USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > A collection of historical records of the State Street Presbyterian Church of Albany, New York : compiled in connection with the semi-centennial celebration 1861-1911 > Part 2
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Accepting the Divine Inspiration of the Scriptures, you now take the strict and simple word of God, to be your only rule of Faith and Practice, and you will endeavor, by the help of God's Spirit, sincerely to conform to it, in all the ways of holy living.
Believing in Jesus Christ as the only and sufficient Saviour of the World; and the Holy Spirit as the Inspirer of every righteous thought and purpose, you rely with affectionate truth on Christ's atonement, for pardon and acceptance with God; and you hope by the Spirit's sanctifying aid, which in its Sov-
REV. ALEXANDER S. TWOMBLY PASTOR 1862-1867
17
Pastorate of Rev. Alex. S. Twombly, 1862-67
ereignty you believe has chosen you to everlasting life, to be presented without spot before the Throne.
Believing also, that " Faith without works is dead," you pur- pose diligently to attend on all the Institutions of the Gospel, especially public and social worship, and the strict observance of God's Holy Sabbath.
And it will be your special care to maintain secret ( and family) religion ; to lead a holy life of prayer ; to administer to the neces- sities of the poor; to instruct and govern your children and all under your charge, according to God's word ; and by the beauty, excellency and joy of your example, lead them to the Saviour.
Acknowledging in like manner, Christ's appointment of a visible Church on earth, with all its Holy Sacraments, you coven- ant to walk in brotherly love with this Church; to submit to its righteous discipline; and to enter with alacrity and joy upon all its precious privileges and obligations.
Thus in the presence of God and these assembled witnesses you do solemnly and gladly promise, that you will labor to recommend our Holy Religion to all, by your strict and constant practice of justice, goodness, mercy, temperance, patience, char- ity and godliness.
These vows you now record, in humble dependence on Jesus Christ ; praying that He will enable you to be steadfast in this covenant and faithful to the end.
Do you also express your assent to the belief and covenant now read ?
COVENANT ON PART OF THE CHURCH
In consequence of these professions and promises, we, the officers and members of this Church, affectionately receive you to fellowship with us in the blessings of the Gospel.
We solemnly engage, on our part, to walk with you and watch over you, as the heirs with us of a common faith and hope.
We will endeavor, by the various means of God's appoint- ment, to promote your present and eternal welfare; we welcome you to the communion and to all the rich provisions of our Father's House.
We beseech you to remember the covenant vows you have
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The State Street Presbyterian Church
this day recorded, and we charge you by the love of Christ and by the future judgment, to observe them faithfully unto the end.
And may the God of love and peace be with us all. Amen.
The Church building was at last completed, and was dedicated on Sabbath evening,
OCTOBER 12, 1862
A sermon on the occasion was preached by the pastor, and the exercises were participated in by Rev. Drs. Campbell, Halley, Seelye and Palmer. The building answered to the expectations formed of it, in being a beautiful, convenient and appropriate house of worship, with its acoustic properties all that could be desired. "It is in the style of architecture usually denominated perpendicular Gothic, which prevailed in England from the four- teenth to the sixteenth centuries. The building is III by 69 feet over all, exclusive of a semi-octagonal apsis in the rear, con- taining in the basement the Sunday School library, entrance to the lecture room and staircase to main floor, and above, a pastor's study and organ room. The audience room is 84 by 60 feet in the clear, and with the galleries will seat 1,000 persons. In the basement are a large lecture room, infant school room, trustees' room, furnace and coal cellar. The gallery is in the form of a horse shoe, and is supported on light cast iron columns, with open floriated brackets, hatched shafts and rich foliated capitals. The gallery front is of open iron tracery of medieval pattern. The ceiling is groined in three bays, the centre ribs terminating in ornamental pendants.
" One of the chief novelties of the building is the mode of lighting. The principal burners are placed in parabolic reflectors in the ceiling, occupying the places of bosses in the plaster work. A hemispherical screen of ground glass protects the eyes from the intense reflected light, and diffuses it in softened masses over the floor of the church. The effect is very beautiful and agreeable, and has the additional advantage of displaying the ornamental ceiling in an unusual degree. The idea of thus light- ing the building was borrowed from a church in Washington, said to have been suggested by Gen. Meigs,-and was elaborated and improved in arrangements and details by the architect and others."
