USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Fifty years in the Lombard Street Central Presbyterian Church > Part 5
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full financial report is made and recorded for both those years. In 1869 received $1491.33, paid $1463.14 ; in 1870 received $1448.86, paid $1418. 15. This shows how near one year is to another, and enables trustees to refrain from irreligious begging.
1871.
GOD was still blessing us. At the March com- munion six were added, three of these are "not ; " one of whom was Fielding Butler, quiet, lovable and pious, he was taken away early in life. But how blessed, to leave a hallowed influence that lives in the memory long after we are gone. Catharine Sullivan and James Scott, earnest for Christ and His Church, in their own peculiar way, and J. B. Matthews, a pillar in temporal affairs, are still with us. Verily God hath blessed us with brethren and sisters for all stations and every duty. May we be helped to avoid offending "one of His little ones." The 28th of July, 1871, the Rev. Dr. Reeve gave notice to session that he intended to accept a theological professorship in Howard University, Washington, D. C. Notice was given from the pulpit on the 30th inst., and a congregational meeting was held on the 19th of August, to take action on the resignation. The following action was taken :
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Resolved, It is with deep regret that we part with our pastor, Rev. John B. Reeve, D.D., but as he is called to a larger field of labor and usefulness, and in his judgment will be able to do more good for his people : therefore we consent and will unite with him in asking Presbytery to receive his resignation.
Sheppard Shay and Wm. Still were appointed commissioners to Presbytery with this action ; also, to request Rev. Herrick Johnson, D.D., to be appointed moderator, and that session have privilege to supply the pulpit, all of which was granted, and the Rev. Dr. Dulles appointed to declare the pulpit vacant.
Dr. Reeve left the Ist of September. A fare- well reception was given him, gotten up by J. B. Matthews and W. A. Potter. Expressions of regret at parting, and wishes for future good were freely made ; addresses were given by Elder Jones and others, and at the close of the reception, Wm. A. Potter, in behalf of the congregation, presented the Doctor with a beautiful purse containing their offering. The Rev. Jacob Cole was engaged as supply for the pulpit ; he continued until the 18th of December, but the congregation were not satis- fied and he left. In November, Stephen Purnell and Edward A. Wylie were elected members of session. Eighteen were added to the church this year. The annual report, October, 1871, was : Received, $1,341.16 ; paid out, $1,339.19, and for benevolent objects, $60.34.
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1872.
THE pulpit was still vacant, and having been so learnedly filled by Dr. Reeve, it was hard to suit the congregation. Reverends Morton, Shepherd, Gates, Morris, and others were employed to preach at different times until July, when Rev. Wm. T. Carr was engaged as stated supply, and continued as such for one year, at $1,000 per annum. In February, 1872, the session ordered a congregational meeting to call a pastor and agreed to put the name of Rev. C. H. Thompson, D.D., before them ; but no account of the meeting is found. At the May, 1872, communion fifty-two were added to the Church, and the Rev. Dr. Reeve came from Washington, at the invitation of session, to administer the sacrament. This in- gathering was a blessing of God on the labors of Elders Shay and Purnell, with the help of Mr. Samuel K. Godwin, an Episcopal layman, and Mr. Schreiner, a tract missionary at the evening ser- vices. This ingathering is an evidence that if the people work, God will bless, pastor or no pastor. Brother Shay and his co-workers went forward with the prayer of Asa, 2 Chronicles 15: II: " Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power." Brother Barton Curry remembers to this day, the brotherly hugging and congratulation of Mr. Schreiner, when the Lord blessed him with peace
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in the Holy Ghost. Spurgeon says : "I would sooner you should burst into fanaticism, some of you, and become right-down fools in enthusiasm, than remain as the Church now is, in a dead cool- ness, caring little for the souls of men." Of this ingathering God has taken Thos. Reed, aspiring and energetic; Elijah Webster, quiet and sincere ; both adding in their way to the strength of the church; Martha Armistead, taken early in life, but remembered still by those that knew her. There is still living Rev. Frank E. Potter, laboring in the Southwest; Mr. Charles Wilson, a faithful worker in the Presbyterian Church, Washington, D. C., and Miss Fanny Somerville, a "King's Daughter,"-earnest and untiring in work, blest and blessing.
1873.
