USA > New York > Oneida County > Utica > Memorial history of Utica, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 40
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
1827. Later in 1827 Fitch Reed was appointed pastor. Subsequently the church was served by the following pastors : Elias Bowen, George Peck, Daniel Barnes, Joseph Castle, Schuyler Hoes, William N. Pearne, Bostwick Hawley, H. R. Clark, William Wyant, A. J. Dana, David Holmes, A. S. Graves, L. D. Davis, J. F. Wright, A. J. Grover, John C. Crippen, Fitch Reed, W. C. Steele, A. D. Whedon, and O. H. Warren.
In 1832, a class having existed in West Utica for some time, a church was erected. This class was considered as a part of the Bleecker Street Society and the property was held by the trustees of that society. Sub- sequently, owing to the embarrassment of the society, the property in West Utica was sold.
In 1847 a new society was formed in West Utica, embracing seven- teen members of the Bleecker Street Society. This society was organ- ized as the State Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Joseph Hartwell was the first pastor. The succeeding pastors were, as far as known, Isaac Foster, E. Williams, D. W. Thurston, Charles Blakeslee, J. T. Wright, L. D. Davis, M. L. Kirn, W. C. Steele, D. W. Bristol, A. B. Gregg. By the burning of the State street church on February 3, 1867, the consolidation of the Bleecker Street and State Street Societies, which union had been for some time under consideration, was effected and the new organization was named the " First Methodist Episcopal Church of Utica." The first pastor was William Reddy. The present edifice of the society, corner of Court street and Broadway, was built during the pastorate of William Reddy, to whose untiring zeal the society owed much of its success. The first Board of Trustees was composed of H. N. Dryer, Dr. Jacob Hunt, Charles Barnum, Isaac Estes, E. M. Harter, H. Beckwith, A. J. Bice, Edward Rowell, and Harrison Gilmore. The corner-stone of the new church was laid July 30, 1868, Rev. J. P. New- man, D.D. (now bishop), making the address. The chapel was finished and dedicated February 28, 1869; the church was dedicated February 2, 1871, Bishop Matthew Simpson preaching in the morning and the Rev. Jesse T. Peck, D.D. (since bishop), delivering the sermon in the even- ing. The property cost $80,000 and is free from debt. The following named pastors have since served the church : 1870-72, Ross C. Hough- ton ; 1873-74, E. C. Bruce ; 1875-77, L. D. White; 1878, Thomas Kelly ;
425
SOUTH STREET METHODIST CHURCH.
1879-80, J. L. Humphrey; 1881-83, Samuel Call; 1884-85, J. D. Phelps; 1885-87, F. H. Beck; 1888-89, Gordon Moore ; 1890, Addis Albro, the present incumbent. The church has a membership of upwards of 500 and is in a flourishing condition. It is thoroughly organized and aggressive.
In the summer of 1852 Thomas J. Francis of the Bleecker street church, aided by W. D. Frederick, Charles B. Manning, and William R. Denison, started church services on Corn Hill. During the session of conference which convened in the city hall that fall meetings were held every evening in a partially completed building on Chatham street. The conference gave them Rev. B. I. Ives for a pastor, and an organization of the South Street Methodist Episcopal Church was effected in Sep- tember with eighty members from the Bleecker street church. The first trustees were Thomas J. Francis, Spencer B. Alden, Mordecai Wing, E. W. Roberts, and William Goodenow. A lot Nos. 31-33 South street was bought of Thomas Hopper for $450, and a church 40 x 70 feet in dimensions and two stories high was erected. It was ded- icated in the spring of 1853 and cost $4,500. During the years 1856- 58 there were two Sunday schools having 400 pupils and 40 teachers. In 1863 thirty-eight members withdrew and organized the Free Methodist Church. In 1869 a parsonage was built on a lot adjoining the church at a cost of $9,000. In 1886 extensive repairs were made upon the church at an expense of about $2,000. The present membership of the church is 260 ; of the Sunday school 240. The list of pastors is as fol- lows: Revs. B. I. Ives, 1852-54; E. Hoag, 1855; James L. Wells, 1856-57 ; William H. Olin, 1858-59; Simon Peter, 1860; - - Gray, 1861; Thomas Harroun, 1862; E. C. Curtis, 1863-65 ; L. Hartsough, 1866-67 ; Theron Cooper, 1868-70; W. F. Markham, 1871-73 ; A J. Cowles, 1874-76; W. D. Chase, 1877-79; W. F. Hemenway, 1880- 81 ; A. Bramley, 1881-83; W. E. Reynolds, 1884; H. W. Bennett, 1885-87; H. E. Waugh, 1888 to the present. The stewards of the church are Henry Beckwith, George C. Hazard, E. H. Bice, George O. Pennock, Joseph Joyce, C. W. Fuess, H. C. Matteson, S. R. Lewis, B. E. Foster, R. B. Poole, S. D. Latcher, C. A. Enquest, C. E. Bigelow.
