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 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16
1Old Times in Nashville, by Miss Jane H. Thomas, p. 36.
-104-
JAMES M. HAMILTON, Elder 1867-1895.
It was located on the corner of what was then called Spring Street, but later known as Church Street, and Summer Street, now called Fifth Avenue-the same site as that of the First Presbyterian Church today. The building faced west on Summer Street, with a side entrance on Church Street. The pulpit was unique and would be a curiosity among us today. The design was circular in form and quite narrow. "It could scarcely hold three men standing up. The minister's head was fifteen feet above the congregation." Possibly the pattern had come down to our forbears from those sturdy reformers who resisted Spanish tyranny on the dikes and sand dunes of Holland in the sixteenth century. It was constructed high on the south wall and was entered by a spiral stairway on each side, with a window in the rear for light.
Now that a duly appointed and permanent church house had been secured, a sense of relief and of thankfulness and gratitude to God pervaded the entire membership in an unusual degree, and there was developed a determination, much above the ordinary, that, for the future, every proper effort should be put forth to advance the Kingdom of God among men, "beginning first at Jerusalem" This determi- nation has grown stronger all down the century, and is today the leading characteristic of this congregation.
From the beginning the church's influence and member- ship steadily but slowly grew, and there was every evi- dence that this little church was indeed "a vine of God's own planting," and that it had a definite mission.
TITLE TO CHURCH LOT.
Up to this time a very important and necessary feature -one quite fundamental and urgent in its character-had not been attended to; no deed had been made to the lot upon which the church edifice was built. Since the com- pletion of the church building the matter had no doubt more than once been brought up and discussed, probably urged,
-- 105-
by Ruling Elder Robert Smiley, who, naturally, as the only officer of the church so far elected, felt sensibly his re- sponsibility as such, and, therefore, desired to close up promptly every business detail of the affairs of the church. Why this deed had not been made does not appear plain, unless possibly the money with which he was expecting to pay for the property ($750) was slow in coming into the church coffers. However, on May 1, 1823, nine years after the organization and seven years after the church building had been built and first occupied by the congrega- tion, Randal McGavock made the long-delayed deed for the lot to the five trustees of the Nashville Presbyterian Church, naming first Ruling Elder Robert Smiley, and then four others, all members of the church, one of whom was soon afterwards elected an elder, and later the third named was made a deacon-one of the first of this class of office- bearers yet elected by the congregation. For the informa- tion and convenience of all those desiring it, we have had photographied and framed the page upon which is recorded the original deed in the Register's office in the courthouse, and it will be hung, no doubt, in some convenient place in the church for reference. The language of this venerable and interesting document is as follows :
This indenture, made this first day of May, 1823, between Randal McGavock, of Nashville, of the one part, and Robert Smiley, Nathaniel A. McNairy, Wm. M. Berryhill, John Wright and David Irwin, who are for the time being the trustees of the Nashville Pres- byterian Church, of the other part: Witnesseth that the said Randal McGavock, for and in consideration of the sum of $750 to him heretofore paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and for other good considerations him thereunto moving, hath given. granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents doth grant, bargain and sell, convey and transfer unto the
-106-
said Robert Smiley, Nathaniel A. McNairy, William M. Berryhill, John Wright and David Irwin, trustees of the Nashville Presbyterian Church, and their suc- cessors in office, the following piece or parcel of land, being part of lot No. 78 as distinguished in the plan of Nashville, beginning at the corner of said lot at the intersection of Spring Street and Summer Street, running thence with Spring Street toward the river half the distance of said lot on Spring Street to a plug of lead put in a rock, thence at right angles through the center of said lot to an alley of 20 feet leading from Cherry Street to Summer Street, thence with said alley to Summer Street, and with said street to the beginning, being that part of said lot on which is erected the Presbyterian Church and the small brick house belonging to the Female Bible and Charitable Society; to have and to hold to the said parties of the second part and their successors in trust for the use and benefit of said Presbyterian Church, to be modified and declared by said trustees and their successors when lawfully assembled, and especially for the purpose of having thereon a meeting house for the Nashville Pres- byterian congregation of Christians to worship Almighty God, a parsonage or other house for him to dwell in who may have the charge of said church for the time being, and such buildings incident thereto as the trustees may end or direct-also in trust that such part of said lot as contains the house erected fof the Female Bible and Charitable Society as has been conveyed to said society by a former Board of Trus- tees of said church shall be and inure to the use and purpose expressed in said deed. And the said Randal McGavock covenants that he will at any other time when it shall be deemed necessary to make any other or further deed to carry into complete effect this con-
-107-
veyance for the purposes herein expressed, and that he will warrant the title as is herein expressed for the pur- poses expressed against himself and his heirs.
