USA > New York > New York City > A history of the Stanton Street Baptist Church, in the city of New York : with a sketch of its pastors, and a register of the entire membership > Part 1
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.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11
Gc 974.702 N422nes 1721796
M. L
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01150 2876
a. Inulin)
A HISTORY
OF THE
STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
IN
THE
N.Y.
CITY OF NEW YORK ; C
WITH A
SKETCH OF ITS PASTORS,
AND A
REGISTER OF THE ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP.
NEW YORK: SHELDON & COMPANY, No. 115 NASSAU STREET. 1860.
A
W. H. TINSON, Stereotyper .-
J. J. REED, Printer.
E
İn
- to
1721796
PREFACE.
THE PLEASURES OF MEMORY have been sweetly sung by a modern bard, and perhaps in no case are those 1 pleasures greater than when connected with the religious ry experiences of our better nature. An unpretending volume, like this, presents no claim to public notice, but appeals to that narrower circle whose sympathies are enlisted, and whose interest is excited, by a recital of the trials, the progress, and the triumphs of God's people. No striking events are here recorded; no stir- Y ring scenes will pass in review before the reader. We only attempt to tell, in a simple way, how the Good Shepherd has led one of his flocks, and to chronicle such events as have had an influence upon the destiny of immortal spirits. The mission of the modern church is to diffuse a knowledge of Christ, to teach men the truth of his Holy Word, and thus to fit them for life and duty here, and for glory, honor, and immortality hereafter. Without claiming for this church any preeminence, it 1
iv
PREFACE.
was thought that a brief record of its past history would be deeply interesting to all who have, at any time, been identified with it; and perhaps there may be others to whom our little memorial may not be altogether desti- tute of attractions. Such as it is, we send it forth, con- scious that it might have been far worthier of its theme, but still trusting that it may meet a kindly reception from many a Christian heart.
The matter accumulated by the committee in collect- ing the materials for this work, would fill several vo- lumes, and continual abridgment has been necessary to keep within the limits prescribed to us. In consequence of this, the narrative may appear quite abrupt at some points, and it must be ascribed to the cause just stated. The writers have not forgotten that their duty has been to give facts, rather than to furnish reflections upon them; and this may give the work an uninviting ap- pearance; but this, we think, will be readily overlooked, when we state that our aim has been to secure accuracy in all our statements; and it is believed that our facts and figures may be relied on.
It is somewhat remarkable that our first pastor, and the first deacon of the church, both departed this life during the preparation of this work. Fortunately, however, these aged and venerable brethren furnished
V
PREFACE.
us with all the facts in their possession before they passed away. We have received valuable information also from Deacons H. Phelps, D. Bailie, R. E. Peterson, B. M. Thompson, and Wm. D. Mangam; and from Mrs. Ann Elgreen and Mrs. Hannah Ashford.
A Register of our entire membership will be found at the close of the book. It was intended, at first, to give the names of present members only ; but a strong de- sire having been expressed to have all inserted, the com- mittee yielded, though much additional and unexpected labor was thereby imposed upon them. The time and manner of uniting with the church are also given, to- gether with the date of death or dismission ; so that every member may now ascertain these facts in his own history, or that of any brother or sister. It is not un- likely that errors have escaped notice in so large a col- lection of names and dates, and hence we desire that per- sons noticing such defects, would communicate the same to the pastor or clerks. Any other corrections or sug- gestions may also be addressed to C. B. Stout, box 1478, New York post-office, or to Thomas J. Grout, 145 Suffolk street, New York.
We desire, before closing this preface, to allude to the harmony that has ever prevailed among our mem- bership and attended our councils. With one or two ex-
vi
PREFACE.
ceptions, this has been the case from the beginning until now. In our church meetings, personal choice and feel- ing are ever in abeyance to the general good, and the will of the majority is cheerfully assented to. This fact is a cause of devout gratitude to God, and not only has frequent allusion to it been had in our letters to the Association, but it is often made the occasion of thanks- giving in the prayer-room. May the great Head of the Church continue to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace !
NEW YORK, December 31st, 1859.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
PREFACE
3
PERIOD I.
Original Articles of Faith.
13
Election of the first Clerk and Deacon and the first Baptism ... 17
Call of Rev. Samuel Eastman and Sketch of his Life. 19
His Ordination and Missionary Appointment. 22
His Letter of Dismission to the Union Church, New York. 24
Election of the first Board of Trustees and the second Clerk ... 27
Resignation of Brother Eastman, Destruction of the House of Worship by Fire, and Removal 29
Death of Brother Eastman.
