Centennial of Christ church, Hudson, New York, 1802-1902

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IBrS — ^ — 1902

COMPILKD BY the: RKCTOR,

Rkv. Sheldon Munson Griswoi^d,

Bishop-elect of Salina, and

William H. Scovill, Junior Warden.

Published by the Vestry.

1002

Rector
Rev. Sheldon Munson Griswoi<d, D.D.

Wardens

John M. Pearson, Sr, Warden
William H. Scovill, Jr., Warden

Vestry

Chas. W. Bostwick
James A. Eisenmann
Samuel B. Coffin
Herman Livingston
Rev. Albert E. Heard
R. A. M. Deeley
Stanley Y. Southard
Edmund Spencer

TT7E the Subscribers, Bethel Judd, Rector of Christ
^ Church in the City of Hudson, in the County
of Columbia and State of New York, and John
Keeney and William E. Norman, Members of the
said Church according to the Form of the Act of the
Legislature of the State of New York passed the
twenty-seventh Day of March, 1802, entitled "An
Act to provide for the Incorporation of Religious
Societies," do herebj^ certify, that on Wednesday the
fifth Day of May in the Year of our lyord one thou-
sand eight hundred and two, the Male Persons of full
Age of the Church aforesaid which is in Communion
with the Protestant Episcopal Church in this State
who have belonged to the said Church for the last
twelve Months, and have been received therein and
have attached themselves to the protestant Episcopal
Church, met, according to public Notice given in the
Time of Morning Service on two Sundays previous
thereto, according to the said Act, for the Purpose of
incorporating themselves under the said Act, and by
a Majority of Voices to elect two Church Wardens
and eight Vestrymen, and to determine on what Day
of the Week, called Easter Week, the said Offices of
Church Wardens and Vestrymen should annually
thereafter cease and their Successors in Office be
chosen ; at which Election the said Bethel Judd pre-
sided and we do further certify that John Powell and
Hezekiah L. Hosmer were at the said Election

7

Christ Churcli Parisli

elected Church Wardens by a Majority of Voices, and
that John Talman, Henry Malcolm, Chester Beldine,
John Kemper, Henry Dibble, Richard Bolles, James
Hyatt and James Nixon Junior were elected by a Ma-
jority of Voices, Vestrymen — And further that
Wednesday in Easter Week was fixed on as the Day
when the said Offices of Church Wardens and Vestry-
men shall annually hereafter cease, and their Succes-
sors in Ofl&ce be chosen — And further that the said
Church shall be known in Law by the Name or Title
of "The Rector, Wardens and Vestry of Christ
Church in the City of Hudson."

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our
Hands and Seals this fifth Day of May in the Year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and two.

Sealed, signed and delivered Bi;thel Judd

In Presence of John Kekney

The Word "that" in the Second Wm. E. Norman
Page being first interlined,
Joseph Prentice
Wm. Stanton.

Columbia ss. Be it remembered that on the Sixth
Day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and two before me Stephen Hogeboom
one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of
the County of Columbia, came William Stanton one

8

Hudson, New York

of the Subscribing Witnesses to the preceding Certifi-
cate, to me well known and made Oath that he is well
acquainted with Bethel Judd, John Keeney and
William E. Norman in the said Certificate described,
and that he saw the said Bethel Judd, John Keeney
and William E. Norman execute the same freely
for the Uses therein mentioned — and that he the said
William Stanton and Joseph Prentice to him well
known, severally subscribed their Names as Witnesses
to the Execution thereof — And I having examined
the same and finding therein not material Erasures
or Interlineations (except the one noted) do allow it
to be recorded.

Stephkn Hogeboom one of the Judges
of the Court of Com. Pleas for the
County of Columbia.

^T^HE information concerning the Church in Hud-
-*- son, the earliest days of its settlement, is very
meagre. There is no reliable information as to any
services of the Church of England being held during
the time that the place was known as Claverack
Landing.

There is on record a petition from John Frederick
Harger, John Carb and Godfrey DeWolven, in
behalf of sixty families of Churchmen living at
East Camp, to Bishop Compton. This petition,
which bears the date of October 8th, 1715, is for
permission to build, at Kingsbury, a Church, sixty
feet long and forty feet wide, and to collect by sub-
scription the necessary funds for that purpose. Tra-
dition states that Church families living at Claverack
Ivanding, the old name for Hudson, were in the habit
of driving up to Albany to take part in the celebrations
of the great feasts of the Church, Christmas, Easter
and Whitsunday, taking three days for the trip. Oc-
casionally the clergymen from Albany would visit the
Churchmen here, holding services and administering
the sacraments at their houses. The Rev. Thomas
Brown was in charge of St. Peter's, at Albany, from
1754 to 1768, and the Rev. Henry Monroe from 1768
to 1774. During the Revolutionary War these minis-
trations were suspended and the people were deprived
of the privileges of the Church until the time of Mr.
Bostwick in 1775.

10

THE FIRST CHURCH.
(Corner Second and State Streets.)

Christ Churcli Parish

About the time of the incorporation of the City of
Hudson, 1785, services of the Episcopal Church were
held by the Rev. Gideon Bostwick, who was at that
time stationed at Gt. Barrington, Mass. This clergy-
man was in the habit of driving over every fourth
Sunday and at a later time every third Sunday, to offi-
ate and preach. A subscription was raised to pay the
expenses of his coming, although no remuneration
was made to him. Money for this purpose was col-
lected by Peter R. Ludlow and by John Thurston,
one of the original proprietors of the City of Hudson.
The services were held first at an old school room on
Diamond street, and afterward in the school house of
Mr. Bliss, on what is now Chapel street, which fact
is said to have given the name to the street. Mr.
Bostwick made an effort to build a suitable Church,
and a committee was appointed to collect subscrip-
tions for the purpose ; after about five years a suffi-
cient amount seems to have been raised, and then the
Rev. Mr. Gardner succeeded to the work. Mr.
Bostwick during the time of his ministration in
Hudson baptised one hundred and nineteen persons
and officiated at nine marriages.

The Rev. Walter C. Gardner was the first clergy-
man of the Church resident in Hudson, and his
parish embraced Claverack, Athens and Catskill as
well. He came to the city in 1794. The parish was
organized, which seems to have been called St. Paul's
Church, John Talman and John Powell being the
first Wardens. A plot of ground was given by the

11

Clirist Cliurcli Parisli

proprietors of the city, on condition that a Church
should be erected on the land so conveyed within five
years ; it is not now known where this first lot was
located, but it was afterward exchanged for a lot on
the southeast corner of State and Second streets.

Mr. Gardner went to New York and made an
appeal to the authorities of Old Trinity Parish ; this
parish gave him two thousand dollars, on condition
that the money should be used to purchase the church
lot and parsonage. This condition was imposed upon
the gift at the request of Mr. Gardner himself, but
on this return the Vestry flatly refused to accept the
money on those terms. This caused some feeling in
the parish between the Rector and Vestry, ' 'where-
" upon Mr. Gardner left abruptly under somewhat
" unpleasant circumstances, carrying with him the
" grant from Trinity and two thousand dollars more,
" being part of the funds raised upon Mr. Bostwick's
* ' subscription paper. ' ' The partially completed
church building was used as a store house and servi-
ces were discontinued ; an English clergyman by the
name of Hinley, who had a school in the city, some-
times read the services of the Prayer Book, but there
is no further reliable information as to the work of
our Church in Hudson before the formation of the
present parish.

On Wednesday, May 5th, A. D. 1802, a meeting of
the members of the Episcopal Church in the City of
Hudson was held in a school room of a Mr. Judd,
public notice having been given of the meeting two

12

Hudson, New York

previous Sundays at morning service. Apparently
the services had been continued by the Rev. Mr.
Judd, for the record shows that the Rev. Bethel
Judd presided at the meeting, and election was had of
Wardens and Vestrymen, and the first Wardens of
the parish elected were John Powell and Hezekiah
Hosmer.

The first Vestrymen elected were, James Hyatt.
John Talman, Henry Malcolm, Henry Diblee, John
Kemper, Chester Belding, Richard BoUes, James
Nixon, William E. Norman, Secretary, and John
Kenney, Treasurer.

It was resolved that the Church be known by the
name and title of ' 'The Rector, Wardens and Vestry
of Christ Church in the City of Hudson;" this
therefore is the legal title at the present time.

It is interesting to note that in the month of June
of this 5'ear, on the occasion of the Bishop's visitation,
the Presbyterian congregation offered the use of their
Church for the service. Work was commenced on
the Church building June 22, 1802. The Rev. Bethel
Judd was unanimously chosen Rector of the parish at
the meeting held June 28th the same year.

Building committees were chosen, contracts let,
and the work commenced in earnest on June 22d.
The Parish of Old Trinity, in New York, had prom-
ised them the sum of $1,500, payable when the
Church was finished so as to be fit for service, but
when the purchased materials had been exhausted,

13

Christ Cliurcli Parisli

and some of the contracts had expired, we find the
following petition sent to that parish : —

"7<7 the Honorable the Corporation of Trinity Church,
New York :

The Petition of the Subscribers, Church Wardens
and Vestrymen of Christ Church, Hudson (the Rev'd
Mr. Judd, their Rector, being absent) Respectfully
Sheweth that the members of said Church, being
encouraged by the I^iberal grant of Fifteen hundred
Dollars from the Corporation of Trinity Church pro-
ceeded to make contracts for the Compleation of the
Church in the City of Hudson. That the work has
progressed as rapidly as they could antisipate, and
they have the most flattering prospect of having the
Building so far finished in the neat and desent manner
as to be fitted for the Celebration of Divine Service
the ensuing Christmas. That the Body of the said
Church externally, except the windows, is already
finished. That the Window Sashes are Compleated and
workmen are now engaged in setting the Glass. That
within the said Church the floor and Pews togather
with the front of the Gallery are finished, the walls
are plastered, and nothing but the Pulpit, Reading
desk, Clark's Desk and Chancel are wanted to com-
pleate the Building; that the Tower, except the win-
dows, is Sheltered from the weather and as nearly
finished as our Resources, in addition to the sum
granted to us, will at Present enable us to effect it."

After alluding at some length to the expiration of

14

Hudson, New York

the contracts and the desire of the workmen for their
money, it proceeds : —

' 'And Whereas the Winter is now advancing and
there is the greatest probability that the water com-
munication between this place and New York, which
is much the Safest, will soon be Obstructed by the
Ice. Your Petitioners therefore confidently hope
that, taking all these circumstances into Considera-
tion you will be pleased to advance to Mr. Henry
Dibble the Sum of Money which was so liberally
Granted, notwithstanding the Building is not yet
compleated. And your Petitioners as in Duty bound
will ever Pra3^" This was dated December 2nd,
1802, and was signed by all the members of the Ves-
try. It is interesting as showing in what condition
the Church was, as well as the difficulties which had
to be contended against in its erection. But the Cor-
poration of Trinity had learned caution by experience
and replied through the Right Reverend Benjamin
Moore, then Bishop of the Diocese, that when "the
Church was actually completed so as to be fit for pub-
lic worship' ' the money would be paid. Accordingly
the churchmen strained every nerve and by Christmas
day the Church was finished, except the tower.
Services were held on that day for the first time, an
octavo prayer book, presented by Thomas B. Jansen,
of New York, and a royal quarto Bible, presented by
Ashbel Stoddard, George Chittenden and William K.
Norman, all of Hudson, as Christmas presents to the
parish, being used.

