Si^eiity^iffbJIiiii^ersary tht first Preskvterlii Society li m Oltligt of $frici$t 11244199 Pr&sident White Library, Cornell University. Al^^lSf n tiii^i ^ ^ I ^i.^oC^^'*'*- -/- Cornell University Library BX9211.S99 F5 Seventy-fifth anniversary of the First P olin 3 1924 029 488 768 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029488768 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. SYRACUSE, N. Y. GALLERY FLOOR. GROUND FLOOR. The First Edifice, 1825-50. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. SYRACUSE, N. Y. (As enlarged, 1841.) erected 1825-' '5keTchcd trom M^irnoai 1895, bj^ (As Enlarged, 1841.) THE ORIGINAL FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ERECTED 1825. Memory Sketch, by M. Waldo Hanchett, 1899. SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF The ^irst Presbyterian Society IN THE VILLAGE OF SYRACUSE, 1824—1899. Commemorative Exercises •BY THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, October 22, 23 and 24, 1899, PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY, SYRACUSE, N. Y., 1899. 31 ^3 THE MASON PRESS, SYRACUSE CONTENTS. PAGE lutroduction 5 Committees - .. 7 Choirs and Musical Selections 11 Historical Discourse, by the Pastor 13 Commemorative Exercises, by the Sunday School 22 Union Communion Service. _ 22 Addresses by Rev. Dr. Nelson Millard and others. 33 History of the Sunday School, by Mrs. George D. Whedon -_. - 29 History of the Ladies' Aid Society, by Mrs. Frances W. Marietta 52 History of the Woman's Missionary Society and Mission Work of the Church, by Mrs. Nathan Cobb __.. 66 History of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, by Henry Doty Mann. 73 History of the Church, by A. Judd Northrup 82 Early History of the Music of the Church, by Timothy Hough 118 Later History of the Music of the Church, by Mrs. Austin K. Hoyt 123 History of the Church Buildings, by Wm. Kirkpatrick ... 129 Reminiscences, by Carroll E. Smith 185 Letters, (read by Charles L. Stone and Wm. K. Wickes) 186 Addresses by Ministers of other Denominations 155 APPENDIX. Programme 160 Letter of Invitation 162 Pastors from Organization 163 Present Officers of the Church and Society 164 1 LLUSTRATIONS. Original Church Edifice, 1825 before title page as enlarged, 1841 " " " floor plan. Present " " " " " Rev. Dr. George B. Spalding, present Pastor facing page 13 Rev. Dr. Nelson Millard, fourth Pastor " " 28 Rev. Dr. John W. Adams, first Pastor " " 88 Rev. Charles K. McHarg, second Pastor " " 108 Rev. Dr. Sherman Bond Canfield, third Pastor " " 106 Memorial Presbyterian Church " " 112 West End Presbyterian Mission " " 112 Rev. Edward Winshurst, Pastor of West End Mission .. " " 112 Tablets, Joshua Forman, Building Committee, Trustees " " 114 Dr. Adams and Dr. Canfield " " 114 Interior of Church, toward the organ, as first built " " 126 remodelled " "j" 126 " pulpit " " 129 INTRODUCTION. HE celebration of the Seventy-fifth Anniversary of this Church and Society was under favorable consideration for some time before it occurred. The movement for its accomplishment first took form, however, at a meeting of the Session held April 5, 1899, when they invited the Trustees to meet with them for consultation upon the matter. The joint meeting was held on the 17th of the same month, at which it was resolved to hold the celebration some time in the month of October. For the purpose of organization, the Session and Trustees constituted themselves an executive committee, and elected Mr. Edward A. Powell chairman and Mr. William Kirkpatrick secretary. The committee called a general meeting of the church and society, which was held on May 1st, at which the action already taken was ratified, and the various organizations of the church were requested to appoint their com- mittees to perform work for such organizations and to represent them upon the executive committee, which thereafter was com- posed of the members of the Session, of the Board of Trustees and of these several committees from the church organizations. Two special committees were also appointed at that meeting, one on Programme and one on general committees. The time for holding the celebration was eventually fixed for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 22, 23 and 24, 1899. The Programme committee, after mature deliberation, assigned the work of preparing papers to be read and arranged the order of exercises; and the committee for the appointment of com- mittees made out the lists as they appear hereafter. Letters of invitation were prepared and sent out to absent friends of the church and others, and a general invitation was extended to the city churches to attend our exercises. The Rev. Charles K. 6 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. McHarg and the Rev. Nelson Millard, D.D., former surviving pastors of the church w^ere specially invited to participate in the exercises; the pastors of the other Presbyterian churches of the city were invited to address us on Sunday evening, and pastors representing other denominations in the city, and others out of town, were invited to speak to us on Tuesday evening. The celebration was held on the days mentioned, and the exercises were had in the order in which they appear in this volume. On the Saturday evening previous to the celebration, Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Hudson gave a reception at their hospitable home on West Genesee street, largely attended, to the members of the church and society and many invited friends from other churches, to meet the Rev. Dr. Millard, their guest and our former pastor, now of Rochester. It was a delightful occasion, and a fitting pre- lude to the celebration itself. The entire anniversary exercises owed not a little of their success to the warmth and cordiality of this reception and reunion. The attendance upon the commemorative exercises was very large on Sunday, both morning and evening. In the evening the church was crowded to its utmost capacity. The audiences were of good proportions upon the other evenings. The reception given Monday evening, in the church parlors, was a happy occasion, many friends from other churches joining us in our social festivities. The music by our own choir and their assistants was of a very high order and constituted an important feature of the celebration long to be remembered. COMMITTEES IN CHARGE OF THE CELEBRATION. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Edward A. Powell, Chairman. William Kirkpatrick, Secretary. Rev. Dr. George B. Spalding, Charles P. Clark, Dr. Gaylord P. Clark, Dr. H. D. Didama, Fred C. Eddy, W. H. H. Gere, Douglas N. Green, S. C. Hayden, Charles A. Hudson, A. Judd Northrup, Robert H. Gere, James J. Belden, J. M. Colwell, J. Frank Durston, Thomas Merriam. REPRESENTING WOMAN'S AID SOCIETY: Mrs, Frances W. Marlette, Mrs. James J. Belden, Mrs. Helen S. Keene. REPRESENTING WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY: Mrs. Irving G. Vann, Miss Frances P. Gifford, Mrs. F. H. Stephenson. SUNDAY SCHOOL: Mrs. George D. Whedon, COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES. Miss A. J. Sharpe, "Willis G. Booth. Y. P. s. C. E. . Miss Harriet E. Hurd, Miss Martha B. Scott, Henry D. Mann. YOUNG women's MISSION- ARY SOCIETY: Miss Lois E. Barnard, Miss Jessie L. Hood, Miss Lue B. Jones. WEST END MISSION: Rev. Edward Winshurst. A. Judd Northrup, Chairman. Charles P. Clark, Miss F. P. Gifford, Mrs. F. W. Marlette. Charles A. Hudson. Miss F. P. Gifford, PROGRAMME. Charles L. Stone, Chairmaii. D. N. Green, Mrs. Irving G. Vann, Rev. Dr. G. B. Spalding. FINANCE. James J. Belden, Charles P. Clark, James M. Colwell, Dr. H. D. Didama, J. Frank Durston, Thomas Merriam, Chairman. Fred C. Eddy, George N. Kennedy, William Kirkpatrick, Ernest C. Moses, A. E. Nettleton, Charles H. Raynor, David B. Salmon, Dr. J. W. Sheldon, Charles L. Stone, Judge Irving G. Vann. Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. RECEPTION. Miss F. P. Gifford, Chairman. Rev. Dr. and Mrs. George B. Spalding Mrs. Theodore F. Andrews, Mrs. Mary G. Babcock, Mrs. A. C. Belden, Mr. and Mrs. James J. Belden, Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Bruce, Dr. and Mrs. Gaylord P. Clark, Charles P. Clark, Mrs. Nathan Cobb, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Colwell, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin C. Colton, Mrs. George N. Crouse, Mrs. N. M. Childs, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Dey, Dr. and Mrs. H. D. Didama, Mrs. H. A. Dillaye, Mrs. Mary W. Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Fred C. Eddy, J. Frank Durston, Mrs. Thomas B. Fitch, Mr. and Mrs. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. H. Gere, Mr. and Mrs. D. N. Green, Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Hayden, Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Hudson, Mrs. Husbands, Mrs. Helen M. S. Keene, George N. Kennedy, William Kirkpatrick, Mrs. H. C. Leavenworth, Mrs. Ross Leslie, Mrs. F W. Marlette, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Merriam, Mr. and Mrs, A. J. Northrup, Mrs. L. S. Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Powell, Mrs. George Raynor, Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Stone, Judge and Mrs. Irving G. Vann, Mrs. Mary Root Whitlock, Miss A. E. Wood, Edward F. Rice. Misses Bruce, Miss Louise Baker, Miss Lucy Ballard, Miss Cora M. Bradley, Miss Florence Denison, Misses Dickinson, Miss AUis May Durston, Misses Grant, Miss Grace Hawley, Miss Anna Hier, YOUNG LADY ASSISTANTS. Miss Lois E. Barnard, Chairman. Miss Jessie L. Hood, Miss Harriet E. Hurd, Miss Florence Hyde, Misses Jones, Miss Grace W. Leslie, Miss Edna Martin, Miss Marian Morss, Misses Land, Misses Northrup, Miss Sarah Pierson, Miss Josephine Hasbrouck, Misses Potter, Miss Martha B. Scott, Miss Marjorie Seymour, Misses Sherwood, Misses Smith, Miss Mary L. Spalding, Miss Rhoda Stone, Miss Mary B. Rogers, Miss Jennie Belle Rose, Misses Whedon, Miss Marguerite Stephenson. Mrs. W. G. Cady, Miss F. P. Gifford, D. N. Green. INVITATIONS AND CORRESTONDENCE. Mrs. Charles L. Stone, Chairman. Miss Olivia B. Hall, Mrs. P. L. Salmon, William Kirkpatrick, Rev. Dr. G. B. Spalding, Mrs. Helen M. S. Keene, Mrs. E. C. Wright. Committees in Charge of Celebration. Robt. H. Gere, Delmer E. Hawkins, Austin K. Hoyt, PRESS AND PRINTING. A. Judd Northrup, Chairman. Salem Hyde, Miss Mary L. Spalding, William James, Miss Grace D. Potter, P. L. Salmon, Miss Marjorie Seymour, Mrs. F. W. Marlette, Mrs. Richard G.Calthrop, Miss Hattie E. Hurd, Richard G. Calthrop, Miss Florence Keene, Dr. F. H. Stephenson. Mrs. George D. Whedon, W. K. Wickes, Samuel C. Adams, Daniel E. Binning, James M. Colwell, Charles C. Cook, John G. Davenport, Charles F. Dow, Howlett A. Durston, Alan C. Fobes, Albert P. Fowler, Joseph D. Green, E. P. Hasbrouck, Albert H. Hood, Willis G. Booth, Cha Charles S. Hyde, Dana Hyde, Peterson E. Jones, Andrew W. Kelly, Frank Land, David Leslie, Honry D. Mann, Ernest C. Moses, J. Stanley Moore, Frank E. Miller, Charles H. Paine, R. H. Fierson, F. T. Pierson, John W. Plant, M. W. Raynor, Clinton T. Rose, Edward D. Salmon, Howard M. Sherwood, Stanley G. Smith, George B. Spalding, jr., Thomas McE. Vickers, Leroy B. Williams, John L. Wetherby. DECORATIONS. Mrs. Frank P. Denison, Chairman. Miss Lois E. Barnard, Mrs. A J. Belden, Miss Abby M. Bond, Mrs. W. G. Booth, Mrs. W. G. Cady, Mrs. G. P. Clark, Mrs. C. G. Cook. Mrs. J. H. Davis, Donald Dey, Miss AUis May Durston, Mrs. D. M. Edwards, Alan C. Fobes, Mrs. A. P. Fowler, Mrs, Frank Garrett, Mrs. J. E. Girvin, Mrs. C. H. Hawley, Mrs. George S. Hier, Mrs. E. L. Hood, Mrs. A. K. Hoyt, Mrs. Hubbell, Mrs. Ross Leslie, J. N. McCormick, Miss Estelle L. McCoy, Miss EdnaM. Martin, J. Stanley Moore, Mrs. Henry D. Mann, Mrs. A. E. Nettleton, Mrs. W. H. Olmstead, Mrs. Daniel Pratt, Mrs. H. G. Schwartz, Mrs. E. B. Salmon, Miss Martha B. Scott, Mrs. Edwin G. Seymour, Mrs. C. R. Sherlock, Mrs. Warren W. Somers, Mrs. H. J. Stearns, Mrs. R. M. Stearns, Mrs. F. H. Stephenson, Mrs. A. P. Whitlock, Mrs. L. A. Witherill, Newell B. Woodworth. Miss Elizabeth Wells. 10 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. ENTERTAI N MENT. Mrs. W. H. H. Gere, Chairman. Miss Florence Keene, Mrs. Mrs. Frank C. Soule, Mrs. Miss Cornelia Baker, Mrs. Mrs. Cliarles J. Barnard, Mrs. Miss Cora M. Bradley, Mrs. Mrs. D. H. Bruce, Mrs. Miss Mary Bruyn, Mrs. Mrs. J. R. Clancy, Miss Mrs. J. L. Cook, Mrs. Mrs. A. H, Cowie, Miss Mrs. M. D. Dana, Mrs. Miss Deborah Dunbar, Mrs. Mrs. Justus Eddy, Mrs. Mrs. George W. Garrett, Mrs. Miss Helen M. Gifford, Mrs. Mrs. D. N. Green, Mrs. Mrs. Anna B. Halliday, Mrs. Mrs. E. P. Hasbrouck, Mrs. Mrs. George P. Hier, Miss Mrs. H. C. Hodgkins, Mrs. Mrs. A. K. Hoyt, Mrs. Salem Hyde, Miss C. A. Hudson, Mrs. P. E. Jones, Mrs. A. B. Kinne, Mrs. Andrew W. Kelly, Mrs. W. R. Kimball, Miss Florence Keene, Miss Caroline L. Land, Mrs. Grace W. Leslie, Mrs. R. DeWitt Mann, Mrs. B. M. Martin, Mrs. F. W. Marlette, Miss C. F. McCoy, Mrs. W. S. McGregor, Mrs. Thomas Merriam, Mrs. Henry E. Miller, Mrs. Jerome B. Moore, Mrs, Marian Morss, Mrs. A. J. Northrup, Miss A. H. Pierce. F. W. Plant, S. Maria Pratt, O. C. Potter, E. H. Putnam, E. M. Raynor, C. H. Raynor, Isadora A. Reed, Sarah Rogers, Clinton T. Rose, H. A. Sabine, L H. Searl, O. H. Seymour, A. J. Sharpe, Stanley G. Smith, L. L. Thurwachter,. Jeannie Vickers, Mayer Wetherill, Williams, W. K. Wickes, Sarah P. Young, MUSICAL SELECTIONS Used in the Morning Service, on Sunday, October 23, being rendered by the Choir: Mrs. John A. Nichols, Jr., Soprano. Mr. Geo. Wm. Elderkin, Tenor. Mrs. Henry W. Davies, Contralto. Mr. Richard Grant Calthrop, Bass. Mrs. Richard Grant Calthrop, Organist and Director. Assisted by: Miss Mayme Robbins, Soprano. Mr. Joseph Chapman, Tenor. Mrs. G. Griffin Lewis, Contralto. Mr. H. A. Van Keuren, Bass. Selections. Festival Te Deum in E flat, Dudley Buck Festival Benedictus in G, . Dudley Buck " Honor to God," (Bass Solo), . Beethoven AFTERNOON SERVICE-COIVIMUNION. " I Sought the Lord," Stevenson EVENING SERVICE. The Choir of the First Church being assisted by the choirs of the Park Presbyterian Church, the Fourth Presbyterian Church, and one extra Quartette. The Park Quartette: Mrs. Cbas. A. Ball. Mr. Everard J. Calthrop. Miss Genevieve Cleveland. Mr. L. Wells Clary. The Fourth Church Quartette : Mrs. John Harwood. Mr. Max Fix. Mrs. Henry Gilbert. Mr. Clarence Dillenback. Extra Voices: Miss Mayme Robbins. Mr. Joseph Chapman, Miss Edith Trost. Mr. H. A. Van Keuren. Mrs. G. Griffin Lewis. Selections. " They that Sow in Tears shall Reap in Joy,". . (From Gaul's Holy City) " Hear My Prayer," ... .... Mendelsshon (Soprano Solo sung by Mrs. Nichols.) 12 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. IVIONDj^Y AKTERNOON and EVENINQ, OCT. 23. The selections were taken from Father Kemp's Selections of Old Tunes. The First Church Quartette was assisted by : Mrs. Helen M. Stanton Keene. Mrs. Charlotte L. Atherly. Miss Florence Keene, Mrs. Gaylord P. Clark. Mrs. Peterson E. Jones. Mr. Wm. K. Wickes. Miss Harriet Hurd. Dr. Frank H. Stephenson. Mrs. Frank H. Stephenson. Selections. "Strike the Cymbals." "The Lord is Risen Indeed." "Jerusalem, my Glorious Home." Sherburne. TUESDAY EVENING, OCT. 24. The First Church Choir was again assisted by the Choir of the Park Church. Selections. " Send Out Thy Light," .... . Gounod " No Shadows Yonder," . ... Gaul (Tenor Solo sung by Mr. Everard J. Calthrop.) REV. GEORGE B. SPALDING, D. D,, LL. D. PASTOR. HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. By the Pastor, Rev. GEORGE B. SPALDING, D.D., LL.D. Philippians iii., 16: " Whereunto we have already attained let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." There was no church among- the many which Paul founded or to which he ministered that he loved so dearly as the church at Phil- ippi. No epistle of his carries in it such an unbroken strain of gladness and thanksgiving as does the epistle to this church. It is far from the trumpet note that rings as if in defiance to the Galatians ; from the profound theology which overwhelms even the readers of to-day of the letter to the Romans; from the severe rebuke and sarcasm which flash like lightning through his letters to the Corinthians. This epistle to the Philippians is the simple, warm, spontane- ous outpour of a great heart in an unmeasured affection and praise for a most beloved church. "I thank my God," he says, "in every remembrance of you." Every remembrance, not only of their ■countless kindnesses to him personally from the first down to these loving words and gifts just received by him a prisoner at Rome from their own messenger, but other "remembrance " of mightier moment, of even vaster joy and congratulation and deeper praise, remembrance of their history and character as a true church of Jesus Christ, of "your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel " in your life and by your works " from the first day until now." And as all this sweeps as in some majestic review before the grateful soul of the apostle, filling him with joy and confidence in respect to the future of the church, he seems to gather all his prayer and all his hope in the one exhortation ; ' 'whereunto we have already attained let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." It is a great thing when a man, or any institution of man or any church of God has so lived as to establish a " rule " for itself. It is a great thing in so much of the shifting and shallow currents 14 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. of human life that lose themselves in sand or morass — a great thing that there is some action or institution that grooves itself into a distinct channel, carrying in its onward flow through well marked banks, a color, a character which can " be known and read of all men." But it is a vastly greater thing when an institution or an indi- vidual has lived long enough and well enough, has already run such a course in its past that the only prayer and advice for the future is: " Go forward even as you have begun; walk by the same rule; mind the same thing." There is no higher praise nor assur- ance than this from man or God. The thought itself lifts us at once into the summit of this great occasion, from which we scan the past and eye the future. These seventy-five years which this church has lived have left be- hind them so broad and deep a track in the history of the com- munity and the state, the world itself, that it can be easily traced and charactered. The outward history of the church will be portrayed by another to-morrow evening, who from his long and patient re- search will bring forth events and persons of deathless interest. It is my task to speak of the inner life of the church, to catch the spirit which in its ministers and people has most powerfully of all forces shaped the character of this church and given to it a dis- tinctive name and influence. I have read many times the printed sermons of Dr. Adams and Dr. Canfield. The kind of men these were; the views they had of their solemn mission; their interpretation of their divine message and the spirit with which they filled it; the influence which they wielded, and the ineffaceable stamp which they placed upon the church during the more than forty years of their united ministr}' — all this is most clearly to be seen. And as for my own predecessor, whose ministry was so long and so full of inspiration and perpetuating effect, I needed no printed page to tell me of its character. Dr. Millard's sermons and his personal life lay open before me in clearer type than in pub- lished volume, and was soon read by me in the very congre- gation to which I was to minister. " Ye yourselves were his epistle," every letter of which had been " written in your hearts." Historical Discourse. 15 There were fifty-four years of the molding power of these three scholarly, godly, most able men, working, with all their di- versities of gifts and of ministrations, in such a oneness of spirit as to produce a "rule," a "mind" in this church, which from the first day until now has given to it most positive and even unique characteristics. I mention, first, the unity of this church. It was this great quality that the apostle most rejoiced over in the church of Philippi. They had " stood fast in one spirit, with one mind." This can be affirmed of this church. It has had in its membership, even from its beginning, men and women of un- usual strength of character, of positive convictions and will. There have been years of great struggle and anxiety as to the maintenance of the church, and a full sharing by it in all the in- terests and differences which have entered into the political and church life outside itself. There have been times when no small part of its membership went forth to build the foundations of other churches, which have risen into strength and beauty about us. But all through these seventy-five years there has been " no break- ing into " our fold to disturb its peace and " no going forth " in anger and bitterness, to perpetuate strife. Nothing can better evidence the successful endeavoring of this church to keep " the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace " than the term of the three ministries which together have made up the more than two-thirds of its entire history, and the steady, stately, ever increasing movement of its inner life. No schism has ever divided its ranks. No faction has ever torn its heart. No root of bitterness has ever sprung up to shadow with poisonous leafage the soil and fruit of its growth. This church has ever been loyal to itself. Through all the years of change it has " stood four square " at peace within, secure from without. Second, this church has been large and tolerant in its spirit. Its first pastor was a native of New England, a son of a Con- gregational pastor. Most of the early members of this church were New England emigrants, and many of its present members rejoice in their New England ancestry. This church during a long period of its early struggle was largely helped by the Congrega- tionalists of Connecticut. I speak of this not as though the church 16 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary and its pastors were ever at any time double minded in respect to their demominational preferences, or were to the least degree dis- loyal to the doctrine and polity of the Presbyterian church. But it could not be otherwise than that the church and pastor of such parentage, and born at a time when such close affiliations existed between all these early churches in Central New York and those of New England; it could not be otherwise than that pastor and people here should from the ver}- start stretch the arms of their faith and love beyond all denominational fences, to embrace, as did the apostles, " all in every place who call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours." The flavor of that early love for all the brethren in Christ this church has lost nothing of even to this day. Dr. Adams, though he began his ministry here at a time of intense controversies among the churches respecting forms and rites and dogmas, " was ever," as he himself declared, "under the influence of a predom- inant desire to maintain peace with our brethren, refraining from diverting the attention of inquiring sinners or rejoicing converts from those things which I knew to be of infinitely greater impor- tance." When, during the fifth year of his ministry, he felt im- pelled to defend the faith of this church in respect to the form of baptism, he introduced the remarkably clear statement of the results of his own most scholarly study by affirming that "the mode of baptism is not one of those important things for which the great Head of the church would have us earnestly contend." If the argument of that sermon was strong, its spirit was equally sweet. This pulpit through all its successive ministrations has always been firm and clear and constant in declaring the great funda- mental truth of Christ, the Son of God, as an all sufficient Savior for a lost world. As to the great facts revealed in the Bible and confirmed by human history and each soul's experience, the words of these preachers have always been most positive, most urgent, most uncompromising. But when it comes to theories and systems and formularies built by human logic or spun from metaphysical webs, or evolved from unnatural interpretation of Scriptural text, these preachers have been singularly silent. Church and pastors in this field of merely human speculation and varying opinion have watched the Historical Discourse. 17 sometimes overzealous combatants " with charit)' toward all and with malice toward none," and yet not without pity for the church at large, which has so many times forgotten the warning cry of one of the greatest of the Westminster divines in just such a war of words; "Brethren, the church of God is called to save persons, not propositions." Propositions! theories! systems! They are transient, but the divine facts are forever. ' 'Our little systems have their day ; They have their day and cease to be: They are but broken lights of thee, And Thou, O Lord, art more than they.'' For thousands of years the inhabitants of this earth believed that their planet was the center of the universe and that around it trooped in stately order the stars and moon and sun. The astrono- my was all wrong. But the wrong science did not make wrong a single star. Still Arcturus and Orion and the swest Pleiades and the majestic sun and the mild splendor of the moon looked down with infinite peace and blessing. And when the new system came, not a single star moved from the heaven, nor took new place there. Arcturus, Orion and all the Pleiades shone out as of old. Sun and moon swept on with their wonted pomp and regality. The same blazing spectacle which flashed upon the midnight watchings of Abraham and which the Judean shepherds nightly beheld, shines upon us in this far off age. The stars are God's; the astronomies are man's. Still, it is a star and not a geography that leads a lost world to the cradle of its Savior. So, with ever tightening grasp these preachers and this church have held to the eternal, unalterable truths of God's re- velation and human experience. So, too, with outstretched and open hands they have blessed the ever poor, but ever reverent thought of man concerning these profundities. Third, this church has stood for righteousness. In all its largest possible view of salvation as wholly of grace, unbought, unearned, altogether free, the gospel that has been preached has been a gospel of saved character. Grace has here met men at whatever lowest point of unworthiness, at whatever 18 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. depth of sin, or height of respectability, and affirmed, "Ye must be born again," born into a better living, into a nobler con- duct, into righteousness; and all this as a present attainment, all this as an absolute necessity now, here, in this life. For this end sin in its every form and place has here been re- buked as with the unspent severity of the prophets of old ; im- purity in the human heart, corruption in the home, dishonesty in business, rottenness in politics, misgovernment in the city and State, rebellion in the Nation. It has been proclaimed and bslieved all through the years that the kingdom of God is not a far-off or near by advent to be set up when the church of God shall go down under its own wreckage, when the gospel of Christ shall have lost its old saving power, vsrhen the Holy Ghost shall have retired from the field beaten by the powers of evil; but it has been preached and believed that here on this low plane of earth, and in every living man's time, the kingdom of God, a kingdom of God's will here on earth, righteous as that will is in heaven, has begun to come, is coming, and is to come until every heart and home and business, and all life where living men and women live and act, shall be filled with its exceed- ing glory. And this gospel thus declared has been a "power of right- eousness, not of ourselves." but a power in ourselves, which has ■" made for righteousness" in the yearsof this community's village life, in all its city's life, in the every crisis of the Nation's exist- ence. But let us not bear witness to ourselves. Let others testify of us. In a recent letter from Andrew D. White, our country's Minister to Germany, he writes; "The First Presbyterian Church has stood for righteousness, for justice and for decency and order, from first to last ; without any attempt at exercising ecclesiastical control, it has been a power for good in all the ac- tivities of Central New York." And again I quote from the revered and universally beloved Bishop Huntington: "I am sure when I say that in the happy period of my knowledge of your church (thirty years) there has been no stain on its records, no dereliction in its doings, no flaw in its consistency, no faithlessness in its allegiance to the gospel and law Historical Discourse. 19 of Christ. It has appeared to me to do steadily its conscientious share in the common and sacred work to which we are alike called and committed." Fourth, this church has stood for sanity in religion and for sobriety in its church methods. The grace of God has never yet kept men from "itching- ears," opened to catch new things which have no other reason for existence than mere novelty. Whole churches and even territo- ries have been swept by the fires of fanaticism, and only after long periods of the dew and rain and sunshine of God's spirit of truth have the desolated places been renewed with the vineyards of God's planting. Good men and good women in their very zeal for the cause of God, and in the impatience of their spirit with others' calmer thought and more intelligent faith or even dead conservatism have in every age caught at some unbalanced interpretation of God's word, or some fancied revelation to their own souls, and toppled themselves and others from their dizzy heights into abysms of darkness and unbelief and total wreck. Paul had many such to deal with at the very beginning, as those having a ' 'zeal for God, but not according to knowledge, " and ministers have ever had such in their churches, and churches have had such in their pulpits to the joy of Satan and the confounding of all sane souls. Shooting stars and meteoric showers, however brilliant, are not safe guides. The stellar pilots swing in their fixed orbits and draw with never flickering light the wayfarers un- erringly to their " desired hiaven. " This church by the gre|t mercy of God has been preserved from the insanities and inanities which have passed with some for heavenly inspirations. The history of this church shows that to its ministers and people God hath given not only "a spirit of fearlessness, of power and of love," but also " a sound mind." And this church in its methods, some new, and in its changed forms of worship in God's house, and in its ways of meeting its own social wants, has ever sought for that which in the realm of art is really the highest, truest and best. In its music it has aimed at that which fills all harmony of sound with a spirit of devotion ; in its building it has reared its structure into uplifting 20 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. forms where "strength and beauty, " inspire worship. "Upon the top of its pillars it has placed its lily work." And in its social life and fellowship the church, in all its loyal heartedness and entire sympathy with that mirthfulness which God made large place for in every healthful nature, has been observant of those proprieties which instinctively we feel should rule with gracious restraint in the temple of God. The harlequin performance and the coarse exhibition by which a mercenary greed and a low taste are sought to be satisfied we have found no room nor even desire for in our church life. Even in our play we have sought to have " all things done decently and in order," having learned by our reverence for the place and by our sanctified taste how we "ought to behave ourselves in the house of God." A nd lastly, this church has stood for progress in the whole realm of truth and life. It believes in an ever living God, not one who once lived, but as living to-day, with no source of His inspiration which once flowed, now sealed ; with no revelation of Himself, once so clear, now faded; with no energy of His love, once so full and vital, now grown weary and forceless. Into every age, into every generation the inexhaustible God poured all that each age and generation could hold, and as each increased its capacity, so the ever watchful God increased the measure of his outpouring grace and wisdom and love. In all the resistances and apostasies of men and nations, and manifold shames and punishments there have been a more abounding grace and an ever accelerated redemptive advancement. To say that there has been no increase of revelation and no larger inspiration, no swifter movement of God's providence and broader sweep of His Spirit, and no following progress in human history, no larger heart of love in man from age to age, no nobler character and better motive and loftier attainment; all this is not only a rejection of every lesson of the past, but it is an impeach- ment of the very greatness and goodness of God and an insult to the very nature of man made in the divine image. In every true man and in every living church there is always a deepening pulse of love and life and grace and knowledge under Historical Discourse. 31 the ever quicker stroke of the Holy Ghost. The apostle in our text speaks of a point, a present point of noble character to which this church at Philippi had attained. It had come up into this height of excellence by observing a "rule" of progress, by having a " mind " open to every fresh inspiration of heaven and every true knowledge of man's. But this point of attainment was not a final goal. It was only a new starting point from which the church was to move forward by the ' ' same rule, " with the ' ' same mind " to an ever fuller apprehension of Jesus Christ, even to perfection. And so it is, dear church of God, as I have traced your ever progressive life and noted the qualities which have characterized your constant growth, I urge you with the apostle's exhortation as we peer into the future to go forward, steadily, without devia- tion, neither to the right nor the left, but straight forward, into a larger unity, into a broader charity, into a loftier righteousness, into a sounder knowledge, into a swifter progress in every gift and grace of a Christly life. As I close, I stop as to listen . Here in this holy spot I catch as under some vast sounding board the voices of these servants of God, who from the pulpits of this church have preached the words of God to their people. There is no discord in the swelling utter- ance. I catch the peal of an unbroken rebuke as it rolls like an- swering thunder through all these years. I catch like one strain of a bugle blast the thrilling call to duty. I hear the multitudin- ous notes of tenderest human sympathy and divine consolation which have here fallen as from one heart upon the sorrows of des- olated souls through these generations. But clearer, sweeter, soaring high above all these utterances of these men of God, is their one united voice pitched to a perfect harmony. Hear it, dear people ! How melting is its tone! How saving is its grace! "JESUS CHRIST, ABLE TO SAVE TO THE UTTERMOST ALL THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM." Let not the cadence of that gospel message ever cease in this church until it has merged itself in that song which will be forevermore sung by the redeemed church in Heaven. Amen. 22 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. COMMEMORATIVE EXERCISES BY THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. Immediately after the church services, Sunday morning, the Sunday School, under the leadership of its superintendent, Willis G. Booth, met in the auditorium of the church, and in the place of the usual exercises held its commemoration of our anniver- sary. After the opening exercises the pastor called the roll of all the superintendents, dead and living. Those present responded as their names were called. The silences after the names of those who had joined the throng above were more impressive than any human voice. Then followed remarks by the former superintendents who were present in the order of their service, namely: Timothy Hough, A. Judd Northrup, Charles Hubbard, Fred C. Eddy and Douglas N. Green, The reminiscences were exceedingly inter- esting and the hour was one that will long be remembered by those present. UNION COMMUNION SERVICE. This service was conducted by the pastor, Rev. Dr. Spald- ing, assisted by the former pastor. Rev. Dr. Millard, who made a brief but impressive address. The pastors of other Presbyterian Churches of the city — Rev. Dr. A. H. Fahnestock, Rev. A. D. Draper, Rev. W. P. Stevenson, Rev. W. H. Mason and Rev. E. Winshurst of the West End Mission — participated in the exercises. An elder from our own and each of these churches sat with these clergymen, and our own elders distributed the bread and wine. The attendance was very large, the spirit of the occa- sion was one of solemnity yet of joy, and all hearts were drawn closer together in our common communion with our common Master and Savior. REV. NELSON MILLARD, D. D. Fourth Pastor, 1872-1884. ADDRESS BY REV. NELSON MILLARD, D. D. Sunday Evening, October Twenty-Second. (In substance.) We who are of the First Church (for in a kind of hereditary way, I count myself as one of them), are glad to see in this vast audience so many who are of other churches. You will, I am sure, bear with us if we seem inclined to think of this as specially our anniversary, and are given to a little boastfulness and self- admiration. We promise you that when in coming days you have your anniversaries, and invite the First Presbyterian Church to join in your celebrations, she will hear gladly the noble things you will have to say of yourselves, and will unite heartily with you in your rejoicings. Seventy-five years old — five years beyond man's allotted threescore and ten — and yet your strength is not labor and sorrow. That fact alone shows that the terms youth and age must have their significance just reversed when applied to noble institutions from that they bear when applied to individuals. With the indi- vidual, age means decrepitude and decay, the dimmed eye, the deafened ear, the palsied step. But for all noble institutions, age ofttime means, and should always mean, only enlarged vigor and increased strength, a more puissant energy and victorious force. So I feel like saying of this grand church to-night — not seventy-five years old but seventy-five years young. And hereafter may in- creasing age in years be only increasing youth in strength. The disposition to observe anniversaries is to be commended because anniversaries should not be regarded as mere incidents, still less mere accidents. They should not be looked upon as things strained and forced ; for they are in a deep, true sense natural, having their roots among some of the best and noblest elements of our nature. Because, for an individual, a church, a community, a nation not to note striking epochs in their careers, the more marked dividing lines in their histories, argues lightness instead of weight of character, and betrays insensitiveness to moral impressions. The past, denied its rights in memory and 34. Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. retentive memorial observances, is sure to avenge itself on the future. For, as Lord Macauley once aptly remarked, and his assertion applies as truly to individuals, to churches, to munici- palities as to nations, " a people which takes no pride in the noble achievements of ancestors will never achieve anything to be remembered with pride by descendants." The past ignored and xmsignalized becomes only a dark and empty shadow; memorial- ized it becomes a beacon to illumine progress and animate ambi- tion. Therefore, it is that I say anniversaries have a right to be regarded not as mere incidents or accidents, nor things forced and unnatural, but as of moral weight and impressiveness, and as having their roots deep in our nature. The disposition to cele- brate them and preserve a record of what they commemorate, belongs to what has justly been called the " historic instinct." In tracing the history and estimating the secrets of power of any church, no doubt, it is the moral and spiritual factors, such as those brought out in Dr. Spalding's admirable sermon of this morning, that are the chief factors. Still there are others of a more outward and earthly nature, which effect great consequences in the career and complexion of a church, and are worth special consideration. It will not be denied, nor will it be regarded by the other churches of Syracuse invidious in me to affirm, that this First Church has through all its history enjoyed, in respects of its own, a certain prestige, and held a position of marked influence and prominence. And now if you ask to what has this been due. I reply — in no little measure to three circumstances. The first of these is the auspices which characterized the foundation, and attended the early history of this church. Of churches, yea, often of communities and nations, the proverb holds true, that the child is father of the man; as the twig, so the tree. All of them are apt to preserve and perpetuate the characteristics with which they start. The vast difference between the elements that founded New England and those that founded Virginia, the Puritan blood and iron of the former, its blood of mighty con- science, its steel-hard iron of moral earnestness, as over against the lightness and earthliness of the Cavalier element in the latter, showed themselves through all their subsequent careers. Not without true historic instinct does John Fiske devote so much Address by Rev. Nelson Millard, D. D. 35 space to the " Beginnings of New England," So this First Pres- byterian Church of Syracuse owes much to the character and quality of its founders. They comprised to a notable degree the elements of power in this then youthful community. One of them is justl}' designated on yonder tablet as founder both of this church and of the city of Syracuse. Associated with him were a number of others of similar quality, forming a band of men who, both at that time and for many years after, were the most influ- ential spirits of this enterprising community. The courage and energy shown by them can be better appreciated when we re- member that at the time this church was founded, only five years had passed since there were in Syracuse, save the village tavern, only two frame houses. Much of what is now one of the fairest parts of this city, was then a hunting ground abundant in game for those who were willing to penetrate a gloomy swamp, densely wooded and infested with rattlesnakes. The young children of those days, had they essayed to walk over the very spots where now rise splendid mansions, or where spread the swards, and play the fountains of beautiful parks, would have found their stroll disputed by such unwelcome marauders as wolves, bears and wildcats. The second element contributing much to the notable char- acter from the outset of the church, was the man who was its first pastor. The first pastorate of a church, when things are in a plastic condition and receiving their shape, is apt to be a critical period in its history. This church was eminently felicitous in securing at the outset a young man of great promise, who, as the years rolled on, developed such lofty character and commanding ability as made him among all the ministers of this region the man of men. It was a happy xnarriage when such founders and such a pastor were united. For about a quarter of a century Dr. Adams went in and out of this church and community an acknowledged and revered leader; and when at length he died, a whole city mourned as devout men carried him to his burial. The third thing I mention is this very edifice in which we are gathered, this stately and magnificent structure. For a building like this to be erected in the Syracuse of to-day would be nothing remarkable. But it was remarkable in the comparatively 26 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. small Syracuse of fifty years ago. When at that time these walls arose, they constituted the- finest edifice in the State outside the metropolis. Think of the courag-e, foresight, and sacrifice re quired of the men who dared to plan, and who resolutely achieved such a splendid structure when this city was small in size, and meager in wealth, compared with what it is to-day. Those brave and far-sighted men were animated too by civic patriotism, and determined to erect here an edifice which should be a credit and an ornament to the city. They resolved to rear a house of God of which, as of the temple of old, it could be said " strength and beauty are in his sanctuary," one majestic and graceful, where majesty should dignify grace, and grace adorn majesty. I hold it a civic duty for any congregation that is able to do so, to build for itself a church edifice, and especially if it is to stand in a con- spicuous position, that will be a credit to the place, an architec- tural honor and not an architectural horror. Let us worship in barns if we must; but let us worship if we can in buildings that suggest worship, that sympathize with aspiration, that foster de- votion. The dignified and elevated character of this very edifice in which we are gathered has played its part in drawing and shaping the elements that have made up this influential congre- gation. The result has justified the expenditure and sacrifice put forth in the achievement. What the character of the elements composing this church has been for stability, is seen in the length of its pastorates. If we omit one, which, to the regret of the whole congregation, lasted only about a year, the average length of the pastorates has been nearly twenty years. This has never been a restless nor a captious church. True, I ought to add, if you will leave out all reference to myself in the remark, that the stability of the congre- gation has been in part owing to the ability of its pastors. Adams, McHarg, Canfield, and the present incumbent, have made this from the first a commanding pulpit and the church a place for training strong men, not a kindergarten for weaklings. Moreover it has not been a stationary pulpit, but one progressing with and keeping abreast of the times. During my own pastorate here you accorded a generous freedom to me in the expression of the liberal views which it was well known I entertained. And I felicitate my Address by Rev. Nelson Millard, D. D. 37 successor upon the enjoyment of a like freedom at your hands. It is said that age makes men conservative. It does not seem to be having that effect upon either Dr. Spalding or myself. As for me at Least> as I grow older, God becomes more and more a being the chief aspect of whose character is not the love of sovereignty but the sovereignty of love. And any man, be he Presbyterian or Episcopalian, Congregationalist or Baptist, Methodist or Roman Catholic, Universalist or Unitarian, who shows the spirit of Christ, and calls Jesus, Master, is my brother. I have known in all these communions men, whom, if God does not take them to heaven, it will be because he has some better place for them. Who can fail to see that broader, more liberal, more generous views of Christianity have been fast coming to the front, and especially in these latter days ? God speed them ; for if in age there is wisdom, then these are the wise days. Men talk about the "old times" and the "fathers." Why, those far back days were really the " young times," and those so-called "fathers" were the children; for those were the young and childhood periods of the world. Then was the world's infancy, and now it is nearer than ever before to its adult stage ; and if years bring experience and wisdom, then now is the age of wisdom and not thousands of years ago. But there are other speakers to follow, and yonder clock re- minds me that I must stop or encroach on their time. I may not close, however, without saying that amidst all the joy of this anniversary, some sad reminiscence claims its place. As I look up and down these aisles, where, where, are many of the faces I used to see; faces of the strong, stalwart men, so many of them unquestionably leaders in this community; faces of elect devoted women ready for every good word and work ! I name them not, though their names are fresh in memory, and could spring to my lips as swiftly as sixteen years ago. They sleep in Oakwood. No doubt other strong men and elect women have come forward to fill their places. Still they, they are not here. Nor may I be rebuked, if I cannot keep down from recollection's vision to-night, the form of one dearer to me than all the world beside, whom you also dearly loved, and who dearly loved you. I cannot beheve otherwise than that her seraphic spirit hoverr. over this scene. ■28 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. We will not murmur, but we will remember. And mourning memory, as we look along these aisles, has her sacred rights and asserts her claim to say: " It is not now as it hath been of yore. The ones I have seen, I can see no more." And now, dear friends, may this seventy-fifth anniversary only animate you to nobler efforts for the coming years. The church of the living God is worthy of all your toils and tears, your sacrifices and prayers. Live for her, and she will prove for your souls the vestibule of the church triumphant above. Of the militant church on earth we may exultingly speak in joyful attachment and praise, declaring that her beams they are of cedar, and her rafters they are fir. But still more, let our expectant souls look forward to the heavenly triumphant church, and sing that her walls they are jasper, and her bulwarks they are diamond square. There may we all at length be gathered, " Where stand those halls of Zion, All jubilant with song, And bright with many an angel. And all the ransomed throng." After Dr. Millard concluded, brief congratulatory addresses were made by other Presbyterian pastors of the city, namely: Rev. Dr. A. H. Fahnestock, of First Ward Presbyterian Church ; Rev. A. D. Draper, of Fourth Presbyterian Church; Rev. W. P. Stevenson, of Park Central Presbyterian Church ; Rev. W. H. Mason, of Memorial Presbyterian Church, and Rev. Edward Winshurst, of West End Presbyterian Church. HISTORY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL, 1826-1899. By Mrs, George D. Whedox. The Sunday School in its present form and with its present name is little more than a century old, but the school of the church in one form or another has had its existence fully forty centuries from the days of Moses until the modern Sunday School. In Nehemiah, we read of a Church School, with its superinten- dents, teachers and classes gathering for the study of the Bible. It was in such a school that we find Jesus when twelve years of age, an earnest scholar within the courts of the temple. From Abraham until now there has always been this meeting together of teacher and scholar, for the purpose of studying the Word of God. Is it a wonder that a cluster of men and women, remarkable for their ability, far-sightedness and earnest thought- fulness should have made precious the early days of Syracuse, by following along the lines of one of the greatest activities of the church even thousands of years ago? What the heart is to the human body, that the Sunday school has been, is, and ever will be to the church of God, to the world. Surrounded by hills, peopled with primeval trees, whose myriad boughs waving above and on either side help to hallow the scene ; bright wings dancing, as from tree-top to tree-top they give praise for the beautiful; to the melodies without number, the very soul of Nature herself, adding the glorious notes of a full or- chestrk; the echo of that Sabbath day, seventy-five years ago, rings out silver clear, upon this our Jubilee. And why so silver clear, as in notes of prayer and praise the voices of the past flood our souls with the sweetest communion? Because, in the first days of Syracuse the noble founders of its greatness did not forget to stretch from North to South, from East to West the "kings highway," and placing upon its bosom the standard of the Cross, breathed into its every blade of grass, its 30 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. every leaf, its hill top and vaulted sky, the ceaseless notes of earnest endeavor, for all that xs good and beautiful and true; that is why the children's voices, the teachers' prayers and the parents' blessings ring out so silver clear to-day, bidding us forward in the great work and also bidding vls pause, that we may catch the glory and inspiration of the choir invisible uniting, finite and infinite in one paean of praise. Will you not look over my shoulder as we open a book, the priceless treasure of the First Presbyterian Church Sunday School? On the fl.y leaf we find this record: " A Sunday School has been connected with this church since ," the date is omitted, but we learn the date is placed about 1826. Its first superintendent was Edward Chapman. Second, Samuel Mead. Third, A. L. Fellows. Fourth, George W. Hickox, elected February, 1830. Dr. Adams was superintendent sometime during the first five years, how long is not known. On May 16, 1831, at a meeting of the officers and teachers of the Sunday School connected with this society they resolved to form themselves into an Association, and for the better regulation and welfare of the School to adopt a Constitution and By-Laws. Whereupon the following was unanimously adopted: Art. 1. This Association shall be called " The Sunday School Teachers' Association of the First Presbyterian Society of Syracuse." Art. 2. It shall be composed of the Officers, Teachers and (Visiting Committee) belonging to said School. Art. 3. The officers of the Association shall be a Superin- tendent for the male and female departments each, a Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian, which shall be elected annually in the first week of October in each year hereafter. Art . 4. A committee shall be appointed quarterly, whose duty it shall be to visit the absentees and introduce into the School as many children as praciicable. Art. 5. The Superintendents shall preside at all meetings of the Association and direct the concerns of the School in accor- dance with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association. Art. 6. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to record all the official proceedings of the Association and School as prescribed History of the Sunday School. 31 by the Superintendent, render an annual report, report absentees of the School iX)eekly to the Visiting; Committee and in the case of the absence of the Superintendent, perform his duties. Arts. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Pertain to the duties of officers, etc. There are eleven By-Laws: Sec. 1. Teachers shall be regular and punctual in their at- tendance at School. Sec. 2. They shall remain with their several classes the en- tire time of teaching, not retiring from the School except by the permission of the Superintendent. Sec. 3. If obliged to be absent on the Sabbath, they shall provide a substitute or notify the Superintendents in time for them to procure one. Sec. 4. They shall maintain order in their respective classes, enforce obedience to the rules of the School by temperate meas- ures, reproving their scholars, delivering over all disorderly scholars to the Superintendent, who shall take such measures as shall ensure their good order and obedience. Sec. 5. They shall occasionally visit their scholars and the parents, and visit the absentees on the week of the Sabbath on which they absent themselves. Sec. 8. Teachers who absent themselves from the School two Sabbaths in succession without informing their Superinten- dent or providing a substitute shall be considered as having no further claim to their class. Sec. 9. A weekly meeting for prayer or interchanging of views on the subject of the lesson and the concerns of the School shall be held at such times and place as shall be appointed. Sec. 10. Teachers shall attend the weekly prayer meeting and general meetings of the Association as often as practicable. The following persons were then elected to complete the board of officers. George W. Hickox, being already superinten- dent, Charlotte Moore was elected female superintendent, A. L. Fellows secretary and treasurer and H. W. Starin, librarian. The School met in the main audience room of the church. The little library was in a book case under the pulpit, and the singing was conducted without any instrument. 32 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. The early candle lighting time was the hour designated for special services. On the 9th Oct., 1833, Alanson Edwards was chosed superin- tendent, A. C. Wilber, librarian, Elijah Hayden, assistant librarian. Misses Pell and Mead, Mrs. E. W. Leavenworth and Messrs. Hay- den and Mead were appointed the quarterly visiting committee. On 16th May, 1834, on motion of Mr. Leavenworth a com- mittee was appointed to wait on Mr. Adams and request him to deliver an address for the benefit of the Sunday School. Mrs. Wright. Mrs. Leavenwor;h, Messrs. Mead and Barker were appointed a committee to look after children needing clothes. Oct. 10th, 1836, balloting resulted in the election of Charles Wheaton as superintendent, Mr. Leavenworth, secretary, Joel Brown, librarian, Mary Leavenworth, assistant librarian, with George W. Parsons, John Stewart, Joel Brown, Eliza Dickinson, Cornelia Parsons, Charlotte Moore, visiting committee. June 5th, 1838, Samuel Mead, superintendent, Archibald Fel- lows and Pliny Dickinson, librarians, E. W. Leavenworth, secre- tary. Next comes Robert W. Nolton, superintendent, then Elijah Rhoades, Volney Cook, E. W. Leavenworth, A. E. Sloan. On Oct. 19th, 1845, Elijah T. Hayden was chosen superinten- dent, but declined to serve, after mature deliberation. Mr. Stebbins was appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr. Stebbins also declining to serve, Mr. Peter Burns was duly elected. Oct. 12th, 1846, Mr. Nathan Cobb was made superintendent; declining to serve, Alfred Cobb was elected in his place, Oct. 1st, 1848, followed by Timothy Hough. E. W. Leavenworth was secretary from May, 1833, to Oct., 1844. The records which are our inheritance to-day are largely due to the marvelous ability of Mr. Leavenworth as secretary. We notice as a result of the good work done by the visiting committee there is scarcely a Sunday that from one to five new members are not admitted. We also find that pertinent remarks are often the order of the day from visitors, and prayer is offered by a different person almost every Sunday. In 1833 we find the following: The Sabbath School of Infant Scholars under the care of Misses Bliss and Kingsbury containing from 25 to 45 scholars was discon- tinued for the winter. History of the Sunday School. 33 " March 16th, 1834, was the great conflagration of the village ; blocks 93 and 94, and the one on the opposite side of the canal, being the great center of business, were entirely consumed. All are engaged in saving their property and there is no church or Sabbath School." " Dec. 1839. A most violent snow storm yesterday and to-day, entirely blocked up the roads, rendered it impossible for people to reach the churches, so that no meetings were held in the vil- lage, unless a '■'■very thin one" at the Baptist church, a laudable rivalry existing between the Baptists and Presbyterians, evidently." "On April 29th, 1852, the reorganization of the Sabbath School takes place. The school is divided into classes of six each, evidently a smaller number being deemed expedient. E. H. Babcock was elected superintendent, Timothy Hough, secretary, Nathan Cobb, treasurer, Mr. Wilde, and J. Q. Smith, librarians. The teachers present were Mr. H. Babcock, Mr. E. H. Babcock, Mr. Colton, Mr. Hough, Mrs. Whitlock, Miss Gifford, Miss Cobb, Miss Slocum, Miss Ostram, Miss Barker and Miss Sharp." On the following Sunday there were present fifteen teachers; two of the teachers, Miss Gifford and Miss Elliott, be- ing absent on account of sickness, two others for reasons not known to the secretary. Miss Barker and Miss Clark; number of scholars present 61. Mrs. Whitlock and Miss Slocum were an- nounced as visiting committee for the month of May. School was closed by singing the Doxology in L. M. "On Dec. 13th, 1853, this note: " Deacon Hayden occupied most of the time in the Bible class in a continuation of his lecture upon Greece." What a wealth of information and Christian like spirit Mr. Hayden brought to the school during all the years ! On July 10, 1855, it was deemed advisable to reorganize the school for the second time since its organization in 1831. The minute book says, "it was found necessary to change the system of the school;" the classes were divided with four scholars each, with the teacher sitting in the same pew as the scholars, thereby multiplying the number of classes, and "thus it is hoped benefit them the more." For some reason the offices were nullified and the assistant superintendent added. Edward H. Babcock, super- 34 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. intendent, Timothy Hough, assistant superintendent, William C. Finck, secretary and treasurer, William Pratt and Alonzo Ostram, librarian. The new office of assistant superintendent was evidently very beneficial to the school. The superintendants seem to have undertaken no especial work of the Sunday School without con- ferring with the assistant and also with the teachers — co-operation along the whole line of work. We do not believe any school can be expect ed to reach the ideal state or anywhere near it without per- fect harmony between superintendent, teacher and scholar. It takes a born leader to be a successful superintendent; a man with great religious fervor and consecration, if he have not tact to dis- cover each individual talent in his co-workers, making them the huge dynamo and he the fuse to set the flames ablaze, need never expect to call into being an ideal Sunday school. On Oct. 2d, 1855, Mr. E. H. Babcock was obliged to resign as superintendent of the First Presbyterian Church Sunday School, after seven years of efficient and consecrated service. Resolutions of the greatest love and affection expressed in the tenderest terms were spread upon the minute book of the school. The Sunday School in 1855 honored one of its most devoted teachers with the superintendency, a man richly endowed by na- ture with those qualities of heart and brain which are so necessary in a successful leader. With his characteristic sweetness of spirit he declined the position, feeling that he was not competent to serve, and by this decision the school suffered greatly. The years did not dim his interest in the great work of the Sunday School, and when a few short weeks ago he put out to sea, from out our bourne of time and place, what a greeting met his ear, as he saw his Pilot face to face and clasped hands anew with her who was to us all the inspirer of gentle and noble deeds. MR. HENRY BABCOCK. " No moaning of the bar; sail forth strong ship— Into that gloom which has God's face for a far light ; Not a dirge, but a proud farewell from each fond liD, And praise, abounding praise, and fame's faint starlight. Lamping thy tuneful soul to that large noon Where thou shalt quire with angels. History of the Sunday School. 35 Words of woe, are for the unfulfilled, not thee, whose moon Of genius sinks full orbed, glorious aglow. No moaning of the bar ; musical drifting Of time's waves, turning to the eternal sea. Death's soft wind all thy gallant canvas lifting, And Christ thy Pilot to the peace to be.'' And now we come to the only superintendent of the first twenty-five years of the school who can take us by the hand and sound in our ears the life of those days so filled with anxiety and self-sacrifice. A man of prayer, a man of consecration, a man original in his diction, a man whose face lighted up the whole Sunday School room. You heard his words, his beautiful words to the members of the school yesterday, and as we send greetings to Deacon Hayden to-day, let them be greetings of praise, abound- ing praise, that just before he crosses the river, he has been per- mitted in thought at least to join with us, in this our beloved an- niversary. It is the immortelle of friendship that we place in the hands of this good, great man, and as we stand by his bedside let us listen well, that we may catch some word from friends in the near country. ' ' What wouldst thou have a good, great man obtain ? Wealth, title, dignity, a golden chain. Or heap of corses which his sword hath slain? Goodness and greatness are not means, but ends. Hath he not always treasures, always friends, The great good man? Three treasures, love and light. And calm thoughts, equable as infant's breath ; And three fast friends, more sure than day or night. Himself, his maker, and the angel death." There is borne in to us as we wait, the song they all loved to sing; let us catch up the refrain and send it on and on, that the absent throng may kneel with us at the next quarter in the School's History. " Out on an ocean all boundless we ride, We're homeward bound, homeward bound. Tossed on the waves of a rough, restless tide. We're homeward bound, homeward bound. Far from the safe quiet harbor we've rowed. Seeking our father's Celestial abode, Promise of which on us each he bestowed ; We're homeward bound, homeward boimd." 36 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. SECOND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS. We very much wish that for the history of the next twenty-five years we might show to each of you another book, containing a con- cise record of the school, as from Sabbath to Sabbath the scholars and teachers met for praise and instruction. On the first page we find the following : On the 20th of June, 1859, after the regular exer- cises, the Sunday School remained and elected the following officers : Superintendent, James Marshall; assistant, E. T. Hayden; secre- tary, Alonzo Ostrom; treasurer and librarian, J. White; at- tendance, 85. The time on the next Sunday was occupied in seating and arranging all the classes, except the infant class, in the Session Room. Each day a note was made of the weather, sometimes excusing the slim attendance because the Walking was bad and the day rainy. On one of the succeeding Sundays uni- formity of lessons was adopted, and the following paragraph, in very fine writing, we find on the record. "The first appearance of the Missionary maps on the wall gave a cheerfulness to the room." On the 18th of July, Joseph's Dream was the subject of the lesson and Dr. Canfield's presence was the source of much gratifi- cation. Fourteen teachers and 98 scholars. Teachers' Meeting at Miss Baker's. On the 35th was another beautiful Sabbath. Mr. Wilde sang with the children. Soon the school numbered 157, with 20 teachers, and a little further on, bills rendered show the school in debt. " In August, 1859, a splendid meeting of teach- ers we had at Miss Dickinson's. Mr. Marshall is on a visit. Sept. 2oth, Mr. Van Meter from the Five Points, made a few interest- ing remarks. Singing, still flags. Twenty-five dollars given for Library." In 1859, essays on Missionary subjects, a new feature. Dedication of new room. "Great deal to do in short time." Doesn't that sound familiar? "Shields all to make and all things to do in two days! Next Sunday we hope to rest in new room. " And the next Sunday comes — what a glorious description ! The room is directly over the Session room, of the same size, with three win- dows at each end and a large skylight. The room is brilliantly lighted in the evening by twelve gas burners. The hour for opening has arrived, and the wooden settees are filled with the friends of the school. What a brilliant procession greets our eye, History of the Sunday School. 37 as one class after another marches to the pulpit, until twenty-four shields, each made of different colored paper, with an inscription from the Bible, the name of the class, some appropriate emblem, and the number, have been received by the Superintendent and hung upon the wall! Watch them come; the first are "The Gleaners." In the center of the shield was a cluster of wheat- heads, then the text, "■Where hast thou gleaned to-day?" Each of the girls wore a flat on the side of which was fastened a cluster of wheatheads. The next class was called the "Pearl Gatherers." In the center of the shield was a basket of pearls, the text, "We seek the pearl of great price," underneath, and the girls had their hair decorated with pearl bands. On and on the procession passes until class 21 attracts our attention, "Little Christian Soldiers" is the name. Each boy carried a spear and a crusader's flag was borne at the head on which was painted the Cross! After prayer and singing, appropriate remarks were made to the children. Rev. Mr. Strieby spoke of the propriety of making our homes pleasant, decorating and beautifying them. Mr. Backus said, "he was glad it rained, iov it V&'^t the stupid away." At the conclu- sion the following hymn, composed by Anson G. Chester for the occasion, was sung, to the tune of Sparkling and Bright This is the place where we all may come, A place of peace and beauty, And learn the way to our Father's home, And the sum of our earthly duty. Then raise the song, and its notes prolong, That the angels bending o'er us May bear the strain to the heavenly plain. And join in the joyful chorus. He who was once but a child .shall be The theme of our song and story ; From every sin may our hearts be free, That with them we may dwell in glory. The love and esteem in which Dr. Canfield was held is beau- tifully mirrored in the twenty-four bouquets which were sent him at Clifton, one from each class. On another occasion, among the interesting features of the day, Hattie Dillaye was led to the stand and sang "We love 38 Seventy-First Anniversary. to go to the Sabbath School, like a cherub." The exercises closed with " Home, Sweet Home," and this note is added, "Such an occasion as this, will do more to awaken interest in the Sab- bath School cause, than volumes of theories and scores of sermons." In November, 1860, Mr. Henry Duguid changes from Bible Class to teacher, and Mrs. Albert A. Hudson retires because of ill health. What a delightful time they had at the Union Sunday School festival! Can't you hear the voices of the children? '■ We'll not give up the Bible, God's holy book of truth, The blessed staff of hoary age, The guide of early youth." " When shall the beam of the day star shine, On each benighted nation." "Little Traveler, Zionward, each one entering into rest," to the tune of Martin. "Jesus, I my cross have taken," and "When shall we meet again," to the tune of Unity, and then can't you hear the words of the Superintendent as certificates for regular attendance, for good lessons, for bringing in new scholars, are handed to the deserving people, always just the right word accompanying? A little later note is taken of a stranger who contributed $2 to the Sabbath col- lection of $37.50 for the Sunday School, the sum of $1.05 being given by the school itself — quite a contrast, the record goes on to say, with the 20 to 40 cents, their maximum heretofore. Mr. James Marshall and Mr. Mattison walking one afternoon in the destitute region of what is now the Presbyterian Memorial Church, were greatly impressed with the great need of Sabbath School work in this section of the city. They did not wait, but at once started 'Ca^ enterprise and very soon in the parlor of William H. Alexander — whose name will ever be remembered with the greatest respect and love, and whose home was the center of re finement and charity — was launched the "Scattergood Mission." When we speak that name it thrills our hearts with gratitude to the valiant ones who gave their valuable time — yes, gave them- selves — that the sweet message of Christ and His love might be History of the Sunday School. 39 given to the needy ones in this section of our city ! Seemingly never discouraged, they resolutely and lovingly carried on proba- bly the most difficult work along the line of Missions, ever at- tempted in Syracuse. Mr. Marshall gave his best to the work so dear to him. We all feel to-day the power of his consecrated ef- forts, and his noble life work sounds like a benediction in our ears, as we listen to his message. " Like the star that shines afar, Without haste and without rest, Let each man wheel with steady sway Round the task that rules the day,'' And do his best. On June 30, 1861, Mr. A. Judd Northrup was elected super- intendent; Israel S. Spencer, assistant; Ross Leslie, secretary; William E. Mattison, librarian. Just as one might expect with such a soul stirring man at the head of affairs, on October 13th they have an excursion. Just run through the record. Every Sunday the school is marching on to some new field of usefulness. The teachers' meetings, the verses committed by the scholars, and if we mistake not, it is about now they find out that evergreens are most beau- tifully effective for decorations. Object lessons, too, are brought into use, hoping thereby to make more impressive the lesson of the day. It has been deemed necessary to speak in no uncertain tones of the commandment, " Thou shalt not lie;'' in view of this fact we read, " Mr. Buckheart, Chaplain, showed the scholars a piece of the cherry tree, which George Washington cut with his hatchet when a hoy." Glance around the school, even the most imaginative scholar does not doubt the genuineness of the relic. Then the social evening, when the shields are trimmed, "I want to be an angel," a favorite hymn at that time is sung; and then comes the going home, by no means an unimportant feature of the days of " Auld Lang Syne," as many of you present can testify. To the untiring efforts of A. J. Northrup, to his ability as a leader and to his consummate tact, the First Church Sunday School owes more than words can ever express. We are thankful he is with us to-day, inspiring us all with enthusiasm and courage. 40 Seventy-First Anniversary. Josiah B. Hubbard was of the greatest help in the singing- during these years. Possessed of a fine voice and pleasing per- sonality he endeared himself to teachers and pupils alike, and then when another home called him, and the loving friends gath- ered at his side, to say farewell, how the words of that hymn " Shall we gather at the river," broke the stillness of the hour, and to-day we hear the answer, as distinctly and sweetly as on that hallowed afternoon — so many years ago : "Yes, we'll gather at the river, The beautiful, the beautiful river ; Gather with the Saints at the river, That flows by the throne of God." On July 2, 1865, we come to the one we choose to call the Singing Superintendent. Alternate reading of Scripture now helps to increase the interest of the scholars, as well as remarks on lessons after the hour of teaching, and when the leader says " We will all remain after school to practice the new hymns," every girl and boy eagerly welcomes the invitation. And now let me quote from the minute book, "Many scholars have expressed a wish to become Christians. Prayer meeting for benefit of school, during the week. Short Prayer Meeting after school." Are we surprised to read a little farther on, "Thirty-one have been ex- amined for admission to the Church." Ah! this is life indeed which is coming to the Sunday School. Soon there is to be a Sunday School concert held in the Church; recitations, dialogues, and no end of singing, mark one of the most profitable exercises in the school's history. There are some people who so consecrate talents they pos- sess, to the upbuilding of the best that is in us, that every one who comes in contact with them seems verita.bly inspired. Mr. Timothy Hough by his kind and earnest manner, his rare musical temperament, sang the children into the school, and into the Church of God. It is chronicled that with Mr. Hough a new organ came, taking the place of the old one. And so, music, music, at stated times, and then a verse here and there, added to the growing popularity of the school for three years. Then closed Mr. Hough's second superintendency, and also his valuable ser- vices as secretary for a considerable period. History of the Sunday School. 41 It has been the history of all great movements that certain times and conditions called for certain qualities in leaders, the right man always appearing at the right time. Homeopathy seems to have been sufficiently strong to keep in good condition the nursling of the Church up to this time, but soon the plant shows evidence of an attempt at larger growth, and, as is generally the case, the older branches seem in need of trimming, and the younger ones of occasional nipping — a certain Allopathic treat- m"nt, which, when judiciously applied, serves as an excellent tonic. All eyes are cast around now for just such a regulator, and Mr. Charles Hubbard, the assistant superintendent, seems to have all the qualifications necessary for a full term of four years. A stir- ring business man, fully equipped for any emergency, whether the pruning knife, to cut away dead wood, the adhesive plaster to bind up old wounds, or the bitter pill to stir up the whole organism and thus give renewed life and activity. The new blood which so richly flows through the veins of the Sunday School shows itself in teachers and scholars and the interest gradually in- creases. Soon however a big cloud appears upon the horizon, and each heart knows that the many years of united service are soon to be interrupted, that the young of the Church feel called upon to leave their old home and seek new fields of usefulness, and when the next Sabbath calls to worship, prayer and praise, the silence in the old Church tells of the love of the past and the good wishes for the future of the Fourth Presbyterian Church Sunday School, sounding out upon the loneliness of the hour a hearty God speed! Have you ever thought how much of life can can be expressed in music? There is so much genuine good fellowship in getting together, it makes the heart tenderer and the voice sweeter. It has been said: "Every civilization has its distinct musical quality, every age its tune. For generations in Greece we hear nothing but the pipes, then again nothing but the lyre; then think of the long, long time the Romans sounded only the trumpet. Then again the orchestra is heard in the distance speaking the aims of a whole nation. There are those who have sound of wood, others of brass, others of strings. Here is one who is noth- 42 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. ing but a big drum, another a fiddle. One dear old lady makes you think of an old music book, rehearsing the tune for the mil- lionth time; and then comes the Cathredal organ, breathing the music of the world ; but we each can help swell the great ocean of sound, and time will help make the sounds silver clear because they have breathed through the passionte breath of our souls.' From near this time we begin to be stirred by the Gospel hymns, echoed and re-echoed throughout the land by all classes and conditions. They seem to have been necessary just now to quicken the pulse and give enthusiasm to the work of the Sunday School. We said give enthusiasm! What does the word mean? We are very glad that we can not answer the question. We are very glad that no one in the world can answer the question. It is like the wind, like the cloud, like the music of the flower. No one can tell whence they come or whither they go. The battle hymn of the Sunday School, " Onward. Chris- tian Soldier." Let us all i:nite in singing as we bid goodbye to fifty years of earnest work in the Sunday School. Onward, christian soldier, inarching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before ; Christ our Royal Master leads against the foe, Forward into battle see his banner go. chorus! Like a mighty army moves the Church of God ; Brothers, we are traveling where the Saints have trod, We are not divided, all one body we ; One in hope and doctrine, one in charity. THIRD TWENTY-FIVE YEARS. On a beautiful day in October a little over a quarter of a cent- ury ago, one of those days which tinges one's life with exquisite beauty, a young lady just out of her teens was standing in the north aisle of the Church, after service, wondering what she could do to be in the least degree useful. A touch upon the shoulder and she History of the Sunday School. 43 turned around to receive this greeting: '■ Good morning! You are just the one we are looking for to come up in the Sabbath School and help with the singing and play the organ. " Without taking a second thought as to her ability to perform well the task assigned her, she responded to the cordial invitation, and soon was in that upper room. There was no such thing as failure, for there stood that kind and thoughtful Mr. Butterfield, never ready to acknowl- edge a mistake in others, and always making one give one's best, and then the assistant superintendent, Mr. Andrew W. Kelly, the leader of the singing, over and over, the same verse until not one in the room could resist joining in the hymns of praise. That young lady, now grown to be a woman, was not long since heard to re- mark, "Of all the days of my life that morning stands out the most beautiful." The faces of the children, the dresses, the hats, thesun- shine streaming through the Gothic windows, the hearty hand shake, and the whole atmosphere of the place stainped upon the walls of her memory, a picture of transcendent beauty. That superintendent, so gentle and thoughtful, so true to all that goes to make up a noble man, those teachers and pupils so ready to use even onetalent for the master, remembering the words of the poet : " Art thou little, do that little well, And for thy comfort know, The biggest man can do his biggest work No better than just so." But soon the scene changes, and one day another stands be- fore us, for days and days, and months and months he stands until the years count ten. How can we paint his picture so that to-day you may catch the inspiration of the hour? The days were counted then till Sunday came and the upper room was made ready; how the superintendent took one and all by the hand and with a word just suited to each one's need bade them come in and learn of Him, the Shepherd of the Sheep! Can you live over with me those sunlighted days? Ourpastor, Dr. Nelson Millard, standing by the door watching the children come, a hearty handshake, and a smile greeting each one. Think of it, in a short time the school has nearly doubled, until four hundred are enrolled. Come with me to the infant room ; what a sea of happy faces ; fully one hundred on 44 Seventy-First Anniversary. the roll; your child taking by the hand another not so well dressed perhaps, but one called in from the street, that he may feel the touch of a kindly heart — no rich, no poor ! All happy. Each heart beats with a single thought. It can not be all sun- shine; the shadows gather, and one Sunday some face is miss- ing; then, how each one nestles a little closer to the other, and with united breath, kneeling in prayer, we thank God for the sweet life just taken from us. It is in that silent hour when we share with one another our sorrows that we love most. To live and love in the joyful days is sweet; but to be permitted to kneel in the silence of sorrow and grief is far sweeter. Then do you remember the surprise parties, the teachers' meetings, the picnics, the sociables, and then one day, one of the most loyal hearts that our Sunday School ever had, suggested that on Thanksgiving day the school serve dinners to some not able to procure them. Do you remember how the baskets groaned, and what happy hearts we had as we saw the joy of the parents and children, when one good thing after another was taken out, and the smiles lighted the eyes of the weary and discouraged. One hundred families furnished with a Thanksgiving Dinner! We often wonder, friends, if Miss Mattie Gifford ever looks down on Thanksgiving, and as the baskets year after year are filled and carried to needy homes, remembers that perhaps we should never have thought of this, one of the sweetest ministrations of the school, unless with her kind and loving heart she had pointed the way. The Master seemed so near, the years seemed so full of the tenderest service, and as we add the name of Skinner to the grand galaxy of superin- tendents of the First Church Sunday School, we exclaim, "All, hail! You served better than you knew, and your works do follow you." But there is a beautiful bit of color thrown upon the scene; over in yonder corner, a small school in itself of youug ladies; how eagerly they listen to the words of their leader, as in gentle and pleading tones, Mrs. Nelson Millard, her face aglow with the light of consecrated service, asks each one to give her best to the work of doing for others. When the hour of parting comes, and we exclaim, " How can we ever fill his place?" How lovingly the Master whispers in our History of the Sunday School. 