USA > New York > New York City > Old New York : a journal relating to the history and antiquities of New York City, Vol. II > Part 29
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SECTION 1. The President of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, a member of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York, other than one of the
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individuals hereinafter named, to be designated by said society, a professor of applied mathematics of Columbia College, to be desig- nated by the trustees thereof, the President of the Society of the New York Hospital, Richard Poillon, Henry Steers, Andrew Reed, Charles H. Cramp, William Henry Webb, Thomas F. Rowland and Stevenson Taylor, and their successors, are hereby created a body politic and corporate in the corporate name of "Webb's Academy and Home for Shipbuilders." The said corporation hereby created shall possess the general power conferred upon cor- porations by the first section of the third title of chapter eighteen of part first of the Revised Statutes, and such further powers as are requisite to carry out the general object in this act specified. The said corporation may receive from the said William Henry Webb, a native and citizen of this State, formerly a shipbuilder of the City of New York, all property, real or personal, which he may devise, bequeath, sell, grant or assign to said corporation for the purposes thereof, and the said corporation shall be capable of tak- ing and holding real or personal property by purchase, gift, grant, devise or bequest from any other person, subject to the provisions of chapter three hundred and sixty of the laws of one thousand eight hundred and sixty relating to wills, provided that the total value of the property held by said corporation shall not exceed two million dollars.
CITY CHURCHES IN 1827. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In the origin and progress of this denomination of Christians amongst us there is something peculiarly interesting. In the year 1766, Methodism made its appearance in America, when a few members, with Mr. Philip Embury, a local preacher, having emigrated from Ireland, settled in this city. Being few in number, surrounded by strangers and neglecting the assembling them- selves together for divine worship on the first day of the week, they all, except Mr. Embury, soon abandoned their religious principles and gave way to the allurements of the world. In
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this hopeless state they remained till the following year, when another family from Ireland, formerly connected with those above mentioned, likewise arrived here. Mr. Embury, at the earnest entreaty of the mother of this family, began to preach in his own house and to his own people, the congregation being at first composed of himself and five others. By persevering in the good work, however, they began to attract public attention, and the increase of hearers was so rapid as to render it soon necessary to rent a larger room. This small society was soon after greatly assisted by the labors of Captain Webb of the British army. His com- mission as an officer did not prevent him from becoming a zealous preacher of the blessed gospel, and by his exertions many were added to the church. The novelty of his appearance as a preacher of Christ in his regimentals excited no small surprise; but the energy with which he spoke in the name of the Lord convinced many that he was commissioned from God to show them the way of salvation.
To remedy the inconvenience arising from the smallness of their room, a rigging loft was hired and fitted up for public wor- ship. Here they assembled for a considerable time, and Mr. Em- bury continued to preach with success, being occasionally assisted by Captain Webb, who was at intervals absent upon Long Island and at Philadelphia, in both which places, as well as others, he was a zealous minister. Through the faithful labors of these two preachers, the society greatly flourished. In consequence of the in- crease of members and hearers, they found that this place was too small, and began to think of building a permanent house of wor- ship. Many difficulties, however, occurred to prevent the execution of this pious design. The society being in general poor, had not the means adequate to such an undertaking. For some time a painful suspense seemed to occupy their minds; but they at last resolved to throw themselves on the benevolence of their fellow citizens. They accordingly issued a subscription paper, went to the Mayor and other opulent citizens, from whom, after they had explained their design, they received liberal donations. Captain Webb also lent his assistance. Thus encouraged, they purchased a lot of ground in John street, on which they erected a stone building, 42 by 60=2,520 feet square, calling it from respect to
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their venerable founder, Wesley Chapel. Such, however, were at that time the municipal regulations of the city and province of New York that they were not allowed to devote the house ex- clusively to divine worship. They therefore appropriated a small part of it for domestic purposes. This was the first house of public worship erected by a Methodist congregation in America, and was built in the year 1768, on the same spot on which their church, as rebuilt and enlarged in 1817, now stands.
From this very small beginning, they have increased in an astonishing manner ; as, according to "The Minutes of the Several Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the Year 1825," their number amounted to 341,114, and it is highly probable that they have full as many hearers who are not in com- munion with them.