15

Christ Churcli Parish

The grant from Trinity was then received and the
entire debt of the Church canceled. The ceremony
of consecration was performed by the Right Reverend
Benjamin Moore, on Sunday, Oct. 2nd, 1803. The
certificate of consecration was duly signed by the
Bishop and read by the Rev. Mr. Wilkins, who
also read the prayers. The Rev. Mr. Chace preached
the consecration sermon. At the close of the sermon
about forty persotis were presented for confirmation.
Additional services were held on the Saturday eve-
ning preceding and on Sunday afternoon and evening.
The next year the deed for the lot, on which the
Church had been erected, was obtained from the
Mayor of the city. On Christmas eve, 1806, a beau-
tiful glass chandelier, which had been presented to
Old Trinity Church by Queen Anne, of England, and
subsequently by them to Christ Church, Hudson, was
hung in place.

The Rev. Mr. Watson, in his sermon on the history
of the parish, referring to those times, says : "No one
can look over the parish records of those early days,
when that handful of men were endeavoring to erect
those walls, tracing their doings in meetings from
week to week, the steady coolness with which they
stood up and breasted difficulties the most dishearten-
ing, and the noble generosity with which one, then
another, who had a little more of this world's goods
than their fellows, came forward from time to time to
defend the breach and supply at hazard what was
needed for the present necessity, I say, no one can

16

Hudson, New York

read those records, written, if not in blood, j-et in
characters which tell of self-denial and sacrifice,
without feeling that they understood well their
responsibilities and nobly discharged them."

The revenue of the Church was derived from the
pews, which were sold at auction every year. The
following notice appears in The Balance of December
21st, 1802. This paper was published weekly
by Ezra Sampson, George Chittenden and Harry ' \
Croswell, father of the Rev. Harry Croswell, after- ' *
ward Rector of the parish :

"NOTICE is hereby given that on Wednesday, the
29th inst., the PEWS in the Episcopal Church in
this city, will be leased at auction to the highest
bidder, until Wednesday in Easter week in the year
1804. The auction will commence in the said Church
at two o'clock in the afternoon.

By order of the Rector, Wardens and Vestry.

WILLIAM E. NORMAN,

Sedyr

From the records we learn that the forty pews in
the Church were disposed of at prices ranging from
three dollars and a half up to twelve dollars. One
pew is listed as high as twenty dollars. Mr. Judd's
salary was fixed by the Vestry as three hundred dol-
lars a year for his services on every other Sunday.
This fact, together with allusions in the minutes of
the Diocesan Convention, to delegates to that body
from Claverack, leads us to believe that the other

17

Clirist Churcli Parish

half of his time was devoted to that parish, Mr.
Judd came to Hudson from Woodbury and Roxbury,
Conn. , which was his first parish. To him is due the
credit for establishing here the first Sunday School
outside the City of New York, the second oldest in
the country. On January 5th, 1803, he submitted a
plan to the Vestry, which was unanimously approved
of by the parish, for the formation of "The Episcopal
Sunday Charity School," Its management was
vested in a board of seven, composed of the Rev. Mr.
Judd, Messrs. John T. Lacey, John Talman, M. D.,
Hezekiah L,. Hosmer, James Hyatt, Henry Malcolm,
M. D., and James Nixon, Jr. This board was
re-elected every j^ear during Mr. Judd's rectorship.
The Rev. Joseph Hooper, speaking of this school,
says :

"It was a time when any special regard for chil-
dren was thought unnecessary, and their religious
instruction was confined to a monthly catechising at
the Chancel rail, and teaching by their parents at
home. It was a bold experiment, for Sunday Schools
had not yet proved their right to exist. What it
accomplished in the spiritual upbuilding of the chil-
dren who attended it, and how many through it were
brought to love the Church and her ways can not
now be known. A memory of it remained in the
parish, although Mr. Judd's successors returned to
the monthly catechisings in the Church ; and it was
not until 1822 that the present large Sunday School
was organized."

18

Hudson, New York

An editorial in The Balance of December 16th,
1806, on the establishment of the Hudson Academy,
says "that with the exception of the Charity School,
alread)^ opened under the auspices of the Society of
Christ Church, there had been no provision for free
education in Hudson."

Mr, Judd resigned the parish on October 20th,
1807 "in consequence of his Health, and the Climate
not agreeing with his Constitution." A testimonial
was tendered him by the Vestry expressing regret at
his departure and their best wishes for the restoration
of his health and for his future prosperity. A copy
of his register for the years 1804 and 1805 shows
twenty-seven baptisms, fourteen marriages, thirteen
burials and two classes, amounting to fifty-five per-
sons, presented for confirmation. From Hudson he
went to Annapolis where he acted as principal of St.
John's College and rector of Anne Arundell parish.
He afterward held rectorships at Nor walk, and New
London, Ct., Fayetteville, N. C, Sacketts Harbor,
Sodus and Avon Springs, N. Y. His name was
prominently mentioned as a successor to Bishop
Jarvis of Connecticut, and also for a vacant Bishopric
in North Carolina. Trinity College, Hartford, con-
ferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in
1831 when it was conferred for the first time on three
American clergymen. He died in Wilmington, Del.,
in 1858, at the age of eighty-two years.

His character is summed up by Bishop lyee of
Delaware, who said in his funeral sermon : "He was

19

Christ Church Parish

a ripe scholar, an earnest, evangelical and effective
preacher, a courteous gentleman, and a godly man."

On November 2nd, 1806, the Right Rev. Benjamin
Moore, Bishop of the Diocese, sent a communication
stating that the corporation of Trinity Church had pre-
sented to Christ Church one of the glass chandeliers,
which had been originally given to Trinity Parish by
Queen Anne. The gift was accepted with a vote of
thanks.

On June 12th, 1808, the Rev. Joab G. Cooper was
elected Rector of the parish. Although the Vestry had
found themselves unable to pay Dr. Judd more than
three hundred dollars salary per year, they found
themselves able to offer Mr. Cooper seven hundred
dollars.

During the spring of 1809 a few improvements and
some repairs were made about the Church. The
former consisted of the finishing of the galleries and
some work about the tower. The latter, however,
was not finished until 1823. The woodwork both
inside and outside was also painted. In the fall of
this same year Mr. Cooper had procured subscriptions
amounting to $300 toward buying an organ, with
four stops, to cost $450. He informed the vestry of
what he had done at a vestry meeting held in Sept. ,
1810, and then the following appears on the minutes :
"It was agreed that as Mr. Cooper had contracted for
this Organ without the advice or consent of the
Vestry, the Vestry would receive the Organ provided
on its arrival it meets their approbation." It was

20

Hudson, New York

not put up until April, 1811, and it "went beyond
the expectations" of even the Vestry, and cost the
Parish $475. Mr. Cooper resigned from the Rector-
ship in April, 1811. He was once described by one
who knew him, as ' 'pleasant in manners and agreea-
ble in visits. ' ' During his time the brick work of the
tower was completed, the galleries finished, the
Church painted, and an organ procured. These may
seem small things, but in that day they were great ;
think of those four stops in the organ.

Mr. Cooper resigned at the annual meeting Easter
week, 1811.

During the latter part of the year 1811, after Mr.
Cooper's resignation had been accepted by the Vestry,
efforts were made to raise suflScient funds to pay Mr.
Cooper the arrears of his salary, and finally the
Vestry were obliged to give him a "Certificate under
the seal of the Church for what balance may be due
to him." This "Certificate" may have been what is
now known as a promissory note, at all events it was
not cash.

At a meeting of the Vestry held October 7th, 1811,
it was unanimously resolved to call the Rev. Mr.
Prentice as Rector, and the committee appointed to
notify him of the call were authorized to offer him a
salary of three hundred and seventy-five dollars per
year to oflBciate in the Church "one-half the Sabbath."
Mr. Prentice accepted the call, and was instituted
Rector on Sunday, October 13th, 1811, by the

21

Christ Churcli Parisli

Reverend Mr. Read of Poughkeepsie, appointed by the
Right Reverend Bishop Hobart for that purpose.

From Easter week 1812 to 1821 the minutes of the
vestry are lost, if any were kept, so that during a
very interesting period we are deprived of all official
knowledge of parochial affairs.

It has been said that the Church people were
anxious to terminate the rectorship of Mr. Prentice in
order to call Mr. Croswell, who had been the editor
of the Balance, and had taken orders. However this
may be Mr. Prentice resigned in 1814. He had
resided in Athens, and had under his pastoral care
the churches at Hudson, Claverack, Catskill and
Athens.

His successor, Mr. Harry Croswell, had been for
several years a brilliant political writer and editor,
and had been an intense partisan and bitter opponent
of Jefferson's administration, during which he had
been indicted for libel against him as President of the
United States, and had of course many political
enemies. He entered upon his duties here Sunday,
May 15, 1814, one week after his ordination. In
that same summer, while on a visit to New Haven,
he was requested on account of the serious illness of
Rev. Henry Whitlock, Rector of Trinity Church in
that city, to officiate the following Sunday. His
pleasing manner and brilliant sermons charmed the
congregation, and when Mr. Whitlock resigned that
fall Mr. Croswell was called as his successor, and
officiated there for the first time as Rector in January,

22

Hudson, New York

1815. He lived until March 13, 1858, and died at
the ripe age of 80 years and ministered to his people
for 44 years.

Mr. Croswell was grave, dignified and impressive
in manner, with that happy trait of character which
secures the love as well as the reverence of the young.
He was of commanding figure, over six feet in
height, broad and stout. He is said by those who
knew him to have been one of the ablest men who
had presided over this parish as its Rector. Our
Bishop, the Rt. Rev. William Croswell Doane was
named after Mr. Croswell 's son.

Dr. Beardsly in his history of the Church in Con-
necticut, Vol. II, page 404, thus speaks of him :

"He so bore himself in his pastoral duties, so went
in and out among his people, so preached and so
prayed that the word of God grew and multiplied,
and men of all shades of opinion and religious belief
became reverent admirers of his fidelity to the Church,
and of his kind attentions and ceaseless charities to
the sick and needy."

The Rev. Gregory T. Bedell was Rector of the
parish from June 15th in the same year until early in
the year 1819. While here he married the daughter
of John Thurston. Their son, who was afterward
Bishop of Ohio, was born in this city August, 1817.

In the Spring of 1819 the Rev. Cyrus Stebbins was
called from St. George's Church, Schenectady. Mr.
Stebbins' rectorship was the longest in the history of
the parish.

23

Christ Church Parish

During Mr. Stebbins' rectorship the spire was
completed on the church and a bell which was
purchased in 1820 was hung in the tower 1823, the
same bell was afterwards removed to the present
Church and used until it was broken in 1893, after
seventy years use.

Mr. Cyrus Curtiss, who until the end of his life
was a constant friend and benefactor of this parish,
was first elected to the Vestry April 2nd, 1823. Mr.
Curtiss was instrumental in establishing the first
Sunday School library May 1st, 1828. During the
rectorship of Mr. Stebbins, the Vestry appropriated
$1,500 of the gift received from Trinity Church for
the purchase of a house on the northeast corner of
Diamond and Second streets for a rectory. This
house continued to be used as a rectory by the fol-
lowing rectors :

Rev. Messrs. Stebbins, Andrews, Cairns, Pardee,
Babbit, Tuttle and Watson.

Mr. Stebbins resigned January 1st, 1832. The
Rev. Edward Andrews was elected Rector January
31st, 1832, at a salary of five hundred and fifty
dollars annually and the use of the rectory. The
following curious agreement was made between the
Rector and the Vestry :

' ' In the event that either party becomes dissatis-
" fied, dissolution shall take place after six months
" notice of same, which must be done in writing, and
" to determine this will require the voice of the

24

Hudson, New York

" Rector on one part and a majority of all the War-
" dens and Vestrymen on the other."

Mr. Andrews resigned in August, 1833.

The Rev. William D. Cairns was elected Rector
September 14th, 1833, at a salary of seven hundred
and fifty dollars annually. Mr. Cairns resigned Sep-
tember, 1834.

