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Gc 974.702 N422nen 1851420
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALO LLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02233 7080
4487
28 516. 621 1
MANUAL
OF THE
Worth Presbyterian Church,
IN THE
CITY OF NEW-YORK.
NO.1.
BY ORDER OF THE SESSION, JANUARY 1, 1858.
"THAT thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the the house of God." 1 Tim. 3 : 15.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CH .. AGO NEW-YORK
JOHN A. GRAY, PRINTER, 16 AND 18 JACOB ST., FIRE-PROOF BUILDINGS.
1858.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/manualofnorthpre00nort_0
1851420
1: 1
NEW YORK. NORTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
1 28516 .631 uary 1, 1858 ... New-York, J. A. Gray, 1858.
Manual ... no.1. By order of the session, Jan- 36р. 15cm.
Contents .- History. - Administration. - Members of the church.
J
NL 40-4356 2985
SHELF CARD
بالثنا ئك التيسيسيه
OFFICE-BEARERS.
1. Pastor. EDWIN F. HATFIELD, D. D., 103 West Sith st.
2, Elders.
CHARLES H. RUSHER, JOSEPH T. WILLIAMS, JAMES REEVE,
OLIVER HI. LEE,
DANIEL HI. SMITH,
GEORGE D. CRAGIN,
FREEMAN EDGAR,
ALVAR PHELPS,
('HARLES L. DOE,
235 West 31st st. 22S West 31st st. Mattituck, Long Island. 193 West 29th st. 190 West 39th st. 223 West 32d st. 174 West 31th st. 2978 West 21st st. 13 West 42d st.
3. Deacons.
JOSEPH T. WILLIAMS, CUMMINGS H. TUCKER, FREEBORN G. BURDETT, THOMAS MCINTYRE,
223 West 31st st. 23% West 30th st. 249 West 34th st. 210 West 30th st.
4. Trustees.
CHARLES H. RUSHER,
CUMMINGS II. TUCKER,
DANIEL HI. SMITH,
JOSEPH T. WILLIAMS,
GILBERT N. MARSHALL,
OLIVER HI. LEE,
GEORGE D. CRAGIN, JOHN R. PANTON, JOHN CAMERDEN,
5. Superintendents.
OLIVER HI. LEE, (of the Sabbath-School, ) CHARLES L. DOE, (of the Mission School,)
193 West 29th st. 118 West 42d st.
6. Organist.
SIGISMOND LASAR, At C. Breusing's, 701 Broadway.
ALFRED W. WALKER,
7. Sexton. 352 Avenue Ninth. 1985
235 West 31st st. 23% West 30th st. 190 West 3th st. 22- West 31st st. 319 West 221 st. 193 West 29th st. 223 West 82d st. 214 West 30th st. 219 West 31st st.
I. HISTORY.
IN 1845 the Institution for the Blind occupied a por- tion of one of the rural districts of the city. The ad- jacent streets had not been regulated, and the dwelling- houses were few and of humble aspect. Before the close of the year, a Sunday-school was opened, and taught every Sabbath afternoon, in the Ward School, No. 33, in 35th street, near the Ninth Avenue. It was conducted by Mr. JOSEPH B. SHEFFIELD, assisted by other members of the Mission Association of the Mer- cer-Street Presbyterian Church. This school served as a nucleus for a Christian congregation ..
The City Mission Association of the Third and Fourth Presbyteries of New-York, having been organ- ized, October 30th, 1846, secured the use of the chapel of the Institution for the Blind as a preaching station, for the year 1847. They appointed the Rev. WASH- INGTON ROOSEVELT as their missionary for this locality. HIe commenced his services January 10th, 1817, and gathered a considerable congregation.
A church of eight males and eight females was organized, June 27th, 1847, by the Rev. THos. II. SKINNER, D.D., assisted by the Rev. W.M. ADAMS, D.D., and the Rev. W. ROOSEVELT. It received the name of " the North Presbyterian Church in the City of New- York." It was shortly after received under the care of the Third Presbytery of New-York. The Sunday- School in 35th street was transferred to the new church.
The congregation became a Religious Incorporation, in due form, September 13th, 1817. A free lease of four full lots of ground on the south side of 32d
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street, midway between the Eighth and Ninth Avenues, was obtained from Mr. JAMES BOORMAN, for seven years, from May 1st, 1848; which was subsequently extended to nine years. Plans and estimates having been procured for a temporary house of worship, the contract was given, September 29th, 1848, to Mr. W.u. S. HUNT, for $2750. It was completed in April fol- lowing, at an expense of $3200. It was a frame build- ing, about 40 by 60 ft., with a short central tower in front. It contained 75 pews, and was furnished with a front gallery. The house was built in the open fields, on a hill-side-known formerly as "Strawberry Hill."
