USA > New York > History of the Church of Zion and St. Timothy of New York 1797-1894 > Part 16
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" First. Resolved, That, recalling the life and labors of
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our departed brother, the testimony of which we have heard from so many who knew him in his different spheres and work, we feel that by his death the Church militant on earth has lost a brave soldier and a worthy priest, and we cherish the comfortable hope that the Church expectant has gained another ransomed soul to the vast army of the blessed dead.
" Second. Resolved, That we extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to the widow and family of our deceased brother, and to the parishioners of the Church of the Intercession on account of their sad bereavement, while reminding them of the 'comfortable doctrine of the Com- munion of Saints,' whereby we believe that through the victory of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, death effects only a temporary separation between the saints on earth and the saints in Paradise, to be followed by a most happy meeting again in the place of departed spirits, and finally in Heaven itself, where the Church triumphant will reign forever with Christ the King, in the holy city, the New Jerusalem, where 'God shall be all in all.'
" JOSEPH REYNOLDS, JR., Secretary."
At a meeting of the Vestry of Calvary Church, Memphis, on April 26, 1894, the following resolutions were unani- mously adopted :
" Resolved, That we have learned with deep regret of the death of the Rev. E. S. BURFORD, late Rector of this parish, which sad event took place at Manhattan Hospital, New
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REV. E. SPRUILLE BURFORD.
York, on April 15, 1894. That we beg to tender to the widow and family of the deceased our sincere sympathy in their sorrow and bereavement, well knowing that they will derive their greatest comfort from the only true comforter and source of all peace, whose doctrines the deceased had taught so long and so well. That a copy of these resolu- tions be furnished the family of the deceased by the secre- tary of this Vestry, and be spread on the parish records and published in the New York Churchman."
June, 1887, the Vestry extended a call to the Rev. Alexander Mackay Smith, which was declined.
THE REV. HENRY LUBECK, M.A., LL.B., THE FOURTH RECTOR.
T HE Rev. Henry Lubeck, M.A., LL.B., was elected to the rectorship November 22, 1887. The Rev. Mr. Lubeck was born in Sydney, Australia, February 2, 1856, and was educated at Trinity College, Melbourne, and at Melbourne University, one of the best universities out of England. He was obliged, in consequence of continued illness, to leave both college and university. He entered the holy ministry in 1881, and was ordained priest the following year in the diocese of Grafton and Armidale, New South Wales. He was soon assigned by his bishop to the charge of a large parish, numbering fifteen hundred souls. Here he remained until again prostrated by the excessive heat of the climate and his arduous labors, when he resigned the pastoral charge. Under a conviction that a change of climate and a sea voyage would materially promote his health and useful- ness, he sailed for this country, arriving at New York in 1883.
He was soon afterwards canonically received into the diocese of Albany. During his stay in Albany and prior to assuming any parochial work, he commenced the study of law at the Albany Law School, where, after going through
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Rev. henry Lubeck, MID. A., LI. JB.
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Henry Lubeck,
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REV. HENRY LUBECK, LL.B.
the curriculum and examination, he had conferred upon him, in 1884, the degree of LL.B. He then accepted the recto- rate of Zion Church, Fonda, where he remained two years. He was next called to Grace Church, Lyons, and, while there, he received the degree of M.A. from Hobart College, in 1887.
His letter accepting the rectorship of St. Timothy's parish follows :
" LYONS, 12 Dec., 1887. " MY DEAR SIR :
" I hereby signify my acceptance of the rectorship of St. Timothy's Church, New York, offered me by the Vestry on the 22d November ultimo, and, if convenient, will begin my duties on, or about the I Feby next.
" Ever since my election I have taken the matter into most earnest consideration, and have at length, after many doubts and misgivings, arrived at a firm and definite decision.
" May God crown our new relationship with abundant blessing, and bind the parish and Rector together in a bond of strongest love, so that future years may witness the accomplishment of His glory, and the salvation of souls to an ever increasing extent.
" With very kind regards and best wishes
" Believe me to be your sincere friend, “ (SIGNED.) HENRY LUBECK.
"W. G. HITCHCOCK, ESQ.,
" Clerk of the Vestry, " St. Timothy's Church."
