L f n , ^^ ! .# I i j f^ ^ ^ ' ^-^ , ~^ ^ Q. 1 # 125 1 1 ^ 1 o I \ - "-'i uel A 4 o Iz; § i Jsf aj* 1^ tS ^*^ P^ t/) ' •5 (^ »_ ^ V-» 2 ^ Ot >> _Q Si ^ ■o § % c CO dl 8 i<5 ^ A HISTORY STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. CITY OF NEW YORK SKETCH OF ITS PASTORS, REGISTER OF THE ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP. NEW YORK: SHELDON" «fe CO]yEI»^:N"Y No. 115 NASSAU STREET. 1860. W. H. TiNsoN, SUreotypar. J, J, Rkmd, Printer. i .^a^A: l^-«% *^;^ PEEFACE.' -, ^/^ The Pleasures of Memory have been sweetly sung by a modem bard, and perhaps in no case are those pleasures greater than when connected with the rehgious experiences of our better nature. An unpretending volume, like this, presents no claim to public notice, but appeals to that narrower circle whose sympathies are enlisted, and whose interest is excited, by a recital of the trials, the progress, and the triumphs of God's people. No striking events are here recorded; no stir- ring scenes will pass in review before the reader. We only attempt to tell, in a simple way, how the Good Shepherd has led one of his flocks, and to chronicle such events as have had an influence upon the destiny of immortal spirits. The mission of the modern church is to diffuse a knowledge of Christ, to teach men the truth of his Holy Word, and thus to fit them for life and duty here, and for glory, honor, and immortality hereafter. Without claiming for this church any preSminence, it IV PKEFACE. was thought that a brief record of its past history vf ould be deeply interesting to all who have, at any time, been identified with it ; and perhaps there may be others to whom our little memorial may not be altogether desti- tute of attractions. Such as it is, we send it forth, con- scious that it might have been far worthier of its theme, but still trusting that it may meet a kindly reception from many a Christian heart. The matter accumulated by the committee in collect- ing the materials for this work, would fill several vo- lumes, and continual abridgment has been necessary to keep within the limits prescribed to us. In consequence of this, the narrative may appear quite abrupt at some points, and it must be ascribed to the cause just stated. The writers have not forgotten that theii' duty has been to give facts, rather than to furnish reflections upon them; and this may give the work an uninviting ap- pearance ; but this, we think, will be readily overlooked, when we state that our aim has been to secure accuracy in all our statements ; and it is believed that our facts and figures may be relied on. It is somewhat remarkable that our first pastor, and the first deacon of the church, both departed this life during the preparation of this work. Fortunately, hovr'ever, these aged and venerable brethren furnished PREFACE. V US with all the facts in their possession before they passed away. We have received valuable information also from Deacons H. Phelps, D. Bailie, R. E. Peterson, B.' M. Thompson, and Wm. D. Mangam; and from Mrs. Ann Elgreen and Mrs. Hannah Ashford. A Register of our entire membership will be found at the close of the book. It was intended, at first, to give the names of present members only ; but a strong de- su'e having been expressed to have all inserted, the com- mittee yielded, though much additional and unexpected labor was thereby imposed upon them. The time and manner of uniting with the church are also given, to- gether with the date of death or dismission ; so that every member may now ascertain these facts in his own history, or that of any brother or sister. It is not un- likely that errors have escaped notice in so large a col- lection of names and dates, and hence we desire that per- sons noticing such defects, would communicate the same to the pastor or clerks. Any other corrections or sug- gestions may also be addressed to C. B. Stout, box 1418, New York post-ofi&ce, or to Thomas J. Grout, 145 Suffolk street, New York. We desire, before closing this preface, to allude to the harmony that has ever prevailed among our mem- bership and attended our councils. With one or two ex- VI PBEFACE. ceptions, this has been the case from the beginnmg until now. In our church meetings, personal choice and feel- ing are ever in abeyance to the general good, and the will of the majority is cheerfully assented to. This fact is a cause of devout gratitude to God, and not only has frequent allusion to it been had in our letters to the Association, but it is often made the occasion of thanks- giving in the prayer-room. May the great Head of the Church continue to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace I I New York, December Slst, 1859, ^/;^1^ 5^- C O N T E N tI^^^^C^^^^/ PA6B Preface 3 PERIOD I. Original Articles of Faith 13 Election of the first Clerlt and Deacon and the first Baptism. . . 17 Call of Rev. Samuel Eastman and Sketch of his Life 19 His Ordination and Missionary Appointment 22 His Letter of Dismission to the Union Church, New York 24 Election of the first Board of Trustees and the second Clerk. . . 27 Resignation of Brother Eastman, Destruction of the House of Worship by Fire, and Removal 29 Death of Brother Eastman 32 Statistics of the First Period 36 PERIOD II. Call of Rev. George Benedict 37 Sketch of his Life 38 His Ordination 39 Erection of the House of Worship in Stanton street 40 Change of name from Union to Stanton street Church 42 Resignation of Brother Benedict 49 Sickness of Brother Benedict 62 His Resignation and decease 63 Statistics of the Second Period 69 PERIOD III. Call of Rev. David Bellamy 60 Sketch of his Life 61 His Baptism and Call to the Ministry 62 His Pastorate at Ithaca 64 Recognition at the Stanton street Church 66 Formation of Young Men's Mission Society 68 Yin CONTENTS. PAQB Visit of Rev. E. L. Abbott 70 Revival of Religion, and Resignation of Brother Bellamy 72 Formation of the Hope Chapel (now Calvarj') Church 74 Death of Mrs. Eliza Bellamy — Call to Mount Morris 75 Sketch from the pen of Brother Bellamy 76 Statistics of the Third Period 82 PERIOD IV. Call of Rev. S. Remington 83 Sketch of his Life 84 His Conversion and Connection with the M. E. Church 88 Recognition as Pastor of the Stanton street Church 91 Death of Brother William L. Mangam 93 Death of Deacon Cowan 102 Farewell Missionary Meeting to Kincaid and Dawson 10.5 Deaths of Mrs. Elizabeth Noe, Miss Malvina Harris, and Mrs. Eliza Ann Remington 110 Resignation of Brother Remington Ill Death of Brother Washington Lewis, and Removal of Brother Remington to Philadelphia, etc 113 Statistics of the Fourth Period 114 PERIOD V. Call of Bev. Edward T. Hiscox 11.' Sketch of Brother H'scox'sLife 118 His Baptism and Engagement in Business 119 His Entrance into College, Graduation and Marriage 120 Ministry at the Central Church, Norwich, and Call to Stanton st. 121 Reception of Members by Experience 122 Meeting of Hudson River Association South 124 Deaths of Francis H. Palmer and Mrs. Sarah Ann Mangam 125 Revival of Religion 127 Resignation of R. C. Akerly, and Election of two Clerks 128 Proposition to liquidate Church Debt 129 Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Opening of the Meeting-house. 131 Articles of Faith and the Covenant 133 Board of Trustees 14G Statistical Tables 148. I49 The Register 151 ,<5>.. ^Of.^ '4 A HISTORY '**f*^iiyiiri OP THE STMTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. PEEIOD I. FROM ORIGIN TO CALL OF REV. GEORGE BENEDICT. October 3d, 1823— April 20th, 1831. The beginnings of churches, like the com- mencement of some of our noble American rivers, are frequently small and obscure ; but in their onward progress they increase in strength, ex- pand in Yolume, and command the attention of large communities. Within the limits of an ordinary lifetime, and, indeed, within the recol- lection of many persons still living, the events here recorded have transpired. And it is with 2 10 HISTORY OF THE devout thanksgiving to the Father of spirits that this memorial of his blessing upon the. labors of his people is prepared. It is a history of peace- ful advance and quiet increase, through scenes of sorrow and discouragement as well as of comfort and of joy. In the latter part of the year 1823, a num- ber of members in good standing in the Mul- berry street Church, New York, expressed a wish to be dismissed, for the purpose of consti- tuting a new church in another part of the city. After considering their request, the following letter was granted them : " To ALL WHOM IT MAT CONCERN : This is to Cer- tify that the brethren and sisters whose names are hereunto affixed are hereby regularly dis- missed from the Baptist Church in Mulberry street, 'New York, under the pastoral care of Kev. Archibald Maclay, for the purpose of uniting together in the formation of a new and regular Baptist Church in the same city. And may the great Head of the church crown their efforts with success, and his rich and effective blessing ; that STAJTTON STEEET BAPTIST CHTIECH. 11 they may be built on tbe foundation of the apos- tles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief comer stone. " Done by order of the church. " Wm. Wnn'EETON. " Church Clerk, " New York, 8ej>t. 23cf, 1823. " John Hazlet, Michael !N'oe, Zilpah Hazlet, Elizabeth ]S"oe, Jane Hazlet, Wm. B. Swift, Stephen Hyde, Charlotte Blakely, Catharine Hyde, Catharine Clark, Frederick Patillo, Mary Cheeseman, Catharine Patillo, Hannah Ashford." Immediately on receiving this letter, these brethren procured a place to meet in, at Ko. 63 Chrystie street, then far up town, and they had public worship the ensuing Sunday, brother John W. Gibbs being the preacher. It was resolved to engage brothef Gibbs at the salary of $200 per annum, but they subsequently voted fifty dollars additional. A council of the various pas- tors of the Baptist churches in the city was con- 12 HISTOEY OF THE vened at the house of brother !N'oe, Oct. 3d, when the new church submitted their Articles of Faith and Covenant. The Council, composed of Eev. A. Maclaj, Eev. C. G. Somers, Eev. John- son Chase, Eev. John Williams, and Eev. Mr. Smith, after due deliberation, resolved unani- mously that the brethren and sisters should be recognized as a regular Baptist Church. The Council then adjourned to the meeting-house, when a sermon was preached by Eev. C. G. Somers, and the hand of fellowship was given by Eev. A. Maclay. The new body assumed the name of The Union Baptist Church, and was constituted as follows : John Hazlet, Wm. B. Swift, Zilpah Hazlet, Charlotte Blakely, Jane Hazlet, Catharine Clark, Stephen Hyde, Mary Cheeseman, Catharine Hyde, Hannah Ashford, Michael E'oe, Frederick Patillo, Elizabeth Noe, Ann Elgreen, W. C. Dusenbury.^ * The last two names were added to the original number, STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHTTRCH. 13 Articles of Faith. "We wliose names are here subjoined having a desire to unite ourselves in the bonds of the Gos- pel, that we may be enabled to fulfill the ordi- nances of Christ, and those duties toward each other which the Lord himself has enjoined on all his followers, conceive as a preliminary step, that our views of the doctrines of the Lord and his ordinances as we believe them set forth in his word, should be committed to paper, that no individual who may have his name recorded may plead ignorance of the fact. Article 1. — ^We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the word of God, given by inspiration, and that they are to be our only rule of faith and practice. Article 2. — There is but one living and true God, who is the creator, upholder, and preserver making six males and nine females. The name of Mrs. Patillo seems to have been omitted by a clerical error. Mrs. Hannah Ashford, and Mrs. Ann Elgreen are the only constituent mem- bers remaining with us at the close of 1859. Both have been widows for many years. 2* 14 HISTORY OF THE of all things (sin excepted), the only King of kings and Lord of lords ; and that lawful adoration can be paid to him alone : the disposer of all events and things visible and invisible ; and that in the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, Son, and Holj Ghost, the same in essence, power, might, majesty and dominion. Article 3. — God made man in his own image, free from sin, placed him in a state of happiness, gave him a law to govern his actions, and con- descended to hold communion with him : that man being in honor abode not, but transgressed the law, fell from a state of innocence and entailed the curse of God on all his posterity, of which he stood the representative. Article 4. — ^That before the foundation of the world, the eternal God, seeing that man by his dis- obedience would become a curse on the earth, and totally depraved, devised a plan of deliverance, through his Son Jesus Christ, who became the author of eternal salvation to all his chosen, agree- ably to Ephesians, 1st chap., 4:th and 5th verses. Article 5. — According to the determination of God, the Saviour made his appearance as STAUTON STEEET BAPTIST CHUECH. 15 mediator, and after having fulfilled the law, suf- fered the penalty for his guilty people, that they might not only be delivered from the cm-se of the law and their bondage to sin, but be likewise partakers of his heavenly glory. Aeticle 6. — It is God alone, without the intervention of man, that produces a change in the sinner's heart, whereby he is enabled to see his sinful, lost, and ruined condition, and by faith to lay hold of the Lord Jesus as an all-suf- ficient Saviour ; and being thus renewed and jus- tified by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, will be preserved in a state of grace until death, and then be received into glory. Aeticle T. — That the ordinances of the Gos- pel to be observed by all professing Christians, are Baptism, and the Lord's Supper; to be administered to .such only as have made a profes- sion of his name, and their faith in Christ. Aeticle 8. — For a right administration of the ordinance of Baptism it is necessary that the individual be completely immersed in water by a person duly qualified. Article 9. — The ordinance of the supper to 16 ' HISTOEY OF THE be observed on tbe first day of the week, the elements to be bread and wine, the officiator to be an ordained Baptist minister, and none but baptized believers to be partakers thereof. Akticle 10. — ^We believe that there will be a general judgment at the last day, when the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout and with the voice of the Archangel and the trump of God, revealing himself in flaming fire, taking vengeance on those that know not God, and that everlasting destruction from his presence will be the portion of their cup, while at the same time he will be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe, and take them to him- self into the mansions of eternal rest prepared for them before the foundation of the world. Article 11. — Believing ourselves to be imper- fect creatures, liable to err in the grand truths of the Gospel, we have thought proper to state that if anything in these articles should hereafter appear to clash with the word of God, the same is left open for amendment, two-thirds of the members concurring therein. CovENAin'. — Having mutually given ourselves STAirrON STREET BAPTIST CHUECH. 17 to eacli other and the Lord, we do also agree to the articles herein contained. Praying that the great Head of the Church will watch over us, and direct our councils, and guide our feet in the way of righteousness, and through grace enable us to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, we do hereby sub- scribe our names. John Hazlet was chosen church clerk, and on the 26th of October brother N"oe was elected deacon, "without opposition." Letters of dis- mission were presented from time to time, not only from Mulberry street but from the First Baptist Church, in Gold street, then and for many years under the pastoral care of Eev. "Wm. Park- inson. On Lord's day, I^oy, 2nd, Ann Hulse was proposed for baptism, and she was the first believer baptized into the fellowship of the newly formed church. It was soon ascertained that the salary of brother Gibbs was not sufficient for his support, but as the little flock felt unable to increase it, they voted, on the 30th of Il^ovember, to release him from his engagement, and to pro- 18 HISTORY OF THE cure such gratuitous supplies as they could. After brother Gibbs resigned, they had preach- ing by Messrs. Williams, Chase, Martin, and Hawley of Brooklyn ; but the congregation did not increase, in consequence of the uncertainty in supplying the pulpit. Brother JSToe was fre- quently called to speak on Lord's day morning, and the church appeared much edified thereby. The brethren were united, and peace and com- fort seemed to be enjoyed by all the members. Overtures were made to the Kev. Mr. Martin, but as he had accepted a call to Staten Island, the church turned their attention to Mr. Hawley, but failing to secure his services, the pulpit con- tinued to be supplied through the exertions of the brethren. On the 16th of April, 1824, they voted a license to Deacon !N"oe to preach the Gospel, and soon afterward (April 23d) they chose Andrew Seger and Frederick Patillo as deacons. About this time the Church moved to the school-room over the watch-house, in El- dridge street, but the entrance was disagreeable, and the surroundings decidedly unpleasant. It was difficult to get ministers to preach in this STAitrON STREET BAPTIST CHtTRCH. 19 room, and the brethren were compelled to make other arrangements. At this point in their history, Mr. Chase called their attention to the Rev. Samnel Eastmanj of Kentnckjj who had been preaching for Rev. A, Maclajj in Mulberry street, for a time, and Mr. E. was invited to preach for them. He did so with great accept- ance, and it was unanimously agreed to give him a call to become the pastor of the church. This call was accepted, and brother Eastman entered upon his labors in the summer of 1824. In July, they voted — ^unanimously, as usual — to connect themselves with the Hudson Eiver Association, and that vote has never been re- called to this day. The number of members at this time was only twenty-four. The Eev. Samuel Eastman was bom at Lan- daff, Grafton Co., Kew Hampshire, October 1st, 1788. The early part of his life was spent at home in agricultural pursuits, and in the district schools and academies in the vicinity. From a very early period he had a passionate fondness for books, and of course he eagerly read all that he could obtain. These aided greatly in ex- 20 mSTOEY OF THE panding his mind and preparing him for that field of usefulness which he was destined one day to enter. At the close of the war, in 1815, being then twenty-seven years of age, he undertook a jour- ney to the western country, visiting Cincinnati, Columbus, etc. While in Urbana County he was attacked with " the long fever," as it was then called, and for forty days his life was despaired of. A year passed before he recovered suffi- ciently to leave the place. But this long and painful visitation was not without its influence npon his future course, for there his deep con- victions of sin commenced, and his restless anxiety for the things that perish was changed into an abiding concern for the things that endure to eternity. He now descended the Ohio and Mississippi Eivers to 'Natchez, where he formed a partnership with the Rev. Benjamin Davis, in conducting a large school on the then popular Lancasterian system. The enterprise was highly successful, but it failed to satisfy the mind of Mr. Eastman. On the 13th of April, 1817, he was baptized in the Mississippi River, " where there is much water," by Elder Davis. He was ' STANTON STEEET BAPTIST CHUECH. 21 almost immediately summoned by the chiirch to exercise his gifts with a view to the ministry, and he soon after received a temporary license to preach the Gospel. Though long a careful Bible reader, he yet felt unprepared to enter fully into the work without further study and preparation. He accordingly left ITatchez for Philadelphiaj cheered by the commendations and blessings of the church. On his way he preached several times for the kind-hearted Eeynoldson, of l^ew Orleans, and afterward in New York, for " good old Father "Williams, of blessed memory." At Philadelphia he placed himself at once under the instruction of Dr. Staughton, pastor of the Sansom street Church, and widely known as an eloquent pulpit orator. Uniting with the Sansom street Church, brother Eastman enjoyed the tuition of its revered pastor for nearly two years, and preached under his direction from time to time. Besides the advantages to be derived from the instructions of so kind and capable a teacher, the treasures of his large and well-selected library were open to the student, and he also became 3 £3 msTost of TSE acquainted with the order and discipline of a large, intelligent, and well^'regulated chnrcli* Brother Eastman was set apart to the full work of the ministry by ordination, September 22dj 1818) the customary serrices being conducted by Br. Wm; StaughtoUj Rer, James McLaughlin, Eev. John Peckworthj Rev. Eichard Proudfoot and Eev* Ira Chase. Having received an ap- pointment from the Baptist Board for Foreign Missions to labor in the States of Mississippi and Louisiana, he returned to I^atchez, preached there some time, and at other places on " the father of waters," and finally settled at IS'atchi* toches, on the Red River. There he preached the first Protestant sermon ever delivered in the place* Brother E.'s knowledge of public in- struction was of use to him in this field, for though people were willing to hear but one sermon a week, they gladly paid the preacher $2,000 per annum for superintending their seminary. This enabled him to labor without drawing on the Missionary Board for his support. But the climate was against him. He had passed through the ordeal of the yellow fever at St. FrancisviUe, STAiraON STREET BAPTIST CHUECH. 