USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > The North Reformed Church, Newark, New Jersey : the addresses delivered in connection with the observance of the fiftieth anniversary, Dec. 10-17, 1906 > Part 5
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Some are discussing the problems which con- front the future of a church located as this church is located, and are saying that in these day of prosperity I should spend my time striv- ing to raise an endowment to safe-guard the future of the Church. The pastor of a well-known church in the city declares that by reason of the rapidly changing character of the city and the large influx of foreign popula- tion, a generation hence there will not be an Eng- lish speaking Protestant Church between the Lackawanna Railroad and Lincoln Park that is not supported by an endowment. I am sure I do not know how this will be. Should God put it into the hearts of some of our wealthy members and friends to give towards an endowment for the North Church, it would be most gratefully re- ceived. I feel, however, that if we do our work well, God will safeguard the future of the Church
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The glory of the North Church is that it is a Church of the people. As long as we make our- selves useful, we shall have a future. That we may, let us lay aside everything that would keep us from serving the community and saving those for whom Christ died.
Let me speak next of the race. "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us."
These fifty years have not been without results. Indeed in some respects, the growth of the Church has been remarkable. Figures tell little. Perhaps it is enough in the way of statistics, to say that during these fifty years, 2664 persons have united with this church, 1526 of whom are now on the active roll, and 237 others on the re- tired roll. The contributions, as reported in the minutes of General Synod, have amounted to $1,009,245 ; of which $491,258 was for benevo- lent and missionary causes. This, however, gives but a small part of the results of church work. What figures can express the value of just one soul redeemed by the blood of Christ.
But we have not finished our work. We can- not live on the past. The past gives us incentive, but our work is before us. Someone took Gypsy Smith through a church that was one hundred and fifty years old. The walls were adorned by tablets to the memory of departed pastors and benefactors. In his enthusiasm the guide said : "This is a great historic church." Gypsy Smith
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replied by asking "How many conversions did you have last year?" "We don't go in for that sort of thing here," answered his companion." We are an historic church." But a church cannot live on its history. The biggest and best thing about the North Church is its future. From the human standpoint, our face is toward the morning. It is a safe estimate to say that four-fifths of the com. municants of this church are under forty-five years of age. When we come to speak of our prospects from the standpoint of grace, there can be no doubt that the best is yet to be.
What of the future? I trust we shall continue to work along the old lines.
I hope this church will continue to be a soul- seeking, soul-winning church, evangelistic as well as evangelical. I thank God for a consistory that believes in the value of a human soul, and whose members in dealing with souls, strive to be, not official inquisitors, jealous for the claims of dog- ma, but shepherds anxious to see the lost in the fold.
We must keep our Sunday schools in the fore- front. To them is due to a large extent, the rapid growth of this church. We have no more im- portant work to foster and support, and we must see that our Sunday schools have every material facility for their complete equipment and admin- istration. In addition, in so far as God permits, let us give ourselves to the work.
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As you know, I have thought an enlarged field of usefulness might be entered by this church through work to be conducted in a suggested par- ish house, but so far the funds for this work have not been forthcoming, and until they are, I con- clude that God means us to work on with our present tools, and that when the time comes for this larger work, the means will be provided.
I trust that whatever else we may be or do, we shall continue to be a missionary church, loyal to the Master's command: "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," refusing to stint ourselves to a narrow corner, but anxious to have the largest share possible in the extension and establishment of Christ's king- dom in the earth.
If we shall continue thus, we need not be alarmed by reason of the fact that we are a down- town church. There will be no danger that our candle-stick will be removed out of its place. Our endowment will be our value to the community, and that kind of an endowment is not affected by market fluctuations. Let us run the race. Let us not walk it nor crawl it. Let us not be satis- fied with merely holding our own. The King's business requireth haste. We cannot afford to do what we have to do in any but the best way nor on any but the fastest schedule. Death comes creeping on for the generation before me. What we would do, should be done at once.
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REV. HASBROUCK DUBOIS, Second Minister, 1859-1861.