The Free Methodist Church was organized August 7, 1863, by Rev. D. W. Thurston, with forty-eight members who came from the South
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426
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
street church. The society worshiped in Morgan Hall, corner of South and West streets, until 1865, when, under the labors of Rev. D. M. Sinclair, a church edifice was erected. It was a wooden structure on the corner of South and Miller streets, and cost $3,000. It will seat 250 persons. As the congregation continued to increase in numbers more commodious accommodations were sought, and in 1880-8 1 a neat brick church was erected at No. 30 Chatham street. It is two stories high, with an audience room capable of seating 350 persons, and cost $11,000 The present trustees of the church are Selden Beckwith, George W. Gurley, and George H. Garrett ; class-leaders, Olney Ladd, George W. Gurley, and George H. Garrett. The present membership of the church is eighty ; of the Sunday school sixty. The list of its regular pastors is as follows: Rev. J. Mathews, 1864; D. M. Sinclair, 1865; J. W. Selby, 1866-67; Z. Osborne, 1868-69; E. Owen, 1870 ; G. W. Anderson, 1871-72; A. F. Curry, 1873 ; J. B. Freeland, 1874; B. Winget, 1875 ; A. N. More, 1876; James Odell, 1877 ; O. W. Young, 1878-79; E. Owen, 1880; O. M. Owen, 1881-83 ; M. D. McDougall, 1884-86; Thomas Whiffin, 1887-88; Zenas Osborne, 1888-89; Almiron Smith, 1890.
For some time previous to 1867 a Sunday school had been held in West Utica under the direction of the members from the First M. E Church. Immediately after the burning of the State street church a chapel was built at the corner of Court and Stark streets at a cost of about $2,600. Here Sunday school and evening serv- ices were held. In May, 1886, the Dryer Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church organized, about forty members coming from the First Church. Rev. F. W. Merrick was appointed to the charge. Rev. F. D. Leete succeeded him September 22, 1887. Rev. F. D. Torrey came to the charge April 15, 1891. The first trus- tees were James W. Rowe, Alfred Broadbent, Thomas Drew, M. H. Hubbard, and Isaac Estes. This board is still serving. The name of this church was taken in memory of the late Rev. H. N. Dryer, an efficient worker in the Sunday school, to whom in great part the suc- cess of the school was due. The church membership is 130 and there are 160 pupils in the Sunday school. In 1890 an addition was built on the west side of the church at a cost of $855, to be used for Sunday school and evening services.
427
CENTENARY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
July 1, 1879, a prayer meeting was held at the residence of Tracy H. Wade, on Kossuth avenue, and it was there determined to continue these meetings regularly, which was done for about a year. At this time Rev. W. F. Hemenway organized a class there, and preaching was con- tinued with some regularity. In 1882 a hall was hired at the corner of South and Albany streets. A Sunday school was then begun under charge of William Hughes. In 1883 a frame church was erected on the corner of Nichols and Lansing streets on a lot given by Francis Kernan. The church cost $5,000 and will seat 325. In 1884 it be- came a regular charge, the congregation being organized as the Cen- tenary Methodist Episcopal Church on March 31, 1884. During the present year (1891) a parsonage is being built on a lot adjoining the church, and will cost about $2,000. The pastors have been : Revs. L. D. White, 1884-86; Samuel Call, 1887; J. G. Benson, 1888-89; George W. Adams, 1890-91. The present trustees are J. W. Morris, George E. Davis, John W. Wilkinson, J. M. Crouse, Richard Hill. The present membership of the church is 100; of the Sunday school 150.
On February 20, 1830, a few Calvinistic Methodists took their let- ters of dismissal from the Congregational Church in Remsen, and Da - vid Stephens was authorized to organize these members into a Welsh Calvanistic Church in Utica. This was done in March, 1831, under the title of the Moriah Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church, the following being the members: Robert J. Jones, Richard H. Hughes, Evan Roberts, David I. Jones, Evan Ellis, David Williams, and their wives. Services were first held in a school-house that stood on Bleecker street. In 1831 a church was built on Seneca street between Liberty and. Whitesboro streets. By 1847 the membership had increased to 190 and it was de- cided to build a larger church. The old one was taken down and a new edifice 60 x 90 feet, with seating capacity of 630, was erected. In 1882 the church property was sold for $5,200 and the present church built on Park avenue corner of Dakin street. The church cost $21, - 000 and seats 850. During the first two years of its existence the church was supplied by Revs. David Stephens, William T. Roberts, and Benjamin Davies. Near the close of 1831 Rev. Morris Roberts came here from Wales and remained until 1833, when he removed to Rem- sen, but he and Rev. Morris Davies preached here most of the time un-
428
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
til 1837. From that year until 1841 Revs. Mr. Davies and David Davies were the principal supplies. During the latter year the church extended a call to Rev. William Rowlands, who remained until the close of 1844, when he removed to New York city. Rev. Thomas Foulkes was pastor during the years 1847-48 and again from 1852 to 1855. In 1859 Rev. William Hughes came from Wales and remained three years. In 1863 Rev. Mr. Rowlands was again pastor and re- mained until his death in 1866. Rev. Ebenezer T. Jones was pastor for one year, and in 1870 Rev. James Jarrett assumed the charge and remained until August, 1875. He was succeeded by the Rev. William Roberts, D.D., who came from Bellevue, Pa., and remained until his death in the year 1887. The present pastor, Rev. Robert Will - iams, M.A., came from Coowen, Wales, in May, 1889. The present membership of the church is 443; of the Sunday school 200. The deacons are T. Solomon Griffiths, William C. Jones, William R. Morris, John R. Jones, David P. Salisbury, Elias Ellis. The church has a mission Sunday school in the old Olivet Chapel on Miller street, called the Penvel Sunday School. The property was bought in 1889 from the Presbyterians. There are 130 pupils in this school, which also has an English branch of about thirty pupils under the care of Mrs. R. D. Williams.
The Coke Memorial (Welsh Methodist Episcopal) Church .was formed about the Ist of July, 1849, with twenty- seven members. For the first eight months they occupied the old Cambrian Hall on the lower side of Liberty street between Hotel and Seneca. Its first trustees were John Parry, Thomas Morris, John H. Jones, William W. Jones, Evan E. Jones, and Thomas Hughes. May 1, 1850, the society purchased the building on Washington street known as the "Commercial Lyceum " and fitted it up as a house of worship. Rev. Rees Davies and Rev. Thomas Hughes were pastors until May 1, 1850, when Revs. Davies Hughes, and John Jones preached alternately until September 15, 1852. John Jones then took charge and continued alone until January 1, 1854. In December, 1853, Rev. R. L. Herbert came from Liverpool and began his labors January 1, 1854. He remained until April, 1860. At the time he commenced the church membership numbered forty-seven, the average attendance in the Sunday school was sixty, and the church was
429
COKE MEMORIAL CHURCH.