At a meeting of the Vestry held on October 22nd,
1834, it was resolved to offer the Rectorship to the
T)o^'^'^^ ^^1 ^^^- J°^^ Dorodney, of the Diocese of Connecticut,
■^ with a salary of six hundred and fifty dollars, but

at the following meeting a letter was read from
Mr. Dorodney declining the Rectorship, whereupon
the Vestry held the call open and appointed a com-
mittee to communicate with Mr. Dorodney in person.
Mr. Dorodney must have declined the call for the
second time, for at a meeting held November 25th,
1834, it was unanimously resolved to offer the Rec-
torship to Rev. Mr. Pardee, at a salary of $750, and
in case he refused, to Rev. Mr. Robertson, of New
York, at a salary of $600 with use of the "parson-
age." Mr. Pardee accepted and at once commenced
his work here.

On the 23d of July, 1836, a committee was appointed
to raise $600 to be expended in improving and paint-
ing the Church. Many little repairs had been neg-
lected for a long time, and with the usual result, for
it was found that the necessary repairs would cost
$1,500, instead of $600. To raise this sum the Vestry
did a thing, in those days not unusual, which they

25

Christ Cliurcli Parisli

regretted for a long time — they put a mortgage on the
rectory. The same objection to mortgaging church
property existed then that exists to-day; when once
the mortgage is placed on the property, there seems
to be a growing disinclination to cancel it.

The repairs at this time on the Church alone
amounted to $2,100, while on the rectory they
amounted to $78.

Notwithstanding all this expenditure, it was
deemed advisable to raise the Rector's salary from
$750 to $800. The wisdom of this proceeding is
questionable under the circumstances, which opinion
is sustained by the Vestry itself, which afterwards re-
duced the salary to its original figure.

Notwithstanding the large reduction in the Rector's
salary, the financial condition of the Parish continued
to be so far from satisfactory that a meeting of the
Vestry was convened, April 23d, 1839, for "careful
and serious consideration of parochial affairs," which
meeting resulted in what proved to be a most happy
solution of the difficulty, Mr. Cyrus Curtiss being
appointed "a committee on ways and means so far
as the liabilities of this Church were concerned. ' ' A
position most liberally interpreted by Mr. Curtiss, as
it was said, that during the ensuing ten years in
which he remained the sole member of that commit-
tee, "the Vestry never sat to discuss a way, nor
lacked means to attain an end."

In October of this year the Parish met with a
severe loss in the death of its Senior Warden, Mr.

26

Rt. Rev. WILLIAM CROSWELL DOANE, D. D., LL. D.

Hudson, New York

James Mellen, who for fifteen years was a member of
its Vestry, and one most deeply interested in its
spiritual and temporal welfare.

In the following year, 1840, the Parish sustained
another loss in the resignation of Mr. Pardee, who,
as the old record says, was "called to a higher and
more responsible station." Mr. Pardee came to
Hudson from Wilmington, Del.'' He was about thirty
years of age, tall, dignified and graceful in manner, a
pulpit orator of great eloquence and force, whose
sermons made a deep impression upon all who heard
them. In the Sunday School work he was especially
successful, having a great love for children and a
happy gift of attracting them to him. Special and
careful instruction was given to the teachers of the
school at their regular monthly meetings, in the
lessons to be taught by them, and in addition he
organized a Bible class which was largely attended.

During this Rectorship of nearly six years, peace,
harmony and kind feeling uniformly prevailed. The
register for this period records the baptism of eighty-
seven persons, thirty-nine presented to the Bishop
for confirmation, thirty-eight couples united in matri-
mony and seventy- six persons committed to the grave. ^

Mr. Pardee's growing reputation rapidly increased
for the next few years, but his health became
impaired, and on the eve of his departure for Europe,
in hopes of restored strength, he died, October 10th,
1857. The Rev. Dr. Shaw, in his centennial sermon
at L,anesborough, Mass., says of him : "Popular as a

27

Christ Churcli Parisli

preacher, and highly respected for his moral and in-
tellectual attainments, his early death was widely
lamented. ' '
n\^.^ The Rev. Pierre Keller Babbit, of the Diocese of

\^ I New Jersey, became Rector on July 31st, 1840, with

0 r ^jtiJJ*^ a salary of $650, together with the free use and en-

joyment of the rectory. Two things of note in the
history of the Parish at this time were, the purchase,

^Kh^

.^,i'«*^ ^ Ifti^ by the Vestry in the fall of this same year, of an

organ at a cost of $800, the same now in use in the
present Sunday School room, and the presentation, to
the Vestry, for the Parish, in 1846, of a "deed of
gift' ' of the brick building standing on the Church
lot, and already in use as a Chapel and Sunday
School room. This building was erected by Mr.
Curtiss at a cost of $1,685, and was given by him, as
a "means to advance the spiritual interests of the
Church in this place. ' '

Mr. Babbit's rectorship was a short one of but four
years. During that time he did much, in a wise and
judicious manner, to improve the churchmanship of
the Parish, and by his zealous and faithful labors
many were added to its communion. By him one
hundred and eighty-five were baptized and fifty-eight
presented for confirmation. He gave much time to
Parish visiting, was popular with all his people, par-
ticularly with the younger portion, by whom he was
greatly beloved. The interest in Sunday School
work, which had received a fresh impetus in the Rev.
Mr. Pardee's time, was sustained by him, and was in-

28

Hudson, New York

creased by the work started at the time and which
has been greatly prospered, the establishing of a
Sunday School upon the Academy Hill. Much of
the success of this work is due to Mr, Frank Punder-
son, a member of the Vestry, who was its first
Superintendent, and who gave careful training, un-
remitting attention, and zealous efforts "for nearly
twenty years," and to Mrs. Esther Cookson, who
hospitably opened her doors to the school, and
with noble self-sacrifice and devotion gave herself,
her time and her means to the work upon the
"Hill." Among the early pupils of the school were
the Rt. Rev. Edward Atwill, of West Missouri, and
Rev. Fenwick M. Cookson, Rector of the Church of
the Messiah, Glen Falls in this Diocese.

In 1844 Mr. Babbit resigned and the Rev. Isaac
H. Tuttle was chosen as his successor.

The rectorship of the Rev. Isaac H. Tuttle, which
began Dec. 1st, 1844, was marked by ardent mission-
ary zeal and energy on the part of the Rector,
inciting the congregation to larger works of love for
Christ and his Church. Untiring in the fulfillment
of his parochial duties, with unremitting care search-
ing out the sick and poor within his cure, and minis-
tering both to their spiritual and bodily needs, he
still found time for much work outside the limits of
this Parish. The Rev. Mr. Hooper says of him :
"His missionary spirit caused him to hold service in
the waste places in the county, and during a vacancy
at Van Deusenville, Berkshire Co., Mass., he fre-

29

Christ Cliurcli Parisli

quently took the long drive to that village to preach
the word and break the Bread of I^ife to the little
flock of Christ there. The first services held in the
village of Chatham, in this century, were by him.
There were two or three earnest Church families in
that hamlet, who received gladly the ministrations
that the busy Rector of Hudson could give them.
Finding at Stockport in a factory recently established,
English operatives, he went there regularly for
service and finally, through the liberality of the pro-
prietor of the factory, secured the building and conse-
cration of the Church of St. John the Evangelist,
which is to-day a power for great good in the com-
munity."

Mr. Tuttle was deeply interested in the education
of the young, believing that true culture was only to
be attained by the harmonious education of the whole
being, moral, intellectual and spiritual and no instruc-
tion truly thorough, where the two-fold preparation
for our part in this life and in that of the world to
come, is daily severed. With this end in view he
established a Parish school which soon ranked with
the best in the city. Wishing to put the best instruc-
tion within the reach of those of limited means, only
a nominal charge was made of from $1.50 to $2.50
per term of twelve weeks. Several ladies of the
Parish gave their services as teachers. Starting as a
small day school with thirty pupils, it soon enlarged
fts borders ; accommodations were provided for board-
ing scholars and instructors provided for advanced

30

Hudson, New York

classes, the number of pupils reaching seventy. The
school was continued for eight years, when circum-
stances compelled its closure.

During Mr. Tuttle's rectorship daily services were
held in the Chapel, and with a short interruption this
practice was continued for many years. At his insti-
gation, the Vestry passed a resolution, "that weekly
ofiFering should be received on the morning of every
Lord's Day," and soon afterward offerings were
made at evening service also, a part of the prescribed
worship of the Church of which the congregation
had hitherto been deprived.

By the will of Miss Nellis Bruck the Parish re-
ceived its first bequest, amounting to $517, of which
$100 was to go to the Sunday school. Wishing to
pay off as much as possible of the mortgage on the
rectory, the entire sum, with about $200 additional
raised by subscription, was applied to this purpose,
the Vestry agreeing to pay the Sunday School seven
per cent, annually until such a time as the debt
should be cancelled. We have never heard of this
being done. Another bequest, received at this time,
was the gift of an old colored woman. Flora Pixley,
who owned and lived on a piece of property adjoining
the rectory and which she deeded to the Parish, with
the understanding that she was to have the use of
the house during the remaining years of her life, the
taxes and insurance to be paid for her. In 1849 the
Parish received from Mr. Cyrus Curtiss the silver
Communion Service now in use. Soon afterwards a

31

Christ Churcli Parisli

use was found for the old service, which together
with a baptismal bowl, was loaned to the church peo-
ple of Kinderhook, and was most gratefully accepted
by them.

About this time, the first expressions of the grow-
ing dissatisfaction of the people respecting the situ-
ation of the Church were heard and brought into
prominence by the offer of the Roman Catholics to
purchase the Church, Chapel, etc., but the price
offered was so low that the Vestry were reluctantly
obliged to decline it, and again needful repairs were
made to the Church building, the expense however
being fully met by subscription.

Mr. Tuttle's impaired health compelled his resigna-
tion in June, 1850, much to the surprise and grief of
his devoted people. He was urged to take a vacation
of three months, but after much consideration and
the advice of his physician, he was forced to request
the acceptation of his resignation, and in the summer
he became Rector of St. lyuke's. New York City,
his abundant and successful labors being too well
known to need mention here.

On July 10th, 1850, the Rev. Wm. Watson, of
Plymouth, Conn., was unanimously elected Rector,
and soon afterwards entered upon his duties. The
history of the Parish during this rectorship is princi-
pally to be found in the erection, in a more central
part of the city, of a new, more commodious, and
more churchly building for the worship of Almighty
God.

32

Rev. WILLIAM WATSON.

Hudson, New York

After two years of earnest, conscientious labor, the
new Rector, finding the old building too small to ac-
commodate the congregation, the situation bad for
the future growth of the Parish, urged the Vestry to
take action in this matter, though what this work
was to be, he, at that time, had little idea, as he did
not consider the Parish competent to undertake more
than the erection of a commodious and attractive
wooden structure, to cost about $7,000.

The first ofiicial action was taken in the matter at a
memorable meeting of the Vestry held April 29th,
1852, when Mr. Monell presented a resolution to the
effect that, "Whereas, God in His good providence,
had planted a branch of His Church in this place, a
trust which imposed upon us the duty of celebrating
its worship to the best of our power and in as widely
influential a manner as possible, and as some immedi-
ate action is due and was necessary, a committee
should be appointed to inquire into the advisedness of
enlarging and repairing the old building, or of selling
the old and building a new one. ' ' The Rector, with
Messrs. Sprague, Monell and Punderson, were ap-
pointed such committee, and at a subsequent meeting
reported, that in addition to the unfavorable location,
at least $3,000 would be needed to enlarge and repair
the old building. Deeming that inexpedient, they
had carefully considered the several lots suitable for
the purpose, and advised buying and building where
the present Church stands. That nothing might be
done hastily or unadvisedly, many meetings and

33

Clirist Cliurcli Parish

much time was given to the further consideration of
this subject.

