USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > North East > The centennial commemoration of the founding of the First Presbyterian Church, of North East, Pennsylvania > Part 12
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Little of all we value here Wakes on the morn of its hundredth year, Without both feeling and looking queer; In fact there's nothing that keeps its youth, Sy far as I know, but a tree and truth. "There is a moral that runs at large; Take it-you're welcome-no extra charge ..
And so to-day, my dear Presbyterian friends, you are one hundred years old, not only one hundred years old collectively, but one hundred years old, each one of you individually, one hun- dred years old I trust in grace, one hundred years old I trust in power, one Inutred years old I trust in ability and in energy, one hundred years old, nay, I trust one million years old in hope and in faith and in love. I am proud to be here among such a venerable looking set of centenarians. I trust that we shall all meet at the rest centennial, on the other side of the river, and I want to say to you not only what I have already said, but some- thing still farther. I want to say to you that anybody who could plan and arrange and carry through such a successful occasion as this has been to-day it shows that in that person the brin- stone must have nad some effect.
When I had finished my dinner [ was reminded of this thought. My dear, good wife,-you will excuse my liberty,-says she thinks we ought to give thanks at the end of the meal in- stead of the beginning, and I was thinking I should like to give these thanks.
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A clergyman told me once that a very old minister came to his house to partake of a meal, and he said to this gentleman, "Doctor, will you say grace," and so he said a long rambling grace. It was so long that the children began to pull out their chairs and the elders began to toy with their forks, but my good friend said he would not have missed that grace for one hundred dollars. At the close he held up his hands and said, "and above all, O Lord, we thank Thee for capacity."
One word more, I do not know whether all of you are re- visionists, or anti-revisionists, but I wish to suggest to you one alteration in the Westminster Shorter Catechism which I think was a very good one indeed.
A child was asked, "What is the chief end of man?" she said "The chief end of man is to praise God and to annoy Him for- ever in heaven."
Dr. Ross :- I am very glad to know that our brother has thoroughly studied the Westminster Shorter Catechism.
We will now have the pleasure of hearing from Rev. A. L. Kinter of the Baptist Church .
REV. A. L. KINTER of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Toastmaster and Christian friends, I am delighted to be in the midst of so large a number of smiling faces, and to Know that there are so many happy hearts here. This Centennial and the many blessings recalled are sufficient causes for great joy. When exchanging services with a neighboring pastor recently I was permitted to take part in establishing a new relationship. After the morning service a gentleman came to the parsonage where I was and asked me to perform the marriage ceremony. Of course, I did not object to this, and soon the relationship of husband and wife was established.
To-day L'ami at another church, and am permitted to speak of another relationship; one that has existed for a long time and that we hope may always remain strong and growing stronger. This is a relationship between the Presbyterian and Baptist churches of this place.
These are sister churches, and we may almost say that they are wedded together also. We recognize this sisterhood in the
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GEORGE MACKAY,
Trustee.
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fact that our work together has been and is so harmonious, so delightful, and so greatly blessed. We never shall forget the excellent union evangelistie services of a year ago, when the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist churches united so perfect- ly, with such excellent results, and at present the same unity ex- ists as we join in union Sunday evening services through July and August.
Our sisterhood is manifest in the same spirit found in the various churches, each hates evil, loves righteousness, and trusts in Christ for victories and blessings and life. This relationship is made evident also by the fact that in Christ these churches have a common head, and a common brother, therefore they are sis- ter churches.
Our sisterhood is manifest also in the fact that in God we have a common Father, and in heaven we shall enjoy a common home.
We are glad that this sweet spirit of unity exists between us now, and hope that it shall always continue.
We speak of the history of institutions, and of the biography of individuals, but since we speak of our churches as sisters per- haps we may say that each has a biography.
In a biography something is said of the birth, the struggles. the accomplishments, and the death of the individuals. I might tell you something about the birth of the Baptist Church, some- thing about its suaggles and accomplishments, but I cannot tell you of its death for it still lives, and we hope and pray that it always may live and grow. It is not near its centennial yet, be- ing less than fifty years old.
