USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Luzerne > History of the Presbytery of Luzerne, state of Pennsylvania > Part 16
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*The pastor of the family at Marietta, Ohio.
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who knew Dr. Hickok during a large part of his ministry in Scranton, and who had been ordained and installed an elder of the church there, April 17th, 1867, thus speaks of his former pastor after his death :* "Among the sainted dead we are compelled to record the name of our former beloved pastor, Milo J. Hickok. His me- thodical sermons and powerful evening lectures will never be forgotten by us. Some of us feel that to him we owe under God's blessing, more than to any other man. The church grew and was strengthened under his ministrations. His labors were faithful and complete in every department of church work. He loved you all with a depth of love which was not always understood. Those who knew him best know this. It was my privilege to be with him in the keen enjoyment of a portion of his journeying in Europe. I saw him when in pleasure he was recreating for the work he most loved. I know how his heart longed to labor with the flock God had given him, and at night, often wearied with the enjoyment of the day, I recall his presentiment of the calamity which so soon came upon him. I quote from a message written with his own hand after his affliction to one of his flock, in clear but tremb- ling letters, as follows : ' A shadow perchance has drifted over both of us since we looked down the green valley of the Thames, and trod the smiling meadows of Runnymede, but I can testify that there is a sadness of the countenance by which the heart is made better. Grace can more than make up for all that is taken away. The dear Lord has developed within me a peace and satisfaction which I never knew in my prosperity." '
When Dr. Hickok's resignation was accepted, April, * At the Quarter Century Memorial Service.
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1868, the Scranton congregation continued to support him during the remaining years of his life. His salary, which was at first $800 per annum, had been increased from time to time until it had reached $2,500. His peo- ple also had provided for the expenses of his visit to Europe. After his disability and before his resignation, the pulpit at Scranton had been acceptably supplied, principally by the Rev. W. C. Cattell, D. D., late presi- dent. of Lafayette College, and till recently, Secretary of the Disabled Ministers' Fund, and the Rev. W. W. At- tenbury, D. D. In Oct., 1868, just a year after Dr. Hickok was laid aside, he removed, with his family, to Marietta, Ohio, where he began his ministry, and where was the home of Mrs. Hickok. Although an invalid, we have seen that he was not idle or useless. When the call reached him to come up higher, it was without pre- monition. He died July 19th, 1873, leaving to earthly duties and cares a beloved wife, one son and a daughter, with whom we are already acquainted through her loving testimony concerning her honored father. The son is a business man at San Francisco, California. In these, as in the other children of the faithful ministers of the Lu- zerne Presbytery, we see the covenant goodness and faith- fulness of the God whom they served. The strong ties of affection that bound Dr. Hickok to his people, made Scranton ultimately the place of his burial. His remains were removed thither about two years after his death by the ladies of the church, under the lead of Mrs. J. C. Platt, and a monument was erected to his memory. At the request of Mrs. H. his excellent library was given to Biddle University by his successor, the Rev. Dr. Logan.
During Dr. Hickok's ministry, there had been re-
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ceived into the Scranton church, 445 members, of whom 222 were by profession of their faith in Christ. Fifty-two of this number he had baptised.
C
XXI.
THE SCRANTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND
PASTORATE OF THE REV. S. C. LOGAN, D. D.
W 'HILE there was any reason to hope for the re- covery of Dr. Hickok of course no effort was made to secure his successor, but, as we have seen, the church was constantly supplied, and its membership was increased during this period by the reception of eighteen members.
When Dr. Hickok resigned, the congregation at once. took measures to secure a permanent pastor, and, as is apt to be the case with congregations anxious to advance their special work, they were disposed to seek an already busy man, rather than such as were only waiting in the market place to be called into the vineyard. Their invi- tation was directed to a minister then in charge of one of our church's most important and difficult enterprises, holding at the time, the secretaryship of the Assembly's Committee on Freedmen, viz., the Rev. S. C. Logan. The action of the Assembly in 1867 reveals the fact that, while some in our church desired that the work for the freedmen should be merged into that of the Board of Home Missions, the Assembly saw in clearer light the im- portance of maintaining its Committee, and while it de- plored the want of proper co-operation on the part of too
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many of our churches, it recognized encouraging progress, and commended the wisdom and fidelity of the Freed- men's Committee. In 1868 a similar testimony of the Assembly was still more emphatically given, and measures were taken to secure for the work on behalf of the Freed- men a more ample interest and furtherance throughout the church.
