ge

Le
i A ,

 
 

 

 

 

CORNELL
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

 

THE
ANNA ALLEN WRIGHT

LIBRARY ENDOWMENT FUND

 

 

 

 
Cornell Universit

ethodism in Poughkeepsie and vicinity :
VE TOD LS

IN

POUGHKEEPSIE AND VICINITY.

ITS RISE AND PROGRESS

FROM 1780 TO 1892,

WITH

SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.

A BRIEF SUMMARY OF OTHER RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

BY

REV. L. M. VINCENT.

POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y.
PRESS OF A. V. HAIGHT,
12 LIBERTY ST.
Introduction.

THIs volume is largely devoted to the History of Meth-
odism in Poughkeepsie.

The writer, now in the 64th year of his connection with
the Washington Street M. E. Church, has long felt that
some more permanent record than hitherto existed, should
be available to the Methodists of this city.

The book is not intended as a boast, is not prompted by
any spirit of rivalry, or egotism.

‘* Let him that glorieth glory in the Lord.”

What Methodism is, is of God, and we only boast of
God’s tender love and infinite mercy, in an instrumentality
that has gathered a vast number of harvest sheaves.

Without any reflection on past history or persons, it is
only truthful to say, that Methodism in its early beginning
in Poughkeepsie, was hardly a “ welcome guest.”

Its introduction and history confirm the fact.

It was only after a severe struggle of several years that
it found a lodgment

Its infancy was feeble, and its growth comparatively slow.

Its friends multiplied, and it came to stay.

In seventy years it has made a steady, and a sturdy
advance. It is quite equal in numbers to-day, to any Pro-
testant church in the city.

It has many years to grow before it reaches the age of
several of our sister churches

It is young, compared with our “ Reformed Churches,”
which have held occupancy here 170 years; and our Epis-
copal brethren whose existence dates back 126 years.

No partiality can be justly alleged against the author
of this book in devoting so much space to the “ Mother
Church of Episcopal Methodism” in Poughkeepsie, viz:
the Washington street Methodist Episcopal Church: The
writer knows “¢#zs” church, as he has never known any other.
“With most of the recorded list of members, herein, he was
personally intimate. All have passed away but three.
A Methodism in Poughkeepste.

Sixty-four years in any church makes a history.

Washington street M. E Church was the only Methodist
church in this city up to 1840; and the history of the
“ Mother Church ” in an important sense, is the history of.
each and all

Thanks are hereby tendered to pastors of sister churches,
for facts in regard to their own church history, so readily
accorded.
What is Methodism ?

This question will naturally be asked by many who
read this volume.

Methodism is a term usually applied to the system
of doctrines and general plans of economy held and
professed by the Wesleyan Methodists of England
and elsewhere—notably by the Methodist Episcopal
Churches of the United States of America.

Many mistake the origin of Methodism and its
primitive character, by the name it now bears, and the
period when that name was given it.

It is the spirit of Methodism, its Divine qualities,
that marks its age; qualities that link it with the
early Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul had it,
preached it, died in its faith. Soother Apostles. In
the upheavals of society in the early church, the spirit
and power of Methodism became comparatively lost
as though it were buried forever.

But still it lived; and though its channels were
hidden, yet there was an occasional “outburst” suf-
ficient to show that it was “Living Water” all
through the centuries, until that grand and wonderful
development in 1729 in Oxford, England, through
the instrumentality of the Wesleys and others, which
was attended with great power, so that surrounding
churches were shaken as though an earthquake
stirred them.

The effect still remains, and spiritual harvests are
still reaped, from the new life infused by the instru-
mentality of Methodism.

The term, Methodist, was originally a term of re-
proach, consequent upon a devout, exact, Methodical,
6 Methodism in Poughkeepsie.

manner of living, and this term gradually diplaced the
temporary appellation of Bigot, Fanatic and Holy Club.
Methodism long years agone, has been known as
“Christianity tn Earnest,” not inappropriately re-
taining in this designation its primitive character.

Rightly understood, it is an embodiment of sound
Bible doctrine, of deep spirituality; with as many
clear and happy.conversions, sanctified lives, and tri-
umphant deaths as any church extant, in proportion to
numbers. .

A child of Providence; God begotten, God cared
for, God preserved ; her doctrines are purely Biblical,
to wit: The doctrine that Christ made an atonement
for sin and salvation possible to allsinners ; that God
pardons the guilty on true repentance toward God, and
faith on our Lord Jesus Christ. That it is the office
and work of the Holy Spirit to testify to, and witness
with our spirit, that we are the children of God by
adoption and regeneration ; that the consummation of
a true Christian life is the sanctification of the be-
liever, and an abundant entrance into Heaven.

That the condition of our justification and pardon,
involves faith ‘‘¢2” Christ, and faith “oz” Christ.

The first is a “fact,” by which we apprehend the
atonement, the grand scheme of redemption.

The second, is our acceptance of the fact, and our
absolute dependance on Christ ; the indispensable con-
dition of our justification. Acts, 16:31.

We may believe “in Christ,” that He is the Saviour
and bids us come to Him, that we might have life ;
but we ‘may not come.”

We may have knowledge of a possible and condi-
tional redemption by Christ, and not accept it.

We must go farther than this to effect our personal
salvation, we must believe “oz” Christ. I believe

zx” a boat, asa means of crossing a river in safety ;
Methodism in Poughkeepste. 7

and yet fears may arise, and I decline to enter it. I
believe ‘‘oz” a boat, when I venture in it, and
stake my life upon it; lost or saved, I venture. So
we believe ‘‘oz” Christ, when we surrender all to
Him, and stake our souls’ eternal salvation ‘oz
flim and Flim alone ; accepting Him because of his
infinite merit, immutable promises and shed blood.”
Just here, the utterance of the heart and lips is on this
wise :

‘Just as I am without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bids’t me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!”
The Success of Methodism.

It is no vain boast to say that for the hundred years
just past, the success of Methodism is marvelous.

In numbers, in intelligence and piety, in wealth and
influence, in all that makes a church good and useful,
Methodism will compare favorably with any Protest-
ant denomination.

In all her existence, her mission has been largely to
the “poor,” and her success here has been one of the
grandest features of her conquest.

It was one of the grand wonders of Messiah’s day.
‘The poor have the gospel preached to them.” Matt.
11:5. Worthy to be catalogued in the list of Mes-
siah’s triumphs; “with sight to the blind, the lame
healed, lepers cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead raised,
the ‘poor’ have the gospel preached to them.”

Wondrous record! and think you what a “ resur-
rection power” this truth has been to unnumbered
millions of poverty, and adversity. The Saviour send-
ing to the poorest of the poor, the greatest gift, next
to Himself, the world ever knew, ‘“ 7he Blessed Gos-
pel.”

Methodism shall never blush that her mission was
to the “poor” as well asthe ‘vzch,” and in the salva-
rion of the poor, her trophies have never been ex-
celled in the world’s history. May we inquire, why
this triumph? First of all, ‘it is God’s work.” But
then, God works by means, by instrumentalities !

Has not God designed ‘ Methodism,” one of the
successful agents in the salvation of the world ? and if

God appointed, God knows full well, the adaptation
of the means to the end.
Methodism in Poughkeepsve. 9

We have before hinted at the “Spzrztuality of
Methodism.”

Is not this the “lever” that has shifted so many
from the domain of spiritual poverty to affluence ;
that has lifted up vast multitudes out of the very
dregs of humanity, and made them kings and priests
unto God ?

Methodism has a vital power in her ‘“ Emotzonal
Chrestzanity.” Here is an element that sways human
hearts, binds communities and churches, where there is
little affinity of wealth and learning.

The sentiment here expressed has provoked nomi-
nal Christianity to scoff, and often to declare, as a
“wild enthusiasm,” the Divine inspiration of an
“emotional Christianity.”

Reason only, it is alleged, can sway sceptre here.

But a Christianity that lies only in the realm of rea-
son, (and this is no plea for ignorance,) that does not
get intothe heart, and set it throbbing with Divine
impulses, such a Christianity is only a ‘ galvanized
corpse.” Let me not be misunderstood here, for I
have no sympathy witha wild fanaticism in the church
or world.

It is no wild enthusiasm, this sense of the love of
God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost
given unto us; of a power Divine, that transforms
from sin to holiness, melts bard hearts, turns hatred to
love, grief to joy, sighing and sadness to “joy un-
speakable and full of glory.” We plead for an ‘emo-
tional Christianity,” a Divine influence in the word,
that thrills human hearts, a Divine comforter, in the
indwelling Holy Ghost, a Divine consolation in com-
munion with God in prayer, hearts all aglow, when
tears are shed, praise is uttered, shouts are sometimes
heard and the indication of pentecost apparent, so that
even in modern times, when and where God pours out

”
10 Methodism in Poughkeepste.

His spirit, an astonished people ask as in olden time,
‘““What meaneth this?”

David meant all this and even more, when he said,
Psl. 35:9, ‘My soul shall rejoice, it shall rejoice in
His salvation.”

And Paul; when he said, “The God of hope fill
you with all joy and peace in believing.”

And Peter; when he said, “ Believing, ye rejoice
with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”

The outcome of all this is, ordinarily, the “ Cer-
tainty of our spiritual condition.” A true state of
grace, an “engrafting into Christ the true vine,”
“Born again, not of corruptible seed, but incorrupti-
ble,” “heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.”

Here are elements of testimony, that can only be
ignored by a rejection of Christianity entire. If Mr.
Wesley ever doubted this, it was before his heart was
“strangely warmed,” under the preaching of a devout
Moravian.

That ‘strange warmth” was the effusion of the Holy
Spirit, “wherein God witnessed with His spirit that
He was a child of God,” and he believed it ; preached
it; died under its influence, exclaiming, ‘the best of
all is, God is with us!”

For further reference on this point, I refer the
reader to Isaiah, 12 1-2; 1st John, 3:14; Romans,
8:15.
Attachment to One’s Church.

This problem is not difficult to solve, especially
when our attachments are widened, deepened, strength-
ened by a life-long consecration and service.

Here perchance we recognize the place of our spir-
itual birth, and it may be that here we have spent
long years of earnest work in the communion and fel-
lowship of the saints.

Families have dwelt here in sweet fellowship ; here
sainted ones we loved so much matured for heaven;
multitudes rejoiced with hearts all aglow, with the bap-
tism of fire.

In the church’s true history, there is a bond of at-
tachment hard to sever ; and it is meet that the gen-
eration of Methodists following in succession should
be made familiar with the steps trodden by a_parent-
age safely housed, their toils, sacrifices, triumphs. The
cost of Methodism should never be forgotten so long
as our church endures; the cost of Methodism to zits
pioneers, in this city or elsewhere: Those who have
gone before us and left us an example that we might
tread in their steps.

Before proceeding directly to our church history, I
desire to acknowledge my indebtedness to the research
and labors of Doct. Wm. H. Ferris, now deceased.
I was not aware of any publication by Doct. Ferris, or
any other, until I had made a careful research of our
church history, from r780#to 1830. The result of this
research was so near akin to the facts published by
Doct. Ferris, that I at once decided to avail myself of
his printed sheet as to some facts recorded in this
12 Methodism tn Poughkeepste.

volume. All honor to Doct. Ferris for his tribute to
early Methodism.

As early as 1788-89, Methodist societies were or-
ganized in Rhinebeck and other adjacent places.

Rey. Freeborn Garrettson must have passed Pough-
keepsie frequently in his evangelistic labors.

The first church edifice erected in Poughkeepsie was
the Reformed Dutch, located on the north side of
Main east of the Poughkeepsie Hotel, now the Nel-
son House Annex.

Tradition intimates that a small church was first
erected on the south side of Main street, corner of
Market street, and was subsequently removed to the
north side of the street. The writer well remembers
when there was a break into the old grave yard, corner
of Main and Market streets, for the removal of the
dead. The excitement for and against was quite equal
to the political squabbles of the present day, but the
dead were removed nevertheless.

Dutchess circuit, the beginning of Methodism in
this section, first appears in the minutes of the New
York Conference in 1788. The circuit extended from
Albany on the north to Connecticut and Massachu-
setts on the east, the Highlands on the south. There
were two preachers on this circuit, Cornelius Cook
and Andrew Harpending. Cook died the next year,
and Harpending was expelled the year following. In
1789 Samuel Q. Talbot and Benjamin Abbott were
the circuit preachers. The membership of the entire
circuit at this date was 203. It is supposed that Tal-
bot preached the first Methodist sermon on New Eng-
land soil. It was in the bar room of a tavern in Salis-
bury, Connecticut, some six months before Jesse Lee
entered New England.

Benjamin Abbott, the associate of Talbot, was a
son of thunder, with little culture or refinement, but
Methodism tn Poughkeepste. 13

great goodness and power. After a holy and useful
life he died in 1796.

In 1790 Peter Moriarty and Menzinas Raynor were
the spiritual shepherds, and the membership of the
circuit had increased to 410. Hallock followed, in
1791. Moriarty, a faithful and useful man, was found
several years later, lifeless, in his bed at Hillsdale.

Thomas Everard, Zebulon Zanky, Samuel Fowler,
Robert McCoy, Jacob Rickhow, and David Brown
followed as preachers on the circuit. They were
aided by the indefatigable ‘“ Garrettson,” as Presiding
Elder.

In 1795 Peter Moriarty returned to Dutchess
circuit, and remained two years, with David Brown,
and Samuel Fowler as colleagues.

It was not until ‘ 1796,” that the voice of a
Methodist preacher was heard in Poughkeepsie.
During that year Freeborn Garrettson preached one
sermon in the Reformed church; then standing on
the North side of Main Street.

Four years after Wm. Thacher came to this city,
then having a population of four thousand, and
preached in the court house. He had good and
respectful audiences. After some half dozen sermons,
without gathering any fruits, this field was again
abandoned. While preaching here, Thacher was the
guest of Thomas Haywood living one-third mile south
of the city. Here he became acquainted with Col.
W. Pearce from Pawling, this county, who was
attending court. Pearce was a thoughtless, worldly
man. At family prayer, led by Thacher, he was
awakened, and invited the minister to come to
Pawling, and preach. Thacher went and introduced
Methodism there. His failure in Poughkeepsie
opened an effectual door 20 miles away.

‘In the morning sow thy seed, in the evening with-
14 Methodism tn Poughkeepste.

hold not thy hand, for thou knowest not which shall
prosper.”

