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Without doubt the results of that great awakening of 1816 had much to do with the erection and completion of the church building. True, it had been proposed and set on foot before the revival began, and considerable subscription and material had been gathered for it. Yet faint were the hopes, even by its best friends, that the project would be so soon accomplished, if accomplished at all. Such is the testimony of Dr. Woolworth. We need to remember that the community at this date was still a small one, numbering only between two and three hundred people, and that for them such an effort was indeed a great undertaking. But the coming of that gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit united the hearts and hands of the people in their purpose and inspired them to success to the degree that in a little over a year from the time of starting the work was completed. It was considered by all a great achievement for this community, and has been so spoken of to me by some of the older persons in our midst.

The amount expended in the erection of that building was nearly four thousand dollars. And now that it is finished we turn our attention to its description and dedication. For information concerning these things I must rely on the historical discourses that the Rev. Mr. Harries delivered in 1871. Speaking of the edifice he says: "It was fifteen feet shorter than what it is to-day. On each side of the platform were four seats. In front of it was a platform about ten inches high, on the outer edge of which was a paneled breastwork elevated nearly four feet, with a small desk in the middle directly in front of the pulpit, for the use of the elders when reading and of the chorister when singing. This enclosure was called 'the altar' as great a misnomer as to call Christ's ambassadors 'priests.' There were forty seats before the pulpit and four each side of it, making forty-eight. The first range on the south end, consisting of four seats, were reserved by the trustees for the colored people, and the next range for 'any white person.' The body pews were assessed at $2 each and the ‘long side pews' at $3.50. They were rented on the 20th of June, at a meeting appointed for the purpose. The attendance was very large and the demand for seats pressing. The four reserved free for 'any white person' were consequently rented. All but two were sold at a premium, some of which were forty per cent. above the assessed value, the whole to be cancelled at the expiration of twelve months, but next year it was to be paid quarterly."

COPY OF THE FIRST PEW LIST.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE SALE OF THE PEWS IN THE MEETING HOUSE ON SHELTER ISLAND, JUNE 20, 1817, FOR ONE YEAR.

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ARTICLES OF VENDUE RESPECTING THE SALE OF THE PEWS IN THE MEETING HOUSE ON SHELTER ISLAND AGREED TO BY THE TRUSTEES, JUNE 20, 1817. The sale of the Pews to be for one year. The Pews to be set up by any person at the price set on them by the Committee, and if no person will give any more, to be struck off to them, but any one has a right to bid and the highest bidder to have the Pew.

The money for which the Pews are sold is to be paid at the end of the year, and it is expected the money will be punctually paid to the Trustees without putting the Parish to the expense of collecting. By order of the Trustees, SYLVESTER DERING, Clerk.

"On the 17th of the following month, namely, the 17th of July, 1817, the building was dedicated. It requires no stretch of the imagination to conceive of its being filled to its utmost capacity. As you enter you behold 'a sea of faces' upturned to fix an excited eager gaze on the sage, ministerial veteran in the pulpit, Dr. Aaron Woolworth. To the left of him on the platform is the 'deacon's seat,' or more properly the 'elders'. There are seated the five offi

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cers, viz.: Dering, Doughlass, Havens, Sherrill and Nicoll. The preacher rises in the sacred desk. He is elevated eight feet above the congregation, but he and they think it all right. It is significant of the exalted, heavenly nature of the minister and the office he fills. He announces the hymn, and directly a venerable form rises behind the little desk in front of the pulpit. It is the chorister. His hymn book is before him. He announces the tune, strikes his tuning fork on the desk, lifts it to his ear, and begins to sound a note or two. The 'pitch' thus obtained, a volume of melodious music fills the house. The dedication prayer is offered. Directly the preacher reads from the 126th Psalm: 'The Lord hath done. great things for us whereof we are glad.' It is the text. The sermon is a credit to the head and heart of its author and a fitting tribute to the memorial occasion. That was a jubilee to this people."

And with these lofty words the honored preacher of the occasion consecrated the edifice "as an habitation of the God of Jacob,' namely: "Be it henceforth dedicated to God as an house of prayer in which His holy public worship in all its instituted branches shall be celebrated; in which not only supplications and the sacrifices of thanksgiving, repentance and prayer are to be offered up to the God of all grace-but the adorable name of the King of Zion is to be proclaimed in the preaching of the glorious gospel and the administration of the holy sacraments of the New Testament. May the incomprehensible Jehovah, whose name is thus recorded in this place, graciously condescend to take up His abode here, and liberally bestow upon His people the blessings of His grace and salvation, during not only the present but succeeding generations!"

While looking over some old church papers I came across the manuscript of the following hymn, which was composed especially for the service of dedication and sung at that time by the people. The author's name I have been unable to discover, though much inquiry has been made. It was certainly worthy of the writer and the occasion:

Be sacred this sequestered place,

These walls we consecrate to God,

Who tho' He fills Heaven, Earth and space,

Yet makes His churches His abode.

Within this House may sacred prayers

From contrite hearts, like incense, rise,

And mental praise, with vocal airs,

Prelude the musick of the Skies.

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