USA > New York > Suffolk County > Shelter Island > Historical papers on Shelter Island and its Presbyterian church, with genealogical tables > Part 13
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Loving tribute fitly spoken. Daniel Minor Lord was born at Lyme, Conn., April 9th, 1800. His father dying while he was yet a boy, he was placed in the care of a relative who was a prominent merchant in the city of New York. There he grew to manhood and
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experienced religion. Feeling called of God to the ministry, he entered the Academy of Monson, Mass., from whence he went to Amherst College, graduating in 1830. He then entered Princeton Theological Seminary, and there successfully pursued the study of theology, after which he entered upon his labors in this place. Being called to Boston, he left Shelter Island in 1834 to become the pastor of the Mariners' Church in that New England city. There he labored most successfully for thirteen years, until forced to retire in order to recuperate his health. While laboring there he was in- strumental in converting, among many others, the Rev. Mr. Jones, who afterwards became the noted chaplain of Sailors' Snug Harbor. This Mr. Jones was a sailor. One day he was sent by his captain over the side of the ship to do some painting. It was an exceedingly stormy day, the sea was so rough that no boat could have been low- ered safely into it. As he was painting he all at once looked up and saw to his amazement that two of the strands of the rope that held the scaffold were cut, and that what supported him was the remain- ing strand. His blood ran cold. Horror came over him, and the thought that arose in his mind prompted the question, "Jones, if that strand had broken where would you have been?" And a voice that seemed to be plainly heard made answer, "Jones, you'd have been in hell!" It rang through his ears and kept ringing. He could not get rid of it until he had made his peace with God. He devoted his life to his Savior's service with the above noted success. And now in the starry diadem of Brother Lord in glory one gem shines with conspicuous brilliancy. It represents the conversion of Rev. Mr. Jones, in which Rev. Mr. Lord was chiefly instrumental. "For that one service alone," said the Rev. Dr. Theodore L. Cuyler to me, "the memory of Mr. Lord will continue blessed." One hundred and thirty-three persons united with this church dur- ing his third period of ministry to this church. At the close of the revival of 1856 the church had to be enlarged in order to accommo- date the people. This was accomplished in 1858 by the addition of fifteen feet to the length of the building on the north end, which gave room for twenty-eight more pews in the body of the church. At the same time the belfry was added, giving a much more churchly appearance to the building. These improvements were under the care of Martin L. Prince, George G. Penny and Marcellus D. Loper, who were appointed a building committee for the purpose of effect- ing these improvements at the annual parish meeting held June 15th,
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1858. The whole involved an outlay of about one thousand five hundred dollars. Upon its completion the enlarged and improved sanctuary was rededicated by Mr. Lord to the service and glory of God.
Mr. Lord was twice married, his first wife being Miss Brown, whose mother, Mrs. Hannah P. Brown, was the author of that noted hymn, "I love to steal awhile away." Miss Brown lived but a short time after her marriage to Mr. Lord. During his pastorate in Boston Mr. Lord married again a Miss Eliza A. Hardy, of Chat- ham, Mass., by whom he had seven children. The mother was still living with all her children when we began the preparation of these papers. Two of the sons of Mr. Lord entered the ministry, a third became a prominent business man in Chicago, while two of the daughters are successfully maintaining a new educational enterprise in this State.
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CHAPTER VII.
Mr. Lord was succeeded by the Rev. Charles H. Holloway, who was invited to act as stated supply for one year. He accepted and began his labors in September, 1861. He continued in this relation until February, 1863, when he was duly installed by Presbytery as pastor. In this relation he continued until Aug. 2d, 1864, when his pastoral relation was dissolved by his own request. Mr. Holloway possessed great literary ability, and while the equal of his predecessor in this respect did not possess that personal magnetism of Mr. Lord, and so failed to meet the expectations of some of the congregation. By those who knew him his memory is still cherished with affection. He is still living and cherishes most highly the three years of labor he was permitted to engage in here.
