It is evident that the preparation of this volume has been a labor
of love.
Of the sanctuary which, for one hundred years, has stood on the corner
of Market and Henry Streets, the author, like many others who have put
their lives into it, might well say:
"Thy saints take pleasure in her stones,
Her very dust to them is dear."
The story of "The Kirk on Rutgers Farm" is one of pathetic interest. In
its first half-century it sheltered a worshipping congregation of staid
Knickerbocker type, which, tho blest with a ministry of extraordinary
ability and spiritual power, succumbed to its unfriendly environment and
perished.
In its second half-century it became the home of a flock of God, poor in
this world's goods, but rich in faith, to whom the environment even when
changing from bad to worse, was a challenge to faith and valiant service.
Those of us who in our unwisdom said a generation ago that it ought to
die judged after the outward appearance. Those who protested that it
must not die, took counsel with the spirit that animated them, saw the
invisible and against hope believed in hope.
Not the least impressive pages of this book are the pages which record
the names of ministers and other toilers for Christ, who in this field
of heroic achievement have lived to serve or have died in service.
The author has very skilfully concealed his personal connection with the
history of which he might justly say: "Magna pars fui." But for his wise
and winsome leadership the chronicle would have closed a quarter of a
century ago.
By putting in form and preserving the memories which cluster about the
Church of the Sea and Land, he is performing a real service to the
Christian community and earning the gratitude of fellow-laborers to whom
it has been a shrine of their heart's devotion.
George Alexander.