Two Hundredth Anniversary

Middletown Presbyterian Church OF

Elwyn, D4aware County, Pennsylvania

Celebrated, Septemb.r 11th and I2th, 1920

Historical Sketch and Information With Illustrations

Prepared by the Publicity Committee

REV. WILLJAM TENTON KRUSE, Pastor

Historical Sketch of The Middletown Presbyteriaa Church

of Delaware County, Pennsylvania

By WILLIAM TfiNTON KRUSE, Pattor

The church here and its burial ground is a spot where inuch history has Iiecn enacted. The organization antcdates by fifty years and inore the Re- voluationary war and the Declaration .of Inclepenclcnce, and the site is within five miles wcst\varcl of where William Penn flrst lantled on the shores of the

THU PRESENT CHUIICH

Dclawarc. Indian chief, British red-coat, and colonial soldier have alike 1Jressetl foot upon i t s sacred soil. Here deep patriots of the Revolutionary ant1 civil wars, ministers and physicians, and noble men and wonien from the iavious walks of life who ser~ecl well their God, their country and their generation.

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Intcrlor of Cllnrcll 1921,

THE

ELWYN, PA.

TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY

1720 - l9ZU

I' .

SATURDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER l l th ,

Historical Review

10.30 o'clock.

Hon. William C, Sproul, Governor of Pennsylvania Presiding, Organ Prelude. 2".jb"") Long Meter Doxology. Invocation, with Lord's Prayer. Special Music. Psalter-Selection 8, led by the Pnstor, The Gloria, Hymn, No. 166-"Ye Servants of God Yotw Master Proclnini". Scripture Lesson- Isaiah 60. Rev. Williniii Re Houston, First

Prayer-Rev. S. IInrper Leepel,, Media Church, Dedication of Mural Tablet. Hymn No, 157--"All Hail the Powel. of Jesus' Nanie", Historical Address.

Greetings :-Rev, Dr, Winfield S, Kreger,

Cliuivh, Chester.

Rev. Willitini Tenton Kiuse, Pastois, i Music.

RPodei*ntor of the Presbytely of New Castle.

Moderator of the Presbytery of Phila,

Rev. Dr. John E. Tuttle, Swarthmore ChUlnChe Rev. Robert F. Stirling, Marple Church,

Prayer, Hymn, No. 422--"Fnitk of Our Fathers, Living Still". Eenediction,

Rev, Die. John Grant Newman,

O u r Oldest Daiigli ters, Ridley and blwple :

~a-4-..---,-~,~ao---i-ul---m-~,l- -0

SATURDAY AFTERNOON, SEPTEMBER 11th.

Presbytery Afternoon

2.30 o’clock.

Rev. Win. Rankin Huston, Chairrrian Presbytery’s Historical Com-

niittee, Presiding

Special Music.

IIymn, No. 301-1‘Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken”.

Sci-ipture Lesson-Psalm 90.

Pray elq.

Brief Addresses by Prasbytery’s Delegation,

Ministers :-Rev. Samuel C. Hodge, Moderator, Rev, Dr. John B. Rendall. Rev. Dr, William W, Hebertoh. Rev. IVillim Boyd.

hlusic.

Elders :-Harry Pringle Ford, Olivet Chui*cli. John Welsh Dulles, West Chester First. C. I. Leiper, Media Church. William H. Ridgwny, Coatesville Ciiurcli,

t

Prayer.

Hymn, No. 304-“Thc Chuidi’s One Foutid&ion.” 1 .

Benediction. , - - . -. .I A _-

SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 12th.

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Morning Worship 10.30 o'clock

The Pastor in Charge.

Organ Prelude. . -_ - Doxology. Invocation with Lords' Prayei9. Psalter-Selection 17, The Gloria. Hymn No. 409-"Hail to the Brightness of Zion's Glad Morn-

Scripture Lesson- Psalm 89. Prayer. Special Music. Notices and Offering. Hymn No, 117-"0ur Cod, Our Help in Ages Past". Sermon-"Remember the Days of Old,"- Deut 32 :7.

Rev. Dr. Benjamin 'RIcKee Gemmill, Stated Cleyk Svnod 0': I'ennn.

Prayer, Hymn No. 41l-"Fling Out the Banner! Let It Float". Benediction.

ing".

Afternoon Session

2.30 o'clock. _- --

Featuring the Sabbath School and Our Y0un.p Peoplr.

Elder John C. Apgar, Superintendent, Presiding. Special Music With Exercises. Addresses by Rev, Henry F. Cl'illrie and Albei-t Dutton R k -

Dade, Esquire. . . - ___ _ _ .- _ _ ___ - - _________

Luncheon will be served and social hour enjoyed between the sessions nioiming and of ternoon.

For two centuries now lioiscvcr, the soldiers of the Great King h a w preempted this sacred spot for Divine Worship and the sacred rites oh’ Christian burial. The historical facts here enacted arc abundant and if they liad only been adequately prrscrvc tl would be of Eurpassinl: intcrcst. Early in his ministry here the p r e , m t pastoi. picked up two Indian arrow-heads in perfect preservation which after long years had worked their way to the surface. Unlike those arr,nv-heatls all the early recorcls of the church have bcen lost never to be recoverccl. Tradition long handed down has it that they perished in a fire in the year 1802 that destroyed the home of the pastor, Rev. Thomas Grici-, on the Aiicldletown road near where the Bonsall house now stands, The subsequent records earlier than 1846 either were ncvei* properly kept or have somehow disappeared, and with a like fate since the 176th Anniversary observed in 1896 the records of the Board of Trustees dating from 1846, in which much valuable information regarding the changes made in the building since 1798 was reco?ded, were destroyed in the fire which consumed the home and fine library of James 14’. Howarth, Esquire, secretary OE the Board for thirty years on the night of December 12, 1906. Only the Sessional records from the beginning of Dr. Dale’s ministry in 1846 arc left in possession of the congregation.

However, we know a group of Scotch-Irish Presbyterians were set tlecl in this kcality by 1720, and true to their conscicncc and convictions they soon brought the church with them. Among them we know were AlcClel- lans, Lindsays, Blacks, McMinns, Linns, Millars, Hunters, Caldwells, etc., etc. The Frhcipal fact relied on along with all the confirmatory circumstances that establish this date is the life-long testimony of Mrs. Mary Ann Howarth, inother of the late James W. Howarth, Esquire. She was born in 1809 and (lied in 1892. She always said the church was organized in 1720. Her mcniory would link up with those living at the time the early records were dcs:royctl by fire in 1802. Moreover, Dr. Smith in his History of Deiaware County mentions the fact that there stood in the grounds here a stone bearing the dote of 1724. That stone has disappeared as others are known to have dis- lappeared. Nor is i t a t all likely that that stone marked the earliest inter- ment here, for in those clays i t was the exceptional thing for a grave to be marked by any engraved stcnc a t all. And if God’s people begun t) bury 1ie;e it is certain that they had already begun to worship here.

With this introduction this sketch will center around four heads: 1. The acquisition and occupancy of this site, Nothing clcfinite is

known prior to 1761. But in that year on the 2nd and 3rd days of August, Hcnry Caldwell and his wife (widow of Robert BicClellan) and the whole family of AicCellans, consisting of six sons and five daughter; (four of them with their husbancls jointly) passed title for the orgininal piece of ground of about three-fifths of an acre topcther with the “franie bu:Idins” thereon to a Board of six Trustees, namely John McMicheal, William Lindsay, John Mchlinn, James Lindsay, Josenh hlcCloskic and Samuel Black. The deed was accompanied by n Declaration of Trust on the pnrt of these six men (the original parchment of which we still have in our possession) that, “by’,tlre diivction and appointment of the members or persons belonging to the Pres- byterian Society at h¶iddlcto\vn under the care of the Synod of Philadelphia and members of the Presbyterian of New Castle,” they he14 the property in trust only “for the benefit, use, and behoof of all pcr.-on; members of and be- longing to the said Presbyterian Society a t Alidclleto\vn to pcrfonn divine scr- vice in and upon occording to the cannons and ecclcsia7lical co;lstitutions of the kirk of Scotland, and for a ?lace to bury their tlcnd.”

This evidently was only making legal and placing on rccord what for

Interior of Church After Renovation 1895

Interior of Church as IZebullt After Fire of lS79

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years had been done by generous’ sufferance of the owners who now became the donors.

In l‘tOS two of the members of llijs Board of Trustees having died, or re- signed, their plcces \\’ere fillctl and the Board enlargcd to nine members, as follows, -William Lindsay Hugh Linn, James Lindsay, John McAlinn, James Black, ChLrlcs Linn, Jose! h hcnqhill and ‘I liomcs ‘1 1 iniblc. To this rnlsrged Board cn the 10th day of May in that year was deeded, for the consideration of “the sum of tlirce pounds good antl lawful nionel,” by Robert McCellan ancl Agnes his wife nearly an acre of atltlitmial ground, no doubt witlr the view and in preparation for the ercction of the stone building which was effected in 1’766.

On August 27th, 1822, the Board of Trustees, then consisting of Robert McCcllan, Henry Forest, John Craig, Saniuel Black, Andrew Lindsay, James Craig and Aaron Huston, took title of Peter Sci*aventlykc, oi- Philadelphia, “tallow chandlcr” the clectl says, for one-half ccrc cntl fii tccii aq-uare perches of land for the sum of scvonty-five dollars for the purposes set forth in tho 1)eclaratioii of Trust of 1761 and rehcrrrsed in the Indenture made in 1833 when the cntirc property was reconveyed by the surviving Trustees of 1762 to iiew cilc3 thcii ChGscii, whkh !wchment Inrlcnturc is in thc ymcsion of the church cnd \\’as rxcrclctl in the Recorder of Deeds Office for Delaware County, May 6, 1811.

Again, on August l t th , 1850, the Trustees thcn existing, namely, Henry Forest, William T. Crook, Samuel Riddle, John C. Bcatty, Joseph H. Hink- son, 1. Englc Hlnkson, Thomas T. Williams, Bernard Vanleer and John Cochran, took tltlc of the heirs of Robert Fairlamb, clcceased, fo r three acres a t a cost of four houndrccl antl fifty dollars. This land constituted the newer portion of the ceiiictery which was plotted and laic1 out in 1860.

These several grants and purchases made a total of about five and one- quarter acres con!aincd in the church site antl burying ground, and the present Trustccs h m c just reccntly on June 18th, 1920, taken title in the imme of the church to three additional acres to be plotted and added to the cemetery, thereby enlarging the church grounds to eight and a quarter acres.

Previous to 1729 i t is t i l t ccr- tain tlmt there was a church building of any kind, tho congregation thcn miall and struggling meeting as they were able to sccure preaching at tlic Iiomc most probably of the owner of the ground where now the church build- ing stands, doubtless the most active and eorncst y i i i t an-orp them and wh FC name as appears from the old Dccd of Trust executed in 1761, already refer- red to, was one Robert McClcllan. For that Deed of Trust sets forth flint :n August of that year, Elizabeth the widow of Robert BicClcllan, who by r7 second niawiagc was at that titiic the wife of Henry C-ltl\vcll, and her elevc-I children by her first marriage, six sons and five daughters, had on that date by deed conveyed the plot of ground and the “franie building” thereon to six Trustees for the use of the Presbyterian Society there worshipping as a place of \\.oi*ship fokever. Of course, it is possible antl such seems to have bccii the early tradition that there was erected here a small log church from tho beginning; if so, i t was this rude log structure that in 1729-1730 tvas supcr- ceded by the “frame building thereon” as named In the Deed of Trust. At lmst we h a w the definite rccord of the action of the Presbytery of New Cas- tle in April, 1729, as follows: “The Presbytery agrees and concurs in Brandy- wine ancl Middletown in their building a house at Nlddletown, agreed on by both, provided they continue a united congregation until Presbytery see cause to make a separation, and that they be equally supplied.” This joint rela- tion of Middletotvn with Brandywine seems to have,been continued until 1768. The motive and encouragement for this now and more commodious frame

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2. The Iluildin,rrs that have stood there.

