USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the brethren of the Eastern district of Pennsylvania > Part 11
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The Sunday School has ever been a potent factor in shaping church architecture. We shall here insert a state- ment from the old minute book which may seem out of place.
"Our holy and beautiful house where our Fathers wor- shipped was injured by fire, October 5, 1854. We con- gregated in the old school room, corner of Vine and Fourth Streets, until January 28, 1855, when we turned our feet once more to the little Sanctuary." Bro. M. G. Brumbaugh evidently places this construction on the above : "We con- gregated in the old school room, corner of Vine and Fourth Streets, where we had congregated before the Crown Street house was built."
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The question of leasing again the lot back of the church was considered at a special meeting of the Board of Trus- tees, May 26, 1869. It was then stated that the teachers and scholars of the Sunday School were dissatisfied with the gallery of the church, the place which was then used by the school. They complained that they could not build up the school unless they had better accommodations for the scholars, and asked that something might be done to relieve them, whereby they might retain all the scholars and in- crease the school. It was proposed to erect a school room on the lot, but on this point there was lack of agreement. The next proposition was to sell the church and lot and to build a new church elsewhere with basement for Sunday School, it being thought the church was not in the right place to do good. It was decided to call a meeting of the members to consider the matter.
This meeting was held June 24, 1869, in the church build- ing. The object of the meeting was laid before the mem- bers by the President of the board, and all were requested to express their views. Bro. John S. Thomas thought the church wasn't in a place to do good, being surrounded by "Lager beer saloons," and other "annoyances," and that he could not see how any member could object to selling the church, and building or buying one in some more suitable place. Brother Spanogle tried to dispel any fears of addi- tional cost by stating that the property could be sold for $18,000 or more, and that for this amount a lot could be purchased and a plain meeting-house erected. Bro. John Fox had no objection to selling if sufficient could be realized on the old property. He said that when the house was built in 1817, it was in the center of the membership, but now the members were more up town. His remarks seemed to set forth the general view of the church. Those present were unanimously in favor of selling and a committee was ap- pointed to take the vote of those present. A written vote of the whole membership was taken and resulted as fol- lows : "Yes," 84; "No," 8; refused to vote, 8; not seen, 5. It will thus be seen that the membership of the church in 1869 was 105. In 1862 it was 96.
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It was decided in council, September 6, 1869, to sell the Crown Street property. Isaac Hunsberger, John L. Fry, Silas Thomas, and I. G. Harley were appointed to attend to the matter, and also to see about buying a new lot. An offer of $12,000 for the property was refused. The mat- ter dragged on till September 3, 1872, when it was decided to accept an offer of $13,000. A new committee had been appointed in June of this year-Brethren Hunsberger, Cus- ter and Fry-to look up a building lot, to draw up a plan for the new church and to secure estimates of cost. Two sites were found-one on the corner of 8th and Thompson Streets and the other on Marshall Street below Girard Avenue. The latter was taken for $7,600. A two-story brick church was erected on this lot, and dedicated the second Sunday in September, 1873. Elder Isaac Price, of Green Tree, preached the dedication sermon.
The Philadelphia church began keeping council records apart from the minutes of the trustees in 1865. Troubles among the ministers seem to have brought this desirable re- sult. Lack of harmony, running too fast, unkindness, assuming authority, jealousy, lack of care in truthfulness, and attending services elsewhere when there were meetings in the home church, were faults found in the ministry; and the chuch was rebuked for schism. The committee of elders present were Christian Long, John L. Glick and Sam- uel Harley. Elder Andrew M. Dierdorff was also present.
But this committee was not able to put an end to the trouble. The ministers involved were Brethren Custer, Heyser and Fox. The committee met the church in Jan- uary, 1866; but the next year it was necessary to have an- other. The committee consisted of John Zug, Graybill Myers, John Wise, Jacob Reiner and Daniel M. Holsinger. This was November 14, 1867. After the members had sub- scribed themselves as "willing to abide by the decision of this committee and never oppose it unless it can be shown that it is contrary to the Scriptures," the committee gave its report as follows :
" After patiently hearing all the testimony offered, the fol- lowing are our
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Unanimous Conclusions.
