USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Honesdale > History of the First Presbyterian society of Honesdale > Part 4
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HONESDALE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
faith alone is necessary to salvation. This would be a seri- ous charge if true. At a meeting of the session held Feb. 16, 1858, at which Elders Richard L. Seely, Adonijah Strong, William Reed, Stephen D. Ward and Stephen Torrey were present, the moderator, Rev. Mr. Skinner, laid before the ses- sion a letter to Mr. Penniman which he had formulated for their consideration and action. This letter among other things says: "If you consider that your pastor teaches Antinomianism, or any other error, it would be a more proper way for you frankly to say so to him, and if you failed to convince him, then to im- peach him before the presbytery,-but we feel that it is both wrong and unchristian to undermine his influence among his own people and the congregation by such a method as you have pursued of late." At the next meeting of the session, at which Elders Seely, Reed, Darling and Torrey were present, the paper was discussed and the session decided that the proper course to pursue was for some of their number to visit Mr. Penniman but to take no official action at present. At the next meeting Stephen Torrey reported that he had visited Mr. Penniman and admonished him concerning what he and others considered to be improper on his part, concerning expressions made by him about the preaching of our pastor, that while Mr. Penniman claimed the right to criticise the public preaching in our pulpit, which right he was not willing to yield, he admitted that he might have been injudicious as to the time, manner and cir- cumstances under which he had given expression to his criti- cism. Both R. L. Seely and S. D. Ward offered the resignation of their elderships at this meeting but neither was accepted. F. B. Penniman was the descendant of a long line of Dissenters and Independents in religion and was an anti-slavery and tem- perance advocate, with practical ideas on most subjects. He was even then editing a sort of free lance called the Honesdale Democrat, a Whig paper, and he would be about the last per- son in the town who would give up the right of criticism of public utterances, whether from the pulpit or anywhere else. On the other hand he was associated with men that were more
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THE CHURCH AND SESSION.
or less skeptical upon points that are generally considered es- sential in the church and it is possible that their criticisms were not always just. As a result of it all, Mr. Skinner re- signed and had he not preached a farewell sermon that was published that reflected upon the session, all further allusion to the matter would have ended. This sermon was published at the request of C. P. Waller, J. B. Sinclair, James R. Dick- son, S. D. Ward, T. S. Fitch and David Beers. In this request Dr. Skinner is commended for his independent, manly and truthful dealing with the people of his charge. This published sermon has a preface in which Mr. Skinner says: "There was a disagreement not in minor matters but in central and radical points; nay, in the very basis of the whole of our standards, the authority of the Bible as the only Rule of Faith and Prac- tice. It was said there was another rule; the Bible could be accepted only as judged and endorsed by the Reason, or In- tuitional faculty, miracles were not the ultimate test of Spiritual Truth." This and much more was urged as being a matter of difference between Mr. Skinner and the church. Appended to this sermon was a testimonial to Mr. Skinner's faithfulness as a pastor and to his "magnifying the Old and New Testaments as the Inspired Word of God as the only and infallible rule of faith and practice." This was signed by A. Strong, J. P. Dar- ling, C. P. Waller, G. G. Waller, Seth W. Powell, J. H. Sin- clair, J. S. Wright, Isaiah Snyder, William J. Fuller, Earl Wheeler, Stephen G. Cory, Jeremiah Clark, John F. Roe, David Beers, Ebenezer T. Losey, Elam Strong, W. W. Weston, D. M. Eno, George F. Knapp, J. H. Sutton, John H. Crawford, C. King, Coe Durland, H. L. Phillips, Chauncy Deming, S. D. Ward, William Reed, E. F. Torrey, H. C. Hand, H. W. Stone, A. Cummings, Dwight Reed, C. F. Young, T. S. Fitch, W. T. Eastabrook, B. Sherwood, James R. Dickson, E. T. Beers, D. Blandin, Jesse Van Steenberg, Robert J. Knapp, Nathaniel Beers, George Snyder, William H. Stone, Moses Ward, F. A. Doney, D. R. Burnham, Thomas H. Dickson, Levy McCreery, David Robertson, John Robertson.
