££:££^X-jQ, ("OLV rg,BL.f J m m . yf '/ /^ ^p^ THE REV. FRANK WOOLFORD SNEED, D.D. Present Pastor MAP -2 1926 •\o, ^G/CAL8t\AV^ East Liberty Presbyterian Church With Historical Setting and a Narrative of the Centennial Celebration April 12-20, 1919 COMPILED BY Georgina G. Negley, A.B. FOR THE East Liberty Presbyterian Church "God go loved the world that He care His Only Begotten Son, that whosoerer believeth In Him should not periib. bat have everlaitinE life." — John iii:16 PITTSBURGH MURDOCH. KERR A CO. PRESS 1919 CONTENTS Page Foreword 1 Centennial Hymn 2 The Rev. Frank W. Sneed, D.D. I History Prelude and Threads of History 3 Georgina G. Negley Sermons and Addresses Forty-fifth Anniversary 37 The Rev. John Gillespie, D.D. Fiftieth Anniversary 59 The Rev. John Gillespie, D.D. Sixtieth Anniversary and Dedication of Present Church 79 William G. Johnston Tenth Anniversary of Pastorate 105 The Rev. J. P. E. Kumler, D.D. Centennial Sermon 119 The Rev. Frank W. Sneed, D.D. Women's Work 143 Mrs. Wm. M. McKelvy Finance — A Century of Finance 153 Mrs. J. H. Runnette Organizations 159 II Centennial Celebration Reproduction of Centennial Program 171 Centennial Celebration 183 Pageant 185 H. Fred. Mercer CONTENTS— Continued . Page Anniversary Sabbath Sabbath School 191 Address 192 Mr. Samuel E. Gill Morning Service — Unveiling of Memorial Tablet. . . . 194 Centennial Sermon 119 The Rev. Frank W. Sneed, D.D. Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor 197 The Rev. H. A. Gearhart Evening Service — Unveiling and Dedication of Church Flag 198 Men's Day 201 J. Roy Dickie Synopsis of Address 202 The Rev. J. Timothy Stone, D.D. Women's Day 204 Mrs. Wm. M. McKelvy Historical Interpretation of Tableaux 205 Mrs. Valeria M. J. Pears Old Folks' Concert 212 HoME-CoMiNG Day Reception 214 The Relics 217 Marguerite M. Elder Greetings 218 CONTENTS— Continued Page Centennial Communion Service 219 Synopsis of Address 221 The Rev. G. A. Frantz Soldiers' Day Unveiling of Memorial Service Tablet 223 Address of Presentation 225 The Rev. Frank W. Sneed, D.D. Address of Acceptance 229 Captain Roy F. Miller Tree Planting Address 230 Samuel E. Gill In Memoriam 233 Easter Centennial Closing Exercises 236 Morning Sermon — "Foreign Missions" 238 The Rev. A. W. Halsey, D.D. Evening Sermon — "Promise and Possession" 248 The Rev. George M. Ryall Report of Committee on Memorials 254 Report of Committee on Centennial Endowment Fund 254 A Forward Vision 256 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS The Rev. Frank W, Sneed, D.D. Mrs. Barbara Anna Negley The "Negley Mansion" Facsimile of Original Grant Reverse of Original Grant The First Church, 1819 The Rev. John Gillespie, D.D. The Second Church, 1848 The Third Church, 1864 William G. Johnston John Roup George G. Negley The Rev. Wm. B. Mcllvaine, D.D. The Rev. J. P. E. Kumler, D.D., LL.D. The Rev. Benjamin L. Agnew, D.D., LL.D. The Kumler Memorial Chapel The Fourth Church, 1888-1919 James I. Buchanan Robert Bailey, Sr. John Grounds, Jr. Facsimile of Centennial Invitation Samuel E. Gill Memorial Tablet Richard B. Mellon The War Work of Today A Group of "Old Folks" The Buds of Promise Memorial Service Tablet Lieutenant James Dana Paull Lieutenant Alvan M. Clements Citation Lieutenant Clarence C Kahic Lieutenant Clarence C. Kahle William M. Robinson Charles H. West FOREWORD In God's dealings with His chosen people, He Himself set apart certain seasons in which they should celebrate His loving kindness and honor him with special recognition of His bounty and blessing. Such occasions were permeated with fragrant memories of their God-given leaders, the heritage of whose faith and service impelled them to richer endeavor. The historic record of these eras of worshipful rejoicing was handed down as a legacy and incentive to future genera- tions. It was on such an occasion that Nehemiah records the inspiring truth — "The joy of the Lord is your strength." In a similar spirit, and in response to an obvious desire on the part of the Congregation; the Session, Deacons and Trustees of East Liberty Presbyterian Church, in joint council, decided that an appropriate observance of the Centenary of the found- ing of the Congregation should be held, and also that a Cen- tennial volume should be prepared. It is a splendid commentary on the character of our people that though living in the day of haste and high explosives, aeroplanes and wireless telegraphy, they still revere and appre- ciate the achievements of those sturdy ancestors who laid the foundations on which we are now building. Earnest effort has been made to gather into the pages of this book, in condensed form, the main facts relating to the founding and to the de- velopment of the life of this mother of Churches and of the Community of East Liberty in so far as they have acted and reacted upon each other. It is obviously appropriate that the various historical Sermons and Addresses delivered on previous occasions should also be incorporated, together with an account of the Centennial Celebration, in order that all might be pre- served in permanent and convenient form. A just recognition of our debt to the past is one of the finest marks of a regnant race. Each generation is the heir of all the Ages, and its repre- sentatives can never explain what they are nor what they have done without due acknowledgment of what they have inherited. In the consciousness of these facts, this volume is offered. Frank Woolford Sneed. The Rev. Frank Woolford Sneed, D.D. O Church of Christ, in service Think of Thy risen Head, Who died for thee on Calvary, And for thy sins He bled. O Church of Christ, in suffering Be faithful to thy Lord, Who promised to sustain thee In His own precious word. O Church of Christ, now waiting. The promised time draws near When He who said. Til come again. In glory shall appear. O Church of Christ triumphant, Thy toil, thy warfare o'er, Glory and honor with thy Lord, Is thine forevermore. History MRS. BARBARA ANNA NEGLEY PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY Georgina G. Negley E, as Americans, have reached a sufficient altitude in the erection of our body politic to feel a keen interest in the circumstances relative to the laying of its foundations. As Presbyterians, we may entertain a just, yet humble, pride in the part which the Presbyterian Church, collectively and individually, has been permitted to take in assisting our great Democracy to lay its foundations wisely and well. During the Revolutionary War, Presbyterians stood staunch- ly for a free Church in a free country, and when the Conti- nental Congress in Philadelphia was hesitating over adopting Jefferson's Declaration of Independence, the ringing speech of John Witherspoon, D. D., the able Presbyterian divine and patriot, and a lineal descendant of John Knox, helped greatly to bring the body to its decision. A striking similarity, also, exists between the form of govern- ment of the Presbyterian Church and the form adopted by our judicious forefathers for this great Republic, and it is said that suggestion and inspiration were received by the latter from the former. In recounting the early history of East Liberty, meagre as arc oiu" authentic sources of information, there is yet ample evi- dence to assure us that, even as the patriarchs of old were divinely led, and as they considered the building of an altar to Jehovah as essential as the pitching of the family tent, even so did the early pioneers of this section begin with God. We are reminded of Jehovah's promise to Isaac: "Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee and will bless thee." "And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the Lord." CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Even so, it was not an accident but part of the Divine plan that the foundations of this community were laid by Christian hands. At the momentous era of the founding of our Republic, the exigencies of war and the aggressive spirit of the founders had afforded an opportunity to men who had originally settled in the East to see the superior advantages of the West, and to determine to endure the trials and hardships of pioneer life in order to open up a new country. In the year 1778 there came from Eastern Pennsylvania Alexander Negley, whom family records of the early days name as the first permanent white settler in the East Liberty valley, locating on the present site of Highland Park. He had a godly ancestry, being a descendant of John Nageli, the Swiss reformer, a co-worker with Zwingli in the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century. Educated in eastern Pennsylvania, where educational facili- ties were good even at that early date, it is not surprising that he and his family contributed their services not alone to the building up of the commercial, financial and industrial life of Pittsburgh, but that they made definite efforts to minister to the spiritual and educational needs of the growing community. As other pioneers of similar religious fervor settled in the neighborhood, there began to crystallize a Christian com- munity, the influence of which served to mold its life in the early and plastic period. As usual, the forces of evil also appeared, as early records bear witness ; but, as in every battle for the supremacy of the right, with Divine help, which is never withheld, righteous- ness must win, so the hands of the Lord's servants were but strengthened by the conflict. A few of these early names remain with us in their de- scendants, but more, doubtless, have passed on, their names forgotten here, but their work recorded on high. We owe a tribute of gratitude to these early pioneers, known and unknown, who gave the impress of their sterling integrity, as well as their arduous labors, to laying the foundations of the superstructure of social, industrial, educa- tional and religious life, the benefits of which we now enjoy. PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY Not a tribute of fulsome praise would we offer, so out of harmony with their modest lives, but rather let us offer the tribute of our own lives, quickened to renewed effort in the building of the yet incomplete superstructure, laying the beams of righteousness, truth and stability in the same heroic spirit which characterized their efforts, ever holding aloft, as they did, the torch of Christian faith which illumined their pathway. Thus shall we best hallow their memory. The first knowledge we have of religious services being held in this valley is in the year 1790, though they were probably held at even an earlier date. When we consider that Pennsylvania, the second State in the Union to ratify the Constitution, did so on December 12, 1787; that the first American Presbyterian General Assembly convened in Philadelphia in May, 1789; and that in 1794 Pittsburgh was incorporated as a town, with a population of about one thousand, we realize that we are recounting early history for this locality. The valley was long known by the name of Negleytown, the name having been given by travelers who passed to and fro between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia; for, as we shall see later, through this valley lay a route by which travelers journeyed in very early days. When Jacob Negley, who with his wife owned large tracts of land, laid out a town at the junction of what is now Penn and Frankstown avenues, he named it East Liberty. Alexander Negley with forty-one others had in 1782 founded the first church organization in Pittsburgh, then known as Pitt Township, and on September 29, 1787, the First Presbyterian Church was incorporated, and Beulah Church, in the other direction, was founded in 1784; but, on account of the bad roads in winter, and the wild state of the countr}', with Indians roaming about, it was often difficult for the families of the little settlement at Negleytown to attend church nearly five miles distant. History records that at this era the Indian massacres of white people at times became alarming, and many had to flee from their homes to seek protection in the nearest fort. CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH In consequence of these conditions, Alexander Negley had services conducted in his home about once a month, the minister usually being the pastor of the town church with which he was connected. At one of these services held in his home in 1790, his son, Jacob Negley ,who as a youth had rendered valuable assistance to his father in building the town church, met and loved Barbara Anna Winebiddle, the daughter of another early pioneer, whose father, John Conrad Winebiddle, had also been one of Mr. Negley 's associates in the founding of the Lutheran organization, which still worships at the corner of Smithfield street and Sixth avenue. She was then but twelve years of age, he being twelve years her senior, and five years later, June 19, 1795, they were married, and located on a farm at the present corner of North Negley and Stanton avenues ; they, in turn, becoming the initial founders of this, the first church organization in the East Liberty valley. The large family Bible with which they began housekeeping is still preserved. Civic memoirs record that in 1796 Pittsburgh had but one hundred two houses. About a decade previous to 1819, the exact date not being recorded, Jacob Negley built a comfortable frame school house of reasonable dimensions on the present site of the East Liberty Presbyterian Church, to provide educational facilities for his own and his neighbors' children. He also built a raised cinder path from his home to the school house. In this school house religious services were sometimes held; at other times, they were held in the homes of neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. Negley had in their home, built in 1808, and familiarly known as the "Negley Mansion," a portable pulpit kept in reserve for use on such occasions. This house was built of brick made on the grounds, and was said to be one of the three finest residences west of the Allegheny Mountains at that time. It is also related that when first built the house was provided with mural loopholes for rifles for pro- tection from the Indians. For some time previous to the occasion, the centenary of which we now celebrate, earnest efforts were being made to 6 THE "NEGLEY MANSION," BUILT 1808 Where Early Keligious Services Were Held PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY interest the community in the erection of a church building with a pastor and regular church services, and to bring to their realization a vision of the future of the valley and its growing needs. With all our splendid equipment of the present day, we can scarcely appreciate the difficulties which attended the service of the Master by those who had the love of God at heart a century ago. There was, oftentimes, the difficulty of securing religious services for the burial of the dead, and ministry to the sick and dying. Ministers, as well as physicians, were scarce. These conditions were matters of great concern to those interested, and they often, with great effort secured the former, and rendered the latter services themselves, both men and women conducting religious meet- ings when ministers were not available. On March 8, 1816, a civic charter was granted to Pitts- burgh, and in the same year the Pittsburgh and Greensburg turnpike was constructed through East Liberty, being the dividing line between the old Nineteenth and Twentieth wards of the city, the name Penn avenue being given to it at that time in honor of William Penn. The fact of its being constructed one hundred feet wide through what is now the business portion of East Liberty is due to the sagacity and foresight of Jacob Negley, who made a strenuous plea to the other property holders that this width should continue all the way into the city, but they failed to share his wider vision. However, he laid out the portion which passed through his own and his wife's domain the desired one hundred feet, which gives this church property its fine Penn avenue frontage. As Mr. Negley superintended the moving back of his fences, his neighbors and passing travelers jocularly criti- cised his waste of land, but he calmly replied that the day was coming when the valley would need a wide thoroughfare. The original survey of five miles of this road from Lawrenceville eastward is still preserved among family rec- ords, as that portion was built by Mr. Negley and his son, Jacob Negley, Jr. (father of the late General James S. Negley), both being civil engineers. CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH In this connection, a brief reference to some of the salient features of this famous thoroughfare by which we approach our beloved Zion, may be of interest, since for almost a cen- tury it had the distinction of being the most important high- way in the United States, and around this portion of it the development of East Liberty has largely centered. Mr. J. Ralph Park, a member of this church, made a study of the subject, and from the result of his careful investi- gation, published in 1909, we are permitted to quote; "According to tradition, this road is said to have been laid out originally along the line of the old Indian path, which was used prior to the building of Fort Pitt as the trail from the forks of the Ohio, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join to the east, and is sometimes called the Old Glade Road. "In 1753, when George Washington was sent out by the Ohio Company, he rode from Turtle Creek to Shannopins- town on horseback along the Indian Trail which led through what is now the East Liberty valley. "Investigation in regard to the exact location of the old military road made by Washington under the command of General Forbes at the time of the taking of Fort Duquesne in 1758, proves that this road was along the present line of Penn avenue through East Liberty. It was the direct route from the east to Shannopinstown, an Indian village on the Allegheny River, located at what is now Thirty-fourth street. The renowned Christopher Gist records in his Journal that he reached Shannopinstown November 19, 1750, by way of the old Indian path, and spent four days there, where were about twenty families of Indians, ruled by an old Iroquois woman known as Queen Alliquippa. "In Revolutionary days it was known as the Forbes Road, and over it the Revolutionary armies passed, as well as travelers in general. As many as sixty thousand immigrants from the old world are said to have passed over it in a single year in the early part of the last century on their way to the Ohio Country and the 'Boundless West.' It was also known as the State Road, which was first completed as far as Bedford; a few years later, in 1791, it was completed and opened up 8 PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY for travel between Bedford and Pittsburgh, It was a clay road, and at certain seasons was almost impassable for heavy conveyances, so that packhorses were largely used for trans- portation. A common mode of travel was by foot. The average pedestrian by walking thirty miles per day could cover the distance between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in about ten days." July, 1788, history records that James Bryson engaged to carry the mail directly from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, and established a regular route. He carried the mail sometimes on horseback, and later in a gig or sulky. A mail left Pitts- burgh for the East every Friday morning and one arrived from Philadelphia every Friday. "In 1805-'06 a regular stage line ran over the State road from Pittsburgh to Chambersburg, where it connected with a similar one which had been operated for some years for passengers to Philadelphia. In 1806 the stage carried the mail from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. "The turnpike period in Western Pennsylvania began with the charter of what was known as the Pittsburgh and Phila- delphia turnpike. The Philadelphia and Harrisburg section was, in fact, the first great road built in the United States. "The western section of the road was known as the Pitts- burgh and Greensburg turnpike, and, as we have seen, was completed through East Liberty in 1816. It was, of course, a toll road, and the toll from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and back for a narrow wheeled wagon was $29.30." In 1826, the Legislature provided for the construction of the Pennsylvania Canal, and the work was pushed through so rapidly that, in 1827, the eastern portion was in operation, and it was not until June, 1829, that the first trip was made on the western division of the canal. This canal was laid out with a high degree of engineering skill. On February 15, 1854, the Pennsylvania Railroad was formally opened between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and trains ran through all the way by rail. December 10, 1852, there was railroad connection made between the two points, with the exception of twenty-eight miles of portage a short distance east of Pittsburgh. CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH In 1816 the East Liberty steam mill, the first steam flour mill west of the Allegheny mountains, was erected by Mr. Negley at the present northeast corner of Penn and Collins avenues (the latter being long known as Mill street), which proved a great boon to the community. Previous to this time, milling through the country was done by rudely con- structed mills on small streams, which, in case of drought, became dry, and, consequently, the mill remained idle some- times for long periods, causing great inconvenience and suf- fering. With the advice of Mr. Cadwallader Evans, of Pittsburgh, the inventor of the high pressure steam engine, Mr. Negley established a steam mill, the machinery for which was brought from Philadelphia by wagon. The main part of the building was torn down about 1844 by Mr. George Evans, only a small shed remaining. About 1849, Mr. David Kuhn built a mill on what is now Collins avenue, a short distance to the northwest of the first one, and this later building, which is sometimes confused with the earlier mill, is the one which was converted into a building which, for many years, served as headquarters for the East Liberty Young Women's Christian Association. The East Liberty of 1819, as depicted by early writers, presents a marked contrast to the East Liberty of today. It was composed largely of farms and grazing lands, with occa- sional fruit orchards and a few of the home surroundings under good cultivation, where formerly was a thick growth of white oak and hickory timber. The population of Pittsburgh in 1820 is recorded as 7,248. The population of Allegheny County in 1821 is placed at 6,969 taxables. Pittsburgh had been brought into prominence as a political factor in the affairs of the nation owing to the part played by her manufacturers during the War of 1812. The un- settled condition of the tariff question and other circumstances following the War of 1812, however, brought about the seri- ous financial crisis of 18 19- '20, which was one of the con- tributing causes to the delay in the organization of East Liberty Church. This era is memorable as the time when action was 10 PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY being formulated which resulted in the declaration of the famous Monroe Doctrine. This brief summary of conditions and influences in the his- tory of East Liberty which contributed to the founding of this congregation, has been deemed essential to an intelligent understanding of the history of this Church, and leads us to the event of November 18, 1818, when there was started what in modern parlance we would call a campaign to raise subscriptions for a church building. A very clear record of this transaction is on file, with the names of eighty-nine subscribers, the sums ranging from three dollars to one hundred dollars, only two contributions, how- ever, of the latter sum being recorded, with one of sixty dol- lars, and seven of fifty dollars each, the remainder being in smaller amounts, the total amount being $1,561.62^. The following are the names of the subscribers, a few of whom gave because of their interest in the worthy cause, and their friendship for its promoters, rather than through any per- sonal association with the proposed church : JACOB NEGLEY ALEX THOMPSON, SR. ALEX THOMPSON, JR. CASPER NEGLEY DAVID EAKIN JOHN FLUCK SOLOMON BERLIN JOHN KENNEDY JAMES ROSS DAVID IRWIN JOHN GIBSON JOHN ROUP JAS. STEVENSON JOHN EWALT FRED FLUCK JOSHUA ROSS WM. PEEBLES JAMES CLARK JOHN FRICKMAN FRED STONER EPHRAIM JORDAN SAMUEL PEEBLES SAMUEL McCREA JAMES GARRISON JAMES FLEMING GEORGE McCOMBS DAVID BERLIN WM. FULLER HENRY ATKINSON DAVID KENNEDY CHRIS CLEM CHARLES SEELY F. WARMCASTLE, SR. HENRY KING JAMES JONES WM. HAMILTON WM. B. FOSTER F. WARMCASTLE, JR. CHRIS KAUFMAN JOHN McDonald ROBT. PATTERSON SAMUEL H. SCOTT MORGAN NEVILLE JOHN LAFABOR JOHN FERREE JAMES BROWN II CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WILLIAM SKILES WM. McCREA, JR. WILLIAM HERRON BAPTIST McCOMBS JOHN INNIS and WISEMAN GEO. A. BAYARD HENRY HOFER EPHRAIM PENTLAND SAMUEL KINGSTON JOHN WILLSON WILLIAM CAVEN A. F. GORE JOSEPH OLIVER JAS. B. OLIVER GEORGE WOLFE WILLIAM McCALL WM. L. COOPER JOHN McCASLIN JONAS ROUP SAMUEL DUNCAN MAJ. JNO. FINLEY LAZARUS STEWART THOS. H. FINLEY WILLIAM MOORE JACOB NEGLEY, JR. BARNEY M. KAIN JACOB SPANG DANIEL BERLIN WM. WALLACE JAS. DEMPSTER GEORGE MIERS WM. BINGHAM JAMES SILLS DANIEL NEGLEY JOHN DAHLEM JAS. M. RIDDLE NICH. DAHLEM GEO. H. McNAIR JOS. SAWTELL JOS. WAINWRIGHT JNO. SARBER ISAAC HARRIS ABRAHAM REIMER On April 12, 1819, a meeting of the subscribers and all interested in the great cause was called at the school house. At this meeting, Jacob Negley and his wife, Barbara Anna Negley, deeded to a board of trustees elected by the subscribers to the building fund, of which board Mr. Negley was made president, in trust to them and to their successors forever, the choicest site which the beautiful valley afforded. The property was a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Negley jointly. Mrs. Negley's ancestral inheritance adjoined her husband's estate, and from their united possessions they selected this as the most advantageous site for a church. Time has proved the wisdom of their choice, and they both rejoiced in giving the best gift at their joint disposal to the Giver of all good. On the same day, being Easter Monday, a constitution was adopted containing thirteen sections. The purpose of the gift is clearly expressed in section 6: — "The lot of one and one-half acres of ground granted by Jacob Negley shall be vested in the President and Trustees 12 ^ '^'i^/'flL, Jm \ C»M^^ cUctyfp^d %A*^fn9 Oi'r**^ ^ a<**.7l /^r^^~^ b-^i^J ... ■ i ^ X' V ^ /-^ __. .^ _ , - . ^ I L ^H/QTrt- Oi^^3 « t^ ^-'^^ 7<'' /r (Reverse of Original Grant) "Allegheny Co. ss: '"Personally came before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Mr. Jno. Ormsby and being rtuly sworn as the law directs deponeth and saith that he is well acquainted with the Hand Writinj? of H. Boquet, Col., and the within Permit was wrote and signed by the aforesaid Col. Boquet. Sworn and subscribed before me this 4th day of Nov. 1788 "JOHN ORMSBY. "GEO. WALLACE." Tm^- r 1 Si ^ i= t c . ■ o o T, y— O 3, it 3 O.S Cj= o "til n £f S ►si '■5 c ° o S o J; * ■- =* C OS .2 c o Q, — go -a PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY and their successors for the use and behoof of the said East Liberty Congregation for a Meeting House, School House and Graveyard, and no other purpose whatever." So that this sacred spot has for one hundred years been formally consecrated to the highest and noblest interests of the community — the worship of the Triune God, with all the spiritual culture which accompanies such worship. ORIGINAL GRANT OF CHURCH PROPERTY Before the era of our national independence, power from the crown was delegated to the commandants of the forts to issue military grants for the improvement of lands near the forts, or on the military roads leading from one fort to another. A cut of one of these early grants, which covered the site of East Liberty Presbyterian Church, issued by Col. Boquet to Casper Taub in 1762 (two years before the blockhouse at the Point was built), is herewith reproduced, having been pre- served among family records. The patent for this property was taken out in 1784, and was bequeathed by Casper Taub to his daughter Barbara, the ma- ternal grandmother of Mrs. Barbara Anna Negley, to whom the title descended. Through the courtesy of Attorney William D. Evans, for many j^ears a member of this congregation, this statement has been verified from the records and the following copy of the notation of the patent to Casper Taub secured. As in all early documents, allowance must be made for varia- tion in spelling: "November 19, 1784, then surveyed the above tract of land containing 303 acres and allowances of 6 per cent, for roads, etc., in pursuance of a copy of an order (or location) signed by the Surveyor General April 13, 1769, No. 3146 in the name of Casper Toupe Sr. on General Forbes Road about 4 miles from Pittsburgh. "(Signed) BENJ. LODGE, D. S." It is a remarkable fact that the original grantee is, at the present time, represented in the membership of East Liberty 13 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Presbyterian Church to the eighth generation, the donor, Mrs. Barbara A. Negley, being the fourth generation in line of descent. We are gratefully indebted to the Pittsburgh Board of Trade, through Mr. J. Ralph Park, for the use of the plates which portray the Grant. For more than half a century, beginning at a time when there was no free school system in Pennsylvania, the educa- tional necessities of the community were partially, and some- times very largely, supplied here. Although the wisdom of the framers of the State constitution of 1790 was shown in the provision that the Legislature should as soon as convenient arrange for schools throughout the State in which "the poor should be educated gratis," yet the first bill establishing such a system was not passed until 1834, and met with consider- able hostility from some of the wealthy taxpayers, surprising as that fact may seem to us today. On this site, too, for many years were the beloved dead laid to rest. The latter purposes are now better served elsewhere, but the worship of God, and all the attendant activities and benefits continue to flow forth from this life-giving fountain — a "Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth," which, through all these decades, has been a channel of untold blessing to this community and city, and regions far beyond — the full record being only kept on high. We can scarcely estimate the importance of the educational work conducted here in the first half of the Nineteenth century. The absence of transit accommodations, and other conditions, made it impracticable for the youth of East Liberty to avail themselves of the advantages of the town schools at that early day. Later, some schools were established in East Liberty, but it was a long period ere the necessity for educational work in connection with this Church was entirely outgrown. Mrs. Sarah Negley Mellon, wife of Judge Thomas Mellon, who attended school in the first frame building erected by her father, described it as a comfortable frame school house of good dimensions for that day, and the fact that it stood until about 1835 bears out her statement. 14 PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY The 1819 building, which stood until about 1862, was retained for educational purposes long after it had outgrown its possibilities as a church. Some of the older members of this church and community were pupils in the East Liberty Academy, so long conducted in the 1819 building, familiarly known as Moore's Academy, where the curriculum included Greek, Latin and the higher branches. It was presided over for many years by Rev. Joseph Paden Moore. Prof Moore is still held in grateful remem- brance by his former pupils. He was born at Frankfort Springs, Beaver County, Pa., and married Miss Bigger, of the same place. He was ably assisted in the duties of the Academy by Rev. William Addison Burchfield, son of the revered elder of this church. Prof. Burchfield later conducted the Newell Institute of Pittsburgh, and the memory of his noble life and honored service is still fragrant. As late as September 30, 1863, we find the following record on the minutes of the trustees : "Unanimously agreed that Mr. Campbell could have the use of the old church building for the purpose of establishing a select school for one year." One of the latest teachers was Miss Giddings, who is still re- membered by former pupils. The early records show that the educational work conducted here was always under the supervision of the board of trustees of the church. The close of the educational work on this site was soon followed by the establishment in 1870 of what is now known as the Pennsylvania College for Women, which has developed into an institution of which this community may well be proud, and which will soon celebrate its semi-centennial. In relation to the closing of the mission of this site as a graveyard, many bodies having previously been removed, a lot 30x40 feet was purchased in Homewood Cemetery by the trustees, and in May, 1886, the remains still resting in the chtirchyard were transferred there, interment having ceased some years previous. The congregation so auspiciously launched in' 1819 soon met with difficulties, but the little band of faithful ones struggled on, under Divine guidance, amid the surrounding 15 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH financial depression and all the other hindrances which the conditions of that era imposed, and held services as regularly as possible. March 18, 1827, the congregation met with a serious loss, when Jacob Negley, at the age of sixty years, was called to his eternal home. He was a consecrated, public-spirited man of remarkable vision and noble attainments, his library giving evidence of fine literary taste, and the loss of his inspiring presence and optimistic Christian counsel was a serious blow to the church and to the community. The generous support and interest of his noble widow continued, and his eldest surviving son, Jacob Negley, Jr., already serving as secretary of the board of trustees, bore his share of the burden which his father had laid down for almost three years, when he, too, was called home. The remaining sons of this worthy couple, Daniel, George G. and Alexander (who married Sophia Mcllvaine, daughter of the pastor), as they grew to manhood, each took his part in the work of the church, as the records amply tes- tify. The workers pass, but the work continues. "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts" — and the Lord soon raised up new and efficient laborers in His vineyard. February 8, 1828, the Presbyterian Board of Domestic Mis- sions, now the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, com- missioned the Rev. John Joyce to "publish the Gospel and ad- minister the ordinances in the neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsjdvania, at discretion." A consecrated man, well equipped mentally and spiritually for the work, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, he was divinely led to choose East Liberty as his field of labor. Coming from the east in a Conestoga wagon, he began holding stated worship in the building already erected. Mr. Thomas Mellon, Jr., has memoralized the Rev. Mr. Joyce in the erec- tion of a handsome stained glass window which adorns the southern wall of the chapel of the church. In addition to the members of the congregation who had already put their hand to the plough in the Master's cause, there had moved into the community a number of families i6 PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY from the First and Second Presbyterian and other churches. Among the number, the Bailey family, for some years, ren- dered valued assistance. Mr. Francis G. Bailey canvassed the community and obtained signatures to a petition for the or- ganization of a church. April 1, 1828, this petition v^^as presented by Mr. John Roup and Mr. Bailey to the Redstone Presbytery, in the bounds of which East Liberty then lay, which was in session at Saltsburg, Pa. An interesting incident in this connection is that for more than nineteen years an esteemed son of this church, the Rev. Geo. M. Ryall, has faithfully and efficiently served as pastor of the church in Saltsburg where this event, so momentous in the history of our own church, was enacted. After waiving aside all opposition, Presbytery acceded to the request of the earnest petitioners, and granted permission for the organiation of the church in East Liberty. It is also interesting to recall that the Redstone Presbytery, which granted the permission, was organized in 1781, and, at that time, included all the territory west of the Allegheny Mountains and north of Virginia and Kentucky. Another coincidence in this connection is the fact that the first son of this church who devoted his life to the ministry, the Rev. Theodore S. Negley, was for ten years stated clerk of the Red- stone Presbytery during his long and successful pastorate of the Little Redstone Presbyterian Church. After the permission of Presbytery was finally secured, the records show that five months elapsed before the formal pro- ceedings to organize the church were enacted. After public worship on Sabbath, September 21, 1828, notice was given by the Rev. Mr. Joyce of a meeting to be held at the house of Mr. F. G. Bailey on Thursday, September 25, to re- ceive certificates of persons wishing to be organized as a church. At this meeting twenty-two certificates were presented, these names being given in a subsequent chapter. The records imply that all the other meetings connected with the organization were conducted at the church. The following Lord's Day, September 28, the church was duly organized and the following persons nominated for the office of ruling elder: Robert Bailey, James Backhouse, 17 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Francis G. Bailey. Tuesday, September 30, according to ap- pointment, a meeting was held at which said officers were unanimously elected. Friday, October 3, the session met and was constituted with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Joyce. On this date two additional cer- tificates were handed in, being those of Mrs. Barbara Anna Neg- ley and Mrs. Elizabeth McClintock. Nine persons were received on profession of faith — Priscilla McCaslin, Mary Sherer Burch- field, Hannah Bailef, Robert Bailey, Jr., John McClintock, Margaret Joyce, Catherine Joyce, Sr., Ann Finley, Rachel Dal- zell. On Sabbath, October 5, 1828, the members (thirty-three in all), in the words of the saintly Rev. Joyce, "held their first Sacramental Communion as a Church in East Liberty, and re- newed their covenant engagements to be wholly the Lord's over the memorials of the broken Body and shed Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ." October 12, 1828, occurred the first baptismal service of children, the following children of the congregation being bap- tized by Mr. Joyce: Rebecca Roup Negley, daughter of Jacob Jr., and Mary Ann Scott Negley ; Fanny McClintock, daughter of John and Elizabeth McClintock; John Edward and Wil- liam Joyce, children of William and Elizabeth Joyce. Among the number admitted to the church at the second communion service, seven certificates came from Beulah church. There was a steady growth in membership, and the records reveal, by the grace of God, a notable spirit of consecration and devotion on the part of pastors, officers and people as the years go by. While our own church properly holds first place in our af- fections, yet, in the Spirit of the Master, who tells us, "Other sheep I have which are not of this fold," we are happy to record the work done by other denominations in East Liberty, and only regret that the limitations of space will not permit more extended mention of their noble achievements. In 1833, the Methodists began ecclesiastic effort with the building of a church, at what is now the corner of South Highland and Center avenues. i8 PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY The German Lutherans established a church in 1855. Calvary Episcopal organized and built a church in the same year, 1855. In 1856 what is now the Sixth United Presbyterian Church was organized. The Shady Avenue Baptist church had its inception in 1886. The Catholic Church laid the corner stone of St. Peter and St. Paul's church on Larimer Avenue in 1857. The Christian Brethren and other denominations have also established churches in East Liberty and in 1913 Dr. John Royal Harris reported "Four hundred churches in Pittsburgh, forty of which are in East Liberty, including many of the finest and largest in the city," where in 1819, there was general rejoicing and gratitude over the erection of one church. "O Lord, how manifold are Thy works !" There have been seven buildings erected on this property. First the frame school house, about 16x20 feet, previously mentioned, built about 1809 on the western side of the lot. It stood until about 1835. Second, the first church building erected in 1819, a two story brick structure 44x44 feet built after a plan submitted to the trustees by Jacob Negley and accepted by them. For many years the educational work was conducted downstairs during the week, and the upper auditorium was reserved for the church services. This building remained standing until about 1862. The third building, erected in 1835, was called the lecture room, and stood on the western side of the lot. It was espe- cially designed for the purpose of prayer meetings and Sabbath school, and is thus described in the trustees' record. "April 27, 1835, proposals were agreed upon for a building 40 feet long by 22 feet wide, one story, ten windows, with 10x14 glass, twenty-two seats open-backed in pursuance of congregational instructions." Remains of the foundation of this structure are still in evidence underground. But, so great and continuous was the growth of the church, under the Divine blessing, that this provision also soon became inadequate, and a fourth building was necessary. In 1847, during the period of the Mexican War, not only did the necessity for more spacious accommodations become X9 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH imperative, but there was also urgent need of an increased church revenue, and all of the 1819 building w^as needed for educational purposes. At this time, Mrs. Barbara A. Negley, with her accustomed generosity, donated an additional piece of property. Thus was erected the second church on the newly donated ground to the east of the former gift, on what is now South Highland avenue, which was not opened as a street until 1871. The record specifies the proportions of this building as 50x70 feet with "no doors to the pews and no windows in the pulpit end of the church." The contract price for fresco paint- ing of the interior was $90.00. The congregation first as- sembled for divine worship in the new Church June 12, 1848. A few members still living recall this building, as well as the church of 1819, the description given by Messrs. James R. Mellon and R. Heberton Negley of the former building pre- senting a picturesque portrayal of the setting of the neat little church at the end of the long walks leading in from Penn avenue bordered with wide-spreading trees. No photograph of the original of any of the buildings so far described has been found, but, from memory and specifications, sketches of the first and second churches have been drawn. East Liberty was incorporated in the city in 1868, and on April 14, 1879, motion was made and carried at the congre- gational meeting to change the name of the church from the First Presbyterian Church of East Liberty to the East Liberty Presbyterian Church, to avoid any possible confusion with the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. In the first two church buildings, but one pastor occupied the pulpit, Rev. Wm. B. Mcllvaine, D.D., whose devotion for forty years to the Master's work in this, his only charge, is strikingly manifest in the church records. With a small salary, in times when pastors' salaries were not always paid with the strictest regularity, and their necessities were oftentimes met by individual donations, he yet labored on, winning souls for the Kingdom, and giving his personal interest to the welfare of the families entrusted to his pastoral care. The fifth building on this site was the third church, a reso- lution for the erection of which was passed April 9, 1860. The completion of this building was greatly delayed by conditions 20 PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY incident to the Civil War, so that it was only dedicated in Januarj^ 1864. It was twice thereafter refitted and improved. In 1868, an addition of sixteen feet in length was made and galleries erected, further improvements being made in 1873. Into this building came a new pastor. Rev. John Gillespie, D.D., first as co-pastor, and upon the resignation of Dr. Mcll- vaine, as full pastor of the church. Dr. Gillespie is still held in affectionate remembrance by many of the older members of the church. He seemed to have a special interest in and influence with the youth of the con- gregation. For some years he conducted what was familiarly known as "Children's Church," a service held especially for the young, one Sabbath afternoon in each month. His graphic portrayal of Bible scenes and impressive lessons drawn from Bible characters and incidents still enrich the memory of those who heard them. Another interesting feature of these services was the reading of letters from our representatives on the mis- sion field, usually by Mr. Wm. G. Johnston, who at that time was superintendent of the Sabbath school, which served to stimulate an interest in missions in the minds of the youthful hearers. Mrs. Barbara A. Negley had the privilege of witnessing the amazing growth of the church until a third building was necessary. The following records prove her continued interest in the work: "April 21, 1862, Mrs. B. A. Negley, one of the first and now the oldest member of our church, has offered to purchase one of the celebrated Meneely bells." "April 22, 1867, we had, as before reported, in the sinking fund account $1,000.00, which Mrs. B. A. Negley contributed for the purpose of purchasing a bell. This sum was invested in government bonds, making with its interest about $1,200.00. Mrs. Negley, expressing a desire that we should procure a bell without delay, the board of trustees through a committee ap- pointed for that purpose contracted with and had made and put up by A. Fulton & Company of Pittsburgh, a bell weigh- ing 2,760 pounds at a cost of $1,375.00 — the amount over and above the amount invested in the sinking fund account to be supplied by the said Mrs. Negley." 