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 THIS BOOK IS ONE OF A 
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 BENNO LOEWY 
 1854-1919 
 
 AND BEQUEATHED TO 
 CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 
BX9531.N C 5° r R28 UniVerSl,yLibrary 
 HiSt |H»Kiiin ( iiifiiii >urse delivered a * *he la 
 
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A Cornell University 
 S Library 
 
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 the Cornell University Library. 
 
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 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
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 S7 Bud E9 William St., N. Y. 
 
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE 
 
 DELIVERED AT 
 
 THE LAST SERVICE 
 
 HELD IN THE 
 
 CORNER OF BROOME AND GREENE STREETS, 
 
 NEW YORK OITY, 
 
 APRIL 15, I860. 
 
 BY THE PASTOR, 
 
 REV. PETER STRYKER. 
 
 (Published by Request of the Consistory. 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 BOAKD OF PUBLICATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH, 
 
 SYNOD'S BOOMS, 61 FRANKLIN ST. 
 
 I860. 
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The Sanctuary belonging to the Kefobmed 
 Protestant Dutch Chukoh on the corner of 
 Broome and Greene streets having been sold, the 
 last religious services were held in it on Sabbath, 
 April 15, 1860. 
 
 In the morning, at 10J o'clock, a large audience 
 assembled to hear the oldest living pastor, Rev. 
 Samuel A. Van Vranken7 D.D., Professor in the 
 Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, N. J., 
 who discoursed about the Cloud overshadowing 
 the Tabernacle, from Exodus 40 : 34-38. 
 
6 CLOSING SEBVICES. 
 
 At two o'clock, p. m., a number of friends fol- 
 lowed the remains of Mr. Thomas F. Peeney, a 
 worthy disciple of Jesus, to the house of God, and 
 listened to some remarks of the pastor, founded 
 upon 1 Thessalonians 4: 14. Only two weeks 
 before, Mr. Peeney was in the Sanctuary, appa- 
 rently in his usual health. In common with 
 many of his fellow members, he was looking for- 
 ward with great interest to the last Sabbath in 
 the- Broome Street Church. His body was pres- 
 ent, but the soul released from mortality, we trust 
 was in the heavenly temple. 
 
 At 3£ o'clock, p. m., a throng again assembled 
 in the old tabernacle, to listen to one who was 
 the longest settled pastor, Rev. George H. Fisher, 
 D.D., who discoursed concerning God as seen in 
 the Sanctuary, from Psalm 63 : 2. 
 
 It is an interesting fact, that at this service three 
 little children were presented by their parents, in 
 covenant to God by baptism. 
 
CLOSING SERVICES. 7 
 
 In the evening, at 7-J o'clock, the Church was 
 crowded to its utmost capacity, when the present 
 pastor, Rev. Peter Stkyker, preached a Dis- 
 course on the History of the Church, which, by 
 general request, and under the authority and su- 
 pervision of the Consistory, is now published. 
 
HKsttfttttst* 
 
 "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord tbt 
 God led thee." — Deuteronomy 8 : 12. 
 
 Foe forty years Moses led the children of Israel 
 
 in their march through the wilderness. At length 
 
 they stand on the brink of Jordan, and soon will 
 
 cross the stream, and enter the land of promise. 
 
 But their leader cannot accompany them. He 
 
 must be contented with a view of the goodly 
 
 country from the top of Nebo. And very few 
 
 of those who left Egypt will go over Jordan. 
 
 Nearly all the old patriarchs have fallen victims 
 
 to their perverseness and cupidity. It is for their 
 
 children to. receive the promised inheritance. 
 1* 
 
10 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 To these young Israelites Moses speaks with all 
 the tenderness and solicitude of a father who is 
 soon to close his eyes in death. Part of his fare- 
 well advice we have in the words of our text. 
 
 Beloved people, among whom I have labored in 
 the Gospel for nearly four years — years to me of 
 much happiness, I trust to you of some benefit — 
 in view of the change now transpiring in our 
 experience as a Church, I can find no words more 
 appropriate from which to preach to you the 
 final discourse in this place, than those which 
 were addressed by the distinguished Hebrew to 
 his loving and beloved followers. 
 
 Let us, then, in gathering up our church remin- 
 iscences, previous to our removal, consider the 
 way God has led us, and how we are to remem- 
 ber it. 
 
 I. In' considering the way God has led w, we 
 are introduced to the whole history of this Church 
 from its incipienoy to the present time. 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 11 
 
 And here, at the outset, an interesting fact 
 meets us. This Church, Avhich has been large 
 and influential, in which much of the wealth of 
 New York has been congregated, and from which 
 even in the period of its financial embarrassment, 
 large sums of money have been contributed to 
 benevolent purposes — this Church was started as 
 a missionary enterprise. 
 
 A society was organized, January 9th, 1822, 
 called "The Missionary Society of the Reformed 
 Dutch Church." The first missionary in their 
 employ was the Rev. Robert Mc Lean ; and the 
 first enterprise they originated through him was 
 that which in a very short time resulted in the 
 formation of this Church. 
 
 There was then no church of our denomination 
 between Franklin street and the village of Green- 
 wich. The society, therefore, determined to lo- 
 cate their missionary near the corner of Canal 
 street and Broadway, a part of our city then 
 growing rapidly. But as no suitable room could 
 
12 HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 be obtained in that immediate locality, in which 
 to hold divine service, the junction of Howard 
 and Elm streets was selected as the central point 
 of missionary operations. A room was there ob- 
 tained, in which Mr. McLean preached every 
 Sabbath morning and evening, and in which he 
 lectured one night in each week. With the ex- 
 ception of some twelve weeks in the summer of 
 1822, when the yellow fever was very prevalent, 
 these' exercises were continued in that place for 
 about a year and a half, the attendance being 
 veiy respectable, and the words of the preacher 
 regarded as impressive. 
 
 But the room and locality were not attractive ; 
 and as persons of means and influence were join- 
 ing the enterprise, it was determined to build a 
 church edifice on the corner of Broome and 
 Greene streets. Accordingly three lots of ground 
 were purchased of Mr. Stephen Van Courtland, 
 who conveyed them by deed to Messrs. Cornelius 
 Hyer, Timothy Hutton, "William Shaw, James 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 13 
 
 Bogert, Jr., and Gerard Beekman. These gentle- 
 men were chosen as the building committee, and 
 held the property in trust until the Church was 
 organized. 
 
 The corner stone was laid in June, 1823. A 
 large company of the prominent clergymen and 
 laymen of the Eeformed Dutch Church in the 
 city of New York assembled on that occasion at 
 the residence of a prominent citizen in Spring 
 street, and walked in procession to this site ; and 
 then, in the presence of a numerous concourse of 
 people, the venerable Dr. John H. Livingston, 
 laid the corner-stone of this building, in the name 
 of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and 
 accompanied this solemn ceremony with a most 
 earnest and eloquent address. 
 
 In the month of October following, service was 
 commenced in the basement, and from that time 
 onward the indefatigable Missionary preached 
 three times each Sabbath, and lectured once in 
 the week. 
 
14 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 On February 8th, 1824, this building was dedi- 
 cated to the worship and service of the Triune 
 God. On the morning of that day, Rev. Dr. 
 Milledollar preached from 2 Chronicles 6 : 18 : 
 " But will God in very deed dwell with men on 
 the earth? Behold heaven and the heaven of 
 heavens cannot contain Thee : how much less this 
 house which I have built !" In the afternoon of 
 the same Sabbath, Rev. Dr. Mc Murray preached 
 from Psalm 89 : 15 : " Blessed is the people that 
 know the joyful sound ! they shall walk, O 
 Lord, in the light of thy countenance." In the 
 evening, Rev. Dr. Mathews preached from Ezekiel 
 37: 11: "Then he said unto me, son of man, 
 these bones are the whole house of Israel." All 
 these services were largely attended, and the 
 names of the preachers afford sufficient evidence 
 that they were conducted with interest. 
 
 The first cost of this building was $13,000, 
 which, added to the cost of the lots, amounted to 
 $16,200. This, however, does not include the ex- 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE!. 15 
 
 pense of building the galleries and the front por- 
 tico, additions which were made a few years sub- 
 sequent. To meet the expense incurred, $9,000 
 was obtained by subscription, and $7,000 be- 
 came a church debt, which, in three or four years, 
 was paid of£ 
 
 This Church was organized by a committee ap- 
 pointed by the Classis of New York, on the second 
 Wednesday in December, 1823, when Messrs. 
 Luke Hinchcliff, and Stephen Hasbrouck, M.D., 
 were installed elders, and Messrs. John Butler and 
 James Smith, deacons. Subsequently James 
 Smith was chosen clerk, and Leonard W. Kip, 
 Esq., treasurer. 
 