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HONESDALE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
When this sermon was printed with its preface and formi- dable array of names, including some of the session, those members of the session that had not signed felt that they were placed in a false position. At a meeting of the session held at R. L. Seely's, Sept. 19, 1859, the clerk of the session, Stephen Torrey, was requested to prepare a letter to Rev. Mr. Skinner setting forth the differences as they understood them. This was a long letter and was signed by Stephen Torrey, William Reed, J. P. Darling, R. L. Seely and A. Strong. S. D. Ward had resigned and considered that he should not act. This let- ter reviews the address and justly concludes that the prominent idea that runs through it is, that the session had differed with their pastor concerning the mode to be pursued to free the church from radical doctrinal error and that these errors relate to the authority, the authenticity, the interpretation, tlie all suf- ficiency, the exclusive prerogative of the Bible in matters of religion. The letter then states: "Now whatever may be true concerning the existence in the church of the radical errors in doctrine mentioned in your address, we think that you will candidly admit that no vote has under any circumstances been given or called for concerning these doctrinal errors; or the best method of dealing with the individuals entertaining or supposed to entertain them." Further on, the letter states in substance, that nothing had been brought to the notice of the session excepting what related exclusively to himself, of the course of conduct of one who had represented that he taught Antinomianism, thereby undermining his influence. Mr. Skin- ner's reply to this letter was filed but cannot be found, that it was not satisfactory is evident from the tenor of the reply of the session. So at last Mr. Skinner and the session differed as to what they differed about.
That Mr. Skinner was annoyed by the criticisms of the so- called "saints" is evident, that the members of the session were not anxious for any heresy trials is manifest, and that under all the circumstances it was best that he should resign is doubtless true. He appears to have been a good man but a misfit at this
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THE CHURCH AND SESSION
place at the time he was here. He finally found his true sphere in McCormick Theological Seminary at Chicago, where he was "Dr. Skinner" and a success. Fortunately the church did not suffer any serious division on account of this episode. This literary club turned up as evolutionists in Dr. Dunning's time and many of that scholarly man's most masterly efforts were directed against that theory. Darwin's theory was distorted by some of his followers, but after it was understood, the church no longer feared it. Whatever may be true as to any scientific theory, of one thing we are certain, that true science and the Christianity of the Bible never did and never will conflict. Skepticism changes with each succeeding generation but the Word of God abideth forever. Dr. Rowland, Dr. Skinner and Dr. Dunning, together with all the so-called "saints" have been gathered to their fathers and have to appear before a Judge that cannot err.
During the interval of two years after Dr. Skinner resigned the pulpit was supplied by Rev. David Torrey, Rev. J. W. Scott and many others, candidates and otherwise. The church was fearful about choosing a pastor, and ministers, owing to its dif- ficulties, looked upon the church as a hard field for labor.
Rev. John B. Richardson, of Geneva Presbytery acted as moderator Dec. 2, 1859, and Rev. J. W. Scott, D. D. Jan. 9, 1860, otherwise the session generally chose one of its elders to act as moderator. Among other things the session recom- mended "in view of the present condition of the church and especially of the approaching meeting of the congregation to elect a pastor" that Wednesday next be recommended as a day of humiliation and prayer and that notice be given to that effect. No date is given but it was about the last of 1859. No ac- count is given of the election of Rev. C. S. Dunning by the congregation, but July 5, 1861, he appears as pastor elect, act- ing as moderator. He was installed June 25, 1861. Dr. Dun- ning did not come to Honesdale without some misgivings, for Dr, Skinner had carried the difficulties of the church to the Pres- bytery and the matter had been discussed until it was known
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throughout this section of country. The church was most fortunate in its selection of Rev. C. S. Dunning for pastor. His large hearted sympathies and massive logic soon won the hearts of his hearers, and differences disappeared. Mr. Dunning found bis hearers capable, honest and willing to listen to reason, as a consequence the church was soon working harmoniously and the congregation was increased. There were several notable revivals during his pastorate, and there were about 375 persons received into the church during his time. The War of the Rebellion was in progress when he came here and the people were stirred with patriotic emotions. July 4, 1863, the record reads: "The session met at the Lecture Room at the close of a meeting notified for preparatory lecture, but which in view of the impending conflict of arms, in which the armies of our nation are now engaged on the battle field, (the time) was spent in special prayer in behalf of our nation and our armies, as well as preparatory to our communion season; present, Rev. C. S. Dunning, moderator, R. L. Seely, William Reed, J. P. Darling and Stephen Torrey, elders." Dr. A. Strong was generally at session meeting and these five elders constituted the session when Mr. Dunning came to the church. Jan. 2, 1864, the session placed a minute on its records as a tribute to R. L. Seely who is remembered for the faithful dis- charge of his duties in such a conciliatory spirit as to win the esteem of the church.
