Cornell University Library BX5980.N5 S15 Parish annals : a sermon giving historic olin 3 1924 029 458 662 fyxmll mwwwtity fitoatg BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME FROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF 3Henrg m Sage 1891 .A.-M.T0ty. ..tuMm w^^ >&i^f0^*^^ 0+ m r ' X HISTORICAL NOTICES , 0t. iflark'0 4H)urrt) in % Botoern, NEW-YORK. &«m The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029458662 St. Jjttatfc's ffijmrc!) in tjie aSotoerg, W. Y. Jparisl) Annals. A SERMON HISTORICAL NOTICES St. Mark's flnjnrd) m ti)e forcer^, 3tf. 13-, (FROM A. D. 1796 TO A. D. 1845.) DELIVERED IN SAID CHURCH, MAY 4, 1845. HENRY ANTHON, D. D., EECTOB OF THE SAME. PUBLISHED BY THE REQUEST OP THE VESTBY. NEW-YOHK: STANFORD AND SWORDS, No. 139. Broadway. 1845. John E. M'Gowit, Printer, No. 128, Fulton-street, Extract from the Minutes of the Vestry, April 16, 1! " Resolved, That the Rector be requested to deli itorical Discourse, at the approaching Fiftieth Annh ;e laying the corner-stone of this Church ; and tha icourse be published, under the direction of the Rei icurrence with the Wardens of the Church." O Almighty God, who hast built thy Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, jesus cl-irist himself being the chief corner-stone ; gbant that, by the operation of the holy ghost, all christians may be so joined together in unity of spirit, and in the bond of peace, that they may be a holy temple accept- able unto thee. and especially, to this congregation, give the abundance of thy grace; that with one heart, they may desire the prosperity of thy holy apostolic Church, and with one mouth, may profess the faith once delivered to the saints. defend them from the sins of heresy and schism; let not the foot of pride come nigh to hurt them, nor the hand of the ungodly to cast them down. and grant that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness ; that so they may walk in the ways of truth and peace, and at last be numbered with thy saints in glory everlasting, through thy merits, o blessed jesus, thou gracious blshop and shepherd of our souls, who art, with the father and the holy ghost, one god, WORLD WITHOUT END. AmEN. 1 SAMUEL, CHAP. 7, VEHSE 12. HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED US. In these words, my brethren, did the Prophet of the Lord express his thankfulness as he " set up " before the thousands of Israel, the " stone of memorial" for privileges and mercies which, when once granted, ought never to have been forgotten. There are few among ourselves, who have reached a full age, but must remember to have had their way marked out by many of those occurrences which may be truly called the provi- dences of God. Very few lives are so barren that nothing can be gleaned from them, either to awaken gratitude for past deliverances, or humbleness of soul for past sins. The remark applies to commu- nities, as well as to the individuals composing themj and if we were less entangled in the cares of this life, and less influenced by the prejudices of a proud and corrupt nature, We should the more readily confess, that in the possession of privileges and mercies which come home to the experience of every one, we are debtors to the same hand, and owe memorials to the same God, who, for three thousand years since Samuel's time, has day by day ordered the heavens in their course, and the earth in its seasons. A period has been reached, my brethren, in the annals of this parish, which calls expressly for such an acknowledgment 5 and it has seemed right to the Vestry and myself, and we doubt not but that it will accord with your feel- ings and wishes, that it should be met with a special and devout commemoration. Time, in his flight, allows us to pause at the end of the first fifty years in the history of St. Mark's Church. At this inter- esting and significant point we now stand ) one where it becomes us to set up our memorial ; a position well fitted for surveying the past, and gathering from the record which isi so evidently written over with the superscription, " Hitherto hath the Lord helped us," the claims and obligations of the future. Let us then avail ourselves of the opportunity afforded for such a retrospect } and let us pray that it may be attended with the Divine blessing. I. The spot on which St. Mark's Church is built, was at an early day in the history of this city, separated by christian benevolence from unhallow- ed, worldly, and common uses, for the worship of God. It formed a part of the bouwery, or farm, of Governor Stuyvesant, now constituting the greater portion of the Eleventh and Seventeenth, and a section of the Sixteenth Wards, and was the site of a chapel erected by him for the accommodation of his family, and the few residents in the neighbor- hood, and where divine worship was celebrated according to the rites of the Dutch Reformed Church, of which he was a member.* This edifice having fallen into decay, the great- grandson of the Governor, the late Petrus Stuy- vesant, who inherited most of his ancestor's pos- sessions, took measures, in 1793, to induce the Vestry of Trinity Church to erect a Protestant Episcopal Church upon the same site, towards which pious work he offered to contribute eight hundred pounds, and a lot of land one hundred and fifty feet in width by one hundred and ninety feet in length. This very liberal proposal that Corporation resolved to accept, and to proceed to the building of a church as soon as their situation would admit of the enterprise.! Nearly two years elapsed, however, before any further action was had; and it was not until the 19th of January, 1795, that the Vestry of Trinity proceeded to raise five thousand pounds for building a church on the present site, and in conformity with the offer of the generous donor.J The corner-stone was * See Appendix, p. 29. t Mr. Stuyvesant at this time was a member of the Corpo- ration of Trinity Church, and together with two other gentle- men of the Vestry, Messrs. Hugh Gaine and John Jones, were appointed a committee, to " inquire what aids can be obtained from well-disposed persons towards " building a church. $ At this meeting, Messrs . Stuyvesant, Carmer, G-aine, and Van Home, were appointed a committee to superintend the building. 8 laid on the 25th of April, 1795, and the edifice having been completed, May 9th, 1799, was conse- crated on that day to the worship of Almighty God, by the Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, the Bishop of the Diocese. In the following August, steps were taken by Trinity church to convey this building, and the lot of land presented'by Mr. Stuyevsant, to cer- tain gentlemen, in trust for the corporation of a new parish, whenever such should be formed. Seven trustees Were appointed, six of whom accepted the trusty by whose judicious counsels, and persevering efforts, under God) the object was successfully ac- complished.* The first election for wardens and * The trustees were Messrs. Peter Stuyvesant, Francis Bayard Winthrop, Gilbert Colden Willett, Mangle Minthorne, Martin Hoffman, William A. Hardenbrook, and Geoige Rapelye. Mr. Rapelye declined acting. The others, at a meeting held September 24, adopted unanimously the follow- ing resolution : " Whereas, it is necessary, in order to carry into effect the complete organisation 6f this Church, that an election for two church-wardens and eight vestrymen should immediately take place : and it being more proper that they should be chosen by the persons composing the congregation of the Church, than appointed by the trustees, and in order to interest the congre- gation for this purpose : " Resolved, That the pews in the lower part of the Church be sold at public auction, on Wednesday next, at 11 o'clock in the morning, on a lease of five years, at the highest rent that can be obtained, payable half yearly ; and that notice be given in the public newspapers in the city of New-York, and at every public place about the Bowery." The sale accordingly took place, October 2d, when thirty- six pews were sold, on a lease for five years, at an annual rent ranging from thirty to one hundred and forty shillings. vestrymen, was held on the 18th of October, 1799 * Easter Tuesday was fixed upon for future annual elections, and it was determined that the Church should be known and recognised in law, as " The Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Mark's in the Bowery in the City of New- York." >. The support of a new parish, in too many in- stances, my brethren, falls heaviest on a few devoted spirits, who are willing to give, and glad to distribute. The exigence in this case was such as to induce the guardians of the young offset, without any dimunition indeed of their own care and liber- ality, to look for further aid to the parent stock. An appeal was therefore made to the Vestry of Trinity Church, which ultimately met with a liberal response. Thirty lots of their city property were selected for the use and benefit of St. Mark's Church, and conveyed on a condition with which the Vestry deemed it expedient to comply, viz: the execution of a release and quit-claim to the real estate of the corporation by whom the grant was conferred.f Before the completion, however, of this arrange- • The following gentlemen were elected : Wardens — Peter Stuyvesant, Francis B. Winthrop : Vestrymen — Gilbert C. Willett, Martin Hoffman, William A. Har- denbrook, Mangle Minthorne, William Ogden, George Turnbull, Nicholas W. Stuyvesant, James Cummings. At the first meeting after the election, November 5, Peter G. Stuyvesant was elected the Clerk of the Vestry, and Martin Hoffman, Treasurer, but subsequently declining, Mr. Har- denbrook was appointed. t See Appendix, p. 31. 10 merit for the temporal benefit of this parish, (which took place in 1801,) the first movement was made, in December, 1799, to obtain the services of a pas- tor. The result was a call unanimously given, in February, 1800, for a period of three years, to the Rev. John Callahan; which was accepted by him, " on condition " (and the terms are well de- serving of notice in the day in which our lot is cast) "that he conform to the rules, regulations and principles of the Protestant Episcopal church as at present established."* Great hopes were enter- tained that the ministry of the youthful rector, who had but just reached his twenty-fourth year, would prove a zealous and successful one, when it ,pleased God in his wise providence, suddenly to extinguish them. About two months after his election, Mr. Callahan was thrown from a carriage whilst on a visit to his friends in South Carolina, and expired the same day. The records of the church, my brethren, attest the deep sorrow of the vestry for his loss ; and a marble monument was erected by their order, within its walls, to perpetuate the memory of it, and of " his great virtues and excel- lencies." t Repeated efforts were made to fill the vacancy created by this sad dispensation, but without suc- cess. The Rev. John H. Hobart, afterwards the bishop of this diocese ; the Rev. Philander Chase^ * The same phraseology appears to have been adopted in the call of the Rev. Dr. Creighton, but not in that of Dr. Harris, or the present incumbent. t See Appendix, p. 34. 11 at present our venerable senior bishop; the Rev. Cave Jones, an assistant minister of Trinity parish, and the Rev. Theodore Dehon, who in 1812 was advanced to the episcopate of South Carolina, were called successively as rectors of Saint Mark's, but declined acceding to the wishes of the vestry. It is pleasing to note, that, during this interval of suspense and hope deferred, divine worship was maintained in this church by temporary arrange- ments; until, in the close of 1801, when the anxiety for the settlement of a pastor was dispelled by the acceptance of the rectorship (upon an una- nimous call of the vestry) by the Rev. William Harris. Some among you, brethren, whom the goodness of God has spared to this day to frequent these courts, have distinct recollections of this esti- mable clergyman, and never fail, when his name is mentioned, to render deserved honor to his memory* For fifteen years, the period in which his flock had the benefit of his ministrations, he went in and out among them, revered as a father, esteemed very highly in love for his works' sake, showing in his life and conversation, that uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, and sound speech, which, whilst it marked his character with so many essential ele- ments of true excellence, secured to him the un- shaken confidence and warm affections of his people. Soon after his entrance on his parish duties, measures were adopted for the building of a parsonage. They were liberally promoted by the same christian philanthropist who had so libe- rally aided in the organizing of the congregation. 