The gospel messenger, Diocese of Central New York, Part 24

Author:
Publication date: 1905-1908
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : Diocese of Central New York
Number of Pages: 708


USA > New York > The gospel messenger, Diocese of Central New York > Part 24


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The retrospect of work accomplished during the year is quite encouraging. The number of person's confirmed is larger by 186 than it was last year.


But the item which calls, perhaps, for most congratulation is the paying of debts and the Consecration of Churches. There has been no very great increase in the num- ber of buildings, only two having been newly erected, but the advance has been


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in the removal of heavy incumbrances from those already in use. Three of our prominent city parishes have thus secured for the perpetual worship of God the houses which were built from ten to twenty years ago; from which we may justly conclude, not only that the Church is having some share in the general prosperity of the country, but also that both Clergy and laity have been engaged in such works and labor of love as alone can accomplish these results. The little Church at Dryden, having on its walls a memorial tablet to Bishop Huntington, was the first one to be consecrated after his death, and was appropriately dedicated to his memory. At St. Paul's, Watertown, consecrated on St. Paul's day, January 25th, and at Trinity Memorial Church, Binghamton, consecrated on Whitsunday, June 3rd, debts of $12,000 and $16,000 respectively were paid shortly before the service in each case; while at St. Paul's, Syracuse, the indebtedness of $31,000 has been canceled, and its consecration will take place, God willing, in the near future. Besides these, the people of Grace Church, Elmira, have erected and nearly paid for a beautiful stone Church, of great dignity and im- pressiveness, which was formally opened by the Bishop on June 2nd, and the Vestry of St. Andrew's, Utica, have the money in hand for a new and larger building, for which the ground has been already broken, and Trinity Church, Seneca Falls, has re- built, at a cost of several thousand dollars, it's stone tower, which had been taken down because of defective construction.


In the mission fields of the Diocese, also, the work is progressing with encour- aging prospects. A new mission has been opened at Trenton, Oneida County, and a building formerly used by the Welsh Congregationalists, bought at a very low price, and fitted over for our use, in which regular services are held by the Rector of St. Paul's, Holland Patent. The mission at Phoenix, Onondaga County, has secured a dwelling house, the first floor of which has been made into a commodious chapel, and the usual services are continued there


under the charge of the Rector of Grace Church, Syracuse.


The plan proposed at the last Convenu- tion, of adopting the Archdeacoury system in our Diocese has been discussed during the interim by the Committee having it in charge, and also to some extent by the Con- vocations; and the Committee will present its report to this Convention. Let me say that, while I do not believe any mere machinery goes far towards accomplishing spiritual results, unless "the spirit be in the wheels ;" still, I imagine no one will deny that some machinery is better than other, and that improvements may be made in it. As time goes on and ideas change, it would seem wise to alter our methods in accordance with such changes. Most of our American Dioceses now use the Arch- deaconry system in one form or another, and my disposition would lead me to sup- pose that they find it satisfactory, as human things go, and to desire a reasonable con- formity to the judgment and the methods of the majority of the brethren, especially if they have been patterned after well- established precedents. It would seem to me wise, therefore, not to reject a scheme altogether because of certain possible objections ; but to remove the objectionable features and retain those that are useful. In my opinion, the chief practical advan- tage to be derived from this proposition. is the securing of one or more non-parochial Clergymen, who can help the Bishop in the missionary work of the Diocese, supplying temporary vacancies, holding occasional services in places not yet occupied, assist- ing the already over-worked missionaries in their extensive fields, and arousing fresh interest and enthusiasm throughout the Diocese such as will result in a more ade- quate remuneration for their grievously underpaid services. Names may seem to be of little consequence, but if the name "Archdeacon" will attract the man who is to bear it, and the name "General Mission- ary" will repel the people whom he wishes to reach, surely it would be the part of wisdom to use the more attractive title.