In early times there was a frame church about two miles east of here where Baptist people of this community worshipped, but this was finally abandoned and the members joined at the North East church when it was established. There was an- other church at Grahamville, and they too disbanded and united at North East. Since then there have been many happy and successful pastorates, most of them extending over a period of four or five years The church grew and prospered until a few years ago when a cloud overshadowed them, but we are grate- ful that now the cloud is removed and we are enjoying the sun- shine of God's righteousness. The spirit of love and harmony
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reigns among us, and success is attending our efforts. During the past four or five years the church has grown about twenty- five per cent in membership, and now we have no debt and by a gracious gift of God we are enabled to repair the house and make it a more beautiful place of worship.
We are very thankful for what God has done for us as Bap- tists, and I hope equally grateful for the greater blessings that he has given the Presbyterian Church of this place. It is our desire that the bond of unity between the churches may be so perfect, that, like the varions members of the human body, when one suffers from injury the other shall sympathize with it, and when one is blessed and strengthened the other shall feel blessed and strengthened also. We rejoice with you to-day over the success that has attended the efforts of the Presbyterian Church during the last hundred years. It has done ns good to hear at these services of the many faithful servants of God who have labored here, of the large number who have gone from this church to engage in the ministry, and of the excellent achieve- ments in the various departments of your work.
We hope that the blessings and accomplishments of the past hundred years of your church life may be multiplied a hun- dred fold if possible in the next hundred years. As I came in- to the church to-day I said to a gentleman, "it is a grand thing to celebrate in this way the achievements of the church during the hundred years that are gone." "Yes," said he, "but I have made up my mind not to attend another centennial." I wish that he might, and that you all might attend another centennial of his church, were it possible. I am very glad to bring to von, on this joyous occasion, the greetings of the Baptist Church. and to assure you that our prayers, as well as our best wishes, are offered for the richest blessings upon your church in all fu- ture time.
Dr. Ross :-- We shall now have the pleasure of hearing from the English Landkaran Minister, Rev. Mr. Ruff.
REV. G. G. RUFE, of the English Lutheran Church :-
Mr. Toastmaster, and Christian friends. As a Lutheran, I am expected. first of ah to be loyal to my own church, that is, while
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we are loyal to our own church we are esteemed most highly by one and another, so I love my own church as I love my own life. I am thoroughly glad and thankful to respond upon this mem- orable occasion.
I am very thankful to you that I have the opportunity so to do. I am glad that I am here to-day. I recognize the truth of the statement of Dr. Stewart that the Presbyterian Church is a great church and I am ready to acknowledge that should the Presbyterian Church lose its power and influence, it would be a great loss, a fearful loss to the religious forces of the nation. I am ready to admit with Brother Williams that the battle in the future will be along the line of fidelity to the Gospel. With these facts in mind, being assured, knowing and believing that the great Presbyterian Church is going to stand faithful and true in that battle in holding up the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ, I can say God speed with all heartiness and all sincerity as a Luther- an.
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In behalf of the Lutheran Church I extend to you most hearty congratulations. I rejoice in the opportunities, in the progress, in the blessings which the one hundred years . have brought you and to-day with you unite in invoking God's bless- ing on you for the next one hundred years.
Dr. Ross: We shall now have the pleasure of listening to Rev. W. K. Crosby of the Methodist Church.
REV. WILLIS K. CROSBY, of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Edwin Markhain says:
Love will outwatch the stars and light the skies When the last star falls, and the silent dark devours."
The battlement between the churches is breaking down. It would hardly seem that the record of the century would remind us that there was ever an estrangement between God's people. But the familiar and cordial courtesy of to-day is the genial greeting of brethren. It is the voice of the Lord's army we
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hear, as by grand divisions the shout of victory is raised, and we are glad together. God's people are closing up the gaps, and the church is awakening to our real mission.
The mission of the church is not the defence of the Saviour's tomb. It is not the defence of doctrine, or even of the truth. But the redemption of the world. It is to make peace with it.