ANNIVERSARY SERMON
The fourth thing in my text is the cross, "Who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame."
We must never allow the fact that Christianity is the religion of a cross, to fall into the back- ground. However fast we run or steadfastly we stand or earnestly we contend, we must never get far from Calvary.
The cross is our theme. This Church has nev- er had a minister who was ashamed to preach the cross or who hesitated to proclaim the sacrificial merit of a crucified Redeemer. I pray it may never have! The cross is our power. Souls are. redeemed by the blood of the cross. It is the Christ on the Cross who draws all men unto him. It is the church with a cross that is to reach and lift the lost world. The only church with a fu- ture is the church with a cross. In this sign we conquer.
Let us endure the cross. Let us never be ashamed of it. The church is never so well equipped to run the race as when weighed down by the cross. By stooping to the despised and lowly, the church wins. It must make itself of no reputation as Christ did, and as it does, it ac- quires power.
The last thing in the text is the throne. "And is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Christianity is also the religion of a throne. The road marked by a cross leads to a crown. He who
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follows Christ to Calvary is on his way to coron- ation. We are moving toward the throne. The Church is bound to win if only it remains true to its mission. There is no such thing as ship-wreck for the old Ship of Zion. It will outweather every storm and reach port at last.
Let us plan and toil and preach and pray with the throne on the horizon, with the cross by the roadside and the crown at the journey's end. It is coming. He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied. The stone that was disal- lowed by the builders is become the head of the corner. The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ. Hal- lelujah !
These are the five things in the text-the cloud, the weight, the race, the cross, and the throne. In the midst is the person whose inspiring and sus- taining presence hovers over and hallows all the way. The person is Christ. We have Him. "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."
Jesus is best of all. He is part of our audience. He is in our cloud of glory. He transforms weights to wings. Ever and anon He speaks to us by the way and cheers us in His blessed work. He has sanctified the cross, for He hung there. He glorifies the throne, for He is set down at its right hand. He is the author and finisher of our
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faith, and through Him we are more than con- querors.
We have Christ for the future. He is our great, our permanent, our imperishable endowment. Christ is our holy hope, our exceeding great re- ward. Nothing done for Him can ever fail, and we cannot do too much.
During the early history of Christianity it is said that one day the news came to the Emper- or in Rome that forty of the gladiators had be- come Christians. He ordered them to recant, and decreed that all who refused should be car- ried to the wildest, bleakest and most desolate spot that could be found in the frozen north, and there, without clothing, food or shelter, turned out to die. The Emperor's decree was announced to the converts, and to a man they refused to give up their faith in Christ. In charge of a guard of Roman soldiers, they were deported in compli- ance with the edict, and in the wildest and bleak- est spot that could be found, amid the snows and the cutting blasts, with neither clothing nor food they were dismissed.
That night as the Roman officer lay sleeping in his tent, he was awakened by a strange sound borne in upon him by the winter winds. As he listened this is what he heard.
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"Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Christ ; Ask of Him the victory, and claim for Him the crown !"
He sat up, startled by their strange chant, in that wild region, and again the words came clear and strong from the throats of the Christians.
He began to reflect on the sublimity of the cause that could inspire such enthusiasm, and of the glory of the leader who could command such devotion, as all night long at intervals the chant continued. Towards morning, a wretched crea- ture, bleeding, benumbed, and almost frozen, fell through the tent door and begged of the officer to be allowed to recant. "Art thou the only one of all the forty," asked the Roman, "that durst do this?" "The only one," the apostate answered. "Then by the gods," cried the Roman leader, as he tore his garments from him and cast them on the wretched creature at his feet, "I will have thy place with those who follow Christ." And out into the snow and the cutting winds of the deso- late wilderness he went, and soon again, the chant unbroken rose to God:
Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Christ ;
Ask of Him the victory, and claim for Him the crown !"
We have a cause that is sublime and a Leader most glorious. Let us try to catch the undying
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enthusiasm, the unconquerable heroism and de- votion of these early Christians. In a sense, let us make the old chant a watchword for the com- ing years. Not forty, but a church, a thousand five hundred strong, wrestling for Christ,
Ask of Him the victory, and claim for Him the Crowe!
