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NOV ->^2 19] 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 Westminster Presbyterian 
 Church 
 
 OF 
 
 Minneapolis, Minnesota 
 
 And of' the Celebration of its Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 I 857— August-- 1 907 
 
 Prepared by 
 THE CLERK OF SESSION \Jr\0\ ■ 
 and Published by 
 THE COMMITTEE OF ARRAXCil^MENTS 
 
Review Publishing Company 
 Minneapolis 
 
'Y ' HIS boo}( is dedicated to the memor}) of the 
 -*- Codl^ pioneers, n>ho, in humble faith, estab- 
 lished it upon a foundation of Orthodox and Evan- 
 gelical Christianity ; and to the pastors non> living, 
 and the memory of the one who has entered into rest, 
 rvho have, fcp their faithful pastoral oversight and 
 Dulpit ministrations, done so much to enable the suc- 
 cessors of those pioneers, under the blessing and guid- 
 ance of Cod, to build upon that foundation the beau- 
 tiful superstructure ruhich we love. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 At the annual congregational meeting, held in April, 1905^ 
 a resolution was adopted to suitably celebrate the fiftieth an- 
 niversary of the establishment of this Church. By the same 
 resolution, the arrangements for this celebration were en- 
 trusted to a committee to be appointed by the Chairman of 
 the meeting, J. B. Gilfillan, of which committee he should be 
 chairman. Pursuant to this resolution, the following addi- 
 tional members of the committee were appointed, viz: the 
 pastor, John E. Bushnell, D. D.; E. L. Carpenter, J. R, Gor- 
 don, T. B. Janney, George PI. Miller, C. H. Pettit, J. S. Por- 
 teous and Charles T. Thompson. 
 
 At a meeting of the committee, held in the spring of 1907, 
 it was decided that a complete history of the Church, during 
 the Hity years of its existence, should be prepared. The com- 
 mittee delegated to the Clerk of Session this important duty,- 
 because it believed, that, because of his official connection 
 with the Church, which had lasted for twenty-seven years, and 
 because of his familiarity with its records and activities, he 
 could, more readily than any one else, secure the necessary 
 data and prepare therefrom such a history. He accepted the 
 work, so laid upon him, reluctantly and with a full sense of 
 his responsibility. The work of preparation has been great; 
 but the task while an exceedingly delicate one, has been 
 a labor of love. 
 
 Mistakes maj', and probably will be found in his work; but 
 the historian can truly say that he has endeavored to make 
 the story complete and accurate, and to do full justice to all, 
 who have contributed to make our Church what it is. 
 
 As it has not been possible for the other members of the 
 committee to review and revise the work before sending it to 
 press, the historian assumes the full responsibility therefor, 
 except for such portions as are accredited to others, who, 
 have prepared them at his request. 
 
 He desires at this time to acknowledge his indebtedness to» 
 the many, especially among the women of the Church and 
 congregation, who have rendered him valuable assistance in 
 his work. 
 
Andrew W. Oliver, 
 First Deacon of the Church 
 
OTestmiuster ipresb^terian dburcb ot 
 fiDinneapoUs. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 f t3 ©rigin an& £arlp History. 
 
 "Westminster Presbyterian Church of ^Minneapolis, 
 has just completed the fiftieth year of its existence. 
 Its remarkable growth and its present commanding 
 position and influence, all the more commanding when 
 contrasted with its feeble and unpromising beginning, 
 inspire its members to break forth into hymns of praise 
 in this Jubilee year and to join in the exclamation, 
 "Behold! what God hath wrought!" 
 
 The history of this Church and of its growth and 
 development, run parallel with the history and develop- 
 ment in the Northwest of the denomination, to which 
 it belongs ; and Westminster Church has, under the 
 blessing and guidance of God, had a large part in the 
 development of the denomination in this section of our 
 country. 
 
 In speaking of the Presbyterian Church, the Synod 
 and the Presbytery, in connection with the earlier his- 
 tory of W'estminster Church, it must be borne in mind 
 
that we mean the Old School branch of the church 
 and its judicatories; for the First Presbyterian 
 Church of Minneapolis, which was connected with the 
 New School branch of the denomination, has the 
 honor of being the first organized Presbyterian Church 
 within the bounds of what is now tlie City of Minne- 
 apolis. 
 
 We are indebted for this account of the early history 
 of our Church, in a large degree, to a historical sermon 
 by its former pastor, the beloved Robert F. Sample,. 
 D, D., so recently deceased, which was preached to the 
 congregation of the Church in March, 1869, and was 
 afterwards published, at the request of the officers and 
 members of the Church ; and to an account of the early 
 history of the Church prepared by Elder Louis H. 
 Williams in 1871. 
 
 In 1853, the first representative of the Old School 
 branch of the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. J. G. 
 Riheldaffer, commenced his labors in the City of St. 
 Paul. Soon after, he was joined by men of like spirit,, 
 such as H. Maltby, Charles Thayer, J. C. Caldwell and 
 A. PI. Kerr, who came to plant the standard of the 
 cross on the borders of what was then a great wilder- 
 ness. Of these pioneers, the only one who survives to 
 the present time is Rev. Cliarles Tha5'er, D. D., who 
 after an unusually long and useful professional life, 
 has been honorably retired, and is spending his declin- 
 ing years with his faithful wife in this cit}-. 
 
Father Thayer, as he is always called by those, who 
 have the honor and privilege of knowing him person- 
 alh", is one of God's saints. His life has been one of 
 constant self-sacrifice and devotion to God's service; 
 his influence is now, and always will be felt, through- 
 out the Synod of JMinnesota and adjoining Synods. 
 This Church was honored by having him to preside 
 at the Communion service, held in connection with the 
 dedication of our present church building. To such 
 Godly and self-denying pioneers, as were he and his co- 
 laborers in the early history of this Synod, is due in a 
 large measure the present honorable position of our 
 denomination in this and adjoining synods. 
 
 In this connection, it is interesting to note that the 
 name of Rev. J. G. Riheldaffer, another of those pioneer 
 missionaries, is borne worthily in our midst by his son, 
 John H. Riheldafifer, who w^as for a time in Westmin- 
 ster Church, but is now a Ruling Elder in Grace Pres- 
 b3terian Church. 
 
 In the Fall of 1855, the Synod of Iowa erected the 
 Presbytery of St. Paul, consisting of Rev. J. G. Rihel- 
 daffer, Rev. Charles Thayer and Rev. J. Sterratt, pas- 
 tors of the churches at St. Paul, Hudson and Prescott 
 respectively. The total number of communicants in 
 these three pastoral charges, only one of which was 
 however within the bounds of the present Synod of 
 Minnesota, was fifty-nine, viz., in St. Paul, thirty-two : 
 in Hudson, eleven : in Prescott. fifteen. 
 
The General Assembly, which met at Rochester, N. 
 Y., in 1860, erected the Synod of St. Paul, embracing 
 the Presbyteries of St. Paul, Chippewa and Lake Su- 
 perior. The new Synod, thus created, embraced not 
 only the entire State of Minnesota, but also the west- 
 ern part of the State of Wisconsin and all of Avhat is 
 now the States of North and South Dakota, lying east 
 of the Missouri River. Robert F. Sample, afterwards 
 pastor of this Church, was a commissioner to this Gen- 
 eral Assembly, having been sent to it by a Pennsylva- 
 nia Presbytery, of which he was then a member. He 
 records that grave objections were urged by members 
 of the General Assembly to the name suggested for 
 the new Synod, because it was not in accordance with 
 general usage to name a Synod for a city. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Boardman, a commissioner from the Pres- 
 bytery of Philadelphia, advised that the name "Min- 
 nesota" be given to the new synod, instead of the name 
 of St. Paul ; but that was deemed to be inadvisable, in- 
 asmuch as the New School General Assembl)'- had al- 
 ready a synod by the name of jNIinnesota. It was al- 
 ways the feeling of Dr. Sample that the suggestion 
 made by Dr. Boardman was prophetic of the union of 
 the Old and New School Presbyterian Churches, which 
 was afterwards consummated at Pittsburg, in 1870. 
 
 The Synod of St. Paul, thus created, consisted of 
 nineteen ministers and twenty-four churches ; nine only 
 of these churches were in Minnesota, and they had a 
 total membership of only one hundred eighty-seven. 
 
The Westminster Church of Minneapolis was or- 
 ganized August 23, A. D. 1857, by a committee of the 
 Presb)'^tery of St. Paul consisting of Rev. J. G. Rihel- 
 dafit'er and Rev. H. Maltby. The organization was 
 effected at a service held in the Free Will Baptist 
 Church, which was then located at the corner of Wash- 
 ington Avenue and First Avenue North (called Utah 
 Street). The following persons were enrolled as mem- 
 bers, to-wit, Andrew W. Oliver and his wife, Sarah E. 
 Oliver, who came on certificates from the First Presby- 
 terian Church of Minneapolis ; Louis H. Williams and 
 his wife Tabitha P. Williams and their daughters. 
 Ellen Mary Williams and Mrs. Deborah M. Pettit, who 
 were received on certificates from the Presbyterian 
 Church of Big Spring, in Newville, Pa. ; Joseph C. 
 Williams, and his wife, Sarah J. Williams, who were 
 received on certificate from the Presbyterian Church 
 of Shippensburg, Pa. ; eight persons in all composed 
 this Church, as originally organized. Of these char- 
 ter members, only one survives to the present time, 
 Mrs. Deborah M. Pettit. Mrs. Tabitha P. Williams, 
 who had been called East by her parent's illness, died 
 in Newville, Pa., July 6, 1866, and was buried in the 
 old churchyard there, among her ancestors. It is re- 
 corded of her that she was one of the most active and 
 helpful members of the little Church, always prompt 
 to recognize the stranger ; entertaining and manifesting 
 a deep concern for her unconverted friends, and inter- 
 
ested in all that pertained to the work of God. In Sep- 
 tember, 1867, Ellen IMary Williams, also entered into 
 rest. 
 
 At the organization of the Church, ]Mr. Andrew W. 
 Oliver, who had been a ruling elder in the First Pres- 
 byterian Church of Minneapolis, was duly elected and 
 installed a ruling elder in Westminster Church. 
 
 Upon the same day on which this Church was or- 
 ganized, the Presbytery also organized a church in 
 the Village of St. Anthony. That Church is now 
 known as the Andrew Presbyterian Church of Minne- 
 apolis. 
 
 The Church was incorporated under the Revised 
 Statutes of Minnesota on the 6th day of April, 1858, 
 by adoption of a certificate as provided by law, and 
 the election of H. D. Beman, W. K. McFarlane, Eu- 
 gene M. Wilson, A. Bradford, C. H. Pettit and J. C. 
 Williams, as a Board of Trustees under the name and 
 style of "The Trustees of the Westminster Presbyte- 
 rian Church of Minneapolis." 
 
 In this connection, it is interesting to note, that C. 
 H. Pettit, has, from the date of the first election in 
 1858 down to the present time, acted continuously as 
 a trustee of this Church ; during the greater part of the 
 time having had the honor to be (as he now is) the 
 Chairman of the Board. Always deeply interested in 
 the work of the Church and its welfare, a careful guar- 
 dian of its financial interests and deeply solicitous for 
 
its highest honor. jNIr. Pettit has always adorned this 
 office which he has held so long and has been, in the 
 judgment of those who have known him in that ca- 
 pacity, the ideal trustee. A large part of the success 
 of the Church, on its temporal side, has been due to the 
 interest and efficiency of the honored Chairman of the 
 Board. On this anniversary year, the Church delights 
 to bear this tribute to him. 
 
 The certificate of incorporation of the Church adopt- 
 ed April fi, 1858, was very meagre. It was recorded in 
 Boole B. of Bonds on page 431, in the Office of the 
 Register of Deeds of Hennepin County, Minn. No 
 amendment was made to the articles until 1905, when 
 the congregation, at the annual meeting, adopted an 
 amended article, providing that the denomination, to 
 which the church belongs and according to whose doc- 
 trine and polity its property is to be held and its affairs 
 administered, is the "Presbyterian Church in the 
 United States of America." 
 
 During the three months immediately following its 
 organization, the Church was without any preaching 
 with the exception of a single Sabbath, on which occa- 
 sion the services were conducted by Rev. J, G. Rihel- 
 dalYer. On the Gth of December, 1857, JMr. Benjamin 
 C. Dorrance, a graduate of the Danville Theological 
 Seminary and a licentiate of the Presbytery of Lu- 
 zerne, commenced to supply this pulpit, the services 
 being held for the first three weeks in the building of 
 
the First Presbyterian Church, then located at the cor- 
 ner of Sixth Avenue South (then called Cataract 
 Street) and Fifth Street. From January 1st, until 
 April 11, 1858, the services were held in the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church building, which was located on Sec- 
 ond Avenue South (then called Helen Street) be- 
 tween Fourth and Fifth Streets. On April 11, 1858, 
 the place of meeting was changed to Fletcher's Hall, 
 on Second Avenue South between First and Second 
 Streets. While occupying the Methodist Church, the 
 Trustees paid $25.00 per month for the use of the build- 
 ing. This was about all the money the congregation 
 could raise; for the records of the Church recite that 
 the most it was able to pay Mr. Dorrance, for all of 
 his services, was one hundred dollars, most of which 
 was given b}'^ Elder Oliver. 
 
 Mr. Dorrance closed his labors in connection with 
 this Church on April 18, 1858. He came to Minneapo- 
 lis in feeble health and, after five months of earnest 
 and highly acceptable service, he returned to the East, 
 where he soon after died. It is recorded of him that 
 he was a pleasant and forcible preacher and that, by 
 his public ministrations, as well as by his cheerful dis- 
 position and exemplary Christian deportment, he en- 
 deared himself to all. 
 
 Just before Mr. Dorrance left, on the 11th of March, 
 1858, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was admin- 
 istered to the congregation of Westminster Church, by 
 
Elder Louis H. Williams, 
 Charter Member of Church 
 
Rev. Charles Thayer, -vvho was then stationed at Hud- 
 son, Wis. 
 
 At this time there were received into the communion 
 of the Church, Mr. John A. Hayes and wife ; Mrs. Eliz- 
 abeth Gilmore and Mr. John Hepp from the First Pres- 
 byterian Church of Minneapolis ; Mr. Samuel McLean 
 and wife from the Presbyterian Church of New York 
 Mills, N. Y.; Mr. W. W. McNair from the Presbyte- 
 rian Church of Sparta, N. Y., and I\Irs. A. C. Taylor 
 from the Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, 111. 
 
 Not long after uniting with the Church, Mrs. Taylor 
 became Mrs. Morgan. x\s Mrs. Morgan she was 
 known and loved by many who are now members of 
 this Church. It was her strong desire to live to join 
 in the celebration of this anniversary; but this pleasure 
 was denied her, and she entered into rest only a few 
 months ago. By her fidelity and devotion to the in- 
 terests of the Church, her loyal support of its pastors, 
 and by her wise counsel and gracious Christian deport- 
 ment, Mrs. Morgan probably contributed as much as 
 any one member to the success of this Church. 
 
 At the service on the 14th of March, 1858, which 
 has just been referred to, Mr. Louis H. Williams, who 
 had served as a ruling elder in churches in Mifflintown, 
 Carlisle and Dickinson, in Pennsylvania, was elected 
 and enrolled a ruling elder. 
 
 Shortly after the departure of Mr. Dorrance, a prop- 
 osition was made bv the Presbvterian Church in St. 
 
10 
 
 Anthony, now called the Andrew Presbyterian Church, 
 to unite with that church in the support of a minister. 
 After due notice, a congregational meeting was held to 
 take into consideration this proposal. The offer was 
 accepted and an invitation was soon after extended to 
 Rev. Levi Hughes of Logansport, Indiana, to act as 
 stated supply for both congregations for one year. 
 Toward his salary the Church of St. Anthony agreed 
 to pay $400.00 and Westminster Church $300.00. A 
 request was made that the Board of Home J^Iissions 
 make a grant of an additional sum of $300.00. 
 
 Mr. Hughes accepted the call and, on the 26th of 
 September, commenced his labors in Minneapolis. He 
 served the church for a little more than one year, dur- 
 ing which time twelve persons Avere received into 
 membership on certificates and five on confession of 
 faith. 
 
 It is stated of Mr. Hughes that he was a preacher of 
 far more than ordinary powers, but his voice was 
 harsh, his manner careless, and his appearance unpre- 
 possessing. He preached with intense earnestness and 
 often with deep emotion. He never used a manu- 
 script, but his sermons showed careful thought and 
 preparation. His sermons were, however, character- 
 ized by strength rather than elegance. 
 
 As one of his hearers described it, it reminded him 
 of a rough mountain stream, which gathers force as it 
 advances, giving notice of its approach from afar and 
 
11 
 
 over-leaping every barrier that lies in its way. So 
 great was his intellectual force and theological attain- 
 ments, that he commanded the respect of his opponents 
 and at the same time secured the admiration of his 
 friends. 
 
 His power was that of a preacher and not as a pas- 
 tor. In the latter capacity he did not excel, his social 
 qualities being ver}'^ ordinary and his visitations being 
 made very difficult through a defect in his hearing. 
 
 When he took charge of the Church, it was agreed, 
 at a meeting of Session, that he should visit all the 
 members of the congregation twice a year. This he 
 did, and he usually catechized the children and prayed 
 with the families, making his visits brief but as profit- 
 able as possible. 
 
 During this time the church services were held in 
 Woodman's Hall, now part of the National Hotel on 
 Washington Avenue South. The attendance was 
 highl)^ encouraging. The Sabbath services were usu- 
 ally held in the afternoon, and many who were con- 
 nected with other churches embraced the opportunity 
 of attending upon the ministry of this popular preacher. 
 
 Mr. Hughes insisted with great earnestness and fre- 
 quency upon the erection of a house of worship. The 
 people were both numerically and financially weak; 
 but he maintained that the work was practicable, and 
 should be entered upon. God commanded them to go 
 forv/ard, and it was theirs to obey, he said to them. 
 
12 
 
 "You may accomplish much by prayer. You can 
 pray out the lumber, the mortar, and the stone, and, 
 when the material is accumulated, you can pray the 
 building up. God never assigned to a praying people 
 a work which he did not accomplish through them." 
 
 Mr. Hughes did not remain to see this undertaking 
 completed; but the people all admitted that, for the 
 early erection of their little sanctuary, they were great- 
 ly indebted to the earnest and stimulating appeals of 
 their minister. 
 
 At, or about, the expiration of his first year's labor 
 in the Westminster Church, Mr. Hughes, announced, 
 with much feeling and quite unexpectedly to the con- 
 gregation, his determination, on account of increasing 
 deafness, to terminate his ministry among them. The 
 sorrow of the people was great. Appreciating the 
 difficulties under which he labored, they yet earnestly 
 desired the continuance of his services. The following 
 day several ladies called upon their minister, offering 
 to relieve him, as far as possible, of pastoral labors, by 
 their personal attentions to the sick and strangers. He 
 was greatly touched by this manifestation of sympa- 
 thy and love, accepted their proffered assistance and 
 revoked his decision. But he was ere long constrained 
 to yield to his growing infirmity ; and, during the win- 
 ter of 1859-60, Mr. Hughes preached but little, al- 
 though he retained his connection with the Church as 
 a Home Missionary until the Spring of 1860, when he 
 
13 
 
 removed to Bloomington, Ind. Under his direction 
 and that of the elders, the Sabbath services were main- 
 tained throughout the winter of 1859-60, Mr. H. D. 
 Beman, an intelHgent lawyer and active Christian, fre- 
 quently reading a printed sermon. The same service 
 was occasionalh' performed also by Messrs. A. W. 
 Oliver, J. C. Williams, and W. W. McNair. The 
 weekly prayer-meetings were also continued without 
 interruption. 
 
 By the joint request of the clmrches of St. Anthony 
 and Minneapolis, Rev. James A. McKee visited the two 
 congregations in May, 1860, and was subsequently en- 
 gaged as a stated supply for six months. At the ex- 
 piration of this time the engagement was renewed ; but, 
 at the close of the year, this church again became va- 
 cant, Mr. McKee having accepted a call to the pastor- 
 ate of the Church in St. Anthony, where he continued 
 to labor with much acceptance for several years, great- 
 ly beloved by all the people. 
 
 About the time of Mr. McKee's arrival in Minneapo- 
 lis, the congregation began an effort to built a house of 
 worship, with encouraging prospects of success. El- 
 der L. H. Williams collected about five hundred dol- 
 lars in the East; this included generous contributions 
 made by Rev. George Morris, and his sister of Silver 
 Springs, Pa. The remainder Avas obtained at Cincin- 
 nati, Ohio, and Newville, Pa. $500 was also received 
 from the Church Extension Committee, now known as 
 
14 
 
 the Board of Church Erection, and the remainder of 
 the funds required for the purpose was contributed by 
 the congregation. The church edifice, a plain yet com- 
 fortable and sufficiently commodious building, was 
 erected at an expense of nearly two thousand dollars. 
 It was located on Fourth Street between Nicollet and 
 Hennepin Avenues, where the Vendome Hotel now 
 stands. It was a happy day when the "little flock" 
 met for the first time in their own sheltering fold; a 
 day to be marked with a white stone ; and they erected 
 their memorial in grateful recognition of the Divine 
 goodness. The Church was dedicated March 17, 1861. 
 The Rev. J- G. Riheldaffer preached the sermon, from 
 Hebrews vi. 19, "Which hope we have as an anchor 
 of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which en- 
 tereth into that within the vail." 
 
 At this time the number of communing members 
 was fort3'-three ; and the house of worship was dedi- 
 cated about three and a half years after the organiza- 
 tion of the Church. The Lord's Supper was admin- 
 istered in the new church on the following Sabbath, at 
 which time three persons were received on confession 
 of faith and two persons on certificates. Mr. Charles 
 Hepp, Mv. Wm. P. Anken}^ and Mr. Samuel Stough 
 were admitted to membership on profession of faith ; 
 Mrs. Ellen Conover was received by letter from the 
 Second Presb3'terian Church of Cranberr}^, N. J., and 
 Mrs. ?»Iargaret B. Sidle from the German Reformed 
 Church of Lebanon, Pa. 
 
15 
 
 During' the summer of 1861 the pulpit again became 
 vacant. On the 21th of August, in that year, a call 
 was extended to the Rev. L. G. Hay, a returned mis- 
 sionary from Northern India, vhose preaching seems 
 to have made a A-ery pleasant impression on the con- 
 gregation. This call was declined. 
 
 The Rev. Robert Strong, a graduate of the Theologi- 
 cal Seminary at Princeton, and a licentiate of the Pres- 
 byter}^ of xA-lbau}', N. Y., arrived here on the 21st of 
 October. He supplied the Church for two Sabbaths, 
 after which he was unanimously invited to preach 
 statedl}^ for six months. Mr. Strong's coming, at a 
 time when there seemed to be no prospect of securing 
 the services of a minister through the approaching 
 winter, was hailed as an omen of good and was an 
 occasion of devout thanksgiving on the part of all the 
 people. A year later, Oct. 29, 1862, Mr. Strong was 
 ordained and installed pastor of the Church by the 
 Presbytery of St. Paul. He was the hrst minister, who 
 had sustained this relation to this Church ; those who 
 preceded him having been stated supplies. The year 
 succeeding this installation was not marked by as 
 large accessions to the Church, as were the years that 
 had gone before. It was a seed time rather than a har- 
 vest, and yet immediate results were encouraging. The 
 standard of piety had increased, a new interest in the 
 Sabbath-school was awakened, and there were indica- 
 tions of greater blessings in reserve for God's people. 
 
16 
 
 The week of prayer in January, 1864, was one of 
 special interest, and the services were continued 
 through several weeks. Mr. Strong labored with great 
 zeal, and much beyond his strength. On a Sabbath 
 morning, having uttered a few of the opening sentences 
 of his sermon, he remarked, with an expression of 
 countenance which revealed great physical pain, "I 
 must stop ;" and never attempted to preach again. As 
 the result of these anxious and exhausting labors, eight 
 persons were added to the Church on confession of 
 Christ. 
 
 October 18, 1863, Charles E. Vanderburg and J. C. 
 Williams were unanimously elected ruling elders in 
 this Church, and ordained and installed by the pastor, 
 December 20, 1863. The next March, Mr. L. H. Wil- 
 liams, who had served as Clerk of the Session for sev- 
 eral years, resigned this position on account of failing 
 sight, and Judge Vanderburg was appointed in his 
 stead. Mr. Strong's services, as stated supply and pas- 
 tor, continued about two years and a half. After his 
 removal several were added to this Church, who re- 
 ferred their religious impressions and conversion to 
 the preaching of this beloved minister. 
 
 As a preacher Mr. Strong was intellectual, rather 
 than emotional. His sermons were written with much 
 care, and delivered with animation. His labors were 
 varied, unremitted and exhausting. Entering upon his 
 ministrv'- here in delicate health, burdened Avith a sense 
 
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 of responsibility, deeply anxious for the spiritual ele- 
 vation and increase of the Church, finding much work 
 to be performed and not receiving the co-operation of 
 the Church in as large a measure as Christian obliga- 
 tion and the necessities of the time demanded, he soon 
 exhausted his limited physical strength, and was laid 
 aside from the work to which he had devoted himself 
 with great earnestness and hearty consecration. He 
 made the development of the Church's benevolence a 
 matter of much study and enthusiastic effort. He in- 
 sisted with fervor and importunity upon the consecra- 
 tion of worldly substance to the Lord, and we are 
 thankful that, in relation to this, he did not labor in 
 vain. 
 
 Mr. Strong also endeavored to increase the efiticien- 
 <:y of the Board of Trustees. He proposed to dis- 
 tribute the work of the Board, and five committees 
 were appointed, to each of which some specified ser- 
 vice was assigned. 
 
 Mr. Strong's ill health made it necessary for him to 
 desist from all pastoral labor, and he requested leave 
 of absence for several months, hoping, after a season 
 of rest, to resume his work. He opened correspon- 
 dence with Mr. Robert A. Condit, then visiting friends 
 in Wisconsin, and soon effected an arrangement for 
 the supplying of the pulpit during his proposed ab- 
 sence. 
 
 In the Spring of 1864, the Church, for the first time, 
 
18 
 
 ceased to receive aid from the Board of Home INIis- 
 sions. 
 
 About this time, we have notice of a congregational 
 meeting held Ma}' 30, 1864, at which it was agreed to 
 add one hundred dollars to the pastor's salary, and to 
 grant him leave of absence until the meeting of the 
 Presbytery in the Fall. At the same meeting an in- 
 vitation was extended to Mr. Condit to supply the 
 Church during Mr. Strong's absence, which invitation 
 was accepted, Mr. Strong spent a few weeks in Min- 
 neapolis and the vicinity, then returned to his home in 
 Albany, N. Y. His health did not improve sufficiently 
 to warrant a resumption of pastoral labor, and, in the 
 vSpring of 1865, he offered his resignation as pastor of 
 this Church. Greatly to the regret of all concerned, 
 the relation, which had proved so pleasant and profit- 
 able, was dissolved. In the summer of 18G5, a call was 
 given to Mr. Condit, which, after several mouths de- 
 lay, he accepted. He was ordained to the work of the 
 gospel ministry at a meeting of Presbytery held in St. 
 Paul, and was installed pastor of this Church June, 
 1866. On the latter occasion Rev. J. G. Riheldaffer 
 presided, the Rev. Rol^ert W. Condit of Oswego, N. 
 Y., the father of the new pastor, preached the sermon 
 and delivered the charge to the pastor, and Rev. Robert 
 Sutton of St. Paul, delivered the charge to the people. 
 These installation services were ver}- impressive 
 throughout, whilst a peculiar interest attached to the 
 
19 
 
 charge made to the pastor by his venerable father. 
 
 Mr. Condit's labors in this Church, including his ser- 
 vices previous to his installation, extended through 
 about three years and a half. In this time nineteen 
 persons were received to the Church on confession of 
 faith, and fifty persons on certificate. The total mem- 
 bership was increased from seventy to one hundred 
 and twenty-tv/o. In the autumn of 1866, the church 
 building was much enlarged and improved. The tow- 
 ers were erected and the building extended. The im- 
 provement cost about five thousand dollars. Of this 
 sum jMr. Condit raised one thousand dollars in the 
 East, and the most of the remainder was contributed 
 by the congregation. The next summer ^Ir. AV. P. 
 Ankeny, who had previously contributed three hun- 
 dred dollars, generously proposed to release the Church 
 from the payment of five hundred and sixty-five dol- 
 lars, being the amount due him for building material, 
 on condition that the congregation would paint the 
 Church edifice and make other small improvements. 
 Through the efforts of the ladies of the congregation 
 the amount requisite for this purpose was promptly 
 obtained, and so the work was completed. Chairs for 
 the use of the choir were donated, and other contribu- 
 tions were made by Mr. Condit's sister, including a 
 handsome set of pulpit furniture. This latter was 
 given to the Fifth Presbyterian Church, of which Dr. 
 Sample's son-in-law. Rev. John B. Donaldson, was 
 
20 
 
 pastor, upon the completion of our second church 
 building. 
 
 Mr. Condit was a laborious pastor, and an accepta- 
 ble preacher. Remarkably considerate and kind, he 
 endeared himself to all his people, whilst he was spe- 
 cially beloved by the aged, the afflicted and the poor. 
 His labors were far greater than was generall}'^ sup- 
 posed, and his health was much impaired by them. 
 
 At a meeting of the Presbytery held in this Church, 
 on the 24th of December, 1867, against the remon- 
 strance of a large portion of the congregation, Mr. 
 Condit's pastoral relation to this people was dissolved. 
 
 At a meeting of the congregation, held on Monday 
 evening, Jan. 27, 1868, moderated by Rev. D. C. Lyon, 
 District Missionary of this State, a call was made for 
 the pastoral services of Rev. Robert F. Sample, who 
 was then pastor of the Church in the City of St. An- 
 thony. Having, at this time, other invitations under 
 consideration, and being in much doubt as to his duty 
 in the premises, his answer was delayed for several 
 weeks. 
 
 At length the call was accepted, and he commenced 
 his labors in this Church on the evening of the first 
 Sabbath of March, 1868. His introductory sermon 
 was preached from 1 Cor. ii, 14, "The natural man 
 receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God ;" associ- 
 ated with 2 Thess. iii. 1, "Brethren, pray for us, that 
 the word of the Lord may have free course and be glo- 
 
21 
 
 rifled." He was installed pastor of this Church on 
 Thursday evening, April 16, 1868. The Rev. F. T. 
 Brown, D. D., of St. Paul, presided, proposed the con- 
 stitutional questions, preached the sermon, and gave 
 the charge to the pastor. Rev. Sheldon Jackson of 
 Rochester, Minn., who afterwards became the great 
 Alaskan Missionary, gave the charge to the people. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 Ube Cburcb un^er tbe ipastovate ot H>i\ 
 Sample. 
 
 Few pastors have made upon the members of their 
 congreg;ation a greater and more enduring impression, 
 than that made by Robert F. Sample upon the congre- 
 gation of this Church. The circumstances, under 
 which he was called to the pastorate of the little 
 church, seemed to its members to be providential. 
 
 Mr. Sample had been supplying the Andrew Church 
 of St. Anthony for several years, and had definitely de- 
 cided to remove to some other field of labor. Under 
 these circumstances, the way seemed clear to the 
 officers and members of Westminster Church to invite 
 him to occupy the vacant pulpit of this Church. The 
 records of the congregational meetings record the fact 
 that, to the members of the Church at that time, the 
 indications of Providence seemed plainly to point to 
 him as the one, whom they should call. 
 
 At the time the congregational meeting to act upon 
 the question was held, there w^as a much disturbed feel- 
 ing in the congregation, growing out of the unexpected 
 resignation and removal of the former pastor, Dr. Con- 
 dit. So keen was this feeling, that grave apprehen- 
 
23 
 
 sions were felt by the officers of the Church, lest the 
 hitherto uninterrupted harmony in the Church might 
 be seriously disturbed. 
 
 The Church records contain this entry, "God was 
 better to us than we almost dared to hope, and, to our 
 glad surprise, we found ourselves united in making this 
 call. Our instinctive feeling was, in view of this re- 
 sult, surely this is of the Lord." 
 
 The pastoral relation thus auspiciously begun, and 
 which lasted without interruption for more than nine- 
 teen years, was marked during its entire course, by 
 the presence and blessing of the Holy Spirit. During 
 all of the time, the Church made a healthy growth, ful- 
 ly commensurate with the growth and development 
 of this city and of the surrounding country. The ac- 
 cessions to the Church, both upon confession of faith 
 and by letter, were large in nearly every year, as com- 
 pared with the size of the Church and the growth of 
 the city. 
 
 In 1869, at the annual congregational meeting held 
 on April 9th, the question of purchasing a parsonage 
 began to be agitated. At that meeting a resolution 
 was adopted, directing the trustees to purchase for 
 that purpose the property of L. D. Parker, adjoining 
 the Church, for the sum of $4500.00, one-third of which 
 was to be paid at the time of purchase, and the balance 
 in two equal annual payments. For some reason, 
 which the records of the Church do not disclose, this 
 
24 
 
 resolution of the congregation was not carried into ef- 
 fect; and nothing further, looking towards the purchase 
 of the parsonage, appears to have been done until the 
 following year. 
 
 At the annual congregational meeting in April, 1870,. 
 among other business transacted, a resolution ivas 
 adopted granting to the pastor a six months leave of 
 absence, for the purpose of enabling him to take a trip 
 in foreign lands. 
 
 During the close of the year 1870 and the beginning 
 of the year 1871, the congregation of the Church was 
 engaged in the work of further enlarging the building 
 and providing cushions for the pews. At the congre- 
 gational meeting in April, 1871, a report was presented, 
 showing that the ladies of the Church had raised, for 
 the purpose of supplying cushions, the sum of $540.65, 
 all of which had been used for the purpose for which it 
 had been raised; and that there had been raised from 
 the members of the congregation, for the purpose of en- 
 larging the Church, the sum of $1940.13. The report 
 further stated that all the bills for such enlargement 
 had been paid, and that there was a balance left in the 
 Treasurer's hands, collected for that purpose, of $3.50. 
 
 At this meeting, the matter of securing a parsonage 
 was again taken up. A resolution was presented by 
 Mr. W. W. McNair and unanimously adopted, which 
 provided that a committee of three outside of the trus- 
 tees should be appointed, who should collect all they 
 

 4» 
 
 Elder Joseph C. Williams, 
 Charter Member cf Church 
 
25 
 
 could in the way of moneys, etc., for the purpose of 
 building a parsonage, the erection of the parsonage to 
 be a memorial to the union of the Old School and New 
 School branches of the Church, which had been con- 
 summated the previous year. 
 
 It was also resolved, upon motion of Mr. W. W. Mc- 
 Nair, that the congregation, in addition to the salary of 
 $2000 already pledged to Mr. Sample, should furnish 
 him with house rent at a cost not exceeding $500.00 per 
 annum, to commence from May 1, 1871 and to con- 
 tinue until the congregation should provide a parson- 
 age. 
 
 On the 1st of January, 1871, the congregation had 
 introduced for the first time, as an experiment, the 
 free pew system, wuth Aveekly collections for the pay- 
 ment of the pastor's salary and the ordinary contingent 
 expenses of the Church. At the April annual meeting 
 of that year, the Treasurer reported that, during the 
 quarter ending April 1st, 1871, the system had worked 
 satisfactorily and that it would be continued for the 
 coming year. 
 
 In July, 1871, a special meeting of the congregation 
 was held for the purpose, especially, of considering the 
 action taken by the Board in regard to procuring a par- 
 sonage. The trustees reported that they had secured 
 options for two houses, one on the corner of Eighth 
 Street and Minnetonka Street, now First Avenue 
 South, known as the Cocke house, and the other, the 
 
26 
 
 residence of John Horton,on the corner of Ninth Street 
 and Nicollet Avenue, The price asked for the former 
 was $8500.00 and for the latter $6700.00. These prices, 
 in the light of the prices asked for the same property 
 at the present time, illustrate forcibly the remarkable 
 increase in values of real estate in the central portion 
 of Minneapolis. The land upon which stood the Hor- 
 ton House, upon the basis of its present valuation per 
 front foot, is probably worth $100,000. 
 
 The report of the trustees excited a great deal of 
 discussion with regard to the size of the lots, the desir- 
 ability of the locaton, etc. The pastor urged the con- 
 gregation to take some action in relation to the matter 
 of the parsonage, and emphasized the importance of so 
 doing, both for the comfort of the pastor and the effi- 
 ciency of his work and for the credit and prosperity of 
 the Church and congregation. No action was taken at 
 the meeting, other than to adopt a resolution referring 
 the whole subject to the trustees, with instructions to 
 duplicate the building on the Cocke property, for 
 enough less than the price asked for the said property 
 to warrant them in so doing; or, if it could not be du- 
 plicated for a sum considerably less than the price ask- 
 ed for the propert}'', then to bu}' a suitable house for a 
 parsonage at as Ioav a price as possible. 
 
 The plan of purchasing a parsonage was never car- 
 ried out. While the failure to do so was a disappoint- 
 ment to Dr. Sample at the time, 3'et it proved, in the 
 
27 
 
 future, to have been a blessing in disguise. In 1877, 
 through the assistance of Elder Vanderburgh, he was 
 enabled to purchase for himself a home on Fourth 
 Street, directly opposite the church. The Russell Coffee 
 House now occupies the site. Though he narrowly es- 
 caped losing everything during the hard times in Min- 
 neapolis in 1893, yet, through the assistance of friends 
 in Westminster Church, a plan was arranged and car- 
 ried out by which he was tided over his financial trou- 
 bles and he was enabled to retain the title to this prop- 
 erty until a few years since. Then it was sold for him 
 at a price, which realized nearly $35,000 in cash above 
 all incumbrances, thus providing for his comfortable 
 support during his declining years. 
 
 At the annual meeting in April, 1871, Mr. John J. 
 Ankeny was elected Church Treasurer, an office which 
 he has continued to occupy from that date down to 
 the present time. 
 
 It is fitting at this place to acknowledge the obliga- 
 tion of this Church and congregation to Mr. Ankeny. 
 They owe to him a debt of gratitude, which it would be 
 hard to repay. For thirt5'-six years he has been acting 
 in the capacity of Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, 
 faithfully discharging every detail of the duties en- 
 trusted to him. Remarkably accurate in every item 
 of his accounts; zealous for the honor and integrity of 
 Westminster Church, especially in relation to its 
 finances; alwa3^s rejoicing in the growth and prosper- 
 
28 
 
 ity of the Church and careful to see that none of its 
 moneys should be wasted, John J. Ankeny has been 
 a tower of strength to the congregation and to the 
 Board of Trustees. 
 
 At the April meeting in 18T2, the pastor presented to 
 the congregation a plan for the purchase from the 
 First Presbyterian Church of Minneapolis, of a lot, on 
 the corner of Eighth Street and First Avenue South, 
 owned by that church, and upon which Avas situated 
 the building in which it Avas then worshipping. He 
 stated that it was the intention of the congregation of 
 the First Presb3^terian Church to remove to some lo- 
 cation in the lower part of the city and that, for that 
 reason, they desired to dispose of their present lot. 
 
 No action was taken upon this suggestion, other 
 than to refer the whole matter to the Board of Trustees 
 for their decision. 
 
 At the April meeting in 1873, the fiscal year of the 
 Church was changed so as to begin on April 1st, in 
 each year, instead of on January 1st, as had theretofore 
 been the custom. At this meeting, the fact was also 
 developed that there was a considerable indebtedness 
 on the congregation for current expenses, including 
 the pastor's salary, which had been accumulating from 
 year to year. A committee was appointed by the 
 meeting, consisting of W. W. McNair, John J. Ankeny, 
 Mrs. Ramsey and Miss Varney, to canvass those pres- 
 ent at the meeting to ascertain Avhat the prospects- 
 
29 
 
 were for raising the money to pay off the indebtedness 
 at. once. The result of the canvass showed a unani- 
 mous opinion in favor of making immediate effort to 
 discharge the indebtedness, and a committee was ap- 
 pointed to canvass the congregation to secure the de- 
 sired amount; and this committee was instructed that, 
 out of the money raised by such canvass, the amount 
 due the pastor for back salary should first be paid. 
 Steps were taken, also, leading towards the purchase 
 of an organ for the church. A resolution was also 
 adopted, which, if now enforced, would afford relief 
 to the patient and much tried ushers of our Church. 
 After appointing a committee to re-arrange the pews, 
 so as to afford greater seating capacity, the ushers 
 were, by a unanimous vote, empowered and directed to 
 use all unoccupied seats for the seating of strangers, 
 as soon as the hour for the opening of the service was 
 reached. 
 
 From the beginning of the pastorate of Dr. Sample, 
 he had been much tried by hay fever and asthma, dis- 
 eases to which he was always greatly subject. They 
 gradually undermined his health and strength to such 
 a degree, that it became certain in the spring of 1873 
 that his health would be permanently impaired, unless 
 he could obtain immediate relief. To consider this 
 matter, a special meeting of the congregation was 
 called to be held on Tuesday, May 20th. At the meet- 
 ing, a report from the chairman of the committee ap- 
 
30 
 
 pointed to solicit funds to pay ofif the indebtedness of 
 the Church was first read. The report was full and 
 explicit, covering, generally, the whole matter of the 
 finances of the congregation. 
 
 The matter of the pastor's health and methods of 
 giving him relief were then considered. It was resolv- 
 ed to tender to him a leave of absence until October 
 1st, with a continuance of his salary. The meeting 
 then adjourned until the 25th of May, for the purpose, 
 if possible, of completing the canvass to raise the 
 money to pay the indebtedness of the Church. 
 
 At this adjourned meeting, the committee appointed 
 to make such canvass reported that the entire amount 
 had been secured and the entire indebtedness had been 
 paid. 
 
 After having obtained this leave of absence. Dr. 
 Sample went to Denver, Col., where he was engaged 
 to supply the Central Presbyterian Church of that 
 city, this pulpit in the meantime being supplied by 
 different preachers, as they could be secured from time 
 to time. While the pastor's health was greatly im- 
 proved by the change, still, by the time his leave of 
 absence had expired, the improvement had not been 
 so pronounced, as to make it seem to him wise to then 
 resume his work in connection with Westminster 
 Church. After waiting until December, without any 
 marked improvement, he decided that, under the cir- 
 cumstances, it would be better, both for himself and 
 
31 
 
 for the congregation which he so loved, to resign his 
 pastorate over this Church. 
 
 This resignation bears date December 9, 1873. In 
 it the pastor states, that, in presenting it, he was influ- 
 enced solely by considerations of health, which seemed 
 to necessitate a sojourn, at least for the winter, in a 
 milder climate. The resignation was not only offered 
 in writing, but was also presented in person by the 
 pastor at a congregational meeting, called for that 
 purpose, which was held on Thursday evening, De- 
 cember 11th. 
 
 The pastor urged the congregation to accept his res- 
 ignation, for the reasons given by him. After re- 
 marks from a number of members of the Church, the 
 resignation was with great reluctance accepted, and 
 Messrs. Isaac McNair, Prof. O. V. Tousley, C. H. Pet- 
 tit and Dr. Robert S. McMurdy were appointed a com- 
 mittee to draw up resolutions appropriate to the sub- 
 ject of the pastor's resignation. The resolutions, so 
 presented and unanimously adopted, were so expres- 
 sive of the feelings of the congregation towards the 
 pastor at that time, that they are presented in full, as 
 follows : 
 
 "Whereas, the Rev. R. F. Sample, our pastor, has no- 
 tified us that, on account of increasing ill health, he 
 has concluded to apply to the Presbytery for a disso- 
 lution of his pastoral relation with this Church, that 
 he may seek health in a more favorable climate, and 
 
32 
 
 asks us to unite with him in said application, and, 
 
 Whereas, we, the members of said church and con- 
 gregation, are well satisfied of the necessity for such a 
 change; now, therefore, being assembled in congrega- 
 tional meeting pursuant to due public notice, we do 
 resolve as follows : 
 
 1. That we will concur with our pastor in his ap- 
 plication to the Presbytery for the dissolution of his 
 pastoral relation with this Church. 
 
 2. That, whilst we recognize the Providence of a 
 wise and beneficent God, as Father, in the events that 
 makes this separation necessary, and desire to submit 
 without a murmur to his will, we cannot but express 
 our heartfelt sorrow that a relationship so sacred, so 
 tender, so fraught with hope and promise, should so 
 soon be terminated. 
 
 3. That we tender to our Beloved Pastor and to 
 his family assurance of our most affectionate regard 
 and sympathy, in this time of sore affliction and pain- 
 ful separation. 
 
 4. That, as a token of our sympathy and affectionate 
 regard, we hereby engage and promise to pay to our 
 pastor's family for twenty-six weeks from the 1st day 
 of January, 1374, to the 1st day of July, 1ST4, the sum 
 of $800.00 in equal weekly payments, i. e. $30.75 per 
 week. 
 

 U 
 
 -J ^ 
 
 < « 
 
 x.s 
 
 .-I 
 
 ^^ 
 
 H o 
 
 U] M-. 
 
33 
 
 5. That Messrs. W. W. McNair and A. M. Reid be, 
 and hereby are, appointed commissioners to represent 
 the congregation before the Presbyter3^ 
 
 6. That the Session be, and hereby are, requested to 
 make such provision to have the pulpit supplied, as 
 they may judge expedient and practicable, until a 
 pastor can be obtained." 
 
 Immediately after this congregational meeting. Dr. 
 Sample left again for Denver and remained there un- 
 til the spring of 1874. During a large part of this time, 
 the pulpit was filled by Rev. E. D. Neill. About this 
 time, the trustees, acting mider the authority given 
 by the congregation at the meeting in April, 1873, pur- 
 chased from the First Presbyterian Church its lot at 
 the corner of Eighth Street and First Avenue South. 
 Upon this lot stood the little church building, which had 
 been used by the First Presbyterian Church for many 
 years as a house of worship. Shortly before this time, 
 a congregation had been organized, under the name of 
 the Franklin Avenue Presbyterian Church, in the 
 southern part of the city out of a mission school es- 
 tablished and sustained by members of this Church, 
 and a lot had been donated to it by a Rev. Mr. Jackson. 
 The trustees of Westminster Church presented to this 
 congregation the Church building on the lot, purchas- 
 ed from the First Presbyterian Church. This build- 
 ing was removed to the new location ; and, for many 
 
34 
 
 years, it was used and occupied by the Franklin Ave- 
 nue Presbyterian Church, which has since become the 
 Vanderburgh Memorial Presbyterian Church, as a 
 house of worship. 
 
 The illness and absence of the pastor made it ex- 
 ceedingly difficult to raise the money for the current 
 expenses of the Church. We find, therefore, that, at a 
 congregational meeting in April, 1874, the Treasurer 
 was obliged again to report a deficit, amounting to 
 $2850.50, $2000, of this amount, however, being the 
 balance due for the purchase of the First Presbyterian 
 Church lot. The reports of the other officers, made at 
 this meeting, developed the fact, which was felt to be 
 very encouraging, that, in spite of all the discourage- 
 ment under which the congregation had been laboring 
 by reason of decreased revenue for current expenses 
 and by reason of the illness and absence of the pastor, 
 nevertheless there had been an encouraging increase 
 in the contributions for benevolent purposes. 
 
 In view, however, of the indebtedness of the Church 
 and the difficulty of raising the amount thereof, a mo- 
 tion was made and carried authorizing the trustees, if 
 in their judgment they should deem it advisable so to 
 do, to sell the lot recently purchased on the corner of 
 Eighth Street and First Avenue South. 
 
 The most important items of business transacted at 
 this meeting were the reception of the report of the 
 committee, appointed by the congregation in Decern- 
 
35 
 
 ber, 1873, to represent the Church at the meeting of 
 the Presbytery which was to take action upon the 
 resignation of the pastor, and the action taken upon 
 this report. The committee reported that the Presby- 
 tery, after hearing the statement of the commissioners 
 representing the congregation and considering a com- 
 munication from the pastor relative to the matter, had 
 declined to take action upon the resignation and had 
 referred the matter back to the congregation for fur- 
 ther consideration. After some discussion the motion 
 was made to re-consider the resolution of the congre- 
 gation adopted in December, 1873, accepting the pas- 
 tor's resignation. The matter having been thus taken 
 up for further consideration, the motion to accept the 
 pastor's resignation was lost, and a motion was adopt- 
 ed requesting him to return to his charge at as early 
 a date as possible. Shortly after this meeting, the pas- 
 tor returned to his charge; and carried on. his work, 
 from that time on, with greater efficiency even than 
 before. 
 
 Soon after the return of Dr. Sample, the congrega- 
 tion began to consider seriously the matter of erecting 
 a new house of worship. In this direction, the ladies 
 of the Church appear to have been more active at first 
 than the men, for we find from the reports of the con- 
 gregational meeting held on April 5,- 1875, that the 
 ladies then had on hand the sum of $2000, which had 
 been raised by them to provide an organ for the new 
 
36 
 
 church, when it should be erected. This sum had 
 been raised by the good ladies from various sources, 
 and most of it by those who were members of the 
 Ladies' Sewing Society. In the minutes of the annual 
 meeting of 1875 appears also the record of the first at- 
 tempt made by the Church, in the direction of city 
 evangelization,- outside of the immediate work of the 
 Church itself. 
 
 In the financial report of the Ladies' Sewing Society 
 for that year appears an item of fifty dollars ($50.00), 
 donated, out of the funds raised by them during the 
 year, to Samuel M. Williams for work in connection 
 with the Western Avenue Mission; while at the same 
 meeting Col. L. P. Plummer made a report of the con- 
 dition of the Western Avenue Mission. Col. Plum- 
 mer's report, unfortunately, was not incorporated in 
 the minutes of the meeting, so that it is impossible, 
 at this time, to determine just what was the condition 
 of that work at the date of the meeting. 
 
 At this meeting, the congregation again exhibited its 
 liberality and its affection for the pastor, by voting to 
 increase his salary from $2500 to $3000 per year. 
 
 On the 13th day of March, 1875, a special meeting of 
 the congregation was held, in order to consider what 
 steps could be taken towards the erection of a new 
 church. The meeting appears to have been largely at- 
 tended and very enthusiastic and the following reso- 
 lutions were unanimously adopted. 
 
37 
 
 1st. Resolved that it is expedient and advisable to 
 build a new church edifice for the congregation; to 
 commence the same by June 1st next, and endeavor to 
 complete the same by July 1st, 1877; provided three- 
 fourths of the cost shall first be subscribed. 
 
 2nd. Resolved that the cost of such church shall be 
 not less than $30,000 nor more than 45,000, exclusive 
 of the cost of the lots and of the furniture. 
 
 3rd. Resolved that Col. Plummer, W. W. McNair, 
 H. G. Sidle, and Prof. O. V. Tousley, shall constitute 
 and be a committee to canvass, and make return of the 
 amount of subscriptions for this object to this congre- 
 gation on Monday evening, March 27, 1876. 
 
 Pursuant to this resolution, an adjourned special 
 meeting of the congregation was held on March 27, 
 1876, to hear the report of the committee appointed on 
 March 13th of the previous )'-ear to solicit subscriptions 
 for the new church edifice. The report showed that sub- 
 scriptions had been received from 149 subscribers, the 
 amounts ranging from $2000 down to $1.00, and that 
 the total amount subscribed in this way was $24,515.30. 
 In addition to this, the Sabbath School had agreed to 
 raise the sum of $430.30. 
 
 As the amount of these subscriptions did not fully 
 comply with the resolution of March 13th, the meeting 
 was adjourned for one week, and the committee was 
 
38 
 
 requested to endeavor to secure, prior to that date, sub- 
 scriptions to cover the deficiency. The adjourned 
 meeting was held on April 3, 1S76, at which there oc- 
 curred a lengthy discussion of the whole subject. It 
 appeared, however, that the committee had been un- 
 able to do anything further toward securing subscrip- 
 tions since the 27th day of March. An animated dis- 
 cussion followed this report of the committee, in which 
 Prof. O. V. Tousley and others took the ground that 
 it was the duty of the trustees to start work at once 
 with the $25,000.00 already secured, instead of wait- 
 ing until $30,000.00 had been definitely subscribed. 
 This suggestion was strongly opposed; and many ob- 
 jected to beginning work, until the entire $30,000.00 
 had been actually subscribed. No action was taken at 
 this meeting, other than to direct the committee to 
 continue the work already begun; and, when the sum 
 required had all been subscribed, to report the same 
 to the trustees, who should then call a meeting of the 
 congregation to decide upon the plans and specifica- 
 tions for the church. The annual meeting of the con- 
 gregation immediately followed the special adjourned 
 meeting, which has just been referred to. The Treas- 
 urer's report called particular attention to the fact that 
 the trustees had not been able to carry out the wishes 
 of the congregation, expressed at the last annual meet- 
 ing, increasing the pastor's salary from $2500 to $3000 
 per year ; and a resolution was thereupon passed, urg- 
 
39 
 
 ing the trustees to take action upon the matter at 
 once. 
 
 It is interesting to note that, at this meeting as well 
 as at all previous meetings of the congregation during 
 the pastorate of Dr. Sample, it was recorded not only 
 that there had been large accessions to the member- 
 ship of the Church, but also that its benevolences had 
 increased largely from year to year. This was all the 
 more gratifying because of the fact, that, at times, 
 great difficulty had been experienced in raising in full 
 the necessary funds to pay the current expenses of the 
 Church itself. 
 
 On the 2nd da}^ of April, 1875, the members of the 
 little Church were greatly saddened by the death of 
 their first elder, Andrew W. Oliver. No one, except 
 the earlier members of this Church, and those who 
 have gone carefully through the records of its official 
 boards, can begin to realize how great a debt of grati- 
 tude we owe today to the founders of this Church — the 
 Oliver and Williams families. They built upon a foun- 
 dation of faith and unwavering fidelity to the truth. 
 Certainly their works now follow them. The Olivers, 
 Andrew W. and Sarah E., were not blessed with chil- 
 dren ; and they consecrated all of their substance to the 
 Master. Their name lives in Oliver Presbyterian 
 Church, to which Sarah E. Oliver gave, during her' 
 lifetime, nearlv all that she had. 
 
40 
 
 On May 18, 1876, a special meeting of the congrega- 
 tion was called by the trustees^ to hear the report of 
 the committee to solicit subscriptions. The meeting 
 was a joyous one, for the committee was able to report 
 that they had received subscriptons for the new church 
 from 200 persons, the subscriptions ranging in amounts 
 from ten cents to $2000 and aggregating $28,145.60. 
 
 The ladies of the Church, who had raised the special 
 organ fund, believing it to be for the best interests of 
 the Church to have a house of worship, even if it 
 should not at first have an organ, reported at the meet- 
 ing that they had voted to contribute the $2500.00, rais- 
 ed by them for an organ, toward the erection of the 
 church building, thereby making the grand total of 
 $30,645.60 in subscriptions. The full amount, which 
 the congregation had insisted should be subscribed be- 
 fore the work should be begun upon the church, hav- 
 ing now been raised, a motion was made and unani- 
 mously adopted, that the committee on subscriptions 
 be discharged and that a committee of six should be 
 selected to choose a site for the new church building, 
 said committee to act on the approval of the Board of 
 Trustees. 
 
 The committee so selected, consisted of H. G. Sidle, 
 A. Bradford, J. B. Gilfillan, S. A. Harris, C. E. Vander- 
 burgh and R. F. Sample. 
 
 A building committee was also selected, composed 
 of the following members of the Church and congrega- 
 
Curtis H. Pettit and Deborah M. Pettit, his wife, 
 From a Portrait Taken January 30th, 1858 
 
41 
 
 tion, viz., A. M. Reid, W. W. McNair, H. G. Sidle, C. 
 H. Pettit, W. H. Dunwoody, L. P. Plummer and H. H. 
 Brackett. 
 
 The building committee found it difficult to obtain 
 plans for a suitable building, which could be erected 
 for the money provided for by the resolution of the 
 congregation ; and, on the 31st day of July, 1876, a 
 special congregational meeting was called by the 
 Trustees, at which the chairman of the building com- 
 mittee made a detailed statement of the funds avail- 
 able for the erection of the new church, showing that 
 there was a deficienc}- of at least $20,000 in the amount 
 subscribed, if the congregation desired to erect such a 
 church edifice as had been proposed. Thereupon, at 
 the suggestion of the chairman, a resolution was adopt- 
 ed, that a supplemental subscription of not less than 
 $25,000 be raised by the congregation for the erection 
 of a new church, before further steps be taken by the 
 trustees toward building the same, and that said sub- 
 scription, as well as the one already made should be 
 payable as follows : to-wit, one-fourth of the entire 
 amount subscribed by each individual shall be consid- 
 ered due and payable on or before the 1st day of Au- 
 gust, 1876, and the remaining three-fourths shall be 
 divided into ten equal installments, payable on eacb 
 of the following dates, October and December IsfV 
 1876, February, April, June, August, October and De- 
 cember 1st, 1877, and February and April 1st, 1878; 
 
42 
 
 and that, as soon as the supplemental subscription 
 aforesaid should be made, the trustees of this Church 
 were authorized and instructed to proceed with the 
 work without unnecessary delay and to place such por- 
 tions of the same under contract, as they might deem 
 advisable. 
 
 Later in the same meeting, after some discussion, 
 the amount of the supplemental subscription, which 
 must be secured before commencing work, was reduc- 
 ed from $25,000 to $15,000 and the resolution was then 
 adopted, as amended. 
 
 Prior to this time, it had been definitely decided 
 that the best site available for the location of the new 
 church was two lots, on the corner of Sixth Street and 
 Hennepin Avenue, known as the Walker site, and the 
 Trustees were, by resolution, instructed to consummate 
 the purchase of the same from Mrs. Walker, provided 
 they could agree with her upon the terms and price. 
 Nothing further of an official nature appears to have 
 been done regarding the erection of the church, until 
 the annual congregational meeting held April 4, 1877 ; 
 and even at that meeting nothing was done, except to 
 authorize the Trustees to sell the lot, purchased from 
 the First Presbyterian Church, on the corner of Eighth 
 Street and First Avenue South, at such price as in the 
 judgment of the Trustees might be right, in order that 
 the proceeds might be used to pay the indebtedness in- 
 
A3 
 
 curred in its purchase and the balance realized from 
 the sale used for the new church. 
 
 At this annual meeting occurred also the first elec- 
 tion of Deacons by this Church, S. A. Harris and 
 Charles E. Moore being then elected and afterwards 
 ordained and installed. 
 
 It is interesting to note that, at that time, the ques- 
 tion, how to provide sittings for visitors and for those 
 of the congregation who were unable to obtain regular 
 sittings in the church, was again troubling the Trus- 
 tees. After remarks, from a number of persons, bearing 
 upon this matter, the following resolution was offered 
 by a member of the Board of Trustees and was unani- 
 mously adopted. 
 
 "Resolved that pews be declared vacant and that the 
 ushers put strangers into any pew that is empty, as 
 they come in." 
 
 During this year the church was again called upon 
 to mourn the loss of a beloved officer, one who had 
 been a charter member and who had served it faith- 
 fully and efficiently as Elder and Trustee. On the 23d 
 of September in that year Elder Joseph C. Williams 
 entered into rest. We rejoice that his honored name 
 still remains upon our rolls, for his grandson and name 
 sake united with this Church, on confession of faith, 
 June 10th, 1906. 
 
 During this year there occurred also a matter, in con- 
 nection with tb.e administration of the affairs of the 
 
44 
 
 Church, which produced at the time some friction and 
 threatened for awhile to interrupt the harmony, which 
 had characterized the Church up to that time. At a 
 special meeting of the congregation, called to be held 
 June 28, 1877, and held upon said date, for the election 
 of additional elders for the Church, a motion was made 
 that the Church adopt for the first time the rotary sys- 
 tem of eldership, instead of the life term system, which 
 had been previously in force. Following the introduc- 
 tion of the resolution, an animated debate followed; 
 and, as the matter could not then be decided, the meet- 
 ing was adjourned until the 13th day of July at the 
 same place. At this adjourned meeting it was unani- 
 mously resolved by the congregation, that, in view of 
 the wishes and convictions of the existing eldership, 
 who were, as a body, averse to the election of ruling 
 elders for a limited term, the whole matter should be 
 indefinitely postponed, both as respected the election 
 of additional elders and also as respected the change of 
 system proposed at the former meeting. While the 
 matter was thus temporarily disposed of, it continued 
 to agitate the thoughts and feelings of the membership 
 of the Church. A meeting was therefore called by the 
 eldership, to be held on the 32nd day of January, 1878, 
 for the purpose of settling the question ; and such meet- 
 ing was held on that date. 
 
