USA > New York > New York City > A history of the Stanton Street Baptist Church, in the city of New York : with a sketch of its pastors, and a register of the entire membership > Part 4
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" Whereas, our pastor, the Rev. David Bel-
* In September of this year the church united in the ordina- tion of Rev. Wm. S. Mikels.
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STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
lamy, is about leaving us, having announced his intention to relinquish his charge on the 15th of November next, it seems to us that the dissolu- tion of so tender a relation (and which has ex- isted between us for the past five years with such evident tokens of the divine blessing), should not be permitted to occur without an ex- pression of the kindly feeling and high respect which his pulpit labors, unstained and Christian deportment have not failed to produce : there- fore,
" Resolved, That the period of brother Bel. lamy's ministry, during which so many of us have been hopefully converted to God, in which our numbers and resources have been largely increased, and in which we have been so much edified and instructed by the Gospel proclaimed from his lips-will not cease to be remembered with interest and gratitude.
" Resolved, That whatever may be the field in which his talents may be employed to pro- mote the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, we offer him the assurance that he will be followed by our sympathies, best wishes and prayers."
7*
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Brother Bellamy's farewell sermon was de- livered on Sunday, November 15, 1846, and his connection with this body then terminated. Like his predecessor, he spent the meridian of his life with this church, and the tabular statement ap- pended hereto, will show some of the results of his toil. The duties of such a pastoral charge are realized by but few persons. Studying, preaching, visiting the membership and among the congregation, calls to funerals and visits to the chambers of sickness, labor in the Boards of benevolent societies, to say nothing of marriages, councils, ordinations, associations, etc., leave no hours of leisure. Labor, care and anxiety, varied only by more anxiety, care and labor, make up the history of a city pastor's life.
It was while in Stanton street that the honorary degree of A.M. was conferred upon brother B. by Madison University. With him a large num- ber of members took their letters to unite in forming Hope Chapel (now Calvary) Baptist Church, and with that body he labored for three years, when impaired health led to a resignation of the charge. Two years of illness followed ;
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STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
and then he accepted the call of the Baptist Church in Arcadia, Wayne County, N. Y. While laboring there, Mrs. Eliza A. Bellamy, his wife, well known to many in this city,. was summoned to the spirit-land. But the angel of death found her prepared to depart. Though her physical suffering was great (her disease being congestion of the lungs), she exclaimed, "I am happy ! all is well ! all is well !" Having thus borne her last testimony to the faithfulness of the Redeemer, she turned her face to the wall and sweetly fell asleep.
From Arcadia Brother Bellamy removed to Mount Morris, Livingston County, N. Y., where he is still successfully engaged in the ministry .* The field is somewhat limited in extent, but is therefore all the better adapted to his somewhat diminished bodily vigor. The quiet of an intel- ligent country village affords more time for patient study and research, and is thus conducive
While these sheets are passing through the press, we learn that Brother B. has taken charge of the First Baptist Church at Rome, N. Y.
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to the profit of both pulpit and pew. His friends will be glad to know that he regards his present position as extremely pleasant, and that peace, plenty and kindness attend him. Both of his predecessors in the ministry among us have gone home. The following sketch from his pen af- fords a fitting close to this portion of the work :
THE JOYFUL DEATH-BED.
Perhaps there is no conviction that becomes more strongly fixed in the mind of a Christian minister of long experience and observation, than that the dying saint has often, if not always, wondrous and preternatural discoveries of hea- venly things while yet this side the spirit-world. Of many interesting facts and memories of this kind, few have made deeper impressions than the following:
The members of the Stanton street Baptist Church who participated in the Revivals of 1842-4, cannot fail to recollect the name and countenance of Mrs. Mary Lyon. In one of those seasons of refreshing-I think that in which we were aided for a season by Rev. Mr.
