Albany and Vicinity – The Capital District

Ro Mocated on many.

BY PAUL B. MATTICE. OME was

seven hills, Albany is Albany, was the financial backer of Captain

Governor Thomas Kidd, of piratical fame. Philip Sheridan, the Dongan gave Albany its charter in 1682. It great cavalry leader of the Civil War, was became the State capital in 1797 and is the born in Albany. Scholars, statesmen, soldiers, fifth largest city in the State. Within a 100- authors and publicists, whose names and acmile radius of the City Hall dwell 1,350,000 complishments are known to every child in persons today. This is known as the capital school, have contributed to the overflowing district. It is famed country. It claims such treasury of achievement. Besides having the world-renowned figures as Hudson, Cham- most costly and ornate building of any State plain, Anneke Jans, Sir William Johnson, in the Union, Albany also boasts of the most Philip Livingston (signer of the Declaration beautiful and expensive educational and deof Independence), the Schuylers and the Van partmental building in the world. The largest Rensselaers. In the Colonial and Revolution- collar industry in the United States thrives in ary periods Albany was a center of military Troy. activity. The Albany Bar has been famed for The most famous summer resort in the its great names. Chancellors Kent and Wal- world is Saratoga Springs. One of the few worth, Martin Van Buren, the Peckhams, Da- Government arsenals is located at Watervliet. vid B. Hill, Amasa J. Parker and Samuel The third largest mail depot and one of the Hand were the legal leaders of the country in biggest coal marts in the United States are their day. The third law school in the United located in Albany. One of the two bell founStates was organized in Albany. William Mc- dries in the United States is a part of the inKinley, Justice David J. Brewer, Chief Judge dustrial life of this district. Schenectady is Alton B. Parker were trained there. Benja- distinguished for the largest manufactory of min F. Butler practised law at one time in electrical apparatus and one of the largest loAlbany.

comotive plants. Albany is the only place in The first of the noted hotels of Albany was the United States where an official study and the Tontine, built in 1800. DeWitt Clinton, measurement of the stars is conducted. AlAlexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Jerome bany has the oldest and largest bailing press Bonaparte and the celebrated Frenchman, Mo- factory in the world, and the largest factory reau, stopped at this hostelry. Congress Hall in the world devoted to the manufacture of was next in importance; it was erected in car heating apparatus, axle grease, aniline 1815. Thurlow Weed and William H. Seward dyes, gas meters and photographic supplies. schemed law and politics under its roof. Gen- Agriculture is the chief pursuit of this district. eral Lafayette was given a dinner and a re- The soil is almost as productive as the bottom ception there in 1825 by the city. Stanwix lands of the Nile. Transportation facilities Hall, the headquarters of the Luther League are the best and most diversified; State roads, convention, was built in 1832 by Herman and auto bus lines, steamship lines affording the Peter Ganzevoort and named in honor of the finest accommodations known for water travel, fort their father, Gen. Peter Ganzevoort, had and six of the leading railway systems of the commanded in the Revolution. The Schuyler country enter Albany. More than 380 pasmansion is one of the most noted of Colonial senger trains enter daily. The tri-city section residences. Alexander Hamilton was married contains 53 hospitals, 144 schools, 228 churches, and General Burgoyne held a prisoner of war 942 societies, clubs and lodges, and about 600 within its portals.

acres of parks. This is a strategic point in a The first bank of Albany was organized in military sense; it is central in reference to 1792. The total clearances of the banks of Al

transportation. Musical, educational and sobany for 1911 was $314,737,890. Troy has sey- cial interests are second only to New York. enteen banks, Schenectady six; Cohoes, Hud- The completion of the 1,000-ton barge canal, son, Glens Falls and Saratoga are well sup- the prospect of the United States Government plied; all are in the capital district.

deepening the Hudson, is but a meager prombanking center, Albany stands third in New ise of what the future holds in store for a York State.

district that has grown from the blockhouse of Albany's first newspaper, the Gazette, made Rensselaerwyck to a community of 1,350,000 its appearance in 1771. Robert Livingston, of progressive and industrious people.

As a

A

BY WILLIAM B. JONES,

Secretary Albany Chamber of Commerce. LBANY today is not only one of the most just being housed in the new State Education

beautiful cities in America, but also Building, with its almost innumerable volranks in commercial and financial importance umes, will be at the convenience of the people with cities many times its size. Albany is a at all times. There are also twelve other city of homes. This is not only apparent from libraries in the city. the appearance of the houses, but also from Albany is the center of six trunk lines of statistics of the United States census, in which steam railroads with 380 passenger and over Albany is credited with a larger percentage 350 freight trains each day; here also converge of house owners than any city of its size in the river lines with passenger steamers during the country. With railway facilities unsur- the summer season, making sixty-six trips in passed and at the terminus of the Erie and and out of the city each day. Albany has an Champlain canals, Albany now ranks third in extensive system of street railways that covers wealth among the municipalities of the Empire nearly every section of the city, and new lines State.