 Immediately upon the organization of the meeting, a 
 motion was made that three additional elders be elect- 
 
45 
 
 ed. This motion was carried. A motion was then 
 made that the Church adopt, for the future, the rotary 
 system of electing elders and deacons. This resolu- 
 tion was also adopted, by a vote of sixty-six in the 
 affirmative to thirty-three in the negative. The elec- 
 tion resulted in the choice of Messrs. Louis H. Wil- 
 liams and J. A. Baird, to serve for a term of three years 
 and Isaac McNair to serve for the term of two years, 
 they three having been elders, in office prior to the 
 date of the meeting. The new elders elected were 
 Messrs. E. K. Ware, for the term of two years, and 
 R. S. Lee and J. H. Monroe, each for the term of 
 one year. Mr. Isaac McNair having at once de- 
 clined to accept his elecion, at the same meeting Mr. 
 S. M. Williams was elected in his place; but he did 
 not accept the election. Mr. Louis H. Williams, ow- 
 ing to his conscientious belief that the rotary system 
 of electing elders was un-Presbyterian and unscrip- 
 tural, declined to serve longer as an acting elder, giving 
 in writing a full and clear statement of his views on 
 the subject. 
 
 It was a source of sorrow to the Church that, be- 
 cause of this action of the congregation, Elder Isaac 
 McNair felt compelled to transfer his membership to 
 the Andrew Church, and Elder C. E. Vanderburgh to 
 "the First Presbyterian Church. Elder Louis H. Wil- 
 liams, while retaining his membership in Westminster 
 Church, worshipped with the First Presbyterian 
 
46 
 
 Church, when physically able to do so, during the re- 
 mainder of his life. The members of this Church, while 
 greatly regretting that these brethren should have felt 
 compelled to take this action, yet honored and respect- 
 ed them for their conscientious devotion to what they 
 believed to be the right. 
 
 Elder Louis H. Williams died at the residence of his 
 daughter, Mrs. Frederick Chalmers, in Minneapolis, on 
 September 18, 1889, honored and beloved by all wha 
 knew him. 
 
 For several years, the Trustees had been endeavor- 
 ing faithfully to carry out the wishes of the congre- 
 gation, as expressed in their action providing that the 
 current expenses of the Church should be raised by 
 the voluntary subscription system. Every year had 
 shown a deficit in the running expenses of the Church, 
 which deficit the Trustees had been compelled either 
 to carry over to the next year or to raise by personal 
 solicitation. In view of this condition of affairs they 
 called a special meeting of the congregation, to be 
 held on the 25th day of January, 1878, to consider the 
 whole subject of church finances. It was then deter- 
 mined, b}^ resolution of the congregation, to which no 
 objection is reported in the minutes, to adopt again 
 the pew rental system and to allot the sittings in the 
 Church upon that S3'^stem by receiving bids for the 
 choice of pews. 
 
47 
 
 The Trustees were also empowered to fix the prices, 
 for which pews should be rented from year to year, sa 
 as to meet the demands of the treasury of the Church,, 
 and to provide in this way for the raising of a suffi- 
 cient sum to meet the current expenses of the Church 
 promptly. From that day to the present time, the pew 
 rental system has been in force in this congregation 
 and has worked, as is believed by the officers, to the 
 best advantage of the Church and the congregation. 
 
 The matter of selecting a site and erecting a church 
 remained quiescent, until August, 1878. A special 
 meeting of the congregation was then called, to be 
 held on the 17th day of that month, to consider the 
 subject. The Trustees then reported that they had 
 received a plan for a building, which was suitable for 
 the use of the Church, from Messrs. Randall & Miller, 
 architects of Chicago, the cost of which, complete, 
 would be about $40,000. They further reported that 
 the plans were drawn with reference to a building, 
 which might be erected on the lot owned by the Church 
 at the corner of First Avenue South and Eighth Street, 
 but that the Trustees thought it best to sell that lot 
 and purchase lots at the corner of Nicollet Avenue 
 and Seventh Street, which would add about $3000 to 
 the cost of the ground. 
 
 The old subscription for the erection of the Church 
 appears to have been considered null and void, for Mr. 
 A. M. Reid, one of the Board of Trustees, stated that 
 
48 
 
 the Trustees had made some efforts towards obtaining 
 subscriptions for the new church and had found that 
 the people were all anxious for a new building and ap- 
 peared to be willing to contribute for the same. 
 
 Resolutions were unanimously adopted to the effect 
 that work upon the erection of the church building 
 should be begun at once and that the site at the cor- 
 ner of Seventh Street and Nicollet Avenue, recom- 
 mended by the Board of Trustees, was the most eligi- 
 ble site for the building. 
 
 Mr. E. M. Wilson offered the following resolution, 
 which was unanimously adopted. 
 
 "Whereas, our present church edifice on Fourth 
 Street is wholly inadequate for the proper accommo- 
 dation and comfort of the rapidly increasing congre- 
 gation which desires to worship at AVestminster Pres- 
 byterian Church, therefore, be it resolved that the 
 Trustees be instructed to make the exchange of sites 
 contemplated, if such be practicable, and to commence 
 the erection of a new church edifice not to exceed in 
 cost $40,000; and we as a congregation, pledge our- 
 selves collectively and as individuals to support them 
 in the good work, both with our means and personal 
 efforts to the extent of our ability." 
 
 Acting under the authority thus given them, the 
 Trustees purchased at once, lots 7, 8 and 9, Block 223, 
 Welles, Sampson and Bell's Addition to Minneapolis, 
 on the corner of Seventh Street and Nicollet Avenue, 
 
-J I, 
 
 8i 
 
49 
 
 where Da3'ton's Dry Goods Company is now located. 
 The original size of the property, contracted for, was 
 165 feet front on Nicollet Avenue by 132 feet deep on 
 Seventh Street. The price to be paid therefor was $13,- 
 000.00. No one then dreamed of the future growth of 
 ]Minneapolis, and some even raised the question seri- 
 ously, whether it would be possible to draw a large 
 congregation to a site so far up town. 
 
 Mr. H. A^'. AVagner, desiring both to relieve the 
 Church of a part of the expense of procuring these 
 lots and also to secure for himself a home in a desir- 
 able residence locality, offered to purchase the forty 
 feet front of the lots on Seventh Street, in the rear of 
 the proposed location of the Church, at a valuation of 
 $3500.00. This offer was gladly accepted, and the 
 price of the church site was thus reduced to $8500.00. 
 
 Immediately after procuring the site, the Trustees 
 commenced the work of construction. After careful 
 consideration, the material selected for the superstruc- 
 ture was a rich dark brown sand stone from a new 
 quarry, just opened at Fond du Lac, a suburb of Du- 
 luth. As the owners of the quarry were very anxious 
 to have the stone used in this building as an adver- 
 tisement of its merits, they offered to furnish it at just 
 the cost of quarrying it, the Trustees, however, to as- 
 sume the cost of transporting and dressing it. The 
 progress of the work of construction seemed very slow 
 to the impatient congregation, and it was a joyous oc- 
 
so 
 
 casion when the corner stone was laid with appropriate 
 religious ceremonies. This occurred on the 13th day 
 of July, 1880. 
 
 The pastor presided at these services and laid the 
 stone. He was assisted by several clergymen, most 
 of them pastors of sister evangelical churches in the 
 same part of the city. Among those who thus assist- 
 ed were the following: 
 
 Rev. Daniel Stewart, D. D., then pastor of the First 
 Presbyterian Church, now deceased. Dr. Stewart 
 lived to take part, also, in the services attending the 
 laying of the corner stone of the present church build- 
 ing. 
 
 Rev. H. C. Woods, then the pastor of the First Bap- 
 tist Church of IMinneapolis. 
 
 Rev. H. A. Stimson, then the pastor of the Plymouth 
 Congregational Church of Minneapolis, now pastor of 
 Broadway Tabernacle, New York City. 
 
 Rev. W. T. Beatty, D. D., then a member of the 
 Pittsburg Presbytery. Mr. Beatty afterwards became 
 the regular supply for Plymouth Congregational 
 Church of Minneapolis, a call to the pastorate of which 
 he afterwards declined because of his poor health. He 
 died soon afterwards in this city. 
 
 Rev. Daniel Rice, D. D., then the S3'^nod's financial 
 agent for iVlacalester and Albert Lea Colleges. 
 
51 
 
 Rev. C. A. Van Anda, D. D., then pastor of the Cen- 
 tenary M, E. Church of Minneapolis. 
 
 Rev. E. D. Neill, D. D., then a pastor of the Re- 
 formed Episcopal Church. 
 
 Rev. J. B. Donaldson, D. D., a son-in-law of Dr. 
 Sample, who was then pastor of the First Presbyterian 
 Church of Hastings, Minn., and is now pastor of the 
 First Presbyterian Church of Davenport, Iowa, 
 
 The congregation felt greatly encouraged by the 
 laying of the corner stone, and looked forward eagerly 
 to their entrance into the new church home. Work on 
 the building proceeded very slowly, partly because dif- 
 ficulty was experienced in opening up the new quarry 
 and obtaining therefrom with promptness the neces- 
 sary stone, but especially because of lack of funds and 
 the unwillingness of the trustees to proceed any faster 
 than the condition of the treasury would warrant. It 
 was discovered, at a very early stage of the work, that 
 the cost of the proposed building had been greatly un- 
 der-estimated. In fact, while the congregation had 
 voted to erect a building at a cost of $45,000, the ac- 
 tual cost thereof, when completed, was nearly $150,000. 
 This increased cost was due to many causes, beyond 
 the control of the Trustees. 
 
 The minutes of the various Church meetings, during 
 the years 1879, 1880 and 1881, show the intense in- 
 terest displayed by the members of the congregation 
 with reference to the new building. At nearly every 
 
52 
 
 meeting some action was taken urging upon the Trus- 
 tees the utmost expedition in completing it, because of 
 the crowded condition of the old building and the con- 
 sequent injury to the religious work of the Church. 
 They show also the activity of the Trustees and oth- 
 ers in the raising of funds for this purpose. The La- 
 dies Aid Society, which had undertaken to furnish the 
 new building, was especially active. 
 
 A history of Westminster Church would be very in- 
 complete unless it should contain a tribute of respect 
 and thanks to the Trustees, who so successfully erected 
 this Church. They were, at times, severely criticized 
 by members of the congregation, who felt that the 
 work of erecting the church vx^as characterized by too 
 great delay and excessive caution. Looking back now 
 upon their work, it is apparent that such criticism was 
 not justified ; and that those busy, self-denying men 
 were deserving only of praise for what they sacrificed 
 and accomplished. 
 
 The names of the Trustees, who are entitled to the 
 credit of having carried this work to a successful con- 
 summation, are C. H. Pettit, H. G. Sidle, W. W. Mc- 
 Nair, A. M. Reid, Allen Hill, Wm. H. Dunwoody, J. B. 
 Gilfillan and J- K. Sidle, who were in office during the 
 entire time of its construction ; and O. V. Tousley, 
 Frederick W. Brooks and H. W. Wagner, who were 
 in ofifice during a part of the time. 
 
 They were all men of large business interests, which 
 
53 
 
 demanded their most careful attention, at a time of un- 
 precedented business activity in this city. They had 
 to face a serious problem, in trying to finance the work 
 of erecting a church building costing far more than 
 their architect had led them to expect ; and they had to 
 do this, practically upon the demand of an impatient 
 congregation and without adequate subscriptions to 
 meet the bills. These men gave generously of their 
 time and money, and loaned to the Church their in- 
 dividual credit, in order that the work might not stop. 
 As the result of their business management and self- 
 sacrifice, they delivered to the congregation, in due 
 time, a building beautiful in all of its appointments, 
 admirably adapted for the work of a rapidly growing 
 Church and an honor and credit to the congregation, to 
 the denomination and to the city, in which it was lo- 
 cated. 
 
 The lecture room, being completed and ready for oc- 
 cupancy, was occupied for the first time on the 10th 
 day of August, 1883; and the old building on Fourth 
 Street was at once abandoned, the land on which it 
 was situated having been previously sold. It was a 
 wonderful illustration of the rapid increase in real es- 
 tate values in those days, that the Fourth Street prop- 
 erty was sold by the Trustees for $12,000 ; it was then 
 leased to the Trustees for the use of the congregation 
 at a rental of $75.00 per month, until the new building 
 could be completed ; and before the congregation had 
 
54 
 
 vacated the property, it had been sold again, by the 
 purchaser from the Church, for $36,000. 
 
 It may be of interest to state, that this old wooden 
 building was partially destroyed by fire a few months 
 after this congregation vacated. The ruin was pre- 
 sented by the owner to Bethlehem Presbyterian 
 Church, and the material therefrom was used in the 
 erection of a church home for the congregation of 
 that Church on the corner of Twenty-sixth Street, 
 West, and Pleasant Avenue. The building, so erected, 
 was used and occupied by the Bethlehem Church, un- 
 til within a comparatively few years. 
 
 It was a joyful occasion when the congregation took 
 possession of the lecture room of the new Church. The 
 attendance at both Church and Sabbath School began 
 at once to greatly increase, and a new spirit and en- 
 thusiasm characterized every department of the 
 Church work. 
 
 Owing to the lack of funds and the unwillingness 
 of the Trustees to incur great indebtness, the work 
 of finishing the main audience room progressed slow- 
 ly, and was not completed until February, 1883. The 
 building was dedicated, practically free from debt, 
 on Sabbath, the 11th day of March, 1883, Rev. Herrick 
 Johnson, D. D., of Chicago, then Moderator of the Gen- 
 eral Assembly, preaching the sermon. His text was 
 from Ezekiel, 47th Chapter, first five verses. The ser- 
 mon was prophetic of the ultimate extension of Christ's 
 
55 
 
 Kingdom over the whole earth and that streams of 
 righteousness would, under God's blessing, flow forth 
 from the building then consecrated to His worship. 
 
 Shortly after the dedication of the church, the beau- 
 ty and power of the organ were displayed in an organ 
 concert, given by Prof. Bowman of St. Louis. 
 
 A description of the new church building, a picture 
 of which appears in this volume, may be interesting to 
 those who have not seen it. 
 
 It was built of brown stone, and with its great pro- 
 portions, deep reveals, and massive towers, had a 
 substantial appearance, which suggested that it had 
 been built for all time. It was entered through three 
 broad portals, and from the large halls pleasant stair- 
 ways led to the audience room and galleries above. 
 The lecture room was on the first floor, and around it 
 were located Sunday School and Bible Class rooms 
 and parlors. The pastor's study occupied the second 
 story of the large south tower, and communicated with 
 the pulpit. The main audience room was 60x90 feet 
 and 50 feet in height. The floor sloped on three sides 
 from the outside walls to the center of the fourth, 
 where the pulpit was located, the radiating point for 
 the seven aisles, which divided the circular sweep of 
 p°ws into convenient lengths. The gallery was re- 
 markably graceful in its outline, and the large organ, 
 occupying the space above the pulpit, was encased in 
 an elaborate frame which harmonized with the rich 
 
56 
 
 walnut finish of the church. The frescoing, with its 
 delicate shadings and chaste designs, was considered a 
 marvel of beauty. This commodious church, with a 
 frontage of one hundred and thirty-four feet, a depth 
 of eighty-nine feet, the main spire one hundred and 
 ninety feet in height, one of the best appointed and 
 most beautiful, and acousticall}^ the most perfect 
 church edifices in this country, was erected and fur- 
 nished at a cost of about one hundred and fifty thous- 
 and dollars. 
 
 Although the capacity of the new church was large, 
 it was taxed to the utmost from the first. The con- 
 gregation, which had already sent out two colonies 
 and was maintaining three missions, inaugrated a new 
 enterprise, under the auspices of the Presbyterian 
 Alliance, into which the Business Men's Committ-ee, 
 elsewhere referred to, had been developed ; this mis- 
 sion was afterwards organized into the Bethlehem 
 Presbyterian Church. The Avomen's societies became 
 especially active and successful. What the Church has 
 accomplished in the Avork of city evangelization, and 
 through its women's missionar}^ societies, is set forth 
 in detail hereinafter. The attendance at the mid-week 
 services largely increased, as well as at tlie Sabbath 
 services. In 1884 the Church gave a leave of absence 
 to its pastor, who went as a delegate to the meeting 
 of the Presbyterian Council in Belfast, Ireland. While 
 there he was entertained at the home of an Irish gen- 
 
Rev. Robert Strong, 
 Pastor 1862-1865 
 
57 
 
 tleman, who had been converted by a sermon heard 
 by him deHvered by Dr. Sample in Westminster 
 Church, several years before, as he was passing, as a 
 stranger, through the cit5^ 
 
 An occurrence, of great interest to the Church and 
 communit)^, was the meeting in Westminster Church 
 in 1886 of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
 Church in the United States of America. The Assem- 
 bly had never before met so far west. It proved to be 
 a successful experiment, it being the unanimous testi- 
 mony of the officers and commissioners, that never be- 
 fore had it been so well entertained or with so great 
 economy to the Church at large. The work of prepar- 
 ation for and the entertainment of this great body v/as 
 planned, and largely executed, by Elders Wm. M. Ten- 
 ney and Charles T. Thompson. 
 
 Dr. Sample continued to be pastor of the Church 
 until December 23rd, 1886, when, because of ill health, 
 he resigned and accepted a call to West Twenty-third 
 Street Presb3'^terian Church of New York City, which, 
 under Dr. Sample's pastorate was united with the 
 Westminster Presbyterian Church of New York City, 
 the United Church taking the name "Westminster." 
 
 Dr. Sample left here with the love and sympathy of 
 his former parishoners; he left a vacancy which it 
 seemed to be almost impossible to fill. During his 
 after life it was his privilege on several occasions, to 
 his own jo}^ and that of this people, to occupy this 
 
58 
 
 pulpit ; and it was his joy and honor to be elected Mod- 
 erator of the General Assembly, which again met in 
 this city in Westminster Church, in 1899. 
 
 An attempt has been made, elsewhere, in this vol- 
 ume, to pay a just tribute to his ability and to his 
 great work in this Church and vicinity. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 Mistor^ of tbe Cbutcb since tbe pastorate 
 ot H)r. Satnple. 
 
 The ties uniting Dr. Sample to this congregation 
 had been so tender, and the sorrow of the people over 
 his departure was so great, that the Session of the 
 Church did not think it would be wise to attempt the 
 choice of his successor at once. The Session, there- 
 fore, supplied the pulpit for several months, and did 
 not call a meeting to consider the choice of a new 
 pastor until March, 1887. Then, at the request of a 
 large number of the members of the Church, a congre- 
 gational meeting was called to consider the question of 
 choosing and calling a pastor. 
 
 At this meeting, a committee of nine, three from the 
 Session, three from the Trustees and three from the 
 congregation at large, was chosen. To this commit- 
 tee was delegated the selection of one, to be recom- 
 mended to the congregation for their call to the pas- 
 torate of Westminster Church. The committee so 
 chosen was composed of J. R. Hall, William M. Ten- 
 ney and Charles T. Thompson, Elders; Allen Hill, G. 
 H. Miller and T. B. Janney, Trustees ; H. G. Sidle, E. F. 
 
60 
 
 Pabody and S. P. Farrington, from the congregation 
 at large. This committee, after careful consideration 
 and investigation and after, as they believed, they had 
 been providentially led so to do, selected Rev. David 
 James Burrell, D. D., then pastor of the Second Pres- 
 byterian Church of Dubuque, Iowa. The committee's 
 report was presented to the congregation, at a meet- 
 ing held on September 15, 1887, and it was adopted by 
 a practically unanimous vote. The call was duly and 
 successfully prosecuted, and, on October 26, 1887, Dr. 
 Burrell was installed as pastor of the Church. 
 
 The pastorate of Dr. Burrell was, in every respect, 
 highly successful ; the membership of the Church and 
 attendance at all of the services greatly increased ; and 
 the Church increased its activity, especially in the line 
 of city evangelization. The young people of the con- 
 gregation were especially aroused to activity in re- 
 ligious work. Among other societies for the young, 
 a large and active society of Christian Endeavor was 
 started. The pastorate lasted, however, only until 
 August 3, 1891, when it was terminated by the resigna- 
 tion of Dr. Burrell to accept a call, which he had once 
 previously declined, to the pastorate of the Marble Col- 
 legiate Dutch Reformed Church of New York City, of 
 which he is still pastor and in which he is doing a great 
 and successful work. 
 
 During the pastorate of Dr. Burrell, the officers of 
 the Church created the office of lay assistant, in order 
 
61 
 
 that the pastor might be relieved of some of the rou- 
 tine work belonging to his office. Elder Stephen B. 
 Williams was appointed to fill the office. He was so 
 efficient in discharging the duties, that he was con- 
 tinued therein until his death in October^ 1894. 
 
 At the congregational meeting, which was called to 
 take action upon the resignation of Dr. Burrell, the 
 congregation also elected a pastoral committee to 
 choose a new pastor. This committee was composed 
 of two elders, two deacons, two trustees, and three 
 from the congregation at large. The Elders elected 
 were John S. Crombie and Charles T. Thompson ; the 
 Trustees were Allen Hill and T. B. Janney; the Dea- 
 cons, George H. Miller and C. S. Cairns ; and from the 
 congregation at large were Ezra Farnsworth, Jr., E. F. 
 Pabody and A. G. Prentiss. The members of the com- 
 mittee gave the matter entrusted to them most care- 
 ful and prayerful attention. The task was a hard one 
 — to find someone to successfully follow a pastor of 
 the unusual brilliancy and power of Dr. Burrell. They 
 were clearly guided by Providence to the choice of 
 Rev. Pleasant Hunter, D. D., pastor of the Second 
 Presbyterian Church of Newark, New Jersey. The 
 committee reported to the congregation at a meeting 
 held on April 21, 1892, recommending that a call be 
 tendered to Dr. Hunter; and the report was unani- 
 mously adopted. 
 
 The call, was, after some delays and discourage- 
 
62 
 
 ments, at last successfully prosecuted, and Rev. Pleas- 
 ant Hunter was installed as our pastor on November 
 11, 1892 ; the sermon being preached by the last pastor, 
 Dr. Burrell. 
 
 Under the new pastorate, the Church continued to 
 prosper as under the two former pastorates, in spite of 
 the great obstacles and discouragements caused by the 
 severe financial crisis in our country, beginning in 
 1893 and continuing for several years thereafter, and 
 by the destruction of our church home and the conse- 
 quent inconvenience in carrying on all departments of 
 the church work. 
 
 The congregation continued to worship in their sanc- 
 tuary on the corner of Nicollet Avenue and Seventh 
 Street, until September 6, 1895, when the beautiful tem- 
 ple, hallowed by so many associations and experiences 
 of God's blessing, was destroyed by fire. The origin 
 of this fire was never definitely ascertained, but it was 
 supposed to have been caused by electric wires. 
 
 Immediately, while the ruins were still smoking, the 
 officers of the Church took steps to provide a place in 
 which to worship temporarily. The Grand Opera 
 House, which then fronted on Sixth Street South be- 
 tween Nicollet and First Avenues, in the rear of the 
 Syndicate Block, was engaged for the Sabbath ser- 
 vices, including the Sabbath School. The first ser- 
 vices, after the burning of the Church, were held on 
 Sabbath, September 6, 1895. No one, who was pres- 
 
63 
 
 ent at that time, will ever forget the tender solemnity 
 of the occasion. The people were deeply sorrowful for 
 the loss of their beautiful church home, but, mingled 
 with the sorrow, there was a feeling of God's sustain- 
 ing presence and comfort and a determination to still 
 carry on His work as in the past. 
 
 The pastor was absent on his vacation, but we had 
 his greeting and words of encouragement by tele- 
 graph. Such words were also received in the same 
 manner from Dr. Sample. Dr. Burrell was traveling 
 in Europe and could not be heard from. J. B. Donald- 
 son, D. D., and other clergymen were present with 
 words of cheer. The sermon was preached by Rev. 
 Thaddeus T. Creswell, then pastor of the Shiloh Pres- 
 byterian Church; now pastor of a growing church in 
 Southern California. Elder Charles T. Thompson, 
 spoke for the official boards of the Church, and out- 
 lined briefly the plans, which had been formulated to 
 carry on the work of the Church. 
 
 We must at this time bear testimony to the words 
 of sympathy and oflFers of shelter, received from the 
 congregations and officers of other churches in the 
 city. Those from the following churches, viz., Ply- 
 mouth Congregational, Wesley Methodist Episcopal, 
 First Baptist, First Presbyterian and Church of the 
 Redeemer, Universalist, were especially cordial and 
 worthy of remembrance. The proprietors of the 
 Grand Opera House tendered their building free of 
 
64 
 
 charge for the first services. Many other churches, 
 not above mentioned, expressed their sympathy. Res- 
 olutions of thanks for these expressions of sympathy 
 were adopted by the congregation, at that first meeting 
 in the Opera House. 
 
 The committee of trustees and elders, having the 
 matter in charge, engaged the Opera House for all 
 Sabbath services, the Unitarian Church for the mid- 
 week prayer meeting, and the Y. M. C. A. lecture 
 room for the meetings of the women's societies, until 
 we could get a new church home. The use of the Y. 
 M. C. A. room was donated free of charge. Rooms 
 for the offices of the Church were kindly furnished by 
 Mr. George D. Dayton in his building (now called 
 Pillsbury Building) at the corner of Sixth Street and 
 Nicollet Avenue. 
 
 The congregation continued to worship in the Grand 
 Opera House, until it was sold and abandoned as an 
 •opera house in November, 1895. The Lyceum Theater 
 Building, on Hennepin Avenue between Seventh and 
 Eighth Streets, was then engaged and occupied for the 
 Sabbath services. On the last Sabbath in June, 1896, 
 by invitation of the ofiicers of the First Baptist Church, 
 the congregations of the two churches united for union 
 services in the First Baptist Church building, corner 
 -of Tenth Street and Harmon Place. Under this ar- 
 rangement, Westminster Church provided and paid for 
 
65 
 
 the pulpit supplies. Among these were two former 
 pastors, Dr. Burrell and Dr. Sample. 
 
 The arrangement continued until the second Sab- 
 bath in September, 1896, when Westminster congrega- 
 tion returned to the Lyceum building, where it con- 
 tinued to hold its usual Sabbath services, until it en- 
 tered into its new church home. With an exhibition 
 of Christian courtesy and comity, which is almost un- 
 paralleled, the congregations of each of two neighbor- 
 ing churches, Plymouth and First Baptist, on several 
 separate occasions gave up their own Sabbath morning 
 sen-ices, in order that we might have the use of their 
 main auditoriums for the celebrations of the Sacrament 
 of the Lord's Supper. 
 
 The mid-week prayer meeting continued to be held 
 in the Unitarian Church building until the week of 
 prayer, when union services were held with Plymouth 
 Church, led by our pastor. These union services were 
 continued for two weeks. The prayer meetings were 
 then resumed in the Unitarian Church building and 
 continued to be held there, except for a time when we 
 united with the good people of the First Baptist 
 Church, upon their invitation, in holding union meet- 
 ings. These continued for several months, with entire 
 harmony and Christian fellowship. The Session, how- 
 ever, thought it best, after a time, to have our people 
 hold their own meeting, because it was believed that 
 the sense of responsibility, thereby created, would hold 
 the congregation together more surely. 
 
66 
 
 As soon as the officers of the Church had arranged 
 for the temporary necessities of the Church, the ques- 
 tion what to do for a permanent church home was at 
 once faced. The sentiment of officers and members was 
 largely in favor of removing to a new site, which 
 would be large enough to have both main audience 
 room and lecture room on the ground floor, and would 
 avoid the necessity of having a basement Sabbath 
 School room, which had been found at times to be 
 gloomy and uncomfortable. There was a general 
 feeling that a new site should be chosen, as centrally 
 located and as far down town as possible. 
 
 The Trustees had adjusted the insurance on the 
 burned building at $29,500.00 and on the organ at 
 $6,000.00, making a total of $35,500.00. This was 
 enough to have restored the building, as it was before 
 the fire, but not to have enlarged it or improved on 
 the old plan. 
 
 Attempts were made, through the fall of 1895, to find 
 a purchaser for the property ; but these failed, largely 
 because of the financial stringency. One offer was re- 
 ceived from Mr. George D. Dayton, of Worthington, 
 which the Trustees did not deem it wise to accept. In 
 the meantime, there were negotiations for the purchase 
 of the First Baptist Church property, which, however, 
 came to naught. Finally, at a joint meeting of the 
 Elders and Trustees, called by the latter and held in 
 January, 1896, a joint resolution was unanimously 
 
67 
 
 adopted that the Trustees proceed to rebuild the old 
 church upon the old site and plans, unless the old 
 site could be satisfactorily sold prior to March 1st, 
 1896. 
 
 The Trustees, not wishing to take the responsibility 
 of rebuilding upon the old site without consulting the 
 congregation, referred the matter to the congregation 
 at a meeting called and held February 13, 1896. At 
 this meeting great opposition to the plan of rebuilding 
 on the old site was developed, and no conclusion could 
 be reached ; the meeting was, therefore, adjourned for 
 one week, without taking any action. At the adjourned 
 meeting, which was held February 20, 1896, after a 
 long discussion the Trustees were, by a vote which 
 was almost unanimous, asked to sell the property to 
 George D. Dayton for $165,000, of which consideration 
 the sum of $116,700 was to be paid in cash and the 
 balance in real estate. In pursuance to this authority, 
 the Trustees made such a contract of sale with Mr. 
 Dayton, subject to the legal ratification thereof by 
 the congregation. This ratification was given by reso- 
 lution, adopted at a meeting held May 5, 1896. 
 
 Prior to the May meeting, the annual meeting of the 
 Church was held on the first Monday in April. 
 
 At this meeting a resolution was adopted, that a 
 site be selected and a house of worship erected there- 
 on, as near the site of the old church as was practica- 
 ble, and that the choice of site and the erection of the 
 
68 
 
 church be delegated to a committee of nine, three 
 to be chosen from the Trustees, three by the Session, 
 and three then and there by the congregation. The 
 congregation at once chose as members of the com- 
 mittee, J. R. Gordon, W. J. Hahn and S. T. McKnight ; 
 the Session chose S. A. Harris, William M. Tenney 
 and George H. Miller; the Trustees chose William 
 Donaldson, T. B. Janney and C. H. Pettit. T. B. Jan- 
 ney afterwards resigned because of ill health, and H. 
 C. Akeley was chosen to succeed him. 
 
 The committee organized by choosing C. H. Pettit 
 as chairman and Allen Hill as secretary. 
 
 After receiving many offers of sites for the location 
 of the church, the present site, on the corner of Nicol- 
 let Avenue and Twelfth Street, was chosen. 
 
 Plans and suggestions for the new building were re- 
 ceived from several architects. The plans of both Mr. 
 Charles S. Sedgwick and Mr, W. H. Hayes were ap- 
 proved, with modifications. With the consent of these 
 gentlemen, they were selected jointly as the architects 
 of the new building ; and the plans of both were com- 
 bined in one, containing the merits of the two plans. 
 
 Bids for the erection of the building were received ; 
 and the contract let to the H. N. Leighton Company, 
 it being the lowest bidder. 
 
 The contract with the H. N. Leighton Company 
 was signed July 25th, and ground was broken July 
 27th. 
 
69 
 
 The work progressed rapidly and satisfactorily up 
 to the 7th day of October, 1896, at which time the cor- 
 ner stone was laid. The ceremonies attending the 
 laying of the stone were very largely attended and 
 were of great interest. The pastor presided and de- 
 livered the principal address, while other clergymen 
 representing nearly every Presbyterian Church in the 
 city took some part. Among these was the venerable 
 Daniel Stewart, D. D., pastor Emeritus of the First 
 Presbyterian Church, who had assisted also in the 
 laying of the corner stone of the church which had 
 been burned ; also Rev. John C. Faries, and the Synodi- 
 cal Missionary, Rev. R. N. Adams, D. D. 
 
 The contents of the box, which had been taken from 
 the corner stone of the old church, were placed intact 
 in the new stone, while other articles and a brief his- 
 tory of the Church, prepared by the Clerk of Session, 
 were also added. 
 
 The address of the pastor, so beautiful and touching 
 in its reference to the past history of the Church and so 
 inspiring in its outlook for the future, should be pre- 
 served for this people; it is therefore here given in 
 full. 
 
 "To every member of Westminster Church, this 
 should be a joyful hour. Twelve months ago, like a 
 thief in the night, fire came and robbed us of our beau- 
 tiful home. Not until we saw it in ruins, did some of 
 us know how sacred and dear that home was. Be- 
 
70 
 
 cause of 'hard times' all at first was uncertainty. Final- 
 ly the old lot was sold and a new one bought. The an- 
 nouncement was hailed with delight, because it meant 
 that we were to have again a church home — a church 
 home more commodious and convenient than before. 
 The service of this hour means, that we have made 
 some little distance on the way toward a realization 
 of this hope. There is every reason, therefore, why 
 this should be a joyful hour. At the same time it is 
 an hour for serious responsibility. Sixteen years ago, 
 when your then beloved pastor laid the corner stone of 
 the former house, he pictured in language most elo- 
 quent the blessings of the Church to the world. At 
 the same time he expressed the hope that the one, then 
 in erection, might be to this community, what so many 
 others had been to other communities. That it was, 
 all will gladly allow. Not with worldly pride, but for 
 the glory of Him who inspired it, may we refer to the 
 work of Old Westminster. She has been a blessing to 
 individuals, to the city, to the world. Within her 
 walls many have found the pearl of great price, and 
 have come to know the joy of sins forgiven. Through 
 her ministry many have been built up in holy faith and 
 holy living. Into her courts many have brought their 
 beloved dead and from her desk heard the consoling 
 words: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.' 
 'I am the resurrection and the life.' 
 
 "Through her consecrated membership, she has gone 
 
71 
 
 into different parts of the city — gathered in the young 
 and sought to make them into better men, better 
 women and better citizens. Through the gifts of her 
 substance, and in some instances of her children, she 
 has gone to those that live in darkness and the shadow 
 of death to tell of Him, who is the way, the truth and 
 the life. For the opportunity, willingness and ability 
 to make such a record we are devoutly thankful to 
 God. Today we lay the corner stone of a new house. 
 As all can see, it is to be larger than the old. Shall 
 we not at the same time lay in our hearts the corner 
 stone of a new life; a life of consecration and willing- 
 ness to serve, as far ahead of the old as is this house 
 to be ahead of the one that was? It will be in vain 
 that we come into this community with an enlarged 
 temple of stone, if the spiritual temple be not also en- 
 larged. If, as a Church, we would take a stronger hold 
 of the people, we must first take a stronger hold of 
 Christ. The Church, be it remembered, is here with a 
 mission as large as the love of God and the need of the 
 world. Its motto, therefore, like that of its founder 
 should be : *I came to seek and to save that which was 
 lost.' 
 
 "It should be a great rescue mission. It should be a 
 great life station. It should be a place, into which 
 men may come and feel as much at home as they would 
 in the very presence of Christ. To become such it 
 must abound in the spirit of brotherly love. The 
 
72 
 
 Church, of all organizations that exist, should have in 
 it the most of the spirit of Christ ; should be foremost 
 in putting into operation the principles of Christ; 
 should give the world the largest exhibitions of Chris- 
 tian brotherhood. It should be a great mutual aid so- 
 ciety — a body of men and women interested in each 
 other and working for each other's good. The love, 
 that centers in Christ, should have something of the 
 largeness of Christ's spirit. The truest friendships 
 and the most helpful associations, found anywhere up- 
 on earth, should be found in the Christian Church. It 
 should show the influence of His presence in every 
 relation of life. In social life, it should show the great- 
 est catholicity of spirit; in the state the greatest 
 patriotism and loyalty; in business life the greatest 
 uprightness and honor ; in private life the greatest free- 
 dom from the taint of secret sin; and in the home the 
 greatest kindness and affection. Its motto every- 
 where should be 'For to me to live is Christ.' It should 
 champion the right, whenever it needs a champion. 
 It should do the right, whenever it does anything. Its 
 judgment should always be fair. Its criticisms should 
 always be just. Its demands should always be reason- 
 able. Its spirit should always be Christianlike. May 
 all this come to be true of the new Westminster." 
 
 Greetings from Dr. Sample and Dr. Burrell, who had 
 served as pastors in old \Vestminster, were read by 
 Elder C. T. Thompson. 
 
Robert A. Condit, D.D., 
 Pastor 1866-1867 
 
The letter from Rev. Dr. Sample was as follows: 
 To Westminster Church, Greetings : — 
 
 Dearly Beloved: Separated from you by many 
 leagues, and occupied with pastoral cares, I cannot be 
 with you on this auspicious occasion. 
 
 After long afflictions, you are about to lay the cor- 
 nerstone of the church edifice which is to succeed the 
 house destroyed by fire. Those of you, who built the 
 former house and dedicated it to the worship of God, 
 have especially felt its loss; you have looked in sad- 
 ness at its ruins ; only its beautiful spire pointing heav- 
 enward, and one of its towers — peculiarly sacred to 
 me — standing intact, as if unwilling to sever the tie 
 that binds them to the returnless past. But there is 
 much for which to praise God today. First, that his 
 kingdom ruleth over all, and that Providences, which 
 seem most adverse, often carry his richest blessings 
 with them. Then, too, it will be comforting to know 
 that the continuit)' of your church life is not wholly 
 broken. Like the day, which disappears behind the 
 lurid flame of eventide, then, after a period of darkness, 
 reappears in quiet beauty in the east, so the house you 
 builded for God is, in its largest significance, continu- 
 ous, soon to rise on another site, long to remain, it 
 may be, a memorial of your early benevolence and 
 prayerful toil. But, what is far better, it will be God's 
 house. In it his presence will be revealed, and from 
 
74 
 
 its windows you shall look away to the holy temple, in 
 which the ransomed of the Lord shall gather at Jesus' 
 feet, to part no more. 
 
 'May the glory of the latter house be greater than 
 that of the former, and may the blessing of God ever 
 rest upon you and your pastor, dearly beloved, making 
 you glad according to the days wherein you have seen 
 evil !' 
 
 And now let us unite in saying: 
 
 'Let the beauty of the Lord, our God, be upon us 
 and establish thou the work of our hands upon us, yea, 
 the work of our hands establish thou it. Amen.' 
 
 In tender love and in blessed hope, your former 
 pastor, Robert F. Sample." 
 
 Rev. D. J. Burrell wrote to the members of his for- 
 mer congregation in the same way that he would have 
 spoken to them, had he been present. He said: 
 
 "Dear Mr. Thompson: — I want to express through 
 you, as clerk of the session, my deep interest in the 
 laying of the corner stone. My heart will be with 
 you on that occasion, and my prayers will mingle with 
 yours. May the prophecy of Haggai be fulfilled; 
 'The glory of the latter house shall be greater than 
 the former; and in this place will I give peace, saith 
 the Lord of Hosts.' God grant that all, who minister 
 in this tabernacle, may set forth in simplicity and with 
 power the faith once delivered to the saints. God 
 
75 
 
 grant that all, who hearken, may receive with glad- 
 ness the unsearchable riches of the gospel of Christ. 
 In due time may the Lord fill His temple with His 
 glory and, by baptism of His spirit, make it worthy to 
 be called the house of God. 
 
 "You want a word from me to place in the corner 
 stone of the new Church. May I give you Matthew 16, 
 16-18, with an exposition: 'And Simon Peter said, 
 Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And 
 Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are thou, 
 Simon Barjona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed 
 it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. But 
 I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon 
 this rock I will build my Church ; and the gates of hell 
 shall not prevail against it.' 
 
 "With prayerful greetings to all the dear people of 
 Westminster Churchy I am, 
 
 Most sincerely yours, 
 
 David James Burrell." 
 
 The work upon the new building was prosecuted 
 with vigor. The members of the building committee 
 are deserving of great credit for the fidelity and care, 
 with which they discharged the duties laid upon them. 
 They had been instructed to erect, and completely fur- 
 nish, the best possible building that could be secured 
 with the proceeds of the insurance on the old church 
 and the moneys realized from the sale of the old lot. 
 
76 
 
 They were so successful in the discharge of this duty, 
 that they were able to turn over to the trustees, at the 
 dedication of the new chur-ch, a building beautiful and 
 commodious in every respect, admirably adapted for 
 the uses of an active modern Church, and completely 
 equipped with everything necessary for successfully 
 carrying on the activities of the congregation. After 
 so doing they reported a balance of about $1700.00 in 
 the treasury to the credit of the building fund, with no 
 outstanding obligations. While every member of the 
 committee performed faithful and selfdenying labor 
 thereon, yet all agree that especial credit is due to El- 
 der William M. Tenney. He visited the building near- 
 ly every day during the erection, and personally in- 
 spected nearly all of the material and labor which en- 
 tered into its construction. 
 
 It is greatly to the credit of the congregation and a 
 tribute to the ability and faithfulness of pastor and offi- 
 cers to be able to record, that, in spite of the great dis- 
 advantages under which the work and services of the 
 Church were carried on during the erection of the new 
 building, the membership continued to increase though 
 slowly; all the missionary and benevolent work was 
 maintained with vigor; not a contributor to the cur- 
 rent expenses of the church was lost ; and only five per- 
 sons transferred their membership to other churches, 
 for any reasons growing out of the destruction of the 
 church. 
 
77 
 
 The work upon the new building progressed rapid- 
 ly, so that the chapel could be occupied by the 4th of 
 March, 1897. Upon the evening of that day, the con- 
 gregation met for the first time in the new chapel for 
 their mid-week prayer meeting. From this time on 
 all of the services of the Church were held in the new 
 building. 
 
 On November 7, 1897, the first service was held in 
 the main auditorium; and on February 4th, 1898, the 
 organ was completed and was then opened by Mr. Al- 
 exander Guilmant, organist of la Trinite Cathedral, 
 Paris. 
 
 The dedicatory exercises of the new church, were 
 held during the week beginning February 13, 1899. 
 Two former pastors, Dr. Sample and Dr. Burrell, were 
 present and took part in the services. The dedicatory 
 sermon was preached by the pastor. Dr. Hunter. The 
 pastors of neighboring churches, of our own and other 
 denominations, also assisted in the delightful services, 
 which were largely attended, not only by our own 
 people but also by the members of other churches. 
 
 The religious and benevolent work of the Church 
 was now resumed with new zeal and great success. 
 God signally blessed the services, both in the home 
 Church and in her chapels. 
 
 In May, 1899, Westminster Church had the honor 
 of entertaining, for the second time, the General As- 
 sembly. The Assembly of 1886, which had met in the 
 
78 
 
 old church on Seventh Street, was, in a sense, the guest 
 of the whole Presbyter}^ of St. Paul ; while the Assem- 
 bly of 1899 met, owing to a peculiar combination of cir- 
 cumstances, upon the invitation and as the guest of 
 Westminster Church alone. The work of arranging 
 and entertaining this great body was planned and car- 
 ried out by the Clerk of the Session, ably assisted by 
 other officers of the Church and especially by Elder J. 
 R. Gordon and by Elder J. C. Hall of the First Presby- 
 terian Church. It was practically the unanimous 
 judgment of the officers of and commissioners to the 
 Assembly, that the body had never met in a building 
 more beautiful or better adapted for such a purpose; 
 and that the arrangements had never been more per- 
 fect or the entertainment more delightful. It was a 
 great joy to Dr. Sample and to his former parishioners, 
 to have him elected Moderator of this Assembly. 
 
 The pastoral relation of Rev. Pleasant Hunter, D. D., 
 to this Church was terminated, of his own volition, in 
 1900. On January 15th, he read to the congregation 
 his letter of resignation, which was presented to the 
 Session at their meeting on the following evening. 
 
 The letter was so tender and beautiful, and tells so 
 clearly the reasons, which actuated him to take the 
 step, that it is here given in full. 
 
79 
 
 "Minneapolis, Minn., Jan. 14, 1900. 
 Westminster Presbyterian Church, 
 Beloved Brethren: 
 When ordained to the ministry in 1883, I resolved 
 upon a rest of at least a twelve month after fifteen 
 years' service. Had not our church on Seventh Street 
 burned, I should have carried out this plan in the fall 
 of '98. But, having come so recently into our new 
 home, it seemed a duty to wait another year. When 
 planning for vacation last summer, I intended leaving 
 in November or December; hence, as you remember, 
 was absent from my pulpit but one month. Ere the 
 season passed, however, I made another slight change 
 because feeling that it would not be right to go at the 
 beginning of the year's work. My present plan is to 
 make a European trip just as soon as a successor can 
 be found, provided it be not later than Sept. 1. At an 
 early meeting of Presbytery, I shall resign the pastor- 
 ate of this church, and ask you to unite with me in the 
 request that such resignation be accepted. No one 
 here knows what it costs to take this step. I love this 
 Church so intensely, that to withdraw from it seems 
 like giving up a part of my life. Were it not for the 
 conviction that rest, such as I contemplate, will put 
 me in a better condition for the work of the years re- 
 maining, I would not think of leaving you. No pastor 
 ever received support more loyal or friendship more 
 devoted than you have given me. For nearly two 
 
80 
 
 years we were without a home, compelled to worship 
 under very unfavorable conditions. The way this 
 Church held together during that time, I shall never 
 cease to think of with admiration. It is only the few 
 who have such pleasant memories as are mine. Seven 
 years and three months of a harmonious relation I have 
 never seen excelled, is a record quite as honoring to 
 you as gratifying to me. The noble men of the Ses- 
 sion have not only seconded heartily every proposi- 
 tion made, but have shown such a thoughtful and fra- 
 ternal spirit that I cannot but bear witness to it in this 
 public manner. The Trustees and Deacons have been 
 equally ready to do all they could, to make pleasant my 
 stay and successful my work. I thank you for all the 
 confidence, kindness and love received. The years 
 spent in Westminster Church have been among the 
 happiest of my life, and time has nothing to offer 
 which I shall so much appreciate as the warm Chris- 
 tian friendships here formed. I sincerely hope that 
 you will begin at once the work of procuring a suc- 
 cessor. Nothing would be more pleasing than to give 
 such the right hand of fellowship before I go. Again 
 thanking you, and with the earnest prayer that all 
 spiritual good ma}^ be yours in largest measure, I am, 
 Affectionately your pastor, 
 
 Pleasant Hunter." 
 
81 
 
 The remarks made by the pastor, after reading this 
 letter, and his statements to members of the Session, 
 who called upon him regarding the matter, showed 
 that the step had not been taken without the most 
 careful and prayerful deliberation; and that nothing 
 could be done to change his decision, and that the only 
 thing proper to be done in the matter was to join in 
 the petition to Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral re- 
 lation, thus making the parting as painless as possible. 
 Session therefore called a congregational meeting to be 
 held on January 25th, to consider the resignation and 
 to take action thereon. 
 
 At the meeting so held the following resolution was 
 adopted, after remarks from a number of speakers, ex- 
 pressive of esteem for the pastor and sorrow at losing 
 him. 
 
 "Whereas, Rev. Pleasant Hunter, D. D., has formal- 
 ly presented his resignation as pastor of this Church, 
 and has asked the congregation to accept the same, 
 and to join with him in a request to the Presbytery of 
 Minneapolis to dissolve the pastoral relation existing 
 between him and the Church; 
 
 "And whereas, he has, in his public resignation and 
 private conversation, assured the congregation and 
 members thereof that his resignation was presented 
 solely because he needed a year or longer of complete 
 rest, which he could not obtain without being entirely 
 relieved of both pastoral duties and pastoral responsi- 
 bilities ; 
 
82 
 
 "And whereas, though we regret deeply the neces- 
 sity for the dissolution of this relationship, which has 
 been, under the Divine blessing, full of pleasure and 
 spiritual profit to this people and of great blessing not 
 only to this Church but also the community in which 
 we live, we ^T^et believe it our duty, under the circum- 
 stances, to grant his request ; 
 
 "Be it resolved that this congregation, with great 
 reluctance, accepts the resignation of our Pastor, Rev, 
 Pleasant Hunter, said resignation to take effect as of 
 September first, 1900 ; and that we join with him in a 
 request to the Presbytery of Minneapolis to dissolve 
 the pastoral relation existing between us." 
 
 Presbytery, after considering the matter, at its April 
 meeting voted to dissolve the pastoral relation; and 
 the pulpit was declared vacant on the first Sabbath of 
 July following. 
 
 At the meeting of the congregation, at which Dr. 
 Hunter's resignation was accepted, a committee was 
 chosen to select his successor. 
 
 The committee was composed of Elders S. A. Harris, 
 J. R. Gordon, and C. T. Thompson, elected by the Ses- 
 sion; Trustees E. L. Carpenter, J. S. Porteous and H. 
 C. Akeley, elected by the Board of Trustees and F. B. 
 Daniels, James Paige and L. K. Thompson, elected by 
 the congregation. This committee organized by the 
 election of Elder C. T. Thompson as Chairman. It 
 proceeded diligently to search for some one, who could 
 
83 
 
 worthily succeed Dr. Hunter and who was available 
 for the position. The members of the committee de- 
 voted a great deal of time and attention to the matter, 
 but without success, as no one could be found, upon 
 whom the committee could unanimously agree. On 
 the 12th day of November, 1900, the committee re- 
 ported, through the Chairman, to the Session of the 
 Church, that it could not agree, and that it would be 
 better to secure for the pulpit a stated supply for three 
 months or more. Acting upon this suggestion. Rev. 
 John E. Bushnell, D. D., who had recently resigned 
 the pastorate of Phillips Memorial Presbyterian 
 Church of New York City, was invited to fill the pul- 
 pit of the church for three months. 
 
 The invitation was accepted, but not until the Ses- 
 sion and Dr. Bushnell had entered into a definite mu- 
 tual understanding, that he was not coming as a can- 
 didate for the pastorate and that he was not consid- 
 ered by the pastoral committee in that light. The 
 sequel to this understanding illustrates the truth of 
 the proverb, "Man proposes, but God disposes." 
 
 Dr. Bushnell stood in the pulpit of this church for 
 the first time in December, 1900. He was a stranger 
 to us; he had not yet a personal friend and hardly 
 even an acquaintance in the congregation. The first 
 words of greeting uttered by him won for him many 
 friends, andj before he had been with us for three 
 weeks, there was an almost universal demand from the 
 congregation that he be chosen our pastor. 
 
84 
 
 While the members of the pastoral committee also 
 shared in the admiration for him and for his preach- 
 ing, it was yet thought to be wiser to defer action for 
 a time. After three weeks more the Session, at the 
 request of the pastoral committee, called a meeting of 
 the congregation to hear the committee's report. The 
 meeting was held on January 21st, 1901, and the re- 
 port, recommending that a call to the pastorate be 
 given to John E. Bushnell, D. D., was unanimously 
 adopted. 
 
 The circumstances attending the call of Dr. Bush- 
 nell were so unique and so evidently providential, that 
 the Session ordered their Clerk to prepare a historical 
 memorandum thereof to incorporate in the Session's 
 minutes. The memorandum, so prepared and adopted 
 is as follows: 
 
 On January 21st, 1901, while the meeting of the con- 
 gregation of Westminster Church was being held in 
 the lecture room to consider the report of the pastoral 
 committee, the Presbytery of Minneapolis was holding 
 an adjourned meeting in an adjoining room in West- 
 minster Church. The Moderator of the Presbytery 
 was Elder Charles T. Thompson, who was also Chair- 
 man of the Pastoral Committee. One of the first 
 items transacted at this adjourned meeting was the 
 reception of Rev. John E. Bushnell as a member of 
 Presbytery, upon a certificate of dismission from the 
 Presbytery of New York. 
 
85 
 
 After the congregation had imanimoiisly voted to ac- 
 cept the Committee's report, and extend the call to 
 Dr. Bushnell, the formal call, which had been already- 
 drawn Tip, was attested by the Moderator and signed 
 by the Committee appointed to prosecute the call. 
 
 The committee went with it before Presbyter\% 
 which was still in session. Dr. Bushnell, who was at 
 the Hotel Berkley where he was boarding, was sum- 
 moned to the Presbytery by messenger. Upon his ar- 
 rival the Committee from the congregation placed the 
 call in the hands of Presbyter}\ After being read, it 
 was found to be in order and was placed by the Mod- 
 erator of the Presbytery in the hands of Dr. Bushnell, 
 who at once signified his acceptance thereof. The 
 Presbytery then appointed its Moderator, Charles T. 
 Thompson and the pastor-elect the committee of ar- 
 rangements for the installation, with authority to as- 
 sign the parts, fix the date and report at a future meet- 
 ing of Presbytery. 
 
 In the meantime the congregation was still waiting 
 in the lecture room, whither the pastor-elect with the 
 members of the committee proceeded. As they en- 
 tered the room, the congregation rose and sang the 
 doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." 
 
 The service was closed by Dr. Bushnell with a few 
 earnest, loving and very appropriate remarks and with 
 the benediction. 
 
 The Committee of arrangements for the installation 
 
86 
 
 assigned to Rev. Henry E. Bushnell of LaGrange, 
 111., the brother of the pastor-elect, the sermon, and 
 fixed February 6th as the date for the installation. A 
 meeting of Presbytery was duly called for that date. 
 
 Unfortunately the installation could not be carried 
 out at the date so fixed, for the pastor-elect was, on 
 February 4th, called to Saybrook, Connecticut, by the 
 sudden and fatal illness of his father. He left on Mon- 
 day, February 4th, arriving at Saybrook on Wednes- 
 day the 6th, too late to see his father alive, as he had 
 entered into rest on the day previous to his son's ar- 
 rival. 
 
 In the meantime, the called meeting of Presbytery 
 was held at the time and place appointed and adopted 
 the report of the Committee of arrangements. The 
 members of the Presbytery, who had been assigned 
 parts, were appointed a committee to install the pas- 
 tor. Dr. Bushnell, with his family, arrived in Minne- 
 apolis on March 1st, 1901. On March 6th, John E. 
 Bushnell, D. D., was duly installed as Pastor of West- 
 minster Presbyterian Church of Minneapolis. 
 
 The pastoral relation thus created, has continued 
 until now and has been full of happiness and blessing 
 to both pastor and people. Under it, the Church has 
 continued to grow in membership and in influence; 
 and it has carried on its religious and benevolent work 
 with efficiency and vigor. The love and devotion of 
 the congregation for their pastor has constantly in- 
 
87 
 
 creased and he has won for himself the respect and 
 love of multitudes outside of his own congregation. 
 
 Several notable events in the life of the Church have 
 occurred during the last five years. One of those was 
 the action taken by Mr. Allen Hill, at the annual meet- 
 ing of the congregation held in April, 1901. After 
 having served most efficiently as a trustee, and as the 
 Secretary of that Board, for twenty-seven years, he de- 
 clined the re-election, which was tendered him at said 
 meeting. This was done solely for the reason that 
 Mr. Hill contemplated being absent from the city dur- 
 ing the following winter, and probably in every winter 
 during the remainder of his life. His decision in the 
 matter was accepted by the congregation with great 
 reluctance, and the thanks of the members were ten- 
 dered him for his long and efficient service. 
 
 Another, which caused, for a time, great distress 
 to the people and confusion in the work of the 
 Church, was the partial destruction of the main audi- 
 torium by a cyclone on the night of the 20th day of 
 August, 1904. The storm tore loose from the walls 
 two pinnacles, composed of solid masonry, and hurled 
 them through the roof, carrying down into the cellar 
 the gallery on the Nicollet Avenue side and the vesti- 
 bule thereunder. By reason of this disaster the con- 
 gregation was compelled to worship in the lecture 
 room for about three months. The cost of repairing 
 the damage amounted to about $12,000.00. 
 
Special mention should also be here made of the 
 liberality of our people, during these recent years, in 
 providing" the funds with which to build the new Hope 
 Chapel, and to pay the debt on Oliver Church and to 
 assist other weaker churches in erecting for them- 
 selves houses of worship. This is referred to in an- 
 other chapter also. These offerings w^ere made as our 
 contribution to the 20th Century Memorial fund. 
 
 Another event of great interest was the participation 
 of the Church in the simultaneous campaign, under the 
 leadership of J. Wilber Chapman, D. D. This cam- 
 paign began in November, 1905, and continued for live 
 weeks. Westminster Church was selected by the 
 Committee in charge as the central church for the 
 movement, and in it Dr. Chapman preached nightly to 
 large audiences. In the six months immediately fol- 
 lowing these services, partly as a result thereof and 
 largely also as a result of the faithful pastoral ser- 
 vices which had preceded and which accompanied and 
 followed them, there were received into the Church 
 upon confession of faith, two hundred and five per- 
 sons, by far the largest number thus received in any 
 one year, in the history of the Church. The highest 
 tribute which can be paid to the work of Dr. Chapman 
 and his co-laborers, is to bear testimony to its lasting 
 quality and to the good sense and tact which charac- 
 terized it. While this great movement interrupted 
 for many weeks the regular work of the Church, yet 
 
First Church Edifice, 
 Fourth Street between Nicollet and Hennepin. As it Appeared When First 
 
 Erected 
 
89 
 
 that work was at once resumed after the evangelists 
 had left us, without friction and without any spiritual 
 relapse, such as often follows such special movements. 
 Since then, the Church has enjoyed as it had constant- 
 ly enjoyed prior to that time, a quiet and effective 
 work of grace. 
 
 The last special matter which need be mentioned in 
 this connection, was the organization of a men's so- 
 ciety for aggressive Christian work. This was organ- 
 ized in March, 1907, and immediately became affiliated 
 with the National Presbyterian Brotherhood. The 
 officers of the Church hope for, and expect, great as- 
 sistance from this body in future years. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 TKHeBtminster Cburcb in tbe Mork of Gburcb 
 Extension ot Cit^ Bvanoelisation. 
 
 The history of Westminster Church in city mission 
 work is comparatively brief. The present activity be- 
 gan in 1882, although Westminster had become the 
 mother of two missions, which had developed into fully 
 organized churches, prior to that date. 
 
 In 1879 there was a little, white Mission Chapel on 
 Western Avenue, near the Cedar Lake road. The 
 chapel was owned and had been built by this Church 
 in 1873. It was our Western Avenue Mission. In 
 1879 that Mission was organized into the Fifth Pres- 
 byterian Church of Minneapolis. In January, 1873, 
 Judge Vanderburgh, who was then an elder in this 
 Church, organized and became superintendent of a 
 Mission School on Franklin Avenue, in what was then 
 the extreme southern part of the city. Some years 
 later the Trustees of Westminster Church bought from 
 the First Presbyterian Church, which had moved from 
 the corner of First Avenue South and Eighth Street to 
 the corner of Park Avenue and Tenth Street, their 
 property on First Avenue. Upon this stood a little 
 frame church building, which was given in 1875 to the 
 
91 
 
 Mission on Franklin Avenue and moved to the lot given 
 by Rev. Mr. Jackson, since deceased, for the Mission. 
 The Mission was organized as Franklin Avenue Pres- 
 byterian Church, December 31, 1875, and that Church 
 continued, until very recent years, to worship in the 
 same building which was then given to it by this 
 Church, but which had been, of course, greatly en- 
 larged. 
 
 After establishing these two Missions, this Church 
 was wholly inactive in city mission work until the 
 winter of 1881-82. The organization of Hope Mission 
 was due to the faithful labors of a layman, Mr. E. F. 
 Pomeroy, who subsequently became one of our most 
 honored elders, and the memory of whose useful. God- 
 ly life is still a benediction to those who knew him. It 
 began with a little Sabbath school in a deserted store 
 building, located on Second Street about where the 
 Northern Pacific freight house now stands. Mr. Pom- 
 eroy was aided in his work by Messrs. George H. 
 Miller and Mr. W. F. Rodgers. 
 
 The following extracts from the minutes of session 
 meetings explain themselves: 
 
 "January 4, 1882. Mr. E. F. Pomeroy appeared be- 
 fore Session and stated that he had found a suitable 
 location and building for establishing a Mission School 
 in the northern part of the city, and asked Session to 
 sanction the establishment of a school there under the 
 auspices of this Church. Such sanction was gladly 
 
92 
 
 given." This mission was named by its founder 
 "Hope." 
 
 On March 6, 1882, the following minutes appear: 
 "The interests of Hope Mission were discussed and also 
 the practicability of establishing a new mission in the 
 southern part of the city." 
 
