USA > New York > Orange County > Warwick > The Record of a century of church life of the Reformed Church, Warwick, N.Y., 1804-1904 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9
80
THE RECORD OF A CENTURY.
The meetings of the society were held at the homes of the members until July, 1890, after which time they were transferred to the chapel of the new church build- ing; there they continued to be held for twelve years or until March, 1902, when parlor meetings were again held. This has continued to be the custom to the present time. After the program of the meeting a social hour is spent that adds much to the enjoyment of the occa- sion. During the past few years printed programs of the meetings have been prepared by the society and dis- tributed among the members; they provide for a paper and items of interest on the different branches of mis- sionary work, and with the untiring zeal of our presi- ident, Mrs. Taber Knox, have made the meetings of special interest. It is a pleasure in looking over the records of the society to note the faithfulness of those who have been officers of the society. Miss Carrie B. Wheeler served the society as secretary in an able and painstaking manner for eleven years, from 1889 to 1900. Miss Julia Demarest was elected treasurer at the third annual meeting in 1883, and still holds that office. The society at the present time has seventy-three mem- bers; the largest membership in its history. The atten- dance at the meetings is larger and more regular than ever before.
The present officers are-President, Mrs. Taber Knox; Vice President, Mrs. J. J. Beattie; Secretary, Mrs. Ira A. Hawkins; Treasurer, Miss Julia Demarest; Secretary of Literature, Mrs. S. A. F. Servin.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Miss Julia Benedict, Miss Annie Burt, Mrs. H. B. Berry, Mrs. F. O. Beattie, Mrs. C. M. Bartlett,
Miss Elizabeth Burt, Mrs. W. B. Bradner,
Mrs. J. J. Beattie,
Mrs. James Bonnyman,
Mrs. A. J. Baxter,
81
THE WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
Mrs. F. H. Campbell,
Mrs. Vernon B. Carroll,
Mrs. Marcellus Drew,
Mrs. C. H. Demarest,
Miss Julia Demarest,
Miss Annie Demarest.
Miss Elizabeth Demarest,
Mrs. C. M. Demarest, Mrs. Henry Demarest, Miss Carrie Dusinberre, Mrs. Albert N. Gale.
Mrs. Mary Demorest,
Mrs. Dwight Dutcher, Mrs. Alex. H. Galloway,
Mrs. Frank F. Holmes,
Mrs. T. E. Howe,
Mrs. Ira A. Hawkins,
Mrs. G. W. Hyatt.
Mrs. W. E. Jenkins,
Mrs. Taber Knox,
Mrs. J. W. Lippincott,
Mrs. J. B. Lawrence, Mrs. M. A. Layton,
Mrs. J. M. Morehouse,
Mrs. J. E. V. Miller,
Mrs. J. A. Montross,
Mrs. J. Harvey McPeek,
Miss Carrrie Pierson,
Miss Annie Pelton,
Mrs. S. W. Perry,
Mrs. John Pelton, Mrs. M. M. Quinby,
Mrs. Sherman Rightmyer,
Mrs. S. A. F. Servin,
Mrs. George W. Santord,
Miss Mary E. Sanford,
Mrs. F. V. Sanford,
Mrs. John W. Sanford,
Mrs. Pierson E. Sanford,
Mrs. S. H. Sanford,
Mrs. M. L. Sanford,
Mrs. Lewis J. Stage,
Mrs. S. J. Sly,
Mrs. W. S. Sheldon,
Mrs. C. W. Stevens,
Mrs. S. A. Van Saun,
Mrs. S. S. Van Saun,
Mrs. J. H. Van Duzer,
Mrs. C. A. Van Duzer,
Mrs. J. H. Vealey.
Mrs. J. C. Wilson,
Mrs. Richard Wisner,
Miss Annie Wisner,
Miss May Wisner,
Mrs. W. R. Welling,
Mrs. Thomas Welling,
Mrs. C. W. Wisner,
Miss J. V. Wheeler,
Miss C. B. Wheeler,
Mrs, Mary Wood,
Mrs. John W. Welch.
Mrs. Wilbur Lazear,
Mrs. W. A. Preston,
HEART AND HAND SOCIETY.
BY MISS ELLEN D. DEMAREST.
YOUNG ladies' missionary society was organized as an auxiliary to the Ladies' Missionary So- ciety, on September 26, 1895, with a member- ship of thirty-four, choosing for a name "The Heart and Hand Society."
