The City of Churches

Reformed

Flatbush Still Celebrating

Addresses Commemorative of the Reformed Dutch Church Centennial

The one hundredth anniversary of the Flatbush Reformed church, which was observed on Sunday, was further commemorated last night by a meeting at which addresses appropriate to the occasion were made by several ministers and which was followed by reception at the parsonage. The proceedings commenced promptly at 7:30 o'clock and at that hour every seat in the church was occupied. On the platform, which was handsomely decorated with palms and potted plants, sat the Rev. Dr. E.B. Coe of the Collegiate church, New York city; the Rev. Dr. J.M. Farrar of the First Reformed church, Brooklyn; the Rev. J.S. Gardner of the Flatlands Reformed church, the Rev. William H. Boocock, pastor of Grace chapel, Flatbush; the Rev. J.L. Zabriskie and the Rev. Dr. Cornelius L. Wells, pastor of the Flatbush Reformed church. The regular order of service was followed. The Rev. Mr. Zabriskie read the scripture lesson and the Rev. Mr. Boocock offered the prayer. Dr. Wells, who presided over the meeting, announced that the Rev. Dr. De Witt Mason, president of the South classis, Long Island, who was to have made the principal address of the evening, was confined to his home by a severe cold. He had, however, sent a communication, which contained the essence of what he had intended to say. Dr. Wells then read Dr. Mason's statement.

The Rev. Dr. Coe on being introduced said that it was not the first time the oldest church on Manhattan and the oldest church on Long Island had met. He then briefly reviewed the history of the Dutch church in America and he mentioned the fact that the collegiate church in New York was the first church in this country to receive a charter, which was just two hundred years ago." Most of the old church buildings in New York," the doctor went on, "have been wiped out by the rush of business in the lower section of the city and that is what may happen to your ancient edifice when greater New York shall have become an established fact." The speaker referred tto some old church in Europe, particularly the one in Constantinople, built in the sixth century, as compared with which, he said the Flatbush Reformed church was but a thing of yesterday. "But, what makes this event most interesting and impressive," he continued, "is the fact that its age cover the life of the American nation. When it was built Washington was still living."

The next speaker was the Rev. Mr. Gardner. He said that the Flatbush and Flatlands Reformed churches were closely connected, for they were founded on the same day, although the first church in Flatlands was not erected until 1663, while Flatbush was provided with a place of worship as early as 1654. "We have now," said the Rev. Mr. Gardner, "the third edifice on the same spot where the original one was erected 233 years ago. Our second house of worship was built in 1794 and the third, which is still in use, in 1848. The bell which hangs in the steeple oft he Flatlands Reformed church to this day was imported from England in 1793 and was put into position when our second church building was completed." Mr. Gardner closed his remarks by tendering to Dr. Wells and the congregation of the Flatbush Reformed church the heartfelt congratulation of the sister church in Flatlands.

The last speaker was Dr. Farrar, who made a humorous address, using as a foil for his with the reputed Dutch slowness and conservatism and, then, falling into a serious vein, showed that this alleged sluggishness was really steadfastness, indomitable will power and unconquerable perseverance. "All things come to the Dutch who wait." he said, and again, "A Dutch ship moves slowly, but it moves." "Yes," he went on, laying his hand upon the Bible before him, "the Dutch church is so slow that it has never gotten away from this book. It is so awfully slow that it has never been able to get away from the doctrines of the Bible."

At the close of the meeting the entire congregation adjourned to the parsonage, where the Rev. Dr. Wells held a public reception until 11 o'clock.

Publication: Brooklyn Eagle; Date: January 20, 1897

Banquet of the Reformed Church Social Union

A Large Gathering of Clergymen and Laymen -- Interesting Addresses by
Rev. Messrs., Davis, Drury, Van Dyke, Wells and Others.

The Reformed Dutch Church Social Union of Brooklyn and vicinity held its first anniversary dinner last evening in Wilson's parlors, 153 Pierrepont street. At 7:30 o'clock 150 guests seated themselves in the large dining room and did justice to a tempting menu.