In 1800 or 1801 Bishop Asbury visited Pough-
keepsie; and said of it, “This is no place for Metho-
dism.” He was a great evangelist, but no prophet.

At this period, we find the following names in the
list of circuit preachers: Philip Wager, Joseph
Mitchell, Jacob Rickhow, Billy Hibbard, Joseph Tot-
ten, Roger Searle. In 1800 Wm. Thacher and Peter
Jacques were pastors. The territory of Dutchess
Circuit had been divided, and its dimensions were
nearly confined to Dutchess county. The Member-
ship was 321.

In 1801 David Brown, Wm. Thacher, and Lorenzo
Dow were on the circuit. But yet, no germ of
Methodism appeared in this city.

In 1802 Sylvester Foster and Billy Hibbard
manned the circuit. Hibbard died in 1844, after a
useful life. As the veil of immortality was lifted he
said, ‘‘ My soul is as calm as a summer evening.”

The Rev. F. Garrettson, P. E., made another fruit-
less effort to plant the tree of Methodism here. There
was, however, at this time one member, John Giles.
He had been a member of the society in Ireland, and
was at this time connected with a class on the Oppo-
site side of the river.

The third effort of Mr. Garrettson to introduce
Methodism in Poughkeepsie was made in 1803 or
1804, fifteen years after Methodism had been intro-
duced into the county. Garrettson preached here in
a private house, and the first evening formed a class
of Chas. H. Duncomb, Polly Duncomb and John
Giles. The service was held in the house of Mr. Dun-
comb at 334 Main street, and it was here the first
class was formed by Garrettson. The second day after,
Peter Ladue and wife joined the class, making five
Methodism in Poughkeepste. 15

persons in all. The room occupied by Garrettson as
the preaching place was the “ garret,” an outside flight
of steps ascending to it.

In 1803 Jas. Colman and Hibbard were the circuit
preachers. Colman died in 1842. Hibbard continued
in 1804, aided by Datus Ensign. Under the preach-
ing of the former in the upper room, the class was in-
creased to ezgh¢ persons, among those added were Mr.
Haywood and wife. In 1805, Frances Ward and
Robt. Dillon were the spiritual guides. Thacher was
the presiding elder. There were 496 members on the
entire circuit.

Tradition says that the first Methodist prayer meet-
ing ever held in Poughkeepsie was at the house of John
Low, on the recent site of the Cannon street church.

In subsequent years, ministers who visited this city,
would sometimes gain access to the court house and
preach, there.

In 1805 the First Methodist Episcopal Church was
erected.

It is related that Brother Duncomb, whose garret
had become too small, growing anxious for.the future
prosperity of the church, and desirous to have a better
place of worship, fell asleep and dreamed. In his vision
on his bed a man stood before him, whose name
was Levi McKeen. This gentleman was at that time
a man of considerable means and prominent as a busi-
ness man of this city. Duncomb dreamed that he
asked of him and obtained a gift of a lot for the erec-
tion of a Methodist Episcopal Church. The dreamer
awoke, told his dream to McKeen, who freely gave
the lot on Jefferson street, 50 feet front, for the pur-
pose desired.

McKeen was at one time a Methodist local preacher,
but at this time was a member of the Society of
Friends. He died in 1852 at Fishkill-on-the-Hudson.
16 Methodism tu Poughkecpst.

On this lot a church building was erected 30 feet
long and 4o feet wide, so built that its dimensions
might be easily increased. This, however, was never
done. This building was plastered and sealed below
the gallcries, but the upper part remained unfinished
until 7874.

In 1806, Dutchess circuit (still including Pough-
keepsie), was manned by D. Ostrander, F. Ward and
R. Dillon. After these came Vredenburgh, Swazcy,
Moriarty, Planey, Cook, and Smith Arnold.

In 1810 E. Woolsey, Z. Lyon and Smith Arnold
were on the circuit, and reported a membership of
955, the territory being reduced. These were followed
in 1811 by Elijah Woolsey and Peter [ussing ;
and in 1812, by W. Anson, W. Swazey and Marvin
Richardson, and these by Coles Carpenter and Samucl
Luckey.

In 1814 J. M. Smith, P. Cook and Coles Carpenter
were the appointees. During this year, there came a
gracious revival. Smith wasa man of great spiritual
power, and about 200 were converted. Great was
the joy of the little band, that had been waiting,
praying, believing, for such a result.

It was at this time the church on Jefferson Street,
was being completed. For a time, the society had
worshipped in the court house, where the Word
preached was attended with power.

Poughkeepsie formed a part of the Dutchess circuit,
until August, 1814. It was then made a station
under the pastorate of Rev. J. M. Smith. At this
time the flock had grown from 5 to 143. Rev. Wm.
Jewett succeeded in 1816,

In 1817 W. Thacher was appointed to the charge,
but on account of ill health failed to reach it, and
Poughkeepsie was again thrown back into the circuit.
Methodism in Poughkeepsie. 17

Then followed Samuel Cochran, J. B. Matthias, A.
Pierce, L. Andrus, S. Arnold, J. Hunt, J. M. Smith,
O. Sykes, J. Reynolds, and A. Scofield.

In 1823, Poughkeepsie again became and has since
remained a station, Robert Seney was appointed
pastor. The membership at that time was 157
whites, ro colored, a total of 167.

James Young was the preacher in 1824, and A.
Pearce in 1825.

In 1826 the old church in Jefferson Street, was
torn down. It had stood about twenty years, and had
been honored with the conversion of a multitude of
souls, one of the last ministers that graced its pulpit
for a Sabbath, was the sainted John Summerfield.
When the old church was demolished, there were
182 members. The total cost of this church up to
1818, was $2,773.43, on which was paid $1,783.23,
leaving a balance of $990.20. This debt was carried
for seven years, until the erection of the new church
on Washington Street. The report from 1805, con-
tinuous to 1818, is signed Moses Armstrong and S.
H. Weed, committee, and declared correct. The
only question at issue in all this period, was a matter
of “interest,” amounting to $20.09, and on this the
committee were divided. At the time of the erection
of the new church, the debt on the old was report-
ed at $900.

The time had come for the erection of a new
church. It was a great event in the history of the
society, the more so, as it was determined to build in
the ‘“‘centre” of the town. The Methodist Church
had never had a fair show in Poughkeepsie, owing to
its location. A “by street,” and sparse population
surrounding it.

About this time there came a gentleman from
Virginia, seeking a residence in Poughkeepsie.
18 Methodism in Poughkecpst.

His preferences for Methodism were very  posi-
tive and decided, and all cfforts to prevent his
union with the Methodist Church were unavailing.
He had intimated very decidedly that something must
be done to secure for a Methodist Church, a more
eligible site, and better edifice. While this gentle-
man was passing through Washington Street onc
morning, he saw a group of men, to whom the sheriff
of the county was about to sell the ground on which
the Washington Street Church was afterward built.
He stopped, balanced the thing in his mind, and his
favorite project of a Methodist Church in the midst
of the people flashed upon him. No time was to be
lost. He offered $500. Other bids were made. Ile
finally offered $650 and then walked slowly away.
The sharp rap of the auctioneer, however, called him
back, to learn that the property was his. A’ Friend
proposed to buy it of the purchaser, and inquircd,
“How much wilt thou take for thy bargain ?” When
informed that it was not for sale, and that a Metho-
dist Church was to be crectced there, he and the
people were surprised and startled, and the Quaker
responded, ‘‘Why ! the Methodists have no moncy
to build with?” He was assured the moncy would
be forthcoming. And it was. It was true, the
society had no funds, and worse still, they were $900
in debt on their old church. Of this amount $400
was due to John Giles, which he forgave. Honor to
John Giles. Honor, and gratitude to “/Joszah
Wilhams,” who purchased the lots, and loaned the
society the money for the new church. He became
an honored member of the church, and so remained
until called to his reward.

The new church was erected, and was the same di-
mensions of the oldone. Forty by fifty feet, with basc-
ment and galleries. Its seating capacity was about
Wcthodism in Poughkeepste. 19

500. It was dedicated December 7th, 1826. Nathan
Bangs, D.D., preaching morning and evening, and S.
Luckey, in the afternoon. Great was the joy of the
people in their new sanctuary.

In 1827 and 1828 Marvin Richardson was the
‘stationed minister. William Jewett succeeded, the
two following years, and reduced the debt of the
church from $1,800 to $1,200 by subscription. The
writer was received into the church by him, and the
minister little dreamed, when he laid his hands upon
the head of the boy in baptism, that this ‘boy would
live to preach his funeral sermon, and bury him, which
was the fact.

W. Thacher was the pastor in 1831 and 1832. He
said of the church, ‘‘ The Methodists of Poughkeep-
sie are remarkable for their peace and brotherly love.”
He built a new parsonage in the place of the old one
at a cost of $1,800, $1,200 of which was raised on
subscription. During his administration there was a
gracious revival, aided by Rev. John Newland Maffitt.
The church was also enlarged by adding fourteen feet
to the length, at a cost of $700.

The New York Annual Conference held its session
here in the spring of 1833, then consisting of 158
preachers,

Such had been the growth of the society in its new
home that it now had 402 white and 47 colored mem-
bers. Since then the African M. E. Z. Church has
been organized, and most of our colored friends at-
tend it.

In 1833-34, George Coles was the preacher, and the
next year J. Z. Nichols. ;

S. L. Stillman was pastor in 1836-37. During his
stay there was a gracious revival and the membership
increased to 616. The church became too-small, or
rather the congregation outgrew the church, and the
20 Methodism in Poughkeepste.

Quarterly Conference appointed a committee to select
a site for a second church. The great revulsion in
business which followed, discouraged the effort and
the committee were discharged.

Charles W. Carpenter was the pastor in 1838-39.
During his administration the second or Cannon street
Church was organized.

The succeeding list of pastors of Washington street
Church to the present time, 1892, is as follows: P.
P. Sanford, Robert Seeney, J. Lindsey, B. Griffen,
M. L. Scudder, (during his term the church was re-
modeled and greatly improved), L. M. Vincent, W.
H. Ferris, L. H. King, Z. N. Lewis, M. D'C. Craw-
ford, G. S. Hare, S. D. Brown, J. L. G. McKown,
DeLoss Lull, J. E.Cookman, W. G. W. Lewis, QO. J.
Collins, William Lloyd, J. P. McClelland, C. R.
North, G. S. Hare (2d term), F. L. Wilson, W. H.
Hatfield, C. H. Snedecor.

Present trustees of Washington street M. E. Church,
1892 : W. T. Reynolds, C. L. Dates, J. I*. Marble,
J. H. Hickok, Julius Jillson, Geo. E. Cramer,
Mitchell Downing, Henry Tittamer, J. J. Palmer.

During the pastorate of G. S Hare, the present
church edifice was erected. It was dedicated during
the pastorate of S. D. Brown. The cost of the site
was $6,500. The entire cost of ground, edifice and
furniture, $29,400.03. ‘The corner stone was laid by
G. S@Hare. Dr. Stockton, of Philadelphia, preached
in the old church in the afternoon, The church was
dedicated Sept. 7th, 1859. Dr. J. McClintock
preached in the morning from 2 Cor., 10:3—-5, and dedi-
cated the church. Dr. Hare preached in the evening.

During the pastorate of Rev. G. Hare in 1858 and
1859, and John E. Cookman in 1865 and 1866, there
were powerful revivals of religion. Among the con-
verts of the latter, was the now sainted L. O. Winslow.
Cannon Street M. E. Church.

The origin of the Cannon Street Church was on
this wise: In the year 1839, the Baptists having
built a new church in La Fayette Place, vacated their
old edifice on Mill Street, where the new Baptist
Church now stands. This was thought a providential
opening. C. W. Carpenter, the pastor, called a
church meeting in the basement of the Washington
Street Church, to consider the propriety of a second
church organization. After due consideration, a
majority sanctioned the enterprise. The trustees of
Washington Street Church were instructed to hire the
old Baptist Church. They did so; and in April,
1840, Brother Carpenter organized the second M. E.
Church in Poughkeepsie. Soon after, Thomas M.
Brewer, Thomas Simpson, William Wall Reynolds,
Edmund B. Bailey, Henry Wray, David Norris, and
Egbert B. Killey, were elected trustees, and assumed
the financial responsibilities of the new enterprise.
At the time of this organization, or at the next report
of members, there were 318 members in the old
church, and 156 in the new.—Total 474.

In 1842 the Baptists sold their church in Mill
Street to the Universalists, and on the 1st of Novem-
ber of that year the new society vacated, and for a
while held their services in the Village Hall. Soon,
however, they gained possession of the court house,
and continued to worship there until the present
Cannon Street Church was completed. In 1843 the
new socicty purchased the property on Union Street,
fronting Market Square, for the site of a new church.
This was subsequently exchanged for lots in Cannon
22 Methodism in Poughkeepste.

Street. Nathaniel Hill, Egbert B. Killey, and Robert
Brower were appointed a building committee. The
corner stone was laid by Bishop Janes, May 26th,
1845., The total cost of the ground and edifice was
$8,650. It was dedicated on Christmas day, Dec.
25th, 1845. The dedicatory prayer was offered by
Bishop. Hedding. Joseph Cross preached in the
morning, and D. W. Clark, since pastor of the church,
and Bishop, in the evening.

Fitch Reed was the first pastor, in 1840-41. Since
then there have been the following overseers of the
flock: Hart F. Pease, J. B. Merwin, who was in
poor health and assisted by B. M. Genung. Then
followed S. Van Deusen, G. F. Kettell, D. W. Clark,
Rk. A. Chalker, J. W. Beach, L. W. Peck, G, F.
Kettell, and W. J. Foss (he preached one Sabbath
and went to heaven), G. W. Lord, L. P., supplied
the pulpit that year. Then came A. D. Vail, A. M.
Hough, A. McLean, L. G. Romaine, E. R. Keyes,
E. L. Prentice, M.S. Terry, P, R. Hawxhurst, W.:
H. Ferris, Winslow W. Seaver, C. W. Millard, E.
S. Osbon, J. Ackerman, G. H. Gregory, assisted by
G. W. Knapp, up to 1892.
ivnity MM, E. Church,

In the progress of 1891-92 the society of Cannon
Street Church, with commendable zeal and great
liberality, resolved on a new church enterprise. Lots
were secured on Montgomery Street, adjacent to the
Old Ladies’ Home, a fine church edifice was erected,
and was dedicated by Bishop Andrews, in May, 1892.
The cost of the property was $58,000. This noble
work has been largely accomplished by the inde-
fatigable labors of Rev. G. H. Gregory, D.D., and his
assistant, Rev. Robert Knapp.