In testimony whereof said Randal McGavock hath hereto set his hand and seal this day above written.
(Seal) R. MCGAVOCK. R. O. D. C., Book Q., page 722.
Since the text of the above deed refers specifically to what was called "The Female Bible and Charitable 'So- ciety," it may not be amiss to say here a word or two as to what this organization was and to tell somewhat of its purpose and practices. We find that, as its name indicates, it was composed entirely of women, and in a general sense may be said to have been primarily educational in its char- acter, Bible study being particularly emphasized. They also distributed Bibles, religious tracts and other religious literature as opportunity offered or their facilities permitted. They received and distributed donations-articles of cloth- ing, bedding and food to the poor-and visited and assisted in caring for the sick when necessary. And there was still another feature of this society-one of great importance and far-reaching and uplifting in its influence, not only as seen in the lives of its members, but also as recognized by the general community; this was a prayer service which they held every Wednesday afternoon, and to which each member was definitely obligated to attend, summer or win- ter, rain or sunshine, nothing excusing but actual sickness or absence from town. It was generally conceded that they relieved a great deal of suffering and distress and other- wise exerted a wholesome, restraining influence throughout the town.
Through a popular subscription the members were enabled to build for their society a meeting place, which was popularly known as "The Society House." This struc- ture, a one-story brick house 20 by 30 feet in size, and cost-
-108-
ing nearly seven hundred dollars, was also located upon the church lot.
THE OFFICE OF RULING ELDER.
Before beginning the consideration of the official record as far as it has to do with the work and personnel of the office-bearers of the First Presbyterian Church, may we not, just here, digress a moment to refresh our memories, so that we shall have more clearly in mind what the nature and character of the eldership is and what their duties and - responsibilities are to the given congregation?
The eldership is a scriptural office and the most ancient and the most permanent of any in the church. To quote from one of the fathers of our communion :
"It differs from the ceremonial and typical officers- those of the prophets, priests and kings of the old dispen- sations, which prefigured Christ and his redemptive work- and from the extraordinary and temporary offices of apos- tles, workers of miracles, etc., of the new dispensation, which were for important emergencies and for temporal service. It differs from that of the minister, who is the representative or ambassador of God to preach the gospel, persuading men in Christ's stead to be reconciled to God, and who presides in the church courts, ordains, administers the sacraments and pronounces the benedictions. And it differs from the office of deacon, who is ordained to serve tables, to see that no class of the needy or poor of the church is neglected in the daily ministrations; to care for the real estate and other properties of the church; to attend to the collection of money, the payment of salaries and bills, the care of the buildings and the preparation of them for such uses and at such times as are determined by the ses- sion. Through all dispensations the functions of the office of ruling elder have remained essentially the same, both in character and work."1
1The Ruling Elder at Work, by Rev. Aspinwall Hodge, D.D., pp. 2 and 3.
-109-
To quote further from this father in Zion:
"The elders exercised their functions under the patri- archs, when the church in the family became that of a race in bondage in Egypt; when delivered and entering into covenant with God at Sinai; when wandering in the wil- derness under Moses; conquering their possessions under Joshua ; disciplined during the time of the Judges; in the undivided, and in both sections of separated kingdoms of Israel and Judah; during the Babylonian captivity; at the time of Christ's ministry, and in the New Testament Church as established by the apostles."1
Volumes. literally, have been written upon the topic of the ruling elder-the name, the nature and the functions ; and we feel that we are within bounds in making the broad, general statement that the weight of authority unquestion- ably holds to the view that the office is of divine origin, and, therefore, is possessed of a special and peculiar dignity and importance.
