USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Hickory > One hundred twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization of the Mt. Prospect Presbyterian Church, Hickory, Pennsylvania > Part 2
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During the New Era Movement, the "Every Member Group Organization" was recommended to the churches of the U. S. A. for adoption, and we find it bearing a striking similarity to the plan pro- posed by our local session in 1869. This is an indication that many so-called new plans are but the old revived.
January 17, 1870
"In view of the unsatisfactory contributions to the various boards of our church during the last few years, the session ordered that here- after collections for these objects be taken up by subscription until further action be taken. The subscriptions to be taken in blank books provided for the purpose, in which the names of all the communicant members of the church shall be recorded, under each of the several boards. At the close of the year, these books are to be examined by the session and report made to the congregation."
January 26, 1870
"Rumor having reached the ears of the session that a member of this church, while on his way from Pittsburgh on the twenty-third of De- cember 1869, was in a state of shameful intoxication and the report being of such a reliable character as to justify the action, a committee was appointed to visit this member with reference to the matter. The committee made their report, stating that they had seen and conversed with this member, and that he had made a satisfactory statement amounting to a virtual confession of intoxication and that he would meet the session at its sitting to-day. He then came forward and was heard. His confession covering about all that could be proved against him, the session after careful consideration of the case agreed to accept his confession without further prosecution. This member was solemnly warned by the moderator to be more guarded in the fu- ture and to avoid, as a member of the church of Christ, the occasion
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of anything which would be calculated to give offense or dishonor to the cause of religion. This confession and the action of the session to be proclaimed from the pulpit next Sabbath."
THOMAS R. ALEXANDER (1873-1892)
A pastorate that left a very deep impression on the life of the congregation by reason of its length, and also by reason of the sterling integrity of the man, can without disparagement to any other truly be said to be that of the Rev. Thomas R. Alexander who succeeded Mr. Price in 1873, and continued pastoral relations almost nineteen years. During this pastorate the church steadily increased in mem- bership, until in 1891, Presbytery credits Mount Prospect with 220. In addition to his ability in the pulpit, his work as an organizer is quite evident by the organizations that had their beginning at this time. The elder added to the session at this time was John H. Miller (1875-1912).
The first minutes of the Women's Missionary Society of Mount Prospect bear the date of January 27, 1875. At this meeting, an organi- zation was affected and the following officers elected: President, Mrs. A. V. McGugin; Vice President, Mrs. Elizabeth Hughes White; Sec- retary, Miss Elizabeth A. Miller; Treasurer, Miss Maggie Ewing. In April of the same year, sixty members were reported. Miss Tillie Scott and Miss Sadie McDowell were appointed as members of the first program committee. Mr. Alexander was invited to become a member by vote of the society. Article two of the constitution sets forth the object of the organization as follows: "To secure sys- tematic contributions for Home and Foreign Missions and to dissemi- nate missionary intelligence; also to encourage Christian effort and benevolent enterprise in our own immediate vicinity." The first presi- dent of the society, Mrs. A. V. McGugin, the daughter of Andrew Donaldson, one of the early elders of Mount Prospect, was active in the work of the society until her death in 1922. From the beginning here recorded, we have to-day a missionary society that enlists in its work many of the women of the church and contributes liberally to National and Foreign Missions.
During this pastorate, the young people's work had its beginning and we find that what is now a Westminster Fellowship was first a Young Men's Prayer Meeting and the records state that, "On Wednes-
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day evening, February 8, 1888, there met at the personal invitation of the pastor, in the session room of Mount Prospect Church, thirteen young men and their pastor, the Rev. T. R. Alexander, for the purpose of organizing a young men's prayer meeting. At this first meeting, each one was asked to lead in prayer and all responded. Meetings were held twice a month during winter, spring, and autumn and were led by the pastor or one of the young men. In the month of December 1889, it was decided to open the meetings for all the young people of the congregation who wished to attend." No doubt the presence of the ladies encouraged promptness and regular attendance. The time of the meetings was changed to Sabbath and the Bible-School lessons were used as topics.
Mr. Alexander aided in the organization of the Hickory Academy, which in 1903, became the township high school. He served in Second Church in Washington and after a life that had counted for much, the Rev. Mr. Alexander died December 1918, at his home in Washington, Pennsylvania.
