USA > New York > New York City > Forty years of Covenant mercies : a description of historic memorials in the church of the Covenant, New York City > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
34
as a deepening of the religious life of those in charge. Of the converts, many remained in the work, devoted and valued helpers; some died in the blessed "assur- ance of Hope"-and some, in time, moved from New York to other localities.
A family, whom we will call Nesworth, sent three lovely little girls to the Sabbath School. An acquaint- ance with them revealed the fact that they were Amer- icans; the mother a woman of unusual refinement, and the father a ("front brick layer") man of good intelligence and integrity.
There was, however, one heavy shadow upon this attractive family, the father had begun to be the vic- tim of strong drink, owing to the influence and pres- sure of his companions in work. It had not yet gone far enough to injure his capacity for service, or to be realized by those who met him casually, but his wife and daughters grieved over it, and felt that it meant ruin for him and their family life. Then the leaders at the Covenant became bent on his entire reclama- tion. They urged him to submit his life to Christ, and insisted that the first step should be the abandon- ment of drink. At length both steps were taken, and the friends that had urged them, stood by him in the dreadful struggle, which followed for nearly a year. When tormented by a burning appetite, or tempted by drinking companions, he surely would have fallen, had it not been for the frequent companionship, the com- fort, and courage that these brethren in Christ gave him. In time he was thoroughly established in his new life and habits; everything connected with him gave evidence of improvement, and more and more he was becoming a useful member of the church which had been so much to him. One day the startling news came that this beloved and valued family was to re- move to the vicinity of Chicago! That his wife's
35
father, who had a large business as market gardener and florist, realizing that he was growing old, and having now a strong confidence in this son-in-law, had invited him to come on and take charge of his busi- ness! It was clear that it meant a great deal to the Nesworths, but the rejoicing was tempered by the sense of the loss to the Covenant! The family, how- ever, went to their new home, improved its oppor- tunities, and rose in position and influence. One of their first efforts was to start a Church and Sunday School in their neighborhood, which they made as close a copy as possible of the one they had left in New York. When last heard from, Mr. N. was an active supporter, and Elder in the new church, which was rapidly becoming an influence of importance in a growing community. Then the serious question arose in the minds of those who had so regretted his de- parture, whether, after all, it was not often best that converts now-as in apostolic times-should be "scat- tered abroad" going "everywhere preaching the word."
In time the Church of the Covenant, on Park Ave- nue, became fully alive to the importance and needs of its work on the East Side. As may be supposed, Dr. Prentiss had been most active in his quiet but ef- fective way, in arousing his church to their duty. At length land was secured and the present building erected and dedicated December 24, 1871.
It was an earnest effort to make the House of God the brightest, cheeriest, and most attractive place its worshipers could find in all the week, and to great numbers as the years passed, it became a "home" never to be forgotten. In this new "Covenant Chapel" building one would have seen a very considerable change in the faces of "laborers" and scholars, many of whom had gone elsewhere to live, and their places
36
were filled by others. Fortunately the high quality was fully maintained by such able and devoted men as Samuel J. Storrs, Theron G. Strong, Alfred E. Mar- ling, Payson Merrill, Richard C. Morse, Lucius H. Beers, Joseph R. Skidmore, George F. Bentley, Noah C. Rogers, Benjamin Comstock, Norman Dodge, Douglass Moore, William W. Ellsworth, and a quin- tette of beloved physicians-Alfred Post, Lucius Bulk- ley, Daniel Wiesner, Andrew Currier, and George Woolsey. More than this, there were "noble women not a few." Notable for long and fine service among the latter have been: Miss Anna M. Juppe, church visitor and head of the infant school; Miss Mary W. Kim- ball, of the Intermediate Department ; Miss Mary Pren- tiss and Miss H. L. Keeler, in the main school.
For nearly thirty years a teachers' meeting was maintained, which had the effect of concentrating the work of teachers and officers, and by prayer and fel- lowship, greatly inspiring it.
The fact that this work was begun and continued in prayer, has doubtless been a reason for the har- mony and unity that has existed, without exception, through the forty years. The fact, also that the em- phasis was placed decidedly on the religious side of the work, had a strong influence to this end. Said our Treasurer on one occasion, "You will notice that it is when the stress is on the secular side of work, and the doings connected with purely social matters and efforts are absorbing, that people fall out, not when it is upon those that concern vital religion." While sec- ular, social and entertaining features must have their place, the important thing is that they be sub- ordinated to the religious interest, and dominated by it. The harmony of teachers and officers has naturally been reflected in the spirit of the school; and their reverent attitude toward sacred things, times, and
37
places, has (unconsciously to the scholars) led them to respectful order and quiet. Probably no more humor-loving and witful young people were ever gath- ered than those who founded the Covenant Sunday School, unless we except those who have continued in it, but seriousness of purpose has always restrained levity and trifling in connection with the exercises of the school. This reverent attitude has strongly conduced to good order and quiet, so that different conduct would have seemed strangely out of place. Occasionally scholars have come to us from schools where disorder was common, and in some cases where they were leaders in it, but the atmosphere of the Covenant has speedily toned this down, it was one in which such growths were stifled.
