USA > New York > Ulster County > Kingston > Semi-centennial celebration of the Rondout Presbyterian Church, Kingston, N.Y. 1833-1883 > Part 7
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So let us live ; so let our work be done That when the metronome of time shall beat The century done, the rounded hundred years Of life and growth, and others gather here, Perchance as we have done to-night, to celebrate With festive joy the full centennial year. Though we with folded hands be laid to rest, Our names, the work we wrought, the souls we led To Christ, shall live in fragrant memory ; Be stars of light in our immortal crown.
D. Brainerd Abbey.
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ANNIVERSARY HYMN.
[Written for the Occasion.] [SUNG TO THE TUNE OF "JERUSALEM THE GOLDEN."]
0, JESUS of our worship, O, centre of our love, What years of benediction Have fallen from above, Upon the lengthening pathway Down which Thy people trod, Who, gathering here to worship, Are gathered now to God.
We stand before Thee, Jesus, We sing thy praise to-night, Where sang the saints before us Who stand in burning light. They strike their harps celestial Adown the track of years, That beat amid these arches They reared with toil and tears.
See Lord, Thy people bowing Beneath the templed skies ! Beneath the lamps celestial They offer sacrifice. They pour their heart's devotion, And sing the songs of old, That they may ring in heaven Amid those harps of gold.
Accept, O Christ ! the incense Of these enraptured hearts, That climbs along the praises Our adoration starts. O, fair, fair courts of splendor ! O, palace of the King !! No pearl, nor gem can measure The joy of entering.
Irving Magee.
historical Sermon.
/
HISTORICAL SERMON,
BY
REV. C. S. STOWITTS, D. D.,
PREACHED IN THE
RONDOUT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
SUNDAY, SEPT. 1ST, 1895.
First Corinthians, xvi .: 13-14-" Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity (or, let all that you do be done in love.)"
These are strong words, earnest words, brave words, true words. Paul's love for the Corinthian church is so deep that he throws his whole soul into these clos- ng words of exhortation. Consider what he says. "Watch ye." They were surrounded by vigorous and powerful enemies. Conflict and opposition were inevitable, and they must be ever on the alert lest these spiritual adversaries gain an advantage over them. Do not fall asleep on your post, or before you are conscious of danger you will be over- come, but "watch ye." Moreover, they were beset by false teachers who handled the word of God deceitfully; so he tells them to "stand fast in the faith." The great central truths of the Christian faith should be thought of as settled, and among Christians no longer matters of debate. The great truths of the Word like Repentance and Faith and Salvation from sin, and the Atonement and Re- generation and the Resurrection are so clearly taught that it is not only useless, but harmful to be always calling them in question. Besides, the circumstances of the Corinthians called for great cour- age, so he says to them, "quit you like men." They had much to withstand. There was not only the contempt of the learned, but the persecutions of the powerful. Unless they were "steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord," true soldiers of the Lord Jesus, they would certainly be turned aside from the faith. To this he
added another exhortation: "Be strong." Not only courage, but strength would be needed to withstand their enemies and to endure patiently the trials which were sure to come upon them. Then, remem- bering how facticus and disorderly thi church of his love was, he says: "Lct that you do be done in love." Let love prevail in your hearts, in your homes, in your assemblies, in all the relations of life, and especially in your relations to one another as Christians. See to it that there is that spirit of long suffering and kindness and forgiveness and humility and self-sacrifice which is inseparable from the life of the true Christian. Ob- viously, these exhortations of the great apostle were particularly applicable to the church of God in the city of Corinth. But they are for us as well as for them. In them God speaks to his church in every age, and especially to the church of to-day, to his church now and here. Listen: "Watch ye, stand fast i the faith; quit you like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." We turn to-day a new leaf in our church life. We re-enter this sanctuary, so complete, so beautiful and so attractive. Our hearts are full of thanksgiving and of joy. I wish to review somewhat the his- tory of our church, to study our duties and our responsibilities, both in the light of the past and of the text. I would gather from the word of the living God and from our own church history such instruction and such inspiration as will
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HISTORICAL SERMON.
prepare the way for the highest effi- ciency and fruitfulness in our church life.