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building in 1730 is obvious; for hliddleto\vn thereby was enabled for the first time to SccUre, at least, cne half of a pastor’s stated labors. There is no doubt but that at that time a frame church building was erected hel*, and Re\.. Robert Cathcart became the first pastor under this joint arrangement \\tith Brandywine.

The frame building served the uses of the congregation until 1766 \\+en it was replaced by a more substantial and commodious stone structure. Those s t m e walls of 1766 remain hard as adamant through all tile changes of the years in the edifice of to-day. In that year “James Lindsay, of Aston l’o\vnship, and Andrew Aichrinn, superintended the erection of the nelv

That was the statement given by A h . Janies nicAiullin jvho said he bcgan attendinq services with his father herc in 1705, which stat..nient \vas recorded under date of August 26, 1862, in the minute book of tlic Trustees which was destroyed in the Howarth fire in 1906. The writer himself sa\v i m 1 read and noted that statement of Rlr. AlcMullin.

This stone building during the more than one hunclrcrl anrl fifty years of its existence has undergone several modifications ancl repairs of which we have definite knowledge of three, two of which made it save the walls prac- tically a new building.

In 1798 it was thoroughly repaired, so far as repairs were needed, and ilie first stove put in tlic old session house (Could this have been the old oi*iginal log church ?) by which to warm tlicmselves before entcring the church after their long horseback rides; for in those days the congregation came on korseback with sndcllc Pncl pillion for i n m and wife, sweetheart, child, ancl friend. Mrs. Howarth the mother of James W. Howarth, who Arst begun to attend Divine service here in 1824, often told her son how the church would be croivded and not a vcliicle on thc ground, even as to-day tlie church might be full and not a horsc on the ground, the auto having so largely displaced the horse. For years tlic two old mounting blocks stood herc in the yard till at last for non-uqe they were allowed to crun-blc away, nnd the clrl fwd over Chester creek at what was then known as Presbyterian Ford, now called lit. Alverno station, niay still be clearly seen along side of the briclgd, and the bridle path lending from i t up to the church may still be traced on the tttljoining farm.

In 1846, at the outset of Dr. Dale’s ministry, the building being “con- sitle1:ably dilapidated,” to use the \\*or& of the record, i t was again thoroughly overhauled and rcnaired, and enlarged ten feet at tlic frcnt end, anrl improved by internal changes, the modern pulpit replacing the one that stood “ten feet above the heads of the people,” reached by a staii*casc and in which the minister disappeared from view saw as he stood up to preach or pray. I t is believed also in this renovation that the entrance was changed from the nriddlc of the south side to the west end of the building as i t to-day. It was furiher c n l a r ~ e d by the addition of the stone Sunday school room at the east end uf tlic church, entrance to which was had by the door on the right side of the ;wlpit. Hut the old-fashioned high box-pe\vs were retained, and i t was in this clrurch that in 1P68 the first stoves ~vorc placed and there being no chim- neys the smoke pipe was carried through terra-cotta flues through the roof, ikthich arrangement ultimately proved the occasion of the fire that destroyed the building in. 1879.

This A1.e of 1879, which occurred on the afternoon of Saturday, February Ist, entirely consumed the interior, leaving only the bare walls. The Ares had been built, and some of the pipes became overheated and set Are to the toof. The high wind blowing at the time nrade the effort to save the build-

9 church”.

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ing hopclers, and in less than two hours all was in aches. were taken to rebuild, the effort bein? to reproduce the old church buildinL in the new so far as neatness, comfort and mocleiy use would admit, The old adamantine walls were found in tact, needing only to be re-studded. For [he Ailst time chlmncys werc put in and a hot-air furnace for heating thz building installed. This required the excavation of a section of the c:!lr~’, which was clone, The old-fashioned box-pews were not reproc1uceci, but the interior was finished in the modern, substantial and comfortable manner which we now enjoy, In this rebuilding, however, the Sunday school room of 1846 was not rebuilt, but was ~azed.

The rebuiltlinrr cost approximatcly two thousand do113rs which th2 many friends of Old Alidciletown within and beyond the Congregation eagerly over- subscribed, ancl so rapidly was the work pushed that on Sunday, July 13, 1879, the church was re-detlicated, the pastor, Rev, Thomas D, Jester, conducting the services, assisted by Revs. Drs. J. W. Dale, P. H, hfowry, and Thomas RIc- Cauley,

The congregation had already determined to build a parsonage and funds for the purpose were in hand when the church Areearrested this project for the time, but no sooner was the church rebuilt and encouraged by the over- subscriptions this project was at once resumed, and unclei: thc leadership of the pastor, Mr. Jester, the existing neat and substantial parsonage, the first the church had ever possessed, was built in 1880. In 1890 under the ppsent pastorate i t was enlarged by the addition of four rooms to the rear wing. In 1909 a complete hot-and-cold water system with modern bathroom was in- stalled; in 1913 the hot-water heating plant was installed; and in 1917 the electric lighting system was introduced in both church and parsonage. This beautiful electric light installation was the generous gift of the late Nrs. Maiia P. Welles, at the parsonage in memory of her father and mother, Air. 2nd Mi*s. Thomas Pancoast, and at the church in memory of her husband, Nr. Charles Salter Welles. In 1896 the interior of the church was thorcmgh- ly renovated and decorated, and rccai*pcted, and again in 1919 the intekior has been neatly and tastefully renovated.

3. Those who have served the church as Supplies and Pastors, Among the earliest casual supplies in all probability were Rev. George Gillespie and Rev. Daniel Magill and certainly Rev. Thomas Creaghead and Rev, John Tennent. Mr. Tennent succeeded Creaghead as supply at Brandywine ancl Middletown In 1729, at the same time he ivceived calls from Lower Brandy- wine, and Lower Octorara. At the next meeting of the Presbytery he re- poi.ted that “he had no clearness for accepting either.” When the time came to close his supplying at Brandywine and Middletown, in April 1730, he set- tled at Freehold, New Jersey, where he died two years later, fulling a brief but briliant ministry.

Rev. Robert Cathcart appears before the Presbytery of New Castle in October, 1729. He supplied this church in connection with Brandywfnc dur- ing that fall. In November 1730, Brandywine and Middletown made him a joint, call which he accepted, and he became the first pastor of this clruiwh. “he exact date of his installation is not known. But he continued to serve the congregation for at least ten years, until 1741, when he resigned to take up his labors with the First Chui*ch of Wilmington which was organized in 1740.

For the ensuing interval of twenty years nothing is known, the records of the Presbytery for that period being lost. But in 5769 the existing records of the Presbytery of New Castle are resumed, and we know Rev. William

liiiniecliately s , ~ p

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RicKennen, or McI<annan, was supply in 1763, antl Rev. James Davidson In 1764. In November of that year, Middletown and Brandywine jointly calle!l him to become their pastor, but holding the call under consideration until the following spring, he declined it. Again, in Rlarclr, 1767, the two churche.4 issued a call to Rev. Thomas McCrakin, which call at Synod in Philadelphia, in May of that year, he (leclinetl. The two congregations having failed twice in their joint call seem to have terminated in 1768 the union existinq between tliem since 1730, for in that year Lower Brandywine brought into Presbytery a call alone for Rev. Joseph Smith, which he accepted. Mitlclletowii un- doubtedly continued on with supplies until in 1770 3Ir. Jcr.-ies Andtrsoii, a licentiate under care of Presbytery, having supplied the con,nrcgation receivecl their call. He was ordained by the Presbytery at a mcctinx held at Mid- clletown, June 20, 1771, and installed the same day as pastoi.. Hc remained until his death, September 22, 1793. His body is interred at the southeast coimer of the church, where a marble slab marks his grave. The inscription bears witness to his humility antl zeal.

“hlorlest thro’ life, an humble path he trod, And passed his days in service of his God; To guilty men he preached redeemfng grace, Till death’s unsparing scythe cut short his race; Called by his glorious Master to the skies, He now enjoys, we hope, the immortnl prize.”

After his death, the records of Presbytery on June 17, 1794, have this cntry : W r . John Miller, a commissioner from the congregation at hliddlc- town in Pennsylvania, requests Presbytery to supply that congregation for six months longer, in consideration of which, said congregation agrees to pay the witlow of their late pastor their usual yearly stipend. He also reports that said congregation are preparing to pay the widow for the last six months, agreeably to their engagement”, This is a fine touch evidencing the con- siderate treatment with which Middletown has ever regarded her ministers.

Then followed a period of supplics until 1801, among whoni were Revs, ?dessrs. Ralston, Sample, Barr, Robert Smith, Davidson, Sherman, Mitchell, Read, Woods, antl Thomas Grier. lfr. Grier was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New Castle, April 3, 1800, antl on December 16, 1801, he was ordained antl installctl pastor at hIiddletown. He resigned, September 30, 1808. He was succeeded by Nathaniel Randolph Snowden \SILO, while as i t appears was never formally installed, acted as pastor till 1817.

On April 2, 1811, in Presbytery, Wr. Snowden presented a petition sign- cd by six members of Middletown praying to be set apart from New Castle to Philadelphia Presbytery.” The petition was refused, But on Septeniber 29, 1813, Mr. Snowden \vas dismissed by the Presbytery of New Castle in ses- sion at New London to the Presbytery of Philadelphia, and on April 16, 1816, Middletown was taken into the care of Philadelphia Presbytery, Synod hav- ing so decreed. Thus i t was under Mr. Snowden’s.ministry and by reason of his influence and effort, Middletown was transferred in 1816 to the Pres- bytery of Philadelphia in tvhosc conncction i t iemainccl until ~ n e organization of the Presbytery of Chester in 1870.

From the resignation of hlr. Snowden in 1817 until the installation of Rev. Mi*, Pai*ker in 1833, the church was again seived by supnlies, among whom successively in order may be mentioned Rev. Nathaniel Todd, Rev. Carry Bishop, Rev. Robert McCachran, and Rcv. Mr. Haimecl. All of these were more than merely occasional supplies, although i t is true the list of occasional supplies is quite numerous as may be seen from the Treasurer’s

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book of that period. But with May 6, 1832, Rev, Alvin H. Parker began to supply regularly, and wns installed pastor in 1833. He faithfully sewed the church until 1839.

The church again entered on a period of supplies among whom were Rev. John L. Janeivay in 1840, Rev. S. P, Helnie seems to have pastorate in 1841-2, Rev, Thomas Hoge was supply in 1843, Rev. J. Martin Conncll in 1844, Rev. William L. McCalla in 1846.

