USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > West Chester > History of First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, Pa. > Part 6
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During the ten years of Dr. Jones' pastorate, two hun- dred and seventeen had been received into the church by examination, and one hundred and fourteen by letter, mak- ing three hundred and thirty-one in all. The statistical re- port for the year ending April 1, 1883, shows a total number of communicants of 446. The Sabbath School membership is reported as follows: Church Schools, 330; Colored School, 100; four (4) Country Mission Schools, 275 ; making a total of 705.
It is noted in the record of the election of elders, April 19, 1883, that an election of deacons was held also accord- ing to the plan adopted the year before, and the two dea- cons elected for one year were re-elected to serve three years, but thereafter, for some reason, there was no notice given at the time for the election of elders that any deacons would be elected. Thus ended, after such a brief period, all efforts to maintain what had been undertaken with such promise of much advantage to the church.
Asked to prepare an estimate of Rev. Dr. Jones, as he is affectionately remembered by those who were privileged to know him and to come under his influence, Arthur T. Parke, Esq., one of the present elders of this church, has submitted the following :
"Rev. Benjamin T. Jones was a man of somewhat slight physique, of dignified bearing, and of scholarly at- tainments. He came to West Chester in his early man- hood, with all the enthusiasm of youth, and with a mental and spiritual equipment, which made him at once a vital force in the community. He was a man of strong convic- tions, of Puritanic and Spartan habits of life, and possessed of a zeal for his Master and the Church which proved to be contagious.
"From the moment of his advent to our town he at- tracted men, and especially young men, to him. He en- listed the members of his session in active and quickened service, and organized a class for regular and systematic
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study of the Bible, which included in its number many of the young men of the town. His energy led him to extend his activities beyond the limits of the borough, and, with the earnest co-operation of the members of the church, he established Sabbath Schools and preaching stations in out- lying country districts.
"His sermons were masterly productions, delivered for the most part from manuscript, and from time to time repeated by request. He accepted the Scriptures as un- questioned authority in faith and practice, and was devoted to the doctrine of the Presbyterian Creed. He was always accorded a prominent place in the Councils of the Church. He found the First Presbyterian Church of West Chester occupying a leading position in the Presbytery of Chester and he maintained its prestige and advanced its standing."
Rev. J. B. Rendall, D. D., President of Lincoln Uni- versity, was requested to give his impressions of Rev. B. T. Jones, D. D., and has kindly furnished the following :
"Dr. Jones came as a young man to the important church in West Chester in Chester Presbytery. Straight as an arrow, spare, quick and graceful in movement, one could not but look at him with a kind of fascination. And then when in Presbytery or at installations or in public service he rose to speak, the clear resonant voice, the chaste, forceful sentences, the apt and beautiful illustra- tions, the evident sincerity and conviction that prompted all his utterances, all riveted the attention and retained it until he sat down. I can directly remember the time, when he first took possession of my warmest admiration.
"A motion was made to disorganize and disband the church at Doe Run on the ground that all further assist- ance was a waste of sacred money. And the motion came from one of the recognized leaders of the Presbytery. Dr. Jones, still a comparative stranger in the Presbytery, sprang to his feet and said it was the custom in heathen lands to strangle and destroy parents who had grown old and feeble, but Christendom gloried in the privilege of then rendering the tenderest ministry. The name of Doe Run
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remained on the roll of churches. Then came an adjourned meeting of Presbytery to install a pastor at Doe Run, if the way should be clear. But before the way could be clear nearly $100 was needed, and again he promptly went to the platform, and said that he had been advised by some of his friends to put a little more meal in the barrel and give a little less to benevolence, but that this was a time for benevolence and prompt benevolence, and his hand went into his pocket and brought out $5, and there he stood pleading until the $100 was raised, and now, he said, the way is clear to pro- ceed with the installation, and he modestly went back and took his seat, and the installation proceeded.
