Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-06-04

Diioourss delivered BY Rev Dr.. A5aal at he Fiat
PreslyarriaH Church, in Clerclaad, June 50, 1880.


I'rsslgareiaH Church IN Cleuclaad, June 50, Is6O.
Rev. DR.. Aiken yesterday delivered a
"QuArter of Century Sermon" at the First
Presbyterian Church, reviewing the history
of the church and the people during the
twenty-five years of his ministry among
them, Of which we present brief abstract.
The spacious Church was crowded, and spe-
cial interest was manifested in the sermon.
The text upon which the discourse was
founded, was the following:
For inquire pray thee Of the former age, and
prepare thyself 10 the search Of their fathers.-
job viii: g.
To transmit, said the speaker, to their des-
eendants, a history of the mercies and judg-
ments of the Almighty was the express COM
msnd Of Jehovah to the ancients. Next to
revolution, history is Of the create st utiltyitO
mankind. By it, we not only hear Of the
past, but by analogy We gain some glimPses
Of the future.
Agreeably TO the notice given, you have
come, expecting TO hear Quarter Of 4 Cen
tury sermon. l apprise you to expect little
more than a condensed history of this church
and society for the last twenty-five years.
If detail with some minuteness, events con-
nected with the older members of the con-
gregation, it is for the benefit Of the younger
portion. Nearly half century has passed
since ! entered the sacred Office. All things
considered, no age has been so remarkable as
the last fifty years as regards religion as well
IS the arts and seienceB. The results of the
changes have been in some respects a new
and better order of things. In the grand
drama, I have not been an entirely idle
spectator, but shall limit my remarks to the
history of my connections with this cOngre-
cation.
But few pastors have passed through so
long period as with only one change, the
earlier portion of my ministry having been
passed in Syracuse. The early history of
Cleveland Is familiar to many of you. The
absence of the luxuries and comforts Of life
are among the necessary incidents Of early
pioneer life. Among the early settlers of
Cleveland were many not fav orable to reli-
gion. They had removed from New England
and were glad to escape from the rigid religious
restraints of that portion of the country and
removed 10 the new and cheap lands of Ohio
to enjoy freedom of action and belief The
majority of the first settlers entertained in6del-
ity or were favorable to it, or were against
Christianity, for many leading minds of the
place held such beliefs, and of cOursedrew the
mass of the people with them. Cleveland was
a missionary ground, and the institutions of
the gospel were sustained by the Connecticut
Mission for the propagation of the gospel.
In 1920, Rev. Mr.. Stone was appointed to
preach here. In 1917, Rev. Mr.. Searle had
been employed to preach for Trinity Church.
In 1929, their house at the corner of St. Clair
and Seneca streets was erected The first
Sunday school was formed in 1928. In Sep
tember of that year, this Church consisting of
IA members, was organized in the log school
house on the south side on st. Clair street.
When the brick academy was erected on ST.
Clair street Ii was used as a place of Wor-
ship. Then the third story of Dr. Longs build
ing [now the American bnildingl was used,
until the basement of the first stone Church
was prepared for use. For fourteen years
no regular preacher was had. Rev. Seth
Bradstone was employed, and for his faithful
services he received more affection than mon
ey.
This society was Incorporated January 9Th,
1927, the % gentlemen styling themselves
the First Presbyterian Society of Cleveland.
It was thought that small wooden building
would be fully commodious. This build
ing was consecrated in 1888, and ready for
occupancy in 1894, on the ground where
now stands this church, and was demolish-
ed in 1853.
was invited to come to this town in 1895,
and was installed in November following.
A Presbytery was formed in accordance
with the charter of the Society. It was soon
found that our house was too small, and the
want of pew room, and the high price OF
Of slips drove off many to new churches.
withdrew to form Congregational Society,
with a view 70 providing more room, but
after an experiment of ayear, the enterprise
was abandoned from a want Of OfcOngregational
feeling in the community. In the course Of
my ministry no less than five colonies have
gone off from us some Of them small, some
/ Of them large. So far as man can judge,
these were dictated by no jealouses or dissen-
tiOns, but all have gone away quietly and
/ harmoniously.
On the first Sabbath of January 1853,
among other topics spoke Of that Of erecting
I a new house Of worship, because the old one
would not accommodate the people. My
wishes were promptly seconded by the peo-
pie. After a delay of two years, new
/ house was dedicated, August II, 1855, and
/ burnt down March 10, 1857. The event was
/ at the time much deplored, but as some loss
es are not 80 bad as atrst appraised so this loss
/ has, in more ways than one, contributed 10 the
strength, the unity and the prosperity Of
this congregation. An insurance of $50, 600
had been effected, which was promptly paid,
so that but little delay was experienced in
| re building.
Nothing remained from the FIRE but the bare
walls, and those in dilapidated state. In
ten months the house was rebuilt, and on
the Sth Of January the new house was dedi-
/ Gated r. the service of Almighty God.
have thus detailed our history for the in
struction of the men Of the present and the
/ future.
shall decline following the usual course
of ministers in giving the number Of addi-
tions, members, &c, for 1 have never been
able to see the utility Of thus having my use
fllness estimated by numerical figures
Those anxious to know Of these things, are
referred to the official records Of the Church
and Society.
Ny success has been as great as could have
expected. find much 10 deplore, and much
to be thankful for. OF the entire good done,
we are unable TO correctly estimate-that es-
| innate must be left TO the last Great Day to
develop.
There are some things which cannot
pass over in silence-dificulties with which
/ have had TO contend. You remember the
a--oaL ..--..l-;..-. g. L...i-,n.. 3. 1917 EsEn