The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-09-15

mistake in coming here. 1t certainly was
marked honor to be called to labor in
an Office of such high, delicate and
solemn responsibility in the town and in
the Church where / had been born and
brought up.
1t was no easy task to follow one who
had so ably, laboriously and faithfully
discharged his duty. 1t was, however,
pleasure to know that the people had
been so thoroughly taught in the Word
of God, so grounded in the faith, as not
to be driven about by every wind of doc
trine. 1t was relief to be assured of
hearty sympathy in any earnest, faithful
presentation of Scriptural truth. 1t in
spired confidence that there was not only
a hearty welcome awaiting me, but that
there were those who were considerate in
Judgment, wise in counsel, true to their
pastor, and, above all, answering in
their loyalty to their Lord and Saviour.
In taking a look back upon my pastor
ate here, will single out some particu
lars pertaining to the temporal affairs of
this congregation. Soon after the present
church ediiiee was dedicated, in January,
1855. it became quite evident that mis-
take had been made in not building larger.
The town, through the impulse communi-
Gated to business by the railroad, was
growing at such a rate that there would
soon be lack of room for the new corners
who were members of, or had been brought
up in, the Presbyterian faith.
When tho pews were first let il was
concluded to reserve every tenth pew for
free pew. But it was almost directly
found that such was the demand for pews
this plan could not be carried out The
kaa
cramped for ROOM Especially was this
the case after the large ingathering in the
Church in the Spring of 1867. Ii was
finally resolved, in the Spring of 1868, to
enlarge the house of worship. This was
effected by an extension of the building
in the rear, which gave an addition of
forty pews.
1t was unfortunate that the necessity
for this enlargement should have occurred
at a time when everything used in build
ing, as well as labor, was at its highest
price. Had the structure been made suf
lieiently large in the first place, several
thousand dollars would have been saved.
Soon the most of the new pews were
taken, and the result justified the wisdom
of increasing the capacity of the church
edifice.
In tho Summer of 1869 the main audi
enee room was newly frescoed.
lu the Spring of 1879 chapel was built
for the accommodation of the New Hope
Sabbath School, which for two or three
years had been in migratory condition,
having no abiding place. The result of
erecting this chapel is that there has been
preaching there almost every Sabbath
since, while the Sabbath School has
ilourished beyond our most sanguine ex-
pectations. 1t looked at one time as if
this Sabbath School, which was the oldest
in this vicinity would have to be given
up. Bu5 the erection of the chapel gave
it new life, aud trust that 1t is destined
to maintain heallhful vigot in all the
years to come. Soon after this new turn
of affairs the proposition was made that
the pastor of the Thompson Memorial
| Church should be invited to preach in the
| chapel every Sabbath afternoon. This
was successfully carried out, and under
the fostering care of the Rev. W. Dayton
Roberts, and subsequently OF the Rev.
Henry d. Lindsay, the attendance at
Divine service largely increased, deep re-
! ligious interest was at times felt, and
numbers came out upon the Lords side
and confessed Him before the world. The
affairs of tho chapel during the past year
have not been as promising as we should
have liked, but a brighter prospect is now
presented in that arrangements have been
made for the stated supply of the pulpit
by the young and jealous pastor of the
Thompson Memorial Church, the Rev
Mr.. Hanna.
In the Summer of 1874 the present
Bible class room was finished and fur
nished, through tho kindness and liber
atty of Mr.. Ashbel WEIGH, in memory o.
his wife, whose unexpected death was 81
widely and deeply lamented.
In May, 1877, our present pipe.orga
was purchased. We had before, for
number of years, n cabinet organ, which
after protraeted use, was so WORKOUT a
to be no longer fit for service. Contribu
tions came in freely and generously 70
the new organ, and in a very short tim
our ears were gladdened with its music
Diligent inquiry was made as to the dill
ferent makes of organs, and the assertion
can be confidently made that no better in
strument, for the size and price, eoul'
have been obtained than that which wa
purchased of johnson IL Son, Westfield
Massachusetts.
In the Summer of 1878 an alteration
was made in the pulpit recess, which al
teration, can assure you, added much Il
the comfort of the pastor, for since th
organ, by the very necessity of the case
shut off tho air from the north window
it was SO sitting in the pulpit on a no
day that it became unbearable. The ex
pense was'very little, aud never doubted
for moment the wisdom of the altera
ton, for was made to feel the necessity
of it. The church after awhile be
came so dingy, the fresco so faded, th,
ceiling SO cracked, and everything so col,
and cherries In appearance, it was re
solved to renovate and refurnish tn
room After several conferences of tb
Board of Trustees, in the Spring ant
Summer of 1884, a meeting of the con
gregation was called, when the plans pro
posed were adopted, and the result i
seen in this neat and tasteful room, wher'
every improvement has conduced to har
mony of effect. This, so far as | know
is the unanimous opinion Of those VIII,
have visited us, as | am confident it mus
be of those who stately worship here
The wooden ceiling is so much to be pre-
ferred in every way to one of plaster
however tastefully plastered ceiling ma.
be frescoed, wo have reason to congratu
late ourselves on the wisdom of tn
choice.
II certainly would be difficult to fin'
more satisfactory work at the same price
considering the shape and proportions o
the room. The trustees and the building
committee deserve lasting credit for thu
very efficient manner in which they dis
charged the trust committed to them
There assuredly is full value to show 70
every dollar expended. IL is matter o
special qualification that the people ar
realizing this, and are stimulated t
earnest efforts for the removal of TIL
comparatively small debt which still rest
, upon the building.
TO be continued)