 Concerning this latter gentleman we must be 
 permitted to say a word in this connection. I trust 
 my worthy friend will pardon the mention of his 
 name and deeds, but as it is a part of the history I 
 nrast speak of him. With all the ardor of early 
 manhood, and trusting in God, he consented to 
 undertake the duties and responsibilities of church 
 
16 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 treasurer. Through all the embarrassments neces- 
 sarily attending a new enterprise, he continued 
 at his post, by his energy, prudence and liberality, 
 carrying the Church safely through all its early 
 financial difficulties. 
 
 8 
 
 In the year 1835, about eleven years after the 
 organization of the Broome Street Church, Mr. Kip 
 resigned his office as treasurer, that he might give 
 his labors to the Reformed Dutch Church in Ninth 
 street, which was then an infant organization, un- 
 der the pastoral care of his brother, the Rev. Fran- 
 cis M. Kip. During this period the late William 
 Hardenbrook, Jr., acceptably filled the office thus 
 rendered vacant. In the year 1838, Mr. Kip return- 
 ed to this Church, and was again elected treasurer. 
 Since that time he has annually been chosen to the 
 office, and at considerable sacrifice and with com- 
 mendable fidelity has fulfilled its important duties. 
 It is a remarkable circumstance, that he who, 
 more than thirty-six years ago, at the organi- 
 zation of this Church, was elected its treasurer, 
 
HISTOBIOAI, DISCOURSE. 17 
 
 is acting in that capacity still, and has been dur- 
 ing the interesting period, with the exception of 
 about three years. The shades with thee, beloved 
 friend, are stretching lengthily iu the past ; but 
 thy form bends forward, and thy step is toward 
 heaven : and though thy eye is dim, and earth 
 fades from thy view, soon with new vision thou 
 wilt see the King in glory, and take thy place in 
 the upper sanctuary. In the name of the Church, 
 which thou so well hast served, I greet thee here 
 to-night, and fervently invoke choice blessings on 
 thy head. (See Note A.) 
 
 But let us return to our early history. The 
 Church, having been organized ecclesiastically, 
 was regularly incorporated under the title of " The 
 Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Keformed 
 Protestant Dutch Church in Broome Street, in the 
 City of ISTew York," by deed or declaration to that 
 effect duly executed and acknowledged by the 
 said elders and deacons, (there being then no in- 
 stalled minister,) dated January 26th, 1824, and 
 recorded in the Eegister's Office, January 27th. 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 In the month of April, in the same year, the 
 Rev. Robert McLean, who had acted first as mis- 
 sionary and then as stated supply, was called to 
 the pastorate, and in the month of May was install- 
 ed by a committee appointed by the Olassis of 
 New York. From that time onward the new vine, 
 planted by the divine Gardener, as we believe, and 
 watered with the dews and showers of grace, 
 nourished more and more. 
 
 In the month of July, 1825, the pastor met with 
 a severe trial, which almost paralyzed his energies. 
 Mrs. McLean, who was a most estimable pious wo- 
 man, and devoted wife and mother, was suddenly 
 removed by death. Her remains were deposited 
 beneath the edifice, under the floor of the lecture 
 room, on the east side, and there they still repose. 
 A kind friend of the old pastor and his wife, and 
 of the Church, has generously signified he would 
 remove this sacred dust to his private vault. (See 
 Note B.) 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. McLean continued pastor until 
 April, 1826, when, with the consent of the Consis- 
 tory, he resigned his charge, and with his two in- 
 fant children sailed for Europe. He was an Eng- 
 lishman by birth, and on his return to his native 
 country he became pastor of a dissenting church in 
 Liverpool, in which the lamented Eev. Mr. Spen- 
 cer preceded him, and which for many years has 
 been under the care of the Eev. Dr. Raffles.- He 
 died a little before the year 1850, his two children, 
 one of whom had arrived to manhood, having de- 
 ceased before him. It is stated that their death 
 greatly depressed his spirits and hastened his own. 
 
 This is all we can glean concerning the history 
 of the first pastor of this Church. All who knew 
 him and were accustomed to hear him preach, tes- 
 tify that he was a man of more than ordinary tal- 
 ent, a sound theologian, a forcible reasoner, a plea- 
 sant speaker, a man of piety and power. And his 
 short ministry here — in all only about four years, 
 in two of which he acted as missionary and two as 
 
20 HISTOBICAI, DISCOURSE. 
 
 pastor — was greatly blessed. As a preacher he was 
 popular. Many of the intelligent and wealthy, as 
 well as the humble classes, flocked to hear him. 
 From the minutes of General Synod, held in 1825, 
 we learn that during the preceding ecclesiastical 
 ye ar, there were received to the Church under his 
 ministry thirty-five persons by certificate, and twen- 
 ty-seven by confession offaith, in all sixty-two. This, 
 certainly, for an infant Church, was a large number, 
 and indicates that the pastor was faithful and suc- 
 cessful. Had he remained, and been able to over- 
 come his mental depression induced by affliction, 
 doubtless this Church, under his able ministrations, 
 would have flourished as it did under his succes- 
 sor. 
 
 And now that the first pastor is gone, where 
 shall the new and as yet feeble Church look for 
 another ? The name of Dr. Brodhead was suggest- 
 ed. But by the majority the thought of procuring 
 the services of so distinguished a divine was deem- 
 ed altogether visionary. The voice of a few hope- 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 21 
 
 ful ones, however, prevailed. An urgent and 
 unanimous call, immediately after the resignation 
 of Mr. McLean, was forwarded by a committee to 
 the Rev. Jacob Beodhbad, D.D., pastor of the 
 Crown Street Reformed Dutch Church, in Phila- 
 delphia, which soon met with a favorable response. 
 In a letter dated April 7th, 1826, Dr. Brodhead 
 writes : "According to my promise, I now inform 
 you that I have determined, in the fear of the 
 Lord, to accept the call from you and the Church 
 which you represent. I need not say to you, what 
 you must have supposed, that this determination is 
 accompanied with the most painful apprehension of 
 the result. That I come at a sacrifice is well 
 known, but that I shall not regard if the Lord is 
 pleased to use me as an humble instrument to pro- 
 mote His glory and the cause of the Redeemer 
 among yon. I cast myself entirely upon Him, 
 even upon Jehovah Jesus, my Saviour, whose I 
 am and whom I desire to serve." 
 
 That it was with reluctance the Church inPhila- 
 
22 HISTOEIOAl, DISOOT7ESE. 
 
 delphia relinquished the services of their pastor is 
 evident from the resolutions they passed in ac- 
 cepting his resignation, in -which occurs the follow- 
 ing language: "This Consistory sincerely regret 
 the determination of the Rev. Dr. Brodhead to ac- 
 cept the call presented him, especially since his 
 labors in this Church have been evidently succeed- 
 ed by the blessing of the Most High ; and since, 
 from his faithful and persevering devotedness to 
 the glory of the great Head of the Church, and the 
 welfare of this our Zion, his tender and affectionate 
 regard for the spiritual interest of the flock of 
 which the Holy Ghost hath made him overseer, — 
 and that for his private deportment as well as his 
 public ministrations — he has become very much 
 endeared to the people of his charge." 
 
 Thus, at a sacrifice on his own part and also 
 on the part of his former people, that holy man 
 came to take charge of this Church. He came 
 because he felt that God, in a peculiar manner, 
 called him, and had a great work for him here to 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 23 
 
 perform. He conferred not with flesh and blood. 
 He came as Peter went to Cassarea, without gain- 
 saying, as soon as he was sent for. And the se- 
 quel proves he did right. God blessed him, and 
 made him a blessing to the people. 
 
 "Well known as a popular preacher and pastor, 
 Dr. Brodhead did not fall back upon his former 
 fame. From the beginning he threw his whole 
 soul into the holy work of the ministry. He 
 preached plain, practical, pungent discourses, and 
 his acceptable pulpit semces were followed by 
 equally faithful and pleasing pastoral visiting. As 
 a consequence, the Church was soon thronged with 
 attentive hearers, and the membership rapidly in- 
 creased. In less than four months every pew and 
 sitting in this edifice was rented, and then a galle- 
 ry was erected. Soon this also was crowded, and 
 then the upper gallery was built for the accommo- 
 dation of the Sabbath school children. At this 
 time the Church was filled to its utmost capacity, 
 and continued so during Dr. Brodhead's pastorate 
 
24 HISTORICAL DISCOTTBSE. 
 
 of over eleven years. It was a common thing for 
 people of wealth to apply for seats six months in 
 advance, and some who could not he accommodat- 
 ed went away weeping. 
 