It was to the Rev. S. C. Logan, while secretary of the Assembly's Committee, that the Scranton church turned, with the request that he would fill her pulpit, August 15th, 1868 ; making a formal call for his pastoral services on the 22nd of the same month. He so far com- plied with the overture of the church, as to supply the vacancy, at least with Sabbath services, while he still su- perintended our church's work among the Freedmen, and he entered upon his new duties on the 21st of the following November. He was not regularly installed until September 3d, 1869. The church had voted him a salary of $2,500 per year, with the use of the manse. This amount was subsequently raised to $3,000.
The Rev. Samuel Crothers Logan was born in Han- over, Indiana, Dec. 21st, 1823, and graduated from the college located in his native town, in 1846. After teach- ing one year, he entered Princeton Theological Seminary, where he completed the regular course in 1850. He spent the next six months in Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan. He began mission work at Constantine, Michigan, Nov., 1850. He was ordained sine titulo, April 14, 1851, and became pastor of the Constantine church in 1853. He was there till 1857, when he ac- cepted a call to the pastorate of the Fifth Presbyterian church of Cincinnati, Ohio, continuing in that relation
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till 1859. The subsequent year, he was stated supply of the Seventh church in the same city. In 1860 he was in- vited to Valparaiso, Indiana, and was installed as pastor of the church there in 1863, remaining in that charge till he became secretary of the Freedman Committee in 1864. He had also been principal of the Valparaiso Collegiate Institute during the years of 1860-64. We have seen him introduced to Scranton and inducted into the pastorate there in 1869.
Dr. Logan's successful work elsewhere brought him to Scranton; and while we do not follow him long into his pastorate of the Scranton church, which continued till 1892, enough of that time comes under our review to give us a fair sample of his individual work, and of his cordial relations with the important church which he served. He was a worthy successor of the good men who had preceded him, possessing those elements of character and following those methods of administration which fitted him to carry forward, without friction, and with perhaps increased impetus, a church enterprise which had been characterized by a wise management and an enlightened zeal, seldom surpassed even in this last half of the nineteenth century.
We cannot better understand what had been accomplished in the church's advancement during the existence of the Luzerne Presbytery,-which is all that this History properly covers,-than by looking at its career from a standpoint in Dr. Logan's ministry in advance of his, and the church's, relations to the old Presbytery, viz., the time when, at the end of twenty-five years, and in connection with the Anniversary fittingly celebrated at that time, the pastor and the people bring
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the past history of their church so vividly to view. The memorial services of this deeply interesting occasion were held on the Sabbath of Nov. 16th, 1873.
A vivid outline of the first twenty-five years of the church's history was presented in the sermon of Dr. Logan, preached on the Sabbath morning of the Anniver- sary. From this is seen-more from its recital of facts than its direct statements - the happy relations which from the beginning existed between the pastors and the church session, as well as between the session-composed of the pastor and elders-and the whole church. The choir, the Sabbath School, the various departments of the church, and the church itself, sustained toward each other an association as harmonious as it was mutually beneficial. So with the church proper and the congregation, the community, the great denomination with which the church stands connected, and all its organized schemes and agencies for prosecuting its benevolent work. Loyalty to our national government was also practically shown by the church and its Sabbath School, especially during the dark and trying period of civil war, through which the country was called to pass. To the poor and unfortunate of the young city in which the church was planted, not only was the gospel preached, but such substantial help for the needy as its spirit prompts was generously rendered. The progress made and the fruits gathered could only be partially realized from the facts cited.