21 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The bell was hung during the week the donor lay on her deathbed, in her eighty-ninth year. As it was being tested her windows were opened in the hope that she might hear its tones. She entered into rest May 10, 1867, and on Sabbath, May 12, the bell's first peals tolled her requiem as her remains were being carried to her family lot in the Allegheny Cemetery, where with her husband and twelve children, four having died in childhood, she awaits the resurrection morn. Mrs. Negley was a consecrated, altruistic woman, of re- markable executive ability, which was evident during her forty years of widowhood. Doubtless, other bells have rung from this place of worship in the early days, but for more than fifty years this bell, so familiar to us, has pealed in melodious tones the Gospel mes- sage, "Come". When the present edifice in which we worship was being erected, the bell was hung on a scaffolding built for the pur- pose on the church ground, that it might still call worshippers to service at the rink on Frankstown avenue near Station street, where services were held during the interim. The bell has rung for the passing of the members of Mrs. Negley's immediate family, and for public events of special significance. It was rung at the opening of the Centennial Exhibition held in Philadelphia in 1876, as well as at the opening of our congregational centennial on the evening of April 12, 1919. It tolled as the funeral train of our martyred President Me- Kinley passed through the city; at the advent of each New Year, and on many other occasions. For weeks it rang a call for prayer daily at noon during anxious hours of the recent great conflict, and its joyous notes pealed an acknowledgment of the answer to prayer in victory for the great cause, when on November 11, 1918, the armistice was signed. The record says: "April 6, 1874 — Trustees decided to al- low the fire department to connect the fire alarm telegraph with the church bell," and for some years it rang its notes of warn- ing. This practice was later discontinued, there being a fear that the bell might become cracked, and some objecting to the attendant excitement. 22 PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY A remarkable coincidence is found in the fact that but two sextons have rung this bell, which has hung in two churches — Mr. John Grounds, Sr., who, in 1865, entered upon the duties of this responsible office, which he discharged with admirable efficiency. He passed to his eternal rest April 6, 1908, and was succeeded by his son, Mr. John Grounds, Jr., who had for many years, even in early youth, assisted his father, and on August 16, 1888 assumed full control. We take this opportunity to record a tribute of sincere es- teem and profound gratitude to "John," our friend and co- worker, whose unexcelled devotion for forty-six years to the best interests of this church, and consecration to the welfare of the Master's cause in this branch of Zion, is worthy of recorded recognition. The third church building, like the first, was a two-story structure, the upper floor being the main auditorium, the lower being used for prayer meeting and Sabbath school. It rose during the period of the great civil strife for the preservation of the Union, the cause, together with the abolition of slavery, so dear to the heart of the noble, tender and true President Lincoln, who later became our martyred hero. On Sabbath evening, June 14, 1863, telegrams from the Secretary of War and others reached Pittsburgh expressing fears that the Army of General Lee was about to invade West- ern Pennsylvania. A meeting to devise plans for the protection of the city was called at once. Many of the citizens who were summoned by messengers to this meeting were at church, others in their homes, but they were speedily gathered for consultation. This conference resulted in the decision that all workshops, factories and so forth should be closed at once, and that all men capable of performing manual labor should engage in erecting earth- works around what was then the transpontine cities of Pitts- burgh and Allegheny. The plans were laid out by government engineers, and the work was pushed rapidly for two weeks. Merchants and their employees, professional men and students joined with day laborers in this patriotic effort. Many still living remember these historic entrenchments, some of which remained, for many years after the war, in East 23 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Liberty, on the hillside above North Negley avenue. Even though the archives of the Southern army fail to show that there was any intention to invade our city, yet the efforts to fortify helped to strengthen the patriotism already enkindled. We have the honor to record five G. A. R. veterans on our church roll, Roseman Gardner, John Updegraff, Dickson C. Shaw, Henry P. Krebs and Samuel E. Gill. Dr. Gillespie was succeeded in this third church building by the Rev. Benjamin L. Agnew, D.D., LL.D., who filled the position with grace and efficiency for sixteen months. His pas- torate was brief, owing to the unfavorable effect of the climate on his health, but in that brief period his rich pastoral qualities, together with his clear and forcible presentation of the truth, bore lasting fruit. The impress of his vital Christian faith and consecrated personality on the lives which he touched are a blessed memory to many. The sixth building and fourth church is the commodious structure in which we now worship, to the building of which the congregation was largely inspired by the pastor of that period, the Rev. J. P. E. Kumler, D.D., LL.D. Dr. Kumler's keen vision saw the necessity arising from the continuous growth of the congregation, and grasped the scope of the strategic po- sition which the church must continue to hold for the Master. An interesting record in this connection is the following: "A letter containing six dollars for the new church was re- ceived from Master Wm. McDonald, of Highland avenue, stating that it was the first money he had earned while out of school. This was the first money actually paid in for the new church building, April 7, 1886." The handsome stained glass window in the west transept was the gift of the late Mrs. Sarah Negley Mellon, in memory of her parents, the donors of the property. The window of spe- cial design on the east wall was the gift of the Sabbath school. September, 1888, the Sabbath school class of Miss Alice M. Negley, composed of the following young girls, presented the fine communion table: Emma Brinkman, Bertha Chidlow, Adah Houston, Blanche Lloyd, Maggie McDonald, Eleanor Mitchell, Sara Morris, Margaretta Patterson, Una Page, Nel- lie Goff, Elmina Johnston, Sadie Batchelor, Louise Baker. 24 PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY This building was dedicated September 30, 1888. There is no encumbrance of debt attached to the church property. The devotion and loyalty of the members are being con- stantly shown in individual contributions toward the improve- ment and refurnishing of the Lord's house, which, like our homes, requires frequent renewal. The very useful and beautiful canopy over the front entrance was the thoughtful gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Mellon, Mrs. Mellon also donating a large United States flag and the flags of the Allies and fine Service flag which adorn the main auditorium. The rich draperies which form a background to the chapel pulpit, with other necessities, were provided by the generosity of Mrs. William N. Frew. The beautiful Service flag used in the chapel was the gift of Miss Cornelia McCombs. The fine flagpole presented by the National Tube Co., through the influence of Mr. Louis V. Sattele, and the flag given by Mrs. E. M. Bigelow, which were dedicated with appropriate exercises on May 5, 1917, are also much appreci- ated. The two large flags xised in the chapel and elsewhere were the gift of the late Henry H. Negley, who for nineteen years as president of the board of trustees, rendered devoted service to this church. The many valued material gifts of the late John F. Scott, also a member of the board of trustees, so modestly bestowed, his name usually being withheld at his imperative request, are constant reminders of his loyal affection for the church. The needed improvements so generously supplied by Mrs. Wm. M. McKelvy, and the untiring efforts of many individual members toward preparing the building for this centennial celebration, are all indications of consecrated loyalty worthy of wide emulation. Many, both men and women, who have given of their time and strength and means, in some cases the service only made Dossible through genuine self-denial, to the affectionate care of 25 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH this, their church home, have surely earned the Master's plaudit • — "She hath done what she could." May we not each earn this tribute? The Sabbath school has always been an important factor in the life of this church, having been in existence somewhat more than one hundred years, the exact date of organization not being known. The first superintendent was Mr. John Roup, and the first teachers were Messrs. Isaac Harris and Luke Loomis. The first Sabbath school class was composed of nine pupils, only the names of four, however, having been preserved — George G. Negley, Rebecca Roup (Mrs. Wm. Penn Baum), Martha Noble (aunt of the Misses Agnes and Sarah Aiken), and Catharine R. Negley. As far back as March, 1869, we find the following record: "Resolved, to remodel the first story of the church so as to afford a comfortable and convenient room for social worship, and a room adapted to the wants of our large and flourishing Sab- bath school." The record of attendance contains some individual instances of faithfulness unbroken by absence in many years, Mr. Charles Price having an unbroken record of attendance for twenty- eight years. The continued growth of the school in 1901 necessitated additional facilities for Sunday school purposes. A committee consisting of George A. Kelly, Chas. H. Riggs and S. E. Gill having previously been appointed, reported at the congregational meeting held April 10, 1901, in favor of a new building for the Sunday school. They further reported that a communication had been re- ceived from the members of Class 29 endorsing the project and subscribing twentj^-five thousand dollars toward the cost of the new building, on condition that it be named the Kumler Memorial Chapel. The proposition was approved and a build- ing committee appointed. The name was given as a tribute to Dr. Kumler, whose pas- torate of seventeen years is a hallowed memory in many hearts, and also as a tribute to his wife, Mrs. Abigail Kumler, 26 PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY whose faithful and efficient service in the Sunday school and missionary work of the church is thus memorialized. Later, plans for a departmental building, suitable for graded instruction, were submitted and approved, this being, as far as known, the first Sunday school building planned specifically for departmental work in which each department may have its own opening and closing service. Thus on December 31, 1902, was dedicated the seventh building on this sacred site, erected largely through the gener- osity of Mr. James I. Buchanan. It is, however, so united with the sixth building as to present the appearance of one structure. The departmental Sabbath school is ably superintended by Elder S. E. Gill, and a faithful corps of officers and teachers. Mr. Gill is, at present, a member of the board of directors of the Allegheny County Sabbath School Association, and chair- man of its finance committee, and in 1902-03 served as presi dent of that organization. He has also been, for many years, chairman of the temperance committee of the State Sabbath School Association, and has taken an active part in the suc- cessful efforts which resulted in the recent passage of the Na- tional Prohibition Amendment. Bible classes conducted for the older members, both men and women, have always been a feature of this Sunday school. Class 29, founded in 1872, has been a potent factor in the Sabbath school. Dr. Thomas D. Davis was the first teacher, who possessed an extensive knowledge of the Scriptures, with marked ability in imparting that knowledge. Dr. Davis and others conducted the class until the year 1883, when Mr. James I. Buchanan became the leader, and for more than thirty- five years has continued in this labor of love. To a profound knowledge of the Scriptures and implicit faith in their inspiration as the Word of God, Mr. Buchanan adds personal consecration in the service of the Master, and his position as leader of Class 29 for so many years has afforded him the opportunity to instruct hundreds in the way of life, whose lives have been blessed by his faithful and efficient serv- ice. In 1893, the class was formally organized, being as far 27 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH as known, the first organized Bible class in this city. Delight- ful social evenings have served to strengthen the strong bond of attachment between leader and class. Mr. Albert H. Kemerer, of revered memory, was the founder of the Chinese department. Though not now an organized class, yet Class 29 continues to flourish, the membership at times during its history having passed above the two hundred mark. The consecrated efforts of the late William T. Lantz were an efficient factor in building up the large membership of Class 29. Our co-member, Mr. Henry J. Heinz, has a world-wide rep- utation as a promoter of progressive Sabbath school work. Besides being chairman of the American section of the World's S. S. Association, he has had official connection with the In- ternational Association, is president of the Pennsylvania S. S. Association and a member of the board of directors of the Alle- gheny County S. S. Association. On April 22, 1902, occurred the installation services of the Rev. Frank Woolford Sneed, D.D., the fifth pastor of this church. For seventeen years Dr. Sneed has ministered to this con- gregation with faithfulness and devotion. His labors in the pulpit and the home have been signally blessed, and the church has grown steadily in its membership and breadth of service under his leadership. Dr. Sneed is endowed with remarkable facility of expres- sion in the presentation of the fundamentals of our faith, and his sermons are strikingly suggestive and illuminating. He and his noble wife enter into the joys and sorrows of the flock with rare sincerity and sympathy. Mrs. Sneed's consecrated and gracious personality leaves a blessed impress on the lives which she touches. Among the manifestations of affectionate esteem in which Dr. Sneed is held by his people is the tribute paid him on the tenth anniversary of his pastorate. This occasion was made memorable by the congregation raising the sum of ten thousand dollars in his honor, which was applied to providing a new and much-needed dormitory for the Cebu Mission, Philippine Islands, named The Sneed Dormitory for Boys. 28 PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY The Presbyterian Mission Station at Cebu was opened in 1902 by the Rev. and Mrs. Frederick Jansen, who were later reinforced by the Rev. James A. Graham, M.D., and Mrs. Graham. After many years of valued service at Cebu, they were transferred to other needy fields on the Islands, where they continue to render similar faithful service. In 1907 the Rev. George W, Dunlap, D.D., and Mrs. Dun- lap were placed at the head of this station by the Board of Foreign Missions, by whom also the mission was placed entirely under the care of the East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Dr. and Mrs. Dunlap and their helpers have been the means of conduct- ing a wonderful evangelistic work among Americans and Europeans as well as among the natives. The first Protestant mission in the Philippines was opened by the Presbyterian Church, and this being the only foreign missionary field under the American flag, patriotism adds to our Christian interest in it. In 1916, in response to a plea made by Dr. Dunlap from the pulpit Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Mathews, in memory of Mr. Mathews' father, John Mathews, donated one thousand dol- lars to purchase and equip the "Mt. Rest Home," accessibly located on the mountains above the mission, where our mis- sionaries may at times enjoy a period of relaxation and re- freshment from the extreme heat of the islands. During Dr. Kumler's pastorate, the Rev. John B. Brandt was assistant to the pastor for one year. During a portion of Dr. Sneed's ministry, the following assistants have served: Mr. J. R. Hainer, as Sabbath school director; the Rev. Victor Bucher, the Rev. G. A. Frantz, the Rev. George M. Duft" and the Rev. H. A. Gearhart, who is at present filling the position of assistant pastor with consecrated efficiency. Many able ministers have filled this pulpit acceptably for prolonged periods, during the interim betvveen pastors, and at times during their enforced absence. The late Rev. Samuel H. Kellogg, D.D., will long be re- membered by his fine and lucid exposition of divine truth, which left an indelible impression. His son. Dr. Frederick S. Kellogg, is now serving as an elder. 29 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Our esteemed friend, the Rev. David R. Breed, D.D., is alwa5^s welcome to this pulpit, and never fails to bring the divine message in a helpful and illuming manner. The pastoral work of the Rev. Joseph F. Gibson, D.D., is affectionately remembered in many homes. The mid-week prayer meeting, binding together as it does, the precious influences of the Lord's days, is a powerful influ- ence in maintaining the proper attitude of spirituality in life and service. It is, in a sense, the thermometer of a church's life, measuring the warmth of its devotion. We may not read this index merely in the numbers in attendance, but much more in the quality of the consecration and the impelling power of the Spirit that is manifest. The prayer meeting has been one of the quiet but vital forces in this church's life, and rejoicing in its past and present eflliciency, we bespeak for it in the new era a larger share of that holy devotion which the Master would accord it in the experience of His followers. In consulting the early records, there is abundant oppor- tunity for a study in contrasts between the conditions existing then as compared with the luxurious appointments of the present. In the expense account, candles and oil are frequent items ; in 1865 gas was introduced, and not until 1887 was electric light installed for illuminating purposes. A similar development from the early coal stove for heating to the use of natural gas, and on up to the present fine hot water system is obvious. The music has grown from the early days of the precentor and his tuning fork and the Metrical Psalm and Hymn Book, from which two lines were read by the leader, books being scarce, after which he led in the singing of the same lines, when two more were read and sung. Elder Burchfield long served in this capacity, and his tuning fork and well-worn Psalm Book, used back in the forties, now rest in the archives of the church, having been presented, along with other relics, by his son. Dr. J. P. Burchfield. A number of other members of the church also served as precentor at different periods, Mr. Moses Phil- lips, Mr. Ferree and others. 30 PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY Passing on to the era of the little melodeon, the conscientious protest against the introduction of instrumental music strikes a vein of humor in the light of the present range of thought. The volunteer choir was once considered an innovation, and ere long a petition is offered for a paid leader, which is duly granted. One record gives this paid leader the privilege of holding a pay concert to help meet the organist's salary, whom he is commissioned to select. One pipe organ succeeds another, each more elaborate in mechanism than the last, the piano takes the place of the organ in prayer meeting and Sabbath school. Today, we see the century's development culminating in our splendid quartette, under the skilled directorship of Mrs. James Stephen Martin, who with her late husband, have contributed much to the musical development of the church. In the early daj^s, devoted members of the church cared for its finances, some serving as treasurer gratuitously, others re- ceiving a small commission, but the financial work of the church grew to such proportions as to require the entire time of an employed treasurer and general secretary with an equipped office at the church. June 1, 1904, Mr. R. R. M. Thorne entered upon this work and served with efficiency for fourteen years. Miss Ber- tha Griffith, a devoted member of the church, also rendered valued service for five years. "Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary," and there has been an interesting development in the decorating line from the days when members of the church with an aesthetic taste devoted the necessary Saturday in the woods to cull the branches and flowers to adorn the house of God, others depleting their private conservatories to contribute — on through the various amateur efforts to the present more elaborate systematic weekly decorations of the pulpit on the Lord's Day, with the memorial Sabbaths when loved ones are remembered by a floral tribute. After fulfilling their mission in the church, the flowers are later sent to cheer and encourage the sick and the sorrowing in homes and hospitals, bearing a beautiful message of remem- brance from the altar of their own beloved church. Mrs. Carrie Henry Normecutt has long conducted this work 31 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH with admirable grace and efficiency, with the capable assistance of Mrs. Chas. Curry and other helpers. Stately and artistic have been some of these tributes of affec- tion, the Thanksgiving Harvest Home, Christmas and Easter having been memorably appropriate to the respective occasions. Stated memorial tributes are now on record to the following loved ones: Mrs. Alexander King on Thanksgiving, Mrs. Charles Lockhart on Easter, Judge and Mrs. Thomas Mellon on Christmas and the New Year, Dr. J. P. E. Kumler, Mr. Henry H. Negley, Mr. Alfred Hicks, Mrs. Thomas Marshall, Mrs. Sarah Hart, Mrs. Harriett L. Rook, Mrs. Joseph Z. Wainwright, Mrs. Thomas S. Maple, Dr. Henry W. Fulton, Mr. Wm. N. Frew, Mr. D. Porter Corwin, Mrs. Anna Bar- bara Negley Brick, two Sabbaths; Mr. Wm. M. McKelvy, Mr. O. H. Allerton, Mrs. John P. Ewing, Mr. John H. McKelvy, Mr. E. M. Bigelow. Mr. H. J. Heinz provides for four Sabbaths throughout the year. The following organizations, also, have a stated Sabbath for their floral contribution: The Women's Home Missionary Society, the Women's Foreign Missionary Society, the Chinese Sabbath School Class, the Cheerful Givers Band, the Woman's Monday Evening Missionary Society, the Buds of Promise Mission Band, the Fidelis Missionary Society, and the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. One permanent memorial has been established along this line, which we hope may be the signal for many others. The late Mr. Joseph K. Brick, of Philadelphia, bequeathed to the East Liberty Presbyterian Church in trust the sum of five hundred dollars to be invested and the income applied to pro- viding flowers for the pulpit in memory of his deceased wife, Mrs. Anna Barbara Negley Brick, who previous to her mar- riage and subsequent residence in Philadelphia was a devoted and active member of this church and Sabbath school. By the means thus outlined, provision is made for more than thirty Sabbaths in the year. The manner of observance of the Lord's Supper has passed through several stages of transition. Mr. James R. Mellon recalls the communion service as held in early days, when there was a long table spread with pure white linen, in 32 PRELUDE AND THREADS OF HISTORY front of the pulpit, on which were arranged plates of the sacramental bread and high silver pitchers and goblets for the sacramental wine. After the consecration prayer by Dr. Mcllvaine, and a re- cital of the Scriptural account of the institution of the Sacra- ment, the pastor and elders partook. The communicants then gathered around the table in successive relays until all were served. Mr. Mellon says so impressive to him was this early observance that in after years it seemed sacrilegious to see the elements served in the pews, under the name of the Lord's Table. This manner of observance was followed by passing the ele- ments to the communicants in the pews, the large silver gob- lets being used. At the communion service held December, 1903, individual cups were used for the first time. The vast potency exerted by a religious center such as has been maintained here for one hundred years is beyond human computation. Among the many influences for good which have had their inception, or received fostering care from this church may be mentioned the East Liberty Young Women's Christian Associ- ation, the final steps in the organization of which took place March 22, 1875. This Association is the outcome of a re- vival conducted in the East Liberty Church, when a group of young women, all members of this church, pledged themselves as an organization to devote their time and talents to launch- ing what is now popularly known as "social service." To this end they inaugurated the first Y. W. C. A. in Pittsburgh, the East Liberty Association. In the early days, the meetings were held in the various churches, and a missionary employed for local work, the churches sharing the expense. For many years, Miss Margaret Forsythe, a consecrated and devoted member here, served in this capacity. The church has also kept in vital touch, through many of its members, with the Young Men's Christian Association of East Liberty, which for some years has been our near neighbor. The Rev. Samuel A. Taggart, a member of the Pittsburgh Presbytery, and a worshipper in this church, whose family are still with us, was the first State secretary of Y. M. C. A. work in the country. He was State secretary of Pennsylvania for 33 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH seventeen years, and accompanied the late Dwight L. Moody upon several tours. His son, Mr. William R. Taggart, w^as for more than six years general secretary of the East Liberty Branch, and for four and a half years assistant secretary of the Central Y. M. C. A. at Penn and Seventh avenues. For the precious heritage recorded and all the blessed way by which the Lord our God has led us, we render humble thanks to Him whose wondrous grace alone has made the record possible. Precious memories cluster around this sacred spot to many of us, memories of sweet fellowship in the work of the Master, and memories of the loved ones who led us in the way of life. After scanning the records of the century, with such wealth of material, it is indeed difficult to make selection, and such selection, however conscientiously made, is sure to bear the marks of human limitation, for which your clemency is craved. As in fancy, blending into memory, we look down the vista of the years, it is a matter of regret that the limitations of space forbid the relation of so much of interest, and especially detailed reference to the personnel which passes in review. So many noble characters among officers and members have blessed this church in their lives and service for the Master, their record would surely prove a stimulus to us of the present day, but we must forbear to treat of the personnel except where historic accuracy seems to impel. Let us rejoice in the happy realization that the record on high is faultless and complete, and that their victory is won through the Master whom they so faithfully served, and with the dross of earth all washed away, the pure gold shines re- splendent in His presence where is fulness of joy, at His right hand, where there are pleasures forevermore. 34 5ermons and Addresses THE REV. JOHN GILLESPIE, D.D. Second Pastor. HISTORICAL SERMON Delivered September 28, 1873, on the Occasion of the Forty-Fifth Anniversary of the Organization By THE Rev. John Gillespie, D. D. "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the luilder- ness, to humble thee, and to prove thee." — Deuter- onomv viii :2, ^^HIS was among the last charges of "Moses, the ® man of God," to the chosen people. It was issued \^ just before he surrendered his commission as leader liof the host of Israel. The wilderness march was completed. Its vicissitudes and conflicts, its perplexities and discouragements, its discipline and pupilage were ended. The people stood now on the threshold of Canaan. But into that land the faithful, heroic, yet erring leader was not to enter. The time of his departure was at hand. At the Divine sum- mons he was soon to lay aside his robes of office, resign his commission to the man who was to muster the forces for the conquest, and ascend Mount Ncbo to die. These impressive circumstances, whether known to Moses at the time of its ut- terance or no, invest the charge of the text with all the solemn- ity of a dying injunction. The wilderness experience had been a checkered experience. It was rich in its tokens of God's power, God's wisdom, God's goodness ; but it abounded scarcely less with evidence of hu- man weakness, human folly, human guilt. But such as it was, it was to be remembered, not forgotten — and remembered to the praise of God's glorious grace. Such a hallowed remem- brance of God's dealings with the chosen people would tend to subdue their pride, to excite their gratitude, to inspire them with confidence, to stimulate their energy — in a word, to lead them to humble, unreserved consecration to the worship and service of Jehovah. 37 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH With the text as our warrant and aim, it is proposed to pause today to trace the history of East Liberty Presbyterian Church — to remember all the way which the Lord our God has led us these five and forty years. A church, like a mountain stream, may be said to have a visible and an invisible source; a source which is readily dis- covered, and one which lies mainly hidden from human sight. The visible source of the stream, is the place where it first bursts into view gushing from the mountain side. Its invisible source is the thousand subterranean springs, whose trickling rivulets combine to form the stream, but which lie far removed from human sight. The visible source, or starting point of a church, is the date of its organization, when, under the seal of ecclesiastical authority, it is moulded into form and equipped for work. That source it is not difficult to find. The date of a church's organization is usually engrossed upon ecclesiasti- cal records and incorporated with written history. But lying back of this there is properly another source or starting point, springs of interest, and influence, and prayerful effort, which combine to form the church or lead to its organization. Many such springs, starting at various intervals in the decade imme- diately preceding the organization of this church, springs withal somewhat difficult to find, combined to form the visible source of this church of Jesus Christ. EARLY RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGES OF EAST LIBERTY VALLEY The handsome enclosure within which the present edifice stands is pre-eminently the sacred spot of East Liberty valley. The successive structures which rose upon it afforded for a time almost the only religious privileges enjoyed by the early settlers. These privileges, prior to A. D. 1819, however, were sufficiently meagre. They consisted chiefly in religious services held at irregular intervals, by ministers of various evangelical denominations, in a frame school house, erected by Mr. Jacob Negley, Sr., near the site of our present house of worship. FIRST HOUSE OF WORSHIP In A. D. 1819 this unpretending structure was supplanted by an edifice by no means imposing, and yet sufficiently unique to entitle it to special mention. It was built upon a lot of ground 38 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES said to comprise an acre and a half, extending from a line a few feet east of the present building to the boundary line of the church lot on the west. The lot was the gift of Mrs. Bar- bara A. Negley, and its estimated value was $750. The deed, which was executed April 12, 1819, conveyed the property to certain persons to be held in trust for the "East Liberty Pres- byterian Congregation," The lot being secured, a subscription, amounting to $l,561.62i/^, was immediately raised for the purpose, as the old record specifies, of building "a school and meeting house ; said meeting house to be for the use of the Pres- byterian congregation, called the East Liberty Congregation." In carrying out the plan of combining the school and the church, a subsequent record mentions the appointment of T. H. Finley as schoolmaster, with direction to ring the bell at 9 A. ]VI. and 1 P. M. The trustees also resolved to visit the school at least twice each quarter, for the purpose of examining the pupils in their studies. The building just referred to was of brick, and stood partly on the site occupied by the present edifice. It was forty-four feet square, and was built with one corner towards the Greens- burg turnpike (now Penn avenue), thus presenting a double front. The roof was supported by a pillar in the center, which projected some distance above, and was finished so as to har- monize with the other parts of the building. By the time the shell was built, however, the roof put on, and the floor laid, the treasury was exhausted, and the trustees were heavily in- debted to Mr. Jacob Negley, Sr. To finish the structure was impossible. A pulpit was erected in one corner, benches, with- out supports for the back, answered the purpose of pews, and there the people enjoyed such religious services as were within their reach, EAST LIBERTY IN 1819 Such a modest temple for God's worship may strike us strangely. But let it be remembered that when erected, it stood second to few, if any, of the improvements that then dotted the valley. To realize this, blot from the mental canvas the East Liberty of to-day, with its palatial residences, its substantial business structures, its splendid educational edifices, 39 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH its well-paved streets, and its magnificent projected improve- ments. With the church as a center, let the imagination repro- duce the East Liberty of 1819. On the north side of w^hat is now Penn avenue, and a little east of the church, fix a plain dwelling house, partly log and partly frame — just demolished to make way for modern structures. Upon the site of the City Deposit Bank and adjacent business houses, plant a frame steam mill. Where the Denison block now stands, imagine a dilapi- dated old tavern, with extensive stabling. Immediately in the rear of this, place a little frame house of two or three rooms. A little to the east, on the site of the Union Hotel, add to that little group, a frame house, comparatively new. Crossing what is now the Pennsylvania Railroad, plant another frame house where the American House now stands. Returning to the south of the avenue and west of the railroad, immediately in the rear of Liberty Hall, imagine an old log tavern, originally Thompson's Tavern, subsequently Beitler's. Fix the Black Horse Tavern on the present site of Mr. Frank Ardary's resi- dence, and the old Negley mansion at the corner of Negley and Stanton avenues, then dot the valley here and there with small log and frame houses, mostly tenements, and you have the East Liberty of 1819. Nor does the picture present a strange contrast with the Pittsburgh of that day. The city was in its infancy, having been chartered but three years before. It is stated, on reliable authority, that at that time its houses num- bered but a little over 1,400 all told, and that its population scarcely exceeded 7,000 souls. From this brief survey, it will be seen that the first house erected on this lot for the worship of God, sustained quite as high a ratio to the improvements of half a century ago, as our more imposing structure sustains to the East Liberty of to-day. Although the lot was given, and the house erected, for a Pres- byterian congregation, there was no stated worship held in it, according to the Presbyterian form, till February, 1828. Mean- while occasional service had been held in the unfinished struc- ture, by ministers of various evangelical denominations, mostly German Reformed, Methodist and Presbyterian. In addition to this, a Sabbath school had been organized, numbering, at its first session, eleven persons in all: Messrs. Luke Loomis and 40 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES Isaac Harris, with nine children as their pupils. This Sab- bath school, it is believed, has been continued almost without interruption till the present, so that our school may be regarded as having attained and passed the venerable age of half a century. THE CHURCH A MISSION ENTERPRISE This church, like thousands more in this broad land, is in a sense the child of the "Board of Missions," now the Board of Home Missions. On the eighth of February, 1828, the Board commissioned Rev. John Joyce to "publish the Gospel, and administer its ordinances, in the neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at discretion." Mr. Joyce was a native of Ire- land, and originally a minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in his native country. Emigrating to the United States A. D. 1809, he connected himself with one of our East- ern Presbyteries, and labored in the city of Philadelphia for several years. Subsequently he spent ten j'^ears in the South, preaching the Gospel, returning North A. D. 1827. From some of his private and public letters, which, through the kindness of a surviving sister, have been submitted to my in- spection, and from the uniform testimony of living witnesses, it is evident that Mr. Joyce was just the man for the work to which he was appointed. To a good measure of intellectual ability and culture, he added eminent piety, untiring energy, marked sweetness and tenderness of disposition, a thorough knowledge of human nature, and withal burning love for souls. In the exercise of the discretionary power given him by the Board of Missions, he selected East Liberty as a field of labor "in the neighborhood of Pittsburgh." The field ripened much within the few years preceding, and was whiter than ever for the harvest. The population had largely increased, and em- braced a few families, at least, who were anxious for the Word of Life, while the drinking and other vicious habits of the com- munity, plainly marked it as a mission field. The missionary found in Mr. Francis G. Bailey, who had recently moved to East Liberty, a zealous supporter and earnest coworker in his new field. Fresh from the power of a precious revival that had quickened the Pittsburgh churches, that man 41 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES of God addressed himself at once to the work of planting the Church in East Liberty. Immediately after stated public wor- ship was begun by Mr, Joyce, Mr. Bailey canvassed the com- munity with a petition to the Presbytery of Redstone, within w^hose territory this region then lay, praying for a church or- ganization in East Liberty. The families immediately inter- ested appointed Messrs. John Roup and Francis G. Bailey a committee to present their petition to the Presbytery April 1, 1828. Fidelity to history requires it to be stated that the ap- plication met with spirited opposition, chiefly from the repre- sentatives of Beulah Church, some five miles distant, who re- garded the proposed enterprise as a serious infringement upon their congregational boundaries. As illustrative of the esti- mate then put upon East Liberty, it was soberly afHirmed dur- ing the discussion, "There is nobody in East Liberty to make a church — there are no Presbyterians there to form the organiza- tion." To this Mr. Bailey, as chief spokesman for the peti- tioners, modestly replied: "There are plenty of people there, and we expect to have them converted, and they will make the church." The prayer of the petitioners was finally granted, and a committee appointed to organize a church. THE CHURCH ORGANIZED On Sabbath, September 21, 1828, notice was given, after public worship by the Rev. Mr. Joyce, that on Thursday, Sep- tember 25th, a meeting would be held at the house of Mr. F. G. Bailey, in order to receive the certificates of those who wished to be organized into a church. In accordance with this notice the following persons presented certificates of dismission from the respective churches v/ith which they had been con- nected, to-wit: Robert Bailey, Sr., Hannah Bailey, Isabella Bailey, Francis G. Bailey, Mary Ann Bailey, Wm. M. Miller, Robert Barr, Mary Whitesides, Catharine Brown, James Back- house and Jane Backhouse, from the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh; William Semple, Ann Semple, William N. Burchfield, William Joyce, Elizabeth Joyce and Ann Boner, from the Second Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh; Andrew Mitchell and Susan Mitchell, from Bethany Presbyterian Church; Mary Burchfield, from the Presbyterian Church of McKeesport, and John and Mary Barr, from the Associate Re- 42 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES formed Church of Pittsburgh — in all twenty-two. The fol- lowing extract from the Minutes of the Session is the official record of the organization: "On Sabbath, September 28, 1828" — precisely forty-five years from this day — "after a public dis- course, from Matthew, sixteenth chapter, eighteenth verse, showing the character of the Church, and the grounds of her security, the persons named were duly organized as a church of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the constitution and discipline of the Presbyterian Church of the United States, and on the same day the following persons were nominated for office of ruling elder in the church of East Liberty, to-wit: Robert Bailey, James Backhouse and Francis G. Bailey." The persons nominated were subsequently elected and duly ordained and installed. TRUSTEES ELECTED AND HOUSE FINISHED Meanwhile, pending the actual organization, at a meeting of the congregation, held April 7, 1828, it was resolved to vest the management of the temporal affairs of the church in a Board of twelve Trustees, being twice the number of the Board that had held the property up to this date — said Trustees to "be chosen annually from the pewholders on the day com- monly called Easter IMonday." An election was immediately held, resulting in the choice of the following persons, to-wit : Francis G. Bailey, John Roup, James Backhouse, Robert Bailey, Sr., Solomon Berlin, Casper Negley, Abraham Reimer, A. F. Grove, John Patterson, John McClintock, Nicholas Dahlem and Jacob Negley, Jr. These gentlemen were the legal suc- cessors of the trustees who had held the property from the date of the original gift, and properly constituted the first Board of Trustees of this church. The new Board found the property encumbered, and about to be sold under the hammer of the Sheriff. The sale was advertised to take place June 11. The Secretary of the Board was authorized to attend the sale and bid in the property for the congregation, at a price not to exceed $380. The property was secured, however, for the nominal sum of $50, the pur- chase money being given jointly by Jacob Negley, Jr., and Francis G. Bailey. 