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 Tabernacle Church : 
 
 ITS HISTORY AND WORK 
 
 WITH THE DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE RESIGNATION 
 OF ITS PASTOR, 
 
 Rev. JOSEPH P. THOMPSON, D. D. 
 
 
 NEW YORK 
 1871. 
 
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 BROADWAY 
 
 Tabernacle Church : 
 
 ITS HISTORY AND WORK : 
 
 WITH THE DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE RESIGNATION 
 OF ITS PASTOR, 
 
 Rev. JOSEPH P. THOMPSON, 0. D. 
 
 NEW YORK. 
 1871. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENT 
 
 RESIGNATION. 
 
 On the morning of Sabbath, October 22d, 1871, the pastor 
 made to the congregation the following announcement : 
 
 In fulfillment of a purpose formed some time ago, for a reason 
 strictly personal, which at that time was conclusive to my own 
 mind, and which has since become imperative, I do now resign 
 the office of pastor in this church, which I have held for more 
 than twenty-six years. I shall request the church, at its 
 meeting on the 1st of November next, to unite with me in 
 calling a Council for the dissolution of the pastoral relation. 
 But it would not be proper to keep the congregation in sus- 
 pense until that time ; and I therefore affectionately invite all 
 persons who are stated attendants upon my ministry, members 
 of the congregation as well as of the church, to come together 
 in an informal manner, to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock, in the 
 chapel ; when, in the confidence of a family gathering, I will 
 state the cause which has compelled me to this step, and which 
 at the same time compels my retirement from every form of 
 public office and responsibility. In making this announce- 
 ment, from a decided though painful conviction of duty, I throw 
 myself upon that indulgent regard with which this people of 
 my love have always favored me. 
 
 Having announced his resignation, the pastor preached the 
 following sermon. 
 
SERMON 
 
 LtTKE ii., 2U, 30. Lord, now lettest tliou tliy servant depart in peace, accord- 
 ing to thy word : for mine eyes Lave ^■■■\i thy salvation. 
 
 Depart we must. Depart, it may be, like Abraham from 
 home, kindred, country, — going forth into a strange land, " not 
 knowing whither he went." Depart, it may be, like Moses, 
 from position, influence, honors, hopes, — to go out alone into the 
 wilderness. Depart, it may be, like Paul from his beloved 
 church at Ephesus, with prayers and tears and sorrow of heart, 
 obeying the voice of Providence, not knowing what should befall 
 him, save that afflictions awaited him wherever he should go. 
 Depart we must, at length, every one of us, upon that solitary 
 journey from which " he shall return no more to his house, 
 neither shall his place know him any more." All human utter- 
 ances, in language and in art, the strains of poetry and of music, 
 have gathered sadness around the thought of parting ; and one 
 of the most blissful hopes of heaven is ihat there we shall meet 
 to part no more. 
 
 Yet it is possible that parting should bring with it only peace. 
 The realization of God's will in the act itself; the consum- 
 mation of God's purpose in the events that have led to it, or 
 have made it necessary ; the assurance that God will accom- 
 plish the work of salvation in him who goes and in those who 
 remain, — will make the parting peaceful in itself, and cause it 
 to open the way to a peace ineffable and everlasting. He who 
 identifies his life with the kingdom of God, when called to go 
 anywhere, in the world or out of it, shall depart in peace. 
 
It was this that imparted such exquisite serenity to the last 
 days of Simeon. His years admonished him that the end of life 
 was near ; but he had one great hope to live for — that he might 
 see the Lord's Christ ; and when he took the babe in his arms, 
 the gates of heaven opened, that he could depart in peace. How 
 beautiful the old age of piety ! — the faith and devotion that 
 through a long life have waited upon God merging into the 
 peace of Christ's coming and the joy of the heavenly rest : no 
 fears, no anxieties, no cares, no doubts, but a trust in God so 
 calm and full that even death is waited for in holy expectation 
 as the consolation promised to Israel, as the longed-for vision of 
 Christ ! This rich peace in prospect of death comes of a life of 
 faith — "just and devout " — according to the word of God. A 
 holy life is the prelude of a happy death. 
 
 But the aged saint is not simply waiting for his departure : 
 he is not severed from the present and translated beforehand 
 into the future. Sometimes such an one fancies that because 
 his days of activity are over he has outlived his usefulness ; but 
 his life of patience and hope, his mature and serene piety, his 
 devout waiting upon God, are a continual argument for the 
 gospel. He brings forth fruit in old age. The cedar with the 
 growth of centuries upon it still flourishes in majestic beauty. 
 " The palm-tree remains green all the year round ; in the cold 
 of winter no less than in the heat of summer. It grows slowly, 
 but steadily, uninfluenced by those alternations of the seasons 
 which affect other trees. Drawing its moisture from hidden 
 springs, when the green of the meadows is withered, and the 
 earth is parched to powder, the palm-tree still lifts aloft its 
 verdant roof of leaves." The righteous shall flourish like the 
 palm-tree. Thus vigorous and refreshing was the piety of the 
 aged Simeon, as, amid the unbelief and deadness of his times, he 
 prayed and waited for the consolation of Israel. But his hope 
 and joy were not for himself alone. He longed and prayed for 
 the salvation of the world — a salvation which, coming with a 
 peculiar glory to his own beloved nation, should also lighten the 
 Gentiles and shine upon the face of all people. 
 
 He who would keep his own heart fresh, his own piety glow- 
 ing, should carry in his heart and remember in his prayers the 
 
welfare of the whole world. Thus loving and praying, he can 
 never grow old, never be weary, never really die ; for he is 
 identified with that which is undying and sure. To live is to 
 be the Lord's, and to depart is peace; for this is to be with 
 Christ, which is far better. There are two things that a good 
 man longs for as he goes on in years — the assurance of a godly 
 posterity, and some token of the salvation of the Lord ; and 
 these longings were satisfied to this patient saint. 
 
 Who Simeon was — what was his occupation, what was his 
 social standing, what office he held, how much he was worth 
 when he died — such items as these that men make so much of, 
 and by which they estimate one another, are all left out of the 
 Bible story. The one thing that gave Simeon a name and a 
 place in this story was his devout longing and hope for his 
 nation and the world through the coming of Christ. " The 
 secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will show 
 them his covenant ; " and Simeon had so completely identified 
 his life with that spiritual kingdom which Isaiah and other 
 prophets had foretold, that the Lord took him, as it were, into 
 his purposes ; and by the Holy Spirit assured him that ' • he 
 should not see death till he had seen the Lord's Christ." We 
 know not that Simeon had children of his own ; but he adopted 
 this Christ-child as the child of his prayer; and, waiting, he 
 beheld in him the seed of faith, the posterity of righteous souls, 
 the hope of coming generations, — above all, the Restorer of the 
 kingdom of holiness, the Redeemer of the world. And seeing 
 this, he could depart without one unsatisfied desire. His words 
 were not a prayer for release from life, but the grateful, adoring 
 acknowledgment that life was ended in peace, by the filling-out 
 of its one great hope. He who lives in and for the salvation 
 of Grod is ready always to accept the changes that Grod appoints, 
 and to depart in peace. 
 
 I. He who lives to Grod knows that, to that extent, his life is 
 not in vain. Small, indeed, is the showing that most men can 
 make of the value of their lives, as reckoned upon what they 
 themselves have done or produced for the use and benefit of man- 
 kind. Here and there an inventor, a discoverer, a poet, a phil- 
 anthropist, a statesman, a general, a reformer — the rare man of 
 
the centuries — is permitted, while yet living, to measure the 
 o-ood his life has conferred upon the world. But how small a 
 space in history or in affairs does any one life fill ! How do num- 
 bers compress the individual ! how do events dwarf his deeds 1 
 The weekly village newspaper may devote three columns to an 
 obituary of the village squire, doctor, or deacon ; but, in the 
 crowded columns of the city press, a Gasparin, a Grote, a Hum- 
 boldt is dismissed with thirty lines — most men with three, and 
 paid for at that ! And so the thoughtful, modest man will ask 
 himself: Of what account is my life to the world ? What have 
 I done that I shall be remembered by when I am gone ? What 
 am I, that I should be missed when I am gone ! Had I enjoyed 
 such or such opportunities of education, position, fortune, or had 
 I better understood how to improve the occasions brought within 
 my reach, I might have done something worth living for ; but 
 life, as I look back upon it, has been pretty much in vain ! And 
 life is in vain — it may be worse than in vain — except as it is 
 linked to that which lives. 
 
 But when the individual merges himself in that Redemp- 
 tion of Humanity for which Christ lived and died, when what 
 he lives for is not to make himself a name, but to make known 
 the name of Christ, and to bring glory to that name ; then does 
 his life partake of the life-power, which is incorruptible and im- 
 mortal. He can no more live in vain than Christ lived in vain, 
 than God lives in vain. He may not be able to gather in the 
 fruits of his life ; but none of them shall fail, and the great Har- 
 vester will gather them in due time. With the humility of 
 a true disciple he may count his sphere one of lowly service ; 
 but though he die, his works shall follow him. " Good old 
 Simeon " was, perhaps, the highest epithet that aged Jew had 
 won in his own narrow circle ; but he put himself in the line of 
 God's salvation in Christ ; and behold, his name is storied in the 
 Gospel, it is hymned in the praises of the Church, it is wrought 
 upon the canvas of the great masters, surrounded with the halo 
 of Christ's coming ; it is wreathed into crowns of peace and 
 hope over the dying-bed of the aged pilgrim. 
 
 II. He who lives unto God can depart in peace, since he 
 knows that the future of the world will be the brighter because 
 
9 
 
 of his prayers and toils ; and that the cause he loves, and has 
 lived for, will not die. The man who plants an acorn hardly 
 expects to see the full-grown oak, but he has faith in the laws 
 of nature, and provides shade and beauty, and eventually builds 
 ships and houses for other generations. No man can feel sure 
 that the linn he establishes, the house ho builds, the bank ho 
 creates, the government or dynasty he founds, shall stand for 
 fifty years ; for he who builds upon human calculations, with 
 human elements, for human interests, builds with uncertain and 
 perishable materials. But he who works in the line of nature's 
 laws, works with agencies as lasting as time. He knows that 
 sun and air and rain will work on without ceasing, year in and 
 year out ; that the silent forces which, for so many hundred 
 years, — while generations and races of men have come and gone,— 
 have pumped up the sap to the topmost leaves of the big trees 
 of California, and of the cedars of Lebanon, — these silent forces 
 will never tire of their work, will never be overcome by gravity, 
 nor killed by winter ; but when decay shall undermine one of 
 their living structures, they will forthwith build up another from 
 its roots, or at its side, and so perpetuate the life of vegetation, 
 world without end. And so in the moral world ; he who works 
 with God's laws and for God's ends, links his life with that 
 which cannot die. His prayers and toils and tears may seem 
 '•as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up 
 again ;" but these are the silent forces that enter into the 
 growth of that tree of life whose "leaves are for the healing of 
 the nations." For Christ associates our prayers with his provi- 
 dential purposes, and gathers our toils and tears into his eternal 
 triumphs. That which you see accomplished may be small to 
 human vices ; that which you rest your hope upon may seem 
 most feeble and unpromising to the wisdom of this world : but 
 if it be of God and for God, its future is sure. 
 