 With a proper regard to appearance as well as 
 convenience, it appears that early in the year 1828 
 a project was initiated, and in the course of the 
 season prosecuted and completed, by which the 
 iron railing was put around the Church, the wood- 
 en steps superceded by stone, and the columns in 
 front erected, all at a cost of about $3,000. (See 
 Note C.) 
 
 But we turn with greater pleasure to the statis- 
 tics, which evidence the spiritual prosperity and 
 growth of this portion of Zion in those days. From 
 the Church records it appears there were received 
 to the communion, during Dr. Brodhead's pasto- 
 rate of eleven years, four hundred and ninety-one 
 members, of which number two hundred and eigh- 
 teen were admitted on confession of faith, and two 
 hundred and seventy-three by certificate from 
 
HISTOEIGAX DISCOUB8E. 25 
 
 other churches. During the whole of this period 
 there never was a communion season that passed 
 without some additions. This shows conclusively 
 that the Church was in a healthy condition. 
 
 By many people this has been and is yet known 
 as " Dr. Brodhead's Church." And there is good 
 reason for it. He found it an infant enterprise, small 
 and feeble. He nursed it carefully as a mother 
 does her babe. He fed it with pure milk, and as 
 it was able to bear it with the strong meat of the 
 Gospel. And every thing favored his labor here. 
 The cream of New York society was gathering in 
 this vicinity when he came from Philadelphia, and 
 up to the time when he left this pastorate, the 
 wealthy, the intelligent, the pious were living near. 
 The changes which ha?e since occurred, and 
 which have so thoroughly discouraged some of 
 his successors, did not commence until shortly be- 
 fore his departure. And with these favorable cir- 
 cumstances in Providence, and his own peculiar 
 fitness for the field of labor, the Spirit of God was 
 
26 HISTOBIOAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 with our departed father, and gave a holy tone to 
 his entire ministry. 
 
 Great anxiety was felt and expressed when it 
 was known that the pastor was anticipating a re- 
 moval. And when, in a kind and tender letter, 
 he announced to the Consistory the necessity for 
 such action, and asked them to unite with him in 
 requesting Classis to dissolve the pastoral connec- 
 tion, thev demurred^-they said plainly, no. Com- 
 pelled, however, to reconsider this vote, in giving 
 up their beloved teacher, they declare : " While 
 they deeply regret that his health has become so 
 impaired as to render a change of residence neces- 
 sary and a separation from his congregation una- 
 voidable, still they would rejoice and bless God 
 that he has been 'permitted for so many years to 
 break unto them and to the congregation under 
 their care the bread of life. They believe and 
 are assured that his ministry among them has been 
 owned and blessed of the Lord in the ingathering 
 of souls, and in upholding the weak of the flock. 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 27 
 
 They thank God that in his late affliction he has 
 been enabled to enjoy the comforts of that Gospel 
 with which he has so often cheered the people of 
 his charge under the chastening hand of their 
 heavenly Father." 
 
 These were no words of formality, no ointment 
 to heal up old sores. They were the expression of 
 true and loving hearts. They were the outgushing 
 of souls grateful for the past, and sad on account 
 of the experience of the present. 
 
 I cannot close this portion of our history without 
 giving a concise sketch of the life' of him who was 
 once so prominent in this Christian community, so 
 useful and beloved in this Church, and who has 
 gone to his rest and reward. The following facts 
 are derived from the address delivered by Dr. De 
 "Witt at his funeral. 
 
 The Rev. Dr. Jacob Brodhead was born at Mar- 
 bletown, Ulster co., 1ST. Y., on the 14th of May, 
 1782. Having graduated from Union College in 
 
28 HISTORICAL DISCOtfKSK. 
 
 1801, he immediately commenced the study of di- 
 vinity with Dr. Solomon Froeligh. Called to act 
 the part of tutor in Union College, he continued 
 his theological studies under the direction of his 
 uncle, Dr. Theoderick Eomeyn. In April, 1804, 
 he was licensed by the Classis of Albany to preach 
 the Gospel. Immediately after his licensure he 
 received a call from the Reformed Dutch Church of 
 Khinebeck. After a pleasant ministry there of 
 five years, in the year 1809 he resigned his charge 
 to accept a call from the Collegiate Church in the 
 city of New York, and here became the colleague 
 of Rev. Drs. Livingston, Kuypers, Abeel and 
 Schureman. After much solicitation and with 
 careful consideration, Dr. Brodhead, in 1813, ac- 
 cepted a call to become pastor of the Crown Street 
 Reformed Dutch Church in Philadelphia. In that 
 connection he remained thirteen years, honored by 
 his neighbors, beloved by his people. In the 
 year 1826 he was induced to return to New York, 
 and become the pastor of this Church. After la- 
 boring here eleven years, on account of ill health 
 
HISTOKICAI, DISCOURSE. 29 
 
 he removed to Saugerties, Ulster co., N. T., in 
 1837, and entered upon the pastorate of the Re- 
 formed Dutch Church of Flatbush, adjacent. His 
 health being restored, he was induced, after much 
 urgent solicitation, in 1841, to become the minis- 
 ter of the Central Reformed Dutch Church of 
 Brooklyn ; in this position he remained until 
 the year 1846, when he resigned the pastoral 
 office. After this he preached much for vacant 
 churches, and for his ministerial brethren. Dur- 
 ing the winter of 1854 and '55, the winter preced- 
 ing his death, Dr. Brodhead preached in this pul- 
 pit (then vacant) once each Sabbath. In April, 
 1855, his health failing, he visited his daughter at 
 Springfield, Mass., and there, in the arms of his be- 
 loved and honored son, J. Bomeyn Brodhead, Esq., 
 and of his affectionate daughter, Mrs. George M. 
 Atwater, he gently breathed his last breath, June 
 6th, 1855, aged 73 years and 23 days. His pre- 
 cious remains were brought hither, and after ap- 
 propriate and impressive exercises in the North 
 Dutch Church, were entombed in the ministers' 
 
30 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 vault attached to that building. The whole Church 
 mourned. General Synod, then in annual session 
 at New Brunswick, 1ST. J., passed resolutions of re- 
 spect to his memory, and delegated a committee 
 of twelve to attend his funeral. Devout men of 
 every persuasion followed him to his burial, and 
 the tidings of his death gave sorrow to many 
 Christians throughout the land. 
 
 The Eev. Dr. Bethune, in a commemorative 
 discourse, thus speaks of him : " Having dedicat- 
 ed himself to God in his fresh youth, he kept his 
 vow steadily unto the end. So far from losing the 
 warmth of his love, it grew with his experience 
 and his knowledge of the Saviour. This, doubt- 
 less was assisted by the strength of his constitution, 
 his ardent, temperament and healthful disposition. 
 No one could look on his marked, pleasing features, 
 expressive of thought and feeling, his tall, manly 
 frame, and his easy, prompt movement, without 
 recognising a sound mind in a sound body. Frank, 
 generous and kind, he appeared what he was. 
 
HIBTOKICAL DISCOURSE. 31 
 
 "When he gave you his hand, you knew that his 
 heart came with it ; and his smiles or tears were 
 natural as a child's. 
 
 " It is no wonder, then, that, under the influence 
 of religion, he was what he was. Firm, yet not 
 impassible ; consistent, yet not pragmatical ; stead- 
 fast in faith and virtue, but free from exacting 
 bigotry and petty scrupulosities ; fearless in cen- 
 sure of vice and damning error, yet tolerant of 
 human weakness ; covetous of converse with the 
 gravely wise and wisely good, yet affectionately 
 considerate of the young and delighting to take 
 little children up in his arms ; open to approach, 
 and winning in his advances ; so mingling freely 
 with all classes, but ever mindful of his allegiance 
 to the kingdom which is not of this world, he 
 proved not less in the common duties of daily life 
 than in the fellowship of Christian solemnity, that 
 his piety was a dominant principle, maintained by 
 habitual communion with God, study of the Scrip- 
 tures and contemplation of eternal things." 
 
32 HISTORICAL DISCOTTBSE. 
 
 I have thus entered somewhat particularly into 
 the character of the first two pastors as well as the 
 history of the Church in their time. It was prop- 
 er to do so, because these dear fathers in the min- 
 istry have gone from earth. They rest from their 
 labors, and their works do follow them ; and more- 
 over, under their pastorates, the Church was or- 
 ganised and established. 
 
 My other predecessors in this charge are still liv- 
 ing, each one to speak for his Master as well as him- 
 self ; and if the history of the Church is not as re- 
 plete with interesting incidents in their time as it has 
 been before and since, it is because the river runs 
 more quietly in its deep, broad channel than when, 
 a little rill, it plunges in a noisy way down the 
 mountain side and over its pebbly bed, or when 
 near its mouth it wildly dashes over the rapids into 
 the sea. 
 
