USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > History of the Wesley M.E. Church of Brooklyn, L.I. > Part 12
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On the second Monday of July the alterations and re- pairs were commenced in right earnest, and prosecuted with vigor until completed. While the work was in pro- gress, it was resolved to alter the gas fixtures on the pulpit platform and round the galleries, on an im- proved plan, by substituting in the place of the branch jets, a large patent circular reflector suspend- ed from the ceiling, as the best mode of lighting the church.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S VISIT TO SCOT- LAND .- Bro. David W. McLean, having for some time past devoted himself unremittingly to business, with- out taking any rest or recreation that was necessary for the preservation of his health, he finally resolved to make a short visit to the place of his nativity, Dumfrie- shire, Scotland, from which he had been absent for many years. The Sunday previous to his departure, Bro. McLean, apprised the teachers and scholars respecting his intended voyage across the Atlantic, and the object for which it was undertaken ; at the same time expressing regret at his temporary separation from the school, and desired to be remembered by them at the throne of grace during his absence. He assured them that while he would be absent in body, he should
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be present in mind, and remember them in his daily devotions ; but if God in His inscrutable providence ordained they were never to meet in the school room again, he prayed they would all meet in heaven.
The teachers and scholars, were sorry to part with their Superintendent, even for a season, but they were pleased he had the courage to undertake the journey, which they prayed and had reason to believe would result to his personal advantage, mentally and phys- ically. Wishing him a safe voyage, good health, and happiness, with a speedy return to his home, the Church and the Sunday School, they bid him an affectionate goodby. He sailed on the 11th of July, for Scotland, by one of the Anchor line of steamers.
During the Superintendent's absence, the Assistant Superintendent, Thos. C. Nostrand, attended to his duties in Sabbath School, with great acceptance to both teachers and scholars. The few weeks' absence of Bro. McLean soon sped along, and before many ex- pected it, the announcement was made, that he had sailed for New York, and would be home in the course of a few days. Bro. Wadsworth, and the young ladies of his bible class, resolved that the return of the Superintendent should be marked by some special reception ceremony, and that the preparation for the same should be conducted with as much secrecy as possible, in order to take him by surprise. So the management of the reception ceremony was left entire- ly in his hands.
The first Sunday after the Superintendent's arrival in Brooklyn, the school assembled on time, the teachers were promptly at their post, the banners and mottoes of the various classes were unfurled, the speaker's
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desk was laden with large and beautiful boquets of variegated flowers ; and the moment he entered the vestibule of the chapel, the signal was given, the school rising immediately to their feet, and as he landed on the school room floor the assembly struck . up and sang, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," after which the session was opened with prayer ; another hymn was sung, and Bro. Wadsworth made the reception address ; to which the Superinten- dent feelingly replied, but, in the effort, broke down, promising, however, that he would return his sincere acknowledgment to the teachers and scholars for their unexpected, affectionate and flattering reception, on a future occasion. More singing followed, when Bros. Curran, Nostrand, Benson, and Currie made each a few suitable remarks and at the conclusion, Bro. McLean was presented by the young ladies of the bible class, with a handsome boquet, and the exercises on this interesting and pleasing occasion were closed. The following Sunday, Bro. McLean fulfilled his promise by returning his heartfelt thanks for the cordial reception he had met with from the teachers and scholars ; he then gave them a brief account of his voyage, with some amusing incidents which took place aboard the steamer during the passage; and many interesting things about what he had heard and seen while travel- ing over the land of Burns, and among the " banks and braes of bonnie Doon."