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STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
Wescott-she was converted, and gave sound and thorough evidence of renewal of heart. The milder graces of the Gospel, joined with great conscientiousness and fidelity in discharge of duty, seemed especially prominent. She felt from the first that religion was the great busi- ness of life; that her time was brief, and that she had not a moment to spare, in view of the much she had to do. The privileges of the House of God were exceedingly precious to her, and none were neglected. All this soon came to an end. She met her brethren but a few times in Christian worship before a severe cold, contracted by exposure, led to a fatal pulmonary disease. She lingered a few months, an example of patient suffering, sustained by the promises of Christ, mourning, most of all, that she could no longer join in the devotions of the sanctuary and the public song of praise. When looking forward to a dying hour, to keener distress of body, and a separation from her little family, she often supported her own faith by repeating audibly the promise, " As thy days, so shall thy strength be." During her whole illness this as-
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surance was her staff and help, her hope in gloom. His "grace would be sufficient" for her.
She delighted in receiving the visits of her pastor, who never left her bedside without feel- ing that he had been the party most benefited by the interview. Fully conscious that her days were numbered and the end very near, her affec- tions seemed fixed on things above and her mind absorbed in expectation of "good things to come." The allotted weeks of her life flew rapidly away, and one morning, at about two o'clock, her pastor was summoned at her request to come and witness the closing scene. On en- tering the room, it seemed no place of sadness, none of mourning. I was filled with amazement. Although emaciated to the last degree, her eye had lost none of its brightness ; on the contrary, it blazed with unwonted brilliancy, as though the glory within shot out its rays through those windows of the soul. Her whole countenance was lighted up with joy. She bade me a most cordial welcome, and began speaking on her favorite topic-the Saviour's love and his fidelity
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to his people and his promises. She said she had expected his grace would be sufficient for a dying hour, and she found it so. Death had no power, he could not even alarm her. "This," said she, "is the happiest hour of my life. Never was Christ so nigh, so precious-never were my hopes so bright, my way so clear." She seemed to be in full possession of all her rational facul- ties to the last-calm and happy.
Some time was spent in prayer, in repeating promises and texts suitable to her state, and in listening to her rapturous expressions of joy, hope, confidence and love. When an hour, per- haps, had been spent thus, she advised her pastor to go home and retire to rest. He expressed un- willingness to leave her till all was over, but she urged her request, stating that to-morrow would be" time enough, and that she would see me again. Said she, " I shall not go to-night ; my Saviour came for me at 12 o'clock to-night, and will take me at 12 o'clock at noon ; he is here- he stands by your side-I see him as plainly as I see any of you-he will never leave me again- never, no never, no never ! He said, 'If I go
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away, I will come again and receive you,' and he has come, blessed be his name !"
She then, recollecting that she would be weaker, and perhaps speechless, when I came again, began to give directions in regard to the funeral services. She selected a text, her favor- ite one, " As thy days, so shall thy strength be," and wished me to tell the people how fully it had been performed in her case. She asked for her hymn-book and a lamp, and found the hymn she had selected to be sung on that occasion ; and with eyes half palsied in death, though still brilliant, read with difficulty several stanzas, and among them --
" Jesus can make a dying bed Feel soft as downy pillows are- Upon his breast I'll lean my head, And breathe my life out sweetly there !"
Having arranged all this to her mind, she gave me several messages to be delivered to the church-to the young converts, and to her un- converted friends-sent, as she said, from the borders of eternity. -
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I left her soon after, but saw her the next day. She lingered, as she said she should, until 12 at noon, when she fell asleep, as though in a Saviour's arms, peacefully, quietly, as a child on its mother's bosom.
Her earthly privileges in the church were few and transient, for she scarcely knew what health was from the day of her conversion. These defi- ciencies, however, her Lord knew how to make up to her, by richer and more familiar displays of himself; so that the period of earthly trial and probation was full of knowledge, experience and joy.
8
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Changes during the Third Period.
ADDED BY
DIMINISHED BY
YEARS.
Baptism.
Letter.
Experience and
Restored.
Total.
Letter.
Exclusion.
Died.
Dropped.
Total.
From Sept. 1 to June, '42,
93
22
5,120
23
3
3
0
29
" June, '42,
'43,
113
32
4 149
23
6
4
0
33
" '43,
'44,
60
21
5
86
29
2
3
14
50
( '44,
'45,
34
14
2
50
29
8
12
3
52
" '45,
66 '46,
19
15
0
34
35
10
6
7
58
'46, to Nov. 15,
0
4
0
4
12
2
4
3
21
Total,
319 108
16 443
151
31 34
27 243
Net gain, just 200.