43 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The property being secured, measures were immediately taken to finish the house. The pulpit, hitherto occupying one corner of the building, and facing the angle which fronted the turnpike, was placed on the southeast wall. The benches were replaced by pew^s, which were furnished with doors and finished with panel work along the aisles. The pews were elevated as they retired from the pulpit, the rear pew rising some two feet above the level of the floor. In addition to this, a gallery, stretching along three sides of the square structure, was erected. Altogether the house was commodious and comfortable, and a decided advance on anything which had preceded it. It is M^orthy of note that when the work was completed, the con- gregation, by a unanimous vote, tendered Mrs. Barbara A. Negley her choice of the pews, "as a mark of gratitude to the family for their liberality to the congregation." The church thus equipped addressed itself vigorously to the great work which lay before it. God set the seal of the Holy Spirit upon the labors of the missionary and his co-workers. Christians were edified, and, "walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." Numbers were added to the church, both on confession and certificate, so that within little more than six months from the date of the organization, the membership had almost trebled. Having now planted the church, Mr. Joyce left the training of it to other hands. He withdrew from the field in April, 1829. In accordance with the letter and spirit of his commis- sion from the Board of Missions, to "publish the Gospel in the neighborhood of Pittsburgh," he preached for some time at Lawrenceville and adjacent points, and subsequently in Allegheny. Still later, he engaged as financial agent of the Western Theological Seminary, to collect funds for that infant institution. Having prosecuted the work for some time in our own country, he embarked for England, to appeal in behalf of the same cause to British beneficence. His labors there were brief, for on December 29, 1833, he fell asleep in Jesus. THE GRAVE YARD In early daj's, when cemeteries were unknown, it usually devolved upon the Church to furnish a resting place for the 44 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES dead. It was but a step from the church to the church yard, where the remains of loved ones lay molderlng in the dust. In accordance with that time-honored custom, measures were taken, as early as May 7th, 1829, for laying the grave yard off in lots, the special provision being made that strangers and non-lotholders were to be charged two dollars for each inter- ment. The dilapidated remains of that once beautiful and sacred spot are still to be seen, but, alas no longer an ornament to the church. FIRST PASTOR CALLED The last Sabbath of June, 1829, marks a new epoch in the history of this church. On that day Mr. Wm, B. Mcllvaine, a native of Pennsylvania, a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, and a licentiate of the Presbytery of New Castle, commenced his labors as supply. On August 10th, of the same year, a call for his pastoral labors was made out and presented to Presbytery at its meeting in the following October. Hav- ing signified his acceptance of the call, and passed the usual trials for ordination, Mr. Mcllvaine was, on April 20th, 1830, ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry, and installed pastor of this church. In these services. Rev. Francis Herron, D. D., preached the sermon, and Rev. Matthew Brown, D. D., delivered the charges to the pastor and people. The history of this first and extended pastorate is substan- tially the history of the church for almost twoscore years. It is the testimony of living witnesses that the young pastor, well equipped with intellectual furniture, and filled with mission- ary' zeal, threw himself with his whole energy into the work. The field was difficult of cultivation, and demanded great diligence, prudence and perseverance. The community at that time is said to have comprised but two classes of people — the orderly, well-behaved class, who, for the most part, waited on the means of grace; and the vicious and profane, who "cared for none of these things." By a happy combination of wisdom and prudence the young pastor, while not shrinking from declaring the whole counsel of God and rebuking iniquity secured for himself the attachment of the one class and the profound respect of the other. 45 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH To estimate the results of a pastorate, and throw them into tangible form, is simply impossible. Of necessity many of them elude our grasp and lie far beyond the reach of human investigation. Material forces may be weighed, moral forces never. The causes that are set in motion today will produce effects which eternity alone will reveal. The influence of a church or pastor in a community is not to be measured by the length of the chvirch roll. A moulding power may be exerted — is exerted — which elevates, ennobles, directs, and yet it is a power that cannot be measured or expressed in a scientific formula. But with the church roll as a basis, and the testi- mony of surviving witnesses as corroborative and explanatory — the only sources of information of which I have been able to avail myself — it is possible to approximate the tangible results of the church's work during the period covered by the first pastorate. That pastorate in its outline is substantially the history of every pastorate. It is the history of alternate light and shade. It comprises times of rich refreshing from the presence of the Lord, when Zion rejoiced and many were gathered into the kingdom, and times of m.arked spiritual declension, when few came to the solemn feasts. Mr. Mcllvaine's opening ministry was signalized by a precious work of grace, in which God's people were greatly strengthened and upwards of twenty were led to confess Christ. Similar seasons were several times enjoyed, especially during the early history of the church, seasons in which the pastor would preach for weeks consecu- tively, and in which he was assisted by many able and godly men, most of whom have entered into their rest. From Octo- ber 5th, 1828, i. e., from the first communion after the or- ganization, to April, 1865, six hundred and eighty-eight per- sons were received into full communion with the church. Of these three hundred and thirtj^-two were received on certifi- cate, and three hundred and fifty-six on confession of faith. SECOND CHURCH EDIFICE Evidence of the growth of the community and of the pros- perity of the church is found in the fact that in 1847 it became necessary for the church to enlarge its borders and erect a new 46 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES house of worship. Prior to this — as far back as 1835 — a small brick building had been erected for a lecture room and Sabbath School room. Both, however, were unequal to the increasing demands of a growing community, and it was resolved to pro- ceed at once to build a more commodious structure. Linked with the idea of increased church accommodation in the enter- prise, there was the additional idea of facilities for higher edu- cation. It was proposed, on the occupancy of the new build- ing, to convert the old house into an academy to afford instruc- tion in the higher branches of education. Like similar projects of a more recent date, however, this part of the enterprise proved a failure so far as permanency was concerned. As a preliminary step toward the erection of the new edifice, a committee, consisting of the pastor, George G. Negley and James Mitchell, was appointed to wait upon Mrs. Barbara A. Negley, with reference to an additional lot upon which to build the structure. Mrs. Negley responded by adding to her former gift that portion of the present lot lying between the row of trees which skirts the present building on the east and the line of the church lot prior to the extension of Hiland Avenue. A committee, consisting of Daniel Negley, Thomas Aiken, Thomas Davison, Jonas R. McClintock and George McCombs, was appointed to procure subscriptions for the building. By means of the subscriptions thus secured, and upon the lot just specified, the second house of worship was erected. It was a plain, substantial, one-story brick structure, some 50x70 feet, and capable of seating about three hundred persons. It was dedicated to the worship of God, June 12th, 1848. It stood till 1864, when it was sold to the German Lutheran Church of East Liberty, and removed by them to aid in the erection of their present house of worship on Collins Avenue. INCREASE IN POPULATION— THIRD HOUSE OF WORSHIP This structure, although measurably abreast of the improve- ments of the East Liberty valley at the time, was one day to be completely overshadowed. The march of improvement had already begun in earnest in Pittsburgh, Notwithstanding the disastrous fire of 1845, which laid the main business por- 47 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH tion of the city in ashes, the population was ten-fold what it was when the first house was built on this lot and dedicated to the worship of God. Even at this early date there were those who were looking to the East Liberty valley as a pleasant location for suburban homes, and a safe retreat from the smoke of the growing manufacturing city. All that was needed for the rapid development of the region and increase of the population, was quick and reliable facilities of trans- portation to and from the city. These were at length fur- nished by the completion of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, in 1851. From that day to this the progress of the East Liberty valley in population and material resources has been steady, and with each successive year increasingly rapid. With the increase of the population at large came the increase of the church-going population. Families removing from the city found it impossible to retain their former church connection, and after repeated, and in some cases sustained effort to cling to the old church home, they gradually took their places side by side with God's people here. This rapid growth of the population soon filled the sacred edifice to overflowing. Under the force of a pressure which could no longer be resisted, a joint meeting of the Session and Board of Trustees was held P'ebruary 7th, 1860, to take into consideration the question of increased church accommodation. As the outgrowth of this joint meeting, a congregational meet- ing was held April 9th, 1860, and the following resolution unanimously adopted, to wit: "Resolved, That the Trustees are hereby authorized, in conjunction with the Building Committee, appointed at a for- mer meeting, to go on in the erection of a new church build- ing, the whole cost of which shall not exceed sixteen thousand dollars." The Building Committee referred to consisted of the fol- lowing persons, to wit: Thomas Aiken, George A. Berry, Robert Dickey, Dr. A. H. Gross, G. W. Hailman, Daniel Negley and Thomas Seabrook. The foundation of the new edifice, however, had scarcely been laid till the civil war, with its terrific shock and tremendous issues, was upon the nation. 48 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES The structure rose slowly upon its foundations, and was not completed till January, 1864, at a total cost of $22,790. This total, however, does not include the cost of the marble pulpit, and the handsome Bible and hymn book which lie upon it. These were the gift of the late Mrs. J. W. Hailman, who, a few years ago, at the very threshold of a communion season, and within the very walls of the church she loved so devotedly and labored for so zealously, peacefully entered into rest. The house was at once occupied by the congregation and solemnly dedicated to the worship of God, Rev. M. W. Jaco- bus, D. D., preaching the dedication sermon. To complete the original design, Mrs. Barbara A. Negley presented to the Board of Trustees funds for the purchase of a bell to summon God's people to His worship. Through some delay the bell was not hung until 1867, and it is worthy of note that, among the first peals it uttered, were those it tolled as the funeral procession of the liberal donor wended its way to the "city of the dead." The bell bears the following inscrip- tion: "Donated to the First Presbyterian Church of East Liberty by Mrs. B. A. Negley, in the 89th year of her age. Pastors — Rev. William B. Mcllvaine, Rev. John Gillespie." Since its erection, this building has been twice refitted, once in 1868, and again during the summer of 1873. The former refitting included radical changes in the lecture room, and the introduction of a chaste walnut pulpit, the gift of Mrs. Daniel Negley. At the latter date, the choir was removed from the old gallery to the right of the pulpit, the present capacious gallery was erected, a building, furnishing room for a study, two Bible classes, and a recess for an organ, was added in the rear, and the present beautiful organ was introduced. SESSION AUGMENTED We turn again from the outer to the inner history of the church. Twice during the first thirty years of the church's history, the people rallied to the support of their pastor by augmenting the Session — a step rendered necessary by the removal or death of former members. On March 24th, 1837, John Barr, Henry W. Lang, Wm. N. Burchfield and T homas McCleary were ordained and installed ruling elders; and in 49 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH September, 1856, George A. Berry, W. C. Reiter, M. D., and Thomas Aiken were inducted into the same office. Of these but two remain with us today — Messrs. Barr and Burchfield. Of the remaining members, Messrs. McCleary and Lang died in the service of the church, and the others were dismissed, at their own request, to unite with other congregations of God's people. The history of the Board of Trustees properly belongs to the history of the church. To trace it in detail, however, not- ing the annual changes in its membership, and its discharge of routine duty, however interesting to a few, could not fail to exhaust the patience of the many. Some who bore office in early days still linger among us, but most of them have fallen asleep. In this connection, it is worthy of note that on April 7th, 1845, Thomas Aiken and R. C. Beatty, M. D., were appointed a committee to procure a charter for the congregation ; and on May 5th> 1846, Thomas Aiken and George G. Negley a com- mittee to draft a constitution and by-laws to be incorporated with the charter. At the regular annual congregational meet- ing, held April 5th, 1847, the charter was read and adopted. By its provisions the number of the Board was reduced from twelve to six, two members to retire and two to be chosen at each annual meeting of the congregation. This charter hav- ing been lost, a new one, for the most part a duplicate of the first, was applied for, November 2d, 1861, and granted December 23d of the same year. CO-PASTOR CALLED It is necessary now to trace the history of another change in the working force of the church. The congregation had scarcely been comfortably settled in their new house of worship till it became evident, from the failing health of the pastor and the increasing demands of the field, that something must be done to relieve the one and secure the more thorough cultiva- tion of the other. After repeated conferences held by the officers and leading members of the church, with each other and with the pastor, it was resolved, with the cordial approval of the latter, to recommend to the congregation the calling of a co- 50 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES pastor. At a meeting of the congregation, held November 3d, 1864, a committee, consisting of Hon. J. P. Sterrett, Thomas Aiken, George A. Berry, Hon. Thomas Mellon, Robert Orr, Wm. B. Negley, Esq., and James B. Lyon, was appointed to look out and recommend a suitable person for the position. By invitation of this committee, through one of its members, though without any knowledge of its design on the part of the person invited, the present pastor preached in this pulpit on Sabbath, March 19, 1865. On the following Tuesday he was, on recommendation of the committee, unanimously chosen co- pastor. Owing to some informality in the constitution of the meeting, how^ever, the call was not formally made out till the regular annual congregational meeting, held April 17th, 1865. With reference to the personal history of the co-pastor, it may be proper to state that he was born near the city of Edin- burgh, Scotland, February 26, 1839; that he received his ele- mentary English education mainly in the borough school of Haddington, a place famous as the scene of the life and labors of the celebrated Dr. John Brown. Emigrating to this coun- try when about fourteen years of age, study was for the time being intermitted, but only to be resumed again, in the provi- dence of God, a few years later, under the private instruction of his pastor, Rev. T. A. Grove, through whose instrumentality he was brought into the Church, and prepared for college with a view to entering the gospel ministry. He was matriculated as a student of Washington College, Pennsylvania, in 1858; graduated in 1862, and at the time of his election as co-pastor, he was a s*-udent of the Western Theological Seminary and a licentiate of the Presbytery of St. Clairsville, Ohio. On April 26, 1865, the call was presented to the Presbytery of Ohio (now Pittsburgh), then in session in this church. All the parts of trial for ordination having been sustained, and the call hav- ing been accepted, the ordination and installation services were at once proceeded with. In these services the Rev. W. W. Eells, Moderator of the Presbytery, proposed the constitutional questions and offered the ordaining prayer; the Rev. David McKinney, D. D., preached the sermon ; the Rev. George Marshall, D. D., delivered the charge to the pastor, and the Rev. W. D. Howard, D. D., the charge to the people. 51 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The relation of co-pastor continued till April 21, 1870, when, at the request of the senior pastor, the relation existing between him and the church was dissolved by the Presbytery of Ohio, leaving the present incumbent sole pastor. THE CHURCH SINCE 1865 In tracing the history of the church since A. D. 1865 we tread upon firmer ground, the records of the various depart- ments being measurably complete. Within that period the equipment in officers has been increased by twice augmenting the Session, and by the election of a Board of Deacons. On November 19, 1865, Robert Dickey, James B. Lyon and Rob- ert C. Totten were added to the Session, being duly ordained and installed ruling elders in the church. Five years later, owing to the feeble health of Mr. Lang and the withdrawal of Mr. Totten, it was found necessary to further increase the Session by the election of four additional members. Accord- ingly, on September 25th, 1870, Lemuel Spahr and William G. Johnston were inducted into the sacred office, and on November 6th of the same year Francis B. McConnell and Thomas C. Lazear. The difference in the date of the installa- tion of these four brethren is owing to the fact that two elec- tions had to be held before the desired number was secured. On Sabbath, November 6th, 1870, the following persons, having been elected to the office of deacon, were duly ordained and installed, to wit : George G. Negley, William L. Denison, John Gilchrist, Stewart McKee, Thomas D. Patterson and Joseph Torrens. Within the period covered by the present pastorate the Board of Trustees, by the very provisions of its charter, has undergone several changes — some of its members annually retiring, thus making way for others. The recent death of its late lamented president, Robert Orr, as useful as he was noble and good, is entitled to special mention. The Board, as at present constituted, consists of Springer Harbaugh, Presi- dent; George W. Hailman, Secretary; Hon. James P. Ster- rett, D. W. Lewis, M. D., George McWilliams and John C. Alrich. 52 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES What remains to be said today of this period of the church's history may be concisely stated in answer to two simple ques- tions, viz.: What has the Lord done for us? and what have we, through grace, done for Him? 1. What has the Lord done for us? To the praise of God's glorious grace be it answered, "The Lord hath done great things for us." True, no Pentecostal season has been enjo3^ed. No mighty shaking of the dry bones throughout the length and breadth of this valley has been witnessed. No revival epoch, such as marked the early part of this century in Western Pennsylvania, has come and gone. Yet, by God's blessing upon family training. Sabbath School instruction, and pulpit and pastoral labors, the church has steadily increased. Within the past eight years 359 persons have been received into full communion with the church. Of these, 149 were received on confession of faith and 210 on certificate. Within that period at least one season of rich refreshing is to be remem- bered with profound gratitude. It was during the winter of 1865 and 1866. A record, made at the time, states that the opening of the new year found the church in a critical condi- tion, spiritually. The Holy Spirit was moving upon the hearts of the people. A deep solemnity pervaded the congregation. The prayer meetings had increased largely in attendance and interest. Some were secretly inquiring what they must do to be saved, but still the blessing in its fullness was withheld. At the communion held January 14th, 1866, however, eight — with one exception, heads of families — took their stand for Jesus. Three weeks later, in connection with some special services which the condition of things seemed to demand, a quiet but precious work of grace was developed, which issued, within the next few months, in the addition of some forty persons to the church on confession of their faith in Christ. Today the church numbers 170 families and 424 communi- cants, a net increase of 186 communicants since April, 1865 — the whole number then being 238. In other words, the mem- bership is nineteen-fold what it was at the date of the organiza- tion, and three- fourths greater than in 1865. S3 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH THE CHURCH'S WORK 2. AVhat has the church done for Christ? In answering this question I will not burden your memory with figures, or attempt to furnish a balance sheet of forces expended and results reached. With "shame and confusion of face," it may be truthfully afHrmed, we have not "done what we could." But, confession of shortcomings apart, it may be answered briefly : (1 ) This church has sought to plant the Gospel at home by encouraging church extension within its bounds. For some years before the organization of Shady Side Presbyterian Church, a Sabbath School was maintained in the public school house, under the auspices of this church. The present flour- ishing Sabbath School of the now vigorous and thoroughly- established church, is the legitimate successor of the Sabbath School which for years was reported as a mission school of this church. When the field had sufficiently ripened for an organ- ization. Session granted "a cordial and hearty dismission to all members desiring to unite with Shady Side Church." On July 8th, 1867, certificates of dismission were granted to eleven members, including one ruling elder and two members of the Board of Trustees, to unite in forming the new church. From the beginning of the mission work in that region, the enter- prise had no more devoted friend or zealous and liberal sup- porter than Mr. Thomas Aiken — the ruling elder referred to — who, having ceased from his labors, now sleeps in Jesus. Since the date of its organization, thirteen members additional, including another ruling elder, have been dismissed and warmly commended to the fellowship of that church. Another mission project, and one which sustained a much more intimate relation to this church, both in its inception and partial development, was that which laid the foundation for Westminster Church, on Frankstown Avenue. That organiza- tion was the outgrowth of an effort made by this church to relieve its overcrowded pews. At the regular annual congrega- tional meeting, held April 13th, 1868, the Session introduced a paper setting forth the pressing necessity of increased church accommodation, and suggested, among other remedies, the organization of a second church. The congregation adopted the 54 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES suggestion, and appointed a committee to take the necessary preparatory steps. The committee consisted of William G. Johnston, Finley Torrens, Dr. D. W. Lewis, Robert C. Totten and Theodore S. Negley. After a careful survey of the whole field, the committee selected the neighborhood of Torrens Station as the most promising place in which to plant a colony. A Sabbath School was immediately organized in a vacant car- penter shop, and on the evening of the same day, Sabbath, May, 20, 1868, and in the same place, preaching was begun by the Rev. John Kerr, the missionary of the Presbytery of Ohio, who had been recently appointed to cultivate just such fields. A lot being secured, the people, under the leadership of Mr. Finley Torrens, to whose energy and liberality the enterprise owes much of its success, rallied nobly to the work, and before the dawn of another Sabbath a temporary structure had been erected on their own lot. Here the Sabbath School met and public worship was held, till the inclemency of the weather necessitated a more secure shelter — a shelter providentially found in the temporary public school house, which had just been erected. Mr. W. G. Johnston was chosen Superintendent of the Sabbath School, and continued, with the efficient aid of a corps of teachers, selected largely from our congregation, to conduct its affairs successfully till near the time of the church's organization, when the control was committed to the hands of those on the ground. Meanwhile, with commendable liberality, a subscription, amounting to about $2,500, was promptly made by members of our own and other congrega- tions residing within the mission field ; an amount subsequently increased by subscriptions from other members of this church to between $4,000 and $5,000. In course of time a neat, sub- stantial brick edifice was erected for a house of worship, and a Presbyterian church duly organized. Sixteen persons, bearing certificates of dismission from this church, were enrolled among the members constituting the new organization. After a mingled experience of prosperity and adversity, the church is now steadily advancing, and we take pleasure in bidding it God speed. 55 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SYSTEMATIC BENEFICENCE (2 ) To complete this historical sketch, it is enough to state in addition that, though falling far below the measure of our duty, the church is steadily increasing in the grace of systematic beneficence. It is worthy of special note that in its earliest infancy this church recognized its obligation to give to the Lord. While itself a mission church, its members resolved themselves into an Auxiliary Mission Society, and pledged themselves to raise annually a sum equal to fifty cents per member for the spread of the Gospel in mission fields. I have in my possession the original paper, containing the names of fifty-two persons who had enrolled themselves as members of the society. The paper is in the handwriting of the Rev. Mr. Joyce. Its opening language is worthy of permanent record: "We, the members of the Church at East Liberty, desire to contemplate, with awe and gratitude, the mighty movements of the God of all grace in the time in which we live; and in view of the glory of our reigning and triumphant Saviour herein displayed, would humbly ask, 'Lord, what wilt thou have me do?' " The meagerness of the record renders it im- possible to trace the development of Christian beneficence in the history of the church. Suffice it to state, that since April, 1865, the church has contributed regularly to all the objects recommended by the General Assembly, besides responding liberally to many outside calls. Our annual contributions to the Boards, with some variations, have gradually increased till they reached last year the sum of $2,300. Under the present plan of weekly collections for the whole benevolent work of the church, the contributions show a marked increase. Upon the basis of the past six months, it may be safely esti- mated that the amount contributed during the current year will considerably exceed $3,000. In addition to this the ladies of the church, through two organizations, lend substan- tial aid to both the Home and Foreign Mission work, their contributions aggregating, together, not less than $600 or $800 per annum. To complete this brief sketch of our church's beneficence, it is only necessary to add that the Sabbath School, S6 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES by an annual contribution of about $325, supports a Bible woman and native teacher in Canton, China, appropriating the surplus funds to some kindred work. CONCLUSION Such, my brethren, imperfectly traced, is the way by which the Lord our God has led this church these five and forty years. It is a way to be remembered, not forgotten — remem- bered in the ground of thanksgiving which it furnishes, in the solemn admonitions which it utters, in the gracious encourage- ments it affords. When, at the close of the wilderness wan- dering, the children of Israel reached the borders of Canaan, but two remained of all the mighty host that had marched in triumph through the Red Sea ; so, today, of the band of twenty- two, who constituted this church at its organization, but two survive, John Barr and William N. Burchfield. Twenty of the twenty-two slumber in the dust. It needs no prophetic pen to foretell that, within the next forty-five years, an equally large proportion of the present members will have passed to their account. Another tongue than mine shall speak the glad tidings of peace — other ears than these shall listen to the Gospel message. It is said that Xerxes wept to think that one hun- dred years from his invasion of Greece, not one of all his mighty host would be left to tell the tale. Forty-five years hence, few, very few, of the members who occupy these pews today, will be left to tell of this anniversary. Shall we weep at the thought? Nay, verily, my brethren, let the thought rather lead to more devout contemplation of "the things which are above;" to more thorough consecration to the Mas- ter's service, and to a vigilant waiting for the Master's com- ing. Let "the life which we now live in the flesh, be by the faith of the Son of God." Securely planted on the Rock, Christ Jesus, let this be our comfort, through grace, that "Whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." Amen. 57 THE THIRD CllUPXIl -IMIUICAJL D JAM Ai;\, IsGi HISTORICAL SERMON Delivered September 29, 1878, on the Occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Organization By The Rev. John Gillespie, D. D. "Ye shall hallow the fiftieth year." — Leviticus 25: 10. I HE fiftieth year was the year of jubilee, the great Sabbath year in the Jevi^ish Church. It was de- signed to be a year of joy, and the generous 'provisions of the Divine law were so framed as to kindle and sustain that joy. It had two distinguishing char- acteristics, manumission and restitution. Every Israelite, who had forfeited his liberty under the Mosaic statutes, was eman- cipated from bondage the moment the silver trumpet pealed forth the announcement that the year of jubilee had dawned. So, with the ushering in of that season of gladness, every son of Abraham who, through misfortune or mismanagement, had lost his patrimonial estate, was reinvested with the title to his alienated inheritance. It was a year of complete emancipation and restitution. Every debt was to be canceled, and every personal claim relinquished. Within the whole commonwealth of Israel there was to be deliverance from oppression, and such a restitution to order and repose as would gladden the whole face of nature and society. Well, then, might it be a year of joy when it came so richly freighted with the tokens of God's goodness ! The real significance of that institution, however, lay deeper than the surface. It was but a shadow of good things to come. It spoke of an emancipation and restitution infinitely grander than that which sent a thrill of joy through ancient Israel. It told of emancipation from sin and restoration to the Divine favor. It foreshadowed the time when the powers of darkness would be crushed, when the bondage of sin would be broken, and when the saints of God, redeemed from all unrighteous- ness, would be filled with the gladness of heaven. 