USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > Centennial volume of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, PA., 1784-1884 > Part 20
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He has entered into his rest, full of years, rich in faith, and we doubt not has received his Divine Lord's welcome : "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things."
Of the four elders elected in 1862, two are in service elsewhere, (Messrs. Renshaw and Spencer,) two are with us still, (Messrs. Robinson and Davis,) and one has been called to his reward. Mr. Joseph Mcknight will always be remembered among us by his tenderness, his kindness to the poor and his ardent interest in the instruction and salvation of the young. Who will ever forget his pleadings to children not to defer (as he had done,) the acceptance of Christ until childhood had passed! Most, perhaps all, of the young ladies of his Bible class, became mem- bers of the church. [Two of them are now married to ministers.] He was a most genial companion and had the warmest of warm hearts. The record made on the Session's minutes is as follows :
Elder Joseph McKnight, greatly beloved by the people of the First Church, and for ten years past a member of its Session, departed this life on the 25th day of the past month, (October, 1872.) He was suddenly
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called, it seemed to us who remain, from the midst of unfinished business plans, an endeared family eircle, and abundant church labors in which his heart and his hands were warmly engaged, to the higher companionship and restful activities of heaven. But as we remember his frequent mention during the past months of his probable early decease, we are assured that he had learned, " that as you work, your heart must watch," and was ready and waiting when the Master called.
The pastor and Session would bear their sincere testimony to the Christian character and labors of one whom they both loved and honored, and whose death they deeply deplore. Full of generous impulses, and wise in counsel, ready to every good word and work, yet averse from much publicity, kind to the poor, and open handed in support of the work of the church at large, we shall remember with profit, the warm hearted zeal of our de- parted brother for the spiritual interests of Zion, but most gratefully do we call to mind the tender concern he seemed always to have for the sal- vation of the children and young people of this church and congregation.
We thank God for the grace He bestowed upon His servant while living among us, for the "hope in his death" and for the "exceeding great reward " upon which he has entered.
Of those elected in 1868 two are now connected with the East Liberty Church (Messrs. Wishart and Dickson) and two are dead. One of these remained but a short time with us before removal and the other served but about eighteen months and then went on to the higher service.
Mr. Ebenezer T. Cook was the youngest elder (save one) this church ever had and the only one to die among us in youth. He was an honest convert and a devoted Christian worker, Secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association of the city and an elder in the church within about one year. So quickly did one follow upon the other that it would seem to be God's purpose to show how much can be done by a devoted soul in a brief life.
The Sessional record reads thus:
Ebenezer T. Cook, aged twenty-eight years, admitted to the communion of this church, upon profession of faith, March 7th, 1867 ; ordained an elder therein, March 2d, 1868 ; entered into rest, October 13th, 1869.
How brief the record ! He put his hand to the plow, and lo! it was a palm. He walked with us here but a few days, yet long enough to awaken in our hearts the most hopeful anticipations of an honored and useful life ; long enough to win the esteem and affection of all who knew him; long enough to make his example a cherished remembrance among the young men of the church, and "in the morning" the Master called.
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"I had much work laid out for Jesus," he said, "but others will do it better ;" and so, content, he passed into the "land of cloudless sunshine where Jesus is the King." We cherish his memory. The mention of his name among us is an argument for consecration, a stimulus to labor, and a plea for patience. Lord Jesus, help us each to follow him as he followed Thee.
The two elders elected in 1860, (Messrs. J. E. Ayers and Henry Forsyth,) both removed after a few years of earnest ser- vice, which they continued elsewhere.
The present Session is composed of the two already mentioned, chosen in 1862, of the three chosen in 1873, ( Messrs. John A. Caughey, A. M. Marshall and James Laughlin, Jr.) and of the four chosen in 1879, (Messrs. Samuel A. Espy, Chas. Holmes, James L. Marshall and John T. Daniel). May the same confi- dence and esteem which has so marked the past relations of the church and its Session continue to be manifested to them and to their successors forever. Thus shall the church "have rest and [be] edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the com- fort of the Holy Ghost [be] multiplied." (Act's ix : 31.)
