USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 16
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CHAPTER XIV.
HAMILTON SQUARE AND PRINCETON
Hamilton Square was originally named Nottingham Square Baptist church; by a division of the township, the church edifice was in Hamilton township and the name was changed to that of the town. That wonderful man, Peter Wilson, pastor of Hightstown Baptist church, made a station at Hamilton Square in 1785. A house of wor- ship was built in 1788. The lot was given by Mr. Eldridge and the house erected through Mr. Nutt. Those converted at the Square united with the Hightstown church and the Hamilton Square church was organized April 25th, 1812, of members dismissed from Hights- town church. Mr. Wilson was the first pastor resigning in 1816, a period of thirty-one years from 1785 and four years after the consti- tution of the church. Rev. Mr. Boswell of First Trenton church followed Mr. Wilson in 1818, serving four years. When adopting Swedenborgian views, he was excluded form First Trenton Baptist church. Rev. John Seger became pastor at Hamilton Square in 1820, preaching alternately at Hightstown and Hamilton Square. Two years of this time was in alternation at the Square with Mr. Boswell of First Trenton Baptist church. Mr. Seger served Hamilton Square for twelve years. He was very useful, highly esteemed and his labors and influence of an abiding character. After his resignation, three years of pastoral destitution occurred. In this time, assention pre- vailed; antinomianism developed. In 1835, Rev. W. D. Hires was pastor a few months.
Rev. S. Stites became pastor in 1837. He was the first to give his entire time to the church. Humble and a Godly man, he labored amid many trials from the antinomian element for sixteen years. Says a later pastor: "Few would have labored so long and been so diligent for a church, so wanting in sympathy and respect for a pastor, as was this church." Only the staunchness of pastor Stites saved the church from being swept away by antinomianism. Their contentions were a great injury to the cause of Christ. The church clerk, one of them, when these sloughed off, took the early records of the church to this faction, so that they are lost. While Mr. Stites was pastor, a parsonage was built in 1839. The sanctuary built in 1785 and in use sixty-six years, which was supplanted by a larger and better house
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in 1851. Pastor Stites resigned in 1852 and settled as pastor in a near by church, where he ministered two years, even though suffering great physical sickness, aggravated by his trials at Hamilton Square and then went to where "the wicked cease from troubling."
In the next June 1853, Rev. William Paulin settled as pastor. His ministry had positive results; in changing pastors, the benevolence of the church was developed and the Sunday school which had been extinct for a long time. Mr. Paulin gathered many converts into the church and closed his charge at Hamilton Square in January 1859. Rev. A. H. Bliss entered the pastoral office in the next August and resigned there at the end of three years, leaving the church in the enjoyment of revival mercies.
On February 1st, 1863, Rev. W. E. Watkinson entered upon charge of the church. Mr. Watkinson was an active and devoted pastor, as well as a good preacher. Congregations increased rapidly; the larger house and its spacious galleries were crowded with an interested and earnest people. Thus for eight years, the church grew in all the elements of growth and power. Seldom has a pastor wrought so great a change and accomplished such gains. In one of the annual revival seasons, Mr. Watkinson baptized eighty-nine. Among them were twenty-two husbands and their wives. The annual average of baptisms for eight years was more than thirty-five. The visits of Mr. Watkinson to his old field were very much like a jubilee.
In 1870, the church decided to build a house of worship at Allen- town, anticipating there a church organization. Pastor Watkinson resigned to take effect in 1871. Rev. W. W. Case accepted a call to be pastor and entered the pastorate in October 1871. His father, Rev. J. B. Case is widely known in New Jersey as a useful and honored pastor for many years. Mr. Case retained his charge for ten years, closing his labors at Hamilton Square in December 1881. Several revivals were enjoyed while Mr. Case was pastor. A large and modern house was built accommodating the congregations that crowded and overflowed the old house. The Allentown movement was revived and a colony of efficient men and women were dismissed to constitute a church there, which, since its organization has been self-supporting and a helper of all good things in the field in which it is located. But for the trustfulness of the people in their pastor, calling on him to write their "wills," dividing their property between the church and their heirs, who loaded the odium of losing gain on the pastor, Mr. Case might have been at Hamilton Square to-day, efficient and useful as at the first. The moral is: Let pastors beware of writing "wills," that bequeath anything to benevolence, which covetous "heirs" expect.
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Had Mr. Case heeded the wise man's councils in Prov. 22:3, which he repeats as of special moment, he would have escaped much slander and hate.
