logs, covered with shingles, with the additional luxury of a board floor and glass windows. This house is still remembered by at least one of our oldest members, who says it was square, or nearly so, with a door in the middle of each side except the north end where the pulpit stood, and an aisle led from every door. This divided the church through the middle each way. One door opened into the graveyard; one toward the spring, and one toward the road, or the present old school house. These exits were made use of, much to the annoyance of the minister, by a set of young men who enjoyed the singing and who were neither pious nor polite enough to sit through the sermon. The singing is said to have been good, and though "lined out'* and led by clerks, was entered into heartily and enjoyed by all. There were pews of a very plain style and three near the wall in the end near and facing the pulpit were provided with doors after the fashion of those in the first brick church.

Apparently the church continued vacant, being occasionally supplied by Presbytery, till June 28, 1797, when Bethel and Lebanon united under the pastoral care of the Rev. William Woods. "The congregations were greatly blessed, being visited time and again with refreshings from the presence of the Lord."* In 1811* he resigned the charge of Lebanon and gave his whole time to Bethel, where he labored until his death in October, 1834.

On August 6, 1820, the Rev. Thomas D. Baird preachedat Lebanon, after which he was called to the charge and preached his first sermon on October 15, 1820, though he was not installed until the following January. When he entered upon his work, there were more than 100 families; about 106 communicants and more than 100 were added on examination, besides those on certificate. Mr. Baird remained in the pastorate until October, 1835, when, on account of ill health, he resigned the charge of Lebanon and retained the editorship of The Pittsburg Christian Herald. He is said to have been an able preacher, and was highly esteemed by the entire community.

In 1823, or soms time previous, a movement was started for the erection of a brick church. The Article of Agreement between "Jacob Alexander Wallace, Contractor, and James Anderson to burn and mold 70,000 brick for the said Jacob Wallace, at or near Lebanon Meeting House, in Miffiin Township; to have them made and completely finished as good as the clay will admit of, as soon after date hereof as he can conveniently," etc., bears date of July 24, 1823, and binds Mr. Wallace to "Provide clay ready dug, wood, water and sand for the brick, and find all materials for erecting a shed, and board the hands of said Anderson while making said brick, and to pay said Anderson $1.75 for each and every thousand of brick thus made and delivered, one-half to be paid when the brick is burned and the other half on or before the First day of May, A. D., 1824." Mr. Wallace brought suit against Mr. Anderson at the August Term of Court, 1824, for breach of contract, but lost the case. Mrs. Wallace rode horseback to Lebanon to cook for the men and carried a small boy behind and another on her lap. There was a rumor that the house was not paid for in full. There is no data to that effect. It is recorded that the members of the Building Committee—Messrs. James Patterson, James Cunningham, John and Thomas Snodgrass—advanced money

* - Rev. S. S. Shriver's Historical Sermon, Sept. 24, 1876.

on their own account and in February, I828, they made a report of Lebanon's indebtedness as follows:

Arrears to T. D. Baird,                                $400.00

Arrears for the building of Meeting House, 200.00

                                                                       600.00

"In order to meet the demands against the congregation, the committee was obliged to assess a tax on the members agreeable to their County rate. The tax list exhibited amounted to $592.49."

On October 30, 1832, $225.62 of this amount was still uncollected, but the record says: "This list ($225.62) was made out after the house was finished and the workmen paid in full."

The work was all done by hand; the pews were plain and each one was furnished with a door on which the number was placed.

When this church was built, there were just two doors in it and they were placed one on each side of the pulpit. This was Mr. Baird's plan to keep the aforesaid young men from escaping during sermon, as he thought they would not walk out if they had to face him, but the plan is said to have failed, and in the course of time, two doors were made in the rear. The pulpit was in the end of the church toward the spring, with a small window over it. There were transoms over the doors and five windows along each side. There were three pillars in each main aisle. No record of cost, or date of dedication has been found.

