USA > New York > Kings County > Flatbush > History of the Reformed Church of Flatbush, N.Y., 1807-1907 > Part 4
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Report of consistory April 10th, 1871, is very en- couraging. A spirit of revival is in the church; its services are unusually well attended, also the services at the school houses during the week; the prayer meetings are well sustained, " no time being lost in waiting for some one to lead in prayer." The prayer meetings are mostly conducted by zealous Christians. Family worship is established in many homes. This work of grace began soon after the day of prayer ap- pointed by General Synod to be observed in November.
We make the following extract : " During the past year we have built at Glasco and, with some outside aid, have paid for a neat, comfortable and substantial chapel, at a cost of about $5,000.00. This was dedicated
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Sunday afternoon, April 2d, 1871, without debt. An eloquent sermon was preached by Dr. A. R. Thomson, of New York. The dedicatory prayer was offered by Dr. Ostrander, 91 years of age, This was Immanuel Chapel, erected in 1870. The building committee con- sisted of James Welch, William Maginnis and Robert Lent. It is built of brick and is in good condition still. A few years ago the wood part was repainted Before it was built religious services were held in the school house by Methodist, Baptist and Reformed people. The Methodists first built a church in Glasco. After that the Baptist and Reformed ministers held services there on alternate Sundays. The people con tributed liberally toward building the Reformed chapel. William Maginnis donated many brick and he and John Maginnis aud James Welch subscribed large sums of money. This chapel is about one and one-half miles north from the main church and was built for the con- venience of what was then a large and influential part of the Flatbush congregation. It has been the scene of many enthusiastic services and the place of many conversions. During the last two pastorates a preach- ing service has been regularly held there every Sunday afternoon.
In the spring of 1871, consistory recommended Walter T., son of Elder David Griffin, to Classis for aid
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from the Board of Education, in pursuing his studies for the gospel ministry. In one part of the congrega- tion there was then a powerful revival on the subject of temperance.
May 28th, 1872, the painting of the church steeple was put in charge of Lawrence H. Osterhoudt. At a meeting of the consistory July 22d, the pastor requested a dissolution of the pastoral relation, as he had been invited to become pastor of Wiltwyck chapel in Kings- ton. Consistory asked for time to consult with the congregation and ascertain their views. A week later they reported that the congregation was unwilling to have the pastoral relation dissolved at present. Con_ sistory then resolved to add to the pastor's salary $250.00. Report to Classis in 1873, states : " That $452.96 has been raised in Glasco for a bell for the chapel-the amount being credited to the Centennial Fund." The report adds : " A marked spirit of liber- ality is shown by increase in the pastor's salary and in benevolent contributions." For several years the benevolent .contributions amounted to over $300.00 per annum.
Consistory met at the parsonage April 8th, 1873. Rev. Sanford H. Cobb of Saugerties was called to pre- side. Mr. Merritt offered his resignation to take effect May Ist, that he might accept a call to the Sixth
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A nue Union Reformed Church of New York, which h felt it his duty to accept. The annual report of this year says : " After a most pleasant and profitable min- istry of eight years among us our pastor feels called of God to labor in another field. We part with him reluctantly."
The domine donated to the consistory a large par- lor stove, to become a part of the permanent parsonage furniture, which was accepted with thanks.
During the first part of Mr. Merritt's settlement at Flatbush, his sister Sarah, later the wife and now the widow of Hezekiah Burhans, of Katrine, was the house- keeper of her brother, the pastor. Subsequently, the domine brought a bride to the parsonage, and his ex- cellent example was followed by his immediate suc- cessors, the Reverends Asher Anderson and James S. N. Demarest. Since then the Flatbush parsonage has been the frequent resort of young men and maidens who thought it an auspicious starting point over the same road.