IN October, 1872, no annual report is recorded. In 1873, the report is $1,335.67 received, and $1,289.03 paid out ; also, the liabilities, $52.75, taxes on cemetery lots (for several years, more of a drain than profit to the church). The Rev. William T. Carr was supplying the pulpit. The additions to the church were three on profession, and three on certificate. In July, 1873, when Rev. Carr's year ended, his services were dispensed with. In March, 1873, the session agreed to call a
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congregational meeting in April, to elect a pastor, but no meeting was held. After Mr. Carr left, the members of session, by turn, got preachers, being aided in this matter by the Rev. Mr. Bunch, Secretary of Local Preachers' Association (Metho- dist). In October, the session resolved to con- sult with the Board about buying a parsonage and electing a pastor, but there is no record of a meeting. The Board, however, acted on the matter of a parsonage, and in August, 1874, a circular was issued, on the recommendation of Presbytery, soliciting funds for that purpose ; sev- eral churches, through their pastors and elders, were pledged to definite amounts. Also, a " spe- cial fund " for a new organ was, by a congrega- tional meeting, put into the parsonage fund ; de- posits were made in the Western Saving Fund.
1874.
THE session continued to get supplies for the pulpit, the Rev. Mr. Bunch aiding them. He was a godly man, whose meat and drink seemed to be, to do work for God. Early in the year, the Holy Spirit visited us with another glorious outpouring, and sixty-four souls were added to the communion in May, 1874. In this blessed work, we had again the help of Brothers Schrei-
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ner, Godwin, O'Conner, Bunch, and others. All of those named have gone to their reward, except Brother O'Conner, who is waiting the "home call," leaning on his staff, at four-score, looking forward to a reunion with his dear wife, lately gone to rest, whom God spared to him fifty-eight years. Brother Godwin delighted to tell how God snatched him from a drunkard's grave, and he could not do too much for Him, in working for souls. This ingathering was the largest (at any one time) in the history of the Church ; but it is sad to think how many were "stony ground" hearers ! How many are living, or how many are dead, cannot be told from the books ; but against a number is marked " suspended," and others struck off. A few are still faithful-G. H. Wilson, H. S. Black, William Ames, W. H. Dorsey, Annie Cooper, Caroline Butler-and God grant that there be many that He knows of, to the salvation of their souls, that we know not of. But, how much better it is, to so live " that men may know by our works that we have been with Christ, and learnt of Him." Spurgeon says : "It is an evil thing to receive members and never care for them afterward. I charge you, my beloved sisters, be nursing mothers in the Church; and you, my brethren, be fathers to the young people, that they may be enabled by your help, through God's spirit, to hold on their way." Elder Edward A.
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Wylie died, March, 1874; young in years, and short in work for God; but what he did, was well done. In April, Elder T. H. Davis was sent to Washington, to confer with Dr. Reeve about his resuming the pastorship. On his reporting favor- ably, a congregational meeting was called for the second Thursday evening in May, 1874, and elected Rev. J. B. Reeve pastor.
In September, session met to receive an appli- cation from James W. Lavatt for recommendation to Presbytery as a student for the ministry. After considerable hesitancy, it was granted, and the brother spent eight or ten years at Lincoln and Howard Universities, and afterward labored for a while in a Presbyterian church in Virginia ; but, the denomination not being genial to his make of mind, he joined the A. M. E. Church, for greater scope to his aspirations. At the December com- munion, James R. Staten joined, and became a useful worker in the Sabbath-school, and, at his home in New Jersey is still doing good work for the cause of Christ.
1875.
AFTER the large addition of May, 1874, there was a lamentable settling down into old ruts, and in May, 1875, the session called a meeting of com- " - municant members to elect two more elders and
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adopt the "rotary" system of elders. This meet- ing took place May 26, 1875. The Rev. R. B. Johns was moderator, and Robert Jones secre- tary. The call was read, as follows : " At a meet- ing of session held May 20, 1875, it was resolved that a meeting of communicants be held on Wed- nesday evening next, to take into consideration the addition of two elders on the rotary plan, to serve for three years." After the reasons were given for the addition and adoption of the rotary plan it was resolved by the meeting to adopt the rotary plan and elect two more elders. The ses- sion proposed William G. Harvey and Robert Gurley. The election was then postponed for four weeks. Likewise it was voted that Elder Thomas H. Davis be requested to attend to his duties in prayer meetings, etc., more frequently than he had been in the habit of doing. Meeting adjourned for four weeks.