ANDREW TODD TAYLOR (1893-1896)
On August 18, 1893, the Rev. A. T. Taylor was installed as pastor by the following committee of Presbytery: The Rev. J. H. Snowden preached the sermon, the Rev. Henry Woods charged the pastor and the Rev. T. R. Alexander charged the people. In October of the same year, the ordination and installation of the following elders took place: Jacob F. McDowell (1893-1918), and John P. White (1893-1934). Mr. White was the great-grandson of William Hughes, a member of the first board of elders, and a grandson of James Hughes who was accorded the same honor in 1842.
Though Mr. Taylor's pastorate here was brief, it accomplished much good and the enlisting of the young people raised the benevol- ences of the church to a higher point than ever before. The statement of the Presbytery of Washington bears evidence to the foregoing statement by recording the total benevolences as $614 in 1895. Not until several years later, did our missionary gifts again reach that height. The Rev. Mr. Taylor, after three years of service, was called to the Gaston Memorial Church of Philadelphia, and later served other leading churches of our denomination.
During his pastorate here, Mr. Taylor married a daughter of Dr.
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James I. Brownson, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Washing- ton, Pennsylvania. After the death of Mr. Taylor, December 20, 1919, Mrs. Taylor became actively engaged in the work of a District Secre- tary of the Board of Foreign Missions in which capacity she served for several years.
JOHN J. SRODES (1897-1901)
The Rev. John J. Srodes was installed pastor of Mount Prospect in May 1897. At that time, the salary paid was $1,000 and the use of the manse.
Like the first pastor of the church, he was a farmer before enter- ing college in preparation for the gospel ministry.
His genial disposition coupled with a reverent attitude made Mr. Srodes' personality an unusually pleasing one. He was capable of seeing the brighter side of every experience and of enabling others to do so. This spirit he carried with him in the work of his Master as elsewhere.
During Mr. Srodes' pastorate, ninety persons united with the church, thus making the total membership 230. In 1898, The Young People's Prayer Meeting became a Christian Endeavor Society.
After completing fifty years in the eldership, Mr. William Mason Campbell died August 26, 1899, in his eighty-third year. This half century of devoted service has left its impress upon the leaders in our church to-day.
One of the events of interest during Mr. Srodes' pastorate was the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the church, observed September 1900. A paper, "The Early History of the Church", pre- pared and read by him at that time has been of inspiration and help in the present historical effort.
Mr. Srodes was released from the pastorate here in 1901 upon being called to the Moundsville, W. Va. Church. In October, 1911, he became pastor of the Crabapple Church in St. Clairsville. O. Presby- tery where he served until July, 1920. He then served as pastor at Woodsfield, O. until his retirement in April 1924. He died at Woods- field on July 23, 1925, just a short time before the holding of the Cen- tennial Celebration of Mt. Prospect Church.
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JAMES A. CUNNINGHAM (1902-1904)
In November, 1902, the Rev. J. A. Cunningham, who had been reared in an adjoining congregation, entered upon his duties as pastor of this church.
He was a man of firm convictions and was a zealous worker for the cause of Christ. During Mr. Cunningham's pastorate, twenty persons were added to the church roll.
December 26, 1903, Mount Prospect lost one of her best men, when death removed Alexander Vincent McGugin, who had served as an elder since his ordination in 1867. The influence of such a godly man will not soon pass.
Mr. Cunningham, in point of service, heads the list of Mount Prospect's living ministers and to-day is living in retirement at Front Royal, Va. After leaving Mt. Prospect he served pastorates in the Presbytery of Syracuse, New York.
JAMES E. MILLER (1905-1909)
The installation of the Rev. J. E. Miller, September 1905, marked the beginning of a pastorate that is a very pleasant memory to the people of Mount Prospect.
The year previous to the beginning of Mr. Miller's work, we reach- ed our low water-mark in both membership and finance. This was in part due to the moving of a large number of members from the bounds of our congregation. During the four years that Mr. Miller worked at Mount Prospect, the church roll showed a total gain of eighty-two new members, and the financial condition of the church steadily im- proved with the adoption of the duplex envelope system. The session gave permission to the pastor to conduct evening services in the village of Hickory. At first, the services were held fortnightly, but after six months, regular weekly services were conducted.
In November 1908, Ebenezer Graham Emery (1908-1919) was made a member of the session.
