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REYNC . TORICAL
GENE/.. COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBL'C LIBFIARY
3 1833 01148 9835
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Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2009 with funding from
Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/collectionofhistOOjame
"A JUBILEE SHALL THAT FIFTIETH YEAR BE UNTO YOU"
LEV. 25:11
A COLLECTION
OF
HISTORICAL RECORDS
pE. THE
State Street Presbyterian Church
OFJUUSAiQUSfEW ^ORK
Compiled in connection with the
SEMICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
By
ROBERT C.
1861—1911
Amarillo
James j Robert C
Collection of Historical
records of the State Street
Presbyterian Church of Albany
New York, l86l-1911
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Amarillo, Texas
Presented by
MRS . DAVID VI TALL
"December, 1970
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NOTE
In collecting these annals many items of interest have neces-
sarily been omitted. It is hoped, however, that what has been
written will prove of interest to its readers, and perhaps of
use to future historians of the Church. The material has been
largely culled from " Munsell's Annals," the "History of the
Bi-Centennial of Albany " and the Church Records ; and valued
assistance has been received from the pastor, Rev. Charles G.
Sewall, Charles Irving Oliver and officers of the women's societies.
On behalf of the Church, it is requested that if any one
notes an important omission in these annals, or is reminded
of a letter or document in his possession, which might be of
value in some future collection, he will place the information
or material at the disposal of the Church.
March 28, 191 1 ■ •
R. C. J.
Historical Records
of
The State Street Presbyterian Church
Rev. Dr. William B. Sprague, a former Pastor of the Second
Presbyterian Church, writing to Dr. James in 1871, speaks thus
of the inception of The State Street Presbyterian Giurch :
" You know of course that the nucleus of your congregation
was from the Second Church. I was so deeply impressed with
the importance of having another Presbyterian Church in Albany
that I expressed a wish from the pulpit that a sufficient number
might withdraw from our Church to form it ; but there were
some who objected to it, and, on the whole, no movement was
made in that direction. After waiting what I deemed a suit-
able time, I renewed the request with still greater urgency, and
the consequence was, that, contrary to the expressed wishes of
several individuals, a goodly number determined to withdraw
and form a new Church. If you will come and see me, as I
hope you will, I will show you a magnificent chair, with a very
kind inscription upon it, which came to me, I think on the
second New Year's day after the Church was formed, as a
token of good will from those who had been under my pastoral
charge. I rejoice that you are now among them, and it is my
earnest desire and prayer that the relation between you and
them may be crowned with the richest blessings."
It was on the fifth day of November, 1859, that a meeting
of those in the Second Presbyterian Church favorable to the
formation of a new Presbyterian Church, was held. There
were present, Rev. Dr. Sprague, who presided, Thos. W. Olcott,
Joel Rathbone, Frederick J. Barnard, James Edwards, Archibald
McClure, Jas. H. McClure, Dr. S. D. Willard, M. IT. Bright,
6 The State Street Presbyterian Church.
A. McClure, Jr., and David Murray. Various plans were dis-
cussed, and finally a committee was appointed to act in connec-
tion with similar committees from other Presbyterian Churches
to consider the means necessary to carry the project into execu-
tion and to report to a meeting to be called by the committee.
Those appointed were : Thomas Olcott, A. McClure, Jr., and
David Murray. Subsequently, there were associated with them,
the following gentlemen : from the First Presbyterian Church :
William Wendell, Richard M. Strong and Henry March, and
from the Third Presbyterian Church : John Rodgers, John F.
Prentice and Austin H. Wells.
This committee of nine called a meeting of those friendly
to the erection of a new Presbyterian Church for the accom-
modation of the inhabitants of the ninth and tenth wards, which
was convened on Monday evening, November 21, 1859, in the
lecture room of the First Presbyterian Church, and presented
a report, in which the need was clearly set forth by statistics
and argument, and which concluded with the text :
"The God of Heaven He will prosper us;
therefore we His servants will arise and build "
and with the submission of the following plan of operations :
"(1) That a suitable lot be secured immediately, situated
between State St. and Hudson, and between Swan St. and Lark.
"(2) That a subscription be taken up, for a sum of money,
not less than $30,000; and that the subscriptions be binding
only when $20,000 of the whole sum shall have been subscribed.
"(3) That an edifice capable of containing 1,000 people, with
a suitable Lecture and Sunday School room be erected.
"(4) That the title to such lot and edifice be transferred to
such (O. S.) Presbyterian Society as shall be organized for
that purpose.
"(5) That these provisions be carried out under the direction
of a committee of fifteen, appointed at this meeting; this com-
mittee having full power to fill vacancies in its own numbers."
The report was unanimously adopted, and a committee of
three, Howard Boyd, Dr. Willard and Win. B. Sprague, Jr.,
Inception and Formation 7
was appointed to nominate a committee of fifteen provided for
in the report. The following were nominated and unanimously
ratified :
Thos. Olcott, Chas. Frothingham,
Thos. P. Crook, Henry March,
Robert L. Johnson, J. F. Prentice,
Wm. Wendell, Archibald McClure, Jr.,
Adam Van Allen, J. T. Rice,
Geo. B. Hoyt, Richard M. Strong,
Austin H. Wells, David Murray.
Richard J. Grant,
This committee was subsequently changed by the resignation
of Messrs. Crook, Frothingham and Rice, and the appointment,
in their places, of John S. Putnam, J. R. Herrick and Charles
G. Clark. The following letter from the clergymen signing it,
was read and ordered printed, in connection with the foregoing
report :
"Albany, November 21, 1859.
" The undersigned, believing that the time has arrived for
the erection of a Presbyterian Church, for the accommodation
of the inhabitants of the ninth and tenth wards of the City,
hereby express their hearty approval of the effort now in prog-
ress to procure the necessary means for the accomplishment
of such an enterprise. « \y jj. Sprague,
"J. N. Campbell,
" Ebenezer Halley."
At the time that the report was framed, it stated that " the
ninth and tenth wards comprise all that part of the City lying
West of Eagle Street and South of the Canal Street Valley.
They include, therefore, those important avenues, Washington,
State and Lydius (now Madison) and the thriving, beautiful
and accessible streets lying between."
The report and the proceedings of the committee were printed
and distributed among the Churches on Thanksgiving Day, No-
vember 24, 1859. Immediately thereafter a subscription list
was opened, and in July, i860, had reached the requisite
$20,000.
8
The State Street Presbyterian Church
The following is a list of the first subscribers, their subscrip-
tions aggregating $21,225:
Erastus Corning,
Joel Rathbone,
Thomas W. Olcott,
Archibald McClure,
Archibald McClure, Jr.,
Thomas Olcott,
Isaac W. Vosburgh,
William Wendell,
Robert L. Johnson,
S. H. Ransom,
Alex. Marvin,
Robert Boyd,
Fred. J. Barnard,
J. G. Cotrell & Son,
G. C. Treadwell,
R. J. Grant,
Jeremiah Waterman,
James Edwards,
A. Ransom,
John Winne,
Lyman Chapin,
J. R. Herrick,
Samuel W. Barnard,
George B. Steele,
David I. Boyd,
Win. N. Strong,
E. Wickes,
E. P. Prentice,
E. D. Morgan,
Chas. G. Clark,
B. R. Wood,
W. J. Cook,
S. P. Jermain,
Chas. Van Benthuysen,
David Orr,
G. C. Davidson,
H. D. Hawkins,
Richard M. Strong,
John S. Putnam,
Daniel Leonard,
Wm. II. McClure,
W. B. Sprague, Jr.,
W. C. Smith,
David Murray,
James H. McClure,
Chas. II. Strong,
Benjamin Wilson,
John C. McClure,
Geo. B. Hoyt,
J. F. Taylor,
Joel Munsell,
B. R. & R. L. Spelman,
G. & E. C. Batchelder,
Wm. J. White,
John F. Batchelder,
S. Munson,
R. P. Wiles,
J. T. Rice,
H. J. Hastings,
John N. Parker,
Jas. Goold & Co.,
S. B. Hamilton,
Mills & McMartin,
E. R. Herrick,
I. N. Bullock,
H. Townsend,
James Wilson,
Philip Spencer,
L. H. Tucker,
A. Van Vechten,
Inception and Formation
W. J. Gibson,
Wm. James,
R. C. Martin,
H. G. Gilbert,
C. B. Redfield,
Geo. Anderson,
B. W. Wooster,
Jas. W. Eaton,
D. W. Lawyer,
E. Tovvnsend,
R. PL Wells,
S. McKissick,
E. Winne,
W. H. Reed,
S. E. Stimson,
S. D. Willard,
C. Foster,
A. A. Rankin,
John Rodgers,
J. W. Tillinghast,
J. W. Herrick,
J. Penniman Smith,
I. L. Judson,
Dr. II. March,
L. M. Palmer,
Chas. G. Craft,
\V. F. Cochrane,
Beebe & Boyd,
E. & H. L. Dickerman,
A. E. Brown,
Robert Strain.
Wm. & J. Williamson,
Chas. E. Burton,
Thomas Austin,
H. R. Rathbone,
Andrew White,
Misses Welch,
W. dimming,
A. A. Griffin,
Jacob Yanderzee,
A. M. Gibson,
Brayton & Thorburn,
Ten Eyck Lamoure,
John Bridgford,
Earl L. Stimson,
Isaac A. Chapman,
A. Bleecker Banks,
G. L. Yandenburgh.
The committee, at this stage, proceeded to negotiate for a
lot, and entered into an agreement with James Dexter, agent
of the Banyer Estate, to purchase 1 10 ft. fronting on State
St. and running thence through to Chestnut St. 181^2 ft.
They also hired from the Trustees of the German Lutheran
Church (now the Law School), on State St., the privilege of
using the church for a weekly Sunday evening service and the
lecture room for Sunday School and other purposes.
The first of these services was held on the evening of Sunday,
Sept. 23, i860, Rev. Wm. B. Sprague, D. D., officiating, his
discourse being from the text, " Despise not the day of small
things." The services were continued regularly, and the enter-
prise was largely indebted during its infancy, to the ready and
10
The Stale Street Presbyterian Church
gratuitous services rendered by the following clergymen of the
City and elsewhere, viz. :
Rev. Wm. B. Sprague, D. D., Rev.
Rev. Ebenezer Halley, D. D., Rev.
Rev. S. T. Seelye, D. D, Rev.
Rev. J. N. Campbell, D. D., Rev.
Rev. Ray Palmer, D. D., Rev.
Rev. E. S. Stearns, Rev.
Rev. J. T. Duryea, Rev.
Rev. Wm. Frothingham, Rev.
Rev. Dr. Van Santvoord, Rev.
Rev. Stephen Bush, Rev.
Rev. E. Whittlesey, Rev.
Rev. L. C. Seelye, Rev.
Rev. F. E. Butler, Rev.
Rev. David Tully, Rev.
Rev. Mr. Mclntyre, Rev.
Rev. Mr. Johnson, Rev.
Rev. Mr. Rollo, Rev.
Rev. Dr. Brown, Rev.
Dr. Westbrook,
Mr. Dana,
Mr. Hinsdale,
Wm. Alexander,
Belville Roberts,
V. D. Reed, D. D.,
Wm. James, D. D.,
Jacob Pearse,
Dr. Stewart,
Frank Zabriskie,
Philip Phelps, Jr.,
L. H. Lee,
E. J. Hamilton,
C. H. Hubbard,
Robert Strong,
Robert Cruikshank,
Lewis II. Reid,
Hugh Alexander,
At a regularly called meeting held Oct. 16, i860, at which
Thomas Olcott and John S. Putnam, presided, and H. L. Dicker-
man, was secretary, a resolution was passed, designating the
society as the " State Street Presbyterian Church in the City
of Albany;" and nine trustees were elected to take charge of
the temporal affairs of the congregation. These were:
Chas. G. Clark,
James Williamson,
Richard M. Strong,
Robert L. Johnson,
Thomas Olcott,
Archibald McClure, Jr.,
Richard J. Grant,
John S. Putnam,
David Murray.
The board organized by the election of Robert L. Johnson,
President, Richard M. Strong, Secretary, and Archibald Mc-
Clure. Jr., Treasurer.
Thereafter, the Trustees completed the purchase of the lot
on State St., which was conveyed by deed dated October 27,
Inception and Formation 1 1
i860, the purchase price being $11,000; a building committee
was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Johnson, Olcott, Clark and
Murray with Win. Wendell associated ; Wm. Hodgins was em-
ployed as architect ; and the contracts were let to James W.
Eaton, mason, $17,965, and John N. Parker, carpenter, $12,689.
The Trustees also made application to the Presbytery of
'Albany, on Feb. 12, 1861, for the organization of the congrega-
tion as a Church under its care. Accordingly, at a meeting held
in the German Lutheran Church, on Thursday evening,
March 28, 1861
before the Committee of Presbytery, consisting of :
Rev. Dr. Wm. B. Sprague, minister, and A. McClure, elder,
Rev. Dr. John N. Campbell, minister, and Dr. J. P. Boyd, elder,
Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Halley, minister, and Walter Ferguson, elder,
came forty-two persons, members of other churches, who pre-
sented their letters of dismission, and were in due form received,
recognized and set apart as the
STATE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1. Richard J. Grant, from the First Presbyterian Church.
2. May M. Grant, from the First Presbyterian Church.
3. Richard M. Strong, from the First Presbyterian Church.
4. Rowena Allen (wife of Wm. A.), from the Second Pres-
byterian Church.
5. Theodore S. Bailey, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
6. George C. Benedict, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
7. Jesse Buell and
8. Mary C. Buell (his wife), from the Second Presbyterian
Church.
9. Walter R. Bush and
10. Rebecca C. Bush (his wife), from the Second Presbyterian
Church.
11. Fannie M. Bush, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
12. Carrie A. Bush, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
13. Edgar Cotrell, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
14. Mary E. Cotrell, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
15. Ezra Dickerman, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
12 The State Street Presbyterian Church
16. Henry L. Dickerman and
17. Esther Dickerman (his wife), from the Second Presbyteriar
Church.
18. Ella Fairchild, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
19. Levi S. Gates and
20. Mary E. Gates (his wife), from the Second Presbyteriai
Church.
21. Archibald M. Gibson, from the Second Presbyterian Church
22. Alfred Gorham and
23. Ellen Gorham (his wife), from the Second Presbyteriai
Church.
24. Rebecca Hand, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
25. Samuel Jackson, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
26. Robert L. Johnson and
27. Charlotte Russell Johnson (his wife), from the Second Pres
byterian Church.
28. Harriet M. Jones (wife of John), from the Second Pres
byterian Church.
29. Ten Eyck La Moure and
30. Sarah La Moure (his wife), from the Second Presbyteriai
Church.
31. Daniel Leonard, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
32. Archibald McClure, Jr., from the Second Presbyteriai
Church.
33. Emma McClure, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
34. James H. McClure and
35. Catherine A. McClure (his wife), from the Second Pres
byterian Church.
36. David Murray, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
2)7- Thomas Olcott, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
38. Charles D. Rathbone, from the Second Presbyterian Church
39. Philip Spencer, from the Second Presbyterian Church.
40. Austin H. Wells and
41. Martha H. Wells (his wife), from the Third Presbyteriai
Church.
42. Isabella Williamson (wife of James), from the Third Pres
byterian Church.
Inception and Formation 13
At the same meeting the following were elected, and were set
apart and solemnly ordained to their respective offices by Dr.
Sprague :
Elders, Walter R. Bush,
David Murray and
Austin H. Wells.
Deacon, James H. McClure.
On April i, 1861, a call was extended to the Rev. Dr. West-
brook of Philadelphia, but withdrawn upon his declining to
consider it.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
was organized on April 7, 1861 with one hundred and ten schol-
ars, and thirty-nine officers and teachers whose names follow:
1. David Murray, Superintendent.
2. Archibald M. Gibson. Assistant Superintendent.
3. Robert L. Johnson, Librarian.
4. Wm. H. McClure, Assistant Librarian.
5. Wm. J. White, Treasurer,
6. Wm. G. Rogers, Secretary.
7. Miss Emma Wygant, Superintendent, Infant Department.
8. Walter R. Rush, Bible Class, Young Women.
9. James Edwards, Bible Class, Young Women.
10. Archibald McClure, Bible Class, Young Men.
11. Miss Kitty Batchelder,
12. Miss Fannie Bush,
13. Miss Carrie Bush,
14. Mrs. H. L. Dickerman,
15. Miss Ella Fairchild,
16. Miss Frisbie,
17. Mrs. Levi S. Gates,
18. Miss Gomph,
19. Miss Lawyer.
20. Miss Emma McClure,
21. Miss Jane Skerritt,
22. Miss Elizabeth Strong,
23. Miss Van Zandt,
24. Mrs. James Williamson,
25. Miss Wilson,
14 The State Street Presbyterian Church
26. Mr. Geo. C. Benedict,
27. Mr. W. H. Bowman,
28. Mr. W. R. Bush, Jr.,
29. Mr. W. B. Church,
30. Mr. Edgar Cotrell,
31. Mr. H. L. Dickerman,
32. Mr. Levi S. Gates,
33. Mr. Alfred Gorham,
34. Mr. Archibald McClure, Jr.,
35. Mr. James H. McClure,
36. Mr. John C. McClure,
37. Mr. Richard M. Strong,
38. Mr. S. E. Stimson,
39. Mr. James Williamson.
Ground was broken for the new church on
April 17, 1861
Robert L. Johnson digging the first spadeful of earth, and vari-
ous members of the congregation, and some little children, taking
part in this interesting ceremony.
The corner-stone of the church edifice was laid, with appro-
priate ceremonies, on July 18, 1861.
The address was by Rev. E. Halley, D. D.
The laying of the stone by Robert L. Johnson, President of
the Board of Trustees.
And the contents of the stone were:
1. Historical sketch of the Church,
2. Impression of seal of Church Corporation,
3. Copies of Religious papers,
4. Copies of Daily papers of the day,
5. Albany City Directory, 1861,
6. Presbyterian Church Historical Almanac,
7. Red Book of 1861,
8. Ancient Coins,
9. American Flag.
The first admissions to membership, following the organization
of the Church, were at the October, 1861, Communion, when
Rev. Joseph T. Duryea, of Troy, afterwards of New York,
officiated. There were received upon certificate:
.
Inception and Formation I 5
Mr. Asa S. Wygant, from First Presbyterian Church of
Kingston, N. Y.,
Mrs. S. M. Weed from the Presbyterian Church of Schenec-
tady, N. Y.,
Mr. Wm. B. Church and Mrs. Fanny M. Church, his wife,
from the Presbyterian Church of Valatie, N. Y.
Mr. Matthew Noyes, and Mrs. Julia T. Noyes, his wife, from
the Second Presbyterian Church of Troy, N. Y. ; and upon
confession:
Mrs. Charlotte Cotrell, wife of Edgar,
Mr. James Williamson,
Mr. Wm. H. Bowman and Mrs. Elsie Bowman, his wife.
During the second week in December, 1861, the ladies of the
Church held a fair, the proceeds of which were to furnish the
lecture room and audience room when finished. The amount
realized was $1,252. This sum was exclusive of a subscrip-
tion, which was raised by the ladies for furnishing the church,
amounting to $1,470.36. In addition to this ,the Church was
at this time the recipient of a beautiful Communion service
of solid silver, the gift of Mrs. William Wendell. As the mem-
bership increased, in December, 1865, an additional service was
presented by Mrs. Robert L. Johnson, and, in 1877, additional
plates by Mrs. Archibald McClure, Jr.
War's alarms intruded here, for we find this significant entry
in the minutes of the Board of Trustees, of December 30, 1861 :
" The Secretary having stated that Charles G. Clark, one of
this Board, had left for the seat of war, as Major of the 91st
Regiment N. Y. S. Volunteers, on motion the Secretary was
directed to communicate with Mr. Clark, expressing the regret
of the Trustees at the necessity which calls him away, and saying
that their prayers and kind wishes will accompany him in his
absence."
The lecture room of the church having been completed, ser-
vices were held in it on
February 23, 1862
at 10.30 a. m., and 7 p. m., and the Sunday School session at
1.30 p. m. Rev. A. S. Twombly of Cherry Valley, N. Y.,
preached at both services.
(E&Lttibar nf §>vvmtt& txub Utoutgs
FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING DECEMBER 16, 1923
TODAY— 10:30 a. m. Morning Service.
10:30 a. m. The Beginners Class of the Sunday School.
12:00 m. Sunday School and Bible Classes.
2:30 p. m. Sunday School at Sprague Chapel
6:00 p. m. Meeting of the Young People's Society. All young
people of the church are cordially invited to attend.
7:45 p. m. Evening Service.
WEDNESDAY— 10:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. Regular meeting of the Woman's
Guild.
THURSDAY— 7:45 p. m. Christmas Entertainment for the Main Department
of the Sunday School. Parents are cordially invited to accompany their
children.
FRIDAY— 8:00 p. m. Prayer Meeting. Dr. Moldenhawer will give the third
of a short series of talks entitled "The Stories of Three Kings." The
underlying theme will be the Hebrew ideal of the righteous ruler.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mrs. Georgine Avery Lasher, contralto, will sing at the evening service.
On Sunday evening, December 23rd, a special program of Christmas music
will be given by Miss Grace Moldenhawer, soprano; Mrs. Clarence T. Weaver,
contralto; Everett T. Grout, tenor; Roger H. Stonehouse, bass; Margaret Anna
De Graff, harpist, Earl Hummel, violinist, and J. Austin Springer, organist.
On Sunday evening, December 30th, the Rhondda Welsh Male Choir, will
give a special program.
For some years past Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Boyce have represented
Westminster Church on the foreign field. They are now spending their year of
furlough in the United States and we are to have the pleasure of entertaining
them personally and hearing their own reports of their work for a few days
between Christmas and New Year. Members of the Sunday School have been
accustomed in former years to send a special Christmas offering to Mr. and Mrs.
Boyce for such use in the work as they might choose. This year it is our desire
to take advantage of this special opportunity to make them a personal Christmas
gift. We are sure that many members of the congregation who are not connected
with the work of our Sunday School will wish to have a share in this expression
of our appreciation. Contributions may be handed to Mr. Islay F. McCormick,
Chairman of the Missionary Con mittee, or to any other officer of the Sunday
School.