59 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Not such a jubilee, my brethren, do we celebrate today. The Church has swept beyond the age of type and shadow, but she has not yet entered into the joy of her Lord. She is still the pilgrim Church. Satan is not yet bound. The yoke of sin is not yet broken. The kingdoms of the world have not yet bowed to the sceptre of King Jesus. Our shouts of victory today must mingle with the noise of battle; our anthems of praise must be marred by the memory of our own imperfec- tions and failures. Yet, with all this, it is well that the key- note of our service should be one of gladness. Let us hallow this fiftieth anniversary of our organization as a church in the spirit of the Old Testament jubilee. Is there anything arbi- trary in such a method of celebration? Look at it for a mo- ment. What is the history of the Church of Christ at large, or of any individual church, but the history of manumission and restitution? It is the history of souls justified, sanctified, glorified ; but what is the justification, sanctification, and glori- fication of God's people, but deliverance from the bondage and corruption of sin, and restoration to the favor and presence of God? So the history of a church's life, considered as a potent agency in society, a factor in the problem of human existence and destiny, is the history of manumission and resti- tution. It is the aim of the Church, under her Divine com- mission, to emancipate from the ignorance, oppression and vice which abound through the reign of sin, and to restore to the world through grace the light, the liberty, and the order which obtain under the reign of righteousness. Viewed from this standpoint, the history of this church for the past fifty years is the history of emancipation and restora- tion. The story of her inner life, is the story of emancipation from sin and restoration to Divine favor, together with an account of the methods and forces by which the work has been accomplished. The story of her outer life, is the record of her efforts to disseminate these same Divine blessings, and to im- press the world for good. To compress fifty years of such history within the compass of a single discourse is simply impossible. Even the philosophy of such a history, the summing up of the principles involved, and the accurate measuring of the forces employed, would be 60 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES no brief task. The outline of the church's life for the first forty- five years of its existence, already submitted and within your reach, must suffice for the earlier periods of its history. Today we turn to the church's later life, casting a glance back- ward now and then as necessity may require, THE WORK In hallowing this fiftieth anniversary, let it be recorded as a ground of gladness that God has crowned this church with the tokens of His love and grace. Apostolic history is careful to note with special emphasis, as a mark of Zion's prosperity, that "much people was added unto the Lord," and that, "the Lord added unto the Church daily such as should be saved," rather "the saved." If only the saved, and all the saved, were added to the Church visible, the history of emancipation from sin, and restoration to the Divine favor, could readily be ascertained. The church roll v»ould be the tally sheet for summing up the work of Divine grace. But as in the Divine economy tares and wheat are permitted to grow together, we must be careful not to overestimate the real value of a church's roll. Yet as the only available source of information on the question of tangible results, it may be consulted with the confidence that it is measurably correct. In a former historical discourse, already referred to, it is stated that "from October 5, 1828, i. e., from the first com- munion after the organization of the church, to April, 1865, six hundred and eighty-eight persons were received into full communion with the church. Of these, three hundred and thirty-two were received on certificate, and three hundred and fifty-six on confession of faith." Since then there have been added to the church, on confession tAvo hundred and eighty- five, and on certificate three hundred and forty-two, making a total, since 1865, of six hundred and twenty-seven, and a grand total, since the organization, of thirteen hundred and eleven. In April, 1865, the number of communicants reported to the General Assembly was two hundred and thirty-eight. Add to these the six hundred and twenty-seven since enrolled, and there is a total of eight hundred and sixty-five, who fall within the compass of the present pastorate. Of these, up to 6i CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH the present date, ninety have died, two hundred and twenty- one have been dismissed to unite with other churches, three have been excommunicated, two have been suspended, and thirty-five have been placed upon the retired list or dropped from the roll, leaving the actual enrollment today five hundred and fourteen. The summary is brief but significant. It tells of souls that have been born into the kingdom, of others who have gone to witness for Christ in other parts of God's heritage, and of still others who have passed from the cross to the crown. The ingatherings have been mainly through the ordinary instru- mentalities of home influence. Sabbath School instruction, and pulpit ministrations. One notable exception, however, deserves to be recorded, the spiritual refreshing enjoyed during the win- ter of '74 and '75. The memory of that work of grace is still fresh and fragrant. It was a union work among God's people, in which most of the churches in this part of the city happily shared. The reapers of the harvest, those who thrust in the sickle to gather the golden grain, were the Young Men's Christian Association of East Liberty, under the efficient lead- ership of the Rev. S. A. Taggart, together with the pastors of the churches and other Christian workers. Towards the close of the year 1874, it was resolved by the Association, after con- ference with the pastors, to hold a series of union services immediately after the week of prayer. These services were begun in much weakness. But the harvest was ripe, and it was God's time to reap. For months before, earnest hearts had been longing and praying for the descent of the Holy Ghost in mighty power. He came. The interest deepened. The churches were aroused from their lethargy. Tongues that had never before spoken for Jesus in public were untied. The love of so many that had waxed cold was revived; some, who had had but a name to live, passed from death to life, and rejoiced in a sense of pardoned sin. Sinners were convicted, strong men were bowed under a sense of guilt, and many found peace in believing. For ten weeks, amidst all the rigors of an unusually severe winter, the services were maintained, the largest churches in the place being crowded at times to overflowing. Besides the incalculable good done to God's 62 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES people by that memorable work of grace, sixty-six were led to confess their faith in Christ in this congregation, most of whom remain with us to this day. Such has been the ingathering into the kingdom of grace. But the record speaks of another ingathering, an ingathering into the kingdom of glory. What a harvest the Angel of Death has reaped within the past fifty years, or to narrow the compass of our vision, even within the past thirteen years. Many of the lambs of the flock have been gathered into the fold above. Not a few of the baptized members of the church, whose names are not found on the communicants' roll, have passed to their account. Besides these, ninety of those who have sat with us in these heavenly places, as God's professed children, have entered, it is fondly hoped, into the joy of their Lord. Let us remember them today, but not as they were in the house of their pilgrimage, compassed with infirmities and burdened with sin. Let us rather think of them as celebrating a jubilee infinitely more glorious than that we celebrate today, a jubilee in which emancipation and restitution have reached their highest expression, and in which unalloyed gladness fills the soul. Did time permit, and it were possible to avoid apparently invidious distinctions, we might pause just here and call the roll of our sainted dead. What scenes memory and imagination would paint at such a roll-call ! How varied, yet how lifelike! As one by one these ransomed ones passed before us, in solemn procession, what memories they would awaken, what tender associations they would recall ! How many, especially of the fathers and mothers in Israel, woiJd answer to such a summons ! Verily, death has been busy with the aged during the period of the present pastorate. We miss the snowy locks and venerable forms of those men and women of God. Their presence no longer cheers us in the house of our pilgrimage, but their memory is blessed. In the hope of a glorious resurrection, we have laid them to rest in the city of the dead. "They are not tasting death, but taking rest, On the same holy couch where Jesus lay, Soon to awake, all glorified and blest, When day has broke and shadows Red away." 63 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Such, in brief, is the record of God's ingatherings and ours. But the history of a church's life comprises more than the record of its ingatherings. It includes the story of its culture, and the aggregate of its outside work. What glorious tri- umphs of the Cross have the past fifty years witnessed! Within that period Christian missions have advanced from the condition of a feeble infancy to the vigor of a ripening matur- ity. Nations once sealed against the introduction of the Gospel have been opened for the reception of the truth, and the Church has entered grandly on the work of conquest. Standing as wc do today in the veiy focus of fifty years of this church's life, it is pertinent to ask, what response have we given to the pressing calls for self-denying effort and enlarged benefi- cence ? Of this, as of much else, another record must speak as to the earlier history of the church — a record which tells that this church was born a mission church, and baptized in its earliest infancy with a missionary spirit. The history of practical beneficence for the past thirteen years is the history of repeated experiments and failures as to methods. First the subscription method was tried, but failed ; because it trenched upon that reserve which is claimed as a right in Christian beneficence. The periodical box collection for specific objects followed, but was speedily abandoned ; because that, under it, the contributions were manifestly falling off. Next the envelope plan was tried, and with a measure of success at first, but finally it shared the fate of the preceding methods ; because the people practically ignored it, many declining to lift the envelopes from the pew, and others refusing to use them in depositing their contributions. Perplexed by repeated failures, and admonished by diminishing collections, that something must be done, the Session, after careful examination, resolved to recommend the present plan of weekly collections for the whole benevolent work of the church, the schedule of disbursements among the various objects to be arranged annually and an- nounced to the congregation. This method was introduced January 1, 1873. Under it the contributions steadily increased, until the severe financial pressure rendered it impossible for many to continue their former gifts to the Lord's treasury. Happily the tide is again turning; the contributions for the 64 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES past few months indicating an encouraging increase. After a continuous trial of more than five years, the plan may be safely pronounced a success, the people giving more largely and more easily than under any former plan. The beneficence of the church, as reported to the General Assembly, from April 1, 1865, to March 31, 1878, including the missionary contri- butions of the Sabbath School and the receipts of the Ladies' Missionary Societies, may be tabulated as follows, to wit: P'oreign Missions $12,568 Home Missions (including Sustentation) . . . 14,114 Education (including special work) 5,969 Publication 1 ,336 Church Erection 3,939 Ministerial Relief 2,254 Freedmen (ten years) 2,818 Miscellaneous 3,761 General Assembly's Contingent Fund 515 Total $47,274 Within the same period there have been received from all sources, and expended for congregational purposes, $81,699. To this handsome aggregate, however, an important addition must now be made. It is among the special causes of thanks- giving on this day of gladness, that we have hallowed our jubilee year by a successful effort to life a debt of almost $10,000, which had been pressing heavily upon the church. The history of that effort is too fresh in your memory to require extended notice here. Suffice it to say that, under the plan adopted, about one-half the amount has actually been paid into the treasury and applied upon the debt, and that there is every reason to believe that what still remains will be paid with equal promptness as the obligations mature. When it is remem- bered that this work was undertaken at a time of great finan- cial stringency, and accomplished at the expense of no little sacrifice on the part of many, there is cause for double joy. In the method of its accomplishment we have also placed posterity under obligation to us, because we have bequeathed to our successors this precious legacy, that the property has been placed in such a position, under the law, that no other 6S CENTENNIAL EASl LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH mortgage can ever rest upon it in the future. Would that all churches were equally protected against that financial blunder, which is the bane of many an organization today. THE WORKERS From the work we pass now to the workers. And first of all let us turn to the office-bearers in God's house. THE PASTORS In these days of Presbyterian itinerancy, when protracted pastorates are the exception rather than the rule, it may be recorded with gratitude today that this church has had but two pastors, the Rev. William B. Mcllvaine, now retired from the active ministry, and the present incumbent. For the history of the first pastorate, and the earlier history of the second, you are again referred to the historical sketch already submit- ted. It is to me a source of unspeakable joy, and a cause for profoundest gratitude, that after a continuous service of more than thirteen years, a service not without its vicissitudes and trials, as well as its encouragements and joys, unbroken har- mony exists between us today as pastor and people. To the praise of God's glorious grace let it be recorded. THE ELDERS Scarcely greater changes, proportionately, have occurred in the eldership. But seventeen persons in all have exercised the functions of this sacred office, during the first half century of the church's history. Of these, two died during their incumbency, Thomas McCleary and Henry W. Lang; seven withdrew, to cast in their lot with other congregations of God's people, where four of them, Messrs. Reiter, Aiken, Berry and Totten, were subsequently honored with calls to the same responsible position, and eight are still enrolled among us, and constitute our eldership today, precisely as reported in 1873. From this record, it appears that the Session has enjoyed wonderful immunity from the ravages of death. Of the two who fell at the post of duty, Mr. McCleary was called first, having died in July, 1855. It is the testimony of his brethren who sur- vive that he was a man of earnest piety, and an efficient helper in the various departments of church work. Mr. Lang passed from our midst March 31st, 1872, having been forty-one 66 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES years a member of the church, and thirty-five years a ruling elder. During the later years of his life he was but little known, having been laid aside, in a great measure, from active duty by the insidious disease that finally laid him low in death. He was a man of unblemished character and deep piety, esteemed by all who knew him. After long and faithful serv- ice in the kingdom of his Lord, he was gathered home, "like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season." Still another member of the Session, who welcomed me to this field of labor, sleeps in Jesus — one whose cordial greeting and efficient co-operation, till called to another sphere of labor, are among the cherished memories of my pastorate — Thomas Aiken, a man "full of the Holy Ghost." Shady Side was the chief mourner, when that beloved servant of God entered into his rest, but East Liberty claimed the second place in testifying to his worth, and now gratefully embalms his memory on the pages of her history. The two senior members of our Session, John Barr and Wil- liam N. Burchfield, honored and esteemed, still abide with us, the only living links which bind the church of 1828 to the church of 1878. THE DEACONS From those charged with the spiritual interests of the church, we turn now to those entrusted with the oversight of the Lord's poor, and the care of the funds collected for benevo- lent work. Of the six persons who constituted the first Board of Deacons in this church, chosen in 1870, but three remain. Messrs. Patterson and McKee have withdrawn to unite with other churches, and William L. Denison rests from his labors, having died May 13, 1874. To say that Mr. Denison was a man of sterling worth, is to pay a tribute to his memory which all must acknowledge to be just. Naturally retiring in his disposition, he nevertheless impressed his generation for good, and has left a record behind him which is not only a precious heritage to his family, but also to the church of which he was an honored member and a faithful officer. In view of these vacancies in the Board, the Session resolved to recommend to the congregation the election of three addi- 67 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH tional members to make good the original number. In accord- ance with this recommendation, at a congregational meeting, held December 30, 1874, John Lusk, John Allen and Isaiah K. Becker were chosen to the office of deacon, and on Sabbath morning, January 31, 1875, were duly ordained and installed. THE TRUSTEES The Board of Trustees next claims our attention. Did time permit, it would be a grateful task to mention the names of those who have been successively charged with the management of the business affairs of the church. Such a list would be a roll of honor. The position is one whose importance it would be difficult to overestimate, because the efficiency of any church depends in no small degree upon the successful management of its finances. The early history of the Board has already been traced, and the annual changes in its constituent elements must be omitted. Some changes, however, claim a passing notice — those that have been wrought by the hand of death. More than any other arm of the church's service, this Board has fallen under the power of the destroying angel. During the present pastorate, three of its members have passed beyond recall. The first that fell was Robert Orr, who died August 2, 1873. The call was sudden and unexpected, but it found him ready. For "him to live was Christ, and to die was gain." His was a piety that found its highest expression, not in words but in deeds. Thoroughly conscientious, of the strictest integ- rity, unimpeachable in his honesty, generous and systematic in his beneficence, he was honored in his life and deeply lamented in his death. Scarcely had three months passed till death again touched the Board, and David W. Lewis, the "beloved physician," entered into his rest. It was on November 9, 1873. The shock which startled this community when it was announced that that man of God had passed to his reward, will not soon be forgotten. The \vhole community mourned; and when the moment for the funeral service arrived, this sacred edifice was filled to overflowing with representatives from every class of the population. It is enough today that we pause and drop a tear upon his grave. No word of eulogy is needed. He lives 68 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES in the memory of those who knew him best, as the skilled physi- cian, the devoted Christian, the upright citizen, the true friend. It is not given to many to be so universally esteemed in life, and so sincerely lamented in death. To complete the necrology of the Board, still another name must be added to the death roll, the name of George W. Hail- man, who fell asleep May 14, 1878. The memory of that deep sorrow is still fresh. The blow fell suddenly at last, although the later months of Mr, Hailman's life were one incessant conflict with disease, which neither medical skill nor change of climate could arrest. But his end was peace. It is easy to see now that, for a few years before his death, he was gradually ripening for glory. Always conscientious and consistent as a professing Christian, he rose under the impulse of our great revival to a higher plane of Christian living. In a very marked degree he became from that time forward an earnest, consecrated child of God. When Mr. William G. Johnston, admonished by impaired health, retired from the superintendency of the Sabbath School, Mr. Hailman was unanimously chosen his successor. Naturally retiring in his disposition, and with a deep conviction of his own unfitness for the office, it was with difficulty he could be persuaded to enter upon the discharge of his duties. When, however, his reluctance was finally overcome, he threw himself into the work with all the energy which conviction of duty and en- thusiasm for the work could inspire. Cut off, after a few months of service, in the very midst of his usefulness, he had nevertheless planted himself firmly in the affections both of teachers and scholars, and it is safe to say that in that large procession which conveyed his precious dust to its resting place in the tomb, few more sincere mourners were to be found than those who had learned to love him in the Sabbath School. Eminently useful in the business walks of life, and honored by the church he loved, he rests from his labors. The Board, as at present constituted, consists of George Bingham, President; John C. Alrich, Secretary; James R. Mellon, John H. McKelvy, James Batchelor and Henry W. Fulton, M. D. To this list of officers must be added the name of Francis B. McConnell, Treasurer, to whom the church is 69 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH greatly indebted for a large amount of gratuitous and perplex- ing labor; and last, but not least, either in the importance of his office or in the fidelity and efficiency with which for the past twelve years he has discharged its duties, the name of John Grounds, Sexton. THE SABBATH SCHOOL Confessedly one of the most efficient and encouraging de- partments of our church work is the Sabbath School. Un- happily much of its earlier history has passed beyond recovery. The available records are so defective that it would be no easy task to compile a continuous and reliable history of the school, in its force of teachers, its methods, or its work. The subject is worthy of painstaking investigation, and a separate occasion. Anything like an extended notice must be reserved for some such occasion. Let it suffice, today, to state that, in its organ- ization, the Sabbath School antedated the church by several years; that, during its entire history, it has enrolled among its officers and teachers some of the ablest consecrated talent in the church, and that its aggregate of results, although not expressed in facts and figures, is believed to be a record of which the church need not be ashamed. During the present pastorate, the office of Superintendent has been successively filled by George A. Berry, Robert C. Totten, William G. Johnston, George W. Hailman and Alex. C. Montgomery, the present incumbent, who, at his own request, retires from the office today, to be succeeded by T. D. Davis, M. D., just elected to fill the vacancy. Of the work under these several administrations it would be pleasant to speak, but time and the magnitude of the subject admonish me that I must forbear. The school at present comprises, in all its departments, besides the officers, thirty-three teachers (annually elected by the Ses- sion) and three hundred and ninety-one scholars. It is fur- nished with an excellent library, and in most of its appoint- ments is believed to be measurably abreast of the age in all sub- stantial improvements. The additions to the communicants' roll, from the rank and file of the school, tell of thorough biblical instruction, and of earnest, believing prayer. Among the admirable features of the school which furnish cause for 70 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES present gratitude, and give promise of future usefulness, may be mentioned, in addition, the training given in systematic beneficence — a training all the more thorough because of the excellent system of supervision introduced by Mr. Johnston — and the instruction given in the Shorter Catechism, a matter more certainly and easily accomplished under the plan recently introduced. MISSIONARY SOCIETIES Still another class of workers remains to be noticed, the Ladies' Missionary Societies. First in the order of organiza- tion comes the "Home Missionary Society," which renders substantial aid to the work of Home Missions, by annually sending boxes, well filled with clothing and household goods, to the families of missionaries, whose slender salaries need sup- plementing. No better commentary on the commendable character of this work is needed, than the responses received from those struggling servants of God, in the Home field, who are thus remembered. A few of the noble band of workers, who, amid great discouragements, toiled on during the earlier years of the present pastorate, have been called to a higher service. Many in the last day will rise up and call them blessed. Others, however, in the providence of God, have risen to take the work which dropped from their hands when the summons came, and the society, largely increased in num- bers, is more flourishing today than ever. The deep, far-reaching interest in Foreign Missions, which sprang up among the Christian women of the Presbyterian Church a few years ago, found a ready response in this con- gregation. Under the influence of that grand movement, an "Auxiliary Foreign Missionary Society" was formed in this church, which still lives in all the freshness and vigor which characterized its organization. It stands responsible to the Woman's Department of Foreign Missions, for one-half the salary of a missionary, a pledge thus far faithfully redeemed. In addition to its own specific work, this society also oversees the juvenile band of workers, known as the "Buds of Promise," whose busy hands and earnest hearts, under the direction of maturer wisdom, do nobly both for Home and Foreign work. 71 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH THE WORSHIP A few words concerning the worship of the church will close the present sketch. Presbyterianism, however uncom- promising in all that is essential to the integrity of revealed truth, is nevertheless sufficiently flexible in non-essentials. Our form of worship is not such an iron-clad system, as that inno- vation must be branded as heresy. Each session is at liberty to adjust the details of the service of God's house, in accord- ance with the general principles of the "Directory for Wor- ship." In the main, however, the forms of worship in all Presbyterian churches are substantially the same. Leaning, as this church has always done, towards a wise conservatism, rather than to a policy of mere experiment, it is not to be ex- pected that many changes are to be chronicled in its mode of worship. In its essential features, as for instance, in the ratio of the devotional to the didactic elements in worship, it is the same in the church of 1878 that it was in the church of 1828. The most notable changes, perhaps, have taken place in the SERVICE OF SONG A church without music would be a church but half equipped for the worship of God. In this church, as in all churches, it has a history. It is a history, however, unwritten, and there- fore difficult of access. With gratitude let it be recorded, that so far as I have been able to trace it, it is not a history of dis- sension and dispute, of petty jealousies and angry conflicts. For the most part the music has been in the hands of those who reverenced God's house and loved God's ordinances. Whatever may be said of its merit, artistically considered, it may be safely said that God's praise, and not man's, has been sung. For many years the primitive, though by no means antiquated, method of a precentor, was the mode of conducting the service of song. The precentor's duties were discharged mainly by our venerable ruling elder William N. Burchfield, relieved now and then by Thomas McCleary, or some other person qualified for the post. Here, as almost everywhere, the precentor in course of time gave place to a choir, first under the leadership of Mr. Burchfield, and subsequently under that of Moses Phillips, whose voice is now hushed in death. 72 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES What may be denominated the third stage in the history of church music — the introduction of a melodeon — was reached in March, 1856, In course of time the melodeon was sup- planted by a larger and finer instrument, which, in 1873, gave place to the present organ. About the time the melodeon was introduced, or soon after, John R. Negley was chosen leader of the choir, retaining the position for a number of years. His splendid tenor voice, so rich, so sweet, so full, will not soon be forgotten. During all these years many excellent and willing voices from among the wives and daughters of the congrgea- tion, as also from among the husbands and sons, have been numbered with the choir. The service they have rendered, and are rendering today, oftentimes at the expense of great self-denial, deserves to be placed upon permanent record. It is a responsible position, and imposes a heavy tax both on time and strength. Within the past few years the session has exercised its con- stitutional right with reference to the music of God's house, so far as to elect both the organist and the members of the choir. It is believed to be a practice not only in harmony with the constitutional law of the Presbyterian Church, but eminently satisfactory to those called to the work, and conservative of the best interests of the congregation. Here we must pause. The web which has been woven is necessarily imperfect and incomplete, but the shuttle must be dropped, and the thread of the narrative broken. Upon the past we dare not further linger. In the language of inspiration, "it is done." More than this, it is either well done or ill done; but well done, or ill done, it cannot be undone. The Pillar of Cloud is liftmg, and the voice of the Master beckons us onward. Carrying with us as a sacred heritage, the lessons of the past fifty years, let us obey the summons. Grander opportunities invite, and weightier obligations press today, than fell to the lot of our fathers half a century ago; therefore grander siiccesses, or grander failures await us. May every 5'ear, by Divine grace, be to us a jubilee year, a year of manu- mission and restitution; a "year of the right hand of the Most High." Let it be our highest ambition to glorify, not the church, but the Head of the Church, to cast all our crowns 73 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH at the feet of Jesus, to "count all things but loss for the ex- cellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord." One by one we shall fall by the way, and be gathered to our fathers, but the Church we love shall live on. May she ever abide under the shadow of the Almighty, loyal to her King, loyal to His truth, loyal to His kingdom. In the future, more than in the past, may it be written of her, "This and that man was born in her, and the Highest himself shall establish her." To this end, let the fervent prayer ascend from every heart today, "Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon this garden, that the spices thereof may flow out." Amen. SKETCH OF THE CELEBRATION The semi-centenary of the organization of this church fell on Saturday, September 28, 1878. The public exercises con- nected with the celebration of the event, commenced on the Friday evening preceding. From six to eight o'clock, an ele- gant supper was served by the ladies, in the lecture room of the church. The proceeds of the entertainment, including receipts from a large and choice selection of fruits and other refresh- ments, were devoted to liquidating that portion of the church debt which had been assumed by the ladies of the congregation. After supper, an adjournment was had to the audience room, where the exercises were introduced by singing part of Doddridge's beautiful and impressive hymn, beginning, "O God of Bethel, by whose hand." Prayer was then offered by Rev. C. V. McKaig, after which the pastor stated the object of the meeting, and, in behalf of the congregation, extended a cordial welcome to invited guests, and all others who had honored the occasion with their pres- ence. Deep regret was expressed that the Rev. Wm. B. Mc- Ilvaine, the first pastor of the church, owing to distance and feeble health, was unable to accept the cordial invitation of the session to be present at the celebration. It was noticed, how- ever, as a matter for congratulation, that two of the former elders of the church, Messrs. George A. Berry and Robert C. Totten, had been able to respond to similar invitations. One of the pleasant features of the evening was the pres- ence of representatives from two contiguous churches, in one 74 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES sense daughters of this church, because organized within her territory, and in part by her members, Shady Side and West- minster. On invitation, the pastor of the former, the Rev. W. T. Beatty, D. D., returned the greeting of the mother to the daughter. In a brief but appropriate address, he fully recipro- cated the expressions of kindness and Christian fellowship with which he had been introduced, congratulated the church upon her record in the past, and wished her the highest prosperity in the future. Westminster responded through one of her ruling elders, Mr. L. P. Greaves, who with great candor dwelt for a moment on the struggles of our younger born, but spoke in the strong- est terms, and with unwavering confidence, of the ripeness of the field and the hopefulness of the church's future. He was followed by Mr. George Finley, of the same church, who had been a member of the Sabbath school out of which East Liberty church grew, and who occupied a few min- utes in relating reminiscences of early days. Next came an appropriate selection, beautifully and impres- sively rendered by the choir, which led up to the crowning feature of the evening's entertainment, viz. : the recognition and remembrance of the only two surviving members of the original organization, Messrs. John Barr and William N. Burchfield. Not only have these venerable fathers been members of the church for fifty years, but for forty-one years have served in the capacity of ruling elders. The pastor, after congratulating them on the distinguishing goodness of God, which had spared them to join in the festivi- ties of this celebration, and speaking briefly of their eminent service, and of the honor and esteem in which they were held, presented each of them, in the name of the congregation, with an easy chair. The chairs had been placed on the platform in front of the pulpit, where each of them, in turn, took his seat as the chairs were presented. Overcome with the memories of the past, and such tokens of rcognition in the present, it was with difficulty that even Mr. Burchfield, the younger of the two by ten years, could control his feelings sufficiently to re- spond. Ivaboring under the power of deep emotion, he never- theless uttered, very touchingly and appropriately, a few words 75 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of thanks, concluding by invoking God's richest blessing upon the church, in the language of the hymn with which the exer- cises had been opened. The closing address was by the Rev. John G. Brovi'n, D. D., who had been invited to respond in behalf of the aged brethren thus remembered and honored. In a few neat and well chosen words, Dr. Brown discharged the duty assigned to him, claiming identity with the congregation in fts earlier history, sketching a graphic picture of the church as it once was, and closing with a touching invocation and benediction on those whom the people had delighted to honor. After the singing of the doxology, and the pronouncing of the benediction by the Rev. A. C. McClelland, the congrega- tion again withdrew to the lecture room, where another hour was spent in pleasant social intercourse. The public exercises connected with the celebration of the semi-centenary were brought to a close on Sabbath afternoon, September 29, by the celebration of the anniversary of the Sab- bath School. The congregation assembled was very large, and the deepest interest was manifested in the various parts of the delightful service. CHURCH OFFICERS PASTOR Rev. John Gillespie ELDERS John Barr Lemuel Spahr Wm. N. Burchfield Wm. G. Johnston Robert Dickey Francis B. M;.Connell James B. Lyon Thomas C. Lazear DEACONS George G. Negley John Lusk John Gilchrist John Allen Joseph Torren^: Isaiah K. Becker TRUSTEES George Bingham, Pres't John H. McKelvy John C. Alrich, Sec'y H. W. Fulton, M. D. James R. Mellon James W. Baychelor TREASURER Francis B. McConnell SEXTON John Grounds 76 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES SABBATH SCHOOL Supt. — Alex. C. Montgomery Asst. Supt. — Jacob B. Negley Treasurer — Benjamin B. Pears Conductor of Music — Henry W. Fulton, M. D. Librarian — J. Pennock Hart Assistant Librarians — William J. Spahr Robert Bailey J. Ben Lyon HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY Pres. — Mrs. Wtlliam G. Johnston Sec'y and Treas, — Mrs. Thomas Mellon AUXILIARY FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY Pres. — Miss Laura E. Batchelor. Vice-Pres. — Mus Ellen Lyon Secretary and 1 reasurer— Miss A. Josephine Spahr CHOIR Leader — Alex C. Montgomery Organist — Miss S. Page Orr MEMBERS Miss Annie McClelland Mr. Wm. A. Burchfield Mrs. Helen S. Ford Mr. F. G. Paulson Mrs. W. H. McConnell Mr. Wm. H. McConnell Miss Kate Courtney Mr. Chas. H. Riggs Miss Annie R. McConnell Mr. John L. Person 77 WILLIAM G. JOHNSTON Elder; Sabbath School Superintendent. HISTORICAL ADDRESS Delivered Sabbath, September 30, 1888, on the Occasion OF the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Organization AND the Dedication of the Present Church By William G. Johnston, Elder. [HE task assigned us by the session, of presenting, within the brief time that can be allotted on this occasion, a sketch of a history, as this, crowded with so many precious memories, seems so laden with im- possibilities that at the threshold we can but shrink at the thought of its execution. Perspicuity, coupled with condensa- tion, are the demands which render the task difficult. As words, then, cannot be wasted when such are the condi- tions, we must be chary of their use in preliminaries, as we hasten to make a beginning. The sole historian of this organization, in all the period of its existence, has been its late pastor. Rev. John Gillespie, D. D. ; and so methodical and industrious a gleaner was he, that it is well nigh vain to add to the sheaves he garnered. Whilst imitating the example of Ruth, whose kinsman kindly bade his young men, "Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not," we bespeak the indulgence commanded by Boaz, while, too, we remind you that what the generous Bethlehemite added, as he spake in his barley field, is not ours to enjoy — "Let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them that she may glean them, and rebuke her not." BEGINNINGS The germ of this church's organization can be traced prior to the year 1819, when Mr. Jacob Negley, Sr., erected, near the site of this edifice, a frame school house in which, at irregu- lar intervals, ministers of various evangelical denominations conducted religious services ; so that with some degree of fitness we may employ the words which she of Samaria addressed the wearied Saviour as He sat and rested by Sychar's well at noon- tide — "Our father Jacob gave us this well, and drank thereat, he and his children." 