While the grading of classes prevailed, in some cases teachers have carried the children along to ma- turity and to great advantage. Our Assistant Super- intendent has thus brought up three successive classes . from childhood to young manhood, forming character and life-long friendships. Gaining the affection of the scholars has been one of the strongest aids to suc- cess; that object secured, they seem completely. in the teachers' hands. Some years ago a large class of boys had arrived at the trying age just previous to man- hood, and were becoming a puzzling source of trouble. Just at that time one of our old teachers came in town for the winter and volunteered to take charge of them. Soon there was a surprising change in their conduct and ere long they became the model class of the school. Questioning the teacher as to how the change had been affected it was learned that he had found an opportunity to do some kindness to nearly every one of them. One was completely at odds with his parents, and he brought about a happy reconciliation. Another was about losing his situation through mis-
38
-
behavior, but he saved it for him, and saved the boy. To every one he had given occasion for gratitude and had won their hearts completely, he was absolutely their ruler, by love. In the following spring all of those boys united with the church. Boys at this period need special attention, as the dangers that beset them are great, and they are peculiarly susceptible, but it is worth while. It is well worth extraordinary pains to hunt such game. We have a fine class of this age at the present time under the devoted care of our pastor's wife. The hour on Sabbath morning she found would not suffice for their needs-so as a "Boys' Loyalty Band" they and others meet at her house on a week day evening, a gathering full of in- terest and value. It means a sacrifice of time and effort-but the gain. The loyal affection and friend- ship of such young hearts who can now be moulded for all time, who can value it? Surely love is the key to the heart, in Sunday School as elsewhere.
But to go back-with the occupation of the new building the church organization and services began to grow in importance. Before that time the students connected with the Union Seminary had cared for the ministerial part of the work, and the pulpit was served in turn by the Revs. B. F. McNeil, George E. Northrup, George S. Payson, J. H. House, Edgar A. Hamilton, William Plested, and William H. Ford.
May I, 1875, the latter was succeeded by the Rev. Howard A. Talbot, a devoted minister, and especially patient and untiring in work upon individual cases. After over six years he was called to a Western church. The Covenant was again fortunate in a suc- cessor (to whom Mr. Talbot called attention), the Rev. H. T. McEwen, who was ordained and began ministry November 17, 1881. His service was so vigorous and earnest that the church was largely in-
39
creased in numbers and strength, and was replete with active interest. After a service of six years he re- ceived an imperative call to the important field of the Fourteenth Street Presbyterian Church. The parting was a most reluctant one on the part of both pastor and people. He also assisted in securing a successor- the Rev. Mr. Rogers, a man of spiritual mind and most kind and tender feeling. He was greatly be- loved. He was followed by our present pastor, whose sixteen years in the pastorate have been sixteen years of blessing to his flock: who have been shepherded, instructed, encouraged, and uplifted, through dark days and bright; in sorrow and rejoicing; in trial and victory, and in a steady growth of love to God and man, that has united it strongly in affectionate unity, and has made it a "home," the spirit of which im- presses all comers as a rare Christian brotherhood. When he came to this charge, the parent church de- creed that it should no longer be a Mission, but an independent church with its own boards of officers, and its independent relations to the Presbytery only receiving from its Alma Mater, friendship and aid as it needed. When the latter united with the Brick Church, not only were these relations continued, but the same step was taken in regard to Christ Church on the "West Side"; and Dr. Henry Van Dyke in- vented and applied the singularly felicitous designa- tion to the Brick Church and its two branches of "The Affiliated Churches." It is delightful to realize that this affiliation has been growing stronger and more and more intimate every year, fully justifying Dr. Richards' recent expression that "it is a bond of Chris- tian fellowship across Manhattan Island."
