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BX 9211 ·N5C47
Dortp Bears of Covenant Mercies
1800
CHURCH OF THE COVENANT, 306-310 East 42d Street.
Forty Dears of Covenant Mercies
A Description of Historic Memorials in the Church of the Covenant, New York City
BY
GEORGE SIDNEY WEBSTER, D.D., Pastor AND Addresses Delivered January 28th, 1906 BY WILLIAM ROGERS RICHARDS, D.D. AND J. CLEVELAND CADY, LL.D.
Printed for Private Distribution
NEW YORK MCMVI
DX9211 N5C47
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Foreword
RECIOUS memories of persons and events are associated with the Church of the Covenant building and many of its furnishings. They indicate something of the evolution of a Family Church among the busy toilers of the East Side in New York, through the steps of Mission, Chapel, Collegiate Church, and now Affiliated Church, which ranks in numbers and efficiency with the aver- age of the Presbyterian churches in the city. These memorials are an eloquent testimony to the conse- crated wisdom and loyalty of the faithful men and women who have tried to build up a Church that is exemplifying its motto inscribed over the pulpit, "Come let us join ourselves to the Lord in a Perpetual Covenant."
GEORGE S. WEBSTER.
CHURCH OF THE COVENANT STUDY.
May 1, 1906.
CHURCH OF THE COVENANT, 1863-1894. Park Avenue and Thirty-fifth Street.
Church of the Covenant
10.0 T a service held in the chapel of the Home of the Friendless, Twenty-ninth Street near Madison Avenue, on November 25th, 1860, the Rev. George L. Prentiss, D.D., preached a sermon in which he said: "We inaugurate to-day a new Christian service. We do it in the hope that out of this humble beginning may spring up in due time another sanctuary in honor of our blessed Master; and that into that new sanctuary may be gathered a congregation of faithful people, who shall worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." The preaching serv- ices continued for about a year in the Home of the Friendless, when the place of worship was changed to Dodworth's Hall, on the southwest corner of Fifth Avenue and Twenty-sixth Street. Here on February 23d, 1862, it was determined to organize a church under the pastoral care of Dr. Prentiss. The church was organized March 2Ist, 1862, with eighty-three members. Dr. Prentiss was elected pastor March 30th, 1862. The name "Church of the Covenant" was adopted April 4th, and the pastor was installed May IIth, 1862. The corner stone of the Church at the northwest corner of Thirty-fifth Street and Park Ave- nue, was laid November 5th, 1863. The following hymn was written for this occasion by the pastor's wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Prentiss.
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The Corner-Stone
"A temple, Lord, we raise ; Let all the walls be praise To Thee alone. Draw near, O Christ, we pray, To lead us on our way, And be Thou now and aye Our Corner-stone.
In humble faith arrayed We these foundations laid In war's dark day ; Oppression's reign o'erthrown, Sweet peace once more our own, Do Thou the topmost stone Securely lay. And when each earth-built wall, Crumbling to dust, shall fall, Our work still own ; Be to each faithful heart That here hath wrought its part What in Thy Church Thou art- A Corner-stone."
The first services were held in the Chapel which was completed May 22d, 1864. The Church was dedicated April 30th, 1865. The parsonage adjoining the Church on Thirty-fifth Street was completed two years later. The entire cost of Church and parsonage was $160,000. The last services were held in this Church Sunday, February IIth, 1894, and Wednesday eve- ning, February 14th, 1894. This Church was con- solidated with the Brick Presbyterian Church April 12th, 1894. The property was sold for $315,000, of which $290,000 became a part of the endowment fund of the consolidated churches. The pictures of this Church are from photographs taken by Mr. Alfred R. Kimball in 1887 and 1889.
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GEORGE LEWIS PRENTISS, D.D.
REV. GEORGE L. PRENTISS, D.D.
In 1858 the seven years pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Prentiss, at the Mercer Street Presbyterian Church, New York, came to an end by his resignation on account of his health. He returned from Europe in 1860, and his friends persuaded him to preach to them. As a result the Church of the Covenant was organized, and he was installed pastor May IIth, 1862. This position he filled with distinguished ability until February 12th, 1873, when he resigned to accept the "Skinner and McAlpin Professorship of Pastoral Theology, Church Polity, and Mission Work," in the Union Theological Seminary of New York. He con- tinued in active service in the Seminary until his re- tirement, as Professor Emeritus, January 12th, 1897. But through his writings and personal wise counsel he gave invaluable assistance to this institution until his death on March 18th, 1903. During the last years of his life Dr. Prentiss was most lovingly interested in the work of this Church, which was begun during his pastorate. His portrait in the middle parlor was presented by a former member of his session, Mr. William H. Helme Moore, on April 19th, 1903, when the entire day was devoted to services in honor of his memory. A full report of these services, including the addresses of the Rev. Charles A. Stoddard, D.D., and of Mr. J. Cleveland Cady, were published in the New York Observer, April 23d, 1903, to whose cour- tesy we are indebted for the accompanying picture of the first pastor and always the loving friend of the two Churches of the Covenant.