45 ear and prepares the way. Just so it was at this moment. A hard place to fill you say, but it is the spirit in which we serve that tells, and the spirit of the Master, now as we think of it, seemed to hush every doubt ; and that day when Mr. Edward P. Nichols for the first time offered prayer, and placing us all in the hands of the Sav- iour, asked that the First Church Sunday School might be led into new fields of usefulness, with one accord we clasped hands and pressed forward. He was a rarely gifted man, spiritually, intellectually and socially, and when his mantle fell how it adorned the one who next was to be our leader. We are glad for the differences in individuality and personality; they do so round out our lives and make more interesting and profitable the journey; and now as we reach another mile-stone, let us glance backward to catch the glory of the scene. Whether we will it so or not, we each of us have a color; every shade and tint needed to make the weaving in the tapestry we call Life, grander and more beautiful. Then as we stand on the table-land let us catch the bits of red and blue, crimson and gold, gray and sombre brown, twining them into one beautiful garland, thus binding together, pastors, superin- tendents, teachers and scholars. It was during the reign of Mr. Eddy that the children arrived at great distinction in answering questions. The boy who when asked, " What is a lie?" gave this definition, "A lie is an abomination to the Lord and a present help in time of trouble," was not a circumstance to the clever boys ever present with us during these years; and so whether it was the sure and clumsy oyster tongs fishing for the oyster, or the flashing of the fly, cast from the graceful rod tip in the effort to hook the trout in his shady pool under the trees of the forest, Mr. Fred C. Eddy was ever alert to hook the heart of the boy and girl, thus making them love the Sunday School, whatever the methods used. These were golden days; there was a promptness and dis- patch, and a cheerful response to the orders of the captain, that made the wheels go round, and thus a healthful atmosphere seemed to pervade the school. We have ever been a friend to ath- letics, but have thought there were proper times and places for practice. However, during the superintendency of Mr. Bion T. Wynkoop we were compelled to believe that a small boy could no 46 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. easier control his boyish spirits, than could a colt his pranks, and thus we became faithful believers in the relaxation of children in the Sunday School. Having prepared a large class of children to march in one of the coming fetes of the school, we had a final rehearsal. Imagine our surprise when coming down the aisle for the last time, the leader, as he approached us at the beginning of the line, turned one of the finest hand-springs one could possibly wish to see, without a smile on his face, and with the greatest approval of the rest of the scholars as well as the teachers. Although almost a boy in appearance Mr. Wynkoop commanded the love and respect of teachers and pupils, and when after four years of faithful ser- vice he retires all feel the loss deeply. Again the scene changes and we come to the names of Mr. Douglas N. Green and Mr. Wil- lis G. Booth ; of the former no words of mine can add to his lustre. Dignified, courteous and Christian-like, he went in and out before us ever conscientiously endeavoring to lead the school up to his high ideals. With Mr. Booth, the seventy-fifth year of the Sun- day School closes. He walks in our midst, and each of you knows better than we can picture the results of his labor. The Rally Day is one of the inspiring features of the school of to-day. A day when with new courage and enthusiasm we endeavor to take hold with renewed earnestness. On January 14, 1894, the West End Presbyterian Mission, under the care of Mr. Edward Winshurst, the Sunday School num- bering 51, was organized. It quickened the life of our pastor, when noble hearts responded to his call, and made it possible for the good work of Church and Sunday School to be carried into this field of our growing city. We have always felt the work our work, and yet we often wish that the Sunday School might regularly meet with us, thereby enlarging our sympathies and quickening our vision. The children are first with Dr. Spalding in his affection. Always one with them, he seems to understand just how to win their hearts and interest them in the work of the Church. The Bible classes, adult, young women and young men, what a tower of strength to the Sunday School through the years, led as they have been by men and women of ability and tact. It be- comes indeed a work of love, when year in and year out one gives History of the Sunday School. 47 of one's time and brain that others may be profited thereby, and brilliant examples of such as these we have in our Sunday School to-day. It 13 with great regret that we are obliged to pass over the many devoted women who have superintended the work of the Infant department; their names stretch away back to the thirties. Can you see the little ones gather in the old Church? Can you hear the "Our Father which Art in Heaven," as Miss Bliss leads the childish voices, then " I have a Father in the Promised Land," without any instrument, so sweet and gentle, and then can you be thankful with me, that in all that class of little ones, there is one left for us to love and cherish? Were Ponce de Leon to be with us again, and were he to seek the source of perpetual youth, the whole world would tell him the exact spot where he might find the priceless fountain. In the Sunday School; who ever saw an old Sunday Scholal scholar? As we listened a few Sundays ago, to the voice of one of our number, the rich full notes joining in the hymn of praise, one who has never left our ranks since that beautiful Sunday morning she enlisted under its banner, we said " Thank the Lord for just such women as Mrs. Charles Keene, and for all that such loyal service stands for in the work of the Church and the school." Mrs. P. W. Fobes, gave unreservedly of her sweet life to the work of the little ones! The present Infant class is doing excellent work under the efficient management of Miss Mary Spalding, with an efficient corps of earnest faithful workers. Kindergarten exercises are delight- ful and helpful, and a most necessary factor in a well ordered In- fant class. Miss Martha Spalding is unusually successful along these lines, as the present class will testify. Mrs. Minnie Fisher has been of inestimable value to the infant department, always winning the love of the children. There is no work in the Sunday School of greater importance than the Primary department. It is, if you please, a recruiting station for the school, and when the children graduate from it, we believe a certain day and certain exercises should be set apart for the occasion; thus will the superintendent and teachers impress upon the child, his or her individual importance in the work of the 48 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Sunday School. We shall never forget the gracious and beautiful personality of the superintendent of the Infant class, when first she greeted us in the vsrork, for the second time chosen to minis- ter to the wants of the little ones, and then when Mrs. S. F. Smith yielded her scepter to another, how grandly the work so beautifully begun was carried on For nearly twenty-five years her succes- sor has fed the little ones of the flock with heavenly manna. It matters not whether hunting up some missing waif; whether car- rying dainties to some little child; whether taking flowers to brighten the life of some unfortunate; whether kneeling in prayer at the bedside of the dying, all has been, that she might win some heart for the great Shepherd of the Sheep. And so with devout thankfulness we add the name of Miss Anjanette Sharp to the long list of Sabbath School superintendents of the First Pres- byterian Church of Syracuse. Not for one moment have we lost sight of the great part the beautiful bears to our lives. What the color is to the rose; the color and fragrance to the flower, that the children's day is to the Sunday School, perfuming its very life. The never to be forgotten days, when under the daisy arches up to the flower decked altar we have marched with the Cross at our head, the children's voices parting the vaulted ceiling, that the exultant strain "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord, "might be caught up into the very Courts of Heaven, then " Suffer Little Children to Come Unto Me," as one by one the dear babies have been pledged to the church " /« His Name!" Oh, the children, the music, 'OciQ flowtrs, how they make the high lights of your life and mine; how they hush every discordant thought and give w=, peace. It has been impossible in the short time allotted us to give the value we ought to the great band of men, women and children who all these seventy-five years have kept alive the sacred flame of the Sunday School. We have taken the names of the Superintendents and endeavored to so quicken your imaginations, that with us you might see the rank and file as Sunday after Sunday the soldiers of the school have sounded the key note of the march towards the New Jerusalem. One name the watchword. One banner, and that the banner of His Love. History of the Sunday School. 49 The music of the Sunday School is one of the most important questions which confronts us in the work of to-day. Such hymns as Homeward Bound, Onward, Christian Soldier, and a number of others have had their distinct bearing, we have no doubt, in the days that are past, and will have in those to come. We would not in any way depreciate the value of the Gospel Hymns, but we do not feel that they are the ideal music of the Sunday School and think they and the style of music they stand for should be sparingly used, all the time looking for something more satisfying. Children are very quick to appreciate grandeur, repose, harmony in nature, why not in music. Carlyle says: " See deep enough and you see music- ally. The heart of nature being everywhere music if you can only reach it." Hymns where words and time seem to be in perfect keeping, where grandeur and harmony are so wedded that the smallest child catches the matchless inspiration, are the hymns which the Sunday School needs to-day. The following hymn seems to me wonderfully filled with this spirit. Oh love that will not let me go, 1 rest my weary soul in thee ; I give thee back the life I owe, That in thine ocean dephs its flow Jlay richer, fuller be. Cross, that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee ; 1 lay in dust life's glory dead, And from the ground their blossoms red. Life that shall endless be. LOOKING FORWARD, TWENTY-FIVE. '' All of 7is are engaged iti either giving life or taking it, " says Lyman Abbott. " The ideal leader must be a life giver." This capacity to give life makes the true leader. As we stand on the threshold of the coming years, and in imagination take part in the exercises twenty-five years from to- day, the one hundredth anniversary of this church's birth, we see oO Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. what seems to us a great advance in the work of the Sunday- School. Another October day calls us to this wonted place — the same bell rings out on the clear air as has been its wont so many years, the clock still strikes the hour, the children are gathering from near and far; they do not assemble in the old place, but at the right of the church in a large and beautiful Sab bath School room with all the conveniences of modern needs. It is from the heights of yonder city that we take part in the great jubilee of praise, for only a few, a very few of us, that to-day are sounding its words of welcome are there. Our children have built these walls in our memory, and to-day, 1934, are telling the same sweet story of Jesus and His Love. No two are attracted towards the Sunday School alike, many come for its festivals, many find worship in its songs of praise, others love thegrandness of Gothic windows and inspiring arch, while instruction and the feeling that one is really loved, draws perhaps the larger number. Who can measure the atmosphere of affectionate and sympathetic kiadness, as seen and felt in the school of the church? Many a person has been won to great and noble living by a look, so the sweet tender devotion of the unselfish Sabbath School teacher has been the open sesame to the heart of many a child. There are many sides to an ideal Sunday School. We do not expect it to be quite perfect, for as Browning says: "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a Heaven for? " But we do know that our ideals can not be too high, and we do feel that the Sunday School is nearing every day the " Country of the Spirit." From this vantage ground of a hundred years we look back long and thoughtfully, we see the foot prints of great mistakes, but we see also the foot prints of earnest endeavor and self-sacrifice. " No one can describe the way, the fullest speech is silence!" Let us go softly all the rest of the years, that we may hear voices, and dream dreams; that we may behold dear faces and learn the language of that sweet country. May the years upon years of true and loving thoughts, like ceaseless music, shut up in our hearts, vibrate all along the line until lost in the h.a.raiony oifhe Eternal morning / Our cry to-day, the war cry of the spirit. Having hewed the path, and having scaled the History of the Sunday School. 51 ■mountains, in the name of the Sabbath School let us take pos- session of the land. " Not by deeds that win the crowds applause, Not by works that give thee world renown, Not by martyrdom or vaunted crosses, Cans't thou win and wear the immortal crown. Daily struggling, though unloved and lonely, Every day a rich reward will give; Thou wilt find by hearty striving only, And truly loving, thou cans't truly live." HISTORY OF THE LADIES' AID SOCIETY. By Mrs. Frances Wright Marlette. The records of the life of a noble woman tell us that in a letter to a friend she used these words: " How foolish we are to read history, and believe it too, when we cannot get at the rights of events happening daily in our own town." If this be true, how much more foolish am I to attempt to write the history of a society, covering a period in which no official records were kept, with no one living who participated in the events of the society to tell of its doings. The only records of the work done by women during the first decade of the church are lodged in the minds of those who have heard the story from their elders, and from these memories I have been able to glean a few facts which may safely be consid- ered worthy of belief. It has been revealed that the first meeting held with refer- ence to the organization of the church was brought about and attended only by women. Of the twenty-six original members sixteen were women. Let all honor be given to their memory. With a tender reverence we repeat their names: Anna Phelps, Florilla Chapman, Melinda Kasson, Harriet Newton, Margaret Hanchett, Theodosia Wall, Deborah Webb, Olive Pease, Cather- ine Marble, Nancy Toogord, Eliza Parsons, Eve Van Buren, Eliza- beth Cummings, Julia Northam, Mary A. Huntington, Sarah Norton. The first benevolent society of the village of Syracuse was organized in 1830 by Mrs. Benjamin C. Lathrop, the membership being drawn from the Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian churches. In the following year, 1831, the ladies of the Presby- terian Church withdrew and formed a society of their own, which has existed until the present time. Mrs. Lathrop was the first president, and after a membership of sixty-five years was but recently called to her reward. History of the Ladies' Aid Society. 53 In her declining years there was nothing in which she took more delight than telling of the old time sewing societies when the ladies met to make stocks, collars and wristbands, dickies, both ruffled and plain, and snch other useful articles as they could sell to the gentlemen who joined them for supper, and the social hours of the evening. Had there been a woman's page in the newspapers then, what a wealth of material concerning these meetings would its columns unfold. We would know just who was there, what they wore and what they talked about. It is safe to say that sociability, that ever potent factor in church work, was promoted, and funds were secured for relieving the needs of the sick and destitute . In those early days material aid was not alone necessary and frequent demands were made upon the society for " watchei's," as those who cared for the sick during the night were called. It was also the custom to watch with the dead, and some one had always to be procured to " sit up with the corpse," as it was- termed. This gruesome task was generally assigned to two- young ladies accompanied by two young men, and we are told that it was sometimes cheerfully performed, if due attention was paid to the selection of the parties. There were no nurses except those trained by their own ex- perience, and as the unhealthful conditions of the swampy village caused much sickness, those of the present day can scarcely real- ize how often friends and neighbors, and even strangers, were called upon to assist in caring for the ailing. In times of epidem- ics it was not unusual for Dr. Adams to ask from the pulpit for volunteers, and willing hearts and hands were ever ready to re- spond to the call. The services of Mrs. T. B. Fitch were often brought into re- quisition and in a recent conversation she told me that she always felt prepared for any emergency that might arise. Miss Mary Bliss, although conducting a popular girls' school at the time, gave her able services three nights in succession, at a time when she seemed needed. Miss Elizabeth Adams, sister of Dr. Adams, Miss Ann Mead, Mrs. John Darnford, the families of Grove and James Lawrence, Mrs. Robert Gere, Mrs. Joseph Slocum, and 54 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. many others might be mentioned in this connection did time permit. Mrs. John Babcock has recollections of her mother as she started for the scene of the disaster, when news of the terrific powder explosion reached her. Equipped with what she had at hand that might be of use she set forth to relieve the distress of the injured. Donation parties were an interesting and important feature in the early history of the church. A well preserved invitation issued in 1831 and now the valued possession of Mrs. Helen Stan- ton Keene, informs Mr. F. C. Stanton that his company is requested at the house of Rev. John W. Adams on Thursday the 10th of January inst. at three o'clock P. M. The names of Mrs. Elam Lynds, Mrs. Theodore Ashley, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Hyde, Mrs. G. S. Fitch and Miss Mann appear as managers. Mrs. Smith was the mother of Vivus W. and S. F. Smith and grandmother of Hon. Carroll E. Smith. These names were followed by Mr. Lynds, Mr. S. W. Cald- well, Mr. E. Norton, Dr. S. D. Day, Mr. W. K. Lathrop and Mr. T. B. Fitch, as a committee. Mr. Caldwell was the grandfather of Mrs. Charles Hudson and Mr. Fitch the father of Hon. Charles E. Fitch and Mrs. A. J. Northrup. Another bearing the date of 1833 gives the names of Mrs. M. D. Burnet, Mrs. A. Northam, Mrs. Samuel Clark, Mrs. Jonathan Day and Mrs. Wm. H. Alexander. It is pleasant to recall the name of Mrs. Alexander and of her daughters, Mrs. Sarah Smart, mother of Mr. Maurice Smart, Mrs. Laura Matteson, and Mrs. Frances Alexander. It will be noticed that the ladies were the managers and the gentlemen a committee. So we may infer that the work of the ladies was the important factor in the management of the donation parties, without which the church could hardly have existed, as the meagre salary of the pastor, although augmented by the Board of Missions, was scarcely sufficient to supply the needs of the pastor and his family. The increasing population of the village soon warranted the making and putting on sale of articles ornamental as well as use- History of the Ladies' Aid Society. 55 ful and the church fair was instituted. Dressed dolls, bead bags and purses, needle books and pincushions, portfolios of perforated board ornamented with beads and silk thread, wrought in intri- cate patterns, and work baskets with artistic designs in worsted were made. The painted faces of the rag dolls were probably the first art productions of the growing village. It was the prevail- ing custom to dispose of the larger and more expensive articles by lottery, chances were sold, and the individual who drew the lucky number took the prize. The first of these fairs was held in the Syracuse House ball room, as it was called, a large hall on the third floor of that historic hotel. Refreshments were served, and there was no discussion as to where the ice cream was to be pro- cured, for Lewis Monk was the only man in the village who ■could make it. A variety of ices and innumerable kinds of sand- wiches had not yet been introduced, so we imagine the supper committee had a comparatively easy time. My own first recollec- tions of a church fair is of one which was held in the old Malcolm Hall in the block situated on the southwest corner of Railroad and Salina streets, during the early days of my childhood. I can see now in my mind's eye the doll my mother brought me; its beauti- ful face and white satin gown will never be effaced from my memory. There are those who remember the announcement made by Dr. Adams that the church fair would be held in Library Hall. Many a precious souvenir is cherished by its possessor, not for its intrinsic value, but for the fact that it was made by some loved one and sold for the benefit of the church. The homes of the members of the congregation were scattered and much sociability was promoted from the fact that it was the -custom for those who lived at a distance to take a slight repast and partake of it during the half hour that intervened between Sunday school and the afternoon service. Those who remained usually resolved themselves into a committee of ways and means, •discussed affairs of the church and also gave due consideration to the leading topics of the day. It was one of the regrets of my early years that I lived too near the church to be allowed to enjoy this social half hour. 56 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. The children of the church in those early days rendered lov- ing service which certainly deserves mention at this time. Through interest aroused from an address, given in the church by the Rev. Dr. Scudder, one of the early missionaries sent out by the American Board, a sewing society was organized, articles were made and disposed of at a fair which netted the handsome sum of $90, a large amount certainly for those days. The money was forwarded to Dr. Scudder, and a time worn letter, yellow with age, tells how gratefully it was received. It bears the postmark of New York. The postage was eighteen cents and was marked paid. It was addressed to, Miss Helen Maria Hall, To the care of the Rev. Dr. Adams, Syracuse, New York, and reads as follows : New York, April 8, 1845. My Darling: — I have now in my possession your letter dated Syracuse, Dec. 33, 1844. I cannot tell you how glad I am that the dear little girls of Syracuse have formed themselves into a Sewing So- ciety for the purpose of earning money to send the gospel to the heathen. Oh! how happy I should be, could I only step in some afternoon and see you in your meeting and once more say: How do you all do my children? Perhaps some of you may become mis- sionaries. I should be very glad to see you in India. I am go- ing to return there next year if God pleases. I should be very glad to hear from you again. Give my love to all the dear little girls. Should I never meet you again on earth I shall hope to meet you in Heaven. The Lord be your portion my darling, Very affectionately, J. Scudder. Miss Hall who received the letter is perhaps better known to the present generation as the late Mrs. Addison Laflin, sister of Miss Olivia Hall and Mrs. George Raynor. I well remember the visit of Dr. Scudder and the wonderful impression his words made, and added my mite to the work of the society. It gives me great History of the Ladies' Aid Society. 57 pleasure to be able to read this letter, a reminder of the days of my childhood ; how as we grow older we live in the days of the past ! There are loving recollections of Mrs. Adams, wife of our first pastor, of her gentle voice and winning ways, and of Mrs. Joshua Forman, wife of the acknowledged founder of the village and the church, and of her daughter Mrs. E. W. Leavenworth, who served the benevolent society as president for a long term of years. Many a pleasant gathering of the society in her hospita- ble home is recalled. The historic Leavenworth mansion is now presided over by Mrs. Mary Truesdell Leavenworth, whose loyalty and devotion to the church is well known. It is interesting to note that Mrs. Ross Leslie, the grand- daughter of Mrs. Forman, and Miss Grace Leslie, the great-grand- daughter, are now active members of the society. Others, who are now represented in the church by the fourth generation, are Mrs. Robert Gere, Mrs. Nathan Rose, Mrs. Rial Wright, Mrs. Fitch, mother of T. B. Fitch, Mrs. Adonijah Root, Mrs. William Malcolm, Mrs. Smith, mother of S. F. Smith, and Mrs. Johnson Hall. Of the women of the church, Mrs. Helen Stanton Keene has probably been longer identified than any one now living. A child of the covenant, she received the rite of baptism in 1826. No one has been for a longer time a communicant than Mrs. Cordelia Hall Raynor, who united with the church in 1838. Mrs. T. B. Fitch identified herself with the church in 1832, the date of her removal from Auburn to Syracuse. Mrs. Henry Dillaye united with the church by letter from the Presbyterian Church in Nor- wich, in 1845. Mrs. Irving G. Vann and Mrs. Albert D. Fowler, daughter and granddaughter of Mrs. Dillaye, manifest the same interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the church, that Mrs. Dillaye has always shown. Mrs. Vann has been honored with the office of president of the Presbyterian Missionary Society, and has been a generous contributor to the cause of Missions. Mrs. Anna Gere Belden, wife of Hon. J. J. Belden, has from her childhood been identified with the church, and at different periods has served the benevolent society as an efficient officer. For many years Mrs. Belden generously contributed from her 58 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. greenhouses the choicest of floral decorations for the church, and in fact never refused a call for material aid for the promotion of any branch of church work. With a lavish hospitality, she has many times entertained the society in her home, and her recent munificent gift to the West End Presbyterian Church, attests her devotion to that branch of the church. Mrs. Mary Bigelow, by her many benefactions has manifested her consecrated spirit. She was one of four to provide the means for building the Memorial Presbyterian Church, and by her gen- erosity was a promoter of the West End Church. Mrs. John Babcock and her sisters the Misses Gifford, daugh- ters of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gifford, who were prominently identi fied with the' church in its earliest days, have ever been found true to the interests of the church, and have by their generous contri- butions as well as intelligent guidance promoted many schemes for its advancement. Mrs. Fannie Avery Cobb, widow of Elder Nathan Cobb, and daughter of Rev. J. A. Avery, who will be remembered as editor of the Religious Recorder, a paper that we all read in the days that are passed, by her spirit of devotion, sweetuess of manner and wise counsels, has ever been a valued member of the society. Mrs. Cobb's daughter, Mrs. F. H. Stephenson, and her children are now the only representatives in the church of the once large family of her father, all of whom were remarkable for their re- ligious zeal. Mrs. Maltbie, wife of Rev. E. D. Maltbie, who served as pas- tor during the illness and after the death of Dr. Adams, and dur- ing the interim between the pastorate of Dr. McHarg and Dr. Canfield, was a woman of rare virtues. She was the daughter of President Davis of Hamilton College, was one of the founders of the Home Association and served the organization for many years as secretary. Mrs. John Durnford was a woman whom all delight to re- member, she had a pleasing personality combined with great strength of character, was one of the founders of the Orphan Asylum, and her portrait now adorns the walls of that institution. Mrs. Alfred Howlett will be remembered as a woman of inde- fatigable energy, unremitting in her devotion to any cause that History of the Ladies' Aid Society. 59 she espoused. The church, the Employment Society and the Orphan Asylum were greatly indebted to her for a long term of service, and she was one of the charter members of the Women's and Children's Hospital. The great sorrow of her declining years was the loss of her only daughter, Mrs. J. Frank Durston, whose sudden death left two ^omes desolate.. Mrs. Durston was of a bright, sunny disposition and dearly loved by all who knew her. She was devoted to the church, interested in many charitable in- stitutions and was the founder of the Social Art Club. Her only daughter, Miss Allis May Durston, took up the work laid down by her mother and has ably performed the many duties that have devolved upon her. We recall the beautiful, delicate face of Mrs. Root, wife of Elder Adonijah Root, and mother of Mrs. J. R. Whitlock and Miss Sarah Root, and the stately presence of Mrs. Hollister, mother of Hon. Wm. Kirkpatrick. Mrs. Albert Hudson, mother of Mr. Charles Hudson, was a woman of noble Christian character, and admired for her many virtues. The recent death of her only daughter, Mrs. Helen Hood, and the great sorrow that it brought to her large circle of friends will ever linger in our memories. Mrs. Charles P. Clark needs no eulogy at this time; the daughter of Elder Robert Nolton, she was from her childhood connected with the church and such was her activity in its inter- est up to the time of her death, that she is as well remembered by those now in the church as by the older members. The last mar- riage ceremony performed by Dr. Adams was to unite Aurelia Nolton and Charles P. Clark. The benedictions of that occasion were more than realized in the happy married life that followed. Mrs. Mary Hall De Wolfe, sister of Mrs. George Raynor, Mrs. George Stevens, Mrs. Lydia Ostrom, Miss Mary Elliott, Miss Mary Bradley, and the Misses Leslie will ever be remembered for the faithful observance of their vows to the church. Mrs. Fobes, mother of Mr. Alan Fobes, was a woman of gentle sweetness of manner and yet a strong personality. She was the founder of the first Women's Missionary Society of the church, a society which still exists and bears the name of the Mary Fobes Memorial Band . 60 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. During the winter previous to the completion of the new church the ladies of the society with unusual energy prepared for a fair, which was held in Market Hall the 14th of February, 1850. A paper was issued in connection with the occasion, entitled "Emporium of Fair Fancies." A well preserved copy announces that " the ladies of the First Presbyterian Church will hold a festival at city hall this evening, the proceeds of which are to be used for the purpose of furnishing the new church. The post-office de- partment will be in charge of Miss Mary Wright, Miss Eliza Ostrander and Mr. Daniel Elliott." The articles offered for sale are set forth in rhyme; a few lines will serve to show something of the style of the poets we had in the olden times: We thank you for your presence here to-night, And now would most respectfully invite Your careful notice to the imperfect list We give below, your memory to assist. A beauteous beadstead you will find, Amid our rich collection. The dolls of every size and kind, Will quite repay inspection. Next pantalets and infant dress, Adorned by tasteful hand. The eye will favorably impress, And praise deserved command. The poet who penned these lines never became famous, for a little more deliberation was used in the making of heroes then than now. The telegraph news was quite exciting. 1st Dispatch 6^ p. m. Crowd gathering at the City Hall — tremendous rush — talk of calling out the military. 2d Dispatch 7 p. m. Excitement increasing — danger of crowd being pushed into the canal — life preservers in great demand — raised the rates of life insurance. History of fhe Ladies' Aid Society. 61 3d Dispatch 8 p. m. Hall crowded to overflowing — beautiful work — more beautiful ladies — oysters very fine — great rush at the post-office — two men had their arms broken trying to get letters. 4th Dispatch 9 p. m. Valentines flying — maidens sighing — lovers croaking — rivals •choking — fans in great demand. We are quite certain that one of our diginified elders, now a man of portly proportions though a slender youth at that time, received a valentine that was a master production of the poet's art. He was in Montezuma at the time but not forgotten. The fair proved a great financial success. The purchase of the carpets for the new church was accomplished, and I have recollections of a group of ladies seated about the pulpit platform vigorously plying their needles as they joined the breadths of the immense carpet, chatting as they sewed. They were a pleasant ^roup intent upon the completion of their work in time for the dedication of the church. The two massive hand carved arm chairs that adorn either side of the pulpit were purchased from the proceeds of a strawberry festival held in the old Wieting Hall. Strawberry festivals in 1867 were a novelty, and despite the fact of a stormy night and but two days' preparation for the affair, the sum of $100, the price of the chairs was realized. Mrs. Canfield and Mrs. Keene were the promoters of the affair. For many years during Dr. Canfield's pastorate Mrs. Pratt, the wife of Judge Daniel Pratt, was the president of the society. Her dignified bearing and able management will ever be remembered by those associated with her. The most pretentious enterSainment ever given by the ladies was during her administration. It was a " Bazaar" held in the old Shakespeare Hall, opening on the 22d of February, 1867, and continuing three days and evenings. The newspapers of the day were filled with accounts of the affair and more than one old scrap book has been brought out and the story read with interest during this celebration. Did time permit a detailed account would be of interest. Booths repre- senting different nations were constructed and ladies in appro- priate costumes disposed of the great variety of goods displayed. 63 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. An elaborate dinner and supper were served each day. The Bazaar closed on Saturday night and the following Sunday Dr. Canfield in a very interesting way alluded to the affair and as- sured the ladies that he would not detain them by a lengthy ser- mon for he felt quite certain that the day was needed for rest There are pleasant recollections of church sociables in the hospitable homes of Mrs. O. C. Potter, Mrs. J. R. Whitlock, Mrs. E. F. Rice, Mrs. S. C. Hayden, Mrs. Keene, Mrs. C. P. Clark, Mrs. Jerome B. Moore, Mrs. Israel S. Spencer, Mrs. George Stevens, ilrs. T. B. Fitch, and many other homes, while the arrangements for the Bazar were in progress. The poor were not forgotten and many garments were made for distribution among the needy. The women were greatly indebted to Mr. John Grouse, whO' for several years furnished all the material used. The beautiful tribute to the memory of Mrs. Millard, so- eloquently expressed, during these anniversary exercises, by one who mourns her loss more than all others, found a responsive echo in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. We shall ever remember her efficient leadership and her zealous work for the Master. The social requirements of the society were never overlooked and the mite societies and church sociables in which old and young mingled together in a happy union will never be forgotten. There are recollections of an entertainment at the hall in the Larned block, which was a great financial success. Mrs. J. J. Belden, Mrs. D. H. Bruce and Mrs. John L. Cook were prominent in its management. The Bazar held in the Munro mansion was unique and beautiful in all its appointments. It was given under the leader- ship of Mrs. Jerome B. Moore, for the purpose of raising funds- for furnishing Scattergood Memorial Church. Mrs. Moore- was ably assisted by Mrs. William Rose, now the widow of Rev. Malcolm Dana. Mrs. Dickinson, second wife of Elder Pliny Dickinson, one of the original members of the church, served the society as president during Dr. Millard's pastorate. Mrs. Charles L. Stone, niece of Mrs. Dickinson, manifests the same interest, and her rare discernment and excellent judgment render her ser- vice of great value. It would be a pleasure did time permit to- History of the Ladies' Aid Society. 63^ recall memories of many who have gfone out from us to assist in. the organization of the younger Presbyterian churches. The Re- formed and Unitarian churches have in their membership many families that were prominently identified with the early history of the church. We come now to the pastorate of Dr. Spalding. The well kept records would furnish material for an interesting paper, but time will admit of only a hasty summary. The custom of rotation in office was introduced in 1855, in accordance with a new constitution drafted by Mrs. George N. Grouse, Mrs. Albert J. Hood and Mrs. Mead Belden, and adopted by the Society. The following ladies have served the Society as officers in the following order : 1885 — Mrs. Alvin J. Belden, president; Mrs. C. H. Raynor, vice-president; Mrs. George N. Grouse, secretary and treasurer. 1886 to 1888 — Mrs. Frances W. Marlette, Mrs. Charles P. Glark, Mrs. George B. Halliday. 1888 — Mrs. Charles P. Clark, Mrs. Louis Thurwachter, Mrs. F. H. Stephenson. 1889— Mrs. Charles P. Clark, Mrs. A. J. Northrup, Mrs. Silas F. Smith. 1890— Mrs. W. H. H. Gere, Mrs. Justus Eddy, Mrs. Austin K. Hoyt. 1891— Mrs. W. H. H. Gere, Mrs. Douglass N. Green, Mrs. Austin K. Hoyt. 1892 — Mrs. Charles Keene, Mrs. Douglass N. Green, Mrs. Austin K. Hoyt. 1893 — Mrs. Austin K. Hoyt, Mrs. Gaylord P. Clark, Mrs. Fred C. Eddy. 1894 — Mrs. F. H. Stephenson, Mrs. Gaylord P. Clark, Mrs. Fred C. Eddy. 1895 — Mrs. F. H. Stephenson, Mrs. E. B. Salmon, Mrs. Peter- son Jones. 1896 — Mrs. George D. Whedon, Miss A. J. Sharpe, Mrs. H. C. Hodgkins. 1897 — Mrs. George D. Whedon, Miss A. J. Sharpe, Miss Anna Carter. 64 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. 1898 — Mrs. Frances W. Marlette, Mrs. George B. Spalding, Mrs. Charles J. Barnard. 1899— Mrs. Frances W. Marlette, Mrs. Charles H. Hudson, ]\Irs. Charles J. Barnard. While the officers of the Society have been faithful in the per- formance of their duties, there are those who have never been willing to assume such responsibility that have rendered loyal service. Many have made garments for the poor in their own homes, and have contributed largely to the fund for purchasing material. The necessities of the needy have been abundantly provided for. Miss Sharpe, Miss Thompson, Mrs. Kellogg, Mrs. Plant, Mrs. Vickers and Mrs. Charles H. Hudson have been faithful in seeking out and visiting the sick. Mrs. Justus Eddy has been unceasing in her devotion to the Rescue Mission, and Mrs. Albert J, Hood has been a most faithful devotee to the temperance cause Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Dewitt C. Mann have most ably managed the Wednesday suppers, and yet have never complained of being weary with much serving. The Sunday School has been provided with a Library, aid has been given to the trustees in extinguishing a church "debt, the auditorium has been re-carpeted and twice re-decorated. The church parlors entirely transformed and refitted with conveniences for social gatherings. The gothic mantle, the restored antique pulpit sofa, the renewed sky-light, the piano, were all made possi- ble by the unceasing efforts of the Women's Aid Society. We might add by their daring, for risks have been taken in enterprises for raising money which, though considered unwise by able advis- ers, resulted in success by the the persistent efforts of the ladies in charge. Much credit is due to Mrs. George D. Whedon, Mrs. Alvin J. Belden, Mrs. George N. Crouse and Miss Florence Keene for their efficient service. Missionary boxes, with a value aggregating thousands of dol lars, have been sent to Home Missionaries at the West, and financial aid has been given to most of the charitable institutions in our midst. The wise counsels of Mrs. Spalding have ever been of great value, and she has most ably assisted the endeavors of the women of the church. History of the Ladies' Aid Society. 