USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Orange > The First Church, Orange, N. J. : one hundred and fiftieth anniversary, November 24 and 25, 1869 > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02698 8540
Gc 974.902 ORIF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (ORANGE, N. J. ) THE FIRST CHURCH, ORANGE , N. J.
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THE
FIRST CHURCH,
ORANGE, N. J.
One Hundred and fiftieth Anniversary,
NOVEMBER 24 AND 25, 1869.
MEMORIAL.
" They shall still bring forth fruit in old age."
PUBLISHED FOR THE SESSION, BY JENNINGS BROTHERS, PRINTERS, NEWARK, N. J. 1870.
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
Oh, that I were an Orange tree, That busy plant ! Then should I ever laden be, And never want Some fruit for Him that dresseth me.
GEORGE HERBERT.
CONTENTS.
I. Introduction.
II. Sermon, by Rev. E. MIX, Pastor.
III. Inauguration of Mural Tablet, by Rev. W. H. GREEN, D. D.
IV. Historical Discourse, by Rev. E. H. GIL- LETT, D. D.
V. Poem, by A. D. F. RANDOLPH, Esq.
VI. Rev. James Hoyt, with Recollections of his Pastorate, by STEPHEN WICKES, M. D.
I. INTRODUCTION
BY THE
COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION.
" The Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. Let Him not leave us nor forsake us; that He may incline our hearts unto Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and His statutes, and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers."
I. KINGS, viii: 57, 58.
INTRODUCTION.
HE preliminary steps for the commemoration of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the First Church of Orange, were taken by its Session on the 17th of June, 1868.
A Committee, appointed at that time, reported in due season a circular of invitation to those interested in the past history of the Church, and an order of exercises for the anni- versary occasion, which was formally adopted.
The circular was issued in the month of October, and was as follows :
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ORANGE closes with the present year the One Hundred and Fiftieth of its existence as a Church Organization. Its Officers and Members deem the event worthy of special remembrance, recalling, as it does, the goodness of God which has distinguished its history in the past, and inviting us to celebrate His mercies in the undiminished vigor and prosperity of its old age.
We propose to celebrate the Anniversary of its foundation on the 24th and 25th days of November next ; and we cordially invite all its sons and daughters, and all others who, in any way, are associated with its history, to unite with us on that occa- sion in COMMEMORATIVE RELIGIOUS SERVICES, AND SOCIAL CHRISTIAN REUNION.
Our hearts and homes will be open to all those whose past history has inspired them with a love for our Zion, and sympathy in its welfare.
We invite a reply from you at your earliest convenience.
ELDRIDGE MIX, Pastor, STEPHEN WICKES, HENRY N. BEACH, Committee of Session.
ORANGE, Oct. 6, 1869.
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FIRST CHURCH, ORANGE.
The Exercises on the 24th and 25th of November were in accordance with the Programme, which was printed for the occasion :
PROGRAMME.
Wednesday Evening, 72 o'clock.
VOLUNTARY
BY CHOIR.
INVOCATION.
OPENING HYMN
BY REV. W. BRADLEY .*
Eternal, ever gracious God,
The portion, and unfailing trust
Nor would we ingrate children prove ;
Of worthies, who this ground once trod, But now are sleeping in the dust.
But consecrate to Thee our powers, In steadfast faith and earnest love.
Those noble men we honor still,
O help us celebrate this day,
Who 'mid privations, toils and fears,
That crowns the hundred fiftieth year,
And while we wait, and praise, and pray, Reveal Thy gracious presence here.
READING OF SCRIPTURE.
PRAYER.
HYMN.
SERMON BY REV. E. MIX, Pastor.
INAUGURATION OF THE MEMORIAL TABLET OF REV'DS DAN'L TAYLOR AND CALEB SMITH, BY REV. W. HENRY GREEN, D. D., A lineal descendant of the latter.
DOXOLOGY AND BENEDICTION. * A Member of the Congregation.
Their high commission did fulfill-
Foundations laid for future years.
Our fathers' God we own as ours,
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INTRODUCTION.
Thursday, 3
PSALM 90 .- From Rev. Cotton Mather's Collections, 1718.