It was during his connection with this church that the present parsonage was built, and thus he and his family were the first to occupy it. Previous to this the parsonage was the house now owned and occupied by Mr. Edward P. Baldwin and family, and as such was in turn the home of the Rev. Randolph Campbell, Rev. William Ingmire and the Rev. Anson Sheldon and their families while these clergymen served the Society. The use of it was likewise in- cluded in the salary of the Rev. Daniel M. Lord. He, however, did not reside there, having his own home in Menantic, where Mr. Henry Walther now lives, and of which he is the worthy owner. The first parsonage owned by the parish was bought about 1834 with part of the legacy that Mr. Benjamin Conkling bequeathed to the church. It remained in the possession of the church until Mr. Smith Baldwin bought it about 1850. The Rev. Daniel Hall, who organized the church in 1808, and who lived and labored on this island from 1805 to the day of his death in 1812, made his home in the house now owned and occupied by Mr. Charles W. Jennings, while the very first minister to live and labor among the people of this community, the Rev. William Adams, had his home in the mansion of Brinley Sylvester, Esq. These then have been the various homes of God's servants who lived on this island while they labored here. Rev. Ezra Youngs made his home in Greenport, and the Rev. Jonathan Huntting in Southold while they served this Society.
The successor of Rev. Mr. Holloway was the Rev. Thomas H. Harries, who came for the first time to this island on Saturday, Nov.
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19th, 1864, in order to supply the pulpit the following day. He did this with such acceptance that five weeks later he again occupied the sacred desk. The day was Christmas. In harmony with the spirit of that glad day this church gave Mr. Harries a call to preach for one year, at a salary of seven hundred dollars. The invitation was accepted and he began his labors with the first Sunday of the new year. Two months had hardly passed by when his services, having proved so acceptable to the people, he was unanimously requested to become their pastor at the increased salary of seven hundred and fifty dollars, together with the use of the parsonage. The call was presented to Presbytery at its spring meeting. Pres- bytery placed it in the hands of Rev. Mr. Harries, who, having con- sidered it earnestly and prayerfully, accepted the same. Arrange- ments were made for his installation, and on the evening of the 8th of June, 1865, he was duly inducted into the pastoral office of this church by the following clergy: the Rev. Clark Lockwood, who con- ducted the opening exercises; the Rev. James T. Hamlin, who preached the sermon and proposed the constitutional questions; the Rev. Edward Stratton, who delivered the charge to the pastor; the Rev. Dr. Epher Whitaker, who charged the people, and the Rev. Mr. Knouse, who offered the concluding prayer, the benediction being pronounced by the newly installed pastor. Rev. Mr. Harries was the third person to be thus placed by Presbytery over this church, and in that pastoral relation he continued to serve the longest of all, a continuous service of nineteen years, and then only brought to a close because of his failing health, which necessitated his retirement in 1884. He proved himself an able and efficient workman in the vineyard of the Lord. He too was used of God to the conversion of many souls. Like Mr. Lord's, his ministry was also attended with revival power and seasons of refreshing. More than two hundred persons were added to the church during his ministry. He greatly endeared himself to this people, and when in the providence of God he was forced to resign, through ill health, it was not without deep regrets that this church parted with him who had so faithfully, so ably and so long served them in the holy office of pastor. What he was, both as a man and brother beloved in Christ, and as a bishop of souls, is best expressed by the following resolutions unanimously adopted by the church at the close of his pastorate:
"Whereas, Our pastor, the Rev. Thomas Harries, on account of ill health, has felt it necessary to tender his resignation as pastor of this church; and
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"Whereas, We deplore the circumstances which seem to make it necessary for us to sever the pastoral relation with feelings of heartfelt sadness;
"Resolved, That the twenty years of faithful service rendered by him to this parish have been greatly blessed in upbuilding our church, increasing its membership and creating feelings of Christian fellow- ship and good will;
"Resolved, That for his ministering to the temporal wants of the poor and the spiritual needs of all, for the tender solicitude and earnest sympathy which always brought him to the bedside of the sick and dying, and for his exertions to ameliorate the condition of suffering humanity at all times and under all circumstances, the members of this parish and the people of this island owe him a debt of gratitude which they can never repay ;
"Resolved, That in parting our kindest wishes will ever attend him as one worthy of our full confidence and highest esteem."
Upon leaving Shelter Island Mr. Harries took up his residence in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., where he passed the remaining days of his earthly life. He fell asleep in Jesus August 4th, 1888, aged seventy-five years. He was born in Wales on the 23d of February, 1813, and came to America when a boy. At first he worked in a large printing house, Henry R. Pitney being his employer. Here he soon, by his zeal, intelligence and attention to business, became his employer's chief man at the early age of twenty-one. It was while thus engaged that he felt called to the gospel ministry and decided to enter the same. Relinquishing his bright business prospects he began his theological studies, at the same time preaching where he had opportunity. And thus he continued until he was twenty-four years of age, when in the month of April, 1837, he was ordained and entered upon the full ministry of the gospel. For the next two or three years he was mainly engaged as an evangelist, after which he became the pastor of Upper Aquebogue Congregational Church, and continued so for a number of years.
