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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01148 9835
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/collectionofhist00jame
"A JUBILEE SHALL THAT FIFTIETH YEAR BE UNTO YOU" LEV. 25:11
A COLLECTION
OF
HISTORICAL RECORDS
OF THE
State Street Presbyterian Church
OF ALBANY, NEW YORK
Compiled in connection with the SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
BY ROBERT C. JAMES
1861-1911
-
James, Robert C Collection of Historical records of the State Street Presbyterian Church of Albany New York, 1861-1911
Amarillo
.
1954245
8888888888888888888
Mary E. Bivins Memorial Library Amarillo, Texas
888888888
Presented by
MRS. DAVID VITALI December, 1970
88888888889
3888 388
38888888
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2
Rip. 929.309749
NOTE
In collecting these annals many items of interest have neces- sarily been omitted. It is hoped, however, that what has been written will prove of interest to its readers, and perhaps of use to future historians of the Church. The material has been largely culled from " Munsell's Annals," the "History of the Bi-Centennial of Albany " and the Church Records; and valued assistance has been received from the pastor, Rev. Charles G. Sewall, Charles Irving Oliver and officers of the women's societies.
On behalf of the Church, it is requested that if any one notes an important omission in these annals, or is reminded of a letter or document in his possession, which might be of value in some future collection, he will place the information or material at the disposal of the Church.
MARCH 28, 1911
R. C. J. -
,
Historical Records
of
The State Street Presbyterian Church
Rev. Dr. William B. Sprague, a former Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, writing to Dr. James in 1871, speaks thus of the inception of The State Street Presbyterian Church :
" You know of course that the nucleus of your congregation was from the Second Church. I was so deeply impressed with the importance of having another Presbyterian Church in Albany that I expressed a wish from the pulpit that a sufficient number might withdraw from our Church to form it; but there were some who objected to it, and, on the whole, no movement was made in that direction. After waiting what I deemed a suit- able time, I renewed the request with still greater urgency, and the consequence was, that, contrary to the expressed wishes of several individuals, a goodly number determined to withdraw and form a new Church. If you will come and see me, as I hope you will, I will show you a magnificent chair, with a very kind inscription upon it, which came to me, I think on the second New Year's day after the Church was formed, as a token of good will from those who had been under my pastoral charge. I rejoice that you are now among them, and it is my earnest desire and prayer that the relation between you and them may be crowned with the richest blessings."
It was on the fifth day of November, 1859, that a meeting of those in the Second Presbyterian Church favorable to the formation of a new Presbyterian Church, was held. There were present, Rev. Dr. Sprague, who presided, Thos. W. Olcott, Joel Rathbone, Frederick J. Barnard, James Edwards, Archibald McClure, Jas. H. McClure, Dr. S. D. Willard, M. H. Bright,
6
The State Street Presbyterian Church
A. McClure, Jr., and David Murray. Various plans were dis- cussed, and finally a committee was appointed to act in connec- tion with similar committees from other Presbyterian Churches to consider the means necessary to carry the project into execu- tion and to report to a meeting to be called by the committee.
Those appointed were: Thomas Olcott, A. McClure, Jr., and David Murray. Subsequently, there were associated with them, the following gentlemen: from the First Presbyterian Church : William Wendell, Richard M. Strong and Henry March, and from the Third Presbyterian Church: John Rodgers, John F. Prentice and Austin H. Wells.
This committee of nine called a meeting of those friendly to the erection of a new Presbyterian Church for the accom- modation of the inhabitants of the ninth and tenth wards, which was convened on Monday evening, November 21, 1859, in the lecture room of the First Presbyterian Church, and presented a report, in which the need was clearly set forth by statistics and argument, and which concluded with the text :
"The God of Heaven He will prosper us;
therefore we His servants will arise and build "
and with the submission of the following plan of operations : ~
"(I) That a suitable lot be secured immediately, situated between State St. and Hudson, and between Swan St. and Lark.
"(2) That a subscription be taken up, for a sum of money, not less than $30,000; and that the subscriptions be binding only when $20,000 of the whole sum shall have been subscribed. "(3) That an edifice capable of containing 1,000 people, with a suitable Lecture and Sunday School room be erected.