 On June 1, 1882, the Session ordered the first col- 
 lection for Hope Mission, 
 
 About this time the land, on which was located the 
 little store in which the Mission met, was sold to the 
 Northern Pacific Company, and the Mission was com- 
 pelled to seek another location. Lots were purchased 
 on the corner of Third Street and Ninth Avenue North 
 by seven members of our Church, viz. George H. 
 Miller, T. B. Janney, A. R. Miller, T. A. Sammis, H. 
 G. Sidle, Wm. M. Tenney and Charles T. Thomp- 
 son; a little unused frame church was bought and 
 moved on to the lots and the Mission entered upon 
 a new career of prosperity. Before many years, this 
 Church was outgrown and a large brick chapel was 
 built. The gentlemen just named contributed them- 
 selves liberally for its erection, raised some money by 
 personal solicitation, and secured the rest by giving 
 their note, secured by mortgage. 
 
 In 1889 the Trustees of the Church, acting under 
 authority of a resolution of the congregation, accepted 
 a conveyance of the title to this property, assuming 
 and agreeing to pay the mortgage thereon. Soon after 
 
93 
 
 the year 1900 the whole character of the neighborhood 
 around the Chapel began to change rapidly. The fam- 
 ilies, from which its constituency was drawn, were 
 crowded out by the gradual increase of the railroad 
 yards, and also by an influx of Russian Jews, who 
 would neither attend, nor permit their children to at- 
 tend, Sabbath School or preaching services. 
 
 For these reasons a new and more favorable location 
 was sought. Services were held from September, 
 1902, to December, 1903, in Independent Order of For- 
 esters' Hall, 2011-3017 Washington Avenue North. In 
 1903 a large lot on Washington Avenue North, between 
 Nineteenth and Twentieth Avenues, was purchased. 
 Upon this, a large and beautiful chapel was erected at 
 a. cost of about $20,000.00, which was dedicated De- 
 cember 20th, 1903, and is now occupied for mission 
 purposes. 
 
 On June 12, 1882, Elder Charles T. Thompson was 
 approached by a Mr. Marsh, a member of Plymouth 
 Church, who said, "I own a little chapel on the flats on 
 the river bank among the Bohemians and Scandina- 
 vians. It has cost me about $160.00. I cannot get 
 Plymouth Church to take up the work or take any in- 
 terest in it. Among my seven teachers are three from 
 Westminster Church. Won't you buy the building 
 and carry on the work?" 
 
 Mr. Thompson bought the building the same day, a 
 bill of sale being taken to the Trustees of Westminster; 
 
94 
 
 and the work was soon adopted by the Session. Mr. 
 A. J. Condit became the first Superintendent, and he 
 continued to serve in that capacity for many years 
 thereafter. 
 
 The funny little building, purchased from Mr. 
 Marsh, was soon outgrown, although it was twice en- 
 larged; then a new building nearer to the top of the 
 bluff was built. This in time was outgrown, and the 
 present commodious chapel was erected on the corner 
 of Twentieth Avenue South and Two and One Half 
 Street. This building has been since remodeled and 
 greatly improved. 
 
 To Mrs. Mary Stuart, now deceased, who united 
 with Westminster Church in 1867, belonged the honor 
 of providing a large part of the funds for the erection 
 of the present Riverside Chapel. By her last will and 
 testament, which took effect through her decease, only 
 a few weeks after its execution, she gave to the Church 
 the sum of $5,000.00, to be used under the direction of 
 Session, for the erection of a chapel to be always un- 
 der the control of Westminster Church. The pro- 
 ceeds of this legacy were used in erecting the new 
 building at Riverside. 
 
 Farview Mission was organized in 1888 by work- 
 ers from this Church. The work was first carried on 
 in a small house on Third Street, near Twenty-sixth 
 Avenue North. Having soon outgrown its accommo- 
 dations, the lots on the corner of Twenty-sixth Ave- 
 
95 
 
 nue North and Sixth Street, opposite Farview Park, 
 were selected and purchased by George H. Miller, 
 Allen Hill, Wm. M. Tenney, T. B. Janney and C. T. 
 Thompson, most of whom had also aided in the pur- 
 chase of the land for Hope Chapel, and the little build- 
 ing, which Hope Mission had outgrown, was moved 
 upon the lots. This chapel was several times enlarged 
 and a successful work was there carried on for many 
 years. The Mission was, on the 22nd day of October, 
 1900, officially given up by this Church out of a spirit 
 of comity for a neighboring Presbyterian Church, 
 Highland Park, which thought that Westminster was, 
 by the work in Farview Chapel, encroaching upon 
 the field belonging to Highland Park. The property 
 was afterward sold by the Trustees, and the money re- 
 ceived therefrom was used to assist in saving the prop- 
 erty of Oliver Presbyterian Church from loss under 
 foreclosure of mortgage. 
 
 Elim Presbyterian Church, while not now under the 
 charge of the Session of this Church, is yet one of her 
 children. We took up the field in 1891, after it had 
 been abandoned by two other of our Presbyterian 
 Churches. We sustained Rev. Mr. Benson in his faith- 
 ful labors there and furnished him Charles S. Cairns, 
 now one of our most efficient Elders, but then one of 
 our Deacons, as Superintendent of the Sabbath School. 
 The Mission was organized into an independent 
 Church, contrary to the better judgment of our Ses- 
 
96 
 
 sion. Nevertheless, Westminster has ever since con- 
 tinued to contribute to the support of the work there ; 
 and has contributed largely, also, to the cost of erect- 
 ing for it a new house of worship. 
 
 The mission work of our Church has not been con- 
 fined to the four fields above mentioned. 
 
 In 1882 there was organized a committee of business 
 men, composed of six laymen, George Blake, David 
 Blake, George H. Miller, A. R. Miller, Wm. M. Tenney 
 and Charles T. Thompson from this Church and two, 
 J. C, Whitney and EU Torrance, from the First Pres- 
 byterian Church. It was self appointed and called it- 
 self "The Business Men's Committee of the Presbyte- 
 rian Church." It was organized because there seemed 
 to be a work necessary to be done, and neither the min- 
 isters of this city nor the Presbytery of St. Paul could 
 be aroused to do it. The committee continued in ex- 
 istence for about one year, when it transferred its 
 work to the Presbyterian Alliance. In the year of its 
 existence it founded the following Churches, or the 
 Sabbath Schools out of which the Churches have 
 grown, viz: Highland Park, Bethlehem, Bloomington 
 Avenue, (now Oliver) Merriam Park, the Mission 
 which has grown into Stewart Memorial Church, Shi- 
 loh Church and Lyndale Mission, the organization 
 of which was especially due to the work of Elder Ten- 
 ney. This Mission was afterwards given over to the 
 Congregational Church, by the Superintendent placed 
 
97 
 
 over it by the Committee, without the consent or pre- 
 vious knowledge of the Committee. It is now Lyn- 
 dale Congregational Church. The support and control 
 of Bethlehem Mission, which was organized in 1883, 
 was assumed by Westminster Church, until it was or- 
 ganized by Presbytery as an independent Church in 
 1884. 
 
 While Oliver Church (first called Bloomington Ave- 
 nue Church) was organized by this business men's 
 committee, and it was never under our control as a 
 mission, 3'et, it can truly be said, that she owes her 
 present existence largely to Westminster Church. Our 
 members contributed a very large part of the cost of 
 erecting its first building. When the present building 
 was to be erected, in response to an appeal from this 
 pulpit, our members generally contributed nearly five 
 thousand dollars for that purpose, while Mrs. Sarah E. 
 Oliver, as her contribution, gave real and personal 
 property, from which the trustees of Oliver Church 
 realized nearly $25,000.00. 
 
 The history of the founding of Highland Park 
 Church is interesting. One Saturday evening, the 
 Committee decided that there should be a Church in 
 the Highland Park neighborhood. We had no church 
 building, no lot, no congregation. The members of 
 the committee themselves contributed $1100.00 at 
 once. In two weeks from the next day, they had lots 
 bought and largely paid for, a church which cost $900 
 
98 
 
 completed, a congregation of seventy worshipping in 
 it and a minister in charge of the field. The work of 
 establishing Merriam Park Church and erecting for it 
 a building, was nearly as rapid, the time occupied in 
 so doing being about four weeks. 
 
 Of late years, no new enterprises have been started 
 by us ; but our work has been along the line of estab- 
 lishing and strengthening the missions and the feebler 
 Churches of the city. 
 
 During the last six years, Westminster Church has 
 erected the new Hope Chapel building; it has paid 
 nearly $20,000.00 of indebtedness on Oliver Presby- 
 terian Church, thus saving its property from loss under 
 mortgage foreclosure; it has also paid a large part of 
 the indebtedness on House of Faith Presbyterian 
 Church ; and it has largely assisted in the erection or 
 enlargement of houses of worship for the Bethany, 
 Bethlehem, Grace and Shiloh Presbyterian Churches. 
 Besides this, she has aided, in the same way, many 
 weak Churches throughout the State ; and has paid for 
 many years one-half of the yearly disbursements of the 
 City Mission Committee of Minneapolis Presbytery 
 and a considerable part of the salary of the Pastor at 
 Large of St. Cloud Presbytery. The tabulated state- 
 ment of church finances and benevolences will tell bet- 
 ter the story, of what has been done along those lines. 
 The work done by the Women's Societies is given in 
 a separate chapter. 
 
99 
 
 So much for the history of our mission work. How 
 about the results? If you want to see the results of 
 our work in city missions, you have but to look 
 around. That galaxy of active churches, Fifth, Frank- 
 lin Avenue, Highland Park, Bethlehem, Stewart Me- 
 morial, Oliver, Elim, Merriam Park and Shiloh speak 
 for themselves. No one can begrudge the time and 
 money spent in starting them. As for our two Mis- 
 sions which are our joy and our pride, Hope and Riv- 
 erside, eveiyone who knows anything about them, will 
 join in saying that they more than pay. The history 
 of these Missions is known throughout the Presbyte- 
 rian Church in this country. In both of these we 
 have a consecrated, settled pastor, and there conduct 
 evangelistic services. Sabbath Schools and prayer 
 meetings, all of which are well attended; and in both 
 we have a regular congregation calling the chapel 
 its Church home, and in both many are converted to 
 Christ and welcomed into the Church. 
 
 In them also, the ladies of our City Mission Society 
 are reaching out to save the young, before they have 
 had their minds and hearts filled with evil, through 
 the Christian Kindergarten and Industrial School ; and 
 are carrying on many other forms of benevolent and 
 Christian work. 
 
 Statistics are uninteresting, but they are often con- 
 vincing. In these Missions an army of fully 200 con- 
 secrated men and women from this congregation are 
 
100 
 
 working faithfull}^ as missionaries, officers and teach- 
 ers. Through them we are reaching, weekly, an aver- 
 age of 1500 children in the Sabbath Schools and near- 
 ly 300 in the Kindergarten and Industrial Schools. We 
 are also reaching, in the Sabbath evangelistic services 
 and the prayer meetings, a multitude of adults and 
 young people. 
 
 The history of the mission work of this Church is 
 an honorable one, and we are justified in taking pride 
 in it. There are few churches, if any, of any denomina- 
 tion, in this land or any other, of which it can be said, 
 as it can of this dear Church, that she is the mother of 
 five Churches and three large Missions, and that she 
 has been the largest instrumentality in establishing six 
 other Churches; and all this has been accomplished in 
 a period of about twenty-five years. There are few 
 Churches which are blessed with such an army of ac- 
 tive Christian workers, as we send out to these Mis- 
 sions. 
 
 Our history in this respect is honorable ; but we hope 
 for greater things in years to come. 
 
 An account of the work of this Church in city mis- 
 sions would not be complete without some reference to 
 those, who have been especially active and efficient in 
 that work. No mention is made here of the good 
 women who have worked through their own society, 
 as an inspiring account of their work is given in an- 
 other chapter. It would not be possible to speak of 
 
101 
 
 all who have aided greatly to make this work a suc- 
 cess ; there are so many, who have labored long and 
 successfully, that it is difficult to mention some and 
 omit others; but there are some who should be men- 
 tioned in this connection. 
 
 In the earliest years of our city mission history, we 
 had Charles E. Vanderburgh working faithfully at 
 Franklin Avenue Mission, and Samuel M. AVilliams at 
 Western Avenue Alission. 
 
 In the earlier years of Hope Mission, we had the 
 sainted Pomeroy, with the 3ililler Brothers, T. A. Sam- 
 mis and others; Piatt W. Lyon has also done splendid 
 work there and also at FarvieAv, but the one who has 
 been above all others self-denying and efficient in the 
 work of the Chapel is James Paige, who, in earlier 
 years, did a good work also in Riverside. At the pres- 
 ent time also Elder J. R. Gordon is giving a great 
 amount of personal time and attention to this work, 
 especially in connection with the Sabbath evening ser- 
 vice. 
 
 At Farview we had H. B. Gardner and his family, 
 who held the work together through many trying 
 days. 
 
 At Riverside we can only mention A. J. Condit, its 
 first Superintendent, and the saintly S. P. Farrington, 
 Franc B. Daniels, Miss M. Eva Mclntyre and Miss 
 Jean Hamilton, all of whom did such a splendid work 
 in earlier days; and in later days James Paige, J. R. 
 
102 
 
 Gordon, L. K. Thompson, R. E. Esterl)'-, R. G. Morri- 
 son, C. V. Smith, C. B. Brooks, George E. Murphy and 
 others. Especial praise is due to the splendid, self-de- 
 nying work of Miss Ellen Mather, and to the long con- 
 tinued and valuable services of J. Edward Smith and 
 of Robert G. Morrison. While declining to accept the 
 office of Superintendent, which was often tendered to 
 him, Mr. Morrison served for many years as Assistant 
 Superintendent. A large share of the credit for the 
 work done at Riverside, is due to him. No reference 
 is here made to the pastors at the Chapels, as they are 
 mentioned in another chapter. 
 
 The following minute, adopted by Session in May, 
 1904, outlines clearly what has been done, and what we 
 hope to do, through the work at Hope and Riverside 
 Chapels : 
 
 "In view of the fact that the City Mission work of 
 Westminster Presbyterian Church has grown to pro- 
 portions far beyond the expectation or thought of its 
 friends ; and especially in view of the diversified char- 
 acter of this work, the Session deems it wise to adopt 
 a minute setting forth its judgment and wishes regard- 
 ing the chapel property, the work to be there con- 
 ducted and the methods by which this work shall be 
 carried on. 
 
 This is done from the belief, that a definite under- 
 standing along these lines will make the labors of our 
 chapel officers and workers more efficient, and will pre- 
 
103 
 
 vent any confusion or misunderstanding among the 
 workers in the various departments. 
 
 The chapel work of this Church has been a gradual 
 development, since its feeble beginning in 1882. It 
 was instituted without any definite plans for the fu- 
 ture, but solely with a desire to accomplish as much 
 good as possible with the facilities at our disposal. 
 Many plans of work have been tried from time to time, 
 some of which have been successful and many of which 
 have proved to be failures. 
 
 In each field the attempt was made, under the direc- 
 tions of Presbytery, to organize and carry on an inde- 
 pendent Church ; but in both the attempt proved to be 
 a disastrous failure, and the work was again given over 
 by Presbytery to the Session of Westminster Church. 
 
 After years of experience and experiment, the Ses- 
 sion has adopted the policy here outlined, believing 
 that the experience of the past has clearly demonstrat- 
 ed the fact, that thereby the most good can be accom- 
 plished in the Master's name and for the greatest num- 
 ber. 
 
 1st. The work at the chapels is designed primarily 
 to reach the children and young people of the neighbor- 
 hoods, in which they are situated, and to educate them, 
 especially along religious and moral lines ; and, through 
 the agency of the Sabbath School, industrial school, 
 kindergarten and home visitation, to aid them to grow 
 up into useful and upright men and women, and finally 
 
104 
 
 to consecrate their lives to Christ. A large propor- 
 tion of those, who give so liberally for our chapel work, 
 do so primarily because they know that the work is of 
 this character. For these reasons the Session desires 
 that the work of the Sabbath School shall be magni- 
 fied, and that everything possible shall be done to make 
 it a success along the lines here indicated. 
 
 3nd, While the work indicated in the 1st article is, 
 because of the peculiar character of the fields, of pri- 
 mary importance, it is also the desire of Session that 
 the work of God shall be preached in the chapels with 
 fervency and power. While Session does not assume 
 to dictate to the pastors in those fields what or how 
 they shall preach, it yet deems it a duty to urge upon 
 them that the services be given, as far as possible, an 
 Evangelistic character, with a view to awakening all 
 who attend them to a realization of their need of a 
 Savior and leading them to accept Christ. 
 
 3rd. Session realizes that those converted in the 
 chapels and other Christians living in the neighbor- 
 hoods, who may desire to worship at the chapels, must 
 be given a church home. It, therefore, desires that at 
 them there may be provided all such religious, educa- 
 tional and social advantages and such pastoral over- 
 sight, as is possible under the circumstances. This is 
 done without any expectation that either field will ever 
 grow into an independent, self-governed. Church. In 
 order to give to those worshiping at the chapels such 
 
Pulpit of First Church Edifice, 
 Fourth Street, between Nicollet and Hennepin Avenues 
 
105 
 
 pastoral care and oversight, it is deemed very desir- 
 able that the pastors should reside near the chapels. 
 
 4th. In the conduct of this work the pastor, Sab- 
 bath School Superintendent, and the organization for 
 carrying on the industrial and kindergarten work are 
 responsible to and under the direct control of the Ses- 
 sion as a whole. In view of the magnitude of the 
 work, the care and cr\^ersight of the industrial and 
 kindergarten branches in both chapels has been dele- 
 gated to the Women's City Mission Society, and the 
 general chapel work has been delegated to two com- 
 mittees, each composed of six elders, one committee 
 for each chapel; the pastor of each chapel and the 
 Sabbath School Superintendent, if not a member of 
 Session, shall each be an advisory member of the com- 
 mittee for that chapel. 
 
 5th. It is an inflexible rule of Session that the 
 chapel work must be carried on without leaving an in- 
 debtedness to be carried over to the next year. The 
 raising of the necessary funds for this purpose makes 
 a serious demand upon the time and strength of the 
 finance committee of Session. It is, therefore, urged 
 that each committee make its preliminary estimates 
 for each year as carefully and conservatively as pos- 
 sible; and that the expenditures be kept within the es- 
 timates. To make this possible, it is necessary that 
 no bills be contracted by any chapel officer or worker, 
 without the previous authorization of the chapel com- 
 
106 
 
 mittee or of someone of its members delegated for that 
 purpose ; and that no bills be paid until audited by the 
 committee. 
 
 6th. While the title to the chapel property is vested 
 in the Board of Trustees of Westminster Church, the 
 care and oversight of the property has been by the 
 Board delegated to Session. Session in turn has dele- 
 gated it to the respective chapel committees. These 
 committees should determine, subject to final control 
 of the full Session, the character of the work and of 
 the services to be conducted in their respective chapels. 
 In view of the difficulty of securing a meeting of the 
 full committee to pass upon the various questions, 
 which may arise regarding the uses to which the prop- 
 erty shall be put, each committee should appoint one 
 of its members as chapel superintendent, with author- 
 ity to act upon such questions, when it would be im- 
 possible or very difficult to secure a meeting of the 
 -committee. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 TKHestminster ipastors**Hn Hpprecfation. 
 
 Few churches, if any, of this or any other land, have 
 been more signally blessed than has ours, in the men 
 who have been its pastors. The seal of divine ap- 
 proval has been set to the ministry of each. It is prop- 
 er to bear testimony, in this little history of our Church, 
 to the character, faithfulness and ability of all who 
 have held the pastoral office in this congregation. They 
 have all been men of God, wholly consecrated to their 
 high calling. They have been tender, loving and sym- 
 pathetic as pastors ; evangelical and sound in the faith ; 
 able and convincing as preachers ; always fearless to 
 denounce wickedness and error and to uphold the 
 truth ; they have been a comfort to their people in 
 sorrow and have rejoiced with them in their joys ; they 
 have been an aid to them in their spiritual doubts and 
 search after the light. They have inspired their peo- 
 ple with zeal in the Master's service; and they have 
 been, under God, a blessing not only to this people 
 but also to this City and to the State. A large share 
 of the success of this Church can be ascribed to the 
 blessing of God upon their ministries among us. 
 
 While these things can be said of them all, yet in 
 many respects they were very unlike. 
 
108 
 
 Of our first pastor, Rev. Robert Strong, Elder Louis 
 H. Williams, who knew him well, has left this record. 
 
 "He did a good work among us, not only in bringing 
 into the Church some of our most efficient members, 
 but also in developing a spirit of liberality and mis- 
 sionary zeal, that placed us among the front rank of 
 contributors to all the aggressive operations of our de- 
 nomination in the Northwest. Of him it may be said 
 truly, 'The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.' His 
 memory is still fragrant among us." 
 
 The second pastor of the Church, Air. Robert A. Con- 
 dit, occupied the pulpit for nearly three years, but 
 for only a year and nine months was he its pastor. 
 During the first year his salary was only at the rate of 
 $600.00 per annum, which was gradually increased, 
 until he was receiving at the rate of $1000.00 per an- 
 num during the latter part of his pastorate. In a pre- 
 ceding chapter some account has been given of the 
 progress of the Church under Mr. Condit's pastorate, 
 the data being taken from the historical sermon of Dr. 
 Sample. In that sermon we find the following addi- 
 tional statement; "He h retained in the warm affec- 
 tions of the Church, and the prayers of many have 
 followed him to that far land, which was rendered 
 sacred by the presence, work and sufferings of the 
 Great Teacher and the world's Redeemer." 
 
 On the 22nd day of October, 1905, the congregation 
 of this Church met, at the time of the usual morning 
 
109 
 
 service, to do honor to the memory of Robert F. Sam- 
 ple. On the 13th day of August, 1905, after a long 
 and useful life, he had entered into rest. 
 
 The Church was filled with those, who had known 
 him personally or had learned to honor him for what 
 they had heard of him. The great gathering was of it- 
 self a wonderful tribute to his memory, for nineteen 
 years had elapsed since Robert F. Sample had closed 
 his pastoral life among us; and yet, though so long a 
 time had elapsed, Westminster Church still felt so 
 strongly the influence of the great work done by him 
 for it and for the Master's service in connection with 
 it, that its members rejoiced at the opportunity of 
 bringing a tribute of honor to his memory. 
 
 No one who had known him personally, or who had 
 heard the story of the magnificent work done by him 
 for this Church and community, could fail to realize 
 the propriety of holding such a service. 
 
 Time works great changes. Those which had oc- 
 curred in the ministry in this state, since Dr. Sample 
 had finished his work in Minneapolis, had been so 
 great, that it had not been possible to secure mem- 
 bers of that honorable profession, who had known him 
 personally, to address us on that occasion. 
 
 The following tribute was paid to his memory by 
 this historian, whose privilege it had been to serve as a 
 ruling elder in the Church during his pastorate. 
 
 "Robert F. Sample was born in Corning, N. Y., in 
 
110 
 
 1828. He was educated at Washington and Jefferson 
 College, which has sent so many great and useful men 
 into the ministry of our denomination. He took his 
 Theological course at Western Theological Seminary 
 at Allegheny, that institution which has always been 
 characterized by the soundness of its orthodoxy. Hav- 
 ing been ordained to the ministry, he took his first 
 pastorate at Mercer, Pa., from which he went to Bed- 
 ford in the same state. He was called to the pastorate 
 of Westminster Church in February, 1868; preached 
 his first serman to his new charge, March 8, 1868 ; was 
 installed as pastor April 16, 1868 ; and resigned as pas- 
 tor October, 1886, the resignation taking effect Januar}'- 
 1, 1887. He came to Westminster Church with a mem- 
 bership of 106 ; he left it with a membership of about 
 900. 
 
 Under his pastorate, the old church on Fourth Street 
 was greatly enlarged ; and the brown stone church at 
 the corner of Seventh Street and Nicollet Avenue was 
 built and dedicated free of debt. 
 
 This is a very brief sketch of his life, up to the time 
 at which he left us ; the details must be supplied by the 
 loving memories of those who knew him. 
 
 During most of his ministry among us the good pas- 
 tor was suffering from the malady, hay fever, which 
 attacked him with great severity in August of every 
 year of his life, and which always left him with asthma. 
 Because of this, his delivery was slow and deliberate. 
 
HI 
 
 though sometimes he rose to magnificent bursts of 
 eloquence. But, whatever his delivery, no one could 
 sit for any length of time under his preaching without 
 realizing, that he was a sermonizer of unusual power 
 and ability. His style was classic. 
 
 In the Session he was always a man of prayer. All 
 who were privileged to sit in that body, while he was 
 pastor, will remember the earnest petitions sent up by 
 him to the throne of grace for God's blessing upon the 
 Church, for the salvation of those out of Christ, for 
 the higher Christian development of the members of 
 his flock, and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in 
 their deliberations. He was always wise in counsel; 
 a man of excellent judgment in devising plans and 
 measures for the highest good of his people. 
 
 He was ever courteous in his treatment of the rul- 
 ing elders, who shared with him the honor and respon- 
 sibility of the government of the Church. There were, 
 at times, differences of judgment as to the best course 
 to pursue in emergencies that had arisen; but, when 
 the judgment of the pastor was at variance with the 
 judgment of the majority of his elders, Dr. Sample ac- 
 quiesced courteously in the judgment of the majority. 
 
 He rose to his height, as a Christian minister, in his 
 pulpit work. In his theology, he belonged to the most 
 conservative school. This was to have been expected 
 from one trained in the college and seminary, in which 
 he was prepared for his life work. 
 
112 
 
 To some, he seemed too severe. This was not sur- 
 prising to those who knew him well; for how could 
 any one be other than severe, who had, as he had, such 
 an almost overpowering realization of the awfulness 
 of sin and of God's hatred of it. His preaching was 
 characterized by this intense hatred of sin, coupled 
 with a longing to have the sinner come to Christ. His 
 preaching, therefore, was always evangelical. There 
 never have been heard from any pulpit more tender 
 presentations of the love of God for the sinner and of 
 the offer of salvation through the merits of the sacri- 
 ficial death of Christ alone, than were presented by 
 him from the pulpit of this church. He stood always 
 and steadfastly for those great doctrines of our Church, 
 a sinner lost and needing a saviour; and salvation 
 through Jesus Christ alone. 
 
 The last characteristic of Dr. Sample's pulpit work, 
 which need be mentioned, is that in it he always hon- 
 ored the third person of the Trinity — the Holy Spirit. 
 He believed in His personality, presence and work; 
 always invoked His aid in his preaching and pastoral 
 work. There doubtless have been many greater pul- 
 pit orators in our denomination than he was, but none 
 could excel him in beauty of style, which with him was 
 classic ; or in convincing logic ; or in earnestness of de- 
 livery; or in the faithfulness with which he expounded 
 the word. 
 
 As a pastor, Dr. Sample was tender and sympathetic 
 
113 
 
 to a remarkable degree ; it was not strange that, when 
 he resigned his pastorate, there were many who felt 
 that one of the greatest sorrows of life had come upon 
 them and that they could never become reconciled to 
 it. 
 
 Dr. Sample's affection for this Church ceased only 
 with his departure to his higher reward. He was al- 
 ways delighted to come back to his old pulpit and to 
 send greetings to this congregation. In March, 1892, 
 the good ladies of the congregation arranged a delight- 
 ful birthday party, in honor of the thirty-first anniver- 
 sary of the dedication of our first church home. To 
 this celebration Dr. Sample sent this greeting. "No 
 friends are like the old friends. The pastor by the sea 
 sends loving greetings to the flock by the river. 1st 
 Thessolonians 2 :19 ; Romans 15 :33." 
 
 It would not be doing full justice to his work among 
 us, were we not to emphasize his tact and influence in 
 moulding the early life of this Church along denomi- 
 national lines. While Dr. Sample was never a narrow 
 sectarian and always placed Christian brotherhood far 
 above denominationalism, yet he dearly loved the Pres- 
 byterian Church, its doctrines and polity. He took a 
 feeble Church, founded upon a basis of Scotch-Irish 
 and Welsh Presbyterians, to which had been added 
 many from other denominations. Quietly, but sure- 
 ly, he trained and educated his people, until he had de- 
 
114 
 
 veloped a united congregation, loyal to the denomina- 
 tion with which it was affiliated. 
 
 The memory of Robert F. Sample shall endure here 
 as long as Westminster Church shall last. He has 
 fought a good fight ; he has kept the faith ; he has now 
 received that crown of glory which was laid up in 
 Heaven for him. He rests from his labors but his 
 works do follow him. God grant that this dear 
 Church, so closely associated with his name, may never 
 lose to any degree its firm grasp upon those great 
 truths, the heinousness of sin; redemption through 
 Jesus Christ alone; the ultimate reward of those who 
 love and serve Him here." 
 
 The ministry of Robert F. Sample was followed by 
 that of David James Burrell. He came to us from the 
 Second Presbyterian Church of Dubuque, Iowa, where 
 he had done a fine work. His labors among us lasted 
 only three years, when he was called away to the 
 great metropolis. New York, where it was hoped he 
 might accomplish that seemingly impossible task, 
 build up a strong congregation in an old fashioned, 
 sleepy downtown church. We all know what a mag- 
 nificent success he has made in that work; and his 
 former parishoners here delight to visit the old Mar- 
 ble Collegiate Church, to witness the evidences of his 
 successful labors and to rejoice with him in that suc- 
 cess. 
 
 Short though his pastorate among us, yet how sue- 
 
115 
 
 cessftil he made it! Tender hearted as a woman, he 
 endeared himself to all by his pastoral visitations. He 
 attracted crowds, to both of the Sunday services of the 
 Church, by the attractiveness of his sermons, his fear- 
 less denunciation of sin and iniquity even in high 
 places, and by the splendor of his eloquence. No won- 
 der the pastoral committee, which selected him as our 
 pastor, fell in love with him, as soon as they had 
 listened to an address given by him before his class at 
 Yale University, upon the occasion of the class re- 
 union. 
 
 During his brief pastorate here his heart went out 
 to the churchless people of this city and state. Kc 
 gave to the city missions and church extension work 
 an impulse, which it has never lost. 
 
 Bright, genial, happy, loving and tender-hearted 
 David ! How this people loved him, and how inconsol- 
 able they felt, when he finally decided that Providence 
 was calling him to another sphere of labor. He left 
 here aching hearts, but he carried with him the affec- 
 tionate love and best wishes of this people. 
 
 We, who love him still, rejoice now with him that he 
 has a son, David DeForest Burrell, who is also preach- 
 ing with acceptance and power the same blessed Gos- 
 pel, which his father loves to preach. 
 
 But God was good to us. By His providential lead- 
 ing and guidance, the pastoral committee, appointed 
 to choose a successor to Dr. Burrell, was unmistakably 
 
116 
 
 led to agree upon Rev. Pleasant Hunter, D. D., of 
 Newark, N. J. Dr. Hunter was in the enjoyment of 
 a happy pastorate in Newark. The pastoral commit- 
 tee would not, for this reason, present a call to this 
 Church, until it had received definite information that 
 he had just received, and was considering, calls to three 
 other important churches in this countiy. 
 
 After a careful and prayerful consideration of the 
 matter, he accepted our call and the pastoral relation 
 with us was soon consummated. There followed one 
 of the happiest pastorates, lasting for over seven and 
 a half years, which has ever blessed any church. With 
 a great body and commanding presence; a fine deliv- 
 ery, rising often to heights of impassioned eloquence; 
 a flow of words like a torrent; and a heart of love, 
 greater than all else, it was no wonder that he soon 
 captured his congregation and that crowds flocked to 
 hear his sermons. For the troubled and afflicted he 
 was always the sympathizing comforter. For the sin- 
 ner he had always a message of hope and cheer. It 
 took him only a short time to bind the hearts of this 
 people to him by bonds of love, whose severing left 
 distress and sorrow when he felt called upon, as he be- 
 lieved by Providential guidance, to resign this charge. 
 
 By the same Providential leading, Dr. Hunter has 
 just been led to the pastorate, for the second time, of 
 the Newark Church from which we called him. He 
 has accepted it, as a call of duty. The people of 
 
117 
 
 Westminster Church still cherish a warm affection for 
 him and will follow him with their hearty and affec- 
 tionate good wishes, and their earnest prayers that he 
 may succeed in building the Newark Church up once 
 more into a strong, harmonious and useful people. 
 
 After Dr. Hunter had left us, a pastoral committee 
 was chosen to select and nominate to the congregation 
 his successor. From the beginning, it appreciated the 
 fact that the task would be a difficult one. The com- 
 mittee does not hesitate to admit that Providence took 
 direction of their work, and sent to the congregation a 
 man of God's own choosing. The indications that 
 Providence alone was responsible for the coming to us 
 of John E. Bushnell, were too evident to be doubted. 
 
 The historian spent a summer, a few years ago, at 
 old Saybrook, Connecticut. His cottage was next 
 door to the one occupied by saintly old Dr. Theodore 
 L. Cuyler. Every day he had the pleasure of a delight- 
 ful conversation with that dear old minister. The 
 invariable question from him, at every meeting, was, 
 "Well, brother, how is our John, the Beloved?" So 
 Dr. Cuyler thought of him, and so he is to us — Our 
 "John, the beloved." 
 
 As his people watch him in the pulpit, they can see 
 back of him a line of Godly New England ancestry. 
 Tender and sympathetic as a pastor, he is the support 
 and comfort of those in distress and sorrow. His pow- 
 er as a sermonizer, always good both in matter and 
 
118 
 
 delivery, is constantly growing and becoming more 
 and more widely recognized every day. With a keen 
 appreciation of those cardinal doctrines a sinner lost, 
 a Divine Saviour Jesus Christ, and His longing to 
 seek and to save those who are lost, he brings to his 
 people tender and helpful messages of warning, love 
 and cheer. His sympathies go out in a wonderful 
 way to the weak and struggling churches in this and 
 neighboring states, so that all of the pastors and work- 
 ers of these churches regard the pastor of Westmin- 
 ster Church as their friend. His ministry among us 
 has been signally blessed; and it has been a blessing 
 also to this entire community. At this anniversary 
 season this people unitedly prays, that this pastorate 
 may be long continued, 
 
 Westminster Church has always been character- 
 ized by intense loyalty to its pastor. We would hesi- 
 tate to make any comparison of these four pastors. 
 We have honored and loved them all. Three have left 
 us, each of his own volition, after a successful pastor- 
 ate, carrying with him the love and good wishes of 
 this people; one of them has gone to his heavenh-- 
 home, leaving for us a fragrant memory. For him, 
 who is now our under shepherd, we entertain a deep 
 love and true devotion. 
 
 If this Church has failed to accomplish fully the 
 work, which God intended it to do, the fault has be- 
 
119 
 
 longed to the membership of the Church and not to 
 any one who has been, or who is now, its pastor. 
 
 In addition to the pastors before named, we have 
 also been blessed with a succession of pastoral assist- 
 ants, who have done a good work in connection with 
 the Church or its chapels. 
 
 The first ministerial assistant to the pastor of West- 
 minster Church was Rev. Charles H. Curtis, who came 
 to us from East Portland, Oregon, in the summer of 
 1897, as assistant to Dr. Hunter. He resigned De- 
 cember 3rd, 1900, shortly before the commencement of 
 the pastorate of Dr. Bushnell, in order that the new 
 pastor, whoever he might be, might be free to choose 
 his own assistant. Mr. Curtis greatly endeared him- 
 self to the entire membership of the Church by his 
 untiring energy and efficiency and by his unfailing 
 courtesy and sweetness of disposition. He is now 
 pastor of the Congregational Church of Rochester, 
 Minnesota. 
 
 He was succeeded in June, 1903, by Rev. Alexander 
 G. Patterson, who came to us immediately after his 
 graduation from McCormick Theological Seminary. 
 Mr. Patterson rendered very efficient service until Oc- 
 tober, 1905, when he became pastor at Hope Chapel, 
 shortly after the completion of its new building. His 
 labors in the Chapel have been wonderfully blessed of 
 God. He has, from the inception of his pastorate, car- 
 ried on, and he is still carrying on there, a remarkable 
 
120 
 
 work. In April, 1905, Rev. Harry G. Finney, a grad- 
 uate of Princeton Theological Seminary was called to 
 become the pastor's assistant for two years. He en- 
 tered upon the discharge of the duties of the office in 
 June of that year; and the term of his engagement was 
 renewed in 1907. A resolution was adopted by the 
 Session of the Church, at the time he was invited to 
 renew his engagement with this Church, which ex- 
 presses our appreciation of Mr. Finney and his ser- 
 vices. The resolution is as follows: 
 
 "Resolved, that, as a Session, we desire to place on 
 record a minute expressive of our affection for Mr. 
 Finney, and of our high appreciation of the earnest- 
 ness, consecration, tact and ability, with which he has 
 discharged the important and often trying duties of 
 his office; and our acknowledgment of the success, 
 which has attended his labors among us. He has 
 greatly endeared himself to us all and to the entire 
 membership of our Church and congregation." 
 
 The first pastor at Hope Chapel was Rev. T. B. 
 Greenlee, who, after filling the position for only a few 
 months, applied to the Presbytery of St. Paul for the 
 organization of an independent Church on that field. 
 Such Church was organized, against the wishes and the 
 judgment of the Session of this Church. The move- 
 ment was not a success; for, after a feeble existence 
 of about one year, Mr. Greenlee left the field and the 
 Presbytery turned the whole work back again to West- 
 
Robert F. Sample, D.D., 
 Pastor 1868- 1 887 
 
121 
 
 minster Church, encumbered with a debt of nearly 
 $2000 which the Church at once liquidated. 
 
 Succeeding Mr. Greenlee, during the pastorate of 
 Dr. Burrell, John Handyside, a Scotch lay evange- 
 list, now an ordained minister and pastor of the Church 
 at Atwater, Minnesota, labored for many months at 
 the Chapel and did good work there. 
 
 The next pastor at Hope Chapel was Rev. Samuel 
 G. Neill, who was called to the work from a captaincy 
 in the Salvation Army. The attractions of the old 
 army life proved to be too strong for him, for, after 
 six months of work at Hope Chapel, he left the field 
 and returned to the Salvation Army. 
 
 During the pastorate of Captain Neill, the character 
 of the neighborhood in which the Chapel was situated, 
 began to change rapidly and it soon became apparent 
 that more of an institutional work was needed to meet 
 the conditions of the field. 
 
 To Captain Neill's successor, Mr. Charles Stelzle, 
 more than to any other person, is due the inaugura- 
 tion of the important work for young people now be- 
 ing carried on at Hope Chapel. He exhibited, in the 
 formulation and carrying out of the plans for this 
 work, those unusual gifts of mind and heart, which are 
 now being so signally manifested in the great work 
 which he is accomplishing as Superintendent of the 
 Department of Church and Labor of the Board of 
 Home Missions. This Church should rejoice that, 
 
122 
 
 through the work at Hope Chapel, it had some part in 
 preparing him for the wider field of usefulness, in 
 which he is now engaged. 
 
 Mr. Stelzle resigned the pastorate at Hope Chapel 
 some years since, in order to undertake what appeared 
 to be a larger work, in the Markham Presb3-terian 
 Church of St. Louis, Mo. 
 
 There followed successively as pastors at Hope 
 Chapel, Rev. John C. Faries, who had grown up as a 
 member of Westminster Church, Rev. E. W. Brown 
 and Rev. Neil H. Gilchrist. Mr. Faries is now pastor 
 of the Glen Avon Presbyterian Church of Duluth, 
 while Mr. Gilchrist occupies the important position of 
 pastor at large of Adams Presbyter}'- in this state. 
 
 Mr. Gilchrist's successor was Rev. A. G. Patterson, 
 of whom we have before spoken more fully. 
 
 At Riverside Chapel we had as the first pastor, Rev. 
 Charles C. Christianson. He began his work at the 
 Chapel as a layman, but was afterwards ordained as 
 a minister. Mr. Christianson did a successful work 
 as pastor for about two years, when he left the Chapel 
 to become pastor of the First Swedish Presbyterian 
 Church of Minneapolis. He was succeeded by Ezra 
 F. Pabody, in praise of whom and of his work, it would 
 hardly be possible to say too much. He was called in 
 1890, like Cincinnatus, almost literally from his plow; 
 for, after a long and active business career, he had re- 
 tired for rest and recreation to a country home on Lake 
 
123 
 
 Minnetonka. He accepted the position of lay mis- 
 sionary at Riverside, at the urgent solicitation of the 
 Session, of which he himself was an honored member, 
 but with great hesitation on his part lest he might not 
 be equal to the duties of the ofHce. After a few years 
 of service, upon the advice of Session, he applied in 
 1900 to the Presbytery for ordination as a minister of 
 the Gospel, so that he might make his ministry more 
 effective ; and he was ordained to that high office Feb- 
 ruary 7, 1900. 
 
 Mr. Pabody's work at Riverside, both as a layman 
 and as a minister, was wonderfully blessed of God. 
 Able in the pulpit, tender and sympathizing as a pas- 
 tor; wise and loving as a counselor and friend, he was 
 an inspiration and a comfort to all to whom he min- 
 istered in the Chapel and to the members of their 
 families; and he made himself greatly beloved to those 
 with whom he was associated in Chapel work. 
 
 In September, 1903, Mr. Pabody laid down the work, 
 of his own accord, in order to enjoy a much needed 
 and merited rest at his home on Lake Minnetonka. 
 He was succeeded by Rev. W. S. Ward, who resigned 
 on the 31st of March, 1905, and accepted a call to the 
 pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church of Crooks- 
 ton, Minn. During his pastorate at Riverside he great- 
 ly endeared himself to all, especially to the young men. 
 
 Rev. Benjamin R. Weld entered upon the pastorate 
 of Riverside Chapel on April 1, 1905. He resigned in 
 
124 
 
 January, 1907 for the purpose of taking an extended 
 trip through Europe, Egypt and the Holy Land. Soon 
 after his return from this trip, he accepted a call to be- 
 come pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of 
 Joliet, Illinois, where he is now laboring. 
 
 In July, 1907, the Session called Rev. W. E. Paul, of 
 Rollo, Illinois, to the pastorate of Riverside Chapel. 
 The call has been accepted and Mr. Paul began his 
 labors on the first Sabbath of August. 
 
 This honor roll would be incomplete without special 
 reference to Samuel H. Beaven, who labored for us 
 as a lay evangelist for so many years, first at Farview 
 and then at Elim. Mr, Beaven was faithful and suc- 
 cessful in the work entrusted to him. He has been 
 for many years, laid aside by illness from all activity 
 in Christian work. His sublime faith and patience 
 under his suffering are an inspiration and blessing to 
 those who know him. 
 
CHAPTER VL 
 
 Zbc Sabbatb Scbools ot tbe Cburcb. 
 
 The work in the Sabbath Schools of Westminster 
 Church has been, and is now, as successful as in any 
 other of the lines of religious activity, in which we 
 have, as a people, engaged. An account of our Chapel 
 schools is given in another chapter. 
 
 The home school had, like the Church itself, a feeble 
 beginning. Indeed, it was found to be impossible to 
 organize a school until many months after the organ- 
 ization of the Church, because of the difficulty of find- 
 ing a place in which to hold it. In 1868, Mr. Joshua 
 Williams, at the request of the officers of the Church 
 and school, prepared a history of the school down to 
 that date. From that history we quote the following: 
 
 "In April, 1858, we transferred our meetings to 
 Fletcher's Hall on Helen Street, and soon after, viz.: 
 on the 25th of the same month, organized our school 
 with about twenty scholars and six teachers. 
 
 The teachers were L. H. Williams and wife, Mrs. 
 J. C. Williams, Mrs. Morgan (then Mrs. Taylor), 
 Miss E. M. Williams and Mr. W. W. McNair. 
 
 J. C. Williams took charge of the school as Super- 
 
126 
 
 intendent, which trust he held until 1861, when, on 
 account of feeble health, he resigned and Rev. Robert 
 Strong took his place. The school fully sustained 
 itself during these years, increasing its number of 
 scholars to 40 or 45, and adding to its corps of teachers, 
 Miss Hannah Mullen, Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Beman, E. 
 M. Wilson and sister, now Mrs. W. W. McNair and 
 others, for a short time. Mr. A. C. Gowdy was chosen 
 librarian during the summer. Our first library was 
 procured in 1858. We sent the Depository at Pitts- 
 burgh, Pa., an order for books, enclosing $20.00, which 
 the agent, J. D. Williams, kindly sent to the Board 
 of Publication, in Philadelphia, with a request for a 
 donation ; and we received books to the amount of $44. 
 Before the arrival of these books, we received, as a do- 
 nation, a cast-off library from the Second Presbyterian 
 Church of Pittsburgh, containing many excellent 
 books, but so coated with the smoke and dust of that 
 saintly city that we could not use them until after a 
 thorough cleaning; even then they were so dingy the 
 children could hardly be prevailed on to read them. 
 This library was afterwards sent to the school in Me- 
 dina Township, and our country friends hardly knew 
 whether we designed to do them a kindness or to offer 
 them an insult. 
 
 Our school, like the Church, was retarded in its 
 growth and efficiency by the changes we had to make, 
 from time to time, in the place of meeting, and hav- 
 
127 
 
 ing only part of the time of a minister, as we had the 
 services of Rev. Levi Hughes and Rev. J. A. McKee, 
 in union with the Church in St. Anthony. Here it 
 may be noted that of our original scholars, thirteen 
 have become members in full communion of this 
 Church and two or three members of other churches in 
 the place. Of the teachers, two are gone to their re- 
 ward, the others are still working here or elsewhere. 
 
 Rev. Robert Strong became stated supply in 1861, 
 and continued to labor faithfully and efficiently, both 
 in Church and Sabbath School, until the summer of 
 1864, when he was compelled, by failing health, to cease 
 his labors. During this period the Church and school 
 made rapid progress. Mr. Strong was immediately 
 succeeded by Rev. R. A. Condit, and the school placed 
 under the very efficient superintendence of Hon. Chas. 
 E. Vanderburgh, who is still (1868) in that position. 
 
 We take pleasure in bearing testimony to the untir- 
 ing zeal and industry of our Superintendent, and that 
 to him is due the credit, in a large measure, that our 
 school has taken rank with the foremost in our Church 
 in co-operating in every good work. When four years 
 ago he took charge of the school, its average attend- 
 ance (teachers and scholars) was about sixty-nine, 
 and the collections the first year did not exceed $39.84; 
 while for the last year, 1867, reports show an average 
 attendance of one hundred forty-two and collections 
 to the amount of $246.62, of which $166.18 was for 
 
128 
 
 benevolent purposes. It has steadily increased, until it 
 now has an average attendance of about one hundred 
 iifty scholars with an efficient corps of thirty-four 
 teachers. Its contributions to the cause of Christian 
 benevolences have made it an example to other schools, 
 stimulating them to increased liberality. Thus far, 
 our report has been made for the most part from mem- 
 ory without the aid of written records. It would have 
 been much more satisfactory, could we have had a 
 written record of the history of our school during the 
 time of its infancy and childhood. From what is here 
 recorded, we see enough to excite gratitude to our 
 Master and Lord for his blessing on our feeble, but 
 well meant efforts, and much to stimulate to increasing 
 activity in his blessed service. Some who started with 
 us, when we had nothing but faith to sustain us, lean- 
 ing on him "who will not break the bruised reed, nor 
 quench the smoking flax," and "who can make one to 
 chase a thousand and two to put ten thousand to 
 flight," are now in glory, enjoying the rest of God's 
 people. Some are surely nearing the confines of the 
 unseen world ; and, from God's providence in the past, 
 we may all learn that, while it is true that the old must 
 die, it is equally true that the young may die. Death 
 has taken from among us both teachers and scholars, 
 and so he continues to do. Where his dart shall next 
 strike, no one can foresee. The Master says to each 
 and all of us, "Work while it is called today for ye 
 
129 
 
 "know not the day nor the hour wherein the Son of 
 Man Cometh. Blessed is that servant whom his Lord 
 when he cometh, shall find watching." 
 
 Unfortunately, the records of the school, for many 
 years after the preparation of this report, have been 
 lost or mislaid. It is, therefore, impossible to give a 
 full and accurate account of the growth and work 
 of the school, since that time; but, from the data ob- 
 tainable, we can glean some information. 
 
 We learn that for several years, thereafter, Charles 
 E. Vanderburgh was the faithful and efficient super- 
 intendent of the school; while well known names like 
 those of T. B. Janney, L. P. Plummer, J. J. Ankeny, 
 W. W. McNair, Joshua Williams, S. M. Williams and 
 O. V. Tousley appear among the lists of officers. 
 
 T. B. Janney served for many years, most faithfully 
 and efficiently as secretary and treasurer, and did much 
 to contribute to the success of the school. He was 
 followed by his business associates, Horace M. Hill 
 and E. J. Moles, successively, each of whom rendered 
 faithful service for several 3^ears. 
 
 One fact appears clearly in those earlier records, and 
 that is, that the little school was remarkably liberal 
 in its contributions to the various church boards and 
 other benevolent objects. For many years the school 
 was organized into a home missionary society and a 
 foreign missionary society. The spirit of those early 
 officers and teachers is shown by their action, taken at 
 
130 
 
 a meeting held December 29, 1870. A resolution was 
 then adopted as follows: 
 
 "We as teachers and members of the Sabbath School 
 will in the future take a deeper interest in the Sabbath 
 School, and labor more earnestly for its success, in 
 the work of bringing the young to Christ, and estab- 
 lishing them in the faith of the Gospel. 2nd. In co- 
 operating with the Superintendent. 3rd, In bringing 
 others into the School both from the congregation and 
 from without." 
 
 Two names stand out prominently in the more re- 
 cent history of this school; one, that of William M. 
 Tenney, who is now living in Boston. He served as 
 its Superintendent for over seventeen years, from Jan- 
 uary, 1882, until the summer of 1899, when he removed 
 from the city. His deep spirituality, his evident love 
 for the school and those attending it, his tact and tin- 
 failing courtesy endeared him to all; so that it is not 
 strange that to many he seemed to be the ideal Sab- 
 bath School Superintendent. During his entire term 
 of service he had as his assistants S. H. Findley and 
 Charles T. Thompson, Mr. Thompson while several 
 times declining to accept an election as Superintendent 
 for a full term, was yet obliged to accept the office 
 twice to fill unexpired terms of others, viz.: that of 
 James L. Monroe in 1881 and that of William M. Ten- 
 ney in 1899. 
 
 The other name which should be made prominent 
 
131 
 
 is that of Mrs. E. F. Pomeroy, who was for twenty- 
 five years the Superintendent of the Primary Depart- 
 ment, and whose remarkable and loving work with the 
 young children of the Church has endeared her to 
 both the children and their parents. Multitudes, who 
 have been touched and influenced by her noble and 
 self-sacrificing life, rise up now to call her blessed. 
 S. H. Findley has been one of the most efficient of As- 
 sistant Superintendents for twenty-five years. 
 
 The Superintendents who followed Mr. Tenney 
 have been Charles T. Thompson (for Mr. Tenne^/s 
 unexpired term), Franc B. Daniels, L. K. Thompson, 
 J. S. Porteous and R. Burton Tomlinson. The Sab- 
 bath School has ahvays had at the head of its affairs, 
 men of consecretion and devotion to the duty entrusted 
 to them ; and it has always been, and it is now, blessed 
 with a corps of faithful and able officers and teach- 
 ers, through whose labors great good has been done. 
 
 As an adjunct of the school, but meeting at a dif- 
 ferent hour, this Church has for many years conducted 
 a Chinese and Japanese School. The school was 
 founded in 1883, by an honored elder, J. Hyde Mon- 
 roe, who acted as its Superintendent until his death, 
 in 1887. In his honor the Chinese boys of the city 
 have maintained, for many years, a bed in the mission 
 hospital at Wei Hein, China. A. G. Prentiss, then an 
 elder, succeeded Mr. Monroe; and he, in turn, was 
 succeeded by S. H. Findley, who served with great 
 self-denial and efficiency for many years thereafter. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Momen's Moth in Mestminstei' Cburcb. 
 
 The history of no church would be even approxi- 
 mately complete, without special reference to the work 
 of its women. In the historical sermon of Dr. Sample, 
 preached in 1868, he bears this tribute to them: "It 
 may be remarked that, for its growth and prosperity, 
 this Church is largely indebted to the prayers and ef- 
 forts of pious v/omen." The same testimony can be 
 as truly borne to the women, who have labored in the 
 Church during all of the succeeding years of its life. 
 
 The women's societies of Westminster Church are 
 a distinctive feature; they are many, and are adapted 
 to every age. As soon as a child is born, its name may 
 be entered upon the cradle roll; and, when three or 
 four summers have passed over the heads of the lit- 
 tle ones, they may become "Pearl Gatherers," bring- 
 ing their pennies for the Master's use. Then, when 
 a little older grown, they enter into more active work 
 as "Gleaners," gathering in rich harvests, and, when 
 young womanhood crowns them, they may, by their 
 beautiful lives and earnest work, verify their right 
 to the royal name they bear, "Daughters of the King." 
 
133 
 
 Upon graduating from this band they find the doors of 
 the "Guild" and of the other Women's Societies wide 
 open to receive them, where every talent may be con- 
 secrated to the Master's service. 
 
 In order that this account of women's societies might 
 be as accurate as possible, the historian has called to 
 his assistance the women themselves, who know of 
 this work by personal experience. The entire credit 
 for these sketches belongs to the following named 
 ladies, who kindly undertook the labor of preparing 
 them, viz.: Mrs. Charles M. Godley, "The Woman's 
 Sewing Society"; Mrs. L. P. Plummer, "The Woman's 
 Foreign Missionary Society"; Mrs. E. F. Pomero}^ 
 "The Woman's Home Missionary Society" ; Mrs. Mar- 
 tha M. Cotton, "The Westminster Missionary Guild" ; 
 Mrs. George PI. Miller, "The Kindergarten and Indus- 
 trial Association"; Mrs. A. P. Bunce, "Westminster's 
 Social Circle." These sketches are arranged in the 
 order of the organization of the respective societies. 
 They are printed just as originally written, except that 
 a little editing was necessary to reduce them to the 
 same narrative form, 
 
 WOMEN'S SEWING SOCIETY. 
 
 The first Women's Society, ever organized in West- 
 minster Church, was a Sewing Society, and its object 
 was to aid the pastor and secure funds for the furnish- 
 
134 
 
 ing of the new church, when it should be completed. 
 This was in 1859, during the ministry of Rev. Levi 
 Hughes. He called the ladies together and told them 
 how much he felt the need of their sympathy and help. 
 He spoke with much feeling and said he would have to 
 give up the work altogether, unless they would rally 
 to his support. Many new families were coming in 
 and he wished them to aid him in his pastoral visiting, 
 which, on account of his deafness, was a difficult thing 
 for him to do. Accordingly the society was organized, 
 having for its first president Mrs. Dr. Linn, who still 
 survives. 
 
 They met once a week at the different homes, sewing 
 all the afternoon, remaining to supper, the gentlemen 
 coming in the evening and paying a dime. AAter 
 working over a year, they had a sale of useful and 
 fancy articles, realizing about $100.00 from the pro- 
 ceeds. This was a straight sale with no objection- 
 able features. Some of the ladies rather desired to 
 have an up-to-date fair with grab bags, fish ponds, 
 etc., but were restrained by the fear that the Captain 
 (as Elder L. H. Williams was called) might not ap- 
 prove of such methods. 
 
 Quite a delegation from the Andrew Church attend- 
 ed this sale, to encourage their sisters in this their first 
 effort, and all felt it was a great success. When, a 
 few weeks afterwards this Church had a fair, the two 
 young men of the Westminster congregation, Eugene 
 
135 
 
 M. Wilson and W. W. McNair, procured a sled and 
 took all the ladies, who wished to go, to the entertain- 
 ment, thereby returning the compliment. 
 
 One very zealous lady was discovered to have 
 brought along a basket containing the "left-overs" 
 from the first sale, thinking she might have a chance 
 to dispose of them that evening. Some of the ladies 
 attempted to dissuade her, thinking it was hardly cour- 
 teous to divert any St. Anthony money, those hard 
 times, from its proper treasury, but she insisted that 
 it was perfectly legitimate, as it was all for the Church. 
 On their return, the party was kept waiting out in the 
 cold for this same lady, who was evidently making a 
 last desperate effort to dispose of her pin cushions. 
 
 By the time the little church was finished, there was 
 a sufficient amount in the treasury to furnish it. The 
 furnishings were extremely simple, consisting of two 
 stoves, the lamps, and the modest strip of red ingrain 
 carpet, which was laid down the two aisles and upon 
 the pulpit platform only. If any one desired his pew 
 carpeted or cushioned, he did it at his own expense. 
 Three chairs, upholstered in red, adorned the pulpit 
 platform, while just beneath was the small table with 
 marble top, and two cane seat chairs. When their 
 work was completed, the members of the little society 
 rested from their labors. 
 
 It was revived again when the church was enlarged 
 and reorganized in 1873, in the parlors of Mrs. H. G. 
 
136 
 
 Sidle. When the necessity of a new church in the not 
 distant future was apparent, the ladies went to work 
 with great zeal with this lofty aim in view, to earn 
 enough money to buy an organ for the new church. Af- 
 ter years of earnest work, their dream was realized 
 and they had $3,000.00 to their credit in the bank. In 
 the meantime the brethren, who had been very active 
 in circulating a subscription paper, had come to a dead 
 lock and felt that nothing would relieve the situation, 
 unless the ladies would offer their much cherished or- 
 gan fund as a subscription to the new church. 
 
 This was a hard proposition, but at last they all 
 agreed with the lady who said "We can't use an organ 
 without a church to put it in," and cheerfully made the 
 subscription. Then they bravely went to work again 
 to accumulate another fund, this time to be used for 
 the furnishing of the new church. Young and old 
 went to work in the most energetic manner. They 
 sewed, published cook books, gave strawberry festi- 
 vals and fairs without ceasing. Their most important 
 venture was to run a dining hall at the Fair Grounds 
 for one week. This proved a mammoth undertaking, 
 a building had to be put up and the necessary furnish- 
 ings procured. Arrangements were made with a baker 
 to roast 500 pounds of meat daily. Imagine the dis- 
 may of the ladies when, on the Monday morning on 
 which the fair opened, the butcher drove up and un- 
 loaded 500 pounds of raw meat, saying the baker could 
 
Second Church Edifice, 
 Nicollet Avenue, Corner of Seventh Street. Burned September 6th, 1895 
 
137 
 
 not roast it, as one of his own ovens was out of order. 
 Consternation reigned within the camp ; but there was 
 no time for lamentations. The lady in charge quickly 
 jumped into her buggy, the meat was piled in around 
 her and, completely imbedded in roasts of beef and veal, 
 with legs of mutton waiving in the air above her head, 
 she started off on her urgent mission. Many West- 
 minster homes were visited and the ladies appealed to, 
 and in some instances commanded, in this dire ex- 
 tremity, to help cook that meat. The next morning, 
 bright and early after a sleepless night, the lady col- 
 lected the meat and took it down to the Fair Grounds. 
 This proceeding had to be repeated each day of the 
 week, though many visitors to the Fair kindly took 
 roasts home with them, thereby relieving the situa- 
 tion. When Saturday night came, a very tired but 
 happy band of ladies counted up their net receipts and 
 found they amounted to $1,300.00. 
 
 W^hen the Seventh Street Church was completed, the 
 ladies fund had again assumed goodly proportions and 
 was amply sufficient to furnish the church. The pul- 
 pit was furnished by the young ladies. Miss Callie 
 Mackay giving the beautiful communion table. 
 
 For some time, after their mission was fulfilled, the 
 Ladies' Aid Society kept up their organization, but 
 as there were now so many other societies in the 
 Church, it was thought best to discontinue it, but the 
 wonderful record they made will never be forgotten. 
 
138 
 
 WOMEN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 
 
 The Women's Foreign Missionary Society of West- 
 minster Church was organized February 6, 1871, and 
 was one of the first of the kind in the state. The sug- 
 gestion for such an organization came in a letter, writ- 
 ten by Dr. Irving (Secretary of the Board of Foreign 
 Missions at New York), asking Dr. Sample to present 
 the subject to the women of his congregation and urge 
 their co-operation. 
 
 At the close of a Thursday evening prayer meeting 
 he asked all the women present, who were interested 
 in missions, to remain. The letter was read and it 
 was then decided to organize such a society. This was 
 done the following day in Dr. Sample's parlor, he pre- 
 siding. 
 
 Mrs. I. C. Faries was chosen our first president ; and, 
 though only continuing as such for about three years, 
 she was a most active member until her death in De- 
 cember, 1892. That she loved the cause is evidenced 
 by her giving her eldest son, Dr. William Faries, to 
 the work of Foreign Missions, and her only other son 
 to the work at home. 
 
 The monthly meetings were held at the home of the 
 President. The Women's Board of the Northwest 
 was at this time only two months old, and we were at 
 once in sympathy and in correspondence with it, send- 
 ing our money through this channel. Miss C. B. 
 