"From that time on I felt that he was a wise, large- hearted leader, and safe to follow. And then as the years went on the day came when Lincoln University needed a Professor. My thought at once went out to Dr. Jones. I was pronounced a visionary, but I clung to my view that he was influenced not by material considerations but by his conscience, and if we could appeal to his conscience, he would come. And the appeal was made and the conscience was gained. His devoted church offered him a year's va- cation, and a continuance of salary, and an extra $1000 for a year's travel abroad. But he had devoted himself to. what he believed was the call of God, and he closed his ears to these generous plans of his devoted flock. Still later he was called to a church offering three times the salary he was receiving at Lincoln University, but he remained where his conscience bade him stay until God called him to his service and reward above. He was the first Professor of the English Bible in any institution in our land, and there never can be a better.
"He believed the Bible from lid to lid, and he believed it was the power of God unto salvation. He loved it and taught it with a glowing earnestness. On more than one occasion as professors and students were on some of the messianic passages and hearts were burning, he would suddenly stop and call on some student to pray and he
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JOHN CALVIN CALDWELL Pastor, 1883-1892
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would follow, and when their eyes were opened, it was as if they saw Jesus only.
"He was taken home in the noontide of usefulness. And to this day I cannot realize that he has gone. It seems as if I ought to be able to see his earnest, spiritual face, and to hear the words welling up from his full enriched soul. His sermons were highly intellectual, and they were also full of feeling, but above all the appeal was to the con- science. The glowing imperative of duty ran through all his preaching. No man was more sought or more effective in seasons of religious interest. Fagg's Manor, New Lon- don and Kennett Square, all experienced gracious revivals under his ministry while he was with us at Lincoln.
"He was peculiarly sensitive about counting the sheaves and receiving glory from men. One time when a reporter wanted to know how many had been converted under his preaching at one of these places, he denied all knowledge and showed righteous indignation that he should be reckoned an agent of conversion. I never knew a servant more completely hid behind his Master.
"I am his debtor. No man had more influence over me either by his life or by his words. In all her history Lin- coln University has never had a more winsome or nobler Professor. Every where he has been there are long, loving, lingering memories. And never was it more true of any of God's servants, 'He being dead yet speaketh.'"
REV. JOHN CALVIN CALDWELL.
Fortunately the church was soon led to the unanimous election of a pastor, the congregational meeting for that purpose being held on July 2, when the Rev. John Calvin Caldwell, D. D., of Chambersburg, Pa., was given a call, which he accepted, entering upon his work August 20, 1883. He was installed by Presbytery, October 10, 1883.
It was soon after the settlement of Dr. Caldwell as pastor that the body of the Rev. William A. Stevens, the
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first pastor of this church, was removed to Oaklands Ceme- tery.
This removal was first suggested by Addison May, Esq., an uncle of Mr. Stevens, who expressed to the Session and Board of Trustees his desire that the body might be re- moved to his family lot. Therefore at the meeting of Session, November 7, 1883, "P. F. Whitehead and A. P. Reid were appointed a committee to attend to the removal of the re- mains of Rev. Wm. A. Stevens, first pastor of this church, from their present location near the church building, to the lot of Addison May, Esq., Oaklands Cemetery, accord- ing to the request of the Board of Trustees."
The annual statistical report for the year ending April I, 1883, gives 22 as received on examination during the year, and 19 by letter, in all 41, making the total member- ship reported at that date, 452. Sabbath School member- ship is given as follows: Church Schools, 333; Colored School, 56; five country schools, 335, making in all a total of 724.
The custom of obtaining the services of a theological student for the summer months had been kept up each year. On May 31, 1884, the session took action as follows : "In accordance with our usual custom of engaging the services of a theological student for the summer months, the Rev. George F. Greene, of Princeton Theological Sem- inary, accepted the place, and is now laboring within the bounds of our congregation under the direction of the pas- tor. It was directed that at the close of his labors the treasurer of the session shall be authorized to pay him $50. which amount is in addition to the usual sum paid by the trustees."
