Frankfort, Kentucky - History (part 3 of 3)

The congregation of the First Presbyterian Church has been actively identified with the work of this Society from its formation, and for many years furnished its officers, especially during its earlier decades. Ex-Governor Robert P. Letcher was for a number of years President, and Colonel Alex. Rennick served in this office for many terms. But for many years past the officers and committees have been taken in rotation from the various churches of the city, all of whom co-operate in the work and give it their cordial support. We find some allusions in our Church Sabbathschool papers and records to a Female Bible Society in this church, but no account is given of its work, except here and there an allusion is made to its dona- tions of Bibles and Testaments. Rev. Dr. George Savage, in his " Sketches of \V\h\e Work," referred to elsewhere, mentions that " the Frankfort Female Bible Society was organized in 1833, with Mrs. Margaretta Brown, Secretary," and adds that he was not able to find any further record of the Society.

First Church Sabbath-School

Anv sketch of this church would be manifestly incomplete did it not include an allusion to the Sabbath-school, and some account of its early history and methods. This was the pioneer school of the West, and was second only in date to the one formed in Pittsburg one year earher. This school has been from its beginning a leading factor in the development and work of this church, its strong right arm, which in the faithful labors of its teachers, by the blessing of the great Head of the Church, has done much to add to and strengthen the body. It may be truly said that it has been, and still is, " the nursery of the church," from which it has drawn its largest accessions, both in numbers and spiritual strength. It has numbered in its workers many wise and consecrated teachers, and who may estimate the benefits it has conferred upon the pupils who have enjoyed the privilege of its instructions, many of whom went elsewhere to teach others. The beginning of the Sabbath-school antedates the organization of our church about six years. In the year i8io Rev. Michael Arthur, a Scotch Presbyterian minister, was induced to come to Frankfort to open a school for boys. He was brou;^'ht hither by Hon. John Brown and other citizens, who felt the need of better instruction for their sons than was afforded in the town. Shortlv after opening the school, at the earnest solicitation of Mrs. Brown, ^Ir. Arthur gathered the boys together also on tlie Pabbath day, and spent an hour teacliing- them the Scriptures and the Shorter Catechism. This was the beginning of our Sabbath-school, and after the departure of Mr. x\rthur and the closing of his day school, the Sabbath instructions were maintained by Mrs. Rrown, Mrs. Elizabeth Love, Mrs. Berkley and Miss Humphreys, and in March, 1819, a school was organized for girls only. Mrs. Margaretta Brown was chosen superintendent, wi^h six teachers - Mrs. Love, Mrs. Berkley, Miss Humphreys, Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Brown, The school was held for the most part in the " big room " of the Love House, but occasionally in the home of Mrs. Brown, when more expedient.

The school opened with eighteen girls in the six classes. During the ensuing summer the number in attendance increased to forty, but the average attendance the first year was thirty.

In this day of abounding Sunday-school literature and helps, we can not realize the difficulties with which these devoted women were forced to contend in carrying on their labor of love. The American Sundayschool Union had not been yet organized, and suitable books could not be procured unless made to order by the printers. Among the papers and accounts yet preserved in the records of the school we find these and similar items of printing bills :

William A. Bull Sabbath-Schools. 20I

$11 75 In the preparation of the lessons the classes used questions on the Scriptures which were prepared and written out for them by the superintendent. For this and other literary work Mrs. Brown, by early education and religious training in her Eastern home, was eminently qualified. In addition to a number of beautiful hymns written for the school, she compiled a Bible Dictionary, " Food for Lambs," and " Brown's Catechism " for the younger scholars ; also " Exemplifications of the Golden Rule," based on the Scripture, Matthew vii. T2. Under sixteen sections, or " exemplifications," she taught the children to put themselves in the place of others, and to act as they should do under the teaching of the text. And in concluding the series she turned their minds to conteinplate the Savior in his work of love for each one individually, and urged them in return to give to Him their love and obedience.