The following reminiscences of the Rev. Dr. Richard Lea are printed here as mainly referring to this portion of the history, and may well stand as "provoking to love and good works" all who follow in the succession of the eldership :
PITTSBURGH, May 3d, 1883.
DR. SCOVEL :
In the year 1823 Rev. Dr. Herron had his famous Bible class. At first nearly the whole church attended-the aged members sitting in the gallery, or back seats, the younger ones around the pulpit. It almost entirely consisted of question and answer ; the more advanced scholars frequently questioning the Doctor. No text book or commentary in class. That winter I joined the church.
Elders : John Hannen, " an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile ;" Wm. Blair, a stern, good man from the north of Ireland ; Judge Snowden, an accomplished, Christian gentleman ; Father Cooper, the terror of all young applicants, whom he always questioned on "Hopkinsianism." Mr. James Clow, the singer, had moved to Beaver county. These all ruled the church and obeyed the Doctor. Mr. Evans, with his tuning fork and music book, stood before the pulpit and led the mechanical part of the singing. Dr. Herron relished " Pisgah," and the chorus of "Silver Street." He knew no more of other tunes than did Frederick the Great. The
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elders who succeeded these five you can trace in the records. Hugh McClel- land led the singing at the prayer meetings of the "revival." Harmar Denny was very dignified in his appearance, and one of the finest figures as a "cavalry officer" when the company trained at the lower end of Lib- erty street. Mr. Hanson was quiet. Your friend William Plummer, had a kind manner-the voice and manner of John Bushnel, soft as a lady's. John Wright, faithful unto death. James Wilson, always reliable. Me- Cord, gentlemanly. James Marshall, impetuous, mostly right. Robert Beer nearly idolized successively his three pastors. Francis Bailey, every- thing that an elder ought to be !
Now, if I do not stop, you will cry out as Festus did to Paul ; and if so, I believe I should make the same reply. William Plummer had two brothers. George studied divinity ; left our body. Thomas, in his will, left a legacy for First Church Sabbath School, which first built a school house, then, under Judge Porter and others, it became the Sixth Presby- terian Church. I think John Herron, of Minersville, was once an elder in the First Church ; at any rate, he was a godly man.
I think it is not too much to say that the Western Theological Seminary, in its earlier years, was sustained mainly by the First Church. Dr. Her- ron's casting vote decided its location, and he pressed a willing people often to the verge of endurance for its support. When I was appointed agent to raise $10,000 for its endowment, I was empowered to say that Michael Allen would pay the tenthi, and that a son of elder Blair paid my traveling expenses. There was then a great cry against agents, but one thus heralded could not be spoken against. The Western Foreign Missionary Society was born in the little lecture room back of the old church building. In Dr. Herron's parlor, Jolin Breckenridge succeeded in raising a pledge for $10,000 for his "educational scheme," which he avowed was absolutely necessary to ensure the success of his plea elsewhere. The late James Laughlin was useful to you. His presence always recalled to memory his brother, Alexander Laughlin ; and the late James Dalzell was linked in memory with his noble brother John.
Dear brother, is young Pittsburgh equal to old Pittsburgh in solid worth ? Can you mate those who labored with Herron and Paxton ? I hope so !
The Richard Lea of 1823, aged thirteen, subscribes himself,
Yours,
R. LEA. [1883.]
[Received May 3d, 1883 .- S. F. S.]
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The following full list of elders, with date of election, is printed here for convenience of reference :
In Office in
Ordained
Robert Galbraith. 1789
James Hanson ... 1832
John Wilkins. 1789
Frederick Lorenz. 1840
Wm. Dunning. 1789
F. G. Bailey. 1840
George Plummer 1801
Hugh McClelland 1840
Jeremiah Sturgeon 1803
R. W. Poindexter 1840
James B. Clow 1803
Samuel Spencer. 1855
John Wilkins.
1803
Robert Beer 1855
Wm. Dunning
1803
Samuel Rea.
1855
James Cooper
1811
John D. McCord. 1855
[As early as 1803.)
James B. Clow 1811
Ordained.
James Brown. 1812
John M. Snowden. 1812
Wm. Blair 1818
Thomas Hazelton 1818
James Dickson 1868
J. Thompson. 1818
E. T. Cook. 1868
John Hannen
1818
Robert A. Clarke.