Mrs. J. E. Miller saw the need of a young women's missionary society and in March 1908, the session gave permission for such an organization. The efforts of Mrs. Miller and Mrs. John Y. Dinsmore resulted in the formation of the Esther McGugin Chapter of the West- minster Guild.
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It was with reluctance that the congregation accepted the resigna- tion of Mr. Miller in the year 1909. Having located in the Pittsburgh district he is a frequent and welcome visitor at Mount Prospect, having addressed the congregation on many special occasions.
URIAH W. MACMILLAN (1910-1913)
The installation of the Rev. U. W. MacMillan took place November 18, 1910. The records show sixty-nine accessions during the three years that Mr. Mac Millan served this church. He was a very able man in the pulpit, a good organizer and an untiring worker, both in the church and community.
During this pastorate, Dr. Mac Millan and Elder John H. Miller of this Church served as Commissioners from Washington Presbytery to the meeting of General Assembly held at Louisville, Ky. in 1912.
On July 20, 1912, Mr. John Haynes Miller, died. He had served this church faithfully in the capacity of elder for almost thirty-six years. The following is a part of a resolution of sympathy adopted by the session shortly after the death of Mr. Miller: "For more than thirty-five years, he served as a faithful member of this session and was not only highly esteemed by this congregation and entire com- munity, but was recognized and respected through the Presbytery. By his death, this session has lost one of its most worthy servants, the Church a devoted friend, and the community an upright and useful citizen."
Mr. Mac Millan after leaving this community was pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Old Concord, Pennsylvania. Some time later, he found it necessary on account of ill health, to retire from the active ministry. He spent the last years of his life at Glenshaw, Pa. where his death occurred June 6, 1939.
ADOLPHUS F. ALEXANDER (1914-1923)
Early in 1914, the Rev. A. F. Alexander, D. D., began his pastor- ate with us as stated supply and continued until March 1923. A man of his type was needed at that particular time, and his work was so acceptable that he was not released until nine years later.
Dr. Alexander's life was a varied one, having phases quite foreign to his life-work. He served all but a few months of the four years
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of the Civil War, and, following this, he was trained for the legal profession. After practicing law for a short time, he prepared for the ministry, in 1878 he was licensed and, in 1880, his ordination took place.
He came to us after the prime of life, but with a spiritual maturity that exerted an influence far beyond the bounds of the congregation. He was filled with love and zeal for the souls of men and was revered by all who knew him, though he shunned earthly praise. Feeling his physical inability to continue the work, he asked to be released in March 1923. His death occurred at Dormont, but little more than a year after his leaving Mount Prospect. April 6, 1924, the funeral service was held in this church and his many friends from this and neighboring communities, united in paying their last tributes of respect and love. It is said that no such widespread sorrow has been witnessed in this part of the county since the death of Dr. John Stockton in 1882.
During Dr. Alexander's tenure, the church increased in member- ship, reaching a total of 355 members in 1915. Not only was there an increase of membership but a corresponding increase of finance was recorded. In 1920, the total gifts of the church to missions amounted to $3,961. A children's Missionary Society-The Light Bearers- was organized in 1917.
Four of the elders of this church died during these years -- James F. Hill, January 13, 1916, fifty-seven years after his installation; James Reed Lyle, March 22, 1916, having served forty-six years as elder; Jacob F. McDowell, October 1918, after twenty-five years of service; Ebenezer G. Emery, May 29, 1919, having served ten and a half years as a ruling elder. The influence of such Christian leaders can never die, and the life of the church to-day bears the impress of their de- votion, purity, and faithfulness.
Those elected to the session during this pastorate were James A. McGugin, James P. McCarrell and Riddile S. Rankin, May 9, 1914.
DWIGHT B. DAVIDSON (1923-1927)
In March 1923, a unanimous call was extended to the Rev. Dwight B. Davidson. He began his work April 1, 1923, no time elapsing be- tween the release of Dr. Alexander and the beginning of this pas- torate. Mr. Davidson received his training at Wooster College, Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary. His ordin-
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ation took place at Detroit, Michigan, in May 1919, immediately pre- ceding his work as assistant pastor of the Woodward Avenue Presby- terian Church of that city. Then followed a year's work on the mission field in Alberta, Canada, after which he came to this church.