The tables extended the full length of the room and one across at the head, where the speakers of the evening were placed. The right center table was occupied by representatives from the Bedford, Williamsburgh, South Bushwick and Flatbush churches; the left center by Flatlands, Van Pelt, New Lots, New Utrecht, South Reformed and First Reformed churches, while at the side table were represented the Greenpoint, South Bushwick and Flatbush churches and the church on the Heights. At a small table on the right East New York and Gravesend were represented. No vacant seats were to be seen, and altogether it was a successful, happy gathering. The present of the social union is the Rev. Dr. C. L. Wells, of the Flatbush Church; the vice president is the Rev. George Huest, of the South Bushwick Church; the Rev. William H. Boocock, of Flatbush, is secretary, and the Rev. Nicholas Pearse, of New Lots, is treasurer. The committee having charge of the collation was composed of Rev. Nicholas Pearse, Rev. A.D. Mason, of South Brooklyn, and Rev. Edgar Tilton, of Bethany Chapel.

When two hours had elapsed and the menu had become a thing of beauty rather than of use, the president arose at the head of the table and made a brief address. He said:

The Social Union was organized one year ago with the object in view of drawing together the ministers of the Reformed churches in Brooklyn and vicinity and becoming better acquainted. This had been a year of success; not successful as to numbers, but as to the object which has been aimed at. He felt encouraged to see so large a gathering before him. It had been said the way to get Dutchmen together was to offer to feed them. This had been done, and they had even been allowed to pay for their own tickets. Now was the time to become better acquainted. They had been too much occupied in others; there was not enough denominationalism in the Dutch Reformed Church. It was liberal to its own detriment and should to-day stand in the front ranks as to weight and numbers. Their first religious services were held in Kings County prior to 1654, making them the oldest, though not the strongest, as to numbers. The way to serve Christ best was to build up their own church. It was made up of the good men of the Methodist, Presbyterian and other churches, all of whom make good loyal Dutchmen. This year was one of marked success in mission work. It exceeded every other year, except the one when Dr. Chamberlain raised the big subscription for the seminary in India. The receipts of missionary work had been $117,000, of which $8,000 had been legacies. The past should be an incentive for the future. The sum of $117,000 this year should mean $125,000 next year and $130,000 the one following, and expand with each succeding year. The speaker hailed the large gathering as a good omen for hte future, and hoped they would always stand together in unity as he saw them before him.

The Rev. John b. Drury, editor of the Christian Intelligencer, was next presented to the audience. His subject was "The Church Paper." Mr. Drury said that he attributed the success of the past year over other years to the fact that one year ago they organized. It was a pity it was not the centennial instead of the first anniversary they were celebrating. If that were the case the Dutch would have taken Brooklyn long ago [laughter/] All knew the prominence and weight of the newspaper. The church paper was the pastor's first and chief assistant in his work. If Paul had lived in these days he would have been an editor. He would then have had more than one thorn in the flesh. [Laughter.] It was surprising how many swift rebuking words found their mark in the editor of a paper when the fault lay not with him. A good woman had died and became a saint. They all became saints when they died. [Laughter.] The obituary notice stated she had entered into her eternal rest. The compositor made it her eternal roast. [Laughter.] When the millennium comes every one will use typewriters and the editor will be more secure. The Reformed Church should be made to prosper and grown through an agency which will bring them together. The church paper was such an agency. The little girl who asked God in her prayer to make her like a certain baking powder -- absolutely pure -- but read the Christian Intelligencer. A good word now and then should be said for the church paper. The church people should write for it. They should have some things to say and say it. Then they should stop. It was their paper alone and they should support it. No money was made from it for it went in no field but theirs. He hoped they would work for it, write for it, and, as it was a part of the agency in connection with God's church, he trusted they would pray for it.

Mr. Silas B. Dutcher acted as a substitute for Rev. William W. Knox, of Bayonne, who was unavoidably absent. Mr. Dutcher said that he had acted as substitute for a minister at a funeral, and once, on account of his looks, had been asked to occupy the pulpit in a Methodist church, but he had never undertaken to fill a minister's place after dinner. He was a good feeder and too much of a Dutchman to be called on at so late an hour. Someone had expressed the fear that he would say something about politics. That reminded him of an old Whig in Massachusetts who quit going to church because the minister talked politics from the pulpit. Finally a new minister was installed and he went to hear him. On the way home a friend said: :Wasn't that a good sermon? No politics there!" "I don't know," said the old man, "Didn't he pray that the wickedness of the wicked might cease, and who could he have meant but the Democrats?" [Laughter,] The speaker had great faith in the Dutch Church and great faith in the ladies of the organization. The Dutch Church was bringing in the best of other churches and he was glad to see the Social Union turn out so strong in numbers. He was better on a short dinner than a long one and the same way with speeches, so would say good-night.

