USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Fifty years in the Lombard Street Central Presbyterian Church > Part 6
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1881.
AN interesting year in some respects. In March a committee from session was sent to see a man and his wife about their non-attendance. They saw the wife and she frankly told them that the care of her several little children, etc., made it difficult to attend church; also that her husband was employed where he was obliged to work on
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Sundays. From this we see how important it is for pastor and elders to visit "the flock," carrying comfort and consolation to the careworn and disheartened. It is oftentimes of more service than money. Many, though poor, live worse than they ought, for lack of nearness to God, and prayer for His help and blessing. The case of "desertion" coming for final disposition before session, and the husband having shown that he was able and had made a home for his wife away from her relatives, with whom he could not stay, and she positively refusing to leave them and go with him, the session restored him to the communion from which both had been sus- pended, and left her still suspended. At the meeting of session in May, Elder Jones submit- ted the following paper, which was adopted and sent to the First Church :
TO THE SESSION OF FIRST AFRICAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
BRETHREN :- Having heard that you are to consider the matter of closing your present place of worship, we hereby extend to you a cordial invitation to worship with us whenever you deem it best to close (if at that time you have not set- tled on another place). In doing this, permit us to say that we hope your church organization will be kept intact, and that God in His providence will soon bring you to a location, desirable alike
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to the cause of Christ and your prosperity as a church .*
Ten were added to the church, one of whom, Henry W. Allen, was a liberal working member of the board, and is now an elder oft he church. A fair was held at Masonic Hall, conducted by Mrs. Blake, Miss E. Miles, Mrs. Songo and others, for raising a fund to buy a new organ. The Trustees gave their sanction on condition that the proceeds be for the benefit of the church.
1882.
AT the May meeting of session a note was re- ceived from the Board, complaining that one of the old and faithful females of the church re- fused to pay pew rent. The session sent a com- mittee, and the sister confessed that she was hasty in getting angry, but would continue to do all she could to support the church. The matter ended there. It was evident in this case that perhaps only one person offended the sister, but he being prominent in the Board she refused to pay as a means of venting her anger. How often we our- selves are the cause of disagreement, by the way
* The First Church when they left the old building, Seventh below Bainbridge Street, met in a hall, and afterward bought a church, Seven- teenth and Fitzwater Streets, where they now worship.
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we speak to our fellows, and thereby stir up anger. At the June meeting Elder Jones moved the following to be recorded, which was passed:
"It having pleased Almighty God to remove from us by death Mrs. Cecelia Davis Allen, who for sixteen years has been organist of the Sabbath- school and church, we deem it a duty to bear tes- timony to her faithful discharge of every duty, as scholar, teacher and organist in the school ; as member of the communion and organist in the church ; so kind and gentle in all her walks in life, that 'none knew her but to love her ; none named her but to praise.' "
At a meeting of communicant members held August 2, 1882, Elders Dunn and Davis were re- elected for three years. November 27th the Rev. Dr. Reeve offered the following to be recorded, which was passed :
" Our esteemed Brother, Sheppard Shay, hav- ing been removed by death since the last regular meeting of session, the following Minute is adopted: With humble submission to the dispensation of God's holy providence, the session records the death of one of its members, Elder Sheppard Shay, who departed this life on Saturday, Novem- ber 4, 1882, in the 83d year of his age, and in the twenty-third year of his eldership in this church, having been a member of the Presbyterian Church for more than fifty years.'
Fourteen were added to the communion this year.
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1883.
AN uneventful year (seemingly), and yet in the light of eternity, we may see blessings that we could not comprehend here. The ministrations from the pulpit certainly were good, enabling those that heard (if they would), o " see light in His light." But the masses desire sensation, and are not afraid of being "stony ground" hearers; therefore they do not come in crowds to where the gospel preached appeals to the brain as well as the heart. Among the cases of disci- pline that came before session was one of a man and his wife who had separated from each other; the effort to bring them to correct living was vain, and they were suspended from the communion. The man died some years after, and friends had him decently buried ; but how much better to so live that God's blessing will be with us. This man in the early part of his life carried on a large business of map-mounting, was temperate and industrious, and should have prospered ; but fail- ing to become "rooted and grounded," when temptation and adversity came, they fell, not hav- ing strength to "stand and withstand." Of those that joined the church this year Anna J. Cooper, William Rasmus and Mrs. Geiger have proved faithful workers in the Sabbath-school, and George Sermon in the Board, helping to build up the Kingdom of Christ, and thus keep them-
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selves from falling. A new suit of pulpit furni- ture was gotten by the efforts of Brother Henry Allen, and plans for getting the new organ were continued this year.