On the 20th of June, 1836, a call was made out for the Rev. Samuel Henderson which he accepted and was installed in November of the same year. According to the record, during the first three years of his pastorate, Lebanon flourished and prospered to a considerable degree. There were seventy-one members received, and after deducting deaths and dismissions, there remained 135 in communion. A dissolution of his relation to Lebanon was granted in June, 1840. During his pastorate the Sabbath school was started, and while it is still in a flourishing condition, we are able to find no record of the first years of its work.

The congregation remained vacant nearly fourteen months, but was regularly supplied by Presbytery. In August, 1841, a call was framed for the Rev. William G. Johnstone, which was accepted and he was installed pastor on the first Monday of November, 1841. After a period of eighteen months, owing to the careless indifference and non-attendance of the members, Mr. Johnstone applied to Presbytery for his dismission. This request was granted in June, 1848, and the pastorate was vacant for some time. About the middle of August, 1843, another call was made out and accepted by Mr. Johnstone, and he was installed by a Committee from the Presbytery of Ohio on September 7, 1843. His work in this field continued until April, 1845, when he resigned, leaving 129 members enrolled.

In January, 1846, the Rev. John McConoughy was installed. There seems to have been little or no record kept of his success, and in September, 1848, he asked to be released from the charge. There were "95 members enrolled at the close of his ministry, a loss of 42 which is net accounted for."*

In February, 1849, the Rev. O. H. Miller was installed. He remained in

* - Rev. Shriver's Sermon.

the pastorate until April 1, 1858, when he requested Presbytery to grant his release. During his pastorate, 98 members were received, making an enrollment of 130 at the close of his ministry.

On October 1, 1858, the Rev. A. O. Rockwell began his ministry at Lebanon. During his pastorate he received 205 members in all, and after deducting deaths and dismissions, there remained 175, a number unequalled by any previous record. The pastoral relation between Mr. Rockwell and Lebanon was dissolved on July 1, 1869.

In October, 1869, the Rev. S. S. Shriver was invited to supply the pulpit, and in January, 1870. the congregation tendered a call, which was accepted and he was installed the following June. After a period of six years, on account of poor health, Mr. Shriver, on September 24, 1876, notified the congregation that on the following Tuesday, September, 26th, he would ask Presbytery for a dissolution of the pastoral relation. His petition was granted and he went away leaving 167 communicants.

During his pastorate the first brick church was taken down, and the present one built. "On June 11, 1871, service was held for the last time in the church built by our Fathers. Notwithstanding the pleasant anticipations for the future, it was a day of sadness to many. How many seasons of joy and sorrow had been spent within those sacred walls! How many dear friends and kindred we could call to mind who had occupied this pew and that one, who now sleep in the churchyard near by! 'They rest from their labors and their works do follow them.'"*

The corner-stone of the new church was laid July 24, 1871, by the Rev. George Marshall, D. D., who made the principal address, and who had recently entered upon the fortieth year of his pastorate at Bethel, his only charge in the ministry. His address was followed by remarks by Rev. Mr. Hair of McKeesport, and Rev. Mr. McLaughlin of North Zion, and Mr. John A. Renshaw of Pittsburg, and by the Pastor, Rev. S. S. Shriver, who deposited the box containing an ancient silver coin of 1657, donated for the purpose by Mrs. James Blair; a copper coin dated 1781 which was found in excavating for the new building, and was of the coinage of the Colony of Connecticut, and of the same year in which Mr. Clark entered upon his ministry here, together with a number of other things. +

On Thursday, June 27, 1872, the new building was dedicated. Two services were held, Rev. W. D. Howard, D. D., preaching the first sermon, and Rev. James Allison, D. D., the second. The dedicatory prayer was offered by the pastor. Rev. S. S. Shriver, and Revs. W. W. McKinney, J. J. Beacom and James Black, D. D., took part in the devotional exercises. ++

On March 5, 1877, a unanimous call was made out for the pastoral services of the Rev. R. H. Fulton, of the Senior Class of the Western Theological Seminary. The call was accepted and at a meeting of Presbytery at Lebanon, June 7, 1877, he was ordained and installed. "The service was solemn and especially interesting to thp people of Lebanon, as this was the first young

* - Session Book.
+ - Presbyterian Banner, July 24, 1871.
++ - Presbyterian Banner, July 3, 1872.

man ever ordained and installed pastor of Lebanon dnring an existence of ninety-nine years."*

The pastoral relation was dissolved in May, 1880, and there were 166 members enrolled at this time.