The second quarterly conference was held in the class-room, Friday Evening, September 11, 1874, Pre- siding Elder, Rev. C. B. Sing, in the chair. The ses- sion was opened with prayer by the Elder. G. E. Currie was appointed Secretary. Present : Rev. C. B. Ford,
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Robt. Benson, T. C. Nostrand, Geo. E. Clark, Chas. D. Wadsworth, and G. E. Currie. In reply to the usual questions with regard to reports of Committees, the answer was, there were none, except the Pastor's, who reported as follows :
Number of Schools, 1; officers and teachers, 34 ; scholars, 262 ; scholars fifteen years of age and over, 66 ; under fifteen, 107 ; scholars in infant class, 87 ; average attendance, 167 ; Sunday School Advocates taken, 150 ; Journals, 25. The state of the school is in a healthy condition. Report of the church : Re- ceived by letter, A. R. Davies and Catharine Rhodes. Dismissed by letter, Sarah L. Baldwin. Deceased dur- ing the quarter, Jane Mowlen. Withdrawn, W. H. Potts. Pastoral labor during the quarter : Made sev- enty-five visits and calls, baptized two children, and attended two funerals. State of the church : The church has been closed two months on account of al- terations and repairs, services held in the school house, and the members happy and hopeful for the future. The conference was closed with the benediction by the Pastor.
RE-OPENING SERVICES, WESLEY M. E. CHURCH .- The work of repairing, alterating, and beautifying the church, having been completed, arrangements were made for the re-opening services, which were designed to afford an opportunity for holding a re- union meeting of all its former members and friends. In addition to the advertisements in the daily papers, the following circular was distributed throughout the neighborhood, and sent to friends at a distance :
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" WESLEY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH RE-OPENING SERVICES.
You are cordially invited to attend the
RE-OPENING
Services, at the Wesley M. E. Church, Tompkins Avenue, corner of Willoughby, on Sunday, September 13, 1874.
Distinguished Clergymen are expected to be present and officiate on the occasion.
Preaching at 10} A. M. and 7} P. M. Sunday School at 24 P. M. Also, very interesting re-union services at 3} P. M.
C. B. FORD, Pastor.
G. E. CURRIE, Chairman of Trustees.
D. W. McLEAN, Sup't of Sunday School."
The weather was exceedingly favorable, being one of the finest days in the fall season. From the publicity given through the press and other means, there was a good attendance at the morning service, though not as large as had been expected.
The following editorial notices of the public services which appeared in the Brooklyn Eagle and the New York Daily Witness, will be read with interest :
From the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. THE WESLEY M. E. CHURCH.
The Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, located at the corner of Willoughby and Tompkins avenues, was re-opened for divine service yesterday, and attended by large congregations. During the Sum- mer vacation season the church, which is a pretty frame building, has been renovated, both inside and out, and is consequently made much more attractive in appearance. The interior has been painted a graceful lavender color, and the exterior, from the basement to the summit of the spire, a drab color. New carpets have also been laid in the auditorium, and the organ enlarged. The cost of the improve- ments is over three thousand dollars. At the services yesterday morning, the Pastor, Rev. C. B. Ford, presided, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Wakeley, of New York City. In the even- ing the Rev. D. R. Lowrie, of St. Paul's Methodist Church, Jersey City, preached a practical sermon.
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HISTORY WESLEY M. E. CHURCH.
From the New York Daily Witness, Sept. 19, 1874.
"RE-OPENING OF THE TOMPKINS AVENUE M. E. CHURCH.
SERMON BY REV. J. B. WAKELEY, D. D., OF NEW YORK, ON ' THE CHRISTIAN TEMPLE.'
This church, having closed for repairs, was opened Sunday Mor- ning, with appropriate and interesting services.
A new roof has been placed upon the building, the church remod- eled, painted and refitted, making it a commodious, safe and ornate place of worship.
The cost of the improvements has been three thousand dollars ; one thousand nine hundred of which had been previously subscribed, and the balance one thousand two hundred was raised on Sabbath.
Rev. C. B. Ford has been Fastor of the church for the past three years, to whose exertions the present prosperous condition of the church is due. Among those who took part in the services were Rev. G. Dunbar, Rev. Wm. Keller, Rev. Mr. Lowrie, from Jersey City, and the Rev. J. B. Wakeley, D. D., of New York, who preached the open- ing sermon from the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first verses of the second chapter of the Ephesians : 'Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,'" etc.
We regret in this connection to state, that this emi- nent servant of Jesus Christ, and faithful minister of the Gospel, the Rev. J. B. Wakeley, D. D., has since departed this life, in April, 1875.