Receiving a call from the Mount Sinai Congregational Church he moved to Miller's Place to enter upon the duties of that office. While occupying the pastoral office to the Mount Sinai Church he was largely instrumental in the establishment of Miller's Place Acad- emy, and for over ten years carried it on with advantage to himself and great usefulness to others. From Miller's Place he went to Northville about the beginning of the Civil War to become the min-
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ister of the Congregational Church in that community. Here he remained until he was called by this church, on Christmas Day of 1864, to occupy its pulpit. He accepted, as we have seen, was shortly afterward installed as pastor, and served for twenty years. Altogether he was a preacher of righteousness for fifty years. Mr. Harries was married to Miss Joanna Van Zandt Duryea about the year 1839. For forty-three years they lived in blessed union to- gether, her death occurring in 1883 in the present parsonage. They were blessed with four children, named Thomas W., Charles D., Mary W. and Elizabeth.
Mr. Harries was succeeded by the Rev. A. P. Bissell, D. D., who was recommended to this church by the Rev. Dr. Thomas S. Hast- ings, of Union Seminary, New York City. He preached on three Sundays in November, 1884, and at the close of the morning service of the last Sabbath in that month was unanimously invited to become the Society's stated supply for one year at a salary of one thousand dollars, the use of the parsonage and six Sabbath vacations. Mr. Bissell accepted and began his labors on Sunday, December 15, 1884. He continued in this relation until May I, 1889. His min- istry was attended with the divine blessing, and various additions were made to the membership of the church. A blessed quickening in 1885 resulted in fifteen uniting with the church on Sunday, April 2d of that year.
Mr. Bissell was a very scholarly man, being the only minister of all who have served on this island to receive the degree of Doctor of Divinity, which was conferred upon him by the University of Vermont in 1884. The same year he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Leipsic, Germany, where he was a student from 1882 to 1884.
Dr. Bissell was born in Essex County, N. Y. He gradu- ated from the University of Vermont with high honors. For seven years he was a teacher, after which he studied theology, graduating from Union Theological Seminary in 1868. The next four years he served as pastor, and the following four years as Professor of He- brew in Blackburn University at Carlinville, Ill. In 1876-7 he was instructor in Hebrew in Lane Seminary. From 1877 to 1882 he served again in the pastorate. The next two years he spent abroad. Upon his return from Europe he began his labors here, and at their close became in 1891 Professor of Hebrew and Greek Exegesis and German in Biddle University, Charlotte, N. C., which high position he still discharges.
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Dr. Bissell was followed in the ministerial office here by the Rev. Benjamin F. Parliman, a graduate of Princeton Theological Sem- inary, who began his services to this people as stated supply in De- cember, 1889, and continued them to September, 1895. He served the church with earnestness and consecration, and his labors were blessed with a remarkable revival of religion in 1891, the fruitage of which was the largest ingathering of souls into this church in its history, forty-five uniting with the church on Sunday, March 15th, 189I. It must have been a memorable occasion. Two of that number have since been called to the assembly of the church of the First Born on high, Miss Leonora Ketcham and Miss Nellie S. Jen- nings, both young disciples of Christ, who were known and are still lovingly remembered for their holy zeal and good works. "They rest from their labors but their works do follow them."
The former lost her life while bathing. But it was not in vain, for both the manner and suddenness of it made a deep impression upon the community which is felt to this day. The latter's death was likewise speedy and startling, and being but a few months passed, is still fresh in our memory. May every one of their com- panions, who with them formed that great company on that mem- orable Sabbath in March, 1891, leave as positive a going "to be with Christ which is far better" when they depart this life, as all acknowl- edge concerning the two whose names are here given a place in these papers.
Besides this glorious work of grace brother Parliman's ministry is conspicuous for the erection of the present commodious and at- tractive chapel.
Mr. Parliman was born in Haverstraw, June 19, 1855, grad- uated from Princeton Seminary in 1887. The same year he was ordained and installed pastor of the church at Salt Point, N. Y., by the Presbytery of North River. He is now the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Haverstraw, N. Y., his native place.
