USA > Pennsylvania > Greene County > Waynesburg > Historical sketch of the Honeybrook Presbyterian Church of Waynesburg, Chester County, Pa. > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
He at once with intense earnestness entered upon his work, Not satisfied with simply laboring in the meetings in the church, he established weekly meetings in outlying districts, attending them alternately. There being then no preaching in the church on Sab- bath evening, he quite regularly held service Sabbath afternoons at the several points to which we have referred. For a period he taught a Bible class which met previous to the Sabbath morning service, and which became quite popular.
During the first months of his pastorate there was a special awakening in the church, and at the following communion thirty- four persons were received by examination.
In 1859, a parsonage was purchased at a cost of over $2,000.
April 28th, 1861, Wm. P. Buchanan, John W. Morton and B. Franklin Supplee, were ordained and installed ruling elders.
In 1862, when the country was marred with bitter strife, Mr. Thom was drafted for military service, not willing to allow his congrega- tion to purchase his release, nor to accept of a substitute, he deter- mined to report for duty. The day previous to the time appoint- ed for his departure was Communion Sabbath. At the close of the service on that day, he told the congregation that "no man had more to live for than he, and yet he thought no man was more willing to lay down his life for his country, when God called for the sacrifice." He went to the rendezvous but was released from duty and permitted to return home.
14
Several months after this, one of the young men of the congrega- tion, (N. J. K. Lewis) then connected with the army, having died in a hospital in Virginia, and there being difficulty experienced in trying to secure his remains Mr. Thom volunteered to go and use his influence. By persevering efforts he succeeded in his mission, but while doing this he was not content without acting fully in ac- cordance with his higher commission and so, we are told, while with the army he engaged in a variety of service to promote the temporal and spiritual welfare of the soldiers.
In 1863, when Pennsylvania was invaded by the Southern army under Gen. Robert E. Lee, one day a telegram was received in Waynesburg, announcing the destruction of the bridge at Co- lumbia, in order to check the progress of the enemy then gathered on the opposite side of the river. That night the church bell was rung, and the citizens of Waynesburg and vicinity were collected to consider their duty of the hour. Mr. Thom made an address eloquently appealing to all to be willing to go forth to aid in driving back the foe, pledging himself to go with any who would offer them- selves for military service. It is said that it was chiefly through his influence that a full company was enlisted. Mr. A. T. Buchanan (a member of the congregation ; son of elder David Buchanan, and now an M. D., located in Cambridge City, Ind.,) was elected captain of the company, while Mr. Thom entered the ranks as a private. The company went to Lancaster and thence to Harrisburg.
Previous to the organization of the regiment there sprang up a spirit of defection among those from. Waynesburg, some were anxious to return home, others complained of the government require- ments, and a strong majority were seriously thinking of refusing to take the usual oath of fidelity. This caused much solicitude on the part of Mr. Thom, he determined to prevent any disgraceful con- duct, and availing himself of the opportunity after the first morning roll call, he made what has been termed "a very eloquent and soul stirring address," which he concluded with the declaration "as for myself I would rather die like a dog, than live a coward." It proved to be the needed remedy. Complaints were silenced, and every man retained his place. On the organization of the regiment, the 47th P. V. M., Mr. Thom was appointed chaplain. The regiment marched from Harrisburg to the Potomac, just in time to see the confederate army recross. It was then ordered to Schuylkill County in this State, to assist in quieting the miners, and after a brief term
15
of service there, it was mustered out at Reading. As chaplain, Mr. Thom was a favorite among the soldiers.
After his return from this service with his usual zeal Mr. Thom resumed his work. His health was impaired but he never- theless engaged in labors abundant. During his pastorate he had declined several calls to other fields, among them one from Colum- bia, and another from Carlisle, Pa. In May, 1865, he was invited to visit the Pine St. Church, in St. Louis, he went in July, preached three Sabbaths, and the result was he received a call to the pastorate of that church. After due deliberation, lie decided to go to that field. His last sermons, in Waynesburg, were very impressive. Several weeks previous to his departure, typhoid fever was present in the community, scarcely a home escaping its inroad. Among the sick and the dying he moved to say, what was to many a sad word, "farewell." His last sermon was preached with an open coffin before the pulpit. Leaving behind him the people for whom he had the warmest affection, and for whom he had expended his best powers; leaving behind him the home which was to be the last that he and his fond wife and much-loved boys should be permitted to enjoy together, he hastened to his new charge.