But only on its unconditional surrender to Christ. A sur- render is one thing. An alliance is another. If peace and harmony prevailed between the powers of the world because the world had become thoroughly Christian, we should have reason for joy, and joy only. Men and angels would then lift up their voices in songs of triumph, and the morning stars would join in the chorus, while all the sons of God would shout for joy.
Brethren of the church of my Father and Mother, I greet you with heartiest congratulation, for the victories of the cross of Christ, during the century, through Presbyterianisn.
I greet you just as heartily as a sister-body. at one with the beloved church of my manhood's free choice, in the midst of great opportunity, common to both to-day, as we press forward in the service of our Divine Master.
Dr. Ross :- We appreciate all the kind words which have been given us by our sister churches. It is pleasant to know that such perfect harmony exists between our churches, and as we have one Lord, our God, and one Father over us all, and as we love, honor and save Him, and we like Him, so we shall be like Him upon the earth and live together as brethren.
The next toast is always interesting, "Our Ladies," God bless them. If they should withhold their help from our church- es our condition would indeed be deplorable. 1 both envy and pity the gentleman who is to respond to this toast. I know he will never be able to do the subject justice. . We will now lis- ten to Mr. R. J. Moorhead.
"OUR LADIES" -- R. J. Moorhead:
Why one who knows so little about the gentler sex should have been chosen to talk to you about them is somewhat of a mystery to me. 'In the first place I consider it very ungentle- manly to talk about the ladies and have always sedulously avoid- ed doing so even under extreme provocation.
GEORGE E. PIERCE, Trustee.
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In the second place my celibacy should be proof conclusive of my ignorance of the habits, instincts, and inclinations of the ladies. This being true there remains but one assignable rea- son for your selection of me and that is, on the hypothesis of my known fondness for them, that at least is demonstrable.
It is a well established principle of sociologie phenomena that man loves that which he pursues, now if the converse of this proposition be equally true, that that which he pursues to pos- session, he loves, then the question naturally arises whether the pleasure inneres in the pursuit or in the possession.
Of the pleasure of possession I am at present unable to en- lighten you. I might regale you with tales of fruitless pursuit,
but ! refrain. The fact, however, that the pursuit is rarely re- linquished until death claims the pursuer is eloquent evidence of the claim of the object which inspires the pursuit.
There may be, there doubtless are among us men, who. as Brother Nash has already done, would gladly tell us of the pleas- ures of possession and their pride is pardonable, but this is not their innings. I don't like the men very well anyway. I like the ladies very much better. I am in sympathy with the little girl who was required to write a composition on "The Boy." She wrote "When God made man he looked upon him and said I think if I try again I can do better, and then he tried and he made woman, and she was so much better, that there have been more women that men in the world ever since." Continuing she said, "If I had my way one-half the little boys in the world would be little girls and the other half would be little dolls."
Then bethinking herself that this might be construed as a libel on her father, she added, "My papa is an awful nice man, I think that when he was a little boy he must have been a little girl."
Now my friends I cannot say whether or not I have exceed - ed the time allowed to me, but this I know, that if my tall. has seemed as long to you as it has to me, you will appreciate the Scotch minister. In speaking with a neighbor on the sub- ject he said, "Ah well, Sandy, we may not have produced many great statesmen or artists or poets (save Bobby Burns, rest his soul, and Sir Walter) in Scotland, but neither country can com pare wie us in our ministers. The only fault I have to find wie ouf ministers is their terminal faculties."
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Letter from Elisha McCurdy, 1801.
X Roads, July 20th, 1801.
