USA > New York > Erie County > Buffalo > Manual of the North Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, N.Y. : containing a brief history of the church, the form of admission and the doctrines and covenant of its confession of faith, the order of its religious services, &c. and a catalogue of its members > Part 1
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3 1833 01796 7958
GENEALOGY 974.702 B86NO
HISTORY AND CATALOGUE
OF THE
North Presbyterian Church, BUFFALO.
MANUAL
OF THE
NORTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BUFFALO, N. Y.
CONTAINING
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
THE FORM OF ADMISSION AND THE DOCTRINES AND COVENANT OF ITS CONFESSION OF FAITH; THE ORDER OF ITS RELIGIOUS SERVICES, &C .; AND
A CATALOGUE OF ITS MEMBERS.
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord know- eth them that are his; and, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity .- 2 TIM. 2: 19.
BUFFALO: GEO. REESE & CO., PRINTERS, No. 5 West Seneca Street. 1853
" I love thy Kingdom, Lord, The house of Thine abode, The Church our blest Redeemer saved With his own precious blood."
BRIEF HISTORY
OF THE
NORTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
BUFFALO, N. Y.
An organization of so recent date can of course require but a few words to record its history. Yet as in other and distant years all these simple facts may become important in the progress of the Church, it is deemed desirable to put them in print for the satisfaction of our children, and the assistance of future chroniclers.
On the 25th March, A. D. 1847, forty three members of the First Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, recieved letters of dismission for the pur- pose of constituting a new Church, and at the same time were organized by a Committee of the Presbytery of Buffalo, and received the name of the North Presbyterian Church, in Buffalo.
This movement originated in a view of the importance of Church Extension in our growing city, and the need of a new Church in the neighborhood where this is located. The Rev. Dr. ASA T. HOPKINS, deccased, then Pastor of the First Church, was deeply interested in the measure, and though losing by it some of his warmest friends and best supporters, yet urged forward the enterprise with all his accustomed zeal, and rendered most efficient service in establishing the new church.
After its organization and until the basement of its own house of worship was ready for use, the North Church continued to meet with the First Church in their Sabbath worship, but held its own prayer- meetings at the houses of its members. The first separate meeting was
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the Monthly Concert of Prayer for Missions, held in April, 1847, a few days only after the organization of the church.
The corner stone of the church edifice was laid about Ist August, 1846. aud the house was solemnly dedicated to the worship of Almighty God, the 29th of December, A. D., 1847.
Beneath the corner-stone was deposited a tin box containing the fol- lowing articles, viz :
Bible, Confession of Faith, New York Observer, New York Evan- gelist, Missionary Herald, Home Missionary, Buffalo Daily Papers, City Directory, Map of the City, and the names of the
Architect, C. N. OTIS,
Master Builder, J. H. SELKIRK, Master Mason, J. D. BERRY.
In the services of the dedication, the Rev. Mr. STERNBERG, of the Lutheran Church, made the invocation; the Rev. Dr. TUCKER, of the Baptist Church, offered the introductory prayer; the Rev. Dr. J. C. LORD, offered the dedicatory prayer; and the pastor elect, the Rev. CHARLES RICH, preached the sermon, from Gen. 1: 3 and 2 Cor. 4: 6. " And God said, Let there be light, and there was light," and "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
The Rev. CHARLES RICH, commenced his labors in the basement of the church, October 3d, 1847, and was installed by the Presbytery of Buffalo, 27 January, A. D. 1848, and the Pastoral relation was dissolved by the same judicatory on the 1st of March, A. D. 1849.
In the services of the installation of Mr. RICH, the Rev. G. W. HEA- COCK, of Buffalo, preached the sermon from Romans 5: 15, 16. "But not as the offence so also is the free gift," &c. The charge to the Pastor was given by the Rev. L. A. SKINNER, of Lancaster; and the charge to the people, by the Rev. HIRAM EDDY, of Springville.
The Rev. JOSHUA COOK, (now of St. Catherines, C. W.,) then a licentiate of the Presbytery of Buffalo, supplied the desk during the subsequent summer and fall, and on the 5th Nov., A. D. 1849, a call was made upon the Rev. ALBERT T. CHESTER, D. D., then Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Saratoga Springs, N. Y. The call was accepted, and Doct. CHESTER commenced his regular labors as Pastor, on the 23d Dec., A. D. 1849, and was installed by the Presbytery of Buffalo, on the 31st Jan., A. D. 1850. In the services of the installation the Rev.
