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 13
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Davidson College received, in February, 1855, a legacy of $250,000 from Maxwell Chambers, of Salisbury. Mr. Lacy was unanimously elected its President, accepted the position, and from April, 1855, to July, 1860, successfully administered its affairs in a new and expanding career. During this time he received eighty-eight members into the Church. Having re- signed the Presidency he returned to Raleigh, and with his wife opened a girls' school, which in 1872 was incorporated into Peace Institute, in the same city. He served as a Chaplain in the Confederate army to the close of the war, and was after- wards engaged in the supply of vacant churches and in mis- sionary labor in Orange Presbytery, while opportunity and the infirmities of age permitted, though often he could only preach while sitting down. His loss of hearing in his seventieth year, and his growing bodily infirmities, prevented much active ser- vice.
Dr. Lacy was born in Prince Edward County, Va., August 5th, 1802. His father, Drury Lacy, was a distinguished Pres- byterian minister and scholar in the last century and early part of this; who, having lost one hand when a boy, and using an artificial one, was celebrated as the preacher with "the silver
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REV. DRURY LACY.
hand and the silver voice." Drury, his youngest son, graduated at Hampden Sidney College, Va., when twenty years of age, and began teaching school; and at the old homestead, Ararat, revived the Classical Institute of his father. In Dec., 1824, he was married to Miss Williana Wilkinson. He was con- verted under the preaching of Dr. Nettleton in Prince Ed- ward in 1828, and immediately entered Union Theological Seminary, walking in daily from Ararat, distant three miles. April 11th, 1831, he was licensed by West Hanover Pres- bytery, labored efficiently in its mission fields, and built three fair churches therein, having raised most of the funds himself. In April, 1833, he was ordained Evangelist by East Hanover Presbytery. Soon after this, as we have seen, he came to New Bern. In May, 1846, after twenty-one years of happy married life, he lost his wife in Raleigh, N. C. In November, 1849, he married Mary Ritchie Rice, eldest daughter of Rev. Benja- min H. Rice, D. D., who in his early days lived and taught in New Bern. This union lasted for nearly thirty-one years, when Mrs. Lacy, after a beautiful and useful life, fell on sleep in Jesus, and left her husband in a lonely and infirm old age. His closing days were spent with his son, Rev. William S. Lacy-the honored Stated Clerk of the Synod of North Caro- lina-in Jonesboro, N. C. There, August 1st, 1884, after en- tering his room, he quietly, peacefully, and suddenly passed from all earthly scenes-alone with God-to the rest and joy of the faithful servant.
In his many afflictions he rejoiced in the consolations of that Gospel he ministered to others. He wrote, "I feel the afflic- tion most severely, but strange ! He gives me grace to bear it. : Somehow I can lift up my head and my eyes to heaven and re- joice in my tears!" " One thing I know, one who is infinitely wise, powerful and good, orders everything, even to the falling of a sparrow, and what he does is right." "I can do nothing. I can only suffer. The last line of Milton's beautiful sonnet on his blindness comforts me, 'they also serve who only stand and wait.'"
In personal appearance Dr. Lacy was tall and of remarkably
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REV. DRURY LACY.
imposing presence in his old age. His voice was strong and deep, and he was an excellent singer. The accompanying por- trait represents him while at Davidson College, and the expres- sion is sweet and attractive, reminding one of Doddridge, or one of the olden and primitive bishops, ready for translation. The following are some observations made at the time on his preach- ing in New Bern : "The sermon was tremendously pointed and alarming. May God add an abundant blessing !" On a rainy afternoon, when only about sixty persons were present, "Mr. J. Backhouse and Mr. William Beers sat with me. The preacher was animated, luminous, clear, searching. We were richly paid for turning out in the rain." "Andrew Richardson and James Taylor, Esq., sat with me. The sermon seemed to make the one to handle the hymn book, and the other to chew tobacco very diligently and unconsciously."
Orange Presbytery adopted the following Minute unani- mously :
In Memoriam.
" On August 1, 1884, Rev. Drury Lacy, D. D., in the 82d year of his age, entered into the rest that remaineth for the people of God.
" After a long life of activity in responsible positions, he was granted, in the congenial home of his son, a period of quiet and happy waiting for the summons, which, though coming sud- denly, yet came so gently as to leave on his face a prophecy of the everlasting peace to which it welcomed him. 'So he bringeth them into their desired haven.' The Presbytery of Orange desires to put on record its appreciation of him as a man and as a preacher, of his gifts and of his graces: to thank God for the example he has given us of consecration to the Master, of enthusiastic zeal in church work, and of lively and intelligent interest in all questions of concern to the kingdom of God-an interest preserved unabated to the last.