The Rector, in an impressive sermon preached at
this time, reminded his people that though "the
means might seem to be wanting, He who by His
providence has commanded us to go forward, is heard
saying : The silver and the gold is mine, and the
hearts of those that hold it are in my hand!" and
bade them remember the zeal and devotion shown
and the sacrifices made by the Parish in building the
old Church. The influence of this sermon was felt at
the next meeting of the Vestry held Nov. 8th, when a
motion to repair the old Church was lost, and one to
purchase lots upon which to build a new one, was
carried. Two committees were appointed, one to pur-
chase the lots, the other to raise money by subscrip-
tion to pay for them. On Dec. 15th a general
assembly of the Parish was called, the second in its
history, the action of the Vestry laid before the people,
and their consent and co-operation asked. The re-
sponse was cordial and hearty.

It was decided by the Vestry to appropriate
$10,000 for the purpose of building Church, chapel
and rectory, $8,000 to be in hand before the work
was begun. The soliciting committee having raised
the desired amount, on Dec. 5th, 1853, a building
committee was appointed consisting of Messrs. Silas
Sprague, Peter G. Coffin and Robert B. Monell. To
this committee were added Messrs. Cyrus Curtiss,
Lovett R. Mellen, Chas. C. Alger and Frank Punder-

34

Hudson, New York

son. The idea of building chapel and rectory at this
time was soon abandoned. Many were the visits to
New York ; many the plans received and rejected be-
fore that of Mr. Wm. G. Harrison, of New York,
was accepted. Starting with the idea of building a
Church to cost $7,000, they eventually built a
Church that cost, exclusive of furniture, about
$33,000.

The ground for the new building was broken in
the fall of 1854, the corner-stone laid with impressive
ceremonies in October, and with the usual trials and
tribulations incident to such work, the building went
steadily forward to its completion, free from debt,
some three years later. One of the many discourage-
ments met with was the falling of the spire during
a heavy gale in the fall of 1855, the damage done to
the Church alone amounting to $300. Many encour-
agements were also met with. The former Rector,
Rev. Isaac H. Tuttle, with Messrs. Ambrose I,. Jor-
dan and Cyrus Curtiss, of New York, kindly under-
took to raise the $1,700 needed to glaze the windows
in nave and clearstory. The chancel windows were
given as memorials of Bishops Waiuwright and Ho-
bart, the Rev. Messrs. Stebbins, Bedell and Tuttle,
former Rectors of the Parish, the Rector giving one
in memory of Mrs. Watson, who had died during his
residence here. Trinity Church, New York, gener-
ously gave a grant of $5,000, which was raised
to $7,500 after the falling of the spire. The ladies of
the Parish raised in addition to their other offerings,

35

Christ Churcli Parish

many hundreds towards the furnishing of the Church.
But chiefly are we indebted for our beautiful Church
to the great good sense, courage and perseverance of
the Rector, the cordial, intelligent co-operation of the
Vestry, and the willingness of the people to give
amounts equal to ten per cent, of their individual
taxable property.

The organ, bell and "communion table" were re-
moved from the old Church to the new one, where
the latter was placed under the new Altar and
remained there until 1891, when it was removed to
its present place in the Sacristy. It was presented to
the Parish by the Misses Burch.

The last service was held in the old Church on Sun-
day afternoon, October 18th, 1857, when an impres-
sive and eloquent sermon was preached by the Rector
from the text : "Arise ye and depart, for this is not
your rest." — Micah II : 10.

The first service in the new Church was that of
Consecration upon Tuesday, October 20th, 1857.
There were present twenty-five of the clergy beside
the Provisional Bishop and a very large congregation.
The music was of a very high order. The proces-
sional psalm was read responsively by the Bishop and
clergy. The Rev. Dr. Pilkin, Rector of St. Peter's,
Albany, read the instrument of donation. The sen-
tence of consecration was read by the Rev. A. T.
Twing, Rector of Trinity Church, Lansingburgh.
Morning Prayer was said by the Rev. Isaac H.

36

Hudson, New York

Tuttle, of Saint Luke's, New York City, and the
Rev. P. Teller Babbit, former Rectors.

The Provisional Bishop commenced the communion
office, the Epistle being read by the Rev. Mr. Breck,
and the Gospel by the Rev. Gregory T. Bedell, Rec-
tor of the Church of the Ascension, New York City,
son of a former Rector. The sermon was preached
by the Right Rev. Dr. Potter, the Provisional Bishop,
from the 122d Psalm, the 4th to 7th verses, in which
he congratulated the Rector and people upon the
work brought to such noble completion. The Rev.
Harry Croswell, who had been expected to preach,
was prevented, to the great regret of his former pa-
rishioners. In the evening a class of seventeen was
confirmed, the Rev. Mr. Breck preaching.

The old Church was sold in 1858 to the Wesleyan
Methodist Society for $600 and the building on Union
street adjoining St. John's Hall. The chapel and
rectory were sold in 1860, and the building on Union
street fitted for the daily service and the use of the
Sunday School. In 1859 Mr. Watson asked for
leave of absence for six months, which was granted,
and the time afterwards extended on request. During
his absence Rev. Mr. Morrill had charge of the
Parish. On March 2, 1862, Mr. Watson resigned the
charge of the Parish to become special agent of the
Church Book Society.

Although in the written history of this Parish Mr.
Watson will chiefly be known as "the builder," in
the hearts of his people he is known as "the self-sac-

37

Christ Churcli Parisli

rificing Priest, the poor man's friend." Earnest,
energetic and methodical, with indomitable will and
perseverance, thorough in his care for the little
things committed to his charge, he found nothing too
great, nothing too small, to be done in the service of
his Lord and Master. His teaching was simple,
direct and thorough. The duty of reverence in and
for the House of God and its service, was strongly
impressed upon his people. The daily service was
continued, the Sunday Schools increased in numbers
and influence, and the Parish School maintained its
efficiency until 1855, when it was deemed best to dis-
continue it. He had a well planned system of Parish
visiting which was faithfully carried out, and in
which he was assisted by an able staff of district vis-
itors. In his devotion to the sick and poor he was
remarkably self-forgetful, frequently in cases of
illness preceding the physician of the body, and often
in cases of need performing himself the duties which
seemed needful. He himself tells us, that during his
rectorship he held divine service on no less than five
thousand occasions, during which he held forth the
Word of Life two thousand times.

That the people were not allowed to be forgetful of
their duties without the Parish, we learn from the
fact that during the time the Church was in process
of erection, the offerings for outside objects averaged
about $500 a year, an increase over the offerings of
other years.

Besides the great loss sustained by the Parish in

38

Hudson, New York

the resignation of its Rector, the loss of four of its
loyal and devoted Vestrymen was severely felt. The
Junior Warden, Mr. Silas Sprague, removed from the
city in 1858, and in the same year Mr. Peter G.
Cofl&n was removed by death. In 1860 death claimed
Messrs. Frank Punderson, for thirty-seven years a
member of the Vestry, and Ichabod Rogers, a Ves-
tryman for thirty-five years, during twenty-five of
which he held the ofl&ce of Senior Warden.

In June, 1862, the Rev. George F. Seymour, then
Rector of St. Mary's, Manhattanville, N. Y., was
called to, and accepted the Rectorship of this Parish,
and entered upon his duties the first of October.
"His brilliant scholarship, earnest manner and win-
ning eloquence filled the Church at every service. As
a pastor he was faithful and careful, and one for
whom every member of his flock cherished a warm
affection. ' '

The plan of building a Chapel on the Church
grounds was earnestly forwarded by him, committees
were appointed to solicit contributions and to procure
plans and specifications. The necessary funds being
secured, the work of building was carried quickly
forward and the walls of the Chapel raised and en-
closed during the year of 1863.

He was greatly interested in the work on Academy
Hill, giving much time and attention to its develop-
ment, cheering and encouraging the hearts of the
faithful workers there, and on October 12th, 1863,
had the pleasure of presenting on their behalf to the

39

Christ Cliurcli Parisli

Vestry a deed of a lot on Academy Hill for the pur-
pose of erecting a Chapel there. This lot was subse-
quently changed for the one on which All Saints
Church now stands. To the great sorrow of his pa-
rishioners, Mr. Seymour felt obliged to resign the
charge of this Parish after a brief rectorship of barely
one year, his resignation taking effect on October 3d,

1863. In the busy life of usefulness and honor that
he has since led as Dean of the General Theological
Seminary and Bishop of Springfield, he has always
kept a warm interest in this Parish and his former
parishioners here.

After an interval of six months, the Rev. William
Ross Johnson became Rector of the Parish May 1st,

1864. He was a scholar of excellent attainments, a
preacher of great power and eloquence, and as Parish
Priest earnest and diligent in the performance of the
duties of his position. The Parish was prospering
greatly under his ministrations when, under the pres-
sure of many exciting causes, his mind became
affected and he was obliged to resign his charge Nov.
10th, 1869. During Mr. Johnson's rectorship all
Parish indebtedness was liquidated and the finances
placed upon a sound basis, the Chapel was completed
at a cost of about $4,000, and sufficient funds collected
to buy the house on the corner of Warren and Second
streets to be used as a rectory until such a time as
the Parish should be able to build on the Church lot.
In 1869 a new organ being deemed a necessity,
measures were taken to raise the required amount

40

Hudson, New York

and the organ now in use in the Church contracted
for at the cost of $3,550 — $500 being allowed for the
old instrument. The needful changes were made in
the gallery and the organ put in position in the spring
of the following year. '

The work on the "Hill" went steadily forward
during these years. The Chapel which had been
talked of during Mr. Watson's time now became
a necessity.

The Rev. Francis Harrison, Rector of Claverack,
was appointed Mr. Johnson's assistant in 1864, and
under his charge the preparation for building went on
with much encouragement.

For several years Mr. Cookson had been collecting
money for this purpose. Miss Elizabeth Peake,
always a kind friend of the work, seeing now its
needs, enlisted herself heartily in collecting money.
Giving largely herself, and gathering from friends far
and near, as well as from the friends already interested
in the work, she soon had a sum sufficient, with what
Mr. Cookson had already collected, to justify them in
securing plans and beginning to build. Among
those specially interested in the building of the
Chapel were Mr. Meigs, of South America, Mr. and
Mrs. Wm. I. Peake, of New York, Mr. Cyrus Cur-
tiss, the old friend of the Parish, the Stotts, of Stott-
ville, and Mrs. Freeborn and daughter, of Hudson.
The cost, without furnishings, was $4,800.

The Rev. Curtis T. Woodruff was elected Rector
March 7th, 1870. August 15th the same year the

41

Clirist Cliurcli Parisli

Rev. William C. Prout was elected assistant during
this rectorship.

The former rectory was sold for the sum of $6,500.
On August 21st, 1871, contract was made for the
building of the present rectory. Mr. Woodruff
resigned on the 21st of November the same year.

The Rev. Theodore Babcock, D. D., was elected
March 27th, 1872, and continued until July 5th,
1875.

The Rev. Robert E. Terry was Rector of the
Parish from January 4th, 1876, until 1879.

On April 29th, 1879, the Rev. John Clough Tebbetts,
assistant minister at Grace Church, New York city,
accepted a call to this Parish and entered vigorously
upon the duties of what proved to be one of the
longest rectorships in its history. The need of a
room, suitable for the meetings of the various socie-
ties, had been long felt, and the Infant Class having
outgrown its accommodations in the Sunday School
room, the new rector entered heartily into the plan of
the ladies to raise funds to build an addition to the
Chapel which would answer for both purposes.
Although a simple room was all that was first con-
templated, plans and needs grew together until they
resulted in a guild room, corridor and organ chamber.

That the beauty of the Church might not be
marred by these additions, the services of the archi-
tect of the Church, Mr. Wm. G. Harrison, were secured
and from his plans the extension was built. The
organ was brought down from the gallery and by the

42

Rev. JOHN CLOUGH TEBBETTS.