Number when brother Bellamy came, 335
Gain, 443
778
Loss,
243
535
-
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STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
PERIOD IV.
MINISTRY OF REV. S. REMINGTON.
Nov. 15TH, 1846-FEB. 1ST, 1852.
TAKING warning from the months of anxiety and trial to the church which succeeded the pas- torate of brother Benedict, it was thought pru- dent to secure a pastor to succeed brother Bel- lamy as soon as possible. The church, mean- while, prayed without ceasing that the Lord would send them an under shepherd, and their minds were directed to Rev. Stephen Reming- ton, then of Fitchburg, Mass., whom they invited to preach for them ; and the church, on Tuesday evening, September 29th, 1846, extended a call to him to become their pastor. In answer to this invitation, a letter from brother Remington was read to the church, Sabbath afternoon, Oc- tober 11th, 1846, from which the following is an extract :
" My earnest prayer is that the church may
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grow in grace, that it may become a holy church, each member walking worthy of his high and holy calling; and that the beloved congregation may all of them be converted to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
"For these noble objects, beloved brethren and sisters, I am willing to labor and suffer among you. United to each other and to Christ, we stand-divided we fall. Remember your future pastor in the prayer-room, at the family altar, and in secret. And pray earnestly that he may come to you in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ, and that his stay among you may be sanctioned with the visible tokens of the divine favor.
" With sincere affection, in the bonds of Gospel fellowship, I am, dear brethren and sisters, your 2 friend and brother, and by this acceptance,
" Your future pastor,
"STEPHEN REMINGTON."
REV. STEPHEN REMINGTON Was born in Bedford, Westchester County, New York, on the 16th of
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STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
May, in the year 1803, of pious parents, who had been for many years connected with the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. While still a boy, they de- parted this life, leaving clear and satisfactory evi- dence of their adoption into the family of Christ, and earnestly beseeching divine mercy upon their children. Stephen was greatly moved at their loss, and, speaking of his mother, he says : "I felt the influence of her prayers checking me in my sinful career, awakening in my mind the les- sons of admonition which I had often received from her lips, and producing the keenest convic- tions of conscience. I have always believed that my early conversion to God was in answer to her prayers."
He was very soon the subject of deep convic- tion. Such was his sense of guilt, that he was in the severest bondage through fear of death and hell. He then knew not how God could be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus ; he did not apprehend the nature of salvation through Christ. " Oh, could the cross of Jesus," he said afterward, "just then have been elevated to my view, methinks I would have sought
8*
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refuge beneath its shadow, and felt the healing streams of his precious blood."
About this time he left his parents' roof, and came to reside in the city of New York. Here he fell into bad company-into the society of wild, godless young men. He became a profane swearer and a Sabbath-breaker. Still his con- victions had never fully forsaken him, and at times thoughts of eternity would obtrude, and the terrors of death would check his course. He dared not attempt to pray, but thoughts of death and of a terrible retribution were forced upon him by his own escape from a watery grave on the occasion of the drowning of three brothers among his acquaintances, who, together with himself and others, were violating the Sabbath by sailing and fishing. This event made so deep an impression upon his mind, that he resolved never again to desecrate the Sabbath in that way. This resolution he maintained. He now attended church, read his Bible, prayed in secret, and watched over his besetting sins ; and so much had his conduct improved that it became a subject of remark among his friends.
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STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
At this time, being between the ages of fifteen and sixteen, he went to reside in Ridgefield, Conn. Here he resolved that he would continue to lead a new life, and that all his associates should be those who feared God. He was rejoiced to learn that the family in which he was to reside, was a religious one, and that his room-mate was a con- sistent young Christian. He found the example and influence of this friend most salutary ; they expressed their feelings freely to each other, conversed much upon the subject of religion, and prayed one for the other. His convictions now assumed a different phase, marked by the almost total disappearance of that dread of death, that fearful looking for judgment which charac- terized his early exercises. He began to fear, indeed, that God had given him over to hardness of heart, being even yet ignorant of the theory of salvation. He still felt in his own mind that he inust do something more to obtain salvation than he had ever done, and yet it seemed that he
never could of himself merit eternal life. After continuing in this state five months, and during this period seeking God day and night, he was
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brought to see, as he himself expresses it, "just what I needed ; that is, to be saved from my sins, from their guilt by pardon, and from their domi- nion by a regenerated heart." It was on a Sab- bath morning, when just past his sixteenth year, that he found peace, while praying with his pious room-mate. He writes : "One thing I know, I loved God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, and this filled my heart with an undying love to a perishing world. The mainspring of my zeal was to win souls to Christ. Imperfect and feeble as my labors were, they were not in vain in the Lord. It was not long before I had the happi- ness of seeing many of my young companions, and even those far my seniors, made the subjects of saving grace.
