The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-07-10


to Trustees hereafter to be appointed by tie
subscribers" 1t goes on further to state
the kind of building. This original docu-
ment is dated " pril goth, 1881" Second
is a minute, commencing thus; cat 4
meeting of the subscribers for building a
! Presbyterian Meeting House, in the town Of
Evansville, at the house of AlansOn Warner
on the Odd Of April, for the purpose of
electing Trustees, in pursuance of the sub
scription' &c. 1t then states that the "fol-
lowing persons were chosen as Trustees =
Amos Clark, Alsnson Warner, and William
Olmstead.' This paper has the autograph
signatures of David Negley, President, and
James Lewis, Secretary.
Third, is title bond given by John b.
StinSon, in which he binds himself to con-
vey to these Trustees the lots upon which
the Church now stands, {" in and for the con-
sideration of one hundred dollars" which,
at that time, was the fair valuation of the
property.
Fourth, is the deed itself, by which John
3. Stinson actually conveys the property to
said Trustees, stating in exact language
To the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church
and congregation.
Fifth, is a formal commission given to
Rev. Mr.. Rutler, when contemplating visit
to the Eastern States, authorizing him to
call upon Christians there, and ask them
here is the exact language" for aid in
building a Presbyterian Meeting House, in
the town of Evansville"
Mr.. Butler made that journey, and upon
his commission are the autograph subscrip-
tons of some of the most distinguished men
in the Church. Some three or four hundred
dollars were thus secured by Mr.. Butler.
And now, in view of this exhibit, we are
prepared to say that no more erfect chain
of evidence could be formed to establish a
claim upon anything than that upon which
this Church claims its possessions and to
oblgate the Trustees to devote it to no 9TH
er uses than those to which it has been de-
voted by regular vote of the Church and
congregation.
1t appears that this Church was made to
act quite an important part in the unfortu-
nate division of the once united Presbyte-
rian Church of America. In this sermon
these difficulties, and the origin of the Old
School Presbyterian Church of this city, are
referred to in a kind, and Christian spirit:
The Presbyterianism of the members of
this Church was never even remotely called
in question. To question the Presbyterian
ism of such q man as Daniel Chute-and it
was through him the Church came in con-
hict with the Vinceunes Presby tery-was
like questioning the Presbyterianism of
John Calvin himself Mr.. Chute loved the
doctrines of the Church, and loved the poll
ty of the Church, and when the Vincennes
Presbytery turned its rebuke upon him, it
was not for heresy-it dared not do that
/ it was for not approving the excindicg act
of 1897 and because he was not willing 10
accord with the almost unanimous vote of
the Presbytery, thanking the great Head OF
the Church, that the once united Church in
our land was divided.
OF the members Of the church who had
ever contributed to the erection of the build
ing, all remained with US. OF those who
went out to be organized into another
Church, not one of them had ever contribu-
ted cent 20 either buy the ground upon
which the Church was built, or to build it.
Tho old members stood together as unit
were of one heart aud one mind, and IN one
place-the place which they had dedicated
to God by their treasures, their tolls and
their prayers.
( Carrying our case to the highest Of all
tribunals, we can confidently say we wrong
no man nor no body of men, in asserting
that we are the earliest Christian Church i'll
/ this city" THE First Presbyterian Church
! IN EUnnSgiHp'