With the coming of DP, Dale, who was installed May 17, 1846, the church entered on a new period of prosperity. He gathered around him men of influence and consecration, such as John C. Beatty, William T. Crook and John Cochran. His pulpit eloquence attracted an increased congregation. The church building was repaired and enlarged, and a Sunday school room added; the newer portion of the cemetery bought and beautifully plotted and drives laid out according to the plan of 1860. Yet the larger influence of Dr. Dale’s ministry, great as i t was at Middletown, reached out irLo the surrounding region,,for his parish truly was ten miles square in the heart of Delaware county where his labors in the founding of other churches in such centers as Chester and Media abide increasingly to this day. He, how- ever, continued his watchful pastoral care of old Middletown until he resigned his charge at Media and Middletown on August 3, 1871, when he accepted the call to the Wayne church. But as he continued his residence in Media he never ceased his interest in this church, and when the young pastor, Rev. Thomas Darlington Jester, fresh from the Seminary, was ordained and in- stalled, January 16, 1874, no one more cordially welcomed him than did Dr. Dale.

He came to a small and discouraged membership and under his leadership they were instilled with fresh courage and effort. The cemetery had become a wil- deiness and they again subdued i t to beauty. The wall around the sou-h- ern and eastern fronts was built. And i t was under his ministry that the flre of 1879 occurred and the church rebuilt, as also the first parsonage ere&- ed. In 1874 the first June Festival was held, nettinp the handsome sum of ap- proximately five hundred dollars with which the church sheds were built. Ever since this annual June Festival has continued to be a unique and de- lightful occasion in the life of the church. Among the notable workers who gathered around Mr. Jester may be mentioned Mr, and Mrs, James W. HOW-

, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pancoast, Mr. and Mrs. Judge Tyson, Mc and Mrs. William G.Vanleer, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Trimble Wllliams, Mi*. and Mrs. Aaron M. Hoskins, Mr, and Mrs. Charles S. Welles, Mrs. Thomas Yarnall and Mrs. Samuel Wells, Miss Maiy Lousia Williams, Mr, and Mrs..Philiy Nelling, Mrs. Jacob Williams and family, as also the Schofield family. These together with their children were then and have continued to pe among the most active workers in the maintenance of the church in its temporal and spirltual suc- cess.

Mr. Jester’s pastorate which closed in July 1889 was succeeded by the present pastorate which began with the third Sabbath of November 1889. This pastorate which happily continues to this present time speaks for itself, Much has been done for God’s cause during these thirty years the detailed record of which would be most interesting, but the limits of this sketch have already been exceeded. Suffice i t to say that the temporal and spiritual pros- 1)erlt:r of the church .have been enhanced, the first Missionary Soclety and Mission Bands, a s \veil as the Christian Endeavor Society, which have been such fruitful blessings, organized, and the Sabbath school actively maintain-

The church here owes MY. Jester a debt of undying gratitude.

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ed so tha t at times it has had a front-line record. There have h e n con- tinued and at times large accessions to the membership, so that despite man$ deaths and removals the present active membership is 160 as compared with 76 in 1889. Esnecially the missionary and benevoleilt activities of the con- gregation have been developed and directed with gratifying results.

ItAXTEFt'S DIRECTORY The Old flooli

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4. In conclusim, some notable features in the history of the church are worthy to be inentionetl. This is thc oldest Presbyterian church in what is now Delaware county. Foi. an even hundred years she stood solitary and alone the only Presbyterian church for fifteen or twenty miles around. She has now become a mother of churches. In 1820 old Ilidley now Leiper fileinorial was organized. In 1834 Marple was organized. In 1844 Darby First now Glenolden; in 1853 Chester First, in 1864 Darby Borougli, in 18GG Media and Chester second, and in 1880 Glen Ricldlc. All these with the exception of Darby First and Darby Borough w e ~ e the direct outcome of old Rliddletown, so that to-day were all the i11cinWrs of thesc churches in thc mother church the membership would run into the thousands.

By 1735 this congregation under Mi*. Cathcart’s ministry seems to have heen well established and well known not only among the colcniej but across the seas. For in tha t year i t was that the Rev. Dr. Isaac Watts, of London, presented to the congregation and i ts ministers along with a copy of his Book of Hymns the precious folio volume of Richard Baxtcr’s Cltristian Directory, which although much worn and torn by t c‘ has survived the waste of years and is still the treasured possession of :hurch. On the fly-leaf of the old volume presumably in Dr. Watt’s of . * Iiandwritting is the foiowing in- scription:

“This Book, called Mr, Baxter’s Directory, was giveii -ay ye Reverened Dr. Watts, or’ London, t o ye Protestant Dissenting Congregation usually as- seinbling a t Middletown in Pennsylvania, that people who come from f a r and spend the whole day theioe may have something proper to entcrtaintain t l iemsel~cs with, o r to read to one another between the seasons of worship, morning and afternoon; and ’tis for this end entrusted to ye care of ye Pro- testant Dissenting Minister who preaches there, and to his successors, to be used by him o r then1 in their weekly studys when they please, and to be secured and devoted to the use of ye congregation on ye Lord’s days.

Jan’y 30th, 1736-6. “The Book i s committeed to the care of Mi*. Benj, Hawley to be carried

over to Pennsylvania, and af ter he has kept it In his own hands and mdde the best. use of i t f o r six months, tha t is, kill the 30th of July next, he shall de- liver it to the hands of thc present Protestant Dissenting Minister for the purposes before mentioned,”

Mr. John P. Crozer speaking of old Middletown undcr date of October 4th, 1842, wrote:

godly men (he was speaking of the stone building of 1760), who have for three-quai.ters of a century slept in death, This is one of the oldest places of worship in the whole country and i ts substantial and venerable walls testify tha t tFe yeomanry by whom they ~vere erected were willing to honor God with their substance, nnd in tha t day when farm*houses were of the plainest and simplest kind, they were willing to pay f o r a large and commcdious edifice, and dedicate i t to the worship of Almighty God.”

And i t may be added that among the yeomanry of tha t day to whom Mr. Crozer refers, noble men indeed all of them, were the Linsdays who, hav- iiig built their own brick house in Aston in 1766, like David in his house of cedar, could not rest satisfied to live in their substantial home without their utmost diligence t o secure a suitable stone structure for the worship of Almighty God such as they‘ and their compeers erected in 1766, The Lind- say house i t still standing, and in the gable end you may see the marble tablet hearing the date.

,*

16 l h i s 1 ’ ancient edifice, truly venerable in appearance, was erected by

I

.

I t i s credibly; stated that George Whitefield the great evangelist, the , Moody and Sunday of his day, preached here to a coiigrcgation of scme thou- .s';nds assembled in 1741.

The humble grave of Rev. John Smith in the church yard is worthy of sniention. He ivas an occasional supply here from 1817 and became founder and first pastor of the old Blue Meeting-house, now extinct, and has the honorable distinction of having been the first minister in Delaware county to preach against the evils of intemperance. In this Dr. Dale became his lineal and effective successor, pioneers in the great Prohibition Amendment which has now been happily written into the National Constitution,

Worthy of mention also is the v a v c of k a a c Enov.ddcn, Esr-u:rc, which lies in the yard immediately to the rear of the pulpit cntl of church, the in- Fcription of which is the most classic epitaph in its puiity of style and chaste culogy to bc found anywhere. I t justifies its transcription in full hcrc,

Sacred to the Alcmory of

Late of Philadelphia Who departed this life Deck 26. lS09

In his 78th yenr.

Thro R long, vnriniis nnd netive life T h e approbation of his God, prcdoininant Over every earthly motive, government his hcnrt And stnniped i ts sc9.l visibly on every actinn. A sincere mc! hirnible 8isciblc of Christ He diffused wherever he R P ~ ' red the snviaris of yiety. Directed bs this Henven-born principle. H e wns ennbled tn siistnin the vnrioiis rcliitions of life Wi th distinguished honor.

Of the city nnd County of Philadelphia H e WP.S inllesibls honest Rnc! ponctual ; I n his private w,Jk and social du t ies fu l l of chnrit Of Clhiirch Jitdicwtories n constnnt nnd useful nieniicr. I n the pntrnnnm nnd direction of Institiitinii of lenrntn:: And bencvnli?nce nctive. nronrpt en.? Iibercl; To the ministers of Jesus he tvaa ever most t ffectionatoly devoted For the prosperity of Zion and glory of God lay nrnr rs t i l l s heart, This ~ n s his slipreme, his ni?ster pcwsion. He wp.s nn escdlen t hrisbnnd nnd friend, And n most :enlotis lover nf his countrr . Tn his children his tenderness knew no bount?s. And this s t rong and ardent affection being r.t once sanetifled and Most H e enjoyed the s ingular felicity of seeing four of his soils Ente r the sncred desk nnA prnclnim t!w triiiinpha of thin c'rars.

Tn the crection nf which he End 1nrzel:r conti*ibutcd IJy his own desire his body is here deposited and in The fullest nssiiranec of a Glorious Ite?lurrection.

ISAAC SKOWDES. E s c ~ ~ ..

In piihlic life a s Trensiircr for mnny yezrn

nnd zeal,

Living with his son* the nstor of this church

"Fnr me to l i y i s Christ, To d i e i s m i n .

* J t c ~ . Nnthnnicl I~udo lph Siio\vdeii.

A marked token of God's favor to Old Middletown and thc evidence of !lie devotion of her vcople is the fact that she has bcen a chtlrch oi ionE and faithful pastorates. Her ministers have lo\vxl to stay anci s:ic ha; loved t 3

have tlicm stay. For the gast seventy-floe yearn she has had but !hrcc pas- tors of whom the present pastor continues the third In the succession.

The church here as Jerusalem of old is benutiful for si tumon, standing on this hill-top whence in all directions the eye siveops a surrcunding coun- try rich in the variety of its beauty and cntcrprise, overlooking Media. Ches- ter City, and the Delaware river whose channel may be traced a s a band of burnished silver in the morning sunlight, and at nightfall you may clearly discern on the face of the sky the reflected lights of Philadelphia and Wilming-

16

ton. Altogether in itself and in i t s history, in its memories sacred and in- spiring, a beautiful and consecrated spot. Surely her founders chose wisely and well, believing as they most surely did in giving the best of the land to the Lord. Here for two hundred years the people of God have gathered, praised and prayed, have worshipped and served, hoped and rejoiced and buried; and here they gather still on this hill cf God as noble a band of loyal sewants of Jesus Christ with a t least some realization that their heritage is glorious as they remember the days of old when this was the only Presby- terian church for twenty and thirty miles the country around, and when from yonder old “Presbyterian Ford” and along the saddle-paths, from far and near, “the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, unto thc testimony c f I.prael, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.”

From out. the whole history of these two hundred years one is force- fully-impressed with the thought that God has always had a faithful people a t Old Middletown. May they ever continue faithful and loyal until the King and the Kinzdom come. Amen and Amen.

