USA > Virginia > City of Staunton > City of Staunton > The First Presbyterian Church, Staunton, Virginia > Part 29
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One picnic I remember was at Fort Defiance, and one at Augusta White Sulphur Springs, I think we always had a picnic, and the same amount of fried chicken, lemon tarts, and cake, was consumed as is usual, on such occa- sions.
The first Xmas entertainment that I remember was in the lecture room, and long tables were spread in the aisles and were filled with good things to eat. That is the only part of the entertainment I recall. We had a "Jacob's Ladder" one Christmas. The ladder was against the door into the Infant room, which was then in the front of theroom, as the platform was between the doors of the lecture room. The ladder was covered with evergreens, and the presents and goodies were hung on the rungs. Jacob distributed the gifts instead of Santa Claus, but who the venerable Jacob was, I fail to recall.
We received dolls, horns, etc., in those days, and one grown up boy tells me he received his first drum at that entertainment. We had magic lantern entertainments,
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and the classes had banners. One red satin banner was the one that all classes, tried to hold. What was necessary to the winning of the banner, I do not recall.
After an absence from Staunton for a number of years, I again entered the Sunday School, and was in Miss Belle Bledsoe's class, and she was the best teacher I ever had. We learned a great deal of Scripture, the Shorter Cate- chism, besides taking great interest in the lesson. Mr. Guy Cochran was then superintendent and was a very active officer.
We recited proof texts by classes, and woe be to the member of the class who failed to do his or her part in the recitation.
I was later in a Bible class of Mr. Henry L. Hoover's together with about twenty other young ladies.
Afterwards I taught a class of boys, under Mr. Peck's superintendency.
BY DR. GEORGE S. WALKER
By request, I submit my limited experience in Sabbath School. I have been so situated in life as to preclude the possibility of personal connection with Sabbath School and it has been a constant regret all my life. I consider it one of the most important adjuncts or branches of our Church.
It is the root or hope and offspring of the Church.
As its root, it is the true source of its life, from which the Church is principally built up and is the true hope of its existence.
In conjunction with Christian home training, its im- portance cannot be overestimated. And like home train- ing it comes at a critical period of children's lives, a time when their lives are not harrassed with the cares and trials of the world and when their young minds are more recep- tive and easily impressed by the good things of God's
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word; and I believe the experience of every one who at- tends Sunday School will testify to its good and lasting im- pressions.
Seed sown in this way therefore falls in good ground, and springs up and brings forth abundant fruit to the Lord.
It is impossible to estimate how fully it permeates the whole future life, and in how many cases its effect are man- ifested. To illustrate, I will recite one instance:
There were four young men who went west and en- gaged in the cattle business. They lived together, and being separated from civilization and for want of enter- tainment and amusement began to play cards at night. It became a little monotonous, so they spiced it with a little betting, which grew to be a great evil, as little sins con- stantly indulged in do, and gambling became a nightly practice.
One night, as they sat around the table and while the cards were being shuffled, one of them leaning back on his chair began humming a hymn. One of the others had picked up his cards when all at once he threw them down again, saying, "I am done, I'll never play cards anymore, it is wrong and sinful. I remember that hymn as the first one I ever learned at Sunday School, and it recalls my home, my parents, and my Sunday School and henceforth I am going to lead a better life." And he became an earnest Christian.
My first experience in Sunday School was of course when a child, and at the Old Stone Church, near Fort Defi -- ance, Augusta County, Virginia, established over 150 years ago, and then under the pastorate of Rev. William Brown, D. D. I never was much of a school boy, but I became fond of going to Sunday School.
My father lived on a farm about three miles from the
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church. The children lived at a distance of from three to six miles from the church and on that account the school was suspended during the winter months.
During the session the School was well attended, not- withstanding the distance to be travelled and oftentimes bad weather. Everybody came on horseback. Parents came as a Christian duty and brought the children. It was surprising with what interest and eagerness they all came.
There were few commentaries on the Bible in those days and we had but few Sunday School papers, no quar- terlies, no Earnest Worker or anything of the kind to aid in teaching and studying the Bible. Teachers would read a portion of scripture and explain it.
The pupils were required to memorize some of the Bible and some good old hymns and the catechism was thor- oughly taught.