The first officers elected were: Miss Ellen D. Demar- est, President ; Miss Sara Servin, Vice President ; Miss Alice H. Ruton, Secretary ; Miss Annie G. Hulse, Treas- urer ; Miss Susan Ackerman, Pianist.
One other office has been added since, that of Secretary of Literature.
The same President has continued to hold office to the present time, and the Secretary served faithfully until she moved from town in 1900. The present Secre- tary, Miss Blanche Demerest, succeeded her. The other officers have been changed nearly every year. The present ones being: Miss Sara M. Drew, Vice President ; Miss Alein Demerest, Treasurer; Miss Annie Ermann, Pianist ; Miss Gertrude Sly, Secretary of Literature.
The time and place for meeting was arranged for after school hours on the last Thursday of each month in the church lecture room. The first plan was that each might learn to know our mission fields and the work by corresponding with the workers at the various stations. Each member was given the address of a missionary and agreed to write, and later to read the reply at one of the meetings. The interest aroused by that personal touch is still evident, and some continue to correspond.
Five committees were appointed: Sewing, Missionary,
83
HEART AND HAND SOCIETY.
Music, Paper, Mission and Social. There are no dues, but a collection is taken at each meeting. The first sewing was the making of two hundred candy bags for the Tenement House Chapter of King's Daughters in New York; now all the summer meetings are for sewing and the making of scrap books, and when there is extra work in the winter the meeting is called for an earlier hour and the additional time spent in sewing, etc.
Near the first of each year, the officers meet at the parsonage with the pastor's wife, and they together plan out the work for the ensuing year, subject to the vote of the members later.
In 1897 came the first programs, little booklets with covers of water color paper, tied with orange ribbon. They contained the names of the officers and committees and the work for the year, and were written by two of the members, the Misses Eleanor and Susan Ackerman.
For 1899 and the two following years the programs were printed, and besides the officers, members and work, there was a committee for each meeting with some special subject. This is still kept up. These sub- jects have included Arabia, Japan, India, China, and work among the sailors, Kentucky mountaineers, hos- pitals, Freedmen, Indians, lepers, prisons, Mormons, city missions and frontier work. Books for clippings, etc., have been made for most of them, and new clippings are added each year and so kept for further reference.
In 1902 there were no programs but each had access to a Mission Gleaner and thus kept in touch with the fresh news.
In 1903 written programs were again used but placed in long heavy envelopes, designed to hold all clippings and information until wanted for use. Opposite the name of each member was the name of the missionary
84
THE RECORD OF A CENTURY.
about whom she was to gather special information, and a blank side to the sheet was left, on which to jot down all that was of interest concerning that one. This year new sheets have been placed in those same envelopes.
The society has met a few times at the homes of the members and three times have entertained the Ladies' Missionary Society and other guests. Miss O. H. Law- rence addressed such a reception on March 11th, 1896, and Mrs. H. V. S. Peeke on May 8th, 1900. On May 27th, 1897, we prepared a program of our own and had no speaker. The subject was Japan. Curios and pictures were borrowed from the Woman's Board of Foreign Missions in New York, and one of the Reception Com- mittee appeared in real Japanese costume.
In 1899, as guests of the Ladies Missionary Society, we had the privilege of hearing Miss Cornelia Anderson and Mrs. E. B. Horton of the Womens' Executive Com- mittee of Domestic Missions.
On June 13, 1902, friends of the society were invited to meet with us, and Miss Lansing, dressed in Japanese costume, gave a most interesting talk. Thirty-one of our members were present, the largest attendance since the auxiliary was started.
On October 21st, 1903, the Heart and Hand members were invited, with the Ladies' Society, to hear Miss Grace Hoekje speak, and on the evening of February 17, 1904, a public meeting was held under the auspices of the society, at which Mrs. A. R. Page told of the Indian work.
During these years comfort bags have been made and filled for the sailors; dolls have been dressed; quilts and comfortables tied for the Indians and Kentucky moun- taineers; marble-bags and work-bags made for Christ- mas boxes; baby-slips for India; cushion covers for
85
HEART AND HAND SOCIETY.
Japan; scrap-books, scrap-fans and envelopes of clip- pings for the hospitals, also tiny aprons, dresses and jackets; and members have been obtained for the Re- formed Church Baby Roll. After having embroidered scripture texts on white muslin blocks for a hospital quilt, the members enjoyed an old-fashioned quilting- bee at the parsonage in February, 1898. Gentlemen were invited for the evening and all had a delightful time.
