Rev. Dr. Newell was installed February 8, 1860. His pastorate ceased February 2, 1874, being the longest pastorate of the church, embracing one quarter of its history.
In this brother the pastor and the evangelist were happily united. Of deep sympathies, ardent in faith, Christ crucified became the one theme of his ministry. He was second to none in religious zeal, and untiring in effort.
Each succeeding ministry has not been wanting in the evidences of the Spirit, in which the being of the church seems to have been cast.
The pastorate of Mr. Lucas, for example, deserves more than a passing notice. It was marked by two interesting works of grace: one soon after his coming to the field (1855), and that of 1858. During these seasons not a few of the best friends of Allen Street were brought to Christ.
Not all were equally favored, however, with beholding what men too often regard exclusively as signs of success. In illustration of this, it is enough to suggest that the loss experienced yearly during a large period of her history has by no means been supplied through additions by letter. This source of gain alone would not have spared her the extinction which early threatened the church through removals. On the contrary, as previously observed, the balance has been favorable through all these years of depletion—a monument to the grace of God in no general sense.
Perhaps it may not be disparaging to say that the revival period of the church is embraced in the pastorate of Dr. Newell, the fourteen years of which were distinguished for their revival spirit. I think it may be truthfully said, that he would have deemed his own ministry a miserable failure in the absence of revival seasons.
With two exceptions each year of his ministry was marked with ingathering. A large proportion of those now worshipping here were brought to the Saviour within these years; while many others are known to be justifying the spirit of their birthplace in other communions.
The most powerful work of grace, in many respects, occurred in the winter of 1866-67.
On March 24, 1867, one hundred and fifty-four subjects of that work publicly professed faith in Christ; upward of two hundred joined the church during the year.
The following notice is taken from the New York Evangelist soon after, the editor of which was present: