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 4
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In January, 1889, the boards of elders and deacons having been reduced by deaths and removals, an election was held on the 15th, with the following result :
Ruling Elders
Fletcher Barber,
Edward M. Carpenter, Daniel Leonard, Nathan B. Perry,
Horatio N. Snow, Samuel Templeton.
Deacons Arthur L. Andrews,
Guilford D. Burdick, Wm. H. McClure,
John Templeton,
Clarence Valentine,
Jeremiah Whitehead.
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The State Street Presbyterian Church
Ten days later, Deacon-elect Jeremiah Whitehead having de- clined to serve, Robert C. James was chosen in his place, and on January 27th, these new officers were ordained.
In 1890, the congregation undertook the support of a foreign missionary in India for a term of five years, Mr. Wm. K. Tem- pleton volunteering to collect and administer the special fund for this purpose. The missionary assigned was the Rev. W. H. Hannum, who with his bride shortly thereafter sailed for India.
On January 20, 1890, Deacon John Templeton, who at the time was Church Treasurer, passed away. Appropriate minutes were passed by the Board of Deacons, and Clarence Valentine was appointed to serve in his place. In the same year the Trus- tees were called to mourn the death of William T. Valentine, " mature in judgment, fertile in expedient and efficient in action, he filled an important place in the work intrusted to our care."
Beginning in 1890, and for several years following, owing to the size of the congregation and the arduous duties of the pas- torate the sum of $500 a year was appropriated by the Trustees. at the request of the Session, for the use of the pastor in securing needed assistance in his work.
On March 13, 1892, the Trustees passed a resolution on the death of William K. Templeton, "of mature judgment, hearty sympathies and of refined feelings, he was developed by Divine Grace, into whatever was truest, purest and noblest in Christian manhood." Elder H. N. Snow was appointed the Treasurer of the W. H. Hannum fund in Mr. Templeton's place.
In the same year the Session mourned the death of Elder Edward P. Durant a man " of commanding personal presence, endowed with rare mental gifts, a leader in the Church, wise in council and efficient in action, consecrated to Christ, known, respected and loved throughout the denomination."
In 1893, a minute on the death of Elder Samuel Templeton was adopted, who was spoken of as " one of our strongest and best members, endowed with a vigorous mind and warm heart, and enriched with a large measure of divine grace and spiritual zeal."
In the Fall of 1897, the pastor, Dr. Holmes, being ill, was granted a leave of absence by the Session. Failing to recover his health he decided to resign his pastorate, whereupon a meet-
REV. DR. JOHN MCCLELLAN HOLMES PASTOR 1877-1897
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Pastorate of Rev. John McC. Holmes, D.D., 1877-97
ing of the congregation was called and a committee appointed to persuade him to withdraw his resignation; but, his decision remaining unchanged, a second meeting was called on November IIth, the resignation was accepted, and commissioners were ap- pointed to join with him in requesting Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relationship, and the following minute was adopted :
" The State St. Presbyterian Church of the City of Albany with sincere regret and deep sorrow parts with its long time and most beloved Pastor, John McClellan Holmes.
" For more than twenty years he has ministered to us with signal fidelity and marked success.
"A steady growth in membership, liberal contributions for the maintenance of the Church and for the promotion of religion and charity at home and abroad, and earnest activity in every department of church work, have been some of the chief evi- dences of his successful labors.
" In his pastoral work he has had no superiors and but few equals.
" Naturally gifted with those qualities of mind and heart which make a successful Pastor, his long and varied experience in this branch of Christian work had rendered him well nigh perfect in its performance.
"His genial manner, kindly disposition, sympathetic nature and practical wisdom, added to a wonderful gift of remembering names and faces, placed him at a point of vantage occupied by few ministers of the gospel.
"During his long pastorate the opportunities for the display of these qualities have been a multitude in number, and he never failed to rise to the occasion.
"At one time or another almost every household has been visited by affliction and sorrow, and at such times he never failed to come bearing consolation and cheer and hope.
" It mattered not whether the blow be light or heavy, his interest, his sympathy, his help, was timely and wise.
" He literally partook of the joys and shared the sorrows of his people, until he sank beneath the load of care and responsi- bility.
" What the Church owes to him collectively and as individuals, will never be known until the day when the books are opened wherein is the true record of every man's work.