Mrs. Brown also taught and trained the younger teachers, and when entering upon her work as a teacher, each one would receive from her a carefully prepared paper, in which her duties were detailed, and her responsibiHty to God and the class afifectionately urged. As secretarv, ]\Irs. Brown kept a record of the weekly work of the classes and the individual scholars. As treasurer, she kept accurate account of all funds she collected and disbursed. The school as yet had no library, and the scarcity of suitable reading matter for the children was severely felt. In the year 1822, however, Mrs. Brown notes in her record : " Received from the Rev. Air. John Breckinridge, of Princeton Theological School, the gift of fifty books." This was the beginning of the Sunday-school library, which was subsequently added to when the school was reorganized in the First Church buikhng some years later. The school was supported mostly by individual subscriptions, and a collection was regularly made in the church once or twice a year.

The exercises of the school were largely devoted to the recitation of Scripture, which had been memorized during the week by the scholars, together with the Assembly Shorter Catechism, Brown's Catechism and hymns. In looking over the class books we are impressed with the aptitude displayed by the children and the faithful work performed.

Sabbath-Schools

$86.60. Amount expended, mostly for printing-, $101.60. As secretary, she reports 113 pupils instructed, 509 rewards bestowed, 446 tracts, 202 Catechisms, 21 Bibles and 100 copies of the Commandments distributed. These statistics serve to show the very faithful work done by the teachers, and at the same time the industry and spirit of emulation on the part of children in storing their minds with the Holy Scriptures. At this time the following girls, Martha Todd, Mary W. Brown, Catherine Scott, Margerite Sproule and Frances Bibb, were " honorably dismissed from the school with testimonials of approbation." In these papers it was stated that during their attendance of two and a half years upon the school they had read the Bible regularly throu-gh, and some books of it several times over; had each recited from six thousand to seven thousand verses of Scripture, and were perfect in the Shorter Catechism; they had each searched out, transcribed and memorized six hundred verses of Scripture proofs in support of the doctrines which they had been taught, and had studied and drawn the maps of such parts of the world as were connected with sacred history.

In the advanced methods of education of the present day, which include Sabbath-school teaching as well as secular instruction, the practice of the earlier Sabbathschools, in requiring the memorizing of Scripture, may not be approved. Indeed, one of the prominent Sabbath-school papers of recent date, in adverse criticism of the practice, concludes an article on the subject with these words : '' Parrot or rote reciting of the Bible and Catechism is a poor use of children's minds and time, and does not tend to impress the truths taught in the Bible. Hence there is no true gain in such memorizing and reciting, however valuable and important are the words thus misused.'' This may have been to some extent true in some cases, but as a general rule it does not hold good. The survivors of the old system, though now few in number, will bear testimony to its benefits and" lifelong blessings. Under judicious selection much of the Scripture used was adapted to the comprehension of the average child, and portions not fully understood at the time were more fully apprehended in after years. This was especially the case with the Shorter Catechism. During the last year covered by Mrs. Brown's report the highest number of verses recited was 3,394, by Cornelia Crittenden, an. average of sixty-five per Sabbath. The next highest number was 3,229 verses, an average of sixty-two. The list of teachers had changed somewhat, the following being those in charge of classes at the end of the school year, October, 1823 : Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Love, Mrs. R. Bibb, Miss Bibb, Miss Todd and Miss Sproule. In the expenditures the greatest amount went to the printer ; the next heaviest outlay was for " reward books and cards," which were procured in Philadelphia, usually by the courtesy of the Frankfort merchants v.dien they went East after goods in spring and fall. Tracts were occasionally sent out from the East as a present from friends, and the only expense to the school was the postage. An item that frequently occurred was paper for covering the books, catechisms, tracts, and other reading matter, showing the care used in preserving these precious helps. The strictest economy was used in the expenditures, and an accurate account kept, to the fraction of a cent. The following memoranfium occurs at the beginning of the treasurer's report :

" l»hoiigh the accounts are all kept in specie, some of the receipts are in commonwealth. These, however, are credited as speeie, according to the current rate of exchange at the time, one dollar commonwealth to seventy-five cents specie."

While printing and literature came high, labor appears to have been held on a low scale of. wages, judging from the amount paid the janitor, Miles, for attendance. " PVjr making iires and sweeping, two years, 1819-1820, seventy-live cents." This man Miles appears to have been a faithful and devoted servant of the school. His name occurs regularly in the reports as janitor until the year 1837, and his wages were advanced from time to time, as the s(;hool grew, until he was paid as much as two dollars a year.