139 
 
 Downing, of Cheefoo, China, was our first beneficiary, 
 the Society pledging, for this first year of its existence, 
 $75.00 towards her support. 
 
 To give coveted zeal and strength to our new un- 
 dertaking, it was suggested that the women of the 
 First Presbyterian Church should be invited to join 
 us, calling it a Union Society. The invitation was ac- 
 cepted, and this arrangement continued during the 
 years of 1872 and 1873. They withdrew in February, 
 1874, and were greatly missed, especially Mrs. B. B. 
 Bennett, founder of Bennett Seminary, who would 
 bring to the meetings, and read, letters received from 
 Henrietta and Sarah Morrison of India. 
 
 That the growth of the Society was slow, is evidenced 
 by the annual meeting of the Union Society in 1873, 
 which was held in a small parlor with an attendance 
 of only six, besides Dr. Sample, who opened the meet- 
 ing. He was ever ready to aid and counsel us, some- 
 times presiding in the absence of the President. 
 
 Mrs. Sarah J. Rhea of Persia, who was attending 
 the meeting of the American Board of Foreign Mis- 
 sions, held in this city, September, 1873, called the 
 Presbyterian women together and, by a stirring ad- 
 dress, aroused fresh interest and enthusiasm in the 
 work. 
 
 Though weak in numbers, we were strong in faith, 
 and decided to increase our offerings to assist in the 
 education of Frank Myango, a native convert in Af- 
 
140 
 
 rica, who was a pupil of Miss Bella Nassau. She en- 
 closed, in a letter from herself, a letter written by him 
 in English to us, which impressed us as quite wonder- 
 ful for a boy with his limited advantages. He was 
 then under the care of the Presbytery of Corisco, as 
 a candidate for the gospel ministry. We began to help 
 him in 1874; and have continued to do so up to the 
 present time; and hope to as long as he is spared. 
 
 In this same year, the membership was increased, 
 and we raised over $100.00, which amount was swol- 
 len by gifts from Bands, which had been organized 
 among our young people, to $174.00. 
 
 Our second President, Mrs. B. C. Ramsey, was most 
 zealous and enthusiastic in the cause. In September, 
 1877, Miss Downing of China, whom we had been as- 
 sisting, visited us, and the next month Miss Vanduzee 
 of Erzroom, Turkey. These visits meant much in in- 
 creasing and keeping alive our interest. In those days, 
 the missionaries and their fields seemed much further 
 away than now, when swift steamers are plying the 
 waters and cables connect almost every part of the 
 globe. 
 
 The records say, that 1878 marked a new era in 
 our history. We then had the honor of sending Miss 
 Katherine Hale, as Mrs. Dr. Cochran, to Persia. She 
 was well known to us, though a member of another 
 denomination before her marriage. We proposed, as a 
 society, to assume her support, but she declined as 
 
141 
 
 her health was not robust and she was not certain of 
 being able to do missionary work. 
 
 In 1880, Rev. Graham C. Campbell was set apart 
 for service in Africa. Some of us remember the im- 
 pressive service on that occasion, in the old home 
 church on Fourth Street. Our Society gladly assisted 
 in preparing the outfit for his bride. Mrs. Campbell, 
 a few years later, translated into the Mponge dialect, 
 "Here a Little and There a Little," this Society furnish- 
 ing the funds therefor, of which Mrs. Sarah E. Oliver 
 gave $100.00. She, a member of Westminster Church, 
 and closely identified with all its interests, was a mem- 
 ber of our Society from the time it was organized till 
 her death, in October, 1892. She denied herself, that 
 she might bring large gifts to the treasury, in Sep- 
 tember, 1887, giving $375.00 and the next month, 
 $150.00. Those who remember her simple life, know 
 what those gifts meant of self sacrifice. The remem- 
 brance of her prayers and service were, above all, a 
 most precious legacy to the members of this Society. 
 
 The early members of the Society do not need to be 
 reminded of our Vice President, Mrs. Bessie O. Gil- 
 fillan, who was a most active member, regular in her 
 attendance at the meetings and presiding in the ab- 
 sence of the President, contributing articles and giv- 
 ing consecrated gifts to the same cause, which was dear 
 to her heart. 
 
 Mrs, Charlotte O. Van Cleve was a frequent visitor 
 
142 
 
 at the Society's meetings, exerting a moulding influ- 
 ence upon our Society, as upon many others through- 
 out the State. 
 
 When, in 1881, Miss Archibald, from our midst, of- 
 fered herself to the cause of foreign missions, our en- 
 thusiasm reached its greatest height. We felt it such 
 an honor and privilege to have one of our very own 
 go to help fill depleted ranks. Her life, though short, 
 was not given in vain, and Mateer Hospital, where Dr. 
 Faries labored, is the loving memorial suggested by 
 loyal hearts. 
 
 The Chinese class, which was organized by Mr. 
 J. Hyde Monroe about 1883, raised money to build an 
 addition to it, which they called Monroe Pavillion, 
 and have continued for these many years to support 
 a bed in it. 
 
 Mateer Hospital was made possible by the generous 
 bequest of Mrs. M. M. Harris, of whom it may be said 
 "being dead she yet speaketh," as a yearly legacy tes- 
 tifies to her interest. She was wise in counsel, active 
 in service and her prayers and example will long be 
 remembered. 
 
 Mrs. J. R. Hall, wife of an honored elder of this 
 Church, was our President for about three years, fill- 
 ing that office until her death, in 1887. Of a retir- 
 ing disposition, few who did not know of her brilliant 
 work as a pupil, and then a teacher, would suspect the 
 rare ability that lay beneath her quiet manner, though 
 
143 
 
 all associated with her were impressed by her con- 
 secration to the cause of the Master. 
 
 Miss Eliza W. Baker is another, to whom much is 
 due. Mrs. William M. Tenney was, for many years, 
 a most useful worker, acting as President when her 
 strength was hardly equal to the task. 
 
 We have been unusually blessed in having visits 
 from returned missionaries. In September, 1890, we 
 had three present at the meeting, Dr. Faries, Mr. 
 Nevius and Mr. Campbell, and, in spite of bad weather, 
 there were eighty present to listen to their stirring- 
 words. 
 
 In April, 1890, Mr. Lingle, at an evening prayer meet- 
 ing, made himself known to us and told of his intention 
 to go as a missionary to China; his wife afterwards 
 united with the Church, so that she might be known 
 as one of us. 
 
 The third President was Mrs. A. C. Morgan, who 
 has so recently gone from our midst, that we can 
 hardly yet realize she will never again be with us. She 
 towers, above all other of our workers, in her many 
 years of service and loyalty to her Master. Not only 
 does Westminster love and honor her memor}'', but 
 many others outside of her membership. She was her 
 pastor's trusted friend and advisor, and worked in all 
 departments of the Church, her activity extending to 
 the Benevolent Societies of the city. All, who came 
 in contact with her, were impressed by her saintly life. 
 
144 
 
 We do not forget Miss E. E. Kenyon and her faithful 
 labors, and a host of others. 
 
 Mrs. E. S. Williams has been a leader, since she 
 came to us from Chicago, in 1884. 
 
 1887 was our banner year, when we raised $3,635.28. 
 To our co-workers. The King's Daughters, The Glean- 
 ers, The Pearl Gatherers, we are indebted for help in 
 sending our funds, and in later years the Christian En- 
 deavor Society has aided us. 
 
 Since the date of our organization to August of 
 1907, the Society has raised $39,468.00. Behind these 
 figures looms our dear Mrs. E. E. Whitmore, for so 
 many years our faithful treasurer. Who can estimate 
 the prayers and efforts that are included in so large 
 an offering, especially during years of financial de- 
 pression when our large pledge seemed almost im- 
 possible of attainment. 
 
 Mrs. B. W. Smith has been a most worthy succes- 
 sor to Mrs. Whitmore for about ten years. 
 
 The following is a list of the missionaries, whom it 
 has been the privilege of the Society to assist, since its 
 organization in 1871: 
 
 Miss Downing, China 1871 
 
 Frank Myongo, Africa 1874 
 
 Mrs. W. D. Holt, China 1874 
 
 Mrs. Ward, China 1874 
 
 Mrs. Graham Campbell, Africa 1880 
 
 Miss Wilma Jacobs 1884 
 
145 
 
 Mrs. Robert Mateer (nee Archibald) 
 
 China 1886 
 
 Miss Fanny Ward, Mexico 1886 
 
 Miss Mabel Elliott, Mexico 1886 
 
 Mrs. Madge Dickson (afterwards 
 
 Mrs. Mateer) China 1889 
 
 Mrs. Irene Lingle, China 1889 
 
 Miss Cooper, Siam 1890 
 
 Miss Medbury, Persia 1891 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Wallace, Mexico 1894 
 
 Miss Edna Bissell, Siam 1899 
 
 Mrs. Rebecca Van Cleve Nicol, Syria.1905 
 It seems only a short time since we prepared Miss 
 Bissell's outfit for her far-away field, where eight years 
 of continuous service so undermined her health that, on 
 her return, her strength failed in California and she 
 died there a year later. 
 
 Our youngest missionary, Mrs. Rebecca VanCleve 
 Nicol, who, with her husband, is stationed in Tripoli, 
 Syria, is well known. The enthusiasm of her going 
 out is kept aglow by the frequent letters, which come 
 to us. As a Society, we have been greatly favored 
 in having visits from many returned missionaries, a 
 son of one of whom is in a home in our midst. 
 
 For the personal presence and instructive words of 
 these consecrated workers, we are especially thank- 
 ful. Futurity alone will reveal the full results of their 
 stirring appeals in our Church and family circles. On 
 
146 
 
 the many, who have aided in accomplishing what has 
 been done, has been conferred a great privilege, namely 
 that of extending Christ's kingdom and hastening the 
 glad day when "every knee shall bow and every 
 tongue confess Him Lord of all." 
 
 The historian takes the liberty of adding, that the 
 writer of the foregoing sketch has forgotten to men- 
 tion herself. Mrs. L. P. Plummer has been, during the 
 entire life of this society, one of its most interested 
 and efficient members. 
 
 WESTMINSTER WOMAN'S HOME MISSION- 
 ARY SOCIETY. 
 
 When the General Assembly decided upon commit- 
 ting the school work among the exceptional popula- 
 tions of our land to the Home Board, Mrs. F. E. H. 
 Haines, of New York, was urged to undertake the or- 
 ganization of Missionary Societies in connection with 
 the Synods, and General Assembly. Mrs. Haines vis- 
 ited Minneapolis in 1880, and again in 1881, urging 
 Westminster ladies to organize for this work. 
 
 A committee was appointed by the Foreign Mis- 
 sionary Society, consisting of Mrs. M. M. Harris and 
 Mrs. A. C. Morgan, to choose officers and formulate 
 plans for this work. The Committee reported : for Pres- 
 ident, Mrs. E. F. Pomeroy ; First Vice President, Miss 
 E. E. Kenyon; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. W. F. 
 
147 
 
 Rodgers ; Recording Secretar}-, Mrs. L. H. Terry ; 
 Treasurer, Mrs. T. B. Janney. 
 
 The Foreign Society bade their younger sister God- 
 speed, and we have always been as one in Christ's 
 work. 
 
 It was a glad hour when we gathered in our new 
 parlors at the Seventh Street Church for our first 
 anniversary, and with all our hearts, with joy, we 
 thanked our Father for the hallowed memories of the 
 dear Fourth Street Church. 
 
 In the early history of our Society, we were greatly 
 favored by visits of missionaries on the field. Mr. 
 Sheldon Jackson, from Alaska; Rev. and Mrs. S. Hall 
 Young; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Willard, and Mrs. R. 
 A. McFarland, the first woman honored by the Board 
 with a commission as missionary, have visited us. Our 
 Society became greatly interested in this far away field, 
 and, when a precious legacy was given to us after the 
 death of Mrs. M. M. Harris, it was desired that this 
 gift should be given to the Hospital at Sitka, a work 
 in which she was greatly interested. This hospital, 
 with its medical missionary and nurses, has not only 
 proved a great boon to the sick in body but has also 
 been a blessing to many sin-sick souls. 
 
 Our Society, each year, continues its glad offerings 
 to carry on this important work at Sitka. This So- 
 ciety gives $100.00 for the hospital at Porto Rico. We 
 support six scholarships and a part of the salary of 
 
148 
 
 Miss Prudence Clark at Chimayo, New Mexico. Our 
 contributions in all these years have exceeded $26,000. 
 
 Our memory lingers around the names of many, who 
 have passed on to higher service. Mrs. Sarah E. Oliver, 
 before her death, gave us large gifts for the various 
 fields, in which she was interested. Through her gen- 
 erosity, one year our offerings exceeded $3,500. We 
 gladly cherish her memory. 
 
 We have been honored in having the Woman's 
 Home Board as our guests in 1886 and in 1899. 
 
 In 1886 the Woman's Board met in Plymouth 
 Church, and in 1899 we gathered in Wesley M. E. 
 Church. The meeting in 1886 was the last that our 
 beloved Mrs. Haines attended. In a few months she 
 was translated, her benediction resting upon us. At 
 this meeting, plans were discussed and partly per- 
 fected for our valued Home Mission Monthly. 
 
 There are names on the honor roll of our Westmin- 
 ster Church, that we gladly mention, who have been 
 our substitutes on the field. Mrs. H. L. Burnett, wid- 
 ow of a Presbyterian minster of our state, spent nine 
 years at Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Afterwards, at South 
 Dakota, she found it to be her joy to work for the 
 Indians. Her consecrated life left an impress upon 
 many hearts. 
 
 Dr. N. S. Shulean, a medical missionary, went to the 
 hospital at Sitka, Alaska. From this great work, she 
 was called home by the illness of her aged father. 
 
149 
 
 Mrs. M. F, Schucknecht, for nine years at Sitka, 
 after taking a brief well earned rest, has just returned 
 to the work of her choice. 
 
 Miss M. E. Logan, for many years a useful worker 
 here in Westminster, is now at Sitka. 
 
 Rev. and Mrs. Graham Campbell, after service in 
 Africa, returned on account of health, to take up the 
 work in Africa of the South Land. One of our best 
 schools for colored girls, at Barkerville, Va., is under 
 their care. 
 
 In addition to the names of our missionaries from 
 this Church, we cannot omit mention of some of those, 
 who have been prayerful helpers in the past. From 
 the rejoicings of the meetings of the Women's Home 
 Board, in 1886, we came to days of anxiety and sad- 
 ness. As we gathered for the missionary hour of June, 
 we received a message from the sick bed of our be- 
 loved Mrs. M. M. Harris. It read: "Although I am 
 not able to be with you this afternoon, I send my of- 
 fering with love and best wishes for a profitable meet- 
 ing. 'Rejoice in the Lord, and again I say unto you, 
 rejoice.' 
 
 Very lovingly, your friend, 
 
 MRS. M. M. HARRIS." 
 
 Very soon after, she found joy in the presence of her 
 Lord. A yearly gift still links her name to our Society, 
 and most tenderly her memory abides in our hearts. 
 
150 
 
 A yearly offering comes also from loving daughters 
 in the name of Mrs. Isaac Skiles. 
 
 Mrs. E. B. Wilson was a "Mother in Isreal" to us, 
 and we have a scholarship at the Farm School in Ash- 
 ville, N. C, sacred to her memory. 
 
 Mrs. A. C. Morgan, who fell "asleep in Jesus" at the 
 close of a beautiful Sabbath, was faithful to the last 
 with her prayers for this work. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. William Donaldson are gladly men- 
 tioned as our friends in any special need, by many 
 'kindnesses and timely gifts. 
 
 Miss E. E. Kenyon and Mrs. S. P. Farrington were 
 wise in counsel, and friends on whom we leaned. 
 
 We greatly miss Mrs. Wm. M. Tenney, who never 
 failed to cheer us on by her loving words and help- 
 ful aid. 
 
 Our first efficient Treasurer, Mrs. T. B. Janney, 
 after seven years of service resigned on account of ill 
 health. 
 
 Mrs. Chas. M. Godley took her place, and, for fifteen 
 years, the faithfulness with which she watched over the 
 treasury has been known to all. 
 
 But it would be impossible to name all, whom we 
 would gladly mention. • 
 
 The story of all these years is a pleasant one. The 
 half cannot be told. But at this Jubilee, against our 
 serial, we write, "to be continued" till America is won 
 for Christ. 
 
151 
 
 It is a joy to express our thanks to the beloved pas- 
 tors and brethren of the Session, who have always 
 aided us by their prayers and counsels. 
 
 WESTMINSTER MISSIONARY GUILD. 
 
 The organization was christened in infancy, "The 
 Youngs Ladies' Missionary Society," the name being 
 changed later to the "Young Women's Missionary So- 
 ciety," and in March, 1907, it was found best to dis- 
 band the early organization, unite with the "West- 
 minster Reading Circle," in forming a new Society, 
 and adopt a new constitution and the name, "West- 
 minster Missionary Guild," 
 
 The first meeting was held at the home of Mrs. 
 L. H. Terry, 818 Nicollet Avenue, on a bright Oc- 
 tober afternoon in 1882. Mrs. William M. Tenney and 
 Miss Eliza W. Baker, representing the Women's For- 
 eign Society and Mrs. E. F. Pomeroy, Mrs. T. B. 
 Janney and Mrs. Philip Godley of the Home Society 
 were the organizers. There were twenty young wom- 
 en present, at this beginnig, and in November the mem- 
 bership had grown to more than fifty. 
 
 The very hour of the organization, preparations 
 were made for a box to be sent to the Wasatch Acad- 
 emy, Mount Pleasant, Utah, which contained, when 
 finished, twenty pairs of sheets, twenty pairs of pillow 
 cases, towels in dozens, napkins, table cloths, etc., 
 
152 
 
 and which was valued at $100.00. A scholarship of 
 $100.00 in the same Academy was assumed the first 
 year, and has been carried continuously until now. 
 
 Mrs. L. H. Terry, now living in Santa Barbara, Cal- 
 ifornia, was elected its first President, and continued 
 in office for several years ; her fine spirit of devoted en- 
 thusiasm and her cheerful acceptance of work were an 
 inspiration to the Society, and left an imprint on its 
 character for the future. At one time, when present- 
 ing a call for help, she said: "Ladies, we have never 
 refused any call for help that has come to us ; need we 
 begin now ? If we undertake the work, I think the way 
 will be opened for its accomplishment." 
 
 The object of the organization has always been "by 
 study, prayer, and contributions, to aid the cause 
 of missions of the Women's Boards of Home and For- 
 eign Missions of the Presbyterian Church." The funds 
 are divided equally between the two Boards. They are 
 raised by voluntary offerings, and paid quarterly. 
 
 The regular meetings are held on the second Wed- 
 nesday of every month at the church, and the Indus- 
 trial meetings, for work on the boxes, occur at the 
 homes of different members on the fourth Wednesday. 
 The latter feature has always proved a strong at- 
 traction, and has added much to the Society in a so- 
 cial way. During the early years we occasionally re- 
 mained for "tea," when the Associate members, our 
 husbands and brothers, joined us for an evening's 
 
'-^'tttt**^''' . 
 
 
 
 •T • -r r- 
 
 Pulpit and Organ Loft of Second Church Edifice, 
 Corner of Nicollet Avenue and Seventh Street 
 
153 
 
 entertainment; but more recently an annual reception 
 is held for them. 
 
 Some of the first work done at the sewing meetings 
 was the furnishing of the "Terry room" at the Was- 
 atch Academy, from the dainty window curtains to 
 the cherry rag-carpet for the floor. 
 
 Some of the objects to which the Society has con- 
 tributed through the Home Board are, besides the 
 scholarships at Mt, Pleasant, another at Good Will, 
 South Dakota, the salaries of Mrs. Granger, Miss Don- 
 nelly, Miss McGraw and Miss Clark, the Freedmen's 
 General Fund, and many valuable boxes of clothing, 
 books, dolls, baby layettes, etc., to both Home and 
 Foreign fields. 
 
 Through the Foreign Board, we have contributed 
 to the salary of Miss Edna Bissell, supported a schol- 
 arship at Satillo, Mexico (originally at Monterey), one 
 at Urumiah, Persia, and have sent funds to the Sarah 
 Mateer Memorial Hospital at Wei Hein, China. 
 
 It has been the privilege of the Society to see one 
 of its members go out to active service for the Mas- 
 ter, Mrs. M. F. Schucknecht, who teaches in the Girls' 
 Industrial School at Sitka, Alaska, and Miss Edna L. 
 Bissell, who taught in Bankok, Siam, until shortly 
 before her call to Heavenly service. 
 
 To quote the words of its first President: "The 
 record of the Society is one to be proud of. It has 
 
154 
 
 not only been one of helping others, but of being 
 helped." 
 
 The pledges have always been met, and more. 
 There has always been a feeling of good comradeship 
 among its members, something akin to that in a col- 
 lege sorority. Deeper and more systematic study 
 of the various fields has led to greater spirituality and 
 a desire for larger things. 
 
 At the opening of the year last spring, it was decided 
 to unite with other young people's organizations of 
 the Church in supporting two missionaries, one at 
 home and one abroad, besides continuing the scholar- 
 ships at Saltillo, Mexico and Mt. Pleasant, Utah. New 
 Prague, Minnesota, will be the home of the missionary 
 already assigned. 
 
 KINDERGARTEN AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY 
 
 The Kindergarten and Industrial Association was 
 organized April 28th, 1884, as "Westminster Aid So- 
 ciety." The object was to furnish missions, belonging 
 to the denomination, and to furnish suitable clothing 
 to destitute children attending the Sabbath Schools. 
 
 Riverside Mission had just erected a chapel, and the 
 Society undertook the furnishing of it. The cost of 
 this and of a library amounted to $432.56, which was 
 raised by a special committee, and the Chapel was thus 
 made ready for work. The funds, to carry on this 
 
155 
 
 work, were to be raised by $1.00 membership fees and 
 a monthly pledge of five cents. 
 
 This work was organized by women, whose names 
 the Church loves to honor for their consecrated and 
 devoted lives, and was undertaken in the spirit of pray- 
 er and reliance on God's help and guidance. Among 
 the names of those who were first interested in this 
 work and have ceased from their labors are Mrs. M. 
 M. Harris, Mrs. I. C. Faries, Mrs. A. C. Morgan, Mrs. 
 A. M. Henderson, Miss E. E. Kenyon; and those 
 earlier members, who are still active are Mrs. A. M. 
 Clerihew, Mrs. W. P. Northway, Mrs. H. S. Weir, Mrs. 
 Wm. F. Rodgers and Mrs. Geo. H. Miller. Mrs. Wm. 
 M. Tenney, another of those earlier workers is now 
 living in Boston. 
 
 The first industrial work was to take the sewing 
 school, that had been carried on by Miss Clarke for two 
 years, meeting in private houses in Riverside District. 
 The chapel being ready, a sewing school was organ- 
 ized by the officers of the Aid Society, a visitor was 
 employed to find the needs of the destitute, and cloth- 
 ing was provided from the generous donations sent 
 in by the women of the Church, and much suffering 
 was relieved. 
 
 Much time and thought were given by the officers 
 of the Industrial School to finding the best methods 
 of conducting the work. They adopted the plan of 
 having the children pay a nominal sum for the gar- 
 
156 
 
 ments made, and found the moral effect of this much 
 better than of giving them. 
 
 The work developed rapidly along different lines. 
 A boy's brigade was successfully carried on by Miss 
 Eva Mclntyre. 
 
 There was a kitchen garden for the little ones, cook- 
 ing classes for the older girls, a director in the "Fresh 
 Air Fund," a day nursery, a free dispensary. 
 
 There was never a call made on the Society, that 
 promised to be helpful to the districts, but was gladly 
 taken up. As the work grew, the financial demands 
 grew, and the Society was greatly pressed for means 
 and many of the monthly meetings were turned into 
 prayer meetings seeking God's guidance and help. 
 
 In October, 1887, Mrs. Mary Plum offered her ser- 
 vices for a kindergarten at Hope Chapel. A special 
 donation of $100.00 was given, and the kindergarten 
 was opened, which was the beginning of a much larger 
 and more definite work that has, from the first, appeal- 
 ed to the hearts and homes of these people. 
 
 The Society, realizing the benefits of this beautiful 
 work, opened a kindergarten at Riverside, February, 
 1888, with Miss McCray superintendent for the re- 
 mainder of the year. 
 
 Mrs. Susan Morse, the present Superintendent was 
 elected after that. 
 
 In November, 1888, an industrial school was or- 
 ganized at Hope Chapel with Mrs. E. F. Pomeroy as 
 
157 
 
 Superintendent. Most satisfactory work was carried 
 on by a large number of devoted workers, and many 
 were helped not only materially but spiritually, as that 
 side of the work has ever been made prominent. 
 
 Mrs. E. F. Pabody was Superintendent of Riverside 
 Industrial School from 1891, with a large and faithful 
 corps of teachers, and a very successful and helpful 
 work was conducted. Much time was given to the 
 moral and spiritual well-being of the children, and 
 many lessons of love were taken away with them to 
 bear fruit in their homes. 
 
 Mrs. S. M. Davis conducted an industrial school at 
 Farview with sixty children, with much love and de- 
 votion. 
 
 At this time there was much suffering in these dis- 
 tricts, as many of the men of the families were without 
 work. Many cases of destitution were relieved by the 
 Kindergarten and Industrial workers, who acted as 
 home missionaries. Often were the workers brought 
 to face an empty treasury, when the needs were the 
 greatest, and special meetings were held to provide 
 ways to meet the exigencies. 
 
 At the close of the December meeting, 1892, the 
 President, Mrs. O. J. Evans, read a letter from the 
 Session of the Church, which gave little promise of 
 funds from that source. The needs were great, as 
 the obligations for the year had been assumed. After 
 much discussion, in the spirit of meekness and love, 
 
158 
 
 the meeting was turned into a prayer meeting, seek- 
 ing God's guidance. It was arranged, that the follow- 
 ing day be spent in fasting and prayer and that a 
 special meeting be held on Friday. A number of ear- 
 nest women were in attendance at this meeting, plead- 
 ing prayers were offered for light, wisdom and guid- 
 ance. 
 
 Mrs. S. P. Farrington said that, during the wakeful 
 hours of the night, some thoughts had come to her 
 very pleasantly as if in a dream, something like this. 
 Call a mass meeting of the women of Westminster 
 Church. The new pastor, Dr. Hunter, would like to 
 meet them all and have the Presidents of each Society 
 make a sketch of the aims and work for her Society, 
 and thus he would be informed of the work being done 
 in the Church by the Mission Societies; the pressing 
 needs of the City Mission work should be emphati- 
 cally brought forth in a manner, such as to awaken 
 special interest among the women and move them to 
 make pledges for the year for carrying on the work. 
 This plan aroused much enthusiasm and the meeting 
 was arranged. Dr. Hunter was greatly interested in 
 helping, and the meeting proved a success beyond ex- 
 pectations. 
 
 As the result of this meeting, on the Sabbath before 
 Thanksgiving the Society had a special sermon on the 
 work and pledges for the support of the work were se- 
 cured. The congregation became so interested, that, 
 
159 
 
 ever since then in each year, the same Sabbath has 
 been set aside as Women's City Missionary Sunday; 
 and the pledges secured have been ample for carrying 
 on the work, and the Society has been led to rejoice 
 and give thanks over the Treasurer's reports ever 
 since. 
 
 The tenth annual report gives many encouraging 
 facts regarding the work. At the meeting, at which 
 this report was presented, a letter was read from 
 Mr. A. J. Condit, who was the first Superintendent of 
 Riverside Sabbath School, telling of the very sad con- 
 dition on the flats, when he began the work there. Rev. 
 E. F. Pabody, the pastor, said he could hardly realize 
 that the dark picture could have been true, for now 
 one could go there in perfect safety, day or night, and 
 he had as warm friends there as anywhere, and he gave 
 a gratifying picture of the condition of the work and 
 attributed it all to the principles and work of Christ. 
 Mrs. S. P. Farrington was re-elected President at this 
 meeting, having previously served two years. The 
 following eight years were full of joy and gladness, the 
 Society being able to prosecute the work with no anx- 
 iety for finances, for the many noble men and women 
 had so generously donated the money as soon as they 
 understood the needs. 
 
 During the twenty-three years the Society has 
 had but three treasurers, the present one, Mrs. Emily 
 J. Moles having served eighteen years, and much is- 
 
160 
 
 due her for the faithfulness in collecting the pledges. 
 
 Too much cannot be said for the work of the Kin- 
 dergartners, Mrs. Susan Morse, whose work has con- 
 tinued nineteen years, and Mrs. Harriet Shryock, 
 whose services have extended over thirteen years. 
 Thousands of children have come under their influence 
 during these years. Here they have had their first les- 
 son in truth and love, and the influence has extended 
 into their homes. Many of the foreigners have their 
 first lessons in patriotism through their children, who 
 are taught the love of our flag and what it stands for. 
 Twelve nationalities have been in the schools at one 
 time. 
 
 The mothers' meetings are a very satisfactory phase 
 of the work. Many practical talks have been given 
 them on home life and care of the children ; and the re- 
 sults have been marked. 
 
 The social side of the work has not been left out, for 
 they have been entertained with lectures, stereopticon 
 views and special meetings, to which the fathers were 
 invited. The Kindergartners visit the homes, and great 
 help is given in that way. Many sick and in distress are 
 helped, homes are found for little ones, work found for 
 parents and counsel given to erring ones. This shows 
 how far reaching is the work of this Society, behind all 
 of which is the consecration of the workers doing all 
 in the spirit of Christ. A message came to the Society 
 from a dying mother : "Tell Westminster women, that 
 
161 
 
 I ask God to bless them for all the Kindergarten has 
 done for my children." 
 
 A day nursery for working mothers was conducted 
 for a time, and at the time was of great help. There 
 is a relief committee to provide clothing and help for 
 the sick, and through them the many garments given 
 by the Church have been cared for and given to the 
 needy. Many garments have been received from the 
 Women's Guild, which has greatly helped in giving 
 relief. 
 
 The happy Christmas parties of the Kindergartens 
 have become one of the delights of the work, and bring 
 joy to many little ones and to their mothers. From the 
 beginning of the industrial work, the problem has been, 
 what to do with the many boys that needed work and 
 guidance. A number of things have been tried; they 
 all want manual training and classes have been car- 
 ried on, as well as could be done with the equipments. 
 Riverside is v/ell equipped with tools, the gift of one 
 of the contributors to this work, and the past year, 
 the first satisfactory work was begun. The needs of 
 Hope are the same, the tools being a necessity for the 
 boys, and many boys being anxious for the work. Riv- 
 erside and Hope Chapel buildings are well equipped 
 for this work, as the most modern plans have been car- 
 ried out and in both are large sunny rooms for all the 
 work. 
 
 The sewing schools are conducted under the latest 
 
162 
 
 improved methods, with paid supervisors. They do 
 model work, leading up to garment making, so that a 
 girl, who has completed the models, has received in- 
 struction in all the various methods of sewing. A 
 large corps of faithful devoted workers give their time 
 to these schools, every Saturday morning from Novem- 
 ber 1st to April 1st, their only reward being the pleas- 
 ure of seeing the advancement made in their various 
 classes. 
 
 The great improvements in these two centers are 
 very marked, and some of the present workers in them 
 were themselves started in the Kindergartens. The 
 present success is due to the faithful workers, who 
 first saw the needs of the work, and to the many others 
 who have, through all the years, gladly given time 
 and strength, and whose reward it is to see the work 
 progress and know that much is being done for the 
 furtherance of the coming of the Kingdom of God. 
 
 During nearly the entire history of this Society 
 Mrs. E. J. Moles has been the efficient treasurer. Since 
 its organization the Society has raised for its work the 
 sum of $29,602.12. 
 
 WESTMINSTER SOCIAL CIRCLE. 
 
 The Social Circle is the youngest of Westminster's 
 Women's Societies. It was organized November 12, 
 1895, at the home of Rev. Pleasant Hunter, D. D., in 
 
163 
 
 response to a notice on the Sunday calendar and a 
 few approving words from the pastor. It was first 
 called Westminster Sewing Society, but, at the end 
 of a month, the present name was substituted. At 
 the first meeting Mrs. Pleasant Hunter was elected 
 Honorary President and Mrs. Charles T. Thompson 
 President. 
 
 The sewing was done for the Mission Industrial 
 Schools, for the Church Societies, as well as charitable 
 work for private individuals; but the social affairs of 
 the Church life fell naturally under its leadership, and 
 were the dominant note, for some years. 
 
 To provide funds for the treasury, a mite box was 
 passed at each meeting, until 1901, when yearly dues 
 of twenty-five cents were substituted. 
 
 The Circle has never had either constitution or by- 
 laws. This had led to independence of action, but, 
 possibly to less responsibility. For seven years the 
 meetings were held somewhat irregularly, and it was 
 not, until the issue of the calendar of women's work 
 in 1904, that the Social Circle was placed upon an 
 equal footing with the older Societies, with a definite 
 plan of work for the year. 
 
 As now arranged, there are fifteen regular meetings, 
 seven of which last all day and are devoted to sewing 
 for charitable objects. These all-day sessions are 
 held in the Church sewing rooms, which are admirably 
 
164 
 
 fitted up with three sewing machines and all neces- 
 sary appliances. 
 
 A mid-day lunch, to which all contribute, is served 
 in the spacious kitchen. The average attendance is 
 about sixty. Among the charities regularly aided 
 are: The Associated Charities, Humane Society, Beth- 
 any Home, Pillsbury Home for Working Girls, Mater- 
 nity Hospital, Florence Crittendon Home, Home for 
 Aged Women, Jones-Harrison Home, Travelers' Aid, 
 Children's Home. A competent committee of seven 
 cut out, plan and superintend the work, and nothing 
 unworthy is sent out. 
 
 The social features have varied from year to year. 
 For three years there have been thimble bees, two eve- 
 ning receptions to which the men are invited, the fall 
 rally and annual meeting, nine in all, the majority being 
 held at private homes. Besides these regular affairs, 
 there are occasional picnics, and the Circle sometimes 
 takes charge of general socials or receptions for the 
 entire Church. Attendance at its own social affairs 
 varies from sixty to several hundred. The Society 
 has on its membership list about two hundred fifty 
 names. 
 
 From the first, it has had a dual aim, to promote 
 sociability and personal acquaintance among the peo- 
 ple of Westminster congregation, and to aid worthy 
 charities by personal work. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 l^ouna {people's Societies in tbe Cbutcb. 
 
 The Young People of Westminster Church have, for 
 many years, been very zealous in religious work, espe- 
 cially in the line of missionary activity. The credit for 
 the following sketches is due to Rev. Harry G. Finney, 
 our efficient assistant pastor, and to a number of 
 our good women, who have aided actively in form- 
 ing and carrying on these Societies. These sketches 
 are presented substantially as originally written, and, 
 as nearly as possible, in the order of the organiza« 
 tion of the different Societies and Bands. In the lat- 
 ter respect some mistakes may have been made, as 
 there is some uncertainty as to some of the dates. 
 
 Organized work among the young people began 
 with the "Westminster Mission Workers," a Society 
 founded by Mrs. B. C. Ramsey, on October 10, 1873. 
 Another Band, called the "Cheerful Givers" was found- 
 ed the same year by Mrs. T. B. Janney. On May 30th, 
 1874, "The Zenana Workers" and the "Seek and Save 
 Band" were organized, the former being a class of 
 Mrs. L. P. Plummer and the latter a class of Miss 
 Eliza W. Baker. These four Societies and Bands ex- 
 
166 
 
 isted for five years and raised $376.57; they then gave 
 place to other organizations. After other temporary 
 efforts, the work finally chrystalized into its present 
 form with a half dozen or more organizations, with 
 various modes of religious service expression, all of 
 which have for their general object, first: To promote 
 an earnest Christian life; second: To advance the mu- 
 tual acquaintance of the young people generally of the 
 Church ; and third, to secure a sympathetic, intelligent 
 and prayerful interest in the Church's work at home 
 and abroad. 
 
 The latest work undertaken by them was the sup- 
 port of a pastor in each of the Home and Foreign Mis- 
 sion fields. The organizations supporting this new 
 work are : The Westminster Missionary Guild ; Senior 
 and Intermediate Christian Endeavor Societies; 
 Daughters of the King; Gleaners, Junior Chapter and 
 Class No. 1 in the Sabbath School. 
 
 The Young People of today are the future of the 
 Church. Yesterday is history, tomorrow lives in to- 
 day. That the future of Westminster Church is safe, 
 the following brief history of each of its Young Peo- 
 ple's Societies attests. 
 
 THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING. 
 
 The Daughters of the King is one of the many Mis- 
 sionarv Societies of Westminster Church. This So- 
 
167 
 
 ciety was organized in 1882, under the leadership of 
 Miss Eliza W. Baker. It is composed of high school 
 girls with, at present, forty active members. Monthly 
 meetings are held on Friday afternoons at 4 o'clock. 
 The objects of this Society are to instil into the young 
 minds and hearts the true Missionary Spirit, to main- 
 tain a high standard of giving, not only of money but 
 of time, labor and prayer, for the advancement of 
 God's Kingdom. Much practical work is being done 
 through this Society. 
 
 PEARL GATHERERS. 
 
 In May, 1882, Gaylord Steele, a bright, happy boy in 
 the primary class of our Sabbath School, was taken 
 home to be with Jesus. Not long after his death, Gay- 
 lord's mother, Mrs. J. A. Steele, brought a sacred offer- 
 ing from his little bank, to be given that some boy 
 might learn to love Jesus, as Gaylord had loved Him. 
 
 The primary class was at once organized into a 
 Missionary Band, called the Pearl Gatherers, and the 
 children brought their pennies, to be added to the 
 precious gift. 
 
 A scholarship was taken among the Papago In- 
 dians, to be called the "Gaylord Steele Scholarship." 
 To a little Indian boy was given the name we had 
 loved, and for years he was loved, and prayed for, by 
 the children of the class. 
 
168 
 
 He is a grand man now, but still bears the name, 
 and we hear of him through missionaries to that tribe, 
 in Tuscon, Arizona. 
 
 The first year's report by the Treasurer, Bessie Gil- 
 more, showed our offerings to be $67, of which $50.00 
 was for the Gaylord Steele scholarship, and $17.00 for 
 Persia. 
 
 Jn 1886, David Tenney was Treasurer of the class. 
 The children of the primary class of those days, have 
 grown to be men and women, but the "Pearl Gather- 
 ers" still remain an organization. The mothers of the 
 older and younger children too make up any deficit 
 there may be in the childrens' gifts. And the money 
 for our scholarship is sent annually. 
 
 "THE GLEANERS." 
 
 "The Gleaners" have learned the secret of perpetual 
 youth, for though oldest of the exclusively young peo- 
 ple's Societies, they are still, after twenty-four years 
 of existence, from ten to fourteen years old, sweet, win- 
 some, loving little girls, fascinating with the uncon- 
 scious enthusiasm and charity of early youth. 
 
 Founded in January, 1883, under the patronage of 
 the Women's Foreign Missionary Society, they as- 
 sumed early, if not at once, a pledge of twenty-five 
 dollars for a scholarship in Allahabad, India, which 
 they have never failed to meet or to exceed. Establish- 
 
David James Burrell, D.D., 
 Pastor 1887-1891 
 
169 
 
 ed to meet as a Foreign Mission Band, they soon be- 
 gan to give the surplus above their pledge to Home 
 Missions and, in 1898, doubled their pledge in order 
 to divide it equally between the two Boards. Since 
 then the)'- have never failed to go considerably beyond 
 their pledge of $50.00, and have paid into the mission- 
 ary treasuries, during their entire existence, something 
 over one thousand dollars. 
 
 The value of this, as of all Bands, is not measured 
 by the money they have raised, except as this money 
 is a measure of their spirit of self-denial and love. 
 
 The broadening of their sympathies through knowl- 
 edge, training in service and systematic giving, and, 
 above all else, the spirit of love and sacrifice for their 
 Master and His little ones, are the only real test of the 
 value of their work among the children. 
 
 THE SENIOR CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR 
 SOCIETY. 
 
 The pastorate of Dr. Burrell marked the beginning 
 of Christian Endeavor history in Westminster Church, 
 the Society being organized in January, 1888. Ever 
 cherishing the motto: "For Christ and the Church," 
 the Endeavorers have made an honorable record in 
 gifts to Foreign and Home Missions and in labor in 
 the City Mission fields at Riverside and at Hope. The 
 Westminster Endeavorers were among the first in the 
 
170 
 
 city to organize classes for systematic study of Mis- 
 sions. Throughout its history the Society has been 
 blessed by the cordial support of the pastors, and the 
 active aid of the assistant-pastors. 
 
 THE INTERMEDIATE CHRISTIAN ENDEAV- 
 OR SOCIETY. 
 
 In the year 1895, certain of the good Christian moth- 
 ers of Westminster Church, decided that a training 
 in religious expression was needed for the children 
 of the congregation. In response to their desires, 
 the Junior Christian Endeavor Society of Westminster 
 Church was organized. After five years of active work, 
 the Society was changed to an Intermediate Christian 
 Endeavor. The Society was formed of the younger 
 members of the Church and also any young person de- 
 siring to lead a Christian life. The meetings were held 
 on Friday afternoons, to accommodate the school chil- 
 dren, but later the attendance increased and the meet- 
 ings were changed to Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock. 
 Meetings were held at first in what is now the Inter- 
 mediate Department rooms, but the membership has so 
 increased that it is now necessary to hold the meet- 
 ings in the main Sunday School room. The member- 
 ship is now of Senior age and is composed of Univer- 
 sity and High School students to the number of forty, 
 who carry on an aggressive work. 
 
171 
 THE JUNIOR CHAPTER. 
 
 The Junior Chapter was organized May 5, 1907, with 
 Miss Callie M. Cecil, Superintendent. The member- 
 ship is composed of young people under 16. The pur- 
 pose of the Society is to provide for its members an ef- 
 fective training of the heart, tongue and hand for re- 
 ligious and church work. 
 
 The Fujiyami Club for boys was organized by Mr. 
 S. C. Woodhull in 1906 for the study of Missions, and 
 has had a very successful career. 
 
 The Westminster Fellowship, organized in 1906, by 
 Mr. C. W. Van Tuyl, as an extension of his Sunday 
 School Class, is both a Bible Class and a Social Club 
 for young men. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 ^be 6olt)en 3ubtlee, 
 
 Introductory. 
 
 After the preceding chapters, giving the history of 
 the Church, had been prepared and largely printed, 
 the committee decided, that it would be wiser to delay 
 issuing it, until there could be prepared and printed 
 with it a history of the Jubilee exercises. The his- 
 torian was requested to prepare the chapters, contain- 
 ing such additional matter, including the addresses 
 which might be made at the various meetings. As 
 these addresses were largely historical, and unavoid- 
 ably covered many of the events already described, in 
 part at least, in the history already printed, there will 
 necessarily be found some repetition in this volume. 
 Nevertheless it seemed wiser to publish the addresses 
 at the Jubilee exercises, as they were delivered, even 
 at the expense of such repetition, rather than to change 
 and abridge any of them, at the risk of impairing their 
 continuity and beauty. 
 
 The annual congregational meeting, in April, 1905, 
 had appointed Mr. J. B. Gilfillan, Chairman of the Com- 
 mittee to arrange for this celebration. The selection 
 
173 
 
 of the other members of the committee was delegated 
 to him. He appointed as such members, Rev. John 
 Edward Bushnell, Elbert L. Carpenter, J. R. Gordon, 
 T. B. Janney, George H. Miller, Curtis H. Pettit, J. S. 
 Porteous and Charles T. Thompson. At an early- 
 meeting of the committee, it organized by electing Mr. 
 Pettit as Vice-Chairman; Mr. Porteous as Recording 
 Secretary and Treasurer; and Mr. Thompson as Cor- 
 responding Secretary and Historian. Subsequently the 
 following sub-committees were appointed : on finances, 
 Messrs. Janney, Carpenter and Gordon; on program, 
 Messrs. Bushnell, Gilfillan, Janney, Pettit and Thomp- 
 son; on music, Mr. Carpenter; on decorations and re- 
 freshments, the members of the Finance Committee. 
 
 Though several meetings of the Committee were 
 held earlier, yet little of the work of preparation was 
 accomplished until early in the year 1907. At the first 
 meeting then held, it was voted to invite all of the for- 
 mer pastors, still living, and their wives to attend the 
 celebration as the guests and at the expense of the 
 Church. This invitation was given through the Cor- 
 responding Secretary. It was accepted by Dr. and 
 Mrs. Burrell and Dr. and Mrs. Hunter. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Strong, living in Pasadena, California and Dr. and 
 Mrs. Condit, living at the same place, held the invita- 
 tion open for several months, hoping they might be 
 able to accept it. They were finally compelled by 
 their physical condition to decline it. 
 
174 
 
 The Committee, after carefully considering the mat- 
 ter, decided to have on the first evening, (Thursday) 
 a more informal meeting, to which, after considerable 
 discussion, the program committee gave the name, 
 "Fellowship Meeting." This was to be followed by a 
 reception on Friday evening. Saturday afternoon was 
 given to the ladies, for the celebration of the work of 
 their societies ; while the week was to be closed by the 
 celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, 
 with the reception of new members, on Saturda)'' even- 
 ing. 
 
 Sabbath was to be the great day of the feast. 
 
 To Dr. Burrell, as the Senior pastor, was given the 
 privilege of preaching at the morning service; and to 
 Dr. Hunter of preaching at the evening service ; while 
 to our own beloved pastor, Dr. Bushnell, was given the 
 honor of closing the whole by an address, at the con- 
 clusion of the evening service, summing up the les- 
 sons of the Jubilee and sounding a forward note for 
 the future. 
 
 In addition to these, special services in the Sab- 
 bath School and at Hope and Riverside Chapels were 
 provided for, the details of the programs being left 
 to the respective Superintendents in each of those 
 Schools. 
 
 The plans, thus laid, were carried out in every de- 
 tail. Each service was perfect; and it seemed as 
 though Providence had set the seal of His approval to 
 
175 
 
 it all. Even nature seemed to join to make the whole 
 a success, for the weather was perfect and the bright 
 sunlight and the beautiful tints of the autumn foliage 
 gave a golden tinge to everything, which was in per- 
 fect keeping with our golden jubilee. Now and then, 
 as the exercises progressed, a note of sadness was 
 struck, as some loved one was remembered, who had 
 done so much in life to make the past history of West- 
 minster Church beautiful and glorious, and who had 
 gone from our midst; but the predominating note was 
 one of joy and gratitude to God. Though we might 
 miss our loved ones gone, we could only rejoice in the 
 thought of what they had accomplished, and in the 
 victory which they had won. 
 
 An interesting circumstance, connected with the Ju- 
 bilee, occurred on Sabbath. Dr. Burrell and the Clerk 
 of Session found on the table in the pastor's study a 
 program of the Golden Jubilee of Westminster Pres- 
 byterian Church in Detroit, which was occurring at 
 the same time as ours. They thought it would be a 
 good plan to send greetings to the Detroit brethren. 
 The matter was mentioned to Dr. Bushnell and met his 
 approval, whereupon the Clerk sent the following tele- 
 gram: 
 
 "Westminster Church, Minneapolis, celebrating its 
 Golden Jubilee, sends greetings to Westminster 
 Church, Detroit, in her rejoicing. II Corinthians 13 :14." 
 
176 
 
 Before the close of the day, the following answer 
 was received and was read at the evening service: 
 
 "Congratulations to the Westminster Church, Min- 
 neapolis, from the Westminster Church, Detroit. Read 
 Ephesians five, twenty-seven." 
 
 For all of the Jubilee services, one program had 
 been prepared and provided, which was a marvel of 
 beauty. It reflected great credit on the taste of the 
 pastor and assistant pastor, who had superintended its 
 printing and selected the paper, type and ink, and on 
 the skill of Messrs. Byron & Willard, who had printed 
 it. 
 
 "THE FELLOWSHIP MEETING." 
 October 3rd. 
 
 The exercises were opened at 8 P. M. with an organ 
 voluntary by Mr. H. S. Woodruff, followed by the 
 singing of the Long Metre Doxology by the congre- 
 gation. 
 
 INVOCATION. 
 Rev. Charles Thayer, D. D. 
 
 O God, from whom all blessings flow, we worship 
 Thee, we rejoice in Thee, we give praise to Thee for 
 what Thou hast done for the children of men. We re- 
 joice, on this occasion, for the manifold mercies we 
 
177 
 
 "have received at Thy hands in the years that have pas- 
 sed, and may Thy spirit dwell in our hearts and work 
 in us, that we may appreciate and benefit by the bless- 
 ings, which Thou hast bestowed upon us. We pray 
 Thee, give us Thy blessing upon this the anniversary 
 of Thy Church. As we look back over the years that 
 have passed away, we realize that all the way Thou 
 hast led us, Thou has been with us though all exigen- 
 cies of life, and Thou hast led us safely through all the 
 difficulties and trials, that have beset us, and hast per- 
 mitted us to meet here this day in Thy service. We 
 thank Thee for these men and women, who have been 
 instrumental in the upbuilding of this Church, and we 
 pray Thee that this service, which we are to hold here, 
 may serve as a step to a new consecration to Thee. 
 May it be a season of soul uplifting, a season that may 
 lift us up in a new consecration to Thee, for all that we 
 have and all that we are we owe to Thee. We pray 
 Thee grant Thy special blessing upon this meeting, 
 and may Thy Holy Spirit be poured out upon us in a 
 large measure in the days to come. We ask it in 
 Jesus' name. Amen. 
 
 PRESENTATION. 
 
 Mr. John B. Gilfillan, Chairman of Jubilee Commit- 
 tee, then presented the report of the committee and in- 
 troduced the pastor as presiding officer of the meeting 
 in the following words : 
 
178 
 
 "At the annual meeting of this Church, and congre- 
 gation, in the month of April, 1905, a resolution was 
 adopted, reciting in its preamble the approach of the 
 fiftieth anniversary of Westminster Church and pro- 
 viding for a committee, to make suitable arrangements, 
 for its observance. This committee met and organized, 
 appointing the necessary sub-committees and secre- 
 taries. Meetings were held from time to time, as deem- 
 ed necessary, and plans discussed and considered. The 
 results of these deliberations appear upon the program,, 
 which is placed in your hands. A list of the commit- 
 tees and officers of the Church also appears upon the 
 program. 
 
 In order to have with us former pastors and to secure 
 a full attendance of the membership of the Church, the 
 time of this anniversary was carried forward from 
 August, the date of the organization, until October. 
 It is not deemed necessary nor best to give now a de- 
 tailed account of the deliberations of the committee. 
 The results appear in the program. It may be proper, 
 however, to make reference to one matter. After full 
 consideration your committee thought it best to ap- 
 point a sub-committee to compile a history of the 
 Church, to be printed for the permanent use of its 
 members. Mr. C, T. Thompson, a long-time elder of 
 the Church and clerk of the session, was chosen for 
 this work. The history has been prepared with great 
 care and skill, has been examined and approved by the 
 
179 
 
 committee and printed. It will be published in a bound 
 volume, like the one I hold in my hand, with an epitome 
 of proceedings of the various meetings of this anniver- 
 sary. The history will be disposed of at a moderate 
 price. This volume, I am sure, will prove an interest- 
 ing and valuable addition to the library of every one 
 interested in Westminster. Mr. Ankeny, Treasurer of 
 the Church, has charge of the receiving of orders for 
 this book. The absence from the program, of an his- 
 torian of the Church will be understood through this 
 explanation of the work of Mr. Thompson for the com- 
 mittee, it being deemed more satisfactory to provide a 
 complete history in permanent form, and in greater de- 
 tail than could be given in an address. That this and 
 all the work they have undertaken, may meet your ap- 
 proval, is the devout wish of your committee. 
 
 And now we are here to inaugurate this anniversary. 
 It is believed that, in reviewing its past history and 
 present condition, Westminster Church will find many, 
 very many, causes for gratitude and rejoicing. The 
 details of these events, coming through all the years, 
 have been assigned to others who will follow me. My 
 remarks must be purely introductory. 
 
 Fifty years is a long span, in the life of a church as 
 well as of an individual, and yet we rejoice that we 
 have still with us one of the original founders of the 
 Church of fifty years ago, Mrs. Deborah M. Pettit, and 
 also her good husband, Mr. Curtis H. Pettit, who has 
 
180 
 
 been, through all these years, a valued and honored 
 member of the Board of Trustees, and during most of 
 the time, and now, its chairman. 
 
 Various changes have occurred in the pastorates of 
 this Church, and always with the greatest regret on 
 the part of the people. These changes, coming when 
 the work and influence of the pastor seemed to be at 
 high water mark for doing good, were somewhat diffi- 
 cult to understand. Whether the new fields, to which 
 our pastors were called, were more wicked and were 
 therefore more needy than ours, like Chicago, New 
 York and New Jersey, I may not say, because I know 
 not; every community knoweth its own wickedness. 
 At any rate the Church, resting in the sublime faith, 
 that there is a Wisdom higher than ours, ruling every- 
 thing for the best, accepted the conditions thrust upon 
 it, and we have been made happy in retrospect that 
 always, in selecting a successor, that selection has 
 proved a most happy one; and so we have come to 
 learn over and over again the old lesson, that "the Lord 
 will provide." 
 
 We had hoped to have with us on this occasion two 
 of the early pastors of the Church, Dr. Strong and Dr. 
 Condit, but we regret that by reason of illness, or im- 
 paired health at least, neither of them is able to be 
 here. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Sample, Pastor for so many years, whose 
 preaching and ministry were so acceptable, and whose 
 
181 
 
 influence was so great, is no longer in the flesh ; but we 
 have faith to believe his spirit is with us in these days. 
 The impetus for good work augmented by his pastor- 
 ate, has continued to this day and even this beautiful 
 edifice, which we now enjoy so much, is simply the 
 proceeds in a new form of the Church of Dr. Sample's 
 time. But greater than all this was the work of Dr. 
 Sample in building the spiritual temple of Westmin- 
 ster, laying its foundations, deep and broad, upon prin- 
 ciples as enduring as truth itself, foundations upon 
 which those following him have continued to build. 
 Dr. Sample was never really severed from this congre- 
 gation, but as long as life lasted he felt a special inter- 
 est in it and in every one called to its ministry or its 
 membership. Whenever he could revisit our city it 
 was a source of unalloyed satisfaction to him and to 
 his friends. This condition reached its climax when in 
 this Church, his old home, he was made moderator of 
 the General Assembly. 
 
 Two of our later pastors, who followed Dr. Sample, 
 we all rejoice in having with us on this occasion ; but it 
 will fall to the lot of him, who follows me, to extend 
 to them fitting words of welcome. 
 
 In the later years we have been led by our present 
 pastor into green pastures and beside still waters. In 
 the near past, however, these waters were seriously 
 troubled by an urgent and flattering call to him from 
 another field of labor; but that cloud has passed and I 
 
182 . 
 
 feel assured that I utter the united sentiment of our 
 people in saying, that, among all the causes for re- 
 joicing upon this jubilee occasion, one of the chiefest 
 of these is the fact that our beloved pastor is to abide 
 with us. 
 
 I now gladly relinquish the chair to Rev. Dr. Bush- 
 nell, pastor of Westminster Church, who will preside 
 during the further ceremonies of the evening. 
 
 Rev. John E. Bushnell, the pastor, thus presented 
 to preside, then delivered the following address of 
 welcome, after which the exercises proceeded in order 
 as here follows: 
 
 "I thank you, Mr. Gilfillan, for your most kind and 
 gracious words of introduction. 
 
 The joyful anticipations of this anniversary, which 
 have for so many months filled our hearts, are now to 
 be turned into happy fulfillment, which the printer 
 will soon take and bind into a volume of history. In 
 the meantime, let us rejoice and be glad in one another 
 and in the Lord through the swiftly passing hours, 
 that bind us together. Fifty years ago Godly men 
 and women, under the blessing of God and the guid- 
 ance of the Holy Spirit, builded better than they knew 
 in the organization of Westminster Church. It began 
 in weakness, as a beneficiary of the Board of Home 
 Missions and compelled to share pastoral oversight 
 with a sister church, in order thereby to divide its ex- 
 pense. In the years which have passed since then. 
 
183 
 
 God has wonderfully blessed us. Certainly no proud- 
 er history of church development is recorded in our 
 country, than that which we celebrate on this occasion. 
 It is not, however, my function to rehearse that story, 
 which has been most adequately written by your his- 
 torian and which will also be illuminated, in certain 
 particulars, by those best fitted to adorn the theme. 
 
 It is my especial privilege to extend a welcome to 
 the greatly beloved former pastors, who delight us all 
 by their presence as our honored guests. We warmly 
 appreciate the sacrifice which they have made, in 
 leaving their homes at this opening period in their own 
 important Churches, in order to show their love for 
 Westminster; and we are also grateful to their 
 Churches for letting us have them to ourselves for 
 this one week. Every Pastor of this Church has had 
 occasion to be thankful for the men, who have gone 
 before him in his sacred office. Each one of those, 
 who have been pastors and removed, have adorned 
 their profession by a noble life and consecrated and 
 eminent talents. They have in every instance had the 
 loving and loyal devotion of this people and could al- 
 ways be sure of a permanent place in their hearts. 
 Their names will be cherished with reverence, and one 
 of our greatest reasons for thankfulness today is that 
 the unbroken harmony of Westminster is so clearly 
 manifest in so beautiful a token as that. One of the 
 greatest honors, of which I myself am conscious, is 
 
184 
 
 that I am the successor of those men, and one of my 
 chiefest anxieties is, lest I prove unworthy of my in- 
 hecitance. Particularly on account of personal ac- 
 quaintance and the longer term of their service here, 
 do" I delight in my three distinguished immediate pre- 
 decessors, one of whom looks down on us from Heaven 
 and two I am to have the satisfaction of greeting to- 
 night. Already I note the happiness, which shines in 
 your faces, at the sight of them on this platform and 
 in anticipation of hearing their loved voices. My dear 
 Drs. Burrell and Hunter; there are none more glad, 
 than I, to salute you at this time. I hail your coming 
 with gratitude, as I have long anticipated it with pleas- 
 ure. Your presence was absolutely essential for this 
 occasion, and I have trembled lest unforseen conditions 
 might disappoint our hopes of you. On behalf of all 
 this people and our entire City, which holds you in 
 honor and affection, I greet you and welcome you to 
 share our Jubilee. If, my dear brothers, it were pos- 
 sible to bear you any grudge, it would be, speaking 
 out of the natural man, that your lofty standard of 
 character and your eminent efficiency as ministers of 
 the Gospel are quite incompatible with my own ease 
 of mind and body as your successor. But you have 
 somewhat relieved the embarrassment of such a 
 thought, by being the kind of men you are and preach- 
 ing such a sweet and strong Gospel as you have, so 
 that this people's hearts have grown so capacious un- 
 

 .^■^^'^vsism 
 
 V- lS5 
 
185 
 
 der your example and instruction, as to have ample 
 room to store away, somewhere in their generous af- 
 fections, as many as may follow, if they shall only 
 prove worthy of such an enviable place, and without 
 disturbing your own sure stronghold there. 
 
 We are sure you bring us a great blessing. We 
 pray that you may also carry one away, to help you in 
 your days ahead. I only voice, what the eyes of this 
 congregation have already spoken to you. We wel- 
 come you back to the old home. We claim you en- 
 tirely just for these days. The more you can mingle 
 again with your old friends in their homes and, by the 
 way, the more you can give them of yourselves, so 
 much the more will you leave a helpful influence be- 
 hind, which will make my own work lighter and bright- 
 er after you are gone away. And to Dr. Thayer, also 
 on this platform, one of the Christian pioneers of the 
 Northwest, whom we love as a Father in Israel and 
 pray that his going to heaven may be long delayed, I 
 extend a heartfelt greeting. 
 
 Let us now unite in singing what is, from top to 
 bottom, a good old Presbyterian hymn. Let us all 
 sing two verses of "How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints 
 of the Lord." 
 
 The audience joined in singing hymn No. 533, "How 
 Firm a Foundation," after which a Scripture lesson, 
 consisting of 1 Corinthians, XIH, was read by Rev. 
 Harry G. Finney, Assistant Pastor. 
 
186 
 
 Dr. Bushnell : It is with great regret that I have to 
 announce that Dr. Adams, on account of official du- 
 ties, is unable to be here this evening; but I am glad to 
 call upon one of our esteemed Elders, Dr. Steele, to 
 lead us in prayer. He united with this Church in 
 
 1878. 
 
