Retrospect of a happy ministry; the life story of half a century, including personal reminiscences, and a complete history from its first inception of the West Presbyterian Church, Binghamton, N.Y.

Front matter

OF A HAPP-Y li^iiHliSH

STRY ttJjsieamuaumisatKtumwiusmamma

SAMUEL DUNHAM

Prefatory Note

On May 4, 1898, at a regular meeting of the Session of the West Presbyterian Church, it was unanimously resolved that the proceedings connected with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the installation of the Pastor, Rev. Samuel Dunham (April 24, 1898), be published; but that the work of publication be delayed until the fuller record could be made after the completion and dedication of the new house of worship.

For various reasons the delay has been prolonged far beyond the time expected.

Meantime, the plans of the writer have been considerably modified, and the scope of the work much enlarged to include some interesting reminiscences of the earlier and later years of his ministry, and, especially, to bring the record down to date, so as to embrace briefly the closing years of his own pastorate and the pastorates of his successors.

PAGE

Retrospect and Prospect i

Life's Cape of Good Hope 4

Seventy Years Young 6

The True Optimism 7

Back to Childhood 9

Choice of the Ministry 12

My First Pastorate 14

Spiritual Refreshings 15

A Memorable Year 18

A Church One Hundred and Fifty Years Old 21 Influence of Preachers Before and During

THE Civil War 25

The Mother of Churches 28

Whitefield's Notable Visit 29

My First European Tour 30

The Vatican Council of i869-'70, and Italian

Unity. A Series of Startling Events . . 31 Old First Church, Norwalk, Conn., Founded

The West Church, Binghamton .... 34

Passed Its Forty-first Milestone .... 36 Exceeding Interest and Value of Earliest

Records 38

PAGE

The Initial Movement Checked By the Burning OF the New Edifice of the First

Church 40

Delayed By the Removal of the Congregation-

ALISTS TO the WeST SiDE 4I

West Church Society Organized .... 43

The Chapel Dedicated . 44

Our First Sabbath 47

Organization of the Church . . . . . .48

Installation of First Pastor 49

No Holiday Pastime 50

Heroic Debt Raising 51

Tribute to the Women ^^

Church Building Enlarged 57

Re-Dedication 58

Pastor's Resignation Reconsidered and Withdrawn 58

Renewed Activity and Growth 59

Delightful Oriental Tour. An Ideal Party 60

A Miraculous Deliverance 62

With Foreign Missionaries on Their Fields and

in Their Homes 63

The Free Pew Problem 64

In Memoriam 66

Church Anniversaries 67

The Fifth Anniversary 67

The Twentieth Anniversary 69

New Year's Social Re-Union After Two Decades 73

The Silver Jubilee 75

PAGE

A Quarter of a Century Grandly Celebrated . 84

The Project of a New Church Edifice ... 89

Subscriptions Started 94

Corner-Stone Laid 96

Contents of the Box 98

A Graceful Tribute from the City Ministerial

Association 102

Farewell to the Old Church 105

The Old Church for Sale 109

Dedication of the New Church 111

Memorial Windows 115

A Weighty Communication and Surprise . .117

Jubilee Night 123

Evangelistic Services 127

Missionary to Japan 128

Pastor's Message to His People . . . . . 130

A Successor Chosen 139

Happily Wedded 141

Retirement of Mr. Dunham 142

Pastoral Relations Formally Dissolved . .151

Installation of Dr. Hallenbeck 153

Dr. Hallenbeck Resigns. An Appreciation . 156

Dr. Colville's Pastorate 160

Dr. Colville's Letter of Resignation. A Deserved Tribute 163

Rev. Mr. McCormick Called and Regularly Installed 168

Mr. Dunham's Continuous Labors .... 170 Called to the Floral Avenue Church . . .171 The Floral Avenue Pastorate, and Third

Trip Abroad 175

PAGE

Fifty Years in the Ministry 178

Activities Not Limited to His Own Parish . 179 Final Retrospect and Reflections .... 184 What Meantime Has Transpired in the World

About Us? 185

Volumes of Unwritten History Locked Up in

THE Secret Heart of the Years .... 190 "Christ Lives. Forward!" 193