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HISTORY AND DIRECTORY
OF
TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
FO')R lE RILY
CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE NORTHERN LIBERTIES,
PHILADELPHIA.
BY
J A M E S Y. M I T C HE L L,
PASTOR.
J. W. DAUGHADAY & CO.,
PHILADELPHIA.
1873.




intered acco rding to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by
JAiMES Y. MITCHELL,
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D, C.
Righter & Gibson, Bidierg,
221i Chestnut St.




PREFACE.
THE idea of writing this history did not originate
with me. By a vote of the Board of Trustees, on
the 13th of April, 1868, my name was associated
with others on a committee to do a work of this
kind. The matter of compiling and writing was left
entirely to me. Very soon after this appointment,
engagements connected with the building of the
"New Church " were quite sufficient to claim all the
time I could reasonably give outside of my regular
pastoral duties. This will account for the work
being delayed until the present time. More recently
our Synod took formal action looking towards the
preparation of histories of individual churches, and
the "Presbyterian Historical Society," through its
Secretary, Mr. Samuel Agnew, has been earnest in
pressing this subject upon the attention of pastors.
For much of the introductory history in this
volume I am indebted to Rev. T. J. Shepherd, D. D.,




4                  PRIEFAE.
whose book, entitled " The Days that are Past,"
should be in the hands of all who are interested in
the beginnings of Presbyterianism in the northern
section of our city. I have also examined, in connection with our own church records, the records of
other churches. I have consulted with persons in
the city, and corresponded with others out of the
city, for facts, or for confirmatory evidence of facts
already possessed.
I have incorporated here and there, throughout
the work, so much of outside history as I have felt
requisite; for frequently what was going on without
was the occasion of, or gave coloring to, what was
going on within the church.
I am glad to believe that the work meets with the
cordial approval and endorsement of those to whom
it has already been submitted for examination, and
can desire no more than that its publication will intensify the attachment and love of our members to
this church, which God has so wonderfully kept,
and so signally blessed.
JAS. Y. MITCHELL.
MAY, 1873,




HISTORY.




"V WE HAVE THOUGHT OF THY LOVING KINDNESS, O, GOD, IN TIIE
MIDST OF THY TEMPLE. WALK ABOUT ZION, AND GO ROUND ABOUT
HER: TELL THE TOWERS THEREOF. MARK YE WELL HER BULWARKS,
CONSIDER HER PALACES; THAT YE MAY TELL IT TO THE GENERATION FOLLOWING. FOR THIS GOD IS OUR GOD, FOR EVER AND
EVER: HE WILL BE OUR GUIDE EVEN UNTO DEATIH."
Psalm, xlviii: 9, 12, 13, I4.




CHURCH HISTORY.
INTRODUCTORY HISTORY.
To THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH must be accorded
the honor of inaugurating regular religious services
in the northern section of our city.
For some time before the Revolutionary War,
when all north of Vine street was nothing more
than a country settlement, the Second Presbyterian
Church, then worshiping at the corner of Third and
Arch streets, held the "North End" of the city as a
field for their missionary labors.
There was not the attraction of a dense population
to call them to this work. There was no commodious or attractive room in which to gather a congregation. Love for souls, and a deep interest in the
Master's kingdom, alone impelled them to it.
Uninviting as the field was, the Second Church




8                HISTORY OF THE
cultivated it. Arrangements were made for services
to be held at stated times, in a small house, which
they provided and fitted up, at the north-east corner
of St. John and Coates streets.
The different pastors of that church fully entered
into that movement, and gave of their time and
talents to preach the unsearchable riches of Jesus
Christ in the midst of these waste places.
In the Providence of God, these pulpit ministrations were of the very highest order. During the
whole time that this was occupied as a missionary
field, the Second Church was blessed with four of the
very best preachers and pastors, viz.: Drs. Gilbert
Tennent, James Sproat, Ashbel Green, and Jacob J.
Janeway; men alike gifted, zealous, wise, warmhearted and evangelical.
These labors, so early begun, were interrupted by
the Revolutionary War.
The British army encamped here, and the house
in which religious services had been held was used
as a receptacle for military stores.
From this fact it received the name by which it
was afterwards known-" The Old Cannon House."
Soon after the termination of the " War," Rev. Dr.
Sproat revived the services which had been interrupted.
The congregation soon became too large for the
building they had, and, of necessity, they were led
to consider the project of erecting a church building
elsewhere.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        9
A  lot at the northwest corner of Second and
Coates streets, was donated for this object by Mr.
William Coates. Money was solicited and secured
for the building. The work went on, and on Sabbath, April 7th, 1805, the completed building was
opened with appropriate services.
This mission church was afterward formally organized into what is now known as the First Presbyterian Church in the Northern Liberties.
God abundantly blessed the labors which were
there bestowed. He poured out copiously of His
Holy Spirit upon the people, and the first pastor of
the church had the pleasing satisfaction of seeing
the membership grow from.fty-two, the number at
the time of his installation, January 11th, 1814, to
about eleven hundred, the number enrolled in the
spring of 1829, when it was proposed to move to a
more westward location.
The subject of removal was agitated for about
three years. In March, 1832, a lot of ground was
purchased in Buttonwood street, below Sixth, and in
May following, the work of building a new edifice
commenced.
The lecture room in the new church building
was opened for service in December of the same year;
and on May 12th, 1833, the audience room being finished, was appropriately dedicated to the worship
of God.
The signal success which attended the preaching
of Mr. Patterson, the crowds which waited on his




10              HISTORY OF THE
ministry, the constant growth of the population, and
the felt want of increased church accommodations,
led some of his people to seek for the establishment of
ANOTHER CHIURCH.
As early as the year 1825, one hundred and four
persons petitioned the Philadelphia Presbytery to
organize a new church.
Through their committee, the Presbytery organized
a church, to be known as the " Second Presbyterian
Church in the Northern Liberties."
This church called the Rev. James Smith to be
their pastor, and for five years maintained worship
in the Commissioners' Hall, in Third street, below
Green.
At the end of that time they undertook the erection of a building in Sixth street, above Green.
They succeeded in getting the building under roof;
and occupying the basement for worship, but they
were well-nigh overwhelmed with financial troubles.
At this time,
ANOTHER COLONY,
of thirty-eight persons, went out from the First
Church.
These persons had all along differed from their
brethren on the question of church site, and felt, too,
that they had an independent work to do for their
Master. They asked, therefore, to be dismissed, in
order to constitute the " Third Presbyterian Church
in the Nortlern Liberties."




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       11
Dismissed, and regularly organized into a church,
they met for worship, conducted by Rev. Hugh M.
Koontz, in a school-room on Poplar street, above
Second.
In the course of a few months, negotiations for the
union of the Second and Third Churches were begun
and consummated.*
The plan of union provided that both of the
churches should drop their names, and come together
under the name of " The First Presbyterian Church
of Penn Township."t  The pastor of the Second
Church was to resign, and Rev. H. M. Koontz, the
supply of the Third Church, was to be elected pastor
of the united church. The burden of completing the
building was to be borne by the Third Church.
Thus united, the work of finishing the building
was pushed rapidly forward.
II.
ORGANIZATION OF THE "CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
IN THE NORTHERN LIBERTIES."
IN the "First Church of Penn Township," differences of opinion soon arose, and before the congregation had occupied the audience-room of their
building, the communion was distracted and divided.
One part, by common consent, retained the house, the
* This new organization was effected November 21st, 1831.
t This church is now called " The North Presbyterian Church."




12              -HISTORY OF THE
pastor, and the name. The other part returned to
the school-room on Poplar street, worshiped there
for a short time, then went to "The Commissioners'
Hall," in Third street, below Green.*
In the second story of this hall a church organization was effected, on June 24th, 1835, under the title
of "The Central Presbyterian Church in the Northern
Liberties." Rev. John McDowell, D.D., presided,
and Rev. C. C. Cuyler, D.D., assisted at the organization. Twenty-one persons enrolled themselves as
members of the church. These persons presented
certificates of dismission to organize this new church,
as follows:
From the First Presbyterian Church, Penn Township.
CHARLES ELLIOT,         JOSEPH POND,
ANNA MARIA ELLIOT,    CATHARINE POND,
JOHN G. FLEGEL,         HANNAH HARBY,
SARAH FLEGEL,           MARGARET NAGLEE,
ELLEN NAGLEE,           ANN REYNOLDS,
JOSEPH NAGLEE,          BENJAMIN NAGLEE,
HANNAH A. NAGLEE,    HANNAH R. NAGLEE,
From the Fifth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia.
JOHN A. STEWART,        MARGARET STEWART.
Parom the First Presbyterian Church, Northern Liberties.
WILLIAM P. AITKEN,    AMELIA AITKEN,
JOSEPH AITKEN,          MARY M. AITKEN,
CHARLES C. AITKEN.
* This hall was torn down some few years ago, and in its place now stands the
Northern Liberties Public School.








a ral
T'I'W




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.                           13
After the organization, the people elected three
elders, who  were  solemnly  set apart to  their  office.
Agreeably to a notice given from  the pulpit, June
28th, 1835, an meeting of the congregation was held
on Monday, June 29th. At this meeting the congregation proceeded to an election for pastor, when a
call was unanimously made out for the pastoral services of Rev. WM. H. BURROUGHs.*
Mr. Burroughs had been preaching and laboring
in the Northern Liberties since the 19th of April,
preceding this meeting, and with considerable success.   He accepted the call of this congregation, and
was installed as the first pastor of this church by the
Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, on the evening of
August 24th, 1835.
The  installation  services  were  held  in  the  First
hIr. Burroughs was born in Vermont, and educated at Hamilton College,
N. Y. After leaving College, he taught for some time a classical school in
Trenton, N. J  Afterwards he became a teacher in the Manual Labor Institution at Germantown, Pa. When a Manual Labor Academy was instituted at
Elizabethtowsn, N. J., he was invited to take charge of it, which he did, and
continued in this position for two years, when he relinquished it, in order to give
his whole attention to preparation for the ministry. He was licensed to preach
the gospel by the Presbytery of Elizabethtown, February 19th, 1833. Two
months later, by the same Presbytery, he was ordained to the work of the gospel
ministry with a view to his laboring as a stated supply in the church at New
Providence, N. J. On October 8th, 1833, he was regularly installed as pastor of
that church. In the spring of 1834 he was called to the First Church, Penn
Township, but his Presbytery refused to release him from his charge at New
Providence. His health was greatly impaired about this time; and after a
journey to the South in 1834, he returned to his charge, followed by a call from
Oakland College, Mississippi, to become a Professor in that institution, also by
overtures from a number of persons in the First Church, Penn Township, to
come to this city and H1ad them in the formation of a congregation and the
building- of a new church. This invitation he accepted, and thus became the
first pastor of this church.




14              HISTORY OF THE
Presbyterian Church, N. L., by invitation from the
pastor, Rev. James Patterson.
Before this church organization, however, the people, though small in numbers, were arranging for
the building of a church edifice. By mutual agreement, Messrs. Joseph Naglee, Benjamin Naglee, Joseph
Pond, John A. Stewart, and John G. Flegel, met
with Mr. Charles Elliot, at his house, on December
31st, 1834, to consult together "on the expediency of
erecting a building, to be occupied by a FPesbyterian
congregation, in the Northern Liberties."
After prayer, and a free conversation on the subject named, this little company organized themselves
into what they denominated an "' Association," having
for its object the "purchase of a lot of ground, and
the erection thereon of a building of sufficient dimensions to accommodate a congregation, and also to be
so constructed as to be useful for Sunday and infant
schools, and any other object by which the morals and
minds of the youth of this neighborhood may be
improved."
Frequent meetings of the Association were held,
and arrangements were soon entered into to purchase
ground on the north side of Coates street, below
Fourth. At this place there were two lots adjoining, belonging to different owners, and occupied at
the time with small houses. To one of these owners
was given $4,000, and to the other $3,650, making a
total for the lots and buildings thereon of $7,650.
The Association added other persons to their merm







a~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.         15
bership, and they held the property, which they
secured, in stock, at $200 per share.
The two lots purchased, when thrown into one,
had a frontage on Coates street of 80 feet, and ran
back to a depth of 157 feet.
The work of cleaning the ground, and preparing
for building, was soon actively commenced. The
small houses on the front of the lot, to the east and
west, were allowed to remain, while an avenue, 30
feet wide, was opened in the center, running back 81
feet from the building line on Coates street. Where
this avenue ended, the front of the church building
stood.
The building itself was 61 feet wide by 66 feet
deep. It was built of stone and rough-cast. Its
design was plain, but attractive, and was in rigid
conformity to the style of church architecture common at that day.
The trees which grew on either side of the long
avenue, gave a special attractiveness to the exterior
as one approached the building, and we have no
doubt that its projectors and builders regarded it
coimplete, as completeness was reckoned in those days.
When finished, it had on the main floor of the audience-room one hundred and seventeen pews, and in
the gallery thirty pews. These pews afforded sitting
accommodation for about seven hundred persons.
On the lower floor, there were the lecture room,
which was used also as the main Sunday School
room  th-e session and trustees' room, and the Infant: tnladay Schtool room.




16                  HISTORY OF THE
Like all the lecture rooms of churches built about
this time, the one in this church was, in the true
sense of that word, a basement.  Its floor was several
feet below the line of the pavement, and we wonder
not, that in our day, many complaints were made
of its darkness and dampness.
One of the essentials of a church property in those
days, was to have provision made for the burial of
the dead. Hence, burial vaults were arranged on the
east side, and in front of the building. Some of
these were designed for the poor of the church, some
for rent to outside parties, and some for sale to any
desiring to purchase.
The work of building had so far progressed during
the spring and summer of 1835, that on the 12th of
October, the Association appointed a committee to invite the congregation worshiping in Commissioners'
IHall, which had been duly organized as the Central
Presbyterian Church  in the Northern Liberties, to
come, with their pastor, and hold their services in
the Session room of the new building.
This invitation was accepted, and on the 14th of
November, 1835, this church and congregation, not
only met there for worship, but with appropriate exercises formally dedicated the lower room to the service of God.*'
* A short time before the opening of the church, the pastor had ruptured a
blood vessel. In avery weak condition, he attended the opening services. Rev.
MAr. Bacon, a city missionary, preached the sermon. The pastor offered the
prayer, and baptized Miss Malvina Walton, who was received into the church on
profession of faith. This was the last time Mr. Burroughs wasin the church.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.           17
While the work of finishing the main room of the
buillding was goinlg  on, the attention of the congregation was directed to the framing of a Constitution,
and the seeuring of a Charter.
A Constitution was adopted ill the beginning of
the year 1836, and the Charter was obtained and recorded at Harrisburg, July 8th, of the same year.
1Undler this Constitution and Charter the following,ersons constituted the first Board of Trustees:
IENJAMIN NAGLEE,        To serve until the second
C(11HARLES EZLLIOT,.  Monlday in Januarly,
oHiN A. S4TEWART,                1837.
LED)WARD PATTESON,      To serve until the second
CASPA.R — EAGER,          AMondray in January,
PETER MINTZER,                   1838.
JOSEPH _PONYD          To serve until the second.JOSEPH NAGIEE,          Mifonday in January,
JOHTN (G. FLEGEL,               1.839.
The first annual mreeting of the congregation,
tunder the Charter, was held January 9th, 1837; at
which time Mlessers. B. Naglee, C. Elliot, and J. A,
Stewart, whose terrn of service in the Board had expired, were elected by ballot, to serve for three years.
T''he first meeting of the Board of Trus-tees, under
the Charter, was held July 27th, 1836.  An election
for officers took place with thet following:result:
President, CHARLES ELLIOT.
Secretary, EDWARD PATTESON.
Treasurer, BENJAMIN NAGLEE.
2




i8              HISTORY OF TIM
At this meeting a. committee was appointed to
confer with the Association, relative to the transfer
of their property to this congregation. Also, a comnmittee to draft suitable By-Laws for the government
of the Board.
While these temporal interests were being considered, the churlch  was not neglecting spiritual
affairs. They maintained their services regularly,
and the spirit of the records shows that all the melmbers were awake to do the " will of God."
Their pastor, however, Rev. Win. II. Burroughs,
was compelled by feeble health to leave them, and in
less than one year from the time of his installation,
God called him " Home."
There were added to the church, during his ministry, twenty-three persons.
CALL DECLINED.
The congregation met, agreeably to notice given
from the pulpit, on Tuesday evening, May 10th,
1836, to proceed if the way be clear, to the election
of a pastor. At this meeting they elected Rev.
Robert Dunlap, then of Danville, as their pastor,
Mr. Dunlap, however, declined to accept the call of
this congregation.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCHI                     19
IIL
REV. T. A; J. MINES, THE SECOND PASTOR.
About the ist of August, 1836, the upper part of
the church building was finished  and  appropriately
opened for Divine Service.
The people, who had (since the  dissolution of Mr.
Burroughs' pastoral relation) been depending on supplies for their pulpit, now took steps to call a pastor.
Accordingly, on the 26th  of August, 1836, a congregational meeting was held, and Rev; Thomas A. JI
Mines was elected pastor.  lie was installed  in the
month of September following.  His ministry among
the people was brief.  Sickness compelled him, at the
end of two months, to retire from  the work.*
The congregation were again  dependent on pulpit
supplies, but the people kept in good heart, and diligently applied themselves to their labors.
The committee of the Trustees appointed to confer
with the Associatioif relative to the transfer of their
property  to  the  congregation, made  their  report
August 13th, 1836.  It was in  substance as follows 
"The Association express a willingness to transfer
* We have been unable to obtain detailed information concerning Mr. Mines.
We know only that he was born in Virginia, and that in 1832 he was received
as a student in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, N. J. Here he continued
for a little over a year, when he went to Maysville, Ky.; then to Germantown,
Pa.; and afterwards to Carbondale, Pa. Hie was preaching at the latter place
when he received the call to this church, which he accepted. This was his last
charge. Upon resigning, he went to the house of his father, Rev. John Mines,
who then lived at Rockville, Md. After an illness of about fifteen months, God
called him home.




20               HISTORY OF THE
the property now held by them ign Coates street, near
Fourth, to this congregation, provided this congregation pay them  the amount of money advanced by
them, and assume all the responsibility incurred by
them in purchasing the lot, and erecting the building
and burial vaults, so as to release them."
This proposition was accepted by the Trustees, and
ca committee was appointedl to imake the arrangelments
and receive the transfer, sulbject to tohe approval of
the congregation.
Considerable delay occurred before the matter was
consummlated; a delay, as we learn from the report
of the Trustees, made at a congregational meeting
held January 8th, 1838, occasioned by the unfinished
condition of the church, and the unfinished state of
the accounts of the Association.
At this meeting the congregation empowered the
Board of Trustees to make all the necessary arrangements for the transfer of the property to them, and
to call the congregation togethller ALwhen they were
ready to report.
At a meeting of the congregatioon, hleld April 24th,
1838, the terms of the transfer were read inl detail,
and, on mlotion, "the Trustees were a~uthorized to
carry the conditions of the Association into efTect,
by giving corporation notes, andl executi(r the deeds
and moritgages therein specified."
The whole cost of the property, includling lot,
building and vaults, was $28,488.85.  Deducting the
amount credited to the congregation from the time












TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.                 21
of its occupancy of the building, there was a balance
still due the Association of $21,289.92. This was
the actual indebtedness of the church at the time of
the transfer. From the sale of pews and burial vaults,
this amount was afterwards reduced to $17,039.92,
which was called the " standing debt."
The congregation, at the time they accepted the
property, with the heavy debt resting upon it, was
comparatively small. The records show quite clearly
that the average attendance upon the Sabbath services
was less than two hundred persons. Yet they were
a people accustomed to church hardships and church
toil; and, as their annual reports in these early
years so frequently express it, they labored patiently,
zealously and unitedly, trusting ever in the blessing
of God.
IV.
REV. ANSON' ROOD, THE THIRD PASTOR.*
I-T wras the good fortune of this people, under God,
to call as their pastor Rev. Anson Rood, friomn  Danbury, Connecticut.  HEe was douly installed December
15th, 1887.  His salary was fixed at $1000 per annum. It seems that Mr. Rood was eminently qualified
* Mr. Rood was born in Vermont. I-e gradciated at Middleburg College, Vt.,
in 182i5. }'o a short time after graduation hie was a student in Princeton Theological Semifnary. He was ordained a pastor of the chluch at Danbury, C'onn.,
April 23d, 1829. He continued with his first charge until he accepted the call
to this church. After resigning his pastoral charge of this church, his health
never permitted himn to undertake the work again.




22               HISTORY OF THE
to encourage the people. Ile entered heartily into
their work. He was one with them.
We might reasonably expeet that there would be
embarrassing times for years to cone, after a feeble
church had assumed such a weight of debt. But it
was conmfortig to this people to have in their pastor
one who, never lespairing,, bade them "go forward.3"
While it is bewildering to us to read of liabilities,
deficiencies, loans and mortgages, which constantly
mneet our eyes in turning the pages of our earliest
records, it is quite gratifying to discover that those
who have gone before us were never slow to suggest
ways and means to meet the demands upon them.
The pastor constantly stirred up the people, from
the pulpit, to a remenmbraince that these must be met.
Subscription papers were started on the Sabbath, and
during the week. These were scarcely out of sight
before others were presented. Such rooms as could
be used were rented for week-day schools. The
ladies formed a "Mite Society."  The people were
earnestly solicited to give more liberally to -the Sabbath collections. All the income of the church was
voted to meet the claims upon it, and the pastor's
salary was to be met by voluntary subscriptions.
Pew rents were raised, and lowered, and raised again,
as the exigency of the case required.  Money was
raised on mortgage, so that a previous mortgage
might be paid, and those who had it in their power
frequently relieved the church from pressing claims,
by making temporary loans,,




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        23
Such was, in brief, the condition of temporal things
during the nine years succeeding the time of the
transfer of the property trom the Association to the
congregation.
During the spring of 1847, a determined effort began to change the aspect of affairs. A committee,
in conjunction with the pastor, undertook to raise an
amount sufficient to free the church from all embarrassment. They were so far successful that on May
26th, 1847, according to a previous announcement,
the congregation met to congratulate each other, and
return thanks to God. At this meeting a series of
congratulatory resolutions were adopted; and after
enjoying some refreshments, which had been provided, the congregation adjourned.
The measure of this success, as we find reported at
a congregational meeting, held January 11th, 1848,
was the reduction of the "permanent debt" from
$15,200 to $8,750. During that same year the two
lots on Coates street, to the front of and east and
west of the church, and running back eighty feet,
were sold to parties with the understanding that
they should erect thereon two fine brick dwellings.
For these lots the Board of Trustees received $3,000.
This amount with the special effort before named,
enabled the Trustees, in their annual report, presented in 1848, to announce the "permanent debt"
of the church to be $5,750. In addition to this, they
reported also a floating debt of $1,349.
During these years, when the congregation was




24                HISTORY OF THE
mtruggling to maintain itself, we do well to renmember that it was not forgetful of the wants of others.
The church was opened tim-e and again for worthy
olbjects.  The Tract, the Bible, the Mission, anid
other causes, were allowed to be presented, a.lnd appeals for help were cheerfiully and liberally responded
to.  So truly- was this the case, and so generally was
the fact known, that our church had the honorable
reputation of being one of the most benevolent in
the city.  So deeply interested was the 1p-astor in behalf of the needy, that his seeking after them, andc
mIaking provision. for their necessities, amounted
almost to a passion.  I-e not only cheerfilly gave of
his own su bstance, but canvassed his congregation
for further giftts to help the deserving poor whom
he had previously sought out. HTis large-heartedTess was fully understood and appreciated by the
congregation.  They in turn sought to "' devise liberal things.'" TI hey kept their property in good repair,
altered it, sometimes at considerable expense, if the
improvements of the times or the comforts of the
people required it.
For the first time in its history, thle building was
closed from  the latter part of June, 1841, until the
8th of August, for repairs.  DTuLing this time it was
thoroughly cleaned and painted.  An organ wvas
placed in the gallery, pipes were introdlucedl into the
building, and gaslight t.ook the place of oil light.
In every way the people sought to make the place
suitable for a worshiping assembly.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,         25
It is not to be wondered at that God gave spiritual
blessings to those who were bent upon building up
his church. He continually reminded them that he
was with them. During these years he poured out
his tHoly Spirit, and there were added unto the
church a goodly number of souls.
One precious revival began in the winter of 1842,
and continued without interruption for twelve weeks.
It was denominated  "The Great Revival."  Aeetings were held every evening but Saturday evening,
and, as a result, more than one hundred were convertedc and added to the church.
IMr. Rood's health had become greatly impaired,
so that he was compelled to seek rest from his pastoral cares. Accordingly he addressed the following
letter to the Session of the church, and they, in turn,
laid it before the people at a congregational meeting
held Januar-  24th. 1849.
Dear Brethraen:
I alddress.you, as the proper organ of communication with the church and congregation, in reference to a subject  mitually interesting to them  and
myself. For rna:y weeks as is -well known, I have
been laid asidce fiom my usual labors, and I see no
prospect of being lble to resume them. I am quite
sensible thatt the congregation whose interests I have
hl-ad so muclh at; heart, must suffer inconvenience and
ilnjury by this long suspension of pastoral labor; and
I have resolved, therefore, to resign my pastoral
charge, that there may be no impediment in filling
uiy place wvith one whose time and energies, shall be




26              HISTORY OF THE
devoted to the work in which I have been engaged.
In taking this step (which it is proper to say is entirely the prompting of my own convictions of
duty), there are a thousand tender recollections, and
associations, which press upon my mind. I think of
months and years that are past, of the harmonies
and happy charge I left to comle among you; of my
hopes and plans, my desires and ainms.'But on this
topic, I must not, I cannot dwell. In my present
circumstances as nimay well be supposed, an enlargement upon thenm  must be extremely painful
to me.
Let me through you, express to all the members
of the church and congregation, my sincere thanks
for all their kind attention and regard.'We have
lived together in great harmony. We shall part, I
am sure, with feelings of mutual kindness and good
will. That the richest blessings of the Good Shepherd, -may rest on you and yours, that you may be
firmly established in the faith, and devoted to every
good word and work, is the desire and prayer of your
sincere friend and pastor,
(Signed)   A. RooD.
PHILAD)ELPHIA, January 6, 1849.
After the reading of the letter from Mr. Rood, a
committee, consisting of Messrs. E. D. Tarr, R. M.
Foust, Wm. Sanderson, and Isaac Ashmead, was appointed to draft resolutions, expressive of the sentiments of the meeting. The congregation engaged
in devotional exercises, until the committee were
prepared to report.
After a season of absence, the majority of the
committee reported as follows;




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.         27
Resolved, 1st. That, in view of the peculiar state
of the Rev. A. Rood's health, and his consequent
desire to withdraw from the pastoral duties of this
church and congregation; we do not deem it advisable to oppose his expressed desire to be dismissed.
Resolved, 2d. That this congregation deeply and
sincerely regret, that the health of Mr. Rood, was
*deeim-ed by him such as to make it necessary, in his
opinion, to withdraw from his pastoral  relations with
this church.
Resolved, C3d. That the uniform  and consistent
character, the amiable and Christian deportment, the
zealous and untiring and successful discharge of the
pastoral relations of the Rev. A. Rood, call forth
our highest admiration  and  commendation, and
cause us to feel more sensibly the pangs of separation.
Resolved, 4th. That,, in retiring from the position
in which for a long season he has faithfillly labored,
our pastor carries with him our regret for the separation, our sympathies for his trials, and our earnest
prayers for his speedy recovery to health.
Resolved, 5th. That three members of this congregation be appointed to represent this congregation
in Presbytery.
AMr. Isaac Ashmead, the other mnemnber of the
committee, who had not subscribed to the resolutions
as offered, proposed the following as an amendment:
To strike out all after the first word, "Resolved,"
and insert the following:  "That in view of the peculiar circumstances in which our pastor has been for
a long time placed, it is inexpedient to take action
upon his communication at the present time."
The people, by the discussion which followed, gave




28              HISTORY OF THE
evidence that they were not yet prepared to act in
the matter. They disposed of the whole subject at
that meeting, by laying the communication from
their pastor, with the resolutions of their committee,
and the proposed amendment, upon the table, and
adjourned to meet March 5th, 1849.
At this meeting, the following preamble and resolution were adopted unanimouslv:
"WHEREAS, The session communicates the fact to
the meeting this evening, that the Rev. A. Rood,
in a letter dated February 23d, 1849, has renewed his
desire that his resignation should be accepted; therefore,
Resolved, That the resolutions reported at the
meeting held January 24th, be adopted.
Messrs. Elihu D. Tarr, Robert M. Foust, and Geo.
C. Bower, were appointed commissioners to represent the church and congregation at the next meeting of the Presbytery.
Messrs. B. D. Stewart, Wm. Sanderson, Thos.
Beaver, Sam]l. T. Bodine, and Henry Davis, were appointed a committee to wait upon Rev. A. Rood,
and commnlnicate to him the proceedings of this
meeting.
From this time MALr. Rood was uTnable to resume
the pastoral work. As much as lay in his power,
however, he tried to work for his Master. The people of this church continued to hold hinm in afiectionate remembrance, and their regard for him was
embodied in the following preamble and resolutions,
which are recorded in the minutes of Session February 22d, 1858:




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.           29
WHEREAS, The Rev. Anson Rood departed this
life November 27th, 1857; and
WHEREAS, from  December 15th, 1837, to March
5th, 1849, 1Mr. Rood was the beloved pastor of the
Central Presbyterian Church, N. L.; and
WHEREAS, we consider it alike the duty and tlhe
privilege of the Church of Christ to glorify God in
those who have been faithful unto death; therefore,
Resolvedl, That itl our deceased friendc and pastor
we recognize one who, with no ordinary zeal and selfdenial, faithfully served his day and generation,
aiming, to the full extent of his powers, alike by the
pulpit and the press, to promote the welfare of the
cause of Christ, of his country, and the world.
Resolved, That during the time that he went out
and in among us as our pastor, there is but one testimony to be given by us to his love for souls, his zeal
for the honor of Christ, his svrnpathy with the destitute and the ignorant, and his st teadftast imitation of
the example of Him who wnent a},bout doing good.
Foremost in every good word afnd nwrork, whether of
a local or a general character, elninently  sagacious,
far-seeing and public-spirited, lls mi(eat ancld his drink
it was to dro the will of his Fathelr in heaLven.
Resolved, Tlhat while we tlhus bear otur eordi-al and
united testimonl  as to ]~is otffichil c]11a(cter, we also
relemember him  as the lione4st and(-M. ti',riglht man, the
warm-hear, ted and sincere fi'iend.  Tlle srympathy
and respect alread.y m.tmifested tio rIim b)y his brethren in the ministry, we ftully respond to and reciprocate, as thle jpeople of' Iis ctlh"lae.
During the eleven years and tlllree   ontlls that
Mr. Rood was pastor of this church, there were
added to the nrmemlbers-hip four lhundred and thirty
persons.