A number of eminent Presbyterian writers here in America have controverted this view, and today there exists a well-defined tendency to give the ruling elder a lower posi- tion than that given him in the Word of God, which fact, at best. only brings to light and makes plain a great weak- ness in our Presbyterian system, since, as we see it, the power of the Presbyterian Church for good would be in- creased in unlimited measure if the eldership could be brought up to the scriptural standard, because our sys- tem of church government derives its strength largely from the efficiency of the eldership, they being, as some one has said, "the inspiration of the church."
Our "Form of Government" says: "Ruling elders are properly the representatives of the people, chosen by them for the purpose of exercising government and discipline, in
'The Ruling Elder at Work, by Rev. Aspinwall Hodge, D.D., pp. 2 and 3.
-110-
conjunction with pastors or ministers. This office has been understood by a great part of the Protestant reform churches to be designated in the Holy Scriptures by the title of governments and of those who rule well, but do not labor in the word and doctrine." This, therefore, with us cuts off all debate, since it is the deliverance of our own General Assembly upon the subject.
In May, 1861, while in session at Augusta, Ga., our General Assembly reenacted this, along with the several
- other features of our church government, in withdrawing, as it did at that time, from the compact existing with the Northern Presbyterian Church. It was necessary for it to be thus reenacted by our General Assembly for the per- fecting of the independence of our own Southern Pres- byterian Church, and to give it efficiency, and to set forth the General Assembly's interpretation of the Holy Scriptures as to what the ruling eldership is or may become in our church. By its terms the limitations thus placed upon the office are strictly observed now and have been since its enactment by a loyal eldership throughout the bounds of the Southern Presbyterian Church.
In resuming at this point the consideration of the official record and personnel of those who were office-bearers in the First Presbyterian Church through the entire century we find the first name to be that of Robert Smiley. There- fore, there belongs to him the distinction of having been not only the first male member of, but also the first elected officer in, the infant church, and he is further distinguished for having, singly and alone, served the congregation seven out of the nine years he was permitted by God to fill the place of ruling elder, as no other officer, either elder or deacon, was elected by the congregation within that time.
The tribulations so often accompanying early childhood in other fields of human experience were not wanting here in the life of the infant church; on the contrary, these first
-- 111-
years in its history proved to be a trying period indeed, numerous discouragements, struggles and worry arising chiefly from inherent local conditions which it was found impossible to remove or avoid.
The multiple duties and responsibilities of this office, therefore, were Robert Smiley's, and largely his alone. Never at best was Ruling Elder Smiley recognized as being a very robust man, but the contrary ; and being of a nervo- sanguine temperament, he was earnest, ardent and deter- mined in his nature, and, as has been said, "in every under- taking where his heart was, he never could see failure"- the right man in the right place, unquestionably. The con- gregation had learned to lean heavily upon him and to hold his leadership in the highest esteem. Even now, though his health was failing, they were loath to make division of leadership; yet in 1821, seven years after the beginning, they did elect two others as ruling elders, James Trimble- and Michael C. Dunn,1 who, being duly ordained, at once entered upon their duties.
Ruling Elder Robert Smiley1 was of Celtic ancestry, and was himself born in Ireland. He was a man of the highest personal integrity, kind, gentle and optimistic, and constitu- tionally religious. He commanded the respect and good opin- ion of all who knew him. Col. Willoughby Williams, writing in the evening of a long life, said: "Robert Smiley was a clever Christian gentleman, and one of the best citzens of the town." And a granddaughter, in a letter dated January 3, 1914. says: "Grandfather was a strict Sabbatarian. He permitted no work of any kind to be done on the Sabbath day unless it was absolutely necessary; in his home no cooking was allowed on that day, even the coffee being made on Saturday and warmed over on Sunday. His upright, saintly, godly character has always been a rich heritage to his descendants.">
'No picture of him obtainable.