List of Ruling Elders as Known

Hugh Linn (1770) James Lindsay (1770) John Blillar (1794) John Evans (1809) Samuel Black (1817) - John F. Vanleer (1723) John Burt (1843) Jwob Habbersett (1843-1861) James McMullin (1844-1864) Nathan Shaw (1863) John F. Vanleer, 2nd (1868-1864) Andrew Muir (1863)

William T. Crook (1866) I’hilip Nelling (1874-1894) John L. West (1874-1888) Aaron M. Hoskins (1874-1911) Thomas Pancoast (1879-1908) William Grover Vanleer (1882-1910) August Hormann (1907-1914) William Barnett, Jr., (1907. --) J. Oscar Howarth, (1907---) John A. Yarnall, (1907-) , .Norman D. Maddock, (1916-) Johp C. Apgar (19IG--)

PRESENT OFE’ICERS OF THE CHURCH THE SESSION-Rev. William Tenton Kruse, Mcderator; William Bar-

nett, Jr,, J, Oscar Howarth, John Albert Yarnall, John C. Apgar, Norman D. Maddock.

THE TRUSTEES-Dr, D. Wilmot Godon, President; J. Oscar Howaith, Vice Presideht; John P. Huston, Secretary; H, .Franklin Konkk, Trcasurer; William Barnett, Jc, B. Frank Thomas, John E. Lawton, John A. Yarnall, WIlliam Penn Green.

Williarn 3’. Green, Sexton,

THE SABBATH SCHOOL The Sabbath School was Arst organized in 1836. The first superJntend-

cnt was Miss Lydia Ann Donne, who with her sister, Miss Eliza Donne, were also the Arst teachers. Among the Arst scholars were Miss Mary E. Patter- son, Miss Margaret (Mrs. Philip Nelling) Patterson, Miss Mary Louisa Wil- liams, Miss Mary Ann (Mrs. Samuel Wells) Rodeback, Miss nnianda (Mrs. Charles Flanders) Hall, Miss Anna (Mrs, William Skill) Hall. From this l i d as given the writer i t would appear, as i s so often the case, godly women were

17

the pioneer in the cause. The incn it i\~oulrl seem niust have coinc to their aid for through the years the school has been continuously niaintainecl, and tlicrc has been a worthy succession of faithful s\iperintontlcnt.; and clcwt-tl tcachcrs

down to this present day. The Sabbath School has been a faithful ally of t church and its work has bcen richly blessecl of God, and many a child 41 sung even a s they love to sing to-day-

“No spot,is so deal. to my childhood As the little white church on the hill.”

The succession of supcrintcn&nts for the last thirty years during llle prcscnt pastorate has bcen as fcllows: Elder Charles S, Wclles, Eldcr J. Orcar Howarth, two terms, the Pnstor, Snmucl Smith Hannum, Bruce P. Tyler, Mar- tin Loncncckw, Ralph F. Ihhlcr, and Elclcr John c. Apgar, the prcsent incum-

Iicnt; Eltlcr John A. Yarnall, Assistant Sugcrintcntlent; Chester R. Antlel*son, Secretary ; Nornian D. Alatlclock, Treasurer; Miss E, I,ouise Kruse, Supcrjn- tcntlent Primary-Junior Department; Mrs, John A. Yarnall, Superintcnclcnt

Home Department; nf rs. J. Oscar Howarth, Superintendent Anna Apgar, Librarian: Miss Sue C. Williams, Organist.

Cradle Roll; bliss

Miss Mary H, Williams has been a faithful teacher in the Primary Department for over forty years, and hir. Amos Carter, the faithful Treasurer for the ,nast twenty-six years.

The present teachers are Bliss Abbio A. Eyre, Men's Bible Class, nfiss Susanna T. Bruton, Women's Bible Class, Mrs, C. F. VanHorn, Miss Sue C. Williams, Bliss I{arlcna H. I h S e J in the main school. 1 2 1 the Primary- Junior Department, Rev. William T. Krusc, Miss E. Louise Kruse, Miss Mary H. Williams.

Mite Society The Mite Sccicty holds iiionthly meetings at the homes of the nienrbcrs

where a business and a social time arc enjoyed. This Society assists the Trustees of the church in a financial way. A

festival is held each year in June and the proceeds are givcn to the Tiustees to help defray the church expenses. The festival held in June, 1920, was the forty-soventh annual one held by the society and proved to be one of the most enjoyable and profitable ones cvcr held. A check for $326.08 was given to the Trustees as the proceeds of the 1920 festival.

The prcsiclents who served this society since its beginning have been airs, Thomas Pancoast, Mrs. Wm. Vanleer, hlrs, James Howarth, Mrs. Samuel Harrison who has been president since 1907. The vice-presidents who have served are Rev, Wm, T. Kiwc and the prescnt vice-president, Mrs. D, W. Godon. The secretarios have been Mrs, Jorcll Kelley, Mrs, John Huston, Miss Carrie Stringfellow and Miss Etholyn Godon, the present secretary. Thc treasurers have been Mrs. Charles Wcllcs, and Mrs. John A. Yanall who is treasurer at the present time.

Woman'e Home and Foreign nf i d o n a r y Society of the Middletown Presbyterian Church

Thirty years ago, January, 1890, this society of the church was organized by our present pastor's wife, Mrs. Wm, Tenton Kruse, our president,

The missionary work of tho zociety includes both tho foreign and the home mission work as has been stnated, and in thesc years much good has been accomplishtxl in thesc fields.

Through tho interest of Mrs, Charles S. Wclles, our faithful member from the beginning of the organization of this society, the metnbers have contri- buted regularly to Medical Missions, this most important work on the Foreign Field,

Our Home Mission work has been devotccl chiefly to the making of shirts for the Indian boys of Tucson School, Arizqna.

The society has purchased the Material, made and sent during the thirty years between eight and nine hundred shirts.

We have always been interested in the mountaineers of the South, During the past few years we h a w contributed to the Christian Ameri-

canization work in Chester. We have subscribed to magazines fn both branches of the work, and met all our demands,

When the Missfon'ary Society was organized by Mrs. L u s e i t numbeivd twenty faithful women. Tliroughout the years the number has not varied to any great extent.

As some were called by their Heawnly Fathcr, and othcrs removed from

24

the community, new niembers were adtlctl to the role until totlay \I*C have t wcnty-eight mcmbci*s,

Throughout all these thirty years we have had but one president, Airs. Kruse, who by her beautiful Christian character has guided us through the years so wisely antl ivcll.

The following noble and devoted women have been officers. Vice Presidents-Matlam Wclles, (tlec’d), and Nrs. Thomas Pancoast,

(clec’cl) * ‘l’hc present Vice-pwsiclent is nhs. Jas. W. Howarth, who is also a charter

member. The treasurers have been:-Ali*s. L. S. Kellcy, Nrs. Susanna Fair- lamb, (dcc’cl), Mrs. Chas. s. Wellcs, (dec’d). Mrs. D. Wilmot Godon is the yivsent treasurer. Those who have held the of secretary svcre-Mrs, Chas. S. Welles, (tlec’d). Miss Cnrr!e Stringfellow, Mrs. Fred Snyder. Mrs. J. Atwood Cobourn is the precsnt secretary.

Mrs, D. Wilmot Godon is the present treasurer. Those who have held the office of secretary were-nlrs. Chas. S. Wcllcs,

(dec’d). Miss Carrie Stringfellow, MIS. Fred Snyder. Nrs. J. Atwood Cobourn

is the present semtary, The first Thursday of each month, except June, July antl August, is the

clay on which the society meets, and we members of to-day look forward to that date just as eagerly as did ,those members in 18001 All-day meetings ure held; the morning bchg devoted to sewing, the afternoon to the business snd ieligious meeting,

And then the delightful noon-day meal with its splentlicl food and good fcllowship has always been a most interesting feature!

With but very few exceptions, the meetings have always been held at the parsonage, Here the members for thirty years have been most cordially welcomed.

.

What a record of faithfulness and love. Of our President we d l say;

None name here but to praise,” ‘‘None know her but to love her,

As we look in i*etrospcct over these years we think of our delightful meetings; the hearts wo have mado happy and the burdens lightened; antl above all IVC thank our Heavenly Father for his care and benignant low to us all,

Secrc ta ry, SUE H e COBOURNj

The Girl’s Perseveratice Band Under the leadership of Mrs. Wm. T. KFUSC, II missionary society for girls

was organized June 22, 1802. The fol~oItting were enro1led as charter mem- bers:-Mrs. Kruse, President, Mary A. Howzli-th, Ella B. Carter, Agnes Mc- Granaham, Susie H. Welles, Nettie M. Reed, Bertie‘ Fairlamb, Louise Krum, Karlena Krusc, Grace SChOfield, M. Lsna Bonsall, Cora Thomas, Bcrtie Van- h e r .

Mrs. Kruse continued to be its most efficient and faithful president until the band temporarily disbanded in 1918,

This organization sent to Home and Foreign Missionary woik tn these years $620.01: The Sitka school in Alaska and the mission school in Canton, China, ~vere always remembei*ed by a pledged sum. Othor interests iweivecl their share also, In later years a sum was always given to assist the Italian work in our vidnlty.

We hope that some one may be raised up to renew the activrics o i this so- ciety which meant so much to those who were privileged to attend i ts meet- ings and participate in the work.

The Yoiinz P!cn's Band The Young Men's Band was orranized in the year 1891 by Mrs. Charles

S. Wclles, who was its faithful President and leader for nineteen pears. On account of the death of Mr. Welles she moved to Stvarthmore and Mrs, John A. Yamall, succecded her as president in 1913. During these twenty-six years an average of ten meetings have been held each year, with an average attendance of six to eight boys.

The chartel- members \vere:-Mr. John A. Yaimall, trca urci; Mr. J. IIarry Fairlamb, secretary, Ur. Walter Carter, Mi*, Thonras Schofield, Mr. Henry M. Joncs, Mr. Edmund Jones, Jr., lUr. Charles C. Wcllc3, Mi*, J. Oscar Howarth, air. Amos M. Carter, Mi*. John P. IIouston, Mr. Thomas J. Smith, Mr, Marion Fairlamb, Miss Louisc Iws Wcllcs,

The members of the Band to-day are:-&Ir. Amos hi, Coitw, Mr. L. Newton Ilurboraw, secretary, Mr. Chester Ancleyson, Mr. Willis Durboraw, Jack Yarnall, Stanley Shielcls, I<cssic Shiclds, Charles Moore, Lemucl Moore, Clarence Bonsall, John Babb, Russell Albright, Mrs, Wm. T, Kruse.

Missions to help send the gospel to 011 the world, This year, 1920, in con- nection with the 60th Jubilee Anniversary of the Woman's Missronrtry Society our Band had its sliare in tltc Young People's work which was to build a wall orountl True Light Seminary, Canton, China, We pray for more members ant1 cvcn a better financial report in the next twenty-six years for this Band.

MRS. JOHN A. YARNALL, Pi*csiclent and Treasurer.

During these twenty-six years $728.05 has been sent to Home and Foreign '

The Christian Endeavor Society The Christian Endeavor Society was organized through the leaclership of

the pastor, Rev. Wni. T. Kruse, on October 26, 1891. The follo\\*ing \veioe en- I olled as charter members. Actisc members:-Wm. T. Kluse, Charles s. \i’clles, Bfary J. McIntyre, Mary S. Cartel; Mary A. Wells, Samuel Hannum, Joshua C. Carter, IVm. G. Vanlccr, Mary E. Patterson, Stanfield Yarnall, Mary H. Williams, Ainy A. VanLecr, Anna Af. Hannuin. Associate mem- hers:-EHwootl Caw, Francis R. Kellcy, Mary Surlily.

