Work among the cosmopolitan population surrounding the church has had
various phases during these years.
In Dr. Hopper's time the Scandinavian element among Borella's men
predominated, and there was also a small Syrian group at the church,
but no services in any language but English were maintained.
Later, home classes in German for the parents of many of the children
were kept up for a number of years.
Work among the Jews was carried on for several years and with success,
if numbers count. But the methods of the leader were not approved and
so the trustees after investigation discontinued the meetings. Dr.
John Hall, of the Fifth Avenue church, then most prominent, earnestly
supported the man, but in afteryears the correctness of the position
taken by Market Street was abundantly proven.
Greek services were supported for quite a while, and since 1914 Russian
has been maintained under Mr. Nicholas Motin.
Italian services have been of all these most successful. Rev. Joseph A.
Villelli, who was ordained June 23, 1910, has managed these with tact
and ability "and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be
saved." A separate Sunday school is maintained, but with the idea of
gradual amalgamation, a process that is also proving its wisdom along
other lines of the church's work.
The advice and active support of men great in business have for many
years been at the disposal of the church. From the days of Matthias
Bruen, the merchant princes of this great city have been loyal friends,
to mention only Hanson K. Corning, father, daughter, grandson, William
E. Dodge--for three generations,--and John Crosby Brown and his family.
Along with the sainted Denham should be mentioned Benjamin F. Pinkham,
who for twenty years acted as treasurer of the church. He was a quiet
man, faithful in every duty, averse to discussion. When the Lord called
him home his accounts were in perfect order: a few minutes proved his
balance, a space was left for next Sunday's collection in his book.
There were sweet singers in Israel, too, who as precentors and choir
leaders have brought out the best there was of tuneful harmony, men like
Henry Carpenter, George T. Matthews, Henry Edwards, Allan Robinson,
William P. Dunn.
Thru the years some who have cared for the buildings stood out. Charles
Greer in the early days, Evan Price, a sturdy Welshman, who died in
service, Christian C. Pedersen, who returned to the same post years
afterwards. In Mr. Denison's time David J. Ranney served, attaining
later to the dignity of city missionary and an autobiography. John A.
Ross will be remembered for his omniscience as to people and things
about the old church.
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So the old Kirk on Rutgers Farm has stood a hundred years. From its
vaulted dome have echoed with no uncertain sound the voices of men like
the scholarly Milledoler or the indefatigable Denison, a hundred leaders
of men whose words and works have swayed the hearts of men.
Down the broad aisles walked the stately Dutchman, the proud
Knickerbocker, the great merchant, the stolid seaman, the busy New
Yorker,--to go out and by deeds of victory in times of peace and
unflinching loyalty when war's heavy heels trod the land they helped
make a great city greater and a mighty nation mightier still.
Never has this been a selfish, self-contained organism, but a living,
throbbing influence that went out beyond the shadow of its gray walls,
prodigal in giving to others the good things of the gospel that were
fostered there. Many a church at home and abroad has cause to bless
Market Street for the men and women that she brought up in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord.
"We are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, a great
multitude, which no man could number." All who have come have felt the
spell of the place, for in its dim seclusion still speak the men of old.
It is peopled with a long procession of saints and sages, mariners and
merchants, scholars and poets, now of the church triumphant: memories
that consecrate the souls of men and banish ignoble thoughts. Here is an
altar sacred to hosts of men and women, the holy of holies of their
noblest aspirations.
"Mark well her bulwarks, that ye may tell it to the generation
following." As the years roll on children and children's children will
arise and call those blessed whose fidelity thru a century has preserved
for them a holy place where "men still renew their youth."
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