USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > East Liberty Presbyterian Church : with historical setting & a narrative of the centennial celebration, April 12-20, 1919 > Part 7
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CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
THE WORSHIP
A few words concerning the worship of the church will close the present sketch. Presbyterianism, however uncom- promising in all that is essential to the integrity of revealed truth, is nevertheless sufficiently flexible in non-essentials. Our form of worship is not such an iron-clad system, as that inno- vation must be branded as heresy. Each session is at liberty to adjust the details of the service of God's house, in accord- ance with the general principles of the "Directory for Wor- ship." In the main, however, the forms of worship in all Presbyterian churches are substantially the same. Leaning, as this church has always done, towards a wise conservatism, rather than to a policy of mere experiment, it is not to be ex- pected that many changes are to be chronicled in its mode of worship. In its essential features, as for instance, in the ratio of the devotional to the didactic elements in worship, it is the same in the church of 1878 that it was in the church of 1828. The most notable changes, perhaps, have taken place in the
SERVICE OF SONG
A church without music would be a church but half equipped for the worship of God. In this church, as in all churches, it has a history. It is a history, however, unwritten, and there- fore difficult of access. With gratitude let it be recorded, that so far as I have been able to trace it, it is not a history of dis- sension and dispute, of petty jealousies and angry conflicts. For the most part the music has been in the hands of those who reverenced God's house and loved God's ordinances. Whatever may be said of its merit, artistically considered, it may be safely said that God's praise, and not man's, has been sung. For many years the primitive, though by no means antiquated, method of a precentor, was the mode of conducting the service of song. The precentor's duties were discharged mainly by our venerable ruling elder William N. Burchfield, relieved now and then by Thomas McCleary, or some other person qualified for the post. Here, as almost everywhere, the precentor in course of time gave place to a choir, first under the leadership of Mr. Burchfield, and subsequently under that of Moses Phillips, whose voice is now hushed in death.
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What may be denominated the third stage in the history of church music-the introduction of a melodeon-was reached in March, 1856. In course of time the melodeon was sup- planted by a larger and finer instrument, which, in 1873, gave place to the present organ. About the time the melodeon was introduced, or soon after, John R. Negley was chosen leader of the choir, retaining the position for a number of years. His splendid tenor voice, so rich, so sweet, so full, will not soon be forgotten. During all these years many excellent and willing voices from among the wives and daughters of the congrgea- tion, as also from among the husbands and sons, have been numbered with the choir. The service they have rendered, and are rendering today, oftentimes at the expense of great self-denial, deserves to be placed upon permanent record. It is a responsible position, and imposes a heavy tax both on time and strength.
Within the past few years the session has exercised its con- stitutional right with reference to the music of God's house, so far as to elect both the organist and the members of the choir. It is believed to be a practice not only in harmony with the constitutional law of the Presbyterian Church, but eminently satisfactory to those called to the work, and conservative of the best interests of the congregation.
Here we must pause. The web which has been woven is necessarily imperfect and incomplete, but the shuttle must be dropped, and the thread of the narrative broken. Upon the past we dare not further linger. In the language of inspiration, "it is done." More than this, it is either well done or ill done; but well done, or ill done, it cannot be undone. The Pillar of Cloud is lifting, and the voice of the Master beckons us onward. Carrying with us as a sacred heritage, the lessons of the past fifty years, let us obey the summons. Grander opportunities invite, and weightier obligations press today, than fell to the lot of our fathers half a century ago; therefore grander successes, or grander failures await us. May every year, by Divine grace, be to us a jubilee year, a year of manu- mission and restitution; a "year of the right hand of the Most High." Let it be our highest ambition to glorify, not the church, but the Head of the Church, to cast all our crowns
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at the feet of Jesus, to "count all things but loss for the ex- cellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord." One by one we shall fall by the way, and be gathered to our fathers, but the Church we love shall live on. May she ever abide under the shadow of the Almighty, loyal to her King, loyal to His truth, loyal to His kingdom. In the future, more than in the past, may it be written of her, "This and that man was born in her, and the Highest himself shall establish her." To this end, let the fervent prayer ascend from every heart today, "Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon this garden, that the spices thereof may flow out." Amen.
SKETCH OF THE CELEBRATION
The semi-centenary of the organization of this church fell on Saturday, September 28, 1878. The public exercises con- nected with the celebration of the event, commenced on the Friday evening preceding. From six to eight o'clock, an ele- gant supper was served by the ladies, in the lecture room of the church. The proceeds of the entertainment, including receipts from a large and choice selection of fruits and other refresh- ments, were devoted to liquidating that portion of the church debt which had been assumed by the ladies of the congregation.