Lord, Thou hast evermore to us || an habitation been, || from one Age to another Age || sweetly protecting us. Il
Before the Mountains were brought forth || or Thou hadst formed the earth || and world, even from Age to Age || Thou art the Mighty God. ||
To them that are thy Servants now || O let thy work be seen; || thy glory also unto those || that are thy children here. ||
And let the lovely brightness of || the Lord who is our God, Il with a conspicuous lustre be || seen shining upon us; || and the work of our hands, do Thou || establish upon us; || yea, the work of our hands do Thou || firmly establish it. ||
PRAYER.
PSALM 48 From Tate & Brady's Collection.
My soul for help on God relies, From Him alone my safety flows : My Rock, my health that strength supplies, To bear the shock of all my foes.
God does His saving health dispense, And flowing blessings daily send ;
He is my fortress and defence, On Him my soul shall still depend.
In Him, ye people, always trust, Before His throne pour out your hearts ;
For God, the merciful and just, His timely aid to us imparts.
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE ... .. BY REV. E. H. GILLETT, D. D. CORONATION HYMN. BENEDICTION.
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FIRST CHURCH, ORANGE.
Thursday Evening, 72 o'clock.
VOLUNTARY BY CHOIR.
PRAYER.
POEM . BY A. D. F. RANDOLPH, EsQ. DISCOURSE.
REV. JAMES HOYT, with Recollections of his Pastorate,
By STEPHEN WICKES, M. D., Member of Session.
CLOSING HYMN BY REV. W. BRADLEY.
Our gracious God and Saviour, In closing, help us raise To Thee our hearts and voices In thankfulness and praise.
We thank Thee for our Birthright As children of the Free !
And all our common blessings, Which come direct from Thee.
For this enjoyed re-union Of cherished, Christian friends ; For every reminiscence Which, in its nature tends
To bind our hearts together, And make us truly one : For this delightful service, Like Heaven on earth begun,
We offer our thanksgivings With earnest heart and voice : We sing of thy salvation, And in thy strength rejoice.
RE-UNION
We thank Thee for the Fathers- For all their work well done, And all they left unfinished ; A. work for us begun.
May we be found as faithful- As steadfast and as true-
The glory of the Master Our highest end in view.
And when our work is finished, And we go home to rest,
With transport and with wonder We'll sing among the blest.
And now to God our Father, And God, His only Son, And God, the Holy Spirit- The Blessed Three in One ;
Whom Saints delight to honor, And angels all adore ; Be glory, praise and blessing, For ever, evermore.
IN LIBRARY HALL.
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INTRODUCTION.
The interior of the church was appropriately decorated with evergreens, two shields being placed on either side of the facade above and back of the pulpit, with the figures in ever- green, " 1719," " 1869." The outer border of the reading desk was trimmed with lichens gathered from the ancient headstones of the old parish burying place ; and an anchor was attached to the centre front made from the same, taken from the monuments of the first two ministers of the church.
During the services of the second evening, the pastor, after the reading of the poem, led forward on his arm the venerable CYRUS JONES, Esq., a native of Orange, and introduced him to the assembly as the oldest member of the church, and the oldest citizen of the town, being in the one hundredth year of his age. The congregation, rising, at the suggestion of the pastor, sang, " Praise God," &c., to the tune of " Old Hundred."
The following report of the original Committee of Arrange- ments was presented to the Session, and adopted on the 28th of December, 1869 :
Your Committee would respectfully report, that according to previous arrange- ments, the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of this Church was celebrated on the 24th and 25th days of November; the exercises consisting of a sermon by the Pastor ; an historical discourse, by Rev. E. H. GILLETT, D. D. ; an inaugural address, at the unveiling of the tablet commemorating the first two ministers of the church, by Rev. W. HENRY GREEN, D. D. ; a history of the ministry of Rev. JAMES HOYT, by STEPHEN WICKES, M. D .; and a poem by A. D. F. RANDOLPH, Esq. ; concluded by a re-union in Library Hall.
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FIRST CHURCH, ORANGE.
Your Committee propose the adoption of the following Resolution, and its trans- mission to each of the persons named, not connected with the Church, who added so greatly to the interest of the occasion :
Resolved, That the grateful acknowledgments of this Church are due, and in its behalf, and as its representatives, we do hereby tender them to Rev. E. H. Gillett, D. D., and Rev. W. Henry Green, D. D., for their valuable addresses, and to A. D. F. Randolph, Esq., for his excellent poem, so kindly prepared and delivered at our One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary; and also request a copy of the same for publication.
