USA > New York > Queens County > Jamaica > The origin and history of Grace church, Jamaica, New York > Part 14
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 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
224
ORIGIN AND HISTORY
only two or three families (and those very small) were left, who preferred the Episcopal services, and the "Chapel of Ease" was temporarily closed. The opportunity, how- ever, should have been better improved.
A few years afterwards, the community of Springfield, which is still a part of Grace Church parish, was revived, large expenditures made in buildings and the purchase of lots, and other Christian missions have flourished where Grace Church should be represented in her work for the evangelization of her ancient inheritance, under her royal charters and State legislations.
Grace Church Charitable Guild had long been estab- lished, and continued to receive regular support through envelope offerings. Its object was to look after the poor of the parish, rendering them such assistance as should be needed. Many of the former contributors to this guild had changed residence, or had been removed by death, and their places not being filled by others, its funds became greatly reduced.
Miss Phebe Hagner continued to be its treasurer, and made appeals for it through the Chimes, which were sec- onded by the rector. With some hesitation this most useful guild was suffered to lapse in its efficiency, as its object was co-ordinate with the purposes of the rector's fund. Few attended its annual meetings, and in later years its officers ceased to be elected annually. It was, however, left in such relations to the Church that its work could be at any time revived.
The jubilee of the Church Charity Foundation was ap- proaching, and Grace Church, ever represented in this great charity, by most efficient members and officers, came forward to take an active part in its celebration of fifty
225
OF GRACE CHURCH
years of widely extended work within the diocese of Long Island.
To the proposed fund of $100,000, the members of the parish contributed more than $500, and in the great fete held for the same object in the Brooklyn Academy of Music had a prominent part with St. John's Church, in the English Garden, the idea of which originated in the sugges- tions of several ladies of the committee of Grace Church for the fete. Mrs. H. O. Ladd was president of this committee, Mrs. Wm. S. Cogswell, vice-president, and Mrs. Beverley Betts was chairman of the house committee. Associated in the several committees of Grace Church were Mrs. B. J. Brenton, Mrs. Detheridge, Mrs. P. Meynen, Mrs. Wayne, Mrs. Blondel, Mrs. Henry Van Allen, Mrs. John Denton and Mrs. A. J. Blanchard.
At about the same time three events of great historical importance occupied the thoughts of the country, the church and the diocese. The first was the tragedy of President William McKinley's death, Sept. 14, 1901, and the universal mourning at the great funeral obsequies, in which every church took an individual part in its locality.
Following this were the death, May 19, 1901, of the dis- tinguished Bishop of the diocese, Rt. Rev. Abraham N. Littlejohn, D. D., LL. D., and the election by the diocese Nov. 20, 1901, in the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Garden City, of the Rev. Frederick Burgess, D. D., rector of Grace Church, Brooklyn. In the early hours of the morning of the day of the convention, after sixteen hours of exciting (but apparently, until the last, ineffectual) balloting, the tired members of the Convention sang the Te Deum, and returned to their homes.
Bishop Littlejohn, born Dec. 13, 1824, was consecrated Bishop of Long Island January, 1869, the first bishop of
226
ORIGIN AND HISTORY
the diocese. During the thirty-two years of his continu- ance in the office of Bishop, the diocese increased from eighty-five to one hundred and fifty-four clergymen, with double the number of churches and fourfold the number of communicants. In the year of his death Bishop Little- john recorded the largest number of confirmations in the history of the diocese. He was one of the most distin- guished bishops in the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States, both for his scholarship and intellectual ability.
Bishop Littlejohn was widely known in the Anglican Communion in Europe. He received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Cambridge when he delivered a course of theological lectures, and he was author of a number of volumes on religious themes.
In the organization and establishment of the diocesan institutions he showed so great force and wisdom, as to leave a costly cathedral, three largely endowed schools for boys and girls, a renowned Charity Foundation, and or- ganizations which provided for the aged, the orphan, the blind and the crippled. The record of this life work as a Bishop only is so large as to make one forgetful that it was but little more than half of an energetic and busy life thus spent in the ministry of the Church.
In the personal character of Bishop Littlejohn were com- bined dignity, severity, a strong will, a cold manner that yielded however to warmth and grace, and kindliness towards those who thus approached him, but frowned alike on those who opposed his wishes, or forfeited his confidence.