On the first Sabbath in October, 1865, he commenced his labors ; on Tuesday, November 28th, 1865, he was surrounded by loved ones, when it was whispered "He is dead." A short illness, the seeds of which were undoubtedly received while yet in Waynesburg, had closed his beautiful and useful life. He was removed in the 36th year of his age. So young to be so much blessed !
During Mr. Thom's pastorate in Waynesburg, there were received into the church by examination seventy, by certificate eighteen. But these are not the sole fruits of his sowing in this direction ; even to- day, with all the changes that have occurred, may it be said, "Though dead, he yet speaketh." His name is a household word. Those who listened to his sermons, or received his visits, speak with a peculiar delight thereof, while the children, and others, like my- self, who never saw him, gaze upon his picture, which adorns so many homes, and listen to the descriptions of his sterling qualities which fall from so many lips, and are filled with admiration for the man of God. We may all wonder and question concerning his early call home, but we remember the words-
"Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan his work in vain, God is his own interpreter And he will make it plain."
16
Early in 1866, Rev. J. H. Young was called to the pastorate of the church on a salary of $1000; he accepted, and was installed at some period during the same year, the time is not noted in the Ses- sional records.
On the 5th of April, 1868, JacobDampman, Thomas Gault, Ru- dolph Feister and Peter Supplee were elected to serve as ruling elders, the last named declined to accept the office, the others were ordained and installed April 11th, the service being conducted by Rev. J. N. C. Grier, D. D., assisted by Rev's. Thos. Long and J. H. Young.
In 1869, the trustees disposed of the parsonage property for $5000. From the very beginning, there was a minority of the congregation opposed to Mr. Young's pastorate, which instead of decreasing, rather, through various causes, increased. At length the opposition developed to such a degree of intensity that it gave rise to a request that he resign, this was counterbalanced by a request from his friends that he remain.
February 7th, 1869, Mr. Young presented his resignation to the session, which was afterwards presented to the people, who voted for a dissolution of the pastoral relationship. On March 7th, at a pro re nata meeting of Presbytery, the request of pastor and congregation was granted.
During Mr. Young's pastorate there were added to the church, fourteen on profession of faith and twenty-four by letters of dismis- sion.
Mr. Young was an excellent student, and a far more than ordinary sermonizer; he was thoroughly evangelical. He was proverbial for his readiness of speech, quick wittedness, promptness at retort and keen satire. He was certainly to be feared in a wordy warfare. After his dismission from Waynesburg he took no church, but located and engaged in business at Indiana in this State: he is at present a member of the Presbytery of Kittanning, and is Professor of Latin and German in the Normal School in Indiana.
On the 19th of June, 1869, a call was extended to the Rev. Chas. T. McMullin, but he declined to accept.
On the first of August following, a unanimous call, promising a salary of $1,000, was made out for Rev. Wm. A. Fergurson, of Dubuque, Ia., he accepted the call and at once commenced to serve the church.
On the 16th of the same month, the Trustees purchased from Mr.
17
John Myers a piece of ground for $600, and immediately proceeded to erect thereon the present commodious parsonage and a stable, at a cost of $3,400.
October 29th, Mr. Fergurson was installed by the Presbytery of Donegal. The same Fall, a protracted meeting was held, when there were thirty-nine persons received into the church on profession of faith.
In 1870, the basement of the church was refitted, and new heaters were erected.
In the Fall of 1870, there was an ingathering into the church of twenty-two, by examination.
In the Fall of 1871, for reasons not necessary to be detailed here, Mr. Fergurson requested the congregation to unite with him in ask- ing Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relationship ; the congrega- tion acquiesced ; and at a meeting of the Presbytery of Chester, held in Waynesburg, October 3d, 1871, the relationship was dis- solved.
During Mr. Fergurson's pastorate there were received into the church, by examination sixty-six, by certificate twenty. Mr. Fer- gurson is usually spoken of as being quite a good preacher. He is at present settled over the Pittsgrove Church, in New Jersey, to which he was called in 1871, and where his labors have been much blessed.
The 10th of June, 1872, your present pastor was given a unani- mous call, promising a salary of $1,200, and a parsonage. On the 15th of the same montli, he began his labors as pastor elect, and on the 31st of October he was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Chester. Sermon by Rev. James Roberts, charge to pastor by Rev. W. M. Rice, D. D., charge to people by Rev. B. B. Hotchkin, D. D.
