The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-09
A NOTABLE ANNIVERSARY
REV DIR. III. L.. vANNUYs'S EXTENDED
PAsTORATE AT GOSHEN.
He Has Served n Presbyterian Church
Fifty Years-A Memorable Event 10
BE FittingIy Observed.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
GOSHEN. Ind. Oct. s.-A notable event
here is the joint jubilee anniversary or the
First Presbyterian Church and of Its pas
tor, Rev. Hervey L. Vannuys, ID. d., In
celebration of the fftieth anniversary or
both church and pastor. Rev. DIR. Vannuys
never had any other regular charge and the
local church has never had any other pas
tor. Excepting in 1871, when DR.. Vannuys
toured Europe and the Holy Land. he has
never even been absent any great length
Of time. So memorable is this event in
church history that the Presbyterian Synod
of Indiana did the Goshen congregation
and pastor the honor of appointing its an
nual meeting here. Oct. 1915. and has so
arranged its programme as to give special
prominence to this unusual and delightful
anniversary, by giving parts of two of the
three days of its sessions to its celeora-
ton. Tuesday afternoon will be given to
Rev. DR.. Vannuys's anniversary sermon
and to the congratulations of the Synod by
brethren of especial long and intimate re-
lation to the pastor and people OF the
church. Ambrose Y. Moore. ID. D., OF Han
over College. will speak in behalf or south
ern Indiana; Rev. Leon p. Marshall, ID;
D., of Franklin, for central Indiana, and
Rev. Charles Little. ID. d., of Wabash,
for northern Indiana. other parts of the
Synod's public exercises are also arranged
| to correspond with the life of the church
and pastor in periods of "hfties." The
Presbyterian Church During the Last Fifty
, Years" will be the theme of Rev. John
Dixon, d. D., of New York, assistant secre-
tary of the Board of Home Missions. on
Tuesday evening. and The Foreign Field
for an address by Rev. A. Woodruff Hal
sey, d. D., of New York, assistant secre-
on Wednesday evening. Wednesday after
noon will be devoted to addresses on what
can be expected in the next half century,
The Next Fifty Years IN the Indivldual
Church. by Rev. j. Cumming Smith. d. D.,
of indianapolis; I'm Gu Country" by
Rev. Harry N. Mount (son of the late Gov.
the World by Rev. Henry Webb john
son, d. D., of South Bend.
The Synod did a like honor to the Go
shen church twenty-five years ago. in 1877.
when 1T met here and assisted in celebrat-
ing the quarter century anniversary In
the history of church and pastor. That
was then considered a memorable occa-
| sion.
Rev. Harvey Logan 'Vannuys, d. D., is
a native of Kentucky. having been born
in Shelby county in that State on Nov. 3,
| Vannuys, who was of Dutch and Holland
blood. and Katy Ode Marcel Vannuys de-
scended from the French Huguenots. His
parents early crossed the Alleghenles from
New Jersey, settling near Lexington, KY
When this son was still quite young the
parents moved to Franklin. then a small
Il PldCC lWCnly lie cOQth VI lilQidildPOiics
He was fitted by private tutor to enter
college and was graduated from Hanover
College, near Madison, Ind, in 1S4S. He
then entered the Theological Seminary OF
| Princeton, N. j., and was graduated in
May. 1852. He would have graduated with
his class a year later, which would have
placed him in the pulpit before he became
of age, but this not being according to his
estimate of the dignity of his high chosen
calling, he sacrificed his class association
and the personal honor of being the young
4 est graduate of that venerable institution
and retired for a year, spending his time
In private study on lines not included in a
to complete his college work, and was thus
graduated and entered the pulpit as a man.
He turned to the West as his field of la
Dor. first going to Constantine. Mich, to
visit an old friend. the Rev. S. c. Logan
(now pastor of a Presbyterian Church of
Scranton, Pa, where he has been for over
| twenty-five years. This was In June, 1862,
| ranged to be married and wanted Rev.
Vannuys to fill his pulpit during July,
he gladly took the assignment, first visiting
trip from South Bend to Indianapolis by
stage. The young graduate. after the re-
turn Of Rev. Logan. preached In Center
towns, before attending the Indiana Synod
at Lafayette. Passing through .Elkhart
H ne learn tSsre th h,,t no was nastar s = Meybadisa
circuit preacher filling engagements at the
church. He was invited to preach every
/ other sunday at this cnurcn until the
Methodist minister's term expired and then
take full charge. He preached his first ser
mon in Elkhart early In october, 1852.
About the same time he was asked by
come to this place and preach, the church
here having no pastor; He came to Goshen
Oct. 81. 1852. and the next afternoon
preached his first sermon in the courthouse,
the old church formerly a schoolhouse
and considered a fine structure) being
abandoned to such an extent that a flock
"A L-l G,,-1 IL d. H. .,fIlE
This house of worship with the former
front, now the rear, and with a more i'm
posing entrance, with steeple added, is now
used by the Trinity Lutheran congrega-
ton on South Fifth street in this city, the
interior furnishings never having been
changed the pews, ETC., remaining the
dedicated in April. 1863. having cost about
81 1000. During the past summer 1t has
been extensively remodeled, redecorated
and beautiied in the interior. particularly
for this jubilee occasion. The church mem
bership started with fourteen, and has
grown steadily each year. Almost a thous-
communion of the church, and yet only on
four occasions have the services of an
evangelist been employed. The church has
been thoroughly harmonious all these years,
with never a break of unity.
Rev. DR.. Vannuys has married hundreds
of people, the first couple he married, Mr..
and Mrs. Elias Gortner. still being men,
bers and workers in his church. For this
couple and others whom he has married he
baptized their little ones and later
baptized their babes also. He has
ministered not only in his own church, but
for the community in general in such a
way as to greatly endear himself to all the
citizens of Goshen.
In stature he is not large, but he has re-
sponded to great physical requirements.
He possesses that quiet dignity which uni
versally attracts. He is scholarly to a high
degree, and gentleness, dignity and deep
spirituality are the keynotes of his charac-
ter. He has ever Stunned sensational
preaching in all its phases and avoided
even the suggestion Of what is popularity
known as magnetism to increase his con-
gregation and "popularize" his services.
DR.. Vannuys was married in 1858 at Lima,
Ind, to Miss Rebecca Williams, who died
In 1869. In 1871 he married Miss Lily w.
Loring, a sister of Mrs. S. c. Logan. of
Scranton, Pa. She is a brilliant scholar
and has been a cheerful and helpful assist
ant to her husband in his church work,
though an invalid for many years, Their
home is childless. Rev. DR.. Vannuys was
given the degree of A. b. and A. M. by
Hanover College in 1s4S and 1852, respective
ly, and that of d. d. by Wabash College in