USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Fifty years in the Lombard Street Central Presbyterian Church > Part 3
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A handsome Bible was laid on a table with the following inscription on the first page :
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Presented to the REV. STEPHEN HENRY GLOUCESTER, Pastor of the Lombard Street Central Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, U. S., For the Service of His Pulpit, By Mr. and Mrs. Phipson, as a Token of Good Will to the People Among Whom he Labours, as an Expression of Christian Esteem and Affection Which They Entertained for Him, a Devoted and Successful Minister of Jesus Christ, and as a Memorial of the Pleasure Enjoyed During His Sojourn at Alpha Cottage, Birmingham, on His First Arrival in England, March, 1847.
(This Bible is still in use, 1894.)
1849.
THE congregation were now in their new sanc- tuary ; they rejoiced in the blessing of God . Fifty-four souls were added during the past year, among them George W. R. Hall, an extraordinary active man in the affairs of the Church, who, with his brother Daniel and others, were " ushers " and treated visitors so affably-which, with the new building, drew such large audiences that benches and chairs were brought in to accommo- date them. George W. Evans became an elder
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and is noticed elsewhere. God had blest the church and they were so happy they hardly real- ized that " Canaanites were yet in the land," that is: our own evil hearts to subdue and make Christ-like, and our somewhat entangled financial affairs to straighten ; some floating debts and the interest on the ground mortgage ($210 per an- num) to be provided for. Mr. Gloucester, being head and front in everything, thought it best that he should be in the Board, so he was made presi- dent. The charter had been granted ; four of the twenty-two signers are still living (1894) : John McKee, Robert Jones, James A. Potter, and Guy M. Burton.
The Board for 1849 and '50 :
Rev. S. H. Gloucester, President ; Robert Jones, Secretary ; John McKee, Treasurer; James Prosser, Sr., Collector ; John Winrow, Charles Francis, Wardens ; George Potter, Sr., Daniel Davis and John P. Worthington.
All members of the " communion," some strong in faith and prayer; all evidencing love for the Church of God, we seemed " as it were " (a favor- ite expression of Father Prosser) on the Mount of Transfiguration; but God prepared us for the "scene below," and gave us to understand in some degree the meaning of the Saviour when He said, " this kind goeth out but by prayer and fast- ing." We were men, all of us, with human natures
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prone to wander ; but the blessed Jesus who looked on Peter, "and he went out and wept bitterly," and who afterward accepted of Peter's declaration, " Thou knowest that I love Thee," -- that same Jesus was with us and " strengthened our faith, that we failed not," and were able to overcome the trials that awaited us. Under date of October I, 1849, we find a report of the Book-Settling or Auditing Committee, Dr. to Rev. S. H. Glouces- ter for salary, percentage on money collected, and money loaned, $1,249.15. The salary money is paid to July 1, 1849. Then it says, Due James Prosser, $995.00. The total indebtedness per that report was $2,743, which did not include the $3,500 due on the ground. This is alluded to to show that although the church seemed to be sailing nicely before the wind, we were going faster than we ought in "temporal " affairs, for the financial means of those composing the con- gregation, necessitating too much "borrowing from Peter to pay Paul." How we came out is hard to tell ; but that God whom we trust " planted " us, was still with us, saying the things he said to the Church at Ephesus, Rev. 2 : 2-6 :
I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars ;
And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.
Nevertheless, I have something against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
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Remember therefore from whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and do thy first work : or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
We trusted in Him, although He took from us many that were His ; taking them from temptation and trial here, to rest in heaven. And also notably in the history of this church : those that were ungodly and hypocritical could not make them- selves comfortable in our midst, and therefore left ; and we have no liquor-sellers, gamblers, or un- scrupulous politicians among us, who are feeling secure although without God and without hope in the world, "hewing out for themselves broken cisterns that can hold no water."
1850.
DURING the year past, twenty-three were added to the church, two of whom became pillars in the house of God-William H. King in spiritual affairs, and Charles Francis in the Board-each making his presence felt in the sphere of work he adopted. The financial difficulties were still a matter of trouble, a congregational meeting be- ing called in February to consider the matter of meeting more promptly the minister's salary, there being only $127.66 raised in six months through a salary fund association; and Mr.