79 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH THE FIRST HOUSE OF WORSHIP— AN EARLY FRIEND In the year 1819 the little school house gave way for a church building, erected upon a lot containing one and a half acres of ground, which Mrs. Barbara A. Negley conveyed to some of her neighbors in trust, for the "East Liberty Presby- terian Congregation." This deed bears date April 12th, 1819. In 1847, when the congregation was about to erect the second house of worship built upon this lot, Mrs. Negley added an- other, eastward of her former gift, and in the course of events this has proved an addition far beyond the conception of the wisest in that day, as it secured the admirable frontage possessed by reason of the opening of South Hiland avenue. The bell which hangs in the steeple overhead, and which for twenty-one years past has summoned hither worshipers of God, was also the gift of this mother in Israel ; and among its earli- est peals were those which sounded her requiem, as the mourn- ing cortege bore her remains to the silent city of the dead. And yonder beautiful window, in the western wall of the transept, representing the women bearing spices and ointments to the sep- ulchre to embalm the body of the dead Christ, fitly commem- orates her who loved and honored and served the living Christ. After receiving the donation of the lot, we learn from the scant records which remain, that a subscription of $1,561.62^2 was at once raised to build "a school and meeting house, to be for the use of the Presbyterian congregation, called the East Liberty Presbyterian Congregation." This house, built of brick, stood in part upon the present site. It was forty-four feet square, and had one corner to- wards the Greensburg 'pike, now Penn avenue, in consequence of the design to face it towards the east. Its hipped roof was supported by an ornamental pillar which ran up through the centre of the building, and terminated in a pinnacle above the roof. The building fund was exhausted before the structure was completed, and the finance committee of that day made free use of the generosity of Mr. Negley, to whom they be- came largely indebted. And the building committee, in lieu of pews, introduced benches without backs, and improvised a sort of pulpit in one corner of the room. 8o SERMONS AND ADDRESSES EAST LIBERTY VALLEY IN THE OLDEN TIME There was doubtless some correspondence between the house of worship and the average homes of the worshipers. Even within our own brief experience, which goes back half a cen- tury, we retain pictures in our mind of some of these, and also of the East Liberty valley; obtained from such prominences as the hill immediately towards the west, Morningside and Point Breeze, and which the changes of modern times have not ef- faced. One of these, put into words for a diflferent use, we give verbatim : "Passing great farm lands on the right and on the left, and log cabins almost hid from sight by huge hay stacks; then past a great hostelry — the Black Horse tavern — with swinging sign at the top of a high pole — the device, of course, a black charger, reined tightly and in full trot; while just opposite, was a great barn affording stabling for the tavern gxiests, its gable next the road perforated for the accommoda- tion of a great flock of pigeons — many fan tails among them. Close to the barn was a large watering trough for the conven- ience of the wayfaring public; for there was a constant cara- van of great canvas topped wagons, drawn by six-horse teams, usually having clusters of bells above their saddle bows, which tinkled merrily as they moved along. And in these wagons much of the commerce between the East and the West was conducted. "Besides, there were stages innumerable for the transporta- tion of living freight ; for all this, be it remembered, was before the days of railroads in or around Pittsburgh. The road now bending a little eastwardly, presently another scene of tranquil beauty was spread at our feet; one which I doubt has its equal this side of heaven — the charming valley of East Liberty ! "There were no palatial residences, with velvety lawns and choice shrubbery; but there were numerous log cabins, with morning glories peeping through the vines that clambered over rude porches, and gourds, or mock oranges, hanging from those whose tendrils found secure lodgment in the chinks of the gables." PICTURES IN NUMERALS We shall presently speak of the church as it was in the year 1828. Before doing so, however, a few statistics in reference 8i CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH to that particular date may afford a striking contrast with the present and enable us to form opinions respecting the sur- roundings of the church, and bring these more vividly to vievi^, perhaps, than the picture we have attempted to draw: The population of Pittsburgh then was 15,000. The Twentieth Ward, in which the church is located, now contains 10,000 people ! Our city now, based upon the last census and calculating its increase in the ratio as in preceding decimal periods, has not less than 250,000 inhabitants. These figures, contrasted with the population of the thirteen original States in 1790, show that Pittsburgh now contains one-third as many people as there were then in the entire State of Virginia, the most populous at that period. It has more than one-half the number there were in either of the States of Pennsylvania, New York, Massa- chusetts, Maryland or North Carolina; about as many as there were in either South Carolina or Connecticut; a greater num- ber than there were in New Hampshire or New Jersey, and more than were contained in the three remaining States com- bined, Rhode Island, Delaware and Georgia. STATED WORSHIP OF PRESBYTERIAN FORM Although, for religious purposes, and having the name Pres- byterian attached, a house had been built as early as has been stated, it was not until February, 1828, that stated worship of Presbyterian form was held in the "meeting house" — for up to this period ministers of several denominations held occasional services, as they could be secured from time to time. THE SABBATH SCHOOL A few years prior to this a Sabbath school had been started. At its first session there were nine pupils; and the teachers were Luke Loomis, now remembered as the venerable elder of the Second Presbyterian Church; and Isaac Harris, whose various publications respecting the growth of the city are now treasured as mementoes of the past. "The Sabbath school, it is believed, has been continued without interruption till the present." EAST LIBERTY A MISSION FIELD It should greatly encourage all who are interested in Home 82 JOllX ROUP First Superintendent of Sabbath School; Trustee 1823. SERMONS AND ADDRESSES Mission work, that the Presbyterian Board of Domestic Mis- sions, now the Board of Home Missions, so closelj' followed up the initial work of which we have spoken, as to be entitled at least to the name of foster parent of this church ; for upon the 8th of February, 1828, it commissioned Rev. John Joyce to "publish the Gospel and administer the ordinances in the neigh- borhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at discretion." Exercising this discretionary power, Mr. Joyce selected East Liberty as his field of labor, for it bore the bad distinction of being a godless community, though in the midst of it there was a measure of leaven, as we have recorded, and some earnest workers ready and anxious to stay the hands of him who had been sent to proclaim the glad tidings of the Gospel ; prominent among whom was the late Francis G. Bailey, who, through a long and useful life, in imitation of his divine Master, "went about doing good." THE CHURCH ORGANIZED Stated worship having been begun by Mr. Joyce, Mr. Bailey at once canvassed the community and obtained signatures to a petition for the organization of a church. East Liberty lay within the bounds of Redstone Presbytery, which met on April 1st, 1828, at Saltsburg, and to it on that day the petition was presented by Mr. Bailey and Mr. John Roup, who appeared as commissioners on behalf of the families interested. Serious and spirited opposition was made to this application on the part of the historic Beulah church, situated on the hill top bej'ond the suburb now, and perhaps then, known as Wilkinsburg. It was represented as an encroachment upon the territory of that organization ; and the further argument was made that there were no Presbyterians in East Liberty to form a con- gregation. To the latter point the modest reply of Mr. Bailey was, "There are plenty of people there, and we expect to have them converted, and they will make the church." Presbytery at length granted the request and took steps for the formation of a congregation. THE FIRST MEMBERS On Thursday, September 25th, 1828, in accordance with a notice given on the preceding Sabbath, a meeting was held CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH at the residence of Mr. Bailey, at which twenty-two persons presented certificates of dismission from other churches, desiring to have connection with this. Their names were: Robert Bailey, Sr., Hannah Bailey, Isabella Bailey, Francis G. Bailey, Maiy Ann Bailey, Wm. M. Miller, Robert Barr, Mary Whitesides, Catharine Brown, James and Jane Backhouse, from the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh; William Semple, Ann Semple, Wm. N. Burchfield, Wm. Joyce, Elizabeth Joyce and Ann Boner, from the Second Presbyterian Church of Pitts- burgh; Andrew Mitchell and Susan Mitchell, from Bethany Presbyterian Church ; Mary Burchfield, from the Presbyterian Church of McKeesport, and John Barr and Mary Barr, from the Associate Reformed Church of Pittsburgh. THE FIRST ELDERS AND THEIR SUCCESSORS The formal organization was effected on Sabbath, September 28th, at which time also Robert Bailey, James Backhouse and Francis G, Bailey were nominated for the office of ruling elder ; these were subsequently elected, ordained and installed. The ruling elders chosen subsequently, and down to the present time, are as follows — the dates named being those of installation: On March 24th, 1837, John Barr, Henry W. Lang, Wm. N. Burchfield, and Thomas McCleary. Septem- ber — th, 1856, Geo. A. Berry, Dr. W. C. Reiter and Thos. Aiken. November 19th, 1865, Robert Dickey, James B. Lyon and Robert C. Totten. The two former are the senior mem- bers of the session as at present. September 25th, 1870, Lemuel Spahr and Wm. G. Johnston. November 6th, of the same year, Francis B. McConnell and Thomas C. Lazear; and upon October 12th, 1879, Dr. H. W. Fulton, Albert A. Get- tys. Dr. T. D. Davis and W. C. Stewart; the six mentioned prior to the last named being also members of the session as now constituted. Could we but pause a moment to pay a tribute to the mem- ories of some of these, our brethren, who have exchanged crosses for crowns, gladly would we do so ; but we are admon- ished by that inexorable word time — time. 84 GEORGE G. NEGLEY The First Deacon 1870; Trustee 1839; Church Treasurer; Sabbath School Teacher. SERMONS AND ADDRESSES THE DEACONS In the year 1870 the congregation for the first time elected a board of deacons. We give below the names of those then chosen, together with those whom the congregation subse- quently elected ; the dates are those of ordination and installa- tion: On November 6th, 1870, George G. Negley, Wm. L. Denison, Thomas D. Patterson, Stewart McKee, John Gil- christ and Joseph Torrens; on January 31st, 1875, John Lusk, John Allen and Isaiah K. Becker; on October 12, 1879, Lewis A. Denison. Two of these, viz, Mr. George G. Negley and Mr. Wm. L. Denison, each eminently qualified for the po- sition held in the church, having hearts warmed by the grace of God to feel for those deprived of the ordinary comforts of life, have entered into rest, and to the full enjoyment of the Paradise on high; where, too, unfading riches is the inheri- tance of those of whom it hath been written — "Blessed be ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." Messrs. Patterson, McKee and Becker have united with other churches, and the five others now constitute the Board. TRUSTEES According to the deed of Mrs. Negley, dated April 12th, 1819, the board of trustees, which had been appointed previ- ously, consisted of a president and six members, as follows, viz: Jacob Negley, President ; John Fluck, Samuel Peebles, John Roup, Casper Negley, David Eakin and Wm. B. Foster. On April 7th, 1828, being a few months prior to the organ- ization of the church under control of Presbytery, twelve Trus- tees were chosen, viz: Francis G. Bailey, John Roup, James Backhouse, Robt. Bailey, Sr., Solomon Berlin, Casper Negley, Abraham Reimer, A. F. Grove, John Patterson, John Mc- Clintock, Nicholas Dahlem and Jacob Negley, Jr. In the year following the number was reduced to six, at which it yet remains ; this too being in accordance with a charter obtained in 1847, which, having been lost or mislaid, was replaced by another, granted by the courts in 1861. 85 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The board at present is thus constituted : James W. Batchelor, President, James R. Mellon, Oliver J. Parker, Secretary, John F. Scott, H. P. Krebs, Treasurer, James I. Buchanan. When the congregation chose its first board of trustees it resolved to elect these officers annually on "Easter Monday," a custom that prevails to the present, however shocking the necessary yearly announcement from the pulpit might sound to the ears of a Jenny Geddes. Among the earliest duties of the trustees then elected was to provide for a debt placed in the hands of the sherifiE, The amount was but a few hundred dollars, but the entire property was in jeopardy. Jacob Negley, Jr., and Francis G. Bailey stepped into the breach — each paying a small sum to the cred- itors to quiet them for a time, and until the congregation had gathered funds to wipe out the incumbrance. This adjustment effected, the building was put in proper condition. Pews took the place of the benches, and a suitable pulpit was erected. THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE The house made with hands being thus conditioned, the inner temple was speedily adorned by the presence and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Numbers flocked to the house of God, as doves to the windows, and in six months the membership trebled by additions both upon confession and certificate ; and it was thus that the labors of the missionary and his co-workers were blessed. RETIREMENT OF MR. JOYCE— HIS SUCCESSOR In the spring of 1829 Mr. Joyce was desirous of cultivating other portions of the field included in his commission; and pos- sibly with a view to this, as well as to provide for the vacancy which his absence from East Liberty would occasion, he at- tended the meeting of General Assembly at Philadelphia, held in May of that year. But whatever may have occasioned his presence at that Assembly, we are fortunate to-day in being able to present facts never previously clearly understood. Whilst it is a matter of history which will doubtless interest all 86 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES present, it will be doubly valued by those whose privilege it was to sit under the ministry of the first pastor. We refer to a letter but recently received by Dr. Kumler from Rev, W. B. Mcllvaine, which we are now permitted to present: Peoria, September 12, 1888. Rev. J. P. E. Kumler, D. D. Dear Brother: — Your kind invitation to attend the dedication of your new church was received with fhanks for the cordial expression of your desire for my presence. I feel that agp and distance impel me to decline. Home is the best place for me now. I congratulate you and the congregation on the completion of your large and costly edifice, and hope to hear that it is given to the Lord free from debt. Old memories crowd upon me as I think of the years that are past. How did I get there? Let me tell you: Dr. He.ron and Mr. Joyce were at the General Assembly in 1829, and app'Jed to the Domestic Mission Board for a missionary for the church of East Liberty, and while they were talking to Dr. Ely, Secretary of the Board, I opened the door of the office and walked in. Dr. Ely at once spoke up and said, "Here is your man," and introduced me to them. In a few minutes a commission was made out and handed to me. After the Assembly closed I went home to Lancaster county and made a hasty preparation and mounted my horse with my wardrobe and library in my saddle bags, and started on a journey of more than 250 miles to East Liberty, where I arrived on the 25th of June, 1829. The people received me very kindly, and then and there began my min- isterial life work of forty years. After a few Sabbaths a call was made out for my services, and the commission was returned. The salary was $500; when we entered the second house it was raised to $700, and when we enteicd fhe third hcuse it was advanced to $1,200. The congregation was scattered over a large field extending from Lawrenceville to Sandy Creek on the Alleghenv and from the old city limits to Braddock's Field on the Monongahcla River, On this territory there was no other church of any denomination, or any regular religious services. The call was signed by 37 names, and the signatures indicated verj clearly that they were working people. Not one of these is left; and the same is tiue of the members of the church when my labors began. They are l11 gone — to be met again only at the Judgment, when pastor and people will give account. The beginning was small, but the mustard seed has grown till we behold a tree with wide spreading branches, aflForaing a church home for a multitude of people. There are now eleven Presbyterian churches, and as many or more of other denominations on the field where I had the only one. "What hath God wrought!" 87 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The benevolent oflFerings were always liberal in proportion to the ability, and collections for all objects ordered by the General Assem- bly were regularly taken up in the congregation. The capacity of the second house was more than 300. There were 86 pews, and they would hold an average of five persons, counting the children, or 400 in all. In closing, let me express ray joy in your prosperity, and my pray- ers for the continued blessing of God on all your labors, and ask your prayers for the old pastor. Yours in Christ, W. B. MclLVAlNE. THE FIRST PASTORATE Mr. Mcllvaine's missionary work began here on the last Sabbath of June, 1829, and in August of that year a call for his pastoral services was made, and at the meeting of Presby- tery in October it was presented, and he was accordingly or- dained and installed on the 20th of April, 1830, Rev. Francis Herron, D.D., and Rev. Matthew Brown, D.D., participating in the services of that occasion. The young pastor was a native of Pennsjdvania, a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and a licentiate of New Castle Presbytery. His faithful labors over the charge to which' he was called extended to April 21st, 1870, when, at his request, the Presbytery of Ohio dissolved the pastoral rela- tion, which included, as stated in the letter read, the round period of forty years. Abundant as are the materials to speak at length and in a manner worthy the subject, the circumstances as to time will not permit us, as we could desire, to dwell upon this long and useful pastorate, so blessed to the church, so blessed to the community, and whose full record is alone on high, where a glorious crown awaits the venerable servant of God. SECOND HOUSE OF WORSHIP The second house of worship, designed to provide enlarged accommodations for an increased congregation, was begun to be built in 1847, finished in the following spring and dedicated June 12th, 1848. Its dimensions were 50x70 feet; it was built of brick and quite plain. Its capacity has already been stated in the letter of Mr. Mcllvaine. 88 '%\ THE Ri;V. WM. B. McILVAlXE, D.D. First Pastor. SERMONS AND ADDRESSES INCREASED POPULATION The opening of the Pennsylvania Railroad for travel about November, 1853, was a signal to many residents of Pittsburgh to seek for homes along that new highway, and from that date the great influx into the East Liberty valley had a begin- ning. We pause a moment to pick up the fact that for a con- siderable time a single car per day on the Pennsylvania Rail- road, running in each direction, was more than sufficient for the passenger travel between Pittsburgh and Brinton's, and this, at the first, as we were yesterday informed by one of the offi- cials, was usually hitched to a freight train. Now forty-four eastbound local trains, averaging five cars each, stop at East Liberty station, and the same number also run to the city, and, as we all know, they are usually crowded. While we are quite in accord with Matthew Arnold, that "it is no proof that the highest pitch of civilization has been attained because trains run every fifteen minutes between Islington and Camber- well," yet it is proof that cannot be gainsaid, in view of the statistics given, that the church is losing her opportunity and falling far short of her duty and privilege, if she quietly views such a flow of population within her borders as these facts indicate, without taking adequate steps to open wide her doors and to expand her walls to receive it. To resume: On account of the increased population center- ing about East Liberty, because of these railroad facilities, the congregation, which so recently as 1847 had erected a church, in 1860 was compelled to take steps for a yet larger edifice. AN INTERFERENCE In consequence, however, of the slaveholders' rebellion, which soon after began and had to be stamped out, the attention of this loyal people was turned in that direction, and they gave liberally of their sons and of their other treasures to that holy cause. A THIRD HOUSE OF WORSHIP Meanwhile the brick and mortar walls of our Zion arose but slowly, and it was not until January, 1864, that the house was 89 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH completed. Its cost was $22,700. At once it was occupied, and the dedication sermon was preached by Rev. M. W. Jacobus, D. D. Of the seven persons who composed the Building Commit- tee, one only, Mr. Robert Dickey, is yet with us; two are in other communions, IVlr. Geo. A. Berry and Mr. Thomas Sea- brook; while four. Dr. Gross, Thomas Aiken, Geo. W. Hail- man and Daniel Negley, have been called to a city wherein is no temple, "for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it." EVIDENCES OF FORESIGHT— INBORN AND INHERITED It is, perhaps, due to one of these to state that had his views prevailed, we possibly would not at this time have been called upon to erect this fourth edifice. He, as well as the pastor, Mr. Mcllvaine, opposed the building of a two-story house, such as is allowable in a crowded city, where ground is scarce and of great value. In this he but exhibited a foresight worthy the son of him whose name is prominently introduced in the early part of this narrative, and who, so far back as the first quarter of this cen- tury, had such unbounded faith that East Liberty would be included within the limits of Pittsburgh, that he opened up through his lands the magnificent avenue, one hundred feet in width, which fronts this lot, aiming to have it extended to the then city line; but the owners of broad acres lying between could only view such a project as wasteful extravagance. Yes, genuine foresight was a gift largely possessed and inherited by Daniel Negley. CO-PASTOR CALLED— SECOND PASTORATE On April 7th, 1865, the congregation called as co-pastor Mr. John Gillespie. We do not give the usual prefix. Reverend, for the young man, who was unanimously chosen by the people, was as yet a theological student and but a licentiate of the Pres- bytery of St. Clairsville, Ohio. Mr. Gillespie was born near Edinburgh, Scotland ; received an elementary education in Haddington ; came to America at the age of fourteen ; received private instruction from his pas- tor, Rev. T. A. Grove, through whose instrumentality he en- oo SERMONS AND ADDRESSES tered the church ; having thus prepared for college, with the view of entering the ministry, he pursued the usual course of study at Washington College, and was graduated from thence in 1862; transferred to the Western Theological Seminary, he at length passed directly to this church. His ordination and installation took place April 26th, 1865, on which occasion Rev. W. W. Eells presided, and Rev. David McKinney, D.D., Rev. George Marshall. D.D., and Rev. W. D. Howard, D.D., took part in the services. As has been already stated, the co-pastorate ceased April 21st, 1870, and from thence forward until January 9th, 1882, the entire ministerial and pastoral labors devolved upon Mr. Gillespie, who faithfully and zealously performed them, until the date named, when he was called to the Westminster Pres- byterian Church at Elizabeth, N. J., and from whence he was subsequently transferred to the Foreign Mission Board of our Church as one of its honored Secretaries. Upon his retirement from this field, the congregation recorded its testimony respecting his character, and the work he had accomplished, and in such a way as extorted from him, after the recital, these words, which he addressed to the author of the testimonial : "I am proud of the way you put that, and that I could hold my head up." Shortly before the close of his ministry here, the University of Wooster, doubtless intending w^cll, conferred upon Mr. Gillespie the honorary degree Doctor of Divinity, but we doubt if it added to his stature one cubit. After a vacation of eleven months, the pastorate was sup- plied by Rev. B. L. Agnew, D. D., until April 23rd, 1884, a period of sixteen months, when he returned to Philadelphia, from whence he had come hither. THE PRESENT PASTORATE Another vacation of six months ensued, when the present incumbent, Rev. J. P. E. Kumler, D. D., was called, and who was installed October 9th, 1884. 91 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP The membership, as has been stated, numbered at the beginning, viz., September, 1828 22 And there were added by March, 1829, three months before the coming of the first pastor 44 During the pastorate of Mr. Mcllvaine 622 From the installation of Dr. Gillespie until that of his successor there were, without forcing figures for such a result, exactly 600 During the pastorate of Dr. Agnew 56 And in the four years of the present pastorate 388 Showing a total of 1,732 About 45 per cent, of which were of those received upon profession of faith. Deducting deaths and dismissals, the roll at this day shows a total of 750 members. SABBATH SCHOOL Sabbath School work, as has been already stated, preceded M^hat is regarded the initial church work, and was begun, as nearly as can be ascertained, in the year 1825, with two teachers and nine pupils. The first superintendent* was Francis G. Bailey, who acted in this capacity from 1828 until 1841, a period of thirteen years, when, removing to the city, he at once engaged in similar work in the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Bailey was succeeded in this position by Wm. N. Burchfield for the next twent5'-one years. What is stated in regard to the long terms of service on the part of the two per- sons just mentioned, is as nearly correct as can now be ascer- tained in the absence of records. Many years since certain records were lost, or, as is supposed by some, burned in a fire which destroyed the planing mill of Jos. Graham, whose son, Edward (now deceased), at the time was secretary of the school. But as to what period these covered is not known, though generally believed to be not one of many years. Those now possessed, and continuing to the present time, begin with October 1st, 1879; beside which we have also those from [* After the formal organization of the church.] 92 SERMONS AND ADDRESSES October, 1862, to October, 1 Miss Alice Negley Miss Genevieve Sloan Mr. Jno. G. Buchanan Substitutes Mr. N. K. Delavan Mrs. Wm. T. Larimer Mr. Jas. R. Hainer Mr, W. H. Goehring Miss Marguerite Elder Mrs. John G. Lyon Adult Department Superintendent and Teacher - - - - Mr. J. I. Buchanan Secretary .__----. Mr. Jos. P. Pricer Brotherhood Department President Mr. R. R. M. Thome Vice-President Dr. A. McKibben Secretary ------- Mr. E. E. Deemcr Treasurer ------ - Mr. Harry Huber Teacher Mr. J. C. Mace Chinese Department Superintendent ------ Miss S. Annette Wade Assistant Superintendent - - - Miss Anna M. Richards Secretary ------- Mr. Robert Rodgers Teachers Miss Clara Ewing Mr. Alex K. Steven- Miss Mary Junkin Miss Eleanor Junkin son, Jr. Mrs. M. J. Lakey, Mr. Jos. A. Guinyon Substitute Home Department Superintendent --..-. Miss H. J. McCay Assistant Superintendent ----- Mrs. R. H. Negley Fisitors Miss Agnes Aiken Mrs. Sarah E. Starr Miss Elraira Spahr Mrs. W. J. Hampton Mrs. Harris Crawford Miss Fannie Werdc- Miss Mary Ortman Miss Eleanor Hanna baugh Miss Anna Richards Mrs. George Paull Mis. C. J. Wilson 163 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH THE WOMEN'S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY "Beginning at Jerusalem" Meetings the first Friday of each month at 3 P. M. in the Church Parlor. Officers Honorary President: Mrs. John H. McKelvy Mrs. Alexander J. Negley ------ President Mrs. Frank W. Sneed 1 Mrs. James I. Buchanan s. - - - - - Vice-Presidents Mrs. Horace McGinnity J Mrs. E. A. Nisbet . . . - - Recording Secretary Mrs. M. J. Lakey _ . _ . - Assistant Secretary Miss Emma B. Lantz ------ Treasurer In Charge of Prayer Meetings Miss H. J. McCay Temperance Secretary Miss Anna M. Richards THE WOMEN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY "Unto the uttermost part of the earth." Meetings the third Friday of each month at 3 P. M., in the Church Parlor. Officers Honorary President: Mrs. John H. McKelvy Mrs. Lacy S. McKeever -__-_- President Mrs. T. M. Dickie \ Mrs. Wm. M. McKelvy V . . - - Vice-Presidents Mrs. Charles L. Morgan j Mrs. Wm. M. Robinson - - _ _ Recording Secretary Mrs. Alfred B. Hine Assistant Secretary Mrs. John G. Lyon .._..-- Treasurer Mrs. Charles A. Fisher _ _ - - Assistant Treasurer Leaders of Music Mrs. W. J. Black Mrs. T. B. Wilcox Mrs. H. W. Prentis LADIES' AID SOCIETY Meetings the first Friday of each month from October until May, at 2 P. M. Sewings the second Friday of each month from 10:00 A. M. to 3:00 P. M. 164 ORGANIZATIONS Officers Mrs. W. N. Frew Mrs. Charles S. Curry Miss Sallie M. Negley Mrs. Richard B. Mellon Mrs. Frank VV. Sneed Mrs. William S. Flower Mrs. Albert E. Duckham Miss Alice M. Neglej President First Vice-President Second Vice-President Third Vice-President F. urth Vice-President Fifth Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Mrs. W. N, . Frew Mrs. R. B. Mellon Mrs. W. H. Norme- cutt M:-?. Chas. S. Curry Mrs. V^. S. Flower Mrs. R. H. Negley Mrs. Sarah E. Starr Mrs. J. R. Paull Reception Committee Miss Alice M. Negley Mis. Jas. I. Buchanan Mrs. W. M. McKelvy Mrs. F. W. Sneed Floiver Committee Mrs, Thrustcn Wright Mrs. John G. Lyon Miss Georgina G. M.S. E. M, Mrs T. M, Mrs. Helen Mis. Eliz. Mrs. E. M Mrs. J. H. Mrs. Negley Seiving Committee Mrs. D. P. Corwin MrS; Geo. F. Brown Miss Mary Ortman Mrs. Will McLain Purchasin< V ■^ c* ^ vK^ ^ \ '3 ^-^ 1:^ X: vV^ ^^ 1819 1919 THE CENTENNIAL SERVICES EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION Penn and Highland Aves. Pittsburgh April 12-20, 1919 Rev. Frank Woolford Sneed, D.D., Minister Rev. Harry Alonzo Gearhart, Assistant Minister MORNING WORSHIP ii:oo o'clock, April 13 Organ — Festal Prelude _ _ _ DOXOLOGY Invocation — (Closing with the Lord's Prayer) Hymn — 82 Psalter — Selection 8 Anthem — "Hallelujah Chorus" — (Messiah) Pruyn-Hall Handel Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. The Kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and shall reign forever and ever, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah. Scripture Lesson — Matthew 16 Pastoral Prayer Hymn — America (i, 2 and 4) Unveiling of Memorial Tablet — Veil drawn by Miss Sarah Cordelia Mellon To THE Glory of God AND In Loving Memory of JACOB NEGLEY Aug. 28, 1766 March i8, 1827 AND His Wife BARBARA ANNA NEGLEY Sept. 15, 1778 May 10, 1867 Who Were the Initial Founders of the East Liberty Presbyterian Church and Donors of the Property APRIL 12, 1819 "The Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth." I Timothy 3:15 Erected by'Their Grandchildren APRIL 12, 1919 Hymn 422 {3rd verse) Regular Weekly Offering Offertory Anthem — "I Waited for the Lord" - Mendelssohn Soprano and Contralto — Duet and Chorus I waited for the Lord. He inclined unto me and heard my complaint, they that hope and trust in the Lord. O blest are Historical Sermon _____ Dr. Sneed Prayer The Centennial Hymn — (Tune Alford, Hymnal 261) O Church of Christ in service Think of Thy risen Head, Who died for thee on Calvary And for thy sins He bled. O Church of Christ, in suffering Be faithful to thy Lord, Who promised to sustain thee In His own precious word. Benediction Organ — Festal Postlude in C O Church of Christ, now waiting. The promised time draws near When He who said I'll come again. In glory shall appear. O Church of Christ triumphant, Thy toil, thy warfare o'er, Glory and honor with thy Lord, Is thine for ever more. p W_ §_ Demurest <^m 'k^B'^y "^ QlQlS J ORDER OF CENTENNIAL SERVICE EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30 A.M., April 13 Invocation ----- Rev. F. W. Sneed, D.D. Hymn— "O Day of Rest" ----- School Scripture Recitation — 23rd Psalm and Beatitudes School Prayer __---- Mr. J. R. Hainer Beginners Dept. Service _ - _ _ Mrs. Hull Duet— "The Lord Is My Shepherd" - - - Smart Mrs. Dean and Mrs. Denton Primary Dept. Service ----- Miss Browne Junior Dept. Service ----- Mr. Sattele Greeting by a Former Scholar Sunday School Development - - - - Mr. Gill Hymn — "Onward, Christian Soldiers" - - - School Address - Mr. W. G. Landes, Gen. Sec, Penna. S. S. S. Ass'n Benediction ______ School THE CENTENNIAL SERVICE EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY 6:30 P.M., April 13 Orchestra Selection Hymn — 263 Invocation — _ _ _ _ Scripture Lesson — Exodus 20 Greetings — From Allegheny County Christian Endeavor Association Violin Solo ----- Address _ - - - - Hymn — 288 Benediction Orchestra Mr. J. B. Martin - Zareh Yardum Rev. Wm. Ralph Hall :S119P> < QQ^s^^^^^^^ ^Pas)i^7> EVENING WORSHIP 8:00 o'clock, April 13 Organ — "Andante Religioso" _ _ _ Old Hundred (Congregation standing) Prayer Hymn — 117 Psalter — Selection 48 Soprano Solo — "Inflammatus" — (Stabat Mater) Mrs. Emma Albert Dean Mendelssohn Rossini When Thou cotnest to judgment. Lord remember Thou thy servant. None else can deliver us — Save and bring us to Thy Kingdom, there to worship with the faithful Scripture Lesson — Romans 10 Hymn — ^422 Dedication of Church Flag — Unveiled by Jane Shaw To the glory of God. This flag was designed by Mrs. J. H. Runnette and is presented by Mr. and Mrs. Runnette and family in loving mem- ory of Elizabeth Kerr Runnette. Hymn — 411 {Verses i and 6) Regular Weekly Offering Offertory — Duet — "Now We Are Ambassadors" Chorus — "How Lovely Are the Messengers" — (St. Paul), Mendelssohn And Paul came to the congregation and preached freely the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Then spake the Holy Ghost: "Set ye apart Barnabas and Paul for the work whereunto I have called them." And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away. Now we are ambassadors in the name of Christ, and God beseecheth you by us, in the name of Christ. How lovely are the messengers that preach to us the gospel of peace. To all the nations is gone forth the sound of their words, throughout all the lands their glad tidings. Sermon _ _ _ _ Prayer Hymn — 310 Benediction Organ Postlude — "Grand Chorus" Rev. John A. Marquis, D.D. Faulkes Tuesday, April 15 MEN'S DAY Centennial Dinner — Six o'clock {In charge of the women of the Church) Address by Rev.JohnTimothyStone,D.D. OF Chicago, III. Subject: ''The Twentieth Century Man" Admission by Ticket Greetings from Pittsburgh Presbytery, by Rev. George Taylor, Jr., Moderator Greetings from Synod of Penna., by Rev. Geo. W. Montgomery, D.D. Moderator. 'TheCHURCHofl'J 16 6 1 ^-«^.iiVHjW^!lJ!n.*!!W«*'»ffl <^m ^sep> Wednesday, April 16 WOMEN'S DAY Tableaux — 2:00 P. M. The Development of Women's Work of this Church Illustrated by Living Characters Followed by Social Hour YE OLDE FOLKES GREATS CONCERTe By FATHER BURCHFIELD'S SINGIN SKEWLe At Ye Olde Eafte Liberty Prefbyterian Meetin Houfe, at Ye Forkes of Penn Townfhip Roade and Highland Lane WEDNESDAY, Y^ i6th Of APRIL^ At Early Candle Light (8:00 P.M.) Ye singers will wear ye coftumes of ye early nineteenth century. Ye are all mofte cordially invited to come and bring Ye friends. ^^^P^^^ ^^^SlJSP > Thursday, April 17 HOME COMING DAY Reception — 8:00 P. M, All present and former members of Church are cordially invited Greetings from our children, grand- children and great- grand-children iB^y^ COMMUNION SERVICE 8:00 P.M., April 18 Conducted by Dr. Sneed Assisted by Rev. H. A. Gearhart and Rev. George Arthur Frantz Organ Prelude — "Processional to Calvary" - - Stainer Anthem — "God so Loved the World" — (Crucifixion) - Stainer God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Scripture Lesson — John 19 Hymn — 220 Prayer Baritone Solo — "There Was Darkness Over All the Earth" Stainer Mr. James C. Baird Anthem — "The Appeal of the Crucified" — (Crucifixion) Stainer There was darkness over all the earth and at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a load voice, saying, "My GodI my God! why hast Thou forsaken Me?" Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see if there be any sorrow, like unto My sorrow, which is done unto Me wherewith the Lord hath a£9icted Me in the day of His fierce anger — From the throne of His cross, the King of grief cries out to a world of unbelief. O men and women, afar and nigh — is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? I laid My eternal power aside. I came from the home of the glori- fied, a babe in the lowly cave to lie. Is it nothing to you? I wept for the sorrows and pains of men, I healed them and helped them, and lov'd them, but then they shouted against me, "Crucify," "Crucify," "CRUCIFY!" Is it nothing? Behold Me and see, pierced through and through with countless sorrows, and all is for you, for you I sufl^er, for you I die. Is it nothing to you? O come unto Me by the woes I have borne, by the dreadful scourge and the crown of thorns. By these I implore you to hear My cry. Is it nothing to you? O come unto Me, this awful price. Re- demption's tremendous sacrifice is paid for you. O why will ye die? O come unto Mel Communion Address - Hymn — 328 Communion Hymn — 330 — (Tune Toplady) Benediction Organ Postlude — "Chorale" Rev. George Arthur Frantz Stainer l^^ Organ Prelude- Hymn — "America' Prayer Baritone Solo — ' SOLDIERS' DAY SERVICE Saturday, April 19, 3:00 P.M. 'Pilgrims' Song of Hope" - 'Soldier, What of the Night?' Mr. James C. Baird Bathgate Dix "Soldier, what of the night? Will it mean that those who love you. Of their joy bereft, will be nnourning left, While the pitying stars shine above you?" "Whatever it means," he answered "In the pathway by others trod, I shall play my part with a trusting heart, And the rest I shall leave to God!" "Whatever it brings," he answered, "When my weary round I've trod As a sentry, there on my knees in prayer It will find me alone with God." "Art thou ready to-day for the battle fray, For death looms large? There's a flash of steel. And a blinding reel. For the trumpet has sounded the charge." 'Soldier, what of the night? And the soldier answered the question, Will it by the camp-fire find you Lying there a lifeless clod; With the restless throng, or in dreams among He has played his part with a trusting heart. All the dear ones you left behind you." And the rest we can leave to God! Yes, he played his part with a trusting heart. And the rest we can leave to God. Reading of Scripture Anthem — Invocation — (Arranged) Wrapped in dreams — free from pain, Warriors sleep along the plain. O'er their rest, the shining host Of steadfast stars keep their post. O'er their rest, silence now deep as night. Not in vain have they bled But in glory lies our dead. Grieg From their grave new spirits rise Songs of triumph lift the skies Silence now, deep as night. Dulls all echoes of their flight War's red flame no anguish holds For those who lie in death's dark folds. Grant, O Lord, healing peace. Grant to those who weep surcease; Death is sweet with Victory, We died for you, and you are free. Presentation _____ Dr. Sneed Response _____ Capt. Roy F. Miller Unveiling of Soldiers' Memorial Tablet Presented by Dr. and Mrs. Sneed Veil drawn by Miss Josephine Paull and Miss Anna Kahle {Congregatioji standing at attention) Salute to the Flag — "Allegiance to the Flag" By the Choir Battle Hymn of the Republic — (5th verse) Planting of Memorial Tree on Church Lawn — Presentation by Comrade S. E. Gill Response — Captain William A. Duckham Planting Tree Retreat <5s MORNING WORSHIP ii:oo o'clock, April 20 Organ Prelude — "Easter Morning" - DOXOLOGY Invocation — (Closing with the Lord's Prayer) Hymn — 246 Psalter — Selection 11 Anthem — "As it Began to Dawn" - Schilling Mailing — - George C. Martin As it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, to see the sepulcher. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow; And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and become as dead men. And the aneel'anRwered and said unto the women. Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead. Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Now above the sky He's King, Alleluia' Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia! Christ is risen, Alleluia! Amen. Scripture Lesson — John 20 Pastoral Prayer Anthem — "Christ Our Passover" - (Solos, Quartette and Chorus) Christ our passover is sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast; not with the old leav'n, neither with the leav'n of malice and wickedness, but with th'unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Christ being raised from the read, dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. Solo — For in that He died. He died unto sin once. Quartette — But in that He liveth. He liveth unto God. Alto-Solo — Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead — to be dead indeed unto sin. Chorus — But alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Tenor Solo — Christ is risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. Soprano Solo — For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. Chorus — For as in Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Regular Weekly Offering Hymn — 234 Sermon Prayer Anthem — "Behold, Ye Despisers" — (With Baritone Solos) Parker Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. God is not a God of the dead, but of the living, for all live unto Him. Jesus died, and rose again. Even so them that sleep in Jesus shall God bring with Him. Comfort ye one another with these words: The trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised, incorruptible, and we shall be changed. Then shall be bro't to pass the saying: Death is swallowed up in victory, O death where is thy sting.' O grave where is thy victory? The sting ot death is sin. And the strength of sin is law. But thanks be to God Who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Hymn — 157 Bnediction Organ Postlude Rev. A. W. Halsey, D.D. (Omit 4th and 5th verses) Hallelujah Chorus" - Handel ^SI19P> EVENING WORSHIP 8:00 o'clock, April 20 Organ — Spring Song _ _ _ Old Hundred — (Congregation Standing) Prayer Hymn — 241 ScRii'TURE Lesson — I Corinthians 15 Regular Weekly Offering Easter Cantata — "Death and Life" - Hollins Harry Rowe Shelley Chorus (Matt, xxvii, 29) "Hail! King of the Jews" — to Thee, all hail. With mocking taunts they Jesus Christ assail! With cries of "Crucify," the air they fill, And press with fierceness round the Holy Hill "Hail! King of the Jews" — to Him they bring A sponge of hyssop as an offering; And as His blessed side they stab with spears. The earth resounds with loud, exultant cheers "Hail! King of the Jews — for if Thou be The Son of God, then save Thyself; and we Shall then believe;" thus hear the rabble cry, As on the Cross the End soon draweth nigh. Recit. (Matt, xxvii, 45-50) Solo (Matt, xxvii, 51-54) Behold! the temple's veil is rent in twain. And dreary darkness fills the world again. The earth is shaken on its tranquil course. And heads are bowed in bitterest remorse Long silent graves their secrets now reveal, And Death on all things sets his cruel seal; For in the midst, on Calvary's lonely hill. The dear Redeemer lies so cold and still. Now suddenly the people's cries ring out, Until the echoing hills take up the shout; This is the Son of God, 'tis He, they cry. Who came on earth our sins to crucify. Recit. -(John xix, 40-42) Solo (Matt, xxvii, 61) See the world in sorrow weeping, While the Marys watch are keeping At the Saviour's side; His dear hands, so bruised and bleeding, No more earthly service needing, Rest at eventide. As the dusky shadows falling Wrap the tomb in grief appalling, Hushed the world in prayer; God, the Lord of all things living. For Thy love and grace forgiving. Raise us from despair. Recit. (John xx, 1-11-12-13) Soi.o (John XX, 13) Because they have taken away my Lord, [ know not where they have laid Him. Sermon _ _ _ _ Prayer Hymn — 162 Benediction Organ Postlude — "Triumphal M Jesus of Nazareth my soul adored — Blessed the branches that shade Him. Weary with watching, hoping in vain. Heavy my spirit with sorrow; O! tell me where I may find Him again. Some consolation to borrow. Recit. (John xx, 14-16) Solo (John xx, 15) Woman, why weepest thou? Woman, what keepest thou so sad of heart? Has hope forsaken thee, and grief o'ertaken thee bidding tears start? Solo (John xx, 15) Sir, hast thou taken Him, left Him, for- saken Him? Tell me, I pray; That I may go to Him, with all I owe to Him, take Him away. Recit. (John xx, i6) Solo — "Rabboni!" Solo (John xx, 17) Mary, touch Me not, I am not yt ascended, but risen from the chains of death. My earthly mission ended. Hasten, now thou art My messenger appointed; Proclaim the glorious victory, by Risen Love anointed Chorus Now the earth in resurrection-light Stands serene and fair in beauty bright; Lo! from out the bondage of the tomb Christ hath risen, vanquishing the gloom E'en the simple lilies of the field Joyously their fragrant incense yield, Fairy harebells silvery music make. And the songs of birds the streams awake. Soft the air, the breezes breathe of spring; Lowly hedgerows, gaily blossoming, Lift their flower-petals to the sky And rejoice in glorious victory. Jesus Christ, the Life, the Truth, the Way. From the power of death hath risen to-day. Sing ye praise, for unto you is given Entrance through the shining gates of Heaven. Amen. arch" - Rev. George Ryall Costa ClQiS^ ^"d further that John Innis and Wiseman had agreed to supply fifty bushels of lime and Joseph Wainright five gallons of oil. Mr. Warmcastle thought that that was not enough to build a church with, but finally Jacob Negley suggested that the vil- lage of East Liberty had greater things before it, and recalling to the minds of those preesnt that the church building was also to be used as a schoolhouse, suggested that the greatest heritage they could leave to their children was this church building. He thought it would be a most important and useful building in the village and for such a purpose any sacrifice should be made. Senator James Ross, the most prominent lawyer of Pittsburgh at the time, and a member of the United States Senate, assisted the congregation in preparing the con- stitution, and after some discussion on whether or not the church building was to be used by other congregations, gave a very learned and enlightening discussion upon the value of a church in the nation at that time. He invoked the help of all those present in the building of the church and suggested that the congregation should accept Mr. Negley 's offer of the land. i88 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Barbara Negley placed in the hands of the congregation, for the use of the East Liberty Presbyterian congregation, the deed for the acre and a half of land upon which the school- house then stood, together with the schoolhouse itself, which Jacob gave. Mr. Thompson, the moderator, on behalf of the congregation, accepted the deed and tendered to Barbara Neg' ley the heartfelt gratitude of the congregation, after which all united in singing "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." The constitution provided that no person should have a vote in the Congregation without being a subscriber of at least $5.00, a fact which created quite a discussion, but which was finally adopted. Jacob Negley finally submitted the plans of the new church, together with the proposition that he would supply the necessary bricks for the church and trust the congregation for three years. Samuel Peebles thought that was practical, and even Jonathan Roup, while he feared that everything was being left to Jacob Negley, concluded that it was in good hands. The congregation finally disbanded, Barbara Negley walking down the path with Casper Negley, while Jacob Negley re- mained at the church after the others had gone. He was gaz- ing upon his plan for the new church, and in the candle light, musing to himself, said: "Not in vanity, not in vanity, but if the future shapes as I see it, there will be the need — there is need now, to come together in common worship, the human need, the need to praise God together. Not mine, but thine, shall be the glory, and when this village expands, as expand it must, use the church for the furtherance of thine own power, and may it cause thy kingdom here to come. For the small work thou mayest allow me to do, my heart overfloweth with thanksgiving." Long before the doors of the church were opened for this preliminary event in the Centennial Celebration, a stream of interested people gathered at the main entrance to the church, awaiting the first opportunity to enter. Admission was by ticket for the sole reason that there were limitations imposed by the capacity of the Auditorium, the i8q CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH necessity for the recognition of which was compelled by Civic regulations. Eight o'clock was the opening hour for the pro- gram, and for fifteen minutes a delightful service of song was enjoyed by the audience, beginning with "America" and in- cluding "How Firm a Foundation," "Onward, Christian Sol- diers," and "Old Folks at Home," all of which were printed on the program of the Pageant, the large audience joining with cordial and enthusiastic spirit in the service of song. A perceptible hush fell on the assembly as the electric lights were extinguished, and with only footlights, and two large spot lights placed at appropriate angles for reflection, a memor- able scene of beauty was presented when Miss Janet Cameron, in flowing robes, with rare grace and exquisite skill, recited in clear, melodious tones the beautiful Epilogue with which the Pageant opened. At the opening of the Epilogue the historical bell pealed from the belfry the announcement that the Cen- tennial Celebration had commenced. As the Pageant pro- ceeded, the interest only became intensified as each character seemed to interpret, with rare correspondence and fluency, the part assigned. Nothing occurred to mar the smooth continuity, nor even to suggest amateur work, the production being of classic and finished character throughout. The beautiful and quaint cos- tumes worn were those of the era depicted. Miss Sarah Cordelia Mellon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Mellon, richly gowned in the fashion of the period, interpreted the part of her great-grandmother, Mrs. Barbara A. Negley, with marked ease and graciousness of manner. Attorney H. Fred Mercer interpreted the character of Jacob Negley with scholarly dignity and generous spirit, and his fine and impressive rendition of the Founder's Soliloquy will remain memorable in the minds of those who heard it. Each character measured up fully to the part assigned, and the evening's entertainment proved to be a most enjoyable one. After the Pageant, a series of stereopticon pictures were thrown on the screen, which portrayed many of the old mem- bers of the church, and drew forth from the audience evidence of genuine pleasure in the memories revived. 