The house was opened for public worship, April 13th, 1849. The Rev. WASHINGTON ROOSEVELT WAS unanimously chosen the Pastor of the Church and Congregation, and duly installed by the Third Presby- tery of New-York, May 6th, 1849. He resigned the charge at the close of the year 1855, and was released by the Presbytery, January 14th, 1856.
The Rev. EDWIN F. HATFIELD, D. D., then Pastor of the Seventh Presbyterian Church in this city, was,
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Jan. 22d, 1856, unanimously chosen to succeed Mr. Roosevelt. Having accepted the call, he was released from his pastoral charge, February 4th, and installed on Wednesday, February 18th, 1856.
Measures were immediately taken to erect a more substantial and commodious house of worship. By the noble munificence of Mr. JAMES BOORMAN, the con- gregation were, on the 1st of May following, put into free and full possession of four full lots of ground, 98-9 by 100 ft., on the N. E. corner of Ninth Avenue and 31st street. Mr. ROBERT G. HarrinD was appointed the architect, and the contracts were awarded, for the mason-work, to Mr. C. H. TUCKER, $17,819; and for the carpenter-work, to Mr. Wy. S. Herr, $14,352.
The corner-stone was laid, June 19th, 1856, and the Lecture Room opened for public worship, Nov. 16th, 1856. The former house of worship was sold to the North-West Presbyterian Church for $600; and soon after removed to 50th street, near Broadway.
The new church was completed and opened for publie worship, March 29th, 1857. It is built of stone, 91 ft. by 66 ft., with a tower projection of 4 feet, and a central spire rising to the height of 182 feet. The in- terior is finished in fresco, and furnished with an organ from the manufactory of Messrs. JARDINE AND SON, of this city. It has 152 pews on the main floor, and 60 on the two side galleries. The organ gallery is in front, and disconnected from the others. The house is lighted at night from the ceiling. The pews will ac- commodate 1000 adult persons.
The house was built under the supervision of Messrs. OLIVER H. LEE, JAMES REEVE, and DANIEL H. SMITH, the Building Committee. It cost, with the organ and other furniture, $45,759,28.
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II. ADMINISTRATION.
I. Of the Congregation.
The congregation is composed of those who statedly meet together in the Sanctuary for the worship of (iod. Theirs is the property, and they are to make all necessary pecuniary provision for the maintenance of public worship. To this end they are organized as a Religious Incorporation, according to the Statutes of the State, by the title of "The Trustees of the North Presbyterian Church in the City of New-York."
The State Laws, by which the Incorporation is regulated, are, in substance, as follows :
1. Number of Trustees. " Any number of discreet persons of the church, congregation, or society, not less than three, nor exceeding nine." The number may be altered at an annual meeting.
2. Term of Office. Three years: so classed that one third go out of office every year.
3. Electors. Males, of full age, who have been stated attendants on the public worship of the congre- gation at least one year before the election, and contri- butors to its funds, according to its usages and cus- toms.
4. Registry. To be kept by the clerk of the Trustees, of all legal voters; thereby to test the qualifications of voters.
5. Time of Election. At least six days before a vacancy occurs by expiration of the term of office. This to be the Annual Meeting. The time alterable at the will of the congregation.
6. Notice of Election. To be given, by the Trustees, to the pastor; or, in case of his death or absence, to
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the elders; with a statement, in writing, of the names of those whose term is about to expire. After which, the pastor, or elders, as above, are to give notice of the vacancies, and of the time and place of the election, at least fifteen days before it, and on two successive Sabbaths.
7. Conduct of Election. Two of the elders, or, in their absence, any other two members of the congrega- tion, nominated by a majority of the members present, are to preside at the election, receive the votes, deter- mine the qualifications of persons offering to vote, and, after the election, to certify, under their hand and seal, the results of the canvass. A plurality decides the election.
8. Special Elections. To be called and conducted on the same principles; in case of death, removal, de- clining the office, or resigning it.
9. Seal of Trustees. One to be provided, but alter- able at will.
10. Meetings of Trustees. May be called by any two of them.
11. Quorum. A majority of the whole number.
12. Powers. They are to hold in trust for the con- gregation, and for its uses, all the church property, of every description : as such, they may sue, or be sued ; may repair or alter the house of worship, or, if neces- sary, erect a new one ; may purchase or build a parson- age, or school-house for the congregation ; may adopt rules for the judicious management of its temporalities ; dispose of its income; regulate and order the renting of pews, and all other matters pertaining to the tempo- ral concerns of the congregation : but they have no power to fix or ascertain the amount of the pastor's salary, which can be determined only by a majority of
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legal voters, at a meeting to be called for that purpose ; nor have they the right to sell or mortgage any of the real estate of the congregation, without the special warrant of the Supreme Court of the State.