 There came into the temple a poor woman, the wife of a vil- 
 lage carpenter, fresh from the manger where she had cradled her 
 babe, — too poor to bring the lamb appointed for sacrifice ; yet 
 the faith of Simeon discerned in this child of poverty the light- 
 that should lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. In 
 him he beheld all prophecy fulfilled, all promise made sure, the 
 
10 
 
 redemption of the world, the salvation of God. And thus seeing 
 and believing, he could depart in peace. 
 
 So of whatever work you begin in the spirit of Christ and to 
 the glory of his name. The church you organize, the mission 
 you start, the Christian school you found, the charity you 
 endow, may be small and unpromising in its begining ; but if 
 the spirit of Christ is in it, this little nursling in your arms 
 shall be a very Christ-child from which shall radiate the promise 
 of salvation for the world, and the benediction of peace for 
 your departure. 
 
 III. He who lives for God can depart in peace at any time 
 and any whither, because he knows that the time appointed of 
 God for his departure is the best. He who had kept the ages 
 waiting for his promise, in the fullness of time, brought his Christ 
 into his temple. He who through long years of disappoint- 
 ment kept Simeon waiting in prayer and faith for the consola- 
 tion of Israel, at last brought salvation to his eyes that he 
 might depart in peace. God knows best where to place us, how 
 to use us, when to take us away. " My times are in thy hand; 
 the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me." Wherever 
 God appoints us to be, he has work for us to do ; and to feel 
 that we are doing God's will and work is life, is peace, is joy. 
 There is no such perfect freedom as this service of God ; no 
 such independence as that of depending only upon him ; no 
 such imperturbable peace as comes of inaugurating his will over 
 all our wishes, works, and ways. Under his lead we shall 
 always be in the right place, shall always take the right step, 
 shall always do the right thing. So long as God has any work 
 for us to do in this world, ho will show us where to find it, and 
 will provide the means for doing it ; and when he has no longer 
 any work for us here, what boundless spheres of activity will be 
 opened to the faithful servant, without the cost and the 
 incumbrance of " this earthly." 
 
 The changes that God appoints are always the best for us ; ' 
 and knowing this, we can always depart in peace. It is natural 
 that we should wish to finish our work to our own mind. But 
 how often does God teach us that to quit our work is to com- 
 plete it! How often does death in the household quicken sur- 
 
11 
 
 vivors into life ! how often does the going-away of a pastor 
 bring forward to the harvest the seed for whose appearing he had 
 waited long ! " Another reapeth and gathereth fruit unto life 
 eternal ; but both he that soweth and he that reapeth shall in 
 the end rejoice together." 
 
 IV. He who lives unto God can depart this life in peace, 
 for he knows that he shall enter into blessedness ; for we do 
 know that " If our earthly house of this tabernacle were dis- 
 solved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, 
 eternal in the heavens : we are confident, I say, and willing rather 
 to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." 
 Yea, sometimes we even have "a desire to depart and be with 
 Christ, which is far better." 
 
 How many such departures have I been privileged to witness 
 as a testimony to " the glorious gospel of the blessed God," to the 
 certainty of its promised peace ! The men of faith who founded 
 this church and nursed its infancy ; the men who, in later years, 
 ministered to its material and spiritual prosperity, its Sunday 
 schools, its mission- work, its charities, at home and abroad — 
 how many of these dear brethren have I seen depart in the 
 blessed peace of Christ ! — and of godly women not a few. Above 
 this visible congregation, I feel myself surrounded by that con- 
 gregation of the blest, whose invisible presence fills all the air 
 with peace. You know that wondrous painting of the Presen- 
 tation in the Temple, where all the picture is in shadow, but a 
 glory beaming from the face of the infant Jesus covers Simeon 
 with light, and is driving the darkness away. So when the be- 
 liever in Christ, loving, trusting, serving, obeying, is summoned 
 to depart, as he enters the gates of death, he seems to us to pass 
 into shadow — the darkness thickens on the hither side ; but 
 this is only the setting of the picture. Before him is light ; his 
 face turned heavenward beams with the glory of Christ ; no 
 longer the radiant infant of the Temple, yet the same Jesus 
 glorified, enthroned in that Jerusalem where "the Lord God 
 Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it, and the Lamb is the 
 light thereof." Lord Jesus, as I lay down this life-work at thy 
 feet, and when I shall lay down life itself at thy bidding, grant 
 me that vision of thy face, and let thy servant depart in peace. 
 
MINUTES OF AN INFORMAL MEETING 
 
 HJcmbcrs of % giroabtojun Cabcntacle Cjmrcb autr Society 
 
 HELD IN THE CHAPEI 
 
 On Monday Evening, October 23d, 1871. 
 
 The meeting was organized by the election of Mr. Marshall 
 0. Roberts, Chairman. Leonard Hazeltine, Jr., Secretary. 
 
 Prayer was offered by Deacon Henry Whittelsey. 
 
 The meeting was called to receive a statement from Dr. 
 Thompson of his reasons for the resignation of his pastorate, 
 which he had announced from the pulpit on the preceding Sab- 
 bath morning. 
 
 Dr. Thompson addressed the meeting, giving fully the reasons 
 which compelled him to seek relief from his duties as pastor, 
 and read the following letter of resignation, which he requested 
 should be presented to the church at their next business meeting 
 in November. 
 
 " To the Broadway Tabernacle Church : 
 
 Dear Brethren and Sisters in the Lord — The office of 
 pastor in this church, which I have held for nearly twenty- 
 seven years, I now resign into your hands ; and I request you 
 to unite with me in calling a council to conclude the dissolution 
 of this relation. 
 
 Sudden as this announcement may be to you, with me this 
 is no sudden decision. More than three years ago, a physical 
 
13 
 
 infirmity, induced by exposure in the army, and in its nature 
 beyond remedy, had become so aggravated and so complicated, 
 that the highesl medical authority ordered me to withdraw from 
 the pressure of public responsibilities, if I would save ray life. 
 1 should then have done so, had not a sense of honor, in view of 
 your recent indulgence and liberality in sending me abroad, and 
 certain cherished projects for the welfare of the church, restrained 
 me. 1 therefore chose to endure in silence what it could not 
 profit any one to know. But I can no longer hope to satisfy my 
 conscience in the discharge of my duties as a pastor, when life 
 is a constant care and an almost constant pain ; and when 
 symptoms not to be mistaken threaten, if not the seat of life, 
 what to me is more serious, the seat of thought. And what I 
 i I cannot do, I would not attempt to do : for I would not 
 become a drag upon the church which God once appointed me 
 to lead, nor a pensioner upon its bounty. Having worked with 
 you in the energy of my youth, and again in the vigor of my 
 prime, to free this church from debt, I could not endure the 
 thought that through premature infirmity I might become a 
 burden upon its treasury in my advancing years. I therefore 
 retire with unquestioning acquiescence in the same divine call by 
 which I came. 
 
 I dare not trust myself to speak of the sundering of ties, that, 
 for more than a quarter of a century, have bound you to every 
 thought and act of my life. My whole life in the ministry runs 
 parallel with this church. At the very time when you were 
 organized, in 1840, I began to preach in New Haven, then a 
 youth of 21. Five yens later, I was called to become your pas- ' 
 tor. There are few left among you who remember with what 
 feeble resources and against what social and sectarian opposition 
 you had entered upon the experiment of establishing in New 
 York a church of the Congregational order ; how for years you 
 worshiped in a hired house, which during the week was used for 
 the most miscellaneous purposes ; and how dependent you were 
 upon the penny collection at every service, to eke out your scanty 
 income. 
 
 Of personal embarrassments and sacrifices during your long 
 struggle with poverty and debt, I have no desire to speak. These, 
 
14 
 
 which are a billing contribution to our common work, are all 
 forgotten in the joy of its abounding success. But that joy is 
 heightened by the remembrance, that, by making the purchase of 
 the Old Tabernacle by the Society a condition of accepting your 
 call, and afterwards by suggesting a plan for the purchase of the 
 Broadway entrance to that building, it was my good fortune to 
 contribute in some measure toward that corporate strength which 
 paved the way to your present material prosperity. And you, 
 who began your existence as tenants in a secular building, and 
 to whom the raising of twelve thousand dollars, by buying pews, 
 toward the purchase of the Old Tabernacle was a great strain 
 of faith and self-denial, it has been my privilege to see come for- 
 ward with a liberality above all praise, and consecrate this house,, 
 without incumbrance, to the service of the Lord. 
 
 Whenever the encroachments of business and the increasing 
 drain of removals shall compel you again to change your location,, 
 you will be able to command any position that shall seem best 
 adapted to your future work. But you may safely leave that 
 to time ; for the large and earnest congregations on Sabbath 
 evenings, and the hopeful increase of the stated congregation by 
 the addition of new families, and the return of former members 
 to their cherished home, show that your work is not yet ended 
 here. And the love and confidence with which you have sus- 
 tained me in my work to this hour assure me, that, in the absence- 
 of a pastor, you will be held together even more strongly by the 
 great interests committed to your trust. As you have upheld 
 your pastor with undivided heart, so will you uphold the church 
 with undivided hands. 
 
 But I would not exalt financial prosperity as a criterion of a 
 successful church. While I have shared your satisfaction at 
 every step in this direction, your spiri'tual growth has ever betn 
 my highest aim and joy. From your organization with 67' 
 persons you have risen to an average membership of nearly 600. 
 I have personally welcomed to the communion of this church 
 457 upon the first confession of their faith, and 900 by letter 
 from other churches — a total of 1,357 additions since I came 
 among you. Upwards of 1,700 persons have been in the com- 
 munion of this church during the term of my pastorate. With 
 
15 
 
 no one of these have I ever had a word of personal difference ; 
 nor have differences upon questions of policy in the church at 
 any time ranged themselves about the pastor as a party. 
 Most devoutly do I bless God for this long ministry of peace ; 
 and most heartily do I thank you for the Christian courtesy and 
 kindness with which you have uniformly treated inc. I re- 
 member also, with inexpressible emotions, the sainted dead with 
 whom I here have walked in such loving communion. 
 
 As a pastor, it has been my endeavor to keep up such a personal 
 acquaintance with the people of my charge as would enable me 
 to sympathize with them in their joys and their sorrows. With 
 a large and ever-changing congregation this has been no easy 
 matter ; and if I have failed to meet the wishes of any in this 
 respect, they may have the satisfaction of knowing that I have 
 failed to meet my own; and also that, however imperfectly this 
 duty has been performed, it has been done impartially ; that to 
 me all houses have been alike, and every person has had a claim 
 equal to any other. 
 
