USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > History of the Wesley M.E. Church of Brooklyn, L.I. > Part 5
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THE DEDICATORY SERVICES
amazement at the inconsistency of professing Chris- tians quarreling with each other, and falling out among themselves. This unfortunate misunderstanding proved damaging to the interests of both Societies, and to the cause of true religion. We have no desire of following this painful part of the subject further. It has already been felt and admitted, that a great mistake and griev- ous wrong was committed in attempting, through ex- citement and inconsiderate haste, to plant a new So- ciety so close upon the borders of a young and feeble sister church. Doubtless in this instance a valuable practical lesson has been taught, both to ministers and people, that will long be remembered ; the only regret is, that it should have been purchased at so great a sacrifice of means, brotherly love, and Christian charity.
Toward the close of the Conference year a gracious revival had been in progress, which happily resulted in adding to the Church such as we hope shall be eternally saved. The brethren were so satisfied at the efforts put forth by the pastor, that they resolved to pay him a donation visit-not a "surprise party," but a publicly arranged affair. The following is a copy of the card of invitation :
"DONATION VISIT TO REV. FRANCIS C. HILL, PASTOR OF THE WESLEY M. E. CHURCH, TOMPKINS AVENUE, BROOKLYN, N. Y.
" Pursuant to a resolution passed at a Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees, a Farewell Donation Visit will be made on Friday evening, February 19, 1869, to the parsonage of the Wesley M. E. Church, Tompkins Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y., by the official brethren, members of the Church and Congregation, friends and well-wishers of the Society ; for the purpose of paying their re- spect to their pastor, the Rev. Francis C. Hill, who will shortly have completed the third year of his pastoral charge of said Church; and in grateful remembrance of the interest he has
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HISTORY WESLEY M. E. CHURCH.
taken, and efforts he has put forth in behalf of the erection and completion of the new church, and as a mark of their high ap- preciation of his character and qualifications as a Christian friend, faithful pastor, and successful minister of the Gospel.
" The undersigned cordially invite you and your family to meet and join with them in this expression of Christian sympathy and friendship.
" In behalf of the Board of Trustees,
" GILBERT E. CURRIE, President.
" ROBERT BENSON, Treasurer.
" THOMAS P. MOSES, Secretary.
" BROOKLYN, February 12, 1869."
The "Donation Visit" was well attended, and an excellent feeling prevailed throughout the evening by the whole assembly. The presentation of a roll of greenbacks to the Rev. F. C. Hill was made by the President of the Board of Trustees, in a few appropri- ate remarks, and the Pastor feelingly replied in behalf of himself and family. Thus closed the Conference year, and the third of Mr. Hill's pastoral charge of Wesley M. E. Church for March 31, 1869.
CHAPTER V.
REV. J. W. BARNHART, PASTOR.
DURING the fall of 1868 the official brethren began to cast about, and look around, for a suitable person on whom they could agree and cordially invite to become their pastor for the ensuing Conference year. The Rev. F. C. Hill, the present incumbent, took a lively interest in the subject, and frequently talked with the brethren in reference to who should be his successor, as pastor of the Tompkins Avenue charge. The brethren having confidence in Mr. Hill's experience and judg- ment, and especially, as he was thoroughly conversant with the early history of the Society, its troubles and trials, present condition and requirements, he was requested to help them, in looking out for a suitable minister, such as the wants and necessities of the church required, and to report to them at the earliest opportunity. This he agreed to do, and the result of his endeavors in this direction was afterwards re- ported to the brethren at a meeting held for the purpose. The pastor verbally reported, that after having made considerable inquiry and investigation, he was happy to recommend to the favorable consideration of the brethren the Rev. J. W. Barnhart, of Sag Harbor, L. I., a young minister of great promise, well reported for his mental and intellectual endowments and educa- tional acquirements, energy and zeal, and who had been blessed with success in his present charge. On motion, the report was received and adopted ; the pas- tor was then requested to invite Bro. Barnhart to
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HISTORY WESLEY M. E. CHURCH.
Tompkins Avenue, and preach for him, at his earliest convenience. The invitation was given and accepted. Mr. Barnhart afterwards came on and preached, morn- ing and evening, and addressed the Sabbath School in the afternoon. At the close of the day's services several of the brethren acknowledged the pleasure and gratification they had enjoyed at hearing Mr. Barnhart, and expressed a desire that he should be invited to become their next pastor.
