THE OLD METHODIST CHURCH ON ELM STREET, AND CORTLAND TEACHERS' INSTITUTE CONTINUED

 

Sanborn Fire Insurance map 1902.

Sanborn Fire Insurance map 1884.

First Methodist Church erected in 1866.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, April 13, 1899.

THE OLD METHODIST CHURCH.

Its History—Peculiar Ceremonies at Laying of the Cornerstone.

   The tearing down of the old First Methodist Episcopal church, now located on Elm-st., to make room for the new carriage factory of Keator, Wells & Co., carries the thoughts of the older members of that church back to the time when it was built and to the early days. A STANDARD man called upon Mr. Prosper Palmer, one of the oldest members to secure some personal reminiscences of the early history, but Mr. Palmer said that, while he well remembered the time of the building, he was then a boy living in the east part of the town and could give nothing very definite.

   Mason's History of Cortland County [H. P. Smith, author, 1885] however, says:

   In early times Methodist meetings were held in private houses in Cortland until the year 1821, when on the 13th day of March, a meeting of the male members of the church was held at the house of John Stillman. Rev. Mr. Kelsey was chairman and Solomon Cogswell clerk. At that meeting was formed the "First Society of the Methodist Episcopal church of Homer." John Stillman, Jonathan Hubbard and Isaac Bassett were chosen trustees. Mr. Cogswell and Amos Norton were added a little later. At this meeting it was decided to make an effort to build a church edifice.

   For about ten years Cortland village had boasted a courthouse and a jail, but no house of worship graced its streets. A building committee was appointed, consisting of Chas. W. Lynde, Roswell Randall and Samuel Nelson. It was made a condition that no debt should be contracted in erecting the building, and the work of obtaining subscriptions' went on. The cornerstone was laid July 4, 1821, with imposing and somewhat peculiar circumstances. The entire community was invited to participate in the event. The meeting was held in the forenoon in the old Baptist meetinghouse, north of the village, where services were opened by prayer by Rev. Alfred Bennett. Major Adin Webb with his choir from Homer conducted the music, and Rev. Geo. W. Densmore delivered the discourse. Then, at the close of the services, a procession was formed under the marshalship of Gen. Daniel Miller and Martin Keep, which marched through the beautiful grove of forest trees that skirted the northern part of the village and down Main-st. to the site of the church. The stone was laid by the building committee, and addresses were made by Rev. Mr. Kelsey and Rev. Mr. Baker of Auburn. After these ceremonies, the procession marched to the hotel of Nathan Luce on the site of the Messenger House, where a dinner was served at 31 cents each. After the cloth was removed, toasts were drank to the number of twenty or more, among them being such subjects as "Our Country," "The Doughfaces," "Agriculture," "The Army and Navy," "Slavery," "Our Donors," "The Ladies," etc.

   All this seems strange at this day, as a part of the ceremonies of laying the cornerstone of a Methodist church; but at that time it was considered an appropriate and fitting program. The church building was not finished until the year 1823 on account of a scarcity of money. It was finally consecrated by Rev. George W. Densmore who was its first pastor. It was used for worship until 1866, when the present structure on Church-st. was erected.

 

Cortland Opera House.

Sully's "Corner Grocery."

   Many who have seen it say there never was or never will be a funnier show written than "The Corner Grocery," which will play at the Cortland Opera House next Saturday night. America's foremost comedian, Dan'l Sully, will be seen as the star in his famous character as Daddy Nolan. Mr. Sully has played this part over 3,000 times. The comedy has been polished up to the hour and several new and novel specialties will be introduced. "The Corner Grocery" is what you would call a play constructed for fun only; to sum it all up, it is a rollicking, roaring blending of hilarious sayings and comical situations, and is one continuous round of laughter from beginning to end.

 

THE CONSERVATORY CONCERT.

Fine Program Well Rendered—The Audience Enjoyed it All.

   The second concert of the Choral and Orchestral society of the Cortland Conservatory of Music was given at the First M. E. church last night and was a source of keen enjoyment to all of the large audience present. The former concert was an excellent one,  but this was even better. The first part was composed of a miscellaneous program which introduced the orchestra, the chorus and two of the soloists. The always stirring and inspiring March from Tannhauser was rendered by the orchestra of about thirty pieces with excellent spirit and expression. Mr. Darby demonstrates his success as an instructor and a conductor at each appearance of this body of instrumentalist. The chorus led by Mr. Bowen was well balanced and showed careful training. Its two selections were admirably sung.

   Mr. Bowen was exceedingly fortunate in his soloists on this occasion, those from abroad being Miss Unni Lund, professor of vocal music in Syracuse university and the soprano of the quartet choir of the May Memorial church of that city, in which choir Mr. Bowen is the tenor, and Miss Marie Lindemere, the contralto of the choir of the First Presbyterian church in Syracuse. Mr. Bowen announced that Mrs. Whelan, the contralto whom he had engaged and expected for the occasion, had been taken seriously ill and that he had engaged Miss Lindemere at the last moment as a substitute. If he can always provide so excellent a substitute in case of emergency he will be fortunate. Surely the audience had no cause for complaint or criticism, but was immensely pleased with the rich, full and sweet voice of the singer and with the way in which she rendered not only her solo and its encore in the first portion of the program, but carried her part in the cantata that followed.