There is a matter concerning the


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property of decayed parishes, which re- quires attention by the Convention. It is illustrated in the case of St. John's Church, Clayville, which is now pressing for settle- ment. Years ago it was quite a flourishing parish, having two wardens and eight vestrymen, and a large brick Church built and presented by a Mr. Hollister, one of the prominent manufacturers of the place. To-day the congregation has dwindled to a very small number, only about ten com- municants remain, and not more than three men attend the services with any regular- ity, or contribute to the support of the Church. The building is fast going to decay, because it cannot be maintained, and there is an opportunity to dispose of it by sale, but there is no vestry to give title to the purchaser. It will be necessary, therefore, for the Convention to authorize the Trustees of the Diocese to secure the sanction of the Courts for the transference of the property to the person or persons who desire to buy it. And if it be possible, I should be glad to have the trustees em- powered to act in other similar instances which are likely to occur, so that it will not be necessary to wait for the meeting of the Convention before taking action in each particular case.


One can hardly avoid at such a time making some allusion to the earthquakes that have taken place within the past twelve months, moral and spiritual as well as physical earthquakes. The event of April 18th in California was probably the most extensive natural catastrophe that we have ever had in this country since it became a nation, and has called forth the sympathies of the whole world. I do not know prescisely what we have done in this Diocese to alleviate the sufferings there, but I have no doubt that we have given, or will give, our due share of the large sums that will be needed both for the relief of present distress, and for the re- building of ruined Churches in San Francisco. It is always a hopeful sign for human nature to see how hearts are warmed and the pockets are opened by calamities like that; and surely it is


encouraging to our efforts in extending the principles of Christ, that even Japan should have stretched out her hand across the great sea to aid the people of a foreign land.


The moral earthquakes that have oc- curred in the commercial and financial world have doubtless caused much suffer- ing to those who stood on the line of their action, but the effect of them will un- questionably be wholesome in the end. Nothing but such a "rough shaking" could bring to the surface the faults that lie beneath, and nothing but publicity will prevent their continuance in the future. And is it not time for the Church to speak plainly about these things ? It is not wise to be rash or hysterical in our utterances concerning. this, or any other matter. There is a good deal of excuse, un- doubtedly, for a feeling of pessimism, as one thing after another is disclosed, show- ing that men can be just as cruel, just as relentless, just as ready to despoil their fellowmen as they ever were; and that the only difference between these days and the savage days of the past is a difference of method rather than of principle. The robber-barons of the past lived in their castle-fortresses, and openly ravaged their neighbor's goods with fire and sword. The "barons" of the present day live in their peaceful villas, and quietly ravage whole communities by methods known to the trade, which the law finds it difficult to prevent. And it is hard to keep from being discouraged sometimes, when we see the strong tendency to corruption still existing in our Christian civilization. But certainly the events of the past year, while they have demonstrated the strength of that tendency, have also manifested very plainly that characteristic of the Christian religion which Dean Church calls "the power of recovery," constantly working against the evil, and constituting the hope of our civilization. It is the hope intro- duced into society by the Resurrection of Christ, that there will always be a rising again from the death and corruption of social unrighteousness. The outcry and


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the indignation of the past year show that that hope still lives; so that we need not become pessimistic about it. But we do need some plain words on the subject. The Church of Jesus Christ should not be in alliance cither with individuals or with corporations whose principles and methods are known to be illegal and corrupt. All the talk about "tainted money" seems to me to be beside the mark. Money itself, I suppose, cannot be tainted; but it may at times represent a tainted partnership; and it is not well for the Church to have her tongue tied by any such coalition, because it is her duty to be ready to denounce wickedness in high places as well as in low places. The Church can never gain by getting wealth which paralyzes her proper functions.


We have had something of a shaking also in the religious sphere. A matter in one sense scarcely deserving the wide publicity it has attained, yet touching the fundamental verities of the Christian faith, has been under trial in a neighboring diocese. I cannot see how it would have been possible to avoid such a trial, nor how any other verdict could have been rendered. The case is plain enough to everyone who is not affected by what has been well called- "the new casuistry ;". a sophistical sort of reasoning by which black is called white, no is said to mean yes, and erroneous and strange doctrines are to be banished by telling the man who teaches them that he must go on as he is going. The fact is, that if the contention of the accused in this case is to be allowed, not only the Prayer Book, but the Bible also will have to be made over. The vows of Ordination must be omitted; the Te Deum, Collects, Epistles, Gospels and Proper Prefaces will have to be altered or given up; large portions of the Gospels and certain whole Books of the New Testament as well as of the Old Testament will have to be stricken out. Because the Church can never con- sent to have her ministers declare that they believe those Scriptures to be the Word of God, and at the same time deny that they are true; nor can she consent that they