A special meeting of the Joint-Board was held Octo- ber 12th, to consider the matter, and take such action as might be desirable in reference to extending an invita- tion to the Rev. J. W. Barnhart, of Sag Harbor, to be- come the pastor for the next Conference year. After a brief discussion was had on the question, a resolution was unanimously adopted extending an invitation to Mr. Barnhart, and appointing a committee to com- municate with him on the subject. The committee, consisting of Bros. Currie, Benson, and Nostrand pro- ceeded without delay, to discharge their duty, and in due course, the following letter was received from Mr. Barnhart in reply :
"SAG HARBOR, October 18, 1868.
" MESSRS. G. E. CURRIE, ROBERT BENSON, T. C. NOSTRAND, and the rest.
" Dear Brethren :- Your very kind and cordial resolution request- ing me "to become the pastor of Wesley M. E. Church " next Spring, has been considered carefully, and with much prayerfulness. My mind has been somewhat divided, but I am at last determined that your invitation opens a field of the greatest usefulness, as also most agreeable to my feelings. Subject always to the appointing powers, my consent is given to your request with a fervent prayer, that if permitted to labor together, it may prove greatly to the glory of God and to the prosperity and increase of the church.
" Yours fraternally,
"J. W. BARNHART."
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REV. J. W. BARNHART, PASTOR.
On the meeting of Conference in the Spring of 1869, application was made to the Bishop and his cabinet, through the Presiding Elder, to have the Rev. J. W. Barn- hart appointed to Wesley M. E. Church, Tompkins Ave- nue, Brooklyn, as pastor. The request was accordingly granted, and the appointment made. By the time Rev. F. C. Hill had to remove, the house leased for the par- sonage was in a very dilapidated condition, and had to undergo sundry repairs, which took some time to be put into order, and the pastor and his amiable wife, were under the necessity of domiciling several weeks with Bro. Benson, before they got settled in their new home.
The Society at this period was in a pretty flourishing condition, spiritually considered ; the interest which had been awakened during the protracted meetings of the past winter and spring, had not yet begun to de- cline. The membership on the roll numbered one hun- dred persons, with twelve on trial as probationers ; the officers and teachers of the Sabbath School were twenty-eight, with two hundred scholars, and an aver- age attendance of one hundred and ninety ; and the weekly prayer meetings and classes were generally well attended.
The Rev. J. W. Barnhart's fame and reputation had preceded his arrival at his new appointment, not only as a devoted and talented young preacher (being then about thirty-five years of age), but as a first-class finan- cial manager ; he having, as it was stated, succeeded in paying off an old indebtedness of ten thousand dol- lars on the church property at Sag Harbor. His ad- vent at Tompkins Avenue was, therefore, hailed with unbounded satisfaction and enthusiasm by the officiary
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HISTORY WESLEY M. E. CHURCH.
of the church ; and many strangers and members of neighboring churches came to hear him.
One of the earliest compliments which was paid the lately settled pastor, was by the Committee of the Brooklyn Sunday School Union, in making their ar- rangements for "Anniversary Day" that year, when they appointed him to address the "Division" that assembled at the Baptist Church on Bedford Avenue, near Myrtle, which included his own school, that made so creditable an appearance in the line of procession on that interesting occasion. The address was list- ened to with marked attention and evident approba- tion by all present. The compliment intended to be conveyed by the Committee, was highly appreciated by the officers and teachers of the Tompkins Avenue Sab- bath School, and as gratefully acknowledged by their „ pastor.
Mr. Barnhart soon became a great favorite with the young. His sanguine temperament and natural social disposition, coupled to a lively, happy, off-hand manner of deporting himself towards those with whom he was brought into friendly and social relations, served to promote his popularity among the teachers and scholars of the Sabbath School, in the prosperity of which he had taken unusual interest.
THE ANNUAL SABBATH SCHOOL PICNIC .- The period had arrived when the fifth annual picnic of the Sabbath School should take place, an occasion looked forward to with extraordinary interest and anxiety by the chil- dren. Mr. Barnhart was then on a visit to his aged father, at Newburgh ; but knowing the day that was fixed, and the place of destination, Dudley's Grove, he resolved by all means to be present. To accomplish
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REV. J. W. BARNHART, PASTOR.
this, he started early in the morning from his father's house, and walked several miles on foot ; reaching the Hudson he crossed the river by the ferry-boat, and waited the arrival of the first down train for New York ; as soon as it reached the station he jumped aboard the cars, and successfully landed at the grove about as soon as the excursionists, to the great delight and astonishment of the children, teachers, and friends.
