USA > New York > Suffolk County > Shelter Island > Historical papers on Shelter Island and its Presbyterian church, with genealogical tables > Part 12
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
115
Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
Shortly after his arrival in this place he married a lady from New Jersey. She, however, lived but a few months after their union, be- ing stricken with death while in New York City in September, 1835, at the early age of twenty-five. He married a second and a third time, and at his death left several children.
Mr. Campbell was born at Piscataway, N. J., Dec. 31, 1809; gradu- ated from Princeton College, now University, in 1829. He then became a tutor for three years, after which he entered Princeton Theological Seminary, from 1832 to 1834. Upon leaving the sem- inary he began his labors here. Like his immediate predecessor and fellow student at the seminary, he was ordained an evangelist by the Presbytery of Long Island April 30th, 1835, during his labors in this place.
He was called from this church to the church at Newburyport, Mass., the church which is noted all over the world as the final rest- ing place of the remains of the great evangelist, the Rev. George Whitfield, these being deposited beneath the pulpit, where they have now reposed in the tranquil sleep of death for more than a hundred years. Mr. Campbell continued as pastor of that famous church for forty years, until 1877; then he went West to Nebraska for a short period, returning again to Massachusetts, in which State he continued to live until his death, which took place in Rowley, Mass., Aug. 9, 1886, at the age of seventy-six years.
Mr. Campbell was succeeded by the Rev. William Ingmire, who was unanimously invited to settle here as preacher of the gospel with the promise of four hundred and fifty dollars per annum and use of parsonage as payment for his services, this action being taken at a special meeting on July 15, 1838. Who had preached here during the nine months previous to this date, since the time of Mr. Campbell's departure, we cannot tell. That there were those who supplied during the months the records clearly imply. Mr. Ingmire continued to labor here for three years, but not with very encour- aging results. His services were attended with more or less trial. It was a time of great financial depression, and the community felt it. Further, Mr. Ingmire was the successor of a brilliant man, and suf- fered by the comparison. During this time the funds of the church were in jeopardy. No interest was received, and the means of the church greatly crippled. "The commercial embarrassment of 1836-7 had well nigh dissipated the whole of the large sum given to the church by the late Mr. Conkling. At this distance of time, how-
I16
Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
ever," continues Mr. Lord, "we can readily perceive that God in his providence ordered that loss in great mercy to this people, for enough of these funds were saved to answer the purpose of the benevolent donor to secure the object he had in view, viz., the giving of the gospel to this church and congregation. Left without a min- ister and destitute in a measure of the means for the support of the gospel, the church was cast down but not destroyed." Its spiritual life was also very low, only two persons uniting with the church during the three years of Mr. Ingmire's ministry, which came to a close the second day of July, 1841. Again the parish sought the services of "the Rev. Jonathan Huntting to supply us with preaching occasionally, for which they (the trustees) was to pay him as they could get funds, allowing him 5 Dollars per Day and pay his ferryges." This was on July IIth, 1841.
In 1842 the Rev. Anson Sheldon supplied the pulpit for five Sundays in June and July. His services were so acceptable to the people that on August Ist, 1842, he was unanimously invited to labor among them for one year at a salary of $400 and the parsonage. He accepted the call for his services and continued to labor here until June, 1847, a period of five years. The church once more took on new life. The things ready to die were measurably strengthened, and the congregation, according to Mr. Harries, was in a better condition when Mr. Sheldon left the parish than it was when he began his labors here. A number of souls were converted during his ministry, fifteen of whom united with the church, two of whom still continue with us, namely, Mrs. Rosina Tuthill and Mrs. Maria Beebe. With these there were two young ladies who were sisters that united by letter. They were Mary L'H. and Phebe D. Gar- diner, daughters of Samuel S. Gardiner and Catherine L'Homme- dieu, and descendants of Nathaniel Sylvester, the original settler and last sole proprietor of Shelter Island. These ladies lived with their parents in the manor house. Both in time and turn married the late Prof. Eben Norton Horsford, Mary L'H. in 1847 and Phebe D. in 1860, Mary having died in 1855. Mrs. Phebe D. Horsford is still living as the widow of Prof. Horsford, who passed away the Ist of January, 1893. Mary L'H. (Gardiner) Horsford proved to be a distinguished member of this church, and deserves special mention here, being an exceptional woman both in piety and talent. Her religious life was far above the average. She seemed to live in an- other atmosphere. Her self control and spiritual repose was won-
117
Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
derful, so much so that one day her stepmother said to her: "Mary, haven't you any human nature?" "Yes," she replied, "it was born with me, but grace has subdued it." One can read that spirit of con- secration and devotion in the following poem, of which she was the author, and which likewise testifies to her exceptionable literary ability :
I
My native isle! My native isle! Forever round thy sunny steep
The low waves curl, with sparkling foam,
And solemn murmurs deep;
While o'er the surging waters blue The ceaseless breezes throng,
And in the grand old woods awake An everlasting song.
3
The spireless church stands plain and brown,
The winding road beside;
The green graves rise in silence near, With moss-grown tablets wide; And early on the Sabbath morn, Along the flowery sod,
Unfettered souls, with humble prayer, Go up to worship God.
5
The sunset glow, the moonlit stream, Part of my being are;
The fairy flowers that bloom and die, The skies so clear and far:
The stars that circle Night's dark brow, The winds and waters free, Each with a lesson all its own, Are monitors to me.
7
My native isle! my native isle! In summer climes I've strayed, But better love thy pebbled beach And lonely forest glade, Where low winds stir with fragrant breath The purple violet's head,
And the stargrass in the early spring Peeps from the sear leaf's bed.
2 The sordid strife and petty cares That crowd the city's street, The rush, the race, the storm of life, Upon thee never meet; But quiet and contented hearts Their daily tasks fulfil,
And meet with simple hope and trust The coming good and ill.
4 And dearer far than sculptured fame Is that gray church to me,
For in its shade my mother sleeps, Beneath the willow tree; And often, when my heart is raised By sermon and by song, Her friendly smile appears to me From the seraphic throng.
6 The systems in their endless march, Eternal truth proclaim;
The flowers God's love from day to day In gentlest accents name;
The skies for burdened hearts and faint A code of Faith prepare, What tempest ever left the Heaven Without a blue spot there?
8 I would no more of strife or tears Might on thee ever meet,
But when against the tide of years This heart has ceased to beat,
Where the green weeping-willows blend I fain would go to rest,
Where waters chant, and winds may sweep Above my peaceful breast.
I18
Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
This spiritually-minded and heavenly-gifted woman took cold one autumn day, out of which tetanus, or lock jaw, developed, that caused her death on Nov. 25th, 1855, at the early age of thirty-one. Like Enoch of old she had walked with God and suddenly was not, for God had taken her. But though dead she yet speaketh, speaketh through this charming poem and a number of others equally ex- quisite that make up a volume of poetry entitled "Indian Legends and Other Poems," published the very year she died, and which she dedicated to her father, "as a slight testimonal of a daughter's grati- tude and affection." Let her name be enshrined forever among that galaxy of noble men and women given of God to this church. The parents of this saint were both members of this church, the mother, Mary C. (L'Hommedieu) Gardiner, uniting March 29th, 1829, and the father, Samuel S. Gardiner, twenty years later, on May 20, 1849. He had a remarkable conversion at the advanced age of sixty years. It is said that when he experienced religion he arose and made one of the most marvellous speeches ever made, which is remembered by many to this day. He was an eminent lawyer and politician. At the early age of thirty-one he had attained such prominence in the State as to be made secretary of the convention that formed the constitution of the Empire State in 1821. He was a very stately gentleman, tall, handsome and attractive, always wear- ing a frilled shirt. After his conversion he became very useful in the church, which he had already served for a number of years as a trustee, being a teacher in the Sunday school.
We have now reached the summer of 1847 in the tracing down of those who have served the church as pastor or preacher. Mr. Sheldon's services ceased in June, 1847. About this time the Rev. Mr. Lord returned to Shelter Island after an absence of thirteen years for rest and recuperation. During these years he had un- ceasingly labored as pastor of the Mariners' Church in Boston, and also as agent of the Seamen's Friend Society. His health had become so broken through these arduous duties that he was forced to leave the city, and in order to regain his accustomed vigor and at the same time provide for his family, he turned to Shelter Island with the purpose of becoming a tiller of the soil. Settling on Menantic Creek he was soon engaged in farming, with the happy result of restoring to him speedily his wonted powers. Again he was ready to go forth as a preacher of righteousness, and the Lord of the harvest as speedily pointed out to him what proved to be the last
119
Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
and closing field for his labors. This church being without a preacher needed a supply. It turned to Mr. Lord for the third time in its need. At first it simply asked him to tide over the going and the coming servant of God, whoever he might be, and so one Sab- bath in September, 1847, the male members were requested to re- main after the close of the meeting for the purpose of consulting "about getting a minister to preach for us (them), and they Voted Unanimous that the Trustees offer Mr. Lord $7.00 per Sabbath to preach for them until they could obtain some one permanently to preach for them." To this invitation Mr. Lord favorably responded, but upon the one condition that when they found a man of their choice to minister to them in the things of Christ he would step aside, and if still residing among them would heartily assist them in his settlement and support. Under these conditions he began his
labors. The winter came and went. Each succeeding week strengthened the bond between them, until at last the church be- came conscious that the man they were seeking and that God had for them was the very man who stood before them. The result was that on Feb. 28th, 1848, the sense of the church was called for, in a meeting held in the school-house, in regard to calling Mr. Lord, not as a supply, according to the custom of the church since the death of Mr. Hall in 1812, but as pastor. The response was unani- mous, and the Rev. Daniel M. Lord was thereupon solicited to be- come the pastor of this church, with a promise of four hundred dollars per annum as salary. After much prayer, counsel and de- liberation he assented to their desires, and on the IIth of April, 1848, pursuant to notice given the parish, met in the school- house "for the purpose of making a call for the settling of the Rev. D. M. Lord as our pastor." The meeting was moderated by the Rev. Anson Sheldon, the church's previous supply. He opened it with prayer. But one feeling was expressed, all hearts being united in the desire that the great Head of the Church might ap- point the man of their choice to lead them like a shepherd and be a pastor to them. After the prayer this formal action was taken: "Voted unanimously that we make out a call for the settlement of Rev. D. M. Lord as our installed pastor, that we give Rev. Mr. Lord annually the sum of four hundred dollars and the use of the par- sonage and three Sabbaths per annum. We, agreeably to the vote, made out a call for the settlement of Rev. D. M. Lord, signed by the moderator and the elders, and will leave it with the Presbytery of
1 20
Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
Long Island for them to decide on. Present at the meeting as elders, C. S. Loper and Horace B. Manwaring.
"CALEB S. LOPER, Clerk."
This call was committed to. Presbytery. Presbytery then placed it in Mr. Lord's hands. He agreeing to accept, Presbytery constituted this sacred relation between Mr. Lord and this church on the 30th of August, 1848, by duly installing him as pastor of the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church. It was a happy occasion, in which both pastor and people rejoiced. The like of it had never be- fore been seen on this island. It was the first of its kind. Almost two hundred years had now elapsed since the settlement of Shelter Island. And while during that long period this community was never without those who feared God and worked righteousness, while it had been favored with the presence of those who were world-famed evan- gelists of the glorious news from heaven, while there had lived among them those who were accepted as the ambassadors of the Most High, one of whom was looked upon and acknowledged as pastor of this church, still to the Rev. Daniel M. Lord belongs the honored distinc- tion of being the first duly installed pastor of the church of the living God on Shelter Island. While most of the former preachers of God's infinite grace were as "wayfaring men away from home tarry- ing as but a night," Mr. Lord's relation, now established, was a permanent and abiding one; indeed, as we shall see in the providence of God, the relation was to last until death should remove him from all earthly toil to the heavenly land of peace and rest. As he has left on record the motive that prompted him and the condition of things spiritually that greeted him as he entered upon this pastoral relation, it seems eminently proper that the same should be repeated here, hence the following: "Permit me to say that in accepting the office of your pastor it was not pecuniary compensation I sought. If it had been my exclusive attention would have been given to the broad acres of Menantic. In this respect my worldly interests have suffered; without this ministry I might have been richer in dol- lars and cents. I knew this when I acceded to your wishes. Nor do I now regret it. For it was not yours but you I sought. God is my witness how I have longed for your salvation. I entered upon my labors among you in much weakness and through many discouragements. Twelve years had passed since God had blessed this church and congregation with a special dispensation of his
REV. THOMAS H. HARRIES 1864-1884
REV. RANDOLPH CAMPBELL 1834-1837
REV. EZRA YOUNGS 1821-1828
REV. BENJAMIN F. PARLIMAN 1889-1895 REV. DANIEL M. LORD 1827 1832-4 1847-1861 REV. JONATHAN HUNTTING 1828-1832
REV. A. P. BISSELL, D. D. PH. D. 1884-1889
REV. ANSON SHELDON 1842-1847
REV. CHARLES H. HOLLOWAY 1861-1864
12I
Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
spirit. The church had become lukewarm. Some of its members had backslidden, alienation of feeling had taken place between brethren, the cause of Christ was insulted and in some instances trampled upon. The youth were irreverent in the house of God, and in some instances forgetting even the common decencies of the proprieties of life. They were without God and without hope in the world. Their conduct seemed to say, 'Who will show us any good?' But God has been better to me and to you than we had even dared to hope. The fruits of my ministry is fresh in your recollection. Many of you were nine years ago the subjects of renewing grace. In that wonderful refreshing from the presence of the Lord you were made to sing of redeeming grace and dying love. The winter of 1848 and 1849 will be long remembered by this church and congregation as the season of the most powerful and extended work of grace with which this island had been previously blessed. I seem to hear one and then another saying at the slightest recollection of those scenes and those events,
'Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me!'"
You will see from this quotation that a mighty work of grace took place upon this island during the winter of 1848 and 1849.
It was the divine witness of approval to the relation that had but a few months previous been consummated. God set his seal at once upon Mr. Lord's ministry to this people, and that favor at- tended to it to its very end, for one revival followed another during the fourteen consecutive years that he was privileged to labor here before the Lord said to him, "It is enough, come up higher!" As the result of that divine quickening in 1848-9, thirty-six persons united with the church on May 20th, 1849, now nearly fifty years ago. Of these the name of Archibald R. Havens, of saintly memory, heads the list. Only five of the number continue unto this day, they are Samuel B. Jennings, Mrs. John B. Bowditch, Mrs. Charles T. Chester, Mrs. Daniel Hudson and Mrs. Charles H. Smith, the first three still retaining their membership in this church. Nine years later another revival took place, and on May 4th, 1856, thirty-two united upon their profession of faith in the atoning work of Christ with this church, followed by nine more during that year, making the total forty-one as the precious fruits of that season of refresh- ing. This was followed by a third revival in the winter of 1857 and 1858, mightier still than any of the many and the mighty that had
122
Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
preceded it. Behold what God wrought for this people! "It is the Lord's doings and it is marvellous in our eyes." Fully one- half of the adult population of this island, as the result of these mighty outpourings of divine grace, were the open and avowed professed friends of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of these still abide with us. They are Mr. Lord's spiritual children, his joy and crown. And so he labored with untiring energy and with marvellous suc- cess until the Lord strangely took him, translating him most sud- denly to the heavenly glories Aug. 26, 1861.
It is no wonder that Mr. Lord has been so enshrined by this people in their undying affection that the mere mention of his name makes their pulse to beat more rapidly, their face to grow more brightly as in memory they behold the beloved face and form of him who led them so divinely. Few pastors ever wrought themselves into the very being of their people as did this dear man of God. As 1 think of all this, how his radiant form adorns your homes, how his name is as sweetest smells to your senses, how in labors more abund- ant the power of Christ was so wondrously displayed, I thank my God that He hath appointed me as one of his successors in the same pastoral office, and at the same time invoke His grace to attend me that I may be faithful in this trust.