shall stultify themselves by the use of words in her solemn offices of worship, the natural meaning of which they proclaim to be false and misleading when they go into the pulpit. Imagine a man reading the first chapter of St. Luke as a lesson in Advent, or as the Gospel on the feast of the Annunciation, and then saying in his sermon that the story he had read was not only not historical, but that it had done great harm to the Church; or imagine him reading the Epistle for Christmas Day, or the still more solemn Epistle for Good Friday, both taken from the Epistle to the Hebrews, and then asserting that that Epistle is a writing of no value, that it teaches false doctrine, and, by way of throwing contempt upon it, suggesting that "it was probably written by a woman." Such a violent contradiction between the attitude of the priest at the Altar solemnly reading what is supposed to be the Word of God, and of the preacher in the pulpit flouting the things that he has read, upsets the foundations of morality, and is simply intolerable.


Of course, the only possible conclusion is, that the man who attempts to asume such an attitude cannot remain in the Ministry of the Church, while the Prayer Book remains as it is ; and the only wonder is that such conclusion is not patent to every sane and honest mind.


And yet this does not begin to touch the deeper question of the maintenance of "the faith once for all delivered to the saints." Some one has boasted, I believe, that in ten years the majority of the Clergy of this Church will come around to the here- tical position. I do not believe it for an instant. But even if it were so, it would be only a repetition of history, and would no more indicate the overthrow of the faith than did the far greater triumph of Arian- ism in the early centuries. This modern heresy is only another form of Arianism, which has always had a fascination for certain minds, and you will observe, too, that they have always regarded their own as "the best minds." But be sure that it will have an Athanasius to withstand it,


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though it gain the rest of the world, and after its little day has run it will once more take its place on the dusty shelf of history, while the faith of the Incarnation, of the Holy Nativity, and ofthe glorious Resur- rection, shall still abide for the salvation of the generations that are yet to come !


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DIOCESAN ITEMS.


ORDINATIONS.


At the Trinity Ordination, held Sun- day, June 10, in Grace Church, Utica,- the Rev. W. W. Bellinger, D.D., Rector,- the Bishop of the Diocese ordained to the diaconate Mr. Harold C. Ackerman and Mr. Harrison W. Foreman; and to the priesthood, the Rev. Edward W. Parmelee and the Rev. Arthur J. Schrader. The Rev. Mr. Parmelee was presented by the Rev. Francis C. Smith, and the Rev. Messrs. Schrader, Ackerman and Foreman were presented by the Rev. John R. Hard- ing, Rector of Trinity Church, Utica,, who also preached the sermon. The Rev. Mr. Parmelee has accepted a position as curate under the Rev. W. D. Maxon, D.D., Rector of Christ Church, Detroit, Mich. The Rev. Mr. Schrader will continue his work at Slaterville Springs and Speedsville. The Rev. Mr. Foreman has been appointed by the Bishop to work in the Associate Mission carried on under the direction of the Rev. F. C. Smith in Boonville, Forest- port, Port Leyden and Greig; and the Rev. Mr. Ackerman has been appointed to mission work in Syracuse during the sum- mer; in the autumn he expects to return to the General Theological Seminary as a post-graduate student on a fellowship.


The Standing Committee of the Diocese met in the Parish rooms of St. Paul's Church, Syracuse, on Monday, June 25th, and organized for the coming year, with the Rev. John R. Harding as President, and the Rev. E. Huntington Coley as Secretary.


The Commencement of St. John's School, Manlius, took place on Friday,


June 15th. The exercises began with services in the Chapel, and were continued in the woods back of the school, where a stage had been erected, and a large number of seats provided. After the orations by the boys, Mr. Dunning, of Syracuse, gave a short historical sketch of the school. Senator Brackett, of Saratoga, made the address of the day, and the Bishop delivered the diplomas to the members of the graduating class consisting of nine- teen boys, the largest the school has ever sent out. After luncheon served in the dining-room to all guests, the remaining exercises were concluded. The day was fine, and everybody was happy.


PAROCHIAL NOTES.


