USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Honesdale > History of the First Presbyterian society of Honesdale > Part 5
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The trustees tendered Dr. Dunning the use of the parson- age, barn and lot, with the understanding that he was to have thirty days notice before he should be required to vacate. His resignation was accepted at a largely attended meeting held April 13, 1880, at which Stephen Torrey was called to the chair and H. M. Seely was made secretary. Mr. Seely offered reso- lutions highly complimentary to Dr. Dunning, who is com- mended for his purity of life, earnestness, fidelity to the Master, and his great ability in instructing and leading in spiritual things. "God has acknowledged his labors among us and blessed us in these labors by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit." * * The resolutions also state that: "We cannot contemplate the severance of the relations which our pastor has so long sustained to this church without extreme sorrow." Stephen Torrey and H. C. Hand were appointed commissioners to attend the meeting of Presbytery at Pittston, April 19, in behalf of the church, to unite with Dr. Dunning in having the pastoral relations dissolved.
Dr. Dunning was not only esteemed by his congregation, but the whole town, regardless of nationality or religious belief, regretted the necessity which led to the severance of his con- nection with the church and community. He had acquired that high position which a man with a true Christian character com- mands, and to this day his name is mentioned only to be praised.
After Dr. Dunning retired it was not an easy matter to fill his place. November 12, 1880, a meeting of the congregation was called, of which H. M. Seely was chairman and W. H. Stanton was secretary. On motion of C. P. Waller a ballot was taken and a large majority of those present voted in favor of proceeding to elect a pastor. The chairman read the names of those ministers who had filled the pulpit since Dr. Dunning's resignation, and votes were cast for Messrs. McAtee, Williams,
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Dunning, Goss, Torrey, Ostrander, Dipps, Adams, Raffensber- ger and Thomas. Dr. Dunning was called to the chair and two more ballots were taken. Of the 95 votes cast Mr. McAtee received 51, and on a third ballot 59. Finally C. P. Waller moved and W. W. Weston seconded the motion that the matter be laid on the table indefinitely, and Mr. McAtee was invited to preach an indefinite time. He preached abont six months. May 23, 1881, Dr. H. C. Westwood's letter to H. M. Seely was read and he was guaranteed $400 to remove his family from Denver to Honesdale. May 13, 1881, a congregational meet- ing was held at the lecture room, at which Rev. D. K. Freeman, of Hyde Park, was moderator; a vote was taken on motion of Miles L. Tracy, seconded by A. Thompson, that they proceed to the election of a pastor. On nominating ballot, Rev. H. C. Westwood, D. D., Rev. S. T. Campbell, D. D. and Rev. W. A. McAtee were nominated. On the first ballot Dr. Westwood re- ceived 72 votes out of the 74 that were cast, and his election was made unanimous. Rev. Stephen Torrey, of the session, I. N. Foster, of the trustees and W. W. Weston, of the congrega- tion, were appointed to sign the call, and the salary was fixed at $1,800.
Dr. Westwood accepted the call to commence June 1st. July 12, 1881, he was installed. Rev. Dr. Dunning preached the sermon, Rev. W. H. Swift delivered the charge to the pastor and Rev. H. H. Welles delivered the charge to the people.
November 25, 1882, M. L. Tracy resigned as chorister to take effect January 1, 1883. His resignation was accepted and Mrs. Atkinson was requested to use her judgment in forming a choir.
December 8, 1882, Miles L. Tracy, after serving twelve years as an elder, declined a reelection, and Andrew Thompson was elected in his place. At this time Adam Reitenauer was elected deacon.
The session passed the following resolution in relation to the resignation of Mr. Tracy as chorister: "We desire to re- sord our high appreciation of the service he has rendered. For
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more than a quarter of a century he has been charged with the duty of maintaining a choir and conducting the singing which is so important a part in the service in the house of God." The resolutions also bear testimony to "the great degree of efficiency with which he has performed this service; in the church, in the social meetings, in the Sunday school and on funeral occasions, he has always been found in his place giving his thought, time and means to this work." "Mr. Tracy has rendered us a Christian duty and with no thought of compen- sation or reward in this world." Mr. Tracy was leader of the singing continuously from the fall of 1856, until January 1, 1883, and he declined to organize and drill another choir as he was requested to do.