June 23, 1875, adjourned meeting held to con- sider the election of elders, etc. Rev. Dr. Adair, moderator ; Robert Jones, secretary. Dr. Adair fully explained the " rotary " system, after which the meeting adopted this new mode of appointing elders ; the term was fixed for three years and the number of elders to be six. In order that the new regulation should work harmoniously, Elders Jones, Shay and Purnell being present tendered their resignation, which was received, and the way
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opened for election under the rotary system. The following persons were duly elected : To serve three years, Robert Jones and Sheppard Shay; two years, Stephen Purnell and William Still; one year, Thomas H. Davis and John Dunn. Meet- ing then adjourned. At the meeting of session in July Thomas H. Davis resigned as clerk of ses- sion and William Still was appointed clerk. In August the session received a note from the trustees saying that they would receive and assume control of all public collections taken up in the church in future, to which the session respectfully replied that, in their judgments, they feel justified in assuming the control of all collec- tions taken on communion occasions for the future just as they have done in the past, being fully per- suaded that the rules and authority of the Presby- terian Church would sustain the session in this course. At this meeting of session it was reported that Presbytery had made the following arrange- ment for the installation of the Rev. John B. Reeve, D.D., as pastor. Installation to take place Sab- bath, September 5, 1875, at 3.30 P.M .; Rev. Wil- liam Hutton to preside and preach the sermon ; Rev. E. R. Beadle, charge to the pastor ; Rev. R. B. Johns, charge to the people. The sermon and charges were instructive and impressive, The pulpit was decorated with plants by J. B. Mat- thews. Montgomery's beautiful hymn was sung :
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" We bid thee welcome in the name Of Jesus, our exalted Head ; Come as a servant, so He came, And we receive thee in His stead.
Come as Shepherd ; guard and keep This fold from hell, and earth and sin ; Nourish the lambs, and feed the sheep, The wounded heal, the lost bring in.
Come as a teacher, sent from God, Charged his whole counsel to declare, Lift o'er our ranks the prophet's rod, While we uphold thy hands with prayer."
The church was now settled with a pastor, and God's blessing came with him. The session ministered to the Widow Gloucester, who was be- coming infirm ; and also, to increase the spiritual interest of the church, ordered that the Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening meetings be free for anyone to take part in prayer, testimony or exhortation, and they be invited so to do. The additions from September to December were twelve, among them was Francis J. Grimkie, a student from Lincoln University, who afterward studied divinity at Princeton, N. J., and has been the faithful and talented pastor of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church, Washington, D. C., for a number of years. . Elder Stephen Purnell was taken from the Church militant to the Church triumphant, October 30, 1875, aged 75 years. (See In Memoriam.)
At this time the envelope system for monthly
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contributions was adopted, and proved a great benefit in financial affairs. It is to be regretted that the Trustees now and then omitted to record their annual report. None has been recorded since 1872-1873.
1876.
THE Centennial year of our God-blest country, and the "City of Brotherly Love" the place to celebrate it in. Freedom reigns through all the land. The motto on the old Liberty Bell no more a lie. Liberty has been proclaimed to all the inhabitants of the land. We praise God and be- · seech Him to so imbue our hearts with His spirit that we may live to His glory and the good of our fellow creatures. This year was an interesting one in the history of the country, and there were many visitors to the city and church. The ses- sion and Board attended to their duties without extraordinary occurrence ; the Board quietly ac- cumulating the " Parsonage Fund."
The following preamble and resolutions were adopted at a congregational meeting, held Sep- tember 20, 1876, and were, on motion, ordered to be placed on the minutes of the Board of Trus- tees :
WHEREAS, The members of this corporation,
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at a meeting held May 14, 1874, did, by a major- ity vote, place in the hands of the Rev. Dr. Reeve, then of Howard University, D. C., a call to become pastor of this church at a salary of $1200 per year, and a parsonage. The above- named call was accepted by Dr. Reeve in good faith, and for a year he has performed, through the providence of God, all the duties appertaining to the office of pastor, to the satisfaction of the members of the church, and the Board has paid him, in monthly instalments, the amount stipu- lated, but failed to get a parsonage, or pay his rent as an equivalent to the same. Therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Board be authorized to draw from the Western Saving Fund the inter- est on the amount deposited to the credit of the "parsonage fund," and pay the sameover to Rev. Dr. Reeve, in consideration of having failed to get the parsonage, or pay his rent, as per agreement. Preamble and resolution adopted.