This brief sketch of Mr. Merritt bespeaks his char- acter as man and minister. His services were inde- fatigable, and were richly rewarded in the temporal and spiritual prosperity of his people. In his eight years at Flatbush, 138 confessed their faith in Christ and united with the church. In his business experience,
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before entering the ministry, he learned to know men and developed tact in dealing with them. The secret of his success lay in his spiritual mind and his entire consecration to the will and work of his Divine Master. Again we quote a paragraph from Dr. Corwin's Man- ual : " His genial, hearty and sympathetic manner gave him great advantage in securing the esteem and con- fidence of those whom he sought to influence. Few had so extensive a circle of warm, personal friends. He was an earnest, devoted guide to the erring, and an importunate pleader with the sinner. He labored en- ergetically in the cause of temperance." Most appro- priate are the words, " He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith, and much people was added to the Lord."
After six years of abundant and successful labor in his New York charge, he was stricken with a fatal ill- ness and died September 2d, 1879, aged 43 years.
" In the prime of manhood, in the midst of success- ful Christian service he was called from earth to heaven." "Life is not measured by how long we live, but how well."
Up to this time we have mentioned the salary of the pastor as a matter of historic interest in the early pastorates. Further reference to this, we think, is not required. It should be borne in mind that in this
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church the salary has long been, and still is, supple- mented by an annual donation, usually given in Jan- uary or February. This is not only of pecuniary interest to the pastor, but is the social event of the season, constituting a reception to the pastor and his family, and bringing together in pleasant intercourse members of the congregation and their friends. These donations are largely attended and the purse presented to the domine is always liberal, besides abundant pro- visions are given.
REV. ASHER ANDERSON, D.D.
The Rev. Asher Anderson was called May 31st, 1873. The usual vacation of four Sabbaths is first allowed in this call, which was accepted by Mr. Ander- son. He was examined for ordination and installation at the Wiltwyck Reformed church, Kingston, June 25th, and installed July 15th.
July 28th, the consistory resolved, " That Elder Cornelius B. Tipp and Deacon Richard B. Milliken be a committee to attend to necessary repairs of the par- sonage ; that the following collections be regular : For the Church Boards, first Sabbath in February, May, September and December ; for salary of sexton, Ist Sabbath in January, April, July and October ; that
REV. ASHER ANDERSON, D.D.
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the consistory meet regularly every Wednesday after- noon after every communion Sabbath ; that the consist- ory meeting general be held on the first Wednesday in April."
At meeting April Ist, 1874, the pastor suggested a new method of contribution to the several Boards and Funds of the church, viz : "by pledge cards, which was approved." The pastor's suggestion of congregational singing was likewise approved. Dr. George F. Shrady asked permission to use the church for the purpose of a school exhibition, which was granted, "provided great care was used as to what should be introduced."
Report of consistory to Classis, 1874, says : " Con- gregational singing has been begun ; card subscriptions instead of the usual and unsuccessful method of col , lections, have been introduced ; attendance upon divine worship has been invariably good, especially at the chapels in Glasco and Glenerie."
The success of the card subscription plan appears from the report to Classis the next year, when the amount given for benevolences is $285.68, as compared with $130.30, the amount given the year before the plan was in operation.
At meeting of the old and new consistories, May 13th, it was decided to hold a festival near the full moon in June, to defray the debt of the church.
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Also, " the sincere thanks of the consistory " were given to Miss Kate Maginnis, now Mrs. C. T. Montgomery, " for regular, faithful and efficient service as organist during the past year."
Later in the year, the consistory resolve to pur- chase a stove for the parsonage. Pew holders and others are recommended to subscribe for the "Sower and Gospel Field," and a step, or block, is ordered to be placed in front of the church.
April 7th, 1875, it was resolved, " That communi- cants occupy seats in the middle of the House of God, and not be scattered indiscriminately as heretofore; that members of consistory, each in his district, should can- vass for individual subscriptions for the support of the church, visiting every family, having in view that if said subscriptions prove sufficient, the question of hav- ing hereafter a free church should then be proposed to the congregation."
At this meeting consistory also adopted the follow- ing resolutions :
" Resolved, That the consistory of the Reformed Church of Flatbush cheerfully recommend Brother Richard P. Milliken as an an active, earnest worker in the interests of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ.
" That we commend him in our fervent prayers to the God of all grace, through whom we sincerely hope
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he will be able to do valiant service in the common cause of our blessed Master."
