The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-11-30
SCUDDER ON The HILL
First Words of Greeting and
Spiritual Nourishment
to His South Bergen
PaTishioneIS.
AMALGAMATION, NOT ABSORPTION
The Happy Marriage Of the Church
to Be Solemnized in Two Weeks
No Financial Worry.

There was a very. marked difference
between the appearance Of the congrega-
ton in South Bergen Reformed Church
yesterday morning and the same the Sun
day morning before Yesterday week the
hearts Of the members were sad and the
future looked particularly gloomy, but
the events of the succeeding days changed
all this, the -amalgamation with the Tab
ernac,e had dispelled their fears. and
yesterday morning there were smiles on
ev~eryone's face as Rev. John L. Scud-
der walked up the aisle to the platform
to conduct the mornings service. This
was not the union marriage service" Of
the two congregations. but as Mr.. Scud-
der said to a News reporter, Il am
Simply exchanging pulpits with my good
friend, Mr.. Grant"
The platform was tastefully decorated,
and there was scarcely a seat to be had
IN the auditorium when the opening
hymn was sung. When the usual exer-
cises had been observed, and the pulpit
notices read, Mr.. Scudder rose and walked
to the edge of the platform. Every one
listened attentively for some allusion
to the subject uppermost in every
mind: the union of the churches.
Before I begin to preach a sermon"
began Ma. Scudder, in an easy CONVERSE
tional yet impressive manner, 81 wish to
say q few words to you, my good friends,
about the peculiar circumstances which
nave brought about the union of the two
churches
Here Mr. scudder paused. There wasn't
a sound to break the deathlike silence.
Mr.. Scudder went on as follows
THE Lord has been leading us
in ways we little expected, but /
firmly believe our joint action and
the glory of God and help to build up
his cause In this community. This morn
ing / stand before you by Invitation OF
your pastor, a man who has always com
1nanded my respect and admiration, and
endeared himself to his people by his
kindly dispos.t ion, his industry and self
sacrificing devotion This Is not the first
time he has stood in my pulpit and |
in his. Many of your faces are familiar
to me: some of you / have known and
loved for years. A few of you have wor-
shipped with US in the Tabernacle in days
gone by. Soon all of us. 1 trust, will
worship together in this beautiful sane
tuary dedicated to Jesus Christ and con-
secrated BY your aver and tears and
loyal service. Although a Strange Provi-
dence has thrown is together, l do not
feel myself to be a stranger in your
presence. Your oyertures have been so
unanimous, and your welcome SO cordial,
that / feel very much at home among
YOU The denomination also to which you
as yet belong has always been very dear
to me, for / was born and brought up in
the Reformed Church. For three gener-
atoms my family have served as mis-
sionaries under the Dutch Board, and
some thirty years ago my father was
pastor of the old Dutch Church on Grand
street. During the decade / have spent
in Jersey City | have mixed freely and
joyously with the ministers of your or
der. The Tabernacle has received into
formed Churches, and if now, in the
Providence of God, 1t is called to marry
the South Bergen Reformed Church, /
know it could find no more congenial
partner in the State of New Jersey.
And let me remind you in thi con-
nectfon that marriage is the union, of
equals. In the a-malgamation that is
soon to take place your church is not to
be absorbed, as some one unfortunately
and Incorrectly expressed it. You are our
peers, and will have more than a pro-
p0rtionate representation upon our Off
cial Board of Deacons and Trustees.
church will be the First Congregational
Church OF Jersey City, but apart from
the name and a slight change in the
form of government. the church win re-
main substantially as it is and carry on
its work as heretofore. All your organi-
cations win be preserved intact. You
WILL pToCtrQ upOu Tie even TENOR OF your
way, reinforced by those of our people
who live in this vicinity. Remember,
friends, that in the proposed union there
will be but one Lord. one faith, one
we are brethren.
in becoming a Congregational Church
it must be- borne In mind that whatever
in the interest of a larger personal free
dom and voice in the management. Every
one of you will have a vote. You will
In a church of our order the people rule
absolutely. The minister has no more
power than the humblest member of the
flock We believe this simple method of
| operating a church viii be eminently sat
isfactory to you all. 1t will fill you with
a sense Of your Individual responsibility
and inspire you to still greater efforts in
the Redeemer's kingdom.
The invitation you have recently ex-
tended the Tabernacle to join hands with
| to preserve this artistic house Of wor-
ship, for which you have made such
heroic sacrifices, and of which you nave
church cannot be found in jersey City.
Tt is a poem in stone and is provided
| with all the modern ecclesiastical APP
ggabbaas whea TT T seemed seemed Is yog If wtsspI s no 1sIe
edifice would pass out of your possess
sion. But God has provided a. way of
escape through Christian fellowship.
-FOUR tears have given place to smiles.
| you. you will still worship in this sane
tuary and carry forward the work of
Christ in this community. You will have
the satisfaction of knowing that your la
bors will not be in vain, and tina people
will flock hither to help bear your bur
dens and Increase the measure of your
| success.
For you n US the future is full Of
hope: Already, ! am told, you have
| caught new inspiration and so have we.
| The unanimous vote in both of our
churches looking towards consolidation
Is a most unusual occurrence, and com
stitutes the surest indication of coming
prosperity and good will. We have occa-
been achieved without friction and that
love reigns supreme. When we are once
| formally Joined together we shall have
the grandest opportunity in Jersey City.
The matter of nance will give us no
further anxiety. The location OF this
church Is superb. People are moving into
this district. and they are the class who
believe in churches and desire to attend
them A wideaWake church Is a great
attraction to those who are looking for a
dren.
.tAnd now as we are about to start out
! together, let US pray earnestly for peace,
| prosperity and the gracious outpOuring
Of Gods spirit upon this community. Let
us, through the indwening and e~nergizlng
Christ, make this church q mighty spirit
ual power In this part OF the city. Let
ourselves to the services Of Christ, our
Master. mi work for Him With rladneSs
and hill purpose or heart
1h&m@ 1rnrdn 6&naf1x, $500 $500 -