13. Officers. A President, a Clerk, and a Treasurer. They may also employ a collector of the rents and revenues.
The Trustees meet statedly, on the evening of the first Thursday of every month, ordinarily in the Session- Room.
They have made the following arrangements for de- fraying the current expenses of the congregation :
On each of the pews they have fixed a specific valuation, at which they may be purchased or rented. Purchasers will be charged ten per cent annually on this valuation. Seven per cent additional will be charged when the pew is rented. Payments to be made quarterly, in advance, on the first of May,. August, November, and February. Application for pews, or parts of pews, to be made to the Sexton.
Church-members, too poor to rent, will, on applica- tion to the Trustees, be furnished gratuitous ly with convenient sittings.
The following persons have served the congregation as
Trustees. When elected. Service terminated.
Robert S. Carswell, Sept. 18th, 1817. Nov. 26th, 1519. Thomas HI. Roome, 66 66
Zenas Newell, 6. 16
Robert Barkley,
Resigned, Aug. 2d, 1850.
William J. Peck,
June 6th, 1851.
Charles HI. Rusher, Nov. 26th, 1849. James Reeve,
Resigned, Nov. 5th, 1-57.
Israel D. Masten,
. Nov. 26th, 1851.
James Muir,
Resigned, June 5th, 1550.
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When elected.
Service terminated.
Joseph T. Williams, Nov. 26, 1519. Nov. 26th, 1852.
Aaron Mckinstry,
Resigned, Sep. 17th, 1850.
William Thornall,
Sept. 17th, 1850. Nov. 26th, 1851. « Nov. 26th, 1852.
James P. Ostrom, July 25th, 1852. Resigned, Aug. 8d, 1554.
Robert Pollock, " 28th, 1852. Nov. 26th, 1851. “ 26th, 1854.
Samuel D. Jones,
Alvah Phelps, Nov. 20th, 1852. Resigned, June 24th, 1957.
Seaver N. Prentiss, "
Nov. 26th, 1855.
C. II. Tucker,
Daniel H. Smith, Aug. 31st, 1851.
Joseph T. Williams, Nov. 26th, "
Franklin Gregg,
Nov. 26th, 1857.
Gilbert N. Marshall, " 1855.
Oliver H. Lee,
1856.
George D. Cragin, June 24th, 1857.
John R. Paxton, Dec. 22d, 1857.
John Camerden,
The congregation meet twice on the Lord's Day, in the Sanctuary, for public worship; and at other times in the Lecture Room; as follows :
Times of Public Worship.
Lord's Day. Morning service, always at 103 A.M. Evening service, at 7 P.M., Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb. FL P.M., the remainder of the year.
Monday.
First Monday evening of the month, Monthly Concert of Prayer.
Tuesday. Every Tuesday evening (except the next after the monthly concert,) the Exposi- tory Lecture.
Friday.
Every Friday evening a meeting for social worship.
The congregation expect to bear their part in sus- taining the operations of Christian Benevolence. An
John Galloway,
VOVL VOVVV VVV
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opportunity will be given them, as follows, to make their
Annual Contributions.
Jannary, The Sun. School cause.
July, The Tract cause.
March, Home Mis.
Sept., Bible ..
May,
Foreign "
Nov.,
Education "
The congregation also conduct and sustain a
Sunday-School.
It is taught every Lord's Day, in the P.M., com- mencing at 2 o'clock.
The school is under the immediate supervision of the Session of the Church; and is also connected with the New-York Sunday-School Union, as No. 117.
Instead of the usual services on the last Sabbath of every month, a Catechetical Exercise is conducted by the pastor ; which is followed by a missionary meeting.
Mission School.
This is conducted, at the same time, and under the same supervision, at No. 286 West 37th st., near the 10th Avenue. It is known as No. 206 of the N. Y. S. S. Union.
II. Of the Church.
A part of the congregation are distinguished from the remaining part by a profession of religion, and are called "the Church." The members of the church are supposed to have been the subjects of regenerating grace, to be truly converted from the error of their ways, and to exemplify in their lives the virtues and graces of Christianity.
The church is Presbyterian, and is under the care of the Third Presbytery of New-York.