The membership is still thirty-four. A few of the number are away at school. Some have left town and new ones have taken their places. There is great in- terest in the work and an earnest desire to serve the Master with Heart and Hand even as our motto sug- gests: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."
HISTORY OF SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR
BY LEWIS J. STAGE.
C HE movement to train the young people of our Church to become working members was begun by the Rev. Peter Crispell, who was instrumental in organizing a young people's society during the year 1887. This society held its business meetings at the houses of its members, the social being a promin- ent item at each meeting.
Christian Endeavor, coming prominently before the pub- lic, it was later determined to organize into a Young Peo- ple's Society of Christian Endeavor. The meeting effect- ing the change took place in the old church September 7, 1889. Thirty-three active and five associate members signed the pledge. Our first President was Mr. Henry Pelton. The other officers were R. A. Demarest, Vice President; Anna Demarest, Recording Secretary; Carrie Welling, (Mrs. A. W. Edsall), Corresponding Secretary; Fred C. Bradner, Treasurer. Of the original members four remain as active members of the present society.
Since that time the society has been training the young people to work for the Church and doing the things that came to it. For three years, beginning in 1890, it sup- ported a student in the Northwestern Academy; since which time it has made contributions to the work of the Church through its various boards. On May 7, 1891, it joined the United Society, subscribed for the Golden Rule, now the Christian Endeavor World, which is still taken by the society, and the system of contributing five cents a month for topic cards and other expenses of the society was begun.
On June 28, 1891, the first of the union meetings of
87
HISTORY OF SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
the young people's societies of the village, which have been a source of great pleasure and profit to all, was held in the lecture room of our church. In that same year delegates were sent to the State Convention, then held at Utica. Orange County as an organization of Christian Endeavor was unknown to the State officers at that time, so the delegates were put in the choir. But from this came the organization of the Orange County Union at Washingtonville, April 23, 1892, of which our society was a charter member, and in which organiza- tion it has taken a prominent part. From its beginning some office of the Union has always been held by a member of the society. The convention of the Orange County Union was held in our church on May 27, 1893, and again in 1895 and 1901.
On December 12, 1894, it was resolved to form a Junior Society, and Mrs. Taber Knox was elected super- intendent. The preliminary work of organization was done during the winter, and on March 8, 1895, the or- ganization was fully completed. This society has been of the greatest help to the Christian Endeavor Society, graduating into its ranks a large number of active work- ing members fully trained in Christian Endeavor work, and these members are now taking the places of the older members, whose other duties in the work of the church prevent their taking as active a part in the so- ciety as formerly.
On August 1, 1895, it was resolved to open a Sunday School at the Raynor school house, and a committee called upon the owner, who informed them he would be glad to let them have the building for their meetings just as soon as the hen got through setting. In due time the hen and her brood marched out of the door and the Endeavorers marched in with their brooms, cast that
88
THE RECORD OF A CENTURY.
hen's nest into outer darkness, and since that time have maintained a Sunday School there during the summer, included among the schools of the church. The society has always provided transportation for the teachers working there as well as at the Belcher summer school. The society has been represented at a number of the International and State Christian Endeavor Conventions.
But the reader says: "This society has been in exist- ence fifteen years; what has it done ?" That is only a fair question. In considering the answer it must be borne in mind that this work is not like that of a store; this year you sell so many goods of a certain kind for so much money, profit so many dollars and cents. The object of this society is to place young men and women in the Church, trained to do its work, who will do their best to advance the welfare of the Church and the people of the community in which they may be placed. No mere figures can show this work, and only those who are familiar with these young men and women and their work can correctly estimate the result. As showing some indication of these results there has been gradu- ated from this society three deacons and one elder, who are now members of the Consistory of our Church. It has helped a large number of our young people in their church life, having had on its rolls one hundred and forty-two active and sixty-seven associate members. The society now consists of fifty active and sixteen as- sociate members-its strength being greater than at any time in its history. It has contributed $1,202.74 to benevolent objects in addition to supporting itself and has never failed to do its share of the work of the church allotted to it; and there are many of its members who can call to mind a certain meeting at which the word was spoken that opened the way to Christ for
89
HISTORY OF SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
them. Young men and women almost afraid to speak out their own name in a meeting have been trained to take part in the meetings so that now they are a power in the church, well qualified to do its work. Figures of conversions are not given because no one, except the person converted, can know just where and when the word was spoken that pointed the way.