The sermon by the Pastor of the church, and the discourse on the pastorate of the Rev. JAMES HOYT, were also requested for publication, and the original Committee of Arrangements were appointed by the Session a Committee of Publication.
II. SERMON BY
REV. ELDRIDGE MIX,
PASTOR OF THE CHURCH.
" That the generations to come might know them, even the children which should be born, who should arise and declare them to their children, that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments."
PSALM Ixxviii : 6, 7.
SERMON.
EXODUS xii : 26-"What mean ye by this service ?"
0 commemorate important events of the past, is both natural and every way befitting. The citizens of a nation which they love, whose name is their boast, and whose history is their pride, are prompted, as if by instinct, and by a sense of what is becoming, in some suitable manner, gratefully to celebrate the event which gave it birth, and trace, with thankful heart, its growth and prosperity, from that begin- ning. How instinctive, and proper also, the com- memoration of birth-days, or of any event of great significance in our history, such as some remarkable turning-point therein, a crisis of future destiny, the dawn of a new era in the ongoing of our life, a providential deliverance from some unforeseen peril.
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FIRST CHURCH, ORANGE.
In obedience to this natural prompting, you find commemorative days, and seasons, set apart, and in some way observed by nations, by social organi- zations of whatsoever kind they may be, and by individuals everywhere. It is not without its most salutary and beneficial effects. Greatly to be de- plored would be its abandonment, for any cause, when the event is worthy of commemorating, to which any given observance relates. For example, who would be content to have the anniversary of the birth of this republic, under which we live, pass by unnoticed and disregarded, and the mem- ory of that great event in our national history be suffered to grow dim, and gradually fade out of the distinct recollection of the people, even though there is much connected with its observance which we could wish otherwise ? Would it not be an incalculable loss to us, as a nation, not to have those stirring scenes and solemn transactions which clus- ter about the declaration of our independence, to- gether with the sublime devotion, the heroic faith, and the fearless courage of those who were actors in that event, kept in remembrance? Is it not
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SERMON.
wise to set apart a day to remind of these things which are such an inspiration to true patriotism, and are so well fitted to incite fidelity in the dis- charge of the sacred trust reposed in us ?
Indeed, in olden time, among God's people, the commemoration of past events in their national his- tory was deemed of too much importance to be left to the prompting of their feelings, or to their own regulation in any way whatever. It was solemnly and authoritatively enjoined, and the precise man- ner in which the ceremonies of such occasions should be conducted was prescribed. The Old Testament is largely made up of history, which was to be the continual study of the Israelites, in order that they might never forget what God had wrought in their behalf; and there were days set apart not unfrequently in the course of each year, by divine command, to be employed in celebrating the more important events with which their history was filled.
There was one event, especially, which was never to be forgotten-that which gave to the Israelites their national existence. Though it was true, as
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FIRST CHURCH, ORANGE.
another has said of it, that " no subsequent vicissi- tudes would obliterate the story which Israel trea- sured in her inmost memory, the story of the stern Egyptian bondage, followed by the triumphant exodus, yet everything was done by God to keep it fresh in their remembrance, and most effective in its influence over them." "It is not enough," this same writer adds, " that this great deliverance be accurately chronicled; it must be expanded, ap- plied, insisted on in each of its many bearings and aspects by the law-giver who directed and described it ; it must be echoed on from age to age, in the stern expostulations of prophets, and in the plaint- ive or jubilant songs of psalmists." Nor yet is this enough ; but the feast of the Passover, com- memorative of this event, must be duly observed with every returning year. When the time for it came, there must be an entire interruption of the ordinary routine of family life, a clearing of the house of all leaven, and the slaying of the firstling of the flock, to be roasted and eaten at night, with the loins girded, feet shod, and staff in hand, and the blood of the victim was to be sprinkled upon
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SERMON.
the door-posts. This would naturally provoke the inquiry, on the part of the children of each suc- ceeding generation, " What mean ye by this ser- vice ?" To this question, thus elicited, explicit answer was to be given, detailing the great event which it was designed to commemorate.
