Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1922-04-27
'PRESbYTER|ANS
BURN MORTGAGE
Ceremony Last Night Marks
Closing of Long Years of
Endeavor
FORMER PASTOR SPEAKS
Rev. Mr.. MendenhaII Here---
Most Impressive Program
Given at Exercises
FORMER PASTOR SPEAKS

With an appropriate ceremany in
which every organization in the
church participated, the recently
cancelled mortgage on the First
Presbyterian Church of this city
was burned last night. In addition
to the mortgage burning. the event
constituted the annual meeting of
the congregation, and the formal
destruction of the mortgage, signify
ing the freedom of the church from
Indebtedness, was an occasion for
rejoicing among the members.
The destruction of the document,
given by the Perth Amboy Savings
Institution twenty years ago, was ef-
fected by placing it in a brass jar
diniere and having it touched off
by members of the church organi-
cations while the assembled congre-
CATION Joined in the singing of
Praise God. From Whom All Bless
ings Flow" A social time followed
the burning and refreshments were
served by the ladies of the church.
Several brief addresses were de-
livered before the actual burning of
the mortgage took place. DIR. Har-
Ian q. Mendenhall. during whose
pastorate the present church was
built in 1901 and who is now mod
orator of the New York Presbytery,
described the condition of the church
years ago when the decision to bnild
was reached. He gave a short sketch
of the church history at that time
and led up to congratulatory words
on its present flourishing condition.
Harry Conard made the finance
report for the year and w Fl. Girls
void gaze the final returns on the
mortgage fund. He was followed
by Rev. Frederick Niedermeyer, the
present pastor of the church
through whose efforts the final cam
paign that cleared the church of in
Gebtedness was instituted. Sidney
Riddlestorffer then expressed the
appreciation of the churca and con-
Cregation to Adrian Lyon and the
Board of Directors of the Perth AM
by savings Institution that has car
ried the mortgage for the twenty
year period. After Mr.. Riddle
storffer's address Douglas Fraser.
president of tie board of trustees,
gave ~ bIief talk of congratulation
and called upon the heads of the
church societies 20 assist in the GER
emony of destroying the cancelled
mortgage.
Interspersed through the cere-
mony was the following program OF
musical selections and readings:
Vocal solo, Friend of Nine" by
Fred BRIGGS.
Vocal solo. Lullaby" by Mrs. De
Je.
Recitation. "Eliph HEWITT. Cast
away" by Mrs. Sterling Temple.
Piano solo. Concert Polonaise,'
Miss Winifred Sturgiss.
Vocal solo. Sing. Sing, Birds on
the Wing" Miss Claire Pfeiffer.
Accomplishments for the solos
were played by Miss Grace Hawk
and Miss Clara Gill.
Too much credit can not be given
to the ladies of the church for their
efforts in paying off the mortgage.
Since the mortgage was placed.
years ago, their endeavors have been
untiring and the board of trustees
praise to the work accomplished by
the various women's. organizations
in the church.
The final payment of the mort
gage was brought about last Nav
when a campaign was conducted 10
raise the $500 still owing. Sub
scriptions pledged at that time re-
suited in q contribution twice IS
large as was needed 20 meet thu
debt The PLEDGES were so arranged
as to be mads in a series of paw
snents covering two years and az
resent half o, the subscriptions
have been pail in. ID Decision has
been reached 10 use the remaining
pledges as a Euc.sus for a fund to
build a manse a. some future daLc.
Rev. Mr.. Niedermeyer came to this
pastorate in the early fall of 1919
and is now approaching the close of
his third year. Soon after his ar
rival here he undertook the task of
directing the payment of the mort
gage. The success of the undertake
ing is shown by last nights cere-
mony.
The present church was built in
1901 during the incumbency of Dr.
Mendenhall, who served the parish
for five years. The mortgage placed
with the savings institution was sign
ed by Charles ID. Snedeker. as presi-
dent of the board of trustees. and
Wilbur La Roe, secretary of the
board. Mr. Fraser, the present head
of the board. was also a member az
that time