USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the sesqui-centennial of Paxtang Church, September 18, 1890 > Part 10
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church, outside the distinctively spiritual work which belonged to it, which is of more importance to us as a people than the history which has been preserved through its influence and which makes for our Com- monwealth the goodly past upon which we look with so much of pride and gratitude to-day.
I recognize the fact that this has been an all-day service and that the shadows are lengthening, and that I cannot, therefore, dwell upon this or any other particular phase of this subject at any considerable length. I shall therefore touch only upon two or three points in which, it seems to me, the country church has shown its importance, and from them we may judge as to its importance in the present and for the future.
It has been of vast importance ecclesiastically. If this thought had not been impressed upon our minds heretofore, it certainly would have been so impressed by the services of this day. When this little church, the corner stone of whose present building was laid one hundred and fifty years ago, and which was founded years before that, called the roll of her children to-day, and they responded to the number of eight or ten, strong, vigorous, and healthy organizations - some of them the leading churches of our State and country, acknowledging her as their mother, we see the import- ance of the country church viewed from this stand- point; but perhaps its importance is not felt so largely
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in the number of her descendants as in the influence which she has exerted upon the educational history of the country, and upon the supplies which the pulpit has drawn from the country church.
Dr. Parke in his admirable address referred to the Log College in Bucks county, the one hundred and twen- tieth anniversary of whose founding was lately cele- brated. What was that college ? It was the outgrowth of Tennant's country church, and of the necessity for educating the young men of his immediate vicinity who were anxious to enter the ministry, and whose pa- rents were unable to send them to New England or to the old country, to secure the training necessary for this purpose. That other Log College, its legitimate successor from which Dr. Parke himself graduated, what was it? It was the outgrowth of John MacMil- lan's country church. If we were to take a census of the clergymen who are assembled here to-day, we would probably find that a full score of them are graduates of the one or the other of the legitimate suc- cessors of these two log colleges.
I see in this audience a college friend of mine, a year older than I from the college stand-point, who received his preliminary education in the academy whose prin- cipal, Dr. Alexander Donaldson, has lately died, and who sent year after year, sometimes six and sometimes more young men, from his academy to Jefferson College, many of whom entered the ministry. That academy,
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which began in the loft of the spring-house attached to the manse, which became so well known in Pennsyl- vania, and which, by the way, bore the honored name of the long-time pastor of the Paxtang church-Elder's Ridge Academy-what was it? It was the outgrowth of the country church, and it was largely the product "of the energy of a country pastor who, whilst he was educating the boys of his congregation and of the neighboring congregations, was ministering steadily „and regularly to his country church. These are only instances which might be multiplied ten or twenty fold, of the influence exerted by our country churches in founding our educational institutions which are under ecclesiastical control.
But the country church did more than that. It not only sent out its colonies and founded our educational institutions, but it raised up the young men who were to be educated in the latter, young men of vigorous bodies and of self-reliant spirit, who not only in the Presbyterian church, but in many other churches in .our Commonwealth, were to be the pioneers in estab- lishing upon broad and sure foundations throughout the length and breadth of our own and in heathen lands, churches for the upbuilding of the cause of Christ, and for carrying the blessings of christianity to all the peoples of the earth. But this, as you see, opens a wide field before us into which we cannot enter. We „merely state the fact, full of suggestion and of interest.
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There is another stand-point from which, it seems to me, the country church was important, and that is the social one. I speak first of society in its organized ea- pacity. We have in this church-yard just at my right, as notable an example of what I mean as can be found anywhere in the records of the history of our State. John Elder is buried there. Who was John Elder ? He was for more than fifty years pastor of the Paxtang church ; but he was more than that, he was the cap- tain of the Paxtang Boys. And what does that mean ? It means that he was at the head of the social influ- ences which molded his community. It means that he was largely instrumental in molding the thought and the effort of the community. It means that whilst he was ready to lead the people of his congregation in the way of life by his ministrations upon the Sabbath and throughout the week, he was ready also to lead them in the discharge of the duties which they owed to their country. I think it is true, as has been already intimated here to-day, that the church of the olden time was more than the church of to-day, and the preacher was expected to cover a wider field than the preacher of to-day. It is possible that the church of to-day and that the minister of to-day confine them- selves to the more legitimate work of the church, and that the spiritual power of the church is thereby in- creased. The conditions which surround us have changed to such an extent that this is possible. The
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country church was the center of the intellectual ac- tivity of its neighborhood, and the preacher was ex- pected to furnish their intellectual pabulum to his con- gregation and to instruct them, to a greater or less degree, in what we call the political duties of citizen- ship. The farmer who a hundred years ago followed his plow from morning till night, sowed his seed broadcast and reaped the harvest with the sickle, was not given to the perusal of a daily paper, even if the daily paper had had an existence, and he came to the church on the Sabbath day, not only to hear the gospel, but in an incidental way to hear what had been going on in the world and what relation he bore to the events which were happening around him and what his duty was in reference to them. Almost necessarily, whether the pastor of the church desired to occupy such a po- sition or not, he became the recognized social head of the community. He led in all social reforms. In many instances, as we know, he led his congregation to battle. He addressed himself to the mind and the conscience and the heart of his people, not only as he preached the gospel to them, but as he taught them their duties as citizens, as well the duty which they owed to their country as those which they owed to each other and to God.