"(4) That the title to such lot and edifice be transferred to such (O. S.) Presbyterian Society as shall be organized for that purpose.
"(5) That these provisions be carried out under the direction of a committee of fifteen, appointed at this meeting; this com- mittee having full power to fill vacancies in its own numbers."
The report was unanimously adopted, and a committee of three, Howard Boyd, Dr. Willard and Wm. B. Sprague, Jr.,
7
Inception and Formation
was appointed to nominate a committee of fifteen provided for in the report. The following were nominated and unanimously ratified :
Thos. Olcott,
Chas. Frothingham,
Thos. P. Crook,
Henry March,
Robert L. Johnson,
J. F. Prentice,
Wm. Wendell,
Archibald McClure, Jr.,
Adam Van Allen,
J. T. Rice,
Geo. B. Hoyt,
Richard M. Strong,
Austin H. Wells,
David Murray.
Richard J. Grant,
This committee was subsequently changed by the resignation of Messrs. Crook, Frothingham and Rice, and the appointment, in their places, of John S. Putnam, J. R. Herrick and Charles G. Clark. The following letter from the clergymen signing it, was read and ordered printed, in connection with the foregoing report :
"ALBANY, November 21, 1859.
"The undersigned, believing that the time has arrived for the erection of a Presbyterian Church, for the accommodation of the inhabitants of the ninth and tenth wards of the City, hereby express their hearty approval of the effort now in prog- ress to procure the necessary means for the accomplishment of such an enterprise.
"W. B. SPRAGUE, " J. N. CAMPBELL, " EBENEZER HALLEY."
At the time that the report was framed, it stated that "the ninth and tenth wards comprise all that part of the City lying West of Eagle Street and South of the Canal Street Valley. They include, therefore, those important avenues, Washington, State and Lydius (now Madison) and the thriving, beautiful and accessible streets lying between."
The report and the proceedings of the committee were printed and distributed among the Churches on Thanksgiving Day, No- vember 24, 1859. Immediately thereafter a subscription list was opened, and in July, 1860, had reached the requisite $20,000.
8
The State Street Presbyterian Church
The following is a list of the first subscribers, their subscrip- tions aggregating $21,225:
Erastus Corning,
Joel Rathbone,
Thomas W. Olcott,
Archibald MeClure,
Archibald McClure, Jr.,
Daniel Leonard,
Thomas Olcott,
Wm. H. McClure,
Isaac W. Vosburgh,
W. B. Sprague, Jr.,
William Wendell,
IV. C. Smith,
Robert L. Johnson,
David Murray, James H. McClure,
S. H. Ransom, Alex. Marvin,
Chas. H. Strong,
Robert Boyd,
Benjamin Wilson,
Fred. J. Barnard,
John C. McClure,
J. G. Cotrell & Son,
G. C. Treadwell,
R. J. Grant,
Jeremiah Waterman,
James Edwards,
A. Ransom,
Geo. B. Hoyt, J. F. Taylor, Joel Munsell, B. R. & R. L. Spelman, G. & E. C. Batchelder, Win. J. White,
