A history of the Brick Presbyterian Church in the city of New York

Front matter

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Preface

This history has been prepared, at the request of the trustees of the Brick Church, in the hope that it will interest the large number of people who are bound to the church by ties of the past or of the present, and those, also, whose interest in the history of the Christian Church at large will incline them to an examination of any important chapter of it.

The author wishes, especially, that the volume might come into the hands of some of the young men who are about to choose among the various professions for their life-work, for it seems to him that a history like that of the Brick Church sets forth in an emphatic way the great opportunity which the Christian ministry offers in our time. The author has himself been so much impressed, as the facts of the history have unfolded before him, by the variety of interests with which he has been called upon to deal, the breadth of scope which the history has presented, and the close relation which it has disclosed, especially in the record of later years, between the specific work of the minister and some of the problems which most perplex our time and whose solution will most profoundly affect the future of our country and of the world, that he cannot doubt but others will be impressed in the same way.

A word should be said by way of explaining the viil PREFACE

very brief account, given in the following pages, of the early years of Presbyterianism in New York City. Although technically the Brick Church represents, not an offshoot from the original Presbyterian Church of New York, but an integral part of it as it existed until the division in 1809, so that the whole history from 1706, in full detail, might without impropriety be included in the present work, it has seemed proper to take as a beginning the building of the first "Brick Church," and to leave the history of the earlier years to be recorded more fully by some future historian of "The Old First Church," which, at the division, was created out of the congregation worshipping in the older edifice on Wall Street.

It will be noticed by the reader as he proceeds, that there are many quotations for which no references are given. These are drawn from the manuscript minutes of the church, and it has seemed unnecessary to burden the pages with references to sources not accessible to the public, especially as the date of the event or declaration will serve to mark its place in the records almost as well as would an indication of the volume and the page.

A key to the abbreviated titles of the works most frequently quoted in the notes will be found at the beginning of the Bibliography.* A Chronology is given in an Appendix. f The personal records of the church from 1809 to the present, including marriages, baptisms, members, etc. — some ten thousand entries in all — are published in alphabetical order in a companion volume.

t Appendix A, p. 513.

PREFACE ix

The author is glad of this opportunity to acknowledge the invariable kindness of the persons to whom he has turned for help in the preparation of this volume, and especially of Mr. Charles H. Olmstead, clerk of session of the Old First Church, for courteous permission to use the ancient records in his custody; of Mr. Daniel Parish, Jr., the Rev. G. McPherson Hunter, the Rev. Theo. F. Burnham and Mr. Austin B. Keep, all of whom have opened to the author valuable sources of information; of the officers of the New York Historical Society for permission to copy documents and pictures; of the Rev. George S. Webster, D.D., for placing at the author's disposal a large amount of material collected during many years, relating to the old and new churches of the Covenant; of Mrs. Samuel B. Jones, whose love for the Brick Church has led her to save for many years every allusion to it in the magazines and the daily press, and whose kindness in giving her whole collection to be incorporated into the Brick Church Historical Scrap-book has provided many important side-lights upon the events of the last three pastorates; and of the present clerk of the session, Mr. Hamilton Odell, who placed in the author's hands the notes made some years ago with a view to preparing a historical sketch of the church, and whose monumental service in keeping, with the utmost accuracy, and in his own exquisite hand, the session records for almost forty-five years, places not only the present author but the whole church under a great obligation. Nor ought gratitude to remain unexpressed for the services performed by those who now rest from their labors. Among the men who.

X PREFACE

in the past, have patiently kept those records, without which no detailed history of the Brick Church could have been written, ought to be mentioned Mr. Daniel J. Holden, who acted as clerk of the trustees for nearly twenty years, and Mr. Thomas Egleston, who served in the same capacity for full that time, while old Mr. Horace Holden, faithful in all he undertook, was clerk of session for almost twice as long.

The author takes a peculiar pleasure in recording that his mother, who lived to read only the first few pages of this history, collected for him some of the most interesting material included in the two chapters which deal with the period immediately before and during the Revolutionary War.

Shepherd Knapp.

New York, March IQth, 1908.