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Rev. Mr. Lubeck came to this diocese unheralded and unknown, and, when as Rector, he stood for the first time in the pulpit of St. Timothy's Church, Sunday, February 5, 1888, before a congregation that filled the church, he was a stranger to all present excepting the Bishop of the dio- cese. The latter had not only canonically received him into the diocese, but was then present to proceed with the office of institution of the Rev. Mr. Lubeck into this parish as Rector. The salutation and welcome the Rector received at the conclusion of these services must have assured him of a Christian fellowship. The parish had cause for congratu- lations on the way its pastoral vacancy had thus been filled.
This historical sketch must be read by those that come after with imperfect satisfaction, if any of its biographies contain only the year of birth, the bachelor's, the master's, and the doctor's degree, the assumption and close of a pas- toral relation. While appreciating the delicacy of offering a general criticism of one who is with us, yet we may, within the bounds of propriety, record the concurrent judgment of those who have listened to the pulpit acquirements of the last Rector of St. Timothy's Church.
The Rev. Mr. Lubeck is of a dignified, courteous, and energetic nature, and of a striking individuality. Any criticism upon him as a man, or preacher, must present him in the light of one who has an ever present sense of the dig- nity and solemnity of his holy calling. His bearing as he enters the pulpit at once makes manifest that he is full of earnestness in his ministerial work, and one would be disap-
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pointed if he did not speak with intelligence and force. But he does much more than this from the outset. He has scarcely announced his text when a flow of language begins which is a surprise. It claims attention on the instant, for he speaks with the courage of his convictions. He grasps the idea which he wishes to express, and he explains it with vigorous common sense which one cannot fail to understand. His fluency is so great that it seems as if he must come to a sudden break in this flow of strong and well chosen words, that in the rapid flight of his ideas he must become confused. But the fear proves to be idle. There is no check, no hesitation, no want of completeness or power as he proceeds, but, on the contrary, the fluency becomes more marked and extraordinary, and the flow of original and forcible ideas, clothed in the most polished and expressive language, goes on to the end of the sermon. It is impressive to look into the faces of the large con- gregation at such a time. Every eye is fixed upon the preacher, heads are inclined forward so that not a word shall be lost, and the faces of all show that every word falls, not only with its full meaning, but awakens a quick response in the heart of the hearer. All this is individuality, for no other clergyman preaches exactly in this manner. It is not in any sense sensationalism, as this is foreign to the whole nature of the man, but it is a kind of preaching which is his own particular gift, and it makes his ministrations so abso- lutely his own in style, that those who are attached to him delight in him, and labor more earnestly with him in
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the manifold duties of the Christian life and the parish work.
While these sermons have all the charm of extempora- neous delivery, with the fresh and earnest thought which is under the command of such a speaker, they are the subject of learned and attentive preliminary study. "What shall I do to be saved?" is the appealing cry of the millions of the unconverted. This is the individuality of the sinner, which becomes the most important of human considerations to the minister of the gospel. It is not too much to say that it has aroused a remarkable individuality in this preacher, as shown in natural gifts, acquired scholarship, and a steadfast faith. He is only another apostle obeying the injunction of the angel of the Lord to Peter and John: "Go, stand and speak in the temple all the words of this life."
The Rector, while recognizing that the parish had suffered a loss of many parishioners during the period between the resignation of the last, and the election of its present Rector, also found, upon surveying the field of his future labors, many encouraging and promising features. After working zealously to gather the scattered members, large accessions to the congregation followed, whereupon the machinery of the parish was speedily put into working order, as there was now enough of motive power.
The effort of its members was at this time, as it had been during the incumbency of the former Rector, directed towards raising a fund for the erection of a building upon a site well worthy of a large and solid church. The region
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around it was rapidly filling up with a wealthy and respecta- ble class, attracted not only by its proximity to the Park, but also by the character of the numerous projected im- provements in the vicinity.
This movement, auspiciously commenced in 1886, by Mr. John Jewell Smith and Mr. Welcome G. Hitchcock, who subscribed ten thousand dollars each, progressed with en- couraging success through many other munificent gifts, until the amount aimed at was obtained. This amount, to- gether with the legacy the parish was to receive as one of the favored legatees, by the beneficence of the late Mr. George P. Clapp (who died January, 1884), was amply sufficient.
