USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > Centennial volume of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, PA., 1784-1884 > Part 16
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
Advocate and American, please copy.
Christmas Ere, 1840.
Work was usually begun early in the afternoon, but when the time for the sale approached, it was continued until nine o'clock. That being the orthodox hour for dispersing, they wended their way home by the light of the modest lantern, no gas or electrie light to guide them through the streets which were little improved, and great care had to be taken lest a mis-step should find them over shoe-top in mud. The members subscribed fifty cents a year, and were fined for absence. Only two gentlemen, Capt. Beer and Mr. W. R. Murphy, aided them in annual subseriptions, and with these exceptions the money was all earned by their own hands. The "Sales" were all held in the lower Sunday School room, the only refresh- ments being ice cream and cake. Yet the earnings of one year amounted to eight hundred dollars! The proceeds were equally divided between Home and Foreign Missions.
فيت
179
WOMAN'S WORK IN THE FIRST CHURCH.
Fully to appreciate the work done by these women, we must remember that it was long before the advent of the sewing machine, and that there were no stores for ready-made clothing. Many a woman was weary enough of "seam, and gusset, and band, and band, and gusset, and seam," to "fall asleep over the buttons," and call herself excused from any stitch not required in her own household.
Before the first sale, Mrs. Barnett had assembled her Sabbath School class, and producing a paper funnel, said she wanted to give to each one, rich and poor alike, something to spend at the sale, remarking that she did not think they had money of their own. She then distributed a new ten cent piece to each girl. The class was large, and must have produced a sensation when they marched into the lower room. The generous deed and sensible proceedings are worthy of imitation at the present time. As years went on the Society devoted itself mainly to Home Missionary work. Fancy articles were still made, but the public sales were abandoned for many years. The custom of sending a basket from house to house, was practised at intervals, and was always successful. A rosy-cheeked son of the pastor (Charlie Scovel,) had charge of it several times, and his account of the remarks made by the buyers is very amus- ing. The money was almost always used in preparing boxes of clothing for missionaries, which, for many years, were packed at the store of one (D. Cooper & Co.) whose thoughtful kindness has been unfailing.
Upon several occasions Indian schools were supplied with clothing. The cloth suits cut by a tailor and sewed by the ladies.
Two meetings for this purpose were held at the house of the pastor, (Dr. Paxton,) then living on Union avenue, Allegheny. Although the regular meetings were now held in the Session room, where wraps were removed to facilitate sewing, extra meetings were occasionally held at private houses. Two such were held at the house of one who, as one of the band of little girls, laid the foundations of the present Society in 1829.
Preparation was there made for the outfit of Rev. and Mrs. Albert O. Johnston, who were among the Cawnpore martyrs. They had the pleasure of having Mr. and Mrs. Johnston take tea with them on one of these evenings. A little matter to record, but pleasant now to remember as significant of the
180
WOMAN'S WORK IN THE FIRST CHURCH.
heart that was put into the deeds, and which doubtless cheered the brave missionaries, whose touching faith in the anguish of suspense which preceded their martyrdom, has made their names a precious legacy to the church of God.
The work of the Society increased year by year, and the contributions were surprisingly large.
How far have we, of later years, with our largely increased members, with our more abundant leisure, our more abundant means, our greater facilities, and with wide open doors on every side, followed in their footsteps ? Let every woman in the con- gregation put the question to her conscience-but before she answers, let her compare the figures, eight hundred dollars in one year ! Our average, with the help of Sabbath School bands, for the past eighteen years, is but $1,266. Without that help it would not be much over $800. Have we done what we could?
It is recorded that "in 1850, a Juvenile Society, formed of Sabbath School scholars, was organized through the influence of Miss Matilda Denny. Miss Hannah Laughlin, now Mrs. Dr. John Rea, presided, opening , the meetings with devotional exercises, and was succeeded, after her marriage, by Miss Melizina Denny, now Mrs. Brereton.
Members : Matilda Denny, Carrie St. Clair Denny, now Mrs. Du Barry, Agnes Mahon, Mary Robinson, now Mrs. Shoenberger, Belle Carothers, now Mrs. Talmadge, Julia De Kay Morgan, now Mrs. Beach, Olivretta Graham, now Mrs. Singer, Agnes Clarke, now Mrs. Kennedy, Amelia Neville Chaplin, Annie M. Arthurs, Janie T. Brooks.
