USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 19
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Rev. Peter Wilson was called as a supply for one year. The immense labors of Mr. Wilson as pastor at Hightstown for thirty-five years had impaired his vital force and now nearly seventy years old, was compelled to resign. Mr. J. H. Kennard, a licentiate of Wilming- ton, Del., supplied the church for a year and in 1820, was ordained for pastoral duties.
In 1822, a second church, Pearl street, was formed in Burlington; Mr. Kennard went with the colony. This body is reported in the Association minutes up to 1828 and as having had two pastors. Others claimed that the second church existed but a few months and in 1823, proposed uniting with the mother church.
There was division at this time. Some wanted Rev. J. E. Welsh, who had returned east. Others preferred Mr. Kennard, who was pastor of the second church, a short time and then removed to second
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Hopewell. Neither Mr. Kennard nor Mr. Welsh were parties to these differences. Both were gentlemen entirely above any such personali- ties.
Mr. Welsh supplied the first church for two years, this being his second charge of the church, thence removing to Mount Holly. A year passed and the church called and licensed Deacon George Allen, who after supplying for a year was ordained November 4th, 1826 and became pastor. Mr. Allen was efficient and useful, closing his pastorate in six years. We reap the benefit of his care.
In the minutes of the New Jersey Association, is an acknowledge- ment to him, for files of its minutes, preserved by him, acquainting us with the early details of our denominational life. Two events made Mr. Allen's pastorate memorable. One, an origin of a Sunday school by two sisters of the church, Misses Bertha Ellis and Sarah R. Allen, a daughter of the pastor. Miss Allen in 1830 married Peter Simonson, a promising young man. Her son, was a pastor in Newark, New Jersey and her daughter, Mrs. M. A. Wright is one of the efficient workers in Burlington church, now past seventy years old. She has a large Bible class.
The other event was the baptism of Mr. Samuel Aaron, a man among men. Mr. Aaron was born in New Brittain, Pa. His parents were members of the Baptist church in the town. In 1820, he was a teacher and student in the classical and mathematical school of "Friend" John Gummere in Burlington, N. J., where Mr. Aaron completed his course in 1822. "Friend" Gummere immediately emploved him to teach in his school, a foremost school in the United States. Again, in 1824, Mr. Gummere engaged Mr. Aaron. Friend Gummere was a rare man in the natural qualities of a teacher and in his innate per- ception of teaching qualities of another man. His judgment of the teaching gifts of men and of their moral and intellectual worth was nearly infallible. He had also, the equipment of an education, which gave him a foremost place among educators as the writer knows full well, having been in his classes. Mr. Gummere appreciated Mr. Aaron's eminent worth. In 1826, Mr. Aaron united with the Baptist church by baptism; the same year in which Mr. Allen was ordained, in his fifty-fourth year.
Mr. Allen spent thirty years in the ministry. His last pastorate at Penn's Neck continued thirteen years and it was his second charge at Penns Neck. Returning to Burlington, where he died, eighty-seven years old in the midst of the associations of his youth. Supplies min- itsered to the church at the close of Mr. Allen's charge in 1832, and until the Baptist school was begun in 1833. At this time Mr. Aaron
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wrote to a friend, "I am likely to have my hands full of labor and my mind of cares, for in addition to the school, the little church here, needs the service of some body who will work for nothing and find himself."
The school was founded by the Central Education Society of Philadelphia, representing Pennsylvania and New Jersey Baptists. Mr. Aaron being principal of the school, was called to be pastor in Sep- tember in 1833. Thus, for the third time, the church had a pastor, one who had been baptized into its fellowship. Brighter days dawned on the church, crowds waited on Mr. Aaron's ministry, converts were added to the church. A large and modern house of worship was a necessity and in 1834, one was built and dedicated and filled with wor- shippers. Pastoral duties and those of the school were, however, too great a burden. Mr. Aaron gave up the charge of the church in 1838, after five years of devoted service. Rev. F. Ketchum of Con- necticut followed in March 1839. He had adopted the plan of "Pro- tracted Meetings" and their accompaniments introduced into the North by Rev. W. T. Brantly, Sr., pastor of the first Baptist church of Phila- delphia at his coming from the south. Possibly Mr. Ketchum "pushed things" and allowed extremes which Mr. Brantly would not have con- sented to. For Mr. Ketchum was a man of intense earnestness and likely to use any instrumentality he believed to be consistent with Gospel ministries, accepting the language of the parable: "Compel them to come in," as literal. Many were added to the church in his short pastorate; accepting a call to Philadelphia in May 1840. Mr. Ketchum held numerous meetings in New Jersey with uniform success, both in the city and in the country, crowds gathered to hear him. Re- moving to Illinois, he was equally successful in the West as he had been in the East. He died in 1885, seventy-five years old.
