New-York tribune., 1878-05-13
q CHURCHs FIFTIETH YEAR.

sEMI-CENTENNIAL OF THE CHURCH OF THE ASCEN-
sGoS--ADDREss BY THE REV. DR.. JOHN COTTON
SMITH.
The first sem-centennial celebration of the
founding OF the Church the Ascension. at FfthaVe
and Tenth-st took place yesterday morning Ihe rec
tor, the Rev. DR.. John Cotton Smith, delivered ds-
course in which he reviewed the history Of the clutch
Tho church which was organized October l, 1927, first
occupied temporary quarters in HOwards but by the
beralty Of Peter A jay, was enabled TO erect an e-
fee on the north side of CanalS which was occupied in
Aprl, 92S This church was destroyed by IRE June
80 1882 at which time nothing was saved but the bap
tismal font which Is in present use. For time the
congregation worshipped in the Reformed Dutch)
Church. in Eighth ST., and afterward i'll the chapel Of
the University, in Washington-square. The corner
stone of the present edhce laid November o. ISL
The first rector was the Rev DIR. Eastman. He was
remarkable Dr. Smith sad not only for his attainmens
as classical scholar and his devotion to his church but
for his uucompromisiug opposition to Rtualism and
other innovations. He succeeded by the Rev. Dr.
Bede at present Bishop of Ohio, TO which office he was
appointed 1852 atwhich time the present rector was
installed The first benevolent work engaged in the
establishment Of the Society for the Relief OF the Indus
trous Poor which was followed by School OF Industry
in the Five Points There also the Mission School
in Abngdon-squaro, the AspDwa House at Alexandra,
virginia a ID Ascension Hail Dr. Smith sketehed his
own administration, saying that while attached to his
own church and denomination his sympathes were with
oil Christian work. In 1860 the House Of Comfort was
established in connection with which various in
dustral and other schools In 1861 the Mission Chapel
in West Forty-secOnd-st, opened, IN large tene-
ment-house district. In pursuance or this work, the
block of tenementhOuses in the Of the Mission was
purchased; and here the speaker paid tribute TO tie
character and work Of the late Sarah start.
whose personal influence aud impenOus sense Of duty
contributed greatly 10 the Of the work He al
Iuded also TO the establishment in this district Of club
for workngmen cooperative store home for grls and
On industrial school,
Dr. Smith spoke Of the Of Peter 4. Jay and
Peter G. suyvesant, both prominent members OF the
church before the time of his ministry, aud gave remn-
cences of General Scott and OF Archibald Russell lie
spoke at considerable length OF Captain Frederic L1Gr
bush, member Of the church for many years aud VINO
died at the of years about ago He referred
also to Murray Hoffman who died few DAYS ago
work of relieving the churcn from It's debI the amount
of which was $4,000 and said that although many lG
stances had occurred recently where larger amounts
had paid in short time he dsappTOVed of all sou
saOua methods of accomplishing the work He thought
that the members should feel II great duty aud pleas
ure to free tine church from the restraining and paa2
ing effects Of this debt. In conclusion, he said: "As
look the church. seem TO see congregation OF tue
past, clothed in white and bearing palms IN their hands
as the imagery of Scripture describes the glory or e e
parted and experience inGesc1bable feeling Of III
terest and sympathy toward that congregation now as
Dlcd in the presence or JOu.'