The Mothers' Council of the Albany Central Y. M. C. A. cordially invites
you to hear Dr. George M. Wiley, Jr., Assistant Commissioner of Education on
Tuesday, December 18th, at 3 p. m. in the Boy's Department of the Y. M. C. A.
Dr. Wiley's subject will be "The Boy and His Education."
in fHinnoriaut
l^aur ao a mrinory. tljr inspiration of mljidj tuill nut
pass away, % rarthly lifr of Hubrrt (C. Jamra ruhrb Drr-
rmhrr lat. Bfe lung aub uuright rarrrr in tljia rummuuity
Ijao rallrb forth utljrr uuMnoriatja; mr arr mourb to mahr tljia
out of our brru appreciation of tljr ularr Ijr Ijrlb in tljia hia
rljnrrlj, precious among all Ijia aaauciatione.
Sunt iu ^rotlauo in 1348, Ijr man ami of a yaator
mljo fifty yrara ago Irh faitljfully tljia fiork; aub for tljrar
loug yrara Ijaa liurb hia lifr among ita people-, contributing
bnwirhly to ita mork mitlj miabum aub vitality, mitlj a marm
Ijrart animated by tljr inbmrlliny spirit of tbr Uraurnly
iFailjrr. fflvam Ijia rouataury of arruirr otljrra ijaur fouub
atimulua auo yuibanrr; inbiuibuala Ijaur brru Irab to Ijighrr
lining auo arruirr by Ijia friruhly rouuarl aub rompaninnaljip.
Bia roufibrut truat in tljr lifr of tljr Spirit uiabr it morr
rral to ua Ijia aaaoriutra; aub rarrirb into tljr buaiuraa
tuurlh gaur Ijouor to tbr rljnrrij aub tljr ittaatrr. Hr brramr
brarou in 1UU9. At tljr iiuir of Ijia bratlj Ijr Ijab brru an
rlbrr for tmruty-four yrara aub artiur in tljr butira of tljia
offirr. GJlje aprll of hia personality aub aiurrrity maa frit
iu gesstuu meetings. Aa If e assitmro the bitty sf prepays
tljr brrab for ita uar in our GJmumuuiuu Arruirr br bib it
uiitlj rlrau Ijauba aub a purr Ijrart brratijing aub uttrriug to
Ijimarlf runarrratiug prayers. IBe aub all tljr rljurrlj giur
tljanka to (Sob for tljia noblr lifr mljoar mrmory mr mill
almaya retain. lUr giur our marm uympatljy to illra. Blames
aub Ijia family; may tljry fuib romfort aub support iu tljr
g>onrrr rral to tljrm aa it Ijaa brru to ljim.
3. V. ittolbrnljamrr,
^rrbrrir(E.C£urtia,
Mas % Srsotou uf tUcfitmutiitiu- yrrohijtrriaH (Cl)urrlj.
16 The Stale Street Presbyterian Church
On June 10, 1862, the congregation presented a call to Rev.
Alexander S. Twombly of Cherry Valley, N. Y., which he
accepted, and his installation as pastor took place on Sunday
evening, June 22, 1862; the following ministers taking part in
the services :
Rev. Ray Palmer, reading scriptures and prayer,
Rev. Dr. Halley, sermon — Eph. 1, 22,
Rev. B. H. Pitman, constitutional questions,
Rev. Dr. Sprague, charge to pastor.
Rev. Dr. Goodale, of Amsterdam, charge to people.
As a result of his labors, there was a growth from a member-
ship of 54, which was reported to Presbytery in February, 1862,
to 251, which was the membership when he resigned his charge.
The following Covenant, which was adopted in 1862, and
which was signed by all the members of the Church, and as-
sented to by all those who joined it during the early years, will
be of interest, as showing the ideals which have guided its
history :
Covenant
Believing in one God. the Supreme Creator and Governor of
the Universe, you do now cheerfully and solemnly acknowledge
your obligation to obey Him, by renouncing all the ways of
sin, and devoting yourself to the Infinite God through Jesus
Christ.
Believing in the Holy Trinity of the Godhead, you do volun-
tarily choose the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
to be your God and the God of yours.
Accepting the Divine Inspiration of the Scriptures, you now
take the strict and simple word of God, to be your only rule
of Faith and Practice, and you will endeavor, by the help of
God's Spirit, sincerely to Conform to it, in all the ways of holy
living.
Believing in Jesus Christ as the only and sufficient Saviour
of the World ; and the Holy Spirit as the Inspirer of every
righteous thought and purpose, you rely with affectionate truth
on Christ's atonement, for pardon and acceptance with God ;
and you hope by the Spirit's sanctifying aid, which in its Sov-
.
REV. ALEXANDER S. TWOMBLY
PASTOR. 1862-1867
Pastorate of Rev. Alex. S. Tvombly, 1862-67 17
ereignty you believe has chosen you to everlasting life, to be
presented without spot before the Throne.
Believing also, that " Faith without works is dead," you pur-
pose diligently to attend on all the Institutions of the Gospel,
especially public and social worship, and the strict observance of
God's Holy Sabbath.
And it will be your special care to maintain secret (and family)
religion ; to lead a holy life of prayer; to administer to the neces-
sities of the poor; to instruct and govern your children and all
under your charge, according to God's word ; and by the beauty,
excellency and joy of your example, lead them to the Saviour.
Acknowledging in like manner, Christ's appointment of a
visible Church on earth, with all its Holy Sacraments, you coven-
ant to walk in brotherly love with this Church ; to submit to its
righteous discipline; and to enter with alacrity and joy upon
all its precious privileges and obligations.
Thus in the presence of God and these assembled witnesses
you do solemnly and gladly promise, that you will labor to
recommend our Holy Religion to all, by your strict and constant
practice of justice, goodness, mercy, temperance, patience, char-
ity and godliness.
These vows you now record, in humble dependence on Jesus -*
Christ; praying that He will enable you to be steadfast in this
covenant and faithful to the end.
Do you also express your assent to the belief and covenant
now read ?
Covenant on Part of the Church
In consequence of these professions and promises, we, the
officers and members of this Church, affectionately receive you
to fellowship with us in the blessings of the Gospel.
We solemnly engage, on our part, to walk with you and
watch over you, as the heirs with us of a common faith and
hope.
We will endeavor, by the various means of God's appoint-
ment, to promote your present and eternal welfare; we welcome
you to the communion and to all the rich provisions of our
Father's House.
We beseech you to remember the covenant vows you have
I 8 The State Street Presbyterian Church
this day recorded, and we charge you by the love of Christ and
by the future judgment, to observe them faithfully unto the end.
And may the God of love and peace be with us all. Amen.
The Church building was at last completed, and was dedicated
on Sabbath evening,
October 12, 1862
A sermon on the occasion was preached by the pastor, and
the exercises were participated in by Rev. Drs. Campbell, 11 alley,
Seelye and Palmer. The building answered to the expectations
formed of it, in being a beautiful, convenient and appropriate
house of worship, with its acoustic properties all that could be
desired. " It is in the style of architecture usually denominated
perpendicular Gothic, which prevailed in England from the four-
teenth to the sixteenth centuries. The building is 1 1 1 by 69 feet
over all, exclusive of a semi-octagonal apsis in the rear, con-
taining in the basement the Sunday School library, entrance to
the lecture room and staircase to main floor, and above, a pastor's
study and organ room. The audience room is 84 by 60 feet in
the clear, and with the galleries will seat 1,000 persons. In the
basement are a large lecture room, infant school room, trustees'
room, furnace and coal cellar. The gallery is in the form of a
horse shoe, and is supported on light cast iron columns, with
open floriated brackets, hatched shafts and rich foliated capitals.
The gallery front is of open iron tracery of mediceval pattern.
The ceiling is groined in three bays, the centre ribs terminating
in ornamental pendants.
" One of the chief novelties of the building is the mode of
lighting. The principal burners are placed in parabolic reflectors
in the ceiling, occupying the places of bosses in the plaster
work. A hemispherical screen of ground glass protects the eyes
from the intense reflected light, and diffuses it in softened masses
over the floor of the church. The effect is very beautiful and
agreeable, and has the additional advantage of displaying the
ornamental ceiling in an unusual degree. The idea of thus light-
ing the building was borrowed from a church in Washington,
said to have been suggested by Gen. Meigs, — and was elaborated
and improved in arrangements and details by the architect and
others."
The organ is built in behind the pulpit, the pipes being con-
Pastorate of Rev. Alex. S. Tv>ombl]>, 1862-67 19
cealed by a tracery of wooden work. The keyboard is placed at
one side of the pulpit, and the organist faces the audience.
The organ was built by William Johnson of Westfield, Mass.,
at a cost of $2,600.
The bell was procured by a committee consisting of James
M. Horton, Charles D. Rathbone and Jesse liuell, who raised
by subscription $500, and got a grant from the Common Council
of S500 more. It was purchased from Mr. Meneely of West
Troy; weighs about 3,200 pounds; and bears the inscription —
" State St. Presbyterian Church, July 4th, 1862, ' Blessed is the
people that know the joyful sound,' Ps. 89-15."
The beautiful weather vane on the spire of the church was
the suggestion of A. M. Strong who with William Wendell
supplied the means for its erection.
The artistic marble baptismal font was a gift from Thomas
Olcott and was executed after designs furnished by E. D. Palmer,
the sculptor.
The handsome carved pulpit chairs were executed by Mr.
Ware of Boston, and presented to the Church by Robert L.
Johnson.
The pulpit Bible was the gift of Frank H. Little. This Bible
is now in use in the lecture room, a new one for the pulpit
having been presented by Mrs. William H. Monroe in 1883.
The cost of the edifice and its principal equipments may be
put down as follows :
Lot no ft. front by 181 y2 ft. deep $11,000 00
Building complete 41,049 62
Furnishing church and lecture room 3-976 51
Organ, by Johnson, Westfield 2,600 00
Bell, by Meneely, West Troy 1,000 00
Total $59,626 13
Of this amount the Church had already paid all but $15,000
which they borrowed from the Liverpool & London Fire and
Life Insurance Com., for a term of five years, giving a bond
and mortgage on the lot and building as security.
Special mention is here made of the generous liberality shown
to this new Church by the members of Dr. Sprague's congrega-
20 The State Street Presbyterian Church
tion. From the first it received cordial sympathy and support
from pastor and people. The larger part of the first subscrip-
tion for the erection of the building was obtained among them.
On Monday evening immediately succeeding the dedication,
the church was opened for a sale of pews, and on the follow-
ing evening for the renting of those remaining unsold, " pew
No. in being set apart for the nse of the pastor's family, pew
No. 79 for the use of the sexton's family, and pew No. 144
for the use of the police of the Fourth Precinct, free of rent."
Eight of the pews were removed, about the year 1900, in order
to widen the passageways across the front and rear of the
audience room of the church.
The pews were sold subject to annual rentals by the pur-
chasers, and the large sum thus obtained, about $15,000, was
applied in payment of building expenses.
About a month after the church dedication, the Session met
to consider the subject of systematic benevolence, and resolved
that " the time had fully come for this Church to commence
contributing to the principal religious enterprises for the spread
of the Gospel," and that annual collections should be taken —
In February, for Board of Education.
In April, for American Bible Society.
In June, for Foreign Missions.
In August, for Presbyterial Expenses.
In October, for Domestic Missions.
In December, for Albany City Tract Society.
So now the Church may be said to be fairly launched upon
its mission of extending the Kingdom of Christ in the World.
It was a time of din and discord and the angry passion of
Civil War. There was need for the faithful preaching of the
" Gospel of Peace " and " Good will to men."
But even this new Church was not to be free from war's
sadness. Reference has been made to the departure of Charles
G. Clark, but there were others still to go. It was in this same
month, November, 1862, that the Tenth Regiment, N. Y. S.
N. G., volunteered for nine months' service, was accepted and
sent to New Orleans. In this regiment went a large number of
the members of the Church and congregation, among whom were
three members of the Board of Trustees, viz. : Charles D. Rath-
Pastorate of Rev. Alex. S. Trvombl\), 1862-67 21
bone, Richard M. Strong and James Williamson, who volun-
teered as officers in the regiment.
In addition to these, several others who were members of
the Sunday School, volunteered, among whom was almost the
entire class of Lieut. Strong. The regiment, which was now
the 177th New York State Volunteers, was encamped for a
long time at Bonnet Carre near New Orleans, and much sick-
ness prevailed. At this place, Richard M. Strong, the Adjutant
of the regiment died of fever, May 12, 1863, in the 28th year
of his age ; lamented alike in his regiment, home and church.
He was universally beloved and esteemed; the idol of the regi-
ment, he looked after their interests, physical and spiritual, as
long as life and health lasted.
Lieut. James Williamson, Co. D., was killed at the storming
of the fortifications of Port Hudson, May 26, 1863, while he
was gallantly leading his company. „ Like Mr. Strong he had
been a trustee of the Church from its commencement. He was
most devoted to its interests, and with great intelligence, good
judgment and undeviating alacrity, labored for its advancement.
The loss of these men was deeply felt by the Church, and
brought home to it, in this bitter way, the sad results of this
terrible Civil War. Suitable memorials to both are entered upon
the minutes of the Board of Trustees.
The list following, gives the names of those who volunteered
who were members of the congregation or Sunday School :
Capt. W. Crounse, John Brown,
Lieut. Wm. Diamond, Chas. Gomph,
Capt. E. H. Merrihew, Daniel D. Grovesteen,
Capt. Chas. D. Rathbone, Ouar- James Gurley,
termaster, Chas. E. Hungerford,
Lt. A. II. Bronson, Samuel Jackson, Jr.
Lt. Brooke, John T. Kane,
Major C. G. Clark, Edward Lindsey,
Dr. Boulware, Asst. Surgeon, Herman Loper,
Lt. W. G. Rogers, Dusenbury Rancour,
Lt. Richard M. Strong, Henry Rehl,
Lt. James Williamson, John A. Van Loeven.
Lt. Theo. S. Bailey, Curtis M. Wadleigh,
Joseph Bradly, Douglas Pratt.
■
22 The State Street Presbyterian Church
It is also recorded that the pastor, Mr. Twombly, visited the
Army of the Potomac as a delegate of the U. S. Christian Com-
mission.
Among the interesting events of Air. Twombly 's pastorate, we
remark a discussion in the Session as to whether the Church
should he closed during the pastor's vacation, and an expression
of the opinion of the Session that Sunday services should never
be suspended except from necessity. With but one exception
this custom has been followed during the fifty years. The pas-
tors of the Church have been careful to secure the best supply
available, during their vacation absences, and in this way the
congregation has been privileged to hear very many of the most
eminent and godly preachers of the time. Brevity forbids a
recital of their names; but we mention one of them with affec-
tion, the late Dr. John L. Withrow of Boston, who for more
than twenty consecutive years supplied the pulpit in the summer.
On March n, 1864, an election of elders and deacons was
held, resulting in the choice of James H. McClure and James
M. Horton as elders, and Edward P. Durant as deacon. They
were ordained to their respective offices on March 20th. In the
same year, however, by the removal of Elder David Murray to
New Brunswick, N. J., where he was connected with the faculty
of Rutgers College, and by the resignation and removal of Elder
A. H. Wells, the first clerk of Session, the number of the Session
was reduced, so that in October, i860, an election of elders
and deacons was held, resulting in the choice of James Erwin
and Edward P. Durant as elders, and Levi S. Gates as deacon.
Their ordination, however, was delayed until January 20, 1867,
during which time Mr. Twombly resigned as pastor of the
Church, and the pastoral relation was dissolved by Presbytery.
These gentlemen, therefore, were ordained by the Moderator of
Presbytery, the Rev. M. L. R. P. Hill of Little Falls.
In the fall of 1867, Rev. George C. Heckman, D. D., of Indi-
anapolis, Ind., was called to be the pastor of the Church.
In the first few months of his pastorate, a considerable effort
was made to liquidate the debt which still remained on the
church, resulting in a contribution amounting to $15,910. On
December 18. 1868, a congregational meeting was held for the
purpose of electing elders and deacons, when Archibald McClure,
JP
T
■-**
p v
M
;
REV DR. GEORGE C. HECKMAN
PASTOR 1867-1870
Pastorate of Rev. Ceo. C. Heckman, D.D., 1867-70 23
Jr., Henry L. Dickerman and Daniel J. Pratt were chosen as
elders, and Edgar Cotrell, Thomas Olcott, Nathan B. Perry and
Joseph Henry Snow as deacons, all of whom, with the exception
of Mr. Olcott, who declined to serve, were ordained to their
respective offices on January 3, 1869. At the same time it was
decided to adopt the plan of electing elders and deacons for a term
of service not to exceed six years, an election being held every two
years, and the existing boards being divided into classes, so
that a portion of each board should be chosen at each election.
This system, called the " rotary system " of choosing elders and
deacons, was followed by the Church until 1873, when the action
was rescinded, and the unlimited term of office for elders and
deacons was adopted.
On December 13, 1869, the pastor presented to the Session
a draft of a constitution for a Young People's Society, which
was fully discussed and adopted, and the pastor was requested
to present it to the youth of the congregation. The result of
this action will be seen in the chapter entitled " Young People's
Organizations."
In the summer of 1870, Dr. Heckman was called to the Presi-
dency of Hanover College, and at his request, the congregation
reluctantly joined with him in requesting Presbytery to dissolve -.
the pastoral relation, which was done on September 4, 1870.
During his pastorate of only three years the membership of the
church had increased from 251 to 388, the Sunday School had
increased from 612 to 1,027, and the Church in every way had
prospered.
Resolutions were adopted by the Sabbath School and the
Young People's Society, and, as a further token of their love
and esteem, the officers and teachers of the Sabbath School pre-
sented to Dr. Heckman a valuable gold watch and chain.
The following resolutions were adopted by the Church and
congregation :
" Whereas, Our Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Heckman, lias signified
his acceptance of the Presidency of Hanover College, and has
requested the Church and congregation to unite with him in an
application to Presbytery for a dissolution of the pastoral rela-
tion ; and
24 The Slate Street Presbyterian Church
" Whereas, Our Pastor has also positively declined our unani-
mous application for a withdrawal of such request ; therefore,
" Resolved, That but for our confidence that He who has
planted and hitherto abundantly prospered this goodly vine, will
not now leave it to droop and languish, we should regard our
Pastor's departure as a great and irreparable calamity to this
Church and congregation.
" Resolved, That in the review of what has been accomplished
during his brief pastorate among us, including the fact that
nearly two hundred members have been added to the Church,
under his ministration, we have reason to be profoundly grateful
to the Great Head of the Church for the signal favor with which
He has been pleased to crown the earnest and faithful efforts of
the under-shepherd, in behalf of the Hock entrusted to his care.
" Resolved, That while we had hoped and expected that this
relation which has been productive of much fruit among us,
would be perpetuated, we are constrained, in view of his de-
liberate wish and purpose, as publicly expressed, to accede to
his request; and we therefore engage to appoint two commis-
sioners to represent us in Presbytery, for the purpose of asking
that the proposed dissolution be granted.
" Resolved, That in the election of our Pastor to the PresU
dency of Hanover College, and in the overtures received by him
from other important fields, we recognize high and deserved
tributes to his learning, ability and fidelity in the work of the
gospel ministry.
" Resolved, That we will ever hold in grateful remembrance
his many labors of love among us, and will follow him and his
family with our prayers and best wishes for their welfare and
usefulness, in whatever field he may be called to labor.
"Resolved, That in token of our appreciation of the earnest
and faithful labors of our Pastor, the Trustees of the Society
be authorized to add to his salary for the year the sum of $500."
During the interim between the close of Dr. Heckman's pas-
torate and the commencement of that of Dr. James, the Session
on February 10, 1871, authorized Elder Durant to organize and
conduct a class for the study of the Westminster Catechism, on
Saturday evenings, at private houses within the bounds of the
.
Pastorate of Rev. John James, D.D., 1871-77 25
congregation ; and on April ioth, authorized the formation of
" The Ladies Foreign Missionary Society of the State St. Pres-
byterian Church " as auxiliary to " The Women's Board of
Foreign Missions of The Presbyterian Church of Albany." The
history of this society will be found in a subsequent chapter.
On June 7, 1871, a unanimous call was extended by the con-
gregation to the Rev. John James, to become the pastor of the
Church, and he was installed by the Presbyter)' on July nth.
At the installation service, Dr. Upson, Moderator of Presbytery,
presided; the sermon was by Rev. Win. Ormiston, D. D., of
New York City, an old friend of the pastor ; prayer by Rev.
J. M. Allis ; the charge to the pastor by Rev. Dr. Woodbridge
of Saratoga ; and to the people by Rev. Dr. Halley.
The circumstances connected with the coming of Dr. James
to this Church were so clearly a manifestation of the leadings
of God's providence, that they seem to be worthy of note. It
happened that near the end of a week, the committee, disap-
pointed in obtaining pulpit supply for the Sabbath, applied to
Dr. Irvine of Troy, who said that he knew of no one; but that
he had met a Scottish minister who, returning from Britain on
his way to Canada, was then visiting friends in Brooklyn ; per-
haps he would wait over and preach for them. A telegram was
sent, and, in response, Mr. James came, and the people, who
up to this time had been unable to agree upon a minister, were
so favorably impressed by his preaching that they persuaded
him to remain for another Sabbath, and thereafter tendered him
a unanimous call. He took it to be a call from the Lord, and
so, turning aside, he accepted it and became the pastor of the
Church. The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was con-
ferred upon Mr. James, by Union College, about three years
after this time.
In the fall of 1871, the church was recarpeted and the ex-
terior repainted, and otherwise put in complete order, at an
estimated cost of about $3,000. On December ioth a special
collection amounting to $700 was taken for the Chicago Presby-
terian Churches which had suffered by the great hre.
The year 1872 opened with the Week of Prayer, which was
followed by special services lasting into February, and in this
year, also, the plan of taking a collection every Sunday morning
26 The State Street Presbyterian Church
for the several Boards of the Presbyterian Church, was adopted,
in place of the occasional collections which had heretofore been
taken. This new scheme of systematic beneficence was, in short,
that the pew rents and evening collections should pay all expenses
of the Church, and the whole of the Sabbath morning offerings
should be devoted to benevolent objects. In July of that year,
the Young People's Society resolved to secure the services of a
city missionary, and with the consent of the Session, Mr. Alvah
Phelps was engaged, and labored under their direction for one
year with marked success.