November 25, 1864, Isaac P. Foster and Stephen D. Ward were again elected as ruling elders and they took their places in the session which they had left, Mr. Foster in 1842, and Mr Ward in 1860. Slavery was abolished as an act of martial law, made possible because of a war which the slaveholders precipitated themselves; and as a revenge of fate, the emanci- pator was one of the despised southern mountain whites. Many conservative people, who despised slavery but held that it could not be disturbed under the constitution, rejoiced when the slaves were freed by proclamation of the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States.
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THE CHURCH AND SESSION.
From this time forward the united sessions sustained Dr. Dunning, and the church was greatly prospered. The old par- sonage, where Judge Grambs resides, was sold to E. W. Hamlin and the lot on the corner of Tenth and Court streets, contain- ing a house which was used for a parsonage until recently, was purchased of William F. Wood in 1865, and the large brick church was erected and dedicated June 25, 1868.
After the new church was dedicated nearly every pew was taken including the side pews. Dr. Dunning's preaching at- tracted many from other denominations. He was in the zenith of his power; and a new pipe organ with a good choir, still further added to the attractions of the service. The congrega- tion that listened to him included lawyers, doctors, editors, bankers, merchants, Delaware and Hudson managers and lead- ing business men generally. It was an intelligent and critical congregation and Dr. Dunning sustained himself with remark- able power. His pre-eminence as a great reasoner was freely admitted by his contemporaries. Neither did he fail as a pastor. He called upon his congregation at their homes and in their places of business. He had a sympathetic way of asking after business prospects that was appreciated by the people. John Brown, the undertaker, told an incident which was characteristic of Dr. Dunning. One day Dr. Dunning came into his place of business and asked him, in his friendly way, how he was getting along with his establishment. Mr. Brown told him that he was not doing very well, that he had not taken in money enough that week to pay his help and he did not know what he should do. Mr. Dunning expressed his sympathy and went out. Soon afterwards he came in with a roll of bills in his hand and said: "Here take this I don't need it just now and pay me when you can." He did not even count the money but turned and went out. Mr. Brown was surprised, for he did not even belong to Dr. Dunning's congregation, but he felt gratitude to Dr. Dunning for his thoughtfulness from that time forth.
Dr. Dunning had a good idea of business and could sym- pathize with his people in their business struggles and losses.
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He carried the burdens of his congregation in his great heart. To him the pastorate of the church was a serious matter, and he listened to tales of woe that are confided to a minister, with a sympathetic heart. He was so constituted that he could not throw off these burdens easily, and his more hopeful wife some- times rallied him about it and turned his thoughts in other directions. This was an undoubted benefit to him. Dr. Dun- ning's fame as a powerful preacher was far extended, and he received flattering offers of much larger salary to go elsewhere, but his fidelity to the Honesdale church would not suffer him to leave it. During the war he received $2,500 salary a year, but he finally told the church that he thought this salary was so large as to be burdensome, and he voluntarily reduced the amount to $2,000; although in thanking the church at one time for some gift, he said the church had always done generously by him, "giving him more than was nominated in the bond." His powerful sermons against Darwinianism did not affect the parties for whom they were preached as he had hoped, and he afterwards regretted that he had not preached the plain gospel instead. Of course Dr. Dunning did not fail to preach the plain gospel, but he doubtless concluded, as many others have, that men who cannot be reached by such preaching cannot be reached at all.
In 1870, Miles L. Tracy, Stephen G. Cory and Henry M. Seely were added to the session. In 1874, W. B. Holmes in place of S. D. Ward, deceased. In 1876, H. C. Hand and in 1878 John T. Ball. William Reed and Dr. A. Strong both died in 1879. They were both faithful men.
