USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Record of the twenty-fifth anniversary of South Park Presbyterian Church, Newark, N.J. : October 27th to the 30th, 1878 > Part 1
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Gc 974.902 N51s 7084999
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02255 9899
(Nevada)
.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/recordoftwentyfi00sout_0
RECORD
OF THE
TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF
SOUTH PARK
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
NEWARK, N. J.,
OCTOBER 27TH TO THE 30TH, 1878.
This book the property of The Gomalogical Society of Nar Jersey
NEWARK, N. J. AMZI PIERSON & CO., STATIONERS AND PRINTERS. 188 MARKET STREET. 1879.
Nov. 21, 1872.
Nov. 21, 1872. THE ENDOWED CHURCHES IN NEWARK: ACTION OF THE PRESBYTERY .- The First. Second and Third Presbyterian churches in Newark, N. J., are known as " endowed churches," having come into possession, years ago, of valuable lands bequeathed to them for their own benefit. These con- gregations are represented to be fully able to sustain themselves, and the question has come up whether they ought not to become self-supporting, as other congre- gations are, and employ the income of the large property in their hands in aid of feeble churches, whose burden is greater than they can boar. To meet this issue and elicit the Christian sentiment of the Presbytery in fraternal discussion, Mr. Pinneo, an elder in the High street Pres- byterian church, presented the following preamble and resolutions at the meeting held on the 12th inst. :
Whereas, There are under the care of . this Presbytery in the city of Newark several churches that are liberally en- dowed, and whereas it is a prevalent opinion that hindrances to the progress of the gospel have become connected with the fact of these endowments, and wheress it is the duty of the Presbytery to take such action as in its judgment is adapted to remove these hindrances, therefore be it Resolved,
1. That in the judgment of the Presby- tery it is extremely desirable that these endowed churches should, without un- necessary .delay, take such measures as may be necessary to put themselves upon the basis of self-support, and that they should devote the income which they derive from vested funds, and now ap- propriate to their own support, to the cause of Church Extension; and if there be any legal or technical difficulties in the way of such action on the part of these churches, that they take necessary means to have those difficulties removed.
Resolved, 2. That it is not the meaning of the first resolution to express or imply any censure of the churches referred to, being deeply sensible of the difficulties of their position, but simply to express what in the judgment of the Presbytery the cause of Christ in the city of Newark demands.
These resolutions, after a full and ani- mated discussion, were adopted by the Presbytery, and the Moderator was di- rected to send a certified copy to the sessions of the endowed churches, that they may take such action in the case as seems to them best. J
Allen County Public Library Ft. Wayne, Indiana
7084999
INTRODUCTION.
The subject of the approaching twenty-fifth anniversary of the South Park Presbyterian Church was brought to the notice of the Session at a meeting held Sept. 27th, 1878. It was fully discussed, and the propriety and utility of a suitable observance of the important and remarkable event was unanimously approved.
Such a celebration seemed the more desirable, inasmuch as the General Assembly of 1875, with a view to preserve the historical records of its individual churches, recommended that the approaching centenary of our national life should be noticed by each pastor, on the first Sunday of July, 1876, preaching a commemorative discourse, giving the particular history of his own church, and sending a copy to the Pres- byterian Historical Society in Philadelphia for preservation. It seemed preferable to the pastor that such a history of South Park Church should be deferred until the quarter- century of its life should be finished, and then a more com- plete record could be sent to the Historical Society for preservation.
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INTRODUCTION.
It was decided, at the meeting above mentioned, that a conference of the Session and Trustees should be held on the following Monday evening to arrange some suitable method of observance, and that a meeting of the whole con- gregation should be called on the Tuesday evening following to hear and act upon any plan that might be agreed upon by the Session and Trustees, and be submitted for their approval.
Both these meetings took place, and the resolution of the Session as to the propriety of the observance was heartily and with great unanimity approved, and the necessary measures were at once with great zeal adopted to make the celebration in every respect a memorable one, and worthy of the occasion.