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1. The Church Session.
The Session consists of the Pastor and the Ruling Elders. They are " charged with maintaining the spi- ritual government of the congregation : for which pur- pose they have power to inquire into the knowledge and Christian conduct of the members of the church ; to call before them offenders and witnesses, being . members of their own congregation, and to introduce other witnesses where it may be necessary to bring the process to issue, and when they can be procured to at- tend; to receive members into the church; to ad- monish, to rebuke, to suspend, or exclude from the sacraments, those who are found to deserve censure ; to concert the best measures for promoting the spir- itual interests of the congregation; and to appoint delegates to the higher judicatories of the church."
Quorum. Two elders, and the pastor.
Moderator. The pastor; except in case of his sick- ness, or absence, or when prudential reasons make it advisable to call in another, who must be a minister of the Third Presbytery of New-York, and is to be invited by the pastor, with the concurrence of the elders. If the church should be deprived of their pastor, the Ses- sion may invite a member of the Presbytery to preside on a particular occasion; or obtain permission of the Presbytery to secure the services of a stated Moderator until the vacancy is filled.
Meetings. The Session meet by adjournment, or at the call of the Moderator; and such call may be re- quired of him by any two of the eklers.
The Elders, according to the Form of Government, I. 5, "are properly the representatives of the people, chosen by them for the purpose of exercising govern- ment and discipline in conjunction with the pastor."
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They "must be male members, in full communion with the church."
The office is "perpetual, and cannot be laid aside at pleasure."
Every church is at liberty to determine the number, and the mode by which to conduct the election, of their elders.
In this. church, the Session have the power of nomi- nation, which is to be made publicly on the Sabbath next preceding the time of election. The question may be taken collectively; or, if so desired, on each candidate separately by ballot of the male members. A majority of all the votes shall be necessary to an election.
They are to be set apart, if not previously ordained, by the laying on of the hands of the Session, and in the mode required by the Form of Government, Chap. XIII.
The following members of the church have filled the office :
RULING ELDERS.
*Thomas Edgar, from June 27, 1847, until July 9, 1849.
Zenas Newell,
" Jan. 21, "
Charles HI. Rusher,
Joseph T. Williams,
" 12, 1849.
James Reeve,
Oliver H. Lee, Oct. 27, 1850.
Daniel H. Smith,
Nov. 29, 1857.
George D. Cragin,
Freeman Edgar,
Alvah Phelps,
..
Charles L. Doc, 6.
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2. The Deacons.
"The Scriptures clearly point out Deacons as distinct officers in the church, whose business it is to take care of the poor, and to distribute among them the collec- tions which may be raised for their use." Form of Government, I. 6.
They must be male members in full communion 'with the church, and are to be chosen and set apart to their office, in the same manner as the elders.
They are intrusted with the pecuniary offerings made at every celebration of the Lord's Supper, and are expected to report to the Session, bi-monthly, ordi- narily on the week previous to such celebration, the names of their beneficiaries, and the several amounts appropriated to their relief.
The following members of the church have served as
DEACONS.
Joseph T. Williams, from June 27, 1847.
Cummings HI. Tucker, " Nov. 29, 1857. Freeborn G. Burdett,
Thomas MeIntyre,
3. The Sacraments.
"Sacraments," as the Confession of Faith teaches, (XXVII. 1,) "are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace, immediately instituted by God, to represent Christ and his benefits, and to confirm our interest in him ; as also to put a visible difference between those- that belong to the church and the rest of the world ; and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his word."
"The Sacraments of the New Testament are Baptism, and the Lord's Supper."-Sh. Catechism, 93.
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(1.) Baptism.
"Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church," "till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but infants de- scending from parents, either both or but one of them, professing faith in Christ and obedience to him, are, in that respect, within the covenant, and to be baptized." -L. Cat., 166.
It is to be administered by the sprinkling of water on the head of the candidate, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
It "is not to be unnecessarily delayed," and "is usually to be administered in the church, in the pre- sence of the congregation."-Directory, VII. 1, 2.
In the case of adults not baptized in infancy, it is administered on the occasion of professing their faith in Christ, immediately before the celebration of the Lord's Supper.
In the case of infants, it is administered on the morning of the Lord's Day next succeeding the cele- bration of the Lord's Supper, at the commencement of the service.
The child, at the call of the pastor, is to be presented before the pulpit, by one or both of the parents, who are expected, previous to the administration, to give their assent to the
Baptismal Covenant.
Dearly beloved, you have now presented your children before God, in his sanctuary, to consecrate them to his service, and to enter into covenant with him in their behalf, that they may become interested in the covenant of grace, of which the water of baptism is the seal.
