The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-19
A CHURCH WITH A HISTORY
Observance of the Second PRESBYTERIAN
Semi-Centennial Anniversary.
An Eloquent Sermon Suggested by the Re-
markabls Picture of Christ Before Pr
late-WOrk Of the McAll Auxiliary.

tho Second Presbyterian Church was observed.
The church was without decorations, save five
large handsonseroups of ehry stand
Ing before the altar. There was a large attend.
anee, despite the weather, aud of the congrega-
tion were General Harrison and wife. The Rev.
James McLeods sermon was principally of an
historic character, throughout which were given
"reminiscences. The Doctor said that fifty years
ago, on Nov. 10. 1888, fifteen members Of the
old First Presbyterian Church separated from
IL and formed the present Second Presbyterian.
IL was unnecessary, he observed, to speak of
the causes Of this separation. The term "old
school, and new school, however much pain
and dissension they may have once caused, had
no meaning now, and the parent loved the
child and the child loved the parent, and they
wrought together foc the cause Of Christ The
little body forming the new congregation was
composed of Bsthusl F. Morris, Daniel Yandes,
Luke Munsel. Laurence NJ. Vance, Mary J.
vance, Sidney Bates, William Ecksrt, Alexan-
der ID. Davidson, Robert Mitchell.
Wnhsm S. Hubbard, Joseph F.. Holt,
Margaret r. Holt. John L. Ketcham, Jane
Retcham, and Cathariue Merrill Four of these
are yet living In this city, but only one, William
5. Hubbard. still holds an official position in the
church.
After meeting for about two years in q room
OF enc old Marion County Seminary. which stood
on the southwest corner of what is now Uni
versity Park, the congregation had grown so
shat IL found itself pressed for room. Henry
Ward Beecher had been called to tho church,
and ne commenced his pastorate on the 3lst OF
July, 1853, and bis eloQuence had been largely q
GSuse OF adding many to tho membership:
FROM the FIRST bis ministry had been O marked
success and, in 1910, a new church was built at
the ccrner of Market and Circle streets, where
IL SILL stands. There arc some here to-day"
the Doctor said, who remember, with peculiar
pleasure, the remarkable revival which took
place In this church in the year 1912. They can
recall that then many OF their friends were born
again, into the kingdom of God. They rsmem-
Der that they can point them out, and say this
man or that man was born again, there.
that day! When We recall the wonderful
oils was then but a small town,
and that during that single year two hundred
new members were added to the church. nearly
all oy profession OF faith, tho period OF Henry
ward beechers pastorate may be regarded as
one or the briehIestin the history Of this church.
As the town grew the church grew, under the
leadership OF the eloquent young pastor. until
1t waxod strong and became . power in this city
Tor good ! DO not mean by this to say that 1t
has always been such o power for good, or that
this was our best time, but Mr.. Beecher's zeal
aod ability in the ministry contributed very
largely to bring to this church the strength and
influence which she has had for so many years.
NO ooe can read his lectures to young men, de-
hvered at that period, without feeling that he
Sas then as evangelical as he was earnest. Let
il be recorded, notwithstanding some of his
eccentricities, that the FIRST pastor of this church
was one of the greatest preachers. as we'll as one
of the greatest patriots that this country has
ever produced There are some who go so far
% to q Jign him an oven higher place; who say
that he was the greatest preacher the world has
seen since the apostolic times: but l consider
tits toe extravaRant, and believe that if Mr..
Beecher himself could be- told of such &C opin.
ion, to-day, he would utterly repudiate it. He
has an undoubted title 10 the estimate | have
given of him., and was much beloved by this
church, whose congregation. to-day, gratefully
accepts the kind gift OF his picture sent them by
his widow, in remembrance of this occasion"
Continuing to note the progress of the church
since Beechers time, the Doctor said: "Ths
growth Of this church has been steady and uni
form for the last fifty years, mp to the
present time, when we number $50 mem
bers. The whole number received since
its organization has been 2,236. The total
amount raised by the church during that
period has been $500, 000-an average Of
more than SIS. 900 every year since its FONDA
ton. Considering the fact that In the early
udNe ~ boWu t1c CuuECu Wofo NcIy
small, this is q remarkably good average"
The Doctor then dwelt upon the services to
the church OF his several predecessors in the
charee-Clemsnt Z. Babo, Thornton A. Mills,
George Z. Tindall, Hauford A. Edison. Arthur
T. Pierson, William A. Bartlett and j. l.. With
row. Concerning Thornton A. Mills, he said:
He had a sturdy. solid character; q will that
would break before il would bend. As a speaker
he was able and forcsful, ands occasionally be
was eloquent. He was not merely a good
Presbyterian, but he was a patriot when
patriotism in this Western country meant
something In concluding, Dr.. Mcleod urged
the congregation TO emulate the zeal for souls
ever present in the early days they had recalled.
and press on to their high calling In Jesus
Christ
There was q thanksgiving service Of praise
and song at the church last evening in further
ommemoration OF the anniversary. To-mor-
row night will be held the anniversary social, OF
which a special feature will be an interesting
programme of informal talks by old members,
giving "reminiscences OF the early church days.