The society of the Cannon Street’ Church reports,
in 1892, a membership of 483. One Sunday-school,
34 officers and teachers, 240 scholars.

The trustees, in 1892, are J. P. H. Tallman, W.
Farrington, H. D. Hufcut, J. Lyke, W. -C. Dobbs,
J. W. Barrett, J. J. Bahret and Dr. J. S. Wilson.

In the winter of 1853, the overcrowded condition
of the mother church in Washington street gave
strong intimations that the time to colonize had again
come. Many families had made application for seats
and could not be accommodated. Then there was a
rapidly increasing population in the western part of
the town, with no Protestant, English speaking
church. After due consideration, a meeting was called
in the Lecture Room of the Washington street Church,
March 21st, 1853. The matter was fully discussed,
and it was decided with great unanimity, that such an
enterprise was demanded, and a committee was ap-
pointed to secure lots. Lots were purchased of Capt.
A. Underwood, and in June following, the third
church edifice was begun, in South Clover street,
24 Methodism in Poughkeepste.

where the Hedding Church now stands. John Long-
field and Seneca Halloway were the builders. A col-
ony of about 70 from Washington street united in the
enterprise, most of them residents in the western part
of the city.

Thus it will be seen that each of the branch
churches is from the parent vine, and was planted by
the consent and advice of our godly mother. There
was no violent rending asunder. The offshoots were
goodly daughters, going out with the blessings of a
mother to establish households of their own, and rear
children for God. At the May Conference of 1853,
a pastor was appointed, There was no parsonage, fur-
niture, church, congregation, or Sunday school, All
there was of it was a $5 bill toward a new church.
The German M, E. Church in Bridge street was
rented. A Sunday school was organized May 22d,
and the church the 30th of the same month, Soon
the little church was crowded, and as the weathcr grew
warmer, the open windows let in, not only the fresh
air, but the sound of the worshippers below,—our
German brethren,—and there was a strange mingling
of kindred spirits, but discordant sounds. During the
summer a Sunday afternoon service was held in North
Clover street, under the trees. | Here nearly a thous-
and people listened to the gospel.

Dec. 31st, 1853, the first religious service was held
in the Lecture Room of the Hedding Church. It
was a watch meeting, several were converted. The
corner stone had been laid late in July, Phincas Rice,
presiding elder, officiating, aided by J. B. Wakcley,
W. W. Jewett and L. H. King. April 5th, following,
the church was dedicated, Bishop Janes, officiating.
He preached in the morning, H. Mattison, D. D., in
the afternoon, and R. S. loster, D. D., in the cven-

Ing.
Methodism in Poughkeepsve. 25

The cost of churchfand grounds wasabout $13,000.
The pastor was superintendent of the Sunday school
and acting building committee, and financial agent.

There was a great revival in the winter of ’54 and
"55. The membership increased to 290 and the Sun-
day school to 425. The following is the list of pas-
tors: W. H. Ferris, S. Fitch, W. C. Smith, J. B.
Wakeley, L. H. King, B. M. Adams, D. Buck, W. C.
Smith, G. H. Gregory, A. L. Culver, W. H. Evans,
Edmund Lewis, F. Hamlin, R. H. Travis, D. H. Han-
naburgh, Andrew Schriver, Fields Hermance. At
the time of dedication the Official Board consisted of
Longfield, Cramer, Brooks, Halloway, Secor, Frost,
Clark, Sutton, Cookingham, Lee and Cornell. The
pastor was superintendent of the Sunday school,

Hedding Church in 1892, reports a membership of
481. One Sunday school, 40 officers and teachers,
300 scholars,—all is bright and promising before them
under the pastorate of Rev. Hermance.

The trustees in 1892 are: Solomon B. Wheeler,
Eli Sutcliffe, John Schickle, Joseph Gillen, Wm. H.
Weddle, Wm. Halpin, James Harris, George I.
Smith, Charles W. Baird.

The colored M. E. Zion Church was organized in
1837. The first church edifice in Catharine Street
was built about 1843, and the present one in 1860.
Present membership 60. Prior to their becoming a
separate body, they worshipped with their white
brethren. At one time, nearly 50 years ago, there
were 58 colored members of Washington Street
Church.

The German M. E. Church in Bridge Street was
built in 1850. July 11th, 1847, the first sermon in
German preached by J. Sauter, presiding elder, in
Jay Street, in the house of Jacob Bahret. Durstein
preached his first sermon in the house of Harry Kid-
26 Methodism tu Poughkecp ste.

ney, Jefferson Street, to 15 persons. April 7th, 1850.
the first service was held in the basement of the new
church in Bridge Street. On Sept. 22d, 1850, the
church was dedicated by C. Lyon, presiding elder.
The Sunday-school was organized corner Church and
Jefferson Streets, in November, 1847. There were
15 scholars. S. Halloway was superintendent ; A. P.
Lent, assistant; Thomas M. Brewer, secretary,
and Sylvia Kidney, teacher. John Flad, the pastor.
The society was first organized by C. Lyon, in the
Washington Street Church. D. Durstein was the
missionary, aided by a German member.of the Pres-
byterian Church, Jacob Bahret. The little band wor-
shiped at Durstein’s house, corner Church and _ Jeffer-
son Streets, until November, 1849, and later, while
their church building was going up, in the school
house in Church Street. Their growth was rapid.
Their first report in 1851 shows a membership of 51.
There was then no other German church in Pough-
keepsie, now there are three, and a Jewish synagogue,
mostly German. The emigration to the west, and
the tendency of their people to the English churches,
has thinned their ranks. Present membership 82.
Present trustees of the German M. E. Church, in
1892, are Berthold Seeholzer, Ferdinand Ebling,
Wm. Koch, Wm. Scheu, Chris Sorg, Chas. Triller
and Louis Degenhart.

Poughkeepsie has been successively included in the
New York, Rhinebeck, Ashgrove, Rhinebeck, New
Haven and Rhinebeck districts. In 1835 it gave
name to the district in which it isincluded and has so
continued.

The succession of presiding elders, beginning with
1788, is given below: [*. Garrettson, George Roberts,
F, Garrettson, Sylvester Hutchinson, F. Garrettson,
W. Thacher, Peter Moriarty, A. Hunt, Peter Moriar-
Methodism in Poughkeepste. 27

ty, Elijah Woolsey, Nathan Bangs, Ebenezer Wash-
burn, Samuel Merwin, Samuel Luckey, D. Ostrander,
P. P. Santord, P. Riee, M. Richardson, P, P. San-
ford, N. White, W. Jewett, M. Richardson, P. Rice,
S. Martindale, L. M. Vincent, A. C. Foss, J. B.
Wakeley, A. M. Osbon, M. D’C. Crawford, W. Goss,
De Loss Lull, A. K. Sanford, A. H. Ferguson, Geo.
S. Hare, R. H. Travis, to 1892.

It would be an interesting, and a painfully pleasant
task, to record the names of all the sacramental host
that have finished their course. Ministers, laymen,
holy men and holy women, who have toiled with us,
and gone from us. To record their deeds, their
virtues, and their holy triumphs. But they are too
many. Are not their names in the book of life?
Are they not in the Father’s house of many mansions ?
Noble, pure men and women they were, born at our
altars. They used their armor well and kept it bright.
They are victors now. They wear crowns gemmed
with jewels. O! what a throng! There they are!
They live—for they have never ceased to live. We
remember them, their looks, their words, their works,
their songs, their prayers, their sermons, their last
battle with death, their complete triumph. They
whispered victory from pale lips. It beamed from
their countenances ; they waved it back with hands
chilled in the waters of Jordan. They have reached
Home. There the glory fades not, and temple wor-
ship never ends. Some have just gone. Their light
yet lingers. Their footsteps are visible on the sands
where they entered the river. We have not forgotten
them. Their names, their memories, are fragrant.
They have not forgotten us. We go to meet them.
They wait our coming. It is not far. ‘Twill not be
long. Side by side, we have kneeled at the same
church altar. Side by side, within the veil, we shall
28 Methodism in Poughkeepste.

worship forever. How many are there? More than
are here. No temple of God in this city could hold
them. A cloud of witnesses. From the rude garret
in Main Street; from the little chapel in Jefferson
Street; from the old edifice in Washington Street ;
from court-house and church of modern structure,
they have gone up washed in the blood of the Lamb,
to the city where night never comes. They are ours
still. We are theirs ; golden links bind us together.

“* One family we dwell in Him, one church above, beneath,
Though now divided by the stream—the narrow stream of death,
One army of the living God, at his command we bow,
Part of his host have crossed the flood, and part are crossing now ;
E’en now, by faith we join our hands with those that went before,
And greet the blood besprinkled bands on the eternal shore,”

Gently we tread on holy ground, and select a few
names from among many that are worthy of record :
Charles H. Duncomb, at whose house the first class
was formed and whose garret was the chapel, was the
first class leader and architect of the Jefferson Street
Church. He died August 24th, 1812, aged 41. His
wife Polly, the second one of the little band of five,
died the same year, two months before her husband.
An infant daughter sleeps beside them in the old
church yard in Jefferson Street.

Thomas Haywood and Joanna his wife, sleep in
the same spot. He departed this life 1818, and she
1839 aged gt. On their tombstones is written,
‘“ Blessed are the dead,” &c.

Close by these graves are those of Elijah Morgan,
Sr., and wife Lavina. The former died 1815, aged
63, and the latter 1838, aged 86. Now removed to
cemetery.

Here among the tombs are found the familiar
names, so associated with our early history, of Arm-
strong, Stanton, Weddell, Reynolds.

Among the names held sacred by the church,
Methodism in Poughkeepsie. 29

among the ministry, we recall those of Hedding,
whose last public prayer was in Washington Street
Church, and who was buried from there ; Thacher,
Stillman, Carpenter, Seney, Jewett, Sanford, Richard-
son, Griffin, Clark, and Brown. Noble men of God
were these.

The following sketch of Bishop Hedding will be
read with interest :

SKETCH OF BISHOP ELIJAH HEDDING, D.D.

Comparatively few of our members are familiar with the
name or character of Bishop Hedding. He was one of the
great men of the past. Great in his wisdom, great in his
goodness, great. in his simplicity, great in his successes ; so
great that he had few superiors, if any, in a ministry of
fifty years, or in the high office of Bishop, which he filled
for a period of twenty-eight years. He was a native of
Dutchess county, N. Y., born in the year 1780, and
emigrated with his parents to Vermont in 1791. His
boyhood was characterized by strong religious convictions,
with a will as sturdy as a giant oak; and the mental con-
flicts of his young life were truly marvellous. Those con-
flicts arose from questions between truth and error; be-
tween sin and righteousness. The grace of God, and the
teaching of a Christian mother gave him at last a victory
over self, sin and Satan.

When 18 years of age he was converted. His conversion
was hardly akin to many of the professed conversions of
modern times, which may be summed up in a rigid morali-
ty, a connection with the visible church, and observing of
Christian ordinances. “Conversion” with young Hedding
meant all the word implies.

In proof, he attended a religious service one Sabbath
day ; the minister was absent. He was induced to read a
sermon to the people, as he had done before, because he
was agoodreader. A pious woman made a direct personal
appeal to him at the close of the service, which deeply
affected his heart. Journeying homeward he turned into
a grove and kneeling by a large tree, covenanted with
30 Methodism in Poughkecpst.

God to cease from sin, and at any and every cost God
might require, seek the salvation of his soul.

Fifty-four years after this, he said, “in that hour I
solemnly made a dedication of my soul to God. I laid my
all, soul, body, goods, for time and for cternity upon the
altar, and I have xzever, never taken them back. My bur-
den of guilt was removed from my conscicncc, and soon
after, the light of the spirit broke in upon my mind as
clear, and as perceptible to me, as the shining of the sun
when it comes from behind a cloud, testifying that I was
‘born of God!’ Not a doubt, or fear, or moment’s un-
certainty, clouded my spirit.”

What a conversion! How apostolic! What a forcible
illustration “ of salvation by grace through faith ?”

As a further evidence of the genuineness of his religious
experience and the devoutness of his religious life, the
writer heard from his own lips, this testimony, a little
while before his death: “For forty ycars I have never
laid my head upon my pillow and closed my cycs in sleep
without a sense of God’s approval ! ”

Blessed heart work; repentance, faith, pardon, the wit-
ness of pardon; joy unspeakable and full of glory. He
“ knew whom he had believed.”

His conversion, however clear, did not put him beyond
the reach of temptation. Very soon after his conversion
commenced a “warfare” that terminated only with his
life.

He started, intent on running the whole race He
fought to conquer; fighting fifty long years, through
abounding grace he was victor, and in the end triumphed
gloriously.

Decision of character was one of his marked traits. IIc
was not one to be beguiled by the world, or to be swerved
from devout holy living.

He was not careful to sce with how little religion he
could get along respectably as a church member, but how
much, and how best, he could know “the ‘heights and
depths of the love of God, which passeth knowledge.”

It was worth his living did he no more than exemplify
God’s mercy in his experience of pardon; the witness of
the spirit, his growth in grace, and his triumphant death.
Methodism in Poughkeepsie. 31

Let it not be said that Hedding’s experience in the
divine life was an exception; or in view of his call to the
work of this ministry. It was no more, no less, than God
requires of all true Christians. If one such, there may be
more, yea many. The “ grace” that saved him, can save
us in like manner.

Physically, Bishop Hedding was of fine, manly propor-
tions, six feet in height.

His was a daring spirit, not presumptuous, possessing
great power of endurance with indomitable energy and
force of character; all this was exemplified in a half cen-
tury of deep religious experience, of toil, hardships, and
sacrifices, which made him essentially heroic, and put him
in the front rank of the successors of Asbury, McKendree
and our pioneer Bishops.

In the exemplification of his character he was unique.

In his high office and pulpit ministrations he was
possessed of a gravity fitting the most devout; but under-
neath that grave exterior was a sun-shine life, where wit,
humor, and all the social elements were alive; making him
one of the most genial, loving, and lovable of men.