The Pastor, Rev. C. B. Ford, after the re-opening services were over, was informed that the brethren were desirous of hearing several ministers, previous to settling upon one to whom they would give a call to become their Pastor for the ensuing conference year. He said he would cheerfully afford them every facility in his power by exchanging pulpits with pastors of other churches ; and he was as good as his word. And from among the number of eminent ministers who had favored the church with their services during the winter, there was an impression on the part of the brethren, that the Rev. Frederick Brown, of Westport,
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Conn., was the most desirable preacher to whom an invitation might be extended to become their pastor for the ensuing conference year, although they consid- ered the time had not arrived for taking any decided action thereon.
THE YOUNG PEOPLES' LITERARY UNION DEFUNCT .- The Young Peoples' Literary Union for mutual improvement, which begun under so favorable circumstances, and promised to become a useful organization, began in the fall to show signs of decline, and continued to droop, until it expired for lack of interest on the part of its members. In reviewing its brief and unsatisfac- tory history, one or two causes may be noticed as serving to produce this unfavorable result. It is unfair to charge the failure of the "Union" entirely upon the young people themselves. It began in good faith, and with a sincere desire to promote intellectual improvement, by encouraging its members to prosecute the study of literature and science, as well as to afford them suitable opportunities for rational and social enjoyment. Their purposes and aims were well enough, and worthy of all commendation ; but being left, in a great measure, to themselves, having none to direct or help them to the attainment of the desired end, they soon became weary in well-doing. The Trustees who were expected to take an interest in the society, and occasionally visit the meetings, failed to avail themselves of the privilege ; they imagined their presence was not particularly desired ; while the Pastor's time and attention were fully occupied by other duties, so that he had little opportunity for aid- ing them in any systematic manner or form. The novelty of attending the meetings in the course of a
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few months passed off; the members, instead of preparing an essay or address, on a given subject, contented themselves with bringing in their pocket some favorite book, and reading from the printed docu- ment; when the time for discussion upon the topic under consideration had arrived, there were no re- sponses to be made, and a song, or piece of music on the melodeon, was substituted instead, and no inter- esting debate could be had on the subject. Such dis- appointments being frequently repeated, produced a lack of interest ; and consequently the meetings were neglected and abandoned.
When too great familiarity exist between youth of equal age, capacity and endowments, there is danger, when an attempt is made to enforce obedience to rules and regulations, of a disposition to treat the matter with indifference, or turn it into drollery and fun ; or when authority has to assume any degree of determination, it not unfrequently provokes insubordination and re- bellion ; then all discipline and order come to an end. So soon as an earnest, thirsting desire for knowledge, for its own sake, fails to exert a controlling influence upon the members, by prompting them to regular attendance at their weekly meetings, it may be set down as a settled fact, that the social element alone will not supply the requisite motive for diligence or perseverance ; and, as a matter of course, the meet- ings become neglected, and the organization falls to the ground. From the repeated failures which have been made in trying to unite and combine social enter- tainments with literary pursuits among young people of the congregation, it has become a question whether or not it is practical or desirable to continue such ex-
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periments ? Unless young peoples' literary associations are directed and guided by older and more experienced persons than those who usually compose their member- ship, there is considerable doubt, whether they can ever be made serviceable to the church or beneficial to themselves.
SUNDAY SCHOOL INFANT CLASS ENTERTAINMENT .- The infant class, forming so large, and interesting a por- tion of the Sunday School, the idea suggested itself to the mind of its zealous and much respected teacher, Mrs. W. Aspinall, that an entertainment might be gotten up, which would not only be pleasing to the children, but prove interesting to their parents, and be of some pecuniary benefit to the church. The suggestion was favorably received by the superintendent, officers and teachers of the school ; and, upon application, the use of the school-room was granted by the Trustees for the entertainment. In the mean time the teacher undertook the task of learning the children little pieces in the form of addresses, recitations, songs and dia- logues, to be spoken or sung on the occasion. In her labor of love in this direction, Mrs. Aspinall got others to help her, and soon a programme was prepared, and the evening fixed when the entertainment should come off. The following is a copy of the card of admission.
"THE FIRST ENTERTAINMENT
By the Infant Class
OF THE WESLEY M. E. SUNDAY SCHOOL, Will be held in the Chapel, on Willoughby near Tompkins Avenue, ON THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 29, 1874. Exercises to commence at 712 o'clock. TICKETS 25 CENTS."