 But the pulpit has ever been before me as the highest sphere 
 of action in the service of Christ, and the central point of influ- 
 ence for your good. Seldom have I heard, never have I done, 
 anything that could approach my own ideal of preaching as the 
 unfolding of God in Christ — so high, so deep> so broad, so 
 grand — for the edification of his church in truth and holiness. 
 When I think how many words have been uttered from this 
 pulpit in all these years, and how feeble these all have been in 
 the comprehension and expression of the " glorious gospel of the 
 blessed God," I might even beg to be relieved of a responsibility 
 so overpowering and so perilous. This only will I say, that, 
 according to the ability that God has given me, I have studied 
 to know and speak his truth. 
 
 The influence of this church upon public affairs, and for the 
 cause of Christ throughout our land and in other lands, it is im- 
 possible to compute ; yet, whatever service the universal church 
 has required of one in my position, has always been made second- 
 ary and tributary to my preparation for this pulpit, the demands 
 of which I have felt to be so high and so noble. 
 
 The work of these years, with all its imperfections, I commit 
 
16 
 
 to the mercy of Him who knowetli our frame, and remembereth 
 that we arc dust. 
 
 For vou who have so kindly regarded me as your teacher, I 
 have only loving and grateful memories, and prayerful wishes of 
 good. As your spiritual increase has been my constant labor, 
 so in my retirement will it be my constant prayer and hope. 
 May the great Head of the Church give to my successor fruits 
 of his ministry among you, tenfold greater than He has so mer- 
 cifully given unto me. 
 
 In leaving you, I have in view no other field and no definite 
 future. The same cause which compels my resignation debars 
 me from all manual labor, and from any mode of life requiring 
 constant mental pressure or producing mental excitement. I 
 shall hope to do something by the pen for the illustration and 
 defense of the word of God. If spared for such a work, I shall 
 have the solace and the joy of knowing that I am still laboring 
 in the cause to which my life has been consecrated ; and if not 
 permitted even this, I yet shall have the solace and the joy of 
 having consecrated my life to such a cause in the service of such 
 a Master. To Him, with prayer and thanksgiving, and with 
 unutterable yearnings of affection, I now commend you, dear 
 brethren and sisters in Christ ; and unto Him be glory in the 
 Church throughout all ages, world without end. Amen ! 
 
 Your grateful and loving Pastor, 
 
 JOSEPH P. THOMPSON. 
 New York, Oct, '23, 1871." 
 
 After the reading of the letter, the pastor withdrew. Dr. 
 Win. M. Chamberlain and Dr. Win. PI. Thomson followed 
 with short addresses, giving their professional opinion that the 
 immediate retirement of Dr. Thompson from the pressure of 
 pastoral cares was necessary in order to preserve his life for such 
 forms of usefulness as he might still be capable of in the service 
 of the Church. 
 
 Mr. John Gray, in an appropriate and feeling manner, re- 
 ferred to the warmth of affection which for nearly 27 vears had 
 
17 
 
 existed between pastor and people, and of the severe loss now 
 sustained by the Church in the severing of these pastoral ties. 
 He presented the following resolutions, which were cordially 
 seconded by Deacon W. H. Smith, and unanimously adopted : 
 
 Whereas, It appears from the paper just read by our pastor, that, by rea- 
 son of physical disability, he is unable to continue his pulpit and parochial 
 labors, therefore, 
 
 /i\ solved, That we sincerely symphathize with Dr. Thompson, under the 
 trial that compels him to retire from his pastoral labors among us ; and we rec- 
 ommend that the Church and Society immediately take measures to raise the 
 sum of not less than thirty thousand dollars, to be presented to him, on or 
 before the 27th anniversary of his installation as pastor of this church — viz., the 
 loth day of April next — as a testimonial of our affectionate regard. 
 
 Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to carry into effect the fore- 
 going resolution, and to bring the matter before the Society at the next annual 
 meeting in November, for such action as may be necessary to complete the sum 
 proposed to be raised. 
 
 The following gentlemen were elected as such committee : 
 Caleb B. Knevals, Levi M. Bates, Marshall 0. Roberts, Wm. 
 Henry Smith, and John Gray. 
 
 It was proposed by Deacon Smith, that, in addition to this 
 corporate provision, a voluntary subscription be taken at once, 
 as a testimonial of love and affection to our retiring pastor, 
 which was ably seconded by Brother Thos. S. Berry, and unani- 
 mously carried ; and the sum of $20,925 was at once subscribed. 
 
 As several members of the church and society were not present, 
 the committee of five were requested to advise such of the action 
 of the meeting, and give them an opportunity to subscribe to 
 the fund. 
 
 On motion adjourned. 
 
 MARSHALL 0. ROBERTS, Chairman. 
 LEONARD HAZELTINE, Jr., Secretary. 
 
THE 
 
 PASTOR'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 TESTIMONIAL OF THE CONGREGATION, 
 
 Read from the Pulpit on Sabbath Morning, October 29£/t. 
 
 " I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all 
 his people ; in the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of 
 thee, Jerusalem." For I feel it to be a religious duty, as well 
 as a personal privilege, here, upon the Lord's Day and in the 
 Lord's house, and as in the face of all the world, with devout 
 thanksgiving to Almighty God, and with overwhelming gratitude 
 to you my People, to testify of the munificence — the mag- 
 nificence — of the provision which you have made for my support 
 and comfort to the end of my days. What am I ? or what is 
 my work, that you should love and cherish me after this sort ? 
 I receive your bounty with a humility as deep as the gratitude 
 with which I acknowledge it. 
 
 I cannot appropriate it to myself as a personal favor, though 
 your generosity has been pleased to convey it under that form. 
 Not anything in me, but that which is in you, is honored and 
 illustrated by this gift ; — your loving consideration for the office 
 of pastor in the Church of Christ ; your generous appreciation 
 of the ministry which Christ hath ordained; your loyal conse- 
 cration to Christ himself as the Head of the Church; — these 
 
19 
 
 are the sentiments which have found expression in a gift beyond 
 precedent at once in its nobleness and in its tenderness. Not 
 because I have lived among you for almost a generation, but 
 because I have been your pastor ; not that I may live without 
 temporal anxiety in the future, but that I may be enabled to 
 devote such strength as God shall preserve to me unto His 
 -lory— fur these highest, best of Christian motives, it is that 
 you have so honored yourselves in honoring your now disabled 
 and retiring servant, Already has the report of your action been 
 read in all the churches of the land, showing that you estimate 
 the office of pastor by a wealth of affection that, figures cannot 
 express, by a sentiment of honor that years cannot exhaust ; it 
 has been read in all the colleges and seminaries of the land, 
 teaching young men that the love and esteem of the church will 
 more than compensate for whatever worldly prospects they may 
 renounce in devoting themselves to the ministry ; it has been 
 read in all business circles, reminding the world of the dignity 
 and grace of Christian liberality ; it has gone beyond the sea, to 
 furnish a new argument to those who are there contending that 
 the voluntary affection of a Christian brotherhood is stronger 
 and richer than the endowments of a State-Establishment. I 
 bless God in you, fur you, through you ; and I see in this your 
 unanimous and spontaneous generosity toward your pastor, the 
 pledge of your unanimity and heartiness of purpose in your 
 future work. 
 
 Personally, I am greatly comforted that the secret trial which 
 I had so long borne is at last shared by you, and is relieved by 
 a love so sympathizing, so considerate, so abounding. It was no 
 small part of the burden that, for your sakes, I felt bound to 
 carry it alone. When one is called to contemplate the uprooting 
 of ins whole life, the sundering of the fondest ties, the imperil- 
 ing of most cherished interests, affections, hopes, he must needs 
 prepare himself for such an act by solitary communing with God. 
 Whatever his secret griefs, before the world he ought to show a 
 Christian faith and cheerfulness— enameled, it may be, by 
 passing through hidden tires. Under such a visitation, no 
 one can advise, no one can help him. He must make up his 
 mmd to accept and to do the will of the Father. 
 
20 
 
 It was a great trial to me to feel that I must not reveal my 
 purpose to my brethren until the moment for action had come. 
 Had I done so, the air would have been filled with rumors and 
 surmises, and I should have been overwhelmed with personal 
 inquiries and discussions. Better far was the counsel of the 
 Psalmist, " Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and 
 be still." But when the judgment of physicians peremptorily 
 confirmed my own forebodings, I threw myself upon the confi- 
 dence and magnanimity of a people among whom I never have 
 discriminated, and never could discriminate, in my relation as 
 pastor of each and all alike ; and the rallying of your affectionate 
 sympathy under this impartial trust is the expression and the 
 pledge of your deep, hearty, and abiding unity in the work of 
 Christ. 
 
 And now, dear brethren and friends, I have to force down 
 my heart by power of will, lest, in attempting to tell you 
 how I thank you and how I love you, T should appear too weak 
 before you. Henceforth, whatever work I do, whatever comfort 
 I have, whatever memory I cherish, whatever joy I feel, will be 
 indissolubly linked to you. My very life, for Christ's work, 
 will be your gift. And if, for the illustration of God's providence 
 and word, I shall go down into Egypt, it will be because my 
 brethren have lifted me out of the pit, and put me in bonds and 
 sent me there ; but these will be bonds of love and of gratitude 
 that shall hold me to you while life shall last, and shall draw 
 me to you as my home-circle in the Father's house. 
 
 May God supply all your need, according to his riches in glory, 
 by Christ Jesus ; and unto God and our Father be glory for 
 ever. Amen." 
 
MEETING OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 At a meeting of the Broadway Tabernacle Church held on 
 Wednesday evening, Nov. 1st, 1871, the communication of the 
 pastor, Rev. Joseph P. Thompson, D.D., resigning his office was 
 read,* together with the minutes of the informal meeting of the 
 Church and Society held on the 23d of October. 
 
 And the following resolutions were passed, after appropriate, 
 eloquent, and heartfelt remarks from many of the members: 
 
 Whereas, Our pastor, Rev. Joseph P. Thompson, D. D., has by his com- 
 munication dated October 23d, 1871, resigned his office as pastor, and requested 
 us to unite with him in calling a Council to conclude the dissolution of the 
 ] astoral relation : — 
 
 Resolved, That with deep regret we recognize the imperative nature of the 
 reasons which have led to this step, and that we hereby accept the resignation, 
 and will unite with him in calling a Council as requested. 
 
 Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to act with him in calling 
 the Council. 
 
 Resolved, That with affectionate gratitude to him, and with reverent thanks- 
 giving to Almighty God, we recognize the eminent usefulness of Dr. Thompson's 
 labors for more than a quarter of a century, for the growth, prosperity, and 
 spiritual life of this Church and Society, for the advancement of sound learning 
 and Christian morality in the community, for the cause of liberty and free 
 government in the nation, and for the spread of the gospel throughout the 
 world ; while he has been to vis an able and earnest minister of the Word, an 
 affectionate and faithful pastor, and a kind and constant friend. And we pray 
 that his health may soon be restored by repose, and that he and his beloved 
 household may ever enjoy the richest blessings of Divine favor. 
 