32
Statistics of the First Period 36
PERIOD II.
Call of Rev. George Benedict
37
Sketch of his Life. 38
His Ordination 39
Erection of the House of Worship in Stanton street 40
Change of name from Union to Stanton street Church 42
Resignation of Brother Benedict. 49
Sickness of Brother Benedict 52
His Resignation and decease
53
Statistics of the Second Period 59
PERIOD III.
Call of Rev. David Bellamy
60
Sketch of his Life 61
His Baptism and Call to the Ministry 62 His Pastorate at Ithaca 64
Recognition at the Stanton street Church.
65
Formation of Young Men's Mission Society 68
viii
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Visit of Rev. E. L. Abbott. 70
Revival of Religion, and Resignation of Brother Bellamy 72
Formation of the Hope Chapel (now Calvary) Church. 74 Death of Mrs. Eliza Bellamy-Call to Mount Morris 75 Sketch from the pen of Brother Bellamy 76
Statistics of the Third Period. 82
1 PERIOD IV.
Call of Rev. S. Remington 83
Sketch of his Life. 84
His Conversion and Connection with the M. E. Church. 88 Recognition as Pastor of the Stanton street Church. 91
Death of Brother William L. Mangam. 93
Death of Deacon Cowan .. 102
Farewell Missionary Meeting to Kincaid and Dawson .. 105
Deaths of Mrs. Elizabeth Noe, Miss Malvina Harris, and Mrs. Eliza Ann Remington 110
Resignation of Brother Remington. 111
Death of Brother Washington Lewis, and Removal of Brother Remington to Philadelphia, etc. 113
Statistics of the Fourth Period. 114
PERIOD V.
Call of Rev. Edward T. Hiscox. 115
Sketch of Brother Hiscox's Life. 116
His Baptism and Engagement in Business. 119
His Entrance into College, Graduation and Marriage 120
Ministry at the Central Church, Norwich, and Call to Stanton st. 121
Reception of Members by Experience .. 122
Meeting of Hudson River Association South 124
1
Deaths of Francis H. Palmer and Mrs. Sarah Ann Mangam. 125
Revival of Religion. 127
Resignation of R. C. Akerly, and Election of two Clerks 128
Proposition to liquidate Church Debt ..
129
Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Opening of the Meeting-house. 131 Articles of Faith and the Covenant. 133
Board of Trustees 146
Statistical Tables 149, 149
The Register. 151
A HISTORY
OF THE
STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
PERIOD I.
FROM ORIGIN TO CALL OF REV. GEORGE BENEDICT. OCTOBER 3D, 1823-APRIL 20TH, 1831.
THE beginnings of churches, like the com- mencement of some of our noble American rivers, are frequently small and obscure; but in their onward progress they increase in strength, ex- pand in volume, and command the attention of large communities. Within the limits of an ordinary lifetime, and, indeed, within the recol- lection of many persons still living, the events here recorded have transpired. And it is with
2
10
HISTORY OF THE
devout thanksgiving to the Father of spirits that this memorial of his blessing upon the labors of his people is prepared. It is a history of peace- ful advance and quiet increase, through scenes of sorrow and discouragement as well as of comfort C
and of joy.
In the latter part of the year 1823, a num- ber of members in good standing in the Mul- berry street Church, New York, expressed a wish to be dismissed, for the purpose of consti- tuting a new church in another part of the city. After considering their request, the following letter was granted them :
"TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN : This is to cer- tify that the brethren and sisters whose names are hereunto affixed are hereby regularly dis- missed from the Baptist Church in Mulberry street, New York, under the pastoral care of Rev. Archibald Maclay, for the purpose of uniting together in the formation of a new and regular Baptist Church in the same city. And may the great Head of the church crown their efforts with success, and his rich and effective blessing ; that
11
STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
they may be built on the foundation of the apos- tles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone.
"Done by order of the church.
"WM. WINTERTON. " Church Clerk.
" NEW YORK, Sept. 23d, 1823.
" John Hazlet, Michael Noe,
Zilpah Hazlet,
Elizabeth Noe,
Jane Hazlet,
Wm. B. Swift,
Stephen Hyde, Charlotte Blakely,
Catharine Hyde,
Catharine Clark,
Frederick Patillo, Mary Cheeseman,
Catharine Patillo, Hannah Ashford."