'Mrs. George S. Bowling, Clarksville, Tenn.
- 112-
A. G. ADAMS, Elder 1867-1895. Founder of the Adams. Church.
His health continued to decline, and so far spent now were his physical powers that during the last twelve to eighteen months of his official life he was unable to dis- charge the duties of his office; and on September 15, 1823, while still in his early manhood-at the age of 40-he fell asleep. Today, awaiting the resurrection morn, he lies buried in the old City Cemetery, on South Cherry Street (now Fourth Avenue, South), southwest corner of Oak Street.
For four or five years after its organization the congre- gation was supplied irregularly-once or twice a month -- with preaching services. The membership at this time has been estimated to have been about forty-five. In the process of evolution, however, the little church, as a sturdy oak, grew slowly but surely in its membership and influence. About this time or soon afterwards Mrs. Ann Phillips Grundy, wife of Felix Grundy, one of the active, leading members of the flock, made a happy suggestion that a church Sunday school be organized; this suggestion was adopted and speedily carried into execution. Thus was provided an agency of much merit, and one by means of which the pent-up religious zeal and denominational enthusiasm and the loyalty of its membership were greatly increased and intelligently directed. Prominent among the names of those taking part in the preliminaries looking to a realiza- tion of this new departure we find those of Ruling Elder Robert Smiley, Nathaniel A. McNairy and James C. Robin- son-the last two named being elevated to the eldership of the church soon afterwards. Subsequently Ruling Elder Robinson1 was elected by the session the Superintendent of the Sunday school.
In 1820 the congregation had sufficient confidence in itself to make the venture-though at that time the finan-
1No picture of him obtainable.
-113-
8
.
cial outlook was not very encouraging for such an effort to be made by it-of employing a pastor, one who would devote his whole time to the work of the church. The step was taken and the employment of a regular pastor was continued for the succeeding seven years, when, in the spring of 1827, a growing invalidism in the pastor, Rev. Allan Ditchfield Campbell, D.D., necessitated a change. A second venture was made in the spring of 1828, Rev. Oba- diah . Jennings, D.D., being installed as pastor.
Many discouragements, arising from various causes, as before stated, had from the beginning beset the path- way of this struggling little band of earnest Christians, and their troubles seemed now to increase in strength and numbers. The health of the second pastor had become im- paired, and, while the congregation looked and hoped for his restoration, his condition constantly grew worse. This fact alone tended greatly to lessen the activities of the church, and somewhat to dishearten and depress the mem- bership. He lingered until January 12, 1832, when, after having served these good people for four years, he passed to his reward.
Within a little more than two weeks-to be exact, seven- teen days-after the pastor's death, and while the audi- torium of the church was still draped in deepest mourn- ing for him, an accidental fire on January 29, 1832, de- stroyed the entire church building, with its contents, ex- cept the altar Bible and hymn book. That courage which is born of an active, abiding faith in an overruling, all-wise. merciful God, and which is characteristic of Presbyterians throughout their history, was here again much in evidence. Undaunted by the scene of wreck and ruin before them and undismayed by the disaster which had swept away the house where the people of God were wont to gather together, the Bench of Elders, even before the smoke had blown away, called a congregational meeting for counsel and in-
-- 114-
.
struction. On Tuesday, January 31-two days after the church was burned-the meeting took place in accordance with the call, being held in "the session house." Much en- thusiasm prevailed; good feeling and hopefulness were to be seen in every face. The zeal of those in attendance is indicated in the statement that "it was unanimously re- solved by said meeting to rebuild said church with as little delay as possible."
The church membership was now one hundred and sixteen. The population of Nashville had increased consid- erably-being estimated, conservatively, at six or seven thousand-and the city was more and more claiming the attention of the outside world. For six or eight years steam- boats had plied the Cumberland with increasing frequency, carrying passengers and freight to Louisville and Pitts- burgh, on the Ohio, and to New Orleans, on the Missis- sippi ; stage lines had been established in several directions to points more or less remote, rendering communication more frequent and satisfactory ; the stir of an active and increasing commerce was manifested on every hand, and all seemed to feel the impetus of in- creasing prosperity and progress.