 A fact is here worthy of notice. It has never 
 been the policy of this Church to wait long after 
 losing a pastor before endeavoring to secure ano- 
 ther, and in this endeavor they uniformly have 
 

 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 33 
 
 been successful. During a very little time lias this 
 pulpit been vacant. The eyes of the people have 
 constantly seen their teachers, and their ears have 
 ever heard a voice behind them saying, This is the 
 way, walk ye in it. Scarcely had Mr. McLean re- 
 signed his call and embarked for Europe before 
 Dr. Brodhead was standing in his place to an- 
 nounce the message of life. And so when the 
 latter retired to the country to relax and strength- 
 en his weary powers, at once his successor was 
 chosen in the person of Samuel A. Van Ykanken, 
 D.D., who for many years had been the popular 
 pastor of the First Reformed Dutch Church of 
 Freehold, N". J., and at that time was preaching 
 with great acceptance in the Reformed Dutch 
 Church of Poughkeepsie. We need not wonder 
 that our excellent friend, then in the prime of life, 
 at first declined to leave a village one of the most 
 enterprising and pleasant in the country, and a 
 Church which was and is still among the most in- 
 telligent and desirable in our connection. He 
 
 positively declined. But Broome Street was per- 
 2* 
 
34 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 severing. The call was renewed. The importance 
 of the field was mentioned, the unanimity of the 
 people urged, and at length the country yielded — 
 the city conquered. In a letter to the Consistory 
 of this Church, dated December 6, 1837, but a few 
 weeks after Dr. Brodhead's dismission, Dr. Yan 
 Yranken writes that he will come if he can get a 
 release from his present charge : and in December, 
 1837, he was installed as pastor of this Church by 
 the committee appointed for that purpose by the 
 Classis of New York. 
 
 After a faithful ministry of four years, during 
 which he endeared himself to many without as well 
 as within this congregation, Dr. Yan Yranken was 
 in the autumn of 1841 elected by the General Sy- 
 nod to fill the chair of Didactic and Polemic The- 
 ology in the Theological Seminary at New Bruns- 
 wick, rendered vacant by the resignation of Rev. 
 Dr. Milledollar. In a minute of their proceedings, 
 dated October 25th, the Consistory say they "deep- 
 ly regret the loss of the services of their beloved 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 35 
 
 pastor. Yet they feel gratified that he has been 
 called to duties of higher and more extended use- 
 fulness. And being fully convinced that it is his 
 duty to the Church at large to accept the responsi- 
 ble office conferred on him by Synod, they do 
 agree to unite with him in application to Classis, 
 according to his request, commending him to.God, 
 whose he is and whom he serves, and praying that 
 the precious truths of the Gospel, which he has for 
 four years past been permitted to proclaim in their 
 midst, may be as good seed, which shall spring 
 forth and bear a glorious harvest." In a subse- 
 quent minute we find a resolution to the effect 
 that a delegation of six be appointed to attend the 
 inauguration of the Rev. Dr. Van Yranken as 
 Professor of Theology in the Seminary at New 
 Brunswick, on the 14th day of December next. 
 
 For nearly twenty years has our worthy friend 
 continued in this position, an honor and blessing 
 to the Church of his fathers. Many of our present 
 ministry have felt it a privilege to sit at his feet, 
 
36 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 as Paul did at the feet of Gamaliel, to receive 
 from his warm heart and parental lips those les- 
 sons of wisdom which they in turn have been and 
 still are giving to the Church and the world. 
 
 Beloved Instructor, may you long he spared to 
 grace the holy office given you, to teach our young 
 prophets, and through them to speak to millions 
 more ! And when the mandate comes to summon 
 you to join the sainted Livingston, Milledollar, 
 Cannon, Ludlow, and others who have passed away, 
 may yon, like them, gently fall asleep in the arms of 
 Jesus, and awake to the enjoyment of everlasting 
 life and glory ! 
 
 In the good providence of God, the eyes of the 
 Broome Street Church were now turned to the Rev. 
 George H. Fisher, pastor of the Reformed Dutch 
 Church, of Hudson, N". Y., and who, previous to 
 this, was pastor, first, of the Reformed Dutch 
 Church of North Branch, and then of the Reform- 
 ed Dutch Church of Fishkill. It was no doubt a 
 sad and difficult task to tear away from a beloved 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 37 
 
 Church to which, for six years, he had ministered, 
 which was organised under his supervision, and 
 from infancy had been nursed by him like a child, 
 and amid which he had formed many pleasant as- 
 sociations. But the unanimity of the call and the 
 prospect of enlarged usefulness induced our beloved 
 brother to make the sacrifice. He came, and on 
 February 13, 1842, was installed by a committee 
 appointed by Classis, Rev. Prof. Van Yranken, 
 by request, preaching the sermon, and Rev. Dr. 
 Brodhead delivering the charge to the pastor and 
 people. 
 
 For a longer time was Dr. Fisher settled here 
 than any pastor before or after him. For a period 
 of more than thirteen years — a long period in these 
 days of ministerial mutation — he went in and out 
 before this Church and congregation, breaking to 
 them the bread of life. At many a sick bed did he 
 stand to give comfort and encouragement, in many 
 a desolate habitation did he enter, carrying the 
 cheerful lamp of the Gospel. Not a few depart- 
 
38 HISTOKICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 ms souls have breathed out with their latest 
 breath rich blessings on their pastor's head, and 
 many yet live, some here, more elsewhere, to praise 
 God they were permitted here to enjoy the minis- 
 try of my beloved brother for so many years. 
 
 It is proper here to mention that in the year 
 1843, during the pastorate of Dr. Fisher, the in- 
 terior of this building was considerably modified, 
 adding much to its appearance and comfort. 
 This pulpit was then built, the pews were cut 
 down and surmounted with new mahogany tops 
 and scrolls, and furnished with new upholstery. 
 For these repairs and additions, an expense of 
 about $3,300 was incurred. 
 
 In the month of December, 1854, Dr. Fisher 
 received a call from the Reformed Dutch Church 
 of TJtica, which he deemed it proper to accept. 
 In a letter, addressed to the Broome Street Con- 
 sistory, he writes: "You are aware, the reasons 
 inducing me to accede to a request to change my 
 
HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 39 
 
 field of labor, arise solely from the difficulties with 
 which the constant and increasing removals of the 
 people of the Church and congregation, from the 
 vicinity of our house of worship, have surrounded 
 us. And now, in connection with the importance 
 of the pastoral charge offered to me, and the 
 unanimity of voice with which I am happy to say 
 the people of that Church have spoken, they have 
 drawn me to the conclusion that it is my duty to 
 remove from New York* to Utica." What could 
 this Consistory say or do ? They loved their pas- 
 tor. They knew the people loved him. But they 
 could not be selfish. Satisfied that his welfare 
 demanded it, with sorrowing hearts they con- 
 sented that the tie which had so long bound them 
 to their minister should be sundered, and then, 
 having borne sincere testimony to his faithfulness 
 and love, they bade him and his beloved house- 
 hold farewell, and followed them with prayers 
 and tears to their new home. Five long years, 
 peculiar years to this Church, have elapsed since 
 that hour of sad separation ; but doubtless there 
 
4:0 HISTORICAL DISCOTTKSE. 
 
 are many here to-day, -whose minds bound over 
 
 the intervening period as if it were only a point of 
 
 time ; and, as they remember the sunny days of 
 
 the past, rejoice even now, when a dense and 
 
 gloomy cloud is lowering over the tabernacle, to 
 
 see their old pastor ; old, I mean not in his years, 
 
 but in his relation to them ; and their ears have 
 
 to-day listened with delight to the mellow tones of 
 
 his familiar voice. I know I but echo the feelings 
 
 of the fiock, beloved brother in the ministry, and 
 
 predecessor in this charge, when I say, " God bless 
 
 you, spare your life to a good old age, continue 
 
 your usefulness even to the end, and then reunite 
 
 you to those loved ones of your family, and others 
 
 of this fold, who have gone before to glory !" 
 
 Discouraged by the loss of their pastor, there 
 was now a strong inclination manifested on the 
 part of the Consistory and congregation to change 
 the location of the Church. But Cod had deter- 
 mined this should not yet occur, and in his provi- 
 dence directed attention to a young and talented 
 
HTSTOKICAL DISCOTTESE. 41 
 
 brother, who for three years had been pastor of 
 the Eeformed Dutch Church of Geneva. The Rev. 
 Eeney V. Vooehees was called, and having ac- 
 cepted the invitation was installed pastor of this 
 Church, by a committee appointed by Classis, in 
 the month of May, 1855. 
 