"I was led to unite with the Methodist Episco- pal Church, because there seemed to be more of the life and power of religion among them than any other people with whom I was acquainted. Mr. Wesley used to say, 'Methodism is a con- tinued revival of religion!' May God fill the world full of such Methodism !"
For a while he taught school, and then was
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STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
received into the conference as a traveling preacher. After a four years' course of study, he was ordained ; but during all the interval from the time of his conversion, he had sought to lead sin- ners to the Saviour. Several considerations led him to seek a medical education, and he accord- ingly graduated at Harvard University, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Still he preached every Sabbath day, and sought at once to benefit the bodies as well as the souls of men. In less than a year, however, the interests of the church required his entire time, and the medical profession was abandoned. While in the Metho- dist connection, brother Remington was a member of the New York, Troy and New England Con- ferences, and was stationed at Hartford, Conn., Brooklyn, N. Y., New York city, Troy, Sche- nectady, and Boston and Lowell, in Mass. It was while pastor of St. Paul's Methodist Episco- pal Church, in Lowell, that he changed his views of Gospel truth, and left that denomination. In February, 1846, himself and wife were bap- tized into the fellowship of the Worthen street Baptist Church, Lowell, by the Rev. Lemuel Por-
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ter, pastor. His "Reasons for Becoming a Bap- tist," published soon afterward, has obtained an immense circulation, and no doubt has been pro- ductive of great good. On the 19th of March, 1846, brother R. was publicly recognized as pastor of the Baptist Church at Fitchburg, Mass. The sermon was delivered by Rev. L. Porter, right hand of fellowship extended by Rev. Orrin Tracy, charge by the Rev. Daniel Sharp, D.D., of Boston, and charge to the church by Rev. D. D. Pratt, of Nashua, N. H. Though pleasantly situated in Fitchburg, brother R. deemed it his duty to accept the invitation so cordially ex- tended by this church, and he entered upon the duties of this pastorate, November 15, 1846, having, with great acceptance, served the church at Fitchburg about eight months.
On Friday evening, November 27th, the letters of dismission of brother Remington, and Mrs. Eliza Ann, his wife, were received, and on the first Sabbath in December the right hand of fellowship was extended to them on behalf of the church, by Dr. John R. Bigelow. The public recognition took place in the meeting-house, on
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STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
the 24th, as follows : Singing the eighty-fourth hymn of Winchel's Collection; reading first Corinthians, first chapter, from 18th verse, by Rev. J. T. Seeley ; opening prayer, by Rev. David Bellamy ; singing; sermon by Rev. John Dowling, D.D., on first Corinthians, i. 23: " We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling- block, and unto the Greeks foolishness ;" prayer by Rev. C. G. Somers, D.D .; right hand of fellowship by Rev. George Benedict ; charge to the pastor by Rev. S. H. Cone, D.D .; charge to the church and congregation by Rev. J. L. Hodge, D.D .; singing by the choir; closing prayer by father Peck ; and benediction by the pastor.
From this time to the beginning of February the number of letters of dismission granted, together with the exclusions and deaths, amounted to forty-nine; but at that time eleven persons came before the church and related what they believed God had done for their souls. These primitiæ, or " first fruits," were baptized in the East River, at the head of Water street, on the first Sabbath in the month.