Attest : FRANCIS WOOD, Secretary.
The session received twenty-three members to the communion, of whom there are still with us Jacob Richardson, who, though a sea-faring man, has held on to his profession, and is a faithful worker in the Board ; and Dr. T. C. Imes, who be- came a member of session and a superintendent of Sabbath-school. How blessed it is to know that we are doing what we can for the cause of Christ and His Church on earth ; for each one to do something to add to the building ; leaving be- hind "footprints on the sand of time."
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1877.
THIS year opened with cheering prospects in reference to getting a parsonage. At the meet- ing of the Board, on February 5th, the committee reported they had bought the property 1109 Rod- man Street. At a meeting of the congregation their doings were approved, and they were in- structed to have it put in repair at a cost not ex- ceeding $300, which was done. On the first Thursday in April it was opened for inspection, and gave great satisfaction. Every effort was then made to pay the debt remaining on the property. The Ladies' Aid Society gave what they collected to this object. Concerts, etc., were given for the same, so that the Board began to feel the effect of it on their current receipts. They, therefore, discharged the chorister, reduced the sexton's salary, and the pew-rent collector remitted his fees for three months. A consultation was called with the session in reference to the pastor's salary, as the Board found themselves falling behind. It resulted in the following agreement:
PHILADELPHIA, AUG. 15, 1877.
In consideration of the stringency of the times, I hereby agree to serve as pastor of the Lom- bard Street Central Presbyterian Church for $1000, and parsonage, for one year, beginning June 1, 1877.
(Signed) J. B. REEVE.
WM. LAWS.
J. E. GLASGOW.
FRANCIS WOOD.
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A congregational meeting was called to inform them of this action, and take measures to raise $95.00 that was owing to the pastor. In October the Parsonage Fund Committee reported cash from May, 1874, to October, 1877, $3,579.39; in- debtedness, $75. At the election this year Amos B. Sayers was elected secretary, and we have a recorded report of $1,825.71 received; and paid out, $1,798.04, leaving cash balance $27.67. This year fifteen were added, of whom William Nelson and Roxanna Morgan are still working faithfully in the Sabbath-school, the nursery of the church, Brother Nelson especially expressing much inter- est in the boys of his class, inquiring after and talking to them as they get older and begin to for- sake the school (this is sad and yet usual). In 1858 Bibles were presented to each scholar that con- tinued in school and became a teacher ; their name and the reason for presentation, signed by the superintendent, being written in each; one of these was carried in the war against the rebellion by Charles W. Jones ; another, prized above gold by Aunt Amy Roberts, was given to a son whom God took from her early in life. Oh, the joy of faithfully scattering seeds of kindness and Gospel truth !
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1878.
THE session at its meeting February 11, 1878, had reported a defalcation by the treasurer of the Sabbath-school, who, on being called before them, acknowledged the matter, and was suspended from membership until such time as he shall make restitution and show signs of repentance ; the restitution was partially made, but the repen- tance never, showing the brother to have been a wayside hearer, Mark 4 : 15. On the Ist of Jan- uary, 1878, a Mission Sabbath-school was started at 1914 Fairmount Avenue, with consent of the Central Presbytery, and the title " John Gloucester Mission," with rules of government, under control of the session of this church, were adopted. Mr. R. H. Armstrong, a theological student of Lincoln University, was engaged during his vacation to hold preaching service there, which he did with much benefit to the mission. October 11th, Mr. Francis C. Potter was recommended to the Pres- bytery as a student for the Gospel ministry ; also, session took final action to withdraw their recom- mendation from J. W. Lavatt, student for the ministry, they having desired him to take the short course, and he determined to take the long, also preaching whenever he could get invitations, and pronouncing benediction without being li- censed; also, entertaining extreme and untenable views on sanctification ; also, being disrespectful
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to pastor and session. After this action of session, he connected himself with the First African - Church, and through them succeeded in making the long course, eight or ten years, and then left the denomination. May the Lord help us to un- derstand that
Nothing but truth before His throne, With honor can appear ; The painted hypocrite is known Through the disguise he wears.