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ANNIVERSARY POEM
REV JAMES DEMAREST, D. D, Third Minister, 1863-1866.
THE JUBILEE POEM "THY WAY IS IN THE SANCTUARY" BY
MRS. MARGARET E. SANGSTER
We come, O Lord, with song and feast To keep our jubilee, And from the greatest to the least We render thanks to Thee. For thou hast been our strength and stay, Thine own this house of prayer, The century's half, as but a day, Beneath Thy constant care.
Here oft hath been Thy table spread, Here have we seen Thy face, And in the breaking of the bread Have felt Thy pardoning grace. Here have we brought our joy and mirth, Our trials and our tears ; Here have we known the soul's new birth, And lived triumphant years.
How thick the fragrant memories throng Within these courts of praise ; What myriad music thrills the song Exultantly we raise.
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How light have seemed the toil and task, How trivial pain and loss ; While reverently this boon we ask To share with Christ the cross.
Church of our covenant God, to-day, Church of the living Christ, Church of the Holy Comforter, We keep a solemn tryst, A mighty host, unseen, but near, Meet in this jubilee ; They lift their voices, sweet and clear, Beside the crystal sea.
Dear saints who left us long ago, Or only yesterday, Victorious o'er the final foe, With us they praise and pray.
The church below, the church above, That church is ever one, Fast bound by cords of deathless love, To the eternal Son.
Our faith forecasts the years to be, Yet shall the preacher tell, Until the latest jubilee, Thy fame, Immanuel. Yet shalt Thou make Thy dwelling place In hearts that throb and break, So ardent are they in the race, So eager for Thy sake.
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We come, O Lord, with song and feast, As they who bring the sheaves, And from the greatest to the least, Each soul its tribute leaves. Thine own, O Lord, this house of prayer And wholly Thine are we; We keep beneath Thy guardian care, Our Golden Jubilee.
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GREETINGS
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GREETINGS.
BY
THE REV'D. GEORGE S. BISHOP, D. D.
AM here this evening, Dear Brethren, through your kind invitation, to represent the Reformed Church in bringing you greetings upon the Fiftieth Anniversary of your existence as a separate Communion.
The Reformed Church in Newark has had a history for which we may indeed thank God. For more than a century the Belleville Church stood alone in all this region. In the year 1832 we had not a single congregation in Newark where time honored Presbyterianism had from the beginning, held sway and the Protestant Epis- copal Church had also a record which went far back into the 18th century.
To-day we have seventeen large and flourishing churches on this ground and in this immediate vicinity, with an aggregate of between 6,000 and 7,000 communicants ; nor in zeal nor in benevo- lence nor in evangelistic fervor, would we willing- ly be second to any.
The formation of a Dutch Church was the re- sult of a spontaneous movement on the part of some who felt that there was still room for a church which might beautifully blend a holy rev- erence in form and order with those most prec-
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ious doctrines of Eternal Grace, which, founding in the deep depravity of fallen man, cast him, for all, upon the sovereignty of God in Salvation.
These glorious truths, accompanied by the glow of an assurance which, taking the promise of God in all its full reality, passes, by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ at once, from death un- to life, have always been proclaimed from this pulpit, and it is to their power under God that this church has come to be the leading church of our Classis, and one of the strongest in our whole denomination which universally echoes the greet- ing we bring.
The church in Orange has peculiar reason for a voice on this occasion, as it was in the Lecture Room of this church that the first meeting, look- ing toward our organization, was held. Never shall I forget the welcome extended to me, at that time, by the venerable Benjamin C. Taylor, then living, and by many other devoted ministers who have since ceased from their labors and received their crown.
We in Orange have always cherished a special veneration and affection for you, dear Brethren. We owed so much in our early history to the sympathy and help of the noble Peter S. Duryee, to the advice of that broad minded and colossal Christian, the Hon. Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, to Dr. Hart and others who lent us inspiration and the enthusiasm to go forward.
