USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > Centennial volume of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, PA., 1784-1884 > Part 3
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The whole period closes in a sort of gloom, according to man's reckoning, save that a singular gleam of promise (long to be deferred in fulfillment) is perceived in the preaching of Dr. Francis Herron onee in the old log church in 1799-and this was much to the "annoyance of the swallows," he quaintly said, which seemed to claim the neglected building.
This first period of our history may be characterized as that of the initial struggle for existence. It reached from 1784 to 1800. The second period-secondary struggles for establishment-occupies from 1800 to 1811. The third-the period of success, reaches from 1811-let us hope, until the Master's second coming.
It is interesting to note that the first period subdivides into five-thus :
I. Inception.
II. First Pastorate : December 21st, 1785-June 12th, 1789.
III. Supplies : June, 1789-November, 1792.
IV. Mr. Mahon : November, 1792-October, 1793.
V. Supplies : October, 1793-October, 1800.
Out of sixteen years the pastoral relation had existed consid- erably less than four years ; but with true Presbyterian pluck and perseverance the church may be described at the end of the . period and of the century, as " faint, yet pursuing."
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PERIOD II.
We may pass now to the second period. Its interest is not inferior to that of the first. Its struggles for establishment supplement those for existence, and lead the way to the period of permanent and large success. There are more abundant materials for this period, and some who retained the memory of it have but lately passed away from us ; but time permits only an account of its salient features.
First among these appears the recurrence of trouble in the re- ception of the church's chosen pastor by the Presbytery. Relief from their long period of occasional and scanty supplies seemed to appear in the person of the Rev. Robert Steele, who, fleeing from persecution in Ireland for opinions not in harmony with Ireland's consolidation in the British Empire, was drawn to Pitts- burgh by the presence here of a brother engaged in business. Mr. Steele had indeed appeared in Presbytery in June, 1799, and stated his case, but that body hesitated and referred the matter to the Synod-Mr. Steele being, on account of the circumstances, destitute of the usual testimonials. So much of confidence, however, was felt, as issued in a permission to preach, and he may, therefore, have officiated during that year in the First Church. In October, the Presbytery found that the Synod had not decided on Mr. Steele's case, but had referred the matter to the General Assembly. Thereupon, they concluded that they could no longer authorize Mr. Steele's ministrations. In June, 1800, the Assembly having acted meanwhile, Mr. Steele applied for membership in the Presbytery, "on probation," agreeably to the regulations of the General Assembly. [Min. p. 191.] The Presbytery seemed yet unsatisfied, and postponed the matter further. At the meet-
*
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ing of that autumn, appeared Mr. Deny "with a commission from the Session of said congregation, as their representative, and was accordingly admitted to a seat." [This refers, no doubt, to Major Ebenezer Denny, who was not an "elder," as entered, but a trustee.] Mr. Steele was received on probation, and a theme assigned him for a sermon at the next meeting."An examina- tion on experimental religion shows that the Presbytery had re- laxed nothing of its diligence against "moderatism." Mr. Steele was appointed to "supply at Pittsburgh" until the spring meet- ing, "except one Sabbath at Pitts Township, and two others north- west of the Allegheny river, discretionary as to time and particu- lar place." This was certainly "ample room and verge enough." Application was again made, in the spring of 1801, for Mr. Steele, as "stated supply until Presbytery shall finally receive or rejeet him." The appointed discourse was delivered and another theme assigned for the fall meeting. In the autumn the Presbytery "proceeded to examine," says the record, "the discourse delivered by Mr. Steele yesterday, but did not sustain it : but agreed to con- tinue him on further trial, and appointed him to prepare a dis- course on Matt. xi:28, to be delivered at their next stated meeting." (p. 171.) This sermon was delivered accordingly in April, 1802. Then, runs the record-"Mr. Steele having now gone through the several parts of trial agreeably to the regula- tions of the General Assembly for the admission of foreign min- isters, Presbytery did, from the combined evidence of the whole, agree to receive him as a member. Ordered, that the Stated Clerk lay before the Synod, at their next meeting, a copy of the above minute, together with all the certificates and other testimony on which Mr. Steele was received." The Synod at its first meeting, September, 1802, "approved of the proceedings of the Presbytery in the case, and agreed to receive Mr. Steele as a member of the Presbyterian body in America. Mr. Steele, therefore, being in- formed by the Moderator of his reception, took his seat as a mem- ber." (Syn. Min. p. 6.) Mr. Steele was chosen the Clerk of Presbytery at its next meeting, (October, 1802,) the call of the " congregation of Pittsburgh put into his hands by the Moderator, and Mr. Steele declared his acceptance thereof." (p. 129.)