   Miss Lund has really a brilliant voice, clear, high and sweet as a bird. She charmed at the outset and the audience became so enthusiastic that a second recall was demanded and graciously acceded to. She will always be sure of a welcome to Cortland from those who heard her in this concert.

   The second part was composed of the cantata of "Ruth" by A. R. Gaul. It was sung by the chorus with orchestral accompaniment throughout, Mr. Bowen wielding the baton. The soloists were Misss Lindemere in the character of Naomi, Miss Lund as Ruth, Miss McNett as Orpah, and Mr. L. L. Wellman as Boaz. The cantata is a very tuneful one, with a nice blending of solos, duets, trios and chorus. The first portion represents sorrow and the latter portion joy, and the spirit was excellently carried out in the music. All of the soloists did well indeed, Mr. Wellman's fine baritone voice coming out to excellent advantage in his parts. The managers of this concert may be well pleased at the musical results of the undertaking. It is well for Cortland and its musicians to have a society of this character which puts into training so large a number of vocalists and instrumentalists. It will have the effect of deepening the interest of a greater number in all thing musical as well as of training the performers themselves.

   Mr. Henry W. Davis, organist of the May Memorial church of Syracuse, was in Cortland last night and played Miss Lindemere's accompaniments in the first part. Miss Aria Hubbard was Miss Lund's accompanist.

 

LIBRARY ON WHEELS.

Andrew Carnegie Sends a Thousand Dollars For Its Maintenance.

   NORFOLK. Va., April 13.—Andrew Carnegie has sent his check for $1,000 to E. St. John, vice president and general manager of the Seaboard Air Line railroad.

   There is maintained upon this railroad a circulating library, which is moved along upon the line. Employes [sic] of the system and residents of the towns along the line are thus supplied with reading matter. The library makes the circuit every 10 days and the books left upon its former visit are then collected.

   Mr. Carnegie's attention was called to the fact that new books were needed. His answer was accompanied by the check.

 

PHILIPPINE INQUIRY.

The Natives Not Capable of Self-Government.

AN IMPORTANT INVESTIGATION.

Three Important Questions Asked of All Witnesses, and All Admit That the Filipinos Are Not Capable of Self-Government—American Protection Is Necessary.

   MANILA, April 13.—The United States Philippine commission is hearing the leading residents of various nationalities, priests and Spaniards, numbers of them appearing voluntarily, on the subject of the future of the islands. The questions put to all are:

   Do you believe the Filipinos are capable of self-government in the townships?

   Do you believe the Filipinos are capable of self-government in the provinces?

   Do you believe the Filipinos are capable of self-government in the archipelago?

   All of those who have been interrogated, including Filipinos who sympathize theoretically with independence, have replied to the third question, with remarkable unanimity, in the negative. Independence, they say, would result in chaos, endless tribal wars and European intervention. A few of them think that provincial self-government is practicable, but most of them favor self-government in the townships, with a form of American supervision protecting the inhabitants against the peculations and extortion which their experience with the Spanish regime has led them to consider the natural perquisites of officialdom.

   The commercial classes urge the sending of detachments of American troops, each numbering about 100 men, to take possession of the towns in the southern provinces and in the Visayas islands, now held by small bands of Tagalogs. They declare the natives find the Tagalog oppression worse than Spanish oppression and that they will welcome the Americans.

   The case of the inhabitants of Gubat, in the province of Sarsagon, is cited as a typical instance. The Spanish taxes amounted to $18,000, but the rebel Tagalogs extort $112,000 from the people of Gubat.

   Aguinaldo's brother-in-law, the provincial governor, is said to be despoiling the people unmercifully.

   General Luna, who retired from the command of the Filipino forces and who was editing a newspaper at San Francisco del Monte, his retirement being due to the fact that the Filipinos rebelled at his rigid discipline, has been recalled to the command. This is taken as showing that the rebel army is only kept together by harsh measures.

 

FILIPINO STATEMENTS.

The Junta at Hong Kong Heard From Again on the Situation.

   HONG KONG, April 13.—The Filipino junta here regards the proclamation of the United States Philippine commission as being objectionable and has issued a grandiloquent statement to the effect that it is a "tissue of generalities, bristles with Pharisaism and cant, vaguely promises much and grants nothing to the Filipinos who are tired of promises and surfeited by Spanish promises similar to the American."

   Continuing the statements reads: "The proclamation proves that the fair promises of independence under a protectorate and President McKinley's declaration of the objects of the Spanish war were only a mask of humanitarism to cover the real intention. The invitation of the United States Philippine commissioners to the Filipinos to meet them for an exchange of views is meaningless, as during the hostilities the representative Filipinos are necessarily absent from Manila assisting the struggle for independence.