The day when the annual picnic comes off, is an im- portant period in the Sunday School calendar ; the anxiety, solicitude, and care experienced at this season are not exclusively confined to the children, but shared by parents and teachers. The preparations for the day's excursion must be specially and promptly at- tended to. The household, this morning, must be astir earlier than usual. The dressing, "fixing up," and breakfasting must be gone through, with more than or- dinary dispatch, for the sake of reaching the steamboat in time. The large and unwieldy packages must be forwarded to the school-room, to be carted down to the wharf by the express wagon, hired specially for the occasion. The parents and children, teachers and friends from various points of the compass, have all to make their way to the line of cars, that will take them directly to the place of landing. They reach the cars and get aboard as best they may, for it is no easy task ; in addition to the usual freight of business pas- sengers ; the number this morning is increased three- fold ; nothing daunted by the crowd that press upon him, the conductor with smiling face and ready hand helps them on, one by one, still declaring that "there is plenty of room," and urging the gentlemen to "move up to the front," continues to pack them in
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HISTORY WESLEY M. E. CHURCH.
like herring in a barrel, and then they speed on their way, as fast as jaded, over-burdened horses can carry them, to the place of destination. On reaching the wharf, an animated scene presents itself ; those who have got aboard the barge in advance, line themselves along the gunwale, and, with outstretched arms and stentorian voices, beckon their new-come friends to join them. The excursionists at length get all assem- bled, the signal is given, and the steamer starts on its pleasant voyage up the Hudson.
On reaching the point of destination, and before dis- embarking, you will observe an extraordinary stir and bustle, a running to and fro, tossing, turning, pulling, hauling all sorts of packages and parcels ; collecting and arranging boxes, baskets, wallets, knapsacks, car- pet-bags, kettles, and cans, according to their owner- ship, by family groups, or circles of social friends. No sooner have these preliminary arrangements been completed, than a rush is made to the gangway, and the more enterprising adventurers run helter-skelter up the pier and reach the grove, for the purpose of selecting suitable nooks and corners, if not to "pitch their moving tents," at least to plant their tables. Then follows the rank and file of the invading host, who take up the line of march, heavily laden with abun dant supplies of creature good. On arriving upon the ground, they separate and pair off in little groups, to the respective places selected by the skirmishers, and now commence in earnest the preparations for the pic- nic meal-the dinner in the grove-an important insti- tution, and indispensable to constitute a first-rate, suc- cessful picnic. Tables are improvised on rustic benches, on grassy knolls, and under shady trees, the work of
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REV. J. W. BARNHART, PASTOR.
preparation is speedily accomplished, by the active hands of worthy matrons ; then commences in reality the picnic-"feast of reason and flow of soul"-the so- cial, joyful, bountiful repast is partaken with sharpened appetites and hearty gusto, intensified by early rising, and invigorated by the long and pleasant sail. Dinner over, the exercises, athletic sports, and innocent amuse- ments are now the order of the day, rambling, jumping, running, swinging, throwing ball, pitching quoits, or putting stones ; others betake themselves to boating, bathing, paddling in the river, while others of a more botanical tendency hie off to the woods, and ramble among the trees and shrubs and underbrush, in search of verdant gems, return laden with trophies of wild flowers, and their heads encircled in wreaths of ever- greens. On this occasion the pastor acquitted himself most nobly, and few, if any, were able to surpass him in athletic sports, and sprightly agile movements.
Thus the day sped on with joy and gladness, until the warning notes of the shrill whistle from the steamer announced the fact, that the hour was rapidly drawing to a close, when the amusements at the grove must come to an end. The excursionists now begin to gather up their traps and culinary utensils, and a simultane- ous movement is directed toward the wharf. Still a lin- gering few remain upon the ground ; the second notifi- cation is sounded by the whistle, and by and by the straggling wanderers come dropping in, one by one, until all have got aboard. The third and last call is made, and the captain from his elevated position sings. out, "Clear the gangway, undo the hawser ; " the small bell in the engine-room tinkles, then puff, puff goes the piston, and the picnic party are on their journey home.
