USA > New York > History of the Church of Zion and St. Timothy of New York 1797-1894 > Part 15
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
" The effect of this preaching is to awaken reflection. He does not send the audience home talking of extraordinary bursts of eloquence, but they go away edified and com- forted in holy truths."
The Vestry rented the dwelling, No. 238 West Fifty- fifth Street, for a rectory, for the sum of fifteen hundred dollars. This year was further made memorable by the building of a substantial chapel of brick upon the rear of the site recently purchased, running parallel with Fifty- sixth Street, ninety feet in depth by thirty-seven feet in width. The larger and more valuable portion of the site fronting on Fifty-seventh Street was reserved for a church edifice to be afterwards built, when the chapel would be used for the Sunday-school. The chapel was capable of seating five hundred persons. It cost, together with an organ built by Messrs. Odell, twenty thousand dollars.
St. Timothy's Church, 56th Street.
ORD
243
REV. GEORGE JARVIS GEER, D.D.
During its construction the Vestry sold to the corporation of the Amity Baptist Church their former site and building on Fifty-fourth Street, for twenty thousand dollars. The same church building has been, and is now used by that society as its place of worship. The Rev. Leighton Williams, the present pastor, is the son of the Rev. Wil- liam R. Williams, S.T.D., LL.D., who was pastor of the same corporation from 1835 until within a few years of his death in 1885, and was one of the foremost leaders in the councils of his own denomination. An attractive and com- modious building has since been erected adjoining their church, called the "Amity Building," completely hiding the objectionable tenement-house.
St. Timothy's Chapel was completed and opened for divine service, Easter Day, 1867, and was on that occasion thronged, hundreds being unable to find entrance. The Rector, the Rev. Dr. Geer, was assisted by the Rev. Dr. Twing, and the Rev. John Henry Hopkins. The Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter preached an admirable sermon, closing with a glowing extemporaneous address of congratulation to the Rector and the people on the advance made in their parochial life. The memorial window of the founder of the parish was removed from the former building and placed in the east window. The marble font and the chancel furniture were also brought from the old church.
The stipend hitherto granted by Trinity Church, since the foundation of this parish, was, during 1868, increased to one thousand dollars, and again advanced in the following year,
244
ST. TIMOTHY'S CHURCH.
through the intervention of the Rev. Dr. Geer, to two thou- sand dollars per annum.
This generous action of Trinity Church was gratefully acknowledged by the Vestry. May, 1871, the Vestry, en- couraged by the favorable issue of all former undertakings, ventured the building of a rectory. Plans and proposals were submitted, and work commenced on the easterly lot in Fifty-seventh street, which lot-25 x 100-had been reserved for that purpose. The rectory has a width of twenty-two feet, and a depth of sixty feet, is built of brown stone, and is four stories in height.
The contract cost was twenty-one thousand and five hun- dred dollars, afterwards increased, for furnishing and com- pleting, by the sum of thirty-five hundred dollars. It was occupied by the Rector in May, 1872.
This undertaking, however significant to the stability and completeness of the parish, was soon overtaken by the in- evitable recourse to mortgaging, thereby increasing the mortgage liability to forty thousand dollars, plus the float- ing debt.
The parish was thus confronted with a bonded indebted- ness of fifty thousand dollars, subject to seven per centum interest, to which annual burden, taxes on the rectory were to be added.
This was not the time to discuss the responsibility for the existing financial condition, but to ask how relief could be obtained. The people of St. Timothy made vigorous efforts, proportioned to the emergency. Ways and means were de-
Interior of St. Timothy's Church, 56th Street.
,
£
منصة شــ
245
REV. GEORGE JARVIS GEER, D.D.
vised, and the struggle which a mortgage debt implies be- gan, and continued for fourteen years, the Rector meanwhile being secured in the undisturbed occupancy of the rectory.
In 1887, Mrs. Amelia M. Collard, a former parishioner, died at her late residence in Danbury, Conn., and be- queathed by will to this corporation lands located at that place, the sale of which yielded about six thousand dollars. The amount of this bequest was applied toward the liquida- tion of the bonded debt.