 PRAYER. 
 Dr. J. A. Steele. • 
 
 O Lord,, our strength and help, Thou hast been our 
 dwelling place in all generations. Before the moun- 
 tains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed 
 the earth and the world, even from everlasting to ever- 
 lasting. Thou art God. We pray Thee, fill our hearts 
 with gratitude today, and may the meditations of our 
 heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord our strength 
 and our Redeemer! We cannot enumerate the mani- 
 fold blessings, which Thou has showered upon Thy 
 people in the past years, but we thank Thee for the pro- 
 tection Thou hast given us; we thank Thee for all 
 that Thou hast done for us, for we have seen with our 
 eyes and heard with our ears that Thou hast been 
 mindful of Thy people. We thank Thee for the many 
 years we have been permitted to spend in Thy service. 
 We thank Thee, O Lord, for the Christian lives and ex- 
 amples, which Thou hast given us, many of whom 
 have gone to join the throng above. We thank Thee, 
 
187 
 
 O Lord, for the many opportunities given these people 
 to extend Thy kingdom, and we thank Thee, Lord, 
 for the wondrous unanimity that has existed during 
 all these years among these Thy people. O Lord, we 
 do praise Thee for what Thou hast done for us, and 
 may these blessings serve as an impetus in the work 
 of building up Thy cause here on earth. We ask, O 
 Lord, that Thou wouldst do for us in the future as 
 Thou hast done in the past, and may we always have 
 Thy presence near us. We ask it not through any 
 merit of our own, but we asH it in the name of Christ 
 our Redeemer and the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
 
 A baritone solo, "Tell Me the Old, Old Story," was 
 very effectively rendered by Mr. Harry E. Phillips, a 
 member of Westminster Choir. 
 
 Dr. Bushnell : We shall be glad to hear a word 
 from two pastors living, but detained at their homes 
 by weakness tonight. Mr. C. T. Thompson, for twen- 
 ty-seven years clerk of the Session of this Church, will 
 present these greetings and such others as have come 
 to his hand. Mr. Thompson is a man, to whom we owe 
 an unspeakable debt of gratitude for writing a history 
 of the Church, and for his long and faithful service as 
 clerk of the Session of Westminster Church. 
 
 Mr. Charles T. Thompson then spoke as follows: 
 
 Fifty years ago the Presbytery of St. Paul extended 
 from the St. Croix to the Missouri; and from Canada 
 nearly to the southern boundary of our State ; a migh- 
 
188 
 
 ty future empire — but then an almost unbroken wilder- 
 ness. 
 
 Fifty years ago, on August 23rd, a little band of God- 
 ly pioneers, Presbyterians of Scotch-Irish or Welch 
 descent, organized within the bounds of that Presby- 
 tery and on the borders of that Wilderness this Church, 
 which we love. In humble faith in an Almighty God 
 and in reliance upon His promises, they laid for it a 
 deep foundation of orthodox and evangelical Christian- 
 ity. We, who have entered into the heritage of their 
 labors, have much for which to be grateful today ; but 
 one of the greatest causes of gratitude to God is, that 
 He in His kind Providence, has sent to this Church a 
 succession of pastors who have faithfully, earnestly, 
 prayerfully, and with distinguished ability ministered 
 to us in holy things; and who have all of them con- 
 tinued to build the superstructure of Westminster 
 Church, upon that foundation laid by the Oliver and 
 Williams families in 1857. 
 
 Only six pastors in all! That of itself is a noble 
 record in this restless age! Three of them honor 
 and bless us with their presence today ; while three are 
 not here. It is for the absent that I am to speak. 
 
 In its earliest years the Church had three temporary 
 supplies, Benjamin Dorrance, James McKee and Levi 
 Hughes, none of whom became its pastor. 
 
 Robert Strong came to this Church, a young man in 
 feeble health, in 1861. He had not yet been ordained 
 
189 
 
 to the ministry ; but he was ordained, and at the same 
 time installed as pastor, in October, 1862. He con- 
 tinued his active pastoral work until May, 1864, when 
 his health completely gave way and he obtained a long 
 leave of absence from the Church, in the hope that 
 he might become physically able to resume the work. 
 In this hope he was disappointed, and, in the spring of 
 1865, his pastoral relation with this Church was dis- 
 solved. Mr. Strong was compelled, by reason of his 
 poor health, to give up the ministry altogether. For 
 the same reason he has been compelled to decline our 
 invitation to be present today as our guest; but he 
 sends to us this greeting, from his home in Pasadena, 
 California : 
 "Charles T. Thompson, Esq., 
 
 "My Dear sir: Your favor of the 14th is received, 
 conve3ang the invitation for myself and my wife to be 
 present as the Church's guests at the fiftieth anniver- 
 sary of the founding of Westminster Presbyterian 
 Church. Pardon the seeming discourtesy of this long 
 dela3'^ed reply to the invitation, supposed to have been 
 extended through Mr. Pettit last winter. I under- 
 stood Mr. Pettit's communication was simply an an- 
 nouncement of an invitation, that would come more 
 formally afterwards, hence the delay. 
 
 I have been considering the invitation, ever since it 
 was first spoken of. It is needless to say how greatly 
 I think I would enjoy it and how I should compare 
 
190 
 
 with open eyes the city, as it now is, with what it was 
 when I last saw it in 1864, and the little church on 
 Fourth Street with the present noble building. These 
 forty-three years have made changes, that are hard to 
 be appreciated except by open vision. I should miss 
 the old friends, who welcomed me in 1861, almost all of 
 whom have passed away, but they served their genera- 
 tion faithfully and builded well your foundations on 
 which you have erected so large a structure, the pride 
 of the Northwest. The few that remain ought to be 
 held in the highest honor, for they are worthy of it. 
 
 I have come to the conclusion that it will not be 
 wise for me to accept the invitation. While I count 
 myself an active man still, 'seventy years young,' yet I 
 have my physical limitations, which make traveling 
 not only a burden, but a danger; and, as I have never 
 regained the power of public speaking, I could not add 
 anything helpful to your public ceremonies, that would 
 justify the strain. So I will hope to hear all about it 
 at this distance, and rejoice that I had some little early 
 part in the great accomplishment. Please express to 
 the Committee of Arrangements my hearty apprecia- 
 tion of the honor of the invitation. I remain. 
 Very sincerely yours, 
 
 Robert Strong." 
 
 Before leaving Minneapolis in 1864, Mr. Strong had 
 induced his young friend, Robert A. Condit, to come 
 to this Church as a supply. Mr. Condit came in the 
 
191 
 
 fall of 1864, and, after the resignation of Mr. Strong, 
 in 1865, he was installed as pastor of the Church. The 
 pastorate, which was very successful in many respects 
 and which was especially crowned by the enlargement 
 of the first church home for this congregation, was ter- 
 minated by Mr. Condit's resignation in December, 
 1867. After that he was for many years a professor 
 in Coe College at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His residence 
 now is in Pasadena, Cal,, though, at present he is vis- 
 iting among old friends in Illinois. He had confident- 
 ly expected to have been present with us today, but his 
 health is such that it did not seem to be wise to en- 
 dure the strain. He sends to us these words of greet- 
 ing: 
 "Mr. Charles T. Thompson. 
 
 Dear Sir: Your letter of the 14th from Minneapolis 
 has been forwarded to me here. I fully expected to 
 attend the anniversary of the founding of Westminster 
 Church, but, in my present state of health, I do not 
 think it would be wise for me to do so. I wish how- 
 ever, to thank you and through you the Committee for 
 their kind and generous invitation extended to Mrs. 
 Condit and myself. 
 
 It would have given me great pleasure to have been 
 present on this occasion, and to have joined in these ex- 
 ercises. 
 
 May the blessing of the Great Head of the Church 
 continue to rest on Westminster Church. 
 
 Yours sincerely, 
 
 R. A. Condit." 
 
192 
 
 The next, whose greetings I bring you, has entered 
 in his eternal and blessed home, where he is worship- 
 ping in the temple not made with hands, instead of in 
 the earthly temple which he so much loved. 
 
 The name of Robert F. Sample, who became our 
 pastor in March, 1868, awakens blessed memories to- 
 day. Few pastors have made upon the members of 
 their congregation a greater and more enduring im- 
 pression, than that made by him upon the congrega- 
 tion of this Church. The circumstances, under which 
 he was called to the pastorate of the little Church, 
 seemed to its members to be providential. He had 
 been supplying the Andrew Church of St. Anthony 
 for several years, and had definitely decided to remove 
 to some other field of labor. Under these circum- 
 stances, the way seemed clear to the officers and mem- 
 bers of Westminster Church to invite him to occupy 
 the vacant pulpit of this Church. The records of the 
 congregational meetings record the fact, that, to the 
 members of the Church at that time, the indications of 
 Providence seemed plainly to point to him as the one, 
 whom they should call. 
 
 The Church records contain this entry: "God was 
 better to us than we almost dared to hope, and, to our 
 glad surprise, we found ourselves united in making 
 this call. Our instinctive feeling was, in view of this 
 result, surely this is of the Lord." 
 
 The pastoral relation thus auspiciously begun, and 
 
193 
 
 which lasted without interruption for more than nine- 
 teen years, was marked during its entire course, by 
 the presence and blessing of the Holy Spirit. His 
 daughter, Mrs. Mary Sample Donaldson, sends us 
 this greeting in her father's stead: 
 "Dear Mr. Thompson : — 
 
 It gives me unusual pleasure, on this jubilee of 
 Westminster Church, to testify that my father, Dr. 
 Sample, had peculiar affection for it, as his favorite 
 charge. 
 
 It was there he celebrated his longest pastorate of 
 nearly a score of years. In it he did his greatest work. 
 He found his greatest satisfaction in the brown stone 
 sanctuary on Seventh Street, and he secured the name 
 "Westminster" for his Church on Twenty-third Street, 
 New York. There he took many into the Church, 
 whom he afterwards married; then he baptized their 
 children, and received them also into the Church. 
 
 I remember how generous the Church was to their 
 pastor and his family, at Dr. Sample's silver anniver- 
 sary and at my own wedding, with great gratitude. 
 
 Although my father's ashes lie on the banks of the 
 Hudson, his real home was in Minneapolis. 
 
 As the Douglas carried the heart of Bruce to the 
 Holy Land, so on this anniversary day, I would bring 
 Dr. Sample's heart to lay it upon your altars, with his 
 prayer and ours that God's richest blessings may rain 
 upon you forever. 
 
 With happy memories and fond hopes, 
 Yours in cordial greetings, 
 
 Mary Sample Donaldson. 
 
194 
 
 I have no toleration for spiritualism in the common 
 use of the term, but I do believe in that ministry of 
 Spirits, of which the Bible speaks. I believe that God 
 permits to His saints, who have arrived at home, the 
 privilege of looking down upon the scenes of earth and 
 of witnessing the fruition of their earthly labors in the 
 Master's name. I believe, therefore, that Robert F. 
 Sample is looking down upon this scene tonight, re- 
 joicing with us over the accomplishments of the past. 
 Shortly before he was called home, he penned these 
 lines expressive of his longing for rest in that home. 
 
 Jesus, my Lord, I'll wait for Thee 
 
 Until the morning. 
 I'm weary of this world of sin, 
 Its strife and toil and noisy din. 
 Its race wherein few ever win : 
 Yet I would bear the cross for Thee 
 
 Until the morning, 
 
 Jesus, my Lord, I'll wait for Thee 
 
 Until the morning. 
 Some day my sun will seek its rest. 
 Strange glory lingering in the west, 
 While sparrows hie them to their nest. 
 And stars shine o'er the wide, wide sea 
 
 Until the morning, 
 
 Jesus, my Lord, I'll wait for Thee 
 Until the morning. 
 
195 
 
 I'll meet lost friends when night is o'er, 
 Where we shall part no more, no more, 
 And love as once in days of yore — ■ 
 But sweeter far Thy face to see. 
 In heaven's morning. 
 
 'Twill not be long; time hastens by — 
 
 Until the morning. 
 This life's a span, its course soon run ; 
 Its work will all be quickly done; 
 E'en now we hear the signal gun ; 
 And night gone by, I'll upward fly, 
 
 In God's glad morning. 
 
 The longing expressed in these verses has been grat- 
 ified; the waiting has ended and "God's glad morning" 
 has dawned for him. Just before that dawning. Dr. 
 Sample, as his last earthly message, penned some other 
 words, which have a forward look toward the Glory to 
 be revealed. Those words, only changed so as to ex- 
 press the realization, rather than the anticipation, of 
 his hopes, I give you as his own message of greeting 
 tonight. 
 
 "At death the Christian simply crosses the summit 
 of the earthly life, and lives on a sunnier side, whilst 
 your poor sight stops with the intervening line hills. 
 The immediate Beyond is an intermediate state of 
 glory, where saints await the resurrection and the gen- 
 eral judgment; a life that never extends downward 
 
196 
 
 into hidden glades and deep shadows and experiences 
 of pain, but one that suggests rather the plain of 
 Sharon, which, leaving the troubled sea behind it, is 
 continually ascending until it enters the city by the 
 Joppa gate. Meanwhile, you tardier ones, toiling over 
 the low ground, are enriched and comforted, as was 
 Jesus in the desert, by the ministry of angels who re- 
 port your progress on high, and departed loved ones 
 now and then may come near to you — especially in 
 some great emergencies of life — as Moses and Elias 
 came to the lovely mount, and, putting their strength 
 beneath your weakness, help you on your way. 
 
 Thus golden ladders will always be dropping low 
 down, climbing thence among and above the stars. 
 Then rejoice, while you wait for the morning, and sing 
 brave songs as the consummation of your hope draws 
 near." 
 
 Dr. Bushnell: We have had a beautiful pastorate, 
 in connection with the upbuilding of our mission and 
 charitable work at Riverside Chapel, that of the Rev. 
 Mr. Pabody, and associated with that work I might 
 say, and must say, was the ministry of Mrs. Pabody. 
 Mr. Pabody has built his monument in the hearts of his 
 people, and has consented to say a few words on this 
 occasion. 
 
197 
 
 THOSE EARLY DAYS. 
 Rev. E. F. Pabody. 
 
 The subject assigned to me, "Those Early Days," I 
 feel is not appropriate to me, for one-third of the his- 
 tory of the Church had been written before I came in 
 to membership in it. So I stand before you to speak, 
 not of the very early days of Westminster Church, but. 
 to say a few words of the later history of the Church. 
 It was in 1875, that I became a member of it; and I 
 feel very grateful to be permitted to stand here to- 
 night, to bring some tribute to the memory of that 
 man, whom we loved so dearly — Rev. Dr. Sample. 
 No life has touched my life or the life of my family^ 
 as has the influence of his life. He gave us a very 
 warm welcome to Westminster Church, he baptized 
 our children and received them into the Church, and I 
 was glad always to have his friendship; it was helpful 
 and beneficial. He was a warm-hearted, sweet-spir- 
 ited, generous soul in every way. His friendship was 
 always helpful, benevolent, ennobling and inspiring. 
 As a pastor he was sympathetic ; no one, perhaps, more 
 so, when great sorrow or trouble came into one's life. 
 Those of you, who knew him, know that the great 
 theme of his preaching was salvation ; the dreadful na- 
 ture of sin, and the love of Jesus Christ to save sin- 
 ners was always his theme. Thousands and thousands 
 were influenced by that theme and brought into close 
 
198 
 
 communion with Jesus Christ, His influence was felt 
 not only in this Church, but throughout all this North- 
 west; from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean 
 his counsel was asked, his advice was sought, and he 
 was often and urgently requested to appear upon the 
 lecture platform all over this great country. His in- 
 fluence is still felt. We rejoice in the noble works he 
 did here, we rejoice that the gospel he preached is the 
 gospel still preached in this Church. At the General 
 Assembly, held here in his own Church, he was sig- 
 nally honored in being given the highest office in the 
 gift of the great Presbyterian Church in the United 
 States of America. Although he has left this world, I 
 believe his spirit is certainly with us tonight and he is 
 rejoicing with us in the wonderful work done in the 
 Westminster Church. 
 
 I entered the communion of Westminster Church in 
 1875 in June — nearly one-third of a century ago — and 
 wonderful changes have taken place during that time. 
 The little Church was on Fourth street, where the Ven- 
 dome Hotel now stands. Dr. Sample's residence was 
 a little brown frame building across the street from 
 the Church ; that house now stands on First avenue 
 south, at the corner of Twelfth street, and I always 
 think of Dr. Sample and his family when I see that 
 house. The Church was small at that time, about 
 three hundred members, and it seemed to me they were 
 all gathered in that Church, and the Church members 
 
199 
 
 were gathered, most of them, around the Church, could 
 walk to it in a few minutes. Mr. McNair and others 
 who lived on the East Side came in carriages, but some 
 of them walked to Church. It seemed to me, when 
 church was over, about one-third of the congregation 
 went north on Fourth street to reach their homes. On 
 First avenue north between Third and Fourth streets 
 was Mr. J. J, Ankeny's home, and that of Mr. and Mrs. 
 McLain, and a little further down was Dr. O. J. Evans, 
 and a little further was Mrs. Whitmore. On Third 
 street, between First and Second avenues, lived Mrs. 
 Wm. P. Ankeny, while between Second and Third 
 avenues was Mr. S. A. Harris ; and near Second avenue 
 and Fourth street Mr. Charles Godley; and across the 
 street was Mrs. Phillip Godley, whose memory we 
 cherish as one of the sweetest women the world ever 
 produced. My home was next to that of Mr. Godley, 
 and next north was that of Major Heffelfinger. In 
 that block there were five families that were members 
 of Westminster Church. Mrs. Burd lived where the 
 Immaculate Conception church now stands. The mem- 
 bers were gathered about the Church and the pastor. 
 Going to my place of business I passed, every day, the 
 home of Dr. Sample, and I often met him. My place 
 of business was on the corner of Washington and Hen- 
 nepin avenues and Dr. Sample, in those early days, 
 preferred to go to the Post Office which was then in 
 the old City Hall building, and he seldom passed my 
 
200 
 
 place of business without coming in to speak a few 
 words of greeting. 
 
 I have happy memories of those early days in West- 
 minster Church; and I am glad to look into the faces 
 of so many here tonight, and to recall the scenes of 
 those early days. When going to Church, we met a 
 great many people on the way there — there were 
 friends going the same way, and they would walk to- 
 gether. There was no noise in those days, no street 
 cars running, no Sunday traffic to disturb the quiet. 
 The streets were not paved; it was absolutely quiet 
 on Sunday, as quiet as in a country village, and O, how 
 we enjoyed that quiet and what a contrast there is 
 now! 
 
 One thing I have forgotten that I want to mention: 
 Dr. Sample used to make this announcement after the 
 benevolent collection: "You will find your cards at 
 the store of Pabody & Whittaker, where you will call 
 at your early convenience and pay them." Mr. Whit- 
 taker was a deacon in the Church and how glad we 
 were to have the people come there to see us, and 
 the friendships, that we formed there, will continue 
 through eternity. 
 
 What wondrous things God has done for Westmin- 
 ster Church 1 How blessed we have been in the pas- 
 tors we have had, who have preached the gospel of 
 Jesus Christ in all its simplicity but with great force- 
 fulness ; and great multitudes have been drawn to love 
 
Pleasant Hunter, D.D., 
 Pastor 1892-1900 
 
201 
 
 and serve Jesus Christ; and the gospel has been car- 
 ried all around the world through the influence of 
 His spirit. What a great multitude are up yonder 
 tonight! I think I have more friends up there, than 
 I have down here ; only a little while and we shall be 
 gathered up there. We call this a Jubilee meeting, 
 but what will that other meeting be? We cannot con- 
 ceive of all the things, God has prepared for them that 
 love Him. 
 
 Let us, on this occasion, all be devoutly thankful for 
 the wonderful Avork that God has wrought in West- 
 minster Church. 
 
 Dr. Bushnell : We shall have the privilege of listen- 
 ing for a few moments to one, who, for twenty-seven 
 years was secretary of the Board of Trustees of this 
 Church, and who represents the type of men who have 
 gone into the foundation of this institution — Mr. Allen 
 Hill. 
 
 Mr. Allen Hill, Secretary of the Board of Trustees 
 1874-1901, then spoke on 
 
 THE PASTORATE OF DR. SAMPLE. 
 
 It is thirt3--five years last Sunday, since I joined 
 Westm.inster Church. If you will allow me, I will re- 
 fer back a moment to Mr. Condit and Mr. Strong. It 
 has been my privilege, for three winters, to worship in 
 the same Church with these brethren, and to meet with 
 
202 
 
 them is to meet Westminster Church. I have talked 
 with them time and again of the early days here. 
 Since he has been in California, Mr. Strong has been 
 an honor to the Presbyterian Church ; although he is 
 not able to speak before the public, he has now the 
 largest Bible class in the church at Pasadena, and his 
 influence in the Presbyterian Church of Pasadena is 
 equal to that of any pastor in the city. Mr. Condit's 
 health is such, that he is unable to do any work what- 
 ever. 
 
 Dr. Bushnell said I could have only ten minutes, 
 and for that reason I will not burden you with an ad- 
 dress, but will read what I have to say. 
 
 A builder is often judged as much by the use he 
 makes of the material he has at hand, as by his skill in 
 planning the structure. 
 
 Let us see what material Dr. Sample had, when he 
 undertook the building of what we know as Westmin- 
 ster Church. 
 
 From those who have preceded me, we learn that he 
 had the keen and inquisitive descendant of the Pilgrim 
 Fathers, the cool and conservative Scotch-Irish and 
 Germans from Pennsylvania, the dashing and fiery 
 cavaliers from Virginia and a few from the prairies of 
 the West, who would brook no restraint. This then 
 was the rough material, with which he had to build. 
 
 Now what of the tools, which he used in moulding 
 
203 
 
 this apparently incongruous mass into a symmetrical 
 whole ? 
 
 The first was the Holy Bible, which he believed with 
 his whole heart to be the word of God, the revelation 
 of God to man. The second was Christ, the Son of 
 God, Who upon the cross paid the penalty of sin, and 
 through Whose atoning sacrifice all can come again 
 into full fellowship with the Divine Father. 
 
 With these Divine truths, he entered upon his life 
 work. Those of us, who sat for years under his min- 
 istry, remember with what fervency, and at times 
 with tears, he urged the wrongdoer to come to Christ. 
 We have seen him enter the pulpit with manuscript in 
 hand, and, when he would begin to preach, the manu- 
 script would be forgotten, and he would, as it were, 
 pour out his whole soul in an earnest plea for the sin- 
 ner to repent. Often, after such an appeal, many 
 would come to Christ. 
 
 At other times, he would denounce sin in such terms, 
 that many would be startled and beg of him not to 
 speak so in public. To such his reply would be, "My 
 Master described sin in stronger terms than I could 
 possibly use, and shall I, His servant, make light of 
 that which was so abhorrent to Him ?" It was his love 
 for his fellowmen and his strong desire that they 
 should be reconciled to God, that made him such a 
 power in the pulpit. 
 
 His influence as a citizen was always for the up- 
 
204 
 
 building of society ; and he would labor with all 
 classes for this purpose. But his strong faith in the 
 Divinity of Christ would not allow him to recognize 
 fraternally any class or society, which would lower, in 
 any degree, faith in the Divinity of Christ. 
 
 We all remember, with pleasure and profit, his vis- 
 its to our homes. When trials or sorrow came to us, 
 he was alwa3''s ready with the right word of sympathy, 
 the word, which would place under the trials and sor- 
 rows the love of God in Christ and cause our griefs to 
 lighten in the abundant love of God. 
 
 My friends, we, who so long had the ministry of 
 Dr. Sample, know that it was his faith in Christ, which 
 gave him that strong hold that he had in this city and 
 that was the means of making Westminster Church 
 what it is today. 
 
 And 3'ou, his successors in this pulpit, have preached 
 the same Gospel, and you have seen the same results 
 folloAv from your efforts. When the Centennial of 
 this Church is celebrated, may it be an occasion of re- 
 joicing in the triumph of this same blessed gospel. 
 
 Dr. Bushnell: We have another speaker who is to 
 tell us of other days. We are very fortunate in secur- 
 ing the consent of the long time treasurer of this 
 Church, ]\Ir. J. J. Ankcny, to come to this platform and 
 say a few words. 
 
 I want to introduce our Financial Barometer, Mr. 
 
205 
 
 John J. Ankeny, Treasurer of the Board of Trustees 
 since 1871. 
 
 Mr. Ankeny : Mr. Chairman, I came here as most 
 of you, to hear our distinguished pastors. It does not 
 seem right, that the time should be taken up by the 
 older members; but I am here and very glad to be 
 here, and we are to be congratulated on having with 
 us Doctors Burrell and Hunter, in celebrating this our 
 fiftieth anniversary. 
 
 Fifty years ago last May I arrived in Minneapolis ; 
 and it was my pleasure to be present, when this Church 
 was organized on August 23rd of the same year. I was 
 in the city until the fall of 1857, when I went into Iowa 
 and came back in 1861 — I think it was the spring of 
 1861 — and, when I arrived in this city, I had $3.50 in 
 my pocket. I went to Westminster Church at that 
 time, and Westminster Church has been my home 
 ever since. In the year 1864 — forty-three years ago — I 
 united with Westminster Church under the pastorate 
 of Dr. Strong, and I have been taking an active part in 
 church affairs since that time. I am the oldest male 
 member of the Church today. Do not understand that 
 I am the oldest in years, for I am not (laughter), there 
 being a number here who are older in point of years 
 than I, but I have been a member longer than any 
 man. 
 
 Now in those early da)^s so many things occurred, 
 which I would like to speak about ; but it is impossi- 
 
206 
 
 ble. Many of you remember old Deacon Oliver (one 
 of the Charter members), who used to come with his 
 mule team and sled, bringing people to church ; and 
 we seldom opened our services, until we saw the dea- 
 con driving up and then we were always ready to be- 
 gin. Dr. Bushnell referred to the time I took the 
 treasurership in 1871. Thirty-six years ago I was 
 elected treasurer of the Church, and there is a great 
 deal that might be said in connection with that office; 
 but I have not the time to cover the events from that 
 period up to the present. We are getting up a Church 
 history, which will contain a great deal about our finan- 
 cial aflfairs, and I want to ask everyone interested in 
 this Church to procure a copy of that publication. It 
 would take a great deal of time, to tell all about our 
 financial difficulties and trials. In those early days we 
 had a strenuous time financially, and we were obliged 
 to go outside of the Church, and even outside of the 
 city, to raise money to pay for our preacher and to 
 pay the current expenses of the Church. When I took 
 hold of the office of treasurer, we had the free pew 
 system, and the envelope system was used for raising 
 money; our receipts at that time were about $3700 a 
 year, and the disbursements were about $4300, and so 
 we were about six hundred dollars on the wrong side 
 of the ledger at the end of the year. In 1878 we 
 adopted the rental of pews. But we have gone through 
 it all, and today it would be impossible to tell just 
 
207 
 
 from year to year how matters financially have gone, 
 but I can say that the last report shows (April, 1907) 
 that our receipts for current expenses were $16,250. I 
 might state here, that Westminster Church today is 
 entirely out of debt. The same can be said of our mis- 
 sion chapels, Hope and Riverside. 
 
 Our music at that time (1871) cost us about $300 a 
 year; at present we are paying $3,250. Prior to that 
 time we had a volunteer choir, which was composed 
 of Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Wagner, Mrs. Charles Godley 
 and Mr. Joshua Williams. We had a small organ at 
 that time which required a great deal of muscular ex- 
 ertion to bring out the music, and your humble ser- 
 vant did the pumping. I well remember the annual 
 meeting of the congregation held in 1875. It had been 
 the custom to remain seated, while singing, and to 
 stand during the prayers. You, Dr. Burrell, will re- 
 member prayers were often so long in those days 
 (laughter), that one became very tired standing. There 
 was much opposition to any change, but a compromise, 
 suggested by Mr. W. W. McNair, was finally reached, 
 that the congregation remain seated during the long 
 prayer, and stand during the singing of the hymn be- 
 fore sermon and the closing hymn. I might say here, 
 there were a goodly number of young people in the 
 meeting that night and that they voted in favor of 
 standing during the singing. The choir loft at that 
 time was in rear of church, and singers could only be 
 
208 
 
 seen while standing-. The music at times was very 
 thriUing and excellent, and the young folks were in- 
 terested and preferred to face the choir during sing- 
 ing, and that was one reason why the motion prevailed 
 (laughter). It was quite a while before some of our 
 people could get into the new order of things, particu- 
 larly to remain sitting during pra5''ers. 
 
 In regard to contributions in early days for the be- 
 nevolent fund I can say ver_y little, as that was in 
 charge of the session. I might say, however, that dur- 
 ing Dr. Strong's pastorate (two years and a half) the 
 contributions for benevolent purposes were for the 
 year 1861 $28.00 : in 1863 they were $45.00. The gross 
 contributions for all benevolent purposes for the year 
 ending April, 1907, were $23,250. 
 
 Mr. Chairman, it is getting late and there are oth- 
 ers here, from whom we are anxious to hear on this 
 joyful occasion, so I will close. My earnest prayer is 
 that Westminster may grow as much spiritually and 
 financially in the next fifty years, as she has in the past. 
 
 I thank you. 
 
 Dr. Bushnell : And now I will let you have Dr. Bur- 
 rell. 
 
 Rev. David James Burrell, pastor from 1887-1891, 
 then spoke as follows : 
 
 I am happy to be here. The first sick call I ever 
 made in !?vIinneapolis was on a dear old lady, the moth- 
 er of one of your members. She took my wife's hand 
 
209 
 
 and mine and looked up, with a heart full of love for 
 Westminster, and said, "I hope you like it, I hope you 
 like it." And we "liked" (Laughter) ; and you can 
 count on me as long as I live. I love Westminster 
 Church. I think the only vote that was passed against 
 me, when I was proposed as pastor of this Church, was 
 by one of the elders — poor man — (laughter) on the 
 ground that I was not orthodox (Great laughter). 
 That is the only time, when that was ever alleged 
 against me. The man who did that was the last man 
 who, four years later, said good bye to me ; and I 
 will never forget it — and I will talk with him in heaven 
 one of these days — and I shall never forget what he 
 said. He came, a little after all the rest had gone, and 
 he held my hand and pressed it hard, and said, "if any- 
 body in this Church is sorry at your going, I am more." 
 God bless his memory! Dear Professor Hall! How 
 he did stand by me, when he found I was true to the 
 right and to the elders, as well as those former pastors 
 of the Church. Some of the elders are still in the land 
 of the living, and some are living on the other side. 
 But I would like to know what was the matter with 
 William M. Tenney? Was there ever a dearer man? 
 Down there in New England, he is now living a loving, 
 helpful life. He is superintendent of his Sunday 
 school in New England. How we loved him ! Then 
 there was Tenney's wife. She was so loyal to all of 
 the work of the Church. You know the sky is full of 
 faces tonight, of those who have gone on. 
 
210 
 
 But it is a melancholy thing, to have to do with 
 reminiscences. I may look back sometime, but I am 
 not going to begin tonight. Some of the men have 
 spoken of Dr. Sample. I never knew him here. I 
 found him out, when I went to New York, He looked 
 melancholy, but he had a twinkle in his eye. He look- 
 ed as though life was not worth living, and yet he 
 was so happy in living, after all. He lived so true to 
 the mark; so true to the light. If ever a man lived 
 true to the line, that man was Dr. Sample. I tell you 
 Dr. Hunter, you and I and you (Dr. Bushnell) have 
 got to live pretty well, if we size up to Dr. Sample. 
 You have not said anything too much about him. I 
 am going one of these days, where I am going to have 
 a better time than I am having now; and, when I am 
 gone, I only hope you will talk about me as you do 
 about Dr. Sample. I hear his voice now. We were 
 dear friends up to the time of his death. I feel the 
 touch of his hands in mine now, and I feel with Words- 
 worth : A poet was going along a country road and 
 saw a man swinging a scythe in the field, and as he 
 worked he was singing. The poet went and sang his 
 song: 
 
 "I listened till I had my fill, 
 And as I clambered up the hill. 
 
 The music in my soul I bore 
 
 Long after it was heard no more." 
 Now — speaking of this Church ; this I suppose is a 
 
211 
 
 fair to middling- Church ; but give me the old Church. 
 The second temple has no glory like the old temple to 
 me. I take honor to myself for having put the pulpit 
 out of Westminster Church, so the preacher is no long- 
 er a man way above the people, like a servant looking 
 out of a balcony window, but he is one of them. Tell 
 that about me, when I am gone (Laughter). That is 
 one of the best things, I ever did. I loved that old 
 church, and no other in this part of the world will be 
 quite so dear to me. I was in one of Jerry McCauley's 
 meetings years ago, and, after delivering the anniver- 
 sary address, I stayed to the testimonial meetings, and 
 all sorts of reformed drunkards gave praise to the 
 power of the Gospel of Christ. At last a woman arose 
 down in the rear of the room ; a thin faced, washed out, 
 hollow eyed, weak sort of a woman. She rose and 
 said nothing. There were tears running down her 
 cheeks ; she said nothing, but quietly rubbed her hands 
 and looked about. Then she said: "Oh, I love this 
 place ! I love every window here, I love every board 
 in the floor, I love every nail in the wall. Don't ever 
 change this place ! Just two months and ten days 
 ago I came through that door, a sunken, a lost woman. 
 I knelt down with one of you (she pointed to the man), 
 I knelt down over there, and a sunburst came into my 
 heart. It was just there. Oh, I love this place! 
 Don't ever change it !" Perhaps there are people who 
 love this place and say, "I was born here." God bless 
 
212 
 
 you in the new house ! The old Avas not better, the 
 new is always better. I am not looking back, I am 
 looking ahead for Westminster. I remember how 
 sorry you were, when the old church burned. The 
 dross may perish, but the grain is not affected. To- 
 morrow Avill be better than today. I am sorry we can- 
 not have Dr. Sample up here in the light, but by God's 
 Providence — and I am as true to Dr. Sample's mem- 
 ory as 3''ou men can be — for the conditions, as they are 
 here now, you have a better man than he. You (Dr. 
 Hunter) followed me, and you were a better man than 
 I was. (Laughter). And better men are coming 
 than Dr. Bushnell. That is the way it works in all 
 cases. Tomorrow is always better than today. You 
 cannot make me strike the line, because I believe in a 
 good world and a good God. There are better times 
 ahead for Westminster. But, when we are gone, let 
 nobody mourn for us because we have been promoted, 
 gone into the General Assembly of the first born, and 
 singing better hymns than we are singing now. I 
 think Thackeray made a great mistake, the same mis- 
 take I am making now, of hanging on too long. In 
 "The Newcomes" the place to close his novel was, 
 where the old Colonel died. What a place for stopping 
 that was! You remember the old man lay dying, old 
 Colonel Newcome, and, in his delirium, his boyhood 
 came back to him. He was a pupil again in the old 
 academy school, the head master was calling the roll. 
 
213 
 
 The old Colonel heard the boys" names called one by 
 one. At last he seemed to hear "Newcome." He rose 
 on his elbow and with his eyes bright, he answered, 
 "Absent, present !" and was gone. What do you think 
 of that? That is the way Dr. Sample answered to his 
 name. I am going to be here a week, and my heart 
 will be glad every minute of every day I shall be here. 
 
 Dr. Bushnell : I will not stand longer between j^ou 
 and Dr. Hunter. Now, Dr. Hunter, the people are 
 yours. 
 
 Dr. Hunter, pastor from 1892-1900, spoke as follows: 
 
 I was born to the ministr}^ on the seventh of June, 
 1883. The first Sabbath of my ministry I had the 
 pulpit removed, and it was never brought back. That 
 was six years before the pulpit was taken out of old 
 Westminster. Please tell that to your members. 
 (Laughter). 
 
 There are a great many things, that I could tell in 
 connection with my seven and one-half — nearly eight — 
 years here. Some of the early incidents are very in- 
 teresting to me. I might especially refer to the pre- 
 liminary steps, and how difficult it was for me to recon- 
 cile easily some of the statements, made by the men 
 of the pastoral committee, with some of the facts as 
 they developed. A good brother came down to hear 
 me preach, and after the service he said, "I was over in 
 New York and heard of your Church, and thought I 
 would hear you today." Another good brother came 
 
214 
 
 up and said, "I was here in the east looking for a riding 
 horse, and thought I would come in to hear you 
 preach." (Laughter). There were several such things, 
 that were very interesting to me at the time. Then, 
 too, when the larger committee came to visit me it was 
 simply impossible to shake them off, and one of the 
 men who showed the greatest persistence was that 
 good man, Mr. Tenney. Finally I conceived this plan: 
 I said, "Come in and take dinner with me tomorrow 
 night," and I thought if they sat at the table once, that 
 would be enough ; but it was not. Then I said, "I will 
 hand you over to the whole session, and, if they are 
 willing to lose me, I am willing." They went there and 
 asked them to let me come. One of the dear old men 
 said, "Well, if you came here and wanted to take our 
 wives home, I suppose we should say yes." Some of 
 the committee felt very cheap, when they left that 
 night. I think I found more unusual things the first 
 few weeks, than I ever found before. Everything that 
 came up that was a little unpleasant, they said it was 
 very unusual. I came out in May, and I said, "Have 
 you no mosquitos here?" They said, "Oh, yes, we 
 have a few, but very seldom." I came back in Octo- 
 ber, and in Chicago I asked, "Have you any mosqui- 
 tos here?" The man said, "Lots of them." When I 
 got to the hotel here I said, "You have a good many 
 mosquitos here." "Yes," he said, "we have more 
 than usual this year, but you know the mosquitos in 
 
215 
 
 Minnesota don't bite like the eastern mosquitos! 
 (Laughter). I thought they were the most unusual 
 people I ever met. I put a stop to it in this way : We 
 had several rainy days, and I said, "This is terrible, 
 we will never see the sun again." "Oh, yes, we will," 
 they said. "No," I said, "we will never, never see the 
 sun again." They said, "Oh, yes, we had rain be- 
 fore." I said, "Is that possible? This must be an un- 
 usual year!" (Great laughter). 
 
 To be more serious. When I came to Westmin- 
 ster it was not long before I found the weather manu- 
 facturers on the committee who were so easily — I don't 
 know what word to use — I was going to say sold, were 
 usual men in all respects, but I did find unusual peo- 
 ple, unusual in many respects. From the very first,* 
 I heard a great many good things about Dr. Sample 
 and a great many good things about Dr. Burrell, and I 
 was not at all discouraged ; in fact, there was one thing 
 that encouraged me much. Every one told me he was 
 a great pulpit orator. They said, if he had been a 
 politician, he would have been a "hummer." (Laugh- 
 ter). I knew I was not equal to him in that respect. 
 Now, I want to tell you a story which then brought 
 me much comfort. When I first came, a gentleman, 
 speaking of the former pastors of the Church, remark- 
 ed, "I do not think it possible for me to be as good as 
 Dr. Sample was, but I would put up a big bluff to be 
 as good as Burrell." (Great laughter). So I started 
 
216 
 
 out here and said, "If I can't preach the way Burrell 
 does, if I can't make a platform speech like he does, 
 there is some little comfort I can take for myself from 
 this story. The Doctor conceded the truth of the 
 story, because he said I was a better man. (Laugh- 
 ter). 
 
 Those were seven and a half of exceedingly happy 
 years. During those years, I came into your homes in 
 times of sorrow and in times of joy. We were permit- 
 ted to sit many times around the table of the Lord. I 
 was permitted to receive large numbers into the 
 Church, even during that year and a half when we were 
 without a church home; and I seriously doubt if there 
 is another church in the United States, that would have 
 • shown the loyalty that this Church showed. During 
 that time, more than a year and a half, as I understand 
 it (I may be mistaken) we worshipped in a theater, 
 which was not considered safe as a playhouse, and, 
 for that reason, there were several who remained away 
 from the services, because it was a dangerous place. 
 When we came back to the new church, there was not 
 a pewholder who was missing. I tell that as an illus- 
 tration of the loyalty of this Church. That describes 
 Westminster Church, 
 
 During those years we had many happy times. We 
 were together in sorrow and together in joy, and when 
 we parted we parted the very best friends. I stood it 
 for seven and one-half years and you stood it for seven 
 
217 
 
 and one-half years; and now we are together tonight 
 and can look into each other's faces, and feel that we 
 are, in deed and in truth, friends. I rejoice with you 
 tonight with joy exceeding that we are celebrating 
 the fiftieth anniversary ; and I trust that these days will 
 be days that may be profitable, because they will lead 
 some of us, who are younger in years and experience in 
 Westminster Church, to feel that this whole atmos- 
 phere within these walls is one of inspiration and up- 
 lifting to us all. And, as we have brought to our at- 
 tention the men and women, who have gone before, 
 who were instrumental in the building of this Church, 
 let us use these words and quote, "Seeing that we are 
 encompassed about with so great a crowd of wit- 
 nesses, let us do away with worldliness and selfishness 
 and every sin that beset us, and let us run with dili- 
 gence and sacrifice the race that lies before us." 
 
 I was touched tonight when I looked at the program 
 and saw the names that appear thereon of the present 
 members of the Boards, to note that six of the twelve 
 Elders have come into office since I went away. Of 
 the Board of Deacons, fourteen have gone into the 
 diaconate since I left; and it is a blessed assurance to 
 know that the work of Westminster will go on, be- 
 cause there are always those to fill the places of others 
 who drop out. 
 
 Dr. Bushnell: Some one at the beginning of this 
 Jubilee said to me, "I have one request to make: Please 
 
218 
 
 let us sing the old songs." Now let us sing together 
 that old song, "Shall We Gather at the River." After 
 we have sung that hymn, I am going to call on one of 
 the old veterans of the Northwest, who has given his 
 life to the service of the Master, to come to the plat- 
 form to pronounce the benediction. 
 
 After the singing of the hymn, the closing prayer 
 was made and the benediction pronounced by the Rev. 
 James A. Paige. 
 
CHAPTER 10. 
 Ube (3olt)en 5ubilce«*(Iontinuet). 
 
 On Friday, October 4th, the evening was devoted 
 to a reception and reunion. The printed program 
 contained the following invitation. "The members of 
 the Church and congregation and friends are cordially 
 invited to attend a reception for the pastors, former 
 pastors and earlier members." 
 
 The guests of honor were Rev. and Mrs. David 
 James Burrell; Rev. and Mrs. Pleasant Hunter; Rev. 
 and Mrs. John Edward Bushnell ; Mr. and Mrs. Curtis 
 H. Pettit, who received the people. 
 
 The Chapel and adjoining rooms had been beautiful- 
 ly decorated for the occasion, and an orchestra play- 
 ed sweetly during the entire evening; refreshments 
 were served by the members of the Westminster Mis- 
 sionary Guild, under the direction of Mrs. H. M. Hill. 
 
 The reunion of old friends was delightful. It is es- 
 timated that over seven hundred people were present. 
 The occasion was a great success; and it appeared to 
 be the universal opinion that it was the most enjoy- 
 able occasion of the kind ever held in connection with 
 the Church. 
 
220 
 
 THE JUBILEE OF THE WOMEN'S AND YOUNG 
 PEOPLE'S SOCIETIES. 
 
 The meeting on Saturday afternoon, was one of the 
 most enjoyable of all. Upon the platform was Mrs. 
 George H. Miller, who acted as presiding officer and 
 introduced the speakers, and also a number of the old- 
 est living members of the Church. 
 
 The exercises opened with the singing of the hymn, 
 "The Church's One Foundation," followed by the 
 Scripture Lesson, read by Miss Eliza W. Baker and 
 the prayer by Mrs. E. F. Pabody. 
 
 The Chairman, Mrs. Miller, then introduced the 
 other exercises with these remarks : 
 
 "We are glad to be here today and raise our jubilee 
 song of praise for all the way Westminster Church 
 has been led, from the day of small things until the 
 present, when her branches extend in all directions 
 even to many parts of the world. We shall be told 
 of the struggles of those who laid the foundation of this 
 Church ; and our debt of gratitude will grow larger, as 
 we learn what we owe to the faithfulness of those 
 who built so well. We have entered into their la- 
 bors, are reaping the harvest of what they so bounti- 
 fully sowed." 
 
 I will now introduce to you Mrs. J. J. Linn and 
 Mrs. Charles M. Godley, two of the oldest members 
 
221 
 
 of the Church, who will give us their personal recol- 
 lections of those early days. 
 
 Mrs. Linn: A few weeks ago, a Sunday paper, in 
 noticing the coming Jubilee of Westminster, gave a 
 short history of the Church, and to what it has ar- 
 rived; its strength, resources, plentitude and power; 
 the several churches that have grown from its ranks 
 and are now strong and doing their own work for the 
 Kingdom ; its missions, charities and membership of 
 more than two thousand. All this is a good showing 
 for even fifty years in a western town, where there 
 are several hundred other churches. 
 
 When the eight earnest men and women, who form- 
 ed the first membership, after careful deliberation, de- 
 cided, as the outcome of much prayer and faith in God, 
 to make an attempt to form an organization, by hold- 
 ing a meeting, the notices to that effect were written 
 on slips of paper and left at the different houses in the 
 small community. This distribution was made by a 
 school boy, Joshua Williams, the eldest son of Louis 
 H. Williams, who was the father of Old School Pres- 
 byterianism in Minneapolis. 
 
 I have been asked to write something of the first 
 woman's organization in the Church. Appealing to 
 an unusually good memory, many of my early experi- 
 ences stand out like pictures. 
 
 In the spring of 1859 the then new Westminster was 
 holding services in Fletcher's Hall, which stood on 
 
222 
 
 Helen Street, now Second Avenue South, a little east 
 of Washington Avenue. It was a second story room 
 over a store, with severely plain walls; paper shades 
 hung at the four windows; a small, low platform held 
 the desk and chair; and long wooden benches, with two 
 bars at the back, were seats for the congregation. A 
 black board on the wall and a small book-case for the 
 use of the Sabbath School completed the primitive 
 furnishings. On the side wall, near the door, were 
 hooks for the hats of the men. 
 
 The congregation, while not large, was of the 
 staunch and true. Many were of Scotch-Irish strain; 
 fresh from the older states with all their opportunities 
 and privileges; brought up in the old way, and their 
 children after them. These were the foundation stones 
 of the present Westminster. 
 
 The entrance, from the street, to this "upper room," 
 was by a straight steep stairway, between two plas- 
 tered walls. Once inside, it was God's House. No 
 one seemed at all conscious of the barren surround- 
 ings, treading the bare floor with reverent feet, and 
 with devout spirit and believing hearts enjoying the 
 simple service so dear to them. 
 
 The Rev. Levi Hughes supplied the pulpit. He was 
 of marked ability as a preacher and very acceptable as 
 a pastor. After the invocation, a hymn was read and 
 Mr. Joseph C. Williams, getting his pitch from his 
 tuning fork, started a familiar tune in which all joined. 
 
223 
 
 V7e followed Mr. Williams' lead in singing, but, as he 
 was not always strong, if there was the slightest hesi- 
 tation, Mrs. Williams' low, clear voice was heard and 
 quickly followed. It was a cheerful service, though so 
 plain. 
 
 Several months later, one sunny June morning, at 
 the close of the sermon, Mr. Hughes asked the atten- 
 tion of the people for a few moments, as he had some- 
 thing personal to say to them. It was this : for some 
 months past his hearing had been impaired. He had 
 sought medical advice, but had found no relief, and felt 
 that he should tell his people. It did not affect his 
 preaching and would not be recognized, but in his per- 
 sonal relations with them, and, particularly with stran- 
 gers, he found difficulty. He still hoped for the best, 
 loved his work and did not wish to give it up; but 
 the congregation must decide, and he asked them to 
 give him some indication of their wishes. If he re- 
 mained, he must ask for some aid in his work ; and he 
 particularly appealed to the ladies, who, he said, could 
 greatly assist him, in welcoming the strangers who 
 were beginning to come into the Church, All this was 
 a surprise to many of his hearers. But one feeling 
 prevailed; the desire to keep him with us, which was 
 freely expressed. 
 
 In conversation with Mrs. A. C. Taylor the follow- 
 ing morning as to what could be done to relieve the 
 situation, I mentioned a society which existed in the 
 
224 
 
 town I came from, which was, socially, a success and 
 in a year gave us a sufficient return, as well, to furnish 
 a new church, which was just completed and occupied 
 when I left to come to Minneapolis. 
 
 Mrs. Taylor, afterwards Mrs. A, C. Morgan, of bless- 
 ed memory, and I, discussed the method of this organ- 
 ization, and she laid it before the ladies of the con- 
 gregation within the next few days. They responded 
 with enthusiasm. A meeting was arranged, at once, 
 and was held at the house of Mrs. John Walker. A 
 society was formed and officers elected. It was called 
 the Pastor's Aid Society, though for a short time it was 
 known as the Sewing Society. 
 
 The members of this first society were: Mesdames 
 Louis H. Williams, Joseph C. Williams, John G. Wil- 
 liams, A. W. Oliver, Henry Beeman, Peter Wolford, 
 Curtis H. Pettit, John G. McFarlane, Noah Walker, 
 John Walker, William P. Ankeny, Collins Hamer, 
 Rockey, McLain, A. C. Taylor, J. K. Sidle, J. J. Linn, 
 Misses Alice Williams, Louise C. Wilson, Eliza Gow- 
 dy, Etta Wolford, Etta Ege, Hannah Mullin, and 
 Maggie Mullin. 
 
 Mrs. J. J, Linn was elected president (I suppose on 
 the principle of ward politics, that the suggestor is 
 made chairman), Mrs. J. K. Sidle, vice president; Mrs. 
 A. C. Taylor, secretary, and Miss Etta Wolford, treas- 
 urer. At the fortnightly meetings each of the twenty- 
 three members paid a dime. This counted something 
 
225 
 
 in a month and was used to provide material for work. 
 Please remember, that this was a day of small things. 
 The ladies came early in the afternoon and sewed. Two 
 old ladies, Mrs. Oliver and Mrs. Rockey, brought their 
 knitting. A plain but acceptable supper was served, 
 as all were excellent housekeepers. There were stipu- 
 lations in regard to these suppers, so that it might be 
 burdensome to no one, only one meat and one kind 
 of cake being permitted. There was never a lack of 
 entertainment or houses open to us. Gentlemen were 
 invited in the evenings and acted as escorts, as we had 
 no street cars, no lighted streets or even gas in the 
 houses. The society was not a great success finan- 
 cially; but, when our little Church, on Fourth Street 
 was finished, in the spring of 1861, we furnished car- 
 pet for the aisles and pulpit steps and platform, window 
 shades, lamps and chairs. 
 
 There were no wealthy people among us, and no 
 poor. All seemed in easy, comfortable circumstances; 
 according to the standard of the times. 
 
 Socially, and in keeping the people together, the so- 
 ciety was a decided success, for, when, as the months 
 passed into Winter, Mr, Hughes' affliction increased so 
 that he could not hear his own voice and, of course 
 could not control it, he returned to his old home. For 
 a time we had different supplies or half the time of the 
 St. Anthony Minister. 
 
 The Winter of 1860 and 1861 brought us a share of 
 
226 
 
 the troublous times leading to the Civil War, which no 
 one escaped entirely. Our Church wisely abstained 
 from any radical action and, though there was diver- 
 sity of views, there were no disputations. 
 
 We had, always, strong countenance and support 
 from the gentlemen of the congregation, particularly 
 Messrs. W. W. McNair, Eugene M. Wilson, John I. 
 Black, Noah and John Walker, all of Presbyterian 
 families and training, and interested in our work and 
 ready to assist. They were always in the right place 
 at the right time. Gifted with wit and humor, with 
 some happy temperaments among the ladies, they made 
 tha evenings interesting and so called amusements 
 were not even suggested. 
 
 The second Winter, our gatherings were so popular 
 that our rooms were always filled ; even outsiders com- 
 ing, bringing their friends and visitors. 
 
 Of the workers who were such an influence in the 
 early sixties, were Mrs. Louis H. Williams and Mrs. 
 Joseph C. Williams, whose beautiful lives shone upon 
 their good works, and who by their cheerful consistent 
 piety and kindly affectionate manners, were a blessing 
 to all who knew them. Mrs. J. K. Sidle was one of 
 our best workers in every way, accomplishing much 
 in the building up of the society and Church. She 
 loved Westminster, and constantly attended the ser- 
 vices; and only three years ago she fell asleep, while 
 her daughter was reading to her from her Bible. Mrs. 
 
227 
 
 J. G. McFarlane, with her warm heart and open hand, 
 was a valuable member. Mrs. A. C, Morgan did her 
 first church work in Minneapolis at this time. Her 
 true Christian character and marvelous tact are beyond 
 any words of praise, and her works do follow her. Her 
 memory is fresh in the hearts of Westminster today. 
 Mr. William P. Ankeny was another of those inter- 
 ested and helpful. Always genial and agreeable, he 
 filled in many places. He and Mrs. Ankeny, famous 
 at all times for their hospitality, had, ever, open doors 
 for all Church gatherings. Mrs. Deborah M. Pettit, 
 Miss Alice Williams (now Mrs. Frederick Chalmers), 
 Miss Louise Wilson (now Mrs. W. W. McNair), Miss 
 Eliza Gowdy (now Mrs. James Chalmers), Miss Etta 
 Ege (now Mrs. Burd), and Miss Maggie Mullin (now 
 Mrs. McCaslin), are still with us to see the amazing 
 results from such small beginning. 
 
 Deacon Andrew W. Oliver, the first ruling elder of 
 Westminster, and his wife, whose home, in the country 
 was at what is now 14th Street and Portland Avenue, 
 rode in to Church in a comfortable rockaway drawn 
 by a handsome pair of mules. These historic mules 
 were always at the service of the church people, being 
 used in the summer for Sunday School picnics, and in 
 the winter, the rockaway was exchanged for a long 
 sled, which carried the older people of the congrega- 
 tion, through the deep snow, to Church, afterwards 
 gathering the children for Sabbath School. These use- 
 
228 
 
 ful creatures never flinched from what was required 
 of them; until (well, if it were in this time, I should 
 say, the patient mules had a mind to strike), in a 
 sportive mood, one day, they ran under the branches of 
 a tree and wrecked the top from the carriage. There- 
 after, this cheerful old couple rode under an umbrella. 
 Nevertheless, these mules must go on record, with oth- 
 er faithful workers. 
 
 I think the society died a natural death, soon after 
 the furnishing of the Church. By that time all were 
 workers, as in the rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, 
 each man and woman doing the work that came to 
 his hand. But in its life it did its work in time of need 
 and created a spirit that remained, when the society 
 was forgotten. Friendships were formed that lasted 
 throughout lifetime. 
 
 When our first pastor, Rev. Robert Strong, came to 
 us in October, 1861, he found a united and harmonious 
 membership ; earnest workers, who withheld not their 
 hands from any good cause; steadily growing and 
 strengthening as the years passed. 
 
 Westminster Church was finished and occupied 
 April, 1861; Mr. Strong came the following October; 
 his pastorate lasting until April, 1864. Mr. Condit suc- 
 ceeded him, remaining until 1867, and during that 
 time the church building was twice enlarged, and had 
 a membership of three hundred. 
 
 Another name of an early member, should be remem- 
 
229 
 
 bered at this time. Mrs. Mary Stongh united with this 
 Church October 23rd, 1858, and continued a member 
 until her death, April 6th, 1905. Her residence was so 
 far out of town, that it was not possible for her to be 
 active in Church work and societies in those early- 
 years, and hence she has not been mentioned in that 
 connection. By her long and consistent Christian life 
 and her constant attendance upon the services of the 
 Church, for many years prior to her decease, she was 
 an inspiration to her pastors and to those who were 
 privileged to know her well. Another member, who 
 united at the same time as Mrs. Stough, was Mrs. 
 Catherine Hays, who is now living in La Grange, In- 
 diana, at the great age of 81 years. 
 
 Mrs. Godley: Those were stirring days in our na- 
 tion's history, when the first little Westminster Church 
 was erected on Fourth Street. The country was in the 
 throes of civil war, and Minnesota was one of the 
 youngest of States. The times were very hard, and 
 we can never realize at what sacrifice and cost the 
 modest edifice with its grand name was built. Per- 
 sonally my recollections go back to the first evening 
 service held in the new church. It was in our imme- 
 diate neighborhood, and we found it convenient to at- 
 tend very often, though belonging to another Church 
 at that time. 
 
 The ladies had worked early and late, to have every- 
 thing ready for this first service. They had laid the 
 
230 
 
 -carpet with their own hands and, after much stretch- 
 ing and pulling, had succeeded in having a strip left 
 just long enough to carpet the minister's pew. This 
 achievement was considered a great cause for con- 
 gratulation, as they had not expected to have any more 
 than was actually needed. The furnishings were ex- 
 tremely simple, the heating apparatus consisting of 
 two stoves, the lamps and the modest strip of red in- 
 grain carpet, which was laid down the two aisles, up- 
 on the pulpit-platform, and across the front of the 
 church only. A small black hair cloth sofa, with a 
 chair to match on either side, adorned the pulpit plat- 
 form, while just beneath was a small table with mar- 
 ble top and two cane seat chairs; ladies, here are the 
 very identical chairs, before you upon the platform 
 (pointing to two chairs on the platform). We have 
 preserved them, all these years, for this occasion. I 
 distinctly remember how bright and clean everything 
 looked. The light from the kerosene lamps cast a 
 cheerful glow over the white walls and freshly painted 
 pews. The bright red carpet gave the requisite tint 
 of color, and every one seemed radiently happy that 
 bleak March night, especially Deacon Oliver and his 
 good wife, whose faces fairly beamed with satisfac- 
 tion. I remember he insisted on conducting us to the 
 very front seats, and, as he was quite lame, it was a 
 painful process to all concerned. 
 
 Dear old Deacon Oliver! Every one loved him. 
 
231 
 
 Someway whenever I think of Westminster Church in 
 the early days, a picture of this good man with his 
 rosy face and tightly curling grey hair, driving the 
 historic mules, comes before me. Those mules were 
 always in evidence, when anything was doing in West- 
 minster, and were ready for service in every good 
 work. Was the day stormy, the Deacon arose earlier 
 than usual, hitched up the mules to the long sled and 
 went around and gathered up almost the entire con- 
 gregation. Was their a donation party to be given for 
 the minister, first the good Deacon would take the 
 ladies around to do the soliciting, sometirnes in a driv- 
 ing snow storm. He was tall and thin and, at the 
 close of the expedition, resembled an Alpine peak 
 more than the patient selfsacrificing Deacon that he 
 was. When the festive evening arrived, no one wor- 
 ried about a carriage, however unpropitious the weath- 
 er, for every one knew the faithful Deacon with his 
 equally faithful mules would surely be on hand. Every 
 one worked for love in those days, and I must speak 
 of the faithful service of the two young boys, Joshua 
 and Samuel Williams, who conjointly acted as jani- 
 tors in the little church. 
 
 They were always diligent and conscientious in the 
 performance of their duties, the transparent condition 
 of the lamp chimneys bearing silent testimony to this. 
 Some amusing incidents occurred in Church in the 
 older days. I have often heard the story of the old 
 
232 
 
 gentleman, who was in the habit of gathering the eggs 
 before he came to Church and putting them under the 
 lining of his hat. On one occasion he forgot to re- 
 move them, and, on entering the church and reverently 
 taking off his hat, the eggs fell to the floor, to his great 
 mortification, but to the amusement of the spectators. 
 
 It was quite a formidable undertaking to go before 
 the Session for admission to church membership in 
 those days, and, unless one knew his catachism thor- 
 oughly, he was sure to be brought to confusion of face. 
 Even our stout hearted Joshua quailed before the 
 dreaded ordeal and, it is said, walked up and down for 
 an hour, trying to muster up sufficient courage to go 
 before that august body, and then ignominiously fled 
 for home, deciding to wait for a more convenient sea- 
 son. It was a very animating scene at the church, 
 when the ladies turned out en masse, armed with 
 brooms, pails and scrub brushes, for the annual 
 spring cleaning. A man was allowed to beat the car- 
 pet, under the supervision of a good sister for fear he 
 would whack it all to pieces, but all the rest of the 
 work the ladies did themselves. They brought their 
 lunches and stayed all day, each lady first cleaning her 
 own pew and then taking a part in the general clean- 
 ing. Those who kept maids were expected to bring 
 them along, to aid in the good work. 
 
 In one instance this involved a case of conscience. 
 One maid, who was a staunch Roman Catholic, on be- 
 
William M. Tenney, 
 Elder 1884-1899. Sabbath School Superintendent 1882-1899 
 
233 
 
 ing asked to accompany her mistress and lend a hand, 
 indignantly refused to have anything to do with clean- 
 ing a heretic church, and, as the lady insisted, she left 
 her service forthwith, feeling no doubt that she was 
 suffering for righteousness sake. 
 