The seventeen Christian men and women who, in 1848, had covenanted with the Lord, and with each other, to establish a Presbyterian church in the locality which had become so important, and to enter into its
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fellowship and co-operate in its work for Christ and humanity, had, at the end of twenty-five years, become a communion of 491 members ! Beginning without any church property, they had now a commodious, convenient and handsome house of worship, surmounted by an excellent bell, and a fine organ to aid them in the service of song. There was also a lecture room suited to Sabbath School purposes, and a spacious residence for the pastor.
In 1850 nine dollars apiece were given to the two Boards of Home and Foreign Missions. These amounts have grown, at the close of the quarter century, into an aggregate of $11,515 to Home missions, and $6,041 to Foreign Missions. There have been contributed, in the mean time, $5,981 to the Board of Education; $1,832 to Publication ; $5,135 to Church Erection ; $7,052 to Ministerial Relief; $2,153 to Freedmen; $500 to Susten- tation; and to Bible and Tract Societies, the Young Men's Christian Association, the Sunday School Union, and for religious work among the sailors, $11,612,-a total, during these years, of $51,821. Additional contributions, for special causes at home and abroad, more than double the amount just named. The Sunday School was also liberal in meeting the urgent wants of soldiers and their families during the civil war, in the early sixties ; and, as has been seen, after Dr. Hickok was laid aside, the church provided for his support.
The Reunion of the Old and New School branches of the Presbyterian church, which was warmly espoused by the Scranton church, as, indeed, by the whole Presbytery of Luzerne, was made the occasion of a thank offering of $31,000. A portion of this fund was used for
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placing a superior organ in the church. Of $18,000 given by Mr. J. H. Scranton, $15,000 went to the cause of Missions and Christian education, the latter mostly to Lafayette College. The balance provided for equipping a second church in Scranton, which was soon called into activity.
The chairman of the Memorial meeting, held on the evening of the Anniversary Sabbath, was Mr. Joseph A. Scranton, eldest son and fitting representative on this occasion, of Joseph H. Scranton, who from the first had occupied so influential and honorable a position in connection with all the activities and benefactions of the church, and who for twelve years was superintendent of its Sabbath School. Two years previous he had rested from his earthly labors. The chairman's appropriate introduction to the addresses of the evening made the impressive scenes and events of the church's past to live again in the awakened memories of many of his auditors.
Mr. Joseph C. Platt, who at the time of the organization of the Scranton church was but three years old; who was the first child enrolled in the Sabbath school; and who had grown to surpassing stature, in more ways than one, under the tutelage of the church and the Sabbath School, -in a spirited and valuable address, recited the origin and history of the latter institution. He graphically sketched the characteristics and the work of some of its officers and teachers.
The Sabbath School started in a little red school house at " Slocum Hollow," standing amidst its umbra- geous surroundings. It had at first only six scholars. Among its excellent and ample corps of teachers was Mr. Manners, the master builder of the Scranton Firm; and
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there were others, like him, of the enterprising men who were busy with foundation work for what was to be an important inland city, yet who found time for still more necessary Christian efforts, to lay, in youthful minds and hearts, the only true foundations of character, and of good for this present world as well as for the world to come.
The Sunday School began as a union school, although in 1845, twelve of its seventeen teachers and officers were Presbyterians. Largely out of deference to esteemed co- workers of other denominations, this state of things con- tinued even four years after the organization of the Pres- byterian church. A school was then organized under the direct control of the church, but it was held at a different hour from the union school and in a different building. It began with sixteen officers and teachers and thirty-nine scholars. Joseph H. Scranton was its first superintendent. In 1854, two years after its strictly Presbyterian character was assumed, its first classes were taught in the church edifice, and from that time there was a marked accelera- tion of its growth.
Early in the progress of the Scranton Sabbath school work, systematic efforts were made by its teachers to develop the spirit of benevolence and patriotism in their pupils. There was careful training in the service of song by the best musical talent in the church. The first infant class was taught by Dr. W. A. Chittenden, and it was a peculiarity of the school that the primary department was generally conducted, not by ladies, but by ma- ture men.
