USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 20
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Rev. A. G. Thomas followed Mr. Aaron at Mount Holly on August 1865, and had a happy and successful pastorate of three years. In its second year, a remarkable work of grace was enjoyed. One hundred and sixty-four were baptized. The house of worship was enlarged and improved. Mr. Thomas was parted with, with great reluctance. He was succeeded by Rev. J. Waters in June 1868. The spiritual life in the church continued in the three years of Mr. Water's stay. Rev. T. J. House followed for ten months. In June, 1874, Mr. Edward Braislin was ordained and held the pastoral care for seven years. Neither was it the choice of the church for Mr. Braislin to resign.
On April 1st, 1882, Rev. H. F. Smith entered the pastorate. Mr. Smith retired to sleep February 10th, 1887; not coming to breakfast, the reason for his delay was inquired into and he was found "asleep in Jesus." An incident of the evening was the visit of a neighbor pastor, and at bed time, Mr. Smith said to his friend: "Come let us sing my favorite hymn," and he began to sing, "I would not live alway, I ask not to stay," and sang the entire hymn. It was his last song on earth and he had his desire, exchanging the song of earth for that of glory.
Mr. Smith had lived a useful life. The churches he had served were the better in all respects for his charge of them. He had been secretary of the Convention for fourteen years, retiring from the office, contrary to the wishes of the Convention.
After Mr. Smith, came R. F. Y. Pierce on November 1st, 1887. In 1888, the second great revival occurred, when one hundred and five were baptized. The enthusiasm with which Mr. Pierce began, con- tined through this charge. Resigning in October 1892, Rev. S. G. Nelson began his pastoral work in February 1893 and resigned in
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November 1895. The next September 1896, Rev. C. H. Pendleton held the pastoral office and was pastor in 1900.
Twenty-six pastors have served the church. Messrs. McGowan and Green each had a second pastoral charge. Pastors Sisty and Maylin were licensed and ordained to be pastors. These served the church at their own cost. Six members have been licensed to preach. Mr. Sisty will ever be remembered for his work at Mount Holly and Haddonfield. A business man, he gladly spent his money and time for needy fields.
Only one church has colonized from Mount Holly, Marlton in 1805, with fifty-five members. The first meeting house in Mount Holly was built in 1800, by the Pemberton church and was in use forty-two years. In 1843, in an interim of pastors, a larger and better house was built and dedicated in Mr. Lincoln's charge. The building has undergone many changes and enlargements, and Mount Holly now has a house of worship both large and most fitting for church uses.
The "Friends" (Quakers) had settled in New Jersey in the vicinities of Philadelphia, long before William Penn located his colony in Penn- sylvania about 1682. This may have influenced him to choose the location for his colony. Wealthy Englishmen, "Friends" had bought large tracts of land in New Jersey and had sent colonies of their per- secuted brethren, who could not pay both, the cost of emmigration and buy their lands, on which to settle. These opulent "Friends" provided thus for their afflicted friends early in 1600 and by their financial interests in West Jersey, which they acquired in 1676. Anthony Sharp of Tedbury, England, then of Dublin, Ireland, planted colonies of such "Friends" south of Camden and appointed his son Isaac, its superintendent.
The Quakers had shared with Baptists in persecutions for their ideas of civil and religious liberty. Fellowship for each other in common sufferings, explains the coming of these sects from New England, Vir- ginia and Europe, to New Jersey, where, owing to the caste of the population, the largest liberty of speech and conduct had been enjoyed and where, an instance of restraint and persecution for the exercise of one's conviction of truth and duty has never been known.
Quakers and Baptists had a positive influence with Charles the Second, when he was King of England and he was so far, just and honorable as to cherish the obligations of his father, Charles the First, to Quakers and Baptists, non-combatants in the Civil War of England; thus they had security for their personal rights and the sympathy of the Royal government in its appointment of Governors and Judges of the Courts. These conditions favored both Friends and Baptists,
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of which the population of New Jersey and Pennsylvania was so largely made up. Baptists also, had more sympathy in a Quaker community than other denominations.
Evesham township, from which Marlton church took its first name, was very large, including Marlton village. Peter Wilson of Hightstown; Alex. McGowan, Isaac Carlisle and Benjamin Hedger of Pemberton, had preached in Evesham as early as 1788. In 1803, some of its residents were so much interested that they sent to Mount Holly to arrange with Mr. McGowan to preach among them. He did so. Converts were made and baptized; others were impressed by the ordinance. Congregations outgrew the old school house. A meeting house was a necessity and in 1804, it was decided to build one, which was dedicated in September 1805. The building was to be a Baptist meeting house, free however, for the use of other denom- inations, when not used by Baptists, an instance of Baptist liberality. Their fundamental principle of the right of each and all to decide for themselves, their religious views and assure to others, equal right, which they claim for themselves not only in opinion, but as much in opportunity.
