USA > New York > Orange County > Newburgh > Centennial celebration of the First Presbyterian Church, Newburgh, New York, 1784-1884 > Part 4
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I know that I must put an arrest upon memory, considering the many voices to which you are to listen after mine ; but I must say a word in regard to one other minister who began his labors only a year or two after Dr. Brown. I refer to Dr. James R. Wilson, the first Pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, to which my dear friend, the Rev. Dr. Carlisle, has so successfully ministered during the last thirty-six years. Dr. Wilson was truly a man of genius, of imposing presence, of varied accomplishments, and one of the most brilliant Preachers that have ever occupied a Newburgh pulpit. It has been my good fortune to hear many of the most distinguished pulpit orators, Catholic and Protestant, in our own country, in Britain, France, Holland, Germany, Austria, Italy. I never heard one who could more completely keep and rivet the attention of his audience than Dr. James R. Wilson when in his prime. You may judge of his power in this re- gard, when I tell you that mere child as I then was, he could keep me wide awake at an evening service during a sermon of an hour's length.
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"The fathers, where are they ? and the Prophets, do they live forever ?" None of us can doubt where the Fathers of whom I have spoken are. They have joined the church above. Whatever differences separated them on earth, they have utterly disappeared. They are now joining in the one song and service to the Lamb.
Dear friends, let us "remember those who have spoken " to us or to our fathers and mothers, the word of God, whose faith let us follow, considering the end of their conversations-Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day and forever." "And now nay the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us perfect in every good work, to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen."
After the singing of a hymn, the Rev. Dr. Hall remarked : I am glad to have in this pulpit upon this occasion a Christian layman, and I am glad, too, that he is a Methodist, so that we may hear not only from the pews but from the representative of another denomination, with what pleasure and profit the ministrations of the late Rev. Dr. Sprole were received. There is no one known to me better qualified to speak of him upon this occasion, both from choice memories of a warm friend- ship, and from a just appreciation of his excellencies and abilities, than our friend Judge Fancher, of New York. Out of a full heart he will now address us :
JUDGE FANCHER'S ADDRESS.
It is my privilege on this occasion to make a few remarks relative to one who was my intimate friend, who, for well nigh a score of years was the beloved pastor of this Church; who was chiefly instrumental in causing to be reared the walls of this beautiful edifice, and who, after a useful life of service in the cause of Christ, has been joined to the general Assembly and Church of the first-born which are written in heaven.
I formed his acquaintance when he had lately passed through a grievous ex- perience, but doubtless that experience was a trial that served to devote him more exclusively to his great work of a Christian Minister.
He had been deprived of his position as a Professor and Chaplain in the military academy at West Point; and when he applied to the Federal authorities to be in- formed of the cause of his removal, he received neither an explanation nor the civility to which he was entitled. A brief sentence explains it all: Jefferson Davis was at that time Secretary of War.
Turning then to that sacred work to which he was called, and for which he was so well fitted, Doctor Sprole immediately entered upon his Ministry to this congre- gation of the First Presbyterian Church in Newburgh, with a chastened spirit, a. fervent zeal, and the precious qualification he had received from above-a quali- fication that was like a baptism of fire. With what zealous ardor he then preached ! It was a tide without an ebb.
He seemed at that junction to have reached the fullness of his manly strength. He was in the prime of life, and Nature had endowed him with her choicest gifts. His every energy was thenceforth consecrated to the furtherance of the glorious Gospel of the Blessed God which was cominitted to his trust.
His stately form, his engaging address, his voice of singular cadency, his eloquent words, his fervent spirit, all conspired to charm his hearers, to make his Ministry powerful, and to touch with a deepening interest his every successive dis- course.
The experiences of the past had, in their measure, equipped him for his loved employ; and his full and earnest soul was all engaged to proclaim those great truths-the sweetest and the most awful that man may ever utter or man may ever hear-comprised in the Gospel he was commissioned to declare. His enthusiasm seldom lost its splendid passion.