1884.
GOD is full of blessings. "Good when He gives, supremely good, nor less when He denies." March 7, 1884, Elder Thomas H. Davis passed into the spirit world after sixty-five years of active business life. In June, 1884, Thomas C. Imes was elected an elder ; also this year the session resolved to use unfermented wine at the com- munion. All of these occurrences are full of thought. To die! To be called away from this world of care; away ofttimes from ourselves, our weakness, yea our sins, shall we say, Oh, how blessed to be at rest ! Then again, what thoughts when called to take a high position in the Church of God ! The duty of "showing forth His praise in what we say or do." The knowing that pre- cious souls, "for whom the Lord did Heavenly bliss forego," are in our care. The putting away from the Lord's table that which intoxicates, and using the simple juice of the grape, is a holy rebuke to the wine-bibber and intemperate. There were ten souls added to the church this
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year, only ten; and yet how blessed is the fact that of these, three have gone up ; having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb: Theodore Young and his wife, called early away from this world of care and sin, but leaving a hallowed influence in the minds of those that knew them. The other, an aged "Daughter of the King," Mrs. Anny Macnealy, who having for years placed her trust in God, found peace and comfort in Him, as she waited for the home- call. It was a blessing to hear her joyful expres- sions, in anticipation of the home above. We have still left with us young men and women that are useful in the Board and other work of the church.
The Berean Church was dedicated and the fol- lowing hymn was sung :
WRITTEN FOR THE OPENING SERVICES OF THE BEREAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NOVEMBER 2, 1884.
BY REV. ALFRED NEVIN, D.D., LL.D.
God of love! O deign to listen To the grateful song of praise Which, for Thine abundant blessing, Now to Thee we humbly raise.
As around the patriarch's pillow, Ministering angels stood,- Made the place the "gate of Heaven," And the very " house of God,"-
So, dear Lord, when we assemble
. In this temple built for Thee, Let, for all thy waiting servants, This the sweet experience be :
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Here may sorrowing souls find comfort, And the wandering be restored, Here may feeble knees be strengthened By the power of Thy word.
Ever let Thy gracious Spirit Bless the sower and the seed, Giving, through the great Redeemer, Grace to help in time of need.
And as each new generation 'Round this sacred altar stand, May they still by faith be moving, Pilgrims toward the promised land.
In the old Berean spirit, May Thy truth, from day to day, As we search its sacred pages, Cheer us on our heavenward way.
Dr. Nevin often preached for us, and Dr. Adair, Rev. Barnes, Dr. Brainerd, Dr. Ramsey and many others-holy men of God, speaking the words of life and living as "ensamples" to those around them, showing that they had been with Christ and learnt of Him, and we do well that we honor them, keeping their names in remem- brance.
1885.
THE Presbyterial assessment for $32.85 was presented; the Clerk of Session was directed to reply that it was more than he could pay ; that we were willing to pay $11.40, as we paid last year. This assessment is based on the number of mem-
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bers on roll, ours being a bout four hundred ; but so many being non-contributing makes it heavy on those that do contribute. Formerly it was according to the ability of the congregation, and then we paid only $5. The addition to church this year was eighteen, one of whom was Charles B. Colly. His father and mother were members of the church for years, and had been called home. He had lived rather an independent life, disposed to find fault with church people, but God permitted his sight to leave him, and in darkness he was brought to feel after Him, and, finding peace in Christ, it was a pleasure to visit him and hear him tell of God's goodness. Another interesting case, Mr. Silas Taylor, coming to the Saviour late in life, but " fully persuaded," he enjoyed the "peace of God that passeth under- standing," and entered into rest soon after he found the "pearl of great price." There are yet living some that were admitted this year, with whom there are great possibilities (if they will it) of doing much for God in laboring for the sal- vation of souls.