His fund of anecdote was inexhaustible; and in con-
versation at the fire side, while relating incidents of his life
you were convulsed with laughter, or thrilled with the
events of his early ministry; detailing his travels over
circuits hundreds of miles in extent, which had to be com-
passed in a given time; wanting food, sleeping in cabins
where he could count the stars through the roof, fording
swollen rivers on horseback, traveling in the wilderness ;
preaching three times on Sabbath and even other days in
the week. Scant in clothing and still more scant in purse;
his salary ranging from five to thirty-five dollars per
annum; all of this was the experience of Elijah Hedding in
the early years of his ministry. Yet he rejoiced that he
was called to do and to suffer in the name of his Master.

He makes the following record at the close of the first
ten years of his ministry:

I have averaged over 3,000 miles travel a year, and
preached on an average a sermon a day since I commenced
my itinerant life. I have never in this time owned a travel-
ing vehicle, but have ridden on horseback, except occasion-
32 Methodism in Poughkeepste.

ally in winter, when J have borrowed a sleigh. I had no
dwelling place or home; but as a wayfaring man, lodged
from night to night, where hospitality and friendship
opened the way, and have traveled many a day in summer
and winter without dinner, because I had not a quarter of
a dollar that I could spare to buy it.”

The reader may ask was not this a work of supereroga-
tion 4 The writer answers, no!

Elijah Hedding was a pioneer Methodist preacher. Few
men were fitted for such a life. They possessed neither
the courage or endurance, or grace that were needed.

It was his work to break up “fallow ground.” He
entered upon fields that were new. Where he preached in
his early ministry, the people were strangers to the gospel.
A Christian minister was a marvel. Wondrous effects
followed. Revivals swept over his fields of labor like a
prairie fire. Communities were shaken, as though an
earthquake stirred them.

Men came to his appointments to persecute him and
break up his services. Often such men fell under his
preaching like men slain in battle, and became helpless as
infants.

He triumphed over the hostility of the most bitter
enemies of the gospel, and led them to the foot of the
cross ; organized them into classes and churches; and thus
planted seed that eventuated in a glorious harvest.

Vast portions of Northern New York, the states of
Vermont and New Hampshire, and portions of the Canadas
were first electrified by the power of the gospel as it fell
from the lips of Hedding during the first three years of his
ministry.

Such a ministry was no work of supererogation ; true, it
was a ministry of want, of toil; of sacrifice, and of suffer-
ing; but it was a ministry of “ divine power” reaping a
harvest of souls, with scarce a parallel in the history of the
American church.

To-day the hundreds of thousands of Christian worship-
pers in the sections referred to; the multitude of beautiful
churches in valleys and on mountain tops; the grandest
and best appointments of all this vast area scarcely dream
that underlying all, and the foundation of their success was
Methodism in Poughkeepsie. 33

the ministry of the pioneer Hedding—one of God’s best,
noblest, and successful heralds of the cross.

The last years of his life were spent at his home in this
city, and his memory is treasured by many of the older
members of our church, who enjoyed his genial companion-
ship and sterling friendship. From here he passed away
to join that “innumerable company ” on the gth of April,
1852.

The house which he occupied was bequeathed to our
Society, and since the death of his widow has been the
comfortable parsonage where our pastors reside.
In Memoriam.

During the winter of 1892, the church was called, ,
to bury ¢hvee of the oldest members in quick succes-
sion. The united ages of these three was 257 years ;
and the membership of ¢wo covering a period of
sixty-four and sixty-six years respectively. It was
deemed proper that an appropriate memorial service
should be held in the church of which they had been
members. The Sabbath appointed was the regular
communion Sabbath, and it became necessary to
blend these two services. The reference to the com-
munion will be therefore readily comprehended. It
was thought best to publish the whole entire, as fol-
lows :

““We commemorate to-day the death and passion of
our great High Priest. Itis possible that the frequency
of an established service in the church detracts from
its significance, so that the service becomes too much
a mere formal observance. Over 1,800 years the
church of God has commemorated the agonies of cru-
cifixion blended with the Saviour’s infinite love.
Christ’s words, ‘In Remembrance of Me,’ have
never been obliterated from the calendar of the
church, or lost sight of by the true disciples of our
Lord. The interest in this service has been kept alive
by a ‘ Divine influence’ the Holy comforter, which was
conditioned on the withdrawal of the bodily presence
of our Redeemer; so that whatever weakening of in-
fluence (if any), by the lapse of ages, has found its
counterpart in the ‘Fire burning upon God’s Altar
that has never gone out,’ that Baptism of ‘Fire,’
that ushered in, and has been the crowning glory of
the gospel dispensation.
o

Methodism in Poughkeepsie. 35

‘In our commemorative service to-day, we propose
to blend in thought and feeling the fe and death
of some marked and sainted members of our church.
No reason why in this blending, we should lose sight
of Christ as an atoning sacrifice. Christ our Prophet,
Priest and King, Christ, our Redeemer, Christ our
Present, all-sufficient Saviour. It will be a vain ser-
vice to-day, if we, at its close, are not in closer com-
munion with Christ than before. And why not re-
cognize the disciples as well as the Lord? The Di.
vine records made Christ preéminent, but how much
is said of Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Peter, James and
John.

“Tt is fitting that we recall the ‘ fellowship’ of some
sainted women of our day, whose fellowship was
sweetened and hallowed by Christ’s death, A ‘fel-
lowship,’ that is the earnest, the foretaste of an eter-
nal fellowship in Heaven.

‘“Within a few weeks past three, among the eldest
members of our church—our honored ones—have pass-
ed from labor to reward. Thechurch poorer! Heaven
richer. Jane Rundle, . 81; Joanna Darrow, @.
92; Susan Howard, 4. 80. The united ages of
these three was two hundred and fifty-three years.
And now, concerning these recently departed, what
have we tocommemorate? What, beside the simple
fact, that like others, they were members of this
church, lived and died initscommunion ? Observe in
these cases, like many who have gone before ; it is
not simply a life, but ‘¢e’ life, not simply @ death,
but ‘¢he’ death.

“ Here let me ask a question. What is the true
value and estimate of human life in its ‘character’
and ‘surroundings?’ Isit inthe adventitious circum-
stances that shape the destiny f that life, that minis-
ters to it affluence, ease, luxury, pleasure, such as the
36 Methodism in Poughkeepsie.

world covets ; exalting the few above the many ? [ an-
swer, No. If this were so, we should have little to
commemorate in the lives of these departed ones.
We have nothing to contemplate in either case of the
coveted adventitious circumstances of the world.
Neither one could boast of noble lineage, of the pres-
tige of birth, affluence, prominence of position, and
yet, they were all of them ‘women’ of whom the
world was not worthy. They were born of honored
parentage, but in humble circumstances in life ;
schooled in adversity to a large degree, but these ad-
versities gave zest to their piety, and efficiency to
their endeavors in God’s service. They found their
enjoyment as all true Christians do, more in the ser-
vice of God, than in the pleasures of the world; jour-
neying toward Mount Zion and singing as they go,

pointing Heavenward.

‘ There is my house and portion fair,
My treasure and my heart are there,
And my abiding home.’

‘In a worldly sense their life was largely a life of en-
durance, of toil, of care. Notwithstanding this, in
the church they were honored In the church they .
were a power. They were pilgrims, in a comparative
sense, journeying in a wilderness, but never a day
without the pillar of cloud and fire. God gave them
living springs of water in their desert, and their bread
was sure. It is true, as a last resort, two of them,
fleeing from the avenger ‘ Poverty,’ (not pauperism) ;
made pilgrimage as in the days of Moses, when God
provided cities of refuge, among the Israelites ; two
of these sainted women made pilgrimage to that
‘Refuge,’ environed by the beautiful homes of our
city, ‘The Old Ladies’ Home.’ They came, knock-
ed at the gate. God’s angels were there, and let
them in; and ‘ Poverty’ in their case, was outside
the gate,
Methodism in Poughkeepste. 37

“The avenger was avenged—briefly let me say, we
commemorate their ‘Long Life’—and their ‘ Early
Consecration’ to God, we commemorate their ‘ De-
vout Life.’

“They were not merely formal members of the
church. To them, the church, was ‘‘God’s Vine-
yard” and in it, they were toilers. They were not
turned aside from the established means of grace by
the ordinary attractions of the world. Always in
their place in the house of God, unless providentially
detained, walking with God! Knowing in whom
they had believed! Can you not see some attraction
here worthy of imitation? Keen regrets were often
theirs, of their inability to do for God and His cause
according to their hearts’ desire. Humbly in their
sorrow they would often whisper. ‘Silver and Gold
have I none, but such as I have give I unto thee.’
And they brought ¢hezr ‘ Gzfts’ to the sanctuary.
And such gifts!

“There are few living who well remember the
‘hush,’ that pervaded the assembly in public ser-
vice, when Jane Rundle was asked to lead in prayer.
Who that ever heard her can forget the melting
tender influences that followed. ‘Eyes,’ brimming
with tears, and hearts all aglow. It always paid to
go to the sanctuary and hear Jane Rundle gray, and
catch the inspiration of her devotions. The audience
would linger in breathless suspense, uutil the thrilled
hearts would overflow with Divine influence and lips
would give utterance to praise.

This fact should not be omitted; as was her cus-
tom after her meal, she laid herself upon her couch
to sleep, and slept ; and before waking, passed through

the pearly gates. Le
“Joanna Darrow was less demonstrative in the public

services of the church, but no less devout, an un-

-. a ee
38 Methodism in Poughkeepste.

obtrusive model of Christian excellence, that never
failed to attract Christward, and to excite, by her
example, ambition to follow the Master.

“More of you will remember the devoted Susan
Howard, as she was permitted of God to come to the
sanctary, years after the others were disabled. We
make no invidious distinction between these three
honored Christian women. Susan Howard possibly
surpassed in the roughness of her life, and the severity
of her trials. But what gifts were hers? Listening
to her testimony for God and Grace, you would be ab-
sorbed by the thought that her lips were hallowed by
a live coal, touched with the finger of God. And the
prayers she offered! when on bended knee she was
face to face with God, electrifying vast assemblies,
and seemingly made Heaven’s gates stand ajar, until
you felt that you were with Jacob at Bethel, in the
midst of the angels ascending and descending, and
involuntarily exclaiming ‘ God is in this place.’

‘‘One momentous period and event in the history of
these three devoted women, I cannot forbear to
mention.

“It came, it is true, when they were infirm with age,
enfeebled with disease, when they were expectant
and waiting, with their lamps trimmed and burning,
for their lamps never went out.

“Tn quick succession, there came to each a
messenger, bearing a message, stamped with the seal
of God.

‘The messenger needed no introduction; he had
been long expected. They were not afraid. The
message was brief—‘ Behold the Bridegroom Cometh !’
‘Haste Ye!’ ‘The Chariot and Horseman are here !
God's angels are the Escort.’

“Tn a moment, they were disrobed of mortality, and
clad with the ‘raiment of the saints,’ passed into
Methodism in Poughhcepsie. 39

the chariot, with no sad regrets, no clinging, to earth,
but away and upward, their souls ravished with the
vision of ‘Pearly Gates,’ ravéshed with ‘Celestial
Music,’ raveshed with the beaming Glory of the Son
of God, their Saviour. Ravzshed, as they clasped
hands with loved ones long since gone before, catch-
ing anew the ‘Alleluiahs’ from angelic lips, and
shouting back to earth a glad refrain, ‘ Home at last.’ ”

Here, was no wasted lives !
Here, was no wreck at sea!
Home, at last !

The poetic words which follow embrace so much
of their daily experience, in their chequered lives, we
cannot forbear quoting the same :

NOT KNOWING.

“Not knowing the things that shall befall me.”
Acts XX: 22,

BY M. G. BRAINARD.

I know not what shall befall me;
God hangs a mist o’er my eyes.

And thus, at each step of my onward path,
He makes new scenes to rise ;

And every joy he sends me comes
As a sweet and glad surprise.

I see not a step before me,
As I tread on another year ;

But the past is in God’s keeping.
The future His mercy shall clear,

And what looks dark in the distance
May brighten as I draw near.

For perhaps the dreaded future
Is less bitter than I think ;

And the Lord may sweeten the waters
Before I stoop to drink ;

Or if Marah must be Marah,
He will stand beside its brink.

It may be He keeps waiting,
Till the coming of my feet,

Some gift of such rare blessedness,
Some joy so strangely sweet,

That my lips shall only tremble
With the thanks they cannot speak,
40

Methodism in Poughheepste.

O restful, blissful ignorance !
’Tis blessedness not to know ;

It stills me in those mighty arms
Which will not let me go.

And sweetly hushes my soul to rest
On the bosom which loves me so!

So I go on, not knowing ;
I would not if I might ;

I would rather walk in the dark with God
Than go alone in the light ;

I would rather walk with Him by faith
Than walk alone by sight.

My heart shrinks back from trials
Which the future may disclose ;
Yet I never had a sorrow
But what the dear Lord chose ;
So I send the coming tears back
With the whispered words, ‘‘ He knows.”
Sabbath School History.

The Sabbath school forms a very important part
in the rise and spread of Methodism in Poughkeepsie,
and has been a most important auxiliary.

In 1814 that eminent servant of God, “ Elijah Mor-
gan ; whose devotion to the church and Methodism,
was scarce equalled in the early history of the
Methodist Episcopal Church in this city, formed the
first catechetical class,” the prelude to the organization
of the Sabbath school of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in this city. This was when James M.
Smith was preacher in charge on Dutchess circuit, and
when Poughkeepsie was included in that circuit.
They first met in a private house on Saturday p. M.,
and it is a fact of history, that no matter how pressing
the business of Brother Morgan, it was always laid
aside when the hour came for class instruction. This
class was some thirty in number, and it speaks volumes
for the moral power and blessedness of this work,
that the entire class were in due time happily convert-
ed; and grand and noble workers in the church until
death.