12 To his bounty, in the first instance, they had been indebted for the ground upon which this edifice stands. Two benefactions of land were now made by Mr. Stuyvesant, "from a pious desire," as the deed of conveyance states, "to promote the good of the said church and the cause of religion." The one grant of fifty-six feet by ninety-five feet, was designed by him as a glebe for the "better liveli- hood, provision and support of the rector and his successors forever," and where the vestry, in com- pliance with the object of the donor, proceeded afterwards to erect a house for their minister's accommodation. The other piece of land was for a cemetery, two hundred and forty-two feet by one hundred and ninety feet, and forms to this day our place of burial for the dead. Towards the close of the year 1816, Dr. Harris found it necessary to relinquish his rectorship, in consequence of his in- creasing duties as president of Columbia College, in this city, an office which had been conferred upon him in 1812.* In accepting the resignation, the vestry, my brethren, could not forego the opportu- nity of placing on their minutes the following me- morial, demanded alike by their warm feelings of respect and attachment, and by the labors and ser- vices of a long-tried and faithful man of God. "Resolved, That the vestry deeply regret the necessity which will deprive them and the church of the services of their highly esteemed and much * Dr. Harris was elected President of the College in 1811, but was not invested with the sole superintendence until 1816. He departed this life in 1829. 13 beloved rector, and that Mr. Minthorne, Mr. Lyde, and Mr. Fish, be a committee to express to him the grateful and affectionate acknowledgments of the vestry for his able, zealous and faithful per- formance of his parochial duties; of the high sense they entertain of his virtues, his piety and exem- plary deportment; of their unfeigned attachment, and fervent wish that his useful life may be long preserved in the enjoyment of health, happiness, and every temporal blessing, and that he may hereafter receive the reward of his labors in the service of his Redeemer." * A tribute so just and kind could not fail of being appreciated by one who for so long a time had duly lead the devotions of his flock, and faith- fully ministered unto them the bread of life. "Al- though," said he in his reply, "I am sensible that your partiality and friendship have induced you greatly to overrate both my character and services, yet as I doubt not your sincerity, I should be want- ing both in gratitude and sensibility were I not to * November 23d, 1816. The Reverend Dr. Harris : Reverend Sir — The information communicated by you to the Vestry of St. Mark's Church, of your intention to resign the pastoral charge of that congregation, was received by them with unfeigned emotions of sorrow and regret; their feelings and sentiments on that painful occasion are recorded in the minutes of their proceedings, an extract from which is enclosed. The duty of making this communication is assigned to us, and though painful the task, of separating from our beloved pastor and friend, we derive some consolation from the reflec- tion, that our loss may result in his benefit, and that we shall 14 acknowledge that I entertain the highest sense of the value of the testimony you have been pleased to afford me, not indeed as an evidence of my desert, not be totally deprived of the gratification of occasionally hear- ing his salutary and enlightened doctrines, from that pulpit which he has for fifteen years so ably filled. With sentiments of sincere friendship and regard, we have the honor to be, very affectionately, your obedient hum- ble servants, Mangle Minthorne, Edward Lyde, Nicholas Fish. New- York, November 28th, 1816. To Mangle Minthorne, Edward Lyde, and Nicholas Fish, Esqrs : Gentlemen — The perusal of your very affectionate letter, conveying a late resolution of the Vestry of St. Mark's Church, was a cordial to my heart. To bo assured from you that my services were acceptable, encourages me in the hope that my labors have not been altogether in vain. Happy for me, if it shall so be found, in that solemn hour when I shall be called to give an account of the manner in which I have discharged the duties of my late awfully responsible trust ! If by occa- sionally preaching at St. Mark's, I shall in any respect gratify the wishes of those, whose happiness both temporal and eter- nal is so near my heart, what greater pleasure can I desire 1 My imperfect services, whenever you have need of them, are always at your command. I enclose a communication to the Vestry, and beg you will have the goodness to lay it before the Board at their next meeting. That you and your families may long enjoy the divine protection and favor, and that as members of the Vestry, you may be directed to consult the true peace and prosperity of the Church, is, gentlemen, the sincere prayer of Your obliged, affectionate and faithful friend, Wm. Harris. 15 but of your sincere affection and friendship, than which (the divine favor and blessing excepted) nothing could be more grateful to my heart. Per- mit me, gentlemen, to observe, that I feel a satis- faction greater than I am able to express, when I consider that for fifteen years, between me and my vestry, not an unpleasant nor an unfriendly word has passed. In peace we have assembled, in peace we have consulted, and in peace we now part; that the God of love and peace may continue to be with you, and that in the peace of Zion you may long rejoice, is the fervent prayer of your ever grateful, affectionate, and faithful friend." The vacancy created by the resignation of Dr. Harris, the vestry proceeded immediately to fill, by appointing a committee with full powers to act in the premises. Upon their report, in December, 1816, a call was given to the Rev. William Creighton, at that time an assistant minister of Grace Church in this city. Two years before, this gentleman had become favorably known to the congregation of Saint Mark's, by the very kind aid which he haa* voluntarily rendered to them by his ministrations during the illness of Dr. Harris, and their estimate of which the vestry had recorded in their minutes and conveyed to Mr. Creighton, in an appropriate testimonial. No time was lost by him in entering upon his appointment. For nearly twenty years (with the exception of his absence for a year in Europe for the recovery of his health) his public and private duties as rector were discharged to the best of his abilities, and 16 illustrated and enforced as his labors were, by a pure and consistent life and example, they could not but be appreciated, and prove highly beneficial to his parishioners. Time, at this hour, brethren, will not admit of my drawing from our records, in conjunction with the parochial reports made to the diocesan con- ventions, such additional details as would be deemed of interest, and are needful in arriving at a just conception of the state of the parish. They may therefore be deferred to another opportunity, when I hope, in compliance with the wish expressed, to place this discourse before you in a permanent shape.* On the 5th of May, 1836, Dr. Creighton ten- dered to the vestry the resignation of his rector- ship, which was accepted. His letter was referred to a committee, to prepare an expression of the sentiments entertained on "the dissolution of the close and interesting connexion which had existed for so long a period." Upon the report of this committee, the following measures were unani- mously adopted and communicated to their late rector. "Resolved, That the resignation by the Rev. William Creighton, of the office of rector of the church of Saint Mark's, has been received by the vestry with those feelings which his connexion with the congregation during a term of nearly twenty years is calculated to excite. , That his irreproach- * See Appendix for further details, pp. 35, 51. n able deportment as a man, and his sincerity in the discharge of the duties of his holy calling, during the period of that connexion, will long be remem- bered and appreciated by his late parishioners 5 and that on occasion of this separation he is ac- companied by our wishes that he may enjoy every temporal blessing, and receive after this life the reward of eternal happiness. " Resolved, That as a memorial of the senti- ments entertained towards the late rector, the sum of five hundred dollars be expended, under the direction of a committee of the vestry, in the pur- chase of books, to be suitably bound and inscribed, and to be presented to the late rector. in the name of St. Mark's Church. " Resolved, That the salary of the late rector be continued for six months from Easter last." In thus rapidly tracing the principal incidents attending the origin and growth of this church, we have arrived at the period when the present rector was called to its care and supervision. This took place in December) 1836. Eight years have passed since his election. The history of Saint Mark's during this time (notwithstanding the fre- quent changes to which city parishes are subject by deaths and removals, and from which we have not been exempt) must be a record familiar as a twice-told tale to a large proportion of my present hearers. Upon this period, therefore, I need not dwell. Nor could I trust myself at this time in doing so 5 identified as the record is with the most eventful scenes of a ministry of twenty-seven years 18 Standing, and associated, as every review of the days spent among you always must be, with such feelings as the heart loves to indulge, but of which the tongue confesses at once its inability fully to speak. Brethren, the lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea. I have a goodly heritage. In setting up my memorial before God this day, as- suredly I may adopt, in all the breadth of its mean- ing, the thanksgiving of the prophet — "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." II. Let me turn then from this brief sketch of our past history, and seek to point you to the les- sons which it reads to us of the claims and. obliga- tions of the future. " Short and simple " as may be our annals, brethren, their details call up at once the reflection in our text, and the first lesson, it seems to me, deserving our attention as a con- gregation, is, 1. The renewed evidence furnished by this retrospect of the faithfulness of God. Of all the attributes which belong to God, is there one more striking than his immutability ? While everything around us has impressed upon it the features of change and decay, He is yet " the same, yesterday, and to-day and forever." Year after year produces constant alteration in our neighborhood, in our families, in our situation and ourselves, but " with Him is no variableness, neither shadow of turn- ing." Could anything teach a lesson to man in his presumption and self-confidence, of the frailty and nothingness of his existence, it might be seen in 19 the contrast between his own fleeting days and the duration of the natural objects placed along his path by their great Framer and Contriver. The broad river, not far from these walls, glides on, murmuring to the air and glistening in the sun, the same as it hath done in our youth, and in the youth of our fathers. The noble tree in the cemetery of the parish, which flourished in beauty in our child- hood, flourishes in beauty and majesty to this hour. Even the works of human skill mock those that reared them. Where are the heads whose wise counsels designed, and the hands whose perse- vering labors set up this sanctuary for a memorial unto God ? Where are the beating hearts that so anxiously watched its progress, and so joyously hailed its completion ? With an exception scattered here and there, they are stilled in the silence of that grave to which the most of us shall certainly have gone down before another anniversary like this returns. The fruit of their earnest prayers and pious labors survives them in its strength, whilst they