So that it is in obedience to a natural prompt- ing of our hearts, and moved also by a sense of what is befitting, but most of all instructed by pre- cept and example in God's word, though not di- rectly commanded, that we as a church are about to commemorate its founding a century and a half ago, and associate with that event a consideration of the time and circumstances in which it began its existence, and has developed itself, as well as make a compilation of its written history until the present time. And there is special reason for the commem- oration of this event, as we propose, because of the tendency of the present age. It is crowded with great concerns, full of the rush and roar of business, of the turmoil and strife of politics, of the interest and enthusiasm naturally awakened by new and splendid discoveries and inventions. We easily
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FIRST CHURCH, ORANGE.
forget the past, with its lessons of wisdom, its noble deeds, its illustrious men and their worthy exam- ple, its great crises, its seed planting, germinating and growing of that which now has spread its pro- tecting branches over us, and rejoices us with its shade and fruit. Even in the kingdom of God there is this same danger existing. Events are here transpiring, which startle us because of their mag- nitude and significance in respect to the future. The world is all astir with excitement and activity in matters of religion. Responsibilities and duties press upon us, one after the other, in great num- bers and with a constantly accumulating force. We are likely to attempt their discharge at a great disadvantage, to say the least, because untaught by what has been concerning what shall be, and not im- bued with the spirit of the past, encouraged and cheered by its examples, and apprehending its necessary relations to the future.
It is natural, as we gather to-night for the pur- pose of inaugurating the ceremonies of the present occasion, for the inquiry to arise, and we do well to put the question to each other, which was heard
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SERMON.
from the lips of the children at the feast of the Passover, " What mean ye by this service ?" It is the part of true wisdom accurately to define for ourselves, as well as for others, what significance attaches to the commemorative service in which we are now about to engage. Just this I propose to do, esteeming it the most appropriate subject which can occupy our attention at this hour.
I. We mean by this service, first of all, gratefully to recall to our recollection the past history of this church, and fully to possess ourselves of it as our rightful inher- itance.
There is always a great and growing importance, and value, in that which is by-gone and of other days, belonging to anything which is in itself of real worth, and is continuous and expansive in its life, growth, and power of influence through suc- cessive periods of time. The past in such a case becomes as a treasure house, built of costly and pre- cious materials, having an architecture, adornment and furnishing peculiarly its own, in which are already stored, and are ever accumulating, memen-
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FIRST CHURCH, ORANGE.
toes innumerable, and of every variety, of the goodness of God in His gracious interpositions, wise overruling of unpropitious circumstances and events, and loving dispensations of mercy and favor ; the choicest treasures of human experience, also, wrought out amid the changeful, ever-varying conditions of our existence upon earth ; the most valuable lessons of wisdom, too, from which to gain instruction, because the practical results of principles and rules of action already tested.
How true this is in respect to the life of an indi- vidual, each one can discover for himself. Some- times, in our hasty judgment of the past, after re- view of what is wrong, imperfect, weak, reflecting little or no credit upon us, possibly covering us with shame, we turn from it in disgust, and wish most heartily that it could all be blotted out. But no man who rightly appreciates it will for a moment cherish such a wish. However strongly he may desire that much of his conduct had been different, and that his character, even, which therein finds its truthful record, had been just the opposite in its moral quality, yet taking it precisely as it is, all
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SERMON.
blotted and marred it may be with his own evil doing, it is full to overflowing of the peculiar and marvelous manifestations of the love of God, which are all his own possession ; crowded with various experiences, which if not pleasant to recall are yet vocal with needful instruction and solemn warning ; and abounding on every hand with practical lessons of wisdom, to which it is well to take heed as to a light in a dark place. To the good man, however, whose life has been spent in the service of God and his fellow men, how much there is to cheer and bless in the recollection ; how fragrant the memo- ries of the loving kindnesses of a heavenly Father, with which life thus far, every day of it, has been crowned ; how inspiring to behold what the Divine Hand hath wrought through him as its willing instrument; how valuable beyond comparison its teachings concerning the blessedness of those who hope in God, who trust in Him, and with all their powers of body, and mind, and heart, love and serve Him.
