USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Fifty years in the Lombard Street Central Presbyterian Church > Part 7
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ORDER OF EXERCISES.
Monday Evening, September 24th, at 8 o'clock, " Founders' Day " Observances, Elder Robert Jones, Chairman.
Tuesday Evening, September 25th, at 8 o'clock, " Sabbath-School " Celebration. Dr. T. C. Imes, Superintendent. Wednesday Evening, September 26th, at 8 o'clock, " Young People's Association," Miss Ella F. Still, President. Thursday Evening, September 27th, " Dorcas Society," Mrs. Sarah Titus, President. King's Daughters," Miss F. L. Somerville, President.
" Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip," Thomas H. Gaskins, President. Friday Evening, September 28th, Reception-Given under the auspices of the Session and Board of Trustees, assisted by the Band of Willing Workers. Ad- mission by card. Sunday, September 30th, 10.45 A.M .- Semi-Centennial Sermon by the Pastor. 2.30 P.M .- Sabbath-School Exercises. 8.00 P.M .- Memorial Praise Service, with groupings of the years in ten.
1844
1894
ROBT JONES.
W.C.YOUNG SECY
REY J. B REEV PEEVE D.D
J.H. IRVIN
T.C.IMES MD
J. B. MATTHEWS
| H.W.ALLEN.|
T.H. BOLING.
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1894.
THE church is now in its fiftieth year of exist- ence, and numbers over four hundred communi- cants, with a Sabbath-school of about two hun- dred teachers and scholars. God has blessed us and, we trust, made us a blessing. The different organizations of the church are preparing for the " Jubilee " service in the spirit of "Israel of old."
Founders' Day observances began with tea for founders, session and trustees in the lecture room, superintended by Mrs. Margaret A. Bold- ing, assisted by Mr. William A. Potter. The lecture room and church were beautifully deco- rated under the supervision of Mr. Joshua B. Matthews. It was a fit beginning of the "Jubilee " to gather with the ten survivors : Mrs. Sarah Wor- thington, Miss Mary Green, Miss Sophia Grey, Mrs. Jane Bruff, Miss Maria Jones, Mrs. Rachel Quinn, Mrs. Mary Bundick, Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, Mr. Guy M. Burton and Elder Robert Jones, each with a " Presbyterian blue" badge presented by the "Dorcas " Society. It was joyous thus to gather and to witness the spirit of " love and unity" that pervaded every heart, causing each to do all they could for the enjoyment of each other. After the tea they went up to the church and began services by singing " Praise God from whom all blessings flow." Prayer by the pastor, J. B. Reeve, D.D .; then singing, " God is Love." Then
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an opening address by Elder William Still. After- ward that beautiful hymn that Dr. March loved to hear us sing as he sat in his home near the church at the bedside of a sick and dying daughter, " How firm a foundation." Miss Mary Green, blind and aged, then told of the days past, and Mr. Guy M. Burton of those that had gone on before. Mrs. E. Pommer, a daughter of Elder Francis, of Old German Street Presbyterian Church, then sang Moore's song, "Oft in the stilly night." The Rev. Mr. Bruin, Rev. Mr. Culver, Rev. Dr. Rice and Mr. Hans Shadd made short addresses, and the exer- cises closed with remarks and benediction by the pastor.
September 25th .- The Sabbath School celebra- tion began by an Entrée March, bearing the school banner with the motto, "In God we trust." Prayer by the pastor ; singing, and an address of welcome by Superintendent T. C. Imes. Found- ers' address, Robert Jones; then singing and other exercises; the anniversary address by Hor- ace F. Owens, and the following anniversary ode, composed by H. F. Owens and set to music by L. N. Perryman :
SING HIS PRAISE.
" Hitherto the Lord hath helped us;" Ebenezer glad we raise, For the blessings he has given, For His grace and length of days Joyful we, thou Guide of Israel ;
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Celebrate our Jubilee ; Consecrate our willing service, And our lives, our all to Thee.
CHORUS.
Sing His praises, O ye children ; Tongues and instruments proclaim That God's mercy e'er endureth, And His promise is the same. Lend your voices, all ye people ; Catch the joyful sound, and then, Sing our Great Jehovah's triumph Now and evermore, Amen.
While the years have come and fleeted, Lord, Thy Church secure has been ; In the night the fiery pillar, In the day Thy cloud was seen. And the Rock of her foundation Shall remain, though storms assail; This the promise : " Ne'er against it Shall the gates of hell prevail."