have crumbled into dust. Not so is it with the Almighty Architect He whose eye was fixed upon the edifice when the corner stone was laid, and who saw its headstone put on amidst the joyous acclamations of devoted hearts: He keeps to this day His oath and promise — "I am the Lord, I change not." ""This must be the founda- tion of our faith and hope whenever painful and extraordinary vicissitudes come upon a single parish, or the Church universal, of which it forms a component part. To this quarter must we look 20 in the darkest night of Zion's distress, in the sea- son "when neither sun nor stars in many days appear, and no small tempest lays on us." There is one who presides in might and majesty over all the agitations of such a scene, and causes the most trying and perplexing dispensations of his provi- dence to subserve the spiritual and eternal wel- fare of that Church which He hath purchased with his own blood. " Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." " Know therefore that the Lord, thy God, he is God ; the faithful God." 2. The review which we have made, brethren, should serve to enforce upon us another lesson. It should teach us to exercise an increased mea- sure of Christian liberality. Our annals make it manifest that there were men of the olden time who felt more deeply, than many of the present day feel, (whom God has as richly endowed with the means,) the awful responsibility that the " silver and the gold are the Lord of Hosts." In rendering, then, merited honor to the memory of such men, it would be well perhaps to ask ourselves — " What do we as much as others ? " Aware am I that in the extent to which this liberality ought to be car- ried, nothing can be arbitrarily determined by one christian for another. It is a matter which lies between God and each one's own conscience. Ne- vertheless, it is impossible, on the most cursory reflection, not to be struck with amazement at the vast disproportion between the incomes of many, and the amount which they devote to the temporal and spiritual necessities of their fellow beings. 21 When I speak, my brethren, of spiritual destitution, I have not in view such dark places alone as beyond our favored shores continue yet unvisited with the light and privileges of the Gospel. Are they whom God has blessed with means, (they whom I will grant have given largely of their substance, but not as God counts largeness,) alive to the fact, that at this very hour they are pressed upon on all sides by a frightful and practical heathenism ? With all the efforts making by various christian denominations in this metropolis, to abate the evil, what a terrific proportion of a population of nearly four hundred thousand souls, are absolutely shut out from our churches ! They could find no seat within their walls, even were they disposed to avail themselves of the privilege. Have we taken the estimate of our own responsibility as Protestant Episcopalians in this matter ? Three years ago we were remind- ed that it was painful to contrast the condition of our Church in this city with that which it ought to maintain.* Her course, with a mighty tide o£Jiu- man life pouring in upon her all the while, was not merely stemmed, but retrograde. Within ten years, (as we learned,) one hundred and ten thou- sand had been added to the population of New- York, and during this same period, only jmve new Episcopal Churches had been consecrated ; afford- ing accommodations to about 4000 persons, and leaving one hundred and six thousand souls, so far * See the eleventh Annual Report of the New- York City Mission Society, (1842,) for these facts. 22 as the Episcopal Church was concerned, unpro- vided for. "What a startling fact,'' it was said, " is this ? " * " How humiliating to us as Church- men ! O how loudly and sternly does it tell us of our apathy, our worldliness, our selfishness! In 1830, we had twenty-two churches ; the various dis- senting bodies around us had seventy-two places of worship. Now they have one hundred and sixty- three, we only twenty-seven ! " t Such was the melancholy and reproachful pic- ture of 1842. Our Church we were assured, and no one could gainsay it, was u fast, very fast going behind the population." So far as the responsi- bility rests with us, have these dark tints been sof- tened down in 1845 ? No. The same, if not greater, is the moral waste encompassing us ; and can you, my brethren, look out upon it un- moved? Can you survey it earnestly, can you think of the hundreds continually passing from its miseries to woe eternal, and then go and lay up * ^ide Report of the City Mission Society for 1842. t Since this sermon was written, we have met with the fol- lowing statement of things abroad : " Additional Churches. — The fund for the increase of churches in the city of London, altogether, since the commencement of the plan of Bishop Blomfield, about ten years ago, has amounted to the large sum of $1,060,516. Provision is now made for 55 new churches, 39 of which are completed. The sittings furnished by this magnificent effort, will amount to 125,400 persons, and still there is want of accommodation for 213,000 more, who yet have no church room. In other parts of the kingdom, equally active and very extensive arrangements are making for the same object. A very large proportion of the seats thus pro- vided are to be free." 23 gold and silver where it is cankered, and the rust of it shall turn as a witness against us ? What can be done, my friends and brethren, to meet this pressing exigency ? Of late I have given much reflection to this matter, and it has occurred to me, that one, among several feasible plans, which could be devised, is the immediate building of what are termed Chapels of Ease,* attached to and form- ing a part of existing parishes. The seats in such chapels should be free, and the building under the supervision and control of the same Rector and Vestry, with the understanding and intention, that, at a suitable time, the worshippers should form themselves into a separate and independent con- gregation. Under judicious counsels, and in eco- nomical hands, the enterprise, I am satisfied, is per- fectly within the ability of our larger city parishes. Besides the land for the building, it requires but the outlay of a few thousand dollars, and as each * Chapels of Ease, according to the original meaning of the term, are not known in this country since the Revolution. In England, there is a distinction between a Chapel of Ease and a Parochial Chapel of Ease. Chapels of Ease are founded for the convenience of the people in large parishes in attending public worship, where they live at a distance from the Parish Church : to which, however, the sacraments and burials are restricted. Parochial Chapels of Ease possess the rights of baptizing and burying, but have neither rectory nor endow- ment. The Curate or Vicar of both is dependent on the Pa- rochial Minister. To preserve this dependence, a reservation is made of repairing to the Parish Church on the great festi- val days. Such chapels were built in South Carolina before the Revolution. — Dalcho's History, p. 267. 24 rector doubtless would be ready for a time to give his voluntary aid,* a moderate provision would be needful at the beginning for extra ministerial ser- vices. Such is the plan in its rough outline. The mefmbers of this parish have been blessed by Prov- idence with ample means. Would that their hearts might burn within them to devote a portion of this substance to so laudable a work ! In the every day mercies which spring up and encircle us, we may trace a call from the Father of every good and perfect gift, for such a memorial ; one so appropriate, it seems to me, to the special and devout commemoration of the fiftieth birth- day of the parish; — a memorial which, under God, would be found to redound to the glory of His name and the salvation of many that are ready to perish. Our life, our home, our friends, our civil, social, and, above all, our christian privileges, speak as with one voice, " Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." May we give an evidence that we have felt the warmth and earnestness of their ap- peal, by setting up a grateful land-mark in the way, — another Holy Temple of the Lord, which will both serve as a record of His past gracious provi- dences, and be a sure and safe pledge that He will remember ourselves, our firesides, and our noble city, for future good. . ' 3. I am sensible, my brethren, that I have drawn largely on your attention, and shall, there- * Such aid also might occasionally, if not regularly, extend to a service on a week day evening or on the Lord's day. 25 fore, advert to but one more lesson suggested on this occasion. Is the truth, acknowledged in the text and established by the dealings of Providence in our case, " Is the help of the Lord," a fixed reality in the heart of every one of us ? Does His experience attest, " it is not a vain thing, for you, because it is your life ? " Ah, has the weak- ness of our mortal nature led us to feel that when- ever strength is imparted, it is the strength of God ? Whenever we have a right judgment in all things, and a hearty desire to pray, it is only from the light and inspiration of His Holy Spirit ? When- ever we have obtained the mastery over a single unruly will or unholy desire, it is by the help laid upon one that is mighty ? Such a confession be- comes the frailty of man, which, without the help of God, cannot but fall. Before, however, any man will be brought to make it, before a sinner will consent to quell the opposition of a proud heart, and to claim such a statute as his heritage, he must have had this consciousness for a memorial — " Hitherto all my steps have needed to be helped." And God our Helper, be it borne in mind, stands ready to prove himself also God our Conqueror. He dealt with Israel at Mizpeh, where Samuel set up his stone of memorial, as he deals with His faith- ful people daily. There is a field upon which He works, where the Philistine challenges us to battle. There He may suffer us to be faint, and weary, and overcome at one moment, that we may know, " How blind, how weak we are, How frail, how apt to turn aside ; " 26 and there He overcomes for us at another, that we may perceive how his mercy springs out of his pro- mises, and ascribe to him the glory of our strength and deliverance. The heart is such a field, but then it must be the heart of a christian believer. In no other is a successful stand made against those per- secutors of the spirit, the world, the flesh, and the devil ; nor is any " memorial " to be found " set up " that grace is leading sin and corruption captive. Take heed, Christian soul, to guard it vigilantly from being despoiled or undermined. The monument built by Samuel has yielded to the ravages of all devouring time. May yours remain safe and se- cured within, an imperishable witness of divine mercy. In the purity of your faith, and the testi- mony of your life and conversation, may the inscrip- tion of the Spirit be known and read of men, " Hitherto hath the Lord helped us ; our help is in the name of the Lord." But there are those present this day, who have never bowed themselves down before Him with this heartfelt acknowledgment. Why is it so? Ask of the days that are past, ask the question on this jubilee in our annals, the returning dawn of which it is certain shall lighten on many of our graves. Is not, my careless hearer, your heart beating and your blood flowing, and every faculty capable of enjoyment ? Is not the Scripture pro- claiming mercy in your ears, and does not the Holy Spirit proffer mercy to your soul ? Whilst so sus- tained, and rich in outward blessings and privile- ges, where are your memorials ? Are they in your 27 hopes to be accounted righteous before God, cen- tering by faith only, on the merits of Christ ? Are they in your affections, clinging above all things, unto Christ ? Are they in your example, in all virtuous and godly living following after Christ? Sad, indescribably sad, is the reply which you are compelled to return ; and yet, my brethren, notwith- standing your neglect and provocations "Hith- erto," at every point of your journey have you received help of God. Shall it not be a motive, ere your sun goes down, to draw you under the influence of his gospel, and to acknowledge the gracious authority of this mild and benignant Sov- ereign, that he may rule in your hearts