The same may be said of family history. Of what worth it is to have an honored ancestry ; to be able to trace your descent through a long line of noble
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FIRST CHURCH, ORANGE.
men and women, who have left their impress for good upon the age in which they have lived ; whose virtues have been transmitted as a goodly heritage, from parent to child, down through each successive generation ; and whose lives of purity and goodness are kept in living remembrance, and held up for imitation. Such a family history is like an old pic- ture gallery, quaint and rare in all its appointments ; hung with all the master-pieces of art, representing that which is beautiful with exquisite delicacy of touch and color ; bringing out with bolder, firmer stroke, that which is rugged and grand ; depicting also, with the same fidelity and skill, that which is heroic and sublime in human action, lofty in under- taking, and noble in achievement. You never weary of wandering through it, studying with unflagging interest what is there set forth, drink- ing in with ever increasing delight and higher appreciation its inspiring and ennobling influences. So it is with this gallery of family history, of which one who belongs to the favored circle which it in- cludes has the key, and can enter it when he will. There he finds exhibited all that is lovely and of good report in the characters and lives of those who
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SERMON.
have graced and adorned the name they bear, by their virtues and excellencies ; and that which is full of ruggedness and strength, of real heroism and sublimity, where great and sore trials have been endured, dangers faced, difficulties encountered and overcome, temptations set at naught, and great achievements won. All this is of incalculable value to one whose privilege it is to inherit the treasures of such a family history, and live and act under their inspiration.
It need not be added, that what is true in rela- tion to the past in the case of an individual, or of a family with its long line of honored ancestry, is equally so in regard to the history of a nation. You do not need to be told, that every nation upon the face of the earth takes peculiar pride in all the great events which have transpired since its founda- tion, and is careful to chronicle and preserve them; and how it feels itself richer in honorable records with every passing year; how it treasures up the noble deeds of patriotism which any of its citizens have performed in its behalf, either in time of war or peace, and delights to honor their memory ; and how it glories more and more in all these things
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FIRST CHURCH, ORANGE.
the older it grows, the more fully and firmly estab- lished it is, and the more powerful, widely ex- tended, and influential it becomes. How do we as a nation, though not yet a century old, pride our- selves upon our past history, and esteem it an ines- timable treasure to us already.
But if, in all these instances which I have named, the past history is of so great value, of how much greater worth must it be in the case of the church at large, or even in the case of any single branch of it, like our own. It cannot be questioned that the church, inasmuch as it is the outward and visible representation of the kingdom of Christ upon earth -the kingdom of redemption-is vastly superior in rank and importance to these things which I have named. It is that to whose life, growth and pros- perity they are to contribute; that which holds in sacred trust the best interests of the individual, the family, and the nation, and is prepared to conserve, establish, and perpetuate all that is truly good in them. This venerable church, in its century and a half of existence, comprehends in some measure, and has woven in with itself, the history of every one who has lived within sound of its bell summon-
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SERMON.
ing to Sabbath worship; the history of every family group which, in its successive generations, has come upon the stage of action, and still has existence among us; the history of the State, and even the nation. It had its beginning long before the throes began which gave birth to this Republic, and was witness of the many stirring scenes of the Revolu- tion, and an active participant by its membership in them, some of which occurred in its immediate vicinity, making the region round about it classic ground.
Thanks to one of its honored pastors, the lamented HOYT, who is in spirit with us on this occasion, I doubt not, though gone to his rest, we have recorded with the utmost painstaking, and in a true his- toric spirit, all that could at so late a day be gleaned from the materials in existence, that was worthy to be preserved and transmitted to future generations. It is a record creditable alike to the head and the heart of its compiler, whose own life and work among us are held in fresh and loving remem- brance, and are now to become a part of the writ- ten history of the people for whose spiritual welfare he so faithfully labored. It is invaluable to us,
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FIRST CHURCH, ORANGE.
inasmuch as it relates to the origin, life, and growth of a church which had committed to it, in the pro- vidence of God, a most important part to perform in building up the kingdom of Christ in this region, and has, as therein exhibited, nobly fulfilled its mission. There is something very precious and sacred about such a history. Therein is recited the many trials and difficulties through which the church has passed. It brings to view also the faith, the courage, and the prayerfulness which character- ized our forefathers in meeting and overcoming these. It portrays, likewise, with much of detail, the goodness of God as it has been displayed in behalf of His people, in the frequent and abundant outpourings of His Spirit; in the prosperity with which He attended their labors of zeal and love; in the remarkable fruitfulness with which He has blessed the church, causing her to be the happy mother of so many worthy daughters, who to-day rise up to call her blessed, and have themselves some of them attained to the dignity and honor of maternity.
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