The year 1826 was a notable one in the history of the school. On September 3d it assembled in the new church, which had just been entered bv the conc^ret^ation. The school was reorganized and a special service was held, consisting of reading, singing and addresses by the superintendent and Rev. Eli Smith, and a dedicatory prayer. The teachers were: Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Love, Mrs. Roberts, Aliss Gray and Aliss Sproule. Among the names of scholars, listed by classes, are those of some of the '* mothers of the church " : Agnes Todd, Jane Davidson, Maria L. Crittenden, Fannie Phillips, Mary Jane Todd, Ann Watson, Margerite Whitehead, Mary Lee Rennick, Sarah H. Russell and others.

In 1828 the school had increased to eleven classes. In the annual report of the superintendent occur the following entries : " In consequence of the establishment of a Sabbath-school in the Baptist Church, eleven of our scholars have withdrawn to enter that school, and four have also joined the Methodist school. During tile year twenty new scholars have been added to our school, anl a boys' department has been organized during- the last quarter by jndge Mills. The children of the school have formed theinselves into a society for aiding in the education of the poor children of the town, under the name of the A-b-c-darian Society, and it has already three children under its care."

The dues in this Society amounted to six and onequarcer cents per month, and each subscriber was required to earn the amount, and not receive it as a gift from parents or friends. The lady to whose school the children were sent generously ofifered to take another scholar free for every one sent bv the Society. So in this way six children were benefited who might have otherwise grown up in ignorance.

" I desire to record with humble gratitude that one of the scholars, Josephine A. Gray, has solemnly dedicated herself to the Lord by uniting with the Methodist Church. Grant, O Lord, that glory and joy may be her everlasting portion."

At this time the long-wished-for library was secured. For some years, l:)y the efforts and self-denial of the teachers and some of the scholars, a fund had been slowly accimiulating for this purpose, and now friends here and elsewhere came to their help, some donating books, others giving money. The library was bought in Philn(lel|)hia. and the occasion of its opening was one of great rejoicing. After leaving out old and injured books, the catalogue, which is still preserved, written out by the superintendent, contained four hundred and eighty-seven volumes.

>Special services were held, at which a poem, written for the occasion by Mrs. Brown, was read. The first and the concluding stanzas are here quoted :

The total number of verses recited during the year 1828 was 80,691. Books and rewards distributed, 338. Number of scholars on the roll, 79. In the expenditures we note this entry : " For uniting the school with the American Sunday-school Union, $3.00."

In 1829 the boys' department, which had hitherto met at a dififerent hour, assembled with the female school, and from thenceforth the two were united as one school, but in two distinct departments. In her report for this year the superintendent mentions with gratitude that ten of her teachers had united with the church. She mentions also " that Miss Elizabeth Birch had recited with great accuracy during the year 6,974 verses, being the greatest number recited by any scholar in the history of the school in the same length of time. Thirty scholars have left the school during the year, and thirty-eight have been added. Total on the roll, 96. Three of the teachers. Miss Phillips, Miss Taylor and Miss McCurdy, have married during the year."

In 183 1 Mrs. Brown gave a review of the work for the five years since its reorganization as a girls' school. In that time only three of the girls had died.

As a considerable number of scholars had removed from the town, the number uniting with the church could not be accurately given. Several had joined the Baptist and the Methodist Churches of this place, but the greater part had united with our own church. Number of teachers, sixteen, all of whom were now members of the church.

Special mention was made of the faithfulness of the teachers, and praise for punctuality and efificiency was given to the librarian, Frances Deaver, who had been previously for nine years a scholar, and had in that time recited over twenty thousand verses of Scripture.

Sab13Ath-Schools

" The common saying that it is impossible to please everybody holds good with respect to the Sabbathschool as well as in less important matters. While many object to it as being too sectarian, others oppose it npon the claim that it is not sufficiently so. But recently I had a conversation with a Christian gentleman, who was a most violent opponent of the whole system."