In the Summer of 1872, an auxiliary to the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society was organized, with Mrs. Victoria Morton (now deceased) as President, and Miss Mattie A, Buchanan, as Secretary. The same lady is still Secretary, while Mrs. W. P. Buchanan is President.
In the Fall of 1874, the audience room and the vestibules of the church were remodeled and handsomely finished. A recess pulpit was made, new walnut rails and ash balusters were placed in front of the different blocks of pews, along the front of the gallery and on the stair cases ; new pews were put in, increasing the number to
18
112; the old pews were altered, the doors being removed and the ends being remodeled, and all were neatly upholstered; the walls and ceilings were artistically frescoed, and all the wood work was painted or oiled; the floor was carpeted, the vestibules and stair cases were covered with cocoa matting; new lamp fixtures and a large chandelier, pulpit chairs, a communion table and a pulpit were provided, and at the same time the parsonage was re-painted, all at a cost of about $4,100. To-day, as another, while describing the edifice, well said, "The Waynesburg Church is one of the most commodious, and elegantly furnished churches in the country."
The committee on repairs consisted of the Pastor and Messrs J. C. Buchanan and Stephen H. Long. The contractors were for building, Mr. Frank Criley, for painting, Mr. John Patterson. Let me say, just here, that Messrs Buchanan and Long deserve great credit both for the taste displayed, and for the economical manner in which they succeeded in doing so much and so well.
The church was re-opened November, 1874, with a sermon in the morning by Rev. James M. Crowell, D. D., and one in the evening by the pastor.
With the re-opening the "Presbyterian Hymnal" was introduced into the congregation.
December 27th, 1874, the session decided to have the communion service quarterly instead of semi-annually, as had been the custom.
In the Spring of 1875, our church was honored in having one of its ruling elders, W. P. Buchanan, sent by Presbytery as a delegate to the General Assembly.
In the Fall of 1875, the pastor, not having taken his vacation as usual in the Summer, by invitation, gave six weeks to the interests of Lincoln University, by visiting churches and individuals and making known its grand object and needs. During this period, the pulpit was supplied by the able Professors of that institution.
During the months of February and March of this year, it pleased the Great Head of the Church to grant us a time of refreshing, so that at the Spring communion there were received into the church forty-four persons by examination; precisely the same as the highest number ever before received in like manner at one time, which was in 1843, when Mr. Latta was pastor.
In the Spring of this year, the Trustees decided to increase the pew-rents, to meet both the ordinary expenses and an indebtedness of about $1,500; the highest rent was fixed at $27.
19
During the four years of my pastorate, there have been added to the church, by examination, fifty-eight, by letter, nine. I have preached and lectured seven hundred and nine times, married fifteen couples, baptized forty-two persons, ranging from the infant to the adult, attended seventy-five funerals ; (for such as take an interest in such statistics, I would remark that twenty-eight were of persons over seventy years of age, and thirteen of persons over fifty years of age;) and I have averaged each of the four years four hundred pastoral visits and calls-this excludes all of merely a social charac- ter; and let it be borne in mind, when these statistics are considered, that our congregation is not grouped into a small space, but that it is spread out over at least twelve square miles of territory.
I believe that, through all the history of the church, there has been a Sabbath school connected with it, open either during the Summer or all the year. At present, the school continues its ses- sions the year through. There are about one hundred and seventy- five scholars, distributed in fifteen classes, and an infant department. Everything is under the supervision of a S. S. Association, consisting of the officers and teachers of the school, and a committee of the elders, and which in turn is responsible to the Session. At present the pastor is superintendent, with Mr. Jesse I. Dauman as assistant.
The church, during Mr. Latta's pastorate, advanced to the position of one of the first in the country, at no time has it receded from this position ; the present number of communicants is two hundred and seventy-five.
Among those who have been connected with the church, there have been some of the wisest and best that ever lived in this commuunity. Of course I cannot refer to them all individually, I cannot however forbear mentioning those who. served in the Session, and who are now in visible relation with the church above.
The first ruling elder whose death the church was called to mourn was Robert Morton, who died April 11th, 1852, aged 73 years.
