The colored American., 1900-02-10
Rev. Gibbons a Successful and
TirelcsS WoT ker-An Interest.
Ing Drama-Israel Church Free
of Debt-Great Newspaper
Honored.
Albany, n. Y, Special.

ing the debt left upon the church by bis
predecessor the Rev. D Z. Brown, and
the church is now in fOufishiDg con
dillon. Rev. Gibbons is q thOroughge'
ing, conscientious al d honest man, and
has applied himself zealously to the
WORK OF dischai ging the great multitude
or small bills against the church which
nave been presented by its numerous
creditors to the trustee board and pastor
with annoying frequency and persis-
teEcy. MI Gibbons has been greatly
assisted iD the work Of lifting the
church debt by a kind hearted and
Christian gentleman, Mr.. George II.
knoWltOn, q retired Albany merl hant,
who was greatly interested in the pros
perlty, temporal and spiritual, Of this
church. Through mir Knowlton sum
OF money was raised ($64575) with
which outstanding debts against the
church have been paid as far as pre-
sented, and the church is now for the
nTst time in many years entirely free
rom debt except the small obligations
incurred for necessary running eXpens'
es. so anxious was Mr.. Gibbons to
clear up these bills against the church,
that he did not insist upon the pay
ment OF his own salary which was III
arrears to the amount of over $500, ,0U,
from this sum, raised through the
kindness of Mr.. KnOWltOD, but relied
Upon the graf tude and honor of his
trustee board and members for the
prompt and cheerful payment of his
back salary in full, or SO much thereof
as they could reasonably pay without
prejudice to the interest of the church.
At O harmonious meeting Of the
trustee board Of the church on January
"a
leaving small balance due on salary.
This present board of trustees of Hamil'
ton Street church, are Messrs. Joseph
Price, President, John Cald well, secre-
taTy, William FL. Brent, treasurer; VIM,
Van Alstyne, Richard Il. Johnson,
Henry Pinckney and Henry HysOn,
representative OF the progressive ele
ment among Albany's colored citizens,
whose administration begins under
promising and encouraging auspices.
The exterior Of the church has recently
been beautifully repainted through the
intelligent efforts OF committee of la
dies and gentlemen OF which Miss
Mary K. HOyt was chairman; VIM. II.
Brent 2nd vice president; Rev. Z. N.
Gibbons, secretary and Mrs. j. e.
Bruce, treasurer. This committee with
the co operation oflts members and the
generous and substantial encourage
ment OF the public spirited citizens OF
Albany, raised within q few months
the sum Of $10S 10, and Hamilton st.
church now presents an attractive ap
pearsnce and is q source of prids to the
residents Of the street as we'll as to Its
members and friends Of the congTega-
ton.
Following Ia q report OF the most suc
cessfui fair ever held IN Hamilton st.
church. The fair began January 15
-19 and was pronounced success pct
ting the church 1898 81 clear. Rev. @
n. Gibbons, the efficient pastor of the
church, comes in for no small share of
praise for the success which has attend
ed the efforts Of the trustees and the
various committees Of ladies and gen
tlemen who assisted with the fair. The
public attendance during each night
was very generous and all the various
booths were literally patronizsd. The
following named ladies had charge of
booths: Mrs. e. N. Gibbons, Missee vi
Wan Jones and - freeman; doll and
flower booth; Mrs. Z B. living, china
booth; Miss Sylvia freeman, candy
booth; Misses EsteIla Leggett, Rita
Leggett, Rachasl Van Dursen, quilt
booth; Mrs. VIM. Van Alstyne, soft
drinks; Misses Rachael Hardy, Carrie
Leggett and Grace Stanford cake
booth; Mrs Mary Cross, ice cream; Mrs.
Julia Ten Eyck, fancy booth; Miss Mary
Hoyt, Mesdames Susie Freelsnd, Free
man, and j. e. Bruce. Cashier, Mr..
Joseph Price; secretary, Sfiss Eva VIII
liams; assistant secretary, Miss Maggie
HARDING TI,a GnIorad nnaricau hoofh