" WHEREAS, We, having examined the writing and verbal declarations made before us, after mature deliberation found that many members have done wrong ;
" Therefore, Resolved: That after hearing the acknowledge- ments made by brethren in public council, we do not require any further acknowledgements from any, but that all the members shall humble themselves before God, confess their sins to him and turn from them.
" Also, Resolved, That we set the ministers in order accord- ing to the general order of the Brethren by promoting Brother John Fox to the office of Bishop, or Ordained Elder ; and Bro. Custer be continued in the ministry in the first degree.
" And the members shall submit unto this decision and who- ever shall stir up anything that has occurred before this time shall fall into the judgment of the church.
" Philada., Nov. 16, 1867.
“ Signed JOHN WISE, Moderator DANIEL M. HOLSINGER, Clerk GRAYBILL MYERS JACOB K. REINER JOHN ZUG"
Bro. John Fox was very old when he was ordained. When it came to receive him as bishop, as is the custom, the brethren received him with the right hand of fellow- ship and the salutation of the kiss, then the sisters gave the right hand of fellowship. The first three gave the hand only but the fourth seized his hand and kissed him. All the sisters that followed kissed him also.
The next year another committee waited on the church to set them in order in regard to feetwashing, the supper, the salutation, and use of the Lord's Supper. In the council of October 5, 1869, it was decided to carry out the decision of the committee, to have "Beef, Bread, Rusk and Coffee" for the Supper.
Action of the church November 10, 1869, Bro. Graybill Myers being present, showed further progress in the matter of getting fully into the order of the Brotherhood. After
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some consultation the following proposition and resolution were unanimously accepted.
" WHEREAS, a few of our members have sometimes com- muned with other denominations, and others have fellowshipped Wm. C. Thurman, an excluded member of the Brotherhood; and, Whereas these things are contrary to the order of the Brethren, and thereby have brought trouble and contentions into our congregation,
" Therefore, Resolved, that, forgiving one another all that is past, we will henceforth by the help of the Lord, avoid giving offence, in the particulars named above, and furthermore, that we will enforce discipline upon all those members who here- after thus offend."
Meeting was held for the last time in the old Crown St. Church, on Sunday, September 22, 1872. Services were held morning and evening.
" The Brethren and Sisters having tried to worship the Lord our God, in accordance with the teachings of the New Testa- ment in that house for fifty-five years, feel sorry to leave the dear, sad spot. But believing it to be for the best, to promote the cause of Christ, and the salvation of precious never-dying souls, have consented and are willing to make sacrifices, and thereby assist in the building of a new house, wherein to con- tinue by the blessing and assistance of our God our worship in a more convenient place."
Meetings were held in a hall on the corner of 6th St. and Girard Ave., from September 29, 1872, to the second Sun- day in Sept., 1873, when as previously stated, the new house was dedicated.
The first quarterly council meeting held in the Marshall St. house was on Thursday evening, July 2, 1874. Bro. J. T. Myers was appointed chairman, and I. G. Harley was secretary.
October 1, 1874, it was decided to have a minister read the opening chapter instead of a deacon as heretofore. It being stated that reading in order was not the general cus- tom of the Brethren, Bro. John Fox stated that the read- ing of the chapter in order, by one of the deacons, has been
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done here and at Germantown, as long as he can remember ; but he did not object to a change. A psalm was also read at the opening of the morning service, by the minister, but he was not in favor of too much reading and thought the long chapters should be divided.
While the Philadelphia Church was getting in line with some of the old regulations of the Brotherhood, new meas- ures were constantly being introduced.
The question of a pool came up at this time. Bro. Fox thought the time had come for a pool. The readiness of change in a man so old is remarkable. There was great difficulty in baptizing in the River. They must always wait for the tide or baptize in the mud, and they did not know how soon they would be deprived of that privilege. The vote was seventeen to one for a pool.
Elder J. P. Hetric first comes to the front in the third council in the new church, and it was in the interest of church government. He stated that the order among the Brethren is, when business is to come before the church of which the church is not fully informed of its nature, to submit it to a special council of the official members, who approve or disapprove as they think proper, and thus occupy the relation to the council meeting, that the Standing Com- mittee does to the general Annual Council, after which our church meetings are modelled; and if the church wishes to transact its business after the order of the Brethren, this is the way they should proceed.