 Every one worked with a will, and, by nightfall, their 
 labor of love was completed. The stoves were black- 
 ened, the carpet laid and the windows and paint fairly 
 shone. 
 
 No compressed air cleaners were needed in those 
 days by our mothers; and I am sure much better re- 
 sults were obtained. 
 
 When the first pastor, Rev. Robert Strong, was set- 
 tled he became a member of our family and we be- 
 came more intimately associated with the Church. 
 This was in war times, and, as there were a good many 
 Southerners in the Church, Mr. Strong was very anx- 
 ious that no one should suspect any of his members 
 of disloyalty, and urged the ladies to always attend 
 the meetings of the Soldiers' Aid Society, then in 
 vogue, and work for the relief of the soldiers. So our 
 Virginia and Missouri ladies industriously scraped lint 
 and rolled bandages, side by side with their sisters of 
 northern birth, and all criticism was silenced. 
 
 Some of Mr. Strong's parishioners resided in Rich- 
 field, and, in the summertime, as he kept a horse, he 
 was often invited out there to take tea and spend the 
 
234 
 
 evening. He was quite dignified, as became a yoting 
 minister; and I was quite in awe of him. 
 
 I remember how horrified I was, on one of these fes- 
 tive occasions, to hear my mother ask him to take a 
 stray cat, which had lately established herself on our 
 premises, along with him and leave it near some farm 
 house in the country. To my surprise he very oblig- 
 ingly consented, and drove off with the cat securely 
 tied in a bag, amid the profuse thanks of the family. 
 It was the old story; the cat came back, some time 
 before he did, and was sitting on the front steps wait- 
 ing to welcome him. When he returned, mother si- 
 lently pointed to the cat. As he was very near sighted 
 he stopped to examine the object, and, when he recog- 
 nized that cat, his amazement was amusing to witness. 
 As he was not familiar with their usual propensities, 
 he could hardly believe it possible, and gasped out 
 "Well 1 Well 1 That is the most astonishing thing I ever 
 heard of." 
 
 It was during Mr. Strong's ministry that the first 
 choir was organized by Miss Mary Charles. She was 
 a fine musician and was also the first organist. She 
 had been teaching school at the Yellow Medicine In- 
 dian Agency, when the massacre there occurred, ajid, 
 after the most thrilling adventures, she with several 
 others were rescued by a friendly Indian. By her 
 courage and good sense, she had saved the lives of an 
 army officer and the family, in which she taught. 
 
235 
 
 After wandering for many days through a trackless 
 forest, with her shoes and clothing in tatters, she final- 
 ly reached her friends in Minneapolis, who had mourn- 
 ed her as one dead. She was one of the most active 
 and efficient members, that Westminster Church was 
 blessed with, and devoted herself untiringly to its in- 
 terests. 
 
 Mr. Hiram Wagner was the first leader and sang 
 the tenor. The Misses Charles, Williams and Emmet 
 were the sopranos. Miss Eliza Varney, who had a 
 wonderfully sweet voice was the contralto. Her voice 
 would have made her fortune, had she so chosen, and 
 she had a charming personality. Mr. Joshua Wil- 
 liams sang bass. He also had an exceptionally good 
 voice. Other members were added later, Mrs. North- 
 way and the Misses Henderson; but these were the 
 first as I recollect them. 
 
 We had hoped to have had our first organist, Miss 
 Charles (now Mrs. Graham of Owatonna) present with 
 us today, but, to our great regret, she was unable to 
 come. We had also fully expected to have had on 
 exhibition today the first melodeon, that discoursed 
 sweet music within the walls of Westminster. It was 
 about the size of a sewing machine and the color was 
 yellow. We had treasured it all these years and had 
 seen it safely housed under this roof, after the Seventh 
 Street Church was burned. But, after a most diligent 
 but unavailing search, to which Japhet in search of a 
 
236 
 
 father was not to be compared, we learned that some 
 time ago our generous Session had given away several 
 outgrown instruments to new Sunday Schools in the 
 northern part of the state, and, not knowing its his- 
 toric value, the little melodeon was included in the 
 number. Of what use it could be to any one is a mys- 
 tery, for it could only wheeze a little twenty years ago. 
 But it was precious in our sight, and we mourn its loss. 
 
 It was quite an event, during the ministry of Mr. 
 Condit, when he received a visit from his father, Dr. 
 Condit, and his sister, of New York. They were great- 
 ly interested in the little church and the people, but 
 they didn't quite seem to like our black hair-cloth sofa 
 and chairs in the pulpit — indeed they distressed Miss 
 Condit so much, that, on her return home, she sent us 
 as a gift from herself three grand orthodox pulpit 
 chairs, which I think are now in the Fifth Church. 
 
 It was during Mr. Condit's ministry, that I united 
 with the Church and became a member of the choir. 
 They occupied seats in the rear of the Church be- 
 tween the two doors ; and I remember how very con- 
 venient it was to slip out occasionally, run home to 
 see if everything was going on all right and be back 
 again in my place in a few minutes. 
 
 There was quite a chorus at that time, all young peo- 
 ple, and I am afraid we were not always as reverent 
 as we should have been. The young men used to bring 
 peppermint and wintergreen lozenges, and pass them 
 
237 
 
 around for us to eat during the sermon. I never shall 
 forget what an agonizing time we had one Sunday, 
 when a young man passed around something entire- 
 ly new; we had never seen anything like them before 
 and of course were quite delighted. They were marsh- 
 mallows, about the size of a small biscuit, very old and 
 very tough. It was just before the close of the ser- 
 mon, and we soon realized that the new confection 
 would never be disposed of before the last hymn was 
 announced. Such facial contortions and gymnastics, 
 as we poor struggling mortals went through with, were 
 never before witnessed. We were obliged to put our 
 heads down for fear the minister would see us, all ex- 
 cept the young man who brought them. He had not 
 indulged, and was enjoying the situation immensely. 
 The pastor must have wondered what had caused the 
 choir to be in such a devotional frame of mind that 
 day; but we never told him. If the closing hymn was 
 not rendered as clearly and distinctly as usual, you 
 know the reason why. Some had suspicions, however, 
 that there was something unusual going on and soon 
 after this episode, it was thought best to have a quar- 
 tet choir and have them sit in front. The choir was 
 then composed of Mrs. Charles Smith, Soprano; Mrs. 
 Charles Godley, contralto ; Mr. Hiram Wagner, tenor ; 
 and Joshua Williams, basso. I remember it was quite 
 an ordeal to have to sit up so stiff and prim, in full 
 view of the congregation, after the free and easy dis- 
 
238 
 
 pensation of former years. But these reminiscences, 
 cannot like Tennyson's Brook, "go on forever." As 
 my time is exhausted and your patience also, they will 
 have to be continued at our Centennial Jubilee. 
 
 I have now the pleasant duty to perform of present- 
 ing the first members of this Church to you. We have 
 with us today a remnant of that little band who, in 
 the early days, constituted Westminster Church. We 
 want you all to know them and take off your hats (fig- 
 uratively speaking), in the future, when you meet 
 them. They are all ver}^ modest and it was with the 
 utmost difficulty, that we persuaded them to occupy 
 these prominent seats. We have upon the platform 
 today seven ladies, who were members of Westmin- 
 ster Church in the year 1860, and we delight to honor 
 them. 
 
 First, our only charter member Mrs. Deborah M. 
 Pettit, daughter of Capt. L. H. Williams, founder of 
 this Church. We give her the place of honor. We 
 wish that more of that little band of charter members 
 had been spared to celebrate this day with us, but we 
 rejoice that we have even one, and such a worthy, rep- 
 resentative ; and, in connection with Mrs. Pettit, I can- 
 not refrain from mentioning the name of one, who 
 had looked forward with joyous anticipation to this 
 glad jubilee day, who would have stood by the side of 
 Mrs. Pettit, as our next oldest member, one whose 
 life had been entwined with the history of this Church 
 
239 
 
 from its earliest beginning. I refer to Mrs. A. C. Mor- 
 gan, a devoted and dearly loved member of this 
 Church for nearly fifty years. We miss her sweet 
 presence here today. 
 
 Next I want to present to you Mrs. Frederick Chal- 
 mers, a member of the first choir, Mrs. McFarlane and 
 Mrs. Eliza Chalmers. These three ladies were here at 
 the time of the organization of this Church, and we 
 regret, with them, that they missed the opportunity of 
 their lives, in not becoming members of grand old 
 Westminster that day. 
 
 Then I want you all to know Mrs. Dr. Linn, the pres- 
 ident of the first Women's Society, organized in 1859, 
 whose valuable and interesting paper you have enjoy- 
 ed today. Mrs. Burd and Mrs. Ankeny I think you all 
 know. Mrs. Ankeny is the youngest member in the 
 group. These ladies were all earnest and devoted 
 workers in the olden days ; and their hospitable homes 
 were ever open, both for the entertainment of minis- 
 ters and for the use of the congregation. 
 
 Last, we wish to introduce another member of the 
 first choir, Mrs. Hiram Wagner. We will promise not 
 to ask her for a solo, though her friends greatly de- 
 sire it and we have no doubt she could render one ef- 
 fectively, if she only felt so inclined. We delight to 
 greet this band of the pioneer women of our Church. 
 Shall we not all salute them. (The congregation arose 
 and gave them the Chautauqua salute). 
 
240 
 
 Now if we only had that little old yellow melodeon 
 we would make "Auld Lang Syne" ring, but we will 
 have to do the best we can with the organ. Shall we 
 not rise and sing one verse of "Auld Lang Syne," re- 
 peating the chorus? 
 
 In response to this invitation the congregation sung 
 heartily the first verse of "Auld Lang Syne." 
 
 Without special introduction of the presiding officer, 
 the ladies, assigned thereto before hand, presented the 
 history and work of the missionary organizations of 
 the Church. 
 
 For the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society Mrs. 
 E. S. Williams said: 
 
 There is one little forlorn reminiscense, that has 
 escaped Mrs. Godley's eagle eye. Mrs. Morgan used 
 to tell it with great glee. It was when we were young 
 and ignorant. The Church was in need of new hymn 
 books, and made a request for the requisite amount 
 from the Treasurer of our Foreign Missionary Society ; 
 and the precious funds, sacredly pledged to foreign 
 missions, were meekly handed over to buy the hymn 
 books. 
 
 Dear Mrs. Morgan 1 who looked forward with so 
 much interest to this Jubilee, to whose absence we 
 cannot grow accustomed, and who towered above all 
 others in her years of glorious service ! 
 
 It is difficult to record the work of years with a few 
 pen strokes. Our Society was organized thirty-six 
 
241 
 
 years ago, February 6, 1871, by Dr. Sample, and our 
 first missionary was Miss Downing of Chefoo, China, 
 to whom we pledged the munificent sum of $75.00 a 
 year. 
 
 We veterans often make merry over some of the 
 means, resorted to in those days to raise our money, 
 such as fairs, suppers and such like, and I suppose the 
 only thing that saved us from rummage sales was the 
 fact that they were unknown. 
 
 With increased prosperity, we increased our gifts 
 and we improved in graces, too. When we began, 
 there was scarcely a woman who dared raise her voice 
 in prayer ; but we gained an enlarged perception of our 
 work; and, as it unfolded itself in all of its grandeur, 
 we, in a measure, lost sight of self, and we have thank- 
 ed God that through His grace, we have not with- 
 held our hands from this work, until self was entirely 
 conquered. 
 
 "So circled lives she in love's holy light 
 That from the shade of self she walketh free." 
 
 And we have not been afraid of a little enthusiasm, 
 and by reason of it have occasionally heard such re- 
 marks as these : "Oh yes, she's a nice woman, but she 
 is a little peculiar." "I hope I shall never be thrown 
 off my balance in that way." "A peculiar people." 
 We like the name. 
 
 What sweetness is to the rose ; what music is to the 
 musican; what oil is to machinery; that enthusiasm 
 
242 
 
 has been to us through all these years of missionary 
 service. 
 
 Someone has quaintly said, "Of all the light you car- 
 ry in your face, joy will reach farthest out to sea." So, 
 in this joy of the Lord, through our representatives, we 
 have crossed the seas and brought the Gospel "near to 
 the peoples in all lands." 
 
 That first interest in China culminated in 1887, when 
 $2,500 was raised, over and above our regular pledges, 
 for the Mateer Memorial Hospital, in Wei Hein, Shan- 
 tung, a well equipped institution, where daily aid is 
 given to Christ's suffering ones, and the word of God 
 is added to the physician's prescription. Mrs. Mateer 
 was Miss Archibald, who went out from this Church 
 in 1881, expecting to go to Siam. But, meeting Mr. 
 Mateer on the steamer, the usual result followed, and 
 she became Mrs. Mateer and went to her brief, but sa- 
 cred ministry in China. 
 
 Later Dr. Madge Dickson Mateer went to that same 
 hospital, and with tender, tireless ministering, in the 
 name of Christ, linked us to the great aggregation of 
 human suffering, and need, and hopelessness, amid 
 China's millions. 
 
 Any mention of that hospital would be incomplete 
 without speaking of the faithful work of Dr. W. R. 
 Faries, one of the beloved members of this Church, 
 who has given the best years of his life to the suffering 
 ones there. 
 
243 
 
 That name recalls the mother — our first President, 
 Mrs. I. C. Faries, "whose children rise up and call her 
 blessed" — and whose wholesome wisdom, reverent 
 prayers, and generous gifts, helped to build our mis- 
 sionary walls. 
 
 This hospital was made possibly by the generous be- 
 quest of Mrs. M. M. Harris, of whom it may be said, 
 "Being dead she yet speaketh," in her yearly legacy 
 to this work. 
 
 We rejoice that the Chinese class of our Sunday 
 School gives yearly to the support of a bed in Monroe 
 Pavillion connected with the hospital. We think, too, 
 of Miss Richardson, who went out from us as Mrs. 
 Ritchie; and, after Mr. Ritchie's death, married Mr. 
 Lingle, and is now doing splendid work in one of the 
 interior provinces, as our Synodical Missionary. 
 
 Through Miss Medbury, we have been drawn into 
 close personal touch with the educational work in Per- 
 sia. She is identified with Fisk Seminary in Urumiah, 
 which bears a glorious name and has a blessed record 
 of young women going out to be centers of light hence- 
 forth, wherever their lot is cast. 
 
 There is no sweeter gospel preached today than 
 among the forests of Africa. On the African coast we 
 have been linked for thirty-three years with Frank 
 Myongo, a dark-skinned native brother and pastor. 
 Step by step, through the years, those, who adopted 
 him when but a bov in Miss Nassau's school, have 
 
244 
 
 watched over his course, rejoicing first over his con- 
 version then over his entire consecration to the work 
 of the Gospel, and later over his faithful and effective 
 work among his people. 
 
 We remember, too, Mrs. Graham Campbell, towards 
 whose outfit we joyfully labored, when she went out as 
 a bride to that dark land. The climate proved too 
 much for her, but she is now doing valiant service in 
 the home land. 
 
 We can never forget Mrs. William M. Tenney, 
 whose very soul was poured as a treasure into this 
 work; shrinking from publicity, nevertheless her 
 Christ-like zeal consumed all fear, and enabled her 
 nobly to fill her place as our President for years. Her 
 ideal was an empty heart and purse; and, again and 
 again, she gave the prayer of the one and the contents 
 of the other. 
 
 Miss Bissell went out from this Church to Siam in 
 1899, in her early strength and zeal, to be connected 
 with Miss Cole in the Girl's School in Wang Lang; 
 and, after eight years of continuous service, it was the 
 too common story of failing health, and she came home 
 to die. Nature gave her refinement, gentleness and 
 amiability in an unusual degree, and to these the gift 
 of grace was superadded. Her brief and beautiful 
 life was quickly ended. What its influence shall be 
 over the young womanhood of that far off country, 
 
245 
 
 only eternity will reveal. We think lovingly of Mrs, 
 S. P. Farrington in connection with Miss Bissel. 
 
 Our latest interest centers in a little home in Tripoli, 
 Syria, were a Christian home has been started by Mr. 
 and Mrs. Nicol. Mrs. Nicol is our Presbyterial Mis- 
 sionary. 
 
 We have raised $29,467.86. Behind these figures 
 looms our dear faithful Mrs. E. E. Whitmore and her 
 loyal successor, Mrs. B. W. Smith. Could some winged 
 spirit with supernatural comprehension and vision 
 have attended each dollar of this amount in its path 
 of light, on its errand of mercy to the farthest corner 
 of this earth of ours, and then been gifted with an- 
 gelic speech, what a story might he not have told. 
 A story in many volumes and in many languages; of 
 cheer to desponding hearts; of hope to the despairing; 
 of knowledge to the ignorant; and of Christ the 
 Savior to the guilty, and the lost. During these years 
 there has been a constant broadening of our work. 
 When we entered upon it, there seemed to be but one 
 simple object, "to go and to preach the Gospel, to tell 
 the old, old story." But another utterance fell from 
 Christ's lips — an utterance comprehending in its sweep 
 all the achievements and all the blessings of the high- 
 est Christian civilization, "teaching them to observe all 
 things whatsoever I command you." 
 
 "Teaching them to observe all things," was seen also 
 to mean, "Suffer little children to come unto Me," and 
 
246 
 
 in all mission fields, in which we are interested, the 
 blessed kindergarten has become one of our forms of 
 service, winning a way as no other ministry might do, 
 to the hearts of parents through their little ones, taken 
 into the joyful atmosphere of Christian childhood. 
 
 As this larger aim was revealed to us, we enlarged our 
 work, communicating to those, gathered back to Him, 
 all those rich results of His mission to this earth, which 
 make our own lives glad; the home, the Church, the 
 school, the hospital, all the innumerable and constant- 
 ly increasing, unspeakable benefits and privileges, 
 which come to us through Christ our Lord. 
 
 So, like jewels, all the long way have flashed the 
 stories of Christ's unchanging love and faithfulness, 
 His power to save and change and lift up the lowest. 
 
 Mrs, E. S. Pomeroy, for the Woman's Home Mis- 
 sionary Society, spoke as follows: 
 
 Mrs. F. E. H. Haines, appointed by General Assem- 
 bly and the Home Board of New York, visited Minne- 
 apolis in 1880 and again in 1881, urging Westminster 
 ladies to organize for gospel work, in our own land. A 
 committee was chosen, consisting of Mrs. M. M. Har- 
 ris, and Mrs. A. C. Morgan, to secure officers. We 
 started out with Dr. Sample's prayers and benediction 
 upon us, and all the years of his life they followed us. 
 As the years passed on, this society grew in numbers, 
 and offerings for the work increased each year. 
 
 Our first work was for the salary of Rev. D. J. Mc- 
 
247 
 
 Millan, Mt. Pleasant, Utah, one of the pioneer workers 
 in that hard field. In later years, he became one of the 
 secretaries of the Home Board. In 1887, a precious 
 legacy came to us, from Mrs. M. M. Harris. This was 
 given to the work of founding a hospital, in Sitka, Alas- 
 ka. Our yearly offerings are still given to carrying on 
 this work. 
 
 In 1900, Dr. Shulean of this Church went to that 
 field, as medical missionary, and remained until called 
 home by illness of her aged father. 
 
 Investments for buildings among the Mexicans, for 
 homes among the mountaineers, also for our own Good 
 Will Mission, have been willingly sent in the time of 
 need, at the call from the Board in New York. It has 
 been our joy to send many fur coats and also fur robes, 
 sometimes even investing in horses, for our Home 
 Missionaries, whose toilsome Sabbath day journeys, 
 have been made much easier through this help. 
 
 In early days we learned to respond to the call of 
 Dr. Adams, our Synodical Missionary, if it were pos- 
 sible, being always assured that his call upon us, 
 whether for Pastor or for Pastor's wife, was a worthy 
 one. 
 
 At the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of 
 the Woman's Home Board, we far exceeded the quota 
 assigned to us for the erection of the Mary E. James 
 School for boys, at Santa Fe, New Mexico, named for 
 the honored President of the Woman's Home Board, 
 
248 
 
 Mrs. Darwin R. James of New York, which will open 
 to receive Mexican boys and young men this month. 
 Good Will Mission among the Dakotas has always 
 been a special care of our societ5^ 
 
 Several years ago nearly forty young men and 
 maidens from this mission were our guests for more 
 than a week. Guided by their efficient teachers, they 
 were an honor to themselves, and to us, and a marvel 
 to all, who have no faith in the well doing of the red 
 man. A vacant store on Nicollet Avenue had been 
 rented for their temporary abiding place, cots provided, 
 tables spread with dishes. Provisions were abundant- 
 ly supplied by relays of faithful Marthas. When one 
 good woman appeared bringing hot steak, corn bread 
 and coffee for breakfast, a dusky lad, said "it was like 
 the Manna for the children of Israel and lots better." 
 
 How they did eat that week! At our .Thursday 
 prayer meeting, they were given special seats of honor. 
 As they joined most heartily in singing, our Pastor 
 asked the congregation to rest, and give our guests the 
 right of way. They were as earnest in singing, as in 
 eating. When our Indian, Elijah Skyman, presided at 
 the organ, and our Chinese friends sang "What a 
 friend we have in Jesus," we all felt that missions paid. 
 
 A chartered car, secured free, gave them a pleasant 
 trip to Minnehaha Falls and the Lakes. But the crown- 
 ing day for them was Sabbath, when seated in the gal- 
 
>l5 
 
249 
 
 lery opposite the Pastor, Dr. Burrell gave our guests 
 a heart to heart prelude. 
 
 While they were here, nearly $300 was raised as a 
 beginning for the needed school building at Good Will. 
 On their return home, when asked what was the best 
 part of their visit, they promptly replied, Westminster 
 Church and Dr. Burrell. 
 
 Some of these pupils are now preaching the gospel. 
 These days of reminiscence remind us of an old time 
 social, given by our Society to celebrate the thirty- 
 first anniversary of this Church. The promised pres- 
 ence of the choir of 1865, and reminiscences of early 
 days, called out a large number. Ladies with pow- 
 dered hair and in old time costume served a supper. 
 Judge Vanderburgh led in prayer. Those present at 
 dedication of Church in 1861 had seats of honor on 
 the platform wearing badges of Presbyterian blue with 
 date of their coming to the Church. Mrs. C. H. Pettit, 
 Mrs. J. K. Sidle, Mrs. A. C. Morgan, Mrs. Eliza Chal- 
 mers, Mrs. Fred Chalmers, Mrs. Mary Stough, Mrs. A. 
 Bradford, and John Anderson, were the honored eight. 
 
 The choir, Mrs. Joshua Williams, one of the early 
 choristers, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Wagner and Mrs. 
 Alice W. Chalmers, with Mrs. S. P. B. Winston at the 
 piano, sang "Home again, from a foreign shore." An 
 encore called them to the front, when Capt. D. M. Gil- 
 more presented bouquets, graciously saying "They did 
 pretty well, though they never could sing anyway." 
 
250 
 
 Judge Vanderburgh, Mr. J. J. Ankeny, Dr. Evans and 
 Capt. Gilmore gave reminiscences, while Mr. Joshua 
 Williams told of early days, when he drew the wood 
 on a hand sled from the paternal wood pile, then went 
 round on a bob sled to pick up congregation when 
 Sabbath came. But a telegram from Dr. Sample re- 
 ceived that day, was the best of all. It read, "No 
 friends are like old friends. The pastor by the sea 
 sends loving greetings to the flock by the river. For 
 what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing. Ye are 
 our glory and joy. Now the God of peace be with you 
 all." 
 
 Mr. T. B. Janney was asked to send assurance of 
 our abiding love. "Auld Lang Syne" and "Blest be 
 the tie that binds," were sung by choir and audience, 
 thus closing our 31st anniversary. 
 
 We linger today and recall to mind, the faces of 
 many loved ones, who are now with their Lord. These 
 prayerful, faithful workers never wavered in their 
 earnest desire for the salvation of those in the dark 
 places of our land. Do they not come to us often with 
 tender memories, during these Jubilee days? 
 
 We read, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. 
 Their works do follow them." Loving memories clus- 
 ter around the name of Mrs. H. G. Sidle, whose prayers 
 and labors in early days, are tenderly recalled. She 
 was loyal to the Church of her love, till called to her 
 heavenly reward. 
 
251 
 
 A few of the early friends remain. Mrs. Allen Hill 
 and Mrs. T. B. Janney were among our first officers; 
 Mrs. H. W. Wagner, Mrs. C. B. HefTelfinger, Mrs. D. 
 R. Wagner, all workers in those pioneers days, still 
 cheer us with words of counsel and help. A great 
 host of new recruits are putting their shoulders to the 
 wheel, and the zeal for Home Missions abounds. 
 
 We have been highly favored in our frequent cor- 
 respondence with the Woman's Home Board. Their 
 joy is our joy, and their pressing needs are urging us 
 on to greater endeavor. A large correspondence, too, 
 with missionaries on the field has kept us in close touch 
 with their work, making us more faithful in prayer, 
 more willing to deny ourselves for the salvation of 
 their people. Our enthusiasm when some have gone 
 from our own Church, has been rekindled and we 
 have had representatives in Alaska, among the Mexi- 
 cans and Indians in Utah and the South land. 
 
 Moneys raised all these years have exceeded $30,000. 
 The past experience of the Missionary women of this 
 Church plainly warns us, to help our brethren, and be 
 on the lookout for all committees from New York, 
 Chicago and Detroit. We feel this to be an absolute 
 necessity for the advance of our mission work and 
 cheerfully add this to our labors. For our watchword 
 at our organization we selected "The love of Christ 
 constraineth us." We still lift it high on our banners 
 and when the Centennial year of this Church rolls 
 
252 
 
 round, may its record find the missionary women of 
 this Church we love, faithful in His name. 
 
 Our three pastor's wives, with us today, have our 
 abiding grateful love, for all their words, their prayers, 
 and their sweet service of song. The story of these 
 years is a pleasant one. The half cannot be told. 
 
 The Westminster Missionary Guild was represented 
 by Miss Anne Faries, who said: 
 
 As I thought over the instructions given in Leviti- 
 cus, to "blow the Jubilee Trumpet in the fiftieth year," 
 I wondered what right our Society had to make any 
 noise at this time. But I have discovered that we 
 have a perfectly legitimate right to make a racket, for 
 we are like the colored cook whose mistress said to 
 her, "why aren't you people more quiet and dignified 
 in your devotions? Don't you know that the Bible 
 tells us that, when the Temple was being built, the 
 people worked in silence, they didn't shout and sing 
 the way you do?" "Laws sake, Miss Tennant," re- 
 plied the cook, "what you-all talkin' 'bout? Don't 
 you know we poah colo'd folks ain't got to buildin' 
 ouh temple yet, we's just a blastin' out de foundations." 
 
 Twenty-five years ago this month, on a bright day, 
 our beautiful Young Ladies' Missionary Society (later 
 called the "Young Women's") was born. 
 
 The first meeting was held at Mrs. Terry's, 818 
 Nicollet Avenue. Mrs. Wm. M. Tenney and Miss 
 Eliza Baker, representing the Women's Foreign Mis- 
 
253 
 
 sionary Society, and Mrs. E. F. Pomeroy, Mrs. T. B. 
 Janney and Mrs. Phillip Godley of the Home Society 
 were the organizers. Twenty young women were 
 present ; and, a month later, there were over fifty mem- 
 bers. 
 
 At the very first meeting preparations were made 
 to send a box (valued at one hundred dollars) to Wa- 
 satch Academy, Mt. Pleasant, Utah. A scholarship 
 of one hundred dollars, in the same academy, was as- 
 sumed this same year. Every year since, we have 
 paid for this scholarship with our other pledges. 
 
 Mrs. Terry, our first President, and inspiring leader 
 for several years, deserves great praise ; but what more 
 need we say of her, than that she fulfilled the Biblical 
 requirement of a good steward, she has always been 
 found "faithful." 
 
 The aim of our organization has always been by 
 prayer, (and John R. Mott says that everything vital 
 in the missionary enterprise hinges upon prayer) the 
 study of missions, and by contributions, to aid the 
 Women's Boards in the advancement of Christ's king- 
 dom. 
 
 Last spring, although not yet twenty-five years old, 
 we thought we were not too young to change our 
 name, if asked. We were asked, and, united to the 
 Missionary Reading Circle, became the "Westminster 
 Missionary Guild;" later joining the federation of 
 Chapters, which is known as the "Westminster Guild." 
 
254 
 
 One of the objects, to which we have contributed, is 
 the Mateer Memorial Hospital at Wei Hein, North 
 China. Near this hospital stands the Church, from 
 whose belfry hangs a memorial bell, calling the Chi- 
 nese to worship on God's day. It was sent by Mr. 
 Kirkwood, the husband of one of our members who 
 was called home. 
 
 Another dear member. Miss Anne Smith, who was 
 an officer, has been called to higher service, in the 
 Church of the Redeemed. One of our members went 
 to work on the Foreign field. Miss Bissell served a 
 full, missionary term of years in Siam, and we catch 
 glimpses of her teaching the boys in the Boon Itt 
 school, or drilling a choir of one hundred Siamese 
 men, or, at another time, rousing the young people to 
 hold an enthusiastic service on the Sabbath instead of 
 allowing the Church to be closed in the pastor's ab- 
 sence. While home on her furlough, her Father call- 
 ed her, from San Jose, California, not back to Siam, 
 but to her beautiful Home Land of Heaven. 
 
 John Wesley said, "God buries His workmen, but 
 carries on His work." He desires the workmen, who 
 still live, to aid Him in the bringing of the world to 
 Christ. 
 
 The Social Circle, reported through Mrs. L. L. 
 Longbrake. 
 
 While the Social Circle cannot claim the years or 
 grey hairs of her more mature sisters, she is a very 
 
255 
 
 vigorous young girl of twelve years, just beginning to 
 think of lengthening her dresses and pinning up her 
 braids. 
 
 The first month of her existence she was called, 
 "Sewing Society," but twelve years ago she was chris- 
 tened at the home of Dr. Hunter and given the name of 
 "Social Circle." I am not sure that it was quite ortho- 
 dox for Presbyterians, for she had two good mothers 
 at this christening; Mrs. Pleasant Hunter as honorary 
 president, and Mrs. Charles T. Thompson as president, 
 ten members being present. 
 
 Since then her growth and health have been unre- 
 tarded by the usual childish diseases, the only tendency 
 towards any ailment is a certain palpitation of the 
 tongue, manifested at the monthly thimble bees; this 
 is not at all alarming however, and only proves that 
 women can do two things at once. 
 
 Neither name alone, of Sewing Society or Social Cir- 
 cle, is indicative of the scope of this Society as she 
 combines the activities of both. She might very appro- 
 priately be called "The Relief Corps of Westminster 
 Church," for, if there is any project proposed which 
 does not come especially under the jurisdiction of any 
 of the Church organizations, the Social Circle is asked 
 to assume the responsibility, and she always cheerfully 
 assents. 
 
 In her social duties, her aim is to aid the pastor in 
 every way to promote sociability, often the weak point 
 
256 
 
 in a large Church ; and, for this purpose, nine meetings 
 are held during the year, consisting of two evening re- 
 ceptions at the Church, to which the gentlemen are in- 
 vited, and thimble bees held at private residences. To 
 these the members bring their own fancy work; light 
 refreshments are served and some entertainment given 
 in the way of recitations or music. The newcomers 
 are welcomed, and, we hope, are made to feel less keen- 
 ly the severing of Church ties in some former distant 
 home. Occasional picnics are held. 
 
 The year begins in October, preceded by a rally in 
 September and election of officers, and ends in April. 
 Of the work meetings, seven are held; falling on the 
 second Tuesday of each month — all day meetings at 
 the Church with lunch at noon in the cheerful kitchen, 
 towards which each one contributes some one arti- 
 cle of food. The average attendance is sixty, and we 
 have the pleasure of entertaining both pastors, and 
 often the treasurer of the Church. These gatherings 
 are so enjoyable and the sewing during the morning 
 gives such a keen appetite, that it is only the tired 
 muscles that remind us that we have been doing 
 something besides having a good time. If, as you near 
 the sewing room, you are reminded of the sound of an 
 approaching tornado, your mind is relieved when you 
 open the door, and find it is only the murmur of voices, 
 and the whir of three machines. You may occasionally 
 see a needle held in midair, while the owner is absorb- 
 
257 
 
 cd in relating an interesting anecdote, her brain mean- 
 while forgetting to point out the road to be taken by 
 the waiting needle; but, notwithstanding these little 
 digressions, the work progresses steadily, as is evi- 
 denced, at the close of the day, in the pile of finished 
 clothing. 
 
 The Social Circle does nothing to make money, the 
 yearly dues of twenty-five cents from the 250 members 
 meeting the expenses. 
 
 A work committee of seven ladies meets the day be- 
 fore a work meeting, cutting and preparing the work, 
 while a dining-room committee and one on entertain- 
 ment, have in charge the luncheons and entertainments 
 for the social gatherings. The Society gives aid to ten 
 benevolent institutions in the city, i. e., the Associated 
 Charities, Humane Society, Bethany Home, Pillsbury 
 Home for Working Girls, Maternity Hospital, Flor- 
 ence Crittenton Home, Home for Aged Women, Jones- 
 Harrison Home, Travelers' Aid and the Jeane Martin 
 Brown Home for Children. 
 
 The aid, given these, is any needed sewing and, 
 where there is necessity, material is donated. Contri- 
 butions of money are given to Maternity Hospital, 
 Bethany Home and to Florence Crittenton Home, and 
 the Westminster room in Pillsbury Home is kept in 
 repair. 
 
 A lady is appointed for each of these institutions, 
 
258 
 
 whose duty it is to visit and ascertain the needs of 
 each. 
 
 These are the regular avenues of aid; but the sym- 
 pathies of the Social Circle are large, and, if an es- 
 pecially urgent appeal comes to either the Home or 
 Foreign Missionary Societies, the Social Circle offers 
 her donation and is thus in touch with Home and 
 Foreign Missions as well as with the objects of benevo- 
 lence in the city. 
 
 I well remember a few years ago, when the wife of 
 a returned foreign missionary came to the city from 
 her home in a near-by town, to make her modest pur- 
 chases for the spring clothing of five little girls. When 
 the Social Circle thought of all the stitches to be taken 
 by one pair of hands, she offered to make the dresses, 
 while some generous friends added material for simple 
 white dresses for each child. When all those dresses 
 were finished and pinned around the wall, it reminded 
 one of the Woman's Department at the State Fair, 
 only there were no blue and red premium cards to be 
 seen. 
 
 The most satisfactory premium, the ladies could 
 have received, was the delight of that mother when 
 she viewed the exhibit. I shall never forget the glisten 
 in her eyes, when she saw those white dresses; and she 
 spoke of one little daughter, who longed so for a white 
 dress for the Easter exercises, like all the other chil- 
 dren, and added, "Now each one will be so happy." 
 
259 
 
 Two years ago last spring, when the newly ap- 
 pointed missionary of this Presbytery, Mrs. Rebecca 
 Van Cleve Nicol, was about to leave the city, the Social 
 Circle tendered her a luncheon in the Church dining 
 room, to which representatives from each Church were 
 invited. The tables were beautiful with their decoration 
 of spring flowers, and the menu was dainty and appe- 
 tizing, while the after-dinner speeches afforded much 
 merriment and also food for serious thought. I am 
 sure the memory of that gathering will be one of the 
 tender links, between the far away home in Syria and 
 the many friends in the home land. 
 
 Is there any greater pleasure than to be of service? 
 To feel that we are aiding those, who represent us in 
 the foreign field, in the home field, or who labor for 
 the benevolent institutions in the city? We thus place 
 before you in a feeble way, the aims and workings of 
 the Social Circle, and, if it sounds a little like blowing 
 the horn of self-praise, you must remember that the 
 Social Circle has no Presbyterial meeting each spring, 
 at which she can place before the public the work of 
 the year. It is only once in fifty years that she appears 
 before the public ; and, after this meeting, the horn 
 will be laid aside for another fifty years, in which there 
 will be ample time for growth and improvement along 
 with the gray hairs which are sure to come. 
 
 After Mrs. Longbrook's paper Mrs. Eugene N. Best 
 
260 
 
 sang beautifully, to her own accompaniment, the song 
 "Eye hath not seen; ear hath not heard." 
 
 The work of the Kindergarten and Industrial So- 
 ciety was then presented by Mrs. H. S. Weir. 
 
 Mrs. Weir : We are looking back to the beginning of 
 things today. The Kindergarten and Industrial So- 
 ciety is not very old. It was organized April 28th, 
 1884, under the unassuming name of "Westminster 
 Aid Society," in response to an earnest appeal from 
 Mr. Irwin, then Synodical Missionary for Minnesota. 
 
 He spoke of the various needs of Highland Park, 
 Bloomington Avenue and Merriam Park Churches, but 
 more especially of the pressing need of furnishings for 
 Riverside Mission. A chapel had just been completed, 
 not in the present location but down on the Flats, and 
 was in immediate need of seats, matting, a library and 
 other things. The Society was organized, according 
 to Article 2nd of its constitution, to aid in furnishing 
 Mission Churches of our denomination and to furnish 
 suitable clothing for destitute children attending the 
 Sabbath Schools. But scarce six months had passed, 
 before a sewing school was organized at Riverside, or 
 rather the Society took charge of one, that had been 
 organized by a Miss Clark and had been meeting at 
 private houses. 
 
 This School continued in session from September to 
 April, instead of from November to March, as today. 
 A Superintendent was hired, who also acted as Visitor 
 
261 
 
 on the field. An omnibus carried the ladies to the 
 Chapel every Saturday afternoon. A little later, the 
 President of the Society also acted as Superintendent 
 of the Sewing School. 
 
 The Secretary writes at this time. "There is so 
 much more than ever to be done in Mission work, we 
 can only bend all our efforts in that direction and ask 
 aid of our rich Heavenly Father." It was well these 
 consecrated women realized, that they had a rich 
 Heavenly Father. The minutes of the Society, for 
 the first few years, are a record of struggle ; but faith 
 was firm and prayer earnest. 
 
 In February, 1886, the name was changed to "West- 
 minster City Mission Society," as more clearly indi- 
 cating the work of the Society. In November, 1894, 
 the name was again changed to "Woman's City Mis- 
 sion Society," to distinguish it from the work of the 
 men and, as there still seemed to be confusion, in Sep- 
 tember, 1903, the name was changed to the present 
 one, "Westminster Kindergarten and Industrial So- 
 ciety." 
 
 In October, 1887, Hope Kindergarten was opened. 
 Its usefulness made the ladies feel the need of one at 
 Riverside. A communication was sent to the Session, 
 asking them to appropriate $100.00 a month to carry 
 on the work. In due time an ansv/er came, giving the 
 reasons why they could not accede to the request, and 
 regretting their inability to do so. The Secretary 
 
262 
 
 adds, "Again we must stop and consider." Evidently 
 the stopping was not very long, for the next meeting 
 we find a committee to solicit funds and a teacher en- 
 gaged to begin a kindergarten at Riverside the next 
 month. During the same month, at a meeting held 
 at Mrs. Farrington's, the committee reported $380.00 
 had been raised, and Miss Kenyon, out of the joy of 
 her heart, asked to have sung the good, old hymn 
 "How Firm a Foundation." 
 
 A great step in advance was taken, when the So- 
 ciety organized the free kindergarten — Hope, as I 
 have said in October, 1887, and Riverside in Feb- 
 ruary, 1888. It was Christ himself, who gave, as a 
 test of love to Him, the command, "Feed my lambs." 
 
 This command has been literally carried out in our 
 kindergartens. Thousands of children have been 
 gathered there during these years. The conditions of 
 many of those homes, during the early years of our 
 work, was simply appalling. After a few months of 
 visiting, one of our kindergarteners says in her report, 
 "If want and sickness and dirt were all, it would still 
 be encouraging; but, when sin, constant and persis- 
 tent, is added, we are often overwhelmed." 
 
 Think of taking children from such an environment 
 and bringing them into our kindergarten rooms, bright 
 with growing plants, pictures and birds; the contact 
 with loving teachers; the influence of music, nature 
 study and the merry games ; the joy of the Christmas 
 
263 
 
 party, when proud parents receive the gifts little fin- 
 gers have made, and the children have their own treat, 
 the lessons in thoughtfulness and love. Is there a- 
 more beautiful way of spending money, than to make 
 happy childhood and to start, on the way to noble 
 Christian manhood and womanhood, unfortunate chil- 
 dren? One of the kindergarteners relates the story of a 
 little boy, who, hearing one of the other children use a 
 very bad word said to him, "You will never see God's 
 face, if you say bad words." The other little fellow 
 said, "My papa uses bad words." The first little boy 
 said very earnestly, "You tell your papa that he will 
 never see Cod's face, if he uses bad words." Is it 
 not true that a little child shall lead them? 
 
 How many a transformed home is due to the influ- 
 ence of the kindergarten ! 
 
 A word of appreciation for the faithful kindergar- 
 teners. We have been especially fortunate in having at 
 Hope two such noble, consecrated women as Mrs. 
 Mary Plum and Mrs. Harriet Shryock, while the re- 
 sults of nearly twenty years of service, given by Mrs. 
 Susan Morse, at Riverside, eternity alone will reveal. 
 These teachers not only give their services in the kin- 
 dergartens, but act as missionaries on the field, spend- 
 ing their afternoons in visiting the homes of the chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Conditions have wonderfully improved, since those 
 early days. Then they did not dare to go around 
 
264 
 
 alone, making their calls; now they feel as safe as 
 though they were calling around Westminster Church. 
 
 In December, 1888, Hope Industrial School was 
 started. For a year we met in the little old chapel on 
 Ninth Avenue North. The room was heated by stoves, 
 and we were very crowded. It was a happy day when 
 we marched into the new chapel, singing "Enter into 
 His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with 
 praise." 
 
 In 1891 a Sewing School was organized at Farview 
 Chapel under the care of Mrs. Sherman Davis. Near- 
 ly every kind of work has been carried on by the So- 
 ciety. Anything that promised to help the people in 
 the neighborhood of the Chapel — a day nursery, cook- 
 ing classes, gymnasium classes, a boy's brigade, the 
 penny provident fund, a free dispensary, classes in mil- 
 linery and dressmaking, mothers' meetings, which have 
 recently been made to include the fathers. From the 
 first the question of what to do with the boys has been 
 a problem. For a number of years they were organ- 
 ized in classes, some sewing. (Many a kitchen apron 
 has been made by the busy fingers of a boy for moth- 
 er's Christmas present). At present the boys all do 
 manual training, as well as the tools, with which they 
 have to work, will allow. Last year a good equipment 
 was provided for Riverside. 
 
 During the first years, the way to provide means for 
 carrying on the work was a constant problem. Again 
 
John Edward Bushnell, D.D., 
 Installed as Pastor March 6th, 1901 
 
265 
 
 and again special meetings were called to consider 
 ways and means. Personal solicitation, entertain- 
 ments, appeals to the Sessions for help, monthly dues 
 from men and every way, that the fertile brain of 
 woman could invent, were tried. Many times the Sec- 
 retary writes, we took what we had, "Faith and prayer" 
 and went forward. 
 
 Things seemed to reach a crisis in December, 1893. 
 There were no funds and seemingly no way to get 
 any. A day of fasting and prayer was appointed. I 
 wish I had time to trace the steps — suffice it to say 
 from that meeting came our Pledge Sabbath — the Sab- 
 bath before Thanksgiving which is sacred to the 
 "Westminster Kindergarten and Industrial Society." 
 
 Of course, a work like this requires a great many 
 workers, and a host of women have responded to the 
 call. Just a brief mention of some who are not with 
 us today, but who have been so identified with the So- 
 ciety that they can never seem far away. Miss Ken- 
 yon presided at the first meeting, and, until her death, 
 was connected in some way with the work — for the 
 last few years as Honorary President. I often think 
 that her earnest prayers, so frequently heard in the 
 monthly meetings, had much to do with the success of 
 the work. And dear Mrs. Farrington! no memory 
 could be sweeter than all city mission workers have 
 of this beloved sister so many years our honored pres- 
 
266 
 
 ident. Very much of otif success is due to her untir- 
 ing devotion, persistent efforts and able planning. 
 
 And dear Mrs. A. M. Henderson ! one of the faithful 
 ones, a member of the first board of directors and un- 
 tiring in her efforts, until God took her home. 
 
 Mrs. M. M. Harris, Mrs. I. C. Faries and Mrs. A. C. 
 Morgan are among the names of those early workers 
 who have gone to their reward. Had I time, I could 
 mention many names — some of them at the very first 
 meeting and still active — others who have given years 
 of service, they are here today. You know them. 
 The Lord reward them. 
 
 It is not necessary for me to even speak of the work 
 carried on today. The Chapels are there for you to 
 visit. If you have never been to one of our kinder- 
 gartens, you have missed one of the pleasantest sights 
 in this city. 
 
 The Industrial Schools are organized according to 
 latest methods, but there is need always of more 
 teachers. 
 
 Compared with the beginning of the work, a big ad- 
 vance has been made; but the same earnestness, high 
 ideals and consecration in the women of today will 
 bring about corresponding advance in the work of the 
 future. 
 
 Following Mrs. Weir's address four little girls ap- 
 peared upon the platform and gave a report for the 
 "Pearl Gatherers," a missionary band in the Primary 
 
267 
 
 Department. The historian has not received a report 
 of what they said and cannot, therefore, reproduce it 
 here. 
 
 The story of the "Gleaners," was next presented by 
 Julia George. 
 
 "To look at us, you would not think we were so old. 
 My teacher says that there was once a man, who be- 
 lieved, that, if he could find a certain fountain and 
 bathe in it, he would always be young. Poor old 
 Ponce de Leon never found his fountain, but I think 
 the Gleaners must have bathed in it without knowing 
 it, for they tell me we were twenty-four years old last 
 January; but I am sure we do not feel that old, and I 
 do not believe you think we look so very old, do you? 
 
 We are the oldest of all the young people's societies 
 except the Guild; and they grew so old that they had 
 to begin all over again. They ought to bathe in our 
 fountain. 
 
 We were born in January, 1883, and were named by 
 our mother, the Woman's Foreign Missionary Socie- 
 ty, "The Young Girl's Mission Band," Like a great 
 many other women folks, we have changed our name 
 since; and we are now called the Gleaners. 
 
 Our mother was the Foreign Missionary Society and 
 we worked at first for Foreign Missions, giving $25.00 
 each year to send a Hindoo girl to school at the Jumna 
 Girls' School in Allahabad, India. The girls in this 
 school are the children of native Christians, and are 
 
268 
 
 trained to be good Christian women and, many of 
 them, teachers ; and we love to think that perhaps some 
 of our girls are teaching the little heathen children of 
 Jesus and that they, when they grow up, will teach 
 others, so that our pennies will never stop working. ' 
 
 You would not expect us to remember our first 
 nurse; and there is no woman in the Church old 
 enough to remember for us. We only know, that we 
 have always had a kind nurse to help and guide us. 
 
 There were never but two years, when we did not 
 raise more than our pledge of $25,00; and, when we 
 were ten years old, we began to give what we had over 
 that to Home Missions. 
 
 In 1898 we decided to divide our money equally and 
 to raise $20.00 for each, but we did not want to send 
 five dollars less than usual to India, so we tried very 
 hard and raised $57.56. The next year, we raised 
 $50.00, our pledge, and, since then, have always gone 
 beyond it. In all our life we have given $1020.38 to 
 missions. 
 
 At different times our three pastors, whom we love 
 so dearly, have helped us by letting us sell their pho- 
 tographs. They all looked their very best, when they 
 were taken, and every one seemed very glad to get 
 three such handsome pictures. 
 
 In one of our annual reports our Secretary said : "In 
 olden times the men reaped with sickles and the women 
 and children went behind and gathered the grain that 
 
269 
 
 was left. Although we little girls of the Gleaners 
 Society can not do great things, we have found there 
 are a great many little things we can do." 
 
 That is just what we want to do — some of the little 
 things that would not be done, if we forgot to dp our 
 part — and, so long as we remember that Jesus said He 
 would not forget a cup of cold water given because we 
 love Him, we feel sure He will smile on our pennies if 
 we give them with love in our hearts. 
 
 Miss Ethel Mitchell spoke for the Daughters of the 
 King. 
 
 As a member of the Daughters of the King, I have 
 been asked to tell you a little of the work of our so- 
 ciety. 
 
 This organization began its work under the leader- 
 ship of Miss Baker, about the year 1878. The society 
 is composed of girls of High School age, and we now 
 boast a membership of forty. Our meetings are held 
 once a month in the Church parlors and are of a very 
 interesting nature. We study both home and foreign 
 missions. 
 
 The main object of our society is to instill into the 
 minds of the young people a true missionary spirit, 
 and to help advance God's kingdom. Each year at 
 Christmas each girl is given the name of a missionary, 
 to whom she sends a gift, and we are brought in closer 
 <:ontact with missions, in this way. 
 
 Beside this, we help fill boxes to be sent to different 
 
270 
 
 mission schools, aid in sustaining a scholarship at 
 Sitka, Alaska, and contribute toward the general fund 
 of Home and Foreign Missions. 
 
 Our officers consist of President, Vice-President, 
 Secretary and Treasurer, with a leader. 
 
 Miss Jennie Congdon spoke for the Senior Christian 
 Endeavor Society, as follows: 
 
 The Westminster Christian Endeavor Society was 
 organized during the pastorate of Dr. Burrell, in the 
 year 1888. The first society enrolled on its lists fifty- 
 one active members, seventeen associates and thirty- 
 one ex-officio members. From the first, the motto has 
 been "service," in the society, in the home school, and 
 in the chapels. During these years the membership 
 has changed many times, but the spirit is still the same. 
 After the burning of the Church home on Seventh 
 Street, circumstances were not favorable; but, with 
 the building of the new church and the coming of 
 Mr. Curtis, the outlook became brighter. Under his 
 skillful leadership the society enlarged its membership 
 and its offerings, the latter rising from an insignificant 
 sum to one of good proportions. After the departure 
 of Mr, Curtis, we were left largely to our own re- 
 sources until the coming of Mr. Patterson, in whom 
 we found just the leader for whom we had been wait- 
 ing. Like many of the other organizations, ours was 
 handicapped by the damage done to the building by 
 the storm of 1904; but we held together and, in due 
 
271 
 
 time, came into our large room again where strangers 
 were able to find us. 
 
 The Westminster Endeavorers feel justly proud of 
 the reputation, which they have made, as pioneers in 
 mission-study work among the young people of the 
 city. Besides organizing classes in our own society, 
 we have sent out leaders for other groups. To one of 
 our members the credit was largely due that Minne- 
 apolis was privileged to enjoy a Missionary Institute, 
 before even our big sister-city, Chicago, bestirred her- 
 self to secure a like opportunity for inspiration. Un- 
 like some others, our affections are equally divided be- 
 tween Home and Foreign Missions, each receiving a 
 share in our gifts and hours of study. 
 
 Our society has always been well represented in 
 the work at Hope and Riverside Chapels, and many 
 of the most efficient officers and teachers are either 
 past or present Endeavorers. Loyalty to the work 
 of our own Church has always been emphasized, even 
 when loyalty has meant the loss of our most active 
 workers. 
 
 However, life among Christian Endeavorers is not 
 all work. We have our seasons for play, and, when 
 those occasions arrive, we have merry times. The 
 playful spirit has manifested itself in various ways — 
 Hallowe'en revels, skating-parties, musicales, picnics, 
 corn-roasts. We are always glad to welcome our 
 friends, both young and older, to come and see that 
 
272 
 
 we know how to be gay without being giddy and can 
 be happy without being hilarious. 
 
 Upon such an occasion, it is fitting to voice our ap- 
 preciation of the cordial sympathy and co-operation, 
 which have been given to us, in such generous meas- 
 ure by our pastors, past and present. We desire, at 
 the same time to give due credit to the effort of those, 
 who were once active Endeavorers, but who are now 
 graduated into advanced service in the Church. We 
 wish, also, to pay a tribute to the memory of one who 
 worked long and faithfully in the society, and whose 
 place can never be filled. Katherine McMurdy's 
 hands and feet and brain have done their last work on 
 earth, but the memory of her consistent and unselfish 
 life remains to make us all better Endeavorers, every 
 time we think or speak of her. 
 
 The record of Westminster Christian Endeavor So- 
 ciety is not a long one ; but it is none the less honor- 
 able. In these days of increasing opportunity, our 
 Church needs trained workers as never before. Young 
 people, in the first enthusiasm of their Christian life, 
 wish to work definitely for Christ, but do not know 
 how. The Christian Endeavor Society is here to sup- 
 ply these needs, and welcomes all young people to its 
 fellowship and service. 
 
273 
 
 THE JUNIOR CHAPTER. 
 
 The Junior Chapter was organized in May, 1907, un- 
 der the especial care of our assistant-pastor, Mr. Fin- 
 ney. The Chapter invites to its membership all young 
 persons between the ages of twelve and sixteen. Its 
 object is to foster interest among our younger young 
 people in religious work ; to increase their love for the 
 Bible; to promote the habit of prayer; to develop in 
 them a loyalty to the Church founded on a knowledge 
 of its history, doctrines and activities; and to train 
 them for effective service. 
 
 The Intermediate Society of Christian Endeavor was 
 represented by Miss Helen Weld, who said: 
 
 History has always been so hard for me, and to tell 
 the history of our society seemed almost impossible. 
 So I should like to just tell a little story. All nice 
 stories begin with "once upon a time" and so once 
 upon a time, let us say twelve years ago, there was 
 found in Westminster a little band of children. The 
 first time these children met to grow acquainted, there 
 were only seven of them. But great endings often 
 come from small beginnings. 
 
 It was a path of struggle, on which these little peo- 
 ple began. They met and started in the primary 
 room, then were lead on to the Intermediate, then a re- 
 treat back to the primary, on to the parlors and finally 
 won a victory by reaching the place of honor in the 
 
274 
 
 big Sunday School room. It was not, though, with- 
 out separations and a few sorrows that these Juniors 
 attained a grown-up stage, for, three years after their 
 organization the older ones were promoted and be- 
 came the present Intermediates. It was a great honor; 
 and the story runs that one little boy, now a grown-up 
 young man in the Church, wept because he was not 
 old enough to go onward. 
 
 Now, great men tell us, that there is always a reason 
 for everything. They call it cause and effect. Just 
 so, there was a reason for the growing up together of 
 this little band. It was because some of their good 
 older friends understood that, as a band knowing each 
 other as little Christians, they would grow to be strong, 
 bigger Christians. They knew, too, that, as they grew, 
 they would more and more want to tell to some other 
 the story they loved of Jesus Christ. Some of these 
 older friends were willing to lead this little band, till 
 it grew old enough and wise enough to guide itself. 
 
 And now the Intermediates have grown up, but still 
 they cling to their childhood name. Though not yet 
 across a sweep of fifty years, they look back with many 
 a happy thought upon this little story. There comes 
 a smile once in a while, too, as when one little girl, 
 now a big one, recalls how, in answer to roll-call, she 
 gave every Sunday the very same verse and that the 
 first in the Bible, and then wondered every Sunday 
 
275 
 
 if anyone could possibly remember that she gave it 
 the last Sunday. 
 
 There is the memory, which is still a loving and 
 reverent one of the leaders who once planned and 
 worked with them. Their names will always be writ- 
 ten high in the list of their friends. There is not only 
 a happy remembrance, but there is a deeper joy, in the 
 thought that they are still working to carry out the 
 same high aims and ideals, for which this little band 
 was found. 
 
 So my little story comes to an end, because we can- 
 not see into the future. As all nice stories begin with 
 "once upon a time," so they all should end with "and 
 so they lived happily ever afterwards." The look into 
 the past has been happy. All that may be asked is 
 that, if, casting a magic glance into the future, one 
 might truly say, they lived happily ever afterwards. 
 
 The next number proved to be a great, but very 
 pleasant, surprise to nearly every one, for only a few 
 had been let into the secret. Upon the program ap- 
 peared the word "Trio" and nothing else. Those not 
 in the secret supposed, that it meant some vocal se- 
 lection, though it seemed strange that the names of the 
 singers should not have been given in the program. 
 
 Mrs. Miller arose and invited to the platform Mrs. 
 Dr. Bushnell, Mrs. Dr. Burrell and Mrs. Dr. Hunter. 
 Unfortunately Mrs. Bushnell and Mrs. Hunter, not 
 knowing that any such thing was intended, had just 
 
276 
 
 left the Church for the purpose, as the hour was late, 
 of getting a rest before the evening service. Mrs. Bur- 
 rell alone responded to the invitation and the "Solo" 
 had to take the place of the "Trio." To her and to the 
 other two, who were present in spirit though not in 
 person. Mrs. E. S. Williams made this address: 
 
 TRIO. 
 
 I confess to being confronted with an embarrass- 
 ment of riches. When I was asked to tell something 
 at this service regarding our Foreign Missionary work, 
 I was told that I must not exceed ten minutes; and I 
 was made to feel that I was almost taking my life in 
 my hands, if I ran over that time by the fraction of a 
 second. I was warned, too, that, if I should transgress 
 in this respect, an ominous cough, or a pull at my skirt 
 — a phase of missionary work, with which, perhaps, 
 we are all of us somewhat familiar, but which is hard- 
 ly conducive to peace of mind and ease of platform 
 oratory — would hint at dire consequences to follow. 
 
 It is a significant fact that, when I was asked to per- 
 form this service — which, by the way, is almost the 
 nicest thing on the program — I was given no time lim- 
 it ; and, if not too presumptions, I would like to speak 
 on this theme without limit. The natural inference is, 
 that to those, who prepared this program, as well as 
 to myself, it seemed that there should be no time limit 
 
277 
 
 to the expression of the many kind and loving 
 thoughts, swelling up in all of our hearts towards these 
 dear friends. Perhaps time, which has dealt so len- 
 iently with them, may have impaired their hearing 
 just enough to leave me perfectly free to give full ex- 
 pression to these kind thoughts. 
 
 For years, we have longed to tell this trio how much 
 we thought of them, scarcely daring to hope for so 
 favorable an opportunity as this for a wide and favor- 
 able hearing of such kindly speech. It was only a few 
 days ago, that one of the best known and most highly 
 respected gentlemen in Minneapolis said to me, "You 
 Westminster people are so easy to entertain ; if con- 
 versation flags, all you have to do is to adroitly turn 
 it into Church channels, and you can relax and lean 
 back and rest, while 'they go on forever.' " "Yes," I 
 answered, "but do you not honestly think it remark- 
 able that we should have had this unbroken record of 
 fifty years of earnest, able, consecrated men for our 
 pastors?" "Yes," he replied, "but still more remark- 
 able do I consider the unbroken succession of cultured, 
 consecrated women, whom you have had as your pas- 
 tor's wives. I sometimes think I would occasionally 
 rather have a half hour's talk with one of them, than 
 to hear her husband preach." He was very careful not 
 to say, which one. I have been puzzled as to how to 
 treat my subject — whether to divide it — just for a 
 
278 
 
 change, into three heads, as would seem natural, or 
 treat it as a composite. 
 
 I thought to ask the three, most nearly concerned, 
 which they would prefer ; but I knew that, if I did so, 
 they would not let me say anything, or, worse still, 
 they would not come to the meeting. Whatever I may 
 say, my constituency will think it too little and the 
 friends most nearly concerned may think it too much. 
 For years this trio has been hidden in the most sacred 
 corner of our hearts. Your lives are interwoven into 
 the history of this Church. Together, we have had 
 years of varied toil and triumph. We have been one 
 in heart and mind, and work. It has been our joy and 
 pride to have had, and to have, such types of all that 
 represents Christian womanhood as our guide and in- 
 spiration, working side by side with us in all the work 
 of the Church. 
 
 The graces of religion have, with you, interlaced 
 with even the commonest things of life. It will be a 
 pleasant memory, I am sure, to the two who go and to 
 the one who remains, that we have looked in each 
 other's faces and talked of the work so dear to all 
 of us, and we shall be stronger in faith and purpose, 
 by reason of what you have been and what you are. 
 
 And together, our Jubilee note of praise is that our 
 Woman's work of ministering is unfinished. Unfin- 
 ished in what we have already builded and in that, to 
 
279 
 
 which we shall attain — finished only when its pinna- 
 cles shall reach the skies. 
 
 "There is no end to the sky, 
 
 And the stars are everywhere, 
 
 And time is Eternity 
 
 And the here is over there ; 
 
 For the common deeds of the common day. 
 
 Are ringing bells in the Faraway." 
 
 At the conclusion of Mrs. Williams' remarks the con- 
 gregation arose and gave the "Trio" the Chautauqua 
 Salute. Mrs. Burrell, for herself and her associates 
 of the "Trio" responded most beautifully and touching- 
 ly. Unfortunately, as these remarks were of course 
 entirely extempore and no reporter was present, they 
 cannot be reproduced in print. 
 
