Chapter I: Introduction

It is evident that the preparation of this volume has been a labor of love.

Of the sanctuary which, for one hundred years, has stood on the corner of Market and Henry Streets, the author, like many others who have put their lives into it, might well say:

"Thy saints take pleasure in her stones,
Her very dust to them is dear."

The story of "The Kirk on Rutgers Farm" is one of pathetic interest. In its first half-century it sheltered a worshipping congregation of staid Knickerbocker type, which, tho blest with a ministry of extraordinary ability and spiritual power, succumbed to its unfriendly environment and perished.

In its second half-century it became the home of a flock of God, poor in this world's goods, but rich in faith, to whom the environment even when changing from bad to worse, was a challenge to faith and valiant service. Those of us who in our unwisdom said a generation ago that it ought to die judged after the outward appearance. Those who protested that it must not die, took counsel with the spirit that animated them, saw the invisible and against hope believed in hope.

Not the least impressive pages of this book are the pages which record the names of ministers and other toilers for Christ, who in this field of heroic achievement have lived to serve or have died in service.

The author has very skilfully concealed his personal connection with the history of which he might justly say: "Magna pars fui." But for his wise and winsome leadership the chronicle would have closed a quarter of a century ago.

By putting in form and preserving the memories which cluster about the Church of the Sea and Land, he is performing a real service to the Christian community and earning the gratitude of fellow-laborers to whom it has been a shrine of their heart's devotion.

George Alexander.

ILLUSTRATIONS

The Kirk on Rutgers Farm Frontispiece

_Page_
Henry Rutgers 12
The Rutgers Mansion 15
Rutgers Tablet 17
Nathan Hale Statue 19
First Presidential Mansion 20
Tablet in Church Vestibule 22
Philip Milledoler 23
North Dutch Church 24
Isaac Ferris 28
Organ 29
Old Lecture Room Pulpit 30
Theodore L. Cuyler at Market Street 34
Theodore L. Cuyler later 35
Pew 41
Bell 46
Sailors' Home 50
52 Market Street 51
Hanson K. Corning 52
Edward Hopper 56
Communion Service 58
Christian A. Borella 61
Andrew Beattie 68
Old Sunday School Room 69
Alexander W. Sproull 71
Col. Robert G. Shaw 72
Kindergarten 73
Old Church Flag 78
John Hopkins Denison 81
Tower Study 82
52 Henry Street 83
Fresh Air Children 84
New Church Flag 87
John Denham 91
Old 61 Henry Street 94
New 61 Henry Street 95
Staten Island House when bought 96
Staten Island House renovated 97
Kitchen for Cooking Classes 99
Pulpit 104
Back of Pulpit 107