without one rival of his throne ? Turn to Him without delay. Seek His face without reluctance, and He who has been a preserver of those interests which belong to time, will prove, through the One Mediator and Advocate, an effectual helper to his presence in eternity. APPENDIX. GOVERNOR STUYVESANT'S CHAPEL. We have collected from various sources, some additional particulars respecting this building, which may be interesting to our parishioners and others. Governor Stuyvesant arrived in this country in 1647. He soon afterwards purchased a farm, which became distinctively known as the "Bouwery," (the Dutch word for "farm.") The Bowery, the name of one of the principal streets in our city, is derived from it. For the accommodation of his family, and the few residents in the neighborhood, the Governor, at his own expense, erected an edifice for worship on his farm, on the very site where St. Mark's church now stands. In what year this chapel was built is not known, but it was standing in 1660. The Governor was a devoted christian ; a member, and at different times a ruling elder, of the Reformed Dutch Church at New- Amsterdam (New- York.) On the arrival of the Rev. Henry Selyns from Holland, (1660,) designated by the classis of Amsterdam for Brenkelen, (now Brooklyn,) Mr. Stuyvesant made an arrangement to obtain part of his services for the chapel in the Bowery, and rendered himself personally respon- sible for the proportion of salary corresponding to such servi- ces, and which it appears were given by Mr. Selyns every Sunday afternoon. He continued to officiate until his return to Holland in 1664, and the chapel, after his removal, was doubtless indebted for frequent ministrations to the clergy of the Dutch Reformed Church of New-Amsterdam, especially during the life-time of Governor Stuyvesant, who died in 1672. His widow was the daughter of Balthazar Bayard, a French Protestant, who having fled from his native country to escape 30 religious persecution, took refuge in Holland. She was mar- ried at Amsterdam, and accompanied the Governor to this country, where she continued to reside until her decease in 1687. A vault had been built beneath the chapel by the Go- vernor, where his own body was interred, and which has con- tinued the family vault to this day.* Mrs. Stuyvesant, in her will, intimates her desire that the Dutch Church in New- York should take charge of the chapel, and appropriate it to the uses for which it was originally built ; or, if deemed more expedi- ent, that the materials not needed for the preservation of the vault, might be appropriated for similar uses. Services in the chapel appear previously to have been discontinued, and the Consistory of New- York, failing to attend to the object set forth in the testatrix's bequest, it passed away by default, (or it was ascertained to be unavailable in consequence of Mrs. S. having only a life interest in the property,) and the chapel was soon in a state of dilapidation. In 1793, as the Discourse mentions, Mr. Petrus Stuyvesant, the great-grandson of the Governor, and the father of the present Peter G. Stuyvesant, Esq., took measures by which the ground was conveyed and became the site of St. Mark's Church. The family vault, beneath the church, was at the same time repaired and enlarged, and the remains of the Governor were supposed to be then recognized, after a lapse of one hundred and thirty years since his decease. On the outer wall of the eastern side of the church will be found, near the water table, a free-stone tablet, on which is the following inscription : " In this vault lies buried Petrus Stuyvesant, late Captain-General and Commander-in-Chief of Amsterdam, in New-Netherland, now called New- York, and the Dutch "West India Islands. Died, August, A. D. 1682, aged eighty years." In the Anniversary Discourse before the New- York Histor- ical Society in 1828, Chancellor Kent paid a beautiful and de- served tribute of respect to the memory of this distinguished * Iir the Cemetery of this parish, around the church, the Governors of three different dynasties, Dutch, English and American, repose almost side by side. In the Stuyvesant vault, next to Governor Stuyvesant, are the remains of the English Governor, Colonel Henry Sloughter, who died in 1691 . In the vault of Mr. Minthorne, not far distant, the body of Daniel D. Tomp- kins, a former Governor of the State of New-York, was interred. 31 man. He " administered," he remarked, " the Dutch Govern- ment from 1647 to the surrender of the Colony to the English in 1664, and held his power in difficult times, and was sur- rounded by perils ; but he was a man of military skill, and of great firmness, judgment and discretion. He manifested his desire for peace, and showed the magnanimity of his character in going in proper person, in 1660, to Hartford, to meet and negotiate with the Commissioners of the New England Colo- nies. Though standing alone in the midst of a body of keen and well instructed opponents, he conducted himself with admirable firmness and address. The correspondence between him and the Commissioners, is embodied and preserved in the collections of this Society, and does credit to his memory." After more particularly dilating on this correspondence, as most creditable to Governor Stuyvesant, Chancellor Kent adds, " with that wise and good man terminated the Dutch power in this colony." With equal justice has it been remarked by another writer, " that those who peruse the remain- ing records of his administration, and compare the materials that survive, which throw light on his character, will find a combination of wisdom and sagacity, and will read the features of the brave and chivalrous officer, the accomplished gentleman, the wise statesman, and devoted christian." When we read the inscription of the above tablet, it may serve to recall the appropriate lines of the 91st Psalm : That man is bless'd who stands in awe Of God, and loves his sacred law ; Beset with threat'ning dangers round, Unmoved shall he maintain his ground ; The sweet remembrance of the just Shall flourish when he sleeps in dust. THE GRANT OF LOTS FROM TRINITY CHURCH. " After the organization of St. Mark's Parish, its vestry discovered that from the paucity of the congregation, and the small amount of money Episcopalians paid for pew rent, (the rent of a pew in St. Paul's and St. George's being then only $5 a year,) the ordinances of the Church could not be conducted 32 without aid from the funds of Trinity Church, which they con- sidered themselves justly entitled to ; — hence the memorial in which the petitioners claimed a suitable allowance, and in case of a refusal, declared their intention of abandoning their trust, and resuming the occupation of their pews in Trinity Church and her chapels* The application was followed by a grant of lots of ground then producing an income of $1250." The following form of a Deed of Release, is a copy of the one given by the Corporation of St. Mark's church : A. To all whom these Presents shall come or may in any wise concern, We, the rector, churchwardens and vestry of the Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Mark's in the Bowery, in the City of New- York, send greeting : Whereas the Corpora- tion having the name and style of the rector and inhabitants of the City of New- York, in communion of the Protestant Epis- copal Church in the State of New- York, have, from their zeal to promote the cause of religion and piety, contributed largely to the expense of building Saint Mark's Church aforesaid, and to the support of a clergyman to officiate and perform Divine Service therein, according to the rites and ceremonies of the said Protestant Episcopal Church, and have agreed to convey to us thirty lots of land, part of their real estate, for our own use and the purposes aforesaid; and whereas it may be deemed expedient by the said Corporation of the rector and inhabi- tants of the City of New- York, in communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New- York, to obviate and prevent any possibility of a question as to the residue of their real estate, or any claim or demand being ever made by us or our successors, of, in or to the said estate, or any part, parcel, or member thereof, for or by reason of our belonging to the Protestant Episcopal Church ; Now therefore, know ye that we the rector, churchwardens and vestry of St. Mark's Church in the Bowery, in consideration of the premises, and in order to prevent any doubt upon the question aforesaid, and to re- move the possibility of any dispute or controversy that may in * No copy of this memorial could be found among the papers of St. Mark's Vestry, and our efforts to obtain one from another quarter have not been successful. The document probably is lost. 33 any manner disturb or interrupt the harmony, concord and affection which ought to prevail, and which we sincerely pray may prevail among the members of the said church, and also for and in consideration of one dollar to us in hand paid by the rector and inhabitants of the City of New-York, in communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New-York, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, Do expressly for us and our successors, disclaim and renounce all right,' title, claim and demand whatsoever, of, in or to the real estate of the said rector and inhabitants of the City of New- York, in communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the State of New- York, and of, in and to every or any part, share, pro- perty or proportion thereof whatsoever, except what hath been voluntarily given and conveyed by them to us. And that all possibility of doubt upon the said subject may be removed, we do, for the considerations aforesaid, hereby clearly and abso- lutely renounce, release and grant unto the said Corporation having the name of the rector and inhabitants of the City of New- York, in communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New- York, all the right, title, interest, share, property, claim and demand whatsoever both at law and in equity, which we now have, or which we or our successors may at any time or times hereafter have, challenge or claim, of, in and to the estate, lands and tenements belonging to the said rector and inhabitants of the City of New- York, in communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New- York, or possessed by them or their tenants, or any of them, so that neither we nor our successors shall ever hereafter have or claim any part of the said property, except such as^we may have by the grant and conveyance of the said rector and inha- bitants of the City of New-York, in communion of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church in the State of New- York as aforesaid. In witness whereof, &c. Opinion of Messrs. Troup, Hamilton and Harison. In consequence of a resolution of the Vestry of Trinity Church, of the ninth of November instant, we have considered the subject therein mentioned, and are of opinion that the Cor- poration of Saint Mark's Church can have no, valid pretensions 34 either at law or in equity, to any part of the property of the recter and inhabitants of the City of New-York, in communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New-York ; but nevertheless for greater caution, we approve of their taking from the Corporation of St. Mark's Church, a deed in the form of that marked A, when the lots lately set apart for that pur- pose are conveyed to the said Corporation. — New-York, the 21st November, 1801. Robt. Troup, Alexander Hamilton, Rich. Harison. THE REVEREND JOHN CALLAHAN, THE FIRST RECTOH. This young clergyman, whose ministry was so suddenly terminated, was a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and left a half-orphan in early childhood. His mother, by a second marriage having several other children, his circumstances were very restricted; when the attention of Bishop Smith, then dio- cesan of South Carolina, was arrested by his exemplary de- portment as a youth of unusual promise. The bishop adopted him as a son, furnished him with a liberal and religious educa- tion, and having prepared him for the ministry, admitted him to deacon's orders. In the autumn of 1799, on an excursion to the north for the benefit of his mother's health and his own recrea- tion, he became incidentally an officiating clergyman at St. Mark's. The yellow fever at that season prevailing in the city, and this