New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-07
4 VENERABLE OLD CHURCH.

N1NrrY-TRsr anniversary or THE FORSYTH
STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL cHURcH-AD-
DRESSES BY PETER COOPER, THURLoW WEED
AND OTHERS.
The FORSYTH Street Methodist Episcopal
Church celebrated its nnstyrst anniversary yesterday
NEXT 10 the John Street Church the Oldest Methodist
nIsconaI Church in the city 1t erected in 1880 on
land which was confscated from Tories and sold by the
Governnent 70 q man who subsequently sold II
70 the church association. In 1883 tho chureh
VIVA rebuilt. and in 1874 the front wall
was taken down, and the pulpit which was In the rear
ia now where once was the side. What was formerly
the width ia now the length Of the church, and the audi
ence room is now only 20 feet by 40 feet Memenoes Oh
tho old church. however. remain, in the Windows,
clock the uulpit altar rail and old armchair which
Bishop Asbury occasionally occupied The wealth Oh
the church was once large, and In those dayo
It had a membership Of 1,4OO The building nau
a seating capacity OF 1000 Gradually, as members
died and others moved up town. the society dwinoed'
snd an eort was made to endow the church by build
inc four large fvestory tensmenthouses on its land
Depreciation in the value OF real estate and In rents
resulted In the accumulation Of q debt OF $6S'5OO.
wear ago last April the New.York East Conference
Amounted the Rev. A. T. Morebouse a. pastor An act
was passed by the Legislature authorizing the Confer
ence to elect trustees as to insure careru admins
tratIon of the property The act prohibits the mortGagnG
or selling of the property without the consent OF the
Conference BY dgent work the debt has been reduced
"a Gas 600 and the friends OF the church hope to have
all membranes removed from 1t In a few years.
The services Yesterday were particular interest and
were largely attended There was Union Love Feast
Mt $40 A. nn which was presided over by General Gin
ton r. Fisk At1O:sO Bishop R g. Foster preached and
at D. H. there was a sunday-sohool service OF song
conducted by the Rev. D. T. Mcfarland, at which short
addresses were mads by former superintendents aud
eachcrs The most interesting feature OF the day now
ever, was the reunion at BIB p m. OF former
pastors members and friends Of the old historic
church. The building crowded to Its utmost capac-
ity Bishop Harris presided. and among those present
were the venerable Peter Cooper. Thurlow Weed aud
Chauncey shafer. After prayer, Bishop Harris gave
abort sketeh Of the growth Of Mehodsm In this country
The first Methodist sermon was preached IN this country
In 1916 and for a time the Methodist society made
rapid progress But the Revolutionary war made sad
havoc with its work. Many Of the missionaries were
loya TO the British Crown and lett the country for the
British domuons In 1888, after peach had been de-
cared the church was reorgsnlzed and In 1870 the For
syth Street Church was built. or the many hundred
persons who attended Thanksgiving service in the
church in 1881, fifty years ago. yesterday morn
ing in response to request tnat all VINO
had been there that day should stand up only eiGA
responded And IN response TO similar request for per
sors who had attended Methodist service on tho same
day ity years ago In any other church. not one re-
sponded.
After number Of persons had related their expert
ences Chauncey shaer spoke briefly. He said that lie
was a grandson OF Bishop AsOury on one sde and on
the other he came from hardest kind Of Presbyterian
stock He thought that in 1857 the hethoSlsts Of
New York made a royal arch mistake IN moving their
churches I'D town for the benefit OF the Flora McFm
seys. II was his opinion that moro churches were
needed down and he thought that fashion would
yet come that way he wanted TO be really fashion.
able twenty-five from now he would buy property
~ h.f0a ~
that the fashionable people would then seek that neigh
borhoOd for In the meantime be hoped they
might have ,nghouses for the poor In the heart OF
pOntment OF Germans missionaries In the lower parts
Of the city. and he predicted that there would be an in
German emigration 20 this country IN lew years
Peter Cooper was then introduced by Bishop harris
Notwithstanding his age he spoke with nrm voice e
which audible In all parts OF the church. He said
that he would most gladly have few words with tho
sr9T I'm r SS S ,o s psrsp '
were for sixty years members OF the old John Street
do Sngtning that be knew was right and DANGEROUS
do that which was wrong had been the iSht Ia ms
was from the oldest known record OF human events IL
was to keep Su6dnea ana av , GoJn 1,ec S n6
ton and the condition Of those around him no next
spoke Of the beauty benevoence and said that the
portions Of POpes Essay on Man. from when no said u
lad derived much pleasure during Gf,y years Charity
he held. was the grand key to unlock the kingdom OF
Thurlow Weed said that his strength sufficient
20 enable him 10 express his feelings His voice
low ard with great difficulty that he was heard
even by those nediAely surrounding hun. Ho spoke
of John summerhed. pastor who Mt one
time occupied the pulpit OF tho Crosby Street
street Church, and said that he paid more
Difference 20 his Judgment than 10 that Of any
other man OF He also spoke OF the important
part which the Rev. Mr.. Macarthur, secretary OF the
Methodist Book Concern In London, played at the time
everyone thought war between Great britain and Amer
lea was imminent, twenty years ago.
When Mr. Weed had taken his Aeat, Mr.. Cooper again
rose He said he had thought which he would like
10 utter Is the law Of God designed for the
aud elevation OF mankind " believing THIS" he added,
say that when Christianity becomes 10 be felt In all
its purity, power aud force IL Will be found 10 be m
pie system guide and regulate the action OF mankind
/ would like that Thought TO be remembered"
In the evening Bishop Harris preached sermon at the
close OF which revival prayermrcting was held"