Through the years it has hccl E C O ~ C B of thc young people of the church und community enlistecl among its active membei*s. The following have ~ e i v d as presidents: The pastor, Rev. Alr. K~USC, MI*. Jas, W. Howarth, Elder Wm. G..VanLcer, Elder Charles S. \Velles, Mr, John A. Yaimall, Mr. Charles W. Viguers, hh. James Alexander, Mr. Martin Longeneckci; Elder Norman D. Maddock. Tho followinp have served as ’ secretaries: Mrs. Charles S. Welles, Miss Susic H. Welles, Bliss Lillie &I. Smith, now Mrs. John A. Yamall, Miss Ida Af. Southard, Miss Ella U. Carter, Miss Martha Dur- boraw, Miss Clara Stringfellow, Miss E, Louise K ~ U S C , Miss Karlena Kivse, Miss Susie C. Williams.

The missionary interest and offering each month has been a feature of the organization from the start.

The service of song has been a glorious cliagteib in the life of the society, I t would take a volume to record the testimony of the lives of those who

have been enriched and blessed and trained in Christian service by its ministry through the years and who as preachers and elders and superintendents and Christian workers have gone forth into life’s work.

ROLL OF THE ;1IIDDLETO\VN PRESBYTERIAN CHUHCH, ELWYN, DELAWAHE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

1920. Alexander, Walter Boyd, Media, Pa. Andcrson, Mrs. Belle, Philadelphia. Anderson, Chester Ross, Media, Pa. Anderson, John E., Chester, Pa,, R, D, 1. Anderson, Robert W., Elwyn, Pa, Anderson, Mrs. Robert W., Elwyn, Pa. Annantl, James, Glen Riddle, Pa. Annand, Mrs. James, Glen Riddle, Pa, Annand, George, Glen Riddlo, Pa. Annantl, Mrs. George,, Glen Riddle, Pa. Apgar, John .C., Mediil, Pa., R. D. 2, Apgar, Mrs. John C., Media, Pa,, R. D. 2, Apgar, Anna, Media, Pa., R. D. 2. Apgar, Edna Viola (hlrs. Teat), Wllmington, Del, Ash, Walter P., Coatcsville, Pa,, R, D, Ash, Mrs. Walter P., Coatesvile, Pa,, R. D, Ash, Bertha Marion (Mrs. Doan), Coatesville.

Babb, John Henry, Elwyn, Pa, Barnett, Edwin Stevens, A4 t. Airy, Philadelphia, 7011 Cresheim Road. Barnett, Sarah, Mt. Aairy, Philadolphia, 701 1 Cresheim Road. Baimett, Sellers HI, Philadelphia, Pa. Barnett, William, Jr,, Mt, Alvelr\o, Pa. Barnett, Mrs. William, Jib., Aft . Alverno, Pa,

28

1

Baimt t , William, 31x1, Mt, Alwrno, Pu. Bitting, Harry S., Willianison Echool, Pa. Bitting, Mios, Harry S., Williamson School, Pa. Bitting, Ear l R., Wilkiamson School, 1%. Bitting, Harry L., Williamson School, Pa. Boyer, hlelba Agnes (Mrs, Grafuis), Willianiscn School, Pa, Brunton, W s . William, Glen Mills, Pa. Biwnton, Williani E,, Glen Mills, Pa, Bruton, Susanna T., Williamson School, Pu. Burns, Mrs. Arthur, Chester, Pa., 1019 Potter St. Burr, Harvey R., Williamson School, Pa. Burr, Mrs. Harvey R., Williamson School, Pa.

Carter, Amos hIurray, Media, Pa., It, D. 2. Carter, J. Clcmens, Media, Pa., R. D. 2. Carter, Mary Ann, Chester, Pa. Carter, Mrs. Joshua C,, Alcdia, Pa., R. D. 2. Carter, Walter Crawford, ChestCr Heights, Pa. Cloud, Jamcs Leonard, unkiioiyn. Cobourn, Mrs. J. Atwood, Chester, Pa,, R. I). 1. Coboum, Elizabeth, Chester, Pa., R, D. 1. Cobourn, Laura AlcClure, Chestcr, Pa., It. D, 1. Cobourn, Helen Ilaymoncl, Chester, Pa., R. D. 1. Collett, Ethel Lcc Media, Pa., R, D, 2, Conrad, George Earle, Ph!latlclnhia, Pa., 1614 So. 56th St. Conrad, Paul Lawton, Chcs?cr, Pa.

Dengler, George Harrison, Duckinnn Village, Pa., 1132 RIcaclow Lane. Dengler, Mrs. George H,, Buckman Villngc, Pa., 1132 bleatio\\. Lnnc. Detvces, Everett, Biedia, Pa,, R. D. 2. Dewees, Laura, nfedia, Pa., R. D. 2. Dewees, Samuel, Media, Pa., R. I). 2, Dcwees, Mrs. Samuel, BIatlia, Pa., R. D. 2. Dowlin, Ida V., Chester, Pn., 614 E. 14th St. Drummontl, Ellen Lane, Nanking, China. Durboraw, Isaac Newton, Iillwyn, Pa. Durboratv, Mrs, Isaac N., Elwyn, Pa. Durboraw, Isaac Newton, Jr., Elwyn, Pa. Durboraw, Willis Conway, El\vyn, Pa.

Eckert, Elwood, unknown, Eyre, Abble A., Williamson School, Pa.

Ford, Ella Franklin, nIeclia, Pa., R. D. 2, Ford, George Go, Media, PA, R, D. 3, Ford Mrs, George G, Meiio, Pa., R, D. 2.

Godon, Dr, D. Wilmot, Chester, Pa, Godon, Mrs, Dr. w! i ~ . W., Media, Pa,, It, D. 2. Godon, D, Wilmont, Jc , Lancaster, Pa. Godori M, Ethelyn, Media, Pa,, R, D. 2. Green, Horace, Elcdia, Pa,, 12. D. 2, Green, Willlanr J., Media, Pa., R. D. 2, Green, Mrs. William J., Med!a, Pa., R, 11, 2.

*

29

Green, blariotta T.j (Mrs. biggs), Chester, Pa., 415 E. 22nd St Green, William Penn, fiiedia, Pa., R. D, 2. GlW?n, Mrs, William P,, Brcdia, Po., R. D. 2. Gricr, Sterling Murdock, unknown.

Harrison, Mrs. Samuel nl., Mcdia, Pa., I<. D. 2. Hart, MI’S. Charles W., unknown. Hartley, Clarence, Mt. Alverno, Pa. Hemmerly, Earl Stephens, Philadelphia, Pa., 41 No. 1 7 ~ ; ~ Higgins, Lewis Thomas, Media, Pa, H o l m a , Catherine (Mrs, Echan), unknown. Hospkiw, John Preston, Prof. Princeton, N. J. Hoskins, Josephine (Mr-;. Aaron), Media, Pa., R. D. 2. Hoskins, ‘I’homns Herinan, nlcdh, Pa., R. D. 2. Howarth, Clara, (Mrs. Janics W.), William School, Pa, Howirth, J. Oscar, Norwood,, Pa., Harrison ant1 Winon Ave., Ho\varth, airs. J. Oscar, Nor\vood, Pa., Harrison and Winoaa Ave., Huston, John P., Williamson School, Pa. Huston, Mrs. Jchn P., \Vill:anit-on Cchool, Pa.

Johnson, Dominick M., unknown.

Konkle, H. Fianklin, 2nd and Rloiiroc, Mcclia, Pa. Konkle, Mrs. H. E., 2nd and hionroc, hlcdia, Pa, Kruse, Ella Louisc, Front and Monroe, Media, Pa. Kruse, Karlena Henderson, Ia’ront and illonroe, Media, 1%. Kruse, Mrs. William T., Front and Aionroe, alcclia, Pa.

Loebe, George F., unknown. Lange, Eliza, (Mrs. Ludwi?), unknown. Lawton, Frank Groff, fihdia, Pa., R. b, 2. Lawton, John Edward, Media, Pa., R, D. 2. Lawton, Mrs. John E., Media, Pa., I<. D. 2. Lawton, Lewis Charles, Media, Pa., R. F. D. 2. Lawton, Milton Lincoln, Media, Pa., R. D. 2. Lawton, Mary Perrin, Media, Pa., R. D. 2. Lawyer, Grace Rosamond, Elwyn, Pa. Maddock, Norman Delaplaine, Media, Pa,, R, D. 2. Malin, Susan P., (Mrs. Edward W.), Media, Pa. Malz, Mrs, Louis, Glen Riddle, Pa, Mattson, Harry H., Ridley Park, Pa. Mitchell, Georp Sat unknown, Mullin, Jcssie, University Hospital , Philadelphia.

McGranahan, Mary Agnes, (Mrs. John G. Uingler), Gary, Tnd,

Neelcl, George L., Village Grcen, Pa.

Pancoast, Mrs. Edwin H., VilloFc Giecn, Pa. Pancoast, Florence Dutton, Villngc Green, Pa. Pancoast, George Thomas, Village Green, Pa. Pancoast, Mary Lewis, Village Green, Pa. Parsons, Alga A,, (Mrs. Crooks), Lima, Pa. Powell, William Bforris, Moore, Pa.

30

Pratt, James A., Willianison School, Pa. Pratt, RIrs. J. A., Williamson School, Pa. Pratt, Minot Harris, Williamson School, Pa.

Reed, Mrs. Anna K., Philadelphia, Pa. Reed, George C., Media, Pa., R, D. 2. Reed, George W., Media, Pa., R. D, 2. Reed, MYS. Gcorgc W., Media, Pa., R. D, 2. Rennie, Janette S., Swedcsboro, N, J. Rice, Mrs. Maria, Folcroft, Pa. Ritchie, Louis F., unknown. Roberts, Mrs. Susan P., Second and Monroe, Media, 1.a.

Sager, Bertha Malin, Philadelphia, Pa., 6049 Kingscssing Avc. Sager, Joseph West, Philadelphia, Pa., 6049 Kingsessing Ave. Sager, Mrs. Joseph W., Philadelphia, Pa., GO49 Kingsessing Ave. Scull, John Arthur, Media, Pa. Sisco, Joh’n, Media, Pa., R. D. 2. Smedley, Ella Mary, Media, Pa., R. D, 2. Smith,, Charles R., Chester, Pa., 1033 Parker, Snyder, Hortense V., (Mrs. Fred W.), Philadelphia. Southard, Bessie Edith, Elwyn, Pa. Southard, Ida May, (Mrs. Leon Gilbert), Bushkill Falls, Pa. Stetler, Joseph L., unknown. Stincr, Frank T., Moylan, Pa. Stiner, Airs. Frank T., Moylan; Pa. Stoever, Watlsworth, Media, Pa., R. D. 2. Stoever, Mrs. Watlsworth, Media, Pa., R. D. 2. Stringfellow, Clara B., fiiedia, Pa. Sweeney, Ethel, Chester, Pa., R. D. 1. Taylor, William Emmitt, Wilmington, Del. Thomas, B. Frank, Media, Pa., R, 1). 2. Thomas, Mrs. B. Frank, Media, Pa., R. I). 2. Thumlert, Mrs. Emily J,, unknown.

Vance, Margaret, Glcn Riddle, Pa, Van Holm, Charles F., Media, Pa,, It. D. 2. Van Horn, Mrs. Charles F., Media, Pa., R. D. 2. Van Leer, Clarence Harvey, Media, Pa. Viguers, Charles Wesley, Elwyn, Pa. Viguers, Mrs. Charles W., Elwyn, Pa. Viguers, Ida May (Mi+s. Taylor) , Dover, Del.