Thus terminates the long process of reception. There is no remnant of friction in the record or traditions. The whole shows how careful our forefathers were, even in the midst of such desti-
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tutions, being rather willing that the ground should be seedless than to admit knowingly the sowing of tares. The long uncer- tainty, from June, 1799, to October, 1802, must have been trying to all concerned, and the keeping together of minister, people and Presbytery in harmony, under the ordeal, is complimentary to all concerned.
But the trouble was not all external, as, indeed, was found by the church-general just after Pentecost. Dissatisfaction within was expressed by some as early as December, 1800, and a suppli- cation was brought in [to Presbytery ] from a number of persons belonging to the Presbyterian profession in Pittsburgh, respecting supplies. Presbytery were of opinion that the prayer of the sup- plication cannot be granted on account of some existing difficulties in the congregation, and with a reference to said difficulties, agreed that their next meeting should be in Pittsburgh. The meeting took place in April, 1801. It was only the second time in twenty years that Presbytery met in Pittsburgh, and on both oc- casions for considering difficulties in the church. Happily, there appears no allusion to the matter in the record of that meeting, and probably some composition of the difficulty had been reached without the help of Presbytery. But the probability is that the composition was but temporary, and that the same line of pref- erences appears in the petition which was presented to Presby- tery in June, 1803, and which finally issued in the formation of the Second Church. It stands upon the record thus : "A petition from a number of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, praying that they might be erected into a different congregation, and receive supplies, was laid before Presbytery. After mature deliberation, Presbytery agreed to refer the matter to Synod at its next meet- ing." At that meeting, in October, 1803, held in this church, the petition was supported by the following memorial :
"To the Rev. Synod, now sitting in the borough of Pittsburgh, [this memorial] most humbly showeth :-
That we, the subscribers, being appointed by a number of our brethren, either already united to the Presbyterian Church or desirous of being so united, as becometh the general supporters of the Christian cause, do represent that we have not united in the call of the Rev. Robert Steele as pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, but that nevertheless, being adverse to a separation if it could be avoided consistently with our spiritual
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advantage, did for some time attend the preaching of the said rev- erend gentleman, and most of us did subscribe to his support, but finding no kind of spiritual advantage, have long since withdrawn and are now as sheep without a shepherd. We bring forward no charges against Mr. Steele, or any member of said church, con- sidering that if even sufficient ground should exist, this is not our present object, but assure the Rev. Synod that our present object is to receive the immediate benefits of what we deem to be a Gospel Ministry.
JAMES MORRISON, WM. BARRETT, WM. SEMPLE, WM. GAZZAM."