Missionary and benevolent societies were organized among the pupils, by which, at the time of the memorial
3
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celebration, a foreign missionary was supported at Beirut, Syria, and a home missionary at Puget Sound, Washing- ton. Three hundred dollars were raised by the school for the Christian commission during the civil war, through the encouragement and co-operation of the superintendent, Mr. Joseph H. Scranton.
Mr. J. C. Platt became superintendent in 1865, and efficiently filled that office until after the Presbytery ceased to exist.
Mission schools grew out of the church school, from time to time. In 1851 one was started at the Constantine mines, and another the same year at the Bellevue mines. A third was added at Pine Brook in 1853.
The choir of the Scranton church also received de- served and honorable mention at the memorial service. From the comprehensive report presented by Mr. Edward P. Kingsbury, for many years its efficient leader, we learn that from the organization of the church, the choir was composed of the most stable element of the congregation. Many of its members were among those who sustained the burdens of extensive business and other public duties, and of its number were elect ladies who looked well to the ways of their households, and had due part in all impor- tant social duties. During the twenty-five years the church had but two regular choristers and only four organists. This is significant of its irenic spirit and perennial life, as well as of harmonious relations between the choir, and both pastor and people.
Judge Alfred Hand, a member of the session, was one of the speakers of the memorial evening meeting, on whose rich banquet of interesting and suggestive remi- niscences we must still for a while linger. His address
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paid fitting tribute to some who had been prominently identified with the church, in whole or in part, through its past history-both of the living and the dead. Special mention was made of Elder Charles Fuller. He had been honored by other churches, with which we have already met him, and now at the age of seventy-six, his hold on the affection of his brethren had been strengthening with his years and multiplied services in the session, in the Sabbath School, the community, and the great business firm which he had so long and faithfully served. At the close of the address, the pastor, Dr. Logan, went down into the audience, and taking the venerable elder by the hand, led him forward, and in the presence of the vast assembly, said: "Let the elders who rule well be ac- counted worthy of double honor."-I Tim., 5:17. Where- upon the whole audience arose and saluted the venerable elder, who bowed in meekness and silent tears.
Another of the most useful and benevolent members of the Scranton church, toward whom the attention of the memorial meeting was turned, was a man well advanced in life, and whose early associations and Christian nurture had been among the Moravians. He came from Nazareth, Pa., but for many years had been a most important factor in the Presbyterian church of Scranton. His life com- mended his antecedents, and his efficient and generous co-operation at Scranton, was a cordial endorsement of his later affiliations. This was Joseph H. Albright, who excelled in benevolence, and was even thought by some to have erred in the extreme to which he went in that direction. But "there is that scattereth, and yet increas- eth," if not always in material wealth, yet, doubtless, in that which enriches and enlarges the souls of its possessors.
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The noble women of the church had conspicuous mention. They were commended as those who had been, from first to last, its most valuable and helpful members, -knowing best of all how to appreciate the work of Christ and the true glory of the Christian life.
It only remained to be said, that there were some ex- cellent citizens of Scranton who had greatly aided the First Presbyterian church, yet were never enrolled in its membership. Prominent among these was James Archi- bald Senior, a man of sterling principle and practice. He was not, however, one who trusted in his personal morality. He recognized Jesus Christ as the only Saviour. Judge Hand says of him: "His faith was stronger in the ability of Christ to save than in his own experience of that faith." It had nevertheless, undoubt- edly controlled his life, and prompted many worthy and generous deeds, which won for him the gratitude of the church and community. His pastor was satisfied, by revelations made before his death, that he was indeed an humble Christian.
Reference to the departed pastor, Dr. Hickok, deeply stirred the emotions of the audience, nor was it, perhaps, less so, when mention was made of George W. Scranton, an elder elect, Sabbath School teacher, Christian Con- gressman, and leading member of the great business firm of Scranton, mourned by all, when called away in 1861, leaving his place vacant in the halls of legislation, and in the prayer meeting, as well as in the city, with the up- building and character of which he had so much to do.