It may be thought he did not always preach as he did at that epoch of his life. It would be surprising if he did. Towering flames will at intervals subside. But
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there were ever to be noted in his pulpit efforts a scriptural orthodoxy, a scholarly accuracy, and a dignified manner; while ever and anon his impassioned eloquence breathed the flame of enthusiasm into his words so that grand truths were con- spicuously depicted and made replendent in his discourse. Stars and crescent never so gorgeously einbossed a shield. It was with a ready facility that he made his way to the fountain depths of truth, and drew from thence pure and refreshing thoughts; and often as his discourse proceeded, there was lent to his cheek a livelier red, to his voice a deeper earnestness, and to his appeals a spirit-moving influence, till hearts were throbbing beneath the power of the Gospel thus pro- claimed.
To one key-note was the harp of this enchantment strung. It was found in themes suggested by texts like this: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world throngh him might be saved."
To some of us addicted to Armenian tendencies of belief, there has seemed sometimes to be a complexity and want of ethereal fire in discourses touching some of the doctrines inculcated by the Westminster Assembly of Divines. But, strange as it may be, the discourses of Dr. Sprole were, not infrequently, tinctured with a strong infusion of those doctrines, and yet there was in them no complexity or dry- ness. The waters of a Mediterranean flowed over the Sahara, and the seeming desert was changed into a garden!
He was never afraid to utter his sentiments, and whenever he declared them, no explication of his principles, beyond his own words, was needful. Alexander Hen- derson himself, who it is said wrote the Westminster Confession, inight have ap- proved their perspicuity and orthodoxy.
Prominent as he was in the great denomination to which he was attached, his distinctive creed was as conspicuous as his stately form. He was not the less esteemed anywhere for his denominational loyalty, yet whenever he had chosen a theine connected with some generally received doctrine of the Gospel, then it was that he preached his grandest sermons and displayed the conspicuous qualities of a great preacher.
As an illustration I will refer to an occasion when he was unexpectedly called upon to occupy a prominent Methodist pulpit in the city of New York. He turned to a friend and asked, "On what shall I preach ?" The reply was, "The central theme of the gospel." "Very well," said he; and, ascending the pulpit, he preached from the text, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have Eternal Life."
He wielded a masterly power of description, and in the prefatory portion of that sermon one seemed to see the stricken, dying Israelite, straining his death- dimmed eye toward the only object of hope, and then, as he looked, suddenly re- joicing in his new-found life. But as the speaker proceeded to the portion of the serinon where the central doctrine of the Christian faith became the theine, then, O then, what majesty was in his mien-what triumphant vigor was in his utterance -what revelation was made of the grandest truth ever proclaimed by inan-and how eloquently he discoursed concerning the atonement of Christ and that faith which is the condition of the great salvation. The preacher's eye was, at times, swimming in tears-his strong frame seemed to quiver with the emotions of the soul, while the hushed and listening auditors hung with delight upon his impas- sioned utterances. A brother ininister who heard him preach from the same text said: " I shall never forget that sermon. Its influence is upon ine as I write."
The sermons of Dr. Sprole were often masterpieces of impressive composition, and yet he never outspread a banquet for vain effect. His profound belief in the truths that he enunciated plainly went along with his words and gave them power. In the simplest phrase that human lips can try, he uttered the most momentous truths concerning the mysteries of the kingdom of God, and, as with a winnowing fan, he gathered up the good seed, and drifted the chaff away.
Sometimes, as is known, a poet will sing a song in which all human hearts will join with him. So, as to soine utterances of Dr. Sprole, they keep their silent melody in the delighted memory, charged, as Wordsworth said, " with peaceful admnonitions for the heart."
He was rich in stores of various knowledge, and was gifted with uncommon power of clear and forcible expression. He was deeply read in the standards of Christian doctrine, and had arrived at conclusions in theology that settled his be- lief on an immovable foundation; yet he was no sectarian bigot, but he readily conceded the merit of the opinions of others, so far as they comported with the
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essentials of the Christian faith. What those essentials are he clearly discerned. No cloud obscured his spiritual landscape.