IHISTORY OF THE
REV. T. J. SHEPHERtD, DECIINES A CALL.
About three months after the resignation of Mr.
Rood, the people, believing that they had heard a
sufficient number of candidates preach in their pulpit,
united in a request to the Session, to call a congregational meeting, for tile ptlrpose, if' the way be clear,
of electing a pastor.
The Session acceded to this request, and accordingly a meeting of the congregation was held June
8th, 1849. At this meetilng the Rev. T. J. Shepherd
was elected pastor.  Mrl  Shepherd at that time
was pastor of the Harmony Presbyterian Church,
Lisbon, Md., and a member of the Presbytery of the
District of Columbia. At the present time he is the
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, N. L.
Messrs. R. M. Foust, E. D. Tarr and S. T. Bodine
were appointed commissioners, on the part of the
congregation, to prosecute the call before the Presbytery of the District of Columbia. This Committee met the last-named Presbytery in the city of
Washington, August 7th, 1849. They pressed the
claims of this congregation before that body, when,
by a majority of one in Presbytery, the call was put
into the hands of Mr. Shepherd. He declined to
accept it, giving his reasons before his co-presbyters.
These reasons he afterwards embodied in a letter,
which was read at a meeting of this congregation,
held August 31st, 1849. From this letter we learn
that the peculiar necessities of the charge he then
had, the interests which he had excited, and which








-4z~s                        z.? >'...j  ~', i j}'f i-"i'.... ~t'!x  x?:-'-"?~ -   i;~,BP~.~iI~.e 
~ ~. ~.4~~~.~~~~~~ ~.~./ll~   ~-/ /~-~~~-~J~r~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.                           31
needed his further encouragement; the transition
state  of his  church  from   a  missionary -to a self-s ustaining condition; the divided sentiment among his
brethren in Presbytery on the subject of his removal,
together with other reasons, had determined him in
his decision.
Many hopes had been cherished by this people that
the acceptance of their call by Mr. Shepherd would
greatly advance the interests of the church.  These
hopes were destroyed for a time by his declination.
V.
REV. JAMES  P. WILSON, D.D., THE  FOURTH  PASTOR.'
The congregation had now been without a pastor,
for ten months.   I cannot better express the state of'
things at that time than by collating the language
of others, as found in the Minute Book.
* Dr. Wilson was born in Philadelphia, Pa. He was ready for college when
he was twelve years old, but did not enter until he was thirteen, and graduated
at the University of Pennsylvania when he was sixteen years of age. He engaged in teaching, first at Hartsville, and then at Lancaster, Pa. In the spring
of 1829 he commenced his theological studies under his father, Rev. James P.
Wilson, D.D., who was said to be one of' the best preachers in this country..
He was licensed to preach by the Philadelphia Presbytery October 20th, 1830,
and in 1839 was ordained and installed pastor of the church in Neshaminy. In
July, 1847, he was elected President of Delaware College, Newark, Del.; and in
March, 1850, was installed as the pastor of this church. In the fall of 1850 he
accepted the Professorship of Systematic Theology in Union Theological Semi=nary, N. Y., and in the fall of 1853 resigned his Professorship, and was installed
as pastor of a new church in Newark, N. J., where he still continues.




32               HISTORY OF THE
"The congregation had become discouraged and.
scattered.  The church edifice needed not only remodeling, but repairing withlin ancd withoutt."
"IMoney, greatly needlecl, was not possessed(, and
with difficulty could hardly be obl)tained."
"The members were conmparatively few, and_ these,
by reason of frequent di app:)ointments, and thle l:olpeless aspect of aftairs, had lost mi-ucll of their tformer
Ferrvor and zeal."
At this juncture the congregation (Jan. 4th1, 1850)
called Rev. James P. 5Wilson, i).D., to become their
pastor. He was at that time I'President; of Delaware
College, at Newark, Delaware. Being -a -man of comnmandincg talents and elevated piety, it was believed
tliat, under God, he would save the chu-rch and addl
largely to its power.
Th'le acceptance of thl:e call by Dr. W' ilson infused
a new life among the people.  The'lly remodeled thle
interior of the churlch building.  They had it _repainte(l aud re-papered, and several pledged tlhenrlselves to make up all deficiencies.  The p1.rom-ised
salalry  of Dr.,Wilson was S1 0()0 per annum, but the
revenue from  pews enabled the eono re(oatioln,   t an
adjourned meeting, held Felibrarll    24lth-, 1(851, to vote
an increase to $2,000.
Everything was promising w\ell, when the congregation was unexpectedly disturbed with rumors that
their pastor was called to a neighbloring city.  These
rumors quickly were resolved into shape, for it became known that Dr. Wilson had been elected to




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.         33
the chair of Theology in Union Theological Seminary, New York City.
At a meeting of the congregation, held January
13th, 1851, Messrs. E. D. Tarr, B. D. Stewart, W. F.
Smith, R. M. Foust, S. T. Bodine, C. Moore, and
J. A. Spencer, were appointed a committee to draft
resolutions expressive of the views of the congregtation regarding this matter. These resolutions are
embodied in the report of the commissioners afterwards chosen to represent the church in Presbytery.
The Fourth Presbytery of Philadelphia cited the
congregation to appear, by their commissioners, at a
meeting to be held in the church, on Tuesday, February 18th, 1851, to show cause why their pastor
should not be translated to another field of labor.
In accordance with this citation, the congregation,
at a meeting held February 13th, 1851, appointed
Messrs. H. H. Shillingford, E. D. Tarr, S. T. Bodine,
R. M. Foust, and Henry Davis, commissioners, with
instructions to oppose, by all suitable and Christian
means, such translation.
The work of these commissioners will be best
understood by giving in full their report as made to
the congregation, February 24th, 1851:
"To the Members of the Chuzirch and Congregation of the
Central Presbyterian Chutrch in the Northern Liberties.
"BRETHREN: —The undersigned,, commissioners appointed to represent this corporation in the, Fourth
Presbytery of Philadelphia, at a meeting of that
2




84              HISTfCY &F THE
body, held in this place on the 18th inst., to take
into consideration the application of the Union Theological Seminary of New York, for the services of
our pastor, who had been elected to the Professorship
of Theology in that institution, report:
1" That they have attended to the duties of their
appointment, and are now prepared to make report
of their proceedings in detail, and surrender up to
this body the powers thus delegated to them.
"' It must be perfectly understood by all that the
claims for the services of Dr. J. P. Wilson for this
Seminary, if admitted, involved the loss of our pastor.
The question, therefore, was one of the greatest interest to this church, and so the commissioners felt
it. And perhaps it was well that it was so, for the
magnitude of the subject inspired their zeal, and
nerved them for the effort; and, by the grace of God,
they are happy to say that their efforts have been
blessed and crowned with success.
"The commissioners deemed it most advisable to
place upon paper the views entertained by them, and,
as they believed, by this congregation, and give a
consecutive history of the church and its operations
from the time of the call of Dr. Wilson to the present
time. This they believed would greatly facilitate
the prosecution of tile matter by the members of the
Presbytery, in the understanding of the subject, and
appreciating the opposition to the removal of Dr.
Wilson, and such they believe was the effect of that
ftatemenmt.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.         35
"Another object had in view was, that their action, whether for good or evil, could be reported to
and reviewed by you. That paper, with all its imperfections, was submitted to the Presbytery after
much prayer, and with great anxiety as to your
sentiments upon this important matter. It is as
follows:
To the iMembers of the Fourth Presbytery of Philadelphia.' BRETHREN:-The undersigned have been appointed
commissioners to your body from the Central Presbyterian Church, N. L., as will appear from the action of the church and congregation, now before you,
in obedience to a citation from you, in regard to the
subject of the dismissal of the Rev. James P. Wilson,
D.D., the present pastor of said church. They therefore deem it expedient to present for your consideration the following statement of facts and views, so
that should the Presbytery decide in favor of remnoving him from his present charge, the fearful responsibility may rest with them, under a full knowledge
of the facts in the case.
4" In January, 1850, this church had been without a
stated minister for upwards of ten months. The congregation bad become discouraged and scattered.
The church edifice was greatly out of repair, and
needed much, a modernizing hand. To make the
necessary alterations and repairs, a considerable
amount of funds were required, and a great rallying point made necessary' for our finances were




36              HISTORY OF THE
exhausted, our resources cut off, our members ctmparatively few, and of these the love of many waxed
faint, and others became entirely discouraged.; "At this juncture, it was deemed, by those members of the church whose faith took a firm hold upon
the blessed promises revealed in God's word, to be
their duty to make a united and persevering effort
to procure the services of one whose commanding
talents and elevated piety would not only secure this
church from impending ruin, but place "Constitutional Presbyterianism"* in this section of the city
on a firm basis.
"1 Thus believing, and thus aiming, under the lead
of Divine Providence, they made selection of the
Rev. J. P. Wilson, D.D., and unanimously elected him
their pastor. To insure his services, it became necessary that the church edifice should be altered and
repaired, involving a cost of upwards of $2,300, and
that provision should be made for an increase of
salary after the first year. This was promptly done,
and a few individuals pledged themselves to the congregation that they would see the matter fairly
through, and make up any deficiency in the c'urrent
expenses of the church. With this understanding,
the call was made out and accepted.
"This understandinog cost those who pledged themselves for the deficiency the sum rising $2,200, but
they faithfully kept their engagement; and as the
A title designating the former "'New School " branch of the hur eh




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        34
end of the fiscal year approached they congratulated
themselves upon the bright prospects which gilded
the future. They saw, with pleasure and deep gratitude an increasing congregation, a growing interest
on the subject of our holy religion, and every indication to inspire the belief that the day was not far
distant when enough could be spared to plant a
branch from this vine in the adjoining and flourishing district of Spring Garden, where but one " Constitutional" church now exists-the Logan Square
Church.:" Just at this critical moment came the call from
the New York Theological Seminary., for the services
of Dr. Wilson, the effect of which, with all the other
painful circumstances, has been to distract our people,
paralyze our efforts, and threaten the dearest interests
of this branch of the Presbyterian Church in this
section of the city.
" We cannot but look upon this call as exceedingly
untimely and unfortunate, when viewed in connection with some of the means used in prosecuting it.
After carefully weighing all the arguments and reasons presented by our brethren, the committee from
tile Seminary, we ann ot bring our minds to the conelusion that the call should be responded to. We
have looked in vain for the evidence to justify us in
such a belief. On the contrary, all the indications of
God's overruling Providence in the matter are, to our
own hearts and minds, conclusive that this is the field
of labor to which our beloved pastor is called. It is




38               HiSTOR'oY OF T'lfE
true that twenty out of thirty of the Trustees of the
Seminary joined in the call, and forwarded it through
a very able and zealous committee,* who, as we think,
have pressed the claims of the Seminary with undue
ardor. As illustrative of this point, we state that
this committee have, as they themselves say, visited
this city some five different times previous to this, to
press this call upon our pastor, without the knowledge of the authorities of the church and congregation; in addition to which, the following announcement appeared in the New York Tribune on the 12th
inst.:
" UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.-Rev. Henry B.
Smith will be inaugurated as Professor of Ecclesiastical History in this institution, at the Mercer Street
Church, this evening. Prof. Smith will deliver an
address and the charge will be delivered by Rev. Dr.
Cox. The services will commence at 7 2 o'clock.
Rev. James P. Wilson, D.D., has signified to the
Fourth Presbytery of Philadelphia, of which he is a
member, his conviction that it is his duty to accept
the call from the Seminary to be Professor of Theology. On the accession of Dr. Wilson the Faculty
will be complete. It is expected that he will enter
upon his new labors as soon as he can regularly be
transferred to the institution."
" This announcement was followed by one of a similar, but more conclusive character, by Rev. Samuel
11. Cox, D.D., one of the committee, from the pulpit
of the church, and at the meeting referred to in the
* D-s Cox and S!inner.




T EMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       39
above notice. In the New York Observer of the 13th
inst. the following notice appeared:
"RUNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.-Rev. James P.
Wilson, ID.D., has signified to the Fourth Presbytery
of Philadelphia, of which he is a member, his conviction that it is his duty to accept the call from the
Union Theological Seminary of this city, to be Professor of Theology in that institution. It is understood that neither the Presbytery nor his church,
strongly attached as they are to their pastor, intends
to make opposition to his coming. On the accession
of Dr. Wilson, the Faculty will be complete. It is
expected that he will soon enter upon his new
labors"
" The effect of these announcements on the public
mind may be gathered from the following editorial
in the North American, of this city, on the morning
of the 13th inst.:
"The Rev. James P. Wilson, D.D., who has for
some time past had charge of a congregation in this
city, has accepted a call to become Professor of Theology in the Union Theological Seminary of New
York."
" It will be borne in mind that this editorial -followed the announcement made in the Tribune, and
at the Mercer Street Church, in the evening of the
same day, and came out in the morning of the day
when our congregational meeting took place in the
evening. This was so far from a correct stateiment
of the fact, that Dr. Wilson deemed it but proper
and just to authorize the following contradiction,.




40              RISTORY OF Tilt
which appeared in the North American, of this city,
on the 14th inst.:
" The Rev. James P. Wilson, of whom we yesterday announced, on the authority of a New York
paper, that he had accepted the Professorship of
Theology in the Union Theological Seminary of
that city, informs us that he has not yet responded
to the invitation."
" It would scarcely be prudent for the commissioners to say that there was any design in the foregoing announcement to forestall public sentiment, or
influence the action of this body. We simply state
the facts, and leave the conclusions to be drawn by
the Presbytery.
"' The recent settlement of Dr. Wilson among us,
under the circumstances named; the great necessity
for his valuable labors in this section; the wide
field of usefulness here opened, and the great jeopardy
in which it would place the interests of our congregation and Constitutional Presbyterianism, as before
remarked, would, to our minds, indicate anything
but reasons in favor of his removal at this time.
" In this connection, it seems but proper to state
that the location of our church, occupying as it does
a central position in what may be deemed the city of
Philadelphia, and in the midst of a population of one
hundred thousand, and where our connection has but
two congregations, is a matter not to be overlooked
in the decision of this question. Dr. Wilson and his
congreoation are happy in the connectioln, and neitlherl




T;EMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHe       41
of them urge, or in fact ask its severance, except the
former, as a matter of form, to secure the opinion
and counsel of this Presbytery. This is seen by the
action of the congregation at their regular annual
meeting, January 13th, which we here annex, and
the statement of the views of Dr. Wilson, as made at
the congregational meeting on the 13th inst., which
is also annexed:
RESOLUTIONS OF THE CONGREGATION.
Resolved, 1st. That this people have heard, with
unfeigned regret, of the efforts which are being made
in a sister city to take from us our beloved pastor,
and to transfer his valuable labors from this to a distant field.
Resolved, 2d. That, in our opinion, such change
seems fraught with danger to the best interests of
this church and the cause of Constitutional Presbyterianism in this community, it being well known
and understood that this portion of the vineyard was
the ground on which was fought the battle for the
supremacy of the principles we so dearly love and
cherish.
Resolved, 3d. That the eminent abilities and endearing manners of our pastor, Rev. James P. Wilson, D.D., have engaged our esteem and love, and
ensured his future usefulness amongst us and our
children. That his present field of labor is extensive
and increasing, involving the interests of a widespread and growing neighborhood, in which we
earnestly believe the influence of this church is destined to operate favorably in the highest degree.
Resolved, 4th. That, in view of all the circumstances, the attachmerit of this people to their pastor,




HISTORY Of THE
the prospective ultimate good which may reasonably
be anticipated from his labors amongst us; the certain injury which will accrue to the interests of this
church and congregation if he leave us-all induce
an earnest expression of the hope that he will (God
giving him wisdom so as best to decide) consent to
remain with us, and allow our present pastoral relations to remain undisturbed.
Resolved, 5th. That a copy of these resolutions be
sent to our pastor, signed by the President and Secretary of the meeting.
STATEMENT OF DR. WILSON'S VIEWS, AT THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING ON THE 13TI INST.:
"The paper which I gave to the New York committee expressed my views entirely, and I still adhere
to the views therein expressed. Still I consider the
question entirely open for the decision of the Presbytery, to whom I refer the whole subject; and if they
shall decide against my going, I will cheerfully submit
to their decision, and shall, in submitting to their judgment, conclude that my views of duty in this respect
were not well founded, and shall expect to feel perfectly happy in staying where I now am, and experience no longing desire to go to New York. I have
no private reasons to influence me in my views of
duty. My present relation is all that I could desire.
My people are kind and united, and if I studied my
own ease and personal comfort alone, I should decide
to stay; as I believe the duties of the station to
which I am called would be far more laborious, and
I would necessarily have less sympathy in their discharge than in my present situation. This I should
feel, as I have been accustomed to have the sympathy
of a eonaree'qation.




TIEMPLfE PRESBYTERIAN (HURCH.       4;8
"  wish it to be distinctly understood that I have
not decided to go. And if any one has made such
an assertion, he has done it without my authority,
and upon his own responsibility. iNor have I decided
to stay. And if any one has so asserted, it was unauthorized by me. I shall be governed by the action
of Presbytery, and surrender my views of duty to
their judgment.
"' Should the Presbytery refuse to decide the question, or throw it back for my decision, I shall conceive
it my duty to go. Should they decide in favor of my
dismissal, I shall go; but should they decide against
my dismissal, I shall not go, and shall, as I said before,
be perfectly cheerful and happy in an acquiescence
in their decision."
"It is due to Dr. Wilson, and proper to state, that
the above views were given orally at the meeting,
and written out by the commissioners, as they recollected and understood them, and are believed to be
substantially correct.
"' The following is the paper which was in the hands
of and read by Dr. Wilson himself, at the former
meeting of this body, in this place, and referred to by
him in his statement to the congregation on the 13th
inst.:
"This call has been before my mind for several
weeks. I have considered it in extenso, on all sides, and
religiously, with a sincere desire, as far as I know
myself, to ascertain and do the will of God. My
present impressions are, on the whole, favorable to
the idea that it is my duty to accept it; and unless
some moral obstacle shall arise, not now anticipated,




44               tISTOaY o0 T~H
either from the Presbytery or from my congriegation,
both of whom  I kindly and deeply consider in the
question, I shall probably see it my duty to respond
to said call an answer in the affirmative. And unless Presbytery interpose some obstacle of the above
sort, it now seems my duty so to respond to it."   -
" It will be seen by the statement of Dr. Wilson's
views, that the question is entirely open for the action of Presbytery, and they must meet it, A refusal
on their part to act, is a virtual decision in favor of
his dismissal, as in that case he expressly says he
shall conceive it his duty to go. But if they decide
it not to be his duty to accept the invitation, he will
cheerfully acquiesce in their opinion and remain. So
the question must be fairly met by this body, and we
trust it will be so met, and promptly decided.
"We have now made a plain and unvarnished
statement of facts, and if the Presbytery can, under
all the circumstances of the case, sever a connection
so happy in all points of view, but so fraught with
evil if broken up, theirs must be the responsibility;
and we shall have the abiding consolation, in all
after time, in the review, that we did what we
could to avert the direful consequences should they
follow.
H. H. SHILLINGFORD, 1
ELIHU D. TARR, 
ROBERT M. FOUST,    CommissioncrsT
SAMUEL T. BODINE,  I
HENRY I)AVIS,
FEBRUARY 15, 1851 




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        45
The Presbytery having heard all the parties in the
case, refused to dismiss Dr. Wilson. This action
gave very great and general satisfaction to the
church.
A few weeks after this, Dr. Wilson addressed a
letter to the Session and Board of Trustees of the
church, expressing his conviction that he ought to
accept the call to New York.
A congregational meeting was called on April 1st,
1851, when the letter was read, and is as follows:
Philadelphia, March 12, 1851.
DEAR BRETHREN:-I received a communication on
the first of this month, informing me of the formal
reiterations of the call of the Directors of the New
York Theological Seminary, which was issued by
the Fourth Presbytery at their meeting on the 18th
ult.
This second urgent invitation, so soon after the
rejection of the first, and with equal unanimity,
seems to leave me no longer any alternative but to
accept at once, and ask you to unite with me in a
request to the congregation for their consent to a dissolution of the pastoral relation.
My convictions of duty from the first have been
plain and clear. The only difficulty in the way has
been the probable injury of the congregation, and
considerations of their welfare, and the general interests of religion, and of the church in this community.
Impressed, and almost overwhelmed, with these
considerations, and deeply affected with the constant
manifestations of the kindness and affectionate attachinent of the people of my charge, I long hesitated




46              HISTORY OF THE
and strove against my convictions, and felt that I
could not make up my mind to break away and sunder a tie so recently formed.
I wished to consult the feelings of my brethren in
the Presbytery, and felt willing to submit my convictions to their united judgment, and let the matter
rest ultimately on their decision. A  meeting of
the Presbytery was accordingly held, and a result
obtained. I cheerfully acquiesced in this issue, although, from the whole discussion before the Presbytery, my previous convictions were only deepened
as to the path which Providence seemed clearly to
point out. I felt, however, entirely satisfied, and
sincerely hoped that the protracted difficulty was at
an end.
But the call is now repeated with increased earnestness, and comes to me with the power and claim
of a direct summons from the Head of the Church,
and I know not how to resist it any longer. I now
feel that I must go, and I ask you to resist no more,
but cheerfully, and with faith in God, resign your
opposition, and unite with me in acting according to
my clear convictions of duty.
I am truly thankful that, from the nature and cireircumstances of the post which I am solicited to
accept, there is no possibility of any motive interfering to lead my mind to an improper decision.
Were I to consult my interest, both in regard to
pecuniary matters, or personal ease and comfort, I
should remain where I am. There is no temptation,
therefore, for me to deceive myself, or impose on my
own judgment in coming to a right decision.
If I know myself, in this whole transaction, my
single and only aim has been to do my duty to God,
and to obey my conscience. I must ask you, then,
to let me rgo.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        47
I repeat, what I have always said, and must ever
say, that no one could be more pleasantly situated
in any field of labor, or meet with more facilities and
encouragements, and warm-hearted co-operation, in
the performance of his work, amongst any people,
than I have experienced amongst you. Your kindness and affection has been constant, and far better
than I have deserved; and nothing less than a conviction of responsibility, that I cannot resist or evade,
compels me to come before you and ask your acquiescence in my request for a dissolution of the pastoral
relation.
May God guide and direct your judgment, and
give you faith to acquiesce in what seems to be evident indications of his will.
(Signed)    JAMES P. WILsoN, Pastor.
After the reading of this letter, the congregation
adopted the following:preamble and resolutions:
WHEREAS, a communication has been presented by
the Session, from our pastor, Rev. J. P. Wilson, D.D.,
in which he states that the call from New York
Theological Seminary has been renewed, and is pressed
with renewed zeal, and that he feels it to be his duty,
and it is his intention, to accept the call, and asks us
to unite with him in the application to Presbytery,
for a dissolution of the present relations; therefore,
Resolved, 1st. That we have looked in vain for any
new light upon this subject, calculated to change the
views we held, and presented to Presbytery at a
former meeting. We think the case stands now
precisely as it stood then; for, if we are correctly informed, there has not even been a new election by
the Trustees of the Seminary; and we must be permliattel to say that we feel no little surprisc arnd sotr



48               HISTORY OF THE
row that this question should be so soon again
agitated; for we feel that the action of Presbytery,
already had upon this subject, was to be considered a
final settlement of the question. And so believing,
this congregation have laid their plans accordingly,
and with the intention of promoting both the usefulness and comfort of our pastor.
Resolved, 2d. That as we have never desired a
separation, we cannot, therefore, unite with our pastor in an application to Presbytery for a dissolution
of the pastoral relation now existing.
Resolved, 3d. That as Dr. Wilson has made up his
mind to insist upon a dissolution of his pastoral relations with this church, we deem it inexpedient to
oppose his wishes.
Resolved, 4th. That the elder who may represent
this church in meeting of Presbytery, be requested to
present the foregoing resolutions and statement to
Presbytery.
The application of Dr. Wilson for a dissolution of
his pastoral relation to this church, was renewed at
the spring meeting of Presbytery, held April 8th,
1851, when it was grantec. The pulpit was declared
vacant May 18th, 1851.
During the pastorate of Dr. Wilson, there were
added to this church forty persons.








I,
K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.Ai




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.                    49
VL
REV. GEORGE DUFFIELD,  JRM, THE FIFTH  PASTOR.*
THE church being again without a pastor, began
earnestly to look about for one who, it was thought,
would not only excite confidence in the present membership, but add largely to its numbers and efficiency.
Mr. Isaac Ashmead, one of the elders, suggested that,
according to what he had learned, Rev. George Duffield, Jr., was such a person as the church needed.
Accordingly, Messrs. Ashmead, B. D. Stewart and
Wm. Sanderson, visited  Bloomfield, N. J., where
Mr. Duffield was then stationed as a pastor. This committee remained over the Sabbath at that place, and
attended the church where  Mr. Duffleld  was officiating.  On their return they gave such an account of
Mr. Duffield, as led  the  Session  of the  church  to
extend an invitation to him to come and occupy
their pulpit for a Sabbath, and  administer the communion. This invitation was extended through Revx
Dr. Malin.  At the same time, Mr. J. A. Spencer, on
behalf of the congregation wrote, inquiring  of Mir,
* Rev. George Duffield, Jr, was born in Carlisle, Pa. Hie graduated at Yale
College in 1837, whenl he entered Union Theological Seminary, N. Y., where he
graduated in the year 1840. His licensure and ordination took place about the
same lime  lie became pastor of a new church in Brooklyn, L. I., where he
re-mained albout seven years, when he went to Bloomfield, N. J., where he contilnui.:d until eal~led to thi.s churchl  Since leaving here he has been pastor of the
churches at Adrian, Mich., Galecburg, Ill., and Saginaw City, NMieb. The latie
charge be has been coinpelled to resign, owing to sickness..1




o50             HISTORY OF THE
Duffield if he would entertain a call from this church.
In reply, Dr. Malin received the following letter:
Bloomnfield, Nov. 4th, 1851.
MY  DEAR  BROTHER:-Yours of the 31st ult.,
containing a request of the elders of the Central
Presbyterian Church, N. L., to visit them next Sabbath and administer the communion, came duly to
hand, and would have been answered before but for
a distressing accident that has confined me constantly
to the bed-side of my little son  *  *  *  In such
circumstances you will readily perceive that I cannot
be with the church next Sabbath. For this they are
probably prepared by a letter, which I wrote to Mr.
J. A. Spencer last week.
The fact, riy dear brother, is simply this:  From
the first time this subject was fitirly presented to
my mind, I have endeavored carefully to watch the
indication of God's providence in reference to it.
God, I trust, has given me many seals of my ministry
here, and certainly the field is a very important
one. I have no reason to leave, no desire to leave,
unless I can do so for one still larger and more imnportant. I (lo not want to put imyself in any place.
7TWherever the Greatt Head of the Church puts mne, I
trust I am willing to live, and I hope willing to die
also.
Meanwhile, that my relations here may not be
unpleasantly affected, I have determined to act with
the full understanding and advice of the members
of my Session.. If I should receive a call, they are
willina that I should consider it; willing that I
should go to Philadelphia and preach there; willing
even that Ishould go, if the path of duty is made
piltin beibre me. B1ut,. tlrhe  are not willing I should




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN  HUiRCH          51.
rnvite a call, or in any way compromise myself beforehand. With kind regards, &c.,
(Signed) GEORGE DUFFIELD, JR.
Extract of a letter to Mr. J. A. Spencer.
_Bloormfield, N. J., Oct. 29th., 1851.
As to the subject of your letter, I can only say, that
the principle on which I wish to act, is, to judge of
nothing before the time.  "IIe that judgeth  a
matter before he heareth it," you know, " it shall be
a shame unto him."  I have no will, or wish in the
premises, but simply to know my duty. If you should
extend a call to me, and after spending a Sabbath
with you, the congregation should be inclined unaniinously to ratify it, I should feel it necessary to give
the subject a very solemn, candid, and prayerful
consideration.
Further than this, I have nothing to say  at present; and this I am  willing all should 1know, who
are in any way interested in the matter.
(Signed)  GEO. DUFFIELD, JR.
These communications from Mr. Duffield, were read
at a meeting of the congregation, held Nov. 12th,
1851; whereupon, the people recommended the Session to call a congregational meeting, on Monday evening, Nov. 17th, for the election of a pastor.  This
meeting was duly called, and with entire unaninmity, Rev. Geo. Duffield, Jr., was elected iastor, and
Messrs. S. T. Bodine, R. M. Foust and J. A Spencer,
were lappointed conmmissioners to prosecute  tlh ('1I.
After the call had- been presented, 4Mr.'Diuffield
visited this church, and preached for the pieol:,le.




).)2             HISTORY OF THE
Again the congregation was called together, and on
IDec. 10th, 1851,
Resolved, That having had an opportunity to see
and here Rev. Geo. Duffield, Jr., do hereby ratify
and confirm their action of a former meeting, extending a call to him to become their pastor.
Mr. Duffield formally signified his acceptance of
the call, Dec. 14th, 1851.  Shortly after this, the
pastor elect began his labors amongst the people, but
was not regularly installed until May 13th, 1852.
The pastor's salary in the call was fixed at $1500
per annum; the pews at that time yielding an annual
revenue of $2200.
The church received their new pastor gladly; and
the records show that with much cordiality and
mutual zeal, pastor and people joined hands in the
work of the church.
The people had felt the unexpected removal of Dr.
Wilson from among them. Many had become disheartened and left; but yet, there was at the time of
Xlr. Duffield's installation, a good congregation, and
nmany hopeful indications for the future.
An early effort was put forth to liquidate the
entire debt of the church.  Appeals were made to
thTe people, and contributions solicited; these, however, terminated quite short of success.
The tide of population which had before this commenced, continued to move westward. This affected
very materially the pew rentals, and compelled the
trua-stees to adopt other meansl to increase the revenue




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       53
of the church.  Needed alterations in the church
property were paid for by voluftary subscription.
All expenses where it was possible were cut down.
The foreclosure of a mortgage of $6000, held by
an outside party, was threatened; but this was prevented by persons inside of the church purchasing
it. The constant removal of members to other parts
of the city, and their connecting themselves with
other churches nearer their new homes, was the
occasion of much discouragement.
It became the conviction of many, that the church
could no longer exist in the neighborhood. An
impression obtained in the community that the congregation was ready to sell the property. A communication was received Jan. 10th, 1853, from the
Board of Trustees of the Union Presbyterian Church
in the Northern Liberties, stating they had understood
the church was for sale, and asking the terms and
time of sale.  (This Union Presbyterian Church
was organized in October, 1852, under the pastoral
care of Rev. Mr. Durnett.  Those constituting it
were a colony from the First Presbyterian Church,
N. IL. The congregation worshiped for a time in
the Old Lecture Room in Coates street, above Second;
afterwards in a hall at the S. E. corner of Ninth and
Spring Garden streets. Not making the progress
hoped for, the church was soon disbanded.)
Although the congregation voted that the property was not for sale, yet the communication shows
the opinion which was current in the community.