65 While success has crowned most of the efforts put forth by the Society we are pained to speak of one project which was started with reasonable hopes of its accomplishment that was abandoned. An addition to the church that would secure better accommodations for the Sunday School and social meetings was the object desired. Having been assured of the co-operation of the trustees, plans were drawn, estimates made, and a sum sub- scribed sufiScient to warrant the future success of the undertaking. A period of stringency in the money market came upon us and it was decided to postpone any further action until the crisis was passed. This was six years ago, and we have hardly yet recov- ered from the financial depression which was felt throughout the land. Prosperity once more dawns upon us and it is hoped that our desires may be realized before another panic overtakes us. It seems but due to Mrs. Theodore F. Andrews that mention should be made of a gift from her which has enabled the Society during the past summer to re-carpet and decorate the parlor and procure a mahogany table as a companion piece for the pulpit sofa. A brass plate with the inscription, "Presented by Mrs. Theodore F. Andrews," has been placed upon the table audit will ever stand as a constant reminder of one who loved the church. Other gifts in memory of those gone before have rendered our temple of worship more beautiful. Thus through all the years have the women added their efforts to the noble work done by the men of the church, both for its spiritual and temporal advancement. And now, as we celebrate this, our Seventy-fifth Anniversary, may we be aroused to new zeal and more ardent devotion. With redoubled consecration let us continue our labors. THE WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY AND MISSION WORK. By Mrs. Nathan Cobb. It was in the year 1868 that the eloquent, pathetic words of a returned missionary, describing the utter hopelessness of the long living death, suffered by women of high caste in the Zenana homes of India, so stirred the hearts of certain women in our <;hurch, that they could no longer keep silent. They had always been missionaries, in the sense of contributors. But here was a new obligation, and it rested upon woman — for woman. What had not Christianity done for our womanhood? Pundita Ramabai, the brilliant high caste Hindu woman, always speaks of our coun- try as "that holy land, called America, where the women are so happy and blessed." And, had they not read in their Bibles that "To whomsoever much is given, of such shall much be required?" There followed immediately the formation of two Mission Bands in our church, as being distinctively woman's work. One was originated by Miss J. Cobb, sister of Mr. Nathan Cobb, and al- most simultaneously, another, by Mrs. Albert A. Hudson. A few years previous, Mrs. P. W. Fobes had very quietly organized a small Woman's Mission Band in our own church, among a few personal friends. In these three Bands at this time, were enrolled 130 ladies, as members. Their contributions were forwarded to the Woman's Union Missionary Society of New York, comprising women of all evangelical denominations, and under the leadership of that distinguished christian lady and philanthropist, Mrs. M. L. Doremus, that being the first Missionary Society organized and con- trolled by women, was the mother of us all. We cherished for her a warm affection, and moreover we prided ourselves on being non-sectarian. But while "the world moves," most emphatically do women. So the time came when it seemed wise to organize a Woman's Home and Fereign Missionary Society in our own church, comprising the Mission Bands which had increased in number and -efficiency during these years. This was in the early pastorate of Woman's Missionary Society and Mission Work. 67 Rev. Dr. Millard, and his wife, Mrs. Millard, of beloved and beau- tiful memory, became our first president. At this crisis in our history, many of our ladies were unwilling to withdraw from the Union Society and give their allegiance to the Presbyterian Board, thus forsaking as they thought, the straight and pleasant paths of ■duty, for the crooked by-ways of sectarianism. Therefore, to avoid schism among our own members, a com- promise was effected. We were to be called the Woman's Mis- sionary Society of the First Presbyterian Church, while our con- tributions were to be still sent to the Union Society of New York. Those in the minority gracefully yielded, but quietly abided their time. That time came in 1886, soon after the advent of our pres- ent pastor. Rev. Dr. Spalding. All Women's Missionary Societies of our own denomination, not only in our own city, but all within the bounds of our large Presbytery had become auxiliary to the Woman's Presbyterian Board, and we felt that we needed the stimulus and sympathy of close fellowship and co- operation, as well as the inspiration of the annual meetings, pervaded as they always are, with a high spiritual atmosphere. Consequently a reorganization ensued, called the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of the First Pres- byterian Church of Syracuse. Mrs. Spalding, the wife of our pastor, being elected our first president, and as a Society we gave ourselves heartily to the Presbyterian Board. It was thus we re- ceived our first lesson in denominational loyalty. A basis of ex- tension for our work was at once proposed and it was resolved that the work and needs of Home and Foreign Missions be dis- cussed alternate months, thus giving equal thought and interest to each branch, and dividing our contributions equally between them. This method has been pursued to the present time, with the exception of contributions designated for special objects by their donors; of these there have been many: Thank offerings for precious lives brought back from apparent death; memorial offer- ing for loved ones gene to the " Better Land." Several of these have become annual gifts. Also our many Mission Bands devoted their funds to specific objects. Two, only, have steadfastly re- mained with us through all the changes of the years. The first being the Mary Fobes Memorial, which was most successfully car- (38 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. ried forward by Mrs. L. S. Phillips, as also by Miss Frances P. GifEord who succeeded Mrs. Phillips as president, until called to the secretaryship of our Missionary Society. Since 1887 Mrs. F. A. Marlette has filled the office with great acceptance. This Band contributes fifty dollars annually to the girls school in Pekin, China. We will ask indulgence while we digress from this history to give a very sweet personal reminiscence of Mrs. Fobes, the founder of this band in connection with our Sunday school. For several years she taught with great ability and tender earnestness a large class of boys and girls. As a part of her Bible instructions she endeavored to instil into the minds of these children something of her own enthusiasm and love for Christian Missions. One lit- tle boy was so strongly impressed that he went home to his mother and kneeling at her side said with solemn earnestness, "I am going to be a missionary, mother, when I am grown up." That proved to be a moment of true consecration. The Holy Spirit had spoken to him. As he passed through the schools into the University, the goal ever before him to which all his efforts were directed, was the life of a missionary. That little boy has for the last fifteen years been a Medical Missionary in Tokyo, Japan. It is many years since Mrs. Fobes left us, but her " work still follows her." Our second permanent band is the Hudson Memorial. When in 1881 Mrs. Hudson laid down the work she so much loved, she intrusted this band to her friend, Mrs. W. T. Plant, who has since, with great efficiency, maintained its membership and con- tributions through many adverse changes. Three young girls have been educated for native teachers — one in India and two in Japan. At present a scholar in Beyrut Seminary, Syria, is main- tained at a cost of fifty dollars annually. The Millard Mission Band was organized in 1881 by Mrs. Millard, the wife of our pas- tor at that time, and named for her by the members. Twice every month meetings were held of an informal, social character. Happy years passed with satisfactory results. Large Christmas boxes, valued at fifty dollars and over, were sent to Mrs. McFar- land or to Mrs. Gould in Alaska, while occasionally another would speed on its way to Miss Ross' school in Mexico, carrying delight to both teacher and pupils. This band was not pledged, but stood Woman's Missionary Society and Mission Work. 69 ready to respond to almost any appeal, such as sixty dollars for Mrs. McFarland's school, or the smaller sum of five dollars for our own city Rescue Mission. A pleasant episode in the history of this band was the coming to our city and to the home of one of its members, of Mrs. McFarland herself, the pioneer in woman's missionary work in Alaska. She was accompanied by an interest- ing Alaskan girl, whom she had brought to the East to be edu- cated for a native teacher. Those who listened to Mrs. McFar- land as she so cheerfully and brightly depicted the great trials and most wonderful deliverances of her missionary experience will hardly forget the occasion. Of our juvenile bands, one called "The King's Children" comprised both girls and boys. Their meetings were held once in two weeks, and their contributions were sent to various objects — a girls' school in Persia, a boys' school in Ashville — while they became especially interested in Mrs. McFarland's school in Alas- ka. That good lady had written to the Woman's Board that her house was cold, the floors bare, and that she greatly needed one carpet. The Board was obliged to answer with sorrow that they had no funds to supply anything more than bare necessities, and carpets came under the head of luxuries. When this pathetic story was reported to the children they were quite distressed that dear Mrs, McFarland, who had written them such beautiful let- ters, and who had sacrificed so much for her work, could be suf- fering from rheumatism in a cold house. They talked the matter over, devising plans for raising money, and soon were able to send her twenty-five dollars to buy herself a carpet. A characteristic letter of thanks was returned, which the children received with enthusiasm. Time would fail us in any attempt to do justice to all our mis- sion bands — such as "The Ramona," "The Boys' Band," "The Merry Workers," organized by Mrs. S. C. Hayden and others. Many have disbanded from time to time through circumstances beyond control. As the lads' and lassies' early school days were over they left for college and boarding school remote from home. It gives us much pleasure to chronicle the formation of a " Young Woman's Missionary Society in 1893. During the six 70 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. }'ears which have foUov^red, though small in numbers, they have contributed the goodly sum of nearly $700, in addition to Christ- mas boxes, filled with books, pictures, toys and useful articles, gone to deck many a Christmas tree in far away mission schools. A box of clothing is annually collected, packed and forwarded by our society to some faithful Home Missionary in the West, Three years since, one of our members presented us with books and magazines, as a nucleus for a missionary library, and we hope to show our appreciation of the happy thought, by adding to the gift until we are in possession of a valuable reference library of missionary information. No prescribed membership fee is required in our society. A woman contributing any sum, however small, is entitled to mem- bership. All offerings are voluntary. The routine of our monthly meetings is varied, so far as is consistent with the object in view, and we sometimes enjoy after- ward a social half hour over a cup of tea, and occasionally, too, some member opens her home for the regular meeting, followed by an hour of social reunion. These occasions are delightful, but we all love our upper room, hallowed as it is by so many sacred associations, and by prayer. Perhaps the most notable gathering of the year is our annual Praise meeting in November, when every woman in our church receives a personal invitation to be' present, bringing her thank offering for some special blessing of the year. These occasions have proved most delightful and inspiring, drawing us together in a rarely glad and joyous service of thanksgiving to the Master. While thus briefly reviewing the salient points of our work, a question, which has often been honestly asked, comes to us, something like this: " Do you suppose the getting together of a few women once a month is going to do anything for those mil- lions of heathen women away off there ? It is like dipping up the ocean by the spoonful." The same question may have occur- red to ourselves, as we have sometimes wearily wended our way to the auxiliary meeting, with the tempter discouragement tug- ging at our hearts. But we know that our government has ex- Woman's Missionary Society and Mission Work. 71 pended thousands of dollars in planting beach grass on the shift- ing sands of Cape Cod, to resist the encroachments of the Atlantic, and how powerless is a single blade of grass! Thoreau once said, " Cape Cod was anchored to the heavens by myriad little cables of beach grass," and may we not say, our women's magnificent Missionary Boards are anchored to God's promises by myriad little cables of auxiliaries? The women comprising the auxiliaries of our own Women's Presbyterian Boards are to-day 250,000 strong, and we are only one division of the great army of women, comprising the constituency of Women's Missionary Boards in our sister evangelical denomina- tions, in our own land. And these women are represented by their missionaries in every quarter of the globe. Surely it is a grand and glorious work to occupy the thoughtsof manor woman, the christianization of the world ! Our voices are attuned to jubi- lant strains to-day, but there strikes a minor chord in the melody, as we read the long list of members of our society, taken from us by death. We love to recall the personality of each, and the strain rises higher and higher, into the exultant, as we exclaim "These all died in faith," and we believe as our faith teaches, that we shall see them again in the glory of the Heavenly City. It is not always even in financial affairs, that a money stand- ard is the true test of success, and yet this record will not be com- plete without noting the amount contributed since our re-organi- zation in 1886 . As reported in our treasurer's books, the total sum of our contributions to missions, specifically, in these thirteen years, is eleven thousand, five hundred and thirty-six (11,536) dollars. But figures do not tell the story. It will ever remain untold. The text adopted by our Treasury has been "Neither will I offer unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing." Whatever has been given in time, strength, labor, or purse has been returned to us a thousand fold in reflex bless- ings. As we have gathered very closely together around the Mas- ter's feet in most earnest petition, we have learned sweet lessons of humility, forgiveness, charity towards all, which have disarmed criticism and bound us together by the strong tie of greater love to Him and to each other. And on this glad day of jubilee the 72 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. members of the Womans' Home and Foreign Missionary Society of this church, unite vs^ith full hearts in the jubilant notes of praise and thanksgiving, while they would appropriate these familiar lines from Kipling's Recessional : " The tumult and the shouting dies — The captains and the kin-gs depart. Still stands thine ancient sacrifice, An humble and a contrite heart. Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest -we forget — lest we forget." HISTORY OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR. By Henry D. Mann. In preparing this historical report of the Young People's So- ciety of Christian Endeavor, it was also my wish to go even farther back than the date of the formation of that organization. But owing to the fact that previous to the formation of the Endeavor Society no organization existed and therefore no records kept, it has been possible for me to get but little information. Even the date when the Young People's Meetings, as they were called, first began is in doubt. In the early '80's, however, the idea of having Young People's meetings previous to the evening preaching service seems to have become prevalent all over the country and it was probably about that time that the Young People's meetings were first held in our church. The date has been placed by one of our pio- neer workers as about 1882. I am told that the Young People's meetings were very successful from the start. The idea was new and there was considerable interest and enthusiasm shown, so much so, that the attendance many times reached fifty and over. Very few of those in attendance, however, took any part in the meetings except in singing, leaving the leader and about a half dozen of the older gentlemen to be the only ones to take part in prayer or remarks Sunday after Sunday. The meetings continued quite successful for a year or more and then the interest began to flag, the attendance fell off and some of those who were depended upon to speak each week ceased to attend, until, as one gentleman expressed it at the time, the meetings had become like the proverbial three-legged stool, if one of the three props had given out the whole structure must have collapsed. Fortunately, however, they held firm and again mak- ing a strong effort among the still younger people of the church, interest was once more aroused. It was about this time that I be- 74 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. came identified with the movement; I think in '84 or '85. Some sort of organization was then attempted ; a president was elected and a pianist. The meetings were again held most successfully for a time, but as there was little or nothing for the bulk of those attending to do either for themselves or the good of the meetings, and the organization, such as it was, was entirely self centered, in- terest once more began to flag. It was about this time that the idea of forming an Endeavor Society was suggested; Christian Endeavor had now been in exist- ence for several years; three or four societies had been formed in Syracuse, but up to that time most of us had never heard of the movement. The plan was proposed by John W. Plant in a class of young men in the Sunday school taught by our former deacon, Mr. Putnam. None of us knew anything about it, but all were interested and after talking the matter over somewhat, Mr. Put- nam suggested that we all come down to his home on Furman street some evening and he would invite Mr. York, pastor of the Furman Street Church, which church had a most flourishing soci- ety, to be present and explain the Christian Endeavor idea. The date was set and five young men responded: John W. Plant, Alan C. Fobes, George B. (Spalding, jr., Robert H. Gere and myself; and after listening with great interest to Mr. York's explanation of the workings of the society, we concluded to have one and began to talk it up at once. Some literature was secured and forming ourselves into a committee we began by getting the names of all who would join us, explaining as well as we could with our own imperfect knowledge, just what was expected of the members. We were quite successful from the start and in two weeks had secured the names of some thirty active and twelve or fifteen associate members. A meeting was called on a week day evening and a committee appointed to prepare a constitution and by-laws. The committee named for this purpose was B. T. Wynkoop, Robert H. Gere and myself. We first secured several constitutions from other societies, including the Model Constitution. We were greatly in doubt from the first as to the policy of adopting the ironclad pledge, as it was called, which formed a part of the Model Constitution. We felt that if the pledge were included that the members would hardly follow us, and feeling that it was something that could be Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. 75 easily added later if found desirable, we started our voyage on the sea of Christian Endeavor, leaving at home our "sheet anchor," as Dr. Elliott at the recent convention in Saratoga so ably ex- pressed his idea of the pledge. Several meetings of the constitu- tion committee were necessary before it was completed. Then a general meeting was called on a Wednesday evening to consider and adopt it. Two such meetings were required to complete its consideration and many changes were suggested. At the last meeting the constitution was finally adopted and the first set of officers elected. The records of the first year are somewhat incomplete, owing to the loss of the Secretary's book, but to the best of my recollec- tion the officers were Robert H. Gere, president; Mrs. George D. Whedon, vice-president ; Miss A. J. Sharpe, second vice-president ; John W. Plant, treasurer; and myself secretary. At this time we had no corresponding secretary. I have in my possession a copy of the original constitution, which was printed shortly after we organized. I believe there are only two or three in existence. It is in some respects a curiosity as compared with the one we are now working under, and the wonder is that we held our members interested with it as long as we did. Our second president was George B. Spalding, jr., who did not complete his term of office owing to his leaving home to attend school, and Mr. C. B. Goodrich, the vice-president, completed the term in his place. We had a rousing rally at the close of that year in the church. The third year, 1889 and '90, I served as president and my report at the close of that year is the first president's report which I find among the records. From it I find that during that year was inaugurated the plan of having ladies lead the meetings. That the plan was successful goes without saying. There was also a prophecy in that report that before many years the Society would have not only ladies as leaders but a lady as president. This has been realized twice — once in the person of Miss Harriet Hurd and also in our present president. Miss Leora Sherwood. That our organization has always been harmonious is a well-known fact; the majority rule has never been contested. In the year 76 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. 1890 a question arose as to the singing books, man}' of our mem- bers desiring the newer and later songs as found in the Endeavor Hymnal, while others, more conservative, clung to the old one; but the majority ruled and soon the whole Society was singing in sweet accord from the new books a new song. In the year 1890-91, John W. Plant was our president; for some reason no report of that year's work is to be found in our records. In the fall of 1891 Mr. W. G. Booth was elected to the presidency and served for one year. Many changes in our mem- bership took place during this year, sixteen names being added and twenty-two taken from our register. The change being chiefly among the associate membership. This year, too, stands out as being the first year in which a delegate of our society at- tended a national convention. The meeting was in New York, and Miss Anna Carter and Miss Jennie Pearsall representing us. While the spiritual and social life went on as usual, there grew up a feeling this year greatly due, no doubt, to the influence of the convention, that our work was too narrow. We longed to do more and receive greater blessings, but hardly knew how to get at it. The society had been in existence about three years before the novelty began to wear off and a lessening of interest took place. Noticeable first of all in our business meetings, then in our prayer meetings, and we knew that something was wrong. Dr. Francis E. Clark — Father Endeavor Clark, as he is famil- iarly called — the president of the United Society, said of the Christian Endeavor movement in his annual report at Detroit last summer: "Going and growing have ever been characteristic of Christian Endeavor. It was born creeping; it soon commenced to run. If ever the promise has been fulfilled, ' They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint,' it has been to this organization. Every year of our history has been marked by some advance. " Ah! there was our trouble, we were not growing spiritually; going we certainly were, but only round and round in an endless circle with no thought outside of ourselves and our own selfish plans, and without even a pledge to hold us true at that. Again quoting Dr. Clark's closing words, " Oh! brothers and sis- ters, only by sacrificing ourselves can the world be saved. Our religion, our endeavor is useless unless it teaches us this, we can Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. 77 neither go nor grow until we learn this lesson, that he who saveth his life must loose it. This shall be the watchword of the nine- teenth year of Christian Endeavor. Sacrifice and service, living and loving, praying and practicing, going and growing shall bring the time of victory." At last our eyes were opened to the fact that we were living for self in our society. We did not even have a missionary com- mittee up to as late as 1893. During Mr. Colwell's presidency in 1893, the appointing of such a committee was suggested, and dur- ing the following year, Mr. Colwell, having been re-elected, a com- mittee was appointed and some little effort was made along missionary lines, raising money by means of collections taken once a month at consecration meetings and the two cents a week plan. About $30.00 for local and other beneficences was realized. It was not, however, until 1895 that any real work in that line was accomplished. The date April, 1894, stands out sharp and clear as a turning point in our career, the time from which we date any real progress we have made. For some time the question of whether or not to adopt the pledge had been consid- ered. Mr. J. M. Colwell, then our president, was very strongly in- clined toward doing so and felt that we were an Endeavor Society only in name, unless we did. Strong opposition was encountered however. Many good members insisting that they would not personally sign it. When the question was brought to a vote, however, the pledge won by a narrow margin, and the thirteen members who voted for it signed it at once, and by that action constituting themselves the only active members of the society, all others becoming associate; twelve of these thirteen are still active workers in our society. The wisdom of this course soon showed itself. The thirteen consecrated members soon increased to twenty, and one by one the old members dropped into line — not again to attend when they pleased and to take part when they felt like it — but held by a rigid promise to their duty to be there every Sunday and to take part in each meeting. In that year three of our members. Miss Anna Carter, Miss Harriet Hurd and Mr. Stanley G. Smith, attended the International Convention at Cleveland, and Mr.T. McE. Vickers attended the State Convention at Albany, and all came back filled 78 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. with new zeal and enthusiasm for Christian Endeavor and for Christ and the Church, and prepared to hold our banner higher than ever. During the latter part of 1894 and the year 1895 about one hun- dred dollars was given for missionary and benevolent purposes. Mr. T. McE. Vickers was elected president in the fall of 1894 and served two years, and those were very fruitful years, many of our members extending their work out into other and broader chan- nels. In 1895 we sent ten members to the International Convention at Boston, and Mr. Vickers attended the State Convention at Brook- lyn, and again in 1896 we were represented in Washington by two and in Rochester by three of our members. These conventions we feel have helped more than any other one thing, giving us broader views of the possibilities to which we might attain if we would. In 1895 we helped to establish a society at the West End, which has been in a flourishing condition ever since. Also during the summer, in the absence of Mr. Winshurst, we helped them in carrying on their weekly prayer meetings, held at different homes in Solvay . In 1896 our Junior Branch was formed, under the leadership of Miss Louise Whedon and succeeeded by Miss Julia Miller and Miss L. Sherwood, and for a number of years following was most successful. We do not, however seem to have the material for a large junior society, and our location in the heart of the city is against us. In the same year some of our members, together with our Juniors, assisted in forming societies at the Orphan Asylum and the Shelter. The former has grown rapidly and they have a fine organization among the boys. Afterward the one at the Shelter had to be given up at the request of the authorities. Our Juniors also established a junior society at the West End. In this year, too, our members largely became active, some fifteen of the associates signing the pledge, and our missionary work took a great stride forward, nearly two hundred and fifty dollars being devoted to that purpose. In the issue of the Endeavor World, then the Golden Rule, of April 16, 1896, I find the following, the best news item ; Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. 79 A Boston Pledge Redeemed. "At the Missionary Resolution service of the Boston Convention a mem- ber of the First Presbyterian Church, Syracuse, pledged the Society to double its gifts during the next year. Within the year ending April 1 the Society has given 1225.47 to missions, which is more than three times the amount given the previous year. The Society has forty active members." Also in the same paper a year later, April 16, 1897, the fol- lowing under the same title: " For the year ending March 31 the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor of the First Presbyterian Church, Syracuse, N. Y. , having forty- eight active and ten associate members, gave to missions, $173.38 and to local beneficences $90.88; total, 1264.26. The visiting committee made 288 calls. The flower committee distributed 120 plants and bouquets, accompanying them with personal messages. The active membership of the Society is less than ten per cent, of the church membership. The average attendance at Wednesday night prayer meetings was thirty-five per cent. Christian En- deavor." BENEFICENCES. Nov. '87-Apr. '94* Apr. '94-Nov. '97. (6'A years.) (3K years.) Home missions _._ _. $201.66 Foreign missions 200.11 Miscellaneous missions 80.00 Local beneficences _ $22.00 215.86 Miscellaneous beneficences 10.00 74.95 $32.00 $722.58 *Society reorganized April, 1894. In the fall of 1896 I was again made president of the Society serving one year. We made steady progress during that year, a slight gain in membership and a large gain in giving, our treas- urer reporting as follows : Home Missions $ 95.55 Foreign Missions 72.60 Local Relief Work 53.00 Miscellaneous Benevolences 34.19 Flowers for the sick 24.00 Paid out by visiting committee 6. 50 A Total of ... 80 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. In 1897 the International Convention was held at San Fran- cisco and we did not send a delegate from our Society, but at the State Convention in Elmira five members were in attendance: Miss Hurd, Miss Miller, Miss Sherwood, Miss Whitney and Mr. Vickers. In 1897 our first lady president took office, Miss Harriet Hurd, and in thisyearcame our Tenth Annual Anniversary and cele- bration. We had a three days' program. On November 24th, Wed- nesday, being the day before Thanksgiving, many baskets of pro- visions were distributed by our members and the prayer meeting of that week was given up to us. At that time addresses were made by all the former presidents who were available, suitable re- sponse being made by members of the session. On the Friday following a supper was enjoyed and later a reception tendered to the church members. On Sunday a Jubilee Thanksgiving offering was made for missionary purposes, at which $85 was given. The church meeting later was addressed by William B. Jones of Al- bany, a member of the State Executive Committee. The Mis- sionary Committee made the statement at this Jubilee that during the three and one -half years since the Society had reorganized, $722.58 had been raised and given for missionary and benevolent purposes. Our missionary gifts for '97 and '98 were a trifle in excess of the previous year, being $296.19. We had one delegate at the International Convention at Nashville, Mrs. N. G. Meeker, who made us a splendid report on her return. Also the same year at the State Convention at Utica, we were represented by quite a delegation, Mr. Vickers, Mr. Booth, Miss Scott, Miss Barnard, Miss Sherwood, Mrs. Meeker, Mrs. Mann and myself. Our next president was one of our younger members, but a most earnest young christian, Mr. Frederick Hurd. During this year I had the honor of being president of the Syracuse local union, and Mr. Vickers was appointed district secretary of Onondaga county. The union during the preceding year had been reorganized and had become a great help to the individual societies, and we feel that its history at this time is most closely linked with our own, as it was during this year that the Yale Band came to our city and those stirring meetings were held, which none of us who were present will ever forget. Those consecrated young men gave us Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. 81 a new view of what was required of us, of wliat we might do, and what we might give, and we began to realize as never before the great magnitude of the work to be done. As we looked at and studied the large missionary map in the lecture room, the great black spots representing heathen nations who had never heard the glorious gospel seemed to grow larger and blacker, we felt we must do more, but could we? Had we not almost reached the limit of our means. Mr. Eddy of the Yale Band, said no; you are not doing one-half that you can and ought go deeper, until you feel the sacrifice if you would hear the Master's " well done." A meeting of our Executive Committee was held to pray over and study ways and means, and then the plan of sending out our own missionary was put before the society and all were asked to pledge. Great was our joy when it was found on opening the pledges that over $600.00 had been promised, and that by only about one-third of our members, and we realized that with the help of the Sunday School and the Young Women's Missionary Society, it would be possible to carry out our plan and yet not cut down our Home Missionary and local benevolent work. Dr. Guy V. Hamilton, Medical Missionary to Siam, sailed about September 1st, for his post of duty, as the representative of the Young People of the First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse. We feel this to be the climax of our twelve years of existence and a proper place to close this rather long historical sketch. ADDENDA. International Delegates, Delegates at Saratoga, Detroit, 1899. February 5, 1899. H. D. Mann, T. McE. Vickers, Mrs. N. G. Meeker. Mrs. J. Vickers, Miss L. Sherwood, Miss L. Hamlin, Mr. H, D. Mann, Mrs. H. D. Mann. HISTORY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY IN THE VILLAGE OF SYRACUSE. By a. Judd Northrup. You have set me the difficult task of presenting to-night, in the limits of a brief hour, as best I can, a history of this society and church, which shall be historical in fact, with dry details, and yet not so long and statistical, or free from interesting incidents as to utterly weary your patience. I shall treat my subject chronologically, in the main, rather than topically, as best showing the growth and development of the Church and society. In 1824 there was a little settlement here, which two years before numbered not to exceed 250 inhabitants, called Syracuse, but not yet dignified by the law as an incorporated village. It was situated in the swamp, now occupied by the chief centre of this large city, and where its wealth is concentrated. There was no railroad here as yet. The Erie canal was not completed until a year later. There was but one newspaper, and that was a weekly. James Monroe was President of the United States— the fifth in the illustrious line of chief magistrates — and King George the Fourth was on the throne of England. There was one school house in the hamlet, a little wooden, one story, square building on the old Church street, now West Willow, so renamed by the iconoclasts at the city hall. There was one church only — the First Baptist Church, organized in Febru- ary, 1821. The school house, capable of seating about sixty persons, was the place for holding public meetings of all sorts, and was used for religious services for quite a period. It was High School, Town Hall, Auditorium, Meeting House, all in one. It was here that the "First Presbyterian Society in the vil- lage of Syracuse" was born, on the 14th day of December, 1824. The first entry in the records of the trustees of the society tells History of the First Presbvterian Society. 83 the story of the event; and it is worth repeating at the outset of this history — for all beginnings of institutions built to last are of tremendous significance. Here it is: — "At a meeting of the Presbyterian Society in the village of Syracuse held at the school house in said village pursuant to notice for that purpose given according to law, on the 14th day of De- cember, in the year 1824, Moses D. Burnet and Miles Seymour were chosen to preside at said meeting. It was Resolved that said society should be known and called by the name of the First Presbyterian Society of the Village of Syracuse. That the num- ber of trustees for said society should be seven, and that there- upon Moses D. Burnet, Heman Walbridge, Miles Seymour, Joshua Forman, Rufus Moss, Joseph Slocum and Jonathan Day, were chosen trustees by plurality of voices, and the said trustees were thereupon divided into three classes by lot as follows: Moses D. Burnet and Heman Walbridge of the first class, Miles Seymour and Rufus Moss of the second class, and Joshua Forman, Joseph Slocum and Jonathan Day of the third class. Resolved, that the annual meeting for choosing trustees be on the first Tuesday in December in each year. Resolved, that the trustees do open a subscription for the purpose of employing a minister for said society to preach half the time for one year, and report to the society by the 21st instant at seven o'clock p. m., to which time the said meeting was ad- journed." The proper certificate, with legal formalities, of the action thus recorded, was dated the same day and signed by Moses D. Burnet and Miles Seymour, presiding at the meeting. They ac- knowledged the same December 22, 1824, before David S. Colvin, a commissioner, etc., who wrote, "Let it be recorded," and it was recorded January 25, 1825, at 6 o'clock p. m., in Book E, Mis- cellaneous Records, Onondaga County Clerk's Office, page 26, where you may read the record to-day. One need only read the annals of the county of Onondaga and of the city of Syracuse, to recognize in this list of trustees — pioneers of Presbyterianism within the limits of old Syracuse — strong and true men who were foremost in public affairs and in laying the foundations of the institutions and the prosperity we 84 Seventy Fifth Anniversary. thankfully enjoy. That they thus early, in the infancy of the village, gave of their strength, activity and means to the estab- lishment of this society and Church, not only speaks clearly of their character, their faith and their high purposes as citizens, but calls upon the successive generations of the people of this church, as well, to hold them in grateful and perpetual memory and honor. A week later, December 21st, at an adjourned meeting, the trustees reported that they had progressed so far with the sub- scription that in their opinion it would be safe for the society to apply to a minister to preach for them half the time at a salary of $250.. And it was "Resolved, that the trustees do apply to the society at Salina to permit the Reverend Mr. Taylor to preach half the time for this society until they shall obtain a minister for said society, and in the meantime that the trustees take such measures as they shall judge proper to obtain a regular minister to preach for said society." There is no record in existence to show whether our good brethren of the First Ward (then Salina) Presbyterian Church granted the request, but doubtless they did, and Mr. Taylor may have preached " half the time" for the new society "at a salary of $250." And the meetings for some time must have been held in the school house on Church street. The meeting was quite in earnest, for it also resolved that the trustees open a subscription for building a meeting house. The subscription was soon prepared. The subscriptions were to be paj^able, one-fourth when the house was raised, one-fourth when it was enclosed, one-fourth when it was completed, and the remaining one-fourth in four months thereafter, the amount sub- scribed and paid by each subscriber to apply in payment for any pew or pews bid or purchased by the subscriber or his assigns. The subscriptions were not to be binding unless $2,000 was subscribed by responsible persons — and no person residing in the village at the time of subscribing and removing therefrom before the pay- ments fell due should be holden to pay the amount of his sub- scription unless he should return and become resident in the vil- lage before the sale of the pews in such meeting house. The subscription was personally circulated by Joshua Forman, and is given in full in the Trustees' Record, with the names and History of the First Presbyterian Society. 85 amounts subscribed. First of these is this : " William James and others agree to give for a site for a Presbyterian Church, lots 10 and 11 in block No. 108, by M. D. Burnet, agent." This was the gift of the Syracuse Company, which consisted of William James (after whom James street is named), Isaiah and John Townsend, and James McBride, of Albany, who owned a large tract in the heart of the village. Moses D. Burnet per- sonally subscribed $100, and many others the same, the subscrip- tions ranging from that amount down to $5, the total being $2,457. The lots thus agreed to be given for a site were at the north-east corner of South Salina and East Fayette streets, where the store of U. McCarthy & Sons now stands, the land being 66 feet front on Salina street and extending back 132 feet. The conveyance was dated Dec. 37, 1825, and was executed by Moses D. Burnet, trustee of the Syracuse Company, to the First Presbyterian Society of the Village of Syracuse, consideration One Dollar, and is recorded in Book GG, of Deeds, page 194, etc., Onondaga County Clerk's Office, January 7, 1826, and conveyed " Lots 10 and 11 (now 6), of block 108, Syracuse, being about 4 rods on Salina street and running about 8 rods in rear of said street," and containing this clause: " For a scite for a meet- ing house and parsonage house for the use and benefit of said So- ciety only." An anonymous writer, in "Reminiscences of Syracuse," con- tributed to the pressman}' years ago, says: " The village green occupied the space between Fayette street on the South, Wash- ington street on the North, Warren street on the East and Salina on the West. Here all the caravans used to pitch their tents. Booths for the sale of gingerbread, lemonade, candy, cookies, etc., were all around the square. * * * Here the village boys as- sembled to sport and play. Along the north side of the green were located the large barns belonging to the stage companies. The only building standing on the square was the old Presbyterian church, a large wooden structure with high pillars in front, and a high spire." The Messrs. Twogood contracted to build the meeting house for $3,475. In the course of its construction the trustees gave one of the contractors, D. H. Twogood, their note for $1,000. 