In 1882, Rev. Joseph Butterworth accepted a call to be pastor, remaining four years and enjoying a full average of prosperity. Mr. Butterworth was followed by Rev. J. B. Hutchinson in September 1886. Mr. Hutchinson was one of the great preachers of his day. Unaided by "notes" his sermons both in rhetoric and in discussion were most remarkable if not perfect. He married an estimable lady of his congregation, with usual result. At the end of three years he accepted for the second time a call to Philadelphia. Two years later, it was said at his burial, by one who had known him long and inti- mately :
"Thus, not many, comparatively, know aught of him whom we mourn to-day. We are here with the memory of a dear and noble friend-one who has left the world better than he found it-one who has stood as a rock amid the raging currents of men's opinions, turning them hither and thither, but ever himself pointing them to the Cross. God only knows the value of such a life.
"The mightiest forces of Nature are silent in their operation. The planets and the sun, and the sun's sun, on up to the Throne of God, give out no sound. They who dwell therein hear nothing and see nothing of the subtle power that holds each in its place. And so, with rare exceptions, the greatest power of a life is its unnoticed in- fluence.
"The world does not know its greatest and best dwellers. As the fragrance of the flowers and the fruitage of the forests, unknown and ungathered of men, exceed that of which we are conscious, so of human life and doings. But God knows them. And this makes us glad. Since, so it is that which is good and true and Godly cannot be lost.
"The inaudible lesson of the broken seal, the open sepulcher, the folded napkin on its stony pillow, is graven upon the soul as no voice could have done it."
After Mr. Hutchinson, Rev. G. Young followed. He continued until September 1894. Following Mr. Young, Rev. W. T. Galloway became pastor, beginning his duties in 1895. He was still pastor in '900. One church, Allentown, has been colonized from Hamilton Square, with fifty-two members. Another, under the labors of Rev. A. S. Flock in the vicinity of Hamilton Square, of Windsor. Under the labors of Mr. Flock, many converts were baptized and added to Hamilton Square, Hightstown and Allentown churches. Some of
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HAMILTON SQUARE AND ALLENTOWN
these agreed to unite in 1898 and constituted themselves at the Bap- tist church at Windsor; Mr. Flock becoming pastor.
Several members of Hamilton Square have been licensed. Three church edifices have been in use. One built in 1785, twenty-seven years before the church was constituted. Another, in 1851, under Pastor Segar. A third in 1881 under Mr. Case's pastorate. An incident in the history of this church relative to the tavern license, and the change their temperance ideas have undergone is found in the chapter on temperance and was it not so sorrowful is significant. Another told to the writer by Deacon John West of Hamilton Square, whose grandmother was baptized by Abel Morgan opposite to Red Bank, Monmouth county. At the baptism the people sang the hymn which modern compilers deny a place in our hymn books of Praise.
Christians, if your heart be warm,
Ice and snow can do no harm.
If by Jesus you are prized Rise, believe and be baptized. (And other verses.)
Allentown is in Monmouth County, about five miles east of Ham- ilton Square. It is a rural town off of railroads. This explains why, in the midst of five or six large Baptist churches it is only in 1874, that a Baptist church was formed there. Numerous members of Hamilton Square lived in and near to the town, but were content with their old home. Population tended to commercial centers. The quiet and lonely place might have been longer without a Baptist church had not its seclusion been an attraction to a widow with a family of children. She moved there in 1852. One of her sons was a Baptist before their coming and another later. Both joined the Hamilton Square Baptist church walking thither on the Lord's Day.
In the years 1847-51, Pastor Armstrong of Upper Freehold church, preached occasionally in Allentown and Rev. W. E. Watkinson of Hamilton Square church arranged in 1863 to preach regularly in Allentown. He could not induce his church to buy lots and build a house of worship in the town. It may be, that it was best that he failed since they might have bought cheap lots on a back street and built a house to correspond. At a proper season, Mr. Watkinson preached in a near by grove and the Methodists allowed him occasionally the use of their house. But objections to the movement arose from an unexpected quarter and the meetings ceased.