His exalted position and office were thus limitations to his friendships. His virtues were those that secured the
227
OF GRACE CHURCH
permanency of his influence rather than the affection of his large acquaintance. His later years showed the tender- ness which really existed in his nature, but had been over- borne by the qualities that made him win respect and se- cure the effectiveness and growth of his diocese. He left places in many spheres of Christian activity to be filled by his successor in the great office of the Church.
During the rebuilding of the sanctuary and chancel of Grace Church, Bishop Littlejohn expressed to the rector a great desire to see their completion, which would be, as he said, a fulfillment of his long cherished hopes that this Church, so prominent in the diocese, might make its place of worship better adapted to the dignity of the great cele- brations of Holy Communion and the offices of the clergy and choir in that worship. He watched the progress of the improvements, and suggested to the committee the adoption of the passage behind the altar for the communi- cation of the clergy and choir. This had been otherwise urged upon their consideration.
228
ORIGIN AND HISTORY
CHAPTER XXII.
The Bi-Centenary Celebration-Church Activities-Wil- liam D. Wood, M. D .- John M. Crane's Death.
The choice of Rev. Frederick Burgess, D. D., as Bishop, was happily reached under divine guidance, and, though it had been made unexpectedly and at a late hour in the Convention, it was at once favorably regarded as likely to be promotive of harmony and the progress of the Church in Long Island. Doctor Burgess had personal qualities which would satisfy earnest minds and inspire loyalty in those who should seek for counsel and help in their priestly duties and Christian life. His unaffected religious character, intelligent scholarship and courageous grasp of the faith and doctrines of the church were united with a kindliness of spirit and address which inspired friendship and respect. There was no doubt of the confirmation of this selection by all the dioceses, and arrangements were made for his consecration in Grace Church, Brooklyn.
Grace Church was represented by the rector in this ser- vice as one of the committee of arrangements, the presid- ing Bishop being the Rt. Rev. Henry Codman Potter, D. D., LL. D., of New York.
The consecration service and Bi-Centenary celebration of Grace Church, on April 9, 1902, was happily accom- plished, and the order of the services carried out without failure in any part. The succinct report of it in the Brook- lyn Daily Times, by Mr. F. E. Detheridge, to whose faith- ful and willing services Grace Church owed the preserva-
THE RIGHT REV. FREDERICK BURGESS, D. D.
229
OF GRACE CHURCH
tion of much of her current history for this whole rector- ship, is here reproduced.
"The new memorial sanctuary in Grace Church and the beautiful memorial appointments both in the sanctuary and chancel, including the altar, altar window, sanctuary chairs, prayer desk, communion rail, pulpit, organ and reredos, were consecrated by Bishop Burgess yesterday. The historic parish has entered upon the third century of its existence, and in the evening a bi-centenary celebration was held. The afternoon was devoted to lunch and speeches in Colonial hall. Altogether the day adds a bright page to the history of the parish and it is one of which the rector may well be proud.
"The consecration service was participated in by about thirty-five clergymen, from various parts of the diocese and from Manhattan, including Dean Cox, of the Cathe- dral; Archdeacons Bryan and Holden, and the Rev. George Williamson Smith, D. D., president of Trinity College, who was for many years rector of the parish. Those of the clergy who were to assist in the service took seats in the chancel, the others occupying reserved seats at the chancel end of the church. The pastors of the local churches were guests of the occasion, and marched in the procession with the clergy.
"The Bishop, having been formally received at the church door by the Wardens and Vestrymen, the proces- sion, preceded by the crucifer bearing the processional cross, moved up the aisle, the Bishop and clergy repeating responsively the 24th Psalm. The consecration service then proceeded. The instrument of donation was read by Warden W. S. Cogswell, and at the conclusion of the cere- monial the rector read the sentence of consecration, which is a formal certificate from the Bishop that the consecration
230
ORIGIN AND HISTORY
has been performed. Following the consecration, led by the vested choir, under the direction of Frank E. Hopkins, organist and choirmaster, was sung the hymn, 'For all the Saints who from their labors rest.'
"The Rev. Joshua Kimber, of Richmond Hill, read Morning Prayer. The first lesson was read by the Rev. Charles Belden, of Astoria, and the second by Rev. Robert Rogers of Brooklyn. Archdeacon Holden of Suffolk County read the Epistle, and the Gospel was read by Dean Cox. The Bishop read the Nicene Creed, which brought that portion of the service to an end.
