USA > Pennsylvania > Bucks County > Warwick in Bucks County > History of Neshaminy Presbyterian Church of Warwick, Hartsville, Bucks County, Pa., 1726-1876 > Part 17
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During the last century " the service of song in the House of the Lord " was conducted by one or two men, who generally sat in front of the pulpit, facing the con- gregation, and rose when they sang. Among those who officiated in this way, and "set the tunes," were John Weir, John Jamison, Frederick Hoover, William Kneed- ler, Joseph Carr.
During the pastorate of Rev. R. B. Belville a choir was. formed and subsequently maintained up to the present day, who occupied the gallery opposite the pulpit. Some- times a person with a bass-viol assisted them, when a player on that instrument could be procured. About the year 1842 a small pipe-organ was placed in the church, which was owned by Rev. J. P. Wilson, and which Mrs ... Wilson usually played on the Sabbath. After his resigna- tion of the pastoral charge that instrument was removed, and for a time the music was conducted by the choir alone,. without instrumental accompaniment. But in 1853 the- need of an instrument being felt, a pipe organ, sufficiently large for the church, was ordered from Messrs. William.
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Corrie & Son, of Philadelphia, organ-builders, which was built expressly for the congregation of Neshaminy, and placed in the gallery in its present location in that year. Its cost was $425, which was paid by a voluntary sub- scription of the people.
After the general school system of Pennsylvania went into operation, the school-house in the grave-yard was used for a public school by the Directors of Warwick Township during several years. But in 1856 the Trustees of the church deeming it desirable that the building, be- ing then inclosed in the grave-yard, should be removed, or not occupied by a school, gave notice to the Directors, April 5th, to vacate it within six months, which was accordingly done that summer. The house remained, however, till 1860; March 29th of that year it was sold to Mahlon Long for $22 at public sale, and after two or three months taken down, and that memorial of the past disappeared, in which had been trained for usefulness the youth of Neshaminy for more than half a century. In- deed, previous to the erection of the stone building, a log .school-house had stood there probably from the early his- tory of the church. Education and intelligence have always been regarded in this congregation as most im- portant handmaids of religion.
. A part of the grave-yard wall along the Bristol road used to stand on the top of a high bank ; but in 1857, as it had become somewhat out of repair, the Trustees resolved, with the concurrence of the congregation, to take it down and rebuild it, so that the top of it would be level with the top of the bank. This improvement was made under the direction of Mahlon Long, Courtland
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Carr, and George Jamison, and has borne the test now of almost twenty years, without being disintegrated or thrown out of place by frost.
In 1856 the church was painted anew within and with- out, and furnished again with new lamps.
In 1854 the well on the north side of the church was dug under the oversight of Amos Torbert.
Previous to the removal of the school-house from the grave-yard, a festival was held September 2, 1858, in the grove of R. Henderson Darrah near the church, for the purpose of raising funds to convert the school-house into a Cemetery Chapel ; or, if it were deemed best, to build a new Cemetery Chapel on a more convenient spot nearer the gate. The latter plan was ultimately adopted. The festival, held during the day, was attended by a large number of persons from the neighborhood, and by some from Philadelphia, and was followed by a concert of sacred and secular music, in the evening, given in the church by performers from Philadelphia. The net pro- ceeds of the day and evening were about $200.
The roof having been on the church since 1818, forty-two years, in 1860 a new slate roof was put upon it at a cost of $200; a new fence was placed around the church lot ; and six new sheds were erected to shelter horses and car- riages, at a cost of $29.05 each. They were built by the direction of the Trustees and were sold to the following individuals, viz .: John C. Beans, Courtland Carr, Eliza- beth Dudbridge, Hiram Carr, Charles Hamilton, and George Jamison.
In 1861 the church was painted again within and without, new curtains were procured for the windows, and the inner doors were retrimmed.
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The same year, October 8th, the Fourth Presbytery of Philadelphia, with which the church was associated, met in the church, and during their sessions, which continued a part of three days, they visited the cemetery in a body, and standing near the graves of Rev. William Tennent, Rev. Nathaniel Irwin, Rev. Francis McHenry, Rev. Alex- ander Gellatly, and Rev. Dr. James P. Wilson, once eminent in the Presbyterian Church, addresses were made by Rev. Albert Barnes, and Rev. Dr. Thomas Brainerd ; scenes were recalled to mind in the history of the church in our country, and prayer was offered that the blessing of the God of our fathers might rest upon us their descendants, that we might be true to the principles they advocated, and that the faith they cherished might be spread all over the land. It was an interesting occasion, long to be remembered by those who participated in its exercises.