It has sometimes been thought that the desire for new rela- tions "originated in the crime of giving out to be sung two lines of a stanza instead of the time-honored one," [see McKnight's History of First Church Sabbath Schools]-but this does not ap- pear in the records. When the commissioners on behalf of the "established congregation of Pittsburgh," brought forth reasons against the petition, Synod did not grant organization, but or- dered Presbytery to grant supplies. This, even, was too much for those who felt the cause would be imperiled by another church, and Alexander Addison, on the afternoon of the same day, (October 7th, 1803,) brought in a protest against the decision of Synod, and appealed to the General Assembly. The appellants take ground against any authority in Synod to "erect a congregation" where one is already existing. They say that the policy of sup- plies will only be divisive. They do not speak kindly of the pe- titioners, either as to their thorough Presbyterianism or as to their ability to sustain a church. They urge, finally, that no "decent support" can now be provided, and that if the prayer of the petitioners be granted, "instead of two congregations with two pastors, there may be no pastor at all." The protest and appeal was signed by Mr. Addison for the trustees, and then by the pastor himself, and then by the Session, at that time composed of Jeremiah Sturgeon, James B. Clow, John Wilkins and William Dunning. At the meeting of Presbytery, in the same month, a petition "from certain inhabitants of the town of Pittsburgh, to apply to the Presbyteries of Ohio and Erie for supplies," was at first granted and then reconsidered, doubtless because the case
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was now before the Assembly. That body rendered its decision in the following May-the Synod ascertained the fact by attested copy of the Assembly's minute, October 4th, 1804, and on Octo- ber 16th the following record is made in Presbytery :
"A petition from a number of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, styling themselves the Second Presbyterian Congregation of Pittsburgh, praying for liberty to supplicate the Presbyteries of Ohio and Erie for supplies, was read ; and Presbytery finding that the judgment of Synod in favor of the petitioners having supplies granted to them, and which was protested against and appealed from by Mr. Steele and the elders and trustees of the incorporate Presbyterian congregation of Pittsburgh, was confirmed by the General Assembly, did grant their request." [Min. p. 198.]
Thus begins that admirable chapter in the history of our city's Christian life, which has been since written by our brethren of the Second Church. It was evidently "of the Lord." And as clearly was it of the people. Like our own origin, it was not urged nor helped much by the Presbytery, but it displayed vitality and perseverance. It was not created but simply recog- nized. Supplies were appointed until, in October, 1805, the Rev. Nathaniel R. Snowden accepted its call. From what so often appears evil to short-sighted men, a broader providence evokes incalculable good. The condition of difficult finances did come, as anticipated, and both churches floundered on for many years, but the kindred struggles only trained the people to work for the same great end. It was as much a mistake to suppose that the formation of a second church would result in no church, as it was for Mr. Hugh Brackenridge to think in 1786 (as he said in the Legislature) that "if a division took place among the inhabitants in consequence of styling the church they had a Presbyterian congregation, they would be unable to support that one, the loss of which would be great." Growth came to both churches alike in proportion to their faithfulness. And they grew together. Dr. Herron's hands were strengthened later, by the coming of pastor Hunt, and yet more by Dr. Swift, who came in 1819. The revival of 1827 was a delightful common experience, as other revivals since have been. At one time, when there were less than one hundred communicants in the Second Church, and its whole income was $650, there was also a press- ing debt of $10,000, and the property was ready to fall under
?
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the sheriff's hammer. There has been one heart in both churches, and indeed at one time there came near being one organization, a proposition having been made by the Second Church to combine with the First in a " collegiate " charge, Dr. Herron to be the pastor, with an assistant to be chosen by both churches. Full proof, this, of an amity and comity never since disturbed, and which recent events have only served to consolidate. May it be perpetual.
Another event of great significance in the religions life of this period, is the formation of the Synod of Pittsburgh. It was created by act of the General Assembly in 1802, and held its first meeting in October of that year, and in this church. One of its first acts was to receive Mr. Steele into full membership ; and on its first board of trust appears the name of William Plummer, one of our most esteemed members. The first six meetings of the Synod were held in this church ; Mr. Power had been appointed to preach the opening sermon, but in his illness, Dr. McMillan officiated. His text was from Romans viii, 6: " For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." An admirable opening theme indeed. What an occasion this must have been. It was the first great represen- tative meeting of the men who made Western Pennsylvania Presbyterianism. A roll call of them would be significant of infinite character, devotion and heroism. How fresh were they from great revivals! What thunders of voice and truth alike from MeMillan ! What pleadings at the throne of grace ! What gratitude that the time had come for this great step in advance ! Their missionary zeal, born of a stalwart faith in God rather than in any discerning of signs of the times, flamed ont in that famous first resolution : "The Synod of Pittsburgh shall be styled the Western Missionary Society." Grand thought ! Grander fact ! The Synod was pre-eminently a body for its place and time. These representative men-elders as well as ministers-brought with them Presbyterian "organization " and " distinctive doctrine," and its " beliefs and teachings concerning the infinite worth of the human soul, and the dignity of man as man." They graved those characteristics upon our church in this region, enumerated with equal historical acumen and rhetorical vigor by our lamented Professor Wilson :
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I. Its interest in and service to the cause of education.
