USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > East Liberty Presbyterian Church : with historical setting & a narrative of the centennial celebration, April 12-20, 1919 > Part 5
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INCREASE IN POPULATION-THIRD HOUSE OF WORSHIP
This structure, although measurably abreast of the improve- ments of the East Liberty valley at the time, was one day to be completely overshadowed. The march of improvement had already begun in earnest in Pittsburgh. Notwithstanding the disastrous fire of 1845, which laid the main business por-
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tion of the city in ashes, the population was ten-fold what it was when the first house was built on this lot and dedicated to the worship of God. Even at this early date there were those who were looking to the East Liberty valley as a pleasant location for suburban homes, and a safe retreat from the smoke of the growing manufacturing city. All that was needed for the rapid development of the region and increase of the population, was quick and reliable facilities of trans- portation to and from the city. These were at length fur- nished by the completion of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, in 1851. From that day to this the progress of the East Liberty valley in population and material resources has been steady, and with each successive year increasingly rapid. With the increase of the population at large came the increase of the church-going population. Families removing from the city found it impossible to retain their former church connection, and after repeated, and in some cases sustained effort to cling to the old church home, they gradually took their places side by side with God's people here.
This rapid growth of the population soon filled the sacred edifice to overflowing. Under the force of a pressure which could no longer be resisted, a joint meeting of the Session and Board of Trustees was held February 7th, 1860, to take into consideration the question of increased church accommodation. As the outgrowth of this joint meeting, a congregational meet- ing was held April 9th, 1860, and the following resolution unanimously adopted, to wit :
"Resolved, That the Trustees are hereby authorized, in conjunction with the Building Committee, appointed at a for- mer meeting, to go on in the erection of a new church build- ing, the whole cost of which shall not exceed sixteen thousand dollars."
The Building Committee referred to consisted of the fol- lowing persons, to wit: Thomas Aiken, George A. Berry, Robert Dickey, Dr. A. H. Gross, G. W. Hailman, Daniel Negley and Thomas Seabrook. The foundation of the new edifice, however, had scarcely been laid till the civil war, with its terrific shock and tremendous issues, was upon the nation.
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The structure rose slowly upon its foundations, and was not completed till January, 1864, at a total cost of $22,790.
This total, however, does not include the cost of the marble pulpit, and the handsome Bible and hymn book which lie upon it. These were the gift of the late Mrs. J. W. Hailman, who, a few years ago, at the very threshold of a communion season, and within the very walls of the church she loved so devotedly and labored for so zealously, peacefully entered into rest. The house was at once occupied by the congregation and solemnly dedicated to the worship of God, Rev. M. W. Jaco- bus, D. D., preaching the dedication sermon.
To complete the original design, Mrs. Barbara A. Negley presented to the Board of Trustees funds for the purchase of a bell to summon God's people to His worship. Through some delay the bell was not hung until 1867, and it is worthy of note that, among the first peals it uttered, were those it tolled as the funeral procession of the liberal donor wended its way to the "city of the dead." The bell bears the following inscrip- tion: "Donated to the First Presbyterian Church of East Liberty by Mrs. B. A. Negley, in the 89th year of her age. Pastors-Rev. William B. McIlvaine, Rev. John Gillespie."
Since its erection, this building has been twice refitted, once in 1868, and again during the summer of 1873. The former refitting included radical changes in the lecture room, and the introduction of a chaste walnut pulpit, the gift of Mrs. Daniel Negley. At the latter date, the choir was removed from the old gallery to the right of the pulpit, the present capacious gallery was erected, a building, furnishing room for a study, two Bible classes, and a recess for an organ, was added in the rear, and the present beautiful organ was introduced.
SESSION AUGMENTED
We turn again from the outer to the inner history of the church. Twice during the first thirty years of the church's history, the people rallied to the support of their pastor by augmenting the Session-a step rendered necessary by the removal or death of former members. On March 24th, 1837, John Barr, Henry W. Lang, Wm. N. Burchfield and Thomas McCleary were ordained and installed ruling elders; and in
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September, 1856, George A. Berry, W. C. Reiter, M. D., and Thomas Aiken were inducted into the same office. Of these but two remain with us today-Messrs. Barr and Burchfield. Of the remaining members, Messrs. McCleary and Lang died in the service of the church, and the others were dismissed, at their own request, to unite with other congregations of God's people.