There were twenty added to the church this year, most of them young and promising ; Mrs. Hannah C. Carrol is still spared, a liberal, faithful worker in everything for the good of the church. Rachel and Roxanna Armstead, who were early taken from us, and later Mrs. Phoebe H. Diton, gone to the mansions of rest, were of those that joined in 1878. The Board of Trustees continued faithful in their work, with Robert Gurley, presi- dent, and at the end of their term had $118.31 balance to pay over to their successors. During this year they had occasion to call to account one of their members for tardiness in paying bills entrusted to him. By such action we keep our- selves up to duty, and secure the confidence of those that entrust us with their affairs. " We are our brother's keepers."
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1879.
THE John Gloucester Mission still continued to interest the session, and the question of an even- ing service being brought before them, it was granted on condition that the expense would be met by those in charge of the work. The servi- ces of Mr. Armstrong could not be gotten this year, and Brothers Johnson and Fry, who lived in the vicinity, were invited to assist in the work, and preaching was gotten as best they could. An interview was had with the Rev. Dr. Agnew and his interest secured for the mission. It was also brought to the attention of Central Presbytery, and by them recommended to the consideration of the churches. The following persons were chosen officers of the school: William Still, superintendent; Emma Brown, assistant; Susan Miller, treasurer; William Jones Librarian; Wil- bur Still, secretary. The expenses thus far had been met without difficulty. December 29, 1879, at a meeting of session it was reported that the Rev. Mathew Anderson had been laboring for two months at the Gloucester Mission, visiting from house to house, thereby increasing the in- terest and attendance on the different services, and that several had sought the Lord and found peace. Mr. Anderson was assisted by a com- mittee chiefly composed of females. That they have regularly met their expenses from month to
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month. After this report the following was adopted by session :
WHEREAS, the Gloucester Mission, started under the supervision of this session, with the knowledge and consent of Central Presbytery of Philadelphia, has been in existence for two years, and at present shows development of strength sufficient to warrant its continuance. Therefore,
Resolved That it be tendered to the Central Presbytery at its next meeting ; to be taken under its care and placed in the hands of its proper committee, or in charge of some of the churches within their bounds.
Elders Jones and Still were appointed to lay the above preamble and resolutions before the Presbytery.
The Board, by direction of the congregation, put $384.24 repairs on the church, for which $303.51 was collected and the balance, $80.73, paid from the church fund.
1880.
AT the January meeting of session the commit- tee appointed to tender the care of "the John Gloucester Mission " to the Central Presbytery reported that they had attended to their duty, and that the Presbytery had very cordially resolved to
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take charge of the Mission. The report was re- ceived and the committee discharged. On motion of Elder Shay it was agreed that the pastor and clerk of session give letters of dismission to such of the ten or twelve members of this church inter- ested in the mission work as may desire to unite in the contemplated church organization in the bounds of the Central Presbytery. Passed. By this action of session and Presbytery the case of the mission passed from the one to the other; the Rev. Matthew Anderson was continued in charge, and subsequently became pastor. At the organi- zation into a church the name was changed from " Gloucester " to "Berean," and a committee of Central Presbytery was appointed to have over- sight and counsel with Rev. Mr. Anderson, who by extraordinary labor, with the aid of Mr. John McGill, succeeded in getting one of the finest loca- tions (South College Avenue) and building as beau- tiful a church as the colored people have in the city of Philadelphia. The name of John Gloucester should have been retained as a memorial of that good man, which was intended in naming the mission Gloucester. This year the additions were ten, one of whom was Miss Emma Miles, an extra- ordinary precise person in anything she does, serving with great credit as secretary of the school for a number of years. Her health has been bad for a long time, but she bears it patiently for
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Christ's sake. In April Mrs. Mary F. Ames and Mrs. Mary F. Dunn resigned from leadership of female prayer meeting; the pastor was re- quested to temporarily fill the vacancy. In June Elder Still was re-elected for three years. From July to December the session was engaged in two cases of "discipline, one a breach of seventh commandment." Members of the church talked freely about this case, but when called before ses- sion to testify they became angry, refused to attend or testified vaguely, making it difficult and tedious to conduct the case. The other was a case of "desertion." In both cases the session patiently worked, and at last came to decisions that could not be complained of. In March, 1880, Mrs. Gloucester, widow of the first pastor, died and was buried in the vault in front of the church. The Board of Trustees paid $100 on the parsonage debt.
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