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Gloucester reported to the Board in December, 1849, his pressing need of relief. Mr. Gloucester, in 1848, had taken charge of having a brick church built in Reading, Pa., and his brother James was having a frame one built in Brooklyn, N. Y., about the same time. Rev. S. H. Gloucester was general agent of the Building Committee of Read- ing, and did much toward making the effort a success. The building was completed in the year 1849 and publicly dedicated to the service of God. In the prosecution of this work he was frequently called to Reading. In May, 1850, he visited the congregation there ; received new members into the church, and administered the Communion. On the Monday evening following, after a short illness, he forever closed his labors on earth, May 21, 1850, in the 48th year of his age, greatly lamented by hosts of loving friends, strongly attached to him for his earnest and faithful labors in the cause of Christ. He was conscious that his work was done, and had them sing the hymn, "On Jordan's stormy banks I stand." The funeral took place on the 28th inst., at 2 P.M. The Rev. Albert Barnes, Rev. Benjamin F. Templeton, Rev. Dr. Adair, Rev. Dr. Brainerd and others officiated. The remains were placed in a vault built in front of the church, over which a monument was placed with the following inscrip- tion :
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REV. STEPHEN H. GLOUCESTER, First Pastor of the Lombard St. Central Presbyterian Church. Died May 21st, A. D. 1850. Aged 48.
Erected by the Congregation and Citizens among whom he labored, as an expression of esteem and affection for him-a devoted and successful minister of Jesus Christ.
Thus suddenly we were called to mourn the loss of our earthly leader ; but the heavenly leader was near, saying to our souls, " Be not afraid, it is I!" The spirit of unity, thank God, had so taken hold of us that we worked in harmony with trust in God. Session, Board and people fled to the " cover of His wings," with the sweet assurance that God is too wise to err, too good to do His creatures harm ; confident that the
" Hand divine would lead us on Through all the dreary road, Till to the sacred mount we rise, And see our smiling God."
1851.
THE year past was a sad one to the Church. Mr. Gloucester had been taken in the midst of his usefulness, but God's Spirit was still with us, and there were earnest Christian workers left. On the monument at Mr. Gloucester's tomb was the "Allseeing Eye," with a hand pointing to it,
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and the words "Look to God," and the Psalmist's reply : "For this God is our God, and will be our guide unto death." It was a "benison " to us, leading our minds ever up to the ever-present Head of the Church. A very pious old Episcopal minister, Rev. Thomas G. Allen, who lived on Lombard above Ninth Street, whenever he passed the monument took off his hat in religious rever- ence. The attendance and interest in the church continued, and the pulpit was regularly filled by ministers of the Presbytery, or Methodist breth- ren belonging to the Local Preachers' Asso- ciation. There were but two additions in 1850- one, an Englishman, on certificate ; the other, Mrs. Eliza Hall. In 1851 there were fifteen added, one of whom is still living-Mrs. Jane Trout-who, though partially blind, rejoices in God and His precious promises.
In March, 1851, the Rev. John F. Cook, of Washington, D. C., was invited to visit us, and accepted, acted as moderator of session, and ad- ministered the Lord's Supper. This invitation was with a view of getting him to accept the pas- torship of the church; but the mind that prevailed was that we could manage better without him than the Church in Washington (which was an important one) could do, so a call was not made. It is worthy of note here, that in all the history of this church, calm deliberation finally prevailed
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The Board had succeded in getting their financial figures straight, showing, October, 1851, a total debt of $7,297.94, which was large for a congre- gation of poor people, but God was with us to bless.
1852.
AT the close of 1851, we find the session begin- ning to be troubled with derelict and unruly mem- bers, a large number of young persons having joined on account of the new church and the attraction of young friends ; but the Rev. Robert Adair and other ministers were faithful in helping us by prayer and in the session, so we came through without great hurt. John McKee, who had successfully superintended the Sabbath-school, resigned, and Jesse E. Glasgow was appointed to fill the place.