After Mr. Parliman came the present incumbent, the author of these papers, who was unanimously called to become the pastor of this church on November 17, 1895. The following January, 1896, he was duly inducted into that sacred office by the Presbytery of Long Island, the following clergymen assisting: Rev. Frederick G. Beebe, moderator of the Presbytery, presided and asked the con- stitutional questions; Rev. Minot S. Morgan read the Scriptures; prayer was offered by Elder Schuyler B. Horton; the sermon was
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preached by the Rev. J. J. Dunlop; Rev. Dr. E. C. Lawrence charged the pastor; Rev. Dr. Epher Whitaker, the honored stated clerk of Presbytery for over forty years, charged the people, and the newly installed pastor pronounced the benediction. Concerning his labors here it will be left for others to speak. He was born in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1858, and is the son of Jacob and M. D. C. (Lehnert) Mallmann. Early in life he felt the need of a Savior and gave his heart to Christ. Entering into mercantile life he in time became the successor of his father in the baking business. This he carried on for seven years, when feeling himself called to the gospel ministry he disposed of his business and began to fit himself for the ministry, at first in Springfield, Mass., as one of the original students of the School for Christian Workers, now known as the Bible Normal College, and also under the instruction of a private tutor, after which he entered Princeton Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1889. During the last year in the Seminary, and the first year after graduation, he was minister in charge of Olivet Chapel, under the care of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, of which the Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler, D.D., LL.D., at that time was pastor, and of which church before entering the ministry he was a member. In that chapel he was ordained by the Presbytery of Brooklyn, October 23d, 1889. In the early part of 1890 he received a unanimous call as pastor from the First Presby- terian Church of Newtown, N. Y., which he accepted, and was installed by the Presbytery of Nassau on the evening of May 8th, 1890. Here he continued to labor until the fall of 1895. While serving the Newtown Presbyterian Church he was honored with the great privilege of building one of the finest suburban church buildings in the country, through the munificent bequest of over sixty thousand dollars by John Goldsmith Paynter, Esq., deceased, to that Society. Immediately upon the close of his labors at New- town, N. Y., he entered upon his services here, in which he still continues. On April IIth, 1878, he married Miss Hannah Matilda Robinson, daughter of Charles B. and Catherine (Babcock) Robin- son. Their union has been blessed with three children, two daugh- ters and a son, the latter, named Payson, passing on to the "Father's house" on Aug. IIth, 1885, aged nearly eleven months. The names of the daughters are Ruth Robinson, now the wife of Dr. F. Everett Benjamin, of Shelter Island, N. Y., and Maria D. Caroline Mallmann. And here the writer wishes to make use of the privilege of rising up
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and calling the memory of his dear mother "blessed," for he feels that to her parental faithfulness in religious training, untiring efforts for his welfare, and self-denying labors he owes everything under God in that He hath "counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry." Oh, that precious name of "mother!" how sweet it sounds! We shall meet again, dear mother. In the meantime may your "dear boy," by the grace of God, ever prove himself worthy of that care you so unceasingly bestowed upon him.
We turn now to speak of some of the members of this church who have been an honor to it and who have stood in it as "pillars in the temple of our God." We cannot mention every one of them, for space and time will not permit it. If, therefore, any names are omitted that perhaps ought to appear, in charity let it be remembered that some things and some names must of necessity be omitted. Though their names may be wanting here, upon the Lamb's book of life they have been everlastingly entered, and have therefore become inherit- ors of the eternal glories. Earth's honor roll may be faulty, heaven's never. There even the least are remembered to such a degree that it is said, "Many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first." At various times in its history this church has been repre- sented by her sons in the gospel ministry. We have already had occasion to speak of several of them. At the present time we have two such honored representatives in the persons of the Rev. Charles E. Havens and the Rev. Nelson B. Chester, who have been ap- pointed of the King to be "watchmen on the walls of Zion."