54              HISTORY OF THE
From this time, as the records show, the subject
of removal became a topic for frequent discussion in
the meetings of Session, in the meetings of the Board
of Trustees, and in the meetings of the congregation.
At several of these meetings we find the subject
introduced, as a matter for general conversation; at
others, it is presented in what were demominated
" test resolutions."
At a special meeting of the congregation, held
June 18th, 1855, the subject was brought directly
bkfore the people by the following resolution:
Resolved. That we deem it expedient to sell this
church, with a view of removing to another location.
Pending this question, a statement was made by
a committee, appointed at a joint meeting of the
Session and the Trustees; accompanying this, was the
following written statement from the pastor:
" Since the announcement ot this meeting last
Sabbath, it has occurred to me, that as a statement
was about to be presented by the Session and Trustees to the congregation, it might be equally appropriate on my part to make a similar statement, should
it be called for, as your pastor. By all whom it
may concern, either now or hereafter, I would wish
it distinctly to be understood:
1st. That my relations to the Trustees and Session
of the church, up to the present time, have been
uniformly cordial and satisfactory.
2d. That the inception of this movement did not
originate with me, but with the Trustees and Session.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.         55.3d. That it did not originate indirectly with me,
by the pressure of any pecuniary claims.
4th. That according to the best judgement I am
able to form in the premises, the circumstances of
the case are such as to warrant the step that has
been taken in laying them before the congregation.
And now that the church itself, alike in its officers
and members, may be relieved as far as possible from
any embarrassment in the matter, I beg leave to
notice,
1st. Some of the more obvious contingencies that
may arise.
2d. The relations I am willing to sustain to each
of these as an individual.
The possible contingencies are mainly three.
1st. To change the location of the church in such
a manner, as to preserve the existing congregation
still unbroken, and so draw in new strength without
diminishing the old.
2d. Amicably to divide, and allow each portion of
the church as thus divided, to take such a course as
they think proper.
3d. In case these arrangements should fail, to remain where we are.
The relations which I am willing to sustain to
these several plans are as follows:
1st. Hereby to tender my resignation at the outset, if by so doing the ultimate establishment of the
church can be secured.
2d. To subscribe to the full amount of my ability
for the erection of another edifice.
3d. Provided a sufficient sum can first be secured
to warrant such an effort, to do all that I can to obtain any further assistance that may be needed from
the church at large.
4th. In all other respects I shall be mainly guided.




56              HISTORY OF THE
I trust, by that which will best promote the temporal and spiritual welfare of a church which has
already done much for the cause of Christ in this
part of the city, and which, I sincerely hope, is destined yet to do a great deal more.
Heavily as the burden has pressed upon many of
you, you have been abundantly rewarded for it, both
in your own souls and in your families.
If you have sowed temporal things, you have
reaped spiritual, and your labor has not been in vain
in the Lord.
Believinlg that you will fully appreciate the motives that have prompted me to this comnunication,
I remain, with sincere and unabated affection,
(Signed) GEo. I)DUFFIELD, JR., Pastor.
After hearing the views of the pastor, the Session,
and the Trustees, the congregation appointed from
among their own number (other than members of the
Session or Board of Trustees) seven persons as a cornmittee to take the subject into consideration, and
report at a subsequent meeting.
On the 25th of June, 1855, this committee made
their report. After enumerating all the difficulties
in the way of remaining in their present location, or
removing to another, they close their report with the
following:
Resolved, That no corporation, church or business
enterprise can succeed whose expenses excel its income.
-Resolved, That we deem it expedient to dispose of
this church property to some evangelical denomination, with a view to remove to another location.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       57
After considerable discussion on the second resolution, the whole matter was laid over to an adjourned
meeting, held July 9th, 1855, when the resolution
was further discussed, amended, and passed in the
simple form in which, on June 18th, Mr. Henry
Davis had presented it, namely:
Resolved, That we deem it expedient to sell this
church, in view of removing to another location.
Although the congregation did not commit themselves, by resolution, to any specified locality, it may
be interesting to know that the sentiment expressed
and recorded at that time was that the location
should be between Sixth and Eighth, and Green and
Poplar streets. Believing that these streets would
mark the boundaries, and anticipating some future
action of the congregation, Mr. B. D. Stewart, one of
the elders of the church (some time prior to the
occurrences of which we now speak), secured the
control of a lot on the east side of Seventh street,
and north of Brown street, the one now occupied by
the Second Reformed Church. This control he held
for more than two years, but seeing no active steps
taken for removal, and being unsupported by others
in the congregation, he allowed it to pass into the
hands of those who now hold it.
The passage of the resolution to sell and remove,
if it did no more at the time, kept the matter from
further agitation in the church; for we look in vain
through the records of years to find even a reference
to the subject,




58             HISTORY OF THE
This was not because of any increase in the prosperity of the church, for, numerically and financially,
it appears from the several reports made to the congregation, it was year after year growing weaker.
To keep it in existence, we find various means
adopted. Sinking funds were created. The people
were called upon, time and again, for extra contributions. The ladies undertook to make good the pastor's salary. With all these efforts, the deficiencies
became alarming. We find in the report given at a
meeting held November 19th, 1860, that the annual
receipts amounted to but $1,200, while the annual
indebtedness was $2,400.
The pastor sympathized fully with the people in
their embarrassments, and acceded to their desires,
by accepting a salary of $1,000 per annum.
All these efforts, however, were too feeble to resist
the logic of circumstances. People possessed with
means were continually removing to the northern
and western sections of the city.
Dismissions and commendations to other churches
were constantly being asked for, and given to the
members. The impression gained ground that the
days of the church were numbered. In the Presbytery, in the church, and in the community, its
existence much longer was despaired of. Some there
were who proposed to- disband; but at a meeting of
the congregation, held November 12th, 1860, more
from a desire to continue than an assurance that continuance was possible, it was




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.         59
Resolved, That this congregation disclaim all intention of disbanding as a church.
With a will the remnant of this Israel worked together, and God be praised for the resolute hearts he
gave them to hold together, when all their efforts
seemed so hopeless.
It is pleasing to turn from a dark to a bright pie
ture. This we do when we turn from the temporal
to the spiritual affairs of the church. These years of
toil and struggle were marked with God's presence
in the sanctuary. Mr. Duffield was earnest in the
preaching of the gospel. That preaching was not in
vain. Turning from the business records of the
Board of Trustees and congregation, to the Sessional
records of the church, we find how sinners converted
were being added regularly to the church.
The " Great Revival" which spread over so many
parts of our country during the winter of 1857 and
the spring of 1858, was felt very powerfully by this
church. The members of the church were greatly
quickened in their religious feelings. Meetings were
appointed for every night in the week, and for several
consecutive weeks these meetings continued with unabated interest. Many of the members of the church
superintended and sustained religious services in fire
engine houses, and other places where opportunity
offered. So general and so controlling was the influence of the Holy Spirit, that all the people were
aroused to work. The full extent of this work we
cannot tell; but this church, as a result, rejoiced in




60              HISTORY OF THE
receiving into its membership, on profession of faith,
71 persons.
Mr. Duffield continued to minister to this people
until June 19th, 1861. At that time, agreeably to
notice given from the pulpit on the preceding Sabbath, a congregational meeting was held, and the
following communication from the pastor was read:
To the Central Presbyterian Church, N. L., Phila.
DEAR BRETHREN:-For reasons already fully assigned, entirely satisfactory, I trust, to the brethren,
and which it is unnecessary now to repeat, I herewith respectfiully tender my resignation as the pastor
of the Central Presbyterian Church,:N. L. Agreeably to the "Form of Government," Chapter XVII,
I would also request the congregation to appear, by
their commissioners, at the next meeting of the
Fourth Presbytery, to show cause, if any they have,
why the Presbytery should not accept said resignation.
Yours, in the fellowship of the gospel,
GEORGE DUFFIELD, JR.
PHILADELPHIA, June 16, 1861.
The congregation acceded to the request of their
pastor, and appointed Messrs. Win. Sanderson and
Geo. C. Bower a committee to represent them in
Presbytery.
At the same time they appointed a committee to
draft resolutions expressive of the views of the people
with regard to their pastor. This committee reported
the following:












TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.                           61
Resolved, That in accepting the  resignation of our
pastor, the Rev. George Duffield, Jr., we take the opportunity to bear witness to his unwearied labors for
our spiritual welfare, his Christian deportment, and
disinterested self-devotion to the cause of religion
and morality in our midst for the past nine years;
and we hope that wherever, in the providence of
God, he  may be called to  labor, that the  blessing of
Hleaven may attend his efforts.
This resolution was adopted, and a copy sent to
Mr. Duffield.
At a meeting of the Fourth Presbytery, held on
the 27th of June, 1861, the dissolution of the pastoral
relation between Mr. Duffield and this people was
formally consummated.
During the nine years of Mr. Duffield's labors in
this church, there were added to its communion 237
persons.
VII.
THE  REV. JAMES Y. MITCHELL, THE  SIXTH  PASTOR.&
The church again without a pastor, depended upon
such supplies as could be secured. The inconvellience
* Mr. Mitchell Was born in this city. From  Harrison Grammar School, he
was admitted into the Iigh School, where he was a student for about three
years. Upon leaving the HIigh School, he entered the Academy at Newark,
Del., where he was prepared for college. After spending two rears in Delaware
College, he entered Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., where he graduated
July 26th, 1854. In the fall of the same year, he entered Princeton Theological
Seminary, and continued there until graditation, May 12th, 1857. He was licensed
to preach the gospel by the Philadelphia Presbytery in April, 1857. While in
the Seminary he received and accepted a call fronm the Presbyterian Church
at Phillipsburg, N. J., and on July 14th, 1857, was ordained, and installed pastor
of the same by Newton Presbytery.  He continaued with his first church until
Janulary, 1862.




t62             iflSTORY OF THIt1
and difficulty attendant upon  securing different
ministers every week, induced the Session to arrange
for the supply of their pulpit for a longer period by
the same person.  This arrangement after the lapse
of a few months, did not give very general satisfaction, and the pulpit was again opened for other
ministers to be heard.
It was in the month of February, 1862, that the
Session invited Rev. James Y. Mitchell to preach for
them. Mr. Mitchell at that time was making his
home with his parents in the city. Having resigned
the pastoral charge of the Presbyterian Church at
Phillipsburg, N. J., on the first Sabbath in January,
1862, he was now desirous of enjoying a season of rest
from pastoral duties. Upon coming to the city, he
was invited to preach in the First Presbyterian
Church, N. L. In this Church he had been baptized
in infaney, and in this church he had continued until
he left home to pursue his studies for the ministry.
The pastor of the First Church, N. L., being ill at
the time, Mr. Mitchell concluded to take his place
in the pulpit. It was whilst temporarily supplying
this pulpit that several members of the Central N.
L. Church, some of whom were formerly schoolmates
and associates with Mr. Mitchell, heard him, and to
them is due the invitation which he soon received to
o<ccupy their pulpit.
Beginning in February, 1862, he preached, upon
weekly invitations, almost without interruption until.
the month of May, when he was absent for several




'LIEMPLE PR:ESBYTERIAN CHEURCH.    t6
weeks as a commissioner from  the Presbytery of
Newton to the General Assembly, then sitting at
Columbus, Ohio.  Upon his return, however, the
invitations were renewed, and his preaching continued.
During these months he was frequently spoken to
about becoming the pastor of this church. At that
time, he freely stated his misgivings about settling
in the city. I-e feared that coming to his native
place, lalboring under the shadow  of his father's
house, having in his congregation, and among the
office bearers of his church, those who knew him  in
the thoughtlessness of his youth, would impair his
efficiency as a minister of the gospel. But there
were dreadful mlisgivings about the church itself.
There were less than one hundred reliable names upon
the church register; a debt amounting to $7500 still
rested against the property; the pew rents barely
yielded $1000; and there was little encouragement
to gather a congregation from  the  surrounllding
German community. While investirgating the condition of thingrs, daily was mention made of the
hopelessness of the enterprise.  In  the Pastor's
Association, in the Presbytery, in the surrounding
churches and community, the church was spoken of
as having a bare exi.stence, but not a life; and prominent ministers were not slow to say, "it would be
folly for the congregation to call another pastor."
Over against these misgivings, however, was the
fiact, that, though small in numbers, the congoregaltion




64              HISTORY OF TIfE
had determination, courage, and much prayer.  The
people were earnest, faithful and ready to make
sacrifices; and the cordiality with which Mr.
Mitchell's companions of other days greeted him,
gave assurance that the friendships, the allowances,
and the sympathies of early days, might be carried into
manhood life; that they who have schooled together,
and played together, when lads, could work together,
pray together, and be taught together in the house
of God.
Encouraged in the matter, the congregation at a
a meeting duly called on June 11th, 1862, elected
Rev. James Y. Mitchell their pastor, at a salary of
$1000 per annum, and Messrs. Win. Sanderson and
Robert M. Foust were appointed a committee to
prosecute the call before Presbytery.
Upon the reception of the call, Mr. Mitchell
addressed the following letter to the Board of Trustees, which they in turn presented to the congregation, at a meeting held July 16th, 1862.
Philadelphia, July 5th, 1862.
BRETnHREN.-=Through you I desire to signify to the
congregation of the Central Presbyterian Church, N.
L., my acceptance of the call to become their pastor.
Whatever objections may have suggested themselves
to my mind at first, I believe have been fully
removed by the following information:
1st. The debt on your church edifice is in such
hands as to warrant the belief that it will give you
no present trouble, and also that the said debt will
speedily be removed altogether.




TEMPLE PRES-BYTERIAN- CHURCH.      65
2d. Your congregation, though small compared
with what it once was, is a united congregation, and
I can rely on this unity in nay endeavors to build up
your enterprise.
For our mutual understanding, I request at the
outset, from you, an assent to the following propositions:
1st. Punctual payment of each quarter's salary.
2d. An increase of salary at such time when
the revenue of the church from  pew rents will
justify it.
3d. A vacation of four weeks during the summer
season of each vear.
4th. A cordial co-operation with mne in the work
of building up the Redeenmer's klingdom.
it is becoming in me to state that I enter upon
the work with fear and trembling, and nothing fortifies me in accepting your call but the assurance
that God can bring strength out of weakness.
I have sought for light, by metans of consultation,
meditation and prayer; and directed, as I trust I
have been, by the  Blessed Spirit, may my miguing with you hereafter, as your pastor, be blessed
to us all.
Desirous. of healring from you with regard to nmy
propositions, I am,
Your brother in Christ,
(Signed)  JAs. Y. MITCHELL.
The congregation having assented to the propositions contained in the above letter, Mr. Mitchell
-began his labors at once.
It was not, however, until October of the same
year that he made application for and received his




66              HISTORY OF THE
letter of dismission from Newton Presbytery. This
letter was presented to the Fourth Presbytery of
Philadelphia, October 15th, 1862, and Mr. Mitchell's
name was ordered to be enrolled as a member of
said Presbytery.
On October 26th, 1862, he was installed as pastor
of this chiiurch. Notwithstanding a heavy rain kept
many away, quite a large audience gathered to
witness the installation, and encourage, by their
presence, the efforts of the people to continue the
worship of God where in other days he had so signally blessed them.
The report which was read at the first annual
meeting of the congregation succeeding the installation, speaks very encouragingly of the condition of
things in the church at that time. The congregations were considerably larger, while the pew rentals
had increased, and the prospects generally were more
encouraging.
At this time it was thought that the good of the
church might be promoted by fostering a more sociable feeling among the members. To this end, meetings were held every Tuesday evening, at the houses
of the members. Beneficial results accrued from
these meetings. The people became better acquainted
with each other; the interests of the church were
kept continually before them, and weekly collections
were voluntarily made to supplement the regular
revenues of the church.
Notwithstanding the efforts which were being




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       67
made, the deficiencies in the receipts were not met;
and, by a vote of the congregation, a committee was
appointed to canvass it, in order to procure such subscriptions as the members were willing to give, in
addition to what they were already contributing.
This was the beginning of what was known as the
"Quarterly Subscriptions."  Due notice was given
from the pulpit of the time these subscriptions were
to be paid, and the congregation became as familiar
with the notice of their payment being due, as they
were with the quarterly announcement of "the pew
committee being in attendance to receive pew rents
now due; also, to rent pews and sittings."
"Quarterly Subscriptions" became a fixed fact
during the continuance of the congregation in the
"Old Church." It became evident that the debt of
$7,500 against the property should, if possible, be at
once liquidated. To this end the attention of the
people was early called. The pastor was requested
to see the mortgage holders, and learn whether they
would be willing to make any abatement of their
claims. Some were quite ready so to do at once.
Others had to be more frequently seen. After a
time they all gave encouragement by donating the
back interest, and relinquishing, in whole or part,
the principal. Finding also a willingness on the
part of many outside of the church to contribute
towards the liquidation of the entire indebtedness,
-a meeting of the congregation was informally called,,on Wednesday evening, April 8th, 1863. At this




08              HISTORY OF THE
meeting, the people, upon learning of the liberality of
the creditors, and of others in the community, determined to go to work and see what they could do as
individuals. Many took subscription books to go
among their friends; many subscribed themselves;
and so resolute were they in the matter, that the
week following the Board of Trustees, at an adjourned meeting, appointed a committee to receive
moneys brought in by the people, and to attend to
the paying off the debt. The whole indebtedness
was virtually provided for in two weeks, and in one
month from the commencement of the effort the
claims against the church were satisfied.
The debt which had oppressed the people from the
beginning of the enterprise was removed, and the
committee of the Board found that they had received
$226.45 more than was required.
This work was the work of a people interested, determined, and laboring in unity.
Many were the thanksgivings offered unto God
for this timely relief, and many were the expressions
of gratitude, not only because of the work done, but
because also of the manner in which it was done.
All had done what they could.
The people united in an expression of good-will
and friendship towards their pastor, and on the 24th
of May, 1863, gave him, as a token of their kindly
feelings, a beautiful gold watch, suitably engraved,
to perpetuate the memories of those glad days.
The congregation had not vet ceased to believe




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        69
that at an early date, necessity would compel them to
change the location of the church. God seemed to
be arranging for the removal. Now that the debt
was removed, the whole subject was simplified.
The trustees turned their attention to getting a
full possession of all the pews in the church. It was
held that a clear title to the sale of the property
could not be given, unless those owning pews yielded
their claims. A committee of the Board was appointed to arrange this matter. Persons holding
"pew  deeds" were seen, and soon it was reported
that all the deeds were either in the hands of the
Board, or the owners were ready cheerfully and fully
to return them to the Board.
Now the sale of the church property began to be
regularly talked  about.  The congregation at a
meeting held January 9th, 1865, empowered the
Board of Trustees to sell the property; they also
appointed a committee to obtain a suitable site for a
new edifice, together with a committee to receive
contributions for a new church. The feeling prevailed that, in locating elsewhere, the wants of the
congregation would be best met by going North
from  Poplar street, and remaining East of Ninth
street. Hence, we find reported for consideration,
a lot on Franklin street and South of Girard Avenue. This lot was abandoned and another considered at the North-east corner of Eighth street and
Girard Avenue.
It was in contemplation at this time, to build a




70              HISTARY OF THE
" Chapel " to answer all present purposes, and wait
until some future time for the erection of the main
building. The last named lot, containing 90 feet
front on Girard avenue, and 140 feet front on Eighth
street, seemed to answer the purposes, and met the
views of the congregation.  The "committee on
site," held the refusal of it for a few weeks at $7.00
per foot. During that time the consent of the congregation was given to the purchase of it, and on
March 13th, 1865, Messrs. Wm. Sanderson, Wm. R.
Stewart, and Abner Lincoln, were appointed "a
committee to have erected thereon a suitable building."
IWhen the committee on the purchase of the lot went
to the owner to close the bargain, he demanded
fifty cents more per foot than he had previously
asked; thus breaking his word and disgusting the
committee.
This fact occasioned a rest in the agitation of
building immediately. All committees appointed
with this in view ceased their work, and before the
subject was again renewed, by common consent
ceased to exist.
The attention of many of the congregation was
now turned to the lot at the North-east corner of
Franklin and Thompson streets. At that time,
there stood on the corner a small, old fashioned and
badly dilapitated frame dwelling-house.  The balance of the lot was used for the storage of secondhand lumber.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       71
The owner was seen about it several times, but did
not feel disposed to sell, because he felt that the requirements of his business demanded him to hold it.
The eyes of the congregation were on it, however,
and it seemed as though they could not look elsewhere.
In the meantime, the church building was held for
sale; but no active steps were taken to hasten it.
The people thought more of what was required in
their present position, than of worrying about
another. The great need was to hold together those
already in the church, and this, under God, was
satisfactorily successful.
At a congregational meeting held January 14th,
1867, the Pastor's salary was increased $500 per
annum. Although this was the first recorded addition to what was promised him at the beginning, it
is to be remembered that regularly, notwithstanding
the struggles and sacrifices of the people, they had,
up till that time, as they have from that time to the
present, annually remembered him with money
gifts, varying from $250 to $500.
From the spring of 1865, to that of 1867, little or
no mention is made of selling the church property.
In the latter year, we find the matter again agitated
in the Board of Trustees, and a new committee on
sale appointed. The Board at that time fixed the
price of the property (with a reservation of part of
the church furniture, and the organ) at $20,000.
The committee had several interviews with other




72               HISTORY OF THE
church committees, who talked of buying,- but no
definite conclusion was reached.  They conferred
with a committee of the Fourth Presbytery, who had
in charge the purchase of a property for a German
Church, but without effecting a sale.
The congregation, on January 13th, 1868, appointed Messrs. S. L. Kirk, Jos. Aitken, Win. R.
Stewart, A. Lincoln and S. Bradbury, " a committee
to select a new  site, and erect a church edifice
thereon."
On May 11th, 1868, Messers. Lincoln and Bradbury, were appointed a committee of the Board of
Trustees "' to place the church for sale in the hands
of a real estate broker, and in the event of his not
selling it within a month, to offer it at auction."
Thus it appears, that there was a determination to
move; actions tending in this direction were crowding one upon another. The congregation was ever
ready to second the action of the Trustees, and the
Trustees were ever ready to second the action of the
congregation.
Matters took a more definite shape in the summer
of 1868. During August, of that year, Mr. Nathan
W. Ellis, the owner of the lot at the North-east corner of Frallnklin and Thompson streets, advised our
committee on " purchase of lot" that he was then
prepared to sell, and would wait but a limited time
before he would offer his lot to the public. Our committee, as soon as the congregation could be brought
together after the summer vacation, had a call rlead




TEMPLE - PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.     73
fd-r a- neeti'ng to- be held September 9th, -1868. At
tlhis meetimig it was stated that the lot on which the
people for so long a time had fixed their minds,
could now be had; but any- failure to act at once,
would probably throw it into the hands of others.
With an almost unanimous voice, the people
directed its purchase, and appointed Messrs. A. Lincoln and S. Bradbury a committee to secure it on the
best terms possible. On the 23d of the same month,
the committee reported to the congregation that they
had purchased the lot named, 80 feet on Thompson
street, and 120 feet front on Franklin street, at $7.50
per foot, making the entire purchase money $15,
000. One half of this amount was to be paid on the
execution of the deed, and the other half to remain
on mortgage for five years. Immediately upon the
determination of the congregation to move, the pastor brought the subject to the attention of the "Pastor's Association. (The " Pastor's Association" was
composed of all the pastors in the New School
branch of the Presbyterian church, residing in the
city of Philadelphia and vicinity). The Association
appointed a committee to visit the church, examine
its present location and the new site, and report
thereon at an early date. The following is their report:
Pastor's Association, Philadelphia,
September 21st, 1868.
The committee appointed to visit the Central
Church, N. L., in relation to the proposed removal of




74              HISTORY OF THE
the congregation from their present locality on
Coates street below Fourth, to another part of the
city, beg leave to report, viz.,:
The committee on visiting the church, found that
the congregation had determined to remove to a lot on
Franklin and Thompson streets.
This action we consider profound wisdom.
The present locality of the church, in the midst
of an almost entirely German population, and the
very many unpleasant surroundings, with little or no
material out of which to build up a congregation,
lead the committee to the conviction that it must
ultimately go down, and that at no very distant day.
This event we all would regard as a great calamity
to the cause of Christ, and especially to our branch
of the church.
The former history of the Central (N. L.) Church,
the benevolence of the members, and their noble
work for the Master in years past, deserve to be perpetuated in another and more promising field-one
in which their energies can be put forth on more
hopeful material than its present locality will ever
afford.
The lot on the corner of Franklin and Thompson
streets, on which they propose to build a new and
handsome house of worship, the committee regard as
a very excellent position. It is in a growing portion
of the city, surrounded by a population of the highest
respectability, more than a mile distant from the
nearest church of our denomination, and more convenient for the congregation now attending the old
church.
With the spirit which the prospect of a new and
more hopeful field has infused into the congregation,
the energy of their pastor, Rev. James Y. Mitchell,
and the blessing of God, the committee feel that a




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       75
flourishing and influential congregation will be the
result of the removal to this point.
In view of this fact, and the good work which this
old church has already done for Presbyterianism, and
unwilling to see its light go out for want of a proper
field in which to expand its power for good, we cordially commend this enterprise to the warm sympathy and Christian liberality of our people, trusting
to make the latter history of the Central Church
more glorious than the former.
(Signed) R. H. ALLEN,
HEERRICK JOHNSON,
PETER STRYKER,    Committee.
GEO. F. WISWELL, |
Z M. HUMPHREY, J
This report encouraged the people, as they felt
that they had the sympathy and co-operation of the
Christian community, and that with these, success
must surely come.
They appointed Messrs. A. Lincoln, J. F. Jaggers,
and the pastor, a committee to solicit subscriptions
in the congregation; and Mr. S. L. Kirk, Treasurer, to
receive all moneys collected, by the committee or
congregation, for the new church.
An unlooked-for event happened about this time.
The Session, at the request of the pastor, called a
meeting of the congregation, October 14th, 1868, for
the purpose of getting the people to unite with him
in asking Presbytery to dissolve the relation existing
between him and this church.
The meeting was held in accordance with the call,




.76             HISTORY OF THE
and, by a unanimous vote, the congregation decided
to remonstrate against such a dissolution, and appointed Messrs. Jos. Aitken, Abner Lincoln, and
Robert Aitken, commissioners to represent them in
Presbytery. The elders were appointed a committee
to wait upon the pastor, acquaint him with the action of the congregation, and report at a subsequent
meeting, to be held on Friday evening, October 16th,
1868. At this meeting the elders reported having
seen Mr. Mitchell, and that the whole matter had
been satisfactorily adjusted.
Mr. Mitchell, upon invitation of the congregation,
made a short address, in which he expressed the
haippy relations which had existed between him and
his people since he had become their pastor; expressed the hope that the subject which had agitated
them would speedily be forgotten, and that together
they might labor in happy accord for the welfare of
the church. The occasion of his application to be
relieved was not sought for, nor was it in the line of
his own judgment. Several of his ministerial brethren had named a place in Michigan as the key to the
whole of the Northwest, and as a place of great importance to Presbyterianism. Believing that he had
the necessary qualifications to improve it to the best
advantage of the church and kingdom of Christ, they
desired him to go there. Taking the advice of these
brethren, and having flattering inducements held out
to him by a people he had never seen, he y-ielded his
own judgmnent, and sought to acquiesce in theirs.




TEMPLE PRESPBYTERIAN CHURCH.       77
This congregation, however, interfered, and showed
their appreciation of their pastor not only by a congregational vote, but also by adding to his salary
$1000.
It should ever be remembered, that while they
were struggling towards the building of a new
church, they made this increase of salary, and the
Lord enabled them to meet it as readily as any they
had ever paid before.
On November 2d, 1868, the congregation authorized the Board of Trustees to execute a mortgage to
Nathan W. Ellis for $7,500, for five years from
January 1st, 1869; and at a subsequent meeting,
held November 27th, 1868, authorized the Board of
Trustees to build a new church edifice on the lot
purchased, to make contracts, and to incur all necessary expenses in so doing.
VIII.
THiE "OLD EDIFICE"  SOLD, AND THE "NEW ONE"
BUILDING.
The records of the Board show that they were
now earnestly engaged in furthering the wishes of
the congregation,
At their regular stated meeting, held February
8th, 1869, Messrs. S. L. Kirk, Abner Lincoln, and
S. Bradbury, were, on motion of Mr. Win. R. Stewart.