"The Rev. Dr. G. W. Smith delivered the sermon. He took for his text the 13th verse of Psalm 135, 'Thy name, O Lord, endureth forever, so doth thy memorial, O Lord, from generation to generation.' The morning service closed with Holy Communion. A collation followed the service at Colonial Hall presided over by the Bishop. At the conclu- sion of the meal there were more interesting addresses. The speakers were: the Rev. Henry D. Waller, of St. George's, Flushing, who talked of the Church in Colonial days; the Rev. Mr. Wick of the Jamaica Dutch Church, who greeted Grace Church on behalf of his own people, and bid the parish Godspeed; the Rev. Jere. Cook, of St. George's, Hempstead; the Rev. Dr. Smith, the Rev. H. O. Ladd, and Rev. W. P. Evans of Richmond Hill.
"Tea was served in the hall to the visiting clergy and others before the evening services. Among the clergymen present were the Revs. Dr. Frederick Burgess and George Williamson Smith, and Samuel Cox, Cornelius Thwing, Edward M. McGuffey, Charles Belden, Jere. K. Cook, G. Wharton McMullen, William P. Evans, J. C. Welwood, G. W. Davenport, Robert Rogers, Henry P. Bryan, Kirk- land Huske, Frederick W. M. Burgess, F. H. Church,
231
OF GRACE CHURCH
Charles L. Newbold, Robert B. Kimber, Herbert J. Glover, William Holden, Isaac Peck, James H. Smith, Rockland T. Homans, Horatio O. Ladd, George C. Grover, W. H. Heigham, William E. Nies, Thomas Martin, F. S. Griffen, Henry D. Waller, Henry Mesier, Joshua Kimber, Frank W. Townley, William H. Weeks, Charles G. Clark, J. Clarence Jones, Ph. D., and the following pastors of Jamaica churches: Rev. Edwin Richmond, F. Schmitt, J. H. Hobbs, R. K. Wick, W. H. Phraner and Frederick Stoebner.
"The bi-centenary celebration in the evening, the rector presiding, began with the processional, The Church's One Foundation, and the usual choral evening service was ren- dered supplemented with prayers appropriate to the occasion.
"Bishop Burgess gave an address touching on memorials generally. He declared that the Church itself is a me- morial, and it teaches that memory must be exercised, that the good deeds of the dead might stimulate the living.
"The Rev. Edward M. McGuffey, rector of St. James Church, Newtown, gave an address on the 'Ministers and Rectors of Grace Church.' He spoke of each one from the period when the Rev. John Bartow took charge of the parish, in 1702, down to the present time, giving some interesting particulars of many of them. He said in part:
I have tried to give you a suggestion of each one of those who have served Grace Church in a ministerial capacity. Other men labored and ye are entered into their labors. We all owe an im- mense debt to the past. You of Grace Church worshipping in this beautiful and renewed church owe more than you can ever know to those faithful men, clerical and lay, who for 200 years labored to bring Grace Church to what it is today. You must make your contribution and pass on, unimpaired and strengthened, what you
232
ORIGIN AND HISTORY
have received Today the rectors of the daughter parishes of Flush- ing and Newtown are here to greet you and wish you godspeed. To me, as the rector of Newtown, was assigned the honor of re- calling these memories of two centuries
A study of our church's past impresses several things upon me. First, that times have changed vastly for the better, morally, socially and ecclesiastically.
Second, that in spite of recent jeremiads over church attendance, never was there, on Long Island at least, more people going reg- ularly to church.
Third, that people now give dollars for church support, where in early days they gave cents or nothing.
Fourth, that the Long Island clergy are better treated than they used to be, and enjoying salaries not mainly made up of faith, hope and charity, plus criticism and fault-finding.
Fifth, that the laity of Long Island have learned that the best way to make their clergy effective is to pay well, treat them well, and give them their friendship and co-operation.
Sixth, that the old prejudice against the Protestant Episcopal Church, which lingered in some robustness of life until at least 1850, has almost totally disappeared, and that the Church idea, which was so dear to Bishop Seabury and earlier rectors of Jamaica, is fast becoming the prevailing tone of Long Island religious senti- ment.
Seventh, that the historic parishes of Jamaica, Newtown and Flushing are now abreast of any churches of New York in intelligent and effective pastoral administration in all things properly belonging to ritual and ecclesiology.