 The ministry of our beloved brother seemed 
 likely to prove a wonderful success. Possessing 
 many elements of popularity, his fame soon spread 
 abroad, and numbers crowded hither to hear him. 
 But, alas ! all hopes were soon cast to the ground. 
 Assailed by disease, the preacher, after a few Sab- 
 baths of service was prostrated, and a second trial 
 was followed by a similar result. It being evident 
 that the sick pastor needed perfect rest, by the ad- 
 vice of his physicians he resigned his call, Decem- 
 ber 20, 1855, less than three fourths of a year 
 from the date of his installation. Convinced that 
 it was their duty to him and the Church to do so, 
 the Consistory reluctantly accepted the resigna- 
 tion, deploring the necessity which compelled 
 
42 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 them to this action, and invoking from the great 
 Head of the Church, in behalf of their retiring 
 pastor, restoration to health and prolonged useful- 
 ness in the Church. 
 
 For a year or more our brother was prevented 
 by sickness from attending to the duties of his 
 holy office. But it is a matter of joy to this peo- 
 ple, and of congratulation to the whole Church, 
 that he has been able for three years past to labor 
 in the vineyard, having been called to and in- 
 stalled pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of 
 Bound Brook. May his bow long abide in 
 strength, and like his Master may he increase in 
 favor with God and man. 
 
 Subsequently a call was made upon the Rev. 
 Alexander R. Thompson, of Staten Island, which, 
 although twice presented, was twice declined. 
 
 In the month of April, 1826, a call was made 
 upon the Rev. Petek Strtker, then pastor of the 
 Reformed Dutch Church of Rhinebeck, previously 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 43 
 
 of the Third Reformed Dutch Church of Raritan. 
 Having accepted the call, Mr. Stryker entered 
 upon his duties here the second Sabbath in May, 
 and on Sabbath evening, June 1st, was installed 
 pastor of this Church by the committee appointed 
 by Classis, his father, Rev. H. B. Stryker, by re- 
 quest, preaching the sermon, Rev. Dr. Vermilye 
 delivering the charge to the pastor, and Rev. 
 Jeremiah S. Lord the charge to the people. And 
 he who was then united to you in this most im- 
 portant and tender relation, rejoices, that after the 
 vicissitudes of nearly four years, he is still per- 
 mitted to sustain toward you that relation, and to 
 greet you as his beloved people, his joy and 
 crown. 
 
 To speak of my own ministry is a delicate and 
 by no means enviable task. Yet I would be very 
 faulty as a chronicler did I not mention some facts 
 which constitute a part, and a very important part 
 too, of our history. 
 
 Qod has greatly favored us, dear flock. He who 
 
44 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 came among you with much trembling and weak- 
 ness, is to-day physically stronger than he was 
 four years ago ; and you who were then but few 
 in number are now quite a multitude. 
 
 But notwithstanding all our increase in other 
 particulars, it has for some time been evident we 
 were greatly on the wane in our fiscal arrange- 
 ments. That blackest of all clouds, a" church debt, 
 was brooding over us. We could not drive it 
 away either by our prayers or efforts. Despite all 
 our financiering it grew thicker and darker. With 
 all due respect to our good old fathers, many of 
 whom are now we hope in heaven, and to our 
 beloved brethren who still hold the reins of gov- 
 ernment, we are compelled to say, in review of 
 the past, this Church has been generous to a fault. 
 It has provided for all but itself. Ever ready to 
 contribute to causes of benevolence, in its palmy 
 days, when the thing could have been prevented, 
 it permitted a debt to be formed. And this crea- 
 ture, at first only a little thing, has grown to be a 
 perfect monster, a very tyrant that stands over us 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 4:5 
 
 with whip and scourge, and threatens to drive us 
 to destruction. 
 
 The Collegiate Church very kindly gave us a 
 thousand dollars a year for three years, their bene- 
 faction beginning in May, 1855, and ending in 
 May, 1858. This was of great assistance. "When 
 our brethren felt compelled to withdraw this aid, 
 the congregation, then very much enlarged in 
 numbers and quickened in energy, were rallied, 
 and nobly subscribed for the ensuing year the 
 sum of $1,700. The year following, that which is 
 now near its close, found the people still ready, 
 but not so able. Last May many of our wealthy 
 patrons moved away, and the subscription was 
 reduced to $1,300. At no time was the amount 
 subscribed by our people, or generously donated 
 to us by our neighbors, adequate to meet the de- 
 ficiency existing. 
 
 It became evident, a year or more ago, to those 
 intrusted with the financial affairs of the Church, 
 that this state of things could not last. It was 
 
46 HISTOKICAL DISCOTKSE. 
 
 ruinous. Nay, something must immediately be 
 done. Not only was our debt like a rolling snow 
 ball, increasing rapidly in Bize, but like a huge 
 weight which one was trying to roll up hill, all 
 the while threatening to come down upon the 
 mover and crush him to powder. We needed 
 help for the present emergency. It was earnestly 
 solicited but came not. The only alternative was 
 to move. (See note D.) 
 
 Just at this period of time, the Livingston Re- 
 foemed Dutch Chukch, worshiping in a hall on 
 the corner of Thirty-third street and Eighth ave- 
 nue, made overtures to us. They proposed in their 
 weakness to merge into us, on condition that we 
 would agree eventually to move up and build a 
 Church in their vicinity. This proposition cost 
 them a great sacrifice. It supposed the removal 
 of their beloved pastor, Eev. F. N. Zabriskxe, who 
 had labored among them faithfully and with con- 
 siderable success for three years — the loss of their 
 name, the very best name, we think, in the Dutch 
 
HISTOBIOAL DISCOURSE. 47 
 
 Church— the breaking up of their Church organi- 
 zation—the blotting out of one of the stars in our 
 ecclesiastical firmament — the frustration of long 
 and fondly-cherished hopes — 'the formation of new 
 ' and to them uncertain associations. I know they 
 had much to gain. But let it not be forgotten 
 those dear brethren had much also to lose. The 
 poor man's home is pleasant to him, be it ever so 
 homely, and it is not without a heart struggle that 
 he breaks from it, to find lodgment beneath a loftier 
 roof or in a statelier mansion. 
 
 But the proposition to coalesce supposed a sacrir 
 fice also on the part of the Broome Street Church, 
 a very great sacrifice, as we all felt then, and feel 
 perhaps more deeply now. At first, therefore, the 
 offer was declined. But the inability of this congre- 
 gation to furnish the requisite means, even for pre- 
 sent emergency, compelled the Consistory to recon- 
 sider this action. They in turn made overtures to 
 the Livingston Church, which were accepted, and 
 the proposed union was consummated. The Classis 
 
48 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 of New York, to which both bodies belonged, ap- 
 proved the action ; the members of the Livingston 
 Church were transferred to us, and since May, 
 1859, we have been one. 
 
 Very fortunately, we obtained the able services 
 of the Rev. Professors Campbell and "Woodbeid&e, 
 of New Brunswick, to assist in preaching. These 
 brethren, in company with the Rev. H. B. Stey- 
 ker, supplied the up-town congregation during the 
 summer very acceptably. 
 
 Last autumn it became evident we could strug- 
 gle with our dilapidated finances no longer. We 
 must make arrangements for moving in the spring. 
 The pastor accordingly, by request of the Consis- 
 tory, and with the consent of the Professors, occu- 
 pied the Chapel pulpit every Sabbath evening, 
 and lectured there once during the week, while the 
 Professors in turn have supplied the pulpit in 
 Broome Street every Sabbath afternoon. 
 
 In the mean while, negotiations were pending 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 49 
 
 for the sale of this property. (See Note E.) This 
 object was at length accomplished, and eligible 
 building lots were also purchased in Thirty-fourth 
 street. In the new location the work is progress- 
 ing. The ground is nearly ready for the builders, 
 and we are to-night, April 15th, 1860, holding ser- 
 vice for the last time in our old and beloved Sanc- 
 tuary. 
 
 I have thus rapidly sketched the history of this 
 Church from its infancy to the present time, view- 
 ing each pastorate separately. Permit me to 
 add a few facts in general review. 
 
 The statistics show that there have been, in the 
 period under consideration, between thirty-six 
 and thirty-seven years, 488 marriages solemnized 
 by the pastors ; 557 infants have been baptized, 
 and 1,204 members have been admitted to this 
 communion, of which number 688 have joined us 
 by certificate from other Churches, and 516 on 
 confession of their faith. At almost every com- 
 3 
 
50 HISTORICAL DISCOUE8E. 
 
 munion, since the organization of the Church, 
 some additions have been made. The grace of 
 God has thus descended upon us like the dew, 
 gently, constantly, refreshingly. 
 