II. Family religion.
III. Loyalty to the principles of constitutional liberty.
IV. Faith in the inspiration, power and sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures, resulting in " mighty revivals of religion," and in the " spirit of missions."
These things were HERE-in this church-seminally, and not for this region only, but for a great and indefinite West with its millions ; and then by many channels-for the world. It was a "time of favor" for a long future ; and it was a season of quiekened spiritual interest. "The Synod spent some time in inquiring into the state of religion, and having heard from some - of their members that there were comfortable evidences that the Lord was graciously and powerfully visiting some parts of the church in their bounds: On motion, it was agreed that the second Tuesday of December next be observed as a day of fast- ing, humiliation and prayer, to implore the effusion of the divine influences on the churches under the care of this Synod, and through the world ; and at the same time thankfully to acknowl- edge the manifestations of God's grace to some of our congrega- tions." The encouraging effect of the formation of the Synod and of this first meeting was visible straightway. There was no revival, alas ! in the city ; but deeper influences were felt. The union between city and country, so long delayed, at last began, and proved effective. Pittsburgh knew more, now, of the great cordon of living churches by which it was surrounded. The meetings of the Synod continued long to be marked events. I cannot quote testimonies other than to allude to that of the Rev. Richard Lea, which has been published, and to instance this sentiment of Mr. Daniel Bushnell (now an elder in the Third Church, who united with this church more than fifty years ago) : " I remember what interest was felt when the Synod met there, (First Church) and the old pioneers came together. There was old Dr. MeMillan, Dr. Ralston, Dr. MeCurdy, Dr. Johnston, Dr. Anderson-all of whom I have heard speak in the old church. They were giants, well fitted for the times in which they lived, and did a great work for the church in those days."
The next striking feature of the period is the church building of 1804. Doubtless stimulated by a new sense of denomina- tional strength in the surroundings, and anxious to develop at
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the centre, and in nowise daunted by their own feebleness, (less than fifty persons being in active membership), nor yet by the establishment of a second church beside them ; with a large mea- sure of confidence in the future of the now growing city, the church went forward with considerable dash and vigor into this its largest enterprise hitherto attempted. The first steps already taken had been eminently wise. Pastor Barr had foreseen the importance of Wood street, and had bought the whole lot front- ing on it and parallel with those given the church by the heirs of William Penn. It was now time that it should come into possession of the church. On the 21st of December, 1801, a congregational meeting had been called to purchase [this] "lot No. 440, and to erect a new church building." The lot cost about £80-$400. It was an excellent investment and stood the congregation in good stead, a section of it selling in 1814 for $3,000, and corner sections (substituted in place of the former section,) selling in 1827 for $4,000. By February 19th, 1802, the subscription had reached $2,400. On March 22d, 1802, it had been resolved to build of brick, forty-four feet in width and fifty feet in length, exclusive of the steeple, (which it was in- tended to add, but which never aspired). An admirable building committee, Messrs. Isaac Craig, Ebenezer Denny and Alexander Addison, were appointed managers to "contract and carry on the building."