Immediately on receiving this letter, these brethren procured a place to meet in, at No. 63 Chrystie street, then far up town, and they had public worship the ensuing Sunday, brother John W. Gibbs being the preacher. It was resolved to engage brother Gibbs at the salary of $200 per annum, but they subsequently voted fifty dollars additional. A council of the various pas- tors of the Baptist churches in the city was con-
12
HISTORY OF THE
vened at the house of brother Noe, Oct. 3d, when the new church submitted their Articles of Faith and Covenant. The Council, composed of Rev. A. Maclay, Rev. C. G. Somers, Rev. John- son Chase, Rev. John Williams, and Rev. Mr. Smith, after due deliberation, resolved unani- mously that the brethren and sisters should be recognized as a regular Baptist Church. The Council then adjourned to the meeting-house, when a sermon was preached by Rev. C. G. Somers, and the hand of fellowship was given by Rev. A. Maclay. The new body assumed the name of The Union Baptist Church, and was constituted as follows :
John Hazlet,
Wm. B. Swift,
Zilpah Hazlet,
Charlotte Blakely,
Jane Hazlet, Catharine Clark,
Stephen Hyde, Mary Cheeseman,
atharine Hyde, Hannah Ashford,
Michael Noe, Frederick Patillo,
Elizabeth Noe,
Ann Elgreen, W. C. Dusenbury .*
* The last two names were added to the original number,
13
STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
Articles of Faith.
We whose names are here subjoined having a desire to unite ourselves in the bonds of the Gos- pel, that we may be enabled to fulfill the ordi- nances of Christ, and those duties toward each other which the Lord himself has enjoined on all his followers, conceive as a preliminary step, that our views of the doctrines of the Lord and his ordinances as we believe them set forth in his word, should be committed to paper, that no individual who may have his name recorded may plead ignorance of the fact.
ARTICLE 1 .- We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the word of God, given by inspiration, and that they are to be our only rule of faith and practice.
ARTICLE 2 .- There is but one living and true God, who is the creator, upholder, and preserver
making six males and nine females. The name of Mrs. Patillo seems to have been omitted by a clerical error. Mrs. Hannah Ashford, and Mrs. Ann Elgreen are the only constituent mem- bers remaining with us at the close of 1859. Both have been widows for many years.
2*
14
HISTORY OF THE
of all things (sin excepted), the only King of kings and Lord of lords ; and that lawful adoration can be paid to him alone: the disposer of all events and things visible and invisible; and that in the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the same in essence, power, might, majesty and dominion.
ARTICLE 3 .- God made man in his own image, free from sin, placed him in a state of happiness, gave him a law to govern his actions, and con- descended to hold communion with him: that man being in honor abode not, but transgressed the law, fell from a state of innocence and entailed the curse of God on all his posterity, of which he stood the representative.
ARTICLE 4 .- That before the foundation of the world, the eternal God, seeing that man by his dis- obedience would become a curse on the earth, and totally depraved, devised a plan of deliverance, through his Son Jesus Christ, who became the author of eternal salvation to all his chosen, agree- ably to Ephesians, 1st chap., 4th and 5th verses.
. ARTICLE 5 .- According to the determination of God, the Saviour made his appearance as
15
STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
mediator, and after having fulfilled the law, suf- fered the penalty for his guilty people, that they might not only be delivered from the curse of the law and their bondage to sin, but be likewise partakers of his heavenly glory.
ARTICLE 6 .- It is God alone, without the intervention of man, that produces a change in the sinner's heart, whereby he is enabled to see his sinful, lost, and ruined condition, and by faith to lay hold of the Lord Jesus as an all-suf- ficient Saviour ; and being thus renewed and jus- tified by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, will be preserved in a state of grace until death, and then be received into glory.
ARTICLE 7 .- That the ordinances of the Gos- pel to be observed by all professing Christians, are Baptism, and the Lord's Supper; to be administered to such only as have made a profes- sion of his name, and their faith in Christ.
ARTICLE 8 .- For a right administration of the ordinance of Baptism it is necessary that the individual be completely immersed in water by a person duly qualified.
ARTICLE 9 .- The ordinance of the supper to
16
HISTORY OF THE
be observed on the first day of the week, the elements to be bread and wine, the officiator to be an ordained Baptist minister, and none but baptized believers to be partakers thereof.