His social sympathies and affections were strong, and there is no aspect of his character more charming than that in which he appeared in his family circle sur- rounded by wife and children, or when engaged with friends in social converse. One could choose him for a friend because he could give good counsel, could share in joys and sympathize in sorrow. Often his kindly-beaming face would be lighted with the smiles of genial friendliness. When such a friend falls by the shaft of death, how lonesome the world seems!
His commanding personality had a charm of manner that contributed largely to his personal influence. But his distinguishing inerit-let me emphasize-his dis- tinguishing merit was his manifest love of the sacred truths he proclaimed, and the fidelity and power with which he exercised the functions of an able minister of the New Testament.
One of his clerical brethren, well acquainted with him, said: "I recall his preaching with peculiar pleasure. It was sometimes so tender that my eyes were often filled with tears." Those who had opportunity to hear him can testify that he had studied the law of Christ so fully that his words seemed to reflect the great principle of love which is the essential spirit of the Gospel.
One of his compeers in the ministry said: "I can never forget one Sabbath that I spent with him at West Point. He administered the Lord's Supper in the chapel. His address at the table was one of the best I ever heard."
As he passed from the threshold of this edifice, to return no more, doubtless he devoutly presented to God his beloved flock and lifted a prayer that he might be succeeded in his pastorate by a worthy successor who should lead thein in the green pastures beside the still waters; and, if his sainted spirit is perinitted to come again into the assembly that worships here, it must be known to him how well his prayer has been answered.
He has bequeathed to us the rich legacy of his precepts and example, and memories of him that are blessed, are recorded on the tablets of many hearts.
To our limited vision the darkness of death and the grave has deepened over him, but to faith's clearer view his redeemed spirit has been borne by the angels to that bright realın where there is no darkness at all.
His familiar voice that so often rang beneath these arches is forever hushed. We can hear it no more, save in the mournful halls of memory-like a harp touched by the night wind. Yet his example teaches us that no true work was ever wasted, no true life has ever failed!
Let us make a record in remembrance to his memory! It will remind us of his fervid genius and his shining virtues; of the life-long labor of love that he per -. fornied; of his instrumentality in gathering an assembly of his beloved people within the walls of this enduring edifice; and it will discourse to us of him who was the faithful pastor, and whose name, as we believe, is inscribed on the lengthening roll of the blessed company of Heaven.
Sic sat est vixisse-It is enough to have lived! Grander was it than to have been the victorious chieftain in many battles, or the gold-crowned inheritor of a kingly throne!
THE REV. DR. HALL :- In 1837 and 1838 the Presbyterian Church in America from causes which it is not needful for me now to specify, was divided into two branches called the Old School and the New School. The division of the New York Synod took place in the First Church, in Newburgh. After thirty years of separation, years of misunderstand- ings, and rivalries, a union was happily effected. In 1870 the union of the Old and New School Presbyteries of New York took place in the First Presbyterian Church of Newburgh. The Minister who was chosen to preach the sermon upon the occasion and was afterward chosen as the first Moderator of the United Presbytery, was Rev. Dr. Wheeler, of Poughkeepsie. It is eminently appropriate that he should be selected to bring to us the greetings of the North River Presbytery. He will now address us.
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REMARKS OF THE REV. FRANCIS B. WHEELER, D.D.
Fathers, Brethren and Friends : I deem myself fortunate in my presence here to-day. On an occasion that links itself with the far-away of yesterday with reach- ings into the far-away of to-morrow-fortunate in bringing Presbyterian greetings to this honored Church, so important and conspicuous in all her ecclesiastical rela- tions-where history is so inter-linked with the Presbyterianisin of the Hudson Valley, from New York to Albany-a loyal child of the Presbytery, and a fostering mother too-a pillar of strength and beauty both. A light upon the hill, seen afar, steady and sure in its shining, and ever a factor of power in all Christian activities.