The bovs' department, organized and conducted by Judge Mills, was after his death, in 1831, for a short time under the care of Mrs. Featherston. It had decreased in numbers, and consisted of a single class of small boys. In 1834 Mr. William T^T. Todd, one of the young elders, then in his twenty-fourth year, took charge, and infused new life into this branch of the school. Securing the active support of other gentlemen of the congregation, he soon had it on a good working basis, with sixty boys and youth in ten classes. The teachers during the first year were : John P. Bruce, John M. Thurston, David Meriwether, A. G. Hodges, Samuel Keane, William P. Morris, N. H. White, Hugh Goodwin, J. T. Mudge and John W. Pruett.

The teachers of the girls' department in 1833-4 were: Mrs. Love, Mrs. Eliza Sharpe, Miss Phillips, Miss Birch, Miss Scott, Miss Watson, Mrs. Mary McQuiddy, Miss Ellen McQuiddy, Miss Betsey Mills, Mrs. Mary Lee, Miss Foster and Miss Russell, with Miss Crittenden librarian.

In the classes we find the names of a number of girls who grew to womanhood, and lived to adorn the society of the town : Maria L. Crittenden, Mary Ellen Vest, Maria L. Wingate, Ann Mary Roberts, Mary Swigert, Ann E. Page, Jane Davidson, Laura Hensley, Sarah H. Russell, Sarah Rhodes, Elizabeth A. Todd. Harriet Russell. Allison ia Rennick, Mary Ellen Cloudas, Ann Mary Belt, Elizabeth and Catherine Dryden, Mary Jane Todd, Mary Lucy Mills, Margerite Whitehead and Sarah J. Blootnfield. Of these, twelve or thirteen are yet alive. Several of them were in 1836-7 added to the teaching force of the school, Mary Jane Todd, Sarah H. Russell, Mary Ellen Vest and Miss Crittenden, with the following ladi(>s from the congregation: Miss

Although the school was conducted in two departments, with separate record books and officers, the whole was under the supervising care of Mrs. Brown, and so continued until her death. An impression is current that she gave up the office some time prior to that event, l)ut the contrary is clearly shown to be the case. Her account book of receipts of funds and expenditures, also her diary of incidents transpiring in the school, both kept in her handwriting, show conclusively that she was in active charge until her death, which occurred on the 28th of May, 1838. The books for each previous year, including 1837^ were duly balanced, but 1838 was closed in the fifth month by her death, the last entry made being on the eleventh day. This system of book-keeping and detailed account of the history and transactions of the school ceased with Mrs. Brown's administration. Some of her methods, however, were adhered to by her successors in office, by whom she was held in great respect and veneration.

After Mrs. Brown's death, her most intimate friend and co-worker, Mrs. Elizabeth Love, who had been associated with her from the beginning of the work, was chosen by the teachers of the female department to take charge of it, while Mr. William M. Todd assumed control of the whole school. And to it he gave the best service and energies of his life for eighteen years. His devotion to its interests and his great success in the management of its afifairs, his affectionate solicitude tor the spiritual welfare of each and every member of the school, his godlv and consistent life, endeared him to x\mong the boys of the decade 1837-1847 were some who attained positions of honor and distinction in after life, some in the church, some in State, and some in the service of the country. Four became ministers of the Presbyterian Church, Thornton Mills, Eli Smith, Jr., Ben Mills and William O. Goodloe. Others became office-bearers in the church, Edwin Samuel, Samuel Bull, John Crittenden Watson, Will Sneed, Will Reading and Howe Watson ; while others attained eminence in the profession of law, B. Gratz Brown, George Vest, John M. Harlan, John Mason Brown, James Harlan and Dan Lindsey. One of these is now an Associate Justice in the Supreme Court of the United States, another has been a distinguished United States Senator for many years from jMissouri, while another is an Admiral in the United States Navy.

Mrs. Elizabeth Love died in 1846, and there was no successor to the office of superintendent of the female department, both branches being merged in one, under Mr. William Todd as superintendent of the whole.

Upon resigning the office in 1852, when removing from Frankfort, he. delivered a farewell address to the school, full of tenderness and solicitude, which showed the spirit and devotion which characterized his administration.

Air. John B. Temple was chosen by the teachers to succeed Mr. Todd, and he took up the work with great zeal, and gave it his unremitting care for about seventeen vears. In connection with his other duties in the school, he organized and conducted a large Bible class, which was a source of great blessing to all its members.