"The Presbytery also hereby expresses its sense of personal
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REV. DRURY LACY.
bereavement in his death, and tenders its prayers and its sym- pathies to those most nearly affected. 'But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.'
"Resolved, That a copy of this paper be sent by the Stated Clerk to the family of the deceased, and offered for publication in the North Carolina Presbyterian, the Central Presbyterian, and the Christian Observer."
A paper, similar in affectionate appreciation of the venerable and beloved deceased brother, was adopted by the Synod of North Carolina. Dr. Lacy was the Moderator of the Synod in 1846, in Greensboro.
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1837 AND 1838.
1837 and 1838.
Little can be gleaned about the affairs of the church during these years. Rev. J. O. Steadman, of Fayetteville, N. C., visited the church by invitation, and preached in January and March, 1837, several times. In February and May, Rev. Mr. Shaw, Pastor of the Washington Church, held a number of services, and administered the Lord's Supper. Washington and New Bern were always holding up each others hands in a most brotherly spirit. In February, also, Rev. J. D. Mitchell, the Secretary of the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions, was here and preached on Sabbath and in the week. He was a man of mark and pulpit power, and evi- dently impressed the people most favorably. After consulta- tion by the officers of the Church and some of the members, and finding that they could easily raise a salary of $800, at a called meeting of the congregation, Mr. Wm. Hollister, chair- man, on Friday, March 3, 1837, a unanimous call was given to Mr. Mitchell to become the pastor of this Church. This call was forwarded through Rev. Dr. Lacy, and Mr. Mitchell re- plied through him, asking for farther time to consider the mat- ter concerning the adequacy of the salary, etc., and expressing his high estimate of the people. His services were solicited at this time in Wilmington, N. C., and in Philadelphia. No other particulars have been gathered about this business; and it is presumed that he finally declined the invitation.
The Rev. - Rankin was probably supplying the pulpit some part of this vacancy.
.
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REV. DANIEL STRATTON.
Ren. Daniel Stratton.
Mr. Stratton was the next pastor. He was born in Bridge- ton, N. J., September 28, 1814. Daniel P. Stratton, his father, was an elder in that church. While an infant his mother died, having dedicated him anew-on her death-bed-to the Chris- tian ministry. Being piously reared, he made a public profes- sion of religion in the Presbyterian Church in Bridgeton, when thirteen years old. With pleasure he reverted to his Sabbath- school teacher, Judge L. Q. C. Elmer, of New Jersey, as one of the means of his conversion. He graduated at Princeton College in 1833, at the age of nineteen; taught for a year in Salem, N. J .; entered Princeton Theological Seminary in 1834, but on account of failing health came to Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, where he finished his course in 1837. He was then licensed by West Hanover Presbytery, Va., April 13, 1837. At once he returned to the scenes of his boyhood, being strongly drawn thither, for he was soon married. But his feeble health demanding a milder climate, he set out in the Autumn with his wife to seek a southern field of labor. He walked by faith; and the Lord God directed his steps to New Bern.
I do not know the date of his arrival in this city, or of his call to this Church; but these events occurred the same Fall, or in the Winter of 1837-'8. Roanoke Presbytery held an ad- journed meeting here May 4, 1838. Mr. Stratton was then received as a licentiate from West Hanover Presbytery; the call was placed in his hands and accepted, and he was ordained and installed at 3 P. M., 5th May. Rev. Samuel R. Graham, D. D., presided, and gave the charge to the Pastor; Rev. Drury Lacy preached the sermon; and Rev. W. A. Shaw, M. D., charged the people. During this meeting Rev. Solomon J. Love, of the Presbytery of Armagh, Ireland, sat as a cor- responding member.
.
Damet . Pattin PASTOR
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REV. DANIEL STRATTON.
Mr. Stratton's pastorate continued a little over fourteen years. It was dissolved by Orange Presbytery, 28th July, 1852, when he was dismissed to the Presbytery of West Jersey. During this time Roanoke Presbytery met in New Bern, as stated; and Orange Presbytery held two sessions here, one on April 27, 1841, and the other April 6, 1848. In 1838, when Mr. Stratton was installed, the membership was eighty-one; in 1852, it was ninety-eight; and during his incumbency it had been one hundred and two. The total number of additions during his pastorate was forty-eight; the largest number re- ceived in any one year being fifteen (i. e., ten on examination, and five by certificate,) in 1838-'9. His health was exceed- ingly feeble. Judging from a private diary in my possession, that covers nearly two years (May, 1839 to February, 1841), and records nearly every service he held, he was very faithful, often preaching with great difficulty, and frequently compelled to omit a service.