The meetings were profitable and pleasant. Fancy work was made and sold for the benefit of missions, and affectionate interest was shown their two pastors, Dr. Herron and Dr. Paxton, by presenting each, in 1851, a pair of slippers wrought by their own hands. When school days were ended, they joined the parent Society-and several are yet there, engaged in the delightful work. (Miss Janie Brooks.)
We can claim the first missionaries who actually went to work under the Western and Foreign Missionary Society for the women of the First Church.
Rev. Jno. Lowrie and Rev. Wm. Reed received their appoint- ments earlier, but did not get to work as soon as Rev. Joseph Kerr.
-
181
WOMAN'S WORK IN THE FIRST CHURCH.
Rev. J. Kerr was married October 15th, 1833, in the old church, to Miss Mary Jane Caldwell, and accompanied by Miss Nancy Henderson, also a member of this church, went out to Indian Territory and there established the first station of that Board among the Wea Indians, where they labored successfully for sev- eral years. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are still living, and last October celebrated their golden wedding. Although Mr. Kerr has but partial use of his right hand, he has kindly written, giving some account of their journey and work, and expressing their interest in our anniversary.
To the next, the First Church of Allegheny will doubtless dis- pute our elaim. But Susan Irwin was one of the three little girls who in 1828 founded the Young Ladies' Mission Society. She afterwards became a member of the First Church of Alle- gheny. She married Rev. J. S. Travelli, and in July of 1836 sailed for Singapore, India, where they arrived after a voyage of one hundred and fifty days. There she was at the head of a boarding school numbering fifty or sixty pupils, over whom she is said to have had great influence. She not only had the care of the school, but was mother and sister to the entire Mission. As there was constant sickness among the missionaries, her cares were very arduous. After five years of toil her health was en- tirely broken down and she was obliged to return to this country alone. Some time afterwards Mr. Travelli also returned.
The next is one who is still lovingly remembered by many in the congregation. Cornelia Brackenridge was young, beautiful, + highly cultivated, and surrounded at home by everything that could make life attractive. She was a great favorite in society, and those who were her companions still speak tenderly of her affectionate disposition, her sprightliness of manner and her ac- complishments as well as her personal beauty. While yet a mere child of thirteen, she united with the church in company with her father and mother. She afterwards became an active and successful Sabbath School teacher both in the First and Seventh Churches, and those who were privileged to be her scholars still " hold her in affectionate remembrance. In May, 1846, she married the Rev. Wm. Speer and sailed for China in August of the same year. Owing to adverse winds the voyage occupied five long months. The confinement of the voyage completely broke down her health, and on the 16th of the April following (1847) she
182
WOMAN'S WORK IN THE FIRST CHURCH.
died at the early age of twenty-four years. The day her friends at home received the news of her safe arrival, was also the day of her death. She is buried in the beautiful cemetery of Macao, belonging to the East India Company, beside the graves of the Morrisons, Dr. Dyer and others, and on the 8th of July, 1847, her babe was laid beside her. Beautiful and useful was her life, and her death was radiant with hope and trust in the Lord. Though earnestly desiring to glorify God in the missionary field, she expressed herself as "willing by His grace to suffer, recover,. or die." God chose that she should glorify Him by her suffer- ings and death, and did not even allow her to see her chosen field. Yet may not her death, like that of Harriet Newell, have been silently instrumental in causing the spread of the gospel, and which is now so signally blessed to the Chinese women of Canton ?