October 23, 1883, a meeting of the congregation was held in the lecture room to consider Dr. Westwood's resignation. Dr. Westwood stated that the reasons impelling him to ask to have the pastoral relations dissolved were that he had received a call to the pastorate of the High Street Congregational church in the City of Auburn, Maine; that it was a unanimous call and he felt it his duty to go. He acknowledged that he had been treated generously by the church and he stated that his relations with the community generally, had always been very pleasant, so that Honesdale would always command his kindest memories and deepest interest. Dr. Westwood's letter, which manifested a good spirit, was met by the session in the same spirit, and Mr. Holmes offered very kind and commendatory resolutions, both in regard to Dr. Westwood and his talented wife, who was commended for what she had been to the poor, the young, the Sabbath school, in the Ladies' meetings, the liter- ary class and the social circles. There were about fifteen per- sons, principally from the Sunday school, received into the church during Dr. Westwood's short pastorate. His resigna- tion had other impelling reasons than those appearing on the face of the records. The church was very unanimous in re- ceiving him and was pleased when he found another place of labor. The church was not very perceptibly affected by his
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ministry one way or another. His wife, however, was a positive force and she was a willing worker, leaving her impression upon the ladies of the church.
CALL OF REV. W. H. SWIFT.
The annual meeting of the church was held in the lecture room, November 16, 1883, H. M. Seely presiding and R. N. Torrey secretary. After the treasurer's report had been re- ceived, Stephen Torrey offered a resolution, conformable to the request of the session of the church, that the meeting adjourn until November 30 to take action with reference to the selection and calling of a pastor. At the adjourned meeting R. M. Stocker acted as secretary in the absence of Mr. Torrey. Rev. Stephen Torrey stated the object of the meeting and the action thus far taken by the session. He mentioned Rev. W. H. Swift's name as one that had been considered. Judge Seely also spoke favorably of Mr. Swift and George G. Waller spoke unhesitatingly in his favor. On John T. Ball's motion, seconded by Mr. Waller, it was decided that we were ready to proceed to call a pastor. Thirty voted ready, niue against and two blanks. Judge Seely then called Rev. David Torrey to the chair, in order to conform to Presbyterian usage, that when a congregation extends a call to a pastor, a clergyman shall oc- cupy the chair. A nominating ballot resulted in twenty-seven votes for Mr. Swift, one for David Torrey and one for Mr. Guild. At this juncture a discussion arose as to the effect of blank ballots, wherein it became apparent that all the congre- gation were not prepared to vote for a pastor. Judge Seely's motion, which was seconded by S. W. Powell, that proceedings be suspended until the next Friday night, was carried. This carefulness only illustrates the conservatism which has pre- vailed in the counsels of the church for years, when any im- portant movement is to be consummated. A number of the leaders at that time were well advanced in years, and they had seen the church torn by dissensions over the pastorate in former years, which made them extremely cautious, and the recent experience when great unanimity had prevailed in calling a
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pastor, who had disappointed the church, was not reassuring. This extreme cautiousness manifested itself at the next meeting December 7, 1883, when Rev. Stephen Torrey moved that the motion of last meeting, that we are ready to proceed to the election of a pastor, be reconsidered, which was done, then the original proposition was voted upon and received fifty-one yeas, eleven nays still appearing. It is due to history here to state, that during the whole discussion of the matter, no one questioned the fitness of Mr. Swift, and there did not appear to be any other person that was seriously considered. After a nominating ballot and electing ballot, in which Mr. Swift had nearly all the votes, E. F. Torrey moved that we extend a unanimous call to Mr. Swift. This motion was seconded by Mr. Waller and was carried by sixty-two yeas, seven nays and two blanks. On motion of George G. Waller, seconded by Andrew Thompson, a salary of $1,800 and the use of the par- sonage were offered. This motion and another that the salary be paid monthly was carried, and G. G. Waller, Esq., W. B. Holmes and W. W. Weston were appointed to prosecute the call. The pulpit was supplied during the winter of 1883-4, by Rev. David Torrey, and others, and in the spring Rev. W. H. Swift took possession of the parsonage with his family, and commenced work March 31, 1884. His first work was a pre- paratory lecture on the first Friday evening of April, and he was regularly installed as pastor of the church, May 7, 1884. Rev. Thomas R. Beeber, of Scranton, preached the sermon, Rev. F. B. Hodge, D. D., of the First Presbyterian church, of Wilkesbarre, gave the charge to the pastor, and Rev. David Torrey, D. D., gave the charge to the people. The church needed a strong, energetic pastor at the time Mr. Swift took charge of the work. True the church contained a large number of devoted and active workers. No church with a session com- posed of such men as Rev. Stephen Torrey, Judge Seely, W. B. Holmes, Andrew Thompson, Horace Hand, John T. Ball and Stephen G. Cory, with an active board of trustees and a large membership, could be said to be in a dying condition;