A large and efficient Executive Committee was immedi- ately selected, consisting of members of the Session and Board of Trustees, and representatives of the Sunday Schools and of the different departments of church work.
The following are the names of the members of the Executive Committee : The Pastor, Chairman; Ira M. Harrison, F. N. Torrey, of the Session ; Silas C. Halsey and Isaac N. Doty, of the Board of Trustees; David C. Dodd, Jr., and F. Wolcott Jackson, of the Church Sunday School; John Y. Foster and Thomas Darlington, of the Mission School ; Mrs. J. P. Wilson and Mrs. Wm. Platner, of the "Woman's Work for Woman Foreign Missionary Society ;" and Mrs. Ira M. Harrison and Miss Emma V. Miller, of the " Ladies' Association."
The Executive Committee met on Saturday evening, Oct. 5th, and appointed sub-committees to carry out the details of the work.
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INTRODUCTION.
A Historical Committee was appointed, with power to select and recommend a suitable person to prepare a full and authentic history of South Park Church, to be read at the celebration. The committee soon reported the name of John P. Jackson, whose consent being obtained, the selec- tion was unanimously approved.
The following committees were also at the same time appointed :
A Finance Committee, consisting of ten members-Isaac N. Doty, F. Wolcott Jackson, Silas C. Halsey, John Brisbin, Charles E. Young, Aaron M. King, James E. Harrison, George B. Swain, George W. Howell, Elihu B. Baker.
Committee on Invitation and Reception, consisting of seven members-A. Lemassena, Jr., H. N. Parkhurst, Schuy- ler B. Jackson, M. D.Wilbur, Dr. Ira C. Whitehead, Mrs. F. Wolcott Jackson, and Mrs. Charles E. Williams.
Committee on Music, seven members-B. C. Gregory, leader of the church choir; Silas C. Halsey, W. Clinton King, W. A. Thompson, F. N. Torrey, B. F. M. Olds, T. S. Willcox.
Committee on Entertainment of Invited Guests, seven members-Daniel Halsey, Isaac N. Doty, E. L. Hamilton, William Morehouse, Mrs. John Y. Foster, Mrs. R. N. Den- man, Mrs. David A. Hall.
Decoration Committee, fifteen members-Robert Ryer- son, A. T. Looker, Samuel R. Beardsley, Wm. Underwood, Raymond Foster, Walter Johnson, William Tuttle, Heber Hughes, Mrs. William Inslee, Mrs. Vincent Wright, Miss Mary Johnson, Miss Lizzie Parkhurst, Miss DeCamp, Miss Streit, Miss E. Ryerson.
Sunday School Committee, eight members-A. Parkhurst, W. Platner, George W. Howell, F. C. Willcox, Mrs. George
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INTRODUCTION.
Ward, Miss Underwood, Miss Mary Connett, Miss Eliza Johnson.
Committee on Sociable, fifteen members-Mrs. D. C. Dodd, Jr., Mrs. Silas C. Halsey, Mrs. L. P. Brown, Mrs. J. P. Jackson, Mrs. A. Lemassena, Jr., Mrs. D. A. Hall, Mrs. D. O. Scott, Mrs. T. S. Willcox, Mrs. J. F. Bless, Mrs. C. E. Young, Mrs. Henry Young, Mrs. J. B. Bartram, Mrs. N. Perry, Jr., Mrs. Lemuel Thomas, Miss E. U. Campfield.
These committees were empowered to add to their num- bers if necessary, especially the committees on decoration and on the sociable.
Messrs. Isaac N. Doty, John Y. Foster and F. N. Torrey were appointed a Committee on Printing, and Messrs. Silas C. Halsey and D. C. Dodd, Jr., a Committee on Badges.
The following programme was carefully considered and approved, and unanimously adopted. It was beautifully printed on blue-tinted paper, with a richly-gilded, highly- ornamented border, having a cut of the church on the first page :
TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
OF
SOUTH PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27TH, 1878.
MORNING SERVICE, AT HALF-PAST TEN O'CLOCK.