Their first church, as has been already observed, was erected in John street in 1768, and rebuilt and enlarged in 1817. Its dimen- sions are 62 by 78 feet=4,836 feet square. A second, 50 by 70 == 3,500 feet square, was built in Forsyth street in 1780; a third in Duane street, 56 by 75=4,200 feet square, in 1795; a fourth in Allen street, 55 by 70=3,850 feet square, in 1809. The above four are stone buildings ; a fifth, 42 by 60=2,520 feet square, was built in Bedford street, in 1809 ; a sixth in Nicholas William street, 33 by 56=1,848 feet square, in 1818. These two last are frame buildings, and the seventh a stone building, in Willett, near Broome street, 55 by 76=3,960 feet square, was finished this year (1826).
No pastor in this connection is to be considered as minister of any particular congregation, as they preach by rotation in all the churches within the station in which they have been assigned. The following are the preachers now officiating in this city : Rev. Mr. Laban Clark, presiding elder of the district, the Rev. Messieurs Peter P. Sanford, H. Stand, William Jewett, I. Youngs, D. De Vinne and Henry Chase ; Rev. Messieurs Nathan Bangs and John Emery, book agents, and the Rev. Mr. John M. Smith, president of the Wesleyan Seminary.
THE METHODIST SOCIETY.
In the year 1820, a number of members in the aforesaid connec- tion, becoming dissatisfied with the nature and practice of its eccle-
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siastical government, withdrew from its communion, adopted a mode of discipline more congenial to their ideas of propriety, and formed themselves into a separate body under the name of "The Methodist Society." In this city they have three churches, all of which are built of brick and incorporated as the law directs. Of these; there is one in Chrystie street, 50 by 78=3,900 feet square, built in 1821, and of which the Rev. Mr. William Stillwell is pastor ; one at the corner of Pitt and Delancey streets, in 1823, 25 by 60=1,500 square feet, of which the Rev. Mr. Samuel Budd is minister, and the third in Sullivan street, built in 1824, which is under the pastoral care of the Rev. Messieurs James Covell and Isaac Lent.
AFRICAN METHODISTS.
Of these there are three congregations in this city, which till within a few years were likewise in union with the Methodist Episcopal Church ; but though still agreeing with that body in doctrine, they then deemed it expedient to withdraw from their connection, and to assume such mode of government as to each might appear proper. Their first place of worship, being 55 by 70 =3,850 square feet, is a stone building, called the Zion Methodist Church, at the corner of Church and Leonard streets, which was erected in 1800, and rebuilt and enlarged in 1820. The ministers are the Rev. Messieurs James Varick, James Smith and Christo- pher Rush. The second is a wooden building in Mott street, 28 by 38=1,160 feet square, and was erected in 1:06. Ministers, the Rev. Messieurs Henry Hardin and William Wood. And the third, which is likewise of wood, 40 by 55 == 2,200 square feet, was erected in Elizabeth street in 1809. Pastors, the Rt. Rev. Mr. William Miller, Bishop, and Mr. Stephen Dutton.
BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE REFORMED DUTCH AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.
The Reformed Dutch Church is the first that was organized in America. In 1620 there were members of that church in New York. In 1626 a church was founded in or near the first fort erected in that city. The public records of the Church in New York, containing the names of ministers and other church officers, together with a regular register of baptisms, marriages, etc., com- mence with the year 1639, and excepting the interruption occasioned
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by the Revolutionary War have been carried down, and kept with great neatness and care, to the present day.
The emigrants from Holland were the first settlers in the States of New York and New Jersey. All the principal inhabitants of those States, then colonies, were of the Dutch communion, excepting a few from England and Scotland, who, not under- standing the Dutch language, organized churches of their own. By that pertinacious adherence to their own language which is common to foreigners, the Dutch churches were dismembered of a large portion of their people, who, preferring the prevailing language of the country, left them and went over to other denomi- nations. The Dutch churches both of New York and New Jersey were originally from Holland; their calls were presented to the Classis of Amsterdam, and they, acting under the authority of the Synod of North Holland, selected and sent out their supplies. This plan was pursued without interruption for upwards of 130 years, down to the year 1750. It gave rise to a foreign jurisdiction, which eventually became offensive; and as it was attended with very many and increasing inconveniences, many of the churches became anxious for the establishment of an independent judicatory in this country. The preliminary measures pursued for the accom- plishment of this object gave birth to two parties, the one in favor of, and the other opposed to, the establishment of such judicatory.