Another feature, different from the custom nowadays, was that the children stayed for preaching. Some and probably a good many of the smaller ones, would nap during the service, which did not annoy the pastor or people. They were under good influences and were away from home and out of mischief. One of the happiest recol- lections of my life are the services of that old Church and attendance of Sunday School. After going from home to school I have not been able to attend Sunday School ex- cept at intervals and as a teacher.
We should be thankful to our Heavenly Father for the Sunday School, where the teacher can aid the parents in bringing up the children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
BY HON. JOSEPH A. WADDELL
As far back as my memory extends there was a Sun- day School in connection with the Staunton Presbyterian Church. There is no record to show when or by whom it
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was begun. I was a pupil as soon as I was old enough to go to church, but I can recall very little about the school. It was held Sunday morning in the audience room of the Church. There was no lecture room, or other room. The pastor of the Church was the Rev. Joseph Smith, father of the Rev. Dr. James P. Smith, of Richmond.
I cannot recall who was superintendent of the School until years after my entrance as a pupil. One of my first teachers-if not the very first-was a young man named Charles Huff, of Winchester, nephew of Captain John C. Sowers and a pupil of the Rev. Mr. Thatcher, at the Academy. After him, my teacher for a time was Mr. John J. Craig, a promising young lawyer and devoted church member. I do not remember anything about the prelim- inary exercises of the School; of prayer and singing; nor can I recall what lessons the pupils learned, but my impression is that we used the Bible Question Book, issued by the American Sunday School Union. I am quite sure that I and my class did not commit texts of Scripture nor the catechism.
There was a library at an early date, and the earliest librarian, I recall was a young man named William Pax- ton, a nephew of Mrs. Alexander S. Hall.
It is strange that I remember only one boy who was in the class with me. My acquaintance with him ripened into friendship and continued during his life. He lived in Lynchburg many years, then in Richmond and finally spent some of the last years of his life in Staunton. I refer to the late Col. John C. Shields.
From the time of Mr. Craig, Mr. Paxton and John Shields, my memory is utterly at fault. I ceased to be a pupil in 1840, when I went to College at Lexington. Some- where between 1835 and 1845, the Superintendent was Captain Kenton Harper.
Subsequent superintendents as far as I remember were
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
John L. Campbell (afterwards professor at Lexington), Hugh J. Crawford, John Wayt, Joseph A. Waddell, William J. Nelson, Henry D. Peck and C. R. Caldwell.
Until a comparatively recent date the School had no organ and there was often a difficulty in regard to music.
BY MRS. FANNIE BAYLY KING
When I first remember our Sunday School, Mr. J. Addison Waddell was superintendent and Mr. H. A. Walker, librarian and treasurer. I cannot recall the name of the secretary. Mrs. Anna Fultz was organist and Mr. John W. Alby led the singing. The seats faced the doors and the platform and desk stood in front of the west window. A little later, the Infant room was cut off from the main room and the seats were turned around to face the east.
Rev. William E. Baker, who was our pastor at that time, announced one morning to the Sunday School that he would have a surprise for the scholars the next Sunday. The children came full of expectancy to find that he had put texts over each of the windows; and over the door, leading from the Sunday School room to the pulpit, was in- scribed the words, "Hear ye Him." Not long afterwards Mr. Baker in some way was locked behind this door and it was more than an hour before anyone heard his lusty calls and came to his release.
Mr. William J. Nelson was the next superintendent and Miss Sarah Wright had charge of the Infant room. Mr. William A. Burke was made librarian to succeed Mr. Walker who had severed his connection with the First Church to join the Second Presbyterian Church.
For a long time Miss Mary Crawford (afterwards Mrs. Darrow) was the organist. She was succeeded by Miss Lelia Burdette who was in time succeeded by Miss Nannie Gilmore our present organist.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
For a number of years, Mr. J. M. Brereton has aided the music with his cornet and at intervals we have had more or less of an orchestra and more recently, though the efforts of Miss Edmonia Smith, a choir has been organized and is now doing splendid work in adding to the spirit of the music and the enjoyment of the service.
Mr. Guy Cochran succeeded Mr. Nelson in the office of superintendent; and Mr. H. D. Peck was his successor.