78              HISTORY OF THE
appointed "The Building Committee."  This committee invited the pastor to co-operate with them.
The Building Committee held several interviews
with Mr. Addison Hutton, architect, giving him
certain general outlines as to the kind of building
they desired; specifying certain particulars which
they had seen in other churches they had visited,
and which they desired to have in our own; and
finally reported to the Board, April 12th, 1869, that
they had adopted the plans and specifications furnished by Mr. Hutton; had received estimates based
upon these plans and specifications, and that other
builders were estimating upon them.
The committee, in arranging with the architect,
desired not only that he should prepare plans and
specifications, but that he should put these into the
hands of but a limited number of builders, and these
of unquestionable standing; that he should give his
attention to the building as it progressed, and see
that it was built of the best materials and in the
most workmanlike manner; and that, in all cases of
dispute which might arise between the contractor
and committee, he should act as arbiter. The committee engaged to pay him for his services, in these
several particulars, a percentage on the cost of the
building, which, when a, final settlement was made,
amounted to $1,950.
From the time when the new lot was purchased,
the disposal of the church property became a subject
of great perplexity. It was felt that no work on the




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       79
new building could go on until money had been secured from the sate of the old. The Committee on
sale were necessarily laboring with many misgivings.
There had been much advertising of the old property
for sale, but no buyers were found. Real estate brokers could not, or did not dispose of it. As a last
resource, it was placed in the hands of Thomas &
Sons, auctioneers, to be sold November 24th, 1868,
at public sale, with the understanding that it should
not be sold for less than $15,000.
None can imagine the Surprise and mortification
experienced by the committee in attendance upon
that sale, when, after many efforts on the part of the
auctioneer, not a single bid could be secured, even at
the low figure named.
The work of that day made hearts sick. It was
felt that the property must be disposed of now, at
any price. Spring, and with it the time of building
would soon come. It had been noised abroad that
the work on the new building would soon commence;
but how could it now, when the unsold property held
us back. Our hopes for the time seemed blasted.
Just when matters were at the worst, God interfered. A committee from the Salem Reformed
(German) Church, held a conference with the committee of this church, with regard to the purchase
of the property. At this conference, they asked for
and obtained the refusal of the property for one
week. At that time, April 27th, 1869, the committees again met, and after a season of conference, the




80              HISTORY OF THE
property on Coates street was sold to the Salem German Reformed Church, for $17,750.
In this sale was included all the property, with
the exception of pulpit furniture, communion table,
and such other goods as might be denominated Sabbath School, or private property. The terms of sale
were such as to allow the building committee to go
forward in their work with satisfaction, as soon as
the season would permit.
The relief which this sale afforded was opportune,
and, as we believe, directed by the unerring wisdom
of God. Had any questioned the propriety of
changing location, God in this matter convinced them
by a voice which said " go forward."
The Sabbath following this relief, the pastor
understanding the feelings of the people, and entering into the channel of their thoughts, preached from
the text, " The cloud was taken up from over the
tabernacle," Exodus, 40 chap. 36 verse. The directions and deliverences of God, were presented in the
sermon; and the people were taught to see that by
command of God, they were to go up and possess
the new  land.  Before that Sabbath day had
closed, one young man who before that time had not
seen his way clear to give to the new enterprise, sent
a letter to the pastor, stating that he was fully convinced the Lord had determined the movement, and
enclosed a substantial donation to help it forward.
A lady also, wrho prior to that time had opposed
any change in location, after hearing of the provi



TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.      81
dences of God, which had confirmed the wisdom of
the change, resolved, that should the Lord ever put
in her possession a certain sum of money which had
been owing to her for a long time, she would give it
as a contribution towards the new church. Strange
to say, within a few days from the time she made
the resolution, she had received the money and given
it over for the object named.
The " Old Building " having now been sold, the work
of going forward with the " New " was stimulated.
The estimates for finishing the entire building when
opened and read, were found to be considerably beyond the calculations of the Building Committee,
ranging as they did from $67,000 to over $80,000.
It was then concluded to invite estimates for the putting up of the building, roofing it in, topping out the
tower, flooring the audience room, and finishing the
Lecture Room complete.
In estimating upon this work, Mr. Robert Scott,
of Wilmington, Delaware, was the lowest bidder;
and with him, Abner Lincoln, President, and Robert
Aitken, Secretary, on behalf of the Board of Trustees,
contracted for the building of an edifice according
to the plans and specifications of Addison Hutton,
Architect.
It was on Tuesday, May tlth, 1869, when Mr.
Scott's estimate was accepted by the Building Committee. At the Wednesday evening lecture, the
congregation was invited to meet before 7 o'clock on
Thursday morning, May 13th, on the lot at Franklin




82               HISTORY OF THE
and Thompson streets. A goodly number met at
the time named, when the pastor, in prayer, invoked
the Divine blessing upon the enterprise-; prayed that
there might be no interruption for want of means to
go forward; asked protection for all who might
labor on or about the building, so that no accident
might befall any; and entreated the Heavenly Father
to make the church there erected, a lasting good to
the community, and a glory to his holy name.
After prayer, the pastor took a spade, dug the first
earth, and cast it into a cart. He was followed by
the other members, male and female, and soon the
first cart load of earth was hauled away.
From that time the work went steadily forward.
All were solicitous about the kind of soil which
would be found beneath the surface. We were gladdened to see it all that we could desire; and the universal testimony was, that no better foundation for a
building could be found anywhere.
The walls rest upon a coarse, gravelly bed, which
packs into a solidity by a pressure bearing upon it.
The first stone was laid by the pastor on the morning of June 9th, 1869, at the northwest corner of the
foundation walls. The season was remarkably favorable for building, and, with but slight interruptions,
a large gang of masons continued their work, having
the walls ready for the reception of the first floor
joists in the beginning of July.
It had been arraneled to hlave appropriate services
at the laving of the Corner Stonl. Invitations were




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.          83
extended to many of the friends of the enterprise to
be present; and, through the papers, the public was
invited to meet on the afternoon of July 8th, 1869,
to witness the ceremony.
A temporary floor had been laid upon the first
floor joists, and near the southwest corner of the
building a canopy had been raised, under which seats
were arranged for clergymen and ladies.
The afternoon was excessively warm; not a cloud
softened the burning rays of that July sun. People
chose rather to be within doors, yet, notwithstanding the heat, a large crowd gathered to witness the
ceremonies. Many clergymen, representing different
denominations, took seats in the places assigned
them.  The ladies, in large numbers, graced the
scene with their presence; and either standing in the
crowd, or resting on extemporized seats, or grouping at the windows of houses opposite, were people
in numbers sufficient to give enthusiasm  to the
occasion.
The exercises consisted of singing, under the direction of Mr. Joseph F. Jaggers; prayer; reading of the
Scriptures  and short addresses by visiting clergy-men.  The pastor then read a condensed Listory of
the church; after which lie placed in a beautiful
glass casket (made expressly for this occasion, and
presented by the manufacturers, Gillcnrer & Bennett), a copy of the Bible; Confession of Faitfhl TDie
American Presbyterian; The Presbyterian; copies of
all our city daily papers; a set of proof coins (a gift




84              HISTORY OF THE
from Mr. John Campbell, of Manayunk); the history
which he had just read, and the names of the church
members. The casket was then deposited in the Corner-Stone, and covered with a large stone slab. Then
the pastor struck the stone three times with a mason's mallet, and publicly announced the Corner-Stone
laid, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
After the audience had sung a hymn, they were dismissed with the Apostolic Benediction.
The Corner-Stone was laid in the southwest corner
of the building (on a line with the first floor joists),
in the tower, immediately behind the angle formed
by the two buttresses on that corner; the one
facing south on Thompson street, and the other
facing west on Franklin street.
The history read on this occasion, and deposited in
the Corner-Stone, is introduced at this point. For
although it repeats some few facts already recorded,
it presents new matter, and will furnish links to
what might otherwise be detached history.
HISTORY.
"The corporate title of this church is' The Central
Presbyterian Church in the Northern Liberties.'
"The original limits of Philadelphia were the
Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, east and west, and
Vine and Cedar streets, north and south.
6All above Vine street was called' North End,'
and below Cedar street,'South End,' or'Society
Hill.' With the growth of society in these sections,




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.         85
separate municipalities became necessary, and the' South End' became the municipality of'Southwark,' and the' North End' the municipality of the'Northern Liberties.' The district of the Northern
Liberties was incorporated in the year 1803, and was
not consolidated with the city until the year 1854.
At the time of its incorporation its population numbered about 16,000, and at the time of its consolidation about 60,000 inhabitants.
"During the latter half of the last century the
spiritual wants of the people living above the city
limits awakened the concern of the Second PIresbyterian Church, then worshiping at the corner of
Third and Arch streets. This church was part of
the fruits of the great revival under Whitefield's
preaching, and was characterized for its zeal to
propagate the gospel. It still survives the change
of years, and it is worthy of remark that but about
two weeks since, the congregation of the Second
Church laid the Corner-Stone for a new church edifice
at Twenty-first and Walnut streets. Dr. Beadle is
the present pastor.
" Rev. Dr. Sproat, who succeeded Rev. Gilbert
Tennent, D.D., the first pastor of the Second Church,
instituted religious services in a small house at the
northeast corner of St. John and Coates streets. The
Revolutionary war interrupted these services; but
soon after its close, Dr. Ashbel Green, afterwards
President of Princeton College, becoming a colleague
of Dr. Sproat, united with him in methodically
6




86              HISTORY OF THE
carrying on the services which had been interrupted.
At length the growth of the congregation demanded
the building of a church edifice. Mr. Winm. Coates,
a large land owner, made donation of the lot on the
northwest corner of Second and Coates streets, then
open ground, and, as was thought, too remote from
the city to be ever disturbed by the march of business. The moneys needed to erect the building were
secured by honest begging, and the building finished
and opened April 7th, 1805.
"Religious worship was held statedly for eight
years, when the growth of the community and wants
of the congregation demanded the settlement of a
pastor.
" A church was now duly organized, known as the
First Presbyterian Church, Northern Liberties, and
Rev. James Patterson elected its pastor. He was
elected September 27th, 1813, and duly installed on
Tuesday, January 11th, 1814.
"The labors of Mr. Patterson were abundantly
blessed. He inaugurated new measures to win souls
to Christ; he preached Christ in the pulpit and out
of the pulpit, in the church and on the commons; he
visited much, and sent all his members to visit the
sick and distressed. He organized the first Sabbath
School; he educated young men for the ministry,
and labored in every way for the salvation of men.
He saw the number of his communicants rise from
52 to 1,100; and in the twenty-three years of his pastorate in this church 60 young men were introduced




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.         87
into the ministry; 1,700 persons were received into
the church; thousands of children instructed gratuitously in Sunday Schools; tens of thousands of immortal ones warned, counseled, exhorted, entreated,
in the fields, in the streets, and in the place of
prayer.
" In the spring of 1829, it was concluded to sell
the old church building at Second and Coates streets,
and move into a westward location. This was because
of the encroachments of business, and the increasing
demands of another locality.
"After the usual trials attending such a movement, the First Presbyterian Church in the Northern
Liberties disappeared from the corner of Second and
Coates street, but appeared again in Buttonwood
street, below Sixth, where the new church building
was opened May 12th, 1833.
"Its history has been grand ever since, and to-day
it is doing a noble work for God under the pastoral
care of Rev. T. J. Shepherd, D.D.
" At the time the moving the old church was first
agitated, it had more than a thousand members, and
it is not to be wondered at that Christian men should
differ as to the best location of a new edifice.  Men
did differ, and that difference was the origin of the
North Presbyterian Church, now standing in Sixth
street, above Green, and of the Central Presbyterian
Church, iN. L.:,'now in Coates street, below Fourth,
but which to-day lays the Corner-Stone of a new edifice on this spot.




88              HISTORY OF THE
"Differing from their brethren on the question
of church site, and believing they had an independent work to do for their Master, they withdrew from the parent church, and denominating
themselves' The Central Presbyterian Church in the
Northern Liberties,' they worshiped for a time in a
school-room on Poplar street, above Second, looking,
however, to the speedy erection of a church edifice
on Coates street, below Fourth. This building, commenced in 1835, was not occupied until the year
1836.
"' During the time of its building, the congregation,
having left the school-room in Poplar street, worshiped in the old Commissioners' Hall, in Third
street, below Green. Here it was that on the 24th
day of June, 1835, agreeably to the Form of Government of the Presbyterian Church, 21 persons were
organized into a church. Of these 21, six still live,
viz.: Hannah R. Naglee, Margaret Stewart, Joseph
Aitken, Charles C. Aitken, Joseph Pond, and Catharine Pond-the three first named being still in the
communion of the church. At the time of the organization of the church, Rev. John McDowell, D.D.,
and Rev. Cornelius C. Cuyler, D.D., by invitation,
attended. Dr. McDowell presided, and opened the
meeting with prayer. After the usual form of questions was proposed to the persons thus presenting
themselves, they proceeded to elect, by ballot, three
individuals to be ruling elders, when Mr. Charles
Elliot, Mr. Benjamin Naglee, and Mr. John A. Stewart,




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        89
were unanimously elected. The elders elect were
then set apart to the office of ruling elders in this
church.
"The constitutional questions were proposed to
the elders, and to the members, by Dr. McDowell,
and were answered in the affirmative, which was followed with prayer by Dr. Cuyler. It was then
declared that the church under the name of the Central Presbyterian Church, N. L., was duly organized.
This was followed with an address to the elders by
Dr. McDowell, and to the church by Dr. Cuyler.
The solemn services of the evening were then concluded with the benediction.
"On the 29th of June, 1835, this infant church
elected their first pastor, Rev. Winm. H. Burroughs,
of New Providence, N. J. Mr. Burroughs soon after
accepted the call, and was installed over the church
and congregation, by the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, on the evening of August 24th, 1835. The
services were held in the First Presbyterian Church,
N. L., by invitation from the pastor, Rev. James
Patterson.
" The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was, for the
first time, administered in this infant church July
12th, 1836.
"The labors of Mr. Burroughs in his pastoral
charge were of short duration. Disease invaded his
system and laid him aside, and soon brought him to
his grave. There was a strong mutual attachment
between Mr. B. and the people of his charge. He




90              HISTORY OF THE
died at Newark, N. J., July 29th, 1836, in the 36th
year of his age, greatly beloved and deeply lamented.
"On the 23d of August, 1836, a congregational
meeting was held for the purpose of electing a successor to fill the place of Mr. Burroughs. Rev.
Thomas A. J. Mines was unanimously elected. Mr.
Mines accepted the call, and was installed the September following. He sustained the pastoral relation
for a very short period. At the expiration of two
months he expressed a desire, in consequence of a
feeble state of health, that his pastoral relation be
dissolved. The Presbytery agreed to his dismission
Mr. Mines continued in a weak and declining state
till the 20th of January, 1838, when he was released
from his earthly labors.
"For several weeks subsequent to Mr. Mines' dismission, this chui'ch did not enjoy the labors of a
pastor; they depended on supplies as they were able
to secure them.
"On the 23cld of October, 1837, the Rev. Anson
Rood, of Danbury, Conn., was unanimously elected
pastor. Mr. Rood, having accepted the call, was
installed December 15th, 1837. The Rev. Eliakim
Phelps- presided, and proposed the constitutional
questions. Rev. John L. Grant preached the sermon.
Rev. George Clhandler gave tile charge to the pastor,
and Rev. Albert Barnes the charge to the people.
Mr. Rood continued the pastor of the church for
eleven years and three months, resigning March 5th,
1849, on account of his health, which, by reason of




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        91
his labors, had been greatly impaired. His ministry
was greatly blessed. Large congregations attended
his services. He multiplied these services for the
good of souls. He had added to his eldership Mr.
Isaac Ashmead, elected October 13th, 1840; also,
Messrs. Samuel T. Bodine and William T. Donaldson, who were elected May 8th, 1843, and ordained
June 19th of the same year. Frequent were the
revivals in the church, and its membership was more
than fourfold increased during his ministry. His
health continued to fail after his retirement from the
active work of the ministry, and he died in the Lord,
November 27th, 1857.
"' A period of thirteen months elapsed, after the
resignation of Mr. Rood, before another pastor was
called and installed. On January 4th, 1850, Rev.
James P. Wilson, D.D., then President of Delaware
College, was elected pastor, and in April of the same
year he was installed pastor in the presence of a very
large congregation.'' Rev. Joel Parker, D.D., presided, and proposed the
constitutional questions; Rev. Dr. Gilbert preached
the sermon; Rev. Albert Barnes delivered the charge
to the pastor, and Rev. Robert Adair the charge to
the people.
" The pastoral relation of Dr. Wilson with his
people continued but about fifteen months, when he
resigned to accept the Professorship of Systematic
Theology in Union Theological Seminary, New York.
After serving in that position for some time, he




92              HISTORY OF THE
resigned to become pastor of a church in Newark,
N. J., where he still resides, in the midst of an admiring and devoted people. His resignation as pastor of this church took place April 8th, 1851.
"About seven months elapsed, when, on November
17th, 1851, Rev. George Duffield, Jr., was elected
pastor, and on May 13th, 1852, was duly installed.
Dr. Gilbert presided, and proposed the constitutional
questions; Dr. James P. Wilson, former pastor,
preached the sermon; Rev. George Duffield, Sr.,
D.D., of Detroit, delivered the charge to the pastor;
and Rev. W. W. Taylor the charge to the people.
" Mr. Duffield continued pastor of the church for
more than nine years. During this time he was the
witness of many revivals, and was fully assured that
his faithful preaching of the gospel was accompanied
with the power of the Holy Ghost. His soul continually yearned for the salvation of men. He had
added to his eldership Messrs. B. D. Stewart, Wnm.
Sanderson, H. H. Shillingford, and G. C. Bower, who
were elected and ordained to office in April, 1855.
His resignation took place in the summer of 1861,
when he accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church
of Adrian, Mich, from which he afterwards went to
become the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of
Galesburg, Ill., where he still labors, being blessed
and blessing others.
" Several months elapsed before another pastor was
called. On the 11th day of June, 1862, the congregation elected Rev. James Young Mitchell, then of




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       93
Newton Presbytery, N. J. On October 26th following, he was installed as pastor of the church. Rev.
T. J. Shepherd, D.D., presided, and proposed the constitutional questions, and delivered the charge to the
pastor. Rev. Dr. Brainerd preached the sermon,
and Rev. E. E. Adams, D.D., delivered the charge to
the people. Up to the present time, for more than
seven years, he continues the pastor. He moves with
his people in this movement, hoping, trusting, praying, that God will give it success. He has added to
his eldership Messrs. Joseph Aitken, James Neely,
and Abner Lincoln, who were elected and ordained
to office in October, 1866. He has had many occasions to thank God for the outpouring of his Holy
Spirit upon his congregation, and for adding to the
church a goodly number of such as shall be saved.
With thankful heart we record the fact that in the
spring of 1863 the last of the debt upon the old
church building ($7,500) was removed.
" The old Central Church has done much for the
cause of Christ; and though, because of removals to
other sections of the city, it has lost many of its once
active members, these have not been lost to Christ.
Many, if not most of our churches in the city are
now enjoying the benefits of faitlhfl workmen, who
first began to work for Christ in this old church.
Though much of her former glory has departed for
the present, we rejoice to believe that the day is not
far distant when it will return again. Her existence
has not been in vain. Her history is a history of




94              HISTORY OF THE
revivals, of large benevolence, and of continued labors
for Christ.
"The present movement of our church has long
been contemplated. For many years we have suffered
much because of our people moving farther north and
west. Our church was growing weaker every year.
This was said fifteen years ago. The community
which we now occupy is largely German. It is becoming more and more so every year. The material
to support our church, or to attend it, is not in the
neighborhood. We are solicitous for this Zion. It
has a grand history. In other days she laid her
treasures at the Saviour's feet.  She has largely
helped to build new churches, and to support feeble
ones. No object of Christian obligation, love or
charity did she overlook. Multitudes have been
saved through her instrumentality-multitudes who
have gone up out of her to heaven now swell that
great cloud of witnesses which to-day encompasses
us; and multitudes more who still linger in this
world, pillars in the church of God elsewhere, proudly
call it their spiritual birth-place. We have gladdened their hearts, we have gladdened our own, in
the transfer of the old edifice in Coates street to
German Reformed Salem Church. That old building, where tears of repentance and tears of spiritual joy have been shed, where sinners have been
born again and saints been gladdened, where the
waters of baptism  have been sprinkled and the
communion table spread-is not lost to the cause




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       95
of God. It is- still to echo the praises of our
Saviour.
" We come to this spot. We come to be more
central to our own people. We come to offer further church accommodations to this rapidly growing
neighborhood. We come to preach Christ and Him
crucified. We lay the Corner-Stone of this new
church edifice to day.  Soon the last stone will be
placed, the last arch sprung, the last beam adjusted.
" When this is done, may we say it is well done!
May God say it is well done. May the history and
hallowed associations of our time honored church be
perpetuated, and when in eternity it is remembered,
of many may it be said-They were born there."
"God grant it.-Amen."
The months which followed the laying of the Corner-Stone, were months of considerable anxiety. To
the credit of the German committee, we record with
pleasure the promptness with which they made every
payment upon the old church property as it matured.
But, the whole amount which they owed fell far
short of the $52,200, the amount due  Mr. Robert
Scott,;upon the contract for building our new church.
Our congregation although doing well, could not be
expected with their small numbers and limited
means, to give as the necessities of the case required.
The building committee held many anxious meetings. It was often felt that the work must cealse for




96              HISTORY OF THi
want of funds. Not only were there anxious days,
but sleepless nights. There was begging and borrowing. It mattered very little, whether there was
pouring rain or burning sun, the burden of running
the streets soliciting subscriptions and contributions,
had to be borne. Ofttimes after the greatest labor of
this kind, there was very little to comfort.
At the time the committee of the "Pastors'
Association," made their report as previously given,
we had hoped to realize from the community, an
amount, which added to our own contributions, and
the proceeds of the sale of our old property, would
be amply sufficient to establish our congregation in
the Lecture Room of our new church free from debt.
In this we were disappointed.
Growing out of the action of the " Pastors' Association," there was a meeting of prominent Presbyterian laymen called to meet in the Lecture Room of
the First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, on
Washington Square. At that meeting, the financial
condition of several of our churches was considered,
and a committee consisting of Hon. W. Strong, W.
E. Tenbrook, Thomas Potter, Alexander WVhilden
and John C. Farr, was appointed to examine the
matter still further, and report at a subsequent meeting. This committee afterwards reported, recommending the raising of $105,000 to assist or relieve
certain churches, which had recently been finished,
or were in process of erection. Of this amount our
own church was recommended for $25,000. The other




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       97
churches at the time the committee reported, were
more pressed for money immediately, than our own.
Hence, of the first contributions made to the fund
named, the committee handed over pro rata, to the
most needy at the time.
The whole amount of that fund was never raised.
Many of the subscriptions were canceled, because
the subscribers had given their names on condition
that the whole amount be raised, and others of the
subscribers donated their individual subscriptions
according to their preferences.
One cause which cooled the ardor of the committee and the Presbyterian public, in the matter of
raising the whole amount, was the agitation of the
" Reunion of the two branches of the Presbyterian
Church."
This subject had been for so long a time discussed
in church Journals, in Presbyteries, Synods and General Assemblies, that it was a foregone conclusion it
must take place. It was actually accomplished at
Pittsburgh in 1869.
In the efforts of fthe committee to make up the
fund of $105,000, they found many who hesitated
because they believed that upon the " Reunion " an
effort would hle made to liquidate the debts of all the
churches. The committee, because of this public
sentiment, measurably failed in their effbrt to relieve
the " New School" churches.
It was not anticipated at that. time that a "Reunited Church" would be called upon to do such
7




98              HISTORY OF THE
great things in the way of building a large Presbyterian house, a hospital, a home for widows and
single women, and that the demands would be heavy
upon the people, for other interests than those of individual churches.
The work of the committee, however, was not lost
altogether. The churches which they undertook to
relieve, while they did not get what they expected and
relied upon, received in part; our own church getting
$12,850.
This amount was not actually collected and handed
over to our treasurer by the committee. It required
personal effort to secure it. The names of the subscribers on the books of the committee were given to
the pastor, and either he, or some member of the
Building Committee, had to call upon the parties to
obtain the amount of their subscriptions. Oftentimes the effort was as trying as the getting of a new
contribution.
We cannot but remember, in this connection, our
indebtedness to Messrs. Wmn. E. Tenbrook, B. D.
Stewart, Thomas Potter, Alexander Whildin, and
F. L. Bodine (all of whom were either members of
the committee or contributors to the fund), for the
interest they manifested in our work. To them
chiefly we are indebted for the amount which we
have received from this source.
NTotwithstanding the trials attendant upon raising
the. means needed to prosecute our work, we experienced no consideralble delay. ILoans sufficient to




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        99
bridge over seasons of necessity were from time to
time secured. Mr. Abner Lincoln, as the records
show, assisted very much in this direction, and to
him the church has been, and is still, greatly indebted.
The builders made good use of a remarkably fine
summer and fall for building.
Scarcely a working day was interrupted by rain;
and so favorable was the season that the roof of the
building was completed on December 28th, 1869,
and the tower topped out January 4th, 1870.
The work on the inside went on briskly, with the
exception of about two weeks in the latter part of
February..An agent of the contractor questioned
with the Building Committee concerning a payment
which he regarded as already due him. The conm
mnittee differed with him; and pending the dispute,
work was suspended. The matter was amicably adjusted in a short time, and the work went on.
According to the terms arranged in the sale of the
"4 old property," our congregation was required, upon
the equalization of the payments then agreed upon,
to give possession to the German church on October
1st, 1869. Did they not require possession at that
time, it was arranged that our congregation should
retain possession until March 1st, 1870, upon paying
the interest upon the purchase-money from OctobeT
1st, 1869 until March 1st, 1870. It was afterward's
found that our Lecture Room in the new building,v-Alc1 (n<)t 1-e rc dyv until l,ter thflan Mr2ch; and by




100              HISTORY OF THE.
an arrangement with the German church, we kept
possession of the " Old Building" until April 11th,
1870, we paying interest upon the money received up
to that time.
As it grew  near the time of leaving the "Old
Church," it was thought advisable to have a reunion
of the present and former members. To this end the
following circular was issued:
" INVITATION.
" Central Presbyterian Church, (N. L.)
Coates Street, below Fourth.
"You are affectionately invited to attend a REUNION
of the present and former members of the Central
Presbyterian (N. L.) Church and congregation, to be
held in the church, Coates street, below Fourth, on
Thursday evening, March 10th, at a quarter before 8
o'clock.
"This meeting, earnestly desired by many of the
former members, and looked forward to with interest
by those still in the church, will afford the only opportunity we shall ever have of thus visiting the'Old Church Building,' so dear to us all because of
sweet communions, holy joys and happy associations
enjoyed within its walls.
"As a church, we will hereafter remember the days
of the past in our new church edifice (now approach



;TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        101
ing completion) at the northeast corner of Franklin
and Thompson streets.
"Let us come together, then, and, in parting at the
spot where we have often before so gladly met, may
we congratulate each other, and render thanksgiving
to God because the' Old Building,' in passing from
us, passes into the hands of the' Salem  German
Reformed (German) Congregation,' which will con-'tinue to hold it as a place'where God's honor
dwelleth'
JAMES Y. MITCHELL, Pastor.
WM. SANDERSON, SR.,)
JOSEPH AITKEN,.Elders.
ABNER LINCOLN,
Commnittee.
POST OFFICE ADDRESS OF PASTOR, No, 1003 North Fifth street "'
This meeting was held, and quite a large number
attended.  The pastor presided. We had a season
of prayer, singing, and reading of the Scriptures.
After this, letters +were read from Rev. Dr. James P.
Wilsonr  a former pastor, and several of the former
-members, who were unable to attend.
Pleasant reminiscences of other days were then
recounted by Messrs. B. 1). Stewart, Henry Davis,
G. W. Griee, Duffield Ashmead, Rev. S. W. Duffield,
and others; after which all joined heartily in singing the hymn,
"Blest be the tie that binds," &e
-when the meeting was closed with the benediction
by the pastor.




102             HISTORY OF THE
The German Church took possession of the old
property on April 11th, 1870. This was three weeks
before our Lecture Room was ready for occupancy.
During these three weeks our people visited other
churches-watching daily, however, for the announcement in the daily papers of the time when the'' opening exercises"' would take place in the new
edifice.
Everything being in complete readiness, due notice
was given in all the city papers on Saturday, May
7th, 1870, that the opening exercises in the Lecture
Room would take place on Sabbath, May 8th. Similar notice was given through the American Presbyterian, our denominational paper.
The building committee had also prepared a neat
folding card, to be sent to individuals who had befriended us, as well as for general distribution in the
neighborhood of the church.
On the first page of this card was given the following'" Order of Exercises:"
Szunday, May  8th.
SERMONS BY
REV. PETER STRYKER, D.D., Pastor of North Broad
Street Presbyterian Church,... 10 A. M.
REv. Z, M. HUMPHREY, D.D., Pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church, 2 P. M.
REv. 11. C. MCCOOK, D.D., Pastor of Seventh Presbyterian Church,..           8 P. M.
Opening of Sabbath School at 2 P. M.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       108
Monday, May 9th.
UNION MEETING.
To be addressed by several neighboring pastors.
SERMONS.
Tuesday, May 10th, at 8 P. M.
REV. HERRICK JOHNSON, D.D., Pastor of First Presbyterian Church.
Wednesday, May 11th, at 8 P. M.
REV. R. H. ALLEN, iD.D., Pastor of " Old Pine Street"
Presbyterian Church.
Thursday, May 12th, at 8 P. AM
REV. E. R. BEADLE, ID.D., Pastor of Second Presbyterian Church,
Friday, May 13th, at 8 P. AM
REV. T. X. ORR, Pastor of First Reformed Church.
Sunday, May 15th, at 10~ A.. M
SERMON BY
REV. R. H.. ALLEN, D.D.,
And Administration of the Sacrament of the Lord's
Supper.
At 8 P. M.
Sermon by the Pastor.