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REV. MARVIN R. VINCENT, D.D.
The second pastor, the Rev. Marvin R. Vincent, D.D., was installed May 8th, 1873. With splendid scholarly pulpit ability and loving pastoral efficiency he served the Church until November, 1887, when he resigned to become the "Baldwin Professor of Sacred Literature" in the Union Theological Seminary, New York, a position which he is now filling with distinc- tion and honor. Sunday morning, January 27th, 1901, Dr. Vincent preached the Thirty-fifth Anni- versary sermon from the text Genesis 32:9, 10. In this sermon he said: "It is nearly thirty years since I came to the Church of the Covenant. It is thirteen years since I laid down its pastorate. The fifteen years of my stay and labor there are crowded with delightful memories. It is all behind me now, but there is one consolation for every faithful workman in Christ's vineyard, that his work is not lost, however his immediate associations may be broken up; that it reproduces itself in other forms, and in other years." The portrait of Dr. Vincent, in our middle parlor, was the gift of friends who were members of the Church of the Covenant during his pastorate, and was presented to us December, 1903.
REV. JAMES HALL MCILVAINE, D.D.
On December 17th, 1888, Dr. McIlvaine was in- stalled pastor and continued in this relationship until the consolidation of the Church of the Covenant with the Brick Church, April 12th, 1894, when, with the Rev. Henry van Dyke, D.D., he became co-ordinate pastor of the Brick Church. During his pastorate there was inaugurated the collegiate system in the Church by the regular call through the Presbytery
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CHURCH OF THE COVENANT, 1889, Park Avenue and Thirty-fifth Street.
of Rev. George S. Webster as associate pastor to have charge of the congregation worshipping at Covenant Chapel. This was an important step in the develop- ment of the present Church. It recognized the desire of the people worshipping in the Mission Chapel for more permanent Church organization. It also gave their pastor a better standing in the Presbytery and in the city. By this plan there was held to the Church several families who had determined to unite with other churches unless the Mission system was changed. They became a valuable nucleus for the effective pres- ent organization. Dr. McIlvaine endeared himself to both congregations of the one Church of the Covenant by his wise administration, his eloquent and practical preaching and his faithful pastoral oversight. His portrait, in the middle parlor, was the gift of his friends in the first Church of the Covenant. Dr. McIlvaine is now the Rector of Calvary Protestant Episcopal Church, Pittsburg, Pa.
Corner-Stone
The only visible memorial of the walls of the Church of the Covenant at Thirty-fifth Street and Park Avenue is the cornerstone which is placed in the west wall of the vestibule. This was first laid November 5th, 1863. It was transferred to this Church Decem- ber 16th, 1894. It contains the original historical matter which was deposited in it when first laid, and subsequent historical matter relating both to the Church and Covenant Chapel down to the date of its transference. Originally it was a rough stone with- out inscription, and we are indebted for it to the watchful care of Mr. Charles R. Culyer, sexton of the Church during its entire history. The present inscrip-
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tion was a labor of love wrought by the hands of Mr. John A. Lang, a Deacon of this Church. The stone was set in its present niche by Mr. Daniel Keller, one of the early converts of the work and who is now Deacon of this Church. Mr. Charles Butler, LL.D., President of the Board of Trustees of the Church during its entire history, in their behalf presented this cornerstone to the Trustees of this Church, who were represented by their President, Mr. J. Cleveland Cady. Dr. Butler, then in the 93d year of his age, closed his address with these words :
"In conclusion, remember that, as this corner-stone was laid in the foundation of the first Church, so let it be a symbol in its new position, of that true spiritual Corner-stone on which all Christian Life, corporate or individual, must rest. And further, as this new Church of the Covenant was in its germ one of the first and sweetest fruits of the parent Church, and from its begin- ning has been richly crowned with the favor and blessing of the Master, now that it has for its inheritance embodied in its Corner- stone the full record of its ancestry, may that record in its future be made brighter and brighter, ever reflecting the light and the glory of Him for whose service and glory it was founded."