 While many who have here given themselves 
 to the Lord have gone forth to other Churches in 
 this city and throughout our land, and as laymen 
 are exerting a hallowed influence for Christ, a few 
 here converted have devoted themselves to the 
 ministry of reconciliation. The Rev. "William E. 
 Goedon, D.D., now pastor at Schraalenburgh, 
 lately in the Seventh Avenue Church in this city ; 
 Rev. Isaac P. Stbykee, who went out as a mis- 
 sionary to Borneo, but died before he commenced 
 his labors for the conversion of the heathen ; and 
 Rev. Benjamin C. Leppincott, pastor of the united 
 Churches of Hurley and North Marbleton, were 
 all the children of this Church. Here they em- 
 braced the Saviour, here espoused his cause, here 
 devoted themselves to the ministry, and here they 
 were supported while engaged in their prepara- 
 
HISTOKIOAL DISCOOTESB. 51 
 
 tory studies. Rev. Harvey D. Ganse, pastor of 
 the Twenty-third Street Reformed Dutch Church, 
 in this city, was for many years a pupil in our- 
 Sabhath school; and perhaps others have been 
 more or less intimately connected with us, who are 
 now occupying important places in the Master's 
 vineyard. Nor must I fail in this connection to 
 speak of Leonard "W. Kip, Jr., very dear to me as 
 my 6on in the Gospel, who is now completing his 
 studies in our Theological Seminary, and who, 
 having been accepted by our Board of Foreign 
 Missions, expects, in the course of the ensuing 
 year, to go forth as a missionary to the heathen. 
 
 The Sabbath school here has been a highly 
 cherished, carefully conducted, deeply interesting, 
 and there is every reason to believe most profita- 
 ble institution. Who that knew him, had seen his 
 smiling ftice, and heard his stirring voice, will for- 
 get the old superintendent "William Wokam, who 
 commenced this school as soon as the lecture room 
 was opened, and for eighteen years conducted it, 
 
52 HISTORICAL DISCOUEBE. 
 
 and, until his death, evinced a warm interest in 
 its welfare ? Nor do we believe that the services 
 of his successors, Bauman Lowe, Louis J. Belloni, 
 John "Woolsey, James V. Freeman, and A. C. 
 Stryker, nor of the other Christian men and 
 women who have filled other offices, will soon 
 fade from remembrance. And fresh and sweet as 
 the laurel to the heart of many a scholar, we are 
 sure will be the instructions of those faithful 
 teachers whose names cannot be mentioned now, 
 but whose witness is in heaven, whose record is on 
 high. 
 
 And if we may be permitted to exhibit a little 
 vanity, we will speak again of the benevolence of 
 this Church. In very few portions of Zion has 
 the spirit of gospel liberality been more apparent 
 than here. All the worthy causes have in turn 
 received attention, and some have bee» largely 
 patronized. In the early period of its existence, 
 the Broome Street Church had an auxiliary to the 
 American Colonization Society. From a report 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 53 
 
 in the handwriting of the late Mr. Samuel Kip, 
 secretary, it appears that in the year 1833 there 
 was contributed by this Church to that society the 
 sum of $300. The children have been trained to 
 deeds of benevolence, and for many years have 
 collected in their missionary society in the Sabbath 
 school, and contributed to our Board of Domestic 
 Missions, the sum of $300 a year toward the sup- 
 port of the Mission of the Thousand Isles in the St. 
 Lawrence river. I think the Lord must love this 
 people. He says he loves the cheerful giver, and 
 such unquestionably are some of these. Even the 
 last year, when straining every nerve to support 
 this sinking enterprise, the Broome Street Re- 
 formed Dutch Church has contributed to benevo- 
 lent purposes nearly $3,000. Nor do we believe 
 this has been given from vain show. Much of it 
 has quietly, unostentatiously been bestowed by 
 those in humble circumstances. Love for souls 
 and a desire for God's glory has engendered self- 
 denial. And this self-denial has with many been 
 the result of fixed principle, and systematic ar- 
 
54 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 rangement, not the offspring of excited emotion. 
 {See Note F.) 
 
 LT. Such is the way the Lord has led us. Now 
 let us secondly and briefly consider How we 
 should remember it. 
 
 1. We cannot now think of it without a feeling 
 of sadness. Changes always denote imperfection ; 
 they remind us of sin, the cause' of all our woe. 
 Those which transpire regularly, as the alternation 
 of day and night, of winter and summer, and the 
 succession of childhood, youth, manhood and old 
 age, bring to the thoughtful mind at times a tinge 
 of melancholy. Every thing around us is muta- 
 ble ; ever mutable ; even the countenances, forms, 
 voices, actions, perhaps affections of those we most 
 dearly love. 
 
 "Ah, me ! what is there in earth's various range 
 Which time and absence may not sadly change ?" 
 
 Like the fleecy cloud, the birds in autumn time, 
 the flowing stream, the dew-drop of the morning, 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 55 
 
 so all things else are passing away. This world is 
 a vast moving panorama, and as the scene glides 
 onward, we, too, move, and all are hastening to 
 the grave of the future — the oblivion of the past, 
 except that which is immortal. 
 
 But we are now the victims of peculiar change. 
 Remorseless time has made especial havoc in 
 our midst. Who can but sigh as he beholds the 
 fairest portions of our city, once inhabited by the 
 good and great, now abandoned to filthy lucre, 
 natural pollution, and moral degradation? But 
 most of all to be deprecated is the removal of our 
 churches. We cannot but regard this as vandal- 
 ism, necessary though it is. Look at these hal- 
 lowed walls — strong as when they were first rear- 
 ed ; at this pleasant sanctuary, so commodious and 
 symmetrical; at these pews, in which so many 
 have worshiped God, and in which, up to the 
 present time, despite the changes, a goodly throng 
 have regularly assembled. Look at this pulpit, 
 from which, for many years, the Word of God has 
 
56 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 • 
 
 been proclaimed, and then ask, " Why must this 
 all come to desolation ?" But why institute the in- 
 quiry ? It is quite useless. The fact itself is per- 
 ceptible. "We follow down the stream of history 
 for the last score of years, and we discern changes — 
 changes. We see the moth insidiously but surely 
 accomplishing destruction. Like the traveler, we 
 sit down amid the holy ruins, and sigh at the rav- 
 ages of time. We weep for the days of old. For 
 ourselves we weep. How can we leave these holy 
 courts, where so often we have held delightful 
 converse with each other and the Lord? Like 
 the Hebrew bard in Babylon, we exclaim, in the 
 bitterness of our souls, "How can we sing the 
 Lord's song in a strange land ?" And more pro- 
 fusely still our tears flow forth for those who live 
 in sin around this house of God. Soon these sa- 
 cred walls will no longer in mute but mighty elo- 
 quence remonstrate against iniquity ; and this 
 minister will no longer appear in times of fune- 
 real sorrow or connubial bliss to speak a word in 
 this vicinity for Jesus. 
 
HISTOKIOAL DISCOURSE. 57 
 
 O ! we cannot but feel sad. Nature will weep, 
 and grace stands by and bids the gushing fountain 
 flow. Happy for us, my hearers, if in this season 
 of sorrow we have, in the retrospection of the past, 
 no personal errors to mourn ; no derelictions to 
 lament ; if, while our souls cleave unto the dust, 
 each can lay his hand upon his heart, and say, 
 "To the utmost of my power I have done my 
 duty to God and my fellow men, for the welfare 
 of this Church, and the reformation of the sur- 
 rounding Sodom." 
 
 2. But, beloved people, we should also remem- 
 ber the way which God has led us with gratitude. 
 While we sorrow, let us not forget the blessings 
 of the past, and those which now are mingled 
 with adversity. In reviewing the days and years 
 gone by, do we not see much to fill our hearts 
 with joy, and to call forth now and ever the praises 
 of our lips ? Think how kindly God has led you, 
 and your fathers and mothers, who now sleep in 
 
 the dust of the earth ! Think of the great and nu- 
 3* 
 
58 HISTORICAL DISC0UB8E. 
 
 merous privileges here enjoyed, the words of in- 
 struction that have fallen from earnest lips, the 
 consolation you have received in times of be- 
 reavement, the pleasant intercourse with Chris- 
 tian friends, the sweet music to which you have 
 listened and in which you Lave joined ! Think 
 of the devout supplications offered up here in. your 
 behalf, the gentle breathings of the Holy Ghost 
 wooing your souls to repentance and faith, the 
 angels bending from heaven to catch your first 
 penitential sigh, and carry it with joy to heaven! 
 And think, too, of your wishes here accomplished ; 
 of children, parents, partners, friends, who, in an- 
 swer to your fervent prayers here offered, have 
 been raised from the borders of the grave, or have 
 bowed in contrition at the Cross, and here in full 
 faith have taken your Saviour to be theirs ! Think 
 of the good seed here sown, which yet may spring 
 from the heart, and bear fruit to the glory of God ! 
 Think of the "Word which has here been treasured 
 up and carried forth to every portion of our land 
 by earnest, self-denying Christians, and which, 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 59 
 
 after this temple is demolished, may be conveyed 
 to China, India or the isles of the sea ! Think of 
 the prayers and alms which have come up as a 
 memorial before God, and which will be influential 
 while the world lasts. O, friends, this Church has 
 been no failure. From beginning to end it has 
 been a success. Most signally has God blessed it. 
 And to Him be all the glory ! The departed Mc 
 Lean and Brodhead cry ever before the throne, 
 " To Him be all the glory " ! These pastors on 
 earth cry out, " To Him be all the glory " ! The 
 whole Church, past, present and to come, in earth 
 and heaven, here and every where, unite in the 
 shout, "To Him be all the glory"! "Blessing 
 and honor, and glory and power, be unto Him 
 that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb 
 for ever " ! 
 