Hudson, New York

addition of new pipes its eflSciency increased. Ac-
commodations were provided for the choir at the
right of the chancel. These improvements cost nearly
$4,000 and much credit is due to the ladies who so
successfully carried out the work, but principally are
we indebted to Mrs. John C. DuBois, who, always
warmly interested in the welfare of the Parish, had
this work deeply at heart and was zealous and un-
tiring in her labors in its behalf.

The rooms were opened to the congregation on
Thanksgiving Day, 1880. The constant and various
uses to which the guild room is put, give ample proof
of the wisdom of this work.

Mr. Tebbetts was actively interested in mission
work and did all in his power to stimulate the mis-
sionary spirit of the Parish. Through his efforts the
offerings to sustain the missions of the county were
increased and much aid given in establishing the ver}'-
successful work in Philmont, the first service there
being held by him.

The Rev. Wm, M. Cook became assistant to the
Rector in the fall of 1879, succeeding the Rev. Mr.
Fulcher, now Minor Canon of All Saints Cathedral.
By his labors the work at All Saints went steadily
onward for several years, and much regret was felt at
his resignation of this charge. For three years Mr.
Tebbetts took entire charge of the work of the
Parish. In January, 1887, some change being
deemed necessary, several plans were suggested, and
after mature consideration, that of setting apart of

43

Christ Churcli Parisli

All Saints, as an independent Parish, was adopted,
with the cordial consent of the people there, who have
well fulfilled their promise to support the new
Church, and with the approval of the Bishop of the
Diocese. During the summer of this year it was
found necessary to make extensive repairs both with-
in and without the Church, and the recoloring of the
interior seemed advisable. These repairs and im-
provements necessitated closing of the Church,
for two months. On its re-opening Nov. 6th, a
"service of re-consecration" was held for which a
special form of prayer had been sent by the Bishop.

Among the many changes and improvements made
during this rectorship we find the introduction of the
vested choir, for whose accommodation the floor of
the choir was temporarily enlarged and has since
been further extended. Three memorial windows
were placed in the aisles of the Church, two in
memory of Miss Elizabeth Peake, given by her former
pupils, and one in memory of Mrs. Susan Van
Rensselaer and Miss I^orinda Barnard. Tablets in
memory of Hon. Cyrus Curtiss and Mr. John Crissey
find place on the walls and many smaller memorials
were given. The Kalendar was started in 1884 by
the Young Men's Bible class, and passing through
several hands came at last to be the Rector's paper,
and as such has done efl&cient work. New guilds were
started, old ones revivified and the working forces of
the Parish put in excellent shape. Many and heart-
felt regrets were expressed when it became known,

44

Hudson, New York

in Sept., 1890, that Mr. Tebbetts had resigned his
charge here to become Rector of St. John's Church,
North Adams. He had been a kind and faithful
friend to his parishioners and their best wishes went
with him to his new and larger field of labor.

The Rev. Sheldon M. Griswold became Rector of
the Parish November 16th, 1890. During this rector-
ship many changes have taken place in the alteration
and beautifying of the fabric of the Church. Dr.
Wheeler gave in the year 1891 the present marble
altar in memory of his wife and son ; the Altar So-
ciety placed the mosaic pavement and marble steps,
the brass altar railing being added at the same time.

Among the many gifts of individual members of
the Church during this time have been the brass
lectern with its Bible, new communion vessels and
the peal of three bells, alms basin, candle sticks and
processional cross.

In 1897 the Altar Society re-decorated the walls of
the chancel at a cost of five hundred dollars. Steam
heating apparatus was placed in the Church ; rood-
screens were erected and given in commemoration of
the first hundred years' life of the Church. These
screens bear the name of each Rector, Warden and
Vestryman who had been members of the Parish
during this time.

45

CHrist Cliurcli Parisli

On December 10th, 1902, The Rev. Dr. Griswold
presented to the Vestry his resignation as Rector of
this Parish, to take effect January 1st, 1903, he having
been elected to the Bishopric of Salina, Kansas, by
the House of Bishops in session at Philadelphia,
October, 1902.

46

Rev. SHELDON MUNSON GRISWOLD, D. D.
Bishop Elect of Salina.

May 4th to 11th, 1902

The Rector^ Wardens and Vestry

of Christ Church, Hudson, New York,

invite you to be present at the services

in Commemoration of

The Centennial of the Corporation

May ^tk to nth, A. D. igo2

R. S. V. P.

(^vhn 0f BttbxctB

Sunday, May 4

Holy Eucharist, 7:30 A. M.
Morning Prayer, 9:30 A. M.
Benediction of the Memorial Screens and Pulpit : Te

Deum, Holy Eucharist and Sermon, 11:00 A. M.
The Bishop of Albany will preach the Sermon.
Evensong and Confirmation, 7:30 P. M.

Monday, May 5

Holy Eucharist, 7:30 A. M.
Morning Prayer, 9:30 A. M.
Te Deum, Holy Eucharist and Sermon, 11 A. M.
The Bishop of Springfield will preach the Sermon.
Reception at the Rectory, 8 to 10 P. M.
The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated each morning
at 7:30, and Morning Prayer will be said at 9:30.

Tuesday, May 6

Evensong and Sermon, 7:30 P. M.
The Rt. Rev. George F. Seymour, D. D., LI.. D.,
Preacher.

Wkdnesday, May 7

Evensong and Sermon, 7:30 P. M.
Rev. Wm. C. Prout, Preacher.

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Christ Church Parish

Thursday, May 8 — Ascension Day

Holy Eucharist and Sermon, 11:00 A. M.

The Rev. Wm. C. Prout, Rector of Christ Church,

Herkimer, N. Y., Preacher.
Evensong and Sermon, 8:00 P. M.
The Rev'd W. E. Johnson, Rector of the Church of

the Redeemer, New York, Preacher.
The Lafayette Commandery, Knights Templar, will

attend this service in a body.

Friday, May 9

Evensong and Sermon, 7:30 P. M.
The Rev'd T. B. Fulcher, Precentor of All Saints
Cathedral, Albany, N. Y., Preacher.

Sunday, May 11

Holy Eucharist, 7:30 A. M.

Morning Prayer, Litany and Sermon, 11 A. M.

The Rev'd A. S. Lloyd, D. D., Secretary of the

General Board of Missions, Preacher.
Evening Praj'er and Sermon, 7:30.
The Rev. Wm. M. Cook, Rector of S. Augustine's
Church, Ilion, N. Y., Preacher.

52

Rt. Rev GEORGE F. SEYMOUR, D. D., LL. D.

BY

TheRt. Rev. George F. Seymour, D.D., LL.D.

Bishop of SpringfieivD.

Preached Monday, May 5th, 1902

Iht Bttmcn

St. John XVI : 28.

TTTHAT a hundred years seem to say, as inter-
^ ^ preted by earth ; and what they really say as
interpreted by heaven.

The fifth of May, 1802, and the fifth of May, 1902,
a hundred years apart. What do these years say as
Man tells the story, what do they say, as God de-
livers the message ?

We need not delay long upon the narrative, as it
falls from human lips, or is recorded by the hand of
the ready writer.

It is a familiar tale set down on newspaper, maga-
zine and book, repeated in oration, address and
sermon, until the eye and ear have grown familiar
with the drama of a century, and we have become
almost weary of the pathos summed up in the conclu-
sions, "chance and change." The panorama has
brought its successive scenes into view from every
source of human activity, and the lights and shades
of peace and war, of prosperity and adversity, the
revolutions in Empires and Kingdoms, the unrest of
populations, the chronicles of discoveries and inven-
tions, the advance in science, the increase and diffu-
sion of knowledge, the march in a word, of human
progress, fall upon the canvass of history, and we
gaze, and are made serious, if not sad, as we reflect,

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Christ Churcli Parisli

that we are taking our place in the motley group,
which crowds the foreground to-day, to point the
moral of our successors to-morrow, as they will say
of us, what we are now saying of our ancestors of an
hundred years ago. Is this not the case my fellow
beings ? Are we not all chained to the same fate ?
Is it not inevitable ? Is not the living past as it
breathed once and saw and heard and felt and loved
and feared and hoped as we breathe, and see and
hear and feel and love and fear and hope this mo-
ment, is it not dead and gone ? I have looked into
eyes, which saw this scene in natural features, when
there was as yet no city here, before the year 1800,
those eyes have long since been closed in death, and
so have all, who were consciously alive, when this
venerable Parish was organized in 1802. All are
gone. The soul of the event, which gives point and
meaning to this centennial, the men and women and
little children, the human life in all the complexity of
its existence of that day has passed from earth, and
we have but their dust and ashes beneath the sod, to
tell us, that living men were here one hundred years
ago, to engage in a transaction which brings us
hither to celebrate the centennial of that event to-day.
Is it not humiliating, nay distressing, to be con-
fronted every time we look back to the distant past
with the fact that we seem to be less enduring than
the institutions we organize, the states we found, the
buildings we erect, the books we write, the works of
art we create, the machinery we construct ? Is
not this humiliating, distressing ? Surely it is,

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Hudson, New York

and this world with its many voices, and its
boundless resources gives no relief. We have
been, as a nation, celebrating centennials since
1875, when Lexington and Bunker Hill stirred our
patriotism with the memories of the initial battles of
our Revolutionary War, but the thrilling story of the
hardships and stern resolves and sacrifices and hero-
ism of our ancestors, and the memorials of the past,
and the thronging crowd and the stimulating exer-
cises of the present, withdraw attention from the real
actors, the living men who dared to do and wrought,
and suffered, succeeded, and died and are gone. Our
thoughts are fixed upon their achievements, not so
much on them but where are they ?

We think of Lexington and Bunker Hill and Paul
Revere, and the lantern on the church tower, and the
Declaration of Independence, and the signers, and
the Constitution, and its framers. Our minds are on
the actors in association with their acts and words,
and thoughts, and cannot go beyond. It is impossi-
ble with earth's centennials, since the earth cannot
help us. Her memorials are material, constructed
out of matter in brick and stone and wood and paper
and ink. Her real treasures, her stock in hand, must
be here with us, the records of the past in parchment,
chronicle, history, the ancient buildings, monuments,
the remains of whatever kind, which survive the
wreck and waste of time, are in sight, the eye reads,
or sees them, or the ear hears of them. This is the
sum total of earth's centennials, the dead past, laid
hold of by the living present, and studied and exam-

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Christ Cliurcli Parisli

ined and commemorated. Earth holds and enjoys
the legacy, so far as it is preserved, but where are
the testators, who made the bequests ? "Dead and
gone," respond the million voices of this world,
' 'dead and gone. ' ' No other answer has ever come
from this source and never will.

The earth is mighty, but its prowess ends with the
epitaph on the tomb-stone, and its centennials are of
the past, historic absolutely and exclusively. They
separate the bequest from the will ; the legacy from
the testator. It is impossible with nature that it
should be otherwise. She cannot see beyond the
grave, she cannot raise the dead. All that she can
do is to hold her festivals in memory of great events,
and illustrious men, and sing her dirge, and chant
her paens and cease. This is earth's interpretation
of a hundred years, a thousand, the great past. It is
the present she celebrates, the building divorced from
the architect and the mechanic ; the oration and poem
away from the orator and poet ; the invention and
discovery without the inventor and discoverer ; the
workman of whatever kind separated and apparently
forever, from his work.

The glamour of crowds and processions and ban-
ners and music and speeches and banquets shed a
radiance of glory upon these pageants, but behind
and back of it all is there not the pathos of helpless-
ness and despair ?

For upon every one, who thinks and meditates,
there is forced the conviction, that thought is greater
than the thinker, and the work greater than the work-

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Hudson, New York

man. Is not this what a hundred years seem to say,
as interpreted by earth ?