From this resumé it will be seen that the present Church of the Covenant, its Sunday School and var- ious agencies for usefulness had their inception and
40
growth in the Christian interest of a little band of young people, whose aim was to serve Jesus Christ and exhalt his religion. This aim has never changed through the changing years, and the varying factors of the growing work; and while the value of whole- some entertainment, and social and industrial features have been recognized and availed of, they have always been made subordinate to the important purpose in view. The constant effort being to develop the re- ligious features as fully as possible, to make them interesting and impressive. Scripture, the most in- spired Hymns, and the choicest music have been availed of for this purpose. Much of it has been doubtless beyond the full appreciation of the children, but it was so excellent that it would bear frequent repetition to advantage, and in this process, became so rooted in the young minds as to be irradicable, and thus a treasury of good things for the future. It seems a serious mistake in Sunday School effort to fill such minds with trifling and transient matter when so much that is of highest value might be stored for all time. One day when one of our visitors had ascended many stairs to call upon a family whose children at- tended the Sunday School, as she mounted the last flight she heard a child's voice sweetly singing a familiar strain-
"Who trusts in God's unchanging love
"Builds on a rock that ne'er can move."
It was George Neumark's noble hymn, beginning "If thou but suffer God to guide thee," sung to the "Pilgrim Chorus" from "Tannahauser," and as she en- tered she saw a little girl holding her chubby baby brother in her arms, singing him asleep to the grand hymn and music she had so often sang in Sunday School. It had indeed become a household word, had
41
entered into the duties of daily life, and was there to remain !
Twenty-five years ago a strong dissatisfaction was felt with the ordinary Christmas Festival, which was usually made up of addresses and "entertainment" of some kind. The addresses were a bore to the impa- tient children, anxiously awaiting amusement and possible presents ; the presents gave rise to jealousies, and the "entertainment" did not seem a worthy way of celebrating the birth of Christ. About that time some account appeared in the religious press of the re- markable work of Pastor Harms and Immanual Wichern in Germany, where the people (whole com- munities ) made their religious exercises and services so delightful that they became their keenest interest, This suggested the idea of making the Christmas Fes- tival such a function, and a scheme was adopted which has been followed ever since with great satisfac- tion. It involves the preparation of a service composed of carefully selected Scripture, interspersed with the finest hymns and carols: these arranged with effective contrasts and working gradually to a climax. The whole is committed to memory by the classes who have had the several portions assigned them. The music is made familiar by much practice. By a mutual understanding, the whole moves automatically; no one is called upon to do anything; no directions are given or speeches made, and it is entirely an affair of the scholars. The eliminating as far as possible, the uninspired human element, gives great impressiveness, it is a Divine message that is given. This service is the gift of the pupils to their parents and friends, and not only that, but at the close, they bring forward envelopes, with money that they have been saving for weeks, as a Christmas offering for some worthy cause. It has been for the care of a crippled child in a hos-
42
pital; a horse for a Sunday School Missionary in the South; a model cottage for Berea College, Kentucky, help and a "Christmas" for a poor struggling Sunday School on the "East Side."
Thus the whole service belongs to the school, which, on this day, like its Master, is a giver. Its prepara- tion involves no small amount of labor, in the learning of Scripture, and the patient practice of music for weeks previous, but this effort is all in line with the great end in view, and in the process, minds are being filled with that which is worth retaining. They are not, however, to go without an "Entertainment" full of merriment and amusement. When the last re- hearsal of music has taken place, they are rewarded by one which gives great delight, but the Birth of Christ is to be celebrated in a more worthy and suit- able manner. A long experience in these services has led to a strong sense of the value of appropriateness in musical selections of any kind; by this virtue, a subject or sermon may be greatly intensified in point or force ; whereas a witless, hapless selection may undo the best and most earnest efforts. The music of the church should never be an end unto itself, or for the mere ad- dition of a certain amount of musical pleasure. It should rather be to illuminate the theme of the occa- sion, or to glorify the worship and be from first to last, "the handmaid of religion." Again, the study of Scripture with regard to its effectiveness may be pro- ductive of most impressive results. In the Christmas and other services, "Christ's humility contrasted with His ascended glory ;" "His life absorbed in doing good'' in contrast with the scornful, and cruel treatment He received; "The needs of each heart and the power and will of Jesus to satisfy them," are examples. One portion of Scripture is often a fine response or climax to another, the impressiveness being wonderfully in- creased by the apposition.