That division which took place in 1755, and in which the contending parties were nearly equal in learning, number and influence, produced the most serious effects. It continued for a number of years, and sometimes raged with so much violence as to threaten the very existence of the Dutch Church in America. As the friends of ecclesiastical independence were resolved to maintain their cause, they formed the plan of erecting a college in the city of New Brunswick, in New Jersey, for the express purpose of preparing young men for the gospel ministry. They accordingly obtained a charter from the Governor of New Jersey in the year 1770, incorporating a literary institution under the name of Queen's College.
By that decisive step, all further overtures to renew their former connection with Holland, or to unite with those churches in America which maintained a subordination to the Classis of Am-
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sterdam, seemed to be entirely precluded and the continuance of the separation rendered inevitable. The first President of that institution was the Rev. Dr. Hardenberg, an American, a man of powerful mind, ardent piety, indefatigable industry, and greatly blessed in his ministry, who died in that office in 1792, univer- sally lamented.
The College itself, after struggling from time to time with the most serious difficulties, through want of pecuniary means, but still continuing the object of prayer and hope, has recently been revived under the most promising auspices. On the return from Holland of the Rev. Dr. Livingston in 1770, and principally through his exertion and influence, circular letters were sent by the Consistory of the Church of New York, inviting all the min- isters of the Dutch Churches, with each an elder, to meet at New York for the express purpose of healing divisions, and forming a plan of union and general pacification.
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This proposition met with a very favorable reception. In October, 1771, a general meeting of both parties was held, which was commenced and closed in a most propitious manner. The plan submitted by a committee of that body had three objects, viz. :
1st. The internal arrangement and government of the churches.
2d. The healing of divisions, and
3d The conducting a correspondence with the Church of Hol- land.
It was agreed to transmit their whole proceedings to the Classis of Amsterdam for the approbation of that body, which was ac- cordingly done, and a most friendly answer received, approving the plan of union, and offering the most fervent prayers for the prosperity of the American Churches. Thus peace was restored, and from its restoration commeneed a new auspicious era. At that pacific meeting was formed the plan of a theological profes- sorship, the first of the kind ever contemplated in America, and resolutions were passed to raise the necessary funds for its sup- port.
Whilst negotiation with the Church of Holland was pending on that subject, and other measures pursued for carrying it into effect, the Revolutionary War occurred, which put an effectual
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stop to the further prosecution of the matter until the restoration of peace. At the first convention of the churches after the close of the war, in 1784, the important subject of a theological pro- fessorship was resumed, and the Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston, who long before had been designated by the Classis of Amster- dam and the University of Utrecht, was unanimously chosen their first Professor of Didactic and Polemic Theology. In con- sequence of an overture to the Synod from the Trustees of Queens College in New Brunswick in 1810, the theological insti- tution was removed from New York to that city. A second pro- fessorship was there instituted, and the venerable Dr. Livingston presided over its destinies, with great honor to himself and ad- vantage to the churches. Since the death of Dr. Livingston, by the most prompt and hitherto unexampled efforts in the Dutch Church, stable provision has been completed for the support of the second professorate, and a third professorship endowed; so that the whole original plan has been happily carried into effect in all its parts, and is now in full operation.
To those who may be unacquainted with the doctrines and usages of the Dutch Church, it may be proper to state that their doctrines are embraced in those views of divine truth drawn from the Holy Oracles which were composed and adopted in the National Synod of Dordrecht, in Holland, in the years 1618 and 1619. That synod, composed of the most distinguished delegates from all parts of Europe, and of almost all denominations of the Protestant world, and which continued in session two years, formed one of the most august bodies of men that perhaps ever were convened on such an occasion since the days of the Apostles. These doctrines, which have long been published to the world, are embodied in the confession of faith and catechisms of the Reformed Dutch Church in America. They substantially comport with the thirty-nine articles of the Church of England, and entirely with the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church in these United States, as expressed in their Westminster confession of faith, and larger and shorter catechisms.