190 CENTENNIAL SERVICE OF THE SABBATH SCHOOL ALM Sunday dawned fair and the Sabbath school began the historical services of the Lord's day with the assembling of the main body of the school at 9:30 a. m., in the church chapel. After the invo- cation by Dr. Sneed, prayer by Mr. J, R. Hainer, and a duet, "The Lord is my Shepherd," effectively rendered by Mrs. Dean and Mrs. Denton, a procession of tiny children marched in, and led by Mrs. S. M. Hull, sang the old, old childhood hymn with its precious gospel message: "Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so." As the Beginners retired, who rank next in age to the Cradle Roll, the Primary Class entered led by Miss Louise Browne, and sweetly sang "Precious Jewels," after which they recited the 121st Psalm. All departments present joined in reciting the well loved Shepherd Psalm and the Beatitudes. Mr. Louis V. Sattele, the efficient head of the Junior De- partment, conducted a historical catechism, the children re- sponding to questions concerning the history and progress of the church and Sunday school. Mr. Robert O. Fulton, a former scholar, and now con- nected with the Highland Presbjterian Church, brought greet- ings from that church and Sunday school in a pleasing address. Supt. S. E. Gill followed with an address on Sunday School development, a memo of which follows. "Onward Christian Soldiers" was sung with martial en- thusiasm after which a fine address by Mr. W. G. Landes, general secretary of the Pennsylvania State Sabbath School Association, followed. Mr. Landes congratulated the school on its age and attainments under the divine blessing, adding words of counsel and encouragement for the future. The interesting exercises closed with the benediction. IQI CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Synopsis of Address of Mr. Samuel E. Gill General Superintendent of Sunday School More than one hundred years have rolled around since a few earnest Christian people assembled here and founded this Sun- day school for the study of the Scriptures. The Sunday school of that day was in some respects quite different from the Sunday schools of today, and as an organized branch of the Christian Church it was comparatively new. In 1783 the modern Sunday school was founded in Gloucester, England, by Robert Raikes for poor and neglected children. At first ordinary studies, such as the alphabet, spelling, reading, etc., were taught and the teachers were paid a shilling per day. It was not long, however, till earnest people saw how the Sunday school could be made a very valuable adjunct to the Church in its mission of teaching the gospel. Bible classes were organized, teachers volunteered for service and thousands of church members enrolled. The Sunday schools soon ceased to be known as "Ragged Schools" and became an important arm of the church. It is not a settled question when the first Sunday school was established in Pittsburgh, but we have authentic accounts of the proceedings of the Sunday School Union of Pittsburgh in 1822. That was more than three years after this school was founded. It is interesting to know that the schools of that date held two sessions, one in the forenoon and another in the afternoon, and that the sessions lasted, in som.e cases, at least, from two and a half to three hours. A large amount of attention was given to reading and memorizing the Scriptures and it is on record that some pupils recited from memory whole books of the Bible, notably the Gospel of John, and others had several thou- sand verses of memorized Scripture to their credit. Then there was but one room which was used for church and Sunday school purposes. Much of the time church service was held only once or twice each month, because there were but few ministers. Now we have a separate room for each department, with good equipment for all ages, and we are specially favored with a fine building known as the Kumler Memorial Chapel, largely through the generosity of our fellow 192 SAMUEL E. GILL Elder; General Superintendent of Sabbath Soliool, 1919. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION laborer, Mr. James I. Buchanan, whose long, faithful and effi- cient service has been so greatly blessed to the hundreds who have sat under his instruction. Then there were no lesson helps. The Bible and the cate- chism were about the only books used and in some instances Bibles were divided into several sections so that the parts might supply several classes. Now we have abundant lesson helps for all departments and all ages. Then there was no system of lessons, nor any grades. Les- sons were chosen by the teacher for each individual class. In 1872 the uniform system of lessons was adopted by the Na- tional Sunday School Convention at Indianapolis. Then a few thousands were enrolled in the Sunday schools of the United States. Now there are millions and through this agency comes more than 85 per cent, of those who unite with the church on profession of their faith. Much has been accom- plished ; much remains to be done. It is our duty and our high privilege to put forth greater efforts to advance the Master's kingdom and to make the best possible use of the talents with which those who have gone before have so richly endowed us. KJ3 CENTENNIAL MORNING SERVICE April 13, 1919 HE morning service of the Lord's day opened with a happy throng of people gathered in the main auditorium, rejoicing in the thought of all the way by which the Lord their God had led them as a congregation during these hundred years. The pulpit platform was a scene of beauty with massive exotics mingling with exquisite flowering plants in rich profu- sion and artistic arrangement, the decorations being the gen- erous gift of Mrs. Eleanor Lockhart Flower in memory of her mother. After the organ rendering of the "Festal Prelude," by Pruyn-Hall, and the hearty singing of the doxology of praise by the congregation, to which every voice seemed attuned, the usual devotional exercises were conducted by Dr. Sneed and the Rev. Mr. Gearhart. The fine rendering of Handel's inspiring "Hallelujah Chorus" from the "Messiah" was followed by another Scrip- ture lesson and the pastoral prayer, after which the vocal vol- ume which resounded in three verses of "America" proved that the strong patriotic vein in the worshipers was stirred. A beautiful feature of the morning w^orship was the unveil- ing of a bronze tablet to the memory of Jacob Negley and his wife, Barbara Anna Negley, the initial founders of the church and donors of the property. The veil was gracefully drawn by their youngest great-granddaughter. Miss Sarah Cordelia Mellon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Beatty Mellon. The impressive scene was accompanied by an appropriate presentation address delivered by Dr. Sneed, the congregation standing in deference to the occasion, followed by their join- ing, with touching reverence, in singing the following hymn of consecration : "Faith of our fathers! God's great power Shall win all nations unto thee; And through the truth that comes from God Mankind shall then indeed be free: Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death." 194 1.W->»l.^rtt Kll ,y>ll r T H K W N cn 0, bi Q 5 O 2 "^ '-' < r^ o O < £ 2 o 5 Q £ J X 0* O 00 < O < O J:: r: <^ o CENTEN-NIAL CELEBRATION This tablet was the gift of the following grandchildren of this worthy couple: Sallie M. Negley, Alice AI. Negley, Georgina G. Negley, Alexander J. Negley, the surviving mem- bers of the family of the late George G. and Eliza Johnson Negley, both of whom were consecrated and devoted members of East Liberty Church, the former being in official connection during the greater part of his long life. After the usual offering, the choir, in an artistic manner, rendered Mendelssohn's Anthem, "I Waited for the Lord." Dr. Sneed's historical sermon followed, which was indeed a masterly production in quality and scope, covering in general the whole era of the century's development with special refer- ence to the period of his own eminently successful pastorate of seventeen years. Dr. Sneed's sermon in full is recorded in a previous chapter. Following the prayer, a rarely beautiful Centennial Hymn, fraught with true spiritual import, and composed for the occa- sion by Dr. Sneed, was impressively sung by the congregation. After the benediction, and organ rendering of Demarest's "Festal Postlude in C," and the usual moments of silent prayer, the beautiful and spiritually impressive service came to a close. Some very interesting historic features marked this memor- able occasion. Dr. Sneed read the Scriptures from a Bible which the Rev. John Joyce used at the formal organization of the church, and which he had previously brought with him from Ireland. The Bible was bequeathed to the church by his nephew, the late Ed- ward Joyce, for many years our co-member. It now rests in the church archives. In reading on board the sailing vessel which brought Mr. Joyce to this country, a gust of wind carried off a few of the leaves, otherwise the Bible is in good condition, and is said to date back in the Joyce family to the year 1772. An interesting coincidence occurred in the fact that Dr. Sneed, without any premeditation on his part, selected for one of the morning's Scripture readings the same selection, Mat- thew, sixteenth chapter, which Mr. Joyce read on the occasion of the formal organization of the church in 1828. 195 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH As in life, sunshine and shower must ever blend, a touch of sorrow mingled with the joy of this happy occasion, when Dr. Sneed feelingly announced that Mrs. Susan C. Teeters, the eldest communicant in the Church, who for months had, in her cheerful manner, looked forward to this centennial cele- bration, had been suddenly called to the "general assembly and church of the first-born which are written in heaven," just as the eventful day, April 12, 1919, was being ushered in. We miss her presence and inspiration, but rejoice that for her, through Christ, the victory is won for evermore. Greetings were read by the pastor from the Rev. Benjamin L. Agnew, D.D., LL.D., the third pastor of the church and only living ex-pastor, expressing felicitations, and regretting his inability to be present at the celebration. Letters of greeting were also read from the Rev. Wm. H. Roberts, D.D., LL.D., the veteran stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and from the Presby- tery of Pittsburgh. Cordial fraternal greetings from neighboring churches and individuals were referred to in appreciative terms. 196 CENTENNIAL SERVICE OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR The Rev. H, A. Gearhart HE young people of the Christian Endeavor So- ciety, realizing the importance of the Centennial to the church and to all of its activities, felt that the occasion should not pass without proper recog- nition on their part. Of course the society was not one hun- dred years old, but for a century the young people had been a part of the church, though not as an organized force. Centennial Day, April 13, at 6:30 p. m., was the time selected for the service. The Rev. Wm. Ralph Hall, of Philadel- phia, superintendent of the Young People's work of the Pres- byterian Church, made the address. He took for his sub- ject, "Motives that should actuate the young people of today." In addition to congratulating the young people on being con- nected with a church that had done service for a century, the Rev. Mr. Hall brought greetings from the Young People's work of the Presbyterian Church. The Junior Christian Endeavor Society attended the service and under the direction of their superintendent, Mrs. S. H. Augustine, contributed a selection to the musical part of the program. Many societies of neighboring churches attended. Above all else the Centennial left this impression upon the young people of the church, that they are in possession of a great heritage and that the future holds many possibilities for service. 197 EVENING SERVICE April 13, 1919 HE evening worship opened with the organ ren- dering of the "Andante Religioso," from Mendels- sohn, and the usual devotional exercises of prayer, singing and responsive Scripture reading, with the soprano solo "Iniiammatus," from Rossini's "Stabat Mater." A picturesque scene was then presented when, amid the beau- tiful foliage and floral setting of the pulpit platform, little Jane Shaw, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Shaw, Jr., ascended the steps, and at a signal from Dr. Sneed, daintily unveiled a new and distinctive East Liberty Presbyterian Church Flag, to be dedicated to the glory of God, and in loving memory of Elizabeth Kerr Runnette, who entered into rest, October 5, 1918, the beautiful flag being designed by her mother, and pre- sented to the church by both Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Runnette and their daughters, Mrs. Ethel Runnette Ramsey and Miss Helen Virginia Runnette. Dr. Sneed made an impressive address, marked by pathos and patriotism, in which he spoke of the young life thus memor- ialized in tender terms as a covenant child of East Liberty Church, with which she united in early childhood, and her connection with \^'hich was never severed until called to the upper sanctuary. He cited the example of her noble life and heroic death, saying that she had truly made the supreme sacri- fice for her country. He then explained the significance of the flag. Since victory is the iippermost thought today, it is eminently fitting that we, as members of the body of Christ, should hold aloft the assur- ance of the great Captain of our Salvation — "This is the vic- tory that overcometh the world, even our faith." This quo- tation in large gold letters is inscribed on a white silk field edged with gold fringe, the white field being typical of the "righteousness by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe," and the gold fringe emblematic of the King 198 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION and the Kingdom. On the left hand corner of the field are seven gold stars arranged in a circle, the symbol of Eternal Life. The Stars refer to Revelation 1:16 "and He had in His right hand seven stars" — the stars representing His messengers, who are held in His right hand, the hand of strength and power. The stars are outlined in blue, the heavenly color, recalling the precious promise Daniel 12:3, "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." From the stafif fly three ribbon streamers, the blue signifying Christ's heavenly origin; the purple, His royalty as David's Son; the scarlet. His sacrifice. On the blue streamer is inscribed in gold letters, "East Lib- erty Presbyterian Church"; on the purple, "April 12, 1819 — April 12, 1919"; on the scarlet, "Rev. 1 :16— Daniel 12:3:" This part of the service was concluded by the singing of two verses of "Fling out the Banner." "Fling out the banner! let it float Skyw^ard and seaward, high and wide ; The sun that lights its shining folds, The Cross on which the Saviour died. "Fling out the banner! wide and high, Seaward and skyward, let it shine; Nor skill, nor might, not merit ours ; We conquer only in that sign." The usual offering followed and a duet from Mendelssohn was effectively rendered, after which the large congregation had the pleasure of listening to the Rev, Chas. L. Thompson, D. D., representing the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions. Dr. Thompson filled in an able manner the place which had been assigned on the program to the Rev. John A. Marquis, D. D., who was prevented by illness from filling his engage- ment. Dr. Thompson presented in his usual excellent manner the century's development in the work of Home Missions. He demonstrated in a forcible way the wonderful achievements, 199 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH by the grace of God, of the Presbyterian Church in the past ten decades, and in no less lucid style portrayed the duty for the present and the future with which the Church in its con- secrated personnel is confronted, amid the restlessness and dis- cord which prevail throughout the world. He emphasized the truth that democracy must be controlled by a spirit mightier than itself, even by the Spirit of God in the Church of the Living Christ. We regret that Dr. Thompson's own synopsis of this mem- orable sermon, which we had expected to incorporate in this book, has not been received. After the usual closing exercises, the happy congregation, with many welcome friends of other days and other churches, seemed loath to leave the house of God and the joyous fellow- ship which abounded. 1 i MEN'S DAY April 15, 1919 Attorney J. Roy Dickie HE very word "Centennial" suggests the past; the mental gaze is directed toward the years that are gone. In such an attitude candor compels the con- ch ision that the women have been the dominant factor in church work. But with the dawn of this new cen- tury comes the realization that now, as never before, the men are talcing active, energetic action as real Christian workers. Hence the spirit of the men's dinner. After an informal reception for the guests of honor — where many members of the church became acquainted with each other by means of unique name tags — all were invited down- stairs to a tastefully decorated dining room. During a most excellent dinner, prepared and served by the ladies under the capable direction of Mrs. Kate Edna Negley Gerst, rousing music by an orchestra was a fitting accompaniment to the cheerful, hearty singing of the entire body of men, who were so enthusiastic over their vocal ability that they sang every num- ber on the program, and many that were not. When dessert and coffee had been served, the strains of the "Star Spangled Banner" brought the first part of the program to a fitting close, Mr, Charles A, Fisher, general chairman of the Dinner Committee, presented the pastor, Dr. Frank W, Sneed, as the toastmaster of the evening. Dr. Sneed presided with graceful ease and charming humor throughout the succeeding "feast of reason." He presented the Rev. George Taylor, Jr., D.D., moderator of the Pittsburgh Presbytery who extended the con- gratulations and felicitations of the Presbytery. Dr. Taylor was followed by the Rev. George W. Montgomery, D.D., mod- erator of the Synod of Pennsylvania, who fully lived up to his reputation as an interesting speaker ; he mingled figures and statistics with humorous quips in a fascinating manner. 20I CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The principal address of the evening was by the Rev. John Timothy Stone, D.D., of Chicago, Illinois. His theme, "The Twentieth Century Man," was sufficiently broad to permit of wide latitude in the discourse. He was most entertaining, in- teresting and instructive. A synopsis of his address follows. Little remains to be said. The whole occasion was good for body, mind and soul. Palates were tickled, intellects quickened, and hearts kindled with true Christian love and fellowship. It is to be regretted that "centennials" do not occur annually, or, better still, monthly, if each could bring the men of the church together in such beautiful fellowship as was experienced by the three hundred men who sat down together on the evening of April 15th, 1919. Resume of Address of Dr. John Timothy Stone Dr. Stone's address was an earnest appeal for a more definite service on the part of individual men for individuals. He referred to the need that every church has of a broad and far-reaching vision, which involves the world field and relates the individual church to international and national problems. He spoke of the wasted energy in many churches through mere organization, without the personal and definite association of individual men. He said that after something over nine years in Brown Memorial Church in Baltimore, which had appar- ently been successful in its external and public influence, he was conscious that they had not reached many of the younger men and the stronger older men, to tie them in to specific church responsibility. He then referred to the work in Chicago in many phases of its personal direction, calling attention to one method of procedure, in which individual men had met regu- larly each week to reach other men. This process had been followed for ten years and with much success, over fifteen huui dred people having united with the church during that period as a direct or indirect result of that work. The address was interspersed with many personal instances and anecdotes relative to the subject. He called attention to the fact that strong men must face the responsibilities within 202 RICHARD BEATTY MELLON Chairman First Trustees of Centennial Endowment Fund. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION the church today with their time, muney and personal effort, if results are to be gained. "A man who cannot pray in an office building or in an automobile which is going twenty miles an hour, is not alive to the spirit of his own age and the adjustment of practical religion and the necessities of the pres- ent hour." Dr. Stone also referred to the necessity in the great com- munity church of having a sufficient endowment or sustenta- tion fund, which would make permanent the work in that community. He went so far as to say that he believed that endowment should usually equal the valuation of the property of the church, and that increased gifts on the part of the living congregation should be turned, as far as possible, toward benevolence. Practical illustrations of the value of this phase of work were given from his own parish. Dr. Stone expressed his appreciation of the splendid group of men who faced him, and said he knew of no other church in the country which could surpass that gathering in the quality and spirit of its men. 203 WOMEN'S DAY Mrs. William M. McKelvy EDNESDAY, April 16, was set aside in the week of the Centennial Celebration as "Women's Day." The many meetings held in preparation resulted in the plan to devote the early part of the after- noon to a history of the development of woman's work during the century, which was to be illustrated with living pictures. This was to be followed by a reception in the lecture room and a visit to the curio or relic room in the chapel. In the evening an Old Folks' Concert was planned to conclude the day's celebration. All our friends and former members were invited to be our guests for the day and evening. The pictures were imper- sonated by our young people — the children and the women in general. The First Missionary Meeting was unique in the fact that all those taking part were either charter members of the society or became members in very early days. Mrs. John Gil- lespie conducted the meeting, Miss McConnell was the secre- tary, while Miss Spahr, Mrs. J. M. Pardee, Mrs. Will Mc- Connell, Mrs. Harris Crawford, Mrs. Samuel Dickey, Miss McCombs and Mrs. R. H. Negley were in the pictures. They were all attired in costumes of 1870 and seemed to enjoy the bringing back of those days as much as the forty little children did in the first picture of the afternoon, when in quaint dress of the children of 1819 they assembled for school. The older children of this group were afterward the wee waiters at our Colonial Tea, in the lecture room. Each tableau was a true picture of the costume of the period it represented and many treasures were brought forward to make them complete. Our spinning wheel, the quilting frames loaned by Mrs. Jenkins, and containing a partially quilted comfort, were genuine in- deed. In the picture of war work of 1861, honored veterans of our church passed by in review. The historical paper by Mrs. H. P. Pears which follows will explain the nine illustrations of the various periods given in the tableaux. First, School Children of 1819; second. The 204 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Quilting Bee; third, The Spinner; fourth, Work During the War of 1861 ; sixth, The First Missionary Meeting; seventh, Our Buds of Promise ; eighth, The Spirit of Religion ; ninth, War Work of Today. Historical Interpretation of Tableaux Mrs. Valeria M. J. Pears. Every important work has been founded because some one, some time, has had a vision. The church in this instance is the visible result. Long back of the organized work, springs of interest unrecorded loom up today. But before I begin my story we must glance backward a century, and give a brief sketch of East Liberty as it then appeared. Your imagination will be duly taxed in recalling the Greensburg Pike, now Penn avenue, with a few old log and frame houses of two or three rooms. Corner of what is now Penn and Collins avenue was a frame steam mill. Upon the site of McMurray's drugstore was a dilapidated old tavern with extensive stablings. In the rear of this a frame house of very small dimensions. Where the railroad now crosses Penn avenue another small frame house. Back of what is now known as the Liberty Block an old log tavern, originally Thompson's, afterwards Beitler's. On Black Horse Hill another of the same called Black Horse Tavern, and the old Negley mansion, corner of what is now Negley and Stanton avenues. Then dot the valley here and there with a few- log houses and you have East Liberty as it was in 1819. The real action of the tale begins in the center of the above picture, where a small frame schoolhouse, 16x20, built by Mr. Jacob Negley, situated near the site of the present church, where children of East Liberty valley gathered daily and learned " 'Tis education forms the common mind ; just as the twig is bent the tree inclines." The early settlers enjoyed few religious privileges. Occa- sional services were held by ministers of various evangelical denominations in this small schoolhouse just described. In these early days — for Pittsburgh was in its infancy, having been chartered only three years before — women were not en- 205 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH gaged in regular church work, but led very busy lives in their homes, looking after large families with wool to spin, stockings to knit, and all sewing done by hand, as machines had not then come into use. There is ample evidence obtainable not only of the great antiquity but also of the wide, almost uni- versal, diffusion of the art of spinning antedating weaving, which was also the occupation of the women in their homes, that the homespun clothing might be provided for the families, that known as linsey-woolsey being in general use. After the laborious domestic duties enumerated, it might well be thought that there was little time for any sociability among the families of East Liberty valley ; but on the con- trary, many were the occasions through the year that the women gathered together to make merry and to assist each other at the husking bees, butchering, apple butter making and quilting. These were festive occasions, particularly the latter, when great preparations were made, for the Sunday gown must be donned and an early start after midday made to meet at one of the homes to participate in the quilting of a marvelous patchwork quilt, where both fingers and tongues were busy until early candle light, when the work was laid aside to wel- come the men of the families, who came to partake of the good cheer of a bountiful supper, and ending often in the young peo- ple attending a spelling bee or a singing school with a sleigh ride home, and M'hen the snow fell during the winter the merry music of the sleigh bells and happy young voices could be heard over the hills and vallej^s of East Liberty. After the Civil War broke out patriotism ran high. Already the news of the assault on Fort Sumter had resounded through the land and President Lincoln's proclamation had been issued with a call for troops. Pennsylvania men were among the first to respond, and on April 1.5th, 1861, 20,175 brave men, almost double the quota, joined the militia. The Arsenal on Penn avenue, not far from this historic spot, was the scene of great excitement and increasing activity, great quantities of firearms and munitions were collected for imme- diate use, and while precaution was taken to guard night and day, an accident occurred that some may remember today. The rumbling noise heard at night for quite a time in the 2o6 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION vicinity of the Arsenal aroused the curiosity of the neighbors, and they set out to investigate and found that the sound pro- ceeded from the moving of firearms and munitions to a place of shipment by a traitor named Floyd, who was about to send it to the Confederate army. Troops of soldiers were passing through Pittsburgh by thou- sands with the same disease of hunger that canteen workers now have to deal with, and the loyal women came to their relief by giving edibles, emptying their cupboards of all pro- visions until they were as bare as the traditional cupboard of Old Mother Hubbard. Hut this was inadequate to meet the demands, and the women of this church formed with others all over the city to carry on a scheme of great proportions to raise money to provide for the increasing war needs. A large tem- porary building was erected on a plot of ground that is now a park opposite the Allegheny market house on Federal street and called it the Sanitary Fair. Every amusement and interest was introduced to attract the populace. People, regardless of creed and sect, engaged in making it a success. Distinguished and notable people from all over the state became patrons, and the name of President of the United States, Abraham Lin- coln, headed the list. It was a wonderful success and lasted some weeks. Afterwards old City Hall was used as a place to feed all soldiers passing through the city. The women of this church threw open the doors to all who would come to aid the war work, which consisted in making hospital garments, bandages, slips of pasteboard covered with calico and muslin, and scraped lint from muslin and linen which was used for sores and wounds in the army. Probably the precaution for sanitation was not so strictly enforced as it was in this world's war — for microbes had not been discovered and "where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." When the battle fields grew closer great was the alarm ovei the cry "The Rebels are coming." With women, to be fore- warned is to be forearmed; they gathered their valuables and buried them in some unsuspected spot, often using the old silver water pitchers as the receptacle in which they hid their treas- ures. 207 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH From the beginning women were a part of the Sunday school, which antedates the church by several years, although histoiy tells us when organized at its first session Luke Loomis and Isaac Harris and nine children composed the school. But it was not long before the good women among the Baileys, Barrs and other families had a part in the work, although silent are the records. But it is ever so where women are con- cerned, for St. Paul bade them to be modest, therefore their eiiforts remain unrecorded. Long years before organized work began for Home Mis- sions, women met together to sew for the poor and for mission- ary families in the far West, to whom boxes were sent to sup- plement their meagre salaries, and many letters are in evidence bearing testimony of the joy and comfort they gave. About 1866 the regular organized work began with Mrs. Wm. B. Mcllvaine, the pastor's wife, as president. They met weekly, but soon found that all-day sewings were necessary, as the workers in the South for Freedmen claimed their aid, and finally added the work for supplying the city hospitals. In 1885 the society became an auxiliary of the Pittsburgh and Allegheny Presbyterial Society. Oh, were there time to mention the names of these faithful women whose memory we so fondly treasure! But there are some present today who will recall, like the writer, the friendly social group of v/omen who composed the Sewing Society, as it was then called, and from which the entertaining items of news that were gathered during the afternoon were related by the mother on her return home. It was not until 1884 that the women organized for foreign missionary work. Mrs. Kumler came as the pastor's wife, with her vigorous, bright, active mind, and advanced ideas on mis- sions, quietly viewed the possibilities. She met with the society to sew one afternoon. When the right time came she simply said: "We have met today for Home Missions. Next Friday we will meet for Foreign, for they are all one." The women came and the cause of Home Missions never suffered, but rather increased in interest, as is shown by the report for that year, 208 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION box work amounting to $823.04, collection in cash, $1,114.17, a total of $1,037.21. But we have anticipated and must now turn backward a few years. The Philadelphia Board, which celebrates its fiftieth anni- versary next year, endeavored to have the East Liberty Pres- byterian Church begin work for Foreign Missions, and Dr. Gillespie laid the matter before the women, but they were so busily engaged in Home Mission work that they were unwill- ing to attempt any new work. So he appealed to the young ladies of the congregation, and one afternoon, with Miss Annie Graham, Miss Amelia Spahr, Miss Lide McConnell and Mrs. Springer Harbaugh in charge, the following young ladies met at the church: Miss Tillie Paulson, Miss Annie Imhof, Miss Rebecca Stotler, who became the treasurer. Meetings were held from house to house each Friday afternoon from October to April to make fancy articles, and in the spring gave a fair. The result of the work was $150, which was given to the general fund for Foreign Missions. Mrs. Edward Negley was the second president. By subscription and a fair $200 was raised. The next year the society pledged this amount each year towards support of a missionary. A treasurer's receipt dated Feb. 21st, 1874, is in existence for money given in sup- port of Mrs. M. L. Barker, Rat-Nagiri, India, whose husband first established that mission station. In 1877 this society be- came responsible for the support of Mrs. Armanda B. McGuin- nis, now Mrs. Goheen, of India. This sentence in one of the minutes leads us to believe that an organization existed in 1870: "It is suggested that our treasurer get a new book as the old one is worn out, having been in use since 1870." We feel happy that almost all of the original members remain to greet you today. There have been a large immber of bands and auxiliaries formed since 1870, with a history quite as important and effec- tive as any organization in the church, with good consecrated leaders, who have been an inspiration to the members. But with the limited time given to me it would be impossible to do justice to the subject, especially as changes took place from time to time, merging and consolidating, with changes in leaders 209 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH and names of bands. Among the last to be formed was the Ladies' Aid Society. It is just ten years old. They look after the interests of the church and do the box work for hospitals that was formerly done by the Home Missionary Society. But the oldest band is the Buds of Promise, organized in 1877 by Mrs. Daniel Wallace, Mrs. Thomas Patterson and Mrs. Jos. Torrens. After the death of Mrs. Wallace, Miss Lehmer and Miss Amelia Spahr continued it. Then followed Mrs. Jno. Gillespie, Mrs. A. M. Thorne, Miss West McCay (now Mrs. Pardee), Miss Lizzie Johnston (now Mrs. R. W. Patterson), Mrs. Kumler, and in 1893 Mrs. Robert Patterson again became the leader. For over twenty years Mrs, Jno. H. McKelvy has been its faithful leader and hundreds of children have had the missionary spirit implanted in them as the result of her teaching. Never can the fruits of this band be estimated as only a partial record exists, but there has been something like $4,700 in collections. THE CROSS The first thing one looks for in a picture is the principal object or the painter's point of view. Everything else is of secondary interest. Our point of view, the culminating point, which all these past activities lead us to, is the Cross of Christ at which all points meet. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." "See heathen nations bending Before the God we love. And thousand hearts ascending In gratitude above ; While sinners, now confessing, The gospel call obey, And seek the Saviour's blessing, A nation in a day." VICTORY W^e have arrived at the last decade of the church's history and the most momentous in the history of the world. Never before in any country or any age has there been anything to compare with the situation that has existed for nearly five years. Out of this vortex of savagery, frightfulness, and cruelty of the world war arose the beneficent ministration of the American 210 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Red Cross, the most potent balm for the relief of the sick, wounded and dying men on the battlefields. That uplifted banner with the emblem of the merciful cross waving over the stricken nations of Europe bringing hope, cheer and comfort to the distressed and suffering that no words can convey. American women enlisted enthusiastically under this banner, none more so than the large number from this church, spurred onward by that service flag with its 120 stars — three of them golden, "The Eternal Jewels of the Short-Lived Night." Under the efficient leadership of Mrs. W. N. Frew, over two hundred women met daily, working with energy and ability that could scarcely be equalled. The heads of each department showed the greatest efficiency and faithfulness. Women who were engaged during the day worked evenings. Every call and demand for service was met. Sewing, surgical bandages, nurses, ambulance drivers, and canteen workers. The vastness of the undertaking may be gathered from the following report : 115,163 surgical dressings, 25,404 hospital garments, 6,781 knitted articles and in collections $106,000.11. With this record it is fair to assume that women had a large share in winning the war, and today stand shoulder to shoulder, in loyalty to their country and to their flag, that shall never be lowered for any other, that waves in its spotless beauty and untarnished glory. We have room but for one flag. It has symbolized but one emotion : "My country, my whole country, and nothing but my country.' 