRESS -- Market Square Church, Organized February 16, 1794, . Hon. Samuel J. M. McCarrell ADDRESS-Pine Street Church, Organized May 22, 1858, Prof. Jacob F. Seiler, Ph. D.


ITYMIN,. No. 92, vs. 1, 3 ADDRESS-Elder Street Church, Organized October 28,


1858, Mr. Cassius M. Brown ADDRESS-Covenant Church, Organized September 9, 1866, Mr. Samuel H. Garland ADDRESS Westminster Church, Organized June 19, 1873, Rev. George S. Duncan ADDRESS-Olivet Church, Organized October 15, 1889, . Rev. William P. Patterson PRAYER.


IlYMIN, No. 639, vs. 1, 3


BENEDICTION, Rev. William A. West ORGAN POSTLUDE-Chorus in D Minor, Guilmant


* Martin's " Holy Spirit, Come, O Come " was substituted.


t Read by Rev. Reuben H. Armstrong, Pastor of Elder Street Presbyterian Church, City.


# Prayer offered by Rev. Benjamin F. Beck, City Missionary.


¿ Mr. McCarrell detained by illness. The Pastor took his place.


25


Order of Services.


THURSDAY EVENING. February 15th, 1894, at 7.30 o'clock.


Rev. GEORGE B. STEWART, D. D., Minister, presiding.


HISTORICAL EVENING. -- The Rev. THOMAS H. ROBINSON, D. D., Reunion Professor of Sacred Rhetoric, Church Government and Pastoral Theology in Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, Penn'a, delivering the address.


ORDER OF SERVICE.


ORGAN PRELUDE -- Benedictus, Mackenzie


ANTHEM-Hallelujah Chorus, Handel THE APOSTLES' CREED, . . [In unison, congregation standing] INVOCATION, * [Congregation standing] HYMN, . No. 2, vs. 1, 4, 5 SCRIPTURE LESSON. +


HYMN-No. 435, vs. 1, 2, 3, 5, . . . [Congregation standing]


HISTORICAL ADDRESS-A Century Plant, . . .


By Rev. Thomas H. Robinson, D. D.


HYMN-No. 953, . [Congregation standing] LORD'S PRAYER, [In unison, congregation standing] BENEDICTION, By Rev. Thomas H. Robinson, D. D. ORGAN POSTLUDE- - Chorus in E Flat, Guilmant


FRIDAY EVENING, February 16th, 1894, at 7.30 o'clock.


A RECEPTION BY THE CONGREGATION TO THEIR GUESTS. Entrance by side door. Hon. JOHN B. MOPHERSON, Lebanon, Pa., presiding. During the evening there will be an informal


* By Rev. I. Potter Hayes, Wrightsville. Pa.


t Psalın 89 : 1-11 by Rev. John L. MeKechan, Steelton, Pa.


26


Centennial Memorial.


musical programme," and brief impromptu addresses by some of the guests. t


* The musical programme consisted of " The Angel Came," F. H. Cowen, by Miss Reba Bunton ; " They Shall Hunger no More," from Gaul's " The Holy City," Miss Reba Bunton and Mr. Geo. R. Fleming ; " Come Unto Me," Coenen, Mr. Geo. R. Fleming. These were sung in the auditorium. In the lecture-room were given two numbers by Messrs. Henry A. Kelker, Jr., J. F. Hutchinson, H. L. Vance, Charles F. Etter, Frank S. Morrow, members of the Harrisburg Banjo Club ; a piano duet, overture to "Rienzi, ' Wagner, by Mrs. Frank R. Schell and Mrs. David Fleming, Jr .: " The Miller of the Dee," "Ben Bolt," "Annie Laurie," " Blue Bells of Scotland," by "The Mendelssohn Quartette," composed of Mr. Geo. R. Fleming, Mr. Edward Z. Gross, Mr. William G. Underwood, Mr. Lucius S. Bigelow.


t Addresses were made by Rev. Wm. C. Cattell, D. D., Philadel- phia ; Major General Geo. R. Snowden, Philadelphia ; Col. J. Ross Thompson, Erie, Pa .; Rev. Henry E. Niles, D. D., York, Pa .; Mr. Franklin W. Rutherford, Paxtang.


PROGRAMME OF ORGAN RECITALS.


MONDAY, February 12th.


Adagio from 6th Organ Symphony, Wider


Fantasia in A Minor, Lemmens


Andante from Fifth Symphony, Beethoven Cantilene Pastorale, Guilment


Gothic March, . Salome


Induant Justiciam, Guilmant


TUESDAY, February 13th.


Sonata in E Minor, . Merkel


Pictures from the Orient, Nos. II., III., VI., Schumann


Andante from Symphony in C, . Schubert


Song to the Evening Star from Tannhauser, Wagner


Funeral March and Song of the Seraphs, . Guilment


WEDNESDAY, February 14th.