   "The Filipinos continue to resist a violent aggressive usurpation not because they expect a complete victory, but to emphasize their rights and to protest against a ruthless invasion.

   "We emphatically deny that the aims of the American government have been misinterpreted. The proclamation of General Otis showed those aims clearly. We also deny the legality of the sale of sovereignty over the Philippines by Spain, and we reiterate positively that the Americans began hostilities on Feb. Feb. 4."

 

Cortland Normal School.

TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.

Fine Lecture by Dr. DeGarmo—Other Work Brought Before the Teachers.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

   The first period of the afternoon at the teachers' institute was occupied by Miss Bishop. The subject was "Geography." The main theme of her work was to make the subject real to the pupils. She spoke of many devices that are useful to make the teaching of this subject practical rather than theoretical. Miss Gale took charge of the second period. Her topic was "Language." The work outlined was for use in primary grades.

WEDNESDAY EVENING.

   Prof. Charles DeGarmo of Cornell university lectured before the teachers' institute Wednesday evening on "Twentieth Century Education." He reviewed briefly the progress of education through the centuries. The American people of to-day have very much the same characteristics they had two hundred years ago. Military oppression, absolutism of government and the feudal system have had to give way to an enlightened age. This is an industrial age, an industrial country. This age will be intensified in the twentieth century. The tendency of our civilization is toward urban rather than rural life. We no longer have a frontier. The dominant characteristic of the education of the twentieth century will be social rather than rural. The American people stand ready to make or break any organization when the good of the country demands it. In schools punishments are becoming social in character. Instead of being punished as in olden times, children are being sent off to industrial and truant schools. Every teacher must be a missionary. He must furnish a channel for the executive powers of the child. The motor powers of the children must be developed through their games. Every recitation ought to end in doing something. The last characteristic of Twentieth century education of which he spoke was the illumination of higher education in our common school work. The lecture was a remarkably fine one, interesting, instructive and profitable and held the closest attention of all to its close.

THURSDAY MORNING.

   The sessions of the institute were resumed at 9 A. M. Mr. Southwick occupied the first period speaking on "The Problem." A problem is any concrete application of arithmetic, algebra, or geometry to any set of specified conditions. The teacher should classify the problems for her pupils and never give problems too difficult for the grade.

   After the intermission Miss Rice took up drawing. She showed some points in which the Japanese excel the Americans. Some freehand work with a brush was given. The teachers always give close attention to Miss Rice's work. The latter part of her work formed an excellent supplement to the work given by Miss Rogers on "Nature Study."

   At the beginning of the third period Mr. Southwick spoke of the bill which is now in the legislature and which proposes to change the dual system of our state to a single system. At the head of this system it proposes to place a commissioner of education who is to be appointed by the governor. If the bill passes, it is to take effect July 1, 1899.

   The rest of the period was taken by Mr. Southwick, speaking on the subject "Corrections." He touched upon the positive and negative side of education. It is not necessary to be continually correcting a child. Corrections should be brief and general.

   At 12 o'clock the usual adjournment was taken.

LECTURE ON HAWAII.

   To-night at 8 o'clock a lecture on "Hawaii" will be given by J. B. Creighton, Ph. B., of Albany, which will undoubtedly prove of large interest to all. The public is cordially invited.

 

BREVITIES.

   —A regular meeting of the Sons of Veterans will be held to-morrow night.

   —A full rehearsal of the "Merry Milkmaids" will be held to-night at 7:30 o'clock.

   —Cooper Bros. had to shut down their works to-day on account of high water in the river.

   —Before Justice Harrington yesterday the case of Enos E. Mellon against B. E. Miller was adjourned to May 8.

   —The Loyal circle of King's Daughters will meet with Mrs. A. Holt, 6 Graham-ave, Friday, April 14, at 3 P. M.

   —Edgar Harrington of Cincinnatus pleaded guilty to public intoxication in police court this morning and paid a fine of $3.

   —Mr. Michael Costello of 13 Pendleton-st. died last evening at 11 o'clock. The funeral will be held Saturday with burial at Cortland. The hour for the funeral will be announced later.

   —About thirty-five couples attended Dillon Bros.' dancing party in Empire hall Tuesday night, and about 45 couples were in attendance at the Rob Roy party last night, all reporting an enjoyable time.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Palmer's, Seeds, page 6; Glann & Clark, Business principles, page 4; Burgess, Shoes, page 8; Baker & Angell, Shoes, page 8; Tracy, Mariposa coffee, page 7; Davern & Co., Millinery, page 6.

   —The First Congregational church of Binghamton has extended to Rev. W. B. Thorp, a unanimous call to continue as its pastor. Mr. Thorp has taken the communication and expressed his thanks for the expressions of kindly feeling, but has not yet given his decision as to whether he will remain or accept the call of the Chicago church.