John Winne,
John F. Batchelder,
Lyman Chapin,
J. R. Herrick,
Samuel W. Barnard,
J. T. Rice, HI. J. Hastings, John N. Parker,
David I. Boyd,
Wm. N. Strong,
Jas. Goold & Co.,
E. Wickes,
S. B. Hamilton, Mills & McMartin,
E. P. Prentice,
E. D. Morgan,
Chas. G. Clark,
B. R. Wood,
W. J. Cook,
S. P. Jermain,
Chas. Van Benthuysen, David Orr,
S. Munson, R. P. Wiles,
George B. Steele,
G. C. Davidson, H. D. Hawkins, Richard M. Strong, John S. Putnam,
E. R. Herrick, I. N. Bullock, H. Townsend, James Wilson, Philip Spencer, L. H. Tucker, A. Van Vechten,
9
Inception and Formation
W. J. Gibson,
L. M. Palmer,
Wm. James,
Chas. G. Craft,
R. C. Martin,
W. F. Cochrane,
H. G. Gilbert,
Beebe & Boyd,
C. B. Redfield,
E. & H. L. Dickerman,
Geo. Anderson, B. W. Wooster,
A. E. Brown, Robert Strain.
Jas. W. Eaton,
Wm. & J. Williamson,
D. W. Lawyer,
Chas. E. Burton,
E. Townsend,
Thomas Austin,
R. H. Wells,
H. R. Rathbone, Andrew White,
S. McKissick,
E. Winne,
Misses Welch,
WV. H. Reed,
W. Cumming,
S. E. Stimson,
A. A. Griffin,
S. D. Willard,
Jacob Vanderzee,
C. Foster,
A. M. Gibson,
A. A. Rankin,
Brayton & Thorburn,
John Rodgers,
J. W. Tillinghast,
John Bridgford,
J. W. Herrick,
Earl L. Stimson,
'
J. Penniman Smith,
Isaac A. Chapman,
I. L. Judson, Dr. II. March,
A. Bleecker Banks,
G. L. Vandenburgh.
The committee, at this stage, proceeded to negotiate for a lot, and entered into an agreement with James Dexter, agent of the Banyer Estate, to purchase 110 ft. fronting on State St. and running thence through to Chestnut St. 1811/2 ft.
They also hired from the Trustees of the German Lutheran Church (now the Law School), on State St., the privilege of using the church for a weekly Sunday evening service and the lecture room for Sunday School and other purposes.
The first of these services was held on the evening of Sunday, Sept. 23, 1860, Rev. Win. B. Sprague, D. D., officiating, his discourse being from the text, "Despise not the day of small things." The services were continued regularly, and the enter- prise was largely indebted during its infancy, to the ready and
Ten Eyck Lamoure,
10
The State Street Presbyterian Church
gratuitous services rendered by the following clergymen of the City and elsewhere, viz .:
Rev. Wm. B. Sprague, D. D.,
Rev. Dr. Westbrook,
Rev. Ebenezer Halley, D. D.,
Rev. Mr. Dana,
Rev. S. T. Seelye, D. D.,
Rev. Mr. Hinsdale,
Rev. J. N. Campbell, D. D., Rev. Ray Palmer, D. D.,
Rev. E. S. Stearns,
Rev. J. T. Duryea,
Rev. Wm. Frothingham,
Rev. Dr. Van Santvoord,
Rev. Stephen Bush,
Rev. Frank Zabriskie,
Rev. Philip Phelps, Jr.,
Rev. L. C. Seelye,
Rev. L. H. Lee,
Rev. F. E. Butler,
Rev. E. J. Hamilton,
Rev. David Tully,
Rev. C. H. Hubbard,
Rev. Mr. Mcintyre,
Rev. Robert Strong,
Rev. Mr. Johnson,
Rev. Robert Cruikshank,
Rev. Mr. Rollo,
Rev. Lewis H. Reid,
Rev. Dr. Brown,
Rev. Hugh Alexander,
At a regularly called meeting held Oct. 16, 1860, at which = Thomas Olcott and John S. Putnam, presided, and H. L. Dicker- man, was secretary, a resolution was passed, designating the society as the "State Street Presbyterian Church in the City of Albany;" and nine trustees were elected to take charge of the temporal affairs of the congregation. These were :
Chas. G. Clark, James Williamson,
Archibald McClure, Jr.,
Richard J. Grant,
Richard M. Strong, Jolın S. Putnam,
Robert L. Johnson, David Murray.
Thomas Olcott,
The board organized by the election of Robert L. Johnson, President, Richard M. Strong, Secretary, and Archibald Mc- Clure. Jr., Treasurer.
Thereafter, the Trustees completed the purchase of the lot on State St., which was conveyed by deed dated October 27,
Rev. Wm. Alexander,
Rev. Belville Roberts,
Rev. V. D. Reed, D. D.,
Rev. Wm. James, D. D.,
Rev. Jacob Pearse,
Rev. Dr. Stewart,
Rev. E. Whittlesey,
11
Inception and Formation
1860, the purchase price being $11,000; a building committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Johnson, Olcott, Clark and Murray with Wn1. Wendell associated ; Wm. Hodgins was em- ployed as architect ; and the contracts were let to James W. Eaton, mason, $17,965, and John N. Parker, carpenter, $12,689. ..