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The children of the Sunday School with the su- perintendent, officers, and teachers turned out en masse, together with the parents, friends, and members of the church and congregation ; and by the time the enter- tainment commenced, the school-room was filled to overflowing ; the Pastor presided on the occasion ; the children acquitted themselves well-with honor to themselves and credit to their teacher ; the audience were delighted with the performance, and at its close declared, they had not attended a more interesting entertainment for a long time past.
WHAT SHALL BE DONE TO IMPROVE OUR PRAYER MEETINGS ? -The regular monthly meeting of the Stewards and Leaders was held on Monday evening, November 2d, in the class-room at 8 o'clock. ; the Pastor in the chair. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Pastor. Present : Bros. Benson, Nostrand, Tucker, Lush, Mc- Lean and Currie. Bro. McLean was appointed Secre- tary. After the usual routine business was finished, the Pastor asked " What shall be done to improve our prayer meetings ?" The question coming so late in the season, and close upon the end of the conference year, took some of the brethren by surprise, and conse- quently there ensued an uncomfortable pause ; each waiting for the other to reply. It should here be re- marked, that the mode of conducting the prayer meet- ings during the pastorate of Bro. Ford, was one sug- gested by himself upon entering the charge, which, he said, he had found during his ministerial career to work well ; namely, to open the meeting with singing and prayer, then read a portion of Scripture and make a few remarks thereon, to be followed by one or two more prayers, after which to announce the meeting
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open to the brethren, either to pray, sing, or speak as the Spirit gave them utterance, without any one spe- cially being called upon to do so. With very little modification, this method was generally adopted.
However well this plan may have worked in other churches, it did not appear to give satisfaction or prove successful in this charge. Notwithstanding, the re- peated exhortations and entreaties of the Pastor, for the " brethren to improve the time and allow no moment to run to waste," yet night after night, and month after month, the same backwardness in speaking and pray- ing would continue to be manifested, and a repetition of "Devil's Pauses," as they are called, would follow, so that the meetings would sometimes abruptly be brought to a close on their account. No doubt, under certain conditions and circumstances, especially during revival seasons, this method might work very well, when every one was more anxious to speak or pray than another, and when two or more would rise at the same time to relate their experience ; but after a pro- tracted trial at Tompkins Avenue, it was found that it did not answer the purpose. The brethren, as well as the Pastor, became discouraged, and the meetings flagged in spirit and interest and suffered accordingly.
The question proposed by Bro. Ford was an import- ant one, and demanded the prompt and serious atten- tion of the meeting. After it was suggested, that each of the brethren should state his views frankly and freely on the subject, Bros. Nostrand, Benson, Lush, and Tucker spoke to the question ; one suggested dispensing with the reading of the Scriptures ; another shortening the introductory address ; another insisted upon opening and closing the meetings precisely at
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the hour named ; while another advised that strangers, or those only who were not in the habit of taking part in the exercises, should be publicly called upon to speak or pray ; but no uniform plan was suggested by any of the speakers. Bro. Currie, being the last to speak, said he did not rise for the purpose of proposing any definite method of conducting the prayer meetings ; he did not think that any fixed or definite plan could or should be adopted in conducting such exercises. Considerable latitude and discretion should be left with the pastor or leader, so that he may guide and direct the proceedings according to the spirit and condition of the members or circumstances of the hour. If he (the speaker) understood anything of the nature and character of prayer meetings, or their object and design, he did not see how they could be absolutely regulated by the clock, measured by the tape-line, or squared by the compass. There was one thing, how- ever, upon which the brethren were fully agreed, that is, the plan heretofore followed in our prayer meetings had not given general satisfaction, nor been productive of the best possible result. He would not dispense with the reading of a portion of God's Word ; he would not dispense with the Pastor's introductory address or exhortation ; he would not dispense with the relation of experiences ; but he would insist that the brethren and sisters should not wait, to speak or pray, until they were consciously convinced that they were moved to do so by the Holy Ghost-they ought to engage in these exercises from a sense of duty, as well as a privilege, praying and believing, while thus engaged, that the Holy Spirit will help their infirmities. If ministers of the Gospel were always to be guided by the same rule,
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in the performance of their public administrations, not unfrequently their pulpits would be found empty, and the occupants of pews would require to return to their homes without hearing many a valuable sermon. Hence the propriety of men and women, too, being called upon publicly to pray. By this method, the Pastor can more conveniently select such persons to follow each other as shall best contribute to the edification of the church, both with regard to the matter and manner of their petitions to the throne of the heavenly grace.
