USA > New York > Erie County > Buffalo > Manual, catalogue and history of the Lafayette St. Presbyterian Church of Buffalo, N.Y. > Part 19
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The 4 Sacramental seasons of this year embrace the 152d to 155th. There were admitted to the Church 26 in all-15 on profession, and II by letter.
1876 .- This year is marked, in the history of its first months, as a season of precious visitation of the Holy Spirit, in many parts of our land, in the conversion of many precious souls-our Church, among others, having been favored with abun- dant blessings, and quite a number of the young of the Sabbath School having taken their stand for Christ. There were held 3 Communion seasons down to June 4th-156th to 158th-and were admitted 46 on profession, and 10 by letter from sister Churches, a total of 56 .*
During the past year the Church has been much incommoded, in consequence of the construction of the new building in our neighborhood, the lowering of the grade of the street and sidewalk, and the repaving, accompanied with considerable expense. No evening meetings from the last Sunday in June, in consequence of the gas being cut off from lowering the street grade, till this goes to press.
* The table on page 78 was printed before the June Communion.
-
183
LAFAYETTE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
[I.]
CHURCH CONTRIBUTIONS.
1845, 1846, 1847. No reports.
1848.
Foreign Missions
$88.53
Home Missions 74.45
Other objects 172.37
$335.35
1849.
No report.
1850.
Foreign Missions. $37.00
Home Missions
19.00
Other benevolent objects . . 86.00
$142.00
1851.
No report.
1852.
Foreign Missions. $52.00
Home Missions
64.00
Other benevolent objects . . . 200.00
$316.00
1859.
Foreign Missions. $107.00
Home Missions 77.00
Other objects. 770.00
First report of Trustee Fund 2.363.00
$3,317.00
During these fourteen years we have only five reports of benevolent funds, and these only partial. Basing an estimate on the aver- age of these five years, we would have, for the benev- olent contributions of the Church, only about ...... for the first fourteen years, probably much less than the actual amount.
I860.
Foreign Missions $106.80
Home Missions 77.12
Other charities 741.97
Trustee Fund, estimated . 2,500.00
1853-7.
No report ; 5 years blank.
1861.
Home
Missions, including
Bethel $120.00
Foreign Missions and Amer-
Foreign Missions and Amer- ican and Foreign Christian
ican and Foreign Christian Union
174.00
Other objects
283.65
Other objects 303.57
$562.65
$750.26
.
$6,500.00
$3,425.89
1858.
Home Missions and Bethel ..
$105.00
Union 326.69
184
MANUAL OF THE
I862.
Foreign Missions and Amer- ican and Foreign Christian Union
$143.46
Home Missions, including Bethel
113.14
Other benevolent objects . . . 205.00
$461.60
I868.
Foreign Missions $612.55
Home Missions. 402.83
Monthly Concert 99.00
Foreign Missions
217.00
Otlier charities. 672.17
$959.17
1864.
Home Missions $100.00
Foreign Missions.
154.00
Other charities
553.28
Miscellaneous charities and
objects
2,927.09
Trustee Fund, as reported. .
9,594.49
I865.
No report whatever.
$14,596.36
1869.
Trustee Fund.
$4,736.26
Different missions. 1,390.44
Other charities and objects. 4,997.52
$7,484.37
$11,124.22
This latter includes Sabbath collections, special sub- scriptions by Messrs. Hale and Sikes, also the organ fund.
1870.
Foreign Missions $61.25
Home Missions 100.00
Howard Missions 98.88
Miscellaneous charities 2,773.42
Trustee Fund. 6,986.85
given, to 1859
6,500.00
From 1859 to 1866. 4,374.72
Add Sunday School collec-
tions to 1866
2,807.40
$93,594.12
This gives us the amount, as near as can be estimated, down to the year 1866, 2I years.
1871.
Foreign Missions. $361.55
Home Missions. 361.55
City Missions.
313.93
Miscellaneous charities, col- lections 5,311.88
Trustee Fund 9,876.58
$16,225.49
1867.