Sabbath-Schools. 2I9

" The welfare of the church has been very near to my heart, and I have loved its membership, and especially its Sabbath-school children, with a sincere and abiding affection, watching their career with tender solicitude. I am devoutly thankful that so many of them whom I have personally taught the things which make for their eternal welfare, have become shining lights in the church."

After iNIr. Temple's resignation and removal to Louisville, Mr. John M. Harlan for about a year was superintendent, prior to his removal also to that city. He was one of the boys of the school, and growing up with it, under its influence and teachings, it was fitting that he should be honored with the ofifice of superintendent.

He was succeeded by Mr. S. C. Bull, the present incumbent, who has now for a period of over thirty years given the school the faithful and loving service of his lieart. hand and voice, and that his life may be spared to continue this work for many years to come is the earnest v>'ish and prayer of the church and school. During Mr. Bull's term the music has always been a leading feature in the exercises of the school. He being an accomplished singer and leader, the service of song under his direction has been maintained to a high standard of excellence. It is a matter worthy of note that during the life of this school, extending over the greater part of the century, practically but four superintendents have been in charge : Mrs. Brown, twenty years ; Mr. Todd, eighteen years ; Mr. Temple, fifteen ; Mr. Harlan, one, and Mr. Bull, thirty-two years. The following boys, who were for a longer or shorter time members of the school, entered the ministry of onr Church : Thornton A. Mills, Benjamin Mills, EH Smith, Jr., William O. Goodloe, Joseph T. Leonard, Wilham L. McEwan, Edward H. Bull and Thomas P. Grant.

Mrs. Margaretta Brown

Mrs. Margaretta Mason Brown was born in the city of New York, November, 1772. Her father, Rev. John Mason, D.D., a Scotch Presbyterian minister of that city, came to America from Londonderry, Ireland, in 1 761, at the age of twenty-seven. He was a man of great mental acquirements and force of character, and one of the leaders of the Church in his day.

His son. Rev. John M. Mason, D.D., also attained an eminent position in the Church, and inherited, with his sister, from their illustrious father that strength of mind and character that was destined to make such an impress for good upon the succeeding generations. Margaretta Mason was reared in a religious atmosphere. She was educated and trained by Mrs. Isabella Grahame, the most noted and gifted educator in the city at that period, whose deep piety and religious character were impressed upon her pupils. In February, 1799, Miss Mason married the Hon. John Brown, of Virginia, and one vear later removed with him to Frankfort, then a town of a few hundred inhabitants, thus leaving the

At that period there was no church, nor indeed any rehgious organization whatever, in the town. Mrs. Brown, being accustomed from childhood to the ministry of the Word and the society of Christian people, felt severely the deprivations of her new home, and at once sought to remedy as far as she was able the existing conditions. Being a woman of great energy and fertility of resource, as well as a devout and consecrated Christian, she opened her house to, and sought the presence of all the gospel ministers who visited the place, and her home became speedily known as the " Preachers' Hotel." Religious services were held as often as possible, no minister being allowed to pass through the town without having an opportunity to preach. These services were held either in her home or at the Love House, near by, whose mistress, Mrs. Elizabeth Love, was a cordial co-worker with her in promoting these services. But Mrs. Brown's greatest work, and that which has enshrined her name in the hearts of all Christian people of this community, to be held in grateful remembrance, was her work in establishing and maintaining up to the time of her death the Sabbath-school of our church. The benefits of her labor of love for the Master were by no means confined to her own church, and she often rejoiced in seeing her scholars unite with the other churches of the town. Of her work, some account has been given in the foregoing pages. Much more might well be written of her self-sacrificing devotion to the interests of the school, in overcoming the difficulties which beset her in providing the necessary helps for the scholars, and her painstaking training of the teachers. She has l)een justly termed " The Pioneer Sunday-school Superintendent of the West,'' for hers was the second school organized west of the Alleghenies, the first one having been formed one year earlier (1809) in the city of Pittsburg.