The history of the Board of Trustees properly belongs to the history of the church. To trace it in detail, however, not- ing the annual changes in its membership, and its discharge of routine duty, however interesting to a few, could not fail to exhaust the patience of the many. Some who bore office in early days still linger among us, but most of them have fallen asleep.
In this connection, it is worthy of note that on April 7th, 1845, Thomas Aiken and R. C. Beatty, M. D., were appointed a committee to procure a charter for the congregation; and on May 5th, 1846, Thomas Aiken and George G. Negley a com- mittee to draft a constitution and by-laws to be incorporated with the charter. At the regular annual congregational meet- ing, held April 5th, 1847, the charter was read and adopted. By its provisions the number of the Board was reduced from twelve to six, two members to retire and two to be chosen at each annual meeting of the congregation. This charter hav- ing been lost, a new one, for the most part a duplicate of the first, was applied for, November 2d, 1861, and granted December 23d of the same year.
CO-PASTOR CALLED
It is necessary now to trace the history of another change in the working force of the church. The congregation had scarcely been comfortably settled in their new house of worship till it became evident, from the failing health of the pastor and the increasing demands of the field, that something must be done to relieve the one and secure the more thorough cultiva- tion of the other. After repeated conferences held by the officers and leading members of the church, with each other and with the pastor, it was resolved, with the cordial approval of the latter, to recommend to the congregation the calling of a co-
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pastor. At a meeting of the congregation, held November 3d, 1864, a committee, consisting of Hon. J. P. Sterrett, Thomas Aiken, George A. Berry, Hon. Thomas Mellon, Robert Orr, Wm. B. Negley, Esq., and James B. Lyon, was appointed to look out and recommend a suitable person for the position. By invitation of this committee, through one of its members, though without any knowledge of its design on the part of the person invited, the present pastor preached in this pulpit on Sabbath, March 19, 1865. On the following Tuesday he was, on recommendation of the committee, unanimously chosen co- pastor. Owing to some informality in the constitution of the meeting, however, the call was not formally made out till the regular annual congregational meeting, held April 17th, 1865.
With reference to the personal history of the co-pastor, it may be proper to state that he was born near the city of Edin- burgh, Scotland, February 26, 1839; that he received his ele- mentary English education mainly in the borough school of Haddington, a place famous as the scene of the life and labors of the celebrated Dr. John Brown. Emigrating to this coun- try when about fourteen years of age, study was for the time being intermitted, but only to be resumed again, in the provi- dence of God, a few years later, under the private instruction of his pastor, Rev. T. A. Grove, through whose instrumentality he was brought into the Church, and prepared for college with a view to entering the gospel ministry. He was matriculated as a student of Washington College, Pennsylvania, in 1858; graduated in 1862, and at the time of his election as co-pastor, he was a student of the Western Theological Seminary and a licentiate of the Presbytery of St. Clairsville, Ohio. On April 26, 1865, the call was presented to the Presbytery of Ohio (now Pittsburgh), then in session in this church. All the parts of trial for ordination having been sustained, and the call hav- ing been accepted, the ordination and installation services were at once proceeded with. In these services the Rev. W. W. Eells, Moderator of the Presbytery, proposed the constitutional questions and offered the ordaining prayer; the Rev. David Mckinney, D. D., preached the sermon; the Rev. George Marshall, D. D., delivered the charge to the pastor, and the Rev. W. D. Howard, D. D., the charge to the people.
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The relation of co-pastor continued till April 21, 1870, when, at the request of the senior pastor, the relation existing between him and the church was dissolved by the Presbytery of Ohio, leaving the present incumbent sole pastor.
THE CHURCH SINCE 1865
In tracing the history of the church since A. D. 1865 we tread upon firmer ground, the records of the various depart- ments being measurably complete. Within that period the equipment in officers has been increased by twice augmenting the Session, and by the election of a Board of Deacons. On November 19, 1865, Robert Dickey, James B. Lyon and Rob- ert C. Totten were added to the Session, being duly ordained and installed ruling elders in the church. Five years later, owing to the feeble health of Mr. Lang and the withdrawal of Mr. Totten, it was found necessary to further increase the Session by the election of four additional members. Accord- ingly, on September 25th, 1870, Lemuel Spahr and William G. Johnston were inducted into the sacred office, and on November 6th of the same year Francis B. McConnell and Thomas C. Lazear. The difference in the date of the installa- tion of these four brethren is owing to the fact that two elec- tions had to be held before the desired number was secured.
