CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY THE ANNA ALLEN WRIGHT LIBRARY ENDOWMENT FUND “HiT THREESCORE AND TEN Rev. Otuo F. Bartuotow, Pu.D., D.D. THREESCORE AND TEN SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK EDITED BY WILLIAM S. ANDERSON MCMXXII COPYRIGHT 1922 BY FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH i 3 MT. VERNON, N. Y. 1852 1922 SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY Tus BOOK IS PUBLISHED BY DIRECTION OF THE OFFICIAL BOARD OF THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK, AND IS DEDICATED IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE TO THE FAITHFUL PASTORS AND MEMBERS WHO HAVE GONE TO THEIR REWARD, AND OF WHOSE LABORS AND DEVOTION WE ARE THE GRATEFUL BENEFICIARIES CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE The Founding of Mount Vernon... ... . 7 The Industrial Home Association, No. 1 8 John Stevens: Someearly history ... ©. ...... 9 CuapTeR Two Early Methodism in Eastchester - 6. 1 ww ee ee 16 Bishop Francis Asbury... 2.000 ee 17 Organization of Eastchester Methodist Episcopal Church . . 19 CHAPTER THREE Organization of First Methodist Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon and History 1852-1882 2... ....... 21 CHAPTER Four Inception and Building of New Church and History 1882-1905 51 Cuapter Five Pastorate of Rev. Otho F. Bartholow, D. D., and History 1905- EOS ended Serie ere oe, a each ay gt Some Up-to-date Facts about Mount Vernon—including an article by Mayor Edwin W. Fiske 2... 2. 0. 11g CHAPTER SIX Our Missionaries ......... Sieg. Se. ee aE 122 Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society... . . 2... yg Tg Woman’s Home Missionary Society ........2.2.. 130 Bible School. . . . . . . ales AMS. GaSe es 138 Bartholow Bible Class and Women’s Class ........ 143 Laties Ald Society ia -woe goes a OR ORS we Ow 148 Epworth Lege yo oG. one GQ ace a eee ek 154 Junior Epworth League. 2 2 ew wR 158 Boy SCout 4 2 yy aS Yee ee eR oe we bw Bd 161 @O8888008 FOREWORD History is His Story. Hard at times to dis- cern in the ways and deeds of men; the Rise and Fall of Nations. Rarely, if ever, fully understood. These at best are darkened glasses through which is dimly apprehended the message of the Lord. To the Church alone is given the glory of the un- dimmed word and the abundant revelation of the old, old story of Jesus and His love. In the Saints we have the unshadowed Word that abideth for- ever. They climbed the steep ascent to heaven, Through peril, toil and pain: O God, to us may grace be given To follow in their train. OTHO F. BARTHOLOW. PASTORS APPOINTED TO FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK Dw & 1852 Dante: De Vinne Eastchester-West Farms-Mt. Vernon Mission 1853 Wiuu1am H. Bancs Eastchester-Mount Vernon Mission Wit.iam Porteus Westchester-West Farms 1854 Wii1am H. Bancs Eastchester-Mount Vernon Mission Situ H. Priatr Westchester-West Farms WitiiaM PorTeus 1855 Seneca How.anp Mount Vernon and Olinville Mission 1856-58 SamueE. W. SMITH Mount Vernon and Olinville Mission 1858-60 Mires N. OLMsTEAD Mount Vernon 1860-62 Witiiam H. Boote* Mount Vernon 1862-63 SamMuEL A. SEAMAN Mount Vernon 1863-65 Seymour Lanpon Mount Vernon 1865-67 Isaac E. SmirH Mount Vernon 1867-70 CHARLES KELSEY Mount Vernon 1870-73 James M. Carroii Mount Vernon 1873-76 Joun Dickinson Mount Vernon 1876-79 Arvine C. BowpisH Mount Vernon 1879-82 Moses L. ScupDER Mount Vernon 1882-85 Ropert Crook Mount Vernon 1885-88 CuHaRLEs S. WING Mount Vernon 1888-91 IcHaBop Simmons Mount Vernon 1891-94 Lewis R. STREETER Mount Vernon 1894-96 CHar.es M. Girrin Mount Vernon 1896-97 GeorcE P, Marnst Mount Vernon Henry A. BucuTet Mount Vernon *97-1905 GEorGE C. Peck Mount Vernon 1905-22 Orno F, BARTHOLOW Mount Vernon * William H. Boole went to war; Samuel A. Seaman supplied {George P. Mains appointed Publishing Agent; Henry A. Buchtel supplied @900sseee INTRODUCTION The suggestion to have the history of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Vernon, New York, written at this time originated in the fertile brain of Rev. Otho F. Bartholow, D. D., the Pastor, who realized that a con- nected story of the seventy years’ life of so influential a church would not only be interesting reading for the pres- ent and future members of this particular society, but would be a more or less important contribution to Meth- odist history in general. By appointment of the Official Board on the recommen- dation of the Pastor, I was commissioned to do this work. Surely my scholastic attainments were not the impelling consideration in inducting me into the editorial chair. I distinctly remember, however, an incident connected with my early youth which might have forecasted a liter- ary career. When a lad, I was taken by my maternal parent to Grammar School No. 35 in West Thirteenth Street, and examined for assignment to my proper grade. Having an opportunity to look over my examination papers, I noticed with pleasure and some pride the endorsement by the examiner, “Very intelligent.” I was assigned to the highest class and in the following year entered the College of the City of New York; but alas! after one year of fairly good work and successfully assing the examinations for the sophomore class, my thirst for a college education seems to have been assuaged, and my college life ended of my own volition, to the great Threescore and Ten regret of my parents at the time, and to my own in after years. I have since been a student in the “College of Hard Work” and, as it appears, I entered for a life course. No, it was not literary merit that secured me this honor, but the knowledge the pastor and official brethren possessed that I could bring to the task the pleasant memory of thirty-seven years of official connection with the church and of delightful Christian fellowship with the devoted men, women and children who now form its membership and also of the many who have joined the Church Trium- phant, leaving behind them as precious legacies memories of lives consecrated to the work of the grand old church. Consequently, I took up the task with a heart full of love for both church and people; and much of this history, especially that of the years since the early part of Dr. Crook’s pastorate, is in the nature of personal reminiscence. Realizing the advantage and necessity of advice and counsel, I early requested the appointment of several brethren to assist me: Joseph J. Lafetra, recording steward, Kenneth J. Howe, another steward, whose honored father and grandfather had preceded him in the Official Board of the church, and Elmer S. Davis, for the past eleven years Secretary of the Bible School. I wish here to express my appreciation of the services rendered by these brethren by their counsel and kindly criticisms. We are also indebted to the Mount Vernon Public Library for access to books, papers, and documents, includ- ing Scharf’s History of Westchester County, more partic- ularly a chapter on Eastchester by Rev. W. S. Coffey, Rector of St. Paul’s Church at the time, from all of which we have copied freely; old files of the Mount Vernon Chron- icle and Daily Argus; to the proprietors of the Daily —+(4)+ Threescore and Ten Argus; to Mr. George Stevens, son of the founder of Mount Vernon; to the Editor of the Christian Advocate for access to files of minutes of the New York East Con- ference; to Mr. Carl F. Price, Historian of the New York Methodist Historical Society, for invaluable assistance in securing data and for other favors; to Rev. Arthur B. Sanford, D. D., Secretary of the New York East Confer- ence; to the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company for a photograph of the time-table on their rail- road on which Mount Vernon first appeared as a station and for other information; to the Secretary of State at Albany and the Director of the Census at Washington for information as to the population of Mount Vernon at various dates; to the City Clerk of Mount Vernon, Ben- jamin J. Cullen; to the War Department at Washington for the record of Rev. William H. Boole as Chaplain; to the Post Office Department at Washington for data; to relatives and friends of deceased pastors and old members for the loan of photographs; to my fellow editors who have contributed the interesting sketches of the various promi- nent organizations of the church and whose names appear in connection therewith; to the many others with whom I have had occasion to correspond in the preparation of this work and who have so greatly encouraged me with their help and their kind expressions of appreciation of the task in which I have been engaged. If I have omitted any from the long list of those to whom we are indebted, may they kindly forgive me and charge the unintentional neglect to the frailty of human nature. Accuracy in the stating of dates and important events has been uppermost in my mind in preparing this work; and how well I have succeeded remains for the future to dislcose. Threescore and Ten One thing I have had impressed upon me in looking up the records of the Society, is the great importance of hav- ing a safe central place, fireproof if possible, for the keep- ing of all such books and papers. Some important books I have not been able to find. This situation is not peculiar to First Church, for in a neighboring city all the church records of an old society were destroyed by fire, as were also many valuable books connected with the early history of the Village of Mount Vernon on another occasion. The task has been an interesting and exceedingly en- joyable one, and I pass the book on to the membership and their friends with the hope that it will fulfill their expecta- tions. One former pastor wrote: “You are doing what every church in the denomination should assign some one to do”; and I agree with him. WILLIAM S. ANDERSON November, 1922. First N. Y. and N. H.R. R. Station The Mount Vernon in Mount Vernon Hotel +( 6) @88880988 CHAPTER ONE As the beginning of the history of Mount Vernon, New York, and the organization of the First Methodist Episco- pal Church in the same place were almost contempora- neous, 1t would seem very appropriate to commence this narrative with an account of the first considerable settle- ment of the community in which the church had its origin, and of conditions then existing. The extreme southeasterly section of the County of Westchester, which is now designated Mount Vernon and is the next-door neighbor of New York City on the north and east, was, previous to its incorporation as a village, known only as a sparsely settled farming country, a part of the township of Eastchester, with only a few small scattered communities like Eastchester, West Farms, and Westchester. The history of Eastchester dates back to colonial times and is replete with the record of the stirring events of those momentous days. This section was a portion of the neutral ground during the Revolutionary War and was occupied successively by Continental and British troops. The old New York and Boston Post Road passing through East- chester was the most convenient route for soldiers crossing in either direction. The cemetery adjacent to St. Paul’s Church at East- chester, contains the sacred dust of many heroes of the conflict which gained for us our independence as a nation; and in thechurch itself are preserved numerous relicsof great Threescore and Ten interest to all red-blooded Americans and especially to lov- ersofthegrandold church, its faithfuland patriotic ministry, and the truths it has stood for through all its long history. When the British troops during the War of the Revolu- tion took possession of Eastchester, they turned the St. Paul’s Church into a hospital, but previous to their arrival the bell, bible, and prayer book had been removed and buried for safe keeping on the old Ross place, subsequently owned by E. C. Halsey. After the evacuation by the British these prized treasures were restored and the old bell, the gift of Rector Thomas Standard in 1758, still calls the congregation to worship. Mount Vernon came into existence as a result of much dissatisfaction with, and a protest against, living condi- tions in New York City. People of small and moderate means were experiencing great difficulty in securing for themselves homes, either by purchase or rental, on account of the high prices demanded, and as a consequence many industrial and building societies were organized to enable the members to acquire homes at small cost and on easy terms of payment. How similar to existing conditions seventy years later when this history is being written! The Industrial Home Association Number One of New York City was among the earliest of these organizations; and John Stevens, a tailor, having his place of business at 476 Hudson Street, New York City, was the originator of this particular project. The organization took place in New York City on July 9, 1850, at which time a constitu- tion and by-laws were adopted and officers elected. John Stevens, having conceived the enterprise, was naturally elected president and held the office for the short time the association was in existence. Threescore and Ten Joun STEVENS The Father of Mount Vernon The membership was limited to one thousand and each applicant was carefully scrutinized and investigated and required to subscribe to the constitution and by-laws. The qualifications were—good moral character, industrious habits, and a desire to promote the common purpose; viz: protection against the unjust power and influence of capital and against land monopoly as the efficient cause of poverty. Threescore and Ten PREAMBLE TO CONSTITUTION AND By-Laws oF InpusTRIAL Home Association No. 1 or NEw YorK Whereas, the industrial classes are the creators of all wealth, which has been heretofore wrested from its rightful owners by the speculative few, and then employed as a means to keep the creator in subservience to the creature, by the unholy means of speculative monopoly; whereby the usurpers of the soil secure to themselves great wealth by the aggregation of numbers, necessarily locating upon the land forestalled by capital for the purpose of speculation, adding great value thereto by said concentration, and thus the . laborer becoming the pliant machine, whereby the designing few work their way to wealth and aggrandisement at the ex- pense of the toil and just rights of the many, making it neces- sary for the homeless to enter into combination to meet the combinations of others, to obtain a restitution of their com- mon rights; and as there is strength in union, as well as power in knowledge, we trust we have the knowledge to unite for the purpose of securing those rights. Under these views it is designed for one thousand individuals to unite together for the purpose of securing soil not forestalled by capital (for the purpose of speculation), sufficient for houses for said thousand—that by the concentration of numbers we may secure to ourselves the increased value of property that such concentration will give, instead of casting from us the fruits of our toil and influence, as we must do under the present system of things, if we combine not to protect our- selves from the unjust power and influence of capital. Under these considerations, We, each and all of us, who subscribe to the Constitution of this Association, solemnly declare that we will do all in our power to carry its laws into effect. ; Each member was required to pay into the treasury of the society not more than seventy-five dollars within eighteen months, and the amount could be divided into equal weekly payments of one dollar. There were also weekly dues of twenty-five cents toa contingent fund. Fre- quent meetings were held in New York City and the move- —+( 10) Threescore and Ten ment was so popular that on January 10, 1851, only six months and one day from organization the one thousandth name was signed to the roll and the membership list was closed. Among the notable men who became members was Horace Greeley of the New York Tribune, who joined August 30, 1850, and took very great interest in the move- ment. Evidently he had not at that time decided that the best chance for a young man was to “go west.” The money received from the members was to be used for the purchase and development of not less than two hundred and fifty acres of land in one location, within forty minutes’ ride or sailof New York City, for the purpose of forming a colony. To the Executive Committee was en- trusted the selecting and purchasing of a site and survey- ing, grading, and plotting the same, and the division of the land, after making allowances for public purposes, among the one thousand members, no one member to have more than one equal share. The Executive Committee, after inspecting several loca- tions, submitted their report in favor of land in the Town of Eastchester, comprising five farms, the properties re- spectively of John R. Hayward, Sylvanus Purdy, Andrew Purdy, and his two sons, John and Andrew Oscar; and on October 16, 1850, the Association authorized the pur- chase of the same. They also bought an additional three acres of the Sacchi property adjoining. These farms aggregated about 370 acres, and the tract extended from the present line of Valentine Street and Prospect Avenue on the north to a little below Sixth Street on the south, except that a small angle at the southwest corner extended to the Kingsbridge Road. The easterly —+( 11) Threescore and Ten boundary was at Union Avenue, extending west to beyond the present line of Fifteenth Avenue. The price paid for the five farms was $75,161, and for three acres of the Sacchi property $375, total $75,536— an average price of about $201 per acre. The taxes for the year 1851 on the entire 370 acres were only $162. When a name was considered for the settlement Monti- cello was first chosen, but the postal authorities objected because there was already a place by that name in the state. A second choice was made of Monticello City; but, that meeting with a similar objection, finally Mount Ver- non was decided upon and adopted January Io, 1851. On April 18, 1851, Andrew Findley, who had been em- ployed to survey and lay out the tract in lots and streets, presented the map of the proposed village. The plan pro- vided for streets sixty feet in width, for one thousand quarter-acre plots for distribution among the 1,000 mem- bers, for four half-acre plots for school purposes, and a similar plot for a station on the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. Although it was planned to have all streets sixty feet wide, the roadways thirty-six feet, and the sidewalks twelve, there was on September 26, 1851, for some reason unknown, adopted a resolution that each member be privileged to set his fence five feet on the sidewalk, still leaving the sidewalk ten feet wide. The mem- bers availed themselves of this privilege, which necessarily resulted in reducing the width of the streets to fifty feet and of roadways to thirty feet. The expense of draining, grading, and street improve- ments was about $25,000. The property was distributed among the one thousand members in the following manner: numbers from 1 to 1,000 were written on separate slips and —+( 12) Threescore and Ten placed in a receptacle from which each member drew one, as his or her name was called by the secretary. The number on the card drawn indicated the turn of the party to make a selection of a lot from the map on which the lots were numbered, all lots being regarded of equal value for the purpose. The houses and other buildings and gore lots were sold at auction. The members came to Mount Vernon in companies and the drawing occupied several days. John Stevens became the purchaser of the Sylvanus Purdy Mansion, which was the most valuable house then located on the property. The price he paid was $2,650. It was situated on the northeast corner of Sixth Avenue and Fourth Street and is now standing. There were but three other houses on the property purchased by the Association that were sold for a sum exceeding one thousand dollars. On November 1, 1851, John Stevens as trustee executed one thousand deeds conveying to the individual members of the Association the title to the lot chosen and purchased by each respectively. The consideration mentioned in each deed was seventy-six dollars. The settlers commenced at once to erect their houses, and soon the trees were being cleared away, swampy land drained, and the new com- munity was alive with the hum of industry. The first Federal Postmaster was George Archer, his appointment dating from December 27, 1851. The last report of the Secretary of the Association, made on August 6, 1852, shows that $106,859 had been paid in by the members and received from sales of property. On the same date it was also reported that three hundred houses were erected or in the course of construction. Mount Ver- non was madea regular station on the New Haven Railroad, the waiting room being at First Street and Fourth Avenue. —+( 13 ) Threescore and Ten The first time-table of the New York and New Haven Rail- road on which Mount Vernon appeared as a station was dated November 1, 1852. The stations were Canal Street, New York, Thirty-second Street, Harlem, Williamsbridge, Mount Vernon, and so on up the line. A train, starting from Canal Street at 7a. m., arrived at Mount Vernon at 8.06 a.m. There were only four trains daily each way. The station on the Harlem Railroad which formally served this section was called Hunt’s Bridge, named after the crossing of the Bronx a short distance above the present Mount Vernon Station, corresponding to Williamsbridge further down the same stream. After the settlement of West Mount Vernon the station was changed to that name and later to Mount Vernon. A meeting of the members was held on the property, at which time they were addressed by Horace Greeley, who congratulated them on the selection of the location for the settlement. Mr. Greeley also lectured at another time in a little apple orchard between Ninth and Tenth Avenues, a short distance south of Second Street. Many of the old trees may still be seen there. On December 13, 1853, papers of incorporation of the Village of Mount Vernon were filed at White Plains. A census was taken in August of that year, when the popula- tion was ascertained to be 1,370. West Mount Vernon was settled almost contemporane- ously by the Teutonic Homestead Association, composed mainly of Germans to the number of five hundred, who had purchased 131% acres of land, lying between the north- western boundry line of Mount Vernon and the Bronx River. Central Mount Vernon was settled shortly after the other two. Fh 14 = Threescore and Ten It was largely of the enterprising, honest, hardy, God- fearing people of the first named organization that the First Church was originally formed, and their successors of the same sturdy stock have clung tenaciously to the traditions of the fathers. Eastchester Methodist Episcopal Church Society organized November 16, 1835 This edifice as it appears in 1922 —( 15 ja CHAPTER TWO Some reference to Methodist activity in Eastchester will not be inappropriate here, as the work in Mount Vernon was closely related to the Eastchester Church. In the very early years of American Methodism there were Methodists in Eastchester. They had no house of worship of their own but held meetings in private homes. Francis Asbury, the second Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Pioneer Bishop of American Meth- odism, was frequently a guest at the home of a widow Sher- wood, living somewhere between Tuckahoe and New Ro- chelle—by the present tradition in a house now standing and occupied at Cooper’s Corners, New Rochelle. His riding on horseback to New Rochelle and preaching, also to Rye and preaching, are mentioned in his Journals. Accounts are also given of his holding preaching services at Eastchester on December 14, 1771, to a large company, and again on June 10, 1787, and two years later June 9, 1789. Services at Eastchester by Francis Asbury are re- corded as having been held at the home of Moses Secord on the road to Westchester. When Francis Asbury came over from England in 1771 there were not over 600 Methodists here, and when he died in 1816 there were over 214,000; and much of this phe- nominal increase was due to his wide traveling, earnest preaching, and great ability as an organizer. The Methodists of the United States are raising a fund to pay for a statue of Bishop Asbury, by Augustus Luke- —+-( 16) Threescore and Ten Bishop Francis Asbury man, to be erected on a plot of ground in a conspicuous location in the national capital, donated by the Federal Government. On November 16, 1835, the Eastchester Church was organized and a building committee appointed. Imme- diately a strip of land 160 feet front by 75 feet deep was purchased, on the White Plains Road or Post Road near Kingsbridge Road; and the erection of a church edifice 60 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 20 feet high, was started. The incorporation took place April 30, 1836, under the title, The Methodist Episcopal Church in the Town of East- Fly Threescore and Ten chester, Westchester County, New York. This building is now standing and is in the immediate vicinity of St. Paul’s Church, and has not been used for religious services for many years. On the map of the present City of Mount Vernon a street is shown extending easterly from South Third Ave- nue and marking the southerly boundary of the city in that direction and adjoining the old Eastchester Method- ist Church property, which has been very appropriately named Asbury Street. I wonder if the fact that the sur- veyor and map maker was John F. Fairchild, a good Meth- odist brother accounts for the name. This Eastchester Society after a history of many years ceased to exist as such, but had its rehabilitation in the Asbury Church now located on the corner of Seventh Ave. and Seventh St. Rev. Daniel De Vinnewas appointed as Pastor at Eastchester at the third session of the New York East Confer- ence, held May 28 to June 4, 1851, at South Second Street Church, Brook- lyn. This Eastchester charge formed one of a circuit, the other charges be- ing West Farms and Westchester. The Methodists for miles around wor- shiped and held membership in the Eastchester Church, and they would gather in private homes to hold prayer meetings. One such place was the home of Augustus Lawrence, the blacksmith, on the White Plains Road. The house is now occupied by his son, George H. Lawrence, a member of First Church. Aucustus LAWRENCE —+( 18 je Threescore and Ten The Watkins Home Now Corner Westchester Avenue and Urban Street The house where the first preaching service for this immediate section was held was the home of Mrs. Eliz- abeth Watkins, further up on the same White Plains Road, near what is now known as Gramatan Avenue. John Green Satterley, son-in-law of Mrs. Watkins, was accustomed to harness up his team, Washington and Jefferson, to his farm wagon, which had seats arranged along the side for the purpose, and carry a full load of people to the East- chester Church, and later to the Watkins home. Rev. Dan- iel De Vinne of the Eastchester Church would sometimes preach at the Watkins home, sometimes George C. Burst, a local preacher, and later William Miller, another local preacher. The latter was father of our Mrs. Charles W. Hick. The Miller home at that time was situated on the property now known as Chester Crest. It was during this pastorate of Daniel De Vinne that the project of organizing a Methodist Society in Mount Ver- —( 1g ja Threescore and Ten non was first considered and afterward carried into effect, so that the First Church was virtually a missionary enter- prise of the Eastchester Church. First Methodist Episcopal Church First service held here February 8, 1854, in basement Church dedicated April 20, 1856 —+(20)+ CHAPTER THREE Rev. Daniel De Vinne entered upon the work with much enthusiasm and energy. A notice was read by him from the pulpit of the Eastchester Church calling for a meeting on January 13, 1852, at the house of George C. Burst on Third Avenue between First and Second Streets, Mount Vernon, for the purpose of organizing the Church Society. The meeting was held at the appointed time, Rev. Daniel De Vinne presiding and George C. Burst acting as secre- tary. A goodly number of people were present and all were greatly impressed with the importance of the happy occa- sion of launching a new church enterprise. 