In June 1923, the Christian Endeavor Society was re-organized and since that time the Young People's work has been significant. The need of trained leadership was felt and resulted in the adoption of the plan of sending delegates each year to Young People's Summer Conferences.
It was during this pastorate that our Church rounded out One Hundred Years of glorious history. This event was suitably cele- brated with an Anniversary observance which was held at the Church on Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9, 1925. For this occasion, a very complete history of the Church had been prepared and publish- ed and was read by the Pastor. A Congregational basket picnic was held on Saturday on the Church lawn, and during the same afternoon a very enjoyable historical program was presented. Members of the choir in costumes dating back to the early days of the Church rendered several special musical numbers. The main address was delivered by the Rev. B. F. Heany, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of McDonald, and other visiting ministers brought greetings. The Anni- versary Sermon was delivered on Sunday morning by our former pas- tor, the Rev. James E. Miller of Pittsburgh.
During Rev. Davidson's pastorate the New Service Pension Plan for ministers was adopted by Mt. Prospect Church. In the summer of 1926 the Board of Trustees had the church building re-modeled which resulted in the creation of several additional class rooms for the use of the children's and young peoples' classes of the Sunday School. The church was re-dedicated in an impressive service held on Sunday morning October 17, 1926. Again the sermon was delivered by Rev. James E. Miller. A grand piano for use of the church was purchased about this time.
Mr. Davidson's pastorate was marked by a net gain in the mem- bership of the church of 129, the total of communicants at the close being 342 members. Having received a call to a church at Barnes- ville, Ohio, on Feb. 20, 1927 Mr. Davidson asked to be released from the pastorate here. He served the Barnesville Church for 141/2 years
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and since 1942 he has been pastor of the Milton Presbyterian Church at Rittman, Ohio.
Although this pastorate was relatively short, yet on account of the major events occuring within it, it is rated as one of the outstanding in the Church's history. Mr. Davidson's ability as an expounder of the truth of the Scriptures in Bible Class and pulpit and his kindly and effective leadership of session and congregation marked a high point in the Church's history as she started her second century of service in this community.
REV. JOSEPH S. MORLEDGE (1927-1930)
The interim following the resignation of Rev. Davidson was short. On April 9, 1927, less than six weeks after the close of the former pastorate, the congregation issued a call for the pastoral services of Joseph S. Morledge and this call was immediately accepted. Mr. Morledge, a graduate of Grove City College, was completing his sem- inary course at Princeton, and he came on to the field on June 1 fol- lowing his graduation.
At this time the church organization was in an especially flourish- ing condition, since the church plant had just been made fairly adequate for its needs and a spirit of unusual harmony prevailed in the con- gregation.
Mr. Morledge soon initiated the plan of preaching a short sermon to the children just preceding the regular sermon. Weekly church bulletins were provided, mission study classes were conducted and a plan for bus transportation from the village of Hickory to the church was put into operation.
The adult classes of the Sunday School were organized about this time.
The eldership of the Church was increased during this pastorate by the election on April 7, 1929 of J. Albert Cooper, J. Buchanan Man- son. Alvin D. White, a grandson of J. Reed Lyle and a great-great- grandson of Robert Lyle, both former elders here, and Andrew Don- anldson McCarrell, a grandson of Andrew Donaldson, former elder in this church. Mr. Cooper served until his removal to Pittsburgh in 1936 and the others continue to serve in this office at the present time.
The membership of the church continued to increase at a healthy
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rate during Mr. Morledge's pastorate, and on April 9, 1930, when he asked to be released, the total membership was 410.
Rev. Mr. Morledge assumed the pastorate of the Third Church at Washington, Pa. where he served until 1934, then going to the Sixth Church of Pittsburgh where he is still serving.
A forceful speaker, an active pastor and a man of great spiritual attainments, Dr. Morledge has served his pastorates with great credit to himself and, we believe, with great spiritual growth of the people to whom he has ministered so effectually.
CORNELIUS S. THOMAS (1930-1950)
During the summer of 1930 the pulpit was filled by a number of supplies, one of whom was a Hickory boy, Marshall D. Berryhill, then entering his Senior year at Western Seminary, who preached here on several occasions. Early in October of that year another young man, also a Senior at Western preached once or twice at Mt. Prospect. On Nov. 18, 1930 the congregation decided to issue a call to Cornelius S. Thomas, who accepted and served the congregation as student supply from Dec. 1, 1930 until March 27, 1931 when he was ordained and regularly installed as pastor. That relationship will be terminated on August 27, 1950 after a pastorate of only a few months short of twenty years, the longest in the history of this Church.