Brother Hetric came from Armstrong Co., Pa. John Wise, of that county, informs the Brotherhood in the Gospel Visitor of August, 1866, that "The congregation on Red Bank held an election for a minister-and called Bro. Jesse P. Hetric to the ministry." Bro. Hetric came to Philadel- phia in April, 1874, and remained as pastor of the Philadel- phia church to June, 1882. In this interval, April, 1877, he met with the great loss and sorrow of his life, in the death of his estimable wife. He had had the pleasure of baptizing her into the church for which he was laboring, September 6, 1874. "Broken down in physical health and discouraged in heart, he took up the duties of life alone in
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the city church." And for five years more he rendered very acceptable service. During his pastorate forty-three were added to the church. He held some very successful revival services in the churches in the country roundabout. Bro. Hetric wished to go to the country, but not because of any dissatisfaction in the church, which desired him to stay. He advocated the election of a minister from the membership. Bro. Joel Reiner, son of Elder Jacob, was elected. There was a rival, and dissensions and with- drawals followed. After some years of service Bro. Reiner fell away from the church.
Then Brethren from a distance were called in to look after the flock. These were E. A. Orr, I. M, Gibson and Howard Miller. Though there are members still living who have " pleasant memories of Christian fellowship in the Marshall Street Church," yet the work did not prosper. The membership became weak and scattered. The church was sold in March, 1890; and a lot was bought at the N. E. corner of Dauphin and Carlisle Streets in June of the same year.
For about a year the members worshipped in a hall at 22d St. and Columbia Ave. During this time the Sunday School was suppressed. Bro. W. J. Swigart of Hunting- don preached every other Sunday. The pulpit was filled on the other Sunday as best they could. Prayer-meetings were held in the homes. The last sermon in the hall was preached Sunday, April 26, 1891, by Bro. T. T. Myers, of Illinois, it being his first to the Philadelphia members. The new church was dedicated May 3, 1891. Eld. W. J. Swigart preached the sermon. At the same time Bro. Myers assumed the pastorate of the little flock, now number- ing about forty. The total membership in Philadelphia was seventy-four. This was the beginning of prosperity for the Philadelphia church. Up to February 8, 1891, four hundred and nine persons had held membership in the Philadelphia church.
There were about twenty of the Marshall St. members who were worshipping at Dover Hall. These too might have been built up into a strong congregation had they
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been supplied with a good resident pastor. They were organized into a congregation and became known as the
North Philadelphia Church.
They first represented at District Meeting in the year 1888. This was while E. A. Orr was preaching at Mar- shall St. J. K. Reiner was the preacher in North Philadel- phia. He and J. H. Hartman represented the church this year. These with J. W. Steiner were the only represen- tatives of this church till 1893, when it was taken under the care of the District Mission Board. We have the fol- lowing minutes in the District records of this year :
" The Northern Philadelphia Church at a council in the fall of 1892 decided to ask the District Mission Board to take charge of them, which we agreed to do. J. K. Reiner, their only min- ister, was charged with improper conduct and improper expres- sions in preaching, to which he plead guilty. Whereupon, in the presence of the writer (name not given) and Elders Wm. Hertzler and F. P. Cassel, he was deposed from the ministry ; and at the next council, he and wife disowned, by their request. Four councils attended there during the year. This church was assigned to Elder Wm. Hertzler to care for them in the name of the Mission Board, and they are supplied with ministerial service by ministers from other churches."
J. H. Hartman continued to represent this church at Dis- trict Meeting; and the District Mission Board spent con- siderable money in ministerial supplies here. Jesse Ziegler and J. Z. Gottwals preached most frequently.
In 1894 the report at District Meeting was that one was baptized, that meetings were held every Lord's day, and that the members are much in need of a better place of worship.
In 1895 the work was in charge of Elder H. E. Light, and he was unable to give a very encouraging report. "They still continue to hold their meetings in Dover Hall. Every Sunday the appointments are filled by supplies from H. E. Light, Cassel, Gottwals, Price and Ziegler, or their substitutes. A few had to be disowned, and no addition during this year. Four councils and one love feast were
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held during the year. The committee appointed to see for a better place of worship did not succeed as yet in getting a new place."
