USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Jersey City > History of the First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City, New Jersey : in four discourses preached in the month of July, 1876; also, the discourse preached at the close of services in the church building, Sunday morning, April 29, 1888 > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10
118
History of the
Church. It is not a life revealing itself by a shining social position, nor by its success in worldly schemes. It is a life whose greatness and glory and holiness, and its now un- seen and unknown and inconceivable grounds of existence and its sublime realities, are yet to be revealed-a hidden life now-hidden with Christ in God, and revealed only when the Lord shall come (Col. iii. 1-4). I charge you, then, let all men see in you continually, and in all the relations of this present world and life, the spirit of "the pilgrim and stranger," whose aims and hopes are above, where Christ sit- teth at the right hand of God. While you are necessarily diligent in business, as Christ's servant, hold, I entreat you, hold everything here with a loose hand. And look and long for His coming when your true life shall at last be manifested; where your true citizenship, for which your " name is enrolled in Heaven," is to be realized ; where you shall appear with Christ in glory.
4. Remember next : To labor for Him courageously ; do- ing the work which He sets before you ; doing little things or great things, hard work or easy work, as He in His providence calls you to engage in them. It is not so much the kind of work which you do for Him that is important as the manner in which the work is done. In any case " He is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love" for Him.
5. Remember, too : That HE is your stronghold, and not yourself. Walk with HIM; live in communion with HIM; follow HIM; wait for HIM-" God's Son, from heaven," to receive you to the place of rest.
So I commend you to "the Lord on whom you have be- lieved." And may He, the faithful One, crown these years of ministry, for pastor and people, with His gracious approval, pardoning all that has been wrong; and owning with abundant grace all that, as the fruit of His guiding, strength- ening Spirit, has been right ; and bring us at last to stand together, pastor and people, in His own presence with abounding joy.
119
First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City.
Then followed the closing prayer, after which the pastor proceeded, as follows :
As I have already stated,-At the meeting of the Presby- tery of Jersey City, held in Passaic, New Jersey, April 17, 1888, it was agreed, on the application of your pastor, and with the acquiescence of the congregation, expressed through their Commissioners, that the pastoral relation between us should be this day dissolved, and this pulpit declared vacant.
THEREFORE, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ the Head of the Church, and by the authority and direction of the Presbytery of Jersey City, acting for Him, I do now pro- nounce and declare that the pastoral relation which has ex- isted since February II, 1852, and up to the present time, between myself and this Presbyterian church and congrega- tion of Jersey City, is now dissolved.
And may He who saves us by His grace, and is Lord of both shepherds and their flocks, have us ever in His holy keeping, and give us grace to maintain the battle manfully to the end, and bring us off more than conquerors through His love. And when He comes in His glory, then, whether we be among those who still are living or whether we be among those departed and sleeping in Jesus, may we live forever together with Him, and have an abundant entrance ministered to us into His heavenly kingdom. Amen.
The congregation then rose and sang together the follow- ing hymn :
" Blest be the dear, uniting love, That will not let us part : Our bodies may far off remove ; We still are one in heart.
"Joined in one spirit to our Head, Where He appoints we go ; We still in Jesus' footsteps tread, And show His praise below.
I20
History of the
"Oh, may we ever walk in Him, And nothing know beside ! Nothing desire, nothing esteem, But Jesus crucified !
" Partakers of the Saviour's grace, The same in mind and heart, Not joy nor grief nor time nor place Nor life nor death can part."
The exercises were closed with the Benediction, and the Doxology,
1
" Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," etc., chanted by the choir.
.
I2I
First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City.
TRUSTEES
OF THE .
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF
JERSEY CITY, N. J.
THE following list gives the names of the Trustees of the Church from the time of its organization, with the year of their election, up to the year 1888 :
1844-March 5.
DUDLEY G. GREGORY, DAVID HENDERSON,
OLIVER S. STRONG,
LEWIS D. HARDENBURGH,
HENRY SOUTHMAYD,
ERASTUS RANDALL,
HENRY M. ALEXANDER.
1847-November 9.
JONATHAN D. MILLER, THOMAS H. AMIDON, ABRAM S. JEWELL,
JOSIAH H. GAUTIER, M.D., WM. A. TOWNSEND, DAVID HENDERSON (2d).
1848-November 22.
LUKE C. LYMAN,
OLIVER S. STRONG.
1849-November 22.
ABRAM S. JEWELL,
JOSIAH H. GAUTIER, M.D.
1850-November 22.