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Dr. M. L. R. P. THOMPSON preached the sermon from 1 Tim. 3: 1. " This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a Bishop, he de- sireth a good work;" the charge to the"Pastor was given by the Rev. G. W. HEACOCK, and the charge to the people by the Rev. T. STILLMAN.
The progress of the church has been steady and somewhat rapid. There have been occasional conversions during all its history, and in the winter and spring of 1853 there was a blessed outpouring of the Holy Spirit, during which about eighty persons were hopefully converted to God. The whole number of members from the commencement has been 367, of which number 263 united by certificate, and 104 upon pro- fession, and the present number now in communion is about 300.
The whole number of persons baptized has been 147, of which 36 were adults, and 111 were infants. The present Pastor has officiated at 59 funerals and at 35 weddings.
The first Elders chosen were George B. Walbridge, Benjamin Hodge and Chauncey D. Cowles, who were elected and ordained by the Rev. Dr. A. T. HOPKINS, on the 25th March, A. D. 1847.
Cyrus M. Fay was elected Elder, and Morris Butler and Charles Taintor, Deacons, Feb. 25, 1848, and ordained to their respective offices March 5, 1848, by the Rev. CHARLES RICH.
John R. Lee and Charles E. Clarke were elected Elders, and Horace Stillman and George L. Hubbard, Deacons, Dec. 11, 1851, and were ordained Jan. 11, 1852, by the Rev. A. T. CHESTER, D. D.
The rule of the church in electing Elders and Deacons, as established by usage, is, that the male members of the church only vote in the election.
6
TABULAR VIEW.
ORDAINED. RULING ELDERS.
Mar. 25, 1847. George B. Walbridge,
Died Aug. 30, 1852,
66
Benjamin Hodge,
Chauncey D. Cowles,
Mar. 5, 1848. Cyrus M. Fay, Died Dec. 12, 1850.
Jan. 11, 1852, John R. Lee,
Charles E. Clarke,
DEACONS.
Mar. 5, 1848. Morris Butler,
. Charles Taintor,
Jan. 11, 1852. Horace Stillman,
George L. Hubbard.
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The first Trustees of the Society chosen at its organization, March 10, 1847, were George B. Walbridge, Gurdon C. Coit, John R. Lee, Charles G. Miller, Jason Sexton, Thomas J. Dudley, Morris Butler, Elias S. Hawley, and Dennis Bowen. New Trustees have been elected since as follows, viz: April 3, 1848. James Wadsworth, Pascal P. Pratt and Gibson T. Williams; April 2, 1849, S. V. R. Watson; March 25, 1850, Andrew J. Rich ; April 5, 1852, Austin A. Howard; March 25, 1853, Henry C. Walker.
The Sabbath School was organized October 6, 1847. The first Su- perintendent was George B. Walbridge, who held the office until the fall of 1851. Nathaniel Rogers was Superintendent during the rext year, and in the fall of 1852, William Stimpson, the present incumbent was elected.
The Sabbath School is now large and flourishing, having an Infant Department in a separate room, and four Bible Classes, also occupying a room by themselves; the main school is held in the capacious Lecture room.
A Pastor's Library was founded in 1851, to which an annual contri- bution is made. It now consists of 170 volumes, among which are Poole's Synopsis, The Hexapla, Baxters complete works, in 23 volumes, &c. The Library is the property of the church, but kept by the Pastor, and especially for his use.
The benevolent operations of the church have been constantly in- creasing. The amount contributed last year to objects within the range of strict benevolence, was somewhat more than $2,500. During the current year the prospect is that this amount will be much larger.
The Church is situated on the west side of Main street, between Chippewa and Huron streets. The lot is 94 feet front and 132 fect deep. The building is 74 feet wide, and about 122 feet deep. The vestibule is a circular hall 30 feet in diameter, and the audience room is 91 feet long, and 71 feet broad, containing 150.large sized slips. There are also 50 slips in the gallery, exclusive of the commodious organ-loft. The church will accommodate, without additional seats, thirteen or four- teen hundred persons, and can be made to seat eighteen hundred. The basement is divided into several rooms; the Lecture room, which will scat from four to five hundred persons; the Prayer meeting room, which will accommodate an hundred or an hundred and fifty ; the Session room,
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still smaller, and the Furnace rooms. The organ is one of Appleton's, of Boston, cost about $3000. The pulpit is of white Italian marble. The seats are trimmed with drab damask. The walls are frescoed in a chaste and beautiful manner. The bell weighs about 3,500 pounds. The cost of the whole building with its furniture has been not far from $40,000.