The circumstance which induced the testator to nominate this parish one of the nine residuary legatees of his will, was the result of a conference between Mr. Joseph W. Howe (who was named an executor) and his friend, Mr. George Montague (a Warden of this parish), when the latter's judg- ment was consulted as to what worthy benevolent religious, or kindred organization, he would recommend for the residuary clause of Mr. Clapp's will.
This corporation was named, it being a free church.
Copy of the residuary clause of the Will of Mr. George P. Clapp, dated IIth October, 1881 :
"It is my will, and I direct that all the rest, residue, and remainder of the property and estate, real and personal, of
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whatever kind or description, and wherever situated, of which I may die, seized, or possessed, or which may belong to me, or to which I may in any way be entitled at the time of my decease, be paid to, and divided among Saint Luke's Hospital, now at Fifty-fourth Street and Fifth Avenue in the City of New York; The Society for the Relief of the Destitute Blind in Fourteenth Street in the City of New York, of which Miss Ellen Cotheal is now, or late, a direct- ress ; The New York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society ; The Society for the Relief of Indigent and Infirm Clergymen of the Diocese of New York; St. Barnabas' House of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the City of New York; The Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of St. Timothy's Church in the City and County of New York; The New York Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb now at 162d Street and Eleventh Avenue, in the City of New York; The St. Johnland, an institu- tion founded by the Rev. Dr. Muhlenberg; The Orphans' Home of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the City of New York, share and share alike."
On October 27, 1889, twenty-nine thousand and five hun- dred dollars were received on account of this legacy. On August 4, 1893, a second instalment of thirty-one thousand and five hundred dollars was received. The final distribu- tion will be comparatively a small amount.
December, 1888, the Rev. Charles H. S. Hartman was elected assistant minister, and rendered very acceptable and
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efficient aid, not only in the services and by preaching, but chiefly in visiting those needing the ministrations of the Church in sickness or distress.
The activities of the parish multiplied in number, with steadily increasing membership, rendering necessary ampler accommodations than the church building afforded. Com- modious rooms were rented on Broadway, near Fifty-eighth Street, where the work of the guild, divided into its various chapters, could be carried on, each in its respective sphere, with larger usefulness and efficiency, affording thereby more valuable assistance to the Rector. . The Sunday-school has always held the first place in the organism of this free church.
One of the most interesting features of the services of this church was congregational singing, an element that had largely contributed to its parochial life and influence. The choirs, during the earlier years of its history, were chiefly composed of members of the congregation whose acceptable services were volunteered. Mr. Charles H. Sun- derland, the organist and choirmaster, had also gratuitously offered his most faithful and capable services for many years, which often evoked the gratitude and commendation of the Vestry and others.
May, 1889, this corporation was notified by Trinity Church that the stipend of $2000 would not be renewed.
The parish, under its present Rector, whose fame had become widespread, had acquired such increased growth and strength, that the erection of a large church capable of seating twelve hundred persons was now regarded as a
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necessity, not only to meet the needs of the parochial limits, but to protect them from outside intervention.
Pending other definite action than the selection of an architect, a calamitous event happened, though it proved a blessing in disguise.
January 22, 1890-Evening service was held in the church, and at midnight the outer walls alone were stand- ing ; a fire, the origin of which has not been discovered, having within two hours after the benediction destroyed the building.
The loss on the building and organ was fully covered by insurance.
On the following evening the Vestry met and adopted a resolution appointing a committee to confer with Mr. William Halsey Wood, architect, for the purpose of pro- curing plans and specifications for a church building, having vestry and other rooms, and capable of seating twelve hun- dred persons. The edifice, when completed and ready for occupancy, was not to exceed in cost $85,000, including cost of excavation, and excluding only the organ and heating and ventilating appliances.
At this meeting the Rector stated that he had received many kind letters of sympathy, and the offer of several places of worship for temporary use.
The Rev. Dr. Wilton M. Smith, pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church, offered Mizpah Chapel on Fifty-seventh Street for the morning service on the following Sunday. This kind offer was accepted with the thanks of the Vestry.
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The Rector of St. Thomas' Church, the Rev. John Wes- ley Brown, D.D., graciously tendered the use of that church for evening services on Sundays. The Vestry gratefully accepted the hospitality of St. Thomas' Church.