The organ is built in behind the pulpit, the pipes being con-
19
Pastorate of Rev. Alex. S. Twombly, 1862-67
cealed by a tracery of wooden work. The keyboard is placed at one side of the pulpit, and the organist faces the audience.
The organ was built by William Johnson of Westfield, Mass., at a cost of $2,600.
The bell was procured by a committee consisting of James M. Horton, Charles D. Rathbone and Jesse Buell, who raised by subscription $500, and got a grant from the Common Council of $500 more. It was purchased from Mr. Meneely of West Troy ; weighs about 3,200 pounds; and bears the inscription- " State St. Presbyterian Church, July 4th, 1862, 'Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound,' Ps. 89-15."
The beautiful weather vane on the spire of the church was the suggestion of A. M. Strong who with William Wendell supplied the means for its erection.
The artistic marble baptismal font was a gift from Thomas Olcott and was executed after designs furnished by E. D. Palmer, the sculptor.
The handsome carved pulpit chairs were executed by Mr. Ware of Boston, and presented to the Church by Robert L. Johnson.
The pulpit Bible was the gift of Frank H. Little. This Bible is now in use in the lecture room, a new one for the pulpit having been presented by Mrs. William H. Monroe in 1883.
The cost of the edifice and its principal equipments may be put down as follows :
Lot 110 ft. front by 1811/2 ft. deep. $11,000 00
Building complete 41,049 62
Furnishing church and lecture room
3,976 51
Organ, by Johnson, Westfield 2,600 00
Bell, by Meneely, West Troy
1,000 00
Total.
$59,626 13
Of this amount the Church had already paid all but $15,000 which they borrowed from the Liverpool & London Fire and Life Insurance Com., for a term of five years, giving a bond and mortgage on the lot and building as security.
Special mention is here made of the generous liberality shown to this new Church by the members of Dr. Sprague's congrega-
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The State Street Presbyterian Church
tion. From the first it received cordial sympathy and support from pastor and people. The larger part of the first subscrip- tion for the erection of the building was obtained among them.
On Monday evening immediately succeeding the dedication, the church was opened for a sale of pews, and on the follow- ing evening for the renting of those remaining unsold, "pew No. III being set apart for the use of the pastor's family, pew No. 79 for the use of the sexton's family, and pew No. 144 for the use of the police of the Fourth Precinct, free of rent." Eight of the pews were removed, about the year 1900, in order to widen the passageways across the front and rear of the andience room of the church.
The pews were sold subject to annual rentals by the pur- chasers, and the large sum thus obtained, about $15,000, was applied in payment of building expenses.
About a month after the church dedication, the Session met to consider the subject of systematic benevolence, and resolved that " the time had fully come for this Church to commence contributing to the principal religious enterprises for the spread of the Gospel," and that annual collections should be taken-
In February, for Board of Education.
In April, for American Bible Society.
In June, for Foreign Missions.
In August, for Presbyterial Expenses.
In October, for Domestic Missions.
In December, for Albany City Tract Society.
So now the Church may be said to be fairly launched upon its mission of extending the Kingdom of Christ in the World. It was a time of din and discord and the angry passion of Civil War. There was need for the faithful preaching of the " Gospel of Peace " and " Good will to men."
But even this new Church was not to be free from war's sadness. Reference has been made to the departure of Charles G. Clark, but there were others still to go. It was in this same month, November, 1862, that the Tenth Regiment, N. Y. S. N. G., volunteered for nine months' service, was accepted and sent to New Orleans. In this regiment went a large number of the members of the Church and congregation, among whom were three members of the Board of Trustees, viz. : Charles D. Rath-
21
Pastorate of Rev. Alex. S. Twombly, 1862-67
bone, Richard M. Strong and James Williamson, who volun- teered as officers in the regiment.
In addition to these, several others who were members of the Sunday School, volunteered, among whom was almost the entire class of Lieut. Strong. The regiment, which was now the 177th New York State Volunteers, was encamped for a long time at Bonnet Carré near New Orleans, and much sick- ness prevailed. At this place, Richard M. Strong, the Adjutant of the regiment died of fever, May 12, 1863, in the 28th year of his age; lamented alike in his regiment, home and church. He was universally beloved and esteemed; the idol of the regi- ment, he looked after their interests, physical and spiritual, as long as life and health lasted.