This pastorate being both the longest and the most recent has been filled with many events indicating the progress of the Church during this period. On April 1, 1931 the membership of the Church was 456 and at the close of the pastorate it is almost 600. All de- partments of the church have grown and prospered in spite of the depression which marked the early years of Mr. Thomas' term and World War II later.
On December 10, 1933 a testimonial reception was held at the church for Mr. Herbert S. Buchanan who had served as a member and director of the choir for more than 45 years, and for Mr. John P. White, Sr. then our senior elder who had completed 40 years as a member of the session. Mr. White died the following year, on May 29, 1934 and Mr. Buchanan's death occurred on November 26, 1949.
In January, 1935 the Parish Plan for districting the congregation for oversight by the session was instituted.
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On March 3, 1936 death came to Elder Riddile S. Rankin who had served in that high office since May 9, 1914.
On Sunday, August 9, 1936 a Home-Coming Service was conducted at the morning worship hour and the Rev. Fred. G. Knauer, a son of the congregation delivered the message.
On September 27, 1936 the following were elected to the session of the church: J. Alvan Bell, who had served in the same office at Center Presbyterian Church near Canonsburg, W. Lee Cowden, who had served in Mt. Pleasant U. P. Church of Hickory, S. Edwin Miller, a son of Mt. Prospect's former elder, John H. Miller, and Boyd A. Emery, son of Ebenezer G. Emery, also a former elder here. All of these men are now serving in this office.
On February 8, 1938 the Young Peoples' Society of Christian Endeavor celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding. Our former pastor, the Rev. Dwight B. Davidson was present and spoke at this service. This young peoples' organization had its beginning during the pastorate of Rev. T. R. Alexander on February 8, 1888.
On January 7, 1940 the Trustees announced the complete liquida- tion of the church debt, which had been incurred during the re-model- ing of the church plant several years previous to this time. This event was celebrated at a Mortgage Burning ceremony held on Feb- ruary 18, 1940. The Hammond Electric Organ was installed and used first at the Easter morning service on March 24, 1940. The dedication service was held on the following July 21st.
On April 20, 1941 the 116th anniversary of the founding of the church was observed. Rev. Thomas preached on the theme: Where the Saints Have Trod. On April 20, 1947 the 122nd anniversary was similarly celebrated with the pastor preaching on: The Good Old Days. Both of these anniversary dates fell on Sunday.
Three young men have entered the Christian ministry during this pastorate: Rowland Hughes White, now serving as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at New Wilmington, Penna., James Paul Mc- Gugin, who served pastorates in the Presbytery of Huntingdon, Penna. and is now chaplain at San Quentin Prison near San Francisco, Calif., and William Arthur Hulick, who, after spending several years in the active ministry, is now on the faculty of Center College in Kentucky. All of these men served as chaplains in the armed forces of their country during World War II.
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On July 19, 1942 the Service Flag used for members of this Church in service during World War I was re-dedicated and used again for members of the congregation who served in World War II. Seventy- seven men and women of the church served in this latter conflict, of whom five made the Supreme sacrifice: Wayne Scott, James McDowell, John Williams, Malcolm Dinsmore and Charles Dotts. During the month of October 1943, Mr. Thomas was granted leave by the con- gregation to serve as Camp Pastor at Morehead City, N. C.
In an impressive Communion service held on January 16, 1944, a Memorial Communion Table and Linens for the same, together with new Book Racks, all the gifts of the Worthwhile Class of the Sunday School, were dedicated. The Table was given as a Memorial to deceased teachers of the class: Mrs. Vinta Paul McGugin, Mr. Riddile S. Rankin, Mrs. Annie McIllvaine, Miss Minnie Manson and Mr. A. C. Stamy. The members of this active organization were the donors also of a new Pulpit Bible given to the church in honor of the men and women in the armed services during World War II. This gift was appropriately dedicated at the Founders' Day service on April 20, 1950.
On May 14, 1945 the Missionary spirit of Mt. Prospect again manifested itself in the organization of the Mary S. Lyle Missionary Society by young women of the church. Mr. Thomas encouraged and assisted with the development of a program of Weekday Reli- gious instruction which was carried on in co-operation with the Mt. Pleasant Twp. High School during the years 1946-1948.
