USA > North Carolina > Craven County > New Bern > History of the Presbyterian church in New Bern, N.C. : with a resume? of early ecclesiastical affairs in eastern North Carolina, and a sketch of the early days of New Bern, N.C > Part 10
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PHOTO-ELEC.CO. DOSTON.
FIRST IRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NEW BERN.
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117
ADDRESS ON LAYING FOUNDATION.
of accommodating 800 persons. We have been favored by a friend with the following notice on the subject :
"On Wednesday evening last, the interesting ceremony of lay- ing the foundation corner-stone of the first Presbyterian Meet- ing-House in Newbern, took place in presence of a respectable concourse of citizens. The Reverend J. Nicholson Campbell officiated in the religious services of the occasion. After a pre- fatory comment on the duty of Christian Associations to invoke the favor of Heaven upon all their undertakings, he addressed the Throne of Grace in prayer, imploring the Almighty to vouchsafe his blessing upon the commencement of the work, and the continuance of his smiles on its prosecution until it should be completed; a fit Temple for his praise. The corner- stone was then deposited by the Master Masons present, and the solemnities concluded with the following address:
" BRETHREN : But a few centuries have elapsed since our coun- try was discovered by an enterprising European. We are all acquainted with the long period of darkness, during which it had remained unknown to the civilized inhabitants of the Eastern Continent, and we all know how short an interval has succeeded the interruption of its obscurity ; yet, when we look around us, we are scarcely able to believe that so few years have passed since the foot of Columbus first trod the shores of our happy land. It seems but yesterday, in the annals of the world, that our fathers fled from religious persecution in their native country, and committing themselves to all the dangers of the ocean, steered for a more propitious clime, in which they might erect new altars, and adore their God according to the dictates of their consciences, and none 'to molest or make afraid.'
"Brethren, how wonderful has been the progress of civiliza- tion since that auspicious era! Who, at this moment, when the discoverer of America first beheld, with rejoicing eyes, the rude and native grandeur of the Western world, would have ven- tured to predict that in a period so short, changes so vast, and to our enterprise so honorable, could possibly occur? Our fa- 8
118
ADDRESS ON LAYING FOUNDATION.
thers trod its shores, and the desert seemed to retire at their approach. The sound of the adze was heard, and the habita- tions of civilized men arose in the solitary wilderness. Almost as by the magic power of charm, the trackless forest was swept away, and the crowded, busy, bustling city occupied its room. Almost as by miracle, the idle plains of this peaceful continent were furrowed by the ploughshare, and the fruitful crop sprung forth to reward the labor of the husbandman. Where glitter yonder spires, as it would seem but yesterday the towering trees of the forest waved their lofty heads. Where now one notices the pursuits of active commerce, but yesterday the sav- age tenants of the woods pursued the pleasure of the chase. Where now, within the limits of our sight, are heard, at stated periods, the strains of heavenly melody to the worship of Jeho- vah, but yesterday was heard the whoop to battle or the yell of Indian carnage. And where this day we have laid the founda- tion of the House of God, but yesterday was erected the altar of a demon, and in his honor was the blood of human victims shed.
"Brethren, 'no one knoweth what a day may bring forth.' Who among our number, even one year ago, would have pre- sumed to stand upon the place which I now occupy, and assert that on this day we would here commence the building of this house ? And yet not only are we indulging this privilege, but other denominations, of the same universal Church, have been excited to new diligence in the same holy cause ; and ere long we may hope that in this place the sun will shine on four tem- ples dedicated to the worship of our common God. Is not this an animating prospect? And should it not warn you to un- wearied diligence in the execution of the work you have com- menced ? Yes, brethren, proceed but in the fear of God, and he will not leave unfinished his own work; and by his mighty power shall you be enabled to elevate its topmost spire with long and echoed shouts of praise.
"Brethren, some have thought it honorable, with a desolat- ing army to ravage neighboring States, and to reduce to the condition of vassals the haughty monarchs of a hostile land;
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ADDRESS ON LAYING FOUNDATION.
others have deemed it glory to erect gorgeous palaces and no- ble buildings for the adorning of their country, and for the ad- vantage of its citizens; and others, with much more reason, have thought their characters exalted by promoting the com- fort of their fellow-men, and by endowing institutions to ame- liorate the circumstances of the miserable. But how much more honorable-how truly noble is it-to be engaged in a de- sign which has for its end the promotion of God's glory! If you are desirous of distinctions, here is the work which shall bestow upon you all that you can ask-even the distinction of assisting to erect his altars who is the Eternal Sovereign of the universe. If you are ambitious of immortal honor, here is the labor in which you should be employed; for when the achieve- ment of a Cæsar and a Napoleon shall be buried in oblivion, and when the palaces and capitals of Europe and America shall smoulder in the blazing ruins of the world, this deed, the build- ing of a temple to the Lord of Hosts, shall stand recorded in the annals of Heaven's empire, and be emblazoned in the indestruc- tible, the eternal columns of the skies.