THE FORM OF ADMISSION,
WITH THE DOCTRINES AND COVENANT TO WHICH THE CANDIDATES ARE EXPECTED TO GIVE ASSENT.
Those who wish to unite with the Church either upon profession of their faith or by certificate must meet with the session at one of its regular meetings, and if accepted, will present themselves for public reception at the next communion sabbath. If there are none to unite upon profession, candidates are received in the afternoon, rising in their places, and assenting to the two articles of the following covenant, rela- ting to fellowship with this church, and submission to its discipline. Those who unite upon the first profession of their faith present them- selves at the close of the sermon on the morning of the Communion Sabbath, and assent to the following doctrines and covenant, and if there are others to unite by certificate they are called upon at the same time to rise in their places and assent to the two articles of the covenant named above.
The candidates being arranged before the desk, the minister shall say :
ADDRESS.
BELOVED FRIENDS:
You have presented yourselves before God and this assembly to make a solemn profession of your religious faith, and to take upon yourselves everlasting obliga-
9
tions. We trust that you have duly considered the nature of these professions, and of the engagements into which you are about to enter. They are of the most solemn moment, and upon the faithful observance of them your eternal happiness will depend.
But be not disheartened. If you come with sincere desires toward God, and in the exercise of humble faith in the Saviour, He will impart to you grace and wisdom, and finally make you partakers of eternal blessedness.
The following are the articles of Faith to which you are expected to give your assent :
PROFESSION OF FAITH. -- I
You believe in the existence of one living and true God ; that he is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchange- able, in his attributes and perfections.
II
You believe that there are Three Persons in the God- head-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ; and that these Three Persons are one Godhead, the same in substance, and equal in power and glory.
III
You believe that Jesus Christ is very God and very man, yet one Christ ; that two perfect and distinct na- tures, the human and divine, were inseparably joined in one Person, and that this Person is the only Mediator between God and man. You believe that the Lord
B
10
Jesus Christ, by his perfect obedience, and by his sacri- fice of himself, has opened a way of reconciliation be- tween God and man : so that all who receive Christ by faith may be forgiven of God, and saved from their sins.
You believe that our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God; and that their fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.
V
You believe that such is the depravity of the human heart, that the Holy Spirit alone is able to bring man to repentance and to faith.
VI
You believe the Sacred Scriptures to be the revealed word of God, and as such the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
VII
You believe in the necessity of regeneration, and in the promises of justification, adoption, and final perse- verance, God's free gift, to all those who truly repent of their sins, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
VIII
You believe that Christ has instituted an external and visible church, whose sealing ordinances, to the end of time, are Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and that these two ordinances are the only Sacraments of his church ; that Baptism is to be administered to all who make a
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credible profession of their faith, and to their infant children ; that the Lord's Supper is to be administered only to those who profess to have been renewed by the Holy Spirit.
IX
You believe in the immortality of the scul, and the resurrection of the body ; in a day of judgement, and in a future and eternal state of reward and punishment.
You thus profess to believe.
[Here the ordinance of Baptism is to be administered, if necessary.]
You are now about to enter into solemn covenant with God.
COVENANT.
In the presence of God and this assembly, you do now most solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah-Father, Son, and Holy Ghost-to be your God, the supreme object of your affections, and your portion forever. You cor- dially acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit to be your Sanctifier, Comforter, and Guide. You cheerfully devote yourselves to God, in the everlasting covenant of His grace, conse- crating all your powers and faculties to His service and glory ; and you promise that through the assistance of His Spirit, you will ever cleave to Him, giving diligent attendance to His word and ordinances, and secking the honor and interest of his kingdom ; and that henceforth, denying all ungodliness and every worldly lust, you will live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
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[ If there are any to unite by letter, they will here rise in their places and assent to the remainder of the covenant }
You do also most solemnly promise, that, by the grace of God assisting, you will maintain a holy fellowship and communion with this Christian church, in the wor- ship of God, in a punctual attendance upon its ordinances and in the performance of such other spiritual services as may tend to mutual edification.