 * See page 12. 
 
22 
 
 The following members of the Church were constituted a 
 committee in accordance with the foregoing resolutions : 
 Austin Abbott, Henry Whittelsey, 
 
 Caleb B. Knevals, T. S. Berry, 
 
 Leonard Hazeltine, Jr. 
 
 The committee appointed by the Church issued the following 
 
 LETTER MISSIVE. 
 
 New York, Nov. 2d, 1871. 
 
 The Broadway Tabernacle Church to the Church sendeth greeting. 
 
 Dear Brethren: 
 
 Whereas, By reason of failing health, Rev. Joseph P. Thompson, D. D., has 
 resigned the office of pastor in this Church, and the Church has accepted his 
 resignation, we therefore affectionately invite your attendance, by. your pastor 
 and a delegate, at a Council for the purpose of dissolving this relation. The 
 Council will meet in the chapel of the Broadway Tabernacle Church, on 
 Wednesday, November 8th, at 2 P. M. 
 
 Wishing you grace, mercy, and peace, we are your brethren in Christ, 
 
 Austin Abbott, "] 
 
 Henry Whittelsey, 
 
 Caleb B. Knevals, y Committee of the Church. 
 
 Thomas S. Berry. 
 
 Leonard Hazeltine, Jr., J 
 
 I cordially concur in the above invitation, 
 
 Joseph P. Thompson, Pastor. 
 
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL 
 
 CALLED OX O: CASION" OF THE 
 
 DESIGNATION OF REV. J. P. THOMPSON, D. D. 
 
 In accordance with Letters Missive from the Broadway 
 Tabernacle church, New York, an Ecclesiastical Council con- 
 vened in the chapel of that church on Wednesday, November 
 8th, 1871, at 2 o'clock P. M. 
 
 There were present as members of the Council, from the New 
 England Cong. Church, Rev. Merrill Richardson, D. D., Pastor ; 
 Dr. H. C. Houghton, Delegate. Harlem Cong. Church, Dea. 
 Geo. H. White, Del. Church of the Pilgrims, Brooklyn, Dea. 
 Pi. P. Buck, Del. Clinton-Avenue Cong. Church, Rev. W. I. 
 Budington, 1). D., Pastor; Dea. W.W. Fessenden, Del. Plym- 
 outh Church, Brooklyn, Bro. W. E. Caldwell, Del. Central 
 Cong. Church, Brooklyn, Dea. W. C. Hickok, Del. Central 
 Cong. Church, Philadelphia ; Bro. J. B. Shepard, Del. First 
 Cong. Church, Orange Valley, N. J., Rev. G. B. Bacon, 
 Pastor. First Church, New Haven, Ct., Rev. Geo. L. Walker, 
 D. D., Pastor ; Bro. Eli Whitney, Del. First Cong. Church, 
 Newark, N. J., Rev. W. B. Brown, D. D., Pastor. First Cong. 
 Church, Jersey City, Rev. G. Buckingham Willcox, Pastor ; 
 also, Rev. Drs. Leonard Bacon, Joshua Leavitt, Ray Palmer, 
 Benjamin N. Martin, and Rev. E. W. Gilman. 
 
 The Council was organized by the election of Rev. Dr. Bacon 
 as moderator, and Rev. G. Buckingham Willcox as scribe. 
 
 Prayer was offered by the moderator. 
 
24 
 
 The resignation by Rev. Dr. Thompson of his pastorate over 
 the Broadway Tabernacle church, with the action of the church 
 accepting the same, was read by Bro. Austin Abbott. 
 
 Dr. Thompson offered remarks setting forth more fully the 
 failure of health which had necessitated his resignation. 
 
 On motion, it was voted that the Council is satisfied of the 
 propriety of the resignation of Dr. Thompson, and of the accept- 
 ance thereof by the church ; and that we advise that such resig- 
 nation take effect on the 15th of November, 1871. 
 
 A committee was appointed, consisting of Rev. Drs. Bacon, 
 Budington, and Leavitt, and Bro. R. P. Buck, who reported as 
 follows : 
 
 The Council, in coming to this result, desire to express, first, 
 their recognition of God's will, in the painful affliction which 
 brings to a close a ministry so useful, not only to this church, 
 but in wider relations. 
 
 In behalf of the churches of Christ, we offer to this church 
 the assurance of our sympathy with them in their bereavement, 
 and of our appreciation of the unexampled munificence with 
 which the members of the church and society have testified their 
 grateful affection toward their pastor. 
 
 We recognize, with thankfulness to the Great Head of the 
 Church, the singular union that for more than a quarter of a. 
 century has subsisted between pastor and people, and believe 
 that such an example will tend to promote the honor and effi- 
 ciency of our churches. 
 
 With profound respect, and with tender sentiments of fra- 
 ternal love, we commend the retiring pastor to the churches of 
 Christ everywhere, as a brother faithful and beloved, "who has; 
 good report of all men, and of the truth itself." 
 
 The Council cherish the strong hope, that Dr. Thompson,, 
 released from pastoral cares and duties, will find himself able, in 
 the good providence of God, to prosecute those studies, in Biblical 
 antiquities, and especially in Egyptology, in which he has al- 
 ready so honorably distinguished himself ; and which, in the pres- 
 ent state of Biblical science, are so much needed for the defense 
 of the faith of Christ's Church. 
 
•2.") 
 
 On motion, this report was accepted and adopted as the 
 result of Council. 
 
 Expressions of personal regard and affection were offered by 
 Eev. Drs. Budington, Palmer, Leavitt, Martin, and by the 
 moderator, followed by He v. Dr. Edward Beecher. 
 
 By vote of the Council, Dr. Thompson, having previously 
 retired, was invited to listen to the foregoing result. 
 
 And after remarks responsive by Dr. Thompson, the Council 
 adjourned without day. 
 
 G. BUCKINGHAM WILLCOX, Scribe. 
 
ACTION 
 
 NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Resolutions adopted unanimously by the New York and 
 Brooklyn Association, in conference with Bedford Congregational 
 Church, Nov. 1st, 1871, on motion of Rev. Wm. Ives Budington, 
 D. D. : 
 
 Whereas, The Rev. J. P. Thompson, D. D., has resigned hispastoral office in 
 the Tabernacle church of New York, the Association of New York and Brook- 
 lyn meeting in conference with the Bedford Congregational Church, cannot 
 allow this event to take place without expressing their deep regret that his 
 health has made this step necessary, and their personal and general sense of 
 the loss which our churches sustain by his departure from us ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That this Association acknowledges with grateful recognition his 
 loner-continued and valuable services in the support and vindication of our 
 Congregational Christianity in the days of its weakness and infancy here, and 
 attributes much of its present extension and influence to his indefatigable 
 labors in its behalf. 
 
 Resolved, secondly, That in the conscientious studies which have enlarged 
 our Christian literature, in the particular labor which contributed to the 
 support of our nation's life in its great conflict, and- in the earnest discussions 
 which vindicated the cause of Freedom against Slavery in the past, Dr. 
 Thompson bears among us a record and a remembrance honorable both to him 
 *md the cause of our Lord. 
 
 Resolved, thirdly, That, cherishing the most greateful recollections of Dr. 
 Thompson's past connection with this Association, in which he has been a most 
 efficient and fraternal member until compelled to resign his place by reason of 
 failing health, we shall follow him to any future labors to which he may devote 
 himself with heartfelt interest and earnest prayers for his usefulness and 
 happiness. 
 
 Resolved, fourthly, That a copy of these resolutions, signed by the moder- 
 ator and secretary, be sent to Dr. Thompson. 
 
 S. S. JOCELYN, Moderator. 
 M. L. WILLISTON, Secretary. 
 
MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE. 
 
 At the meeting of the Conference of Congregational Churches 
 of New York, Brooklyn, and vicinity, held at the First Congrega- 
 tional Church, Jersey City, N. J., Nov. 9th, ] 871, Rev. G. B. Ba- 
 con, Deacon S. Holmes, Rev. M. E. Strieby, and Dr. C. S. Mann, 
 were appointed a committee to prepare a minute concerning the 
 retirement of Rev. Dr. Joseph P. Thompson from his pastoral 
 office, the same to be entered upon the records of the Conference. 
 That the committee subsequently made the following report, 
 which was unanimously adopted by the Conference. 
 
 This Conference, representing the Congregational churches of 
 New York and Brooklyn and vicinity, desires to put upon its 
 record the following minute : — 
 
 We have heard with sorrowful surprise and interest, through 
 the public press, and again to-day, with deep emotion, from his 
 own lips, the announcement of the disabilities which remove 
 from active service in the pastoral office, and from participation 
 in these familiar duties and privileges of Christian fellowship, 
 our brother, long beloved and honored as a faithful minister of 
 Jesus Christ, and as a fellow-servant in these churches, the 
 Rev. Joseph P. Thompson. 
 
 We make no attempt to recite, in this brief minute, the many 
 and great public services of Dr. Thompson in his ministry of 
 more than thirty years ; nor to commemorate the conspicuous 
 fidelity with which, for more than a quarter of a century, he 
 has filled the responsible pastorate of the Broadway Tabernacle 
 Church in New York city. These things are matters of history. 
 
28 
 
 widely known and commended, and they have received most fit 
 and faithful witness in the generous action by which his church 
 and people have expressed their love and sympathy for him, 
 and made provision for his remaining years. 
 
 But the influence and usefulness of Dr. Thompson have not 
 been limited by the duties of his pastorate. Through the public 
 press and in public assemblies, by voice and pen, the churches 
 of our faith and order have felt and recognized his leadership. 
 The nation, in its hour of extremest peril, the Christian soldiers 
 who went forth from our homes and from our sanctuaries to the 
 fatigues and perils of the conflict, have abundant reason to 
 remember, and do gratefully recall, his words of cheer and 
 courage, his unfailing sympathy and help, his personal ministry 
 among the sick and wounded, — and that yet greater gift which 
 God required of him — in the bearing of that common burden in 
 that dark and awful hour. The Christian world has been his 
 debtor for the learning and labor which he has brought to the 
 interpretation and illustration of the Holy Scriptures, and to 
 the practical enforcement of the truth of God. 
 
 But we in these churches and in this Conference make mention 
 especially of the loss which we are suffering by his removal from 
 our councils, and from personal participation in our fellowship. 
 For these many years, we have been used to look to him as not 
 only the Bishop of our Metropolitan Church, but as also, and, 
 therefore, by right of position, and by right of his singular gifts 
 and abilities, our chief counselor in matters concerning the wel- 
 fare of the churches. During these years in which the church, 
 under his pastorate, has grown to be mater et caput ecclesia- 
 rum (mother and head of churches) in this metropolitan region, 
 no face has been more familiar in our meetings than his. We 
 have found in him a strong and able leader, a wise and faithful 
 counselor, a generous and sympathizing friend. We testify our 
 sense of the debt which we owe him for his fidelity to the great 
 fact and principle so vital to our polity, so essential to our con- 
 gregational order — the fellowship of the churches. 
 
