To-day 



THE FRENCH CHURCH IN NEW YORK 229 



that the ministers who should officiate on the following 

 Sabbath in the church, must proclaim the same decision 

 piibliely, after divine service in the forenoon. All these 

 efibrts, however, did not produce reconciliation, as Mr. 

 Moulinard was much opposed to the Church of England. 

 A feature of the case was the proving of citizenship on 

 the part of the French claimant. It should be said, in 

 praise of Mr. De Lancey and his following that they ac- 

 cepted the adverse decision, and did not obstruct the 

 pastor in his work. Few churches in the state or country 

 have had a longer or more honourable history than the 

 French Church in New York, which has enrolled so 

 many influential men and women, known for uprightness 

 and philanthropy. 



The church is at present actively engaged in philan- The church 

 thropic effort. But recently it purchased the property 

 adjoining its fine house of worship, on the corner of 

 Fourth Avenue and Twenty -seventh Street, for 1150,000, 

 as an investment. The title will be held in the name of 

 some of the prominent members. The object is to pro- 

 cure sufficient funds from rentals to found an institution 

 for homeless men. If this investment results as success- 

 fully as others which the astute members of the church 

 have made in the i^iist, ample provision will be made for 

 the proposed charity. This movement is one of the 

 many good movements instituted by the present pastor, 

 Rev. Alfred V. Wittmeyer, who has been in charge nearly 

 thirty years. For a long time the church has been the 

 real friend of homeless men. Every Sunday evening a 

 company of the park bench loungers attend the evening 

 services, the collection at which is used to provide bed 

 and supper for the homeless and destitute. The work 

 among this class has led to the founding of an institution 

 which will be to many a means of reformation and new 

 beginning. It is peculiarly fitting that such work should 

 be done by a church which dates back to the days of 

 homelessness, exile and persecution, and whose first 