After a vacancy of almost four years, November 29, 1888, a unanimous call was made out for the pastoral services of the Rev. G. N. Johnston of McKeesport. The Rev. V. F. Brown supplied the pulpit during the summer, fall and winter of 1883-4, and moderated at the meeting when the call was made out for Mr. Johnston. Mr. Johnston accepted this call and was installed the first Wednesday of June, 1884. At this time there were 160 in communion. The membership ran up to 206, but at the time of dissolution had been reduced to 190. On December 18, 1892, Mr. Johnston announced that he had received a call from the Central Chnrch of Pittsburg, which he considered his duty to accept, and desired the congregation to unite with him in a petition to Presbytery to release him. His wish was granted and he preached his farewell sermon on January 1, 1898.

On March 28, 1893, a call was made out for the pastoral services of the Rev. H. A. Grubbs, of the Senior Class of the Western Theological Seminary. He accepted the call and Presbytery met at Lebanon on June 13, 1893, and ordained him to the gospel ministry and installed him pastor. On December 19, 1895, Mr. Grubbs asked to be released. His petition was granted at a called meeting of the Presbytery, and the pulpit was declared vacant on December 26, 1895- The record shows 168 members enrolled in April, 1895. During the pastorate of Mr. Grubbs, the Mendelssohn Mission was taken under the care of Lebanon, which arrangement still continues.

On April 30, 1898, a call was extended to and accepted by the Rev. J. T. Munford, and he was installed on June 13, 1898, the same day and month as his predecessor had been five years before. When Mr. Munford came, we numbered 179. At present we number 186. These figures include the membership at Mendelssohn. The contributions and expenses of Lebanon alone amounted to $1702.43 for the last year.

A few of the sons of Lebanon have entered the ministry, and it seems well to briefly mention their work in connection with the history of the church. On August 17, 1854, Mr. Levi Risher, eldest son of Mr. J. C. Risher, was received into full communion at Lebanon. Preparatory to entering the ministry, he was graduated at Jefferson College in 1859, and from the Western Theological Seminary in 1862. His charges were Montour's Run; Fairmount and Plains Churches near Sewickly; Dravosburg and Martinsburg. Though without a charge, he continued to preach until a very short time before his death on September 23, 1894.

On November 15, 1856, upon examination, Mr. Loyal Young Graham was received into full communion. He was not a native of this community, but had finished his Sophomore year at Jefferson College and was teaching in the neighborhood. After three months of this work, he decided to study for the ministry, and returned and re-entered his class, graduating from said College in 1858 and from the Western Theological Seminary in 1861. His first charge was Somerset, Pa., four and cne-half years; the second, Rehoboth,

* - Session Book.

six years, and this year completes his thirtieth year as Pastor of Olivet Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pa.

Mr. Henry Falton Means, son of oar Elder, Mr. James Means, united with our church on March 1, 1873. Early in life, he felt called to the ministry, and with that end in view, graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in 1884 and from the Western Theological Seminary in 1887. His charges were the First Church, Oxford, Pa.; the churches of Fairfield and Union, Pa., and Phillipsburg, Pa., where he went in 1892, and where, after a brief illness, he died on February 15,1901. On Monday, February 18th, following, all that was mortal of him was tenderly laid to rest in our cemetery.

One of our neighboring ministers, the Kev. J. Walker Miller of Duquesne, was baptized here, and spent the first years of his life with his parents in this community. His mother was a true child of Lebanon, having been born, baptized and reared here. Here she made a profession of her faith in Christ, and here she was a faithful and efficient member of the choir until her removal from the bounds of the church, and it was here by Lebanon's Pastor that she was married. While Mr. Miller has never been a member of this church, yet on account of the ties of consanguinity, and his interest in the cause of Christ at large, he is perhaps as truly one of Lebanon's sons as any of the others.