In the latter part of 1851, a young white man, named William Jermon, was engaged to supply the pulpit, and became so popular that extra chairs and benches had to be brought in to accom- modate the people. His style and speech were very dramatic, often giving only a side view of his face, with the veins of his neck swelling out with the excitement of his effort. A good sister once called out to him, "Young man, you'll burst a bloodvessel." It is lamentable to think what lengths men will go, even with holy things (that they have no business to handle). This man con-
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tinued to supply the pulpit until March, 1852, when objections were made to session, that he was not licensed to preach by the Methodist Church, as he claimed he was. A committee was appointed to inquire into his ecclesiastical stand- ing. This committee called on the minister in charge of the church his father belonged to; his father, being told the committee was coming, went there, and, by taking part in the interview, made the elder seem to say that he had given a verbal , license to young Jermon, and they so reported ; but Jermon, seeing it would be a difficult thing to continue to deceive us, left without causing divis- ion, only two sisters continuing to countenance him by having a bible-class at their house taught by him. The session took prompt action, and thus prevented trouble. The young man then went to the white Baptists, and got baptized, and came to a colored Baptist Church, but was gotten rid of by them before he did much harm.
The Lord blest us with the addition of thirty- seven souls this year, among them Keziah Jackson, of blessed memory ; Henrietta Jeffries, and Eliza- beth White, faithful and true ; gone, all of them, to the mansions of rest, except two : Aunt Chloe Hen- son and William Hilyard. Aunt Chloe, aged and infirm, but beloved by all, waiting for the home-call; Hilyard is a straggler from Zion, certainly not enjoying the peace that cometh from walking "close to Thee," the blessed Saviour.
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1853.
AFTER Mr. Jermon left, the pulpit was supplied by different ministers, among them Rev. Henry Barnes, son of Rev. Albert Barnes, a very fine scholar, lately ordained to the ministry. The session endeavored to get his services as supply for the pulpit, but he had made an engagement to go to Newark, Del. In January, 1853, Rev. Ennals Adams, a licentiate of the A. M. E. Church, Baltimore, was invited to preach by the session, and being satisfied with his ability, he was engaged to supply the pulpit till further con- sideration, which he accepted at $21 per month salary. In May of the same year (1853), he was received as a member of Presbytery, and elected pastor at a salary of $400 per annum. The in- stallation, however, did not take place until June, 1854. The Rev. William Ramsey, pastor of the church on South Street above Eleventh, Rev. Mr. Converse and others moderated the session, who continued active jurisdiction in calling mem- bers to account for non-attendance, for non- payment of pew rent, or any unchristian conduct, sometimes as many as a dozen at one time. The salutary effect was good, and the congregation felt they were under a strong government. In 1853, thirty souls were added to the communion, among whom were William G. Harvey, a useful member in the Board and financial affairs of the
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church; also William Cooper, who worked in the same lines. There is still living Josephine Gloucester, a daughter of the first pastor. She resides with the aged widow of John P. Worth- ington. They do not forget the church, nor the. days past, but are waiting until the Lord shall call them to join the friends that have passed on before. The Board was working hard with the financial affairs and had succeeded in reducing the liabilities $702.32 from 1851; this was done by keeping down expenses, and good bookkeeping, showing receipts and expenditures at every meet- ing that was held by the Board at this time. From the minutes of the Board, December 18, 1853, we learn that Brother John Winrow died, and at his request was buried in the vault. At a meeting of the Board, January 4, 1853, it was re- ported by James Prosser, president, that Mary Green's note for seventy-four dollars and fifteen cents ($74.15) was paid. This mention is made because that sister, who has been blind for a long time and aided by the church, claims it was not paid, a thing apt to be done when we get old and memory fails. Also it is recorded in Board minutes, December , 1853, that the $200 legacy be- queathed by Mrs. Mary Fassit, was for pew (61) free of rent, to Jonas Owens, during his natural life, thus settling a question that caused discussion for a long time as to the terms of this bequest.
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1854.
THE session, ever zealous and jealous about their duties and prerogatives, began this year by calling in question the authority for holding a prayer meeting on Friday evenings at Mrs. Strat- ton's, in Eagle's Court. This meeting was in charge of J. P. Worthington, James K. Hilyard and others, and had been organized by Elders Prosser and Jones, when the other elders were out of town. They did not like it, and so con- tinued to agitate the matter, that for peace sake it was discontinued. Mr. Adams continued to supply the pulpit, and, on the resignation of Robert Jones, was made clerk of session. In 1854 twenty-eight souls were added to the com- munion, of whom two continue to be pillars in Zion-John H. Johnson and Charlotte Gipson, both interested in every "good word and work." The Board continued steadily on in their work, and showed by their report that they had de- creased the debt $403.41.