The teachers I can remember are Mrs. Davis A. Kayser, Mrs. Leckey, Miss Alice Reid (now Mrs. Plummer Bryan) Mrs. William E. Baker, Mrs. G. G. Gooch, Mrs. William J. Nelson, Mr. Frank West, Dr. Newton Wayt, Mr. John Murray, Mr. Henry L. Hoover, Dr. H. M. Patterson, and Miss Helen Reid; and in more recent years, I recall Miss Rebecca Young, Miss Bessie Young, Mrs. C. R. Cald- well, Mrs. E. B. Lipscomb, Mr. Taylor McCoy, Mr. Tully Woodhouse, Mrs. G. D. Euritt, Mrs. Kate Nelson Stout, Miss Mary Cameron, Mr. Herbert J. Taylor and Miss Lelia
Burdett. Mrs. R. E. Timberlake and Miss Maggie McChesney each had charge of the Infant room for a num- ber of years, and for a short while it was presided over by Mrs. Annie T. Peale who was succeeded by Miss Natalie Hogshead. Following her came Miss Mary Yost who was principal of this department for a few months. Miss Theresa Haislip is now the head of this department. The first secretary I remember was Mr. J. J. Shirkey. Dr. S. H. Henkel succeeded him as secretary and held the office for a number of years. Mr. C. S. Hunter, who is the present secretary, took his place. For several years we have had an assistant secretary. Mr. Frank Drumheller at one time held this position and Mr. J. M. Bratton is at present our very efficient assistant. After Mr. Walker's return to our Church, he was again made librarian and treasurer. After several years he gave up the position of librarian, but continues to hold the office of treasurer.
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For a short period Mr. H. Clay Miller acted as librarian; Mr. Roy Kyle now fills that position.
The seats in the lecture room have again been changed facing south this time, and Mr. Waddell tells me that they were originally arranged this way.
Mr. C. R. Caldwell, the present superintendent of the School, was elected to that office by the Session during or about 1900.
Mr. J. N. McFarland was for years assistant superin- tendent. Dr. J. B. Rawlings succeeded Mr. McFarland and is our present assistant superintendent.
Mrs. J. A. Waddell conducts a Teacher's meeting on Saturday at 11.30, at the Church Parlors, for the study of the lesson.
A Home Department, with Mrs. Howe Cochran as superintendent, was organized several years ago and is still maintained. There are about one hundred members in this Department now and Mrs. S. H. Bell is the super- intendent.
A Cradle Roll Department has been organized and Miss Nettie Smith is at present in charge of the work.
For two years the collections of the school have been devoted to the various benevolent causes of the Church, exclusively, and the Church has supplied out of its treasury, funds, to cover the expenses of the School.
ROSTER OF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL DECEMBER 31, 1908
OFFICERS (8)
CALDWELL, C. R. Superintendent
RAWLINGS, DR. J. B. Assistant Superintendent
WALKER H. A. . Treasurer
HUNTER, C. S. Secretary
BRATTON, J. M. Assistant Secretary
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
KYLE, ROY RAILEY Librarian GILMORE, MISS NANNIE Organist
BRERETON, J. M.
. Cornetist
TEACHERS (23)
COFF, MISS MARGARET .Junior Department
EDMONDSON, MISS LUCY Senior Department
EDMONDSON, MISS GERTRUDE Intermediate Department
GILKESON, M. F. Junior Department
GILMORE, MRS. J. H. Intermediate Department
HAISLIP, MISS THERESA
. Superintendent Primary Department
HOGE, MISS BESSIE
.Junior Department
KING, MRS. WM. WAYT
Junior Department
LANDES, W. H.
. Senior Department
LUCAS, MRS. J. W.
Senior Department
PANCAKE, MISS EMILY
Assistant Primary Department
MOHLER, MISS BESSIE. Assistant Primary Department
PATTERSON, MISS ELSIE M. Intermediate Department PECK, H. D. Junior Department
RAWLINGS, MRS. J. B.
. Senior Department
RUSSELL, MRS. T. H.