The report to the District Meeting of 1896 was : " Phil- adelphia Northern Church was disorganized by the mutual consent of the members and the committee from A. M." The members went to the
Carlisle and Dauphin St. Church.
Here Bro. T. T. Myers was doing a quiet, steady work that was bringing results. During his first year twenty-two were baptized; during the second, thirty-five; the third, thirty-seven; the fourth, twenty-eight; the fifth, nine (this year he visited the Holy Land) ; the sixth, forty. During these years he received sixty-two by letter; and dismissed by letter perhaps twenty.
In the spring of 1892 it was necessary to build a Sunday School addition. It consisted of two rooms, an infant room and a general Sunday School room. The building and furnishing, costing about $7,000, were the gifts of Sister Mary Geiger. This building was dedicated October 2, 1892. The first Sunday School at the new Carlisle and Dauphin St. house was held May 10, 1891, with W. S. Price, now of Royersford, as superintendent.
Bro. T. T. Myers continued to serve this congregation till he was called to the chair of New Testament Theology in the Juniata Bible School, with the exception of one year, from May, 1901, to May, 1902, when W. S. Long was pastor. Bro. Long and C. C. Ellis were each assistant pastor for a short time.
In 1896 a mission Sunday School was started at 26th Street and Lehigh Avenue. Bro. J. W. Cline was placed in charge of the work. Through the generosity of Sister Geiger a lot was purchased and a church and parsonage built, which were dedicated in the fall of 1898. This church is fittingly called Geiger Memorial.
The Carlisle and Dauphin St. church was enlarged and a tower built on it in 1905. Bro. M. G. Brumbaugh preached
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the dedication sermon on Sunday morning, January 1, 1905. A sermon was preached in the evening by Eld. I. N. H. Beahm. The membership of the church at this time, in- cluding the mission at 26th and Lehigh, was about four hundred and fifty. Besides the different departments of the Sunday School and Bible Classes, there were a Mother's, a Young People's and a Junior Christian Endeavor, a Young Woman's Christian Temperance Union, a Society of King's Daughters, Sewing Circles, a Beneficial Association, a Young Men's Association, a Junior, and A Young People's Choral Society. The feeling of the church was: "Surely the Lord has been and is with us, and He will continue to be with us if we show to Him a spirit of real devotion."
A brief acquaintance with some of the old preachers of the Philadelphia Church will be of interest to all. First and foremost among them will ever be
Peter Keyser.
An interesting account of him is given in the book, " Some Who Led," which is no doubt accessible to nearly all. He came of good old Mennonite stock, and little wonder that he became a tower of strength.
Peter Dirck Keyser, great-grandfather of Elder Peter, came to America in 1668, and settled at Germantown. The subject of this sketch was born November 9, 1766. When he was three years old his father joined the Church of the Brethren. He himself joined the church, September 28, 1784, in his eighteenth year. In 1785 he was called to the ministry ; and in 1802 was ordained to the eldership. For sixty-four years he was preacher and for forty-seven years was bishop of the Germantown and Philadelphia churches. He died May 21, 1849.
Bro. Abraham H. Cassel has a few words more for us about him: "I was well acquainted with the Rev. Peter Keyser. He told me some of his early life; that his father had been a tanner, and that he was early put at the bark mill for grinding. Above it he made a shelf, on which he kept an open Bible, and as the grinding went on he would read
10
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a passage in it, memorize it; and so he would take up verse after verse and chapter after chapter, until he had com- pletely memorized the whole of the New Testament. Of the Old Testament he memorized the whole of the Psalms and the Prophets, and the five books of Moses-the whole of the New and the greater part of the Old Testament."
James Lynd.
James Lynd succeeded Peter Keyser as elder of the Phil- adelphia Church, and survived him only a little over two years. He died December 28, 1851. We give the follow- ing lines written on him after his death by J. E. M. I. They indicate that the spirit of poetry was cultivated in this city church.
" He has finished his course, He has fought the good fight ; He has reached the bright realms Of peace and delight. * *
" No storm of affliction Shall bear on him now The crown of rejoicing Is placed on his brow.
"Then joyfully thronging With melody sweet, And harps all attuned, Their brother to greet.