 And now that, in the providence of God, to which we bow 
 with sorrowing resignation, he is taken from us for a season, and 
 disabled for the duties which he has so long, and with such 
 
29 
 
 conspicuous fidelity fulfilled, we express to him our loving sym- 
 pathy, our deep and prayerful wish for his increasing peace. 
 Into such labors as the providence of G-od may yet make possi- 
 ble for him, we follow him with confidence and hope ; and we 
 pray that in infirmities, in absence, in solitude, the knowledge 
 of the grateful love and reverence of us, his < n in Christ, 
 
 may be to him a strength and solace, and that the presence of 
 the Lord, whom he has loved and served, may be his constant 
 joy and everlasting reward. 
 
 Attest : 
 
 Wm. Ives Budington, Moderator. 
 H. H. McFarland, Secretary. 
 
 Jersey City, N. J., Nov. 9th, 1871. 
 
THE 
 
 BROADWAY TABERNACLE CHURCH: 
 
 % Historical giscourse, 
 
 Preached Nov. nth, 1871, 
 
 By JOSEPH P. THOMPSON. 
 
 Events, not years, make history. Ideas evolved or wrought 
 into action, discoveries and inventions made, principles and in- 
 stitutions established, deeds accomplished, results achieved — 
 these are the woof that History weaves into the ever-winding 
 threads of Time, — now packing it with all figures and colors 
 within the short space of years, and again scattering the pat- 
 terns, with hardly a perceptible order or relation, along the line 
 of centuries. Ours is a period when the shuttle flies swiftly, 
 when the figures are bold, and the colors massed and strong. 
 History is made almost faster than we can read it. Events are 
 crowded together, and rolled up to make room for others 
 that at once distract our attention ; the retina becomes a 
 kaleidoscope of forms and colors, the memory a jumble of inci- 
 dents. To gain the impression of history, the effect of relation, 
 continuity, progress, we must pause now and then, unwind the 
 cylinder, and study the ideas, events, principles^ movements, 
 which have made their mark. This church, though it has 
 not quite rounded up the years of a generation, has already 
 a history of its own ; and has shared in some of the leading, 
 
31 
 
 movements and events, civil and ecclesiastical, that will make 
 forever memorable the history of these recent times. If 
 therefore, I would recall to you the principles of church 
 order, the movements of reform, the enterprises of benevo- 
 lence, the measures of patriotism, of humanity, and of prog- 
 ress, with which this church has been identified, it is that in 
 this parting- hour we may together honor God for the work to 
 which he has called us ; may confirm our own faith and love and 
 joy as co-workers with God in such a field at such a time ; may 
 garner memories and hopes that shall cement our spiritual and 
 eternal union, after the dissolution of official, and even of all 
 earthly ties ; and may proclaim to those who shall come after 
 us, the spirit, the principles, and the privileges to which they 
 are pledged by such a history. I marvel that, in the prime of 
 life, I find myself in a position to speak from memory of so 
 many and important movements and events ; that thirty-one 
 years in the ministry — nearly twenty-seven of them in this 
 church — have made me a witness of so many things worth tell- 
 ing of, as if they were already old or forgotten. I am startled 
 at the rapidity of local changes, when I remember that of the 
 363 persons who composed this church at the time of my settle- 
 ment, only 21 now have their names upon its roll and there 
 remain to-day in its active membership but 8 brethren who 
 were here when I was installed. Of the Congregational com- 
 munion in New York, Brooklyn, and vicinity, this is the mother 
 church, and I am the senior pastor ; and among all the churches 
 of every communion in the city of New York, there remain in 
 the full discharge of the pastoral office only eight* ministers 
 who were here when I came to this church. This whirl of 
 change causes one to seem to die before his time. Yet this is 
 not a thought of sadness, but of confidence ; for it reminds us 
 that the true life is in institutions, not in individuals ■ that in 
 the body of Christ, as in the human body, there is a constant 
 flux of particles ; men are but molecules, and the indwelling 
 spirit of God appropriates to this living body new elements and 
 
 * Rev. Drs. Adams and Burchard, of the Presbyterian Church ; Rev. Dr. 
 Hutton, of the Reformed ; Rev. Dr. Bellows, of the Unitarian ; ' Rev. Drs^ 
 Haight, Price, Tyng, and Verren, of the Episcopal. 
 
32 
 
 powers, and fills it with new inspirations and activities, so that 
 it groweth more and more. 
 
 What this church has been and has accomplished, what this 
 church shall be and shall do in the future, is not primarily a 
 question of men in its offices or in its constituency ; but is 
 answered by the measure in which it is a spiritual body vitalized 
 by the Spirit of Christ. And the evidences of this in its past 
 history may serve as a ground of encouragement and hope, and 
 also as a rule of guidance, for its future work. 
 
 I. This church has illustrated the capacity of the local church 
 for self-government, with unity, wisdom, and efficiency. It had 
 its origin in the assertion of that principle which we regard as 
 the fundamental law of the New Testament touching the church 
 as a visible organization ; — that a church properly consists of 
 persons spiritually renewed through faith in the Lord Jesus 
 Christ ; that these believers, in virtue of their personal union 
 with Christ, have equal privileges in His kingdom ; that, being 
 associated under a covenant for the worship and the service of 
 God according to His holy word, they constitute a church, com- 
 plete in itself, competent to choose its own officers, to observe 
 the sacraments of the gospel, to administer discipline, to plan 
 and carry forward all manner of Christian work. " Every such 
 church is independent of any outward jurisdiction or control, 
 whether from popes, patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, or other 
 persons assuming to be Christ's officials ; from general conven- 
 tions, conferences, or assemblies ; from synods and presbyteries ; 
 and from associations, councils, or other courts or convocations ; 
 or from other churches ; being answerable directly and only to 
 Christ, its head." It is this autonomy of the local church 
 which distinguishes this church, as to the form of its interior 
 administration, from, other communions of Christians with which 
 in doctrine, spirit, and work it is in vital accord. At the time 
 of its organization, certain local circumstances, and the general 
 condition and tendency of ecclesiastical affairs in this community, 
 seemed to call for a renewed assertion of the privileges and 
 functions of the Christian brotherhood. And now that the 
 
 * For a clear and forcible statement of the New-Testament doctrine concern- 
 ing the church, see " Congregationalism," by Rev. H. M. Dexter, D. D. 
 
33 
 
 controversies and jealousies of those early days, which should 
 never have been, have passed away, I think it will be admitted 
 that this church has set a good example in minding its own 
 affairs ; that it has never agitated the Christian public with 
 disputes about its doctrine, its discipline, its order, or its worship ; 
 but has shown that one way of maintaining the unity and peace 
 of Christ's Church — and a very simple and good way — is to let 
 every church have its own way. 
 
 It is one thing to assert a principle and another to illustrate 
 it ; and principles in practice are weightier for than professions 
 upon paper. To proclaim the equality of the brotherhood, to 
 contend for the independence of the Church, were nothing with- 
 out the illustration of such equality and independence in 
 preserving its harmony and promoting efficiency. I am happy 
 to testify, from the experience of almost twenty seven years, that 
 this church, though no freer than other churches from those 
 human elements which are insoluble except by the grace of Grod, 
 has worked with a measure of unanimity, of wisdom, and of de- 
 votion as high at least as is attained under any more stringent 
 form of ecclesiastical organization. Liberty of discussion has con- 
 duced to harmony of action ; and fredom of action has favored 
 unity of purpose, and given force to combination. 
 
 In its beginning, this church received the impress of intellec- 
 tual freedom and of spiritual fervor from two men who were each 
 in their way among the most remarkable men that I have ever 
 known. David Hale would have gone to the stake for the right 
 to speak ; Samuel Pitts would have transformed the fires of 
 martyrdom into a seraphic column of prayer. When a question 
 came up in the Church, Hale would talk it out, and Pitts would 
 pray it out ; and if it provoked controversy and threatened 
 division, Pitts with an irresistible fervor of devotion would pray 
 it down, and Hale with a magnanimity of concession that marked 
 his real strength would give it up ! These twin spirits shaped 
 our history. Of course, there have been differences, sometimes 
 of policy, sometimes personal, and even partisan ; but these have 
 always been adjusted with little friction and without disruption. 
 The principle of the equal and independent administration of 
 affairs by the brotherhood has been tested bv everv experienc e 
 
 3 
 
34 
 
 possible to a Christian Church : — by the sudden death of men 
 designated by nature and by grace to be pillars ; by cases of 
 discipline that appealed strongly to the feelings ; by proposed 
 changes in the articles of faith, and in the details of worship : 
 by a change of location, and the intermediate state of migra- 
 tion from the old house to the new ; by the burden of debt, and 
 by the pride of prosperity ; and through all these experiences,, 
 the unanimity, the practical wisdom, and the co-operative 
 efficiency of the Brotherhood have justified the principle of self- 
 government. How nobly, how unitedly, how tenderly, how 
 lovingly this church has borne itself, in view of the sundering of 
 the pastoral tie that to night must be severed forever, I am 
 only too proud and thankful that all the world should know ! 
 
 II. Equally important has been the work of this church in 
 furthering the communion of churches of its own order — espe- 
 cially between New England and the West — and in developing 
 the vital coherence of the Congregational body throughout the 
 land. The independence of the local church in matters of gov- 
 ernment is counterpoised by the fellowship of the churches in 
 matters of faith and practice of common concernment. No 
 careful reader of the New Testament can fail to be impressed 
 by these two facts as constituting the method and adaptation 
 of Christianity as a working system — the intense 'personality or 
 individualism of the gospel, in its instructions, addresses, and 
 promises ; and the spiritual oneness and the moral co-operation 
 of all who accept it. It is the beauty of Congregationalism, that 
 it combines in their just proportions these two features or ele- 
 ments of the embodied Christianity of the New Testament. 
 Wherever organic unity is placed first in order, the source of 
 vital power in the organization itself is wanting ; for the vital 
 power resides not in the ecclesiastical system, but in the indivi- 
 dual souls who compose the organization, and who make it vital 
 through their personal union with Christ by his Spirit. Out of 
 this individual, personal union with and resemblance to Christ 
 arises the moral affinity of all true believers, which draws them 
 together in associations for his service and glory, and combines 
 them for more efficient action. And as among the individual 
 members of the local church, so in the relation of churches to 
 
35 
 
 one another, the recognized independence and equality of each 
 favors the fraternity of all. They co-operate and cohere, not 
 through the bands of an ecclesiastical system controlling or com- 
 pressing them, l»nt through mural affinities, and the organic 
 principles of life and love which they derive in common from 
 Christ, their Head. " The independence of the local church, on 
 the one side, and, on the other, the mutual friendship and help- 
 ful co-working of all local churches," have been aptly styled 
 •• the two foci of an ellipse," which maintain our communion in 
 the integrity of its several parts, and in harmony of adjustment 
 and unity of spirit and of purpose, alike in the neighborhood, 
 the county, the State, and in the widest sphere of national 
 
 life. 
 