Lieut. James Williamson, Co. D., was killed at the storming of the fortifications of Port Hudson, May 26, 1863, while he was gallantly leading his company. . Like Mr. Strong he had been a trustee of the Church from its commencement. He was most devoted to its interests, and with great intelligence, good judgment and undeviating alacrity, labored for its advancement.
The loss of these men was deeply felt by the Church, and brought home to it, in this bitter way, the sad results of this terrible Civil War. Suitable memorials to both are entered upon the minutes of the Board of Trustees.
The list following, gives the names of those who volunteered who were members of the congregation or Sunday School :
Capt. W. Crounse, Lieut. Wm. Diamond,
Capt. E. H. Merrihew, Capt. Chas. D. Rathbone, Quar- termaster, Lt. A. II. Bronson,
Lt. Brooke, Major C. G. Clark,
Dr. Boulware, Asst. Surgeon, Lt. W. G. Rogers,
Lt. Richard M. Strong,
Lt. James Williamson,
Lt. Theo. S. Bailey, Joseph Bradly,
John Brown, Chas. Gomph,
Daniel D. Grovesteen,
James Gurley,
Chas. E. Hungerford,
Samuel Jackson, Jr.
John T. Kane,
Edward Lindsey,
Herman Loper, Dusenbury Rancour, Henry Rehl, John A. Van Loeven.
Curtis M. Wadleigh, Douglas Pratt.
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The State Street Presbyterian Church
It is also recorded that the pastor, Mr. Twombly, visited the Army of the Potomac as a delegate of the U. S. Christian Com- mission.
Among the interesting events of Mr. Twombly's pastorate, we remark a discussion in the Session as to whether the Church should be closed during the pastor's vacation, and an expression of the opinion of the Session that Sunday services should never be suspended except from necessity. With but one exception this custom has been followed during the fifty years. The pas- tors of the Church have been careful to secure the best supply available, during their vacation absences, and in this way the congregation has been privileged to hear very many of the most eminent and godly preachers of the time. Brevity forbids a recital of their names; but we mention one of them with affec- tion. the late Dr. John L. Withrow of Boston, who for more than twenty consecutive years supplied the pulpit in the summer.
On March II, 1864, an election of elders and deacons was held, resulting in the choice of James H. McClure and James M. Horton as elders, and Edward P. Durant as deacon. They were ordained to their respective offices on March 20th. In the same year, however, by the removal of Elder David Murray to New Brunswick, N. J., where he was connected with the faculty_ of Rutgers College, and by the resignation and removal of Elder A. H. Wells, the first clerk of Session, the number of the Session was reduced, so that in October, 1866, an election of elders and deacons was held, resulting in the choice of James Erwin and Edward P. Durant as elders, and Levi S. Gates as deacon. Their ordination, however, was delayed until January 20, 1867, during which time Mr. Twombly resigned as pastor of the Church, and the pastoral relation was dissolved by Presbytery. These gentlemen, therefore, were ordained by the Moderator of Presbytery, the Rev. M. L. R. P. Hill of Little Falls.
In the fall of 1867, Rev. George C. Heckman, D. D., of Indi- anapolis, Ind., was called to be the pastor of the Church.
In the first few months of his pastorate, a considerable effort was made to liquidate the debt which still remained on the church, resulting in a contribution amounting to $15,910. On December 18, 1868, a congregational meeting was held for the purpose of electing elders and deacons, when Archibald McClure,
REV. DR. GEORGE C. HECKMAN PASTOR 1867-1870
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Pastorate of Rev. Geo. C. Heckman, D.D., 1867-70
Jr., Henry L. Dickerman and Daniel J. Pratt were chosen as elders, and Edgar Cotrell, Thomas Olcott, Nathan B. Perry and Joseph Henry Snow as deacons, all of whom, with the exception of Mr. Olcott, who declined to serve, were ordained to their respective offices on January 3, 1869. At the same time it was decided to adopt the plan of electing elders and deacons for a term of service not to exceed six years, an election being held every two years, and the existing boards being divided into classes, so that a portion of each board should be chosen at each election. This system, called the " rotary system " of choosing elders and deacons, was followed by the Church until 1873, when the action was rescinded, and the unlimited term of office for elders and deacons was adopted.
On December 13, 1869, the pastor presented to the Session a draft of a constitution for a Young People's Society, which was fully discussed and adopted, and the pastor was requested to present it to the youth of the congregation. The result of this action will be seen in the chapter entitled "Young People's Organizations."