William P. Shriver, son of our pastor, Rev. S. S. Shriver, is preparing for the ministry, and though not having made a profession here, is truly a son of Lebanon. He was born and baptized here, and spent the first four or five years of his life under the shadow of our church. Since leaving here, his home has been in Baltimore, where he is pursuing his studies.

One of our friends has said that Lebanon is as unfortunate as it is beautiful for situation. We seem to be on the dividing line between the village and the country church, and each new village or town that springs up near us, draws from us some of our number. The last decade has been a particularly disastrous one in this respect, and people have gone from us whose families have had Lebanon for a church home for three or more generations. We still have some of the *'Cedars of Lebanon," who are not only doing their former share of the work, but who are also trying to do enough more to fill up the gap made by diminished numbers.

There are those who compare Lebanon of the present with Lebanon of a few years ago, and sigh over what seems to be a dying ember. We know that there is inspiration in numbers, but we also know that there is not necessarily strength. "The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong." A few united in earnest effort accomplish more than a large number of contentious, unsystematic workers, so instead of bewailing the thinness of our ranks, let us take fresh courage and remember that what has been done, God willing, can be done again. Let us bear in mind that we are a regiment in comparison with the small company of those who formed an organization here. Let us individually and as a congregation strive to be more closely united, in our efforts for Christ and the church in the full assurance that "There is no earnest effort thrown away." "For if God be for us. who can be against us?"

On Jan. 2, 1894, Messrs. James Grubbs, J. T. P. Wilson and W. K. Irwin were chosen for the eldership and were inducted into the office on July 8, 1894. Mr. Grubbs had been an elder in Pine Creek church for a period of years before coming to Lebanon, and he and Mr. Irwin are still discharging the duties of the office. Mr. Wilson removed from the bounds of Lebanon in Oct. 1898, bat still retains his membership and is with us several times each year.

On June 1, 1900, Messrs. J. Milton Miller and F. T. Blair were elected to the eldership and were ordained August 5th, following.

The session at this time is composed of eight members as follows: Rev. J. T. Munford, Moderator; Messrs. Thomas Scott, James Grubbs, John Scott, J. T. P. Wilson, Wm. K, Irwin, J. M. Miller and F. V. Blair, ranging in age and experience from the senior member, who has passed his 88th milestone in life and entered upon his 44th year as an elder, to the junior member, who has not yet reached middle life and has just passed his first anniversary in the eldership. These form a well balanced body. The younger men with the vigor and ambition necessary for the performance of the active duties of the office, and the older men with the sound judgment that comes of long experience to guide them.

During the existence of this church, it has never lacked for men of more or less business ability, who were willing to devote a measure of time, energy and streugth to the management of its temporal affairs. But the Rotary Board of Trustees is a modern innovation. For the first 73 years of the existence of this church, it seems to have been the custom for the congregation as a whole to transact the business of the church, aside from the duties of the session, or to choose a committee to act on behalf of the congregation when any special work was to be done, and whose tenure of office ended when the work was done.

In those days, congregational meetings were called more frequently than they are now, and were better atten ded, although, from time to time, an appeal was prepared by those most interested and read from the pulpit, urging a better attendance at these meetings.

On Monday, February 12, 1849, at a congregational meeting, "James Cunningham, Esq., presented a series of resolutions for the better regulation of the temporal concerns of this church and congregation." These resolutions were adopted, and were, in part, as follows:

Resolved:

I. That three persons be appointed who shall act as Stated Trustees, to attend to all the secular and pecuniary concerns of this congregation.

II. That said Stated Trustees shall have power to appoint collectors to assist them in collecting the stipends within the bounds of this congregation, whose term of service shall expire at the end of one year.

IV. That the said Stated Trustees shall have power to devise an equitable system of raising money on the amount as subscribed by this church and congregation for the payment of a sexton in the congregation.