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but the church certainly began to need a regular pastor, in whom the people had confidence; and Mr. Swift, by his strong Biblical sermons and energetic administration of the matters committed to his charge, immediately began to enthuse and awaken the church and congregation. The Young People's Society, which had almost ceased to exist, was reorganized. A new constitution was adopted and the devotional meetings were regularly conducted, with leaders and topics chosen in time to ensure preparation for instructive discussion. His clear force- ful preaching attracted large congregations, and the work of the church in its various departments has been conducted with spirit and power during these years.
June 12, 1885, the session adopted the following minute relative to the death of Dr. Dunning. As this minute is a can- did expression of the opinion of the session, which knew him well, it is an estimate of his character that is truthful and fair: "The death of Dr. Dunning has filled our hearts with profound sorrow. Intimately associated with him as pastor of this church and moderator of this session for nineteen years, we could but love him as a dear friend, while his splendid power of intellect and high attainments of learning called for our ad- miration, his consistent unassuming, but positive Christian character, his life among us, pure, devoted, earnest, consecrated to the Master and the Master's service in this church; his wise counsels, earnest exhortations, large hearted Christian sympathy with the joys and sorrows and all the experiences of his people, gave him a large place in all our hearts. Nor were his labors and sympathy confined to the people of his own church; but today multitudes in the community, attendants upon other churches and attendants upon none, extending to him the same admiration and respect, like us, recall his kindly words and acts and mourn his loss as that of a true friend. His influence was far reaching in the community. It was the influence, first, of a true man among men; secondly, of a man whose splendid equipment of intellect and learning were recognized by all; thirdly, of a man whose greatness was accompanied by an un-
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assuming modesty; fourthly, of a man whose life was the con- stant and everywhere manifest expression of his love to God and love to man-of the religion which he professed. His ser- vice to this church was faithful, rendered under a high estimate of his personal responsibility toward us and toward God. Out of a full heart he proclaimed the whole counsel of God, whether men would hear or forbear to hear. He believed the whole Bible and preached it. Uniformly bringing to his pulpit care- ful preparation, his sermons were always full of thought, wrought out to logical completeness, well compensating for the close attention which they required from his hearers.
He was a profound, close, clear, logical thinker; his diction was concise, exact, often very beautiful and his power in the pulpit was in what he said, rather than in the manner of its de- livery-sustained by the consistent life which he lived. * * In Presbytery and Synod he was comparatively a silent mem- ber, but when he spoke his remarks were directly to the point under consideration, and commanded respectful attention. * * Nineteen years, the best of his life, he gave to this church. Nay, to this church he gave his life. Here was the wear and tear of brain which exhausted his physical health. * * During his pastorate five members of his session died-Richard L. Seely, Isaac P. Foster, Stephen D. Ward, William Reed and Adoni- jah Strong. *
* They that be wise shall shine as the bright- ness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteous- ness as the stars forever and ever."
January 2, 1886, the election of Andrew Thompson, as superintendent of the Sunday school, was reported and ap- proved.
January 15, 1886, the session record contains a note by H. M. Seely, clerk, that reads: "Stephen Torrey having been ordained by the Presbytery as a minister of the Gospel, we propose to recognize him as at least a corresponding member of this session, and to note his presence at our meetings where he is always welcome."
