USA > New York > Schenectady County > History of the County of Schenectady, N. Y., from 1662 to 1886... > Part 23
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CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETIES.
prevent any unknown person or member under discipline from coming to the Lord's table. Tokens were distributed by the elders before communion to all who were in good standing, and were taken up by the elders again from the communicants at the table. They were made of lead, or pewter, were about an inch square, having inscriptions on each side, like these samples :
PRESBY. N!
II. TIM: II. XIX
CHURCH
SCHEN.DY
I. COR : XI.
1809. .
XXVIII
Besides these changes, during Mr. (Walter) Monteith's pastorate (1820 to 1226), the old psalm book (Rouse) was relinquished, which indicates that a decided change was taking place in the sentiment of the church. In Mr. Monteith's time also the old "Session House " was built by subscription, and not without much opposition from those who did not favor Sabbath-schools, prayer meetings and other "new-fangled ideas." The Sunday-school had been started by Mr. Jona- than Crane, an elder in the church, in the base- ment kitchen of his own house, as a Mission Union School in 1817; but in 1824 it divided into two church schools, one Dutch, the other Presbyterian, which found a home in the Session House, though viewed with suspicion, if not with dislike, by many who regarded it as " a school for outcasts.
Mr. Monteith's successor was the Rev. Erskine Mason, a son of the celebrated Dr. John M. Mason, whom in intellectual strength he in no small degree resembled. A scholarly and finished preacher, the three years of his service here were years of strength and blessing to the church, which received during his brief pastorate an addition of 89 members, 306 being the total number of com- municants reported to Presbytery in 1830.
From July, 1830, until December, the church seems to have depended for service upon various ministers, when the Rev. Wm. James, a brilliant but somewhat eccentric preacher, became its "Stated Supply," declining, however, in 1832, the call to become the pastor, and ceasing to preach in the spring of the same year, for the Rev. James W. Henry appears to have supplied the church in April and May.
The day of rapid changes and shifting pastorates was soon to end, for the pulpit having been supplied by the Rev. Jonathan Trumbull Backus, May 27, 1832, a call was extended to him, and on the 6th of December following he was ordained and installed over the church, remaining its pastor until the 18th of June, 1873. During all this long pastorate, under the blessing of God, the church steadily grew and strengthened ; old differences died out ; larger ideas of the privilege of Christian benevolence obtained ; more efficient methods of work were adopted, and the usefulness of the church greatly increased. During his ministry Dr. Backus re-
ceived over 1,000 persons to the communion of the church and a new era of benevolence entered upon, the aggregate of the reported benevolence during this period being over $160,000. The church edifice was enlarged in 1834, and again in 1859; and the old "Session House " in 1843 gave way to the chapel, to which was added in 1857 the session room. This church was rebuilt and enlarged in 1884, and is a unique, beautiful, com- modious and convenient structure. During this century more than 60 of its members have entered the Christian ministry.
The Rev. Timothy G. Darling, the present pastor, succeeded Rev. Dr. Backus, June 18, 1873. For three years he had been assistant pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, Md. He was born at Nassau, N. P., Bahamas, October 5, 1842 ; graduated from. Williams Col- lege in 1864; Union Theological Seminary in 1869 ; and was Instructor of Metaphysics from 1877 to 1880, in Union College. There has been a continuance of prosperity in the church under his pastorate.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
A little more than a hundred years ago an officer in the British army, listening to Mr. Wesley, in Bristol, England, was led to embrace Christ as his Saviour. Soon after he identified himself with the Methodists and became a co-laborer with Mr. Wesley, who licensed him as a local preacher.
Not long after, Captain Thomas Webb was sent from England to New York State on military duty and stationed at Albany, where he continued to preach Christ to his fellow soldiers and to all whom he could gain access.
About the beginning of the year 1767 he visited this city, and was probably the first Methodist preacher who came here. In a building standing, at that time, on the east side of Church street, near Union, used for bolting flour, this soldier of the cross preached the word with considerable success. It was strange and novel to see a military officer, arrayed in the habiliments of his office, with his sword by his side or lying on the table before him, assuming the functions of the sacred office. Many went to hear him out of mere curiosity. Some opened their hearts to the Saviour and were made happy in his love. Among the first converts were Nicholas Van Patten, Giles Brower, Rachael Bar- hydt, and the wife of Giles Van Vorst; also a colored man and woman who were slaves. The first converts were accustomed to meet together after the departure of Webb for religious services, but were much opposed by those who could not appreciate their feelings and were unaquainted with their religious enjoyments. Because of their peculiarly deep piety and zealous devotion they were called, in derision, "New Lights."