Music by Choir of South Park Church. - Leader, Mr. B. C. Gregory.
1. Anthem-" We praise Thee, O God."
2. Invocation.
3. Reading of the Scriptures.
4. Anniversary Hymn.
[Written for the occasion by Miss S. P. GILL.]
Revelation, Chapter XIX : verses 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
"Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power," Ascribe to our God, in this festival hour. Oh praise Him, ye people, with heart and with voice. His Church is His Bride ;- then "be glad and rejoice."
"To him who hath loved us !"- shout forth the refrain. Full, loud as the rush of the thundering main; " The Lord, God, Omnipotent !" praise Him and bless, Who clothes us in robes of his own righteousness.
For faithfulness past, and for grace of to-day, We praise Thee, we bless Thee; and humbly we pray "The King in his beauty" to us would draw near, That pure "in his likeness" his Bride may appear.
Love, honor and service we pledge Thee, dear Lord, We cling to Thy hand, and we teed on Thy word, Oh! "Chief of ten thousands,"-to Thee shall be given Hosannas unceasing on Earth, and in Heaven.
5. Prayer.
6. Singing-" Arise, O King of Grace, arise."
7. Anniversary Sermon-By the Pastor.
8. Collection.
9. Anthem-" Come, let us sing unto the Lord."
-I. O. Emerson.
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PROGRAMME.
AFTERNOON SERVICE, AT HALF-PAST TWO O'CLOCK.
TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS OF SOUTH PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
Presiding Officer, - DAVID C. DODD, Jr.
Addresses by Rev. D. W. Poor, D.D., of Philadelphia, and others. [SEE SPECIAL PROGRAMME. ]
ANNIVERSARY
INSTALLATION OF PASTOR. OF
EVENING SERVICE, AT HALF-PAST SEVEN O'CLOCK.
1. Anthem-" How lovely are the Messengers. " - Mendelssohn.
2. Prayer.
3. Reading Scriptures.
4. Anniversary Hymn.
[Written for the occasion, by Rev. T. HEMPSTEAD.]
Not the majestic hills alone, We thank Thee, who thro' changing years Hast quelled our doubts and dried our tears, And whose large love has kept us free, Unwatched by foes, to worship Thee;
$ On every island, ocean-walled, In every climate are they called, To whom Thou dost in love reveal What only those who love can feel.
That love for us still warms and thrills, Some hearts that walk the Heavenly hills, And he is left, who day by day, Has led us in the onward way.
We give Thee thanks for rich supply, For friends below, and homes on high, All common cares and hopes that bind In sweetest union, mind to mind.
Still pointing upward to the Son, Still pointing to the Bleeding One. Still saying "From that empty tomb, Spring endless life and deathless bloom."
L
5. Addresses.
Rev. J. F. Stearns, D.D. Rev. Wm. Aikman, D.D.
6. Solo and Chorus-"Sow ye beside all waters."
7. Addresses. - -
Rev. J. Few-Smith, D.D.,
Rev. H. N. Brinsmade, D.D.
8. Singing-" Glorious things of Thee are spoken."
9. Collection.
10. Anthem-" Oh ! be joyful in the Lord." - W. F. Sherwin.
11. Doxology and Benediction.
Nor glittering worlds are made Thy Throne, But Thou dost come, O Lord as well With all thy contrite ones to dwell.
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PROGRAMME.
MONDAY EVENING, OCT. 28TH,
AT HALF-PAST SEVEN O'CLOCK.
HISTORICAL EXERCISES.
Presiding Officer, IRA M. HARRISON.
1. Duet and Chorus-" By Thee with bliss." - - Haydn.
2. Prayer, Rev. Robert B. Campfield.
3. History of the Church,
John P. Jackson.
4. Singing-" Zion stands," &c.
5. Addresses.
6. Anthem-" Et Resurrexit." - Mozart.
7. Addresses.
8. Singing-" I love Thy kingdom, Lord."
TUESDAY EVENING, OCT. 29TH.