J. D. MILLER,
WM. A. TOWNSEND, DAVID HENDERSON (2d).
I22
History of the
1851-November 22.
LUKE C. LYMAN, 1852-November 22.
OLIVER S. STRONG.
ABRAM S. JEWELL, J. H. GAUTIER, M.D.,
WM. T. RODGERS.
1853-April 14.
FREDERICK B. BETTS, UZAL CORY,
WILLIAM R. JANEWAY, B. B. GRINNELL, EDWIN WYGANT, J. W. PARKER, J. W. BONNELL.
1854-November 29.
CHAS. FINK,
JAS. R. THOMPSON.
1855-November 22.
ABRAM S. JEWELL.
. ANDREW CLERK,
1856-November 21.
CHAS. FINK, J. W. PARKER, JAS. R. THOMPSON.
1857-November 20.
WM. R. JANEWAY.
F. B. BETTS,
1858-November 24.
ABRAM S. JEWELL,
AUGUSTUS JENKINS.
1859-November 24.
CHAS. FINK, J. W. PARKER, JAS. R. THOMPSON.
1860-November 21.
F. B. BETTS,
W. R. JANEWAY.
1861-November 22.
BENJ. G. CLARKE, J. R. SCHUYLER.
123
First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City.
1862-November 22.
JAS. R. THOMPSON, JAS. L. OGDEN, BENNINGTON F. RANDOLPH.
1863-November 20.
HENRY W. BUXTON, H. A. COURSEN.
1864-November 25. J. R. SCHUYLER.
J. R. THOMPSON,
1865-December I. J. L. OGDEN, B. F. RANDOLPH.
H. A. COURSEN,
1866-December 12. H. W. BUXTON, WALTER S. NEILSON.
1867-December II.
THERON S. DOREMUS.
B. G. CLARKE,
1868-December 16. J. E. HULSHIZER, T. B. MEIGS.
B. F. RANDOLPH,
1869-December 8.
WALTER S. NEILSON.
1870-December 7.
THERON S. DOREMUS.
BENJ. G. CLARKE,
1871-November 8.
T. B. MEIGS, J. FLAVEL MCGEE, J. E. HULSHIZER.
H. W. BUXTON,
1872-December 4. WILLIAM HARNEY, WM. E. STIGER.
1873-January 28.
ABRAM S. JEWELL,
WM. E. STIGER.
BENJ. G. CLARKE,
H. W. BUXTON,
124
History of the 1873-November 5.
BENJ. G. CLARKE,
ABRAM S. JEWELL.
T. B. MEIGS,
1874-November II. J. F. MCGEE, JAS. L. OGDEN.
J. A. KUNKEL,
1875-November 10. W. E. STIGER, H. A. COURSEN.
1876-November 8.
JOHN B. HUNTTING.
T. B. MEIGS,
1878-November 13.
HAMILTON WALLIS.
1879-November 5.
WILLIAM EWAN, CHAS. A. SOUTHMAYD,
A. SLAUSON.
1879-December 3. CHAS. D. DAVIS.
CHAS. D. DAVIS,
1880-November 3. JAMES R. HENRY, A. SLAUSON.
1881-November 2.
J. A. KUNKEL, JOSEPH D. BEDLE.
1882-March 3. 1
WILLIAM RUNKLE,
GEORGE S. SMITH.
1882-November 8.
JOHN B. HUNTTING,
D. C. MCNAUGHTON.
BENJ. G. CLARKE,
1877-November 7. H. A. COURSEN, . J. FLAVEL MCGEE.
J. A. KUNKEL,
D. C. McNAUGHTON, JOHN B. HUNTTING,
W. D. GODLEY,
125
First Presbyterian . Church of Jersey City.
1883-November 14.
WM. RUNKLE, GEORGE S. SMITH, J. FLAVEL MCGEE.
1884-November 12.
JOSEPH D. BEDLE, J. A. KUNKEL.
1885-November 25.
JOHN B. HUNTTING, WM. MARTIN.
1886-November 26.
GEORGE S. SMITH, JOSÉPH D. BEDLE, JR., WM. D. GODLEY.
1887-November 23.
JOSEPH D. BEDLE, J. A. KUNKEL, W. J. MONTGOMERY.
The present Board of Trustees, July 1, 1888, are as fol- lows :
Hon. JOSEPH D. BEDLE, President. WM. MARTIN,
JNO. B. HUNTTING, Secretary and GEORGE S. SMITH, Treasurer.