The outlook is encouraging and inspiring. The despised church of Colonial life is fast becoming the healthy and dominant religious influence here in Queens County, making for righteousness and the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To my brother, the rector of Grace Church, to my friends the' Wardens and Vestrymen of this historic parish, to my brethren the members of this dear old Colonial church, salutations, greetings
233
OF GRACE CHURCH
and best wishes from the rector, Wardens and Vestrymen as well as the congregation of St. James Church, Newtown. Ad multos annos.
"The choir sang at the offertory the chorus, 'Unfold Ye Portals Everlasting' from the Redemption by Gounod, and the service terminated with the recessional hymn, 'For all the Saints.'
"The altar was decorated with flowers, and large congre- grations were present at each of the services.
"Committee of Arrangements: Horatio Oliver Ladd, rector; William S. Cogswell, Warden; George K. Meynen, M. D., William D. Llewellyn, Vestrymen; Marshals, Rev. William P. Evans, Rev. George W. McMullen.
Ladies of Committee on Reception at Colonial Hall: Mrs. W. S. Cogswell, Mrs. B. J. Brenton, Mrs. John S. Denton, Mrs. W. D. Llewellyn, Mrs. Charles Blondel, Mrs. H. C. Smith, Miss Kate Napier, Mrs. George K. Meynen, Mrs. A. J. Blanchard, Mrs. C. A. Belden, Mrs. Philip K. Meynen, Miss Eirene Ladd, Mrs. W. C. Baker, Mrs. B. R. Betts, Mrs. Henry A. Van Allen, Miss Phebe Hagner, Mrs. Martin I. Rapelyea, Mrs. James Lothian, Mrs. Frank B. Andreu, Mrs. George A. Hicks, Mrs. A. J. Wilkinson, Mrs. J. E. Stewart, Mrs. W. J. Ballard, Miss Kate Aymar.
"Committee of Parish Social Guild for Chapel Recep- tion: Mrs. James Lothian, Mrs. Frederick Damon, Miss Pierce, Miss Damon, Mrs. Chickering, Robert B. Mitchell.
"Ushers for the day: Charles E. Bissell, George E. Cogs- well, Frank D. Denton.
"The Choir: Sopranos, Herbert Wood, Albert Weber, Alexander Fleury, Frank Muchmore, Walter Webb, Arthur White, Howard Wood, Harold Peto, Ray Dunham, Bert
234
ORIGIN AND HISTORY
Holmes, Fred Baker, Tracy Snediker, Douglas Holt, Lester Haight, George Brierly. Altos, Floyd Raynor, John Smyth. Tenors, Percy James, John M. Smyth, W. Down- ing. Basses, Charles C. Henderson, Asa Dunham. Cross Bearer, William Wood Smith. Organist and Choirmaster, Frank E. Hopkins.
"The sermon in its eloquent exposition and appreciation of the theme soon rose to the elevation of this grand and inspiring service. It led the congregation to the specially memorial part which is here given.
It is now two hundred years since the parish of Grace Church came into being, and here the venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts placed the first of the many lights it has kindled in all lands. It is a long time in the history of America, though a short time in the life of the Christian church, less than a moment with Him who endureth forever in heaven. Building has given place to building, but they sprang from each other in a con- tinuous life and development, for the real Church of God is in the hearts of his people (as our Lord said, "The Kingdom of God is within you"), and they have been only successive expressions of the same spirit of devotion. The old gives place to the new, which is yet not altogether new ; for it grows out of the old by the operation of the vital forces inherent in Christian faith. The old founda- tions serve for the new super-structure.
When our forefathers came to this place the sounds of the Refor- mation were still in the air, and they feared the seductive influence of a sensuous worship and stately ceremonial because they were associated with the corruption in life and doctrine which they were still vigorously combating.
It was important at that time that the worship of Protestant Christianity be severe and simple in its forms. When Grace Church was organized it was not fifteen years since England was all aflame to drive James the Second from the throne, from fear that he aimed to restore the Papal supremacy. Many good people regarded any form of prayer, and retention of historic ceremonies, as dangerous. The pressure of the Puritan, the extreme Protestant, was strong and the conflict between the stubborn convictions of the churchmen
235
OF GRACE CHURCH
and the aggressions of the standing order of New England, modified the workings of both in this battle ground of opposing forces of Protestant Christianity The churchmen moving east from New York, and the Congregationalist coming west from the Connecticut colonies on the north shore of Long Island, battled here for supremacy. Religion was intensely theological. The sermon claimed chief place-so it should always, I think-but in Grace Church its chief function was to buttress the prayer book. It was apolo- getic and dealt chiefly with the distinctive doctrines of the English Church; but now it is mostly for edification in the larger religious life, and seldom lays chief stress upon the distinctive claims of the church; for they are regarded as having a lawful place in Christian forensics.