SILVER WEDDING SOCIABLE,
RECEPTION IN THE CHURCH FROM HALF PAST SIX TO EIGHT O'CLOCK.
To be concluded by an address by the Pastor, after which an entertainment will be given in the rear rooms of the church. All present, and former members of the Church and congregation, are invited to be present.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, OCT. 30TH.
SILVER WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT
Of the Sunday Schools of the Church, from 5 to 9 o'clock. Ice Cream and Refreshments.
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ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY.
This programme was faithfully adhered to, and carried out to the letter. The attendance was very large at all the meetings throughout the entire celebration, and the effect on the minds and hearts of the people was all that could be desired. The church was compacted and drawn together in bonds of Christian affection, and greatly benefitted in every way, and God was glorified. It was a time long to be remembered after they who participated shall have passed away, and their places be filled by others.
ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY
The first commemorative service was held on Sunday morning, October 27th, 1878. The day was beautiful and bright. The audience was very large, and represented the strength and vigor of the congregation. There were seen also many from the older Presbyterian Churches of the city, who, by their presence and their attention to the services throughout, manifested their own personal interest and their continued attachment to the religion of their fathers.
The following account of the services is copied from the Newark Daily Advertiser, and gives a correct and suffi- ciently full record of the events of the day :
QUARTO-CENTENNIAL.
THE TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF SOUTH PARK PRESBYTE- RIAN CHURCH-THREE SERVICES YESTERDAY-ADDRESSES BY PROMINENT MINISTERS.
The silver wedding, or twenty-fifth anniversary, of the South Park Presbyterian Church, began with special services yesterday, and will continue this and to-morrow evenings. Yesterday morning Rev. Dr. Wilson, the pastor of the church
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EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESS.
for the entire period, preached the anniversary sermon ; in the afternoon the Sunday School anniversary was held and a number of speeches were made, and in the evening the installation of Dr. Wilson was commemorated with addresses by Rev. Drs. Stearns, Aikman, Few-Smith and Brinsmade. Large audiences were present at each service.
THE DECORATIONS.
The decorations were' composed chiefly of evergreens, potted palms and fragrant flowers which were tastefully and artistically arranged, the most imposing object on entering being a collossal arch, which spanned the entire space over the pulpit, and displaying in silver letters, upon a blue ground, framed in flowers, the following legend :
"1853-REJOICING IN HOPE-1878."
It was supported by columns hidden by rare grasses and ferns, amid the loose texture of which exotic flowers were strewn, apparently at random, but producing a brilliant effect and forming a gorgeous piece of floral architecture. Over the preacher's desk the blank wall displayed an emblematic anchor of similar texture, and the gas-light standards at the ends of the desk were gracefully trimmed with delicate vines mingled with roses. At the head of the centre aisle and almost hiding the pulpit, were other designs, the most con- spicuous being surmounted by a tall spreading palm tree which gave a tropical effect to the scene. The galleries were heavily festooned with wreaths and clusters of palms, ivies and other ornamental shrubs were placed in the spaces between the columns above, altogether displaying a pro- fusion of material and tasteful arrangement that surpassed any previous effort in church decoration in this vicinity, but it was chiefly remarkable for the evidence it gave of the pro- gress of æsthetic influences among Christian ladies who have formerly avoided them.
THE MORNING SERVICE.
The large accommodations of the church were fully oc- cupied at the morning service by a congregation which included nearly all of the regular attendants and many of those who have been connected with the church in some of the twenty-five years of its existence, several coming from a distance to join in the celebration. In the pulpit were the pastor, the Rev. James P. Wilson, D. D., Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Hall, and Rev. William Aikman.
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EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESS.
The services opened with an anthem by the large chorus choir of the church, led by B. C. Gregory, "We Praise Thee, O God." An invocation was then pronounced by Dr. Wil- son, and the reading of the Scriptures followed by Rev. Dr. Hall. An original anniversary hymn was then sung, com- mencing :
"Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, Ascribe to our God in this festival hour."