In pursuing our research, we find no noteworthy incident in the history of this parish until our attention is directed to the action of the Vestry in 1884, extending to their Rector a respite of six months from all active duties, that the in- creasing infirmities of his sight might be arrested, and invit- ing the Rev. Dr. John J. Roberts to assume charge of the ministrations of the parish in the meantime. For an ac- count of this respite, we copy from an address delivered by his esteemed friend, the Rev. Henry Mottet, at the memor- ial service :
" His last great affliction-the loss of vision-was threat- ening him for ten years. He bore it so patiently, and he concealed it so successfully, that none knew of it till shortly before the time when he was forced to abandon, for a sea- son, his post of duty. Even in that long seclusion of dark- ness, he was cheerful and hopeful ; no murmur, no complaint escaped from his lips. He lived wholly with God and in thought of his people. To one who visited him in these dark days, he remarked that he was busy preparing sermons
246
ST. TIMOTHY'S CHURCH.
for his people. Their names were all graven upon his heart ; therefore he remembered them, and prayed for them, and sent loving messages to them all.
" The brief period of his restoration to his precious flock calls for no comment. Your joy and his, God alone can know and understand. I recall the night when I then met him among his boys and some of their friends. The whole expression of his face and every word he uttered was the outpouring of a heart big with gratitude for his restoration. It did not last long; apparently his life-work had been fin- ished, and God raised him up again simply to prove to you and him His power. With redoubled energy he labored in your midst, as though he would make up for the months seemingly lost. On Sunday, March 15, 1885, the very first on which he felt that he could officiate alone, he conducted each of the services ; was in his accustomed place in the Sunday- school ; gave his usual kindly greeting to his flock gathering about him-especially the members of the Young Men's Bible Class-and, far uptown, read the Burial Service.
" The last hymn sung that night was Abide With Me, and his hearty Amen, at its close, was noticed by many. The day after was his last here, and the beginning of the more blessed life beyond. There was no death, such as we con- sider it. He was alone in his room, reading his Bible-the story of God's call to Samuel while yet a child. The world may call it a coincidence ; oh, men and brethren, we may take it as God's chosen way for calling to go up higher, him, your pastor, who was in many ways so wondrously like Samuel of old !
247
REV. GEORGE JARVIS GEER, D.D.
"I can fancy how that call rang in his ears ; how, with all his heart and soul he exclaimed : 'Speak, for thy servant heareth.' It was about the hour of evening prayer ; he called for help; he sank back; he was not. God had taken that noble saint to be with Himself."
The order for the Burial of the Dead was held in St. Tim- othy's Church on the afternoon of Thursday. A large gathering of the clergy was present, which, with the congre- gation of the parish, filled the church. The services were conducted by the Rt. Rev. Henry C. Potter, D.D., assistant Bishop of New York, the Rev. Drs. Peters and Gallaudet, and the Rev. Mr. Mottet taking part. The members of the Vestry acted as pall-bearers. The interment was in Trinity cemetery.
MINUTE OF THE VESTRY OF ST. TIMOTHY'S CHURCH.
The Rev. George Jarvis Geer, D.D.
" It having pleased our Heavenly Father in His wise providence to call to the rest of Paradise the beloved Rector of St. Timothy's Church, the Rev. George Jarvis Geer, D.D., the Wardens and Vestrymen of the church place upon their record the following minute :
" ' The work in St. Timothy's parish, which was begun by the Rev. Mr. Tracey, was so soon taken up by our departed Rector, that the good which has been wrought, and the position which the church now holds for future usefulness, are due, under God, almost wholly to the earnest, faithful exertions and loving care of our deceased pastor and friend, during a pastorate of twenty-eight years.
248
ST. TIMOTHY'S CHURCH.
"'The purity of his life, the sincerity of his godly teach- ings, his tender sympathy with those in affliction and be- reavement, his ready response to all calls of distress, his wise counsels, together with his rare social qualities, endear his memory to all whose privilege it was to know him, while his interest in charitable and religious societies, his enthusi- asm in the cause of free and open churches, his unceasing endeavors for the welfare of his parish, leave to us, his sorrowing associates, a blessed example.
"'To his bereaved family we extend, as the representa- tives of the parish, and also on our own behalf, our deepest and most sincere sympathy ; and pray that the God of all comfort, on whom our beloved pastor so trustingly relied, will give them from His abundance a full measure of heav- enly consolation.'
" Resolved, That a copy of the above minute be given to the family of our late Rector, and that the same minute be published in The Churchman.
" JOHN J. SMITH, Wardens. GEORGE MONTAGUE,
HUBBARD G. STONE,
WELCOME G. HITCHCOCK,
ARCHIBALD TURNER,
HORACE MANUEL,
Vestrymen.
ENOS T. THROOP,
JAMES B. YOUNG,
JOSEPH S. PALMER,
A. HOWARD HOPPING.
" ST. TIMOTHY'S CHURCH,
" NEW YORK, March 23, 1885."
249
REV. GEORGE JARVIS GEER, D.D.
MINUTE OF THE CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE.
