design. Mr. Bolton* is the artist who executed this work. In the north wall of chancel is a marble Tablet commemorating the Founder's children; their four names are inscribed each within a wreath of lilies of the valley, at the foot is a lamb sleeping, at the apex is a cross fleuri, the whole being encircled with a hood moulding." The Communion Plate consists of a Flagon, a Chalice, and Paten, all of silver, of appropriate design and handsomely engraved and chased; the interior of the Chalice being richly gilt. These pieces were furnished by the Founder. At the Feast of Epiphany, 1859, a costly Alms Basin, of silver, gilt, was presented to the Parish. It bears the Offering of the Magi, engraved in the centre, and around the border the text, "For all things come of Thee, and of Thine Own have we given Thee.” This was given by Mr. E. H. Clarke. A fine bell hangs in the bell gable. The Nave bears the Te Deum in illuminated letters, running around the walls. Over the chancel arch is the text, illuminated, "Though I walk through the valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” The roof of the chancel has been beautifully painted and ornamented, with a blue ground, bearing stars in gold and white lilies. The following are the members of the Vestry in the year 1859: Wardens.-Wm. H. De Witt, E. H. De Witt. Vestrymen.-R. Server, J. Rathbun, J. H. Bowne, G. T. Bratt, T. Young, W. Mason, T. Becket, A. H. De Witt. John Gregory has been Sacristan of the church since 1851. The Rector reports to the Bishop at the Diocesan Convention, Sep. 1858, as follows (Journal of Convention, Diocese of New York, 1858): Families, 125; Individuals, 500; Baptisms (for the * Of New Rochelle, N. Y. year), adults 2, infants 34; confirmed, 24; marriages, 5; burials, 26; communicants, 144; Sunday School Teachers, 16; Sunday scholars, 160. The Parish has been sustained as a Free Church without pew rents, the Congregation supplying the support by voluntary Offerings, at the time of Divine Service. For all the tokens of His favour towards this Church of the Holy Innocents, Thanks be to GOD. THIRD REF. PROT. DUTCH CHURCH. The third Dutch Church of Albany was organized on the 19th day of December, 1834, under an act of the legislature entitled "An act to provide for the incorporation of religious societies." On the 3d of December, the Rev. Dr. Isaac Ferris received an appointment from the Classis of Albany, to organize a Dutch church, and in consequence of such appointment notice was given in the church edifice in Westerlo st.,* two successive Sabbaths, (according to the provisions of the constitution of the denomination) that all persons desirous of being organized into a third Dutch church should produce the necessary dismissions from other churches. A number were received, and the individuals first assembled resolved on the style of the “Third Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the City of Albany." Edmund S. Herrick, William C. Miller, and Nathan Lyman were chosen the first elders of the church, and John Van Schaack and James C. Spencer, deacons. Application having been made, the new church was received under the care of the Classis of Albany, in January 1835. The Rev. Edwin Holmes, of Livingston, was now invited to become their pastor, and he commenced his labors on the 26th of the same month. A suitable location in the southern part of the city was at once sought as a permanent site for a building. Through the liberality of the late Patroon, (Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer), the land on which the present edifice stands was secured, upon certain conditions, and in the summer of 1835, the plans submitted by H. Rector, Architect, were adopted. The estimated cost of the building was $15.000, and a subscription to secure that amount was circulated among the friends of the church. The *This edifice was destroyed by fire, April 24, 1848. corner stone of the new edifice was laid by Christian Miller,* on the 20th of April, 1837, on which occasion the Rev. Dr. Ferris delivered an address. In spite of many and serious obstacles, the trustees pushed forward the work of building, and in the summer of the next year the church was formally dedicated. Mr. Holmes resigned his charge in October, 1840. Rev. Dr. Andrew Yates of Schenectady succeeded him as a temporary pastor. The debt of the church had become quite large, and the congregation discouraged. Dr. Yates labored with a most devoted zeal to procure the extinguishment of the debt, but in the midst of his efforts, which were by no means unsuccessful, the church building was destroyed by fire. This event took place on the 28th of September, 1841, at noon. The difficulties against which they had contended, and now, the destruction of the church property well nigh disheartened them, and had it not been for the counsels and prayers of Dr. Yates, the enterprise would in all probability have been abandoned. But as has been said of him-he could not be discouraged. The former building having been insured, the claims against it were now paid up, and renewed efforts made for its reconstruction. These efforts were entirely successful, and in the course of the next summer the congregation took possession of their new church. About one month previous to the destruction of the church, the congregation had invited Rev. William H. Campbell, of Flatbush, to become their pastor. He ac cepted the call, and was installed in the Second Dutch church on the 1st Sabbath in Nov. 1841. The sermon on that occasion was preached by Prof. McClelland. Under the guidance of divine providence, the ministrations of Dr. Campbell, both in spiritual and temporal affairs, were conducted in a manner which evinced satisfactorily that he bore most worthily the mantle of Dr. Yates. After a pastorate of about seven years he was compelled to * Gen. Van Rensselaer had been invited to perform this ceremony, but declined on account of the state of his health. seek employment less laborious, and the position of Principal of the Albany Academy, as successor to Dr. Beck, having been tendered to him, he felt it his duty to accept it. On the 8th of September, 1848, his pastoral connection with the church was dissolved. Rev. Rutgers Van Brunt was invited to become pastor, Nov. 4, 1848, and he accepted the call. After a brief ministration he resigned, April 17, 1849. He was succeeded by Rev. William W. Halloway, who was called on the 27th of June, and remained pastor until April 12, 1853, when he accepted a flattering invitation to organize and maintain a Dutch Church in a new and flourishing part of Brooklyn. The Rev. Alex. Dickson succeeded Mr. Halloway on the 10th of October, 1853. He is the present pastor, highly esteemed and beloved. A device for a seal was adopted January 26, 1835, viz: An anchor surrounded with the words, Third R. P. D. Church, Albany. The following table will exhibit the growth of the Church since its organization: Names of those who have been admitted to the Membership of the Church. 1834. Edmund S. Herrick, Mrs. Daniel Curtis, Mrs. Heman C. Whelpley, 1835. ON CONFESSION. Mrs. Thomas Wilkinson, |