In the summer of 1870, Dr. Heckman was called to the Presi- dency of Hanover College, and at his request, the congregation reluctantly joined with him in requesting Presbytery to dissolve _ the pastoral relation, which was done on September 4, 1870. During his pastorate of only three years the membership of the church had increased from 251 to 388, the Sunday School had increased from 612 to 1,027, and the Church in every way had prospered.
Resolutions were adopted by the Sabbath School and the Young People's Society, and, as a further token of their love and esteem, the officers and teachers of the Sabbath School pre- sented to Dr. Heckman a valuable gold watch and chain.
The following resolutions were adopted by the Church and congregation :
" WHEREAS, Our Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Heckman, has signified his acceptance of the Presidency of Hanover College, and has requested the Church and congregation to unite with him in an application to Presbytery for a dissolution of the pastoral rela- tion ; and
-
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The State Street Presbyterian Church
" WHEREAS, Our Pastor has also positively declined our unani- mous application for a withdrawal of such request ; therefore,
" Resolved, That but for our confidence that He who has planted and hitherto abundantly prospered this goodly vine, will not now leave it to droop and languish, we should regard our Pastor's departure as a great and irreparable calamity to this Church and congregation.
" Resolved, That in the review of what has been accomplished during his brief pastorate among us, including the fact that nearly two hundred members have been added to the Church, under his ministration, we have reason to be profoundly grateful to the Great Head of the Church for the signal favor with which He has been pleased to crown the earnest and faithful efforts of the under-shepherd, in behalf of the flock entrusted to his care.
" Resolved, That while we had hoped and expected that this relation which has been productive of much fruit among us, would be perpetuated, we are constrained, in view of his de- liberate wish and purpose, as publicly expressed, to accede to his request ; and we therefore engage to appoint two commis- sioners to represent us in Presbytery, for the purpose of asking that the proposed dissolution be granted.
" Resolved, That in the election of our Pastor to the Presia dency of Hanover College, and in the overtures received by him from other important fields, we recognize high and deserved tributes to his learning, ability and fidelity in the work of the gospel ministry.
" Resolved, That we will ever hold in grateful remembrance his many labors of love among us, and will follow him and his family with our prayers and best wishes for their welfare and usefulness, in whatever field he may be called to labor.
" Resolved, That in token of our appreciation of the earnest and faithful labors of our Pastor, the Trustees of the Society be authorized to add to his salary for the year the sum of $500."
During the interim between the close of Dr. Heckman's pas- torate and the commencement of that of Dr. James, the Session on February 10, 1871, authorized Elder Durant to organize and conduct a class for the study of the Westminster Catechism, on Saturday evenings, at private houses within the bounds of the
25
Pastorate of Rev. John James, D.D., 1871-77
congregation; and on April 10th, authorized the formation of " The Ladies Foreign Missionary Society of the State St. Pres- byterian Church " as auxiliary to "The Women's Board of Foreign Missions of The Presbyterian Church of Albany." The history of this society will be found in a subsequent chapter.
On June 7, 1871, a unanimous call was extended by the con- gregation to the Rev. John James, to become the pastor of the Church, and he was installed by the Presbytery on July 11th. At the installation service, Dr. Upson, Moderator of Presbytery, presided ; the sermon was by Rev. Wm. Ormiston, D. D., of New York City, an old friend of the pastor ; prayer by Rev. J. M. Allis; the charge to the pastor by Rev. Dr. Woodbridge of Saratoga ; and to the people by Rev. Dr. Halley.
The circumstances connected with the coming of Dr. James to this Church were so clearly a manifestation of the leadings of God's providence, that they seem to be worthy of note. It happened that near the end of a week, the committee, disap- pointed in obtaining pulpit supply for the Sabbath, applied to Dr. Irvine of Troy, who said that he knew of no one; but that he had met a Scottish minister who, returning from Britain on his way to Canada, was then visiting friends in Brooklyn ; per- haps he would wait over and preach for them. A telegram was sent, and, in response, Mr. James came, and the people, who up to this time had been unable to agree upon a minister, were so favorably impressed by his preaching that they persuaded him to remain for another Sabbath, and thereafter tendered him a unanimous call. He took it to be a call from the Lord, and so, turning aside, he accepted it and became the pastor of the Church. The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was con- ferred upon Mr. James, by Union College, about three years after this time.