"Brethren, the prospect before us is one of the most exalted nature, and it should cheer and animate our hearts. This day, if we look around us, may we behold, erected and erecting, the temples of Jehovah in the sands of Carolina-those sands from which is hardly yet effaced the track of the wild beast, or the pursuing footsteps of its hunter, scarcely less ferocious. This day, if we will listen, we may hear the anthems of God's praise floating on that air which, a little while since, was rent with the hideous cries of the savage, as he celebrated the orgies of idolatry. If, brethren, our country has thus been visited, let the past demonstrate to us that the truth proclaimed in the Re- velation of God is not impossible-that all nations shall be visited with salvation. Oh! yes. I anticipate the time, and my heart bounds at the prospect, in which the blessings of a preached Gospel shall be extended from the rising to the set- ting of the sun, and from the Northern to the Southern Pole. I anticipate the blissful period in which Asia and Ethiopia shall stretch forth their hands to God, and in which the songs
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ADRRESS ON LAYING FOUNDATION.
of Zion shall arise to the Almighty from the Eastern to the Western Continents. I look forward to the speedy arrival of that day in which all peoples, and kindreds, and nations, and tongues shall send one general Hallelujah to the skies. No, brethren, the period is not far distant in which the idolatrous nations of the East will relinquish their superstitions, toss their idols to the moles and bats, and worship the true God, whoin to know is eternal life. Ere long the Crescent shall fade away before the Sun of Righteousness, and the Temple of the cruci- fied Nazarene be erected on the ruins of the mosque. Ere long the idols of the Brahmin shall totter before the ark of the Lord, and in the sanctuary of their worship shall be proclaimed the truths of Holy Writ. And ere long shall the Jews be brought in with the fulness of the Gentiles, and the enlightened de- scendants of the patriarchs worship the King of Glory, whom their blinded fathers slew.
"Brethren, suffer me, before I close my address, to remind you that the blessings, which with such pleasure we anticipate shall flow to other nations, already belong to us; and while I call to your recollection this truth, permit me to beseech you that you will endeavour to improve them. Vain is it to build a house for God's worship, so far as your salvation is con- cerned, unless you also be builded together, a spiritual temple in the Holy Ghost. It is not by bowing in adoration to the Almighty at his earthly altar, that we are to be saved; but it is by elevating our hearts to his throne, and adoring him in the beauty and perfection of holiness. And oh ! my beloved, if we are enabled thus to serve him in the temple we erect with our own hands to his honor, we shall be admitted, after : we shall have closed our eyes for ever on the world and all its objects, to adore him in his own habitation, in the temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. And after the de- stroying power of time shall have mouldered all the works of mortals to the dust, and when the earth and its old pillars totter to their base, we shall triumphantly soar above the fu- neral pile of nature, and reign forever in unchanging glory. God grant that this may be the happy consummation of our
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CONTRACTOR.
toils; and may the blessing of Jehovah, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, rest on all of you for ever. Amen."
Exhuming the Corner Stone.
It was thought that the exact early history of the Church could be recovered by digging up the corner-stone, and getting the documents which are usually deposited in it on such occa- sions. Accordingly, after much searching and labor, it was found at the south-east corner, the front of the church, and at the bottom of the corner brick pillar. It was of red sand-stone, such as was used about the "Palace;" in dimensions, two feet by one, and three to four inches thick. But to our great dis- appointment, there was no inscription of any sort on it, nor any excavation in it for the slightest record. Neither could any buried box or bottle be discovered by probing the ground beneath. So we builded it back where we found it, and as we found it-blank. But a place was left at the top of the pil- lar for the future placing of a stone with suitable inscription and contents.
Contractor.
The contractor and builder of the church was Mr. Uriah Sandy. He was assisted by Mr. John Dewey and Mr. Martin Stevenson. Mr. Dewey's son, Charles, was one of the trustees, a member of this church, and afterwards a ruling elder in the Raleigh Presbyterian Church, and a prominent bank officer in that city. Mr. Stevenson's son, Martin, became a ruling elder in this church, and was active and useful.
