New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-08-17
OLD JOHN ST. NJ. E. CHURCH.

Last evening public meeting Of the members and
congregation Of the Old Johnst Methodist Episcopal
Church. in favor of retaining that time honored sane
tusry in its present location held in the Greenes
Methodist Church.
The meeting was called to order at u O'Clock, and
the following officers appointed
PresideHt--NoAH WoRRALL; Wee PresideRts-W
w. Con ell, John Stephenson, VIM. Is. Skidmoce, g.
b. Dissossway Anthony Cune; Secretary, John A.
Smith.
The meetirg was opened with prayer by the Rev
c. c. LEAH; after which the Rev. DR. MITCHELL
proceeded TO give history of the church. He COM
menced with the establishment OF the first Methodist
Society in New York and in America in 1906 by few
Methodist immigrants from Ireland, one of whom
philip Embury was a Wesleyan local preacher and
a house carpenter. An elderly lady, then recently
from Ireland who found several of her newly aTlved
friends engas ed in game OF cards after severely re-
buking them and throwing away the cards, FASTENED
TO the house of Mr.. Enbury and exhorted hin 10
all bis influence 10 reclaim all her srayng friends lie
agreed to hold Il meeting in his own house in Angus
tus-st. then Barrack ST ;, the lady pedgng herself to
collect The congregation Six only attended tue
fret meeting who after suitable exhorta ion from Mr.
Embury enrolled their in class and resolved TO
attend regularly al his house for religious Instruction.
Shortly after more commodious room VAS obtained
in the neighborhood. While worshiplng In this room
during singing, occasion, man in full military
uniform made his appearance among them, TO their
great CONSERVATION. This gentleman proved to be
Capt. Webb, of the Royal American Troops, and Bar
rack Master at Albany, who had been converted IN
England under Mr.. Wesley in 1865, and shortly after
apr sipted TO his post at Albany. He labored with
great fervor and success in the infant society at New
York. The appearance in the pulpit OF man tnus at
tired with his sword hanging beside him, attracted
great attention Soon after the commencement of
tie labors of Capt Webb the old ssl-loft' in Will
iam.st then Horse and Cart-st) secured for the
better accommodation of their increasing numbers.
Here Capt. Webb and Mr.. Emoury continued 10
preach with great until they could build ahouse
of worship Through the interest of Capt Webb they
they procured lots Golden Hill, which rising
grouLd near the border OF the city now named
John-st. The house was AZ by 60 feet. The pro-
ecors of this enterprise encountered very great oppo-
stion and Yet crown ed their efforts. On the
3Oih day Of October, 1908, Mr.. Embury delivered
discoune from the pulpit which he had himself con-
struced, declaring that the best dedication OF church
the minister can make is to preach in il faithful
mon. The Society rapidly increased, and the much
abused Methodists began 10 appear as body of re-
speciality and influence. The house occupied as the
parsonage stood partly before the front OF the church.
and building in the antique style Of the Dutch.
IL also contained the Methodist Library. Two addi-
toDal lots the left side were purchased after the
Revolution for goo The interior remained many
years unfinished. The gallery had no breastwork
stain TO ascend to il. Boys however would mount by
a ladder and cit upon the platforms. The audience
room for long time had only benches without
baek-piece TO recline against. SO homely was the
place which the Almighty deigned 10 honor in the
resulted in the building up OF church of nearly
million sDd half Of communicates, extending over
all the United States and Territories and throughout
the British Provinces At the time the original editee
was erected the City nearly all below the Park
and contained in 1856 l03sl souls and in 1873 il con-
tanned 81 s76 showing annual increase for seven
ten years OF 90, making the entire population 10
l7ts, the year The Church was built, Is 493. The
speaker Il en- went 10 give come statistics restiye
to the growth Of the City. Sell John-st Church
said lie, and our glory is departed. There will
be no future for Methodism in d section Of the
City OF Newl0rk, containing population of at least
10000 souls He contended that sysema c efforts for
the salvation of the accImuatng sses of the 10 yer
ards bes been too long delayed. The Methodist
Church 10 this great City should speak in tones of ear
nest and 6ecronae remembrance the SIX Trustees
who would pass over the earnings of the poor By
which thu Church erected into the hands of men
many Of whom able 10 cree better single handed
In conclusion, he said it would be infinitely more aO-
propriaie and more BETTING the occasion and the
wants of the lower Wards if the Trustees would make
immeosae arrangements TO accommodate a. least two
congregations III that part of the City and not part
with the old Jonnst. Church
The Rev. Mr.. WHEATLEY was next introduced. and
addressed The meeting al some length. In the course
OF his rems ks re alluded in happy strain 10 the origin
OF tie Methodist Society in this country and sDoke Of
the Old Church, that tme-honored sanctuary which
the Trustees now sought TO dispose Of He thougnt
the people here were " 700 fast" The Ola Dr,cb
Church ID NsssG1-s,. had been converted into p,sf
Ofi-e smother church somawha, higher 10 bal besn
converted mo a stable Gno-her was ocel5ie5 bv .ta