church being in an healthy position in the coun- try, drew to it a large congregation, and there being at the time great difficulty in procuring ministerial aid, Mr. Calla- han's services were rendered more highly acceptable. His engaging manners, his classical attainments, and his piety, soon won the esteem and regard of the vestry and congrega- tion. An early engagement was completed for his services during the ensuing winter, ulterior arrangements being post- poned until he could consult his benefactor and spiritual father, Bishop Smith, on the propriety of leaving the south, and the expediency of settling in New York; when that was 35 favorably accomplished, an engagement of a more permanent nature was mutually agreed upon. But an affectionate desire of seeing his family connections, and a grateful sense of pro- priety in receiving a higher order in the ministry (the priest- hood) from the hands of him to whom he conceived himself so much indebted, induced the fatal visit, which led to the catastrophe recorded on the tablet in the church. We have gathered the foregoing particulars from our friend and parish- ioner, Mr. P. G. Stuyvesant. Bishop Smith, as we learn from the church minutes, was requested by the vestry to prepare the inscription, and in his reply he feelingly adverts to "the difficulty of such an undertaking, considering the connection which had for years subsisted between the deceased and him- self." "Long a resident in my family," he remarks, "I had, from his amiable religious deportment and sweetness of man- ners, blended him into my family, and considered him as a son, — and to write an epitaph on such a son was too trying for an old man." The one, however, submitted by him was adopted by the vestry. The monument is in the recess on the west side of the pulpit. The departing words of Mr. Callahan were — "I am happy, for I die in the Lord Jesus." FACTS AND DETAILS GATHERED FROM THE CHURCH RECORDS AND OTHER SOURCES. 1793. July 8th. Mr. Petrus Stuyvesant's offer made to the corporation of Trinity Church, respecting an Episco- pal church to be built upon his land, accepted by that corporation, and a committee appointed. 1795. January 19th. The vestry of Trinity Church agreed to raise d£5000 for the building, and appointed a com- mittee of superintendence. April 25th. The corner stone of St. Mark's laid. 1799. May 9th. The church consecrated by Bishop Provoost. August 27th. The vestry of Trinity Church appoint trustees and convey to them the church and land adjoining, in trust, for the corporation of St. Mark's, whenever formed. 36 1799. October 2nd. First sale of pews. 18th. First vestry- elected., 1800. February 15th. The Rev. John Callahan called to the ' rectorship, and accepts. May 8th. Intelligence from Bishop Smith of Mr. Calla- han's death was laid before the vestry, and the follow- ing proceedings were had thereupon : The vestry, deeply afflicted with the melancholy event of the death of the Rev. John Callahan, and highly sensible of the great loss this church has sustained in so excellent and valuable a pastor, and being desirous to pay every suitable tribute of respect to his memory Resolved, That the church be hung in the usual mourn- ing for three months, and that the churchwardens be directed to request the Rev. Dr. Moore to deliver a sermon on the occasion, in this church, on Sunday next. And be it further resolved unanimously, That, to per- petuate the memory of his great virtues and excellen- cies, a marble monument be erected within the chancel of this church, on the west side of the altar, with such an inscription as the Right Rev. the Bishop of South Carolina may be pleased to devise. Resolved, That a committee of this vestry be appointed to acknowledge the receipt of the Right Rev. Bishop Smith's letters to Mr. Stuyvesant and Mr. Minthorne, and express the deep regret they feel for the loss that the Episcopal Church in general, and this church in particular, has experienced in the death of Mr. Calla- han, and also communicate to him the resolutions this vestry has adopted in consequence thereof. Between August, 1800, and November, 1801. Calls to to the rectorship were made successively to the Rev. John H. Hobart, Rev. P. Chase, Rev. C. Jones, and Rev. T. Dehon, and declined by these gentlemen. November 8th. The vestry of Trinity Church give notice that they have selected thirty lots for the use of St. Mark's, and are ready to convey them on re- ceiving a release and quit-claim from the vestry of St. Mark's. The conditions agreed to. 37 1801. December 23rd. The Rev. Mr. Harris receives a unan- imous call. 1802. February 2nd. Mr. Harris took his seat in the vestry, and was regularly and canonically inducted by the churchwardens as rector, by the delivery and accept- ance of the keys of the church. August 11th. The deed from Trinity Church for the thirty lots delivered to the vestry. A committee ap- pointed to solicit subscriptions for a parsonage. October 27th. Mr. Peter Stuyvesant conveys by deed certain lots in Eleventh street, as a site for a parson- age. December 6th. $ L900 reported by a committee as subscribed- for this object. 1803. August 26th. Mr. Stuyvesant conveys by a deed, ground for a cemetery for St. Mark's Church, and the thanks of the vestry are tendered to him for his generous and liberal donation. 1804. Jul* 20th. Pew No. 9 appropriated and reserved by the vestry for the use of Mr. Stuyvesant and his family forever, free from any charge of rent. August 18th. Fifty-seven pews were sold on a seven years' lease, subject to a rent of $562.50. 1805. April 1st. The rector communicated to the vestry that Mr. Ten-Eyck had appropriated $83.34, and Mr. Har- denbrook $20, for the purchase of plate for a com- munion service. The donations were accepted, and a vote of thanks was passed. July 12th. In consequence of a default in not making the triennial report of the property and income of the church within the time specified by law, the vestry took legal advice as to the proper course to be pur- sued by them, and under such advice, deemed it ex- pedient to take steps for a re-incorporation, in confor- mity to the act of the legislature. July 23rd. Due notice having been given, the pew- holders assembled for the purpose of electing church- wardens and vestrymen, and doing all other acts ne- cessary for the re-incorporation of the church. "Wil- liam Ogden and Mangle Minthorne were elected war- 38 1805. dens, and George Turnbull, Martin Hoffman, Thomas Ten-Eyck, Nicholas W. Stuyvesant, Nicholas Fish, Anthony Norroway, Harry Peters and William A. Hardenbrook, vestrymen. 1806. December 31. The vestry resolved, that from this date until the third Sunday in March inclusive, there should "be only one sermon preached on each day of public service, viz : in the morning, and that prayer be read in the afternoon." This resolution was renewed seve- ral years successively. A committee was appointed to ask aid from Trinity Church to build a steeple. 1807. May 20th. The treasurer directed to obtain from Tri- nity Church $500, granted by the vestry for the use of St. Mark s Church. 1812. April 16th. A letter was addressed by the vestry to the corporation of Trinity Church, touching the claim asserted by some of the city churches to vote at the Trinity Church elections, and disclaiming all partici- pation therein, &c. 1814. April 7th. The records of the vestry show the follow- ing preamble and resolution: — Whereas the congre- gation of St. Mark's Church have derived great benefit from the voluntary aid and assistance of Mr. William Creighton, since the indisposition of their respected rector, and ^he vestry conceiving it their duty, accord- ing to their means and ability, to remunerate any ser- vices rendered to the church — Therefore resolved, That the sum of $100 be appropriated for the purpose of purchasing some distinguished books on theology, and that the Rev. Dr. Harris be requested to procure such works as he may judge most appropriate, to present them to Mr. Creighton, and request, in behalf of this vestry, his acceptance thereof. June 7th. A committee was appointed to draft and pre- sent a respectful memorial to the vestry of Trinity Church, soliciting their aid and assistance in enabling this church to support an assistant clergyman ; but at a subsequent meeting this committee was discharged from that duty. In 1815 the subject came up again 39 1814. before the vestry. A committee was appointed to ask aid, if they thought proper, in the same quarter, and to confer with the Rev. Mr. Boyd relative to his he- coming an assistant minister. It does not appear, however, from the records, that any further action was had in the matter. 1816. November 14th. Dr. Harris, in consequence of his duties and engagements as president of Columbia College, resigns his rectorship. For the proceedings of the vestry thereupon, see discourse, p. 12. December 3rd. The Rev. William Creighton is called to the rectorship, and accepts the office. 1817 The minutes do not furnish any particulars of special to interest during this period. The stated salary of the 1824. rector, at the time of his call, was not a large one, and the vestry, whenever their means allowed, appear to have made liberal additions to it. Among other proofs of their care and foresight as the temporal guardians of the parish, they gave one which is too frequently neglected : Both the church and the parsonage were kept insured. In 1821, the following testimonial is found upon the records: Resolved, That the thanks of this vestry be given to Mangle Minthorne, Esq., for the regular and faithful performance of his duties, and for the many services rendered by him as one of the members of this corporation; and that they derive much pleasure in contemplating the great unanimity and harmony which has subsisted to the time of his resignation. This resolution was passed in consequence of Mr. Minthorne's resignation of his office as warden. Col. Nicholas Fish was elected to fill the vacancy, and thereupon declined the situation of clerk to the vestry, "the duties of which (say the records) he had so ably and satisfactorily performed for more than fifteen years." In 1823, a contract was made with Mr. Thomas Hall, for an organ for the church, for $1150, and the vestry, when the work was completed, were so pleased "with 40 1823. the faithful manner in which the work was done," that they voted him a gratuity of $50. 1824. November 12. The rector laid before the vestry a com- munication from the Standing Committee of the Gene- ral Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, addressed to the Episcopalians of New- York, soliciting contributions towards the erection of per- manent buildings for the accommodation of said Sem- inary, on the land conveyed by Clement C. Moore, Esq. ; thereupon it was " Resolved, That this vestry feel a deep interest in the success of the measures above mentioned, in reference as well to the general prosperity of the Theological Seminary, as to its permanent establishment in this city, and that the Rector, Col. Fish, Messrs. Ortley, Lee, Murray and Lyde, be a committee on the part of this church to obtain contributions from the members thereof, towards the erection of the said edifice." In the minutes of the trustees of the Seminary for 1824, it is stated that "$750 were collected by the Rev. "William Creighton from the members of St. Mark's Church." The next year, (1825,) $295 are acknow- ledged from this parish for the Seminary, by the agent, the Rev. R. B. Croes, and $307 additional subscrip- tions to be received. It will not be thought inappro- priate to record here another memorial from St. Mark's parish to this Institution, " entitling the donor," as the trustees justly remark, " to the grateful recollections of churchmen." We take the following extract from the report of the trustees of the Seminary to the Gen- eral Convention of 1835 : " The General Convention, and the Church at large, will hear with lively satisfac- tion of another evidence of christian munificence, and will recognise in it, with thankful hearts, the good providence of God in promoting the welfare of the Seminary. At a meeting of the trustees a few days since in New- York, an offer was communicated to them on the part of Mr.Peter G. Stuyvesant, of that city, • to found a Professorship in the General Theological 41 1824. Seminary, the department to be designated hereaf- ter by the founder, and the Professorship to be named after " St. Mark's Church in the Bowery." For founding the same, Mr. Stuyvesant offered to give the sum of $25,000, upon condition that such steps were taken by the trustees as would secure to the founder of a Professorship, the right to nominate to the trustees within one month after the endowment, some person as Professor ; should such nomination not be approved, the founder then to have a right to make a second nomination of some other individual ; and should such second nomination be also rejected, the trustees then to have the power to nominate to and 'fill the Professorship themselves. This very generous proposition was unanimously adopted by the trustees, and a resolution passed tendering their cordial thanks to the donor, and appointing a committee to confer with him " for the purpose of carrying into effect his enlarged, pious and benevolent views in relation to the proposed Professorship." It was subsequently styled •" The St. Mark's Church in the Bowery'' Professor- ship of Ecclesiastical History. The Rev. Francis L. Hawks, D. D., rector of St. Thomas' Church in New- York, was first nominated to fill the office, but declined the nomination. Mr. Stuyvesant afterwards nominated the Rev. William R. Whittingham, whose nomination was approved in 1836, and. who held the office until his election to the Episcopate of Maryland. He was succeeded by the present incumbent, the Rev. John D. Ogilby, D. D., of the Diocese of New-Jersey. 