2 The following resolution was put before the meeting by Daniel De Vinne and unanimously adopted: “Resolved that we organize a church, to be known as The First Meth- odist Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon, Town of East- chester, Westchester County, New York.” The adoption of this resolution unanimously was followed by the election of five trustees, John Green Satterley and Edmund Hoole, acting as tellers by appointment of the meeting. The five trustees elected were George Chamberlain Burst, Edmund Hoole, John Green Satterley, Livingston Disbrow and Nathaniel Hooper. The privilege was given these five to increase their number to nine. The meeting then adjourned to January 19, 1852, on which date the Board of Trustees organized, George C. Burst being elected president, Edmund Hoole, secretary, and JohnG. Satterley, treasurer. This was the first organized —+( 21 je Threescore and Ten «~ Church Society in the original village of Mount Vernon. Mrs.Watkins’s house not being large enough to hold the people who crowded the Methodist preaching services, and the location not being convenient, it being fully half'a mile north of the Village, a floor was secured over William Wis- dom’s carpenter shop on Third Avenue between First and Second Streets, adjoining George C. Burst’s house where the organization took place, and here the little society worshiped for more than a year in the name of One who, as a boy, was familiar with the surroundings and atmos- phere of a carpenter’s shop at his home at Nazareth and no doubt learned the trade. With this thought in mind, how appropriate a place in which to start a church! They also organized a Sunday School at this time and place. The Baptist Society was organized i in the following year, 1853, holding their meetings in the same building the Meth- odists had first occupied. When MountVernon wasmadeacity in 1892,OldSt.Paul’s Churchat Eastchester was included within the boundaries of the new city. Thatgrand old Episcopal Church has a history dating back to pre-revolutionary times as before stated. At the session of the New York East Conference, held June 9 to 16, 1852, at Hartford, Conn., Rev. Daniel De Vinne was returned to Eastchester, the circuit including Westchester, West Farms, and Mount Vernon mission. This is the first reference to Mount Vernon in the minutes of the New York East Conference. In making the appoint- ment, Bishop Waugh stated that an assistant was to be supplied. The name of this supply is not given. We are indebted to Miss Frances De Vinne, daughter of Daniel De Vinne, for the following extracts from her father’s journal relating to these days: —-( 22 )+ Threescore and'Ten The Stevens House and Ancient Elm “I was appointed in 1851 to Eastchester, Westchester, and West Farms. I took in the new village of Mount Ver- non, in which there were erected 365 houses during the year (an average of one a day). Our meetings were held in the upper part of a carpenter shop. Some good brethren from the city settled in Mount Vernon and greatly helped us. How much good an active layman can do. The church misses it not to have them in the Conference. I returned the next year and two hundred and fifty dollars were given me from the Missionary Society for an assistant. We have had a good year. The small society in Mount Vernon is taking the entire load of the circuit. “The liberal devise liberally and by it they stand.’”’ Sela r= Threescore and Ten There was other business transacted at the first meeting of the trustees, on January 19, 1852. A committee was ap- pointed to procure a lot on which toerecta church building, and a special meeting was called for March to to hear the report of this committee. At this latter date the secretary, Edmund Hoole, reported for the committee that he had purchased lot 762, which was situated on Ninth Avenue between First and Second Streets, the price being $175. The size of the plot was 100x 105 feet. The deed had been originally made out to James L. Warren, but, as it had not been put on record, a new deed was made from John Ste- vens as trustee direct to the trustees of the church. Edmund Hoole reported having paid $115 dollars in cash and $60 by his personal note. The action by Secretary Hoole was approved and, as Treasurer Satterley had re- ported having a balance of $115, he was directed to pay it over to reimburse the secretary. The sixty-dollar note was also taken care of later by the society. The president and secretary were appointed a committee to consider the expediency of building a lecture room, or chapel, as it would be called in these days, on the lot pur- chased for present purposes, and on October 18 of the same year, 1852, a resolution was passed: “Resolved, that we proceed to build as soon as sufficient funds are collected to warrant it.” The little society was evidently proceeding with caution and intelligence, not rashly incurring obligations without the prospect of being able to meet them. The honor of the church was sacred to them as it has always been to their successors. The first recorded subscription to the church building fund was made by Edmund Hoole, Secretary of the Board —+( 24 je Threescore and Ten of Trustees, the amount being one hundred dollars; and among the other early subscriptions was one hundred dollars by the Ladies’ Aid Society, which shows that there must have been an organization of the ladies from the very beginning of the enterprise. The Rev. Daniel De Vinneand Dr. Covert wereappointed a collecting committee. As this is the last reference to Dan- iel De Vinne in the old church records, and as a new pastor was appointed the following spring, we are fortunate to be in possession of the autobiography of Daniel De Vinne by the courtesy of his daughter, Frances, from which we quote. Daniel De Vinne states he very reluctantly agreed to write this autobiography and only at the urgent solicita- tion of his friends. He was very fond of keeping statistics and it is to our satisfaction and advantage that it was so. Daniel De Vinne writes: “During the forty years of my efficient ministry I was appointed to twenty-four circuits and stations on which I traveled not in cars or on steam boats, but on horseback orin very humblecarriages about 61,678 miles, and preached 8,440 sermons. After making due allowance for my col- leagues, I received about 3,756 probationers, most of whom had been of the world, mere outsiders, and originated and aided in the erection of thirteen new churches. “T have read the Greek Testament through forty-one times. In these years I received as salary $9,780—in money and in donations, goods and provisions as estimated $3,320 more—making a total of about $13,100 an average of $327 a year, the ordinary wages of a common laborer in cheap times. I am forced to say, ‘Lord, forgive my delinquencies for I might have done more, and what I have done I might —+( 25 )- Pastors 1 Daniet De VinNE 2 Wixuram H. Bancs 3 Smitu H. Pratr 4 Seneca Howtanpd 5 Mires N. O_mstEap 6 Wit.1am H. Boote 7 SAMUEL A. SEAMAN —+( 26 ye Pastors 8 Seymour Lanpon g Isaac E. Smitu 10 CHARLES KELSEY 11 James M. Carro_i 12 Joun Dickinson 13 Arvine C, BowpisH 14 Moses L. ScupDER —( oF) )a- Threescore and Ten have done better!’ If I had another life to live over again I had rather it should be that of a Methodist preacher than that of the President of this great Republic.” Daniel De Vinne died in 1883 at the advanced age of ninety years. His son, Daniel, and daughter, Frances, are the only survivors of a family of eight children. At the fifth annual session of the New York East Con- ference, held May 18 to 31, 1853, in Allen Street Church, New York City, Rev. William H. Bangs was appointed by Bishop Simpson to Eastchester, Mount Vernon Mis- sion, Westchester, and West Farms, succeeding Daniel De Vinne; and with him to assist in the work of the circuit was also appointed William Porteus, who joined the Conference that same year. At that same Conference Eastchester, West Farms, and Mount Vernon were reported as having 173 members, 18 probationers, and 306 Sunday School scholars. The trustees had realized they had made an unwise selec- tion of a plot for a church edifice in the Ninth Avenue lot, so did nothing toward erecting a building upon it, but di- rected their attention to finding a more suitable location. After carefully considering lot 749, situated on the south- west corner of Eighth Avenue and Second Street, they pur- chased the same from Martin Pundt, July 7, 1853, for the sum of $300, the prevailing price in those days for corner lots. The size of the lot was 100 x 105 feet. As an illustration of the rise in values in Mount Vernon real estate since those early days, compare this price with the recent purchase of a similar sized plot on the corner opposite for the Parish House for ten thousand dollars. The trustees had made what was considered a very wise choice for the location of the church. It was at a point very —+( 23) Threescore and Ten nearly the geographical center, east and west, of the orig- inal Village of Mount Vernon, and when West Mount Ver- non and Central Mount Vernon were added to the village, the latter in 1878, it was about in the center, north and south, of the three combined territories. It was beautiful for situation, at the crest of a rise of ground where any building, especially a church, would attract wide attention. Like the ancient Jewish people, the Methodists could say, “Let us go up unto the house of the Lord.” The constitution of the Industrial Home Association, so far as reference was made to land monopoly and the influ- ence of capital, appears to have been forgotten after the disbanding of the Association, as several parties of ample means and exercising good foresight, notably Gerd Martens and Marx Wintjen, bought up many contiguous lots and erected fine dwellings, having large gardens and lawns. The former was on Second Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, occupying the whole block front, and the latter on Ninth Avenue, between First and Second Streets, ex- tending through to Eighth Avenue. These places added much to the attractiveness of the locality in the immediate vicinity of the church, and for many years were considered show places. There were no restrictions as to the character of build- ings in the original deeds, as Mount Vernon was designed to be a “City of Happy Homes,” and was so called. The future invasion of apartment houses and factories was not even considered possible. Excellent houses were built in all sections, notably on First Avenue, Second Avenue, Third and Fourth Avenues in the vicinity of Trinity Church, on Second Street, and also on Ninth Avenue. —+( 29 + Threescore and Ten Plans had already been prepared for the church building, and the corner stone was laid with great rejoicing on the national holiday, July 4, 1853, Rev. Dr. John Kennaday officiating at the historical ceremony with the pastor, Rev. William H. Bangs. It will be noted that this date was three days in advance of taking title to the property, so eager and enthusiastic were they to have the work started. On January 13, 1854, it having been discovered that the church had not been properly incorporated, it was voted to take the necessary legal steps for that purpose, fifteen days previous notice having been given at the place where divine worship had been continuously held for one year previous, namely, in the room over William Wisdom’s car- penter shop on Third Avenue. Rev. William H. Bangs, the Pastor, presided at this meeting, and Edmund Hoole was Secretary. The following resolution was passed: “Resolved, that we proceed to elect five trustees for the purpose of incorporat- ing our church.” William Miller and George C. Burst were appointed tellers. On ballot the following were elected trustees after which lots were drawn for the term of office: John G. Satterley, one year; James Howland, two years; James D. Ackerman, two years; Edmund Hoole, one year; William Hays, three years. A certificate of incorporation was made out and duly signed by William Miller and George C. Burst, as tellers, in the presence of Joseph Clark, on January 21, and said certificate of incorporation was recorded at White Plains on March 6, 1854. The session of the New York East Conference for 1854 was held in Washington Street Church, Brooklyn, May 17 to 27; Bishop Ames presided. Among the appointments ah a6 ja Threescore and Ten we find this one to Eastchester, Mount Vernon Mission, Westchester, West Farms, and Olinville: William H. Bangs, S. H. Platt, William Porteus. S. H. Platt was the son-in-law of William H. Bangs. The report showed for Eastchester and Mount Vernon g6 members, 21 probationers; and for Westchester, West Farms, and Olinville 96 members and 24 probationers— almost fifty-fifty. Three ministers there were to look after 192 members and 45 probationers, but they had long dis- tances to travel to visit them in their homes, as the settle- ments were some miles apart. After the laying of the corner stone in 1853 it was slow and difficult work collecting money for the church building, but the basement was finished so it could be used, and wor- ship-was begun there on February 8, 1854, which was a red letter day in the annals of the church, and one of great joy and gladness among the people. Appropriate services were conducted by the pastor, William H. Bangs, and Dr. J. B. Wakeley, who preached with great eloquence. The Lord graciously blessed the labors of the pastor and his little band of workers, for a great revival broke out just after the opening of the basement rooms and continued for many weeks. Some of the most reliable and useful mem- bers of the church in after years were converted at that time. Up to this time, February 8, 1854, the society had been meeting over the carpenter shop in Third Avenue. The work of building the church had been undertaken by Charles E. Raymond, one of the trustees. The same year a shed for carriages was erected in the rear of the church to accomodate many members who drove long distances to attend the services, some of whom carried their lunches with them. The pastor worked hard and col- (31) Threescore and Ten lected considerable sums and was successful in having the building enclosed, galleries put in, and the walls plastered; but the work was stopped for lack of funds and the build- ing remained many months in an incomplete state. Rev. William H. Bangs appears to have been a man of deep convictions and consecration. From a letter of his written to Smith H. Platt we are permitted by Dr. Belle P. White, daughter of the latter, to quote the following extract. “T have always thought that a poor backslidden, dried- up preacher with no juice in his own heart will not be very juicy among the people. He will dry up the whole church.” Rev. William H. Bangs was forty-three years in the ministry. He died October 5, 1880, at the age of seventy- four years. Rev. Smith H. Platt served sixty-two years in the minis- try and died October 30, 1912, at the age of eighty-three years; so he was a young man of twenty-five when on our circuit in 1854. Rev. William Porteus remained in the Conference only five years. At the conference session at Danbury, May 16 to 23, 1855, Bishop Simpson presiding, Mount Vernon and Olin- ville Mission were linked together and Rev. Seneca How- land was appointed to the two charges. The church building operation dragged along, money being very hard to raise in those days, so near the panic of 1857. Seneca Howland worked very hard at the task of having the church finished and collected considerable amounts for the times. As an illustration of the condition of the church treasury in that year, the following action of the trustees is stated here. At a meeting held by them, eC 32 Threescore and Ten September 1, 1855, they passed the following resolution: “Resolved, that Preacher Seneca Howland be allowed to buy a commutation ticket on the New York and New Haven Railroad between Mount Vernon and New York for one year from the first money collected by him.” The Ladies’ Aid Society came to the help of the trustees by holding a church fair, and surprised not only the trust- ees but themselves with the financial results of the enter- prise; and at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees, held at the house of James Howland on South Second Avenue, January 26, 1856, they presented the trustees with a check for two hundred dollars. In a letter accom- panying the check they state: “We were prospered beyond our most sanguine expectations, many thanks are due you [trustees] for the assistance you gave us, but most of all do we feel grateful to the Giver of all good in the upbuilding of Whose cause we are mutually engaged, and Whose bless- ing we have reason to believe we sought not in vain.” Signed, Mrs. Elizabeth Watkins, Elizabeth S. Howland, Elizabeth Latham, Committee; Susan G. Billings, Secre- tary. This gracious spirit of co-operation and helpfulness which animated these devoted women of the olden time has been characteristic of their worthy successors through- out the years, and neither pastor, nor official boards have ever appealed in vain for the assistance of the loyal women of the Ladies’ Aid Society. Rev. Seneca Howland had the great joy and satisfaction of seeing the church completed during his pastorate, and the dedication took place April 20,1856. Rev. James Floy, D. D., preached in the morning and took charge of the services throughout the day. Rev. J. B. Hagany of Yonkers —+( 33 je Threescore and 'Ten preached in the afternoon, and Rev. L. W. Peck of New- burg in the evening. The building cost about $5,000 and was considered a fine example of Colonial architecture. On May 3 following, the trustees engaged James Dem- erest as sexton, for one year dating back to May 1, at a salary of $100 for the year, payable $40 for the first six months and $60 for the last six when there would be a fire to take care of, snow shoveling, and other extra work. Wil- liam Holdredge had taken charge of the church previous to this while the services were held in the basement. At the next Conference session held at Bridgeport, Conn., June 18 to 25, 1856, Bishop Scott presiding, Mount Vernon and Olinville Mission were again linked together and Rev. Samuel W. Smith was appointed pastor. Seneca Howland’s report to this session of the Conference stated the member- ship for the two charges, Mount Vernon and Olinville Mission: full members 80, probationers 20. This is the first report apart from Eastchester. Seneca Howland remained in the Conference until 1885 when he was located. He passed away January 12, 1906, at the age of eighty-six years. His daughter, Agnes Howland, writes among other things about her father, ‘““He suffered a stroke of paralysis from which he never recovered. . . The many tributes of respect and affection shown during the sixteen weeks intervening until the time of his death would bear witness to his kindly Christian character.” His successor, Rev. Samuel W. Smith, served the church with great love and devotion during the Conference years, 1856 to 1858, and greatly endeared himself to the people. At the close of the first year he reported for the two charges, Mount Vernon and Olinville Mission, 80 members and 7 probationers. —( 34 ja Threescore and Ten In March, 1857, the panic year, the financial needs of the trustees were so great they resolved to mortgage the church property for $600, and authorized an advertise- ment in the Christian Advocate for the purpose of securing the loan. Either the drawing power of Christian Advocate advertisements in those early days was negligible or the Methodists with money to loan did not consider the secu- rity of the little village church attractive, for it is recorded in the trustees’ minutes that there was no reply to the advertisement. The loan was finally secured through the efforts of one of the ladies, Mrs. Elizabeth Howland, from Benjamin R. Phillips of New York, at the rate of 7%. A Church Auditorium, Centennial Year 1876. Sah Threescore and Ten loan of $750 had also been secured from the New York East Conference. Samuel W. Smith was reappointed to the charge at the Annual Conference, April 15 to 23, 1857. During this Con- ference year there was quite a large increase in the number of probationers, from 7 to 40, probably the result of evan- gelistic services conducted by the pastor. It was the custom of the society in these early days to hold extra services in January generally beginning with a rousing watch night service and this custom has prevailed throughout the years. A very severe bereavement was experienced by the church toward the end of the Conference year in the pass- ing away of their beloved pastor, Samuel W. Smith, who died March 16, 1858, in the house opposite the church on the lot purchased for our Parish House. William Miller, father of our Mrs. Charles W. Hick, being a trustee of the church and a local preacher, was present as he breathed his last. Turning toward Brother Miller just before the end he said: ““This is a wonderful day; heaven and earth have come very near together. Jesus is very, very precious; He is my Saviour.” In this state of mind he fell asleep in Jesus. He was only forty-six years old, but had spent twenty-four of them in the ministry. The church society, to show their love and appreciation of his fine Christian character and of his devotion to his work, placed a marble tablet to his memory on the wall of the church at the side of the pulpit. When the old church was removed to give place to a new one it was preserved and placed in the Ninth Avenue vestibule of the new church. Rev. Samuel W. Smith was born and converted in Eng- —+( 36 )- Threescore and Ten land. At the age of nineteen he began to preach and in 1834 joined the itinerant ministry. As a man and Christian he was most loved by those who knew him best. As a preacher he was instructive and edifying and did not hesitate to reprove where circumstances warranted. In March, 1858, it was decided on account of the insuf- ficient light furnished by the present central fixtures to procure eight additional side lights and also to test the economy and quality of the coal oil lately in use. Phosgen bought from Phillip Lucas was the illuminant used up to this time. It was stated that the cost of lighting the Church during the past year had been fifty dollars. At the Conference session held at Cherry Street, New York, April 14to23, 1858, Mount Vernon was considered as a separate appointment for the first time, but no assign- ment of a pastor was made, Bishop Baker stating “To be supplied.” After the close of the session Miles N. Olmstead was appointed to the charge. The report of membership for Mount Vernon and Olinville Mission at this Conference was, members 88, probationers 40; total 128. We have no way of ascertaining how many of these belonged to the Mount Vernon Society. It would be interesting to have a complete roster of the charter members of the society, but no record has been preserved. However, it has been possible to make up a par- tial list of family names of the very early days, many of which are still represented in the church membership: Watkins, Satterley, Howland, Howe, Bayles, Miller, Hoole, Burst, Hick, Ackerman, Lockwood, Hallock, Weiss, Vre- denburg, Raymond, Lawrence, Oakley, Latham, Demer- est, Tomlinson, Valentine, Clark, Rich, Bertine, Hays, Disbrow, Straub, Brewster, Holdredge, Cole, Higgs, Far- =n 37> e Threescore and'Ten rington, Billings, Porter, Bard, Maguire, Toumine, Stil- well, and Stubbings.* The funds in the church treasury ran low again; and the trustees, having in remembrance the good work of the dependable women on a former occasion, passed a resolu- tion at their meeting held December 6, 1858, requesting the women to hold a fair to raise the money necessary to pay for painting the church. The amount required was $175. It is needless to say the request was complied with and the fair was a great success. The people were very jealous of the use of the church, especially when requested for outside events, and the calls for such purposes came so frequently that the Board of Trustees passed a resolution to this effect March 6, 1859: “The church shall not be opened for any affair outside the regular church services without the consent of the Board.” Later this authority was delegated to a committee, of which the pastor was a member. The church pews were hard, being without cushions, and on March 28, 1859, Anthony Bayles, one of the trustees, offered to supply the materials, provided the ladies would make up the cushions. His generous proposal was gladly accepted and the women immediately got busy, to the great satisfaction and comfort of the congregation. Brother Bayles also made at his own expense and put on the pew backs the book-racks. At the session of the Conference held at New Haven, *The compiler of this history has made use of every reasonable means to secure these old family names. His efforts have included scanning early church records, interviewing elderly people and mem- bers of old families, and advertising for such information in the Church Weekly Bulletin. Any disappointment by a family over- looked will be equally shared by him. = 38 a= Threescore and Ten Conn., April 13 to 20, 1859, Bishop Janes reappointed Rev. Miles N. Olmstead to the Mount Vernon charge, and at this session the following first separate report of the church was made by him for the Conference year just closed: Full members 116, probationers 20, total 136. It is of interest to note that this was eight greater than the combined membership of Mount Vernon and Olinville as reported the previous year. Value of church property $5,000. Mis- sionary Collection $72. Conference Claimants $20. Surely the young church was progressing well, standing entirely by itself. Sociability was not neglected in the early days, but fairs, dinners, lectures, and other forms of entertainment were frequently indulged in, and made a source of profit, espe- cially by the Ladies’ Aid Society. In the winter of 1860 there was a course of very interesting lectures given, as follows: Rev. W.H. Milburn,the blind chaplain of the United States Senate, “What a Blind Man Saw in England;” Professor H. Mattison, “‘Social Reforms and Re- formers; William C. Prime, “Graves in the Holy Land;” Rev.W. E. Ellison, “Switzerland.” At a little later date P.T. Barnum lectured at the church, his topic being “Humbugs.” Susan B. Anthony also lectured on her favorite subject of “Woman’s Rights.” Good music has always been consid- ered an essential feature of the church services. There has been a choir since the dedication of the old church. In the early days they had no pipe organ, but a melodeon, the player being Emmie Miller, known to ==(39))— Emmie MILLER Threescore and Ten us in later years as Mrs. Charles W. Hick. Among other musicians Jonathan Bayles performed on the bass viol and Stephen Vredenberg drew music from his violin, and also acted as choir master, as also did Charles E. Raymond some of the years. An elderly member vouches for this story: Rev. Heman Bangs was conducting the services one Sunday morning and after announcing a hymn looked up into the choir loft in front of him and, noticing the stringed instruments, remarked, “We will now sing and fiddle to the praise of God.” Miles N. Olmstead died July 26, 1885, having served forty years in the ministry. He had an active mind and a ready pen. His pastorate at First Church was always to him one of the bright spots in his ministry, and in later years when he was superannuated he returned to Mount Vernon and lived on the corner of First Avenue and First Street where his death occurred very suddenly. At the Conference session of 1860, Rev. William H. Boole was appointed to this charge and again in 1861. At the end of his first year he reported, full members 129, probationers 25; and at the end of the second year Samuel A. Seaman, the supply, reported full members 149, pro- bationers 3. These were the early days of the Civil War and patriotic sermons and addresses were delivered in all the churches to large and enthusiastic audiences. Pastor Boole was a good orator and intensely loyal. He offered his services to Pres- ident Lincoln as an army chaplain and was commissioned chaplainofthe74th New York Infantry Volunteers, October 15, 1861; was mustered into service on the same date at Good Hope, D. C., for three years, and was honorably dis- —+( 40) Threescore and Ten charged from the service, having tendered his resignation, March 21, 1862. Rev. Samuel A. Seaman was recommended by the Pre- siding Elder and accepted as a supply until the following session of Conference at a salary of $50 per month. There were stirring scenes in Mount Vernon throughout the war times. The Methodist boys as well as others re- sponded to their country’s call for volunteers. It was a fre- quent scene to see soldiers marching through the streets and Mount Vernon was a lively place, according to Rev. Alexander McAllister, pastor at Eastchester at this time. William H. Boole had been preaching only six years pre- vious to his appointment to Mount Vernon. Both he and Mrs. Boole became very prominent as workers in the cause of Temperance in later years. He lived to be sixty-nine years of age, forty-two of which were spent in the ministry. His death occurred February 24, 1896. Rev. Samuel A. Seaman was regularly appointed pastor at the Conference session of 1862. This pastorate ended in 1863. His report of membership was: full