J. A. KUNKEL,
JOSEPH D. BEDLE, JR., WM. J. MONTGOMERY.
126
History of the
HISTORY OF THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JERSEY CITY.
ON the evening of the 13th day of May, 1844, the follow- ing persons assembled at the Lyceum in Grand Street for the purpose of organizing a Sunday-school to be connected with the First Presbyterian Church :
REV. JOHN JOHNSTONE, Pastor.
OLIVER S. STRONG, L. D. HARDENBURGH, and L. T. STOWELL, Elders.
LEBBEUS CHAPMAN, MRS. JOHNSTONE,
BENJAMIN U. RYDER,
MRS. MARY F. STOWELL,
JOHN THOMPSON,
MISS LOUISA GREGORY,
JAMES MORRISON,
MISS CLARA GREGORY,
T. H. SHAFER,
MISS MARGARET HENDERSON,
WILLIAM RHODES, MISS MARGARET JOHNSTONE,
E. C. BRAMHALL,
MISS MARY SHAFER.
A constitution was adopted and the following officers were elected :
LEBBEUS CHAPMAN,
Superintendent.
BENJAMIN U. RYDER,
Librarian.
WILLIAM RHODES, .
Secretary.
E. C. BRAMHALL,
Treasurer.
It was also resolved, " That this Society become auxiliary to the New York Sunday-school Union." Upon this being done, the school was numbered 77 of the New York Sun- day-school Union, and continued as such during the exist- ence of that Union.
The school thus organized went into operation on the succeeding Sabbath with fourteen teachers and forty-five scholars.
127
First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City.
All of the eighteen persons present at the first meeting have long since passed away from the church and Jersey City. At least eight are dead ; probably more.
The school thus organized has continued in existence to the present time with certainly a fair degree of prosperity. The following statistics show the number on the rolls at different periods in its history as appears from annual re- ports :
1852. 27 Teachers and Officers, 178 Scholars ;
1858. 237 222 1865. 38
198 1876.
179 1869. 37 32 37
showing thus an average number of about 175 to 200 schol- ars on the rolls, with a fair percentage of average attend- ance.
Officers.
The records of the school were at first imperfectly kept, and the minutes of annual meetings and probable elections held in the years 1846, 1847, 1848, 1853, and 1854, are miss- ing, so that there may be some omissions in the following lists; but, as far as the records show, the following have held offices :
Superintendents.
LEBBEUS CHAPMAN, from May 13, 1844, for at least two years. (Three years' records missing.)
THOMAS H. SHAFER, from May 21, 1849, to November 6, 1853.
WILLIAM R. JANEWAY, from November 6, 1853, to November 5, 1855.
FREDERICK B. BETTS, from November 5, 1855, to May 9, 1860.
EDWIN WYGANT, from May 9, 1860, to November 20, 1861.
JULIUS S. HOWELL, from November 20, 1861, to May 14, 1872.
Rev. C. K. IMBRIE, D.D., from May 14, 1872, to November 12, 1876. WILLIAM E. STIGER, from November 12, 1876, to date.
Assistant Superintendents.
J. S. DAVENPORT, from May 21, 1849, to November 15, 1852. EDWIN WYGANT, from November 15, 1852, to -.
-
History of the
I28
SAMUEL W. DAVENPORT, from November 5, 1855, to May 2, 1859. Mrs. SLATER, from May 2, 1859, to May 9, 1862.
Miss LOUISA HARRIS (Mrs. CLERK), from May 9, 1862, to June 2, 1869.
Mrs. TALMAGE, from June 2, 1869, to May 18, 1870.
HORACE S. ALLEN, from May 18, 1870, to May 28, 1876.
Mrs. H. A. COURSEN, from March 21, 1873, to May -, 1874.
FLAVEL MCGEE, from November 12, 1876, to date.
Treasurers.
E. C. BRAMHALL, from May 13, 1844, to April 12, 1845.
WILLIAM RHODES, from April 12, 1845, to - -. WILLIAM BAYLEY, from April 21, 1849, to May 20, 1851. LOUIS BONNELL, from May 20, 1851, to August 16, 1852.
T. S. HARRIS, from August 16, 1852, to -
S. D. SEELYE, from November 11, 1855, to May 5, 1856.
T. H. SHAFER, from May 5, 1856, to May 8, 1858.
A. JENKINS, from May 8, 1858, to May 2, 1859.
S. W. DAVENPORT, from May 2, 1859, to May 9, 1860. JAMES R. HENRY, from May 9, 1860, to May 18, 1870. A. C. TULLY, from May 18, 1870, to May -, 1876. CHARLES F. IMBRIE, from May 28, 1876, to date.