V. That a Stated Chairman and Secretary be appointed to preside at all the meetings of this congregation, and also it shall be their duty to provide a minute book in which the minutes of the proceedings of this congregation shall be well and faithfully recorded.

"In order to carry the foregoing resolutions into operation, on motion, James Cunningham, Robert Glass and James McKenny Snodgrass were appointed Stated Trustees, whose term of service shall only terminate by resignation, removal, death, or misdemeanor of office. On motion, Jonathan Walker was appointed Stated Chairman, and James Blair, Secretary, whose term of service will end in the same manner as the above." These trustees fulfilled the duties imposed upon them with credit to themselves and with acceptability to the people until May 19, 1851, when they seem to have had enough of a good thing and tendered their resignations. Their immediate successors were Messrs James Payne, Samuel Sickman and Samuel Wilson. As Stated Chairman, Mr. Jonathan Walker (deceased) was succeeded by Mr. Benj. Forsythe May 20, 1850. We do not find data for the length of Mr. Blair's tenure of office, but three trustees constituted the board until 1872.

old parsonage, with the help of the Ladies' Societies, was repapered, repainted and the fence painted. This building was destroyed by fire January 31, 1885, and the trustees took the present building off the contractor's hands August 15, following.

At a meeting June 6, 1885, the board adopted a seal for the corporation which consists of an oblong square with the words "Lebanon Church" written within.

At a congregational meeting March 11, 1832, the matter of selling the coal under the church property and was postponed indefinitely, but at a meeting November 8, 1884, the congregotion voted to sell it, and the trustees were empowered to do so, reserving that under the buildings and cemetery.

At the meeting of March 11, 1882, the enlargement of the cemetery was considered and steps taken toward that end, but the work was not actually accomplished until the summer of 1886.

In 1890-1, the present sexton house was built and in 1896 was papered throughout. In 1893 the church and parsonage were repainted and in 1894, with the help of the Ladies' Societies, the church was refrescoed and recarpeted.

The present Board of Trustees is composed of Messrs. J. B.Walker, Pres., F. V. Blair, Sec, C. B. Payne, Treas., John Boss and Ernest Irwin.

From year to year, some work is done on the property, keeping it all in at least good condition. This is not accomplished without means, attention and labor, all of which are given as required, and for the accomplishment of which we are indebted to our board of trustees, whose labor and time are given gratuitously and whose office at best, seems to be the most thankless of any in the gift of the church.

The Home Missionary Society

In April, 1886, the name of the society was changed from the Ladies' Aid Society to the Lebanon Home Mission Society, and became one of the auxiliaries of the Presbyterial Society, through which we have worked and made our reports ever since.

About 1887, we began to work for schools; sometimes for Indians and again for Freedmen and Mountain Whites and so on, always busy and with the original object in view.

In April, 1890, Mrs. Sarah Blair Wilson, our first secretary, resigned, having been with us for twenty consecutive years. Mrs. R. McGarvey was elected to fill the vacancy.

This brings us to the second decade, and we find that we have been going forward and have contributed $1046 to mission work.

In April, 1893, a new constitution was framed, as it had been overlooked when we changed our name. At the same time we changed the time for the election of officers from April 1st to January 1st.

In 1894, through the efforts of some of the ladies, a new carpet was laid in the audience room of the church.

In 1895 the L. H. M. S. celebrated the 25th anniversary of its organization. Mrs. Williams Elliott gave the history of the society, several others following with reminisences. A silver offering was taken which amounted to $25, which was devoted to special work among the Freedmen.

Our work has gone on for the last five or six years in much the same way that the L. A. S. started out with. Our motto has been: "Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." That the society has been a great help to the church, no one doubts. It has been said that if the Elders or Trustees wanted to find out the voice of the church on any subject, a member would tell his wife or mother to ask the ladies at society what they thought, and were sure to know just about what to do.

The social life of the church has been benefitted by the life of the society. Before it was organized, people often went to church and home again without exchanging greetings with anyone. Now some one always tries to speak to some one else, especially strangers.