In February, 1873, an election of elders and deacons was held,
resulting in the choice of Benjamin B. Merchant, Josiah II.
Gilbert and Whiting G. Snow, as elders, and Isaac V. W. Grant
and Edward M. Carpenter as deacons. At the same time, as
we have before noted, the rotary system was abandoned, so that
the new elders, with those who had heretofore been elected,
were chosen to serve for an unlimited term. These new officers
were ordained on March 2d, the services being peculiarly solemn
and impressive.
In the same month, we find that the efforts made to clear off
the debt of the Church had been crowned with success, the fol-
lowing extract from the report, February 15, 1873, of Thomas^
Olcott, President of the Board of Trustees, showing the spirit
which animated those gentlemen :
" That as a congregation we may be able to remain free from
all debts, we feel that on our part as Trustees, the utmost
economy must be used consistent with the proper necessities of
our position as one of the representative churches in our city,
and on the part of the congregation there should be a cordial
sustaining of these necessary expenses, both by means of pew
rentals and by the Sabbath evening collections. These, fully
maintained, will enable us to continue free from the burden
which a debt imposes upon any church.
" It is with deep gratitude to God that we are permitted to
bring to you a report so full of interesting facts which should
make the heart of every one in our congregation rejoice in our
financial prosperity. May it be the true sentiment of every heart
that to God alone all honor, praise and thanksgiving is due, for
He alone has placed in our hands the means and opened our
Pastorate of Rev. John James, D.D., 1871-77 27
hearts to use them in such a manner as to enable us to accom-
plish this happy result, viz.: A church free from all debt.
" Humility becomes us amid our blessings, and prayer that
the Holy Spirit may bring to us still richer measures of pros-
perity, in the spiritual evidences of the presence of God in our
Sanctuary."
It was at one of the entertainments of the Young People's
Society this year that a pleasant surprise awaited the pastor,
when, during the exercises) Elder Whiting G. Snow called all
the elders and deacons to the platform, and, in a very happy
speech, presented to the pastor a handsome and costly gold
watch and chain bearing the following inscription on its case:
"A memento of affection, confidence and regard — Rev. John
James — from the Elders and Deacons of the State St. Presby-
terian Church, Albany, N. Y., 1873."
In August, the Session and Trustees adopted a memorial
on the death of Thomas Olcott, speaking of " his consistent
Christian character and his exhibition of the fruits of piety in
all social and bu>iness relations."
In September of the same year, as a result of the evangelistic
work of the city missionary, Mr. Phelps, with the co-operation
of the Young People's Society, whose constitution had just been
revised, an extended scheme of work in the parish was outlined
and carried out with good results.
The parish was divided into four districts, which were assigned
to committees of the Session for supervision, and in these various
districts local prayer-meetings were held and house to house
visitation was conducted. These prayer meetings were continued
with success for several years.
In April, 1874, we find the following minute upon the records
of Session :
"Whereas, Mr. Walter R. Bush has been an active member
of the Session of the State St. Presbyterian Church since its
organization ; and
"Whereas, He now with his family has removed to Troy,
and purposes to unite with the First Presbyterian Church of
that city ; be it
"Resolved, First, that his brethren in the Session express
their sense of the loss sustained by his removal from among
28 The Stale Street Presbyterian Church
them ; and also the regret of the whole congregation at the re-
moval of a family which was so much respected and beloved."
" Resolved, Second, that whilst thankful to the Lord of the
Vineyard for the valuable services and support rendered to this
congregation for so many years by Mr. Bush, we sincerely com-
mend him and his family to the Christian love and fellowship
of the First Church of Troy, and pray that their usefulness may
not be diminished but may continue to be efficient and appre-
ciated as it has ever been here."
In June of the same year, the collection on Sunday morning,
the 14th, was devoted to a fund which was being raised under
the supervision of the .Trustees for the purchase of a parsonage.
By means of this and other special collections, with subscriptions
from individuals, funds were raised sufficient for the purchase,
for $9,000, paying $3,000 down and assuming the mortgage of
$6,000 which was paid at a later date, of the premises at No. 91
Lancaster street, at that time occupied by the pastor's family,
and which remained until 1907 the parsonage of the Church.
In 1875, the first meeting of the congregation, to be known
as " The Church Annual," was held on the second Friday of
April. At this meeting, after devotional exercises, reports were
read of the work of the various organizations of the Church,,
which were listened to with great interest by a large number of
the members. This custom, with few exceptions, has been
maintained annually since that time.
At a meeting of the Session held on January 20, 1876, the
pastor reported a recent interview with the secretaries of the
Mission Boards in New York, and, as a result, the Session
voted to recommend the formation of a Ladies' Home Mission-
ary Society for the support of a Home Missionary in the West.
The history of this society will be found in a separate chapter.
At the same time, the pastor also stated that the executors of
the estate of the late Prof. Chas. H. Anthony had agreed, pur-
suant to the recommendations of an advisory committee of
which he was a member, to apply $3,000 of the residue of the
estate to establish a scholarship fund for the aid of candidates
for the Gospel Ministry. The conditions under which this fund
should be administered were drawn up by a committee of Ses-
sion, of which the pastor was chairman, and submitted to the
Pastorate of Rev. John James, D.D., 1871-77 29
executors of the estate. Being adopted by them, the bequest
was later accepted in trust by the Session and Trustees under
the same conditions. A copy of the conditions follows:
CONDITIONS
of the Charles H. Anthony Scholarship Fund
" Whereas, The late Charles H. Anthony, of the City of
Albany in the State of New York, did by his last will and testa-
ment provide as follows, to wit :
" ' Section 9th — All the rest, residue and remainder of my
estate is to be distributed by a committee composed of the fol-
lowing persons : my executors, the Pastor of the Church to
which I belong, and William Young, my former nurse, with a
request that they distribute it for religious and charitable
purposes ;'
"And Whereas, The said executors find themselves in pos-
session of the sum requisite to carry out the provisions here-
inafter set forth ;
" Now therefore we, the aforesaid committee, under the au-
thority above recited, do hereby set apart and assign a part of
the residue and remainder of the said Charles H, Anthony's
estate, viz., the sum of Three Thousand Dollars, to be paid to
the Trustees of the State Street Presbyterian Church of Albany,
and to be held in trust perpetually by said Trustees, on the
following conditions, to wit :
" 1. The Fund of Three Thousand Dollars derived from the
estate of the late Charles H. Anthony, of Albany, shall be for-
ever held in trust by the Trustees of the State Street Presbyterian
Society of Albany, and shall be known and designated as ' The
Charles H. Anthony Scholarship Fund of the State Street Pres-
byterian Church of Albany, for the Education of Candidates
for the Gospel Ministry.'
" 2. The said Scholarship Fund shall always be invested in
United States Securities, or in New York State Securities, or
in Bonds of incorporated cities of this State, issued under special
authority of the Legislature, or in first Bonds and Mortgages
on productive real estate assessed at not less than double their
amount.
30 The State Street Presbyterian Church
" 3. No change of the securities of said Fund shall ever be
made without the concurrence of the Session of said Church,
recorded on their Minutes ; and no receipt for the principal of
said Fund shall be valid without a certificate of said Session
endorsed thereon, to the effect that they are cognizant of the
transaction.
" 4. The income of said Fund shall be held by said Trustees
for the use and subject to the order of said Session, and shall
be applied to the education of such candidates for the gospel
ministry in the Presbyterian Church as shall from time to time
be designated by said Session, under a system of rules and
regulations to be by them adopted for this purpose.
" In witness whereof, we, the undersigned, have hereto affixed
our names and seals, this twenty-second day of January, eighteen
hundred and seventy-six.
" [l. s.l Austin H. Wells) „
•'[L.s.] Dr. Wm. Hmles ( ■ E*"«,ors-
" [l.s.] John James, Pastor,
" [l. s.] William Young.
'' Signed and sealed in the presence of
" Daniel J. Pratt."
After the acceptance of this trust, a committee of Session
was appointed to formulate rules for the administration of the
Fund. These were not adopted until the following year (Sep-
tember 27, 1877). They are as follows:
SYSTEM OF RULES AND REGULATIONS
adopted by
The Session of the State Street Presbyterian Church of
Albany,
to be observed in the selection of
Beneficiaries of the Charles H. Anthony Scholarship
Fund
" Whereas, the Conditions of the Charles H. Anthony Schol-
arship Fund (recorded on the Minutes of Session, pp. 238-240)
direct that the income of said Fund * shall be applied to the
education of such candidates for the gospel ministry in the
Presbyterian Church as shall from time to time be designated
Pastorate of Rev. John James, D.D., 1871-77 31
by said Session, under a system of rules and regulations to be
by them adopted for this purpose;'
" The said Session do therefore establish the following system
of rules and regulations :
" i. Beneficiaries of the said Fund shall be selected, if prac-
ticable, from the male membership of the State Street Presby-
terian Church of Albany ; or otherwise from the male member-
ship of some other Church belonging to the Presbytery of Albany.
" 2. As a further condition, such beneficiaries, before receiving
any portion of the income of said Fund, shall have placed them-
selves under the care of Presbytery as candidates for the Gospel
Ministry, and shall have been received as such, by Presbytery.
" 3. Every such beneficiary shall have entered upon a regular
classical course of study, and shall have certified to said Session
his intention in good faith to complete a full Collegiate Course,
and also a full Theological Course in one of the Seminaries under
the direction of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church of the United States.
" 4. Every beneficiary shall give a receipt for ever}' payment
from the income of said Fund.
" 5. These Rules and Regulations may be altered or amended
by the Session at any regular meeting, all proposed alterations
and amendments having been submitted at a previous regular
meeting."
At a meeting of the Session held on December 5, 1906, due
notice having been given, these rules were amended as follows :
Rule 1. Beneficiaries of the said fund shall be selected if
practicable from the male membership of the State Street Pres-
byterian Church of Albany, or from the membership of a Pres-
byterian Church in the Presbytery of Albany. If, however, no
candidates apply for aid from the membership of a church within
the Presbytery of Albany and the accumulated income from such
fund amounts to more than the sum of Five Hundred Dollars
($500) then the Session may use the said income in excess of
$500 to assist any candidate who has duly entered upon a
Classical or Theological course in a seminary under the direc-
tion and supervision of the General Assembly of the Presby-
terian Church in the Synod of New York.
Rule 2. Is annulled and made ineffective after this date.
32 The Stale Street Presbyterian Church
This being the nation's centennial year, in compliance with the
request, of the Presbyterian Historical Society, for Presbyterian
Centennial Historical discourses, the " Church Annual " was
observed on a larger scale. It was held on Monday evening
April nth, in the audience room of the church, Rev. Dr. Halley
and Rev. James G. K. McClure, assisting. All the reports were
made more full and extensive. These were afterward printed
in pamphlet form, and constituted the Church's contribution to
the centennial history.
In November of this year the pastor notified the Session
that he had received a call to become the pastor of the Knox
Presbyterian Church of Hamilton, Ont., Canada, and at his
request a meeting of the congregation was called for December
4. The congregation met on the evening appointed, and after
hearing Dr. James's reasons for desiring to accept the call, voted
reluctantly to join with him in a request to Presbytery for the
dissolution of the pastoral relationship. A committee was ap-
pointed, to draft a resolution to be presented to Presbytery, con-
sisting of Elders A. McClure, Jr. and W. G. Snow, Deacons E.
Cotrell and E. M. Carpenter, Trustees S. Munson and S. Palma-
teer, and from the congregation at large Supt. F. \V. Munson
and Dr. Wm. F. Winne.
The resolution which was prepared and adopted by the con-
gregation, follows:
" The State St. Presbyterian Church and Congregation having
at the urgent solicitation of their Pastor, The Rev. John James,
D. D., appointed commissioners to unite with him in a request
to the Presbytery of Albany to dissolve the pastoral relation
existing between them, in so doing, desire to place on record
the following minute, as expressive of their views and feelings
on this occasion :
" We desire first to say. while we cannot, as yet, see that it
is for the best good of all concerned that the separation should
take place, yet such is our confidence in him, and our faith in
his ability to interpret the Divine Voice in thus calling him to
another field of labor, that we are constrained most reluctantly
and sorrowfully to admit that we see no alternative but to accede
to his request.
•
i
*
REV. DR JOHN JAMES
PASTOR 1871 187b
Pastorale of Rev. John James, D.D., 1871-77 33
" We desire further to express our appreciation of the purity
of life, the high character and attainments, and the zeal for the
service of Christ, which characterize our beloved Pastor. Leav-
ing a profitable mercantile business and going forth at the call
of the Master to preach " Christ and Him crucified " in a strange
land; content to "count all things but loss for the excellency
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus;" during the twenty years of
his ministry his " delight " has ever been " in the law of the
Lord," and he is a living testimony of the faithfulness of God.
Coming into our midst an entire stranger, nearly six years
ago, at a time when we were greatly depressed and wandering
as sheep without a shepherd, our hearts were at once led captive
by his eloquence and earnestness in preaching the gospel, and
he was unanimously called and consented to become our Pastor.
An earnest and thorough student and expounder of the Divine
Word, gifted by nature with talents of a commanding order, and
possessing a cultivated and polished eloquence, he has not only
fed us with the true bread of life, but has made our Church
a chief centre of attraction to the lovers of a pure gospel.
" Words would fail us should we attempt to recite the many
ways in which he has endeared himself to us, but we cannot
forbear to speak of his peculiar fitness for, and his many visits
of comfort and consolation to our homes, at the bedside of our
sick and dying, and ministering the last sad offices to our beloved
dead. He has, indeed, like his Master, " borne our griefs and
carried our sorrows," and we have reason to rejoice if we
have been permitted in any measure to minister like comfort to
him and his family in the sad affliction so recently sent to them
by our Heavenly Father.
" We feel that we would be untrue to our instincts as to our
duty as a Church and congregation, did we not put on record
some distinct expression of our thankfulness to our Heavenly
Father for the blessings which have crowned the labors of Dr.
James during the brief period he has been with us, — blessings,
we believe and trust which will long continue to flow to us and
to our children even though he is separate from us; and we feel
that we cannot be sufficiently thankful to our Divine Master for
so graciously ordering our affairs in this matter and permitting
us to enjoy the ministry of this great and good man.
34 The Stale Street Presbyterian Church
" We dare not trust ourselves to say what more is in our
hearts on this occasion. Our hearts and homes will be ever
open to him. Our love, our sympathy and our prayers go with
him to his new field of labor, and we earnestly commend him
to the care of our Covenant God, and to the hearts of the people
with whom he has chosen to cast his lot."
In accordance with Dr. James's request, thus reluctantly ac-
ceded to by the congregation, Presbytery granted a dissolution
of the pastoral relation, and on January 14, 1877, the Rev. T. G.
Darling, D. D., of Schenectady, declared the pulpit vacant. Thus
ended a most fruitful pastorate. In six years, the Church had
increased in membership from 388 to 533, and the largest enroll-
ment in the history of the Sunday School, 1,084, had been at-
tained. But, more important than these statistical results, there
remained a deep and permanent influence of spiritual uplift
which the years have not yet effaced.
At a meeting of the congregation held on December 22, 1876,
a committee of thirty on Pulpit Supply and Church Work, was
appointed. This committee consisted of the elders and deacons,
the trustees, with the following persons chosen from the con-
gregation at large :
Daniel Leonard, John P. Radley, __
Fletcher Barber, Dr. William F. Winne,
George C. Benedict, Jeremiah Whitehead,
Horatio N. Snow, Charles A. Holbrook,
George C. Riggs, Patrick H. Mann,
Edward E. Mack, Fred W. Munson.
This committee conducted the affairs of the Church with
vigor during the brief interval between the pastorate of Dr.
James and that of his successor, so that when a call was extended
to the Rev. John McClellan Holmes, D. D., of the Reformed
Church of Hudson. N. Y., the Church was still in a prosperous
and healthy condition.
A series of prayer meetings, held at this time, under direction
of Rev. Charles Reynolds, were fraught with gratifying results.
On April 24, 1877, the congregation met pursuant to the call
of the Session, and, at the nomination of the committee on
Pulpit Supply and Church Work, unanimously voted to call Dr.
Pastorate of Rev. John A/cC. Holmes, D.D., 1877-97 35
rlolmes to be the pastor of the Church. Dr. Holmes accepted
he call, and on June 3rd he was installed by the Presbytery,
^ev. Edward Stratton, the Moderator of Presbytery, Dr. Anson
I". Upson. Dr. T. G. Darling and Rev. J. McC. Blayney taking
)art in the service. •$ lQ'*wl5?2|£r
The pastorate of Dr. Holmes, which extendea over a^^/lriod
>f twenty years was not only the longest, but in many ways the
nost prosperous of the history of the Church thus far. On the
>ccasion of the second anniversary of his installation, a special
ervice was held, which was commented upon by the city papers.
.Ve quote from one of them: "The church was filled — floral
lecorations in excellent taste — and the congregational singing,
or which this Church is noted, was exceptionally fine." During
he year the weekly meetings for prayer had been larger than
:ver before in the history of the Church. The audience num-
lering, at times, nearly or quite four hundred.
During the early years of Dr. Holmes's pastorate, there were
everal young men who went from this Church to study for the
gospel ministry, there being in 1883, as many as five candidates
mder the care of the Church at one time. Those studying under
he regulations of the Anthony Fund were:
Raymond H. Stearns, Henry M. Tyndall,
George M. Makely, Arthur W. Peters,
Charles II . Tyndall, Irving D. Wildey,
George S. Duncan, Leonard V. C. Mytton.
In June, 1877, James A. Whitney, for more than ten years
t Trustee of the Church, was called to his reward. A resolu-
ion was passed by the Board of Trustees, which says: ''He
vas always found prompt in his engagements, while with rare
Thristian courtesy he ever manifested in his own quiet persistent
nanner, a sincere love for the Master."
That the Church was diligent in good works, is shown by the
ollowing letter which was received from the Sixth Presbyterian
Thurch in 1880:
The Sixth Presbyterian Church in Albany
To the Congregation of the State Street Church, with the
3astor, Elders and Deacons : Grace be unto you, and peace,
rom God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
36 The State Street Presbyterian Church
We thank our God upon every remembrance of you, for your
good work, whereby, for the first time, on this Lord's day we
are able to worship in a house free from debt, and are relieved
of the fear lest this Church should be lost to the cause of the
Redeemer through our lack.
We rejoice in the Lord greatly, that your care of us hath
so generously flourished. And we thank our God, even with
tears of joy and praise, that by your bounty this house may
henceforth be truly called the House of the Lord. Our grati-
tude remembereth also how greatly our present joy is due to
those Saints among you who have been rich in their prayers
for us to the Giver of every good and perfect gift.
Our petitions shall ever seek the blessings of God to reward
you.
Brethren, pray for us, that we may be found faithful to enter
the door of usefulness in the Master's service, which the mercy
of the Lord hath now opened.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The salutation of the Sixth Church, on this Lord's day, the
28th of March, A. D., 1880; by the hands of our servants,
William Durant, Lawson Axntesley,
Minister. For Congregation.
E. A. Ross. James Vint,
Clerk of Session. For Trustees.
W. G. Winne, Albert H. Sliter,
For Deacons. For Sunday School.
■
During this year the lecture room and the session room,
used also for Sabbath School purposes, were thoroughly reno-
vated at a cost of about £2,000.
In the same year, and again in 1886, a collection was taken
in the Church to aid in liquidating the debt on the West End
Presbyterian Church of this city.
While considering an appropriation by the Session to the
Synodical Missionary Fund, it was remarked, as an item of
interest, that all the Elders of this Church, with a single excep-
tion, were originally members of rural churches.
On May 9, 1881, the Hymn Book entitled, " Spiritual Songs "
Pastorate of Rev. John McC. Holmes, D.D., 1877-97 37
by the Rev. Chas. S. Robinson, D. D., was adopted for use in
the Church.
On Nov. ii, 1 88 1, the Session passed a resolution on the
death of Isaac V. W. Grant, this being the first time since its
foundation that the Church had been called upon to mourn the
death of one of its spiritual officers. " Of commanding personal
appearance, of superior judgment, and discretion, of a pure and
quiet spirit, and of a consistent and devoted life, he adorned and
illustrated the religion which for so many years he professed."
During the Fall and Winter of 1883, the church was repaired,
painted, recarpeted, recushioned and redecorated at an expense
of $10,497.14. The work was carried on under the supervision
of a committee of the Trustees, of which W. T. Valentine was
chairman, after conference with the pastor and a committee of
Session, and the congregation worshipped in the newly decorated
auditorium for the first time on the first Sunday of January,
1884. In his pastoral letter to the congregation, Dr. Holmes
refers to the year past as " one of exceptional prosperity," and
says, " the first Sabbath of the New Year finds us worshipping
in our renovated sanctuary, with all our debts paid, and our
pews with rare exceptions all rented. In things spiritual we
have also been highly honored of God. His presence has been
with us throughout the entire year, and sixty new members have
been added to our communion." In recognition of the faithful
labors of Mr. Valentine in bringing these repairs to a successful
conclusion, the Trustees presented him, on Christmas Day, 1883,
with a chair, accompanied by a letter of thanks, signed by the
Board.
As indicative of the attitude of the people, at this time, towards
" popular amusements and customs of social life " the answer to
the Presbytery's question : " How have they affected the church ? "
may be taken, viz. : " These have but slightly affected the spiritual
life of our Church — most of our Church members place Chris-
tian duty before social pleasure."
On September 14, 1884, the Session adopted a minute on the
death of Elder Daniel J. Pratt, Ph. D., "A man full of the Holy
Ghost and of faith, honored and beloved by all who knew him."
In 1886 there occurred the celebration of the Bi-Centennial
of the City of Albany. On Sabbath, July i8th, which was " De-
38 The State Street Presbyterian Church
votional Day," historical sermons were delivered by ministers
of the various denominations. The service for Presbyterians
was held in this church, concerning which we quote the follow-
ing: "One of the most interesting union services held in the
city was that of the Presbyterian faith at the State St. Presby-
terian Church. Adornment was not necessary, for the handsome
Church edifice was brilliant in its myriads of lights and was
crowded with devout and reverential parishioners. People
flocked to the church very early, and long before the commence-
ment of services, the vast edifice was filled. The ushers had
plenty to do, and the chancel platform was occupied by the
Presbyterian divines of the city. The organist, Frank Van
Derzee, played the various selections with skill and proficiency.