The congregation assembled the following Sunday morn- ing in Mizpah Chapel in Fifty-seventh Street west of Ninth Avenue.
The chapel was crowded to its utmost. The Rev. Henry Lubeck conducted the service, assisted by the Rev. C. H. S. Hartman.
The Rector prefaced his sermon with some remarks bearing on the recent disaster. He thanked the many churches which had offered their structures to the people of St. Timothy's for a place of worship. These were the Amity Baptist Church, the Central Congregational, the Central Presbyterian, Zion Episcopal Church, St. Stephen's Epis- copal Church, the Church of the Holy Communion, and St. Thomas' Church. The Rector hoped that the recent disas- ter would not have a tendency to scatter the congregation, and urged them to stand together. In the course of his remarks he read the following letter from Bishop Potter :
" The tidings of the disaster to St. Timothy's have just reached me, and I want to express to you and your people my sympathy in view of our common loss. To be dispos- sessed of your place of worship so suddenly would of itself be no small hardship, but the loss which has come to you by the burning of your church is one which I can well under-
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stand is not to be measured by money, and involves a great deal more than mere inconvenience and discomfort.
"There are few church edifices in the diocese round which had clustered more tender and inspiring memories than St. Timothy's, a monument at once to the courage, the self-denial, and the constancy of those who reared and main- tained it, and whatever may be your church in the future, you and your people can never replace it. But I rejoice to believe that you will not be daunted by this disaster. It is, indeed, a call to you all to 'Arise and build,' and I pray that you may be enabled to do so in a spirit of cordial sub- mission to this providential discipline, and, above all, of resolute purpose to build worthily of your past and future."
The Rector spoke of the meeting of the Vestry last Thursday evening, and of its decision to build a new struc- ture capable of seating 1200 people, at a cost of $85,000. He announced that the congregation would worship at the same place next Sunday morning. On and after February 16th St. Thomas' Church will be at the disposal of St. Timo- thy's congregation in the evening.
Arrangements were forthwith perfected for the continu- ance of the service of the church on Sunday mornings, and for sessions of Sunday-school. As no suitable hall could be found in the neighborhood, the use of St. John's Meth- odist Church on Fifty-third Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues was secured. Sunday, February 2d, morning service was held in the basement of that building. At this propitious
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moment, pending the building of a new church, an applica- tion was made (February, 1890) by Zion Church for the appointment of an informal committee of the respective Vestries, to consider the desirability and feasibility of a union and consolidation of the two parishes, involving the sale of Zion Church. The committees were accordingly appointed, and the result of that conference, together with a report of all other proceedings incident to the formation of the new corporation, is summarized in the history of the applying parish. Pending these negotiations, the Vestry purchased the valuable gore lot facing on Fifty-sixth Street, for the amount it originally cost Mr. Hitchcock, together with the interest, amounting to $35,906.40.
The last Vestry of St. Timothy's Church was composed of
Wardens.
John Jewell Smith, George Montague.
Vestrymen.
Welcome Geer Hitchcock, Hubbard G. Stone, Horace Manuel,
A. Howard Hopping, Archibald Turner, Robert Milbank, Charles Harvey Lane, William P. Wallace.
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Last Parochial Report, 1889.
" New York City, St. Timothy's Church; the Rev. HENRY LUBECK, LL.B., Rector; the Rev. C. H. S. HARTMAN, Assistant. John Jewell Smith and George Montague, Wardens. W. G. Hitchcock, Clerk of the Vestry. George Montague, Treasurer.
" Families and parts of families, 370. Baptisms (inf. 48, ad. 6), 54. Confirmed, 30. Marriages, 16. Burials, 28. Communicants : number last reported, 446; received from other Parishes, II; added by Confirmation, 25-total gain, 36 ; loss by removal, I ; loss by death, 4-total loss, 5 ; pres- ent number, 476. Public Services: Sundays, 104; Holy Days, 27 ; other days, 153-total, 284. Holy Communion : public, 60 times ; private, II times. Sunday-school : Officers and Teachers, 43 ; Scholars, 400. Public Catechis- ings : 44 times. Church : Seating capacity, 450; free sit- tings, all.