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REV. CHARLES E. HART, D. D., Fourth Minister, 1866-1880.
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GREETINGS
The Classis recalls to-night, the long succession of distinguished pastors who have led and fed you, upon whom the mantle of the sainted Pol- hemus fell and rests ; whose dying words are ever to you like an opened heaven-"I see Jesus, and my soul is raivshed at the sight."
To-night, how great a cloud of witnesses sur- rounds us, interested spectators, nay part of your very selves, beckoning you upward and onward! How is the atmosphere above us and beneath this roof crowded with the spirits of just men and women made perfect, who were once sharers in these lower scenes of worship, who now revisit them, a choir invisible. These bring you greet- ings, and cry to you. All hail !
Here angels greet you who have touched their harps to newer notes of joy, as, poised upon still wing, they listened to the good confession of re- turning penitents who have found rest in the Good Shepherd's arms.
Above all, Heaven disparts, rolls back its gates of pearl, while Jesus, rising from His throne, comes down the golden streets and through the bending myriads of Principalities and Powers to say to you "Fear not! I walk among the Candle- sticks, I hold the stars in my right hand. Behold I have set before thee an open door and no man can shut it. I am your pledge of victory. I am your great Reward."
Greetings! Greetings ! From the church mili-
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tant, from the church triumphant, from the holy Angels, from the rainbow spanned and jasper throne, beyond the riven veil, whither the Fore- runner is for us entered Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day and forever.
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Brethren and sisters of the North Reformed Church, while thus the recipients of multiplied and heavenly congratulations, while thus inherit- ing the lessons and the encouragements and the prophecies of the past, may you continue to set forth Christ crucified, the Power of God and the Wisdom of God unto salvation, ever looking for and hasting His appearing ; and meanwhile shar- ing those influences of His blessed ministry which alone can render the Gospel effective upon wider and wider horizons, until, should He still tarry, the work of one generation, handed on to its successors, both quick and dead, shall unite to swell the mighty volume of ascription, rolling through celestial regions. "Hallelujah ! Hallelu- jah! the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth! Unto Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, be glory and dominion, forever and ever. Amen !"
May the churches of our classis, yes of our whole denomination, stimulated by your exam- ple, put on their beautiful garments, and shine forth, clear as the sun, fair as the moon, and ter- rible as an army with banners, ever pressing for- ward to the conquest of the world for Jesus.
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GREETINGS
The churches of our common Brotherhood sa- lute you. Grace be with you all. Amen.
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BY
THE REV'D DAVID R. FRAZER, D. D.
HEN I read in the New York Tri- bune in its issue, I think, of Decem- ber the eighth, the arrangements made for this gathering, the thing that impressed me most was the mention of the fact that the venerable pastor of Newark's Mother Church would speak a piece.
I have been called a great many things in my day. I have been addressed as "His Reverence," but have never been overpowered with reverence. I have been addressed as "Doctor," but the only useful end that title subserves is to save me the annoyance of saying. "don't you do it." But the venerable ! the venerable! Well, I suppose when a man gets within seven months of three-score years and ten, the time allotted to human proba- tion, he may begin to think he is venerable, and one of the infallible signs of age is when a man begins to talk about the things which happened when he was a boy. So, to-night, my memory runs back to my boyhood days. I left Baltimore fifty years ago for the good of my native place ; but the reminiscence that I have is as regards a peculiar observance of Easter Monday. Now, the services of that day were always introduced
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by a fireman's fight. The problem which con- fronted me at that time was how I could get out of bed and out of the house without my mother catching me. I used to solve the problem, how- ever, and I can remember one Easter day, when a fight was in progress, and as I reached the me- lee I saw a brick lying very conveniently in front of me. That brick became a mighty temptation to me, as I thought if I could pick it up and throw it, I, too, would join the bouts.
So I reached down and took the brick and threw it, and it just went over the head of the foremost fireman who was fighting on my side. A great big fellow turned around and "cobbed" me. I do not know if that is a Baltimore provin- cialism or not. (Turning to Dr. Vance)-I shall not attempt to define the word further, but if you will step out, I will give you an object lesson. He cobbed me; then he cursed me; and then he called me a kid, and told me the best thing I could do was to go back to bed.
