CHAPTER XXI

REJUVENATED:   1882-1893

"Moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge;
yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The
preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was
upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails
fastened by the masters of assemblies."—Ecclesiastes, 12 : 9-11.

"Our church is not like an ancient sign-post which the weather is wearing to
decay; nor like a graven image which can neither hear, nor speak, nor grow, but
like a tree planted by the rivers of water. Its roots run down deep into the past.
Its trunk rises strong and unbroken in the present. And, p^oase God, it shall still
lift its head to greet the future, putting forth new buds and blossoms with every
season."—Henry van Dyke, "An Historic Church," 1893. p. 6.

AT the same meeting at which Dr. Bevan's
resignation was accepted a committee of
twenty-seven * was appointed "to take meas¬
ures for filling the vacancy.'' This was in April, 1882.
Almost at once the name of Henry J. van Dyke,
Jr., minister of the United Congregational Church
of Newport, R. I., was mentioned. Governor
Morgan, the chairman of the committee, who knew
him and his work, and thought him "a very fine
young man," believed, nevertheless, that he ought not
to be asked to leave the charge which he then held;

* The names of these men, who made up a large part of the strength
of the church at this time, are here given: Gov. Edwin D. Morgan, Chair¬
man, George de Forest Lord, Frederick W. Downer, Benjamin F. Dun¬
ning, Ezra M. Kingsley, John E. Parsons, Frederick BiUings, Isaac N.
Phelps, John G. Adams, M.D., Ronald M. Buchanan, Hamilton Odell,
Caldwell R. Blakeman, Daniel J. Holden, Daniel Parish, Jr., Robert
Watts, M.D., William B. Isham, Shepherd Knapp, Edward W. Davis,
John G. Davis, Charles G. Harmer, George W. Comstock, William D.
Barbour, Nathan C. Ely, John Campbell, John A. Gilbert (John Q. ?)
Clark, Walter Squires.

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