The same year 1840, in which Mr. Ketchum left Burlington, Rev. E. W. Dickinson entered on the pastoral care of the church. A marked contrast distinguished these pastors. Mr. Dickinson was a man of fine culture, scholarly and a very able preacher. In manner, style and compositions his sermons were the opposite of his predecessor. The six years of his charge were a period of growth and prosperity. The church and congregation were loath to part with him in January, 1847. His successor, Mr. S. S. Parker, was ordained in June 1847. A good preacher and a wise pastor, the love of his people entwined about him but his failing health compelled his resignation.
In February 1850, Rev. W. H. Parmly settled. Mr. Parmly was a charming man. Everybody loved him. In all things to all people; always and everywhere Wheelock Parmly got hold of you and
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you were glad to have it so. He was not a great man, either as preacher or counsellor, but he was good and his companionship was delightful. Mr. Parmly resigned in 1854. While pastor the church edifice was enlarged and bettered. Mr. Barnhurst, who followed Mr. Parmly was eminently a missionary pastor. A chapel was built on Florence heights and a way opened for the organization of a church. His diligence in missions, exposure by night brought on consumption and he was necessitated to retire in June 1865. Going West, in the vain hope of recovery, ere long he had his reward on high A deceiver became pastor; his character was manifest and he was excluded in 1857. Supplies ministered to the church for about two years, when Rev. William A. Smith settled and was ordained. His health failing, he resigned in 1860.
Rev. W. W. Meech entered the pastorate the neixt June. The Civil War was in progress. Its excitements were dominant and like to many other pastors, Mr. Meech changed fields, hoping for relief from city life in 1862. About this time, Mr. Alexander Tardff was licensed to preach and with eleven others, were dismissed to constitute an Afro- American church. Rev. Kelsay Walling accepted a call to be pastor in 1863. He closed his ministry at Burlington in August 1871. This was the longest pastorate the church had enjoyed. It was both successful and happy. In 1867-8, a gracious work was enjoyed. Young men, especially, were added to the church. There were more baptisms in these eight years, than in any other preceding charge. On December 5th, 1871, Rev. J. E. Wilson became pastor. The church edifice was virtually rebuilt and in 1874, one hundred and twenty-six were baptized.
The earlier movement at Florence had failed and the chapel was sold. A renewed interest was undertaken, an outgrowth of the revival of 1874. In 1875, a Sunday school was organized and steps were taken to build a place of worship and constitute a church in Florence. The mission was sustained by Pastor Wilson of Burlington and by resident Baptists in Florence. Mr. W. F. Thatcher of Florence was devoted to the upbuilding of the church in the town. Mr. Wilson was pastor at Burlington about seven years and had a useful and fruitful charge. Rev. E. Davis followed, remaining four years till 1882. In the next October, Rev. T. M. Eastwood accepted the call to be pastor, con- tinuing ten years. Soon after Mr. Eastwood left, the church called Rev. J. M. Hare, who resigned to go with the regiment of which he was chaplain to Cuba, in the Spanish War. The desire of the people went back to Mr. Eastwood and recalled him to resume his former pastorate. He yielded to their request and again in 1892, settled in
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Burlington and
is now (1900) pastor at Burlington.
Burlington church included many choice members.
Two of them, deacons, they licensed and called to be pastors. Another, also, Rev. Samuel Aaron, they called to be pastor. Their action is a type of the membership of our early churches, that they included members, whom they preferred as teachers of Divine truth and these men could spend a life time from twenty to fifty years, preaching to the same congregation and be heard gladly. Hearers and preachers were Bible men. Evi- dently substance was to them of more worth than manner, culture and forms. These were the men who made us as a denomination what we are. Their spiritual appetite was not dainty nor their spiritual digest- ion perplexed with dyspeptic tendencies.
Note these names which may be increased by scores: Southworth, John Walton, Drake, Stelle, Runyan, Randolph, Miller, Allen, Wilson, Kelsay, Sheppard, Burrows, Eaton, Jenkin, Bateman, Curtis, Sutton, Heaton. The pastors of Burlington have included choice men. Fif- teen hundred and thirty have been baptized into the church. Three churches have been colonized from first Burlington.