William Montague Todd

William Montague Todd, the second in the line of Sabbath-school superintendents, was born March 30th', 181 1. In his younger days he was a practical printer, and wrought with Albert G. Hodges, his brother-in-law, who was for many years Public Printer to the State. This occupation Mr. Todd relinquished to engage in merchandising, and conducted successfully for many years an establishment known far and near as Todd's Bookstore. At the age of sixteen he united with this church, and two years later was made a deacon, in which office he served the church four years, when he was ordained ruling elder, at the age of twenty-three. At this time he took charge of the boys' department of the Sabbath-school, consisting of a single class of small boys. By his zeal and energy, in the course of a year he increased this to about sixty boys and youth, with ten teachers. Four years later, upon the death of Mrs. Margaretta PJrown, in 1838, he took full charge of the school as superintendent, which position he filled with eminent ability and faithfulness until his removal from Frankfort, in 1852. fn this work he was intensely in earnes*:, making the school his chief and constant care. In a parting address, made to the school upon the eve of his departure, full of tenderness and solicitude, among other facts he states that when a visitor in other cities he never failed to visit all the schools within his reach.

in order to obtain new ideas and methods for conducting his own school. He had a great hold upon the children of the town as well as upon those of our own church, and was a model Sunday-school superintendent.

In 1852 he removed to Jessamine County, but in 1856 again returned to Frankfort, remaining here until 1859, when he located near Versailles, Kentucky, where he died in 1865.

John. B. Temple

Mr. John B. Temple, who succeeded Mr. Todd in ofhce as superintendent of the Sabbath-school, was born in Logan County, at his father's place. Federal Grove, December 31st, t8i6. He received a Uberal education and prepared for the practice of law, but did not engage in the practice of that profession. He came to Frankfort in 1850 to take charge as cashier of the recently organized Farmers' Bank. He served the State with ability during the early years of the Civil War as President of the MiUtary Board, which practically had charge of the State's affairs during that unsettled period.

Mr. Temple removed in 1868 to Louisville, to take the presidency of the Kentucky Mutual Life Insurance Company of that city, which position he filled with distinguished ability until his death, in 1886. For a fuller account of his services in our church and Sabbathschool see another chapter.

John T^Iarshall Harlan, who was superintendent of this school for a time after the departure of Mr. Temple, was born in Boyle County, near Danville, Kentucky, in 1833.

Shortly after that date his father, Hon. James Harlan, one of the most distinguished lawyers of the Kentucky bar, removed to Frankfort with his family, and made it their future home. John's name first appears on the roll of the Sabbath-school in 1841, along with those of his brothers, Henry Clay and James. He received his preliminary education at the famous school of B. B. Sayre, of Frankfort, one of the most successful teachers of his day in the vState, who fitted his pupils to take a high standing in the best colleges. Graduating from Centre College, Mr. Harlan entered Transylvania University Law School, under the distinguished professors, Judge George Robertson, Thomas A. Marshall and Madison C. Johnson. After licensure he practiced law in Frankfort about eight years, during which time he served the State as Adjutant General, and Franklin County as Judge of the County Court. About the year 1861 he removed to Louisville for the practice of his profession, but the opening of the Civil War found him in command of the Tenth Regiment of Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, LTnited States Army, which he had enlisted for the service.

He served the State as Attorney General for four years, 1863-1867, during which term he again resided in Frankfort, and at the expiration of which he again located in Louisville. In 1871 he was the Republican candidate for Governor, and in 1877 was one of the United vStates Commission sent by President Hayes to Louisiana. In November, 1877, he was appointed and confirmed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the LTnited States, and took his seat December loth following.

Samuel C. Bull

Samuel C. Bull, superintendent of the school since the year 1867, was born in Simpsonville, Shelby County, Kentucky, September 5th, 1834. He was the only son of Corban Bull and Lydia Metcalfe, his wife, whom he left a widow four months after the birth of their son. Samuel was brought up on the Metcalfe farm, receiving his schooling near by, from a country school, working on the farm in summer and attending school in the winter. At the age of fourteen he found it necessary to leave home, and entered the establishment of his kinsman. Dr. John Bull, in Louisville, where he remained a short time, and then came to Frankfort. Upon arrival here, in 1849,- he entered the bookstore of William M. Todd, with whom he remained imtil the store was sold in 1852, when he returned to Louisville, entering the noted establishment of Morton & Griswold, the only publishers of school books at that time in Kentucky. In 1857 ]\Ir. Bull returned to Frankfort, and again entered the bookstore of Mr. Todd, who had bought it back upon his return from the country. In January, 1859, ^ir- ^''-il^ succeeded Mr. Todd in the business, and continued it until 1873, when he entered the milling business. In 1878 he disposed of his interest in this enterprise, and for several years traveled as the representative of Eastern manufacturers. In 1884 he entered the establishment of R. K. McClure & Bro., of this city, and remains in the employ of that house to this date.