On Sabbath, November 6th, 1870, the following persons, having been elected to the office of deacon, were duly ordained and installed, to wit: George G. Negley, William L. Denison, John Gilchrist, Stewart McKee, Thomas D. Patterson and Joseph Torrens.
Within the period covered by the present pastorate the Board of Trustees, by the very provisions of its charter, has undergone several changes-some of its members annually retiring, thus making way for others. The recent death of its late lamented president, Robert Orr, as useful as he was noble and good, is entitled to special mention. The Board, as at present constituted, consists of Springer Harbaugh, Presi- dent; George W. Hailman, Secretary ; Hon. James P. Ster- rett, D. W. Lewis, M. D., George McWilliams and John C. Alrich.
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What remains to be said today of this period of the church's history may be concisely stated in answer to two simple ques- tions, viz .: What has the Lord done for us? and what have we, through grace, done for Him?
1. What has the Lord done for us? To the praise of God's glorious grace be it answered, "The Lord hath done great things for us." True, no Pentecostal season has been enjoyed. No mighty shaking of the dry bones throughout the length and breadth of this valley has been witnessed. No revival epoch, such as marked the early part of this century in Western Pennsylvania, has come and gone. Yet, by God's blessing upon family training, Sabbath School instruction, and pulpit and pastoral labors, the church has steadily increased. Within the past eight years 359 persons have been received into full communion with the church. Of these, 149 were received on confession of faith and 210 on certificate. Within that period at least one season of rich refreshing is to be remem- bered with profound gratitude. It was during the winter of 1865 and 1866. A record, made at the time, states that the opening of the new year found the church in a critical condi- tion, spiritually. The Holy Spirit was moving upon the hearts of the people. A deep solemnity pervaded the congregation. The prayer meetings had increased largely in attendance and interest. Some were secretly inquiring what they must do to be saved, but still the blessing in its fullness was withheld. At the communion held January 14th, 1866, however, eight-with one exception, heads of families-took their stand for Jesus. Three weeks later, in connection with some special services which the condition of things seemed to demand, a quiet but precious work of grace was developed, which issued, within the next few months, in the addition of some forty persons to the church on confession of their faith in Christ.
Today the church numbers 170 families and 424 communi- cants, a net increase of 186 communicants since April, 1865- the whole number then being 238. In other words, the mem- bership is nineteen-fold what it was at the date of the organiza- tion, and three-fourths greater than in 1865.
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THE CHURCH'S WORK
2. What has the church done for Christ? In answering this question I will not burden your memory with figures, or attempt to furnish a balance sheet of forces expended and results reached. With "shame and confusion of face," it may be truthfully affirmed, we have not "done what we could." But, confession of shortcomings apart, it may be answered briefly :
(1 ) This church has sought to plant the Gospel at home by encouraging church extension within its bounds. For some years before the organization of Shady Side Presbyterian Church, a Sabbath School was maintained in the public school house, under the auspices of this church. The present flour- ishing Sabbath School of the now vigorous and thoroughly- established church, is the legitimate successor of the Sabbath School which for years was reported as a mission school of this church. When the field had sufficiently ripened for an organ- ization, Session granted "a cordial and hearty dismission to all members desiring to unite with Shady Side Church." On July 8th, 1867, certificates of dismission were granted to eleven members, including one ruling elder and two members of the Board of Trustees, to unite in forming the new church. From the beginning of the mission work in that region, the enter- prise had no more devoted friend or zealous and liberal sup- porter than Mr. Thomas Aiken-the ruling elder referred to-who, having ceased from his labors, now sleeps in Jesus. Since the date of its organization, thirteen members additional, including another ruling elder, have been dismissed and warmly commended to the fellowship of that church.