It was followed by prayer by Rev. Dr. Aikman, and the singing of "Arise, O King of Grace, Arise."
The reverend pastor then preached the anniversary sermon. He chose as his text, I. Kings, viii chapter, 57th and 58th verses : "The Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers; let Him not leave us, nor forsake us; that He may incline our hearts unto Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers."
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27TH-AFTERNOON SERVICE.
THE TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
The following account of the exercises is believed to be in all points correct, and is also from the Newark Daily Advertiser.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.
There was an equally large attendance at the exercises of the Sunday School Anniversary, which began at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. Drs. Wilson and Stearns were in the pulpit, and on the platform were the presiding officer, Mr. David C. Dodd, Jr., and leading, past and present members of the Sunday School. The hymn, " Coming, Gladly Coming," opened the exercises, followed by reading of the Scriptures, prayer and reading of the Commandments with responses from the Sunday School. Mr. Dodd read an original poem, dedicated to the pastor,
13
EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESS.
after which the quarter-century report of the Sunday School was read by Mr. Frank C. Willcox. It reviewed the history of the Sunday School at length, detailing the work of each year from its foundation as a mission school at the Chestnut street depot, in 1851, by the late John P. Jackson. As it increased the mission building in Mulberry street was erected. When the church was formed the Sunday School of the church and the Mission School became separate. The ser- vices of Mrs. Dr. Wilson, the late John P. Jackson, Gen. Joseph C. Jackson, A. I. Gillett, Miss Mary Gill, Jos. D. Doty, Robert B. Campfield and others were alluded to in feel- ing terms. Mr. David C. Dodd is the present Superintendent of the Sunday School, and John Y. Foster of the Mission School. There are 517 scholars in both schools at present, of which 300 are in the Mission School and the remainder in the church.
Rev. Dr. D. W. Poor, formerly of this city, and now of Philadelphia, then made an interesting address. He said the formation of the church was due to the demands for more religious accommodations. A traveler in Scotland, observing many churches in a town, had asked his driver if it was not a very religious community. "Na, Na," replied the Jehu, "it's sheer cussedness." He meant that the number of churches was owing to dissension. That was not the case with this church, or with any of the Presbyterian churches of Newark. He then addressed the Sunday School, taking as his text, the palm tree, describing its usefulness and urging the scholars to take it as their type of life. Mr. Jos. D. Doty, a former mission school superintendent, followed in an address of considerable length on the school and its work, speaking especially of the labors of the teachers. Mr. Dar- lington then read an address of the Mission School to Dr. Wilson, which alluded touchingly to his services and the cour- age that the teachers had so often gained from him. Mr. F. N. Torrey made a brief address, after which Gen. Joseph C. Jackson spoke to the school. He had formerly been a super- intendent, and he said it was very gratifying to him that he was enabled to feel that he could return to the field of his labors without doubt and knowing that he had not changed. In fact, he found that his theology had not changed in the twenty-five years of the existence of the church. He recalled the oft repeated remark of the late Mr. Magie on
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EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESS.
" the exceeding sinfulness of sin" years ago, and said he had heard within the past month two sermons preached on that very subject. Gen. Jackson alluded to H. B. Smith and Thornton Mills and other church workers, and to Albert Barnes, who had once preached here, speaking of the good they had done. Rev. Robert B. Campfield made a few re- marks, after which the exercises came to a close. Several hymns were sung in a beautiful manner by the children and choir, and Rev. Dr. Stearns delivered the benediction.
WRITTEN FOR THE TWENTY.FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
SOUTH PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
By one of its Members. I.
FATHER ALMIGHTY, eternal in Glory. Humble and thankful, we meet to adore Thee, Up from these courts, Thou hast owned as thy dwelling. Wave after wave of glad praises are swelling. Here like a lakelet, embosomed in mountains, Fanned by the breezes, and fed by the fountains- Bordered by verdure, encircled by might- Peaceful and pure, drinking in Heaven's light, Ever up-gazing, and catching each hue Roseate, or shadowed, or deepening blue: Thus would we, Holy One, low lie before Thee, Catching each phase of Thine infinite glory.