Now let us turn and ask what do they say as in-
terpreted by heaven, by Him, who said "I came forth
from the Father, and am come into the world, again I
leave the world and go to the Father" ? The
speaker is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and
this centennial, which draws us together to-day, is
an epoch in His life, a living Man among living men
departed and on the earth.

This is Christ Church, and Christ lives in three
worlds, here on earth through the Holy Spirit, who
dwells in the heart of the believers. In the place of
departed spirits, hades, hell, since He descended
thither, and He has "the Keys of death and of hell"
and where He once was He always is. And in
Heaven, on the throne of God at the right hand of
the Father, whither He ascended as we shall be
joyfully reminded next Thursday in the Feast of the
Ascension. He lives in three worlds : with us here
on earth, with the blessed departed in Paradise, and
with angels and arch-angels and ultimately with all
the redeemed in the highest Heaven, the Palace of
the King of Kings, the home of the beatific vision.
Yes, we have the fact in possession on the authority
of inspiration, "Christ ever liveth to intercede for us,"
and the proof is given to eye and ear, when at Pente-
cost the Holy Ghost descends, "sent" by the Son
from the Father, and comes like a mighty rushing
wind, which is heard in cloven tongues, like as
fire and sits upon the head of each of the one hun-

59

Clirist Churcli Parisli

dred and twenty, which is seen. * ' Christ ever liveth, ' '
and with Him live all, who belong to Him in all
dispensations. "Now is Christ risen from the dead
and become the first fruits of them that slept." "He
tasted death for every man," He drew out the poison
of death, when He bore our sins upon the cross, and
left death without its sting. ' 'The sting of death is
sin" and when "the full, perfect and sufficient sacri-
fice for sin" is made, then the sting of death is gone,
the dreadful reality is exhausted of its destructive
power both to body and soul and only the shadow
remains. Death is changed to sleep, and the sub-
stance disappears and leaves but the shadow. David
saw this by the help of the spirit and he says, "Yea
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy
rod and thy staff comfort me." Here is the scenery
of the crucifixion, and of the resurrection, in this old
pastoral Psalm. The rod and the staff are the two
sticks crossed on Calvary, and the shadow of death
is the umbra of the passage to the life beyond the
grave. I^et us turn to our I^ord, and listen to what
falls directly from his lips : — "I came forth from the
Father" He says, "and am come into the world, again
I leave the world and go to the Father. ' ' Here is
the path of the living man luminously sketched for
us. It is the path of the living, "growing brighter
and brighter unto the perfect day." There is no
death, when we couple Christ's words on the cross,
when He dismissed, as a Master does his servant. His
life from His body, and said "Father into Thy hands

60

S>^

Hudson, New York

I commend M)^ Spirit" couple them with the ex-
pression, "again I leave the world and go to the
Father. ' ' Our centennial then is explained and inter-
preted b)' our lyord, the living Head of the living
Body and of the living Members of that body, "whose
life is hid with Christ in God."

He, the Master, has gone before and marked the
stages of His progress to the end, the right hand of
the eternal Father in Heaven.

Listen, lose not a word, (1) "I came forth from
the Father," the annunciation, the conception by the
Holy Ghost. (2) "And come into the world" the
nativity, "born of the Virgin Mary." (3) "Again,
I leave the world," crucifixion, death, "crucified
under Pontius Pilate." (4) "And go to the
Father," the going to Paradise with the penitent
thief. "To-day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise."
"He descended into hell, (the place of departed
spirits)." The journey is only half over, four stages
yet remain. The living Christ is on His glorious
triumphant progress. (5) "I came forth from the
Father." The leaving Paradise and quickening His
mortal bod}^ with everlasting life, when it was changed
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye and passed
from the natural to the supernatural condition. (6)
"And am come into the world." The resurrection,
the birth from the tomb, as He was born from the
womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. "The third day
He rose again." (7) "Again I leave the world."
The ascension, the going away from the earth with
both body and soul, before, on Good Friday, He

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Christ Church Parish

went away from the eartli only in his soul and left
His body a corpse upon the cross. Now He goes with
both body and soul from this world. "He ascended
into heaven." (8) "And go to the right hand of
the Father on the throne of God." "And sitteth on
the right hand of God the Father Almighty. ' ' This
is the goal, the haven, the end. This is whither the
living Christ will bring His living members, to the
right hand of the Majesty on high. Thus the living
Christ goes before, marks the way, opens the gates
of everlasting life, draws the sting of death, sin,
from the bitter cup, "tastes death for every man,"
shows that death is not a state, but an incident in a
continuous flow of life, a shadow which falls upon the
stream. Our life, our real spiritual life, "is hid here
before birth and the grave," with Christ in God.
We fall asleep in Jesus. We live on in Paradise with
Christ. We rise with Him in the resurrection of the
just, and He, who is our life, will fill us with ever-
lasting life on the right hand, His own place, in
glory and bliss in Heaven, and our joy will be the
fullness of life for evermore, the beatific vision, the
Great White Throne, the I^amb in the midst of the
throne and the rainbow round about the throne.

What does our centennial say as interpreted by
Jesus Christ, the perfectly righteous man, as our
Head and I^eader and Example and our God, ' 'able to
save to the uttermost," showing us the path of life in
His footsteps as a man and drawing us after Himself
with the cords of a man, strengthening as with the
forces of Heaven, to enable us to follow Him, and

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Hudson, New York

standing by one side, as our companion always,
everywhere and to the end ? What light does Jesus
Christ throw upon our centennial, and the hundred
years, which fell between 1802 and 1902 ? They are
full of life. There are really no dead in Christ. All
are living. Christ, "the first fruits from the dead,"
is 1902 j^ears old for us upon the earth. It is His
age "Anno Domini." Those, who have fallen asleep
in Jesus since one hundred 5-ears ago, are living else-
where; their graves are with us and are our certifi-
cates that they without us cannot be made perfect.
They are living outside the Palace, They are in the
ante chamber. They are waiting and we with them
must presently wait for others, until God wills and
the end shall come. "" The pathway of life, bright
with Christ's Presence, stretches back to the 5th of
May, 1802, and in it are walking those who as
officers organized this Parish, and the flock, young
and old, men and women and children, who gathered
within the fold ; as the path comes down through a
hundred years the travelers are more in number, and
then there appear one and another and more who,
though hoary with age, still remain with us, and
now, to-day we can say with St. Paul "we bow our
knees unto the Father of our lyord Jesus Christ, of
whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. ' '
"The whole family in heaven," the departed, "and
in earth" we who remain in the flesh. Our fathers
of a hundred years ago, and ninety and eighty and
seventy and sixty head the procession, and are mostly
gone before. We are following after, and are still in

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Christ Churcli Parish

sight. The same stream of life carries us forward
and sweeps us on. The incident of death separates
us from our brethren, who have gone before, to share
in other experiences, but are embraced by the same
gift of Hfe, which abides in the spirit, and must flow
on forever.

Our centennial is a centennial of life, and not of
death. The workmen, who wrought, as on this day,
one hundred years ago, were working on the lines of
life. They were making provision for institutions,
which change not, and for the use of a language,
which never becomes obsolete and dies. The sacra-
ments are arteries, which convey the life of the Head
to the members, and the words spoken by the corpo-
rate body are the words of the Holy Spirit.

The interpretation, which Heaven gives to our
centennial is, that the thinker is greater than his
thought, the orator and poet greater than their litera-
ture, the mechanic than his mechanism, and the
workman than his work. X

The organization of a Parish and the building of a
Church, and the furnishing it with the font, and the
altar, and the pulpit and the prayer desk are among
the grandest works which man can do, because they
have direct and immediate relation to the life be-
yond the grave. Yet even these divine works are in-
ferior to the workmen, because the workman will
endure forever, when church building and font and
altar will disappear.

Let us congratulate ourselves that as regards Christ
Church, Hudson, in its parochial organization and

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Hudson, New York

splendid church building and equipment and rectory,
and other possessions, we inherit the legacy which
has grown from humble beginnings to the grand pro-
portions which we now witness around us, and we
also have with us in the same grasp of life those who
have bequeathed to us this goodly heritage. We can
give account of them, as instructed by Him, "who
was dead and is alive again forever more, death hath
no more dominion over Him." Think, my brethren,
how all else has changed in a hundred years, except
three things, man in essential nature and the family,
as God makes it, and that of which the family is
God's selected symbol and type, His Church. These
have not changed, and they hold together in one,
as cords which bind and cannot be severed, the
5th of May, 1802, and the 5th of May, 1902. Our
bodies, minds and spirits are precisely what our
ancestors were, who, as on this day and near this spot,
a hundred years ago, organized this Parish. They
represented by God's allotment and appointment
families, as we do to-day. Around their hearts, as
around ours, the divine hand bound the ties of kin-
dred, which no man can sever, the relationships of
family life, the bonds of parents and children, and of
brothers and sisters. And back of both, and beneath
both are the everlasting arms of the Fatherhood of
God in His Family, the Church. Into this eternal
home, as into its type and symbol, the earthly home,
we enter by birth. ' 'Except a man be born again he
cannot see the Kingdom of God. ' ' "Our Father who
art in Heaven." We have not received the spirit of

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Christ Church Parish

bondage again to fear, but ye have received the spirit
of adoption, whereby we cry "Abba, Father." The
eternal home bridges the apparent chasm between
time and eternity. Its abutments are the Font and
the throne of God, and its roof- tree shelters God's
children here on earth, while they remain, shelters
them in death and the grave and Paradise, and its
many mansions await them, "made ready" for them
by their Saviour, after the resurrection in Heaven.

All church buildings and chapels, consecrated as
the abiding places of the Blessed Trinity for man's
benefit on earth, are apartments of the one temple of
God here below, and they together constitute the one
homestead of His spiritual children, while they remain
in this world. The Jewish Dispensation had but one
temple in Jerusalem, because the Jewish church was
limited in its scope to a single race, the Christian Dis-
pensation has many temples all over the earth,
because it is for all races and kindreds and people ; it
is the universal, the Catholic Church. It matters not
how immense and spacious the building may be in the
fabric of a grand Cathedral, or how humble and
small in the form of a little village church, or rural
chapel, the intrinsic value is the same, that is always
measured by the greatness of Him who dwells within,
and the occupant in all places set apart to His Name,
is in all cases God. This glorious temple then, inter-
mediate between the majestic Cathedral and the
modest mission church, or chapel, is "the House of
God ' ' where he vouchsafes to abide, that He may
minister to us men, you and me. Divine hospitalities ;

66

Hudson, New York

here in the Font He gives the heavenly birth ; here
in confirmation He bestows the Holy Ghost ; here in
Holy Matrimony He sets forth the mystery of the
union of Christ with His Church and creates the type
and symbol of the eternal home ; here in the sacra-
ment of the altar He shows forth the death of His
dear Son until He come and nourishes His children
with the spiritual food of the crucified Redeemer's
Bod}^ and Blood ; here He teaches His family to
learn the alphabet of love, and to speak the same
language in the use of common praj-er ; and here He
differentiates in the most striking and emphatic way
the hospitalities of His house, "His Palace," from
those of all earthly habitations and homes. This
world provides for all temporal needs in shelter and
food and entertainment, and goodly learning and
material luxuries, and the choicest delicacies for body
and mind, but when death comes, its hospitality
ceases, because it must. It can do nothing for the
corpse but provide it with a shroud and a coffin, and
a grave. No institution of earth, however grand
and great, has an open door for the body, stiff and
cold in death, save the dissecting room, and its wel-
come there is one of humiliation and destruction, not
of benediction and life. Houses of Parliament, Capi-
tol, University, College, Lyceum, Library, Palace,
stately mansion, private dwellings, grand and hum-
ble, all alike say to the funeral procession, "do not
halt at our doors, we can do nothing for a corpse, we
have no hospitality to offer the dead, go further, and
seek entertainment elsewhere, if you can find it."