In report to Classis of 1875, we read : "The year just closed has been one of great blessing. The at- tendance upon sanctuary privileges has been most excellent, all the Sunday Schools are well attended and doing good work and the children are instructed in the catechism. The prayer meetings are well attended. District preaching and pastoral visitation have been sustained ; collections for the various boards of the church have been taken up from house to house by means of cards, to which the pastor has per- sonally attended. There has been renewed interest in the temperance cause."
In this report the pastor speaks of special meetings held at Flatbush, Glasco and Glenerie, which were largely attended. He asked and received the assist- ance of the Congregational, Methodist and Reformed ministers of Saugerties, and a plan of ministerial vis- itation was arranged. Protracted meetings followed this visitation for nearly three weeks. The result is thus given : " Many serious, some confessed Christ, but only two of these united with the church." The pastor then, with the consent of the Board of Elders, secured the services of a Baptist layman, Mr. C. B. Stout, of New Brunswick, N. J., and held meetings at
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Glasco. These were continued three weeks, in the course of which twenty-eight or thirty confessed Christ. Revival interest pervaded the village. A young men's and a young ladies' prayer meeting were maintained, both of which had a large attendance.
That year's report gives nineteen received on con- fession of faith : the year preceding, twenty were so received.
On May 9th, 1875, the matter of canvassing for in- dividual subscriptions was reconsidered by the consist- ory and laid on the table.
July 7th, following, Mr. Anderson asked to have the pastoral relation dissolved. This was acceded to and he accepted a call to the Reformed Church of Fishkill, N. Y. Subsequently he entered the Congre- gational church, becoming pastor first at Bristol and then at Meriden, Conn. He it now secretary of the National Council of Congregational Churches in the United States.
REV. JAMES S. N. DEMAREST.
Dr. John C. F. Hoes, presided at a meeting of consistory, April 8th, 1876, when the Rev. J. S. N. Demarest was called to become pastor of the church to which, as we have seen, his father, Dr. David D.
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Demarest, was called thirty-five years before. Like his predecessor, Mr. Anderson, he was a recent graduate of the New Brunswick institutions, and Flatbush was his first settlement. Consistory ordered certain repairs to the parsonage and empowered the pastor to pur- chase new church record books, which are still in use. April 2d, 1877, consistory met at the parsonage and adjourned to the church where, after examination, it was resolved, "That the plaster be removed from the outside wall on the following Monday." This plaster had cracked and dropped off in spots, presenting an unsightly appearance. Here we should state that originally the west and south outside walls were stone same as the east wall. They were first stuccoed when the south end addition was made in 1845.
When they attempted to remove the plaster, on the Monday mentioned, it was found for the most part so firmly attached to the stones that it was decided to repair it and then to paint the walls, which was done. May Ist, 1877, it was, resolved, "That the consistory canvass the congregation to get its sense in regard to the free pew system, and ascertain how much money could be raised by subscription and report at subse quent meeting."
May 26th, seven members reported favorably, but Elder Erastus Myer reported Glasco as opposed to the
REFORMED CHURCH OF FLATBUSH, N. Y.
system. About $750.00 was subscribed, exclusive of Glasco. Consistory postponed definite action for one week and the pastor and an elder were appointed "to visit a few families reported as opposing the plan- the plan to be adopted if their consent be obtained." We judge they succeeded in their mission for the fol- lowing April consistory resolved, "That the free pew system be continued in the church, and that notice be given from the pulpit that the names and sums affixed thereto remain as at present on the subscription list, unless the consistory be notified to the contrary." Thus the system of annual pew rental, which succeded that of ownership of the pews, was now superseded by the free pew, or subscription method of church support, which has been continued to the present time. In November, 1877, it was decided that the Doxology be sung at the commencement instead of at the close of the regular morning. service. In April, following, Colonel Scott was given permission to deliver a tem- perance lecture in the church, the church's share of the proceeds being $4.10. At this time the consistory cir- culated subscription papers for the purpose of paying the church debt of $150.00.
The old and new consistories met at the parsonage, May 18th, 1878. "They took tea together at five o'clock, after which one half hour was spent in de-
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REV. JAMES S. N. DEMAREST.