 Most appropriately, after this inspiring service, the 
 whole was closed by singing of the sweet hymn "Blest 
 be the tie that binds. Our hearts in Christian love." 
 
 The benediction was pronounced by Rev. Harry G. 
 Finney. 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 XTbe Jubilee Sacrament an& Sabbatb. 
 
 The service on Saturday evening was the most ten- 
 der and beautiful of all of the services of the Jubilee. 
 It was devoted entirely to the reception of new mem- 
 bers into the Church, followed by the administration 
 of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. 
 
 The pastor had the pleasant duty of publicly wel- 
 coming into our membership thirty-two persons, of 
 whom twelve had just been received by Session on 
 confession of faith in Christ. Among those received 
 on certificates from other Churches was the venerable 
 Mrs. J. J. Linn, who, after many years of service in 
 the First Presbyterian Church, was returning to spend 
 her declining years among her old friends in the 
 Church of her early love. 
 
 After the ceremony of receiving these new members, 
 the pastor called upon Rev. Charles Thayer, D. D., to 
 preside at the sacramental table. In introducing him 
 Dr. Bushnell referred to the fact that Father Thayer 
 had, in 1858, administered the same sacrament to the 
 little Westminster Church for the first time in her 
 history ; and he spoke of the appropriateness of having 
 
281 
 
 him to preside for the first time. In introducing this 
 part of the service, Dr. Thayer said : 
 
 SACRAMENTAL ADDRESS. 
 Rev. Charles Thayer, D. D. 
 
 This is a memorial service; in memory of the death 
 of our Lord and Savior, when God "laid on Him the 
 iniquity of us all" and He, by the grace of God did 
 taste death for every man." "My body-broken, for 
 you." "My blood shed for you." "Do this in remem- 
 brance of Me." Let no other "remembrances" come 
 in to weaken the force of these "remembrances" of 
 the suffering and death of our blessed Lord. 
 
 But to "remember all the way by which our Lord 
 hath led us" these fifty years of history as a Church, to 
 recall the names and loving labors of those holy men 
 and women, who have wrought in the founding and 
 the upbuilding of this Church, must intensify our 
 memories of the blessed Christ, and of the "Name 
 which is above every name." 
 
 So I remind you that in April, 1857, the Presbytery 
 of St. Paul, then a very small body, was informed 
 that a little group of the lovers of Jesus, at the Falls 
 of St. Anthony, desired to be organized as a Church. 
 A committee was appointed therefor. Rev. Dr. Rihel- 
 daffer, founder and beloved pastor of Central Church 
 of St. Paul, Rev. Henry Maltby, an invalid minister re- 
 
282 
 
 siding at St. Paul, and Charles Thayer, a Home Mis- 
 sionary at Hudson. The two of the Committee, re- 
 siding at St. Paul, organized this Church in August, 
 1857, and arranged for me, the other member, to preach 
 and hold a communion service, on some Sabbath 
 later. When I fulfilled this appointment, I found this 
 Church organized with eight members, three men with 
 their wives, and two daughters of one of the three 
 families. One Elder had been installed, whose hon- 
 ored name is perpetuated by the Oliver Church of this 
 city. At that first Communion eight more members 
 were received. Another Elder was installed, Louis H. 
 Williams, mighty in the scriptures, father of Mrs. 
 Pettit, the only survivor of the original eight. The 
 eight received at the communion have all ceased from 
 their labors, the last to depart being Mrs. A. C. Mor- 
 gan, whose fragrant memory is still fresh with us. 
 
 It will be good for us to remember that succession of 
 Godly and eminent servants of Christ, who have min- 
 istered to this Church in preaching the word ; the stu- 
 dent, Mr. Dorrance, early called up higher; Rev. Levi 
 Hughes, of rare consecration and energy; Rev. J. A. 
 McKee, genial, wise and winning. I remember giving 
 the "charge" at the ordination of young Robert 
 Strong, and his installation as your first Pastor. I 
 remember the happy ministrations of his friend and 
 successor, young Robert A. Condit, your second Pas- 
 tor. Then came the long, prayerful, faithful, blessed 
 
283 
 
 pastorate of the golden mouthed Dr. Robert F. Sam- 
 ple. And then the Good Lord sent to you in succes- 
 sion, the three eminent and beloved ministers who, 
 with us, minister at this table tonight: the Reverend 
 Doctors, David James Burrell, Pleasant Hunter and 
 your present Pastor, Rev. Dr. John E. Bushnell. 
 
 I remember as Clerk of Synod, correspondence ap- 
 pointing your Mrs. Morgan to some duty in the or- 
 ganization of Woman's Missionary Work. And later, 
 as Moderator of Synod, I had the honor of welcoming 
 the first delegation from the Woman's Missionary Or- 
 ganizations, upon the floor of Synod, led by your 
 Mrs. Pomeroy. They came with fear and trembling, 
 but were the forerunners of those annual visitations, 
 that have cheered, inspired, and oftentimes shamed 
 the less zealous ministers and elders of Synod. 
 
 And now, for a moment, think of that great multi- 
 tude of devoted men and women, old and young, who, 
 in the last 50 years, have wrought in the various multi- 
 form agencies of this Church ; this great congregation, 
 the great Missions in different parts of the city, their 
 Sabbath Schools, Endeavor Societies, Industrial 
 Schools, Kindergartens, Mother's Meetings, Free Dis- 
 pensaries and the financial ability, skill, energy and 
 consecration to initiate, direct, operate and sustain 
 all these great and varied agencies. And all constrain- 
 ed by the love of Christ and by love to the bodies, and 
 especially to the souls, of our fellow men, in our own 
 
284 
 
 city, our state, our loved land, all lands, "and to the 
 uttermost part of the earth." 
 
 Blessed memories, especially of those, who have en- 
 tered into the rest that remaineth for the people of 
 God, who there sing the "New song unto Him that 
 loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own 
 blood." May these memories indeed intensify our 
 loving remembrance of their and our Lord, as we now 
 obey His dying command, "Do this in remembrance 
 of me." 
 
 In accordance with the arrangements of the com- 
 mittee the distribution of the bread was assigned to 
 Dr. Burrell and of the cup to Dr. Hunter, each of 
 whom prefaced the discharge of his part of the service 
 with beautiful and touching remarks. 
 
 In accordance with the custom of the Church at such 
 a service an offering was received for the Deacon's 
 fund for the poor of the Church ; and a liberal sum 
 was realized therefrom. The music at this service was 
 simple, but unusually sweet. The choir rendered first 
 that grand hymn of the Church "Te Deum Landa- 
 mus;" and for the offertory, "Rock of Ages." The 
 congregation joined heartily in the singing of those 
 inspiring old hymns, "The Church's One Foundation ; 
 Is Jesus Christ her Lord," and, at the close, "When I 
 Survey the Wondrous Cross." 
 
 Fully one thousand communicants participated in 
 the service. 
 
285 
 
 The Elders assisting in the distribution of the ele- 
 ments were: H. Hart Brackett, Judson E. Carpenter, 
 Charles S. Cairns, A. M. Clerihew, John Dunwoody, 
 John R. Gordon, S. Arthur Harris, Horace M. Hill, 
 Piatt W. Lyon, A. R. Miller, George H. Miller, John 
 McCulloch, James Paige, T. A. Sammis, J. A. Steele, 
 R. Burton Tomlinson, John W. Thomas, Charles T. 
 Thompson, Charles B. Tucker, C. W. Van Tuyl and 
 George W. Wishard. 
 
 At the close of the service the congregation passed 
 out, feeling that they had been near Heaven ; and that 
 this service was a happy prelude to the services of the 
 Sabbath following. 
 
 JUBILEE SABBATH. 
 
 The Sabbath Day was one of the most beautiful, 
 that could well be imagined, so large congregations at 
 all services were assured. Before the hour for opening 
 the morning service had arrived, the auditorium was 
 crowded to its utmost capacity; and, during nearly 
 the entire service, many people remained standing in 
 the vestibules. Upon the platform were the following 
 ministers. Rev. David James Burrell, Rev. John E. 
 Bushnell, Rev. Pleasant Hunter, Rev. Harry G. Fin- 
 ney and Rev. Charles Thayer. The order of service 
 was as follows: 
 
286 
 
 Organ — "Hosannah" Dubois 
 
 Doxology 
 
 Invocation and Lord's Prayer, Rev. Harry G. Finney 
 
 Festival Anthem — "Arise and Shine" Foote 
 
 Responsive Reading — Selection No. 37, Ps. 100 and 103 
 
 Rev. John Edward Bushnell, D. D. 
 Apostles Creed and Gloria 
 Hymn— No. 58 (Vs. 1, 2, 3) 
 
 "Come Thou Almighty King" 
 Scripture Lesson — Deut. VHI 
 
 Rev. Pleasant Hunter, D. D. 
 
 Prayer Rev. John Edward Bushnell, D. D. 
 
 Offertory— "Jubilate Amen." Gelbke 
 
 Male Quartette and Soprano Solo 
 Hymn — "I Hear a Voice, 'tis Soft and Sweet" 
 Sermon — Rev. David James Burrell, D. D., L. L. D. 
 Hymn No. 300— "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord" 
 Benediction — Rev. Charles Thayer, D. D. 
 
 The hymn "I Hear a Voice, 'tis Soft and Sweet," 
 was written by Dr. Robert F. Sample; and the music 
 for it was composed by the organist of his Church, 
 "Westminster," of which he had been pastor in New 
 York. It was beautifully sung as a solo by Mrs. W. 
 N. Porteous, the congregation joining in the refrain. 
 
 Dr. Burrell's sermon was as follows: 
 "Ye are built upon the apostles and prophets, Jesus 
 Christ himself being the chief corner-stone ; in whom 
 all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto 
 a holy temple in the Lord." — Eph. ii. 20. 
 
287 
 
 We are accustomed to think of Paul as a dry dia- 
 lectician, a mere theologian or doctrinaire. It is a 
 mistake. He was a splendid poet with an extraordi- 
 nary development of the logical faculty. He could 
 handle a metaphor with as much skill as a syllogism. 
 Word-pictures bespangle his discussions of abstruse 
 themes like stars on a deep blue sky. • 
 
 He shows here an acquaintance with the architec- 
 tural methods of his time. He thinks of life as struc- 
 tural. The word edify occurs nineteen times in his 
 epistles to the Churches. It is cognate with edifice. 
 Its primary reference is to temple building, and hence 
 its application to character. "Ye are God's building," 
 says the Apostle ; and he is not thinking now of 
 character building, but of the association of believers 
 in the Church of God. 
 
 The Christians of Ephesus would instantly under- 
 stand the reference. They lived under the shadow of 
 Diana's Temple, one of the seven wonders of the world. 
 It was four hundred feet long and above two hundred 
 feet wide, and was two hundred and twenty years in 
 building. Its roofs were supported by sixty-seven 
 columns of green jasper, eight of which may be seen 
 today in the Mosque of St. Sophia. Its altar was de- 
 signed by Praxiteles. Its walls were adorned by 
 Apelles and Parrhasius. Its sanctuary was so secure 
 that kings were wont to deposit their valuables there. 
 Erostratus made himself immortal by setting fire to its 
 
288 
 
 dome. Alexander offered the spoils of an eastern cam- 
 paign for the privilege of inscribing his name above 
 one of the portals, and was refused. The title of Neo- 
 corus, or Sweeper of the Temple, was coveted and com- 
 peted for by various cities. The dome of this magnifi- 
 cent structure was surmounted by an image of Diana 
 catching the 'sunlight in her golden shield. 
 
 Jn sight of this temple, within the hearing of its 
 elaborate worship, dwelt a humble body of believers in 
 Christ. To them the Apostle writes in terms of en- 
 couragement: "Ye are the living parts of a grander 
 fabric, whose glory shall endure when the walls of the 
 temple of great Diana have crumbled to dust. Ye are 
 built upon the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ him- 
 self being the chief corner-stone; in whom all the 
 building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy 
 temple in the Lord." 
 
 I. Observe, the corner stone of the Church is Christ. 
 
 The engineers of the Palestine Exploration Fund, by 
 sinking shafts and opening galleries along the walls of 
 the temple, came upon the original foundations. They 
 are seventy feet below the surface, and rest upon the 
 rocky slopes of Moriah. At the lowest angle of this 
 temple area they discovered the corner-stone. It was 
 four feet thick and fourteen broad, and its fine finish 
 was almost unimpaired. It is not improbable that the 
 prophet Isaiah had this very stone in mind when he 
 tittered the Messianic prediction, "Behold, I lay in 
 
289 
 
 Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone; a pre- 
 cious corner-stone." The first place, deepest down, 
 most rudimental and fundamental, binding the walls 
 together and upholding the whole, — this is reserved 
 for Christ. 
 
 1. The name of the Church is eloquent of this fact. 
 "What's in a name?" Everything, here. Call the 
 Church whatever you please, it is Christian above all. 
 Such other names, as Greek and Latin, Catholic and 
 Protestant, Lutheran, Calvinistic and Wesleyan, are 
 subordinate to that Name which is above every other 
 that is named in heaven or on earth. All tribal ban- 
 ners are furled under the banner of the Lion of Judah. 
 
 Here is the touchstone of ecclesiastical legitimacy. 
 It has just been decided in one of the Massachusetts 
 courts — in a case brought by the Theosophists to se- 
 cure exemption from taxation on their meeting-hall — 
 that an organization, in order to be called "religious," 
 must show that it believes in the living God. But 
 with reference to the Christian Church the lines are 
 drawn closer still. It is not enough that an ecclesias- 
 tical body shall be religious in order to justify its 
 claim to the fellowship of the Holy Catholic Church ; 
 it must give evidence that it believes in Christ, that 
 it accepts his divine birth, his Messiahship, his blood- 
 atonement, his resurrection, and his word as law every 
 way. 
 
 2. Here, also, is clearly indicated the purpose or in- 
 
290 
 
 tent of the Church. Why did Christ institute it? 
 What is it intended for? 
 
 It is not a social coterie, though many people make it 
 so. Neither is it a benevolent organization, though 
 the tendency of much of the sociological discussion of 
 our time points that way. The primary purpose of the 
 Church was not charity, caring for the poor, visiting 
 the fatherless and the widows in their affliction. This 
 is incidental ; vitality so, to be sure, but merely inci- 
 dental to a larger, nobler end. Nor is the Church a 
 theological symposium. All Christians who are 
 worthy of the name, are profoundly concerned to dis- 
 cover the truth. It is indeed the noblest quest, but the 
 purpose of the Church goes deeper and higher still. 
 
 What, then, is it? Its end and purpose is to set up 
 the kingdom of Jesus Christ on earth. We believe that 
 he came from heaven to suffer and die for the children 
 of men; we believe that he rose triumphant, and now 
 sits upon his throne high and lifted up ; we believe that 
 by the power of his Spirit he is working through this 
 great living organism, which we call "The Church," 
 for the restitution of all things ; and we believe that in 
 the fulness of time the heavens will part asunder, and 
 he will come to reign King over all and blessed for- 
 ever. To this end the Church was instituted; to this 
 end its ministry was commissioned, "Go ye into all 
 the world and evangelize ;" and to this end the injunc- 
 tion is laid upon all Christ's people, "Let your light so 
 
291 
 
 shine among men that they may see your good works, 
 and glorify God." 
 
 What shall we preach then? Christ, and him cruci- 
 fied Nothing else? Nothing else. Whatever my 
 theme, it must be like a thoroughfare leading to the 
 cross. "The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek 
 after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, unto 
 the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks fool- 
 ishness; but unto them which believe, Christ the power 
 of God, and the wisdom of God." As an ambassador 
 of Jesus Christ, my sole business is to magnify the 
 Saviour's name, and to exalt Him who said, "I, if I be 
 lifted up, will draw all men unto me." 
 
 And how shall Christians live? As those whose 
 "lives are hid with Christ in God." Our religion is 
 distinctively a personal relation with Christ. We have 
 accepted Him as the Jews in the wilderness, with the 
 hot virus throbbing in their veins, looked to the brazen 
 serpent for life. We have consented to cleanse our- 
 selves from sin in the fountain filled with His blood, 
 as Naaman dipped in the Jordan seven times until his 
 flesh became like the flesh of a little child. We have 
 given ourselves to Christ in a consecration entire and 
 unreserved, as the magi laid their gold and myrrh and 
 frankincense before Him. We follow Him as the 
 sheep follows the shepherd, as a tourist follows his 
 Alpine guide, as a child follows its mother, as a soldier 
 follows his captain to the high places of the field. We 
 
292 
 
 abide in Him as the branch abides in the vine, so that 
 the parent life pervades and energizes it. We feed 
 upon Christ as the Israelites fed upon the manna that 
 dropped from heaven about their feet. For so it is 
 written, "Except ye eat the flesh and drink the blood 
 of the Son of Man, ye have no life in you." We re- 
 ceive Christ at His exact word in such a manner that 
 his precepts are our final law; and his promises are 
 like the rounds of the ladder that Jacob saw, on which 
 angels ascended with prayers, and descended with 
 blessings upon Him. This is the significance of 
 Christ's primacy in our ecclesiastical and personal 
 life. He is 
 
 My Lord, my life, my sacrifice. 
 My Saviour and my all. 
 
 II. The foundation. The Church is here said to be 
 founded upon the apostles and prophets; that is, the 
 Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. It rests 
 upon the truths handed down through the apostles 
 and prophets from God. 
 
 I wonder whether those who are engaged in under- 
 mining faith in the Scriptures are aware what they 
 are doing? "If the foundations be destroyed, what 
 shall the righteous do?" The only Christ we have is 
 the Christ revealed in the Scriptures. To impair their 
 credibility, is to impugn the only historical witnesses 
 that bear testimony to the religion of Christ. Some 
 of these destroyers are among the professed followers 
 
293 
 
 of the Lord Jesus, but surely they do not follow Him 
 in this; for He never uttered a word in contravention 
 of the plenary truth of the Bible, but was ever ready 
 to vindicate and uphold it. "Search the Scriptures," 
 He said, "for in them ye think ye have eternal life, 
 and these are they which testify of Me." 
 
 But how do the Scriptures serve as a foundation of 
 the Church? In furnishing all that is necessary for 
 its organization and effectiveness every way. Her- 
 bert Spencer says that two things are necessary in 
 order to a working Church, namely, creed and cultus. 
 The Scriptures furnish the creed, the body of truth. 
 They also furnish the cultus, or mode of worship ; and 
 this as given by inspiration is intensely simple. The 
 beauty of holiness is the service of the heart; form is 
 relatively of slight import. "When I make my pray- 
 ers, shall I sit or kneel or stand upon my feet?" This 
 is precisely like the question asked of Sir Thomas 
 Moore by his executioner: "Sir, does your head lie 
 right upon the block?" He answered, "No matter 
 about my head so that my heart be right." Let us 
 stand by Scripture in this matter of cultus, taking no 
 heed of unnecessary form and ceremony; "for what- 
 soever is not of faith is of sin." 
 
 But something more than creed and cultus is requi- 
 site for the making of a Church. We need a perfect 
 Code of Morals; and we find that in the Decalogue 
 and the Sermon on the Mount plus the personal exam- 
 
294 
 
 pie of Jesus the ideal Man. Also, a course of action, 
 or campaign if you will. And this is clearly marked 
 out in the Scriptures. What is the business of those 
 who belong to the Church of God? It is to "seek first 
 of all the kingdom of God and his righteousness." As 
 we walk along the street, we mingle with two classes 
 of people, who look alike but are separated by an in- 
 finite gulf; on the one hand, those who are absorbed 
 in the pursuit of wealth, pleasure or other personal 
 emoluments, and knew nothing higher than the things 
 of this present life; who "forever hastening to the 
 grave, stoop downward as they run"; on the other 
 hand those who believe in the coming of the Son of 
 Man and mean to do all in their power to hasten it. 
 They also are engaged in bread-and-butter tasks, but 
 the things of the kingdom are supreme, and their 
 prime purpose is to hasten its coming on earth and in 
 the lives of men. 
 
 By this it appears that the Church rests upon the 
 trustworthiness of the Scriptures as the word of God. 
 No foundation, no house ; no Bible, no Church. Stand 
 by the Bible, therefore, my friend, even though others 
 malign it. They are on the losing side. The old 
 Book has stood like Gibraltar for thousands of years, 
 and will stand for thousands more. It is not only the 
 foundation of the Church, it is the hope of your per- 
 sonal, eternal life. Stand by the Bible. John Knox 
 spoke truly when admonished of the wrath of Queen 
 
295 
 
 Mary, as he was going to Holyrood with a blue Gen- 
 evan cloak, over his shoulder and a Bible under his 
 arm: "All hell," said he, "cannot prevail against the 
 man that has in his left hand a candle to illuminate his 
 right." Stand by your Bible. Read it, pray over 
 it, love it and live by it. All dust is bad for human 
 eyes, but the worst is that which gathers on our neg- 
 lected Bibles. 
 
 III. The Superstructure. "Ye are built upon it ;" 
 that is, ye are the stones of the temple. At this point 
 Peter comes to Paul's help — as he should indeed; for 
 despite all differences of temperament and culture they 
 were firm friends — saying, "Ye also as living stones 
 are built up a spiritual house." 
 
 There were wonderful stones in the old temple of 
 Moriah. Josephus mentions them in his Antiquities. 
 Some of them, he says, were twenty-five cubits by 
 twelve; that is, forty by twenty feet. It would seem 
 incredible if it were not that some are still there. By 
 what engineering skill were those ponderous masses 
 lifted into place? Wonderful stones! But the stones 
 of God's spiritual temple are more marvelous, for they 
 are endowed with life. "Ye also as living stones are 
 built up a spiritual house." 
 
 This means that Christians must do something more 
 than merely lie in their places. It means that Church 
 membership is more than a name on a roster. There 
 is nothing in the world more lamentable than a dead 
 
296 
 
 profession. A while ago our Navy Department sent 
 out a message warning all outgoing ships against a 
 derelict schooner which has recently been seen drift- 
 ing about in the Northern Pacific. The name of this 
 derelict is "The Siglin." She sailed with a crew of 
 eleven men and a cargo of valuable merchandise. Her 
 masts are gone and, as the declaration says, "a dead 
 man is lashed to her helm." Dead men down below, 
 dead men lying on the decks, a dead man lashed to the 
 helm ! What a grim figure is there of a Church de- 
 voted to the mere letter of truth or liturgy or ethics. 
 Put over against that picture, this temple of living 
 stones. "I am come that ye might have life and that 
 ye might have it more abundantly," said our Master. 
 "And you hath He quickened which were dead in tres- 
 passes and sins." 
 
 The life here referred to is manifest in the relation 
 of the Church member to Christ. Every stone of the 
 temple pants toward him as if it had a heart within 
 it. The bricks of the old Ninevite temple are marked 
 with the cartouches of contemporary kings, but the 
 stones of this temple have been touched by the finger 
 of their Lord, thrilled through and through with the 
 electric power of His life. 
 
 It is manifest also in the fellowship of believers. 
 The stones of the temple stretch forth hands inwardly 
 as if to bear one another's burdens, as if to lay a bene- 
 diction each upon the other, and all the temple rings 
 
John J. Ankeny, 
 Church Treasurer Since 1871 
 
297 
 
 with their sympathetic chorus, "Blest be the tie that 
 binds our hearts in Christian love." 
 
 The life is also manifest in service. The hands of 
 these living stones are stretched forth from the wall 
 outwardly to help a suffering, dying world, and voices 
 are heard calling from the wall like voices of life- 
 savers on the shore in a dark night, "Throw out the 
 life-line !" 
 
 What a picture of a living church ! Every part of 
 the structure palpitates with life and energy. Every 
 stone in the building calls out to Christ, to its fellows 
 and to the world. The voice of praise, the voice of 
 prayer, the voice of exhortation is here, and over all 
 and about all is the very atmosphere of heaven, reso- 
 nant with hallelujahs! 
 
 IV. And the Church thus constituted "groweth'* — 
 "groweth unto a holy temple of the Lord," The word 
 is not such as was customarily used for a growing 
 fabric; that is, one which grows by mere accretion, as 
 thread upon thread in a loom, or stone upon stone in 
 a building. But the word has reference to organic 
 growth ; that is, of vegetable or animal life. The tem- 
 ple is represented here as growing because it has life 
 in it. 
 
 The growth of the Church is measured by that of 
 the individual believers who constitute it. God's life 
 is the germinating principle. This is the influence 
 referred to by Paul where he speaks of the whole 
 
298 
 
 body as being "fitly joined together, and compacted 
 by that which every joint supplieth, according to the 
 effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh 
 increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." 
 
 But apart from the growth of individual believers, 
 there is a distinct growth of the mighty coherent unit 
 which we call "The Holy Catholic Church." This 
 growth is History. The ultimatum of history is the 
 coming of the Son of God to possess his Church and 
 reign through it. 
 
 In the walls of the ancient temple of Jerusalem there 
 are certain marks which indicate the successive periods 
 of construction. The upper portions were built three 
 or four centuries ago under the Sultan Suleiman, but 
 below that, and clearly separated, are other parts run- 
 ning back to the fourth century. Still farther down 
 are portions which belong to the period of Herod at 
 the beginning of the Christian Era. Lower yet are 
 the repairs made on the return from captivity; and 
 lowest of all on the bed rock of Mount Moriah, seventy 
 feet beneath the surface, are the foundation stones 
 that were laid by Solomon. Thus, from beneath, the 
 work may be traced through the centuries to the very 
 top stone of the corner. But here the analogy fails, 
 for the Christian Church is not completed. We note 
 a constant progress from the beginning, with some 
 periods of rough work indeed, but never aught but 
 progress; nevertheless we still await the day when 
 
299 
 
 the top stone shall be laid with shouts of "Grace, grace 
 unto it!" 
 
 In the eleventh year of the reign of Solomon the 
 temple was dedicated to the Lord. The priests and 
 Levites, with the hereditary heads of all the tribes, 
 assembled in the holy city. The tabernacle was 
 brought from Gibeon, old and worn and weatherbeaten. 
 With much pomp and circumstance the boards and 
 pillars and curtains were carried upon the shoulders 
 of the Levites up the slopes of the holy hill. Yonder 
 came a group of Levites bearing tthe brazen altar ; yon- 
 der another with the table of shew bread; another 
 with the golden candlestick upon their shoulders. Loud 
 "Hosannas" gave welcome to these historic memorials 
 of God's providence and grace. "O that men would 
 praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonder- 
 ful works to the children of men." Yonder they came 
 bringing the ark of the covenant, the visible token of 
 the divine presence ; priests and Levites sang together 
 in welcome : "Lift up your heads, O ye gates ; and be ye 
 lifted up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory 
 shall come in!" The choirs in the great galleries of 
 the temple responded one to another: "Who is this 
 King of glor>'? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of 
 glory." In the midst sat Solomon upon his throne, 
 his archers about him with golden shields, and clad in 
 Tyrian purple. Then something occurred in the midst 
 of the festivities, whereat all were instantly silent. Out 
 
300 
 
 from the curtain of fine twined linen hanging before the 
 Holiest of All came a fleece of golden mist that flowed 
 outward and upward, expanding until it obscured and 
 enveloped all. It was the Shekinah, the glory of the 
 Lord. Deep silence! And the king knelt with his 
 face toward heaven, and blessed the people. The time 
 is approaching when Christ shall come in like manner, 
 appearing in the open heavens, and making his influ- 
 ence felt throughout the earth, when the great angel 
 shall proclaim "The tabernacle of God is among men, 
 and he shall dwell among them and be their God, and 
 they shall be his people." 
 
 Arise, O King of saints, arise, 
 
 And enter to Thy rest : 
 Lo, Thy Church waits with longing eyes, 
 
 Thus to be owned and blest. 
 Enter with all Thy glorious train, 
 
 Thy Spirit and Thy word; 
 All that the ark did once contain 
 
 Could no such peace afford. 
 Here let the Son of David reign, 
 
 Let God's anointed shine. 
 Justice and truth His court maintain, 
 
 With love and power divine. 
 
 The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth 
 keep silence before him! 
 
301 
 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CELEBRATION. 
 
 After the morning service the members of the Sab- 
 bath School and their friends attended a special Jubi- 
 lee service of the Sabbath School. 
 
 The Superintendent, R. Burton Tomlinson, presided; 
 while upon the platform with him, were the Pastor, 
 the Assistant Pastor, Rev. Harry G. Finney ; Dr. Bur- 
 rell. Dr. Hunter; three former superintendents of the 
 School, Charles T. Thompson, Franc B. Daniels and 
 J. S. Porteous, and S. H. Findley, who had served for 
 more than twenty-five years as an assistant superin- 
 tendent of the school. 
 
 Beautiful programs of the exercises had been pre- 
 pared. Messrs. Daniels, Porteous and Finney partici- 
 pated in the services. 
 
 Mr. Charles T. Thompson, having been assigned to 
 speak of the former superintendents, delivered the fol- 
 lowing address: 
 
 I am the oldest Superintendent, in date of service, 
 who is here today. My good wife says that she is tired 
 of my passing as the "oldest" on this Jubilee occasion; 
 so I will add that, though I came here a good many 
 years ago, yet it is also true that I was put at good 
 hard work for this Church and school, while I was 
 still not much more than a boy. 
 
 The subject assigned to me today is a big one. I 
 am called upon to speak for all of the former superin- 
 
302 
 
 tendents of this school. Their names appear upon 
 the back of this program, with the dates of their terms 
 of service. I arrived in Minneapolis to make it my 
 home on the first day of October, 1878. It was Sat- 
 urday, and, the day following, I found my way to the 
 old brown frame church on Fourth Street, and, of 
 course, remained for the Sabbath School which then, 
 as now, followed the morning service. As I sat in the 
 pew at the opening exercises, half sick and one of the 
 most lonely young men in the world, a kind faced and 
 energetic gentleman stepped up to me, laid his hand 
 on my shoulder and said, "See here, young man, I see 
 you are a stranger, and I want you in my class." The 
 gentleman was Samuel M. Williams, who then became, 
 and whom I have ever since been privileged to have 
 as. my friend. 
 
 He introduced me to as fine a class of young men, 
 as it would be possible to meet anywhere, who all 
 joined in making me feel at home. Mr. Williams was 
 then, as he is now, a fine Bible student and excellent 
 teacher; and my membership in his class was very 
 profitable to me. 
 
 Coming here, as I did, twenty years after the organi- 
 zation of the School, I was not privileged to know all 
 of those, whose names appear here as superintendents, 
 though I knew all of them personally, except Joseph 
 C. Williams and Rev. Robert Strong, who were re- 
 spectively the first and second superintendents. Mr. 
 
303 
 
 Williams, one of the founders of the Church, filled the 
 office during the first three years of the School's exist- 
 ence. He is spoken of as an earnest and efficient offi- 
 cer. His useful and Godly life was ended September 
 23rd, 1877. 
 
 His successor. Rev. Robert Strong, was the first 
 pastor of our Church. To the duties of the pastorate 
 he added those of the Superintendent, during his en- 
 tire connection with the Church. He is spoken of, in 
 the highest terms, by all who knew him. 
 
 Two interesting circumstances, connected with these 
 early years of our school, are of especial interest. The 
 Second Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- 
 vania was about to buy a new Sabbath School library, 
 and sought for some way to dispose of its old one, 
 where it would do some good. Learning of this little 
 school way out west, the old library was sent to it. 
 The Secretary of the School records that the gift 
 was thankfully received, though the books were so 
 coated with the dirt and grime of Pittsburgh, that it 
 was difficult to get the children to take them out for 
 reading. Afterwards, with a big effort, the School 
 managed to raise the sum of twenty dollars for a new 
 library. The money was sent to the depository of the 
 Board of Publication in Pittsburgh, with the request 
 that the money be made to go as far as possible. The 
 Secretary of the School, Mr. Joshua Williams, records 
 the deep gratitude of officers, teachers and scholars, 
 
304 
 
 because the Board not only sent them books for the full 
 value of the twenty dollars but to them added a do- 
 nation of books, worth at least twenty dollars more. 
 This school, therefore, owes a debt of gratitude to the 
 Board of Publication. 
 
 Charles E. Vanderburgh succeeded Rev. Robert 
 Strong as Superintendent. Though I never knew him 
 either as Superintendent of the school or even as a 
 member of this Church, it was nevertheless my pleas- 
 ure and privilege to know him as a friend and as a 
 fellow-laborer in other branches of religious work. 
 He was, when elected Superintendent, one of the ablest 
 lawyers in Minneapolis ; he afterwards became a judge 
 of our District Court, and adorned that office for many 
 years; he was then promoted to the bench of the Su- 
 preme Court of this state, where he served with distin- 
 guished ability for several years. Judge Vanderburgh 
 transferred his membership to the First Prestbyterian 
 Church of Minneapolis early in 1878, and he was a 
 member of that Church at the time of his death. Know- 
 ing Judge Vanderburgh, as I did, and knowing of his 
 record in other departments of Church and secular life, 
 I can well believe the reports made to me of his un- 
 usual devotion and efficiency as a Sabbath School Su- 
 perintendent. 
 
 The immediate successor of Judge Vanderburgh was 
 Joshua Williams, who had been, for many years, the 
 Secretary of the School. Mr. Williams served for four 
 
305 
 
 years, from 1871 to 1875; and for a second term of one 
 year from 1878 to 1879. I knew Mr. Williams inti- 
 mately for many years, and was under him as superin- 
 tendent for three months. He inherited from his fath- 
 er, Elder Louis C. Williams, a strong and unwavering 
 devotion to the truth and the right. He made a good 
 superintendent. It always seemed to me that the term 
 "Old Faithful" could be applied to him, for he was 
 faithful to the discharge of every duty laid upon him. 
 
 Mr. Williams transferred his membership to the 
 First Presbyterian Church in 1879, and was a member 
 of that Church at the time of his death, a few years 
 since. 
 
 Between the two terms of Joshua Williams, the 
 School had three superintendents: O. V. Tousley 
 from 1875-1876; Dr. R. S. McMurdy from 1876-1877; 
 and J. Hyde Monroe from 1877-1878. It was my pleas- 
 ure to know them all. Mr. Tousley was Superintend- 
 ent of the Public Schools. He was a strict disciplina- 
 rian, and carried his ideas of discipline into the Sab- 
 bath School. All, who have spoken to me on the sub- 
 ject, have been warm in their praise of his work in the 
 School. He removed from the city about the year 
 1883; and died in Boston only a few years ago. 
 
 The next Superintendent, Dr. R. S. McMurdy, had 
 transferred his membership to the Andrew Presbyte- 
 rian Church, before I came here. He has since come 
 back among us, and is personally known to many here. 
 
306 
 
 Dr. McMurdy is the oldest living Ex-Superintendent, 
 except Rev. Robert Strong, who is residing in Pasa- 
 dena, California. 
 
 J. Hyde Monroe was one of the Elders, who received 
 me into this Church. I did not know him as an officer 
 in this School, but I did know him as a warm friend 
 and as one of the sweetest and most consecrated men, 
 with whom I ever associated. His life was a benedic- 
 tion to all, who knew him. I cannot speak of his 
 work as Superintendent, but I can speak from knowl- 
 edge of his work in organizing and carrying on until 
 his death, the first and most successful class for the 
 Chinese and Japanese, ever organized in this part of 
 the country. In his honor the members of this class 
 furnished a ward, and have for years maintained a 
 bed, in the Presbyterian Mission Hospital at Wei 
 Hein, China. 
 
 In January, 1879, the teachers elected as Superin- 
 tendent, James L. Monroe, a brother of J. Hyde Mon- 
 ro'?, who served, though with many absences caused by 
 business engagements, until March, 1881 ; at that time 
 his business engagements compelled him to give up the 
 position permanently. At the time of his election the 
 teachers did me the honor of selecting me as his first 
 assistant, somewhat against the protest of my teacher, 
 Mr. Williams, who wished me to remain in his class. 
 When Mr. Monroe left in 1881, I was promoted to be 
 Superintendent. The only teachers, whom I can see 
 
307 
 
 before me now, who were in service then, were Mrs. 
 L. P. Plummer, Mrs. Charles M. Godley, Mrs. Allen 
 Hill, Miss Francisca Schaeffer (now Mrs. W. O. Win- 
 ston), Miss Kate Harris (now my wife) and Samuel 
 M. Williams. One circumstance made it embarrass- 
 ing at times for the young superintendent, who was a 
 little bashful. He was just beginning to get very 
 much interested in Miss Harris, who was so devoted 
 to a new hymn called "Beulah Land," that her young 
 friends had given her that name. "Beulah Land" was 
 very popular with every one, and frequent requests 
 were made of the Superintendent that he have it sung 
 in the School. He often complied with these requests, 
 though he never did so v/ithout having the feeling that" 
 some one was thinking, that he had used the hymn to 
 gratify Miss Harris. 
 
 At the annual election of officers, held in January, 
 1882, the teachers did me the honor to ask me to ac- 
 cept the office for another term. This, however, I pos- 
 itively declined, as I had grace enough to recognize my 
 own limitations; and I did not then believe, nor have 
 I ever since believed, that I am qualified to fill that 
 important office acceptably. 
 
 At first the teachers were at a great loss to tell whom 
 to elect; but Providence answered the question by 
 sending to us one of the sweetest, noblest and purest 
 hearted men, I ever knew. I refer to William M. Ten- 
 ney, the coming of whom and his lovely and capable 
 
308 
 
 wife to this Church, was one of the greatest blessings, 
 with which her life has been crowned. As soon as 
 Mr. Tenney became at all known, his worth was rec- 
 ognized and it was seen that he was just the man to 
 be placed at the head of the Sabbath School. He ac- 
 cepted the office, when elected to it, upon condition 
 that I should act as his assistant. Mr. S. H. Findley 
 and I were chosen assistant superintendents and serv- 
 ed as such during the seventeen years, through which 
 Mr. Tenney was Superintendent ; and dear Mr. Findley 
 has served faithfully and efficiently in the position 
 ever since. 
 
 To my mind, William M. Tenney came as near to 
 the ideal Sabbath School Superintendent, as any one 
 whom I ever knew in the position. No one could 
 have been more conscientious and faithful in the dis- 
 charge of the important duties entrusted to him; no 
 one could have exhibited a more Christlike walk and 
 deportment. It was a great misfortune to the School 
 and to the Church, when Mr. and Mrs. Tenney moved 
 east in 1899. 
 
 Now, I want to ask you to do something for me. I 
 have prepared a telegram, which reads as follows: 
 "William M. Tenney, 
 
 Boston, Mass. 
 
 Westminster Sabbath School, from its Jubilee cele- 
 bration, sends you affectionate greetings. I Corinthi- 
 ans 16 :23." 
 
309 
 
 Mr. Tenney should be remembered, though he has 
 not been able to arrange to be here today. I want you 
 to authorize me to send it to Mr. Tenney today in 
 Boston, to show that we remember him on this happy 
 occasion. All those who want me to do so, please say, 
 "Yes." (The speaker was answered by a strong cho- 
 rus of "Yes;" and the telegram was sent). 
 
 When Mr. Tenney left here, I was promoted to be 
 his successor until the next regular election in the fol- 
 lowing January. At that time Mr. Franc B. Daniels 
 was elected superintendent, and he was succeeded suc- 
 cessively by J. S. Porteous, Leonard K. Thompson and, 
 our present Superintendent, R. Burton Tomlinson. 
 You know them and their good work among you. All 
 are here present today, except Mr. L. K. Thompson, 
 who was compelled to go west on business just before 
 this Jubilee celebration began. Those present can 
 speak for themselves. I will not offend their modesty 
 by saying, what I could and would gladly say in their 
 praise, or by telling them how highly I regard them 
 all. I will only close by saying that this school has 
 been blessed with an unbroken succession of earnest, 
 Godly and efficient officers; and that those in service, 
 during the last eight years, have all been worthy suc- 
 cessors of such men as Mr. William M. Tenney and 
 his predecessors. 
 
 After Mr. Thompson's address Dr. Burrell and Dr. 
 Hunter each spoke briefly, but very impressively. 
 
310 
 THE CHAPEL SERVICES. 
 
 At three o'clock P. M. interesting special services 
 were held at each of the two chapels, Hope and River- 
 side, under the charge of their respective officers and 
 pastors. 
 
 The principal address at Hope Chapel was made by 
 Dr. Hunter; while Dr. Burrell and Rev. Ezra F. Pa- 
 body spoke at Riverside Chapel. 
 
 THE SABBATH EVENING SERVICE. 
 
 The Church was as crowded at the evening service 
 as it had been in the morning. The order of service 
 was as follows: 
 
 Organ — "Prelude and Fugue" (E. Minor) Bach 
 
 Anthem— "Awake Up My Glory" Chad wick 
 
 Responsive Reading — Selection No. 33, Ps. 91 
 
 Rev. Harry G. Finney. 
 Scripture Lesson — Eph. IV:1-16 
 
 Rev. Pleasant Hunter, D. D. 
 Hymn No. 303 (Vs. 1, 3, 4, 5) 
 
 "Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation." 
 
 Prayer Rev. David James Burrell, D. D. 
 
 Offertory— "My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord" 
 
 Saint-Saens 
 Trio for Soprano, Tenor and Baritone 
 Hymn No. 139 (Vs. 1, 5, 6, 7) "All Hail the Power of 
 Jesus' Name" 
 
311 
 
 Sermon Rev. Pleasant Hunter, D. D. 
 
 Hymn No. 370 (Vs. 1 and 5) "Onward, Christian Sol- 
 diers" 
 Final Word— "The Soul of the Jubilee" 
 
 Rev. John Edward Bushnell, D. D. 
 Benediction — Rev. Pleasant Hunter, D. D. 
 
 The sermon of Dr. Hunter, after a short prelude of 
 a personal nature, appropriate to the occasion, was de- 
 voted to a masterly and thrilling presentation of the 
 interests of Foreign Missions. As the sermon had not 
 been written out beforehand, an attempt was made, 
 through the aid of a competent court stenographer 
 and reporter to take it, as it was delivered. The at- 
 tempt was, however, a failure. Dr. Hunter agreed to 
 make an attempt to reproduce it upon his return home, 
 and the completion of this volume was delayed for that 
 purpose. Unfortunately he, too, was unable to do so 
 as appears from the following note received from him : 
 
 Newark, N. J., Nov. 2, 1907. 
 My dear Mr. Thompson. 
 
 I am awfully sorry to have to write, that I cannot 
 reproduce my sermon in anything like a satisfactory 
 way. I have the outline, of course, but cannot fill it 
 in, as I would like to have it appear in print. Without 
 the audience and the occasion to warm me up, my 
 thoughts will not come as they did that night. I can- 
 not tell you how much I regret to write this, and I do 
 it only after having given the matter a week's trial and 
 
312 
 
 failed. Please explain to the committee and assure 
 them of my deep regret. With kindest regards. 
 
 Very Sincerely, 
 
 Pleasant Hunter. 
 
 The inability to include in this history the sermon 
 of Dr. Hunter causes keen regret to the members of 
 the committee of arrangements; and in their disap- 
 pointment every member of the Church and congrega- 
 tion will share. 
 
 At the close of the sermon the beloved and honored 
 pastor, Dr. Bushnell, gave the "final word" on the 
 theme 
 
 "THE SOUL OF THE JUBILEE." 
 
 He said: 
 
 I have thought that the Committee made their one 
 error in asking me to say a word at such a late hour 
 as this, but I do cherish this opportunity to say good 
 night to you, to bid you go forth in the night to rest 
 and to awaken in the morning with renewed vigor and 
 energy kindled by this historic celebration. The great 
 occasion, that brought us together, is passing and its 
 memories will go down the years of time like music in 
 all our hearts. Everything has conspired, under the 
 blessing of God, to make us realize more than our ex- 
 pectations. When some one asked me whether we 
 Presbyterians claimed that this weather had been fore- 
 
Rev. Harry G. Finney, 
 Assistant Pastor, 1905 to Present Time 
 
313 
 
 ordained for the occasion, I said, we were not so lack- 
 ing in modesty as to claim that the laws of the uni- 
 verse should be suspended for us, but it seemed as if 
 we might believe that irresistable grace had lead us to 
 choose a time, when the elements themselves were con- 
 spiring to produce such blue skies, such crystal sun- 
 . shine and such autumnal hues as even Minnesota her- 
 self cannot surpass. From the beginning of that Fel- 
 lowship night, when hearts melted together in prayer 
 and song, and as we read the chapter of love, the thir- 
 teenth chapter of First Corinthians, and talked of the 
 days of Auld Lang Syne, we have all experienced the 
 reality and joy of Christian Communion. 
 
 On Friday night we witnessed one of the most im- 
 pressive events ever seen in this city, when hundreds 
 gathered for social intercourse, the fragrance of which 
 I am sure will always abide with us. And those, who . 
 attended the meeting of our good ladies and young 
 people on Saturday, and heard what great things they 
 had done, will always remember the uplift of the in- 
 spiring afternoon. And who will ever forget that fore- 
 taste of heaven we had at the sacramental table last 
 night, when so goodly a company were welcomed to 
 the membership of this Church and we remembered 
 Calvary together? And this morning, surely our hearts 
 did burn as we listened to Dr. Burrell in that wonder- 
 ful sermon on the Christian Church; and tonight Dr. 
 Hunter has inspired us with the vision he has given us 
 
314 
 
 of the future triumphs of that Church. These days 
 are golden to our hearts. God has been so kind to us, 
 that we almost feel like going right to heaven from 
 these scenes, or at least desire that they might be con- 
 tinued on earth. 
 
 We have had a Jubilee of Christian love. Love has 
 memory, and so we have gratefully here remembered 
 the fifty years which are gone, glorifying God's mer- 
 cies and honoring the names and noble deeds of those, 
 who gave themselves to upbuild our Westminster. 
 Love has eyes, and so we have looked around us and 
 are not forgetful of the needs of the world that per- 
 ishes for the lack of the Gospel. Love has prophecy, 
 and so we have thought of the duties before us and 
 the eternity of glory and triumph after battle. One 
 of our Sunday School classes of boys a few years ago, 
 under a wise teacher, prepared a little package which 
 is now sealed and in a vault somewhere and it is ad- 
 dressed to the boys of just a century later. It is not to 
 be opened until that year of grace. In one hundred 
 years the then fifteen-year-old-boys of this Church will 
 be permitted to break the seal of that package and read 
 the message from the boys of 1901. What would we 
 not give to be witnesses to the scene ! 
 
 It seems to me that this Jubilee will be, not a sealed 
 package to be sure, but an open epistle to the men 
 and women of the coming centuries, when they shall 
 read of what this Church has been in the first half cen- 
 
315 
 
 tury of its existence, a testimony to the joy of service 
 and the faithfulness of our God. 
 
 We cannot see into the future, but we believe the 
 next half century will be a period of love, sacrifice and 
 loyal devotion to Christ that will make as sweet a 
 story as that which has been told of the past fifty years. 
 I never realized so much the feeling of sympathy for 
 Simon Peter as I do now. You remember when he 
 said, "Lord, it is good for us to be here, and let us build 
 three tabernacles," etc., that they might stay right on. 
 I used to find fault with Peter because he wanted to 
 have a good time there, but now I have sympathy with 
 him and fall into his sin because I realize it is good for 
 us to be here, and it is hard to tell these people to go 
 to their homes and close this Jubilee, yet the parting 
 word must be said. Still though the hour is late and 
 you are weary, friends, there is one thing we will not 
 do. We will not let this Jubilee pass by and have it 
 said that this Church which has been so long faithful 
 to the cross of Christ closed its doors without an oflFer 
 of salvation in His name. I ask you who have not yet 
 tasted of the Saviour's love, to accept Jesus Christ as 
 your Saviour, that He may with His infinite love bind 
 your poor hearts to His and lift them up out of the 
 darkness and out of the depths into His light and 
 write His blessed name upon them. 
 
 An unusual circumstance which has arisen today 
 gives especial sacredness to this hour and lends pathos 
 
316 
 
 to this appeal. This morning as I glanced over the 
 great congregation, down here at my right sat certain 
 aged saints, while down yonder by the door was a 
 strong man who seemed to have much of life's work be- 
 fore him, our dear Dr. W. S. Laton, whom so many 
 deeply loved. His fine face seemed lighted up with 
 pleasure in the preacher's message and I said to my- 
 self "he will surely do tomorrow what he is so apt to 
 do when his heart is touched, he will write a letter 
 about it." But the letter will never come. This after- 
 noon the word came to us that he had been called from 
 his busy earthly life, while those who seemed to our 
 eyes so much nearer home, abide. How sad this shad- 
 ow across the day of our rejoicing, but how beautiful 
 to pass right out of that glorious morning service 
 straight heavenward to the eternal Jubilee. It seems 
 as if thereby is a new sanctity given to this blessed 
 day. It touches heaven. There is only one message 
 great and beautiful enough to crown it ; "God so loved 
 the world that He gave His only begotten Son that 
 whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have 
 everlasting life." 
 
 Now do you know what the "Soul of the Jubilee" 
 really is? 
 
 It seems so simple after all that we have heard and 
 yet I will give it to you. Three words will tell it — 
 "Come to Jesus." 
 
 While the celebration of our Golden Jubilee, as ar- 
 
317 
 
 ranged for by the Committee, ended with the Sabbath 
 evening service, yet it is only proper to add, as a part of 
 our history, this note : Upon Monday evening, Octo- 
 ber 7th, the Men's Union, the youngest society of the 
 Church, held a banquet in Donaldson's Tea Rooms to 
 do honor to our pastors and our visitors who had once 
 been our pastors. Unfortunately Dr. Hunter had made 
 such engagements for the week, in connection with his 
 own Church, that he could not remain for this occa- 
 sion. 
 
 The attendance was very large; in addition to the 
 men of our own congregation, there was a good repre- 
 sentation of sister Churches. 
 
 Among other speakers were Prof. Hodgman, Presi- 
 dent of Macalester College, and Joseph R. Keigman, 
 Esq., who brought greetings from Plymouth Congre- 
 gational Church. Dr. Burrell delivered a masterly 
 and inspiring address, abounding in wit and good hu- 
 mor, but chiefly filled with words of good cheer and 
 inspiration for the future. This meeting was a fitting 
 for the Jubilee proper. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 H Summary of the {past; anb an ©utlooft to tbe 
 jfuture. 
 
 Westminister Golden Jubilee has come and gone. 
 Eager anticipation has culminated in a complete and 
 happy realization; and that, in time, has given place 
 to retrospect. Viewing the past through the eyes of 
 retrospect, we realize that the half has not been told 
 of the faithful labors of pastors and people, during 
 the first half century of our Church's life. 
 
 Westminster Presbyterian Church has enjoyed a his- 
 tory of just half a century. Her most ardent lover 
 would not claim for her that, during that time, she 
 has done all she could; but she has done much, and 
 in the history of what she has accomplished her mem- 
 bers have good right at this time to rejoice. 
 
 Starting with a membership of only eight ; she now 
 enjoys an active membership of over two thousand, in- 
 cluding about four hundred members in her chapels. 
 There are also today twenty-five hundred scholars en- 
 rolled in her Sabbath Schools. These figures make 
 this Church rank ninth in membership, among all of 
 the churches of our denomination; and give her the 
 
319 
 
 second place in respect to Sabbath School membership. 
 During the fifty years of her history, there have been 
 received into her membership four thousand five hun- 
 dred and thirty-nine persons; of these one thousand 
 nine hundred and sixty-three, or forty-three and one- 
 fourth per cent, were received upon confession of faith, 
 and two thousand five hundred and seventy-six or fif- 
 ty-six and three-fourths per cent upon certificates from 
 other churches. 
 
 If the wonderful growth of this city, by the immi- 
 gration into it, be considered, the proportion of those 
 received on confession of faith will be seen to be very 
 gratifying. 
 
 During the fifty years of her history she has raised, 
 by actual contributions from her members, the great 
 sum of $1,138,212.00, of which the sum of $583,070.00 
 was given for other objects than her own congregation- 
 al expenses. These figures do not include the cost of 
 the present church, as it was paid for out of the pro- 
 ceeds of the sale of the Seventh Street and Nicollet 
 Avenue property; nor does it include the moneys de- 
 rived from the sale of any other real estate owned by 
 the Church. 
 
 During the fifty years the Church has had six pas- 
 tors, the first two for very brief pastorates, all of whom 
 have been men of ability and consecration, faithful and 
 eminently successful in the discharge of the duties of 
 their high office. She has had also thirty-nine elders; 
 
320 
 
 fifty-nine deacons ; and thirty-two trustees. Her pres- 
 ent official force numbers, a pastor; three assistant 
 pastors ; twelve elders ; eighteen deacons ; nine trustees. 
 
 During the fifty years, she has become the mother 
 ■of four churches and three large missions, and has 
 largely assisted in establishing, maintaining and pro- 
 viding with suitable buildings, many other churches 
 of our denomination in this city and state. 
 
 For many years the elders of this Church have real- 
 ized that Westminster, because of her great size and 
 general prosperity, owed a peculiar obligation to the 
 weak churches of our denomination in this and neigh- 
 boring states. So realizing, it has been their aim and 
 desire to render those churches all possible help by 
 advice and financial assistance. Scarcely a regular 
 Session meeting goes by, at which one or more ap- 
 peals for such financial assistance, to meet some spe- 
 cial emergency, are not received and considered. Few 
 such appeals are denied ; none where the cause is con- 
 sidered to be deserving, and the funds to meet it can 
 be secured. 
 
 For nearly twenty-five years, she has maintained 
 two of the largest and most successful city missions 
 in the country; and has there accomplished a work, 
 which is known throughout the denomination to which 
 she belongs. This work she is now carrying on at 
 an annual cost of about ten thousand dollars, and with 
 -the active assistance of a multitude of her members. 
 
321 
 
 Today this Church has a property, consisting of the 
 home church and two chapels, all of which are ad- 
 mirably adapted for the work which she should do; 
 and they are, together worth, at a consei"vative esti- 
 mate, $300,000.00, whilst against the church there is 
 no indebtedness of any kind. 
 
 The members, especially the women, are well organ- 
 ized for efficient work; and among them all prevails 
 a spirit of unity and harmony. 
 
 At our head we have a pastor, whom we love and 
 trust and in whose ministrations we take great delight ; 
 and he is ably seconded in his pastoral work by his 
 assistant, Rev. Harry G. Finney; while at the head of 
 the work at Hope Chapel is Rev. Alexander G. Pat- 
 terson and at the head of the work in Riverside Chapel 
 is Rev. W. E. Paul, both of whom are doing excellent 
 work. The Church is officered by an able, harmonious 
 and efficient body of men in each of the three boards, 
 the Session, the Diaconate and the Trustees. 
 
 The work, which God has permitted us to do, dur- 
 ing the first fifty years of our history, has been great, 
 but the possibilities for future work are far greater. 
 We are rapidly becoming a down town Church ; and 
 the neighborhood around us is fast becoming peopled 
 with a great multitude of young men and young 
 women in boarding houses, private hotels and apart- 
 ment houses. It should be our mission, with increas- 
 
322 
 
 ing zeal, as the years go by, to go out after these and 
 bring them into the Church. 
 
 Our city mission work, the possibilities of whose 
 growth are so great, should be made far more efficient 
 in the future even than in the past. 
 
 We should become more active in our sympathies 
 and more benevolent in our gifts, towards the great 
 agencies through which the church at large is seeking 
 to bring the knowledge of the Savior to the multitudes, 
 in this and other lands, who are without a knowledge 
 of Him. 
 
 Our sympathy and substantial assistance should be 
 given to the weaker churches of our denomination in 
 this city and state. Above all things, in this commer- 
 cial age, we should keep the lamp of faith burning 
 brightly in this dear Church; and, as a people, we 
 should in the future, as in the past, hold aloft the blue 
 banner of orthodox and evangelical Christianity, be- 
 queathed to us by the founders of this Church. 
 
 Above all things, there should be among us an ever 
 increasing sense of our great responsibility, a greater 
 spirituality and a growing willingness and desire to 
 have a part in the work laid by God upon this Church. 
 
 As the historian approaches the place where he must 
 write "finis" to this volume, there come flocking to 
 his memory the names of many, who have, in our com- 
 munion and fellowship "wrought righteousness," as 
 the great Apostle puts it, in the work of building the 
 
323 
 
 walls of our Jerusalem. In his part of the work the 
 historian has, of necessity confined himself to the 
 more important and strategic events in the life of our 
 Church and to the mention of those men and women 
 who were more prominent therein; while the good 
 women, who have written of the Church's work, as 
 carried on by them, have dwelt more upon the earlier 
 and latter days of our history. But in between these 
 periods there was one of quiet, faithful upbuilding, car- 
 ried on by so many, most of whom have left us either 
 for other scenes of earthly labor or for their Heaven- 
 ly reward. As the names of many who have not as yet 
 been particularly mentioned, come thronging to his 
 mind, the historian feels the embarrassment, under 
 which the Apostle Paul labored when writing the won- 
 derful Eleventh Chapter of Hebrews. He remembers 
 such families as those of the saintly Catherine S. Sidle, 
 and of D. R. Wagner, the Deacon longest in service in 
 this Church, of Dr. P. L. Hatch, of T. D. Skiles, of 
 Jacob Schaeffer, of William C. March, of A. M. Reid, 
 of W. H. Bailey, of C. A. Cornman and of many others, 
 whose names may even now have escaped his memory, 
 who were so interested in the Church and its work and 
 whose hospitable homes were ever open for its social 
 gatherings. 
 
 As we look back from this vantage ground over the 
 past, and remember the multitudes now departed, who 
 have in this Church accomplished so much for Christ 
 
324 
 
 through their faithful service; as we recall to mind 
 especially those consecrated pioneers, the Oliver and 
 Williams families; and the many others who have 
 succeeded them, "of whom time would fail us to tell, 
 who have" here, "through faith wrought righteousness 
 and obtained promises;" there must come to us the 
 exhortation given to the Hebrews by the great apostle, 
 "Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with 
 so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every 
 weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and 
 let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 
 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our 
 faith." 
 
Hppenbit. 
 
 {present ©tticers ot tbe Cburcb. 
 
 Pastor — Rev. John Edward Bushnell, D. D. 
 Assistant Pastor — Rev. Harry G. Finney. 
 Pastor at Hope Chapel — Rev. Alerxander G. Patterson. 
 Pastor at Riverside Chapel — Rev. W. E. Paul. 
 
 RULING ELDERS'. 
 
 J. E. Carpenter. 
 S. A. Harris. 
 James Paige. 
 John W. Thomas. 
 R. Burton Tomlinson. 
 George W. Wishard. 
 
 Clerk of Session — Charles T. Thompson. 
 
 Charles S. Cairns. 
 J. R. Gordon. 
 John McCulloch. 
 J. A. Steele. 
 Charles T. Thompson 
 Charles B. Tucker. 
 
 DEACONS. 
 
 S. B. Burchard. 
 H. L. Day. 
 Wm. M. Day. 
 E. W. Grievish. 
 J. P. Holliday. 
 J. W. McDonald. 
 Aldis E. Sage. 
 Frank E. Skinner. 
 Charles V. Smith. 
 
 D. Draper Dayton. 
 Daniel P. Deane. 
 Samuel H. Findley. 
 W. P. Moorhead. 
 George E. Murphy. 
 M. O. Nelson. 
 James P. Thomson. 
 Charles Tweed. 
 Frederick Wurtzbach. 
 
 President — M. O. Nelson. 
 Vice President — S. H. Findley. 
 Secretary and Treasurer — Charles Tweed. 
 
 H. C. Akeley. 
 James S. Bell. 
 E. L. Carpenter. 
 A. M. Clerihew. 
 
 TRUSTEES. 
 
 C. C. Webber. 
 
 William H. Dunwoody. 
 John B. Gilfillan. 
 C. H. Pettit. 
 J. S. Porteous. 
 
 Chairman— C. H. Pettit. 
 Secretary — J. S. Porteous. 
 Treasurer — John J. Ankeny. 
 
326 
 
 PASTORS OF WESTMINSTER CHURCH. 
 
 Rev. Robert Strong, 1862-1865. Now residing in Pasadena, 
 €al. 
 
 Rev. Robert A. Condit, D. D., 1866-1867. Now residing in 
 Pasadena, Cal. 
 
 Rev. Robert F. Sample, D. D., 1868-1887. Deceased. 
 
 Rev. David James Burrell, D. D., 1887-1891. Pastor of Col- 
 legiate Reformed Church, New York City. 
 
 Rev. Pleasant Hunter, D. D., 1892-1900. Pastor of Second 
 Presbyterian Church, Newark, N. J. 
 