Secretaries.
WILLIAM RHODES, from May 13, 1844, to April 12, 1845.
L. CHAPMAN, Jr., from April 12, 1845, to - --
J. T. SHAFER, from May 21, 1849, to May 20, 1851.
HENRY A. LYMAN, from May 20, 1851, to November 19, 1851.
F. F. BETTS, from November 19, 1851, to November -, 1854.
E. N. K. TALCOTT, from November -, 1854, to November 11, 1855.
S. D. SEELYE, from November 11, 1855, to February 22, 1856.
F. F. BETTS, from February 22, 1856, to May 4, 1857.
J. H. THOMAS, from May 4, 1857, to May 8, 1858.
JAMES R. HENRY, from May 8, 1858, to May 18, 1870. A. C. TULLY, from May 18, 1870, to May -, 1876. JAMES R. HENRY, from May 28, 1876, to date.
Librarians and Assistants.
The following have at different times and for longer or shorter periods served in this capacity :
First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City. 129
BENJAMIN U. RYDER,
DAVID DOWNER,
S. LYNCH,
CHARLES H. JAQUITH,
JOHN H. LYON,
WILLIAM E. STIGER,
JACOB FISHER,
WILLIAM T. HENRY,
JAMES THOMPSON,
JOHN K. DURYEE,
FREDERICK F. BETTS,
HORACE J. JAQUITH,
J. T. SHAFER,
J. B. BETTS,
CALVIN SHAFER,
EDWARD LINN,
E. N. K. TALCOTT,
JACOB FARLEE,
J. CLARKE,
HENRY WILLIAMS.
J. H. THOMAS,
JAMES HENRY,
HOWARD SLATER,
WILLIAM M. IMBRIE,
HUGH H. JANEWAY,
CHARLES L. FINK,
JAMES T. B. COLLINS,
CHARLES TALMAGE,
THOMAS L. JANEWAY.
The school has usually been divided into one or more older Bible-classes, the classes meeting in the general school- room, and an infant class.
The teachers of the infant class have been :
Mr. S. W. DAVENPORT.
Miss HANNAH J. ROY.
Mrs. CATALINA TALMAGE, for many years and still in service.
Mrs. DAVID DOWNER, for a short time.
Mrs. H. W. BUXTON, during last year, having boys only.
The hour of meeting has been usually at 2 or 2.30 P.M.
The studies pursued in the general classes were for sev- eral years in the Union Question-Books, and also Scripture Question-Books for younger scholars, and part of the time without Question-Books.
Since the adoption of the International Series of Lessons they have been used in the school. Particular attention has been also paid to the Assembly's Shorter Catechism.
A library has always been maintained, usually containing some 500 or 600 volumes.
But little attention was paid to singing in the school until about 1862, since which time the school has occupied about half an hour of each session in singing, under the leadership of Mr. H. W. Buxton. The books used have
9
130
History of the
been "The Golden Chain," "Happy Voices," "Silver Spray," and "Christian Songs."
A system of merit tickets and rewards was in use until about 1850, when it was abolished. During the last year rewards have been given for committing the Catechism and parts of the lessons, and a reward to Miss Mary Black for committing the Gospel of John.
As the school belonged to the New York Union for sev- eral years, it was accustomed to proceed to New York on the Anniversary occasions and join with the New York schools in the celebration. This continued until 1852, when it was determined to unite the Jersey City schools in the celebration of an Anniversary at home. Accordingly, through the efforts of the officers of this school, all the schools of Jersey City assembled in this church to hold an Anniversary. Since then these celebrations have been con- tinued annually, until now usually some eight churches are opened and many thousands parade. Mr. A. S. Jewell and Mr. F. B. Betts were the most prominent persons in orig- inating these Anniversaries.
Christmas celebrations have been held for four years past.
The present pastor was accustomed to preach to the children on the first Sabbath of every month until he be- came Superintendent, when those special services were dis- continued.
Teachers' meetings for study of the lessons, and special prayer-meetings, have been held at different times for longer or shorter periods; also various missionary meetings at different times.
As a nursery for the church, the school has borne a prom- inent part. It is impossible for me with the materials at my command to give the exact number of those who have united with the church while connected with the school, but that number is large. Very few years have passed with- out some such additions, and in some years the number has been, I think, as high as 20.