This Presbyterian church and Rondout have grown together. The church and the town have really the same birthday, so that to study the history of the one is to study also the history of the other. The year 1829 is a memorable year, both in the life of the town and of the church. The Delaware and Hudson canal was begun in July, 1825, and com- pleted in October, 1828. The first ship- ment of coal was made to this place in 1829. Mr. Walter B. Crane, who came to Rondout early in the summer of 1829, said in his reminiscences at the semi- centennial celebration that at that time there was but one steamboat running in the creek. It made two trips a week
from Wilbur, which was then called Twaalfskill. He crossed from Rhine- beck to Kingston Point by a horse-boat and reached the town by what is now known as Delaware avenue. Rondout then had ten or twelve dwelling houses, two or three stores, with a population of about one hundred people, of whom about one-half were journeymen ship carpenters and not permanent residents of the place. At that time "The Old First" was the only church in either Rondout or Kingston, and for all re- ligious privileges the people were de- pendent upon the upper portion of the town. But the opening of the canal brought men of enterprise and consecra- tion, men who felt the need of direct and earnest Christian effort, who were indeed "laborers together with God." The beginning of our church was in the Sunday school, which was organized August 16, 1829. There were present at that first session of the school forty- seven persons-thirteen teachers and thirty-four scholars. This first session was held in the hall of a boarding house which stood on the dock about where Dr. Kennedy's buildings now are. The school was afterward held in a stone house, known as the "farmhouse" of Mr. Abram Hasbrouck, which must have been on or near the site of the knitting mill. Then it was moved into the new schoolhouse, which had been built for religious as well as for school purposes and which was located on a rocky up- lift in Wurts street, just in front of this church, and then in 1834 into the base- ment of the Presbyterian church on the site of our former church. The superin-
tendents were in the order of their serv ice Benjamin J. Seward, brother Secretary of State William H. Seward George W. Endicott, Alexander Snyde Richard Bolton, Thomas Young. Walter Crane succeeded Mr. Young in 1840 ar. until the time of his death in Septembe 1887, a period of forty-seven year
served the school most faithfully ar efficiently as its superintendent ar
leader. Mr. D. Brainerd Abbey su
ceeded him, and has continued the b loved superintendent of the school this time. Our Sunday school was no only the mother of many other Sunda schools, but the mother of our church at well. From 1829 to 1833 the town hal grown rapidly. The advantages and r sources of the place were so manife that it soon became an attractive and il creasing centre of population. As th town grew, the people felt more ar more the need of a church organizatic and church privileges. On the thil Sabbath of June, 1833, the Rev. Joh Mason preached in the school hous The people were full of interest and ex thusiasm, and he was immediately il vited to continue his labors and orga ize a church. July 9, 1833, a meeting war held in the school house on the rock The result was a decision to build new church, and Maurice Wurts, S. Abram Hasbrouck, John Ferguso George W. Endicott, Edwin H. Bolto Alexander Snyder and Walter B. Cran were appointed to act as trustees ar b building committee of the new churc Five weeks later, August 12, an agre ment was made with Paoli Brooks fy the erection of a suitable building for n Presbyterian church. The corner-stola was laid with fitting ceremonies on tla 8th day of October, and the first churd edifice of the Rondout Presbyteria Church was solemnly set apart to the worship of Almighty God on the 19 day of June, 1834. Rev. Dr. Cyrus M le son of New York preached the sermo ea
Rev. Dr. Gosman of Kingston offere le
the dedicatory prayer. The cost of th first church building in Rondout, wit t out the tower, which was added late he was about $5,000. The consecration ar zeal and self-sacrifice which were nece
sary to secure so large a sum at th: early day must have been very grea A
Before any church organization ha or been effected, the resolution was take to build the new church. The meal he were provided and the work begun b m
3
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HISTORICAL SERMON.
re our beloved church had an organ- ed existence. November 1, 1833, the turch was organized in the school use on the rocks, where they were en worshiping, with sixteen members. homas Young and Phineas Terry were losen as ruling elders. The new pastor as ordained and installed November th. The Rondout Presbyterian Church, hich was to have such a large place ! the life and growth of the town, was )w a fact. At that time there was no her church in Rondout. There was a ethodist class formed in 1833, but le Methodist Episcopal church of Ron- 0 out was not incorporated until 1841, nd the Baptist church not until 1842, nd the Church of the Holy Spirit not ntil 1849.