In the fall of that year, death again visited the session. removing Paul F. Whitehead, who died October 14. 1884. He was ordained to the eldership April 24. 1878. In the memorial minute adopted by the session, after referring to his services as chorister for twelve years, and his long labors as teacher in the Sabbath School, it continues as fol- lows: "He was faithful to every trust. He was conscien-
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tious in the performance of every duty. His life was full of sweet charity. His heart was warm and loving. His dis- position was cheerful and obliging. He was sturdy and zealous for the right. He was devoted to his church. He was loyal to his Master. He grew in grace daily. He will be missed at the fireside, where he was the revered hus- band and father. He will be missed in the community which trusted him implicitly. He will be missed in the social circle where his presence had a quiet and hallowing influence. He will be missed in every department of church work where his wise counsel and ready help were always seen and felt. He will be missed in the eldership which he adorned."
At the election of elders, April 19, 1885, Mr. J. Gheen Morgan was chosen to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Paul F. Whitehead, and he was ordained and installed, on Sabbath, April 26.
Early in the fall of this year the pews were declared free on Sabbath evenings and on Communion Sabbaths, cottage prayer meetings were planned, and the borough was districted for sessional oversight, one elder being ap- pointed for each division.
The following summer, Mr. H. F. Means, a student of the Western Theological Seminary was engaged to work in the bounds of the congregation during the usual number of months.
The annual statistical report for the year ending April I, 1886, gives the total number of communicants then on the roll, 460. The Sabbath School membership is given as follows: Church School, 356; Colored School, 70; three country schools, 156, making a total of 582.
In the fall of 1886 the Colored Sabbath School was given new accommodations by the session of this church renting the room in the third story of the building on South Church street, then used by the Post Office, and now occu- pied by the West Chester Laundry. The annual rental was fixed at sixty dollars and the Clerk and Treasurer of the session were authorized to sign the agreement. J. N. Hus-
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ton, Esq., was Superintendent. The removal of the school to this place marks the beginning of religious services for the colored people on Sabbath, Mr. Thomas H. Amos, a student at Lincoln University, and a candidate for the min- istry, being "appointed to conduct religious services for the colored people of West Chester, under the charge of this church." This led to the organization of the Second Pres- byterian Church (Colored) the following year.
Mr. J. Gheen Morgan resigned his office as Ruling Elder, February 5, 1890, which was accepted by the session. At the regular election of elders, April 20, 1890, Mr. Wil- liam Dowlin was chosen to fill Mr. Morgan's unexpired term.
On the minutes of session for December 7, 1889, "The pastor was authorized to revive the Sunday evening prayer meetings, putting them in charge of the young people of the church." This resulted in the establishment of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, which has accomplished much in the work of this church.
The formal organization of the Society is recorded in the minutes under date of October 14, 1890. That meeting was held in response to an invitation by the pastor to the young people of the First Presbyterian Church of West Chester to meet "for the purpose of forming a Society for Christian work and the improvement of its members in laboring for Christ."
"After quite an explanation of the working of various associations and particularly the Society called Christian Endeavor, it was decided to form an association, the name to be decided by a committee." The following officers were then elected: Mr. W. B. Dunwoody, President; Mr. H. T. Ferrell, Vice-President ; Mrs. Ella E. MacElree, Treas- urer, and Miss Sue D. Pinkerton, Secretary. The commit- tee to select the name consisted of the officers and Mr. William C. Husted.
At the next meeting held October 21, the committee reported recommending the adoption of the Constitution
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framed for Christian Endeavor Societies and that the as- sociation be known by that name. It was decided to hold the meetings every Sabbath evening, in the smaller Sunday School room, in the basement of the church; every meet- ing to begin promptly at 6.45 and close promptly at 7.20. The place of meeting was soon changed to the larger room in the basement, known as the Lecture Room, to see if more would not be thus led to attend.
The first Lookout Committee consisted of Miss Sue D. Pinkerton, Chairman; Miss Anna Whitehead, Miss Mary L. Walsh, Miss Annie Clark and Mr. Norman B. Guss. The other committees as first formed were as follows :
Prayer Meeting Committee-Mr. H. T. Ferrell, Chair- man; Miss Lizzie Moore, Miss Lillie M. Temple, Miss Nellie Ross and Miss Emily Taylor.
Calling Committee-Miss Emily Taylor, Chairman ; Mrs. H. F. Wyers, Miss Bessie Smith, Miss Anna J. Dun- woody and Mr. W. B. Dunwoody.