 Pastors have reason to thank God that they have 
 here been permitted to preach to an intelligent, 
 attentive, loving, working, benevolent people. 
 And the people may thank God (I speak now of 
 
60 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 my predecessors, not myself) that they have been 
 favored with the ministry of men, all but one train- 
 ed up in our Reformed Dutch Church, all attach- 
 ed to our institutions, all evangelical in their 
 teachings, all men of piety, prudence, prayer, 
 and fearless in their advocacy of truth. Blessed 
 be God, the history of this Church is no mean 
 record. It will bear inspection. This we say not 
 in vain boast, but in devout gratitude. For it is 
 all of God. 
 
 3. "We should also remember the way God has 
 led us with hope. 
 
 This hope, brethren, is a great support. A 
 sweet writer has said : 
 
 " She lights our gloom — she soothes our care — 
 She bids our fears depart ; 
 Transmutes to gems each grief-fraught tear, 
 And binds the broken heart. 
 
 She glances o'er us from above, 
 
 The brightest star that 's given, 
 And guides us still, through faith and love. 
 
 To endlesB peace in Heaven." 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 61 
 
 The youthful bride, going forth from the paren- 
 tal roof, weeps at the breaking up of old associa- 
 tions, but her heart is buoyant with expectation of 
 sweeter joys to spring from the new relation form' 
 ed. The emigrant, forced by stern necessity to 
 leave the home of his childhood, the land of his 
 birth, sheds many bitter tears, but as he turns his 
 eye across the deep blue sea to the far-off country 
 where he understands that peace and plenty, law 
 and liberty, are dominant, his drooping spirits are 
 aroused, and hope exultant springs up in his 
 breast. 
 
 Shall it not be so with us as a Church ? Some 
 I know must leave us, and to such I feel that I am 
 now preaching my farewell discourse as a pastor. 
 But, beloved, though we part, we hope to meet 
 again. .Review the past. Remember the way 
 God has led us. And will he not still direct your 
 footsteps ? He will if you trust in Him as your 
 Guide. Perhaps in more pleasant pasture fields, 
 * and beside more cooling streams, he will conduct 
 
62 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 you in life's pilgrimage. But let the eye of hope 
 look farther. Beyond these earthly scenes, when 
 the scroll of time is rolled together and sealed ; 
 when earth, with its changes, has forever faded 
 from our vision, then, dear flock, from whom we 
 part to-night, then we shall meet again. 
 
 " Heaven is where no secret dread 
 
 May haunt love's meeting hoar; 
 Where, from the past, no gloom is shed 
 
 O'er the heart's chosen bower ; 
 Where every severed wreath is bound — 
 
 Where none have heard the knell 
 That smites the heart with that deep sound — 
 
 Farewell, beloved, farewell !" 
 
 But will we all meet there? Would we could 
 with assurance say : Yes, all. But you know full 
 well that none hut they who trust in Jesus can 
 gain entrance there. Let me again ask you, some 
 of you perhaps for the last time, say, will you go 
 with us to Mount Zion? How my "heart yearns 
 over you ! With these poor lips I have often told 
 you of Jesus. Bear me witness that, with all my 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 63 
 
 infirmities I have never withheld from you the plain 
 Gospel. In the name of Him I serve I have warn- 
 ed, expostulated, entreated. And now again I 
 invite you who- are yet impenitent to meet us in 
 glory. I trust you will not turn from the divine 
 Son of God, though you may from his unworthy 
 servant. In the calm evening hour of the Sabbath 
 day, and amid these solemn closing scenes, I pray 
 God that he will now impress every mind, and 
 lead us all to Jesus' cross, and from the cross on- 
 ward and upward to the crown in heaven ! 
 
 But hope inspires us with reference to the way 
 yet before us, as well as the promised land beyond. 
 This Church does not cease its existence. It will 
 live, although elsewhere. And its prosperity in 
 the past is, we trust, a harbinger of still greater 
 and more lasting usefulness in the future. Con- 
 vinced that we have done our duty, that God in 
 his providence is leading us, we go forward, not 
 dispirited, but hopeful. Many of this congrega- 
 tion have anticipated us in our removal. Year 
 
64: HISTOEICAL, DISCOUESE. 
 
 after year they have gone up, and doubtless not a 
 few will join us and our new friends in the new 
 home. Some go with us, others will follow. 
 There is a tie that binds many to lis which will 
 not yet be severed. "We know there are those 
 who have a life interest in this Church, who have 
 too long been attached to it, too faithfully served 
 it, too tenderly loved it, to bid it now farewell. It 
 is the Church of their fathers, the Church of their 
 children — their first, only love. Never will they, 
 can they forget it. Though separated from it by 
 thousands of miles, they would remember it in 
 their prayers, and help it with their money and 
 influence. Does the parent cast off his child who 
 seeks a distant home? and will the child reject 
 the parent who, by the force of circumstances, 
 leaves him? No, neither will these loved and 
 trusty ones desert us. 
 
 Our history, my friends, is precious, it is 
 worth more than our property. The names 
 of these dear fathers in the ministry, and of the 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 65 
 
 lamented Brodliead and McLean, are with us. 
 But more than all our hope is in God. He has 
 led us, and will lead us. The banner of his love 
 is floating over us. His arm defends us ; his voice 
 cheers us. In his strength we go forward. 
 
 And now farewell, old sanctuary ! Peace is 
 written over thy door. {See Note G.) May the 
 peace which has here ever reigned dwell in each 
 of our hearts, and be our watchword in all our new 
 relations ! Farewell, ye walls which have often 
 echoed with the voices of those now singing in 
 glory ! Farewell, consecrated ground, on which 
 our fathers built a house for God ! Farewell, old 
 scenes, in which for many happy years we have 
 commingled ! Farewell, dear friends, from whom 
 we part ! Beloved hearers, may we all sit together 
 in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, here if we 
 may — but whether here or not, at last and forever 
 in that temple not made with hands, eternal in 
 the heaven ! 
 
66 HISTORICAL DISCOTJESE. 
 
 * 
 
 And now \into Him that is able to do exceeding 
 abundantly above all that we ask or think, accord- 
 ing to the power that worketh in ns : unto Him be 
 glory in the Church by Christ Jesus, throughout 
 all ages, world without end. Amen ! 
 
NOTES. 
 
 — .«♦».». 
 
 NOTE A, Page 17. 
 
 The Consistory, feeling greatly indebted to their 
 beloved Treasurer for his long and efficient ser- 
 vices, through a committee signified their inten- 
 tion to present him with a set of silver plate as a 
 mark of their love for him, and appreciation of his 
 efforts for the prosperity of their Zion. This he 
 declined receiving on the ground of its expense. 
 Accordingly, a large and handsome gold medal 
 "was procured from Ball, Black & Co., which was 
 presented to Mr. Kip, on Thursday evening, May 
 10th, 1860, the Consistory being present, and the 
 Pastor making the presentation address. The fol- 
 lowing are the inscriptions : 
 
68 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
APPENDIX. 69 
 
 NOTE B, Page 18. 
 
 The remains of Mrs. Mc Lean were removed a 
 few days subsequent to the final services in the 
 church. They were found in an undisturbed state. 
 So peacefully had they reposed for thirty-five 
 years in their resting-place, that when the coffin 
 was opened, the features of the countenance were 
 as plainly distinguishable as in life. This sacred 
 dust is now lying in a private vault in the ceme- 
 tery of the Reformed Dutch Church in Houston 
 street. 
 
 NOTE C, Page 24. 
 
 In liquidating this and other debts, incurred in 
 our early history, two gentlemen of means and in- 
 fluence took a prominent part, and to them is to 
 be attributed much of our past prosperity. The 
 name of one has been mentioned. It is but jus- 
 tice to record the name of the other, Hon. Myn- 
 
70 APPENDIX. 
 
 dert Van Schaick, who was not only a staunch 
 friend in the olden time, but since his removal has 
 ever evinced as well as expressed his regard for 
 our continued welfare. 
 