are constantly being built. The city is also The water supply for domestic and sanitary the center of a network of suburban lines. uses is unexcelled by any city of its size. These roads pass through fifty-two cities Albany has one of the largest filtration plants and villages, directly connecting them with in the country. There are in Albany 18 Albany. parks, covering over 306 acres. The principal Albany presents a thousand attractions to one is Washington Park, which extends over the student, patriot, statesman, wage earner, 90 acres, and has nearly four miles of drive- and greatest of all, to that most practical of way and six miles of walk. This park is noted philanthropists, the enterprising capitalist as being one of the most beautiful in the coun- seeking safe investments in real estate or in try. · Albany has 85 churches. The city has the establishment of productive industries. five hospitals. The Albany Hospital is one of The time is not far distant when the present the finest equipped hospital buildings in the population of Albany and environs will have world, constructed on the pavilion plan, cov- become doubled in number, and when of the ering 16 acres of ground, and has over 200,000 United States it shall be what it now is of the square feet of floor space.

great Empire State, the most attractive city Few cities have such facilities for research for the display of industrial and commercial as has Albany. The magnificent State Library enterprise.

Lutheran Churches of Albany and Vicinity

re

BY GILES V. B. SCHUMANN. N view of the approaching celebration in as pastor. who conducted services in an old

Albany a short sketch of some of the Lu- building that was used as a city mission. The theran churches in and about the city may not complete organization took place on June 2, be amiss. There are in all nine Lutheran 1857. Pastor Fachtmann, however, soon churches, divided as follows: Four to the turned to Germany and the young congregaGeneral Council, two to the General Synod tion, upon the advice of the Ministerium, and three to the Missouri Synod.

sought help in the services of Pastor Chris. We are sorry that we cannot give a sketch tian Hennicke, who was pastor in the south of each. We start with St. John's. Her his- section of the city. The congregation felt the tory dates back to 1854. Misunderstandings need of separate existence, and in October, in St. Paul's (Missouri) led to thirty-two souls 1858, was incorporated and immediately sought separating themselves with the determination to procure a church home. The cornerstone to organize a new congregation. In 1857 the was laid on January 25, 1859. Because the little band agreed to apply to New York Min- congregation refused to unite with the Buffalo isterium for admission. On May 4 of that Synod, of which Pastor Hennicke was a memyear the Rev. Gottlieb Fachtmann was called ber, he refused to serve it any further, so the congregation was compelled to call its own pipe organ installed. Congregation and paspastor. Hence on March 9 a unanimous call tor were active in the formation of the New was extended to Pastor Ernst Hoffmann. It York and New England Synod. was accepted and on May i he took up the

Rev. Ernest M. Grahn, present pastor, took work, on which day the church was also dedi

charge of the work in 1910. Early in his pascated.

torate a large addition was built to the rear of With the growth of the congregation the

the church and improvements to church and need of a larger church edifice was felt. At

parsonage made. The congregation will celea meeting held on June 22, 1885, it was de

brate its twenty-fifth anniversary in April next cided to build, and on September 20 the foun

and it is confidently hoped to do so free of dation was laid. In the following May the

debt. It is looking forward to a beautiful new church was dedicated and the old one

church home in the near future. moved to the rear, its present position. Pas

Emmanuel's is a child of the Redeemer, as tor Hoffmann, who since May 3 found an as

has been already stated. Organized in 1899 by sistant in his son, Dr. Hugo W., did not long enjoy the fruit of his labors.

As he was go

Dr. Seegers, the first pastor was the Rev. W.

A. Lambert, who is now identified with the ing, at the conclusion of conference held at

Slay work. Rev. J. Reichert served them Castleton, from the church to the station, he was suddenly stricken, and expired in the arms

seven years, then followed Rev. J. Stelljes, of his son, September 21, 1887.

and now the Rev. A. B. Obenschain. The The congregation soon after called his son,

congregation numbers two hundred communi

cant members and has a neat church property. Rev. Dr. Hugo W. Hoffmann. Under his blessed labors the church undoubtedly reached

A glance at Troy and then at Rensselaer, the zenith of its growth. After his resigna

just across the river from Albany, will comtion Dr. Pick assumed charge, during whose

plete this sketch. pastorate the parsonage was purchased. This One hundred years ago there was a German was afterward sold and a new one built next Lutheran congregation in Troy, but it was abto the church. Upon his resignation, in 1901, sorbed by the English churches other than the Rev. 0. Krauch, of Saugerties, N. Y., the

Lutheran. present incumbent, was called, who has labored Trinity celebrated its fortieth anniversary in with abundant success. In 1900 the Luther 1911. In 1874, the original frame structure League presented the church with a beauti- was destroyed by fire and the present brick ful organ at a cost of $3,500. In 1907, St. structure erected, in the center of the collar John's celebrated her fiftieth anniversary amid industry. It numbers three hundred commuthe great rejoicing of her faithful children. nicants and has a branch Sunday school in May she continue to prosper and be the light

North Troy. and comfort of those committed to her care! Although Rensselaer is so close to Albany

