|
Rev. A.K. Street was known by many members of the Methodist Episcopal Church as well as scores of the younger
preachers who he ably assisted in their studies as "Father" Street. He was beloved by all who knew him for his amiable
and kindly disposition.
He was not only the oldest Methodist minister in this State, but was also believed to be the oldest minister
in point of ministerial service in the United States.
Abram was born of Quaker Stock in Philadelphia, May 25, 1807. In September 1825, when he was 18 years
of age, he professed conversion, but, out of respect for his parents, delayed connecting himself with St. John's street church,
Philadelphia until two years later. About that time he removed with his parents to Delaware where during a revival,
both his parents joined the M.E. Church. When a lad, he began the study of pharmacy, and continued the practice of that
profession in Delaware. In 1830 he started for Philadelphia to re-engage in that pursuit but a call to the ministry
seemed so bound that he finally decided to enter that profession. In 1830 he was appointed to fill a vacancy of Kent circuit,
and delivered his first sermon as an itinerant September 15, 1830, at Easter Shore, MD and in 1831 was received on trial by
the Philadelphia Conference. His ordination occured in 1835 by Bishop Emory, and in the following year, when the New
Jersey Conference was set off. Mr. Street asked to be transfered to it.
For the next Sixty years, Rev. Street was appointed minister in congragations
through out New Jersey and North East Pennsylvania.
In May 1834, he married Miss Elizabeth Roberson, a daughter of William Roberson, a prominent citizen of Baptistown,
NJ, by whom he had nine children- six sons and three daughters. Two daughters are married, one being
Mrs. Edwin Mills, wife of Assistant Postmaster Mills, of this city and the other Mrs. Mary McPherson.
Miss Lizzie Street lives with her aged father. Of the three surviving sons, Dr. A. Emory Street, is a well know Dentist
of this city, and William J. Street is the well-known muscian now with Heppe, Philadelphia. Charles W. Street is in
New York State.
Rev. Abram Street died at 4'oclock on the morning of August 15, 1898 at age 92 after being ill for two years,
suffering from general debility and old age.
Excerpts from Trenton Newspaper Obituary- 1898
|
 |
|
Enter content here
|
|
|
|
|
Niagara
I listen
to the deep music of thy voice
And my
soul is calm, and still, as in
The presence
thy Maker! Thy majesty
Awes
me! And I wait as a little
Child
before thee, to learn the lessons
Thou
canst teach me, of the infinite
Power
of the hand that first gave direction
To the
endless flow of thy many waters.
O, who
can view
The beauty
of thy emerald robes,
With
silver frostings- thy crown of many
Rainbows,
and not see that thou indeed
Art peerless!
I lift my feeble voice
In unison
with thine in praise of
My eternal
Father. And tho' unheard
By no
other ear amid the thunder
Of thy
grand orchestra, He will not
Refuse
this offering of the subdued
And adoring
spirit, of his child.-
O, God,
I praise thee!
Abram
K. Street
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