PART ONE: IN THE OLDEN TIME chapter i Wall Street Presbyterians: 1706-1765

The New Minister. — Eariy History of the Presbyterian Church in New York City. — Condition in 1765. — John Rodgers. — His Youth. — His Early Ministry. — Call to New York. — A Revival Follows. — The Wall Street Church Inadequate.

chapter II

Petition for Land.— New York in 1765.— "The Angular Lot." — The Grant. — Raising the Building Fund. — Appearance of the New IChurch. — Its Name. — Right of Incorporation Denied. — The Collegiate Arrangement. — The New Church Congregation.

chapter III Colonial Days: 1768-1774 33

Dedication Service. — The Church's Debt to Mr. Rodgers. — His Fitness for Leadership. — His Doctor's Degree. — The Church Prospers. — Departments of Work. — The Pastor: Public Worship and Visitation. — The Session: Discipline. — The Deacons and the Parish Poor. — The Church's Early Maturity.

chapter iv

Contemporary Political Affairs. — Seldom Alluded to in Session Minutes. — Attitude of New York Presbyterians. — Of Dr. Rodgers. — Revolutionary Record of the Members to be Included in the Church's History. — Presbyterians in the Whig Club, 1752.— "The Triumvirate": Livingston, Smith, and Scott. — Alexander McDougal. — Presbyterian Leaders in the "Sons of Liberty." — Events on the Common, 1765-1770. — McDougal's Arrest. — Presbyterians Outvoted in the Committee of Fifty-one, 1774.

xii CONTENTS

Chapter V Page

News of Lexington. — Presbyterians to the Fore. — Scott Backs up Marinus Willett. — Pastoral Letter of the General Assembly, May, 1775. — Military Operations.— Colonel Lasher. — Scott Describes the City in November.— Church Life Broken Up. — Dr. Rodgers Meets General Washington, April, 1776. — The Exodus. — Chaplain Rodgers. — Military and Civil Service of the New York Presbyterians during the War. — ^The Church in the Hands of the British. — Used as a Hospital. — Described, 1777. — Proposal to Restore it to Religious Uses, 1780. — Its Condition at the End of the War.

chapter vi

Pastor and People Return, November, 1783. — Courteous Offer of Old Trinity. — Dr. Rodgers' Thanksgiving Sermon in St. George's. — The Church Restored and Opened, 1784. — Its Appearance in 1787. — Ground Rent Reduced. — Gifts. — Associate Pastors: Wilson, McKnight, and Miller. — Rutgers Street Church Founded, 1798.— Care of the Parish Poor.— Other Benevolences. — Support of the Church. — The Charity School.— Dr. Miller on the Plague of 1798.

chapter vii The Senior Pastor .... 95

Controlling Influence of Dr. Rodgers. — His Appearance and Manners. — His Character. — His Preaching. — His Industry as a Pastor. — His Old Age.

chapter VIII

End of the Collegiate Arrangement Foreshadowed, 1784. — The Change Firmly Opposed.— Favored by Associate Pastors. — Significant Action regarding Rutgers Street Church, 1805. — A Fourth Presbyterian Church Created Independent, 1807. — Effect of the Object Lesson. — Steps toward Separation. — Plan Proposed. — Dr. McKnight Angry: Resigns.— Plan of Separation Adopted, 1809. — First Brick Church Session. — The Deacons. — The Board of Trustees.

CONTENTS xiii

Chapter IX Page

Discouraging State of the Church. — Vain Attempts to Secure a Pastor. — A Humble Appeal for Help. — Mr. Spring Heard. — He Preaches in the Brick Church. — Immediately Called. — Accepts. — Presbytery Doubts His Orthodoxy. — He is Installed, 1810. — His Ancestry. — His Boyhood. — At Yale College. — Studies Law. — In Bermuda. — His Marriage.— Is Admitted to the Bar. — Decides to Become a Preacher of the Gospel. — At Andover. — To New York.

chapter x

History of the Forty Years to be Told in Five Chapters. — First, An Account of Lands, Buildings, and Finances. — The Church. — Interior. — Pulpit. — Pews. — " Holiness to the Lord." — Lighting and Heating. — Exterier. — The Neighborhood.— Fence. — Steeple. — Fire of 1811. — The Lecture-room, 1810.— The New Chapel, 1832.— Churchyard.— Cemetery on Houston Street. — ^The Church's Income. — Purchase and Rental of Pews. — Treasurer's Reports. — Pew-rents Raised, 1817. — Pastor's Salary Increased, 1819. — Proposal to Reduce it Again, 1824. — Crisis in Board of Trustees, 1825.— Financial Condition in 1826.— In 1839.— Subscription for Paying Church Debt, 1841. — Treasurer again Reports a Balance, 1850.

chapter xi Pastor and Theologian: 1810-1850 148

Study of Church's Inner Life. — Gardiner Spring Sole Pastor throughout the Period. — Death of Dr. Rodgers, 1811. — Mr. Spring's Studies. — His Habits of Industry. — Methods of Sermon-writing. — His Love of the Work. — His Lofty Purpose. — Depression. — 111 Health. — Presbytery Still Doubts His Orthodoxy. — Material for Dispute. — Mr. Spring's Attitude Toward Hopkinsianism and Its Representatives.— His Freedom from Intolerance. — But Especially within the Limits of Calvinism. — Essays, 1813. — Their Practical Character. — Sermons in Series. — First Visit to Europe, 1822.— Cholera Epidemic, 1832.— Second Visit to Europe, 1835. — Farewell Letter from the Church. —His Attitude in the New School Controversy, 1837. — His Publications.

xiv CONTENTS

Chapter XII Page

Difficulty of Ascertaining Spiritual Conditions in a Past Age. — Services and Meetings. — In the Old White Lecture-room. — The Lecture. — The Prayer-meeting. — The Inquiry Meeting.— The Quarterly Meeting. — Admission to Membership. — Sunday Services. — Sacraments. — Music. — The Chorister. — Singing - school. — Musical Society. — Concerts. — Beginning of a Choir, 1822. — "The Asaph Association." — Instrumental Music. — Periods of Religious Awakening. — Summer of 1815. — "Something must be Done." — Revival Methods. — Visitation by Pastor and Elders. — Discipline. — Method of Procedure. — Penalties Imposed. — Offences: against Religion; against Morals. — Amusements. — Value of Discipline. — The Good and Faithful Members. — Memorable Individuals.

chapter xiii

Sale of the Charity School Building. — Seabury Ely Employed. — The Lessons. — Support of the School. — State Aid. — The Lot on Augustus Street. — It is Forfeited. — Condition o School in 1814. — Rules. — Children Sent to Free School, 1816. — Ryan Legacy, 1829. — Secularizing of Schools in New York. — Brick Church Abandons Secular Education. — Sunday-schools. — Their Early History in New York. — Brick Church Opens Two Schools, 1816. — Their Purpose. —First Sixteen Years.— In 1832.— The Teachers.— Constitution of 1833. — Character of Schools from this Time.— Sessions. — Lessons. — Library. — Anniversary. — An Outing Proposed. — The Session of the Church Assumes the Management, 1840. — Success of the Change. — Old Method Resumed by 1846. — Rewards. — Bringing in the Poor Children Once More. — Benevolences. — The Banner from Illinois.

chapter xiv

Collections for Poor and for Charity School. — Effect of Business Depression. — Annual Missionary Collection. — Occasional Offerings Recommence, 1818. — Greatly Increase. — Multiplicity of Appeals. — Systematic Benevolence Substituted, 1838. — Five Annual Collections. — Success of the Change. — Part Played by Brick Church in Benevolent Organizations. — American Bible Society.— Movement for Sunday Observance.— Young Men's Missionary Societies. — American Home Missionary Society.- — Relation of Dr. Spring to the American Board. — The Presbyterian Boards: Brick Church Transfers Allegiance to Them.