Then in the narrower sphere which we usually call the social, the country church was important. I have been led to recall and enjoy that side of its life
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to-day. Brought up in the country church for several years, I know the dear associations which cluster around its social life. A few days ago I heard a lady say that she had been at a funeral in the neighboring churchyard and that she was surprised to find the people, after the immediate friends had retired from the grave, dividing into little knots and discussing the social affairs of the day. This does not seem singular to us who are familiar with the social life of the country church. We take that as a matter of course-we regard it as one of its chief enjoyments.
The country church of the olden time was the social center of the community. There was first, the service in the morning; there were long hymns, and the long prayer, followed by a long sermon and then came the intermission. The congregation went down to the spring; families gathered in groups ; perhaps a cloth was laid upon the grass and lunch brought out. Sometimes the lunch was enjoyed by the family alone ; possibly some young man thought he could find a better lunch within some other family circle. Here home news was discussed ; the social chat of the neighborhood was had, and the country people were no worse for that. During the busy season of the year it was, perhaps, as much of an inducement to attendance after a week of hard toil upon the farm as the regular church service of the day.
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How vividly these scenes are recalled as we come together to-day in the beautiful surrounding of this old church. I have enjoyed this phase of the country church to-day, and instead of coming upon the plat- form to sit with these reverend gentlemen during the afternoon, I have been slipping around the edges of the crowd and enjoying its social features. I will not say that that was the best part of the service; it was not, of course, but perhaps it was enjoyed as much as any other. Much of this phase of the social life of the community was due to the pastor of the country church, and because his influence was felt in it the social life was pure, its tone was elevating, and it was none the less enjoyed because its spirit was influenced by the precepts taught in the church. These are just a few of what I think were the imme- diate factors of the life which centered in the country church. She has made to a large extent, and has preserved the history of this Commonwealth. She has peopled our city churches ; she has sent life and spirit into them. She has furnished in large degree the ministry for the State, for the country, and for the missions of the church throughout the world. She has molded much of the social life of the community, and if these things are so, we will agree, I think, that her importance has been very great and that it is difficult to magnify it beyond its deserts.
I have spoken, as you have observed, almost exclu-
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sively of the collateral and not of the direct work of the country church. Its main function, as that of the church of to-day, is to preach the gospel and to point out clearly the way of salvation. I do not under- value, nor can I estimate, the importance of this part of the church's work. What it has done in this direction will be revealed only in eternity.
It is getting towards the time when, as Dr. Parke intimated, they were accustomed to adjourn for milking. The fact is this would have occurred to me some time ago but for the fact that I recognized in the audience a great many persons who are not in the habit of doing their own milking. Late as it is, so far as I know, we have not heard a word of the Shorter Catechism. Just think of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the laying of the corner-stone of a country church and no Shorter Catechism. I can ask the questions without a book, and if I do so I hope the audience will join in the answers. But if we are to have any catechetical exercises, perhaps it would be well for me to begin with the reverend gentlemen who are on the platform. [Turning.] Are you ready? [A voice. Yes.] The only man who has intimated he is ready for the catechism was an Elder.
Joking aside, let me say that the sound teaching of the country church is largely due to the faithfulness with which the young people were trained in this same
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Shorter Catechism, which gives tone and nerve to Pres- byterianism everywhere, and whenever the love of it goes out to a large extent the distinctive life of the Presbyterian church goes out with it. We hear much said now-a-days about revision. I am glad to say, however, that so far as I know this does not extend to the Shorter Catechism. I am not greatly concerned about the confession. If they leave us the Shorter Catechism intact, I will be content. But when I look back and see Dr. Erskine, who is on the committee of revision, I am not much afraid of the result.
Ladies and gentlemen, this has been a great day for this community. It has been a great day for these various churches which have come together to cele- brate this important event in this social way. We do well when we emphasize such occasions as this, and when we give honor and credit to the men and the women who have done so much for the church, for the community, and for posterity, by founding and sus- taining the country church. It has been a great pleasure to me to join in these services and to render my mite and tribute to the memory of the men who builded better than they knew because they were guided by the Unseen hand.