The singing, true to the congregational order, was an exceedingly
pleasant phase of a most delightful union service. Rev. Horace
C. Stanton preached eloquently. The sermon, from the text,
Isa. 63 7 : 'I will mention the loving kindness of the Lord,'
was apropos, filled with thoughtful reflections and was delivered
with great force and effect."
Reviewing the histories of the several Presbyterian Churches,
and while dwelling upon the history of the State St. Presby-
terian Church, he thus spoke of its growth :
" During the five years pastorate of the Rev. A. S. Twombly,
installed June, 1862, and the three years' pastorate of the Rev.
George C. Heckman, D. D., installed November, 1867, the Church
grew strong. Its Sunday School was vigorous. Then from June,
1871, it had six flourishing years under the Rev. John James,
D. D., a man of Scottish birth and breeding, positive character,
decided influence in many ways. An able preacher, he did good
work for Christ.
" In June, 1877, was installed the present Pastor, Rev. John
McC. Holmes, D. D., who had received the highest recognition
from the Reformed denomination before entering the Presby-
terian body. The record of his fruitful pastorate needs no re-
hearsal. The history of this Church requires few words ; but
they are pleasant to utter and to hear. From the beginning its
career has been marked by spiritual thrift, energy, increasing
numbers, abundance of financial resources, prosperity of every
kind and widening waves of influence. It is the strongest
Pastorate of Rev. John A/cC. Holmes, D.D., 1877-97 39
evangelical church in Albany. Taken as a whole, in eligibility
of location, splendor and commodiousness of sanctuary, its pulpit,
its membership of over eight hundred, its school of nine hun-
dred, the completeness of its organization, its benefactions, Pres-
byterianism can point to no more thoroughly representative
church in all Northern New York. We are proud of the State
St. Church. Its history is brief ; but its future shall be great."
In January, 1888, Dr. Holmes was granted leave of absence
of five months, to attend the Pan-Presbyterian Council in London,
as delegate from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States. In the same year, on Way 4th,
at their own request, the following members were dismissed to
the Church to be organized under the name and title of the
"Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church of Albany, N. Y." :
George H. Redway and Charles S. Gladding and
Katherine W. Red way, his wife, Ella B. Gladding, his wife.
Addison White and Philip Templeton and
Helen M. White, his wife, Mary E. Templeton, his wife,
Levantia K. Gladding Alice Templeton,
Mary E. Gladding, M. Lilian Templeton,
Lucy M. Gladding, Louis W. Pratt and
Kate L. Simmons, Geraldine S. Pratt, his wife.
On December 4th the Session and Trustees adopted special
resolutions on the death of Elder Archibald McClure, who was
also a Trustee of the Church : " One of the originators of this
Church, and throughou' its history identified with its interests.
Ripe in religious experience, mature in spiritual consecration,
active in Christian work and abounding in Christian liberality."
In January, 1889, the boards of elders and deacons having
been reduced by deaths and removals, an election was held on
the 15th, with the following result:
Ruling Elders Deacons
Eletcher Barber, Arthur L. Andrews,
Edward M. Carpenter, Guilford D. Burdick,
Daniel Leonard, Wm. II. McClure,
Nathan B. Perry, John Templeton,
Horatio N. Snow, Clarence Valentine,
Samuel Templeton. Jeremiah Whitehead.
40 The State Street Presbyterian Church
Ten days later, Deacon-elect Jeremiah Whitehead having de-
clined to serve, Robert C. James was chosen in his place, and
on January 27th, these new officers were ordained.
In 1890, the congregation undertook the support of a foreign
missionary in India for a term of five years, Mr. Win. K. Tem-
pleton volunteering to collect and administer the special fund
for this purpose. The missionary assigned was the Rev. W. H.
Hannum, who with his bride shortly thereafter sailed for India.
On January 20, 1890, Deacon John Templeton, who at the
time was Church Treasurer, passed away. Appropriate minutes
were passed by the Board of Deacons, and Clarence Valentine
was appointed to serve in his place. In the same year the Trus-
tees were called to mourn the death of William T. Valentine,
" mature in judgment, fertile in expedient and efficient in action,
he filled an important place in the work intrusted to our care."
Beginning in 1890, and for several years following, owing to
the size of the congregation and the arduous duties of the pas-
torate the sum of $500 a year was appropriated by the Trustees,
at the request of the Session, for the use of the pastor in securing
needed assistance in his work.
On March 13, 1892, the Trustees passed a resolution on the
death of W'illiam K. Templeton, " of mature judgment, hearty
sympathies and of refined feelings, he was developed by Divine
Grace, into whatever was truest, purest and noblest in Christian
manhood." Elder H. N. Snow was appointed the Treasurer of
the W. II. Hannum fund in Mr. Templeton's place.
In the same year the Session mourned the death of Elder
Edward P. Durant a man " of commanding personal presence,
endowed with rare mental gifts, a leader in the Church, wise in
council and efficient in action, consecrated to Christ, known,
respected and loved throughout the denomination."
In 1893, a minute on the death of Elder Samuel Templeton
was adopted, who was spoken of as " one of our strongest and
best members, endowed with a vigorous mind and warm heart,
and enriched with a large measure of divine grace and spiritual
zeal."
In the Fall of 1897, tne pastor, Dr. Holmes, being ill, was
granted a leave of absence by the Session. Failing to recover
his health he decided to resign his pastorate, whereupon a meet-
REV. DR. JOHN McCLELLAN HOLMES
PASTOR 1877-1897
Pastorate of Rev. John McC. Holmes, D.D., 1877-97 41
ing of the congregation was called and a committee appointed
to persuade him to withdraw his resignation ; hut, his decision
remaining unchanged, a second meeting was called on November
nth, the resignation was accepted, and commissioners were ap-
pointed to join with him in requesting Presbytery to dissolve
the pastoral relationship, and the following minute was adopted :
" The State St. Presbyterian Church of the City of Albany
with sincere regret and deep sorrow parts with its long time and
most beloved Pastor, John McClellan Holmes.
" For more than twenty years he has ministered to us with
signal fidelity and marked success.
"A steady growth in membership, liberal contributions for
the maintenance of the Church and for the promotion of religion
and charity at home and abroad, and earnest activity in every
department of church work, have been some of the chief evi-
dences of his successful labors.
" In his pastoral work he has had no superiors and but few
equals.
" Naturally gifted with those qualities of mind and heart which
make a successful Pastor, his long and varied experience in
this branch of Christian work had rendered him well nigh
perfect in its performance.
" His genial manner, kindly disposition, sympathetic nature
and practical wisdom, added to a wonderful gift of remembering
names and faces, placed him at a point of vantage occupied by
few ministers of the gospel.
" During his long pastorate the opportunities for the display
of these qualities have been a multitude in number, and he never
failed to rise to the occasion.
"At one time or another almost every household has been
visited by affliction and sorrow, and at such times he never failed
to come bearing consolation and cheer and hope.
" It mattered not whether the blow be light or heavy, his
interest, his sympathy, his help, was timely and wise.
" He literally partook of the joys and shared the sorrows of
his people, until he sank beneath the load of care and responsi-
bility.
" What the Church owes to him collectively and as individuals,
will never be known until the day when the books are opened
wherein is the true record of every man's work.
42 The State Street Presbyterian Church
" Long after he shall have gone to his eternal rest, the blessed
memory of his interest and heartfelt sympathy will come back
like the fragrance of the flowers, which lingers and dwells when
the blossom is no more.
"As but a slight token of our appreciation of his faithful
service, of our sympathy for him in his affliction, and of our
wish for his long continued usefulness and prosperity, we present
this testimonial to the Presbytery of Albany, and spread the
same upon the minutes of the Church.
" Following the action of Presbytery, the pulpit was declared
vacant on December 5, 1897.
" Dr. Holmes's pastorate, the longest in the history of the
Church, included the years of its greatest prosperity. During
his administration, the membership was increased from 533 to
633, and the Church by reason of its benevolences and its situa-
tion held a commanding place in the community.
During the brief interim following the close of Dr. Holmes's
pastorate, the Church was supplied by various ministers, and
on June 10, 1898, a call was extended to the Rev. John J. Law-
rence of Canandaigua, to become the pastor of the Church.
Mr. Lawrence accepted the call and was installed by the
Presbytery of Albany on October 4, 1898, Rev. A. R. Olney,
D. D., Rev. Charles A. Richmond, D. D., Rev. William F. Whit-
aker, D. D., and Rev. Geo. N. Karner participating in the
services.
On January 31, 1899, a congregational meeting was held for
the election of additional elders and deacons, which resulted as
follows :
Ruling Elders Deacons
Robert C. James, De Baun Van Aken,
Fdward A. Groesbeck, De Witt C. Slingerland.
Edgar C. Leonard, Douglas W. Olcott.
Clarence Valentine,
George S. Munson.
Of these gentlemen Clarence Valentine and Douglas W. Olcott
declined to serve. The others were ordained to their respective
offices in March of the same year.
Pastorate of Rev. John J. Lamence, 1898-1906 43
On March 10, the Session passed a resolution on the death
of Elder James Erwin, the senior elder of the Session. "A
good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, — gathered into
the Lord's garner as a shock of grain fully ripe." The Session
records its " high appreciation of his Christian character, his con-
sistent godly life, and his constant and untiring service for the
Master."
During this year, several changes were made in the musical
service of the Church, by the adoption of a new hymn book
(the "Church Hymnary," edited by Edwin A. Bedell), and by
the employment of a soloist to sing at the Church services.
The days on which Communion services should regularly be
held in the church were changed to the first Sundays of October,
December, February, April and June.
In 1900, the music in the Church was again considered, with
the result that a cornetist was engaged to lead the congregational
singing, and a soloist for the evening services. Early in this
year, also, the Young People's Society of the Church was, with
the approval of the Session, reorganized, and constituted as a
Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, which has had a
prosperous existence to the present time.
In 1901, Elders J. H. Gilbert and Nathan B. Perry resigned
their duties as active elders of the Church, the one on account
of failing health, and the other because of long absence from
the city.
In July of the same year, Elder Horatio N. Snow passed away.
He had been for more than 36 years a member of the Church,
and in. the resolution passed by the Session at the time of his
death he is spoken of as a man " devoted to the interests of the
Church and ever responsive to its obligations, with heart and
hand open to the call of the distressed, who had filled well the
offices of Trustee, Sunday School Superintendent and Ruling
Elder." By Mr. Snow's will the Church received a legacy of
$1,000 to augment the Anthony Fund. In December, John G.
Myers passed away. For thirty-four years he had been a mem-
ber of the Church, and for thirty-two years one of its Trustees,
and at the time of his death he was the president of that board.
" The Church with its many spiritual and benevolent activities
lay near to his heart, and to all its work he brought those same
44 The State Street Presbyterian Church
gifts of untiring fidelity, sound judgment and unfailing courtesy
which made him during his life one of the foremost citizens
of Albany."
In February, 1902, the Session and the Board of Deacons
being reduced by these various deaths and resignations, an elec-
tion was held, resulting in the choice of :
Ruling Elders Deacons
Arthur L. Andrews, William D. MacFarlane,
Augustus S. Brandow, Guy D. Hills,
Edwin W. Ober, Jason S. Bedell,
William II. McClure, Daniel L. Markle.
Edward W. Wetmore,
Norman S. Hoff,
DeWitt C. Slingerland.
All of these, with the exception of Arthur L. Andrews and
Edward W. Wetmore, who did not accept their election, were
ordained on March 23.
In March of this year, the Session received notice of the death
of Rev. Dr. Heckman, the second pastor of this Church— an
earnest, consecrated, able, Christian minister — of deep spirituality
and unselfish life. A tribute to his memory was spread upon the
minutes.
During 1901 and 1902 the Church was the recipient of several
gifts, among them a set of collection plates from Mr. and Mrs.
A. S. Brandow, individual communion cups from Mrs. William
Appleton, and silk pulpit gown from Gardner C. Leonard.
In 1003, Elder Henry L. Dickerman, then the senior elder
of the Church passed away. He was one of the charter members
of the Church, and had been an elder since 1869. Active in
religious work, he had been especially zealous in the work of
the Sunday School, which he bad served as teacher and assistant
superintendent. Later in the same year the Session mourned
the death of Elder B. P.. Merchant, at the time of his death the
clerk of the Session, honored and faithful to every duty. He
had been for 37 years a member of the Church, and for thirty
years one of its elders, superintendent of the Sunday School
during the four years of its largest membership, and for more
'
Pastorate of Rev. John J. Lawrence, 1898-1906 45
than eighteen years the clerk of Session. In December, Elder
Daniel Leonard resigned his place as an active elder.
In 1904, the present financial system of the Church was
adopted, providing for contributions through weekly envelopes,
to a fund from which the benevolences of the Church and a
portion of its current expenses are appropriated by the Session.
In 1905 Elder William H. McClure, for nearly 42 years a
member of the Church and for more than 16 years one of its
spiritual officers was called home. He was a man " devoted to
all the interests of the Church and universally beloved by its
members, of sympathetic nature, spiritual worth and exemplary
life." Later in the same year, Elder Fletcher Barber the senior
elder of the Church and the president of the Board of Trustees
passed away, " for thirty-five years a member of the Church
and for sixteen years one of its elders. He was a man of faith
and prayer, with judicial mind and exemplary life, who loved
the Church and served it faithfully."
During this year also, the Session passed a minute concern-
ing the death on June 2nd, in his 80th year, of the Rev. John
James, D. D., who, though he had been pastor of the Church
but six years, left behind him a sacred memory. During his
pastorate the Church experienced an uplift and a hallowing which
has never passed away.
In this same year, Airs. William H. McClure presented to the
Church the beautiful Communion table and bench which now
graces our sanctuary, in memory of her late husband, Elder
William H. McClure. In dedicating this table the pastor prayed :
"Around this table grant, Holy Father, that the blessing of
strength may come to the weak, light to those that are in dark-
ness and hope to all in despair, and here may hundreds make
the great declaration of their faith in Thy Son, and enter into
the full joys and privileges of Thy Holy Communion."
During the next year Mrs. McClure presented to the Church
200 new cbairs, which are now in use in the Sunday School
room.
In 1906, several minor changes in the customs of the Church
were made, including the transfer of the preparatory lecture
from the church to the lecture room, and the omission of the
Friday evening prayer meeting during the summer vacation.
46 The Stale Street Presbyterian Church
On September 14th, arrangements having been made for the,
support of Miss Jean E. James, by the Sunday School and
Young People's Societies of the Church, as missionary in India,
she departed for her field of labor, with the approval and sanc-
tion of the Session, which passed a resolution of which the fol-
lowing is a part :
" The Session expresses its hearty approval ; it recognizes
the Christian devotion and culture of Miss James and her emi-
nent fitness for the high task to which she has devoted her
powers; it appreciates the missionary enthusiasm of the Sunday
School and Young People ; and it prays that the blessing of God
may abundantly rest upon Miss James in her toils in the distant
field."
Miss James is a granddaughter of Dr. James, the third pastor
of the Church.
In December, 1906, Mr. Lawrence received a call to become
the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Binghamton ;
and, in order to accept the call, asked the congregation to unite
with him in requesting Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral re-
lation between him and this Church. At the meeting of the
congregation called to act upon this request, the following reso-
lution was passed :
" Whereas, Our Pastor, Rev. John J. Lawrence, has resigned
his pastorate in this Church, stating that he has been called by
God to labor elsewhere ; and
" Whereas, He has asked the congregation to unite with him
in a request to Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relations now
existing between them ;
" Therefore, be it resolved, That we hereby express our regret
and feelings of personal loss in the event of the severing of the
relationship so pleasantly existing between Pastor and People in
this Church; that we hereby testify to the faithfulness and ac-
ceptable service of our Pastor for upwards of eight years, and
that we reluctantly join with him in his request to Presbytery.
"Be it further resolved, That Edward A. Groesbeck, Arthur
L. Andrews and G. Dudley Burdick, be and they are hereby
chosen Commissioners to Presbytery, and are instructed to join
with the Pastor in a request that the pastoral relation be
dissolved."
REV. JOHN J LAWRENCE
PASTOR 18981906
Pastorale of Rev. John J. Lawrence, 1898-1906 47
Presbytery having acted upon this request, just before the
departure of Air. and Mrs. Lawrence a farewell reception was
given them in the Sunday School rooms, which were decorated
for the occasion with palms and flowers, the arrangements being
admirably managed by the Woman's Guild under the leadership
of Mrs. Arthur L. Andrews.
The members of the Church, ministers and many friends in
the city attended in large numbers to offer a farewell word and
to express their sorrow at the separation. Mr. Lawrence was
especially fortunate in the character of his Sunday evening ser-
vices and many who were in the habit of attending these services,
though not members of the Church, came to say " Good-bye " and
to testify to the help received through his ministry in the city.
A beautiful silver loving cup was presented to Mr. Lawrence
on behalf of the Church by Edgar C. Leonard, who expressed
the feelings of regard and esteem in which the pastor was held
and the best wishes of all the people for a happy and successful
pastorate in Binghamton.
Mr. Lawrence replied with emotion and received the gift in
a spirit of deep appreciation of the friendly feelings which
prompted it and with the assurance that it would always be a
highly prized object in his household.
The women of the Church also presented Mrs. Lawrence with
a silver tea service.
During Mr. Lawrence's pastorate, which extended over a
period of a little more than eight years, the Church sustained
greater losses by death than at any similar period of its history.
In spite of this fact, however, the membership did not materially
decrease, and the work of the Church was maintained at a high
level of efficiency, both spiritual and financial.
Following Mr. Lawrence's resignation, on December 14, 1906,
a congregational meeting was held to make provision for the
selection of a new pastor. As a result of this meeting, a printed
letter was sent to each member of the congregation, asking them
to record their votes for nine persons to serve as a committee
to present a nomination for a pastor. No names were suggested,
but the vote was left entirely to the discretion of the congrega-
,8
The State Street Presbyterian Church
tion. As a result of this vote, a committee of nine was chosen,
consisting of the following:
Edgar C. Leonard, Edwin W. Ober,
Arthur L. Andrews, George S. Munson,
Clarence Valentine, Augustus S. Brandow,
Edward A. Groesbeck, Clifford D. Gregory.
Robert C. James,
During the interim of about five months, the work of the
Church was vigorously prosecuted, the pulpit being supplied by
various ministers, and the prayer meetings and other organiza-
tions being regularly sustained. No candidates were heard in
the church, but the work of selecting a pastor was left entirely
to the committee named above.
On March I, 1907, the congregation met to consider the report
of the committee, and at its nomination, voted unanimously to
extend a call to the Rev. Charles G. Sewall, of the Presbyterian
Church of Rome, N. Y., to become the pastor of the Church.
Air. Sewall accepted the call, and assumed his duties as pastor-
elect on the first Sunday of May. lie was installed by the
Presbytery of Albany on the evening of May 16, his father-in-
law, the Rev. A. H. Strong, D.D., of Rochester, his father, the
Rev. A. C. Sewall, D.D., of Troy, the Rev. John J. Lawrence,
the former pastor of the Church, Dr. Mears, the pastor of the
Fourth Presbyterian Church of this city, and Rev. Philip N.
Aloore, the Moderator of the Presbytery, taking part in the
service.
Soon after Air. Sewall's acceptance of the call to become the
pastor of the Church, but before his removal to the city, the
premises at 91 Lancaster street, which since 1871 had been
occupied as the parsonage, were sold. The proceeds of the sale,
$7,000, were invested and are now held in trust by the Trustees.
The house No. 27 Dove street was rented for the use of the
new pastor, which was occupied by his family for three years,
when the present parsonage, No. 73 Willett street was leased.
On June 18 the Church mourned the death of Elder Edward
AI. Carpenter, for nearly forty years a member, and for thirty-
five years an office bearer in the Church. "A good man, a
REV CHARLES G. SEWALL
PASTOR OF THE CHURCH SINCE 19Q!
Pastorate of Rev. Charles C. Servall, 1907- 49
Christian gentleman, kindly, faithful and true, his whole life a
noble example of unswerving integrity."
The events of the present pastorate are so reeent, and so fresh
in the memory of the congregation that a very brief mention
of some of the more important will suffice. Jn the Fall of
1908, Deacons Andrews and Valentine having resigned their
places on the Board of Deacons, and the Session being small,
an election of elders and deacons was held resulting in the
choice of :
Ruling Elders Deacons
Daniel L. Markle, Gardner C. Leonard,
Thomas D. James, William II. Fillmore,
Henry P. Warren, Charles C. DeRouville,
Leonard -W. Hatch. Albert M. Reed,
Charles P. Prate.
They were ordained to their respective offices on November 29.
During the year 1909, the Church having received a legacy
of $1,000 from Airs. J. R. Boulware, a portion of it was appro-
priated by the Trustees for the purchase of an opalescent glass
lantern which now hangs from the ceiling of the church and
lights the pulpit. About the same time Mrs. John Pladwell
presented to the Church the artistic flower stands which now
adorn the pulpit platform. During the fall of the same year,
funds having been contributed by members of the congregation,
extensive alterations and improvements were made in the base-
ment of the church, providing more adequate facilities and con-
veniences for the social life of the Church. Early in 1910 a
new piano was purchased for the use of the Sunday School.
In the Fall of 1910, a change in the musical service of the
Church was effected by the engagement of the present precentor
and soloist, L. LeRoy Pickett, to take the place of the cornetist
and soloist who bad for so many years rendered faithful and
acceptable service.
During these four years, besides the death of Elder Carpenter,
which has been noted, the Church has mourned the death of
G. Dudley Purdick, the president of the Board of Deacons, a
man universally respected and beloved, who passed away in
May, 1908, and William D. MacFarlane, who succeeded Mr.
■
50 The State Street Presbyterian Church
Burdick as president of the Board of Deacons, who was called
home in January, 1910, — a true and gentle spirit, faithful and
honored. In 1909, Elder J. H. Gilbert, who, though he was no
longer an active member of Session, was universally honored
and beloved by all the congregation, was called to his reward.