The Trustees also made application to the Presbytery of 'Albany, on Feb. 12, 1861, for the organization of the congrega- tion as a Church under its care. Accordingly, at a meeting held in the German Lutheran Church, on Thursday evening,
MARCH 28, 1861
before the Committee of Presbytery, consisting of :
Rev. Dr. Wm. B. Sprague, minister, and A. McClure, elder, Rev. Dr. John N. Campbell, minister, and Dr. J. P. Boyd, elder, Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Halley, minister, and Walter Ferguson, elder, came forty-two persons, members of other churches, who pre- sented their letters of dismission, and were in due form received, recognized and set apart as the
STATE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
I. Richard J. Grant, from the First Presbyterian Church.
2. May M. Grant, from the First Presbyterian Church.
3. Richard M. Strong, from the First Presbyterian Church.
4. Rowena Allen (wife of Wm. A.), from the Second Pres- byterian Church.
5. Theodore S. Bailey, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
6. George C. Benedict, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
7. Jesse Buell and
8. Mary C. Buell (his wife), from the Second Presbyterian Church.
9. Walter R. Bush and
IO. Rebecca C. Bush (his wife), from the Second Presbyterian Church.
II. Fannie M. Bush, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
12. Carrie A. Bush, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
13. Edgar Cotrell, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
14. Mary E. Cotrell, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
15. Ezra Dickerman, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
12
The State Street Presbyterian Church
16. Henry L. Dickerman and
17. Esther Dickerman (his wife), from the Second Presbyteriar Church.
18. Ella Fairchild, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
19. Levi S. Gates and
20. Mary E. Gates (his wife), from the Second Presbyterian Church.
21. Archibald M. Gibson, from the Second Presbyterian Church 22. Alfred Gorham and
23. Ellen Gorham (his wife), from the Second Presbyterian Church.
24. Rebecca Hand, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
25. Samuel Jackson, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
26. Robert L. Johnson and
27. Charlotte Russell Johnson (his wife), from the Second Pres byterian Church.
28. Harriet M. Jones (wife of John), from the Second Pres byterian Church.
29. Ten Eyck La Moure and
30. Sarah La Moure (his wife), from the Second Presbyterian Church.
31. Daniel Leonard, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
32. Archibald McClure, Jr., from the Second Presbyterian Church.
33. Emma McClure, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
34. James H. McClure and
35. Catherine A. McClure (his wife), from the Second Pres byterian Church.
36. David Murray, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
37. Thomas Olcott, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
38. Charles D. Rathbone, from the Second Presbyterian Church
39. Philip Spencer, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
40. Austin H. Wells and
41. Martha H. Wells (his wife), from the Third Presbyterian Church.
42. Isabella Williamson (wife of James), from the Third Pres byterian Church.
13
Inception and Formation
At the same meeting the following were elected, and were set apart and solemnly ordained to their respective offices by Dr. Sprague :
Elders, Walter R. Bush, David Murray and Austin H. Wells. Deacon, James H. McClure.
On April 1, 1861, a call was extended to the Rev. Dr. West- brook of Philadelphia, but withdrawn upon his declining to consider it.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
was organized on April 7, 1861 with one hundred and ten schol- ars, and thirty-nine officers and teachers whose names follow :