For a long period all special efforts and gifts by the women for Foreign Missions, were made through the old Domestic Missionary Society. It naturally became a centre from which many and varied needs for occasional help was supplied, though it never failed to adhere to its charter, in annually preparing missionary boxes. One such, of more than ordinary interest, was sent through the Society, at the expense of one member, (Mrs. Harmar Denny,) to Miss Sue McBeth, Mis- sionary to the Nez Perces Indians, mainly for the students of her "Theological Seminary." The box arrived at Lapwai the night before the four licentiates had to start for Presbytery at Portland, Oregon. Their devoted teacher having, by her faithful instructions, well furnished them in the inner man, had a true feminine satisfaction in seeing them completely clad from head to foot, in clothing appropriate for an intro- duction to their clerical brethren of the far away Presbytery. Her grateful letter of acknowledgment contained a photograph of the group for their unknown, but kind hearted benefactors. One of these four Nez Perces ministers, James Rubens, re- cently stood before the General Assembly and large audiences elsewhere, to plead for his people, and another, Archie Lawyer, has expended large sums in restoring some of his grossly wronged tribe to their former home.
At the memorable time when the heart of the nation was stirred by the sound of war, and troops marched through our
183
WOMAN'S WORK IN THE FIRST CHURCH.
streets, and wounded soldiers filled our hospitals, this Society turned willingly aside from its peaceful pursuits to make flannels, knit socks, pick lint, and to prepare delicacies to be distributed by the Sanitary Commission. One memorable meet- ing was held at the house of one of our elders, Mr. Samuel Rea, where several sewing machines and many hands were kept busy from morning till night. The strongest had need of her strength, and the weakest might not slacken, at a time when every heart was strained with fears for the government, and with anguish unutterable over the daily bulletins of the wounded and dead, fresh from the battle fields far and near.
At other times, when the regular season's work was over, untiring hands were ready to make up and alter clothing for Sabbath School scholars, for the always needy Orphan Asylums, and for nich work of a similar character, thus exemplifying the text, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Among the many capable women and wise managers of this Society, no one is more affectionately remembered than Mrs. John D. McCord, whose own diligence, combined with rare graces of heart and mind, made her a good example to follow. Her loss was keenly felt when she removed to another city. A unique and suggestive record would be presented if a complete list of donations, work, etc., had been preserved from first to last.
Horses, buggies and a cow have been bought, a roof, a floor and doors for a missionary's house provided ; churches have been carpeted, cushioned and lighted ; pulpits have been furnished with Bibles, Hymn Books and communion service also, to com- plete the appointments of the house of worship. School houses have been built and rooms furnished in different boarding schools, "Homes" and seminaries.
The work has passed through many hands, gone on for many years, and gladdened many hearts, all the time bringing a sweet reward to those who did it from love to Christ and in fulfill- ment of His law, "Bear ye one another's burdens."
When, in 1871, a general movement resulted in the formation of the "Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church," the women of the First Church of Pittsburgh, true to the spirit and tradition of their goodly ancestry, were quick to hear this special call, and before the close of the year they organized a distinctly Foreign Missionary Society, and became
184
WOMAN'S WORK IN THE FIRST CHURCH.
enrolled among the first auxiliaries to the new Board. Its officers were :
President, Mrs. S. F. Scovel ; Secretary, Mrs. H. D. Mann ; Treasurer, Mrs. W. R. Murphy.
In the following year this Society, with six others, united in forming the Presbyterial organization known as the Pittsburgh and Allegheny Committee for Foreign Missions.
Its first and only President for twelve years, and still its honor- ary President, is Mrs. H. G. Comingo, who in 1836, as Miss Isabella Craig, was the President of the Young Ladies' Society of the First Church, and who, as Principal of the Infant School, compiled and partly composed a book of Hymns for its use.
The original meeting for organization, all the monthly meet- ings, and most of its annual meetings, have been held upon this spot, where, in 1831, the Board of Foreign Missions first had its birth.
Greatly stimulated, doubtless, by this circumstance of place and leadership, the work of the Committee has been greatly prospered' and strong helpful agencies here begun and fostered, have pro- moted spiritual growth, and secured combined effort throughout the Presbyteries in sending the gospel to all lands.
Large meetings of women in connection with the General Assemblies, the union services of the week of prayer, with gath- erings for the purpose of welcoming and hearing the missionaries from the field, those vital and visible links between the work abroad and the workers at home, have been attracted hither upon the cordial invitation of the Foreign Mission Society of this church.
The object of this society was to develop a spirit of missions, as well as to contribute to their support, and prayer and study have been controlling elements in its existence. The systematic conduct and devotional character of its meetings soon began to be felt in other channels of church work.
