USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > Nashville > The First Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tennessee : the addresses delivered in connection with the observance of the one hundredth anniversary, November 8-15, l9l4 > Part 14
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I am led to believe that the part that these six women played in the organization of this church is one worth con- sidering. It leads me to believe that woman has some- thing to do today in the shaping of the lives of her children, by helping to hold the church organization together, and being a part of the institution. Some of these boys, who spoke ahead of me, have referred to the church as "she," but they seem to feel a delicacy in speaking of her age, saying that some women object to the telling of their age. I have never really insisted on anybody telling his age, especially on a woman telling hers. Personally I ap- preciate my own age and am thankful to know that the Lord has let me live as long as I have, and I say with much appreciation that I am almost old enough to have gray hairs in my head. Some one mentioned the woman suffrage question. This is a thing that I do not agree with. I would prefer to call them "Suffer-yets" instead of Suffragettes, for I think the place for woman is in the church, for in it she will be more competent to school her children in the things that they need to know about. If her time is spent in political work I am afraid she will make a
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miserable blunder and will be a stumbling stone for her children.
Let me say, in conclusion, that I represent the "baby" church in Nashville; not in age, neither in size, but accord- ing to finances. My congregation has everything except money. I am sure we have plenty of people, both adults and children. Our people are of the working class. We have no money, but we have a lot of faith. We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and I think that we have at least enough religion to save us. We do some praying, but not enough, yet we believe that the day will soon come when the Lord will provide us with some of the wealth of the earth. There is no reason to fear that you will fail to help us as long as we are helpless, and I am sure there is no failure for you, as the Lord Jesus Christ has never failed to supply the wants of His people.
Again, I know that you are going to progress as a church, for progress is at your disposal. Of course there will be funerals and a long list of names will be kept of those that once were here but now gone, yet this will not affect the existence of your institution, for the Lord is on your side. You can't keep from advancing, because you have "Vance"; so the prayers of myself, as well as the prayers of my people, are and ever will be that you may be ready always to respond to the call of your Lord, who calls you to meet Him in the great field of human need, that of spread- ing the gospel both at home and abroad.
May the blessings of God, Who knows no failure, and Whose cause has never been defeated, be with you both now and evermore.
From Glen Leven Church. By REV. W. C. ALEXANDER, D.D.
The brother who has just taken his seat has professed
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to be embarrassed by having to follow the excellent speaker who preceded him. But listening to his own polished periods I am reminded of an incident related by that loyal Presbyte- rian, the late Governor Daniel G. Fowle, of North Caro- lina. He said that when a student at Princeton, quite a controversy arose in the theological seminary as to whether a minister should speak with or without his manuscript. One of the professors was a strong advocate for written dis- course. A young student who differed with him upon this subject ventured on a public occasion to deliver an address upon the advantages of the extempore method. When the meeting had adjourned his friends gathered about him to congratulate him upon the success of his speech. "Yes," he said, "but unfortunately I forgot to mention one of my strongest points." The old professor, who was also standing near, snapped out, "Yes, and if you had written it down you wouldn't have forgotten it." Now, it does not occur to me that our meeting this evening calls for formal and finished addresses. This is our Presbyterian family gathering, when we have come to do honor to the mother of us all. The formal services in the auditorium called for those splendid papers to which we have listened with so much interest and admiration, but in this social assemblage it would seem that our felicitations may best be expressed in words as simple as they are sincere.
On her one hundredth anniversary we are here to do honor to the old First Church. We are all proud of her. We are proud of her noble service to God, to this city and to this Commonwealth. We are proud of her prosperity as the largest church in our Assembly. We are proud of her loy- alty to the everlasting gospel. We are proud of the galaxy of noble men who have been the pastors of this church. and we are also proud of the people who listened to them. When Mr. Beard, in his delightful history, related the story of how Dr. Gideon Blackburn, practicing the perseverance of the
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REV. JERE WITHERSPOON, D.D., Pastor 1884-1893.