Two long prayers by individuals whose voices are feeble or low-set, following each other before rising from their knees, tends rather to depress than inspire new life and vigor into the spirit of the meeting ; and so it is with exhorters and their exhortations. Volun- tary services are good and useful in their place, but they can not always be forthcoming or relied upon ; hence the necessity for a judicious arrangement and skillful management of the forces when brought into action, so as to secure, with the divine blessing, the best possible result. Sometimes a mistake is made by pastors insisting upon forty or fifty persons to speak in the brief space of a quarter of an hour, and this they are urged to do, though they should only rise and say, " I love Jesus, and Jesus loves me," or " Nearer my God, to thee," or " I know that my Redeemer liveth," or any other hackneyed, thread-bare religious expres- sions. Neither does it look well, nor does it help to promote the life of a meeting, to see the Pastor looking frequently at his watch and waiting impatiently for the moment when he shall announce, "it is time to close," by singing the doxology, and then pronounce the bene- diction, perhaps, too, just at the very time when a lively
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interest is beginning to manifest itself among the mem- bers. It is worse still to witness the Pastor, who has been so anxious to close the meeting "on time," spend twenty or thirty minutes afterwards in talking with some of his friends in the vestibule or upon the side- walk.
In conclusion, while the speaker said he had no special plan to propose for conducting the prayer meetings, he thought it was his duty to call attention to some of those things which he believed had a ten- dency to repress their spirit, as well as to recommend the adoption of others calculated, in some degree, to promote their interest and usefulness.
The Pastor was pleased to listen to the free expres- sions of the brethren on the subject ; and he had no doubt but that good would come out of the discussion. The meeting was then closed with the benediction.
THE THIRD QUARTERLY CONFERENCE was held in the class-room at the usual hour, December 11, 1874. Rev. C. B. Sing, Presiding Elder, in the chair. The session was opened with prayer by the Pastor. Rev. C. B. Ford was appointed Secretary. Present : Bros. Robert Benson, T. C. Nostrand, G. E Currie, and Geo. W. Lush. The Rev. Geo. G. Lyons, Local Elder, was recognized as a member of the quarterly conference.
Are there any complaints ? None.
Are there any appeals ? None.
Are there any reports ? Yes.
1st. On Missions. No report.
2d. On Sunday Schools. Collected five dollars.
3d. On Tracts. Collected five dollars.
4th. On Church Extension. Collected seven dollars. 5th. On Church Record. All right.
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6th. On Parsonage and Furniture. All right. 7th. On Church Music. No report.
10th. What amounts have been received during the quarter and how applied ? For preacher $350 ; for rent of parsonage $150.
13th. Is there any change desired in the Board of Stewards ? Yes. D. O. Miller, resigned, having re- moved ; John R. Curran, appointed in his place.
18th. Are there any recommendations for license to preach ? None.
23d. Have the general rules been read during the quarter ? They have not. Are their any reports from Leaders ? Yes. Class No. 1, reported 50 members on the book, with an average attendance of 15. Class No. 2 : members on the book 40, average attendance 16. Class No. 3, no report. Class No. 4, no report. Pastor's class : members on the books 50, average at- tendance 8.
Are there any missionary prayer meetings ? None. Are there any missionary papers taken. Yes.
Have the rules in relation to the instruction of children been observed ? Ans. Partially.
Pastor's Report : On Sunday school, 1; scholars 271 ; officers and teachers, 27 ; scholars under fifteen years of age, 111; scholars in infant class, 70 ; average attendance of teachers and scholars, 135 ; number of Sunday School Advocates taken, 150 ; Sunday School Journals, 21; conversions, one ; children catechized monthly.
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