1824 A resolution was passed by the vestry in 1826, to erect to a steeple to the ehurch of stone or brick, provided the 1829. expense did not exceed $5000 ; and at the same time the rents of the pews were increased fifty per cent., and directed to be applied to pay the interest of the debt created by the erection of the steeple, and the surplus funded to meet the principal. In 1828, the treasurer reported the following items from the pew book : " 1 pew for the rector, 6 free pews, 2 removed, 68 rented 42 1824 for $943 per annum, 39 not rented amounting to $415. to Total 116 pews. The pews in the gallery producing 1829. no revenue." In August, 1828, the rector was author- ised to rent the parsonage in Eleventh-street, and to receive the rent for his own use. 1830. March 2nd. Dr. Creighton, in a letter addressed to the vestry, stated that in consequence of several returns of alarming illness, he had been advised to try a sea voy- age and change of climate for the recovery of his health, and requested accordingly leave of absence ; whereupon the vestry adopted the following resolutions : Resolved, That while the vestry deeply regret that the state of the health of their rector requires him to relin- quish for a time his parochial duties, they feel that the circumstances of the case fully jnstify the measure : Therefore Resolved, That he have leave of absence for one year. Resolved, That the same salary be paid to the rector during his absence as would be received by him if he continued in the performance of his duties in the parish. Resolved, That a gratuity of five hundred dollars be pre- sented to the rector before his departure, to aid him in defraying the expenses of his voyage and foreign residence. Resolved, That the Rev. John M. Guion be and he here- by is appointed as the substitute of the rector during his absence, and that the sum of $500 per annum, pay- able quarterly, be allowed to the said substitute, and that his salary and employment commence on Easter- Day next. The vestry being aware that during the absence of the rector no regular meeting could be held, delegated be- fore his departure, to a committee, certain powers under which they ordered and directed all such mat- ters as are ordinarily transacted by a vote of a vestry. On the return of Dr. Creighton, a meeting of the ves- try was held, at which the above committee reported their proceedings as contained in their " Book of Mi- nutes," and the same having been read, it was resolved 43 1830. that they be adopted and entered on the minutes of this Corporation. During Dr. Creighton's absence, however, on the decease of Bishop Hobart, a special meeting of the vestry, it appears, was held at the house of one of the wardens, September 17th, when the following preamble and re- solutions were adopted. It having pleased Almighty God, in his wise providence, to remove from this world the Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, D. D., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocese of New- York, this board, deeply sensible of the pre-eminent zeal, talents and attain- ments of their deceased Diocesan, in order to express their unfeigned grief at the loss they have sustained in common with the Church throughout the State, in being deprived of the superintending care of their ven- erable head, but at the same time humbly submitting to Divine Providence : Resolve, That St. Mark's Church in the Bowery be hung in the usual mourning until the festival of Christmas. That in further testimony of our respect for the memory of our late Bishop, we will attend his funeral and wear the usual badge of mourning thirty days. That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be handed to the relict and family of our late Bishop, and that they be published. 1833. September 26th. The following preamble and resolu- tions were unanimously adopted : Whereas it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from this world our highly valued friend and late as- sociate, Colonel Nicholas Fish, who had been a prom- inent member of the vestry and congregation of St. Mark's Church almost from its first organization to within a few weeks of his death ; therefore Resolved, That this vestry cherish a grateful sense of the long continued and faithful services of the deceased, in promoting the interests of the church with which we are connected. Resolved, That the cheerfulness, kindness and courtesy which marked all his intercourse with us, is a source 44 1833. of pleasing recollection, and in connection with his ex- emplary attention to his spiritual duties, justly entitle him to a high place in our esteem. Resolved, That this vestry respectfully tender to his widow and family the expression of their cordial sym- pathy on this afflicted occasion. 1834 May 8th. The vestry took measures for the erection of to a building in the rear and attached to the church, for 1836. a vestry and Sunday School rooms, the cost not to ex- ceed $2500. In June of the following year, arrange- ments were made for extensive repairs and alterations of the church edifice, and the rector was requested to canse the church to be closed until September. To meet the expenses, a loan, not exceeding $10,000, was ordered to be made. A committee was also appointed to ascertain and report whether any, and if any, what condition was annexed to the tenure by which the church held the land heretofore occupied for a parson- age, and whether a sale or exchange could be legally effected for other land more contiguous to the church, to be used for the same purpose. This committee subsequently reported that the condition annexed to the parsonage glebe, prevented any such sale or ex- change. May 5th. Dr. Creighton tendered to the vestry the re- signation of his rectorship, which was accepted. For the proceedings of the vestry thereupon, see Discourse, p. 16. May 31st. The vestry passed a resolution that the mor- tuary fees be paid into the treasury, and that the per- quisites for interments heretofore paid to the rector, be discontinued. October 3rd. On motion it was unanimously Resolved, That in the opinion of the vestry it is expedient to adopt an application to the Legislature of the State, for an alteration in the law relative to religious incor- porations, so as to authorise vestry meetings to be held without the rector's presence being essential, and to establish more definitely the qualifications of the elec- 45 1834 tors for churchwardens and vestrymen, according to to the report of the special committee on that subject, 1836 made to the last Convention. The building committee having been directed by the vestry to alter the interior of the church edifice, &c. agreeably to plans previously submitted and approved, were empowered in October, 1836, to close the church for the purpose of making the contemplated repairs, for such time as they might deem necessary. 1836. December 17th. The Reverend Henry Anthon, D. D., an assistant minister of Trinity Church, received an unanimous call to the rectorship of St. Mark's Church, and accepted the office. The repairs were not fin- ished until 1837, when the church was re-opened by Dr. Anthon, May 7th. 1837. May 11th. The building committee, to whom had been assigned the duty of disposing of the pews at public auc- tion, reported that 31 pews had been sold for $13,735. 1838. March 15th. The vestry approve of the establishment of an infant school by the rector, and agree to allow the use of a room, fuel, &c. The rector informed the vestry that although no canoni- cal provision required it of him, he had always made it a practice to give an Annual Easter Statement of the communion and other charitable funds placed in his trust for distribution. He accordingly laid be- fore them his first year's statement, whereupon it was Resolved, That the thanks of the vestry be presented to the rector, for the statement thus presented, that it be placed on file, and the " General Recapitulation " be entered on the minutes. A similar statement has been made annually to the present time. April 18th. By direction of the vestry 20 pews were sold for $7,275 * June 2d. On motion of Mr. G-erardus Clark, it was — Resolved, That an iron railing be erected around the church-yard, and that the building committee pro- * The vestry have not seen fit to sell the remainder of the pews. They own (1845) about 40 on the ground floor, besides the gallery pews. 46 1838. ceed to procure plans and estimates, and to make con- tracts for the work, subject to the approval of the vestry, at an expense not to exceed $10,000. This led to the erection of the present beautiful and substantial railing. October 2d. At the suggestion of the rector, the vestry took measures to commence a parish library, and have made from time to time appropriations fbr the purpose. 1839. From the time of Dr. Anthon's settlement in the parish, thevestry had made a liberal appropriation every year to defray his house rent. This year they proceeded to take the necessary steps for the building of a Rec- tory. A committee was appointed to enquire and report what disposition should be made of the house and premises in Eleventh-street, called " the Parson- age," and also whether it would be advisable to erect or purchase a suitable residence for the rector. The subsequent action of the vestry led to the building of " St. Mark's Rectory," corner of Tenth-street and Se- cond Avenue. Upon its completion, $1500 were voted by the vestry " for the purchase of such furniture as may be proper to form a part of the parsonage estab- lishment belonging to this church ; " and at a meeting 1840. held at the Rectory, October 28th, 1840, the following communication, made to the vestry by the rector, was ordered to be placed on their minutes : " The rector having removed on the 14th of this month to the Parsonage which the vestry have caused to be erected at the corner of Tenth-street and Second Av- enue, embraces the first opportunity afforded by the present meeting, to ask the consent of the vestry to record the same in their minutes. In doing so he must be permitted to accompany it with the expres- sion of the truly grateful feelings entertained by him- self and his family, for the kindness and liberality which have provided them a residence in all respects so com- modious and complete ; their thanks for the confidence and attachment which the vestry have so uniformly and strongly manifested, and their earnest wish and prayer that when the ties which bind us to earthly hab- 47 « 1840. itations are sundered, they may be renewed forever with his vestry and congregation in the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 1841. The rector having represented that a private communion service of plate would be a great convenience to him in the administration of the communion to the sick, the vestry gave directions that such a service should be procured under his direction. A very neat one was obtained "for $25. At his request, also, and by order of the vestry, a new Church