Rev.. John G. Van Syke was the next speaker. Referring to his invitation to be present and speak at the dinner of the Social Union, he likened himself to the Irishman who was asked it he would enjoy a glass of whisky. "Bedad," said Pat, "I thought it was an angel that was whisperin' to me." So, though the invitation was not couched in celestial language, he felt flattered and honored on receiving it. He was a mossback and lived in that serene, quioet place where Rip Van Winkle slept so long and so was rather lost in such an assemblage. He felt like the farmer who had tied a part of steers to his leg while he let down the bars. The steers ran away and when the old man came to he said he had discovered his mistake before he had gone five years. [Laughter.] The rope was already around the speaker's leg and he must make the best of it. Nothing was more characteristic of the Dutch Church than amiability, self complacency. It was the ideal church. In one way, knowing this had been their bane, they had felt thast too vigorous exertion would be useless and took things too east. Softness was nice, but not the best trait when it came to character. The Dutch Church was like butter in a warm climate -- there was too little self assertion. This was good for their neighbors, but not for themselves. The Dutch Church had buttered the bread of life for many other churches in Kings County. In India the natives cooked steak by cutting holes in it and inserting pieces of hippopotamus fat. He could pick out plenty of Dutch fat in the steak of New York and Brooklyn. The Methodists guide all their streams so they never overflow their banks; the Episcopalian and other churches do the same. The Dutch Church was overoverflowing and irrigating all around its channel with its waters of kindness, love and sympathy. All this was generous, but neighter wise nor necessary. The speaker then related an anecdote of a Scotch minister who, by the interpolation of the pronoun he after the Scotch custom thus exclaimed his text, which was : "The devil goeth about like a roaring lion." "First," said the minister, "we want to know who the devil he was; second , where the devil he was going, and third, what the devil he was roaring about." [Laughter.] the speaker's platitude was that the devil was very busy roaring yet and was not embarrassed for foom. Men were too unconcerned and took too little general interest in religion. The world wassaturated with secularism. the church had to compete with so many fascinations that it was considered almost superfluous. The church was considered, by too many as a place of rescue for men who came to it, instead of the greate engine room where the force was generated to go out and save men. It was not a sunken island that the tide overflowed, but they must realize that it stands avove the world and should exhibit greater activity and come down upon it. The church should be the externalized action of the Holy Ghost. The hearthstone and pulpit should be drawn more closely together and the church should come in contact with the actual world which surrounded it. Lincoln once said a man's legs should be long enough to reach from his body to the ground. So the church should have legs long enough to reach the ground and to traverse it in every direction.

Dr. Wesley B. Davis, of the Church on the Heighs, made a brief closing address. He said it was contrary to the Duitch custom to invite a man to a feast and then ask him to pay for it and after it was over to pay for it. [Laughter.] He had heard some things said about the church paper and had heard the editor giving counsel to the contributors. He had felt like talking back. The editor had said first to have something to say then to say it. Mr. Davis said to the editor, first have something to pay and then pay it. The day was past when the paper should be nursed by the church. He believed iit should cover larger fields. This was a realm of reality. The clergyman of to-day have to grapple with the spiritual questinos of life. The old type of clergyman thundering religion from a desk was not required now. Man must come in contact with man and feel the currents of the maelstom of life about him if he would lift up the spirit. There was never so much of the Christian spirit in mankind as now. The Dutch Church had always been at the front with its helpfulness. He did not believe it needed to be so careful, as a speaker had impliet, about preserving all ifs forces. The Dutch Church had enough spinal column and to share> [Applause.] He was glad to be with the Dutch church and would be solidly Dutch the rest of his life. [Applause.] He would not be an honest sinner if he did not repent being absent from the Social Union so much in the past, but hoped to be present every session and would promise to be at every dinner [laughter] in the future.

Rev. Mr. Wells then made a few closing remarkds and the exercises were concluded by the singing of the Doxology.

Publication: Brooklyn Eagle; Date: May 14, 1890