 Rev. John Edward Bushnell, 1901- Now Pastor. 
 
 ROSTER OF ELDERS. 
 
 Name. 
 
 Installed. Termination of Service. 
 
 1. Oliver, Andrew W. Aug. 23, 1857 
 
 2. Williams, Louis H. Mch 14, 1858 
 
 3. Williams, Joseph C. Jan. 2, 1864 
 
 4. Vanderburgh, Chas E. Jan. 2, 1864 
 
 5. McNair, Isaac, 
 
 6. Baird, J. A. 
 
 7. Lee, R. S. 
 
 8. Ware, E. K. 
 
 9. Monroe, J. Hyde, 
 
 10. Brackett, H. Hart, 
 
 11. Dunwoody, John 
 
 12. Miller, A. R. 
 
 13. Thomas, V. H. 
 
 14. Thompson, Chas. T. 
 
 15. Knerr, B. F. 
 
 16. Williams, Stephen B 
 
 Oct. 16, 1869 
 
 Oct. 16, 1869 
 Mar. 3, 1878 
 Mar. 3, 1878 
 Mar. 3, 1878 
 Feb. 29, 1880 
 Feb. 29, 1880 
 Feb. 29, 1880 
 Feb. 29, 1880 
 Feb. 29, 1880 
 Feb. 29, 1880 
 . Mar. 8, 1882 
 
 Died 1875. 
 
 Ceased to act 1878. 
 
 Died in office 1877. 
 
 Dismissed to another 
 
 Church 1878. 
 
 Dismissed to another 
 
 Church 1878. 
 
 Died 1883. 
 
 Died 1883. 
 
 Ceased to act 1880. 
 
 Died 1887. 
 
 Ceased to act 1895. 
 
 Ceased to act 1902. 
 
 Ceased to act 1897. 
 
 Ceased to act 1882. 
 
 In service. 
 
 Dismissed in 1893. 
 
 Died 1894. 
 
327 
 
 17. Pomeroy, E. F. 
 i8. Hall, James R. 
 
 19. Tenney, William M. 
 
 20. Crombie, John S. 
 
 21. Harris, S'. Arthur, 
 52. McDonald, John S. 
 
 23. Thomas, John W. 
 
 24. Prentiss, A. G. 
 
 25. Davis, Judson S. 
 
 26. Miller, George H. 
 
 27. Pabody, Ezra F. 
 
 28. Carpenter, J. E. 
 
 29. Gordon, J. R. 
 
 30. Thompson, L. K. 
 
 31. Tucker, Charles B. 
 
 32. Cairns, Charles S. 
 
 33. Paige, James 
 
 34. Hill, Horace M. 
 
 35. Lyon, Piatt W. 
 
 36. Steele, J. A. 
 
 37. Wishard, George W. 
 
 38. McCulloch, John 
 
 39. Tomlinson, R. B. Jr., 
 
 Mar. 8, 1882 
 Mar. 2, 1884 
 Mar. 2, 1884 
 March, 1888 
 
 March, 1889 
 March, 1889 
 March, 1889 
 March, 1892 
 
 March, 1893 
 March, 1895 
 March, 1895 
 
 March, 1898 
 March, 1898 
 March, 1900 
 March, 1900 
 March, 1901 
 March, 1901 
 March, 1902 
 March, 1904 
 March, 1905 
 March, 1905 
 March, 1907 
 March, 1907 
 
 Died 1883. 
 Died 1900. 
 Resigned 1899. 
 Dismissed to another 
 Church 1892. 
 In service. 
 Ceased to act 1901. 
 In service. 
 
 Dismissed to another 
 Church 1895. 
 Resigned 1904. 
 Ceased to act 1904. 
 Ordained to Ministry 
 
 1899. 
 In service. 
 In service. 
 Ceased to act 1907. 
 In service. 
 In service. 
 In service. 
 Ceased to act 1905. 
 Ceased to act 1907. 
 In service. 
 In service. 
 In service. 
 In service. 
 
 CLERKS OF SESSION. 
 
 1857-.... Andrew W. Oliver. 
 1858-1864, Louis H. Williams. 
 1864-1878, Charles E. Vanderburgh. 
 1878-1880, J. A. Baird. 
 1880-1907, Charles T. Thompson. 
 
328 
 
 ROSTER OF DEACONS. 
 
 Name. Installed. Termination of Service. 
 
 Harris, S.. A. 1875 Dismissed to First Presbyterian 
 
 Church 1876. 
 
 875 Dismissed to First Presbyterian 
 Church 1876. 
 
 876 Ordained an Elder 1880. 
 876 Died in office 1900. 
 876 Died in office 1880 
 878 Dismissed to First Presbyterian 
 
 Church 1890 
 878 Died in office 1906. 
 878 Died in office 1883. 
 880 Ceased to act 1891. 
 880 Ceased to act 1883. 
 880 Dismissed to a Detroit, Mich., 
 Church 1881. 
 Still in service 
 Ceased to act 1890. * 
 Ceased to act 1889. 
 Ceased to act 1892. 
 Ceased to act 1905. 
 Still in service. 
 Resigned 1889, re-elected 1890, 
 
 ordained Elder 1895. 
 Ceased to act 1906. 
 88g Ceased to act 1892. 
 889 Ordained an Elder 1901. 
 889 Ordained an Elder 1901. 
 889 Resigned to study for ministry, 
 
 1892. 
 893 Ceased to act 1904, re-elected 
 
 1907, still in office. 
 892 Dismissed to a California 
 Church 1901. 
 
 2. Moore, Charles E. 
 
 3. Brackett, H. H. 
 
 4. Gilmore, D. M. 
 
 5. Plummer, L. P. 
 
 6. Lyon, A. B. 
 
 7. Wagner, D. R. 
 
 8. Whittaker, C. S. 
 
 9. Chalmers, Fred'k 
 ID. Godley, Phillip 
 
 11. Lockwood, W. W. 
 
 12. Deane, Daniel P. 
 
 13. Speedy, John 
 
 14. Condit, A. J. 
 
 15. Godley, Chas. M. 
 
 16. Rodgers, Wm. F. 
 
 17. Findley, Sam'l H. 
 
 18. Miller, Geo. H. 
 
 19. Bailey, Wm. H. 
 
 20. Jordan, R. H. 
 
 21. Cairns, Chas. S. 
 
 22. Paige, James 
 
 23. McWilliams, D. A. 
 
 24. McDonald,Dr.J.W. 
 
 25. Davis, Sam'l M. 
 
 SSi 
 881 
 883 
 883 
 883 
 
 885 
 
Charles T. Thompson, 
 Elder and Clerk of Session 1880 to Present Time 
 
329 
 
 26. Rowley, M. D. 
 
 27. Gordon, J. R. 
 
 28. Lyon, P. W. 
 
 29. Thompson, L. K. 
 
 30. Pabody, E. F., Jr. 
 
 31. Strieker, Geo. W. 
 
 32. Tucker, Chas. B. 
 
 33. Tomlinson,R.B.,Jr. 
 
 34. Forbes, T. W. 
 
 35. Miller, A. R., Jr. 
 
 36. Porteous, J. S. 
 
 37. Jackson, E. D. 
 
 38. Sawyer, W. L. 
 
 39. Mitchell, S. H. 
 
 40. Smith, D. E. 
 
 41. Benton, A. A. 
 
 42. Day, H. L,. 
 
 43. Esterley, R. E. 
 
 44. Riheldaffer, J. H. 
 
 45. Smith, Chas. V. 
 
 46. Haynes, T. G. 
 
 47. Nelson, M. O. 
 
 48. Dayton, D. D. 
 
 49. Holliday, J. P. 
 
 50. Day, Wm. M. 
 
 51. Moorhead, W. P. 
 
 52. Sage, Aldis E. 
 
 53. Grievish, E. W. 
 
 54. Skinner, Frank E. 
 
 55. Thomson, J. P. 
 
 56. Tweed, Chas. 
 
 57. Burchard, S. B. 
 
 58. Murphy, Geo. E. 
 
 59. Wurtzbach, F. 
 
 894 Died in office 1894. 
 
 895 Ordained an Elder 1898. 
 89s Ordained an Elder 1904. 
 895 Ordained an Elder 1900. 
 895 Ceased to act 1904. 
 89s Ceased to act 1906. 
 895 Ordained an Elder 1900. 
 
 895 Ordained an Elder 1907. 
 
 896 Ceased to act 1902. 
 
 896 Ceased to act 1905. 
 
 896 Resigned when elected Trustee 
 1900. 
 
 896 Ceased to act 1899. 
 
 897 Ceased to act 1900. 
 900 Ceased to act 1903. 
 
 900 Ceased to act 1906. 
 
 901 Ceased to act 1904. 
 901 Still in service. 
 
 901 Ceased to act 1907. 
 
 901 Dismissed to Grace Presbyteri- 
 an Church 1901. 
 
 901 S'till in service. 
 
 902 Ceased to act 1907. 
 902 Still in service. 
 904 Still in service. 
 
 904 Still in service. 
 
 905 Still in service. 
 905 Still in service. 
 90s Still in service. 
 
 905 Still in service. 
 
 906 Still in service. 
 906 Still in service. 
 
 906 Still in service. 
 
 907 Still in service. 
 907 Still in service. 
 907 Still in service. 
 
330 
 
 ROSTER OF TRUSTEES'. 
 
 Date of Election, 
 
 
 
 1858 
 
 Joseph C. Williams, 
 
 Declined re-election when 
 elected Elder 1864. Died 
 
 
 
 1877. 
 
 
 1858 
 
 Henry D. Beman, 
 
 Moved away 1861. 
 
 
 1858 
 
 Eugene M. Wilson, 
 
 Died in office 1884. 
 
 
 1858 
 
 Wm. K. McFarlane, 
 
 Died in office 1866. 
 
 
 1858 
 
 A. Bradford, 
 
 Ceased to act i86i. 
 
 
 1858 
 
 Curtis H. Pettit, 
 
 Still in office 
 
 
 z86o 
 
 Wm. P. Ankeny, 
 
 Died in office 1877. 
 
 
 i860 
 
 H. G. Sidle, 
 
 Resigned 1895. 
 
 
 1862 
 
 James Chalmers, 
 
 Ceased to act 1871. 
 
 
 1863 
 
 W. W. McNair, 
 
 Died in office 1885. 
 
 
 i86s 
 
 John S. Walker, 
 
 Ceased to act 1868. 
 
 
 1868 
 
 J. A. Ege, 
 
 Ceased to act 1871. 
 
 
 1871 
 
 A. M. Reid, 
 
 Ceased to act 1877. 
 
 
 1871 
 
 J. G. McFarlane, 
 
 Ceased to act 1874. 
 
 
 1874 
 
 Allen Hill, 
 
 Declined re-election 
 
 190I. 
 
 1877 
 
 Wm. H. Dunwoody, 
 
 Still in office. 
 
 
 1878 
 
 A. M. Reid, re-elected, 
 
 Declined re-election 
 
 1893. 
 
 1878 
 
 0. V. Tousley, 
 
 Resigned and moved 1 
 
 away. 
 
 1878 
 
 J. B. Gilfillan, 
 
 Still in office. 
 
 
 1878 
 
 J. K. Sidle, 
 
 Died in office 1887. 
 
 
 1879 
 
 Frederick W. Brooks, 
 
 Died in office 1883. 
 
 
 1880 
 
 H. W. Wagner, 
 
 Died in office 1894. 
 
 
 1886 
 
 George H. Miller, 
 
 Resigned 1901. 
 
 
 1886 
 
 T. B. Janney, 
 
 Declined re-election 
 
 1898. 
 
 1888 
 
 A. M. Clerihew, 
 
 Still in office. 
 
 
 189s 
 
 H. C. Akeley, 
 
 Still in office. 
 
 
 1895 
 
 Wm. Donaldson, 
 
 Died in office 1899. 
 
 
 1899 
 
 F. B. Semple, 
 
 Died in office. 
 
 
 1899 
 
 E. L. Carpenter, 
 
 Still in office. 
 
 
 1900 
 
 J. S. Porteous, 
 
 Still in office. 
 
 
 1901 
 
 James S. Bell, 
 
 Still in office. 
 
 
 !I90I 
 
 C. C. Webber, 
 
 Still in office. 
 
 
331 
 
 CHAIRMAN OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 Joseph C, Williams. 
 
 W. P. Ankeny to 1877. 
 
 C. H. Pettit, May, 1877 to present. 
 
 SECRETARIES OF BOARD. 
 
 Joseph C. Williams, 1858-1864. 
 
 Allen Hill, 1874 to 1901. 
 
 J. S. Porteous, 190X to present. 
 
 TREASURERS. 
 
 James Chalmers. 
 
 Isaac McNair. 
 
 H. G. Sidle. 
 
 John J. Ankeny, April, 1871 to present time. 
 
 Owing to the incompleteness of the earlier records, it has 
 been found to be impossible to make a complete table of 
 the officers of the Board of Trustees. 
 
 SUPERINTENDENTS OF WESTMINSTER SABBATH 
 SCHOOL. 
 
 1858, April — 1861, January, Joseph C. Williams. 
 1861, January — 1864, June, Rev. Robert Strong. 
 1864, June — 1871, January, Charles E. Vanderburgh. 
 1871, January — 1876, January, Joshua Williams. 
 
 1876, January — 1877, January, O. V. Tousley. 
 
 1877, January — 1878, January, Robert S. McMurdy. 
 
 1878, January — 1879, January, J. Hyde Monroe. 
 
 1879, January, 1881, March, James L. Monroe. 
 1881, March — 1882, January, Charles T. Thompson. 
 
332 
 
 i882, January — 1899, September, William M. Tenney. 
 
 1899, September — 1900, January, Charles T. Thompson. 
 
 1900, January — 1902, January, Franc B. Daniels. 
 
 1902, January — 1904, January, Leonard K. Thompson. 
 
 1904, January — 1906, January, J. S. Porteous. 
 
 1906, January — (In service), R. Burton Tomlinson. 
 
 The names and terms of service of those in office from Jan- 
 uary, 1872, to January, 1879, are here given from the recollec- 
 tion of those then in the school, as no accurate data are 
 available. 
 
 SUPERINTENDENTS OF RIVERSIDE SABBATH 
 SCHOOL. 
 
 I. 
 
 A. J. Condit. 
 
 6. 
 
 Robert E. Esterley. 
 
 2. 
 
 James Paige. 
 
 7. 
 
 L. K. Thompson 
 (3d term). 
 
 3. 
 
 L. K. Thompson. 
 
 8. 
 
 Charles V. Smith. 
 
 4- 
 
 J. R. Gordon. 
 
 9- 
 
 Charles B. Brooks. 
 
 5. 
 
 L. K. Thompson 
 (2d term.). 
 
 10. 
 
 George E. Murphy. 
 
 SUPERINTENDENTS OF HOPE SABBATH SCHOOL. 
 
 1. E. F. Pomeroy. 5- E. W. Dutcher. 
 
 2. Theodore A. Sammis. 6. P. V. Collins. 
 
 3. R. H. Gordon. 7. P. W. Lyon. 
 
 4. W. C. Wyckoflf. 8. James Paige. 
 
 ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CHURCH. 
 
 The following table of organizations in the Church is given 
 for historical information. Many of them, having fulfilled 
 their mission, have been abandoned or merged with other 
 organizations. 
 
333 
 
 1858 — Westminster Sabbath School. 
 
 1859 — The Sewing Society. 
 
 1868 — Pastor's Aid Society. 
 
 1871 — Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. 
 
 1872 — Ladies Social Circle. 
 
 1873 — Franklin Avenue Mission (now Vanderburgh Memo- 
 rial Church). 
 
 1873 — Western Avenue Mission (now Sth Presbyterian 
 Church). 
 
 1873 — Westminster Mission Workers (In Sunday School). 
 
 1873 — Cheerful Givers (In Sunday School). 
 
 1874 — The Zenana Workers (In Sunday School). 
 
 1874 — Seek and Save Band (In Sunday School). 
 
 1878 — Young People's Social Union. 
 
 1879 — Westminster Sunday School Foreign Missionary So- 
 ciety. 
 
 1882 — Woman's Home Missionary Society. 
 
 1882 — Young Ladies' Missionary Society (now Missionary 
 Guild). 
 
 1882 — Hope Mission. 
 
 1882 — Riverside Mission. 
 
 1882 — Lyndale Mission (now Lyndale Congregational Church). 
 
 1882 — Daughters of the King. 
 
 1882— Pearl Gatherers. 
 
 1883 — Bethlehem Sunday School (now Bethlehem Presbyte- 
 rian Church). 
 
 1883 — Chinese Sunday School. 
 
 1883— The Gleaners. 
 
 1885 — Twentieth Avenue South Mission. 
 
 1886 — Westminster Missionary and Social Club. 
 
 1888 — Prospect Park Mission (afterwards called Farview). 
 
 1888 — Boys' Missionary Brigade. 
 
 1888 — Senior Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. 
 
 1891 — Elim Mission (now EHm Presbyterian Church). 
 
 1895 — Intermediate Society of Christian Endeavor. 
 
334 
 
 iSqS — Westminster Social Circle. 
 
 1906 — Fujiyami Club. 
 
 1906 — Westminster Fellowship. 
 
 1907 — ^Junior Chapter. 
 
 1907 — Westminster Men's League. 
 
 ITEMS' OF INTEREST IN CONNECTION WITH THE 
 WORK OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 I. The Session. 
 
 The office of Elder in Westminster Church is not a sine- 
 cure. It requires, and is given by all who fill it, a great 
 amount of time and energy. The Session, composed of twelve 
 members, meets on an average, thirty times a year. It is 
 thoroughly organized into committees, to which are entrusted 
 the various details of the spiritual work of the Church. The 
 most important committees are those for the management 
 and control of the work at Hope and Riverside Chapels. 
 Each of these two Chapel committees is composed of six 
 elders, with the Chapel pastor and Sunday School superin- 
 tendent as advisory members. 
 
 II. The Diaconate. 
 
 The Deacons of this Church are an incorporated body, and 
 as such can hold trusts for the benefit of the poor of the 
 Church and congregation. They are, and for many years 
 they have been, a very efficient working body. In addition to 
 their other duties they have the entire charge of the ushering 
 at the Sunday services. 
 
 III. Church Sittings. 
 
 After years of experimenting with various methods of rais- 
 ing the funds, with which to provide for the current expenses 
 of this Church, the Trustees have adopted the pew rental sys- 
 
335 
 
 tern as best for us. The main auditorium has sittings for a 
 congregation of 1600. There is not an undesirable sitting in 
 the room. The prices range from $3.00 per annum upward, 
 so that it is within the reach of every one to obtain a regular 
 sitting. Some pews are reserved for the use of strangers, 
 while all can be used for that purpose ten minutes after the 
 opening of the morning service and at the opening of the 
 evening service. 
 
 IV. Use of Church Property. 
 
 The Session and Trustees have jointly created a commit- 
 tee, which is at present composed of Elders Charles T. 
 Thompson, C. S. Cairns and R. B. Tomlinson, Jr., Trustees A. 
 M. Clerihew and C. H. Pettit, to which must be referred all 
 requests for use of Church's building and property. They 
 are limited by the inflexible rule of the Session and Trustees, 
 that the main auditorium cannot be used for any other pur- 
 poses than religious services, including weddings of members 
 of this Church and congregation. The committee is allowed 
 more latitude in the uses, which they may permit to be made 
 of the other rooms in the church building. 
 
 V. Benevolences. 
 
 The benevolent work of the Church is under the direct su- 
 pervision of the Session. Broadly speaking it consists of 
 money and effort expended in causes separate and distinct 
 from the support of the home Church. It is impossible to es- 
 timate or to tabulate the personal efforts, expended by the 
 members of this large and devoted congregation. The re- 
 ports of the various religious and charitable societies and or- 
 ganizations in this city and state show, that they derive a 
 large part of their support from our members. As to the 
 moneys contributed through the treasurers of this Church or 
 reported by Church societies to the Session, the financial re- 
 ports show that, during the past four years, our benevolent 
 
336 
 
 gifts in money have averaged about $26,450 each year, while 
 the current expenses of the home Church have averaged ap- 
 proximately $15,600. Such results are made possible only by 
 the hearty cooperation of all members of the congregation. 
 All the accounts of benevolences, administered under the 
 direction of the Session, are carefuU audited by that body, 
 statements being presented by the Treasurer at every regu- 
 lar monthly meeting. Mr. Charles V. Smith has acted as 
 Treasurer of Benevolences for many years. He is entitled to 
 great credit for the skill and accuracy, with which he has 
 collected the subscriptions, kept his accounts and presented 
 his monthly, semi-annual and annual reports. 
 
 The objects of our benevolence are too numerous to be 
 tabulated here. In addition to many other objects, every 
 board of the Church is contributed to annually. 
 
 VI. Parochial Districts. 
 
 The membership of the Church is divided upon the basis 
 of residence into twenty-four parochial districts. Over each 
 district is appointed a committee of ladies of the Church and 
 congregation. 
 
 To these committees are assigned the following duties: 
 
 I. 
 
 To report promptly any change of address that comes to 
 their notice. 
 
 II. 
 
 To report any cases calling for pastoral visitation. 
 
 III. 
 
 To report any children born in Westminster families, 
 
 IV. 
 
 To call on and report any Presbyterian families moving in- 
 to the district. 
 
337 
 
 V. 
 
 To call promptly on any new members received into the 
 Church and residing in the district. 
 
 VI. 
 
 To furnish a list of all persons in their district who can be 
 counted on to do Church work. 
 
 The plan works well and has been of great assistance to the 
 pastors. 
 
 VII. The Activities of the Church. 
 
 The activities of the parent Church are so varied as to 
 make it possible for ever member to find some form of work 
 in which he or she can engage. Their character can be 
 gathered from the preceding pages. 
 
 The following activities are carried on at Riverside Chapel: 
 Sunday Evening Gospel Service; Mid-week Prayer and 
 Praise Service; Christian Endeavor Society; Sunday School; 
 Young Women's Missionary Society; The Chapel Choir; 
 Ladies' Aid Society; Daily Kindergarten; Mothers' Club; 
 Sewing and Manual Training School; Cooking School; Gym- 
 nasium. 
 
 Hope Chapel conducts the following activities: 
 Sunday School; Sunday Evening Worship; Christian En- 
 deavor Societies; Mid-week Prayer Service; Young Woman's 
 Club; Woman's Association; Girl's Chorus; Daily Kindergar- 
 ten; Boy's and Girl's Clubs; Sewing and Manual Training 
 Schools; Industrial School; Gymnasium Clubs; Public Library 
 and Reading Room. 
 
338 
 ANNUAL GROWTH OF MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Confession. 
 
 Certificate. 
 
 Total. 
 
 1857 
 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 1858 
 
 .. 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 i8S9 
 
 I 
 
 II 
 
 12 
 
 i860 
 
 . , 
 
 
 ^ , 
 
 1861 
 
 3 
 
 10 
 
 13 
 
 1862 
 
 2 
 
 . . 
 
 2 
 
 1863 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 17 
 
 1864 
 
 13 
 
 3 
 
 16 
 
 1865 
 
 S 
 
 4 
 
 9 
 
 1866 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 12 
 
 1867 
 
 9 
 
 20 
 
 29 
 
 1868 
 
 4 
 
 ID 
 
 14 
 
 1869 
 
 23 
 
 27 
 
 30 
 
 1870 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 30 
 
 1871 
 
 6 
 
 13 
 
 19 
 
 1872 
 
 17 
 
 25 
 
 42 
 
 1873 
 
 9 
 
 19 
 
 2& 
 
 1874 
 
 5 
 
 25 
 
 3» 
 
 187s 
 
 S8 
 
 59 
 
 117 
 
 1876 
 
 20 
 
 33 
 
 S3 
 
 1877 
 
 25 
 
 23 
 
 48 
 
 1878 
 
 6 
 
 25 
 
 31 
 
 1879 
 
 13 
 
 57 
 
 71 
 
 1880 
 
 10 
 
 40 
 
 50 
 
 1881 
 
 19 
 
 84 
 
 103 
 
 1882 
 
 S 
 
 46 
 
 51 
 
 1883 
 
 48 
 
 96 
 
 144 
 
 1884 
 
 46 
 
 104 
 
 150 
 
 188s 
 
 44 
 
 86 
 
 130 
 
 1886 
 
 37 
 
 92 
 
 129 
 
 1887 
 
 68 
 
 87 
 
 155 
 
 1888 
 
 74 
 
 125 
 
 199 
 
339 
 
 Certificate. Total . 
 
 102 218 
 
 109 196 
 
 80 i6a 
 
 41 70 
 
 82 17& 
 
 los 20s 
 
 50 loS 
 
 43 68 
 
 82 116 
 
 117 176 
 
 77 IS4 
 
 82 IS7 
 
 S7 "4 
 
 45 8s 
 
 74 132 
 
 79 134 
 
 67 157 
 
 97 302 
 
 12 39^ 
 
 1963 2576 4539 
 
 Percentage of increase on confession of faith 43% per cent. 
 
 YEARLY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM CHURCH AND 
 CONGREGATION. 
 
 (Fractions of dollars omitted). 
 
 Other 
 Home Foreign Benevo- Congre- 
 Missions. Missions. lences. gational. Total. 
 
 1857 No reports can be found. 
 
 1858 No reports can be found. 
 
 1859 $20 $205 $225 
 
 i860 330 330 
 
 1861 14 1,10s 1.119^ 
 
 Year. 
 
 Confession. 
 
 1889 
 
 116 
 
 1890 
 
 87 
 
 1891 
 
 83 
 
 1892 
 
 29 
 
 1893 
 
 94 
 
 1894 
 
 100 
 
 1895 
 
 58 
 
 1896 
 
 25 
 
 1897 
 
 34 
 
 1898 
 
 59 
 
 1899 
 
 77 
 
 1900 
 
 75 
 
 1901 
 
 57 
 
 1902 
 
 40 
 
 1903 
 
 58 
 
 1904 
 
 55 
 
 1905 
 
 90 
 
 1906 
 
 205 
 
 1907 to Aug. 
 
 23rd 27 
 
340 
 
 
 
 
 Other 
 
 
 
 
 Home Fc 
 
 )reign 
 
 Benevo- 
 
 Congre- 
 
 
 
 Missions. Missions. 
 
 lences. 
 
 gational. 
 
 Total. 
 
 i862 
 
 
 10 
 
 18 
 
 209 
 
 237 
 
 1863 
 
 5 
 
 20 
 
 37 
 
 436 
 
 498 
 
 1864 
 
 17 
 
 37 
 
 184 
 
 661 
 
 899 
 
 1865 
 
 30 
 
 87 
 
 181 
 
 560 
 
 858 
 
 1866 
 
 32 
 
 85 
 
 100 
 
 2,900 
 
 3,117 
 
 1867 
 
 SI 
 
 92 
 
 603 
 
 2,860 
 
 3,606 
 
 1868 
 
 190 
 
 214 
 
 693 
 
 2,055 
 
 3,152 
 
 1869 
 
 295 
 
 239 
 
 672 
 
 2,800 
 
 4,006 
 
 1870 
 
 260 
 
 227 
 
 711 
 
 2,000 
 
 3,198 
 
 1871 
 
 293 
 
 229 
 
 551 
 
 5,530 
 
 6,603 
 
 1872 
 
 208 
 
 400 
 
 658 
 
 4.038 
 
 5,304 
 
 1873 
 
 384 
 
 506 
 
 644 
 
 3,984 
 
 5,509 
 
 1874 
 
 224 
 
 553 
 
 912 
 
 7,792 
 
 9,461 
 
 1875 
 
 6S9 
 
 336 
 
 1,388 
 
 5,513 
 
 7,896 
 
 1876 
 
 738 
 
 58s 
 
 1,171 
 
 4,300 
 
 6,794 
 
 1877 
 
 S14 
 
 356 
 
 683 
 
 4,375 
 
 5,928 
 
 1878 
 
 500 
 
 346 
 
 909 
 
 4,574 
 
 6,329 
 
 1879 
 
 470 
 
 262 
 
 958 
 
 8,164 
 
 9,854 
 
 1880 
 
 416 
 
 332 
 
 1,117 
 
 15,400 
 
 17,265 
 
 1881 
 
 397 
 
 500 
 
 681 
 
 21,616 
 
 23,429 
 
 1883 
 
 2,788 
 
 804 
 
 1,301 
 
 49,050 
 
 53,943 
 
 1S84 
 
 1,267 
 
 1,046 
 
 8,007 
 
 10,288 
 
 20,608 
 
 1885 
 
 2,814 
 
 1,272 
 
 4,809 
 
 15,500 
 
 24,395 
 
 1886 
 
 3,696 
 
 1,943 
 
 7,283 
 
 37,000 
 
 49,922 
 
 1887 
 
 4,182 
 
 2,820 
 
 i,8iS 
 
 10,728 
 
 19,545 
 
 1888 
 
 8,713 < 
 
 5,010 
 
 40,603 
 
 11,804 
 
 67,130 
 
 T889 
 
 3,637 
 
 3,197 
 
 41,330 
 
 14,153 
 
 62,317 
 
 1890 
 
 3,428 
 
 3,335 
 
 20,845 
 
 15,150 
 
 42,758 
 
 1891 
 
 3,005 
 
 2,707 
 
 18,831 
 
 15,485 
 
 40,028 
 
 1892 
 
 9,030 
 
 2,056 
 
 12,241 
 
 12,000 
 
 35,327 
 
 1893 
 
 9,287 
 
 2,542 
 
 4,045 
 
 13,500 
 
 29,374 
 
 1894 
 
 11,807 
 
 2,509 
 
 5,289 
 
 13,000 
 
 32,605 
 
 1895 
 
 10,200 
 
 1,926 
 
 3,370 
 
 13,844 
 
 29,340 
 
 1896 
 
 7,873 
 
 1,587 
 
 2,434 
 
 12,000 
 
 23,894 
 
 1897 
 
 8,775 
 
 1,918 
 
 2,375 
 
 13,086 
 
 26,154 
 
 1893 
 
 9,287 
 
 1894 
 
 11,807 
 
 1895 
 
 10,200 
 
 1896 
 
 7,873 
 
 1897 
 
 8,775 
 
341 
 
 
 Home 
 
 Missions. 
 
 Foreign 
 Missions. 
 
 Other 
 Benevo- 
 lences. 
 
 1898 
 
 10,628 
 
 1,967 
 
 1,886 
 
 i899 
 
 10,231 
 
 1,646 
 
 2,961 
 
 1900 
 
 11,587 
 
 2,162 
 
 11,776 
 
 1901 
 
 9.577 
 
 2,227 
 
 3,427 
 
 1902 
 
 10,087 
 
 2,688 
 
 28,911 
 
 1903 
 
 7,793 
 
 2,296 
 
 32,676 
 
 1904 
 
 10,641 
 
 2,584 
 
 21,459 
 
 190S 
 
 11,611 
 
 2,773 
 
 5,379 
 
 1906 
 
 14,711 
 
 2,727 
 
 7,550 
 
 1907 
 
 14,009 
 
 3,293 
 
 6,062 
 
 Totals 
 
 206,565 
 
 56,092 
 
 323,463 
 
 Congre- 
 
 
 gational. 
 
 Tota . 
 
 15,674 
 
 30,155 
 
 15,647 
 
 30,48s 
 
 14,796 
 
 40,321 
 
 13,732 
 
 28,963 
 
 14,741 
 
 56,427 
 
 15,662 
 
 58,427 
 
 15,400 
 
 50,084 
 
 25,823 
 
 45,586 
 
 15,590 
 
 39,578 
 
 i6,i5S 
 
 39,519 
 
 555,142 
 
 1,138,212 
 
 NOTE — The foregoing table represents only the actual 
 gifts of the members of the Church and congregation. It 
 does not include any of the money received from the pro- 
 ceeds of the sales of real or personal property, owned by the 
 Church; and so does not include any of the cost of the pres- 
 ent church building on Nicollet Avenue. 
 
 The Home Mission column includes the annual disburse- 
 ments for the running expenses of our City Mission work, as 
 well as the contributions to the Boards; while the column 
 "Other benevolences," which varies so greatly in amount 
 from year to year, includes the sums raised from time to 
 time, to meet special demands and emergencies, such as for 
 the erection of the chapel buildings, for building and paying 
 the debts on other city churches, for the endowment and 
 current expenses of Macalester College; and for all the 
 boards of the Church other than the Home and Foreign Mis- 
 sion Boards. 
 
 The amount raised each year, for these purposes, has, of 
 course, varied with the peculiar necessities and demands of 
 each year. 
 
 The Congregational expense column contains the amounts 
 raised for the erection and subsequent enlargement of the 
 
342 
 
 building on Fourth Street, for the erection of the building at 
 the corner of Nicollet Avenue and Seventh Street, and for 
 the repair of our present building after the cyclone in 1905. 
 This division of funds follows, as nearly as possible, the 
 plan adopted by the General Assembly. Taking the figures, 
 as they appear in these tables, it will be seen that, of the en- 
 tire amount raised, fifty-one and one-third per cent was used 
 for other than congregational expenses; or, if the amounts 
 used in erecting or rebuilding the first and second church 
 buildings, are eliminated from congregational expenses, the 
 proportion of money raised used for benevolent purposes is 
 increased to fifty-seven and two-thirds per cent; or again, 
 if the money, expended for those church buildings, is added 
 to the column of other benevolences, the proportion of 
 money raised, which has been used for other than our con- 
 gregational expenses, is increased to sixty-two and one-third 
 per cent. 
 
 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY. 
 
 1857. August 23rd, Church organized by the Presbytery of 
 
 St. Paul. 
 " August 23rd, Andrew W. Oliver installed the first 
 
 elder. 
 " December 6th, Rev. Benjamin Dorrance became first 
 
 regular supply. 
 
 1858. March 14th, Louis H. Williams, installed as Elder. 
 
 " April 6th, Church incorporated under the name of 
 "The Trustees of the Westminster Presbyterian 
 Church of Minneapolis." 
 
 " April i8th, services of Rev. Mr. Dorrance terminated. 
 
 " April 25th, Sabbath School organized. 
 
 " April 26th, Rev. Levi Hughes became regular supply. 
 
 1859. The Sewing Suciety, the first women's society, organ- 
 
 ized. 
 
343 
 
 i86o. April .., Services of Rev. Mr. Hughes terminated. 
 
 " May .., Rev. James McKee became regular supply. 
 
 " December, Services of Rev. Mr. McKee terminated. 
 
 1861. March 15th, First Church building dedicated. Total cost 
 
 $1,962.00. Of this sum $500.00 was a grant from the 
 Board of Church erection and the balance was large- 
 ly given by Eastern Presbyterians. 
 i86i. October 27th, Rev. Robert Strong became regular 
 supply. 
 
 1862. October 29th, Rev. Robert Strong installed as pastor. 
 
 1863. December 20th, C. E. Vanderburgh and J. C. Williams 
 ordained and installed as elders. 
 
 1864. May 2ist, Rev. Robert A. Condit became regular sup- 
 
 ply during the absence of the pastor, occasioned by 
 his illness. 
 
 1865. April 26th, Pastoral relation between the Church and 
 Rev. Robert Strong dissolved. 
 
 1866. June .., Rev. Robert A, Condit installed as pastor. 
 1866. June .., The Church for the first time became self- 
 supporting. 
 
 1866. October .., Church building enlarged. 
 
 1867. December 24th, Pastoral relation between the Church 
 
 and Rev. Robert A. Condit dissolved. 
 
 1868. January 27th, Rev. Robert F. Sample called as pastor. 
 " March ist. Rev. Robert F. Sample began his labors in 
 
 the Church. 
 " April i6th, Rev. Robert F. Sample installed as pastor. 
 " May 26th, Pastor's Aid Society organized. 
 
 1870-1871 Church again enlarged and pews cushioned. 
 
 1871. February 6th, Woman's Foreign Mssionary Society 
 organized. 
 
 1871. April 24th, John J. Ankeny elected Treasurer of the 
 Trustees. 
 
 1873- January .., Franklin Avenue Mission (now Vander- 
 burgh Memorial Church) organzed. Western Ave- 
 
344 
 
 nue Mission (now Fifth Presbyterian Church) or- 
 ganized. 
 
 1873 April 24th, Commencement of fiscal year changed from 
 January ist, to April 1st. 
 
 1875. March 13th, First official action, looking toward the 
 erection of a new church, taken by the congregation. 
 " April 1st, Elder Andrew W. Oliver died. 
 " April 2d, Trustees definitely authorized by congrega- 
 tion to erect a new church building. 
 
 1875 April 2nd, S. A. Harris and Charles E. Moore elected 
 the first deacons. 
 
 1877. September 23rd, Elder Joseph C. Williams died. 
 
 1878. January 25, Pew Rental system again adopted. 
 
 1878. April . ., Rotary system of electing elders and dea- 
 cons adopted. 
 " Ground purchased on corner of Nicollet Avenue and 
 Seventh Street for new building. 
 
 1880. July 13th, Corner stone of new church laid. 
 
 1882. Woman's Home Missionary Society organized. 
 
 1882. January 4th, Hope Mission established by action of 
 
 the Session. 
 " April .., Woman's Presbyterian Board of Missions of 
 
 the Northwest met in Minneapolis. 
 " August 10, First service held in lecture room of the 
 
 new church. 
 " June 12, Riverside Mission organized. 
 " October . ., Young Ladies' Missionary Society (now 
 
 Westminster Missionary Guild) organized. 
 
 1883. January . ., Bethlehem Sabbath School (now Bethle- 
 
 hem Presbyterian Church) organized. 
 " March 11, New Church dedicated. 
 
 1884. April 28, Woman's Kindergarten and Industrial Asso 
 
 ciation organized. 
 
 1886. May .., The General Assembly met in Westminster 
 Church. 
 
345 
 
 i886, December 23rd, Resignation of Dr. Sample presented 
 
 to the congregation. 
 1887. February 24th, Pastoral relation of Dr. Sample with 
 
 Church dissolved. 
 " September 15th, Rev. David James Burrell, D. D., 
 
 called as pastor. 
 1887. October 26th, Dr. Burrell installed as pastor. 
 1891. April 2nd, Dr. Burrell resigned as pastor. 
 
 1891. May I, Pastoral relation of Dr. Burrell with Church 
 
 dissolved. 
 
 1892. April 2ist, Rev. Pleasant Hunter, D. D., called as 
 
 pastor. 
 1892. November nth, Dr. Hunter installed as pastor. 
 1895. September 6th, Church destroyed by fire. 
 
 1895. November 12th, Westminster Social Circle organized. 
 
 1896. April 6th, Congregation authorized the erection of a 
 
 building on a new site and elected a building com- 
 mittee. 
 
 1896. June iith. Lot corner of 12th Street and Nicollet Ave- 
 nue purchased. 
 
 1896. July 13th, Contract for new building signed. 
 
 1896. July 27th, Ground broken for new building. 
 
 1896. October 6th, Corner stone laid. 
 
 1897. March 4th, First prayer meeting held in Chapel of 
 
 new building. 
 1897. March 7th, First preaching service in Chapel. 
 
 1897. November 7th, First service in auditorium. 
 
 1898. February isth, Church dedicated. 
 
 1899. May .., General Assembly again met in Westminster 
 
 Church. 
 
 1900. January, Dr. Hunter resigned as pastor. 
 
 1900. July I, Pastoral relation of Dr. Hunter dissolved. 
 
 1901. January 21st, Rev. John Edward Bushnell, D. D., 
 
 called as pastor. 
 1901. March 6th, Dr. Bushnell installed as pastor. 
 
346 
 
 igoi. April .., Allen Hill for 27 years a trustee and secre- 
 tary of the Board, declined re-election. 
 
 1903. Dec. 20th, new Hope Chapel dedicated. 
 
 1904. August 20th, Main auditorium partially destroyed by 
 
 cyclone at a financial loss of $12,000.00. 
 
 1905. November .., Church engaged in simultaneous evan- 
 
 gelistic campaign, under the leadership of Rev. J. 
 Wilbur Chapman, D. D. 
 
 1907. March, Men's League organized as a branch of Pres- 
 byterian Brotherhood. 
 
 1907. August 23rd, Westminster Church fifty years old. 
 
 1907. October 3-6, The fiftieth anniversary of the Church 
 celebrated. 
 
1Int)ei:» 
 
 Illustrations: 
 
 Ankeny, John J 297 
 
 Bushnell, John Edward, D. D 265 
 
 Burrell, David James, D. D 169 
 
 Condit, Robert A., D. D 1Z 
 
 Finney, Rev. Harry G Z'^'i 
 
 First Church Edifice 89 
 
 Fletcher's Hall 33 
 
 Free Will Baptist Church I7 
 
 Hope Chapel 281 
 
 Hunter, Pleasant, D. D 201 
 
 Interior of Present Church Building 217 
 
 Minneapolis in 1857 Frontispiece 
 
 Oliver, Andrew W Facing Title Page 
 
 Pettit, Curtis H., and Deborah M. Pettit, his wife 41 
 
 Pulpit of First Church Edifice 105 
 
 Pulpit and Organ Loft of Second Church Edifice 153 
 
 Riverside Chapel 249 
 
 Sample, Robert F., D. D 121 
 
 Second Church Edifice I37 
 
 Strong, Rev. Robert 57 
 
 Tenney, William M 233 
 
 Thompson, Charles T 329 
 
 Westminster Presbyterian Church 185 
 
 Williams, Elder Joseph C 25 
 
 Williams, Louis H 9 
 
 Woodmen's Hall 49 
 
348 
 
 Activities of Church and Chapels 337 
 
 Adams, Rev. R. N 69, 247 
 
 Akeley, H. C ..68,82 
 
 Anderson, John 249 
 
 Ankeny, John J 27, 129, 199, 204, 250 
 
 Ankeny, Wilh'am P 14, 19, 199, 22"] 
 
 Ankeny, Mrs. William P 224, 227, 239 
 
 Archibald, Miss Sarah 142, 242 
 
 Baker, Miss Eliza W 143,151,165,167,220,252 
 
 Bcatty, Rev. W. F! 50 
 
 Beaven, Samuel H • 124 
 
 Beman, H. D 6,126 
 
 Beman, Mrs. H. D 224 
 
 Benevolences of Church 335 
 
 Best, Mrs. Eugene N 259 
 
 Benson, Rev. A. W 95 
 
 Bethany Presbyterian Church 98 
 
 Bethlehem Presbyterian Church 96 
 
 Bissell, Miss Edna 145, 244, 254 
 
 Black, John 1 226 
 
 Blake, David 96 
 
 Blake, George .96 
 
 Brackett, H. H 41,285 
 
 Bradford, A 6, 40 
 
 Bradford, Mrs. A 249 
 
 Brooks, C. B 102 
 
 Brooks, Frederick W • 52 
 
 Brown, Rev. E. W • 122 
 
 Bunce, Mrs. A. P • 133 
 
 Burd, Mrs. Henrietta 199, 227, 239 
 
 Burnett, Mrs. H. L • 148 
 
 Burrell, Rev. David J. . . 60, 62, 63, 74, 'JT, 114, 184, 208, 249, 283, 
 284, 285, 301. 
 
 Burrell, Rev. David J., called 60 
 
 Installed 60 
 
349 
 
 Resigned 60 
 
 Burrell, Mrs. D. J • 275 
 
 Burrell, Rev. DeForest F 115 
 
 Bushnell, Rev. J. E 83,84,86,117,182,275,301,311 
 
 Called 84 
 
 Installed 86 
 
 Bushnell, Mrs. J. E • 275 
 
 Bushnell, Rev. Henry E 86 
 
 Byron & Willard 176 
 
 Cairns, Chas. S 61, 95, 285 
 
 Caldwell, Rev. J. C 2 
 
 Campbell, Rev. Graham C 141, 149 
 
 Carpenter, E. L • 82 
 
 Carpenter, J. E 285 
 
 Chalmers, Mrs. Frederick 227, 239, 249 
 
 Chalmers, Mrs. Eliza (James) 224,227,239,249 
 
 Chapel Work, Plan of 102 
 
 Chapel Building — Hope — View of 281 
 
 Chapel Building — Riverside — View of 249 
 
 Chapman, Rev. J. Wilber • 88 
 
 Charles, Miss Mary • 234, 235 
 
 Christiansen, Rev. C. C 122 
 
 Christian Endeavor Society (Senior) 169, 270 
 
 Christian Endeavor Society (Intermediate) 170,272 
 
 Church Property, Use of 335 
 
 Church of the Redeemer 63 
 
 Clerihew, A. M 285 
 
 Clerihew, Mrs. A. M 155 
 
 Condit, Rev. Robert A. . 17, 18, 20, 108, 127, 180, 191, 201, 5228, 
 236, 282. 
 
 Condit A. J loi, 159 
 
 Congdon, Miss Jennie 270 
 
 Cotton, Mrs. Martha M 133 
 
 Cresswell, Rev. Thaddeus T 63 
 
350 
 
 Crombie, John S 6i 
 
 Curtis, Rev. Charles H 119, 270 
 
 Cuyler, Rev. Theodore L 117 
 
 Daniels, Franc B 82, loi, 131, 301, 309 
 
 Daughters of the King 166, 269 
 
 Davis, Mrs. S. M 157, 264 
 
 Dayton, George D 64, 66 
 
 Deacons — First election 43 
 
 Roster of 328 
 
 Present Board 325 
 
 Work of 334 
 
 Detroit, Westminster Church of 175 
 
 Donaldson, Rev. John B 51,63 
 
 Donaldson, Mrs. Mary Sample 193 
 
 Donaldson, William 68, 150 
 
 Donaldson, Mrs. William 150 
 
 Dorrance, Rev. Benjamin 7, 8, 188, 282 
 
 Dunwoody, John 285 
 
 Dunwoody, W. H 41, 52 
 
 Ege, Mrs. Etta 224 
 
 Elders — First Election 6 
 
 Second Election 9 
 
 Third Election 16 
 
 Rotary System Adopted 45 
 
 Roster of 326 
 
 Present Board 325 
 
 Work of 334 
 
 Elim Presbyterian Church 95 
 
 Esterly, R. E 102 
 
 Evans, O.J 199, 250 
 
 Faries, Mrs. I. C 138, 155, 243, 266 
 
 Faries, Miss Anne 252 
 
 Faries, Rev. John C 69, 122 
 
 Faries, William R 138, 142, 242 
 
351 
 
 Farnsworth, Ezra 6l 
 
 Farrington, S'. P 60, loi 
 
 Farrington, Mrs. S. P 150, 158, 159, 245, 265 
 
 Farview Chapel 95 
 
 Findley, S. H 130, 131, 301 
 
 Finney, Rev. Harry G 120, 185, 273, 285, 301 
 
 Fifth Presbyterian Church 90 
 
 First Baptist Church 64, 65 
 
 First Presbyterian Church 63 
 
 Fourth Street Church — Begun 14 
 
 Enlarged 19 
 
 Sold 53 
 
 Vacated 53 
 
 Fujiyanii Club 171 
 
 Gardner, H. B lOl 
 
 General Assembly 57, 77 
 
 George, Julia 267 
 
 Gilchrist, Rev. Neil H 122 
 
 Gilfillan, John B 40, 52, 172, 177 
 
 Jubilee Address 177 
 
 Gilfillan, Mrs. Bessie O ". 141 
 
 Gilmore, D. M 249 
 
 Gleaners, The 168, 267 
 
 Godley, Charles M 199 
 
 Godley, Mrs. C. M 133, 150, 207, 229, 237, 307 
 
 Godley, Mrs. Phillip 199, 253 
 
 Gordon, John R 68,78,82, 101,285 
 
 Gowdy, A. C 126 
 
 Gowdy, Miss Eliza 224 
 
 Grace Presbyterian Church 98 
 
 Grand Opera House 63 
 
 Greenlee, Rev. T. B ; 120 
 
 Guild, Westminster Missionary 151 
 
 Guilmant, Alexander 'jj 
 
352 
 
 Hahn, W. J 68 
 
 Hall, J. R 59, 209 
 
 Hall, Mrs. J. R 142 
 
 Hall, J. C 78 
 
 Hamer, Mrs. Collins 224 
 
 Handyside, Rev. John 121 
 
 Hamilton, Miss Jean loi 
 
 Harris, S. A 40, 43, 68, 82, 199, 285 
 
 Harris, Mrs. M. M 142, 147, 149, 155, 243, 246, 266 
 
 Hay, Rev. L. G 15 
 
 Hayes, W. H 68 
 
 Hays, Miss Catherine 229 
 
 Heffelfinger, Major C. B 199 
 
 Hefifelfinger, Mrs. C. B 251 
 
 Henderson, Mrs. A. M 155. 266 
 
 Highland Park Church 96, 97 
 
 Hill, Allen 52, 59, 61, 68, 87, 201 
 
 Hill, Mrs. Allen 251,307 
 
 Hill, H. M 129, 285 
 
 Hope Mission 91, 98 
 
 Chapel Superintendents 332 
 
 House of Faith Presbyterian Church 98 
 
 Hughes, Rev. Levi 10, 188, 222, 282 
 
 Hunter, Rev. Pleasant. .61, 69, 78, 116, 184, 213, 283, 284, 301, 311 
 
 Installation of 62 
 
 Resignation of 79 
 
 Hunter, Mrs. Pleasant 163, 255, 275 
 
 Incorporation of Church 6 
 
 Jackson, Rev. Sheldon 21 
 
 Janney, T. B 59, 61, 68, 92, 129, 250 
 
 Janney, Mrs. T. B 147, 150, 151, 165, 251, 253 
 
 Johnson, Rev. Herrick 54 
 
 Jubilee, General Arrangements of 172 
 
353 
 
 Jubilee, Fellowship Meeting 176 
 
 Jubilee Chapel Services 310 
 
 Jubilee Reception 219,220 
 
 Jubilee Sabbath 285 
 
 Jubilee Sabbath School Celebration 301 
 
 Jubilee Sacrament 280 
 
 Jubilee Women's and Young People's Celebration 220 
 
 Junior Chapter 171, 273 
 
 Kenyon, Miss E. E 146, 150, 155 
 
 Kerr, Rev. A. H 2 
 
 Kirkwood, Mrs. W. P 253 
 
 Kindergarten and Industrial Society 154, 260 
 
 Laton, W. S' 316 
 
 Ladies Aid Society 135 
 
 Lee, R. S 45 
 
 Leighton, H. N 68 
 
 Linn, Mrs. J. J 134, 220, 224, 239, 280 
 
 Logan, Miss M. E 149 
 
 Longbrake, Mrs. L. L 254 
 
 Lyndale Congregational Church 96, 97 
 
 Lyon, Rev. D. C 20 
 
 Lyon, Piatt W loi, 285 
 
 Mackay, Miss Collie 137 
 
 Maltby, Rev. H 2, 5, 281 
 
 Mateer, Mrs. Robert 142, 242 
 
 Mather, Miss Ellen 102 
 
 Membership, Growth of Annually 338 
 
 Men's Union 89, 317 
 
 Merriam Park Presbyterian Church 96, 98 
 
 Miller, A. R 92,96,101,285 
 
 Miller, George H 59, 61, 68, 91, 92, 95, 96, loi, 285 
 
 Miller, Mrs. George H 133, 155, 220, 275 
 
 Mission Chapels, Plan of Operation of 102 
 
354 
 
 Missionary Guild, The Westminster 151 
 
 Mitchell, Ethel 269 
 
 Moles, Mrs. Emily J 159, 162 
 
 Moles, E. J 129 
 
 Monroe, J. Hyde 45, 131, 142, 305, 306 
 
 Monroe, James L 130, 306 
 
 Moore, Charles E 43 
 
 Morgan, Mrs. A. C. .9, 125, 143, 146, 150, 155, 223, 224, 227, 239, 
 240, 249, 266, 282. 
 
 Morrison, Robert G 102 
 
 Morse, Mrs. Susan H 156, 160, 263 
 
 Mullin, Miss Hannah, 126, 224 
 
 Mullin, Miss Maggie 224 
 
 Murphy, George E loi 
 
 Myongo, Rev. Frank 139, 243 
 
 McCaslin, Mrs. Maggie Mullin 227 
 
 McCray, Miss 156 
 
 McCulloch, John 285 
 
 Mclntyre, Miss M. Eva loi, 156 
 
 McKee, Rev. J. A 13, 188, 282 
 
 McFarlane, W. K 6 
 
 McFarlane, Mrs. John G 224, 226, 239 
 
 McKnight, S. L 68 
 
 McLain, Samuel 198 
 
 McLain, Mrs. Samuel 198, 224 
 
 McMurdy, R. S 31, 305 
 
 McMurdy, Katharine 272 
 
 McNair, Isaac 3i, 45 
 
 McNair, W. W 9, 41, 52, 125, 129, 135, 207, 226 
 
 McNair, Mrs. W. W 126, 224, 227 
 
 Neill, Rev. Samuel G 121 
 
 Nicol, Mrs. Rebecca Van Cleve 145, 245 
 
 Northway, Mrs. W. P 155 
 
355 
 
 Oliver, Andrew W 5, 39, 206, 227, 230, 282 
 
 Oliver, Sarah E 5, 39, 97, 141, 225 
 
 Oliver Presbyterian Church 96, 98 
 
 Organization of Church 5 
 
 Organizations in Church, List of 332 
 
 Pastors, List of Present 325 
 
 Pastors, Former and Present. . .326 
 
 Pabody, Rev. Ezra E 59, 61, 122, 159, 196, 197 
 
 Pabody, Mrs. E. E 157, 220 
 
 Pabody & Whittaker 200 
 
 Paige, James 82, loi, 285 
 
 Paige, Rev. James A 218 
 
 Parochial Districts 336 
 
 Patterson, Rev. A. G 119, 122, 270 
 
 Paul, Rev. W. E 124, 321 
 
 Pearl Gatherers 167, 266 
 
 Pettit, Curtis H 6, 31, 41, 52, 68, 173, 179, 224 
 
 Pettit, Mrs. Deborah M. (C. H.) 5,179,227,238,249,282 
 
 Phillips, Harry E 187 
 
 Pittsburgh, Second Presbyterian Church of 126 
 
 Plum, Mrs. Mary 156, 263 
 
 Plummer, L. P 41, 129 
 
 Plummer, Mrs. Kate B. (L. P.) 133,146,165,307 
 
 Plymouth Congregational Church 63 
 
 Pomeroy, E. E 91, loi 
 
 Pomeroy, Mrs. E. E 131, 133, 146, 151, 156, 246, 253, 283 
 
 Porteous, James S 82, 131, 301, 309 
 
 Porteous, Mrs. W. N 286 
 
 Prentiss, A. G 61, 131 
 
 Publication, Board of 126 
 
 Ramsey, Mrs. B. C 28,140,165 
 
 Reid, A. M 41,52 
 
 Rice, Rev. Daniel 50 
 
356 
 
 Riheldaffer, Rev. J. G 2, 5, 14, i8, 281 
 
 Riverside Chapel 93 
 
 Superintendents of 332 
 
 Rockey, Mrs. Ann 225 
 
 Rodgers, W. F 91 
 
 Rodgers, Mrs. W. F 146, 155 
 
 Seventh Street Church — Begun 49 
 
 — Corner Stone Laid 50 
 
 — Dedicated 54 
 
 — Burned 62 
 
 Sittings in Church, Regulation of 334 
 
 Sabbath Schools 125 
 
 Superintendents of 331 
 
 Sample, Rev. Robert F. . .4, 20, 40, 63, 73, 78, 109, 138, 180, 192, 
 197, 201, 210, 250, 286. 
 
 Installation of 21 
 
 Resignation of 57 
 
 Sammis, T. A 92, loi, 285 
 
 Schucknecht, Mrs. M. F 149, 153 
 
 Sedgewick, Charles S 68 
 
 Shiloh Presbyterian Church 96, 98 
 
 Shryock, Mrs. Harriet 160, 263 
 
 Shulean, Miss N. S 148, 247 
 
 Sidle, H. G 40, 52, 59, 92 
 
 Sidle, Mrs. H. G 136, 250 
 
 Sidle, J. K 52 
 
 Sidle, Mrs. Margaret B. (J. K.) 14, 224, 226, 249 
 
 Skiles, Mrs. Isaac 150 
 
 Smith, C. V 102 
 
 Smith, Miss Ann 254 
 
 Smith, Mrs. Charles 2zy 
 
 Smith, J. Edward 102 
 
 Smith, Mrs. B. W 144, 245 
 
 Social Circle, The Westminster 162, 254 
 
357 
 
 Steele, Gaylord i68 
 
 Steele, J. A 186,285 
 
 S'telzle, Rev. Charles 121 
 
 Sterratt, Rev. J 3 
 
 S'tewart, Rev. Daniel 50, 69 
 
 Stewart Memorial Presbyterian Church 96 
 
 Stimson, Rev. H. A 50 
 
 Strong, Rev. Robert. . 15, 16, 108, 126, 127, 180, 190, 201, 228, 233, 
 
 Installed 15 
 
 Resigned 18 
 
 Stough, Mrs. Mary 229, 249 
 
 Stuart, Mrs. Mary 94 
 
 Tenney, William M 57, 59, 68, 76, 92, 96, 130, 209, 214, 307 
 
 Tenney, Mrs. William M 143, 150, 151, 155, 252 
 
 Terry, Mrs. LuElla H 147,151,152,253 
 
 Thayer, Rev. Charles 2, 9, 176, 185, 280, 281, 285 
 
 Thomas, John W 285 
 
 Thompson, Charles T . . 57, 59, 61, 63, 72, 78, 82, 84, 92, 93, 96, 
 130, 173, 178, 187,285,301. 
 
 Thompson, Mrs. Charles T 163, 255, 307 
 
 Thompson, L. K 102, 131, 309 
 
 Tomlinson, R. B., Jr 131, 285, 301, 309 
 
 Torrance, Ell 96 
 
 Tousley, O. V 31, 52, 129, 305 
 
 Trustees of Church — First Election 6 
 
 —Roll of 330 
 
 — Present Board 325 
 
 Tucker, Charles B „ 285 
 
 Twelfth Street Church— Begun 68 
 
 — Corner stone laid 69 
 
 — Occupied 77 
 
 — Dedicated 77 
 
 Van Anda, Rev. C. A 51 
 
 VanCleve, Mrs. Charlotte O 141 
 
358 
 
 Vanderburgh, Charles E 16,40,45,101,127,129,249,304 
 
 Vanderburgh Memorial Church '. 91 
 
 Van Tuyl, C. W 171,285 
 
 Varney, Miss Eliza 28, 235 
 
 Wolford, Miss Etta 224 
 
 Wolf ord, Mrs. Pete.r 224 
 
 Wagner, D. R 323 
 
 Wagner, Mrs. D. R 253 
 
 Wagner, H. W 49, 52, 207, 235, 237, 249 
 
 Wagner, Mrs. H. W 207, 234, 238, 249, 251 
 
 Walker, Mrs. Noah 224 
 
 Walker, Noah 226 
 
 Walker, Mrs. John 224 
 
 Walker, John 226 
 
 Ward, Rev. W. S 123 
 
 Ware, E. K 45 
 
 Weir, Mrs. H. S ISS, 260 
 
 Weld, Rev. Benjamin R 123 
 
 Weld, Miss Helen 273 
 
 Wesley, M. E. Church 63 
 
 Westminster Fellowship 172 
 
 Whitmore, Mrs. E. E 144, 199, 245 
 
 Whitney, Rev. J. C 96 
 
 Williams, Joseph C 222, 302 
 
 Williams. Mrs. Joseph C 5, 125, 222, 224, 226 
 
 Williams, Miss E. M 5,125 
 
 Williams, Mrs. John G 224 
 
 Williams, Joshua 129, 207, 221, 232, 235, 248, 303, 304 
 
 Williams, Miss Alice 224 
 
 Williams, Louis H 5,9,45,46,125,221,282 
 
 Williams, Mrs. Louis H 5, 125, 224, 226 
 
 Williams, Samuel M 45, loi, 129, 302 
 
 Williams, Mrs. E. S' 144, 240, 276 
 
 Williams, Stephen B 61 
 
359 
 
 Wilson, Eugene M 6, 48, 126, 13S, 226 
 
 Wilson, Mrs. E. B '. 150 
 
 Winston, Mrs. W. O 307 
 
 Winston, Mrs. S. P. B 249 
 
 Wishar d, George W 285 
 
 Woman's Foreign Missionary Society 138 
 
 Missionaries Aid Society 144, 240 
 
 Woman's Home Missionary Society 146 
 
 Woman's Sewing Society , 133 
 
 Woodhrull, S. C 171 
 
 Woodruff, H. S' 176 
 
 Woods, Rev. H. C 50 
 
 Young Men's Christian Association 64 
 
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