Stephen G. Cory, who for 56 years had been a member of
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the church, and for nineteen years a Ruling Elder, died April 7, 1889, aged 75. The session adopted resolutions of gratitude to God for having called Mr. Cory to his service while young, and having fitted him for eminent usefulness. He was com- mended for his love to the church and devotion to its service.
June 17, 1889, Rev. Stephen Torrey died at the home of his brother, John Torrey. He was the last of the charter mem- bers of the church and one of its first elders. During his life he had occupied nearly every position of trust, honor and duty in connection with the church. He helped organize the church, was one of its charter members, and was elder, trustee, Sunday school superintendent and finally was ordained to the Christian ministry. He was the first representative of the church in Presbytery, and frequently represented the church in Presby- tery, Synod and General Assembly. He was a constant worker in establishing Sunday schools in the vicinity of Honesdale, extending over a territory for ten miles around. He was liberal with his means, not only with his own church, but in the work of missions. His name stands forth preeminent in the history of the church for the multiform work which he performed and the zeal and energy with which he did it. The church felt its great loss and appointed Sunday morning, December 15, 1889, as a time to hold a memorial service. Rev. Mr. Swift delivered a sermon on that occasion which was published. One of Rev. Stephen Torrey's strongest points was in his earnest prayers which would commence like this: "O God most holy; Thou who hast established Thy church in the world and hast said in Thy holy Word, 'the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' We come to Thee now pleading Thy promises," Dr. Swift says: "He always talked with God, He was strong in faith giving glory to God. His prayers were marked by great humility, child-like confidence, intense earnestness; and all who listened were conscious of God's nearness, and so strength- ened in faith and life. Mr. Torrey believed with all his heart in God's willingness to answer prayer, and so took his burdens to God and left them there." "He gave this testimony:"
REV. STEPHEN TORREY
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'The memory of the past is precious, affording as it does an occasion of devout thanksgiving to God for all his goodness to me in times of perplexity and intense solicitude to know what, under the then existing circumstances, the Lord would have me do. His assurance, 'and, lo! I am with you always,' is un- changed and unchangeable." He was a man of one book. He long ago forgot the Latin and Greek he learned at Harford. But he was possessed of an extraordinary knowledge of the Bible and Biblical Theology. No one who heard his examina- tion for ordination will ever forget the profound acquaintance with the letter and the spirit of Scripture which he evidenced, or the clearness of his statements of doctrinal belief-his answers being usually given in the very language of inspiration; yet so simple that a child could understand them." Thus honored and lamented, the veteran soldier of the cross sleeps with his kindred in Glen Dyberry cemetery awaiting the resur- rection of the justified.
December 27, 1889, W. J. Ward and Joseph A. Bodie were elected elders and they were installed the last of June 1890.
December 25, 1894, Hon. H. M. Seely died and the ses- sion entered a minute on the record from which the following is taken: "For more than thirty years he has been closely identified with the Sabbath school either as superintendent or teacher. For twenty-five years he was a faithful Ruling Elder, and for twenty-two years clerk of our session. His intellectual powers were of a high order. Possessing a clear and logical mind, he was enabled to grasp the deepest religious truths and in the same clear and logical manner impart them to others. Thoroughness was a prominent trait of his mind; having selected a subject he fathomed depths and scaled heights to which others could not attain. He encouraged rather than repressed scholar- ship in all, even though it led away from old and time worn theological grooves. His theology was as pronounced as his scholarship. It was of the heroic type, having formed his opinions on the Word of God, no power on earth could lead him to violate his convictions of right and duty, yet he was as
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tender and loving as a woman. His great heart took in the poor, the ignorant and the sorrowing. His purse was ever open to relieve their wants; his benevolence was world wide; being left childless he was never more happy than when the children of others were about him."
After Judge Seely's death the session was increased to eight members and J. A. Reitenauer and R. M. Stocker were elected Ruling Elders January 16, 1895, and at the same time J. S. Gillen was elected Deacon and they were regularly in- stalled in the chapel, January 23, 1895.