Social Committee-Mrs. H. F. Wyers, Chairman ; Miss Marion Gheen, Miss Emily Taylor, Miss Jessie Caldwell and Mr. Paul Smith.
Music Committee-Miss Anna Whitehead, Chairman ; Miss V. Bowman, Miss Bessie Smith, Miss Annie Clark and Miss Louisa White.
These seem to have been the only committees ap- pointed until after the next election of officers, which was held April 9, 1891, when a Corresponding Secretary was added, Miss Anna J. Dunwoody being selected for that office. A Sunday School Committee and a Flower Com- mittee were added to the list of committees. Among the names not found in the first committees, but now brought into the work we have the following: Miss A. Shields, Mr. Sydney Kirk, Miss Florence V. Gallagher, Miss Belle Clark, Miss Mabel Taylor, Miss Mary A. Mercer, Miss Maud T. Williams, Miss Lillian Pierce, Mr. Harry Morgan, Miss Mary E. Wilson, Miss Sarah M. Bogle, Miss Florence H. Parker, Miss Minnie A. Johnson, Miss Katie Miller, Miss Fannie D. Musser, Miss Mabel Matlack, Miss Ella Beatty,
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Mr. Arthur P. Reid, Mr. Howard Beatty, Miss Carrie Heed, Miss Lizzie Clark, Miss Adda Worrall, Miss Maggie Clark, Miss Ella Parker and Mr. Clarence Stott.
Early in the year 1891 reference is made in the min- utes of session to the possible organization of another Presbyterian Church in West Chester. Nothing was done in the matter, the minute closing with the statement that "the consideration of this paper was postponed."
The next mention of the subject is in a meeting of the session, February 12, 1892, when we find the following record: "A communication from the Outlook Committee of Chester Presbytery was laid before the session as fol- lows :
"At a regular meeting of the Outlook Committee of Chester Presbytery it was moved and seconded that the Secretary be requested to direct the session of the First Presbyterian Church of West Chester to canvass the whole question of another church in that place and report to this Committee. As this motion was unanimously adopted, I hereby obey the command of the Committee and notify the session." This communication was signed by Rev. Wm. A. Patton, D. D., Secretary of the Outlook Committee.
After consideration, the following paper was adopted : "The session of the First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, in response to the resolution of the Outlook Com- mittee of Chester Presbytery in reference to another Pres- byterian Church in this place, say : that they canvassed the whole matter of such an organization a year ago, and then agreed that it was very desirable that such a church should be established here, and steps were taken to that end, which failed of accomplishment. And now on further consideration have reached the conclusion again that such a church is desirable; therefore the session trusts the pres- ent movement will result in another Presbyterian Church organization, and believe that it is best it should be carried out as it has been conducted, independently of this session, without any control by or responsibility to the session."
The clerk was directed to send the above to the Sec-
.
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retary of the Outlook Committee. As a result of this ac- tion, Presbytery took measures to organize another church, which was named the Westminster Presbyterian Church, and on May 23, 1892, letters of dismission were granted to ninety-eight of the members of this church, including a majority of the elders, "to the Presbyterian Church to be organized, May 25, 1892, by direction of the Presbytery of Chester." At a meeting of session, June 4th, two additional letters were granted to the newly formed church, making one hundred in all entering the new organization from this church.
The great success achieved by the Westminster Church under the blessing of God has been exceedingly gratifying. Before the organization was formed preaching services were held in what was called "Smith's Hall," on East Gay street, conducted by the Rev. J. L. Estlin, who was then pastor of the Dilworthtown Presbyterian Church. Soon the meetings were transferred to the "Assembly Building" on High street, where the church increased greatly. Eventually they erected a beautiful church build- ing on South Church street, which is owned by the congre- gation free of debt.