After supper, an adjournment was had to the audience room, where the exercises were introduced by singing part of Doddridge's beautiful and impressive hymn, beginning,
God of Bethel, by whose hand."
Prayer was then offered by Rev. C. V. McKaig, after which the pastor stated the object of the meeting, and, in behalf of the congregation, extended a cordial welcome to invited guests, and all others who had honored the occasion with their pres- ence. Deep regret was expressed that the Rev. Wm. B. Mc- Ilvaine, the first pastor of the church, owing to distance and feeble health, was unable to accept the cordial invitation of the session to be present at the celebration. It was noticed, how- ever, as a matter for congratulation, that two of the former elders of the church, Messrs. George A. Berry and Robert C. Totten, had been able to respond to similar invitations.
One of the pleasant features of the evening was the pres- ence of representatives from two contiguous churches, in one
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sense daughters of this church, because organized within her territory, and in part by her members, Shady Side and West- minster. On invitation, the pastor of the former, the Rev. W. T. Beatty, D. D., returned the greeting of the mother to the daughter. In a brief but appropriate address, he fully recipro- cated the expressions of kindness and Christian fellowship with which he had been introduced, congratulated the church upon her record in the past, and wished her the highest prosperity in the future.
Westminster responded through one of her ruling elders, Mr. L. P. Greaves, who with great candor dwelt for a moment on the struggles of our younger born, but spoke in the strong- est terms, and with unwavering confidence, of the ripeness of the field and the hopefulness of the church's future.
He was followed by Mr. George Finley, of the same church, who had been a member of the Sabbath school out of which East Liberty church grew, and who occupied a few min- utes in relating reminiscences of early days.
Next came an appropriate selection, beautifully and impres- sively rendered by the choir, which led up to the crowning feature of the evening's entertainment, viz. : the recognition and remembrance of the only two surviving members of the original organization, Messrs. John Barr and William N. Burchfield. Not only have these venerable fathers been members of the church for fifty years, but for forty-one years have served in the capacity of ruling elders.
The pastor, after congratulating them on the distinguishing goodness of God, which had spared them to join in the festivi- ties of this celebration, and speaking briefly of their eminent service, and of the honor and esteem in which they were held, presented each of them, in the name of the congregation, with an easy chair. The chairs had been placed on the platform in front of the pulpit, where each of them, in turn, took his seat as the chairs were presented. Overcome with the memories of the past, and such tokens of rcognition in the present, it was with difficulty that even Mr. Burchfield, the younger of the two by ten years, could control his feelings sufficiently to re- spond. Laboring under the power of deep emotion, he never- theless uttered, very touchingly and appropriately, a few words
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of thanks, concluding by invoking God's richest blessing upon the church, in the language of the hymn with which the exer- cises had been opened.
The closing address was by the Rev. John G. Brown, D. D., who had been invited to respond in behalf of the aged brethren thus remembered and honored. In a few neat and well chosen words, Dr. Brown discharged the duty assigned to him, claiming identity with the congregation in its earlier history, sketching a graphic picture of the church as it once was, and closing with a touching invocation and benediction on those whom the people had delighted to honor.
After the singing of the doxology, and the pronouncing of the benediction by the Rev. A. C. McClelland, the congrega- tion again withdrew to the lecture room, where another hour was spent in pleasant social intercourse.
The public exercises connected with the celebration of the semi-centenary were brought to a close on Sabbath afternoon, September 29, by the celebration of the anniversary of the Sab- bath School. The congregation assembled was very large, and the deepest interest was manifested in the various parts of the delightful service.