Concerto for Organ, No. 111., Handel


Adagio from Opus, 97,


Beethoven


Sonata in E flat, . Buck


Two Hymn Tunes of the Olden Time, Anon


Old Hebrew Prayer, Anon


Judex, from Mors et Vita, Gounod


Torchlight March, Guilmant


THURSDAY, February 15th.


Concerto, No. I., Handel Sonata, No. IV., Mendelssohn Andante in A Minor, Merkel Rhapsody in D, Saint- Saens


28


Centennial Memorial.


Tremmerei, Schumann


Prayer from Lohengrin, Wagner


Funeral March and Song of the Seraphs (by request), . Guilmant


FRIDAY, February 16th.


Allegretto from Symphony No. 7, Beethoven


Sonata in D Minor,


Guilmant


Adagio, Liszt


Andante Religioso, Liszt


Pilgrim's Chorus from Tannhauser, Wagner


Arcadelt-Liszt Ave Maria,


Funeral March and Song of the Seraphs (by request), Guilmunt


CENTENNIAL CHOIR.


George R. Fleming, Director. David E. Crozier, Organist.


SOLOISTS. - Miss Rachel T. Briggs, Miss Reba Bunton, Miss Sara B. Chayne, Miss Helen Espy, Mr. Edward Z. Gross, Mrs. Edward Z. Gross, Miss Lillian M. Kline, Mr. Wm. G. Under- wood, Mr. Geo. R. Fleming.


SOPRANO .- Miss Helen Espy, Mrs. David Fleming, Jr., Miss Addie Geiger, Mrs. William M. Graydon, Miss Margaret P. Grayson, Mrs. Edward Z. Gross, Mrs. Edward J. Hardy, Miss Maud A. Hench, Miss Mary Killough, Miss Lillian M. Kline, Mrs. Gilbert M. McCauley, Miss Sara J. Miller, Miss Margaret B. Mowry, Miss Marie A. Segelbaum, Mrs. Joshua W. Sharpe, Mrs. J. Henry Spicer, Miss Elizabeth F. L. Walker.


CONTRALTO .- Miss Reba Bunton, Miss Sara B. Chayne, Miss Elizabeth Given, Miss Louisa Given, Mrs. John C. Harvey, Miss Cora L. Snyder, Miss Mabel E. Vaughn.


TENOR .- Mr. David Fleming, Mr. George R. Fleming, Mr. Edward Z. Gross, Mr. Peter K. Sprenkel, Mr. Augustus G. Shantz.


BASS .- Mr. J. Roberts Given, Mr. Henry A. Kelker, Jr., Mr. Harvey J. Miller, Mr. Samuel C. Miller, Mr. Geo. B. Roberts, Mr. Jolin B. Roberts, Mr. George F. Sharp, Mr. William G. Underwood.


SUNDAY MORNING, February the 11th, 1894, at 10.30 o'clock.


Cowper, speaking of the " soft music of the village bells,"


says:


"With easy force it opens all the cells, Where Memory slept."


This was the experience of many as the sweet, deep tones of the Market Square Church bell announced that the hour had arrived for commencing the Centennial commemoration of the founding of this church, and called the people to the house of prayer.


The cells where Memory slept were unlocked, and the sleeping occupant was called to his task. It was an easy and pleasant task. Three generations of worshipers have passed along these streets to the house of God. The forms of many are recalled with loving veneration, the names of others are rehearsed with a deep appreciation of the sterling worth and valiant service of those who bore them, while in the shadows of Memory's cell, half-revealed, half-hidden are many, many more who are only known now by what they have done. Memory is busy. Joyful, tender, solemn feel- ings are evoked as we enter the sanctuary and recall past experiences and departed friends. The day with its crisp air and " blue vault without a cloud"; the occasion provok- ing historieal reminiscence; the sanctuary beautifully deco- rated, and now filled with an audience crowding into every


Ok 31


Centennial Memorial.


vacant space ; the pulpit tastefully ornamented with century plants and cut flowers, and occupied by a beloved former Minister, the honored son of another former Minister, the present Minister and his Assistant; all conspire to make the opening service of Centennial Week impressive.


The hour appointed having arrived, the service was begun with the organ prelude, Guilmant's " Iste Confessor," a set of elaborate variations on the old Latin hymn of that name. At the conclusion of the prelude the congregation arose and united in singing the Doxology in long meter :


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.


While the congregation remained standing, Rev. David M. Skilling, Minister's Assistant, offered the Invocation, the congregation uniting in the Lord's Prayer at its close. Miss Rachel T. Briggs sang with great acceptance Barrio's " The Good Shepherd." The Minister read for the Scripture lesson from the Old Testament, Isaiah Ix. 1-9, and from the New Testament, Colossians i. 1-18, and offered prayer.