Chapter XV \v

The Last Years on Beekman Street: 1850-1856 . 251

Changed Character of Neighborhood.— In 1828.— In 1839.— Removal then Contemplated. — Second Attempt, 1847. — Crisis, 1850. — Meetings not Supported.— Lecture Moved Uptown.— Condition in 1856.— Meanwhile Colleague- Church Uptown Proposed, 1852.— Difficulties in Selling.— Restrictions in the Grant.— Rights of Vault- and Pew-owners.— Supreme Court Order Obtained, 1853.— Proposal of Auction by Church and City.— Attempt to Sell to United States, 1854-1855.— Offers from Individuals.— The Sale: Subject to Auction, 1856.— Church Held Together by Devotion to Dr. Spring.- His Salary Raised, 1854. — Last Downtown Service.

chapter XVI

New York in 1855.— Brick Church almost Buys on Thirtieth Street.— Twenty-third Street Considered.— A Few Urge Murray Hill.— Present Property Bought.— Its Former Occupant.— Condition of the Neighborhood.— Plans for Building.— Points of Agreement.— Points in Dispute. — The Finished Church.— Exterior.— Interior.— Reminders of the Downtown Building.— Pew-rights Adjusted.— The Dedication.

chapter XVII

Work Resumed: the Civil War: 1858-1863 . . .

Sunday-school had Been Reestablished in 1856.— Neighborhood Visited.— Need of Ministerial Assistance.— Dr Spring's Proposal, 1855.— Dr. Hoge Called, 1859.— His Difficult Position. — His Reception.— His Popularity. — The Church Prospers. — Increased Benevolence. — Young Men's Association, I860.— The Eve of the War.— Dr. Hoge's Politics.— His Trying Situation.— Feelings of the Congregation.— Dr. Hoge's Plan of Action.— Causes of its Failure.— Prayers for the Confederate States.— Dr. Hoge Resigns, 1861.— Hard Feeling.— Later Views.— His Farewell Sermon.— His Return to Virginia and His Death.— Dr. Spring's Attitude toward the South.— Regards Secession as a Crime.— "The Spring Resolutions," 1861.— The Church's Loyalty.- Generous Sentiments.- Dr. Shedd Called, 1862.— Dr. Spring Failing.— Regard for Dr. Shedd, —He Resigns, 1863.

xvi CONTENTS

Chapter XVIII Page

James O. Murray Called, 1864. — Dr. Spring is Retired from Active Service. — His Part in the Reunion of Old and New Schools, 1869.— His Closing Years.— His Death, 1873.— Mr. Murray's Early Life. — At Andover. — His Character and Attainments. — His Interest in the Church Music. — A Quartette Introduced, 1866. — "The Sacrifice of Praise," 1869. — Other Changes in Worship. — In Number of Services.— The Employment Society: Its Programme and Achievements. — The Children's Society. — Benevolences Reorganized. — Weekly Giving Tried, 1871. — The Spirit of the Church's Benevolence. — Statistics.

Chapter XIX

Origin of the West Side Mission, 1857. — Beginnings of the Mission Church, 1859. — Support of the Work. — Expansion. — The Brick Church Assumes Control, 1862.— The Lord's Supper at the Mission, 1865. — Subscriptions for a Building, 1866. — Chapel Dedicated, 1867. — Christmas Festival. — Mr. Lampe. — Work of Mr. John E. Parsons. — Dr. Murray Resigns, 1875. — Earlier Appreciation of His Ministry. — Reasons for His Departure. — Letter from the Children. — Lasting Results of His Pastorate.

Chapter XX

The Parsonage, 1876.— Llewelyn D. Bevan called, 1876.— His Career in London. — His Expectations. — American Clergymen in Public Affairs. — Miscalculations. — Pastoral Letter of 1878.— Work Among the Children.— The Young Men's Society. — The Second Sunday Service. — Pastoral Letter of 1879. — Debt-raising. — Growth of the Mission. — Progress toward Self-support. — Dr. Bevan Resigns, 1882. — Subsequent Relations.

chapter xxi Rejuvenated: 1882-1893 375

Call of Henry van Dyke, 1882. — His Early Life.— Condition of the Church. — Revising the Roll. ^Making the Church Attractive.— The Preacher. — The Music. — Renovation of the Church Projected. — Death of Governor Morgan, 1883. — The Interior of the Church Transformed, 1883.— The Church