To us the sermons from 1700 to 1800 are dreary reading, for the questions they dealt with have been settled, or at least quieted. To those men, the sermons of today would be insignificant or un- intelligible for the questions which agitate us today were not yet mooted. Yet they did their work in the hearts and souls of men for the preservation and upbuilding of the Kingdom of God, and we have entered into their labors. Our Church life in its richness of worship and fullness of activity is largely possible only because of the dying out of conflicts in the apparent stagnation of Church life in the eighteenth century. That phase would have had no use for the extensions of this building, or the facilities now provided for a richer and more ornate worship.
A life of greater culture calls for an aesthetic advance in the appointments of the Church, and a more ornate interpretation of the rubrics in worship. The Sunday School is now universal in Amer- ica. Christianity, or Christian life has passed largely from the theological to the philanthropic phase. In a generation which strives to belittle the Bible and the Creeds, the Church as in many other epochs of her history, has instinctively stepped forth with the resistless power of divine charity and draws to her, by all the cords of a man those who might deride or refuse to listen to her doctrines. Her work has broadened. It is more social in all its efforts and objects. Men will learn of the doctrine by doing God's will. The clergy, instead of standing apart from the people in the isolation of Greek and Hebrew dead languages are associated with them, heart and hand, in the common work of ameliorating evils and
236
ORIGIN AND HISTORY
extending blessing to the ignorant and indigent, and in all phases of what is known as parish work.
In this expansion of Church life the sanctuary cannot contain all the conveniences which are called for, and so becomes the center around which must be clustered, like the chambers built around the walls in Jerusalem, many structures for the service of God. And just as to meet the simpler needs of former days those who inherited their Christian names and faith from previous generations rose up in the spirit of devotion and gave and labored for new buildings when needed, so has that spirit prompted the extension and beauti- fying of the place where God's honor dwells in this our day.
An old parish like this is an eloquent witness of God's truth and mercy from generation to generation. In some cases we find the same names among benefactors of the parish from first to last. Each has left some association, some token of tenderness and affection, some name on the saintly roll. At some point new names are in- corporated in the continuous life of the parish and fill the gaps left by the departed. The old love and veneration for the sacred spot which is hallowed by the graves of former generations, appeals effectively to many whose homes are distant, but who value their inheritance to the Church of their fathers. Hither, during the last two hundred years, many have been brought from the ends of the earth, to rest beside the ashes of their kindred till the resurrection morn, and in many instances inherited affection strengthens the personal tie.
The trials of the parish for twenty years after the Revolution were most severe. The Church was discredited as the representative of a foreign and hostile State. The stipend from the Venerable So- ciety was withdrawn, the contributions from the English garrison which had been stationed here during the war ceased, and the native churchmen were impoverished. At that dark hour, when existence itself seemed precarious, a strong hand brought salvation. Rufus King, one of our most eminent statesmen, one of the creators of the nation, selected Jamaica for his country home, and mightily re- inforced the struggling parish. His distinguished public services, his high character and ample means, transformed the scene, and the dying church took a long breath. By his accession much of the reproach due to English affiliations was removed, and the dis- couraged people naturally turned to him for guidance. He at once
THE NAPIER, JOHNSON AND COGSWELL MEMORIALS.
THE DENTON MEMORIAL.
THE STOCKING MEMORIAL.
237
OF GRACE CHURCH
showed a deep concern for the welfare, usefulness and character of the Church, and in a few years secured from Trinity Church, New York, of which he was a Warden, a landed endowment which has been a sure foundation to the present day. He was also one of the two largest individual contributors to the fund for erecting a new building when the old was worn out, and secured a fifth of its cost from that nursing mother of all the churches, Trinity, New York. His substantial interest in the parish was unwearied until his death in 1827.
There are among you those who remember his distinguished son, who emulated him in his work and labor of love when the present brown stone building was erected. In zeal and devotion, in services and gifts, he was behind none who were associated with him in the enterprise, and who were fit fellow-workers for the common object of their piety.
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.