The First Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tennessee; The Addresses Delivered in Connection with the Observance of the One Hundredth Anniversary, November 8-15, L9l4 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 Excerpt: ... carried into execution. Thus was provided an agency of much merit, and one by means of which the pent-up religious zeal and denominational enthusiasm and the loyalty of its membership were greatly increased and intelligently directed. Prominent among the names of those taking part in the preliminaries looking to a realization of this new departure we find those of Ruling Elder Robert Smiley, Nathaniel A. McNairy and James C. Robinson--the last two named being elevated to the eldership, of the church soon afterwards. Subsequently Ruling Elder Robinson1 was elected by the session the Superintendent of the Sunday school. In 1820 the congregation had sufficient confidence in itself to make the venture--though at that time the finan 1No picture of him obtainable. 8 cial outlook was not very encouraging for such an effort to be made by it--of employing a pastor, one who would devote his whole time to the work of the church. The step was taken and the employment of a regular pastor was continued for the succeeding seven years, when, in the spring of 1827, a growing invalidism in the pastor, Rev. Allan Ditchfield Campbell, D.D., necessitated a change. A second venture was made in the spring of 1828, Rev. Obadiah Jennings, D.D., being installed as pastor. Many discouragements, arising from various causes, as before stated, had from the beginning beset the pathway of this struggling little band of earnest Christians, and their troubles seemed now to increase in strength and numbers. The health of the second pastor had become impaired, and, while the congregation looked and hoped for his restoration, his condition constantly grew worse. This fact alone tended greatly to lessen the activities of the church, and somewhat to dishearten and depress the membership. He lin...