86 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. The village of Syracuse was incorporated as a village by an Act of the Legislature, passed April 13th, 1835, four months after the organization of the Society, and Joshua Forman was elected its first president. The village then had a population of about 500 persons. During this year the building progressed rapidly, and on Dec. 6, the Society met at the school house, Joshua Forman pre- siding. The trustees were directed to open a subscription to raise "money funds" (this was in the days when corn, cordwood and the like were currency) "to employ a minister to preach for said Society during the ensuing year," and were "authorized to take measures to procure a minister to preach on probation (this has a Methodistic flavor) as soon as the meeting house is done." It was also resolved to open a subscription to raise $200, to purchase a bell. About the same time, the seal of Moses D. Burnet's office was made the seal of the board of trustees until a seal should be pro- cured; and a plan for numbering the pews was adopted and the pews appraised. At the same meeting in December, it was "Resolved, that the dedication of the meeting house shall take place on the second Thursday in January next ensuing, and that notice and invitation be given to the neighboring ministers and people by letters and notices in public papers." On January 3d, 1836, and on adjourned days, the pews were sold, six of them at $100 each, and others at prices running down to $50. At last the erection of the meeting house was completed, at a cost of about $3,000, about 13 months from the day when the Society was organized. So much had not been accomplished by this handful of Presbyterians in the small community, without much labor and sacrifice. We can imagine the joy they felt as the last stroke of the hammer told of the realization of their hopes. With them, the little old school house, as a place of worship, was now to be a thing of the past, and the new meeting house, with its stately columns and tall spire and perilously high pulpit and and ample straight backed pews, was to be their religious home. History of the First Presbyterian Society. 87 In pursuance of the Resolution of Dec. 25th, the meeting house was dedicated on the second Thursday in January, 1826. Rev. Dirck C. Lansing, D. D., who had once preached as pastor at Onondaga Valley, and was now a professor in Auburn Theo- logical Seminary, preached the dedicatory sermon. He was ac- companied, on this occasion, by a quiet, modest young man, a student in the Seminary in the senior class, John Watson Adams. Something in his appearance and demeanor won the hearts and respect of the people. On April 26, 1826, the church, which had really existed and been the soul of the society from its earliest beginnings, was for- mally organized, with twenty- six members — nine men and seven- teen women — whose names (may we always keep them in our his- tory, if not in our remembrance!) are as follows: Frederick Phelps, Edward Chapman, Pliny Dickinson, Rufus Morse, J. W. Hanchett, (Dr. ) Jonathan Day, Archibald L. Fellows, Agrippa Martin, Benoni Stilson, Samuel Mead, Anna Phelps, Florilla Chapman, Melinda Kasson, Harriet Newton, Margaret Hanchett, Theodosia Wall, Deborah Webb, Olive Pease, Catharine Marble, Nancy Toogood, Eliza Parsons, Eva Van Buren, Elizabeth Cum- mings, Julia Northam, Mary A Huntington, Sarah Norton. The organization was effected by a committee from the On- ondaga Presbytery, consisting of the following persons: Minis- ters, Hezekiah N. Woodruff, Hutchins Taylor, Ralph Cushman, Washington Thatcher, and Elders, Dr. Joseph W. Brewster, Will- iam Eager, Esq., and Harry Moseley. Two elders were elected, Frederick Phelps and Edward Chap- man, and one deacon, Pliny Dickinson. Mr. Dickinson, the last survivor of the 26 original members, died March 3d, 1887, aged 90 years, having been a deacon or elder from the organization of the church until his decease. It was one of the most interesting events and happy circum- stances of the semi centennial celebration of this church, that the venerable Elder Dickinson, so long a useful member and officer of the church, was present and spoke a few words. He said the First Presbyterian Church was originally a mission organization. They had fears, in the early days, in regard to their ability to sup- port a pastor, and the Home Missionary Society came generously 88 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. to their aid, giving them $200 annually, and the congregation made up the balance of the pastor's salary. The first mention of this aid in the records of the board of trustees, is on January 6, 1829, when it was " Resolved, that the clerk open a correspondence with the Secretary of the American Home Missionary Society on the subject of continuing their aid to our society." Unfortunately the first volume of records of the session, down to March, 1838, has been lost, and no further facts as to when this aid was first given and when it ceased can be ascertained from the records of either the Board of Trustees or the Session. How well the old church has paid this debt of its struggling youth is best told in the story of its givings to Westminster Pres- byterian church, Scattergood Sunday School and the Memorial Presbyterian church, founded thereon, the West End Mission, now a branch of this church, Elmwood Presbyterian church. Res- cue Mission, and the countless thousands of contributions to Home and Foreign Missions and Missionaries. The meeting house completed and the church formally or- ganized, the choosing of a pastor next engaged the thought of the church and society. They had not forgotten the modest young theological student who came to the dedication services; and with happy unanimity and singular good fortune — shall we not rather say, by the wisely kind dispensation of a good Providence? — John Watson Adams, just graduated from Auburn Theological Seminary, was called to minister to them, and he accepted the call. He was ordained and installed as pastor of the Church, June 28, 1826, Rev. Dr. Richards, of Auburn, preaching the ordination sermon. He began his labors with the Church in March pre- ceding. Dr. Adams was born December 6, 1796, in the town of Sims- bury, Hartford county. Conn., the son of Rev. Roger Adams. His father, after various changes of residence, removed to Sulli- van, near Oneida lake, in Madison county, N. Y., and here was the home of Dr. Adams until he became the pastor of this Church. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1822, of which institution he was a trustee from 1841 to the time of his death. Columbia Pastor of the Church During its First Quarter Century. History of the First Presbyterian Society. 89 College, in 1840, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology. This was his only pastorate, and he was the only preacher in the old edifice. He died April 4, 1850, in the fifty-fourth year of his age. He was an able and eloquent preacher, a leader in the intellectual and spiritual development of the village and city, a man of great modesty and humility, a true Christian gentleman, active, studious, of fine literary taste, and won the undying affection of the entire Church and com- munity. My task as a historian now becomes more difficult. A new organization within the old has been created — the spiritual within the secular — two currents of life in one work, mingling in a thousand ways, but separate in as many — a common purpose per- meating the whole up to a common point, but divided beyond. How to carry along a single, consecutive story of this complex life and activity, is now my task. On January 8, 1827, the society met, pursuant to notice, " for the purpose of electing seven trustees to fill the places of the old ones whose offices had expired in consequence of not meeting in due season." The meeting was adjourned to January 10th, when the society met and elected seven trustees. They organized and drew for their terms of office. The meeting was then adjourned. This is the substance of the record of that matter. No men- tion or suggestion is made of a reincorporation of the society, and none (so far as the records show) was authorized. However, act- ing upon what advice is not known, the presiding officers of that meeting filed a certificate of reincorporation, declaring that the corporation had been " dissolved by means of a neglect to exercise the powers necessary for its preservation." After a full examination of the legal aspects of the matter, I think they were mistaken, and that the old corporation con- tinued, and the attempted reincorporation was a nullity. How- ever, it did no harm, if no good. The young society early experienced the pangs of debt, — the universal experience, to be sure, of churches old as well as churches young, but very surprising to each new generation, and especially to all newly elected trustees, who cannot immedi- ately comprehend this great law that supply does not always equal 90 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. demand in either charitable or reUgious work, — in enterprises where the main object is not more dollars. While the meeting house was being erected the trustees gave their note to the contractor for $1,000, and before it was dedicated they mortgaged it for $?75, to pay the contractor, perhaps being part of the $1,000. And now although their beloved young pastor had come to them, and was infusing them with a zeal for holy living, they "ran behind" (alas, that holy living and getting into debt should ever go together!), and on January 5, 1839, they started a subscription " to make up the deficit in the salary of the Rev. J. W. Adams for the present year, to be paid between this date and 10th March next." This struggle to pay debts ran on. In December, 1830, the Board of Trustees gave its note to Mr. Adams for $736, due him. In the next month, a subscription was " opened for the purpose of making up the deficit in Mr. Adams' salary," which, all this time, was $600. Two years later it was $800. It does not become us, citizens of a great, rich, prosperous city, with palatial residences all along the broad, beautiful avenues, and homes filled with luxuries beyond the dreams of princes of those days, to blame or despise these poor, struggling pioneers of the swampy Syracuse redeemed by their magnificent toil and energy. They did their best. They gave, not of their surplus, but of their living. They were at the rocky sources of the stream which, in our day has swelled into a broad river of wealth flowing through rich valleys. When we, in our day and generation, give in proportion as they gave, there will be no deficits. A curious record, illustrative of the times, is that of July 9, 1832. At a society meeting, it was resolved the the trustees "give instructions where the coloured population shall sit — also whether the choir of singers shall not be dispensed with and have singing performed all through the congregation." It was during this year, '32, that a small, one-story wooden building for a session room was built in rear of the church. In this place most of the public meetings of the village were held, and once a week it was occupied by the Young Men's Lyceum Society. At one time A. G. Salisbury had here his select school, which opened with one scholar. It became, however, very popular. History of the First Presbyterian Society. 91 In '32, also, the cholera raged with great violence in Syracuse, causing many deaths and great consternation. Among the prom- inent citizens who succumbed to the dread disease was Dr. William Kirkpatrick, the father of William Kirkpatrick, the pres- ent clerk of the board of trustees. Dr. Adams, at the time, preached a notable sermon on "The Crisis," dedicated to the young men of Syracuse. The " coloured population " were still on the minds of the trustees, April 16, 1833, and it was " Resolved, that the two long slips on the right side of the pulpit in the gallery be appropriated for the use of the people of colour, and that the sexton be instruct- ed to give them information to that effect; and that the two cor- ner pews in the gallery, which were heretofore appropriated for that purpose, be now considered for the use of strangers." This is but a reflex of public opinion at that period. We should hardly be disposed to go back to the " good old times," as respects either the " people of colour" or the "strangers" who were politely cooped up in the two corner boxes in the gallery, from which the colored people had been ousted by resolution. June 29, 1833 (this was in the days of Andrew Jackson), the committee of arrangements to celebrate the Fourth of July having made an application for the use of the meeting house for that purpose, the trustees "Resolved, that in the opinion of this board it is inexpedient to rescind the resolution passed the 6th of June, 1831, (of which there is no record), refusing to open the house for any political assemblies. Resolved, that Messrs. Dana and Hess be a committee to wait upon the above committee and inform them, in a respectful manner, the result of this meet- ing." But June 29, 1836, the trustees relented, and " Resolved, that the resolution of the board of trustees heretofore passed prohibit- ing the meetinghouse of this society from being opened for any political meeting, be and the same is here rescinded. Whereas, application has been made by the Committee of Ar- rangements for celebrating the ensuing 4th of July without any political distinction in the First Presbyterian church ; therefore Resolved, that this board assent to their application upon this express condition, that the said committee of arrangements "92 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. fully guarantee any damages that the house may sustain and pay the sexton for cleaning the same." And a year or so later they let the Syracuse Band into the church on the same conditions as to damages. According to current history, the cloth trimmings and carpet about the pulpit became shabby and worn, and one party of the society desired them removed, while another insisted that the sacred rags should remain. Probably in a spirit of fun, somebody surreptitiously removed them. The trustees held a solemn meet- ing March 15, 1834. They saw no element of fun whatever in the proceeding. They officially said: " Whereas, some villain or villains entered the meeting house in the course of this week and robbed the pulpit of the silk da- mask curtain which went in front of it, and took off a part of the floor carpet and one stair carpet, therefore Resolved, that the same be advertised in hand bills and that 100 be printed, and offer a reward of $10 for Thief or Thieves and the goods, or $5 for the perpetrator or perpetrators, and $5 for the goods." At this point history became silent, and we do- not know whether either the "perpetrators" or the "goods" were ever found. Nov. 19, 1834, Russell S. Cook presented his account as organ- ist. The trustees declared they had not employed him and denied the legality of his claim. A small pipe organ, made by Mr. Phelps at a cost of $300, had been placed in the east end of the gallery, but was not long used. Probably a $300 organ could not give forth very sacred music. In January, 1835, Mr. Adams' salary was raised from $800 to $1,000. The first Manual of the church was printed in that year. Articles of faith, and a form of church covenant were adopted March 11, of the same year, and appear in this ancient Manual. The articles of faith do not properly belong to the Presbyterian church as a test of membership, although the officers must sub- scribe to the Westminster confession which includes these articles, and much more. It was doubtless the workings of New England Congregationalism in the minds of the church that led them to make subscription to articles obligatory upon the members as well History of the First Presbyterian Society. 93 as upon the officers. As to creeds, the Presbyterian church has never made them a test for admission to the church at large. May 14, 1838, the Session granted letters of dismission to 34 persons "with a view of their being organized into a new church, to be styled the First Congregational Church of Syracuse." This church, composed largely of persons of anti-slavery views, was or- ganized on the 25th of the same month. Thus early, and longbe- fore it was out of its 'teens, this church began to be the Mother of Churches. The new church, however, did not last long. Its edifice was erected on East Genesee street, where now stands the store occupied by Butler & Johnson. In November, 1839, the number of elders was increased by four additional members. Some of these having expressed the desire to be held responsible to serve in their office for only a limited period — two years — after a full discussion it was the opin- ion of the meeting that it was not contrary to the principles or form of government of Presbyterianism to limit the term of elders. In 1843, the Presbytery having made a similar declaration, the church adopted that rule, and determined to have nine elders to hold office three years each, but to be classified so that three should go out annually. The eldefs then in office, in order to inaugurate the new plan, resigned, and with others were elected to term offi- ces. The rule prevails to this day. Two deacons were elected, but in 1849 the number was made three, one going out each year. In January, 1841, the society " Resolved, that the church of this society be sawed into two parts, in front of the front slips, and that a tier of pews be inserted therein across the church. " This was done, the rear part of the church being drawn back, and the church considerably lengthened and improved in many respects. Quite a number of new pews were added by the enlargement, more than was originally contemplated. The old high enclosed pulpit was removed, and a lower and open platform with a move- able desk substituted. We are indebted to the clear recollection (verified by others), and the generous labor and painstaking of Mr. M. Waldo Hanchett, of this city, who, with his father and mother, was a member of this church as early as February 1st, 1833, for a faithful reproduction of both the original church of 1826, and the enlarged church of 94 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. 1841, a cut of which latter appears on the program of these anni- versary exercises. Mr. Hanchett has put us under further obliga- tions of gratitude by presenting to us, on this occasion, enlarged drawings of the church in both forms. The Manual of 1895 con- tains a description of the edifice, and facts in the early history of the church of great interest and value, also contributed by Mr. Hanchett. An orchestra was gradually connected with the choir, not without opposition, but favored by Dr. Adams who was a lover of good music and who declared that the devil ought not to have the monopoly of it. At the annual meeting of the Society, January 3, 1842, it was " Resolved, on motion of Deacon Fellows, that we pay Mr. Adams $1,100 out of the tax on the pews, which shall be raised as usual. And on motion of Christopher C. Bradley, that we give him a thumping donation." Those who remember big-hearted Columbus Bradley, with a face that beamed with impulsive good nature, and eyes that twinkled with the fun he could hardly suppress, can well imagine him as he made that motion. The annual donation of those days, managed by a committee, was doubtless a welcome supplement to the slender salary the people were able to pay — especially if it was a ^' thumping^' donation. About these days, the stern and zealous board of elders per- formed their functions with great vigilance. They were men of firm faith and a strong sense of duty. Their records disclose that in the three years, 1846-47 and 48, they settled difficulties between members of the church, cited, disciplined, counseled, labored with, tried and suspended and excommunicacted many persons, the number of the latter being fourteen. Most of these fourteen were excommunicated for non-attendance upon the services of the church. Many well known names appear in the list. At onetime a committee was appointed " to examine the records of the church and report such persons as they may deem fit subjects of discipline to the session. " The committee on delinquents reported, and committees were appointed from time to time to labor with those reported. Then followed citations, trials, excommunications. History of the First Presbyterian Society. 95 It is not altogether a pleasant history to read, but it is his- tory, and may be useful since it suggests to us of an easier going age the question whether, in these latter days, the disciplinary functions of the session are too much neglected. Whether the fathers sometimes resorted to measures altogether too severe, or not, may be a question, but there is no question, if their records truly convey their spirit, as to their sincerity and the purity of their purpose. The blood of the Puritans was in their veins, and the traditions of early New England were a part of their religious training. The trumpets of the old Testament made the music that most stirred their hearts and conscience. They were at least consistent with their views. The church had a fine toned bell, weighing about 2,000 pounds. But the bell needed a clapper. Whether the bad boys of those days had stolen it in some foray into the belfrey, or the sexton had rung it off, or the maker of the bell thought a clapper was not nominated in the bond for a bell, does not appear. How- ever, the trustees met July 32, 1844, and " ordered that a clapper be affixed to the bell in the church." The bell was rung (while it had a clapper) for fires, funerals, the dinner hour and bed time, as well as for church and joyful occasions. There was also a town clock, with one face, in the old church tower, which the society, poor as it was, was able to keep wound up and going. In the latter part of 1846, the Second Presbyterian Church of Syracuse (now Park Central Presbyterian Church) was organized, and this church contributed about 25 members to that body. A year or so later, when the Dutch Reformed Church was formed, quite a number of members of this church joined in its organiza- tion. The first steps were taken for the erection of a new church edifice at the annual meeting of the Society held January 5, 1846. You will observe that the Society had now jeached its majority and felt the stirrings of that period of life. This is the record: " On motion of Moses D. Burnet, seconded by E. W. Leavenworth, it was Resolved, that this society take steps preparatory to the erec- tion of a new House of Public Worship." Moses D. Burnet, Dan- iel Dana, Zebulon Ostrom, Thomas B. Fitch and Elias W. Leaven- 96 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. worth were appointed a committee " to take the whole subject in- to consideration." The committee reported to the Society in July following, and the society voted 18 to 1, that they should "retain the present lot, and ascertain for what price they could buy 20 or 21 feet on the North side of the church." A few days later the committee reported "that the land could not be bought for less than f 100 per foot." "Whereupon, on motion of Mr. Leaven- worth, seconded by Deacon Fellows, it was resolved that the whole subject of building a new church be laid on the table sine die." The same land is now estimated to be worth over $4,000 per front foot. The question of location became thus early a "burning" question, and a fair warning, before it was happily ended by a selection which was practically equivalent to retaining the old site, of a danger in the attempt to move an old established place of worship. Dr. Adams was greatly beloved and revered by his church ; he was a strong, able preacher ; there were no fault finders in his flock that we have heard of ; but year after year, as the records show, this good man, modest aiid sensitive to excess, living on a small salary and an annual donation of uncertain proportions, was com- pelled to beg for the hire of which he was so worthy. Aug. 11, 1846, the Society meeting received a communication from him — its nature may be guessed from what followed — and on motion, the trustees were authorized to borrow $400 and advance the same to " The Rev. Dr. Adams towards his salary of this year." Why tell this ? Because this is history — not whitewash. The movement for a new church edifice having slept nearly a year was renewed at the society meeting in January, 1847, and it was resolved that it was expedient to take steps therefor at that time. Moses D. Burnet, Daniel Dana, John D. Norton and Elias W. Leavenworth were appointed a committee to carry out the ob- jects of the resolution. Four different lots were considered at a meeting a week later, and disapproved. A week still later, five other persons were ad- ded to the committee, Henry Gifford, Jason C. Woodruff, Addi- son G. Jerome, James R. Lawrence and Christopher C. Bradley, with the hope that the added wisdom would be able to solve the problem of location. History of the First Presbyterian Society. 97 The next month the trustees were authorized by the society to sell the old lot and apply the proceeds towards paying the church debt and purchasing- a new lot and building a house thereon. After a vigorous discussion and parliamentary fight, it was resolv- ed to purchase the " Blair Lot," corner of James and (now) North State Streets — -the Lynch place — -8 rods square, for $4,000. A committee was made to nominate a building committee, and re- ported five names, the list being slightly changed thereafter. But the society was not yet through with its troubles over the question of location. The resolution of February, '47, to sell the old lot and buy the '' Blair Lot" was, on January 10th, '48, rescind- ed, and they began over again, appointing a new committee on site. A week, later, the sale of the old lot and the purchase of the " Townsend Lot " on the East side of Salina street at $30 per foot, were authorized ; and four days later, that vote was unani- mously reconsidered. One can read between the lines of the dry record of the meeting, that there was a hot time in the discussions, and there is a suggestion that Elder Samuel Mead was specially active. A new building committee was appointed, but slightly changed thereafter. Finally, in March, '48, " Mr. Gifford moved a resolution in- structing the trustees to buy the American Hotel, or Kinney Lot forthwith, at an expense not to exceed $10,000. Mr. Mead second- ed it." After various amendments were put and lost, the motion was carried and a sale of the old lot was authorized. Substan- tially the old building committee was appointed, and eventually, by resignation of one of its members and the appointment of one in his place, it was composed of Moses D. Burnet, Albert A. Hud- son, Henry Gifford, Thomas B. Fitch and Elias W. Leavenworth. April 3, '48, the building committee was, by vote of the Society, vested with all the powers necessary to build the church, " if the American Hotel Lot is obtained," and it was obtained, and the church was built under the charge of this committee. It is fitting on this occasion, I think, to tell briefly what and who these men were — all gone to their reward — to whom we owe so much as we sit in this House of Worship which their wisdom and labors helped to make a temple worthy of its sacred uses. 98 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Moses D. Burnet — Major Burnet, as he was always known — was prominent in the early development of Syracuse, especially as he was vested with large powers as the trustee and agent of the Syracuse Company. He was among the foremost in all the affairs of the village. He, with Miles Seymour, presided at the organ- ization of this Society. He was on most of the important com- mittees, including the building committee for the erection of this edifice, and a trustee during the earlier years. He was a man of impressive appearance and bearing, of strong characteristics, of large and generous public spirit, and among the founders of this Society one of the most able and influental. ■Albert A. Hudson was a leading business man, quiet in de- meanor, but one whose counsel and judgment were sought in the weighty affairs of this Society. He was a trustee during the criti- cal years of the planning for and building the new church. Henry Gifford was, first, a man stalwart in body, of command- ing form and bearing, and as strong and forceful in mind. His mental grasp upon important affairs was vigorous, his judgment clear and decisive. He was one of the early settlers in the village, and one of the first to engage in the coarse salt industry and a large holder of real estate. He held directorships and trusteeships in several important institutions. His service to this Society on the building committee was rendered with all his force and intelligence, and with a zeal for the church commensurate with his force. Perhaps his practical ability was greater than that of any other on the committee. His family still retain the original contracts, specifications and other papers relating to the building of the church, most carefully ar- ranged and preserved in a well bound book. Mr. Gifford was a trustee of the Society for a number of years, and a member of this church from an early period. Thomas B. Fitch was a trustee of the Society from 1839 to the time of his death in 1879, with a single laspe of three years. He came to the village of Syracuse, a young man, in 1830, and for nearly fifty years was active in large and absorbing business enterprises. During all this time he took great interest in public affairs and contributed his large share to the early development of the village, and later, of the city. He loved the First Presbyter- History of the First Presbyterian Society. 99 ian Church, and gave liberally of his means to its needs, and in the management of its affairs his keen judgment and active labors were of much value. He was president, director or trustee in many institutions and business enterprises, but this Society always received most freely of his time and labors. Elias W. Leavenworth — modestly placing his name last on the committee — when he died in 1887, was appropriately denomi- nated "The First Citizen of Syracuse." He came to Syracuse in 1827. He married the daughter of Joshua Forman, the founder of Syracuse. He was highly educated, a trained lawyer, a keen business man. Uncounted positions of trust and honor came to him. He had the broadest public spirit. For 60 years he was the able, zealous, energetic promoter of the city's material welfare, and helper in every department of its development. His services with this Society were invaluable. In respect to one fact regard- ing the erection of the edifice, in a county history it is said: " In 1849-'50, Gen. Leavenworth was one of the building committee of the First Presbyterian Society. A majority of the committee wished to build a brick church, after some of the Grecian styles of architecture. By his efforts, aided by those of Mr. Thomas B. Fitch, one of the committee, the brown stone Gothic church, one of the finest ornaments of the city, was finally secured." Gen. Leavenworth was a trustee of the Society nearly all the time from 1837 to 1887. The lot where this church stands was purchased of, and con- veyed to the Society by Lewis Kinney and Hannah, his wife, of East Wareham, Mass., by deed dated April 1st, 1848, for $10, 000, $2,000 being paid down, and recorded at page 254, Book of Deeds, No. 94, Onondaga County Clerk's Office. The deed conveyed Lots 1 and 3 of Block 111, Syracuse — the " Kinney Lot," so-call- ed — and being 8 rods square. Later, Feb. 25, 1856, the trustees sold to Henry A. Dillaye, for $5,200, a strip from the south side, leaving 107 foot front on Salina street, 132 feet deep, still belong- ing to the Society. On May 11th, 1848, a subscription was opened to raise money to build the new edifice, and the sums subscribed ranged from $600 to $50. In December, the trustees resolved to sell the old lot, exclusive of buildings, for $6,600, and to give possession June 100 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. 1st, 1850, or earlier. The lot, however, had been given to the Society " for its use only," and there was much difficulty in get- ting a title which could be conveyed. A brief history of the transactions of the Society respecting that lot may be of interest hereafter, and is as follows: 1 . Moses D. Burnet, as trustee of the Syracuse Company, conveyed the premises to the First Presbyterian Society, by deed dated Dec. 27, 1825, which was recorded Jan'y 7, 1826, in Book of Deeds GG, page 194, etc., Onondaga County Clerk's Office, for $1. Premises, Lots 10 and 11 (now 6), Block 108, Syracuse, 4 rods front on Salina street and 8 rods deep, " for a site for a meeting house and parsonage for the use and benefit of said Society only." 2. John Townsend and others (heirs, etc.,) gave to the Soci- ety a quit claim deed, dated May 1, 1848, consideration $1, con- veying said premises; recorded Dec. 10, 1849, in Book 99, page 184. 3. The trustees, for the purpose of getting title, allowed the lot to be sold for local improvement assessments; and George S. Fitch a member of the Society, bid off the premises in the interest of the church, for 999 years' use, at auction sale, and the trustees of the village gave him a Tax Deed therefor, dated Aug. 3, 1842, recorded August 1, 1844, Book 86, page 200. 4. George S. Fitch gave the Society a Warranty Deed dated July 22, 1844, conveying the same premises; recorded August 1, 1844, Book 86, page 201. 5. Laura L. Fitch, wife of George S., gave the Society a Quit Claim deed of the premises dated January 1, 1849; recorded Book 101, page 240. 6. The trustees of the Society gave to Thomas B. Fitch and Elias W. Leavenworth a deed dated November 1, 1849, convey- veying the said premises, recorded in Book 99, page 132. Fitch and Leavenworth gave back a Bond for $5,000, and agreed to re- convey the premises whenever the Society should pay or otherwise satisfactorily secure them against this Bond. 7. Fitch and Leavenworth gave the Society a deed of the premises, dated December 8, 1849; recorded in Book 100, page 316, etc. History of the First Presbyterian Society. 101 8. The Society gave to Henry A. Dillaye a Deed of the premises dated December 1, 1849. Consideration named in the deed, $7,000; recorded in Book 101, page 316. 9. Moses D. Burnet, trustee, etc., gave to Dillaye a deed of same premises, dated October 30, 1850; recorded in Book 101, page 341, etc. The Syracuse Company was more than willing that the Society should retain the property or its avails, and generously aided in perfecting the title. As the records show, it required 8 conveyances to make the title satisfactory and to convey the prem- ises finally to the purchaser, Henry A. Dillaye. The resolution to sell to him reserved "the bell, clock, lightning rod, pulpit, sofa, carpets, lamps, stoves and pipes, iron rails and curtains in the church, also the seats, lamps, stoves and curtains in the session room." It was at a meeting of the building committee, on January 10, 1849, that " On motion of E. W. Leavenworth, seconded by Thomas B. Fitch, it was resolved to erect the church of stone; " and on June 4th, the committee " Resolved, that we proceed with the erection of the church according to the original plans and specifications of our architect, Mr. La Fever." Laf ever then re- sided in New York, and was one of the most noted architects in the United States. The work of a great artist never goes out of fashion. Its beauty and fitness are " a joy forever." The committee also planned, and directed the erection of, the tablets and inscriptions now found on the walls of the vestibule of the church. They designed that these should be placed on the outer wall of the church, but subsequently placed them where they now are. Upon one tablet, as you will observe, are inscribed the date, the names of the building committee, the architect, and the build- er, David Cogswell. On the other, appear the date and the names of the pastor and trustees, as follows: 1849 AND 1850. PASTOR, John W. Adams. 102 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary TRUSTEES, Elias W. Leavenvv'orth, Harmon W. Van Buren, Jason C. Woodruff, Israel Hall, Henry Gifford, Thomas B. Fitch, Henry A. Dillaye. At a meeting of the Society held December 24, 1849, it is re- corded that " a communication is read by the clerk from the Rev. Dr. Adams, and on motion of E. W. Leavenworth, Messrs. Rhoades, Burnet and Z. Ostrom are appointed a committee to wait on him, express our sympathy, to assure him that we have no disposition to sever our relation, and that we will go on as we have done." The Society also voted $1,000 salary, "payable in advance." Dr. Adams had been seriously ill for some time, and, doubtless, he had written to the Society, asking that his pastoral relations with this church be dissolved. The old love of the church forbade. They said, " we will go on as we have done! " It was a noble thing to say and to do, and a heart cheering message to send to the pastor they loved as he lay waiting for death to take him to his reward. On Sunday, March 24, 1850, the last service — a Communion service — in the old church was held ; and eleven days thereafter, April 4th, the good Dr. Adams died, after a pastorate of nearly 24 years — the work of his life done in the service of this church. It is said that he died as the last timbers of the old church fell to the ground in the process of its demolition. After March 24th, and until the new church was completed, the Society held its services in Market Hall, where the present City Hall stands. The membership of the church at that time was 365. Rev. E. D. Maltbie was the officiating clergyman, and he had acted as supply for some time previous, during the illness of Dr. Adams. REV. CHARLES K. McHARG. Second Pastor, 1850-1851. History of the First Presbyterian Society. 103 In May following the Society appointed a committee of three elders (Israel Huntington, Alfred Cobb and Zebulon Ostrom), three trustees (Henry A. Dillaye, Thomas B. Fitch and E. W. Leavenworth), and three from the Society at large (Daniel Pratt, Moses D. Burnet and Thomas T. Davis), to consider the procur- ing of a new pastor. The subcommittees skirmished about among the churches, as such committees in like situation do to this day, reported and re- ported, and finally, on June 12, 1850, the general committee unan- imously resolved to recommend to the Society to call the Rev. Charles K. McHarg, of Cooperstown, N. Y. The Society met that evening, heard the report, made the call, and fixed the salary to be offered at $1,200 a year until January 1, 1853, and $1,500 thereafter. A call was presented to Rev. Charles K. McHarg, of Cooperstown, who came here and preached three times on June 30, and soon after accepted the call, and began his service as pastor in September. He was installed Wednesday, December 18th. Sunday, November 24, 1850, was a happy day in the history of this church. On that date the first service was held in the new edifice. All the distressing doubts over location were over; the sadness from the loss of the beloved pastor who had been with them, their leader and inspiration during all their history, was tempered by the coming of his unanimously chosen successor; the new edifice was all their fondest hopes had dreamed of; the hamlet had grown to a village, the village to a flourishing city; a new era had opened, with the poverty and struggle of the past already forgotten and the future, albeit with its trials in store, full of bright anticipations. There were those, doubtless, who wept in their hearts over the dear memories clinging about the old church ; others may have lamented that the simple church home had given place to so much of beauty and majesty — that the tabernacle had been superseded by the temple; those who feared that the simple faith abiding in the old home might not pervade the new; but the new era had come, and the people rejoiced with thanksgiving and praise, as they entered into the sanctuary and bowed their heads in prayer and with lifted faces sang the songs of Zion. 104 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Two days later, November 26, the new church was dedicated. The text of the sermon on that occasion is found in Nehemiah, 8th chapter, part of the 4th verse: "And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood which they had made for the purpose." The mapg-inal reading for "pulpit of wood" is " tower of wood," and in the former days, the Hebraic idea of what a pulpit should be, seemed to prevail. It seems that the city gave the Society $500 toward paying expenses of preparing for and purchasing a town clock to be put up in the tower of the new church. The city demanded the money back — on what ground does not appear. Possibly the clock had refused to go; but from what appears later, there probably was no clock to go. The trustees, at their meeting in March, '51, called to consider the demand for the $500, resolved "that in the judg- ment of this Board the corporation has no legal claim on this So- ciety for the refunding of the same." At the same meeting they said they were "not satisfied with our bell, nor willing to accept of the same." Now, hear ye, ushers of the church! the following: At a trustee meeting held June 30, 1851, it was " Resolved, on motion of E. W. Leavenworth, that Messrs. Dillaye and Leav- enworth be a committee to seat strangers for the month of July, Messrs. Fitch and Van Buren for the month of August, Messrs. Hall and Woodruff for the month of September, and in the same order till otherwise provided." These were among the foremost men of the congregation, the busiest of men, and the solid men of the city. But they voluntarily devoted themselves to this sometimes irksome duty. And the strangers, in the first days of the grand new church, were ushered, as now, into the best seats — no longer, as in " the good old days," in the old church, sent up into the gallery to the three-cornered pews vacated by the " coloured population." At this meeting of June 30, also, the trustees " Resolved that at present, in the opinion of this Board, two services on the Sab- bath are all that is desirable." It does not appear what the Ses- sion said. They came back to the business of the clock, also, and re- solved to purchase a town clock of Orlando Blanchard for $300. History of the First Presbyterian Society. 