Incidents.
While the church was building, two cards appeared in the newspaper, which showed that some people will whisper dis- agreeable things, and that in all ages little annoyances will mar peaceful scenes awhile. But they soon pass away, and we too, and so they can be laughed at. The first shows a "hitch" about the
122
INCIDENTS.
"SINGERS.
"The singers of the Presbyterian congregation are respectfully in- formed, that in consequence of an injunction, or more properly a menace of injunction against their meeting at the Academy, they will hereafter be better accommodated at Mrs. Emory's long room, the use of which has with characteristic liberality been gratuitously offered them. Weather and other circumstances permitting, they will meet hereafter on Wednes- day evening until further notice. The singers of sister societies are cor- dially invited to attend on these occasions, as a union of exertion, on the part of the different choirs in our little village, will conduce much more to general improvement than is possible by different efforts.
"February 16, 1822."
In reply to this appeared
"A CARD.
"The singers of the congregation of the Presbyterian Church are re- spectfully informed, that they are not menaced with an injunction against meeting in the Academy, nor are they more than singers in other congre- gations prevented from assembling in that building; but the trustees of the New Bern Academy, taking into consideration the dangers of fire from night meetings, thought it expedient, some time ago, to pass a resolution forbidding the holding in the Academy night meetings of every description. They were more especially induced to this measure, because it was fresh in their recollection, that one academy had been burnt in consequence of night meetings; and that it had cost much money to the institution to erect another. They wished to avoid all danger. This resolution had recently been disregarded, and at the last meeting of the Board, the proper officer was instructed to give notice of it, and see that it was carried into effect. This explanation is given to prevent the malicious effects, which the publication in the last Centinel is evidently intended to produce.
"NEW BERN, Feb'y 20, 1822."
Another report brought out the following vindication of : Baptist liberality. It is said to have been written by Judge Gaston, while sitting on the bench in the Court-house, at the request of Mr. Clark, who stated to him what he wished to say :
"A CARD.
"Being again informed by respectable friends of a report in circulation that the Presbyterian clergy are deprived of the privilege of preaching in the Baptist meeting-house, and that I am the principal cause, I feel it a duty I owe the church to which I am attached to contradict it in the
123
COMPLETION OF THE CHURCH.
most distinct terms. It is true no other than our own minister has preached in our meeting-house for some time past, but it is because others have not asked the privilege. This is intended, however, barely to contradict a report known by the members of the Presbyterian Church not to be true ; and to remove any improper impression it may have left on the minds of others, and those perhaps who may have been the most liberal towards us. Our meeting-house, when not in the immediate use of our own minister, has been at all times open (on proper application being made) to the clergy of every Christian sect; and in this instance, on either the morning or evening of each Sabbath, our own minister has been willing to give place to another.
"NEW BERN, Jan'y 13th, 1821."
"ELIJAH CLARK.
Completion of the Church.
Doubtless desire was stimulated by these things for the speedy finishing of the building. Mr. Chester says:
"Its erection redeemed the character of the sect from the poet's reckless charge of poverty or meanness; and its com- pletion in something like a twelve month proved triumphantly to the public the injustice of the sneers of Jonathan Price and John Stanly, who both said they had no wish to live any longer than till it was finished. They both outlived the limits of their impious wish, and have been long since gathered to their fa- thers. The enterprise of the Presbyterians, and the thriving indications of the Baptists, roused the slumbering spirit of the Episcopalians, and the prophecy of the poet was soon realized in the demolition of their ancient place of worship, and the erection of a new and far more modern, spacious, and expen- sive one."
The colonial Episcopal Church referred to was then stand- ing in the south-east corner of the glebe, enclosed by a tight board fence, six feet high. The new building was completed by Bennet Flanner in 1824. It was afterwards burned on Tuesday evening, 10th January, 1871, and rebuilt as at present it appears. The new Baptist Church on Middle street was first used and dedicated on Sunday, 2d July, 1848. The Methodist Church on New street was built in 1842-'43.
Mr. Chester speaks of the Presbyterian Church being com-
124
DEDICATION.
pleted in little more than a year. His memory must be at fault. Mr. Clark's card proves that it was not ready for wor- ship in January, 1821. No documents are obtainable to show the exact date of completion. A private diary, kept by Catha- rine G. Stanly, a colored member of the congregation, but un- fortunately only beginning 1st January, 1822, gives the exact date of the
Dedication.