23 and now he was prostrated again with an epi- demic of that sickly latitude — delirium super- vened, and it was thought that death was at hand. With his first convalescence he started for the !N"orth, on board of a steamer, and soon landed in Cincinnati. There the cause was at a low ebb ; but he went to work again with a hopeful heart, preaching at first in a school- house, in the suburbs of the city, to a little party. But the congregation increased, the Spirit of the Lord was poured out, sinners were converted, great multitudes flocked to see them baptized in the Ohio, and a new meeting-house was built, paid for, and filled with a permanent congrega- tion. But these severe labors proved too much for the abeady broken health of brother E., and he was compelled again to seek restoration. A year was passed in quiet at the Harrodsburg Springs, in Kentucky, with benefit, and he w^ still further strengthened by a long journey on horseback, in the month of March, from Harrods- burg, across the Alleghany Mountains, to Philadel- phia. Thence he came to this city, and then began his acquaintance with the little Union Church. 24 HISTORY OF THE Althougli brother Gibbs had served the body from its formation ; yet, as he was not then an ordained minister, brother Eastman must be regarded as the first pastor of the church. Soon after his coming, efforts were made to secure lots on which to build a suitable meeting-house ; but the brethren were still too weak to undertake so expensive an enterprise. The minutes for the year 1824 conclude as follows : " We have now closed the year ; none of our members have left us, and but one has grieved us. He, however, has been brought to his right mind, and walks consistent with his profession. Brother Hazlet was chosen clerk for the year coming." There appears to have been no church meeting for business until March of the next year (1825). ^t this meeting brother Eastman's letter from the Simpson's Creek Church, Kentucky, was received, and the right hand of fellowship was given by brother ISToe.* At the same meeting * Brother IToe died on Friday morning, October 21st, 1859, aged 76 years and 21 days. STANTON STEEET BAPTIST CHTJECH. 25 several other persons were received by letter from the Anthony street and Delancy street churches, and the chnrch in Brooklyn. For a short time the little band met in the school-room in Mott street ; but this was incon- venient, and, after vainly seeking a better loca- tion, they reluctantly returned to the watch- house. In June, however, an opportunity offered for securing a more favorable place in the Bowery, now Military Hall, and the new room was rented for $300 per year. The first case of discipline occurred in October, 1825, at the close of the second year of trial and patience on the part of the hopeful body of disciples, who were striving to sustain and diffuse light in a dark place. But their struggles were not yet over, and by June of the next year it was ascertained that they were in debt some $275. They accordingly notified their pastor and the owner of the room of their inability to pay them the amounts originally agreed upon. But with the beginning of the next year the prospect began to brighten, and for many months the little church was cheered by the outpouring of the Holy 3* 26 mSTOEY OF THE Spirit. At the regular meeting, in January, 1827, Benjamin M. Thompson and three others related their Christian experiences, and were re- ceived as candidates for baptism. For some unexplained reason the baptism was deferred until Sunday, March 4th, when fourteen persons were immersed in the Hudson River, at ten o'clock A.M., near a gentleman's country-seat. The scene is represented as having been ex- ceedingly impressive. The good work went for- ward, so that on the first of April the pastor baptized six persons more in the same place. Ten days afterward, the church listened to the experiences of seven converts — among whom were James Cowan, Octavius Winslow, IMrs. Mar- garet Wallace and Mary Cox ; the last two are still members with us, after a lapse of nearly one-third of a century. The above, with nine others, were baptized in the Hudson, May 6th, at four o'clock P.M. On the 27th of September, brother Elijah B. Loomis was chosen deacon, and a letter of dismission was granted to Mrs. Mary Winslow, to unite with Bev. Dr. Bippon's Church, in London. Brother Loomis departed STAirrON STREET BAPTIST CHUECH. 27 this life in tlie spring of 1859, having been faith- ful and consistent unto death. Mrs. "Winslow was born at St. George's, Bermuda, on the 28th of February, 1774, and it was on Tuesday eve- ning, October 3d, 1854, that she entered into rest, closing her long pilgrimage of fourscore years with " a cloudless death." An interesting memoir of this estimable Christian lady has been prepared by her son, Octavius Winslow, D.D., and it has just been republished in this country. A letter was received from Dr. W. during the preparation of this work, expressing his con- tinued attachment to the church, and undi- minished interest in her welfare. Brother "Winslow was licensed to preach the Gospel at the church meeting in October, 1827, and the license was forwarded to him in England, where he was pursuing his studies. In October, 1828, John Hazlet, Samuel Eust, ai;id James Cowan, were chosen the first Board of Trustees, and on the 4th of November, bro- ther Humphrey Phelps was chosen church clerk in place of brother Hazlet, who resigned the office. December 23d, 1829, brother Phelps 28 HISTOEY OF THE was elected deacon (the cliiircli at that time cele- brating the ordinance of the Lord's Supper in the evening), and in February, 1830, brother Phelps resigned the clerkship, and was succeeded by brother Timothy Evans, he being the third in that office. In May, for the first time, the har- mony of the body was somewhat disturbed, and some of the older members " left the church in great disorder." But the brethren were faithful, and they proceeded promptly to discipline the offending members. Brother Evans resigning the clerkship in June, the church chose brother John L. Everett to succeed him. The faithful still found opportunity to labor for souls, and their efforts were blessed. They reported to the Association fourteen baptisms, two receptions by experience, one by letter, three dismissions, and six withdrawals of the hand of fellowship, making their number one hundred and twenty-nine. The pastor was now taken down with the small pox. This disease, however, had no sooner run its course than he was seized with the liver com- plaint, and then with bleeding at the lungs, the STANTON STEEET BAPTIST CBUECH. 29 loss of his voice, and the complete prostration of his physical powers. "This," writes brother Eastman, " rendered it improbable that I should ever again be able to speak in public. Under these circnmstances," he continues, " I left the city of ^ew York a mere wreck of humanity, and directed my feeble steps toward the granite hills of E'ew Hampshire, anxious to find a calm rest- ing-place or a speedy grave in the peaceful shades of my native place." Immediately after the resignation of brother Eastman, which took place on "Wednesday even- ing, November 24th, 1830, the church began to look after another pastor. They however were compelled to change their place of meeting seve- ral times before they were in a condition to pro- ceed in the divine work. After removing from Mott street, where they had worshiped about a year, they returned to the place in the Bowery where they had formerly met ; but this was de- stroyed by fire before they had occupied it one month."^ " They were then blessed," says their * Nine members were received at a meeting in a private 30 HISTORY OF THE letter to the Association, " with an opportunity of meeting in a place in Elizabeth street, where Elder Miller's congregation had formerly met," and on the first of May they occupied the little meeting-house then standing on the corner of Houston and Forsyth streets. For the space of two years, brother Eastman's prostration continued. He gradually recovered, however, and in the third year he began to preach occasionally ; and in the fifth, being urged to do so, he consented to take the pastoral charge of the church in Kutland, Vermont, for one year. After remaining here eighteen months, he labored with the Grafton Church, with which he united by letter from Stanton street. He then labored about four years with the Haverhill and Mere- dith Tillage churches, in New Hampshire, spend- ing about half the time with each. Brother Eastman was for the last thirteen years of his life a resident of Wisconsin, where, to use his own words, he " preached here and there in the new country as opportunity offered, but re- house, after the burning of their place of worship in the Bowery. STAKTON gl^EKf SAPTIST CfitJECS. 31 fusing, on account of poorness of healthj to take the pastoral charge of any cliurclii I am now," he wrote shortly before his death^ " in the si:^ty-' ninth year of my age, blessed with an easy com- petence of the good things of this life, constantly reminded of my approaching dissolution by in* firmities of bodyj calmly waiting the will of God till my change shall come, confidently relying on the merits of Christ for the salvation of my soul, turning off my thoughts from this troublesome world, and looking forward to the wonderful dis* closures of the world to come." For some months preceding his departure^ brother Eastman's health had been unusually good) and his correspondence with us afforded him evident satisfaction. His last illness was only of a fortnight's duration, but he met death with for- titude and serenity. A few months previous to his last sickness, the pulpit of the Baptist Church in Elkhom, "Wisconsin, the place of his residence, became vacant, and he offered to fill it gratui- tojisly on condition that the amount of salary be devoted to repairing and improving the house of worship. He appeared very desirous to promote 32 mSTOEY 0^ THE the religious interests of the comnmnity in which his closing days were passed, and his earnestness in the pulpit was ably seconded by a series of energetic articles in the local press, all presenting the importance and necessity of a religious life. In the midst of these labors, his last ilLuess com- menced ; a severe cold following his final effort in the pulpit. From the beginning he was im- pressed that this sickness would be unto death, and he made all his arrangements accordingly. He died on Saturday, April ITth, 1858, having almost completed his pilgrimage of three score years and ten. His departure was at sunset — one of those glorious western sunsets — of a calm, bright, beautiful day. His last moments were unattended with pain, and he passed gently to his rest. " As I turned (writes his son-in-law) from witnessing his sinking away, the sun was just disappearing in the golden west." A large concourse gathered in the Baptist church, where he had so recently officiated, on Monday, at ten o'clock A.M., and the funeral sermon was preached by Elder Bright, from Ecclesiastes, ix. 10. Other clergymen participated in the services, and 8TAKT0N STREET BAPTIST CHOECS. 33 then the remains were attended to the railroad station by the citizens of Elkhorn. The four re- sident ministers of the place and fonr deacons accompanied to Eochester, where, after singing bj the choir, and appropriate remarks by Kev. E. E. Snow, Congregational minister of Water- ford, the body was committed to its kindred dust. His death was appropriately noticed in the papers of his vicinity, by those in Ohio, and in this city. One of the Elkhorn editors remarks : " His friends will miss the familiar voice and gray hairs in the home circle. The young min- ister and the young professor who were wont to go to him, will miss his words of wisdom and con- solation in the hour of trouble. All will miss himP From a notice in the " American Baptist,'' we quote the following passage : " He died with a sermon undelivered, which he had prepared for an interesting occasion." * " Elder Eastman was a man of vigorous Intel- * This was on reopening the meeting-house at Elkhorn, after the repairs abeady alluded to. 4 34 MiS'tOfelf O'E* TttE lect, of practical mind, of varied talent, and of sterling integrity. As a preacher, lie was argu- liientatiVe, instructive and forcible — often feeling and eloquent. As a writer, he possessed strong powers of condensation, presenting mucli in brief space and forcible terms. " Severe in his strictures upon vice, wroilg and oppression, in his public discourses, as in private life, the same wai'm selisibilities often impelled the tones of the tenderest sympathy and the Voice of touching eloquence. " Firm and decided as an opponent, as a friend he was most congenial, combining often, in pri* Vate life, conversation most cheerful, entertain* ing and instructive, and often a child-like sim- plicity, with a gentlemanly dignity that com- manded the most affectionate respect. " ' And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me write t Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.' " It remains to be added that the widow and STAKTON STEEET BAPTIST CHUECH. 60 only cMld of brother E. survive liira, and that to the kindness of Mr, Eichard E. Ela, his son- in-law, of Eo Chester, Wis., we are indebted for many interesting facts and reminiscences. A faithful daguerreotype of the venerable man hangs in our East Eoom, adjoining the pulpit. " Allow me," says brother Eastman, in one of the last letters he ever wrote, describing the good feeling that existed in his day, "to hope and trust that this spirit of love has continued to exist among you to the present moment, and that you now realize how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." In the first three years of our history only three persons were received by baptism, and but two dismissed by letter ; in the next three years, ninety-seven were baptized. It is some- what remarkable that not a death occurred from the formation of the body, in 1823, until 1832. Tlie Eev. Octavius "Winslow, having returned to this country, was chosen moderator of the various church-meetings held from the time of brother Eastman's resigning until his successor was chosen. 36 HISTORY OF THE Changes during the First Period, ADDED BY DIMINISH'D BY YEARS. s a> i 1 a 1 t i •3 ■3 X « n >A M H ^ ^ 1 1823 to 1824,.... 1 7 8 1824 to 1825, 1 . 4 5 1825 to 1826,.... 1 7 8 1 1 2 1826 to 1827,.... 47 2 49 2 1 3 1827 to 1828, 36 5 41 13 2 15 1828 to 1829, 14 5 19 4 1 5 1829 to 1830,.... 14 1 2 17 3 6 9 1830 to 1831, Total, 10 10 7 7 124 31 2 157 30 11 41 Original number, 16 Gain 157 Loss, 173 41 132 STANTON STEEET BAPTIST CHURCH. 37 PEKIOD n. MINISTRY OF THE REV. GEORGE BENEDICT. April 20th, 1831 — ^February 1st, 1841. On Monday, the Tth day of March, 1831, a meeting of the members of the church was held, the Kev. Octavius Winslow being chair- man, and James Cowan secretary. At this meet- ing, the Eev. G. Benedict was invited, by a unanimous vote, to become the pastor of the church; and on the decision being communi- cated to him, he, in a short address, accepted the call. In April he removed to the city, in com- pliance with this cordial invitation, though the body, being small and weak (110 members), could offer a salary of only five hundred dollars; yet brother B. came in the spirit of his Master, and looked for the recompense of reward in another world. At a meeting of the church held April 20th, 1831, brother Benedict and his wife presented letters of dismission from the Second 4* §8 HISTORY OF THE Baptist ChiTrcli in Danbury, and on tlie same being deceived, it was voted tbat brother H. Phelps give the right hand of fellowship to the new pastor, which he did in a few appropriate remarks. The Eev. George Benedict was born at South East, Dutchess County, ISTew York, April 15th, 1795, during a temporary visit of his parents there. In a few weeks he was removed to the family residence in Danbury,* Conn., and in the common schools of that village he acquired the rudiments of a good education. His youth glided away in rural pursuits common to those of his age and station, and in 1817 he made a public profession of religion, being baptized into the fellowship of the Second Baptist Church in Danbury, on the 21st of September, by the Eev. Oliver Tuttle, pastor. In this, brother Benedict departed from the faith of his fathers, and it is evident that, though now in his twenty-third year, this step cost him a severe struggle, and * Danbury (Pahquioque) was first settled by eight famiKes, in 1685, two of them being Benedicts. — Lossing^s Field Book of the Revolutioiiy Vol. 1, p. 400. STA2ST0N STREET BAPTIST CHTJECH. 39 was only taken in obedience to the dictates of an enlightened conscience. He had been con- victed Tinder a sermon preached in his father's honse by the 'Rev. Abner Brnndage, of Brook- field, Conn. It was not long after his conversion before he was deeply impressed to preach the Gospel ; but in his own view being utterly unfit, he left the place and removed his family to !N'ew York. Here he remained some six months, and a like period at Rah way, I^. J. ; but while there he received the unanimous call of the Danbury Church to become their pastor. This presented the question of duty in an entirely new light, and the path was now so plain that he could no longer refuse to enter it. He had been licensed to preach on the 12th of May, 1822 ; he delivered his first sermon before the church at Danbury, August 6th, 1823, and was publicly recognized as its pastor on the following day. In great faithfulness, he preached unto them nearly eight years. His salary was but one hun- dred dollars per annum, and he labored through the week for the support of his family. Upon entering his more extended field of labor in the 40 HISTOEY OF THE city, he gained the confidence of all, and early acquired that hold on the affections of the people which continued through life. Crowds filled the little wooden meeting-house at the corner of I^orth (now Houston) and Forsyth streets, and after occupying it for two years, they accepted the invitation of the Bethel Baptist Church in Delancy street (corner of Chrystie), Eev. "Wm. G. Miller, pastor, to meet with them until the erection of a house for themselves. The initial steps to this enterprise were taken at the church meeting in December, 1832, upon a recommendation of the Board of Trustees. At this time only about §1,000 had been subscribed toward procuring the desired premises; but a venerable member of the Amity street Church, Deacon John Bowen, still living, added §500 more, and generously offered to lend money as it might be needed in the prosecution of the work. The offer was accepted, and Mr. Bowen's timely aid enabled the brethren to go forward. In June, 1833, the lots in Stanton street were secured, 58 by 100 feet, at a cost of $4,260, and on Monday morning, August 12th, the workmen STAUTON STEEET BAPTIST CHTJECH. 41 commenced the new meeting-house. The comer- istone was laid on Tuesday, the 2Tth of August, •with the following services: Eeading part of 22d chapter of 1st Chronicles by brother Benedict ; singing 132d Psalm; prayer by brother Mid- dleton (pastor of the East Baptist Church) ; laying the comer-stone by the pastor ; addresses by the Hev. Archibald Maclay and Eev. Charles W. Dennison; prayer by the Rev. Octavius Winslow ; singing the Doxology, and benediction. A col- lection was also taken, amounting to $60. The very foundations of this edifice were laid in faith and prayer, and it was a greater undertaking for the brethren of that day, to erect a house of this size, than we who have entered into their labors can adequately appreciate. But they were whole- hearted and public spirited, and the good work went on. The subscriptions were paid in prompt- ly, and no accident occurred to delay the work or endanger life. The edifice, 50 by 70 feet, was completed by spring, costing, with its furniture, about $10,000 ; and on Sunday, March 2d, 1834, it was solemnly dedicated to the worship of Al- mighty God. The Eev. A. Maclay preached in 42 HISTOET OF THE the morning, Eev. W"m. E. Williams in the after- noon, and Rev. Charles G. Somers in the evening. The collections during the day amounted to $156. The membership had largely increased during the ministry of brother Benedict, and on enter- ing the new house they numbered 211 ; but this comprised the names of several who were vir- tually lost; the real, active- strength of the church was considerably below that number. At the annual meeting of the society, held Tues- day evening, the 13th of May, 1834, for the elec- tion of Trustees, it was unanimously voted that the body "shall hereafter be called and known by the name of the Stanton street Baptist Church." And now the favored vine begins to flourish anew, the congregations increase in size and seriousness, and the letter to the association in June states that the Sunday-school had increased nearly three-fold since removing to Stanton street. Though resting under a large debt (nearly $10,000), they trusted in the Great Head of the Church, and were not confounded. The associational letter of June, 1836, from the pea of brother Benedict, was as follows : STANTON STUEET BAPTIST CHTJECH. 