1855.
THE session begin to find themselves em- barrassed about he payment of the pastor. The Home Missionary Board declined to aid the church ; and the Board of Trustees sent a note to
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session saying they could not pay the $400, al- though it seems by their report at the end of the year they had reduced the debt $473.44, showing on the part of the Board a determination to pay the debt, if the church has to do without a minis- ter. The additions to the communion were six- teen, all of whom are gone to rest ; or, worse than that, are stragglers from the Church of God, and turned back to the beggarly elements of the world. This is the case with so many that come into the church, stony ground hearers, having no depth of earth they soon die out ; but ours it is to "sow beside all waters." "We know not which may thrive ; the late or early sown." But we cannot toil in vain, if our object is more for the salvation of souls than the rearing, adorning and perpetuat- ing tabernacle of worship, which must crumble into dust. God help us all to see that while the latter is good the former is the " better part that cannot be taken away."
1856.
IN December, 1855, another note was received by session from the Board, stating that they could not pay Mr. Adams $400 per year. The elders, by resolution, agreed with the Board. The minis- ter then declared his intention to ask for per-
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mission to resign at the meeting of Presbytery in April, 1856, on the consideration that less than $400 would not support him; he could scarcely live on that amount. The session then resolved to call a congregational meeting to ask assistance to help pay the minister's salary until April; also to consider upon the election of more elders. March, 1856, the Board sent another com- munication to the session on the subject of min- ister's salary, accompanied by a special committee to confer with session on the matter, and devise plans to raise funds to pay the church debt.
No record of the congregational meeting was kept. It, however, was held, and a majority were. in favor of retaining Mr. Adams ; but the influence of session and trustees was too strong, and in April he resigned; and the pulpit was vacant until September, when the Rev. Benjamin F. Templeton was elected pastor, and a number of brethren and sisters that had belonged to the Second Church (St. Mary Street), thirty in all, united with the church that year; five are still "pressing on to the prize," Mother Shay, Phoebe Miller, Berry Maloney, Jane Ryder, and Mary Gustas. Of those that have entered the rest that remaineth for the people of God, are Father Parker, faithful and true ; Elder Shay, zealous and blest in his labor ; Brother and Sister Macoy, quiet and exemplary Christians. How blessed to the
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Church of God and the cause of Christ are such lives; "more to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold." They show by walk and conversation that their "heart is fixed." The Board of Trustees decreased the debt only $159.35 this year.
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1857.
THE session continued their rigid disciplinary course, so much so that' the Presbytery took ex- ceptions to some of their proceedings (the minutes of session not being full enough to explain the cases) ; the clerk of session then appended ex- planations to the exceptions and recorded them in the book. One of the cases was a brother who admitted to public dancing and absence for six months from communion ; on his promise to do better, he was excused, but in ten months he was before session again, and suspended for dancing and irreligious conduct. The session were deter- mined, if possible, to suppress insubordination and conduct that leads to immorality. In September of the same year another brother was called before session for public dancing ; he said he felt his con- science clear, etc. Session considered his views, and vindication of them, sinful, and suspended him until such time as he shall give evidence of re- pentance.
WM. BROWN.
GEO. POTTER.
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SHEPPARD SHAY.
THOMAS H. DAVIS.
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In 1857 twenty-two were added to the church, of whom Marshall Brown and Wm. A. Potter still live (1894). Brother Potter has done good service in the Board, hard working and liberal to the church, but is retired now from active service. Marshall Brown is quiet and unobtrusive, delight- ing in the service of God's house, avoiding all strife, willing to serve the lowly Jesus in a lowly quiet walk in life. Thos. H. Davis, who was elected an elder 1859, and Robert Gurley, who served in the Board for a number of years, both doing good service in their day, are gone to rest, and mentioned more fully in the memoirs in this history. The Board of Trustees continued their effort to decrease the debt, but did not succeed as much as formerly, it being only $100.88.
1858.