We greet her venerable in years and yet with eye not dimmed, and force not broken by the flow and friction of one hundred years. With all the changes that have swept the sky of human affairs, this Church has not inoved from the granite foundations of a pure faith, nor failed in her loyalty to Jesus Christ. We greet the Church at this point of her inarch, as she tarries a little, to gather up the reminis- cences of the past, with devout recognition of mercies vouchsafed and strength imparted. One hundred years of service.
Thank God for that. Sowing beside all waters, and reaping with full hand along the crowding and crowning years. Along the way what prayers have been lifted, what sacrifices have been inade, what victories secured.
I am glad we have fallen upon antiquity. Time was when we were told, on the other side of the Atlantic, with an almost sneer, " You have no history, you have built no monumental stones." We have grown away from that, and have bravely pushed our way up into events that hallow and inake glorious our history. We now hold Centennials, marking that which gives color, richness and novelty to our humanity. We are growing old. And with age comes no debility, no decadence. Church and State with us. both have a history with breadtli of strength and flush of beauty. We have our Century Stones, and to them bring sanctified and tri- uniphant orations. Newburgh, sitting like a queen upon this beautiful bay, shad- owed by yonder mountains, has her share in them, Only one year ago, along her streets was the the inarch of bannered host commemorating a national event which will ever constitute a bright setting in the crown of our glory. To-day she brings her thanksgivings to the shrine of this Church, honored of God in the past, and radiant with clustering hopes for days to come.
The day is auspicious-we do well in being glad, and it is befitting that North River Presbytery should bring her greeting.
Salutations on life and health of the Church-strong and lusty life-prosperity uninterrupted. A living Church to-day, though one hundred years lie behind her. It is a grand thing to live, to keep place and hold as years wax and wane. As your city sits by the river, and stretches the roots of her prosperity out into its living tides, so this Church, planted by the rivers of water, has not only brought forth her fruit in her season, but her leaf also has not withered.
The river by which the fathers and mothers planted is the River of God, full of water, hence it is, that this cedar of Lebanon is full of sap-well planted, well nourished, well grown, the tree stands and flings its branches out into the sunshine of God's loving kindness. We greet you in that you are alive, and are so ready to do and suffer, if need be, in further service of the Lord. You are alive, because of the spirit of the living creature is in all the wheels of your organization-the breath of God in the body of your existence.
Greeting comes to you also, for the reason you have wrought so well, and ac- complished so much for the Master. You have not been idle, there has been work here, solid, redemptive, abiding. Witnessing for Christ ; holding the forin of sound words-keeping the faith-harvesting of souls. What privilege and what honor, to live and stand for the Lord Christ, through the toss and whirl of a hundred years. The work of this Church has not been in vain-God has given it the impe- tus of His strength, and lifted it into the eternities of His glory.
And our greeting is warin, generous, full of praise, because you have such fu- ture before you-how grandly that future opens from this Mount of Communion- along the King's highway, into larger usefulness, and inore abundant results. As the river yonder comes fromn mountain springs, widening, deepening in its flow, past green fields, and the hum of inanifold industries, bearing on its affluent tides the wealth of a continent, so the stream of your Church life runs, its course not finished. On, still onward, in the channel of continued and ever fresh opportunity, till, through the gates of the morning, it shall murmur into the rest of everlasting seas. So, with the greeting I bring admonition to larger activities and higher con-
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secration. As I sat listening to the story of those who have gone before you in the history of this Church, there seemed to ine, here, other presences than those upon whom inortal eyes fell-a goodly host-those who had sown in tears-gathered in joy-the servants of the dear Lord. Your fathers, mothers, brethren, friends- why, the air was tremulous with their presence, and out of the witnessing cloud came voices of praise, encouragements and incentives to greater fidelity.
Oh, hear ye them as they speak-
" Though dead, they speak in reason's ear, And in example live ; Their faith and hope, and mighty deeds Still fresh instruction give."
They vanish-are gone- their voice dies away in faint echoings.
Then comes another, more majestic and loving, the dear Lord of your fathers, from whose heart has come into your veins the Life Everlasting-His benedictions fall, and I hear Him say, "Hold fast till I come, and I will give thee a Crown of Life."