43 ** Beloved Bketheen: " The return of another anniversary affords us the usual privilege of expressing our fellow- ship with you in one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. We feel confident that you will rejoice with us in the glorious success which everywhere attends the efforts of God's people to gather in his children. He is crowning with tokens of his peculiar favor, the labors of our missionaries abroad, and his blessed spirit is stirring np our churches at home to a zeal and liberality hitherto unknown in our history as a denomination. The Church is arousing from her slumbers, and the glory of the Lord is inscribed upon her banners. The Macedonian cry, * Come over and help us !' is heard from those who for ages have sat * in the region and shadow of death.' " ' They call us to deliver Their land from error's chain.' As to our affairs as a church, we have abundant cause to sing aloud of the goodness and mercy of our faithful, covenant-keeping God ; and we desire to tell of that goodness, that others may 44 mSTOEY OF TEE praise him too. "We not only enjoy peace and harmony, but during the past year some mercy drops have fallen on onr Zion. During the past winter and spring, an unusual solemnity appeared to rest upon our congregation, so much so . that the church felt called upon to set apart a few days for religious exercises, the results of which have been most happy. Soon after the com- mencement of our meeting, it was evident that the Lord was in the place. The Goapel seemed to come not in word only, but in power and in the Holy Ghost. Saints got near the throne, and sinners were made to tremble. Since that time thii'ty-three have been baptized, upon profession of their faith, and a number more are ready to put on Christ. Our congregation is full, attentive and solemn. Brethren, pray for us !" The church pursued its blessed work of win- ning souls ; and from time to time sent some of her members to Hamilton to prepare for the Gospel ministry. Bro. Wm. S. Mikels was sent in May, 1837, and he received a license to preach August 22d, 1838, by a imanimous vote. At a meeting of the Association in June of that year, STAirrON STREET BAPTIST CHUKCH. 45 the church reported the baptism of 84 persons, and the number of members as 460. In the spring of 1839, the salary of the pastor was increased to $1,200, in accordance with a recom- mendation from the Board of Trustees. The let- ter to the Association, June 18th, 1839, speaks of congregations " full to overflowing, so that many have been under the necessity of leaving for want of room." The number of baptisms reported was 159, fifty-five being baptized on the first Sabbath of two consecutive months. The total additions that year were only one less than 200, while the diminutions by death, removal, etc., were but 20 — ^leaving the membership 644. Even this number was considerably increased by the addi- tions of the succeeding winter, and at the close of the communion, April 5th, 1840, a meeting of the male members was called to assemble on "Wednesday evening, to consider business of importance to the church. A large meeting con- vened at the time appointed. The pastor read a portion of the Scriptures, and prayer was offered by Deacon James Cowan. Brother Benedict was chosen moderator of the meeting, and C. S. 5 46 HISTORY OF THE Yanderhoof clerk. The pastor stated the ob- ject of the meeting to be to take into considera- tion the propriety of sending out a colony, the communicants alone being now sufficient to fill the meeting-house. After a mutual inter- change of sentiment, it was on motion — " Resolved^ That it is the sense of this meeting that it has become necessary for the church to colonize." A committee of seventeen was then appointed in reference to the object, to report the following Monday evening, and it was voted, " That this meeting recommend to the church that next Wednesday be observed as a day of thanksgiving and prayer for the blessings bestowed upon us as a church." The recommendation was, of course, adopted. At a meeting of the body, held April 15th, the following resolutions, submitted by the com- mittee, were passed by a unanimous vote : " Hesol/vedy That the time has arrived when it has become necessary for this church to colonize. " ResoVced^ That a committee be appointed to look out a proper location, and ascertain the STANTON BTEEET BAPTIST CHUKCH. 47 price of sucli lots as may be necessary for the erection of a temple dedicated to the service of the living God ; the committee to report as soon as practicable." John ^N". Wjckoffj Richard C. Akerly, James Cowan, Abiel Miles and David Ludlam were chosen members of the committee. Soon after their appointment to obtain lots, they ascertained that the meeting-houses in Delancey street corner of Chrystie, and ISTorfolk street corner of Broome, were for sale ; but the majority favoring the loca- tion in ISTorfolk street, a sub-committee was ap- pointed to ascertain whether Mr. Benedict would go with a portion of the brethren and sisters there, and become their pastor. He replied that he would be willing if the church thought best. A special church meeting was held September 9th, 1840, to hear the report of the committee on location, etc. They stated that the property on the corner of N^orfolk and Broome streets could be obtained for $12,000, and the following resolution proposed by them was adopted, viz. : " Resolved^ That measures be now taken by the church to raise $6,000 by subscriptions and 48 HISTORY OF THE donations, to enable the colony going out to purchase the property corner of IN^orfolk and Broome streets, one-fourth of what they raise to go toward liquidating the debt against the property in Stanton street,* be the amount raised more or less than $6,000." Brethren "Wyckoff, Akerly, Peterson, Miles and Tiebout were ap- pointed to carry this resolution into effect, and they were empowered to purchase the IvTorfolk street property for $12,000, provided $7,075 could remain on bond and mortgage. At the next meeting, September 16th, those in favor of Mr. Benedict's remaining as pastor in the Stanton street body, were requested to signify the same by rising, and the contrary by the same sign, but there was no dissent whatever. However, he presented his resignation at the regular church, meeting, September 23d, though, owing to de^ lays in securing the property, organizing thj& new interest, etc., it did not virtually take effect * This was subsequently rescinded, and all money raised was devoted to the purchase of the Norfolk street property. Thia left the debt upon Stanton street about $8,000. staot:on street baptist chtjech. 49 until the first of February, 1841. The resigna- tion was as follows : "^^ To THE Stantok street Baptist Church. "Brethren and sisters, beloved in the Lord. Of the kindness and generosity with which you have uniformly treated me I am deeply sensible. !N"or have you, as a church, given me reason to suppose that your kindness is ediausted, or even diminished. "When I yielded to your solicitations, more than nine years since, to take the oversight of that little flock, it was with feelings more readily felt than expressed. And when I came to you, ' it was not with excellency of speech, or of wis- dom, declaring unto you the testimony of God ; for I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.' I have been with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling; and although my speech and my preaching have not been with enticing words of man's wisdom, yet I hope they have been in some measure in demonstration of the Spirit and of power ; that your faith should not stand in 6* 50 HISTORY OF THE the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Since the existence of onr relation as pastor and people, our heavenly Father has vouchsafed to bless us, and to increase us with men as a flock, insomuch that our place of worship has become too strait for us. The providence of God seems evidently to say, ' Enlarge the border of thy tent ; lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes;' with a view, therefore, to extend the cause of truth in this city, I have thought it best, pain- ful as it is, to tender my resignation as the pas- tor of this church, for the purpose of uniting in the organization of a regular Baptist Church, at the corner of Broome and !N"orfolk streets. " In taking this important step I am comforted with the reflection that, within nine years, 608 have been added by baptism, and 167 by letter; and I feel greatly encouraged in the enterprise upon which I am about to enter, from the consi- deration, that it has been thus far conducted in the exercise of prayer, and a good degree of Christian afi"ection ; and that I expect to prose- cute it not with strangers, but with brethren and sisters with whom I have for years walked in STANTON STEEET BAPTIST CHITECH. 61 delightful fellowship. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace. Be careful for nothing ; but in every- thing, by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, which is the earnest prayer of " Your affectionate pastor, " Geo. Benedict." At the regular church meeting, January 2Tth, 1841, 238 letters of dismission were granted to unite in the formation of the new church, and the next Wednesday evening, 83 letters more, making 321 at the two meetings. Of those who went to Norfolk street, 87 were males, 89 single females, and 145 married females. About 97 males remained, 112 siugle and 178 married females, of whom 100 or more were in the country, and several of those who remained, sub- sequently took letters to join the new interest. With the formation of the Korfolk street Bap- ^'st Church, of 364 members, of which brother s52 mSTOEY OF THE Benedict took the pastoral charge, his relation to Stanton street, which had existed nearly ten years, ceased. A large congregation was soon gathered in his new field of labor, and as before, mnch people were added nnto the Lord. In the sum- mer of 1844 he was chosen moderator of the Hudson River Association. But in the full tide of success, and the high meridian of his useful life, sickness seized upon him, and for the space of two years he was laid aside from active labor. In the intervals of pain he gladly embraced every opportunity of meet- ing with this church, and on fast-days and other special occasions he was always present when not prevented by infirmity. The Fourth Annual Meeting of the Young Men's Mission Society was held here on Monday evening, December 21st, 1846. The exercises were opened with prayer by father Peck, and closed with the bene- diction by brother Benedict. He had entered the house during the services, and being unable to take any other part, he dismissed the meeting as above stated. His disease becoming more painful and com- STANTON STEEET BAPTIST CHTJECH. plicated, he deemed it his duty to resign, and his connection as pastor of the Il^orfolk street church ceased July 1st, 1848. This resigna- tion was read and accepted at a meeting of the [Norfolk street Church held in our lecture room, and here his successor was chosen. Their meet- ing-house at the corner of Norfolk and Broome streets having been destroyed by fire, the church had accepted an invitation to hold their evening meetings in our basement. Mr. Benedict's ministry extended over a period of twenty-five years, more than seventeen being spent in this city. Here he baptized nearly twelve hundred persons, and he attended the funerals of almost as many more. It was always his custom to call on a bereaved family soon after officiating at ,a funeral, and his kindly ministra- tion on these occasions was the means of leading many to the house of God, and ultimately to the Saviour. But his day had reached its evening hour, and on the 28th of October, 1848, he departed this life in sure and certain hope of entering into the rest prepared for the people of God. Three days 64: HISTORY OF THE afterward the First Baptist Clmrcli was crowded on the occasion of Ms funeral. The sermon was preached by the Kev. S. H. Cone, D.D., from Acts, xi., 24. ' For he was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, and much people was added unto the Lord.' A long procession followed the remains to Greenwood, where a monument has been erected to his memory. It bears the following inscription : REV. GEORGE BENEDICT, WHO PELL ASLEEP IN JESUS OCT. 28tH, 1848, In the 64th year of his age, and in the full hope of that Gospel he had so long recommended to others. He was for 26 years a faithful Minister of Christ, over 17 of which he was Pastor of the Stanton and Norfolk street Baptist Churches. " For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." — 2 Cor. v. i. A mural tablet was also placed in the new meeting-house of the ]^orfolk street Church. It is inscribed as follows : STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHTJRCH. 55 IN KEY. GEORGE BENEDICT, For seven years PAST OR OF THISCHURCH, And for twenty-six years a faithful and successful AMBASSADOR OF CHRIST. He was born APRIL 15th, 1*795, And died in triumph OCTOBER 28th, 1848. Soli Deo Gloria. His widow and two children yet remain to cherisli Ms memory while they lament his loss. At the time of his decease, Mr. Benedict was in his 54th year, but his personal appearance was that of a man many years younger. His life had been one of unceasing labor, but happily free from controversy and those consuming cares which embitter one's being, and bring age on prematurely. The general expression of his countenance was extremely pleasing, and his manner was of that easy and attractive character calculated alike to win the young and conciliate those of maturer years, '^o man had a happier 56 HISTORY OF THE faculty of introducing the subject of religion ; in season or out of season, it was never repulsive when presented by him. He probed the secret soul, but his words were soft and kind. " My son — my daughter — come now and let us reason together," he would say; and the next hour would find the young friend in tears, earnestly seeking that good part which the personal preacher had so earnestly recommended. In his sermons, as in his conversation, religion was divested of anything like gloom ; he always seemed to see the sun of righteousness himself, and hence his success in pointing others to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world. He was a man mighty in prayer. There his great strength lay. Others might surpass him in felicity of illustration, the refinements of rhetoric, and the graces of the schools; but no man of his day had plainer proof that his prayers were heard and answered — that his labor was not in vain in the Lord. Little children loved him ; and in the hearts of all who knew him he was enshrined as a father and a friend. It may be thought by some that as we recede STANTON STEEET BAPTIST CHURCH. 67 from the period of Ms actual life there is a ten- dency to praise the creature more than the Crea- tor — to applaud the past at the expense of the present. This is a mistaken view. This sketch is not prepared in the vain spirit of hero wor- ship, but as a humble tribute to the memory of one who had grace to be faithful in his day and generation. And while we depict this life and character, we see reason for devout thanksgiving to the Shepherd and Bishop of souls, that he counted this man faithful, putting him into the ministry. With talents and ability that other- wise employed might have won him riches and honors among the successful ones of earth, he turned aside and became a man of one idea — that idea being to glorify God and serve him with single-eyed devotion. He had no side interests to promote. The "one idea" was all-absorbing; and here is another secret of his extensive use- fulness. With one object before him, and one only, he concentrated upon it the energies of an active nature, the judgment of a clear intellect, and infused through all, the best affections of a warm and constant heart. 6 58 HISTORY OF THE In our earthly courts we shall see his face no more. On no coming Sabbath will the touching tones of that well-remembered voice fall tenderly on the ear. He worships now in higher courts, and with a ransomed church. 'No death-day darkens in the distance now, no fading sunset hues announce the coming night, for their sun shall no more go down, the days of their mourn- ing are ended. "We may feel a shadow of regret that a life so useful should have been so brief; that a nature so kind and affectionate was thus early withdrawn from the church below; but let us not forget that the being of our brother is neither suspended nor extinguished. Though lost to mortal sight, he has attained a place among those who have turned many to righteous- ness, and who shall shine as the stars forever and ever. STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHTJECH. 59 Changes during the Second Period. ADDED BY DimNISHED BY DATR 1 gl H 3 1 1 1 a o i From April to June, 1831, 6 8 9 2 2 " June '31, to June, '32, 35 9 1 45 16 1 17 (( <( '32, " '33, 20 11 31 1 2 2 9 20 .. « '33, " '34, 44 18 62 4 1 1 6 (C (( '34, " '35, 35 15 50 3 4 8 10 tC li '35, " '36, 62 23 85 9 5 3 17 U (( '36, " '3Y, 62 18 1 81 14 4 5 23 ({ (( '37, " '38, 84 25 1 110 26 5 14 45 (( (( '38, " '39, 159 36 4 199 9 8 3 20 (( <( '39, " '40, 99 20 119 20 6 5 31 (1 (( '40, to Feb. '41, 1 16 1 30 32 3 8 43 Totals, . 613 194 14 821 jU. 88 45 9 ^234 Number when brother Benedict came, 110 Gain, 821 Loss, 931 234 697 60 msTORY OF the; PEKIOD III. MINISTRY OF THE REY. DA.VID BELLAMY. Sept. 1st, 1841— Nov. 15th, 1846. DuEmG the greater part of the year 1841 the church was without a pastor. Eev. Lewis Eaj- mond, Eev. George J. Carleton, Eev. Thomas O. Lincohi, Eev. Lemuel Porter, Eev. B. M. Hill, Eev. Lemuel Covell, and Eev. David Bellamy, of Ithaca, N. Y., severally preached during a por- tion of the time from February to September ; but the congregations were generally small, and the prospect decidedly discouraging. Some in- terest existed during Mr. Eaymond's stay with the church, and nineteen persons were baptized before brother Benedict's successor began his ministry among us. Unanimous calls were ex- tended to brethren Lincoln and Porter, but both declining, it was, on the 29th of June, voted una- nimously to invite brother Bellamy to assume the pastoral charge. This call he accepted, and STANTON STKEET BAPTIST CHTJECH. 61 entered upon tlie disicliarge of Ms duties Septem- ber 1st, 1841. Eev. David Bellamy was born at Kingsbury, Washington County, K. Y., on the 19tli of May, 1806. His childliood and youth were passed in that healthy and romantic region, surrounded by noble and beautiful scenery, and in the enjoy- ment of more than ordinary advantages for ob- taining an education. Being of a studious habit, his improvement was marked and rapid. The boy received his first abiding religious impres- sions at the age of ten years, during the great revival of 1816, in which both his parents were converted. Upon leaving school, he devoted himself to business with characteristic assiduity, but he made no profession of religion until twenty-four years of age. Meantime he had married and removed to Chatauqua County, and there his attention was recalled to the long- neglected, subject of religion. Aroused from his backslidden state, he gave up his business, and repaired, with his wife, who had been converted also, to his native place, and there made a pub- lic profession of faith in presence of the compau- 6* 62 HISTOKY OF THE ions and acquaintances of his youth. He was bap- tized by the Eev. Amos Stearns, who is still liv- ing, in 1859. This proved the beginning of a glorions revival, in the progress of which nearly one hundred souls were brought to Christ in that vicinity. Six months sufficed to convince his pastor and brethren, and ultimately himself, that his destination was the pulpit. Accordingly he was soon licensed, and began to preach. Being married, he found a full college course imprac- ticable ; but the young man resolved that if hard study and untiring industry would yield him an equivalent for such a course, he would obtain it. Vigorous health enabled him to accomplish this, as well as to pursue in private the course of read- ing and study required of theological students in that day. But this was carried on in connection with stated and constant pulpit and pastoral labors, necessarily occupying a considerable por- tion of his time. Brother Bellamy's first pastoral engagement was at Skeneateles, Onondaga County, 'N.Y., with a branch of the Elbridge Bap- tist Church, of which the Eev. C. M. Fuller was pastor. He was ordained to the work of the STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHUECH. 