We would like to preserve the names of this class
for future reference, only thirty in number, and yet,
it has become a “thousand,” and more, William W.
Reynolds, born May 21, 1807, died March 27, 1873.
In process of time he become one of the most hon-
ored and distinguished merchants of this city, re-
spected and beloved by the entire community. The
day of his burial was one of general sadness and sor-
row. Every store in the city closed its doors. In
the church he was the chzef—especially in all its tem-
42 Methodism in Poughkeepsie.

poralities. He died right, trusting in the merits of
his Redeemer. Mary Reynolds and Catharine, his
sisters, each lived to exemplify the saving power of
Divine Grace, and were victorious over the last enemy.
Another sister, Hannah, the last surviving member of
this class lives, and is journeying Heavenward, 1892.
Simeon Hart, Hannah Hart, James Hart ; each ran
their Christian race with joy. Vincent Palen, died an
honored minister of Christ. George Sprague, a life-
long sabbath school worker, entered into rest joy-
fully. Lavina Morgan finished her course in Troy,
N. Y., triumphant. Wm. S. Morgan, the son, and
successor of Elijah Morgan, caught the mantle of his
father, converted under the ministry of John Newland
Maffitt ; was over fifty years a bright and shining
light, and passed through death triumphant, home,
Sept. 17, 1886, “2. 79 years. Janette Manchester,
Lydia Manchester, David Stanton, Margaret and
Lydia Carson, Wm. Arnold, Erie Arnold, have left
records in their lives that give assurance they, too,
passed through the gate into the city. So far as our
records show, this first class, the “first fruits” of
Methodism is safely garnered.

The first ‘Sunday School Society” of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church in this city, was organized in
1825, under the pastoral oversight of Rev. Aaron
Pierce. A constitution was adopted and thirty-five
names recorded as members. At this writing all are
dead. Under the pastorate of Rev. M. Richardson,
in 1827, the constitution was revised, and fifty ad-
ditional members were added. In 1831, School No.
2 was formed, to meet in Union street or vicinity.
The aggressive spirit of Methodism was being de-
veloped. Prior to the organization of the Sunday
School Society, the school was conducted by volun-
Methodism in Poughkeepste. 43

teer teachers, Brother Elijah Morgan being the
chief manager.

From the year 1825, the time of the organization of
the Sunday School Society, Thomas M. Brewer was
acting superintendent up to 1831. In 1831 he was
succeeded by Gideon H. Osborn. In 1835. Osborn
was succeeded by Smith W. Arnold. In 1844-45,
Wm. S. Morgan was superintendent. In 1846, Wm.
Berry. In 1847, Liberty Hyde. In 1849, Wm. S.
Morgan was reélected superintendent. His whole
superintendency was twenty-five years. Brother Mor-
gan was succeeded by Lemuel J. Hopkins, a worthy
successor of a worthy superintendent for several years.

Mr. Hopkins was succeeded by Edwin Marshall
and he in turn, by Geo. E. Cramer, now the incum-
bent (1892) in his 23d year of service.

For successive years Mrs. Elizabeth Hall has been,
and now is, a most worthy lady superintendent of
Washington Street Sabbath-school.

Cannon Street Church on its organization fell into
line in Sunday-school work ; and so the Hedding, and
German ; and eternity only will reveal, how much the
M. E. Church in Poughkeepsie, has been indebted to
the ‘Sabbath School.”

The report of 1892 will show, at least, under our
banner, 120 officers and teachers and one thousand
scholars, in the Methodist Sunday-schools of this city.

For nearly thirty years in succession, the Washing-
ton Street Sunday School had as secretary, James Rey-
nolds, Jr., who was converted and joined the church
at the same time of the writer, under the pastorate of
Rev. Wm. Jewett, 1830. He was the younger
brother of the Reynolds family, so frequently referred
to. He died in 1865, aged 49, and now sleeps in our
beautiful cemetery, surrounded by wife, children, and
grandchildren, all of his immediate family, save one,
44 Methodism in Poughkeepste.

“Son, James Reynolds,” now a merchant in this city.
Methodism never had a warmer heart, nor the M. E.
Church in Poughkeepsie a more devoted adherent
than James Reynolds, Jr. ; crowned early.

‘“Oh, for the touch of a vanished hand,
And the sound of a voice that is still.”

The constitution of 1827 was so amended as to
allow the election of five female managers. The first
elected were: Sarah Richardson, Ann _ Brewer,
Elizabeth Near, Elizabeth Thacher, Mrs, Jacobs.

As a matter of the interest we record here the
names of some of the early Sabbath-school workers ;
John Longfield ; Andrew Smith ; Thomas F. Newell :
Moses Armstrong and wife; James Bell and wife ;
G. H. Osborn; Liberty Hyde; Robert [offman ;
Wm. Berry; Wm. Cornwell; L. M. Vincent; J.
Reynolds, Jr.; S. K. Darrow; Enoch L. Fancher ;
James H. Darrow; Charles Armstrong; John A,
Cole; E. B. Bailey; L. J. Hopkins; A. P, Lent ;
Isaac Reynolds; Wm. S. Reynolds; Louis H. Hal-
pin ; Brother Halpin, a worthy assistant superintend-
ent many years; and noble women, not afew: Ann
Brewer ; Deborah Stanton; Martha B. Law ; Charity
Van Kleeck ; Nancy M. Richardson; Hannah Mor-
gan; Mrs. Bishop Hedding; Mrs. A. B. Harvey ;
Jane Rundle ; Mrs. A. Champlin; Martha Hyde;
Amanda Thacher ; and others equally worthy.

All crowned ! xow, save five. (1892.)

Of this company it may be said, “ Faithful and
true,” without exception ; ‘“ Sowing sced, beside all
waters” ; and the Methodist Church in this city is,
to-day, enjoying the “Flarvest,” the fruit of their
Labor,

The writer may be pardoned for once or two inci-
dents connected with some of these Sunday School
workers ; instance the sainted Jas. Bell. In 1827,
Methodism in Poughkeepste. 45

under the pastorate of Rev. M. Richardson, there was
a gracious revival in the mother church. One even-
ing there came to the altar a man of middle age,
known to be exceedingly intemperate ; with no unbe-
coming conduct, he approached the altar and knelt
among the mourners. ‘ James Bell” had known him
for years, and at once imagining his coming as the
freak of a drunken man, spake to him and asked,
‘“Why are you here, Robert?” He quietly answered,
‘‘T have come to seek religion.” He was in no wise
disorderly, but in a few moments quietly arose and
taking his hat in hand, passed out of the church went
over to the opposite corner, to a hotel, furnished as
usual with a “dar”; asked for liquor, drank it and re-
turned to the church, and again made his way to the
altar. The service soon closed and Brother Bell again
interrogated him, why, here ? His ready response
was, “I have come to try and save my soul; God
has called me, and made me feel it is my last call.”
Pausing a moment, he made a modest request, ‘that
Mr. Bell should accompany him home,” to which as-
sent was readily given. Near his residence his steps
turned to the “barn,” and opening the stable door,
said earnestly, ‘‘Mr. Bell, come in and pray with
me.” The request was granted, and there, beside the
quiet horses, Bell prayed. He charged him afterward
as to the course he should pursue on the morrow, and
Robert solemly avowed, “he had drank his last glass
of liquor.” Before dawn the ensuing morning, Bell
was on his way to the barn, fearing the worst results,
All was quiet around, but as he approached the door
a voice fell upon his ear; listening, his heart was
thrilled ; it was the ‘‘voice of prayer; and such a
prayer meeting as followed at that early dawn in the
stable with a repentant sinner, you must imagine if
you can. Let it suffice under the watch care of Bell,
46 Methodism in Poughkeepste.

he was at the church in the evening clothed, and in
his right mind. Regularly every evening for three
weeks he was at that a/¢ar until God converted him,
and he knew it, too; saved, soul and body. The faith-
ful Sabbath School teacher did not forsake him. Sab-
bath morning he was introduced into the Sabbath
School, soon joined the church, and for ten successive
years liveda devout Christian life, and died a most
triumphant death. It was “grace,” not a ‘mere
pledge” that saved him. He never fell or faltered.
Our Sabbath School record shows him as filling im-
portant stations therein for successive years, (Query :
Is it not the best way to save an intemperate man to
get him soundly converted ?}) When dying, his last
request was, ‘Take me to my church when dead, set
my coffin in my accustomed seat and let the minister
point to it and say, a sinner saved by grace.”

Among our most devoted and earnest Sabbath
School workers in years agone was Mrs. Rebecca Tit-
tamer. She was conspicuous in her work, for gath-
ering a large class of half-grown lads ; many of them
from very poor families in the city. Those who
needed she helped to clothe, and one evening in a
week, rain or shine, she had her class together, sympa-
thizing with them, advising, praying for them, and
making them feel if they had one “/rzend”’ living, it
was Mrs. Tittamer. She visited them days in suc-
cession, that she might the better know their habits of
life, and counteract if possible, evil influences. A
delicate lady, and yet a power in the church and sab-
bath school. It was more than her meat and drink
to hold in her grasp these youths, and save them.
Passed in the prime of life to her home in Heaven,
The day will come when she will say in the presence
of God and Agels, “Here Lord, am I and my
sheaves! those thou gavest me.” In June, 1892, the
Methodism in Poughkecpst. 47

writer grasped the hand of a man in middle life, who
was once in the class of Mrs. Tittamer, and who, with
tears in his eyes, named the name of Mrs. Tittamer as
“the instrument of his success in business and the
salvation of his soul.” How many such will rise up
in a coming day and call her blessed.

The minister, who attended the funeral of Mrs.
Tittamer, among other things said thus:

The retrospect of ¢#zs life is to me and to many,
of thrilling interest. I have watched it with interest
for 40 years. I have known it from the cradle to
the grave. I can recall to-day, the smile of infancy,
the prattle of childhood, the blush of early woman-
hood. I have vivid recollections of the hand in hand
journeying of this daughter with her widowed mother,
as for many years they were all in all, to each other,
and God their friend. I remember her as the Sabbath-
school scholar, the penitent at God’s altar, and the
early consecration of herself to God and his church.
I have known her in “holy wedlock,” journeying
with one, now bereaved and sorrowing; and how
many have known her, as a devout Christian woman ;
upon whose heart the altar fire was ever burning ;
whose hands were ever full of loving and tender
ministrations ; whose sympathies were well nigh un-
bounded to the poor, the unfortunate, to the stranger
within our gates.

Many young men were led to Christ through her
instrumentality, and her weekly meetings with these
persons, her tears, advice, encouragement, and prayers,
her continual looking after, in sunshine and in storm
—all of these marked her as one of the most persistent,
loving, and effectual, of our Christian workers.

God has taken one of our most earnest, devout
Christian women; one whose meekness, whose
humility, love, faith, purity, whose earnest work for
48 Methodism in Poughkeepsie.

God is rarely excelled. Over her life God reigned.
Not less over her Death. It was meet, that after
such a life her sunset should be without a cloud.
Not a shadow, over the.closing scenes of her pilgrim-
age, save the physical suffering, and weariness of ex-
hausted nature. No fear. Under the consciousness
of dying her calm response was, ‘‘ Wasting ; Watch-
ing; Waiting!” .

The day before she died, when she could scarce lift
a hand, or speak a whisper, from a sudden inspiration
she rose suddenly in her bed, and in a clear voice, and
with much energy, sent a message to the church as
follows :

“When you meet my poor boys in the street, speak
to them kind words; kind words will cost you no-
thing, lead them in the right way. Care for these ;
I cannot, zow.”

She fell back upon her pillow and whispered, Going
to Heaven‘! Rest for the weary! Her last words
were, ‘‘Gotng to Heaven.” Rebecca Tittamer,
‘through the gate, into the city.”

‘‘ Where, angels themselves cannot tell,
The joys of that holiest place ;
Where Jesus is pleased to reveal,
The light of His Heavenly Face.”

“Where, caught in the rapturous flame,
The sight beatific they prove,
And walk in the light of the Lamb,
Enjoying ¢he beams of His Love.”

In the Sabbath-school, of which we have been
speaking, there was what was familiarly known as
the “ Reserve Corps”: Hetty Marshall, Rebecca
Tittamer, Isabel Fanning, Mrs. Doct. A. B. Harvey,
Blizabeth Hall, Sally Hawkins, Mrs. A. Champlin,
Lucretia Marble, Allie Lent, Mrs. Louisa Reynolds.
They were always supposed equal to any cmergency,
and they never failed,
Methodism in Poughkeepsie. 49

The “Alumni” of the Washington Street Sabbath
School, who passed into the traveling ministry, were
as follows: Jacob Shaw, Wm. Blake, —. Dayton,
—. Brice, A. C. Foss, L. M. Vincent.

Worthy of marked distinction, a member of the
Washington Street M. E. Church Sabbath School,
was Mrs. N. Mansell, zee Monell, who was received
into the church under the pastorate of Rev. L. M.
Vincent, and who dedicated her life to missionary
work in India. Nineteen years has she spent in that
heathen land, in devoted missionary labor. In 1891,
with impaired health, she returned to visit the home
of her childhood. In September, 1892, she returns to
India to labor, to live or die as God sees fit. India
has heard from the Sabbath School of Washington
Street M. E. Church.

I cannot refuse to gratify the desire and solicitation
of friends, to insert in this volume, the sketch, deliv-
ered at the funeral of our beloved Brother Wm. S.
Morgan, so prominent in Sabbath-school and church :

How true as quoted, and full of tenderness, “ Our
bitterest sorrows are enfolded in our greatest delights.”
Sooner or later homes mean heart breaks, and love
means loneliness. Love must always beara cross, and
the more nearly divine it is, the deeper is the mark.

‘God gives us Love! Something to Love
He sends us, and when Love is grown
To ripeness, that on which it thrives
Falls off, and Love is left alone.”

This man was my brother in Christ. An intimacy
of well nigh 60 years has been as a golden band weld-
ing our hearts; and in all these years, never once
disrupted ; not broken now ; only God has added one
more link to the chain which stretches out to the home
beyond.

Much of the burden of this hour is lifted in the
sweet assurance of our blessed Redeemer, to wit:
50 Methodism in Poughkeepsve.

“In my Father’s House are many Mansions; if it
were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare
a place for you! and if I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come again and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, ye may be also.”

If I was asked to-day whither has our departed
brother gone, I should answer without misgiving,
‘Look ye to the prepared place.” “The House of
many Mansions” ; at Home, with God and Angels.

With his body in our presence, our thoughts turn
to ‘‘death,” to separation, and the whole catalogue of
zits which follow in the train of death. We all appre-
hend these, and dread them. In our childhood they
stared us in the face, and our fear thereof drove us to
parental arms. In youth, manhood, extreme age, this
dread of dying, is the foe of our peace, our ambitions,
our hopes. It is a very “taint” to all our pursuits
and purposes! an ever present consciousness, that
despite all we gain of worldly good, and all we escape
of evil, we cannot escape death.

How cheering then the words of our ‘‘ Redeemer”
quoted a moment since, portraying to our vision an
“ Existence” bright and beautiful beyond. Words
implying a ‘“‘reunion,” after “separation” ; implying
‘‘exemption,” after all our “suffering,” in the body ;
implying “immortality”; that there shall be no more
death. So death is not a “ fizality,” the end of our
Being.