43
The changeable character of the population in our great cities has often been felt to be a serious draw- back to religious work. No sooner have excellent conditions been attained-with great labor-than there is a distressing exodus of those from whose important help much was expected. It is a constant crushing out of hope and expectation. Yet experi- ence shows another and very different side to the mat- ter. In the Sunday School and later in this Church of the Covenant a fine family of brothers and sisters had grown up, with careful training and unusual ca- pacity for usefulness. For a long time they were hopefully regarded as having great future value to the church. Imagine the disappointment when one morning it was announced that they were soon to move out of town to a home in the country. It really seemed as though Providence had made a serious mis- take, but when later one of the young men returned to the Pastor and Superintendent seeking advice in regard to the starting of a "Christian Endeavor So- ciety," and a Sunday School (for there was nothing of the kind in their region), the doubts about the wis- dom of their removal were less positive, and as now and then we heard of the good work they accomplished the wisdom of Providence was clearly manifest. From time to time old teachers and scholars, who have moved away, have written for information as to the best means of reproducing features that they had loved in their old Church or Sunday School, until it has been clear that if so many were to pass under this in- fluence, and afterward to other localities, it was a great opportunity, while they were with us, for a seed-sow- ing that should mean a far wider harvesting; and that a work that was in many cases to be regarded as a model, and carefully copied, should be conducted upon the highest lines possible, that it might be an inspira-
44
tion and guide to those who, for a time, came under its influence. It certainly is a splendid incentive to the highest and best effort. One young fellow upon whom his teacher spent much pains for three or four years is to-day the head of a Y. M. C. A. in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Two have gone to the far West, and in new communities are repeating the work of the Covenant. A young woman, for a time in the Bible Class, and at length in the fellowship of the Church, had been led by some strange Providence to a family and community without religious life or interest. She had been quietly faithful; at length calamity visited the place, and she found her opportunity by kindness and love to bring Christ to the hearts of those about her. These are only a few examples from the history of those who have been "scattered." There is cer- tainly great encouragement in work among changing populations. The field of influence is infinitely wid- ened and the prospects of the harvest multiplied a hundred fold.
To-day as we commemorate the fortieth anniversary of this work the memories, yes, the very faces of those who have been connected with it, whether as teachers or scholars, seem to rise distinctly before us! How we delight to linger in the gallery of memory, recalling the past hallowed by so many tender affec- tions, and above all the Presence of the Divine Spirit in our midst, working in us and for us. How much it all means, we can only dimly see, it is for the future to reveal it, but we count it a most blessed thing to have had a part in such a service and such a field. And so we thank God for giving us a share in it, esteeming it as one of the greatest of the blessings with which He has blessed our lives.
45
Historical Events
CHURCH OF THE COVENANT, 35th Street and Park Avenue.
Nov. 25, 1860. First Service in Home of the Friendless.
Mar. 21, 1862. Church organized with 83 members.
April 4, 1862.
Name "Church of the Covenant " adopted.
May 11, 1862.
Rev. George L. Prentiss, D.D. installed pastor.
Nov. 5, 1863.
Church Corner Stone laid.
First Service in Church Chapel.
May 22, 1864. April 30, 1865. Church dedicated.
May, 1869.
Last New School Presbyterian General Assembly.
Feb. 12, 1873.
Rev. George L. Prentiss, D.D. resigned.
May 8, 1873.
Rev. Marvin R. Vincent, D.D. installed pastor.
Nov., 1887. Rev. Marvin R. Vincent, D.D. resigned.
Dec. 17, 1888. Rev. J. Hall McIlvaine, D.D. installed pastor.
Feb. 26, 1890. Rev. George S. Webster called to be associate pastor.
Feb. 11, 1894. Last service held in the Church.
Feb. 14, 1894. Last Prayer Meeting held in the Chapel.
April 12, 1894. Consolidated with the Brick Presbyterian Church.
COVENANT MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 306-310 East 42d Street.
Jan. 28, 1866. Sunday School organized, at 206 East 40th Street.
April 11, 1867. First Church members received.
Dec. 24, 1871. Chapel building dedicated.
May 4, 1875. Rev. Howard A. Talbot ordained and began ministry.
Nov. 14, 1875. First Communion Service held.
Oct., 1881. Rev. Howard A. Talbot resigned.
Nov. 17, 1881. Rev. Henry T. McEwen ordained and began ministry.
Mar. 1, 1882. Miss Anna M. Juppe began work as visitor.
July, 1887. Rev. Henry T. McEwen resigned.
Nov., 1887. Rev. Edwin E. Rogers began ministry.
Oct., 1889. Rev. Edwin E. Rogers resigned.
Mar. 19, 1890. Rev. George S. Webster installed pastor.
Nov. 8, 1891. Quarter Century Anniversary.
CHURCH OF THE COVENANT, 306-310 East 42d Street.
Nov. 30, 1893. Church organized with 266 members.
Jan. 2, 1894. Rev. George S. Webster installed pastor.
Dec. 16, 1894. "Faith" Tablet and Corner Stone of old Church received.
Jan. 1, 1897. Quarter Century Anniversary of Church dedi- cation.
Jan. 27, 1901. Thirty-fifth Anniversary.
Jan. 28, 1906. Fortieth Anniversary.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 0 041 194 020 2
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.