63 Gospel ministry at Skeneateles, January 11, 1833, remained there about two years, and labored with considerable success; but it was pioneer work. Thence he was called to Manlius, in the same county, where he toiled for six years, and until shattered health required a resignation. Several precious revivals were enjoyed during the period of his ministry at Manlius, and it was his practice in those years to go abroad and labor in other churches during seasons of refreshing. This preaching was blessed of God in a wonderful manner to the conversion of souls. Constant labor in meetings, for months in succession, at last impaired his health, especially the vocal or- gans, and finally compelled him to resign in May, 1839. Previous to this time he had been called to prominent positions, such as S}Tacuse, Oswego, Utica and Albany ; but all these invi- tations were declined in favor of the people of his choice, the little flock at Manlius. After hia resignation took place, some months were spent in rest, and medical experiments, but without pro- ducing any visible beneficial results. At last, however, being in the city of IsTew York, he was 64 HISTORY OF THE urged by the late Eev. S. H. Cone, D.D., to en- gage in the service of the American and Foreign Bible Society in the western part of the State. This agency brother Bellamy accepted, and with gratifying results. The travel invigorated his weakened body as medicine had failed to do, and he was soon strong enough to enter the pastoral office again. Accej)ting the cordial invitation of the Baptist Church at Ithaca, in Tompkins County, his labors were blessed as before, and a glorious revival followed. His stay there, how- ever, was brief — scarcely fifteen months — during tlie latter part of which time he was in corres- pondence with this church. Tlie aspect of things here, as before indicated, was quite forbidding at the time Mr. Bellamy took charge. His predecessor, widely known for his piety, generally beloved for his warm heart and winning address, w^as located in the same part of the city, with all the advantages of ten years' experience and acquaintance with the ground. Nearly all the congregation, as distinct from the church, had followed brother Benedict or become scattered, and though a nominal mem- STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. 65 bersliip of between three and four liiindred re- mained, this inchided those absent in the country, the useless and the lost of the whole period of the church's history. It may well be doubted whether the real active members mmibered more than two hundred at this time. " But (writes brother Bellamy), they were led by some of the best, most faithful, efficient, and trustworthy brethren I ever knew." The services of publicly recognizing the new pastor were held in our meeting-house, on Wed- nesday evening, September 22d, 1841, as follows : Prayer by Rev. A. Wheelock ; sermon by Rev. S. H. Cone, D.D., from Matt. xvi. 26 : '' For lohat is a manprqfitedy if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul f or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul .^" The hand of fellowship was given by the Rev. George Benedict ; address to the church by the Rev. C, Gr. Somers ; prayer by the Rev. Z. Gre- nell, and benediction by brother Bellamy. Tlie evening was fine, the meeting-house crowded on this interesting occasion, and the hearts of all inspired with fresh courage. Toward the close HISTORY OF THE of the year an organ was placed in the gallery — a variety of musical instruments having been used previously — and the church, with their new pastor, went to work in earnest. Kev. Philetus B. Peck, of Owego, whose blameless life and early death will be long remembered, was invited to assist in a protracted meeting, and the brethren and sisters met every night during an entire week to supplicate the divine blessing upon their efforts. ]^or did they pray in vain. Brother Peck preached his first sermon on Sunday, De- cember 12th, 1841, and it was soon evident that the Holy Spirit was moving on the hearts of men. Conversions were frequent in the congre- gation, and a large number joined themselves to the company of the disciples. The meetings were continued until the close of winter, the Eev. Joseph H. Chamberlain assisting part of the time. The letter to the Association in the summer of 1842, thus mentions this blessed revival: *'A deep and general interest was manifested in the great subject of religion; night after night many presented themselves for the prayers of God's people, and day after day we were permitted to 6TAITT0K STKEET BAPTIST CHUECH. 67 hear that souls had emerged into the liberty of the Gospel and were rejoicing with joy unspeak- able and full of glory. Month after month it has been our privilege to repair to the baptismal waters, and as the fruit thus far of this glorious revival, ninety- three willing converts have been buried in the likeness of the Saviour's death, and we are happy to receive the evidence from time to time that the seed so faithfully sown, and wa- tered with tears and prayers, is still bringing forth fruit to the glory of his name who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light." As the year 1842 waned away, and the even- ings lengthened, the brethren began to inquire whether the number of meetings might not be advantageously increased. This was decided on, and the Eev. Jay S. Backus was invited to come and assist the pastor in preaching the word and laboring to win souls. He came in January, 1843, and Tuesday, the 24:th, was observed as a day of fasting and prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Prayer-meetings were held at 6.30 and 10 o'clock, a.m., and at 6 p.m. Brother Backus preached at 10.30 o'clock, a.m., from 68 HISTORY OF THE James, iv. 3 : ^'Ye ash and receive not, because 'i/e ash amisSy^ and tlie pastor preached in the evening from Eom., vi. 23 : '^JPor the wages of sin is death^ hut the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LordP Morning prayer meetings were held at 6 o'clock for a fortnight, and preaching at 2 P.M., as well as in the evenings. The meetings for the reception of members and the transaction of other business, were held in the daytime, so as not to interfere with the devotional services. This revival continued almost four months. The next letter to the Association speaks of the bap-, tism of one hundred and thirteen persons, making over two hundred in eighteen months ; and the number of church members had increased to five hundred and forty-three. There being now a considerable number of young men in the body, it was early in the year (1843) proposed by the pastor, to form a Mis- sionary Society, the management of which should be committed to them ; and on Wednesday even- ing, March 29th, the following persons were appointed to draft a Constitution for the pro- posed society, and report as soon as practicable : STANTON STEEET BAPTIST CHUECH. 69 — ^Kev. D. Bellamy, deacons H. Phelps, and B. M. Thompson, with brethren C. B. Stout, John H. Lndlam, Joseph Delia Torre, and Ahram M. Fanning. This committee had several sessions at the house of the pastor, and on the 20th of April, they presented to the church a copy of the Constitntion, drawn np by brother Bellamy, very nearly as it now stands, it having only been slightly amended from that day to the present. In consequence of a pressure of other business, the Constitution was not finally acted on until August 28th, a special chui'ch meeting being held for the purpose, when it was cordially adopted, and the officers and managers chosen. John H. Ludlam was the first president, C. B. Stout, secretary, and George W. Ewing, treas- urer. The young men immediately set about their appointed work, and before the close of the year their receipts amounted to forty dollars per month. The society then inaugurated continues its efibrts with unabated efficiency, has led to the formation of many similar organizations, and has disbursed many thousands of dollars for mis- sionary purposes, both at home and abroad. It TO HISTORY OF THE has held correspondence with most of the foreign missionaries, from the Judsons until now, and man J precious interviews have been enjoyed with returned missionaries temporarily in this country. It was during this pastorate that the late lamented Eev. E. L. Abbott revisited his native land, and his first public meeting in America was held here on Sunday afternoon, 'Nov. 16 th, 1845. He was formally and affec- tionately welcomed by the pastor ; the house was crowded, and the audience deej)ly affected. At the close of the services Mr. Abbott repeated the Lord's Prayer in Karen. Kincaid, Dawson, Dean, Ingalls, Howard, Haswell, Brown, and many others who have spoken words of cheer in our hearing, are still cherished in our hearts. A cabinet of curiosities has been gradually forming, until the West Boom now displays a number of objects deeply interesting to all who love the cause of missions, or are interested in the welfare of the world. In the year 1843 the old wooden stoops and fence in front of the meeting-house were re- movedj and the present substantial stone steps STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHUECH. i 1 and iron railings erected. At the same time the decayed brick pavement was exchanged for solid flagging. During Mr. Bellamy's ministry, gas was introduced for lighting, in place of oil, which had been used exclusively hitherto. The meeting-house was greatly crowded in the early part of this year, to hear a course of able lectures on the prophecies, particularly with reference to the second coming of Christ. As this subject was prominently before the public mind at the time, it is believed that this series of sermons, listened to by so many persons, was productive of incalculable good. The pastor's expository lectures should also be mentioned. It was his custom, on Sabbath mornings, to speak from the gospels in order. In this way the whole of St. Matthew was gone through with, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse — lingering where obscure, and explaining to the satisfaction of all. These discourses are still spoken of as highly edifying, and far more instructive and satis- factory than the usual preaching from isolated texts. In the winter of 1843-44, Kev. Isaac Wescott 72 [history of the aided the pastor in a season of extra meetings, and in June following, tlie cliurcli reported five hundred and seventy-nine members to the asso- ciation. About the same number was reported in June 1845,* and in December of that year it was resolved to hold a protracted meeting. Eev. John Blain was written to, but as his services could not be secured, Kev. Ira E. Steward assisted the pastor from time to time as his other duties would permit. During this and the fol- lowing year efforts were made to reduce the debt upon our property, and about two thousand dollars were realized for this purpose. Includ- ing this amount, about twenty thousand dollars were raised for benevolent objects, while bro- ther Bellamy was with us. On the 18th of Au- gust, 1846, the pastor presented his resignation, to take effect on the 15th of I^ovember. This resignation was in due time accepted, and the following preamble and resolutions adopted by a unanimous vote, October 21st : "Whereas, our pastor, the Rev. David Bel- * In September of this year the church united in the ordina- tion of Rev. Wm. S. Mikels. STANTOK STREET BAPTIST CHUECH. 73 lamy, is about leaving ns, having announced his intention to relinquish his charge on the 15th of November next, it seems to us that the dissolu- tion of so tender a relation (and which has ex- isted between us for the past five years with such evident tokens of the divine blessing), should not be permitted to occur without an ex- pression of the kindlj feeling and high respect which his pulpit labors, unstained and Christian deportment have not failed to produce : there- fore, '^ Besolmd^ That the period of brother Bel- lamy's ministry, during which so many of us have been hopefully converted to God, in which our numbers and resources have been largely increased, and in which we have been so much edified and instructed by the Gospel proclaimed from his lips — will not cease to be remembered with interest and gratitude. ''^ Besolved^ That whatever may be the field in which his talents may be employed to pro- mote the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, we offer him the assurance that he will be followed by our sympathies, best wishes and prayers." 14: HISTORY OF THE Brother Bellamy's farewell sermon was de- livered on Sunday, ItTovember 15, 1846, and his connection with this body then terminated. Like his predecessor, he spent the meridian of his life with this church, and the tabular statement ap- pended hereto, will show some of the results of his toil. The duties of such a pastoral charge are realized by but few persons. Studying, preaching, visiting the membership and among the congregation, calls to funerals and visits to the chambers of sickness, labor in the Boards of benevolent societies, to say nothiug of marriages, councils, ordinations, associations, etc., leave no hours of leisure. Labor, care and anxiety, varied only by more anxiety, care and labor, make up the history of a city pastor's life. It was while in Stanton street that the honorary degree of A.M. was conferred upon brother B. by Madison University. With him a large num- ber of members took their letters to unite in forming Hope Chapel (now Calvary) Baptist Church, and with that body he labored for three years, when impaired health led to a resignation of the charge. Two years of illness followed; STAirrON STREET BAPTIST CHUECH. 75 and then he accepted the call of the Baptist Church in Arcadia, Wajne County, 1^. Y. While laboring there, Mrs. Eliza A. Bellamy, his wife, well known to many in this city, was summoned to the spirit-land. But the angel of death found her prepared to depart Though her physical suffering was great (her disease being congestion of the lungs), she exclaimed, " I am happy ! all is well ! all is well !" Having thus borne her last testimony to the faithfulness of the Redeemer, she turned her face to the wall and sweetly fell asleep. From Arcadia Brother Bellamy removed to Mount Morris, Livingston County, K. Y., where he is still successfully engaged in the ministry.* The field is somewhat limited in extent, but is therefore all the better adapted to his somewhat diminished bodily vigor. The quiet of an intel- ligent country village affords more time for patient study and research, and is thus conducive • While these sheets are passing through the press, we learn that Brother B. has taken charge of the Fh-st Baptist Church at Eome, N. Y. 76 HISTOBT OF THE to the profit of both pulpit and pew. His friends will be glad to know that he regards his present position as extremely pleasant, and that peace, plenty and kindness attend him. Both of his predecessors in the ministry among ns have gone home. The following sketch from his pen af- fords a fitting close to this portion of the work : THE JOYFUL DEATH-BED. Perhaps there is no conviction that becomes more strongly fixed in the mind of a Christian minister of long experience and observation, than that the dying saint has often, if not always, wondrous and preternatural discoveries of hea- venly things while yet this side the spirit-world. Of many interesting facts and memories of this kind, few have made deeper impressions than the following: The members of the Stanton street Baptist Church who participated in the Eevivals of 1842-4, cannot fail to recollect the name and countenance of Mrs. Mary Lyon. In one of those seasons of refreshing — ^I think that in which we were aided for a season by Eev. Mr. STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHTJBCH. 77 Wescott — she was converted, and gave sound and thorough evidence of renewal of heart. The milder graces of the Gospel, joined with great conscientiousness and fidelity in discharge of duty, seemed especially prominent. She felt from the first that religion was the great busi- ness of life ; that her time was brief, and that she had not a moment to spare, in view of the much she had to do. The privileges of the House of God were exceedingly precious to her, and none were neglected. All this soon came to an end. She met her brethren but a few times in Christian worship before a severe cold, contracted by exposure, led to a fatal pulmonary disease. She lingered a few months, an example of patient sufi^ering, sustained by the promises of Christ, mourning, most of all, that she could no longer join in the devotions of the sanctuary and the public song of praise. When looking forward to a dying hour, to keener distress of body, and a separation from her little family, she often supported her own faith by repeating audibly the promise, " As thy days, so shall thy strength le^ During her whole illness this as- 78 HISTOEY OF THE suraiice was her staff and help, her hope in gloom. His "grace would be sufficient" for her. She delighted in receiving the visits of her pastor, who never left her bedside without feel- ing that he had been the party most benefited by the interview. Fully conscious that her days were numbered and the end very near, her affec- tions seemed fixed on things above and her mind absorbed in expectation of "good things to come." The allotted weeks of her life flew rapidly away, and one morning, at about two o'clock, her pastor was summoned at her request to come and witness the closing scene. On en- tering the room, it seemed no place of sadness, none of mourning. I was filled with amazement. Although emaciated to the last degree, her eye had lost none of its brightness ; on the contrary, it blazed with unwonted brilliancy, as though the glory within shot out its rays through those windows of the soul. Her whole countenance was lighted up with joy. She bade me a most cordial welcome, and began speaking on her favorite topic — the Saviour's love and his fidelity STANTON STEEET BAPTIST CHTTECH. 79 to Ms people and his promises. She said she had expected his grace would be sufficient for a dying hour, and she found it so. Death had no power, he could not even alarm her. " This," said she, " is the happiest hour of my life. !N"ever was Christ so nigh, so precious — never were my hopes so bright, my way so clear." She seemed to be in full possession of all her rational facul- ties to the last — calm and happy. Some time was spent in prayer, in repeating promises and texts suitable to her state, and in listening to her rapturous expressions of joy, hope, confidence and love. When an hour, per- haps, had been spent thus, she advised her pastor to go home and retire to rest. He expressed un- willingness to leave her till all was over, but she urged her request, stating that to-morrow would be time enough, and that she would see me again. Said she, " / shall not go to-night ; my Saviour came for me at 12 o'clock to-night^ and will take me at 12 o^ clock at noon / he is here — he stands hy yov/r side — I see him as plainly as I see any of you — he will never leave me again — never ^ no never ^ no never ! He said, * If I go 80 HISTORY OF THE away, I will come again and receive you/ and he Las come, blessed be bis name !" She then, recollecting tbat sbe would be weaker, and perhaps speechless, when I came again, began to give directions in regard to the funeral services. She selected a text, her favor- ite one, " As thy days, so shall thy strength J^," and wished me to tell the people how fully it had been performed in her case. She asked for her hymn-book and a lamp, and found the hymn she had selected to be sung on that occasion; and with eyes half palsied in death, though still brilHant, read with difficulty several stanzas, and among them — ** Jesus can make a dying bed Feel soft as downy pillows are — Upon his breast I'll lean my head, And breathe my life out sweetly there !" Having arranged all this to her mind, she gave me several messages to be delivered to the church — to the young converts, and to her un- converted friends— sent, as she said, from the borders of eternity. STAlfTON STREET BAPTIST CHUKCH. 81 I left her soon after, but saw her the next daj. She lingered, as she said she should, until 12 at noon, when she fell asleep, as though in a Saviour's arms, peacefully, quietly, as a child on its mother's bosom. Her earthly privileges in the church were few and transient, for she scarcely knew what health was from the day of her conversion. Tliese defi- ciencies, however, her Lord knew how to make up to her, by richer and more familiar displays of himself; so that the period of earthly trial and probation was full of knowledge, experience and joy. 82 HISTORY OF THE Changes during the Third Period. ADDED BY DIMINISHED BY YEARS. a 1 h4 1^ H a .2 « H From Sept. 1 to June, '42, 93 22 5 120 ] 23 3 3 29 " June, '42, " '43, 113 32 4 149 1 23 6 4 33 " '43, " '44, 60 21 5 86 29 2 3 14 50 u u >44^ u ^45^ 34 14 2|60' 29 8 12 3 62 " " '45, " '46, 19 15 1 0, 34 35 10 6 1 58 " '46, to Nov. 15, 4 oU 12 2 4 3 21 Total, 319 108 16 443 1 151 31 34 1^ 243 Net gain, just 200. Number when brother Bellamy came, 335 Gain, 443 Loss, 778 243 535 STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHIIECH. 