New-York tribune., 1891-05-18
FORTY YEARS OFCHURCHWORK 0
A RECORD OF WHICH ONE MAY BE PROUD.
THE REV. H. t, M'EwEN. OF THE FOURTEENTH
STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. RECALLS

THE REV H. t, M'EwEN. OF THE FOURTEENTH
STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. RECALLS
ITS PAST AND OUTLINES ITS FUTURE.
The Fourteenth Street Presbyterian Church began
its fOreh anniversary services yesterday with an his
torcal sermon by It's pastor the Rev. II. T. McEwen
In the evening there were short addresses from some
Of the oldest pastors In the city and from cergymen
who formerly members Of the church. This
evening DR.. Schauflcr, DR.. George Alexander and
william f. Dodge will discuss Opportunities and
Needs of ths Downtown Church. and tomorrow even
ing the Christian Endeavor societies OF the city will
send representatives to hear addresses from Dr.
Wilton Merle Smith and the Rev. J. Balcom Shaw.
Mr.. McEwen's text yesterday was: And thou
shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God
hath led thee these forty years in the wilderness, that
He might humble thee, to prove thee, to know what
was in thine heart whether thOn wouldst keep His
commandments or no." Deuteronomy viii, g After
sketcMng the origin Of the church, which dates back
TO 1880, twenty years before its organization, ana
naming It's four previous pastors Asa ID. smith, Ed
ward W. Hitchcock, Robert Sloss and +. ii. Marllng
and few leading laymen in its history. Harlan rage
c. r. Robert the founder Of Robert College IN Coh-
stantinople; William a. Booth, present elder, VINO
for fftysix years has been "a wise counsellor and
earnest worker in the eldership, leveheaded, large
hearted of unwaverlng faith, he is yet in his ripe
beautiful old age power for good"; David L. Dodge
the father and william E. Dodge, the son; Joseph
Brewster Herman Griffin David Hoadley, ohver
Kingsbury Nehemiah B. Lane, John McChaln ana
Benjamin w. Merriam, the pastor said
No one regret keeny than the speaker hc lack
Of time which obges him to touch few points, and 70
treat those points briefly. When have mentioned
the names pastors and elders, you have not spoken o
the faithful work the deacons OF the anxiety OF inc
trustees nor Of the gody and women who constitute
the rank and file the church In all these years there
WAS manifest that harmony activity and faith IN the
future OF this church which can only come from high
spiritual life
The present pastor in the field over three years
Whilst the church Is not crowded have both morning
and evening good growing congregations. Our weekly
prayer meeting from 10 to l5O Our Sunday schOo
now aumbers 1925 teachers officers and pupils Inc coo
IL YET herv for years BEEN at the heau oi
o. in amount OF her giving, in proper
on to her numbers She last year SSbI Our young
Peopes Society has prayer meeting every Sncay even
nQ at 10 the attendance which well UP to"aru loo
We have Chinese Sunday school, with an average ateeu
ance Of over 30 Nine members have already united
with the church closely pruned church roll yet gives
s 400 members During the than three years OF he
preent church has received each year over
go members whom y per year have Oeeh OIL eoe
sion OF faith With many OF those received by letter. Is
not "A in some fields the coming OF earnest Christians WIN
letters duly made out 1t is rather the hndng OF those
who have moved to city, and have been lost TO tho
church until stirred up to secure letters
n, course you noticed you entered the church that
walls being repalIeu IL JOu VIII iVVA Nv WV
actureroom you will specimen OF what the WORK Is
IN he when completed. This restoring OF the wells Inks
rs beautifully with the early days of the church ~ 10
tribute OF affection from Mrs. William E Dodge 1he
organ which for forty years has reoiced az e
hoen tender and sad funerals and has uphfed e
rshtpners On the Sabbath has made even better
than new by the kind liberality Of MI Huson. "hen
the work of the walls completed you VIII see Duioi"e
within and without, In splendid order we receNeu ~
from our predecessors free from debts and we nave ho
u-havp ~ a
snua life aggressive work and for tho harmony WHICH
makes its memory sweet. IL knows neither uiscou nut
possip today The people have mind to WORK Chanses
many and great have taken place III ule nelehooi'0''
Ts,od n one family I'm In the early days,
here ara now four and families. These ana otef
changes which might be mentioned rehdef he neh'ia'
question Of the church more dhlcult AheS ho"o'er'
dor IL more imperative that church should be man-
tanned Churches ought to be where they can 10 the
do mos, injury not where easiest for them 70 carry
on their work Grant selected and maintained Tue posi-
tions where he could do Lee the most h"En' tn Oe
brightest period OF the life OF this church INC a'se
annual additions confession Of faith were
For the last years they have been more man "en
seven annually The times and the Location ana ue
opportunity all combine in saying that the "orh o 'n'S
church should 60 forward. ..,
1t requires prophet TO tell what the ruVure oi ~
church viii be Left to herself with each year 1t wlii
become more difficult to her financial Obligations 1hs
generosity Of her people magnheent ou' "hen sou w
one man who DAYS 500 annually and must receive iouf
900 onob,no Of the difficulty the future might be
II she were able 70 from funds wisely invested $4,000
mora Der year than present can easily be told Ihs
galleries AS well the body OF the church could be packed
h, ought To be more services There ought De vastly
mora visitation Strangers who come Into
the church ought be more rapidly followed up There
ought TO be better preaching Oae man cannot do all THIS
Let business look tA, fact. Here Is property
,or which we do not dare o. -ay that would take
$3.50 OOO Practically nan does the work. What
business man with capital 100000 would think OF
undertaking TO do all the needfull Mere Drawn
and brain and heart rgOged in the Work Poor
NOUS preaching unattlNe TO the people Of moderats
means As to the wealthy. one OF wisest and most
eloouent men sad but Few years ago. Some scom to
think that any preaching Is good enough for the poor
tell YOU the best preaching Is none too good"
With force sufficient work the field. better location
for God and humanity cannot be found We not finding
fault We are pointing ont Opportunity. Is IL too
much 20 say 10 devoted OF to-day, Dr. Charles
Hall said TO nfynne years ago. Here is thu
1ed These are It's needs. Decline It II you dare"