(Memoir of REV George W Bethune)
Memoir of REV George W Bethune
https://www.amazon.com/Memoir-REV-George-W-Bethune/dp/5518882130?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=5518882130
Van Nest was born on February 16, 1823, in New York City. He was the son of George Van Nest and Phoebe, daughter of Abraham Van Nest.
His first American ancestor was Peter Van Nest who emigrated from the Netherlands in 1647 and settled in Brooklyn.
Abraham Rynier graduated from Rutgers College in 1841, and from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 1847.
After serving briefly a mission at Greenpoint, Long Island, and the Associate Reformed Church of Newburgh, New York, Van Nest was from 1848 to 1862, pastor of the Twenty-first Street Reformed Church of New York City. He then went abroad and for some fifteen years ministered to American residents there.
During the year 1863-64, he was in charge of the American Chapel in Paris, and the year following, of the American Chapel at Rome. His most notable service, however, was in Florence (1866 - 75), where he established a church into which he drew people of diverse religious traditions and modes of life. For it, he compiled a liturgical service, which became a model for other churches of a similar character.
Returning to the United States in 1878, he became pastor of the Third Reformed Church of Philadelphia, continuing in this pastorate until impaired health caused his retirement in 1883. For nine years thereafter until his death, he was without charge. In 1879, he was president of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America. He was zealous in furthering the welfare of New Brunswick Theological Seminary and was a trustee of Rutgers College from 1878 until his death.
His publications included occasional sermons and many articles in the religious press. He helped prepare for the press Lectures on Pastoral Theology (1853), by James Spencer Cannon, and Expository Sermons on the Heidelberg Catechism, by George W. Bethune, and wrote Memoir of Rev. Geo. W. Bethune, D. D. (1867). Van Nest died in New York City.
(Memoir of REV George W Bethune)
Abraham's sympathies were broad and his evangelical zeal intense; he became affiliated with the Waldenses and later with the Free Church of Italy.
His fine personal and intellectual qualities, and his unfailing devotion to good causes, sustained by financial resources of his own, enabled him to accomplish much.
Van Nest was married to Margaret Willett.