Home Missions . $442.70
Foreign Missions 500.98
Poor Fund 463.25
Trustee Fund .. 7,952.86
Other charitable objects. . 3,004.07
$12,363.86
1863.
Home Missions. $70.00
American Missionary Asso-
ciation. 170.50
American and Foreign Chris- tian Union. 146.95
Bethel cause. 89.67
Other charities. 362.00
$616.00
1866.
Session report, no particulars, $2,234.37
Trustee report . 5,250.00
We have only one Trustee report previous to this (1859). Taking the mean of these two reports of the Trustee Fund, we have $3,806 × 21 = $79,926.00
would be the estimated
amount of the Trustee
Fund down to 1866, a period of 21 years. Benevolent contributions, as
$10,020.40
185
LAFAYETTE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
I872.
Trustee Fund. $7,017.44
Church Treasurer, miscella-
neous.
2,467.00
Other objects (Milnor Street
Chapel, etc.).
1,813.43
$11,297.87
I873.
Foreign Missions. $157.77
Home Missions. 157.77
Church Missionary. 210.37
Trustee Fund. .
8,565.00
Ladies' Association.
1,435.33
Woman's Foreign Mission- ary Society. 203.10
Miscellaneous objects and
charities. .
2,918.0I
$13,647.35
I874.
Foreign Missions. $105.00
Home Missions .. 105.00
Ladies' Foreign Missions ... 250.00
Carpeting and upholstering.
1,332.18
Home Missionary
230.00
Trustee Fund.
9,210.3I
Miscellaneous objects
and
charities.
3,236.94
$14,469.43
I875.
Foreign Missions $148.18
Home Missions
148.18
Trustee Fund.
6,134.82
Private individuals for mis-
sions .. . 394.00
Woman's Foreign Mission-
ary Society. 217.30
Miscellaneous charities and objects. 5,486.26
$12,528.74
Reported Jan. 12, 1876. I876.
Foreign Missions $476.43
Home Missions. 425.00
Woman's Foreign Mission- ary Society 200.48
Trustee Fund. 7,426.00
Benevolent Fund. 2,480.23
Church Manual. 798.00
$11,804.14
RECAPITULATION.
Whole amount of pew rents, $148,063.69 Whole amount of benevolent contributions .. 70,917.93
Whole amount collected by the Sabbath School. 6,315.68
Amount of original purchase 5,200.00 For rebuilding after the fire. 9,000.00 Amount paid for additional ground 4,400.00
Cost of present church edifice
17,500.00
Cost of chapel .
3,000.00
Cost of furnishing church as estimated 3,500.00
Cost of lot and building, Mil-
nor Street Chapel
6,015.00
Grand total
$273,912.30
As near as can be estimated,
An average per annum (32
years) .. ...
$8,559.76
NOTE .- The amount mentioned as the grand total is, without doubt, rather under than overestimated.
186
MANUAL OF THE
GENERAL STATEMENT
OF MONEY RECEIVED AND DISBURSED, 1876.
Trustee Fund. $6,022.15
Sunday Collections 533.56
Ladies' Association
330.00
German Insurance Company's Donation
500.00
Other Donations 40.00
$7,425.71
CHURCH TREASURER'S REPORT.
Balance of Sabbath Collection after deducting Trustee Fund
$976.84*
Monthly Concert
74.70
Amount collected for Historical Catalogue.
650.00
Amount for books sold. 148.40
Special Poor Fund.
10.50
Foreign Missions
375.95
Home Missions
425.76
Buffalo General Hospital 137.00
125.00
Orphan Asylum 119.00
Woman's Christian Association
125.00
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. 200.48
Church Sabbath School 232.17
Milnor Street Sabbath School. 427.00
Home for the Friendless
75.00
Sewing School (Milnor Street).
36.00
Cordon of Temperance
88.02
Young People's Bible Class
151.61
$4,378.43
Total.