The Church of the Redeemer held its first that Lutherans living here can easily reach services in Sprague Chapel in 1888. The Rev. their own churches, yet it was deemed advisaT. B. Roth, D. D., pastor of the Redeemer, ble to have our own church on the east side Utica, N. Y., was elected provisional pastor, of the river. In 1901, missionary operations having virtually founded the congregation and were begun and the field canvassed by our serving both congregations for eight months. Troy brethren, and in September, 1901, the In November of the same year Dr. D. P. Roth, first services of St. Paul's were held in a G. A. of Butler, Pa., assumed the pastorate, during R. hall. An organization was effected with which its finely located property was secured. forty-six charter members. In 1904, ground A temporary church was located and the was broken for the present edifice, and on June dwelling turned into a very comfortable par- 5 the cornerstone was laid. The Rev. J. M. sonage. In 1895, the Rev. J. C. Seegers, D. D., Derrick was the first pastor and served ten became the pastor and organized Emmanuel's years, when the writer of this article was in the south end. In 1901, the Rev. H. D. called. They have a beautiful property valued Spaeth, D. D., entered upon the duties of pas- at $10,000, nearly free of debt, and a memtor, giving to the congregation the longest bership which is growing. The Franckean period of pastoral service in its history, nine Synod held its last session in this church beyears. In this time the interior of the church fore it lost its identity in the greater body was renovated, large church debt removed and known as the Synod of New York.

T

Soventoonth Convontion at Jersoy City, October 12, 1912

BY REV. G. H. BECHTOLD. HE seventeenth annual convention of the At the evening session the keynote of the

Luther League of New Jersey was held convention was sounded : “Lengthen thy cords; on Columbus Day, October 12, in the Church strengthen thy stakes." Rev. G. A. Genzmer of the Holy Trinity, Jersey City, Rev. E. E. described the return of the exiles from the Neudewitz pastor.

Babylonian captivity to rebuild Jerusalem. After the devotional services, conducted by Few in number, with a great task before them, Rev. G. H. Bechtold, of Asbury Park, the ad- they were not discouraged or even self satisdress of welcome was made by the pastor loci. fied, but were intent on growing and expandCarl E. Thorbeck responded and expressed ing.

So we too must enlarge our tents and the gratitude of the delegates for the cordial

extend our work. After the first wave of enreception and the hope that the benefit derived thusiasm is over comes the ebb tide, which would be mutual.

calls for increased effort and labor. Therefore President Thorbeck in his report stated that

“lengthen the cords; strengthen the stakes." he had made a determined effort to secure the

Enlarging means that we must also strengthen, membership of more Leagues. His recom

so as we grow we must give the new members mendation to secure the services of National something to do, something that is solid. They Secretary Kuhns for one month was adopted.

can get all the Aimsy things in the world. Secretary Kuhns at this point brought the

Bring them into touch with Christ. greetings of the various State Leagues, whose

Rev. F. V. Christ took as his theme "Inconventions he had recently attended.

tensity,” and showed how the men of intense The question of district leagues was opened

spirit in all ages could turn the world upside and a spirited discussion followed, and the

down. Just as men are interested in spreadresolution was adopted dividing the State into

ing evil, so we should be intensely interested two districts, the lines of division to be de

in spreading the gospel. Laymen should put termined by the executive committee.

this intensity in their work. All can be preachNational President Stoever addressed the

ers and deaconnesses by serving the Lord with

intense earnestness." convention and emphasized the necessity for

In point of attendance the convention was more carnest prayer in our work. The Rev. F. H. Bosch, of New York City,

not very large, but the interest and enthusiasm discussed the question of the Junior League,

of those present fully compensated their pres

ence for a strenuous day's work. setting forth as its aims the education of the minds of the children and the redemption of

If you would increase your happiness and their souls. The social side is too much over

prolong your life, forget your neighbors' drawn and should be minimized and be given

faults, forget all the slander you have ever its proper place.

heard, forget the temptation, blot out as far The election of officers resulted as follows:

as possible all the disagreeable things in life. Rev. G. H. Bechtold, Asbury Park, president; They will come but they will only grow larger Miss E. A. Busch, Jersey City, recording sec- when you remember them.

Obliterate everyretary; Miss Emma Rothfritz, Asbury Park, thing unpleasant from yesterday, start out corresponding secretary; Miss Gertrude Krais, with a clean sheet today and write upon it, Newark, statistical secretary; Miss Mary for sweet memory's sake, only things which Sarstedt, Riverside, treasurer.

are lovely and lovable. The question box, conducted by Rev. Kuhns, brought forth many helpful hints for “None of us ever forget self when we go successful League work, viz.: Busin'ss should away in the summer. Let us not forget the be transacted quickly; League must have a Church in our prayers, in our offerings and definite propaganda; raising of money should support, and in our deepest interests. Who be a minor corsideration ; pastors must have forgets his or her Church at such a time has a living interest in the League.

little thought of the Master; for the Church President Pestke, of State League, of Wis- is His, purchased with His blood, and dear to consin, presented greetings from the Leaguers Him as the apple of His eye."-St. Mark's of his State.

Messenger.

Twenty-five Years in Ministry; General Secretary Ten Years

BY E. F. EILERT