CONTENTS xvii

Renews its Youth. — Fear of Losing Dr. van Dyke, 1885. — His Conception of the Church's Mission. — "Affectionate and Unanimous " Letter of the Session. — A Second Resignation Averted, 1893. — Emphatic Resolutions. — Simultaneous Enterprises: Evangelistic and Financial, 1885. — Stated Services of the Church. — Sermons. — Worship.— Hospitality to Strangers. — The Wednesday Evening Service.— Practical Activities.— The Sunday-school. — Added Organizations. — Benevolence. — The Sick Children's Aid Society and the Young People's Guild. — The Pastor's Aid Society. — Independence of the Chapel Desired. — Problems Involved. — Christ Church Organized, 1888. — Wider Influence of the Brick Church Pastor. — His Ideal Realized. — Need of Endowment.

chapter xxii

The Church of the Covenant: 1862-1894 . . . .

The Beginning, I860.— War Time.— The Church Organized, 1862.— The Building Erected, 1864-1865.— Character of the Church. — The Mission Sunday-school Opened, 1866. — Its First Quarters. — Its Spirit and Methods. — It is Provided with a Building, 1871. — Dr. Prentiss Resigns, 1873. — His Character and Ministry. — Dr. Vincent Succeeds. — The Congregation in His Time. — The First Chapel Pastor, 1875.— The Ideal of Self-support.- Dr. Mcllvaine Called, 1888. — Chapel Pastor Made Associate, 1890. — Success of this Arrangement. — Affairs of the Church. — The Prayer-meetings. — Other Activities. — Strength and Weakness. — The Problem. — Moving Population of New York. — A Possible Expedient. — A Better Plan Provided. — Contemporary Situation in the Brick Church. — Union Proposed, 1893. — "A Corn of Wheat."

chapter XXIII

The Covenant's Proposal, 1893. — Chapel Becomes a Church, 1893. — Legislative Action Required. — The Agreement, 1894. — Legislature and Presbytery Act, 1894. — Success of the LTnion. — Double Pastorate Unsatisfactory. — Dr. Mcllvaine Withdraws, 1896.— The Affiliated Churches.— Prosperity of the Covenant. — A Home Church. — Troubles of Christ Church. — Better Times. — The Sunday-school. — Social and Industrial Work. — The Boys' Club. — Mr. Farr, 1897.— The Church House, 1898.— Prosperity of the Brick Church. — Benevolence. — Congregations. — Young Men. — Devotion to Dr. van Dyke. — He Accepts a Call to Princeton.— Aids in Finding His Successor. — The Debt of the Churqh to Hirn.

xviii CONTENTS

CHAPTER XXrV

PAGE

Dr. Babcock Called, 1899. — Reasons for His Acceptance. — His Early Life.^ — In Baltimore. — First Sunday in New York, 1900. — First Impressions. — His Message. — In the Pulpit. — The Man. — Personal Service. — A Busy Day. — Plans for Christ Church. — Relation to Affiliated Churches. — Mr. Farr at Christ Church, 1901. — The Men's Association. — Close of the Year. — Journey to Palestine. — Letters and Remembrances. — Dr. Babcock's Death. — Its Effect. — Memorial Gift. — The Session Minute.

chapter xxv The Church of the Present: 1902-1908 .... 474

A Friend in Need.— Call of Dr. Richards, 1902.— His Work in Plainfield. — He Accepts the Call. — Likeness to His Predecessors. — Individuality. — His Preaching. — The Open Church. — New Services. — Success of these Experiments. — The Music. — Work for Children. — In the Sunday-school. — In the Church of the Covenant. — At Christ Church. — New Buildings Planned. — Corner-stone Laid, 1904. — Buildings Opened, 1905. — Description of Them. — Effect upon the Work. — The Jesup Legacy. — A Review of the History. — Changes Without. — "Is the Church Ahve?" — Comparison of 1767 with 1908.— The Result a Ground for Thankfulness and Hope.