83 PEKIOD lY. MINISTRY OF REV. S. REMINGTON. Nov. 15th, 1846— Feb. 1st, 1852. Taking- warning from the montlis of anxiety and trial to the church which succeeded the pas- torate of brother Benedict, it was thought pru- dent to secure a pastor to succeed brother Bel- lamy as soon as possible. The church, mean- while, prayed without ceasing that the Lord would send them an under shepherd, and their minds were* directed to Rev. Stephen Eeming- ton, then of Fitchburg, Mass., whom they invited to preach for them ; and the church, on Tuesday evening, September 29th, 1846, extended a call to him to become their pastor. In answer to this invitation, a letter from brother Eemington was read to the church, Sabbath afternoon, Oc- tober 11th, 1846, from which the following is an extract : " My earnest prayer is that the church may 84: HISTOSY OF THE grow in grace, that it may become a holy church, each member walking worthy of his high and holy calling ; and that the beloved congregation may all of them be converted to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. "For these noble objects, beloved brethren and sisters, I am willing to labor and suffer among you. United to each other and to Christ, we stand — divided we fall. Eemember your future pastor in the prayer-room, at the family altar, and in secret. And pray earnestly that he may come to you in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ, and that his stay among you may be sanctioned with the visible tokens of the divine favor. " With sincere affection, in the bonds of Gospel fellowship, I am, dear brethren and sisters, your friend and brother, and by this acceptance, " Your future pastor, " Stephen Kemtngton." Eev. Stephen Eemington was born in Bedford, Westchester County, !N'ew York, on the 16th of STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHT7ECH. 85 May, in the year 1803, of pious parents, wlio had been for many years connected with the Metho- dist Episcopal Chnrch. "While still a boy, they de- parted this life, leaving clear and satisfactory evi- dence of their adoption into the family of Christ, and earnestly beseeching divine mercy npon their children. Stephen was greatly moved at their loss, and, speaking of his mother, he says : " I felt the influence of her prayers checking me in my sinful career, awakening in my mind the les- sons of admonition which I had often received from her lips, and producing the keenest convic- tions of conscience. I have always believed that my early conversion to God was in answer to her prayers." He was very soon the subject of deep convic- tion. Such was his sense of guilt, that he was in the severest bondage through fear of death and hell. He then knew not how God could be just and the justifier of him that belie veth in Jesus ; he did not apprehend the nature of salvation through Christ, " Oh, could the cross of Jesus," he said afterward, "just then have been elevated to my view, methinks I would have sought 8* 86 HISTORY OF THE refuge beneath its shadow, and felt the healing streams of his precious blood." About this time he left his parents' roof, and came to reside in the city of l^ew York. Here he fell into bad company — into the society of wild, godless young men. He became a profane swearer and a Sabbath-breaker. Still his con- victions had never fully forsaken him, and at times thoughts of eternity would obtrude, and the terrors of death would check his course. He dared not attempt to pray, but thoughts of death and of a terrible retribution were forced upon him by his own escape from a watery grave on the occasion of the drowning of three brothers among his acquaintances, who, together with himself and others, were violating the Sabbath by sailing and fishing. This event made so deep an impression upon his mind, that he resolved never again to desecrate the Sabbath in that way. This resolution he maintained. He now attended church, read his Bible, prayed in secret, and watched over his besetting sins ; and so much had his conduct improved that it became a subject of remark among his friends. STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHUECH. 87 At this time, being between the ages of fifteen and sixteen, he went to reside in Ridgefield, Conn. Here lie resolved that lie would continue to lead a new life, and that all his associates should be those who feared God. He was rejoiced to learn that the family in which he was to reside, was a religious one, and that his room-mate was a con- sistent young Christian. He found the example and influence of this friend most salutary ; they expressed their feelings freely to each other, conversed much upon the subject of religion, and prayed one for the other. His convictions now assumed a different phase, marked by the almost total disappearance of that dread of death, that fearful looking for judgment which charac- terized his early exercises. He began to fear, indeed, that God had given him over to hardness of heart, being even yet ignorant of the theory of salvation. He still felt in his own mind that he must do something more to obtain salvation than he had ever done, and yet it seemed that he never could of himself merit eternal life. After continuing in this state five months, and during this period seeking God day and night, he was 88 HISTOEY OF THE bronght to see, as he himself expresses it, "just what I needed ; that is, to be saved from my sins, from their guilt by pardon, and from their domi- nion by a regenerated heart." It was on a Sab- bath morning, when just past his sixteenth year, that he found peace, while praying with his pious room-mate. He writes : " One thing I know, I loved God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, and this filled my heart with an undying love to a perishing world. The mainspring of my zeal was to win souls to Christ. Imperfect and feeble as my labors were, they were not in vain in the Lord. It was not long before I had the happi- ness of seeing many of my young companions, and even those far my seniors, made the subjects of saving grace. " I was led to unite with the Methodist Episco- pal Church, because there seemed to be more of the life and power of religion among them than any other people with whom I was acquainted. Mr. "Wesley used to say, ^ Methodism is a con- tinued revival of religion!' May God fill the world full of such Methodism !" For a while he taught school, and then was STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHUECH. 89 received into the conference as a traveling preacher. After a four years' course of study, he was ordained ; but during all the interval from the time of his conversion, he had sought to lead sin- ners to the Saviour. Several considerations led him to seek a medical education, and he accord- ingly graduated at Harvard University, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Still he preached every Sabbath day, and sought at once to benefit the bodies as well as the souls of men. In less than a year, however, the interests of the church required his entire time, and the medical profession was abandoned. "While in the Metho- dist connection, brother Kemington was a member of the 'New York, Troy and New England Con- ferences, and was stationed at Hartford, Conn., Brooklyn, IST. Y., ISTew York city, Troy, Sche- nectady, and Boston and Lowell, in Mass. It was while pastor of St. Paul's Methodist Episco- pal Church, in Lowell, that he changed his views of Gospel truth, and left that denomination. In February, 1846, himself and wife were bap- tized into the fellowship of the Worthen street Baptist Church, Lowell, by the Eev. Lemuel Por- 90 HISTORY OF THE ter, pastor. His ^''Reasons for Becoming aBajp- tist^'^ published soon afterward, has obtained an immense circulation, and no donbt has been pro- ductive of great good. On the 19th of March, 1846, brother E. was publicly recognized as pastor of the Baptist Church at Fitchburg, Mass. The sermon was delivered by Eev. L. Porter, right hand of fellowship extended by Eev. Orrin Tracy, charge by the Eev. Daniel Sharp, D.D., of Boston, and charge to the church by Eev. D. D. Pratt, of IN'ashua, ^N". II. Though pleasantly situated in Fitchburg, brother E. deemed it his duty to accept the invitation so cordially ex- tended by this church, and he entered upon the duties of this pastorate, November 15, 1846, having, with great acceptance, served the church at Fitchburg about eight months. On Friday evening, IS'ovember 2Tth, the letters of dismission of brother Eemington, and Mrs. Ehza Ann, his wife, were received, and on the first Sabbath in December the right hand of fellowship was extended to them on behalf of the church, by Dr. John E. Bigelow. The public recognition took place in the meeting-house, on STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHUKCH. 91 the 24tli, as follows : Singing the eighty-fourth hjmn of Winchel's Collection ; reading first Corinthians, first chapter, from 18th verse, by Rev. J. T. Seelej ; opening prayer, by Eev. David Bellamy ; singing ; sermon by Rev. John Dowling, D.D., on first Corinthians, i. 23 : " We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumhling- block, and unto the Greeks foolishness y" prayer by Rev. C. G-. Somers, D.J). ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. George Benedict ; charge to the pastor by Rev. S. H. Cone, D.D. ; charge to the church and congregation by Rev. J. L. Hodge, D.D. ; singing by the choir ; closing prayer by father Peck ; and benediction by the pastor. From this time to the beginning of February the number of letters of dismission granted, together with the exclusions and deaths, amounted to forty-nine ; but at that time eleven persons came before the church and related what they believed God had done for their souls. These primitice, or " first fruits," were baptized in the East River, at the head of Water street, on the first Sabbath in the month. 92 mSTOET OF THE In April, a communication was received from tlie Hope Chapel Baptist Churcli, requesting the appointment of delegates to sit in council, with, those from other churches, to consider the pro- priety of recognizing them as a regular Baptist Chmxh. In compliance with this request the pas- tor and three brethren were appointed, and, after a careful consideration of the subject, the Hope Chapel Church was formally recognized. Over one hundred of its members had taken letters from Stanton street. This reduction of our number was felt for a considerable period, and the best efforts of all were required to sustain the various interests and departments of the church. The pastor speaks particularly of the efficiency of the Board of Deacons, whose sympathy and cheerful cooperation never failed. Deacon Phelps he describes as kind, courteous, but cautious ; he was a balance-wheel and a peace- maker. Deacon Cowan was familiar with the entire history of the body, and was a directory for each family and member. Deacon Thompson seemed to be all heart, and that heart full of love. In the chamber of sickness and death he was at STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHUKCH. 93 home. The widow and the fatherless found in him an unfailing friend. Deacon Bailie was a Sundaj- school man, and devoted himself to the interests of that department with unflagging zeal. Deacon Akerly was distinguished for his whole-souled liberality, and Deacon Watson for a strong adhe- rence to orthodox views and the old paths. Deacons Phelps and Bailie are still office-bearers among us. "We feel that we should neglect a duty which we owe to the church and the cause of Christ, did we pass over in silence the interesting death of one of the young brethren, which occurred at this time. "William L. Mangam, on the 27th day of August, 1847, in the twenty-second year of his age, departed to be with Christ, which is far better. At the age of seventeen, while attending a series of meetings held in the Norfolk street Baptist Church, under the pastoral care of the beloved Benedict, the Holy Spirit fastened the arrow of conviction upon his heart, and brought up before his mind the sins of the past in their most vivid form, so that he found no rest. But unwilling to yield his heart to God, he strove to drown the voice of 9 9i HISTORY OF THE conscience bj plunging into sin. Tlius lie par- tially succeeded in alleviating the poignancy of conviction, until the following winter, 1844, wlien meetings of a similar kind being held in Stanton street, lie was earnestly persuaded by Christian friends to attend. Being invited to the theater on one of the evenings on which a prayer-meeting was to be held, he was urged to be present at the latter, and, after a severe struggle, concluded to do so. Here the Holy Spirit revived his former convictions. He now saw that he had reached the crisis of his immor- tal soul, and that a prompt decision, followed by immediate action, was the only door of escape from the wrath to come. Therefore, on the " 4th of February, 1844, he resolved to surrender himself to Christ, and went forward to the anxious-seat for the prayers of the people of God. But though his distress w^as great, and his humility unfeigned, yet he found no relief that evening. The load of guilt still pressed upon his conscience, and with a broken heart and contrite ^spirit, he left the house of prayer. On the following evening he was again found STANTON STEEET BAPTIST CHUECH. 95 in the lecture-room, at the feet of Jesus, as a suppliant for mercy, when deliverance came to his poor sin-stricken heart. He was baptized into the fellowship of the church, on Lord's Day morning, February 18th ; and from that time until the day of his death he remained steadfast, growing in grace. In less than four years he finished his course; but short as was his Christian career, he was ripe for heaven. He was emphatically gathered from God's Spiritual harvest-field." * Passing over the incidents of his Christian experience, related by brother Remington, an extract from the same article with reference to his triumphant death, will close this sketch. " During the night on which he died, his distress was great, from shortness of breath. He desired to see the doctor, but his father, who was aware that it was death, directed him to look to the Physician of souls. He was silent a short time, as if in prayer, and then almost in an unearthly voice, the word * Glory' was uttered * Rev. S. Remington's " Incidents from a Pastor's Hand Book:' yo HISTORY OF THE by our dying friend, then 'Plallelujah' — 'Good bye.' His motlier said: *My son, you are dying.' 'Yes, mother,' he replied, with a hea-venly smile. ' Father, dear father, I am glad that you did not send for the doctor. It is death !' Eaising his voice — ' open the doors and tell them to come in and see how a Christian can die.' The room was soon filled wdth the family and friends. An impenitent young man was absent whom he requested to see. While some one went for him, William addressed himself to an unconverted brother-in-law : ' Oh, what will you do without a Saviour, when death stares you in the face as it does me V He continued talk- ing with great earnestness to this individual for some time. ' Your wife,' said he, ' is one of my unconverted sisters.' And then, turning to her, in the most touching appeals warned her to pre- pare to meet her God. In the mean time, the young man sent for had arrived, to whom he said : ' Oh what will you do without the presence of Jesus, when the King of terrors comes? I have wanted, as ofttimes I have done, to warn you ; and now is the time, for this is death. STANTON^ STREET BAPTIST CHUECH. 97 I am dying ! Will yon promise me tliat you will seek tlie Lord?' He answered that lie wonld try. Our young brother then spoke to an aunt present, who was far advanced in life, and exhorted her to prepare for death. Then he attempted to sing, repeating — ' Hal-le-lu-jah — glory — O that eternal weight of glory — ^hal- le-lu-jah — I would not live alway, I ask not to stay,' ete. Then, turning to his only brother, he said, in sweetest accents : * Live for God. Be thou faithful unto death, and meet your brother in heaven.' After this, reverently turning to his father, he said : ^ My dear father, did you ever contemplate the glorious plan of salvation?' 'Yes, my son,' replied his father. 'Is it not majestic ?' responded William. * It is, my son,' answered the father, adding, ' and you will soon behold it with immortal sight.' * Oh, my father,' said the dying son, 'I see it now five times as bright as you do. Oh glory !' ' Oh 'tis not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy that he saves us — hallelujah — glory !' 9* :98 HISTORY OF THE " ' sing to me of heaven, When I am called to die — Sing songs of holy ecstasy, To waft my soul on high.' " Then to liis mother he said : * This is death ! I am dying ! IVe got my senses — I can see — ^I can hear — but my breath ' — (gasping for breath as he was speaking). ' Oh this machinery. Je — Jesus is precious. Downy jnllmvs were never so soft as a dying l)ed with the jpresence of Jesus, Hallelujah P After remaining quite silent and motionless for a few moments, he suddenly became animated, and cried out : ' The chariot of the Lord and the horsemen thereof.' One word more — 'hallelujah !' — fell from his faltering tongue, when he ceased to breathe, and his sanctified spirit was unclothed of its earthly house, and soared aloft to glory and to God, to be clothed upon with that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. He requested to have inscribed on his tomb — ' Live for God.' " The funeral sermon was delivered in the Stanton street Church by the pastor, from these words, selected by himself during his last ill- STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHTJECH. 99 ness — "/ have found a ransomP — Job, xxxiii. 24. For some months, an inquiry had been going on relative to the propriety of administering the ordinance of baptism in the meeting-house instead of in the river, as hitherto. It was thought that the expense of engaging convey- ances to the water, the noise caused by them in passing through the streets, thus disturbing the worship of other churches, and the extreme dif- ficulty of securing a suitable place along the river, were reasons that would justify the con- struction of a baptistery within the meeting- house. On the twenty-third of June, 1847, there- fore, the church authorized the Board of Trustees to erect a baptistery, with necessary rooms adjoining. They immediately entered upon the work, and caused a building to be erected in the rear of the meeting-house, contain- ing two rooms and the pulpit, under which was placed the baptistery. While these alterations were taking place, the pastor was sojourning in Europe. There his health greatly improved, and he visited the 100 HISTOKY OF THE birthplace and grave of Joliii Bunyan, and many other places frequented by that good and remarkable man — a fact that accounts, in part, for the success of brother Eemington's series of lectures on Bunyan and the Pilgrim's Progress, delivered after his return. It should be remarked that the first discourse delivered by the pastor in the new pulpit, was founded on I^Tehemiah, viii. 4 : " And Ezra, the scribe, stood upon a pulpit of wood which they had made for the purpose ; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and TJrijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand ; and on his left hand Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zecha- riah, and Meshullam." The appropriateness of the text to the circumstances under which the discourse was delivered, was somewhat remark- able. It is worthy of notice also, that a copy of their large illustrated Bible was presented for pulpit use by Harper & Brothers, and the church acknowledged their courtesy in a suitable man- ner. — One of the first persons baptized in the STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. 101 meeting-liouse was brother D. H. Miller, who was licensed to preach on the 4th of April, 1847. Five persons were immersed in the new baptistery on the first Sabbath of ]^ovember. In the summer of this year heaters were substituted for stoves, and the next year new pews were put in at a cost of $1,650. These changes greatly improved our meeting-house. The winter having now come, and the provi- dences of God opening the way, the church resolved, on the evening of the 24th of Decem- ber, " that relying on the great Head of the Church for a blessing on their efibrts, they would, commencing with the new year, hold a series of religious meetings every evening except Saturday, so long as the providence of God might seem to justify the same." A preparatory resolution had been passed on the 22d, "that the first Monday of the new year should be observed as a day of humiliation, fast- ing and prayer, for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church and the world." As the result of these means put forth, three persons were baptized upon the first Lord's day in 102 HISTORY OF THE January, 1848, and on the evening of the 81st, twelve persons related their Christian ex- periences and were received for baptism. The work now went forward; twelve persons were baptized on the last Sabbath in February, and eight on the first Sabbath in March. The number of baptisms during Mr. Heming- ton's ministry was two hundred and eleven (211), the total received to our fellowship amounted to three hundred and thirty (330) ; and though we numbered five hundred and twenty-eight (528) when he left us, only one hundred and seventy- eight of them were members with us when he took charge. These facts show how soon a church would die without constant additions from the world around. These continual fluctu- ating and changes do not, however, weaken the cause at large. Many colonies and members have gone out from this body to constitute and strengthen other churches, and scores have left us for the better land. In the letter to the Hudson Eiver Association, for the year 1848, the death of Deacon James Cowan was announced. Brother Cowan was a STANTON STREET BAPTIST CBTIJECH. 