1903-04 Volume 28 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

THE SCROLL. 513logical Seminary in New York and the succeeding year hematriculated in the Princeton Theological Seminary where hegraduated with the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in 1879.For fifteen years he served as the Presbyterian minister alMillville, N. J., and then removed to Woodstock, N. Y.twhere he remained in charge of his flock for eight years unti,his death.While at Lafayette Brother Park made an unusual namefor himself as an orator. He won the first prize in the juniororatorical contest in 1875 ^"^^ i^ ^^e succeeding year he waschosen to represent his college at the inter-collegiate oratoricalcontest held in New York City. The Kingston (N.y.) Argus printed the following obituary notice of BrotherPark on Jan. 20, 1904:Rev. Clearfield Park, pastor of the Reformed church, Woodstock, passedfrom labor to reward January 14, aged forty-five years. Saturday afternoon,i6th, a congregation filling the church gathered to hear words of consolation,and take the last look at the face of pastor and friend. Rev. Dr.Van Slyke, of Kingston, made the principal address, and was assisted by thelocal pastors, also pastors from Shokan and West Hurley, and Rev. Mr.Steiner, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Millville, N. J,, of whichMr. Park was pastor for fifteen years.Mr. Park's ministerial record was fifteen years at Millville, N. J., andeight years at Woodstock. His great work on his first charge, especiallyhis superior efiort in building the beautiful and costly church, impaired hisnot robust health, and he came to Woodstock, hoping to be benefited inhealth as well as be a blessing to the Reformed church here. In the latterhe succeeded, but for some time his friends had noticed that he showed sigjnoffailing strength. Nothing, however, kept him from his work, unlesshe was ill in bed, and not infrequently he should have been there ratherthan in his pulpit.He was greatly interested in the week of prayer, engaging in the unionservices with great zeal, not only for the results of that week but expectingto follow them up with special evangelistic services in his church agravatinghis chronic heart trouble. A cold in the early part of the week, gave warning,but he kept at work. A funeral on Thursday, and a sermon at nightand he went to the parsonage to be carried out a week later by the lovinghands of his consistory.An aged mother of whom he was the only child, a wife and two smallchildren sit in their sorrow, while the congregation of the Reformed church,as well as that of West Hurley, which he also served, mourn a faithful andbeloved pastor."Servant of God, well done!Thy glorious warfare's past.The battle's fought, the race is won,And thou art crowned at last."B. L. M. ERNST,