The Rev. George Jarvis Geer, D.D.
" Entered into the rest of Paradise on Monday, March 16, 1885, the Rev. George Jarvis Geer, D.D., Rector of St. Timothy's Church, in the City of New York.
" The following minute in memory of this, our departed brother, has been prepared at the request of the assistant Bishop and a large number of the clergy of the diocese :
"'In the death of Dr. Geer the Church has lost one of her most faithful, laborious, and useful servants. The record of his ministry in this city, extending through a period of nearly forty years, is one of hard and constant work well done. He was a very earnest man, and whatever he undertook he pursued with untiring zeal and with a great heart. He was not unacquainted with discouragements, but he met them with a confidence and strength that arose from deep conviction, clear views, an active conscience, and a living faith.
"' His sense of duty, his singleness of purpose, his mani- fest devotion of all his faculties to the Master's cause, and his loving soul, brought to him many friends and supporters, whose affection for him was very strong. And he was worthy of it all.
" Our departed brother will be remembered by those who knew him well, as a remarkably intellectual and thoughtful man. His education was as thorough and complete as it could be made by diligent study in the best church and school, college, and theological seminary of his day, in our
250
ST. TIMOTHY'S CHURCH.
land. As a scholar he stood high, and he possessed a more than ordinary share of common sense. No son of the Church was ever more loyal, or more thoroughly devoted to her best interests than he was. And what can be said that will adequately express the excellence of his character as a man, a friend, a companion ! Who that knew him, will not call to mind his quick sympathy, his heartiness, his cheerful- ness, his kindness, his charity ! We cannot think of him as gone, without feeling that we have lost some of the sun- shine and happiness of our life. How worthy of admiration was his manly independence, tempered as it was with genu- ine modesty and humility ! How faithful was he as a friend ! With what confidence did we go to him as an adviser ! How pleasant was he as a brother !
" We thank God for his example, which was so pure and bright. We thank God for the long and useful ministry of this, His servant, whose devotion was so true and whose work was so well done.
" To the afflicted parish whose loss is so great, we extend a most sincere sympathy.
"For the bereaved family of our dear departed brother, we earnestly pray that the Divine Spirit of love and com- fort may visit them and heal their bleeding hearts.
" ALFRED B. BEACH, THOMAS M. PETERS, CHARLES E. PHELPS, WILLIAM TATLOCK, THOMAS GALLAUDET,
Committee."
25I
REV. GEORGE JARVIS GEER, D.D.
We extract the following tribute to the memory of the Rev. Dr. Geer, from the address of the Rt. Rev. the assist- ant Bishop of the diocese to the Diocesan Convention in 1885 :
" The death of Mr. Athole was followed in March last by that of a veteran in the work of this diocese, the Rev. George Jarvis Geer, D.D., who departed this life on the Monday next before Palm Sunday. Unlike Mr. Athole, Dr. Geer was no stranger, whether on this floor or in this city. To labor among its most crowded sections he gave the best years of his life, and to the cause of free churches he was early and uncompromisingly devoted. At first in the Church of the Holy Apostles, and later in St. Timothy's Church, he did a work, whose courage, patience, and cheerfulness must, I think, have been the admiration of all who knew him. For he had many discouragements, and they did not diminish with years. It is difficult enough to toil on with a church loaded with debt, and with the future holding forth but scanty promise of relief, even when one is young in years, and when personal anxieties and infirmities are largely ab- sent. But Dr. Geer, as the pastor of a free church, had all the uncertainty which comes from such conditions, at a time when he had passed middle life ; and he had, added to this, an increasing loss of hearing and of sight, which made his perseverance a daily marvel. Under these circumstances his sweet and uncomplaining nature, which was never soured, and which never despaired, was something to honor and re- member. In his own church he was often minister, choir,
252
ST. TIMOTHY'S CHURCH.
and precentor, and out of it he was the faithful friend whose feet were never tired, and whose heart was never chilled. If we all loved him, it was because he was so essentially lovable, and because no one of us ever left his presence without a sense of being better and braver for having met him."
The Rev. Dr. Roberts remained in charge until June, when absence from the city caused his resignation. In July, the Rev. Lindsay Parker, then assistant minister of St. George's Church, New York, was elected to the rector- ship, but declined the invitation. During the vacancy of the rectorship, which continued for ten months, the Vestry decided to sell the rectory to meet the exigencies of the parish. The present occupant was the purchaser (in September, 1885) for thirty thousand dollars, under a cov- enant restricting the width of the building to twenty-two feet. The proceeds of this sale, together with the amount of the legacy from the estate of Mrs. Collard, and a contri- bution of two thousand dollars from the " Acorn Society " (an association of the younger members of the parish), diminished the debt to fourteen thousand dollars, bearing interest at five per cent.