 NOTE D, Page 46. 
 
 The debt in 1857 amounted to $15,000. The 
 financial crisis which soon after visited this com- 
 munity, and which more or less affected all our 
 metropolitan Churches, increased it to $17,000. 
 This amount was accordingly taken up, and a 
 Church bond given for its future payment, and 
 the floating obligations were canceled. The fol- 
 lowing year a floating debt was added of $1,000, 
 and this, despite all efforts to prevent it. Early in 
 1859 the Consistory foresaw they would need at 
 least $2,000 to carry them through the ensuing 
 year, and applied to the gentleman who held the 
 bond of $17,000 to add to it that amount. This 
 he declined doing. Other parties refused to loan 
 
APPENDIX. 71 
 
 the amount on account of the preceding bond. 
 The only alternative was for the Consistory to put 
 their note in the bank, endorsed by them indi- 
 vidually. This note was to mature in May, 1860, 
 and the only way to meet it, and also to escape 
 the tide of the future rolling in still more heavily, 
 was to sell the property. The congregation had 
 repeatedly been consulted in this matter. They 
 had been asked to come to the rescue. They could 
 not. The inevitable necessity, therefore, was to 
 sell or be sold. 
 
 NOTE E, Page 49. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Yan Nest and Dr. Bethune, asso- 
 ciated in the pastorate of the Eeformed Dutch 
 Church in Twenty-first street, deploring the remo- 
 val of the Broome Street Church, very kindly ex- 
 pressed a willingness to take charge of the field. 
 Great hopes were at one time cherished by the 
 Pastor and Consistory that some arrangement 
 
72 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 might be made. They were prepared to make 
 sacrifices for its accomplishment. But in a con- 
 versation which these gentlemen held with our 
 Treasurer, and also in a note addressed by one of 
 them to the Pastor, they finally expressed them- 
 selves as compelled to decline moving in the mat- 
 ter. 
 
 NOTE F, Page 54. 
 
 When the present pastor came in charge of this 
 Church, he was quite curious to learn who was the 
 generous "lady of the Broome Street Reformed 
 Dutch Church," whose contribution of one hun- 
 dred dollars every quarter of a year to the General 
 Synod's Board of Domestic Missions, was acknow- 
 ledged in the Christian Intelligencer. To his sur- 
 prise he found she had moved to Philadelphia and 
 joined a Presbyterian Church in that city. But 
 her heart was still in the Broome Street Church, 
 with which she had been connected nearly thirty 
 
APPENDIX. 73 
 
 years. The sum of four hundred dollars annually 
 she gave to support the Kev. Jerome A. Daven- 
 port as an itinerant missionary in the west. This 
 she continued to give until last year, when Mr. 
 Davenport, on account of his health, took a per- 
 manent charge, and the itinerant mission became 
 vacant. I do not feel at liberty to name one who 
 has unostentatiously styled herself " the Lady of 
 the Broome Street Eeformed Dutch Church." I 
 doubt not her name is written in the Lamb's book 
 of life. May she realize the promise "Mis leaf 
 also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall 
 prosper /" 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 NOTE G, Page. 65, 
 
 2XSCEIPTIOI* ON THE CHURCH DOOBT.- 
 
 KEFOKMED 
 
 PBOTE8-TANT DUTCH CHUKCH. 
 ERECTED, A.D., 1823. 
 
 Peace be within thy Walls. 
 Psa. cxxn : 7. 
 
APPEKDIX, 
 
 75 
 
 SEAL OF THE CHUECHr 
 
( O APPENEIX. 
 
 PASTOES. 
 Rev. Eobert McLean, from 1824 to 1826 
 
 Rev. Jacob Brodhead, D.D., " 1826 " 1837 
 
 Rev.Sam'lA.VanVranken,D.D., " 1837 " 1841 
 
 Rev. George H. Fisher, D.D., " 1841 " 1854 
 
 Rev. Henry V. Voorhees, " 1855 " 1855 
 
 Rev. Peter Stryker, " 1856 " — 
 
 TREASURERS. 
 Leonard W. Kip, Esq., from 1823 to 1835 
 
 "William Hardenbrook, Jr., " 1835 " 1838 
 
 Leonard W. Kip, Esq. " 1838 " 1860 
 
APPKNDIX. 77 
 
 CLERKS. 
 
 James Smith, from 1823 to 1826 
 
 Anthony "Woodward, " 1826 " 1831 
 
 David M. Moore, " 1831 " 1833 
 
 'Bauman Lowe, " 1833 " 1840 
 
 Eder V. Haughwout, " 1840 " 1846 
 
 Henry Paterson, " 1846 " 1847 
 
 John S. Woodward, " 1847 " 1849 
 
 Solomon S. Kimball, " 1849 " 1852 
 
 Oscar Schenck, " 1852 " 1853 
 
 Henry Camerden, Jr., " 1853 " 1854 
 
 James V. Freeman, " 1854 " 1857 
 
 Richard Stout, Jr., " 1857 " 1858 
 
 Archibald Wight, " 1858 " 1859 
 
 Abm. C. Stryker, ■ " 1859" — 
 
APPKNDTX. 
 
 ELDERS, 
 
 Luke Hinchcliff 
 Stephen Hasbrock, M.D. 
 James Ackerman 
 Abraham Tan Cleef 
 Robert Buchan 
 John Atwood 
 John Ganse 
 William Keily 
 Aaron Brinckerhoff 
 William Poe 
 Joseph Martin 
 Anthony Woodward 
 Joseph Concklin 
 
ATTF.NDTX. 
 
 Eel ward Meeks 
 Lewis Tlrorneli 
 Sylvester Earle 
 Caleb D. Haviland 
 William Woram 
 David Grulick 
 Peter Morris 
 Edmund Arrowsmith 
 William Hardenbrook, Jr. 
 Abraham D. Stephens 
 William P. Stoutenburgh 
 Joseph Frear 
 Richard Wight 
 Cornelius Jacobus 
 Bauman Lowe 
 Samuel Eells 
 
80 APPENDIX. 
 
 John M. Ryer 
 Thomas Boyd, M.D. 
 Louis J. Belloni 
 Theophilus L. Houghton 
 John S. "Woodward 
 William Kirby 
 John Woolsey 
 Leonard W. Kip 
 Benjamin Wood 
 
 George Mather 
 
 Daniel Howell 
 
 John S. Hoagland 
 
 Lawrence Wiseburn 
 
 James Dailey 
 
 Thomas Riley 
 
 Harvey Miner 
 
APPENDIX. 81 
 
 Albert Slausou 
 John C. Barclay 
 Nicholas Rogers 
 Henry Camerden, Jr. 
 Hiram B. Jackson 
 
S2 appendix. 
 
 DEACONS. 
 
 John Butler 
 James Smith 
 "William Keily 
 John J. Ruton, M.D. 
 Sylvester Earle 
 Anthony Woodward 
 "William Woram 
 Jacoh Bogert 
 Joseph Concklin 
 Caleb D. Haviland 
 David C. Bnchan 
 Edwin A. Dodge 
 Leonard "W. Kip 
 
APPENDIX. 83 
 
 Elnatlian H. Sears 
 Henry V. Garretson 
 Henry Lijjpincott 
 Abraham Lott 
 David M. Moore 
 James Anderson, M.D. 
 Peter Morris 
 William W. Cowan 
 Bauman Lowe 
 "William Fordham 
 Cornelius C. Jacobus 
 Andrew Wight 
 Theophilns L. Houghton 
 • John M. Ryer 
 
 Lawrence Proudfoot, M.D. 
 Louis J. Belloni 
 
84 APPENDIX. 
 
 Nicholas D. Herder 
 Eder V. Hauglnvont 
 Abraham D. Weeks 
 John Gray 
 John N. Genin 
 John S. "Woodward 
 David Beach 
 Robert Smith 
 William Becker 
 Henrv Patterson 
 John M. Roome 
 Richard Voorhis 
 t John Williamson 
 Solomon S. Kimball 
 A. A. Mc Withey 
 Thomas Barry 
 
APPENDIX. 85 
 
 Peter Duryee 
 Horatio J. Ware 
 John C. Barclay 
 Gideon Jennings 
 Henry Camerden, Jr. 
 John A. Van Buskirk 
 James Y. Freeman 
 Harvey Miner 
 John S. Martin 
 Richard Stout 
 Thomas Little 
 Myron K. Moore 
 Archibald Wight 
 James W. Purdy, M.D. 
 John D. Watson 
 Abraham C. Stryker 
 
86 APPENDIX. 
 
 Ira H. Tompkina 
 Henry C. Halsey 
 Samuel V. S. Mandeville 
 Abraham A. Stager