More recently, his associate and coadjutor, Joseph H. Scranton, had followed him to the better city not made with hands; greatly missed, but, through the grace
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and faithfulness of a covenant keeping God, leaving worthy successors in his own household .*
THE SESSION.
It was not till after the Luzerne Presbytery had ceased to be, that the General Assembly yielded to the pressure brought to bear upon it to provide for a change in the constitution of the church that would allow individual churches the privilege of electing ruling elders for a term of years, instead of for life, or good behavior; therefore all the elders and deacons in the churches of the Luzerne Presbytery were elected under the provision of the old constitution and were not voted out of office. We have already found a number who served in different churches through the entire career of the Presbytery. The first elder of the Scranton church, Mr. Charles Fuller, was in office when Luzerne Presbytery was merged into Lackawanna; and indeed continued an active elder until 1881, having been the honored Clerk of the Session in 1848.
Mr. N. B. Hutchinson, elected at the same time, removed from Scranton in 1860 and of course could no longer perform the duties of the office, where for many years he had been so useful, especially in the prayer meetings, which he and Mrs. Hutchinson, Mr. and Mrs. W. Platt, and James Hutchinson, brother of the elder, started and maintained, long before the organization of the church. Mr. Hutchinson had been ordained an elder in Belvidere, N. J., in 1845.
* The writer of this History wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to Mr. Alexander W. Dickson, clerk of the session of the Scranton church, for the unique history of that church, covering the first twenty-five years of its existence, including the published memorial addresses and proceedings at the end of that period.
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It was several years before any one was chosen to fill the place in the session to which the Hon. George W. Scranton was elected at the organization of the church ; but on July 10, 1853, Mr. James Harrington, who had been received a few months before from the Presbyterian church of Providence, Pa., was added to the session by election, and was installed by the Rev. J. D. Mitchell, D. D. He sustained the relation of ruling elder to the Scranton church till 1865, when he removed to the state of New York.
In the mean time, Samuel Sherred was ordained and installed May 31, 1857, Charles Mattes, George Fuller and E. A. Lawrence at the same time. R. M. Arnold was installed November 25, 1860. These brethren were all inducted into the office by Dr. Hickok. Afterwards, Judge Alfred Hand was ordained and installed, also Robert Blake and Edward Judson. U. M. Stowers was installed April 17, 1867, and inducted by Dr. Hickok. At the termination of his ministry there were in the session six active elders ; the others had been honorably dismissed to churches in other communities.
Other removals occurred, some after the transfer of the Presbytery, and we learn that the session was in 1871 strengthened by the election, ordination and installation of C. H. Doud, William H. Platt, who had been twice elected before, and Alexander W. Dickson. Thus we find the First church of Scranton entering the new Presbytery well equipped for aggressive work.
Before taking leave of this favored church, we mention, as indicative of the spirit it had imbibed during its connection with its foster mother, the Presbytery of Luzerne, another characteristic transaction which deserves commemoration :
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When rejoicing over the manifold blessings the great Head of the Church had afforded them through a quarter of a century, a thoughtful member of the body suggested the propriety and feasibility of raising and investing, at that favorable opportunity, a permanent fund of ten thousand dollars, the earnings of which should, for all coming time, be devoted to aiding the poor. Eight hundred dollars more than the proposed sum were promptly pledged.
The originator of this worthy scheme was Thomas Dickson, whom we have already met in company with other generous companions. He was subsequently associated with the overflow of the mother church in Scranton in giving autonomy to the Second church for which the First had been so generously providing, and which has had a like prosperous career with that of the parent organization from which it sprung.
XXII.
GERMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES IN SCRANTON AND THEIR PASTORS.
T HESE, in the nature of the case, could not be the natural children of the First church; but they are its foster children, and as such have been cherished by the foster mother and her natural children. They have been the objects of deep and tender solicitude as to their spiritual health and growth.
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