$11,804.14
* Whole Sabbath Collection, $1,476.84.
Ingleside Home
187
LAFAYETTE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
SUMMARY OF CHURCH HISTORY. (Continued from page 182.)
In consequence of repairs, cleaning, etc., made necessary by street improvements (see page 182), the church remained closed for four weeks, until Sunday, September 17th. Our Pastor was out of the city most of the time. During this period, some . of our people, anxious to keep up our Wednesday evening prayer service, met at the room of W. M. Knight, corner of Main and Erie streets, on the Wednesday evenings of five consecutive weeks, which meetings were blest to the spiritual good of those who attended them. Our Pastor was present at the last two, Sept. 6th and 13th. For the reason already stated, prayer meetings had been held-on the 28th of June at the residence of John Otto, and July 5th at the residence of C. G. Brundige, at the Pastor's residence and at Knight's rooms; also July 19th at our Pastor's and Knight's-making in all eight weeks in which prayer services were held in private houses. The Manual went to press about the time of the June Com- munion, which is noticed on page 182 as the 158th, but the names of those who united with us at that time, as also a number of those who united at the April Com- munion, are not in the historical catalogue, as it had been partially printed. We give in the supplement, the' names of those who were omitted as members of the Church for April and June, and of those who have united with the Church since that time, to August 5, 1877.
The next Communion season was observed August 6th, at which there was one admission ; and this, the 159th, will be ever memorable, as the last, at which our lamented Pastor attempted to officiate. It will also be remembered that our be- loved brother, Rev. Simeon H. Calhoun, D. D., of the Syria Mission and connected with the Theological School at Abeih, who was on a visit to his friends in this city, though an invalid, sat in the pulpit at our Pastor's request.
Dr. Heacock delivered a short, earnest address, but when nearly through was seen to reel as if in a faint, then partially to recover, but presently to sink back upon his seat utterly helpless. He was soon, however, assisted (having, as he said, only momentarily lost his consciousness) into the chapel when he insisted that Dr. Calhoun should proceed to the observance of the ordinance, which he did, though to all appearance extremely feeble. At the close, the Church was dismissed with the benediction. No Sabbath School was held to-day.
About I o'clock our Pastor, though nearly helpless, was taken home in a carriage, when he gradually improved, and in a few days was able to be about again.
August 13th, Sunday-Rev. Robert Dick preached in the morning. No service in the evening.
September 17th, Sunday-At the re-opening of the Church, Rev. Byron Sunder- land, of Washington, D. C., preached morning and evening. Our Pastor has been out of the city most of this time. He has been, and is, seriously troubled with palpitation.
188
MANUAL OF THE
September 20th, Wednesday evening-Prayer meetings resumed in the Chapel.
September 24th, Sunday-Rev. A. T. Chester, D. D., filled the pulpit, preaching morning and evening.
October Ist, Sunday-Rev. A. P. Ripley, D. D., preached in the morning. Our Pastor being in the pulpit, announced that he should be absent two or three weeks at the Centennial, also, that the much loved and respected brother, Rev. C. P. H. Nason, who occupied the pulpit so acceptably during his protracted absence abroad, would preach for us on the next Sabbath. This is our regular Communion day but it was not observed. Our Pastor, however, assisted Rev. Mr. Riley at the residence of Mr. George C. Stearns, in a Communion service at the bed-side of Dr. Calhoun, who is apparently near the end of life. A few friends were invited and it was a solemn yet joyful occasion. After the observance of the ordinance, our dear brother Calhoun made a few remarks expressive of gratitude and full trust in the love and grace of Christ our Saviour. "This is the last Communion," said he, " I shall, in all probability, be permitted to partake with Christian friends. This is a blessed time, this is a blessed gospel, henceforth only the crown." This was also our Pastor's last Communion service.
October 8th, Sunday-Preaching, morning and evening, by Rev. C. P. H. Nason, of Chelsea, Mass.
October 15th, Sunday-Preaching, morning and evening, by Rev. Carl T. Chester, of Auburn, N. Y.