I. Key to Abbreviations of Titles 497

II. General Authorities 497

III. Books Relating to the Brick Church . . . 499

IV. Pamphlets Relating to the Brick Church . 502 V. Manuscript Sources 509

APPENDICES

A. Chronology 513

B. Ministers 516

C. Elders , 517

D. Clerks of Session . . . , 519

E. Deacons 520

CONTENTS xix

PAGE

F. Trustees 522

G. Presidents of the Board of Trustees . . . 524

H. Treasurers 525

I. Clerks of the Board of Trustees .... 526

J. Superintendents of the Sunday-school . . . 527

K. Sextons 528

L. Ministers of the Church of the Covenant . 529

M. Elders of the Church of the Covenant . . 530

N. Deacons of the Church of the Covenant . 531

O. Trustees of the Church of the Covenant . 532 P. Original Members of the Church of the

Covenant 533

Q. Ministers of Brick Church Mission and Christ

Church 535

R. Ministers of Covenant Chapel and the Present

S. Pew-owners of 1853 537

T. Form for Admission of Members, 1829 ... 539

U. Order of Baptismal Service, 1866 542

V. Order of Communion Service, 1875 .... 543

W. Constitution of Sunday-school, 1833 .... 545 X. Supreme Court Order, Regarding Sale of

Beekman Street Property 547

Y. Rules for Government of Christ Church Memorial Buildings, 1905 548

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

The Brick Church on BeeJcman Street Frontispiece

OPPOSITE PAGE

The old Wall Street Church 10

Plan of Neic York City, 1767 20

The Brick Church from the north-east in 1800, and view from

same point in 1908 26

Brick Church relics 36

Ground-plan of the Brick Church on Beekman Street .... 76

John Rodgers 98

Facsimile of a letter of Dr. Rodgers 102

Facsimile of the Call of Gardiner Spring 122

Ground-plan of Brick Church, 1822 132

" Holiness to the Lord," and interior of Brick Church on Beekman Street, 1856 134

The Brick Church and Chapel on Beekman Street 140

Gardiner Spring in his youth 148

Gardiner Spring in his old age 166

Plan of burial vaults on Beekman Street 262

The Brick Church on Murray Hill 278

Interior of the present Brick Church, 1858 286

William J. Hoge 296

William G. T. Shedd 310

Last New School Assembly, outside of the Church of the Covenant 316

James O. Murray 320

The Brick Church Mission Chapel 348

Llewelyn D. Bevan 358

xxi xxii ILLUSTRATIONS

OPPOSITE PAGE

Henry van Dyke, 1892 378

Redecorated interior of the church 382

East end of the interior, 1883 384

The sewing school in the S. S. Hall on West Thirty-fifth Street . 394

George L. Prentiss 406

The Church of the Covenant 408

Interior of the Covenant Chapel 414

Marvin R. Vincent 416

Interior of the old Church of the Covenant 418

James H. Mcllvaine 424

George S. Webster 434

The present Church of the Covenant 444

The Murray Kindergarten and the Lincoln Cadets .... 450

Henry van Dyke 452

Present interior of the Brick Church 454

Malthie D. Bahcock 458

James M. Farr 466

Classes in kitchen garden and cooking 472

William R. Richards 478

Choir rehearsal at the Covenant 482

Children's room and kitchen, Christ Church Memorial House . 484

Christ Church Memorial Buildings 486

Interior of the present Christ Church 488

Kindergarten at Church House door 490

Bowling alleys and library 492

Chapter I The Presbyterians On Wall Street: 1706-1765

" And from thence (we came] to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days." — The Acts 16 : 12.

" When we came to York,* we had not the least intention or design of preaching, but stopped at York purely to pay our respects to the Governor, which we did; but being afterward called and invited to preach, as I am a minister of the gospel I durst not deny preaching, nor I hope I never shall, where it is wanting and desired." — Rev. Francis MAKEMiE.t 1707, "Memoirs of John Rodgers," p. 139, note.

ON a Sunday morning toward the end of the year 1765, George III. being King of England, and Sir Henry Moore being Governor of His Majesty's Province of New York, the people of the First Presbyterian Church in New York City were assembled as usual in their place of worship on Wall Street, waiting for the service to begin. Their new minister, the Rev. John Rodgers, had now been with them for some weeks, so that the first curiosity regarding him was beginning to subside, and on this occasion no one was expecting that anything of special interest would occur, except that the new minister's sermons were found to be always interesting. But Mr. Rodgers had barely entered the church when attention was riveted upon him, for instead of proceeding to the clerk's desk below the

* New York.

t The first minister to conduct an English Presbyterian service in New York City.

pulpit, and there ofTering the introductory prayer, reading the Scriptures, and giving out the jfirst Psalm, as had been the custom until this time, the minister was seen to mount to his pulpit at once and begin the service there.