saints, preached so eloquently for three hours, that Felix Grundy said in his enthusiastic admiration that he could have listened without weariness for three hours longer, some of us were impressed with the reflection that surely they had great listeners in those heroic days. Now, it is to be feared that good listeners do not always receive their proper meed of praise. We are reminded of an incident related of Gen. Ellison Capers, the late Episcopal Bishop of South Carolina. Having preached in a Carolina town on a certain Sabbath he went to be the guest of one of those noble women whose homes are always open to receive the servant of God. Throwing himself into an easy chair, ready to receive him. he remarked to his hostess, "Miss Maria, you don't know what hard work preaching is!" And she is ' said to have replied. sadly, "Ah, Bishop, you surely have never tried listening!" So we are proud not only of the preachers, but also of the listeners of the old First Church, and your patience on this occasion is a cheering proof that you are not unworthy of the fathers who have already in- herited the promises.
I bring to you the cordial greetings of the Glen Leven Church. While not indebted directly to you for an organi- zation, we are grateful to you for some of our valued char- ter members, and we cherish for you the warmest regard. We rejoice in your strength and prosperity as you enter upon the second hundred years of your history. It is a desirable thing for a denomination to have a strong central church, for that church may and ought to be a potent factor in the extension of the cause of which it is a representative. Long before this church shall celebrate her second centen- nial all of us who are here will have passed into silence, but the cause of our common Presbyterianism will remain. Surely, therefore, all of us should live for the cause dear alike to the hearts of us all. When Dr. Vance, then a pas- tor in New Jersey, addressed the great Laymen's Mission-
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13
ary Conference at Birmingham, Ala., some years ago, he said, "The Southern Presbyterian Church is the greatest church in the world!" We congratulate you upon having him for a second time as your pastor and his leadership in- spires the confidence that your great congregation will give itself to the extension of our work in this city, for the church which shines brightest at home will shine farthest abroad. When your second centennial shall be celebrated, may that occasion find you still strong and prosperous and may many other pastors gather here and say with pride, "Our churches are the children of the old First Church."
From the West Nashville Church. By REV. G. B. HARRIS, JR.
Dr. Vance, Officers and Members of the First Presbyterian Church:
It is with pleasure that I bring you greetings on this occasion from the West Nashville Church. It is fitting that in the arrangement of the program tonight this century- old church should adhere to the old-time rule of seniority. And so the representatives of the various churches are to be heard tonight according to the date of organization of their respective congregations. Under the operation of this good old rule I have the honor to represent the "baby" of the family-the youngest direct offshoot of the old plant. Ac- cordingly I have sought to remember the injunction, "Little children should be seen and not heard," and have kept a discreet silence and a listening ear while my seniors have spoken. I am conscious that I must be upon my good be- havior tonight lest I convey the impression that the "baby" has been spoiled and so bring down upon it the maternal wrath.
It is now nearly fifteen years since you began the mis-
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sion work which has become the West Nashville Presbyte- rian Church. The founders of that work and their suc- cessors have labored well, and the church comes to bring you her best wishes, after a most successful year's work. In fact, this youngest child hopes, ere she reaches "sweet sixteen," to make her debut in a new party gown-a hand- some new building, which will be a credit alike to that con- gregation and to the mother church. And if God's bless- ing continues to rest upon us, I doubt not that we shall be instrumental in building up yet more the Kingdom of God in our part of this growing city.
It affords me pleasure also from a personal standpoint to bring you greeting. I have been getting a little nearer the First Church as the years have passed. I began my min- istry as the pastor of the West Side Church, a daughter of Moore Memorial, and therefore a granddaughter of this church. I am now pastor of West Nashville, a daughter of the old First Church. So we are getting nearer together.