I. David Murray, Superintendent.
2. Archibald M. Gibson. Assistant Superintendent.
3. Robert L. Johnson, Librarian.
4. Wm. H. McClure, Assistant Librarian. -
5. Wm. J. White, Treasurer,
6. Wm. G. Rogers, Secretary.
7. Miss Emma Wygant, Superintendent, Infant Department.
8. Walter R. Rush, Bible Class, Young Women.
9. James Edwards, Bible Class, Young Women.
10. Archibald McClure, Bible Class, Young Men.
II. Miss Kitty Batchelder,
12. Miss Fannie Bush,
13. Miss Carrie Bush,
14. Mrs. H. L. Dickerman,
15. Miss Ella Fairchild,
16. Miss Frisbie,
17. Mrs. Levi S. Gates,
18. Miss Gomph,
19. Miss Lawyer.
20. Miss Emma McClure,
21. Miss Jane Skerritt,
22. Miss Elizabeth Strong,
23. Miss Van Zandt,
24. Mrs. James Williamson,
25. Miss Wilson,
1
14
The State Street Presbyterian Church
26. Mr. Geo. C. Benedict,
27. Mr. W. H. Bowman,
28. Mr. W. R. Bush, Jr.,
29. Mr. W. B. Church,
30. Mr. Edgar Cotrell,
31. Mr. H. L. Dickerman,
32. Mr. Levi S. Gates,
33. Mr. Alfred Gorham,
34. Mr. Archibald McClure, Jr.,
35. Mr. James H. McClure,
36. Mr. John C. McClure,
37. Mr. Richard M. Strong,
38. Mr. S. E. Stimson,
39. Mr. James Williamson.
Ground was broken for the new church on APRIL 17, 1861
Robert L. Johnson digging the first spadeful of earth, and vari- ous members of the congregation, and some little children, taking part in this interesting ceremony.
The corner-stone of the church edifice was laid, with appro- priate ceremonies, on July 18, 1861.
The address was by Rev. E. Halley, D. D.
The laying of the stone by Robert L. Johnson, President of the Board of Trustees.
And the contents of the stone were: 3
1. Historical sketch of the Church,
2. Impression of seal of Church Corporation,
3. Copies of Religious papers,
4. Copies of Daily papers of the day,
5. Albany City Directory, 1861,
6. Presbyterian Church Historical Almanac,
7. Red Book of 1861,
8. Ancient Coins,
9. 'American Flag.
The first admissions to membership, following the organization of the Church, were at the October, 1861, Communion, when Rev. Joseph T. Duryea, of Troy, afterwards of New York, officiated. There were received upon certificate :
15
Inception and Formation
Mr. Asa S. Wygant, from First Presbyterian Church of Kingston, N. Y.,
Mrs. S. M. Weed from the Presbyterian Church of Schenec- tady, N. Y.,
Mr. Wm. B. Church and Mrs. Fanny M. Church, his wife, from the Presbyterian Church of Valatie, N. Y.
Mr. Matthew Noyes, and Mrs. Julia T. Noyes, his wife, from the Second Presbyterian Church of Troy, N. Y .; and upon confession :
Mrs. Charlotte Cotrell, wife of Edgar,
Mr. James Williamson,
Mr. Wm. H. Bowman and Mrs. Elsie Bowman, his wife.
During the second week in December, 1861, the ladies of the Church held a fair, the proceeds of which were to furnish the lecture room and audience room when finished. The amount realized was $1,252. This sum was exclusive of a subscrip- tion, which was raised by the ladies for furnishing the church, amounting to $1,470.36. In addition to this ,the Church was at this time the recipient of a beautiful Communion service of solid silver, the gift of Mrs. William Wendell. As the mem- bership increased, in December, 1865, an additional service was presented by Mrs. Robert L. Johnson, and, in 1877, additional plates by Mrs. Archibald McClure, Jr.
War's alarms intruded here, for we find this significant entry in the minutes of the Board of Trustees, of December 30, 1861 : "The Secretary having stated that Charles G. Clark, one of this Board, had left for the seat of war, as Major of the 91st Regiment N. Y. S. Volunteers, on motion the Secretary was directed to communicate with Mr. Clark, expressing the regret of the Trustees at the necessity which calls him away, and saying that their prayers and kind wishes will accompany him in his absence."
The lecture room of the church having been completed, ser- vices were held in it on
FEBRUARY 23, 1862
at 10.30 A. M., and 7 P. M., and the Sunday School session at 1.30 P. M. Rev. A. S. Twombly of Cherry Valley, N. Y., preached at both services.
Calendar nf Seruires and Hertings
FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING DECEMBER 16, 1923
TODAY-10:30 a. m. Morning Service.
10:30 a. m. The Beginners Class of the Sunday School.
12:00 m. Sunday School and Bible Classes.
2:30 p. m. Sunday School at Sprague Chapel 6:00 p. m. Meeting of the Young People's Society. All young people of the church are cordially invited to attend.
7:45 p. m. Evening Service.
WEDNESDAY-10:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. Regular meeting of the Woman's Guild.
THURSDAY-7:45 p. m. Christmas Entertainment for the Main Department of the Sunday School. Parents are cordially invited to accompany their children.
FRIDAY-8:00 p. m. Prayer Meeting. Dr. Moldenhawer will give the third of a short series of talks entitled "The Stories of Three Kings." The underlying theme will be the Hebrew ideal of the righteous ruler.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mrs. Georgine Avery Lasher, contralto, will sing at the evening service.