ARTICLE 10 .- We believe that there will be a general judgment at the last day, when the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout and with the voice of the Archangel and the trump of God, revealing himself in flaming fire, taking vengeance on those that know not God, and that everlasting destruction from his presence will be the portion of their cup, while at the same time he will be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe, and take them to him- self into the mansions of eternal rest prepared for them before the foundation of the world.
ARTICLE 11 .- Believing ourselves to be imper- fect creatures, liable to err in the grand truths of the Gospel, we have thought proper to state that if anything in these articles should hereafter appear to clash with the word of God, the same is left open for amendment, two-thirds of the members concurring therein.
COVENANT .- Having mutually given ourselves
17
STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
to each other and the Lord, we do also agree to the articles herein contained.
Praying that the great Head of the Church will watch over us, and direct our councils, and guide our feet in the way of righteousness, and through grace enable us to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, we do hereby sub- scribe our names.
John Hazlet was chosen church clerk, and on the 26th of October brother Noe was elected deacon, " without opposition." Letters of dis- mission were presented from time to time, not only from Mulberry street but from the First Baptist Church, in Gold street, then and for many years under the pastoral care of Rev. Wm. Park- inson. On Lord's day, Nov. 2nd, Ann Hulse was proposed for baptism, and she was the first believer baptized into the fellowship of the newly formed church. It was soon ascertained that the salary of brother Gibbs was not sufficient for his support, but as the little flock felt unable to increase it, they voted, on the 30th of November, to release him from his engagement, and to pro-
18
1
HISTORY OF THE
cure such gratuitous supplies as they could. After brother Gibbs resigned, they had preach- ing by Messrs. Williams, Chase, Martin, and Hawley of Brooklyn; but the congregation did not increase, in consequence of the uncertainty in supplying the pulpit. Brother Noe was fre- quently called to speak on Lord's day morning, and the church appeared much edified thereby. The brethren were united, and peace and com- fort seemed to be enjoyed by all the members.
Overtures were made to the Rev. Mr. Martin, but as he had accepted a call to Staten Island, the church turned their attention to Mr. Hawley, but failing to secure his services, the pulpit con- tinued to be supplied through the exertions of the brethren. On the 16th of April, 1824, they voted a license to Deacon Noe to preach the Gospel, and soon afterward (April 23d) they chose Andrew Seger and Frederick Patillo as deacons. About this time the Church moved to the school-room over the watch-house, in El- dridge street, but the entrance was disagreeable, and the surroundings decidedly unpleasant. It was difficult to get ministers to preach in this
19
STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
room, and the brethren were compelled to make other arrangements. At this point in their history, Mr. Chase called their attention to the Rev. Samuel Eastman, of Kentucky, who had been preaching for Rev. A. Maclay, in Mulberry street, for a time, and Mr. E. was invited to preach for them. He did so with great accept- ance, and it was unanimously agreed to give him a call to become the pastor of the church. This call was accepted, and brother Eastman entered upon his labors in the summer of 1824. In July, they voted-unanimously, as usual-to connect themselves with the Hudson River Association, and that vote has never been re- called to this day. The number of members at this time was only twenty-four.