At twenty-three years of age his head was already grey, and the appearance of age was strangely mingled with the freshness of youth. He had an exceedingly sweet expression of countenance-as seen in his excellent portrait-very gentle manners, and a manly form. His naturally lovely character was beautified and purified by grace, and mellowed by much suffering, so that he was indeed a son of consolation to all af- flicted saints. Full thus of tenderness and experimental sym- pathy, he was truly loved by all. He was a sound preacher, with something of sameness in his sermons, which were con- solatory, practical and edifying, rather than warning or reprov- ing. Such a rich unction pervaded his discourses, that it was said in New Bern, as well as elsewhere, of him, " That man fills my ideal of the beloved disciple." His life-ministry was eminently blessed; his very infirmities becoming an element of power, by the sympathy and attention they aroused in the hearer. One custom of his, pleasantly remembered in New Bern, was to stand on the steps by the pulpit, after the bene- diction, and shake hands with the congregation. The children all liked to shake his hand then, though he never said a word;
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REV. DANIEL STRATTON.
but his expressive and genial smile was the attraction and the reward. He made his Bible-class pleasant, and so far as his weakness allowed, was a model Pastor.
Mr. Stratton was called to the Presbyterian Church in Salem, N. J., 23d June, 1852, and was installed there as pastor on 14th October ensuing. His ministry continued fourteen years, until his death, on Friday morning, 24th August, 1866. He had written his fourteenth anniversary sermon, and had given notice at his services on 5th August that he would preach it on the next Sabbath. After his death it was read to the con- gregation on the evening of 26th August. On his death-bed Mr. Stratton "spoke of New Bern, and said that he had never received an unkind word there, but had always been treated lovingly." Among his last expressions were, "God knows best;" "whatever God does is best;" "as thy day so shall thy strength be." At 11 o'clock Friday night he repeated, "He has been with me in six troubles; in the seventh he will not forsake me." Then he recited the Lord's prayer, and pro- nounced the apostolic benediction. His last words were, " What thou doest, do quickly."
He enjoyed the rich consolations of the Gospel in his own soul, and his end was peace. He died almost in the midst of a glorious work of grace, in which nearly forty were added to his fold, as the Master's under shepherd. "The crown fell upon his brow almost before the armor was laid aside."
Tribute of the new Bern Church.
After the close of the war, when the New Bern Church was reorganized, the following tribute to the memory of Mr. Strat- ton was adopted by the session :
" WHEREAS, the Presbyterian Church of New Bern, N. C., has heard with profound sorrow of the death of Rev. Daniel Stratton, of Salem, N. J., who for fourteen years was their beloved and honored Pastor;
" Resolved, That while we recognize the hand of a wise and holy God, in removing him from earth to the enjoyment of that higher and nobler life beyond the grave, we feel that
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REV. DANIEL STRATTON.
death has taken from us a friend, a brother, yea, a spiritual father.
" Resolved, That we the Session of this Church hereby record our appreciation and affection for one so dearly beloved by our Church and community, for his gentle, pure, and benevolent life as a citizen; for his deep and ardent piety as a Christian ; for his zeal and usefulness as an ambassador of Jesus Christ ; for, by both precept and example, he exhibited and taught the divine power and priceless worth of the religion he professed, and called forth from all who knew him this endorsement, ' Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright.'
" Resolved, That we tender to the family and friends of the deceased our heart-felt sympathy for their irreparable loss, and commend them to our Heavenly Father, who smiteth us for our eternal good.
"Resolved, That the above resolutions be spread upon our Minutes, and that a copy be sent to the family of the deceased, and that they be published in the Philadelphia Presbyterian, and in the North Carolina Presbyterian."
xplanation-Roanoke Presbytery.
In October, 1835, all that portion of Orange Presbytery lying East of the western boundary lines of Granville and Wake, and a part of Cumberland Counties, was set off into a new Presby- tery, called Roanoke. In October, 1839, this ephemeral crea- tion was dissolved, and its territory restored to Orange again. This will account for the mention of the dissolution of Dr. Lacy's pastorate, and the constitution of Mr. Stratton's by Roanoke Presbytery, while in all other cases Orange only is named.