I wish to speak here of two men who ere both among the founders of the lurch, men to whom under . God le church owes a great debt. I re- r to Maurice Wurts and Walter . Crane. For the site of the first urch building and of
the old arsonage the society was indebted to e favor of the Delaware and Hudson anal company, which favor and like vors to other churches were inspired nd directed by Mr. Wurts. He was a oble and generous Christian man. One ho stood side by side with him in the ork of the church speaks of him thus: His wise counsels, judicious manage- ent, together with his liberality, en- bled us to complete our church build- g, which could not have been done at at time without the means he so kindly irnished. He was truly a man of faith nd prayer. Though timid and humble, was always in the prayer meetings, ady and prompt in assisting in the rvices. He was ready to aid and in mpathy with any Christian enterprise, ways ready and anxious to assist in istaining the Sabbath school, of which was for some time a prominent acher." His memory well deserves to kept green by this church which he ved so much and served so faithfully. is fittingly perpetuated in the name of e beautiful street on which our church nd parsonage stand. In honoring his emory we only honor one to whom onor is due.
And it is even more fitting for us to nor the memory of Walter B. Crane. is impossible to study the history of e church without becoming profoundly npressed with the important piace
which he occupied in its life and growth. He was one of the original members of the church and assisted in its organiza- tion. He was on the first board of trus- tees and a member of the first building committee. From that time until his death, a period of fifty-four years, his connection with the church continued unbroken. He was a trustee and also the chorister of the church from its or- ganization in 1833 until his death in 1887. For many years he was the treasurer of the church, and during the fifty-four years of his connection with the church he never missed a preparatory lecture, and he never missed communion but once, when he was detained by illness. For forty-seven years he was superin- tendent of the Sunday school, and for forty-five years a Ruling Elder. One who had been his pastor, in writing of him at the time of his death, said: "His was a full-rounded life, the fourscore years. I recall his manifold labors, his ceaseless benefactions, his many sacrifices for the church. Very few have poured more of their life into the life of a church than did Mr. Crane through a period into the life of the Rondout Presbyterian Church Servicefor the church was the habit of his life and the joy of his heart. I recall his interest in the poor, the generosity with which he us d his own means for the church, his conscientiousness and con- stancy in duty. 'Good and faithful servant' is the verdict of all his asso- ciates, and I doubt not of the Master be- fore whom he has appeared." He spent his whole life in working for Christ and for his church, and much of our present prosperity is unquestionably due to his fidelity and zeal. The tablet erected to his memory in our chapel is a most ap- propriate recognition of his valuable
services to the church. To keep the memory of his faithful and noble life and worthily to honor it is I know the pur- pose, as it certainly is the privilege, of us all. He has joined the General As- sembly and Church of the Firstborn on high, but we praise God for what he did and for what he wrought during his earthly life. It gives me great pleasure to announce to the people that an admirable and beautiful picture of Mr. Crane has been presented to the church by his daughter, Mrs. Has- brouck of Troy. The picture hangs upon the walls of our session room, where it may be seen after service. The gift is most fitting and acceptable. We are ail
HISTORICAL SERMON.
so glad that the face of our beloved Elder Crane is to have a place on the walls of this sanctuary. Our hearts are full of gratitude for the loving offering. The picture is not only a treasure in it- self, but because it will help the church as the years run to treasure the mem- ory of this noble and consecrated life.
I have spoken of these two names of founders of our church as especially worthy of honor and grateful memory, and I would that we knew much more of the sixteen brave souls who stood to- gether to form this Presbyterian church of our life and of our love, but the rec- ords are so meagre that we know the names of only a few of them. We owe much to them all, but their names, though not written here, are written in heaven. When the church building was completed the resources of the congre- gation were so drained that they were only able to pay their pastor $250 a year. This amount was supplemented by $150 from the Home Missionary Society, making the pastor's salary $400. For nine years, or until the Rev. Mr. Carle in 1842, the church received aid from the Home Board, but it then became self- supporting. , For twenty years the church and congregation steadily in- creased until the first church build- ing became too small, and in 1853 it was enlarged and improved at an expense of $3,000. During this period the church had made great advancement. What its membership was at that date we do not know, but we do know that it had already become a most important factor in the life and pros- perity of the town.
In dealing with the memories of the past it is only fitting that I should speak somewhat of those who have served this church as pastors.
The Rev. John Mason the first pastor, was ordained and installed November 13th, 1833, and dismissed November 10th, 1835. He is said to have been a witty, brilliant but somewhat erratic man, an attractive and most interesting speaker. He died suddenly in the midst of his years.
He was succeeded by Rev. William Riley, a minister of the Dutch Re- formed church and pastor of the church in Hurley, who served the church as stated supply from August, 1836, to April, 1839. The church seems to have been de- pressed during his ministry, as only twenty-six communicants were added
during his nearly three years of service as
Rev. James M. Sayre was ordained anerov installed September 18th, 1839, and dis d missed in the month of April, 1842. H dere left the church broken in health, withthe forty-nine members, and was never abl im to take up the work of the pastoratow is afterward.