Another mission project, and one which sustained a much more intimate relation to this church, both in its inception and partial development, was that which laid the foundation for Westminster Church, on Frankstown Avenue. That organiza- tion was the outgrowth of an effort made by this church to relieve its overcrowded pews. At the regular annual congrega- tional meeting, held April 13th, 1868, the Session introduced a paper setting forth the pressing necessity of increased church accommodation, and suggested, among other remedies, the organization of a second church. The congregation adopted the
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suggestion, and appointed a committee to take the necessary preparatory steps. The committee consisted of William G. Johnston, Finley Torrens, Dr. D. W. Lewis, Robert C. Totten and Theodore S. Negley. After a careful survey of the whole field, the committee selected the neighborhood of Torrens Station as the most promising place in which to plant a colony. A Sabbath School was immediately organized in a vacant car- penter shop, and on the evening of the same day, Sabbath, May, 20, 1868, and in the same place, preaching was begun by the Rev. John Kerr, the missionary of the Presbytery of Ohio, who had been recently appointed to cultivate just such fields. A lot being secured, the people, under the leadership of Mr. Finley Torrens, to whose energy and liberality the enterprise owes much of its success, rallied nobly to the work, and before the dawn of another Sabbath a temporary structure had been erected on their own lot. Here the Sabbath School met and public worship was held, till the inclemency of the weather necessitated a more secure shelter-a shelter providentially found in the temporary public school house, which had just been erected. Mr. W. G. Johnston was chosen Superintendent of the Sabbath School, and continued, with the efficient aid of a corps of teachers, selected largely from our congregation, to conduct its affairs successfully till near the time of the church's organization, when the control was committed to the hands of those on the ground. Meanwhile, with commendable liberality, a subscription, amounting to about $2,500, was promptly made by members of our own and other congrega- tions residing within the mission field ; an amount subsequently increased by subscriptions from other members of this church to between $4,000 and $5,000. In course of time a neat, sub- stantial brick edifice was erected for a house of worship, and a Presbyterian church duly organized. Sixteen persons, bearing certificates of dismission from this church, were enrolled among the members constituting the new organization. After a mingled experience of prosperity and adversity, the church is now steadily advancing, and we take pleasure in bidding it God speed.
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SYSTEMATIC BENEFICENCE
(2) To complete this historical sketch, it is enough to state in addition that, though falling far below the measure of our duty, the church is steadily increasing in the grace of systematic beneficence. It is worthy of special note that in its earliest infancy this church recognized its obligation to give to the Lord. While itself a mission church, its members resolved themselves into an Auxiliary Mission Society, and pledged themselves to raise annually a sum equal to fifty cents per member for the spread of the Gospel in mission fields. I have in my possession the original paper, containing the names of fifty-two persons who had enrolled themselves as members of the society. The paper is in the handwriting of the Rev. Mr. Joyce. Its opening language is worthy of permanent record: "We, the members of the Church at East Liberty, desire to contemplate, with awe and gratitude, the mighty movements of the God of all grace in the time in which we live; and in view of the glory of our reigning and triumphant Saviour herein displayed, would humbly ask, 'Lord, what wilt thou have me do?'" The meagerness of the record renders it im- possible to trace the development of Christian beneficence in the history of the church. Suffice it to state, that since April, 1865, the church has contributed regularly to all the objects recommended by the General Assembly, besides responding liberally to many outside calls. Our annual contributions to the Boards, with some variations, have gradually increased till they reached last year the sum of $2,300. Under the present plan of weekly collections for the whole benevolent work of the church, the contributions show a marked increase. Upon the basis of the past six months, it may be safely esti- mated that the amount contributed during the current year will considerably exceed $3,000. In addition to this the ladies of the church, through two organizations, lend substan- tial aid to both the Home and Foreign Mission work, their contributions aggregating, together, not less than $600 or $800 per annum. To complete this brief sketch of our church's beneficence, it is only necessary to add that the Sabbath School,
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by an annual contribution of about $325, supports a Bible woman and native teacher in Canton, China, appropriating the surplus funds to some kindred work.