He became a member of the Church in 1866; was ordained an
elder in 1873, and adorned that office until 1901, when, because
of impaired health he asked to be retired from its active duties.
In a memorial resolution of the Session, he is spoken of as " an
optimistic counsellor, a loyal friend and an honored co-laborer,
admirably fitted by nature for the profession of an educator,
to which he gave his life."
During the close of 1910 and the beginning of 191 1 prepara-
tions were inaugurated for the celebration of the Semi-Centen-
nial of the organization of the Church, and committees were
appointed to carry these into effect. The names of those ap-
pointed will be found in connection with the programme printed
at the end of this volume.
It may be of interest here to state that besides those students,
already mentioned in another connection, there have gone out
from this Church and Sabbath School : Dr. Ira Harris, Medical
Missionary at Tripoli, Syria; and Rev. James G. K. McClure?
D.D., related to one of the families who were foremost at the
founding of the Church and have been prominent and active
throughout its history; Rev. David James, a son of the third
pastor ; and Rev. Samuel V. V. Holmes, a son of the fourth
pastor, who are now active ministers of the gospel ; and a young
son of the fifth pastor of the Church is at present pursuing his
studies in preparation for this glorious ministry.
The foregoing pages contain part of the history of the incep-
tion and growth of the Church, with a glimpse of the men, and
their work, who composed its pastorate and its official boards
during the fifty years. Some more of the story is told in the
statistical lists and summaries, and in the separate accounts of
the various organizations of the Church, which follow, and to
which only brief allusion has heretofore been made.
The Sunday School
On March 25, 1861, an informal meeting was held at the
house of Mr. Archibald McClure, 158 State Street, to consider
the organization of a Sunday School in connection with the
State Street Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Mr. Westbrook,
the Secretary of the American Sunday School Union, who was
supplying the pulpit of the Church at the time, was present,
and gave his advice. As a result of the meeting, a printed notice
was distributed to every family in the city residing West of
Eagle Street and South of Washington Avenue, and on Sunday,
April 7, 1861, the School assembled for its first session in the
lecture room of the German Lutheran Church (now the Albany
Law School). Mr. Westbrook presided at this service and
" introduced the custom which has since been uninterruptedly
followed of the School and superintendent reading alternate
verses. At the same time, he initiated the custom of repeating
the Lord's Prayer, the School repeating it with the superin-
tendent." At this meeting an election of officers was held, with
the following result :
Superintendent, David Murray.
Secretary, W. G. Rogers.
Treasurer, W. J. White.
Librarian, R. L. Johnson.
Assistant Librarian, Wm. H. McClure.
In the first chapter of this history, appears a list of those
who were teachers in the School at its organization.
During the first year of its existence, the School, on February
23, 1862, moved into its present " commodious and elegant quar-
tears," and four days later enjoyed its first festival, when the
time-honored custom was inaugurated of giving ice cream and
cake to each scholar, with " a paper bag containing an apple,
an orange, cake and candy " to take home.
At the first anniversary of the School, which took place on
the second Sunday of April, 1862, the superintendent reported
52 The Slate Street Presbyterian Church
that the School had during the year acquired a membership of
about 356, of whom 308 were pupils and 48 teachers.
It is interesting to note, however, that during the brief period
of its sessions in the lecture room of the German Lutheran
Church, many of the children of that congregation had become
interested in its work, so that, after the removal to its own
quarters across the street, the German Lutheran Church organ-
ized an English-speaking school of its own, to which one teacher
and about forty scholars were dismissed with God-speed. This
left the actual membership of the School at the end of its first
year about 316. The event is typical of the whole history of
the Sunday School of the State Street Church, which has always
stirred up other schools to good works.
Thus the School was fairly launched upon the half century
of useful and honorable activity of which this chapter is a brief
and inadequate review. It is impossible, in the small space at
our disposal to mention all the faithful officers and teachers,
all the self-sacrificing labor, all the notable results of these
fifty years. We can merely attempt to give an outline sketch
of some of the main features of the long period.
These fifty years of the life of the School have been spanned
by the administrations of fourteen superintendents, whose
names, with the years when they presided over the affairs of
the School, will be found in the statistical survey with which
this chapter closes. But there are many other names which
should be mentioned with equal honor. It is difficult to select
any of them, without recording them all, since in the sight of
God we know that some of the faithful teachers who during
many years labored with their classes, but whose work does not
appear in the written records of the School deserve as great
praise as those who appear to have been more prominent. The
following, however, must not be forgotten if we are fitly to com-
memorate our history:
Miss Emma Wygant, Miss Elizabeth Strong (Mrs. A. Mc-
Clure, Jr.), Miss Carrie Bush, Miss Kate M. Mather, Miss
Clara B. Bancroft, Miss Isabella Wilson. Miss Louise Burdick,
Miss Mary L. Richman, Mrs. Robert Elemming, and, at the
present time, Miss Josephine Mahon, who have presided over
the Primary or as it was originally called the Infant Depart-
ment, have rendered loyal and devoted service. In 1898 a
The Sunday School 53
Kindergarten Department was added to the School, Miss Mar-
garet E. Smith heing the first superintendent. She has been
succeeded in turn by Miss Grace McHarg, Miss Margaret
Deutschbein, Miss Josephine Dodds and Miss Sara Palmatier.
The Sunday School Missionaries also, though salaried officers,
gave of the devotion of their hearts far beyond the worth of
their slender stipends. They were Mrs. W. B. Church, who
labored without compensation during the years from 1865 to
1868, and as the regular missionary of the Church until 1872;
Mrs. Benjamin B. Vanderlip, from 1872 to 1877; Miss Maggie
McKenzie. from 1877 to 1890, and Mrs. Wm. K. Templeton,
from 1893 to 1896. Since that time there has been no regular
Sunday School city missionary, but the needed labors have been
performed without compensation by the faithful teachers.
The School has supported several missionaries. Its first ser-
vant on the held was Mr. Otis Patten, who became connected
with the School in 1864, and who was engaged in Home Mis-
ionary work in Southern Indiana and in Kentucky. His place
was taken by the Rev. J. C. Buchanan, who was connected with
the School until 1868. In 1869, the School assumed the sup-
port of a native Chinese preacher, Tsiang Vong Kweng by
name, and continued to contribute to his salary until 1875. At
this time, Rev. Lu Cing Veng, at the suggestion of his prede-
cessor, who resigned his connection with the School for a larger
work, took his place, and remained as the missionary of the
School until 1888. From this time until 1906, though the School
had no missionary of its own, it contributed largely through
the Boards of the Church, but in that year one of its own mem-
bers, Miss Jean E. James, who is now representing the School
in India, became its missionary.
With more or less varying success, the School has maintained
an adult Bible Class, though the existence of such a Class in
the School has not been continuous. The teachers who have
led the Bible Class are Prof. C. II. Anthony, Edward P. Durant,
Daniel J. Pratt, Prof. E. W. Wetmore. In addition to the
so-called adult Bible Class, there have been at various periods
of the history of the School, Bible classes for young men and
young women, for older men and older women, which have been
valued additions to its work.
54 The Slate Street Presbyterian Church
A Sabbath School Prayer Meeting, to which the officers and
teachers and adult members of the School were invited, was
inaugurated in 1863, being held each Sunday afternoon after the
close of the School session. This prayer meeting, although at
one period we find it a matter of discussion in the annual meeting
of the School, was maintained practically without a break until
1 89 1 and is spoken of by the various superintendents as a source
of great help and strength in the work. Meetings of the teach-
ers and officers were held from time to time for the transaction
of business, and in 1878 the first teachers' meeting for the study
of the lesson and the first " Teachers' Sociable " were held.
The annual festival for the scholars of the School, inaugurated,
as we have seen, on the occasion of the first occupancy of the
present room, has been provided every year since that time.
Until recent years, this festival was held in the latter part of
February or the first of March, and sometimes, owing to the
size of the School, occupied two days. For a few years it
became the custom to hold it at the Christmas season, but this
year we again returned to the old custom and enjoyed our
festival in March.
In 1876 a " Teachers' Association " was formed and a con-
stitution adopted. Since that time the provisions of this con-,
stitution have been somewhat modified, but, on the whole, its
plan has been followed.
As to its material equipment, the years have not brought
much change in the condition of the School. The " commodious
and elegant " quarters into which the School moved in 1862
shelter it still. In 1881, however, we find in the report of the
superintendent that by that time the Sunday School rooms had
become " quite uninviting from long use." The officers of the
School petitioned the Trustees for improvements, which, with
the co-operation of the School itself, were made during the
summer, including a new floor, new carpets, new gas fixtures,
painting, kalsomining, new chairs and new pictures. In 1891
it again became necessary to provide for improvements, and a
considerable sum of money having been raised by private sub-
scription, new hymn books, and Bibles, a new carpet, a new
piano, and books for the library, were secured. Again, in 1904
extensive improvements were made, including electric lights,
The Sunday School 55
new heaters, painting, etc., and two years later, by the liberality
of a member of the congregation, the room was provided with
a complete equipment of new chairs.
In 1909, through the liberality of several members of the
congregation, the room in the northwest corner was completely
remodeled, transforming it into a kitchen and a cloakroom for
ladies, while the space formerly used as a kitchen was turned
into a coatroom for gentlemen, with adequate toilet accommoda-
tions. In the same year a new piano was provided for the
School.
A general review of the development of the School reveals
that it attained its largest size during the decade between 1870
and 1880, the largest enrollment being in 1874, when there were
1,084 names on the roll. The same year shows the largest
average attendance, which was 617. Beginning with the year
1880, however, the School steadily decreased in numbers. This
came about through causes for which the School was not re-
sponsible. For instance, in 1887, the Presbyterian Mission Sab-
bath School on Madison avenue was formed, Mr. Louis W.
Pratt, with seven other teachers and officers of this School being
instrumental in its formation; and the superintendent, in his
annual report, while bidding the new school God speed, remarks
upon the number of scholars who left his own school to attend
the new one. During this period, also, several churches of other
denominations moved into the vicinity and the growth of the
city in the Pine Hills district took place. It is quite to be ex-
pected, therefore, that we should discover this decrease in mem-
bership to be constant and regular until 1907. At this time,
when the Home Department of the School was organized, we
notice a decided increase in the reported membership while the
average attendance of the School at the regular sessions remains
about the same.
When, therefore, we read in the report of the superintendent
for 1872 the complaint that nothing but the restricted quarters
of the School prevented it from increasing its membership any-
where from fifty to one hundred per cent., basing his statement
upon the fact that in the section of the city immediately sur-
rounding the church there were estimated to be not less than a
thousand nominally Protestant children of school age not at-
56 The State Street Presbyterian Church
tending any Sunday School, who might he gathered into the
School if there were room to receive them, we realize that in
forty years the conditions have materially altered. It is prob-
able, at the present time, that there are not two score Prote>tant
children in the same area not attending some Sunday School
A radical change in the hahits of the School was effected in
1900, when the hour of meeting was changed from two o'clock
in the afternoon, which had been the hour of meeting since the
foundation of the School, to twelve o'clock. In the same year
the first summer vacation was taken, to obviate the discouraging
and nearly useless struggles tu keep the School in some semblance
of activity during the heated period, which every superintendent
for the last twenty years had remarked. At the present time
it is our custom to close the School during July and August.
A perusal of the records of the School during the period of
fifty years reveals many matters of interest which can hardly
be included in this brief sketch, but which have been of great
interest to the author of it. For instance, the sad echoes of the
Civil War which sound in the records of the first few years, when
officers, teachers and scholars are sent to the front with gifts of
"Bibles and India rubber blankets," — when the girls of the School
made " little housewives " for the soldiers, — when Bibles anil
hymn books were presented to the Tenth Regiment, — and later,
when the School mourned the death of three of its soldier-
scholars — E. Lindsay, C. Gomph and John Brown — with two of
its former teachers — Lieut. James Williamson and Lieut. Richard
H. Strong. It is interesting to note that in 1864 the superin-
tendent inaugurated a system of regular pledged offerings from
the School to " ensure a certain and reliable revenue on which
to base our calculations for future needs, and to engender in
the scholars the habit of charity." This plan was supported
with much the same arguments and had much the same satis-
factory result as our own present plan of Church support
through the envelope system, and indeed, except in the one item
of the use of envelopes, was much the same in principle.
In the records of the School we find formal memorials to the
blessed memory of many who, at the time of their death, were
officers or teachers in the school. Among them are John N.
Heron, Archibald McClure (1872), Joseph L. Snow, Miss Jeanie
Young People's Organizations 57
Dalton James, .Airs. B. B. Yanderlip, Archibald McGlure (1889),
John Templctoa, William K. Templeton, Edward P. Durant,
William H. McClure. In addition to these names mentioned,
we find each year the names of scholars who during the year
passed were taken from the school, which are too numerous here
to be recorded.
This brief sketch, supplemented by the statistical table which
is appended to this chapter, and to which the reader is referred,
must suffice to indicate to the imagination what these fifty years
have meant for the Kingdom of God. Who can recount the
lives that have been moulded and influenced, the wide wanderings
of workers whom this School has trained, the unchronicled de-
votion of the multitude who have contributed to its success?
These matters can only be known when eternity reveals the
hidden secrets of the heart. The days of large numbers are
probably gone, never to return ; but we believe that in the quality
of the work accomplished and in the devotion of the workers,
the Sunday School of the State Street Church does not need to
look at the past with regret, but can look forward to the future
with great confidence and hope. C. G. S.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S ORGANIZATIONS
The history of the young people of the Church has always
been so closely interwoven with that of the Church itself that
it is difficult to read the latter without learning the former.
Statistics and details may be instructive, but certainly are not
interesting. The data and tables, prepared with great care and
labor for the Church History, should satisfy the most exacting
statistician, and we may be pardoned for giving but a birdseye
view of the organization and execution of Church work by the
young people.
As the Church, immediately upon its organization in 1861,
realized the wisdom and necessity of a Sabbath School, so only
a few years later both Church and School saw the advantage
of giving the young people a more ample opportunity for service
in the formation of societies and bands which, while closely
associated with and under the general supervision of the Church,
were to a very large extent independent. Almost from the be-
58 The State Street Presbyterian Church
ginning, the Church had established a prayer meeting on Monday
evening for the younger members of the congregation.
On December 13, 1869, at a meeting of the Session, it was
proposed to organize a Young People's Society for the pur-
pose of maintaining the Monday evening prayer meeting and
interesting the young people in the missionary work of the
Church and creating a more cordial and intimate acquaintance
among them. A draft of a constitution was accordingly pre-
pared and submitted to the " youth of the congregation." Early
in 1870 the Society was organized with Air. 11. B. Merchant as
president, Messrs. Charles E. Rancour, John A. Richardson and
Russell Lyman, vice-presidents; Mr. George D. Fearey, recording
secretary ; Mr. Josiah H. Gilbert, corresponding secretary, and
Mr. Samuel L. Munson, treasurer. The membership was di-
vided into regular (25c.) and sustaining (50c), and committees
were appointed as follows: canvassing, visiting, entertainment,
temperance, tract and devotional. Thereafter the Society was
intrusted with the conduct of the Young People's Prayer Meet-
ing and maintained it with great success during its entire
existence.
On July 28, 1872, the Society employed Mr. Alvah Phelps
as an evangelical missionary, ami a complete census was taken-,
of that portion of the city which was the Church's field of
activity, and so successful was this work during the ensuing
year that the report thereof as submitted was directed by the
Session, on September 24, 1873, to be published in the local
newspapers.
In the year 1873, as the services of the missionary were no
longer available, the Society organized district prayer meetings,
and the Church delegated a member of the Session to each
district to assist. During this year the constitution was amended
and the pastor of the Church was made permanent president to
more effectively direct and promote the work of the Society,
the other officers remaining elective.
In 1874 the Society broadened so that it engaged in missionary
activity, both at home and abroad.
The Society, which at this time consisted of 193 members, held .
monthly business meetings at which it is amusing to note the
members were limited by a provision of the constitution to five
Young People s Organizations 59
minutes in their remarks. Quarterly entertainments were held
at which no limit was placed on conversation and these meetings
were quite a feature of the life of this Society.
A manual published in July, 1876, on the occasion of the
fifteenth anniversary of the Church contains an annual report
of the Society from which it appears that the Monday evening
meeting had grown to be more of a teachers' prayer meeting
due to the weekly consideration of the Sunday School lesson for
the ensuing Sabbath and it was suggested that the Society return
to its original idea and thereafter other provision was made for
the devout social study of the Sunday School lessons and the
Monday meeting was continued strictly as a young people's
meeting. It also appears that during this year " The Young
People's Society Record " was established as a manuscript quar-
terly periodical to which contributions of short articles were
solicited from the members and which was read at the quarterly-
meetings. The list of officers for this year contain many familiar
names. Rev. John James, D. D., was president ex-officio,
Messrs. Horatio N. Snow and James S. Webster, vice-presi-
dents; Mr. Homer E. Vilas, secretary; Mr. Edward J. James,
treasurer, and Messrs. Daniel J. Pratt, Ered W. Munson,
Charles C. MacKay, Archibald McClure, Clarence Valentine,
John E. Pladwell and Charles A. Holbrook, managing committee.
It is impossible within the space and time allotted to make
mention of the various officers of the Society or refer in detail
to the great work done not only in the Church but also in the
various mission fields at home and abroad. During all its history
though the constitution was frequently amended, the business
meetings were maintained and officers elected annually, the
Society early reverting to the original plan of electing its presi-
dent as well as other officers from its own membership. The
quarterly entertainments were regularly given and largely at-
tended. The crowning glory of the Society, however, was its
Young People's Prayer Meeting. During the year 1896- 1897
the average attendance from January 1 to July 1 was over 100
and at times was upwards of 140 and during these six months
sach Monday evening meeting was presided over by one of the
young men of the congregation, no one being called upon to
Dreside more than once.
60 The State Street Presbyterian Church
Shortly after this time a desire was manifested on the part
of some of the members to change the form of the Society into
that of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor and
an active campaign to accomplish this result was carried on until
on February 5, 1900, with the consent of the Session the name
of the Society was changed. The time of the prayer meeting
was changed to Sunday evening prior to the Church service, but
the purposes of the Society remained the same.
The Young People's Society did not, however, afford suf-
ficient scope for the zeal for service on the part of the younger
members of the Church and from time to time other bands and
circles and societies were formed. Many of these had some
special interest which led to their formation and ofttimes when
the desired result was accomplished or the special labor ended,
they disbanded, to be re-formed either under the same or a
different name for the accomplishment of some other work.
Most prominent among these societies in results accomplished
and length of service are the Band of Earnest Workers and The
Helpers Circle of King's Daughters, both of which are still active.
On April 8, 1881, Miss Estelle Haight's class in the Sunday
School organized into a missionary band known as the " Earnest
Workers " and during the first year by accessions from other,
classes grew to a membership of 38. Meetings of the band
were held in the church and at members' houses. Its aims were
for assisting the work of the Church in the foreign field ex-
clusively and during the first winter of its existence the Band
raised and applied $120.88 to the mission work in Syria dis-
bursing $60 for the education of two boys and the balance for
school helps for the church missionary, Miss Bird. The work
thus commenced has been maintained ever since and the con-
tributions of this band toward the support of the mission work
of the Church have averaged upwards of $150 for each year
of its history.
Its membership has necessarily been limited but in 1888 it was
deemed wise to encourage the formation of a Band of Young
Earnest Workers whose members would later become mem-
bers of the senior band and this junior society continued for
many years. The mission work was subdivided ; the senior band
contributing to foreign missions and the junior band to domestic
Young People's Organizations 61
missions. Later it was deemed advisable to consolidate the
two bands and as united they are continuing their labors, ap-
portioning the gifts between the foreign and domestic missions
of the Church.
On October 21, 1888 the Helpers Circle oe the King's
Daughters was organized by members of class eight in the
Sunday School with their teacher, Miss Mary J. Matthews as
leader, Aliss Emma Breakenridge, secretary, and Miss Tillie
Branion, treasurer. On October 7, 1890, Miss Matthews as
leader organized the Golden Rule Circle, with Miss Alice Feath-
erly, secretary, and Miss Sadie Capron, treasurer. In 1897 tne
two circles united under the name of the United Circle of King's
Daughters, but some years after it was decided to return to the
original name. During the first nineteen years of its history the
circle maintained three scholarships in the Home Industrial
School in Asheville, N. C, and during the past three years in
the Normal Collegiate School. It has also assisted in the work
in China and Persia and among the mountain whites and the
miners. For four years it supported one of the Indian orphans
under the Rev. Robert Henderson of the Irish Presbyterian
Church in Borsad, India and it has contributed toward work in
our own city. The circle's contribution to the work of the
Church at home and abroad during its existence has averaged
upwards of $225 a year.
In 1888 under the direction of Miss Wilson, superintendent
of the Primary Department of the Sunday School, the children
were organized into a band of " Little Volunteers " and a
banner was presented to them bearing this name in golden letters.
During this first year they gave $90 for the Hainan mission
and a similar contribution was made by the band each year for
some special missionary object. During the last ten years of
its life the band maintained a scholarship for an Indian boy in
the Manual School at Albuquerque, New Mexico. During the
reorganization of the Sunday School in 1907, however, the band
was merged in the Primary Department and lost its individuality.
Many other bands appear to have been organized for mission
work and study from time to time such as the " Little Build-
ers " formed in 1883; the " Helping Hands" in 1888; the
"Girls' Home Mission Band" in 1800; the "Home Ten of
62 The State Street Presbyterian Church
Ma-
king's Daughters " formed in 1891 for home visiting; and the
" Temple Builders " which was organized in 1900, was dis-
banded in 1905, and reorganized by Miss J. Annette Gilbert in
1906 and later merged into the Band of Earnest Workers ; the
Junior Christian Endeavor Society organized in 1901, by
Miss Amelia Hyde among the very small children for Bible and
mission study whose average membership was 25, and yearly
contribution $50 given by the members and in addition to which
money was raised by entertainment and donated by the society
to the Sunday School for the picture " Christ in the Temple "
and the bulletin for attendance; the Knights of King Arthur,
a band established in 1908, to arouse enthusiasm among the boys
in the work of the Church.