Having a house of worship and distant from Mount Holly, of which church they were members, a church organization was desirable. Accordingly, on November 16th, 1805, the Evesham Baptist church of nine members was recognized. Mr. McGowan, pastor of Pemberton church, was called to be pastor and ministered to them for nearly nine years, till 1814. (Minutes of New Jersey Association, 1815, page 7). Mr. McGowan was a noble minister of the Gospel and was in his day, named a "soul winner." His work was ended on earth on his journey west by the overturning of a wagon in which he was fatally hurt. He died June 8th, 1814.
The revered John Sisty of Mount Holly took the pastoral office in 1815, preaching once each month. Prosperity was enjoyed up to March 1819, when he resigned. On June 6th, 1818, nine were dis- missed to organize a church at Haddonfield. Mr. Sisty had been preaching there for more than a year, and in September 1818, began his remarkable charge of Haddonfield church. He always had a large place in the hearts of the people where he labored. He will always be included among the men whom the King had delighted in and whom the churches valued for wisdom, devotion, and sterling integrity in any and in all conditions ..
Peter Powell was another of those quiet, modest men, whose name never got in newspapers. They could wait for the indorsement coming at the last, from the King of Zion. Three times, Mr. Powell came to
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the help of the church. He was one of the ministers ready at their own cost to do what they could to help a struggling church. He supplied the church continuously at his own cost and for a compensation of one dollar and twenty-five cents, each Lord's Day as the funds allowed.
For five years, from about 1825, the records are blank and for eight years, there were no mentions of a baptism. Nevertheless, there "were a few names for they are worthy." The members met and prayed and in due time their prayers were answered. Rev. Joseph Sheppard came to their help in December, 1829, and with great self-sacrifice, ministered to the church, until June, 1834. In these five years, a new era began. Mr. Sheppard may be justly esteemed as one of the Fathers to this Israel. A Sunday School was begun. Mr. Samuel Hervey was called to be pastor and was ordained at the close of Mr. Sheppard's service. He had been Mr. Sheppard's assistant. After nearly four years of acceptable service, Mr. Hervey resigned and went west. Rev. Mr. M. S. Earl was pastor for one year, 1838. In this year, a revival began new life in the church.
A large number of nearby Baptist residents, members of neigh- boring churches joined Marlton church. These additions involved a larger church edifice located in the village of Marlton. Among those who returned to Marlton, was Charles Kain. He had been dismissed to constitute Haddonfield church. His memory will be cherished in that region as a synonym for goodness, enterprise and devotion to every interest of the Kingdom of God, not alone on Baptist lines, for he was a Baptist of the straightest sort. But everywhere and with all, sought first the kingdom of God. In August 1839, the church decided to build a house of worship in the village of Marlton and in June 31st, 1840, it was dedicated. Rev. J. M. Courtney was called to be pastor in connection with Moorestown church. This joint pastorate lasted till July 1841. Then the pastor was taken with the "western fever" and went thither.
Total abstinence from all intoxicants as a beverage, was adopted as a condition of membership in 1840. In the fall of the same year, mission work was begun at Tansboro, that issued in the organization of a church. About the same time, mission work was begun at Med- ford and in the 14th of February, 1841, sixteen members were dis- missed to constitute the Medford church. A temporary stay by one called to the pastorate continued to January 1842. After that, until June supplies served the church, when Rev. I. W. Hayhurst entered the pastorate. He stayed less than two years. The Tansboro church was constituted at the close of January 1844; eighteen being dis- missed from Marlton for that purpose. Following Mr. Hayhurst,
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A. M. Tyler was ordained in May 1844. In the next July, 22nd, he died. Rev. J. M. Challis entered as pastor of both Marlton and Moores- town churches in April 1845 and retained his relation to the churches for seven years. The name of the church was changed to Marlton in that year. When Pastor Challis resigned, the church decided to main- tain its pastor independently. Rev. C. E. Wilson having ministered to the church for a year from June 1852, While pastor, a season of revival was enjoyed.
The small salaries and the growing children who ought to be educated often made the minister's life a trial to himself and to a church. Both, however, endured the hardship. Mercenary motives are attributed to pastors, in accepting a larger salary, when in fact, it is a duty done at the cost of many a heart ache.
On October 2nd, 1853, Rev. J. R. Murphy accepted the charge of the church and held it for six hears, with great benefit to the church. In June 1856, the church suffered a great loss in the death of Deacon Charles Kain. His influence and character had been of untold worth to Haddonfield. church of which he was a constituent. It had been also an unspeakable gift to Marlton church. But good men must needs die and receive their reward from Him, who knows them and their worth.