The form of government of the Dutch Church is strictly Presbyterian. Their churches are principally located in the States of New York and New Jersey, with a few in Pennsylvania.
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Their public worship has for a long time been conducted in the English language. They have eleven flourishing churches in the city of New York, and compose in the aggregate a large and most respectable section in the American Church.
The professors of the Theological Seminary in New Brunswick are the following, viz. :
Rev. Philip Milledoler, D. D., Professor of Didactic and Polemic Theology.
Rev. John De Witt, D. D., Professor of Biblical Literature.
James Cannon, D. D., Professor of Ecclesiastical History, Church Government and Pastoral Theology.
The persons composing the present faculty of Rutgers College, in New Brunswick, are the following, viz. :
Rev. Philip Milledoler, D. D., President of the College, and Professor of Moral Philosophy and the Evidences of Christianity.
Rev. John De Witt, D. D., Professor of Belles-Lettres, Elements of Criticism, and Logic.
James Cannon, D. D., Professor of Metaphysics, and Philosophy of the Human Mind.
Rev. W. C. Brownell, D. D., Professor of Languages, and Robert Adrain, LL. D., Professor of Mathematics, Natural Philos- ophy and Astronomy.
Instruction is also given in the College, on English grammar, ancient and modern geography, chemistry, political economy, history and chronology.
Joseph Nelson, LL. D., late of the city of New York, is Rector of the Grammar School.
. GENERAL 'THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL
CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES.
The building designed for this institution is now erecting on the Ninth avenue on an ample lot of ground, which comprises a whole square, the munificent donation of Clement C. Moore, Esq.
This seminary was originally established by the General Conven- tion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, in the year 1817, and located in this city. At the General Conven- tion in 1820 its organization was changed to New Haven. At a special General Convention held in 1821, it was again removed to
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this city, and under still further improved organization was united with the Theological Seminary of this diocese, which had been established in 1820. The trustees are the bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, and clergymen and laymen of the said Church chosen by each diocese in proportion to its number of clergymen and its contributions to the Seminary. On the last removal of the Seminary to this city, it came into the possession of the munificent legacy of about $70,000, left by the late Jacob Sherred, Esq., of this city. The lectures are at present delivered and the business of the Seminary carried on in a large brick building in Varick street, near St. John's Church, a part of which is likewise occupied as a charity school for said church.
The professors are the Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, D. D., Professor of Pastoral Theology and Pulpit Eloquence; the Rev. Samuel H. Turner, D. D., Professor of Biblical Learning ; the Rev. Bird Wilson, D. D., Professor of Systematic Divinity; the Rev. Benjamin F. Onderdonk, A. M., Professor of the Nature. Ministry and Polity of the Church ; Clement C. Moore, A. M., Professor of Oriental and Greek Literature. Mr. William C. Whittingham is the Librarian.
A list of the Reformed Dutch Churches in this city at the be- ginning of the present year, 1826 :
1. The South Dutch is a stone building in Garden street which was erected in 1693, and rebuilt in 1807. Its dimensions are 58 by 66=3,808 square feet. The Rev. James Matthews, D. D., is pastor.
2. The Church at Harlem was built of wood. . It is not ascer- tained at what time it was founded, but it is generally believed to have been soon after the settlement of this city by the Dutch. Its dimensions were 30 by 57=1,710 feet square. The Rev. Mr. Cornelius C. Vermeule is pastor. In the year 1825, a new brick building, 50 by 65=3,250 feet square, was erected in its stead. It is ornamented with a handsome spire.
3. Middle Dutch in Nassau, between Liberty and Cedar streets, containing 7,500 square feet, built in 1729 ; and
4. North Dutch in William, between Fulton and Ann streets. being 70 by 100=7,000 square feet, erected in 1769, are stone buildings and collegiate churches, under the pastoral charge of
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Rev. Gerardus A. Kuypers, D. D., and John Knox, D. D. On the cupola of the former of these Churches there is a public clock.