On Sunday evening, December 23rd, a special program of Christmas music will be given by Miss Grace Moldenhawer, soprano; Mrs. Clarence T. Weaver, contralto; Everett T. Grout, tenor; Roger H. Stonehouse, bass; Margaret Anna De Graff, harpist, Earl Hummel, violinist, and J. Austin Springer, organist.
On Sunday evening, December 30th, the Rhondda Welsh Male Choir, will give a special program.
For some years past Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Boyce have represented Westminster Church on the foreign field. They are now spending their year of furlough in the United States and we are to have the pleasure of entertaining them personally and hearing their own reports of their work for a few days between Christmas and New Year. Members of the Sunday School have been accustomed in former years to send a special Christmas offering to Mr. and Mrs. Boyce for such use in the work as they might choose. This year it is our desire `to take advantage of this special opportunity to make them a personal Christmas gift. We are sure that many members of the congregation who are not connected with the work of our Sunday School will wish to have a share in this expression of our appreciation. Contributions may be handed to Mr. Islay F. McCormick, Chairman of the Missionary Cou. mittee, or to any other officer of the Sunday School.
The Mothers' Council of the Albany Central Y. M. C. A. cordially invites you to hear Dr. George M. Wiley, Jr., Assistant Commissioner of Education on Tuesday, December 18th, at 3 p. m. in the Boy's Department of the Y. M. C. A. Dr. Wiley's subject will be "The Boy and His Education."
In Memoriam
Saur as a memory, the inspiration of which will not pass amay, the rarthly life of Robert C. Jamen ruurd Der- either 1nt. His long and upright career in this rumununity has called forth other meutorials; we are moved to make this out of our drep appreciation of the place he held in this his church, precious among all his associations.
Born in Scotland in 1848, he was son of a pantor who fifty years ago led faithfully this flock; and for these long gears han lived his life among its prople, contributing denotedly to its work with wisdom and vitality, with a warm hrart animated by the indwelling spirit of the Heauruly Father. From his constaury of arruice others have found stimulus and guidance; individuals have been lead to higher living and service by his friendly ronusel and companionship. His confident trust in the life of the Spirit made it utorr real to us his associates; and carried into the business world gave honor to the church and the Master. He became Dearon in 1809. At the time of his death he had been an elder for twenty-four years and artiur in the duties of this offire. The spell of his personality and sincerity was felt in Scaston meetings. As he assumed the duty of preparing the bread for its nar in our Communion Srruier he did it mith chean hands and a pure heart breathing and uttering tu himself consrcrating prayers. Me and all the church giur thanks to God for this noble life whose memory me mill always retain. AUr giur our warm sympathy to fars. Jautrs and his family; may they find comfort and support in the Source real to them as it has been fo him.
3. 11. Motdruhmurr, Frederir J. Curtis,
For the Session uf Westminster Ureshyterian Church.
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16
The State Street Presbyterian Church
On June 10, 1862, the congregation presented a call to Rev. 'Alexander S. Twombly of Cherry Valley, N. Y., which he accepted, and his installation as pastor took place on Sunday evening, June 22, 1862; the following ministers taking part in the services :
Rev. Ray Palmer, reading scriptures and prayer,
Rev. Dr. Halley, sermon-Eph. 1, 22,
Rev. B. H. Pitman, constitutional questions,
Rev. Dr. Sprague, charge to pastor.
Rev. Dr. Goodale, of Amsterdam, charge to people.
As a result of his labors, there was a growth from a member- ship of 54, which was reported to Presbytery in February, 1862, to 251, which was the membership when he resigned his charge.
The following Covenant, which was adopted in 1862, and which was signed by all the members of the Church, and as- sented to by all those who joined it during the early years, will be of interest, as showing the ideals which have guided its history :
COVENANT
Believing in one God. the Supreme Creator and Governor of the Universe, you do now cheerfully and solemnly acknowledge your obligation to obey Him, by renouncing all the ways of sin, and devoting yourself to the Infinite God through Jesus Christ.
Believing in the Holy Trinity of the Godhead, you do volun- tarily choose the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to be your God and the God of yours.
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