New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-14
RECORD OF A SUCCESSFUL CHURCH.
DIR. CKOsBY's SKETCH OF MS PAsroRAIE OF FiF
TEEN YEARS.

RECORD OF A SUCCESSFUL CHURCH.
DR. CkosBY's SKETCH OF his PAsfokAIE OF PIP
TEEN YEARS
The anniversary of the fifteenth year OF
his pa the Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church
was COMMUNICATED last evening by the Rev. Dr. How
ard CrOsOy sketch OF the church during the years of
his work with H. The chapel was filled with the mem
bers OF the church, who showed warm interest III The
review OF their church, prosperity. Dr. Crosby paid
generous tribute 10 the congregations which has been III
close sympathy with his manifold lahors.
year after my accession to the pastoratc OF this
church. said the speaker gave review Of lts previous
history. From this 1 VIII read few extracts: The
Blocker Street Presbyterian Church was founded In
1923 by twelve members 1t Is singular fact that to-
day years after the foundation ~ tr church.
four these still living In good health 1t seemed III
ting TO me- on this the fifteenth ofmy
charge Of this church. that should make brief sketch
OF It's history during these years-yeas as they nave
been, Of uninterrupted pro,perty Waem ,pos c"nt6
feeble Many earnest Chr stians joined WIN me In my
ScSr 9s ali the work since them win it, perfect
mony has prevailed. When look upon such a
pfp'0 for as So "as many Year,. feel Ike saying
The lines have fallen TO me IN pleasant places
Never have received unkind word from any mem
~ tnis congregation during all these nlcen YEARS
| must wounded the feelings. excited the pr,mocrs
OF many as never have hesitated to speak boldly on
the great religious moral and social questions mat nave
arisen. Any effect thai my ministry may nave accom-
psned due largely 10 the Uniform loyalty OF hs CON
Let us glance rapidly at Of the histo zeal facts
connected with the last decade and hai flrst thie Is
to noted great Improvement In the church edhce.
Tie old pupt-whlch was like IA rude cnttle-pen ~
appearance has been made commodous, and beauilhcu
by texts Of Scrpture the old stiaiglDacked pew" nave
been converted into seats the glarng
contrasts Of color have gwen place To prtNaiilhe
harmony OF tint from the debt on the lot and building
80 900 has been removed leaving "a balance winch
believe energy OF this people VIII speedily remove
The growth in the number OF worshppers has Deen very
rapid. In 1863 there were 235 communicates; to-day
there are 329, net gain OF 10 each wear VI tn"e
church thus stands the seventh IA SIZE OF more ti
600 congregations In the General Association Inc
larger churches are those Of Dis Cuyler ana
TIImage IN BROOKLYN; DIR fuckers and Dr;
IIaIl's, in this city Dr. Sbaw's. In Rochester, ana
Dr. Nillcrs, IN Philadopb ia During tins period
the deaths have numbered III, or eight year
and the marriages which have oiciatcd 1872 or nine
year. Wa must regard ourselves "a favored ny tns
lack Of qnarreIs about church music Tie prrcrhtor anu
organst have entered lively into the church HE they
me leaders III the Sunday school work. Two mlSson'
have been foundcd-IiOpe. In 1864, and Grace, IN
1865. They nave been nres OF grace ny WHc"
the whole church has been warmed. lhcy nav
gwen this church widespread reputation rs msSloh
AIRY churcl-tne best commentator c'rch can raw
Very credtabc has been the pecniary lbcrailty o t
church. Missions have been aided JLd many spcciai
applications found speedy relief. The chich ets
have amounted to $4,000 during Inc last seven
years, aud doubt that the sums Would Dc ciHf
large the whole fifteen years, had the data 10 e'
mate them. -. o, ,,,o
Dr. Crosby then enumerated the many members OF inc
congregation whom death had removed during th'He
years and dwet touching language ON tue puriJ vi
their lives, the unsellshucss OF their purposes hei
the religion which gave them peace IN ihs woIiu ann
the promise Of endless happiness IN tho worid 10 WIFI
they had gone lie closed with the wish that as tic
hr had passed this church mad only served 10 kt is
affections closer 10 this congregation, he might u, oc
granted many To spend In the same tcnu'T ron"
lions with those whom he had grown TO love.