 Sometimes, however, the influence of one of these centers 
 seems to preponderate over the other, disturbing the balance of 
 the system. Thirty years ago, the tendency in New England was 
 toward a more compact and exclusive administration of Church- 
 polity ; while at the West the tendency was rather toward an 
 erratic independency. The middle ground of New York State, 
 which, by right of pre-emption, should have been largely Con- 
 gregational, was occupied, so far as our communion was con- 
 cerned, by churches which, under a "Plan of Union," had allied 
 themselves to another ecclesiastical system, and had largely 
 disused, if they had not forfeited, their original right to self- 
 government. The organization of this Church was the begin- 
 ning of a movement which led to the recovery of many of these 
 churches to their primitive constitution, and to the recognition 
 of the church-polity of the Pilgrim Fathers as national in its 
 adaptation and extent. Here, in this metropolis of the nation, 
 in what was then its most conspicuous public building— the 
 resort of strangers from all parts of the country— was estab- 
 lished a church which commanded the confidence of the 
 churches of New England by its steadfast adherence to the 
 faith and order of the Fathers, and at the same time attracted 
 the sympathy of the Western churches by its spirit of independ- 
 ence and its zeal for progress. It is not too much to claim that 
 this church, and the movement of which it was the nucleus, was 
 the medium of fusing the old and the new, and of bringing the 
 
36 
 
 churches of the East and the West to the consciousness of a na- 
 tional life. It was the pastor of this church who drafted the organi- 
 zation of the Association of New York and Brooklyn, which 
 brought the infant churches of this vicinity into vital com- 
 munion ; who proposed the establishment, and for years assisted 
 in the conduct, of a weekly journal, which did so much to assert 
 the power and to aid the progress of the principle of liberty in 
 Church and State ; who, in the General Association of the 
 State, exposed the unequal and injurious working of the so-called 
 " Plan of Union," and moved its discontinuance — for peace with 
 a sister denomination, as well as for the progress of our own ; 
 and, again, it was the pastor of this church who, as chairman 
 of a committee of the New York General Association, prepared 
 the call and constructed the plan for that great " Convention of 
 Ministers and Delegates of Congregational Churches in the 
 United States," which met at Albany in 1852, and which was 
 the first step toward the unification of the Congregational body 
 throughout the country. 
 
 This series of measures, representing the spirit of this church, 
 gave to it a national reputation for leadership in its own com- 
 munion ; and because of its cordial and comprehensive spirit in 
 all things pertaining to the welfare of that communion, as well 
 as on account of its geographical location, it has been the chosen 
 center for meetings and movements which concerned the whole 
 Congregational body. The American Congregational Union 
 was formed at the Old Tabernacle ; and within these Avails, at 
 the call of a committee of the Union, composed of members of 
 this church, assembled, in 1864, the preliminary conference which 
 convened the great National Council at Boston, in 1865. Here 
 also met, in 1870, the national delegation which planned for the 
 Jubilee of the Pilgrims, by commemorative services at Chicago, 
 at Boston, at Plymouth, and by concerted preaching and contri- 
 butions all over the United States. May this church never 
 become so absorbed in caring for its own affairs as to recede 
 from that position of national preferment, in respect of the prin- 
 ciples and the progress of its own communion, to which it has 
 attained by fidelity in upholding, and by generosity in giving. 
 III. Standing upon this platform of governmental independ- 
 
37 
 
 ence and of spiritual communion, this church, by its teaching, 
 
 its example, and its co-operative action, lias cordially illustrated 
 and promoted the unity of the church universal. This is a 
 Congregational Church ; but this name has never been with it a 
 war-cry on the battle-field of sects ; it is simply a term of con- 
 venience, to express the fact that all ecclesiastical power resides 
 in the congregation of believers associated by covenant in one 
 church-brotherhood. The name " Congregational " does not once 
 occur in the title of this church, in its articles, or in its rules. 
 Its corporate title was derived from the Old Tabernacle in which 
 it began its worship ; but its Christian name is simply and solely 
 — a church of Jesus Christ. The idea that an association or a 
 community of believers, for the expression of Christian faith, the 
 observance of Christian worship and sacraments, and the main- 
 tenance of Christian fellowship and work, constitutes a church 
 of Christ, without regard to its modes of ecclesiastical adminis- 
 tration, — this fundamental principle in its own platform causes 
 this church to recognize and to fellowship all other communions 
 of believers that are constituted upon the declaration of faith in 
 our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In order to this fellowship, 
 no modification or concession of its principles is required ; it 
 waives no peculiarities, enters into no stipulations, concerts no 
 alliances ; its platform is the freedom of believers in Christ to 
 associate themselves under Him ; the equality of all churches 
 and communions as toward one another ; and the unity of them 
 all in Christ, their Head. For this church to question the title 
 of any other, because of its ecclesiastical constitution — whether 
 as hierarchical as that of the Latin and the Eastern churches ; 
 or as informal as that of the Plymouth Brethren and the Society 
 of Friends — for this church to dispute the validity of ordination 
 and of sacraments in any other, because administered through 
 a bishop, a classis, or a presbytery, would be to deny the 
 foundation upon which itself is constituted — that every body 
 of believers, organized in the faith of Christ and for the 
 work of Christ, is a church competent and authorized to ap- 
 point officers, conduct worship, and administer sacraments in 
 its own way. This Church does not insist that others shall 
 come upon its ecclesiastical platform as a condition of fellow- 
 
ship ; it does not propose to construct a new platform, upon 
 which different churches can meet together ; it goes forth 
 in this spirit of Christ to meet all communions upon its own 
 platform, which underlies them all : it insists upon recognizing 
 them as churches in all things equal to itself. I do not 
 know that there exists another church of any communion 
 which has laid down, as the first article of its creed, a 
 declaration like that which opens the Confession of Faith of 
 the Broadway Tabernacle Church: — "As a Church of Jesus 
 Christ, associated in accordance with the teachings of the New 
 Testament, for the public worship of God, for the observance of 
 gospel sacraments and ordinances, for mutual edification and 
 encouragement in the Christian lvfe, and for the advancement of 
 the Redeemer's kingdom, we declare our union in faith and love 
 ivith all who love our Lord Jesus Christ." Upon this basis, 
 what glorious meetings have been held within these walls, directly 
 for the furtherance of Christian union, or under the inspiration 
 of its spirit, for the advancement of our common Christianity ! 
 How the noble eloquence of Hitchcock, Duryea, and Tyng has 
 here resounded — the latter once calling this " Liberty-comer ;" 
 how the mellifluous voice of Bishop Janes, leading our devotions, 
 has drawn forth our fervid aniens ; how the venerable patriarch 
 of St. Luke's Hospital, and the stately rector of Trinity, have 
 here found utterance for their opposite theories of apostolical 
 succession and sacramental grace, while we made the responses 
 of their accustomed liturgy; and how memorable was that field- 
 night, when Vermilye and Vinton and Armitage here held high 
 tournament for Christian union, "provoking one another unto 
 love," while your pastor awarded the prizes impartially to each ! 
 May this pulpit never be desecrated by sectarian utterances. 
 May no embassador of the faith, be he a Hyacinthe,* a Peabody, 
 
 * The following note is inserted here to illustrate the spirit in which the 
 pastor would express Christian fellowship : 
 
 Rev Father Hvacinthe: 
 
 Sir : — Believing that many of your countrymen in New York would he 
 glad to hear the gospel at your eloquent lips, I am happy to place the central 
 and commodious church known as the Broadway Tabernacle at your disposal 
 for preaching a service in French, on any Sunday afternoon or evening. This 
 
39 
 
 or a Gurney, ever be debarred from it by reason of his church or 
 no-church connection ; if only he have the faith and the spirit 
 of Christ. May this pulpit ever faithfully represent the first 
 article of the Faith of the Church ; that through fidelity to the 
 polity by which we have prospered, it may be liberal and loving 
 toward the Holy Church Universal — showing that to be inde- 
 pendent is to be united, that to be Congregational is to be 
 Catholic. 
 
 IV. From the ecclesiastical position and influence of this 
 church, we turn to its relations to society and the State, upon 
 the momentous questions of political and social ethics which 
 have agitated our recent times. No church in the land was 
 more fully identified with the great moral conflict with slavery 
 for the twenty years preceding Mr. Lincoln's decree of emanci- 
 pation. From its earliest utterances to its latest, this pulpit has 
 been sustained by the sentiment of the church in denouncing 
 slavery as a crime against God and man. Again and again have 
 such utterances been called for by the church, for a wider circu- 
 lation through the press. 
 
 Twenty-five years ago, the slave-power began that series 
 of aggressions upon the constitutional compacts and the 
 traditional liberties of the nation, which at length roused 
 the conscience of the people for the issue of arms. Along that 
 whole line of attack this church w r as in the field, resisting 
 at every point of moral vantage, and rallying the community 
 
 invitation places the service under your direction, without condition or reserva- 
 tion. It is given as a tribute to your Christian manliness and truth, and your 
 fidelity as a preacher of the gospel ; and in the name of that Catholicity which 
 is above all divisions of the Church, of that charity which is broader than 
 names or nations, of that liberty which you have so nobly illustrated and main- 
 tained, of that truth which you have so fearlessly proclaimed ; and, finally, in 
 the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is the Supreme Head of the 
 Church Catholic and Universal. 
 
 Accept the assurances of my profound esteem, 
 
 JOSEPH P. THOMPSON, Pastor. 
 NeicYork, 29th Oct., 1869. 
 
 To this Father Hyacinthe replied that the delicacy of his relations to his own 
 Church rendered it inexpedient for bim to exercise his priestly functions at 
 that time ; but should he preach at all in New York, he would certainly accept 
 an invitation so free and so fraternal. 
 