211 OLD FOLKS' CONCERT N OTHER capacity audience filled the church on Wednesday evening, and were more than delighted with "Ye Olde Folkes' Create Concerte, by Father Burchfield's Singin Skewl, at Early Candle Light." As the name indicates, it was a real old-time performance, every detail planned with an eye to avoiding anachronisms, even the unique program printed on brown paper announcing "Ye Lyste of Hymns and Worldlie Songs to be Sung at East Lib- erty Presbyterian Meeting House." The concert was ably conducted by Prof. Robert J. Mc- Dowell, who for many years has been the efficient director of music in the prayer meeting and Sunday school. Miss Josephine Babst, prayer meeting pianist, was the capable chairman of this committee. Director McDowell was arrayed in the garb of a mediaeval musician and the performers, numbering more than sixty, were arrayed in costumes of a century past, while a quaint little melodeon, more than a hundred years old, belonging to Mrs. R. Heberton Negley, graced the platform. The audience was first entertained with an overture on the organ, rendered by Mrs. Huseman. When the opening hour for the concert arrived, electric lights were turned out and with them withdrew the atmosphere of the present era, and the waiting audience was once more transported in fancy to the East Liberty of 1819. All eyes were turned toward the rear of the auditorium, where twinkling little lights seemed to fall into procession. Slowly and gracefully the singers, in their quaint and beau- tiful costumes of the long ago, marched up the aisles of the darkened auditorium to the platform, each bearing a lighted candle, and singing "Love's Old Sweet Song" in harmonious unison. The note of patriotism was struck when the audience joined in singing "The Star-Spangled Banner." As the various num- 212 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION bers on the program were rendered with artistic skill by chorus and soloists, one round of genuine applause was only succeeded by another as the melody was caught of these songs so old, and yet ever able to strike the chord of a fresh response. To many in the audience, sweet memories clustered around the old, familiar melodies, memories perhaps of days gone by, when in childhood's care-free hours, these same songs were sung by a fond mother's loving voice. The second part of the program opened with the "Soldiers Chorus," a special feature of the evening. With the opening chords of the song, returned soldiers, members of the congrega- tion, led by Uncle Sam, in the person of Mr. William Cotton, of Bellevue, six feet six inches tall, marched through the church, while the audience stood at attention. This number was followed by the sweet strains of "Silver Threads Among the Gold," with "Sister Betsye Cheerful Prentys" at the old-time melodeon, from which she succeeded in extracting melody out of all proportion to the size of the instrument, which blended harmoniously with the rich voices of the singers. After singing the "Marseillaise" and "Home, Sweet Home," the audience dispersed, feeling as though they had really en- joj'ed the simplicity of a nineteenth century concert carried out with talent worthy of twentieth century development. 213 HOME-COMING DAY April 17, 1919 HE great celebration would have been decidedly incomplete had there not been a special occasion provided for the home-coming of the absent mem- bers of the church family. The return to the parental roof of former individual members to receive a hearty welcome from the personnel of the present, afforded a happy occasion, when old friendships were revived, old scenes reviewed, and a general hour of good fellowship enjoyed. In addition to the reception of individual members, East Liberty Church in her ecclesiastic capacity received her children to the third generation. The chapel and church parlors were tastefully decorated with flowers and exotics, with our own dear Old Glory and flags of the Allies and the newly adopted church flag ; drawing room lamps with their bright-hued shades and mellow light adding to the effectiveness of the very homelike scene. In front of a background of towering exotics stood the receiv- ing party, Dr. and Mrs. Sneed, the Rev. Mr. Gearhart and Mrs. Gearhart, Mr. and Mrs. John Updegraff, Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Shields, and Mr. Samuel E. Gill, representing the elders, Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Merrill and Mr. and Mrs. George B. Roessing, representing the board of deacons, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Hicks and Mr and Mrs. Charles H. West representing the board of trustees. A letter of congratulation and felicitation from the His- torical Society of Western Pennsylvania was read by Mr. Wm. M. Robinson, in the absence of President Wm. H. Stevenson, who was unable to be present, followed by letters from some of our missionaries. Dr. Sneed was chairman of the evening, and in a happy and humorous vein introduced the pastors of the various churches which have gone out from the parental roof of East Liberty Church to build up a church of their own. The first church to go out was Mt. Olive, which later united 214 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION with the Sixth Presbyterian Church, and was represented by the pastor, the Rev. B, F. Farber, D.D., who responded in an appropriate speech of congratulation. Dr. Hugh T. Kerr, with a witty speech, brought greetings from Shady Side Presbyterian Church, the next child to leave the parental roof. He testified to the gratitude of himself and his congregation for the efforts made by twenty-two people, of whom eleven came from East Liberty Church, five of whom he said were Aikens and two Negleys, in organizing this im- portant church. Park Avenue Church being without a pastor at the present time, the Rev. Charles Chalfant, D.D., son of the late Rev. George M. Chalfant, D.D., for many years the beloved pastor of Park Avenue Church, expressed cordial greetings in a humor- ous vein. The Rev. John Alison, D.D., followed with a cheery greeting from Point Breeze Church, which went out in 1887, when forty members, including Elder Charles Arbuthnot, organized another center of worship and influence. Highland Avenue Presbyterian Church responded in the person of Dr. C. P. Cheeseman, their first and only minister, whose long pastorate has borne abundant fruit. In Dr. Cheese- man's response he paid a gracious compliment, when he said "Our Mother, although a century old, still has the bloom of youth upon her cheek.'' Valley View Presbyterian Church responded through Mr. George O. Reemsnyder, a senior at the Western Theological Seminary, who is supplying the pulpit, and in a pleasing manner expressed congratulations and good wishes. The Italian Church was represented by the pastor, the Rev. Giacomo Maugeri, who brought a grateful message of congratu- lation from his flock, which has always been under the fostering care of East Liberty Church. The Rev. Thomas Watters, D.D., pastor of the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, responded with cordial felicitations ex- pressed in a happy vein from the first grandchild, which con- solidated in 1906 with the First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. 215 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The Rev. Paul Sappie, pastor of the Lemington Avenue Church, with which another grandchild, the Apple Avenue Church, united, also brought congratulations. The Rev. P. W. Snyder, D.D., pastor of the Homewood Presbyterian Church, another grandchild, was unable to be present. Dr. Francis W. Crowe responded for the worthy great- grandchild, Blackadore Avenue Church, and expressed cordial good wishes for the future prosperity of East Liberty Church. Another interesting feature was the address of greeting from the Rev. John D. McBride, pastor of Beulah Church, who no longer feels that we are trespassing on her ecclesiastic boun- daries. The eldest communicant in the church, Mr. Henry P. Krebs, for many years a member of the board of trustees, was remembered on this occasion. It was a matter of regret that Mr. Krebs was unable to be present, but his daughter, Mrs. Harry W, Fulton, accepted on his behalf the tribute of a beau- tiful American Beauty rose which Dr. Sneed presented in the name of the congregation with fitting words of appreciation of our senior member. The relic rooms, with their cordial guides, were an attractive resort for all, and later delicious refreshments were served in the church dining room, Mrs. Kate Edna Negley Gerst and her assistants proving themselves efficient entertainers along this line. 216 THE RELICS Marguerite M. Elder N interesting feature of Centennial week was the exhibit of relics in the beautiful rooms on the sec- ond floor of the Kumler Memorial Chapel. The committee in charge of this exhibit consisted of more than fifty members, several of whom were lifelong resi- dents of the East Liberty valley and have been identified with East Liberty Church from childhood. This committee was organized into groups and for several Aveeks a diligent search was made for interesting relics. Old trunks were opened, precious treasures unpacked and many sacred memories thus awakened. The members of the congregation contributed so generously that the collection of rare historic treasures was not only a great surprise, but a real delight to the visitors. It would be difficult to enumerate the most interesting fea- tures of the exhibit, so great was the variety ; yet each object, mute but eloquent, revealed something of the life and customs of the noble pioneers, who had builded so well for future gen- erations, and whose names we shall always revere. The collection of rare editions of hymnals and sacred books included the Bible used by the Rev. John Joyce when he preached his first sermon to the East Liberty congregation in 1828. Another interesting Bible was an illustrated edition printed in Nuremburg, dated 1747, Olden time song books used by the choir leaders, small hymnals without the music and with almost unreadable print, especially by candle light, and many other books, equally inter- esting to the book lover, covered the tables. The valuable collection of oil portraits included those of Mrs. Barbara Anna Negley, and several of her descendants, as well as those of a number of other distinguished citizens of East Liberty. Portraits painted on ivory, miniatures and old ambrotypes, photographs of childhood days and antique costumes brought to mind many happy days and dear friends of long ago. The original silver communion set, consisting of twelve mas- 217 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH sive goblets and two tankards, long since discarded for the modern individual sets, was suggestive of the sacramental serv- ices of these people of sainted memory, and interwoven very closely with the life of the church. The beautiful needlework of the ladies of the early days was well demonstrated in the quilts of every age and pattern. Among this choice assortment was a beautiful silk quilt made and presented to Mrs. Kumler by a mission band of the chvirch, called the "Earnest Workers," in charge of Miss Lizzie Lig- gett. Most attractive were the samplers worked in wool on per- forated cardboard. The quaint scene, suggestive motto and bright, but artistic, color scheme showed the taste and industry of the girls of the early period. Cases of rare old china, each piece with a history all its own ; time pieces, lanterns, candles, chairs, war trophies, and many other most precious and valuable articles contributed largely to the interest and success of the exhibit. The arrangement and care of the relics during the exhibit were largely in the efficient hands of Mrs. R. Heberton Negley, Miss Sarah Aiken, Mrs. Nathan B. Henry, Miss Minnie McFarland, Miss Fannie Werdebaugh, Miss Alice McConnell, Miss Annie Irwin and Miss Mary Ortman. The exhibit rooms were open to visitors Wednesday, Thurs- day and Friday of Centennial week and many guests enjoyed the curios and recalled happy memories of bygone days. GREETINGS One of the many gratifying features of our very delightful Centennial Celebration was the assurance through the many greetings received, that our distant friends were with us in spirit, and that their cordial thoughts and good wishes were wafted from all directions and over many miles of space. Our thoughts, also, were of the absent ones whose presence would have been an added joy on this occasion. Especially was this true of our missionaries, those who have gone into the Master's service from this church, as well as those who represent us on the mission field at home and abroad. To each and every one. East Liberty Church responds with a cordial Centennial Greeting "In His Name." 218 CENTENNIAL COMMUNION SERVICE Good Friday, April 18, 1919 H E Lord Jesus, the same night in which He was betrayed," said, "This do in remembrance of Me," as He instituted the precious memorial of the Lord's Supper. So, as the shadows of the night gathered on Good Friday, the generally accepted anniversary of the vicarious death of the Son of God that sinners might have Life Eternal, the church members gathered to participate in the Centennial Eucharist. This memorial is usually celebrated in the morning, but any one who has ever had the privilege of attending a similar serv- ice at night will agree that the observance under such condi- tions, all else being equal, is fraught with a peculiarly impres- sive significance and solemnity. Dr. Sneed, with the assistant pastor, the Rev. Harry A. Gear- hart, and a former assistant, the Rev. G. A. Frantz, now pastor of the First Presbj^terian Church of Van Wert, Ohio, ascended the pulpit as the organist rendered Stainer's "Processional to Calvary." A hush fell over the large audience as the choir followed with the appropriate and well rendered anthem from "The Crucifixion," "God so Loved the World." The devotional exercises included the singing of the hymn, "O, Sacred Head, Once Wounded," by the congregation, and was followed by a baritone solo by Mr. James C. Baird, for many years an esteemed member of the church choir. The rich, vibrant tones of Mr. Baird's powerful voice, feelingly mellowed to the strains of "There Was Darkness Over All the Earth," from the same oratorio as the preceding anthem, formed an impressive prelude, blending into the choir's fine rendering of "The Appeal to the Crucified." Another hymn was sung by the congregation, followed by the reception of new members, after which the Rev. G. A. Frantz delivered the communion sermon, which was marked both in subject and delivery by an impressive spirituality, afford- ing an effective preparation for the spiritual feast of the Lord's 219 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Supper which ensued, the elders assisting, as usual, in the dis- tribution of the elements. We are pleased to present a resume of Mr. Frantz's address. Melodious strains from the organ of familiar, well loved hymns floating softly through the auditorium during the pass- ing of the elements added another tender touch to an already soul-impressive observance of the Lord's Supper. The service closed with the usual devotional exercises, the congregation joining in the precious hymn, "Till He Come." "Till He come ! O let the words Linger on the trembling chords ; Let the little while between In their golden light be seen ; Let us think how heaven and home Lie beyond that 'Till He come.' "See the feast of love is spread. Drink the wine, and break the bread : Sweet memorials, — till the Lord Call us round His heavenly board ; Some from earth, from glory some, Severed only till He come." 220 SYNOPSIS OF COMMUNION SERVICE ADDRESS The Rev. G. A. Frantz THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JESUS HAVE been thinking today, through the hours our Lord has been hanging on the cross, of His last will and testament, for He, too, made one. I. He had some property. He left this. What else can any one do with property? But how different from us He was! He did not seem to care what was done with it. Wills we make often look like our effort to reach out through time our dead hands to control forever property which was ours to use for a span of days only. ( 1 ) Plis clothes belonged by law to the soldiers who slew Hnn. They took them. He willed it so. I have often won- dered what became of those garments. Did they make those soldiers better men, because they had protected His dear body? Perhaps not; no more than our putting on a creed, which is the garment of a great faith, can give us the power of the liv- ing belief. (2) His purse He left. You will leave yours. There are no pockets in a shroud. Jesus made no mention of it. He got it who wanted it most. Judas kept it for the thirty pieces of silver. These were His items of property. He disposed of them in a way befitting their worthlessness. II. But Jesus had some treasures. And He directed speci fically where they were to go. ( 1 ) He had His mother. He saw, from the cross, the pain of desolation in her eyes ; and He gave to her another son, and to John a mother. It is so that He gives gifts to His beloved. Treasure yours for His sake. (2) He gave His pardon to the thief who knew his spirit's need ; to the soldiers for their dark part, though they knew not that they needed forgiveness. We share in the rich inheritance of His pardon. Why not be as honest as the thief, and ask for it? asi CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (3) He left his peace to His friends. None other can receive it. Pie must be near to breathe it upon us. No others have peace. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. There is no unrest to His pardoned. His peace belongs to His pardoned. (4) When the dread darkness was passing, and all was finished, with a victor's shout, with a loud voice, He cried: Father, in Thy hand I trust my spirit. In a very real sense He had never taken His spirit out of God's hand. He willed that it should rest there forever and forever. That is the safest keeping for our most priceless treasure. On the old landed estates of the old world, a good master left some thing in his will for every one, from eldest son t© lowest servant. So we have a part in the "inheritance incor- ruptible and undefiled," left to us by the last will and testa- ment of Jesus. God forbid that ours should be the garments, or the worn and useless purses, when we so much need His pardon and peace. "Father, forgive them." "My peace I give unto you." These treasures, O Lord, we humbly ask as our portion forever. 222 SOLDIERS' DAY SERVICE April 19, 1919 LARGE concourse gathered on the afternoon of April 19th, when the atmosphere was permeated with the sentiment of Christian patriotism. Veterans of the Civil War and the Spanish War, with World War soldiers and Boy Scouts took part in the beautiful religious-military services incident to the unveiling of the rich bronze tablet presented by the pastor and his wife, Dr. and Mrs. Frank Woolford Sneed, to the church in mem- ory of the one hundred twenty soldiers who went into their country's service from East Liberty Church, three of whom made the supreme sacrifice. The beautiful "Pilgrims^ Song of Hope" furnished an organ prelude in harmony with the occasion, after which the audi- ence joined heartily in the singing of "America.'' With Dr. Sneed and Mr. Gearhart in the pulpit were Chap- lain George M. Duff and Capt. Roy F. Miller, a member of this church, who entered the service while still a student at Western Theological Seminary, both of whom we rejoiced to have with us on this occasion. Chaplain Duff led in prayer, after which Mr. James C. Baird rendered the baritone solo, "Soldier, What of the Night?" in his usual masterly manner. Mr. Gearhart read the Scriptures, and the choir sang a touching anthem from Grieg. The veil was then drawn from the artistic and rarely beauti- ful tablet which graces the west wall of the transept, by Miss Josephine Paull and Miss Anna Kahle, sisters of two of the boys who were called higher. The massive tablet is of bronze richly embossed in conven- tional floral design, with wreathed pillars on either side, the gift being a beautiful expression of Dr. and Mrs. Sneed's affec- tionate appreciation of the willing and patriotic service ren- dered to their country by the soldier boys under Dr. Sneed's pastoral care. As a member of the National Service Commis- 223 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH sion of the General Assembly, Dr. Sneed made frequent visits to the war camps, and thus came in close touch with the soldiers in their camp life. The tablet is inscribed as follows : IN HONOR OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION WHO PATRIOTICALLY ANSWERED OUR country's call for SERVICE IN THE GREAT WAR FOR THE FREEDOM OF HUMANITY A.D. 1914 — A.D. 1918 AND IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO THEREIN MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE ALVAN CLEMENTS CLARENCE KAHLE * • JAMES DANA PAULL * Dr. Sneed's able address of presentation, in which he read the foregoing inscription, and Capt. Roy F. Miller's gracious response, are herewith appended. During the service a deep solemnity pervaded the silent audience as they stood reverently at attention. Col. Roseman Gardner addressed the Veterans, the Soldiers and the Boy Scouts, eloquently exhorting all to foster the spirit of Christian loyalty and patriotism. The choir rendered "Allegiance to the Flag" and the con- gregation joined in one verse of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," which concluded the services in the auditorium. 224 MEMORIAL SERVICE TABLET Presented by Dr. and Mrs. Frank Woolford Sneed. HONOR ROLL ALVAN CLEMENTS * CLARENCE C. KAHLE * JAMES DANA PAULL * M. ELWOOD AUGUSTINE PAUL C. AUGUSTINE .JOSEPH S. BAIRD ROBERT J. BAUMAN EDWIN BLACK GEORGE M. BEVIER HERBERT C. BRENN FRANCIS D. BROWN JOSEPH S. BROWN NORMAN B. BROWN NfORWELL B. BROWNE GARRETT DUNBAR BRYCE LLOYD W. BUERMAN JOHN C. BUCHANAN EDWIN P. BUCHANAN CHARLES C. CRAWFORD MILFORD CAREY, JR. FRANK S. CRAWFORD CLYDE W. CAMPBELL ROBERT W. CLARK CHESTER F. CLARK HUGH L. COBB CHARLES M. CORBIT, JR. GEORGE S. CUNNINGHAM A. HOWARD CARROLL CHARLES M. CHRISTLER EMERY C. CHAPIN DONALD S. CLEMENTS WILLIAM A. DUCKHAM GEORGE M. DUFF JOHN WYNNE DAVIS ROBERT L. DAVIS BURTON A. DARRACH ROBERT DICKEY FRANK W. DICKSON EDWARD J. DIETER CLARENCE F. DOERR WM. HENRY DUNCAN HAROLD W. DUNCAN RAYMOND S. ECKLES ROBERT N. ENTWISLE HOWARD FISH EVANS WM. CLYDE FERGUSON CALVIN WM. FLEESON NEVILLE A. FLEESON IAN FORBES WILLIAM FOSTER HOWARD R. FISHER GEORGE P. FULTON HENRY W. FULTON WILLIAM FREW WILLIAM L. FULLER ALLAN BROWN GRAHAM WILLIAM GATES, JR. RALPH E. GILL ALBERT C. GILL JACOB E. GRIME GEO. VINCENT HALLER RALPH A. HERROD WENMAN A. HICKS MISS ELLEN J. HOBBS ALEXANDER H. HUNTER J. SCOTT HARTJE FRANK SNEED HAINER J. RUPLE HAINER THEODORE F. HANNA C. DIXON HARNACK HOWARD DEF. ISRAEL CHARLES W. JENNINGS EDWARD A. KEISLING MARSHALL B. KIEHL WILLIAM C. KING VERNARD A. KIRSCHLER WILLIAM M. LAIRD WM. A. LUBBERT CHAS. A. LUBBERT L. THAYER LYON PRESCOTT L. LYON J(^SEPH S. MATSON RALPH K. MERRILL RICHARD KING MELLON LESLIE MacM. MERRILL HENRY C. MURRAY ROY F. MILLER MATTHEW T. MELLON ROBERT B. MILLER EARL MITCHELL ROLAND M. MORGAN A. H. McCLELLAND J. CLARENCE MCCARTHY ARTHUR D. McILVAINE WILLIAM F. McAFEE C. LOCKHART McKELVEY W. J. McSHANNIC THOMAS D. NEWELL, JR. HARRY E. OVER WALTER W. PARDEE GEORGE PAULL JAMES T. PRENTICE JAMES H. PHILLIPS EARL REICHARD EDMUND W. RIDALL THOMAS S. SCHULTZ EUGENE M. SCHUMAN JAMES R. SHARP GEORGE R. SLOAN MARCUS A. SMITH ROBT. NELSON SOPER, JR. ALDUS K. SHENK BURTON J. SPEAKER SIDNEY A. STEWART SUMNER EVANS THOMAS L. WAINWRIGHT VOIGHT ELMER S, WARD JOHN WHITE SAMUEL BRAINARD WEST ZAREH EDWIN YARDUM CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION ADDRESS OF PRESENTATION The Rev. Frank Woolford Sneed, D.D. This has been a great week in the life of East Liberty Church. It is personally gratifying to me that two of the one hundred twenty names of our Honor Roll are ministers, Chaplain Geo. M. Duff and Capt. Roy F. Miller. This Centennial week would be incomplete unless some special recognition was made of the one hundred twenty mem- bers of the congregation who responded to their country's call. I feel that I speak not only for myself but for the whole church when 1 say that you are the idol of our hearts. And we say this with no lack of appreciation of the valuable services of those who remained at home. It is a joy to me to testify to the faithful, untiring labors of those who could not go. Scores of men and women finished the tasks you left unfinished when your country called you ; and some broke down beneath the load, and thus made the supreme sacrifice as really as those who fell in action. But even these, if they could speak to us today, would say, Give first place to those who wore the uni- form. To you was committed a difficult and perilous task ; and you did not fail. Future generations will tell of you and your achievements, and will revere your memory as we revere the memory of the fathers of '76. It was my duty and privilege many times to speak to the men in uniform before they Vv^ent overseas. These occasions stirred me deeply. Twice I was asked to speak at a flag raising when groups of soldiers were present. This was the feeling that possessed me, and to it I was impelled to give expression : The most precious thing to a true American citizen is that flag we call Old Glory. It has never been borne by an army of oppres- sion, but has always led an army of deliverance. It stands, as our President has said, "for honor; not for advantage,'' and it has never been defeated in war. You can imagine the feelings of those at home when they placed it in your hands and started you on your long and perilous journey. Those were anxious days a year ago when 225 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH mile after mile the Allied army was pushed back toward Pans, and we knew that our own fellows, bearing our flag, were drawing near and nearer to the front line every hour. Men, we worked with a fury; we thought deeply; and we prayed often. Every day, at twelve o'clock, the old church bell was rung to remind people, far and near, to stop and pray. The faithful Red Cross workers turned aside from their im- portant task for five minutes and bowed their heads and lifted up their hearts to the God of battles. The good women gath- ered here every Thursday morning for prayer, and for prayer alone. News came that things looked desperate, and that General Pershing had decided to throw into the breach our best- seasoned troops, the regulars and the marines. The nation was on tiptoe; men and women spoke to eath other in subdued tones, when speak they must; we knew our boys were dying; we were nerved for the sacrifice, but would it avail ? The fu- ture of the world was at stake. Men, it was a supreme hour for you, and for us. I can assure you that we were all in that battle. Some of you in uniform were on the firing line ; others, denied this privilege, would gladly have exchanged places with 3'ou. Young men and women at home were working as though all depended on them. Aged men and women, who could do little else, lived with God in prayer. Then the news came that the line held fast, the Hun was stopped and his retreat had begun, from which you never allowed him respite until he cried for mercy. From the hearts of millions, from assembled congregations, went up to God thanksgiving, genuine and true. 'Traise God from whom all blessings flow,'' we sang with a new meaning. We honor you for what you did in that crucial hour. We want to honor you also for what you are. We believe you are the cleanest, bravest and best army that was ever put into the field. ]\lake no mistake; we are under no delusion regarding you. We followed you with rather critical eye. We knew that you could not be moral failures and at the same time military successes, and there was too much at stake to take any risk. This is why many even men of the world joined with the church in providing, at great cost, the things neces- 226 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION sary for your moral and spiritual welfare. Some, to be sure,, made moral failures, but most of you have come back braver and better men than you were before. You have caught the spirit of the noble ideal expressed by our President to the first departing army, September 3, 1917, when he said: "You are undertaking a great duty. The heart of the whole country is with you. The eyes of the whole world will be upon you, because you are, in some special sense, the soldiers of freedom. Keep yourselves fit and straight in everything, and pure and clean through and through. Let us set a standard so high that it will be a glory to live up to it, and then let us live up to it, and add a new laurel to the crown of America." And you have. For this we want to honor you. This high standard we believe you will continue to main- tain. You are again among us to rejoice our hearts and to inspire our confidence. We only wish that all the rest could be here today. My comrades, I wonder if you realize the significance of this tablet bearing your names, about to be unveiled. The highest honor the church can confer upon her members is to allow their names to be inscribed within her sacred walls while they yet live. In thus honoring the dead we take no risk, for their work is finished ; but in thus honoring the living, we express a confidence that should to you be inspiring. And now a word for those who cannot speak — who will not come back — who made the supreme sacrifice. Three gold stars appear upon the tablet. They mark the names of those who sleep. JAMES DANA PAULL ALVAN CLEMENTS • * CLARENCE COURTNEY KAHLE • "Rest ye in peace, ye Flanders dead. The fight that ye so bravely led We've taken up. And we will keep True faith with j'ou who lie asleep With each a cross to mark his bed, 227 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH And poppies blowing overhead, Where once his own life blood ran red. So let your rest be sweet and deep, In Flanders fields. "Fear not that ye have died for naught, The torch yc threw to us we caught, Ten million hands will hold it high, And Freedom's light shall never die! We've learned the lesson that you taught In Flanders fields." "Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er, Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking ; Dream of battled fields no more. Days of danger, nights of waking." 23S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION ADDRESS OF ACCEPTANCE OF MEMORIAL TABLET Capt. Roy F. Miller If 1 were to describe my feelings in coming here I would say they were reluctant — reluctant not because of this speaking, for I deem it a privilege ; not because of the surroundings, for I con- sider them home ; but I am reluctant to accept for my comrades a gift which to every thinking man in uniform appears like im- posing on good nature. You have so filled our cup with your kindness that it has long since run over. We feel that this tablet should rather have been our gift to you, your memorial rather than ours. When the call first came in the spring of 1917, and then successively throughout the following eighteen months, it was the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers that were left behind that played the parts of heroines and heroes. Many has been the gray-haired mother who has sent away a son with a smile and then climbed to the attic or some other retreat to hide the tears that a smile could no longer cover. Many has been the sister who has waved an enthusiastic good-bye with a handkerchief and then when the train was out of sight used that same handkerchief to wipe the eyes that no longer could feign a cheerful "Good-bye! Good luck! God bless you." I would not for a minute underestimate our own feelings at that time, but when we reached camp we forgot about it. There everything was hustling from morning until night and when there was no work, there were so many companions to sympathize and jolly with that a person could not get blue if he wanted to. But it was different with you. You had the more sober lot. Yours were clothes of sombre shades, in fact black at times — ours were the uniforms with all their splendor and color. Yours were fears by day and dread by night — ours was a loss of fear and dread. You had the soot and the grime and the toil without the glory. We had some of, the toil and a little mud, but to us was given the glory. So I say that every thinking soldier is reluctant of still further honor after you have done so much. He would rather see yonder tablet engraved: "To the thousands of unarmed who never had the 239 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH chance to don a uniform, but fought the fight of freedom where they stood — heroes and heroines in the dress of common life." Yet since the cast has been made and the letters set, we can do no more than bow before your kindness which has ever been in remembrance of us and forgetful of yourself. We accept it with the deepest feeling of gratitude and only wish that we might have done more to merit it. "Stand Men!" while I speak these last few words. May it be to us an inspiration to greater achievement. I am quoting from Lowell : "New occasions teach new duties; Time makes ancient good uncouth, They must upward still, and onward Who would keep abreast with Truth, Lo, before us gleam her camp-fires! We ourselves must Pilgrims be, Launch our Mayfloiuer and steer boldly Through the desperate winter sea, Nor attempt the Future's portal With the Past's blood-rusted key." Let it not be the stopping place of our endeavors but inspired by the achievement it represents, press on. To others who may see it now and in the future may it stand as a monument to freedom — a glorious record of the price this church not only paid but was willing to pay. After this impressive service, the comrades of three wars, fol- lowed by the congregation, marched to the church lawn, where appropriate exercises incident to the planting of a tree on the Penn avenue side of the lawn in honor of the members of the congregation who served in the World War were conducted. Comrade D. C. Shaw was chairman of the committee of ar- rangements; Comrade Roseman Gardner acted as commander; Comrade S. E. Gill made the presentation address; Captain Wm. Duckham responded for his comrades. Comrade Gill spoke as follows: Comrades of the Civil War, of the Spanish-American War, and the World War; We are assembled here this afternoon on historic ground upon a historic occasion. One hundred years ago there was established upon this spot an organization 230 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION the influence of which has been broadening and increasing through all the intervening years, and which we trust will continue to grow through all the ages. One hundred and forty- three years ago our nation had its birth. It was born in war, its foundations were laid in liberty-loving patriotism and cemented with the blood of the heroes of the Revolution. A period of peace and national growth was broken by the War of 1812, when our nation was again called upon to sacri- fice her sons in the cause of liberty. Again victory crowned our arms and peace prevailed. None of the soldiers of those early wars remain to be called comrades. All have answered the roll call of the Great Commander. Three decades of peace rolled by when again the tocsin of war was sounded and our citizen soldiers rallied to the defense of the Lone Star State which had sought and obtained admission to the Union after separating herself from the Republic of Mexico. Here, too, success crowned our arms, although it is at least questionable whether that victory was one of which to be proud. For years prior to that time other storm clouds had been appearing upon the horizon of our national life and following the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency in 1860 war between the states burst into flame April, 186L It was no foreign foe we were called upon to face, but our brothers — men of the same lineage, of the same faith, of the same tradi- tions, with a common heritage, but divided on moral and eco- nomic questions. They of the Southland cherished slavery and the doctrine of State sovereignty. We of the North believed in freedom for all men, and that the Union was one and indi- visible. Four years of bitter warfare ensued ; millions of men were called to arms, brother against brother. A million men laid down their lives for their faith in their cause. Out of this terrific conflict the Union forces emerged victorious — the Union was preserved and disunion forever laid to rest. The cause of justice and liberty had again triumphed and peace reigned till 1898, when the cruelty of Spain to our island neighbor, Cuba, so stirred the hearts of our people that war ensued. Short, sharp and decisive was the conflict, with victory perching upon Old Glory and a new nation was born into the community of liberty-loving peoples. ?3i CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH And last of all came the great and unparalleled war in Europe in 1914, which gradually drew into it nearly all the nations, including our own in 1917, so that it has become known as the World War. So fierce was the conflict and so great were the issues at stake that more than four million of our young men were called to the colors, some to camp, some to high sea duty, some to the trenches and the field of battle, while others plowed the heavens in that new engine of battle — the flying machine. That war is now happily over. It was fought in the interest of humanity and liberty against an un- scrupulous and ambitious tyranny which aimed at the domina- tion of the world. Monuments have been erected in all ages to the memory of the heroes, living and dead, who in times of stress and danger willingly laid their lives upon the altar of their country, loving right and liberty better than life. Today, comrades of the World War, we are assembled here to place a memorial in honor of those who from East Liberty Presbyterian Church, went forth to meet the Huns, to overthrow autocracy and to demonstrate once more that America stands for liberty, for humanity and for the right. Three of your noble band "have given the last full measure of devotion," James D. Paull, Clar- ence Kahle and Alvan Clements. We come not to erect a monument of granite or marble or bronze, but to place here a living memorial which shall grow as the years roll on and un- der the shade of which you may take repose in days to come and here recite to each other and to your children the stirring scenes from the call to arms in 1917 to the days of victory in 1918. It is fitting that this church, founded one hundred years ago, called East Liberty, in a liberty-loving and liberty-promoting land and which has lived and grown through all these years, should honor you with this living memorial of our appreciation. So, on behalf of the congregation, I present to you, Captain Duckham, as the representative of all your comrades, this beautiful young Oriental Plane tree with our love and grati- tude, and we pray that our gracious Master may accord to it and to you and all your comrades long, useful and happy life. Captain Duckham, on behalf of his comrades, responded brief- ly in a gracious and appropriate address of acceptance. 232 LIEUTENANT JAMES DANA PAULL LIEUTEXAXT ALVAN AI. CLEMENTS CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Tn mdnoriam "Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends." ]amc$ Dana Paull James Dana Paull, the only son of Joseph Rogers and Annie R. Johnston Paull, was born in Pittsburgh, April 19, 1896. A baptized child of the church, he was from infancy connected with this church and Sabbath School, and in March, 1908, he publicly professed Christ and became a member of the East Liberty Presbyterian Church. He was educated in Pittsburgh Schools and Lawrenceville, N. J., and graduated from Prince- ton University in the School of Science, intending to complete his course in Hydraulic Engineering at the Boston Institute of Technology. During his college course he was an active member of the Philadelphian Society (the Y. M .C. A. branch at Princeton) and interested in all religious movements and all that stood for the highest Christian ideals in university life, and held a prominent place on the Princeton Crew. He enlisted in the service of his Country April 30, 1917, in the Aviation Section of the Signal Reserve Corps. After training at Essington, Pa., with high standing, he was commis- sioned First Lieutenant, Aviation Section, Signal Officers Reserve Corps, September 21, 1917. Lieutenant Paull sailed for France, October 27, 1917, in command of one hundred Aviation Cadets, and after less than two months "over seas," he was killed at Issondun, France, December 20, 1917, in an airplane accident while "in the line of duty." He was buried in the American Cemetery at Isson- dun with full military honors, French and American Aviators flying overhead placed a wreath upon his grave, inscribed "To our brother in arms." J\\un m. elements Alvan M. Clements was born at Madison, Wisconsin, March 28, 1895, the eldest son of Mrs. Frank S. Gardner, who with Mr. Gardner was among those who represented our church in Army Y. M. C. A. service during 1917 and 1918. 233 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH After some years in Wisconsin, he in 1908 removed to London, England, where for three years he attended school. Coming to Pittsburgh in 1911, he became a member of East Liberty Presbyterian Sabbath School and congregation. He graduated from East Liberty Academy in 1912, and in 1916 received his diploma from Carnegie Institute of Technology. After graduation he was with the Standard Steel Company at Canonsburg, Pa., from June, 1916, to April, 1917, when he entered war work as a chemist for the English Government (at Smithton, Pa.) in the manufacture of Acetone, a very valuable high explosive. Of forty chemists thus employed, Alvan was the only one who did not claim exemption, but felt it his duty to enter the United States Service, September, 1917, in the Chemical Warfare Division. Owing to his proficiency, he was assigned to special duty in the A. D. Little Laboratories, Boston, Mass. His personality, ability and work were of the highest order, and his position one of great importance. His Colonel considered his service so valuable that upon his receiving orders to report elsewhere, a special command was given retaining him in the Boston Laboratories. It was here he contracted pneumonia and died October 18, 1918, on the day on which his Lieutenant's Commission was issued. Thus, after thirteen months of faithful service for his Country, he, too, laid down his life "in the line of duty." (Clarence ecurtncy KaMe Clarence Courtney Kahle was born in Franklin, Pa., March 18, 1894, son of Attorney Frederick L. and Mary Galbraith Kahle. In 1904 he moved with his parents to Pittsburgh, and in 1906 united with the East Liberty Presbyterian Church. After attending the Public Schools, he graduated from the Shadyside Academy, and in 1916 from Washington and Jeffer- son College, Washington, Pa., having been an active worker in the Y. M. C. A. and prominent in athletics during his college life. June 17, 1917, during his second year as a student in the Law Department of the University of Pittsburgh, he enlisted for Aviation Service, and was first sent to Essington, Pa., and later to Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. 