CONCLUSION
Such, my brethren, imperfectly traced, is the way by which the Lord our God has led this church these five and forty years. It is a way to be remembered, not forgotten-remem- bered in the ground of thanksgiving which it furnishes, in the solemn admonitions which it utters, in the gracious encourage- ments it affords. When, at the close of the wilderness wan- dering, the children of Israel reached the borders of Canaan, but two remained of all the mighty host that had marched in triumph through the Red Sea; so, today, of the band of twenty- two, who constituted this church at its organization, but two survive, John Barr and William N. Burchfield. Twenty of the twenty-two slumber in the dust. It needs no prophetic pen to foretell that, within the next forty-five years, an equally large proportion of the present members will have passed to their account. Another tongue than mine shall speak the glad tidings of peace-other ears than these shall listen to the Gospel message. It is said that Xerxes wept to think that one hun- dred years from his invasion of Greece, not one of all his mighty host would be left to tell the tale. Forty-five years hence, few, very few, of the members who occupy these pews today, will be left to tell of this anniversary. Shall we weep at the thought? Nay, verily, my brethren, let the thought rather lead to more devout contemplation of "the things which are above;" to more thorough consecration to the Mas- ter's service, and to a vigilant waiting for the Master's com- ing. Let "the life which we now live in the flesh, be by the faith of the Son of God." Securely planted on the Rock, Christ Jesus, let this be our comfort, through grace, that "Whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." Amen.
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THE THIRD CHURCH -- DEDICATED JANUARY, 1864
HISTORICAL SERMON
DELIVERED SEPTEMBER 29, 1878, ON THE OCCASION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORGANIZATION
BY THE REV. JOHN GILLESPIE, D. D. "Ye shall hallow the fiftieth year."-Leviticus 25: 10.
HE fiftieth year was the year of jubilee, the great Sabbath year in the Jewish Church. It was de- signed to be a year of joy, and the generous provisions of the Divine law were so framed as to kindle and sustain that joy. It had two distinguishing char- acteristics, manumission and restitution. Every Israelite, who had forfeited his liberty under the Mosaic statutes, was eman- cipated from bondage the moment the silver trumpet pealed forth the announcement that the year of jubilee had dawned. So, with the ushering in of that season of gladness, every son of Abraham who, through misfortune or mismanagement, had lost his patrimonial estate, was reinvested with the title to his alienated inheritance. It was a year of complete emancipation and restitution. Every debt was to be canceled, and every personal claim relinquished. Within the whole commonwealth of Israel there was to be deliverance from oppression, and such a restitution to order and repose as would gladden the whole face of nature and society. Well, then, might it be a year of joy when it came so richly freighted with the tokens of God's goodness !
The real significance of that institution, however, lay deeper than the surface. It was but a shadow of good things to come. It spoke of an emancipation and restitution infinitely grander than that which sent a thrill of joy through ancient Israel. It told of emancipation from sin and restoration to the Divine favor. It foreshadowed the time when the powers of darkness would be crushed, when the bondage of sin would be broken, and when the saints of God, redeemed from all unrighteous- ness, would be filled with the gladness of heaven.
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Not such a jubilee, my brethren, do we celebrate today. The Church has swept beyond the age of type and shadow, but she has not yet entered into the joy of her Lord. She is still the pilgrim Church. Satan is not yet bound. The yoke of sin is not yet broken. The kingdoms of the world have not yet bowed to the sceptre of King Jesus. Our shouts of victory today must mingle with the noise of battle; our anthems of praise must be marred by the memory of our own imperfec- tions and failures. Yet, with all this, it is well that the key- note of our service should be one of gladness. Let us hallow this fiftieth anniversary of our organization as a church in the spirit of the Old Testament jubilee. Is there anything arbi- trary in such a method of celebration? Look at it for a mo- ment. What is the history of the Church of Christ at large, or of any individual church, but the history of manumission and restitution? It is the history of souls justified, sanctified, glorified ; but what is the justification, sanctification, and glori- fication of God's people, but deliverance from the bondage and corruption of sin, and restoration to the favor and presence of God? So the history of a church's life, considered as a potent agency in society, a factor in the problem of human existence and destiny, is the history of manumission and resti- tution. It is the aim of the Church, under her Divine com- mission, to emancipate from the ignorance, oppression and vice which abound through the reign of sin, and to restore to the world through grace the light, the liberty, and the order which obtain under the reign of righteousness.
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