January 17, 1886, a memorial service, commemorative of the life and character of the late Rev. Dr. Geer, was cele- brated in the church. The Vestry had invited the Rev. Henry Mottet, Rector of the Church of the Holy Com- munion, to deliver the address. Letters were received and read from the Rt. Rev. assistant Bishop of New York, the
1
253
REV. GEORGE JARVIS GEER, D.D.
Rt. Rev. Bishop of Connecticut, the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Long Island, the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Missouri, the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Ohio, and the Rev. E. Spruille Burford, Rector- elect of this parish. These letters, together with recollec- tions from the Rev. William Tatlock, D.D .; the Rev. Theodore Babcock, D.D .; the Rev. C. E. Phelps, and the Rev. James D. Wilson, D.D. (pastor of the Central Presby- terian Church), were published in a pamphlet by order of the Vestry, and circulated among the parishioners. A recital of that service is, therefore, omitted.
THE REV. ELISHA SPRUILLE BURFORD, M.A. THE THIRD RECTOR.
T HE Rev. Mr. Burford was born in Mercer County, Kentucky. Much of his childhood was passed at In- dependence, Missouri, where his father was a mer- chant and banker. After graduating at St. Charles' College, Missouri, he went to New Orleans, where he commenced the study of law. When the Civil War broke out he, like all young men in that region, enlisted in the Confederate army. He served in the Virginia and Western campaigns, and in the latter became adjutant-general of the cavalry corps of General Bragg's army. At the end of the war he returned to New Orleans to resume his preparation for the bar. He sub- sequently entered upon a theological course for the episcopal ministry. In 1868, on Sexagesima Sunday, he was ordained to Holy Orders by the Rt. Rev. J. P. B. Wilmer, Bishop of Louisiana. Shortly after he was advanced to the priest- hood. His ministration began at Holy Innocents' Church, Evansville, Indiana, where he became its first Rector. Thence he removed to Louisiana, where he was successively Rector of St. James' Church, Alexandria, and Calvary
254
TRED. E. Spruille Burford, MID. A.
R
-1
ES. Burford
255
REV. E. SPRUILLE BURFORD.
Church, New Orleans. He next received a call to St. Mark's Church, Grand Rapids, the largest parish in the diocese of Western Michigan. Here his rectorate of less than six years was signally marked by the achievement of many excellent works. The parish was relieved from a burdensome debt, a large chapel was built (now a church), and a rectory purchased. He was a deputy to the General Convention of 1883. His resignation of the rectorship was accepted with reluctance, and only when it was found that the Rector was resolute. On December 22, 1885, he accepted the rectorship of St. Timothy's parish, and en- tered upon the pastoral charge during the Epiphany season. His letter of acceptance follows :
" In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.
" TO THE WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF ST. TIMOTHY'S CHURCH, NEW YORK CITY :
" BRETHREN :
" Trusting that I am guided by the great head of the Church, I hereby accept my election to the rectorship of St. Timothy's parish, New York, diocese of New York. God willing, it is my purpose to enter upon the pastorate of the flock during the third week in Epiphany-tide.
"Relying first, upon the Holy Spirit, and secondly, upon your earnest desire for me to become your pastor, and thirdly, upon your prayers to God for a blessing to attend my ministrations, and lastly, upon your honest assurances of
256
ST. TIMOTHY'S CHURCH.
hearty co-operation and support for me and my family, I beg you will await my coming patiently,-vide I Corinthians, xvi., 10, I Corinthians iv., 19-20, III St. John 14 verse. " Faithfully and affectionately " in the Lord Jesus Christ
" E. SPRUILLE BURFORD."
" GRAND RAPIDS, MICH., Dec. 22, 1885."
The rectorate of the Rev. Mr. Burford, which began so auspiciously, was destined to be of brief continuance, for early in the following year he tendered his resignation to accept an invitation from a church in Memphis. The Vestry failing in its efforts to obtain a reconsideration from the Rector, the pastoral relations were accordingly dissolved. Thereupon, the Vestry by the following resolution, ex- pressed its estimate of the ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Burford :
" Resolved, That this Vestry desires to express to their friend and Rector, the Rev. Spruille Burford, their apprecia- tion of the valuable and efficient services rendered by him while Rector of the parish, and their sincere regret that he considers it his duty and interest to accept a call to a ' higher and a larger field of usefulness in a distant city of another diocese,' and to decline their unanimous request that he withdraw his resignation.