From the foregoing brief resume of the various societies
among the young people of the Church it will readily appear
that while some have kept alive these organizations and have
held their title yet most of them have changed from time to
time. 'Tis but the great law of nature again made manifest —
change — ever the desire appears to accomplish some new object
in some new manner and when the goal is reached we seek new
achievements and new roads to attain them. Yet the purpose is
one ; the results are identical. 'Tis the great work of the Church
in the persons of its younger element. The mighty course of the
Church itself is plainly marked as its rivers run to the sea, but
the fresh water rivulets and brooks and streams of its young
children and youths must wander here and there with winding
course and varying eddy seeking some happy way to exert their
energy but nevertheless they run at last into the greater stream
of the Church's activity. The joy of service leads them here
and there. The zeal for service forces them ever onward. So
at last do young and old meet in the river of life and flow
onward to the sea carrying forward God's word and God's
work. C. I. O.
THE WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY
At the close of the prayer meeting on the evening of February
4, 1876, a meeting of the women of the congregation was held
at the call of the pastor, Rev. John James, D. D., to consider the
needs of the Home Mission Field, and to form plans for some
1 he Woman's Home Missionary Society 63
definite work along that line. The result of that meeting was
the organization of the " Woman's Home Missionary Society "
and the election of Mrs. I. V. W. Grant as its first president.
As no Woman's Board of Home Missions existed at that time,
with special objects for women's societies under its care, the
newly organized society pledged itself to contribute the sum of
$250 annually toward the salary of a Home Mission Pastor in
some field in the West with whom the Society should be in
correspondence and who should be known as its Missionary.
After consultation with the officers of the Board of Home
Missions, Rev. J. F. Watkins was accepted as the representative,
he being the pastor of a newly organized church in Weather-
ford, Texas, then on our far Southwestern irontier. Much
interest was aroused in Mr. Watkins' work, and several valu-
able gifts were sent to the church among them a silver Com-
munion Service, a Pulpit Bible, a Sabbath School library, and
funds for repairs and improvements. The contributions to this
church were continued for a number of years, and during the
pastorates of several ministers who succeeded Mr. Watkins, but
eventually changed conditions in the town made it seem advisable
to discontinue the work, as the Southern Presbyterian Church
was conducting a large and flourishing church, and the Board
felt that other fields were in greater need of assistance.
From Weatherford the Society transferred its interest and
its gifts to a number of other fields, all equally in need of
religious privileges. Churches in Kansas and in Indian Terri-
tory were assigned, and gifts sent to them, and also to two
interesting churches in new towns in Dakota, one at Devil's
Lake and the other at Parker, South Dakota. The support of
Rev. T. B. Boughton at Parker was continued until the church
became self-supporting. Very interesting and delightful rela-
tions existed between Mr. Boughton and the Society as his home
before entering upon Home Mission work, had been in Troy,
and on one or two occasions during visits to his former home,
he was present at meetings, and gave much inspiration by his
account of the encouraging work in which he was engaged
As time passed, appeals reached the Society from the newly
organized Woman's Executive Committee of Home Missions for
objects to which they were pledged, and funds were appropri-
.
64 The State Street Presbyterian Church
ated to assist them. The needs of the Mormons in Utah and
the natives of Alaska being remembered in these gifts. In
1883 at the suggestion of the Board of Home Missions the
Society decided to work through the Albany Presbyterial Society,
then a new organization, still continuing the support of a Home
Mission Pastor, but in addition contributing to the educational
work carried on by the Woman's Board to which all other
women's societies were auxiliary.
After some years, the general reorganization of the work of
the Boards made necessary an entire change in the methods of
the Society. All salaries were then assumed by the Assembly
Board of Home Missions, and the educational work was assigned
to the Woman's Board, working through the Presbyterial
societies, and so reaching each individual church. From a desire
loyally to co-operate with the policy outlined by the Board, the
Society transferred its entire gifts to the mission schools under
the care of the Albany Presbyterial Society, and they have since
that time been proportionately divided between the salaries of
teachers among the Mountaineers, Freedmen, Alaskans, Indians,
Mormons, and Porto Ricans.
During each year of its history work of a philanthropic char-
acter has been done, such as the sending of boxes and barrels of
clothing and household comforts to needy ministers, some in the
far western part of our country and others in destitute sections
of this State, and frequently large boxes of clothing, books and
toys to mission schools under the care of the Board. Several
times furnishings for rooms in new buildings erected for edu-
cational work have been supplied. A room in the Normal and
Collegiate Institute at Asheville, North Carolina bears the name
of Jennie Van Duzen Holmes, having been furnished and named
for the wife of Rev. John McClellan Holmes, D. D. ; and at the
Mary Potter School at Oxford, North Carolina, a room in the
Helen A. Wells building is a memorial to a beloved member of the
Society, Miss Anna Pittman Erwin. Contributions have also
been made at several different times to the teachers home at
Embudo, New Mexico, which was erected by the Albany Pres-
byterial Society to commemorate its silver anniversary and
named in honor of Miss Augusta II. Lock wood, for many years
its efficient treasurer. The records of the Society show many
HENRY D. CARPENTER
StX ION SINCE 1883
The Woman s Foreign Missionary Society 65
other gifts which space will not permit mentioning but all for
extension of the cause of Christ in our land, or for the relief
of the temporal needs of some faithful worker. Since its organ-
ization over $15,000 has been contributed and the funds have
been raised by the same method as that adopted by the Foreign
Society, and have changed from time to time as conditions have
demanded. At present the women of the Church very generally
contribute to the work, and all are considered by virtue of their
membership in the Church as members of the Missionary Society.
It has been the aim of the Society since the beginning to share
in whatever work has been suggested by the Boards and to be
loyal to the policies outlined by them.
As the history of these years is reviewed the names of many
devoted workers who have faithfully labored for the interests
of the Society are recalled ; but none with more affectionate
regard than that of Miss Julia E. Van Vliet who for many years
devoted the best energies of an unusually gifted nature to its
work, and since she has passed to her reward, the memory of
her beautiful life will long remain as an inspiration to all who
knew of her devotion to the cause of missions both at home
and abroad. Others have served in the capacity of president
with loving and unselfish devotion, Mrs. I. V. W. Grant, its
first president, Mrs. William T. Valentine, Mrs. Edward M.
Carpenter and Mrs. Charles G. Sewall, its last president and
who now holds the office of president of the Woman's Mis-
sionary Society of the Church, present conditions having led
the officers to feel that the best interests of the work will be
furthered by merging both Home and Foreign Societies into one
organization whose object shall be the advancement of Christ's
kingdom in every part of the world. H. M. C. B.
THE WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY
On the ninth day of April, in the year 1871 as a result
of interest and enthusiasm aroused in connection with the
departure of several missionaries for the African Field, a
Society called the " Woman's Board of Foreign Missions of
the Presbyterian Church of Albany " was organized, The
following day, April tenth, as an auxiliary to this Board, and
authorized by the Session, the " Woman's Foreign Mission-
66 The State Street Presbyterian Church
ary Society of the State St. Presbyterian Church," began its
existence. The president was Mrs. Daniel J. Pratt, and the
missionaries to whose support the Society contributed, were
the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Stocking of Urumia, Persia, whose
daughter Miss Anna W. Stocking, represents our " Woman's
Presbyterial Society " in that country at the present time. Later
Mrs. James T. Bassett became the missionary at Urumia, and
in 1874 the Society assumed the support of Farrha Haddad, one
of a class of three girls graduated from the Seminary at Beirut
who were the first women to receive a diploma in Syria. Farrha
Haddad became a teacher in that institute, and represented the
interests of the Society there until the year 1890, when the
Seminary becoming practically self-supporting, the money sub-
scribed for her salary was devoted to the general work of the
Board.
In 1879 Mrs. Bassett having been obliged to return to this
country, Miss Emily Gordon Bird was chosen as the Society's
representative abroad. Miss Bird was the daughter of the late
Rev. William and Sarah Gordon Bird, of Abeih, Syria, and was
especially fitted by inheritance and education for the work to
which she so nobly gave her life. For thirty-one years, the
women of the State Street Church have kept in sympathy with-
her work, as one and another have received her kindly messages
while with a charm peculiarly her own she brought them in
close touch with their sisters in far away Lebanon. Through
her influence in 1881 the " Band of Earnest Workers " under
the leadership of Miss E. Estelle Haight was formed among the
young girls of the Church, and encouraged by her example and
deep personal interest, has done most efficient work in the educat-
ing of girls in the Syrian schools. This band celebrated its
silver anniversary in 1906. Miss Bird was called to higher service
August 14, 1910. We cannot think of her as dead, for, " in the
way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there
is no death."
In 1879 Mrs. Pratt was succeeded as president of the Society
by Mrs. I. V. W. Grant, who remained in office two years. Mrs.
Helen K. McIIarg was then elected in 1881 and continued presi-
dent until 1887.
The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society 67
In 1886 the Woman's Presbyterian Foreign Missionary Society
of Northern New York, having pledged $3,000 for the erection
of Mission buildings in the Island of Hainan, a number of shares
were taken by this Society and issued at the rate of twenty-five
cents a piece. As a result the sum of fifty dollars was con-
tributed to this object. The Society then decided to assume
the salary of Rev. Mr. Jeremiassen, the native pastor at Hainan,
and continued this support for several years.
In 1887 Mrs. Archibald McClure was elected president and
continued as such until 1896.
The following have held the office of president during the
succeeding years :
Mrs. Helen K. McHarg 1896-98
Mrs. Baxter T. Smelzer 1898-01
Mrs. John J. Lawrence 1901-05
Miss Emma Van Denburg 1905-09
Mrs. Robert C. James 1909-n
Mrs. Charles G. Sewall 191 1-
During the first twelve years of the Society's existence the
money required for carrying on the work, was raised by divid-
ing the congregation into bands, a collector being appointed for
each band, so that every woman connected with the' Church was
given an opportunity of contributing to the work. In 1883 the
plan suggested " that our subscriptions take the form of a free-
will offering, and be deposited in the missionary boxes placed at
the entrance of the Church " was carried out, and has continued
to be the plan until the present time, with but one innovation
in 1905, when a number of our women pledged themselves to
monthly subscriptions, and envelopes were furnished, in which
these offerings are placed and deposited in the boxes near the
vestibule doors. The amount contributed by this Society during
the forty years of its existence, amounts approximately to the
sum of $17,000.
At the last annual meeting held March 11, 191 1, it was
decided to unite the Home and Foreign Societies, under the
broader title of " The Woman's Missionary Society of the State
Street Presbyterian Church " and the earnest desire of all con-
nected with the Society is that these united forces may " in His
68 The State Street Presbyterian Church
name " accomplish still more efficient work in the great cause
of missions. E. F. J.
THE WOMAN'S GUILD
The Woman's Guild has nearly completed its first decade,
having heen organized in December, 1901.
The presidents who have directed its work are the following:
Mrs. Arthur L. Andrews,
Mrs. Arthur W. Elting,
Mrs. DeWitt C. Slingerland,
Mrs. William McDonald,
Mrs. James F. McKown.
The past presidents each served for two terms, and the
present incumbent, Mrs. McKown, has just been elected to her
third term. Since its organization the Guild has distributed
thousands of garments to the needy, the number sent out during
the year just closed being 321, of which 142 were made by the
Guild and 179 were from the " Emergency Box." Valuable aid
has also been rendered to families in sickness and distress.
The money contributed to the Guild since its organization
amounts to $1,119.96, of which $947.94 has been disbursed.
" Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these, ye did
it unto Me."
THE MEN'S CLUB
The Men's Club was organized on February 19, 1907, as the
" Brotherhood of the State St. Presbyterian Church of Albany,"
its object being to promote a spirit of good fellowship and
mutual improvement among the men of the Church. Its first
officers were :
Gardner C. Leonard, president ;
Albert M. Reed, vice-president;
Noel S. Bennett, secretary, and
Benjamin R. Hoff, treasurer.
The meetings are held monthly from October to May, usu-
ally in the Session room, but sometimes in the houses of the
members.
Very many instructive and entertaining lectures and talks,
often illustrated by lantern slides, have been given, both by
The Florver Committee 69
outsiders and by members, the initial one being "A Cruise in
the Mediterranean," by Rear-Admiral Strong.
The Club also, in the summer of 1909, raised the sum of $350
for the Vacation School which was carried on in conjunction
with the Men's Club of the Emanuel Baptist Church.
Its later presidents have been: Albert M. Reed, Albert H.
Moore and Kenneth C. Ogden.
THE FLOWER COMMITTEE
For many years it has been the custom to place fresh flowers
in the pulpit on the Sabbath. The funds for their purchase
were formerly provided by the Trustees, and frequently by
individuals, one member of the Church at one time generously
donating the amount regularly for a number of years. They
are now contributed by members of the congregation. The work
was done by groups of the young people, sometimes known as the
" Flower Committee." The present one was organized in 1909,
under the chairmanship of Mrs. Wm. B. Aspinwall, with an
enrollment of twenty-five young lady members, who, each in
turn, take supervision of the arranging of the flowers for the
pulpit and of their distribution among the sick of the congre-
gation.
On the occasion of the Lincoln Centenary Celebration, in
February, 1909, this Committee presented to the Church a large
and beautiful American flag, which gracious courtesy was ap-
preciated, and the flag has been used for decorative purposes
upon several patriotic and social occasions.
70
The State Street Presbyterian Church
MINISTERS OF THE STATE STREET PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH, 1861 to 1911
Installed Dismissed
Rev. Alexander S. Twombly June 22, 1862 Jan. 16, 1867
Rev. George C. Heckman, D. D Feb. 12, 1868 Sept. 2, 1870
Rev. John James, D. D July 11,1871 Jan. 2,1877
Rev. John McClellan Holmes, D. D June 3, 1877 Nov. 29, 1897
Rev. John J. Lawrence Oct. 4, 1898 Dec. 11,1906
Rev. Charles G. Sewall May 16, 1907
ELDERS OF THE STATE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
1861 TO 191 1
Walter It. Bush
David Murray
Austin H. Wells
James H. McClure
James M. Horton
Edward P. Durant. . . .
James Erwin
Henry L. Dickerman . .
Archibald .McClure, Jr
Daniel J. Pratt
Josiah H. Gilbert
Benjamin B. Merchant
Whiting G. Snow
Fletcher Barber
Edward M. Carpenter .
Daniel Leonard
Nathan B. Perry
Horatio N. Snow
Samuel Templeton
Edward A. Groesbeck .
Robert C. James
Edgar C. Leonard
George S. Munson
Augustus S. Brandow.
Edwin W. Obcr
William 11. McClure...
DeWitt C. Slingerland.
Norman S. HofT
Daniel L. Markle
Thomas D. James
Henry P. Warren
Leonard W. Hatch. . . .
Ordained or
installed
Mar. 28, 1801
Mar.
Jan.
Jan.
Mar.
1804
1807
1809
,1873
Jan. 27, 1889
Mar. 10, 1899
Mar. 23, 1902
Apr.
Nov.
1902
1908
Dismissed or
ceased to act
Apr.
Jan.
May
Jan.
Apr.
0, 1874
5, 1S04
6, 1804
5, 1807
17, 1800
Feb. 0, 1901
Excused from
active duty
Feb. 13, 18S0
fDec. 4,1903
i Excused from
[ active duty
Mar. 29,1901
Excused from
[ active duty-
Died while
in office
July 28, 1892
Mar. 4, 1899
Mar. 10, 1903
Dec. 4, 1888
Sept. 12, 1884
Aug. 20, 19--'5
Sept. 10, 1905
June 18, 1907
July 24, 1901
Nov. 18. 1*93
Jan. 2G, 1905
The State Street Presbyterian Church
71
DEACONS OF THE STATE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
1861 TO 191 1
Ordained or
installed
Dismissed or
ceased to act
Died while
in office
Mar. 28, 1861
Mar. 20.1864
Jan. 21.1867
Jan. 3, 1869
Mar. 2, 1873
Jan. 27, 18S9
Mar. 10, 1899
Mar. 23, 1902
Nov. 29, 1908
J Mar. 20.1S641
\ To Eldership J
[Jan. 21, 1867 1
\ To Eldership J
July 3, 1868
April 14, 1877
("Jan. 27, 1889)
\To Eldership J
June 7, 1874
[Jan. 27.18891
\ To Eldership J
Edgar Cotrell
Nov. 7, 1881
/Nov. 8,19081
\ Resigned J
Guilford D. Burdiek
May 10, 1908
William H. McClure
[Mar. 23,19021
1 To Eldership J
Jan. 20,1890
[Nov. 8.19081
\ Resigned J
[Mar. 10.18991
\ To Eldership J
/ Mar. 23. 19021
\ To Eldership J
Mar. 29, 1901
Jan. 13, 1910
Guy D. Hills
Apr. 30, 19U9
[Nov. 29, 19081
\To Eldership J
Daniel L. Markle
Win. H. Fillmore
Charles C. DeRouviile
Albert M. Reed
Charles P. Brate
72
The State Street Presbyterian Church
TRUSTEES OF THE STATE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
i860 TO 191 1
Richard J. Grant
John S. Putnam
David Murray
Robert L. Johnson . . .
Thomas Olcott
Archibald McClure, Jr
Charles G. Clark
James Williamson. . . .
Richard M. Strong . . .
Charles D. Rathbone .
Jacob Van Derzee. . . .
Wm. J. White
John C. McClure
James W ilson
Albert M. Brumaghim
Charles H. Strong. . . .
Jeremiah Austin, 2d. .
Edgar Cotrell
Jeremiah Whitehead .
James A. Whitney . . .
Nathan B. Perry
John G. Myers
Stephen Munson
Date of
entering
upon the office
Oct. 1(5, I860
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
1861
1862
18G3
Oct. 8,1864
Oct.
9
1866
Dec.
19,
1866
Oct.
8
1867
Oct.
B
1869
Oct.
11
1870
D. D. T. Charles
Alden Leonard
Wm. T. Valentine
S. Palmateer
Charles Bridge
Horatio N. Snow
Fletcher Barber
Louis Dietz
Rufus H. King
Wm. K. Temple ton. . . .
Wm. H. McClure
Daniel Leonard
Robert W. Shannon . . .
Robert Olcott
George S. Munson
Clifford D. Gregory
Clarence Valentine
Arthur L. Andrews
Frank C. Herrick
Theodore H. Waterman
Peter Kinnear
Daniel C. Bennett
Edgar C. Leonard
Date of
entering
upon the office
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Nov.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Nov.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Feb.
Nov.
Dec.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
7,1873
20, 1874
19.1875
7, 1876
16,1877
28. 1879
19. 1880
13. 1883
18. 1884
19,1886
15,1889
13, 1891
11,1892
4, 1898
15, 1898
13, 1899
9,1900
15,1901
21,1902
10, 1904
20, 1905,
SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE STATE STREET PRESBY-
TERIAN CHURCH SABBATH SCHOOL, 1861 TO 191 1
Term of
office
Term of
office
1861-1863
1863-1865
1865-1866
1866-1871
1871-1875
1875-1877
1877-1882
1882-1891
James M. Horton
1891-1892
1892-1897
Archibald M. Gibson
Archibald McClure, Jr
Benjamin B. Merchant
Edgar C. Leonard
Charles Irving Oliver
1897-1902
1902-1906
1906-1910
1910-. . . .
Daniel J. Pratt
Albert P. Mills
The State Street Presbyterian Church
73
ORGANISTS AND PRECENTORS, STATE STREET PRESBY-
TERIAN CHURCH, 1861 TO 1911
Organists
1861 Charles H. Strong,
who served gratuitously
1863 Levi 8. Gates
1866 Mr. McKown
1867 Levi 8. Gates
1868 Edward Graves
1873 Frank Van Denee
1890 Miss Nellie Veeder
1890 Miss Irene Embler
1891 John C. Miller
1894 Ferdinand Dunekley
1896 J. Austin Springer
Precentors
1861 Archd. M. Gibson,
who served gratuitously
1867 Edwin Tracy
1870 Thomas G. Christie
1871 Jesse B. Wooley
1881 Alex. S. Thompson
1882 John V. Burr
1890 George E. Kuowles
1891 George R. Underbill
1898 Miss Gardiner, solo singer
1900 O. A. Robertson, cornet player
1902 Ben Franklin, solo singer
1901 Win. T. Wendell, cornet player
1910 T. Le Roy Pickett,
precentor and soloist
Choristers, for Sabbath School
1895 George Edgar Oliver
1901 Ernest Livingston Miller
SEXTONS OF THE STATE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
1861 TO 1911
1861
1872
William B. Church
William McAuley
1877
1683
William P. Wilson
Henry D. Carpenter
For more than half of the fifty years of the Church's history, Mr. Henry D. Carpenter
has faithfully and efficiently performed the duties of his office, and, as a mark of esteem,
the people of the Church presented him with a beautiful gold watch at the expiration of
twenty-five years of his service.
Present Church Members
Names Chronologically Arranged According to Admission
1861
George C. Benedict Daniel Leonard
1862
Elizabeth McClure, Mrs. Arch., Jr., Caroline Pladwell, Mrs. John
Mary E. Valentine, Mrs. Wm. T. Ann Kinnca.-, Mrs. Peter
1863
Mary Louise Burdick Harriet M. Carpenter, Mrs. E. M.
1864
Mary Bronson Church Charlotte Radley (nee Whitehead),
Mrs. J. S.
1865
Russell Lyman
1866
George H. Knowlton Jeremiah J. Austin
Eleanor Knowlton Abbie E. Gilbert, Mrs. J. H.
1867
Mary Augusta Lyman Eugene R. Hartt
1868
Isabel Hare (nee Armstrong), Mrs. Josephine R. Templeton (nee Bur-
J. H. dick), Mrs. W. K.
Catharine B. J. McClure, Mrs. Wm. H.
1869
Eliza B. Grant, Mrs. I. V. W. Mary E. Fisk (nee Merchant), Mrs.
Susan I. Riggs, Mrs. Geo. C F. H.
Alvaretta Schmidt (nee Gorham), Kate A. Wing
Mrs. Bernard Anna M. Heron, Mrs. J. H.
Edgar Pangburn
1870
Harriet H. Palmatier Ella Bennett(nee Sisson), Mrs. D. C.
Kate Palmatier Margaret Pierce (nee Trainor), Mrs.
Harriet E. Prentice Jos.