Formerly there was an ascent of three or four stone steps from the level of the ground to the floor of the vestibule of the church. But it had long been felt to be desirable, that there should be a permanent platform before the front door, large enough to accommodate many of the people after religious worship, while they were waiting for their carriages. In November, 1862, a brick platform faced with stone was built, which in 1871 was covered by a roof supported by pillars, forming a useful and durable piazza or portico. The whole improvement cost about $360.
In 1867 the ceiling, walls and wood work of the church were repaired, refitted, and painted anew, and otherwise improved, both on the interior and exterior, for which the sum of $950 was raised by subscription in the congre- gation, most of which was used for the purpose. After
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this improvement was completed, it was remarked by many that probably the sanctuary never presented a more beautiful appearance during the whole period of its history.
It had long been considered extremely desirable by many that there should be a Chapel in the Cemetery for the convenience of funeral processions and religious ser- vices at interments, and, as has already been mentioned, a Festival was held and a Concert given in 1858 to raise money as a nucleus of a fund for this object. Legacies were bequeathed by Mrs. R. H. Turner and Miss Ann Eliza Long to aid in the erection of the building, and in the Fall of 1871 it was commenced and nearly completed. Mr. Benjamin F. Wright of Philadelphia took a deep interest in this enterprise from its inception, and accom- plished more and gave more time and money towards it than any other individual. It may be said with truth perhaps, that without his active exertions and liberality it would have been postponed indefinitely. The Com- mittee appointed by the Trustees of the church to select the proper site and superintend the erection of the edifice were, B. F. Wright, Esq., John M. Darrah, George Jami- son, William H. Stuckert.
Davis E. Supplee, Esq., of Philadelphia, Architect, gratuitously furnished the plan and suitable drawings. Mr. Matthew Baird, of Philadelphia, contributed the bell in the tower ; Mrs. Anna Baird, of Philadelphia, pre- sented the beautiful stained glass in the principal win- dows ; Mr. John Wanamaker, of the same city, gave the circular window over the front door, and other donations ; Miss Elizabeth L. Grier, of Norristown, contributed a
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large and fine copy of the Bible for the Pulpit; and donations were made by many other friends in Philadel- phia and other places, as well as at Neshaminy.
The services of dedication of the Chapel were held September 5, 1872. In the morning of the same day, the Fifty-fourth Anniversary of the Sabbath-schools of the church was celebrated at the meeting-house. The first Sabbath-school in connection with the church was formed in 1818, during the pastorate of Rev. R. B. Belville, and met in the school-house at the grave-yard. Not many years after, a second was established in the school-house, at the Montgomery Co. Line, in Warrington Township, and subsequently, at different times, Sabbath-schools were formed on the Street Road in Warminster, at New- ville, in Warrington ; at Jamison's Corner, in Warwick ; at the Upper Street Road school-house, in Warrington; at Bridge Valley, in Warwick, and at Concord, and Bush- ington, in Buckingham. For some years also, between 1850 and 1860, a Sabbath-school was maintained in the Amity school-house in Moreland Township, in Montgom- ery Co., whose superintendent was John Bothwell, a member of Neshaminy Church, and some of whose teach- ers belonged to the congregation. This school at that period celebrated its Anniversary with the other schools of the church. All these schools, eight or nine in num- ber, were in the habit of assembling annually, about the first week in September, at the church, and filling the house to overflowing ; teachers, pupils, parents and friends gathering to praise the Lord for his goodness, to listen to appropriate addresses from invited speakers, and sing together hymns peculiarly adapted to interest the young.
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After the exercises within the house were over, or at an intermission, they were accustomed to repair to the yard, and under the shade of the wide-spreading, ancient oaks to partake of refreshments of various kinds, laid out on tables arranged for the occasion, and there was always an abundant supply for the multitude, who were congregated from the whole country-side.