"Seats free and unassigned. Services are supported by annual subscriptions, by envelope system, and by voluntary offerings.
" Expenditures .- Parochial objects : Current Expenses (in- cluding all salaries, fuel, etc.), $9018.14; for the Poor, $802.29 ; Sunday-school, $73.40 ; Repairs and improvements, $368-total for Parochial objects, $10,261.83. Diocesan ob- jects : Diocesan Missions: Church Missionary Society for Seamen, $180; other Mission Work in the Diocese, $38- total for Missions within the Diocese, $218; Episcopal
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Fund, $20 ; Diocesan Fund, $36; Aged and Infirm Clergy, $86-other objects within the Diocese, $71.75-total for Diocesan objects, $431.75. General objects : Domestic and Foreign Missions, $295 ; other objects without the Diocese, $100.65-total for General objects, $395.65. Total for all objects, $11,089.23.
" Receipts .- Offerings at Church Services, $3153.41; Sunday-school Offerings, $281.30 ; Subscriptions and Dona- tions, $4802.12; all other sources, $2025-total, $10,- 261.83."
The following statistics from 1853 to 1890, are gathered from the journals of the Convention :
During the thirty-seven years the number of
Baptisms was 1308. Confirmed was 862. Married was 358. Buried was 635.
In reviewing the records of this parish we cannot fail to discover abundant cause for thankfulness. When we revert to the humble, unpromising beginning of this now vigorous parish, with a future of greater magnitude, we cannot indif- ferently regard the severe struggles, the patient, unwearied zeal which have ever accompanied the prosecution of the work, often under circumstances adverse and embarrassing. We cannot too highly praise the noble spirit of the Rector, who for nearly thirty years participated in these struggles, Neither can we be silent in our testimony to those zealous
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co-workers among the laity, whose counsel and means were freely given to the cause.
Among the founders of this parish we find a name prom- inently identified with the Episcopal Church of New York for several generations. Anthony Bleecker McDonald was warden from its organization until his resignation in April, 1872. Although not uniting in the worship of this parish, belonging since 1837 to St. Luke's Church, and serving it officially as vestryman and warden, and connected with its Sunday-school until his death, January 28, 1879, yet he found the opportunity to give much of his time, substance, and invaluable service to advance the interests of this church. His colleagues for many years were :
George Reton, Vestryman 1855-69. John Bradford, Vestryman 1855-69. (Clerk from 1858-69.)
Daniel C. Spencer, 1858-67. Cornelius Minor, 1859-68. Gershon N. Hard, 1858-67.
To these names there have since been added to the honored roll, those of Mr. John Jewell Smith, Vestryman, 1865-68. Warden, 1869-90.
Mr. George Montague, Vestryman, 1865-71. Warden, 1872-90. Treasurer, twenty-three years.
Mr. Welcome Geer Hitchcock, Vestryman, 1867-90. Clerk of the Vestry for twenty years.
Hubbard G. Stone, Vestryman, 1870-90.
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Archibald Turner, Vestryman, 1870-90, all of whom were annually elected for twenty years, some of them even longer.
Nor can we fail to record our gratitude to Trinity Church, without whose generous and continuous aid, it is doubtful if St. Timothy's Church could have preserved her existence.
Among the members of the Vestry, the memory of whose benefactions to the parish has not perished with them, are William Irwin, died December, 1874, an un- swerving friend of the parish, who unreservedly devoted himself to its interest and welfare, and whose memory will always be gratefully cherished by all who knew him.
Samuel R. Wells died April, 1875. He happily com- bined firmness and fidelity in the cheerful discharge of his duties as a member and officer of the parish, with the utmost gentleness in his bearing. The influence of his example for good, we believe will not soon pass away. He zealously co-operated in every effort to increase the use- fulness and efficiency of the parish, longing to see it firmly established on its fixed principle of abolishing all distinction in the House of God. This principle harmonized with his benevolent nature, and received his hearty endorsement and liberal support.
Elam O. Potter died July, 1880. His interest in St. Timothy's Church was deep, lively, and practical. We miss his genial companionship, his wise counsel, and sincere devotion. We shall cherish his memory with a living affection, and we do but express the sentiment of the whole parish when we say that St. Timothy's Church has never lost a better friend.
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