When Mr. Case settled at Hamilton Square, he renewed appoint- ments at Allentown. In 1873, the Rogers brothers, all of whom were Baptists and sons of the widow referred to, became owners of an old
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store building. They fitted up an upper room at their own cost for Baptist worship. The place was opened for worship July 20th, 1873. This is another instance of many in New Jersey, of Baptists standing by their convictions of truth, of duty and of their reward in triumph. A Baptist home developed Baptist unity and purpose. Pastors at Hamilton Square and at Upper Freehold preached at appointed seasons. Pastor Case began special meetings in November 1873, neighboring pastors aiding him. One result of these meetings was, that eleven persons were baptized in a stream close by on December 27th, 1873.
It was soon after decided to organize a Baptist church. Letters of dismission were given by Hamilton Square church to any of its members wishing to unite with the Allentown enterprise and on the 23rd of March, 1874, the Allentown church was recognized consisting of fifty-two constituents. At a meeting of the church on May 28th, 1874, Rev. W. E. Watkinson was called to be pastor. Having preached a few weeks, consent was given him to recall his acceptance of the pastorate on account of serious illness.
"Supplies" ministered to the church until October 12th, 1874, when Rev. W. Lincoln settled as pastor. He was pastor until his death on April 24th, 1877. His charge was both happy and fruit- ful. Both himself and wife were buried in Allentown. The succession of pastors was: J. W. Grant, 1877-8, one year; W. H. Burlew, 1878-81; S. L. Cox, 1882-85; H. Tratt, 1885-88; T. C. Young, 1888-90: W. W. Bullock, 1891-96; A. R. Babcock, 1896-1900.
The first place of worship was owned by the Rogers Brothers and the church had the use of it without cost until October, 1879. The church was compelled to have more room for the accommodation of the congregation. In August, 1878, steps were taken to build a meeting house large enough to hold their congregation. Contracts were made for such a sanctuary to be ready for use in October, 1879. On October 5th, baptism was administered in the baptistery.
The Rogers Brothers had their usual share in building and pay- ment for this house of worship. The building itself is a most creditable one, thoroughly equipped with a large pipe organ, heaters and fitly furnished. Special revivals have been often enjoyed by the church and unity has always characterized it. Its members include a positive element of social influence. Other denominations had preceded Baptists and were rooted in the community and cared for their own. A proper thing to do. Still they have been kindly to later comers. One member has been licensed to preach and is a pastor. Of the Rogers Brothers, one is left in Allentown. The others have gone to
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PRINCETON
their blessed reward. The church is a memorial of their integrity and of their devoted Christian faithfulness to truth, duty and to God. The widow mother wrought a good work by her removal to Allentown and by training men of might and character to accomplish large things for the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The church named Princeton is located at Penn's Neck, a mile east of Princeton. Originally, it was known as Williamsburg. On the thoroughfare from Philadelphia to New York, it is believed that William Penn and George Washington slept in the public house, which is now the Baptist parsonage. The following is a copy of the writing of Peter Wilson, a preface in the original church book of the Princeton church at Penn's Neck.
"Williamsborough Baptist church book commencing December 5th, 1812, at which time and place, their meeting house was opened and solemnly dedicated to and for the worship of God. History of the rise and progress at Williamsborough, Penn's Neck, West Windsor township, county of Middlesex and State of New Jersey. Ministry of Rev. Peter Wilson. Preaching commenced at John Flock's in the township of Maiden Head (Pennington). Also at the house of John Campbell's in Princeton. John Flock and his wife joined the Baptist church (Hightstown) that year, 1790, Preaching commenced at John Hights on Penn's Neck and continued in different private houses in Princeton. Peggy Schank was baptized June 12th, the above year. 1791, John Hight and wife were baptized. Richard Thomas and wife were baptized in 1792 (Mr. Thomas was a delegate to the New Jersey Association formed in 1811, also to the New Jersey Baptist State Convention begun in 1830.) Following is a list of the baptized in 1793-6, 1798-2, 1803-5, 1807-8, 1810-2, 1811-3, these being entered in the church book of Williamsborough, were residents of Penn's Neck and vicinity.
Mr. Wilson adds: "It is remarkable that God influenced and disposed William Covenhoven, Joseph Grover, John Applegate, Ben- jamin Maple, William Vaughan, Henry Silvers, John Jones, Joseph Smith, Richard Thomas, John Flock, Ezekiel R. Wilson, members of the church (Hightstown) Joseph Stout, J. A. Schank, John Grover and without exception, almost the inhabitants of Penn's Neck and Prince- ton generously contributed to raise a house for God. It was undertaken with spirit and the carpenters worked well and nearly completed to the satisfaction of the managers, on the 5th day of December, 1812, when it was solemnly devoted to the service of God. What remains still more remarkable is, that the first sermon preached near where the meeting house is erected, was in the same house where the last sermon was preached before the dedication of the house. The first sermon
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was from Matt. 11: 28-30, the last from Rom. 13- 14. All the above took place without previous reflection."
