Gathering Jewels | Page 4

year, and then secured
more ample accommodations in which to worship God, in the rooms of
the Medical College, Crosby Street, near Spring.
In 1850 he was carefully examined, and when found qualified for the
sacred office, was duly ordained a ruling elder in the Second Reformed
Presbyterian Church.
During the year 1854 the Church purchased the building in Mulberry
Street, near Grand, belonging to the Lutheran body.
At this time he continued to reside on the west side of the city, and
attended two sessions of the Sabbath-school morning and afternoon,
with two preaching services, and one prayer-meeting in the evening.
As soon as the congregation were permanently settled in a church
building, he removed from the west to the east side of the city, to the
Tenth Ward, in order to be in close proximity to his church work.
He continued to worship with the Second Reformed Presbyterian
Church, under the pastorate of the Rev. S. L. Finney, who, in 1863, was
called to Princeton, N.J.
The Rev. Geo. S. Chambers was subsequently called to take the
pastoral charge. Eventually, it was found essential to change their
ecclesiastical relations from the Reformed Presbyterian Church to the
Old School, from which time (the two religious bodies having become

united), the congregation became known as the Ebenezer Presbyterian
Church.
In due course it united with the Fortieth Street Presbyterian Church,
afterward called the Murray Hill Presbyterian Church, because at the
time, though in possession of a church building, they had no pastor. Mr.
Knowles continued to attend regularly until the imperative demands of
age and time called for change, when he became united with the Allen
Street Church.
In 1870 he accepted an invitation from his uncle to visit his native
place; and he frequently afterward remarked that the scenes of his
boyhood's days had materially changed as much as he had; realizing
that change, progress, and decay were written upon all things terrestrial.
During this visit to Europe, he greatly enjoyed rambles over the country
roads, admiring the beauties of the surrounding scenery.
On one occasion, while passing the school-house of his boyhood days,
he was found by an old friend, wistfully gazing at the building, who
said, "What are you looking at?" And upon entering into conversation,
he discovered that he and the gentleman who addressed him had been
former schoolmates together.
We find recorded in his diary the following:
"I now commence filling this book, which I brought with me from New
York, in the steamship Italia. I am now in Fenagh, Ireland."
From the record of this journey, we notice that he was very careful in
watching the signs of the times, and the changing moods of the weather.
For example, he writes thus:
Sabbath, January 4, 1874.--When I rose this morning, I found the
ground covered with snow; the first fall of the season, and like the little
captive Syrian maid, though far from home and friends and among
comparative strangers, I do not forget God or the sanctuary.

Monday, January 5th.--A fine day, but cold, and snow on the ground.
Tuesday, January 6th.--A fine day, and a fine thaw, which resulted in
the removal of the snow which had fallen a short time previously.
Wednesday, January 7th (morning).--A fine day. Afternoon, clouds
gathering; lightning and thunder; came on to rain.
Thursday, January 8th.--A fine day of the season.
Friday, January 9th.--A fair day.
Saturday, January 10th.--A fine day. I went into Ballymena myself,
and called at several places, and upon Mr. White, the printer, who did
not know me, or remember anything about me. I called also on Mrs.
McQuitty, who treated me in a very kindly manner. I also called on Mr.
Kilpatrick's, but I only saw two of his daughters, and a little child. On
the same day I bought McComb's almanac in Ballymena; paid two
pence for it. I also bought the Ballymena Observer from Mr. White. I
walked into Ballymena, and also returned in like manner, only that in
returning I took a circuitous route, that I might see a portion of the
country that I had not seen for a length of time before my departure for
America, in June, 1832.
Sabbath, January 11th (forenoon).--I heard Mr. Moody lecture from
the 16th chapter of John, and 16th verse.
Afternoon.--Nehemiah, 9th chapter and 19th verse: "Yet Thou in Thy
manifold mercy, forsookest them not in the wilderness; the pillar of the
cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither
the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way wherein they
should go."
Monday, January 12th.--A cold day. I received a letter from my son,
William Knowles, in New York City.
Wednesday, May 19, 1875.--A fine day. I went to Belfast in an