The  liev.  Sylvester  F.  Scovel  became  Dr.  Paxton's
succes.sor,  in  December,  1865,  and  continued  in
charge  of  the  church  until  July,  1883,  when  he
resigned,  to  aeee]>t  the  presidency  of  AVooster  Uni-
versity. Under  Dr.  Scovel's  ministry  the  church  was
greatly  blessed.  Popular  as  a  preacher,  diligent  as  a
worker,  and  faithful  as  a  pastor,  his  etjbrts  were
crowned  with  success.  Precious  revivals  in  1867  and
1876  resulted  in  a  large  increase  of  the  membership.
The  org-anization  of  the  church  was  perfected,  by  the
institution  of  its  lii-st  Board  of  Deacons;  a  parsonage
was  purcha.sed  in  1876-79,  at  the  cost  of -518,000,  and
in  1880-81  a  Sabbath-sehool  room,  with  latest  l;icili-
ties  for  Christian  work  of  every  description,  wjis
erected,  at  a  cost  of  $24,000.  Dr.  Seovel  enjoyed,  in
a  high  degree,  the  confitience  and  aftection  of  the
large  and  influential  congregation  he  so  faithfully
served,  and,  amidst  their  deep  regrets  for  his  separa-
tion from  them,  to  occupy  a  new  sphere  of  duty  to
which  he  feels  him.self  called,  carries  with  him  the
abiding  regards  of  his  flock,  and  their  best  wishes  for
his  t'uture  usefulness  and  happiness.     (Sec  hi.^  Sketch.)

The  First  Church  has,  uaturally  and  by  reason  of
zeal,  also  been  a  place  of  beginnings,  and  wide
influences  have  started  thence,  the  extent  of  which  is
measuri'less.     It  was  the  place  of  the  first  meeting  of


the  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  in  1802.  The  "  Moral  A-sso-
ciatiou,''  about  1812,  was  formed  there,  for  the  city.
The  Sabbath  Siliool  As.sociati(m  began  there,  in  1817.
The  first  Temperance  meetings  were  held  there.  The
Western  University  was  there  inaugurated,  in  1819.