105 The city's demand for its gift of $500, had apparently had a stimu- lating effect. Rev. Mr. McHarg, on October 7, 1851, tendered his resigna- tion. The church strenuously urged him to withdraw it, without avail, and on November 24, the Presbytery dissolved his pastoral relations with this church. He had personal reasons for thus early withdrawing from this field of labor, which appear, in the light of events then occurring, to amply justify him in taking that step. From all that I can gather, at this late day, his pastorate had been entirely acceptable to the people, and it was with sincere regret that they parted with him. He is remembered as a man of fine culture, a scholarly and eloquent preacher. He closed his labors here, Sunday, December 8, 1851. The weary labor and grave responsibility of procuring an- other pastor was, at a Society meeting held January 5, 1853, de- volved upon a committee of three elders (Harvey Rhoades, Rus- sell Hebbard and Alfred Cobb), three trustees (E. W. Leaven- worth, Henry Gifford and Henry A. Dillaye), and three from the Society at large (E. H. Babcock, Daniel Pratt and S. W. Cad well). The Rev. E. D. Maltbie again was called to minister to the church during a part or the whole of the interregnum which followed. Three several calls, with salaries of $1,200 and $1,500, were extended and declined. Finally, February 37, 1854, a call, with a proposed salary of $2,000, was extended to Rev. Sherman Bond Canfield, of Cleveland, Ohio, and accepted March 11th. He be- gan his duties here as pastor May 1st, and was installed Septem- ber 26, 1854. Rev. Dr. M. L. P. Thompson, of Buffalo, preached the in- stallation sermon; Rev. Dr. George N. Boardman, of Cazenovia, gave the charge to the pastor, and Rev. Mr. Hall, then of this city, the charge to the people. March 9, 1855, the trustees authorized a committee to con- tract with William A. Johnson, of Westfield, Mass., for an organ, at a cost not to exceed $4,000, and the organ we now have was built during the following summer. In May, 1859, James Marshall, then a teacher of a select school in this city, and superintendent of our Sunday School, established Scattergood Sunday School, the second Mission school in Syracuse. 106 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. This was the beginning- of a work which finally resulted in the organization of the Memorial Presbyterian Church. The school and the building of the church were under the auspices of, and mainly supported financially by this church and its individual members. Edward Townsend presented a lot, and Thomas B. Fitch and Hai-mon W. Van Buren built upon it a chapel for the school. Mr. Marshall did a work of far reaching influence for good in the three years of his residence here, and afterwards, hav- ing entered the ministry, was chaplain in the army and at Fortress Monroe, filled several pastorates, and finally became president of Coe College, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he died, September 15, 1896. He left an undying memory in the hearts of the people of this church and city. In Majr, 1861, the General Assembly of the New School Presbyterian Church of the United States met in this church. Rev. Dr. J. B. Condit of Auburn being moderator. The beloved and well remembered David Hawley came to us from Hartford, Conn., as City Missionary in April, 1861, under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association. He and his family, on January 5, 1862, united with this church. His work in this city was an inspiration to all the churches, and we as a church were especially blessed by his presence in our prayer meetings and Sunday school. For about seven years, from 1861 to 1868, there was another period of active discipline of delinquent church members, but the harsh word, "excommunicated," savoring of Roman Catholic practice, gave way to the euphemistic phrase, "excluded from membership of this church." The records show not only patient fidelity in dealing with the repentant delinquent, but great tender- ness toward the returning wanderer. The process of pulling up the tares quite possibly disturbed some of the wheat. This was the second, and the last, so far, period of energetic "discipline" in the church. Dr. Canfield was absent in Europe from November, 1865, un- til May, 1866, and Rev. Dr. Condit conducted services during that period. A revival during March, '66, resulted in very large addi- tions to the church. REV. SHERMAN B. CANFIELD, D. D. Third Pastor, 1854-1870. History of the First Presbyterian Society. 107 January 3, '70, Dr. Canfield's salary was raised from $3,000 to $3,500. January 26, 1870, fifty-eight members of the church requested, and were granted, letters of dismissal to form the Fourth Presby- terian Church of Syracuse, and within five months seventy-three in all were dismissed to that church. This was the largest swarm that has ever gone out from the old hive, and it took from us elders, deacons, Sunday school superintendent, and many of the younger, most energetic and active workers and dearly beloved members of the church. The first few months following were a a gloomy period for us who remained. But the old church buckled up its belt a little tighter, and with the courage born of a renewed sense of duty and responsi- bility, went forward with the work it had been faithfully trying to do for forty-five years, and the hive soon filled up again, with but few drones in it. The swarm has prospered, and we rejoice in it as being in part our own; but when it went out from us, we seemed to be standing on the bleak shore and watching the May- flower depart across the sea. Dr. Canfield had been an invalid for some years, and finally, giving up the brave fight he had made against an insidious dis- ease, on October 4, 1870, tendered his resignation. The inevita- ble had come, and with sorrow the society, on October 13, ac- cepted the resignation, testifying at the same time their affection by voting him an annuity of $1,200 for life. On the 22d of that month the pastoral relation was dissolved by Presbytery. Dr. Canfield was a logician, a learned theologian, a scholar, of earnest Christian character, and a man of great firmness and courage in preaching the truth. In times of laxity of religious opinions he stood immovable, and dealt with what he believed to be dangerous error with a heavy hand. He occupied a command- ing position not only in this church but in the church at large. He was not always an attractive speaker, but sometimes when wrought up by his theme, forsaking his written sermon he was grandly eloquent, and spoke with thrilling effect. In his general intercourse with his people, his manner was stern and rather for- bidding, but in his home, with a circle of friends, he was delight- ful in both manner and spirit. He loved young men, and in his 108 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary, severe way strove to say kind and encouraging words and give helpful counsel. How, at such times, conscious of his constitu- tional failing, he must have prayed for the grace of a genial manner! During the Rebellion, in the dark days of the Republic, when the weary battle was uncertain, when the perils in the rear of our armies were sometimes greater than the danger in front, when copper- headism in the North reared its threatening head and uttered its sibilant treasons, Dr. Canfield stood like a rock in this com- munity, and his voice rang out clear and strong for Union and Loyalty. Perhaps he did as much by his hot, eloquent words in his pulpit to scotch the snake and reassure a timid North as any man in Central New York. Sixteen years he labored here faithfully, and we who knew him honor and revere his memory. He died Sunday, March 5, 1871, in St. Louis, after having preached that day, and funeral services were held a few days after in this church, whence he was borne to his last resting place in Oak wood. Rev. Drs. J. B. Condit and E. A. Huntington, both of Auburn Theological Seminary, mainly supplied the pulpit from the time of Dr. Canfield's resignation until November, 1873, when his suc- cessor entered upon his duties. During that period, in 1871, there was another remarkable revival, as a result of which over sixty persons united with the church. In January, 1872, a committee was appointed consisting of two elders (Israel S. Spencer and W. H. H. Gere), two trustees (J. J. Belden and E. W. Leavenworth) and two from the Society at large (Daniel Pratt and Charles P. Clark) to take charge of all matters relating to a pastor. On May 17, following, acting upon the report of the committee relative to a pastor, the society, by a unanimous vote, extended a call to the Rev. Nelson Millard, then of Peekskill, N. Y., at a salary of $4,000. The call was accepted by him, and on June 2d, he met with the Session for the first time. During that summer the church was thoroughly repaired, the auditorium and session room were frescoed, a tablet to the memory of Rev. Dr. Canfield was placed upon the east wall of the audi- torium under the south gallery, the Apostles' creed and other in- History of the First Presbyterian Society. 109 scriptions were appropriately placed, and the whole edifice put in the best order, at an expense of about $15,000. This done, Dr. Millard was installed on November 19 Rev. W. S. Franklin, Moderator of the Presbytery, presided and offered the installation prayer. Rev. Dr. James B. Shaw, of Rochester, preached the sermon. Rev. Dr. David Torrey, of Cazenovia, gave the charge to the pastor, and Rev. Edward Thurber, of the Park Church, Syracuse, the charge to the people. Revs. A. F. Beard, M. L. Berger and John Frazee, pastors of Syracuse churches, par- ticipated in the services. Owing to a severe illness, Dr. Millard was absent from Janu- ary to June, 1875, and Rev. Dr. E. A. Huntington officiated dur- ing most of that time. The year 1876 was one of celebrations. Our church had lived its half cenury. It had its own causes for rejoicing and thanks- giving, and on July 19th, it observed its semi-centennial. Dr. Millard on that occasion delivered an exceedingly valuable and interesting historical discourse. Elders Pliny Dickinson and E. T. Hayden spoke from personal knowlege of the early days of the church. Judge Israel S. Spencer also read a historical paper_ Rev. Dr. Thurber, of Park Church, and Rev. Dr. Fahnestock, of the First Ward Church, gave the greetings of their churches, and A. Judd Northrup spoke in behalf of the laymen of this church. Dr. Millard's illness returned, and he was obliged to be absent from November, 1877, to December, 1878. Rev. Dr. W. P. Cod- dington, of Syracuse University, supplied our pulpit from Novem- Yer, 1877, to June 23d, 1878. The society had purchased a par- sonage on South Salina street, which was occupied for a time by Dr. Millard. It was sold in 1878 to Dr. John Van Duyn. June 39, 1879, " Children's Day " was instituted in this church, and its annual celebration has been one of our most interesting observances. Sunday morning, December 33, 1883, Dr. Millard announced from the pulpit that he had received, and was considering, a call from the Broadway Congregational Church of Norwich, Conn. This declaration, unexpected and unthought of by his people, brought consternation and sorrow to our hearts. We earnestly, in- public meetings and privately, besought him not to leave us. 110 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. But two weeks later the Doctor announced that after prayerful consideration of the matter he had concluded to accept the call. He occupied the pulpit the last time, as pastor, on June 13th, and the pastoral relation was dissolved by Presbytery January 30th, after a pastorate of a little over eleven years full of blessing to this people. It is perhaps not meet that I should speak of the living what the heart of this church would utter — words of affection, and of thankfulness for help and gracious ministry — of the devotion that has not died out in all the years — nor of the one who came with our once pastor, an angel in her ministrations to the poor and sorrowing — an angel now waiting for him to receive with her the great reward of loyal love and service to God and humanity. It is one of the happiest circumstances of this notable celebration, that we have with us, i^ejoicing with us in our joy, and bidding us God-speed for the future life and work of this church, him who, in his turn and place, was our able and courageous leader in all things that make for righteous living. From January, '84, to September, '85, the pulpit was mainly supplied by the Rev. Dr. W. P. Coddington. During the summer of '84 extensive repairs were made to the church and organ, the latter being divided so that the window in the west end of the church become visible from within. Soon after the resignation of Dr. Millard, a committee of four elders (A. Judd Northrup, James A. Skinner, Nathan Cobb and W. H. H. Gere), one deacon (Dr. Gaylord P. Clark), two trustees (Jerome B. Moore and Charles L. Stone), and three from the Society at large (Edmund P. Nichols, Judge Irving G. Vann and A. Cadwell Belden), was appointed to undertake again the weary and prolonged task of finding an acceptable pastor. The mysterious appearances, from time to time, of sub committees in triplets, in cities and towns scattered through many states, ex- cited the apprehension of churches wherever they went. Again and again the committees came home and shook their heads. At length one Sunday in June, '85, the second subcommittee sent on that particular errand (Judge Irving G. Vann, Charles L. Stone and A. J. Northrup), "separate and apart" from each other, en- tered a great church, crowded with hearers, in Manchester, N. History of the First Presbyterian Society. Ill H., and intently observed and listened to the preacher. Return- ing to their hotel, and a private room, and not a word having been exchanged upon the subject that filled their minds, they each wrote on a slip of paper his estimate of the man and the sermon, and his verdict of " call "or " not call." The hat was turned, the verdict read, and the three votes said " call! " On June 39, 1885, on the recommendation of the general committee relating to the selection of a pastor, a call to the Rev. George B. Spalding, D. D., of Manchester, New Hampshire, was unanimously voted, and was in due form extended to him. Dr. and Mrs. Spalding, after a time, came on to Syracuse to see what kind of people we were. Having put ourselves on our best be- havior, we passed muster, and on September 1st, the Doctor ac- cepted our call. He was installed on Thursday, October 1st, 1885. The in- vocation was by Rev. Dr. A. H. Fahnestock; the scripture read- ing by Rev. A. H. Myers; the introductory prayer by Rev. Dr. W. P. Coddington; the sermon by Rev. Dr. Samuel Herrick, of Boston; the constitiitional questions by Rev. Dr. E. G. Thurber; the charge to the pastor by Rev. C. P. Osborne ; the charge to the people by Rev. Dr. H. H. Stebbins, then of. Oswego; the concluding prayer by Rev. Dr. David Torrey, of Cazenovia. On Sunday, October 4, Dr. Spalding occupied the pulpit for the first time. He received the glad greeting of the entire congre- gation; the Sunday School gave him their own cordial welcome; the Session, in their staid way, installed him as their moderator and pledged him their hearty co-operation and support — -a pledge which I believe they have kept to the letter and in its first spirit to this day ; and the trustees, that strong body of men of affairs, to whom all thanks are due for their sagacious, laborous and pa- tient management of the temporal afiiairs of this society — they, too, rallied around the new pastor, a body guard worthy of this an- cient society and its venerable history. The church has made more history during the fourteen years since that day, and our pastor has " writ large " upon the pages. I cannot let this occasion pass without a few words at least, not of eulogy, but of appreciation, concerning him, although he is still our pastor and a listener. 112 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Doctor Spalding brought to us from an important field of labor the wisdom of a large experience with men out of as well as within the church — a broad and thorough scholarship — a gift of expression rarely surpassed — a generous catholicity of spirit' to- ward all men — a conception of religion in which the gospel of a Father's yearning love and a Savior's gracious brotherhood are the center and substance — a deep sense of the broad duty of preacher and church to make communities and institutions outside the church better by the religious influence within the church — a rare gift of ministry to sorrow — that kind of nature which makes those seeking counsel or sympathy go to him as by instinct. Such gifts, such qualities, do not wear out, do not grow old. We may become familiar with them, and sometimes, in the glare and whirl of life, forget their worth and beauty, but they are change- less. As a public man, interested in the welfare of the city and all enterprises for its betterment in administration, I venture to say no man, at any time, in any pulpit within this city, has been more effective for good. His voice, at critical times, has rung out clear and true, and without fear or favor he has spoken his highest thought with unflinching courage. And yet, to this, the church he loves, he turns ever, and gives to it and its people, his best, his life. Once, when he lay for weeks, away from home, by the river, sick, as we all feared, unto death, this staid people, Presbyterian in its reluctance to exhibit the glowing warmth , of its heart, learned how it loved its pastor. The church edifice of the Memorial Presbyterian Church, the outgrowth of Scattergood Mission Sunday School, which for more than twenty five years had been the mission of this church, was dedicated on March 6, 1886, Rev. Dr. Spaulding conducting the exercises. The building and its furnishing, costing about $35,000, was the gift of members of this church. In March and April, 1887, fifty-nine persons were received into our church membership. On March 3d, 1887, Elder Pliny Dickinson died, aged 90 years, the last of the charter members of the church, and a deacon or elder from its organization. His funeral services were conducted in this church on March 8th. MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. grape street. Rev. William H. Mason, Pastor. Founded as " Scattergood Mission " in 1861, and the building erected in 1886, at a cost of $25,000. About $20,000 of this sum was given by E. W. Leavenworth, H. W. Van Buren, P. W. Fobes, and Mrs. L. S. Phillips, members of the First Church, as a " Memorial" of their loved dead. The balance was the gift of the First Church itself. WEST END MISSION BUILDING. REV. EDWARD WINSHURST. PASTOR WEST END MISSION. History of the First Presbyterian Society. 113 On November 24th, in the same year, Elias W. Leavenworth died nearly 84 years of age. In 1889, December 15th, Elder Nathan Cobb died. He served this church as an elder from 1855 to the time of his death, and was clerk of the session for most of that period. By both nature and grace, he was a man to be loved. His Christian spirit and rare wisdom made his services as elder of the highest value to the church. April 23, 1891, the Westminster Presbyterian Church was dedicated, the edifice having been previously used about three and one-half years. Members of our Society contributed about $4,000 toward the cost of the edifice. Mrs. Mary B. Phillips, of this church, in January, 1894, aided in the establishment of the West End Presbyterian Mission Sun- day School, under the charge of Rev. Edward Winshurst, in the (then) village of Geddes, and subsequently gave a lot for a chapel. Later, in 1885, Mrs. Anna Gere Belden, wife of Hon. James J. Belden, long a trustee of this Society, gave to this church a large addition to this lot, and also $2,500 to build a chapel thereon, which was erected during that summer. This branch of our church is vigorous and growing, and un- der the faithful labors of its devoted pastor. Rev. Edward Wins- hurst, is doing an important work. When the proper time comes, it will be an independent church. The plan adopted in connection with this mission is a practi- cal solution of the problem of how to found new churches in out- lying districts. They should stay with the mother until they can safely walk alone. Various disastrous results of founding weak, independent churches which died out for want of support after the first enthusiasm was expended, were a warning to us when the West End Mission was inaugurated ; and we wisely, as experience shows, chose the safer and more practical method. In 1895, the third Manual of this church and Society was prepared and issued with the great labor and patience of a special committee, the chief work upon it being done by Mr. Stanley G. Smith, who deserves the sincere thanks of this congregation. On March 19, 1896, A. Cadwell Belden, president of the Board of Trustees, died aged seventy-five years and nine months. 114 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. The Board, in their memorial resolutions, said of him, that he was " one of its most active and benevolent members, untiring in his zeal to build up and promote whatever tended to the prosper- ity of this Society and congregation and its pastor. His liberal contributions to every charity, cheerfully given, will long be re- membered, while he leaves to his family and friends the precious legacy of having served faithfully in every position of life that he has been called to fill." The beautiful and costly marble font recently placed in the church by his wife, will be a perpetual memorial of one who fully deserved these sincere words of his associate trustees, and will speak, as well, of the affection of the giver toward this church. A year later, April 20, 1897, George Nellis Grouse, another trustee, and for some years the efficient treasurer of the Society, died. With an extensive business demanding his time and en- ergies, "he was," as his associates well said, "constant and dili- gent in attending to the affairs of his office, and contributed liber- ally to the charities of the city as well as to those of this Society." The recent restoration of the clock in the tower of the church, by Mrs. Grouse, in his name, will keep his memory green so long as it shall tell the hours. What more beautiful, fitting or sacred memorial of the dead, or tribute of thanksgiving for remembered blessings can be made than those given to the church we love ! In the spirit of that love, Mrs. Russell Sage, of New York, formerly Miss Olivia Slocum, and in her girlhood a member of this church, gave, in 1897, the memorial window in yonder organ loft — a work of high art, and in its glowing colors and majestic forms telling in the language of beauty the ever thrilling story of the Father's love to man in the gift of his Son to be our Teacher, Brother and Savior. Neither years nor distance have broken the unseen cords of love that bound the young Olivia Slocum to this home of her early faith; and she has wrought her living affection into the very walls of the sanctuary where once she worshipped. Other memorial windows have been given from time to time, as follows: By Elias W. Leavenworth, in memory of his mother, Lucinda Martha Leavenworth, and his wife, Mary Elizabeth For- man Leavenworth; for John and Jane A. White and their children, )■. u. -i] sa : r-i © US s ES eDLWor^ nBure odruff [all ford Pitch llaye. .^ e W 5 rf o w 'fl -H ■H £^ g a 'S H S S '^ " S S >H g|a •^ .2 *< -ca as !^ " • - ^"^ * H a w w .._„^ J h W J DQ < UNDER SOUTH GALLERY. TABLETS. NORTH OF PULPIT. History of the First Presbyterian Society. 115 Walter W., John J., Cornelia and Charles R. ; by Harmon W. Van Buren, in memory of his wife, Emeline S. ; by Maria J. Myres, in 1875, and placed above the pulpit, for her husband, Austin Myres. Marble tablets, with appropriate inscriptions, have been placed upon the walls, as follows: 1. In 1860, by E. W. Leavenworth, in memory of Joshua Forman, founder of this Society and this city. 2. In 1860, in memory of the first pastor. Rev. John Watson Adams, D. D. 3. In 1873, in memory of Rev. Sherman Bond Canfield, D. D., third pastor of the church. 4. In the vestibule, in 1849-50, a tablet giving the names of the building committee, architect and builder of this edifice. 5 In the vestibule, in 1849-50, giving the names of the pastor and trustees at that time. Gifts in other forms have testified to the affection of the givers for the church, some from the living, from their own hands, some in the testament that had force only after life had departed. Philander W. Fobes in remembrance of his saintly wife, gave largely for charitable and religious purposes in connection with this church. Russell Hebbard, a trustee in the early days and later an elder, gave by will $4,000. Dr. A. B. Shipman left to the church $1,000, which, when paid, with interest amounted to $1,349.66. The general giving of the Society for religious and charitable purposes, has been large and free. The Society has not been care- ful to record these gifts. They were made for other purposes than record. Those purposes have been accomplished, but the full story of the giving can never go into history. I forbear to write a history of the Sunday School, that nur- sery of the church, which has existed nearly all the time since the church was organized, and of the other organizations within the church, as others have been designated to present their inter- esting annals at this anniversay celebration. Nor can I now tell the story of the New Years' Union Prayer Meeting held in this church from its organization to this day — where, every opening year the people gathered together, in the early hour of the first day, and consecrated themselves anew to 116 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. their Master's service, and went forth to a new year of toils and temptations with a prayer on their lips and a blessing in their hearts. Who can tell how much this prayer meeting has done to promote the unity, sanity and progress of this church and the loving fellowship of the churches of this city ?' Time forbids that I should speak of many other subjects which are worthy of full mention. Especially do I regret that I cannot here make record of the many noble lives and deeds which should justly be here written. One cannot, however, fail to recall a few names, some not already mentioned, of those who have served this church officially. Of the elders, Abel Cadwell, Robert W. Nolton, David Bonta, Johnson Hall, Henry W. Starin, Zebulon Ostrom, and his son Smith Ostrom, Alfred Cobb, Dr. Proctor C. Samson, long clerk of the session, William H. Alexander, the trusted friend and adviser of both Dr. Adams and Dr. Canfield, Henry L. Du- guid. Lake I. Tefft, Rodman Reed, Benjamin C. Hasbrouck, all de- parted, and Elijah T. Hayden, still living but near the other shore, and always to be remembered among the worthies of this church although not now of us; of the deacons, Stephen Van Heusen, Edward H. Babcock, Gordon N. Rose and Henry Babcock; of the trustees, Daniel Dana, Charles A. Baker, Dr. Lyman Clary, Willett Raynor, Jason C. Woodruff, Charles B. Sedgwick, Israel Hall, Allen Munroe, R. Nelson Gere, Theodore F. Andrews, Jerome B. Moore and Thomas S. Truair. This celebration, although sometime contemplated, began to be formally inaugurated at a meeting of the Session, held April 6th, of this year, when the Session invited the trustees to meet them in conference to consider the question of such a celebration, on April 17th. The trustees and session met on that day, and for the purpose of setting in motion what by common consent was already decided to be done, they constituted themselves an execu- tive committee on celebration. A Society meeting was called for May 1st, and held at that time at the church, the action already taken was ratified, and the executive committee enlarged, and various committees were created. Since that time, the old Pres- byterian hive has buzzed with activity— and the celebration is a fact accomplished. History of the First PRESByTERiAN Society. 117 The history of events, difi&cult as it is to gather them from broken records and failing memories, can yet be told with some fullness. But there is another history that can never be written — the history of the spiritual life of an ancient church. The prayers that have gone up to heaven — the unnoted Christian graces nour- ished here — the experiences of souls lifted by exalted faith above sorrows and bereavements and worldly misfortunes — Christian triumphs over temptations and besetting sins, and finally over the terrors of death itself — the tender ministries to the week and erring, winning them back to life and hope — the growth, slow, perhaps, and with many relapses, but upward, at last, into noble character and living amid all this world's uncertainties and strug- gles — these can never be related. There is a Book in which they are all written. It is the Book of Life, and they shall read the wondrous story who overcome and overcome to the end. Yet, this is the vital part of the history of a church. It is not what churches, but what characters we have built; not what money we have given, but what love and life giving influence; not the brave deeds we have done, but how we have walked be- fore our God. May this unwritten history of our church which we, in our short day, are making, not rise up to shame us,— rather may we, in the vast leisure of eternity, read that solemn history with re- joicing and gladness, in the presence of the Master of us all whose one commandent is, " Love and Serve." And may we and those to come after us, in the future of this church, emulate the virtues of the fathers and mothers, keep the faith they kept, — and, with added privileges and broader oppor- tunities, do even more than they for the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God. EARLY HISTORY OF THE MUSIC OF THE CHURCH. By Timothy Hough. At the period of time covered by the early history of this church, sacred music in the country was comparatively in a very crude state, especially in Central and Western New York. The praises of the churches were usually conducted by voluntary choirs and at that time there was little musical cultivation, espe- cially in the line of sacred music. Hymnology did not have much attention, the hymn books generally in use containing simply the words with no printed music accompanying them. All the young people of the congregation who, to use a familiar expression of the times, "had an ear for music," were eligible to a seat in the choir, and the leader was chosen from the membership by vote of the same. The choirs thus constituted realized the dignity of their position and doubtless performed their duties as well as could reasonably be expected considering their opportunities. Perhaps it is true that the leader sometimes embraced the oppor- tunity of exhibiting his brief authority without special regard to the propriety of the occasion. For instance, in a certain church choir of a town in Western New York, the leader occasionally called a halt during the singing of a hymn in the church services, requiring the choir to take the key again and do better work. Sometimes there was a jealous rivalry as to who should stand at the head of the trebles or other parts, but these were doubtless exceptional cases, and due credit should be accorded to those early choirsters, for they doubtless were important factors in the work of sustaining the church services of those days. There was at that time quite a degree of prejudice against the use of musical instruments in the churches, many excellent people conscientiously believing it to be sacriligious; therefore, the tuning-fork and the pitch-pipe were the only instruments gener- ally used by leaders as guides in giving the correct pitch of the tunes, it being customary for the choir to rise in their places and Early History of the Music of the Church. 119 sound the key-notes of their parts before coinmencing the hymn. This part of the performance was denominated "sounding the tonick," or taking the key. Such was the usual style of those days and we may reasonably conclude that in practice the First Presbyterian Church of Syra- cuse was no exception to the fashion then existing . One of the early choir leaders of this church was the venerable and beloved Dea- con Hayden, still living at the advanced age of ninety, and none of us who knew him can doubt that he performed his important duties in a conscientious and methodical manner. We well re- member that when Deacon Hayden was in the prime of life he had a baritone voice of considerable power, which was considered in those days an important requisite for choir leaders. With Deacon Hayden were associated in the choir, Deacon Fellows, Deacon Dickinson, Mr. Samuel Bonta (still living), Wm. H. Alexander, Dr. Rial Wright, Daniel Bradley and Ezra Stiles. The Old Hundred was sung then as now, with St. Martin's, Lenox, Mear and Amsterdam. " There is a land of pure delight " was a favorite, and wild and plaintive "China" with Windham, were standard pieces for funeral occasions. About the year 1835 there was a revival of interest in church music throughout the country. Two men of marked ability and consecration seem to have been providentially raised up for the purpose of elevating the standard of church music throughout the land. I refer to Dr. Lowell Mason and Thomas Hastings. These two men probably did more than any others in their day to create an interest and secure an improvement in their profession, espe- cially among the young people. Many of their pupils were trained for singing masters, and singing schools became very popular throughout the country. Syracuse was doubtless not behind hand in catching the inspiration, for about the year 1838 Mr. Gleason, a singing master by profession, was employed to instruct and lead the choir of this church. Mr. Gleason was a man of stalwart build and it has been said of him he had a voice of such power that he could be heard from the church to the north side of the canal. Mr. Gleason did excellent work here. He succeeded in forming a large chorus choir, and in the absence of a church organ he organized a small orchestra which greatly aided the choir. 120 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Mr. Ralph Barnes, a fine flutist, Mr. Spencer Rust on the viola, Mr. Packwood on the violoncello and Mr. J. W. Barker on the double bass were members of the orchestra. Among the vocal performers are mentioned Miss Charlotte Lawrence as a leader of the altos, and as sustaining the sopranos or trebles, as then called, are quoted the names of Miss Sophia Edwards, Miss Emma Rog- ers, Misses Laura and Sarah Alexander, Miss Harriet Downs, Miss Cordelia Hall and Miss Philura Green. Mr. Gleason con- tinued as teacher and leader of the music for several years. In the year 1843 Mr. Charles E. Adams of Boston was em- ployed to train and conduct the choir. Mr. Adams, a pupil of Lowell Mason, was a cultivated musician who led the choir with a sweet toned violin. He was notably successful in his efforts to promote a good degree of musical expression. He introduced the custom of having the orchestra play the last few measures of the tune between the verses as interludes. It was of this practice that good Deacon Bennett declared he liked the music very well ex- cept " the tidrei between the verses. " When the writer came to this village in 1845, by the invitation of Mr. Adams he joined the orchestra of this choir and found here a fine chorus choir of thirty- five to forty singers, and the leader with excellent musical taste had drilled them in a manner to produce singing that was both devotional and sufficiently artistic for those days. About the year 1847 Mr. Adams removed from this city and the writer was chosen by the choir as their leader, a position which remained unchanged for the succeeding ten years. The orchestra was reinforced by the addition of Mr. H. A. Kellogg, Mr. William Hinman and Mr. John Becker. Several new singers joined the choir so that the loss of several valuable members who left to assist in organizing the new Park Church was not seriously felt. Of the members during 1847-8 we recall the names of Miss Frances Stiles, Miss Harriett Wheaton, Miss Lyon, Miss Frances A. Sharpe, Misses Lucy and Rachel Barker, Misses Helen M. and Minerva Stanton, the Misses Lawrence, Miss Haskins, Mrs. H. A. Kellogg, Misses Mary and Helen Root, the Misses Reynolds, Miss Julia Downs and Miss Martha Smith; also Mr. E. H. Bab- cock, Deacon Hayden, Wakeman, Lyon, Deacon Fellows, Mr. Early History of the Music of the Church. 121 Charles Rust, Mr. J. A. Davis, Mr. Pierson, Mr. Montague, Henry Babcock and John Babcock. Often during the winter season the young people met weekly in the old lecture room to study the rudiments of music under the direction of the choir leader. We recall several public occasions when at large gatherings in the old church, the choir furnished the music and received thanks for the same. Notably among these was a meeting gathered to listen to John B. Gough, whose rising popularity attracted a very large audience. In 1847, Messrs. Lowell Mason and George J. Webb, of Boston, held a musical institute in the old church, lasting several days, on which occasion the choirs in the city and several from the surrounding country participated. This reminds us of a pleasing incident in connection with the visit of Messrs. Mason and Webb to Syracuse. It was at a morning service in the old church that the opening anthem selected was one of Dr. Mason's latest productions. The leader had no idea that either of the noted professors was present at the service, but at the close, both of them were found seated in the choir, having heartily joined with them in the singing. It was no slight gratification that the composer of the anthem complimented our choir upon the performance of the music. Early in 1849, the choir was enlarged by the addition of sev- eral new inembers and all entered upon the work of preparing an- thems and other music for the dedication of the new church, an event which was looked forward to with very great interest. Those of the then members now living will remember the faithful prac- tice and drilling which was carried on for months previous to that notable event. We well remember the dedication exercises and it will readily be imagined that the members of the choir were anxious that their part of the services should be sustained in a manner commensurate with the occasion. As already stated, the chorus choir had by this time become considerably enlarged and in connection with the orchestra, when the new church was opened for religious services, a large cabinet organ was introduced which under the skillful handling of Prof. Ernest Held proved to be a great advantage. 122 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Early in 1855 the congregation began to feel that the musical part of the services was incomplete without a large church organ, and the trustees appointed Judge Grove Lawrence and myself a committee to investigate and recommend a builder. That com- mittee visited several places and listened to organs in Albany, Springfield and Westfield, Mass., Boston and New York, and as a result of their investigations a contract was made with Messrs. W. A. Johnson & Son to furnish a suitable instrument. The organ built by them gave excellent satisfaction for upwards of twenty- five years. The opening exhibition of this organ was attended by a large audience. The principal performer on that occasion was Dr. George W. Warren, then of Troy, N. Y., for many years a celebrated organist. The first organist of the church was Prof. Ernest Held, who for a few years presided over the instrument to the entire satisfaction of the congregation. These reminiscences bring us down to a period of time when the writer ceased to be familiar with the history of the music of this church, but it is a pleasure to testify that from the early days to the present this society has liberally provided the necessary funds for securing talent of the first class according to the require- ments of the diflierent periods of its existence, as its present splendid choir attests, thus evincing an appreciation of the import- ance of securing a high order of service in this important branch of worship. LATER HISTORY OF THE CHURCH MUSIC. By Mrs. Austin K. Hoyt. " In God's own field of labor All work is not the same ; He hath a service for each one Who loves His holy name. And yon to whom the secrets Of all sweet sounds are known, Rise up ! for He hath called you To a mission of your own." By believing that " a sweet tone is a messenger of God; and a right harmony and sequence of such tones a divine message," the services of the choir become sacred, and tliey should be con- secrated. The First Presbyterian Church has been most generous in its efforts to obtain the best music, and most fortunate in having for leaders those whose talent and culture were its truest interpreters. The first organ purchased by the church was in 1855, and the first organist was our honored and beloved Prof. Ernst Held. Mr. James Barnes succeeded Prof. Held, and he was followed by Mr. James Tracy. Mr. Hiram Wilde leader and bass, Mrs. Wilde soprano. Miss Electa Knapp contralto, and Mr. Henry Bab- cock tenor, constituted the first quartette of which there is any record. For the past thirty years the music has consisted of three selections and an offertory by the choir, and two congregational hymns; not forgetting the important part that the organ holds in the worship of the sanctuary. The choir has also been in har- mony with the church in the observance of its special days of prayer and praise. On the festal Thanksgiving day, the full tones of the grand organ have mingled with the voices in praising "God from whom all blessings flow." At the joyous Christmas time, like " songs of praise the angels sang," the choir has lifted 124 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. its glad voice in the song of "Glory to the New Born King;" while the triumphant "Christ, the Lord, is risen to-day" has been the united chorus of organ, choir and people at Easter time. Besides these hymns of joy, there have been the sad services for afflicted hearts, and voices rightly attuned may have imparted some hope and comfort. In 1867 the choir was under the direction of the organist, Mr. Harry Hinton, with Miss Clara Strauss soprano, Mrs. Julia Davis contralto, Mr. Frank Roraback tenor, and Mr. Wilbur M. Brown bass. In 1868-9 Miss Frances A. Dillaye presided at the organ with Mrs. Hattie Russ soprano, Mrs. Austin K. Hoyt contralto, Mr. Roraback tenor, and Mr. Brown bass. The distinctive feature of Miss Dillaye's leadership, was her desire for a higher standard of church musiCj which she believed should be devotional and digni- fied, and, like everything else in our service, should obey the law of fitness. This was made manifest in the study and singing of Oratorio music, also in the frequent organ recitals. Those who listened to Miss Dillaye's interpretation of Handel, Mendelssohn and Bach, felt that she mingled her soul with the music, and thus gave her influence for the highest and best of this divine art. In 1871 Miss Dillaye went to Germany for study, and after two years absence returned for a short time to the organ. She then went to California, and gained and merited a high reputation as musical instructor, organist and artist. All too soon came the tidings that the tones of the organ were silent, that the mortal life of our art- ist friend was ended. It was fitting that the voices that had mingled with her organ notes should chant the last requiem, as she was brought home and laid to rest in Oakwood. From 1871 to 1877 the choir was composed of Mr. Hinton or- ganist, Miss Charlotte McLane soprano, Mrs. Hoyt, Mr. Rora- back and Mr. Brown, retaining their former positions. Six years they were together in an atmosphere of melody and harmony, both of voices and social intercourse. Then after a few short months of illness, Lottie McLane left us to join the Heavenly choir. Almost with her latest breath she said " Rosa, let us sing the duet "And not a wave of trouble roll Across my peaceful breast." Later History of the Church Music. 