Sept. 16, 1874, the session adopted a minute highly eulo- gistic of Elder S. D. Ward, who for twenty years had been a member of the session. His death is deplored as having oc- curred suddenly, when Mr. Ward was in the vigor of manhood. The minute also says: "We desire to record our hearty testi- mony to the faithfulness and efficiency with which he has dis- charged his duties as a member of the session and of the higher judicatories of the church, and to the very valuable service he
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THE CHURCH AND SESSION.
has rendered this church in connection with our social religious meetings and the Sabbath school."
Dec. 2, 1876, the session adopted a minute on the death of Elder Isaac P. Foster. The session recognized in him a brother with whom they had often met to consult concerning the interests of the church. A man whose clear judgment, large experience, great Christian charity and thorough earnest- ness in the cause of Christ, rendered his counsel of great value. "He was chosen as a Ruling Elder in this church at its organ- ization, and with the exception of a few years, of voluntary re- tirement, has continued to serve the church usefully and ac- ceptably in that office, until his death." "We well remember his earnestness in prayer, in our social meetings, which he delighted to attend. * * * We lament our loss and rejoice in his glory." "How blest the righteous when he dies."
April 19, 1879, session met at Mr. Tracy's; present, Elders Holmes, who acted as moderator, Hand, Ball, Cory and Seely. At this meeting Messrs. Seely and Cory reported a minute on the death of Elder William Reed, which spoke of him as one of the most useful members of the session. "Mr. Reed was not a brilliant speaker, he was not a profound scholar, he was not an emotional Christian; but by a pure daily life, consistently seeking the advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom and the good of his fellow men, always in his place in church and social meetings, and always ready to do his proper work in connection with the church, he was useful in his labors; perhaps more useful in his Christian example. In his business and social relations we never heard him charged with impropriety, but he was uniformly recognized as a good honest man. He was a man of excellent judgment and faithful to his convictions, such a man as the church and society always need." Shortly after the death of Mr. Reed, Dr. Adonijah Strong died. He was a modest, scholarly man; a gentleman of the old school.
Jan. 2, 1880, at a meeting of the session, of which Dr. Dunning was moderator, the following minute was adopted:
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HONESDALE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
"In the death of Adonijah Strong, M. D., at the advanced age of 79 years, the session feels that it has suffered the loss of a highly honored member. By his thorough scholarship and rich experience he was eminently qualified to be a wise coun- selor and genial companion. In purity of life, amiability of spirit, gentleness of manner, forgetfulness of self and consider- ation of others, he was a bright example to us. Our senior in years, he was a 'revered father and beloved brother.'"
The first Young People's Society in Wayne county, was organized in this church in 1876. Its prayer meetings were held on Wednesday evenings and the regular lectures and prayer meetings were held on Friday evenings. There are many still living who recall with grateful remembrance those Friday evening talks of Dr. Dunning. In them he was less formal and more simple, but always earnest and impressive. Dr. Dunning's morning discourses were masterly efforts and too deep for many of liis hearers, but his Friday evening lectures were comprehended and appreciated by all more fully than his carefully prepared sermons.
Sunday, Feb. 9, 1879, the congregation was surprised and made sad by the resignation of Dr. Dunning. As he sum- marizes his work in his resignation it is here given in full: To the Presbyterian Church and Society of Honesdale :
Dear Brethren :- About nineteen years ago I was invited to become the pastor of this church. In view of the conflicting elements then exist- ing in the church I declined the invitation. A year afterward it was re- newed, and after mature deliberation I accepted the call to the pastorate. For eighteen years I have been your pastor. During these years, among the best of my life, I have given my undivided, undiverted care to your labor and service. As I review the past I see many deficiencies and much imperfection, but the great Head of the church has blessed the relations which we have sustained to each other. Peace and unity have been vouch- safed to the church during these years. Out of this church unity and peace has come outward prosperity. The humhle structure of wood has given place to this stately edifice of brick ; the lecture room has been re- moved and its dimensions greatly expanded ; the parsonage near the church and the enlarged church grounds have come as the fruitage of these years. You have also been prospered spiritually. Powerful revivals have quick- ened the life of the church and added to the membership many whom we hope shall stand at last complete in righteousness at God's right hand.