Days of toil and years of watching Have Thy faithful servants known, Pioneers of Jesus' kingdom, Laying Zion's corner-stone. And we thank Thee, Heavenly Father, For the earnest lab'rers gone ; Left their work when called by Jesus, Crossed the river, one by one.
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" Hitherto the Lord hath helped us," And His Church triumphant stands, Pointing to the "many mansions," In the " house not made with hands." Cov'nant-keeping God of ages, Whether light or dark may be, By Thy hand direct Thy Zion, Till Thy final victory.
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The exercises closed by the presentation of a gold "Gloucester Medal " to the First Superin- tendent, Robert Jones.
September 26th-" Young People's Association Day" was duly celebrated by music and addres- ses ; the history by Dr. Caroline V. Anderson, and addresses by Rev. Wm. R. Templeton of Reading, Pa., and Rev. F. J. Grimke, D.D., of Washington, D. C., all of them members of the Association, which is twenty-five years old on September 27th.
The Dorcas Society, King's Daughters, and Andrew and Philip Brotherhood united in exer- cises, as follows: Dorcas Society. Prayer by Rev. W. R. Templeton, singing, and an address by Rev. J. B. Reeve, D.D. History of the Society by Miss J. F. Jones ; a solo by Mrs. M. A. Bolding, and an address by Mrs. L. J. Coppin. Miss J. F. Jones said in substance : "In recalling the work of the Society our thoughts go out to those of our number who labored with us so faithfully, but who 'are not,' because God took them. Those dear immortal ones are not dead, they only 'walk with us on earth no more.'
' There is no death ! The stars go down To rise upon some fairer shore ; And bright in Heaven's jewelled crown They shine forever more.
Ever near us, though unseen, The dear immortal spirits tread ; For all the boundless universe Is life. There is no death.'
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" Mary Bond, the first treasurer, was called from us March, 1885. She was so generous and unre- mitting in her efforts that her memory is still fresh and dear to many. The next to be called was Mrs. Webster. How she loved the Dorcas Society, and how faithfully she labored for it, and attended it! coming, as some of us felt, at the risk of declining health.
"Dear Mrs. Mary Purnell, the type of a quiet Christian character, was the next taken. We all remember how substantially she used to aid the Dorcas, and how often her voice was raised in prayer in its behalf.
"Mrs. Mary Somerville went from us in August, 1890. She was elected second treasurer and served for five years. A good, faithful member, ever ready to give aid and labor for God's poor. Her counsel and assistance were sadly missed. When her daughter, Miss Alma Somerville, was unanimously elected treasurer it seemed emi- nently fitting that the daughter should take up the work where the mother laid it aside.
" Mrs. M. Dunn was another unostentatious Christian, quietly and constantly working for the Master, making many sacrifices of personal com- fort, that she might give and do for the afflicted and needy.
"Mrs. Selina Johnson, Mrs. Maloney, Mrs. Demun have all been called from labor to reward, and their works do follow them.
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"In this review of the years, we would not recall only the labors of those who have passed to the other side, but we would remember, with grati- tude to the giver of all good gifts, the excellent and valiant services of those who have wrought all these years. Much of the success of our work, and the feeling of harmony that exists, is due to the just, broad and Christian spirit of our one and only president, Mrs. Sarah Titus.
"And now, dear members of the Dorcas Society, what lesson can we draw from this review of the work? Is there anything to help, to encourage, to warn?
"To my mind the one unmistakable lesson is the strength in combined small efforts, and the other is a patient continuance in work."
King's Daughters, Miss F. L. Somerville, pres- ident, began by reciting the 45th Psalm, and sang "In His Name." Miss F. E. Still then gave a history of the Circle, and its work, followed by a solo from Miss Mamie Saunders, and reci- tation, etc.
Andrew and Philip Brotherhood opened with an Indroductory by Thos. H. Gaskins, president, and a history by T. C. Imes, M.D., then singing, recitation, etc., closing with a bendiction.