125 We recall the melody of this departed voice, as tender and natural as in days gone by, and as we listen, we almost catch the echo of "Consider the Lilies," and the grander theme "I Know that my Redeemer Liveth." Sunday morning, July 16, 1876, the fiftieth anniversary of this church was celebrated by an eloquent sermon by the pastor. Rev. Dr. Nelson Millard, and the following program by the choir: Festival Te Deum, - Buck Chant, The Lord is my Shepherd. Bonum Est, Buck Offertory, Ave Maria, Abt Miss Maud Wadsworth sung soprano for the year 1878, then Mrs. Lydia Bentley was a substitute for a few months, when one was chosen who possessed a voice not only to lead the choir in its anthems of praise, but an inspiration whose magnetic power was so felt by the entire congregation that all voices joined in singing the hymns, and the sacred melody filled the church; then we had congregational singing. But the voice of E. Cassandra Nason is only a memory. Christmas day, 1892, she sung the message of " Peace to Earth," and in a few short days was called in the ful- ness of her powers, to mingle her voice with the celestial ones, who chant the " Eternal Peace." After fourteen years' service, Mr. Roraback retired, and Mr. Frank Hewlett succeeded him. Mr. Austin C. Chase was fre- quently heard, and his excellent tenor was always appreciated and welcomed by the choir and congregation. For the next few years there were many changes; Miss Kate Percy Douglass, Miss Marie Groebl and Mrs. Salter were the different sopranos, Mr. Salter and Mr. James tenors, Mrs. Hoyt and Mr. Brown con- tinuing. In 1881 Miss Elenora Kopp (afterwards Mrs. Clancy) was engaged as soprano, and Mr. Frank Baldwin as tenor. Miss Kopp's artistic merit, which was most gratefully appreciated, combined with a generous heart, found her willing at all times to contribute her voice, when music was needed to comfort or cheer. After sixteen years singing in the choir, at the burial of our loved ones, and in the sacred and social meetings, Mrs. Clancy re- tired, with the heartfelt regrets of her devoted friends. Mr. 126 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Hinton's services as org-anist and leader for sixteen years closed in 1882. He was succeeded by Mr. George Porter, who, for three years, gave his most earnest efforts, as well as part of his salary, to the music for the choir. After singing contralto for fifteen years, Mrs. Hoyt resigned and was succeeded by Miss Minnie Stark. Mrs. Hoyt led the singing in prayer meeting during the first two years with the aid of a tuning-fork, and was instrumental in obtaining the first piano for the lecture room, playing in Sunday school and prayer meet- ing for the following ten years. In 1884 Mr. Brown resigned, having faithfully served the church for a quarter of a century. Twenty-five years he sang bass, with a heart as full of music as his voice was of melody, giving the best of his powers to the Master's service. In 1884 Miss Kate Stark was engaged as contralto and sung for seven years. Mr. Thomas Impett, whose beautiful tenor voice will be remembered, was succeeded by Mr. Sutcliff. There were also short engagements with Mr. Roff, Mr. L. P. Brown, Mr. Ward, Mr. Fitzsimraons and Mr. Fix. July 13, 1884, the old organ was used for the last time. This calls to mind an amusing episode, in which the blow-boy assumed his importance. The organist had been criticising the choir for some mistakes, while they in turn said the organ was at fault; but the organist demurred, saying, " If you will sing your parts correctly, I can manage the organ without any help." The blow-boy behind the organ heard this, and when the signal was given to blow, no response came as the keys were pressed. A second signal, and no response. Then the organist went around to the little box where the boy idly sat, and with a sharp reproof asked "Why don't you blow? He quietly responded, "You said you could manage the organ alone." The blow-boy's importance was thenceforth recognized. The choir sang for the succeeding five months with piano accompaniment. The remodeled and improved organ was com- pleted and the formal opening concert given February 18, 1885, by Prof. Herve D. Wilkins, of Rochester, N. Y. , and the choir of the church, with the following program: INTERIOR, SHOWING THE ORGAN BEFORE ITS DIVISION IN 18 INTERIOR VIEW FROM PULPIT. (After 1884.) Later History of the Church Music 127 PROGRAM. 1. Prelude and Fugue in C Minor, Mr. Wilkins. 2. " I am Alpha and Omega,' Choik 3. "Waft Her Angels,' Mr. Impett. Mendelssolin Stainer (From Jephthal Handel 4. Larghetto from D Symphony, Mr. Wilkins. 5. "Return, O God of Hosts," Miss Stark. (a. Recitative, " And Paul Came," 6. \b. Duet, " Now We as Ambassadors," \c. "How Lovely are the Messengers," Choir. Beethoven (From Samson) Handel (St. Paul) Mendelssohn 7. " The Storm," Fantasia, Mr. Wilkins. Lemmens 8. " Hear ye Israel." Miss Kopp. 9. Marche Funebre et Chant, Seraphique, Mr. Wilkin. (From Elijah) Me7ldelssohn Giiilmant 10. " It is Enough. 11. " The Lord is Exalted, Mr. Westcott. Choir. (From Elijah) Mendelssohn West 12. Offertoire— Opus 8, Mr. Wilkins. Batiste 128 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Mr. Grove Marsh took the organ in 1886, and for eight years was the organist and leader. The memory of the cultured and sympathetic voice of Mr. Edward N. Westcott, who sang bass for seven years, still lingers with us as a precious benediction. Since 1896 until 1899, Mrs. Richard Grant Calthrop has been organist and leader, and Mr. Calthrop bass. There have been several changes in the other parts; Mrs. Nichols succeeding Mrs. Kilduff, and at present the members of the choir are : Mrs. Richard Grant Calthrop, organist and leader. Mrs. John A. Nichols, Jr., soprano. Mrs. Henry W. Davies, contralto. Mr. George W. Elderkine, tenor. Mr. Richard Grant Calthrop, basso. In the roll call of those who have thus ministered to our church worship, no response comes to the names of Dillaye, Mc- Lane, Roraback, Porter, Nason, Bentley, Westcott, Brown and Babcock. But we think of them, as having joined their voices with the harmonies of Heaven, where no discordant note ever chills the triumph of eternal melody. "O Music! Art thou a recollection of Paradise, or a foretaste of Heaven?" INTERIOR VIEW OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, SYRACUSE, N. Y, HISTORY OF THE CHURCH BUILDINGS AND THEIR ARCHITECTURE. By Mr. William Kirkpatrick. I hold in my hand the first records of the First Presbyterian Society in the village of Syracuse ; here in this small volume are contained the records of the beginning of the Society. This book shows that it was a day quite different from the present time. The record says that they met pursuant to notice given for that purpose according to law in the school house on the 14th day of December, 1824. A meeting called at the present day to meet at the school house would be met by the inquiry, " Which school house do you mean ? " There was no trouble of that kind then. The school house was the one school house of the village. It was situated at the corner of Franklin and Church street, now West Willow street. It was the Exchange where people met when called upon to decide upon all matters of public interest. A wooden building two stories high, with windows on all sides and a hip roof; it was lighted for the purpose of the evening meetings with tin sconces hung from the walls, in which were placed the tallow candles which shed their flickering light on the audience. But if the rooms and their surroundings were plain the quality of the men who met there on these occasions made up for all defi- ciencies. They were men equal to any emergency, and most nobly did they act their part. Their names and history are a precious legacy to their survivors. Moses D. Burnet and Miles Seymour were called to preside. It was resolved that the name of the society should be the First Presbyterian Society in the village of Syracuse, that the number of trustees of said society should be seven. Thereupon Moses D. Burnet, Herman Walbridge, Miles Seymour, Joshua Forman, Rufus Moss, Joseph Slocum, and Jonathan Day were chosen as such trustees. 130 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Jonathan Day was chosen clerk and the earlier records are signed by him and written by his own hand. He was the beloved physician of the infant society. He built one of the most preten- tious houses in the village at the corner of Washington and Clin- ton street, now occupied by the Globe Hotel annex. He mar- ried a daughter of Lemuel Pomeroy of Pittsfield, Mass. He died of cholera September, 1832, and was buried in the old burying ground corner of Franklin and Water street, and was later removed to the Wilkinson lot in Oakwood. From this time his familiar name disappears from our records, but it has been preserved in the manual of the society together with the other officers. The seal of Major Burnet's office was made the official seal of the society. The Syracuse Company donated to the society the lot on the northeast corner of South Salina and Fayette streets, where McCarthy's store now stands, that the society might build a church thereon. They went forward and built the church. D. W. Twogood was both architect and builder. They also pur- chased at a later date a bell and a town clock. The church was dedicated January, 1826, the second Thursday of the month. Rev. Dirck C. Lansing preached the dedicatory sermon. At a meeting of the trustees held Jan. 5th, 1829, it was resolved that the clerk open a correspondence with the secretary of the Home Missionary Society, with the object of their continuing their aid to our societj'. In 1848 the former village of Syracuse had elected its Mayor and Aldermen and fully established the city government. The old church which stood on the corner where McCarthy's store now stands had furnished the congregation with a substantial and commodious home for twenty-two years. The Erie canal had brought all parts of the country to a common center and the city from a mere hamlet had become the home of 15,000 people. The Irish famine of 1847 had driven thousands to these shores seeking employment. The farmers had sold their crops for high prices, and the discovery of gold in California, from which we were then beginning to have large returns, had stimulated all business into activity. It was amid such surroundings that this society led by that man "sent from God," the Rev. John Watson Adams, com- menced to prepare plans for a new edifice. The old church had History of the Church Buildings. 131 been enlarged until there was no more room left to build on, and the welfare of the congregation demanded more room and a larger church edifice. Dr. Adams had instilled into their minds and im- bued them with a spirit of church architecture. The plain primi- tive meeting house of the pioneers was passing away and a new era of architecture was dawning. Trinity church in the city of New York which had been built but a few years was the finest church edifice in this country. The red sandstone of which it was built became the favorite material of architects and builders. Dr. Adams together with the prominent men of the congre- gation had worked up the enthusiasm of his people, until the pro- ject was well nigh unanimous. Where to go was now the all important question. Various localities were suggested, but the only one that was a formidable rival to the present location was the Blair lot, corner of James and State street, now the property of the Lynch estate. After much discussion and many meetings held in various offices and stores, the present location, known then as the American Hotel Property, was agreed on at a price of $10,000. The old site was sold to H. A. Dillaye for $7,000, re- serving the bell, clock and much of the interior furniture. The American Hotel was an old time hostelry, built of brick, two stories high, surrounded by stables and sheds, where the farmers from the country could bring their feed for their horses and get a good dinner for twenty-five cents. A large room on the corner of Salina street did duty as a bar room, sitting room and general meeting room. A large box stove that took in the wood without sawing or splitting, afforded in wintry weather a comfortable place for the yeomanry of the county who patron- ized it. The building committee, consisting of Moses D. Burnet, Thomas B. Fitch, Albert A. Hudson, Henry Gilford, Elias W. Leavenworth, had been appointed at a previous meeting of the society. In addition to these the trustees consisted of Jason C. Woodruff, Israel Hall and Henry A. Dillaye. It was at this time the building committee did that, the wisdom of which time has long since approved, and which every passing year confirms. They called into their service the most eminent architect of the country, Minard La Fevre; and it is due to his genius that this 132 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. building, one of the most beautiful of Gothic edifices, stands to- day a tribute and a memorial to him and to the men and the women who built it; and it may not be egotisic in me to say that of all the men who bought their pews when the church was built and have occupied it continually since, I am the sole survivor. On the 12th day of March, 1849, the contract between the building committee and David Cogswell for the construction of the build- ing was executed. It was agreed that he should receive for the work the sum of $28,550, to be paid monthly. This amount did not include the finishing of the room known as the church parlors and the session room, which the ladies have since finished into very handsome interiors. Mr. Henry K. Brown was either a partner or a sub-contractor with Mr. Cogswell for the wood work. Mr. William Duncan, a Scotch stone cutter from Aberdeen, Scot land, was the foreman of the work. Mr. Cogswell's daughter, Cordelia, and Miss Theo. Wilkinson, were hoisted up in a basket to help Mr. Duncan lay the cap stone of the tower, the finial. Architect La Fevre's plans were that there should be no gal- leries, nothing but the organ loft. Dr. Adams had always preached in a church with galleries and wanted La Fevre to put them in. La Fevre thought that it might make the church too dark, but Dr. Adams insisted on having the galleries; and after the church was finished. La Fevre admitted that Dr. Adams was right. The original plan called for Onondaga lime- stone dressed, after the manner of St. Paul's Cathedral. The at- tention of the committee was called by Dr. Adams to the Fulton sandstone and they were referred by the owners of the Fulton quarry to the stone steps of the Bank of Auburn, which were of this material from their quarry, and had successfully withstood the test of frost and snow for twenty years. The Fulton stone was used. In some places the quarry had not been uncovered to a sufficient depth and many of the stones were imperfect. These have since been removed, together with those that had been set up edgewise and not on the natural bed, where the rain and frost was able to disintregate them. The new edifice was completed and the first service held November 24, 1850. The Rev. Charles K. McHarg, the pastor elect, preaching the sermon. On November 36, 1850, the new edifice was dedicated. History of the Church Buildings. 133 Dr. Adams died April 4, 1850. He dictated a message to Dr. Jackson, his physician, at Glen Haven, to his congregation in part as follows: " Say to them that I die bearing in my heart fresh and green the proofs of their kindness and love, and that in going from a modern building into one more highly adorned they may not forget that the ornaments of a meek and quiet spirit is what God seeks." At the commencement of the pastorate of Dr. Millard extensive improvements were made. The lecture room was made light and airy. The old stove that heated it was re- moved and it was heated from the furnaces. As a matter of economy the building was built without a basement, the poorest piece of economy that can be practiced in any building; as a result the ventilation was poor; the heating apparatus did not work well and there was much complaint. The trustees resolved on extensive improvements. The earth was excavated to the depth of seven feet under the entire building; the auditorium was sup- ported by columns; the walls and ceiling were decorated and fres- coed and everything made so bright that the leading religious weekly of a large denomination published in this city, said "that it looked more like an opera house than a church." This feeling soon wore off and no one thinks now that it is too bright or gaudy. The money expended at this time quite equalled the original sum of jVIr. Cogswell's contract. The Common Council of the city had appropriated the sum of five hundred dollars to be expended on the tower in the construc- tion of which there should be ample space for a town clock. On the 30th of June, 1851, the trustees passed a resolution to pur- chase of Orlando Blanchard a town clock for the sum of three hundred and twenty dollars. This was raised by a general sub- scription of the merchants and business men, and Dr. Moore was afterwards requested to procure the sum of fifty dollars in addi- tion thereto. The clock was silent for many years, but we are in- debted to the generosity of Mrs. George N. Crouse, who has caused it to be repaired and once more to ring out the hours as of the former time, as a memorial to her husband, the late George N. Crouse, who served this society faithfully for many years as treasurer and trustee. The bell was cast by Andrew Meneely of West Troy, N. Y., 1851. It weighs 4,443 pounds 134 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. and cost $1,313.18. It was said to be at that time the heaviest bell that had been made to swing. It was paid for by a general subscription. Among the subscribers now living I find the names of Timothy Hough, Dr. W. M. Smith, O. W. Titus and W. & D. Kirkpatrick. The fence which surrounds the church was built in 1855, and was also paid for by a subscription from the congrega- tion. The tablets on the north side of the pulpit to Dr. Adams were placed there by the trustees. The monument at his grave, now in Oakwood, originally in Rose Hill cemetery, was the gift of friends. The tablet to Joshua Forman was placed there by his son-in-law, E. W. Leavenworth. The tablet to the Rev. Dr. Can field was placed there by his widow, and the corresponding space on the north side has been granted to the Gifford family by the trustees for the erection of a tablet. The stained glass? window over the pulpit was placed there as a memorial to her husband, Austin Myers, Esq., by his widow. The window in the organ loft was a gift from Mrs. Russell Sage, of Neyv York, as a memo- rial to her father, Joseph Slocum, and her mother. Her father was one of the first trustees of this society. The windows on the south side were erected by E. W. Leavenworth, in memory of his mother, Lueinda Mather Leavenworth, and his wife, Mary Eliza- beth Forman Leavenworth. The other erected by Harmon W. Van Buren, in memory of his wife Emiline S. The windows on the north side were erected to the memory of John and Jane A. White and their children, Walter W., John J., Cornelia and Charles R. The baptismal font was presented by Mrs. A. C. Belden, as a memorial to her husband, the late A. Cadwell Belden, who was for many years president of the Board of Trustees, and whose valuable services, so freely given, made him a most useful member of the congregation. No one can look upon this beauti- ful work of art without being impressed with the beauty of its de- sign and the harmony that surrounds it, and there, in all its beauty it stands teaching in solemn reverence and silence the sacrament of the church to every beholder. I have not spoken of the present pastor nor of the work that he has done. I will leave that to the historians of the future. And now that we have nearly finished our work of this celebra- tion, and passed the 75th mile stone of our journey, and completed \ History of the Church Buildings. — Reminiscences. 135 the anniversary in such a pleasing and successful manner that must greatly contribute to the happiness of all, and the remem- brance of which will ever be a pleasure in the memory' of those who have participated in it, we will now leave to those who will celebrate twenty-five years from this time the one hundreth anni versary. How many here to day will see that time ? Few of us, but the younger generation will have the material which we have preserved for them. What a prospect will they behold, the city nearly doubled in population, these hill-tops sloping down into the valleys crowned with the homes and beautiful residences of a busy and industrious people, a farming country surrounding it unsur- passed in fertility, schools and churches, but few of which will rival this in architectural adornment and by many will be taken as a model. Then the character and history of this church will stand out in strong relief, showing the work that it has helped to accomplish. A chime of bells would be one of the most desirable gifts now to complete the ecclesiastical equipment of the edifice. The tower was not constructed with that in view. There is plenty of room on the rear of the lot where a bell tower could be built and with a chime of twelve bells; this plan of construction is found in maay of the continental cities. REMINISCENCES. By special invitation, Mt. Carroll E. Smith was present, and in a very interesting address gave personal reminiscences of the early history of the Church. Among other facts, he spoke of ah address made in the first edifice by President John Quincy Adams, and one by John B. Gotigh in the early days of his career as a public speaker; and in the present edifice, not long after its com- pletion, a memorable plea in behalf of his country by Louis Kos- suth, the Hungarian leader and patriot. Unfortunately, no notes were taken of Mr. Smith's address, and its valuable contribution to our Church history cannot now be reproduced. LETTERS FROM ABSENT FRIENDS. Mr, Charles L. Stone and Professor W. K. Wickes read a large number of letters written in response to invitations to be present with us. Many of these letters are here given : CooPERSTOWN, N. Y., Oct. 19, 1899. Edward A. Powell, Esq., Chairman, etc.. Dear Sir: — In reply to your letter of the 16th inst. , I cordially thank your committee for their kind invitation to contribute something to the interest of the 75th anniversary of the formation of your church. The short period occupied by my ministry in the history of the church can be described in few words. Dr. Adams died in the spring of 1850. I com- menced my work on the first Sabbath of September of that year. The first church building had disappeared. The present substantial and elegant edifice was nearing its completion. Meanwhile the congregation attended divine ser- vice in the City Hall, the audience room of which was well filled on Sabbath morning and afternoon for several weeks until we occupied the new church. I was permitted to preach the sermon at the dedication of that house of God, now near fifty years your loved sanctuary. I was welcomed to a church well organized in all its departments ; with efficient trustees ; with a large board of elders and deacons, capable of giving wise counsel and valuable co-operation to their pastor ; with a large and well- ordered Sunday school, and with a fine choir under the leadership of Brother Timothy Howe, who is still with you. The people were united, hopeful, very enthusiastic — perhaps too much so — on entering their new church home. But the spiritual blessing came not from the Head of the church during my minis- try among them, which covered barely fifteen months. Trouble arose — primarily in the session itself — but not involving myself directly. Incidentally, however, they could not but distract my ministerial work and influence. Ill health, discouragement, and the deep conviction that the burden was too much for me, constrained me to resign. In all the years since I have with great interest taken note of the way in which the Lord has led you, and has blessed you, under successive pastorates. Mine was of insignificant influence upon the spiritual life of the church. But in the rerniniscence of that far away early experience, for myself personallv I enjoy the pleasant, satisfying memory of the uniform kindness, confidence, forbearance and sympathy, manifested by the entire congregation toward their young and disappointed pastor. Letters from Absent Friends. 137 With you on the present interesting anniversary I rejoice in your growth in membership, in Hberality, in influence in your prosperous city, and in stead- fast loyalty to our Presbyterian Church. May God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, manifest His glory in the midst of the congregations during their holy services, memorial of yonr ecclesiastical genesis, and your honorable and useful history. And may He recognize and reward your past faithfulness by bestow- ing larger gifts of grace and "power from on high,'' making your future to be "filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God." In Christian love. Your Brother in the Lord, CHAS. K. McHARG. Embassy of the United States of America. Berlin, September 26, 1899. Reverend George B. Spalding, D. D., Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Syracuse, New York, Reverend and Dear Sir: — Referring to your kind and interesting letter of September 14th, allow me to congratulate you, and with you the First Presby- terian Church of Syracuse on its approaching Seventy-fifth Anniversary. My own recollections of the church, regarding which you so courteously ask, date from the year 1839. Though brought up in the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which my father and mother were devoted members, I sometimes went to the Presbyterian Church with my dear grandmother, Mrs. Ruth Dickson, and though but a child of six years was interested in its service. The church building was then upon a site just opposite that occupied by the present edifice, and with its high pulpit supported on Corinthian columns, greatly impressed me. But the strongest impression upon my mind was made by the pastor of that period, the Reverend Dr. John Watson Adams. The earnestness of his voice and the gravity of his manner awed me and won my profound respect. I may mention, in passing, that an impression, more curious perhaps than religious, was made upon me by the music. It was supplied mainly by a large choir of men and women of various ages arranged in long concentric rows in the eastern gallery at the end of the church opposite the pulpit'; but there was an accessory which greatly surprised me; — an orchestra in which violins, violon- cellos, flutes, and the great double-bass took the leading parts. These seemed to my childish mind of doubtful propriety in public worship, and I was not surprised on hearing of a remark from one of the plain old-fashioned elders of the church that he " liked the singin, but not that sawin of the varses in tew." I was then, and have remained ever since, passionately fond of organ music, and I rejoiced with the congregation, when in the new church, it erected a noble organ which, as well as the still finer one now in use, I have often heard with deep satisfaction, and never without feeling, in consequence, a better man. 138 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Various distinguished men spoke in the old church in those early days, and I heard some of them ; but the greatest impression made upon my youth- ful mind was by a speech made by one of our own fellow citizens who is still liv- ing. It was at a meeting to raise funds for sending food to starving Ireland, and the speech, which seemed to be the most eloquent I had ever heard, was by Mr. John McCarthy. Back of the church was the "Session Room," a little brown wooden build- ing, and in this, at a boys'- temperance meeting, with great trepidation, I for the first time raised my voice in a public assembly. Of Dr. Adams' successor I knew slightly and respected greatly Dr. Mc- Harg, but my main recollections are of Dr. Canfield. A very warm and strong friendship had grown up between him and my father and mother, and this I inherited. I heard him and met him as often as possible, and never without profit. He was a man of wide reading and careful thinking, just the sort of man whose conversation would most benefit those of the younger generation. One service and sermon of his dwells most vividly in my memory. It was on the Sunday immediately following the assassination of Lincoln. In com- mon with the vast majority of our fellow citizens, I was plunged into deep sorrow, in fact on that Sunday morning the world looked dark indeed, and, in- stinctively', instead of taking my accustomed place at St. Paul's Church, I passed on and entered the First Presbyterian Church. Dr. Canfield entered the pulpit and an anthem was sung which amazed me. It was the Te Deum, the great mediaeval hymn of Christian rejoicing. I could hardly believe my ears; but presently I understood it. The whole service was on the same key, and finally came the text, if I remember rightly, the first verse of the XCVII Psalm. "The Lord reigneth ; let the earth rejoice." All present were deeply moved; I think it was the happiest choice of a text I have ever known. It was also my good fortune to know his successor. Dr. Millard, whom I always met with profit and pleasure. I am naturally reluctant to say much regarding religious feelings and experiences, but I may at least say this, that having been brought up in my boyhood in an atmosphere of old-fashioned "High Churchmanship" such asdoes not now, I think, exist in our main cities, intercourse with these gentlemen I have named broadened my vision and led me into the "Broad Churchmanship" I have ever since cherished. I need hardly refer to the great number of members of your church and congregation whom I have known, but I may at least renew my congratulations on the great work which it has accomplished during these seventy-five years. It has stood for righteousness, for justice, and for decency and order from first to last; without any attempt at exercising ecclesiastical control it has been a power for good in all the activities of Central New York. Heaven grant that those who are to come into it and have charge of it during the next seventy- five years, may make a record as noble and as fruitful in all that is good for the city, state and nation. With renewed thanks and good wishes, I remain. Dear Dr. Spalding, Most respectfully and sincerely yours, ANDREW D. WHITE. Letters from Absent Friends. 139 ScRANTON, Pa., Oct. 17, 1899. To Mrs. Charles L. Stone, Chairman of Committee: Kind friends of the Committee of Invitation to the Seventy-fifth Anni- versary of the First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse: I tliank you for your thoughtfulness in including me in the list of invited guests to the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the grand old First Church. tlow I should like to go! unfortunately for me that will be impossible; but I send you heartiest congratulations. My remembrance of your church, during the year which I spent, in my early manhood, in Syracuse, is too pleasant and holds too many grateful recol- lections of the kindness and encouragement received there from many friends, for me to remain silent, with this invitation before me. It was through the cordial interest and friendship of the Rev. Dr. Canfield, and of Mrs. Canfield and the friends whom they represented, that I found my way into the ministry. Hope, long deferred, revived there, amidst the fellow- ships and friendships formed in your church. Dr. Canfield's preaching, clear, incisive, strongly intellectual, wras a very decided contribution to my life. I cannot help thinking of your anniversary with the liveliest interest. And it is not memory alone that binds me to your church, with its fine history, and its noble record. My friendly acquaintance with your present Pastor, and my most cordial relations with your former Pastor, Dr. Millard, my successor in the First Presbyterian Church of Rochester, and the presence in your eldership of my beloved old college friend. Judge Northrup, and of Mr. Douglas N. Green, whom we regretfully transferred to you from my present church, a trusted friend and brother, would make me feel greatly at home with you, to-day, if I could be at your anniversary. Brethren and friends, all hail ! in the name of our blessed Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. Yours in His name, CHARLES E. ROBINSON, Pastor Second Presbyterian Church, Scranton, Pa. Chicago, III., Oct. 18, 1899, 281 Fremont St. Mrs. Charles L. Stone, Syracuse: Dear Mrs. Stone: — I thank you for the invitation to attend the 75th An- niversary of the First Church. I wish I could attend it, but I must deny myself the pleasure. I have come to think I am an old man, but the receipt of that invitation makes me feel I am a boy again. This brings to my mind so much of the early history of the church ! I re- member Dr. Adams and my father's regard for him and their intimacy. How they always went together in my father's buggy, to all out-of-town church meetings and weddings and funerals, how Dr. Adams lived next to our house, how I, as a boy was a frequent visitor there, how he once took me 140 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. on his knee and talked of my becoming a Christian, how he looked as he went along the street to church, how he appeared in the pulpit, &c. He must have had some different ways from some ministers Ihave known in later years. I heard my father say one Sabbath, after return from church, " ffV//, I aluiays like to hear the Dr. preach that sermon. " But, whatever he did, was accepted as right. Perhaps social life was different in Syracuse then, than now. In a family conference with the Dr. (not intended for boys to hear), it was thought best that the children of the two families should not visit or play with those of an- other family, whom I remember well, because their children went to dancing school. And that picture of the old church brings back so much, the pulpit be- tween the doors of the church, wood stoves by the doors on either side of the pulpit, the audience fronting the entrance, standing up and turning around facing the choir in the gallery during the singing. How I watched the people as they came into church facing the whole congregation, some of them girls, who are grandmothers now. Mr. Leavenworth was the clerk of the Society, and once every year he stood in front of the pulpit, during the service and read a list of the delin- quent pew holders. And then the Sunday School at noon in the main church. A good man who lives in Syracuse now was my teacher. His hand trembled some as he held his Bible. It was right in line with his teachings and his life, for me to think that he trembled, in the sight of God, because he was so good. It was my duty to come to church early winter mornings, to fill my moth- er's foot stove atone of the church stoves, and then when she came I could sit by her and share the foot stove. I shall never forget that old " session room" in the rear. Every New Year's morning I trudged through the snow and the dark, be- tween 5 and 6 o'clock for the New Year's prayer meeting. I don't know as I was ever benefited by it, but all the old folks went, and the children did too. That was the old time way. But the particular thing that I remember the place for, was the "monthly concerts" held there — about half a dozen people usually attended — Dr. Adams or an Elder read from the "Missionary Herald," a prayer or two was offered, a collection taken, " Greenland's Icy Mountains" sang, and it was over. It was the rule of the family that I should always go. Once my father gave me a shilling to put in the hat, on the way there I changed the piece for two six-penny pieces. I put one in the hat and kept one in my pocket. I have never forgotten that six-pence. It has been remembered every missionary meeting I have attended since. It has been a better investment for Foreign Missions than anything David Haruin ever invested for the Widow Ciillon. One time, with a boy's curiosity, I climbed up into the belfry to investi- gate that bell, that called me every Sabbath day, morning and afternoon to church and to Sunday School at noon. That bell, that church, that session room. Dr. Adams' life and example, the good men and women I then knew — now in Heaven — have had much to Letters from Absent Friends. 141 do with my life. Try as hard as I would to forget, these old time memories have never entirely left me. I am glad I have in my possession now, the memorial of the session when my Father died, after 50 years service in the church he loved. Here with my wife and children, and grandchildren about me, an elder in the church, with close relations with the pastor and people, it is easy to call to mind the rela- tions of Dr. Adams andmy father, and the people who did so much to start my feet in the right way. The First Presbyterian Church has a high place on earth and in Heaven. GEO. B. DICKINSON. JANESVILLE, Wis. , Oct. 30, 1899. To the Invitation Committee of the First Presbyterian Church, Syracuse, N. v., to its Seventy-Fifth Anniversary: Dear Friends: — Your invitation has given the writer unbounded pleasure, awakening memories that have slumbered for many years. I regret the im- possibility of meeting with you the twenty-second third and fourth ; rest assured I will be with you in spirit. My father, Josiah Wright, served either as deacon or elder during my boy- hood, in fact, from my birth. The cut on fly leaf of program of the dear old church edifice is perfect. A.s I look at the broad and ample windows with plain unstained glass, I won- der if the clear light that entered had not something to do with the bright and cheerful days when the rays of the Sun of Righteousness came in, melting cold and frozen hearts and giving both joy on earth and in Heaven. Was there ever a more symmetrical spire, and those four pillars — graceful sentinels of Corinthian order. When we enter the building we find spacious galleries and stately pulpit. At the time for service the sweet Sabbath bell would call young and old to worship. When I commenced life's journey, the building was five years of age, and Dr. J. W. Adams pastor. Dr. and Mrs. Adams took a kindly interest in me that will never be forgotten. I was left a motherless boy when very young. Mrs. Adams often spoke of holding me when baptized, the place being in the session room on Church street, near the intersection of Genesee, and ever proved a faithful godmother. Among the great occasions of my boyhood, were the Gleason concerts, one or more each year. After drilling us for one or two months, Mr. Gleason would close with a concert — choruses, quartettes and quintettes. Standing in one side of the gallery one would respond to the other in such exquisite compositions as " Out in the field stands a pretty pear tree," etc. These musi- cals were looked forward to with rapturous delight by the participants. To ray youthful mind there never was a church whose audiences were composed of such manly men and queenly women, — Judges Forman and Spencer, M. D. Burnett, E. W. Leavenworth, Israel Hall, H. W. Van Buren. 142 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Henrv Gifford, Joseph Slocum, Pliiay Dickinson, Daniel Dana, John Durnford, Daniel Bradley. S. H. Marsh, A. Root and their wives, together with a great company whose names do not come to me at this writing. As I remember our beloved pastor, Dr. Adams, he was strong in the pul- pit; his sermons were clear expositions of the truth, calculated to strengthen Christians and awaken the careless. As compared with some of the clergy of to-day, often so speculative, and so professional, he was a Moses or an Elijah. I can remember nothing of the Sunday school save three faithful teachers. Miss Ann Meade, my sainted aunt. Miss Mary F. Bliss and a young man, whose name I have forgotten. In the good old days parental authority was exercised most vigorously and applied to the attendance of children at prayer meetings, even that held at five o'clock New Year's day. We were present and very rarely absent from the weekly gatherings. I can in memory hear "St. Martins," " Mear " and all of those old tiriie hymns and earnest petitions offered by those Godly men, all of whom have sung their last song, made their last supplication, exchang- ing both for angelic praise. I congratulate both pastor and people with such a legacy. If one single soul has been led to Christ for each sermon, nearly 8,000 can answer to the roll call; and their names have been written in the Lamb's book of life, to the credit of the First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse. Doubtless the number is greatly increased, for the thousands who have gone out to all parts of our own and other lands, have carried the good news to many afar off. In closing permit pie to say I rejoice with you in this feast of fat things. I rejoice it was my good fortune to be a child in your church ; also, that my sainted father, mother and aunt. Miss Bliss, were such earnest members, and noble examples of Christian living. I trust this anniversary will be a great uplift and from this time forward an increased interest in saving of the lost, strengthening the weak and beautifying His saints. Very truly yours. J. T. WRIGHT. Golden's Bridge, N. Y., October 20th, 1899. Mrs. Charles L. Stone, Chairman of Committee, Syracuse; Dear Madam — I cannot express to you how great a pleasure it would be to me were I able to accept the kind invitation of your committee to attend the anniversary exercises to be held at the old " First " in Syracuse. Though it is something more than forty years since I had a residence in that city, and had intimate relations to that church, I have not ceased to en- tertain a very strong affection for it. A new pastor, and, for the most part, a new people, with new officers, com'pose the organization. My mind's eye sees it to-day as I saw it in the long past time when my name was enrolled m its membership. The old church and myself came into being in the same twelve-months. One precious mem- Letters from Absent Friends. 