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The State Street Presbyterian Church
" Long after he shall have gone to his eternal rest, the blessed memory of his interest and heartfelt sympathy will come back like the fragrance of the flowers, which lingers and dwells when the blossom is no more.
"As but a slight token of our appreciation of his faithful service, of our sympathy for him in his affliction, and of our wish for his long continued usefulness and prosperity, we present this testimonial to the Presbytery of Albany, and spread the same upon the minutes of the Church.
" Following the action of Presbytery, the pulpit was declared vacant on December 5, 1897.
"Dr. Holmes's pastorate, the longest in the history of the Church, included the years of its greatest prosperity. During his administration, the membership was increased from 533 to 633, and the Church by reason of its benevolences and its situa- tion held a commanding place in the community.
During the brief interim following the close of Dr. Holmes's pastorate, the Church was supplied by various ministers, and on June 10, 1898, a call was extended to the Rev. John J. Law- rence of Canandaigua, to become the pastor of the Church.
Mr. Lawrence accepted the call and was installed by the Presbytery of Albany on October 4, 1898, Rev. A. R. Olney, D. D., Rev. Charles A. Richmond, D. D., Rev. William F. Whit- aker, D. D., and Rev. Geo. N. Karner participating in the services.
On January 31, 1899, a congregational meeting was held for the election of additional elders and deacons, which resulted as follows : ,
Ruling Elders
Deacons De Baun Van Aken,
Robert C. James,
Edward A. Groesbeck,
De Witt C. Slingerland.
Edgar C. Leonard,
Douglas W. Olcott.
Clarence Valentine, George S. Munson.
Of these gentlemen Clarence Valentine and Douglas W. Olcott declined to serve. The others were ordained to their respective offices in March of the same year.
43
Pastorate of Rev. John J. Lawrence, 1898-1906
On March 10, the Session passed a resolution on the death of Elder James Erwin, the senior elder of the Session. "A good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith,-gathered into the Lord's garner as a shock of grain fully ripe." The Session records its " high appreciation of his Christian character, his con- sistent godly life, and his constant and untiring service for the Master."
During this year, several changes were made in the musical service of the Church, by the adoption of a new hymn book (the " Church Hymnary," edited by Edwin A. Bedell), and by the employment of a soloist to sing at the Church services.
The days on which Communion services should regularly be held in the church were changed to the first Sundays of October, December, February, April and June.
In 1900, the music in the Church was again considered, with the result that a cornetist was engaged to lead the congregational singing, and a soloist for the evening services. Early in this year, also, the Young People's Society of the Church was, with the approval of the Session, reorganized, and constituted as a Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, which has had a prosperous existence to the present time.
In 1901, Elders J. H. Gilbert and Nathan B. Perry resigned their duties as active elders of the Church, the one on account of failing health, and the other because of long absence from the city.
In July of the same year, Elder Horatio N. Snow passed away. He had been for more than 36 years a member of the Church, and in. the resolution passed by the Session at the time of his death he is spoken of as a man " devoted to the interests of the Church and ever responsive to its obligations, with heart and hand open to the call of the distressed, who had filled well the offices of Trustee, Sunday School Superintendent and Ruling Elder." By Mr. Snow's will the Church received a legacy of $1,000 to augment the Anthony Fund. In December, John G. Myers passed away. For thirty-four years he had been a mem- ber of the Church, and for thirty-two years one of its Trustees, and at the time of his death he was the president of that board. "The Church with its many spiritual and benevolent activities lay near to his heart, and to all its work he brought those same
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The State Street Presbyterian Church
gifts of untiring fidelity, sound judgment and unfailing courtesy which made him during his life one of the foremost citizens of Albany." -
In February, 1902, the Session and the Board of Deacons being reduced by these various deaths and resignations, an elec- tion was held, resulting in the choice of :
Ruling Elders
Deacons
Arthur L. Andrews,
William D. MacFarlane,
Augustus S. Brandow,
Guy D. Hills,
Edwin W. Ober,
Jason S. Bedell,
William H. McClure,
Daniel L. Markle.
Edward W. Wetmore,
Norman S. Hoff,
DeWitt C. Slingerland.
All of these, with the exception of Arthur L. Andrews and Edward W. Wetmore, who did not accept their election, were ordained on March 23.