CHURCH OFFICERS PASTOR REV. JOHN GILLESPIE ELDERS
JOHN BARR WM. N. BURCHFIELD
LEMUEL SPAHR
WM. G. JOHNSTON
ROBERT DICKEY
FRANCIS B. McCONNELL
JAMES B. LYON
THOMAS C. LAZEAR
DEACONS
GEORGE G. NEGLEY
JOHN GILCHRIST
JOSEPH TORRENE
JOHN LUSK
JOHN ALLEN
ISAIAH K. BECKER
TRUSTEES
GEORGE BINGHAM, Pres't
JOHN C. ALRICH, Sec'y
JAMES R. MELI.ON
JOHN H. MCKELVY
H. W. FULTON, M. D.
JAMES W. BATCHELOR
TREASURER FRANCIS B. MCCONNELL SEXTON JOHN GROUNDS 76
SERMONS AND ADDRESSES
SABBATH SCHOOL
Supt .- ALEX. C. MONTGOMERY Asst. Supt .- JACOB B. NEGLEY Treasurer-BENJAMIN B. PEARS Conductor of Music-HENRY W. FULTON, M. D. Librarian-J. PENNOCK HART Assistant Librarians- WILLIAM J. SPAHR ROBERT BAILEY J. BEN LYON
HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY
Pres .- MRS. WILLIAM G. JOHNSTON Sec'y and Treas .- MRS. THOMAS MELLON
AUXILIARY FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY
Pres .- MISS LAURA E. BATCHELOR. Vice-Pres .- MIES ELLEN LYON Secretary and Treasurer- Miss A. JOSEPHINE SPAHR
CHOIR
Leader-ALEX C. MONTGOMERY Organist-MIss S. PAGE ORR MEMBERS
MISS ANNIE MCCLELLAND
MRS. HELEN S. FORD
MRS. W. H. McCONNELL
MISS KATE COURTNEY
MISS ANNIE R. MCCONNELL
MR. WM. A. BURCHFIELD
MR. F. G. PAULSON
MR. WM. H. MCCONNELL
MR. CHAS. H. RIGGS
MR. JOHN L. FERSON
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WILLIAM G. JOHNSTON Elder; Sabbath School Superintendent.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS
DELIVERED SABBATH, SEPTEMBER 30, 1888, ON THE OCCASION OF THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORGANIZATION AND THE DEDICATION OF THE PRESENT CHURCH
BY WILLIAM G. JOHNSTON, Elder.
HE task assigned us by the session, of presenting, within the brief time that can be allotted on this occasion, a sketch of a history, as this, crowded with so many precious memories, seems so laden with im- possibilities that at the threshold we can but shrink at the thought of its execution. Perspicuity, coupled with condensa- tion, are the demands which render the task difficult.
As words, then, cannot be wasted when such are the condi- tions, we must be chary of their use in preliminaries, as we hasten to make a beginning.
The sole historian of this organization, in all the period of its existence, has been its late pastor, Rev. John Gillespie, D. D .; and so methodical and industrious a gleaner was he, that it is well nigh vain to add to the sheaves he garnered. Whilst imitating the example of Ruth, whose kinsman kindly bade his young men, "Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not," we bespeak the indulgence commanded by Boaz, while, too, we remind you that what the generous Bethlehemite added, as he spake in his barley field, is not ours to enjoy-"Let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them that she may glean them, and rebuke her not."
BEGINNINGS
The germ of this church's organization can be traced prior to the year 1819, when Mr. Jacob Negley, Sr., erected, near the site of this edifice, a frame school house in which, at irregu- lar intervals, ministers of various evangelical denominations conducted religious services ; so that with some degree of fitness we may employ the words which she of Samaria addressed the wearied Saviour as He sat and rested by Sychar's well at noon- tide-"Our father Jacob gave us this well, and drank thereat, he and his children."
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THE FIRST HOUSE OF WORSHIP-AN EARLY FRIEND
In the year 1819 the little school house gave way for a church building, erected upon a lot containing one and a half acres of ground, which Mrs. Barbara A. Negley conveyed to some of her neighbors in trust, for the "East Liberty Presby- terian Congregation." This deed bears date April 12th, 1819. In 1847, when the congregation was about to erect the second house of worship built upon this lot, Mrs. Negley added an- other, eastward of her former gift, and in the course of events this has proved an addition far beyond the conception of the wisest in that day, as it secured the admirable frontage possessed by reason of the opening of South Hiland avenue.
The bell which hangs in the steeple overhead, and which for twenty-one years past has summoned hither worshipers of God, was also the gift of this mother in Israel; and among its earli- est peals were those which sounded her requiem, as the mourn- ing cortege bore her remains to the silent city of the dead. And yonder beautiful window, in the western wall of the transept, representing the women bearing spices and ointments to the sep- ulchre to embalm the body of the dead Christ, fitly commem- orates her who loved and honored and served the living Christ.
After receiving the donation of the lot, we learn from the scant records which remain, that a subscription of $1,561.621/2 was at once raised to build "a school and meeting house, to be for the use of the Presbyterian congregation, called the East Liberty Presbyterian Congregation."