On this particular occasion the Pastor, Rev. D. K. Tur- ner, presided and conducted the services. Rev. W. H. Conard, of Davisville Baptist Church, offered the open- ing prayer, and addresses, interspersed with singing, were delivered by Rev. S. T. Lowrie, of Abington, John Wan- amaker, of Philadelphia, Rev. I. Collier, of Addisville Reformed Church, and Charles Godfrey, Esq., of the Sunday-school Union, who had often been at Nesham- iny on similar occasions before. A few words were added by Rev. G. H. Nimmo, of Hartsville.
At the conclusion of the Sabbath-school exercises, the announcement was made, that the Dedicatory Services would be held at the Chapel at 2 o'clock, P. M. In the meantime the large concourse of people were entertained with abundant refreshments served in the yard, under the trees, with which the church is surrounded. Many, also, visited the graves of their ancestors and friends, and of the eminent publie servants of God, whose mortal remains are deposited in the ancient burial ground.
At 2 o'clock the throng of people assembled at the Chapel for the exercises of dedication. Rev. Mr. Turner presided and made some statements concerning the his- tory of the church ; the prayer of dedication was offered by Rev. S. T. Lowrie, and George Jamison, Esq., one of
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the Trustees and of the Chapel Building Committee, was introduced by the Pastor. He presented an account of the inception and progress of the erection of the edifice, and made honorable mention of the persevering efforts and lib- erality of Benjamin F. Wright, Esq., of Philadelphia, in securing the completion of the work. He also stated, that the earliest graves which are marked by stones in the yard, dated back to 1730, among which, he referred to the eminent clergymen, Tennent, Gellattly, Wilson and Irwin. Rev. Thomas Murphy, D. D., of Frankford, then commenced an interesting address within the Chapel, but on account of the large multitude, who were unable to be accommodated within, it was deemed best to adjourn to the green lawn in the front part of cemetery, where he could be heard by all; there he finished his eloquent re- marks ; in the course of which he alluded to the visit of Rev. George Whitefield to that spot in 1739, when he preached to 3,000 people, as it is said, congregated from far and near in the yard of the meeting-house, which then stood within that enclosure. He also spoke of the career and services of the elder Tennent and his four distinguished sons-Gilbert, William, John and Charles-and of Log College, which was established and maintained by the father, with the assistance at times of the young men, before their entrance upon the active duties of the minis- try. The building, in which the instruction was given to the pupils of the College, was stated to be just about the same size as this Chapel.
The concluding address was given by Col. James Ross Snowden. He referred in impressive words to the hand- some and appropriate chapel which had been erected by
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the Building Committee, through the efficient efforts of Mr. B. F. Wright, and to the beautiful memorial win- dows in the edifice, one of which has a compartment to the memory of Byron Hart Wright, only son of Mr. B. F. Wright. This young man had died two or three years before, being about to enter upon the practice of the legal profession in Philadelphia with bright prospects when he was suddenly called away by death. But the chapel and the occasion had a higher significance than anything mere- ly personal. "It testifies to our deep veneration for the memory of the pious dead who here planted the principles of civil and religious liberty more than 160 years ago. As it is impossible to overestimate the benefits which society derives from Christianity, so we cannot overstate the value of the services of the eminent and faithful men, who have rendered this sacred spot dear, not only to every Presbyterian, but to every lover of his country."
One incident connected with Col. Snowden's remarks ought to be particularly mentioned. Among the dedi- catory exercises in the Chapel a beautiful hymn was sung by the choir, entitled, "There is a Light in the Valley for thee." With special reference to this hymn he said that Christianity illuminated even the shades of death. As in the natural world, when the sunlight disappears, the stars come forth to our view, so when man sees the last of earth, the brightness of the heavenly world appears to his vision.
There is indeed a light, and life also, to the Christian, seen in the valley of death.
At the conclusion of Col. Snowden's remarks, the audi- ence formed in procession, under the direction of the
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VAN INGEN-SMOLA
NESHAMINY CEMETERY CHAPEL.
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Pastor, and repaired to the grave of Rev. William Ten- nent, Sen., when the choir sang again the beautiful hymn to which reference has been made, "There's a Light in the Valley." Prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Murphy, and the benediction was pronounced by Rev. W. H. Dehart of the Reformed Church, New York City, when the people, who had been deeply interested in the solemn services, retired to their homes.