His death, already referred to, was both tragic and sudden. It occurred on Monday, Aug. 26, 1861, while he was making prepara- tions for the comfort and entertainment of the Presbytery of Long Island, which was to meet on this island the next day. Leaving his home in a wagon with three of his children for the purpose of securing a sheep off his extended farm that was to be slaughtered and prepared to refresh the members of Presby- tery, he was driving along the road when suddenly his horse took fright at the noise of some boards which a neighbor was removing from one place to another, and though at first the animal seemed to be brought under control, it started again, this time throwing Mr. Lord from the wagon so as to strike on his forehead, inflicting what speedily proved to be a fatal wound. While lying prostrate upon the ground a wheel of the wagon likewise passed over his body, mortally injuring it. Neighbors near by ran to his assistance and relief. The first words he spoke were words not concerning himself, but his children, whether "those dear children had been hurt," and to "take care of them." Then he called for water and asked that a physician he sent for, at the same time saying that he
123
Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
must be bled. Loving hands did all they could for him, and then conveyed him to his home.
He realized the fact that death was near, and so he said in a few moments after: "The Lord have mercy, I am going." Though upon reaching his home he showed some signs of consciousness, "neither the voice of his wife nor the kisses of his children could evoke another word of love from those pale lips. God had sealed them with a sacred seal. Twenty minutes more the husband, the father, the brother, the pastor, continued to breathe in the midst of his kindred and friends, and not a groan nor a sigh gave sign of pain. He fell asleep, and no struggle marked his sweet repose."
"So Jesus slept. God's dying Son Passed through the grave and blessed the bed; Rest here, blest saint! till from His throne The moring break and pierce the shade."
Three days later his funeral took place in this church in the presence of kindred, Presbytery and flock of God, to say nothing of the great circle of friends that mourned over his going, spread- ing over the New England and the Middle States, all stricken to the dust. And from that day until the present his sacred remains lie sleeping in yonder cemetery awaiting the resurrection of the just, whither tender hands and bleeding hearts bore them that mem- orable day in August, 1861.
Never having seen Mr. Lord I cannot speak of him but from observation. However, there is one still living who knew him intimately, and who in the providence of God was called upon to perform the kind and solemn office of delivering his funeral sermon, the Rev. Epher Whitaker, D. D., of Southold. It is from a printed copy of that able discourse, abounding with personal and exalted testimony, that the foregoing and the following quotations are given: "It would be impossible in a brief space to set forth even the main points of his character. His peculiar training and wide range of intercourse with other men made him at ease in any presence, but never erased one line from his features, which gave him a charm- ing individuality. He was always and delightfully himself. Having a physical frame of medium size he was able, through all his life, to keep it vigorous, sinewy and symmetrical, and even now, on his lifeless face, we may trace the fair lines of that manly beauty which
124
Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
the friends of his early years so well remember. He usually showed a degree of activity that would have utterly overcome almost any man. Closely allied to this feature of his character was another which made his home the scene of an unbounded and almost un- ceasing hospitality. His largeness of heart was vast enough to make him desire the welfare of every human being, and the fountain of his cheerfulness was a perpetual spring of delight to all who shared his company. His heart was full of kindness and love for every class, but it knew not the fear of man in any walk of life. He had a special love for the company of Christian ministers.
"And how shall I speak of his virtues in the family-his tender love, his sacred truth, his wise forethought, his delicate sympathy, his unceasing devotion, his supporting hand, his protecting arm, and all those nameless qualities which made him, in so high a degree, the faithful husband, the judicious father, the beloved brother?
"It was Mr. Lord's high and keen sense of moral responsibility, as well as his great love for all his fellow-men, that often called him away from his home. What zeal and power has he not shown in staying the waste and the woe inflicted by the scourge of intemper- ance? What village of the county has not been thrilled by his startling pictures and carried to unknown heights of enthusiasm by the flood of his manly eloquence? Yes, we have heard from his lips an eloquence which came not from the schools. He was no surface reformer. He laid the foundation of all his work on the solid rock of religion. This was one source of his excellence as a minister of God's word. He had his own style of preaching, and though it was all his own, it was nearer the style of the model Preacher, who uttered the Sermon on the Mount, than any modern invention or resuscitated antiquity used by popular preachers who make their names notorious in the world. He spoke as one having authority. Few men could speak like him in the use of this element of the preacher's power. His unusual success in the ministry is good evidence for us that God approved his work. Few so well deserved to be called Godlike. Few so closely resemble the Son of Man, who came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
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.