The Year Book of Calvary Church, Utica, the Rev. E. Huntington Coley, Rector, has recently been published, giving the history of the parish from May, 1905- 1906. It is a very encouraging record, showing the payment during the year of $3,750 on the floating debt, and leaving but $2,000 to be paid. Also the receipt of a bequest of $10,000 from the estate of the late Henry W. Millar, the interest of which is to be used for parish purposes. The various societies of the parish are in good working order and full of active life.


GRACE CHURCH, ELMIRA .- The Rev. A. B. Rudd, Rector. On Saturday, June 2nd, the Eve of Whitsunday, the Bishop opened with formal service the new Church just completed by this parish. It is built of the native blue stone, with trimmings of light yellow stone, and being of Perpen- dicular Gothic and quite lofty, is very effective. The whole cost has not yet been paid, and consequently the Church was not consecrated; but a service authorized by the Bishop was used preceding a celebra- tion of the Holy Communion. Ten or a dozen Clergymen, some from Western New York and Central Pensylvania, as well as from our own Diocese, and a large congre- gation were present and took part in the services, and the visitors were afterwards


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entertained at luncheon in the basement of the Church. The Rector and congregation are to be very much congratulated on the accomplishment of such a good work, and we trust it will not be long before the Consecration will take place.


TRINITY MEMORIAL CHURCH, BING- HAMTON, (see illustration on first page) .- The Rev. A. R. B. Hegeman, Rector. The elaborate stone Church of this parish erected some ten years ago, was consecrated by the Bishop of the Diocese on the morn- ing of Whitsunday, June 3rd. The debt of $16,220 was paid off on Easter Mon- day, and Whitsunday being the anniver- sary of the founding of the parish, the Consecration was arranged for that day, though the Clergy generally could not leave their own services in order to be present. The Rector felt, however, that Sunday was the most convenient day for all the people, who had 'so generously assisted in removing the debt, and they filled the Church. There was nothing un- usual about the services. The Rector and the Rev. Mr. VanIngen, of Millburn, N. J., said Morning Prayer. The music by the vested choir was excellent, and the Bishop preached and celebrated the Holy Com- munion.


In the afternoon of the same day the Bishop delivered the address to the gradu- ating class of the Lady Jane Gray School for young ladies; and in the evening the Rev. Mr. Longley, Rector of Christ Church in the same city, preached the sermon on the text, "See ye these great buildings ? There shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down."


ST. ANN'S CHURCH, AFTON .- The Rev. Wilson E. Tanner in charge. On Tues- day in Whitsun week, June 5th, the Bishop dedicated three articles of furni- ture in this Church. When the former Church was struck by lightning several years ago and burned up, the bell was melted by the bolt. One of the ladies has


been working ever since to get another, and has at last succeeded. The new bell was hanging in the tower and three strokes were made upon it as the Bishop pro- nounced the invocation of the Blessed Trinity, and asked a benediction on it. The procession then moved up the aisle to the lecturn, an eagle carved in oak, recently presented to the Church, and that was blessed, and thence to the pulpit, which is a memorial of the late Rev. Edwin Lee Tanner, who was in charge of the parish, and died last September. This pulpit is also of oak and made after a design by Mr. Tanner himself. In the centre panel is a cross with a figure of the Lord upon it, and below is the text: "We preach Christ crucified." Evening Prayer followed, and four persons were confirmed. Quite a delegation of people from Bainbridge on one side and Harpursville on the other attended the services, and were entertained with refreshments afterwards by the ladies of the parish, and several of the Clergy were also present and took part.


ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, PARIS HILL .- The Rev. J. B. Wicks, Rector. On Saturday, June 9th, the people of this parish cele- brated the 70th birthday of their Rector. Mr. Wicks and his wife were both born on Paris Hill, and have the singular distinc- tion of ministering in the Church in which they were baptized. A large mini- ber of people gathered from the country- side to offer their congratulations, and the Bishop of the Diocese was asked to preside at a meeting of them, at which addresses were made, and a purse of $200 was presented to Mr. Wicks, contributed by a number of his parishioners and friends. The addresses were by the Rev. Messrs. Coley and Parker, and Messrs. Russell. Graham, Wicks (R. II.) and Addington, to which the Rev. Mr. Wicks responded feelingly. It was altogether a very pleasant occasion.