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In April, a communication was received from the Hope Chapel Baptist Church, requesting the appointment of delegates to sit in council, with those from other churches, to consider the pro- priety of recognizing them as a regular Baptist Church. In compliance with this request the pas- tor and three brethren were appointed, and, after a careful consideration of the subject, the Hope Chapel Church was formally recognized. Over one hundred of its members had taken letters from Stanton street. This reduction of our number was felt for a considerable period, and the best efforts of all were required to sustain the various interests and departments of the church. The pastor speaks particularly of the efficiency of the Board of Deacons, whose sympathy and cheerful cooperation never failed. Deacon
Phelps he describes as kind, courteous, but cautious ; he was a balance-wheel and a peace- maker. Deacon Cowan was familiar with the entire history of the body, and was a directory for each family and member. Deacon Thompson seemed to be all heart, and that heart full of love. In the chamber of sickness and death he was at
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STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
home. The widow and the fatherless found in him an unfailing friend. Deacon Bailie was a Sunday- school man, and devoted himself to the interests of that department with unflagging zeal. Deacon Akerly was distinguished for his whole-souled liberality, and Deacon Watson for a strong adhe- rence to orthodox views and the old paths. Deacons. Phelps and Bailie are still office-bearers among us ..
We feel that we should neglect a duty which we owe to the church and the cause of Christ,. did we pass over in silence the interesting death of one of the young brethren, which occurred at this time. William L. Mangam, on the 27th day of August, 1847, in the twenty-second year of his age, departed to be with Christ, which is far better. At the age of seventeen, while attending a series of meetings held in the Norfolk street Baptist Church, under the pastoral care of the beloved Benedict, the Holy Spirit fastened the arrow of conviction upon his heart, and brought up before his mind the sins of the past in their most vivid form, so that he found no rest. But unwilling to yield his heart to God, he strove to drown the voice of
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HISTORY OF THE
conscience by plunging into sin. Thus he par- tially succeeded in alleviating the poignancy of conviction, until the following winter, 1844, when meetings of a similar kind being held in Stanton street, he was earnestly persuaded by Christian friends to attend. Being invited to the theater on one of the evenings on which a prayer-meeting was to be held, he was urged to be present at the latter, and, after a severe struggle, concluded to do so. Here the Holy Spirit revived his former convictions. He now saw that he had reached the crisis of his immor- tal soul, and that a prompt decision, followed by immediate action, was the only door of escape from the wrath to come. Therefore, on the " 4th of February, 1844, he resolved to surrender himself to Christ, and went forward to the anxious-seat for the prayers of the people of God. But though his distress was great, and his humility unfeigned, yet he found no relief that evening. The load of guilt still pressed upon his conscience, and with a broken heart and contrite spirit, he left the house of prayer. On the following evening he was again found
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STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
. in the lecture-room, at the feet of Jesus, as a suppliant for mercy, when deliverance came to his poor sin-stricken heart. He was baptized into the fellowship of the church, on Lord's Day morning, February 18th ; and from that time until the day of his death he remained steadfast, growing in grace. In less than four years he finished his course; but short as was his Christian career, he was ripe for heaven. He was emphatically gathered from God's Spiritual harvest-field." *
Passing over the incidents of his Christian experience, related by brother Remington, an . extract from the same article with reference to his triumphant death, will close this sketch.
"During the night on which he died, his distress was great, from shortness of breath. He desired to see the doctor, but his father, who was aware that it was death, directed him to look to the Physician of souls. He was silent a short time, as if in prayer, and then almost in an unearthly voice, the word 'Glory' was uttered
Rev. S. Remington's " Incidents from a Pastor's Hand * Book."
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by our dying friend, then 'Hallelujah'-'Good bye.' His mother said: 'My son, you are dying.' 'Yes, mother,' he replied, with a heavenly smile. 'Father, dear father, I am glad that you did not send for the doctor. It is
death !' Raising his voice-' open the doors and tell them to come in and see how a Christian can die.' The room was soon filled with the family and friends. An impenitent young man was absent whom he requested to see. While some one went for him, William addressed himself to an unconverted brother-in-law : ' Oh, what will you do without a Saviour, when death stares you in the face as it does me?' He continued talk- ing with great earnestness to this individual for some time. 'Your wife,' said he, 'is one of my unconverted sisters.' And then, turning to her, in the most touching appeals warned her to pre- pare to meet her God. In the mean time, the young man sent for had arrived, to whom he said : ' Oh what will you do without the presence of Jesus, when the King of terrors comes ? I have wanted, as ofttimes I have done, to warn you; and now is the time, for this is death.
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