II.
FATHER ALMIGHTY, eternal in glory, Lo! as a landscape, our Past spreads before Thee, All underlying, like permanent rock Rests the firm love between pastor and flock. Radiant the plains where the dews of grace fell, Precious the harvests there garnered so well ; Noble and stately the trees of the Lord, Rooted and grounded and strong in His Word; Silent and shadowed the Valley of Tears- Tears for the loved and the lost of the years: Yet, even there, floweth Life's mighty river, Binding the parted ones ever together.
III.
FATHER ALMIGHTY, eternal in glory, Pleading for pardon, we how low before Thec : Pleading for comfort, for counsel, for light; Power to press forward, unfaltering in fight. Foes to encounter, and burdens to bear, Jesus our Leader, His triumphs to share ; Clad in His Armor, undaunted to stand, Ready to do and to dare at command : Love our broad banner, and Heaven our goal, Seeking and rescuing soul after soul. Soon shalt Thou gather thy faithful ones home. Come in Thy Kingdom, Lord! Come, quickly come. Lake George, October, *1878.
The Church in its Present attitude before God. Psalm cxxv, 2. John iv, 14. Nu. xxiv, 5, 6. John xiv, 27. 1st John iii, 3.3 Col. iii, 2, 10. 1st Cor. xv, 49. 2d Cor. iii, 18. Psalm xvii, 15.
Reviewing the Past. John x, 2-4. Hosea xiv, 5. Matt. xiii, 8. Jer. xvii, 7, 8. 1st John ji, 14. Zech. i, 5. 1st Thes. jv, 13, 14. Psalm xlvi 4.
Seeking strength for the Future. Phil. iii, 13, 14. ¿ 1st Tim. vi, 12. 5 Gal. vi, 2. Rev. vi, 2. Ephes. vi, 10-18 Matt. xvi. 24. 25 Song of S, ii, 4 Luke xix, 10. { Mark xvi, 15. 5 Rev. vii, 9-17. Rev. xxii, 12, 20 S P. G.
DR. WILSON'S SERMON.
I. Kings VIII: 57-58-v. 57-" The Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers : let Him not leave us nor forsake us ;
V. 58-" That He may incline our hearts unto Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and His statutes and His judgments which He commanded our fathers."
The novel and entirely unusual and unwonted aspect of this house of our worship to-day betokens something remark- able in our history. These elaborate and tasteful decorations are the outward expression of some deep and common feel- ing in the minds and hearts of this people, a feeling that demands a public manifestation, and cannot be satisfied without it. Nature must record, as well as give utterance to its abounding gratitude or its deepest woe, and twelve rude stones were set up to mark the spot where Joshua crossed the ford.
And so men in all ages and everywhere have demanded and established tokens of recollection wherever any deep emotions have expended themselves, and they do well in this.
And it is a feeling akin to this that has filled this house with an earnest, expectant assembly, and wreathed these columns with green, and scattered the beautiful flowers in such lavish profusion around this pulpit and through this sacred place.
We seem to-day to take hold of a chain that draws us back to the time of the venerable patriarch, who, an exile in early youth from the paternal home (the victim of a mother's guilty partiality), on awaking from slumber in the open field, took the stone that had been his pillow, and set it up
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DR. WILSON'S SERMON.
as a pillar, and poured oil on the top of it, and said : " This stone which I have set for a pillar shall be God's house." There was no house. The place was the open air, under the canopy of the stars ; but he had seen the Lord God, and the place was thenceforth sacred. In the intensity of his emotion every thing else passed out of view for the moment. It was indeed the House of God, for in that place he had seen the visible presence of the Infinite One, attended by a glorious retinue of angels. And so we here, in this place, have seen God present in bright and most signal manifesta- tions, and it is a sacred spot to us ; and we come here to-day to manifest our gratitude and record our testimony to the faithfulness and goodness of our God in covenant.
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