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 9

Author: Imbrie, Charles Kisselman, 1814-1891
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York : Randolph
Number of Pages: 152


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 9


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10


* See the list of names at the end of this volume.


t See history of the Sabbath-school, by James R. Henry, at the close of this volume.


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how many familiar faces of young men and of young wom- en, and more lately of children too, whose sweet voices in harmony have led our devotions or who have skilfully han- dled the organ in God's praises, come up before me !- many of them still living, but some gone where the music far ex- cels all the music of earth.


In my pastorate here it has been my endeavor, as a main object, to lead you, my people, to an accurate knowledge of the Word of God. It is for this reason that I have gone over connectedly, after the good old plan, so many of the books of the Bible in courses of lecturing, both on the Sab- bath and at the weekly service. Besides this, I have aimed to set forth prominently the great fundamental truths of God's way of salvation, to put clearly before you the be- ing and character of God, the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit, and the characteristics of a true believer in Him. I have endeavored to teach and warn and exhort all classes, young and older, trying not to hide anything that I believed God's Word taught, and which was at the time profitable for you to hear. I have sought earnestly to show you, too, that all of God's Word is of ser- vice, and not merely such parts as some people often think to be so; and who hence call such parts practical, simply because such parts have reference to ourselves, or our own times or our present condition. Hence I have set before you God's purposes toward His Church in the future, which are so constantly presented m the Scripture as a power to lift us up above this present world, and to gird us with spiritual strength and to sanctify. And therefore I have taught you not only concerning the person and work of our Lord, but of His coming again and of His kingdom; the certainty of His kingdom which is to be established on this earth renewed; the future redemption and return of Israel and Israel's position in the earth ; and, in general, of God's designs toward that people as set forth in the Scripture, and through them to all the nations of the earth. And I have , endeavored to impress upon you the high and holy calling


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of the Christian CHURCH as a separated people, chosen out of the world, set apart to a singular service, and appointed to a singularly glorious destiny-the glorified bride of God's dear Son-the fullness, or completion of Christ, to "sit with Him on His throne, as He also overcame and is seated with the Father upon His throne."


As one looks back over a pastorate of thirty-six years, given into his hands by the Holy Ghost, who alone makes pastors overseers of the flock of God, none can tell, so well as he can tell himself, his failings; or know as he knows the deep humiliation which fills his soul, in the clear sight which he has (notwithstanding his consciousness of sincerity and in- tegrity) of his weakness of endeavor, of his failures, of his probable mistakes, of his misuse or feeble use of opportu- nities, of his poor attainments, and of the poverty of the apparent fruits of his labors compared with what he feels they might have been. None can estimate him to be less than he judges himself to be. And it is the uplifting joy of the pastor's heart that he serves a Master so considerate, so ready to judge things with tender forbearance, and whose rewards will outreach all the hopes of his people.


At the same time he is bound to say that, in the midst of all this, he is conscious of having sought to know and to do God's will among you ; and that his prayer for every one of you all has continually been that the Lord might save you and make you "perfect and complete in all the will of God, and preserve you unto His heavenly glory." It is all gone by now-the teachings, the exhortations, the warnings, the encouragements, the prayers, the wrestlings, the tears- gone to meet us in the presence of the Lord, and the re- sults fully known only to HIM. May " His mercy be meted. out to us, both pastor and people, in that day !"


When I came here there were on the communion-roll 233 names, of which there were then on the ground 142; of these only three are now here, and the abodes of eleven others are unknown. Since my coming the number enrolled has risen to 900, or nearly 700 additional names, an average


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of close upon twenty year by year. Of these between one- third and one-half have been added upon confession of their faith. There have been seasons, of course, when many. more have been added than at other times. And during the last ten years the fruits, owing to our present circum- stances, have been much less than in previous times. But the above is the average for the whole period. How many of these have left us to go up higher ! And how many, still well remembered and well beloved, have gone out from us to become diligent workers for the Lord in other fields, and whom we still carry upon our hearts in prayer that they may be perfected in holiness and "kept by the power of God through faith unto the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." As I look back over that roll, with what tender and varied remembrances is this holy place asso- ciated. Here have I seen many among you led to the Lord. Here have I seen your children, too, openly profess Christ. Here have I seen my own children and children's children brought to the Lord's table. How have I rejoiced here over every hearty movement in carrying on Christ's work in the congregation, or for the help of the Lord's cause at home or abroad ! What joy have I had in every soul that has been earnest in the Lord's service! And so, too, how has my heart known its own bitterness by the backwardness or the coldness or the decline of any who have professed the name of Christ, and by those who have been insensible to all appeals and have never openly acknowledged their fealty to Him. As a matter of fact it is a cheering thought that during this long course of years we have had very few cases indeed of serious discipline by the Session. So far as we know, by far the larger part have walked becomingly and many heartily for the Lord. The Lord himself clear and cleanse us all, pastor and people, and forgive and own us according to that infinite love of His which is perfect and divine.