PETER WILSON.
Then follows "the covenant," in Mr. Wilson's writing: A surprise is, that it is almost the same at The Covenant with the New Hampshire confession of faith, now so widely adopted by Baptist churches, indica- ting how much alike the Baptists of the former days and the later Baptists are. On the day in which the house of worship was dedicated, the church was constituted with thirty-seven members, among them was a Grover, his wife. Mr. Grover was a descendant of James Grover, a constituent of Middletown church, organized in 1668; also two Stouts, who may have come from First Hopewell Baptist church. The lot for the meeting house was the gift of a Covenhoven (Conover). A red sandstone near to the church edifice marks his burial place.
Rev. John Cooper became pastor in February 1813, preaching one fourth of the time. His successor, Rev. Alex Hastings was called for a year in 1815. He kept a school, netting him two hundred dollars additional to what the church pledged. The ensuing three or four years was a period of dissention and decline. Mr. Howard Malcolm, a Baptist student at Princeton college "supplied" the church from November 15th, 1818. During his stay a debt of five hundred dollars was paid. A Sunday school, with forty-six pupils and eight officers was established. Mr. Malcom stayed till 1821. On his removal, the factious spirit broke out : from the record book, the church was a fighting band. This condition continued until Rev. John Seger of Hightstown and Hamilton Square preached for them on alternate Lord's Days in 1821. In that year, the church adopted a rule: "That the female members have the privilege of voting on all church business." An act of incor- poration was also obtained.
On Decemebr 22nd, 1827, Rev. Peter Simonson became pastor. The next year, the Presbyterians of Dutch Neck, tried to get possession of the house of worship. A pastor writing of this said: "Resistance was offered to them, short, sharp and successful." A condition in the deed is "that if the Baptists ceased to use the property, it should pass to another denomination, who should use it for religious purposes." After Mr. Simonson, Rev. George Allen entered the pas- torate in August 1829. At this time the membership had fallen to thirty and the congregation to three persons. The factions ruled. Rev. D. P. Purdun was pastor one year in 1830 and the name of the church was changed to "Penn's Neck."
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In 1831, Rev. George Allen was called to a second pastoral care. His second charge continued thirteen years. Rev. Thomas Malcom, son of Howard Malcom, a student at Princeton, visited and preached for Mr. Allen and on his ministry, as his father's in the same place, the Divine blessing rested, a revival came and now after sixty years, mem- ory recalled the old times of blessing under the Father's labors. Mr. Allen resigned in 1844, having passed his seventieth year, returning to Burlington, where like to Mr. Boswell, of First Trenton, he had been deacon and pastor and died there, eighty-seven years old. Thomas Malcom supplied the vacancy till Rev. Jackson Smith settled in 1844-5. whose health compelled his retirement from the ministry. Under Rev. D. D. Grey, who was called to be pastor in 1846, the years of 1847 and 48 were seasons of pre-eminent revival interest. Unhappily, his stay was but three years and despite protests persisted in his resig- nation. Prior, however, to his leaving, "the church appointed a com- mittee with power to exact from each member their proportion as may be deemed by themselves as just and equal."
William C. Ulyat was ordained for the pastorate in August 1850. In that year also, it was resolved "that in the Providence of God, we believe that the time has come when we should build a house of worship in Princeton and there have the center of our labors." This question of the removal of the church to Princeton had been under discussion for years. Had Mr. Peter Wilson anticipated Princeton becoming the center of influence it is, he would doubtless located Penn's Neck church there. The writer recalls debates in the Board of the State Convention in Mr. Grey's charge. One curious reason given for it: It was, that the town was a Presbyterian town and if the people had Baptist light, they would be Baptists. Much unwise talk was indulged in. Hon. Richard Stockton kindly and generously gave a lot for a Baptist church edifice. Other locations were offered for a price, which if bought, the Baptist church might have been permanently in Prince- ton. The building was begun when the lot was secured and ready for use at the time of removal to Princeton in 1853. In the meantime, Mr. Ulyat resigned. Rev. S. Sproul became pastor at Penn's Neck in October of that year. The Princeton church edifice was dedicated in December and the name of the church was changed to that of its location.