Dear Friends :-
Presbytery has appointed me to meet you again this Fall. It is an unexpected providence to me, tho' in many respects not disagreeable to my feelings. When I left you I felt a strong de- sire to preach to you again the way of righteousness through Jesus, but scarcely expected it would ever be in my power. How- ever, God's ways are not like ours. Presbytery has instructed me, if you think it practicable, to administer the sacrament of the supper in your congregation, when I am out. I expect Mr. Patterson has been with you and given you this information, the expediency of this you will be the best judges of. 1 shall therefore leave the matter entirely with you. If you think it ex- bedient some arrangements will be necessary, which you will at- tend to. Elders, more or less, must be ordained. I expect to have one of my Elders with me who can assist you perhaps. One or two more will be sufficient, these can be ordained after I come. The third Sabbath of September would be the preparation Sab- bath and the found, the Sabbath of the sacrament. Mr. Wick is appointed to assist. I expect to be with you the preparation Sabbath, if you think it expedient. If not please to send word to Esq. Colt's and I will stay with them that Sabbath and be with you the second Sabbath.
Many inconveniences, I have no doubt, will attend the ac- complishment of this, but not the ten-thousandth part as much as did the institution of it. . That was a dark but memorable (vent ; think of it and lay it in the one scale and your difficulties in the other and see which preponderates.
Mr. Satterfield will carry this letter, he has a call in his hand but I prevailed with him not to accept of it or think of settling until he would visit your congregation. I should be very happy to find the people in your congregation and upper Greenfield and perhaps Reeds Mlin united either for Mr. Satterfield or Mr. Patterson. I do not wish to dictate to you but just mentioned
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CLYDE C. HILI,, Trustee.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
my feelings. I just mentioned Reeds Mill because I think it perhaps might be necessary for the minister that accepts your call to preach at that place as a stated supply for some time. However, I will give you my ideas on the subject more fully when I come.
But I must bid you farewell at the present. I hope the good Lord will take care of you and provide for you a teacher after His own heart, for this I think I try to pray,
From your friend, &c., ELISHA MACURDY.
Messrs. Thomas Robinson, John McCord, William Dun- dass, and James McMahan.
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Letter from Rev. Robert Patterson, 1802.
Canonsburg, Pa., Friday 15th Oct., 1802.
Dear Friend :-
My reason for selecting you as the person to whom this. let- ter should be addressed, is because that with you, more than with any other of my friends in the Triangle, I have conversed freely on several subjects, and especially on some that will be introduced into this paper.
The call from the three United Congregations, with your signature among others, was received and accepted on Thursday the 30th of September at Pittsburg during the sessions of Synod; I could not then, without great inconvenience to myself, write to you by the first post. Mr. Macurdy, however, promised to write, which I suppose he did. The call coming under cover of a letter assigning sufficient reasons why Mr. McMahan could not come forward as commissioner from said congregations passed readily through the necessary routine, yet was destitute of some of the accompaniments required by our Directory; this circumstance, with some others that I shall mention, makes it necessary that there should be an interchange of intelligence be- tween the congressations and me, either personally or by letter. before or at the new meeting of Erie Presbytery and if possible. that a commissioner attend the same, who besides other duties, may make, or assist Presbytery in making arrangements re- specting the time and place of ordination; and that if this cannot be done, some sufficient document of instruction come forward by the hands of some fit person.
The distance, inconvenience of traveling, brevity of time, and some other considerations, render it inexpedient for me to visit you before the meeting of Presbytery, which will be on Tuesday, 2d of November; this letter will, however, probably reach Presque Isle en Friday, 22d inst., and as it will be enclosed without seal to Mr. Smith, of the Erie committee, it will be in his power to inform me by return of the mail in a letter receive- alle at Pittsburg on the following Wednesday, viz., six days be-
NORMAN IL COUSE, Trustee.
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fore the meeting of Presbytery on the subject, for which chiefly I write this letter, that is to know what was the expectation and desire of those who gave the call, with respect to the time of my coming to reside among them, whether it should be this fall, or next spring; my desire is to be among them as soon as they wish, and not sooner than would be for their advantage: from conversation which took place between us, you may remember the declaration of my design not to itinerate this ensuing win- ter. A journey, however, in November to your country and the subsequent riding through winter, do not contravene this resolution, but rather confirm it. I know from experience and observation the difficulties that speaker and hearers would have to endure and am willing to undertake my share, but am unwill- ing to be present with you, before the general sense of the peo- ple desire it. If it be thought best for me to remain where I am, I hope a letter, giving intelligence of the same, may meet me at Presbytery, but if the contrary be your general opinion, I will endeavor to make arrangements for setting out from this country on the 20 Monday or Tuesday of November. Movables will probably be between five and eight ewt .- the mode of port- age is not yet determined, but if I can obtain it, I will get an ox team to go up and remain, this however, is not probable.