Can you imagine the humiliation of a small boy ;- cobbed and cursed and called a kid and re- manded to bed? Oh, the utter humiliation ! I have never lost the sensation I experienced that day.
When the great Napoleon stood with his army on the Lybian desert at Ghizeh, confronted on one side by the Sphinx and on the other by the Great Pyramid, pointing to the topmost peak of that pyramid, and turning to his soldiers, he said,
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"Forty generations look down upon you from yonder height !" *
Now, you dear people of North Church, don't think that pointing to the old Mother Church I am going to say, "Two hundred and forty years look down upon you this day." I was not going to say such a thing. You know, I remember the humiliation that I experienced when I was a boy.
I am here to-night to bring the cheer of the old Mother Church to represent the Presbyter- ians of this city, who are all rejoicing with you in the great prosperity of the fifty years which is just passing into history. While I have been re- joicing with you, I have been studying the under- lying cause of your great success, and I believe I could tell you why you have been so prosperous. I think I could tell you why everything is bright and successful. Behold, your pastors are all trained Presbyterians ! If you want to see its monument-behold it! (Turning to those seated on the platform).
Now, we are perfectly willing to train minis- ters for the Dutch Church, only we hope that you are not going to make another raid on the fold. We hope you won't want any more Presbyterian ministers for many, many long years to come. We hope the man you have is going to stay, and certainly he has every encouragement and every reason for staying, and you have reason for giv- ing him the most hearty and cordial support.
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You have been having a great time on your fiftieth anniversary.
At the battle of Meanee, just in the very crisis of the day, a young officer rushed unbidden into the tent of Lord Napier. The great general was studying out the plan of campaign, for the con- flict was at its height. The young officer said, "My Lord, we have taken a standard !" The great general paid no attention to the remark. He was studying the map and outlining the plan of bat- tle. Being very much impressed with the im- portance of the message, the young officer ex- claimed again "My Lord, we have taken a stand- ard !" Still, the great general paid no attention to the young officer, and continued to study the map he had before him. Being more than ever im- pressed with the importance of his news, the young officer seized his general, and grasping him by the shoulder, excitedly shouted, "My Lord, we have taken a standard." Turning on him his Lordship said "Confound you, go take another one !"
You people have been having a great time over your fifty years, con-no-just slip down a letter in the alphabet-and congratulate you. I con- gratulate you on a history that no church need blush to own-a history attesting to the most loy- al and successful service for the Great Master. Now, you are going on for fifty years more.
According to an old Aztec legend, human pro-
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REV. DAVID WATERS, L.L. D., Fifth Minister, 1881-1893.
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GREETINGS
bation was allotted to man in aeons of twenty- five years. You can very easily imagine the trepidation which came into the hearts of these savage people as the last day of an aeon ap- proached. They then gathered in the great am- pitheatre, surrounded by towering mountains, and there observed the method of the worship of their church; and as the hour approached in which the dispensation should end, or a fresh lease of probation be given, they bowed their heads, and then in all solemnity they watched the topmost peak of the highest mountain.
When, at the appointed hour, a priest came over the mountain top holding up a glittering, glowing, burning cross, they knew that another new aeon had been introduced for their proba- tion, and that for another twenty-five years more human life would be extended.
Dear Brothers, you are going out into the next twenty-five years, and into the next fifty years. Oh, over our mount of privilege comes a vision not of a glittering but of a bloody cross! And, under the inspiration that comes from the Master who loved us and gave Himself for us, may the , grand achievements of the past fifty years sink into utter insignificance as compared with the larger and greater and grander work you shall do for Christ and His Church in the years which are to come, and, with maternal church greetings
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GOLDEN JUBILEE-NORTH REFORMED CHURCH and congratulations receive the maternal benedic- .
tion !
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GREETINGS
BY
THE REV'D LOUIS SHREVE OSBORNE
Y dear Doctor Vance and Officers and Members of the North Reformed Church :
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