Moderator STEWART. One of the characteristics of this region is the fact that every body is related, and you cannot speak about your neighbors without tread- ing on somebody's toes. I never have been able to
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keep track of all the connections; but I know there are connections of some character. Colonel Francis Jordan, an elder of the Pine Street Presbyterian church, is in some way or other related to the Pax- tang church; I don't know just how it comes about, but perhaps he will tell us. At any rate, there are some of us on the platform who would like to hear from him. He will please come forward and address us on this occasion. [Applause.]
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ADDRESS OF COLONEL FRANCIS JORDAN.
Mr. MODERATOR, LADIES, AND GENTLEMEN: It was my misfortune not to be born of any descendants of the Paxtang church, so far as I have ever been able to find out. Of course, starting out in life under such disadvantages, a mistake of that kind would soon de- velope itself; and when the occasion arrived when I had to look squarely at that condition, the next ques- tion was, what are you going to do about it? Now, that was a very grave question ; and the only way I could get out of it was to see if I could not marry somebody who did belong to, or was a descendant of some one belonging to the Paxtang church. [Laughter.] I was very successful in this enterprise; and in that way I became identified with the ancestors of Paxtang church, and with their forefathers, I may say, whose remains lie interred in this cemetery for generations past.
Then I had the fortune, or misfortune, to belong to the legal profession; and one of its principles is, or of the law which is represented by it, that a man and wife are one person. So that by the union, you observe' I was identified literally, and am a member actually, with the people of Paxtang. [Laughter and applause.] I have no doubt that this was the reason I was called
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upon here to-day. Anyhow I appreciate it in that light, and am very grateful for it.
But when I am told, however, that a man has to limit himself to a five minutes' speech, there comes up another question, What is he going to talk about in five minutes ? I may not say what I ought. Speak- ing here without any knowledge of what has been said by former speakers, of course I am a little in the dark; and all I can do is to give to you, as the repre- sentatives of Paxtang, men, women, and children, now and in all time to come, my benediction; and wish you all sorts of prosperity, happiness, success, and blessings, both in this life, and that which is to come; or, in other words, both on this side, and on the other side of Jordan. [Continuous laughter and applause.]
Governor BEAVER. The Moderator, at my request, has just gone after Rev. Dr. James Elder, of Clarion, whom I wish to have come to the stand; and, for fear Mr. Stewart should not succeed, I insist upon his com- ing to the platform. He was one year my senior, and I want to call him up once.
Moderator STEWART, (having returned to the stand.) I made a mistake in Colonel Jordan. I see I ought to have had the other member of the family. But in this I have not made a mistake-Dr. Elder, one of the direct descendants, who will now address us. I am sorry to call on him in such haste; but an Elder-we have them all around us-was never at a loss for something to say.
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ADDRESS OF REV. JAMES ELDER, D. D.
Mr. MODERATOR: It is not possible for a man to come here in this presence without he has some ances- tors; and in that line I will trot out my grandfather ; [laughter ;] and I think in that way I will secure your attention just for a moment. It is a grand thing, after being such a distance from our people, and being in such a common place as I have, to dwell in a commu- nity like this. My father's father removed from this place, and went out in the wilderness; and my grand- father, or great-grandfather, organized a church there. That church grew, and six or eight churches sprung from that one, and an academy, and otherwise the good work spread over the community. Thus one sin- gle descendant who passed out from this church ac- complished a vast amount of good in one locality. Thus all over this whole country, here and there, are descendants of people of Paxtang church, who have planted seeds of good that have grown into trees of usefulness, and the influences have been felt far and near over this land.
Now, then, the work that has been done here in the past has been well done. The history of it is secure; but that will not answer our purpose fully. It will answer for the honor of the fathers. It is to their glory that the work was well done. But you
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and I, and all of us, have an influence to exert. We have a work to do, and, if we are actuated by proper motives, we are striving to make history; and the history that we make, if we desire, and are also actuated by proper motives, shall be for good; and shall tell on others to come as the history of our fathers is telling to-day in this land. So we are not to be satisfied,-the people of Paxtang are not to be satis- fied. Those who have gone out and have been in- strumental in accomplishing some good elsewhere, are not to be satisfied with the glorious history that is already made ; but we ourselves are to make history, and to make it glorious, and we will, if we are actuated by the right motives, and are found doing the work for the church, for the country, and for our God.
I am very glad to meet with so many, though I know scarcely one of you, coming as I do from Clarion; and, if it had not been for this grand Governor of ours, I suppose I would not have been compelled to appear before you and make an address. But Governor Beaver, when he was a boy at college, would always have a way of having his own way, just like some of the fathers here at Paxtang, that would have their own way. And now he comes here, and would have his own way, or did have it, I sup- pose. We have to remember his position, and what he is, and what he was at the start. He was little Jim Beaver then ! That is the way we knew him. He
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had his own way then, and he has had it since; and I suppose will have it on and on. [Laughter.] So much for the Governor. We are glad to welcome him with the people of Paxtang, and as an interested guest; and although not connected with the old church, or its descendants, he is certainly connected with some of the other old churches that are scattered through the valleys of our States; and he has been doing work ; and, while welcoming him, we most gladly see the great work he has done amongst the churches, and the various associations of the churches,-in the . General Assembly, for example. And so we enjoy ourselves to-day, to separate after a most delightful gathering together. And so I bid you all good-by. [Applause.]