During these long years I have publicly spoken to you in the name of the Lord very much more than 5,000 times, with -.


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out including more than 1,000 addresses at prayer-meetings, or other religious gatherings, or the hundreds of funeral ad- dresses. At the Lord's table, where we have often known such precious influences, we have sat together as a church nearly one hundred and fifty times. I have baptized 478 persons, of which just 50 were adults, baptized on profes- sion of their faith. I have solemnized during my residence here 352 marriages ; in some cases those of the parents and then of their children after them. I have attended 731 funerals ; while, during the whole of my ministry, I have as- sisted in putting into the grave, one by one, considerably over 1,000 persons. Do you wonder that to an old minister life seems so very short?


There are to-day, notwithstanding all our changes, still on the ground or within a certain proximity (on the Heights, or in New York City), 121 communicants, or within about a score of the number who were on the ground when I came to this church, more than thirty-six years ago.


And now we must separate as pastor and people. A week ago last Tuesday, the Presbytery of Jersey City, in reply to my proposal and your acquiescence in the same under the circumstances, agreed to the severance of the bond which has so long bound us together.


I need not detail at length the reasons which have led to this change. For years both you and I have been looking forward to the removal of this congregation to other quarters as inevitable-the result of causes operating in all our large cities. For six or eight years, however, when I have spoken of it, you have found that you were not able to see where to betake yourselves and start afresh, and you were not ready to take the step of separating from each other as a congre- gation and seeking other church homes. Indeed this is even now one of the sorest parts of the present trial. Hence, for a decade past we have continued together, hold- ing the building still." And you have, therefore, very liber- ally been subscribing, year by year, in advance, what was fore-


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seen to be necessary to meet the following year's expenses. But now the point is reached where you are persuaded that' it is hopeless to keep on in our present quarters. The depart- ure of one family after another to other cities continues. And also, at last, the building itself is so much in need of repair as to make it necessary to take some decisive step- either to repair it, if the prospect of remaining here is at all hopeful, or to sell it and remove elsewhere, if a position not now occupied in the lower part of the city is to be secured. After much consideration by all concerned you have decid- ed that it is hopeless to remain in our present quarters. True indeed it is, that there are still in communion with this church 178 persons. But of these, 39 are residing out of the city ; 31 have gone to parts unknown, and have long been thus absent ; and 6 have withdrawn to other commun- ions. Our number is thus much reduced. True also it is, as I have already stated, that reckoning name by name, there are still actually on the ground and within a reasonable distance (although some of these only very rarely attend), 102 communicants. And there are 19 more residing either on the Heights, or in the city of New York, who occasion- ally come to our services, making in all 121 communicants. That is to say, that, with all our changes, there are, as al- ready stated, still accessible, within 21 of the number of those who were on the ground when I came here thirty-six years ago. But then, this fact is accompanied with two great differences in the cases. In the first place, there was at that time a strong tide of population setting in upon this city who were in the habit of attending church ; and second- ly, these, for the most part, settled down quite near, or at any rate not at all remote from this centre. At present all this is changed. Our former communicants are leaving the city year by year, although we do gather in some to take their places; and besides, those who come, settle most generally in homes remote from this locality. It is true, also, that even as the case stands, the church is still fully strong enough in communicants and attendants to under-


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take a new enterprise and life in some other and hopeful quarter of the city. But, as is well known, such a move- ment is precluded by the fact that there is no such place on this side of the Heights for us to resort to now. The posi- tions within the limits of. old Jersey City which we once might have occupied are now already taken ; and to remove to the Heights at this time would be premature, and would also carry us away from the vicinity of those who now at- tend our services. All therefore judge it best to do as we have long foreseen must eventually be done, and as has now been agreed upon. It is a comfort that the flourishing Sabbath-school is to be continued. Under the efficient man- agement of the present Superintendent and teachers, sup- plemented, we may hope, by the labor of others living in the neighborhood, it may possibly grow to something more.


I take this occasion to say, that in all this long pastorate I have met with constant tokens of kindness and friendship and respect from the youngest up to those who are oldest. In all our meetings of the Session, and since the earlier years of my ministry here, in all our intercourse with the Boards of Trustees, and with all the people of this charge, not one root of bitterness has sprung up to trouble and defile us- not a ripple of opposition to mar our harmony. What a cause for gratitude is this ! Let us give thanks for it to God, who rules all hearts. And we close to-day, with, so far as I know, the heartiest love on both sides. All of us are sorry for this change in our relations, and also for our necessary removal from this our old habitation, where we have so long worshipped God together, and sat together at the Lord's table. At the same time, as was well observed by the President of the Board of Trustees at the congrega- tional meeting held on last Wednesday evening, "all of us are agreed that the steps now taken were the wisest to be taken." It is so thought also by the Presbytery. It is so judged by the friends of the church, far and near, so far as I have heard, however much they may regret the necessity for the change. Your own action in all this matter as a