40 
 
 to the defense of justice and humanity. In 1848, when the 
 attempt was made to force slavery into territory before con- 
 secrated to freedom, the appeal to Christian men " to do their 
 utmost to defeat that great wickedness " was canied by you to 
 the polls, and made to tell upon the action of political parties. 
 In September, 1850, when Congress passed, that most infamous 
 act of modern legislation, the Fugitive-Slave law, you upheld 
 your pulpit in asserting the higher law of Christ, which made 
 that act a nullity before the bar of conscience. The declaration, 
 u the fugitive shall not be surrendered ; he shall have protec- 
 tion ; he shall have bread ; he shall have money; he shall have 
 shelter, though at the penalty of imprisonment for his sake ; 
 obedience to such a law is crime ; we stand upon the brotherhood 
 of the race redeemed by Christ ; and take our high appeal to the 
 word and the throne of God ;" — that declaration of the gospel 
 of humanity met an enthusiastic response from the vast congre- 
 gation of the Tabernacle ; you demanded the discourse for repe- 
 tition — for publication ; and when its doctrine raised from press 
 and platform and pulpit a storm of obloquy and abuse never 
 exceeded ; when a leading clergyman denounced it as treason, 
 and a leading journal counseled you to " leave such a preacher 
 to bare walls," to "strip him of his bread and butter," and "to 
 " roll his black coat in the mire," you rallied around your pastor 
 with a zeal which multiplied his words a thousand-fold. For a 
 time we stood almost alone in this community, in the fore-front 
 of that battle ; — the Congregational platform was my liberty, as 
 it was your power. Representing no party, political or ecclesias- 
 tical, and no convention or society for the abolition of slavery, 
 we held up to the conscience of the Christian community the sin 
 of abetting the extension of slavery, the duty of exterminating 
 it from every foot of soil under the national jurisdiction, and of 
 putting it under the ban of Christian sentiment wherever we 
 could not reach it by legislation or by vote. Ours was a 
 religious crusade ; its motto, " Christianity and slavery cannot 
 live together." 
 
 Some utterances of those days now seem almost prophetic. 
 As in 1856, it was said, " Slavery must go down ; but this 
 nation, like Rome, may first go down in the struggle. The 
 
41 
 
 prayers and efforts of Christians alone can avert a catas- 
 trophe which the madness of rulers is hastening on." And in 
 1854, "It will be no marvel if our children see a prostrate com- 
 merce, a servile insurrection, or a civil war ;" and as far back as 
 1851, when it was said, " Either Slavery must go down volun- 
 tarily, speedily, peaceably, under the moral influence of the 
 gospel, or Slavery or Liberty will one day go down in blood.'' It 
 was slavery that went down, and went down in blood — blood 
 wrung from the heart of Liberty : — and when the first note of 
 war sounded, this pulpit was of the very first voices in all the 
 land to proclaim universal emancipation as the only possible 
 solution of the struggle ; and it did not cease to call for this, 
 measure as the one way to peace and national unity, until the 
 final abolition of slavery summoned us to fill these arches with 
 hallelujahs ! The responses to this demand, which poured in 
 from all parts of the country, showed how truly national was 
 the influence of this church upon the questions of the hour. 
 
 As one agency in this moral warfare, this church sustained 
 Oberlin College because of its justice to the black man ; and it 
 excluded from its list of charities those publishing and mission 
 societies which had in any way connived at slavery or truckled 
 to its power. 
 
 While carrying on this warfare, by its own weapons, with the 
 real enemy of the country, this church was behind no other 
 body, religious or secular, in patriotic zeal and sacrifice for the 
 defense of the nation. From its congregation five and twenty 
 enlisted in the army ; five of these died in the service, of whom 
 two were brought home to be buried lovingly from the bosom of 
 the church. The Sanitary, Christian, and Union commissions had 
 its constant and energetic support ; the great Fairs were largely 
 officered and equipped from the women of this congregation. By 
 solemn vote and prayer you sent your pastor to minister in your 
 name upon the battle-fields of Tennessee ; and you greeted his 
 return with fresh outpourings of your bounty for the soldiers ; 
 again and again you draped organ and pulpit with flags, and 
 made this a rallying-ground for Liberty and Union under the 
 uplifted banner of the cross ; and when all was over you held with- 
 in these walls a majestic requiem for three hundred thousand dead. 
 
42 
 
 But there was one incident of the war which signalized the 
 loyal devotion of this church to the country and to Christ. It 
 was in that darkest hour when delays and defeats had so blighted 
 hope that treason came out from its lurking-places in the North, 
 and hissed its venom at the Government ; when the President 
 hesitated either to enforce the draft or to call for volunteers; and 
 when timid Conservatives began to say, " We had better give it 
 up and make terms." Your pastor came into the pulpit with a 
 plea for Christian manhood, saying : " Of what avail are our 
 churches, if we shall no longer have a government or a country? 
 •Of what worth is our Christianity if it cannot preserve these? If 
 the Government cannot save the country, let the churches save 
 both. Let this church call for volunteers ; equip a regiment, 
 and put it into the field, to show that we will never give it up." 
 At the close of the service some one called upon the congregation 
 to remain; proposed a subscription for a church regiment; and 
 before night of that memorable Sabbath, upwards of thirty 
 thousand dollars were laid upon this altar. Two women sent 
 >me each five hundred dollars, saying, " We cannot go; put men in 
 •our stead." That action went like a flash of electricity through 
 the land ; it brought letters of thanks from Senators at Wash- 
 ington, from members of the Cabinet, from generals in the 
 field. It cheered the burdened heart of the President, and gave 
 ■new courage to his indomitable Minister of War. Though the 
 immediate action of the Government superseded this new 
 recruiting office, yet the spontaneous and magnanimous act of 
 that day will forever stand as the proudest memento of our 
 Christian patriotism. 
 
 The war ended, and the great organic sin of the nation wiped 
 •out, this church, feeling its responsibility at a post so central 
 and commanding, at once sounded the alarm of two dangers 
 that seemed to threaten our peace, and that have since con- 
 vulsed this city and commonwealth with the effort to shake 
 them off: — Social luxury, begetting commercial and political 
 corruption, and Romish sectarianism invading our common 
 •schools, perverting our public charities, and grasping at the offices 
 of the State. Long before the press uttered one warning of these 
 impending evils, or assemblies and conventions of citizens began to 
 
43 
 
 take them in hand, this church lifted up its voice, cried aloud, and 
 spared not, for the rescue of the city from vice, crime, and mis- 
 rule, and for the preservation of religious liberty from the mach- 
 inations of a political church. All that a church could do was 
 here done to produce that public sentiment which has just tri- 
 umphed so signally over political debauchery, and which is yet 
 to triumph over sectarian audacity. 
 
 V. While the evils which the war engendered or brought to 
 the surface thus aroused our moral antagonism, the openings it 
 made for the extension of the kingdom of Christ, southward and 
 westward, gave anew impulse to our charities. This church, 
 which had so long labored and prayed for the emancipation of 
 the slave, was forward to work and to give for the education of 
 the freedman. This church, which had always cherished Home 
 Missions as the chief agency of our national salvation, now gave 
 to church-building and missionary evangelism a prominence 
 proportionate to the new demands of the times. Since the war, 
 it has given some thirty thousand dollars directly to these sev- 
 eral forms of home missionary work. This mention of particular 
 charities brings me to speak of the relations of this church to the 
 progress of Christ's kingdom throughout the world. From its 
 bosom have gone forth missionaries to Micronesia, to Bulgaria, to 
 Asia Minor, and to Central Asia. It has had living representa- 
 tives of its spirit and work in Italy, in Spain, and in Mexico ; 
 and brethren who have gone from it to new settlements in our 
 own broad West, as ministers or as laymen, have reproduced its 
 articles, its rules, and sometimes its name, in tabernacles in the 
 wilderness. Missionaries from every quarter, either from some 
 personal tie or local association, or by the atmosphere of the 
 place, have been drawn to this church with a home feeling, and 
 have met here a home welcome. W T hat precious memories arise 
 of Bridel, Dwight, Goodell, King, Lobdell, Perkins, Scudder, 
 Stoddard, no weathered to the assembly of tlie J ust made P er_ 
 f ec t ;— f Bushnell, Calhoun, Hamlin, Lindlay, Marsh, Schauf- 
 fler, ' Spaulding, Thomson, Walker, Wood, among the living, 
 who have thrilled our hearts and quickened our faith with the 
 recital of God's work in distant lands ! 
 
 Especially has the church cherished the international sym- 
 
44 
 
 pathies of the Christian faith. Twice has your pastor been a 
 representative of the Congregational Communion before kindred 
 bodies in England, Wales, France, and Italy ; and how often 
 has the courtesy shown to him in this capacity been reciprocated 
 by you to the representatives of other nationalities ! Here Wad- 
 dington was introduced to the heirs of the Pilgrims' faith, with 
 his wondrous story of the cost of that inheritance in the stripes 
 and bonds and blood of the Fathers. Here Massie was wel- 
 comed as an embassador of British Christians and philanthro- 
 pists, with messages of peace. Here Monod was welcomed with 
 like messages from brethren of France and Switzerland. Here 
 Vaughan, who came with the greetings of the Congregational 
 Union of England to our National Council, preached his last 
 sermon ; here Newman Hall rang that great bell of free salva- 
 tion, whose echoes still vibrate in our ears. Here Hyacinthe has 
 worshiped with us as your pastor's guest, confessing the same 
 faith in love and unity. Here SchafF has preached to Germans 
 in their own tongue, and Pilatte to Frenchmen in theirs. It 
 was a brother of this church, converted here, who years ago 
 began that work of Bible colportage which is now filling Spain 
 with the word of God ; and it was the wise, patient, and self- 
 sacrificing labors, and the magnetizing personal influence of a 
 deacon of this Church, seconded by a visit of your pastor to 
 Spain, which organized upon sound and efficient principles the 
 work of evangelization in that country, which has now been 
 assumed by the American Board. In the home field, this 
 church has fostered those institutions that give permanence to 
 our Christian civilization — the church and the college. The 
 theological seminaries at New Haven, at Oberlin, and at Oak- 
 land, California, have shared largely in its beneficence. . 
 
 During the past twenty-six years, it has contributed to various 
 
 objects of benevolence $350,000 
 
 It has raised for sustaining its own worship . . 233,000 
 Add to this toward the purchase of the Old Tabernacle, 15,000 
 To cancel the debt on this house . . 65,000 
 
 For repairs and improvements here . . . 15,000 
 
 $678,000 
 
45 
 
 Which the munificent provision for the retiring pas- 
 tor advances to more than .... $730,000 
 VI. Though I have spoken so much at large of the public 
 and external work of this church, it is not that I would give to 
 this the foremost place in its history. Not Congregationalism, nor 
 Christian union, nor Christian patriotism, nor Christian mis- 
 sions, nor universal Philanthropy, conveys the best expresssion 
 of its life and work. Rather must this be sought in its inner 
 life and growth as a church of Christ, and in its local work of 
 gathering souls into his kingdom. Its increase from 67 members 
 to an average of nearly 600, the addition under this pastorate of 
 457 on confession of their faith, and 900 by letter — a total of 
 1,357 — is but an imperfect numerical sign of a life and growth 
 which cannot be expressed in terms. No stereotyped phrases of 
 theology, no traditional forms of worship or of action, have 
 cramped the development of its spiritual activity. It has 
 grown from within by feeding upon the word of God. The 
 great central truth of Christ crucified as the alone Saviour of our 
 sinful race ; the divine origin of the way of redemption revealed 
 in the Bible , its divine attestation through the life, the works, 
 the teachings of the incarnate Son of God ; its divine applica- 
 tion through the grace of the Holy Spirit ; the personality of 
 religion in all the relations of the human spirit to kindred spirits, 
 and to the divine ; — in one word, the living reality of God, 
 of the Bible, of sin, of the Saviour, of regeneration and holiness, 
 of the judgment and the future state of reward and punishment 
 — this grand system of the doctrines of grace has been the source 
 of the strength and growth of this church, and the inspiration 
 of all its activity. But these doctrines have been presented 
 with reference to the changing phases of society, to the facts and 
 theories of science, the spirit of scholarly criticism, and the wants 
 of the times. Educated mind has been represented in this con- 
 gregation by an average of at least forty college graduates among 
 its stated worshipers ; and yet the humblest and least favored 
 have here found the gospel suited to their needs. In its use 
 and application of divine truth, this has been a living church : 
 and as a living church, it has been a growing and a working 
 church. 
 