Leestown Mission School

This school was organized by members of the First Presbyterian Church in the year 1878, in the old Leestown schoolhonse, about a mile below Frankfort. For about two years the school was conducted in this building, until the present chapel was erected. The attendance has from tlie beginning been good, and the work encouraging. The community has experienced in a marked degree the beneficial results of the mission, which has been to it a blessing temporally as well as spiritually. The teachers have been very faithful and self-denying in their labors, in the heat of summer and the cold of winter. Preaching has been also maintained, and special services by the pastor of this church, and during several summer seasons by theological students. Since the organization of the mission school about one hundred persons have been through it added to the First Church. The work is still carried on mostly by the members of this church, who have had it in charge from its beginning. Mr. R. K. McClure has been in charge as superintendent and principal promoter and manager, ably assisted by Mr. Frank Chinn and Miss Mary Page. The teachers at the present time (April, 1901) are: R. K. McClure, Frank Chinn, Miss Mary Page, Miss Rebecca Averill. Miss Bessie Blanton, Miss Harriet McClure, Miss Cordelia Bull and Miss Virginia Chinn. This mission is a noble work, and well deserves the active sympathy and support of our congregation.

Roll Of Membership

Those marked f were among the original members of the church. Those marked * were received upon certificate from another church. All others were received upon profession of their faith.

The Love House

The " Love House," or " Love Tavern," as it was sometimes called in the early years of the town, was the first building erected in Frankfort. It was built by General James Wilkinson in 1786, when he laid out the town, and was intended for his own occupation and use. When he left Frankfort, in 1791, to re-enter the United vStates Army, the property passed into the hands of Mr. Andrew Holmes, by whom it was held until it was sold by General Wilkinson, in 1797, to Major Thomas Love, of the United States Army, who served under General Charles Scott (afterwards Governor of Kentucky), in Wayne's campaign in 1793. Mr. Andrew Holmes was one of the public-spirited citizens of the town, and took an active and leading part in the negotiations with the State, which uhimately secured the location of the Capital at Frankfort, acting as the representative of his fellow citizens, and signing the agreements made with the Commissioners of the State. One of the stipulations was the free use of this building by the State for the accommodation of the Legislature ; and it was so used, that body occupying it from 1793 until the completion of the first Capitol building.

The place continued to be used as an " Inn " even after the death of Major Thomas Love, which occurred in 1809. But larger and more conveniently located taverns in the business part of the town eventually diverted the patronage of the traveling public, and it thenceforth w^as used as a home by the widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Love, and her son, James Y. Love, who was born in the house in 1797, at the time the family took possession. ]\lrs. Elizabeth Love died in 1846, and her friend and companion, ]Miss Priscilla Talbott, was, through the kindness of Air. James Y. Love, allowed to occup}- the liouse during the remainder of her life. After her death the property was sold in 1868, and the old buildmg gave place to a modern structure. For nearly a hundred years this house withstood the ravages of time, and when removed, so sound were its massive timbers and so well joined in construction under its well-worn and furred sheathing, that it was an object of interest and wonder to all beholders.

Thus passed away this most interesting and historic building, within whose walls many distinguished personages had for a longer or shorter time sojourned. Aaron Burr in 1805, and at intervals during the following year, when under prosecution for conspiracy and treason, made this house his abiding place, and the upper rear end room, shown in the illustration, was the one occupied by him.

Lender its hospitable roof also for a while abode the exiled Orleans Prince Louis Philippe, and at a ball given here in his honor, a maiden of Frankfort won distinction by declining his hand for a dance, assigning as the only reason her imwillingness to ofTend a more humble admirer whom she liad just refused.

