Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-20
BLESSED BY HEAVEN.
A Hundred Years of Church Work,
Covering Four Pastorates,
RICH In PLEASING MEMORIES.
Early Trials and Triumphs of the West
Alexander Congregation,
CELEBRATED WITH SONG AND PRAYER
WRITTEN FOR THE prsPATcH.I

WRITTEN FOR THE p1sPATcH.I
Down in the heart of Washington county
last Wednesday there was notable gather
ing OF people. The occasion was the hun
dredth anniversary of the founding of the
West Alexander Presbyterian Church,
church which figures more largely, perhaps
than any other in the story of religious and
educational progress in Western Pennsyl
vania.
A vast, enthusiastic audience gathered In
the modest brick structure. 1t is the fourth
building erected by the congregation within
the century. The audience room was taste
fully decorated for the occasion. The serv'
| ices of the day were opened in the morning
at 1880 o'clock with an anthem. Rev. DIR.
Brownson, of Washington, Pa, invoked the
divine blessing. The pastor, Rev. DR..
Lester, read the Tooth Psalm from the pulpit
Bible, which the first pastor, Rev.
John Brice, always carried with
him. After the psalm was sung
Rev. j. S. Marquis, of Washington, Pa,
read the Scriptures, and the Rev. Laverty-
Grier, the pastor of the Forks of Wheeling
Church, formerly part of this charge, led
in prayer. After singing, the pastor, Rev.
W. II. Lester, D. D., read the history. The
delivery occupied one hour and half. 1t
was rich mosaic. This blending of facts
and fgures-the proportionate treatment of
topics-the exhaustiveness of detail, at no
time tending to tediousness, made it model
historical address.
AN ENJOYABLE OCCASION.
An excellent lunch was served in the
basement to at least 1000 persons. The
afternoon was devoted to the Sabbath school
history and addresses by visiting ministers.
The evening was given to "reminiscences and
the reading of letters from absent brethren
who were students of the old academy. AL
together it was an occasion very long to be
remembered.
This church was first called ''The Three
Ridges" taking the name from the three
elevations coDverging near the meeting
house. AS to the time of the organization
OF the church no precise date can be given,
as the early records are lost. 1t is believed
that the first sermon was preached by Rev.
John Mcmillan, D. D., and that he organ
lied the church. Without doubt it was at
least preaching point as early as 1875.
In the published journal of Colonel John
May, who travelled through this part
of the State in 1887, we find the follow
ing: SIN the course of the days ride 1 saw
little box, something like a sentry tree,
standing near the side of the road, but sew
eral miles from any house 1 could see, and
standing on iour posts. 1 was told, on in
quiry, that it was a pulpit, and that to that
spot the people went TO worship God-the
God of Jacob. Near this place was cut the
section of vista through the forest, making
the boundary line up to Lake. Erie, between
- A. tho
from the East to the Ohio river was through
this place, we are enabled to locate
definitely.
THE FIRST PREACHING PLACE
was near the old oak tree, still standing in
the graveyard beside the present church
building. The land on which it stood, the
site also OF the present building, was OBJ
tained from Robert Humphrey in 1887 or
1888. The only consideration was lone
third of q seat in the church"
The first pastor was the Rev. John Brice,
who was ordained and installed April %,
1890. He lived three miles from the church,
in Virginia, on a farm which is still in the
possession of his grandchildren. He ter.
minated his work here in June, 1907, owing
to the infrmities of age. He died August
26, 1911. He was a faithful paste: and in
structivs preacher, and his labors were
blessed. His last wife was
sister of the Rev. John Stockton, d. The
last surviving daughter, Mrs. Jane Ann
than 80 years of sge-the last
direct link connecting the first pastorate
with the present, had expected to be pres
ent on this occasion, but stroke of paralysis
last week prevented her. The Rev. John
Brice Reed, of Laurel Hill, Pa, is grand
son OF the first pastor.
During this pastoraJe (between 1893 and
1850, difficulty arose in the congregation
which terminated IN serious division. 1t
originated over the the matter of Psalmody.
A SPLIT IN THE CHURCH.
Rouse's Version of the Psalms was the
book used in the praises of the congregation.
1t was reported that Mr.. Brice had copy
of Watts Version of the Psalms and used it
in his family worship. Over this the people
bath Mr.. Brice alluded to the report and
its correctness, In order
that the people might understand and Judge
what he had done, he proceeded to read
'line out''-and sing one of Watts psalms.
Those who were conscientiously opposed to
"human composition" in the praises OF the
sanctuary, and who would not submit to its
at once arose and left the
house and did not again return. These were
the founders of the Associate Reformed |
Church OF Three Ridges, which is now the |
q. P. Church of this place.
The church was very chary of changes.
It is said one Sabbath the precentor sang
the hymn to tune unknown to the congre-
CATION. The people were silent but not sub
missive. AT the close Of the sermon little |
George Sutherland, one of the elders, ad- |
dressed him: "Sr, do you know you have |
done to-day what the devil could not do?"
"What is that?" asked the offender.
"Why, you have shut up the mouths of |
Gods people and the devil could never do |
that"
The Communion season in these olden
times was the solemn convocatlon of the |
church. 1t was observed only twice in the |
year and was truly passover occasion. |
People came long distances by families, |
often bringing their food with them and re-
naming throughout the services.
OLD CUSTOMS KEPT UP.
The preparatory services began on Thurs
day and continued over Monday. The form
of concentrating the sacrament of the
Lords Supper was sitting at tables. 1t is a |
rather remarkable fact that this form has |
not been discontinued. As far as known |
this and the First church of Pittsburg, are
the only Presbyterian churches that now |
practice it.
But 1t is equally remarkable that the use |
of tokens-small, thin round pieces of lead,
given by the elders to the worthy communi- |
cants, has been discontinued.
The second pastor was the ReA, Joseph |
Stevenson, who labored 16 years on salary |
nj Id fha