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Christ Churcli Parish

Thank God we can go further, and find what we
crave and yearn to have with all our hearts. We go
on to God's House and there at the door He meets
the corpse in the person of his ambassador, the Priest,
the Pastor, and greets and welcomes it with the
words, the blessed words of good cheer and good
hope, "I am the resurrection and the life ; he that
believeth on Me shall live though he die, and whoso-
ever liveth and believeth on Me shall never die."
This is the hospitality of God's House, of Heaven.

There is nothing like it elsewhere on earth. It is
the one bright spot amid the scenery of death, it
brings the light of this world, which has apparently
gone out, into touch with the light of everlasting life,
and both are shining, the light of mortal life in
memory, and the light of eternal life in faith, the less
is swallowed up in the greater, but both are shining
and leading on and up along the pathway of the just
to the throne of God, our Father in Heaven, and
there is no night there; there "the day, which the
Lord hath made" reigns supreme and for evermore.
It is the eternal day of victory, and of glory, and of
bliss. In the light of these reflections, tell me how our
centennial appears ? Is it not full of life and light ?
Thither within the shelter of this sacred building, or
its venerable predecessor, have been borne the bodies
of the organizers and founders of this Parish, and of
its older members and many more besides, of the for-
mer Rectors who are gone, and the renewers and
rebuilders of the Parish Church and worthy, men and
women and darling babies and children, a great mul-

68

Hudson, New York

titude, God bless them all, aud on them and over
them shines the light of the resurrection, and we this
morning hold them in memory as living, living now,
more energetically and truly than they ever lived
while here, where we now are. They are greater
than their works. They are the workmen, and they
do but "rest from their labors," and their works fol-
low them — we are here to commemorate one of their
works, done one hundred years ago, and in this Palace
of life, for there is no death here, it is shut out by
the divine Host, who always stands at the door and
cries, "I am the resurrection and the life." This is
the Palace of the Lord God, death reigns without, but
not here, life reigns here. The shadow of death falls,
but it is only the shadow, and it fell on Him first,
and we need fear no evil, since He is with us, and es-
pecially, when He breaks the silence aud speaks to us
personally and individually, and says, "I am the res-
urrection and the life." This is "the Palace of the
Lord God," and it is, if it be His, it must be, the
Palace of life. Our centennial is bright with life, and
we are happy in the company of the living. The fin-
ger of decay, decadence and death has been and is
upon the things without, on nature even and man's
work. The Hudson of 1802 was a vigorous infant,
borrowing its hardihood and thrift and vitality
from the sailors' homes of Nantucket, and the
rocky coasts of Massachusetts. It grew with
amazing rapidity for those times and before
1820 gave promise of being one of the largest
commercial centres in the Union. Its ships were

69

Christ Church Parish

seen in many and distant seas, and its trade, led by
the whale fishery brought rich and profitable cargos
to its wharves and warehouses, and made it a port of
entry of the largest magnitude in business before 1830
was reached.

Hudson grew and prospered until changes of con-
dition came, through inventions and discoveries,
which altered its relations to the great outside world,
which checked its business prospects, and discounted
its advantage of being at the head of ship navigation
on the majestic river, with which it shares its name.

These changes from rapid to slow growth, and
then of apparent cessation of progress, were the re-
sults of no fault on the part of the citizens of this
goodly city. They were inevitable. No human
sagacity could have foreseen the future, and no
human enterprise and pluck and courage could have
pushed the advantages, which Hudson enjoyed from
1820 to 1835, at a pace, which would have enabled
her to hold her own with outside centres more favor-
ably situated, to reap the benefits of steam and
electricity and new material for man's consumption
and use. It was not the fault of Hudson's citizens
of those former days, that she did not maintain her
importance of place and dignity of position.

It was a mightier hand than man's, which held her
in check, and .she was compelled to submit to the
effect of changes, over which she had no con-
trol, which interrupted and almost stopped her
growth. The years run on and other changes
came with social and political issues, and Hud-

70

Hudson, New York

son has her troubles, when anti-rent was ram
pant, and her triumph, when for a time the steam
whistle bade the train halt at her station, as
the temporarj^ terminus of the still experimental
railroad line. The years run on, and 1850 and
1860 are reached, and the speaker is almost in sight,
and he mentions himself not to speak of himself, but
to introduce his predecessor, the Rev. William
Watson, and bestow upon him, and those who
wrought with him so wisely and well, a word of well
deserved praise. This stately Church, with its ex-
quisite tower and spire, its spacious nave and lofty
clear-story, was for the time and condition of the city
very costly, and it is, and will ever remain while it
stands, exquisitely beautiful. How was it done ? Aid
it is true came from without and cooperation gener-
ously helped the Rector, but he, William Watson,
was the inspiration of the undertaking, and the
leader in the work until it was finished, and surren-
dered in consecration, to become "the Palace of the
Lord God," and here it stands to-day, a monument
of his devotion and perseverance and patience, and
faith, and love. He built meanwhile in the hearts
and souls of his flock by his example and precept an
inner temple of holiness unto the Lord. I say this
much of this one Rector, because, through this state-
ly edifice, he preeminently and conspicuously con-
nects himself with the solemnities of this day. I
would fain speak of other Rectors, who richly deserve
our praise, and hosts of laymen, whom I knew and
loved, but time and your already tried patience will

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Christ Cliurcli Parish

not permit. My tenure of office here was very brief,
not quite one year. I went away reluctantly at the
desire, almost the command, of my Bishop, to lead,
as he felicitously termed it, "a forlorn hope," in a
larger city. Never until this day has it been publicly
said, that it was not my wish to leave my flock in
Hudson, and the work which by God's blessing was
prospering under my hand, but my superior officer
bade me go, and I went.

I dare not trust myself to tell you of my loneliness
as I stand here in your presence, the present
flock of Christ Church, Hudson, and think of
the hosts of loyal hearts and true, which were
beating around me with the pulsations of this
mortal life, when I was the Priest and Pastor, almost
forty years ago. You have taken their places, like
ranks in a moving procession, and with me are
marching on to join them, as the portion of the one
family in heaven, who have left this world and are
gone before to wait. I must hasten on to my conclu-
sion and it is anticipated, for it is mine as well as
yours. I am one of you to-day. This is a day of life,
not of death. It closes a hundred years and it is full of
the life of this world. The other boundary is at the
beginning, and it brings into memory, and presents to
view those who by God's will, are living in "the
world," as we now say, "to come." All is life, the
beginning and the end, and all that lies between.
Death has noplace as a state, a condition, that abides
with a Christian. It is only an incident, an experi-
ence, which passes.

72

Hudson, New York

In the midst of this abundant life I congratulate
our Priest and Pastor and Rector, who now has
charge of this venerable Parish, and I congratulate
the Wardens and Vestry and people of this Parish,
who are permitted to look forward, not back, upon
the noble men and women, and youths and maidens,
who fill the ranks of the procession, which has ad-
vanced into the confines of "the better country." It
is a blessed privilege, and a great honor, to be num-
bered with such worthies. I congratulate you that
you have one and all the spirit of devotion and rev-
erence, and sweet charity to beautify this sacred
edifice, where the King of Kings delights to abide
for our sakes, that He may bless us, and hold out to
us the golden sceptre of His good will and protecting
care and forgiving love, to beautify, I say, this
Palace of the Lord God with costly gifts. And
last, not least, I congrat'ilate the Bishop of
this Diocese, that he has the oversight of such
a flock, and parish, and wardens, and vestrymen,
and such a Rector as belong to Christ Church,
Hudson, now this day one hundred years old.
And may I not add I congratulate you all that
you have such a Bishop, who is tenderly connected
with this Parish in the honored name which he
bears, William Croswell, the son of Harry Croswell,
once Rector of this Parish. Both father and son
were Godly men, and lights in their generation, with
whom it is an honor to be associated, and a stimulus
to holy living, and a close walk with God in the
performance of duty and loyalty to the faith once

73

Christ Churcli Parisli

delivered to the Saints. This is a day of life, the
centenuial, which gathers together in one the life of
a hundred years, the life of the departed and the life
of us, who remain. The same life in different con-
ditions of existence, and associated and held as a
unit by the organization of Christ Church, Hudson,
May 5th, 1802. Thanks be to God.

74

MEMORIAL SCREEN

of Btt^m

Graut, we beseech Thee, Blessed Lord, that whoso-
ever shall draw near to Thee in this place, to give
Thee thanks for the benefits which they have received
at Thy hands, to set forth Thy most worthy praise, to
confess their sins unto Thee, and to ask such things
as are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as
for the soul, may do it with such steadiness of faith,
and with such seriousness, affection, and devotion of
mind, that Thou mayest accept their bounden duty
and service, and vouchsafe to give whatever in Thy
infinite wisdom Thou shalt see to be most expedient
for them: all which we beg for Jesus Christ's sake,
our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

"O everlasting God, who hast ordained and con-
stituted the services of angels and men in a wonderful
order," and before whom are offered the golden vials
full "of odours which are the prayers of the Saints ;"
unite our imperfect praises with their pure worship,
that "with angels and archangels and with all the
company of Heaven, we may laud and magnify Thy
glorious Name," through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

O Holy Father, who didst accept the most Holy
Sacrifice which Thy dear Son offered upon the Cross
to take away the sins of the world ; accept, we pray
Thee, the Memorial of that Sacrifice in which He

75

Christ Churcli Parisli

bade us to show forth His death until He come; that
in the Priests who minister at this Altar, He may
plead with Thee, in the prevailing power of His inter-
cession, the merits of His Precious Death ; and that
to the faithful who shall receive here the gifts and
creatures of Bread and Wine, He may, by the power
of the Holy Ghost, grant the spiritual partaking of
His Body and His Blood, that they may taste and see
how sweet the L<ord is, and through the pardon of
their sins and the strength of Thy grace, may come
at the last to sit down and eat meat in the Kingdom
of God, and to drink of the Well of Thy Pleasures as
out of a river; through His merits who died and rose,
and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Thy Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The God of peace, who brought again from the
dead our L<ord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the
sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant;
make you perfect in every good work to do his will,
working in you that which is well pleasing in His
sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for
ever and ever. Amen,

Blessed be Thy Name, O Lord our God, that it hath
pleased Thee to put into the hearts of Thy servants
to begin an House to Thy worship and service.
Bless, we humbly beseech Thee, all those by whose
pains, care and cost this work is happily begun.
Bless their families and their substance. Remember
them concerning this kindness, that they have
showed for the House of their God. We humbly be-

76

Hudson, New York

seech Thee that what is ofiFered to Thee in its imper-
fectness may in time, Thy good time be raised to its
fair sanctity. And grant that all who shall enjoy the
blessing of this place may use it right thankfully to
the glory of Thy Name, through Jesus Christ our
lyord. Amen.

O God, Whom heaven and earth cannot contain,
Who yet humblest Thyself to make a habitation here
among men, where we may continually call upon Thy
Name; visit, we beseech Thee, this place with Thy
loving kindness, and cleanse it by Thy grace, that all
who shall call upon Thee herein may feel Thy mercy
and find Thy protection, through Jesus Christ our
I/ord. Amen.

Almighty and Everlasting God, we yield unto
Thee most high praise and hearty thanks for the
wonderful grace and virtue declared in all Thy saints,
who have been the chosen vessels of Thy grace and
the lights of the world in their several generations ;
most humbly beseeching Thee to give us grace to
follow the example of their steadfastness in Thy
faith and obedience to Thy holy commandments,
that, at the day of the general resurrection, we, and
all they who are of the mystical Body of Thy Son,
may be set on His right hand, and hear that His
most joyful voice : "Come ye blessed of My Father,
inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world. ' ' Grant this, O Heavenly

77

Christ Cliurch Parish

Father, for the love of the same our Saviour Jesus
Christ, Amen.

