The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-09-22

missed to other Churches. OF the session
who welcomed me not one is this side
the grave.
How many Of this congregation have
gone to eternity Some of them | had
known from my childhood. Pleasant
recollections will ever be associated with
them in my mind. Some were stricken
down in the midst of usefulness. We
did not know how to spare them. 1t
seemed so strange not to see their faces
again, nor to hear their familiar voices,
nor to have any more their hearty CO.
operation in all that was for the good of
the Church and the glory of God. AL
though we do not believe in the interces-
sion of the saints, or think that their in
tercession would be of any avail, or that
we need any other intercession than the
Lord Jesus, yet we may judge that amidst
the joys of heaven and the glory which
shines from the throne of God aud the
Lamb they still think of us and the inter-
,ests Of this Church, so dear to them.
Our eyes sometimes ill with tears, and
our voice betrays tremor, when we
speak of them. Their faces come out of
the bygone days with such life-like
semblance, that we would reach for them,
.
cannot lift the veil. Therefore we must
be content to live by faith, that our
ransomed spirits az last may be gathered
with theirs, TO be forever with the Lord !.
In speaking of the death Of these be-
loved ones, l am reminded how often
have been called to sympathize with the
members of my flock in their sorrows,
and to suggest, as well as | could, the
precious comforts of Gods Word and
how often have |, in like circumstances,
received the hearty sympathy of my
people.
In the preparation of this discourse
have not gone into statistics to any ex-
tent. This was my intention at first,
but concluded that IL would unneces.
sarily burden your attention now, and
that at some future time, if God permit,
might write more extended discourse
on the history of the Church. / have
merely touched on the salient parts of
my pastorate. have abstained from di-
rect personal references, for I did not
know where to stop, and to go into par
ticulars would protract this discourse be-
yond reasonable bounds. What plea
sure it would be to dwell on the names
and excellent traits of faithful elders, and
cody men and women who were once en-
rolled on our Church book, but who now
fully realize that their names were also
recorded in the Lambs Book of Life.
Although this Is not an historical dis
course, in the strict sense of the term, 1t
would naturally be expected that should
mention the changes in tho official or
ganizaton of the Church. When / as
sumed pastoral charge here, Ashbel
WEIGH, James d. Stryker, John Ii. An
derson and John Smith were the ruling
elders. | looked TO them all as safe and
wise counsellors, as faithful men of God,
who had the interests OF the Church much
at heart who were always in their place,
when not prevented by Providence, in the
prayer meeting and in the other services
of tho Church. In May, 1868, there were
added to the session James Hcrvcy Stud
diford, NJ. D., John A. Anderson and p i.
Studdiford Pidcock At the same time
there were chosen deacons, Augustus c.
Barber, i. Quick Phillips, Levi Brown
and Hugh b. Ely,
Elder John II. Anderson went to his
heavenly rest in December, 1877 Elder
in September, 1882 Elder Stryker in
1000, dut lliucI IL. Dtuu-
dford March %, 1870.
In May, 1879, Augustus c. Barber,
Charles A. Skillman, Hugh D. Ely aud
John V, @. Barber were elected elders,
and Thomas B. Fidler, Holmes ID. Ely,
Frank u Fritz, William II Titus, John
IL. Horn and James Petrie were chosen
deacons. Mr.. Fidler declined the Office
This election made the whole number OF
elders nine and Of deacous seven. Three
of the nine elders have died, two hav,
removed from our bounds--Mr. Hugh B
Ely and Mr.. Pidcock. Mr.. John A. An
derson is now IN the order Of election, th
senior elder.
The names OF those who have bee
trustees during my pastorate arc Charlie
o. Holcombe, William GOWN, John A
Anderson, Augustus O. Barber, Tunis @
Phillips, Griffith Williams, Thomas i
Fiddler, Robert II. Dilts, Edward ii. Hol
combe, Ashbel WEIGH, Jr., Hampton G
Shafer, George II. Titus, Frank Y. Fritz
Warren A. Greene, William WEIGH ant
james @. Bovine. OF these, Messrs. G
O. Holcombe, J. A. Anderson, William
Gown, Augustus g. Barber aud Il. @
Phillips were trustees when | was frs
settled here. +. u. Fritz, e. II. Hol
combe, Warren A. Greene, James o
Bovine and William WEIGH are the presen
iucumbents.
The superintendents of the Sabbath
School have been John A. Anderson, A
II. IIolccmbe, Hugh B. Ely, Holmes ID
Ely and Warren A. Greene The assist
ant superintendent, Il II. Holcombe ant
Datis Reed.
For many years, and until his death
Thomas b. Fider was the Librarian, and
since then William w. Robinson.
AS have said this is not, in its full
sense, an historical discourse, will there.
fore enter no further into details
In view, however, of what has been
mentioned this morning, think | have
good and sufficient reason to say, 81
thank my God upon every remembrance
of you, always In every prayer of mine
for you all making request With joy, for
your fellowship in tho Gospel from the
first day until now"
Twenty years have passed away. What
changes shall be witnessed here in the
twenty years to come Many of us shall
be In our graves. New faces will be seen
in these pews. Another pastor will oc-
cupy this pulpit. How soon these changes
aud in what succession, is known only to
God. But let us so live that death shall
not find us unprepafed. Let us seek to
have an increasing sense of our obligation
to live unto the Lord. Let us make a
free-wil offering Of ourselves to the SER
vice and glory of our Master. Let us
labor and pray for the advancement of
His Kingdom. Let US seek to bring
others to knowledge of the truth.
What shall be the history Of this Church
in the years to come, depends much, un-
der God, on our faithfulness. There is a
work for every one Of us. Let us not lose
sight of our individual responsibility in
the multitude. According as each one
does his duty, does the Church prosper
What we need at all times, and above al
things else, is the baptism of the Spirit
Pray for this priceless gift for yourselves,
for each other, for the Office bearers oil
the Church, for your members, fol
your pastor, and besides all these, pray
for those who are away from Christ, that
they may DO brought nigh, to the saving
of their souls. Pray that peace and har-
mony may prevail. Cultivate such a
spirit. Cherish brotherly love, spirit oil