At Beverly, after the failure of W. H. Staughton and his "union" effort, W. H. Parmly renewed the effort and succeeded. The church has always been housed. At a meeting of Baptists, December 21st, 1794, in Burlington, the minutes state, "Having assembled in the Baptist Meeting House," bought in 1794, from the "Friends," (Quakers) and held by the trustees of Pemberton. Under Pastor Aaron, a new and large house of worship was built. It was remodelled under Pastor Parmly, rebuilt under Pastor Wilson and has since then, been enlarged. Thus the church has had four sanctuaries. Also, two chapels built at Florence and a house built at Beverly as is believed. Thus, in all, seven, the first having been bought. Nine members have been licensed to preach. Three of whom have been pastors. One of them was Mr. Rice, who with Judson, sailed for India. If Mr. Aaron is included in the nine licensed to preach, the number of licentiates would be ten. The church has had twenty-one pastors. One of them has been settled twice. Mr. J. E. Welsh has really had three settlements at Burlington. His relations to the church were most intimate. Later, he was a resident of the city. In July 1876, he was commissioner of the State of Missouri, to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, making Burlington his home. Although in his 88th year, he went with an excursion to the ocean. There were not any railroads on the coast then. Ready to bathe in the sea, he was taken ill and died on the beach. His remains were removed to Burlington, where he began and ended his ministry.
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Formerly Beverly was known as "Dunk's Ferry." The town is on the Delaware river about three miles south of Burlintgon. Baptist pastors in Burlington have preached there from an early date. Wil- liam H. Staughton had a mission station there or nearby. He ob- tained subscriptions, chiefly of Baptists, and erected a commodious brick meeting house at Cooperstown, two miles northeast of Dunks Ferry. He made it a "Union House," It was used for several years harmoniously. But for the last thirty-four years, up to 1851, has been a bone of contention among several denominations and is now wholly unoccupied. Staughton, in his last days, alluding to it called it "Staughton's folly."
Beverly being a railroad town, and a river town and pleasantly located, attracted a large citizen population from Philadelphia, besides others from the country. After Staughton's sad failure, Rev. W. H. Parmly, pastor in Burlington, established regular meetings at proper seasons in groves, in an old building and in school houses. The resident Baptists finally decided to organize a Baptist church. This they did, on the tenth of February 1851, twelve resident Baptists constituted themselves a Baptist church. Six were from Philadelphia, five from Burlington and one from Bridgeton.
Already Beverly was a popular resort. In 1850, Hon. John Fenimore, a deacon of the Burlington church, bought a hall in Beverly and offered the use of the lower story to the Baptists with the liberty of buying the property should they choose. Eventually, the church bought and used it for worship. Becoming too small, and a lot being given to the church, a brick house of worship was built and dedicated in 1865.
The succession of pastors was: E. C. Brown, 1851-52; G. G. Gleason, 1852-55; George Mitchell, 1856 -; E. M. Barker, 1858-61; J. S. Miller, 1862; Thomas Davis, 1865-68; William Swinden, 1868-72; W. Kelsey, 1872-79; D. S. Fletcher, 1879; J. E. Raymond, 1880-82; S. P. Lewey, 1883; J. Trickett, 1884; J. Walden, 1887-92; H. C. Munro, 1893; T. S. Fretz, 1894-99. W. W. Willis, 1900.
Of these pastors, E. M. Barker was of especial use. For several years, the meeting house had been building; a large debt was incurred and a second disaster was near. The lot given for the house was out of the way and the house if ever finished was a bar to prosperity. It was finished and dedicated in 1867. Mr. Barker averted a disaster that would have been fatal, by his collections. Rev. P. Powell was a resident of Beverly. His record of care for weak churches evinced his concern for Beverly, doing by his counsels and gifts, all he could for the church. In 1875, the last debt on the church was paid by a
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lady in Bristol, Pa., giving the entire sum, thus relieving the church. Rev. Mr. Powell died June 10th, 1886, ninety-four years old. He was one of the men of whom history makes no mention. The writer knew him well and redeems his memory from oblivion.
Others, men of the same stamp, J. Sisty, E. Sexton, E. V. Glover, D. Bateman, Zelotes Grenelle, the Barrass brothers and the Teasdale brothers, men eminent in natural gifts to win their way to high places, men who delighted to serve weak and struggling churches, which but for them would have died; men, ready to serve in lowly places; men, like to their Master, in that "the poor have the Gospel preached to them"-served as pastors.