The society at present is officered as follows: Presi- dent, Miss Sara Drew; Vice President, Mr. Fred P. Ermann; Recording Secretary, Miss Alein Demerest; Treasurer, Mr. R. A. Demarest; Corresponding Secre- tary, Cornelius S. Lazear.
[From the organization of the society until March, 1904, Mr. Lewis J. Stage continuously served as cor- responding secretary of the society, and from the be- ginning of its organization has been either treasurer or corresponding secretary of the Orange County Christian Endeavor Union. - EDITORS.]
THE JUNIOR CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY
BY MRS. TABER KNOX.
INE years ago a meeting was called on the after- noon of March 1, when parents and children came together to hear about the Junior Christ- ian Endeavor Society. The pastor, the Rev. Taber Knox, explained the work of the society and its pledge. Pledge cards were given out to be returned signed on the following Friday, March 8, 1895, when the society was organized with a membership of twenty- seven.
The first officers were: President, Edward S. Howe; Vice President, Alein Demerest; Secretary, Annie Ermann ; Treasurer, Mary Sly; Missionary Treasurer, John Wisner.
Mrs. Taber Knox had previously been elected by the Senior Society of Christian Endeavor to superintend this society. Miss E. A. Demarest was later elected Assistant Superintendent. For several years Miss Carrie B. Wheeler regularly presided at the piano and rendered most valuable service to the society. After Miss Wheeler found it impracticable to continue this service Miss Annie Ermann assumed the duty and played every Friday for several years; later Miss Addie Hulse became our pianist, and she is still aiding the society in this capacity. Miss Alein Demerest leads the singing.
From the very first the Junior Society has been con- ducted on strictly Christian Endeavor lines so that those who should pass from its ranks into the Senior Society would there find the same line of work and not feel at
91
THE JUNIOR CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY.
all unprepared for immediate and efficient participation in all its activities.
A prayer meeting has been regularly held on Friday afternoons; these are well attended, and are led by the members ; a business meeting is held once a month.
Much time has been given to object lessons, Bible drills, memorizing Scripture chapters and alphabetical texts, and learning hymns.
At first there was but one committee, the Lookout, but as the work opened new committees were appointed. For most of the time there have been six, viz: The Staff, Reserves, Prayer Meeting, Lookout, Whatsoever and Sunshine. Frequent meetings of the committees have been held at the Manse with the superintendent, when scrap-books and pastime cards have been made, in addi- tion to hours spent in studying of mission fields, or plan- ing how best to increase the efficiency of the society, the winning of new members, and the better keeping of their own pledges.
The society has ever had an interest in missionary work; from the very beginning the members were led to be interested in Miss Winn's work in Japan and have yearly contributed $10 toward its support, while in 1896 they began to contribute the same amount for work among the blanket Indians at Colony, Oklahoma, and for the past three years have sent $30 for the support of Yesuadial Simon, a little girl under Miss Kitty Scudder's care in the Ranipettai School, India.
In order to bring us all into closer touch with our home field, when the Woman's Missionary Society have been sending boxes to Western ministers, we have put in scrap-books and candy for their children and one year sent handkerchiefs and an umbrella to the pastor.
A weekly offering for missions is taken, beside an
92
THE RECORD OF A CENTURY.
offering once a month for our own society. In this way and through mite boxes the society has contributed for missions $294.98 and for the society expenses $55.27, a total of $350.25.
The social side has not been forgotten and from time to time sociables have been held, some at the Manse and others at the church. Three of these were of specially missionary purport: the first was a Foreign Sociable, when the Manse parlor was made to resemble an Eastern room; the second, the Manse parlor was again trans- formed, but this time an Indian wigwam decorated with skins and drawings and surrounded by small evergreen trees was most prominent; while the third was a Re- ception of Nations, when the countries we had been studying about were represented by members in native costume.
An annual picnic, too, has been very greatly enjoyed and many pleasant memories are treasured of days thus spent together in the woods.
The hearts of our members have been touched by the knowledge of many poor, sick and lonely, and they have ever tried to bring cheer into many otherwise cheerless lives. During the summers thousands of bouquets have been sent to our great city to be distributed in hospitals and the poor tenement districts, and for several years at Christmas time a box of toys, scrap-books, fruit, books and games have also been sent for distribution, and one year seventy-five glasses of jelly were sent. The near- by needy have not been overlooked and many a fine Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner has been provided by these young givers.