The church officials and members were a unit in the belief that the psycho- logical moment had arrived when, with proper effort, Presbyterism in this section would go forward by leaps and bounds.
THE SECOND CHURCH EDIFICE.
The Bench of Elders at this time con- sisted of five ruling elders, viz: James Nathl. A. McNairy. Elder 1824-1851. Trimble1 and Michael C. Dunn,1 elected in 1821; Nathaniel A. McNairy and James C. Robinson,1 elected in 1824 ; Robert H. McEwen, Sr., elected in 1829. In
'No picture of him obtainable.
-115-
arranging for active work, a committee, consisting of Ruling Elder Robert H. McEwen, Sr., together with eight others from the most influential members of the congregation, was appointed to solicit subscriptions; also, at the same time, a building committee was appointed, viz : Ruling Elder Robert H. McEwen, Sr., James Woods, James Erwin and Alpha Kingsley. The latter committee, in organizing, elected James Woods its Chairman and Alpha Kingsley was made the collector. The work of rebuilding was promptly begun and was progressing as rapidly as could reasonably be expected when, in the early spring of 1833.1 Asiatic cholera-which but recently, for the first time, had come to America- appeared in the town, producing panic and demoralizing to a disastrous degree all religious, social and business affairs, and causing the death of from one hundred and seventy- five to two hundred of the inhabitants. The cholera's vic- tims were mostly from the lower and most improvident class, yet here and there it reached the higher and more intelligent ranks as well. Dr. James Roane, a son of Gov- ernor Achibald Roane, and a physician of rare natural gifts and much skill, with a wide range of general informa- tion, and a member of the Presbyterian Church and con- tributor to its church-rebuilding fund, died of the disease after only a few hours' sickness. In caring for others. himself he forgot. Work upon the church building ceased, of course ; business generally was suspended throughout the community, and every one became obsessed with the idea that great personal harm was impending. The community did not fully recover from this staggering blow for several years.
After the epidemic had subsided, or nearly so, as for months afterwards there were sporadic cases of the mal- ady, and even during the following season of 1834 thirty- four deaths were reported as resulting from the disease
1Southern Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences, 1853.
-116-
in the town. After much effort the Bench of Elders finally succeeded in getting the work resumed upon the church building. While this interruption of three months or more had retarded the work and greatly confused the plans of the elders, yet in the late fall of 1833 the church edifice was completed and dedicated.
The congregation, which in the interim had worshiped in the Masonic Hall, now began holding services in its new home.
The church building was a beautiful brick structure of the Grecian-Doric style, and was said to have been, at that time, "the finest church edifice in the State and an orna- ment to the city." Its seating capacity was one thousand, and the cost of the building and its equipment was in round numbers $30,000. It had a nicely finished basement, with the entrance on Summer Street (Fifth Avenue, North), as now.
THE PEWS.
As an aftermath of the cholera visitation, the financial affairs of the community became greatly disturbed, money being scarce and difficult to get and collections exceedingly slow, in many cases impossible. The difficulty or impossi- bility of making collections was a painful realization to the office-bearers, who endeavored to collect the subscriptions on the church building fund. These men were evidently driven to their wits' end as to what to do to raise the neces- sary money with which to pay the overdue and pressing claims for work done. They finally adopted the novel, but questionable, expedient of selling the pews in the church- a procedure which we feel sure has been regretted by the membership of the church up to this good hour, and one which must continue to disturb the membership until a final and satisfactory disposition of the matter can be made. An auction was held in the auditorium, the pews being sold to the highest bidder, as other property is disposed of, and a duly signed deed was given to each purchaser. The fol-
-117-
lowing trustees were constituted a commission, clothed with full authority to conduct such sale and to execute such deeds: Ruling Elders Nathaniel A. McNairy, James C. Robinson and Robert H. McEwen, Sr .; Laymen S. V. D. Stout and Robert I. Moore, the first named layman being subsequently elected to the deaconship.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.