Wedtlick, Elizabeth Lantz, Chester, Pa. Weimer, George Ellswortli, unknown. Weischetlel, Cliai+!cs W., unknown, Weischedcl, airs. Charles, unknown. Wcischedel, Fred August, Elwyn, Pa. Weischedel, Mrs. Jacob, Elwyn, Pa. Weischedel, Mrs. Louis, Wiliamson School, Pa, Weischedel, Louis H., Elwyn, Pa. Weischedel, Minnie F., Willianison School, Pa. Weischedcl, William G., Elwyn, Pa. Welles, Louise Ives (Mrs, Crawfotd), Sheff ield, Mass.

31

Whftcsitles, Harry Page, unlinown. Williams, Helen Lavina, Media, Pa., R, D. 2. Williams, Airs. John, Media, Pa., R. D, 2. Williams, Mary Harper, Media, Pa., R. D. 2. Willinni, Susanna C., Media, Pa., R. D. 2.

Yarnall, Albert D., Plctlia, Pa., R. D. 2, Sarnall, hIrs. Albert D., hfcdia, Pa., R. D. 2. Yatnall, Helen Elizatcth, Elwyn, Pa. Yamall, John Albert, Media, Pa., R. D. 2, Yarnall, Mrs. Jolrrl A,, nfcdia, Pa., R. D. 2. Yarnall, John Albert, Jr., Media, Pa., R, D. 2 . Yarnall, Joseph Stanfield, Jr., Elwyn, Pa. Yarnall, Laura Elsie, Media, Pa., R. D. 2.

Zcbley, Leroy, Chestel- HciEhts, Pa.

I

,ilr. Bitting

COMMITTEES OF THE 200!h ANNIVERSARY EXECUTIVE COM~IITTEE: -HH~W~ S. Bitting, Chairman, Rev. Wil-

liam T. Kruse, William Rarnett, Jr,, John P. Huston, Miss Ethelyn Codon, Niss Sue C. Williams, Mrs, S. M. Harrison.

PROGRAM. COM biITTEE:-Rev, William T. Krusc, Chairman, Harry S. Bitting, Williani Barnett, Jr,, J. O m r Howarth, Miss Ella Louise Kruse, Mrs. John A. Yamall,

PUBLICATION COMMITTEE:-J. Oscar Howarth, Chairman, Miss harlena H, Kruse, Miss Susanna T. Bruton, William J. Green.

MUSIC COMMITTEE:-AIiss Sue C, Wiliams, Miss 1,ouise K ~ U S C , Miss Ethel n Godon, Miss Ethel Sweeney, Charles F. Van Holm, Charles R. Smith.

BhTERTAINMENT CON hf IT'I'EE:-blrs, S. M. Harrison, M iti. D. W. Godon, AIrs. J. E. Lawton, Mrs, J. C. ADgar, Mrs, J. A. Cobuurn, M1.s W. J. Green, Mrs. Sanruel Dewecs.

RECEPTION COnIMITTEE:-RRev. and Mrs. W. T. Kruse, Mrs. J. A, Cobouim, blrs. S. bl. Hawison, Dr, antl Mrs. Godon, Air. and Mrs, J, C Apgar, Mr and Mrs. Win, Barnett, Mr, antl Mrs. J. 0. Ho\varth, MY. and Mrs. J, A. Yarnall, Alr. and Afrs, H. S. Bitting, Mr. untl Mrs. J. P. Huston, Mr, and Mrs. W. J. Green, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. 1,awton.

34

North Side View Stone of 17.31 Itclnr \'icw

35

Itlddle Jtonniiicnt Pa r k c r X I oil ii incn t Stone of 1731

PSALTER AND HYMNS 200TH ANNIVERSARY

M IDDLETOWN PRESBYTERIAN

* SEPTEMBER 11 AND 12,

CnuRcn

1920

PSALTER SELECTION NO. 8 Psalm 26: 8-12

1 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy houso: and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

2 Gather not my soul with sinners: nor my life with bloody men,

3 In whose hands is mischief: and their right hand is full of bribes.

4 But as for me, I will ' h l k in mine Integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.

6 My foot standeth in an even place: in t h e congregations will I bless the Lord,

Psalm 27. 6 THE] Lard is my light and my salvation;

whom chall I fear: the Lord is the strength ot my life: of whom shall I be afraid?

7 When the wicked, even mine enemies r+nd my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh: they stumbled and fell.

8 Though a host should encamp against mo, my heart shall not fear: though war should rtoe agn'nst me, in this will I be confident.

0 One thing h&ve I desired of the Lotd, that will I seek alter: that 1 may dweli in the Iicuae of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty o the Lord, and to inquire !n h4s temple.

10 For in the time of trouble he. shall hide me in bfs pavilion: in the secret of his taber- nacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up ripon a rock.

11 And now shall mlne 'head be lifted up above mine enemes round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle8 aacrlffcea of

joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

12 Hear, 0 Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

13 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face: my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

14 Hide 6pt thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, 0 God of my salvation.

16 When my father and my mother for- sake me: then the Lord will take nie up.

16 Teach me thy way, 0 Lord: and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

17 Deliver me not over unto the, will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

18 I had fainted: unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the livlng.

19 Wait on the Lord: be ofpgood courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.

20 BLESSED be the Lord: because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.

21 The l;rotd,is my strength and my shield: ,

my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore: my heart sgrehtly' rejoiceth; and with my song wfll I pratse him.

22 The Lord is their strength: and he 1s the saving strength of hie anointed.

23 Save thy people, and bless thine in. horjtance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever. ,

t

! HYMN, NO, 166 Ye servants of God your Master And publish abroad Hia wonderful The Name all-victorious of Jesus extol, His kingdom ls glorious and rules over all,

proclaim, name;

God ruleth on high, Almighty to save, ‘ And still He is nigh-His presence we have: The great congregation His trlumph shall sing, Ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.

Salvation to God who sits on the throne! Let all cry aloud and honor the Son; The praises of Jesus the Angels proclaim, Fa11 down on their faces and honor the Lamb.

Then let us adore. and give Hlm His right, All glory and Power, and wisdom and might, All honor and blessing, with Angels ’ above, And thanks never ceasing, and inflnite love.

-Amen.

HYMN, No, 167 All hail.the power of Jesus’ Name!

Let Angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the Royal L)iadeni,

And crown Him Lord of all. Yo chosen seed of Israel’s race, Ye ransomed from the fall,

And crown Him Lord of all. Sinners whose bve’ can ne’er forget

Thewormwood and the gall, Go spread your trophies at His feet

And crown Him Lmd of all. Let every kindred, every tribe,

On this terrestrial ball, To Him all majesty ascribe

And crown Hlm Lord of all. 0 that with yonder sacred throng

We at His feet may fall, We’ll join the everlasting song

And crown Him Lord of all.-Amen.

.Hail Him who saves you by His grace

‘

HYMN, NO, 422, Faith of our fathers! ifving still,

0 how our hearts beat hlgh with joy

Fnfth of our lathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee titi death.

In spitesot dungeon, Are and sword,

Whene’er we hear that glorfous word:

I

Our fathers chained in prlsona dark

And blest would be their children’s fate

F d t h of our fathers, holy fafth! Wo will be true to thee till death.

Wetv, etlll fn heart and conscience freo;

l f they, like them, should die for thee:’ I

.I

Faith of our fathers! God’s great power Shall win all nations unto thee,

And through the truth that comes from Qod All mankind ahall then indeed be free:

Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death.

Faith of our fathers! We will love Both friend and foe all our strife

And preach thee, too, as love knows how By kindly wdrds and vfrtuous life:

Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death.--Anieu.

Glorious things of thee are spoken, , Zion city of our Clod,

H e whose word cannot be broken Formed thee for Hie own abode;

On the Rock of Ages founded What can shake thy sure repose?

With salvation’s wall8 surrounded Thou mayst smile at all thy foes.

HYMN, NO. 301

See the streams of living water8 Springing from Eternal Love,

Wall supply thy sons and daughters And all fear of want‘remove;

Who can faint while such a river Ever Pow8 their thirst to assuage,

a t ace which, like the Lord the Qiver, Never fails from age to age.

.

Round each habitation hovering See tho dre and cloird-appear

For a glory and 8 covering Showing that the Lord is near;

Thus der ivhg from their banner Light by night and shade by day,

Safe they feed upon the manna Whlch He gives them when they pray.

Saviour! if of Zion’s city I through grace a member atn,

Let the world deride or pity I will glory in Thy Name;

Fadine is the worldling’s pleaaure All hie boasted pomp and show,

Solid joys and laatlng. trctasure None but Zion’s childreh know,-Amen.

HYMN, No. 804 . The Church‘s one F~undat ton .

She is Hfe new creation Is Jesus Christ her Lord, ,

BY water and the word; He came bnd sought her

holy Bride,. 1

Wlth His own‘ blood He bought her And for her life He died, t

Elect from every nation Yet one o’er all the earth,

€lor charter of salvation One Lord, one faith, one birth;

One Holy Name she blesses, Partakes one holy food,

And to one hope she presses With every grace endued.

Mid toll and tribulation And tumult of her war,

She waits the consumation Of peace for evermore;

Till with the vision glorious Her longing eyes are blest,

And the great Church victorious Shall be the Church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union With Clod the Tree in One,

And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won;

0 happy ones and holy! Lord give us grace that we,

Like them the meek and lowly, On high may dwell with Thee.-Amen -

THE MIDDLETOWN VERSION of

“THE CHURCH IN THE WILDWOOD.” No. 176. in “Great Revival Hymns.

‘Aclarterl by the Pastor; adonted by the School) 1There’s a church on the hill-top by the road-

sfde, No lovelier place on the hill;

No snot 1~ so dear to my childhood A8 the little white church on the hill.

Chorus: Oh, come, come, come, come,

Come t.0 the church by the roadside, Come to the church on the hill;

No spot is ao dear to my childhood, As the little white churcli on the hill.

Haw sweet on a clear Sabbath mornlng

It8 tones so sweetly are saying, To list to the clear loving call,

“Oh, come to the church on the hill.”-- Chorus.

There. close to the church on the hill-top, TIe those that I loved 80 well:

They sleep, eweetly sleep ’neath the gredn-

How peaceful they reat on the hiil.--dhorua

There oloso by t h s R I ~ R of those loved ones, ’Neath the sod where the love-ftowbre bloom,

When the farewell hymn shall be chanted, I shall rest by their side on the hlkl.-Chorus

award,

PSALTER SELECTION 17 Psalm 47

1 0 CLAP your hands, all y$ people: shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

2 For the Lord most high is terrible: he is a great King over all the earth.

3 He shall subdue the people under us: and the nations under our feet.

4 He shall choose our inheritance for us: tlic excellency of Jacob whom he loved.

6 God is gone up with a shout: the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: slng praises unto our Klng, sing praises.

7 For God 1s the Klng of all the earth: 8ins ye praises with understanding.

8 Clod reigpeth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of hla hollness.

9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abrahsm: for the shields of the earth belong uiito God: he 1s greatly exalted.