October 22d, Sunday-Our Pastor preached in the morning and the Rev. Mr. Gilroy (Meth.), of Toronto, Ont., in the evening.
October 25th, Wednesday evening-Our Pastor was present at the prayer meeting. October 29th, Sunday-Our Pastor preached morning and evening.
November Ist, Wednesday evening-Our pastor was present and took charge.
November 5th, Sunday-Rev. G. W. Coan, D. D., of the Persia Mission, preached in the morning. Our Pastor in the pulpit as a listener. In the evening Dr. Heacock preached his last sermon. His subject was " The Turkish Question."
November 8th, Wednesday evening-Monthly concert. Mr. Henry Childs gave a very interesting report on Papal Europe. Mrs. Henry Childs also presented a paper on Woman's Foreign Missions, which was read by our Pastor, who being present, led in the exercises. As this was his last public service it seems to demand something more than a passing notice.
Those who have followed closely our honored and loved Pastor through this the last year of his ministerial life could not fail to observe the deep anxiety and solicitude which he felt in his work for the Master.
Laboring under severe bodily infirmity of which we knew but comparatively little, he seemed to bear up as best he could under the burden of great and press- ing responsibilities. He appreciated the great work before him ; he felt he had but little time in which, or strength wherewith, to do it. Mind worn and body worn by the already too nearly fatal encroachments of disease towards the seat of life, he stands before us in this his last effort in the cause of Christ, in conjunction with his people, is an object of tenderest sympathy. Every one who was present at this his last service will remember his intense earnestness and zeal toward raising
189
LAFAYETTE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CIIURCH.
the money ($100) necessary to support a young man in the Persia Mission, prof- fering one-third of the amount himself. And now that passed events have made plain so many things, the occasion becomes one of intense interest to us, tinged with holiest memories, which will long cluster around us, and cling to us, as we think of a life so noble and so good, spent, worn out for his people, for the Blessed Master's sake.
November 12th, Sunday-Our Pastor had prepared a sermon to young men which he had hoped to preach to them this evening, but was unable to do so because of severe palpitation. The sermon has never been preached or given to the public. Rev. A. T. Chester, D. D., preached both morning and evening, at the latter time giving a discourse to young men, thus carrying out the purpose of our Pastor. .
November 19th, Sunday-Rev. Mr. Watterman, of Marshall, Mich., occupied the pulpit in the morning. Rev. W. Bird, of the Syria Mission, discoursed in the evening upon the difficulties of Missionary labor, its hopes and its encour- agements.
November 25th, Saturday-Reports reach us to-day of the almost fatal illness of our beloved Pastor. He has suffered much for weeks past with palpitation in connec- tion with severe and painful stomach difficulties. His case became serious and alarming last night, and fears were entertained by his family that he would not survive through the night. A medical consultation to-day pronounces the case a dangerous enlargement of the heart.
Sunday 26th-Rev. Carl T. Chester preached morning and evening.
November 28th, Tuesday-The Elders and Trustees, in joint session, named the following persons as a committee on temporary pulpit supply: From the Session, John Otto and George L. Squier ; and Henry H. Hale, from the Board of Trustees.
November 29th, Wednesday evening-Preparatory lecture was given by Rev. Mr. Washburn.
December 3d, Sunday-Regular season of Communion (the 160th) ; Prof. Hopkins officiated, and preached in the evening.
December 7th, 8th and 9th-Pastor still improving and comparatively comfort- able. He can walk around the room with a little assistance.
December 10th, Sunday-Preaching both morning and evening by Prof. Hopkins.
December 14th, Thursday-Rev. Simeon H. Calhoun, D. D., previously spoken of as having officiated at our August communion, has been sinking gradually, yet surely He has been confined to his bed for some weeks. Though consciously near life's close, he has been grandly patient, uncomplaining, hopeful, even cheer- ful, trusting fully in the love and grace of Christ. He passed to-day from the labors of life, to the rest and the rewards of heaven.