1868
James Sample 1827
J. E. Ayers. 1870
Harmar Denny 1829
Henry Forsyth 1870
Wm. Plummer. 1829
John A. Caughey 1873
James Wilson 1829
A. M. Marshall. 1873
John Herron .. 1832
James Laughlin, Jr 1873
John Wright. 1832
Samuel A. Espy 1879
Richard Edwards. 1832
Charles Holmes
1879
Alexander Laughlin 1832
James L. Marshall 1879
James H. Davis. 1832
John T. Daniel 1879
David Robinson 1862
Joseph McKnight 1862
Joseph W. Spencer
1862
John A. Renshaw 1862
Robert S. Davis 1862
J. W. Wishart 1868
At the conclusion of this paper, the Rev. William Miller, pastor of Beulah Church (Presbytery of Blairsville), being in- troduced, presented the congratulations of that venerable church. Mr. Miller called to mind the fact that in the first pastorate, that of the Rev. Samuel Barr, the church of Beulah (then known as Pitts Township Church,) was associated with the First Church in the call, and the two constituted the charge. He referred to the fact that the church of Pitts Township made a call upon the Presbytery for help, similar to ours, and very soon after it. As the First Church appeared alive at the April meeting, the other appeared at the October meeting of that same eventful year, 1784. Some pleasing facts were given concerning the early friendship between the pastors and the churches, and intelligence
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given of the steady life and growth of the Beulah Church. Though we had been independent of each other since 1789, there had always been many bonds of intimacy and fellowship between the congregations. Mr. Miller intimated that there would be a celebration of their centennial in October, and invoked the blessing of God upon the work of the century to come.
The Rev. Wmn. Robinson, pastor of the Providence Church, Allegheny City, followed. Mr. Robinson claimed a certain affinity with the old church, which he defined as-because he had married one of the sisters-that of a brother-in-law. He had worshiped here when a student at the Theological Seminary and had always known the work and history of the church. His own charge, which had been indeed a "Providence" to many in spiritual things, had originated in the faithful work of one Christian woman of this church [Mrs. R. W. Poindexter], who, many years ago, and assisted by two theological students, had planted the church by organizing a Sabbath School in a lager beer hall. The con- gratulations and best wishes of Mr. Robinson were expressed with great fervor and found an echo in many hearts.
Thus closed the more formal exercises of the occasion. A few words from Dr. Cowan, announcements for the evening social meeting, and the audience separated.
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TUESDAY EVENING. APRIL 15TH, 1884.
REMINISCENCES.
-
Very early in the evening the people began to assemble in the lecture room and Sabbath School rooms. These, because of their perfect adaptation to all the demands of the occasion, gave new cause of thankfulness that they had been completed. Busy hands had arrayed them most tastefully, and the scene presented as the upper floor with its tributary rooms and galleries were filled with happy throngs and became vocal with eager greetings and bright with the good cheer of Christian fellowship, renewed in many in- stances after years of interval, was one long to be remembered. The contrast with the homeless condition of the infant church, utterly unfurnished a century ago for either work or worship, pressed itself upon many hearts. How gladly were welcomed some of the aged members who made special exertions to attend the re-union. Reminiscences too sacred for the public services, came up to mutual remembrance. There were moistened eyes too, as well as merry faces, when the thought came of some the church had loved and honored, who seemed but a few years ago quite as reasonably to anticipate mingling in these pleasant fes- tivities as any who were present. But as they were remem- bered, who can say they were not in some sense present joying and beholding the order ?
Below, most admirable arrangements had been made for just such refreshments as best helped, but would not hinder the re-
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uniting of a family so widely scattered. Children and parents (and some grandparents) were there together, and many helpful ones of former days came with many representatives of sister churches, at the widely circulated invitation of the committee. The reputation of the old church for hospitality, suffered noth- ing in connection with the ample and admirable arrangements of the evening. The present membership seemed to vie with each other in doing the utmost of each to make the occasion pleasant to former members and older members, and reassuring as to future attachment to the dear old church.
About nine o'clock the throngs were gradually transferred to the main audience room. They were welcomed there with an anthem by the choir, whose magnificent choral singing through- out the exercises had lent so much of devotional interest to the occasion, and to whom most earnest thanks are due.