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church and congregation, and your past history as a church called forth warm words of praise in the recorded resolu- tions of the Presbytery as you heard read on Wednesday evening last. As to your thoughtful and generous care of myself in the future, this also deserves and has received from the Presbytery and from others hearty approval and com- mendation. And as to my being now largely set aside by this change from my usual work, let me say to you : Do not be concerned on this account. It is true that by God's great kindness I am still in good health and active, and am able to perform all the labors of the pastorate. But in my seventy- fourth year I could not expect to be, nor could you expect me to be, for any long time, actively useful. So that you may well believe that we have continued .together, so far as that is concerned, as long as was suitable, and that we have agreed to the sundering of the tie which bound us together, only when, at the longest, it must, in the course of nature, have been sundered soon. It is a gracious providence of God which enables me to say that our relation to each other is to be sundered only by a felt necessity and with a mutual esteem and regret on both sides. As to my future oversight for you and my willingness to aid, in any way possible to me, your spiritual interests, for which you have expressed your desire to me and to the Presbytery, and to further which the Presbytery, at your request, has assigned me the position of Moderator of the Session of the church; that is a matter of course. I need not dwell upon it. As Samuel said, in his old age, to Israel : "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you ; only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart." For all the many tokens of kindness in words or acts which I or mine have received from you who are here or from those who were once of our number but are now gone elsewhere, I return my hearty thanks. May the Lord himself repay you.


The Sabbath-school, as I have said, is to be continued, and this congregation will, I doubt not, entertain a warm


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interest in its success. Our hope is that it may, in some way, lead, in the nearer or more remote future, to a church with regular services in some part of the city, and may thus pre- serve the old name and organization. Our Superintendent and teachers will work, as far as possible, toward that end.


It is very pleasant to state that our old friends, the Con- sistory of the First Reformed Church in Grand Street, have very graciously accorded to the Sabbath-school the use of their building when this building shall have been sold. And this congregation, on Wednesday evening last, authorized the school to remove and use our lecture-room furniture for their accommodation.


As another act of Christian kindness, let me say, that through the rector of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church (Rev. Mr. Holbrook) our congregation has been offered the free use of their lecture-room on any particular occasion when this congregation may wish to hold meetings, upon any evening of the week except Wednesdays. We heartily acknowledge these graceful acts of Christian courtesy.


And now all is closed. As we stand here still, beloved, for a few moments longer as pastor and people, let me re- mind you that this change is but one incident by the way, of which there are so many occurring as time passes on. The great event is beyond. That will never pass away. That claims, as nothing here can claim, the heart's deep feelings and earnestness. Besides, let us not forget that whatever has been here well done will remain, notwith- standing all outside mutations. Other churches-even apos- tolic ones like those of Ephesus and Smyrna and Thyatira and Colosse-have gone, but the fruits of these remain for- ever, garnered by the Lord above. And so of this church, organized 44 years ago this very month, what a history and influence, known fully only to God, has the service of those 44 years achieved. These walls then may go, and other purposes be carried forward upon this now sacred site, yet the prayer, the faith, the love, the hope, the deeds of Chris- 8


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tian endeavor here witnessed and here nourished will re- main. They are with God. Oh! that He may keep us, to meet in that day, and gather eternally the fruits of our joint labors put forth under the influences of this sanctuary. Let us not forget, either, the solemn statement of the apostle Peter in the passage which I read to-day in your hearing : " The end of all things is at hand." "Why, then," (it has well been asked,) "need we dwell sorrowfully on these things which happen only on the way?" They are all plainly hastening away. The great reality is THERE-yon- der : THE KING! THE COMING JUDGE! who shall give to every one according as his work shall be.


" Brief life is here our portion, Brief sorrow, short-lived care; The life that knows no ending, The tearless life is there. O happy retribution, Short toil, eternal rest ;


For mortals and for sinners, A mansion with the blest. 1


" The morning shall awaken, The shadows shall decay, And each true-hearted servant Shall shine as doth the day. Then God, our King and portion, In fullness of His Grace, Shall we behold forever, And worship face to face."


It is a noticeable coincidence brought unexpectedly to my recollection that this very day fifty years ago (April 29, 1838), I stood up to preach my first sermon. It was in a school-house near Princeton, New Jersey, when I was still a theological student. How well do I remember that scene- the long walk in the Sabbath evening to the place, the dim tallow-candles on the school desk used for a pulpit, the as- sembled audience sitting in the shadow, and the young preacher, timid and anxious, as he rose to publish his first


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message of the Gospel of Christ. And now, just half a cen- tury later this very day, I close my long pastorate with you.