Appendix

For many 3'ears after the settlement of the town this house, being the most capacious within its bounds, was used for pubHc assemblages of various kinds, and was the first house in the place in which a religious service was held. After the organization of the Presbyterian Church in 1S16 it was the stated worshiping place for the congregation until the First Church building on Wapping Street was erected.

The Brown Mansion

The Brown mansion was erected in 1796 by Hon. Jolm Brown. In its construction he used plan drawings and specifications made for him by his friend and law preceptor, Thomas JefTerson, who, in addition to his distinguished abilities as a lawyer, statesman and man of affairs, was an amateur architect. This building, still well preserved as originally constructed, owned and occupied by the descendants of the builder, is invested with peculiar interest to Presbyterians, and especially to those of our local church. It was during the first three decades of the century the center of religious influence in the community, and within its walls the inhabitants of the town gathered for divine worship before there was any organized religious body or church in the place. It was also, from time to time, the meeting place of the little Sabbath-school, the first in Kentucky or the West, and the home of its founder and principal promoter, Mrs. Margaretta Brown.

eminent worth of its mistress, this noted mansion was sought by all people of note when visiting or passing through the Capital, and many of the distinguished men of that day enjoyed its abounding hospitality.

It had the very unusual honor, upon one occasion, in 1819, of entertaining at breakfast the President of the United States, James Monroe, together with General Andrew Jackson and Major Zachary Taylor, two distinguished officers of the army, both of them future Presidents.

In the year 1825, when Lafayette made his memorable and triumphant tour in the United States, he spent a day and night in Frankfort. As was the custom at that day, he was entertained at a grand l^all and reception, given in the Weisiger House, during which he took time to withdraw himself, and accompanied by his " aide and suite," visited and passed an hour with Mrs. Brown in this, her home. One motive for the visit, as stated by him, was to seek an opportunity to express his thanks and appreciation of the kind offices of her family in making it possible for him to visit America at that time. He stated that it would not have been in his power to have obtained permission from his government (with whicii he was in disfavor and under surveillance) to leave France, had it not been for the action of the American Minister, Hon James P)rown. her brotherin-law, in making a ])ersonal guarantee for his return.

The Church Of Nineveh

In the year 1896 a church was organized by a committee of Transylvania Presbytery, of the Southern Presbyterian Church, at the village of Nineveh, Anderson County, Kentucky. This was at a point one mile from the site of Upper Benson Church, then extinct about fifty years. A number of persons of advanced age, who had attended the old church in their youth, and had been pupils in its Sabbath-school, came forward and identified themselves with the new organization. These persons all traced their religious impressions and experience to the old church and the faithful teaching in the Sabbath-school of Mr. Thomas Paxton and his daughters, and thus after the lapse of half a century they formed a nucleus for the organization of a new church in the immediate vicinity of the old.

Is not this another striking instance of the blessing of God upon the sowing of the seed of gospel truth and fruit-bearing many years after His consecrated servants had ceased from their labors and gone to their reward?

One of the ruling elders in the organization of the church of Nineveh was ]\Ir. Marvin D. Averill. a grandson of Thomas Paxton, and one of the deacons was William H. Averill, Jr., a great-grandson, both of whom were dismissed from the First Presbyterian Church of Frankfort, with their families, to aid in the work.

Roster Of Classes

Cornelia A. Crittenden, Gabrella Lewis, Maria Lewis, Lucy A. Bibb, Elizabeth Graham, Susan Russell, Catherine Graham, Catherine Watson, Jane Hardin, Mary Jane Goodrich, Charlotte Crumbaugh.

Let each Christian, as a faithful steward, fix the valuation of his " Receipts " on the preceding page, if he can estimate them, and put the question to his conscience, " What owest thou unto my Lord ? " and then fill up the blanks on this page as an answer.

Made by the steward, and deposited in the bank of heaven, which, although a debt he owes, draws an interest during life of one hundred per cent. (Matthew xix. 29.)

To Remember

" Though we brought sin with us into the world, we shall not carry it with us out of the world. As death came by sin, so shall sin itself be destroyed by death."

" A man may go to heaven without health, without wealth, without honor, without learning, without friends, but he can never gfo to heaven without Christ."