Then, too, I am reminded of the fact that both the First Church and I are indebted to the same grand old man, Rev. Gideon Blackburn, D.D .- the church for her organization and I for the name I bear. You will pardon the brief nar- ration of an event in the life of that pioneer preacher and founder of this church, as my father gave it to me. In the year 1811, when war with England was imminent, Rev. Dr. Blackburn preached a sermon to the command of General Andrew Jackson at what is now the foot of Broad Street, on the banks of the Cumberland River. In that company of soldiers was my paternal grandfather, Oliver B. Harris. He said he never heard a more eloquent sermon. General Jack- son was moved to tears. The fervor and spiritual power of the consecrated and gifted speaker, the earnest and heart- stirring appeal of the gospel he preached made a profound and indelible impression upon my grandfather, whose re- ligious experience might be said to date from that hour.
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Many years later, when my father was born in 1829, he was named Gideon Blackburn Harris, and on my birth in 1885, being his only son, I received his name. So, for my name I am under obligation to the same grand old preacher who organized this church and sent it forth upon its great work.
So, with peculiar pleasure I bring you birthday greet- ings tonight, both on behalf of myself and the church I represent, and my prayer is that you may continue to grow and prosper ; that the blessing of God may rest yet more abundantly upon you, and that your path down the coming years may be as the "path of the just, which is as the shin- ing light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
GREETINGS FROM THE SYNOD OF TENNESSEE. By MODERATOR G. F. NICOLASSEN.
[The Synod of Tennessee, at its meeting in October, 1914, adopted resolutions of congratulation to the First Church of Nashville upon the completion of one hundred years of its history. These resolutions were read by the Moderator of the Synod, who then proceeded with the fol- lowing remarks :]
In fulfillment of the pleasant duty which has been en- trusted to me, I desire to congratulate this church upon its centennial celebration, and to assure you of the deep interest felt by the Synod in your welfare.
One hundred years of life-what does that signify? For an individual it generally means infirmity and approaching dissolution. For a state or a church it suggests vigor and power. Physiologists tell us that in the course of seven years every particle in the body has changed, and yet the personality is not lost. In the period of a hundred years a church may occupy several buildings, will necessarily have
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a number of pastors, and the personnel of its membership will be entirely changed. And yet the identity of the church is continuous. During all these years the First Church of Nashville has been a power for good in this community.
What constitutes a successful church? Is it to have a brilliant pastor, many officers, a large number of members ? These are all elements of strength if properly used. But the real test is: Do they minister to the needs of the people ? Are the men and women made better by them? Are the boys and girls provided with entertainment that will satisfy this craving of their natures? And when I say entertain- ment I do not mean something that will please for the mo- ment, but make no lasting impression upon the character.
What shall be the record of the next hundred years? None of us will be here to see it. The King of Persia wept when he looked out over his vast army and realized that a hundred years later not one of them would be alive. But he was a heathen and knew not the true God. We are bet- ter taught, but what does our religion mean to us? Is it a garment that we put on every Sunday morning, or is it a vital principle within us that controls our thoughts as well as our acts and our words? Do not be discouraged if the results are slow. The growth of character is gradual, like the development of the oak. They tell us that the honored President of our Republic was not particularly brilliant as a college student, and gave small promise of the greatness that he has achieved. But see the strength that he has developed ! A man who was able to keep a nation out of war and who has won the absolute trust of ninety millions of men! But I would point you to a higher model than Woodrow Wilson-one who shares our humanity and was "tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin." This is the goal that is set before us, and to this we shall attain if we make the proper use of what He has given us.
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RESOLUTIONS.
CENTENNIAL FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NASHVILLE.
WHEREAS, On November 14, 1814, during a period of national strife incident to the war of 1812, there was or- ganized in the courthouse at Nashville, Tenn., the First Presbyterian Church of that city, then composed of eight members, seven of whom were women; and
WHEREAS, This church has been blessed of God through all these years so that she now looks back upon a noble his- tory-a history which reveals her as witnessing to the truth of her Lord by a broad catholicity of spirit, coupled with earnest devotion to Him; as standing at once as a fortress and a force ; as planting her missions in various parts of the city and thus becoming the mother of churches ; as sending, by her rich gifts, the Gospel of Light to the people of this and other lands; as gladly giving her capable officers for the counsels and labors of the church, both at home and abroad, and as blessing by the rare endowments of her exceptional ministers, not only the city and the Presbytery, but the Synod and the Assembly as well; and
WHEREAS, This, the largest church of our Synod and Assembly, is planning to celebrate its centennial from the 8th to the 15th of November; therefore, be it
Resolved, I. That the Synod of Tennessee express its gratitude to God for the organization, the continued exist- ence and the remarkable development of this church ; for her activity and achievements ; for her peace and prosperity and power.