103 native of the north of Ireland, where his child- hood and youth were spent, and where he was trained by pious parents for the service of the Lord. In the year 1800 he emigrated to this country, and was for some years a teacher in the Sabbath school connected with the church of which Rev. J. Chase was the pastor. Being once invited to open the exercises of the school with prayer, he with great mortification, de- clined — a circumstance which led him imme- diately to make up his mind to be a Christ- ian. This resolution he by divine grace put in practice, and in April, 1827, he came be- fore the Union Church and related the Lord's dealings with his soul. His baptism was admin- istered by Elder Eastman, on the first Sabbath in March, in the Korth Eiver. From this time until the day of his death his labors were abun- dant. For seventeen years he was connected with the Sabbath school, thirteen of which he bore the responsibilities of the office of super- intendent ; and although he was released from these severe cares for the four years preceding his death, he, nevertheless, lost none of the lively 104 HISTORY OF THE interest whicli lie had ever manifested in the welfare of children. The last words he uttered a few moments before his departure bear witness to this. " Tell the Sunday-school teachers," said he, "to be faithful. Tell the church and the pastor to be faithful." He was a member of the first Board of Trustees ever elected by this con- gregation. During the many years in which he served his brethren in this capacity, his integ- rity, prudence and correct business habits were remarkable. As a deacon, he was faithful to his brethren and his pastor, and as a church clerk, he was prompt, careful, and accurate to the most minute particular. The church was be- reaved in his death, but they were rejoiced in the continued grace manifested in his last moments, and in the evidence he gave of his adoption into the family of Christ. A series of resolutions was passed at the church meeting held April 28th, which, considering his well- ordered Hfe as a legacy to Zion, the church ordered to be placed upon the records. His companion still lives to mourn his loss, and con- tinues to look forward with the Christian's hope. STANTON STKEET BAPTIST CHUECH. 105 to the time when they shall be reunited. Brother Cowan was the only officer of the church who has died while in its service. For some years preceding his decease, brother C. had not enjoyed robust health, but on the Sabbath of the week in which he died, he was in his place as usual. On the following Sunday the meeting-house was crowded on the occasion of his funeral. In June, 1849, Rev. John Pettes, a brother greatly beloved, was removed by death ; and we lost two excellent brethren -by the cholera in the summer of the same year. On the evening of July 10th, 1850, a deeply interesting farewell missionary meeting was held in our house of worship. It was the eve of the departure of Rev. Eugenio Kincaid and Dr. Dawson for Burmah. In the course of his re- marks, brother Kincaid said : " I was born in the northern part of this State, near the St. Law- rence. When quite a lad, I had a strong desire to obtain an education. I asked my pastor if he knew any learned minister of the Bap- tist denomination. He informed me that there 10 106 HISTORY OF THE was one hj the name of Hascall, residing some- where out in Madison County. "We got our best, though imperfect, map of the State, and ascer- tained its location, and with a bundle under my arm, I started off, one hundred miles on foot, to find the place. While pursuing my studies at Hamilton, under elder Hascall, I heard a sermon from a returned missionary, Rev. Luther Hice. I then resolved, before he was half through with his sermon, that if the Lord would open the way, I would become a missionary. I went to Bur- mah, and remained there thirteen years. If, in my first going out, there was anything like ro- mance in it, I am certain there is none now. We know where we go, and what trials we shall be called to endure. We know not that any- thing new can happen to us. I have spent many happy days with Christians in my native land, but never was I more happy than when upon the banks of the Irrawaddy, far away from civil- ized society, and surrounded by pagan darkness. We go six hundred and fifty miles beyond any missionary station and from a post-office, in the heart of the Burman Empire. STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHUECH. lOT " My dear Christian friends, we shall probably never see jour faces again in the flesh. We shall often, when far away, visit, in imagination, your dwellings, meet in your public assemblies, bow with you at your family altars, and sit with you at your tables. Then pray for us. Fare- well!" He was followed by Dr. Dawson, who said : "In 1830, while on heathen shores, I heard a sermon from a missionary, and when going from the meeting, putting his hand upon my shoulder, the missionary remarked, 'My lad, you are young, but not too young to serve God.' That remark was the means of leading me to Christ. And now, how mysterious the Providence that I should be permitted to return in company with the same missionary." Eev. S. H. Cone, D.D., then said: "At the request of this Church, and also of the Board of the Missionary Union, I arise to address a few words to you. Twenty years ago you preached in the old Oliver street meeting-house, upon the eve of your departure for the heathen. Taking 108 HISTORY OF THE your text from Ephesians, you dwelt upon the distinguishing doctrine of grace. "We rejoiced that you were going far hence to preach such a Gospel. I remember well while you were preaching at that time how the perspiration poured from your face. I slipped a white hand- kerchief having my name marked on it in full into your hand, with which you wiped away the tears and big drops, and, apparently refreshed, continued your discourse with new vigor. After sermon you handed me the handkerchief. I said no ; it is not mine. Brother Kincaid tells me he has that handkerchief still. You say there is no poetry in the work now. Why, my brother, it is all poetry. Did you not preach to us last Sabbath morning from these words, ' Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheri- tance, and the uttermost jparts of the earth for a possession,'' Do we not read, ^ They sJiall heat their swords into plowshares and their shears into jpruning hooks, nation shall not lift ujp sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more,'' Is not all this poetry — the poe- STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHUECH. 109 trj of the Bible ? What shall I say in parting with you, my brother ? The Lord Jesus Christ be with you ; when you come to see the heathen land, you will need the Lord Jesus Christ with you. Though you go six hundred and fifty miles beyond any missionary, and into the heart of Burmah, yet if you have the Lord Jesus Christ with you, you will have nothing to fear." Then taking them by the hand, he said : " I bid you farewell. If you were my own son," said he to brother Kincaid, " I could not feel a deeper in- terest in you. It will be but a short time before we shall shake hands on the battlements of the celestial city. Twenty years ago I said we should not meet again. I thought so then ; I am very sure of it now. I am going soon to my narrow home. Farewell !" Eev. John Dowling, D.D., then read the 105th hymn of the Supplement to the Psalmist (by the missionary Sutton) : " Hail ! sweetest, dearest tie, that binds • Our glowing hearts in one ; Hail ! sacred hope that turns our minda To harmony divine. 10* 110 HISTORY OF THE It is the hope, the blissful hope, Which Jesus' grace has given — The hope, when days and years are past, We all shall meet in heaven !" The entire congregation rose and sung this hymn with deep feeling, and after taking up the collection, which amounted to some seventy dol- lars, the benediction was pronounced by brother Kincaid. The words of Dr. Cone were lamentably true. He passed away from the scenes of his toil before brother Kincaid revisited his native land. The pastor, who was with brother Benedict when he died, preached a suitable discourse upon the subject, November 26th, 1848, from Daniel xii. 3. " And they that he wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and they that turn many to righteousness^ as the stars forever and evevP Mrs. Elizabeth N'oe, one of our con- stituent members, departed June 10th, 1848, in the 65th year of her age, and the 42d of her Christian pilgrimage. Miss Malvina Harris, and others greatly beloved, passed away from time to time, and on Sabbath morning, December T, 1851, STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. Ill Mrs. Eliza Ann Eemington, wife of our pastor, deceased, after a long and painful illness. Her funeral was attended in the meeting-house on Tuesday by an immense crowd of sympathizing friends. The Eev. Thomas Armitage preached on the occasion, by request of the deceased, from 1 Peter, i. 3, 4, 5. Her remains were removed to Greenwood. Soon after this event, on the 24:th of December, the pastor tendered his resignation, and his con- nection with this church terminated February 1st, 1852. His farewell sermon was preached from Phil. i. 27, and the church voted a cordial ex- pression of their fraternal feeling for brother Remington, in a letter from which the following extracts are taken : "Dear Brother: ... In parting with you, we rejoice to know that the kindest feeling exists between pastor and people, and we only become reconciled to your leaving us from the fact that you feel fully persuaded that the Mas- ter has a more important work for you in another part of his vineyard. ... In surveying the 112 HISTORY OF THE past, we well remember the discouraging pros- pects wliicli attended your coming among us. . . . We were then just passing through severe trials ; our former pastor leaving us and taking with him a colony of above one himdred of our number, and one-fourth of our congrega- tion. . . . Our house of worship was, how- ever, soon filled with attentive hearers, and many happy converts were added to us. . . . And now, dear brother, in parting with you, we are happy that, as we have lived together in peace and harmony, so we part. Our prayers go with you to your new field of labor. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit ever- more. Amen." On the 15th of May, 1852, we lost a lovely young Christian brother in the death of Washing- ton Lewis. While health enabled him, he was an efficient and faithful Sunday-School teacher, but it was soon evident that he was fading away. Some time was spent in Georgia for the benefit of his health, and he also visited the South of Europe, but all in vain. He died in great peace, STANTON" STEEET BAPTIST CHUECH. 113 the pastor being with him, and closing his eyes. On Sunday the young men bore his body to the meeting-house, and brother R. preached from 1 John, iii. 2. The body was placed in front of the pulpit, where so many loved ones have lain, and the entire congregation passed around to take the farewell look. His remains repose in the beauti- ful cemetery in Second street, but his ransomed spirit has, we believe, ascended to its Father and its God. From IN'ew York, brother Remington went to Philadelphia, and took charge of the Third Baptist Church in that city. After a pastorate of some two years in Philadelphia,* he re- moved to East Brooklyn, and assumed the pas- toral care of that church, to which he minis- tered nearly five years. In the spring of 1859 he resigned, spent a few months with the church at Gloversville, I^. Y., and then accepted the unani- mous call of the ^Mount Olivet Baptist Chui'ch in this city. * From Philadelphia brother Remington went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he spent a few months. 114 HISTOBT OF THE Changes during the Fourth Period, ADDED BY DIMINISHED BY TEARS. 1 i i a ca a. fl 1 1 S •3 1 From Nov. 15, '46, to June, '4*7, 28 18 7 53 U9 4 6 4 143 " June , '47, " '48, V5 35 2 112 28 6 1 1 42 {( (( '48, " ^49, 39 20 1 60 19 6 3 28 (( u '49, " »oO, 38 15 1 54 24 1 6 1 38 U <( '60, " »51, 28 10 1 39 34 4 11 1 50 (( u '51, to Feb., '52, 8 5 4 12 25 3 « 36 Total, . 211 103 16 330 259 80 41 1 337 Number when brother Remington came, 535 Gain, 330 Loss, 865 ZS1 5?S STANTON 6TEEET BAPTIST CHCKCH. 115 PERIOD Y. MINISTRY OF THE REV. EDWARD T. HISCOX, D.D., September 1st, 1852. Again was the churcli without a pastor for the period of seven months, the first two of which were well supplied by Rev. Marvin "W. East- wood ; and we have reason to believe that under his labors, souls were added to the Lord as well as to the church. As he would not entertain a call, the bodj looked elsewhere for a spiritual head, and on the first of March an invitation was extended to Rev. D. G. Corey, of Utica, who had been with us for a brief period. But Mr. C. preferred to remain at his old post, and the attention of the church was next directed to the Rev. E. T. Hiscox, of Norwich, Connecticut. At a meeting of the members, held April 25th, 1852, the committee on pastor recommended that brother H. be chosen as our future minister, and accordingly a call was ordered by a unani- 116 HISTORY OF THE mons vote. It was also agreed that the salary should be $1,500 per annum, instead of $1,200, as formerly. This invitation was accepted by brother Hiscox, June 4:th, and he entered upon the discharge of his duties on the first of Sep- tember: it should be stated, however, that he spent a number of Sabbaths with us previous to that date, and baptized several into the fellow- ship of the church. Edward Thurston Hiscox, was born August 24th, 1814, in the town of Westerly, Ehode Island. He remained at home on the paternal estate until thirteen years of age, when he accepted the invitation of an elder brother, resid- ing in another part of the State, and with him he spent several years, visiting home only at occa- sional intervals. He was religiously instructed from his infancy, his mother being a pious mem- ber of the Society of Friends, and his father, with his ancestors for many generations, belonging to the Seventh-day Baptist connection. Indeed, the Eev. William Hiscox was the first pastor of the first church of that denomination in this country. His son, Eev. Thomas Hiscox, having STANTON STKEET BAPTIST CHTJECH. 117 been educated in England, succeeded his father, and was an honored and influential minister of the Gospel. The advantages for obtaining an education which the young Edward enjoyed, were such as the children of that day possessed, and they were extremely Kmited. He was fond of reading and study, however, from an early period of childhood, and eagerly perused the few books within his reach. For some years after he left home he had access to a considerable library, and though he enjoyed but little leisure time, he accomplished a wide range of general reading. From the very nature of the case, these efforts were not critical and systematic, being prosecuted by himself without teacher, associate, or guide; and, to a great extent, in hours taken from needful rest. Still, whatever gain or progress in knowledge was made in after years, much must be referred to this period of his life. It was during these years that the ground was examined, the foundation laid, and many of the scattered materials gathered for subsequent use. At length the way was opened to gratify a 11 118 mSTOBY OF THE long-clierislied desire to pursue a more sys- tematic course of study; and by the generous aid of an older brother, he entered the Plainfield Academy, in Connecticut, then and for many years one of the best high-schools in 'New Eng- land. His classmates were young men fitting for college, and with them he pursued the clas- sics and other required studies, and with such success, that at the close of the first year he was prepared to enter college himself. But obstacles arose ; his sight was much impaired by too close application, especially at night; and for two years any considerable effort at reading or study was impracticable. And besides, the want of the necessary pecuniary means seemed to raise a barrier to his further progress, even if nothing else should prevent. But out of all this dark- ness light arose. The religious training of his earlier years began to show its results, and at the age of fifteen he obtained satisfactory evi- dence of his conversion. He was away from home at the time, and surrounded by circum- stances calculated to discourage even a convert of maturer age. Four years passed before he made STANTON BTEEET BAPTIST CHTJECH. 119 a public profession of his faith ; but in Septem- ber, 1834, he was baptized into the fellowship of the First Baptist Church at Wakefield, R. I., by the Eev. Flavel Shurtleff, pastor. Immediately after uniting with the church, he commenced attending and taking part in all social religious meetings accessible to him. In this way, his talent for usefulness in the church was deve- loped; and thoughts of the Gospel ministry, which had possessed his mind at intervals for a long period, became more deep and frequent. Still, feeling himself entirely unfit for the work, he was induced to engage in teaching, and for a year he devoted his energies in that direc- tion. At the expiration of that time, one of his brothers, who was engaged in a lucrative busi- ness, placed an establishment at the young man's disposal, with all the capital necessary to command success. Though not to his mind, the generous offer of his brother proved too tempt- ing, and he accepted it. But before the expira- tion of the first year, the crisis of 1837 came on the flattering prospects of pecuniary success were blasted, and he closed his business without 120 HISTORY OF THE profits and without regrets. In Febmarj, 1838, he received a license from the church at Wake- field, to preach the Gospel. For a few months he gave himself to study, and then he was invited to the charge of the male department of a boarding-school about to be established in Lebanon Springs, N. Y. This invitation was accepted, but at the expiration of six months he was requested to supply the pulpit of the Baptist Church in that place, the pastor having removed. After preaching there for half a year, he re- solved to go to Hamilton ; and entering nearly a year in advance, he completed his collegiate course in the summer of 1843. The winter fol- lowing he spent in supplying a church in the eastern part of Connecticut, and in the spring of 1844 he accepted a call to become the pastor of the First Baptist Church in "Westerly, K. I., his native town, the church having given him a similar invitation the year previous. On the first of May, 1844, one month after his settle- ment, he was married to Miss Caroline Ome, ol New Hampshire, a graduate of Mrs. Willard's celebrated seminary at Troy. During the three STAin'ON STREET BAPTIST CHUECH. 121 years of a most happy pastorate at Westerly, a commodious and pleasant meeting-house was built, and almost entirely paid for ; the church enjoyed an interesting revival, took a position in advance of the other churches in the place, and became one of the largest and strongest in the rural part of the State. At length he accepted the invitation of the Central Baptist Church in IN'orwieh, Connecticut; and he commenced his labors in that beautiful city April 1st, 1847. At that time the church was much embarrassed by a heavy debt, contracted in building their meet- ing-house ; but in the course of three years this was paid off, the house of worship greatly improved, and both the church and congregation considerably increased. His pastorate there extended over a period of five years and a half, and then he accepted the unanimous call of the Stanton street Church, removed to the city o New York, and entered upon the pastoral care of the church, September 1st, 1852. Our meeting-house had just been thoroughly cleaned and painted, both within and without, so as to present a pleasing and inviting appear- 122 • mSTOBY OF THE ance. Attention was now given to revising tlie list of members, and a large number having been entirely lost sight of, seventy-three were dropped from the roll ; and although this consi- derably diminished the nominal membership, the real strength and efficiency of the body were, of course, unimpaired. In 1853, a company of brethren and sisters, nearly one hundred in number, who had lost their standing in a sister church, on account of some misunderstanding, and, as they believed, without sufficient cause, applied to us for admis- sion. A considerable part of this company had formerly been connected with this church. The case appeared an unusual one, and excited not a little public interest. All other attempts having failed, a mutual council was convened, and seve- ral sessions were held, without arriving at any definite result, except the appointment of a com- mittee to which the whole subject was referred. After waiting a long time in vain, and making many ineffectual efforts to come to some conclu- sion, and secure an adjustment of the matter, they notified the committee that, as they were STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHUKCH. 123 unwilling to remain any longer deprived of reli- gious privileges, thej should apply to some other churches for admission. It should be stated that they had now been out of the church about two years, and destitute, to a great degree, of those privileges which they highly prized. More than seventy of this company, accord- ingly, applied to us in May, 1854, for admission. The church, with great care and deliberation, having informed itself by a committee that these individuals sustained good Christian characters, as certified also by the members of the body with which they had formerly been connected, and also ascertaining that they were not at this time members of any church, we proceeded to hear them individually relate their Christian ex- periences, on which they were received to our fel- lowship. When it is stated that the widow and only daughter of the beloved Benedict, were among them, that others had been constituent members of this church, and that some had been office-bearers with us, it will not be thought strange that we gave them a hearty welcome to their former home. !N"or have we been dis- 124: HISTOBY OF THE appointed in the confidence we reposed in them. Toward our sister church we have never ceased to exercise both brotherly kindness and charity. We have dismissed members to join that body, and received members from it, just as cordially as before the events referred to ; and we are firm in the belief that a brighter day will dawn when wiser counsels will prevail, and all the old-time friendship be restored. Early in the summer of 1855 our house of worship was newly carpeted and otherwise im- proved ; and on the 19th and 20th days of June, the Hudson River Association, South, held their annual meeting with us. Eev. E. L. Magoon was chosen moderator, and the session was emi- nently pleasant and profitable. The pastor's salary was increased to $2,000 per annum, on the 29th of October, and that sum is still paid. On the 14th of July we lost by death Mrs. Mary S. Randall, aged 68 years. She was bap- tized by the late Rev. Dr. Sharp, of Boston, August 19th, 1819. She was always kind, dili- gent and faithful — a mother in Israel. This year STANTON 8TEEET BAPTIST CHTIRCH. 