AT the close of 1857, we find the session still active in bringing before them brothers and sisters for neglect of duty in the payment of pew rent to support the church, and not attending worship ; none too high or aged, none too young or poor, but they must give account for their conduct. It would seem the elders had fully learned that "they watch for souls, for whom the Lord did heavenly bliss forego." The Rev. Templeton was
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faithfully attending to his duties as pastor, and growing in the affections of the people, who did not think the Lord had the great trial for them that came with the opening year. At the Decem- ber communion, Brother Thomas H. Davis, Wil- kinson Jones and his wife joined the church. It was the last time Brother Templeton sat with us around the Lord's table on earth. The latter part of January, he took a cold, from which he died February 6, 1858. The following minute was passed by session, and placed on record :
WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God to re- move from us our esteemed pastor, after a short illness, thus suddenly bereaving us of our Watch- man in Zion, therefore
Resolved, That, though the stroke be hard, we bow with submission, realizing that the Judge of all the earth is too wise to err, too good to do His creatures harm.
Resolved, That this dispensation, in view of the increased earnestness with which our Brother labored of late, should make us examine ourselves and see whether God has a controversy with us, or not, and betake ourselves to labor, that when the night of death shall come to us, our work shall be finished.
Resolved, That we commend to God and the Church, his orphan boy as a child of the Church, trusting that he may be cared for, and, if his life is spared, he may tread in the steps of his father
Attest, ROBERT JONES, Clerk.
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Again the pulpit was left vacant, but we were not cast down. There were differences of opinion and jealousies that crept into the church; but God blest some with the spirit of peacemakers, so we came out unharmed. The Rev. David Malin was moderator of session, and at the April and June communions there were additions to the church. The Rev. E. B. Bruin supplied the pulpit, and during the year nineteen were added to the communion, and the debt decreased $86.29.
1859.
IN 1857 there were two or three changes in the Board that began to alter the tone of affairs. Father Prosser, continued President. After Mr. Templeton's death the session kept the pulpit sup- plied as best they could and at little expense. In October, 1858, there were other changes in the Board. Father Prosser ceased to be President and the "new blood" in the Board began to assume positions beyond their prerogative, and we find them in November, 1858, taking steps for the employment of a Rev. James D. S. Hall to supply the pulpit, and no minutes or account appears on session books. Who Mr. Hall was, what denomination, or where from, does not appear on the books. By reference to Board books we
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find that on Sunday, November 14th, William Laws, Daniel Colly and Robert Gurley, a commit- tee of Trustees, agreed with the session of the church to give Mr. James D. S. Hall $25 per month and pay his board ; and a congregational meeting held the 25th inst. concurred in the mat- ter. The next statement is April, 1859, Board meeting. The Rev. James D. S. Hall met the Board and made a charge against Brother Potter for closing the study against him. The reasons do not appear on the Board minutes ; it simply states that Brother Potter had no right to shut the door against the minister. The last we see of Rev. Hall is June 6, 1859, when his salary was ordered to be paid. The election of more elders had been talked of since 1856, and at a meeting of session, June 7, 1859, the session nominated the following brothers : Jesse E. Glasgow, John P. Worthington and William H. King, and presented their names to a meeting of communicant mem- bers June 23, 1859, when the following nomina- tions were made by the people: George W. Evans, Sheppard Shay, G. M. Burton and Thomas H. Davis. Brothers King and Burton declined, and Evans, Shay and Davis were elected. Six persons were added to the church, one of whom was James C. Davis. He studied for the ministry at Lincoln University, and went to Ten- nessee, where he did good service for the cause
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of Christ and the Presbyterian Church, having some four or five congregations under his charge, preaching alternately to them, getting money to build their churches, and nursing them into health and strength. After a number of years" labor he had an attack of paralysis that disqualified him for further pulpit service. This brother, though some- what advanced in years before he studied for the ministry, and therefore could not acquire that degree of learning that the denomination requires ; yet as a colored man, laboring among poor colored people, it is a commendable feature in his his- tory that instead of settling down on one church and using up its life-blood, he went for miles around and gathered the people in spots conven- ient to them, and thus had the different churches and a larger number of people to minister to, making it easy for them to support him, although the work for him was hard. The debt was reduced 1859, $53.50. The Rev. E. B. Bruin was engaged as stated supply November 7, 1859, at $5.00 per week, and served in a very acceptable manner for several months.
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