The second Methodist preacher, as far as we can learn, was the famous George Whitfield, in the year 1770, when he was making his last tour in America. Enthusiastic crowds, composed of all grades and conditions of society, flocked to hear
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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.
him, but we have no positive knowledge as to the general effects of his preaching here.
Benjamin Akin was the first local preacher resid- ing here, He began to preach in January, 1807, in the house of Richard Clute, on Green street, and quite a number were soon converted, who were really the founders of the Methodist Society here.
The conference year ending in May, 1807, Andrew Mckean, the preacher in charge of the Albany Circuit, occasionally visited this little band,
and organized the same year the first Methodist Episcopal church in Schenectady. At the meet- ing of the conference in 1807, Schenectady Circuit was formed, and Samuel Howe appointed to preach once in four weeks, Services were continued in Richard Clute's dwelling until autumn, when they were removed to a small house in Liberty street, where they were continued during the winter and following spring, quite a number being added to the church.
ARBI EYAY
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In the spring of 1808 Seth Crowell was ap- pointed to this place and preached in a building on State street, kindly furnished by its owner, Dorsey Joyce. Under his preaching the little flock "were edified and encouraged." In the following year two preachers were appointed to the Schenec- tady Circuit, which embraced the surrounding country, viz .: Truman Bishop and Datus En- sign. During this year a house of worship was erected and dedicated, and, though a rude struc- ture, was used by the society for twenty-six years, It was situated on the northeast corner of Liberty and Canal streets, where the Canal now runs. As soon as inclosed, and before the walls were put on, and when the seats consisted merely of loose boards placed on blocks, it was occupied, and it remained in this condition for several years, when it was completed and rendered quite commodious. It was afterward removed to the northwest, to make way for the canal, and placed with its front on Union street, remaining here until this lot was needed for the railroad.
In 1810 the preachers appointed to this circuit were Isaac B. Smith and Hugh Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong was soon removed to another field, and Cyprian H. Gridley was sent to take his place. The church flourished much under the labors of these two devout and godly men. They were suc- ceeded in 1811 by Henry Stead and Samuel Mer-
win, the former a practical, animated and useful preacher, the latter one of the able and efficient men of his times. Mr. Stead was returned the next year with John Finnegan, a sociable, agree- able but eccentric man, as his associate.
Smith Arnold and John B. Matthias were ap- pointed in 1813. They were said to be, like Stephen, "full of faith and the Holy Ghost." They were followed the next spring by John Kline and Samuel Eighmey, men zealous and earnest in their Master's work. In 1815 three preachers were appointed to this circuit, E. P. Jacobs, Eli Bart- lett and James Young. It is said that B. English preached here also about this time.
Thus far in its history the society appears to have been quite feeble, and made great exertions to maintain its existence. The men who served it endured great privations and hardships, "count- ing not their lives dear unto themselves," that they might win souls to Christ and nurture the flock to which they were appointed overseers.
In 1816 the society ceased to be connected with the circuit and became a station, under the pas- toral charge of Laban Clark. The number of members at this time was about fifty. Mr. Clark is said to have been a man of gentlemanly bearing, courteous, affable, kind, and of a contemplative, serene and tranquil mind, and was highly es- teemed by all classes of citizens as a man
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CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETIES.
and as a preacher. Under his administration Methodism arose in influence, and attained a much higher position than at any previous time. Two years afterward he was succeeded by William Thatcher. His two years' ministry marked an im- portant era in the history of the church. A powerful revival during his first winter extended its influence throughout the whole community, and added much material and spiritual strength to the church. The successor of Mr. Thatcher was Sam- uel Luckey, afterward Dr. Luckey, who was pas- tor in Rochester in 1860. He commenced his labors here in 1820, and remained two years. Mr. Luckey was esteemed by all who knew him, and his influence gave special character to the church. He was succeeded by James M. Smith. Mr. Smith excelled as a doctrinal preacher, and his clear and skillful presentation of what the Metho- dists really believed, overcame much of the oppo- sition heretofore shown by those who considered their teachings unscriptural. The church pros- pered under his ministry.