free from debt ; at the close of his pastorate he made the following re- port : " Number of persons received on probation thirty-three, received by letters forty-three, backslided seven, died seven." In March, 1860, Rev. Thomas Thomas came from Ironton, Ohio, and at the annual con- ference in April was appointed pastor of the church. He served for three years and was followed by Rev. H. Humphreys as pastor, who commenced in the spring of 1863 and continued until the spring of 1867, when he moved away and the church for one year was in charge of D. T. Davies, who in turn with Rees Davies and others occasionally supplied the pulpit. In the fall of 1867 Rev. Isaac Thomas came from Witton Park, North of England, and preached for the church until the following spring, when he was appointed regular pastor by the annual conference. He continued in charge until the spring of 1871. The number of church members at this time is reported sixty ; average at- tendance in Sunday school eighty. At the annual conference in 1871 D. T. Davies was appointed to the charge and continued until the spring of 1873, the church membership being seventy-two and the Sunday school average attendance eighty-five. In 1873 Rev. H. Humphreys, who had had the care of a church in St. Louis, Mo., returned to Utica and by request of the church was appointed pastor. His pastorate this time continued until the spring of 1878, when he resigned, and the church for the following year was in charge of the presiding elder of the district, Rev. L. D. White, the preaching being done by three or four different ministers who understood the Welsh language, which Mr. White did not. In the fall of this year Rev. David Williams, who was residing at Pottsville, Pa., came and supplied the pulpit until the follow- ing spring, when he was appointed pastor. He served faithfully until the spring of 1881. Rev. W. R. Griffith, a young minister, came from Wales and served the church on trial for one year, and at the annual session of the conference in April, 1882, was appointed pastor, remain- ing until July, 1889. In May, 1885, the society sold the old church property on Washington street and bought a lot on the corner of Hop- per and Union streets. In the spring of 1886 the building of the new church was commenced. The corner- stone was laid the following Au- gust by Bishop Hurst. The new edifice was dedicated in August, 1887, the entire cost, including the lot, being about $16,000. In October,
430
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
1889, Rev. Isaac Thomas, a former pastor of the church, became its minister and served until April, 1890. The church was without a reg - ular pastor from that time until the following October, when Rev. J. L. Davies, a professor in Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y., was requested to take charge. He is now ministering to the church faith- fully and acceptably. The society numbers eighty-two members. The official members are D. J. Davies, Rees R. Williams, William Foulks, Evan O. Williams, and Richard Morris, trustees ; John I. Morris, Rees R. Williams, D. J. Davies, Evan Jones, and Sylvanus E. Jones, stewards ; D. J. Davies, recording steward. At the dedication of the new church the name was changed to Coke Memorial in honor of Bishop Coke, the first Methodist bishop sent to this country who was a Welshman.
In 1851 the Rev. F. Herlan, then preaching in Deerfield, expressed a desire to transfer his labors to Utica. J. Kratzenberg offered his house on Saratoga street as a place for worship. In the same year an old school- house on Sunset avenue (Garden street) was bought and used as a house of worship up to the year 1858, when the present church edifice was erected on Sunset avenue south of Court street. It will seat 250 persons. From 1849 to 1854 the First Church of the Evangelical As- sociation (German Methodist) belonged to the Mohawk circuit and was served by the Rev. J. G. Bosch, F. Herlan, J. Yenni, J. Dereisch, A. Z. Gottwals, F. Scharfe, and J. Grenzebach. In 1855 Theobald Schneider served Utica as a mission. The following ministers have served the so- ciety : 1856-57, J. Grenzebach ; 1858-59, L. Hermann ; 1860, S. Weber; 1861, J. Umbach; 1863, A. Klein; 1864-65, A. Miller; 1866-68, A. Holzwarth ; 1868-69, G. Eckhardt; 1870, E. A. Weier; 1871-73, J. Schaff; 1874, J. Siegriest; 1875-77, M. Yauch ; 1878-79, J. F. Buesch; 1880, P. Glanz ; 1881, Ph. E. Bahn ; 1882, J. G. Held; 1883- 85, F. Lohmeyer ; 1886-88, J. Eberling, 1889-90, L. Heinmiller. The present trustees of the church are as follows: G. Herthum, presi- dent ; J. Sittig, secretary ; G. Keidel, treasurer ; C. Schad, W. Gucke- mus. The present membership of the church is 103. The German language has been used altogether in the services until about one year ago, when the services on the first and third Sunday evenings of the month were designated for the English language.