131
First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City.
Mission Work.
The school, while thus engaged in its own quiet work, has also largely participated in mission work, and this may be divided into mission work at home in Jersey City, and work outside of the city, both in the United States and in foreign fields. And-
Ist. As to mission work in Jersey City.
Early in the history of the school an effort was made to visit that part of Jersey City in the neighborhood of the school, and draw in those not attending any Sabbath-school. Systematic efforts in this respect have been several times repeated with good results, and might, perhaps, be now ad- vantageously renewed, although the ground has been par- tially occupied by others. Our school was at first composed almost entirely of children whose parents belonged to the congregation. This has changed to a very great extent, and for the last few years the majority of the scholars have probably been from families not connected with this church. Among those brought in at different times we may men- tion a number of children residing on canal-boats moored in the canal basin during the winter. Some of these chil- dren returned to us for two or more successive winters, being absent in the summer.
A Sunday-school was conducted in the old Almshouse at the foot of Washington Street for several years by Mrs. C. L. Fink, and other members of our church, which might be considered as a branch of our school. This was con- tinued until the removal of the inmates to Snake Hill made it necessary to abandon this enterprise.
A mission-school of the former Young Men's Christian Association, prior to 1858, was largely supported by mem- bers of this church. The school of the Children's Home was also mainly conducted by our church members until the removal of the Home to the Heights.
Contributions have at different times been made to other mission-schools in this city and vicinity, and to the city missions.
I32
History of the
A German mission-school, under the superintendency of Mr. John Ullmer, has been for several years held in our rooms in the morning, many of the scholars attending our own school in the afternoon.
In the year 1863 a mission-school was established in a small room at the corner of Grove and York Streets, with Hon. B. F. Randolph as superintendent ; Mr. Amerman, assistant superintendent ; and J. R. Henry as secretary and treasurer. This school was held at 9 A.M., and con- tinued for some months with an attendance of 25 or 30 scholars. The room, however, was small and inconvenient, and no other could be obtained. It was, therefore, de- termined to discontinue. Several of the scholars were transferred to the main school, which some of them con- tinued to attend until a recent period ; others went to other schools.
2d. As to mission work abroad.
Regular contributions have been made to the Presbyte- rian Boards of Foreign and Domestic Missions, $50 per an num being given to each for many years. From the moneys contributed to the Foreign Board at least two children were educated in China, one named John Johnstone, after our first pastor, and one a female. Recently, as is well remembered, the son of our pastor, Rev. William Imbrie and his wife, both long connected with our school, have gone as mission- aries to Japan. A communion service has just been prom- ised by us to be presented to the Presbyterian Church of Tokio, Japan.
In 1864, under the superintendency of Mr. J. S. Howell, a Sunday-school was established, by contributions from us, at Genoa, Minnesota, and called the Imbrie Mission. About the same time we began to contribute toward the salary of Mr. W. Hatch, a missionary of the Am. S. S. Union in Minnesota, and some other missionaries. At present we con- tribute toward the support of Rev. Mr. Lewis, a missionary in the same State. Under these gentlemen a number of Sunday-schools were established in Minnesota, aided partly
I.33
First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City.
by us by supplies of books, papers, etc. By a report made at our Anniversary in 1869, there were then in existence of these schools the following :
I. Imbrie Mission, at Genoa ;
2. Talmage Mission, at Oak Glen ;
3. Henry Mission, at Harper's School-House ;
4. School at Goodhue Centre;
5. Trio Mission, at Fairport ;
6. Barker Mission ;
7. (Name unknown.)
8. School at Leavenworth ;
9. Meigs Mission ;
IO. Jewell Mission,
and some seven others, whose names and locations were un- known ; some aided by us as a school, and some by individu- als in this and other churches. Others have been organized since. Precisely how many of these are still in existence, I am unable to state. I believe we aid none now specially.
Boxes of books, papers, hymn-books, etc., have been sent to these and other schools at different times, also boxes of clothing to the above and other missionaries.
I have thus endeavored to put together a few of the princi- pal facts in regard to the history of our school. May the record of what we have accomplished in the past inspire us to greater effort in the future.
JAMES R. HENRY, Secretary.
JERSEY CITY, February, 1877.
Continuing the above history from 1877, the following have been the officers of the school :
Superintendents.
WILLIAM E. STIGER, - to September 29, 1878. FLAVEL MCGEE, September 29, 1878, to January 11, 1880. HENRY W. BUXTON, January 11, 1880, to May 12, 1880. JAMES R. HENRY, May 12, 1880, to April 30, 1882.