Rev. John H. Carle was installed Maw 5th, 1842, and dismissed April 20th, 1847 Re The record in the trustees' book says afe the close of the first year: "His labor isn have been greatly blessed. Fifty-nin as communicants have been added to thebug church, now numbering in all one hunbur dred and eight." His health and mindam both failed him, and he has now beereer dead for many years.
Rev. Benjamin T. Phillips became pas nd tor November 30th, 1847, and was distor missed in April, 1861. The pastorate ound Mr. Phillips was the longest the churchor has ever had. This was a memorable as period in the life of the church. Th pp town and the church grew together. Th er pastor gave his whole life to the work 0- He was an earnest, aggressive, loyal fe resolute man. The parsonage was buil ut in 1848 and the church enlarged made more commodious and attractive in every way in 1853. Mr. Phillips wa R greatly beloved by the church. Theta sweet and holy fragrance of his life i ul with us still. His name is one which en we all delight to honor. He entered of upon the rest and glory of the other life hu May 23d, 1892. It seemed most fittinghe that he should be buried where he hadeft loved and prayed and labored so long and his body awaits the resurrection il ist our own beautiful Montrepose cemetery T
The Rev. William Irvin, D. D., begar h his work here February 2th, 1862, and.ld was dismissed in May, 1867. Dr. Irvin was a most successful pastor. He wa: h loved and trusted and honored by hi people. He pushed forward the worl of the church with great earnestnes: and vigor. It is many years since he left here, but he is held in loving mem ory by the church. Dr. Irvin is nov traveling in Europe.
Rev. Edward D. Ledyard was ordained lol Da and installed August 29th, 1867, and dis missed January 13th, 1874. Mr. Ledyard was possessed of great refinement. HI was pure and gentle and loving. The D church was so prospered under hi: ministry that the old edifice became too small for the rapidly growing con L, gregation, and a new church building Ja
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HISTORICAL SERMON.
as determined upon. The burden roved too great for the young pastor nd he was compelled to leave his work ere. . The new church was nearly ready Then he went away. The church gave im up with great reluctance. He is ow Dr. Ledyard of Dansville, Ky., and is name is one which the church will Iways love.
Rev. Isaac Clark was his successor. le was installed October 13th, 1874, and ismissed January 10th, 1882. Mr. Clark as a strong and faithful man. He ought to dig deep for his spiritual undations and to lay them well. He ame soon after the new church had een occupied by the congregation, and ound the people oppressed and burdened nder debt. He spared neither effort or sacrifice to roll away the stone, nd it seemed at one time that the great york had been accomplished, but both astor and people were doomed to dis- ppointment. His work is well remem- ered by most of those who are here o-day. And no one can mention the fe and work of Mr. Clark here with- ut great respect and true affection. He snow living in Washington, D. C., and s a professor in Howard university.
Rev. Irving Magee, D. D., was in- talled October 26th, 1882, and dismissed uly 1st, 1889. Dr. Magee was a very entle and lovable man. ยท He was a popular and successful pastor. The hurch grew rapidly, especially during he first years of his ministry. When he eft the church he was in failing health, nd is now an invalid living with his ister in Valatie.
The following persons have served this hurch or are now serving it as ruling lders:
thomas Young,
Ordained Oct., 1833.
Phineas Terry,
tephen Osterhoudt,
August, 1834. Jan. 8, 1842.
Valter B. Crane,
eter M. G. Decker,
`yler H. Abbey,
Hideon Ostrander,
Sept. 7, 1847.
Villiam H. De Groff, ohn P. Hill, George DuBois,
66
June 20, 1850.
..
April 11, 1558.
ohn McCausland, Henry W. Couplin, Francis Powley,
efferson McCausland,
avid F. More, Jr., David B. Abbey, ohn H. Deyo,
ugustus W. Brodhead,
May 7, 1870.
June 27, 1885. 66
William E. Bunten, Ordained June 1, 1890. Lambert J. DuBois, May 26, 1895.
Many of these pastors and elders have gone home to God. They served their generation by the will of God, and fell asleep. Their works follow them and speak for them, bearing eloquent witness to their love for Christ, to their self- denying zeal and to their earnest labors for this church which they loved and served.