"In Epiphany season of last year, when the Rev. Mr. Burford became our Rector, St. Timothy's Church was suf-
257
REV. E. SPRUILLE BURFORD.
fering from the depression incident to a rectorship vacant for nearly a year. Under his leadership, the parish at once was invigorated as with new life, the attendance at the services largely increased, guilds and societies were formed, the Sun- day-school was reorganized, and interest aroused in building a new church edifice, until now, after the efforts of only a single year, all the parish organizations are efficient and doing good work, the congregations and Sunday-school have outgrown their accommodations, and arrangements have been made to proceed at once with the erection of a new church ;- the credit for all of which is largely due, under the blessing of Almighty God, to the energy and devotion of our Rector. In his sundering of the official relations exist- ing between himself and St. Timothy's Church, the Rev. Mr. Burford cannot dissolve the cordial feelings and love which bind him to the hearts of his friends in St. Timothy's ; and, as representing them, the Vestry desire to assure him of the good will and interest which will follow him wherever he may be. " We wish you good luck in the name of the Lord."
The resignation of the Rev. Mr. Burford took effect in May, 1887. Then he went to enter upon his duties as Rec- tor of Calvary Church, Memphis, Tennessee, the most influ- ential parish in that diocese, where he remained for nearly five years. During his rectorate he was a member of the Standing Committee. He again returned to New York, having received in October, 1891, a call to the rectorship of the Church of the Intercession, 158th Street and the West- ern Boulevard. I7
258
ST. TIMOTHY S CHURCH.
The Rev Mr. Burford died April 15, 1894. He had been ill for several weeks, premonitory symptoms appeared in the latter part of March during a trip to Indianapolis, whither he went to attend the funeral of a nephew. He was scarcely able to preach his Easter sermon, and really went from his couch of illness to the pulpit, in opposition to the advice of his physician. A carbuncle manifested itself soon afterwards, and he was removed to Manhattan Hospital where he died of blood poisoning.
"THE REV. E. SPRUILLE BURFORD.
" At a special meeting of the Vestry of the Church of the Intercession, held April 15, 1894, the following minutes were adopted unanimously :
"' WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God, in His inscru- table providence, to take to Himself our dearly beloved rector, E. SPRUILLE BURFORD, to whom the congregation of this parish is devotedly attached ;
"' Resolved, That while our hearts are filled with sorrow and we deeply lament his departure in the prime of his life and usefulness, we return thanks to God for his noble exam- ple, and we cherish his memory of a beautiful life of sincere devotion to his people and calling.
"' Resolved, That these resolutions be printed in The Churchman, and entered in the minutes of the records of the Vestry, and that a copy be sent to the family of our departed Rector.'
"WM P. HAINES, Clerk."
259
REV. E. SPRUILLE BURFORD.
The funeral service took place at the Church of the In- tercession on Wednesday, April 18th. The body was con- veyed from the residence in 152d Street to the church, the members of the Vestry, as pall-bearers, walking alongside the hearse. The church was crowded. The Rt. Rev. Bishop of New York, the Rev. Doctors Brady E. Backus, George R. Van De Water, and Henry Lubeck ; the Rev. Messrs. Henry A. Dows, Charles G. Adams, and Lawrence H. Schwab, were present in the chancel. The attendance of other vested clergymen occupying front pews was very large. Among them were the Rev. Dr. Thomas Harris, the Rev. Dr. John W. Brown, the Rev. Dr. D. Parker Morgan, the Rev. Stephen H. Granberry, the Rev. Gouverneur M. Wilkins, the Rev. Dr. M. Van Rensselaer, the Rev. Dr. John P. Peters, the Rev. Dr. Frederick Van Kleeck, the Rev. Joseph Reynolds, Jr., the Rev. Karl Schwartz, the Rev. Charles F. Canedy, the Rev. Thomas McKee Brown, the Rev. Dr. Thomas Gallaudet, the Rev. Henry L. Myrick, the Rev. Dr. Charles D. W. Bridgman, the Rev. Henry Anstice of Rochester, the Rev. William M. Geer, the Rev. Dr. Edward H. Krans, the Rev. James O. Drumm, the Rev. Dr. J. W. Bonham, the Rev. Edward H. Cleveland, the Rev. Stephen F. Holmes, the Rev. Hobart E. Whitney, the Rev. J. J. Rowan Spong.
Resolutions of the Bishop and clergy assembled at the funeral of the Rev. E. S. BURFORD, Rector of the Church of the Intercession, New York.
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.