It was greatly to be regretted that a sudden indisposition prevented the attendance of Dr. Paxton. Many had anticipated that his reminiscences would prove one of the most delightful and valuable features of the whole occasion. Addresses, im- promptu, were made by a number of those present, of which such imperfect fragments as can now be gathered are presented.
It was fitting that the first of these kindly expressions should be made by Dr. E. P. Cowan, the already well known and beloved pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church. Though so recently come among us, one of his first duties had been to conduct the semi-centennial festival of the Third Church, and thus he had learned to know the mother church in studying the childhood of the daughter. Dr. Cowan happily mingled the grave and the gay in congratulating the church upon the long period of life now passed. The assurance that the First Church was "orthodox," was received with merriment enough to make it evident that the community understood the constancy of the old congregation. The warm and hearty words of Dr. Cowan found their echo in a freshened sense of the tender ties with which the First is bound to the Third, and a quickened desire for its pros- perity and special blessing upon the faithful labors of its present pastor.
Mr. John Renshaw being called upon in behalf of Shadyside Church, responded in remarks which referred to his memories of the time when he was connected with the old church. Mr.
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Renshaw had been an elder in the First Church, and was really the founder of the Shadyside Church. It was a gratifi- cation that one honored in both congregations and so trusted in the whole community, could be present to represent one of the most flourishing of the younger churches into which the life of the old church has freely entered.
The Rev. N. B. C. Comingo (of a suburban church,) would have been designated by his name, (Neville B. Craig,) even had he not been by the esteem in which he is held by the present membership of the First Church. His presence was a peculiar pleasure, accompanying as he did, his mother, whose name is con- nected so prominently with the earliest activities of the young women's first associations for missionary work. Mr. Comingo mentioned the fact, scarcely to be paralleled, that six generations of the family to which he belonged had worshiped in the church since its origin in 1784. He recalled the accounts of the past which he had heard from others, and spoke of the blessing which had come to the city and community through the steady life and work of the First Church during its completed century.
The earnest and vigorous pastor of the Sixth Church, the Reverend H. C. McClelland, spoke of the early relations of that church to the First, of the constancy which had been charac- teristic of the First Church history, of the solid (and in length abundant,) pulpit instruction which had been given to theo- logical students and others who worshiped here : and, true to his own burning zeal, exhorted the church to a devotedness which should surpass its past in bringing many sons unto glory.
Mr. William Little, being introduced by Mr. Scovel, spoke as follows :
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : When I was a little boy, nearly three-quarters of a century ago, I sometimes declaimed a little speech commencing in this way :
" You'd scarce expect one of my age To speak in public on the stage."
If such a thing would be unexpected in a boy scarce three feet high, how much more so must it appear for one who has passed the allotted period of man's life, thus to make an exhibi- tion of himself.
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My only excuse for such conduct in one who ought to know better, is that my friend Mr. Scovel must be held responsible, and it happened in this wise :
Some time since I met the Doctor, and in conversation with him on the approaching centennial celebration, I innocently re- marked, " Do you know, Doctor, that I am perhaps the only living person who was baptized by Mr. Steele, the predecessor of Dr. Herron ?" "Is that so?" said he. "Then we must have you at the anniversay." "Certainly I will be there, if alive," said I, not . dreaming that the Doctor had any hidden design upon me. Ac- 'cordingly I came here to-night, on invitation of your committee, and now learn that I am expected to exhibit myself as a veritable antique. [Laughter.] You know that connoisseurs in gems are particularly delighted if they can obtain one of un- doubted antiquity, and if it is a little battered, if it only gives undoubted evidence of age and original purity, it is prized accord- ingly. Whether these qualities will apply to me or not is for you to judge. As to the antiquity there can be no doubt, and so I now present myself before you, as a veritable antique in a tolerably good state of preservation.
To prove my title, I believe I am expected to relate some reminiscences of the olden time when this old church was young.
In this matter I have been largely forestalled by my vener- able friend, Rev. Richard Lea, who this afternoon gave a very full and succinct history of the earlier men and days of the church, leaving but little for me to say, and I might stop just here, and say in the words of another, slightly altered, "which I saw, and part of which I was." Mr. Lea, himself, is an antique gem of purest water, and I gladly here drop a tribute to the worth of a man who, from boyhood up to the mature age at which he has arrived, has truly borne the reputation of being " an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile."