He was a man with strong attachments to the church. A man well known not so much for words as for acts. When in company he was very quick to invite non church goers to come to service, if they objected, saying they could not pay for sittings, he usually re- plied "Come, and if you cannot, I will pay." In this manner he succeeded in inducing many to attend, but it is said that in no in- stance was it necessary for him to pay. He was a very positive man, as one of his neighbors has expressed it, " A man who seldom set his
20
mind and heart upon a thing without accomplishing it." He and elder David Buchanan were the first to propose the second church : built in 1851-2. As we have seen, he was a member of the com- mittee on building and the committee on plan, the fact is that from the time of the first meeting called to take steps to secure a church in this community, as long as he lived, not a committee was formed but what he was appointed on it. So much attention did he give to the enterprise, when the second edifice was being reared, that daily could his well known horse be seen on the road going either to or from Waynesburg. This animal became so accustomed to going to the church, that he would leave home and without line would go and stand at his particular post. It was through Mr. Morton's per- sistent efforts that the spire, clock and bell which now crown this edifice were secured. But before the church was fully completed, his life work was done, God called, and he was not, and for his funeral the bell, which he so much desired and secured, was first tolled.
The next summoned away was elder, or, as he is frequently men- tioned in the records, Captain John Buchanan, aged 83 years. He had been a captain of a Light Horse company in 1812. He had been an elder in the Forks of Brandywine Church from 1815, and was the father of four sons all of whom were elected to the office, and served as ruling elders. David, John G., William P. and An- drew, the last named serving only in the Forks of Brandywine con- gregation. At first, Captain Buchanan, being a very warm friend of Rev. Dr. Grier, his pastor, was not inclined to withdraw from the old mother church, and continued to drive the six miles to attend service, while his children and neighbors attended the new church. It is said that one Sabbath, as he was as usual driving toward his church, he met his son David, who was coming to Waynesburg, the latter called out, "Well, father, you still prefer to journey to Jeru- salem to worship." He soon, however, began to view matters differ- ently, and in 1837 changed his church home, and was elected to serve as an elder in the new congregation. He was a man of strong character, wielding a great influence in community.
On the 3d of June, 1859, elder John G. Buchanan, aged 46 years, was taken away. From what I can learn, I infer that he was one of that class of men who are bright and shining lights, wherever they may be placed. I take the following passages, which have reference to him, from the Memoir of Mr. Thom. "Mr. B. was a
21
good man, full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith. His life had ex- hibited the power of Divine grace and the beauties of holiness so clearly, that none who knew him questioned his meetness for heaven." " One day the light of heaven resting on his brow, he said to his pastor, as he entered the death chamber, 'Have you come to rejoice with me, because I have found him whom my soul loveth ?' And when asked, by his brother, whether Jesus continued precious to his soul, he responded, ' O yes, he is ever precious, and now he stands just ready to present me faultless before his Father's throne.'" Thus passed away this man of God.
The 5th of April, 1861, elder William Lewis, aged 64 years, was called to his rest. He had, previous to his connection with the Waynesburg church, been a ruling elder in the West Nantmeal Church. He was a modest, unassuming man, full of faith and devoted to the interests of the Master's kingdom. He was remarka- ble for his humble willingness to fill any post that was assigned to him. He was such a man as a pastor or people always know where to find.
The next to follow was elder Hugh R. Buchanan, aged 57 years, who passed away March 6th, 1862. He had come, ten years pre- viously, from the Pequea Church, where he had been a member of the Session. He was a man who was ever as true to all his moral and religious duties, as a needle is true to the pole. Distance, inclement weather, were not in his opinion sufficient excuse for neglect in at- tendance upon the services of God's house. When in health his presence and help could always be relied upon, if, for any reason, he could not ride, he would walk miles to reach church. Almost the last public work which he did was to make a series of religious visits in a portion of the congregation, and it was the testimony of his pastor who followed him, that a deep seriousness resulted from his visitation. Some to whom he addressed solemn and tender words were thereby led to find peace by believing in Jesus.
The last to whom we make reference, but a short time since fell asleep, we have not yet ceased to miss his form, David Buchanan aged 76 years, departed this life February 20th, 1875.
While a member of the Forks of Brandywine Church, and when but twenty-six years of age he was called to serve as a ruling elder in that very large congregation. There he remained and rendered acceptable service until the organization of this church, when he was chosen to serve in it. He was really a remarkable man. His very
22
presence seemed at once to secure him respect and influence. He was just such an one as we would naturally suppose people would select for their leader. He was ever active in caring for both the spiritual and temporal wants of the congregation. He had not a spark of sympathy for any who shrank from employing their talents or means for the cause of Christ. The congregation was unusually fortunate in having in its early history such a pair of men as he and elder Robert Morton to take position in the vanguard. I will quote from the sessional records, concerning Mr. Buchanan. "Than he none were ever more faithful in the discharge of duty, especially are we called upon to testify to his anxious conscientiousness and wisdom in counsel and his liberal support rendered to the temporali- ties of our church. We shall long miss his wise, upright, and eminently Christian example."
