AFTER EIGHTY YEARS. IN N its issue of Monday, February 8th, 1886, the Ohio State Journal, of Columbus, said: "Yesterday was a memorable day in the history of the First Presbyterian Church, and the services were devoted exclusively to the commemoration of the eightieth anniversary of the organization of the church. For years-in fact, ever since its establishment-the First Church has been one of the leading bodies in the city, and its members and congregation have always numbered many of the most prominent and cultured people of the Capital City. Thirty years ago the semi-centennial was celebrated in a most happy manner, and the arrangements for this anniversary were prepared with the same degree of care. It is the intention to continue the memorial gathering or reunion through to-day and to-morrow, the social feature being set for Tuesday evening." The church was appropriately decorated with evergreen. The memorial tablet erected to the memory of Dr. Hoge was surrounded with a wreath of ever green, above which was the date "1806," and on the opposite side the date "1886." The following was the order of exercises observed on Sabbath morning, February 7th: Doxology. Invocation. Te Deum Laudamus. Scripture Lesson, 90th Psalm: Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep; in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath : we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. O, satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and established thou the work of our hands upon us; yea,the work of our hands, establish thou it. HYMN. O, God of Bethel, by whose hand Thy people still are fed; Who, through this weary pilgrimage, Hast all our fathers led. Our vows, our prayers, we now present Through each perplexing path of life O, spread Thy covering wings around, Prayer, by Rev. Robert J. Laidlaw. Hymn 435, Presbyterian Hymnal: "Our God, our help in ages past." Historical Sketch by the Pastor. Memorial Sermon, Rev. R. J. Laidlaw. Prayer. Original Hymn, written by Francis E. Marsten. ... TUNE-Louvan. Beneath the shadow of Thy wing, Great God, we bow with song and prayer, Of faith and hope, and love and truth, Of holy church and open Page To guide our feet in age or youth. Our fathers trod the wilderness; Where Hand Divine their lot had cast, And kept the faith, Thy wisdom willed; Fresh graces gain from day to day. So let Thy Church, through smiles and tears, BENEDICTION. |