She writes, January 6th, 1822, "Sabbath evening : To-day the Presbyterian Church was dedicated to the worship of God; a very interesting and appropriate discourse delivered by the Rev. Mr. Hatch ; again I have been blessed with the privilege of hearing the Word of God faithfully preached." This is the first notice of Mr. Hatch's ministrations to this Church, though he was ordained the September previous. It is probable that the Church was finished in the latter part of 1821. The cost of the building was $7,000. Many in the community, who were not connected with the Church or congregation, kindly assisted in the erection of this House of God. Thus, too, some pews were owned by subscribers to the building fund, who were not members of the congregation. The following notice appeared in the " Centinel :"
"DEDICATION."
" The new Presbyterian Church in this place will be dedicated, with divine permission, on Sunday, the sixth of January. The pub- lic are respectfully invited to attend.
" NEW BERN, December 29th, 1821."
Soon afterwards was issued this announcement :
"The people are respectfully informed that the Presbyterian Church will be opened for religious worship on the next Lord's Day, 20th January, 1822. The exercises will commence at the usual hour, and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be admin- istered during service in the morning.
" No appropriation of the pews having yet been made, the whole will continue open for public use. The four largest next the door
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125
SALE OF PEWS.
are intended to be hereafter reserved expressly for the accommoda- tion of strangers and visitors from sister congregations, and are designated for the purpose by a suitable inscription on each door. " NEW BERN, January 19th, 1822."
A few days later came out this
" NOTICE."
" The pews in the Presbyterian Church will be publicly offered for sale or rent on Monday, the 28th instant, at 4 o'clock P. M., on the premises.
" Notes with approved security, payable in installments at six, twelve, and eighteen months, will be required in payment for the fee simple-and similar at twelve months for the rent.
" By order of the Board,
" S. M. CHESTER, Sec'y.
" SATURDAY, January 26th, 1822."
These pews were sold at various prices; the centre ones ranged from $300 to $350, and the side pews, from $150 to $200, according to situation. Subscribers purchased to the amount of their subscriptions. Some owned several pews. Printed deeds were given, in which it was stated that each pew was subject to a tax, according to its valuation, for the support of the ministry. The following is a copy of one as its blanks were originally filled :
"STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
"This indenture, made this 28th day of January, A. D. one thou- sand eight hundred and twenty-two, between the Trustees of the Presbyterian Congregation of New Bern, of the one part, and Elias Hawes of the same place, of the other part, witnesseth :- that, for and in consideration of the sum of three hundred and fifty-six dollars to the said Trustees, before the sealing and delivery of these presents, paid by the said Elias Hawes, the payment whereof the said Trustees do hereby acknowledge, and thereof acquit the said Elias Hawes, they the said Trustees have bargained and sold, and by these presents do bargain and sell unto the said Elias Hawes, his heirs, and executors, a certain PEW in the Presbyterian Church, in New Bern; known and distinguished in the origi-
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SALE OF PEWS.
nal sales of said Pews, and by the numbers marked thereon at the date of these presents, by the number 4, to have and to hold the said PEW with its appurtenances; subject to be taxed for the sup- port of the ministry of said Church, etc., by the mutual agreement of a majority of the Proprietors of the PEWS of the said Church, according to an original valuation set on said PEWS before the sale thereof, and filed among the records of the Congregation, unto the said Elias Hawes, his heirs and executors. In witness whereof, the Trustees aforesaid have hereunto set their hands and common seal, the day and year first above written.
" Sealed and delivered in " presence of
" WILL'M HARKER.
SEAL.
" ELIAS HAWES,
" EDWARD GRAHAM,
" ISAAC TAYLOR,
" JOHN JONES,
" WM. HOLLISTER,
" VINE ALLEN,
" ROBERT HAY,
"S. M. CHESTER,
" ROBERT PRIMROSE,
" SILVESTER BROWN,
" ED. C. KING,
" CHAS. DEWEY."
The accompanying ground-plan of the pews with the names of the original purchasers was printed on the deed. The stran- gers' pews were large square ones, with seats running around three sides. These have since been altered.
The trustees' seal was a neat one, with an impression of the front of the church in the centre,-the whole being about the size of a silver dollar.
It is worth while to notice here the names of Croom from the German Palatine stock; Handcock and Jones from the primitive Welsh Quakers ; Primrose and Hay from the Scotch Covenanters.
A glance at the constituent elements in this organization will exhibit its standing in the community.