God be praised for these and other examples which it has been the privilege of this church to enjoy, may it be the desire of all to emulate their virtues.
Among those who have occasionally supplied the pulpit of this church we find the names of the following: John Dickey, D.D., W. R. Bingham, R. P. DuBois, Alfred Nevin, D.D., L.L.D., Henry Boardman, D.D., W. Plummer, D.D., L.L.D., Rev. Dr. Happer, I. N. Rendall, D.D., Prof. E. R. Bower, W. M. Rice, D.D., Alexan- der Reed, D.D., James M. Crowell, D.D. and C. R. Gregory, D.D.
Just here I wish to briefly notice those who have occupied the position which is one of the most difficult to serve. I allude to that of sexton. The first employed was Saml. Brown, who resided in the basement of the church ; during his term of service it was cus- tomary to have a box hanging in the church to receive missionary offerings ; the offerings not accumulating as fast as it was believed they should, certain measures were taken to ascertain whether there was not some tampering with the box when it was discovered that the sexton was in the habit of "shaking the box" and relieving it of some of its treasure ; for this offence he was dismissed. Then the office was filled by Mr. W. Goodman, who was succeeded by Mr. Eli S. Kulp, and who in turn was succeeded by Mr. John Sloan. In 1852, Mr. J. Hughes was employed for one year for which he was to receive "$36, and no extras." He was a most excellent man for the position, and retained it, of course, with increased salary, until advanced age and failing eye-sight compelled him to resign in April, 1875. Such a habit had his coming to the church and caring
23
for its security become that even after another had been secured to take his old place, he would, with his staff, feel his way down through the darkness of the night, and enter the basement and go to the heaters to ascertain whether everything was safe. Though a mem- ber of the M. E. Church he still finds his way to our sanctuary, and to our prayer meetings, where he gives us welcome assistance in his earnest prayers. His successor is Mr. Ezra Coates.
As much as we have now considered pertains to home-life, but the church has a history connected with outside life. It has not been doing but one kind of service, it has not been developing its resources for simply this immediate locality ; instead it has ever been ready and quick to respond to all cries for help from abroad, with either consecrated men, women or money.
When first organized and aid from the Board was hoped for to assist in the struggle to gain a foothold, opposition was met with from such as should have been earnest friends, the plea was, that the church could never sustain itself; this, however, as in other instances, only served as an incentive to make the little band sacrifice the more, and the consequence was that in a short time the church be- came known for its prosperity at home and its contributions for away. In benevolent contributions it now surpasses all other churches in the Presbytery. I am not able to give the figures for the period previous to 1866, but in that year, for outside work, the amount contributed was $530. Since then it has been, 1867, $615, 1868, $586, 1869, $657, 1870, $661, 1871, $782, 1872, $831, 1873, $1108, 1874, $1289, 1875, $1443. Total of contributions for ten years, for outside benevolent work, $8502.
In the highest sense this has always been a mission church, at least two-thirds of the foregoing contributions went to sustain foreign and domestic mission work. But as we have intimated, not only money but children of the church have been given. In this the church has a roll worthy of being held up to view.
Early in the church's history, the Rev. G. W. Simpson, the son of Christian parents, gave himself to mission work, and was station- ed at the Gaboon Mission, on the west coast of Africa. He was a promising young man, well educated, thoroughly in earnest and devoted to missions; but it was not his privilege to live and show what with the help of God he could do. Only a short time after his arrival at his field, while out in a boat which was caught in a gale and capsized, he and his wife were drowned. When the news
24
of his death was communicated to his aged mother, she calmly re- marked, "Well, he will be nearer to me in Heaven, than he was in Africa."
August 1st, 1860, Miss Mary Latta, afterward Mrs. Nassau, sailed from New York for Corisco. According to her own note book, Nov. 1st, according to our Sessional record, Nov. 31st, 1857, she was re- ceived into the church by examination. She was the niece of Rev. W. W. Latta. She was of a very lively disposition, just such an one as was calculated to make bright some dark spot of earth, and, as if she knew that, she, with a heart enlisted for mission work, gave herself for Africa. It was not in a moment of unusual enthu- siasm that she decided upon her course; enthusiasm for missions seems to have been always a characteristic of hers ; in a letter writ- ten in 1856, to her guardian, Mr. David Buchanan, which has been handed me, she inquires whether she may not make use of some of her income to assist the work of missions, either by giving through the Board, or by assisting in educating some missionary's child. For the sequel to her departure, I will quote what appeared in "The Presbyterian."