You do also, in like manner, promise that you will faithfully submit yourselves to the government and dis- cipline of this church, and that you will walk humbly and circumspectly in all its requirements.
You thus promise.
[ Here the members of the church will rise. ]
In consequence of these professions and engagements, We, the members of this church, do cordially receive you into its holy fellowship and in the name of Christ welcome you to all its immunities and privileges ; and on our part do most solemnly promise to be kindly affectioned toward you, watching over your spiritual interests, and promoting your spiritual welfare, so long as God, in His providence, may spare us to each other.
[Here the members of the church will resume their seats.]
Should you have occasion to change your place of residence, it will be your duty to seek, and ours to grant a recommendation to another church ; for hereafter you can never withdraw from the watch and communion of saints, without a breach of covenant.
And now, beloved in the Lord, let it never be for- gotten that you have come under obligations of the most solemn character. Wherever you go, these vows will be
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upon you. They will follow you to the bar of God, and will abide upon you forever. The Lord guide and pre- serve you.
And may grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Fa- ther and Jesus Christ our Lord, ever attend this holy union. Amen.
FORM USED AT THE BAPTISM OF INFANTS.
The sacrament of Baptism was instituted by Jesus Christ-not only as a solemn form of admission into his visible Church-but also as a sign and a seal of the spiritual blessings which he imparts to his followers. The element of water, as used in this ordinance, is a striking symbol of our internal purification by the blood of Christ, and the influence of his spirit. And the appli- cation of this element, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, signifies our adoption into the family of God, and our introduction to the enjoyment of all the blessings of that covenant of grace which He has established with his people.
It is not to be administered to any who are out of the visible Church, until they profess their faith in Chiist and their obedience to Him ; but the infants of such as are members of the visible Church, are to be baptized.
In dedicating your child (or children,) to God in this ordinance, you do publicly renew your covenant engage- ments with Him and with this Church. And you pro- mise, if your life and the life of your child (or children) should be spared, to teach it (or them) to read the word
14
of God-to instruct it (or them) in the principles of our holy religion ; an excellent summary of which is to be found in the larger and shorter Catechisms adopted by our Church-to pray with it (or them)-and to pray for it (or them)-to set before it (or them) a godly example -and, by all the means of God's appointment, to bring it (or them) up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Relying on the all-sufficiency of divine grace to make you faithful, and crown your efforts with success, do you engage, that these things, with whatever else you shall feel to be your duty as christian parents, you will faith- fully endeavor to perform ?
The following Digest is here inserted for convenient reference in the arrangement of the affairs of the society.
DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, IN RELATION TO ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS, ELECTIONS, &c.,
ORGANIZATION OF THE SOCIETY, AND ELECTION OF TRUSTEES.
1, Public notice must be given at least ten days before the said organization and elec- tion, on two successive Sabbaths.
2. Two members of the congregation, to be nominated by a majority of the members present, shall preside at the election, receive the votes of the electors, and be the judges of the qualification of such electors; and after the election they shall certify, under their hands and seals the names of persons elected as trustees, the corporate name adopted, and have the same acknowledged and recorded in the County Clerk's office.
3. Only male persons of lawful age are entitled to vote.
4. No person who has not statedly worshipped with the congregation, or been con- sidered a member, can vote.
5. Not less than three nor more than nine persons shall be elected as trustees.
6. A plurality of voices shall decide the election.
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SEAL OF THE TRUSTEES.
The trustees shall have and use a common Seal, which may be altered or renewed at pleasure.
POWER OF THE TRUSTEES.
1. They shall take and hold posession of all the property of the society, both real and personal.
2. In their corporate name, they can sue and be sued.
3. They shall have power to repair and alter their places of worship, and, if necessary, to erect a new edifice, and also to purchase or build a dwelling-house for the pastor.
4. They may make rules for managing the temporal affairs of the society.
5. May dispose of the income of the society according to their judgment.
6. Shall regulate the prices, and order the renting of pews.
7. Shall appoint a Clerk and Treasurer of the Board, who may be removed at pleasure.
MEETINGS OF TRUSTEES.
Every two of the trustees shall have power to call a special meeting of the Board. A majority of the whole number of trustees only shall have power to attend to business at any meeting lawfully convened.