The pastoral letter for 1885 contains these words: "To us as a church the year has been marked by many tokens of Divine favor. Bless- ings so manifest that he who runs may read, have been bestowed upon us. It is true that trials also have come, but the severest of them must be reck-
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oned blessings, though seen at first with tear- dimmed eyes. If you view the church as the gar- den of the Lord, or the good ground in which the Son of man sows the seed to bring forth thirty, sixty or an hundred fold, then 'ye are not sad to see the gathered grain,' nor will you murmur when reminded of the fact that 1885 has been God's own harvest time in our church ; ten faithful and heloved brethren and sisters have with the years gone from us-
Robert Gurley, Rebecca J. Webster,
Thomas A. Reed, Maria Mitchell,
Mary E. Bond, James Monroe,
Mary J. Proctor, Elizabeth Gilbert,
Rachel Cliff, Azel Loper,
have entered into rest. The word that comes to us all with the remembrance of these and our many other sainted ones, is, 'Brethren, be ye also ready, the time is short.' "
1886.
THE "week of prayer," which has been observed for a number of years by this church, was blessed with a glorious outpouring of the Spirit and a revival that continued through the year. Fifty- one precious souls were added to the communion, among them the organist, Mr. Newsome, and his
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wife, for whom we had long been praying, almost despairing at times. "Though he tarry, yet he will come," is the promise, and we rejoice in its veri- fication. The twenty-fifth anniversary of Dr. Reeve's pastorate occurred this year and was celebrated with appropriate services. Elders Still and Dunn, whose terms expired this year, were re-elected. The new organ had been placed in the church after lowering the gallery floor and making an opening in the ceiling to accommodate it. The cost of organ and alteration was near $2,000, all of which was paid soon after it was finished. . On one Sabbath $500 was collected by a "grand rally," aided by the choir of Bainbridge Street M. E. Church. It was an unusual thing for us to have persons shower money down from the galleries and other parts of the church, and yet refreshing to see the liberality of the people when their mind is in accord with an object. The young ladies of the church, through Miss Rachel Morris, Treasurer, presented the Board with $115, the proceeds of a festival held by them. The .
Trustees paid off $300 of parsonage debt.
1887.
THE revival of last year had subsided, or rather we (our human natures) had fallen into the con- dition of the disciples the Saviour took into the
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"Garden of Agony," to whom He said, " The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." These spells of inability, of weakness, are permitted ; but it is for us to get strength to get ability out of them. At the April meeting of session it was reported that a teacher of the Sabbath-school had been requested to resign on account of her being en- gaged in the management of a dancing school. This action was approved by session and it was
Resolved, That public dancing at balls and par- ties is not consistent with Christian conduct, and it is to be refrained from by church members ; also, that the pastor speak on the subject and tell the congregation of this action.
Only six were added to the communion this year; and yet we must say "Not our will but Thine be done." . It is in times of depression we are set to thinking, studying ourselves and our fellows, studying the parable of the seed sown in the human heart, and especially at such times are we brought to God in prayer, brought to know that without Him we can do nothing. "So shall our walk be close with God ; calm and serene our frame."
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1888.
ANOTHER year has gone into eternity, and this begins, finding us, as the many years past have found us, in the lecture room, on our knees in prayer to God for His blessing to us during the year we are entering on. Many are the dear ones that have "gone on;" they have passed the " flood;" we are following on. And blessed is the heart that can say of the Church militant : "There my best friends, my kindred, dwell; there God, my Saviour, reigns."
.The New Year's eve meetings are a precious means of grace, having been observed from the organization of the church, to hear the testi- mony of old and young, telling of God's good- ness and blessing to them-Brother Shay, in the latter part of his life, used to say on New Year's eve, he had more friends in the " kingdom " than on earth, and ere long he would be with them. Six souls were added to the communion this year; not many, and yet we must thank God we are not left without a witness of His blessing. In our temporal affairs He has blessed us with the labors of Brother Joshua B. Matthews, who has served as president, treasurer and secretary of the Board at different times for over thirty years, and is still (1894) working faithfully and successfully in keeping our business affairs in a condition that is highly commendable. It is a blessing to a church
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when the spirit of self-seeking is kept down, and all of us are brave for the right, and fear not to stand up for "whatsoever things are of good report;" then do we hold up the hands of such men as Brother Matthews, and God's blessing will rest on us.