143 ory is that it was the spiritual home of my revered father, who united with it under the ministry of Dr. Adams, and died in its communion. I became an attendant of the old church in 1847, a teacher in the Sabbath School in the new, and later on my wife and self became members of the church by letters from other churches. In the winter of 1855-6 I was chosen to the deaconate. This relation was severed by my removal to another city in 1857, The most impressive recollection in cohnection with my relation to that church was its bench of elders. I have known the personnel of a good many similar bodies, but I believe the session of the " First" church surpassed in all that went to make up what is always to be desired in such a body all others that I have known. Their faces and forms are daguerreotyped upon my mmd as plainly as if I had seen them only yesterday. First, I see the venerable Harvey Rhodes, then the saintly Russell Hebbard, followed by such men as Wm. H. Alexan- der, Robert W. Nolton, Zebulon Ostrom, Pliny Dickinson, Samuel Mead and Elijah T. Hayden. The church in my day was composed mostly of people past middle life. Young men were very scarce. I used to think that they were not wanted there. This was found to be an embarrassing circumstance when new deacons were to be chosen. There were not enough }'oung (I might say youngerly) men to fill the order, scarcely. It took almost the entire supply to fill up the list of those deacons. Smith Ostrom, Gordon N. Rose and my- self became deacons. I (aged thirty years) was the youth of this trio. It was an extraordinary innovation upon the policy of the First Church to place such young fellows in the places that had been occupied by deacons Dana, Bennett, Fellows, Dickinson and others. Some of the elderly ladies of the church said that it was very interestmg to see so young a person in such a sacred office. This relation was of short duration as I became a resident of Buffalo in the spring of 1857. Thanking your committee for your kind invitation, and with a prayer for the peace and prosperity of the old church and its people, I remain, Very sincerely your well wisher, WM. R. STRONG. 268 West 91st, New York City, October 18, 1899. The Rev. Dr. Spalding and others : I very much regret my inability to accept your invitation to be present on the Seventy-fifth Anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church. The picture on the program of the old church takes me back to well remembered days of my childhood, when in sunshine or in storm, I was expected to be persent, if not sick, at both morning and afternoon service and the Sunday School be- tween, and to give devout, attention, whether I understood it or not, to a ser- mon from three-quarters of an hour to an hour's duration. To-day a child is hardly thought able to attend one service if they go to the Sunday School. Times have changed. Is it for the better ? I sometimes wonder if my father in exacting such constant attendance did not rather like the idea of marching 144 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. his six daughters up the aisle of that old church according to age; that is the way we were obliged to go, and it was the one time in my life when I rejoiced at not being the younger, as I did not have to bring up the rear of that pro- cession. I recall the saintly Dr. Adams, with his long, long sermons, and more vividly, the old fashioned donation party at his house. As a child, that was the extent of my evening gaiety. Again I can say times have changed. Then came the agreeable Dr. McHarg, then the intellectual Dr. Canfield who preached most scholarly sermons. Then came the genial Dr. Millard, of whom I knew little personally, as I had then connected myself with the Episcopal Church, " falling away,'' as my father used to say, " from the wise instruction of my childhood." I was the first person married in your present church edifice. Wishing you success in the future as you have realized it in the past in preaching " Christ and Him crucified " to the saving of souls, until pastor and people are gathered to that rest that awaits all who love our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithfully yours, URANIA LAWRENCE HALL. New York, Tuesday, October 17, 1899. My Dear Mrs. Spalding: Your letter reached me just as I was in the confusion of moving from our country home to the city. The answer to its kind invitation to be present at the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the founding of the First Presbyterian Church was thereby delayed, and now that I am here I am loath to write that I cannot come to Syracuse at this time. I write this almost with a sob, for my heart turns to Syracuse and its pre- cious memories of that dear old church which my father (then a prosperous merchant) helped to build, and was one of its early Board of Trustees. And to this church my mother held the truest allegiance in prayer and works. My brother and I were there baptized in the old session room, which I remember so well, with its prayerful vows and hymns of praise. For in that same old session room I met the session, with Dr. Adams as pastor, to confirm by my one act the promise my mother had made forme at baptism. Well! all those righteous things have stood me well in the battle of life, and I can praise my Heavenly Father at seventy-one, for all those dear time-honored associations. It is truly hard not to be with you all, around those sacred associations, and "kindle again the flame of sacred love " in my heart as of old. Memory crowds upon me as it did in those beautiful services, and through the touch- ing sermon of Dr. Spalding when I was with you all for the window gift. " God is a. Spirit,'' and I shall worship with you in spirit and truth next Lord's Day, and follow with great interest the exercises pertaining to the celebration. With kindest regards to Dr. Spalding and thanks for your letter, I remain with truest esteem, Most sincerely yours, (Mrs. Russell Sage.) M. OLIVIA SAGE. Letters from Absent Friends. 145 Rochester, N. Y., Oct. 18, 1899. Dear Bro. Spalding: I thank you for the invitation to the 75th Anniversary of your church and would enjoy being present if it were possible. It has been my fortune to know all the ministers that have served the church from Dr. Adams to the present. This seems a little strange, because I was a regular attendant there only from 1851 to 1859. The invitation threw me into a " fit " of reminiscences from which I was " bro't to" with great difficulty. It would give me a great deal of pleasure to give a running comment on the events which left a deep impression on my youthful mind. Some of them, however, would not be to edification and some might appear irreverent. Hence I forbear. Discretion is a better part of valor, Those were the days when the various boards of the church were repre- sented by agents. Mr. Stowe appeared periodically, who was characterized by a very sanctimonious tone. Mr. Tousley, known as the children's minister, had a head that did not belie his name. Frederick Starr told some hair-rais- ing stories about his home missionary life out West, and of his sleeping with a pistol at his feet. I never could quite understand that, unless he thought a fire arm a good thing to warm his toes. H. G. O. Dwight a. Foreign Mis- sionary from Turkey, I think, I remember vividly. It used to be a great treat to hear the Foreign Missionaries tell how they were eclipsed by the converted heathen who tell about their native country and customs and take a collection for themselves. During an illness which incapacitated Dr. Canfield for some time, the pul- pit was supplied mainly by students from Auburn Seminary, It was about that time that Herrick Johnson tried his wings. His sermons were incisive and forcible — a forecast of his realized future. Other students were Edward Lacy, whose pulpit manner harmonized with his name. A large man, he found it necessary to lean upon the pulpit to rest and support himself; and Thomas B. Hudson, now treasurer of Hamilton College, who seemed very modest and unassertive. Among those whose faces were familiar in the pulpit was the speech-measured, dignified, saintly Prof. Condit, who always preached excel- lent sermons. Edward H. Babcock was the first Sunday School superintendent I remem- ber, as good a man, I thought, as could be found in Syracuse. He was follow- ed by Timothy Hough who deserves to be knighted for his long continued ser- vice in the Sunday School work. James Marshall was my last superintendent, and was the introducer of the Sunday School concert. To see the Auditorium of the staid First Presbyterian Church given up on a Sunday evening to exercises by the Sunday School was a many-day wonder. But I must stop; I didn't intend to write anything but regrets when I be- gan. But you see something of the effect of the invitation. I hope the exercises of the Anniversary will pass off so as to satisfy your heart. But what a pity that your eyes couldn't have seen what your ears will hear. Fraternally yours, H. P. V. BOGUE. 146 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Belleville, Canada, Oct. 16, 1899. Although it is thirty years since leaving Syracuse, the love for my beauti- ful native city, and for the dear church, has never become less. Not being able to be present as requested, and much regretting the fact, it has been urged upon me by a friend to say a vford in writing, and especially to refer to some things in regard to my parents, remembered by all who knew them with loving esteem and respect. They were prominently identified with the city and witb the growth of the First Presbyterian Church from its earliest years. The Rev. Dr. Adams was a most intimate friend, and he and his like members of the family. He is hardly remembered by me, although his portrait hangs in my room. Between my mother and himself was a cherished, intimate friendship. She went to him by request when he was dying at Glen Haven. The Rev. Dr. Canfield was over the church during my youth, and until leaving Syracuse. He was a constant visitor and intimate with us all. He always called my father " the strong pillar on which he leaned and his most trusted friend," coming to him in the most delicate affairs for his advice; sometimes, too, Pliny Dickinson and saintly Deacon Hayden. Never will be forgotten Dr.' Canfield's grief at my father's sudden death in 1863, while he was away. My mother will be recalled by some of the 7tow " old " members of the church. Dr. Canfield said to friends who recall it and ask me to mention it, "that she was an inspiration to him as he preached, her beautiful face lighted up with its changing expressions, a close and most intelligent listener, and how she commanded the attention of everyone as she moved down the aisle, dignified and elegant in movement, tall and graceful," until seventy-two years old; she passed away in 1868. Both William H. Alexander and Amanda Alexander were widely known and of Christian lineage. My father was noted for his high character, philanthropy and generosity. Mrs. Alexander was with him an influence ever for good. The old home, where now stands St. Paul's Cathedral, was ever open and noted for its hospitality, especially during the meetings of the Presbytery or Synod. Being near by, a table was kept ready for the ministers freely to use at all times. The Scattergood Mission School was started in that home by James Marshall, and for years I taught in its Sunday school the boys' large class, and in our church Sunday school, the ■class of young ladies. All the Sunday school superintendents from Alfred Cobb are recalled as friends, the last I was associated with being former Judge Northrup. Hoping to hear of great success in the dear old First Church's seventy- fifth anniversary, I can see the pews and people there with the loved faces of yore. Most of them have passed away, still they have a bright place in my memory. Loving thoughts will be with you on each anniversary day. My Sister Sarah, who left the City in 1844, to-night recalls the old church. FANNY E. ALEXANDER. Letters from Absent Friends. 147 Boston, October 13, 1899. Dear Dr. Spalding — Your kind invitation of the 9th inst. was duly re- ceived. It is very enticing and it really requires an eflfort for me to turn it down, but I am compelled very reluctantly to decline. The invitation revives the memories of the past and renews my afEection for the dear old church. " Peace be within her walls." Most cordially, EDWARD P. NICHOLS. LoOMis Hill Farm, Onondaga, Oct. 2d, 1899. My Dear Doctor : — I thank you for rememhering me by asking me to contribute to the reminiscences which the very interesting Anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church must evoke. In the anniversary itself I have a profound interest. My memories of the First Church go back to my earliest boyhood. In it I was baptized over 50 years ago, and was in its Sunday School until I went to boarding school at the age of 14 years, For many years my father was a trustee, and no one con- tributed more essentially to its weal by arduous duties in its behalf than he. I have personally known every pastor and am familiar with its membership, upon which, alas! death has made such serious inroads. You see, therefore, how close has been my association with the dear old church, although I have been absent from its fold for many years. With the best wishes that your Anniversary may be made in every way memorable — a cause of rejoicing to a most honorable and beneficent life, I am. Very sincerely yours, CHAS. E. FITCH. Rev. George B. Spalding, DD. LL. D. Maltbie Davenport Babcock, D. D., Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church. Baltimore, October 16, 1898. Dear Dr. Spalding : How gladly would I accept the invitation from your church if I could. My first memories of church life are rooted there. I remember the little chairs in the infant class room, and the hymns, " Whither Pilgrim Are You Going," " We Are Out On the Ocean Sailing," " Far Out On the Prairies," etc. How well Mr. Hough remembers them. lean also recall Dr. Canfield's face, and how, as a child, I would beg for my father's watch and hold it furtively to my ear. You have a feast before you, and I rejoice with you and your people, sending my hearty congratulations. Yours very truly, MALTBIE D. BABCOCK. 148 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Danville, Virginia, Sixteenth October, 1899. Mrs. Charles L. Stone, Chairman Committee of Invitation: /)/)' Dear Madam : — The receipt of the invitation to be present at the celebration of the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the church of my father open- ed the floodgate to many precious memories indelibly associated with its pres- ent sanctuary and precincts. It was as a young man that I first became actively acquainted with it as a member of its congregation and of its Bible class. The extent of the influence in my life of the exercises of its prayer meet- ings, and of the sermons of Rev. Dr. Millard can never be over-estimated. In all the vicissitudes and storms of life coming to me as to all, I have been en- abled to keep as close to a high standard of integrity as I have, largely by the efiectual working out .of lessons there learned. My congratulations are therefore most sincere and heartfelt on this happy occasion. May God's richest blessings rest upon church and congregation. And may the life and strength of its pastor be for many years spared to the congregation whose love and affection is so loyally his. With gratitude for being remembered, and with great regret that I can only be present with you in the spirit. I am, my dear madam, most sincerely, J. CLEVELAND HALL, Rector Epiphany Church. State Normal School. Castleton, Vt., October 23, 1899. To the members of the First Presbyterian Church, Syracuse, N. V., Greeting : I regret that I am unable to attend the seventy-fifth anniversary exercises of your church, which are now taking place, for I love the old church. " Her ivied walls before me stand. Dear as the apple of mine eye, Engraven on my mind." While listening to one of Dr. Millard's strong, forcible sermons, I conse- crated myself to the service of God, a step I have never regretted. May peace and prosperity attend the church in the future, as in the past, and the diamond anniversary record the responses of very many new members consecrated to the service of God. Yours in the love of Christ, LUCY WADSWORTH LEAVENWORTH. Letters from Absent Friends. 149 Grinnell, Iowa, October 19, 1899. J/i' Dear Mrs. Stone : — I was very much pleased to receive the invita- tion to be present at the anniversary of our church. I wish it were possible for me to be with ^^ou all, at that time, but Mrs, Gates is in Colorado Springs still, and I cannot have that pleasure now. If she was at home she would join me in heartfelt wishes that you may have a delightful reunion during those days so long anticipated by us. My home is still in the old church, and the friends there seem dearer to me than ever before. Yours and theirs, most sincerely, CHARLOTTE A. SMITH. Northampton. Mass., Oct. 20, 1899. The Cojnmittee of Invitation, Mrs. Charles L. Stone, Chairman : Dear Madame — The First Presbyterian Church was my family church home for nine years, beginning in 1867, and I acknowledge the debt of grati- tude which I and mine owe to it. We had the ministrations of Dr. Canfield, and latter of Dr. Millard. My children were in the Sunday school and loved it. Being in charge ot a private school I had a special interest in many boys and was thus brought into more intimate relations with their parents. The church had the staidness — some would say the conservatism — of the first church of a city, from which many of the younger people have gone out to form new churches. But we never felt the lack of cordiality and warm christian friendli- ness and fellowship. Seventy-five years is not a long period, yet the First Church is the mother of other churches; doubtless it might have been a greater power for good if everyone of its members had lived according to the perfect standard, but, allowing for imperfections, it has been a help and blessing to a great number, a conserving influence in the community, an instrument for the uplifting of the kingdom of God. Very cordially yours, ISAAC BRIDGEMAN. The Theological Seminary, Auburn, N. X. President's Office. October 14, 1899. My Dear Dr. Spalding : — I have been absent from home for more than a week and on my return find your letter awaiting rae. I shall be most happy to be with you on the 24th inst. , and thank you for the invitation. I congratulate you and the church upon the occasion and wish you many years of prosperity. With kindest regards to Mrs. Spalding and for yourself, I am. Yours heartily, GEORGE B. STEWART. (Pres't Auburn Theological Seminary.) 150 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Auburn, N. Y., Oct. 21, 1899. My Dear Dr. Spalding : — The invitation to the 75th Anniversary of the First Church is most attractive, and only my Seminar)' duties keep me from enjoying at least a part of the exercises. The church is to be congratulated on its years of growth and influence, and you on the privilege and power of your teaching and leadership. Heartily 3'ours, ARTHUR S. HOYT. (Prof. Auburn Seminary.) Auburn, N. Y., Oct. 23d, 1899. My Dear Doctor Spalding : — I have been delaying my reply to the kind invitation to attend the Seventy-Fifty Anniversary of your church, hoping that I might be able to attend some of the interesting exercises. This seems now impossible. But permit me, in expressing my regret at my inability to be present with you, to most heartily congratulate your noble church upon its more than three score and ten years of honorable and beneficent life and to wish for you and it many years of fruitful service together. Rejoicing with you in this happy occasion, I am yours Most cordially, EDWARD W. MILLER. (Formerly pastor at East Genesee Street Presbyterian Church here — now Professor at Auburn Seminary. ) Auburn, N. Y., 130 South Street, October 16, 1899. Rev. George B. Spalding, D. D. : Dear Doctor Spalding — I thank you very heartily for remembering me as among those you invite to be present at the celebration of the 75th Anniver- sary of your church. I would expect to go as a matter of course, if I were as able to move about as I once was; but with me many " fashions of this world are passing away," and among them is that of the active and vigorous body I once possessed. I hope you will have a most mteresting and enjoyable time, and that the solid old First of Syracuse will have a guerdon of Divine blessing in a pros- perous future as she recounts all that God has done for and through her in the past. With best wishes and assurance of my personal esteem. Very cordially yours, JOHN H. OSBORNE. (Trustee Auburn Seminary.) Letters from Absent Friends. 151 Mt. Morris, N. Y., Oct 16, 1899. My Dear Dr. Spalding : — I thank you for the invitation from the committee of which you are chairman, to be present at the 75th Anniversary of your church, and I regret that circumstances will prevent my ac- ceptance. My childhood home is not far from Syracuse, so that I am per- mitted to cherish many interesting memories of that entire section. Dr. Adams and my father were good friends, though not of the same Presbytery, the boundaries being changed at the time of reunion, by which Marcellus was transferred from Cayuga to Syracuse. I know you will have a very interest- ing and profitable occasion. The church will feel enriched in looking over the treasures of the past and tracing the guiding hand of God as He has led her up to her present prosperity. I rejoice, my dear Doctor, that your own pastor- ate has been so happily extended, and I hope you have many years of useful- ness yet before you. Yours very cordially, LEVI PARSONS, (Pres't Board of Trustees, Auburn Theological Seminary.) Hamilton College, Oct. 20th. With greetings to the First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, with ac- knowledgments of the courteous invitation to the celebration of its three score and fifteen years, and sincere regrets that his duties will not allow him upon the appointed dates to be present, from M. W. STRYKER. To The Rev. Dr. George B. Spalding. Syracuse, N. Y., October 23, 1889. The Rev. Geo. B. Spalding, D. D., LL. D. . Dear Sir: — It is my pleasure to extend to you, and to your church the congratulations of the Ministers' Association of this city, in accordance with the motion passed this morning, that " we as an Association extend to the pastor and people of the First Presbyterian Church, our congratulations on the occasion of their 75th Anniversary." Yours sincerely, ARTHUR H. SIMPSON, Sec. (Ministerial Association Protestant Ministers of-this city.) Syracuse, N. Y. , October 20, 1899. Dr. Geo. B. Spalding, Pastor: — The Onondaga County Sunday School Association, assembled at the Forty-first Annual Convention, sends Christian Greetings to the First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, about to celebrate its 75th birthday. The delegates assembled wish your members assured of their love, as well as of the joy they feeel because of your blessings. CHAS. W. WOOD, THOS. HOOKER, For the Convention. lo'-i Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Syracuse University. Syracuse, N. Y., Oct. 9, 1899. Rev. George B. Spalding, LL. D., Syracuse, N. Y., My Dear Dr. Spalding : — You honor me with an invitation to be present on Tuesday evening and I assure you I would be greatly delighted to come, both because of my reverence for your church and my personal admiration of yourself, but unfortunately I am booked for an address at Binghamton that evening. You know how cordially I respond to the purposes of such a congratula- tory meeting in your church's seventy-fifth anniversary program. May the Lord greatly increase your church and give you to us Syracusans until you have rounded full your own personal century. Very truly, JAMES R. DAY, (Chancellor.) Auburn, N. Y., Oct. 32, 1899. My Dear Dr. Spalding : — I was very much gratified in receiving the in- vitation to attend the services with which you propose to make the seventy- fifth anniversary of the foundation of the First Presbyterian Church of Syra- cuse. St. Peter's Church. Auburn, had attained its majority, having been established in 1804. The seventy-five years of your society's life stretches over a most important period of the history of the world and of this society. Seventy-five years is quite a large slice of the period of the history of Presbyterianism ; and three or four such lives in extent as your society repre- sents would span the gap between Calvin and his latest children, and enable you to pay your respects to him, and thank him for his Institutes. It is a great thing to have something to hold on to, and bind your present to the past in these shifting, changing times. I congratulate you, my dear Dr., that it has fallen to your lot to be connected with the First Presbyterian Church just at this time, and I congratulate the First Presbyterian church that you are their pastor at this very time. The points which led Presbyterians and Independents, to leave the Church of England, are matters which Presby- terians and Independents do not care a snap about now, and they would not do it again. And the Church of England would not let them do it again. But in such blessed moments as your anniversary, we must not waste time in his- torical or theological studies. I thank you for inviting me, and only wish that I could be present, but it is impossible. May God bless you and your church with His heavenly grace. Yours sincerely, JOHN BRAINERD. (Rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church.) Letters from Absent Friends, 153 Syracuse, N. Y., October 10th, 1899. Ren. George B. Spalding, D. D. : My Dear Dr. — I am exceedingly grateful for your kind invitation to be present at ceremony on twenty -fourth inst., to celebrate the Seventy-fifth An- niversary of First Presbyterian Church in this city, I regret very much that official appointments take and keep me from home on that day. This with me is a very busy month, and on the date of your celebration I am to be in Truxton, Cortland Co., on visitation and for cere- mony of confirmation. I regret the more my inability to be present with you because of my es- teem for you personally, and I can only pray that God will bless, with his choicest blessings, the good people of the First Presbyterian Church, and their greatly esteemed and respected pastor. I am, my dear Dr., yours faithfully, P. A. LUDDEN, Bp. of Syracuse. Syracuse, N. Y., Oct. 34, 1899. My Dear Dr. Spalding : — Having to give up the hope and intention en- tertained until this late moment, of being present at someof the church exer- cises, commemorative of the founding and the honorable history of the church committed to your charge, I take this way of giving expression to my inter- est in the occasion, and of offering my hearty congratulations on the abundant causes found in the written records, and in the memories of living men for this thankful and joyous celebration. The First Presbyterian Church and St. Paul's Church, starting almost to- gether, [St. Paul's was originally organized in 1834, but on account of some legal defect in the proceedings, was re-organized in 1836], and never far apart in their successive places of worship, have during the subsequent years lived and worked side Ixy side, animated by the same great purpose of winning souls for Christ, passing through very similar experiences of early and late success, and maintaining, at all times, singularly harmonious and cordial relations to one another, on the part of both pastors and people. Of these pleasant relations and of the many admirable activities of the First Presbyterian Church, as well as the continual flow into our community of wholesome and uplifting in- fluence from its able pulpit, I have had the privileges for twenty- seven years of being a personal observer. For all this good, I, therefore, desire to offer, my Dear Doctor, ray tribute of grateful appreciation. With the hope that through the long continuance of your wise and able pastorship, and by God's constant blessing there may come for the church a future wholly worthy of so excellent a past, I am very sincerely yours, HENRY R. LOCKWOOD. Rector of St. Paul's Church. 15-1 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Diocese of Central New York, 310 Walton Place. Syracuse, Y. Y., October 13th, 1899. Afy Dear Brother : — It is one of the benefits of such pubUc commemora- tions as you are about to observe that they furnish a fair occasion for expres- sions of esteem, fellowship and goodwill between Brethren, for which, though they may have all along been felt, there might otherwise be no apparent op- portunity. At any time I should be prompt to put into strong words my cor- dial respect and honor towards " The First Presbyterian Church," its present pastor and members, and those whom it has been my privilege to know in the last thirty years. I can speak with confidence, I am sure, when I say that, in that happy period, there has been no stain on its record, no dereliction in its doings, no flaw in its consistency, no faithlessness in its allegiance to the Gos- pel and Law of Christ. It has appeared to me to do steadily its conscientious share in the common and sacred work to which we are alike called and com- mitted. It ought certainly to be a matter of religious thankfulness, with the Christ- ian bodies among us, that we dwell together in harmony, without disputation, under one Master, and with mutual intercessions to the God of all Truth and Grace, It is not likely that I can attend the exercises at the anniversary, but I am none the less grateful for your kind invitation, and none the less heartily. Yours in the Faith of Our Lord, F. D. HUNTINGTON. ADDRESSES BY MINISTERS OF OTHER DENOMINATIONS. The exercises of the celebration closed Tuesday evening. Representatives of the various denominations of the city delivered brief addresses congratulating the First Presbyterian Church upon having so successfully rounded out three-quarters of a century of religious life. The services, as one of the speakers happily said, partook of the nature of a " Communion of the Sects. '' The following report of the meeting is from the columns of the Post-Standard of the next morning: The first speaker was Rev. George B. Stewart, D.D., president of Auburn Theological Seminary. He was introduced by Dr. Spalding. " The satisfaction I feel in coming here is personal as well as oflBcial," said Dr. Stewart. "At my inauguration a few days ago the prayer by which I was set apart to a sacred trust was offered by the pastor of this church. It was an apostolic benediction and one which I shall always remember." In closing, he said: "I bring the congratulation this evening of the seminary. May this church stand "as it has stood for three-quarters of a century, contmu- ing to bear its testimony to the truth and to hold aloft the cross of our glori- fied Christ." Rev. Dr. Samuel R. Calthrop, pastor of the May Memorial Church, was the next speaker. He said in part: " I feel so fraternal that I don't know what to do. How pitiful it used to be when men with the same eternal hopes fought and scratched each other for these petty differences. I used to say that if anyone felt it his duty to exclude me then I would pay him off by excluding him. The Unitarians have discov- ered some beautiful truths. Nowadays the sunlight has broken over all the churches. We ask who shall do the most good? Who shall see that our poor are fed and the naked clothed? " When I was a boy in England my ambition was to be the vicar of a little village. Under this system a man was appointed to care for all the souls under his jurisdiction. To-day we must band together for the good of humanity. There is much to be done for the black man. I heard Booker Washington recently speak of this. He told of the great gjod being done in the South. 15(i Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. " There is going to be a race of the churches to Heaveu, and the beauty of it is that the one that is ahead will help those who are lagging behind. Let us endeavor to make this earth God's Heaven." Rev. Dr. Charles N. Sims, pastor of the First Methodist Church, was then introduced. " I esteem it a great honor," said he, " to bring you my own congratula- tions as well as those of the Methodism of this city. Our people will never forget that one of your members gave the proudest building which stands on the University hill. Your seventy-five years means seventy-five years of phil- anthropic work. Our people have a part in this celebration. We are a unit in Christian results. Our methods may be different, but the results are the same. "It has always been a joy to me to believe that each Christian denomi- nation was formed because it discovered some new truth. I thank God for the denominations and for the skill with which each carries on its work. I know of no organization of which I can saj' we have no need. I congratulate you upon what you have attained and upon the future which is before you," Rev. Dr. E. N. Packard of Plymouth Church spoke, in part, as follows: ' ' I am here to bring to you the cordial salutations of Plymouth Church and in a certain way of the other Congregational churches of the city. Your pastor has said that it is not difiGcult to step over the line from Congregation- alism into Presbyterianism. Seven generations of his ancestors were Congre- gatioualists. "Plymouth Church is forty-six years old. For all those years we have been working side by side. Our church was born in the midst of great strife over the question of slavery. We and you, up to 1870, were engaged in the evangelization of the world together, and on the Board to-day are members of both denominations. "I rejoice in the disappear, lUcc of the lines separating denominations. This comes about not by ignorinj^ the truths on which we were founded. It is in the thickest of the fight that the regimental colors are lost and all fight to- gether. It IS a union growing out of the conviction that we are to live for the uplifting of the poor and needy." The pastor of the First English Lutheran Church, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Zimmerman, spoke next. He said in part: "I am happy to join with you in this auspicious celebration and bring the congratulations of my people. No one can estimate the moral and religious influence of this church upon the history of our city. It was my good fortune Addresses by Ministers of Other Denominations. 157 twenty-one years ago to form a friendship with Dr. Millard, whom I have many times considered a model pastor. "Dr. Millard helped our congregation to build its church. One thing I must recall. One morning he asked me to exchange pulpits. I reminded him of the humble character of my charge, but that made no difference. He was no respecter of persons. " This is the communion of sects tonight. We have manifested that spirit of unity for which Christ prayed. Of all the organized institutions there is none so unselfish as the church. _" Some severe things are said about the church. It is said that Christ would not recognize the church, nor the church Him. I assert that the Chris- tian church was never so Christlike as it is to-day. I admit that there is less of hate and misrepresentation than there used to be, and for this we thank God. I am sorry for those days. There are many evils in the church to day. We must remember that men and women are human, " There is no town that would vote to close the churches and the reason is that they are a necessity. Let us remember that this church has a bright fu- ture as well as a glorious past." Rev. Philip H. Cole, pastor of the First Reformed Church, was the next speaker: " I came here," he said, " with a glad heart. It is a pleasure to speak to you to-night. I want to add my eulogy to your present pastor. I was once a Presbyterian and the church which I serve in this city belongs to the great family of Presbyterians. If any church has a right to congratulate you it is the Reformed Church. " I see a company of sainted men and women who have gone out from this church. I congratulate you upon the influence which you exert in this city and upon those distinctive features of Presbyterianism. Denominational- ism represents that variety which is consistent in unity. Presbyterians have always worshipped with decency and sobriety and have never tried to rival the theatre in popular attraction. They hav always believed in Christ as the Christians of the first century regarded him. I congratulate you upon your outlook," The Church of Christ, Disciples, was represented by Rev. E. Richard Edwards, who said, in part: " As I offer you the congratulation of my people I thank you for the in- vitation to be present upon this occasion. If I could present one truth to- night it would be the absolute supremacy of Christ. The Church of Christ holds with you every essential truth necessary to salvation. We have to-day over 1,000,000 followers. Our ancestors were Presbyterians. You have al- ways represented strict and uncompromising fidelity to the living God. It is an honor to be counted a friend of your present pastor. God's benediction rest upon this church ond pastor." 158 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary. Rev. Dr. Adolph Guttman, rabbi of the Society of Concord, was the last speaker. He said: " On this seventy-fifth anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church, I bring you the greetings and congratulations of the mother of religions, of Judaism. The mother rejoices with you on this memorable occasion. The mother is proud of her child's achievements. Your triumphs are her triumphs. Your victories are her victories. When you rejoice she rejoices with )'0U, and when you shed tears she weeps with you. You are bone of her bone, fiesh of her flesh and spirit of her spirit. Let me say to you that there is no antagon- ism between the mother and the daughter. " It is true, we differ in theological questions. But what of it ? Is there perfect unity in Christianity ? Are all the .sects and denominations of Chris- tianity agreed upon the rights, customs, dogmas and doctrines ? Theologies are many, but there is only one religion. We may differ in theology, but we are one in religion. We may not believe alike and worship alike, but we may march together shoulder to shoulder against vice, ignorance, superstition and all the foes contending against morality and religion, against right-thinking, right living and right-doing. Many are the things in which we disagreed just enough to make it interesting. This would be too monotonous a world if all people would think and believe alike. We differ in non-essentials, but we agree in the essentials, and I can see no reason why we should fall out by the wayside. And, therefore, in the words of the Psalmist I say: 'The mother rejoices with her children. Hallelujah ! ' " Few, perhaps none, of those who laid the foundation of this Society sev- enty-five years ago, are alive to-day; but the spirit they have breathed into this institution lives and will continue to live. ' ' They of seventy- five years ago were the builders and you who celebrate their work to-day are the children. Happy the children whose parents have built so well, and happy the parents whose children have preserved their in- heritance so well and so grandly. " I have always been greatly impressed with this large, fine church of yours. Standing as it does in the heart of the city, amid the rush and bustle of South Salina street, and pointing with its stony finger to the skies, it is an eloquent sermon of stones, a mighty power for good, reminding men ' that it is not by bread alone that man should live.' And as your church stands out prominently, so your pastor, Dr. Spalding, is a prominent figure in our community. We love him, honor and esteem him, because he is a man who dares to tell the truth and the whole truth. Your church has made large and very precious contributions to the best life of our community, and we do wisely to emphasize this fact and join you in thanking Almighty God for the blessings lavished upon your Society from the beginning and even to this day. And as to the future, I trust and pray that He who has been with you in the past will also be a tower of strength to you in the future." Dr. Guttman closed with the ancient priestly blessing. APPENDIX i824 1899 PROORAM OF E>i:ERCISES I>i CELEBRATION OK THE SEVENTY-KIKTH A.NXIVERSARY OF THE EIRST PRESBYTERIAN SO- CIETY OK THE VILLAGE OF~ SYRACUSE, Original Church Edifice, 1825-1850. (As enlarged, 1841.) SUNDAY. OCTOBER TWENTY-SECOND. 10; 30 A. M.— Historical Sermon by the Pastor. Geo. B. Spalding, D.D., LL.D. 12 M. — Commemorative Exercises by the Sunday School. Roll Call of Superintendents. Remarks by former Superintendents: Timothy Hough, A. Judd Northrup, Charles Hubbard, James A. Skinner, F. C. Eddv, Bion T. Wynkoop, Douglas N, Green. 4 P. M. — Union Communion Service : George B, Spalding, D.D., LL.D., Nelson Millard, D.D. 7:30 P. M.— .\ddress by Nelson Millard, D.D., Rochester, N. Y., former Pastor. Brief Addresses by other Presbyterian Pastors of the city . A. H. Fahnestock. D.D., Rev. A. D. Draper, Rev. W. P. Stevenson, Rev. W. H. Mason, Rev. E, Winshurst. Appendix. 161 monday, october twenty-third. 2; 30 P. M. — Historical Papers and Reports. History of the Sunday School, Mrs. George D. Whedon. History of the Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. Frances Wright Mar- lette. History of the Woman's Missionary Society and mission work of the Church through various organizations, Mrs. Nathan Cobb. History of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, Mr. Henry Doty Mann. 7; 30 P. M.— Mr. Edward A. Powell, presiding. History of the Church, A. Judd Northrup, LL.D. 9 P. M. — Social Reception in Sunday School Rooms. TUESDAY, OCTOBER TWENTY-FOURTH. 2: 30 p. M.— Early History of the Music of the Church, Mr. Timothy Hough Later History of the Music of the Church. Mrs. Austin K. Hoyt. History of the Church Buildings, Hon. William Kirkpatrick Reminiscences. Letters from absent friends. 7- 30 P. JI. — Addresses by ministers of other denominations. (Letter of Invitation.) Uou a>^e moticofata//// /fivetea ^o/<^ner- Joutn Ja/ena a?>n ^aueffe Ji^reatit, u/ion Me occa^Kon o/'fne ce/evt^auon o/eti)^ to ve ne/aon C/um/au, .yMont/au anil ^y ue6(Zau , (Uciooet^ tmentu <^econ^l, twem?i f/i r f^a ana fmenfu /ourtn. ^ottimtffee o/jrnvifatton ^evef^ena^yeor^e ^. J/taiatna, L^^. i^ .yMr<^. ;yle/en ../M. J /anion yieene .yMf^^-. ^2^oua/a<^:^ Jf. ^?^een .y^^. /f(//ta>/i i/i(/^^/iatf^ccK' .yVin ^t//eam ^er^e ~^adu J^t,3^ance^ ^. %//orJ .J^r^. '^eor^e 0. M^An .yHf^i &^/ev(a:7l^/( ,yMr