10 GREAT 1s the Lord, and greatly to be pralaed: ln the city of our Clod, in the moun- tain of his hollness.

Psalm 48

11 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion: on the sides of the north, the clty of the great King.

12 God is known: in her palaces for a refuge.

13 For, lo, the kings were assembled: they pnssed by together.

14 They saw It, and so they marvelled: they were troubled, and hasted away.

16 Fear took hold upon them .there, and pn!n: as a woman in travail.

16 Thou breakest the ships of Tarieh: with an east wind.

17 A s we have heard, so have we seen in t h e city of the Lord of hosts. in the city ot our Clod: God will establish i t for ever.

18 We have thought of thy lovlng-kind- ness, 0 God: in the mldst of thy temple,

19 Accordlng to thy name, 0 God, 80 is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy rlght band is full of righteounees.

20 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad: because of thy judgment 8.

21 Walk about Zion, and go round about hor: tell the towers thereof.

22 Mark ,ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces: that ye may tell it to the genera- tion following.

23 For this God I s our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

i

HYMNS NO. 409 Hail to the brightness of Zion's glad morning!

Joy to the lands that in darkness have lain! Hushed be the accents of sorrow and mourning

Zion in triumph begins her mild reign.

Hail to the brightness of Zion'a glad morning Long by the prophets of Israel foretold!

Hail to the millions from bondage returning! Centiles and Jews the blest vision behold.

Lo in the desert rich flowers are springing, Streams ever copious are gliding along,

Loud froni the mountaln-tops echos are ringing Wastes rise in verdure and mingle in song.'

See from all lands, from the isles of the ocetln, Praise to Jehovah ascending on high,

Fallen are the engines of war and comniotion, Shouts of salvation are rending the sky.-

Amen.

HYMN, NO. 117

Our God our Holp in agos past, Our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast, A n d our eternal home.

Before the hills in order stood Or earth received her frame,

From everlasting Thou art Clod To endloss years the same.

A thousand ages in Thy eight Are like an evening gone,

Short as the watch that ends the night Beforo the rising dawn.

Ttme like an ever-rolling stream Rearc all its sons away,

They fly forgotten as a dream Die6 at the opening dpy.

Our Clod our Help in age8 past, Our Rdge for ygare to come,

Bo Thou our Guard. while trouble8 last, And our eternal Home.-Amen.

HYMN, No. 411 Fling out the banner! Let i t float

Skyward find seaward high and wlde, .The s u n that lights It8 shining folds,

The cross on which the Saviour died.

Fling out the balker! Angels bend In anxious silence o'er the sign,

And vainly seek to comprehend The wonder of t h e love Divine.

Fling out the banner! heathen lands Shall see from far the glorious sight,

And nat!ons, crowding to be born, Baptize their spirits in its light.

Fting out the banner! That sink and perish in the strife,

$hall touch in faith its radiant hem And sprIng immortal into life.

Fltag out the bapner! Let i t float Skyward and sea-ward, high and wtde,

Our glory only in the crom Our only hope the Crucified!

Plfng out the banner! Wide and nigh, Seaward and skyward let it shine,

Nor skfll nor might nor nierif ours, We conquer only in that sign,-Amen.

sin-sick souls

HYMN,.No. 300 I love Thy kingdom, Lord,

The Church our blest Redeemer saved The house of Thine abode,

IWth His own procioils blood.

I love Thy Church, 0 God, Her walls before Thee stand

Dear as the apple of Thine oSe; And graven on Thy hanil.

For hor my tears shall fall, For her my prayers ascend,

To her py cares and toile be given, TI11 toils and care6 shall end.

Beyond my highest joy I prize, her heavenly mays,

Her sweet communion, solemn ~ 0 ~ 8 , Her hymns of love and praise.

Sure as Thy truth shall last, To Zton shall be given

The briohteat glnrtns earth can yield, And brighter hllss of heaven.-Amen.

. . . * . . .

\

2 2 5 ~ ~ A N N I V E R S

October 14, 1945

17211

A R Y

Che Ovyanization

T H E SESSION John A. Yarnall. Treasurer George G. Ford Chester A, Gray J. Oscar Howarth

m Barnett, Jr., Clerk

George W. Wood

THE TRUSTEES George G. Ford, Drcsident John E. Lawton, Jr. Charles W. McThenia Charles R, Miller, Secretary

David McVcy Alfred Shaw Charles L. Smith, Treasurer George W. Wood

William G. Weischedel, Chairman of Cenretery

THE BOARD OF DEACONS

Chester A. Gray

T H E SUNDAY SCHOOL

Mrs. George G. Ford Mrs. John A. 'Yarnall

George W. Wood, Superintenden t Marion Gaul, Sccrctary Louis G. Weischedel, Ass? Supt. William Weischedel, Treasurer

Mrs. George G. Ford, Primary Superintendent

THE CHRISTIAN, ENDEAVOR red M, White, President

Elma Ackland, Vice-President Betty Boyce, Secretary Peggy Dedlow, Treasurer

WOMEN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY 1

Mrs. W L. Morse, President rs. Robert S , Secretary Mrs. Raymond Pinch, Vicc-Pres. Miss Josephine Maser, Treasurer

THE MITE SOCIETY Mrs. ia y, President Mts. Benj Mrs. Wilmot Godon, Sr., V.-Pres. Miss Ethelyn Godon, Secretary

THE A. B. C.

s. Robcrt Anderson, Sccrctary rs, J. L. Christian, Treasurcr

Weischedel, Secretary

For more than

h here w i t h its burial ground is a spot wliere much history has been enacted. T h e organiza- tion antedates by fifty years and more tlie Revolu- tional W a r a the Declaration of Independence, and the site is within five miles westward of wherc

Penn first landed o n the shores of tlie Dela- ware. Indian chief, British red-coat, and colonial soldier have alike trod its sacred soil. Here sleep patt iots of tlie Rcvol ionary a n d Civil Wars, min- isters and physicians, and noble men and women from the various walks of life, splendid and true a n d faithful, who served well God and their coun- t ry in their generation.

t w o centuries now, however, t he soldiers of the Great King have prccnipted this sacred spot for Divine W o r s h i p and the sacred rites of Cliristian burial. As to the acquisition and occupancy of this oitc

regation nothing is definitely k w n prior to 1751, a11 the g perished in a fire in the year 1802 tha t destroyed the honic

of the pastor, Rev, T h o m a s Grier, on the Middletown road near where the o ld Bonsall house n o w stands. But in 175 1 o n the second and third days of August, Henry Caldwell and his wife (widow of Robert Mc- Clel lan) , and the whole f ly of McClellans, consi ng of six sons and five daughters (four of them wi th their husbands joi ly) passed title for the original piece of ground of about three-fifths of a n acre together w i t h the “frame buif thereon” to a Board o x Trustees, namely, .John McMichael, Wi Lindsay, J o h n M c M , James Lindsay, Joseph McCloskie, and el Black. T h e deed was accompanied by a Dcclara-

of T r u s t o n the par t of these six men (the original parchment of c h is still in possession of e church) that , “by direction and appoint-

f the members o r pers s belonging to the Presbyterian Society of t o w n under the care of the Synod of Philadelphia and members

of the Presbytery of New Castle,” they held tlie propert “for the benefit, use, and behalf of all persons, to the said Presbyte Socicty a t Mid in a n d iipon accord to thc cannotis the kirk of Scotland, and for a place to

cons t i t ii t ions of

This festly was making legal and placing on record

.i

fifteen square perches of land for the SCIIII cf seventy-five dollars for the purposcs set fortli in the Declaration of T r w of 175 I and rclicarsed in the Inderitiire niacle in 1803 wlieii thc cntirc property was reconveyed by [lie surviving Trustccs of 1762 to new oncs tlicn clioscn, wliicli parch- incnt indcnture is in the possession of the thurcli and was rccordcd i n the Itccoider of Deeds office for Dclawarc Cotinty, May 6, 18 1 1 .

Again, on August 1 5. 1 8 5 0 , the ‘rtustc:~ tlicn existing, viz., Hcnry Forcst, William T. Crook, Samuel Riddle, J o h n C. Bcatty, Josqph 13, Hinkson, I. Englc Hin kson, Thotiins 1‘. Williatiis, Bernard Van .Leer, a n d J o h n Cochran, took title of tlic Iicirs of l b b c t t Fairlanib for thrcc acres. at a cost of four hiintlrctl and Sfty dollars.

Tlicsc several grants atid piircliascs niade a loin1 of almiit five iind onc-ci\iartcr acres contained in tl ic cliiircli sitc a n d burying ground, and tlic Trustees have rcccntly o n June , 1920, taken t i t le in tlic name of tlic cliutcli to tliice additional acrcs. t l ~ c r c b y enlarging tlic church grounds to eight and a quarter acres.

Previous to 1 7 2 9 i t is not ccrtnin t 1 1 ~ t t i icic was a church building of a n y kind (altliough i t may 1iav.l becn a t u d e fog bui ld ing) , tlic coil- grcgaiion then small and struggling. possibly mcc‘ting as they were ablc to secure prcacliing at the lioliic n m t probably of tlic o w n c r of the ground where n o w the church stands, who was doubtless tlic most activc

cst spirit among tlicni and wliosc naine as appears froin tlie Dcctl of T r u s t of I 7 5 I , already rcfcrrcd to, was Rabcri McClcllan. Of coiirse, it is possible and such w a s the early t i a d i t i o n that thcrc w a s n small log cliurcli from tlic bcginning; i f so. i t w a s thi!; rudc log structure tliat i n 1 729 w a s ieplaced by the “franic builtling tliereon” as named in the Dced of T r u s t I75 1 . We liave t he rccorcl of 11ic Presbytery of New Castle in Apri l , 1 729, of “their building ;1 I ioi is~ a t P~Iiddlutown.” T l i c niotivc a n d encouragenicnt for this niorc coitinictlious f r ame btiildng is obviouq: for it niadc possiblcs at least on:.-l~alf of a ;:aslor’s tinic. Certainly at tha t t h e a frame building was crcctcd anti Rolscrt Catlicart bccanie t l ic first pastor joint ly wi th Brandywiti t .

when it w a s rcplaccd by the more mb~:a i i t i a l stone structure. Those walls 766 have rcniaincd thrcugii a l l t l i . cliatigcs of tlic years. Tlis ing, during ttic iiiorc rhan oiic iiuiidrer,i a n d f i f t y years of , unclerwcnt sevcral mdf ica tSons of which there is dcfinitc f three, two of which made i t , save the walls, practically a

T h a t framc building served ilic I I S G of thc congregation u

The fire of 1879, which occur id 011 thc ;lftcriic~oii of Satu

uild. ‘I‘t:: wnlls \ v m f o u n d intact, nc interior., Icasing only tlic bare walls.

. For the first tiinc chinincys were put in a n d a hot-air T h e old-fasliioncd box pcws were not rebuilt, b u t the

lie niocictn and ccnifortable manner so wcll re- i gcncration. So rapidly was the work puslicd 3 , 1579, that thc church w a s rcdedicatcd.

i ty there was specially for the Sab

ere acceptcd a n d paid for.