■
Fresenl Church Members
75
1871
Robert C. James
1872
Emma Estelle Haight
George S. Munson
William H. Gladding
Anna M. Wilson
1873
Cora E. Pangburn (nee De Wille-
ger), Mrs. Edgar
Elizabeth Erwin
Martha Bradt, Mrs. J. P.
Robert Conkey
Mary Jane Conkey, Mrs. R.
Emma Cook
Mary Fitch
Julia A. Gilbert
Isabella McAllister
Anna L. Mitchell
John McNeil
Sarah McNeil, Mrs. J.
1874
Cornelia M. Fanning (nee Murray),
Mrs. F.
Matthias Taylor
Clarence Valentine
Ida Fazackerly (nee Haines), Mrs.
Thos., Jr.
Edwin W. Ober
Harriet A. Springham, Mrs. S.
Homer E. Vilas
1875
Mary Hillenbrandt (nee Geisel), Catberine Weidman, Mrs. J. A.
Mrs. Joseph
Jane Gaffers
Elizabeth E. James, Mrs. Robert C.
Jolin A. Weidman
Kate La Grange
Jane McCombe, Mrs. Jas.
Edgar C. Leonard
DeWitt C. Slingerland
Elmira Clute, Mrs. John
Barbara Lawrence (nee Face), Mrs
Wm.
Anna La Grange
1876
Lilly C. Slingerland, Mrs. D. C.
Margaret Sim (nee Young), Mrs.
David
1877
Sarah A. Birch, Mrs. G. A.
Frank C. Fanning
Ann R. Kennedy^ Mrs. Francis
Emma Kennedy
Mary L. Whitehead
Retta L. Blessing (nee Whitehead),
Mrs. F. E.
Ella Lochner (nee Henderer), Mrs.
G. P.
Ada Mitchell
Ella F. Gregory (nee Appleton),
Mrs. C. D.
Carrie L. Brainard (nee Bruma-
ghim), Mrs. W. H.
Mary E. Capron, Mrs.
Abbie Gladding, Mrs. W. H.
Mary J. Matthews
Daniel C Bennett
Frank H. Fisk
Lena Cook
Betsy McCombe (nee Wilson), Mrs.
Jas., Jr.
Margaret Tierney (nee Conkey),
Mrs. P. J.
76
The Stale Street Presbyterian Church
Mary L. Griffith, Mrs. E. H.
Clifford D. Gregory
1877
(Continued)
Margaret A. Candlish (nee Hilton),
Mrs. David
1878
Mary E. Goffe, Mrs. J. H.
James D. Palmatier
William H. Brainard
Carrie Cook
Lizzie Face
Julia R. Ward
David Sim
Lizzie D. Ogden (nee Kinnear), Mrs.
Chas. G.
Magdalene L. Weir
Mary S. Munson (nee Downing),
Mrs. G. S.
Beth C. Fuller (nee Downing), Mrs.
Duncan McN.
Martha J. Van Duzer, Mrs. Samuel
Kate Stoneman
Mary L. Richman
1879
William B. Harris
Agnes Kilpatrick
Margaret Kilpatrick
1880
Robert Olcott
Arthur L. Andrews
Alice A. Andrews, Mrs. A.
Robert Flemming
L.
Emma Williams (nee McClure),
Mrs. C. P., Jr.
John Prentice Dodds
1881
Katharine A. McKown, Mrs. Jas. F.
Anna J. Blessing (nee McKown),
Mrs. E. A.
Jemima Cruickshank (nee Wilson),
Mrs. Jas.
Charles E. Baker
Ida M. Baker, Mrs. C. E.
Mary C. Lord, Mrs. E. J.,
Mary Secor Markle, Mrs. Peter S.
Daniel L. Markle
Harriet Josephine Dodds
Justina Ensminger, Mrs.
Adele L. Dillenbeck (nee Whitaker),
Mrs. G. V.
1882
Harriet M. Brandow (nee Carpen-
ter), Mrs. A. S.
Gardner C. Leonard
Jennie A. Bacon (nee Mather), Mrs.
A. H.
Ella B. Phillips
Ellen Slingerland, Mrs. J. H.
Norman S. Hoff
Harriet M. Hoff, Mrs. N. S.
1883
Lizzie Dorwaldt (nee Dinger), Mrs.
E. C.
Libbie A. Brate (nee Rose), Mrs.
W. C.
Belle Sherman
Hector A. Flemming
Emma Mann, Mrs. P. H.
Henry McCulla
William A. Dodds
Eliza A. Deutschbein, Mrs. Joa.
Ann Laura Valentine, Mrs. C.
Present Church Members
77
1884
[ary E. Carpenter, Mrs. H. D
[argaret McDonald, Mrs. D.
stelle M. Reid, Mrs. V. H.
innie W Dubois (nee Hill),
L. H.
arah Hill
ane Elizabeth Abbott
uliette H. Burdick, Mrs. G. D.
lary Jones
,lary L. Leonard
Cate Norris
Vlbert Rider
Vgnes M. Templeton
Robert W. Shannon
£lsadie C. Shannon, Mrs. R.
Rebecca J. Ham, Mrs. R. C.
tthamar Spencer
Julia A. Spencer, Mrs. I.
Harriet M. Heinmiller (nee
cer), Mrs. L. E.
Mary L. Mead, Mrs. H. L.
Charlotte P. Cole, Mrs. F. W.
Mrs.
Harriet B Kemsley (nee Abbott),
Mrs. J. E.
Mary R. Brumaghim
Isabella Cook Templeton
Eva C. Vilas, Mrs. H. E.
1885
Eliza T. Murphy
Kate E. DeRouville
Mary J. Flemming (nee Fotens),
Mrs. R.
Frances L. Graves, Mrs. A.
Retta Reid (nee Herman), Mrs. A.
G.
1886
W.
Spen-
Kittie Brainard (nee Updegrove),
Mrs. L.
Chauncey P. Williams, Jr.
Jennie B. Mayell (nee Brooksby),
Mrs. J.
Ella V. A. Lyman, Mrs. Russell
Caroline S. Van Loon (nee Phillips),
Mrs. A. B.
Anna Sutherland
1887
Emeline Sisson Bennett
Kate McC. De La Vergne, Mrs. R. L.
Jennie M. Lawyer
Annie Middleton
Henry G. Nodine
Anna Louise Gottschalk
Anna Louise Weidman
Lillie E. Knapp (nee Whish), Mrs.
J. G.
Jemima Leonard, Mrs. J.
Harriet Bull, Mrs.
Carrie J. Diamond, Mrs. W. H.
1888
John E. Shannon
David Williamson
George Flemming
Mary Agnes Huver
Emma Jane Lyon, Mrs. W. H.
Susan Oliver, Mrs. J. H.
Anna M. Oliver
William F. Antemann, Jr.
Annie R. Robie (nee Dubois), Mrs.
G. R.
1889
Harriet Ellen Brandow
Eliza W. Rudd (nee Groesbeck),
Mrs. W. J.
Mame Hotaling
Elizabeth Leib, Mrs. Louis
Mary C. Young (nee Leib), Mrs.
Bessie W. Morse (nee Leonard),
Mrs. Stanley
78
The State Street Presbyterian Church
1889
(Continued)
Ella W. Mull (nee Van Steenberg),
Mrs. B. H.
Augustus S. Brandow
Emma A. Brumaghim, Mrs. J. M.
Jean T. Macfarlane, Mrs. W. D.
Archibald J. McClure
James Vint
Christina Vint, Mrs. J.
Martha J. Vint
Elizabeth S. Lochner (nee Vint),
Mrs. J. L.
John Hall Vint
Tynie E. Van Derzee (nee Vint),
Mrs. W. S.
Jemima Conkey, Mrs. W. J.
William H. Erwin
Hester V. W. Erwin, Mrs. W. H.
Grace M. Bedell (nee Armatage),
Mrs. J. S.
Elizabeth C. Shaffer (nee Bennett),
• Mrs. G.
Emma H. Gilbert
1890
Harriet R. Martineau
Catherine Veeder, Mrs.
Theodore H. Waterman
Benjamin R. Hoff
Julia C. Hills, Mrs. W. R.
Jean E. James
Justina M. Ensminger
Lillian M. Estabrook (nee Goffe),
Mrs. W. R.
Walter E. Baker
Maud V. Erwin
Bessie W. Leonard, Mrs. E. C.
Harmon S. Patten
Dorothea J. Patten, Mrs. H. S.
Harriet B. Palmatier
Hannah E. Williamson (nee Mc-
Culla), Mrs. J.
Chauncey W. Posson
Elizabeth C. Posson, Mrs. C. W.
Lena L. Dansinger
Elizabeth Myers
Ella A. Norris, Mrs. H. B.
Bertha H. Lansing (nee Wilson),
Mrs. C. E.
Anna G. Wood, Mrs. F. E.
Lucretia Hungerford, Mrs. J.
Cornelia Sutherland (nee Hunger-
ford), Mrs. D. M.
1891
Caroline Hungerford, Mrs. Isaac
Hattie A. Andrews
Mary Hewitt
1892
Elizabeth Kingsley Lamb
George R. Underbill
Carrie C. Underhill. Mrs. G. R.
Cora Clark Lyon, Mrs. M. L.
1893
Charles Irving Oliver
Anna Girvin Branion
Charles Girvin
Carl R. Hoffman
Minetta M. Kirkland, Mrs.
Carrie Harris, Mrs. W. B.
Margaret W. Hoffman
George Ireland
Susan Flemming
Martha Cox Wetmore, Mrs. E. W.
1894
Clementina S. Montignani, Mrs. J. F.
Margaret Williamson, Mrs. D.
Present Church Members
79
Mabel Down MacCormack
Lula Ann Wooley
Edward A. Groesbeck
Letitia Groesbeck, Mrs. E. A.
1894
(Continued)
Bertha W. Haskell (nee Groesbeck),
Mrs. C.
Edward Center Groesbeck (L. 191 1)
Mary Alice Featherly
Albert M. Reed
1895
Mary E. Knowlton
Effie Jane Ranney (nee Reid), Mrs.
Alice E. White
Nellie Leslie White
Elizabeth Emeline Brown, Mrs. W. J.
Jennie E. Brown
Edward Christian Dorwaldt
Charles E. Lansing
James Ramsey McBride
Margaret Sipple, Mrs. E.
Margaret Sipple
Clarence M. Zeh
Lottie S. Eagan (nee Zeh), Mrs.
Chas.
Hester McChesney
1896
Hester Winnie
Catherine E. DeRouville, Mrs. John
Mary Ferguson
William H. Fillmore
Tennie D. Fillmore, Mrs. W. H.
\urelia Aspinwall (nee Hyde), Mrs.
Win. B.
ane S. Knapp (nee McCombe), Mrs.
F. C.
Tora Springham
5arah Barker
vlaria Hawley (nee Guthrie), Mrs.
II. R.
Mary M. La Grange, Mrs. A.
Carrie Muckridge, Mrs.
Lucy T. Smelzer, Mrs. B. T.
Jason S. Bedell
C. C. B. Holroyd, Mrs. Simeon
Melville W. Dom
Mabel Dorn
Grace Dorn
George S. DeRouville
Lillie May LaRose (nee Graves),
Mrs. A. W.
Samuel G. Schreiner
Mary F. Schreiner, Mrs. S. G.
1897
lenry P. Warren
mna L. Warren, Mrs. H. P.
!on stance Warren
Jettie Louise Moore (nee Ensmin-
ger), Mrs. Chas. S.
,ulu A. Fleming, Mrs.
Villiam J. Rudd
mna E. Knapp (nee Sim), Mrs.
A. J.
arah E. Blickfeldt (nee McNeil),
Mrs. J. H.
1
hester A. Carpenter
leorge G. Underbill
Mary Louise Gallup (nee Burdick),
Mrs. E. 11.
Georgiana S. McDonald (nee Hunt),
Mrs. F.
Janet Noble, Mrs. J.
Charles Austin Peck
Myra E. Peck
J. Austin Springer
Olive G. Springer, Mrs. J. A.
Mary Walker, Mrs. A.
80
The State Street Presbyterian Church
1899
Katharine E. Wirshing (nee Gotts-
chalk), Mrs. C. W.
Mary Etta Seddon (nee Hill), Mrs.
R. C.
Samuel C. McNeill
Henry B. Norris
Louis A. Palmatier
James Stanley Robinson
Eleanor M. Bennett
Florence Estelle Thorn (nee Fazack-
erly). Mrs. R. P.
Ella DeRouville (nee Spawn), Mrs.
W. C.
Bessie May Fanning
Maud Hotaling
Margaret C. Thorn, Mrs. Robt.
Jessie May Thorn
Helen M. Degenaar (nee Thorn),
Mrs. H. H.
Caroline Slocum (nee Wasserbach),
Mrs. C. M.
Leonard W. Hatch
Jennie M. Hatch, Mrs. L. W.
Christina Williams, Mrs. B.
May Moore (nee Williams), Mrs.
J. M.
1900
Harold F. Andrews
Mabel Stephens (nee Crounse), Mrs.
G. S.
Appleton Gregory
Elizabeth Mitchell, Mrs. E. J.
Kenneth C. Ogden
Goldsmith C. Stephens
Grace V. A. Waterman, Mrs. Theo.
Wm. Van Antwerp Waterman (L.
1910)
Harriet Roma Green
Harold F. Hovey
Ronald Kinnear
Elizabeth Laible
Mary J. Smith (nee McCulla), Mrs.
E. H. H.
Elizabeth W. McComber
Sarah E. Ventor
James W. Williams
Ann Coulter
Laura E. Byron (nee Ensminger),
Mrs. H.
Martha Kearsing (nee McFarland),
Mrs. E.
Vestina Jane Andrews
Marguerite H. Hartt
Joseph V. S. Morrison
Dorothy Waterman
1901
Louis E. Heinmiller
Grace Ensminger
Carrie Wooley
Abbie Bell (nee Chapin), Mrs. H. S.
Ernest D. Jansen
James McCombe
Ella Fredith Norris
Thyra I. Toren
Alfred J. Lussier
John Wesley Haywood
Sarah M. Haywood, Mrs. J. W.
Adelaide L. Haywood
Grace E. Haywood
Nellie M. Haywood
Mabel Welch (nee Hotaling), Mrs.
Anna C. Heinmiller, Mrs. H.
Gladys Abbott
Henry Lewis Graef
Emma C. Graef, Mrs.
John Myers Taylor
Emma E. Vandenberg
1902
H. L
Wilhelmina McLane (nee Brown),
Mrs. I. E.
Bessie D. Austin (nee Erwin), Mrs.
A. II.
Charlotte M. Fisher
Present Church Members
81
Tarrie Franklin, Mrs. H.
Natalie Green
1902
(Continued)
Bertha Thorn
Adelaide V. Van Wormer
Bauer), Mr:. W. H. Jr.
tdna Christine Bauer
larriet A. Flansburgh
Tora A. Rose, Mrs. R. J.
Jeorge E. Deutschbein
lazel Wright (nee Hutchinson),
Mrs. F. M.
.largaret I. Hutchinson
jertrude J. Hutchinson, Mrs. C. E.
Thomas D. James
^.gnes Park James, Mrs. T. D.
werett M. Kirkland
1903
(nee Samu
Warren
Louise B. Diamond
Mary Child
Agnes E. Jansen, Mrs. E. D.
Ida McDonald, Mrs. Wm.
Grace Mabel Rider, Mrs. Albert
Bessie I. Loucks
Schuyler McC. Martin
Wilbur Taylor-Roberts
Margaret Cook (nee Springham),
Mrs. W. A.
Jean Mitchell, Mrs.
Louis Smurl
1904
jarah L. Palmatier
•Veda Robinson
iertrude C. Valentine
Villiam T. Wendell
/ictoria Travers, Mrs. J
Cathryn M. Denegar
ulia C. Herrick
Lrhma M. Kattrein
Lthel A. Patten
Dorothy L. Warren
"harles F. Toren
^aura B. Hendrickson
5eter Kinnear
ames A. Norris
ohn M. Johnson
vlary W. Johnson, Mrs.
Tharles P. Brate
Vl. Frances Brate, Mrs.
J. M.
C. P.
Charlotte Brate
Carl E. Anderson
Carrie Cole, Mrs. A. K.
Jessie G. Cole
Charles C. DeRouville
Eleanor F. DeRouville, Mrs. C
William C. Herrick
Esther B. Mayer (nee Hoy),
W. T.
Helen Craig James
Helen Marguerite James
Eleanor Lyman
Archibald B. Wheeler
Lois E. Wands, Mrs. R. J.
Lois Edmonds Wands
Gertrude Gladys Wands
Margaret Ireland
c.
Mrs.
1905
'ohn A. McCormick
\gnes L. McCormick, Mrs. J. A.
Ilizabeth H. Anderson, Mrs. W. E.
-lenry D. Carpenter
Imily Crounse, Mrs.
lennie Crounse
Zarl E. Dorwaldt
Edward C. Dorwaldt
Laura B. Hiller
Helen M. Lawyer
Kathryn A. Lawyer
James McCombe, Jr.
Robert W. Shannon, 2d
82
The State Street Presbyterian Church
1905
(Continued)
Elizabeth B. Nelson (nee Young),
Mrs. C. A.
Maud Belcher
Alice P. Hicks ( nee Robinson), Mrs.
C. J.
Emily J. Scoles, Mrs.
Josephine Dunlap Mahon
Carroll J. Waddell
Mary C. Waddell, Mrs. R. J.
Annie M. Hovey, Mrs.
Ruth Woolworth Leonard
Katharine Leonard
Sarah L. Osterhoudt
1906
Mary Bailey
Charles F. Brate
Milton B. Crounse
Sarah E. Crounse, Mrs. M. B.
Henry J. Crawford
Mabel A. Crawford, Mrs. H. J.
LeRoy M. Fanning
Blodwen C. Jones
Edna M. Lynk
Beth D. Munson
Minnie M. Robinson
Frank N. Slingerland
Eva A. Schoonmaker
Samuel H. Taylor
Harriet Griswold Taylor, Mrs. S. H.
Arthur E. Vilas
Ruth E. Waterman
William H. Franklin
Sarah A. Leavitt
Isaac D. Worrall
Emma Stuart Worrall, Mrs. I. D.
William B. Eddy
George R. Eddy
Grace S. Leonard, Mrs. G. C.
Mary E. Van Order
Alfred J. Lussier
Philomena Lussier, Mrs. A. J.
John I. Lussier
John Dalton James
Frank J. Palmatier
Bessie Anderson Roosa, Mrs. P. G.
1907
Stewart H. Burnham
Alfred Hoyt Austin
Edith M. Hotaling
Mabel E. Carpenter, Mrs. C. B.
Annie E. Newell
Joan Montignani Rezzemini, Mrs.
L.J.
Arthur M. Wright
Ellen Reynolds Wright, Mrs. A. M.
Margaret I. Black
Jane Miller (nee Cruickshank), Mrs.
J. F.
Anna Cruickshank
Margaret Knapp McCarthy, Mrs.
J. J-
Kate Strong Sewall, Mrs. C G.
Lulu S. Lipes, Mrs. H. J.
Isabella Newell
Charlotte Mayberry (nee Perry),
Mrs. T.
Emma L. Dansinger, Mrs. R.
1908
Mildred E. Bauer
Gladys M. Chapman
Harvey N. Earing
Evan Edwards
Ella Erickson
Marion F. Fleming
Susan O. Giffen
Helen D. Lawrence
Harriet M. Patten
Franklin F. Schimpf
Alida DeR. Schimpf, Mrs. F. F.
Gertrude A. Schimpf
.
Present Church Members
83
Alfred I. Schimpf
Helen M. Shepard
Amy M. Tor en
Albert M. Sachs
Henry P. Warren, Jr.
Ida J. Anstead
Mildred C. Earing, Mrs. H. N.
Julia B. Brown, Mrs. W.
Henry J. Noerling
Cecil N. Haggart
Charlotte M. Lawrence, Mrs. J.
Helen L. Conyne
Mildred W. DeTiere
Joseph T. Pierce
Alexander T. Pierce
Robert J. Rose
James L. Braman
Elizabeth Gibb
Margaret Hill
Albert P. Mills
Abram V. McHarg
Jeanie P. McLeish
1908
(Continued)
Rebecca C. McLeish
Edward Springsteed
Arabella S. Springsteed, Mrs. E.
Clara Bell Springsteed
Grace W. W. Reed, Mrs. A. M.
Albert H. Moore
Mabel B. Moore, Mrs. A. H.
Violet M. Haggart, Mrs. C. N.
Margaret L. Campbell, Mrs.
Mary J. Campbell
D. Margaret S. Campbell
Jessie McF. Patterson
Mary L. Hermann
Minnie S. Boice, Mrs. E. L.
Sarah H. Johnson, Mrs. W. H.
Margaret Cruickshank
Elsie M. Fowler
Robert O. Armstrong
Mae Grube Armstrong, Mrs. R.
Fennimore D. Beagle
Helen C Beagle, Mrs. F. D.
Ada R. Wright, Mrs. J. W.
O.
1909
Ida S. Brackman
Emilie E. Hoffman
Jane L. Ogden
William Duncan Macfarlane
Isabel C Markle (nee Colburn),
Mrs. D. L.
William B. Aspinwall
Arthur C. T. Gundlach
Louise M. Gundlach, Mrs. A. C. T
Edward M. Boice
Mary H. Pangburn, Mrs. J. S.
Charlotte Pangburn Reid, Mrs. J. H.
Nina H. Lynk
Frank C. Ferguson
Minnie R. Ferguson, Mrs. F. C.
Ellen G. Gibson
Samuel A. Strawbridge
Helen C. Bauer
Edward C. Brandow
Jennie B. Dodds
Gladys M. Hotaling
Anna W. Lansing
Bessie M. Reed
Bessie R. Springham
Mary E. Whish
Lillian Martin Whish, Mrs. J. D.
Anna Charlotte Wittichen
1910
William Van Antwerp Waterman
(see 1000)
Viola Pearl Sherrill
Edna A. Reeves (nee DeTiere), Mrs.
T. C.
Anna B. Dickinson
Margaret G. Lawrence
Clara I. Brewster
Adam Alexander Walker
Jessica Lockwood Walker, Mrs. A.
A.