In the year 1824 Daniel Brayton was appointed to this charge, an excellent man and a good preacher. During his ministry the church suffered somewhat from adverse influences, but the band of believers were not disheartened. They trusted in God, pressed forward, and soon rejoiced in re- turning prosperity.
George Coles assumed the pastoral care in 1826. He afterward became editor-in-chief of the Chris- tian Advocate and Journal. Mr. Coles was a preacher of ability and attractiveness. It is related that at one of his meetings, seeing one of his brothers in the congregation locked in uncon- scious slumbers, he suddenly paused in his dis- course and cried out, "Brother G .! wake up, wake up! I have something important for you to hear." Brother G.'s slumbers were effectually broken for that occasion, and this incident made an impres- sion on his mind not easily obliterated. At the next prayer meeting he seemed to have a vivid recollection of it, and in his prayer he prayed fer- vently that the Lord would baptize the preacher and help him to preach so that his hearers would not go to sleep, to which prayer the preacher re- sponded with a loud amen, he, doubtless, feeling that it would require a supernatural influence to keep some hearers awake.
Next in order came Buel Goodsell, who was ap- pointed in 1828. His influence was most salutary, effecting a very essential improvement in the char- acter of the charge. He did much to modify the extravagance which characterized the religious ex- ercises of some of its members; and he brought about a beneficial change in this regard, although he was violently opposed and accused of want of piety on his part.
Mr. Goodsell was succeeded by Coles Carpenter. Dr. Luckey said of him: "He was one of the most truly eloquent men I ever heard." The church was blessed under his faithful and eloquent ministry for two years, and he had the confidence and esteem of the community generally. He was followed by Salmon Stebbins in 1832. The prevalence of the
cholera spread general gloom over the city this year. This turned the attention of many to the concerns of religion, and a goodly number were converted and united with the church.
In 1833 James B. Houghtailing entered upon this field of pastoral labor, and remained two years. During this time the old church and lot were sold, arrangements made for building the edifice on Liberty street-now used for the Catholic Church -and the foundation laid with appropriate ceremo- nies. The superstructure was completed under the pastorate of Truman Seymour, who commenced his ministry in 1835. The dedication took place the next spring, Rev. John Kennedy, D.D., of New York, preaching the sermon.
This same year the society was favored with the services of Noah Levings, the odor of whose name is like ointment poured forth. The church mem- bership at this time was one hundred and ninety- five, and over one hundred were added during his two years' labor. Union College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He was followed in 1838 by Epharim Goss, whose labors were attended by an extensive revival. Stephen Remington was the next pastor, for two years, and was succeeded by John Harwood, a mighty man in prayer.
The next pastor was Andrew Witherspoon, after- ward Dr. Witherspoon, an able minister, who built up the church in sound doctrine and piety. James Rawson was appointed in 1845. A goodly num- ber were converted during the ministry of this re- fined and cultured preacher. His administration was followed by that of John Frazer, for two years, when Allen Steel became the incumbent, a popular preacher who drew large congregations. In the spring of 1850, Barnes M. Hall was appointed preacher. He was a strong preacher, of dignified bearing, and commanded universal respect. About seventy were added to the membership during his two years' connection with the church. In 1852 the pastoral oversight was given to Henry L. Starks, a faithful preacher and pastor, who was followed in 1854 by Merritt Bates, during whose term the church edifice was considerably repaired. In the spring of 1856, J. K. Cheesman was transferred from the Genesee Conference and appointed to this charge. He succeeded in removing the heavy debt which had greatly embarrassed the church for many years, and received into the church more than a hundred probationers. He was succeeded by Samuel Mckean, son of Andrew Mckean, the preacher in charge of the Albany Circuit, in 1807. In the spring of 1860 Henry L. Starks was reap- pointed to the pastorate, as was also J. K. Chees- man in 1862. In 1864 Andrew J. Jutkins assumed the pastorate, remaining three years, the ministerial term being extended one year. His ministry largely increased the permanent congregations, and presented to the society the necessity of building a larger edifice. Mr. Jutkins succeeded in raising subscriptions to the amount of $8,000 for this pur- pose. During his term the pastor's salary was raised from $1,000 to $1, 200. Frederick Widmer, appointed in 1867, maintained all the interests of
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the church, and elevated the cause of Methodism. Rev. Joel Eaton was appointed in 1869, and re- mained three years, and was very efficient in aiding the church building enterprise. The site had been purchased on the corner of State and Lafayette streets for $6,000. The foundation of the build- ing was laid in the summer of 1870, and the corner- stone in June, 1871, the Rev. Samuel Mere- dith, Presiding Elder of the Albany District, deliv- ering the address, Rev. Dr. Backus, of the Presby- tery Church, offering the prayer. The church walls were erected and the building enclosed during this year. The chapel was completed, dedicated and occupied for public services in December, 1872. Daniel W. Gates succeeded in the pastorate. During his term the old church edifice was sold to the St. John's Catholic Church for $10,000, the old bell being reserved, and the main edifice of the new church finished and dedicated in March, 1874. The Rev. Ira G. Bidwell, D. D., of Boston, Mass., preached the sermon, and the Rev. B. I. Ives, of Auburn, N. Y., managed the finances. The church, with its furnishings, cost about $85,000, and the remaining debt of $30,000 was fully pledged on this occasion.