104             HISTORY OF THE
On the second page of the card was printed the
following:
"The Lecture Room of the Central Presbyterian
Church, N. L., just completed, at the northeast corner of Franklin and Thompson streets, will be opened
with appropriate exercises, commencing Sabbath, May
8th, 1870. You are cordially invited to be present.
JAS, Y. MITCHEILL, Pastor."
There was the simplicity of Presbyterian worship
maintained at all these services. The Trustees had
procured the services of Mr. Joseph F. Jaggers, to
lead the singing, and he conducted it after the manner of the Precentor in the Church of Scotland. It
was in this way that the singing was conducted at
the time the church was opened in Coates street.
Then it was under the leadership of Mr. Josiah P.
White, who continues his membership with the
church until the present time.
The morning of May 8th was beautiful. It appeared as though God had favored us with just such
a day as that for which all had been wishing. It was
what might have been denominated'" a lovely Sabbath
morning in spring." The Lecture Room was crowded
with worshipers, and all were pleased with the
exercises.
About the close of the morning services, clouds
began to gather in the sky; the winds rose, and
therere were Iany fears that a heavy rain would interF 




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       10t.
fere with the balance of the day's programme. In a
measure, bur fears became a reality. Rain began to
fall a little while after noon; and when the time
arrived for the gathering of the Sabbath School
scholars, there was not only rain, but there burst
upon the city the most terrible and destructive hailstorm ever known in our country. The stones were
of an immense size, and were driven by a high wind
with such velocity, that protection was sought for
by man and beast. So suddenly did it begin, and
with such force did it continue, that persons in their
homes had not time, nor dared they venture, to close
even the shutters, to protect the glass in their windows. This storm, in its filry, continued for at least
half an hour; and when it ended, there was scarcely
a house which had not its broken window-panes.
Some church windows were literally riddled. The
number of window-lights broken was calculated, in
some of the papers published the next day, at hundreds of thousands, and by others at millions. The
Lord saved our church, as two or three small pieces
of glass in the borders of the windows were all that
were broken.
The storm, which began suddenly, passed away
suddenly. When its strength was wasted, the sun
shone forth; and although the opening of the Sabbath School was interfered with for a time, we got
together at last, and spent a short season with the
children in pleasant and profitable opening exercises,
directed bv Mr. Robert Aitken, superintendent. The




106             HISTORY OF THE
remaining parts of the programme were gone through
with according to the announcement, with but one
exception. It was impossible for Dr. Allen to preach
the sermon on Sabbath, May 15th, and the pastor
took his place.
At the Union Meeting, on Monday, the 9th, addresses were made by Rev. D. E. Klopp, pastor of
Trinity Reformed Church; Rev. Wmin. O. Johnstone,
pastor of Kensington Presbyterian Church; Rev. J.
F. Kennard, pastor of the Tenth Baptist Church;
and by the pastor. All the meetings were quite well
attended, notwithstanding rains prevailed every evening during the week, with the exception of Friday
evening. Collections were taken up at every service, and in the aggregate amounted to $2,880.29,
which sum was used to meet, in part, the expenses
incurred in the building.
IX.
FROM THE "LECTURE ROOM" TO THE "MAIN AUDIENCE
ROOM."
The work done up to the time of the completion
of the Lecture Room was in perfect accordance with
the original design of the architect, as accepted and
approved by the Building Committee, with but
slight alterations and additions.
To avoid the annoyance attendant upon outside




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.      107
drainage from the roof during seasons of rain or
snow, the committee, at an additional expense of
$275, had iron conductors to pass on the inside of
the stone walls, from the roof to the cellar, where
they were connected with terra-cotta pipes, laid
under the cellar floor, and through these all the water
was conveyed into the sewer on Thompson street.
The separation between the Lecture Room and the
Infant Sunday School Room was to be by sash, hung
with weights and pulleys. A mistake on the part
of the carpenter made them to swing on hinges.
The committee, however, believing them to be satisfactory in this way, allowed them  to remain the
carpenter paying the difference in the cost. The
space now occupied by the library room, together
with the vestibule leading thereto, were, by the Architect's plan, intended to be a part of the Bible Class
and Trustees' room. Believing that a room separated from the main room would be better for the
Librarian's work, they had the plan changed to
what it now is.
Three feet were also taken froml the north end of
the pastor's study, and made use of for closets and
stationary wash-stand. A screen at the back of the
centre block of pews, immediately in front of the
main entrance door, was fixed by the committee to
break the force of the air upon persons inside when
the door was opened.
In addition to the regular contract made with Mr.
Robt. Scott, there was a contract made with Morris




1 0)8            HISTORY OF THE
and ITaines, for three furnaces capable'of warm.ing
the entire building, also for registers, dampers, &c.;
the contract price for the work thus contemplated
was $1,371, of which amount the furnaces cost $1,000.
The back stairway leading from the Franklin street
door up to the audience room, under the main contract, was only to be horsed up; the committee in
view of the necessities which would frequently occur
for-its use, had it finished at a cost of $232. They
had also seats put in the infant room for $167.50.
In addition to the items already specified as alterations or additions, the committee purchased the gas
fixtures for $100, had a brick pavement laid on the
north and east sides of the church, and had prepared
the foundation for a slab pavement on Thompson and
Franklin streets.
Everything which was needed to be done was
done, in order that the congregation might be comfortable in their new place of worship.
These'" extras " added a few thousands of dollars
to the cost of the buildingr, every cent of which is
carefully recorded on the books of the treasurer.
In contemplating the work cldone thus fair, we deem
it our duty to place on record the conviction of all
who have watched the progress of the building  The
contractor was a man with a conscience. He not only
superintended the work, but worked hirmself. He was
in earnest to make a good job. Living at Wilmington,
Del., he felt that a church building of such proportions if substantially erected, would be to his advan



TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       109
tage in securing contracts in this city. He slighted
no place, and allowed no place to be slighted by his
men, from the time the first stoile was laid until the
last nail under his contract was driven. Hence, we
have full confidence in the substantial character of
the building.
The building committee having an eye not simply
to beauty, but to strength also, chose the style of
architecture which the building has. They ignored
the high pitched roof, preferring to increase the
strength by binding the walls together with heavy
girders.
All of the materials, whether of lime or stone,
wood or iron, were ordered to be of the best quality.
The lumber on reaching the ground was carefully
inspected, and as agreed upon in the contract, not a
board could be used which did not meet the approval
of the committee.
All disputes arising between the commitee and the
contractor, were to be referred to the Architect as
umpire to decide. Happily very few matters had
to be referred, as the contractor was seemingly bent
on making our interests his own.
The opening of the " Lecture Room," was followed
by a large increase in the congregation. This will
readily appear when we mark the fact, that in the
annual report made in January 1870, for a period
covering the whole year, the basket collections
amounted to only $113.33; while from the opening
of the Lecture Room until January 1871, a period




110              HISTORY OF THE
of less than eight months, the basket collections
amounted to $390.47, a difference in favor of the
shorter time of $277.14.
The pews, of which there were 96, rented quite as
readily as was anticipated, and before the first six
months had elapsed, all the most eligible had been
taken.
The few who had been struggling to accomplish
the work already done, soon found themselves encouraged and strengthened by fresh additions to
their numbers. The coming together of the old and
new, under God, did not partake so much of the
nature of adding, as it did that of bledicing. We began
to see not only new faces in our congregations, new
names on our rolls, but new workers in our fields.
We received fresh inspiration fromn  new advisers,
and fresh encouragement from new counsellors.
The moral strength received by new persons casting their lot with us, was fully appreciated by all
the people. Among those who occupied official positions, it was frequently the theme of kindly remark,
and we are not surprised that at the close of the year,
several members of the Board of Trustees, resigned
in order that their places might be filled by others
who could officially bring their former experiences
in other churches, to further the welfare of our own.
The people heartily welomed all who joined hands
with them, and at the congregational meeting, Janluary 9th, 1871, of the five trustees chosen, four were




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       111
of those who had lately associated themselves with
us, in the work of the Lord.
At this same congregational meeting, the Board
of Trustees was authorized to create a mortgage on
the church property, for such an amount as they
thought necessary, not exceeding $25,000, the proceeds to be applied to the funding or cancellation of
our present indebtedness.
Another matter of coisiderable importance was
brought up at this meeting. It was an act authorizing the Board to issue stock or scrip, under the
authority of this corporation, to an amount not exceeding $20,000, the proceeds to be applied to the
completion of the church edifice.
After some discussion of this proposition, it was
laid upon the table, to be taken up at an adjourned
meeting of the congregation, on January 18th, 1871.
The pastor was invited to be present at the adjourned
meeting.
During the interval which elapsed between the
stated and adjourned meetings, a conference was held
by some of the male members of the church. At
this conference the pastor brought forward the subject of the " Memorial Fund."
In 1869, when the two branches of the Presbyterian Church came together, there was a wide-spread
enthusiasm throughout the whole church. The city
of Pittsburg, where the Old and New School Assemblies merged into one, witnessed scenes memorable
in the history of Presbyterianism.. There was not.




112              HISTORY OF THE
only the procession, in which, by previous arrangement, former Old School men linked arms with former New School men, but there was also one of the
grandest and most enthusiastic meetings ever held
by a religious body. In the midst of this enthusiasm it was proposed by some members of the body
to raise in the "' Reunited Church " $5,000,000 as a
"memorial " unto the Lord for his wonderful goodness and providence in bringing such a happy state
of things to pass. This proposition was heralded
throughout the land, and the church became comnitted to it.
When the General Assembly, after the reunion,
met in the First Presbyterian Church in this city,
in May, 1870, the proposition was brought forward,
a committee appointed to see it carried out, and arrange all the machinery necessary to make it a success. Theological seminaries, colleges and professorships were to be endowed, and the work of the Lord
generally was to be fostered and furthered by ihe
munificent fund.  The whole arnounlt was to( be
raised by the timne the Assembly met in 1871. The
work was done, well done, and better done than the
most sanguine had hoped for.
Certain churches like our own, engaged in building, were allowed to raise money to push forward
their individual work, and for the amounts thus
raised in the time specified, were to receive credit on
account of the " Memorial Fund."
The brethren of tilhe confereelce, upon learninrg




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.      113
these facts, thought it best to waive all questions
touching the issuing of stock or scrip, and see what
they could do in the way of raising money, as
authorized by the Memorial Committee. When,
therefore, the congregation met, and had the Memorial Fund explained to them, they voted down the
" resolution on stock or scrip," and appointed Messrs.
S. Bradbury, Abner Lincoln, S. L. Kirk, Dr. B. C.
Snowden, Dr. J. P. Curran, Lewis Davis, Robert
Dornan, and Conrad B. Day, a Committee on Memorial Contributions."  On motion, the pastor was
added to the committee. This committee, as we
find afterwards reported, succeeded in raising contributions to the amount of $10,293.75.
Soon after this, a mortgage of $25,000 upon the
church property was negotiated with the Fire Association, and the mortgage of $7,500, given to Mr.
Ellis, was paid off:
The congregation encouraged the Board of Trustees to go forward in the completion of the church
building. With this in view, at their meeting, held
May 8th, 1871, they unanimously elected Mr. Jacob
1Knight a member of the Building Committee.
The Building Committee invited proposals from
several builders for the finishing of the church edifice. These proposals contemplated all the carpenter
work, lumber, stairs, pews and plastering necessary
for the completion of the work. The committee met
at the office of the Architect, May 29th, 1871, to open
these proposals, when it was found that the lomwest,




114            HISTORY OF THE
estimate for the work was from A. Catnach & Son.
A contract was entered into with them, and they
commenced upon the work immediately.
A look at the church building at this time will
not be out of place. All the stone work was done.
The main entrance door on Thompson street, and the
door on Franklin street, were finished and in place.
All the windows on the lower floor were hung. On
either side of the main door, as you entered, there
was a temporary wall, of lathe, and one coat of plaster, so as to protect the Lecture Room from the rubbish which accumulated in the unfinished portion of
the building. The two side entrances on Thompson
street were boarded up, as were also the windows in
the second story. The floor in the main room was
laid, and the gallery joists in position. Within the
walls, the. Lecture Room and rooms adjoining were
alone complete.
In view of a festival to be held in the chureh
about this time, and as the work had to be done before the lathing and plastering commenced, the
Building Committee engaged Mr. Hugh Thompson
to introduce the gas-pipes. They also changed the
original design, which was to have the gallery front
circular, and arranged to have it straight. This
change, and another, which provided a better pew
end, brought the cost of the work contemplated by
Catnach & Son to the sum of $10,000.
After due consideration, the Building Committee
thought best to recduce the space allowed by the




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        115
Architect for the back stairway and pulpit recess.
By cutting off three feet from this space, there was
still left sufficient room for a wide stairway and pulpit recess; and while the architectural design was
not interfered with, the audience room was increased
in depth. This alteration was made by the contractors for $130. The plan of the Architect, upon
which the contracter based his estimate, called for
only 126 pews. There being ample room for more,
the committee arranged to have 150. Afterwards,
however, to allow a wider space between the pulpit
platform and the pews in front of it, they had two
taken out, leaving the number 148. In the gallery
were placed eight very long pews.
The work of finishing now went forward quite
briskly. The committee had other contracts to make,
and they had to be continually on the alert, lest their
delays might delay the work already advancing.
Contracts were made with Mr. John Gibson to do all
the frescoeing, after a design furnished by the Architect, for $770; with Messrs. J. and G. IH. Gibson, to
furnish, after approved patterns, all the glass required, for $1,455.57; with Mr. Charles M. Baker,
to do all the painting, graining, oiling, &c., necessary
to complete the church in the best manner, for $415;
with Cornelius & Co., for furnishing gas fixtures and
putting them  up, for $400; and with Morris &
Haines, for registers, &c., $148.
Looking forward to the completion of the church,
which was expected about December 1st, 1871, it was




116             HISTORY OF THE
thought advisable to have everything in complete
readiness for dedication at that time. On Sabbath,
July 9th, the pastor announced that a meeting of the
congregation would be held on Wednesday, the 12th
inst., to consider a matter connected with the opening of the church. At that meeting, the object was
stated to be the appointment of a committee to make
all arrangements for procuring a suitable organ to be
used in the main audience room, now in process of
completion. Whereupon Messrs. J. P. Curran, M.D.,
John Dickey, and Samuel H. Davis, were appointed.
The distinctive title of the committee was, "The
Organ Committee."
Soon after their appointment, they held a joint
conference with the Building Committee. According
to the Architect's plan, the organ was intended to be
placed in the northeast corner of the building, alongside of the pulpit. At this conference, however, it
was decided to place the organ in the gallery, and
have the corner where it was originally intended to
be, made to correspond with the other side of the
pulpit, and to use the recess as a store-room.
Having decided as to where the organ should be
placed, the Organ Committee began to inquire more
particularly of what they were to do. They attended
organ openings, corresponded with organ builders,
studied the wants and wishes of the congregation,
but concluded that for the present at least, they had
better wait until other matters more important were
attended to, and the finances of the church would








; il~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~r; ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~      ~      i
~   ii V  N               (IIU yC 11.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       117
warrant them in arranging for the building of such
an organ as they believed the church needed. To
bridge over from the present to a more favorable
time, they hired an organ, which, with satisfaction,
has been used until now.
Notwithstanding the expectations of the congregation, the work of finishing the church was not
completed until the close of January, 1872. The
dedication might have taken place in January had
the committee forced the work along. They chose,
however, to wait until everything was in complete
readiness; until even the minutest matter had been
attended to
On Thursday evening, February 1st, the Building
Committee, with many of the members of the church,
met in the audience room, to test the gas arrangements. The experiment proved that the style of
lighting the church was satisfactory, both as to the
softness of the lig6ht ancd the amount of light
given.
When there was nothing further to be clone, publie notice was given, through the religious and secular
papers, that the church would be dedicated to the
worship of God on Sabbath, February 4th, 1872. A
card similar to that which hadi been distributed at
the time of the opening exercises in the Lecture
IRoom, was printed, and copies sent to the friiends of
the church, and distributed throughout the commnunity. This card contained the following  programme
of the " Dedieation ~ervc,:




118             HISTORY OF THE
Sabbath, February 4th, at 10~ A. Mf
Sermon preached and Dedicatory Services conducted
by the Pastor,
REV. JAMES Y. MITCHELL.
SERMONS BY
REv. R. H. ALLEN, D.D.,
At3P. M.
REV. H. C. MCCooK,
At 7L P. 1.
Monday, February 5th, 8 P. JV.
UNION MEETING.
To be addressed by several neighboring, pastors,
SERMONS.
Tuesday, February 6th, 8 P. M.
REV. J. L. WITHROW,
Pastor of Arch Street Presbyterian Church.
Wednesday, _February 7th, 8 P. Ml.
REV. D. MARCH, D.D.,
Pastor of Clinton Street Presbyterian Church.
Thursday, February 8th, 8 P. 1M.
REV. E. R. BEADLE, D.D.,
Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Chumeh,




'EMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       119
Friday, February 9th, 8 P.  M:
REV. H. JOHNSON, D.D.,
Pastor of First Presbyterian Church.
Sabbath, February -11th, at 10O A. Me
Administration of the Sacrament of the Lord's
Supper, by the Pastor.
3 P. A,
Sunday School Jubilee,
ADDRESSES BY
REV. WM. 0. JOHNSTONE,
Pastor of Kensington Presbyterian Church,
and the Pastor.
Singing and other exercises, by the Children of the
Sabbath Schoolsk
71 P. MASERMON BY
REV. R. D. IHARPER, D.D.,
Pastor of North Broad Street Presbyterian Church.
Monday, February 12th, 8 P. M.:Social Gathering and Selecting of Pews and Sittings.




1.20            HISTORY OF THE
This programme was fully carried out, except in
two particulars. Rev. Dr. Beadle, having injured
himself by a fall, was unable to be present. Rev.
E. H. INevin, I).D., pastor of the Reformed Church in
Race street, below Fourth, took his place. Rev. Dr.
Harper, could not attend, owing to sickness. The
pastor occupied the pulpit in his stead. The Union
meeting on 5Monday evening was participated in by
Rev. W. T. Eva, pastor of Bethesda Church; Rev.
Noah M. Price, pastor of Lutherbaum Church, and
Rev. Wm. R. Worlk.
The weather during the services was very fine.
We could hardly have looked for so mild a season
during a winter month. Very large congregations
attended the meetings, and a collection being taken
up at each of the services, the treasury was benefited
to the amount of $4,820.
A large number of persons attended the Social
Gathering on Monday, February 12th.
The Board of Trustees had decided to sell the
choice of pews. On the opening of the Lecture Room,
the Trustees had acted on the principle that "the
first coming should be first served."  This arrangement did not give entire satisfaction. To avoid
difficulty about location in the main room, they decided to sell the choice of pews at the time of the
Social Gathering.
The purchaser did not acquire a title to the pew he
selected, but simply the right to occupy it, subjectlto
th]e rental as fixed by the Board of Trustees, and




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.      1.21
also to all regulations and restrictions which they
from time to time might impose. The premiums for
choice were made payable with the quarter's rent
next due, and amounted to a few hundred dollars.
A committee of the Board-viz, S. L. Kirk,
Jacob Knight, Robert Doman and Abner Lincoln,
had previously prepared a schedule of the rentals,
which was also approved by the Board.
At the time of'the " sale of choice," the pews had
tacked upon them, the amounts for which they rented,
so that all choosing could do so intelligently. The renting of pews was as satisfactory as could be expected.
The first annual report succeeding, showing a revenue from that source of over $5,000.
X.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER-INCREASING THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS IN THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AND
CHANGING THE CHURCH NAME.
In the annual report of the Board of Trustees to
the congregation, made at a meeting held January
8th, 1872, two very important propositions were
brought forward.  One of these contemplated a
change in the " Corporate Title" of the church; the
other " an increase in the number of the members of
the Board of Trustees. These propositions had received the careful attention and consideration of the
Board.




122             HISTORY OF THE
On Dec. 11th, 1871, they had appointed a commit:
tee "to consider the expediency of procuring an
alteration in our church charter, changing our
corporate name, and also increasing the number of
trustees."
This committee at a meeting of the Board, held
January 3d, 1872, reported as follows:
" That as our old name,' the Trustees of the Central Presbyterian Church in the Northern Liberties,'
has ceased to have any local significance attached to
it, and is long and unwieldy; they recommend a
change to the' Grace Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia.'
They also recommend an increase in the number
of members of the Board of Trustees from nine, the
present number, to fifteen."
(Signed)  S. L. KIRK,
S. BRADBURY,   Committee.
J. P. CURRAN, )
When these propositions came before the congregation, the second was adopted at once, and with
entire unanimity. The congregation had felt, that
in a growing church, where so many were continually identifying themselves with us, that it was well
to be more fully represented in the Board, so that
the efficiency of the church might be increased, and
her welfare promoted by additional counsellors.
The first proposition regarding the "ehange of
name," did not at the time it was offered, meet with
the same unanimous approval.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       123
It was not to be wondered at that exceptions were
taken to the action. Some believed that a change of
name, would to some extent at least, destroy all previous history of the church.
Pleasant associations and happy religious hours,
seemed to them to be in one way or another connected with the name, or at least the name linked
them to these associations.
Others thought that a name worn with honor so
long, ought not to be changed without some fuller
explanation of the reasons for that change. It was
true, the church was no longer in the "KNorthern
Liberties," but there were other reasons, which to
their minds were more potent and satisfactory, why
it should be done; and these reasons ought to be
embodied in some way, in any resolution which contemplated a change of name.
After some discussion of the subject, its further
consideration was postponed, and the Trustees were
directed to call a special meeting of the congregation
at an early day, (giving two week's notice from the
pulpit) to consider the question.
In the discussion of this subject, the Presbyteria
reason for the change was mentioned, but not fully
brought to the notice of the congregation.
After the "Reunion" of the two branches of the
Presbyterian Church, the Presbyteries and Synods
were reconstructed. Changes of names became not
only frequent but necessary. The Fourth Presbytery,
to which our church previously belonged, was incorpo



124             HISTORY OF THE
rated with what is now the " Philadelphia Priesbytery," and the Third Presbytery, with what is now
the " Presbytery of Philadelphia Central."
In these changes, our own church being North of
-Market street, was by a geographical arrangement
brought within the bounds of the "Presbytery of
Philadelphia Central."
It so happened, that another church,(formerly Old
School) the Central Presbyterian, was brought into
the same connection. The sameness of name often
produced great confusion in the public prints, and in
Presbyterial and Synodical gatherings. It was felt
desirable by many of the ministerial brethren, that
either our own, or the other Central Church should
accept the logic of events, and as many others had
done, change the corporate title.
The other Church being our senior by a few years
could not be expected to yield in this matter, so the
question pressed itself upon us.
Many believed and do still believe, that the time
is coming when there will be but one Presbytery to
embrace all churches in the city. In such an event,
another Central Church (colored) would be upon the
roll, and add to the confusion of names.
Out of these facts, chiefly the whole discussion in
our church was brought about.
The Trustees were in no immediate hurry to call
another congregational meeting, preferring to wait
until such times as they believed the whole matter
would be well understood, and hecartily aecquieseed in




TEMPLE -IPRESBYTERIA-Ni CHURCH.   125
by the congregation. In the meantime the members
talked to one and another about it, and a conference
of male members was held.
The Trustees seeing they must take steps to have
the charter amended according to the vote of the
congregation, touching an increase in the number of
the Board; desiring to have but one expense and one
trouble in bringing the charter for amendment before
the court; and believing that they could no longer
postpone the meeting, and comply with the directions
of the congregation, which named" an early day,"
issued their call for a meeting to be held on Wednesday Evening, March 27th, 1872, immediately after
the regular lecture.
The pastor without consuming the time usually
taken up for lecture, retired to his study after the
introductory exercises, to hold a conference with
some of the ladies of the church, regarding the interests of the " Ladies Aid Society."
As soon as the congregational meeting had been
organized, and the resolution under which it was
convened had been read, Mr. W. R. Stewart moved
" that a committee of conference, consisting of three
persons, be appointed to prepare a preamble and resolution, and report to this meeting to night."  The
motion prevailed, and Messrs. W. R. Stewart, Abner
Lincoln and W. L. Clifford, were nominated and
elected the committee.
When the committee had retired, several of the
memibers indulged in remarks on the subject. Pre



126             HISTORY OF THE
sently the committee of conference returned and presented their report as follows:
"WHEREAS, the recent coming together of the two
branches of the Presbyterian Church, has necessitated the blending of Presbyteries; and in many
instances requiring new names to be given: and,
WHEREAS, in our own Presbytery thus united,
there is another church organization known as the
Central Presbyterian, which similarity of names
causes much confusion in Presbyterial records; theretore,
Resolved, That while we cannot forget the past history of the church under the old name; and mindful
of the ever watchful care of a kind Providence, who
during a somewhat varied history has blessed and
prospered us; we feel called upon as a concession to
this spirit of union and harmony, so prominent in
our united church, to change the corporate title; and
be it therefore,
Resolved, That the Board of Trustees be authorized
to take the necessary steps to so amend the charter,
that hereafter the title of this corporation shall be
Presbyterian Church."
(Signed)    WVM. R. STEWART,
ABNER LINCOLN,      Comnmitee.
WM. L. CLIFFORD, J
On motion, the resolution attached to the report
was adopted; after which the preamble in the report
of the committee was adopted.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.   - 127
Messrs. J. P. Curran, M. D., Abner Lincoln and
E. R. Craver, were appointed a committee to prepare
a list of names to be voted for to fill the blank in
the report of the committee. The name " Grace " as
previously reported by the Board, was not presented
at this meeting, because it was discovered that a Presbyterian mission had recently been started in the lower
part of the city bearing the title.
The following names were presented to the congregation: Temple, Pisgah, Carmel and Emmanuel.
These names were voted for by ballot. The first
ballot decided by a very large majority of all the
votes cast in favor of the name "Temple."  On
motion the blank in the report of the committee of
conference, was filled with the name " Temple," and
the report as a whole was adopted without a dissenting
voice.
When the congregation had finished the business
which brought them together, and just before they
had retired, the pastor returned to the Lecture Room
from his study, and made a short address. He spoke
of the circumstances which led to the consideration
of the subject which had claimed their attention; of
the former history and associations, which had clustered around the old name; of these being indestructible by any changes, whether of location or
name; congratulated them on the name chosen; reminding them that the title was not only distinctive,
but to his knowledge had never before been adopted
by any church.




128             HISTORY OF THE
The Ancient Temple although costly and rich in
ornaments, had a glory other than that found in its
curious workmanship, and in its overlayings of gold
and silver. Its main glory was in the extraordinary
marks of the divine favor with which it was
honored.
In it were the Ark of the Covenant, the Shechinah,
the Urim and Thummim. As in the " Ark of the
Covenant" were treasured the " Tables of the Law," so
may this Temple hold with sacred reverence the laws
of our God. As from the " ]ercy Seat " which was
upon the " Ark of the Covenant," the "Divine Oracles " were given out by an audible voice, so may we
in this Temple hear the voice of God, in behalf of his
people. As " The Shechinah" was visibly manifested by a cloud resting over the "MAercy Seat," so
may we in this Temple have the constant presence of
God with us. As by the " Urim and Thummim,"
God was consulted in all momentous and difficult
matters, so may we by the word of God, and the
ordiances appointed under God in this Temple, hold
counsel with  himn on all matters with which we have
to do.
The glory of the "Second Temple " was greater
than the former, because Christ appeared in it. May
Christ not only appear, but abide with us. May the
Holy Spirit ever manifest his wonderful work in
enlightening and establishing God's children, and in
quickening dead sinners into spiritual life; and when
our works and services in this Temple are ended,




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN OHUROH.       129
may we all have a " new name wvritten on our foreheads," and be permitted to join in the unending
services of the "Heavenly rIemple," with the bloodredeemed, who never weary in chanting with a loud
voice, "Worthy is the Lamb, that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength,
and honor, and glory, and blessing."
After this address the pastor led in prayer, and
dismissed the congregation with the Apostolic Benediction.
The congreogation. having given the Board of Trustees authority to take such legal measures as were necessary to secure the amendments to the charter, the
Board, at its meeting held April 8th, 1872, appointed
Messrs. S. L. Kirk, Robert Dornan, and Lewis Davis,
as a Committee for that purpose; this Committee
engaged J. Austin Spencer, Esq., as Counsellor, and
to him was committed the work of having the charter
so amended as to conform to the vote of the congoregation. It was not, however, until the meeting of
the Board, held January 11th, 1873, that the committee were able to report their work done. On
December 2d, 1872, the Court of Common Pleas, for
the City and County of Philadelphia, after reciting
that all proper legal steps had been taken in the
matter,' did decree anl declare, the name, style and
title of this corporation to be changed to that of'Temple Presbyterian Clburch;' also, that the Board
of Trustees ble increased in number from  nine to
fifteen menlb-er, allowino' the election of five of these
9




130              HISTORY OF THE
annually, on the second Monday in January, in each
and every year, to serve for three years."
The first election under the amended charter, took
place at the congregational meeting held January
13th, 1873;
The " Building Committee," after the dedication
of the church, were continued by the Board; not
because there was any work to be done for which
they were specially appointed, but to attend to the
collection of outstanding subscriptions, so far as they
could, and pay off the indebtedness to contractors
and others.
On December 9th, 1872, they made a final report
of their operations to the Board of Trustees, which
report was accepted, the Committee discharged, and
the report adopted as a part of the annual report of
the Board to the congregation. This final report of
the "Building Committee," is a general outline of
the work done from  the time of its appointment,
February 8th, 1869, up to the time of its discharge,
December 9th, 1872, nearly four years, and was reported at the congregational meeting held January
13th, 1873.
A look at the building at this time, shows it completely finished within, in all its parts. Outside, a
board pavement, is laid, the Trustees hoping during
the coming season, to be able to lay a flag pavement
and put uip an iron railinog; when this is done, all is
done which is needed for tle accomnmodation, convenllce and C(:nttOr'L, ( i the coli gregation.  The




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHUiRCH.      131
tower, according to the design of the architect, is
intended to be finished out at the top with a spire.
With this in view, all the necessary strength for
such a purpose was maintained during the building
of the tower, and all needed framework for the foundation of the spire was put in its place. This finish,
not being absolutely needed, is not at the present
time considered.
Looking over the past, we -Wonder how a church
in a weakened condition, with but little financial
ability, could ever have undertaken such a work as
that, which we now call "finished."  The secret of
all is "Faith."  The people believed in God. They
believed that IIe whlo had cared for this church in
days gone by, would care for it in the days of its
trial and need. With faith they overcame doubts,
and with faith they triumphed. Very generally too,
they illustrated the truth of the text, from which
the pastor preached his first sermon in the new
"Lecture room:" "LFor the people hcad a mind to
work," Neh. 4 ch. 6 v. Faith and works happily
joined together, God owned and blessed. HIe gave
therm courage to endure until we entered into the
new field. He then put; it into the hearts of others
to join hands with them. The body thus enlarged,
was like-minded and like-determined-co-operation,
sympathy, oneness, characterized it; and now  we
behold the results.  While mluch remains to be done,
may we not believe it will soon be done, after what
we know has been done.