Charles M. Lamb
■
84
The State Street Presbyterian Church
1910
(Continued)
Emma Merrifield Lamb, Mrs. C. M
Adele Evelyn Lamb
Raymond W. Hine
Dorothy Brate
Margaret Brate
Frederic M. Colvin
Earl DeRouville
George E. DeRouville
Ethel L. Lansing
Sarah A. Perry
1911
Charles S. Motisher
Edward H. Springsteed
Holland B. Williams
John Myers Gillespie
Ethel Webster Gillespie, Mrs. J. M.
Frank Huart
Rosalie Repson Huart, Mrs. F.
Maud Virginia Huart
Helena Crum Mills, Mrs. A. P.
Emerson H. H. Smith
Emilie Melvina Stillman
Joseph R. Whitney
Enmi Sumrer Whitney, Mrs. J. R.
Edward Center Groesbeck (see 1894)
Samuel Newton Bacon
Catharine Mather Bacon
Elizabeth Harlow Bacon
Charles Frederick Kosbob
Oh, may we stand before the Lamb,
When earth and seas are fled ;
And hear the Judge pronounce our name,
With blessings on our head."
■
The State Street Presbyterian Church
85
STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF ANNUAL REPORTS TO PRESBYTERY SINCE
1SG1, INCLUSIVE.
Members received
Bupt
isms
a
2
Fun
Js contributed
o
U
0j
a
o
& §
a)
J3
x>
«3
Date
of
report
k
.9
0 a
co 2
x '-3
o
a
O
s
u
t —
o
>>
~3
o
H
42
"3
<
a
a
a
"3
a
o
a cd
& «*
a
6
s
a
c
m
a
o
«
3
o
H
1861
1862
42
42
5
7
12
54
2
250
81,711
8240
81,951
1863
15
44
59
111
5
13
475
9
845
818
10,663
1864
26
39
65
170
4
17
634
11
543
1,213
12,756
1865
26
15
41
211
9
9
700
9
072
2,014
11,086
1866
28
17
45
252
10
7
700
10
078
2,056
12,134
1867
24
16
40
251
3
10
612
7
571
1,832
9,403
1868
11
16
27
258
7
7
742
21
796
2,586
24,382
1869
25
27
52
296
10
7
915
9
638
6,166
15,804
1870
40
25
05
349
13
12
1,005
5
405
6,430
11,835
1871
26
25
51
388
8
7
1,027
5
390
10,046
15,436
1872
16
20
36
410
8
3
1,038
12
416
5,740
18,162
1873
30
20
56
411
9
3
1,067
12
653
5,762
18,415
1874
30
26
56
453
9
21
1,081
7
635
6,319
13,984
1875
66
43
109
526
29
10
938
10
879
8,372
19,251
1876
9
19
28
512
■ >
21
1,013
8
034
5,422
13,456
1877
49
20
69
533
19
19
937
7
709
9,661
17,370
1878
73
42
115
022
36
25
950
7
666
9,200
16,866
1S79
28
37
65
658
13
29
966
7
313
7,350
14,663
1880
27
23
50
694
12
15
1.037
8
095
8,921
17,016
1881
26
30
56
734
3
12
992
11
145
11,728
22,873
1882
22
24
46
751
10
19
981
8
203
12,563
20,766
1883
34
20
54
762
10
14
804
7
440
13,376
20,816
1884
19
35
51
780
9
20
885
17
277
14,678
31,955
1885
35
21
56
807
16
18
890
10
249
15,038
25,287
1886
26
27
53
753
13
15
900
9
662
13,596
23,258
1887
33
18
51
769
14
18
907
12
576
20 , 564
33,140
1888
24
13
37
750
10
12
881
11
222
16,300
27,522
1889
41
24
65
770
14
21
845
10
802
14,910
25,712
1890
31
45
76
810
10
27
826
9
548
12,534
22,082
1891
43
13
56
840
25
25
771
10
138
18,051
28,189
1892
21
21
45
845
11
15
650
10
212
13,063
23,275
1893
12
16
28
840
4
20
060
9
588
17,151
20,739
1894
14
18
32
824
10
12
611
9
620
14,30s
23 , 928
1895
15
13
28
818
7
20
622
9
697
11,784
21,481
1896
12
27
39
818
5
8
517
11
712
12,922
24,634
1897
15
18
33
819
3
9
531
10
131
14,350
24,481
1898
13
5
18
633
o
9
402
9
616
5,185
14,801
1899
11
3
14
GOO
2
5
503
8
323
6,133
14,456
1 poo
18
16
34
610
7
6
454
8
781
4,6S0
13,461
1901
21
5
26
612
6
6
407
9
634
5, (His
14,702
1902
20
11
34
622
3
4
384
8
225
4,771
12,996
1903
12
4
16
573
4
4
320
7
834
4,912
12,746
1904
17
16
33
586
6
7
335
7
616
4,384
12,000
1905
23
19
42
606
3
5
335
8
399
4,998
13,397
1906
24
26
50
632
6
3
315
9
353
5,012
14,365
1907
1908
g
11
20
598
320
9
800
4 , 2S6
14,146
23
17
40
till
3
4
321
8
768
4,987
13,755
1909
13
24
37
620
2
5
312
9
S9 5
5,171
15,066
1910
14
11
25
614
3
10
295
10
840
4,989
15,829
1911
16
16
32
633
1
10
290
10
161
5,151
15,312
1,214
1 ,099
2,313
430
598
8480,976
8416,827
8897,803
86
The State Street Presbyterian Church
STATE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SABBATH SCHOOL. ORGA-
NIZED APRIL 7th, 1861. STATISTICAL REVIEW OF 50 YEARS
Year
Total
At ten
dance
o o
Collections
end-
num-
ber
1 °
ing
■ji
April
on
roll
Larg-
est
Small-
est
Aver -
age
Visi-
tors
-a
<
•g Total
S collec-
" tions
For
mission
work
Larg-
est
Small-
est
1862
356
313
68
199
-d
4
1 $309 02
$19 20
$12 08
$3 15
1863
540
518
101
344
o
o
6
652 12
65 74
137 61
4 16
1864
610
573
63
427
<u
28
3 911 15
8 00
110 10
3 16
1865
630
570
187
410
0
J2J
22
3 1,080 50
312 72
135 97
7 10
1866
735
599
111
410
12
5 1,055 36
507 21
134 58
8 15
1867
635
555
167
401
570
10
0 1,537 40
375 00
140 92
9 37
1868
765
647
169
457
640
14
5 1,372 53
720 13
101 43
10 00
1869
939
756
281
564
963
29
2 1,815 89
525 00
100 00
13 86
1870
1,005
849
270
575
802
4
4 1,475 21
525 00
110 00
4 10
1871
1,027
859
273
596
1.102
25
4 1,604 95
706 00
200 00
13 10
1872
1 ,038
864
231
593
1,107
23
3 1,418 41
450 0
150 00
16 03
1873
1 ,067
883
215
588
1,073
18
0 1,507 10
450 00
150 00
11 85
1874
1,084
856
214
617
1,158
36
1 1,552 37
541 30
156 30
16 29
1875
938
778
286
514
755
13
5 1.400 66
583 64
1S3 64
14 34
1876
1,013
715
169
531
779
6
10 1,352 35
500 00
200 00
12 56
1877
937
632
154
457
559
31
4 1,551 37
545 59
200 00
9 46
1878
937
665
266
485
536
40
8 1,522 18
417 48
209 67
9 07
1879
960
671
210
489
438
12
6 1,460 84
673 01
278 06
7 24
1880
1,037
6S6
208
500
457
20
8 1,533 43
588 33
278 33
7 47
1881
992
663
218
479
428
7
3 1,594 92
579 53
200 53
6 25
1882
981
046
185
581
228
16
4 1,628 77
688 47
251 42
6 73
1883
804
600
158
440
101
21
8 1 ,656 89
752 24
231 85
6 79
1884
885
677
205
196
172
12
7 1,631 02
693 50
222 56
7 --9
1885
890
653
151
480
140
27
5 1,073 94
685 00
250 00
7 31
1886
904
682
154
4S9
261
21
10 2,024 20
731 08
205 08
8 23
1887
907
707
158
496
184
22
2 2,403 04
1,115 17
207 30
7 43
1888
881
650
159
400
152
13
4 1 ,873 53
845 40
275 03
7 67
1889
851
621
115
406
116
28
8 2,138 65
1,009 23
300 00
5 32
1890
826
578
166
429
135
27
1 2,000 96
949 44
300 00
6 25
1891
771
565
130
419
98
21
5 2,119 95
989 70
300 00
4 65
1892
650
512
119
398
188
13
3,055 62
1,005 43
230 00
4 10
1893
660
506
56
366
245
14
. ... 1,964 21
940 00
157 30
3 25
1894
641
450
100
341
176
10
.... 1 ,588 50
731 57
213 57
4 20
1895
622
494
92
332
123
9
1,638 08
764 00
200 00
3 10
1890
547
403
103
295
172
7
. ... 1,505 81
748 50
283 60
3 82
1897
531
391
81
276
152
9
. . . . 1,488 74
597 00
200 00
3 49
1898
492
403
96
282
536
15
. ... 1,762 90
570 17
218 59
3 08
1899
506
388
69
265
783
8
1.420 36
561 85
24 78
70
1900
454
336
50
240
459
17
1,157 18
381 00
57 27
1 49
1901
420
306
50
231
310
24
1,355 47
630 93
38 25
1 31
1902
384
281
56
214
232
20
1,070 00
360 00
29 50
2 36
1903
331
255
82
209
11
918 03
269 38
11 52
2 88
1904
335
229
74
203
22
• • ' ■ O.J3 K
266 61
13 02
3 00
1905
337
233
137
209
19
302 32
23 36
39
1900
345
255
13
205
12
4J_^-3 O
394 41
13 83
66
1907
325
249
85
190
1
.... ,o 9 a
538 27
9 74
2 67
1908
♦450
191
O
19
3 collect
mission
ch pavi
es of thi
*473 59
*598 33
*660 45
*627 42
51 38
40 01
40 33
36 74
3 58
4 18
3 77
4 10
1909
*487
197
u
10
1910
*476
184
o
10
1911
*480
180
z
11
Z Jo
.213 a
1
* Includes Home Department.
The State Street Presbyterian Church 87
ORGANIZATIONS AND OFFICERS, 1911
The Pastok. — Rev. Charles G. Sewall. Residence, 73 Willett Street.
The Missionary — Miss Jean E. James, Dehra Dun, U. P. India.
The Session — Augustus S. Brandow, Edward A. Groesbeck, Leonard
W. Hatch, Norman S. Hoff, Robert C. James, Thomas D. James, Edgar
C. Leonard, Daniel L. Markle, George S. Munson, Edwin \V. Ober,
DeWitt C. Slingerland, Henry P. Warren. Clerk of Session, Edwin \V.
Ober; Treasurer of the session, Thomas D. James.
The Deacons — Jason S. Bedell, Charles P. Brate, Charles C. De Rou-
ville, William H. Fillmore, Gardner C. Leonard, Albert M. Reed.
The Trustees — Arthur L. Andrews, Daniel C. Bennett, Clifford D.
Gregory, Frank C. Herrick, Peter Kinnear, Edgar C. Leonard, George S.
Munson, Robert Olcott, Clarence Valentine. Treasurer of the Trustees,
Clarence Valentine ; pew committee, Messrs. Andrews, Leonard, Munson
and Valentine.
The Sunday School — Superintendent, Albert P. Mills; secretary, Le
Roy M. Fanning; treasurer, Edwin W. Ober; librarian, Isaac D. Wor-
rall ; primary superintendent, Miss Josephine D. Mahon ; kindergarten
class, Miss Sara L. Palmatier; cradle roll, Miss Elizabeth K. Lamb.
Home Department Superintendent, Mrs. Isaac D. Worrall.
The Woman's Home Missionary Society — President, Mrs. Charles G.
Sewall; vice-president, Mrs. Wm. B. Aspinwall; recording secretary, Miss
Elizabeth K. Lamb ; treasurer, Miss Elizabeth Myers ; corresponding sec-
retary, Miss Josephine D. Mahon; secretary of literature, Mrs. A. H.
Moore.
The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society — President, Mrs. Robert
C. James; vice-president, Mrs. I. D. Worrall; recording secretary, Mrs.
Baxter T. Smelzer; treasurer, Miss Elizabeth Myers; corresponding sec-
retary, Mrs. A. S. Brandow; secretary of literature, Mrs. A. H. Moore.
The Women's Guild — President, Mrs. J. F. McKown ; vice-president,
Mrs. Arthur W. Elting; secretary, Mrs. E. A. Blessing; treasurer, Miss
Sarah L. Osterhoudt.
The Men's Club — President, A. II. Moore ; vice-president, Kenneth
C. Ogden; secretary, George S. DeRouville; treasurer, Ronald Kinnear.
The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor — Vice-president,
Miss Sara Palmatier; treasurer, Edward M. Boice ; corresponding secre-
tary, Miss Lena L. Dansinger ; recording secretary, Miss Marion Gard-
iner; congressman, A. Hoyt Austin; pianist, J. Austin Springer.
The Earnest Workers — Chairman, Miss Gladys Abbott ; secretary,
Miss Susie O. Giffen; treasurer, Miss Ethel A. Patten.
The Helper's Circle, King's Daughters — Leader, Miss Mary J. Mat-
thews; secretary, Miss Harriet H. Palmatier; treasurer, Miss Jane E.
Abbott.
The Knights of King Arthur — King, Joseph Deutschbein ; sentinel,
Edward Brandow; constable, Earl DeRouville; seneschal, Edward Boice;
Marquis of New York, Harold F. Andrews.
The Flower Committee — Chairman, Mrs. William B. Aspinwall.
88 The State Street Presbyterian Church
The Ushers — The Board of Deacons, assisted by Win. B. Aspinwall,
A. Hoyt Austin, Robert T. Flemming, Earl H. Gallup. Ronald Kinnear,
James McCombe, A. H. Moore, Walter McCulloh, Henry J. Noerling,
Kenneth C. Ogden, Alexander T. Pierce, Joseph T. Pierce, Albert Rider,
Adam A. Walker.
The Sexton— Henry D. Carpenter, 187 Lancaster Street. (The Church
Telephone H. R. 1980-J Main.)
The Musicians — Organist, J. Austin Springer; precentor, L. LeRoy
Pickett.
CALENDAR OF SERVICE AND MEETINGS
Sunday Services
Morning Worship, 10:30 a. m.
Kindergarten Class of the Sunday School, 10:30 a. m.
Sunday School and Bible Classes, 12:00 m.
Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, 7 :oo p. m.
Evening Worship, 7 :4s p. m.
The Lord's Supper is observed on the first Sunday of February, April,
June, October and December, at the Morning Service, preceded by a Com-
municant's Prayer-meeting at 10:00 o'clock. Infants may be presented for
baptism in the Church at any Communion Season, or at other times and
places by appointment with the Pastor.
Church Prayer Meeting, each Friday at 8:00 o'clock.
The Session meets on the Wednesday evening preceding each Com-
munion, to confer with candidates for Church membership, and for the
transaction of business. Other meetings are held at the call of the
Pastor, who is, cx-officlo, the Moderator of the Session.
The Trustees and Deacons meet at the call of their Presidents.
The Regular Meetings of the Various Organizations of the Church
are Held as Follows.
The Woman's Home Missionary Society, second Tuesday of the month.
The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, fourth Tuesday of the
month.
The Earnest Workers, first Monday of the month.
The King's Daughters, first and third Thursdays of the month.
The Women's Guild, first and third Thursdays of the month.
The Men's Club, first Monday of the month.
The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, business meeting
and social, on the third Monday of the month.
The Knights of King Arthur, first and third Tuesdays of the month.
The Annual Meeting of the Congregation for the election of Trustees
and the transaction of business is held on the second Tuesday of March
in each year.
The Annual Meeting of the Sunday School, for the election of officers,
is held in April of each year, usually on the third Tuesday.
■
The State Street Presbyterian Church 89
The Annual Meeting of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
Societies, for the election of officers, are held in March ; of the Men's
Club, in March ; of the Women's Guild, in April ; of the Christian En-
deavor Society, in June.
OUR FINANCIAL POLICY
The collection and administration of the finances of this Church are
based upon three fundamental principles. We believe
i. That systematic giving is better than occasional and impulsive
benevolence.
2. That the work of the Church is essentially the same, whether it is
carried on within this parish or outside its limits.
3. That everybody who receives the benefits of the Church should count
it a privilege to help in its work.
We depend upon three sources of income :
1. The pew-rents, which are collected by the Treasurer of the Trustees.
2. Offerings made in envelopes by those who have pledged regular
weekly contributions toward the work of the Church, which are
collected by the Treasurer of Session.
3. Money received from plate collections and occasional subscriptions,
which are collected by the Treasurer of Session.
Each year, the Trustees prepare a budget of the probable expenses of
this Church for the ensuing year. Since our regular expenses amount
to more than the total of the pew rents, a portion of the envelope sub-
scriptions sufficient to meet this budget is appropriated by the Session.
We do not believe in deficits. The funds that remain after our own
expenses are paid are then apportioned by the Session to the Boards of
th Presbyterian Church the Albany City Mission and other well-established
agencies of missionary and benevolent effort. In this apportionment,
the ratios suggested by the General Assembly are taken as a normal
standard.
This being our financial plan, the Session asks the members of the
congregation for regular and liberal contributions through the envelope
system, so that special appeals from the pulpit for occasional offerings
to various worthy causes may be avoided. We aim, in short, to sub-
stitute fidelity for impulse, and to make our benevolence regular and
well-considered.
Obviously, this plan would be a failure unless it were conscientiously
supported. Both in the giving and in the expending there must be an
earnest desire to act as good stewards of the gifts of God. The Session
therefore asks every member of the congregation to consider the duty
and privilege of taking a regular and conscientious share in supporting
the work we are trying to do, by making an offering through the envelope
system upon which we may depend, promising in return a scrupulous
regard for the highest interests of the Kingdom of God on earth in the
administration of the offerings thus made.
!
'
Wtbtr of Woraljtp
At the Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding
of the State Street Presbyterian Church,
Sunday, April 30, 1911
Qtyr Wanting £*nrUp
10:30 A. M.
Organ Prelude— " Thanks be to God" (Elijah) - - Mendelssohn
The Doxology
A Prayer of Invocation, with the Lord's Prayer
Hymn 94. " O Holy Father, who hast led Thy children"
A Responsive Reading from the Psalter — Portion 24
The Gloria Patri — (Hymnary, page 503)
Carol by the Sunday School — " Oh, the golden glowing morning "
Announcements
The Offering — Baritone Solo — " The Earth is the Lord's " - Lansing
Offertory Prayer
A Roll Call of Members by Decades
Hymn 781 — "For all the saints who from their labors rest"
The Scripture Lesson
Carol by the Sunday School — "Hail Him! Hail Him! Risen Jesus!"
The General Prayer
Hymn 692 — " Glorious things of Thee are spoken "
The Sermon — " The Honored Past "
The Rev. Charles G. Sew all, the pastor of the church
A Prayer for Grace and the Benediction
Silent Prayer
Organ Postlude — " Festival March " Scotson Clark
OIl|» Afttrtuum fcfnrtrr
4:00 P. M.
Organ Prelude— " March of the Priests" (Athalie) - Mendelssohn
Hymn 776—" The Church's One Foundation "
A Prayer of Invocation, with the Lord's Prayer
Duet— Contralto and Baritone— " The Lord is my Light" - Buck
The Scripture Lesson
Hymn 562—'' The Son of God goes forth to war "
The General Prayer
Contralto Solo—" In Thee, O God, do I put my trust " - Sficker
The Sermon—" The Opportunity of the Present "
The Rev. Charles Little, D.D., the Moderator of the General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States.
Hymn 575 — "Onward Christian Soldiers"
A Prayer for Grace and the Benediction
Silent Prayer
Organ Postlude— " Recessional March" - - - Gmlmant
SUj* £n*tttng &erv\tt
7:45 P. M.
Organ Prelude—" The March of the Fifty Years " Springer
(Composed by Mr. Springer for this occasion and dedicated
to the Rev. Charles G. Sewall.)
Male Quartet—" The Radiant Morn hath passed away " - Woodward
A Prayer of Invocation
Hymn 169 — " Honor and Glory, Thanksgiving and Praise "
Announcements
The Offering— Male Quartet—" Sing Alleluia Forth " Buck
The Offertory Prayer
Hymn 698— "A Mighty Fortress is our God "
The Scripture Lesson
Male Quartet—" My Heavenly Home " Proctor
The General Prayer
Hymn 577 — " Forward be our watchword "
The Sermon — "The Inspiration of the Future"
The Rev. John J. Lawrence, of Binghamton, N. Y., former '
pastor of the church
A Prayer for Grace and the Benediction
Silent Prayer
Organ Postlude— " Hallelujah Chorus" (Messiah) - - Handel
Preceding these services, in connection with the Anniversary, a Prayer
Meeting and Reception were held, as follows :
FRIDAY— April 28, 8:00 p. m.
A Jubilee Prayer Meeting. I Samuel 7:12. "Hitherto hath the
Lord helped us."
A meeting for praise and thankful prayer.
SATURDAY— April 29, 8:00 p. m.
A Reception to the Guests, Former Members and Members of the
Church.
Words of felicitation from our neighbor churches.
Committees of the Celebration
GENERAL COMMITTEE
EDGAR C. LEONARD
■ ROBERT C. JAMES
tion i
I
, ARTHUR L. ANDREWS
< FRANK C. HERRICK
, CHARLES C. DeROUVILLE
i GARDNER C.LEONARD
From the Sunday-School \
{ \\ ILLL*
ALBERT P. MILLS
AM B. ASPINWALL
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Preparation of the History of the Church
ROBERT C. JAMES
Collection of Portraits of Church Officers
MRS. ISAAC V. W. GRANT
EDGAR C. LEONARD
Collection of Memorabilia
CLARENCE VALENTINE
GARDNER C. LEONARD
Finance
CHARLES C. De ROUVILLE
CLARENCE VALENTINE
Reception Committee
MRS. GARDNER C. LEONARD, Chairman
Publicity
THE PASTOR
GARDNER C. LEONARD
7? ©1020 63
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