O, brethren and friends beloved, with you I will make answering. O, Lord, our Christ, we will-till Thou shalt come, and these eyes shall see the King in His beauty.
THE REV. DR. HALL :- About four years ago Calvary Presbyterian Church of this city celebrated its twenty-fifth birth-day. Upon that happy occasion, an honored place was given to her mother, or rather to the one who represented her. In the prosperity of this daughter, no one rejoices more than this mother, and her prayer is that it may steadily continue and increase. There is a tradition that the mother was not very lavish in providing for her when she went forth from the old home to establish one of her own. But even if this be true, she has given ample proof of ability to take care of herself. The mother's benediction is upon her. Let it mingle with the greetings from the child.
REV. J. SEARLE'S REMARKS.
If it were regarded as blame-worthy in the daughter, twenty-eight years ago, to leave the old homestead in opposition to her mother's wishes, and begin house- keeping on her own account, there has been abundant evidence, in the cordial re- lations of later years, that the fault has been entirely condoned, and if there was ever a thought in the daughter's mind, that her mother might have dealt more generously in her outfitting, that too has been so far forgotten, that but for your own reference, it certainly should have had no inention here to-day. And now, without fear of a single frowning look, this daughter comes into this stately house, where she finds her mother's dwelling, far more luxuriously than in the old home from which she went out, and most heartily and sincerely extends her congratula- tions to her on this Centennial of her natal day.
There is always something very sad and depressing in seeing our parents after the flesh grows old, because we cannot but associate with increasing years, failing strength and vigor; nor can we think of these, except as foretokens of that great change which shall remove them altogether from our sight, and put an end to all the precious joys of personal fellowship.
But how different it is with a Church. God has provided, that when she has ful- filled, and still continues to fulfil her mission, by loyally holding up the standard of His truth before men, added years shall issue only in added vigor and increasing opportunities of usefulness.
We have read with intense interest, the history of this our inother Church, as set forth in the eloquent words of her beloved pastor, and as we have marked the gracious dealings of the Lord towards her, we have called to mind what is said of the procession of the ancient Spartans, when the old men with whitened locks, and bent forms and tottering footsteps, led the van, showing the scars they had received in their country's service and exclaiming, "We have been brave." Then came the active warriors, in the prime of their inanhood, and as they hared their brawny arms, ready for labor or for battle, they cried, "We are brave." And to
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dispel all fears as to what might come to pass, when the old men should have passed on to join the great company of the dead, and the men of middle age should have grown old, or have been slain in battle, there followed the youths and the boys, who, as smiles of joyous anticipation lighted up their faces, said, "We will be brave, for we are Spartans."
Brave and true were the fathers who a hundred years ago laid the foundations of a Church of Christ here; and amidst their struggles with poverty, and in the teeth of bitter opposition, maintained the ordinances which God had ordained for the enlightenment and salvation of men.
We thank God that we have a share with you in the heritage of their blessed memories.
We recognize, gratefully, the hand of God in raising up to take their places, as one by one, in answer to their Master's call to higher service, they have dropped out of rank, the band of consecrated men and women who still rally round the standard of the cross, and by the agency of the same gospel truths which were so precious to the fathers, seek to elevate, establish, comfort and save the souls of men.
And we have not only a bright hope, but a confident assurance, based upon the Word, "Instead of the fathers shall be the children," that when the present gener- ation of Christian laborers shall have fallen asleep, there shall still be found brave and loyal souls to stand up for God and His truth, in this place.
Our "heart's desire and prayer to God " for this Church is, that He will so abun- dantly endue you with the grace of His Holy Spirit, that "he that is feeble among you may be as David and the house of David, as God, as the Jehovah-Angel to go before them;" that your influence for good may be so perpetuated and multiplied that when another hundred years shall have completed their round, the Word of Life, the only unflickering light that has ever shone on the darkness of this world, may still be held forth here, that men, enlightened by its rays, may find their way to Christ. And at her next Centennial, may other daughters rise to call this mother blessed, and to bid her God-speed, as we do this day.
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