The first, Rev. Charles E. Havens, is the second son of Stratton M. Havens and Lydia Ann Chester, born on Shelter Island March 13th, 1850. Early in youth he felt the need of the Savior and sur- rendered his soul into the hands of the Appointed One for safety, being converted to God under the Rev. Mr. Harries at the very begin- ning of his ministry here. At the age of fifteen he united with the church on July 9th, 1865. Feeling himself called to the ministry, he began his preparation for the same first in the academy at Southold, where he was a student from 1868 to 1870. Here he was fitted for col- lege. In 1870 he entered Hamilton College, from which institution he graduated in 1874. The next four years he devoted to teaching, serving as Principal of Mexico Academy, in Mexico, Oswego county, N. Y. In 1878 he began the study of theology in Union Theo- logical Seminary, New York City, and graduated therefrom in 1881. His first call was from the Presbyterian Church, Green Island, N. Y.,
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where he was ordained and installed September 10th, 1881. Here he remained until September Ist, 1885, when he became the pastor of the Congregational Church of West Lebanon, N. H., which office he continued to discharge until 1893. In that year, having accepted a call to the pastorate of the Congregational Church in Newton Highlands, Mass., he removed thence and began his pas- toral duties to that people, in which he still continues. Brother Havens is highly esteemed by his brethren in the ministry, and is greatly beloved by his people, who constitute a strong and flourish- ing church in that suburb of Massachusett's greatest city. On July 13th, 1881, he was married to Miss Ellen A. Hall, daughter of the Rev. John H. and Julia (Gillespie) Hall, and to them have been born four children, named Ralph Edgar, Elloine L., Leon C. and Maurice H.
Our second living representative in the gospel ministry, the Rev. Nelson Burdick Chester, was born on Shelter Island January 20th, 1864. He is the second son of Charles T. Chester and Eleanor Jen- nings. His boyhood was passed in the manner usual to country lads, namely, of working on the farm in the summer and of attending the public school in the winter. At the early age of twelve he united with God's people in 1876, being graciously persuaded of the Lord to do so through the instrumentality of the Rev. Mr. Harries, so that that beloved deceased pastor was the honored instrument of turning both of these brethren into heaven's way and toward the holy ministry. In 1881, having decided to enter God's high calling as His appointed ambassador, he entered the Academy at Bridge- hampton, L. I., to prepare for college under the guidance of Prof. Lewis Hallock. In the autumn of 1884 he entered Hamilton Col- lege and was graduated with honors in 1888. The following summer he studied Hebrew at Chautauqua, and in the autumn of the same year he entered Union Theological Seminary, New York City, and was graduated in May, 1891. Having been licensed by the Presby- tery of Long Island in April, 1890, he was ordained by the same Presbytery a year later, and was at once dismissed to the Presbytery of Buffalo to take charge of Bethlehem Presbyterian Chapel in that city. In a few months this chapel was organized into a church, over which brother Chester was installed as pastor, in which relation he continued until the autumn of 1896, when, having received a call to the Presbyterian Church at Youngstown, N. Y., which he accepted, he removed to that place, where he still continues. On July 14,
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1891, he was married to Miss Georgia Grant, of Cleveland, O., to whom have been born two children.
After the teaching elder comes the ruling elder in the polity of the Presbyterian Church, and so we come to speak of those who have served this church in that high office ordained of God in His word. We have already spoken at some length of the virtues and excellencies of our first elder, Gen. Sylvester Dering. We therefore begin here with Mr. Jonathan Doughlass, the second elder, who was ordained as such with Gen. Dering and Lodowick Havens on the 27th of March, 1812, the year in which this church was admitted into the Presbytery. Jonathan Doughlass, together with Gen. Dering, were at the same time of their ordination to the eldership appointed deacons, and these two have been the only deacons in the history of this church. In this double capacity of elder and deacon, brother Jonathan Doughlass served the church for the long period of twenty- eight years "with fidelity and greatly to the edification" of the So- ciety. "He ruled well," and the church was not regardless of the divine injunction. "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor," said the Rev. Mr. Harries. "He shared largely of the respect, confidence and love of the church and congregation." He and his wife were original members of this Society. Mr. Dough- lass was a member of the building committee that had charge of erecting this our sanctuary. He was most faithful in his office, as the sessional records will show, constantly appointed by the brethren to plead with the erring and to the discharge of special duties. He was born in Waterford, Conn., and removed to this island about the year 1800. His worth was immediately recognized by the com- munity, being chosen to double office in 1800. He served in public office for many years, chiefly as school commissioner. Upon the death of his honored colleague in the eldership, Gen. Sylvester Der- ing, he was chosen as his successor in the Board of Trustees and continued to serve until 1837, a term of seventeen years. His last years were spent in feebleness. Unable to recline upon his bed he passed away serenely and sweetly while sitting in his chair on the 24th of September, 1840, in the seventy-third year of his age. He was the father of six children, one of whom, named Charles G. Doughlass, is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, a highly respected citizen of Sag Harbor, N. Y.
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