Friday evening, September 28th, a reception under the auspices of the Session, Board of Trustees, and Band of Willing Workers was
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given in the lecture room, after an interesting meeting in the church, which was attended by a number of colored Presbyterian ministers, who had been holding a convention in the interest of Presbyterianism among the colored people. It was an interesting gathering. Rev. W. A. Alex- ander, Plainfield, N. J .; Rev. P. B. Tompkins, New York City; Rev. H. G. Miller, New York City ; Rev. R. A. Armstrong, Harrisburg, Pa .; Rev. William R. Templeton, Reading, Pa .; Rev. E. W. Coberth, York, Pa .; Rev. E. F. Eggleston, Bal- timore, Md .; Rev. W. C. Brown, West Chester, Pa .; Rev. C. L. Jefferson, Wilmington, Del .; Rev. M. Anderson and Rev. T. H. Lee, Philadelphia; Rev. D. W. Anderson, Camden, N. J. The Rev. F. J. Grimke, D.D., Washington, D. C., was un- able to be present, but endorsed the movement. The Rev. J. B. Reeve, D.D., was chosen mode- rator, and Rev. Armstrong, clerk. A number of these brethren and others at the reception made short addresses interspersed with singing, and at the close a " loving cup " was given with this in- scription : " Presented to Mr. Robert Jones on the fiftieth anniversary of Lombard Street Central Presbyterian Church, and of his eldership therein. Philadelphia, 1894." Elder Jones, in receiving the cup, said he appreciated it highly on account of the name it bore, and the kindly feeling it be- tokens. Well might Drummond call Love " the greatest thing on earth."
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God is Love, His mercies brighten All the paths in which we rove. Bliss He wakes, and woe He lightens : God is wisdom, God is love.
Sabbath morning, September 30, 1894, the Rev. J. B. Reeve, D.D., pastor, preached the Semi- Centennial sermon, as follows :
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A Jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto you. The Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth .- Lev. 25 : 11, and I Tim. 3 : 15.
Many hundred years lie between the age of Moses, the lawgiver, and that of Paul, the Apostle, to the Gentiles. But faith springs arches whereby she easily bridges centuries and makes the near and the far in the realm of divine truth seem as one.
We have therefore blended that earlier inspired word by Moses with this later one by St. Paul, and so have gotten just the text we want to consider on this holy day, the last, and because the Lord's. the great day of the festal week, and celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of our church.
God, speaking by His servant Moses, said to His ancient Church in the first words of our text: "A jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto you. A season of gladness, of joy and rejoicing."
Whether this part of our text was one of God our Father's exceeding great and precious prom- ises to His Church, or one of His commands in
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the keeping of which there is great reward, this one thing is certain now : history shows that Jubilee came, came not only in the course of re- volving years, but came as a delightful experience into the very life of that most ancient Church of the living God. For its coming as for its keeping He had made full and rich provision. He who in the beginning set the two lights in the firmament of the heaven, and said, "Let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years"-He, the living God, in constituting the early Church, so designated certain periods of time that they led straight on and up to this fiftieth year of gladness, or jubilee.
Each seventh day was to be hallowed, a Sab- bath, the holy of the Lord, a delight, honorable. Then each seventh year was to be a Sabbatic year. " The Sabbath of the Fields," as the Rev. Dr. Hugh Macmillan has called it in one of his admir- able books. Field and flock as well as man, whether master or servant, were, for that time, to rest, to be redeemed or released from burden- bearing.
Then when seven times seven years, or seven Sabbatic years, had been numbered there came, in God's own order, this fiftieth or Jubilee year.
The weekly Sabbath was jubilee in germ, the Sabbatic year was the bud, and this fiftieth year was the full-blown fragrant blossom. But the fruit
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was not yet. It is true that this year redeemed lands, which had been forfeited, back to original tribal or family ownership. Every servant, too, who had been sold, or who had sold himself for . debt, was redeemed from servitude to freedom. This year was ushered in by the great trumpet's joyful sound-proclaiming liberty throughout all the land to all the inhabitants thereof -- our own old Liberty Bell's sacred inscription.
Thus the fiftieth year was full of these facts and forces of a redemption which freed lands and ser- vants, and set the latter singing, with those whose heritages had been redeemed-notes which sug- gested Charles Wesley's grand old hymn, so dear to John Brown's heart.
" The year of jubilee is come."
And yet that year was God's own radiant and odorous flower, only not fruit, because its redemp- tions affected materialities, not mind and heart. What was needed and that which had been prom- ised and prefigured was a redemption which de- livers body, soul and spirit. And this is just what the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth, as St. Paul knew and served it, pro- claims, the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.