The church building in which we are now assembled to worship God was be- gun in 1873. The old site on the opposite side of Abeel street was abandoned for this which we now occupy. The corner- stone was laid June 4, 1873, and the church was occupied by the congrega- tion on the first Sabbath of April, 1874. The cost of the building, apart from the site, was $51,280. The church was fur- nished by the Ladies' Aid Society, which was organized in October, 1868, at the house of Mrs. Frances Anderson. The ladies were preparing a missionary box, and decided to organize as a Ladies' Aid Society. The project for the new church was soon brought forward, and when it was opened the ladies furnished our splendid organ, the carpets, cushions and furniture. The first president of the so- ciety was Mrs. John H. Deyo and the second Miss Anna Ludlum. Mrs. Patchin in her address at the Roll-Call in 1890 said that the society in the twenty-two years of its existence had raised for the church $19,158, averaging nearly $900 a year dur- ing the entire period. For the work of redecorating the church, recarpeting, re- covering the cushions and furniture, we are indebted to the Ladies' Aid Society. The work has been beautifully and most satisfactorily done. Our sanctuary is clean, fresh, beautiful and attractive. They have done their work well, as they always do. They have borne the entire expense of the improvement. The church owes them a great debt of gratitude for their loving and disinterested and faith- ful service in its behalf. To all who have in any way contributed to what we see and enjoy to-day, our grateful praise is due. Their work shows how much they love the church and long for its prosperity. I am sure that it will be the pleasure and the pride of the people to co-operate with them in their noble ef- forts for the good of the church and the glory of our King.
The present officers of the church are: Pastor, Rev. Cornelius Stanton Stowitts,
. B. Van Wagenen,
ames G. Van Keuren,
.
Sept. 20, 1858.
16
July 2, 1871.
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HISTORICAL SERMON.
D. D .; Ruling Elders, Jefferson McCaus- land, David Brainerd Abbey, Augustus W. Brodhead, Lewis B. Van Wagenen, James G. Van Keuren, William E. Bun- ten and Lambert J. Dubois. The trustees are: John R. Stebbins, Presi- dent; Dr. David Kennedy, Vice Presi- dent; Hiram S. Terwilliger, Secretary; John B. Alliger, Treasurer; John McCul- lough, S. LeGrand Abbey, Palmer Can- field, Amherst W. Belcher and Remsen DuBois. Our present active membership is 474 Our Church Bible School and all our church organizations are prosperous and efficient. The church is united and
resolute. As we look back on the past and into the future, we thank God and take courage.
What now should be our attitude in view of this glorious history, and of the great things which God hath wrought for us? Our hearts should be full of gratitude and joy because of the good- ness and mercy of God. The history which we have studied together this morning is in many respects a remark- able one. It is a history of uninter- rupted prosperity and growth such as few churches have known. "God hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad." Our surroundings are very different from those of our fathers when this church was organized, sixty-two years ago. There then were small means, a feeble church body, difficulty and hardship as they laid the foundations for the future. At that time Rondout was just a hamlet. The great resources of the Rondout valley were only begin- ning to be understood. The number of those interested in religious things was small, and to maintain stated religious worship was quite a different thing from what it now is. But what a change! The town has grown to be one of the most important on this glorious river. The one steamboat has been re- placed by a splendid fleet. Our ship- ping interests are of great importance and in the first class. Our manufactur- ing industries and our mercantile
interests are of great variety and
wealth. Railroads, electric cars, tele- graphs and telephones have all come since that day. A mighty change has taken place since 1833, when the church was organized. We are surrounded by all the accompaniments of a splendid and rapidly growing civilization. In- stead of the bare and cheerless school
house, in which the church first met we have this beautiful and delightful sanctuary, so complete, so satisfactory and so attractive in all its appointments. The growth of the church has been marked from the beginning. The first communion of the little church was held the first Sunday in January, 1834. The first regular meeting of the session was held in connection with that communion. The record of that meeting stands first on our session book. The church had been organized with sixteen members,h but at that communion eighteen per- sons were added to the church, and the number was more than doubled. As we follow the history we see the church, not growing rapidly perhaps, but
steadily. In 1842 the original sixteen had grown to 108. When the semi-centen- nial was held 418 members were reported and now the number is close upon 500 When we look about us, at our church, our chapel and our beautiful parsonage which was built in 1890 and occupied ir 1891; when we look into the faces of this noble congregation; when we contrast this with the beginnings of our church life, it seems almost too wonderful for belief. Our hearts and our tongues ough to be filled with praise and thanksgiving to the great Head of the church for his great mercy and goodness, for the abundant blessings we have received for his manifest presence with us, and for the great prosperity which we are enjoying to-day. Let us lift our souls to God in gratitude and joy. "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise. Be thankful unto him and bless his name."