5. The Church in Herring street, Greenwich village, was built of wood in 1782 and enlarged in 1807. It contains 2,232 feet square, and has a spire and public clock. The congregation hav- ing of late greatly increased, the present building was found too small for their accommodation. The foundation of a new stone church, to be 64 by 84 == 5,376 feet square, was therefore laid last Autumn, and the church will be completed during the present year. The pastor is the Rev. Mr. Nicholas I. Marselus.
6. Northwest Church, in Franklin street, of which the Rev. Mr. George Dubois is pastor, was erected in 1808. It is a stone building 60 by 80 and contains 4,800 square feet.
7. The Church at Harsenville, of which the Rev. Dr. Alexan- der Gunn is pastor, is likewise a stone building, 57 by 72, contain- ing 4,104 square feet. It was erected in 1814.
8. The Market street Church is a stone building, 67 by 81, and contains 5,427 square feet. It was built in 1819. Pastor, Rev. William McMurray, D. D.
9. German Reformed Church is a brick building, 45 by 60=2,700 square feet, and was erected in Forsyth street in 1822. Divine service is performed in the German and English lan- guages alternately. The Rev. Mr. Charles Knouse is pastor.
10. The Church in Broome, at the corner of Greene street, un- der the pastoral charge of the Rev. Jacob Broadhead, D. D., was opened in 1824. It is a brick building 80 by 60=4,800 square feet.
11. The Church in Greene, corner of Houston street, is a marble building, and was completed towards the end of the last year, 1825. It is 56 feet in front by 75 feet in depth=4,200 square feet. The Rev. Mr. Eli Baldwin is pastor.
12. First Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of the people of color. This congregation is organized according to law, and is ac- knowledged by the other Reformed Dutch Churches. Last Autumn the foundation of a brick building for the place of wor- ship was laid in Wooster, near Canal street. They hold their meetings at present in a school room in Duane street. Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Mark Jordan.
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Within the last four years, ten or twelve ministers have seceded from this connection and assumed to themselves the name of the True Reformed Dutch Church.
They profess to adhere rigidly to the articles of the Synod of Dortrecht. Of these there is one congregation in this city under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Cornelius T. Demarest. Their church is a brick building, 50 by 65=3,250 feet square. It is situate in King street.
LUTHERANS.
The Lutherans have two churches in this city. The first is Christ Church, a stone building at the corner of William and Frankfort streets, 34 by 60 === 2,040 feet square, and was erected in 1767. In this church divine service is performed in the German language, and the Rev. Mr. F. W. Geissenheimer is pastor. The other, St. Matthew's church, which is a handsome brick build- ing in Walker street, 60 by 95 = 5,700 feet square, was finished in 1822, and is under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. F. C. Schæffer.
MORAVIAN CHURCH.
A brick building in Fulton, near William street, 33 by 44 == 1,452 feet square, erected in the year 1751, of which the Rev. Mr. Benjamin Mortimer is pastor.
A wooden building in Pearl, near Cross street, erected in 1796, 35 by 50 = 1,750 feet square. This house has been used as a place of public worship, by different religious societies, the last of which was a Presbyterian congregation, under the care of the Rev. Mr. I. S. C. Frey, and from them it was purchased by its present occupants, in the year 1821. The Rev. Mr. Charles I. Doughty is minister.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
Of these there are 22 in this city, of which the first 20 are under the direction of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States and are closely connected with the Reformed Dutch Church ; as the ministers of both denominations freely exchange pulpits, and have no essential difference in respect to doctrine or discipline. They are divided into two Presbyteries,
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viz .: the Presbytery of New York, consisting of 17 congrega- tions, and the Second Presbytery of New York. This last was formerly a part of the Associate Reformed Church ; but in or about the year 1801 that body united with the General Assembly. The two last, viz .: the Associate Church and the Reformed Presby- terian Church, are under different ecclesiastical jurisdictions.
1st. The First Presbyterian Church is a stone building, which was founded in Wall street in 1719, enlarged in 1768 and rebuilt in 1809. It is 68 feet in front by 97 feet square and has a hand- some spire. The Rev. Mr. William W. Phillips is pastor.
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