Beverly shared in gifts from abroad, their first place of worship was given to them; the lot of their second house was a gift. Their debt on their last church edifice was paid by a woman of another state. Legacies made a parsonage possible to them, which was occupied in 1900. Aside from the pastors of first Burlington, Bever y has had fifteen pastors additional to the ministries of Rev. P. Powell.
Early in 1874, Mr. Thatcher, a member of first Burlington Baptist church, was appointed superintendent of the Florence Iron Works. Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher found at Florence two or three Baptist families. A Sunday school was begun there in the fall of 1874 and later a week evening social meeting.
In January 1875, Mr. Wilson, a student and son of the pastor at Burlington, began a series of meetings at Florence at which many were converted, joining the first Baptist church in Burlington. The next four years, students preached regularly at Florence and on January 29th, 1880 members dismissed from first Burlington were constituted the Florence Baptist church. Mr. O. G. Buddington was called to be pastor and on September 17th, was ordained and continued pastor until December 1885. Under his care the church prospered, in 1884, the house was enlarged and improved.
Pastors who followed were, C. D. Parker, 1886-89; a parsonage was built in 1887; C. M. Deitz, 1889-1893; a chapel was built at the railroad station and services kept up in it. Mr. Allyn was pastor 1893-1900. Revivals characterized this period and scores of converts were added to the church by baptism.
Deacon William F. Thatcher was at his own request relieved of the superintendency of the Sunday school, having for twenty-six years, discharged its duties. The mission at the railroad station afforded large and useful outlet for the faithful activities of the church.
CHAPTER XVII. MOUNT HOLLY AND MARLTON.
The first residents in and about Mount Holly were "Friends" (Quakers) locating in 1670. William the Fourth, later King of England, was with the English soldiers in the town in the Revolutionary War. Stephen Girard, the famous Philadelphia merchant, the wealthiest man in the United States, founder of Girard College in Philadelphia, kept a cigar store in Mount Holly and sold raisins to the children by the penny's worth.
Humble circumstances in early life are one of the least conditions determining the future success. As with individuals, so with churches. A beginning is not a forecast of the future. The long delay of sixteen years, from the early Baptist ministries in Mount Holly to the founding of the church was discouraging. Nevertheless, a seed was sown which in due time germinated.
Two men had much to do with the developement of Mount Holly church. Peter Wilson, pastor of Hightstown church, who preached in it in 1784, and Alexander McGowan, a licentiate of Hightstown, who from the Presbyterian came into the Baptist ministry by searching the Scriptures to find out if he was right in his ideas of the mode and the subjects of baptism.
One Joshua Smith, of New England, possibly a deacon but not a clergyman, come to Mount Holly in 1792, held a series of meetings. Mr. McGowan was pastor at Pemberton in 1795. He alternated on the Lord's Day between Pemberton and Mount Holly. Dates vary through the loss of the old record. It is not known how long before 1795, and if after the constitution of Mount Holly church, if Mr. Mc- gowan visited the church. However it is believed that though Mr. McGowan was not pastor, that he had general oversight of its affairs for thirteen years to 1814, when he removed to the West. He was a great worker, an able preacher and soul winner. His labors at Mount Holly were wholly missionary. He baptized one hundred and nineteen converts in Mount Holly. They united with Pemberton church. In 1805, Mr. McGowan removed from Pemberton to Marlton. But he agreed to "supply" Mount Holly as often as convenient. thus retaining his connection with Mount Holly.
Meriba Cox and Jane Mullen are said to be the first Baptists living in Mount Holly. Their names are among the constituents of
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MOUNT HOLLY
Mount Holly. Some say there were thirty-six, others claim that there were fifty-two. The date of the organization is also a question, some insisting upon an earlier date than is published in the minutes Providentially, in 1814, (the year in which Mr. McGowan went West) a young man, a member of Mount Holly came on the stage of public life about this time, the ever memorable John Sisty.
Mr. Sisty had been a member of the first Baptist church of Phila- delphia and changed his residence to Mount Holly. Mr. Sisty upheld his pastor, Rev. H. Holcombe, under the persecutions brought on Mr. Holcombe. Although not officially pastor at Mount Holly, Mr. Sisty was licensed and ordained at Mount Holly to serve the church there, and for three years preached and did pastor's duties at his own cost. About the time at the end of three years Mr. Sisty moved to Haddonfield. He was entitled to the highest respect. Those of us who knew him, do not forget the quiet, un- assuming and unprepossessing little man, who made an indelible mark on Baptist interests in New Jersey.