Moderator STEWART. Rev. Dr. Robinson, for so long an honored member of this immediate neighborhood, and so greatly beloved by myself and all who knew him, was invited by the committee to make the ad- dress on this occasion. Dr. Robinson writes me as follows :
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LETTER OF REV. THOMAS H. ROBINSON, D. D.
WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, RIDGE AVENUE, ALLEGHENY, Sept. 14, 1890.
DEAR Bro. STEWART: Last week my doctor thought I might be able to go over to the great gathering in Paxtang next Thursday, if I did not try to make an address; to-day he says I should not go at all. I have been on my baek most of the time since I came home from Harrisburg, and especially during the last week. I shall not be able to take up my seminary duties at the opening this week. I wish I felt well enough to send a formal letter to the committee and to the Pax- tang people, but necessity knows but one law. Please say to the committee that it was with great regret that I declined to promise to deliver an address when it was so earnestly offered, and it is a still greater re- gret that I cannot be numbered among the friends of Paxtang as they say "this man and that man was there." Greetings to all the gathered assembly. Paxtang does not live alone in that narrow and beauti- ful valley. Much of her best life is scattered through the States and Territories of the Union, and, thank God, a great deal of it is employed in the service of holy immortality. With the warmest of Christian love to yourself and the rest of the committee,
I am, yours most sincerely, T. H. ROBINSON.
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[Applause.]
Moderator STEWART. The programme says that there are to be "other brief addresses delivered by prominent Presbyterians." There are so many of them here that I do not know whom to select; for I am very sure that were I to omit any, I would make some invidious discriminations, for all of you are equally prominent. But there is one prominent Presbyterian, and he is a modest man, so modest that he refuses to let his orange colors be seen on this ground; but to whom we are all very greatly indebted for much that has transpired here to-day. I have tried to have him place his orange badge just where it belongs; but he has refused. Now I am going to get even with my brother, W. Franklin Rutherford, the chairman of the Committee of General Arrangements, and who has had this whole matter in charge. It is the last speech, and I promise it will be the best one.
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ADDRESS OF W. F. RUTHERFORD.
Mr. MODERATOR: I do not feel under very many obligations to you for the manner in which you have introduced me, but still, as chairman of the local com- mittee representing Paxtang church, I cannot permit these exercises to close without making some acknowl- edgement to the churches associated with us on this occasion, for the noble manner in which they have responded to the sentiment which has brought us to-
gether to-day. One hundred and fifty years ago Pax- tang church stood as the outmost post of Presbyterian- ism and of civilization on the continent-a conspicu- ous place, and her environment was such as to consti- tute her people heroes. To-day the garrison in the old fortress is weak-not so much from the decrepitude of age, as from the heavy drafts made upon us for other fields.
Under these circumstances the spirit moved us to celebrate the sesqui-centennial of the laying of our cornerstone, which is virtually the corner-stone of Pres- byterianism in this region. No sooner had we an- nounced our intention, than our descendants, one and all, came forward and said, "We will help you." For this act of filial piety, I return the thanks of the mother church, and declare that old Paxtang is proud of her descendants.
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We also feel ourselves deeply indebted to the gentle- men, who, from pure zeal in the good old cause of Scotch-Irish Presbyterianism in America, and loyalty to the Paxtang fathers, have so well entertained and instructed us to-day. Nor is our debt to them in the slightest degree lessened by the fact that in coming here to-day they have unconsciously immortalized themselves. [Laughter and applause.]
To the strangers who have honored us to-day by their presence, and have thereby added so much to the interest of the occasion, I would extend the hearty thanks of the people of Paxtang, and express the hope that fifty years hence, when our people shall celebrate our bi-centennial, in this very grove, in the midst of a populous city, our relations to each other may be as happy as they are to-day. [Applause.]
Moderator STEWART. All good things must have an end; but Paxtang church will not have an end I trust for many centuries yet. There is one part of it I sup- pose will have an end. I have been looking here to- day at that part of the stone-work which fills up the old door-way ; and it is very evident that the old stone- masons knew how to lay stone better than their suc- cessors. This mortar around it is old work ; and you cannot dig around it with your pen-knife, and the mor- tar there does not crack off, as the mortar of later days. The old wall has stood well, because of the work put upon it. The newer work would have fallen, if there
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