In March of this year, the Session received notice of the death of Rev. Dr. Heckman, the second pastor of this Church-an earnest, consecrated, able, Christian minister-of deep spirituality and unselfish life. A tribute to his memory was spread upon the minutes.
During 1901 and 1902 the Church was the recipient of several gifts, among them a set of collection plates from Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Brandow, individual communion cups from Mrs. William Appleton, and silk pulpit gown from Gardner C. Leonard.
In 1903, Elder Henry L. Dickerman, then the senior elder of the Church passed away. He was one of the charter members of the Church, and had been an elder since 1869. Active in religious work, he had been especially zealous in the work of the Sunday School, which he had served as teacher and assistant superintendent. Later in the same year the Session mourned the death of Elder B. B. Merchant, at the time of his death the clerk of the Session, honored and faithful to every duty. He had been for 37 years a member of the Church, and for thirty years one of its elders, superintendent of the Sunday School during the four years of its largest membership, and for more
45
Pastorate of Rev. John J. Lawrence, 1898-1906
than eighteen years the clerk of Session. In December, Elder Daniel Leonard resigned his place as an active elder.
In 1904, the present financial system of the Church was adopted, providing for contributions through weekly envelopes, to a fund from which the benevolences of the Church and a portion of its current expenses are appropriated by the Session.
In 1905 Elder William H. McClure, for nearly 42 years a member of the Church and for more than 16 years one of its spiritual officers was called home. He was a man " devoted to all the interests of the Church and universally beloved by its members, of sympathetic nature, spiritual worth and exemplary life." Later in the same year, Elder Fletcher Barber the senior elder of the Church and the president of the Board of Trustees passed away, "for thirty-five years a member of the Church and for sixteen years one of its elders. He was a man of faith and prayer, with judicial mind and exemplary life, who loved the Church and served it faithfully."
.
During this year also, the Session passed a minute concern- ing the death on June 2nd, in his Soth year, of the Rev. John James, D. D., who, though he had been pastor of the Church but six years, left behind him a sacred memory. During his pastorate the Church experienced an uplift and a hallowing which has never passed away.
In this same year, Mrs. William H. McClure presented to the Church the beautiful Communion table and bench which now graces our sanctuary, in memory of her late husband, Elder William H. McClure. In dedicating this table the pastor prayed :
"Around this table grant, Holy Father, that the blessing of strength may come to the weak, light to those that are in dark- ness and hope to all in despair, and here may hundreds make the great declaration of their faith in Thy Son, and enter into the full joys and privileges of Thy Holy Communion."
During the next year Mrs. McClure presented to the Church 200 new chairs, which are now in use in the Sunday School room.
In 1906, several minor changes in the customs of the Church were made, including the transfer of the preparatory lecture from the church to the lecture room, and the omission of the Friday evening prayer meeting during the summer vacation.
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The State Street Presbyterian Church
On September 14th, arrangements having been made for the support of Miss Jean E. James, by the Sunday School and Young People's Societies of the Church, as missionary in India, she departed for her field of labor, with the approval and sanc- tion of the Session, which passed a resolution of which the fol- lowing is a part :
" The Session expresses its hearty approval; it recognizes the Christian devotion and culture of Miss James and her emi- nent fitness for the high task to which she has devoted hier powers; it appreciates the missionary enthusiasm of the Sunday School and Young People; and it prays that the blessing of God may abundantly rest upon Miss James in her toils in the distant field."
Miss James is a granddaughter of Dr. James, the third pastor of the Church.
In December, 1906, Mr. Lawrence received a call to become the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Binghamton; and, in order to accept the call, asked the congregation to unite with him in requesting Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral re- lation between him and this Church. At the meeting of the congregation called to act upon this request, the following reso- lution was passed :
" WHEREAS, Our Pastor, Rev. John J. Lawrence, has resigned his pastorate in this Church, stating that he has been called by God to labor elsewhere; and
" WHEREAS, He has asked the congregation to unite with him in a request to Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relations now existing between them ;
" Therefore, be it resolved, That we hereby express our regret and feelings of personal loss in the event of the severing of the relationship so pleasantly existing between Pastor and People in this Church; that we hereby testify to the faithfulness and ac- ceptable service of our Pastor for upwards of eight years, and that we reluctantly join with him in his request to Presbytery.