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HISTORY WESLEY M. E. CHURCH.
The afternoon return trip is even more jovial and hilarious than the morning ; the children run about, and chase each other with unabated ardor ; the senior members of the company gather here and there in little groups and enjoy their social tete-a-tete, while the young and more musically inclined assemble around the har- monium in a circle, and immediately the leader strikes up some old familiar camp-meeting tune ; this is fol- lowed by another and another, until the cry is heard, from some would-be extra-useful official, " A speech, a speech from the Pastor !" who is thus reluctantly com- pelled to make a sort of half-and-half apology for a speech, in order, simply, to allay the discordant clamor. The music is resumed with increased vigor and enthu- siasm until the steamer nears her landing-place.
While these amusements are in progress on the up- per deck, the special caterers upon the lower deck of the barge are anything but idle. A constant, eager demand is kept up for candies, lemonade, soda-water, root beer, sarsaparilla, and ice-cream ; and the supply proves equal to the demand. In the meantime it is an- nounced, that the barge is rounding the Battery and making toward Brooklyn Ferry. Immediately the sweet, familiar song, "Home, Sweet Home," is struck up in fine old style, and the whole company join in singing it with an unction long to be remembered.
Just as the clouds of evening are gathering around, the barge glides alongside the wharf at Brooklyn. The picnicers, in due course, are safely landed once more on terra firma, without an accident or mishap to mar the holiday's enjoyment. Bro. T. P. Moses, the worthy Superintendent of the Sabbath School, is congratulated on every hand upon the success and pleasant termina-
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REV. J. W. BARNHART, PASTOR.
tion of the excursion ; old Father Titus, exuberant with joy and gratitude, busies himself with the children, in trying to get them safely stowed away aboard the cars on their homeward journey ; and the Rev. J. W. Barn- hart, the new pastor, increases in popularity with the young ; and thus ends the fifth annual picnic of Wesley M. E. Sabbath School.
In the fall of the present year-1869-the pastor in. augurated a movement toward the establishment of a Bible Class among the young people of the church, al- though not exclusively confined to them, but designed more especially to aid the teachers of the Sabbath School in their study of the Holy Scriptures. The meetings at the commencement were pretty fairly at- tended. The places of meeting were in each others' houses, and were changed from time to time, so as to promote social intercourse among the members, as well as to advance their knowledge of the Word of truth. The pastor, of course, was appointed the leader, and he selected the passages of Scripture for the lesson for the following week. After the meeting was opened with singing and prayer, the members turned to the portion of Scripture selected, and read the verses alternately, till the whole was finished. The leader would then begin at the first person, on his right or left hand, and ask him or her to give their opinion of the portion of Scripture read ; and this process was continued until all had made their statements. Some, of course, declined to express any opinion, preferring to be hearers instead of speakers. The consequence was, a great portion of the time was taken up by the various speakers, and not unfrequently to very little purpose ; so that scarcely any time was left for giving
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HISTORY WESLEY M. E. CHURCH.
a full and clear exposition of the text under considera- tion. Nor was this the only drawback attending the manner of conducting the meetings. Some of the members availed themselves of the privilege, and took special pains to repeat and detail skeptical objections (such as have been urged time and again) in opposi- tion to statements found in the Old Testament, and sometimes, to advance doctrines contrary to the com- monly received evangelical teachings of the New. These objections and disputed points, elicited pro- tracted and unprofitable discussions, during which the appropriate antidote was not always sufficiently ad- ministered, and sometimes not forthcoming at all ; con- sequently doubts and fears were thus suggested and engendered, which took time and pains afterwards fully to eradicate. The proceedings too frequently partook more of the character of a debating society, instead, as was primarily intended, that of a Sunday School Bible Class. The result was, that one after another began to drop off, and finally the meetings were abandoned, and the Bible Class experiment at this time proved a failure.
The Conference year was now drawing rapidly to a close. Several new members were added to the So- ciety, and about as many during the same period had . removed to other churches, so that the number of the members upon the roll had only increased from 100 to 103, and with the probationers then on trial, the total number was 146. With regard to the Sabbath School, there was a slight falling off, teachers, officers, and scholars numbering 220, against 228 the year before. Thus closed the first year of Mr. Barnhart's pastorate.