Our thoughts are daily reaching out to the end of
our pilgrimage, to the last fearful stroke, when disease
has baffled the profoundest skill of the physician ;
when scalding tears fall upon the face, we have look-
ed upon so long, and loved so much, when hearts are
broken, and the link which has bound life to life is
severed, but when this fearful stroke has fallen there
comes back to us as a vefrazu from the city of God:
Methodism in Poughkeepsie. 51

‘In my Father’s House are many Mansions. I go to
prepare a place for you.”

This does not imply a ‘‘ New Creation.” This an-
nouncement of our Redeemer was not the hour of
Fleaven’s Birth, The song of Redemption had been
sung there near 4000 years before. Its first note fell
from the lips of righteous 4ée/, who, though in the
angels’ presence, yet solitary and alone, sang the first
song of Redemption, ‘unto him who loved us, and
washed us in his own blood, to him be glory forever
and ever.”

So when the Lord Christ announced “I go to pre-
pare a place for you,” it was not that Heaven’s light
was now to be created, and its music first sung.
These words have a spiritual significance, and they
present the fact that Christ was to become our
“surety.” “Surety” for our full and complete re-
demption of soul and body ; a redemption no longer a
subject of promise and prediction, “ du¢ an accom-
plished fact;” stamping it with the seal of his own
resurrection, that ever hereafter death could only reign
by “‘sufferance,” not by “right.” So, I go to pre-
pare a place for you into the Holiest, by a new and
living way by my own blood, Andif I go, I will
come again and receive you unto myself, that where
I am there ye shall be also. I go, men will make me
captive, crucify, and bury me. But, “if I die, I shall
live again,” ‘and because I live, ye shall live also.”
Wondrous revelation this, a glorious vision bursting
on wrecked humanity, portrayed by divine lips. It is
as if the Master said, there shall be purpose in my
“death.” By dying, I shall prepare the “ place” and
the ‘ way.” There shall be purpose in my “burial.”
In the grave assigned me I shall plant the “seed” of
a ‘‘new. existence,” which in due time shall germinate,
and the fruitage of that seed shall be a harvest of un-
Le Methodism in Poughkeepsve.

dying bodies of every kindred tongue and people
under Heaven; a multitude no man can number,
reaching back to the first guilty pair, and forward to
the end of time, stamping with immortality the whole
created intelligence of God.

With such a revelation as this, our departure from
earth, should have less of sorrow and more of delight-
ful anticipation. It is but a removal from one de-
partment to another, The transition is from this
earthly tabernacle to the building of God, our tempo-
rary separations are but the prelude to our eternal re-
union. And the dreaded rzver from which we shrink
becomes, in the language of a little child dying in the
arms of a beloved mother, ‘“ Only a little brook
after all.” This revelation “is the substance of
things hoped for” the evidence of the unseen. Our
fatth must grasp itas such. It is the want of “ fazth”
that makes every dark cloud in our horizon portend
the lightning and storm, that resolves our every-day
experience of life into a sad and calamitous con-
dition. This should not be so. While our mercies
are from God, the appropriation of them is with our-
selves through “ fazth,” and our faith should make
real unto us the immutability of God’s promises, the
tenderness of His care. Fazth has but one response
to God's providences that we cannot fathom, “God
reigneth.” This faith in God comprehends God,
links us to God, and makes God available to us
in every extremity of life and death. God reigneth !
But let us not suppose because of this, that every
sea of life must be calm and placid, every sky
serene, every path stoneless, God reigns in the
Jrost and we as well as in the genial breath of
spring, fragrant with flowers; in the storm, as in the
sunshine; in our afflictions as well asin our comforts.
It is all the same as to the truth in question, whether
Methodism in Poughkeepsie. 53

he rides upon the wings of the wind, or whether his
tread be as the stealthy tread of the mother around
the cradle of her first born.

Very few have excelled our Brother in the
power of this /aztf, and why? He wore a panoply
Divine. AHzs was a “character” that opened wide
the portals of Divine grace, through which beamed
a light that revealed God to him as a_ loving
father, and the ministrations of his Providence as
expressive of parental care. With him, “charac-
ter” was the first and highest thing. His motto was,
like that of Goethe, ‘The history of a man is his
character.” In perfecting this, he sought the inspira-
tion and pattern of his manhood at the highest source,
the life and teachings of our Blessed Redeemer. His
earthly pilgrimage reached a period of seventy-nine
years within four days. Its wholesome fruitage, and
whatever commends itself to our admiration and love
is due to ‘‘Chrzst.”. To God he gave his heart, to
Him he dedicated his life, more than fifty years ago.

When he gave his heart to God he consecrated his
life work to the church of his choice ; and rare is the
man whose fidelity and constancy, whose love to the
house of God and the appointed means of grace” ex-
celled him. He ranked among the first of his brethren
in zeal, devotion, liberality and perseverance, never
faltering until “the keepers of the house began to
tremble,” and ‘the grasshopper became a burden.”

In the Prayer Meeting, the Sunday School, over
which he presided more than twenty years as its su-
perintendent, he was building up his own ‘“ charac-
ter,’ and modelling others. His refgzows character
was developed as well in his “duseness” as in the
sanctuary where he so delighted in singing the songs
of Zion. Nearly fifty successive years he was a lead-
ing merchant in our city, commanding the confidence
54 Methodism in Poughkeepste.

and respect of the entire community, and his name to-
day is like precious ointment poured forth. Elis re-
ligious character was developed in his home, of wed-
ded life, just passed fifty-three years. Whether as
priest at the family altar, or in the social intercourse of
the household, upon him rested a Divine benediction.
Llis home was a “ Bethel” where peace reigned and
God dwelt. A gentleman of the old school he was
rarely excelled in his gentlemanly demeanor. His
politeness has passed into a proverb. His social life,
genial in the extreme, developed in his advanced years
the ‘“vivacity of youth.” He seemed never to grow
old. Paradoxical as it may appear, he was a “‘ young,
old man,” until stricken down with disease about
five months prior to his death.

Never in his life was his “ Redégdous Character”
more fully developed than during his lingering illness
and in his peaceful, quiet death. There is something
always enchanting “in the chamber where the good
man meets his fate.” I always linger here with
solemn delight and never do I feel more in the imme-
diate presence of God and angels than in the room of
the dying Christian. There God dwells, chariots are
in waiting, angels whisper. My faith is never shaken
by the variety of exercises there developed when life’s
work, and “ character” are well wrought, to comple-
tion. It is all the same, whether the departure is like
the infant smiling in its last wakeful moments, resting
upon the bosom of its loving mother, or like a triump-
hant victor, who proclaims his conquest by a shout
long and loud. Itis all the same, whether the approach
of death is by measured tread and slackened pace,
making the night long and the dawn of the morning
slow, or whether he strikes quick and sudden as the
lightning’s flash. Even “ Sudden Death,” is ‘“‘ Sudden
Glory.” We need no dying utterance from this good
Methodism in Poughkeepsie. 55

man’s lips to tell of a prospect bright beyond. His
life is the index of his destiny over and beyond the
swelling flood. Patiently submissive, with invigorated
fazth, with hope as an anchor to the soul, never
doubting, or fearing, he reached the end. Gently,
was the silver chord loosed and the golden bowl
broken. He ‘fell on sleep,” waking to join the
church of the first born in Heaven. Oh, voiceless
land, through whose closed gates none come back to
tell how eloquent art thou in thine unbroken silence
of garnered love, of burdens laid down, of eternal
rest, and praise. Farewell precious brother, not for
long !—only till the day breaks, and the shadows flee

away.
“Rest comes at length, though life be long and dreary,
The day must dawn, and darksome night be past ;
All journeys end in welcome to the weary,
And ‘ Heaven,’ the heart’s true ome, will come at ast.”
Families.

Among the families who gathered at the altars of
the mother church in its early days are names that
will not be forgotten while the church lives. Their
devotion to the interests of Zion, their prompt and
faithful attendance, their liberality and personal sacri-
fices for the church are not easily excelled. : The Mor-
gans, Reynold’s, Armstrong’s, Brewer, Rundle, Stan-
tons, Hyde, Williams, Hopkins, and others.

Several passed from the mother church to the new
and later branches, Cannon street, Hedding, and con-
tinued their devotedness until God said, itis enough,
‘““come up higher.” These were large families in the
main, and some of their posterity still linger, “ pres-
sing toward the mark for the prize.” These of olden time
nursed Methodism in its infancy, supplying it with all
things necessary for its temporal existence, not with-
holding their most ardent endeavors for the church’s
spiritual welfare. No stress of weather, no worldly
amusements, no luxury at home and comforts of the
fireside kept them from the house of God. It was
their refreshment and pleasure, the stated means of
grace. or the care of the church they were like a
break-water at the entrance of the harbor, a sure de-
fence. They were guards against encroachments, and
‘“‘watchers” that the fire on the altar of the sanctuary
“never went out.” Watchers, toilers, care-takers of
God’s heritage, behold the fruitage !

The ‘social clement” of the church in days agone
is not exactly ‘one of the lost arts.” The remnant
remains, and has yet some attraction and frequency.
It is a pleasant memory, how the social and religious
Methodism in Poughkeepste. 57

were combined in days long agone. Never a ‘social
gathering” then, that was not invariably sanctified by
prayer, by devotional exercises It was deemed a se-
rious drawback to all social interviews, the lack of the
conscious presence of the ‘“‘ Master,” which was sel-
dom the case. And many a cloud of mercy, many a
passing shower of Divine grace was wafted to the
sanctuary in answer to the prayer’s offered in “social
life.” The church’s benefit “was the early and latter
rain.” Is it not a serious question how far “ business ”
in its drive and hurry, how far the enticement to stay
at home after a wearisome day of toil, how far the
world has entrenched itself at the very gate, between
social life and the church, and barred it ; notwith-
standing social life hallowed by .Divine influences has
been, and may be, an efficient instrumentality in the
spirituality of the church in the conversion of souls.
A record of some of the early members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie, mostly of the “ Mother
Church.” We wish that our space, and facilities were
sufficient, for a full and complete record To resurrect
them all would be to present an exceeding great army.
Nearly all of this record, have passed to the church
triumphant.

 

 

A fa
ar a
me NAMES. z 6
zs fd .
Q q
= =
178% | Elijah Morgan, Sr... 2.225. sass soe], 28ing. | O8
ee Lavitia; Wis wif 15 24 saikesea ats 1838 86
« | Elizabeth Thacker. (ic +<.s4ss02e« 1841 | 83
1790 | Gabriel Armstrong............. ...| 1830
“ John Stevens... ..... 0 ....., 1836 | 92

18c5 | Charles H. Duncomb, | _ These five 1812 | 40
«| Polly, his wife, formed First] 1 g15 39

«| John Giles, See 1855 | 76
«| Peter Ladue and wife, | keepsie.
1806 | Jesse Rundle..................00.. 1871 | 94
tee ||| Matis IS wile versa lc wat axe cla cutee 4 1876 | 60
1809 | Joanna Haywood................4. 1839 | 91
1810 | Moses Armstrong.......... 0 ....... 1826
1811 | Elijah Morgan, 2d. ............0... 1857 | 74
«| Nancy, his wife .. ........... 1870 | 80
1812 | Sarah Richardson, wife of Rev. M.R. 1857 | 65
1815 | Hannah Luckey............ 0.2... 1866 | 75
1812 } James Bell. wou 2c. cca vee See cease 1843 | 55
& Elizabeth Ann, his wife. © .......
1815 | Eliza Stanton Bates, Cannon St.. 1888 | go
1812 | Elizabeth Near.............0....... 1876
1815 | Stephen Armstrong ............... 1864 | 73
Catharine, his wife................. 1863 | 70

 

 

 

1614. | Emily Babooek,, aivovas veces vdens 1854
 

 

 

 

 

Methodism in Poughkeepsie. 59
A a
ze 5 ‘
me NAMES OF MEMBERS ©
mH . z, Oo
ze a es
a a
= =
“ | Joseph Williams................00. 1862
1812 | Thomas Simpson and wife..........
1814 | Thomas M. Brewer............ sous, FOZ
“ Anin, his wifes. cscc acca nw eevare veda
ESTs: | Amelia; Hunted. scceanciy oso eit 1830.
1810 | Jane Maria Jewett, wife of Rev. W. J.] 1858
1814 | Andrew Smith. ................048. 1857
181s | Charles Davis.. uid erp S| ak OO 76
es Satay His Wil@scni..0 cs acne eeaiew wes 1863 | 64
« ) Pink Carr, (colored)..............4. 1878 | go
“ Jeremiah Banker................... 1861 | 65
«“ Billens his wifey caccssdttadeuioeuse 1863 | 64
1820 | Elizabeth Reynolds, mother of Rey-
nolds Family so frequently referred
LO Ue Sead eyo eieang o tro menage wien 1863 | 78
1823 | Charlotte Monell................... 1853 | 56
a Liberty: Flyde..iscceava: chctend eax 1887 | 77
Jane; Dis Wifes. soeet gece een eeu ews 1890 | 82
1826 | Gideon H. Osborn... .........,....: 1840
Te2n) |, Hy Be Baileys cc con de nena eee Ghee’ 1848 | 54
1828 | Robert Hoffman,...............-.. 1836
1829 | Phoebe Panning cas acev devine ce eins
1830 | Charity Briggs......... 0... 0.00000 1877 | 83
rg27 | Seneca Hallowayi cw scee ieee oem ene 1889 | 85
Albert Champlin........ ......-4. 1885 | 72
1830 | William Berry............. 0.00055 1879 | 69
ee Aaro F. Palinet. icc usa ean eiceiessi een 1885 | 80
“ Susan,, his -wifess 20. s4.426s eee we mee
1831 | Martha B. Law..........-.-..+---.
me | Rebecca “Gaye osc teugels weed sess 1858
« | Charity Van Miccdlice nasce eee e
ee Rosanna Van Kleeck...............
ek Harry Kidney nc cncices cas sone dees 1881 | 78
ie Silay His Wits case ne nie awe ah Shae 1886 | 80
1827 | Jane Rundle... .iwsu esa pet coe sues 1891 | 80
1831 | Rachel and Maria Rundle...........
e Sarah, Rundléns sauces see woes eds
ea Patience Flagler.............0--085 1837
1832 | Josiah Williams.............-++.+4: 1864
1849 | Augustus Jillson...........+..-.+55 1871 | 73
Charles Storm. ........-02eeeeeeee 1862 | 54
 

 

60 Methodism in Poughkeepste.
ci B
a A ts
mid NAMES OF MEMBERS. iz o
ze 3 -
Q a
s B
Louis: He Halpittec. sviaieeieneddd. 1890 | 54
Doct. A. B. Harvey oa. seo rass eee: 1882 | 65
Charles Armstrong.............. 4.
A. T. Wainwright, the father of the
sainted Mrs. B. H. Trowbridge who
diédities, yawn et estas) T8O
George H. Adriance, towhom, Sudden
Death was Sudden Glory.........
STILL SERVING, 1892, IN ACTIVE
SERVICE.
1849 | William Bodden, George E. Cramer,

 

James F. Marble, Doct. Downing,
James Myers, Hickock, Card, Dates,
Carpenter, Van Kleeck, Palmer,
Morey, Williams, W. T. Reynolds,
McNamee, Lent, Caughey, Dauchey
and others we would love to mention
did our space permit.