We can trace the sources of this pros- perity when we consider what it is that this church has stood for all during these years of its history. From the first it has been a Presbyterian Church. It has believed in Presbyterian doctrine and polity, and during all the fluctuations of feeling and opinion it has been loyal to that church. We are proud of our own. history, proud that from the first out church has been Presbyterian, that we have had a place in that great church which is doing so much toward filling the world with the light of the glory of God. The church has exalted the Bible as the inspired and infallible word of God, the Atonement of Christ, Salvatior through his blood and obedience to his holy and blessed will, the simple, rev. crent and orderly worship of Almighty
HISTORICAL SERMON.
t, od, and the spread of his kingdom ulfroughout the world. From the first ne church has had a sweet and blessed S. nity. During all these years it has n ever been rent by strife. There has st een a true and holy fellowship. There das been an earnest purpose to make it euch a church as God would have it. s Vork, self-sacrifice, prayer, love for one nother, love for the church and love or man as man-these are the sources f the power and the prosperity which he church has enjoyed in such a marked egree. Material and spiritual progress hould go together. The one should be he expression of the other. It is for is to reproduce the consecration and leal and self-sacrifice and prayer and self-denying effort of those who have gone before us. God has committed a great trust to t 1
our hands. Our
forbearance, our faith, ove, our
pour zeal, our labor, our gifts, our prayers and our witness-bearing are to set forward this church, to give it a pros- Derous and expanding life. The devoted service of those who have gone before is call to greater earnestness and nobler service. True Christian living, loyalty to the church and to the Word, prayer and service for Christ, love to God and love of one another should go together. Thus will we do what we can to conserve and to increase both the prosperity and the power of the church. Then will we grow stronger and stronger in Christian faith and life. The sources of spiritual power are in loyalty to God, to his truth, to his church and to our own generation. It is in consecrated and holy lives, in prayer, in labor and self-denial. Let us live and walk in the truth, for thus will we honor Christ and show that we are members of his church indeed. Thus will we grow up into him in all things who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effective working in the measure of any part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
I think this morning of the great com- pany of ministers and elders and trus- tees and members who have loved this church and prayed for it and labored for it and sacrificed for it and who are now with God in Heaven. Their memory is very dear to me, as I am sure it is to us all. Every deed and influence and
service which they ever rendered has en- tered into the life of this church, now so great and strong. They rest from their labors, but their works do follow them. They are gone away into the other life, but they live in this church which they loved and for which they labored. We have been dwelling upon the history of the church, but how frag- mentary and imperfect every history like this must be. The greater portion
of it by far is unwritten. What record is there on earth of the love and the labor, the gifts, the prayers and the tears of the great company of good men and good women who have been connected with this household of faith? I speak of a name, and you recall a per- son, a noble life of zealous and unselfish service for the church. We will only know at the judgment of the splendid offering to our church's life and growth which these dear and noble hearts have made. Their record is on high, but we have entered into their labors. Are they not looking upon this scene to-day with a deep and tender interest? I seem to hear the voices of this long line of good men, of beautiful and sainted women who have gone before us, calling us all to greater devotion and consecration in the service of the Lord. Oh that we may take up our work with greater en- thusiasm and fidelity, that we may each in his own place do what we can to push forward the work of the Lord and build up his church on the earth. We turn to-day a new leaf in our church life. What record shall we inscribe upon it? We are making the history of the church now. Shall it not be a record of consecration and fidelity and prayer and service? Shall we not join our hearts and our hands in this great work to which we have been called by the Head of the Church, and so prepare the way of the Lord that he may fill this house with his own precence, making it more sweet, more sacred, more gloriously beautiful because the Lord is in the midst of his people, because he is with us who is "mighty to save?" Beloved in the Lord, the God of our salvation and of our fathers is with us this morn- ing. He says to us: "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love," and, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." May he show us each one what our work is,
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HISTORICAL SERMON.
and give us the wisdom, the love and the power to do it. May he make us each faithful in his own place, and give us every one a place in the General As-
sembly and Church of the first-born o high at last, and may he add his abund ant blessing to his own word and work for his name's sake. Amen.
6349
WURTS STREET
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, RONDOUT, N.
INSTALLATION OF THE
REV. SAMUEL BANKS NELSON, D. D.,
Minister-elect : by
Presbytery of
forth River,
-ON-
Monday, Feb. 26, 1900,
At 7:45 P. M. :
6349
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