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THE CHURCH AND SESSION.
Three hundred and sixty-one have connected themselves with the church during these years, 249 by profession of their faith in Christ and 112 by letter. Others have also been reached by the renewing power of the Spirit of God, who have united with other churches. These have been pleasant but laborious years. I have not during these years sought other fields of labor. You know that I might have had other and more conspicuous pulpits had I been willing to accept them. But I have hitherto given my- self to you. You know what my work among you has been. I have always preached at least three times a week. Following the week of prayer I have often preached the whole month. For years I preached during the sum- mer months three times on the Sabbath. Through these eighteen years I have been with you in all circumstances, in your prosperity and your ad- versity, in your sorrow and in your joy. In the church and lecture room, in your houses, at your beds of sickness and around your open graves, I have been with you. My dead sleeps with yours and among you I expect to rest at last, awaiting the breaking of the "illustrious morn." I have, with the session, represented you in Presbytery, the Synod and the General Assembly. Under all these multiform labors my health has been good until last summer when it became impaired. I had hoped that a few months of rest would bring back my usual strength. I have not recovered as rapidly as I expected and cannot in the immediate future labor as I have done in the past. God has no necessary men, the workmen may be crip- pled or die but the cause with stately step marches on. That your pros- perity may not be hindered I have concluded to resign the pastorate. Thanking you for your uniform kindness during all these years, I hereby resign the pastorate to take effect at the close of this financial year, May 1st, and ask you to unite with me in requesting the Presbytery at its next stated meeting to dissolve the relation between us."
No wonder that many of the congregation were visibly af- fected while Dr. Dunning was speaking, for he had a warm place in the hearts of the people and they knew that his labors among them had been faithfully and lovingly performed.
The session held an informal meeting and prepared a notice to be read from the pulpit in the evening, requesting the con- gregation worshipping in the church, to meet the following Tuesday evening, to take action on the resignation. The matter was discussed at the meeting called and at another meeting held March 4, 1879. Resolutions were adopted earnestly re- questing Dr. Dunning to reconsider his resignation and giving him one year's rest, with $1,000 salary. This motion was made by E. F. Torrey as an amendment to M. L. Tracy's motion that the resignation be accepted. Mr. Tracy accepted the amend-
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HONESDALE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
ment and it was carried. On motion of H. M. Seely, W. W. Weston and R. N. Torrey were appointed a committee to ascer- tain Dr. Dunning's determination and they were directed to assure him of the affection of the congregation and their satis- faction with his ministry .*
After mature consideration, Dr. Dunning announced from the pulpit, that with thanks to the congregation he had con- cluded to accept the proposition presented to him and with- draw his resignation.
In addition to giving Dr. Dunning $1,000 salary during his convalescence, the church gave Rev. William Dunning, a brother of Dr. Dunning, $1,000 to preach as supply during the year. He filled the pulpit during the year with great ac- ceptance, and a number were added to the church during that time.
Dr. Dunning's health did not improve as he had hoped and April 2, 1880, he again sent in his resignation to the ses- sion of the church. In his letter he states that his health had improved, but he thought for complete restoration that he needed rest; also that the church needed a pastor in the full vigor of health. He further said: "Of what is involved in the sundering of the relationships and ties of a pastorate stretching over the space of nineteen years-the longest in the whole history of this church-I need not speak. The work of God is entailed, one may labor and another enter into his labors; one may sow and another reap, but he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."
April 10, session met at Mr. Cory's, and Stephen Torrey offered resolutions which among other things stated that the session did not feel it incumbent upon them to advise or recom- mend any course to the congregation in relation to Dr. Dun- ning's resignation, but they did recommend that such action should be taken as to maintain the friendly relations which
*Note. Dr. Dunning's sickness was of a character that ied to great depression of spirit, and this reassuring message was sent to comfort him.
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THE CHURCH AND SESSION.
have hitherto existed between him and this church and congre- gation, whether the pastoral relations shall remain unchanged or shall be dissolved, in accordance with his request.
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