In the fall of 1871, the church was recarpeted and the ex- terior repainted, and otherwise put in complete order, at an estimated cost of about $3,000. On December 10th a special collection amounting to $700 was taken for the Chicago Presby- terian Churches which had suffered by the great fire.
The year 1872 opened with the Week of Prayer, which was followed by special services lasting into February, and in this year, also, the plan of taking a collection every Sunday morning
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The State Street Presbyterian Church
for the several Boards of the Presbyterian Church, was adopted, in place of the occasional collections which had heretofore been taken. This new scheme of systematic beneficence was, in short, that the pew rents and evening collections should pay all expenses of the Church, and the whole of the Sabbath morning offerings should be devoted to benevolent objects. In July of that year, the Young People's Society resolved to secure the services of a city missionary, and with the consent of the Session, Mr. Alvah Phelps was engaged, and labored under their direction for one year with marked success.
In February, 1873, an election of elders and deacons was held, resulting in the choice of Benjamin B. Merchant, Josiah H. Gilbert and Whiting G. Snow, as elders, and Isaac V. W. Grant and Edward M. Carpenter as deacons. At the same time, as we have before noted, the rotary system was abandoned, so that the new elders, with those who had heretofore been elected, were chosen to serve for an unlimited term. These new officers were ordained on March 2d, the services being peculiarly solemn and impressive.
In the same month, we find that the efforts made to clear off the debt of the Church had been crowned with success, the fol- lowing extract from the report, February 15, 1873, of Thomas Olcott, President of the Board of Trustees, showing the spirit which animated those gentlemen :
" That as a congregation we may be able to remain free from all debts, we feel that on our part as Trustees, the utmost economy must be used consistent with the proper necessities of our position as one of the representative churches in our city, and on the part of the congregation there should be a cordial sustaining of these necessary expenses, both by means of pew rentals and by the Sabbath evening collections. These, fully maintained, will enable us to continue free from the burden which a debt imposes upon any church.
" It is with deep gratitude to God that we are permitted to bring to you a report so full of interesting facts which should make the heart of every one in our congregation rejoice in our financial prosperity. May it be the true sentiment of every heart that to God alone all honor, praise and thanksgiving is due, for He alone has placed in our hands the means and opened our
27
Pastorate of Rev. John James, D.D., 1871-77
hearts to use them in such a manner as to enable us to accom- plish this happy result, viz .: A church free from all debt.
" Humility becomes us amid our blessings, and prayer that the Holy Spirit may bring to us still richer measures of pros- perity, in the spiritual evidences of the presence of God in our Sanctuary."
It was at one of the entertainments of the Young People's Society this year that a pleasant surprise awaited the pastor, when, during the exercises, Elder Whiting G. Snow called all the elders and deacons to the platform, and, in a very happy speech, presented to the pastor a handsome and costly gold watch and chain bearing the following inscription on its case : "A memento of affection, confidence and regard - Rev. John James - from the Elders and Deacons of the State St. Presby- terian Church, Albany, N. Y., 1873."
In August, the Session and Trustees adopted a memorial on the death of Thomas Olcott, speaking of " his consistent Christian character and his exhibition of the fruits of piety in all social and business relations."
In September of the same year, as a result of the evangelistic work of the city missionary, Mr. Phelps, with the co-operation of the Young People's Society, whose constitution had just been revised, an extended scheme of work in the parish was outlined and carried out with good results.
The parish was divided into four districts, which were assigned to committees of the Session for supervision, and in these various districts local prayer-meetings were held and house to house visitation was conducted. These prayer meetings were continued with success for several years.
In April, 1874, we find the following minute upon the records of Session :
"" WHEREAS, Mr. Walter R. Bush has been an active member of the Session of the State St. Presbyterian Church since its organization ; and
" WHEREAS, He now with his family has removed to Troy, and purposes to unite with the First Presbyterian Church of that city; be it
"Resolved, First, that his brethren in the Session express their sense of the loss sustained by his removal from among
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The State Street Presbyterian Church
them; and also the regret of the whole congregation at the re- moval of a family which was so much respected and beloved."
" Resolved, Second, that whilst thankful to the Lord of the Vineyard for the valuable services and support rendered to this congregation for so many years by Mr. Bush, we sincerely com- mend him and his family to the Christian love and fellowship of the First Church of Troy, and pray that their usefulness may not be diminished but may continue to be efficient and appre- ciated as it has ever been here."
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