He then gave an account of the preparations for the Cen- tennial observances, and called particular attention to some of the special features of the week upon which the church was entering. He closed his statement in the following words:


" Those who founded this church and those who have suc- ceeded them in its membership wrought faithfully, fearing God and serving man in all earnestness and sincerity. It


35


Sunday Morning.


is meet that we celebrate their deeds and treasure the mem- ory of their virtue. The Great Head of the Church, our God and Saviour, has been pleased for a hundred year's to show favor unto this portion of his glorious church. It is fitting that we bear testimony to his abounding goodness and superabounding grace toward our beloved Zion. This is our double purpose in these Centennial services: to recount the deeds of our fathers, and to exalt the name of our God.


1825732


It is our prayer that these days may be the dawn of a new era of activity, purity, and consecration on the part of us who have fallen heir to such a goodly heritage ; and of con- tinued and increasing favor from the God of our fathers, our God, and the God of our children to all generations."


Dudley Buck's bright, vigorous " Jubilate Deo " was ren- dered with spirit by the large Centennial Choir. While an offering for the Synodical Sustentation Fund was being gathered, Guilmant's Adagio from Sonata in C Minor, a slow, graceful movement, was rendered on the grand organ. The Minister introduced the speaker of the occasion in the following words :


" The Rev. Dr. De Witt, who will now address us on ' The Beginnings of Presbyterianism in the Middle Colonies,' needs no introduction to this congregation. Born and reared in this city and church, he is personally known to many of you. Consecrated to the Gospel ministry, he has , become the worthy and honored son of his revered father. First as a pastor, in Irvington on the Hudson, Boston and Philadelphia, then as a professor in Lane Theological Sem- inary, McCormick Theological Seminary, and now in


36


Centennial Memorial.


Princeton Theological Seminary, the Church has honored herself in recognizing his ability and in honoring him. We are proud to claim him as one of us, and most happy to have him now stand in the pulpit his father so long occu- pied, and inaugurate these Centennial services."


BEGINNINGS OF PRESBYTERIANISM IN THE MIDDLE COLONIES.


By Rev. JOHN DEWITT, D. D., LL. D.


I need not assure you of the great pleasure with which I received your invitation to take part in the services by which you had decided to celebrate the hundred years of our church's life. I say our church; because, after all, this church must always be mine in a sense in which no other church can be. I was born one of its members; and when my membership in the Church of God was recognized in the sacrament of baptism, it was among the children of this church that my name was enrolled. It was in the cata- chetical class and in the Sunday-schools of this church that I was instructed in the principles of our religion; and when I was led to confirm by my own act the vous of baptism, it was here that I united with some of you in partaking for the first time of the Lord's Supper. From this church I went to the Theological Seminary; and I must always remember, with great distinctness, that it was in the lecture- room of this church, while my father and Dr. Robinson were sitting in the pulpit, that I preached my first sermon to a company of friends, of whom some are before me at this time.


And Harrisburg can never be anything to me but home; my own city, the city of my people. A month or two ago I had occasion to spend two days here, and brought with me


38


Centennial Memorial.


one of my nephews. Both of us were deeply interested in visiting the resting places of five generations of our ances- tors; and it was with no ordinary feelings that, in reading the epitaphs of those from whom we were descended, we found among them the names* of the first white settler of the place, of the founder of the city, of the first Senator from the Commonwealth, of the first president of the town's eldest bank, and of one who for a half century was pastor of the city's eldest Christian congregation.


One who was born and reared in this place must always think of the beauty of its situation with enthusiasm. It is my good fortune always to have lived in the presence of some strikingly beautiful natural object. My first parish was on the banks of the Hudson, just at the southern edge of the broad Tappan-zee. Northward my vision was bounded by the bold outlines of the lower Highlands, while looking down the river, I could


See sunrise rest or sunset fade Along the frowning palisade.


From the banks of the Hudson I went to Boston and the banks of the Charles where it broadens into the Back-bay. Around me were the hills and uplands made memorable by a great history, and made to sing with beauty by the energy and intelligence of a great people; while a short walk brought me to the noble harbor and bay, "where," as Emerson has said,


Twice a day the loving sea Takes Boston in his arms.


* John Harris, the first ; John Harris, the second ; William Machay William Wallace; William Radcliffe De Witt.


39


Sermon of Rev. John De Witt.


From Boston I went to Philadelphia; to the loveliness of Fairmount and the Wissahickon, and the broad and shining glory of the stately Delaware. From Philadelphia I was called to Lane Theological Seminary, and lived on Walnut Hills. The banks of the Ohio are beautiful from Pittsburg to the Mississippi; but at no point are the hills clothed with a more glorious green or with statelier trees, than at Cincinnati. From the valley of the Ohio I moved to the great City of the Lake; and I am sure that all of you who last summer saw the living waters of Lake Michigan must have been profoundly impressed with the magnificence of that great inland sea. And now at Princeton-whether looking eastward over the great plain lands toward the ocean, or westward to the first foothills of the mountains, or about me on the stately trees which have helped to give fame to our University town-I rejoice that my lot has again been cast in a place " suffused and saturated with the element of beauty."




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