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REV. J. W. BARNHART, PASTOR.
THE NEW CONFERENCE YEAR .- At its commencement, April 1, 1870, with the return of the pastor to the charge, was generally considered to be under favora- ble auspices. The Board of Trustees, and the Board of Stewards and Leaders entered upon their work with a full complement of members, and with a lively hope that something would certainly be done toward reduc- ing the indebtedness. As previously, this year the principal official business of the church was transacted in the "Joint-Board," which was composed of Stew- ards, Leaders, and Trustees. The first meeting of this Board was held April 3, 1870. The former Secre- tary was reappointed ; he was also Recording Secre- tary, but in consequence of the proce dings not being entered on the Minute-Book at the time, the slips of paper on which they were written, were afterwards lost or mislaid, so that we have no record of the Quar- terly Conferences during Mr. Barnhart's term.
In the early part of this year, some little difficulty took place among the members of the choir ; the or- ganist resigned, and shortly afterward several of the old members left ; during this period Mr. William Wardlow acted as chorister. The idea was enter- tained by some of the official brethren, that the choir should be abandoned, and congregational mode of singing introduced. After a little time the choir diffi- culty was put straight, and the idea of congregational singing was given up. March 14th, Mr. Jonathan Moore sent in his resignation as Trustee, which was accepted. The annual election of Trustees was held Monday evening, March 21st, and resulted in re-elec- tion of Bros. Benson, Nostrand, and Wooley.
At the regular monthly meeting of the Board of
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HISTORY WESLEY M. E. CHURCH.
Trustees, which was held May 9th, Mr. Wardlow sent in his resignation as chorister, in consequence of going on a visit to England, which was accepted, and Wil- liam Aspinall appointed to fill his place. At this meet- ing the subject of renting the pews of the church, came up for further consideration and action ; after consid- erable discussion it was resolved to rent the pews, and Bros. Benson, Moses, and Nostrand were appointed a Committee to carry the same into effect.
The Sunday School, on the Anniversary of the Brook- lyn Sabbath School Union, this year, proceeded with several others in the district, to the old homestead of the Society, the De Kalb Ave. M. E. Church ; albeit, not much larger in numbers than the year before, yet on the parade ground its appearance was somewhat improved and enhanced by the presence of several new silk banners among the classes.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S MEETINGS .- About this time the pas- tor established what was called a "Young People's Meeting " on Friday evenings, of which he undertook the leadership. This meeting, which was devoted to prayer and speaking, soon became very popular with the young people, male and female. One of the reasons which helped to promote its popularity, was the fact, that the persons attending this meeting did not neces- sarily require to be members of the church; and it was not, strictly speaking, a "Class Meeting," where . each member is expected regularly to stato their ex- perience. By and by the young people, who were members in good standing of the regular classes, be- gan to desert them, and go exclusively to the Friday evening meeting. The older members in the classes, soon began to feel the absence of their younger class-
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REV. J. W. BARNHART, PASTOR.
mates, and especially was this deprivation experienced in the singing part of the exercises, and by and by they, too, began to decline in their attendance upon the classes ; so that a general declension of class attend- ance was the practical result, and from the effects of which these peculiar and eminently useful means of grace have not entirely recovered to the present day. The subject of establishing and encouraging meetings exclusively designed for young people, apart from the ordinary public weekly social prayer meeting, and old time-honored disciplinary class meeting, is now being canvassed with considerable interest by the staid and. reflecting portion of the society ; and the point is not yet clearly settled, whether in the long run, such meet- ings are productive of the most permanent good, either to the young people themselves, or to the older mem- bers, or the church at large.
The trouble or danger to be apprehended from such meetings being inseparable from their very constitu- tion-young people of both sexes, of similar ages, knowledge, and experience having constant companion- ship and association with each other, the natural ten- dency is to engender and incite a familiarity of de- meanor and conduct-a youthful levity and gayety of feeling and disposition, perhaps innocent, and proper enough in the right time and place ; but not conducive to either growth in grace or spiritual advancement. It is very well known that the meetings alluded to were not altogether free from these drawbacks, at the period to which we refer, and for some time previously, so that the leader seriously deprecated their existence, and was reluctantly compelled to reprove them.
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