Register was provided at a cost of $40. It was made under the directions of Mr. T. N. Stanford, and is in every respect a most complete and beautiful one. 1842. March 19th. The following preamble and resolutions were adopted by the vestry : Whereas it appears that the managers of the Educa- tion and Missionary Society of the Protestant Episco- pal Church in this Diocese, have published in the columns of "The Churchman" of March 19th, the name of St. Mark's Church as a " delinquent parish," inasmuch as the rector, in the exercise of his judgment and discretion, has not seen fit to make the special col- lection recommended by the last Convention, in behalf of said society : And whereas it further appears from the evidence laid before this vestry, that since the Rector took charge of the vestry in May, 1837, up- wards of $2100 have been contributed by his parish- ioners to Diocesan, Education and Missionary purpo- ses, of which amount nearly $1500 were paid into the treasury of the aforesaid Society, Therefore, Resolved, unanimously, As the judgment of this Board, that the parish which they represent, having given a liberal and hearty support to the present time, to the Education and Missionary Society, is not de- serving of the stigma which the managers have sought to cast upon it. Resolved,, That this board question the right of the So- ciety to censure St. Mark's Church for not repeating her liberality upon every call of the Society, and that 48 1842. the assumption of such a power is ill calculated to stimulate the future charities of the church. Reeolved, That the rector be requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions to the Managers of the Soci- ety and to the Editor of " The Churchman," for pub- lication, accompanying them with such further state- ments as he may deem to be expedient. They appeared in that paper March 26th, with the fol- lowing letter from Dr. Anthon : New-York, March 21, 18,42. To the Editor op the Churchman : Rev. and Dear Sir — The parish under my care having been published in your columns of the 19th inst. as a " delinquent parish," (see also Churchman of the 12th,) by the authority of the managers of the Education and Missionary Society of this Diocese, I presume that you will cheerfully grant the request which I have to make, that you will insert in your next paper the fol- lowing statement and resolutions. From May, 1837, when St. Mark's Church wrs first opened after my election to the rectorship, to December, 1839, the congregation contributed in plate collections for Dio- cesan, Education and Missionary purposes, $1440 ; of which sum $1100 went into the treasury of the Mana- gers above named. In December, 1839, a circular having been sent to me as the head of a " defaulting " parish by the managers, I was constrained to lay be- fore the Bishop, as the President of the Society, a statement of what this parish had done. A kind and flattering reply was immediately returned, from which (in order that I may not occupy too much of your pa- per) I shall quote but two remarks. The whole letter I am ready to show to the Managers or to any others who may wish to peruse it. " It has always," says the Bishop, " given me great pleasure to think and to speak of your parish as one of the best ordered, most prosperous, and most liberal in the diocese." And in conclusion he observes, " I presume no farther use need be made of your letter than my availing myself 49 1842. of the very gratifying information it contains, to state, as opportunity may offer, my entire satisfaction with the support rendered by your parish to the objects of the Education and Missionary Society." From 1840 to the present time, the collections in St. Mark's for Diocesan, Education and Missionary purposes, have amounted to $700, nearly $400 of which sum the same managers have received. The result is that in five years, of $210Q raised by us for Diocesan objects, the Education and Missionary Society have had nearly $1500. Under these circumstances, on Saturday last, at the regular meeting of my vestry, previous to the E aster election, I felt it to be due to the parish and myself, to call their attention to the facts of the case, whereupon the following resolutions were unanimously adopted. (Here followed the resolutions.) October 19th. At a meeting of the vestry, the follow- ing motion was adopted : Resolved, That at the suggestion of the rector, this ves- try respectfully recommend to their constituents, the parishioners of St. Mark's Church, to commence and to continue a monthly appropriation and contribution, (in place of stated special collections,) for the promo- tion of christian knowledge and piety, in connection with Church objects, and that the proceeds of such appropriations constitute a fund to be known as the " Offerings of St. Mark's Parish," and to be applied agreeably to the provisions and recommendations of the canon passed at the late Annual Convention of this Diocese. * 1843. July 2d. In company with the Rev. Hugh Smith, D. D., rector of St. Peter's Church, Dr. Anthon went to St. Stephen's Church, and with Dr. Smith made a pub- lic protest, in accordance with the Rubric, against the admission of Mr. Arthur Carey to the order of Deacons. September 5th. At a meeting of the vestry, after the transaction of ordinary business, the rector was in- formed that a resolution was to be offered which * See page 52. 50 1843. affected him personally, and therefore, if agreeable to him, it would be prefaced by a motion that the senior warden should take the chair in his stead. "Whereupon Dr. Anthon having vacated the chair and retired, the following preamble and resolution were adopted : Whereas since the last meeting of this vestry, an extra- ordinary transaction has occurred in this Diocese in relation to an ordination which was held in St. Ste- phen's Church in this city, on the 2d day of July last, which has produced much public excitement and dis- cussion, during which the course pursued by the rec- tor of this church in relation to that matter has been the subject of extensive comment, and in some instan- ces, of severe animadversion. And whereas the vestry of this church, after a careful and deliberate review of the origin and progress of the controversy alluded to, are deeply impressed, as well with the purity of the motives by which the rector has been actuated, as by the pru- dence, firmness and wisdom which have marked his course, and have deemed this a fit and proper occasion to express their sentiments on this subject — Therefore, Resolved, That the conduct of the rector in this trying emergency, has met with the unqualified approbation of this vestry, and has given them a new guaranty that he will ever be found a vigilant sentinel to protect the Church from all false doctrine, error and innovation. The preamble and resolutions having been adopted by the vestry, the rector was requested to resume the chair, and having done so, they were reported to him and confirmed by the vestry. Resolved, That the foregoing preamble and resolution be entered on the minutes and a copy be forwarded by the clerk to the rector. 1845. April 16th. Resolved, That the rector be requested to deliver an historical discourse at the approaching fif- tieth anniversary since the laying of the corner-stone of this church ; and that such discourse be published under the direction of the rector, in concurrence with the wardens of the church. 51 PAROCHIAL REPORTS. In consequence of the first canon of 1803 of the Diocese of New- York, these reports began to appear in the journals of the Convention in 1804. The report from St. Mark's in that year was as follows : " baptisms 10, communicants about 20, marriages 2, funerals 2." In 1806 and 7, the number of com- municants, the report states, " is not exactly ascertained — in the summer there are usually from 120 to 200 ; in the winter from 60 to 70." From 1807 to 1815, no reports appear to have been made. In 1815, the communicants were between 70 and 80, baptisms 24. In 1817, Dr. Creighton's first report is as follows : "baptisms, infants 22, adults 4 — 26, marriages 3, bu- rials 9, communicants about 100." In the following years to 1835, the communicants are stated at the same number, ex- cept in 1831, when 82 are reported, and in 1832 between 80 and 90. The first report of Sunday scholars was in 1826, when they amounted to 120. In Dr. Creighton's last report, the following statistics are given : " baptisms, infants 25, com- municants about 100, marriages 16, deaths 101. Under this last head are included all the interments made in the cemetery belonging to the church, very few of which have been of per- sons members of the congregation." The first report of Dr. Anthon's services, which was made to the Convention in Octo- ber, 1837, stated that he was elected to the office of Rector, December 17, 1836, but owing to alterations and repairs in the church, it was not opened for public worship until May 7th. " Interments since the date of the report of the wardens last year, chiefly non-parishioners, 89 ; marriages, since May, 7 ; baptisms, (adults 3, infants 25,) 28 ; catechumens, 50 ; Sunday scholars registered, 140, average attendance, 60 ; teachers, (5 male, 10 female,) 15 ; communicants, upon a careful inquiry the number was ascertained to be 39 ; died 1, added since, 6, joined since from other Episcopal Churches since May, 57, making present number 101 ; families, at the opening of the church in May, 31, present number 93 ; pew holders 98 ; collections in four months for missions, $1058. Catechising two seasons in the year, from October to February and from April to June. Bi- ble class weekly, from October to April. Evening lectures from November until April. Church opened for prayers and 52 the due ministration of Baptism, on Wednesdays and Fridays before each monthly communion." tO ira © 'SniIKTJ r-l CO r-l i-H CO © © © o «s< CO © co 7-1 © o © n* "ITIOX 1~i o o CD cm © © *o CM K O i-H cm r-t CM r-l CM CO W5 rH © © H CO CO t>. Q a Tf* VO © CO •SflOIUVA CO 1-1 tH 3 CO -* 4* i-H IN B OS CO © CO W O r-l CO CO © CM & «> •SNOISSIK CO CO OS CO r-l CM i-H P=5 *-< B i— I 3£ iH fa tf SH3N0IHSIH -VJ-NOH Oi CO co CM © T-H CO CM CO i-H ITS l-H CO © en fA •SH.HSIHTa en w CM m CO o *P 5 ^"* •< •SHTIOHOg iNTdSI © © CO CO OS is. OS OS luO CO any AYCINaS ■asBiaiJtioa *C T-H M« © o © o © o «=l « s . •TViOl © CO CO r-l CO 1—1 © CM © CM CM CM CO CM Eh *-> ■aaaay CO CO CM in CO CO © CM © CM •asAowaa CO T-H © 1— I cm CM CO o CO ^ •aaia i— 1 1-4 CM lO •saovra-avw fr- CO T-H r-t i-H T-H *■» i-H CM r-t ee CO h- CO i-H fM ^ CM "IYXOl cm r-l CO « CO m M lit n M< CO "* OS i— i N. CO l-i •SXNT.SNI CM 1-1 i-H CO *0 CN CO ifl CM •sxinav CO CM ■* CM CM i-H TP © I-H CM CO ■«* •euvai ■^ ** ■^ CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO OFFERINGS OF ST. MARK'S PARISH. Extract from a Canon, entitled Of Diocesan Missions, Theological Edu- cation, and Contributions for other Church Objects. Passed by the Con- vention of the Diocese of New-York, September, 1842 : 5 4. In every Parish of this Diocese, provision shall be made for at least " Monthly Church Offerings," by collection or otherwise, for Theological Education, Diocesan Missions, and other Church objects ; it be- ing the duty of the Clergyman to give due notice to the congregation of the time and object of such offerings or collections, and also to call their atten- tion to the importance and claims of the respective objects to which the offerings are to be applied. The amount of these Church offerings or col- lections, with the exception of such portions not exceeding one fourth, as may be retained by decision of the Rector and Wardens for parochial or 53 other purposes, shall be forwarded by the Eector or Minister, as often as conveniently may be, but at least once in six months, to the Treasurer of the Convention, specifying the objects to which the same shall be applied. Extract from the Minutes of the Vestry of St. Mark's Parish. October 19th, 1842 : Resolved, That at the suggestion of the Rector, this Vestry respectfully recommend to their constituents, the Parishioners of St. Mark's, to com- mence and to continue a monthly appropriation and contribution, (in place of stated special collections,) for the promotion of Christian knowledge and piety in connection with Church objects; and that the proceeds of such ap- propriations constitute a fund, to be known as the " Offerings of St. Mark's Parish," and to be applied agreeably to the provisions and recommendations of the Canon passed at the late Annual Convention of this Diocese. To the Parishioners of St. Mark's Church. Brethren : In conformity with the above recommendations, and the ' views recently expressed by me from the pulpit, I now respectfully lay be- fore you a few additional remarks to give efficiency to the plan contemplat- ed. It has hitherto been the custom in this Parish, to make special collec- tions for various objects. The " Monthly Offerings " will be in the place of these, with one exception : a Canon requires a collection for " Aged in- firm, Clergymen " on the Annual Thanksgiving Day, or the Sunday next before or next following. This requisition will of course be observed by us. For the future, then, two collections will be made per month, viz : on the first Sunday, " The Monthly Offerings!' and on the fourth Sunday, the alms and contributions of the Holy Communion. The " Monthly Offerings " will embrace the following objects, to which aid is asked by the Canons of the Diocese, the action of the General Convention, &c. : The Fund for the support of the Episcopate ; Theological Education ; Diocesan Missions ; City Mission ; Domestic Missions in the United States : Foreign Missions ; and, also, for a charity, which, since its commencement, has never failed of a share of your bounty — our Parish Infant School. The following details, which I beg leave to urge upon your attention, will, I am persuaded, lead, if adopted, to very encouraging results : 1 . Let every individual exercise the privilege of contributing something to the Monthly Offerings. 