Faith Tablet
On the north wall of the auditorium, near the en- trance, is the marble bas-relief "Faith," the work of the famous sculptor E. D. Palmer. It was purchased in 1858 by Mr. Wm. Curtis Noyes, one of the founders of the Church of the Covenant. Placed in his library it expressed the motto of his life till he "fell asleep" December 25th, 1864. In 1865 it was placed in the Church of the Covenant, north wall, under the gallery, where it remained till the Church was demolished. The family desired that it be given to this Church. The present frame was designed by Mr. J. C. Cady. The tablet was unveiled December 16th, 1894. Mr.
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Thanks Bretten 15 Jeby 18 95 Barn - 15 Jeby 1802-
Noyes was a famous lawyer, who declined the honor of being a Chief Justice of the United States, and who was an esteemed and valued friend of many of the leading men of the nation. His personal character was thus described by his pastor, Dr. Prentiss: "He was an humble follower of Christ, and for a long period an active and consecrated member of the Church. He loved the House of God, and was a regular attendant upon and participant in its weekly meetings. He was a priest in his household, leading with earnest delight the devotions of his family, and was engaged even beyond the knowledge of any but the most intimate friends in contributing of his substance to the ad- vancement of the cause of Christ both in this and in foreign lands."
Baptismal Font
Our Baptismal Font was presented to the Church of the Covenant by Elders Benjamin F. Butler and Robert Gordon. It was used for the first time on the afternoon of Sunday, April 2d, 1876, at the Com- munion Service. On this occasion there were received on profession of their faith three sons of Elder Butler, viz., Benjamin F. Butler, Jr., Robert Gordon Butler, and Allan Macy Butler; also their cousin, Elizabeth B. Crosby, daughter of Elder John P. Crosby, and William Gordon, the oldest son of Elder Robert Gor- don; also Charles R. Culyer, and Samantha Culyer, his wife, who was the first person baptized from the font. In 1894, after the consolidation of the Church of the Covenant and the Brick Church, the font was given to this Church. Its motto, "One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism," fittingly memorializes that union.
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1
Covenant Mission
VER a stable at 206 East Fortieth Street on January 28th, 1866, was held the first session of the Sunday School, out of which has grown this Church. The following officers and teachers were present : Henry A. Backus, J. Cleve- land Cady, Henry A. Crosby, William O. Curtis, John C. Eastman, Edward C. Miles, Miss Isabel N. Miles, Miss Annie L. Prentiss (Mrs. Henry), William Allen Smith, Miss Mallville M. W. Smith (Mrs. McClellan), William R. Sheffield, and Charles Woolsey. Mr. Woolsey was the first Superintendent, but held the office for only a few months when he was succeeded by Mr. Cady, who has been in continuous service till the present time.
Upon the walls of our Infant Class Room upstairs are six framed water-colors, the work of Superin- tendent Cady, to illustrate the Sunday School les- sons and to point the way for our present lithographic pictures. These once adorned the walls of the Cov- enant Mission. They are entitled "The End of the Flood," "Abraham and Isaac," "The Finding of Moses," "Moses Receiving the Ten Commandments," "Samuel and Eli," and "David and Goliath."
Memorial Tablet
On the south wall of the Auditorium near the Library door is a tablet erected as "A loving tribute from her fellow teachers" to the memory of Mrs. Julia B. Cady, whose work was connected entirely with the Mission in Fortieth Street, where this tablet was first placed. One of our most precious inheritances from the Covenant Mission is the collection of Hymns for
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use in the Sunday School, which has been preserved on banners prepared by Dr. Charles O. Kimball or members of his family.
The composition of words and music of our 214 hymns has many sources and represents much earnest thought and many hours of valuable time. We give one, the words and music of which was written for the School in the Mission at Fortieth Street. It was sung at the dedication of this building, and is still in use in our Sunday School.
The Guide, Friend and Walay BY JULIA B. CADY
There is a tender Shepherd Who watches o'er His sheep, And they need fear no evil, Who in His pastures keep ; Christ Jesus is that Shepherd, Oh ! grant, dear Lord, that we
Within Thy living Pastures May, safe and happy be.
There is a Friend most loving, A Friend that's ever near ; To all our wants and sorrows He bows a listening ear. That Friend is Christ, our Saviour, His heart is full of love ; Dear Jesus, may we prize Thee, All other friends above.
O blessed, holy Jesus, Thou Shepherd kind and strong, Thou Friend so true and loving, May we to Thee belong ; Our only hope of Heaven, The Life, the Truth, the Way, May we with sins forgiven, Praise Thee in endless day.