members 146, and probationers 6, the total being 152, the same as for pre- vious Conference year. He was a devoted lover of books and possessed a mind essentially accurate. He was an anti- quarian and historian and wrote “‘Annals of New York Methodism.” He was sound on the doctrines of the Church he loved and while pastor of First Church removed from office one of the class leaders who held and promulgated unorthodox beliefs. He completed fifty-four years in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a long and faithful service, and on October 23, 1896, entered into rest at the age of seventy-eight years. In the Quarterly Confer- ence Minutes of these years the Love Feast, that spiritual + (41) Threescore and Ten service peculiar to Methodism, is mentioned as being held quarterly. At the Conference in 1863 Seymour Landon became pastor of this charge and was returned in 1864. There was very little change in the membership during these two years, the number hovering a little under the 150 mark. Mount Vernon was still a small community although the population had increased to 2,500 in 1863 from 1,370 in 1853. A very important event which transpired during the pastorate of Seymour Landon was the purchase of the first church parsonage. A special meeting of the trustees was held August 16, 1863, with reference to securing a parsonage. The president, Edmund Hoole, reported that there was an opportunity now offered to buy the house and lots of Mrs. Ebling, ad- joining the church property, for $2,000. This being deemed a desirable place for a parsonage, a committee was ap- pointed to examine the property, with authority to pur- chase the same and arrange for payment. The property was I00 feet front by 210 in depth, extending from Ninth Avenue to Eighth Avenue, the residence being located on the Ninth Avenue lot. The purchase was made by deed dated October 1, 1863; and to raise the money to pay for the same, also to pay off a mortgage to the New York East Conference of $750, and the loan of $600 to Benjamin R. Phillips, a mortgage of three thousand dollars was secured from the Purdy Estate on all the church property, includ- ing the recent purchase. The church society now owned, including this purchase, a plot 105 feet front on Second Street, 200 feet on Eighth Avenue, extending 210 feet through to Ninth Avenue, with a frontage of 100 feet on Ninth Avenue. The land with the +*( 42 Threescore and Ten church building and parsonage had cost about $7,000 estimating the cost of church edifice at $5,000, the exact cost not being ascertainable. Seymour Landon died on July 29, 1880, at the advanced age of eighty-two years, of which sixty-two were devoted to the Christian ministry. A wonderful record of service for the Master. He was the father of Rev. Thomas H. Lan- don of the New Jersey and Newark Conferences and grandfather of Colonel Thomas D. Landon, Principal and Commandant of Bordentown Military Institute, Borden- town, New Jersey. Rev. Isaac E. Smith was appointed to the Mount Vernon Church in 1865 and again in 1866. During his first year he increased the number of probationers to 52 and brought the total membership of the church within four of 200. A greater interest was also manifest in missions, the collec- tion for that cause being advanced from $206.52 to $370 for the first year and $307.50 for the second. In later years Brother Smith retired from the ministry and settled in Mount Vernon. He was always at the call of the pastors of the church, preaching and performing other ministerial service. During this pastorate, William Miller passed away February 6, 1867, in his fifty-ninth year. He was one of the charter members of the society and a faithful official. He was born in Bedford and was connected with the New York Conference as a local preacher. He sometimes preached in the Watkins home in the absence of Daniel De Vinne. He was the husband of Mother Miller and father of our Mrs. Charles W. Hick. He was also a very useful man in the community. In the very early years there does not appear to have —+( 43 Threescore and'Ten been any regular system in the financial affairs of the church but at a meeting of the trustees and stewards, held May 15, 1865, very early in the pastorate of Isaac E. Smith, the following budget was adopted: Pastor’s salary, $800; presiding elder, $30; sexton, $99; heating, $100; lighting, $50; supplies, repairs, and cleaning, $30; interest on mortgage, $3,000 at 7%, $210; taxes and arrears, $60; total, $1,379. Basket collections (estimated), $250; bal- ance to be raised by subscriptions, $1,129. Compare this with budget for present Conference year—$22,402, begin- ning with pastor’s salary, $8,000, as against $800. The plan pursued for the support of the church in the early days was the voluntary offerings of the people, supplemented by basket (or plate) collections, the same as of late years. Isaac E. Smith died in Mount Vernon April 12, 1910, age seventy-three years. He served forty-five years in the ministry. Rev. Charles Kelsey was appointed pastor at the Con- ference session of 1867, and was the first to serve for three years. He was also the first to bring the membership up over the 200 mark. The report to Conference in 1868 stated full members 185, probationers 40, total 225; in 1869 full members 200, probationers 5, total 205; in 1870 full mem- bers 220, probationers 6, total 226. The missionary collec- tions for the three years aggregated over $1,000. Brother Kelsey also spent his late years in Mount Ver- non. He lived to be seventy-four years of age, his death occurring July 26, 1885. He served forty years in the minis- try. His widow was active in the church work until her death and was greatly honored and beloved. As the population of Mount Vernon for 1870, that being the first Federal Census in which figures for Mount Vernon tt ag Threescore and Ten appear, was 2,600, it will be seen from above that over 84% of the inhabitants were members of the First Meth- odist Church. By this time there were churches of most of the leading denominations in flourishing condition and Mount Vernon was rightly considered then and has been ever since, a church-going community. Rev. James M. Carroll was appointed in 1870 and also served the church three successive years. His first report to the Conference showed: members 183, probationers 20, . total 203; Second year, members 194, probationers 19, total 213; missionary collections for the three years $736. 20, showing a considerable falling off, which occurred in the last year. Rev. James Monroe Carroll was one of the older minis- ters in the New York East Conference at the time of his passing away December 5, 1901, at the age of seventy-three years. During his pastoral labors of forty-five years he had served twenty churches. He retired from active ministerial work in 1896. Although ill for two weeks, he was able to be up every day and sit at the table with his family. On the evening before his passing away he sat at the supper table, conducted family worship, and at 2 a.m. was “absent from the body but present with the Lord.” Rev. John Dickinson served the church for three years from 1873 to 1876. There was very little change of mem- bership during his pastorate, his last report stating 223 members and io probationers, total 233. His last mission- ary collection was $240, a falling off; but they were panic times again. In 1883 he was forced through ill health to superannuate. In 1884 he made a scientific journey in the Bahamas and other West Indian islands; for, although deprived of a + (45 Threescore and Ten regular school and college education, he was intellectually possessed of marvelous activity of mind and in 1885 be- came Professor of Geology in the Lawrence University in Wisconsin, and from 1886 to 1889 was Professor of Math- ematics and Natural Science in the University of Southern California. He died in Los Angeles, February 1, 1899, at the age of sixty-four years, of which thirty-nine were spent in the ministry. He endeared himself to many families of First Church by his genial, kind, sympathetic nature. Rev. Arvine C. Bowdish was also a three-year man, being appointed to this charge in 1876, his pastorate extending until 1879. He built the Sunday school up from 165 schol- ars to 320, and the church membership from 223 members and Io probationers, total 233, to 252 members and pro- bationers 35, total 287, in his second year. But there was an unaccountable slump in this third year to 162 members and Io probationers, a total of only 172. The missionary collection also fell off from $222 the second year to $141 the third. During this pastorate the church suffered the loss of another prominent official and early member, Anthony Bayles, who passed away February 14, 1879, having served the church twenty-four years as trustee, during the last nine of which he was president of the Board. He was a very useful and strong official. His widow survived him over twenty-nine years and was active in the work of the Ladies’ Aid Society. His son, Charles B., is a member of the present Official Board. A memorial window in the church is a con- stant reminder of the devotion and service of Anthony Bayles.and Mrs. Bayles. Arvine C. Bowdish died at the age of sixty-seven, on November 29, 1899, and was forty-four years in the minis- —+( 46 )- Threescore and'Ten First Parsonage owned by the Society, No. 115 South Ninth Avenue It was a two-story house in those days try. He was the son of a Methodist preacher and was one of five brothers who became ministers. What a wonderful family history! He was chaplain in the Civil War, and in the Army of the Potomac faithfully performed his duty, and was especially helpful amid the horrors of Chancellors- ville. Moses L. Scudder came to this charge by appointment in 1879 and served three years to 1882. He succeeded in restoring the membership to 263 members and § proba- tioners, total 268, a gain of 96. The Sunday school was also built up to 430 scholars during this pastorate. We find another budget adopted May 12, 1879, during this pastor- ate: Pastor’s salary, $1,000; presiding elder’s, $47; bishop’s apportionment, $16; moving expense, $43; interest mort- gage, $3,000 at 6%, $180; heating and lighting, $125; sexton, $200; taxes, $30; music, $112; repairs and supplies, $100; incidental expenses, $122; Sunday School, $50; total, Se a7 = Threescore and 'Ten $2,025. No estimate of plate collections. Pastor’s salary $200 more than in previously mentioned budget, and sexton’s doubled during same period. Moses L. Scudder died June 7, 1891, at the age of seventy-seven years, hav- ing served fifty-four of them in the ministry of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. In 1880 the Federal Census gave the population of Mount Vernon as 4,586, a gain of 1,986 in Io years. One of the older officials of the church is responsible for the authenticity of the following interesting incident. It ap- pears that in the early days one of the brethren who was very fond of fishing frequently went down to City Island for that purpose. It was his custom to select the time for indulging in his favorite sport by the weather rather than by the calendar, and it would often happen that the weather conditions on Sunday were best suited for the purpose. Women of Faith and Works Numbers read from left to right 1 Mrs. Georce D. Rockwet, 2 Mrs. Cuartes Kersey 3 Mrs. ANTHONY BayYLes 4 Mrs. Isaac E. Smit 5 Mrs. Joun G.Satrertey 6 Mrs. Georce CARROLL 7 Mrs. Jonatuan P. Hick 8 Mrs. Witt1am Howe +( 48) Threescore and Ten Bright and early one Monday morning he called at the parsonage with a fine basket of fish which he had caught the previous day. The pastor (name not mentioned) re- marked: “It is very early in the morning, brother, for you to have caught these fish today. I am inclined to believe you got them yesterday.” The brother had to confess the pastor was right in his surmise. The pastor then remarked: “T am afraid, brother, under the circumstances I cannot accept them.” “‘All right,” said the brother, taking up his basket of fish and starting to leave, “I can find some one who will be glad to get them.” “Hold on,” replied the pastor, “you may leave them; it was not the fishes’ fault.” oe (49 7 Pastors 1 Ropert Croox 2 Cuartes S. Wine 3 IcHazBop Simmons 4 Lewis R. STREETER 5 Cuarzes M. Girrin 6 Georce P. Mains 7 Henry A. BucuTe. 8 GeorcE C, Peck —( 50 ) GO0080908 CHAPTER FOUR The official connection of the writer of this history with the First Church began in 1884 during the pastorate of Dr. Crook, consequently much of the narrative from this time deals with persons and events with which he was associated, and he states his personal experiences and reflections. The frequent occurrence of the personal pronoun “we’’ in the following pages will be understood. The pastorate of Dr. Robert Crook, 1882 to 1885, marked the beginning of much greater things for the church and a broader vision of the opportunities and needs of the hour. This robust Irish preacher, like our present pastor, was a marvel of activity, seeming to be here, there, and every- where at the same time. He also possessed that happy and essential requisite in a successful minister, wise leadership. When Dr. Crook asked us to do any special work for the church we considered the request a command which must be obeyed, however ill-fitted we might consider ourselves for the task. Our leader, however, had rare judgment of human na- ture and of the ability and capacity of his brethren, and the tasks assigned were performed creditably and for the best good of the church. He was also a great organizer, not only of the men, but also of the women, and he had a very efficient corps of the latter assigned to work in each neigh- borhood, whose duty it was to make the-acquaintance of the newcomers and report the names to him, when he would follow up the work with a personal call and an invi- —( SI je Threescore and Ten tation to the church services. Dr. Crook did not believe in nor practice, proselyting, but he was very persistent with Methodist families and others not affiliated with any other denomination, and he would faithfully go after those who did not respond to the first invitation. Methodists who did not attend the church would have to give the Doctor a good excuse for not doing so. These were the days when many new families were coming to Mount Vernon, although the avenues were un- paved and there were no sewers. Young married couples who desired to rear their children in a more free and healthy atmosphere than New York City afforded came here in goodly numbers, as it was a short and pleasant ride for commuters on the two railroads serving the village. The Methodists got their share of the new people, as their’s was always a popular church. Dr. Crook was a good scholar and earnest preacher, and had a quaint and con- vincing way of presenting the truth. He was sound on the fundamentals, and while he preached the love of God he did not mince matters in exposing sin and declaring the necessity of repentance and the new birth. Crowded audiences listened to his appeals until it became a difficult matter to take care of the people in the old church, even with the aisles filled with chairs. It was evi- dent the time was at hand for the erection of a larger and more convenient church, and Dr. Crook entered upon this work with all the boundless energy of his nature, going from home to home talking up the project and soliciting subscriptions. During this pastorate the church suffered the loss of three of its most valued laymen, Brothers William Howe, James Howland and John G. Satterley, also Elizabeth Watkins. . eC 52 ae Threescore and Ten William Howe passed away suddenly on September 22, 1882, as the result of a railroad disaster. He was a man who endeared himself to all by his very kindly manner and in all his association with others in the activities of the church. He had a pleasant way of doing things which gained for him leadership. At various times he held all the most important offices in the church, and always with the greatest fidelity and enthusiasm. As a Sunday-school superintendent he found his way into the hearts of the scholars and his associates, and as class-leader, steward and trustee he showed himself very wise and prudent and a safe counsellor. He was a member of the Board of Trustees for sixteen years, where his in- fluence for the welfare and success of the church was very marked. The esteem in which his brethren of the Board held him and their appreciation of their loss in his sudden removal from their midst were beautifully expressed in suitable resolutions adopted by the trustees and signed by the secretary, James Howland, one of his associates during the whole time of his service. Dr. Crook preached a memo- rial sermon Sunday evening, October 1, 1882. On January 3, 1883, J. Frank Hull was elected to serve the balance of Brother Howe’s unexpired term. Brother Howe lived his religion at home as well as at church and left us not only the memory and record of a consistent Christian official, but also a family to be in- creasingly useful and devoted to the cause he so dearly loved. His widow survived him for years and was very active in all the work of the Ladies’ Aid and other women’s societies as long as her health would permit. The self- sacrificing and untiring activities in the church life of his two sons, Benjamin and William, are still fresh in our (53 Threescore and Ten memories and will be dwelt upon at greater length later in this history. His daughter Caroline is still with us and has always emulated the beautiful spirit of her father and mother in various branches of church work. William D. Howe is still represented in our Official Board by his son, Kenneth, who is following in the footsteps of his godly father and grand- father. John G.Satterley, a member of the first Board ofTrustees and the first treasurer of the church and very active in the early years, passed away November 23, 1882, in his sixty- third year, two months after William Howe. His widow survived him nearly thirty-eight years. His daughter, Mrs. Daniel M. De Witt, is still with us. Elizabeth Watkins, at whose home the first preaching services were held, passed away October 27, 1883, in her seventy-ninth year. Her pastor, Dr. Crook, said of her in reporting the sad event: “Death has removed from our fellowship Mrs. Elizabeth Watkins, advanced in years, possessed of a ripe Christian experience and a genuine friend of the poor, and a liberal supporter of every good work. She has left a vacancy which cannot soon be filled.” In the passing away of James Howland, which occurred in the winter of 1884, the church met with an almost irre- parable loss, for Brother Howland had served the church in an official capacity longer than any other member and was honored and loved by all. He performed the duties of secretary of the Board of Trustees for twenty-eight years, keeping the records in a faultless manner. It is a great pleasure to read them now, after all these years, the writing is so distinct and well-preserved. He also greatly endeared himself to the people as a class leader, and his spiritual Women of Blessed Memory 1 ExizapetH Warkins 2 Rueva MILLER 3 Respecca WINFIELD 4 ExvizaBetH HowLanpD 5 Marcaret TICHENOR Threescore and Ten advice was very helpful to the large number who attended his class. The large center memorial window on the Ninth Avenue side of the present church, which he did not live to see, was placed there as a loving tribute to his memory and also to that of Elizabeth Howland, his wife. Remarkably appro- priate resolutions were recorded in the same minute book of the Board of Trustees, in which he had recorded the proceedings of the Board from month to month for so many years. Among many strong and good officials he towered a giant, not physically, but as one who rendered great service to the church and on whom the pastors could lean and depend under any and all circumstances. Elizabeth Howland was also one of the great workers in the church, especially in the Ladies’ Aid Society. Thus has it been through the life of the church: God has taken the workers who, it seemed, could least be spared; and yet the work has gone on, new workers rising to the occasion and filling the vacant places. What a heritage to the church to have the memory of the lives of such men and women as Brother and Sister Howland, and what an inspiration to have the constant reminder of their former presence and labors in the beautiful window to their memory! The daughter, Mrs. Edson Lewis, has been a very de- voted worker in the church for many years until illness confined her to her home. The Ladies’ Aid Society and the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society were the fields of her greatest activities.Since writing theabove,Mrs.Edson Lewis has passed away, her death occurring August 31, 1922. Charles M. Moseman was elected to serve the balance of Brother Howland’s unexpired term as a trustee. —+( 56 )a- Threescore and Ten The building of a new church was seriously considered early in Dr. Crook’s pastorate and a committee of the Joint Board was appointed to present a plan for a new church, also a scheme to finance the operation. This com- mittee consisted of J. F. Hull, William M. Denman, George H. Brown, M. C. Kellogg, Alfred Cooley and Joseph S. Clark. On August 6, 1883, the committee was enlarged by the addition of James Howland, C. D. Jones and Charles E. Raymond. At a meeting held two weeks later upon motion of J. Frank Hull it was decided to canvas the membership of the church and congregation for subscriptions and to begin work when $15,000 was subscribed. The estimated cost of the church was $30,000 and it was contemplated to mort- gage the church for $15,000. The subscriptions were to be paid, one-third when the corner stone was laid, one-third in three months thereafter, and the balance in six months. One week later, on motion of J. Frank Hull it was decided unanimously to erect the church on the site of the old one. On March 26, 1884, the following budget for the new Conference year was adopted: Pastor’s salary, $1,800; presiding elder, $65; bishop’s apportionment, $22; interest on mortgage, $180; heating and lighting, $1 10; sexton, $240; taxes on parsonage, $60; music, $220; repairs, supplies, etc., $250; rent of mission school room, $96; total $3,043. On April 23, 1884, the report of the building committee of the Joint Board was received, and the plan for the new church submitted by them was accepted, subject to certain alterations. Brother George H. Brown offered a motion, which was approved, that we now proceed to adopt meas- ures to secure the building of a new church according to the plans. This action of the Joint Board was unanimously —+( 57 )- Threescore and Ten approved by the trustees at their meeting, held Monday evening, May 5, 1884, all nine trustees being present, also the pastor, Dr. Crook, by invitation. This being an historic occasion, the names of all nine trustees are mentioned: Cyrus D. Jones, Jonathan P. Hick, Matthew Morrison, J. Frank Hull, Minot C. Kellogg, James Howland, George H. Brown, John Zillig and Joseph S. Clark. This meeting was held at the home of C. D. Jones, corner of Second Street and Ninth Avenue, the residence of our present Mayor, Hon. Edwin W. Fiske, notice of same having been given in the church on the Sunday pre- vious. Of these ten men, including the pastor, Dr. Crook, only two, J. Frank Hull and George H. Brown, have sur- vived the intervening thirty-eight years. J. Frank Hull offered a resolution, which was adopted, that a committee of two be appointed to have the present church edifice moved to the vacant lot for temporary use during the erection of the new church. Matthew Morrison and John Zillig were appointed such committee. On mo- tion, George H. Brown, Minot C. Kellogg and C. D. Jones were appointed a building committee. On the motion of J. Frank Hull, the building committee were empowered to procure perfected plans and specifications and bring them before the Board for action. On May 24, 1884, the plans were submitted to theBoard forfinalinspectionandaccepted and the committee was empowered to have working plans prepared with specifications, also a form of contract. An advertisement was authorized in the village papers calling for bids for the old church building. It is interesting to record that the only offer received was to trade the church for a second-hand piano, which offer was of course refused. ‘The hand of God was seen in this, as the sacred +( 58 )- Threescore and'Ten edifice was to be saved for a future Methodist Church Society at Wakefield, where it was subsequently moved to White Plains Avenue near 241st Street, now known as Grace Methodist Episcopal Church. The edificewas a giftof our Society. William H. Bard was the leader in this move- ment, having had charge of the mission in Matilda Street, Wakefield, which was the nucleus of the Grace Church. On August 1, 1884, it was reported that the subscrip- tions to the building fund amounted to $11,000, and on motion of Dr. Crook it was voted that when the subscrip- tion list be increased to $15,000 the building committee award contracts not to exceed $30,000 for the building of the church. On December 19, 1884, it was voted to celebrate in the local church the Centenary of American Methodism on some Sabbath in March, 1885, and to direct the people to make offerings for two objects—first, the endowment fund for the worn-out ministers and widows of deceased minis- ters; second, the building fund of our new church. Ata meeting of the trustees held at the church December 24, 1884, President Jones reported that he had been offered $5,000 for the parsonage on Ninth Avenue, with the proviso that we could have use of the same for the pastor free until April 1, and could also rent it for one year from that date at $300 per year. The offer was accepted, and on January 13, 1885, Presi- dent Jones reported he had sold the parsonage and lot and received a deposit on the same. Report received and action approved, and President Jones and Secretary Joseph S. Clark were ordered to execute a deed of conveyance of the property to Annie A. Smith, the purchaser. There was a mortgage on the property of $3,000, so the net proceeds —+( 59 )- Threescore and'Ten were $2,000. This was to be invested until such time as it was required toward the building of a new parsonage. On January 30, 1885, at a meeting of the Joint Board it was reported that the subscriptions to the Church Building Fund amounted to $12,685.50. On motion of George H. Brown it was resolved to rescind the resolution of August, 1884, fixing the necessary amount of subscriptions at $15,000 to begin operations and to start as soon as the weather would permit. A special meeting of the Joint Board was held February 4, 1885, to take action with reference to the passing away of Jonathan P. Hick, which occurred February 3, and ap- propriate resolutions were entered on the minutes calling attention to his many years of varied service in the church and Sunday school as steward, trustee and Sunday-school secretary. Heserved twenty-five yearsas trusteeand twenty- two as secretary of the Sunday school. He was another one of the almost indispensable laymen like James Howland and William Howe, who had so lately passed away. It is a very interesting fact that the Hick family, who have been identified with the First Church of Mount Ver- non from its early days and have taken such a prominent part in its growth and development, can trace their history back to the beginning of American Methodism in Old John Street Church, New York; for Jonathan P. Hick always asserted and died in the belief that his great-great-grand- mother, Barbara Hick, was the distinguished woman who stirred up Philip Embury to preach in his own hired house and thus started the preaching services which resulted in the John Street Society, and that she was buried in Trinity Churchyard, New York. This belief is also cher- ished by the surviving members of the Hick family and is —( 60 )+— Threescore and Ten fortified by the statements of Rev. J. B. Wakeley, D.D., in his history published in 1858 under the title “Lost Chapters Recovered from the Early History of American Methodism.” The Hick family have in their possession a pair of brass candlesticks formerly owned by Barbara Hick and which did service in lighting the pulpit in Old John Street Church. They also possess “Love Feast Tickets,” dating from 1769 to 1809, old hymn-books, and a cane made from the old Rigging Loft. Later historians appear to be agreed that there were two distinguished families in Old John Street of similar names, Hick and Heck, and that Barbara Heck was the one who had the honor to be called the Mother of American Methodism and that she died and was buried near Prescott, Ontario, Canada, where a monument was erected and dedicated to her memory July 1, 1909; an account of which appears in the Christian Advocate on July 29, of the same year. We