Junior Department
SMITH, MISS EDMONIA
Senior Department
SMITH, MISS ANNA Assistant Primary Department
SMITH, MISS NETTIE WADDELL
Junior Department
TIMBERLAKE, MISS JOSEPHINE .Junior Department
WADDELL, J. ADDISON. . Senior Department
WADDELL, MRS. J. ADDISON . Senior Department
WALKER, DR. GEORGE S. Senior Department
SCHOLARS
Senior Department (60)
Allen, Jane McClellan
Black, Garrett Gooch
Baxter, Horton Bratton, Clyde
Bear, Roger Jones Brown, Mary Rebecca Crawford, H L Cox, Samuel
Berry, Dorothy Belt
Day, Frona May
Dixon, Effie Virginia
Bell, Sarah James Bell, Elizabeth Arbuthnot Bear, Janet
Easley, Bessie Edmondson, Edwin R.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
Fraser, Douglas DeSaussure
Livesay, Edward Ernest
Francisco, H. C.
Francisco, Genevieve Blair
Pancake, Elizabeth Gilkeson
Faw, George Rouss Feamster, R. M. Firebaugh, W. M. Firebaugh, Annie Florence
Pancake, William Calvin Palmer, Nellie Rawlings Anna Louise
Fulton, James Fairfax
Rutherford, Lottie
Fulton, Nannie Brownlee
Speck, Rachel Margaret
Flummer, Lue Emma
Gilkeson, Janie Hale
Switzer, Virginia Watson Swisher, Margaret
Gilmore, Nannie (counted with officers) Harris, Susie Hoge, Thomas B.
Silling, Mrs. John T. Smith, Bertha May
Steele, Mrs. Lawrence B.
Tabb, Margaret Argyle
Hoge, A. M. ·
Hoge, H. B.
Kinney, Mrs. Edward
Kimler, J. R.
Tilman, Henry Overton
Walker, Naomi Robson
Lang, Irma
Weller, William
Landes, Bessie Wallace
Wood, Nellie Thompson
Lambert, Agnes Morton
Ying, Lau
Intermediate Department (22)
Brown, Thomas Rush .
Crawford, Dorothy
Crawford, Annistine
Moore, Helen Gibbs
Crawford, Mildred
O'Rork, Lelia
Curry, Eleanor May
Paine, Lucile Howard Rosenberger, James Thom Tribbett, Daisy Ott
Holliday, Isabel Painter
Tribbett, Virginia
Walker, Moffett Miller Robson
Walker, Margaret
Yeago, Emma
Junior Department
(51)
Brandeburg, Rudolph Willoughby Bell, Mary Lou Bell, Hallie Preston Berry, Winifred Reynolds
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Terry, George Aubrey Timberlake, Elizabeth Hart
Timberlake, Nannie Fauntleroy
Kyle, D. M.
Lyle, Joe Ryan Miller, Mary
Faw, Elizabeth Garber, Helen
Hoge, Charles Kerr, Jr. Lang, Henry L., Jr. Lyle, Hugh Frank
Long, Clarence Carpenter Myers, Lititia Marie
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
Brereton, Edgar Duffield Brereton, Rebecca May Brown, John Richard Caldwell, Elizabeth
Hoge, Evelyn Bayly
Hunter, Charles Strickler, Jr.
Lang, Helen
Livick, Jackson
Caldwell, Allen Houchens
Marshall, William McCue
Cochran, Edna Stephenson
Miller, Leola Anna
Cochran, Mabel Lucile
Moore, John Edwin
Cochran, Ellen Irene.
Myers, William Henry Bryan
Curry, Constance Dana
Nelson, Clara King
Cunningham, John Bryan
Nelson, Thomas Rodes
Day, Verner
Nottingham, Margaret 1
Day, Ruth Harland
Payne, Philip Marshall
Effinger, Katherine Taylor
Paine, Howard Alexander
Fraser, Jean Blanding
Porter, John Miller
Ferguson, Milton Winter
Rawlings, Herbert Sidney
Garber, Elizabeth Hanger
Rodgers, Rachel
Garman, Forrest
Rutherford, James Coyner
Greathead, Robert Newton
Shirkey, Elizabeth
Greathead, Carroll D.