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Covenant Chapel
HIS Church building is an evidence of the success of the work of the Covenant Mission which outgrew its quarters in Fortieth Street. In the Session Records of February 5th, 1870, is found the following minute: "A Committee from the Mission School, consisting of Messrs. Lovell, Cady, Farnsworth, and Storrs, appeared and made a written statement showing the need which exists for providing the Mission School with better accommo- dations and giving details of a plan for erecting a suitable building. The statement was received and ordered on file, and its subject matter fully discussed. Dr. Post offered the following resolution: "That in the judgment of the session it is expedient to make an effort at the present time to raise the money neces- sary to carry into effect the plan proposed for building a mission chapel. The sum being $35,000, the build- ing to be called the Memorial Chapel of the Church of the Covenant."
This name, Memorial Chapel, links our building with one of the greatest events in the history of the Presbyterian Church. In May, 1869, the new School Presbyterian Assembly met in the Church of the Cov- enant, and at the same time the old School Presby- terian Assembly met in the Brick Church in this city. At these meetings the union between the old and the new schools was determined upon. This re-union of the two great branches of the Presbyterian Church, that had been separated for thirty-two years, was the occasion of great rejoicing. Among other tokens of that joy was the raising of a memorial fund for ex- tending Christ's Kingdom. Covenant Chapel was named Memorial in honor of that great event.
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COVENANT CHAPEL, 306-310 EAST 42d STREET. Photograph taken by Dr. Charles O. Kimball, January, 1388.
The lots and building cost about $50,000. The plans were drawn by Mr. J. Cleveland Cady, it being the first Church he designed for New York City. His heart being in the work to be done in this building, the architect gave his best thought to the plans that would care for the work. He departed from the con- ventional seating, introducing the social grouping and the reversible pews for Sunday School classes. Dr. Prentiss called it "One of the architectural gems of the city." It was for some time a model for other churches. On Sunday, December 24th, 1871, the dedi- cation services were held. Dr. Prentiss preached the sermon and the Hon. Wm. E. Dodge made an ad- dress. From that day to the present the building has been under the watchful eye of its architect, the results of which are seen in its tasteful decorations and fur- nishings. Mrs. Elizabeth Prentiss, a celebrated writer, the wife of the pastor and teacher of an adult class in the Sunday School, composed the following hymn for the dedication :
Dedication Lậpmn BY MRS. ELIZABETH PRENTISS
"Thankfully, O Lord, we come To this new and happy home : Wilt Thou not from Heaven descend, Here to dwell as friend with friend, Granting us the wondrous grace To behold Thee face to face ?
Teach us here to praise and pray, How to live from day to day, Teach us who and what Thou art, Write Thy name on every heart, Make us pure, and clean, and white, Blessed Jesus in Thy sight.
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May the weary here find rest On the tender Shepherd's breast, May the erring cease to stray, Learning here the perfect way, And the mourner find that here Jesus wipes away the tear.
And when life's short day is o'er, And we hither come no more, Father, Saviour, loving Friend, Guide us to our journey's end, Thankful that we often came Here to learn Thy blessed name."
REV. HOWARD A. TALBOT.
In 1867 Mr. Benjamin F. McNeil, a Union Theo- logical Seminary Student, was engaged to assist in the work of the Sunday School and prayer meetings of the Covenant Mission. He was succeeded by Mr. George E. Northrup, who bore the title of Chapel Mis- sionary 1868-9. Mr. George S. Payson, Mr. J. Henry House, Mr. Edgar A. Hamilton, Mr. William Plested, and Mr. William H. Ford followed as Chapel Mis- sionaries until May 4th, 1875, when the Rev. Howard A. Talbot was ordained and began as Chapel Pastor. In October, 1875, Mr. Talbot requested that the Lord's Supper be celebrated at the Chapel. The first session meeting was held here November 8th, 1875, Rev. Mr. Talbot, and Elders Dr. Alfred C. Post and Mr. W. H. Helme Moore were present. At this meeting thirteen members were received, of whom five were upon confession of their faith. Before this date seventy persons belonging to the Chapel congregation had united with the Church, making the nucleus of the present Church of the Covenant eighty-three members, being the same in numbers as the charter members of the Church of the Covenant that was organized thir-
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teen years before. Mr. Talbot gave six and one-half years of most devoted service, resigning in October, 188I, on account of ill-health. From 1881-1889 he was pastor at Merrill, Wis., and in 1889 he became pastor of the Presbyterian Church at DePere, Wis., where he is much beloved and very successful. The portraits of the Chapel Pastors, Talbot, McEwen, and Rogers, are the gift of friends in this Church.
REV. HENRY T. MCEWEN.