125 witnessed another bereavement of an impressive character. One of our young brethren, Francis H. Palmer, an esteemed member of the Bible- class and of the Young Men's Mission Society, was accidentally drowned on the afternoon of September 15th. The evening before he had filled his place in the prayer-meeting, and it can consistently be said that he was " faithful unto death." His funeral was attended in the meeting- house on Sabbath afternoon, and the pastor preached an affecting discourse to the solemn assembly. Mrs. Sarah Ann Mangam also departed this life ^November 28th, 1855. She, with her husband, brother Wm. D. Mangam, was baptized by Eev. David Bellamy ou the first Sabbath in February, 1844. After uniting with the church she grew rapidly in grace, and manifested her inward spiritual life by going about like her Saviour doing good. The most marked feature of her character was benevolence ; and being fortunately blessed with the means of charity, she used these with a discernment and prudence that, combined with her consistent life and well-timed religious 126 mSTOEY OF THE advice, gladdened the hearts of the needy, while it encouraged assiduity in the recipient, and was owned of God to the conversion of souls. In her death the poor lost a friend, the church a faith- ful sister, and our female benevolent societies a firm supporter and an active member. In June, 1856, Edward Francis Davis, another member of the Bible-class, was summoned from among us under circumstances of peculiar inter- est. He was in delicate health, but having ex- perienced the mercy of God, he desired to unite with the church. His name was announced as a candidate for baptism ; but his disease progressed so rapidly that he was unable to make a public profession of his faith. But he died in sweet peace, and has doubtless attained the saints' ever- lasting rest. Both of these deaths were improved by suitable services before the Young Men's Mission Society, with which they had been con- nected. With them we can say most empha- tically, " It is well !" Early in the autumn of 1856, an unusual seri- ousness was apparent in the congregation ; the regular meetings were well attended and increas- STAWION STKEET BAPTIST CHTJECH. 127 inglj interesting. The Rev. John Blain, of Hhode Island, spent several weeks with the church, and a gracious revival of religion was enjoyed for many months. The associational letter for June, 1857, describes the state of feeling in the body as follows : " With unfeigned gratitude to the great Head of the church for the blessings of another year, we this day record the goodness of our Heavenly Father. The past year has been a bright one in our history, and it is our privilege to inform you that God has graciously visited us with the abun- dant outpouring of his spirit. For several months our congregation has shown a marked serious- ness ; the powers of the world to come have moved many hearts, and while we have wel- comed no less than seventy-one to the ordinance of baptism, others are yet waiting to go forward, and a number of anxious souls are seeking the good part. Time forbids that we should attempt to describe the happy seasons we have enjoyed ; God has graciously blessed the efforts put forth, and has again made the place of his feet glorious." At the regular church meeting, April 22d, 128 HISTORY OF THE 1857, brother C. B. Stout, who had for some time officiated as clerk pro tempore, was chosen to fill the office made vacant by the resignation of brother K. C. Akerlj. As brother S. posi- tively refused to assume the entire responsibility, the church voted to elect two clerks, and pro- ceeded, on the 6th of May, to choose C. B. Stout and Thomas J. Grout, by a unanimous vote. They immediately entered upon the discharge of their duties, and continue in office still; theirs being only the seventh incumbency, in that office, through her entire history of more than thirty-six years. Brother Cowan died while holding the office, and the others resigned in con- sequence of removal, or other causes preventing them from giving the necessary attention to the duties of the station. It may well be doubted whether any but office-bearers realize the de- mands upon time, patience, and money, required to serve a church faithfully. Let the official brethren always share in the sympathies and prayers of the body. The years 1857* and 1858 were marked by * The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHUBCH. 129 many mamfestations of God's presence and power, and converts were continually added to the cburcli. At the meeting of the Association in June, 1858, the church reported the baptism of seventy-two persons, and the total membership as amounting to five hundred and fifty-five — ^larger than for several years. These seasons were also prosperous ones to the Young Men's Mission So- ciety, so that their annual reports speak of con- stantly increasing contributions. At the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees in January, 1858, the clerk suggested the propriety of taking some steps for the removal of the church debt, then amounting to $6,500 ; and after a full discussion of the subject, it was re- ferred to a committee, consisting of C. B. Stout, George Sibell, and John F. Zebley, to matm-e and present a plan. At the next meeting, they offered a report embracing such a plan, which was adopted by a unanimous vote, and the Trustees themselves promptly subscribed $3,000, almost half the amount needed. A circular was then issued upon the pastor in the summer of this year, by Shurtleff Col- lege, HL 12 130 HISTOEY OF THE to the members of the church and congregation, inviting them to meet the Trustees in the meet- ing-house on the evening of March 1st, to con- sider the subject. The meeting was well attend- ed, the plan cordially approved, and nearly money enough was subscribed to provide for the entire indebtedness. The amount was subse- quently made up ; more than half of it is now paid, and we expect to begin the year 1860 free from delt. The church having voted in December last that the number of deacons should hereafter be seven, a special church meeting was held on Wednes- day evening, March 15th, 1859, to choose two to complete the number. A large meeting convened, an hour was spent in devotional exercises, and then the church chose brother Joshua Daven- port and brother John A. Green to fill the office. The Board of Deacons is now composed of the following brethren : Humphrey Phelps, elected December 23d, 1829 ; David Bailie, July 27th, 1836 ; William D. Mangam, October 2Tth, 1852; Kichard E. Peterson, September 26th, 1855; "William Beach, September 26th, 1855; STANTON STEEET BAPTIST CHURCH. 131 Joshua Davenport, Marcli 15tli, 1859 ; Jolin A. Green, Marcli 15, 1859. Sunday, Marcli 6tli, 1859, being the twenty- fifth anniversary of the opening of our house of worship, was occupied with special services hav- ing reference to that event. Rev. Arohibald Maclay, D.D., who preached the first sermon in our meeting-house, March 2d, 1834, preached in the morning with considerable vigor, although he had passed his fourscore years. In the afternoon our pastor gave an interesting account of the rise and progress of the church, and then we cele- brated the Lord's Supper, Eev. B. M. Hill, D.D., assisting the pastor. The day was delightful, and it was remarked by the elder brethren that more communicants were present than at any time since the colony went out with brother Benedict in 1841. !N^early all the seats in the lower part of the house were filled. In the evening. Rev. C. G. Somers, D.D., who officiated at the evening service a quarter of a century since, gave many interesting remini- scences of the past. So closed a day of grate- ful commemoration, and we thankfully record 132 HISTORY OF THE that it found the church in peace and pros- perity. It should be remarked that at the time our meeting-house was opened there was no other of our denomination north of it on Manhattan Island ; and at the present time there is no Bap- tist meeting-house* south of us which was occu- pied by the denomination when our house was erected. For some time none of our members have been set apart to the work of the ministrj^, but we have now three promising young brethren preparing to preach the everlasting Gospel. Brethren Wm. S. Apsey, Wm. Mclntyre, and Owen Williams, were licensed to preach September 30th, 1859. At the regular church meeting in the same month, the committee who had been appointed to have printed another supply of the Articles of Faith and the Covenant, reported in favor of certain amendments, which were adopted, and at the close of the prayer-meeting the following Friday evening, the church instructed the com- * The Oliver street meeting-house was rebuilt on the site of the old one, destroyed by fire several years ago. , STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHTJECH. 133 mittee to have a thousand copies printed. The Articles and Covenant then adopted being, with the exception of some slight alterations, the same as we have used since the time of brother Eastman, are as follows : A DECLARATION OF GOSPEL TRUTH, According to the Views of the Stanton street Baptist Church in the City of ITew York. "We believe the Holy Scriptures to have been written by men divinely inspired, and that they form a perfect rule of faith and practice. "We believe that the revelation thus made from God, teaches the following great truths : Proofs. 2 Tim. iii. 16, IT. " All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Pet. i. 21. 1 Pet. i. 10, 11. 2 Sam. xxiii. 2. Article I. The existence of one only living and true God, {a) infinite in every natural and moral excellence, 12* 134: HISTORY OF THE the uncreated and un changeable (J) Creator, (c) Preserver, and Euler of all things ; and that he has revealed himself under the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost {d) the the same in essence, and equal in every divine perfection, and that he deserves and requires our supreme love, our trust, and our reverent obedience. Proofs. (a) 1 Tim. ii. 5. " For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Mark, xii. 32. James, ii. 19. Isa. xlvi. 9. Rom. i. 20. (b) Mai. iii. 6. " For I am the Lord : I change not ; there- fore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." James, i. 1*7. (c) Gen. i. 1. *' In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Col. i. 15, 16, 1*7. (d) Matt, xxviii. 19. " Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." 1 John, v. Y. Col. ii. 9. John, v. 23. Acts, V. 3. Article II. That man was originally created holy ; {e) but by willfully violating the law of his Maker (/) he fell from that state — an entire alienation of the heart from God succeeded, and all commu- nion with him was lost; (^) and, as by divine STANTON STEEET BAPTIST CHURCH. 135 appointment Adam was the representative of all his posterity, we in him (h) became wholly defiled and dead in trespasses and sins, so that by nature we are indisposed to good and in- clined to evil ; exposed to the penalties of the law, and are children of wrath, subjects of death, and all other miseries, temporal, spiritual and eternal, {i.) Proofs. (e) Gen. i. 26, 27. " And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness ; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image ; in the image of God created he him ; male and female created he them." Eccl. vii. 29. (/) Gen. iii. 6. "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof aiid did eat; and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat." (g) Ps. xiv. 3. " They are all gone aside, they are altogether become filthy ; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Gen. iii. 24. Gen. vi. 6. Gen. viii. 21. (A) Rom. V. 12. " Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned," etc. 136 HISTORY OF THE («') Eph. ii. 1. " And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" 1 Cor. ii. 14. Eph. ii. 3. Gal. iii. 10. Rom. vi. 23. Rev. xiv. 11. Matt. xxv. 46. Article HE. That the only way of deliverance from this state of guilt and ruin, is through the free grace and mercy of God, bestowing repentance and remission of sins by the one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus ; (j) — and that all who are thus brought to repentance, shall be kept by his power through faith unto salvation — and that nothing can separate them from the love of God ; the sure and final proof of their genuine faith consisting in the continu- ance of their attachment and obedience to Christ, to the end of this their present life, {k) Proofs. (j) Acts, iv. 12. "Neither is there salvation in any other ; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." John, iii. 16. Isa. liii. 4, 8. Eph. ii. 8. Tit. iii. 6. Acts, v. 31. Acts, x. 43. Acts, xi. 18. 1 Tim. ii. 5. {k) 1 Pet. i. 5. " Who are kept by the power of God through sta:nton stkeet baptist chtjech. 137 faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time." John, X. 28, 29. John, xvii. 24. John, vi. 68. Rom. viii. 37, S9, etc. Article IY. That the blessings of salvation are made free to all by tlxe Gospel ; (l) that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial and obe- dient faith ; (m) and nothing prevents the salva- tion of the greatest sinner on earth except his own voluntary refusal to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, {n) which refusal, if persisted in, will subject him to an aggravated condemna- tion, (o) Proofs. (/) Rev. xxii. lY. "Whosoever will, let him take of the water of Hfe freely." Isa. Iv. 1. Luke, xiv. 17. (m) Rom. xvi. 26. " The Gospel — according to the command- ment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith." Mark, i. 15. Acts, xvii. 30. Rom. i. 16. (n) John, V. 40. " And ye will not come unto me that ye might have life. Matt, xxiii. 37. Rom. ix. 32. Acts, xiii. 46. Prov. i. 24. (o) John, iii. 19. "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." Matt. xi. 20. Luke, xix. 27. 2 Thess. i. 8. 138 history of the Article Y. That election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which he regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners ; ( j?) that being perfectly con- sistent with the free agency of man, it compre- hends all the means in connection with the end ; (^) that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable ; (r) that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, prayer, praise, and trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy ; (s) that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree ; (t) that* it is ascertained by its effects in all who believe the Gospel, (u) is the foundation of Christian assurance, {v) and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves, demands and deserves our utmost diligence, (w) Proofs, {p) 2 Tim. i. 8, 9. " Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given in Christ Jesus before the world began." Eph. i. 3, 14. 1 Pet. i. 1, 2. *' Elect accord- ing to the foreknowledge of God." Rom. xi. 5, 6. John, xv. 16. 1 John, iv. 19. STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHTJECH. 139 {q) 2 Thcss. ii. 13, 14. " Because God hath from the begin- Ding chosen you unto salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth," etc. Acts, xiii. 48. John, x. 16. Acts, XV. 14. (r) Exod. xxxiii. 18, 19. "And Moses said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. And he said, I will cause all my goodness to pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee ; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy." Matt. xx. 15. Eph. i. 11. Rom. ix. 23, 24. Jer. xxxi. 3. Kom. xi. 28, 29. James, i. 17, 18. (s) 1 Cor. iv. 1. " For who maketh thee to differ from another?" 1 Cor. i. 26, 31. Rom. iii. 27. Rom. iv. 16. Col. iii. 12. 1 Cor. iii. 5, 7. 1 Cor. xv. 10. 1 Pet. v. 10. 1 Thess. ii. 13. 1 Pet. ii. 9. Luke, xviii. 7. John, xv. 16. 1 Thess. ii. 12. (t) 2 Tim. ii. 10. " Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." 1 Cor. ix. 22. Rom. viii. 28, 30. John vi. 37, 40. (u) 1 Thess. iv. 10. " Knowing, brethren beloved, your elec- tion of God : for our Gospel came unto you, not in word only, but in power," etc. (v) Rom. viii. 29, 30. " Whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called : and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified," etc. Isa. xlii. 16. Rom. xi. 29. 140 HISTOEY OF THE {w) 2 Pet. i. 10, 11. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure ; for if ye do these things ye shall never fail ; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Phil. iii. 12. Heb. vi. 11. Article YI. That those who die in infancy before thej are capable of distinguishing between good and evil, are saved through the merits of Christ, by rege- neration effected by the Spirit of God. Proofs. 2 Sam. xii. 23. " I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." Deut. i. 39. Matt, xviii. 10. Mark, x. 13, 14. "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God." Luke, xviii. 16, 11. Article VlL. That although Christ has become the end of the law for righteousness to all believers, (a?) it is yet their indispensable duty, and Trill, from the nature of regeneration, become their delight, (y) to observe the moral law, and all the precepts STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. 141 and ordinances which Christ and his Apostles have, by express command, or by their own examples, made a rule of Christian conduct. Proofs. (cc) Rora. X. 4. " For Christ is the end of the law for right- eousness to every one that believeth." (y) Rom. xiii. 8, 10. Matt. v. 17, 19. James, ii. 8, 11. Rom. vii. 22. 1 Cor. ix. 21. Rom. iii. 31. Rom. vii. 12. Pa. cxix. 97. Article YIII. That the only proper subjects of the ordi- nances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper are professed believers ; {z) that Baptism is properly administered by immersion only, {aa) and is, by scriptural example, a prerequisite to communion at the Lord's Table ; and that both Baptism and the Lord's Supper are of perpetual obligation. Proofs. (2) Matt. iii. 5, 6. " Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." Matt. iii. 7, 12. Mark, i. 5. Matt. xxviii.l9. Luke, iii. 8. Acts, ii. 38, 42. {aa) Matt. iii. 16. "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went 13 142 HISTOEY OF THE up straightway out of the waters Acts, viii. 88, 39. "And he commanded the chariot to stand still : and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the Eunuch ; and he bap- tized him, and when they were come up out of the water," etc. Acts, X. 47, 48. Kom. vi. 3, 5. Acts, xviii. 8. Col. ii. 12. 1 Pet. iii. 21. Article IX. That the first daj of the week should be hal- lowed as the Christian {hh) Sabbath, or Lord's daj, in commemoration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, by resting from all secular employment, and devoting the day to private and public worship, and religious instruction. Proofs, {bb) Exodus, XX. 8. "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Matt, xxviii. 1, 9. Mark, xvi. 1, 8. Luke, xxiv. 1, 7. John XX. 1, 8. Acts, xvi. 13. Rev. i. 10. Article X. That there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, {cc) and that we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ to receive according to the deeds done in the body, whether they be good or evil, {dd) STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHUECH. 143 when the wicked will go away in everlasting pnnisliment, but the righteous into life eter- nal, {ee) Proofs. {cc) Acts, xxiv. 15. " That there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust." \dd) 2 Cor. v. 10. " For we must all appear before the judg- ment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." {ee) Matt. xxv. 46. " And these shall go away into everlast- ing punishment; but the righteous into life eternal." Mark, xii. 24-27. John, xi. 25, 26. 2 Thess. i. 9. Rev. vii. 14-1'7. Eer. xxii. 11, -12. COVENANT. As we trust we have, by divine grace, been brought to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, and to give ourselves up to him; so we do now solemnly covenant with each other (as God shall enable us), to walk together in brotherly love, that we will exercise a Christian care and watch- fulness over each other, and faithfully warn, exhort, and admonish our brethren, as the case may require — that we will not forsake the assem- 144 HISTOKT OF THE Wing of ourselves together, nor omit tlie great duty of prayer, both for ourselves and others — that we will participate in each other's joys, and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other's burdens and sorrows — that we will seek divine aid to enable us to walk circum- spectly and watchfully in the world, denying ungodliness and every worldly lust — ^that we will strive together for the support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, as well as for the spread of the Gospel throughout the world, and through life, amidst evil report and good report, seek to live to the glory of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. The autumn of 1859 witnessed an increase of interest among the members ; the meetings were more fully attended than usual, and a spirit of renewed devotion was manifest. As many as eighty persons have arisen in a single evening, and testified to the goodness of the Eedeemer. The emotion of brotherly love is still in lively exercise ; some among us are anxious about their STANTON STEEET BAPTIST CHTJECH. 