Penn's Neck church was not a unit in this movement. Numbers of its members met in the meeting house and organized themselves as the West Windsor Baptist church. In about six years, the West Windsor church disbanded. While in existence, pastors Penny, Stites and Nightengale ministered to it. The condition in the deed
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made it necessary to maintain worship at Penn's Neck and an after- noon service was kept up by the pastors at Princeton, preaching in the old sanctuary.
Rev. W. E. Cornwell entered the pastorate at Princeton in October 1856. Death closed his career on earth on March 20th, 1857. Next August, Rev. G. Young settled as pastor. His pastoral care was happy and useful till the civil war, with its distractions affecetd injuriously all spiritual influences. People were absorbed with its anxieties and woes. Nature's claims for loved ones, exposed to death and constant peril could not be denied. Mr. Young possibly was pastor four or five years. Usually his pastorates were short, but often repeated in the same church, being a very able preacher and good pastor. Following Mr. Young, Rev. J. B. Hutchinson accepted the charge of the church. He was a remarkable man, self educated and one of the most able and original preachers and in private life, a lovable man. The tone of intellectual life in Princeton was high. But Pastor Hutchinson could look down on it. His congregation included many intellectually elite citizens and numerous students of the seminary regularly sat under his ministry. Then, as now, usually small churches with limited salaries did not retain as pastors foremost men. Mr. Hutchinson was summoned to Philadelphia. Rev. H. V. Jones, widely known as a fore- most man among Baptists became pastor in 1871. Foreseeing trouble and prospective return by the church to Penn's Neck he stayed only a year.
Rev. L. O. Grenelle entered on the pastoral care of the church in 1872. His oversight of the church at this time was providential. His experience, eminent wisdom, prudence fitted him for the peculiar situation. Local conditions hindered the growth of the church, sug- gesting a return to Penn's Neck and in 1874, it was decided to return to the original site of the church. Revival blessings delayed the move- ment for a year and more. Hon. Richard Stockton renewed his generous and noble offer of former years, relieving the church of stip- ulations in the deed of the lot, he had given to the church and the property in Princeton was sold, the money used to entirely modernize the house at Peen's Neck built in 1812 and as ancient, uncouth, strong as were church edifices sixty years since. The frame was brought to the front on the street and added to front and back and the building, except the frame, made new within and without.
These removals forth and back incurred great loss of congregation and of influence. Each removal had been like to the founding of new churches. Pastor Grenelle's intelligent devotion and able ministry as nearly met these strange conditions. The new house was attractive
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and the winning personality of the pastor regained much that had been lost.
Mr. Grenelle having resigned in May 1882, E. D. Shull was chosen pastor, entered his duties in February 1883, retired in May 1884. Rev. G. F. Love was called, began his pastorate in November 1884 closing his work at Penn's Neck at the end of 1888.
Immediately on January 1st, 1889, T. S. Griffiths having been called, began his labors. During the two former pastorates, clouds overshadowed the church. Neither pastor nor people had culitvated intimacy; alienation, indifferences had impaired their usefulness. Debt also accumulated, annual arrearages grew in amount. This disheartened the membership, troubles multiplied. But the adoption of plans to pay financial obligations when due and to remove causes of differences had early fruitage in concord and cheer. Ere long the accumulated debt was paid. This pastorate lasted nearly eight years. The pastor closing his ministry when nearly seventy-six years old, all the interests of the church work growing into enlarging efficiency. Rev. Mr. Lisk acted as pastor for several months and on his retirement, "supplies" served the church till January 1898, when Rev. William Wilson became pastor and is now (1900) filling the office.
Three have been licensed to preach. One. C. H. Malcom, a student in Princeton, and who was a son of Howard Malcom, that in 1819, was an instrument of great blessing to the church and a brother to Thomas Malcom, another son of Howard Malcom, who in the ministry of Rev. George Allen was the means of a great revival. Another, D. Silvers, a Presbyterian student in Princeton Seminary, baptized in 1864, and for many years an able Baptist minister and a successful pastor. Sev- eral church edifices have been built . One, in 1812, primitive in its style, with exalted pulpit, commanding galleries. A second at Princc- ton quite equal to any other house of worship in the town. The third a reconstruction of the old house at Penn's Neck. Its reconstruction was so entire as to have the frame only left added to front and rear and surmounted with a steeple and a bell.
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