And now a closing word of exhortation :


First, To any who may yet be unsettled as to their choice of Christ.


Some of such may have heard my voice as their minister for years and years gone by. Others of them may still be young. Oh! you who have so long listened to heaven's music of invitation, and who, up to this very hour, have failed to be decided, still lingering on the other side with the unbelieving, rejecting world, what shall be the end for you there, yonder ? Can it be possible that you will meet with Him only to be cast out? Must these years of ministry testify against you? By the love of God and His forbearance toward you, I beseech you to-day, harden your heart no longer. To-day believe and commit your soul to Christ and follow Him. And you who are young, and who yet also stand among the undecided; shall I fail, in part- ing, once more to speak to you, whom I have so often ad- dressed, beseeching you to seek the Lord at once? I do it with tender importunity. Jesus Christ says to you, as to all : The way is open-so fully, widely open-to him who is ready to enter, that none can shut it against him. But it requires decision to enter it. "Strait is the gate and nar- row is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it ; because wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat." " He that layeth not down all that he hath and taketh not up his cross, cannot be His disciple." Oh ! my young friend ! have you decision enough to enter the gate now? Is the glory of heaven bright enough in your eyes to let the world go, and make sure of the life to come? " Him that believeth in Me and confesseth Me before men," says Christ, " I will confess in the presence of My Father and the holy angels." Once more you have life and death set be- fore you. Will you fail, after all, of the grace of God !


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Secondly, But to you who have confessed His name.


Some of you have long followed Him. You know by experience His faithfulness. He has led us thus far. He will never forsake you. Others of you are young as believ- ers-in many cases children of the covenant, presented in baptism by your believing parents, and afterward, when arrived at years of sufficient knowledge, you have confessed Christ as your personal Redeemer. To you all I say : There is still a conflict ; the battle yet rages ; the " wicked spirits in high places," of which the apostle speaks, always have access to us here. They are always full of malice and of cunning devices to entrap and lead us astray ; always bent on overthrowing and ruining us. And they would surely and necessarily succeed but for our ever-present de- fense-God and His grace and His protection and His de- liverance. His promise, His power, His faithfulness, are our rest and hope. Yes, the battle yet rages, nor will the fight be done until the Master calls you home. Remember then- and I speak now to all such present to-day, including the many who were once with us, but are now removed, and whose familiar faces we are all glad once more to behold in this assembly,-remember :


I. First : That it is the GRACE of God which saves you- free, unmerited, and most real grace. You are looked upon by the Father as standing in Christ ; not in yourselves, and therefore as possessing by God's grace what Jesus Christ has won for you ; accepted of God in your persons and in your services rendered to Him. Oh! let yourselves go, I beseech you ; let yourselves go ; and let your thoughts ever turn to behold what you possess (according to God's testi- mony) in Christ. HIS righteousness clothes you, and it has no spot-HIS cross has adjudged and atoned for and removed your sins forever, and has opened Heaven's treas- ures to you. The Holy Spirit is yours and dwells in you because you are Christ's and are in Christ. And abiding in Him, He ensures your preservation all the way through to eternal glory.


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2. Remember next : That God's Word is your guide and not man's word. What great and persistent attempts are made in this day to set that Word aside, by theories pro- fessedly built on insubvertible foundations, but which van- ish after about a score of years to give place to some new one. Oh! keep that Word ever before you. Read it con- stantly and study it and teach it as the Word of the living God to your children. Begin every day by meeting God as He speaks to you in it, and speak you in prayer back again to Him. Let no man deceive you. You are begotten of the truth of God. You are nourished by God's truth. You grow in grace by growing in the knowledge of God's Son as the Word reveals Him. Be not, therefore, by any con- sideration drawn away from that Word, nor ever be tempted to undervalue it, or to doubt it, or to substitute other things for it as your guide. And never be content, I charge you, to listen to any religious teacher who doubts about it, or who ignores it, or who undervalues it, or who is willing ·to accept and teach only parts of it as God's Word, or who upholds his teachings by other considerations than that Word's divine authority from Heaven, "thus saith the Lord."


3. Remember next: Your position as one bought by Christ's own blood, and therefore as not your own, but be- longing to Him, your Lord. And remember, too, the po- sition of yourself and of His whole Church, in this life, as not of this world, but called by grace out of this world- separated from it, in spirit, in desires, in aims, in life-as a home, as an inheritance, as a country. Remember that your real life is a hidden life to the eyes of the world-a life really unknown by the men of the world and unrelished by them just so far as it is known ; a life that is hidden with Christ in God, and to be revealed in its glory only when the Lord comes. It is not a life which exhibits itself by its brilliant eminences of wealth or station or worldly honor here. It is not a life revealing its excellence and attractiveness by its dignities seen in this world, either in State or even in the




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