Blessed I,ord Jesus Christ, who hast promised the
Ministers and Stewards of Thy mysteries that their
blessing of Peace shall rest upon the Sons of Peace ;
be pleased to sanctify and hallow this house which
we now offer unto Thee ; that as the savour of Thy
good ointments filled the house of Simon the leper,
so Thy Holy Name, which is as ointment poured
forth (in Thy Word and Holy Sacraments) may ever
purify and bless it, to the building up of Thj^
Spiritual House, the training and nurture of Thy
sons and daughters, and the enlargement of Thy
glorious Kingdom. Cleanse it from all pollution and
desecration, and purify the hearts and minds of all
who shall frequent these courts, that they may be
living temples of the Holy Ghost ; and that Thou
mayest dwell in them, and walk in them and be their
God, and that they may be Thy people, who ever
livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy
Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

(Elilt MttmmiB

In commemoration of the Centennial Celebration
a number of handsome memorials have been contribu-
ted, the voluntary gift of the screens and pulpit
proving an addition of artistic as well as sentimental
value. These are made of quartered oak, with hard
wood finish, divided into five arches especially in

78

Hudson, New York

memory of the rectors of the Church Hving and dead
for the first one hundred j^ears, the parclose screens
being the same memorial to the Wardens and Vestry-
men. They were contributed by the present and
former members of the Parish, and the gift is more
remarkable from the fact that not a single contribu-
tion was solicited.

Much of the work is hand carving exquisitely done,
and so skilfully has it been planned that there is the
most perfect harmony between the Church proper
and the beautiful gift. The names of the Rectors are
inscribed on brass tablets in the centre screen, and
the names of the Wardens and Vestry for the first
century are on similar tablets, on the parclose screens.
The designs for the screens and pulpit were made by
Henry M, Congdon & Son of New York and the
work was executed by George Spalt of Alban}'. The
brass plates were the gift of Edmund Spencer of this
city. In connection with the erection of the screens
and pulpit some alterations were made in the marble
steps, giving more room for the choir, and eight
clergy stalls have been presented as a special gift in
honor of the memory of Rev. William Watson, who
was Rector of the Parish at the time the present edi-
fice was built.

Another magnificent present is a large receiving
alms basin, given by Dr. W. K. Simpson of New
York, in memory of his mother. It is of brass with
a large cross and vine of copper with passion flowers
of silver, the work of the Gorham Manufacturing

79

Christ Church Parish

Company of New York. Another generous donation
was made on Sunday in the presentation of $1,000 to
be invested, the interest to be used in caring for the
altar under the direction of the Rector of the Parish,

Holy Eucharist at 7:30 A. M. was in charge of the
Rector, Rev. Sheldon M. Griswold. The morning
prayer at 9.30 A. M., conducted by Dr. Griswold,
was a service especially for children, at which time
Bishop Seymour, who was Rector of this Parish in
1862 and 1863, gave a charming address to the little
ones. The service at 11 A. M. was impressive and
solemn, the seating capacity of the beautiful church
being taxed to its limit, Bishop Doaue of Albany
pronouncing the benediction on the memorial screens,
pulpit and basin for the alms, and afterwards preach-
ing an eloquent sermon. The Holy Eucharist was
celebrated by Bishop Seymour of Springfield, Rev.
Dr. Hopson, of Annandale, acting as Gospeller, Rev.
Dr. Griswold as Epistler and Server, and Rev. A. E.
Heard as Chaplain to the Bishop.

In the evening Bishop Doane confirmed a class of
47, and preached the sermon, which was an eloquent
discourse and listened to with interest by another
large congregation. Dr. Griswold and Rev. Mr. Cook,
Rector of All Saints, assisted in the service.

80

Hudson, New York

®l|f MlXBU

The music on Sunday and during the remainder of
the celebration was under the direction of Edwin C.
Rowle}', who is also organist. Mr. Rowley spent
much labor and time in preparing his very competent
choir for this event and his efforts were more than
rewarded .

CSu^Hta from ahtag

The clergy who were present during the week were
Bishop Doane of Albany, Bishop Seymour of Spring-
field, Rev. Paul Birdsall of Grace Church, Albany ;
Rev. James Caird of The Church of the Ascension,
Troy; Rev. Dr. Carter of the Cathedral, Albany;
Rev. Dr. G. B. Hopson of Annandale; Rev. C. T.
Blanchet of Philmont; Rev. Dr. Prall of St. Paul's,
Albany; Rev. E. P. Miller of St. Euke's, Catskill;
Rev. Charles H. Hathaway of Stockport, Rev. W.
E. Johnson, of the Church of the Redeemer, New
York ; Rev. James W. Smith, of St. Paul's Kinder-
hook; Rev. W. W. Battershall, D. D., of St. Peter's,
Albany; Rev. A. S. Lloyd, Secretary of the General
Board of Missions; Rev. Edgar A. Enos, D. D., of
St. Paul's, Troy; Rev. James A. Smith, Curate of
St. Paul's, Troy; Rev. F. S. Sill, D. D., of St.
John's, Cohoes; Rev. C. M. Knickerson, D. D., of
Trinity, Eansingburgh; Rev. John C. Tebbetts, of

81

Christ Cliurcli Parish

St. John's, North Adams; Rev. Charles M. Hall, of
Holy Cross, Kingston; Rev. A. R. Hageman, of
Holy Innocents, Albany; Rev. T. B. Fulcher, of the
Cathedral, Albany; Rev. W. C. Prout, of Christ
Church, Herkimer, and Rev. William Cook, of St.
Augustine's Church, Ilion, the latter three having
been assistants at Christ Church at different periods.

82

Hudson, New York

Just one hundred years ago the Parish was incorpo-
rated and on this day the following services were
held :

Holy Eucharist, 7:30 a. m. Morning Prayer, 9:30
A. M. Te Deum, Holy Eucharist and Sermon, 11
A. M. The Bishop of Springfield preached the
sermon, the full text of which will be found on pre-
vious pages.

Rev. Dr. Griswold was Celebrant at the early morn-
ing services, and at the 7:30 service the members of the
class who were confirmed on Sunday evening partook
of their first communion.

At 11 A. M. Bishop Doane was the Celebrant, Rev.
Dr. Enos, of Troy, Gospeller, and Rev. Dr. Griswold
Epistler and Server.

In the evening the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Griswold
held a reception at the Rectory to the members of the
Parish and visiting clergy.

83

of
1002-1902

sudors of % iariali

S- 1802-1807--Rev. Bethel Judd, D. D.
^ 1808-1811- -Rev. Joab G. Cooper.
3 1811-1814- -Rev. Joseph Prentis.
/ 1814-1815- -Rev. Harry CroswelL D. D.

V 1815-1819--Rev. Gregory Bedell, D. D.
.'5 1819-1832 --Rev. Cyrus Stebbins, D. D.

' 1832-1833 --Rev. Edward Andrews.
' 1833-1834- -Rev. William D. Cairns.
^> 1834-1840 --Rev. Isaac Pardee, D. D.

V 1840-1844- -Rev. Pierre Teller Babbit.

^ 1844-1850 --Rev. Isaac H. Tuttle, D. D. (♦/L^_iL

'^ 1850-1862 --Rev. William Watson. d<--^*^ >i ?u->, CX*--**^
/ 1862-1863 --Rev. George F. Seymour, D. D., LL. D.
J 1864-1869 --Rev. William Ross Johnson.
'' 1870-1871 --Rev. Curtiss T. Woodruff.
' 1872-1875 --Rev. Theodore Babcock, D. D.
Ji 1876-1879 -Rev. R. E. Terry.
J J 1879-1890- -Rev. John C. Tebbitts.
-V 1890-1902- -Rev. Sheldon Munson Griswold, D. D.

JohnPowel 1802-1804 1805-1807

Hezekiah L. Hosmer 1802-1804

John Talman 1804-1805 1809-1835

John Thurston 1805-1809

William E. Norman 1807-1811

Jacob R. Van Rensselaer-1812-1831

James Mellen 1831-1840

Cyrus Curtiss 1835-1846

87

Christ Cliurcli Parish

John Crissey 1840-1841 1861-1878

Ichabod Rogers 1841-1861

Silas Sprague 1846-1858

Frank Punderson 1858-1861

Robert B. Monell 1861-1892

William B. Skinner 1878-1899

Henry J. Barringer 1892-1896

John P. Wheeler, M. D. -1896-1901

John M. Pearson 1899

William H. Scovill 1901

James Hyatt 1802-1809

John Talman 1802-1804 1805-1809

Henry Malcolm 1802

Henry Diblee 1802

John Kemper 1802-1803

Chester Belding 1802-1803 1808-1810

1823-1832

Richard Bolles 1802-1803 1805-1806

James Nixon, Jr 1802-1808 1811

John Kenney 1803-1809

John h. Lacy 1803-1805

Samuel Plumb 1803-1807 1809-1810

1811-1821

John Powel 1804-1807

John Thurston 1804-1805

Richard M. Esselstyne— -1805-1807
H. h. Hosmer 1805

88

Hudson, New York

Noah Gridley 1807-1811 1822-1823

Thomas Jenkins —1809-1811

Josiah Olcott 1809

Silas Stone 1810-1835

h. Van Hoesan 1810-1811

John Bennett 1811-1812

William B. Ludlow 1812

John W. Edmonds .1821-1824

Edwin C. Thurston 1821-1822

Patrick Fanning 1821-1823

Robert Taylor 1822-1823 1824-1827

Archibald Doan 1822-1825

John M. Flint 1823-1825

Ezra Reed 1823-1825

James Miller 1824-1831

Henry Adams 1828-1832

Samuel Borland 1823-1834

Cyrus Curtiss 1823-1835

E. Huntington 1831-1836

Charles Darling 1823-1825 1826-1846

1860-1866

Ichabod Rogers 1825-1841

Frank Punderson 1825-1834

Silas Sprague 1833-1836

John Crissey 1834-1840 1841-1850

1853-1861

Jonathan Stott 1834-1846

Ambrose h. Jordan 1835-1839

Harvey Rice- 1835-1846

James Fleming 1821-1826 1827-1831

1836-1845

89

Christ Churcli Parish

William Luch 1839-1842

Darius Peck 1840-1854

MiloB. Root 1845-1852

Samuel J. Clark 1846-1864

Harry Jenkins 1846-1849

George Storrs 1846-1853 1858-1862

1868-1870 1872-1877

Richard Atwell 1846-1847

Peter G. Coffin 1847-1859

Robert B. Monell 1849-1861

William B. Skinner 1850-1878

Gilbert F. Kverson 1852-1859

James P. Mellen 1854-1860

Henry J. Barringer 1859-1892

Joseph Benson, Jr 1859-1864

Joseph Moseley 1861-1877

William H. Cookson 1861-1869

George W. Gibson 1862-1870

Theodore Miller 1864-1870

William I. Peak 1864-1868

Horace R. Peck 1866-1870

M. Hoffman Philip 1869-1870

B. W. Kimball 1870-1884

Warren C. Benton 1870-1872

James M. Punderson 1870-1881

John P. Wheeler, M. D. -1870-1896

Edward J. Hamilton 1877-1883

Leonard J. Rossman 1877-1884

Alexander R. Benson 1878-1879

Charles Alger 1878-1880

John M. Pearson 1879-1899

90

Hudson, New York

Smith Thompson 1880-1891

Arthur C. Stott 1881-1894

Charles W. Bostwick 1883

Clarence Iv. Crofts 1884-1900

Frank T. Puuderson 1884-1900

James A. Eisenmann 1891

Samuel B. Coffin 1892

Herman Li vingston 1894

Rev. Albert E. Heard- — 1896
Richard A. M. Deeley---1896

William H. Scovill 1899-1901

Stanley Y. Southard 1900

Edmund Spencer 1901

91

BX5920 .H8C5 G8

Centennial of Christ church, Hudson, New

Princeton Theological Seminary-Speer Library