The Indianapolis journal., 1889-09-06
Centennial Anniversary the Fountain
Head of American Presbyterianism.
A Great Day in the History of the Church
Given Added Luster by Long Array Of
Speakers of National Distinction.
Remarks by President Harrison, Mr..
Wanamaker and Governor Beaver.
And Addresses by Distinguished Presbyterian
Divines-Historical Road Trayersed by the
President-IIis Future Movements.
MORNING EXERCISES.

MORNING EAEkClSES.
Neat Speech by the President Heartily Re-
ceived-Other Addresses Delivered.
Log COLLEGE GROUNDS, Pa, Sept 81
The "Old Log College, celebration, under
the auspices of the Presbytery of Philadel-
phia. North, was held to-day on the old
Tennent farm, near Hartsville. Bucks
county, Pennsylvania. where the college
was originally located. The farm is about
twenty miles from Philadelphia. The exer-
cises of the day are really commemorative
of the founding of the Presby yterian Church
in the United States. The Log College was
established in 1726 by William Tennent and
fiourished until 1742. when Princeton Col
lege was founded. and it may be said that
the Princeton institution of learning sprang
up from the primitive college established
by Tennent.
When to-day celebration was first talked
of President Harrison promised to attend,
and he has kept that promise by coming
here to-day, accompanied by Postmaster
general Wanamaker. Mrs. Harrison. Rev.
j. w. Scott and Private Secretary Halford.
The President and party arrived from
Washington last evening and spent the
night at Mr.. Wanamakers country home at
Jenkintown. Early this morning the presi-
Dental party started for the place where
the exercises were held, driving in carriages
over the old York road. distance of about
The route along which the party travelled
was profusely decorated with flags and
bunting, the farm houses, fences and trees
showing evidence of the peoples intention
to make the Presidents journey memorable.
Tents had been erected on the Tennent
farm, and an immense crowd from the sur
rounding country and Philadelphia, includ-
ing prominent Presbyterian divines from
all over the country, was present. long
programme of exercises had been arranged.
divided into two parts. and at 11;20 the
services rsic g OF the day c were opened by the
seph Beggs, ID. D., of the Falls of Schuyl-
kill. Philadelphia. Then followed prayer
by Rev. l.. w. Ackard. of Abingdon, Pa.
to whose energetic work the success OF to-
days celebration is due.
At 11:50 the President, leaning on the arm
of Mr.. Wanamaker, entered the large tent
and was given most enthusiastic welcome.
They were followed by others of the party,
an d all took front seats on the raised plat
form. The ladies of the party were all
| dressed very handsomely and carried beau
| tiful bouquets. Mr.. Harrison's journey
had been one continual ovation. The entire
| eight miles of road was lined with people.
| and cheering was frequent.
Governor Beaver. who was also of the
| party, came in for a generous ovation at
the hands of the audience when he ascend
were seated the first paper of the day was
read by Rev. j. X. Turner, of Martinsville,
Pa. descriptive of the founding of the Log
| College and the useful career of its founder.
| ID. D., LII. d., of Philadelphia, editor of the
| Presbyterian, who delivered an address on
Log College Evangelists."
Rev. Francis l.. Patton, president of
Dnrv an4 NnlIn anwrA
| gramme for an address, but owing to the
| death of his son he was unable to be pres
ent, but Rev. DR.. Murray. dean of Prince
| ton College, delivered spirited address in
his place.
Next came Rev. Richard McIlwaine, d.
| D., LII. D., president of Hamden-Sydney
| College, Virginia, who read a paper on In
| fiuence OF the Log College in the South"
| At the conclusion of this address President
Harrison was introduced. The assemblage
at this time numbered IS 900 or more, and
| this vast audience arose en- masse and re-
| peatedly cheered the President as he came
to the front on the platform. Mr.. Harri.-
| son, when the applause ceased SO he could
be heard, spoke as follows:
| have had illustrated to me here, to-day, one
OF the conspicuous traits and graces OF the Pres
byterian Church. Nothing, 1 assure you, short
| perseverance of the saints in the person of our
distinguished brother, the chairman, who has
the dfHcultes Which ~ seemed ed to be in
the way of my meeting with you to-day.
have had also illustrated, regret TO say an
other trait which nave observed in the now
| ecclesiastical world more than once, and very
much to my discomfort, and which thought
| would be absent here And must trace 1T,
suppose. to the same responsible source
| never, at any time, promised TO make an address
here to-day. lLaughterl have authorized no
| dlreful consequences which come 10 the Presi-
dent of the United States, and which have been
| 80 graphically aud forcibly alluded to by DE-.
Murphy, there is none more embarrassing than
| this constant habit OF being associated upon the
platform or at the banqnent table with gentle
lLaughterl 1t Is altogether unfair and ex-
pected here in this. great meeting OF
treatment Applause. And yet have pleasure in
being here. for every impulse of honorable pride
which stirs your hearts moves mine. am glad
TO stand here at the source of great movement
! had seen the Mississippi river pouring out its
great torrent into the gulf and opening a way in
land for the enormous commerce, and was glad
to stand. few years ago, where Gallatin. Jeffer-
son and Madison started the Missouri on Its great
course to the sea. And so realize that here on
| this spot. about which in this immediate neigh
borhood there are gathered many historical
incidents, We celebrate not a victory in war. but
| one or those great impulses born OF God, ana
that will do His work until the world shall cease
| TO move. Applause.
| stand dumb before the thought OF what the
great day will reveal as the fruit OF this modest
| but pious and courageous effort here in the in
stitntion of the Log College-the wholesome fount
tender and imperceptible filaments of mental In
fuence that touch our lives. u IL could be re-
vealed TO us to-day how many In this great
audience, gathered from remote sections of our
country, would be able TO trace the silver thread
| by which they had been drawn into the church
| of God and continuing the original and multiply
| ing influences OF the efforts that were
| begun here! II 10 pleasant 70 believe
that that which il hidden TO our eyes
| will some day be known. and that we will be
able better to realize that these men wrought for
God and for mankind do not want unduly TO
| exalt the Presbyterian Church and yet think
the historians who have been untouched by the
partiality OF membership, and who have been
writing its story, will say that it has been, a
body, magnifceLtly characterized by faith
fulness to God and liberty. lApplause.l
II some have supposed that Ii was not pro-
gressve church, that its creed was hard. LET US
| not forget that there times in the develop
ment of affairs both secular and spirit
ual when the rock must be opposed 10
the sword of error. Let US not forget
that we have been progressive towards the truth,
and not In that modern sense that recognizes no
progress unless IL is free from the land marks OF
revealed truth 6teadfastness our enemies call
obstinacy Even that word, even that charac-
teristic has its occasions and its services. We
are to-day, as a church. in the most affectionate
fellows ship with all who revere the great doc
trines of the Chrstianifaith and practice them.
[Applause.l The great period of polemcal and
and acrimonious ecclesiastical discussion had its
day and its uses. IL we are now come into a day
when essentials have been magnified. and non
essentials have been set in their prop
er subordinate place, let US rejoice
for an occasion Of reunited effort OF those who
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