do not presume to express our opinion when such intellectual giants could not agree. Dr. Nathan Bangs very discreetly wrote concerning this incident of early Methodism in America: “The glory of its commencement and continuance may be given to the Triune God, to Whom alone it is due; and let Him honor the instruments whom He employed for its establishment according to their worth.” On March 4, 1885, the budget for the new conference year was adopted, the first year of Charles S. Wing’s pas- torate: Pastor, $1,800; presiding elder, $72; bishop, $28; rent for parsonage $300; heating and lighting, $150; sexton $240; music, $316; repairs, supplies, etc., $300; rent mission school, $96; other expenses mission school, $24; centennial endowment fund, $125; total, $3,451. —+( 61) Threescore and Ten At the fourth Quarterly Conference, held March 11, 1885, the Joint Board of trustees, stewards and leaders was duly organized according to paragraph 106 of the new Discipline. The Centennial of American Methodism service was held in March, 1885, and the teacher of the Primary Class was appointed by Dr. Crook to speak on the topic, “The Future of Methodism.” By permission of the pastor he confined his remarks to local conditions, describing the crowded church services and the inadequate Sunday-school accommodations, and closed by pledging his class to raise $500 for the new church. This was among the earlier public subscriptions. This class of little ones, with the assistance of their teacher and some good friends, not only paid the $500, but a much larger amount toward the building fund. It was not permitted Dr. Crook to see the construction of the new church started during his pastorate, but he worked hard and faithfully securing subscriptions and en- couraging the brethren. One subscription he received was conditioned upon a baptistry being built under the pulpit platform, and the building committee faithfully fulfilled this pledge and immersions have taken place in the church on several occasions. Dr. Crook closed his pastorate in April, 1885, when his successor, Rev. Charles S. Wing, was appointed at the Conference session. Dr. Crook reported 323 full members, 23 probationers, total membership 346; Sunday school, officers and teachers 55, scholars 477, total 532. Missionary collection, church $275, Sunday school $125, total $400; Conference claimants $153. Dr. Crook passed away in April, 1902. His funeral serv- ices were held in the Chester Hill Church, Mount Vernon, —-( 62 )+— Threescore and Ten and were in charge of Dr. C. J. North, the pastor. Among the pallbearers were six laymen, representing the six churches in our Conference which Dr. Crook had served. Mr. Minot C. Kellogg was selected from our church. Dr. Crook was seventy-three years of age when he died, twenty- eight of which were in the Christian ministry. One of his daughters is a member of our church. Rev. Charles S. Wing came to Mount Vernon, full of zeal and with high expectations of the new church being built early in his administration. He had just closed a very successful pastorate at Bridgeport, Conn. The population of Mount Vernon at this time according to the state census of 1885 was 5,560. Ata meeting of the Joint Board, held April 20, 1885, the building committee reported having secured correct figures for building the church and that it could not be built ac- cording to the plans adopted for the figure set, $30,000, but would cost $34,000. On motion of C. M. Moseman the committee was directed to go on with the building. At a meeting held May 29, 1885, George H. Brown for the building committee reported having awarded contracts for the mason work to Dawson and Archer, and for the carpenter work to Charles E. Raymond, the latter having been the builder of the old church. The mason work was to cost $18,000; the carpenter work $10,394; other contracts being: painting, John Le Page, $600; seating, F. T. Rich, $1,378; heating, Bramhead, Deane & Co., $665; windows $700; metal ceiling, $833; ventilating, $380; gas piping, $175; gas fixtures, $600; total cost of church to be $339725- After some little delay moving the old church, excavat- ing was started, and there was great rejoicing. The corner HL Gs je Threescore and Ten stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies on Tuesday, September 15, 1885. The stone was the gift of Charles Hillemeier, a member of the Board of Stewards. The serv- ices were held in the old church. Bishop John F. Hurst presided and delivered an address. Hon. Oliver Hoyt of Stamford, Conn., and General Clinton B. Fisk of NewYork City, distinguished Methodist laymen, also addressed the gathering. Prayer was offered by the Presiding Elder, Rev. Nathan G. Cheney, and the Scripture lesson was read by the late pastor, Robert Crook. Rev. Charles S. Wing, the pastor, also took partin theservice. Thecollection amounted to $2,000. A copper box with mementoes of the occasion was placed in a space prepared for it in the stone, and the latter was lowered into its place, as the Bishop read the ritual for the occasion. A large concourse of people were present. On April 12, 1886, a contract was authorized with Roosevelt & Son, organ builders, for the $3,200 organ, with the understanding that it was to be finished to the extent of $2,600, and the balance of the stops to be in- stalled for $600 at the option of the church. From the Mount Vernon Chronicle, October 19, 1886, we read: “The dedication of The First Methodist Church took place on Thursday, October 14, 1886. There were two services, one at three, the other at seven-thirty p. m. At the afternoon service Dr. James M. King, of the Park Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, New York, preached a powerful sermon from the text John 8:32, ‘And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ Chap- lain C. C. McCabe was expected to preach, but sickness detained him. Dr. James M. Buckley, editor of The Chris- (64) Threescore and Ten tian Advocate, preached at the evening service, his text being the 122d Psalm, beginning, ‘I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.’ The Doctor was at his best and the service was very spiritual. “The solemn and impressive service of dedication was conducted by Rev. Nathan G. Cheney, the Presiding Elder at the close of the evening service. Mr. David O. First Methodist Episcopal Church when dedicated, October 14, 1886 Williams, a prominent local Baptist layman, presided at the new $2,600 Roosevelt organ. The seating capacity of the church, which had no galleries, was stated as 600, and Threescore and Ten of the chapel, which also was without galleries 400, or 1,000 in all. “The following itemized statement of the cost of the church and furnishings was made public: Mason work, $18,382.95; carpenter, $11,694; painting, $650; roofing $1,587.87; heating plant, $650; glass $800; iron ceilings $835; gas fixtures, $700; ventilation, $240; plumbing $215; tinning $266.50; finials $50; flagging $465; incidentals, plans, etc., $2,179.58; carpet and matting $750; Roosevelt organ $2,600; cushions $1,001; pulpit furniture $210; total $43,276.90. “Of this amount $16,638 has been subscribed previous to dedication day, leaving a balance of $26,638.90 to be provided for. At the afternoon service $12,100 was pledged, and at the evening service the balance was subscribed and something over, so fast did the subscriptions come in at the close.” There was great excitement and gladness and the Dox- ology was sung three times. Among the many large sub- scriptions was one of $500 made at the afternoon meeting by Dr. Colwell, the pastor of the local Baptist Church, in behalf of his church. This subscription aroused much en- thusiasm and greatly encouraged the solicitors to renewed. efforts, as there had been a slowing down in the subscrib- ing. This generous, timely, and Christian action on the part of our Baptist friends was reciprocated by the First Church at a later date, at which time the Methodists not only matched the $500 subscription, dollar for dollar, but added $100 for good measure. This spirit of Christian fellowship has always been very marked between the church societies of Mount Vernon. A public subscription from the citizens of Mount Vernon Threescore and Ten was raised to purchase and place in the church spire a clock with four dials to be known as a village clock. It will be noted that over two years and five months elapsed between the date of the meeting of the Board of Trustees, May 5, 1884, when the resolution to build the church was unanimously adopted, and the occasion of the Dedication, October 14, 1886. We have made mention of the many meetings and reso- lutions adopted before the work was started and as it pro- gressed to demonstrate with what deliberation and caution the officials of the First Church undertake these new enter- prises. It was very much the same with the building of the first church edifice, when several years elapsed between the laying of the corner stone and the completion of the build- ing, and we are now undergoing a similar experience with the parish house. Our officials look far ahead in all these projects realizing they are not only building for the present times, but also for posterity, and endeavor to minimize the chances of making mistakes. As the building of the old church and the new one are now matters of history, so it will be shortly with the parish house project, the plans for which are now in the hands of builders to secure final estimates. With the opening of the new church in 1885 the financial .. plan of support was changed from voluntary offerings to rented pews, as the Official Board considered that method the more dependable to secure the additional revenue re- quired. This plan was continued for seven years, although it was not entirely satisfactory to a large number of the membership. During the time of the erection of the church the build- tL OF Threescore and Ten ers, John Dawson and William Archer, bought for them- selves the plot, corner Second Street and Tenth Avenue, where they built twin houses for their own occupancy, and as they were Methodists, they naturally connected them- selves with the First Church and became members of the Official Board. They were men of vision, earnest and con- secrated Christians, and gave very liberally of their time and money to the support of the church and its work. William Archer at one time became Superintendent of the Sunday school. John Dawson recently passed away. Both of these men were of the company who went from the First Church to organize the Chester Hill Society. Rev. Charles S. Wing had a very successful pastorate. The people who were attracted by the new and convenient church building were held by his earnest and persuasive preaching, and ministry. His sermons abounded in poetry, and he was a past master at painting word pictures. He also possessed a very sweet and melodious voice. He was a very social man and loved to have the members call around at the parsonage after the service. At the fourth Quarterly Conference, held February 14, 1887, Brother Wing reported: “I desire to say to the glory of God that the church has been greatly blessed and many souls saved in the revival services since the new year began, and especially in the last two weeks during which Dr. James Porter has been rendering assistance.” In addition to the laying of the corner stone and the building and dedication of the new church, another great occurrance during this pastorate was the holding of the thirty-ninth annual session of the New York East Confer- ence, which convened in the church April 7 to 13, 1887. This gathering was presided over by Bishop Harris. The —+-( 68 J Threescore and Ten homes of members of all the other evangelical denomina- tions were opened to assist in entertaining the members of the Conference and visitors, and many very pleasant friendships were formed through this Christian hospitality. On Conference Sunday all the pulpits of the evangelical churches of Mount Vernon were occupied by prominent members of the Conference. A short time after the sale of the first parsonage, it was not deemed advisable to continue to rent this house for the minister’s use. Consequently the Official Board leased Mr. Atkinson’s house, No. 15 South Ninth Avenue, for a par- sonage, where Mr. Wing and family resided the balance of their term. At the Conference Session of 1891 Charles S. Wing was appointed presiding elder for our district, so it was our privilege to meet him in our Quarterly Conferences. He passed away January 24, Ig11, at the age of seventy years. Forty-four years of his life were spent in the Christian ministry. He was a gentle, sweet-spirited Christian, loved by everybody. He was succeeded by Rev. Ichabod Simmons in 1888. At that time, according to the previous pastor’s report to the Conference, the membership stood: full members 509, probationers 39, total 548, an increase of 163 during the three years; Sunday-school officers and teachers 88, schol- ars 701, total 789, an increase of 257. Missionary collection, church $517, school $100, total $617; Conference claim- ants $235. These advances in membership and collections were due in a measure to the popularity of the new church. Dr. Simmons was a minister of the same type as Dr. Crook, an earnest preacher gifted in prayer, and filled with the Spirit. He had a small physical frame but a tremendous —+( 69) Threescore and Ten big heart. At times when he preached he seemed to be so absorbed in holy ecstasy he became oblivious of his sur- roundings. He wasa very faithful pastor, responding loyally to the calls of the sick and afflicted, and also visiting sys- tematically in the homes throughout the parish, an impos- sible task for pastors of recent years with the greatly in- creased membership. During his administration the Young People’s Society, of which George M. Jenkins was president, was reorganized into Chapter No. 4049 of the Epworth League, and at the election of officers of the League William S. Anderson was chosen first president of the new organization. To show the spirit and zeal of Dr. Simmons, we quote from his report to the fourth Quarterly Conference, Febru- ary 13, 1889. It will be noted the question of proper amuse- ments was as troublesome in those days as later. Brother Simmons reported: “The year closing has been one of marked spiritual progress. There is higher conscientious- ness on the perplexing questions of worldly entertainment, such as card playing, theatre going and dancing, though not all of the Lord’s saints have yet disentangled them- selves from these fascinating ruts. The religious meetings are increasingly attended and the class meetings have shown a very great advance in numbers and spiritual ex- ercises. “On February 6, Rev. A. B. Earle, D. D., evangelist, commenced a series of meetings under the united auspices of the Reformed, Baptist, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, which were eminently fruitful of universal good. Over 120 souls were converted at the meetings, and many others were again renewed. Over three hundred visited the inquiry room. Some of these were as seed sown by the way- ee Threescore and Ten side. Our church received in number the most. There is goodly harmony in our ecclesiastical machinery, enough friction appearing at times to prove that Christian men can fraternize on differences and make a fragrant bouquet out of different colored flowers.” In the early fall of 1890 the First Church began the erec- tion of a church edifice on the northwest corner of North Street and North Fifth Avenue, on a plot 100 x 150. This they had previously acquired, to provide for the growing needs of the West Mount Vernon Mission, which had been carried on for several years by some of our people in inadequate quarters in the basement of a Lutheran Church on Mount Vernon Avenue. The cost of the church was about $5,000. It was made a separate charge and de- signated the North Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Vernon. At the session of the New York East Conference, April 1 to 7, 1891, Rev. J. H. Bell was appointed pastor and he served three years. The location was considered with a view to the conve- nience of both West and Central Mount Vernon and the westerly portion of Chester Hill, where a number of our people had established their homes. This was in advance of the erection of the Chester Hill Church. The location proved to be inconvenient for all sections it was designed to serve, and after a few years’ effort it was decided to discon- tinue the society. The property was sold and the members were transferred to other churches, many of them return- ing to the old First Church, their former home. The parsonage had been changed from 19 South Ninth Avenue to 56 West Second Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, much nearer the church, and that house was so occupied until the spring of 1897. eC 71 = Threescore and Ten The Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society was also organized during this pastorate by Mrs. Simmons, wife of the pastor, a woman of great faith and consecration, who has within a few months received her coronation. The population of Mount Vernon in 1890 was 10,830 as recorded in the Federal Census. The report made by Rev. Ichabod Simmons to the Con- ference session of 1891 for his last year showed: Church members 575, probationers 7, total 582, an increase in three years of 34; Sunday school, officers and teachers 72, schol- ars 586, total 658; Conference claimants $360; missionary collection, church $1,182, Sunday school $304, total $1,486. On April 14, 1898, Ichabod Simmons, D. D., passed away at the age of sixty-six years, of which he hed spent thirty-eight in various pastorates of the Methodist Church. It was through his ministry that Jacob Riis was converted, that indefatigable worker to improve the living conditions of the poor in New York City. Dr. Simmons was a class- mate at Wesleyan University, and ever after a close friend of Dr. James M. Buckley, editor of The Christian Advo- cate. Rev. Lewis R. Streeter succeeded Rev. Ichabod Simmons, receiving his appointment from Bishop Foss, who presided at the session of the New York East Conference held at Patchogue, L. I., April 1 to 7, 1891. He was a good, sound preacher, his sermons evidencing great care and thought in their preparation. He was very emphatic in his delivery. He was particularly active in the work of the Epworth League and gave the officers of that association very hearty support. In 1893 he was President of the District Epworth League, and the local Chapter 4049 was well represented at conven- (72 4 Threescore and Ten tions and took a leading part in all the work undertaken by the District League during his pastorate. On April 1, 1892, Mount Vernon became a city, with a population of 15,513. Additional populated territory was taken in, which accounted for some of the large increase in population over the 1890 census. Jared Sanford, the president of the former village, served as Mayor until June when Dr. Edward F. Brush, who had been elected Mayor, assumed office. At a meeting of the Official Board, held February 20, 1893, the question of rented pews or free seats, which had been a matter of debate for several years, was decided in favor of free seats and voluntary offerings; and this plan of the church support has been followed every year since, with ever increasingly satisfactory results, the present year being the thirtieth of its successful continuous operation. During the pastorate of Brother Streeter in 1893 it was decided to make more adequate accomodation for the growing Sunday school, as all the classes assembled on one floor. Consequently the side walls of the Sunday school were built up another story and galleries were put in, thus increasing the seating capacity by about four hundred, it was estimated. At the same time other desired improvements were made in the basement and new carpets were furnished in church and Sunday school, all at an expense of over $15,000. William Archer was the superintendent of the Sunday school at this time, and had much to do with having these improvements made. The Methodist work in Eastchester, which had been reduced to a small Sunday-school class conducted by Miss Nelson, a faithful Christian colored woman, in her home, el Threescore and Ten was revived in 1888, largely through the efforts of William H. Bard; but soon it was deemed inadvisable to continue in the ancient edifice, on account of the unfavorable sur- roundings, the property was sold and a lot bought on Pratt Avenue close to the southerly line of the City of Mount Vernon. Here a church edifice was erected in 1894, where the work was carried on for some years. The church had previously been named the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church after the bishop. In 1904 a lot was bought on the southwest corner of Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street, about a block further north, and the church building was removed to that loca- tion where the work has since been successfully prosecuted. With the rapid building up of that neighborhood and wise management, the church should have a large and rapid growth. For twelve years, ending with the Conference session of 1922, Brother Streeter had charge of the work at John Street Church, Manhattan, the “Cradle of American Methodism,” and was very successful in maintaining the unique services and ministrations of that downtown parish. Atthe Conference session above mentioned Brother Streeter preached his semi-centennial sermon and retired from the active ministry. It is a notable coincidence that the closing sentence of his semi-centennial sermon was almost identical in expression with the closing of the autobiography of our first pastor, Daniel De Vinne. Brother Streeter said in closing: “I would rather be a Methodist preacher than the ruler of an empire.” The following was recently received from Brother Streeter: “My pastorate of three years at First Church, Mount Threescore and Ten Vernon, begun in April, 1891, had been immediately pre- ceded by a pastorate of five years at Bridgeport, Conn. At Mount Vernon I found one particular favoring condition which all pastors account as desirable, and which I had hoped would some day add its blessing to my experience. I found the members residing mostly within easy walking distance of the church building and in numbers exceeding its auditorium capacity. “There also resided within the same area many persons of Protestant training who were not in membership with any one of the local churches. The latter condition com- bined with the former made it easily possible to secure capacity congregations at practically every public service. The growing Sunday-school membership and the need of larger social facilities made necessary an enlargement of the Sunday-school room. This was accomplished during my third year at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars. “The church greatly increased its offerings to benevolent objects. For example, the missionary collections for the three years of my pastorate aggregated $7,468, an increase of $4,107 over the three years previous to my ministry. “The financial plan was changed at the end of my second year from rented pews to free seats after much agitation. Under the new plan the same persons continued to occupy the same sittings as formerly, the discreet and gracious ushers seeing to it that no one was debarred from occupy- ing his former rented sitting. “Since those days, now twenty-eight years ago, First Church, Mount Vernon has added big scores to its records in membership, in material, equipment, in benevolence, and by the aid it has rendered in the founding and manning of the Chester Hill Church. And now, as I understand, it =e 75 j= Threescore and Ten has in hand the erection for its uses of a parish house at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars to meet the needs of still larger forms of service. All this means, indeed, that under the seventeen years’ leadership of its present pastor there has been, and promises to be in the future, a con- tinued going on from strength to strength, whereby ever increasing numbers shall be led to appear in Zion before God. “I vividly recall many social amenities extended to my- self and family. Once settled in the parsonage, a cordial and generous hospitality welcomed us in many homes both inside and outside the membership of the church, a welcome that grew in warmth as the three years passed. Of the Mount Vernon church fellowship, I can visualize the faces of many I knew who have since passed on into the life where ‘faith is lost in sight.’ Of these it cannot be other- wise than that they are still concerned in the faithfulness of those with whom they had fellowship prior to their translation. “Tn a closing word I beg the favor of extending cordial greetings to all survivors whom I knew as related to my pastorate, the present big-hearted, broad-visioned, wonder- working pastor, Dr. Bartholow, and to all others who will participate in the coming festivities commemorative of the Seventieth Anniversary of one of Methodism’s great churches.” On Sunday morning, January 14, 1894, Cyrus D. Jones closed his eyes on things mortal. Brother Jones had the distinction of being the oldest official of the church in years of service at the time of his death, twenty-five years, ac- cording to resolutions adopted at the first official Board meeting following. He was president of the Board of trus- +076 Threescore and Ten tees previous to, and at the time of, the building of the present church edifice and until his death. He was also superintendent of the Sunday school from March 5, 1877, to March 4, 1878. He was of a very genial disposition and a man highly esteemed by his associates in the church work. He also responded to his country’s call in the Civil War. Brother Streeter preached a memorial sermon. Dr. Charles M. Giffin succeeded Lewis R. Streeter, re- ceiving his appointment to the First Church at the Con- ference session of 1894. Some of the members had become acquainted with Dr. Giffin in a former charge in Brooklyn, and were very happy in being ministered to again by him and in renewing old friendships. At this time the church membership stood at full members 590, probationers 35, total 625; Sunday school, officers and teachers 42, scholars 434, total 476. Value of church property $65,000, according to report made to Conference by Brother Streeter. Dr. Giffin was ripe in experience and scholarship, and his preaching was greatly enjoyed by the people. His helpful and interesting mid-week prayer meeting talks commanded a large attendance, especially of men. He was very method- ical and prompt and closed the meetings right on the hour. He was very faithful in his pastoral work, calling in turn upon the whole resident membership of the church. Every Sunday he would announce his calling program for the week, so the members living on any particular avenue would know what day to expect a pastoral call. In 1894 the church was honored by the election of one of the trustees, Edson Lewis, as Mayor of the City, suc- ceeding Mayor Edward F. Brush. The population of Mount Vernon in 1895 was about 18,500, the exact figures not being obtainable. eT Threescore and Ten Dr. Giffin’s report to Conference, April, 1896, showed a membership of 664, of which number 14 were probationers; Sunday school officers and teachers 44, scholars 450, total 494. Missionary collection, church $937; Sunday school $418; total $1,355. At the close of his second year as pastor of First Church, Dr. Giffin was transferred at the session of the New York East Conference held April 1 to 7, 1896, to the Wyoming Conference and appointed to Elm Park Church, Scranton, Pa., where he remained for nine years and had a wonderful pastorate in that great church. Feeling the work of so large a charge too great a tax upon his physical strength, he sought a smaller field and accepted an invitation to Asbury Park, N. J. This Church granted him a three- months vacation early in 1909, during which time he visited Egypt and the Holy Land, but shortly after his return he suddenly passed away, April 20, 1909, while visiting old friends in Brooklyn. Dr. Giffin was in his sixty-eighth year when he died, having spent forty-four of them in the minis- try of the Church he loved. Dr. Giffin was succeeded as pastor of First Church by Dr. George P. Mains in 1896, but the pastorate of the latter lasted but a few months, as at the General Confer- ence held that year he was appointed one of the book agents in charge of the publishing interests of our church at 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, the firm being Eaton & Mains. It was a great disappointment to the people to have the pastorate of their new minister so suddenly terminated, as they had begun to appreciate his masterly discourses and were looking forward to a pastorate of great helpful- ness. Some of them had known him in former charges. He had also served as Presiding Elder on our District and = 78 Threescore and Ten Hon. Epson Lewis Mayor of Mount Vernon, November, 1894—June, 1896 consequently had presided at our Quarterly Conferences. Dr. Mains sending his felicitations from Harrisburg, Pa., March 24, 1922, writes: “T was appointed pastor of the First Methodist Epis- copal Church of Mount Vernon, N. Y., at the Annual Con- ference of 1896 and at the same Conference was elected a (79 = Threescore and Ten delegate to the General Conference meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, in the following May. At this General Conference I was elected one of the General Publishing Agents, with headquarters at 150 Fifth Avenue, New York. This of course, made my pastorate at First Church very brief. I continued to supply the pulpit until Rev. Dr. Henry A. Buchtel of the Colorado Conference was secured to relieve me. “T have been an interested and studious observer of the history of the First Church since the days of my connection with it, and I have greatly rejoiced in the large prosperity and influence which have come to it under the leadership of the able and brilliant men who have served its pulpit since the days when I had the honor to be briefly its pastor. “I am one of two, Professor Rice being the other, of the oldest men whose entire ministerial life has been spent in the New York East Conference and who are recorded still in the ‘effective’ ranks. I have lived to witness great changes not only in the personnel of the Conference, but also in the ranks of the churches which I have served. “Human life is a stage, on the one side of which new actors are continuously coming on, while on the other side the older actors are as continuously passing off. I have been privileged with a long and almost unbrokenly active life. For all this I am thankful beyond any power of mine to express, I am conscious that my earthly margins are nar- rowing, but the spirit of eternal springtime is in my soul, and I face the future unafraid, expecting soon to take up my new work amid the goodly fellowships of a great com- pany of friends who have preceded me to the better life.” Dr. Henry A. Buchtel, a western man, a transfer from the Colorado Conference, was appointed to supply the —+( 80 ja Threescore and Ten charge until the next session of Conference. He also was a good preacher and organizer, but the people knowing his stay with them was to be limited to a few months, did not undertake any new work, nor did many of them become well acquainted with him. At the next session of the New York East Conference he was transferred to the Newark Conference and appointed to East Orange. Subsequently he returned to the West and became president of the University of Denver, and later was elected Governor of the State of Colorado. Some few months previous to the Conference session of 1897 several bright and promising young ministers whose possibilities with reference to a call to the First Church were being considered were invited to occupy the pulpit, each on a successive Sunday, and among the number was George Clarke Peck, then stationed at Bay Shore, L. I. The decision of the Official Board having been favorable to Brother Peck, and satisfactory arrangements having been made, Bishop Walden appointed him to the First Church at the session of the Conference held at Saint John’s Church, Brooklyn, April, 1897. Brother Peck started on his work with characteristic energy which seemed to justify amply the high hopes and expectations of his ministry. The membership of the church at that time according to the report made by Dr. Buchtel to the Conference was 620 full members and 20 probation- ers, a total of 640; Sunday school, officers and teachers 42, scholars 408, a total of 450; missionary collection, church $980, Sunday school $424, total $1,404; Conference claim- ants $255. Brother Peck wasa very brilliantand convincing preacher. His father Rev. J. O. Peck, D. D., was for many years one —-( 81) Threescore and Ten of the Missionary Secretaries of our denomination. George Clarke Peck graduated from Yale University, then took one year at Union Theological Seminary, followed by two years at Drew Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1892. A lover of books and the possessor of a well trained mind, he had the necessary intellectual equip- ment for his chosen calling. He also possessed a wide vo- cabulary and was very choice in his selection of language. He was gifted in prayer, spiritual and reverent, and studied to have every part of the church service conform to a high order of worship. His charming personality and big, warm heart made him many lasting friends among the church and community. He was naturally of a very sympathetic nature, conse- quently his willing feet carried him on ministration to the sick and shut-in ones whenever he knew there was a call for his services. The drawing power of his preaching was very soon manifested in largely increased audiences espe- cially at the evening services. His apt and original presentation of Scripture truths always served to increase our spiritual appetite for more. Many of his sermons were printed in pamphlet form for free distribution and thus the influence of the pulpit was given a wider range as these sermons found their way into many households outside the church membership. It soon became apparent that the church was entering on another new era of expansion and development and that increased seating facilities would soon be urgently needed. This matter was early placed in the hands of a committee, but there were conflicting opinions as to the best plan to adopt, as some recommended galleries and others the ex- tension of the church to cover the lot now occupied by the —-( 82) Threescore and'Ten parsonage; so the matter was not decided until some time later. In the fall of 1897 the first year of Brother Peck’s pas- torate, the Chester Hill Church was started. This enter- prise took from our church a large number who had been foremost in the support and activities of our church and was an element in causing delay in putting into effect any plans for enlargement of the auditorium. While this history is being written the Chester Hill Church Society are plan- ning to celebrate their twenty-fifth anniversary. One inter- esting feature on the program will be the burning of the twenty-five thousand dollar mortgage which has rested on the property since the building of the church edifice. We rejoice with them in their prosperity under their pastor, Rev. J. W. Chasey. The Official Board leased the former residence of John Dawson, corner Tenth Avenue and Second Street, for a parsonage in 1897, and Brother Peck and family occupied that house until the present parsonage was built in 1904, with the exception of a short time when they boarded at 115 South Ninth Avenue. This new parsonage, erected at an expense of about $8,200, was considered at that time the finest parsonage in the New York East Conference. The fifty-first session of the New York East Conference was held in the Church, April 5 to 11, 1899, Bishop Vincent presiding. This great occasion was a time of the renewing of old acquaintances made at the former session of the Conference held in the church in 1887; and our people found it very helpful and 1 inspiring to attend the Confer- ence sessions and anniversary exercises and thus learn from the ministerial brethren of the great work of our denomi- nation and of their individual trials and encouragements. —( 83 je Threescore and Ten Colonel Alfred Cooley, who passed away May 23, 1899, served as a member of the Official Board for over twenty years and was especially active in the planning and build- ing of the present church edifice, and in securing subscrip- tions, also giving liberally himself. He was very faithful in his attendance at the Sunday and mid-week services and was always ready with a testimony at the latter. He had a genial and optimistic temperament. He did much in the development of Mount Vernon, laying out and subdivid- ing new sections, more particularly on the east side and Corcoran Manor. He also built many dwelling houses. Colonel Cooley’s war record was brilliant. He began as first-lieutenant, was promoted for bravery on the field and left the service at the close of the war as brevet colonel. At the battle of Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 1864, when commanding a regiment, Captain Cooley rescued the colors after the color sergeant had been wounded. He served as Trustee of the Village of Mount Vernon, 1881-1883. Mrs. Alfred Cooley is still with us and has always been very active and efficient in all the work of the women of the church. Their only son, Walter King, has been a stew- ard for a number of years, was one of the organizers and a past president of the Bartholow Bible Class. He is becom- ing increasingly useful in the work of the church. On November 24, 1899, the earthly career ended of a man who was a most consistent exponent of “noblesse oblige;” for William M. Denman surely practiced “Christ- lan courtesy” as a controlling principle in his life. His was the bright cheery face first to greet one in the church as one entered for worship, and no handshake was more hearty or brotherly. He served the church over a period of more than thirty years in every important capacity. As trustee +( 84) The Present Parsonage No. 114 South Eighth Avenue —( 85 je Threescore and Ten and steward his counsel was always sought in the affairs of the church, and when differences of views arose, Brother Denman was the harmonizer. It would probably be con- sidered that as Sunday-school superintendent he did his most effective work for the Master. He served two periods of eight years each in this capac- ity, March, 1866, to March, 1874, and again from March, 1878, to March, 1886, and won the hearts of both his associates in the work and the scholars by his tact and graciousness. He would often make the remark,“The school is one large family;” and it was his custom to greet the scholars with great familiarity, addressing them by their first names. _As the new pastors would successively come to the church, it was usually Brother Denman who was chosen to deliver the address of welcome and he was always the staunch supporter and friend of the pastor and his family. He was a very regular attendant at the church services and an intelligent listener. He had the habit of marking the text in his Bible and would never fail to inform the pastor if he had twice preached from the same scripture, or if any of his predecessors had done so. As an attorney he did much legal work for the church for which he never made a charge. We always anticipated an interesting talk from Brother Denman at the week-night prayer meeting. He early recog- nized the educational advantages to be derived from a Chautauqua Class, and organized and conducted one among the young people. Previous to Brother Denman’s funeral services, the members of the Sunday school, officers, teachers and scholars, to show their love, marched in a body from the church at Eighth Avenue and Second Street to the Denman —-( 86 ) 11 Some Familiar Faces of Yesterdays 1 Joun G. SATTERLEY 2 James HowtanpD 3 ANTHONY BayLes 4 SANnrorD Ha.iock 5 Jonatuan P. Hick 6 Joseru S. CLark 7 Matruew Morrison 8 Minot C. KELtoce g Witiram H. Barp 10 CoLoneL ALFRED Cootey 11 Cuarves W. Hick 12 Mason T. Martier 1 (187 = Threescore and Ten home on Second Avenue near Third Street, each one carry- ing a rose to place on the casket of their departed super- intendent and friend. It was the writer’s privilege to sit immediately behind Brother Denman from Sunday to Sunday for thirteen years, and so was a close observer of his devotion and marked attention to the service. His passing away caused a vacancy in the writéer’s church life which has never been filled. Brother Denman, were he living today, would natur- ally have been selected to do this work and the church would have had a much more complete and interestingly recorded history. The enlargement of the Sunday school and chapel and improvement of the church were undertaken in 1go1 and finally concluded in 1902 to the great satisfaction of Brother Peck who had worked very hard and earnestly for this necessary addition to the church’s facilities. It consisted in practically demolishing and rebuilding the chapel, putting galleries in the church, recarpeting and other improvements, involving an expenditure of about $25,000. This alteration provided an audience room when the sliding doors were rolled back, estimated to be capable of seating comfortably 1,500 people, but on special occa- sions 300 and 500 more have been in attendance. Brother Peck frequently had audiences at special evening services which taxed the seating capacity of church and chapel. On New Year’s Day, 1904, at the age of sixty-six years, that consecrated woman, Margaret Tichenor, passed from earthly scenes and cares and responsibilities to be forever with her Lord. What a beautiful time for the transition, to begin the New Year amid the glorious company of heaven! Mrs. Tichenor always had a fresh and happy experience to —+( 88) Threescore and Ten give at the mid-week evening service, was very fervent in prayer and talked on earth the language of heaven. Her son, Frank M., could not have selected a more fitting mewiotal of fag mother to place in the church than the beautiful electric-star which for so many years was sus- pended over the pulpit, having in mind the Scripture, “The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” ® The membership of the church at the termination of Brother Peck’s pastorate, as reported to the session of the Conference in 1905, was 973, of which number 51 were probationers, showing an increase of 333 members during eight years, notwithstanding the exodus of the large num- ber to form the nucleus of the Chester Hill Church. The current expenses had also increased to $13,100, including pastor’s salary $3,300. The Church at this time was second on the list of charges on the district in the matter of minis- terial support, Stamford standing first at $3,700; but this latter figure included the salary of an assistant pastor. The missionary collection from church and Sunday school this same year was $1,650. Woman’s Foreign Missionary So- ciety $462, Woman’s Home Missionary Society $803, Con- ference claimants $583. Mount Vernon had been growing like a rolling snowball and had added 3,778 inhabitants since the last Federal Census of 1900, the population according to the State Census in 1905 being 25,006, an increase of 9,593 in the thirteen years of its corporate existence as a city. It was with great sorrow the Official Board learned from Brother Peck his decision to seek another field of usefulness at the approaching session of the Conference in 1905, after a pastorate of eight happy and prosperous years for him- —+( 89 Threescore and Ten self and the church. At this same Conference he was trans- ferred to the Wyoming Conference and appointed to Elm Park Church, Scranton, Pa., where he hada very successful pastorate and from there he went to First Church, Balti- more, being transferred to the Baltimore Conference. Great audiences attended his preaching at the Baltimore Church, but ill health compelled his resignation and in the midst of a happy ministry he was laid aside and sent to the Maryland General Hospital for treatment, of which in- stitution he has become Superintendent. It is with great pleasure we insert a recent and charac- teristic message from him relating to his ministry here and to the fact that of the twenty-five ministers who have served First Church, but five are now alive. Brother Peck’s letter dated Maryland General Hospital, Baltimore, Mary- land, April 28, 1922, follows: “Five survivors from a list of twenty-five pastors of First Church! We five must do all the reminiscing for the long line of devoted survivors. (At least, one may speak thus of all except present company.) “I wonder if any pastor of that notable church ever carried away any except tender and glad memories. At least, such is my conviction. For loyalty, for generosity, for unanimity of spirit, for in-season and out-of-season de- votion to the things of the Kingdom, for gracious fellow- ship and loving encouragement there are few such parishes. I carry with me a host of memories that will not fade. Seventy years old and stronger, more resourceful than ever. “God bless the old church, its present great pastor and its beloved constituency. “Affectionately, one of the twenty-five and one of five.” GeorcE C. PEcxk. +(go )+ @00890000 CHAPTER FIVE At the fifty-seventh session of the East New York Con- ference held at Waterbury, Conn., April 5-11, 1905, Bishop Warren appointed to this church Rev. Otho F. Bartholow, the present pastor, who had just closed a very successful ministry of six years at Janes Church, Brooklyn. The new pastor was born in one of the great states of the middle west, Illinois, where size is a great factor in estimating values. The people are accustomed to broad visions of acres and growing crops. They view everything on a large scale, whether it pertains to business or the home, socialities or intellectual opportunities; hence the fine large farms, beautiful homes, great colleges, universities and churches. Dr. Bartholow, brought up in that environment, natur- ally imbibed the same ideas. Born in a home of culture and refinement in Urbana, IIl., his father a leading physician of the place, he early in life became a student. His grand- father was a Methodist preacher. Dr. Bartholow, graduat- ing with honors from the great Illinois State University, took a post-graduate course at Illinois Wesleyan Univer- sity; and, upon making the decision that preaching the gospel was to behis life work, he entered Boston Theological Seminary, taking a three-year course, graduating in 1892. He was admitted into the New York East Conference the same year with a number of other young men who have done great service in the church. This class included our former pastor, George Clarke Peck. One of the members of the Examining Committee of the Conference, Rev. Isaac E. Smith, a former pastor of this +( 91) First Methodist Episcopal Church Corner Eighth Avenue and Second Street Mount Vernon, New York 1922 se Threescore and Ten church, remarked after Brother Bartholow had success- fully passed the entrance examination: “Watch that young man, you will hear from him.” Entering upon his pastorate at this church with great earnestness and vigor, he soon demonstrated his marvelous capacity for work both physically and mentally. He con- ducts the work of the church as he runs his automobile, on high speed, and it gets on his nerves to drop down to second. His strong, spiritual preaching draws audiences which fill the auditorium at both morning and evening services, and very frequently at the latter service both church and chapel are required to seat the congregation. The prayer meetings are largely attended, at which time the pastor delivers well prepared short spiritual talks which are very inspiring and helpful. Dr. Bartholow is above all an evangelist, and is at his best when conducting a series of special meetings. As a pastor he is at the call of all in sickness or trouble or in special need of the services of a faithful minister. Day and night he may be found at the hospital praying with the sick and dying, not only of our church membership, but also all others who are there and who request his ministrations. How he finds the time weekly to prepare three addresses for Sunday, one for the Bartholow Bible Class at 10 a. m., the second for the regular church service at 11 and the third for the evening service at 7:45, and in addition a strong address for the Wednesday evening prayer meeting, another for the Women’s Class on Friday afternoon, to be followed by a talk to the Junior League, and in addition attends to all the regular and irregular work of a very large parish, the good Lord to whose service he has devoted his time and multifold abilities only knows. 5) = Threescore and Ten Hon. Benjamin Howe Mayor of Mount Vernon November, 1907—November, 1909 He is an omnivorous reader of books, giving instruct- ive and entertaining reviews of the same from time to time. As a lecturer he is also a great success and finds time somewhere to perform this great service to the church. First Church was again honored in 1907 by having one of its official brethren elevated to the position of Mayor of —( 94 )— Threescore and Ten the City in the person of Benjamin Howe, who served in that high office from November, 1907, to November, 1909. Mrs. William (Rheua) Miller, familiarly called Grandma Miller, passed to her coronation March 9, 1908, within six weeks of her one hundred and first birthday. She was the widow of William Miller and like him was a charter member of the society. Her home was the Mecca toward which the pastors, wearied and often discouraged, would turn their steps, to go away refreshed and strengthened in spirit after converse with this devoted Mother in Israel. Her one hundredth birthday was made a memorable occasion in the history of the church. The dear old lady was brought in her wheel chair to the church on that not- able Sunday morning, and the pastor, Dr. Bartholow, preached an eloquent and appropriate sermon on the topic, “The Glory of Old Age,” and Mother Miller’s favorite hymns were sung. “Mrs. Rheua Miller—A tribute by her Grandson, J. Paul Hick: “Grandma Miller was a charter member of this church. She was early converted and walked consistently. Her path was ‘as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.’ Grandma was a Methodist from conviction. She studied the doctrines and discipline of the Church and heartily approved them. Hence she was a consistent, strong, whole-souled, intense Methodist. She delighted to work for God, and was a regular attendant at all meetings. Her experience and testimony were helpful to many who heard her and her life was an inspiration to those that knew her. She was beautiful in spirit; respected BY all; many regarding her as a mother. The little children —( 95 ja Threescore and Ten loved her. She cannot be forgotten. “The memory of the just is blessed.’ ” The New York East Conference honored First Church for the third time by holding its Sixty-sixth Annual Session there March 25 to 31, 1914, Bishop Luther B. Wilson pre- siding. This was another of those inspiring occasions for both ministry and laymen when old friendships are renewed and new ones formed. Old Father Time had been swinging his scythe vigorously during the fifteen years intervening since the last session of the Conference held in Mount Vernon in 1899, and a total of one hundred and six mem- bers of the Conference had passed away, six of them former pastors of First Church—Arvine C. Bowdish, James M. Carroll, Robert Crook, Isaac E. Smith, Charles S. Wing and Smith H. Platt. The faces of many formerly prominent in debate and the regular proceedings of the Conference were missing but the ranks had been filled up again with young men from our seminaries and by transfers. At this session of the Conference a deeply impressive and interesting event took place in the admitting to deacon’s orders of Irving M. Anderson, a former member of our Sunday school who had the year before graduated from Union Theological Seminary and in 1903 from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., where he received the honor of Phi Beta Kappa. His first appointment was Windsor, Conn. He was the first young man from our church to be admitted into the Conference. May there be many more in these years of the Centenary Movement when life service is being given great emphasis, and in after years. How important to impress upon our young men the great opportunities for usefulness and true happi- ness afforded in the Christian ministry. —( 96 )+— Threescore and Ten Dr. Bartholow was quick to see that the problem which has confronted so many of the churches of Manhattan and the Bronx would in a short time have to be met in Mount Vernon; that is, the change in the character of the neighbor- hoods and consequent shifting of population and the mak- ing of First Church a down-town church. Real estate developers early opened up large sections of the city remote from our church, restricting them to resi- dential purposes and naturally many families have re- moved from the older and unrestricted sections to these new developments. One such tract and the one most ex- tensively advertised is Chester Hill, beginning at the New Haven Railroad Station and extending north for many blocks. In fact the name is now used to cover a number of contiguous developments of the same general character, possibly, a square mile in extent. In this section the Ches- ter Hill Church of our denomination is situated and is doing a fine work. In the eastern section we have other similar developments known as Oakley Manor, Langdon Terrace, Vernon Heights, and others. In addition to many of our people moving to these restricted sections we are confronted with the situation that a great majority of the newcomers to Mount Vernon are also attracted to these same sections where the newer houses and vacant lots are to be found. The south side is more and more being given over to the erection of apartment and tenement houses. Stores, garages, and other objectionable features are invading what were once quiet residential neighborhoods. The building of the New York, Westchester and Boston Railroad, and other large under- takings calling for unskilled labor, brought to our city large numbers of Italians, many of whom settled on the ="(97 Threescore and Ten south side within a block of our church. A very small pro- portion of these people are Protestants. In the same general section is a large colored population who are amply sup- plied with church facilities, having a Methodist society of their own, besides Baptist churches and others. The Bor- ough of the Bronx and the City of Yonkers hem Mount Vernon in on the south and west. A church, like any busi- ness enterprise, cannot stand still. It must advance or retrograde. Confronted by these conditions, Dr. Bartholow has steered his course to meet them. He early impressed upon the Official Board the import- ance of keeping the finances in a flourishing condition. He emphasized the use of the automobile in encouraging the people to come to the church from great distances, so that now at times it is necessary to have a policeman direct the traffic at the church corner. He employed many agencies to attract the crowds to the church, strong, spiritual preach- ing, lectures with motion pictures, organ recitals, concerts, addresses by men of national and international reputation, including such celebrities as Bishop Quayle of our own denomination, Rev. Dr. Russell Conwell, William Jen- nings Bryan, “Pussyfoot’”’ Johnson, Ex-Ambassador (to Turkey) Morgenthau; all of which is to culminate in the great Parish House soon to be in course of erection which will bring our facilities up to the requirements of a fully equipped institutional church. During the pastorate of Dr. Bartholow one official after another of great prominence and ability has passed away, leaving church and pastor to mourn and wonder how the gaps were to be filled. It was like the falling of a mighty oak when Minot C. Kellogg passed away, January 8, 1915. Asa trustee for thirty-six years, during twenty-one —( 98 ee Threescore and Ten Present Church Auditorium of which he served as president of the Board, he was always jealous of the welfare and honor of the church. He was a man of few words, but of wide vision, and nothing was too good in his estimation for the church or pastor. Brother Kellogg was a thoroughly consecrated man down to his pocketbook; and, being possessed of ample means, he gave very liberally to the support of the church and all benevolences. He was the constant adviser and devoted friend of the pastor, and the two with their wives took the trip together to the Holy Land in 1911. The relationship between Brother Kellogg and Dr. Bar- tholow was comparable only to that of David and Jonathan, and many have been the heart-to-heart talks between the two of the things pertaining to the Kingdom, as especially related to First Church. He was a lay delegate to the Gen- eral Conference held at Baltimore, Md., in 1908. Brother Kellogg found time in a very active business life not only to give much thought and attention to the affairs of the (99 )* Threescore and Ten church proper, but also to teach a large adult bible class in the Bible School for over thirty years. As we look at the beautiful art glass window, placed by him as a family memorial in the Eighth Avenue transept of the church, or hear the tones of the grand Kellogg Memorial Organ from Sabbath to Sabbath, this quiet unostentatious Christian brother, whom every- body honored and loved, is brought vividly back to our memories. Charles W. Hick died February 8, 