It is a most significant fact that in the Church of the living God, as it has passed from old to new, from Jewish to Christian, from ancient to modern,
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this jubilistic principle has remained, growing brighter, stronger and more distinctively spiritual, while that which seemed to be elemental to it has passed away. Not the seventh, but the first day of the week is Sabbath now, and the Sabbatic year .is not thought of since the Jews ceased to be an agricultural people. But the fiftieth year, the Jubilee, is kept now, not as a form but as a fact into which a personal experience is woven. It seems not long ago when the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions observed its semi-centennial. Fifty years had passed since that noble institution whose beginnings were among consecrated young men on bended knees beside a hay stack. It had grown to such proportions, was then so widely active in helping to fill the dark places of the earth with a knowledge of the re- demption which is in Christ Jesus, that its friends and patrons in the Church at home and its bene- ficiaries in foreign lands with joy and gladness of heart kept its jubilee. Praises, thanksgivings went up to God from thousands on thousands of thankful hearts and lips, and fiftieth anniversary offerings were cheerfully made, and so the domin- ion of God was extended.
A year or two ago the Queen of England and her subjects in kingdom and empire and provinces the world around kept her jubilee ; rejoicing be- fore God that one who as a girl had begun her
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reign, had in His providence reigned on through fifty long, changeful years. That as happy maiden and then matron and then as a sad-hearted widow she had held that lofty throne. All Christians rejoicing most of all that through it all she had still held fast a simple faith in the living God ;. with such clear conception of the oneness of His Church, that she had worshipped Him as heartily among her humbler subjects in Presbyterian Meet- ing House in Scottish Highlands as in her royal chapel at Windsor, or in Westminster Abbey, or St. Paul's Cathedral.
Last year, the Free Church of Scotland kept its jubilee. After ten long years of conflict, on May 18, 1843, had come that famous disruption of the old Scottish Presbyterian Church, when nearly five hundred ministers walked out of the General Assembly of that Church to freedom of conscience and worship. And though they knew well that before that day's sun went down four or five hun- dred of their families might be forcefully driven out, still in the light of that same May day, those godly men marched into a hall, already selected in anticipation of trouble, and organized, as we have said, the Free Church. Without church buildings or colleges or divinity halls, and with the opposi- tion of the secular authorities, in relative poverty, they began. And last year, 1893, strong, magni- ficently, numerically and financially, and with well-
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supported mission stations throughout the world, they kept their jubilee. The living God had made for them, helped them to make for themselves, that fiftieth year grandly jubilistic.
Is it not a striking coincidence that just about a year after that famous disruption of the old Scot- tish Church, there should have been right here in Philadelphia, in a little local Presbyterian church of our own people, internal conflict and disruption in which three or four score religious liberty-lov- ing Christian men and women come out, and thus the Lombard Street Central Presbyterian Church began. And is it not an equally striking coinci- dence or providence, as you will, that soon after the rupture and its results here and the great disruption and continued bitterness there, that the founder of this church, the Rev. S. H. Gloucester, should have found his way there to plead on Scot- tish and English soil the cause of this communion ?
This we are sure is true, that in some instances auld Kirkmen and Free Churchmen were diverted for the time from their own feuds while they list- ened to this voice from beyond the sea and saw in the man of African extraction that which re- minded them of Augustine, that eminent North African Christian. Thus, almost within a year of disruption of the old there and the organization of the new and free on a large, grand scale, was this our own local Presbyterian church organized July
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22, 1844. And so it comes to pass that within twelve months of the celebration of the Semi- Centennial of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, we too celebrate our Semi-Centennial. We have had our full grand week of sacred fes- tivities, and on this holy day we have our hearty worship and fiftieth anniversary sermon.
An ancient scripture says, "The righteous shall hold on his way and he that has clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger." Without claiming for this church these characteristics beyond that of neighboring churches, this historic fact is our joy to-day, that for fully fifty years this church has held on its way -- has-God be praised- grown stronger and stronger.
As a church of the living God, it has fully made manifest that possible reconciliation between the two which elsewhere seem irreconcilable -- stability and progress. Settled on a rock and yet moving forward unto perfection.
Its spirit or mode of moving out along the ad- vancing lines of Christian activity, while still hold- ing to the old established faith, is evidenced by our various church associations, so harmoniously active in this semi-centennial celebration.
In its Presbyterial relations our church grows stronger and stronger, until, for years now, by self-support and cheerful; if humble, contributions to denominational boards and other beneficient
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"Presental,
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(Mr Robert Jones Jon the 50" Anniversary
Lombard IT
Central Presbyterian Chach
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Phila. Pa. 1894
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work, it has been a living witness against the assertion sometimes made, that our churches are always wards.