TRINITY CHURCH. WATERTOWN .- The Rev. J. Sanders Reed, D. D., Rector. By


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a singular oversight, which we regretted very much, the announcement of the re- signation of his rectorship by the Rev. Dr. Reed was omitted in our last issue. It was on Ascension Day that the letter of re- signation, to take effect October 1st, was read to the congregation, and the state- ment was afterwards published that it had been accepted by the vestry. This action on the part of Dr. Reed was a great sur- prise to most of his friends; but he stated that it had been in his mind for several years, and that he now felt the time had come for him to take the step. We under- stand that Dr. and Mrs. Reed will return to Philadelphia, their former home.


ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, ALTMAR .- The Rev. B. E. Whipple in charge. A new altar has been given to this Church by Miss Mary Henderson, of Oswego, in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Henderson, to whom the Mission at Altmar largely owes its origin, who were for many years its principal supporters. A new desk and stall have also been given by the Altar Guild, and new hangings for the altar. All of these gifts were blessed by the Rector and used for the first time on Trinity Sunday. The old altar and desk are no longer needed, and will be given to any mission in want of such articles of furniture.


ST. LUKE'S CHURCH, UTICA .- The Rev. E. F. H. J. Masse, Rector. A new Memorial Pulpit has been placed in this Church. It commemorates the work of the late Rev. E. M. Van Deusen, D.D., Rector of Grace Church, Utica, and of St. Luke's Church, Home and Hospital, it being largely through his efforts that these institutions were founded. A service of dedication was held Saturday, June 9th, by the Rev. Mr. Masse. Five carved oak figures represent the five works which the Rev. Dr. Van Duesen performed in Utica, figures of faith, hope and charity represent his three institutions, which he originated, and there


are figures of St. Mary and St. Luke. The work is in ancient cathedral oak, and was made at Winchester, England, by Kitchen, the architect, and from designs made by- the Rev. Mr. Masse.


GRACE CHURCH, SYRACUSE .- The Rev. H. G. Coddington, D.D., Rector. On Saturday, June 16th, it wa's discovered that the two Communion Services used in this Church, and the alms from the poor box had been stolen. Fortunately the person taking them was caught while robbing the poor box in St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, in Albany, and the articles restored.


EMMANUEL CHURCH, MEMPHIS .- The Rev. J. H. Stirling in charge. This Church met with an accident in the severe thunderstorm Saturday, June 16th. The lightning struck the cross on the spire at the top of the standard, breaking off a quarter of it, went inside at the foot of the standard, knocking off a few shingles, struck one of the rafters, breaking it into pieces, and came out between the two slatted windows on the east side, smashing out the plinth between them. This was all the damage that was done. It has been repaired and cost $6.50. It was "a close call," and singularly fortunate that the Church was not burned up.


PERSONALS.


THE REV. JOHN BRAINARD, D.D. ..


It is with much regret that we record the retirement of the Rev. Dr. Brainard from the Standing Committee of the Diocese. He became Rector of St. Peter's Church, Auburn, in 1863, before this Diocese was organized, while Bishop De Lancey, the first Bishop of Western New York was still presiding alone over all this part of the State. When, after the division had been ratified by General Con- vention, the Diocese of Central New York was organized, Dr. Brainard was elected a member of the first Standing Committee, on November 12th, 1868, and he has con-


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tinued to hold that office until now, when he felt constrained to decline another election on account of his inability to serve. We pray that God may bless him and give him comfort and peace in his declining years.


The Rev. W. W. Bellinger, D.D., Rector of Grace Church, Utica, has been called to the rectorship of St. Paul's Church, Cleveland, Ohio, but has declined it.


The Rev. Chas. Noyes Tyndell, Rector of St. John's Church, Cape Vincent, has received an unanimous call to St. John's, Gloucester, Mass.


The Syracuse Herald gave a picture on June 16th of the Rev. E. W. Mundy, Librarian of the Public Library in that city, and reported that it was his seventy- third birthday. The picture represented him as sitting at his desk in the Library, and celebrating the event by attending to his usual duties. He has our hearty con- gratulations.


The Hon. James Mills Woolworth, who recently died in Omaha, was from Onon- daga County, N. Y. He was an active and interested Churchman, and had been for some years the Chancellor of the Diocese of Nebraska.




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