Page:History of West Hoboken NJ.djvu/93

 George Smith and Mrs. Eliza Davidson. There numbered in the Sunday schools that year 80 scholars, with no infant class.

The present membership of the church is 435. There are 600 scholars in the Sunday schools.

There are connected with the church several societies, among which are the King's Daughters, with a membership of about 20; the Christian Endeavor, with 60 members; the Junior Christian Endeavor, with 30 members; a Foreign Missionary Hand, which is 25 years old and has a membership of 100; the Ladies' Aid Society, and the Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip. Mr. Jas. C. C. Egbert continued as minister of this church for 40 years, resigning his pastorate on June 13, 1897. The congregation was loath to accept his resignation at first, but after due consideration the fact dawned upon them that their beloved and honored pastor was gaining in years, and that the increased work, which the fast growing church entailed upon him, was proving too much for him and they reluctantly accepted his resignation, making him pastor emeritus of the church, and to further show their appreciation of his long and faithful work, generously settled upon him an annunityannuity [sic] of $800 per annum.

Considering the fact that we have among us in the honored presence of Jas. C. Egbert, a man who has the distinction of being the oldest living pastor (both as to point of service and as to age) of any church in North Hudson County, a word about himself in the story of this old church I doubt would not be misplaced.

Mr. Egbert was born in New York City on the 17th day of October, 1826, and there received his education, attending the public schools and afterwards becoming a teacher in one of them. Afterwards he continued his studies and also taught in the private school of Professor John Jason, of New York, and in 1848, having received a thorough preparatory training, then entered New York University. He was graduated with honors in 1852, receiving the degree of B. A., and on March 4. 1889, the university conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity in recognition of his eminence as a minister and of his learning and standing as a scholar.

He has twice been moderator of the Presbytery of Jersey City; is a member of the Associate Alumni Club of the Union Theological Seminary, and is known throughout the State and in other Presbyteries as a man of broad culture, of great learning and of fine intellectual attainments.

Mr. Egbert, while acting as minister of this church, has married 389 couples and has ministered at 1,000 funerals.