December 16th, Saturday-Dr. Calhoun was buried at Forest Lawn to-day. It had been his wish to die, and to be buried on goodly Lebanon.
December 17th, Sunday-Preaching by Prof. Hopkins. Subject appropriate to " Forefathers' Day," in the evening. Pastor comfortable, perhaps improving.
December 24th, Sunday-Rev. Myron Adams, of Rochester, preached morning and evening. Pastor still comfortable.
190
MANUAL OF THE
1877.
The past year (our great Centennial), has been in many respects a memorable one. It has been one of wide-spread and glorious revival of religion through the country, as well as in our own Church. And it is especially memorable to us as being the closing year in the labors of our esteemed and much lamented Pastor.
During 1876 our Church observed five seasons of Communion. Our Pastor offi- ciated, Sunday, February 6, April 9, and June 4, and Dr. Calhoun August 6 (Pastor taken sick just before going to the table). October omitted; December 3d, the 16Ist Communion, Prof. Hopkins officiated.
The whole number of admissions during the year has been 58. On profession of their faith in Christ, 47; and II on letter from sister Churches. Thirty have been dismissed to other Churches during the year, and nine have died.
1877 .- January 7th-Rev. James A. Daly of Painesville, Ohio, preached both morning and evening.
January 8th, Monday-Special prayer meeting, Rev. Mr. Daly in charge.
January Ith, Wednesday evening-The Annual Church Meeting was held in the chapel which was well filled.
After the usual reports upon the condition of the Church had been made, the following communication from our Pastor was read by the chairman, Elder John Otto :
BUFFALO, Jan. 10, 1877.
To the Members of Lafayette Street Church and Congregation :
DEAR FRIENDS AND BRETHREN: It is known to most, if not all of you, that I am still an invalid, and unable to resume the duties of my parish. Whether I shall ever be able to serve you again in the blessed work of the Christian ministry, is a question which it must take several weeks to settle. My heart's desire and prayer to God is, if it may be his will, that I may return to my work among you. My physician does not utterly forbid to me the hope of such restoration ; indulging these hopes and desires, I would wish, if agreeable to you, to provide some one to supply my present lack of service, rather than at this time, to propose any more serious change in our relation of pastor and people. If this also should meet your minds, I would desire that you would select some one to supply the parish for a few weeks till the question of my restoration may be more certainly determined. I cannot allow my congregation, already sufficiently burdened, to undertake any additional burden in carrying out this arrangement. These suggestions, and this proposal, dear brethren, are, how- ever, submitted to your judgment and decision, which ought not to be controlled by regard for any individual interest, but by what may seem to your minds best for the whole Church, whose perpetuity and prosperity are the highest wish of your affectionate pastor.
G. W. HEACOCK.
P. S .- Nothing would give me greater pleasure, if it were possible, than to see you individually, as you might call at my house, but my circulation is so feeble as to oppress me with a great sense of weakness and faintness, and I must deny my- self such a pleasure in hopes of a more speedy recovery.
After the consideration due to the gravity of the occasion, Elder George L. Squier moved that a committee be appointed to prepare a response The chairman appointed George L. Squier, Henry H. Hale and Samuel N. Lawrence as such committee : to which, on motion of Mr. Lawrence, W. M. Knight was added.
191
LAFAYETTE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
January 12th, Friday evening-Special prayer meeting, Rev. Mr. Daly in charge ; at the close the following response to our Pastor's communication, which had been prepared by Elder George L. Squier, was approved by the committee, and Messrs. Squier and Hale were requested to present it to our Pastor.
BELOVED PASTOR :
At the annual meeting of your Church and Congregation, held on Wednesday evening last, the undersigned were appointed a committee in behalf of your peo- ple to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the tenth instant, and express to you their hearty assent to the proposition therein contained. The idea of any more serious change in their relations with their beloved Pastor is one that they cannot bring themselves to contemplate, and it is their desire that you should throw off all anxiety and care of your parish, and let nothing stand in the way of your speedy recovery.