On November 17th, 1881, the Rev. Henry T. McEwen of the class of 1881 of the Union Theologi- cal Seminary, was ordained by the Presbytery of New York, and began work as minister at Covenant Chapel, immediately succeeding the Rev. Howard A. Talbot. He labored most successfully till July, 1887, when he resigned to accept the call of the Fourteenth Street Presbyterian Church of New York. During his min- istry there was secured the services of lady visitors, one of whom, Miss Anna M. Juppe, began March Ist, 1882, and has continued until the present time, a most valuable help in the administration of benevo- lences and in pastoral and Sunday School work. Mr. McEwen laid good foundations for the development of the Church that has since grown up here. During his ministry 212 members were added to the Church roll. Dr. McEwen is now the pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, Amsterdam, N. Y.
REV. EDWIN E. ROGERS.
The ministry of the Rev. Edwin E. Rogers began November, 1887, and continued until October, 1889. He was a fine preacher and did good work, but a severe affliction in the accidental death of an only
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child, and a call to a Church in Zanesville, Ohio, made his ministry of brief duration. In 1891 he sent this message to us :
"I feel a familiar interest in Covenant Chapel and in the people who worship there. How well do I recall the experiences in many homes near that place. As I think of my short work there I seem to see my experiences and the experiences of many others mingling. We bowed in the awful presence of the Great God together. I look forward to a time when in another place we may all join with the loved ones who have been taken over before us in such hallelujahs as the redeemed will sing before the great white throne. Our tears will be wiped away then. I shall never cease to pray for Covenant Chapel, for those who worship there, and for those who give care, labor, money and their prayers to its work."
Dr. Rogers is now pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Bowling Green, Ohio.
REV. HENRY VAN DYKE, D.D., LL.D.
One of the most important events in the history of this Church grew out of the consolidation of the Church of the Covenant at Thirty-fifth Street and Park Avenue with the Brick Church at Thirty-seventh Street and Fifth Avenue, which was effected April 12th, 1894.
The relation of the Brick Church to this Church was expressed officially in the articles of consolidation as follows: "The work heretofore carried on at the Covenant Chapel in East Forty-second Street is to receive from the Brick Church that cordial sympathy and financial support which it has heretofore had from the Church of the Covenant." This covenant has been more than fulfilled by the generous support of the members of the Brick Church led by their pastors, who have been most cordial, loving and loyal in their sympathies and interest in the work. The pastor of
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the Brick Church who suggested the happy name of "affiliation" for this relationship was Dr. van Dyke, whose portrait, in our middle parlor, was given us by friends in the Brick Church. From the many pleasant things that might be said attesting his loving help to this Church we select the correspondence that was had upon the occasion of his resignation.
New York, January 6, 1900. TO THE REV. HENRY VAN DYKE, D.D. LL.D. :
DEAR DR. VAN DYKE-We hereby express to you, in behalf of the Church of the Covenant, our grateful appreciation of your cordial sympathy, loyal interest and generous support, which has cheered, comforted and strengthened us in our work during the past six years.
The plan of affiliation, which you inaugurated, and under which we have been associated with the Brick Presbyterian Church, was a most happy solution of a difficult problem, and has been blessed of God to the furtherance of the Gospel of His Son in this city.
We deeply regret the severing of the personal relations that have inspired us and blessed our Church, and we shall follow you with affectionate regard and with earnest prayer for the richest Divine blessing to ever abide in your home and upon your work.
Cordially yours, GEO. SIDNEY WEBSTER, Pastor.
GEO. H. YEWELL,
DANIEL H. WIESNER,
CHAS. S. MCKAY, LLOYD W. FISHER,
Elders.
CHAS. W. PACK, JAS. W. WALKER,
GEO. W. ELKINS, J. EATON JESSUP,
Jos. B. ADSIT, EMILE J. DE LHERBE, Deacons.
J. CLEVELAND CADY, Chairman Board Trustees, Sunday-School Superintendent.
CHAS. O. KIMBALL, Assistant Sunday-School Superintendent.
ALFRED R. KIMBALL, Treasurer,
A. R. LEDOUX, D. J. HOLDEN, Trustees. ANNA M. JUPPE, Visitor.
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STANWORTH, PRINCETON, N. J.
MY DEAR FRIEND :
To you, and to the Church of the Covenant, my love and hearty thanks for your letter. It came to me on a day of pain and brought real comfort. For the providence that brought me into relations with the Church of the Covenant I shall ever be grateful. You have done me good and not evil, all the years that we have been together. From you I have learned much and received true help. God bless you all in your work for the Master, and keep us always good friends in the fellowship of service.
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