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Remember, therefore, that this water implies the necessity of an inward cleansing of the heart, through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the influences of the Holy Spirit. These blessings, of which Baptism is only the sign, and which it can never impart, you are to seek of God in their behalf continually.
Your untiring efforts are to be directed to the con- version of your children from sin to holiness ; and, however pleasant and amiable they may hereafter be- come, you are not to rest satisfied until they become the children of God. You are to feel, that, on you as parents, it greatly depends, whether they shall dwell for ever in the presence of God, or in the dreadful regions of despair. Never lose sight of this awful re- sponsibility.
You are to watch the first dawnings of reason in the minds of your children, and from that hour to use every endeavor to implant there the principles of vir- tue ; to procure obedience to yourselves, but most of all, to the eternal God; to curb every sinful passion on its first appearance, and to restrain your children from the paths of temptation.
You are to teach them to read and understand God's holy word; to convince them, as soon as possible, of their sinfulness ; to point them to the Lamb of God, and to urge them to seek and choose the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour in the days of their youth ; to pray with and for them, at least daily ; to set before them a constant example of godliness ; always to recog- nize, as you do in this transaction, God's right to dis- pose of them according to his own good pleasure; and to train them up in the fear and nurture of the Lord : that in the great day you may say with joy : " Behold ! I and the children whom the Lord hath given me."
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These and all other duties, enjoined on you as Christian parents, by the word of God, do you now cheerfully covenant with the all-seeing God, that you will, by his grace, faithfully perform ?
The administration is to be followed with prayer.
The names of both the parents, the name of the child, and the date of its birth, are to be given to the pastor in writing at the time of the administration, in order to an accurate record of the transaction.
(2.) Lord's Supper.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is administered on the evening of the last Lord's Day in February, April, June, August, October, and December, of which due notice is publicly given.
Previous to its administration, candidates for mem- bership are publicly received, and enter into covenant with the church.
The members of other evangelical churches, who may be present, are always made welcome, if in good and regular standing, to a participation in the celebra- tion.
Applications for membership are to be made to the Session at some one of their meetings, which are ordi- narily held in the Session-Room, at the close of the public week-services, during the fortnight preceding the administration of the Supper.
Membership may be obtained in one of two ways:
1. By certificate.
" When any member shall remove from one congre- gation to another," says the Book of Discipline, XI. 1, 2, "he shall produce satisfactory testimonials of his church-membership and dismission, before he be ad- mitted as a regular member of that church; unless the
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church, to which he removes, has other satisfactory means of information. No certificate of church-mem- bership shall be considered as valid testimony of the good standing of the bearer, if it be more than one year old, except where there has been no opportunity of presenting it to a church."
The same rule is applied to persons coming from ` any one of the evangelical denominations in the United States. In the case of persons coming from foreign lands, especially from any of the established churches, inquiry is made respecting the Christian experience of the applicant.
In all cases where the applicant is not already a professor of religion, or is not able to furnish the proper testimonials of church-membership, he is to be admitted,
2. By Examination.
" The officers of the church," says the "Discipline," IX. 2, 3, " are the judges of the qualifications of those to be admitted to sealing ordinances." All such, whether baptized or unbaptized, "shall be examined as to their knowledge and piety."
The examination, in all such cases, has respect simply and only, to the matter of Christian experience. The Session, in their inquiries, try to ascertain whether the applicant has been truly converted from the error of his ways, and become a child of God by spiritual regeneration, or not. Questions on the Catechisms, or on doctrinal theology, except as bearing on the ques- tion of Christian experience, are not asked. The ex- amination is conducted in tenderness and love, and the most timid need apprehend no embarrassment.
If any doubt is entertained by the Session as to the Christian experience of the applicant, the determina- 2*
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tion of the case is ordinarily deferred until after the next celebration of the Lord's Supper, to give oppor- tunity for further trial and information, of which notice is given to the applicant. The request is not denied, but postponed.
If the examination prove satisfactory, the question of reception is at once determined in the affirmative, and the name of the applicant announced at the morn- ing service next preceding the celebration of the Lord's Supper in the evening.
In all cases, those who are admitted by examination are to " make a public profession of their faith in the presence of the congregation." This profession is to be made immediately previous to the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Prayer and praise having been offered, and the collection for the poor having been made, the names of those received by certificate, if any, are first announced; and then of those received by examination. As the latter are called, they are expected to come for- ward into the space before the pulpit, or in the middle aisle, and to retain their position until the service of reception is completed.
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