In spite of the severe decorum which prevailed in the congregations of that period, some slight commotion was evident — silk dresses faintly rustled, glances were swiftly exchanged, — for this matter of the proper place in which to open the service was one that had long been a subject of dispute. The majority of the congregation clung firmly to the old way, but some others had for many years urged this very change, which Mr. Rodgers, without consulting a single person, whether member or officer, had now suddenly introduced.

Was it possible that in a state of absent-mindedness he had unintentionally reverted to a custom made familiar to him in his former parish ? No, the firmness and composure with which he met the evident surprise of the congregation at once dispelled that theory. It was plain that what he had done he had fully intended to do, and it is safe to assume that during the rest of that service not a few of the people were guilty of a certain inattention, through reflecting upon the probable consequences of Mr. Rodgers' action. Would the majority of the members, or the session whose wishes in the matter had not even been asked, require a return to the old custom, and gently but firmly counsel the minister to act in a less headstrong manner in the future .? Such a result seemed not unlikely.

But as a matter of fact, nothing of the sort happened. The subject was not even broached in session meeting, and the majority in the congregation could find no one inclined to voice their protest. Mr. Rodgers, in short, had correctly read the situation. Regarding with distinct disapproval the conducting of the service from two places (probably because this savored of conformity to the Church of England usage) , but perceiving at the same time that to stir up a church quarrel on such a matter of detail would be almost unpardonable, he decided that the bold method was the safest, and cut the Gordian knot at a stroke. His plan succeeded. There was dissatisfaction, of course. Some leading members privately expressed with considerable emphasis their disapproval of what Mr. Rodgers had presumed to do, " but such were the popularity and success of his ministrations," says the narrator of this incident, *'and such his influence among the people, that the unpleasant feelings expressed on this occasion by these individuals were but little regarded by the body of the congregation, and soon entirely ceased to be manifested."*

The somewhat picturesque glimpse which this anecdote gives us of the Wall Street minister at the beginning of his New York pastorate, introduces us in an appropriate way to the history of what is now known as "The Brick Church," for the origin of that church was directly connected with the settlement of Mr. Rodgers over the Wall Street congregation. We have but to follow through a few months more his work among the New York Presbyterians, in order to reach the definite beginning of the history which is to be related in this volume. But in order to understand what is to follow, we must first glance backward for a moment at the earlier history of the Presbyterian Church in New York City and of John Rodgers, the minister who was to guide its destinies for nearly half a century.

Presbyterianism in New York began in 1706 with the gathering in private houses of a few persons who desired to worship in the Presbyterian manner. In January of the following year the Rev. Francis Makemie passed through the city on his way from Virginia to Boston, and at the request of the few Presbyterians preached at the house of one William Jackson on Pearl Street. Lord Cornbury, the Governor, a bigoted High-churchman, endeavored by the use of force to put an end to this activity of dissenters, and Mr. Makemie was arrested and sent to jail. On the morrow he was examined, the following being a portion of the proceedings :

*'Lord Cornbury. How dare you take upon you to preach in my government without license ?

"Mr. Makemie. We have liberty from an act of Parliament, made the first year of the reign of William and Mary, which gave us liberty, with which law we complied.

"Lord C. None shall preach in my government without my license.

"Mr. M. If the law of liberty, my lord, had directed us to any particular persons in authority for license, we would readily have obtained the same; but we cannot find any directions in said act of Parliament, therefore we could not take any notice thereof,

**Lord C. That law does not extend to the American plantations, but only to England.

"Mr. M. My lord, I humbly conceive it is not a limited or local act ; and am well assured it extends to other plantations, which is evident from certificates of record of Virginia and Maryland, certifying we have complied with said law.

"Lord C. The courts which have qualified these men are in error, and I will check them for it. You shall not spread your 'pernicious doctrines /?ere."*