Page:Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a Concise History of the Two Counties and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families.pdf/387

 COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES A fte r a vacancy of nearly two years* Rev. W illiam E. Ijam s was chosen pastor. H e was orctaine<i and installed M ay 2, 1865. Great spiritual blessings were enjoyed by the church during the brief ministry o f this beloved brother. In the two and a half years o f his pastorate ninety-two persons united w*ith the church. This pastoral relation w as dissolved Sept. 17, 1867. ITie next pastor w as Rev. Alexander B. Jack* a man o f wonderful pulpit power, a poetic genius* and o f warm, sympathetic heart. A Scotchman with all the brilliancy and some of the weaknesses o f his race, M r. Ja c k ’s pow er as a preacher m ay best be described m the words o f Dr. McCosh* o f Princeton* uttered after hearing him for the first time: “ I never heard a man that took me back 10 the days of the Covenanters as he did.” M r. Jack commenced his labors in January* 1869, and served until Ju n e 28, 1874. During h is pastorate the present manse, opposite the church on Mahoning street, was built* at a cost of $10 ,0 0 0; and in that manse w as bom h is son, Robert Bonner Jack, at this writing the much beloved pastor of the First Presby­ terian Church o f Hazleton. Pa.* to which his father ministered immediately after leaving Danville. M r. Jack was succeeded by Rev. Thom as R. Beeber* who commenced his labors Ju ly 4* 1875. During the first year o f M r. Beeber*s fxastoraCe fifty-three persons united with the church. Ills whole term w as marked by earnest, devoted and self-sacrificing labor on his part. W hen he h ^ a n his kibors the session consisted o f A. G. N’oris, Patterson Johnson and Josiah Reed. Mr. Beeber advised an increase in the members of the session, and Dr. S. S. Schultz, D r. Jam es Oglesby and II. M. Hinckley were elected to serY*e as ruling ciders, in addition to the three first mentioned. M r. Beeber was called to the Second Church o f Scranton, and closed his bbors at Mahoning A pril 20* i88a. On Oct. I, 1880, Rev. Robert I-aird Stew art W'as called as pastor. Mr. Stew art had just returned from a long visit to the Holy I-and, and brought to his work not only a ripe e.xpcricncc in pastoral work* but all (he benefits and practical knowledge that came from

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building was greatly improved and enlarged. In 1882 Thomas Heaver, an honored member of the church who alw ays delighted in doing large and generous things for it, presented to the congregation a large Hook & flastings pipe organ, placed in an annex behind the pulpit huilt for its reception. Changes and additions were also made tu the Sunday school rooms, which added much to the church's ability to carry- on an aggressive work. In 1889, through the generosity o f Thom as Beaver and Mrs. .Abigail .A. Geisingcr. most extensive improve* mcnts were inaugurated by which the whole interior of the audience chamber was changed, the total cost being about thirteen thousand dollars. These were completed in 1890 and Ihe church ofwncd again on .April 13th o f that year with a sermon by Rev. Robert F. Sample, D. D., o f New Y o rk City, and a most inter­ esting talk by Sheldon Jackson, (hat wonderful home missionary to our western land, and later to our north country. Rev. Mr. Stewart terminated his ministry in 1890 and accepted a profes-sorship in Lincoln University. In 1891 Rev. William I. Stcans b ^ n a pastorate that did nnich to advance the inter­ ests of the church. .A bright and gifted preacher, he had a jovial and winning w ay that took with the masses. It seems as i f the walls o f thi.s Zion must still reverberate the laughter and optimism o f this servant o f God. During his pastorate four new mcmhers were added to the session. David Shelhart. Reuben H. ’ori,s. Samuel Hailey and Howard B. Shultz. It was during the ministiy- o f Mr. Steans that the Fast Fnd Mission was estab­ lished in the town. The history o f this mis­ sion will be found in a sqw rate article. Mr, Steans resigned his charge in 1902 and soon after accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church o f Westfield. N. J .. where at this lime he is still ministering. Rev. Jam es E. Hutchison began his ministry in the Mahoning Church in 1903. M any ac­ cessions were made to the church during his elected, namely: Dr. J. E. Robbins, jo h n M. Sechler and J. E. .Moore. M r. Hutchison resigned in 1907 and Rev. Jam es Wollaston K irk, D. D., the present pastor, entered upon his minLslry the same year. During Dr. K irk ’s pastorate the church — those holy h ilK properly has been much improved. The O ver whose acres walked those blessed feet. church building and the manse have been re­ W hich nineleen hundred years ago were nailed. Foe oiir transRressiofts. on the hitler eross. painted. electric light has been introduced info both buildings, and the auditorium and Sunday Under M r. Stew art's pastorate not only was school rooms have been handsomely repainted the church built up spiritually, hut the church ' and decorated. M rs. Abigail A. Geisingcr
 * >astora(e. and three additional elders were