132             HISTORY OF THt
XLi
A LOOK AT THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE CHURCOd
The Church although so much engaged, and that
too, from necessity, in things pertaining to her temporal interests, was not idle with regard to things
spiritual. All the building operations, in which we
were concerned, did not more interfere with us, than
did the terrible feelings of suspense and doubt which
pervaded the congregation, when it was generally
believed that the extinction of the church was only a
question of time,
At the time of the installation of Mr, Mitchell as,
pastor, the appearance of things was not very encouraging,  The church had been without a pastor
for more than a year, During that time, many of
the people had attached themselves to other churches
-the love of many had waxed cold-and some had
ceased altogether to attend the ordinances of God's,
house. It was not to be supposed, that all the luke'
warm and indifferent, nor in fact that any of them
would resume their places at the name of a new pastor,
to them unknownt and untried.
lNor could it be expected, that of those who hadi
identified themselves with other churches, many of
whom had been assigned to important offices therein,
would relinquish their places and come back as
before. The most that was looked -for from these,
was their slIm,)path/y and good wcishes, (which hadcI




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        133
measurably been lost) and if circumstances required,
their substantial support. These, under God, were in
many instances secured.
At this time, there was but one elder in the church,
Mr. William Sanderson, Sr. This fact weakened the
hopes of the people; for as a church from its very
commencement, until little more than a year of the
time we now consider, it had prided itself upon a
strong, efficient corps of men in the eldership.
There were less than 100 reliable names on the
church register, when Mr. Mitchell was " called."
At the congregational meeting which voted the
call, there were but 61 votes cast. This, when it is
remembered that special efforts were made to have a
full meeting, that there was the excitement which
always attends the choosing of a pastor, that members
of the church, regardless of age, sex or pew rental, are
permitted to vote for a pastor, shows no very encouraging numerical strength.
There were but 25 persons who held full pews, and
35 persons who held parts of pews or sittings, making
a total of 60 persons, who contributed through the
regular channel towards the support of the church.
From this showing, we could not expect to have
large numbers in attendance upon the services of the
church; prayer meetings and weekly lectures were
considered well attended if there were 25 or.30 persons present.
The times themselves were unfavorable for any
wide-spread religious influence. The" War for the




134              HISTORY OF THE
Union" absorbed the thoug-1hts of the community.
Every family almost, had a member in the ranks of
our country's soldiery. There was great anxiety
everywhere. There were daily expectations of some
great battle, and news from " the seat of war " was
eagerly sought after.  It oftentimes appeared as
though'" war news " had been held back, or the march
of armies had been so arranged, or the opposing
forces hlad purposely begun their battles so as to have
Sabbath days, days of peculiar excitement.
Many, if they did not get " war news " before they
went to church, expected to hear " war sermons " in
the church. The papers teemed with advertisements
of 1" sermons to soldier," or, " sermons in behalf of
soldiers." Congregations anywhere and everywhere
were incomplete unless made up in part of men in
naval or military uniform.  "1Newsboys" shouted
lustily their " extras " and " latest editions" hard by
where congregations gathered; and it was no surprisinag thing, to see knots of people pouring over the
contents of these papers in church vestibules.
The war encouraged excessive worldliness; money
was easily to be made and people made it. Speculations became rife, investments were made in all kinds
of stocks and securities, whether reliable or fancy,
without the ordinary questioning and care which
men are wont to exercise. It seemed as though people had abandoned themselves to think only of this
world.
The frequeint tidings of thousands killed iDn battle,




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        135
seemed to harden tleir hearts so that an allusion to
death failed to move them. Such times were not
favorable for making religious impressions.
God, during this time of war, seems to have reserved his -special blessings for the menl who haJl
gone into the heat of battle. While the church
mourned the coldness and worldliness of its members
at home, there were frequent outpourings of the Holy
Spirit upon those who had gone forth to war at the
Call of their country; and many who were strangers
to God when they enlisted under our country's flcag,
became soldiers of the cross to fight under the flag of
our King Emmanuel.
It is pleasing to note, that notwithstanding the
unfavorableness of the times for extended religious
effort, God never left the church without a witness.
At the very first communion season in which Mr.
Mitchell officiated, one came forward and united
herself to the people of God. And at every conmunion succeeding, while we remained in the Old
Church on Coates street, we had additional testimony
that God was with us.
There were but two seasons of protracted services
between 1862 and 1870.
Many of the few mnm-niers we had, lived at long
distances from the church, and it was quite impossible
for themn to attend with regularity the meetings.
Some objectedto coming, because of the rough characters-nd rough places in the neighborhood. It
was thought best not to have special meetings, while




136             HISTORY OF THE
the members thus excused themselves from attending.
The times when protracted services were held,
seemed to be directed by God; and as a result of our
waiting before HIim, HIe gave us at our April communion in 1865, twelve, and at the April communion
in 1868, twenty-three persons, to be added to the
church on profession of faith. These two com
munions furnished about one-third as many communicants as there were altogether on the roll in 1862.
During the other communions until the very last
held in the Old Church, there were additions to our
membership.
The last communion in Coates street, was held on
Sabbath evening, April 10th, 1870. This being the
last time for holding service in the Old Church, it
was thought best to have the communion at that
time, instead of the morning, as was the regular custom.
At this communion, two persons, one over seventy
years of age, stood up and professed faith in Christ.
Looking over the whole period, seeing how the
German character of the community did not warrant
us in hoping for an increase in membership from it, remembering how " the war " engrossed the thoughts of
all, how worldlymindedness ruled everywhere, how,
when the war ended we had to consider arld arrange
for building elsewhere, it is a cause for congratulation and thanksgiving to God, that he not only kept
our handful of people together, but during that time,




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       137
(little more than seven years), gave witness, by additions to the church at every communion season,
that Hie had not forsaken nor forgotten to remember
us.
Upon entering our new building, the roll of members was made out anew with the following result:
Number enrolled as communicants. 169
Of the 21 who organized the church
there remained....                   3
Of those received during the ministry
of Rev. Win. HI. Burroughs....  2
Of those received during the ministry
of Rev. A. Rood....             21
Of those received during the ministry
of Rev. J. P. Wilson, D. D....       8
Of those received during the ministry
of Rev. G. W. I)uffield, Jr.... 54
Of those received during the ministry
of Rev. James Y. Mitchell.... 81
Total... -..   169
As arranged for in the programme of the opening
exercises, there was a special communion season on
the morning of the second Sabbath after we entered
our " New Lecture Room."
It was hardly expected at that time, that any would
profess their faith in Christ, but He who had remembered us at the last communion held in the Old
Church, by putting it into the hearts of!wo to sit




138              HISTORY OF THE
down for the first time at His table with His people,
put it into the hearts of just double that number to
join themselves to the people of God and sit down
with them, when for the first time His table was
spread in the New Church.
Besides these, five from sister churches, by certificate, cast in their lots with us at the same time.
From that time, we have had frequent manifestations of the Spirit of God being with us, and repeated
assurances that He has owned and blessed the labors
of His people.
In the Spring of 1871, there was a special religious
interest pervading the congregation. An earnest desire
prevailed for the salvation of souls. There was a
greater wrestling with God in prayer. Additional
meetings were demanded and held. These continued
for four weeks; quietness, depth of feeling, softening
of hearts characterized them, and God gave us a testimony that He was pleased with us, by adding to
the church on profession of faith, 33 persons.
Mr. Joseph F. Jageers, formerly a member and
elder in the Presbyterian Church at Fairton, New
Jersey, having connected himself with this church,
was elected a ruling elder September 28th, and installed the Sabbath following, October 2d, 1870.
The undivided attention of the people could not,
nor can it yet, be given to the spiritual wants of-the
church.
When it is rememnbered that this was a period in
wThich the work' on the " A udience R.oom " was




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.      139
going on, and with it completed, provision must
needs be made for all improvements on the outside
of the building, also for the raising of funds to meet
present indebtedness, surely the'grace of God in Christ
was manifested'in bringing the hearts of His people to
agonize over perishing sinners and to rejoice over
sinners converted.
Up to the present time, we have had- added to the
church since locating in this new neighborhood, 195
persons.
Of the whole number of communicants on the roll
since it was- made out at the opening of the New
Church, 13 have died, 5 have left because of removal
from the city, and 11 have gone to sister churches
nearer their present residences. With these losses,
the church has yet a net increase to its roll, since
May, 1870, of 166 members, making a total membership of 335.
Under the blessing of God during the past few
years, notwithstanding the war and trials incident
thereto, the apparent hopelessness of the cause, from
a generally received impression that the church must
die, the hardships connected with building a new
church, and the forced division of thought between
things temporal and things spiritual, the membership
numerically was more than tripled, and the feeling of
confidence and hope fully restored.
" The Lord has done great things for us, whereof
we are glad."
Mindful of the past; remembering that God has




'140             HISTORY OF THE
revealed a shining face from behind many a dark
cloud; that he has led us safely through ways in
which at first we feared to tread, we go on to our
future work. Though much yet remains for us to
do, we will trust in Him, who can make crooked
places straight, believing that e're long all the claims
against our church will be fully cancelled, and that
this "Temple " will be filled with the songs of many,
who, "new born," shall be further prepared and
polished within these walls, for a place in the
" Heavenly Temple" of our God.




THE SABBATH SCHOOLS








TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN C.HURCH.       143
XII.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
No history of this church would, or could, be
complete without an article on its Sunday Schools.
Prior to the establishment of this church, there
were in operation Schools which became the objects
of attention, care and oversight of this people as
soon as they became distinctively a church organi'
zation.
Shortly after the installation of Rev. James Patterson as Pastor of the First Church, N. L., he secured the services of his people in gathering the
neglected children of the district together, on the
Sabbath, for the purpose of giving them gratuitous
and religious instruction. As far as is known, this
was the first school of the kind in this country.
This movement, so novel at that period, met with
some opposition; but its success, after a time, won
for it hosts of friends.
Under the teachings of their pastor, the membership of the First Church became largely engaged in
the Sabbath School work. What was initiated with
small beginnings grew into such large proportions,




144             HISTORY OF THE
that in 1816 it was proposed to build a room capable
of accommodating the crowds of children who sought
Sunday School instruction.  This occasioned the
building of the "Old Lecture Room" on Coates
street, west of Second, which was finished in 1818,
and which stands until this day, although the encroachments of business have made it useless for the
purpose for which it was originally intended.
The first members of our church were all recognized "Sunday School Workers," and they would
have been degenerate children of a noble parentage
had they been otherwise.
About the 1st of December, 1830, nearly five years
before the organization of this church, about forty or
fifty children were gathered together in the parlors
of the house of Mr. Benjamin iNaglee, then resident
on Fourth street, below Green, and were formed into
a Sunday School, with Mr. Naglee as Superintendent. In this place the Sessions were regularly held
until the Spring of 1831, when the School was removed to Mr. John Dickerson's school-room, on
Poplar street, above Second. This was about the
time certain persons were dismissed from the First
Church, and organized the Third Church, N. L.
When the Third and Second Churches united under
the name of the First Church, Penn Township, the




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.      145
school was transferred to the church building in
Sixth street, above Green. When a portion of the
members separated from that church,. about fifty or
sixty scholars accompanied them to the school-room
on Poplar street. There they continued until April
19th, 1835, when they were removed to Commissioners' Hall, Third street, below Green, and front
thence to the church building on Coates street, below
Fourth, on November 14th of the same year.
From this we learn that our school had an existence prior to our distinctive church organization,
and that its beginnings were characterized by the
same vicissitudes as marked the beginnings of our
church.
About one year after the school was established in
the church building, it had increased so much in
numbers, that it was divided into two departments,
male and female.
The male department was under the charge of Mr.
Benjamin Naglee, and the female under the charge
of Miss Ann E. Reynolds. The former occupied
what was afterwards known as the " Infant Sunday
School Room," and the latter the " Session and Trustees' Room."
As part of the missionary labors among the young
of the district, the First Church had established
10




146              HISTORY OF THE
Mission Schools" at different points. One of these
was the " Eastburn School," so named out of regard
to a minister of that name. This school was organized about the year 1825, and was situated on Charlotte street, between Beaver and George streets.
During its existence it had as Superintendents,
Messrs. Seth Collom and C. C. Aitken. The general
average attendance was 120 scholars.
Another Mission School, established about the
year 1827, was styled " The Nazarene."  It was
located, at the first, on Charlotte street, near Franklin (now Girard) avenue; afterwards, its location
was changed to the north side of Franklin (Girard)
avenue, between Third and Fourth streets. It had
as Superintendents, Messrs. William Erhardt, Joseph
_Naglee, and Joseph Aitken. The average attendance was 80 scholars.
In October, 1837, the teachers of the church
schools, and the teachers of the " Eastburn" (reported
as the Fourth Street School), and " Nazarene"
Schools, met together for the purpose of organizing
what was afterwards known as " The Sabbath School
Association of the Central Presbyterian Church of
the Northern Liberties."  On the 29th of October,
1837, these teachers adopted a constitution and
by —laws; and on the 6th of November were fully




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       147
organized under the same. The objects of the Association were set forth in the preamble, as follows:
"We, the undersigned persons, citizens of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, worshiping in the
Central Presbyterian Church of the Northern Liberties, desirous of imitating our -Lord and Master,
Jesus Christ, who, when upon the earth, went about
doing good, have formed ourselves into a society
to give religious instruction to children on the
Sabbath day, between the hours of divine service
in the church, and, if need be, to search out those
destitute of religious instruction, and convene them
together in the Sabbath School, and, by our precept and example, aided by Divine grace, lead them
to a saving knowledge of the truths contained in the
Holy Bible."
This first Association was disbanded on June 2d,
1842; but on the very next day, another Association, with similar objects in'view, and similar laws
to govern it, was organized. From time to time,
reorganizations have taken place, but up to the present time there exists " The Sabbath School Association."  The direction of the school is under its
control. By it all the officers in the Sabbath School
are elected; and to it all reports of the work done in
that special field are submitted. All the teaclhers




148              HISTORY OF THE
and officers in the school, upon their election, and
signing the constitution, are regarded in full membership.
THE MAIN SCHOOL.
At the first, all scholars were taught in the same
room. Then there was the division into male and
female departments. On March 7th, 1841, the larger
scholars, of both these departments, were brought
together in the Lecture Room (and formed what we
denominate the "Main School"), under the superintendence of Mr. B. Naaglee. This school has continued
with varied success ever since. Up to the time of
removal to our present location, the greatest number
of scholars reported was in January, 1859, when the
roll contained 257 names. The greatest number of
teachers reported was 29, in November, 1858. At
the time of the last report prior to our removal, there
were 121 scholars enrolled, with an average attendance of 77. This number was considerably diminished when we first entered our new church, but at
the present there are 210 scholars.
The school has also 7 officers and 35 teachers.
Upon coming to the new church, the classes were
designated by scriptural or other names, chosen by
the teachers and scholars according to their own




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        149
preferences, and associated with these names were
appropriate mottoes.
BIBLE CLASSES.
While no definite information can be found upon
the records concerning Bible Classes existing in the
school during its earlier history, we know, by occasional references, that this part of the work was not
overlooked. It woiuld appear that at times the sexes
were separated, and then again brought into the
same class together. The first recorded information
on the subject is concerning a class organized June
16th, 1861, by Mr. S. L. Kirk.  At first it numbered 2 male and 7 female scholars. The whole
number afterwards increased to 22. On March 19th,
1866, the class was divided, and two classes, one
male, and the other female, were formed; the first
under the charge of Mr. Morris Ebert, and the other
under the charge of Mr. D. C. Golden. At the present time there are five Bible Classes, two male, and
three female-numbering in all 55 scholars.
INFANT SCHOOL.
On March 7th, 1841, the Infant School was organized. Tle primary object was to educate the "little
ones" sufficiently to enable them to take their places




150              HISTORY OF THEE
in the classes of the "Main School."  This school is
still in active operation.  A  superintendent and
three assistants, by various methods, teach them to
recite passages of Scripture, answers to questions in
Catechism, and such hymns as are easily understood
by the young. From  this school there are transferred from  time to time, into the Main School,
scholars who are advanced sufficiently to read and
understand the Bible. The school now numbers 200
scholars.
MISSION SChoOLs.
The "Nazarene," which came under the control of
the Association when it was first organized, con,!
tinued in existence until May 7th, 1840, when it was
discontinued as a separate school, because the building in which it was held had to be taken down at
the time of the widening of Girard avenue. At that
time it was united with the Eastburn, or Fourth
Street School.
The Fourth Street School ceased to make repo'rts
to the Association, from May 7th, 1840; and, from
the silence of the recor ds, we judge it had no conneeti on with the Association from that time.
A Mission School was organized about the year
1841, at the northwest corner of Tenth and Coates
streets. It had 7 teachers and 35 scholars.




TTEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       151
A Mission School was organized February 11th,
1857, in Poplar street, above Fifth. Mr. Wi. Sanderson, Sr., was the superintendent, and he was
assisted by a corps of twelve teachers. The number of
scholars increased from 40 to 110, This school was
discontinued May 9th, 1858& It was merged into a
Mission School, which at that time was established in
the American Mechanics' Hall, at the corner of Fourth
and George streets. This school was at different
times under the direction of Messrs. G. C. [Bower,
Wim. Sanderson, Sr., and C. C. Aitken. It had upon
its roll 26 teachers and 355 scholars. After an existence of three years and four months, it was removed
to the church in July, 1861.
The "' Allen Street School" was taken in charge
January, 1859. Mlr C. C. Aitkin was superintendent,
and the average attendance of scholars about 85.
The room in which the school was held had to be
vacated, and it being impossible to secure another
suitable in the neighborhood, the school was disbanded in November of the same year.
On September 21st, 1868, a communication from
Mir. I. M. Price, superintendent of the "Union
Mission School," at the southwest corner of Ninth
and Girard Avenue, was received, asking that his
school be brought into connection with our " Asso



152              HISTORY OF THE
ciation."  The school had a library, singing and text
books, five teachers and about forty scholars. It
having been stated that Mr. B. 1). Stewart had agreed
to pay the rent of the hall, and that it was desirable
in view of our proposed removal to that neighborhood to commence Sunday School operations there,
the "Union Mission School" was taken under our
jurisdiction, and the teacher's names enrolled as members of the 1" Association." This school was merged
into the church school as soon as it was transferred
to the new builling. At the present time we have
no school operations outside of our church. Since
occupying this field we have districted the neighborhood, appointed visiting committees to canvass it
and procure new scholars, and have tried to have the
school all that its warmest friends. could desire. The
number of scholars at present enrolled, is 470.
MIONTHLY PRAYER MEETING.
In April, 1857, the'" Association" adopted a resolution, providing for the holding of a prayer meeting
on the first Sabbath afternoon in every month, at the
close of the regular Sabbath School exercises. This
time was afterwards named by the "Association,"
as "Missionary Afternoon."  With occasional interruption- a prayer meeting has been ]held on that




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       153
afternoon since its appointment, and God has often
blessed it in the way of encouraging the teachers,
strengthening their faith and converting the scholars.
LIBRARY.
We have not been able to discover when and to
what extent a library was first introduced into the
Sabbath School. Knowing, however, that it was
deemed an essential part of a well ordered school in
the parent Presbyterian Church of the Northern
Liberties, as early as 1827, we may conclude it was
provided for at the very beginning of our school operations. The first report which we have upon the
subject, July 5th, 1842, mentions 514 books upon the
catalogue, but only 311 fit for use. At the present
time the books are all equal to new in appearance and
condition, and number 850 volumes.
SUNDAY SCHIOOL PAPERS.
In the year 1849, "The Youth's Penny Gazette,"
a Sunday School paper, was introduced into the
school, and from that time until the present, some
paper, previously agreed upon by the "Association,"
has been distributed at least monthly among the
scholars. At the present time, the larger sclolrt l




154              HISTORY OF THE
receive " The Presbyterian Sabbath School Visitor,"
published by our own "Board," and the infant
scholars, " Morning Light," published by the " American Tract Society."
REWARDS.
The system of rewards was introduced into the
school, in September, 1840.  To encourage the
scholars in punctuality, good behaviour, committing
to memory verses of scripture, or recitations in the
catechism, they were promised tickets of red or blue,
which had printed upon them a verse or verses of
scripture. A value was fixed on these tickets, (one
of red being equal to ten of blue), and they were
given to the scholars according to their conduct or
attainments, as measured by a standard determined
upon by the " Association."'When a scholar secured a number of these tickets,
upon returning them, he was entitled to a book,
worth as much as the tickets, to which also a money
value had been given. This method of rewarding the
scholars continued with occasional variations, until
we entered our new church.
A system of merit tickets (or merit certificates)
has since been adopted. On the face of these certificates is marked their value-one, five or ten. The




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        155
scholars receive these, according as they deserve them,
for " bringing in new scholars; punctuality; regularity;
recitations in Scriptures, Catechism, &c."  A certain
number of ten merit tickets entitle the holder to
have his name placed on " The Roll of Honor," or to
have a " badge" marked'"Diligent,"' Faithful,"
"Excellent," or " Distinguished," as the case may be.
Other rewards follow for continuance in well-doing;
such as the reception of Bibles or other books; and
classes which have attained distinction receive, on
anniversary day, class banners appropriately marked.
The Session of the church also encourages the scholars
in the study of the Shorter Catechism, by giving to
such as may commit it to memory a copy of the
Bible.
The rewarding of scholars for work done during
the year is a pleasing feature of our anniversary day,
which is observed on or about the 1st of May in
every year.
MISSION0ARY SPIRIT,
In June, 1839, there was formed what was denominated'6 The Sabbath School Juvenile Missionary Society." The object of this society was to excite and increase a missionary spirit among the children. This




156             HISTORY OF THE
society, as such, has passed out of existence, but the objects and aims for which it was formed are remembered
and cherished. Looking over the records, we learn
that at one time the contributions are for a " library,"
to be sent to the Cherokee Mission; at another, they
are designed for the education of young men in Constantinople. Now they go to a needy school in New
York; now to one nearer home; now to a French,
and now to an Indian missionary. Now to the
home field, and now to the foreign field. Other objects than those distinctively missionary are remembered. Money, at one time, is raised and given for
the soldiers' orphans at Gettysburg; at another, for
the sufferers by the fire at Chicago. The whole field
for Christian labor and Christian sympathy is kept
in view, and the children, by monthly or by special
contributions, do something for the general cause of
missions, or give their support to some specified
object.
To support the school, the scholars and teachers
contribute monthly to what is known as the "Sunday School Fund."  The money received from this
source is not sufficient for the purpose intended. It
has always been the effort of the Association to have
the school perfect in its arrangements and appointments. The contributions in the school, over and




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       157
above what goes to missionary and special purposes,
are not large enough to meet the requirements of a
school in these days. HIence we have an annual collection in the church, on or about the third Sabbath
in December. This is the only opportunity the congregation has during the year to give to the Sabbath
School cause. About the time of this collection, the
school receives a legacy of $50 from the estate of Mr.
Benjamin Naglee, its first superintendent. To supplement these collections, necessity has compelled the
Association to hold, at different times, concerts, exhibitions, &c., in order to meet the demands upon its
treasury. In these several ways the school has not
only been maintained free from debt, but enabled to
do a work for others beyond its own sphere.
Under the direction of Mr. Lewis Davis, Librarian,
the Library Room in the new church was fitted up
at an expense of $110, and the money paid from the
library fund. The table in that room was presented
by Mr. Geo. D. B. Kelly, 409 1Brown street.
The school became interested in the work of building the new church, and gave over and above their
other contributions towards its completion. Not
only do we find the "young people" credited with
an amount towards the "construction fund," but
mention also is made of special objects.




158             HISTORY OF THE
"Calvary Bible Class" gave the window which
bears its motto, "In Christ's Death we have our
Life;" also, the Oxford edition of the Bible, which
is on the pulpit.
"XNaomi Class" gave the window which bears its
motto, "May Christ make our Lives Beautiful;"
also, the table on which to place the baptismal
bowl.
" Cross-Bearers' Bible Class" had the communion
service renovated, and " Lilies of the Valley" Class
furnished the marker for the pulpit Bible; while
both joined with the rest of the classes in giving the
windows bearing the mottoes, "Here the Cross;
Hereafter the Crown;" "Jesus gives Grace and
Glory."
The school has often been visited by the Holy
Spirit, with his convicting and converting power.
Many of its scholars have become active members of
the church; and as its numbers increase, we look for
a corresponding increase in the membership of the
church.
We regard the Sunday School work of the church
as the most important which claims our attention.
Hence we have labored in it, and encouraged others
to labor. We have been blessed with a faithful




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.         159
corps of teachers, and we have no doubt that many
will hereafter call them blessed.
" He that goeth Jforth and weepeth, bearing precious
seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing
his sheaves with him."








THE LADIES' AID SOCIETY.
11








TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       163
XIII.
" THE LADIES' AID SOCIETY."
While it is conceded that the male members of
every church and congregation should direct its
affairs, it is a question whether there ever was a
church building begun, and successfully carried forward to completion, without the help of ladies.
As at the first, women brought bracelets, and earrings, and jewels of gold, for the building of the
Tabernacle; so, until the last, when a house is to be
built unto the Lord, we will find women earnestly
engaged therein.
We Presbyterians are not easily carried away with
the popular clamor of the day, about "Woman's
Rights;" but in view of what our ladies have done
for the church, we concede it as a "right" that their
work should be historically recorded.
In the early history of our church, we find occasional allusions to " The Mite Society." tNo definite
information is given of its organization, or the extent of its work. All we know is, that it was under
the control of the ladies, and the object in view was
to relieve the corporation of its financial troubles.




164             HISTORY OF THE
In Jannary, 1851, there was a vote of thanks tendered by the Board of Trustees to the ladies, for the
" liberal and handsome donation of $100 towards
defraying the expenses incurred in carpeting the
church," after certain alterations had been made.
At other times, when the congregation was greatly
embarrassed, we see mention made of certain ladies
who came forward and gave liberally towards its
relief.
As early as the year 1866, when the subject of our
removal to another locality began to be agitated, the
ladies, without waiting for an organization to be
perfected, made arrangements for the holding of a
" Fair."
Without exception, all cheerfully engaged in the
work. MAany, at their own homes, made useful and
fancy articles; many interested theirifiends, in and out
of the city, to work for them. Times were fixed when,
as a body, they met at each other's houses to labor
and consult together, and provide for the successful
carrying on of the enterprise.,When all things were in readiness, the Fair was
commnenced, and continued for several clays, ill December, 1866, at the Hall southwest corner of Ninth and
Spring Garden streets. When it closed there, it was
with the understanding that it should be continued




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        165
at some other time in the Lecture Room  of the
church. IHere it was opened in June, 1867, and continued for several days.
There being no immediate demand for the money
thus secured, it was invested in Government bonds,
until the Fall of 1868, when it was paid over to the
[Board of Trustees as part of what was needed to purchase our present church site.
This contribution from the ladies was $1,166.81,
and uwas the first available money the church had when it
determined to move.
In June, 1869, in order to systematize their work,
they met at the house of Mrs. Hannah Naglee, and
organized " The Mite Society."  Officers were chosen,
and twenty-four managers were appointed. The spe
cia] duty of these managers was to secure a small
voluntary contribution, monthly, from every memnber
of the church, or from such friends of the church- as
felt disposed to give. Being formed into an organized society, the ladies were better enabled to adopt
other methods for securing funds. They fixed as the
special object of their labors, " the furnishing of the
new church."
Under the auspices of this society, it was determined to give a " Supper."  Again, it was arranged
to give the supper in the new church building. We




166             HISTORY OF THE
dare say that never did ladies so generally and so
energetically engage in any undertaking. Evening
after evening they met, and planned, and prepared to
provide satisfactorily for a large number of persons;
and evenings of planning and preparation were followed by days of " ticket selling."
February 17th, 1870, was the time fixed upon for
the supper. When that evening arrived, the crowd
which filled the building gave evidence that the
ladies had done their work well. It was estimated
that at least one thousand persons sat down at the
tables, and there was a clear gain to the treasury of
the " Mite Society," by this effort, of $807.02.
After coming to the new church, other ladies who
joined our congregation became interested in the
work, and in November, 1870, a Fair was held for
some days in the main audience room, which was
still in an unfinished condition. At the close of the
Fair, a supper was given. With the same energy
which characterized the former effort, the ladies engaged in this, and increased their treasury $1,375.00.
In January, 1871, the name of the organization
was changed; and with occasional changes in officers and managers since, it now exists under the title
of " The Ladies' Aid Society." Not omitting to collect monthly from subscribers, the Society, since its




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        167
formation, has adopted, from time to time, other expedients to raise means to carry forward the work
contemplated.  Festivals, Tea  Drinkings, Select
Readings, Public and Parlor Concerts, have been
resorted to; and fiom  these various sources more
than $6,000 have been raised.
While the ladies have contributed to the Construction Fund of the church, they have kept in view
the object they proposed at the beginning, viz.: "the
furnishing of the church;" and as a matter of interest, as well as of information, since that work is
lone, we itemize the disbursements:
LECTURE ROOM.
For Upholstering, -                       $333.99' Matting, and putting it down,  -        221.11
"' Pulpit carpets, -                       56.80
Total, -.              $611.90
In addition to this, they received as donations:
From L H. Wisler, 12 chairs.
Vm. R. Stewart, mirror for pastor's study.
"'   nm. Hogg, Jr., carpets for study and class-room.
"  Wmn. Sanderson, Sr., furniture for pastor's study.




168              HISTORY OF THE
MAIN AUDIENCE ROOM.
Pulpit furniture,  -     -      -      -  647.00
Carpets,      -      -      -      -       968.00
Matting in vestibules, &c., -              403.82
Upholstering, -      -      -      -    1,251.69
Total,                 -      - $3,270.51
They received also as donations:
From Allen & Brother, the boquet table in the pulpit, and
"  R. Dornan, the pulpit mat.
This showing is surely gratifying; and may'we
not believe that they who have already accomplished
so much, with continued determination will aecomplish still more? Many of the ladies have, as individuals, been generous contributors, but their joined
hands enabled them to do a work of which we all
are justly proud.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHIURCHI.     169
A CLOSING TIJOUGUHT.
A review of the period since you and I were
brought together, as pastor and people, compels to
grateful thanksgiving.
It is now more than eleven years since, for the
first time, I occupied your pulpit. It is fast al>
proaching that time, since, by Presbyterial action,
we were joined in our present relation.
Those years have been fraught with wonder in the
world. Not to speakl of the overturnings beyond the
seas, we have witnessed the wonder workings of the
Lord Omnipotent in our own land. Through the
fires of war, our country has received a new baptism.
There have been wonders in the church at large, and
our own denomination has been surprisingly wrought
upon.
No longer does one say, "I am  Old School," and
another, "' I am Netw School," but, without prefix or




170              HISTORY OF THE
affix, we delight, in Union, to say,'" We are'Prcsby
terians."
The preceding pages tell the story of our individual church.
When we think of the past, and look on the present, in wonderment we ask, " What hath God
wrought?"
Since we first were wedded in this church relation, I
have wept with you, and you have wept with me,
over loved ones, snatched from the arms of our earthly
affection, and together, in our sorrow, have we gone
and told Jesus.
The church in heaven is more brilliant, because of
those we gave it from our church on earth.
Upon the heads of many, either in infant days or
adult years, have I sprinkled the waters of baptism,
and to many have I given the hand of fellowship, as,
for the first time, they came to the table of the Lord.
It is pleasing to think that nothing has transpired
to break the peace which should ever be between
pastor and people.
To your kindness, forbearance and charity, under
God, I must attribute the unbroken harmony which
has been, and which, I trust, will continue to be.
Considering the infirmities of our nature, the
weaknesses and misunderstandings   of life, it is a




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.      171
cause of thankfulness to God that he has kept us
together as one.
Building a church is the reck on which many a
congregation has split. Yet under great difficulties
we began, continued, and for more than a year have
worshipped in the building finished and dedicated,
and the congregation is intact.
To the praise of God let it be written, that during
the whole of our building operations there was no
jarring and no break in our harmony. While, because of our manhood, there were differences of
opinion, there were no disturbances. There was
bearing as well as forbearing; and at any time, from
the commencement of the work until its close, could
I have raised my hands over the congregation and
said, "How sweet and how pleasant it is for you,
brethren, to dwell together in unity." So MAY IT
ALWAYS BE SAID.
Let us labor and serve together, waiting for the
Master's call, when from the church militant we
shall rise to the Church Triumphant; where no fear
will ever be, of mistakes, misconceptions and misunderstandings, but where, in unbroken unity, we will
serve God forever and forever.








ORDER OF EXERCIlSES;
TOGETHERI WITH THE
FORM USED
BY THE PASTOR,
AT THIE
DEDICATION
OF TIlE
NEW CHURCH,
N. ER. CORNER OF
Franklin and Thompson Streets,
FEBRUARY 4th, 1872.








TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI           175
ORDER  OF EXERCISES.
Invocation by the Pastor.
SINGING THE YI-sMN.
Before Jehovah's awful throne,
Ye nations bow with sacred joy;
Know that the Lord is God alone,
He can create, and he destroy.
His sov'reign power, without our aid,
Made us of clay, and form'd us men;
And when like wand'ring sheep we stray'd,
He brought us to his fold again.
We'll crowd thy gates with thankful songs,
High as the heavens our -voiees raise;
And earth, with her ten thousand tongues,
Shall fill thy courts with sounding praise.
Wide as the world is thy command 
Vast as eternity thy love;
Firm as a rock thy truth shall stand,
When rolling years shall ease to move,




176                HISTORY OF THE
Read;ng the 48th Psalm.
By REV. B. B. PARSONS, D.D.
Prayer,
By REV. WILLIAM SPEER, D.D.
SINGING THE HYMN,
All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown hirm Lord of all.
Sermon,
By the Pastor, REV. JAS. Y. MITCHELL.
Text-" What hath God wrought?"'-Numbers, xxiii. 23.
COLLECTION.
Dedicatory Exeercises.
* The singing was by the congregation, and was led by the Precentor, Wm. H.
Moyer, and the Organist, Mrs. Eliza McKinley.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       177
FORM USED AT THE DEDICATION.2
tAfter the sermon and collection, the pastor requested the Elders, Trustees, and heads of families,
to come forward and arrange themselves in front of
the pulpit, and the other members of the congregagation to rise in their places.]
The pastor then said:
According to the notice publicly given, we have
assembled to day to dedicate this house to the worship of the only living and true God-Jehovah,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Now, if it is your
desire that we should proceed to this service, let the
Elders and the Trustees, together with all the members of the congregation, declare unto us, and say:
Have you been moved to the erection of this edifice by a sincere desire to continue among you the
regular and solemn worship of the Most High God,
for the spiritual benefit of yourselves and your families, and of this community?
Answer.-WVe have.
Is it your desire, and your solemn purpose, that
this edifice shall be a house of worship, and devoted
sacredly to the ordinances of religion, according to
From the Presbyterian Manual,
12




178               HISTORY OF THE
the customs and order of the Presbyterian Church in
theseS United States?
Answer.-It is.
Do you now, with one heart, give up this house to
God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to be
ihenceforth a house of prayer, a temple to his praise;
and do you promise to provide for and to maintain
here religious worship, seeing to it that nothing
shall be wanting that may be needful for the decency,
and propriety, and convenience thereof, according to
the customs and order, as. aforesaid, of the Presbyterian Church?
Answer.-We dro.
Blessed be the Lord God, who hath put it into
your hearts to build this house unto his name.  The
Lord accept the labor of your hands, which you have
offered unto him this day, and make good to you,
and to your children after you, the word which he
hath spoken.  "In all places where I record my
iame, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee."
Let us pray.
PRAYER*.
Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, which is,
mand was, and is to come. The whole earth is full of
* From the " Book of Pubiic Prayer," compiled from the authorized formularies of worship of the Presbyterian Church, as prepar d by the Reformers,'alvin, Knox, and others.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        179
Thy glory!  Thine, 0 Lord, is the greatness, and the
power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth
are Thifle. Now, therefore, we thank Thee, O God,
and praise Thy glorious Name.
But who are we, that we should be able to offer
so willingly after this sort? For all things come of
Thee, and of Thine own do we give Thee? 0 Lord
our God, all this store that we have prepared, to
build Thee an house for Thy holy name, cometh of
Thy hand, as is all Thine own.
Now behold, 0 Lord our God, and look unto this
place where we are gathered in Thiy name, and have
respect to the prayer of Thy servants, and to their
supplication, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer
that Thy servants pray before Thee this clay, to take
for Thine own this house which we would give
Thee.
0 Lord God, who art fromn everlasting, and wihose
kingdom is without end, Maker of heaven and earth
and sea, anid all that in thenm is; King of Kings and
Lord of Lords, Lawgiver, Defienler, and Judge alone,
to Thee wTe dedicate it..
Holy and blessed Trinity, Father, [ on and( Holy
Ghost, three Persons in one God, to Thee we dedicate it.




180            HISTORY OF THE
Father of all who believe in Jesus, and God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, here meet Thou
with Thy children; teach them, strengthen them,
and bless them. To Thee we dedicate it.
Son of God, the only begotten of the Father, Head
over all things, the Lord our Righteousness, Saviour,
Shepherd, High Priest, and Advocate, here draw all
men unto Thee; here sprinkle Thy ransomed ones
with Thine atoning blood; here make Thy flock to
lie down in green pastures, beside the living waters;
here be Thou a shadow from the heat and a refuge
from the tempest; and while Thy people worship in
the outer sanctuary, pray for them within the Holiest
of all. To Thee we dedicate it.
Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the
Son, who didst come down upon our Lord Jesus beside Jordan, and upon the Church at the Pentecost.
Who takest up thine abode in all believers; Comforter, Inspirer, Sanctifier, here display Thy power,
succeed Thy truth, give hope to the penitent and
gladness to the mourner; subdue Thy foes, hallow
Thy Church, and accomplish all the glory of redemption. To Thee we dedicate it.
Arise, 0 Lord, into Thy rest, Thou and the ark of
Thy strength.
But will God in very deed dwell with muen on




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.     181
the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house
which we have builded?  Yet dwellest Thou also
with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit.
So be Thine eyes opened toward this house night
and day; and toward the place of which Thou hast
said, My Name shall be there: and hearken Thou
unto the supplication of Thy servants, and of Thy
people Israel, when they shall pray toward this
place; and hear Thou in heaven, thy dwelling-place;
and when Thou hearest, forgive. Dwell thou with
us in Thy temple, while we are yet in the world;
then take us up to Thy house in heaven, that we
rmay dwell with Thee forever.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel; Thou that leadest
Joseph like a flock; Thou that dwellest between the
Cherubim, shine forth.
How dreadful is this place! This is none other
but the house of God, and this is the gate of
heaven!
After prayer, the congregation sang the hymn:
I love thy kingdom, Lord,
The house of thine abode,
The church our blest Redeemer bought
With his own precious blood.




182                RISTORY  OV R1' 1
I love thy church, O God!
Her walls before thee stand,
Dear as the apple of thine eye,
And graven on thy hand.
For her my tears- shall fall,
For her my prayers ascend;
To her my cares and toils be given,
Till toils and cares shall end.
Beyond my highest joy,
I prize her heavenly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
Her hymns of love and praise.
Jesus, thou Friend divine,
Our Saviour and our King,
Thy hand from every snare and foe
Shall great deliverance bring.
Sure as thy truth shall last,
To Zion shall be given
The brightest glories earth can yield,
And brighter bliss of heaven.
This was followed by singing the Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Piaise him above, ye heavenly hostPraise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
After vlhich the congregation was disnmissed witty,
the Apostolic Benediction by the: pastor.




DIRECTORY.




"LET ALL THINGS BE DONE DECENTLY AND IN ORDER."
I Cor.: xiv. 40.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERTAN CHURCIH.       18.
CHURCHI DIRECTORY.
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS.
Persons are received into the membership of this
church at any time, by bringing certificates of dismission from other churches, or passing a satisfactory
examination on experimental piety, before the Seslion of this lchurch.
The public reception of new members takes place or
Communion Sabbaths, and immediately before the
administration  of the Sacrament of the Lord's
Supper.
FORM OF RECEPTION,
[The pastor having stated, that at a meeting of
the Session, the following persons were received into
the membership. of the church on profession of their
faith, shall proceed to call their names. Those answering to the names shall conme from their seats
and arrange themselves in front of the pulpit. While




.86              HISTORY OF THE
they continue standing, the pastor shall address themn
as follows:]
In the presence of your Maker, and of this assenbly, you do now  appear, desiring, publicly and
solemnly, to enter into covenant with God and with
this church, according to the Gospel; professing your
full assent to the following summary of faith:
1. You solemnly and publicly profess your belief
in one God, the Almighty, Maker of heaven and
earth, who upholds all things, and orders all events,
according to his own pleasure, and for his own
glory,  Deut. vi. 4. Rev. iv. 11. Jer. x. 10, 1 Cor,
viii. 4, 6.
2. You believe that this glorious Being exists in
three persons-God the Father, God the Son, and
God the IHoly Spirit; and these three are one, being
the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
John i. 1 14. Acts v. 3 4. 1 John v. 7.
3. You believe that the Scriptures of the Old and;New Testaments are given by inspiration *of God,
and are our only rule of faith -and practice. 2 Tim.
iii. 16. Isaiah viii. 20. 2 Peter i. 19, 20, 21. Gal. i.
8, 9.
4. You believe tht<t God at first created man upright, in the image of God; that our first parents




T'IEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,       187
fell from their original uprightness, and involved
themselves and their posterity in a state of sin and
misery. Gen. i. 27. Rom. v. 12. Eph. iv. 24.
5. You believe that all men, since the fall, are by
nature depraved, having no conformity of heart to
God, and being destitute of all moral excellence,
Gen. vi. 5. Ps, xiv. 2, 3. Rom. iii. 10, 18.
6. You believe that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of
sinners, and the only Mediator between God and
man. Matt. ix. 13. 1 Tim. ii. 5.
7. You believe in the necessity of the renewing
and sanctifying operations of the Holy Spirit, and
that to be happy you must be holy. John iii. 3, 5,
Titus iii. 5,
8. You believe that sinners are justified by faith
alone, through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Eph. ii. 8. Rom., iii. 24,
9. You believe that the saints will be kept by the
mighty power of God, from the dominion of sin, and
from  final condemnation, and at the last day they
will be raised incorruptible, and be forever happy
with the Lord. John x. 27, 28,29. Job xix. 26, 27,
1 Cor. xv. 51, 54.
10. You believe the finally impenitent will be
punished with everlasting destruction from the




188            HISTORY OF THE
presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
Rev. xxii. 15. Matt. xxv. 46.
Thus you believe in your heart, and thus you confess before men.
[Here the pastor, descending from the pulpit, baptizes those who have not previously been baptized.
Returning to the pulpit, he addresses all as follows: —]
You do now, under this belief of the Christian religion, as held in this church, publicly and solemnly
avouch the Eternal Jehovah, Father, Son and Holy
Ghost, to be your God and the God of yours; engaging to devote yourselves to his fear and service,
to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments.
With an humble reliance on his Spirit, you engage
to live answerably to the profession you now make,
submitting yourselves to the laws of Christ's kingdom,
and to that discipline which he has appointed to be
administered in his church. That you may obtain
the assistance you need, you engage diligently to
attend, and carefully to improve, all the ordinances
he has instituted.
Thus you covenant, promise and engage, in the
fear of God, and by the help of his Spirit.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        189
[The pastor now announces the names of those who
have been received by certificate from other churches,
together with the names of the churches from which
they have been received. As these names are called,
the persons answering to them  rise up in their
places.]
The pastor then requests all the members of the
church to rise and sing:Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son Iand Holy Ghost.
[After the singing, the pastor says:-]
In consequence of your professions and promises,
and by reason of your coming to us from s ster churches,
we affectionately receive you as members of this
church, and in the name of Christ declare you entitled to all its visible privileges.
We welcome you to this fellowship with us in the
blessings of the gospel, and on our part engage to
watch over you, and to seek your edification, as long
as you shall continue among us. Should you have
occasion to remove, it will be your duty to seek, and
ours to grant, a recommendation to another church;
for hereafter you cannot withdraw from the watch




190               HISTORY OF THE
and communion of the saints without a breach of
covenant.
The people here join in singing:
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
Before our Father's throne
Wie pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims, are one;
Our comforts and our cares.
We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.
When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain:
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.
[After the singing, the pastor concludes these exercises with the following bellediction: 
May the Lord support and guide you through a
transitory life; and, after this warfare is accornplished, receive you all to that blessed church, where
our love shall be forever perfect, and our joy forever
full. Amen.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHt.      191
BAPTISM OF CHILDREN.
While, for good and sufficient reasons, parents may
have their children baptized at home, the nature of
the sacrament itself, and the new and peculiar relations to the church into which children are brought
by its administration, make it desirable that, as- a
rule, children should be baptized publicly, in the
presence of the church.
Parents may have their children baptized on any
Sabbath, provided they have given notice to the pastor, or some member of the Session, some time previous to the day on which they desire the sacrament
to be administered.
The established custom of this church is, for the
pastor to announce fiom the pulpit, at least two
weeks before the time, that parents having children
unbaptized are requested to bring them forward foar
baptism On the approaching Communion Sabbath.
Parents should consider it their duly to furnish the
pastor with the names of their children, dates when
they were born, and the parents' names, prior to the
administration of the sacrament, in order that they
may be recorded in the church books.




192             HISTORY OF THE
FORM USED AT THE BAPTISM OF CHILDREN.
[When the sacramental season has arrived, at the
time designated in the "'ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR
COMMUNION SABBATHS." the pastor shall make a brief
address touching the nature and design of the sacrament.]
[After the address, the congregation shall sing a
hymn appropriate to the occasion.]
[During the singing of the last verse of the hymn,
the parents, bringing their unbaptized children with
them, come forward and stand in front of the
pulpit.]
When the singing is concluded, the pastor shall
say:3aptism was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ,
the great Ilead of the Church, to be a seal of the
covenant of grace, and the ordinance of admission to
a visible standing in his church.
The water in this ordinance implies guilt and pollution, and represents to us justification by the blood
of Christ, and regeneration and sanctification by his
Spirit.
But you are not to conclude that this, or any out



TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        19.
ward ordinance whatever, will be sufficient for the
salvation of the soul
It is the blood of Christ alone that cleanseth from
a11 sin; and to this you are exhorted ever to look
for your own salvationl and that of your children.
If it should please God to spare your lives, and the
lives of your children, until t.l cy come to years capable of receiving instruction, it will be your duty ta
teach them, or cause them to be taught, to read God's
holy word; to instruct them. in the great principles
of the Christian religion; to pray for them and with
them; to set an example of piety and godliness befobre them; and, by all the means of GJod's appointmente to bring them up in the nurture and adlonition of the Lord.
These duties, and whatever you are convinced, or
shall be convinced, from  the Word of God, to be
binding on you as Christian parents, you do promise
and covenant, in the presence of God and his church,
that, as I-e shall give you. strength, you will endeavor to perform and do.
[Upon the conclusion of this address, and after the
parents have covenanted to perform the duties enjoined, the whole congregation shall. rise, and be led
13




194              AfISTORY OF TMH
in'prayer by the pastor, for the parents and, childremn;~.
thus solemnly brought before themj]
THE CHILDREN SHALL NOW BE BAPTIZED.
[After the baptism, the pastor shall again lead thecongregation in prayer, remembering not only those'
already mentionedc  but all the baptized children of'
the church,- together- with their parents.]
This prayer concludes the solemn and impressiveservice,e
THE LORD'S S-UPPER.
The seasons of sacramental communion occur in,
the morning of the second Sabbath in the months of'
January, April, Ju-ly, and October.,
A lecture, or sermon, preparatory to the Communlion season, is delivered on the Friday evening next
preceding each Sacramental Sabbath.NTo trifling excuse should prevent any member of''the church from attending this service,




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCi H
ORDER OF WORSHIP
For Sabbath io-rnizgs and Evenin(gs
INVOCATIONe.*
Concluding with the Lord's Prayer.
Singing.
Reading the Scriptures
Prayer.t
Singing.
COLLECTION.
Reading Pulpit Notices.
Sermon.
Prayer.
Singing.
( The congregation standing.)
BENEDICTION.
* The Invocation is omitted in the evening.
t The congregation stands during prayer.




t96-         RE~HISTORY- OF THE
ORDER 0F WORSHIP
For Communioan Sabbaths.
INVOCATION.
]Baptism of Childremn
SingingPrayerSinging.
Collection f6r the Sessional and Poor Funds of the Church.
Reading Pulpit Notices,.
Reading the Scriptures.
Bacramental Address,
]hnvtatian to Visiting Christians to Commune -with ux
Reception of New M embers.
Singing the Hymn;'Twas on that dark and doleful night,
W~hen powers of earth and hell arose
Against the Son of God's delight,
nd frie-nds, betrayed him t; his, foee.




'TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH..
Before the mournful scene began,
He took the bread, and blessed, and bhake;'What love through all his actions ran 1
What wondrous words of grace he spake-!'This is my body, broke for sin,
Receive and eat the living food;"
Then took the cup and blessed the wine —
"'Tis the new covenant of my blood."
J Do this," he cried, "till time -shall endIn memory of your dying Friend,
MIeet at my table iand record
The love -of your departed Lord,'".Jesus, thy feast we celebrate,
We show thy death, we sing thy name,'Till thou return, and we shall eat
The marriage supper -of the Lamb.
7During the singlng'of this hymn, thle pastor anod.
i~elders take their:seats in front of the congregation,
and near the communion table.]
Admninistration -of the Sacrament.
Sin ging.
n ENEDICTION.




198             HISTORY OF TiIR
WEEKLY MEETINGS.
There is a stated weekly Lecture on WednesdIay
eveniang, in the Lecture Room.
A weekly Congregational PrayerA M eeting is held
)n Friday evening, in the Lecture Room,
The Sabbath School meets every Sabbath afternoon. Unless by direction, of the Sabbath School..Association, its meetings are ordered to. be held: o01
%abbath mornings during  the warm  months of
SU mmer_
MO1'0NTHLY MEETINGS,.
The Board of Trustees meets on the se ond Monv
lay night in, every month,
The Sabbath School Associationi meets on the:oburth Monday night in. every month,




~T;EMPLE PRESBYtERIAN CHURCH.         199
MEETINGS OF SESSION.
iThe first Monday night in every month, is the:time for the monthly meeting of the Session.
Frequent meetings of the Session are held previotus,to every Communion Season, of which dcue notice is
given from the pu.ljit on the Sabbath preceding.
CERTIFICATES OF DISMISSION to other churches are
-granted. by the Session of the church.  Application
for them should be made at least one week before the
time they are rrequiredc. No certificate wvill be granted
-to a person who is in arrears for pew rent or- other
money obligation to the church5 unless the Session is
satisfied that the arrearage is unavoidable, and the
~reason given will be perfectly satisfactory to the
iBoard of Trustees.
ANNIUAL MEETING.'The annrual meeting of the congregation, for the,election of Trustees, and the transaction of other
business appertaining to the temrporal interests of:the church, is held. on the second Monday night of
-January in each year,




i200             HISTORX  OF' TI
FORMER ELDERS.
BENJAMIN NAGLEE, Deceased.
CHARLES ELLIOT,
JOHN A. STEWART,      6'
ISAAC ASHMEAD,'~
WM. T. DONALDSON,'
SAMUEL T. BODINE,  Elder now in the Second Presbyterian Church, Germantown.
B. D. STEWARHT     Elder now in the North Broad StPresbyterian Church.
WM. SANDERSON,   Elder now in the Woodland Presbyterian Church.
H. H. SHILLINGFORD, Elder now in Spring Garden Presbyterian Church.
GEORGE C. BOWER,  Ceased to act.
JA&MES NEELY,      Bethesda Presbyterian Church,
PRESENT ELDERSS
JOSEPH AITKEN,   AIBNER LrCOLrw
JOSEPH F. JAGGERES




TE'MPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.         201
THE BOARD OF. TRUSTEES.
The list here given shows the regular succession in
the Board of Trustees from the time the charter was
granted until the present time,
The dates indicate the time of the election. All
elections by the congregation were, and still are, for
three years, unless it is specially named that the person was elected in the place of one resigned, when
the election was for an unexpired term.
Where there is a *, it shows that the election was
by the 13oard of Trustees,and the person so elected was
to fill the unexpired term of the one resigning,
TRUSTEES UNDER THE CHARTER.
To serve until the second MlIonday in January, 1837,
Benjamin Naglee,          Charles Elliot,
John A. Setwart.
To serve until the second Monday in January, 1838.
Edward Patteson,         Casper Yeager,
Peter Mintzerr,
To serve until the second Monday in January5 1839,
Joseph Pond,              Joseph Naglee,
John (G. Flegel.




1tISTORY OF TtE
-ELECTIONS UNDER THE CHAIRTER.
January 9th, 1837.
3enjamin hNaglee,          Charles Elliot,
John A, Stewart,
Januar.y 8th, 18383
WVm, P. Aitken,            John YT. Smith,.Charles C, Aitken-.
)Edward Patteson, vice Joseph Naglee, reesigned
Janu ariy 16th, 1839.,Joseph tond,              John G. Flcgelt
Edward Pattesonw
January 1J4th, 1840.'Samuel T. Bodine,       John A. WarnerWinm, A. MKee.
J-Tohn A. Stewart, vice John G. Flegeli, resigne&.
Januacy 11th, 1841.
Wm. T.. Donaldson,        -Elih-u D. Tarr,
Win. P. Aitken,
Januan y l'Oth, 184'2.:Joseph Pond,             Wm. Sanderson,
Edward Patteson.




TEMPLE  PRESBYTERIAN CHURC 2H.          0
January 17th, 1842.
3*Benedict D, Stewart, vice Joseph Pond, resigned,
January 16th, 1843.
James Morrell,              Samuel Grice,
G. C. Bowern
C. B. Dungan, vice Edward Patteson, resigned4
January 26th, 1843.
*S. T. Bodine, vice James Morrell, resigned,
P.ebruary 28th, 1843.
*John T. Smith, vice S. T, Bodine, resigned,
June 6th, 1843,
J. G. Flegel, vice Cd B. Dungan, resigned,
January 8th, 1844.
Edward Patteson,             S. T. Bodine,
Thomas 3Beaver.
James Morrell, vice J, T. Smith, resigned,
April 13th, 1844.
*Jonathan Leidigh, vice B. D. Stewart, resigned,




204                HISTORY OF THE
January 13th, 1845.
George W. Morse,           Winm. A. McKee,
Augustus H. Raiguel.
January 12th, 1846B
James Morrell,               James Taylor,
Thomas Potter.
-January 11th, 1847.
Joseph Aitken,                Henry Davis,
Williamn Sanderson.
Budd S. Bodine, vice James Taylor, resigned.
Robert M. Foust, vice Geo. W. Morse,  "
August 11th, 1847.
*Thomas Beaver, vice B13. S. Bodine, resigned.
October Sth, 1847.'*B. D. Stewart, vice R. tI. Foust, resigned.
Januwary 11th, 1848,,3enedict D. Stewart,    William A. MIcKee,
William P. Eckhardt,
JI;,aiar,y 8&h, 1849,
John T. Smith,             Thomas Beaver,
Robert M. Foust.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.           205
February 10th, 1849.
*Elihu D. Tarr, vice John T. Smith, resigned.
January 14th, 1850.
Joseph Aitken,       Augustus H. Raiguel,
Henry Davis.
Win. Sanderson, vice Win. A. McKee, resigned.
April 13th, 1850.
A. H. Campbell, vice Thomas Beaver, resigned.
January 13th, 1851.
B. D. Stewart,         William Sanderson,
G. C. Bower.
September 14th, 1851.
*Wam. B. Elliot, vice A. H. Raiguel, resigned.
January 12th, 1852.
*A. H. Campbell,      R. M. Foust,
Cyrus C. Moore.
January 10th, 1853.
J. Austin Spencer,      William F. Smith,
H. H. Shillingford.




206               HISTORY OF TnE
October 15th, 1853.
*John Snyder, vice A. H. Campbell, resigned.
January 9th, 1854.
B. D. Stewart,                  H. Davis,
John T. Smith.
Edward Patteson, vice WVm. F. Smith, resigned.
Joseph Aitken, vice C. C. Moore,     "
January 8th, 1855.
John Snyder,             Samuel B. Grice,
William B. Elliot.
January 14th, 1856.
S. T. Bodine,         William Sanderson,
Edward Patteson.
January 26th, 1857.
John T. Smith,       Thomas Cunningham,
B. D. Stewart.
January 11th, 1858.
G. C. Bower,           H. H. Shillingford,
John Snyder.
May 10th, 1858.
*Wm. Seeley, vice John Snyder, resigned.
* Samuel Grice, vice H. H. Shillingford, res'd.




TrEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHUICH.          220
October 11th, 1858.
*Benj. C. Naglee, vice Samuel B.- Grice, res'dt
February $9th, 1859.
Edward Patteson,        Williamn Sanderson,,
S. L. Kirk.
R. S. Bower, vice J. T. Smith, resigned.
Jainuary 9th, 186g.
Robert Aitken,            Geoxge W. Hart,.
William M. Weckerly.
January 14th, 1861.
WVilliam Seeley,         ]William B. Elliot,
William R. Bald.
Geo. W. Grice, vice EAdward Patteson, resigned,
February 11th, 1861.
*Samuel Bradbury, vice S. L. Kirk, resigned.
January 13th, 1862.
William Sanderson,       James M. Lamon,
Abner Lincoln.
Samuel Bradbury, vice Wm. M. Weckerly, res'd,
January 12th, 1863.
Robert Aitken,                  S. L. Kirk.,
Samuel Bradbury.




2C8                HISTORY OF TIIE
January flth, 1864.
William Seeley,         William R. Bald,
William R. Stewart.
October 10th, 1864.
*Wm. B. Elliot, vice Win. R. Stewart, res'd.
January 9th, 1865.
William Sanderson,        Abner Lincoln,
James M. Lamon.
January 8th, 1866.
S. Bradbury,                   R. Aitken.
S. L. Kirk.
D. C. Golden, vice WVm. B. Elliot, resigned.
January 14th, 1867.
William R. Bald,      William R. Stewart,
Ansel Collins.
Wm. Seely, vice Win. Sanderson, resigned.
D. C. Golden, vice James M. Lamon, resigned.
January 13th, 168.
William Seely,                A. Lincoln,
D. C. Golden.




TEMPLE PRlE3SBYTERIAP N CneURCH.     209
November 9th, 1868.
*Joseph F. Jaggers, vice D. C. Golden, resigned.
January 27th, 1869.
S. L. Kirk,                Robert Aitken,
S. Bradbury.
January loth, 1870.
Lewis Davis,             J. H. Workman,
William R. Bald.
J.anuary 9th, 1871.
Jacob Knight,         J. P. Curran, M. D.,,
Abner Lincoln.
Robert Dornan, vice J. H. Workman, resigned,
B. C. Snowden, M. D., vice Robert Aitken,"
January 8th, 1872.
Samuel Bradbury,              S. L. Kirk,
Conrad B. Day.
January 13th, 1873.
Samuel H. Davis,          Robert Dornan,
Lewis Davis.
In addition to the above, at this meeting there:were elected under the amended Charter (which
14




210                HISTORY OF TIM
provided for 15 persons in the Board, instead of 9)
the following persons:
John Dickey,       (
I. H. Wisler,   To serve for 3 years.
Isaiah Davis,      C
Wm. M. Cramp,         To serve for 2 years,
W. Sf Wilson,      f
T. W. Wolfn l  To serve for 1 year,
April 14th, 1873.
*Wm. R. Stewart, vice S. Bradbury, resigned.
*Joseph W. Golden, vice W. S. Wilson, resigned,
May 12th, 1873.
Robert Aitken, vice John Dickey, resigned.
PRESENT ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF
TRUSTEES.
President,
ABNER LINCOLN.
Secretary,                   Treasurer,
LEWIS DAVIS.                 S. L. KINeK.




-'EMPLE -PRESBYrEBIAN CIOURco         211
Pew Agent,
ISAIAH DAVrIS.
Jacob Knight,        J. P. Curran, M. D.,
C-onrad B. Day,      Samuel H. Davis,
Robert Dornan,       William M. Cramp,
I. H. Wisler,        Joseph W. Golden,
T. W, Wolf,          Robert Aitken,
William  R. Stewart.:_?ORMER SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE MAIN
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Benjamin Naglee,          Edward Patteson,
C. B. Dungan,             William A. McKee,'Wm. T. Donaldson,        Thomas Potter,
B. D. Stewart,            Isaac Ashmead,
-David McClure,           Joseph Aitken,
-E. M. Gregory,           George W. Grice,
D. C. Golden,             S. L. Kirk,
Robert Aitken,            S. I. Jenkins.
FORMER SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE INFANT
SCHOOL.
Ann E. Reynolds,           Mrs. J. W. Wilson,
Lizzie W. Hall.




212              HISTORY OF THE
PRESENT ORGANIZATION OF THE SUNDAY
SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
President,
D. C. GOLDEN~
Vice President,          Secretary,
ABNER LINCOLN@           WMI. P. WHITE,
Treasurer,
ROBERT AITKEN.
Main School Superintendent,
JAMES Y. MITCHELL,
Assistant Superintendent,
WM. M. CLARK.
Secretaries,
THOMlAS GILLAM,   WILLIAM S. GOLDEn:
Librarian,
WILLIAM P. WHITE.
Assistants,
FRANK P. WEBB,        GEORGE H. BARROW.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.          218
Teachers.
Tillie Snyder,           Rosa Fronefield,
Flora E. Lincoln,        Fanny Fay,
Maggie Solliday,         Mattie Jaggers,
Hannah Davis,            Addie Ely,
Laura Curran,            Susan McFarland,
Carrie Grim,             MIary S. Rainier,
Hannah Golden,           Lillie R. Aitken,
Beckie IMcManes,         Jennie V. Davis,
Sallie MI. Horn,        -Sallie Shaw,
Ella Ely,                Annie Kirk,
J. L. Saxton,            Haddie E. Gray,
Wm. R. Stewart,          Robert Aitken,
S. L. Kirk,              A. Lincoln,
George W. Golden,        T. W. Wolf,
Theo. R. White,          Thomas Summerville,
W. M. Read,              Joseph Aitken,
Lewis Davis,'William A. Bosler,
Theo. F. Read.
Superintendent of the Ipfant School,
JOSEPH W. GOLDEN.
Assistants.
SADIE E. CAMPBELL,       ANNIE C. SKINNER,
ELLA G. GRAEFF.




214               HISTORY OF THE
NAMES OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SEXTONS;
TIN THIS CHURCH.
[The date indicates the time when their services began.j
Appointed by the Association,
Nicholas Helverson,
Elected' by the Board of Trustees.
B. Vickery, -    -   - September 20th, 1836.
Budd S. Bodine, -   - January 26tb, 1843.
George Adams,  -   - December 1tth, 1844,
George Beecher, -   - May 19th, 1845.
D. Richardson,        - October 19th, 1846&
George Beecher, -    - May 8th, 1847.
Enoch Mayhew, -   - June 12th, 1847.
James Crawford, -   - October 8th, 1855,
John Springer,        - October 1st, 1862>,




CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS.








TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.      217
CONSTITUTION
THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
IN THE
NORTIHEORN LIBERTIES, PHILADELPHIA.
PREAMBLE.
We, the subscribers, citizens of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, and members of the Society of Presbyterians of the said church, worshipping God in the
new church on Coates street, between Third and
Fourth streets,. in the Northern Liberties aforesaid,
having some time since associated as a congregation
for religious purposes, and being desirous to acquire
and enjoy the powers and immunities of a corporation or body politic in law, have adopted the following constitution:
ARTICI E JI.
The name style and title of the Society shall be,
"The Trustees of the Central Presbyterian Church in
the Northern, Liberties, Philadelphia."