STILL VIGOROUS WORKERS IN TRIN-
ITY CHURCH.

Jno. P. H. Tallman, Corydon Wheeler,
James D. Burgess, Richard R. Hay-
man, James W. Rust, J. J. Bahrctt,
J. W. Barratt, John Lyke.

PROMINENT WORKERS IN HEDDING
CHURCH.

Solomon B. Wheeler, William Halpin,

Isaac Secor, William T. Frost, John
Shickle, Eli Sutcliff and others.

 

 
Class Meetings.

Class Meetings were co eval with the birth of Methodism.
“Joining Class” was synonymous with “ Joining the
Church.”

Every class had its duly appointed leader, appointed by
the pastor, whose authority in this matter was supreme.

A“ Wilful Neglect” of “class "’ was in thisearly day of
Methodism, and for long years after, deemed a sufficient
cause for depriving the delinquent of membership in the
church. By discipline they were “ laid aside.” The cause
to be named to the society, “ A neglect of duty,” not im-
morality. This law of the church has been modified many
years since.

The first class leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church
in Poughkeepsie was Charles H. Duncomb. The original
paper is now before me. He served as leader from 1805 to
1812, when God called him home.

It will be of interest to many to know who composed
this first class. They are as follows, with the form of the
paper, and a copy of its original entries. The letter B in
the first column signifies “believer,” in contrast with S,
“seeker ’—as generally appeared in all class-books. The
column following each name denotes their “ stations in life”
so-called : as M, “married;”’ W, “widow;” S, “single.”
The figures denote their weekly or monthly class collec-
tions for the support of the church and ministry :

 

 

 

 

wv

z,

| O

4) zie

a & MEMBERS’ NAMES. 30} 9

5 5 ee

a B 3
{|b \Chae-T1.. Dancomibec Ga veou sue cees ad eas M| 50 |so
2 |B |Polly Duncomb..................00-. ..+-|M} 50 |50
sD Ohn, Gilese.c..aa ¥x is avante as SN ney SU ate see MI! 50 |so
62

Methodism in Poughkeepste.

 

NUMBER.
STATE

IN)
DOW WWW WWTDD WWTDD

 

MEMBERS’ NAMES.

STATIONS.

COLLECTIONS.

 

Richard: ATMStONS s,s o cask ete see ee
Elsey Stantoniniwn ongaetess: Sese ssa is
Moses Armstrong... «wee eee eee eee
Hannah, Armstrong. 5 .oc5 sea wees wees
Sarah “Goval. . gicicae GhGa Sw Has ew ER
Jesse Rundeél, s,s. ccna ii aaa canes on
Anna, Rundellis vic.daien gee beeen weed eee
Monmouth Purdy..... .. 6... eee ee ee eee
Betsey W ed dlens.c cugascin aad iene 4
David: Downie, oes ead chow iae eee ere
Deentah Downing...... 2.0... cee eee nee
BigtbeCooperin.vaiie wea aw ewe een
Polly Séa Dury psu into tear tagse de Ries ergs delet Hh
Catharine Bogartiwaeics eenece cada ent ines
Mary (COVE: « ¢ dos assis ates ia sleds phate a eas haces
RhinZy A TMStHONn @ wkentag Matesie waa wewa a eo
Peter G: Palefhasicicniscsecseyaee boeee ad
Margaret: Palen. ic ccncauiwnes sevagenducgs
Lemuel Conkhiniscacey sea wa eer eieo Kees
Mary Conklin. ss ivccaivessevousve cane a
Beg ey Place, tiers he  Avndceaie ea tise ala
William "W Gaver cosucusacccbra. eben pastes
Jasy MeBride@s. cis even gem teiee se. ¥ae eee gale
Nathan: Smitheeeccicedek achive ase eias
RODErt Relays. vite sae des 4 ae eevee 4 eS
Mrs. Rélayncsaee seu oie k Gaeeaeer as g neds
Joanna Seabury.... 22... cee eee eee eee
Elijah: Gilese..ioe. ced eacie cereus wee ae
John. Tompkinswie. ces cess cree ienwe ue neee
Elijah Dhack€tie aa 0s esse yekateeeacleeee acess
Hildah Ticeic.svons sue aesae rete naw ees

 

MOPS ats: 2-be deal aeeare conser Hen

 

g
Phcebe Titus, (colored)
Countess. Faborigwyicsawies cine oaldeauealans ax
ane: VabOtees ac). wack saad anb nae poaes
Le SG ces cue aay hear a ae ek

 

PenitenceCroo kis ve sieesiik oidates Wisi acta eves

Zee ee AZNB EZ OHHH Sse ee gee eee Sees |

 

 

 

25

50

aS

590

12 |..
BO! |n

12

25
12

"32 |.
0 |..

Wels

.j|12

50
25
50
25
50
25
25
25

12
12

25

Oe li

 
Methodism tn Poughkeepste. 63

Following this first class paper is the next original class
paper, now in possession of the writer, date 1813, Moses
Armstrong, leader, endorsed as follows: “The Friday be-
fore each quarterly meeting is a day of fasting and prayer,
by order of Discipline.”

Signed, Wo. ANSON,
MARVIN RICHARDSON,
COLES CARPENTER,
Preachers.

Fifty-two members on second paper.
Protestant Churches in Poughkeepsie,
and their Unity.

This feature is marked and prominent.. It would be dif-
ficult to conceive a more harmonious religious community
than this. Though of different names and creeds, their
differences are not a Jar to their Christian fellowship and
harmonious working. If there be strife among them, it is,
which shall do most for God and the salvation of the people.
Not a gathering of any creed or sect, on any public occa-
sion, but you may witness on the platform of speakers,
representatives of all the Orthodox churches. “ Their fears,
their hopes, their aims, are one.” Three of their present
pastors have celebrated each, their twenty-fifth anniversary
of pastoral service. Rev. Dr. Wheeler, eight years since,
and is now in the thirty-third year of his pastorate. Doct.
Van Gieson and Dr. Crary the present autumn; very long
pastorates are the exception to the rule. Doct. Cuyler, a
pastor long years agone, served the First Reformed Church,
within two weeks of twenty-five years.
Summary of Churches.

The Reformed Church is the oldest ecclesiastical or-
ganization in Poughkeepsie, dating back to 1716. It was
endowed by the Colonial Government with rich gifts of
land.

The first minister was Cornelius Van Schie,

his ministry dating................. 1731 to 1734 .
Following was Benjamin Mencrina....... 1745 “ 1755
Jacobus Van Nist ................ 0005. 1758 “ 1761
Henricus Schoonmaker................. 1763 “ 1774
Isaac Risdyke. ....... igs. OE ena 1765 “ 1772
Stephen Van Voorhes.................. 1773, “ 1776
Solomon Fraleigh......-............. . 1776 “ 1780
John H. Livingston. .... 0.0.0... 0.0006. 1781 “ 1783
Amdrew Greys ojeg tab tga a ata eine aca acd 1790“ 1793
Cornelius Broweva.............000- 000 1794 “ 1807
Cornelius C: Cuylericis cece cance es eas 1808 “ 1833
Samuel A. Van Nnanklie............... 1834 “ 1837
Alexander M. Mann.... .... 2... .....0. 1837. “ 1857
George H. McEckron ..............4.. 1858 “ 1866
A. P. Van Geison.. .. .. bo StvinSrok 1867 “ 1892

His 25th anniversary was omalearated Sabbath, October
16, 1892. The church reports 528 members, and a pros-
perous Sabbath-school.

The Second Reformed Church was organized in 1847.
This church was dedicated in 1849.

The succession of pastors is as follows:

Rev. Charles Whitehead................ 1849 to 1852
Charles S. Hegeman, D.D......... seee 1852 L871
Joachim Elmendort, D-D...4:0.6..0.0+- 1872 “ 1886
F. A.M. Brown, D.D. ... .........-.. 1887 “ 1889:
Rev. Wm. Bancroft Hill, installed pastor. 1890

Present Membership... ....... 20000 cece e eee cans 321
Sabbath School Scholars... 21... ... cece ee cee eee 121

By this record the Reformed Churches have had over
130 years of settled ministry in Poughkeepsie.
66 Methodism in Poughkeepsve.

The Protestant Episcopal Church was organized in 1766.
Services were held as far back as 1750. The parish receiv-
ed charter, 1773, from George III. The first church was
built in 1774.

The succession of rectors, as follows:

John Beardsley ..  ....... we... 1766 to 1777
Henry Van Dyke..................... 1787, “ = «1791
George H. Spieren ....... i gesngaue L7Q2. °“ 9795
John. MioSayresyicc deck aging aetna 1796 1798
Philander Chase ....... 0.0... 00005 1799“ 1805
Bazzillai Bulkley................. .... 1806 “ 1809
Joseph. Bentice cau. secuiy leer awianwes 1810 6 months.
John Reed, D.D.....0 «20... -... .... 1810 to 1845
Homer Wheaton.................... . 1846 “ 1847
Samuel Beuel, D.D...... 2 0.0.0.0... 1847. “ 1866
Philander K. Cady, D.D..... —...... 1866 “ 1874
Henry L. Zeigenfuss, D.D., arch-dea-
con and present rector......... 1874

The Holy Comforter Church was organized in 1860.
The succession of rectors, as follows:
John Scarborough, D.D................ 1860 to 1867
B. F. Crary, present rector.. fee oda F8OZ

The St. Paul’s Church was organized in 1835.
The succession of rectors, as follows:

TD Wea Fat C3 yea diac ies elena aerate den ss 1836 to 1842
Philip BE. Milledoletiy ccsvesvecacce, 4 Tae © Sag
Albert D. Traver, D.D..... veee se. 1845 “ 1866
Stephen R. Synnot..... : ety ox 1806. “ 1885
Frank Heartfield, present nectar: OE 1885
Communicants of the Christ’s Church..... ....,.... 500
i “Holy Comforter Church.... .. 394
is oe St Bawls CHa. scr panw ce 450 948

The Presbyterian Church was started in 1762 and re-
organized in 1826. In 1826 Rev. Alonzo Welton was
installed pastor, followed by Reverends Page, Eaton and
Ludlow, whose united pastorates count 25 years and 11
months. The present pastor, Doct. Wheeler, was settled
here in 1859, and is now in the 33d year of his pastorate,
the “ oldest effective minister” in this city. His has been a
Methodism in Poughkeepsie. 67

pastorate of marked and rare success. Their present
membership is 471, and a very large and flourishing
Sabbath-school.

The Orthodox Friends had an early beginning and now
count 180 members, a large attendance.

The Hicksite Friends statedly meet in Lafayette Place.

The Baptist Church was organized 1807. Their first
pastor was Rev. Francis Wayland, then followed Rev.
Lewis Leonard, Rev. Dr. Babcock, Rev. J. Hyatt Smith,
Rev. Wm. Vanloon, Rev. W. O. Holman, Rev. Loomis,
J. B. Brocket, Rev. W. H. Wines, pastor nine years; Rev.
Roland D. Grant, H. B. Groce. The last five years, Rev.
Ransom Harvey. Present membership, 543.

The Congregational Church, an offshoot of the Presby-
terian, was organized in 1837. The Rev. Wayland Spauld-
ing is now pastor. Installed in 1884.

Succession of Pastors:

Rev. A. Underwood............... from 1837 to 1844.
“ Levi F. Waldo............... “1844 to 1854.
Dy RICe: acaage sees ee Be “1855 to 1860.
Moses Ce Tyletin cu. seo remain “ 1861 to 1862.
fo: Aa COUN S ces foray odo checeaties “1863 to 1868.
“ Henry Loomis................ “ 1869 to 1871.
Js Beéchere wacnsconcen tre ... © 1871 to 1875.
“ Edward Lawrence,............ “ 1875 to 1883,

Present membership, 290.

The Jewish Synagogue, corner Vassar and Mill, was or-
ganized in 1845.

The German Lutheran, Grand near Union.

The Roman Catholics have three churches.

The Methodists now have five churches, including Zion
M. E. Church, at 102 Catharine street. Founded in 1840.
Remodeled 1890. The others as follows:

Washington street, the mother church; Trinity, formerly
Cannon street; Hedding, in South Clover street ; German,
Bridge street, Rev. J. Lutz, Jr., present pastor.

Their aggregate membership is two thousand, with one
thousand children in their sabbath schools,
The Church and our Obligations.

What is a church, or what is the true Holy Catho-
lic church of our Lord Jesus Christ ?

It is quoted in the discipline of the M. E. Church,
“The visible church of Christ is a congregation of
faithful men in which the pure word of God is
preached and the sacraments duly administered, ac-
cording to Christ’s ordinance, in all those things that
of necessity are requisite to the same.” In an ordi-
nary Ecclesiastical sense, the membership, composing
a religious body. ‘No one form of church organiza-
tion can be determined as absolutely right, so that all
others are absolutely wrong.” It may be one body, or
many, without denominational distinction, or as a
body of whom Christ is the sole head, subordinated
or subdivided into sects or parties, as we find in our
communities, known as Presbyterian, Baptist, Metho-
dist, &c., nominal distinctions of sect or party. An
essential characteristic of all such, being ‘“ Supreme
love to our Lord Jesus Christ.” The head and author
of the true church is Christ, Col. 1:18 And He
(Christ),is the head of the body, the church, who is
the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in all
things he might have the preéminence.

