The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1910-02-04
Cumberland Presbyterians.

Dear Editor: As February the 4th
is the centenary Of the Cumberland
Il Presbyterian Church, and as many of
your readers are of that religious faith,
! ask that you give space to the follow
ing in your issue Of that date.
As rule men are proud of any
good thing that is the product Of their
own nation or country. Englishmen
delight in that which is peculiarly En-
glish, Germans in that which is pecu-
Iliarly German and Americans in that
which is peculiarly American In its
origin the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church is purely American and ma
tive Teunessean, having been organ
lied by men all Of whom were native
born Americans, and upon Tennessee
soil This denomination, like most
good things, came into existence from
necessity, as was Christ born into the
world as its Savior, and like Him it
was born in poverty and obscurity, in
Dickson County Tenn, just one hum
dred years ago. Her rise from poverty,
obscurity and insignifiicance to an hon
ored place in the great family of
churches was slow and came as the re-
suit OF the continuous concentrated and |
conscientious self sacrifice and often
physically painful labors of her sons
and daughters.
In her attitude to other Christian
peoples she has always been broadly
fraternal, and while claiming for herself
the right to live, she has never been
guilty OF denying this same right to
others, and with few if any excep-
tons her true sons and daughters have
been imbued with her spirit.
In her now completed history of one
hundred years her experiences have
been varied She has sometimes been
upon the crest of the waves and some
times in the deep troughs of the sea;
cheered by success and some
lines ovcrtaken by failure. BY disas-
.er she has often been made sad, but j
She has never been dismayed because {
she has believed herself "born from
above" and founded upon the eternal |
principles Of truth and soberness. v
That she has succeeded at all, that /
he has not yielded to embarrassments v
md given up all hope Of perpetuating
Ter separate existence as II Christian
is to be accounted for
imply and only that the hand Of God
las been upon her. 1t was evidently
ever intended by God the Father that o
he should cease to exist. +,
Now wish to close with the follow h
lg verses. They are from the pen OF r
amy Crosby, so changed by me as to Il
t in here. !,
'irthday Of our religious freedom, k
Birthday Of the church we love, "
Welcome, while our songs OF gladness
Blend with angel choirs above.
ike tree where ripping waters I,
Murmur on with gentle flow .
hen an American Church was planted, az
Just one hundred years ago. &C
Earnest were the prayers that blessed al
it; re
Faith was strong and hope was bright; vi
nd the tree put forth its branches -
Mid the smile Of heaven pure light. " =
Few its leaves, yet green and fragrant, =,
With the breath of Christian love; /"
nd the dew of grace descended WI
From the Eden-land above. m
Jon il budded, bloomed and blossomed;
God beheld and babe it grow; tN
lanted by our Cumberland fathers, Ia
Just one hundred years ago. ed
uds of promise, oh how lovely! an
Blossoms that to fruit will grow, an
rom the tree our fathers planted, =,
just one hundred years ago.
b God, our hearts do humbly thank -
thee va
For the streams of JOY that flow fri
rom the church DIvinely planted,
Just one hundred years ago. tiy
any thousands now adore thee tn
For the peace and JOY that flow bu
rom the church our fathers started, ~,
just one hundred years ago. -
Next Sunday, Feb. 6, will be OBJ i
rived as a centenary service by the
Mon City congregation and you, Mr..
iitor, 'and all your readers are cordial
invited to spend the day with us.
J. J.. HUDGINs.
Kirlland's hsb0,maie Peanut hi