During Rev. Dr. Swift's pastorate thus far there has been three great revivals. The first was in 1887, at which time Mr. Swift held extra meetings for twelve weeks, and a large number from the Sunday school, and others, were converted. April 3, 1887, sixty-eight persons were received into the church. In 1892 the Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian churches united in a union meeting under direction of Rev. E. E. Davidson, an Evangelist. Mr. Davidson was a sweet spirited man and he conducted these union meetings in such an undenominational and whole hearted Christian manner that the community gener- ally felt their power. These were the last meetings of the kind, in which Judge Seely ever took an active interest, and none who attended will ever forget the earnestness with which he entered into the work on that occasion. All of the Protestant churches in town received accessions to their membership as the result of these meetings. Each person that manifested an interest was asked his church preference and his name was immediately sent to the pastor of the church to which he gave a preference, and in that way the spirit of rivalry that some- times results from such meetings was restrained and great good resulted to the churches from the meetings so harmoniously conducted.
April 10, 1892, there were received into the church one hundred and seven by profession and three by letter. The Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal and Lutheran churches were all benefited by the meetings.
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In 1896 Major Hilton, of California, and his singer, Mr. Teller, held union services in Honesdale, and April 12, 1896, there were thirty-two persons received into the church by pro- fession and six by letter. Evangelistic meetings are harvest gatherers from the sowing done by others, to a large extent. The successful evangelists, like Moody and Davidson, are usually practical business men taken from the ranks of the church membership. Their success consists largely in arous- ing the church to organized effort; but a small portion of the work is done by the Evangelist, he enlists the members and leads them in systematic work. The evangelist can and does say and do things that a regular pastor of a church could not say nor do. His principal function is to bring the people to a decision. The work of the evangelist is being accomplished to a certain extent by the introduction of "Decision Day," into the Sunday school and Young Peoples' meetings. Several large additions have been made to the church membership recently, through this method. Most people are convinced that Chris- tianity is just and true, but the difficulty consists in inducing them to act. Furthermore, most men intend some day to identify themselves actively with some church organization, but good intentions are of no avail. And yet the fact remains that every man does decide, for he who does not decide right really decides wrong, for in some matters what a man does not do positively is forced upon him negatively.
During Dr. Swift's pastorate of twenty years, now the longest in the history of the church, a great work has been ac- complished. There have been added to the church membership over 640 members. A large proportion of these have joined upon profession of their faith, while a number have joined by letter from other churches. The membership of a church is constantly shifting and changing like the sands of the sea. As many are dismissed to other churches as are received from them, and more are thus dismissed in a town where the popula- tion is not increasing from new settlers from outside the town. Honesdale Presbyterian church is constantly dismissing mem-
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bers to all parts of the land, particularly to the west, where our young men and women are filling places of usefulness in other communities. No church can rest on its laurels, but the work must be carried forward with constant vigor, otherwise the most powerful church in a few years would languish and die. Dr. Swift's preaching has been with spirit and power, he has pressed the claims of the Gospel upon his hearers with earnest- ness, directness and persuasive eloquence. As a result the membership of the church has been replenished and increased. During Dr. Swift's time a new chapel has been erected at a cost of $20,000 and a new manse has been built and it is proposed to repair the church, a matter which is now under way.
May 6, 1898, Mr. Holmes, clerk of the session, made the following note: "During the past year the parsonage has been erected at a cost of $4,819.62, and nearly all this sum has been contributed by our congregation during the process of erection. The ladies have furnished carpets, curtains and gas fixtures at an additional cost of $396.24. The material is of wood-style of architecture, Continental. It has all the modern improve - ments and is a model of convenience and beauty. C. E. Decker of New York, was architect and John D. Bryant, of Honesdale, builder. S. W. Powell rendered valuable service in looking after the construction of the building as representative of the trustees."
During the coal miners' strike, the Thirteenth regiment of Pennsylvania militia, of which Rev. Dr. Swift was chaplain, was called out to preserve the peace and protect life and property. The principal part of the regiment was stationed at Olyphant. The session met at the Wayne County Savings Bank, Septem- ber 27, 1902, present, Elders Ball, Hand, Stocker, Ward, Thomp- son and Holmes. Elder Andrew Thompson was elected chair- man. A postal from Chaplain Swift was read in which it was indicated that he might be absent from our church for some time. The clerk was instructed to invite the Rev. J. J. Rankin, of Scranton, Pa., to conduct preparatory service October 3 and to hold communion service October 5, and to pay him $25 a
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