2. That we extend our hearty congratulations to the people of this church for what has been accomplished dur- ing the years that are passed ; for her position of privilege and responsibility ; for her capable body of officers and her richly gifted pastor.
3. That we invoke the blessing of God upon her officers
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and members, to the end that, appreciating their position of leadership, they may, by their ideals and aims, by their character and conduct, measure up to their responsibilities, as they witness to the truth of the gospel in ever-widening circles of influence until, through them, the spirit of Christ is felt to earth's remotest bounds.
4. That the Moderator of this Synod be directed to kindly present to the First Church, Nashville, at such time during this centennial celebration as shall be arranged, the hearty felicitations of this Synod, and to express our un- feigned interest and sincere regard for pastor and people in their rejoicing, in which we delight to share.
Relations of the First Presbyterian Church and of the Ex- ecutive Committee of Foreign Missions.
By REV. S. H. CHESTER, D.D.
The discussion of my topic would naturally proceed un- der two heads: First, the relation of the First Presbyterian Church to the Committee of Foreign Missions, and, second, the relation of the committee to the church. I did not have the privilege of hearing the splendid extempore address de- livered by my colleague, Dr. Smith, as a part of this cen- tennial program, but he showed me the manuscript of it, and I noticed that in his opening paragraph, with that won- derful gift of comprehension and condensation which he possesses. he mentioned almost everything that could pos- sibly be thought of under the first head. He referred feel- ingly and appropriately to the fact that your pastor is our committee chairman, that one of your elders is in charge of our health department, that another one is chairman of our most important sub-committee, that still another one looks after our railroad interests, and that the roof over our head is your property. For all of these things I trust that
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we are not wanting in a proper feeling of gratitude and ap- preciation. It is true that for awhile after we became your beneficiaries in the matter of housing, on rainy days we needed the protection of umbrellas in our offices in addition to that afforded by the roof, and were put to some expense in providing buckets and tubs wherein to dispose of the surplus water that found its way through the roof to our floors. That little defect, however, was soon remedied, and now we can sit before our lovely grate fires, whose cheerful blaze promotes mental quietude, while we wrestle with our various and sundry problems, and the wilder the storm that rages without the more comfortable and cozy we feel.
Under my second head, I would remark that the attitude of the Foreign Missions Committee towards the First Church from the beginning has been one of hopeful recep- tivity. While we have appreciated all that you have done for our cause in the way of financial help, we have con- tinually hoped that you would do more. We have ventured to hope that by reason of your close association with us and the opportunity which this afforded you of knowing our work and understanding its importance and its needs, you would become the banner church of our whole Assem- bly in your missionary giving.
While you have not yet attained to this position, a glance over your records which I made in preparation for these remarks shows that you are making hopeful and continually accelerating progress toward it. Taking the record for forty years by decades, the figures for the first decade be- ginning with 1875 are $5,754 contributed to foreign mis- sions during that period. The contributions of the second decade beginning with 1885 were $14,285, which is more than double those of the first. Those of the third decade were $16,020. In the fourth decade, beginning with 1895, the contributions mount up rapidly, reaching the encour- aging sum total of $33,721.
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REV. W.M. M. ANDERSON, D.D., Pastor 1901-1910.
The most rapid advance began with the year 1908, the seventh year of Dr. Anderson's pastorate, the congregation jumping in that year from $1,383 to $3,42I.