Such movements are seldom effected with the full and hearty concurrence of all concerned, and this was no excep- tion. Many feared that the prosperity of the old church would be seriously affected by the loss of such a large num- ber, most of them very earnest workers, especially since they believed the borough did not afford field enough for two strong churches of the same denomination. Happily all such fears proved absolutely groundless. The blessing of God rested richly upon both organizations, and before many years it was recognized by every one that the organ- ization of a new church had not been in any sense a mis- take, as manifestly much more was being accomplished by the two churches working harmoniously side by side than could have been expected from one church, even under the most favorable conditions; and it has been a great joy to every heart to see the two churches often coming together
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in union meetings, and especially to witness the unfeigned joy of the pastor, officers and members of the Westminster Church, as on the seventy-fifth anniversary of the organi- zation of the old church they gave up their Sabbath even- ing service that all might meet together to praise God for bringing the old church to the end of three-quarters of a century with a strength and vigor which had never been equalled in all its history.
Elder William McCullough did not live to see the or- ganization of the new church, as he died April 2, 1892. From the memorial minute adopted by the session, April 17, the following is taken :
"The session desires to put on record this tribute to his memory. He was a consistent and faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was an upright and honorable citi- zen. He was a wise and judicious counselor. He was de- voted to his church, and served her with all the energy of his nature, and all the fervor of a true love. He ever sought her peace, prosperity and purity in doctrine and life. He was mild in speech and benevolent in every action. He passed to his long home like a shock of corn fully ripe, to enjoy the companionship of his Blessed Master, whom he had served nearly his whole lifetime. Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust."
On Sabbath, July 3, 1892, the Pastor, Rev. J. C. Cald- well, D. D., "announced to the congregation his intention of resigning the pastorate of this church, and with the ses- sion agreed to call a congregational meeting, to be held on Wednesday evening, July 6th, to request them to join with him in asking the Presbytery of Chester to dissolve the pastoral relation existing between him and this church."
This action the Presbytery took at a meeting in this church, July 12, the dissolution to take effect August 15, 1892.
The appreciation and affection of the church for their pastor are shown in the resolutions unanimously adopted at the congregational meeting referred to:
"Whereas, Rev. J. C. Caldwell, D. D., has asked that
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his pastoral relation with this church be dissolved, and that commissioners be appointed to the Presbytery of Chester to unite with him in this request:
"Resolved, That while we accede to Dr. Caldwell's wishes, we do so with sincere and heartfelt sorrow, and consent with the greatest reluctance to a severance of our relations with the beloved pastor of this church.
"Resolved, That his able and efficient ministry in our midst, his earnest and faithful service in season and out of season, his eloquent and fearless preaching of God's word, his affectionate and tender sympathy with all who are in sorrow or distress, his constant care and solicitude for the poor, have not only endeared him to the members of his congregation, but have won him the regard and esteem of all who know him, and have made him an influence for good in this community.
"Resolved that our love and affection will follow Dr. Caldwell and his family in his new field of usefulness; that we commend him to the different communities to which he is called, as one worthy of their full confidence and esteem ; and our fervent prayer is that God will crown his labors with that abundant success which he so richly deserves."
John J. Pinkerton, Esq., was one of the commissioners appointed by this church to convey to Presbytery the ac- tion taken at the congregational meeting. In his address to Presbytery, speaking of Dr. Caldwell, he said:
"As a preacher he had rare qualities, as those who flocked into the church and filled its pews to its fullest ca- pacity can testify. In the language of Luke, in describing the walk with Christ to Emmaus, 'He opened to us the Scriptures.' He presented a real living Christ, not some vague definition of Him which no one could understand and no one wanted to hear. He believed with Robertson, of Brighton, that belief in the human character of Christ must be antecedent to belief in His Divine origin. And so he preached Christ as He appeared in the streets of Naza- reth, a carpenter's son; as He appeared on the mountain of Judea and by the side of the Galilean Sea; the Christ
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who taught Nicodemus and talked with the woman at the well of Sychar.
"He understood the wants of the age in which we live and preached accordingly.
* He did not stay to prove that Baruch could or could not have written the book of Isaiah, nor labor to defend the authenticity of the fourth Gospel ; but he did stand in his place and with bold- ness and emphasis condemn the violation of the Sabbath; denounce intemperance and the sale of rum ; protest against venality and corruption in politics; warn against the greed of corporate organization, and plead the cause of labor and the payment of its just rewards. He was the friend of every just and humane cause, and his name will long abide in this town as the unwavering advocate of all that was good.
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