2. Let the amount in families be sub-divided among the several mem- bers, rather than contributed in a gross sum by the head. ,3. Let it be remembered, that the amount, whatever it may be, will be given more freely in the small fraction, than in the gross sum. Let all, therefore, lay by in store, weekly ; and let all make a conscience of giving, not what we never miss, or scarcely know how else to dispose of, but, " as Godhath prospered him." 4. Let each one, when he brings his monthly offering, designate, in an envelope, the objects to which he wishes it appropriated ; and, in case of his non-attendance, let it be sent by some neighbor, or to the Rector. 54 5. Let there be set up in each family, a Box, for such offerings, where, from week to week, they may be placed and sacredly guarded for their proper objects. Brethren, The plan of "systematic charity" is now submitted to your judgment, and upon you must devolve the duty of engaging in it with zeal, liberality and perseverance. May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in his Son, psur into our hearts " that most excellent gift of charity," and prepare us to render up a faithful account of our stewardship. Commending you to Him, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified, I am, brethren, affectionately, yours in the Lord, Henry Anthon. October 26, 1842. The Offerings will commence on the 6th November. Form of an Envelope. Episcopal Fund, Theological Education, Diocesan Missions, City Mission, Domestic Missions in United States, Foreign Missions, St. Mark's Infant School, Church Objects in general, Note. — If the amount of the Offering is placed under the last head, it will devolve upon the Kector and Wardens to appropriate it among the dif- ferent Church objects. NAMES OF PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF ST. MARK'S PARISH. WARDENS. PetruB Stuyvesant, Francis Bayard Winthrop, Mangle Minthorne, William Ogden, Thomas Ten Eych, William Ogden, Nicholas Fish, Gilbert C. Willett, Martin Hoffman, William A. Hardenbrook, Mangle Minthorne, William Ogden, George Turnbull, Nicholas G. Stuyvesant, James Cummings, Thomas Ten Eyck, Thomas Bartow, FROM TO 1799 1805 1799 1805 1805 1821 1805 1806 1806 1807 1807 1825 1821 1833 Martin Hoffman, Edward Lyde, Richard I. Tucker, Gideon Lee, John L. Lawrence, Petor G. Stuyvesant, Geravd-us Clark, VESTRYMEN. 1799) 1802 £1825 Fl815 , 2 1805 ^1805 £1817 £1806 " . 1802 1802 1806 1803 1805 Harry Peters, Anthony Norroway, Nicholas Fish, Robert Bartow, David Mann, Peter G. Stuyvesant, Win. H. Robinson, John Slidell, Andrew Ogden, Edward Lyde, Jim., rnoM TO 1825 1828 1828 1830 1830 1836 1833 1836 1836 1836 1839 1839 1805 1808 1805 1816 1805 1821 1806 1807 1806 1806 1806 1807 1807 1811 1807 1807 1808 1820 1809 1828 Robert Bird, Dirck Ten Broeck, Noah Talcot, Clement C. Moore, Samuel Ferguson, Michael Ortley, John Day, Peter G. Stuyvesant, David S. Jones, George W. Murray, William Tripler, James Forrest, John W. Kearney, Michael Ortley, Jacob Lorillard, George W. Murray, Peter G. Stuyvesant, Jacob Walton, Gideon Lee, Peter Stuyvesant, Richard I. Tucker, John R. Wheaton, William Neilson, Michael Burnham, Peter G. Stuyvesant, George Lovett, John L. Ireland, J. Mortimer Catlin, William A. Hardenbrook, Martin Hoffman, Edward Lyde, Peter G. Stuyvesant, Martin Hoffman, Nicholas Fish, Edward Lyde, David S. Jones, FKOM TO 1811 1813 1813 1819 1815 1816 1816 1820 1816 1817 1817 1819 1817 1818 1818 1819 1819 1830 1819 1821 1819 1825 1820 1830 1830 1825 1821 1829 1821 1825 1825 1826 -1825 1826 1825 1830 1825 1826 1832 1828 • 1830 1829 1830 1830 1832 1830 1830 1831 1830 1835 1830 1836 1830 1832 DASUR 1799 EK.S C 1805 1805 1825 1825 1828 James Gillendcr, William W. Holly, John L. Lawrence, Christopher Mildebergcr, Hamilton Fish, George C. Thomas, James Clinch, N. W. Stuyvesant, W. L. Morris, Richard L. Morris, Gideon Lee, Richard R. Lansing, Elliot Robins, Wheaton Bradish, Francis U. Johnston, Gerardus Clarke, John C. Jay, John W. Mitchell, Francis U. Johnston, James Heard, Samuel Packwood, Isaac Carow, Cornelius Du Bois, Jr. Jacob B. Herrick, Hamilton Fish, Meigs D. Benjamin, Samuel S. Rogers, Gideon Lee, 1825 | George C. Thomas, Jacob B. Herrick, CLERKS OF THE VESTRY. J. Mortimer Catlin, John L. Lawrence, Hamilton Fish, John W. Mitchell, Hamilton Fish, 1799 1802 1802 1805 1805 1821 1821 1825 1825 1830 FROM' TO 1832' 1835 1832 1835 1832 1839 1832 1836 1833 18ft 1835 1835 1835 1836 1835 1836 1835 1836 1837 1836 1841 1836 1838 1836 1839 1837 1838 1838 1839 1838 1839 1839 1844 1839 1844 1839 1840 1839 1842 1840 Decl'd. 1841 1841 1842 1844 1844 1828 1836 1836 1842 1842 1830 1832 1832 1836 1836 1839 1839 1844 1844 First Pew Holders. — The following names appear on the minutes, of individuals who first leased pews, (in 1799,) for a term of five years : viz. — Nicholas Wm. Stuyvesant, Hezekiah Rogers, Samuel Hallett, James Bleecker, Anthony L. Bleecker, Wm.A. Har- denbrook, George Turnbull, Martin Hoffman, James Seton, Edward Lyde, John Jones, William Ogden, Horatio Gates, Francis B. Winthrop, R. T. Kemble, John Slidell, M. Ireland, James Jarvis, Mr. Schroeppel, Thomas Ten Ey ck, Mr. Overing, Robert Bird, Nich- olas Fish, Gilbert C. Willett, William A. Hardenbrook, t Captain Smith, Abijah Hibbard, John Pell, Nicholas Carmer, Thomas B. Budgen, Mr. Buchanan, Wm. Thomas, James A. Stewart, Robert Benson, Daniel Kemper, David Williamson. MEMORIALS OF THE DEAD. On the outer eastern wall is a tablet with the following inscription : In this vault lies buried PETRUS STUYVESANT, Late Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of Amsterdam, in New Neth- erlands, now called New-York, and the Dutch West India Islands. Died August, A. D. 1682, aged 80 years. 56 In the recess by the pulpit are two tablets, with the following inscrip- tions : Sacred to the Memory of THE KEV'D. JOHN CALLAHAN, Minister of this Church, who, on a visit to his parents and friends at Charles- tan, South Carolina, was thrown out of a carriage and expired the same day, April 14th, M. 24. This tribute of esteem and affection for departed worth, is erected by the Vestry of this Church. His spirit's fled ! and reigns above, In realms of Joy, of Peace, of Love : And Death has done his part ! Why rear a tomb, a splendid tomb, To give his name to years to come 1 6 When rear'd it's in the heart. To the Memory of PETER STUYVESANT, This monument is erected by his children, as a testimony of filial Love and Gratitude. He was born 13th Oct,r., 1727, 0. S. Died 7th Oct'r., 1805. And his remains are deposited in the vault of his ancestors within the walls of this Church. The kind Father ; the faithful Friend ; The honest Citizen, and the sincere Christian, rests from his Labours, And His Works do follow Him. On the east side of the Church are two tablets with the following in- scriptions : Sacred to the Memory of PETER SCHERMERHORN, Died 28 January, 1826, Aged 76 years. And of ELIZABETH SCHERMERHORN, ■wife of Peter Schermerhorn, Died 81 January, 1809, Aged 56 years. Their remains are deposited in the family vault in the cemetery of thie Church. 57 NICHOLAS FISH, Lieut.-Colonel in the Army of the American Revolution. Born Aug. 28, 1758, Died June 20, 1833. The Faithful Soldier of Christ and of His Country. On the west side of the Church are three tablets, with the following inscriptions : SAMUEL FEEGUSON, Born April 11th, 1769, At Halifax, in England, Died August 2d, 1816, at New-York, And his wife ELIZABETH, Born July 4th, 1778. In the County of Suffolk, England, Died October 6th, 1823, at New- York. This Tablet is erected by their affectionate children, to perpetuate the Memory of the Dead, And The Gratitude of the Living. Their remains are deposited in a vault in the Cemetery attached to this Church Erected to the Memory of GEOEGE TUENBULL, Post-Captain in the British Navy, Who died in New-York, Nov. 13, 1825, Aged 82 years. And of M A EG ARE T,' His wife, Who died at Beccles, England, Jan. 22, 1829, Aged 72 years. Also, WILLIAM P. TURNBULL, 58 And GEOKGE TUKNBULL, Jr. Who were born in New-York, The Former on the 3d November, 1791, The Latter on the 1st December, 1800. And who sailed from Smyrna in the brig Minerva, On their return home, in the latter part of the year 1821, And of which vessel no account has been received. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, Nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain : -~ For the former things are passed away. Kev! xxi. 4. In Memory of CATHARINE, Wife of John E. Stuyvesant, Born October 25, 1808, Died November 17, 1837. & ^ ^ ^ % %■ % M \» % % %%%* (fatabltsljetr in 1787. STANFORD & SWORDS, NO. 139, BROADWAY, Beg leave to inform their friends and the public, that they continue to keep on hand, as in former years, ageneral assort- ment of Religions Works, suitable for individuals, for Parish arid Family LibJ&ries, and for the Clergy, which they will dis- pose of on the Most liberal terms. Having an agent in Lon- don, they offer their services to the public for the importation of books, pamphlets, &c, which can be obtained through them on as low terms as at any other establishment, in the country. BICKERSTETH'S DEVOUT COMMUNICANT. They have just published, in a beautiful pocket volume, an entirely new work by this pious and gifted author, entitled — THE DEVOUT COMMUNICANT, DESIGNED TO ASSIST THE DEVOTIONS OF THE COMMUNICANT. BY THE REV. EDWARD BICKEESTETH. " This do.in remembrance of Me. 1 ' They have also a variety of other works on the Holy Communion. ;• * BISHOP HOBART'S EDITION OF WANT AND D'OYLY'S BIBLE. With the view of bringing this inestimable Commentary . into more general circulation, the publishers have resolved upon a considerable reduction from the original price of the work. They now offer it at a rate which they hope will place it more immediately within the reach of the less wealthy mem- bers of the Church. The great merit of this Commentary over every other, consists in its containing the result of the labors of the most distinguished Divines, and others, especially of the Church of England, by which the reader is put in possession of the collected wisdom of the present and past ages, and ena- bled, by a comparison of the different views presented to him, to form his own judgment upon every subject embraced in the compass of divine revelation. The work was originally pub- lished in England, under the direction of " The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge." The present edition was published at the suggestion, and under the direction of the late Right Rev. Bishop Hobvrt, and occupied much of his time and laborious attention for more than five years. It consists of nearly three t/ioi/ntu/d, closely printed pages in quarto, and is bound in a substantial manner, in three volumes, price $10,00 —original price $,'20,00. .-■■ FT^- W 1