Similar methods have been adopted in the old Domestic (now the Home) Missionary Society, and in a recent organization known as the "Woman's Christian Association," which embraces committees for deacons' aid for visiting strangers, the sick and the poor, for church sociables and for industrial classes. A woman's prayer meeting, that inestimable source of church power, was soon afterwards begun and is faithfully sustained.
1
185
WOMAN'S WORK IN THE FIRST CHURCH.
The first year of the Foreign Mission Society the funds were raised by subscription, and aided in building the Louisa Lowrie Home for Missionaries at Mynpoorie, India. The next year's con- tributions were applied to furnishing the Home,(the Sunday Schools giving an organ,) and in addition the Society began the support of a missionary, pledging an annual payment of four hundred dollars in gold. Mrs. J. A. Alexander, then and ever since a most valued member of the Mission of Northern India, was chosen to be its representative on heathen soil.
In 1873 the plan of holding a fair was adopted, for the purpose of gathering up the littles which remain after regular subscrip- tions and occasional contributions are secured. This proved to be most successful, and became specially useful in promoting Christian fellowship, and in affording every one, rich and poor, an opportunity to unite in concentrated labor for consecrated giving.
The First Church women count themselves privileged in per- petuating an example so remarkably well begun by the women of the first half of the century, and they also find sacred warrant in the cases of the wise-hearted Hebrew women who spun for the tabernacle, and of the virtuous woman who could consider, buy and sell, thereby earning honorable mention and high praise in the inspired word. In the thirteen years about $11,000 have been contributed for foreign missions, including contributions from young peoples' bands and societies. One distinctive feature has been to encourage systematic and intelligent giving among the younger members of our church and families.
A large number of bands and circles have been formed from the Sabbath School classes, some of which have given much time and study, as well as money, to the cause of missions. It would be interesting to trace among their names descendants of even the third and fourth generations of those who founded this church and have sustained it during the past. The youngest of these modern societies, formed within a year, must have a place in this record. It is called the "Scovel Mission Band," and de- votional exercises, studies, and sewing, are all conducted by the young girls under the supervision of their faithful teacher, Mrs. T. C. Pears. Names of members :
President, Anna Waring; Vice President, Mary Cochran ; Secretary, Burdette Shephard ; Treasurer, Lizzie Miller. Mary Davis, Agnes Johnston, Maud Kreps, Maud Fundenberg, Helen Duff, Anna Lecky, 13
186
WOMAN'S WORK IN THE FIRST CHURCHI.
Jane Lecky, Nellie Chalfant, Annie Chalfant, Annie Birch, Cornelia Brackenridge Ewart.
The best contribution from our young people was one of their own number to become a missionary to Japan. Thirty years had passed since Mrs. Speer consecrated her life to the cause of missions, and now another came forward and signified her will- ingness to go anywhere or do anything to serve the Lord among the perishing women of heathen lands. Miss Anna K. Davis is a daughter of one of our valued elders, was baptized in the church, and early in life gave her heart to the Lord. The friends of her childhood and her mother's friends had the pleasure of assisting in preparing her outfit, and with tears and prayers bade her good bye when she left all most dear on earth to take up her life-work in Japan. Since then she has been faithfully engaged in teaching in a girls' school at Tokio. Her associate teachers and Japanese pupils, with expressions of Oriental fervor, have testified to her unusual fidelity and her strong desire to win the bright native girls from the worship of idols to the service of the living God.
One more addition to the long list of first things that have trans- pired within the precincts of the First Church, is a little meeting held in connection with the Assembly of 1878, which after some months resulted in the formation of the "Woman's Executive Committee of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church."
Since this event, the old Domestic Society of this church has, in addition to the preparation of missionary boxes and special gifts, undertaken the support of a missionary teacher in Utah, in which it is aided by the Third Church Society. Thus the women have sought to be joined to every good word and work, and it may be that this whole-hearted devotion to the activities of the church has been the secret of that delightful spirit of harmony for which the congregation is famed, as a place singularly free from troublers, though not always a place of rest.
May the chroniclers of "Woman's Work" in the second cen- tury find as radiant a retrospect to record as have those of the year 1884.
187
DR. PAXTON'S ADDRESS.