This house, built of brick, stood in part upon the present site. It was forty-four feet square, and had one corner to- wards the Greensburg 'pike, now Penn avenue, in consequence of the design to face it towards the east. Its hipped roof was supported by an ornamental pillar which ran up through the centre of the building, and terminated in a pinnacle above the roof. The building fund was exhausted before the structure was completed, and the finance committee of that day made free use of the generosity of Mr. Negley, to whom they be- came largely indebted. And the building committee, in lieu of pews, introduced benches without backs, and improvised a sort of pulpit in one corner of the room.
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SERMONS AND ADDRESSES
EAST LIBERTY VALLEY IN THE OLDEN TIME
There was doubtless some correspondence between the house of worship and the average homes of the worshipers. Even within our own brief experience, which goes back half a cen- tury, we retain pictures in our mind of some of these, and also of the East Liberty valley; obtained from such prominences as the hill immediately towards the west, Morningside and Point Breeze, and which the changes of modern times have not ef- faced. One of these, put into words for a different use, we give verbatim: "Passing great farm lands on the right and on the left, and log cabins almost hid from sight by huge hay stacks; then past a great hostelry-the Black Horse tavern- with swinging sign at the top of a high pole-the device, of course, a black charger, reined tightly and in full trot; while just opposite, was a great barn affording stabling for the tavern guests, its gable next the road perforated for the accommoda- tion of a great flock of pigeons-many fan tails among them. Close to the barn was a large watering trough for the conven- ience of the wayfaring public; for there was a constant cara- van of great canvas topped wagons, drawn by six-horse teams, usually having clusters of bells above their saddle bows, which tinkled merrily as they moved along. And in these wagons much of the commerce between the East and the West was conducted.
"Besides, there were stages innumerable for the transporta- tion of living freight ; for all this, be it remembered, was before the days of railroads in or around Pittsburgh. The road now bending a little eastwardly, presently another scene of tranquil beauty was spread at our feet; one which I doubt has its equal this side of heaven-the charming valley of East Liberty!
"There were no palatial residences, with velvety lawns and choice shrubbery; but there were numerous log cabins, with morning glories peeping through the vines that clambered over rude porches, and gourds, or mock oranges, hanging from those whose tendrils found secure lodgment in the chinks of the gables."
PICTURES IN NUMERALS
We shall presently speak of the church as it was in the year 1828. Before doing so, however, a few statistics in reference
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to that particular date may afford a striking contrast with the present and enable us to form opinions respecting the sur- roundings of the church, and bring these more vividly to view, perhaps, than the picture we have attempted to draw: The population of Pittsburgh then was 15,000. The Twentieth Ward, in which the church is located, now contains 10,000 people !
Our city now, based upon the last census and calculating its increase in the ratio as in preceding decimal periods, has not less than 250,000 inhabitants. These figures, contrasted with the population of the thirteen original States in 1790, show that Pittsburgh now contains one-third as many people as there were then in the entire State of Virginia, the most populous at that period. It has more than one-half the number there were in either of the States of Pennsylvania, New York, Massa- chusetts, Maryland or North Carolina; about as many as there were in either South Carolina or Connecticut ; a greater num- ber than there were in New Hampshire or New Jersey, and more than were contained in the three remaining States com- bined, Rhode Island, Delaware and Georgia.
STATED WORSHIP OF PRESBYTERIAN FORM
Although, for religious purposes, and having the name Pres- byterian attached, a house had been built as early as has been stated, it was not until February, 1828, that stated worship of Presbyterian form was held in the "meeting house"-for up to this period ministers of several denominations held occasional services, as they could be secured from time to time.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
A few years prior to this a Sabbath school had been started. At its first session there were nine pupils; and the teachers were Luke Loomis, now remembered as the venerable elder of the Second Presbyterian Church; and Isaac Harris, whose various publications respecting the growth of the city are now treasured as mementoes of the past. "The Sabbath school, it is believed, has been continued without interruption till the present."
EAST LIBERTY A MISSION FIELD
It should greatly encourage all who are interested in Home
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JOHN ROUP First Superintendent of Sabbath School; Trustee 1823.
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SERMONS AND ADDRESSES
Mission work, that the Presbyterian Board of Domestic Mis- sions, now the Board of Home Missions, so closely followed up the initial work of which we have spoken, as to be entitled at least to the name of foster parent of this church; for upon the 8th of February, 1828, it commissioned Rev. John Joyce to "publish the Gospel and administer the ordinances in the neigh- borhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at discretion."