li we (Mrs. Patterson and 1) go to the Triangle soon, our wish is to reside for some time in a family as it will be some time in the spring or kammer according to our present expectations. before we could go into an house of our own. On this sub-
ject you are not logether uninformed: you know between town and country on which side our sentiments preponderate, and in addition thereto, tas your family will be out of the question, on account of your residence in a local extremity) it is our desire to be placed in :. family where the worship of God is daily per- formed, whether there be a preacher there or not; and if pos sible where a separate room may be had for study and lodging.
I am under the necessity of attending at Presbytery which meets in one of Mr Wood's congregations. I do not know the name of it nor & family where it is, but I suppose a person from your vicinity, passing downward on the Franklin Road to El- liot's Tavern for miles from Pittsburg would there get neces- ary instructions Again: as John McCord has some thoughts
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of visiting our neighborhood on business, I would be glad if he could be here on 5th Sabbath, i. e., last day of this month, as on that day, for reasons presently to be mentioned, there will be an extra administration of the Lord's Supper in one of Mr. Maundy's congregations.
Since the acceptance of the call, I feel a new set of ideas taking place, and experience sensations to which I was a strang- er before: the people become dearer to me, I feel a greater in- terest in their welfare and happiness, I view the relation now tak- ing place as one of great moment: my anticipations begin at home, what shall I prove to be? One seeking the Divine rather than human favor? one dealing plainly with inen as sinners, endeavoring to lead them into the knowledge of the truth respecting God, His offending creatures, and salvation through the Immanuel? Or shall I become a slothful ten- porizing pastor? or seeking the emoluments of the office, not caring for the soul of the hearers? one walking and convers- ing as doth not become an embassador for Christ? hopes and fears of such topics as these are often in alternate fhictuation. Then I think of those who are shortly to be called the people of my charge: what shall be the effect of the Gospel preached among them? Shall it be the savor of life unto life? Shall
it become the power and wisdom of God unto the salvation of their souls? Or Hall it be the occasion of rendering the doom of Sodom and Gomorrah more tolerable than theirs in the day of Judgment? . When offences come, on whom shall the guilt and the woe fall? Shall it be on me or on them? Here I look forward to all the probable grounds of unhappiness that I can think of taking place, -- what those in which I may be innocent. and what those in which I may be guilty; then I feel the abso- lute necessity of looking to Him whose grace and strength are sufficient for all those that seek Divine aid.
One circumstance I must briefly touch-such extraordinary religious concern as we have heard of in Carolina and Ken- tucky has at length made its appearance in our County, first in the congregations of Rev. Mccurdy, and then in several con- tiguous ones. Nr. MeCurdy supposes that about one hundred persons were seriously affected in one of his congregations on a sacramental occasion the last Sabbath in September and there
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were perhaps about forty in my father's congregation last Sab- bath and the other days of the sacrament I was present-not many exclaimed aloud, but when they did it was usually in such a manner as I would not condemn lest unhappily I should be found striving against God. Some things do appear and occur, which I think indicate the presence of that Evil One who goeth about seeking whom he may devour, but I dare not allow my- self to disapprove the wheat which Christ is sowing, or his man- ner of sowing it, because the Devil is also mingling his tares with the same. More on this subject when I see you. A sac- rament is on this account to be in Mr. McCurdy's congregation last Sabbath in October.
This letter, dear friend, is not to be considered as private correspondence, but may be seen by any who ought to see it, and is intended to convey my respects to all in your vicinity who ought to expect a share in my esteem. I have not time fur- ther to enlarge, only to express my hope that those things, whether herein mentioned, or not, which require your attention, will be regarded is such a manner as to oblige your friend.
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