"Died, Sept. 10th, 1870, Mrs. Mary C. Nassau, wife of Rev. R. H. Nassau, M. D., of Corisco Mission, West Africa. With this mission she had been connected for ten years, during which time she once visited America. For her chosen work she was admirably adapted both by nature and by grace. Always calm in danger, patient in tribulation, generous in giving, correct in judgment, full of faith, abounding in good works. How much the sable converts from heathen darkness and superstition felt her loss, was seen as they surrounded her corpse and 'wept for themselves.' Last Spring her failing health led her husband to arrange for her return by an op- portunity offering in July. But when the time arrived, feeling better, she declined to leave, and it was concluded to wait for expec- ted reinforcements to the mission. But, August 31st, she was attacked with the chill by which the African fever is preceded. The medical means employed broke the disease and it was hoped that with a change of climate she would recover. Dr. Nassau set sail with her for England, but on the following day unfavorable symptoms super- vened, her exhausted frame sank as in peaceful slumber, and her spirit rose to Jesus from the Atlantic wave to receive a martyr's crown. Her precious remains were interred at Benita, in the ground which, three years before, was first consecrated as a cemetery by the
25
burial of her beloved child." To learn of this noble woman, to be much benefited, I advise as many as can to secure her always inter- esting memoir, "Crowned in Palm Land," published by Lippincott, 1874.
October, 1867, Rev. Elwood M. Wherry and wife, the daughter of elder W. P. Buchanan, both members of this church, sailed for India. They were stationed at Lodiana, where Mr. Wherry now has charge of the mission press. Faithfully and successfully have they been sowing the precious seed truths which, watered by the Holy Spirit, are to take root, grow up, and bring forth fruit in the salvation of souls long shut up in heathen darkness. From the lips of a native convert, Narayan Sheshadri, and from the lips of some of our own missionaries have I heard words of praise con- cerning the manner in which they are making known to men, women and children the glad tidings of salvation.
Engaged in ministerial work in .this land, the church has Rev. W. P. White; he was called, ordained and installed over the church at Plymouth, Pa., about 1870, where he is still with a living and exceedingly prosperous congregation, which he has built up. His name has immense influence for good all through the Wyoming Valley. The comment which one of his co-presbyters, a man of good judgment, has to make upon him is in the shape of a request, "If you have any more like him, send them along we have places for them."
Mr. John Albert Buchanan, the son of the former elder J. G. Buchanan, having graduated at Lafayette College at the recent commencement, proposes, the approaching Fall, to enter Union Seminary to prepare himself for the gospel ministry. May God give him life and health and enable him to come forth to preach with power from on high the unsearchable riches of Christ to a dying world.
Such now is the result of my effort to trace out the history of this church during forty years and a half, which have passed since its organization. I am aware that the work might have been done better by others, but have we not had sufficient pass in review to teach us some important lessons ? The actual influence of the prayers, sermons, conversations and sacrifices of these years we can never know in time-it will only be manifest when we see no longer through a glass darkly. But let us give ear and learn what is to be learned. "Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom."
26
Will we not endeavor to profit from the experiences and efforts of the past ? May God's choicest blessings ever rest upon this congrega- tion. May it ever grow stronger, and may its sympathies with all who love God and are toiling for the salvation of men ever increase. May it ever be known for its sacrifices and earnest endeavors for the lifting up of mankind.
Brethren, let us who live to-day do our work and let us do it well. Let us show ourselves worthy of our privileges. May we as pastor and people be faithful unto death, and through the unsearch- able riches of Christ "have a right to the tree of life," and at last " enter in through the gates into the city " to be united forever with those whose footprints we have seen in our wanderings in our church's history, and with others who must certainly follow us. " Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
The present officers of the church are as follows :
PASTOR, W. W. TOTHEROH.
ELDERS.
W. P. BUCHANAN,
JOHN W. MORTON, JACOB DAMPMAN,
THOMAS GAULT,
RUDOLPH FEISTER.
TRUSTEES.
J. C. BUCHANAN, Prest. STEPHEN H. LONG, Sec'y. JACOB DAMPMAN, .
SAMUEL MCCONNELL, .
R. W. MORTON, JAMES RALSTON,
ISAIAH WILSON.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.