And on the 25th of August, 1923; at four o’clock of that lovely Satiir- day afternoon the congregation assembled with welling liearts and f Iiopcs to break ground for the new House‘of Worship. Needless to say, various sctbacls, hindrances and delays followed. But on noon, Septetiibcr 27, 1’324, the cortier-stotie of the now 1 be;rtltiful edifice was fornidly laid with joyous and appropriate exerciscs by thc IWW P a s w Emeritus, the Rev. Williani Tcnion Kruse, and the it9eniotabi2 occasion was honored by the prcsence of the Moderator of t1w Gcneral Assenibly, the Rev. D r Clarence E. Macxtney, who delivered thc address.

And now today we enter and dedicate to the worship and servicc of Alniiglrty God Triune, Fatlier, Son and Holy Spirit, the cornplcted building. “Bless the Lord, 0 m y soul. Praisc ye the Lord.” T h y blessing be upon Thy people. Atnen,

I’lie clrurch liere as Jcrusalenr of old is beautiful for *situation. Iti itsclf and in its history a consecrated and inspiring spot! Hcrc for ovet t w o hundred years the people of God have gathered: and here they gather still on this hill of Cod as noblc a band of loyal servants of Jesus Christ with at least sonic realization that their heritage is glorious as they re- nrertiber tlrc days of old when this was the only Presbyterian Chttrclr for twenty and thirty niilcs the country around, and when from yonder old “I-’rcsbyteriarr Ford” (crossing over creek at Mt. Alvcrno) and along the sacidlepatlis, froni far and near, “the tribes went up, tire es of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give tlianks unto the n of the Lord.”

one is forccfi~lly inipresscci that God has ever had a faithful people at Old Middletown. May tlicir tribe ever incrcase. Middletown’s proplietic verse is Isaiah GO:22 , “A little one shall beconic a thousand: I t!ie Lord will liasten i n his tinre.” Amen and Amen.

I

From out tlic whole history of tlrcsc inore than two 1

---THE REV. W1l4I.IAM T E N T O N KRUSE, on the Dedication of Middletown Presbyterian Clirircli, January, 1928.

( History Continued 011 pngc 8 )

Breaking Ground For’ New Church, August 25, 1923

10,45 o'clock Prelude-"Toccato Finale" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sach boxolog y Invocation and Lord's Prayer Responsive Rea g-Selection 5 1 Gloria

Ye the Lord" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roberts 225th Anniversary Choir

Oll'ertory-"The Bea ful City" + * ' * * * * * * * * * * ' a * * - * . * * Wilson

225th Anniversary Choir Anthem-"God So Loved the World" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stainer

Reminiscences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Rev. William Tenton Kruse

Sermon-"To God Be the Glory" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T h e Pastor

Prayer for Our Men and Women in tha Service

Pastor Emeritus

Prayer * Hymn 198 Benediction Silent Prayer Postlude-"Blow Ye the T r u

AFTERNOON WORSHIP 3.00 o'clock

relude-"Prelude on Amsterdam" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Demurest nvocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T h e Rev, J

Pastor, Nazarone Church, Media Hymn 267 Script u re Read1 ng-M ew 16:13-19. . . T h e Rev, Jo

r" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor, 'The Wallingford Prcsbytcdan Church

Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Rev

. . . . . . .

Mt. Hope Trumpeters Song-"The Little White Church on thc Hill" Historical Sermon-'The World of 1720"

T h e Rev, Charles A, Anderson, D.D., L.L.D. Manager of the Dept, of History of thc Presbyterian Church, U.S.A,

Hymn 266 Benediction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T h e Rev, Chester J, Buzzard

Postlude-"Hasten Lord the Glorious Time". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AshFord Pastor, Media Methodist Church

Reception 4.15 o'c~octt

All are invited to remain for this time of fellowship, which is to be held in the chtirch parlors.

G WORSHIP

8.00 o'clock Prelude-"Pilgrim Chorus" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wagner Invocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Wallace F, Stettlcr

H 339 Scripture Lesson

I'astor, Lima Mcthodist Churcl)

Anthem-"Blessed Be the Lord Our God" . . . . . . . . . . . . IJedlow-\Vhile

Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T h e Rev. John D. Lindsay

crtory-"That Beautiful Name" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Camp

one Solo-"Sweeter As the Years Go By". . . . . . . . . . . .Morris

225th Anniversary Choir

Pastor, First Prtsbyterian Church, Chcstcr (A Daughter cf Old Middletown)

o-Mr. George Huttenlock rsaries . . . . . .Elder 3. Oscar Howarth

hn K9 Barrdl Greetings from Media Presbyterian Church. . . . . . Mr. Elder of the Media Church

(Another Daughter of Old Middletown)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Benediction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T Rcctot, Christ Church, Episccpal, Medi 1

r pastor, comes to our celebrat t Prcsbytctian Church, Atlantic City, N. J., which arge ccngtegjtion and a multitude of men and women in the service

during these tvar ytars I t is a joy to have him with us.

ilisrorcJ Cot?rintren I

To bring this brief history up-to- date it is well to go back to the t h e when [lie Rev. Mr. Kruse tendered his resignation to the congregation, whiclj resulted in the Presbytery of Chcstcr dissolving the pastoral relation on Octo- ber 5, 1924.

Much might be said about this kind, good man whom we are fo to have with us on this 225th

rye He has be and vigorous

at the age of eigh 17, 1945, sees more clearly into the im- plications of many problems than many of us who are much yo not cease to serve Middletown when Ix preached his last sermon in 1924. T h i s dear man of God has builded his and his church iilto the plan and s of the Great Builder.

On May 7, 1925, tlie Rev. Harvey Bennett was installed as pastor, In a

The Pastor: REV. RAYMOND PINCH

special congregational meeting on M 8, 1925, a unani been extended to Mr, Bennett iifter he had preached two excellent sermons and impressed tlie congregation by his sincerity .

of tlie Rev. Mr. Bennett's pastorate were years time the Chvrch was dedicated and the property

roved. I t may be said that s of the Church had changed from a r u r d y of many fine homes, Many were added

School and the youfig peop together and became one of the honor societies of Clir

joices for lrini in his having been called to a larger and a metropolitan church, for which service the Master

$7,000.00 in non-intcrcst bearing loans and $400.00 to tlrc original in or t gage holder.

T t u l y . we niay say, “other IIICII labored and ye are entered into their labors.’’ Let u s go on, for “tlicre reniainctlr yet very nriich land ~~cssesscd,” and “Let 11s hold fast the profession of o u r faith without waverin3 (for Ire is faithful that promised) .”

I’runian Donlnp. J r . Gcorgc Lloyd Rollin M. Jones, J r . Wcslcy Ford R i c h rd S tcvcncjon Harry I-. Boycc, J r . Andrcw Ford 1.t T i ~ c o d o r c McConncll H m ~ c y Shocklcy Walter Ford I.cstcr Ucrry Stanlcy B. M. McKcc

W i 11 i ,I ni S c X J ucr I.cRoy W. Miller, J r . Artgust Scxaucr .John Sliaw Janics Brown

1MiIton Jcnscn Frank Sydnor I tobcrt I~cdlow 1,oiiis N. \Vcischedcl Roy Wattcrs A l l a n Miller C. \Vcslcy Vigucrs I’aul Allani D.iinon \Vat tcrs ;t16irg,irctta W a r d Allan D. Morsc J o h n 1:iIippi Jcscph Sipps, J r , ’

I1 ob r r t A r n sdo r f l-low.ird Collicr Erncst Hcnry Etta Barry **Dclphlna Andino Nclson Henry Ilobci t €4. Stinson, J r . A r t h u r Ginn T a y l o r Godon Hcnicr Dtinbar Cliarlcs I:. Worri low, I l l Charlcs Habbcrsctt, J r . **Robert Anderson 'Andrew D i J o h n Edward I-1:bbcrsct t Mcrccdcs Barry WitIi,ini G, Clark, J r .

J o h n Habbcrsct t * *I.awrcncc E. Barry Bcatricc S u t t o n Charlcs W. Tccr Wal tc r ~McVcy Walter Sydnor Howard Ackland Edward Sliislcr Edna Croutlicrs

’Gcorgc G;tul \V i I I ia iii B row n

Alfred I . Shnw

**.John Calhoun

I< obcr t I. ‘z v i P * *\Villiam C, Smith

J o s c p h C‘ilvin \Vi I I iani G i n n

Rccs:, Cobourn ** \VcIsIi Godon

Housto:i ’Thompson

* hldc t hc siiptcnic sxrlficc. * * Honoraldy dischargcd.

s year of His grace, to an end. Let \is for the r of

I

Succezsion of Pastors

Data on the early pastors is: (as far as known)

T h e Rev . Robert Cathcart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1730-1 74 1

The Rcv . James Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I77 1 . 1793 T h e Rev . Thomas Grier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 1 - 1808

T h e Rev . Nathaniel Snowden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1809- 1817

T h e Rev . Alvin Jieliet Parker. D.D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1833- 1839

The Rev . James Wilkinson Dale. D.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1846-1871

T h e Rev . Thomas Darlington Jester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1874- 1889

T h e Rev . William Tenton Kruse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1889- 1924

T h e Rev. Harvey Bennett. D.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1925-1942

ed (probably a log structure) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ' 1720

First Frame Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1730

Second Church Built-Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1766

Church Renovated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1798

Church Renovated and Enlarged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1846

1858 First Stoves Placed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Destroyed by Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1879

t and Re-dedicated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 0

red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vated . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ated . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1895

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1919

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1924

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1928

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1939

From the Presbytery of Philadelphia: “l’hc Prcsbytery of Philad

the pastor, the officers and the members Church upon th casion of the 225th of the Church. As we consider begi to learn chat it is the sixth oldest c l w c h in our Presbytery, almost as old as the Presbytery, older than any Synod save the General Synod, and much older than the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U America. before George ington was born, and reaches back to century of the ding of Pennsylvania. As we recall history and your long period of f a i t h f d ministry to your c rejoice to find the Church a t the center of life and progress through the years.

As we look into the future, it is with the reassuring sense that the main in tlie midst of the people, sharing their experiences

aiid guiding their lives toward the Perfect Day. I voice tlie heartfelt prayers and good wishes of the Presbytery when I bcspcak God’s con- tinued blessing and provid upon your efforts,

Let me add my pers work of cortgratul and my sincere prayer that God may bless and use you in the future as He has in the past.”

ia offers heartiest congratula e Middletown Pres

gs of your Church, we a

Your organization is older than our beloved

N K. LYNN, Stated Clerk.

From the Rev. am Tenton Kruse, Pastor Emeritus:

ILLIAM TENTON KRUSE.

T H E ANNIVERSARY COMMlTTEE CHAlRMEN

Mts. Gcorgc W. Wood

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rcv

Receplion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Ushers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Decorations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Memorials.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . His tory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rev .

LESSED BE THE LORD 225th Anniversary by

The anthem music LOW. Dircctor of thc Choir.

T o Thee our lives belong.

All praise be unto God, our King,

Hath kept T h y light a beacon Through saints who did T h y

We praise Thee for T h y goodness, T h a t i t is ours to hold,

celess heritage, than gold.

We honor all who in this place T h y work have humbly done. With a11 who’ve prayed and worshipped here We feel that we are *one.

Enable us, 0 Father God, Our grateful thanks to bring In selfless service that was theirs,

Bless be the Lord our God, Who saw us from above, Needing Christ, and sent Him down- Great gift of boundless love.

All praise be How wonderful T h y name! T h y goodness fills our lives with joy, From age to age the same!

h them we sing:

to God, our King,