218             HISTORY OF THE
ART1cLE II.
The affairs of the said corporation shall be conducted by nine Trustees, three of whom shall be
elected annually on the second Monday in January
in each and every year hereafter, to serve for three
years, or until others are elected; of which' election
notice shall be given in the church on the previoius
Sabbath. But in case it should happen that an elec
tion of Trustees should not be made as aforesaid, the
corporation shall not for that cause be deemed to be
dissolved; and it shall be lawful, on any day within
sixty days thereafter, notice having been given as
aforesaid, to hold and make an election of Trustees as
aforesaid. And in case of any Trustee's death, resignation or removal, his place may be filled for the
remainder of his term in such manner as the ordinances or by-laws of the said Trustees shall for that
purpose direct.
ARTICLE III.
The present Trustees of the said Society shall continue in office as follows, to wit: Benjamin Naglee,
Charles Elliot, and John A. Stewart, until the second
Monday in January, Anno Domini 1837; Edward
Patteson, Casper Yeager, and Peter Mintzer, until
the second Monday in January, Anno Domini 1838;




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       219
and Joseph Pond, Joseph Naglee, and John G. Flegel,
until the second Monday in January, Anno Domini
1839, or until others shall be elected as aforesaid.
ARTICLE IV.
The officers of the Board of Trustees shall consist
of a President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Treasurer may be elected from among the members of the
Society who are not members of the Board of Trustees-all of whom shall be citizens of Pennsylvania.
ARTICLE V.
The qualifications of both the electors and Trustees
of the said society shall be, that such persons shall
have been members of the Society for six months at
least previous to such election; and shall have paid
six months' rent for a pew or part of a pew within
the said church, and- shall not be in arrears for
more than one years' rent at the time of such
election, and be of the age of twenty-one years or
upwards, and citizens of this Commonwealth.
ARTICLE VI.
The said corporation shall not engage in any way
not authorized by the ordinary usage and practice of
said Society, whereby the said society may or shall,




220             HISTORY OF THE
on any one occasion, be involved in an expense of
three hundred dollars or upwards, without having
obtained the concurrence of at least seven of the
Trustees.
ARTICLE VII.
The clear rents and profits of the real estate of the
said Society, and the interest and dividends of their
money, stock, and other personal estate, shall not
exceed two thousand dollars per annum.
ARTICLE VIII.
By-laws not repugnant to the Constitution and
laws of the United States, to the Constitution and
laws of this Commnonwealth, or to this instrument,
may be passed by a majority of the said Trustees at
any meeting.
BENJAMIN NAGLEE,  PETER MINTZER,
CHARLES ELLIOT,    JOSEPH POND,
JOHN A. STEWART,  JOSEPH NAGLEE,
EDWARD PATTESON,  JOHN G. FLEGEL,
CASPER YEAGER.
PHILADELPHIA, FEBRUARY, 1836.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        2'1
To the Supreme Court of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
I, James Todd, Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify, that I
have perused and examined the above written instrument, and am of opinion that the objects, articles and
conditions therein set forth and contained, are lawful.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand,
at Philadelphia, the sixteenth day of March, Anno
Domini 1836.                       JAMES TODD.
To His Excellency, the Governor
of tie CGnwn meadtl.   of Pennsylvawaia.
We, the Justices of the Supreme Court of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, certify that having
perused and examined the above written instrument, concur in opinion with the Attorney General, that the objects, articles and conditions therein
set forth and contained, are lawful.
Witness our hands, at Philadelphia, the twentythird day of April, Anno Domini 1836.
JoIN B. GIBSON,
MOLTON C. ROGERS,
JOHN KENNEDY.




222             HISTORY OF THE
I, Iernry Witmer, Prothonotary of the Supreme
Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, do
hereby certify, that the above written instrument or
Charter of Incorporation, was duly presented to the
Justices of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, agreeably to the rule of Court in
such cases made and provided, and by them duly
allowed, as in their certificate set forth.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, at Philadelphia, this twenty-fifth day of April, Anno Domini
1836.
[SEAL.]          HENRY WITMER.
PENNSYLVANIA, SS.
In the name and by the authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Joseph Ritner, Governor of
the said Commonwealth, to Thomas H. Burrowes,
Esquire, Secretary of the said Commonwealth, sends
greeting:
W hereas, it has been duly certified to
me, by James Todd, Attorney General of
the said Commonwealth, and by John B. Gibson,
Esq., Chief Justice, Molton C. Rogers and John Kennedy, Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania, that they have respectively perused.




TEMPLE PRBESBYTERIAN CHURCH.      223
and examined the above act or instrument for the
incorporation of 1" The Trustees of the Central Presbyterian Church in the Northern Liberties, Philadelphia," and that they concur in opinion that the objects, articles and conditions therein set forth and
contained are lawful; Now, know you, that in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly, passed the
sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, entitled " An act
to confer on certain associations of the citizens of this
Commonwealth the powers and immunities of corporations or bodies politic in law;" and a supplement
to the same, passed the eighth day of April, in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
thirty-three, I have transmitted the said act or instrument of incorporation unto you, the said Thomas
HI. Burrowes, Secretary of the said Commonwealth
hereby requiring you to enroll the same, at the expense of the applicant, to the intent that, according to
the objects, articles and conditions therein set forth
and contained, the parties may become and be a corporation and body politic in law and in fact, to have
continuance by the name, style and title in the said
instrument provided and declared.
Given under my hand and the great seal of the
State, at Harrisburg, this eighth day of July, in the




.224                HISTORY OF THE
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
thirty-six, and of the Commonwealth the sixty-first.
By the Governor.
THOMAs H. BURROWES,
Secretary of the Commonwealtk.
Coimmonwealth of Pennsylvania,
Seeretary's O1ce.
Enrolled in Charter Book No. 6, page 15, containing:a record of acts incorporating sundry literary, chariitable and religious institutions.
Witness my hand and seal of office, at Harrisburg, this eighth day of July, in the
YSEAL.]  year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, and of the Commonwealth the sixty-first.
THOMAS H. BURROWES,
Secretary of the Commonrwealtk.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       225
AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE VI.
Agreeably to a vote of the congregation, given
January 20th, 1851, the following amendment to the
6th Article of the Constitution was presented to a
Court of Common Pleas, held January 30, 1852:
ARTICLE VI.'" That the Board of Trustees shall not have power
to pur'chase or sell ally real estate, or to incumber
any real estate already vested in the corporation, or
to incur any liability exceeding in amount the sum
of three hundred dollars, unless a resolution authorizing such purchase, sale or incumbrance shall have
been first submitted to the congregation, at the
regular annual meeting thereof, or at a special meeting duly convened for that purpose, when a vote of
a majority of the members present shall be necessary
to pass such resolution; excepting in all cases the
current expenses of the corporation."
15




22G6             HISTORY OF TiEAi
On motion of J. Austin Spencer, Esq., the Court:
ordered that the said instrument be filed, and that:
notice of the said application be published accordingto law.
On the 8d day of' March, 1852, due proof having
been exhibited of said publieationr,r andc the Court
having examined the said instrument of writing, and
the objects, articles and conditions therein contained
appearing to be lawful, and no cause being shown to
the contrary, did decree anid dclelare, that L"the same.
shall be deemed and taken to be a part of the instrument upon which the said corporation was formed
and established, to all intents and purposes, as if the
same had originally been made part thereof; and
further, did direct that the said alteration or amends
ment shall be recorded in the Office for Recording
deeds, &c., for the City and County of Philadelphia.'"
The amendment was recorded in the Office for,
Recording of Deeds, &c., for the City and County of
Philadelphia, March  8th, 1852, in Miscellaneous
Book,> G W  CO, No. 19 page 350.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHo        227
AMENDMENTS OF ARTICLES 1. AND II.
Agreeably to the votes of the congregation, given
at meetings held January 8th and March 28th, 1872,
the following change of name, amendments and alterations to Articles I. and II. of the Constitution were
presented to the Court of Common Pleas for the City
and County of Philadelphia, to wit:
That Articles I. and II. be amended so as to read
as follows:
ARTIC.LE I.
That the name style and title of the Society shall
be, " Temple Presbyterian Church."
EARrTIcI'E Iif
The affairs of the said corporation shall be conducted
by fifteen Trustees; five of whomn shall be electe(L
annually on the second Monday in January in each
and every year hereafter, to serve for three years, or




228              HISTORY OF THE
u;ntil others are elected, of which election notice shall
be given in the church on the previous Sabbath.
Tbut in case it should happen that an election of
Trustees should not be made as aforesaid, the corpojration shall not for that cause be deemed to be dissohlved; and it shall be lawful, on any day within
sixty days thereafter, notice having been given as
aforesaid, to hold and make an election of Trustees
as aforesaid. Provided, However, That the six additional Trustees required by this amendment shall be
elected at the election in January, 1873, two of them
to serve for one year, two of them for two, and two
f'r three years. And in case of any Trustee's death,
resignation or removal, his place shall be filled for
file remainder of his term in such manner as the
ordinances or by-laws of said Trustees shall direct."
The Court heard the petitioners on November 8th,
1i72, when, on motion of J. Austin Spencer, Esq.,
the Court ordered the instrument to be filed, and
that notice of said application be published according
to law.
On December 2d, 1872, due proof having been exhibited of such publication, and it appearing that
notice of the intended change of name had been
given to the Auditor General, and the Court having




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        229
examined the said instrument of writing, and the
objects, articles and conditions therein contained appearing to be lawful, and no cause being shown to
the contrary, did decree and declare, "that the name,'style and title of said corporation be changed to that
of "Temple Presbyterian Church;" that the first and:second Articles of the Charter of Incorporation, of
the said corporation, shall be altered and amended,
according as the same is herein specified and set
forth; so that the same shall be deemed and taken
to be part of the instrument upon which the said'corporation was formed and established to all intents
and purposes, as if the same had originally been made
part thereof. And did further direct and decree,
that the said alteration and amendment be recorded
in the Office for the Recording of Deeds, &c., for the
City and County of Philadelphiao"
Recorded in the Office for the Recording of Deeds,,&c., for the City and County of Philadelphia, in Mis-,cellaneous Book F T W, No. 1., page 67.




230              HISTORY OF TIH
BY-LAWS
OF
TH-E BOARD OF TRUSTEES,
ADOPTED MAY 12, 1878.
ARTICLE IL
Meetings.
SEC. 1. The Stated Meetings of the Board shall be
held as follows: One for the organization of the new
Board, within ten days after the election, and on the
second Monday evening of each month in the year,
The hour of meeting shall be, from April till September, at 8 o'clock; and September to April, 71
o'clock. Eight members shall constitute a quorum
to transact business.
SEC. 2. Special Meetings shall be called by the
President, at the written request of five members; 
the object of the meeting shall be stated in the notices to be issued by the Secretary.
SEC. 3. No business shall be transacted at a Special:ifeeting, except that for which such meeting is specially called.




'_TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.        231
ARTICLE II.
Order of Business.
1. Prayer.
2. Roll Call.
3. Reading of Minutes.
4. Reports of Officers.
5. Reports of Committees.
6. Unfinished Business.
I7. New Business.
A RTICLE IIL
Officers of the Board.
Sec. 1. The Officers of the Board shall be a Presil,ent, Secretary, Treasurer, and Pew Agent, who shall
be elected by ballot annually, and continue in office
until their successors are elected.
SEC. 2. The President (or, in his absence, the President pro tem.) shall preside at all meetings of the
Board. He shall have the-custody of the Charter of the
church, sign all orders drawn upon the Treasurer
and attested by the Secretary, appoint all committees
not otherwise ordered, and perform the duties usually
appertaining to his office.
SEC. 3. The Secretary -shall keep regular and,cork
xect minutes of the proceedings of the Board; notify




232             HISTORY OF THE
them, in writing, of the time and place of meetings;
attest all orders drawn upon the Treasurer; take
charge of the seal and papers belonging to the corporation; furnish the chairman of each committee with
a list of its mernbers, and perform the usual duties
of a Secretary.
SEc. 4. The Treasurer shall have charge and keep
a correct account of the funds of the Corporation; pay
no moneys but on orders properly attested, except the
Pastor, Sexton, Choristers and Organist's salaries,
and gas bills as they become due. He shall report the
condition of the Treasury, monthly, and present to
the Board, annually, in January, a statement of the
receipts and expenditures for the past year, the same
to be read before the corporation at their annual
meeting. He shall deliver to his successors all moneys and papers in his possession belonging to the
Corporation.
SEC. 5. The Pew Agent shall take charge of the
Pew Books, rent pews and sittings, keep a correct
account of all moneys collected, and pay the same to
the Treasurer forthwith, taking his receipt therefor.
Hle shall make quarterly reports to the Board of the
amount collected, and also of delinquent Pew Renters, and the annual value of the pews rented.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       2313
ARTICLE IV.
Pew Rents.
SEc. 1. The pew rents shall be paid quarterly in
advance, on the first day of January, April, July and
October; and it shall be the duty of the Pew Agent
to attend in the church to receive the pew rents, notice of such sitting having been previously read from
the pulpit.
SEC. 2. When any person shall become indebted
for three-quarters pew rent, the Pew Committee
may place the same in the hands of a collector, and
the cost of collection shall be added to the pew rent,
ARTICLE V.
Standing Commzitees,
SEC. 1. The Standing Committees of the Board
shall be appointed annually, at the first Stated Meeting after the election of Trustees, and shall consist
as follows:
SEC. 2. A Committee on Real Estate, consisting of
three members, whose duty shall be to superintend
and keep in good repair, the real estate and personal
property which may be under the care of the Board.
They shall not authorize any repairs that shall exceed the sum of fifty dollars, without first obtaining
the approval of the Board.




234              HISTORY OF THE
SEC. 3. A Committee on Pews, consisting of three
mnembers, one of whom shall be the Pew Agent, who
shall assist in the renting of pews and collecting pew
rents,
SEC. 4. A Committee on Collections, consisting of
at least six members, whose duty it shall be to take
up the collections in the church, and hand the same
to the Treasurer.
SEC. 5. A Committee on Sexton, consisting of three
members, whose duty shall be to see that the Sexton
discharges his duties in a proper manner, and attends
to the proper heating and ventilation of the church.
SEC. 6. A Committee on Music, consisting of three
members, whose duty shall be to superintend the
Chorister and Organist in the discharge of their duties,
so far as they come under the direction of the
]Board.
ARTICLE bVL
-Eecfion of Sexton, Chorister and OrganistA
The Board shall elect by ballot, as occasion may
require, suitable persons to serve as Sexton, Chorister
and Organist, who shall receive for their services
such salary as the Board may determine from time
to time; the same to be paid quarterly.




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,       235
ARTICLE VII.
Auditing Committee.
At the Stated Meeting in December, a Committee
of three shall be appointed to audit the accounts of
the Treasurer and Pew Agent, and prepare the anxnual report to the congregation.
ARTICLE VIII.
Vacancies.
The Board shall have power to fill all vacancies
which may occur in their body by death, resignation
or otherwise.
ARTICLE IX.
Alterations, additions or amendments to these ByLaws may be made by this Board, provided said
alterations, &c., shall have been proposed in writing at
least one month previous to acting thereon, and twothirds of the members present concurring at the final
decision.








TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       237
APPENDIX.
After the manuscript copy of this history had
passed into the hands of the publisher, and when
some of the press-work had been completed, an
unexpected endorsement was given to the writing,
and publication of individual church history, by
our General Assembly.
At its meeting held in Baltimore during the latter
part of May, 1873, when the subject of the "' Centennial celebration of American Independence" was
under consideration, an animated and protracted discussion arose as to the wisdom and best mode of
setting forth the progress of Presbyterianism in this
country, during the last century.
Following this discussion, a number of resolutions
were passed; among which, was one, iV substance,
recommending the pastors of the several churches
under the jurisdiction of the assembly, to prepare
and have published in time for the great Centennial
Exhibition, to be held at Philadelphia in 1876, histories of their several churches, copies of which were
to be sent to the Presbyterian Historical Society.
This action, while endorsing other actions referred




238             HISTORY OF THE
to in the prefatory article, has, in the publication
of this volume not only been complied with, but
anticipated.
As recorded in the body of this history, it was
believed that the Salem German Reformed congregation which purchased our "' old church building,"
intended to hold and occupy it for their own services.
The most that was expected, was, that the building
would be somewhat enlarged and remodeled, to
afford ample accommodations for their very large
membership.
Upon getting possession of the property, however,
the people were undecided, as to what step to take.
After waiting for some time, they rented it for a
year to a congregation which had colonized from the
Lutheran Church, at the corner of St. John and
Brown streets. During this year, the renting congregation began and finished a church building in
Fourth street, below Girard avenue.
The "old building" again vacated, was used at
times for concerts and other entertainments, in behalf
of the congregation to which it belonged. No pains
were taken to keep it in repair, and, as a consequence,
it became thoroughly dilapidated.
In the spring of 1873, the Salem congregation decided to build, and workmen about the beginning of




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       239
July, began to tear down the "old building," in
order to make place for the " new."
The tearing down revealed the fact, that there
was greater strength in the walls of the superstructure, than had previously been supposed; but it
also showed a foundation faullty, because it partly
rested on made ground.
Appearances indicated that when the church was
erected, as much attention was given to the " burial
vaults," as to the church edifice. There were twentysix of these vaults; ten in front, and sixteen on the
east side of the building.
As might have been inferred from the history,
there was no " Corner-Stone." As already recorded,
the building was erected by a "Stock Association,"
independent of any church organization. The formal
transfer of the property to this congregation, did not
take place for some time after the church had accepted the invitation of the " Association " to worship
in their building.
It is the intention of the Salem congregation to
erect a large edifice on the site of the old. They
propose to adhere to the former width, but increase
the depth of the building, by having the front some
eight or ten feet nearer the street line, and placing
the rear wall on the back line of their lot.




240              HISTORY OF THE
The work  of building is now  going on; and
without attaching undue importance to time or place
in our history, it will be pleasant in the future to
remember that the spot where God in other days
visited and blessed us, is still to invite like favors
upon another Christian people, who are virtually one
with us in doctrine and worship.
Were the words herein written only for the present, it would be needless to make mention of a
c/.ange in thle name of the street, on which the " Old
Church " stood.
We, would have thought no street name, more
enduring than the name of Coates street. The present
generation, at least, will hardly become familiarized
with the new name given to that old thoroughfare.
But, recently our City Councils have ordered the
old name on corners and street lamps to be taken
down; and while we may read intelligibly the old
and oft-repeated name of Coates street on these
pages, hereafter, others to read satisfactorily, must
substitute in the place of the old, the netw name,
FAIRMOUNT AVENUE.
WVe regret that we have not been able to secure a
likeness of Rev. T. A. J. Mines, the second pastor of
this church. Failure to secure, was not from want of
effort. After much writing to those likely to have




TEMPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.       241
some reminder of him in picture, we are satisfied
that no likeness of him can be had.
The likeness of the first pastor is taken from an
oil painting now in possession of his widow, who
lives at Princeton, N. J., while the others are Iithographed from original photographs secured from
themselves or from their friends, thus having their correctness endorsed. No better fac-simile of an autograph
can be had than that which accompanies the several
likenesses.
In closing this volume, I may be permitted to say
that I have labored upon it, as opportunity offered,
for more than a year. I claim for it no literary
merit, but do assert its historical accuracy. Had I
known in the beginning the amount of time, patience, research and correspondence required in:its
preparation, I would, to say the least, very reluctantly have commenced it.
Now that it is done, I am compensated by the discoveries I have made of the faith, hope, and
self-sacrificing spirit of God's people, as I am also,
and chiefly, by the oft-repeated testimony God has
given in the history of this church, that he will
never leave nor forsake those who put their trust in
Him. To Him be glory and honor, both now and
forever. Amen.
16








CONTENTS,
PREFACE,.                                          page 8-4
INTRODUCTORY HISTORY,.page 7-1t
Missionary spirit of the Presbyterian Church; north of Vine street a mission
field; the Second Church cultivating it-7. The first services, where and by
whom  held; interruptions by the Revolutionary war; services resumed-8.
Erection of the first church building; lot given, and by whom; location;
opening of the completed building; church organized: corporate title; Rev.
James Patterson installed; astonishing growth; removal; new building
finished and dedicated; popularity of Mr. Patterson's preaching-9. Colony
-from the First Church; new organization; title; pastor called; place of worship; embarrassment; another colony; title-10. Minister officiating; union
of the two colonies; plan of union; a second church building finished in the
Northern Liberties-i1.
IT.
ORGANIZATION OF THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE
NORTHERN LIBERTIES,.page 11-18
Occasion of the organization —l. Time and place of organization; officiating
ministers; members enrolled-12. Elders elected; pastor called; sketch of
his life-13. Early steps to erect a building; lot purchased, and the price
paid for it-14. How the property was held; Dimensions of the lot and building; appearance of the church; accommodations —15. Vaults; occupancy of
the building; incidents connected with the opening services-i16. Charter
secured; Charter members of the Board; first annual meeting of the congregation; officers in the first Board-17. Steps taken by the congregation to
secure the property; spiritual interests; resignation of the first pastor; accessions to the church; a call declined-18.




i1                            CONTENTS.
III.
RI&]VY T. A. J. MINES, THE SECOND PASTOR,.... page 19-21
Completion of the church building; call of another pastor; call accepted; installation; sketch of the pastor's life; resignation; report of the committee
on transfer of property-19. Terms of transfer; acceptance of the terms; cost
of the property-20. Indebtedness of the congregation; numerical strength;
trials-21.
IV.
REV. ANSON ROOD, THE THIRD PASTOR,.page 21-31
Call extended and accepted; installation; salary fixed.; sketch of pastor's life;
qualifications-21. Trials and triumphs; methods adopted to meet emergencies-22. An occasion for thanksgiving; financial success-23. Benevolence,
liberality and charity; purchase of an organ; gas-light supplanting oillight-24. Spiritual blessings; the Great Revival; the pastor's health impaired;
communication to the Session-25. Congregational action-26. Resignation
accepted; commissioners to Presbytery; committee to wait on the pastor;
continued ill health-28. Death, and resolutions thereon; accessions to the
church during Mr. Rood's pastorate-29. A call extended, but declined; reasons therefor; disappointed hopes-30.
V.
REV. JAMES P. WILSON, D. D., THE FOURTH PASTOR,.  page 31-48
The church without a pastor; condition of the church; sketch of Dr. Wilson's
life-31. Time of calling him to this church; expectations; new life infused;
salary promised; salary increased; the congregation disturbed; a call to New
York-32. Congregational action; citation; Commissioners to Presbytery;
their work and success reported to the congregation-33. Renewal of the call
firom New York; letter from Dr. Wilson-45. Resolutions of the congregation-47. Pastoral relation dissolved; accessions to the church —8.
Vf.
REV. GEORGE DUFFIELD, JR., THE FIFTH PASTOR.   page 49-61
The church seeking another pastor; qualifications needed; the name of Mr.
Duffield proposed; sketch of his life; circumstances preceding his call; correspondence-49. Congregational meeting; a call extended; the pastor elect
visits the church and preaches-5I. the ratification of their previous action
by the congregation; acceptance of the call; installation; salary; hopeful
signs; hindrances-52. Thoughts of removal; a proposition to buy; congregal ional action-53. Removal again agitated; special meeting of the congregration; views of the pastor-54  Report of a comnimittee-56. A reRolution
a.dop)ted; new location suggested; individual action; the subject rests-57.




CONTENTS.                               111ii
Deficiencies, and how met; co-operation of pastor and people; a dark prospect-58. Light in darkness; spiritual activity and success; the revivals of
1857 and 1858-59. Pastor's resignation; acceptance; committee to Presbytery-60. Resolution of the congregation; pastoral relation dissolved; accessions to the church-61.
VII.
REV. JAMES Y. MITCHELL, THE SIXTH PASTOR,... page 61-77
Pulpit supplies; sketch of Mr. Mitchell's life-61. Circumstances which preceded his call-62. Call extended; salary fixed; commissioners to Presbytery; letter of acceptance-64. Installation; sociables-66. Quarterly subscriptions; efforts tor liquidate the church debt-67. United effort; successful
termination; a gift; steps toward removal-68. Pew deeds secured by the
Board; sale of the church property agitated: committee to obtain a new site;
a lot chosen and abandoned; the kind of building contemplated-69. A
building committee appointed; another lot chosen and abandoned; the reason
and the consequence; our present site desired, but not for sale-70. Pastor's
salary increased; fixing the price of the church property-71. A new committee on site and building; committee on sale; our present site offered for
sale-72. Purchase made; terms; action of the Pastors' Association-73.
Committee to secure subscriptions; an unlooked-for event-75. The occasion-76. Increase of pastor's salary; mortgage authorized to be executed-77.
VIII.
THE "OLD EDIFICE" SOLD, AND THE "NEW  ONE" BUILDING,
page 77-106
Building Committee appointed-77. The architect and his plans; supervision
and arbitration; amount paid to the architect; a dilemma-78. Unsuccessful
efforts to sell the old building; a gratifying surprise; the building sold-79.
Suitable services following the sale; happy results-80. Contractor's estimates; building in part; the lowest bidder; making the contract; work
begun-81. Circumstances attending the breaking of the ground; character
of the foundation; laying of the first stone; laying the " Corner Stone,"-82.
Arrangements; the day; the exercises; contents of the "Corner Stone'"-83.
Where the "Corner Stone" is laid; HISTORY DEPOSITED IN THE CORNER
STONF,; original limits of Philadelphia-84. Municipalities; population;
Second Church-85. FirstChurch,N.L.; Mr.Patterson-86, Outgrowths-87.
Organization of our church; survivors; first elders-88. First pastor; when
and where installed; first administration of the Lord's Supper-89. Death of
Mr. Burroughs; a pastoral relation formed and dissolved; participants in the
installation of Mr. Rood-90. New elders; participants at the installation of
Dr. Wilson —91.  Participants at the installation of Mr. Duffield; new
elders-92. Participants >at the installation of Mr. Mitchell; new elders; a
summary of history-93. Anxious lnouths-95,  Hopes excited-96. Hopes




iV                           CONTENTS.
disappointed; reasons-97. Friends in need; loans secured-98. Roof completed and tower topped out; a delay; terms arranged in the sale of the old
property-99. Leaving the old church; reunion —100. A new people possessing the old church; opening the new Lecture Roomn-102. Simrlicity of
Presbyterianism-l101. Great hail-storm-105. Voluntary addresses; collections taken at the opening exercises-106.
IX.
FROM THE "LECTURE ROOM" TO THE "MAIN AUDIENCE ROOM,"
page 106-121
The work already done; alterations from the original plan —106. Contracts for
furnaces-107. Extras; opinion of tho building contractor-108. Strength
rather than beauty; numerical increase-109. Pew renting; new members-110. Creation of a mortgage authorized; stock, scrip and memorial
fund —111. Memorial committee; success; first mortgage cancelled; an addition to the "Building Committee;" proposals invited-113. Contract made;
how the building at this time appeared; work done and alterations made-114.
Pews; separate contracts-115. Organ committee-116. Testing gas fixtures; programme of the dedication services-117. Other participants; collection; social gathering; choice of pews-120.  Committee on rentals;
amount of rentals-121.
AMiENDMENTS TO THE CHIARTER-INCR.EASING  THE NURMB.ER OF
MEMBERS IN THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AND  CHANGING THE
CHURCH NAME,.                                            page 121-131
Amendments proposed-121. Committees report; reception by the congregation-122. Power in a name; reasons which suggested the change-123.
Another congregational meeting; committee of conference-125. Committee's report, and action thereon-126. Committee on names; names presented; a vote and results; address by the pastor-127. Committee on the
amendments to the charter; charter amended-129. First election under the
amended charter; final report of the Building Committee; a look at the
building-130. Weakness, faith and triumph — 31.
XI.
A LOOK AT THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE CHURCH, p. 132-140
Attention to spiritual affairs; little to encourage-132. Numerical weakness;
discouraging tines; the war for the Union —133. The church cold —131.
Blessings elsewhere; tokens for good; protracted services —135. Fruits; last
communion in the old church; light in the cloud-136. The roll on coming
to the new church; good beginnings-137. Special services; new elder —138.
number added to the new church; deaths, removals, whole number; thanksgiving-139.




CONTENTS,                               V
xlI.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL,.page 143-159
Need of this article; introductory-143. First members of this church; our
Sunday School beginning-144. Vicissitudes; division into departments;
directors —145. First mission schools; organization of the Sabbath School
Association-146. Disbandin, the first and organizing the second: its control; members-147. Main School; organization; superintendent; numbers;
officers; teachers; class names-148. Bible Classes; first on record; changes;
present number; Infant School; object-149. How  conducted; numbers;.
Mission Schools under the Association-150. Number of scholars in all the
departments; monthly prayer-meeting; commencement; interruptions; good,
results-152. Library; previous reports; present condition; Sunday School
papers; their introduction; present arrangement —153 Rewards; when introduced; how changed from time to time-154. ANNIVERSARY; missionary
spirit-155. Where contributions have been sent; support of the school —156.
Legacy; fitting up the library room; a gift; the school and the new
church-157. Special donations from classes,; conversions; importance of the&
work-158; Encouraements-159.
XIII.
THE LADIES' AID SOCIETY,......         page 163-168
Working women; first organization-I63. Vote of thanks; Fair-164. An investment; first money towards the new church; Mite Society; a grand supper-165. Success; another Fair and supper; Ladies' Aid-166. Variety of
entertainments; net amount raised; disbursements; donations-167. Other
disbursements and donations-168.
A CLOSING THOUGHT,            I                    -.         page 169,
DEDICATORY EXERCISES,..,.       page 173-182
DIRECTORY,.....,                              page 183-214
Time of reception of new members-; form of reception-185. Baptism of children; place of baptism; time of baptism; custom; duty of parents-191.
Form  used-192. The Lord's Supper; preparatory lecture-194. Order of
worship for Sabbath mornings and evenings-195. Order of worship for communion Sabbaths-196.  Weekly meetings; monthly meetings —19. Sessional meetings; certificates of dismission; annual meeting-199. Former
elders; present elders-200. The Board of Trustees-201. Present Board-210.
Former Superintendents of the Main Sunday School; former Superintendents;
of the Infant Schooi-211. Present organization of the Sunday School-212,
Names of Sextons-214.




VTI                             CONTENTS,
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS,.....                               page 217-25
Original Constitution-217.  Amendment of Article VI.-225. Amendments of
Articles I. and II.-227. Present By-Laws of the Board of Trustees-230.
APPENDIX,.......           page 237-241
Endorsement of the General Assembly-237. Uses of the old building on Coates
street; tearing it down-238.  Discoveries; a larger building being erected239. The name of Coates street changed; the new name; the likenesses of
the pastors-240. The past, comforts in the present-241.
ERRATA.
Page 15-15th line from the top, instead of stone, read brick.
70,   3d line from the bottom, instead of dilapitated, read dilapidated.
" 72, 11th line from the top, instead of Messers. read Messrs.: 96,  8th line from the bottom, instead of WThilden, read Whildins
"121,  6th line from the top, instead of Doman, read Doernea.' 123,  8th line from the bottom, instead of Presbyteria, read PPresbyterial.
A 127,  2d line from the top, instead of Craver, read C0aven.
"137, 12th line from the bottom, instead of Rev, G. W., read Rev. G.
"167, 12th line from the top, instead of one, read done
"201,  7th line from the bottom, instead of Selwart, read Stewart.
202,  7th line from the bottom, omit the *.
"204,  4th line from the bottom, instead of Eckhardt, read Er7hardt.
205,  8th line from the top, put * before A. H.' 205,  5th line from the bottom, omit the *' 210,  7th line from the bottom, put * before Robert
211,   2d line from the bottom, instead of Msrs. J. W, read Mrs. J. P.