1889.
DURING this year sixteen souls were added to this fold; several quite young; others more ยท advanced in years, and some on certificates from other churches. God grant that we mutually help each other to live as becometh those that profess Christ. Mrs. Amelia Adams this year began missionary work among the poor and degraded of the city, and received the recommendation of ses- sion to her effort. " The harvest is great, but the laborers are few." The Young People's Associa- tion of the church began to publish a quarterly paper with the approval of session. This effort was very creditable; the young people of this church have abilities that, if used industriously for the good of others and the cause of Christ, will bring blessings on their work.
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1890.
THE question of revision of the confession of faith being before the Presbytery, Elder Jones inquired how this church will vote, and in order to test the question it was moved that the vote be against revision, which was carried; three against and one for revision. The Committee on Assess- ment in Presbytery sent this year $40.60, and the session had again to request a reduction to $25. This committee seems to have the impression that this church is rich, and have sent two or three times to know what our expenses are, and the reply is $1,800, which is met only by strenuous efforts. We pay our own current expenses and contribute to the Boards of the Church ; but this new way of assessment, according to the number of the mem- bers, without considering their financial standing, does not seem to meet the case, and necessitates the repeated asking for abatement.
1891.
AT the March communion nine were added to the church. It was an interesting sight, the young and old, some lately married, others long mar- ried and with families around them. The heart is stirred in witnessing such a scene, when we think of the possibilities of each individual life, if
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we keep our love for God and man alive within us, in order that more and better work for Christ and His Church may be done. The ses- sion proposed an addition of two to their number, and nominated R. W. Macneily and Henry Allen ; they were elected without opposition. Both of these brethren were men of deep piety, and it is expected will prove a strength and blessing to the church. The members of session at this time were Robert Jones, William Still, John Dunn, Thomas C. Imes, R. W. Macneily and Henry Allen. The total addition to the church for 1891 was nineteen. The building needed renovation, and a congrega- tional meeting ordered it to be done. The fol- lowing is the summary of the report:
Total received $2,840 01 Total expended 2,732 84
Balance $ 107 17
This report was itemized and printed by the Board of Trustees, and the following description appeared in one of the daily papers :
AN ATTRACTIVE EDIFICE.
IMPROVEMENTS AT THE LOMBARD STREET CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Lombard Street Central Presbyterian Church, Lombard Street below Ninth, which has been closed for two months while several im-
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provements were being made, will be reopened on Sunday next, when the pastor, the Rev. J. B. "Reeve, D.D., will preach in the morning, and the Rev. E. J. Adams, a former pastor, in the evening. The building has been repainted, and on each side of the door is a rustic lamp. The windows in front are of stained glass. The main audience room has been reupholstered, frescoed and carpeted. New gas fixtures of a neat design have been introduced, the galleries have been cut down, and in front of them is an attractive brass railing. The old furnace has been removed and a new heating apparatus takes its place. The two rooms at the rear of the lecture room, on the first floor, have been enlarged so as to afford additional accommodations for the infant and Bible classes. Between these rooms and the lecture room are glass doors. The total cost of the improvements was between $3,000 and $4,000, all of which will be provided for. The Lombard Street Central Presbyterian Church was organized in July, 1841, with 40 members. The congregation worshipped for a short time in a small church on Eighth Street, near Carpenter, where they called their first pastor, the Rev. Stephen H. Gloucester, a son of the late John Gloucester, of the First Colored Church of this city. A lot was purchased on the south side of Lombard Street, below Ninth, at a cost of $5,500,
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and the present building was commenced in Sep- tember, 1846. It was dedicated in 1848. The present membership is 400, and there are 225 scholars in the Sunday-school. The Rev. Mr. Gloucester was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. E. J. Adams and B. F. Templeton. The present pastor, the Rev. John B. Reeve, D.D., is a native of Suffolk County, New York. He graduated from the Union Theological Semin- ary, and came to the Central Church in 1861. After remaining there for ten years he went, in 1871, to Howard University, Washington, where he organized the Theological Department. Dr. Reeve returned to the Central Church in 1875. The trustees of the Central Church are as fol- lows : President, Joshua B. Matthews ; secretary, Francis Wood ; assistant secretary, Washington Young ; treasurer, Thomas H. Boling ; Henry Allen, Lemuel Sewell, Jacob Richardson, George Sermon, James H. Irvin .- Public Ledger, Sept. 3, 1891.