I34
History of the
FLAVEL MCGEE, April 30, 1882, to -, 1883. H. O. HUNTTING, June 8, 1884, to January 1, 1887. JOHN C. PARSONS, January 1, 1887, to date.
Assistant Superintendents.
FLAVEL MCGEE, - to September 29, 1878. TITUS B. MEIGS, May 3, 1879, to May 12, 1880. JOHN LINN, May 12, 1880, to April 30, 1882. Miss S. WALDRON, April 30, 1882, to June 14, 1885. Miss SOPHIE MESCHUTT, June 14, 1885, to June, 1886. JOHN C. PARSONS, June, 1886, to January 1, 1887. O. R. BLANCHARD, June 5, 1887, to date.
Secretaries.
JAMES R. HENRY, -- to May 12, 1880. H. O. HUNTTING, April 30, 1882, to June 8, 1884. HARRY PLATT, June 8, 1884, to June 14, 1885. WILLIAM M. SMITH, June 14, 1885, to April 29, 1888. J. E. HULSHIZER, Jr., April 29, 1888, to date. W. A. MARTIN, Assistant Secretary, 1888.
Treasurers.
CHARLES F. IMBRIE, - to June, 1886.
GEORGE S. SMITH, June, 1886, to date.
And the following
Librarians or Assistants.
JACOB FARLEE, GEORGE S. SMITH, PHILIP F. MESCHUTT,
THOMAS DOREMUS, JOHN OLENDORF, WILLIAM M. SMITH,
R. SHARPE KUNKEL, JAS. L. OGDEN, JR., SANFORD E. SMITH.
WILLIAM RITCHIE,
The school has been continued with some decrease in the number of teachers, but about the average of scholars. The Annual Report for 1881 showed on roll 24 officers and teachers, and 166 scholars. This was increased in 1882. In 1886, 27 teachers and officers and 180 scholars were reported.
The last Report was about 25 officers and teachers, and about 200 scholars, with an average attendance of about 165.
135
First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City.
The studies pursued have been the International Lesson Series, using the publications of the Presbyterian Board.
The infant class has been under the management of Mrs. Talmage, recently deceased ; Miss Bettine Wines, Mr. John B. Huntting, and Miss Mary Wallace.
The singing has been conducted by Mr. H. W. Buxton, Mr. C. D. Davis, Mr. Wm. Runkle, Mr. Geo. Smith, and Mr. Wm. Smith. A Sunday-school choir was organized in 1887; "Spiritual Songs for the Sunday-school" was intro- duced as the music-book in 1881.
Teachers' meetings have been maintained during part of the time. The entertainment feature has not been forgot- ten, and the school has joined in the general Anniversaries, and held Easter and Christmas services, of which those of 1887 were the most noticeable, and has had some other en- tertainments. From 1878 to 1882 Certificates of Honor were given to those bringing in new scholars, and for the last three years prizes to those absent not more than twice dur- ing a year.
While there has perhaps been no season of special religi- ous interest, yet during all these years but few have passed without some from the school uniting with the church.
The church having decided to discontinue its services, the school, at a meeting held April 29, 1888, decided that it would continue, and elected the following officers :
JOHN C. PARSONS,
Superintendent.
O. R. BLANCHARD,
. Assistant Superintendent.
J. E. HULSHIZER, Jr.,
. Secretary.
W. A. MARTIN,
·
Assistant Secretary.
GEORGE S. SMITH,
. Treasurer and Librarian.
SANFORD E. SMITH, . Assistant Librarians.
WILLIAM RITCHIE,
WILLIAM M. SMITH, Chorister.
Miss MARY WALLACE, .
. Teacher of Infant Class.
And at a meeting held May 6, 1888, the name of the school was changed to " The Imbrie Sunday-school," under which name it has continued to meet in the old church building, with about the same number of teachers and scholars.
I36
The First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City.
Here, then, we close the record. The old school has passed away. Its work is done. It is now about thirty-one years since the writer first entered it ; more than thirty since he first became its Secretary. Of the 259 persons whose names are on the first roll made up by him in 1858, only two now remain in the school-Mrs. Mary Johnston and the writer. Looking back over that long period we can but give thanks to God for the good that we know has been accom- plished by the old school, and hope that His blessing may continue to rest upon its successor.
JAMES R. HENRY.
JERSEY CITY, October, 1888.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.