The four years of the present pastorate show the best record of all, beginning with $3,734 in 1911 and reaching $5,294 in 1914, the sum total for the four years being $18,744. This does not prove that the present pastor is a more enthusiastic missionary man than those who preceded him, but it does show that he knows how to wield for the work of the kingdom and to develop on continually broaden- ing lines the splendid force of workers gathered into the membership of this church by his own labors and the labors of those who preceded him. I am sure that I voice the unanimous sentiment of the Committee of Foreign Missions, as well as of this entire community, that this second pas- torate of his so auspiciously begun may continue to the end of his working days and that this end may be in the far distant future, and that long before the first decade of his second pastorate is finished he may have the joy of seeing realized what we know to be the wish of his heart, that this church may become the banner church, not only of the Southern Presbyterian Assembly, but of all the churches of this broad land, in its helpfulness to the great cause of foreign missions and to every other cause connected with the welfare and progress of the Kingdom of God.
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CHAPTER X.
REMARKS AT THE OLD CITY CEMETERY NOV. 14, 1914, WHEN THE GRAVES OF THOSE WHO ORGANIZED THE CHURCH WERE COV- ERED WITH FLOWERS.
BY MAJ. WILBUR F. FOSTER.
It is a seemly and appropriate thing, my friends, that we should this day have come together in "the silent city of the dead," where sleep so many whose names we revere and whose memory we cherish, to recall the deeds of that little band of devoted Christians, few in numbers but strong in faith and courage and purpose, who an hundred years ago today bound themselves to each other and to the God of their fathers, for His worship and His service, and thus laid the sure foundation of the Presbyterian Church of the city of Nashville.
Had we the power to "summon from the shadowy past the forms that once have been," with what deep interest and throbbing hearts would we listen to the story from their lips, of their lives, their trials, their triumphs and, above all, their unfaltering trust in God and the wisdom and sure fulfilment of His eternal purposes. Alas! that cannot be. We can only call the roll of those honored names, read a few brief head lines, so to speak, of their history, and with loving hands cover their graves with sweet flowers, as a token of affection and grateful remembrance. "Such graves as these are pilgrim shrines," and it is well that we stand in this sacred ground with uncovered head and reverent thought, to pay tribute to the memory of those who are
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buried here, and from their lives learn lessons of faithful- ness and steadfast trust.
We shall first recall the names of only those pastors of the Presbyterian Church whose graves are with us, and which it is our privilege this day to visit. In each case our reference will be brief, as ample historic record has been prepared by another.
REV. THOMAS B. CRAIGHEAD
Was a man of strong character, a great preacher, an eminent educator and a leader among men. Although never installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Nashville, he was yet the first preacher of the Presby- terian faith in Middle Tennessee, and our church was organized by those to whom he had ministered in sa- cred things for many years, and by whom he was great- ly honored and beloved. Records are indefinite and sometimes contradictory, but we think that the follow- ing statements are correct :
Rev. Thomas B. Craighead was the oldest son of Rev. Alexander Craighead, and was born at Sugar Creek, Mecklenburg County, N. C., in 1750. He was educated at Princeton, N. J., and ordained to the min- istry by Orange Presbytery, North Carolina. In 1780 he was married to Elizabeth Brown, daughter of Rev. John Brown, of Frankfort, Ky., and in the same year moved to Spring Hill (or Haysborough), six miles northeast of Nashville, and that continued to be his home until his death in the fall of 1824.
The stone building in which he preached at Spring Hill was also the schoolroom in which, for twenty-three years he taught the students of Davidson Academy, of which he was the founder, and the President until 1809.
His grave is in Spring Hill Cemetery, near the spot where stood the house in which he lived so many years, and where he died when 74 years of age.
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Just here in the old City Cemetery where we are gath- ered are the graves of two eminent men, Rev. William Hume and Rev. Obadiah Jennings, devoted servants of God and both closely identified with the early history of Nash- ville and of the church whose centenary we are commem- orating.
REV. WILLIAM HUME
Was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, August 15, 1770, and died in Nashville, May 22, 1833.
He was of the "Scotch Seceder" faith and was the pastor of that congregation in Nashville more than sev- enteen years, until in 1818 he united with the Presby- terian Church of the United States, and labored as an evangelist until his death, frequently filling the pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church, but never as its pastor.
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