The Welsh Baptist Church, one of the oldest in Central New York,
431
FIRST WELSH BAPTIST CHURCH.
owes its early origin to the sturdy emigrants from Wales to Utica. It is said to be due to Colonel Walker that individuals of this people were first led to make their homes in this region. Appreciating their industry, thrift, and many moral virtues he persuaded them to come and occupy his extensive wild lands in Steuben and its vicinity. Among these pio- neers those who had trades lingered in the villages and were credited with being the best builders and mechanics of the town. Nor could these latter long deny themselves the enjoyment of their cherished in- stitutions and the ministry of the pastors who accompanied them. On the 12th of September, 1801, twenty-two persons of this people, who were Baptists, met at the log house of John Williams, upon the road opposite the State Hospital, and formed a church. Some of them lived probably without the village, or if resident in it were so for a short time only. The church they formed is the first, exclusively of Utica, whose organization has been continuous and services unbroken to the present time. It is known as the First (Welsh) Baptist and is the parent of the Broad street (now Tabernacle) church. This congregation erected in 1806 a church edifice near where the canal now intersects Hotel street. It was moved when the canal was opened to the site of the present church on Broadway a little north of Liberty. Among the twenty-two who united in its organization were Elder John Stevens and Elder James Harris, who officiated as ministers, Elder Abraham Williams, Joseph Harris, David Reed, Simon Johns, Nathaniel Davis, Samuel George, James Phillips, Daniel Richards, David Thomas, etc. The first deacons were Joseph Haines and David Reed.
Elder John Stevens was the first minister. He preached alternately in English and in Welsh. In five or six years he removed to New York, but returned about 1814, and a second time became the head of the church. Elder Abraham Williams was their second pastor. He after- ward removed to Rome and died October 25, 1839. On the 23d of September, 1819, seventeen members were dismissed from the Welsh Church to form the Broad street (English) church, now the Tabernacle. On June 23, 1806, the first trustees were elected; they were Daniel James and John Adams. Four men acted as pastors alternately and for irregular periods until 1837. They were Rev. Richard Roberts, Elders D. Griffiths, Richards, and Stephens. Rev. William H. Thomas
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
became pastor July 1, 1837. The membership was then 135. Rev. William F. Phillips succeeded Mr. Thomas in the fall of 1840. David J. Phillips succeeded to the pastorate in 1846. Rev. David Jenkins be- came pastor in 1851 and Rev. Morris J. Williams followed him in 1854. During this period the church was at the height of its prosperity. The church records show a membership of 283. Rev. John Edred Jones became pastor in 1858. Rev. Joshua T. Morgans succeeded him in January, 1869. Eight years later Rev. Owen Griffiths became pastor for one year. In 1878 Rev. John Edred Jones again assumed the charge. Rev. William M. Evans became pastor in 1883 and was suc- ceeded by Rev. John D. Roberts in 1885. Rev. Thomas Morris became pastor in 1887 and continued as such until April 1, 1890. Since that time the pulpit has been supplied by licentiates. The present member- ship is seventy-eight. The Sabbath school numbers about fifty. The present deacons are John M. Williams, Evan Roberts, and William Roberts. The church has decreased in membership because the Ameri- can born Welsh cannot understand the Welsh language, in which the ser- mons are preached, and Welsh emigration to Utica has practically ceased.
In 1819 seventeen members of the Welsh Baptist Church were at their own request dismissed and united themselves in covenant for the purpose of forming an English church, calling it the Second Baptist. Rev. Elijah F. Willey, of Lansingburg, N. Y., was called and assumed the pastorate in November, 1819. A frame church capable of seating 400 people was soon erected on Broad street. After Mr. Willey came in succession Revs. John C. Harrison, William Hague, D.D., Elon Galusha, Edward Kingsford, Thomas Wilkes, Daniel Eldridge, Dudley C. Haynes, and Horatio N. Loring. A new brick church was erected on the same site at a cost of $10,000, with a seating capacity of 500, and on September 28, 1848, was formally dedicated. Rev. Edward Turney was pastor from July, 1848, to June, 1850. Rev. Thomas O. Lincoln, D.D., then became pastor and served until 1861. In 1861 Rev. Nehemiah M. Perkins became pastor .; he died at Monroe, Conn., August 20, 1863. In June, 1864, the church and society voted to vacate their house and move to a more central location. In October, 1864, a lot was bought on the corner of Hopper and King streets and a fine stone edifice erected. The architect was G. S. Meacham, of
433
TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH.