" Be it further resolved, That Edward A. Groesbeck, Arthur L. Andrews and G. Dudley Burdick, be and they are hereby chosen Commissioners to Presbytery, and are instructed to join with the Pastor in a request that the pastoral relation be dissolved."
,
REV. JOHN J LAWRENCE PASTOR. 1898-1906
47
Pastorate of Rev. John J. Lawrence, 1898-1906
Presbytery having acted upon this request, just before the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence a farewell reception was given them in the Sunday School rooms, which were decorated for the occasion with palms and flowers, the arrangements being admirably managed by the Woman's Guild under the leadership of Mrs. Arthur L. Andrews.
The members of the Church, ministers and many friends in the city attended in large numbers to offer a farewell word and to express their sorrow at the separation. Mr. Lawrence was especially fortunate in the character of his Sunday evening ser- vices and many who were in the habit of attending these services, though not members of the Church, came to say " Good-bye " and to testify to the help received through his ministry in the city.
A beautiful silver loving cup was presented to Mr. Lawrence on behalf of the Church by Edgar C. Leonard, who expressed the feelings of regard and esteem in which the pastor was held and the best wishes of all the people for a happy and successful pastorate in Binghamton.
Mr. Lawrence replied with emotion and received the gift in a spirit of deep appreciation of the friendly feelings which prompted it and with the assurance that it would always be a highly prized object in his household.
The women of the Church also presented Mrs. Lawrence with a silver tea service.
During Mr. Lawrence's pastorate, which extended over a period of a little more than eight years, the Church sustained greater losses by death than at any similar period of its history. In spite of this fact, however, the membership did not materially decrease, and the work of the Church was maintained at a high level of efficiency, both spiritual and financial.
Following Mr. Lawrence's resignation, on December 14, 1906, a congregational meeting was held to make provision for the selection of a new pastor. As a result of this meeting, a printed letter was sent to each member of the congregation, asking them to record their votes for nine persons to serve as a committee to present a nomination for a pastor. No names were suggested, but the vote was left entirely to the discretion of the congrega-
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The State Street Presbyterian Church
5
tion. As a result of this vote, a committee of nine was chosen, consisting of the following :
Edgar C. Leonard,
Edwin W. Ober,
Arthur L. Andrews,
George S. Munson,
Clarence Valentine,
Augustus S. Brandow,
Edward A. Groesbeck,
Clifford D. Gregory.
Robert C. James,
During the interim of about five months, the work of the Church was vigorously prosecuted, the pulpit being supplied by various ministers, and the prayer meetings and other organiza- tions being regularly sustained. No candidates were heard in the church, but the work of selecting a pastor was left entirely to the committee named above.
On March 1, 1907, the congregation met to consider the report of the committee, and at its nomination, voted unanimously to extend a call to the Rev. Charles G. Sewall, of the Presbyterian Church of Rome, N. Y., to become the pastor of the Church. Mr. Sewall accepted the call, and assumed his duties as pastor- elect on the first Sunday of May. He was installed by the Presbytery of Albany on the evening of May 16, his father-in- law, the Rev. A. H. Strong, D.D., of Rochester, his father, thr Rev. A. C. Sewall, D.D., of Troy, the Rev. John J. Lawrence, the former pastor of the Church, Dr. Mears, the pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of this city, and Rev. Philip N. Moore, the Moderator of the Presbytery, taking part in the service.
Soon after Mr. Sewall's acceptance of the call to become the pastor of the Church, but before his removal to the city, the premises at 91 Lancaster street, which since 1871 had been occupied as the parsonage, were sold. The proceeds of the sale, $7,000, were invested and are now held in trust by the Trustees. The house No. 27 Dove street was rented for the use of the new pastor, which was occupied by his family for three years, when the present parsonage, No. 73 Willett street was leased.
On June 18 the Church mourned the death of Elder Edward M. Carpenter, for nearly forty years a member, and for thirty- five years an office bearer in the Church. "A good man, a
REV CHARLES G. SEWALL PASTOR OF THE CHURCH SINCE 1907
49
Pastorate of Rev. Charles G. Sewall, 1907-
Christian gentleman, kindly, faithful and true, his whole life a noble example of unswerving integrity."