Not unto us, not unto us, not unto us, but unto His name be the glory, who said to us : "A jubilee shall the fiftieth year be unto you." Thanks be unto God who hath given to us this victory- this jubilee in the Church of the living God.
In Memoriam.
REV. STEPHEN HENRY GLOUCESTER, the second son of Rev. John Gloucester, Sr.,. was born in Tennessee, 1802; was one of the six children the father redeemed from slavery by purchase in 1810, after he (the father) came to Philadelphia, going from place to place, even to England, to get the money. Stephen worked for a long time in the family of Alexander Henry, on Arch Street, and when his brother, Jeremiah, died, he took charge of the school in Norris Alley that Jeremiah had conducted. In this we see the self-confidence and boldness of character in Stephen. He had only such education as he obtained by perseverance in a limited way. Jeremiah had been educated at college by the Presbytery. Stephen had not; but like his father, he employed assistants that could teach the higher branches. Among his assistants was the late John Bowers. The school became very popular among the better class of colored citizens. There were several others at that time, and also a public school in the building in St. Mary Street, afterward removed to Sixth above Lom- bard, now called the "James Forten School," taught
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by Mr. James Bird, and the girls by Miss Maria Hutton. There was also the Willing Alley Free School, taught by Friends. The children of this school were taken every Fourth day (Wednesday) to Friends' meeting, Pine below Second Street. Mr. Gloucester continued the school after the death of his brothers (Jeremiah, 1828 ; John 1832), who were pastors in succession of the Second Church. He then turned his attention to the ministry, but not having a collegiate education, was unable to pass the required examination to entitle him to ordination as an ordained minister ; the Presbytery, however, gave him license to preach as an evangelist.
Mr. Gloucester became an aceptable preacher of the Gospel. Some of his explanations of dif- ficult subjects, though homely, were such that any could understand and receive ; for instance, in explaining the dawning of faith in the human mind, he would liken it to the dawn of day: at first we can only discern large objects about the room, then smaller objects, until, as it becomes brighter and brighter, we can see even a pin on the floor. Also in explanation of the joy in heaven that each one has (a subject that without this homely explanation is a perplexity to many), he did not dispute the joy, nor the fullness thereof; from the infant of a day, to the saint of a century; from the penitent thief on the cross to the
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martyred Stephen-all had their full of joy ; he likening it to a row of measures, from a gill to a gallon, all full, as much as they could hold; all happy as they could be, all fully blest. Stephen was not the singer his father was, but as a manager of church work he was very successful, not hesi- tating to adopt anything that tended to keep alive the interest of the members; for instance, in place of "love feast" he would have what was termed a mental feast ; plain crackers and water were used, and whatever of experience and encouragement anyone chose to give was spoken. This tended to keep a social, kindly feeling in the congrega- tion which, with the visitation by pastor and elders, promoted better attendance to church duties, and was not as expensive and enervating as the present fancy cakes, cream, confectionery and music, and more becoming the house of God. In his visit to England he found that the minis- ters there preached without written sermons, and, therefore, had to study and get fixed in their minds the subjects they would preach about. This he had to do while there. English clergymen generally wear gowns, and on Mr. Gloucester's promising to wear one, he was made a present of a heavy black silk gown that he wore with becom- ing dignity until he died. He was the only Pres- byterian minister in Philadelphia that wore a gown. In. 1842 Mr. Gloucester delivered a discourse on
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the death of Mr. James Forten, Sr., to the Young Men's Bible Association of the Second Presby- terian Church, which was published by request. He took as a text: "I go the way of all the earth; be thou strong, therefore, and show thyself a man." (1 Kings 2 : 2.)
"This was David's counsel to his son who was to reign as his successor on the throne of Israel. Solomon was at this time young and inexperi- enced, and an immense trust was to be committed to his hand, at the death of his father. This was an undertaking of great magnitude and difficulty, and, to secure its success, it would be necessary for Solomon to give heed to the instructions of his pious and dying father. To show himself a man he must be intelligent, punctual, energetic, persevering. Solomon was urged by his pious father to keep the charge of the Lord his God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes and com- mandments. Whatever other qualifications he might have, unless he possessed genuine piety he had no reason to expect he would succeed in governing the nation or in erecting the temple for the worship of the Most High."
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