During the exercises the following Resolutions were presented by J. L. Widdifield, Esq., and unanimously adopted.
Resolved, That the thanks of the Trustees and Congregation of Neshaminy Church be, and they are hereby tendered to Davis E. Supplee, Esq., Architect, of Philadelphia, for the plan and draw- ings of the Cemetery Chapel ; to Mr. Benjamin F. Wright for his liberality and indefatigable exertions in securing its erection ; to Mrs. Anna W. Baird for the beautiful glass of the principal windows ; to Mr. John Wanamaker for the circular window and other dona- tions; to Mr. Matthew Baird for the bell in the tower; to Miss Elizabeth L. Grier, for the valuable copy of the Bible for the desk ; and to all other friends not immediately connected with this con- gregation, who have made donations toward the building of this edifice.
Resolved, That we hold tenderly and gratefully in our hearts the memory of Mrs. Rachel H. Turner and Miss Ann Eliza Long, legacies from whom materially aided in this work.
There was realized from the legacy of Mrs. Turner $525 ; and from that of Miss A. E. Long $84, toward the expense of building the Chapel.
In 1872, the number of Elders having been reduced by death to two, viz. : John McNair and Henry Mckinstry,
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it was deemed important that the Session should be in- creased. With this object in view, a meeting of the congregation was held agreeably to the requisite previous public notice, May 13, 1872. After preaching by the Pastor and the observance of public worship, the meeting was organized by the appointment of John C. Beans as Chairman, and George Jamison and Samuel F. Long, Secretaries. It was resolved that four persons be elected to the office of Elder, and that, as in elections of the same kind in former years, all the members of the church and all the pew-holders, and the children of the latter, over the age of twenty-one years up to the number of sittings held by the contributor, be entitled to vote at this election. Charles Hamilton and J. L. Widdifield were appointed tellers. Eight persons were nominated, and when the votes were counted, it was found that the following had received a majority of all the votes cast, and the highest number of votes, viz .: Stacy B. Beans, R. Henderson Darrah, Cephas Ross and Hiram Carr. They were, therefore, declared duly chosen. Hiram Carr, not deeming it to be his duty to accept the office, and declining to serve, the others, Messrs. Beans, Darrah and Ross, were solemnly set apart and ordained Elders ac- cording to the "Form of Government " of the Presby- terian Church, on Sabbath, May 26, 1872, and the right hand of fellowship was given to them by their brethren of the Session in the presence of the congregation.
The congregation of Neshaminy have been interested in providing places for meeting on Sabbath afternoons and evenings, and other times, and for Sabbath-schools in different districts of the region surrounding the Church.
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At the County Line school-house, on the line between Bucks and Montgomery Counties, five miles from the Pastor's residence, meetings for prayer and preaching have been regularly held at stated times during many years ; and when the school-house was rebuilt, about the year 1857, much of the necessary work was done, and much of the material was given by Elders John McNair and Henry Mckinstry and others living in that neighbor- hood ; it being stipulated with the School Directors of the Township, that Sabbath-schools and meetings might be held in it in the future, as in the past, without hind- rance.
When the " Eight Square" or Octagonal school-house on the Street road, in Warrington Township, was built, about the year 1842, Rev. James P. Wilson, then Pastor of the church, gave the money to put on the roof, in order to secure the privilege of using it for Sabbath- schools and meetings.
William C. Jamison and Major George Jamison and others built a school-house for the neighborhood on the Almshouse road, in Warwick, above Jamison's Corner, about the year 1840, and the same privileges have always been enjoyed in it.
When the school-house at Bridge Valley was erected, about the year 1851, Joseph Laverell gave the lot on which it stands to the Directors, with the same purpose to secure a place for worship, and for teaching the young the truths of the Bible.
Members of the Neshaminy Church united with some others under the leadership of William H. Stuckert, Charles Hamilton and Benjamin Hough, to erect a Hall
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over the school-house at Newville, in Warrington, in 1852. The part of the building for school purposes was erected by the Township, and the remaining expense, which was about $600, was defrayed by the people of the neighborhood. The roof having become seriously damaged about the year 1870, and the ceiling needing to be refitted, the whole internal and external appearance of the meeting-room was renovated under the superintend- ence of Charles Hamilton. That hall has been, and still continues to be, a commodious and very useful room for public worship, which is held at other times than Sab- bath morning.