The two elders first in office were remarkable men, Elias Hawes, M. D., and Robert Hay.
1
ORIGINAL PURCHASERS OF PEWS.
46.
34. J. C. Stanly.
45.
33. J. C. Stanly.
22.
11.
44.
0
32.
21.
10.
43.
31. Mary M'Kinlay.
42.
0
19. E. Dickson.
18. Elias Hawes.
17. Isaac Croom.
16. R. Primrose.
15. Robert Hay.
14. John Jones.
John Devereaux.
3.
0 24.
35.
13.
2.
Bishop.
Strangers' Pews.
12.
1.
0 Strangers' Pews.
O
do.
do.
SCALE OF VALUATION.
Nos. 3 to 9, and 14 to 20, inclusive, $350
Nos. 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21 and 22, 300
Nos. 23 to 30, and 35 to 42, inclusive, 200 Nos. 31 to 34, and 43 to 46, 6€ 150
5.
C 26. Moses Bears.
George Reid. 37.
4.
25. J. G. Cuthbert.
Wm. Handcock. 36. O
Isaac Taylor.
7.
O 28. Jno. T. Boyd.
40.
O
Eunice Hunt.
6.
27. George A. Hall.
John Franklin and Thos. Sparrow. 38. 0
Elias Hawes.
8.
Frederick Jones. 41.
29. Silvester Brown.
E. Graham.
William Hollister. 9.
20.
O 30.
39.
Elias Hawes.
23.
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ELIAS HAWES, M. D.
Ilias Hawes, m. D.
Dr. Hawes came to New Bern from the North about 1798. Physicians here kept and sold medicines. He owned the prin- cipal drug-store in 1822; it stood near the corner of Hancock and Pollock streets, on the lot now owned by Mr. Thos. Green. He was a man of pronounced and fervent piety, and active and useful in the community. He soon sold out his drug business, and was appointed by the County Court to superintend the Poor House; and he was a true spiritual pastor to the suffering ones there. Dr. Hawes seems to have been a Latin, Greek and German scholar, and an earnest student of his Bible and Catechism, and a faithful, all-weathers' attendant on religious services. His wife was the widow of Mr. Benj. Wood, who had been the teacher of the children of Hon. John Wright Stanly, and was afterward a lawyer at this bar. Anecdotes showing his peculiarities linger with the old citizens. Once he put up this sign at his drug-store : "sicks weaks peazs fur sail hear." A countryman passing by looks up, pauses, and asks, "What is that ?" Dr. Hawes gravely replies, "Can't you read ?" "Yes." So the man spells and pronounces the mysti- cal signs, "six weeks peas for sale here," and as it seems plain, remarks, "Well, it did not seem right; but I suppose it was the grammar of it !"
Dr. Hawes taught a free school once in New Bern, which is said to have been the first absolutely free school in North Caro- lina. In the yard he kept a pile of bricks and a wheel-barrow; and every day he made the children move that pile in the wheel-barrow across the yard for exercise, and to teach them how to work. He believed in a manual labor system. One day he told the scholars that if they would go to sleep for twenty minutes, he would show them something they had never seen before. They obeyed to the best of their ability! On the awakening, he struck a lucifer match and lighted a fire; it was the first match ever seen by some, if not all, as it was a new thing under the sun.
He was a great temperance advocate and worker; an anti-to-
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128
ROBERT HAY.
bacconist; a lover of music, and enthusiastic in practicing with any willing to sing; a helper to his pastor, and a praying man in public as well as private. He was the only elder, I think, who attended Presbytery, and he was several times chosen Commissioner to the General Assembly by the Presbytery. In 1836 the Presbytery of Roanoke met in Washington, N. C., 31st March. The members had to pass through New Bern. Dr. Hawes being a delegate, was urged to secure his seat in time in the stage, but always replied "I'll get there in time." He started on Wednesday, 30th March, and walked to Wash- ington, thirty-five miles, and arrived before the stage. After adjournment of the Court, he footed it back to New Bern. It would be good for the Church to have more elders like him. In his old age he was greatly reduced in pecuniary matters, as his accumulations were swept away in the collapse of the United States Bank. He attended Church twice on Sabbath, 7th February, 1841, when Rev. Mr. Owen, of Washington, N. C., preached in the Presbyterian Church; then went to the night prayer-meeting at Mr. Thomas Sparrow's. This was his last Sabbath but one here; for on Wednesday, 17th February, 1841, in his seventy-third year, he fell on sleep in Jesus.
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