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votional exercises with special reference to the inter- ests of that portion of God's vineyard committed to our care." It was reported that $116.00 of the $150.00 debt had been subscribed. It was resolved to make the effort to raise the remainder.
August 19th, Cornelius Tipp and Jacob Snyder were appointed a committee to contract for the repair- ing of the outside of the church above referred to, and Jacob W. Brink a committee to contract for the paint- ing of the outside of the church. These committees reported, November 4th, that the work was done and the bills paid.
At meeting of consistory, May 30th, 1879, Deacon Lawrence Osterhoudt "stated that he was authorized on behalf of a certain person to pledge $100.00 toward the amount of the church debt to June ist of that year, provided the congregation raise the remainder." This offer was accepted with "the thanks of the con- sistory to the donor, as yet unknown." The donor was Miss Catherine Osterhoudt.
September 10th the consistory resolved, " That with the assent of the congregation the envelope system for raising church expenses be tried, each one subscribing, pledging so much per week to be placed on the plate in an envelope each Sunday, or paid whenever the sub- scriber may wish."
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June 16th, 1880, the following committee was ap- pointed to consider the matter of a Fourth of July celebration and to make arrangements for such cele- bration, if deemed advisable to hold it :
J. W. Brink, Peter Kieffer, Allen Griffin, Harry Martin, Mynders Myer, Fred Keener, Robert Streeter, Joseph Burhans, Erastus Osterhoudt, Hermance Ten Broeck, Charles Nichols, Augustus Burhans.
October 4th, 1880, it was resolved "to accept the bid of James Ballard of $225.00 to paint interior of the church, viz: Fresco ceiling and walls and grain all the woodwork."
March 4th, 1881, Pastor Demarest reported in regard to church repairs that $257.80 had been raised. A vote of thanks was given to him for his services in the matter.
Rev. Sanford H. Cobb of Saugerties then took the chair and the consistory united with Mr. Demarest in applying to Classis for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, to take effect the 3Ist of March.
Domine Demarest's next charge was at Nassau, N. Y. He is now pastor of the Reformed Church of Queens, Long Island.
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REV. ALBERT A. ZABRISKIE.
February IIth, 1882, Dr. C. S. VanSantvoord pre- sided at a meeting of consistory and moderated a call to the Rev. Albert A. Zabriskie. He accepted the call and was installed pastor, May 16th. The latter part of this month the roll of church members was revised. June Ist, the pastor asked and received permission to preach at Glenerie every other Sunday evening for the summer.
In the record of November 30th, we read ; " As it has been found tedious to raise money for current ex- penses by Sunday morning collections, consistory gave the pastor permission to adopt the envelope system at the rate of five cents per week." Later the pastor re- ported that he had purchased a record book, also envelopes, which he had distributed among the families of the congregation. December 5th, 1884, he reported to the consistory : Amount received for incidental ex- penses, $117.43 ; amount expended, $106.98; balance on hand, $10.45. This envelope plan seems to have been discontinued either before or at the close of Mr. Zabriskie's pastorate.
At this time, the consistory appears to have ap- pointed or to have supervised the appointment of the Sunday school superintendents. Mr. D. Brodhead Hen-
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dricks was unanimously thanked for " his services as superintendent for 1883 and requested to serve for 1884." The Glenerie Sunday school was put in charge of the pastor on alternate Sundays and of Miss Eliza Hervey the other Sundays.
Some of the ceiling of the church having fallen off on account of defective roof, the consistory ordered, March 3d, 1884, " That a new roof be put on the church as soon as possible, and when finished that the ceiling be repaired." Alanson Osterhoudt, James Van Aken, Jacob Snyder and Lawrence H. Osterhoudt were ap- pointed a committee to have this done, and were ordered to buy the best quality of pine shingles, and to have the tin work of steeple and church painted at the time the roof was put on. August 26th the treasurer is author- ized to pay $25.00 into the treasury of the Ladies' Society, the first and only record we have of this society receiving money from the church treasury, instead of providing funds for it.
The consistory further ordered "That the church steeple be painted "; also, " That the congregation be canvassed every year in the interest of the American Bible Society," and, " That the bread and wine at com- munion service be passed by the deacons instead of the elders. "
Minutes of consistory mention a large cherry tree,
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REV. ALBERT A. ZABRISKIE.