234 LIEUTENANT CLARENCE C. KAHLE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION August 7, 1917, he was sent to France, having been one of ten chosen out of a class of one hundred thirty-two from Cornell, other leading colleges having equal representation. After a course in the French Aviation Schools at Toul, France, he was commissioned First Lieutenant on March 2, 1918, in the 99th Aero Squadron, American Expeditionary Forces, France. Lieutenant Kahle was at once assigned to active duty, making a brilliant record of one hundred sixtj^-nine flights, of which one hundred twenty were at the front and over the German lines, October 2, 1918, he was killed in action at Varennes, France. Of the many recognitions of his valor, skill and faithfulness during nearly fourteen months' service in France, we present the Distinguished Service Cross Citation. ''T m m Kcsurrcctiott and tbe Cifc/' 235 EASTER April 20, 1919 ASTER Sabbath marked the close of the Centen- nial Celebration, replete as it was with spiritual, ecclesiastical and social profit. The usual devotional exercises of the Morning Worship were interspersed with musical features, the fine tone of which contributed largely to the enjoyment of the Centen- nial services throughout, our own quartette being augmented for the occasion. The anthems, "As It Began to Dawn," "Christ Our Passover," and "Behold, Ye Despisers," were ren- dered with true Easter spirit and feeling. The Rev. A. W. Halsey, D.D., one of the secretaries of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, delivered a striking and eloquent sermon on the century's development along the line of Foreign Mission work, toward which East Liberty Church has been an important contributing force in effort, in talent and in financial support. We are happy to be able to record this very instructive sermon. For the evening worship another musical privilege was en- joyed in the rendering by the choir of Shelley's Easter Cantata, "Death and Life." The Rev. George Mackinney Ryall, a son of the church, whom we always rejoice to have with us, brought the fine and helpful message of the evening, which we are glad to append. Mr. Ryall, in response to the welcome extended him in his presentation by the pastor, expressed his pleasure in being able to take part in the Centennial exercises of this, his old church home. He said that, ecclesiastically, Saltsburg Church is older than the East Liberty Church, but organically younger. Its centennial wn'Il be celebrated five years hence, having had but five pastors in the ninety-five years of its history, of whom the Rev. Ryall is the only one now living. 236 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION With the closing exercises of the evening, the Centenary Celebration of the congregation came to a close in the blessed consciousness of the joyous Easter message of faith and hope and immortality. "Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept." "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." «37 FOREIGN MISSIONS Easter, 1919 The Rev. A. W. Halsey, D.D. N 1893 the Rev. James S. Dennis, D.D., delivered a course of lectures and afterwards published them in a volume, on the theme "Foreign Missions After a Century." It was an inspiring subject, treated in a scholarly way by one who was eminently prepared for such a task, having spent twenty years on the mission field, and for many years having been a close student of missions. A quarter of a century has gone by since the lectures of Dr. Dennis were published. I do not hesitate to state that in that quarter of a century greater and more momentous changes have taken place in the non-Christian world than in the pre- vious hundred years. Easter morning, 1919, looks out on a world vastly different not only to what it was in 1819 or even a quarter of a century ago. Events have been moving with startling rapidity since Dewey's guns were heard in Manila Bay, the Boxer Outbreak, that marked a distinct epoch in the history of China and of the Orient, the overlordship of Japan in Korea and its aggressive policy in Manchuria, the great World War, whose happy ending we are able to celebrate on this Easter morning. In a recent volume written by Dr. Cornelius H. Patton, of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, entitled "World Facts and America's Responsibility" it is stated that the latest figures indicated that 38 per cent, of the popu- lation of the world is nominally Christian. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of these figures, nor are any statistics germane to the theme which this morning I wish to call to your atten- tion on this happy anniversary occasion. Rather I wish to point you to the great advance which has been made along those ideals for which Foreign Missions has stood, not only for the hundred years, but through all the Christian centuries. I would call your attention to three or four distinct advances which it seems to me have been made, which have to do rather with fundamental principles than with statistical enumeration. 238 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 1. The growing dominance of Christian ideah'sm. In 1897 it was my privilege to deliver an address on the subject "The Most Neglected Missionary Corner of the Globe." After careful examination of the mission fields I chose the Philippine Islands as the one spot hermetically closed to the teachings of the Gospel as enunciated by Protestant Christianity. Not even a Bible colporteur was allowed to enter the Islands, or if by chance he escaped the vigilance of the guard he was arrested and deported, or, in some cases, killed. Today a group of Filipinos are in this country, two of the leading men being pro- nounced followers of Jesus Christ, and are asking from our government complete independence. Each year of the twenty since the United States took over the government of the Philip- pines has shown a rapid development on the part of the Filipino people in all that makes for government. The finest bit of colo- nial work ever undertaken by any nation is that done by Uncle Sam during these recent years. Whether the Filipino is ready for full and complete independence may be an open question, but there can be no question that, through the splendid idealism of the American government and the magnificent co-operation of Protestant Christianity, the Filipino people have made more progress in twenty years than in all the 300 years preceding under the reign of autocratic and hierarchical Spain. Christian idealism is permeating the Islands with a rapidity and an effi- ciency that is difficult to realize. It is but a trifle over thirty years since the first missionary of the Presbyterian Board went from Shanghai, China, to Seoul, Korea. A week ago Dr. Syngman Ree, the secretary of state for the Provincial Revolutionary Government of Korea, pub- lished a statement in which he declared that it was the inten- tion of the leaders of the movement to make a Christian coun- try out of Korea once it was free from Japan. "This," said he, "would make Korea the first independent country in Asia to become Christian." This may be a day dream. The Ko- reans are passing through fire and blood. Thousands are being slain. It may be only a rash uprising of the people ; but if we are to believe the reports even from Tokio the entire 16,000,000 people are seeking independence from what they regard as a pagan civilization. Already charges are made that it is the 239 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Christian constituency of Korea that has produced this revo- lution. A generation ago a famous volume on Korea had the proper title, "Korea, the Hermit Nation." Today it is no longer a hermit nation, neither is Thibet, nor Baluchistan, nor Afghanistan. The hermit nation has gone forever. The spirit of Christian democracy is pervading the v^rorld. Much else goes with it, much that is dangerous, but it is an alluring thought that already throughout the world on this Easter Day hermit nations no longer exist. The Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions on the 31st day of March closed the eighty-second year of its history. It will report to the next General Assembly that receipts on the field, which include tuition fees, sums from the sale of medicine, contributions and the like, all that has come from the wares that the missionary has to sell, amounted to $1,147,569. Wages do not average over twenty-five cents a day. This sum, there- fore, is equivalent to $5,000,000 or more — probably $6,000,000. There has been created an appetite for things physical, intel- lectual, spiritual, missionary wares, which is little less than phenomenal. I have on my study table a pamphlet from the Syrian Na- tional Society. It is entitled "Syria for the Syrians," and a sub-title "Under the Guardianship of the United States." Orig- inally written in Arabic, it is translated into English "To Inter- est Americans in Syria." The request is significant, a free Syria, the first in 1900 years — a democratic Syria. But its thoughtful men realize it needs guardianship for the present, and the guardian they ask is Uncle Sam ; a clear recognition of a great desire for a self-determining government, but an equally sure indication of a fear lest Syrians themselves are unable to carry out the wishes of their government and turn to America, the land of great Christian ideals. No factor of greater sig- nificance do I present to you on this Easter Day than that the Syrian is asking for the guardianship of the United States over his land whence came Him whose resurrection from the dead this day is the world's hope. We could multiply these examples. The great ideals of the Gospel are making their way to earth's remotest points. 240 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION II. One of the outstanding difficulties a hundred years ago was that Christianity was exotic in non-Christian lands. The missionary in China up to the Boxer Outbreak was called a "foreign devil." Men were stating, "We do not want a for- eigner's religion." In India the East India Company refused to permit the missionary of the Cross to proclaim the Gospel, it being considered something alien to India. Today the out- standing fact in practically every non-Christian land where the Gospel has gone is the gradual nationalization of the teach- ings of Jesus. In China the Gospel has become a part of the national life. The literati, the leading men of China, the diplomat, the statesman, the thoughtful seer, is turning to the Gospel as possibly China's only hope. The leading men who represent China in Paris, Mr. Koo and Dr. Wang, both of them have spoken strongly regarding Christianity, and Dr. Wang is an elder in a Presbyterian Church. The various branches of the Presbyterian Church in China have become the Chinese Presbyterian Church. Steps have been taken to amal- gamate all denominations in China into one Chinese Church. This is true of Korea and of India. Possibly the most strik- ing example of this was given last fall, when the twentieth anniversary of the Hackett Medical College for Women, the first of its kind in China, was celebrated. A twentieth cen- tury miracle play, entitled "Every Sick Man on His Way to Health," was given by the students. The sick, a group of nine, rich and poor, sought health and happiness. They tried incantation, drugs, knowledge, science, sunlight, surgery, nurs- ing, but fear and sorrow and sin dominated, and finally it was only at the call of Christianity that every sick man on his way to health found the object of his search. And this miracle play, wherein ninety Christians participated, ended in singing "Joy to the World ; The Lord is Come." Apart from all others, the significant feature of this entertainment was its na- tionalization. The pupils, the audience, the learned statesmen and rulers who were present, recognized the Hackett Memorial Christian Medical School as a genuine product indigenous to the soil of China. It is only three-quarters of a century since Japan was opened to the world. It is worthy of note that within a few weeks 241 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH the Japanese Christian Church, manned by Japanese, has sent a letter to President Wilson expressing "Its sincere gratitude for his untiring efforts to establish and maintain throughout the world justice, righteousness, humanity and peace." At the same meeting at which this letter was sent to the President a resolution was passed commending the missionaries who for more than twenty-five years had helped the Japanese to estab- lish their own church. Seventy thousand Christian Japanese among 70,000,000 non-Christian seems a small number, but their influence is out of all proportion to their numbers. With- in a few years the Japanese government itself has recognized Christianity as an indigenous religion, and appealed to the leaders of the Church to assist the government in the over- throw of immorality which had grown so rapidly in the last few years. It did not seem at all out of place that a group of Assyrians should petition Christian men in America to send their request for losses sustained at the hands of the Turks and Kurds and repatriation to their country, to the Peace Congress. This petition, signed by Bishop Brent, Cardinal Gibbons, Bishop Wilson, Mr. Speer and others, set forth the needs of these persecuted Assyrians, and the evident expectation and hope that their people would be heard because it came through Chris- tian sources. In no respect has there been greater advance in the last hun- dred years or the last twenty-five years, than in the development of a native church, adapted to native needs. If we take a single example, the church in Cameroon, West Africa, war-swept for eighteen months, where devastation and death has reigned, shows in the year 1918 a remarkable growth. Think of a church so strong, in a non-Christian land like Africa, that it pays for all its licentiates, Bible readers, preachers, that it builds all its own churches, that in the past year 91 per cent, of its educational work was paid for by the natives themselves. Or, to put it in a way that you will easily remember, $29,000 was spent on the education in the village schools outside of the sta- tions, and $27,000 of that amount was received from the na- tive peoples. A remarkable example, not merely of liberality and development of an idealism, but of a love and loj^alty to a 242 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION church that had become national, that belonged to the people, that was at once democratic aii.l s. I [-supporting. The native church is the most outstanding fact in all the non-Christian M'orld in the year 1919. It has become nationalized. The essence of the religion of Jesus Christ is that it is not racial, nor national, it belongs to no age. It is for all ages and all men, and is adapted to all sorts and conditions of men. This is the tremendous advance of the century. III. When the United States went into the war, Lord Curzon said in the House of Commons: "The entrance of the United States into the war stamps the character of the struggle as an uprising of the conscience of the world." We have a new world conscience. The conscience of the world has been horrified, shocked by the war. The brutalities of the war have awakened the latent conscience of the world and revealed that after all, down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, feelings lie buried which grace can restore. The very alliance of the East and the West is significant. It is an alliance based on self-interest, but it is an alliance based on justice, on righteousness, on the uprising of human personality against wrong and evil in its hydra-headed aspect as presented by the Central Powers. Whatever may be the outcome of the present struggle in Korea, I do not pretend to prophesy, nor do I know how much of it is political and incendiary. Of this, however, I am sure, the conscience of the world is so aroused that if the Korean is being oppressed by monarchical Japan, the world will not per- mit this for any long period of time. The day has gone by when a strong nation can oppress a weak nation without pro- test and, finally, without armored opposition. No such govern- ment as Turkey can exist again on the face of the earth. In an article written by William T. Ellis, of an interview which he had with the Sultan Mohammed VI. of Turkey, it is stated that the Sultan made a plea for the League of Nations in order that Turkey might get justice. One of the great events of this Easter Day is that Turkey will get justice, and if she gets jus- tice never again will such a diabolical government be permitted to rule on this earth. It may be a Utopian dream to say that no 243 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH such government will ever exist, but we do state that an awak- ened world conscience will not permit a Turkey of the past, on the specious plea of a balance of power, go on with its work of murder, rapine, liist and cruelty such as we have witnessed the last fifty years. The fight against slavery, opium, liquor, Avere indeed mighty battles, but only skirmishes beside the fight now on against avarice and selfishness and racial animosities. It is well on this Easter Day to look for a moment at a bit of history. Some years ago, less than twenty, Germany stole a great section of Shantung, Kiao-chau Bay and Tsing-tau, on the specious plea that two German missionaries had been mur- dered. At the beginning of the war Japan as the ally of the Entente forces captured this choice section of China. Will she relinquish it? I do not know. I do know that the uprising conscience of the world has to be considered by the Japanese and by the League of Nations, in this as in all other matters. I have no knowledge as to what will become of the million square miles of territory in Africa taken from Germany by the Allied forces, but on this Easter Sunday morning I am proud to assert that I believe the conscience of the world will not permit the exploiting of these poor men of Africa's jungle by any power, France, Belgium, Great Britain, or the United States. My hope is that there will be a guardianship, an over- lordship, that will so protect the rights of these enfeebled races that Vv'ill enable them to rise in the scale of manhood and develop the wonderful resources of their undeveloped continent. Think of how Africa has been exploited in the past. Think of how China was parceled out by Great Britain and France and Italy and Germany until John Hay came in with his Golden Rule policy, and today the Golden Rule policy of statesman- ship is dominating the conference at Paris, and must dominate the League of Nations if it is to be permanent. Last Easter Day it looked as though Germany had tri- umphed, as though evil was dominant, as though force and might should overcome reason and right. So it looked on the first Friday, on that Good Friday when the howling mob cried to the crucified Son of God, "He saved others. Himself He 244 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION cannot save." Easter morning then saw triumph. This Easter morning sees a great triumph in an aroused world conscience that bodes well for all future years. IV. No single event is more impressive in all the great advance than the development of world philanthropy. The Christian Church has always been philanthropic. Humanity has had a philanthropic strain. It has been reserved for our day and generation to exhibit colossal philanthropy. I wonder how many of you realize what is going on in India today. In a statement issued by one of our missionaries, Miss Marie L. Gauthey, some startling facts of the famine in India are pre- sented. We are told that if the ghosts of all the British sol- diers killed in the World War should march down Fifth ave- nue from 59th street to Washington Arch, ten abreast, they would require seven daj^s and eleven hours before the last one who left 59th street reached Washington Arch. But if the dead of India who have lost their lives since May, 1918, should make the same march, it would take fourteen days and twenty- two hours. Yet the Christian world is not daunted at such an array of famine, of plague, of "flu" and desolation. The Chris- tian missionary' is meeting this situation in a way at once worthy of the highest traditions and noblest endeavors of the Gospel. In September, 1918, thousands of poor Syrians were driven out of Urumia and fled south toward Bagdad, led by that prince of missionaries, scholar, diplomat, statesman, teacher, author, preacher, friend, William A. Shedd. He died saving these poor outcasts. Forty thousand of them today are at Bakuba, a day's journey north from Bagdad. With funds fur- nished by the Red Cross from America, the missionaries, led by your Dr. Allen, are bringing help and health and hope to these thousands. Twelve thousand are employed in knit- ting, sewing, planting, digging, building. An entire new city has sprung up, sanitary, hygienic, healthful, under the able administration of the British government. A wonder- ful colonizer is Great Britain. Order has come out of chaos, peace out of war, purity where devilish lust made it impossible for a decent woman or girl to appear in any town or village. Now all is changed and a wondrous blessing 245 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH has come. For four years the Syria missionary has been able often to distribute something like $200,000 per month in* grain, in clothing, in medicine, sent by voluntary contribu- tions through the Syrian and Armenian Relief. It is phil- anthropy on a colossal scale. I do not speak of what the government has done and is doing to feed the starving mil- lions in France, in Belgium, in Russia, or even in Germany. There may be political and secular reasons w^hy this should be accomplished, but pure philanthropy, with a Christian dynamic, is what is prevalent in India or Persia. Possibly the most bril- liant illustration is that of Syria. For the last three years of the war no word came from Syria from the missionary. When word came it was found that simply to care for the mission- aries and the native workers the Mission had spent $300,000 above the appropriation. The Board approved it. The Church Mnll approve it. But what is of more importance is that during that period their entire time practically was given up to cloth- ing the naked, to feeding the starving, to caring for the sick, to ministering to the dying, to comforting the sorrowing. Your great treasurer at Beirut loaned hundreds of thousands of dol- lars to well-to-do men and women who without it would have been bankrupt. By a genius, phenomenal, he was able to re- ceive hundreds of thousands of dollars to purchase grain, to outwit money lenders, to circumvent unscrupulous government officials, and to bring relief to thousands. No such marvelous exhibition of Christian philanthropy, coupled with efficiency, tact, sagacity and statesmanlike use of every opportunity have we seen in our day and generation in any mission field as that shown by the Syria missionary during these dreadful days. Their nerves were unstrung, their hearts had been rent. Even shown by the Syria missionary during these dreadful days, thousands of weak, sickly bodies to be nursed back into health and strength, yet none of them talk of home-coming or speak a note of pessimism, but look upon this great calamity as an open door for great opportunity. It is a sort of heroic philan- thropy that gives money, time, strength and heart life in order that a blessing might come both for the life that now is and the life which is to come. 246 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION It is said that a petition signed by a hundred leading men of the world has gone to Paris. The petition requests that the formal announcement of the signing of the peace treaty between the Central Powers and the Entente nations shall be first pro- claimed in the city of Jerusalem, and that in addition all the Allied powers, which means the world powers, shall by proper legislation make that day a great world peace holiday. This may be an Utopian dream, but its mere possibility awakens a thrill in the heart on Easter Day, 1919, such as we have never known before. It would seem that already we began to realize just the glimmer of the dawn of that day when He shall rule whose name is called "Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Prince of Peace! That is the Easter message for the world today. 247 PROMISE AND POSSESSION The Rev. George M. Ryall "Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that I have given unto you, as I said unto Moses." — ^Joshua 1 :3. ^HHERE was a great task to be accomplished here. A mighty nation was to be transported over a river at its flood, and then that nation was to proceed to conquer a land with fenced cities, with soldiers, with giants in it. And this people that was to cross over, had their wives, and children, and flocks, and herds, and baggage. It was surely a great task that was here to be accomplished. But God had ready a man whom he had prepared for that task. In May of 1870, before the Franco-Prussian war in which France lost Alsace-Lorraine, Count Von Moltke came to King William and asked for a leave of absence from his post. The king, seeing he looked tired, granted him that leave. A few days later the minister of war and the king had a conference which led the king to desire the opinion of Von Moltke on the subject of discussion. But though they sought in all direc- tions, by letter, and telegram, and by messenger, they could not find the Count. Ten days later he appeared before the king. "Where have you been?" said the king, "for ten days we have been searching all Germany in vain for you." "I was in France, sire," was the answer. "Amusing yourself in Paris?" "Not at all, sire ; I was at Metz and Belf ort. We have very good plans of the fortifications there, but I wished to see with my own eyes their strong points and weak points; and so I went over there." Two months later in the Franco- Prussian war Von Moltke put to very good purpose the information he had per- sonally gained through his vacation. A great task was in con- templation and a great man was ready for it. It is wonderful in his plans and purposes how God, though He buries the workman, still carries on the work. Joshua was not a Moses in any sense of the word. And yet the work that Moses had done, as it fell from his hands, came into the hands of Joshua. And can we say that the work languished or fal- 248 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION tered because of that transfer? The successor of Moses was a Joshua. He had different qualifications altogether. He was not the brilliant man that Moses was at all. Yet he made a most glorious success. Each man to his own work, in his own way, with the gifts tliat God has given him. Oh! that we might learn this lesson well! Here is a minister that comes into a congregation. He is in marked contrast to his prede- cessor. But because he is not a duplicate of the one who has preceded him, the people are lukewarm, and indifferent or hostile, and the work of that servant of God fails because Aaron and Hur do not hold up his hands. What a pity it often is that we do not learn that no two of us work exactly alike. We must do our tasks in the way in which the Lord has endowed us. Joshua appears early in the Exodus. He led the armies of Israel against the Amalekites. Tradition tells us that he was the son of Miriam, the sister of Moses. But we have no other basis for this statement. Joshua was of that powerful tribe of Ephraim, and was twelve generations removed from Joseph, the head of that tribe. As one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan at Kadash-Barnea, he and Caleb alone had faith to believe that Israel could take the land. P'or their faith, they alone of all that generation entered the land. Joshua was the minister of Moses. He thus became his un- derstudy. He is not often mentioned in the forty years of wanderings, but comes into prominence at the Jordan. Moses dies and Joshua succeeds him. Under him, the Jordan is crossed. He receives new assurance of his call from the Angel of the Lord, and the Lord reaffirms all the promises made to Moses. Our text is a very precious one among these promises. It is a promise with a condition implied. The feet of the host of the Lord must actually rest on the Promised Land to possess it. There is an incident in the life of Israel just at this time that is illustrative of the thought that is found in the text. The river Jordan was at the flood. All the waters from snow- capped Hermon, under the spring sun and rains, were hurry- ing down through the Lake of Galilee and the gorge of the Jordan. That precipitous and tortuous river had overflowed 249 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Its banks. It looked like, and was, a formidable thing. It was a defense, a barrier against an invasion into Canaan. The people of Jericho and Ai and others must have had this belief. But God revealed unto Joshua that Israel was to cross over the river. Joshua got the people ready. They sanctified themselves. Then they followed the ark, on the third day, to the brink of the river. Then, when the feet of the priests that bore the ark were entering the river, the waters fled away and dry shod the host of the Lord passed over the river's empty bed. But the waters did not flee until the feet of the priests were on the river's brink. So also the land of Canaan would not be delivered unto them and become their land, until their feet had pressed upon it. They must actually go up and possess the land in order that they might have it. What a wonderful land that was! It was the land of their dreams! We often speak of building castles in Spain. These people of Israel had many such built as they dreamed over the land of promise. In Ur, God had told Abraham to leave all and go into a strange land that he would show him. Abraham followed the instructions. Soon he was in the land. God said, "This is the land." Then a little later he said, "I am going to give you this land and to your seed after you. They shall be as numerous as the stars in the heavens." But Abraham never owned any of that land save a cave where he buried his dead. Isaac, his son, owned no more; and Jacob, the son of Isaac, apparently little if any more. Yet they had faith to believe that sometime that land would belong unto their descendants. It was a pi-omised land, but none the less an actual land. There are promises that have no substance. They are like dreams that come in the night and are gone with the light. They are like the promises of the overthrowing of old estab- lished orders, which are destructive without being constructive. But the promise of a land was based on an actual land, and on the intention of the all powerful God to give that land unto His people when the people were ready for the land. God's promises are all of that kind. They are based in his love, and power, and intention on that which we can actually possess, if we meet His conditions. Take up this Book of promises. Read 250 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION it from beginning to end. Every one of these statements has God back of it. Let us lean upon the promises and prove that they are things of substance. God wants us to test them. The land was even now before the eyes of the children of Israel. Over yonder, beyond the swollen waters of the Jordan, were the green fields of Canaan. Over yonder were the palms around Jericho. Yonder were the walled cities, and the fields, and the vineyards. Yonder was the land flowing with milk and honey. The water was abundant there and the early and latter rains would produce abundant harvests. They were on the border of the land which God had prom- ised, of which they had dreamed, and of whose richness they had heard. What a tragedy to come to such a land, and yet not possess it! Once before they had been on the border and yet had not gone in. They saw the fruits of the land, yet had never tasted them. They did not possess the land because they had been afraid, and would not go in. And they only could possess it when their feet presesd it. They must go in. They must cross the Jordan and walk about Jericho and overcome Ai. The Lord never gives any land to those who only view it from afar. Even the view from Pisgah's heights, wonderful though it may be, is not the same as standing on the land. One is a vision, the other is a realization. The land was there. Israel only would have it if she went in. And she would only have as much as she her- self was willing to take. Wherever her feet rested, that would be hers. The law of promise and possession goes into all of life. What the Lord here said of the land of promise, He also says of any land of promise, that lies before us. You and I will never truly possess anything that we desire or that is worth while un- less we are willing to enter in and have our feet press upon it. Over a century ago in a rude cabin in southern Indiana, a mother lay dying. She knew that her last hour was near at hand and she asked for her seven-year-old boy. She pressed him close to her and whispered, "Be somebody, Abe." That mother was Nancy Hanks, and the boy did become somebody. For he was Abraham Lincoln, president of these United States. In after years, more than once Lincoln said that these words 251 CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of his angelic mother had urged him on. It don't make much | difference as regards who you are or what you do, so long as you decide to be somebody, and carry through your determina- tion with honor. In that famous speech of Lincoln's at Gettys- burg he said : "The M'-orld will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it will never forget what they did here." It is in the doing that we possess. The law is universal. Here is that which makes up one's personality. Here is this body of mine. How can I make it a perfect vehicle for the expression of myself. Personally one must obey the laws of health, and follow such lines as shall give us beauty of carriage, health of organs, and the rythmic play of muscles. Here is a man's mind. How make it what it ought and can become? Only as man himself advances into the development and control of his own mind, can he possess that mind. There is no royal road to learning, but the old beaten path of self-denial, concen- tration, and midnight oil. Or what shall we say of that moral life that is beautiful? Do we not possess it more and more as we meet each sin, and each temptation, and overcome it? Lately there died in Pittsburgh the president of the great Kaufmann-Baer stores, Marcus Baer, a man but 56 years of age. In those jears that man had proven the truth of our text in the business world. From the humblest position in the mer- cantile life he had advanced until he was at the head of that great establishment. It was said of him that he knew the mercantile business through and through. To succeed here a man must enter the land and possess it by actual experience. It becom.es one's by hard labor. We get the false idea some- times that only those labor who labor with their muscles. But brain svv^eat is the most severe. When we enter the sphere of social life and intercourse, we find here again that we must experience what we want to make our own. He was wise who said that if a man wants friends, he must show himself friendly. You will find the law true in all associations. If you desire to exercise power in any sphere in life, you must acquire that by becoming familiar by actual contact and experience with these things. In experience then, rests the realities of life that are permanent and satisfying. 252 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION But does this law hold good in our spiritual life ? Do we not say that faith is the great thing in the spiritual life? It is, but it goes hand in hand with its helpmeet, works. To be a real genuine Christian is to be a worker. A Christian must not and can not be a sponge. He must be an active, aggressive, busy soul. You desire to know the will of God and His plan of salva- tion. You would become acquainted with what he has sent to mankind ? Then you must become a student of the Scrip- tures. Only as you read and study and apply yourself do you learn to know. Or you would become one who leads in public prayer ? There is but one way in which that can come to you. It is not by wishing, nor thinking, nor planning, but by doing. Or you would express your thoughts before your fellow men? You desire to be a public speaker? In but one way can that be done. You must speak. Wherever your feet tread, that becomes your possession. To be efficient in any thing in life, it means that you are constantly striving after new knowledge, and then, just as actively putting that new knowledge to work. The law of promise and possession is here. AVe can possess only so much of what is promised as we are willing to go in and make our own by hard work. Our feet must press upon the ground. But we must never forget the One who is back of the prom- ise. Neither can we, when we remember that, fail also to remember that He has not only promised, but He also comes and helps us in the Promised Land. God did not leave the Children of Israel at the Jordan. He crossed the Jordan with His people and helped them in planting their feet on the Prom- ised Land. Too many try to possess in their own help. Why not use God? Here we rest our faith in His promise, "I can do all things through Christ that strengthcneth me." Here we get our courage. In Him wc can overcome. Here we get our strength. One with God will put a thousand to flight, and two with God will put ten thousand to flight. Here we put forth our efforts. Surely wc have had enough of God to know that He is even better than His promises. 253 CENTENNIAL MEMORIALS ^R. JOHN G. LYON,. chairman of the Centennial Committee on Memorials, reported the gift of four to the church, each of which is greatly appreciated. From Mrs. W. M. McKelvy and sons, a new organ for the church in memory of her husband, Mr. W. M. McKelvy. From the Rev. Frank Woolford Sneed, D. D., and Mrs. Sneed, a bronze tablet in honor of the one hundred twenty sol- diers who responded to their country's call for service in the Great War, three of whom made the supreme sacrifice, all tlie names being inscribed thereon. From the Misses Sallie M. Negley, Alice M. Negley, Georgina G. Negley and Mr. Alexander J. Negley, a bronze tablet in memory of their grandparents, Mr. Jacob Negley and his wife, Mrs. Barbara A. Negley. From Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Runnette and family, a dis- tinctive and symbolic East Liberty Presbyterian Church flag, in memory of Miss Eilizabeth Kerr Runnette. CENTENNIAL ENDOWMENT FUND Mr, H. W. Prentis, Jr., chairman of the Committee on the Centennial Endowment Fund, reported total subscriptions to the amount of $100,789.83. This subscription was received in reply to a fine letter of explanation and appeal issued by Mr. Prentis, expressing as the watchword of the campaign, "Every Member of the Church a Contributor." With this letter was enclosed a pledge card, and an illustrated folder, prepared by Mr. J. Clarence McCarthy, which has been justly termed a classic in its line. The financial results of the campaign bear testimony to the strenuous efforts put forth. Later three trustees were appointed as custodians of the permanent fund, Mr. R. B. Mellon representing the congrega- tion, Mr. Wm. M. Robinson the session, and Mr. C. H. West 54 W.\[. M. IJOBIXSOX Elder; Member First Tnislces of Centennial Endowment Fund. CHAULKS H. WEST Secretarj' First Trustees of Ceiiteiminl EndownuMit Fum CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION the board of trustees of the church, and plans were made for the judicious investment of the fund and the continuity of the board of trustees. It is anticipated that this fund shall be largely augmented by gifts and legacies, in order that a sufficient amount may be invested to produce an income adequate to enable the East Liberty Church to meet the requirements of the extended serv- ice which its strategic position as a religious center urgently demands. 255 A FORWARD VISION YRIAD voices sing the praises of our God, and ever chant His omnipotence, His loving kindness, Flis justice and His truth. On this momentous occasion which is now draw- ing to a close, we have listened with humbly grateful hearts to the voice of history. What is its vital message to us today, as we "remember His marvelous works that He hath done," and turn our faces toward the future ? "We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He hath done." "That the generation to come might know them, that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments." To our forefathers came the call to construction, to us comes a wider but no more momentous call to reconstruction. By the grace of God, the foundations of this great superstructure were laid in humble faith by consecrated hands, and from this sacred spot has been faithfully proclaimed a positive faith in the Triune God and all those fundamental truths which accom- pany redemption only through the vicarious atonement of our Divine Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; with an unquestioning acceptance of the Word of God, as the only infallible rule of faith and practice — facts which we, of the East Liberty Pres- byterian Church, recognize as transcending the realm of con- troversy. The resultant of this positive faith has been realized in a century of constructive service. Hovr shall we respond to the challenge of the past? We need not hesitate for the answer, but appropriate the inspired mandate. Speak unto the East Liberty Presbyterian Church that they go forward! "Occupy till I come." 56 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION So, at this critical period in the world's history, which we call the New Era, and which marks for East Liberty Church the opening of a new century of worship and service, shall this Church of Christ, wielding the rod of the Spirit, cause the Red Sea of her experience to divide, and with her Divine Leader going on before, as truly as in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, advance "dry-shod," hold- ing aloft the same torch of an unquenchable faith, and the same triumphant Banner of the Cross which our forefathers held, "Until He come," and the church militant become the church triumphant. "So we Thy people and sheep of Thy pasture will give Thee thanks forever ; we will shew forth Thy praise to all genera- tions." 2 57