The events of the present pastorate are so recent, and so fresh in the memory of the congregation that a very brief mention of some of the more important will suffice. In the Fall of 1908, Deacons Andrews and Valentine having resigned their places on the Board of Deacons, and the Session being small, an election of elders and deacons was held resulting in the choice of :
Ruling Elders
Daniel L. Markle,
Thomas D. James,
Henry P. Warren,
Charles C. DeRouville,
Leonard . W. Hatch.
Albert M. Reed,
Charles P. Brate.
They were ordained to their respective offices on November 29.
During the year 1909, the Church having received a legacy of $1,000 from Mrs. J. R. Boulware, a portion of it was appro- priated by the Trustees for the purchase of an opalescent glass lantern which now hangs from the ceiling of the church and lights the pulpit. About the same time Mrs. Jolin Pladwell presented to the Church the artistic flower stands which now adorn the pulpit platform. During the fall of the same year, funds having been contributed by members of the congregation, extensive alterations and improvements were made in the base- ment of the church, providing more adequate facilities and con- veniences for the social life of the Church. Early in 1910 a new piano was purchased for the use of the Sunday School.
In the Fall of 1910, a change in the musical service of the Church was effected by the engagement of the present precentor and soloist, L. LeRoy Pickett, to take the place of the cornetist and soloist who had for so many years rendered faithful and acceptable service.
During these four years, besides the death of Elder Carpenter, which has been noted, the Church has mourned the death of G. Dudley Burdick, the president of the Board of Deacons, a man universally respected and beloved, who passed away in May, 1908, and William D. MacFarlane, who succeeded Mr.
Deacons Gardner C. Leonard,
William H. Fillmore,
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The State Street Presbyterian Church
Burdick as president of the Board of Deacons, who was called home in January, 1910,-a true and gentle spirit, faithful and honored. In 1909, Elder J. H. Gilbert, who, though he was no longer an active member of Session, was universally honored and beloved by all the congregation, was called to his reward. He became a member of the Church in 1866; was ordained an elder in 1873, and adorned that office until 1901, when, because of impaired health he asked to be retired from its active duties. In a memorial resolution of the Session, he is spoken of as "an optimistic counsellor, a loyal friend and an honored co-laborer, admirably fitted by nature for the profession of an educator, to which he gave his life."
During the close of 1910 and the beginning of 1911 prepara- tions were inaugurated for the celebration of the Semi-Centen- nial of the organization of the Church, and committees were appointed to carry these into effect. The names of those ap- pointed will be found in connection with the programme printed at the end of this volume.
It may be of interest liere to state that besides those students, already mentioned in another connection, there have gone out from this Church and Sabbath School: Dr. Ira Harris, Medical Missionary at Tripoli, Syria; and Rev. James G. K. McClure, D.D., related to one of the families who were foremost at the founding of the Church and have been prominent and active throughout its history; Rev. David James, a son of the third pastor ; and Rev. Samuel V. V. Holmes, a son of the fourth pastor, who are now active ministers of the gospel ; and a young son of the fifth pastor of the Church is at present pursuing his studies in preparation for this glorious ministry.
The foregoing pages contain part of the history of the incep- tion and growth of the Church, with a glimpse of the men, and their work, who composed its pastorate and its official boards during the fifty years. Some more of the story is told in the statistical lists and summaries, and in the separate accounts of the various organizations of the Church, which follow, and to which only brief allusion has heretofore been made.
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The Sunday School
On March 25, 1861, an informal meeting was held at the house of Mr. Archibald McClure, 158 State Street, to consider the organization of a Sunday School in connection with the State Street Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Mr. Westbrook, the Secretary of the American Sunday School Union, who was supplying the pulpit of the Church at the time, was present, and gave his advice. As a result of the meeting, a printed notice was distributed to every family in the city residing West of Eagle Street and South of Washington Avenue, and on Sunday, April 7, 1861, the School assembled for its first session in the lecture room of the German Lutheran Church ( now the Albany Law School). Mr. Westbrook presided at this service and "introduced the custom which has since been uninterruptedly followed of the School and superintendent reading alternate verses. At the same time, he initiated the custom of repeating the Lord's Prayer, the School repeating it with the superin- tendent." At this meeting an election of officers was held, with the following result :
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