In Retrospect

As we look back over the fading pages of the old minutes and talk to old timers about events of the past, we realize anew that the story of a church is the story of its people. The faithful workers in our church today cannot be individually named, nor can more than a few of those who molded the destiny of our church in the years past. In the words of Rev. McKelvey, nearly 100 years ago, "They rest from their labors and their works do follow them." To mention a very few, there was Henry Ball, 1824-1906, a member of the church for 37 years and an officer for 20 of them. Old church records adjure us to "cherish his memory." We do so, and also the memory of others, such as William H. Meadowcroft, whose name first appears in the year 1900. Later, when he was clerk of the Consistory, his clear, readable pen strokes filled many pages. For years, he was superintendent of the Sunday School. In private life, he was secretary to world-renowned Thomas Edison. It was Mr. Meadowcroft's son William who continued the tradition of helping the young people of our church. His Sunday School group of high school age in the early 1930's called him "Mr. Billy." People today recall the fine dramatic offerings of that group.

Then there was Jennie Lofthouse, who was engaged as a soprano in 1908 and later as church organist. It was she who encouraged young Frank Ricker to take voice lessons. She prompted him to sing his first solo when as a small boy his head was hardly discernible above the dark red velvet curtain that broke the draft by the organ.

In retrospect, we now offer our humble thanks to God for having brought into this congregation those who have labored so diligently and earnestly in the vineyard of our church. And let us reply to Rev. McKelvey's question. "What shall our future be?" in this way: Our well-founded, bright future lies in the hands of people as capable and earnest as their forebears and the young people we have in our congregation today. Our prayer for them is that their knowledge of our history will not only deepen their understanding of the present but strengthen their resolve to carry on with the work begun over a hundred years ago.