In January 1860, Rev. E. M. Barker settled as pastor. A mission Sunday school was begun this year at Evesboro; another at Medford in 1863. Mr. Barker resigned in 1863. On the next January 1864, Rev. R. S. James entered the pastorate. In the winter of 1865-6, one hundred and fifteen were added to the church by baptism, a fruit of a revival. Mr. James closed his oversight in September 1867 and was followed by Rev. M. Jones, who again resigned about 1870. Mr. T. L. Bailey was ordained in July 1871 and became pastor. His infirmities seriously impaired his ministry. On account of his broken health, he closed his labors at Marlton in 1873, but supplied the church until June 1874. Then Rev. A. B. Still became pastor. Various improvements in the church edifice and in the grounds were effected in this pastorate, which continued until December 1877. The next April 1878, Pastor Bray entered the pastoral office, holding it till January 1884, when Rev. W. W. Bullock followed in 1884, ministering until 1887. By the next July, Rev. G. B. Young was pastor for two years. Him, Rev. C. W. O. Nyce succeeded in June 1889 and was pastor in 1900; a long pastorate for Marlton and corresponding in length with the first, Mr. McGowan.
Marlton is a rural church."Many instances occur in our churches of the influence for good of an individual. Of these, was Deacon
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Charles Kain. Those of us who knew him will ever remember his genial, staunch and forceful Christian character. He was an under- standing Baptist and such Baptists as he was are always a power for good. Positive, bold and yet kind; his memory and work will be a stimulant to those who knew it, to do and be, the best for Christ and humanity.
Marlton church has had nineteen pastors. Deacon Elijah Bryant was licensed, ordained and pastor in two churches that colonized from Marlton. The church has had two meeting houses, one built in 1805, another erected in Marlton village. Four churches have gone out of Marlton, Haddonfield, Medford, Tansboro and Berlin. Chapels were built in Medford and in Tansboro and a parsonage in Marlton in 1860. The earliest Baptist ministers in this field were from Pemberton and by Pastor McGowan, Isaac Carlisle and Benjamin Hedger, licentiates of Pemberton, were great helps to their pastor in his work. In the decade 1801-10, three Baptist churches were constituted, Burlington, Mount Holly, and Marlton.
A characteristic of the state; Hezekiah Smith in New England; John Gano in New York and the West and the numerous appointments of New Jersey pastors sent by the Philadelphia Association on Mission- ary tours to the South and West, is a sufficient explanation. In their earliest movement, the New Jersey churches preferred the whole cause to themselves; as is shown by the constitution of the Philadelphia Association, made up as it was by three churches in New Jersey, one in Delaware and one in Pennsylvania. The new Jersey Baptists giving up their choice of name for the good of Baptists in general, with the result that the influence of the body was diverted from them and their local unity was absorbed in foreign interests. Nevertheless, New Jersey Baptists churches retained a majority in that Association for forty years. Neither was it until 1811, that there was a concen- tration in the state in behalf of home interests.
CHAPTER XVIII.
HADDONFIELD, MOORESTOWN AND RELATED CHURCHES.
Baptist activities at Haddonfield began with a woman. Women have been a significant force in the growth of the kingdom of God in the world. Malignant contempt for the churches has been expressed by assertions that women were a large majority of them. They are. For morality and Godliness they always have been a vast majority. Men are a vast majority of the drunkards, of criminals and reprobates. There was but one Apostle at the cross, but the three Marys were there. The crisis in human history was in the reign of Constantine, when the question was, whether Paganism or Christianity should be the faith of the palace and of the throne. The decision, which changed the destinies of humanity and gave to mankind all we have of civilization and Christianity worth having, came from the Christian Baptist Welsh wife, a princess in her native land, so historians say.
Few changes in the working economy, both of our churches and in our country have been more extreme than that concerning women. In 1817, Lettice Evans, a woman living in Haddonfield, requested Rev. John Sisty to come to Haddonfield and preach. She offered her own house in which to hold the meeting. It seems, however, that on May 17th, 1817, he preached in the school house, from Heb. 4:12. So much interest was shown that Mr. Sisty made regular appointments for two Lord's Days in each month until on the 11th of June 1818, when a council met in a grove and ten Baptists were constituted into the Haddonfield Baptist church. Nine of these were from Evesham (Marlton) church. Rev. H. Holcombe of the first Baptist church of Philadelphia preached. Among those from Marlton church, was Charles Kain, Sr. He was chosen one of the deacons holding the office till his return to Marlton church in 1839. Mr. Sisty was not a con- stituent of Haddonfield church. Later, when called to be its pastor, he brought his letter from Marlton. Mr. Sisty was a small man, hesi- tating and slow of speech. Personally, he reminded one of Paul's description of himself in II Cor. 10:10. But he was devoted and an able man that won and kept the confidence of every one. He had been baptized by Rev. Thomas Ustic, pastor of the first Baptist church of Philadelphia. This accounted for his strong and tender sympathy with that church and its pastor, H. Holcombe, in its trials with the Philadelphia Association. In business in Philadelphia, Mr. Sisty had
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gained a competence which enabled him to give efficient aid to many weak churches, bringing them to strength.
