Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-03-14

; their inability to be present. 4 lette
was read from Judge briggs. who regret
: ted that the hearing of case then OF
trial prevented his attendance, and Ell
closing a check n
-.. CLOSING EXERCISES.
: Dr. Balph. in behalf of the congrega
ton, extended thanks TO DR.. Young f0l
his presence-to the Commissioners ot
the county for the free use of the Cour
House Han after the church was destroy
ed-to the newspapers of st. ClaiIsyille
and especially to The CHRONICLE, fol
work dope gratuitously-to contributor:
outside of the congregation, naming then
to Rev. D. c. Stewart for pulpit Bible
and copy of the Psalter-and to the Build
ing Committee. r sIsa7l 5
Dr. BaIph also extended congratula
tions to Mrs. Sarah ". Templeton, now
residing at Washington, D. c., one of the
original members of the congregation. and
the oldest member living; to Mrs Eliza
beth Denham, received May 26, 1882; tu
Mr. and Mrs. John Stewart, received May
IS, 1898; to Mr. Samuel Clark, received
November IS, 1885; to Mr.. VIM. ]. Clark
received October :, 1887; to Mrs. Margaret
Thompson, received May II, 1889.
The following report of baptisms which
occurred more than fifty years ago was
also read: Jane Denham, May 2S, 1882;
Solomon Bentley, May 2s, 1892; William
Denham, May IS, 1888; John E. Stewart
May IL, 1884; Elizabeth Ann Denham
now Mrs Wiley, November, 1885; Mary
Ross Templeton, January Z, 1888.
John Stewart was ordained Elder May
rs, 1888 almost fifty-one years ago. Mr..
Stewart is still living-a vigorous and
sturdy old man.
DR.. Balph announced that Rev. DR..
Young would preach at night.
Rev. DR.. Hollingshead pronounced the
benedictiOn, and the exercises were ended.
A SERMON BY DIR. YOUNG.
The house was filled in the evening, to
hear a sermon from DR.. Young. On the
platform, beside DR.. Young, were Rev.
w. NJ. Grimes, Rev. Mr. Wade, Rev. D. C..
Stewart, and DR.. Balph.
Mr.. Grimes announced and read Psalm
! C, which was fervently sung by the choir
and congregation. Mr.. Wade then deliv-
cred an earnest prayer, after which Psalm
CXX was sung Then followed the ser
mon. DR.. Young announced his text:
"Why do the heather rage? Psalms IL.
! The question considered and treated
the apparently slow progress of Christi
anity-was handled in a mastery man.
ner. Until comparatively recent years
the Kings and Princes of the earth all re-
sisted the teaching and spread of Christi
anity. The conversion of the Roman En-
perOr Constantine, more than three hun
dred years after the dawn of Christianity,
was the first recognition the Christian re-
ligion had received from earthly rulers.
Then for more than one thousand years,
until the revolt of Henry VIII of England
against the Pope, Paganism and Popery
were upheld by the arms of the world
To-day the vast continent of ASia-con-
tanning about one-fourth the population
of the gIObe-is governed by Pagan rulers.
DIR. Young affirmed that the truths of
the Bible are consistent with reason and
science. Men have Sneered at the posi-
bility of such an event as the Noachian
flood Has not all of this continent at
one time been covered with water? I'm
questionably the coal seams establish the
fact that it has been. This feature he
discussed from scientific standpoint,
and elaborated and explained in a clear
and forcible manner.
The sermon was historical treatment
of the question, Why the apparently slow
progress of Christianity? and was such
production as might be expected from the
distinguished scholar and preacher who
delivered it.
The day was glad one among all the
members of the congregation, and no one
who attended, day or evening, but was
greatly benefited and pleased.
REVIEW OF THE CONGREGATION.
The congregation of st. Clairsville was
organized in 1880. Mr.. WILLIAM TEN
PLEToN, the father of Mrs Dr. Hewetson,
was fOremostin its organization, and was
one of the original Elders. Rev. HUGH
PARKS, who died few years ago, on his
pastor, entering upon his work on the 1st
of October, 1881, but was not ordained
and regularly installed pastor of the con-
gregation until April 26, 1882. Rev. Ben
jamin Waddle, who died at his home in
Logan county few years ago, the father
of Rev. w. G. Waddle, of near New
Athens, preached the ordination sermon.
Mr.. Parks was born in Belmont county,
was educated in Jefferson College and at
the Theological Seminary at Allegheny.
For about two years after Mr. Parks
pastorate the congregation used the
Episcopal Church, which stood opposite
where the NJ. E. Church now stands. In
1885 the building which was destroyed by
the tornado was erected, costing S2,6OO |
Charles H. Bailey built the masonry and
brick work, and Charles Collins the car
penter work. Both of these men died
recently.
Mr.. William Templeton was the bust
ness man of the congregation, and to his
tact and zeal and integrity the congrega-
ton was indebted for much of its pros
perity.
Because of poor health, Mr.. Parks re-
signed his pastOrate after seven years
service, and for about two years the con-
gregation was without pastor.
June 23, 1912, Alexander Young was
ordained at meeting of Presbytery at
Steubenville, and installed pastor of the
congregation of St. Clairsville.
Rev ALEXANDER YOIrNG ID ID T. T,