On April 6, 1947 the membership of the session was again augment- ed by the election as elders of Vincent M. Paul, a grandson of former elder Alex V. McGugin and a great-grandson of former elder Andrew Donaldson, Clare M. White, son of former elder John P. White, Sr. grandson of former elder John H. Miller, great-grandson of elder James Hughes and great-great-grandson of elders William Hughes and Ro- bert Lyle, and Dr. John K. McCarrell, nephew of elder James P. McCarrell.
On October 1, 1948 the New Curriculum of the Presbyterian Board of Christian Education was adopted for use in the Sunday School.
On March 9, 1949 Elder James Patterson McCarrell who had served since May 9, 1914 was called home.
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On the evening of April 20, 1950 a service was held at the church in observance of the 125th Anniversary of the establishment of the congregation. At this service our former pastor Rev. James E. Miller gave the address, speaking appropriately on "Recollections". Special musical numbers rendered by a quartette were "The Church in the Wildwood" and "The Church by the Side of the Road." Elder James McGugin spoke briefly on the history associated with the founding of the church here.
As this pastorate draws near its close, the congregation is planning a further observance of its 125th Anniversary to be held during the first week-end of August. A Historical Pageant will be presented on Friday evening and the Church picnic will be held on Saturday, this to be followed by a Fellowship service Saturday afternoon. On Sun- day morning, August 6, the congregation will worship at a Home- coming service and the observance will close on Sunday afternoon with a Community Historical service. We hope to have all former ministers of the congregation present for this birthday occasion.
On June 25, 1950 the Rev. Mr. Thomas asked to be released from the pastorate of this church so that he might accept a call recently re- ceived from the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. In this request to be presented to Washington Presbytery the congregation joined with regret. Mr. Thomas expects to take up the work of his new charge on September 1, 1950.
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Andenda
The present officers of the church, in addition to the session, are as follows:
Chairman of Congregation A. D. WHITE
Secretary of Congregation. MRS. J. R. HENDERSON
Financial Secretary and Treasurer CLARE M. WHITE
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JAMES R. BUCHANAN HARRY D. WHITE
Trustees
R. LEE ADAMSON
HARRY G. MARSHALL ROBERT W. COWDEN
Superintendent of the Sunday School ALEX C. BEAUMARIAGE
Assistant Superintendent . ROBERT A. WILSON
Secretary-Treasurer MISS HELEN CALDWELL
Ten ministers have gone from the congregation: David R. Camp- bell, James Allison, William Fulton, William R. Vincent, David Hughes, Mc.Nary Forsythe, Fred G. Knauer, Rowland H. White, James P. McGugin and William A. Hulick. Mr. Knauer was our one foreign missionary, spending a number of years in Africa, but being forced to return to this country on account of ill health in his family. He was in 1925 located in Madison, Nebraska, as pastor of the Presbyterian Church of that place. We quote from a letter received by Rev. David- son from him on July 25, 1925: "Permit me, as a brother minister, to congratulate you upon being Mount Prospect's pastor at this, her century milestone. I count it both a privilege and an honor to have been among her members. What the United States has meant to me as a citizen, that, Mount Prospect Church has meant to me as
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a Christian and a minister. In her fellowship, I have gained the larger outlook and broader place of service. She has been home and mother to me. May her honorable record of service during the past century be not only continued but far eclipsed, and may you as her pastor, be enabled to give her the right momentum and direction at this, the turn of the road." As previously noted, Mr. Knauer visited here and preached the Home Coming sermon on August 9, 1936. This was his last visit here. He served churches at Nelson, Madison and Seward, Nebr. and his death occurred at the last named place on November 27, 1948.
Another of our members, Miss Alice Miller, daughter of John Hayne's Miller, worked for eight years, as a home missionary in Texas, under the Board of Freedmen.
Among our laity, are many who have just as zealously as those named, worked for the advancement of the Kingdom.
Though we cannot trace to their close the widening circles of in- fluence that have resulted from the organization of Mount Prospect, yet we can confidently say,
"Grow old along with me; the best is yet to be; Our times are in His hand, who saith, 'A whole I planned; youth shows but half, Trust God, see all, nor be afraid.' "
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