11
164
REV. THOMAS FRASER .- REV. THOMAS G. WALL.
Ren. Thomas Fraser.
After Mr. Stratton's departure in 1852, the Church was sup- plied for a short time by Rev. Thomas Fraser, now living in Oakland, California, without any charge. In April, 1854, the membership had fallen from ninety eight to seventy-five, of whom twelve were colored.
Reu. Thomas G. Wall
Was the next Pastor. Mr. Wall, a native of Nova Scotia, graduated at Nassau Hall, Princeton, N. J., in 1848, and en- tered Princeton Theological Seminary. His ministry began about 1850. I have been unable to obtain his portrait and a specific sketch of his ministerial career. For a while he preached to churches in Fauquier County, Va. He came to New Bern in 1854. On December 8th, 1854, Orange Presby- tery installed him Pastor of this Church. Rev. James Phillips, D. D., presided and preached the sermon. Rev. A. Wilson, D. D., charged the Pastor, and Rev. Drury Lacy, D. D., charged the people. He was received from Winchester Pres -: bytery, Va.
In 1825, he married Miss Janet Hollister, of New Bern. In April, 1857, he made a trip with his family to Europe, and was absent until August, 1858. During this absence the Church was supplied by
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REV. MOSES T. HARRIS .- REV. T. G. WALL.
Reu, Moses T. Harris,
Whose name was changed afterwards to Edward Harris. In 1858-'9 Mr. Harris was the assistant editor of the North Car- olina Presbyterian. He was a very eccentric man, and amus- ing traditions perpetuate his oddities while here. His home was Newburyport, Mass., where he lived for some years, and recently died, old and infirm in body and mind.
After his return from Europe, Mr. Wall continued his pas- torate here until the Summer of 1861. After the secession of North Carolina, and the breaking out of the late war, he re- turned to the North, and at the Fall Meeting of Orange Pres- bytery applied by letter for a dissolution of the pastoral rela- tion with the New Bern Church. On account of the Presby- tery having to wait to hear from the Church, this dissolution was not formally effected until April 10th, 1862, though the actual pastorate had ceased the previous Summer or Fall. In April, 1857, the membership was eighty-four, of whom eight were colored; in 1858 and 1859, it was seventy-five; in 1860, it was eighty. There are no statistics for 1861.
For some years Mr. Wall resided in Englewood, N. J., where he conducted a female school. He preached for some time to a Church in Tenefly, an adjoining settlement. Since 1878 he has been the Superintendent of the Presbyterian Hos- pital in New York City. He is about sixty-two years old.
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1861-1866.
1861-1866.
From the Summer of 1861 until the advent of the present Pastor, the Church was without regular services, except for a few months,-after Mr. Wall's departure to the North,-when Rev. John F. Baker supplied the pulpit. He left on the fall of New Bern, 14th March, 1862. Indeed, at that time the citizens who could do so left their homes, and the congrega- tion was practically destroyed. The Church, lecture-room and manse were all taken possession of by the United States gov- ernment authorities, and used in connection with the extensive Hospital, whose wards covered the quiet and umbrageous pre- mises. On Johnson Street, between the manse and Mr. George Allen's, stood the dead-house, on the ground of both properties, while the manse served for surgeon's quarters. In the Winter and Spring of 1865, the Church itself was fitted up as a hospital for the wounded. Mr. Thomas A. Henry, now a member of this Church, and Mr. Roswell Mills, now of Brooklyn, N. Y., were successful in preventing the proposed tearing up the pews, and in having them planked over for the beds.
At the close of the war, an effort was made by some Con- gregationalists here to establish their Society, as there were some preachers among them. They were granted the use of our Church, while there were no Presbyterian supplies. At the urgent request of the Session, Orange Presbytery directed sev- eral ministers to visit and preach for the New Bern Church until some permanent arrangement could be made. Under this plan, services were secured once a month by Rev. J. Henry Smith, D. D., Rev. P. H. Dalton, and other clergy- men.
After long and annoying delay on the part of the civil au- thorities, the last hospital building was pulled down in Septem-
,
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REV. L. C. VASS.
ber, 1866. From ill-usage, destruction of fences, natural de- cay of property without the owner's supervision, and the usual recklessness of soldiers, the whole property, when fully re- covered, was in very bad condition. Relief was sought from the Government for the long use and injury of the premises, and the petition was recommended and enforced by Hon. David Heaton, who had represented the District in Congress, was cognizant of all the facts from residing in New Bern dur- ing the troublous scenes, and was himself a member of the congregation ; but the application failed.