1916, in his seventy- third year; a trustee for thirty-one years, secretary of the Sunday school seven years; the son of Jonathan P. Hick. Dr. Bartholow was a delegate to the General Conference of 1916 which met at Saratoga Springs. On February 19, 1917, Hon. Benjamin Howe, son of William Howe formerly mentioned, left us after a long and severe illness. Brother Benjamin Howe for many years served as chairman of the Finance Committee, presenting the budget yearly before the congregation in such a clear and convincing manner that the necessary amount was always cheerfully subscribed. As a steward, he was faithful and highly esteemed among the brethren for his man Christian virtues and, as the teacher of a bible class in the Sunday school, he greatly endeared himself to a large circle of young people and was eminently successful in attaching them to the Church. His funeral service, held at the church on Washington’s Birthday, was the occasion of a great outpouring of the people of the city ofall classes, who exhibited every evidence of sorrow over the loss of one whom many of them had known from boyhood days and had watched develop until they had bestowed upon him the highest local honor in © (100 Ja Threescore and Ten electing him Mayor of the city. Dr. Bartholow delivered a very eloquent tribute of appreciation and love. On December 12, 1918, there passed out of the life of the church another official who seemed indispensable to the pastor and his associates, that genial whole-souled friend! man, William Davis Howe, the younger son of William Howe of the early days, and brother of Hon. Benjamin Howe who passed away the year before. William Davis Howe, like his brother, had been con- nected with the church since his parents had dedicated him to the Lord in childhood. He passed through every depart- ment in the Sunday school and served as superintendent for many years like his honored father. For the past few years of his life he taught an interested bible class. He.too served as steward in the church many years. He also repre- sented the ward in which he resided in the Board of Alder- men, serving one term. It was an occasion of hard pulling at the heart strings when it became Dr. Bartholow’s duty to preach his funeral sermon, and we who had served so many years with him in the Official Board and Sunday-school and had benefited by his wise counsels, while realizing our loss, left the sol- emn service fully resolved to emulate his worthy example in devotion to the church he so dearly loved. The memorial window under the Eighth Avenue gallery, facing the Ave- nue, serves to remind us every Sunday of the service and devotion of these two consecrated brothers. Mason 'T. Mather who entered into rest January 11, 1919, was the third of the great trio of unusually effective young laymen to close their earthly careers at a time of life when they seemed most capable of usefulness. He served many years as a steward and as financial secretary —+( 101 )+ Threescore and Ten of the church. He was the second president of the Epworth League and very enthusiastic in its support and increasing helpfulness among the young people. As assistant superintendent to William D. Howe, he exhibited abilities of a high order, and he will always be remembered in the Sunday school for his close and intelli- gent attention to the detail of the management of the school which figured so largely in making the work of the officers effective. The writer was with his beloved friend and brother in the church when he passed away. Dr. Bartholow preached a fitting sermon at the funeral services in his home. = It was an extraordinary blow for the church to lose three such strong men, Benjamin and William D. Howe and Mason T. Mather, within so short a time and the memory of these brethren with that of William M. Denman will ever be a priceless legacy for the writer until he joins them in the Church Triumphant. Among many other officials who have gone to the “Home Land” duririg Dr. Bartholow’s ministry, we especially mention Frank M. Gallagher who for so many years was chairman of the ushers, and who had such a pleasant and genial manner of greeting the stranger; John Lowry, who took time from an active business life to visit and give spiritual consolation to condemned men at Sing Sing State Prison; Clarence M. Lyon, the enthusiastic worker in the great cause of temperance, who passed away before the adoption of the Eighteenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution; Rev. David Phillip who went to meet his Lord from the church auditorium at the conclusion of the Watch Night service, January 1, 1910, with a smile on his face as though he were viewing the Glory Land. The writer —-( 102 )- Threescore and Ten was close to Brother Phillip as he dropped in the aisle, and will never forget the occasion nor the impression made upon the people of the uncertainty of human life and the satisfaction of living ina state of preparedness for the great change as did Brother Phillip; David L. Rudd, who so faith- fully and discreetly looked after the poor of the church, and Joseph Downs who as- sisted in the leadership of the Friday evening class. To illustrate the great growth of the church finan- cially we insert a copy of Dr. Bartholow’s latest report of benevolent collections to the recent session of the New York East Conference, April 19-24, 1922, also a statement of the current expenses of the church for the past Confer- ence year and the budget for the present year. The membership of First Church, although mainly peo- ple of moderate means, are princely givers. While maintain- ing the local church activities on a liberal scale,as the budget shows, they are quick to respond to all local, national and world-wide appeals. Their responses to the calls of the be- nevolent collections evidence their loyalty to the principle of Christian stewardship. They make it a custom to con- tribute more money to all these causes than for the support of the local church. The public announcement of a collec- tion does not lessen the attendance on the stated occasion, as our people give cheerfully and conscientiously. Davip PuHILiip —( 103 )+ Threescore and Ten Ture CENTENARY AND APPORTIONED BENEVOLENCES AND OTHER BENEVOLENCES Missions... .. . mee. Aare Sea el $ 8,690.00 Children’s Day Fund ............. ‘ 100.00 Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society ....... 2,070.00 Woman’s Home Missionary Society ......... 1,901.00 New York City Church Extension Society ..... . 140.00 Retired Ministers . 2... 2 oe ee es 705.00 Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn... 1... 2... 152.00 Conference Entertainment ............. 70.00 Jewish Work, National Reform, Anti-Saloon League, Red Cross, Hospitals, Russian Relief, European Children, Poor Funds, Near East Relief, Bible Class and S. S., Help to our Missionaries, Drs. Withey and Manley. . 9,319.00 Support of District Superintendent ......... 420.00 Supportof Bishops ....... ... die vin sdehr as 170.00 Support of Conference Claimants .......... 1,228.00 Annual Conference Investments for Conference Claim- As. S Uk Ua ke eh a eegontnd 40.00 Total ... hn bone Mage deity eth Ae $25,005.00 SUMMARY OF BENEVOLENCES Total Disciplinary Benevolences .......... $12,761.00 Total Annual Conference Benevolences . . . 10,386.00 Total other Benevolences =. . 2 7... 1. 1,858.00 TO 6 eyes RED SRN WRIT LO, $25,005.00 There was also paid into the various treasuries connected: with the church during the year, including the Parish House Fund, Sunday-school expenses, Epworth League, Junior League, Ladies’ Aid Society, Bartholow Bible classes and current expenses, a total of $43,559.11, mak- ing a grand total paid into the church and various or- ganization treasuries connected with it of $68,564.11, divided as follows: —-( 104 ja Threescore and Ten Receipts for current expenses... ......... $23,350.28 Benevolenees 2 4 a 66. G4 SR a. 26,005.00 Parish House fund and other treasuries. . . . . . . 20,208.83 NO ogi mee a cpa ae ies ire ibacie SS Ca oe: Gainey, & $68,564.11 The current expenses of the church for the Conference year, 1921-1922, were $19,833.77, made up as follows: PASEO Sala 8 a Ure ea kn Bid os, a GENE mh $7,000.00 Choir, organistand music ........2..... 45241.08 MERON eg 2 sake eae ee ee SS ee ae 1,562.50 Repairsrand supplies crac a o. 4g 2.2. ed ae oe 1,493.11 gal uy a. we, eh ‘Siete die Ga Mlk must & Oe Bow 1,034.50 Lighting, ventilatingyete. 2. 5 ke ee en ee es 787.48 Pastor’s assistant ......... A Seay ay 722.00 Parsonage repairs. 5.5 205 @ 2-8 Qopdod- mw pS 581.27 Printing, stationery, etc. . : as sano 526.94 Minghcial Secretary 4-404. 2 4:4: x. a ee we we 450.00 Insurance .... . Sxcsae gre) 122 262.94 Pulse Sapp es. Gee GS ESS Se De BAEZ 180,00 Organ repairs . . tke ae ge a : 170.03 NO VEUEISING: Gree Meng ds deed dees ee GER 164.05 Numerous other smaller items .. . acd 657.87 Total. 4 x 2 ee ae SAA ee ee $19,833-77 The total income for the support of the church for the year was $23,350.28, of which amount $17,298.22 was received from subscription and $5,966.05 from plate col- lections and the balance, $86.01, from other sources. BUDGET 1922-1923 Pastor'ssalaiy i G44. Bow ee we Se a ee $8,000.00 Pulpit supplies . ee ee 250.00 District Superintendetit . . . 4... 55+ nd 420.00 BIGHG Rg eree dir Siy, OS GS ay Roce DG Gin 112.00 Financial Secretary 5 2 2 2 1 2 ee eH aw we ws 450.00 Sexton: ¢ha-g 8 © & A 4 See wos a eee ae 1,500.00 Choir .. ... ee ae ee ee a 4,000.00 Organ repairsand tuning piano ........... 120.00 —-( 105 je Threescore and'Ten WaterRent . 2.200 1 eee ee ee es $ 15.00 Lighting and motor . 2 60. 6 ee be ee 750.00 Coal. ee ek EP SR Se Se ee 700.00 Taxesand parsonage ...-- +--+ see eee 200.00 Careof parsomape pw se ee ee ee 300.00 Printing andstationery © 2 2. - + +e ee tee 400.00 Repairs and supplies. .. . i: Sie ses 600.00 Sundries... .. Re ai “er “> SS By 700.00 General Conference... e Ge Pape 30.00 Annual Conference . ©. «7. - ee ee es 55.00 Teleshone , a oa e Hix dak : fa 50.00 Assistance for pastor... ..... . «1,000.00 Insurance... . eee ee fu: 600.00 Advertising . Yeo ae. Gases, ete 150.00 Maintenance of Parish Flouse Ree, oe 2,000.00 ‘Potala es. leas. 2% Le we es $22,402.00 During Dr. Bartholow’s pastorate the church has ad- vanced to the leadership in the New York East Conference in benevolences. Dr. Manley and his wife in India, and Dr. Withey and his wife in Africa are the missionaries of First Church in these extensive and fruitful fields and are en- tirely supported by our people. Among the great achievements of Dr. Bartholow’s pas- torate of seventeen memorable years to date have been the organization and conducting of the great Bartholow Bible Class, now numbering over 1,600 men who meet every Sunday morning at ten o’clock; the Women’s Class of seven hundred who meet weekly, Friday afternoons; the installing of the fine Kellogg Memorial organ; the memorial art windows throughout the church; the improvement of the chapel basement and new entrance on Second Street; the inception of the new Parish House, the purchase of the fine plot 100x 105 as a site for it, and the securing of sub- scriptions upward of $100,000 thus far towards its erec- —+( 106 )+— Threescore and Ten tion; the paying off of all the old indebtedness of over $19,000 on church and parsonage, so that the property is free of all debt. During the year 1910, the pastor began suggesting the desirability of new Art Glass windows for the church—win- dows that would add to the worshipful aspect of the church and in themselves preach the Gospel of the Son of God. In response to this appeal the first Art Glass (opalescent) window was presented to the church in 1911 by the Misses Bayles in honor of Anthony, Adaline and Mary Louise Bayles. There followed in quick succession gifts of other windows. Late in 1911 Brother John Lowry gave the Good Shepherd window in honor of his mother, Clorinda Lowry. In 1913 Brother Minot C. Kellogg presented the church with the great memorial window—The Ascension—in the east transept. During the same year Mrs. Edson Lewis pre- sented the church the central panel of the great memorial window—The Resurrection—in the west transept. Miss Caroline Ridgley presented the north panel, and the Ladies’ Aid Society the south panel of the same window. There followed in due time the Carrie Grigg Memorial, the Herbert Baker Memorial, the Benjamin and William D. Howe Memorial and the Pattee Memorial windows. All the figure windows are composites from the Master- pieces of Murillo, Van Dyck and Raphael and Hoffman. The mechanical work of the windows was executed by A. H. Freeman—for twenty-four years a directing artist in the Tiffany Studios. Dr. Bartholow has shown great business ability and has led the Official Board in all these large undertakings. In the seventeen years of his ministry at this church it has never been necessary to take up a deficiency collection for “+( 107 + Threescore and Ten current expenses, but on the contrary a large balance is carried over each year for a sinking fund for improvements to the property. The membership has grown from 973 to 1,922 during his pastorate up to the Conference session of 1922, although hundreds have moved away from the city and there have been many deaths. While this history is in preparation, the church and chapel are undergoing a complete renovation, the cost of which will be over $21,000. The artistic interior decorating is the work of John Wanamaker, as well as furnishing new carpets and recovering pew cushions. Cassidy and Son are furnishing electric lighting fixtures of a semi-indirect type finished in old gold and acid bronze. William Birkenstock is putting in leaded glass in sliding doors, separating audi- torium from chapel. The work on the exterior of the build- ing is in the hands of William H. Sergeant, which insures a thorough job. A new entrance has been made direct from the basement on the Eighth Avenue side, which provides greatly increased facilities for evacuating the Bartholow Bible Class on Sunday mornings. At the recent convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church held at Portland, Oregon, a resolution relating to church architecture was adopted in which it was stated, “The ugliness of church buildings deprives multitudes of our people of the inspiration for worship which comes from churches whose atmosphere breathes the spirit of worship.” Surely the committee of our Official Board under whose supervision the decorating and refurnishing of the church was accomplished the past summer, must have had this thought uppermost in their minds; for a more beautiful, chaste, and devotion-inspiring church auditorium it would be difficult to find anywhere. —-( 108 )-+— Threescore and Ten The members of the church owe a debt of gratitude to the committee for their excellent judgment and diligent and successful labors. Mr. and Mrs. SamMuet A. SWART We have an official in First Church who deserves par- ticular mention on account of his long, arduous and faith- ful service in the very important and trying position of treasurer. Samuel A. Swart was an experienced treasurer before coming to Mount Vernon, having served in that capacity for some years in the Church of the Strangers, Rev. Dr. Charles Deems, pastor, in New York City. For thirty-one years he has had charge of the collections for benevolences and for the past twenty-one years he has served also as general treasurer of the church, in that period of time handling over half a million dollars of the church funds. —( 10g )+- Threescore and Ten The auditing committee, certified accountants though they are, always find Brother Swart’s books in perfect order and every penny of the many thousands of dollars which yearly pass through his hands accounted for. For hard work and fidelity to a trust it would be difficult to find Brother Swart’s equal in any church. As a willing and efficient aid to her husband, attending to much of the detail of the work, Mrs. Swart should also be mentioned in this connection. Another great service Mrs. Swart has rendered the church for many years has been as pianist at the mid-week prayer meeting. The con- dition of the weather has made no difference to Mrs. Swart in her fidelity to the prayer meeting; for she has trudged through high snow drifts rather than disappoint the pastor who as surely depends upon her to be present as upon the sexton to open and light the chapel. The class meeting, an essential function of the early Methodists, is an institution which has been a constituent part of the regular services of First Church throughout its seventy years’ existence. There have always been deeply - spiritual men and women to conduct these services and inspire the members. For over twenty-five years one of the trustees, George M. Jenkins, has been the efficient leader of the Friday evening class which is sometimes visited by Methodists from other localities where this time-honored and particularly helpful meeting, peculiar to Methodist custom, has been allowed to die out. This class takes no summer vacation, butis held every Friday evening through- out the year. There is also a class for boys, led by James M. Brown, and one for girls led by Mrs. Alfred Cooley. Dr. Bartholow conducts the probationers’ class, and also gives religious instruction through the Epworth Junior League. —+( IIo je Threescore and’'Ten We have in our membership two devoted men, J. Fred- erick Cryer, a Local Elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church and Charles O. Sheldon, a Local Preacher, the value of whose services in their faithful visitation of the sick and shut-in ones is beyond all human computation, not only in the joy and comfort they carry to those to whom they minister from week to week, but also in the assistance they render the pastor in this important branch of his work. The itinerary of these earnest brethren extends beyond local boundaries, as they frequently visit and con- duct services at the Methodist Episcopal Church Home at Amsterdam Avenueand Ninety-Second Street, Manhattan. The reports of their experiences as given at the mid-week prayer meeting are very helpful and inspiring to others to engage in definite Christian work. In the olden days the position of church sexton was con- sidered a very honorable one. The word sexton is a corrup- tion and contraction of “sacristan” which signifies “an officer of the church who has the care of its utensils and movables.” In many churches the sexton performs the service of undertaker and it is not an infrequent sign to find on the outer wall of a Church, “Sexton and Under- taker,” with the name of the party so designated. In this connection a remark attributed to Mr. P. T. Barnum is of interest. The great showman said according to the story— “I have always envied the church sexton as an advertiser, for he could have his name on the outside of a church while this privilege would be denied me.” I found in an old record book of the trustees some rules defining the duties of the sexton, which comprised sweep- ing and dusting of the church, care and lighting of lamps, providing a glass of fresh water every Sunday for pastor —e( 111 )+ 1600 MEN - = hall = en] a) fo) a z had Threescore and Ten and also for Sunday-school superintendent, taking care of heating and lighting, removing snow, ringing of church bell, preserving order, and taking care of the vessels for the communion service. It was stated that the trustees were to supervise and pay for the scrubbing, the floors probably being without carpets. There was no work assigned to the stewards in this respect. Possibly the trustees were more robust. Smoking in the building was also prohibited. They may have had some experience with a sexton smoking his pipe while about his work. First Church has had a succes- sion of faithful sextons throughout the years, but none to excel in diligence, competency and courtesy the present incumbent, Charles Miller. It is with pleasure we state that Brother Miller and his excellent wife who assists him in the care of the church are both members of First Church. They hate the three d’s (dirt, dust and disorder) as they do the three s’s (sloth, sin and Satan), and consider that none of them should find a place in the House of God and are particularly jealous of the reputation of First Church in this respect. On the evening of October 9, there occurred the great musical event so eagerly anticipated by our people and the Mount Vernon public, the grand concert by Madame Schumann-Heink. We quote from the Mount Vernon Daily Argus of the following day: “Mount Vernon in the course of many years has had many notable musical events, but never in the city’s history has there been one of greater interest or one that attracted a greater audience than the appearance of Madame Ernestine Schumann-Heink, world-famous contralto, at the First Methodist Episcopal Church last evening. “It was an auspicious occasion in every respect. The =t{ 114 Threescore and Ten Official Men and Women of the Church church was filled to overflowing. There were fully 2,000 people in the big edifice, an audience that exceeds in num- ber any that has ever graced any hall here on the occasion of a musical event. “The concert was given under the auspices of the Ladies’ Aid Society of the church, and to that organization goes the credit for conducting something that establishes a new record in Mount Vernon from the standpoint of musical events.” The writer of this narrative states as his personal belief after reviewing the early life of First Church and from holding official connection with it during the past thirty- seven years, that the masses of the people are eager to hear the gospel message as it has been delivered by the succes- +( 115) Threescore and Ten sive ministry of this church; where salvation and sin have each been spelled with a capital S, where the Bible has been upheld and expounded as the inspired Word of God; where it has been upheld that God “breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul;” where it has been preached that it is a greater miracle to save a poor, misguided, sinful soul than to make an axe to float; where it has been taught that Christ’s assertion to Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again,” applies equally in the twentieth century as in the first; and that, in the lan- guage of our hymns, “There is only one way of salvation, the way of the Cross,” and “His blood atoned for all our race, And sprinkles now the Throne of Grace.” Additional Officials of the Church —+( 116 )+— Threescore and Ten The crowded audiences of both men and women at First Church from week to week attest to the fact that the people are hungry for such messages, and the future pros- perity of the church is assured so long as these and the other fundamentals are continued to be taught and prac- ticed. “Faith of our fathers, holy faith, We will be true to thee till death.” The Methodists have always been prominent in civic affairs, in fact so much so that the remark has been face- tiously made that in Mount Vernon “public office is a Methodist trust,” and that the sesame to political position is through affiliation with the First Methodist Church. Pleasantries aside, however, the fact remains that almost every local office within the gift of our people, from Mayor down the line, and many of the appointive ones, have at various times been filled by Methodists. We have not space to mention them all. Of our five Mayors who have served the city since Jared Sanford, the former president of the village, who acted as Mayor until the first election, two, Hon. Edson Lewis and Hon. Benjamin Howe, were official members of First Church at the time of their election. Dr. Edward F. Brush joined the Bartholow Bible Class and attended a few times, and the present occupant of the office, Hon. Edwin W. Fiske, who is now serving his ninth term of two years, is an officer in the Bible Class and very enthusiastic in the work of the class and a staunch supporter of Dr. Bartholow. Our present Federal Postmaster, Stephen Van Tassell, the fourteenth since 1851, is also a member of First Church. Mount Vernon had a population of 42,726 in 1920 when the last Federal Census was taken and at the annual rate of increase it is probably'a city of 45,000 now in 1922. —+( 117) Threescore and Ten Its rapid growth is due to the fact of its having all the attractions of a progressive up-to-date city and its acces- sibility, being only thirteen miles from the Grand Central Terminal, and having three electrically equipped railroads running through it, and also being the hub of a large trolley system connecting it throughout lower Westchester County. What prophet dare predict the growth and development which the new state census will show in 1925! Mount Vernon well deserves to carry on its official seal its motto, Urbs Fucundarum Domuum, “A City of Happy Homes.” Present Chapel and Bible School Rooms —-( 118 ) Threescore and Ten Hon. Epwin W. Fiske Mayor of Mount Vernon, June, 1896—November, 1903 November, 1909—January, 1918; January, 1922 THE MOUNT VERNON OF TODAY We are going ahead both as a city and a people. As a city, we are attaining rapidly the size and importance fore- shadowed for us by the judgment and industry of those men and women of the early days, many of whom were members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. As a people we are also growing in civic spirit and pride, as well as in veneration for those things that conduce to the moral righteousness of our city as a whole. In the latter category, I publicly want to add my testimony to the influence of the —+( 11g )+- Threescore and Ten big First Church and the great teacher of this congregation in the progress of the city. Both church and pastor, Rev. O. F. Bartholow, have always stood for the best in our city of homes, and I am indeed proud to join with this people in this, their seventieth Anniversary, and partici- pate in the fellowship of brotherly love and their activities for the good of the city. In the “Mount Vernon of Today” there is no greater single influence than the church, and the First Methodist Episcopal congregation is its greatest unit. Epwin W. Fiske, Mayor. DEDICATED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE Pcntonoa os nary S70 SERVED THEIR GOD AND COUNT: RING THE GREAT WORLD WAR - oboe Za top hs) a7 ate ete NKLIN Cree ee CAA ATA oe Pa EE Bot To the 310 names on this Tablet should be added Maurice B. Paine and Horace Greenfield. 