Exercising this discretionary power, Mr. Joyce selected East Liberty as his field of labor, for it bore the bad distinction of being a godless community, though in the midst of it there was a measure of leaven, as we have recorded, and some earnest workers ready and anxious to stay the hands of him who had been sent to proclaim the glad tidings of the Gospel ; prominent among whom was the late Francis G. Bailey, who, through a long and useful life, in imitation of his divine Master, "went about doing good."
THE CHURCH ORGANIZED
Stated worship having been begun by Mr. Joyce, Mr. Bailey at once canvassed the community and obtained signatures to a petition for the organization of a church. East Liberty lay within the bounds of Redstone Presbytery, which met on April 1st, 1828, at Saltsburg, and to it on that day the petition was presented by Mr. Bailey and Mr. John Roup, who appeared as commissioners on behalf of the families interested. Serious and spirited opposition was made to this application on the part of the historic Beulah church, situated on the hill top beyond the suburb now, and perhaps then, known as Wilkinsburg. It was represented as an encroachment upon the territory of that organization; and the further argument was made that there were no Presbyterians in East Liberty to form a con- gregation. To the latter point the modest reply of Mr. Bailey was, "There are plenty of people there, and we expect to have them converted, and they will make the church."
Presbytery at length granted the request and took steps for the formation of a congregation.
THE FIRST MEMBERS
On Thursday, September 25th, 1828, in accordance with a notice given on the preceding Sabbath, a meeting was held
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at the residence of Mr. Bailey, at which twenty-two persons presented certificates of dismission from other churches, desiring to have connection with this. Their names were: Robert Bailey, Sr., Hannah Bailey, Isabella Bailey, Francis G. Bailey, Mary Ann Bailey, Wm. M. Miller, Robert Barr, Mary Whitesides, Catharine Brown, James and Jane Backhouse, from the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh; William Semple, Ann Semple, Wm. N. Burchfield, Wm. Joyce, Elizabeth Joyce and Ann Boner, from the Second Presbyterian Church of Pitts- burgh; Andrew Mitchell and Susan Mitchell, from Bethany Presbyterian Church ; Mary Burchfield, from the Presbyterian Church of Mckeesport, and John Barr and Mary Barr, from the Associate Reformed Church of Pittsburgh.
THE FIRST ELDERS AND THEIR SUCCESSORS
The formal organization was effected on Sabbath, September 28th, at which time also Robert Bailey, James Backhouse and Francis G. Bailey were nominated for the office of ruling elder ; these were subsequently elected, ordained and installed.
The ruling elders chosen subsequently, and down to the present time, are as follows-the dates named being those of installation : On March 24th, 1837, John Barr, Henry W. Lang, Wm. N. Burchfield, and Thomas McCleary. Septem- ber -th, 1856, Geo. A. Berry, Dr. W. C. Reiter and Thos. Aiken. November 19th, 1865, Robert Dickey, James B. Lyon and Robert C. Totten. The two former are the senior mem- bers of the session as at present. September 25th, 1870, Lemuel Spahr and Wm. G. Johnston. November 6th, of the same year, Francis B. McConnell and Thomas C. Lazear; and upon October 12th, 1879, Dr. H. W. Fulton, Albert A. Get- tys, Dr. T. D. Davis and W. C. Stewart; the six mentioned prior to the last named being also members of the session as now constituted.
Could we but pause a moment to pay a tribute to the mem- ories of some of these, our brethren, who have exchanged crosses for crowns, gladly would we do so; but we are admon- ished by that inexorable word time-time.
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GEORGE G. NEGLEY The First Deacon 1870; Trustee 1839; Church Treasurer; Sabbath School Teacher.
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SERMONS AND ADDRESSES
THE DEACONS
In the year 1870 the congregation for the first time elected a board of deacons. We give below the names of those then chosen, together with those whom the congregation subse- quently elected ; the dates are those of ordination and installa- tion: On November 6th, 1870, George G. Negley, Wm. L. Denison, Thomas D. Patterson, Stewart McKee, John Gil- christ and Joseph Torrens; on January 31st, 1875, John Lusk, John Allen and Isaiah K. Becker; on October 12, 1879, Lewis A. Denison. Two of these, viz, Mr. George G. Negley and Mr. Wm. L. Denison, each eminently qualified for the po- sition held in the church, having hearts warmed by the grace of God to feel for those deprived of the ordinary comforts of life, have entered into rest, and to the full enjoyment of the Paradise on high; where, too, unfading riches is the inheri- tance of those of whom it hath been written-"Blessed be ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God."
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