Southard, Monroe
Glenn, Minnie Ola
Tribbett, Anna Wilson
Hanger, Mary Preston
Walker, Alex
Hanger, Charles Philip
Woodson, Fred Edgar
Young, Frank Marshall
Young, Isabel Nelson
Primary Department
Boys (30)
Baugher, Meredith Fletcher Brereton, Munford Joseph Moffett
Paine, Kenneth Ast
Paine, Wilmer
Rodgers, Charles William
Rodgers, George
Rodgers, William Craig
Rosenberger, George Spitler
Rosenberger, Warren Shelton
Hanger, Ralph Pierce Hospital, Joe Oliver
Sownes, Howard
Jones, Clarence Chenoweth Lee, Frank Marshall Mauzy, Courtney Miller, Harvey B. Mohler, Francis Olivier, Warner Lewis Opie, John, Jr.
Sownes, Lacy Shreve, Carl Shreve, Tom Harry
Silling, John Ralston Sproul, Hugh Bell
Tannehill, Joe Bowling Timberlake, Landon
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Brigstock, Horace Dunbar Brigstock, Jack K. Brubeck, Charles Arnold Cochran, Hunter Raymond
Harris, John Craig
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STAUNTON, VA.
Primary Department
Girls
(35)
Baugher, Iva Clinton
Murray, Frances Dunbar
Bear, Katharine Russell
Nance, Willie Vaiden
Bell, Margaret Kent
Olivier, Elizabeth Grattan
Blancow, Helen Elizabeth
Opie, Eleanor Cameron
Brereton, Ruth Elizabeth
Parkins, Virginia
Campbell, Ruth Carnegie
Shreve, Lizzie May
Cochran, Isabel Mary
Shreve, Pauline
Curry, Dorothy
Rutherford, Marguerite
Day, Rena Meade
Sprinkel Mary Jeanette
Fulton, Ruth Givens
Sproul, Eugenia
Greathead, Eleanor Robinson
Sproul, Harriet Erskine
Greathead, Virginia Marshall
Southard, Virginia
Hanger, Lelia Burdette
Tribbett, Jean Alexander Tribbett, Mary Spencer
Haskins, Grace
Wallace, Marion
Hogshead, Ann Archer
Walker, Ann Byrd
Mercereau, Dorothy W.
Walker, Margaret Henry
Harris, Margaret
Yost, Merrill Cushing
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CHAPTER XX
THE LAST WORD
I ASKED for the privilege of writing this final para- graph. Without disclosing the nature of its contents I promised to assume entire responsibility for it. My. object is to give in a few lines some account of the man who has given us this book.
The title page shows that the book has been "compiled and arranged " by Mr. Arista Hoge. Mr. Hoge has been a deacon in the First Church since 1880 and he has been the treasurer since 1885. Paul highly commends those deacons "who have used the office of a deacon well," and it is often remarked in these modern times that a good deacon can do as much for the success of a church as any one connected with it. Mr. Hoge fully illustrates this.
The improvement of the financial interests of the Church has been in a very large measure the result of his intelligent, devoted and tireless efforts. He has accom- lished it chiefly by keeping the Church informed as to what it is doing and what is expected of it. At intervals, as occasion requires, he issues printed reports, not merely setting forth the figures, but also in a judicious manner putting before the congregation arguments and exhorta- tions in the form of appropriate and forcible quotations. This is always done in a most pleasing style that arrests attention, and never offends.
After serving the Church as treasurer for fifteen years he published a financial statement covering the en- tire period, accounting for every cent he had received within that time, showing from what source it had come
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and for what purpose it had been used. His modesty always prevents him attaching his name to reports of this kind.
In addition to conducting the finances of the Church, he has taken the most active interest in keeping the ma- terial property of the Church in a substantial and attrac- tive condition. He gives his time freely to the oversight of any improvements of the Church building and grounds and of the manse property. All of this service he renders without any personal return except the gratification of seeing the work well done and the consciousness of the gratitude and affection of his fellow members.
It is safe to say that no church ever had a treasurer who was more active and efficient or who was more uni- versally acceptable to the people.
The issuing of this book, so replete with information of congregational (and even wider) interest, is a fitting crown of his long and invaluable service.
A. M. FRASER.
€
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