The Rev. Samuel Eastman was born at Lan- daff, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, October 1st, 1788. The early part of his life was spent at home in agricultural pursuits, and in the district schools and academies in the vicinity. From a very early period he had a passionate fondness for books, and of course he eagerly read all that he could obtain. These aided greatly in ex-
20
HISTORY OF THE
panding his mind and preparing him for that field of usefulness which he was destined one day to enter. At the close of the war, in 1815, being then twenty-seven years of age, he undertook a jour- ney to the western country, visiting Cincinnati, Columbus, etc. While in Urbana County he was attacked with "the long fever," as it was then called, and for forty days his life was despaired of. A year passed before he recovered suffi- ciently to leave the place. But this long and painful visitation was not without its influence upon his future course, for there his deep con- victions of sin commenced, and his restless anxiety for the things that perish was changed into an abiding concern for the things. that endure to eternity. He now descended the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Natchez, where he formed a partnership with the Rev. Benjamin Davis, in conducting a large school on the then popular Lancasterian system. The enterprise
was highly successful, but it failed to satisfy the mind of Mr. Eastman. On the 13th of April, 1817, he was baptized in the Mississippi River, "where there is much water," by Elder Davis. He was
21
STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
almost immediately summoned by the church to exercise his gifts with a view to the ministry, and he soon after received a temporary license to preach the Gospel. Though long a careful Bible reader, he yet felt unprepared to enter fully into the work without further study and preparation. He accordingly left Natchez for Philadelphia, cheered by the commendations and blessings of the church. On his way he preached several times for the kind-hearted Reynoldson, of New Orleans, and afterward in New York, for "good old Father Williams, of blessed memory." At Philadelphia he placed himself at once under the instruction of Dr. Staughton, pastor of the Sansom street Church, and widely known as an eloquent pulpit orator. Uniting with the Sansom street Church, brother Eastman enjoyed the tuition of its revered pastor for nearly two years, and preached under his direction from time to time. Besides the advantages to be derived from the instructions of so kind and capable a teacher, the treasures of his large and well-selected library were open to the student, and he also became
3
22
HISTORY OF THE
acquainted with the order and discipline of a large, intelligent, and well-regulated church. Brother Eastman was set apart to the full work of the ministry by ordination, September 22d, 1818, the customary services being conducted by Dr. Wm. Staughton, Rev. James McLaughlin, Rev. John Peckworth, Rev. Richard Proudfoot and Rev. Ira Chase. Having received an ap- pointment from the Baptist Board for Foreign Missions to labor in the States of Mississippi and Louisiana, he returned to Natchez, preached there some time, and at other places on "the father of waters," and finally settled at Natchi- toches, on the Red River. There he preached the first Protestant sermon ever delivered in the place. Brother E.'s knowledge of public in- struction was of use to him in this field, for though people were willing to hear but one sermon a week, they gladly paid the preacher $2,000 per annum for superintending their seminary. This enabled him to labor without drawing on the Missionary Board for his support. But the climate was against him. He had passed through the ordeal of the yellow fever at St. Francisville,
23
STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
and now he was prostrated again with an epi- demic of that sickly latitude-delirium super- vened, and it was thought that death was at hand. With his first convalescence he started for the North, on board of a steamer, and soon landed in Cincinnati. There the cause was at a low ebb; but he went to work again with a hopeful heart, preaching at first in a school- house, in the suburbs of the city, to a little party. But the congregation increased, the Spirit of the Lord was poured out, sinners were converted, great multitudes flocked to see them baptized in the Ohio, and a new meeting-house was built, paid for, and filled with a permanent congrega- tion. But these severe labors proved too much for the already broken health of brother E., and he was compelled again to seek restoration. A year was passed in quiet at the Harrodsburg Springs, in Kentucky, with benefit, and he was still further strengthened by a long journey on horseback, in the month of March, from Harrods- burg, across the Alleghany Mountains, to Philadel- phia. Thence he came to this city, and then began his acquaintance with the little Union Church.
24
HISTORY OF THE
8
Although brother Gibbs had served the body from its formation; yet, as he was not then an ordained minister, brother Eastman must be regarded as the first pastor of the church. Soon after his coming, efforts were made to secure lots on which to build a suitable meeting-house ; but the brethren were still too weak to undertake so expensive an enterprise.
The minutes for the year 1824 conclude as follows :
" We have now closed the year ; none of our members have left us, and but one has grieved us. He, however, has been brought to his right mind, and walks consistent with his profession. Brother Hazlet was chosen clerk for the year coming."
There appears to have been no church meeting for business until March of the next year (1825). At this meeting brother Eastman's letter from the Simpson's Creek Church, Kentucky, was received, and the right hand of fellowship was given by brother Noe .* At the same meeting
* Brother Noe died on Friday morning, October 21st, 1859, aged 76 years and 21 days.
25
STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
several other persons were received by letter from the Anthony street and Delancy street churches, and the church in Brooklyn.
For a short time the little band met in the school-room in Mott street ; but this was incon- venient, and, after vainly seeking a better loca- tion, they reluctantly returned to the watch- house. In June, however, an opportunity offered for securing a more favorable place in the Bowery, now Military Hall, and the new room was rented for $300 per year. The first case of discipline occurred in October, 1825, at the close of the second year of trial and patience on the part of the hopeful body of disciples, who were striving to sustain and diffuse light in a dark place. But their struggles were not yet over, and by June of the next year it was ascertained that they were in debt some $275. They accordingly notified their pastor and the owner of the room of their inability to pay them the amounts originally agreed upon. But with the beginning of the next year the prospect began to brighten, and for many months the little church was cheered by the outpouring of the Holy
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.