George J. Brown was, by request, appointed pastor in 1875, and sustained a successful and af- fectionate ministry for two years. He was succeeded by William J. Heath, for three years. All the in- terests of the church were maintained, and a large number of valuable members added. William H. Hughes followed him with wise and successful management, especially with respect to finances. He was a good and able preacher, and affectionate and zealous in the conduct of society meetings, and faithfully served all the interests of the church, one hundred and fifty probationers uniting during his three years' incumbency.
The present incumbent, George A. Barrett, as- sumed the pastorate in 1883, and has well and faithfully sustained all the responsible duties of the church.
The present full membership is 620, and 30 pro- bationers.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
Fifty years ago, when the population of the city of Schenectady was about 4,000, the religious wants of the people wereadministered to by four churches -the First Reformed Dutch, St. George's Episco- pal, the First Presbyterian and the Methodist.
Some time about the beginning of October, 1821, a number of Baptist brethren residing in the com- munity agreed to meet on Wednesday evenings for the purpose of prayer and Christian conference. In the beginning of 1822 they were encouraged to institute Sabbath-day meetings. Soon after they began to hope that a church might be established here, and at a meeting held the 9th of October, 1822, a paper was drawn up stating that it was the belief of the subscribers that a Baptist church here would be profitable to Zion, and expressive of their wishes to be constituted into a church. At a meet- ing held November 8th, it was voted that a council
be called to organize a church. The council met November 21, 1822, the following churches being represented by their delegates: Churches at Clifton Park, Waterford, Burnt Hills, Florida, Duanes- burgh, First of Albany and the Colored Church.
The following ministers took part: Abijah Peck, John Lamb, Lewis Leonard, Mr. Paul, Joseph Cornell, J. Olmstead, Mr. St. John and Egenia Kincade, afterward the distinguished missionary. The council unanimously advised the brethren to organize a church, which was done, and it was duly recognized by the council as the First Baptist Church, Schenectady, N. Y. The sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. St. John. Rev. Joseph Cornell made the prayer and gave the right hand of fellow- ship to the church. Twelve brethren and twenty- four sisters comprised the thirty-six original members, principally from the Baptist Church in Clifton Park. Meetings were held for some time in private houses, afterward in a building on the southeast corner of Church and State streets, also in a school building on Church one door north of State street, and in the Court House in the building now occupied by Union School, where they continued until the base- ment of the church edifice was ready for use. The church, though for some time without a pastor, grew considerably, for in June, 1823, it reported to the Shaftsbury Association forty-five members. In August of this year, Rev. Nathan N. Whitney, a pastor of a Dutch Church in this vicinity, having been led by prayerful study to embrace Baptist views, offered himself to the church for member- ship and was baptized by Elder Peck, of Clifton Park, in the presence of many members of his former charge. Invited to take the oversight of the church, he was ordained as its pastor October 22, 1823. This year Lewis Cheeseman was licensed to preach the gospel by the church. On the 17th of April, 1824, the church secured a lot for a "burying ground." The records this year report a membership of seventy-one. This same year the Sunday-school was organized. In 1825 the Rev. John Cooper was called to the pastorate at a salary of $150; the lot where the old church stood in Center street was purchased for $150, and the foundation of the edifice laid in the fall, though the building was not occupied by the society until 1828. The following December, Rev. Richmond Taggart was called and entered upon his pastorate at the beginning of 1830, and continued until May, 1831, when, because of the inability of the church to support him, he resigned. At this time the church was much discouraged, because of their inability to provide for the payment of a pressing debt upon the "Meeting House," and were also unable to provide for preaching. Abram D. Gillette supplied the pulpit for three months during the summer, and was ordained as its pastor September 28th, and the church entered upon a season of prosperity that continued during the ministry of this esteemed brother. In 1832 the church was dismissed from the Shaftsbury Association and united with the Hudson River Association. This same year side galleries were put in the "Meeting House," and in 1834 it was enlarged to double its former capacity;
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CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETIES.