During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Turner 272 persons were admitted to the communion of Neshaminy Church ; 235 by profession of their faith in Christ, and 37 by letter from other churches. Few communion seasons passed without the addition of some, and on quite a number of occasions many took their places for the first time around the table of their Lord and Master. The years 1853, 1854, 1857, 1858, 1859, 1866 and 1869, were marked as seasons of special interest on the subject of religion in the congregation. In 1857 and 1869, Rev. J. T. Avery, of Cleveland, Ohio, assisted the Pastor in special meetings, which were continued every day, morning and evening usually, for three weeks in the church, during which the Holy Spirit was poured out in copious effusions; Chris- tians were greatly quickened and revived, and many sinners were hopefully converted unto God. After the special services in the church were concluded, prayer- meetings were maintained, particularly during the winter of 1857 and 1858, many months in various districts of the
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congregation, in school-houses and private dwellings, with most salutary results. In other seasons of remarkable interest at different times, the Pastor was aided by Rev. Wm. Ramsey and Rev. John Patton, D.D., of Philadelphia, Rev. Jacob Helffenstein, D. D., of Germantown, Rev. O. Parker, of Flint, Mich., Rev. Hiram E. Johnson, of Den- nisville, N. J., Rev. Edwin Long, of Norristown, Pa. Great good was accomplished by the labors of these brethren, and many no doubt "will rise up at the last day and call them blessed."
Mr. Turner during his pastorate baptized, adults 119, and infants 150. He also solemnized 125 marriages, and officiated at 380 funerals.
At the commencement of his labors as Pastor the peo- ple contributed $100 for the purchase of theological and literary works, which should constitute the foundation of a Pastor's Library, belonging to the church, and be under the care and for the use of the Minister. Soon after and at later periods quite a number of valuable works were presented to it by Mr. Thomas Bird, Mr. Matthew Wilson, Dr. Joel Parker, Mrs. E. Nichols, and others.
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CHAPTER XXII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
In 1850 a boarding and day-school of a high order was established near Neshaminy Church, the Principals of which were associated with the congregation, and most of the pupils attended divine service there on the Sabbath, occupying the south side of the gallery. In the following brief sketches of its founders there is included some account of the Institution itself.
REV. MAHLON LONG.
Rev. Mahlon Long was born in Warminster, March 6, 1809. He was the son of Hugh and Mary Long, and was engaged in rural occupations in his youth, like many boys in the country, laboring for his father on the farm, and becoming practically familiar with agricultural pursuits. Having received a good English education at schools in the neighborhood, he was invited while ploughing in the field, to take charge of the school in the school-house at the grave-yard. Here he taught for a considerable time ; after which he was employed as clerk in the public offices at the County seat, Doylestown, and in the Doylestown
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Bank of Bucks Co. Feeling disinclined to devote his life to banking, in which profession he might have attained distinction, and desiring a classical education, he prepared for College, entered the College of New Jersey at Prince- ton, and graduated in 1839. After receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts he taught a classical school in the neighborhood of his father's residence a year or two, and then pursued the study of Theology, at New Haven, Conn. He was associated as a student with the Theologi- cal Seminary of Yale University three years, but at the expiration of two years he was examined and licensed to preach the Gospel by the Fourth Presbytery of Philadel- phia in 1845. In 1847 he was invited to become Prin- cipal of the Academy at Harrisburg, and under his direction the institution rose to an unwonted degree of prosperity. He was much esteemed as a teacher and a man of intelligence by Governor Shunk, the Chief Executive of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and by the principal citizens of the Capital of the State.
In 1850 he and his brother, Professor Charles Long, late of Delaware College, established "Tennent School," a boarding-school for boys, near the Neshaminy Church, in Warwick Township, a short distance from Hartsville. A large mansion-house, with a two-story building for a school-room attached, was erected on a site commanding a pleasant view of the surrounding country, and in a short time, such was the reputation of these gentlemen for ability and success in teaching, the house was full of pupils, and in two or three years they found it necessary to enlarge their buildings to accommodate all who desired to connect themselves with the school. Pupils came from
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