1892.
THE Lord is still blessing us. At the March communion, ten were added; one the grand- daughter of the first pastor of the church; an- other, the daughter of an indefatigable worker in every good work, lately gone to his rest; two
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quite young daughters of a brother in the church ; another, the adopted child of a family beloved in the church. Another, far from her native home, finding the Saviour she has cast her lot with us. Another, a young widow, God having taken her husband, she comes to Him for consolation ; and yet another, away from home, having found the Saviour, and being taken sick, and spending a whole year in a hospital, experienced the blessings of having Jesus for her friend, and His power to raise up friends for her. There was also a brother restored to church fellowship after more than thirty years' wandering, a faithful wife clinging to and praying for him. After a long sickness he came back to the Shepherd and Bishop of souls. At the June communion a father, mother and three young daughters were admitted, also a young man, proprietor of a weekly paper. In December an interesting young man from Deme- rara, South America, and a man from the Mora- vian Church ; in all there were twenty-three added to the church this year.
1893.
A CHAPTER of the Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip, recently started with the young men of the church, being desirous of starting a Sabbath-
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school in the southwestern part of the city, asked the advice and permission of session, which was cordially granted. The increase of colored popu- lation in that section being large, it was thought a Presbyterian Mission would do good. The fol- lowing is an extract from the New Year's letter written by the pastor :
Eighteen hundred and ninety-two-known in National annals as Discovery Year-is now num- bered with the dead. And with it nine of our fel- low members have passed within the veil. They have "discovered " that realm which to us is, as yet, invisible. Keziah Jackson, John C. White, Elizabeth Dodson, William Laws, Rachel Brown, Amelia W. Adams, Phoebe W. Diton, Henrietta Jeffries and Margaret Glover are no longer with us.
Other friends, more or less closely connected with some of our church families, have also been called away. And in yet other homes, invalid ones, during a part or all of the year, have been patiently waiting the unfoldings of God's provi- dence. So that through all the twelvemonth when sorrow with mourners over their departed ones has not borne us close to the valley of the shadow of death, sympathy with the sick and their atten- dants has led us along the valley of Baca. And yet, the year 1892, like all the others of our church life and work, has been enriched with God's good- ness.
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(1) Though it may not be discerned, while tears dim the eyes, the affliction being present and grie- vous still, His goodness must be in the fact that the crown and palm of final victory have been given to so many who began the year here with us.
(2) It is very manifest in this, that peace is still within our walls.
(3) That an increased measure of prosperity has been upon our finances, is seen in the recently published report of the Board of Trustees.
(4) While we ought to deeply regret, and be made more humble and prayerful by the fact, that no more marked season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord has been granted us ; still, when we know that more than twice as many members have been added to our roll as have been taken from us to be "forever with the Lord," we have reason to thank God and take courage.
This New Year will bring our church very near to its semi-centennial anniversary. To make that event worthy of our history, an honor and praise to the Great Head of the Church, and memorable for our children, early and thorough preparation should be made. Such could best be begun by a most diligent and general observance of the present Week of Prayer.
In accordance with the recommendation of the pastor and session, a joint committee from session and trustees was appointed to arrange for the cele-
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bration, namely : J. B. Reeve, D.D., Pastor, Chair- man ; Robt. Jones, Elder ; T. C. Imes, M.D., Elder ; Henry Allen, Elder ; J. B. Mathews, President of Board; Thomas H. Boling, Treasurer of Board ; James H. Irvin, Collector of Board, and W. C. Young, Secretary of Board and Secretary of Committee. This committee began preparation by appointing Robert Jones to write the History of the Church, and September 24, 1894, the time to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary, as follows :
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