I remember, with great distinctness, all the venerable men whom he mentioned as the pillars of the church under Dr. Herron's administration-Elders Cooper, Hannen, Snowden, Spencer, Wright, and many other worthies as they ministered at the altar of their Master. I recall also, in my mind's eye, the noted old families of Pittsburgh who occupied the large square pews in the front part and corners of the church. The old square church, built as you have heard, over the original
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REMINISCENCES.
log house, the addition of the wings, the hanging of the elegant chandelier presented by General O'Hara, all are as fresh in my recollection as if of yesterday. You will excuse me, I am sure, if I relate an anecdote or two of that odd genius who for so many years officiated as sexton of the church, to the great comfort of the congregation, and afterwards to their intense amusement. I mean Archie Henderson. As to the church, it was always kept in complete order ; dirt and dust were strangers to the place. But Archie did not like boys and dogs. He was the terror of all bad boys, but to dogs he had a particular aversion.
In those days there must-have been more dogs in proportion to the population than at present, or else they were more piously inclined, for certain it is, they very often intruded their presence in the church, to the great disgust of the sexton. He was always, however, equal to the occasion, and arming himself with a cudgel, he would follow the unhappy canine all through the house, until an opportunity to inflict corporal punishment offered, when down came the club, and loud rose the lamentations of the unfortunate cur, whilst the congregation, to their shame be it said-laughed.
On one occasion, an unlucky dog in search of his master got far into the church before he was discovered, but he was pursued with relentless vigor until cornered. Archie seizing him by the neck, was carrying him howling from the church, when Dr. Herron stopped in his sermon. Archie noticing the stop, turned round and waving his hand to the Doctor, ex- claimed, "Go on, Doctor, go on ; never mind me." Imagine the situation if you can.
He had a great regard for the proprieties. One day one of Dr. Herron's daughters thought she would take a seat in the gallery. This did not suit the sexton's ideas of propriety, so step- ping up softly to where she was sitting and reproving her sharply, he took her by the wrist, led her along the gallery, down the stairs and up to the pastor's pew, and seating her in her proper place, walked off.
The chandelier presented by General O'Hara, was a never ending source of delight to him, as it was to the boys, who often went to church just to see it lit up "at early candle light," (as Dr. Herron's announcements always were made for evening service.) It was a very handsome affair, and it was a treat to see Archie
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light it up for service; each sperm candle had been previously tipped with turpentine so that as the torch touched it it went off in a bright flame, and as the hundred candles were thus lighted one after another, in rapid succession, it was a source of never ending pleasure to Archie and the boys, of whom it need not be said (perhaps) your speaker was one.
Mr. Lea, in his address, remarked on the extreme nicety and accuracy with which he dug the graves of the people. It was his great pride to have an exact fit, and the soil being well adapted for this, he never failed. (In parenthesis I would here say, that in those earlier days the dead were buried in plain coffins of cherry, walnut or mahogany, and not in the extravagant caskets, so called, of the present day.) But Archie's day at last came, and the problem was solved, "Who should bury Archie Henderson, when he had buried everybody else ?"
It was not my privilege to attend a Sabbath School in my boy- hood. I do not remember any such in immediate connection with the First Church. My Sabbath School was by my mother's side. Every Sabbath afternoon I was expected to recite the. Shorter Catechism, until at last I knew every word of it from beginning to end; but we did have Bible classes conducted by Dr. Herron himself in the church building on Sabbath afternoons in the winter. These were attended by the older boys and girls, and by many young men and women, and were interesting and instructive occasions ; a portion of the Scriptures being under examination, and each person being expected to be prepared to answer any question put to him or her.
Here I first met Richard Lea, a long headed boy, who thus early was remarkable for his good behavior and studiousness, and was even then predestined to be a preacher of the gospel.
But as the hour is late and Presbyterian bedtime (as it has been called to-night,) being near at hand, I must bring these desultory and unprepared remarks to a close, and commending your venerable church to the fatherly care of that good Lord who for one hundred years has prospered you so largely, I pray that the future may be as the past, but yet more abundant.
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