Quite an amount of genuine interest has always cen- tered in our anniversary day, when an evening public meeting is held to which the parents and friends of the
93
THE JUNIOR CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY.
members are most cordially invited. These meetings have been addressed by the following: Mrs. John L. Scudder, (1896), Miss O. H. Lawrence, (1897-1902), Fanny Lev, (1897), Miss Cornelia Anderson, (1898-1899), Miss Leila Winn, (1900), Mrs. John S. Bussing, (1901), Dr. and Mrs. John H. Wyckoff, (1903).
At these meetings the members of the society are graduated into the Senior Society and during the nine years fifty-two of its members have been thus graduated. It is worthy of note that this year finds three of our graduates serving as officers in the Christian Endeavor Society and three others chairmen of committees.
The present roll shows a membership of forty-two with quite a waiting list.
The present officersare: President, Charlie Hawkins ; Vice President, Marion Sanford; Secretary, Laura Aldrich ; Treasurer, Allan Carroll; Missionary Treas- urer, Charlie Hawkins.
Whatever has been wrought, whatever impetus to true living obtained through the society must be shown by the lives of those who pass out from its ranks, and we trust that as a result the spiritual life of the Church will be strengthened ; its young members more faithful in the study of the Word, more conscientious in attend- ance upon every service of the sanctuary, more full of usefulness and sacrifice for others, more purposeful and earnest in the winning of souls.
BROTHERHOOD OF ANDREW AND PHILIP.
BY MORRIS B. CARROLL.
HE Warwick chapter No. 89, of the Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip, was founded February 16, 1895, its object being the spread of Christ's Kingdom among men, by definite prayer and definite personal service.
The chapter had seven charter members and elected the following officers: Rev. Taber Knox, President; Thomas Welling, Vice President; F. V. Sanford, Record- ing Secretary; L. W. Hoffman, Corresponding Secretary; R. A. Demarest, Treasurer. Sylvester Case and L. J. Stage were the other charter members. The member- ship increased until twenty-six were enrolled in its membership.
On April 15th of the same year the chapter received its charter, signed by the president and general secre- tary of the Brotherhood. Business meetings were held generally at the close of the monthly men's prayer meet- ing, conducted under the auspices of the chapter.
In May, 1896, the chapter gave a supper to the men of the congregation, tables being laid in the lecture room of the church. It was very largely attended and was a very successful occasion. In September of 1897, a re- ception was given by the chapter to the pastor, to which the men of the congregation were invited.
In November of the same year Mr. F. B. Sanford was sent as delegate to the convention of the Brotherhood held at Reading, bringing back an enthusiastic report.
A re-organization of the chapter for younger men was effected March 26, 1902. The charter members of the chapter thus re-organized were the Rev. Taber Knox,
95
BROTHERHOOD OF ANDREW AND PHILIP.
Paul Winslow, Cornelius S. Lazear, John Lawrence and Morris B. Carroll, who held the offices of president, cor- responding secretary, recording secretary, treasurer and vice president in the order named. Monthly meetings have since been held regularly and the members have worked quietly in co-operation with the pastor along the Brotherhood lines. The character of the society neces- sarily limits its membership; at present it has nine mem- bers. The following are its officers: President, Rev. Taber Knox; Vice President, Fred P. Ermann; Record- ing Secretary, Paul V. Winslow; Corresponding Secre- tary, Cornelius S. Lazear; Treasurer, John F. Winslow.
ยท
THE BUILDERS.
BY WILL C. COMPTON.
B ELIEVING that a class organization would tend to create a better and increased attendance, more interest in Bible study, and bring teacher and student into closer touch, them embers of the Young Men's Bible Class of the Reformed Church Bible School unanimously voted to organize their class under its own officers. On the evening of March 2, 1904, twenty young men out of a class of twenty-four, met for that purpose and chose for their class name "The Builders;" for their text, "Let every man take heed how he buildeth;" and for their class motto, "Our to-days and yesterdays are the blocks with which we build."
After adopting a constitution a president, vice presi- dent, secretary and treasurer were elected by ballot to serve six months, and the following committees ap- pointed: a Look-up Committee, to keep a record of the class attendance and look up absentees; a Visiting Com- mittee, to call upon the sick; a Social Committee, to have charge of all the social gatherings of the class; a Music Committee, to furnish music at all social gatherings and business meetings ; a New Members Committee to help build up the class and secure new members, and a Lesson Committee to advise ways of adding to the lesson in- terest.
The Builders meet the third Monday of each month to transact all necessary business, discuss lesson work and timely topics of the day, and with music, song and re- freshments spend a most enjoyable and profitable even- ing.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.