46 
 
 The Bible class for young men, always most ably taught, has 
 been a nursery to the church for its prayer meetings and its mis- 
 sion work, a training school for the ministry and for every form 
 of evangelistic labor ; a home for strangers, a nucleus of social 
 religious life. Sabbath schools and mission schools, efficiently 
 appointed, have drawn out the activity of the church to such an 
 extent that at one period — before city missions were reduced to 
 their present system — there were no less than five mission schools 
 officered almost entirely from our membership. At intervals, 
 glorious revivals have cheered our hearts with large and precious 
 ingatherings. Most memorable was that occasion, when, to aid 
 your pastor, you invited dear blessed Father Finney to preach 
 again in the house that was built for him at the first. Those 
 months were memorable in the fruits of grace. 
 
 The sanctification of the church, and the conversion of sinners 
 unto God, should be the absorbing, the untiring aim of the Chris- 
 tian ministry. To lead the whole membership of the church up 
 to the highest point of Christian experience, both in enjoyment 
 and in efficiency, and so to make the pulpit and the church a con- 
 stant power for good upon society, bringing the masses under 
 the saving influences of the gospel ; — this is the noble calling of 
 the pastor, and this the true conception of our polity. But who 
 is sufficient for these things ? The failure to work out these 
 problems to their highest, best results has long oppressed me, 
 and is the one burden of this parting hour. But while I am 
 ashamed of the failure of my ministry, in respect to its own ideal 
 of a pastor's work, " I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." 
 This is " the wisdom of God and the power of God unto salva- 
 tion ;" and this church, guided by that wisdom, shall both wit- 
 ness that power, and wield it, for ye are co-workers with God. 
 For this the church is ably officered, and its membership is in 
 excellent drill. In the old Tabernacle, we did give the gospel to 
 the masses, and bring the masses to the gospel ; but this was to 
 the prejudice of a stable congregation, which alone can sustain 
 the ministry.* Here, with such a congregation, we have endeav- 
 
 * With an audience of 2,500, our receipts from pew-rents were only from 
 $1,500 to $2,000, and about $1,500 from collections. The rentings of the house 
 supplemented our resources, but these prejudiced many against taking pews. 
 We gave the gospel for years to young men, to strangers, and to the poor. 
 
47 
 
 ored to reach the floating population by our free evening service ; 
 but, with a limited success as compared with the first twelve years 
 of my ministry among you. 
 
 I cannot doubt that the change which the providence 
 of God has made imperative, the grace of God will pro\re 
 to be also timely : — that new modes of argument, illustra- 
 tion, and appeal in presenting the same truths of the same gos- 
 pel will bring new minds under its influence, and will so quicken 
 the spirituality of the Church, that church piety shall become 
 practical power in bringing multitudes to Christ, and to God, 
 who only doeth wondrous things, shall be all the praise. 
 
 I count it the great privilege of my life, as it has been ray 
 constant joy, to have been identified with such a church in such 
 a history {—identified, I say, for all that God had given me, 
 brain, muscle, heart, spirit, with all that study, observation, 
 and experience could gather, has been wrought into the work of 
 this church for now almost twenty-seven years. Indeed, I have 
 had no life separate from the life of this church. All that I 
 have gathered of knowledge, all that I have received of honors, 
 has been unreservedly yours ; and all that you could bestow of 
 confidence, sympathy, co-operation, and support, has been mine 
 with unvarying, unabated affection to the end. That a ministry 
 should be more blessed and more rewarding is hardly to be con- 
 ceived ; that its close could be more beautiful and honorable in 
 the reciprocity of love, is not possible. And yet, I leave such a 
 ministry and such a people without one repining thought. Its 
 imperfections, both of spirit and performance, are known to Him 
 to whom these all have been confessed, and are committed to 
 His mercy. Yet with the deepest consciousness that " we are 
 unprofitable servants," if we have truly sought to do the work 
 that God had given us to do, then may we, without repining, 
 relinquish our work when the Master calls us from it. The 
 work is everything ; the instrument is nothing, only as he is 
 made a partaker of the work. And the work of this church shall 
 stand, for it is of God. 
 
 For a people who have approved themselves so capable and so 
 worthy, I have no words of counsel or of exhortation ; my grati- 
 tude and love I have expressed in another place, as- in the bosom 
 
48 
 
 of a family ; — for this public place and this parting hour, there 
 remain only words of thanksgiving, of hope, and of rejoicing. 
 The topmost round of yonder tower is the foundation of a spire 
 pictured in the original plan of the church two hundred feet 
 above its present elevation. The men who built upon the rock 
 a tower so broad and firm can build the spire soaring in majesty 
 and beauty toward the sky. Even so, under the guiding hand 
 of some master-builder appointed of God, I seem to see this spirit- 
 ual building growing more vast and splendid upon these founda- 
 tions laid in faith and cemented with love : its pillars rising to 
 loftier heights more and more majestic ; its arches springing with 
 a sweep ; its towers growing toward the heavens, wrought of all 
 manner of stones, and pealing forth the chimes with which the 
 angels welcomed the Saviour of the world ; while within its 
 walls are throngs of Pentecostal converts, aflame with the new 
 fire of the Holy Ghost, and joining in adoration of the Lamb. 
 No cathedral of the Old World could draw my eyes away from 
 that so blessed vision. With this yearning hope, this prophetic 
 prayer, this apostolic benediction, dear brethren, "I now commend 
 you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build 
 you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are 
 sanctified." Amen. 
 
ACTION OF THE SOCIETY. 
 
 At a meeting of the Broadway Tabernacle Society, held on 
 the evening of the 14th November, 1871, the following preamble 
 and resolutions were unanimously adopted : 
 
 WHEREAS, The Rev. Joseph P. Thompson, D. D., by reason of impaired 
 health, has resigned his office as pastor of this church and society, alter labor- 
 ing among us almost twenty-seven years ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the trustees of this society be, and are hereby directed, to 
 pay to him, on or before the fifteenth day of April, 1872, the sum of thirty 
 thousand dollars, ($30,000)* in consideration of services he has rendered to the 
 society during the term of his pastorate. 
 
 Resolved, That we sincerely concur in the expressions of sorrow and sympa- 
 thy, adopted at the informal meeting of the church and society on Monday, 2od 
 ult., and at the meeting of the church on Wednesday, Nov. 1st ; and that in bid- 
 ding farewell to our pastor, after so long, faithful, and prosperous a career in 
 the service of the church and society, we tender to him the assurances of our 
 best wishes and earnest prayers for the restoration of comfortable health, for 
 long-continued life and happiness, and for his success and usefulness in those 
 labors in the investigation and illustration of Scripture history which are now 
 
 before him. 
 
 T. S. BERRY, Moderator. 
 
 C. B. KNEVALS, Clerk. 
 
 * This appropriation ol thirty thousand dollars, which represents the whole Congregation 
 in its corporate capacity, ie in addition to the personal subscription at the informal meeting 
 [see p. 17.] which has since reached the sum of nearly twenty-five thousand dollars. 
 
ADJOURNED MEETING 
 
 BROADWAY TABERNACLE SOCIETY. 
 
 At an adjourned meeting of the Broadway Tabernacle 
 Society, held on the evening of Nov. 22d, the following letter 
 from the retiring Pastor was read and ordered to be prints, 
 together with the minutes of the Society above approved. 
 
 C. B. Knrvals, Clerk. 
 
 To the Broadway Tabernacle Society: 
 
 My Dear and Honored Friends — The expression of your 
 "sorrow and sympathy" for me under the disabilities which 
 have compelled my retirement from the pastoral office, and the 
 assurance of your best wishes and earnest prayers for my future 
 " health and happiness," have so unnerved me by emotion, that 
 I can hardly trust my pen — and I am sure I could not trust my 
 voice — to convey to you my gratitude and devotiou. Now that 
 the strain under which I had so long labored, in the endeavor to 
 be faithful to my post, is relaxed, I begin to realize how shattered 
 and worthless I am. The necessity for the step which I have 
 taken must be apparent to all. Every physician to whom I 
 have stated my case reproves me for having so greatly exhausted 
 that nervous vitality which is the condition of a healthy mind. 
 
 But I am more than compensated for the loss of physical 
 vitality by the spiritual life which has been infused into me by 
 
51 
 
 the love of my people. Was there ever before just such a 
 parting between a pastor and his flock ? All the tender and 
 •grateful tributes which Death is accustomed to call forth, it is 
 permitted me to receive, and at the same time to enter upon a 
 new life of hope. 
 
 The munificent provision you have made for my temporal 
 support encourages me to look forward to the useful employment 
 of my remaining life in a sphere kindred to that in which I have 
 iabored for more than thirty years. The Universal Church 
 applauds your generosity, and I have poured out my thanks- 
 giving into the ear of all the world. But it will be mine, year 
 by year, and day by day, while life shall last, to cherish you 
 in your gift, and to honor that by using it worthily in the 
 service of Christ and of his Church. Though silenced myself, I 
 may yet preach through others by contributing somewhat to 
 their materials for illustrating and maintaining the truth of 
 God's holy word ; and whatever good I may do hereafter will be 
 the fruit of your bounty. 
 
 But while praising and blessing you for this, I am touched 
 even more deeply with the sentiments of affection, respect, and 
 sympathy with which you have so enriched and magnified your 
 material benefaction. I thank you that you have been so 
 -considerate of my infirmities and failures, and so generous in my 
 support. And I thank God for all the prosperity that He has 
 given you, and pray that He may grant you, as a Society, increas- 
 ing favor and usefulness, and may multiply to you, as individ- 
 uals, all blessings, temporal and spiritual. Above all, may He soon 
 send you a pastor worthy of your love, and of the great work to 
 \which he has appointed you. 
 
 And now, in bidding farewell to my beloved people, I would 
 recall the text of my first sermon — " I seek not yours, but you;" 
 and, by all the love of this parting hour, would pray that I may 
 meet you all in our Father's house, in everlasting joy. 
 
 Yours in the grateful bonds of Christian love, 
 
 JOSEPH P. THOMPSON. 
 Philadelphia, Nov. 18th, 1871. 
 
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