After Mr. Sisty had removed, another member of the church, Joseph Maylin, who had been licensed and later was ordained, served the church. Like to Mr. Sisty, he was not pastor, also like him, a man of means, he ministered to the church without cost to it for several years. Rev. J. E. Welsh, likewise, ministered for an indefinite period. But whether with cost to it, we do not know.
In 1830, Rev. Joseph Sheppard of Salem, entered the pastoral office, continuing seven years. Having some private resources, he was not wholly dependent on the salary the church gave. Mr. Sheppard inaugurated a new era in Baptist interests in Mount Holly. Both material forces were accumulated and agressive instrumentalities were introduced, as the Sunday school. No mention is made of the reason for his resignation. But as he lived in Camden, only three years after resigning, it may be that his health was a bar to continued pas- toral work.
In the fall of 1836, Rev. H. K. Green settled as pastor. His stay was short. Again in 1837, Mr. Green became pastor. He continued but a little while. Mr. Green was genteel in speech and manner; of rare culture and of natural intellectual gifts. He had also, a lassitude of character which impaired his efficiency as pastor and teacher. The writer has ofttimes recited to him during which, he has taken a nap.
Rev. Samuel Cornelius entered the pastorate in December 1837. He was the opposite in all respects to Mr. Green, never lacking for something to do and doing it with force and zeal. Mr. Cornelius
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shared with Noah Davis in the origination of the American Baptist Publication Society. In May 1842, Rev. H. S. Haven followed Mr. Cornelius, but illness shortened his charge.
A new church edifice was begun in 1843. It was dedicated in March 1844 as Rev. T. O. Lincoln began his pastoral care for the ensuing two years, whom Rev. M. Eastwood succeeded in November. Again there was a vacancy of two years in the pastoral office. Rev. W. G. Collom was pastor for three years to June of 1853 and was followed by Rev. T. D. Worrall becoming pastor in 1854 and remained till March 1855.
In the next May, J. S. Miller settled. Debts were cancelled; harmony restored and the accession of converts to the church assured its future welfare when after the dark days of 1854 and 5 had gone. Pastor Miller at the end of four years of efficient service closed his charge in Mount Holly in 1859.
Samuel Aaron was the next pastor in May, 1859, remaining till he died on April 11th, 1865. A successor writes of him, "The fame and persecution on account of his temperance and anti-slavery apostle- ship, which alike ennoble his name, came with him to Mount Holly. The church cheered him and was proud of him. Under the ministry so devout and scholarship of so courteous a gentleman, the cause of Christ greatly prospered. But the anti-slavery and radical temperance addresses of Mr. Aaron made him many enemies." His body and that of Mr. Lincoln awaited burial at the same time. Happily, Mr. Aaron lived to hear of the surrender at Appotomax, but it pleased God to take him before the murder of Mr. Lincoln.
The writer congratulated Mr. Aaron on his dying bed upon the surrender of General Lee. He also used to hear the discussions of delegates at the sessions of the New Jersey Association as to who should be moderator at its annual meetings, the aim being to have one in the chair familiar "with the rules of order," and who had the courage to enforce them and limit debate to the subject under dis- cussion, allusion being chiefly to Mr. Aaron. For all knew that Mr. Aaron would be heard on the themes of slavery and of temperance, the aim being to enforce the rule as to time and frequency of remark.
Usually, Rev. J. E. Welsh was chosen. He was moderator of the Association for many years, elected purposely to hold Mr. Aaron within bounds. His intense earnestness and commanding eloquence on any question of morals or on the duties of humanity, demanded a hearing even of those who repudiated his ideas. First a teacher, and when converted a preacher. As teacher, he had no superior. The writer recalls how glad the class was to see him come into recitation.
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We knew it meant getting into the heart of things. So patient, so thorough, and so like one of us. Students knew that teacher and class were a mutual aid society.
Mr. Aaron's life accorded with his profession. His home was a station on the "Underground Railway" from slavery to Canada. The writer heard him plead in court for a fugitive being returned to slavery. Words are at fault to express the pathos, passion, and eloquence of that plea. Once he was cruelly beaten by a rum seller in a street in a town in which he lived, on account of his advocacy of temperance. On another street, a drunken inebriate lay unconscious, where he would have died in a wintry night. He got him up, took him home with him, gave him as good a bed as his own, and in the morning, prevailed with him to reform. Thus his deeds emphasized his words.
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