Boston. The church cost $30,000 and will seat 600 persons. The corner-stone was laid August 3, 1865, with appropriate services, and in September of the following year the church was dedicated. The con- gregation worshiped in the U. S. Court-room in the city hall until their new edifice was dedicated. Rev. Alfred S. Patton, D.D., of Watertown, Mass., became pastor in July, 1864, and continued until June 30, 1873. At a regular meeting of the society held October 11, 1864, the name " Tabernacle Baptist Church " was unanimously adopted. Rev. Noah R. Everts, of Little Falls, N. Y., succeeded Mr. Patton as pastor in January, 1873. He resigned in October, 1878, and was succeeded in Feburary, 1879, by Rev. John W. Curtis, D.D., of Chicago. After five years Rev. Mr. Curtis's health failed and he was obliged to leave the pastorate. Prof. Sylvester Burnham, D.D., supplied the pulpit then for a few months. In June, 1885, Rev. Albert P. Brigham, of Still- water, N. Y., was called to the pastorate. His successor has signified his acceptance of a call, but is not yet installed. A new chapel was built upon property adjoining the church on King street and dedicated October 4, 1889. The building, with the ground, cost about $4,000, which was supplied by voluntary offerings. It is used for the Sunday school, the membership of which is 320, and for evening services. It has a seating capacity of about 400. The present membership of the church is 360. The deacons are I. D. Hopkins, M.D., Clark Wood, George C. Horton, William Fisher, and W. Henry Start.
To descant. upon the individual characteristics of the several ministers of this church is evidently impossible. Let it suffice to note with com . mendation a few of the earlier ones whose influence for good was marked, not solely upon their own people, but to a large extent upon the com- munity in general. Such were Revs. Willey, Galusha, and Hague, who ministered to the church while on Broad street, and Revs. Lincoln and Patton, who served it after its removal.
In 1837 (December 3d) the Second Baptist Church on Broad street (now'the Tabernacle Baptist on Hopper street) appointed a committee to superintend religious worship in West Utica until the following May. On the 21st of March, 1838, eleven persons met at the home of Edward Wright and organized a society to be called the " Bethel Baptist Church in Utica." They prosecuted this work for some time in the old build-
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
ing known as " Old Bethel," formerly occupied by the Presbyterians. During the first year of their existence they erected a church on State street, in size 35 x 50 feet, and dedicated it to the service of God on August 7, 1839. January 1, 1845, it was decided to rent the Bleecker street church, which had been erected and used by the Second Presbyte- rian Society. The old building was soon afterward rented to the Metho- dists. The first pastor was Rev. J. O. Lowell, who labored in the church from October 1, 1838, to January 27, 1840. Rev. Edward Bright, who was licensed by the church January 3, 1841, succeeded Mr. Lowell and re- signed November 12, 1841. The church then called Rev. D. G. Corey, D.D., to the pastorate. He became pastor January 2, 1842. The membership of the church was then 141. In February, 1847, it was decided to purchase the Bleecker street church. In August of that year the membership had reached 249. In April, 1862, steps were taken for the enlargement of the church, the membership then being 407. Property was accordingly bought in the rear of the church for Sunday school and prayer meeting purposes. September 14, 1886, a meeting was held to consider the matter of changing location and soon afterward the church property was sold, to be used as a site for the Young Men's Christian Association. A lot was then purchased on the corner of Rutger and West streets and on June 29, 1887, the corner- stone of a new brick church was laid. The name Park Baptist was as- sumed on March 22, 1888, this being the fiftieth anniversary of its founding. The edifice is 110 feet front, 105 feet deep, cost $70,000, and will seat 900 persons. Dr. Corey preached his last sermon in the church July 14, 1889. He died February 20, 1890, having been pas- tor of the church over forty-eight years. Nearly a generation and a half had listened to his words of admonition, of hope, and sympathy. Those who first heard him as little children grew to manhood under his ministry, and their children in turn advanced to see the same familiar figure in the pulpit. He loved the truth and always felt it to be his duty to preach it without abatement or modification. 'He was an ear- nest, forceful, fearless man who commanded the respect of those even who did not think as he did. As a pastor he was greatly beloved. The social and business interests of his people were of as much concern to him as their spiritual welfare. His relations with them were those
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