Nothing now remained but resolutely to face the difficult situation, secure a leader as soon as possible, and gathering up every energy, with earnest prayer to the great Head of the Church for wisdom, favor and strength, proceed to rebuild the fallen walls of Jerusalem, as far and as fast as possible. Just then Mr. Emmet Cuthbert, an elder of this Church, but who had been residing in Petersburg, Va., recommended to the con- gregation the
Reu. I. C. Dass, A. m.,
Who is the present Pastor, was then a member of West Han- over Presbytery, and was called to take charge of this Church on the 28th of May, 1866. He accepted the call, subject to the action of the Presbyteries, June 9th, arrived in New Bern on Friday, July 6th, 1866, and preached his first sermon, after that acceptance, at 10 A. M., on the first Sabbath in July, in the Lecture-room.
Repairs.
The Church was then undergoing repairs, which were greatly needed from long neglect and ill usage. When Mr. Vass first visited the Church by invitation on the third and fourth Sab- baths in May, 1866, three faithful and warm hearted members, viz., Mrs. Abigail B. Lewis, Miss Henrietta N. Dewy, and Miss .Mary E. Jones, with many apprehensions but commend- able cheerfulness and faith, began to canvass the congregation
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FINANCIAL WORK.
with a subscription-paper to raise $500. This was quite an in- sufficient sum; but such was the pecuniary prostration of the whole community, that it was not deemed prudent to try for more. But such a hearty welcome was accorded to the ear- nest and popular committee, that before Mr. Vass left New Bern, the caption of the paper was changed to $750. The money was raised, repairs were begun at once upon the Church, and the Pastor elect preached in it on the second or third Sab- bath after his return in July. These early labors sprung from a sanctified spirit of true self-sacrifice and love for God and his cause; and as the Church has grown, it has continued to work in this same happy Gospel spirit. God has blessed them in their labors, according to his stable promise to reward his faithful servants. Queen Elizabeth of England having desired one of her subjects to undertake a foreign mission, when he sought to excuse himself therefrom on plea of his own press- ing affairs, said to him, "Do you attend to my business, and I will attend to yours." God thus speaks to his own; seek ye first the kingdom of God: trust him, and he will always and infal- libly watch and bless the obedient and the diligent.
Financial Work.
An abstract of the monetary operations for a few years of this formative period will emphatically illustrate the worthy zeal of a small band of earnest Christians. In 1866, only one half of which year did the Church have a Pastor, there was raised $3,340,89. About $2000 was spent on repairs; $100 was given by resolution of the Session, "That in view of the desolate condition of our sister Church in Washington, N. C., and our sincere sympathy therewith, we will take up a collec- tion to aid in rebuilding their burnt sanctuary;" $111, were spent on the Sabbath-school; and $160 for the poor, Presby- terial assessment, etc. At this time the furnace, at a cost of $300, and carpets and cushions, were procured.
In 1867, the amount raised was $2,406. Of this $200 went to the Assembly's committees; $706 for further repairs of the
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MEMBERSHIP.
Church, sustaining the poor, Sabbath-school, and current ex- penses; and the balance for the Pastor's salary.
In 1868, the income was $2,558, about $300 of which was sent to the Pastor by some friends of the work. This year nearly $500 were expended in repairs; $87 for Sabbath- school; for Missions, Education, etc., nearly $300; and the bal- ance on the poor, current expenses, and Pastor's salary. For the first six months of 1869 the receipts were $985, which were disbursed in Pastor's salary, Sustentation, Foreign Mis- sions, Publication, gas-fixtures and fencing.
By the close of the first three years of this pastorate, on 1st July, 1869, this exhibit shows a total contribution from the congregation of $9,252.99, or more than $3,000 a year as the average.
Membership.
When Mr. Vass took charge of this congregation, there were only twenty-nine (29) communing members present. Four of these were males, viz .: Charles Slover and George. Allen, ruling elders, and Alexander Miller, Sr., and Alexander Latham; the last named gentleman living in the country across the Neuse River. Fourteen more members could be counted, who were in different parts of the United States, but unlikely to return to New Bern. As previously stated, all sessional records had been lost. After a while six more names of members were discovered. It was this gallant little band that, strong in faith and hope, began to build the fallen temple of the Lord. The spirit of Lydia and Priscilla, as well as of Nehemiah, Apollos and Paul, animated them ; nay, the zealous spirit of the blessed Redeemer kindled their Christian devotion.
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