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which then stood in front of the church. We regret to say that only one tree "good for food "-a hickory-is is on the church grounds now. At the morning ser- vice of Sunday, November 30th, the Rev. Dr. Aubrey, Congregational minister of London, England, was pres- ent and preached. The congregation was very large and the pastor improved the occasion to ask for $300.00 "to pay the church debt and put a surplus in the treas- ury." A black board was placed before the pulpit. This was cross lined and sums from one to ten dollars inserted in the spaces. After prayer, subscriptions were solicited and as fast as offered the amounts were erased from the board. "In this way $297.00 was promised in twenty minutes." Later $100.00 more was contri- buted by those not present and friends outside of the congregation, one of whom, William R. Sheffield, gave $25.00. In May of the next year consistory again fixed the salary of the sexton at $50.00 per year ; also ap- pointed Lawrence H. Osterhoudt a committee to have a new well house built at the parsonage. December 4th and 6th, 1885, fifteen persons were received into the church on confession of faith, and nine were so received, March 5th, 1886.
Dr. Denis Wortman presided at a meeting of con- sistory July 7th, 1886, when Mr. Zabriskie tendered his
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resignation to take effect July Ist. He is now pastor of the Reformed church of Greendale, N. Y.
REV. GEORGE J. VANNESTE.
Dr. Denis Wortman, then pastor at Saugerties, pre- sided at a meeting of consistory December 15th, 1886, when a call was made out to the Rev. George J. VanNeste, of Kiskatom, N. Y. He began his ministry at Flatbush, December 19th, 1886, and was installed January IIth, 1887.
February 18th, it was resolved : "That after the first quarter's collections, we use envelopes in collecting the salary and incidental expenses, these envelopes to be given out on Sunday to the subscribers, one month previous to the time of their coming due, and then to be returned on the collection plate." This plan was continued till April 27th, 1888, when the consistory decided to return to the former system of having a col- lector in each district of the congregation.
L. H. Osterhaudt, D. B. Hendricks and the pastor were appointed a Committee on Benevolence, and reported the following schedule : "That stated collec- tions for missions be taken upon the first Sabbath of each month, and that at the end of each six months of our financial year they be equally divided between the
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Domestic and Foreign Boards, unless individual con- tributors otherwise direct in writing.
"That collections be taken annually for all the other boards and funds of our denomination ; also for other causes, when application is made and consistory direct.
" That the above collections be repeated at the same times at Glasco."
David Griffin, D. B. Hendricks and Lawrence H. Osterhoudt were appointed a committee to examine the parsonage barn, report the repairs needed and estimate the cost of the same. The committee reported March 26th ; its report was approved and it was given power to make the repairs recommended. June 11th, this committee reported that extensive repairs and alterations had been made, also a new wood shed built, total cost, $147.10. Their report was approved.
From the report of consistory to Classis, April 2d, we gather the following items : " The Ladies' Mission- ary Society, which has heretofore limited its gifts to our foreign missions, has been reorganized and now contributes to our domestic missions, and statedly cir- culates tracts to all within the bounds of the congre- gation. A weekly lecture and conference meeting at the parsonage is encouraging from the attendance of the young. We are thankful to report one of our
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young men, Louis Hieber, under the care of our Clas- sis, as prosecuting his studies with diligence and success at the Grammar School in New Brunswick. The attendance on Sabbath services has been on the steady increase, notwithstanding the unpropitious weather." The report adds that the pastor and an elder have vis- ited more than 125 families, and have had in each home religious conversation and prayer.
May 14th, it was decided to hold a festival on the coming Fourth of July, and Jacob M. Snyder was made chairman of committee of arrangements. It was also decided to hold Children's Day services, as recom- mended by General Synod, on the second Sabbath in June, in the morning instead of in the afternoon.
A meeting of the congregation was held June 11th, to determine what should be done with the ceiling of the church. Jacob W. Brink was chosen to preside. After consideration it was resolved: "That as large quantities of plaster have recently fallen, thus endan- dering human life, it has become necessary to remove the entire ceiling.
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