In Eph. 5:23, it is also written, Christ also loved
the church and gave himself for it, (ve. 26), that he
might sanctify and cleanse it, &c., present (ve. 27), it
to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be
Holy and without blemish.

The church of our Lord Jesus Christ is made up of
an individual membership, of those who acknowledge
Methodism in Poughkeepsie. 69

Christ as the ‘‘ Supreme head,” and none other, ‘the
chief corner stone” and none other ; of those who form
a voluntary alliance with Christ, accepting Christ in
all his offices of ‘‘ Prophet,” “ Priest,” and “ King.”

This alliance with Christ involves personal conse-
cration to Him of all we have and are,a union with
Christ, after the ‘‘similitude of the branch and the
vine,” ‘a life hid, with Christ, in God,” which is not
even broken by death, but involves a transfer to the
“invisible” church, ‘the church triumphant.” If
our view be correct herein is implied and expressed
a ‘‘unton” between the head of the church and its
members. It will be clearly and readily seen, that
“union with the church” is not a mere assent of the
will to have a name recorded on its records. In this
there might be a name to live, z. ¢., kept in remem-
brance, and the spiritual life be wanting, which would
be a false representation, a species of hypocrisy,
“Christ condemned.” ‘ Non-conformity ” to the
world is an essential characteristic of church member-
ship. ‘Ye are not of the world” said Christ, “I have
chosen you out of the world,” and again “ Be not con-
formed to this world.”

But why join the church ?

1st, Because Christ’s true followers are commanded
to confess Him before men. Mat. 10:32. It has
been well said, ‘(a Christian community was not an
accident of Christ’s ministry, nor an arbitrary institu-
tution ; it was a necessity !” Christ said, “ follow me.”
He who obeyed must needs follow in company.

The multitude converted at Pentecost are declared
to be “added to the church,” and the apostles always
acted on this assumption. If, then, Christ instituted
a church a body of believers, if this organization is the
object of his peculiar love and care, is it not manifest,
that a true regard for Christ binds “us” no less than
40 Methodism in Poughkeepste.

those of apostolic days, to confess Him through the
same medium, and to honor what He so loved?

The assumption often made that “I have no need
of the Church; can do as much good oudszde as im
zt,” is vain and futile.

Would you say if you owned a plant of rare excel-
lence and value, that it would thrive as well outside
the vineyard, on barren waste, as in the richly culti-
vated garden and under the watchful care of a skillful
florist.

Would you thrust your child outside your home
without a father’s counsel or a mother’s loving care,
and expect from that “waif” all the virtues of noble
manhood and grand successes of the noblest and best
instructors ?

The care, the culture, protection of the church are
indispensable where the opportunity is ours. The
church might do without you, but what can you do
zgnortng the church ?

Would you develop as atrue Christian in all the
graces of a Christian manhood, would you ‘‘shine as a
light in the world?” or be asa “tree planted by the
rivers of water?” if so, then live hard by God’s altars
and let the church of God be your abiding place, the
home of your youth, your field of earnest, diligent
toil in your stern manhood, your rest, sweet rest, in
time of old age.

But you say churches differ in their creed, and how
shall I best determine which church to join.

This is a matter often difficult to decide. There are
so many different relations, circumstances, conditions,
meeting one just at this point, that you will often
hesitate.

I cannot suggest just where your steps should al-
ways lead you. Let it suffice to say, in a matter of
such grave importance, that, any and all ‘“ worldly
Methodism in Poughkeepsie. 71

conditions ” should be subordinate. The issue you
realize, or ought to do, is an “eternal one.” Hence,
you should recognize as far as possible: the purest
doctrine of God’s word to be “believed” an essential
characteristic of every true church; the greatest
helps to advancement in ‘“ the Divine life” consider-
ing the church a ‘‘nursery,” and preéminent in your
consideration ; ‘the je/d” you are about to enter,
where you can do most for God, your own soul, and
the church.

In church relationship you are not only seeking
your owz but Christ’s. Where are you best fitted ;
in what field for an abundant harvest ?

You will not then be swayed by earthly companion-
ship, or by a popular church, speaking after the manner
of the world ; or by the greatest liberty a church may
accord you in a round of fashion and worldly pleasure,
Such motives should be a bar to your joining any
church, and show at least your unfitness so to do.

This joining a church is one of the grand and im-
portant steps in becoming a disciple of Christ. It is
not impossible that just at the threshold of your
church relation there may be need “of a severing a
right hand,” or the “plucking of a right eye,” but if
so the recompense is ample.

It is enough for you when the Master says “ Follow
me,” to go forward at all hazards, seeking earnestly
Divine guidance in matters of relation, companion-
ship, doing or not doing, doctrines, usages, helps and
hindrances; let all these be a question between God
and your own soul, and for the sowd’s best good.

If it is a question when ? as well as where ? “ Work
while the day lasts!”

“* The mill can never grind,
With the water that is past.”

Ask of God “what wilt thou have me to do?”
ie Methodism in Poughkeepste.

And here we bid you God speed. ‘Have a con-
science void of offence toward God and toward man.”

‘Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do
it to the glory of God!”
How They Died!

A question of no little interest may arise, how did
these noble men, and early toilers die? We do not
mean to intimate that in other churches they do not
die as well, but weexpress the fact of a happy and
very close analogy between their experience in life
and in death! Zrzumphant /

ELIJAH HEDDING, D.D.

Elijah Hedding, D.D., one of the most eminent
and laborious bishops that the church has known ; for
many years a resident of Poughkeepsie, and who died
here, experienced a severe attack of disease December
28; 1850.

In the afternoon of the first attack, after the severi-
ty of his distress had subsided, he said to Rev. L. M.
Vincent, ‘“ I expected to die this afternoon. I fully
believed the hour of my departure had come, but oh!
how mercifully I was sustained. I had no fear of
death, or eternity. I felt that through the merits of
of Jesus, my Saviour, alone, it would be well with
me, and knew if my work was done and God ordered
my discharge, it was right, all right.”

After his second attack, he said: ‘In all this, the
enemy was not permitted to come nigh me.” On the
7th of May, 1851, he made the following record by
the assistance of an amanuensis. ‘I have now been
confined by affliction more than four months. I have
realized the truth of that wonderful word, ‘My
grace shall be sufficient for thee.’ When the storm
first burst upon me, and the wind howled, the waves

roared, the surges beat upon my head, and the deep
yawned, Nature said, a shattered ruined wreck, you
74 Methodism in Poughkeepste.

are; the proud waters will soon come over you!
But by faith, I saw Jesus walking on the water and
heard him say, ‘It is I, be not afraid,’ and my soul
replied, ‘ Behold God is my Salvation,’ ‘I will trust
and not be afraid.’”

A short time previous to his death several brethren
met with him to partake of the Holy Eucharist He
was deeply affected, and then said, “ Brethren, my
work is done on earth ; I am about to go hence ; but
I have a good hope, that my soul will go to God in
Heaven. I depend on Christ, and feel that he accepts
me. I have ,no doubt of it. J am as conscious of it
as I can possibly be of any thing.’”’

March 31st, after extreme suffering, he said, “I
have been wonderfully blest. I have served God
more than 50 years. I have generally had peace, but
I never saw such glory before, such light. Such
clearness such beauty. Oh, what glory’ I feel; it
shines and burns all through me! it came upon me
like the rushing of a mighty wind, as on the day of
Pentecost.”

In his death struggle he said, “I trust in God and
feel safe.” His last words were: “I am happy ;
filled!” Who would not like such a translation ?

MARVIN RICHARDSON.

Another of those early heroes in Methodism, one
who shared the honors of early and successful work ;
and who lived to see the success of Methodism in all
the region round about.

In 1808, in his 19th year, he commenced preaching,
and for forty-two successive years, was an effective
minister. He was 14 years on circuits, 13 years in
stations and 15 years as presiding elder on districts.

For about five months previous to his death he was
confined to his room and bed, suffering wearisome
Methodism n Poughkeepsie. a5

days and nights, with never a single word of com-
plaint or murmur.

During all these months his hope in God was as an
anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. His religious
experience was not often exultant, but calm, sweet,
abiding. He rested; rested zz Christ, and om Christ.
He was often uttering those poetic words:

‘“ Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on thee.”’

Often when tempted by the adversary he would
say, ‘“‘ Jesus has kept me so long, he never will for-
sake me in a dying hour.” Nor did he.

To the last, his feet were on the Rock. The day
prior to his death, in response to the inquiry of a
brother, “if all was bright beyond,” he with great
exertion, and marked emphasis, exclaimed, ‘“ Yes, all
bright ! all bright! Glory be to God! I have no
fear.” The gates of the city of God opened to him,
he was all ready, and more than willing to enter in.

Death came to him, not as a ‘Chariot of Fire,”
bearing him away in majesty and impressiveness, but
as the quiet infolding of unseen wings ; no less divine,
because so noiseless and gentle. One more herald of
the Cross heard the Master's welcoming, ‘“ Well
done!” and passed in triumph Home to God.

FREEBORN GARRETTSON.

A pioneer of Methodism in Dutchess Counnty as
well as elsewhere, died in complete triumph, Septem-
ber 26, 1827, in the 76th year of his age, and the 52d
year of ministry. He formed the First Methodist
Class in this city in 1805.

Preceding his death was a brief sickness of intense
physical suffering, during which, his sky was without
a cloud.

In every hour his soul was exultant, and he would
say frequently, “I want to be with Jesus.” “I want
76 Methodism in Poughkeepste.

to go Home.” The nearer the approach of death,

the happier he grew ; and his last words spoken even

in death, were “Holy,” “Holy,” “ Holy,” “Lord

God Almighty,” “ Hallelujah,” ‘ Hallelujah.”
CHARLES W. CARPENTER.

And what is true of Charles W. Carpenter, an
honored minister of Christ, a pastor in Washington
Street Church and the organizer of the Cannon Street
M. E. Church ?

On one occasion speaking of his conversion he said,
(and he often said it,) “In the afternoon, while en-
gaged in private (the very spot I well remember), I
poured out my soul to God in prayer. I felt a
sudden and glorious change of my feelings. My
burden was fully removed. My soul was filled with
inexpressible peace, and I arose from a suppliant
position, not doubting but God for Christ’s sake had
pardoned all my sins.”

How these Methodist ministers of olden time, spake
of the knowledge of sin forgiven, and the witness of
the Holy Spirit to their pardon and acceptance with
God.

Charles Carpenter’s theme, ‘ Life Long,” was
redemption in the blood of the Lamb, a present and
full salvation. It was Inis passport to the skies.

GEORGE COLES.

Once a pastor in Washington Street Church, physi-
cally a feeble man for many years; and often
“through fear of death, subject to bondage.” The
last entry made in his diary, faithfully kept, was
‘“‘ Death does not seem so dreadful as formerly.” As the
hour of his departure approached he obtained through
grace a complete triumph over this and every other
fear, and longed for release! The last word he utter-
ed when dying was “ Hark !” as if some heavenly voice
saluted him.
Methodism in Pou Shkeepsue. vi

BENJAMIN GRIFFIN.

Another Poughkeepsie pastor. Just before his
death he called his wife and said, my dear, “/ am
going.” Where? she inquired! “To Heaven!” was
the quick response! “I am going up, up to be for-
ever with the Lord, Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halle-
luiah!” When he could no longer speak, on being
asked for a signal,” he raised first his right hand, and
then both hands in token of victory, and fell on sleep.

WILLIAM THACHER,
As he approached the close of his pilgrimage en-
joyed a holy triumph. In his severest agonies, he
shouted, “Glory to God, I am happy in Jesus,”
‘‘ Jesus is so lovely to my poor soul. A sinner saved
by grace.” He died in full assurance of a blessed
immortality.

PETER P. SANDFORD.
One of the noblest divines in our church, in the:
century which he lived. He died as good men die,
calm, confident, and assured of everlasting glory.
His dying testimony was, ‘I have prayed for a holy
triumph, and I have it.”

GEORGE S. HARE,

He had no fear of death. When dying and sup

posed to be past consciousness, he exclaimed with

emphasis, ‘“‘ Bless the Lord, oh, my soul, and all that
is within me, bless his holy name.”

Some of the loved ministers of Washington Street
Church were not privileged to give a dying testimony
by reason of accidental death, or by a sudden stroke
that deprived of speech and life at the same moment.

Instance our beloved, W. H. Ferris, who was found
dead in his bed, his wife beside him, not even she
conscious of his departure.
78 Methodism in Poughkeepste.

And the lamented ‘ North” crushed beneath the
ponderous wheels of a locomotive, not able to utter
his own name.

And there was King, Brown, McLelland, and
Hatfield: the testimony of their victory was -in their
lives. Good and holy men, who wrought righteous-
ness—and surely exchanged earth for Heaven.

Our men die right! ‘God buries his workmen,
and carries on his work.”

There was Foss, Chalker, Prentice, once pastors in
Cannon Street Church.

There was Wakely, Culver, Fitch, King, and W. C.
Smith, once pastors in Hedding Church.

‘Servants of God well done !
Thy glorious warfare’s past :
The battle’s fought, the race is won,
And thou art crowned at last !”

In reviewing the past history of Methodism we are
not a little surprised at its successes.

In 1780, the whole territory of the United States
reported oze annual conference, zg preachers, and
8,000 members.

Passing on to 1805, we group together the first
class, formed by Freeborn Garrettson in Duncomb’s
garret, of five members, the whole of Poughkeepsie
Methodism. In 1892, Methodism counts fully 2,000
communicants in Poughkeepsie.

Looking over a large field we count in 1892 in the
United States, and including our foreign missions,
131 annual conferences.

Ministers, Traveling and Local.............. 60,272
Members and Probationers, 11th Census. . -4,756,297
SUMOAy SCMOPIS iis ya4an cae gumedmwmeseexas 54,202
Othicers and “Leacieiecsweciiy nelle @o wwaed 605,379

Scholars... 2.0% SRPAERS TES gS Lankans 4,609, 336
Methodism in Poughkeepsie. 79
Churches

AGCGReWE Ka WEES ae Rw ek Aa eS 46,629
Paro eeesune. abet beceeriel eaadadees 17,353
Betitnated: Valtiectcexse near weseveas $22%,192,632

The census of 1891 reports the World’s Methodist
Family as 16,960,000 members.
What hath God wrought !
\ |
AN

SX

<

S

AS

MAS
—

OC UC

WOO
~ : ~ ~~

—

~

SY . SS
-—

as

<

aS

SEN