seven young men were in various colleges prepar- ing for the ministry, and its membership reached 242.
On the 20th of May, 1835, Rev. J. M. Graves was called to the pastorate, and resigned, after some difficulty, in 1836. The debt on the church was $2,400. In October, 1836, Rev. Philander D. Gillette commenced his labors as pastor. The church was blessed with a revival, which added 42 to its membership. Elder Gillette closed his labors in March, 1838.
While the church was without a pastor, there occurred one of the most powerful revivals of re- ligion with which Schenectady was ever favored. Elder Jacob Knapp commenced holding protracted meetings about the Ist of June, 1838, which con- tinued far into the summer. He preached his first sermon in the Baptist Church, which was soon found to be too small, and on invitation of the Presbyterians the services were afterward held in their house of worship. So great did the religious interest become, that stores were closed and the citizens generally attended the meetings. The weather being warm in the evening, the voice of prayer was heard from the dwellings of the people throughout all parts of the city. This church being without a pastor, the larger part of the converts joined the other churches. Rev. Dr. Backus, then pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, says of this revival: "Elder Knapp's preaching was apparently very effective in awakening the people to serious thoughts. * * *
* It was a season of blessing, and the labor of the evangelist is held in grateful remembrance." In October the Rev. Conant Sawyer began his pastorate, and remained until July, 1840. During this period the church enjoyed great prosperity, the membership reaching 300.
In June, 1840, nine brethren and twenty-two sisters were dismissed, to constitute a new church in the village of Scotia. The church was without a pastor for some little time, when Mr. Leroy was called and ordained as pastor, December 1, 1841. In 1840 a powerful revival of religion was enjoyed, the pastor being assisted by Elder Kingsley.
The Rev. Wm. Arthur (father of President Arthur) was called August 4, 1844, and remained until September, 1846, notwithstanding the church at this time, by the removal of some of its wealthier members, was feeling heavily the burden of its in- debtedness, and was hardly able to give a pastor an adequate support.
At the beginning of the year 1847 the present incumbent, Rev. Horace G. Day, accepted the duties of the pastorate. The church was then en- vironed with many difficulties. His ordination took place on the 25th of May. At this time the debts of the church exceeded the value of its entire property. Their meeting-house was undesirably located, because of its proximity to the railroad. There was a long-pending litigation with the rail- road for damages to the church property from the disturbance of religious services by the ringing of bells and the blowing of steam whistles on the Sabbath. In 1849 the membership was reduced
to 163 by removals and excisions. From this time began to dawn a brighter condition. In 1848 the house of worship in Center street was dis- posed of, and the meetings were held in the Young Men's Association Hall in the Van Horn building, where they continued within a few months of the completion of the Lecture Room of the present church edifice. In the meantime meetings were held in private houses and also in the old Cameronian Church building in Center street, now occupied by Carley Brothers as a flour and feed store. Such was the burden of indebtedness at this time that some favored disbanding the church and re- organizing as a new society as the readiest way of freeing themselves from debt, but the majority re- fused to repudiate. The claims against the so- ciety were finally settled in an honorable manner, through the liberality of creditors and individual citizens, and the church proceeded to effect meas- ures for the building of a house of worship. The Lecture Room was formally opened January 23, 1883, the pastor preaching the opening sermon, and Rev. Dr. Hickok, of Union College, preaching in the afternoon. From this time forward the church grew steadily for some years. For the first time in many years, at the close of 1855 the church was out of debt and money in its treas- ury. The main church edifice was finished in 1856, and dedicated the same year, President Nott, of Union College, making the dedicatory prayer. The cost of the edifice and lot was about $12,000.
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