DR. PAXTON'S ADDRESS.
At the close of the paper on Woman's Work, the Rev. Dr. Paxton, who kindly deferred important work to remain with the congregation, was called upon.
Heintimated that certain humorous stories of the older time, kin- dred to others which had been already given, had been floating through his mind, and he had thought of contributing them to the occasion ; but on second thought, it seemed best not to close so great and solenin a meeting with a recital of that nature. His mind had been particularly drawn, during the paper of Dr. Speer, to the convention of 1857. It was a revival conference in the truest and highest sense. It was attended by many representa- tive men from the three large neighboring Synods. A remark- able sermon was preached on the opening evening. But next morning, on assembling, the anxiety which all felt seemed so deep as almost to amount to discouragement, and the services went forward most earnestly but with a feeling akin to depression. But before noon had arrived it seemed as though the exact word was . given by the Spirit to the venerable Dr. Plumer. He directed the attention and the faith of the convention to the compassionate, the risen and glorified Christ. The name of "Jesus" seemed to waken the chords of tenderest feeling and joyful hope. And other work of the Spirit was also going forward. In the after- noon the letter of the convention addressed to the churches of the whole region was read. That letter Dr. Jacobus had been commissioned on the previous day to prepare. Keenly he felt the responsibility of it and took the matter to God-it is said- with "strong crying and tears." The letter was written after wrestling in thought and prayer continued until midnight and
188
DR. PAXTON'S ADDRESS.
beyond. When first read to the convention it was deeply im- pressive and was at once recognized as voicing the heart of that prayerful assembly. It was printed and read in hundreds of churches. This letter, and many other results of the convention, went abroad with power. The great movement which began soon thereafter has been largely traced to their influence. It is thought that the Week of Prayer originated within their circle, through the touched heart and strong faith of the Missionary Morrison, in India. There was an almost simultaneous outpour- ing of the Spirit in Philadelphia, and before long the land was ablaze.
The influence of the convention upon the First Church was direct and immediate. Dr. Paxton shortly thereafter met the one we were accustomed to call the model elder, Mr. Francis Bailey, who seemed deeply impressed with the conviction that an immediate and great blessing was impending. He said, "Do you know that Mr. Beer has been praying all night ?" His faith was strong and proved well founded. Meetings were called. The work began straightway and continued long, and there was a large ingathering. The convention marked a period of great interest in the church, the region, and even in the world.
The Rev. Dr. Swift, who presided, closed the interesting servi- ces with a brief address of congratulation, in which he referred to the early relations sustained by the First Church of Pittsburgh and the First Church of Allegheny, and expressed the best wishes of his own heart and of the people of his charge for the continued prosperity of the church now celebrating the completion of its first century. The benediction was pronounced by Dr. Paxton.
189
CHARACTERISTICS AND INCIDENTS.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON. April 15th, 1884.
The Rev. E. P. Cowan, pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church, pre- sided, and conducted the devotional services.
The Rev. Richard Lea, D. D., who has known the church from his boyhood in 1813, and has lived throughout his pastoral experience within the city, and has known much of the surrounding country by traversing it as Agent for the Theological Seminary, and been intimately acquainted with many of the worthies of the whole region, read a paper, unique and characteristic-a paper which no one else could have prepared. It is as follows :
CHARACTERISTICS AND INCIDENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, PITTSBURGH, PA.
BY R. LEA.
One hundred years ago forts and towns and large villages were safe from regular sieges of the Indians-but liable to surprises and sudden invasions. Rev. Marquis, the "silver tongued," was lodging at the house of the late Samuel Ewalt, just above where the Arsenal now is. One night Ewalt said to his guest, "I have observed that you go out early in the morning to the large syca- more to pray. Now to-morrow morning pray at your bedside ! Signs which I understand, indicate the presence of Indians at Girty's run. They will cross the river in darkness, and at day- light to-morrow, your scalp would not be safe outside of the house." Marquis either forgot the warning or trusted implicity in God, and passed through the chamber of his host at early dawn to his trysting place. Even in sleep Ewalt could hear the passing step, and seizing his rifle, followed. Marquis was upon his knees unconscious of the fact that the hand of a savage was raised to
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.