TRUSTEES TO BE DIVIDED INTO CLASSES.
The trustees first chosen at the organization of any religions society, shall be divided into three classes, to the intent that one-third of the members of the Board shall vacate their office at the end of each year.
After the first election, all trustees shall hold their office for the term of three years, NOTICE OF NEW ELECTIONS OF TRUSTEES.
The trustees or a majority of them, shall, at least one month before the expiration of the office of any of the trustees, notify the same in writing to the minister, or in case of his death or absence, to the deacons, specifying the names of those whose term will expire ; and the said minister or deacons shall give fifteen days notice to the congrega- tion, on two successive Sabbaths, of a new election, which election shall be held at least six days before such vacancies shall occur.
Any two members present, appointed by the society, may preside at the election.
DEATII OF TRUSTEES, REMOVAL, &C.
All vacancies by death, removal, or refusal to act, shall be filled in the same manner, and with the same public notice given, as at the regular elections.
VOTERS AFTER THE ORGANIZATION.
No person belonging to the society shall be entitled to vote at any election succeeding the first, until he shall have been a stated attendant on divine worship at least one year before such election, and shall have contributed to the support of said society, according to the usages and customs thereof.
The Clerk of the Board of Trustees shall keep a register of the names of the legal voters, and shall at all elections decide upon their qualifications.
MINISTER'S SALARY.
The trustees shall not have power to fix upon the sum to be paid the minister for his support, but the same shall be determined by a majority of legal voters at a meeting to be called for that purpose.
REDUCING THE NUMBER OF TRUSTEES.
The society may reduce the number of their trustees at any annual meeting, provided said number be not less than three.
ANNUAL MEETING.
It shall be lawful for any society, at its stated annual meeting, to alter and fix the time for the next annual meeting and election of trustees.
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ORDER OF SERVICES, &c.
The regular services of the House of God, are attended on each Sabbath morning at half past 10 o'clock through the year ; and in the afternoon at 2 o'clock, during the winter, and at 3 o'clock in the summer. There is frequently public worship on Sabbath evening, either in the church or lecture room.
The Sabbath School is held at 9 o'clock on Sabbath morning. In addition to the usual Bible lesson, the Assembly's Catechism is recited in portions by the scholars of the Sabbath School, and explanations given by the Pastor on each Sabbath succeeding the communion.
There is a weekly lecture on Thursday evening, and a prayer meet- ing on Saturday evening. The monthly concert of prayer for Missions is attended on the first Monday evening of each month. The young people's prayer and conference meeting is held every Friday evening The female prayer meeting is held on Wednesday afternoon of each week at 3 o'clock. These meetings are all held in the lecture room, or one of the adjoining rooms, in the basement of the church.
The sacrament of the Lord's Supper is administered on the afternoons of the first Sabbaths of February, April, June, August, October and December. The preparatory lecture is delivered on the previous Thurs- day evening, and the regular meetings of the session for the examina- tion of candidates for admission to the church are held on the Monday afternoon and Thursday evening previous to the communion.
The ordinance of Baptism is administered to the infants of believers, when either of the parents is a member of the church, at the com- mencement of the afternoon service on the Sabbaths following the com- munion. If inconvenient to present the child on the above named Sab- bath, baptism will be administered on any other Sabbath, the parents gi- ving proper notice.
It is desired for the convenience of the pastor that Funerals should ordinarily be attended in the afternoon, and never on the Sabbath.
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Collections are made for the various religious enterprizes of the church at large, and for this church, as follows;
January,
American and Foreign Christian Union,
February,
March,
Sabbath School Library,
April,
May,
- Pastor's Library, Bethel Society,
June,
July, American Home Mission Society,
August,
Education,
September,
American Tract Society,
October, American Sunday School Union,
November,
American Bible Society,
December,
- Foreign Missions (A. B. C. F. M.)
The Female Benevolent Society has a meeting every other Tuesday afternoon, the proceeds of which are now devoted to the Education of indigent young men for the ministry.
The Anniversary of the Female Home Missionary is on the first Mon- day of January.
The Sexton will be in attendance to seat strangers who desire to worship with us, and to him applications are to be made to rent or pur- chase slips. Those who intend to connect themselves with the congrega- tion are requested to leave their address with the sexton at the church door, and the Pastor will immediately call upon themz.
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