12 of the 312 are gold-star men. —+( 120 )+ @90SS9S00 KELLOGG MEMORIAL ORGAN In 1916, there was installed in the church by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Conn., one of their famous organs. It was put in as a memorial to Minot C. Kellogg, and the money was raised by popular subscription, Mr. Kellogg’s family giving liberally toward it. At a subsequent date the Vox Humana Stop was added through the generosity of George H. Brown, one of the trustees. It is a three manual instrument, having an “echo organ” above the ceiling of the auditorium. There are really four separate instruments or sections, namely: The Great Organ, Swell Organ, Choir Organ, Echo and Pedal Organ— all controlled by electric action from the three keyboards and pedals of the console. The total effects of the organ are almost numberless, as it has over forty speaking stops, any one or combination of this number being at the service of the organist. The chimes and harp effect are special features greatly enjoyed by the congregation. (121) CHAPTER SIX OUR MISSIONARIES IN AFRICA Rev. and Mrs. Herbert Cookman Withey By Epwarp C. GoucH Herbert Withey recognized the call to foreign mission work in 1884, when but eleven years old. A few months after this, his parents sailed for Africa as self-supporting missionaries under Bishop William Taylor and took their children with them. All of young Herbert’s education was received in West Africa. His service has combined evangel- istic, educational, and industrial work. His proficiency in the Kimbundu language gives him unusual poweras a preacher. The natives say that “his sermons flow like water.” Under the auspices of the British and Foreign Bible Society, Mr. Withey has made a notable translation of the New Testament into the Kimbundu. From 1899 to 1913 he had supervision of the entire work at Quiongoa, Angola, being in charge of the successful Mission Press at that station. In 1913 the Patton Mission Press was moved to Ma- lanje, and since then Mr. Withey has been stationed there. Our port of entry to Angola is Loanda. Inland from Loanda, by railroad about three hundred miles, is the im- portant town of Malanje, a government seat with substan- tial buildings and industries. Malanje is central for the Kimbundu-speaking field, and a point from which roads radiate to the surrounding regions and far interior. We —+( 122 )+ Threescore and Ten have a well located property, a growing church work, and here is established the Patton Mission Press, which pub- lishes Bibles, catechisms, hymn books, school books, charts and leaflets in the Kimbundu, Portuguese, and English languages. Methodism pioneered the way in reducing the native language to writing, selecting an alphabet, determining the laws and construction of its grammar, and making the first beginnings of its literature. It is practically the only insti- tution of its kind on the field, and all that scripture, educa- tion, and evangelism mean for a heathen people is wrapped up in it. Mr. and Mrs. Withey have three children: Hester, nearly ten; Winnifred, eight; and Stephen, four. The Withey family moved to Capetown, South Africa, June, 1922, Hersert C. WITHEY Davip H. Maney = (623) Threescore and Ten where Mr. Withey is engaged in translation work, and where it is hoped Mrs. Withey and Winnifred, convales- cent from bubonic plague, may regain their strength. ee OUR MISSIONARIES IN INDIA Rev. and Mrs. David H. Manley By Epwarp C. GoucH Rev. and Mrs. David H. Manley are stationed at Cal- cutta, India. During fourteen years of missionary service, Mr. Manley has served as pastor of Thoburn Church, Cal- cutta, at three different times; twice as principal of Cal- cutta Boys’ School; principal of Collins Institute, twice; superintendent of Calcutta-Vernacular District; superin- tendent of the English District, and as Conference treasurer. This year Mr. Manley has the English District, which includes the Thoburn Church, the Calcutta Boys’ School, the Calcutta Girls’ High School, Queens Hill Girls’ High School in Darjeeling, the English Church at Asansol, Kid- derpore Seamen’s Mission, and the Industrial Home. In addition to this Mr. Manley is General Treasurer for India and Burma, a new office created this past year. This means handling the funds of ten Annual Conferences in India and Burma, the appropriation to which this year for the regular recurring work amounted to over $800,000. The appointment of one treasurer for Southern Asia greatly lessens the work of the ten Mission treasurers. Because of residence in a port city the work can be more conveniently handled, and better exchange rates obtained. Mr. Manley’s oldest son, Wesley, is a student in Ohio Wesleyan Univer- +( 124) Threescore and'Ten sity, Delaware, Ohio, and is planning some day to return to India as a missionary. David, fifteen, is in his second year of high school, while Theodore, thirteen, and Helen, nine, are in boarding school at Naini Tal. Last year the Bengal Conference reported over 2,000 baptisms, and Dr. Manley reports an advance in the build- ing up of the Christian community and in collections; two ideals of the all-round Centenary Program which he states has been a continual inspiration to the work. tee WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY By Mrs. WILLIAM S. ANDERSON To that devoted Christian woman, Mrs. Simmons, wife of our pastor Rev. Ichabod Simmons, who served our church from 1888 to 1891, belongs the honor of organizing the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society in our church, she having presented the matter to the women after a mid- week prayer meeting in the early weeks of her husband’s ministry among us. The women were very responsive to Mrs. Simmons’ appeal, for they immediately decided that a Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society should be formed. Very shortly after this first gathering, namely on May 1, 1888, a meeting was held at which time the following named officers were elected: President, Mrs. I. Simmons; First Vice-President, Mrs. Charles C. Bigelow; Second Vice-President, Mrs. Rebecca M. Winfield; Third Vice- President, Mrs. Eliza Kelsey; Recording Secretary, Mrs. —+( 125 )a- Threescore and Ten Samuel A. Swart; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Nancy H. Lockwood; Treasurer, Mrs. George Le Roy. On May 16, the form of constitution and by-laws as provided by the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was adopted, and our society became an auxiliary of the New York Branch of the parent organization. At this same meeting a resolution offered by Mrs. R. M. Winfield was adopted, stating that the annual meetings of the society be held in the church auditorium at the hour of the regular Sunday preaching service, subject to the consent of the pastor. This was a very important action, as it gave the society and its work greater prominence and naturally resulted in increasing the membership and contributions of money for the work. It also established a precedent which has been followed in all the succeeding years, as each pastor from Dr. Simmons down has willingly given up the service to the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society. The society grew rapidly from the start. Mrs. Nathan Nutting was particularly active in increasing the member- ship in those early days, and her example was a great help and inspiration to the others. Mrs. Simmons served as President during the three years of her husband’s pas- torate. We were particularly fortunate in having such a forceful and spiritual leader in those early years of the society. At the first session of the New York East Conference after our organization, held April 3 to 9, 1889, a collection of $320 was reported for the first year’s work of the society. At the first meeting of the New York District held in our church in February, 1890, our membership was reported to be 219, which showed an encouraging growth for less than : —+( 126 ) Threescore and Ten two years. At the same meeting a young ladies’ class, under the leadership of Miss Ada Hudson, now Mrs. Morris, reported having subscribed $30 for the support of a girl in Miss Cushman’s School in China and having contributed twenty little bags for the box of supplies which the society sent to Miss Hall’s School in Italy. Miss Marcia Simmons, daughter of our pastor, reported for a class of thirty boys and girls who had collected $30 to be divided, one half to our society, and one half to other mission work. Thus early in the days of the society, the young people were interested and active in the work, and their zeal has continued to the present time, as we now have three junior organizations, composed of children and young people, beginning with Little Light Bearers for the youngest, pre- sided over by Mrs. W. D. Robertson, followed by Standard Bearers with Miss Alice MacGrotty as president and the older ones, the Young Ladies Society, having Miss Gertrude Fiske, daughter of the mayor of our city, for president. Since our organization, thirty-four years ago, we have had only eight presidents. Mrs. I. Simmons 3 years 1888—1891 Mrs. L. R. STREETER ITyear 1891—1892 Mrs. H. E. GraHAM 3 years 1892—1895 Mrs. Epson Lewis Il years 1895—1906 Mrs. Benjamin Howe 3 years 1906—I909 Mrs. R. T. Eaton S years 1909—I914 Mrs. WALTER K. CooLey Syears I914—I919 Mrs. J. W. Crooks Iyear 1919—1920 Mrs. WaLTER K. CooLey 2years 1920—I1922 All consecrated women, who have served most faithfully, (197 j= Threescore and Ten giving unstintedly of their time and money to the great work of the society. Among the many devoted women who have worked with us in the years gone by, but have ceased from their labors at the call of the Master to join the in- numerable throng at his right hand, we would especially make mention of our first three presidents, Mrs. I. Sim- mons, Mrs. L. R. Streeter and Mrs. H. E. Graham, and also Mrs. Charles F. Sherman, who served as treasurer for twenty-one years most acceptably and with great fidelity. Since writing the above, a fourth ex-president, our be- loved Mrs. Edson Lewis, has left us to join the others in that land of light and glory. She was the daughter of those great workers in the church in the early days, Mr. and Mrs. James Howland, and from them learned to reverence and love the things pertaining to the Kingdom. She was a warm friend of and earnest worker in the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society from its beginning. She served the society as president for eleven years, from 1895 to 1906, being the fourth to be elected to that office. She presided at the meetings in a gracious efficient manner emphasizing the great need of divine guidance and always leaving a spiritual message with the members. The years of her leadership were marked by much progress for the society. She gave generously of her means, supporting a Bible reader in India and a scholarship in Italy. continuously throughout the years until the present time. We are grati- fied to know that the daughters of Mrs. Lewis will continue this financial support as a loving memorial to their mother. On her retirement from the active presidency in 1906, the society elected her honorary president. Although for a few years past her health would not permit of her taking an active part in the work of the society, yet her interest in +( 128 je Threescore and Ten Mrs. Epson Lewis its activities never relaxed. The Lord took this faithful worker to Himself on August 31, 1922. For our great success in collecting money for the exten- sion of His Kingdom through the multiplied agencies of the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society of our denomina- tion, we give thanks to our Heavenly Father to whom be all the glory. The record of our work is reported from year to year in the minutes of the New York East Conference to which we apn es) i Threescore and Ten belong. It will be noted that at the last session of Confer- ence our society reported $2,070 as the previous year’s collection, thus happily earning the honor of leading the other auxiliaries in this respect. We also reported a member- ship of 400. Dr. Bartholow, by his inspiring addresses at our annual meetings and his great interest in the work in which we are engaged, has been of incalculable assistance to the society. With new fields opening on every hand, this is a time for increased efforts to provide the ways and means to answer the call and prove ourselves true to the stewardship of life and money. “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven having the everlasting message to preach to them that dwell on the earth and to every nation and kindred and tongue and people.” Rev. 14-6. May our society ever do its part in spreading the message of salvation wherever men and women can be found who have never heard the blessed story. ee WOMAN’S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY By Mrs. J. E. Hotprepce and Mrs. J. W. Hope “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Prov. 29-18. In the year 1880, in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, there came a vision to a body of consecrated Christian women of the great need of work to be done between the local church and the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society, and from this vision has grown one of the greatest organizations of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Woman’s Home =H 130 = Threescore and'Ten Missionary Society, with a membership of over five hun- dred thousand and its two and a quarter millions of dollars for use in this great work wherever the Stars and Stripes float. In 1895 the women of our own church caught the vision, and on February 12 of that year an auxiliary of this great society was organized by Mrs. Charles M. Giffin, wife of the pastor of our church. The work previous to this had been carried on by a committee of the Ladies’ Aid Society. The object of the Woman’s Home Missionary Society is to interest Christian women in the evangelization and educa- tion of needy and destitute women and children in our own land, where the local church does not reach, and in raising funds to carry on this work. The auxiliary started with twenty-three members, Mrs. Charles C. Bigelow being chosen the first president; Mrs. F. Tichenor, First Vice-President; Mrs. W. R. Lewis, Second Vice-President; Mrs. Edward Pettinger, Third Vice-Presi- dent; Miss A. L. Hudson, Recording Secretary; Mrs. F. S. Odell, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. M. C. Kellogg, Treasurer. The charter members are as follows: Mrs. C. C. Bigelow, Mrs. M. C. Thorne, Mrs. W. R. Lewis, Mrs. Edson Lewis, Mrs. Edward Pettinger, Mrs. R. Lavery,Mrs. F. S. Odell, Mrs. 'T. Davis, Mrs. S. A. Swart, Mrs. D. W. Whitmore, Mrs.C. M. Moreman, Mrs.G. D. Ferguson, Mrs. R. Winfield, Mrs. William Graham, Mrs. C. M. Giffin, Mrs. M. H. Hudson, Mrs. M. E. Slawson, Mrs. Frank Tichenor, Mrs. M. E. Cowenhoven, Mrs. M. C. Kellogg, Mrs. E. L. Cooley, Miss A. L. Hudson, Mrs. W. S. Anderson. The auxiliary has grown from these 23 members to a membership of 325 at the present time, and receipts from $57.34 the first year to $1,900 in 1921. —+( 131) Threescore and Ten Supply work for the frontier ministers has always been one of the special features of this auxiliary, and at its first meeting a barrel was packed for a minister in Nebraska. Each year since, barrels have been sent to needy ministers on the frontier, and judging by the letters received in grate- ful acknowledgment, have been of great blessing to the families who ofttimes have not had the bare necessities of life. Immigrant work has always been very near to our door and therefore very appealing, and has never appealed in vain. Miss Alma Matthews, who has given over thirty years of her life as a missionary at Ellis Island, very forcibly pictures the pathetic side of the poor foreigners who come here and must be Americanized and Christianized. We must not fail. From our mite boxes for a number of years we have re- © ceived over a hundred dollars. This we use for deaconess work, and know it has been a blessing to poor little children and their mothers in need of fresh air. Other special work has been among the orphanages, homes, and hospitals of the Indians, mountaineers, Alaskans and Porto Ricans, in fact, wherever the Stars and Stripes float. Individual pledges and scholarships are given by several of our members, but to our pastor, Dr. Bartholow, we are indebted for our greatest help; he preaching a sermon each year in October for our open meeting, presenting the gospel with such force and conviction that new members are added to our roll and donations made to our work. Our prayer is that all churches in the country have pastors as interested in missions as ours. In November, 1908, a Queen Esther Circle for young women was organized by Mrs. F. M. Gallegher, who is still its superintendent. Also a Home Guard for girls from ten =H 192) | Threescore and Ten years to sixteen years of age was organized under the leadership of Mrs. E. L. Cooley. Mrs. C. H. E. Bohlen is now its superintendent. A Mothers’ Jewel Band was also organized under the supervision of Miss M. E. Thorne, looking after children up to ten years of age. Mrs. F. Booth now has this work in charge. The auxiliary has had four presidents since its organiza- tion, Mrs. Charles Bigelow and Mrs. Edward Pettinger, who each served one year; Mrs. M.C. Kellogg, who served fifteen years from 1897 to 1912, until her translation in August of that year; and the president now in office, Mrs. F. M. Gallegher, who is now serving her eleventh year. Perhaps more than any other member, Mrs. M. C. Kel- logg was influential in building up the auxiliary to its high standard. Its interests were always near her heart and her deep love and devotion to its work were pre-eminent in her life. Mrs. Kellogg was a woman of fine, cultured mind, which was broad and appreciative of all that was beautiful, helpful, and good. She was loyal to her God, her church, her friends, and her qualities as a leader made all feel her loss keenly. But the Master’s work must go on; and her successor, Mrs. F. M. Gallegher, is carrying on the work as the Master would have it done; feeling this to be the greatest tribute to Mrs. Kellogg’s memory. The auxiliary proposes to place in the parish house a memorial to Mrs.Kellogg’s memory as their tribute to her faithfulness and loyalty. Other officers who have given years of loyal service are Miss M. E. Thorne, who served over twenty years as cor- responding secretary, and Mrs. W. J. Cunningham, who served twenty-two years as treasurer, both of whom re- signed on account of removal from the city. =" 133 Threescore and Ten The present officers are: Mrs. F. M. Gallegher, Presi- dent; Mrs. G. F. Boyd, First Vice-President; Mrs. S. W. Bertine, Second Vice-President; Mrs. J. W. Hope, Third Vice-President; Mrs. M. E. Cowenhoven, Fourth Vice- President; Mrs. J. E. Holdredge, Recording Secretary; Mrs. A. A. Haring, Corresponding Secretary; Miss L. Hillemeier, Treasurer. It is with a sense of profound gratitude to God that we summarize the work of the Woman’s Home Missionary Society in our church. May every woman hear the call to service until every knee shall bow and every tongue confess Him Lord of lords and King of kings. “Guide us to see our country’s aim; Aid us our course to run; Blot from our land all sin and shame; Complete Thy work begun! “Lift us on high, a holy race; Use us within Thy plan; Send forth Thy light on every face; Transfigure every man! “Raise us to brotherhood divine; Gird us with truth and right; Send us amongst the people, Thine; Thine with transforming might !” —#{ 134; 4 BIBLE SCHOOL te PRESENT OFFICERS Superintendent Joun E. FInpLey Assistant Superintendent GEorGE F. Boyp Asst. Supt. Senior Dept. Mortimer MansFIELD Asst. Supt. Intermediate Dept. Burton S. Hutcuines Lady Asst. Supt. Mrs. WitiraM A. BRrEINING Secretary Eimer 8S. Davis Furst Assistant Secretary Cuar.es Prescott Davis Treasurer Danie_ ADAMS Chairman, Mercy-Help Dept. Mrs. Aubert A. Harine Supt. Funior Dept. JosepH O. M. Van TasseEt Supt. Primary Dept. Miss Ciara B. Conover Supt. Beginners’ Dept. Miss Georcia ODELL Supt. Cradle Roll Dept. Mrs. O.iver T. Krirrer Supt. Home Dept. Mrs. DanieL ADAMS Asst. Supt. Home Dept. Mrs. JEssE HoLDREDGE Secretary, Home Dept. Mrs. ALFreD F. STEVENS President, Missionary Society Epwarp C. Goucu Vice-Pres., Missionary Society Huon C. PETERS Secretary, Misstonary Society Eimer 8. Davis Treasurer, Missionary Society DaniEL ADAMS President, Temperance-Morals Society KeEnnetH J. HOWE Vice-Pres., Temperance-Morals Society Joun K. MILLER Secretary and Treasurer, Temperance-Morals Society Miss Atice F. ZEISHNER a 6 Superintendents 1 Witi1am Howe 2 Epmunp Hoote 3 Witiram MILier 4 Witi1am GraHaM 5 Cyrus D. Jones 6 Witiiam M. Denman —( 136 )e Superintendents 7 GeorceE M. JENKINS 8 WittiaM ARCHER g Witiiam D. Howe 10 Joun H. Crawson 11 Wiriiam P. UHLER 12 Joun E. Finpiey Sele) Threescore and Ten THE BIBLE SCHOOL By Elmer S. Davis, Secretary From a Sunday school of two officers, nine teachers and fifty members to a Bible school of thirty-three officers, one hundred and twenty-nine teachers, and eighteen hundred and forty members is the record of the Bible school during the seventy years of its existence. The Bible school was organized on May 9, 1852, at a meeting called for that purpose at the home of one of the teachers, and there were then elected the first officers the school had. Albert Riggs was elected superintendent, and Edmund Hoole, secretary-treasurer-librarian. From that date the school functioned as such, continuing to grow in numbers, continually adding officers and teach- ers, creating new departments, until at the present time there are twelve different departments functioning, each under the direction of capable officers and all in very healthy condition. During the course of its growth there came times when re-organizations were necessary to meet the new conditions arising as time went on. The first recorded re- organization of the school occurred in 1859, another in 1862, still another in 1865. No business meetings or elec- tions of officers apparently were held between 1852 and 1859. Apparently no form of government was devised immediately upon the forming of the school, for we find that the first constitution was not written until 1862. Only twice since that date has it been necessary to revise or draw up new constitutions. The latest, under which the Bible school now functions, was drawn up in 1915, after a long and arduous search for the missing and forgotten paper. One of the largest subdivisions of our Bible school, the FC 138 j= Threescore and Ten Missionary Society, was organized early in the school’s growth, being formed February 24, 1860, as a separate society of the church but embodying all the members of the church. Gradually it dove-tailed itself into a department of the school, and in 1915, upon the latest re-organization, it became officially a department of the school, presided over by four officers, with the object to spread throughout the school the ideals of missions, the needs of the church of today to spread the Word of God throughout the land, and to create a spirit of giving to those less fortunate in receiving His Word. There are four outstanding dates in the Bible school year, namely Easter, Children’s Day, Rally Day, and Christmas. The time honored custom of receiving gifts in the Bible school by the members of the various depart- ments had been in vogue for many years up to 1913. In planning for the Christmas entertainment that year, Mr. William P. Uhler, then superintendent of the Bible school, suggested that instead of a “receiving Christmas” it be a “giving Christmas.” So successful was the program that year, and such an outpouring of gifts, money and other useful articles, for those less fortunate and for the various charitable institutions, that the “giving Christmas’ has become a permanent custom, the school outdoing each year the record of the previous year. In the pleasant memories of the Bible school we have workers who gave their all in the advancement of His teachings. Some of these workers labored years for the school, have passed on but are not forgotten. The name of our beloved departed Superintendent, William D. Howe, for over seventeen years officiating at the rostrum of the school on Sunday mornings will recall to many of the older —( 139 )- Threescore and Ten members of the school that genial smile, the warm hand- clasp, the wonderful memory for names of the members of the school, whom he personally greeted before the opening sessions of the school each Sunday. A co-worker of Brother Howe’s, Assistant Superintendent Mason T. Matier, is another outstanding example of a worker who devoted time, energy and devotion to the work of bringing forward the splendid school of today. Another co-worker, one who in her scope of duties did much to bring the school to its present standard, Mrs. Norma L. Cooper, Female Super- intendent and chairman of the Mercy-Help Department for many years, is another example of the unselfish Chris- tian worker, devoting time, energy and often too much of her strength to the work of the school, yet glorying in the work and refusing to give in until her health compelled her to relinquish them. The Primary Department of the school has been very fortunate in having for its heads during the many years of its existence, such wonderful superintendents as Mrs. William S. Anderson and Mrs. Albert A. Haring. Both workers gave to the department much that can only be remembered and wondered at, the children, many of them now teachers and officers of the school in various depart- ments look back at those green years of youth and thank God for giving them such leaders to sow the seeds of Chris- tianity in their childhood. The next step was into the Junior Department, where Mrs. Minot C. Kellogg, ever faithful to the teachings of the Bible, and glorying in the work of the Master, led the scholars during the required years of teaching along the paths of righteousness before graduating them into the general school, where much of the individual was lost in =H 140 : Threescore and Ten the class, ever moving, eventually graduating those of the fittest into the officer and teacher rank of the school. Off in a corner, often without facilities, usually utilizing his or her home for the office, the secretary and the treas- urer of the Bible school held forth. Perhaps they were the least thought of, yet in the last analysis they were as im- portant in their work as any department of the school, for they made the history of the school for later generations to read. The secretaries who stood the brunt of the work and who were the outstanding heads of the secretary’s office of the school are Jonathan P. Hick, secretary from 1863 to 1885, and his son, Charles W. Hick, who succeeded in his footsteps, secretary from 1885 to 1892. Of the treas- urers, the records are very incomplete, yet probably the treasurer longest in the service is our present official, Daniel Adams, for the past twenty-one years serving efficiently in that capacity. Many others, outstanding for their work in their indi- vidual lines are Mrs. Mortimer Mansfield, head of the Cradle Roll and Beginner’s Departments for so many years, the Hon. Benjamin Howe, a devoted and long serv- ing Christian worker as a teacher in the Senior Depart- ment of the school. William M. Denman for many years superintendent of the school and then relinquishing the post to teach a class again, Joseph J. Lafetra, assistant superintendent of the school, George M. Jenkins, Super- intendent of the school for six years from 1886 to 1892 and serving still as a teacher in the Senior Department, a very remarkable record of over thirty-eight years’ efficient service. Another, Henry G. Boegehold, assistant super- intendent, William P. Uhler, superintendent and still serv- ing as teacher in the school, Mrs. Charles C. Roberts, = Threescore and Ten superintendent of the Home Department, who for years labored as head of that department, leaving it in a very excellent condition, yet only when compelled to by ill health, Mrs. Mary E. Slawson, for years Female Superin- tendent, and still an active member of the school in the Senior Department. Yet we must not forget those individ- ual teachers who silently, yet with only one motive in view, gradually poured into the minds of his and her schol- ars that teaching so much needed in the world of today, and then just as silently slipped out of the life of the school as others would fill their footsteps for a time and then move on in endless succession. To all of those the school owes its great growth, its wonderful power for good, and its continuation. There are two members of the present board who have served for such a period of years that they may be right- fully classed veterans, Brother George M. Jenkins serving thirty-eight years and Brother William S. Anderson, serv- ing thirty-seven years, both serving in the old church edi- fice, during the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Crook. Such dis- tinction is rarely found in any church or Bible school and the school feels proud of that fact. We must not overlook our orchestra composed of boys and girls of the school who add so much of inspiration to our music. List oF SUPERINTENDENTS 1852-1922 AuBErT Riccs . . . . May 9,1852 May 15,1859 Witi1aM Howe. . . . May 15,1859 May 49,1860 Epmunp Hoote . . . May 4g, 1860 Dec. 15, 1862 J.L. Brewster . . . Dec. 15,1862 Mar. 13, 1863 WituiaM Mitter . . . Mar. 13,1863. Mar. 4, 1866 +( 142 )- Threescore and Ten List or SUPERINTENDENTS (Continued) Wituram M. Denman . Mar. 4,1866 Mar. 9, 1874 WixiiamM GRAHAM. . . Mar. 9,1874 Mar. 5,1877 Cyrus D. Jones . . . Mar. 5,1877. Mar. 4,1878 WitiiamM M. Denman . Mar. 4, 1878 Mar.’ 1, 1886 GeorceE M. Jenkins . Mar. 1,1886 Mar. 1,1892 WitiiaM ArcHeR . . . Mar. 1,1892 Mar. 1, 1894 Witi1amM D. Howe . . Mar. 1,1894 Dec. 1, 1895 Joun H. CLrawson . . Dec. 1, 1895 Dec. 1, 1897 Wiiuiam D. Howe . . Dec. 1,1897 Jan: 1,1913 Wiiiiam P. UHLER . . Jan. 1, 1913 Sept. 24, 1917 Joun E. Finptey . . . Sept.24,1917 in office, 1922 ae THE BARTHOLOW BIBLE CLASS By James M. Brown, First Secretary Immediately upon the return from the Annual Confer- ence of 1905, the pastor, Dr.Otho F. Bartholow, entered upon his first year of ministry among us, and his interest in the important work of the Sunday school was manifest in his desire to teach in any department where there was a vacancy. Thus he allied himself with this important branch of his pastoral work throughout the spring and summer months of his initial year. Upon his return from his sum- mer vacation, his deep insight into the needs of the school for an advanced class for men who desired to study the Word, and his vision of a large field and vast opportunity for interesting men in spiritual advancement, found ex- pression in the organization of ““The Pastor’s Bible Class +( 143 Threescore and Ten for Men,” not a class independent of, but entirely identified with, the Sunday school. Thus on the first Sunday of October, 1905, began this great movement, with the pastor and eight men who enrolled, and by so doing became the “charter members” of this great Bible class, which has proved in the hands and providence of God, an incentive and inspiration throughout the world, and thereby an up- lifting factor in the lives of men, families, and communities wherever its example and influence have gone. Those to whom has come the honor of