In 1900, it was thought that we should have a new Communion Service. Mrs. Thomas Scott was appointed to collect money from the oldest members of our church. She soon had the amount and some to spare, and Mrs. John Gordon, Mrs. Thomas Scott, Mrs. D. H. Walker. Mrs. W. M. Irwin and the Pastor, Bev. J. T. Munford were appointed to make the selection. The service in present use is the result of this work.

In January, 1900, Mrs. B. McGarvey havine removed to another field, Mrs. J. F. Neel was elected secretary and still fills the office. Every lady in the society that would, has at some time held some office.

In January, 1901, our Pastor's wife, Mrs. J. T. Munford was elected President, This is the first time that we ever asked our pastor's wife to hold an office, as we always felt that she had enough care without that, but in this case, we wanted to honor her this Anniversary year.

There is some difference now in our number and our number at the end of the first decade. Then we numbered sixty-one, now we number thirty.

At the close of our year in April, 1901, we find that we have contributed to missions in the last decade, or eleven years, $1935.80, making in the thirty-one years of our existence, a total of $3802. This may not be exactly correct, as our minutes were not always carefully kept.

Some one may ask, "Do you think it has paid?" We most certainly do Not in dollars and cents, but in the good it has done and the benefit it has been to our people and the church.

The Young Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society

present appointed November 29th, on which to meet and talk over the matter. The weather was very unfavorable, but in spite of that, eight were present, and decided to organize a Foreign mission society.

We asked Miss Mary Irwin, (now of San Diego, Cal.) to preside, which she did, and she appointed Miss Mary Hull, (now of Pittsburg) secretary. A constitution and by-laws were drafted, the subject of dues settled, and officers were elected for the year beginning January, 1885. The election resulted as follows:

Pres.—Miss Lizzie Means, now Mrs. R. C. McCaslin, Homestead.
Vice Pres.—Miss Susie Scott, now Mrs. Will King, Camden.
Rec. Sec—Miss Nettie Stroud, now of Homestead.
Cor. Sec—Miss Linnie Johnston, now Mrs. Sehlbrede. Pittsburg.
Treas.—Miss Mattie Means, now of Wilkinsburg, Pa.

We at once began work on an Album quilt which kept us busy for quite a while, and the names on which netted the society $15.00. We donated the quilt to Mrs. S. S. Shriver, who was our former Pastor's wife and an invalid, and from whom the society received a letter of thanks which closed with an invocation for Divine favor on the Y. P. F. M. S.

February 7, 1835, the society decided to receive gentlemen as honorary members, and permit their attendance at the annual and semi-annual meetings.

In counting up resources at the beginning of the New Year (1887) we found we had over $60.00 and decided to give $50.00 to the Public Fund of the Foreign Mission Board, which was done.

At the close of the year 1888, $53.00 were given to the same purpose and at the first meeting in January, 1890, we sent $125.00 more and sent $95.00 in 1891, making a total of $323.00 in six years.

On November 14, 1889, death entered our society for the first time and removed Miss Lida J. Johnston, the eldest daughter of our Pastor. She is lovingly remembered and spoken of as the life of our society.

In April, 1892, we decided to change the name of our society from The Young Peoples' Foreign Missionary Society to The Foreign Missionary Society of Lebanon Church, so as to properly include persons of any age who might wish to join. During ali this year, the society made patches, flannel and Canton flannel clothing for Indians under the care of the Foreign Board.

On February 11, 1893. a new Constitution and By-laws were drafted and the name Young Peoples' Branch of the Foreign Missionary Society of Lebanon Presbyterian Church adopted and a new society formed. Mr. Johnston and family had left Lebanon in January whereoy we lost tnree active members.

On January 7, 1897, the society was bereft of one of its honorary members in the death of Miss Mary Patterson. While not taking an active part in the monthly meetings, yet she always lent a helping hand with any special work, and encouraged us by her sympathy.

The society, though depleted in numbers, is still in existence and in its history has given in round numbers about $1000.00 in money in addition to much work. There is still work for many to do, but while the few remain faithful, no human agency can reckon what the harvest will be.