145 souls ; the Sunday-scliool and Bible Classes are in a thriving condition, and the church has abun- dant reason for gratitude that God is still with us. It might be interesting to add that, during our history, about thirty of our members have given themselves to the work of the ministry. Atten- tion is also called to " TTie Baptist Church Directory^'^ a guide to the doctrines, discipline, officers, ordinances, and customs of Baptist churches, by Eev. E. T. Hiscox, D.D. This excellent volume is issued in the same style as the present work, and by the same publishers ; and it is earnestly commended to the favorable notice of all. The present superintendent of the Sunday- school is Deacon William D. Mangam; Dea- con Eichard E. Peterson is secretary, and Deacon H. Phelps has charge of the infant department. Two adult Bible-classes are main- tained, in addition to those in the Sunday- school. The present number of teachers is 48, and of scholars, 531. Our school has had but three superintendents since the opening of our meeting-house in 1834, viz., Deacon James 13* 146 HISTORY OF THE Cowan, Deacon David Bailie, and the present incumbent. It may be of sufficient interest to add, that the prices of our pews remain as first fixed, more than a quarter of a century since : the choicest seat in the house rents for $20 per annum. As it is nowhere stated in the preceding pages, we insert here the regular meetings of the church. "We have three sermons on Sunday (except during a few weeks in the heat of sum- mer, when two are given) : at 10.30 a.m., 3 p.m., and at 7.30 p.m. We have a lecture every Tues- day evening and prayer-meeting every Friday evening throughout the year. The present Board of Trustees is composed as follows : Charles Cooper, chairman ; William D. Mangam, treasurer ; and Charles B. Stout, Clerk ; Paul Grout, Bichard E. Peterson, Wm. H. Palmer, Thomas D. Smith, Levi H. Mace, and there is one vacancy. With these events and remarks we conclude this part of our work. We have traced the history of the vine from its infancy, through early trials and struggles, to a period of fruitfulness and peace. STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHUBCH. 147 Well may we exclaim, in reviewing the past, " What hath God wrought /" Many of those, " Whose names these records bear," have been summoned to join the church within the veil ; and as they have been bidden away from the scenes of Christian labor and hope, so shall we also pass on to give account of the deeds done in the body. At the longest we have but a short time upon the earth, and all worthy motives combine to urge us so to spend the fleeting years as most to glorify our Father in Heaven. With many tears and sacrifices this post has been maintained in times past, and we should both labor and pray that, when we are gone, no vain or craven-hearted successors may surrender the ground consecrated by so many pious efforts, and so frequently made glorious by the presence of the Master. Rather let us pray that, on this beloved spot the banner of the cross may continue to wave, until the last sinner is converted, and the sun of time is set. 148 HISTORY OF THE Changes during the Fifth Period. TEARS. ADDED BY DIMINISHED BY 0* \ i 'a. 3 1 1 d o 1 1 t From Sept., '52, to June '63, 23 18 2 43 30 1 4 73 108 " June, '53, " '64, 6 n 70 83 39 3 1 48 « ii >64, « '65, 11 26 3 40 18 6 7 17 48 « " '66, « '66, 10 22 8 85 13 4 13 27 57 " '66, " 'e*?, Tl 38 29 138 29 5 3 13 60 a t. .5Y^ u . '58, 72 17 8 97 47 5 4 2 68 a tc >58^ u '59, 11 15 2 28 43 5 10 17 76 " " '59, to Dec, '59, 9 1 10 1] 4 15 Total, .... 204 152,118 1 474 230 29 46 149 454 Number when brother Hiscox came, 489 Gain, 474 Loss, 454 609 STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHFBCH. 14 D Grand Totals, CHANGES FROM ORIGIN TO DEC. 1, 1859. ADDED BY DIMINISHED BY 1 i 2 t3 "I57 821 20 443 830 12 • 474 2,257 1 5' B 1 .5 3 . During Period I Bet. Periods I. and II. . During Period 11 Bet. Periods II. and III. During Period III During Period IV Bet. Periods IV. and V. During Period V., to December 1st, 1859... 124 613 19 819 211 10 204 1.500 31 (1 194 1 103 103 1 152 590 2 14 16 16 1 118 167 30 142 296 151 259 80 230 38 4 34 30 1 29 11 45 9 31 41 20 46 9 IS 27 7 149 22 55 41 22 234 382 243 837 61 4M 1,138 136 2u3 210 77 1,764 Constituent number, 16 Total additions, 2,257 2,273 Total losg, 1 .764 No. of Members, December 1st, 1859, 509 THE KEGISTEE. *** h signifies reception by baptism ; I, reception by letter ; «, receivedi by experience. I in the last column signifies dismission by letter, andci- decease. Ashford, Mrs. Hannah / Sept. 23, 1823 Adams, Julia b Sept. 6, 1827 Austin, Mrs. Ann h Apr. 17, 1827 I Nov..2r,,1838; Adams, Sarah \ * Sept. 6, 1827 I Oct.. 27,1830 ( I Apr. 24, 1833 I Apr. 22, 1835 Austin, William b Aug. 1, 1828 I D«e; 29, 1841 Austin, Mrs. Maria b Sept. 3, 1828 I I>ec. 22, 1841 Alwoise, Mrs. Maria b June 23, 1830 I Sept. 27, 1833 Ask, Justus b Sept. 22, 1830 V May 24, 1833 Ask, Joseph E. 6 Feb. 23, 1831 I Oct. 25, 1833 Austin, Benjamin W. b June 22, 1831 I Nov. 21, 1838 Anderson, Miss b Nov. 23, 1831 Arnold, Mrs. Sabre b Mar. 23, 1832 / Aug. 24 1836 Anderson, Mrs. Hannah b Apr. 25, 1832 I May 24, 1842 Arnold, Mrs. Priscilla \ ^ ^^^^ ^0, 1832 I Sept. 20, 1848 ( I Oct. 25,. 1848 Anthony, Louisa (Mrs. Lee) b Jan. 30, r833 I June 22, 1836 Atkin, Eleanor e Feb. 22; 1833 d Aug. 15, 1840 Arnold, Hannah b May 21, 1834 ^ Jan. 27, 1841 Aitkin, Mrs. Eleanor I. May 28, 1834 I Jan.. 26, 1842. Arnold, Adeline j 6 June 25, 1834 ( I Dec. 3, 1841 I Jan. 27, 1841 /Apr. 27, 1855 152 niSTOKY OF THE Akerly, Richard C. I Dec. 31, 1834 I June 14, 1857 Akerly, Mrs. Priscilla I Dec. 31, 1834 I June 14, 1857 Akerly, Mary h May 27, 1885 Aug. 25, 1841 Allen, John I Dec. 30, 1835 I Jan. 27, 1841 Allen, Mrs. Abigail I Dec. 30, 1835 I Jan. 27, 1841 Arnold, Phebe(Mr8 Bogart) j ^'^''''- 2'^' ^^^^ ^ ^ ^\l Dec. 3, 1841 Ayres, James C. b Mar. 30, 1836 I Sppt. 26, 1838 Anstead, Robert h Apr. 20, 1836 Apr. 11, 1855 Ackerman, Mrs. Catherine 6 Feb. 22,1837 ? Jan. 27, 1841 Araerman, Mrs. Mary I Aug. 30, 1837 / Jan. 27, 1841 Akerly, Mrs. Susan h June 21, 1838 / Jan. 27, 1841 Applegatc, Adeline J Mar. 28,1838 Adam, Mrs. H. A. h Mar. 21, 1838 Axworthy, William h May 13, 1838 /June 23, 1841 Axworthy, Mrs. Jane b May 18, 1838 I June 23, 1841 . , . Af A SI I>ec. 31, 1838 I Jan. 27, 1841 Androvet, Mrs. Ann \ , ^ , J , ( I July 27, 1842 I Nov. 24, 1847 Ayres, Mrs. Sarah b Feb. 21, 1839 Jan. 23, 1856 Albertson, Eliza 6 Feb. 21,1839 ^ Feb. 3, 1841 Austin, Mrs. Elizabeth b Mar. 27, 1839 Araory, Peter B. b Mar. 30, 1840 /Jan. 27, 1841 Amory, Mrs. Dorothy A.M., b Apr. 29, 1835 I Jan. 27, 1841 Adams, Mrs. Lucinda 6 Jan. 26, 1842 Apr. 11, 1865 Ayres, Edwin b Feb. 22, 1843 May 29, 1850 Ayres, Mrs. L. C. b Feb. 23, 1842 I May 31, 1843 Akerly, Mrs. Margaretta b Feb. 14, 1844 Aug. 27, 1858 ( b Feb. 28, 1844 I Feb. 23, 1848 Anderson, Emily F. \ ^ p^,^^ 23, 1849 / Jan. 22, 1851 Andrews, Mrs. Elizabeth 6 May 18, 1844 / Sept. 25, 1844 Atkinson, Frances / Dec. 3, 1847 Apr. 11, 1855 Anderson, Amanda b Apr. 28, 1848 Aug. 18, 1852 Avery, Harris G. I June 2, 1848 I Apr. 23, 1852 Akerly, George B. b Feb. 26, 1849 July 21, 1852 STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. 153 Ackerraan, Mrs. Mary b Mar. 3, 1851 I Nov. 23, 1853 Ayres, Mrs. Margaret b Mar. 26, 1850 Apr. 11, 1855 Anderson, Hannah ZJuly 5, 1850 ;Oct, 22, 1856 Arnold, Elizabeth A. b Mar. 24, 1852 (/Aug. 15, 1855 Armstrong, William P. b June 9, 1852 I Oct. 21, 1857 Anderson, Hannah e May 5, 1854 I Arnold, Mrs. Sarah b Feb. 23, 1848 Angevine, Amanda eMay 5, 1854 Adams, Charles I Oct. 3, 1856 I July 28, 1858 Adams, Mrs. Jessie I Oct. 3, 1856 / July 28, 1858 Armstrong, Catherine b Apr. 1, 1857 Allison, Mrs. Rachel ( b Apr. 3, 1853 i ^ Nov. 27, 1857 I Mar. 26, 1856 Angel, Anna b Mar. 26, 1858 Austin, Sarah E. b Apr, 7, 1858 Austin, Anna b Apr. 7, 1858 Arment, Mrs. Mary I Jan. 24, 1855 Adams, Sarah I July 30, 1858 Alflin, Susan C. / July 30, 1858 Albers, Wm. Henry b Oct. 29, 1858 Sept. 21, 1859 Andrews, Amanda Sept. 26, 1849 Apsey, William S. ZJune 3, 1859 Blakely, Mrs. Charlotte /Sept. 23, 1823 I Sept. 28, 1827 I May 27, May 19, 1826 1830 Blakely, Jane b Sept. 23, 1825 I May 24, 1833 Boyd, John I July 31, 1826 I Sept. 28, 1827 Boyce, Mary &Mar. 2, 1827 Brooks, Mary b Apr. 17, 1827 ZJuly 27, 1831 Brooks, Caroline 6 Apr. 17, 1827 I July 27, 1831 Bennett, Ebenezer b June 25, 1828 Beckwith, Laura b Sept. 3, 1828 Beckwith, Mary M. j b Sept. 3, 1828 i I July 28, 1833 I Aug. 26, I Oct. 23, , 1831 1839 Bruce, George 6 Oct. 1, 1828 i cf Jan. 2, 1855 Gardner, Mrs. Ann I June 26. 1860 Garnsey, Mrs. Louisa I April 3, 1844 I Nov. 24, 1852 Granger, William H. b Mar. 3, 1850 I Aug. 18, 1852 Granger, Mrs. Mary b Mar. 3, 1850 Aug. 18, 1852 Griffith, Catharine 6 Mar. 26, 1850 Grady, Eliza b Mar. 26, 1850 Ganong, Chauncey B. I Aug. 30, 1850 I April 27, 1853 Grout, Paul b Jan. 29, 1851 176 HISTOET OF THE Greasley, Mrs. Mary e Jan. 2, 1852 I Sept. 22, 1858 Grout, Thomas J. b Mar. 24, 1852 Garnsey, Mrs. Catharine h Feb. 20, 1839 Geary, Harriet b May 31, 1854 Grout, Edward b Mar 23, 1853 Grandy, William I Sept. 21, 1854 ZFeb. 24, 1856 Grandy, Mrs. Gertrude I Sept. 21, 1854 ZFeb. 24, 1856 Gallup, Mrs. Sarah / Nov. 22, 1854 Gallup, Mrs. Ellen I Nov. 22, 1854 Gallup, Daniel 6 Feb. 21, 1855 Gray, Mrs. Rebecca Ann e Mar. 20, 1855 I Groom, Martha I Feb. 20, 1857 Grout, Mrs. Hannah Elizabeth I Feb. 2Y, 1857 Gallup, Leonard H. h April 8, 1857 Geer, Mrs. Rachael e April 23, 1857 Gasque, Mrs. Amanda b April 23, 1857 Grobow, Sarah E. b Jan. 29, 1858 Gibbons, George S. b Feb. 24, 1858 Gillespie, Mrs. Isabella b April 23, 1857 Grime, Henry b May 26, 1858 Gessing, Mrs. Gertrude A. / July 30, 1858 /May 6, 1859 Grime, Mrs. Elizabeth b Sept. 24, 1858 Gove, Mrs. Celia A. e May 3, 1854 Grady, Mrs. EUza b Mar. 26, 1850 Germond, Mrs. Pamela ( b Mar. 1, 1839 ( I Feb. 28, 1851 / Jan. ZMar. 27, 11, 1841 1859 Gordon, Mrs. Adeline June 24, 1841 Hazlet, John j I Sept. 23, 1823 ^ZMay 12,1830 I Nov. Jan. 4, 28, 1828 1830 Hyde, Stephen I Sept. 23, 1823 I Jan. 2, 1828 Hyde, Catharine I Sept. 23, 1823 ZFeb. 27, 1828 Hazlet, Mrs. Zilpah / Sept. 23, 1823 I Nov. 4, 1828 Hazlet, Mrs. Jane I Sept. 23, 1823 /July 21, 1841 Hulse, Ann b Nov. 9, 1823 Jan. 26, 1830 Hubbell, Daniel b Mar. 30, 1827 /Oct. 27, 1830 STANTON STKEET BAPTIST CHUHCH. 177 Hankins, William H. j 5 April 24, 1827 Z Oct. 27,1830 ( I Oct. 26, 1831 Sept. 23, 1835 Hankins, Mrs. Margaret j ^ ^^^^ 1^' ^^27 ^ Oct. 27,1830 \ I Oct. 26, 1831 Hewlett, Mrs. Hannah h Oct. 2o, 1827 Sept. 23, 1835 Haskins, Miss I Nov. 28, 1827 I May 18, 1831 Hewlett, Heman b April 2, 1828 Aug. 25, 1841 Heath, Miss Charlotte h April 2, 1828 I Dec. 23, 1846 Howe, Mrs. Sarah E. ] ^ ^P^^^ ^' ^^-^ ( c? June 15, 1859 Hall, William I June 23, 1829 Henry, Rufus ^ ^^^- ^'^^29 ^ Oct. 26,1831 UFeb. 22,1832 Feb. 22,1832 Henry, Mrs. e Oct. 23, 1829 I Oct. 26, 1831 Hickock, Mrs. Kachel 6 Oct. 26,1831 J Mar. 26,1836 Howell, Mrs. Elizabeth / Mar. 23, 1832 Howe, John 6 April 23, 1832 Feb. Hopkins, Mrs. Maria I June 20, 1832 Howard, Elias b Sept. 26, 1832 I Jan. Hawes, Miss Eleanor I Dec. 26, 1832 I Oct. Howell, Eliza 6 Xor. 29,1833 ? Jan. Hammond, Mrs. Tirzah I Jan. 24, 1834 I Jan. Harris, Silas I Feb. 21, 1834 I Feb. Harris, Mrs. Hester Ann I Feb. 21, 1834 d May Hyde, Mrs. Sarah b May 21, 1834 I Jan. Hull, Mrs. Maria I Sept. 24, 1834 I Jan. Hughes, Sister Elizabeth I Dec. Hoyt, Mrs. Clarissa I Dec. 24, 1834 Hart, Mrs. Julia Ann \^ ^^'' ^5, 1834 I Jan. 27, 1847 WMar. 3,1848 Hull, Josiah I Jan. 27, 1836 I Jan. 27, 1841 Horton, Mrs. Maria 6 Feb'. 24,1836 ^ July 21,1841 Higgins, Ann Eliza h April 27, 1836 I Jan. 27, 1841 Hinman, Mrs. b May, 25, 1836 I Aug. 25, 1841 Hyde, Mary Ann 6 May 25,1836 22, 1852 23, 1833 25, 1833 27, 1836 27, 1841 8, 1841 29, 1839 27, 1841 27, 1841 24, 1834 178 HISTOEY OF THE Hyde, Thomas Healy, Mrs. Catharine Hammond, James Hendrickson, George F. Hull, John Hyatt, Piatt Hatfield, Eliza Hyde, Mrs. Maria Husted, Julia Ann Hyatt, Mrs. Kezia Hammond, Mrs. Emeline Husted, Mrs. Harriet Jean Husted, Morris Husted, Mrs. Lucinda Hyatt, Sarah Hurlbut, Mary Higgins, John 0. Higgins, Mrs. Susan A. Hunt, Mrs. Jane Harvey, Mrs. Mary Horton, Mrs. Ann Elizabeth Horton, Mrs. Mary Hocker, Elizabeth Hart, Hethcote N. Hopkinson, Sarah Hammond, Henry D. Hammond, Mrs, Eliza Harrison, Mrs. Henrietta Hogan, Mrs. Eliza Jane Harring, Mrs. Mary Hoyt, Mrs. Clara h Sept. 21, 1836 ZJan. 27, 1841 b Oct. 26, 1836 c/Mar. 5, 1838 6 Feb. 15, 1837 / April 3, 1844 6 Feb. 22, 1837 /Mar. 31, 1841 6 Feb. 22, 1837 /Feb. 3, 1841 6 Feb. 22, 1837 / Jan. 27, 1841 6 Mar. 1, 1837 6 Mar. 3, 1837 /Feb. 3, 1841 6 Mar. 3, 1837 / Jan. 27, 1841 ZMay 29, 1837 /Jan. 27, 1841 b June 21, 1837 / April 3, 1844 6 July 26, 1837 /May — 1839 b Aug. 2, 1837 /Dec. 23, 1846 b Aug. 2, 1837 /Dec. 23, 1846 6 Nov. 1. 1837 /Jan. 27, 1841 / Nov. 1, 1837 b Dec. 27, 1837 / June 23, 1841 I Sept. 10, 1847 /Dec. 26, 1851 /Dec. 27, 1837 / June 23, 1841 b Jan. 24, 1838 /Jan. 27, 1841 b Jan. 31, 1838 /Nov. 21, 1838 b Jan. 81, 1838 Jan. 10, 1856 /July 21, 1841 6 Feb. 21, 1838 / Sept. 21, 1842 6 Feb. 21, 1838 /Jan. 27, 1847 /Mar. 3, 1848 Mar. 1, 1843 Mar. 25, 1858 ^May 31, 1843 /Mar. 25, 1858 STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. 199 Palmer, Mrs. Hannah 6 May 31, 1843 /Mar. 25, 1858 Price, Eliza W. I Nov. 29, 1843 /Mar. 21, 1849 Pierce, John 6 Feb. 28, 1844 / Feb. ^ .25, 1852 Plumb, Elizabeth J. 6 Feb. 28, 1844 / April^ 23, 1852 Price, Henry h April 5, 1844 /Feb. 18, 1846 Plumb, William ZAprU 5, 1844 /April 23, 1852 Plumb, Mrs. Cynthia Z April 5, 1844 /April 23, 1852 Peterson, Sarah Ann 6 May 18, 1844 / Sept. 25, 1844 Peck, John B. 6 Feb. 19, 1845 Oct. 13, 1858 Perry, George F. ZMar. 28, 1845 /Dec. 23, 1846 Parks, Reuben S. Z Jan. 25, 1845 /Jan. 26, 1848 Pratt, Mrs. EHzabeth 6 Aug. 1, 1845 /July 22, 1847 Pippinger, Mrs. Elizabeth iFeb. 20, 1846 /Jan. 27, 1847 Pratt, OUver 6 Feb. 20, 1846 / Nov. 25, 1857 Provost, Mary 5 Feb. 27, 1846 Jan. 2^, 1847 Palmer, Mrs. Adelia 6 Nov. 23, 1842 Pettis, John f ZMay \ I Feb. 1, 1846 23, 1849 /Feb. (/June 23, 1848 1849 Porter, Henry C. ZMar. 5, 1847 /July 22, 1847 Pettis, Mrs. Emily A. j b Feb. ■ ZFeb. 28, 1844 23, 1849 /Feb. / Jan. 23, 22, 1848 1851 Preston, David e July 30, 1847 d Purdy, EUza h Jan. 31, 1848 Aug. 18, 1852 Plumb, William Henry b Jan. 31, 1848 Oct. 25, 1855 Palmer, WiUiam Henry J Mar. 1, 1848 Plumb, Edwin B. 5 Mar. 1, 1848 Pierson, Amanda 6 April I 28, 1848 Aug. 18, 1852 Pierson, Mrs. Rachel 6 Mar. 23, 1849 Pierson, Rachel 6 Mar. 23, 1849 Page, Mrs. Catharine M. 6 Mar. 30, 1849 Provost, Reuben /May 4, 1849 /Aug. 18, 1S52 Provost, Mrs. Louisa E. /May 4, 1849 /Aug. 18, 1852 Perkins, Richard 6 May 26, 1850 April 23, 1851 Palmer, Francis H. 6 Oct. 20, 1850 (/Sept. 15, 1855 Peck. Mrs. Marv « Jan. 2, 1852 200 HISTORY OF THB Peck, Ferdinand h Mar. 24, 1852 Porter, Mrs. Maria Jane b Feb. 19, 1845 Feb. 20, 1856 Pratt, CyQthia S. i Feb. 25,1848 /Nov. 25,1857 Patterson, Mrs. Elizabetli F. h May 23, 1851 Nov. 4, 185Y Partridge, Mrs. Julia b Mar. 2, 1842 Nov. 24, 1858 Phelps, Mrs. Francis Amelia b Feb. 2, 1848 I Mar. 27, 1857 Piper, Mary I Dec. 22, 1853 Pruden, Thomas / Sept. 21, 1854 /Dec. 10,1858 Pruden, Mrs. Anna I Sept. 21, 1854 I Dec. 10, 1858 Pitowsky, Arnold h Jan. 31, 1855 Palmer, Harriet b Jan. 23, 1856 / Mar. 25, 1858 Patrick, Martha E. b Mar. 28, 1856 Price, Edward e Oct. 1, 1856 / Dec. 24, 1856 Prichard, Mrs. Margaret e,Oct. 1, 1856 Pierson, John b Mar. 27, 1857 I Oct. 21, 1857 Pierson, Mrs. Mary Ann h Mar. 27, 1857 / Oct. 21, 1857 Prankard, Francis T. b April 1, 1857 Peterson, William T. h April 8, 1857 Peterson Mrs. Eliza J. b April 8, 1857 Prankard, Thomas G. b April 23, 1857 Pepper, Mrs. Lucy b April 23, 1857 Price, John H. I June 5, 1857 Pettiner, Daniel b Nov. 27, 1857 I Nov. 24, 1858 Pettiner, Mrs. Elizabeth I Nov. 27, 1857 / Nov. 24, 1858 Pettiner, William H. I Dec. 4, 1857 / Nov. 24, 1858 Pomroy, Jesse H. b Mar. 25, 1858 Pomroy, Mrs. Mary Eliza b Mar. 1, 1844 Post, Mrs. Mary \ ^ ^'«^- ^6, 1845 I Jan. 21, 1852 ' ^ UJan. 25,1854 /Dec. 23,1859 Piatt, Mrs. Amanda A. / Mar. 27, 1857 d May 26, 1859 Prankard, Mrs. Adelaide R. h April 1, 1857 Quick, Susan / Mar. 23, 1836 / May 24, 1837 Quitters, Catharine b Mar. 25, 1840 / Sept. 29, 1841 Quinn, Keturah F. b Feb. 4, 1848 Mar. 22, 1848 STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHTJKCH. 201 Robertson, Mrs. Rebecca I Mar. 16, 1825 July 15, Ripley, Mrs. AbigaU I b Feb. { I Mar. 13, 1828 3, 1850 /July Nov. 27, 21, Rust, Samuel 6 July 28, 182Y May 5, Robinson, Wm. b Sept. 14, 1821 Oct. 26, Rust, Mrs. 6 Nov. 28, 1827 /Jan. 29, Reed, Mrs. Mary 6 Oct. 1, 1828 /Aug. 27, Reed, Wm. 6 Nov. 4, 1828 Dec. 21, Rockwood, Mrs. Lucretia /Apr. 20, 1831 /Oct. 26, Redica, Mrs. Matilda 6 Apr. 1, 1835 /Feb. 3, Runnells, Mrs. Mary 6 Apr, 20, 1836 /Jan. 27, Robertson, John C. 6 Apr. 27, 1836 (/July 9, Robertson, Edward 6 July 26, 1836 Nov. 24, Regan, Mrs. Catharine E. 6 Feb. 15, 183'7 /Feb. 24, Rundle, Eliza 6 Feb. 15, 1837 /Aug. 23, Robertson, Mrs. Ellen 6 Mar. 1, 1837 Roof, Mrs. Sarah Ann 6 Feb. 22, 1837 /July 22, Reeves, Mrs. Mary 6 May 1, 1828 Feb. 2, Richards, Mrs. Maria I Sept. 27, 1837 /Apr. 22, Ritter, Lydia b Jan. 24, 1838 /Feb. 24, Randall, Mrs. EUzabeth D . J Feb. 21, 1838 /Jan. 27, Ross, John 6 Feb. 28, 1838 /Feb. 3, Ross, Mrs. Susan /Feb. 3, Randall, W. H. /Feb. 28, 1838 /Jan. 27, RandaU, Mrs. Mary /Feb. 28, 1838 / Jan. 27, Redica, Cath. Elizabeth 6 Mar. 28, 1838 /Feb. 3, Ryno, Phebe L. /AprU 18, 1838 /Jan. 27, Ross, William b June 21, 1838 Sept. 29, Rockwell, David 5 May 23, 1838 /Feb. 3, Ritter, Margaret 6 July 25, 1838 /Feb. 24, Rotheray, Mrs. Mary 6 Oct. ' /Mar. 3, 1838 30, 1853 /Oct. 23, Rogers, Mrs. Maria b Jan. 29, 1839 /Jan. 27, Ross, James b Jan. 29, 1839 /Feb. 3, Roe, Mrs. Louisa ( b Jan. 1/May 29, 1839 25, 1842 /April /Dec. 21, 23, 202 HISTORY OF THE Rowland, Mrs. Marietta, I Sept. 20, 1843 Rotheray, WiUiam b Jan. 29, 1839 I Jan. 27, 1841 Runnels, Benj. b Feb. 20, 1839 I Jan. 27, 1841 Robords, Cynthia b Feb. 21, 1839 I Dee. 23, 1840 Remmick, Mrs. Lydia b Feb. 27, 1839 I Jan. 27, 1841 Ross, Mrs. Nancy b May 29, 1839 / Feb. 3, 1841 Rowland, Mrs. Marietta b Feb. 19, 1840 I Sept. 20, 1843 Runnells, Loxiisa b Feb. 19, 1840 I Jan^ 27, 1841 Ross, Mary b Feb. 19, 1840 I Feb. 3, 1841 Rowland, Richard b Feb. 28, 1840 I Jan. 27, 1841 Rowland, William b Feb. 28, 1840 I Sept. 20, 1843 Rogers, Mrs. Lydia Ann b Mar. 25, 1840 / Jan. 27, 1841 Rogers, Edgar b Mar. 25, 1840 / Jan. 27, 1841 Remmick, Rebecca b Mar. 25, 1840 I Jan. 27, 1841 Robertson, Mrs. Esther b Mar. 25, 1840 Aug. 23, 1844 Rowland, David b Mar. 25, 1840 I Jan. 27, 1841 Ritter, John 0. b April 7, 1841 April 20, 1842 Raymond, Elizabeth I June 23, 1841 I Aug. 18, 1852 t Ritter, Mrs. Margaret i Dec. 22,1841 Z Nov. 25,1846 Roe, Peter 6 May 25, 1842 I Dec. 23, 1846 Reed, Lucy Ann b Dec. 22, 1842 I July 22, 1846 Reed, Mary Ann b Jan. 23, 1843 April 22, 1846 Russell, Hannah 6 Mar. 1, 1843 Rickason, William, b Mar. 22, 1843 I Feb. 24, 1847 Rogers, Mrs. Eliza b Mar. 29, 1843 Aug. 18, 1852 Richardson, Mrs. Mehetable 6 Feb. 14, 1844 I Feb. 24, 1847 Riggs, David, jr. b Feb. 28, 1844 d Nov. 3, 1846 Reviere, Hannah Ann b Feb. 28, 1844 I Jan. 21, 1852 Russell, Mrs. Eliza Ann I AprU 3, 1844 I Nov. 25, 1846 Rolla, Mrs. Mary E. \^^'^' 1^' 1^45 ' ^ ( Dec. 23, 1859 Robertson, Caroline R. b Mar. 28, 1845 Feb. 25, 1852 Remmington, Rev. Stephen / Nov. 27, 1846 I Jan. 21, 1852 Remmington, Mrs. Eliza A. Z Nov. 27, 1846 c?Dec. 7,1851 Rogers, Mrs. Sarah b Mar. 1, 1843 I Dec. 23, 1846 I Dec. 23, 1857 STANTOIT STEEET BAPTIST CHUKCH. 203 Ridabock, Jacob H. b Feb. 6, 1847 Roop, Deborah Ann I May 28, 1847 Aug. 18, 1852 Bitter, Mrs. Eleanor b Nov. 26, 1847 June 20, 1849 Bidabock, Margaret b Jan. 81, 1848 Baymond, William H. I Jan. 31, 1848 Bice, James b Feb. 23, 1848 d May 27, 1859 Bedstone, Margaret b April 28, 1848 Beviere, John b Feb. 23, 1851 ^Aug. 27, 1856 Beviere, Mrs, Martha b Feb. 23, 1851 ^Aug. 27, 1856 Biggens, Cornelius b April 25, 1851 Badclifif, Louisa G. b Feb. 28, 1851 /May 21, 1856 Bemmington, Mrs. Sarah B. b June 1, 1849 /May 26, 1852 Bandall, Mrs. Elizabeth e May 5, 1854 Bandall, Mary e May 5, 1854 c/July 13, 1855 Bodgers, Bosanna I Sept. 21, 1854 /Mar. 26, 1856 Bobertson, Henry N. I Nov. 21, 1855 Bichards, Humphrey e Oct. 1, 1856 Bichards, Mrs. Sarah e Oct. 1, 1856 Bichards, Mrs. Jane e Oct. 1, 1856 Bichards, Cadwallader e Oct. 8, 1856 Baynor, Ann b April 28, 1857 Beeves, Mary F. b Jan. 29, 1858 Bustin, Mrs. Mary E. (6 Mar. 1,1848 ( April 7, 1858 Mar. 26, 1856 /April 7, 1858 Bobinson, Mrs. Maria b Mar. 28, 1856 Boboson, Mrs. Eliza b Mar. 27, 1858 Bobertson, Mrs. Bhoda b Sept. 24, 1858 Beeves, Mrs. Elizabeth b Mar. 25, 1859 Swift, William B. / Sept. 23, 1823 Oct. 26, 1836 Seger, Andrew I Oct. 3, 1823 /Feb. 27, 1828 Seger, John b Jan. 27, 1828 /Oct. 1, 1828 Salsbury, Mrs. Margaret b May 1, 1828 /Feb. 24, 1847 Stout, Helena b AprU 10, 1827 /Nov. 25, 1846 SafferUj Mrs. Ann 6 May 17,1827