charter membership, with the pastor, were: Joseph F’. Stevens, Charles C. Roberts, George E. Erskine, Walter K. Cooley, Frank M. Tichenor, = daa) VW ome le Class Threescore and Ten William Walker, Frederick M. Gallagher and Rev. David Phillip. The sessions were held in the pastor’s study, new members being added, until at the close of the year, in the summer of 1906, fifteen members were attending, with an earnest individual effort to enlarge the circle. During the vacation period these endeavors were continued; personal letters were written, and persistent visitation was em- ployed to resume the fall sessions with a class which would encourage the leader; as a result of this individual prayer and effort, fifty-six men assembled on the first Sunday of the fall session, October, 1906. Then it was that the vision of the pastor was revealed to many of those associated =o( 145) Threescore and Ten with him in the work, and before the class adjourned, dis- cussion resulted in a committee being chosen for the pur- pose of conference with the pastor as to how the member- ship could better aid in the carrying on of his plans for the class. As a result of these conferences the class was advised to elect a president, and to Charles C. Roberts came the honor. With his executive ability, kindly bearing, and visional, initiative genius the class advanced rapidly, and the end of the year, summer 1907, found the class thoroughly organized under the plan upon which the work has been carried forward since; viz: “The Division of the Reds,” and “The Division of the Blues,” to which in later years was added “The Division of the Whites.” The follow- ing year was one of persistent rivalry between the two divisions for a record of attendance and enrollment, re- sulting in a victory for the side which had secured the greatest number of new members and the largest aggregate attendance. And so, year after year, the class has con- tinued to advance, employing the methods as originally presented by President Roberts. The contest for the record of membership closed the summer of 1907, with a dinner in the church parlors, 276 members attending. Year after year until the World War activities in 1918 made the holding of the annual dinner impossible, this feature of the class work promoted a lasting social fellowship, the church parlors could no longer accommodate the membership, and the local armory also demonstrated at the last dinner that the class had outgrown the available housing facilities when almost 900 members attended. From an initial en- rollment of eight, the membership advanced to 1,600. From this roster some 300 entered Government service, eleven of whom attained the Gold Star. (146 Threescore and Ten The inroads upon the class made by the war, and by re- movals from Mount Vernon and adjacent cities, reduced the membership in 1918 to 800 active and 600 semi-active members. During the years 1920 and 1921 a membership drive increased the total membership of the class to 1,600 men. Eight years ago a committee of women of the church and of the homes of the men connected with the Bible class came to the pastor and requested the organization of a Bible class along similar lines. This was done. A splendid woman’s class of 700 members now meets every Friday afternoon. This is an illustration of similar movements inaugurated by the Bartholow Men’s Class. There are now scores of Bible classes throughout the country that owe their origin and inspiration to this class, some 18,000 men being thus organized. In its community service the class has been helpful to a marked degree, carrying on its work in this direction through various bureaus: one on labor, one on relief and help, another on visitation of the sick, etc. The greatest service of the class is evidenced in the changed lives and homes of a multitude of the men. Con- versions to Christ are frequent, the converts generally uniting with the church. During these sixteen years of in- creasing activity seven men have held the office of president: Charles C. Roberts, Walter K. Cooley, John Zweifel, Dr. Warren S. Holder, John E. Mansfield, Charles H. Barnett and Neason Jones (the present incumbent). During all these years our founder and organizer (Dr. Bartholow) has been the teacher. May we not say with the inspired writer of old, “What hath God wrought!” —+( 147 ) Threescore and Ten THE LADIES’ AID SOCIETY By Mrs. Mason T. MatIer “He was born with a gift for laughter” is the fascinating way the hero of a recent story was introduced, and, since there are no records available telling the time of the birth of the Ladies’ Aid Society, it seemed advisable to tell with what particular talents the society was endowed in its beginning. So we will say the Ladies’ Aid Society was born with a gift for helpfulness. Indeed it would seem that this was the purpose for which the society was formed. No minutes are in existence telling of its organization, but some valuable information has been discovered in the old records of the trustees of the church. It is stated that in 1852 the Board received the sum of one hundred dollars from the Ladies’ Aid Society. Later, mention is made of a note for three hundred dollars due the Ladies’ Aid Society, and on Janu- ary 26, 1856, these words are found: “A special meeting of the Board was called for the purpose of receiving two hun- dred dollars from the Ladies’ Aid Society, the proceeds of a fair held on December 24, 25 and 26. “The paper convey- ing this gift to the Board was signed Elizabeth Watkins, Elizabeth Howland, Elizabeth Latham, Committee, and Susan Billings, secretary. Thus we see that the society was a very important factor in starting and maintaining the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Vernon. Again, we may say that the Ladies’ Aid Society was born with a very highly developed gift for raising money; for never has there been a time, from these days of 52 and ’56 +( 148 )- Threescore and'Ten to the present, when the women have failed to raise the money needed for parsonage or church improvement. The earliest records of the society to be found are dated March 20, 1874. These are the minutes of the annual meeting, which state that Mrs. Harriet Graham was elected First Directress, and are signed by the retiring Secretary, Eva A. Satterley. The particular duty of the society has always been to provide for the comfort of the pastor and his family in the care of the parsonage, and to help in a financial way in the furthering of any improvements to the church prop- erty. For a number of years they also engaged in home missionary work, Mrs. Charles C. Bigelow being chairman of the committee having this work in charge. However, when a branch of the Woman’s Home Missionary Society was formed in our church, this was discontinued. Among the early presidents were Mrs. Harriet Graham, Mrs. Joseph S. Clark, Mrs. John Satterley, Mrs. Mary Howe, Mrs. Charles M. Moseman, Mrs. Edson Lewis and Mrs. Rebecca Winfield. These all, a glorious company, rest from their labors, but their works do follow them. This record would not be complete without mention of Mrs. Adaline Bayles, who, though not an officer, was always foremost in good works and helpfulness in the society. The society continued to grow slowly but steadily until 1899, when Mrs. George Clarke Peck, wife of our pastor, became president. From this time the growth was more rapid, and many of the younger women, being persuaded that they also were eligible for membership, joined the ranks of the Ladies’ Aid Society, and new enthusiasm was aroused, with the result that $2,500 was pledged toward —+( 149) Threescore and Ten the improvement fund for the enlargement of the church building. Mrs. S. A. Swart had always been an ardent and devoted worker, and having been treasurer of the society for five years previous to this (which position she continued to fill for three more years), she was able to more than fulfill our pledge; for the record states that Mrs. Swart moved that we pay $100 extra as interest, and the motion was unan- imously carried. Miss Caroline B. Howe, daughter of one of our former presidents, was chairman of the Ways and Means Com- mittee at this time, and it was largely through her genius, of course always augmented by the work of the rank and file, that much of this money was raised. It might be well in passing to state that Miss Howe introduced to our society, the idea of having a chain of teas. These teas have been the means of bringing goodly sums into our treasury. Several years ago Mrs. Fred Berry introduced a new chain of teas, which at the present writing are still popular as social affairs, as well as a means of income. For one year, from March, 1904, to March, 1905, Miss Howe was president of the society, being succeeded by Mrs. G. B. Anderson who continued in this office through five very active years, always tactful and gracious, and greatly beloved by all. Mrs. S. A. Swart being compelled to give up the work of the treasurer’s office, Mrs. Harry K. Grigg was elected in her place, which position she filled faithfully and efficiently for eight years. With the coming to our church of Dr. Bartholow, and the entrance into the Ladies’ Aid Society of Mrs. Bartholow, many new ideas were introduced and a new impetus given the work of the society. Our first contract after the arrival —+( 1 50) Threescore and Ten of Dr. Bartholow was a pledge of $1,500 toward paying off the mortgage on the church. This pledge was also paid with an additional sum of $50 for interest. Long years ago we used to sing, “Little drops of water, little grains of sand Make the mighty ocean, and the beauteous land.” If ever there was a tiny thing, comparable to a grain of sand, surely it was a Bible bookmark, but the results were ‘ mighty. This was an idea presented and worked out by Mrs. Bartholow. Three thousand were disposed of the first month, and the work carried forward, until over a thousand dollars was realized from this tiny thing. Bookmarks wholesale and retail went to every state in the union, and many to countries across the seas. What has not the society done in the way of legitimate business? We have taken subscriptions to magazines, sold baking powder, tea, silver polishing cloths, fireless cookers, chocolate and silk stockings; held fairs and cake sales, to say nothing of our annual strawberry festival. And then such interesting and instructive lectures as Dr. Bartholow has given for the benefit of our work. Over $2,000 has been raised by these lectures alone, so it is small wonder that we could pledge ourselves to raise the money for the addition of two much-needed rooms to the parsonage. In 1905 a calling or visiting committee was formed with Mrs. E. L. Cooley at the head, and the society is proud and happy to have her still in that position. Between four and five thousand calls have been made, and only the Infinite can estimate the good done by these calls. Our next president was Mrs. O. F. Bartholow, who in 1910 succeeded Mrs. Anderson, and held the office for three (151) Threescore and Ten years. She could not work harder in this position than she had done as a private, but her three years were marked by growth and great activity, and again we made a pledge of $1,000, this time toward installing a new organ in the church, also $400 toward one of the large art windows. Mrs. Grigg, having fallen upon evil days with regard to health, and being compelled to resign her position, Mrs. S. W. Bertine was made treasurer in 1911, and is still act- ing in this capacity, thus rounding out the longest term of office of any treasurer of the society. Mrs. J. Mortimer Bell was our next president, holding the office for one year, after which Mrs. Bartholow was again elected to that position, and continued in office for five years from 1914 to 1919. During this time occurred the great war, and a Red Cross unit was formed in the society under the leadership of Mrs. G. B. Anderson and Mrs. Bartholow. The women met regularly in the church, besides working hard at home; and many thousands of articles were made and sent to the Red Cross and Navy League for the comfort of “Our Boys” on land and sea. In 1914 Mrs. George B. Bryant was made chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, and served not only as chairman and adviser, but in everything suggested by her, was the most earnest and tireless of workers. This position she held until the present year, 1922, at which time she was reluctantly released from office. In March, 1919, the society was again pleased to wel- come Mrs. G. B. Anderson as its president, at which time new and larger activities were entered upon. The vision of a parish house was made so real and alluring, that the society pledged the sum of $10,000 for the purchase of the lot opposite the church upon which to —+( 1 52 jw Threescore and'Ten erect this building. The lot was secured, and at this time is entirely liquidated. It was a large contract, and has meant hard work, but willing hearts and hands have made it a labor of love. : And still the work goes on, although under new leader- ship, Mrs. Elizabeth Robertson having been elected president at the last annual meeting. For, though leaders change, the church remains, and the need for our best endeavors for her is as great as ever. It may seem strange that no mention has been made of any strictly devotional work by the society. The omission has been intentional, desiring to keep the best for the last; for it truly is the best, and that without which the society could never have prospered. No meeting has ever been held that has not been opened by a quiet time of reading God’s Word and prayer for Divine guidance, and great has been the help and inspiration from these hours of worship. Indeed, to this must we attribute the wonderful spirit of love and unity that has prevailed in the Ladies’ Aid Society from the beginning down to the present time. “HE 153 Threescore and Ten THE EPWORTH LEAGUE CuapTer No. 4049 By Mrs. Carsten H. E. BouHLen The great popularity of the Christian Endeavor move- ment which was spreading rapidly among the young people of the various evangelical denominations, including the Methodist Episcopal Church, was an important factor in influencing the authorities of our denomination to organ- ize for the young people of the Methodist Episcopal Church a separate society to instruct them in Methodist doctrines and policy, and to confine their religious activities within their own denomination. In furtherance of this plan a convention was called at Cleveland, Ohio, in May, 1889, composed of delegates representing Methodist young people’s societies of what- ever name, and after much discussion, the name, The Epworth League of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was decided upon, and on May 15, a constitution was adopted and the society was organized. In our local church, our young people had organized a society in 1886, during the pastorate of Rev. Charles S. Wing, and named it the Young People’s Association of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Vernon. George M. Jenkins was elected as president and served for two years, and George C. Hoffman followed for two years more. This society had an unusual experience in that an obligation was made for it in advance of its organiza- tion, for at the dedication of the church, October 14, 1886, a subscription of six hundred dollars was made in the name + 154.) Threescore and'Ten of the Young People’s Society, not yet formed. The young society not only paid this subscription, but also added liberally to it. In November, 1890, the members of the society decided to become a chapter of the Epworth League, and on apply- ing for a charter, we learned that we were Chapter 4049, so great had been the growth of the organization. William S. Anderson was elected the first president of the local chapter, the other officers at that time being: First Vice- President, George W. Glaentzer; Second Vice-President, Mason T. Matier; Third Vice-President, George M. Jen- kins; Fourth Vice-President, Miss Jessie Howard, Secre- tary, Miss Katherine W. Cory; Treasurer, George E. Erskine. In the minutes of the First Quarterly Conference held May 14, 1891, we find this reference to our Epworth League in report of the pastor, Rev. Lewis R. Streeter: “The Epworth League Chapter, numbering 205 members, is a Vigorous institution six months old. . . I will look with peculiar interest upon the doings of this Chapter because of my relations to it as pastor of the church and also as president of the New York District League of our Con- ference.” Brother Streeter took great pride in our League, especially in the very favorable reports we would make at the district conventions to which we never failed to send a large delegation. Subsequent pastors have all manifested the same keen interest and spirit of co-operation with the young people of the church, which has been very helpful to both. In the early years the Epworth League published a paper entitled “The Epworthian,” with John F. Fairchild as editor. For many years the Epworth League, Official Board —-( 155 je Threescore and Ten and Ladies’ Aid Society financed the publishing of the church bulletin. Toward the improvements made to the church during the pastorate of Brother Streeter the League raised the sum of $382.62, and when the greater enlarge- ments were made during Brother Peck’s pastorate the League helped again with a subscription of $1,000. It also purchased the piano for the Sunday school, and for many years maintained the work of Epworth Chapel through its Third Department, and in 1915 gave $150 to the organ fund. All the departments of the League have been thoroughly organized and ably conducted throughout the years, par- ticular emphasis being given to the spiritual work among the members and to world evangelism. It has always fur- nished the pulpit flowers until the present system of having memorial flowers was instituted, and it continues to fur- nish flowers when these have not otherwise been provided. It holds services at the “Old Ladies’ Home” and for the benefit of shut-ins, and provides Thanksgiving dinners to the poor and needy. The Epworth League banner was presented to the society by Mr. and Mrs. William S. Anderson. In connection with the Fourth Department, the Ep- worth League gave the sacred cantata, “The Holy City,” with a chorus of one hundred voices, assisted by talented soloists, on December 8, 1891. On November 22, 1910 “Ye Olde Folkes Concerte” was given with ninety-six members taking part, proving a great success in every way. The young people have always contributed largely to the success of all undertakings requiring large sums of money, and during the past three years the League has been especially active in this respect. It has paid $1,000 —+( 156) Threescore and Ten to the War Memorial Fund and has also a $500 United States Government Certificate for the same cause, though the pledge made by the Epworth League was only $750, to be paid within five years. Under its auspices in February and October, 1921, were held two organ recitals of high order on the Minot C. Kellogg Memorial Organ, by Will C. MacFarlane, Amer- ica’s great concert organist and composer. Two of our presidents, Robert A. Anderson and Irving M. Anderson, sons of our first president, had the honor to be elected president of the District League. During the thirty-two years since its organization the local chapter has had twenty presidents. The names of the presidents are: William S. Anderson, Mason T. Matier, John F. Fairchild, Arthur Cooper, F. H. Denman, George M. Jenkins, J. Elmer Briggs, George W. McLean, Walter K. Cooley, Robert A. Anderson, Irving M. Anderson, Fred M. Gallagher, James M. Brown, Burton S. Hutchings, William P. Uhler, Jr., Miss Bess K. Roberts, Ruland W. Lee, Miss Gertrude Cryer, Roberts O. Bartholow, son of our pastor, and the one now in office, Carsten H. E. Bohlen. Mr. George M. Jenkins served the League two different terms as its president. The names of the present officers are: President, Carsten H. E. Bohlen; First Vice-President, Miss Elsie Downs; Second Vice-President, Miss Mary Oakley; Third Vice- President, Miss Myrtle Halton; Fourth Vice-President, Miss Gertrude Hick; Treasurer, Roberts O. Bartholow; Recording Secretary, J. Walton Robertson; Correspond- ing Secretary, Clifton Thorpe. The League has always conducted a prayer and praise service on Sunday evenings preceding the regular church a Threescore and Ten service and a sunrise prayer meeting on the morning of every Anniversary Day of the Epworth League. Chapter 4049 has always stood for the best things and has endeavored to follow faithfully its motto, “Look up, Lift up,” and will always continue to do so with Christ’s help and guidance. Sete THE JUNIOR EPWORTH LEAGUE By Miss Louise HILteMEIER, Superintendent The Junior Epworth League, Chapter 1618, of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, was twenty-nine years old May 20, 1922, having been organized in 1893, during the pastorate of Rev. Lewis R. Streeter. Mason T. Matier was president of the senior League at the time. William S. Anderson was appointed the first superintendent and Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. George M. Jenkins were his assistants. The movement was very popular with the boys and girls and the organization grew rapidly, soon numbering one hundred and fifteen. The meetings were held Sunday afternoons and were conducted on spiritual lines, the Juniors being thoroughly drilled in Bible study and Bible history. They furnished flowers every Sunday for the Sunday- school superintendent’s desk, and later they were taken to the sick. By 1894 the membership had grown to 150 and was divided into red and blue divisions. At Christmas, 1896, they presented the Sunday school with the clock which is now doing service in the chapel. At another time they presented the school with a desk for the HL 158 j= Threescore and Ten secretary. The Junior League banner was the gift of Mrs. William S. Anderson. In the line of Missionary work the Juniors supported an orphan in India for many years. At the District Conven- tion held in the fall of 1903, Mr. Anderson was elected District Superintendent of Junior Leagues, which office he held for three years. Mr. Anderson was a very faithful and earnest worker with the children at all times, and served as their leader for eleven years. Miss Elizabeth J. Lamoree was the second superintend- ent and during her time the day of meeting was changed from Sunday to Friday afternoons at four o’clock. She was a very earnest worker for the League, and was very much beloved by all the children and those that assisted her in the work. She gave her best for them and all were very sorry, indeed, when she was forced to resign about 1908. Miss Louise Hillemeier was then appointed superintend- ent by Dr. Bartholow, and is still in charge of the work. Thus in twenty-nine years the Juniors have had only three superintendents. Since Miss Lamoree’s time they have supported a little Japanese girl in a mission school in Japan, and many chil- dren have gone through school in Japan, and in turn become Christian teachers themselves through the efforts of the Juniors. For the last five years a Christmas box containing about two hundred articles has been sent to Mrs. Earl A. Hoose, a missionary in Kiukiang, China, for distribution among the Chinese children in the mission schools there. These boxes were greatly appreciated by her, and con- sidered the best that came from America. A Christmas box of toys, books, and candy has been =H 159 J Threescore and Ten sent for fifteen years to the Deaconess Home in New York for their poor children. Also every June a fine donation of money is sent there for the Fresh Air work at Long Branch. In the past three years the Juniors paid to the Parish House Fund $650, their subscription in full. An annual Fair is held each November, at which they make over two hundred dollars, which enables them to carry on their work for the rest of the year together with the collection taken at every meeting. Dr. Bartholow has always been their greatest inspiration and delight, for the children are very dear to his heart, and he has always given himself freely to them, being present at all the meetings unless unavoidably prevented, and giv- ing the lesson and talk. He has drilled them well on the Bible, the Church Catechism, and all other subjects the children should know. He very often conducts a spelling match on the books of the Bible, and many have been able to spell every one correctly, even Ecclesiastes. Dr. Barth- olow often gives the children stereopticon views, and they have a social every four or five weeks, for a treat. There is always a contest for new members, as Dr. Bartholow offers prizes every year for those who bring in the most. Aside from Dr. Bartholow’s talks and lessons, the superintendent looks after all other matters to the very best of her ability, for she also loves the work and the children too, and the League is in a very flourishing condition. May God bless it and keep it so! —+( 160 )+- Threescore and Ten BOY SCOUTS By Exmer §. Davis, Chairman Troop Committee Present Officers Troop Committee: Ermer 8. Davis, Chairman Joun E. FINDLEY Rev. Dr. O. F. BarTHoLow Scoutmaster: Howarp BaKkER Assistant Scoutmaster: RALPH PIERSALL Scouting in Mount Vernon took a great leap in the year 1915, so much so that boys clamored for the formation of new troops and leaders to command them. In our church the boys were so insistent on forming a representative church troop, that a committee waited upon the pastor in 1916, and as a result, Troop No. 15 was formed in the summer of that year. The pastor supervised its initial organization and still is actively associated with it as a troop Committeeman. The first scoutmaster of the troop was Elmer S. Davis, who is still serving with the troop in the capacity of chair- man of the troop committee, having relinquished the scoutmastership several years ago, only to be promoted to Deputy Commissioner in charge of the scout troops throughout the city. Under the scoutmaster’s leadership the boys studied hard, and in contests showed what scout- ing does for the boy, doing credit to themselves and their church. During the war, and the scoutmaster’s absence in the service, various leaders took charge of the troop and the —-( 161 )+ Threescore and Ten boys performed much war work in Liberty Loan drives, etc., being credited with honors and earning medals from national headquarters for the work. In 1921 Rev. Harold F. Hewitt affiliated himself with the church and the young people’s work and became scout- master of the troop. After a re-organization, the troop was increased in numbers sufficient to be called a double-troop. Under Mr. Hewitt’s leadership the scouts proceeded to attain new records, displayed much scouting, and won additional laurels in city contests. In the last City Rally, our troop gained second place, and brought home two of the five banners for which fourteen troops of the city con- tested. Since early last April, assistant scoutmaster, Howard Baker, has been in charge of the troop, Mr. Hewitt having left the city, and with the fall opening of the troop, Mr. Baker has been appointed scoutmaster. Beginning as a scout himself six years ago, in Troop No. 3, of the city, Mr. Baker has risen through every rank in scouting, and now attains the leadership, being fully equipped to handle the troop to the highest point of efficiency. —+( 162 )+— Offictary S Resident Bishop District Superintendent Rev. Luraer B. Wizson, D.D., LL.D. Rey. Wizu1am H. Kipp, D.D., Stamrorp, Conn. Cuartes O. SHELDON Tue Pastor Danie. W. Wurrmore, President Freperick H. Gepney, Secretary Georce H. Brown Georce M. Jenkins Cuartes B. Bayes Frep Berry Henry G. Borcenoip Epwin S. BorEcEHOLD Georce F. Boyp ALBERT J. Braco Cuar_es C, Brower Wa ter K. CooLey Joun E, Finpiey Wituiam S, Gorsucu Epwarp C. Goucu Mrs. E. L. Cootey Pastor Ordained Elder Rev. J. Frep Cryer, L. E. Local Preachers Neason Jones Class Leaders Trustees Georce M. Jenkins Rev, Otuo F, Bartuotow, Px. D., D.D. HErsBert ScuIFFEL James M. Brown Frank M. Ticuenor, Vice-President SaMuE A. Swart, Treasurer Epson Lewis Samue W., BertTINnE Stewards Harry K. Grice ALBERT A. Harinc Cuarves HEnsLe Ricuarp B. Hopson Dr. Warren S. HoLper Cuesrer E, Houtprepce KENNETH Howe J. Frankuin Hui Burton S. Hutcuines Lewis H. Jenkins Josepu J. Larerra Wit1aM S. ANDERSON Georce McLean Mortimer MAnsFIELD Frank C. Mitter Joun K. Mitter Cuartes C. Rogerts WIii1am STEADMAN Wiiuram E. Turner WiiuiaM P. UnLER Josepu O. M. Van Tasset Joun A. WEBBER Joun T. ZwEIFEL Also the Superintendent of Bible School, Presidents of Ladies’ Aid, Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Societies and Epworth League, also Superintendent of Funior Epworth League, whose names appear with the history of their organizations. FIFTEEN HUNDRED COPIES PRINTED DECEMBER 1922 AT THE PRINTING HOUSE OF WILLIAM EDWIN RUDGE MT. VERNON, N.Y.