"The saints of all ages Appear on the plain, And join in one sweet And enrapturing strain. *
"What bliss to behold Midst the bright ones above, The brethren and friends, Whom on earth he did love;
"And join in the praises That never shall end, To Jesus their Savior, Redeemer and Friend."
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John Righter and Thomas Major.
November 18, 1841, a notable event occurred in the Phil- adelphia church. On this day were elected to the ministry, one with twenty-nine, the other with twenty-seven votes, John Righter and Thomas Major, the father and husband of Sarah Righter Major, the noted woman preacher of the Church of the Brethren.
The year following this election, in 1842, Sarah ex- changed her father's home for the home of a husband. Both guarded and encouraged her in her work of prophesy- ing. We feel that she was the central figure, and that the other two existed for her.
For a very interesting account of Sarah Righter Major, see " Some Who Led," pp. 70-72.
The Gospel Visitor tells us of the home going of John Righter.
" Died in Philadelphia, August 10 (1860) our beloved brother in the Lord, Elder John Righter, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. He was fifty-one years a member of the church, and nineteen years a preacher of the Gospel. He was in delicate health for several years, and suffered much, which he endured with more than usual Christian fortitude. His end was like the going down of a balmy, summer evening's sun. He was sensible to the last, and with patience waited for his end, when his dis- embodied spirit should go home to dwell with the saints, who have made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. Funeral services by brethren John H. Umstad and John Fox. Subject- ' It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting.'
"We who are left to mourn his departure can say with truth, -Another of God's servants hath put on the garment of sal- vation, has laid aside Earth's heavy raiment, and arrayed in light, has gone to enjoy the house of many mansions. We weep that he has left us alone. In grief we tread life's desert path- way, but when life hath passed, we may go to him and claim his hand, to lead us where the living waters flow."
Thomas Major moved from Philadelphia in 1843 to Highland County, Ohio. He died in 1888 and is buried with his wife at Greenfield, Ohio.
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Dr. Henry Geiger.
Though Dr. Geiger will never be rated high as a preacher, will hardly be thought of at all as a preacher, yet his in- fluence direct and indirect taken together, has perhaps been greater than that of any other member the Philadelphia Church ever had. From the angle of finances he has indi- rectly done more for the Church of the Brethren than any member on her books. He was active as a trustee, and likely was instrumental in having the Philadelphia Church chartered-the first church to be chartered in the Brother- hood. He it was who brought the Sunday School into the Philadelphia Church. This Sunday School was the seed Sunday School of the Brethren Church, the sower of this seed being James Quinter. The Doctor went out with the city troop in the Civil War, and thus ceased to be a brother. He was an able business man and amassed great wealth. It is his meek, quiet, consecrated wife, who has been and still is turning his wealth into blessing for the church. May God bless Sister Mary S. Geiger! Of her it may be said: "Many daughters have done well, but she has ex- ceeded them all."
Jacob Spanogle.
Though not called to the ministry in Philadelphia, yet Bro. Spanogle was a very useful minister here. He moved to Philadelphia from Perry County, Pa., perhaps about 1860. He was a tanner by trade and in Philadelphia went into the leather business. He was active in the church coun- cils, was a trustee, frequently performed baptisms, and wielded considerable influence in the church. He it was who was instrumental in having Bro. J. P. Hetric come to Philadelphia as pastor. In the church record we find: "Jacob Spanogle, our beloved brother and minister, died suddenly, April 19, 1876; aged sixty-two years. Buried at Germantown."
John Fox.
John Fox was the embodiment of the Philadelphia Church beyond others. He was the mouth-piece of the congregation.
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This is well brought out when it came to selling the old Crown Street Church. His remarks set forth the general view of the church. He was a remarkable old man- though he knew the past, had lived in it, was a part of it, yet he had not crystallized in it. He was ready to set aside the past for new things, if they were for the good of the church. Nor did his past prejudice his judgment in re- spect to the merit of new things. He was trusted. He was interested in all lines of church activity, as can be per- ceived by reading the history of the Philadelphia Church. And yet he was not in a hurry to invite Christian Custer into the pulpit to preach after the latter's election. He should ever be regarded by the Philadelphia Church as a father in Israel. He was born October 12, 1786. He was elected to the ministry September 28, 1844; and was or- dained elder November 16, 1867. He died in 1880 and is buried at Germantown.
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