To this end, and in accordance with your suggestion, your people have appointed a committee to provide a temporary supply for your pulpit.
We are also delegated to express to you the heartfelt sympathy of your people, and to assure you of their constant prayers that the Holy Spirit may be ever with you to strengthen, sustain and comfort you in your affliction, and the blessed Saviour may lovingly and gently lead you, and the merciful Father may speedily restore you to them with renewed health and vigor, and that you may be spared many years to break unto them the bread of life as of old.
With assurances of our own deep sympathy for yourself and your family, and of our wishes and prayers for your speedy recovery, we are, dear Pastor,
Affectionately yours,
GEORGE L. SQUIER, HENRY H. HALE, SAMUEL N. LAWRENCE, WILLARD M. KNIGHT.
February 3d, Saturday-In accordance with the proposition of Dr. Heacock, and with his approval, Rev. James A. Daly was engaged by the committee to supply the pulpit until the first of May next.
February 4th, Sunday-Sacrament of the Lord's Supper observed to-day. Rev. James A. Daly officiated. Dr. Heacock rode out two or three times during the past week.
February 14th, Wednesday evening-The Church voted, after considerable discus- sion, to give the Sabbath morning contribution (benevolent fund) to the trustees (after providing for the poor fund and Sabbath Schools), toward the extinguishment of the floating debt of the church, which had been incurred in consequence of extraordinary expenses during the past few years.
April Ist, Sunday-Regular season of Communion (163d), Rev. James A. Daly, officiated. Seven persons were admitted to church fellowship, six on profession, one on letter.
April 4th, Wednesday evening-Our Pastor handed in to the session his letter of resignation. An informal meeting of the session and trustees was held at the close of the prayer service, and after some deliberation adjourned to meet at Elder Otto's office, on Saturday at 4 P. M.
April 7th, Saturday 4 P. M .- Adjourned meeting of session and trustees. Elder Otto was requested to read the Pastor's letter of resignation to the Church and congregation, at the close of the service to-morrow (Sunday) morning.
192
MANUAL OF THE
April 8th, Sunday-At the close of the service, our Pastor's letter of resignation was read, and notice given that a meeting of the congregation would be held Monday evening, April 9th, in the chapel, to take such action in the matter as should be thought advisable.
April 9th, Monday evening-A largely attended meeting of the Church and con- gregation convened in the chapel at half-past seven. Elder John Otto, being called to the chair, opened the subject in the following words :
BRETHREN AND FRIENDS : We have gathered here this evening, pursuant to a notice publicly read in your hearing yesterday, to consider a letter of resignation tendered this Church by our Pastor. Such an event is a notable one in the history of any Church. It is pre-eminently so in the history of this Church and congrega- tion, and the same may with propriety be said in the spiritual history of every mem- ber of this society. Hitherto this people have known but one shepherd, and our Pastor has known but one flock. The Christian ties that have bound us to each other for a generation have only grown stronger and stronger, and to-night they are stronger and more tender than ever. But God in His wisdom has seen fit to lay aside our Pastor from active service, and we, perchance, may never again hear the sound of the Gospel from his lips. At such a juncture we need more than human wisdom. We need divine aid. Let us, then, before proceeding upon the duties of the evening, look to God for His blessing and guidance.
Prayer was then offered by Elder Charles H. Baker, after which the chairman read the following :
LETTER OF RESIGNATION.
To the Members of the Lafayette Street Presbyterian Church and Congregation :
DEAR FRIENDS AND BRETHREN : The time, it seems to me, has fully come for me to tender my resignation of the Pulpit and Pastorate which I have so long held among you, and the labors of which have been the precious occupation and privi- lege of my life. I thank God that He called me, as I trust, to the Christian minis- try, and has enabled me to give to it the best years of my life. I have no regrets that my life was given to such a calling. Had I another life to offer, it should be cheerfully given to the same office, only with a deeper and more spiritual conse- cration.
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