And now, in 1804, as testifies the front window figure, so plainly discernible in so many memories, and even in the lithographs extant, the building began to rise. It was finish- ed, as shown by advertisements for renting the pews, in 1805. But alas! the intervening years had not developed liberality and ability equal to the task, and the embarrassing debt, for that day, of $1,500, was found to be an accompaniment of all the rejoice- ings which probably accompanied possession of the house. The new brick structure changed the front significantly, from Sixth avenue to Wood street. The church was to become more in- portant to the city. Enlargement and permanency were meant, both in position and building. But the struggle seemed beyond the strength of the church, and on the 4th of January, 1806, the Board of Trustees gave up the attempt to collect the money needed, and fell into the way of the times and established, through the proper public legislation, a lottery. There were two
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schemes, a first and a second, but both were drawn for the "fur- nishing" of the church. The amount to be raised was $3,000. The matter seemed to linger unaccountably. In March, 1808, the trustees ordered the " completing of front door, painting and plastering, if the workmen will take their pay in lottery tickets of the second class." (Min. p. 39.) At the same time a "general statement " of the whole results was ordered, but apparently it was not prepared, as notice to settle the second class scheme was given December 18th, 1809. Suit was even ordered to be en- tered against the managers of the lottery, and an account was again demanded for a congregational meeting, 25th June, 1810, and a committee was appointed to inform the Governor of the "delinquency of the commissioners of the lottery." "No correct account of the amount of tickets sold was ever rendered," writes Judge Snowden. It was evidently a thorny thing to handle, and it has been a sore spot ever since. "One thing is certain," (writes elder Snowden in 1839,) "that lottery business resulted in a complete failure. It brought no aid to the funds of the con- gregation, but tended rather to increase their difficulties." And he adds, "No better result ought to have been expected from so im- proper a measure." We may believe the congregation's repent- ance for the lottery began very early, for Judge Snowden had been an elder since 1812 ; and it has been such genuine repent- ance that nerer in any entertainment, or bazaar, or fair of any description, has the shadow or shade of chance ever been suffer- ed to appear. "In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter."
As intimated, the debt was not reduced. Indeed it went on increasing. Efforts at loans were futile. Repeated resolutions calling for payment of arrearages were all in vain. Some new obligations, generous ones, were undertaken, and in June, 1810, the debt reached $2,772, and this was exclusive of lottery ticket accounts of which they had no statements. It was evidently of the Lord, to whom our fathers would have been helped to look, had the just moral legislation of our own day been in force, which prevents any temptation to lean upon a revolving wheel-a very unstable underpinning for anything, and much more than unstable for a church building.
It was through such mingled scenes of encouragement and discouragement as have been outlined, that Mr. Steele's ministry
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was prosecuted to its close. There was uncertainty at its open- ing, and sufficient uneasiness throughout its duration to keep the good man from any undue elevations. There is no record of his installation, as there was none of the pastor before him, nor even of his successor's. But his work went steadily forward. Liberty-loving and tyrant-hating he fled on account of inform- ers and spies, to the free air of our great West. While here he was undemonstrative, but strong, and patient and true to his convictions. He was tall, of excellent manners and pleasant address, with fresh complexion, and wore satin breeches, silk stockings, knee-buckles and pumps. He read his sermons, though the congregation seemed to prefer unwritten ones. He was quiet in preaching and made excellent addresses, without manu- script, at funerals and on other occasions. Mr. Steele also taught school. "His Sabbath School was a real one. In it religious instruction was given, and given freely, as in contrast with the 1809 Sunday School, sustained by those noble men, Mr. Johnston, Major Ebenezer Denny and Mr. Gibson. In that the teachers were all paid one dollar for each day. Mr. Lowrie was one, and Mr. Gillan, a Catholic, was another. No Bible, and no prayer ever used. The instruction was purely secular. It did not last a year. The boys carried off the stationery. Mr. Steele's school went on from 1800 to 1806, probably. [Others say it lasted only two years, being interrupted by the new building]. The older scholars taught the little ones their letters, and then listened to Mr. Steele." [Mrs. Eichbaum's reminiscences, given me in an interview in 1877.] This school was held in the afternoon of the Sabbath, and attention called to it at the morning service. Mr. Steele taught alone. He is said to have had a " kindly, familiar, and explanatory and conversational way of teaching." His salary was $450, finally increased to $600. He had five children, three sons and two daughters. He lived scantily, but the people shared often with him what they had. He was highly respected in the community. "He was a Free Mason. A lot being purchased, some mechanics gave each a day's work to help to build the back part of a dwelling house into which he moved. He was industrious and wrought in his own garden. He caught the cold which caused his death in a few days, by working at a 'fire' at four o'clock of a cold morning." [Mrs. Way's memories.] His death occurred on the 22d of
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