About five months after Mr. Sisty had preached his first sermon in May 1817, steps were taken to build a house of worship, anticipating an organization of a church. Subscriptions were made to build a "Baptist meeting house." The lot was bought and a brick building erected which was dedicated November 24, 1818. Rev. H. Holcombe preached, Mr. Sisty getting the ablest preacher of the denomination, as a representative of it.
Midway between the organization of the church, the dedication of its house, converts were won and baptized and relationship to "them that were without, were impressed upon his hearers and collections were ordered to be taken to give the Gospel to the destitute." In these days, the "laying on of hands" upon the baptized on their ad- mission to the church was hotly disputed. Some members claimed that this was an ordinance and left the church because Mr. Sisty did not observe it. The church refused to be divided on a question so obscure and left the matter to "the decision of the pastor and of the con- verts." Mr. Sisty was a pastor to whom opportunity was the only limitation. An "open door" drew him to Moorestown in 1836, and many souls were won there to Christ. After being pastor at Haddon- field twenty-one years, Mr. Sisty resigned in 1839. He died in 1863, being eighty years old. In these twenty-four years, by his means, his couns ils and preaching, he was a great blessing to needy and troubled churches.
Rev. C. C. Park, who followed him at Haddonfield, had the pas- toral care there for a year, closing his labors in 1840. In that year, Rev. C. E. Wilson settled as pastor and resigned after four years in which many were baptized. The next eighteen months, Rev. M. Eastwood ministered to the church. In May 1847, Rev. Caprion occupied the office of pastor till ill health compelled his resignation. Rev. W. H. Brisbane was a supply in Mr. Caprion's illness and suc- ceeded him till September 1848. For several months, W. D. Hires supplied the church.
The succession of pastors was A. S. Patton in the spring of 1851. Under whose ministry, the congregations outgrew the capacity of the church edifice and it was decided to build a larger one. On January 12th, 1853, the lecture room was occupied. As a fruit of special meetings, numerous baptisms were enjoyed. Mr. Patton closed hi labors at Haddonfield in 1854. Another annual pastorate by Rev. A. Lathem occurred, closing in 1856. A like annual charge followed
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by Rev. J. D. Meeson ending in 1857. Rev. J. E. Wilson was pastor 1857-61, taking a chaplaincy in the army.
On January 1st, 1862, Rev. R. F. Young entered on pastoral charge. A new order began with his coming. He included the su- rounding country in his field. Within a short time he had five mission Sunday schools. The house of worship was improved at large cost and the mortgage paid. A parsonage was bought and put in complete condition from a work of grace. The pastor baptized eighty-eight. Nor was Mr. Young limited to home interests. The benevolence of the church increased fourfold. Mr. Young was a member of the State Boards of Missions and of Education while a resident of the state. He laid the foundations of the remarkable outgrowth of the church under his successor. Mr. Young died January 5th, 1884, closing a pastorate eminent among eminent pastorates in New Jersey.
On the ensuing 1st of May, 1884, Rev. H. A. Griesemer entered upon the charge of the church. The enlarged congregations made necessary for the third time, a larger house of worship. A more central site was chosen and the present beautiful sanctuary was built in 1885-6, costing forty thousand dollars and opened for worship October 17th. A chapel at Ellisburg was built in 1886, costing one thousand dollars and paid for. A chapel at Mount Ephraim was put up in 1887 at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars. The parsonage debt of twenty- five hundred dollars was paid in 1888. In 1889, ten members were dismissed to constitute a church at Collingswood. Next year, 1890, the John Sisty memorial chapel was built on the site of the old house of worship at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars, also a chapel at Magnolia for twenty-five hundred dollars. In 1891, a chapel for fifteen hundred dollars, was erected at Hillman's and in 1893, the mortgage debt of ten thousand and six hundred dollars on the new church edifice was paid and the house formally dedicated. One hundred and four were baptized in 1894. Twenty-five members were dismissed to form a church at Mount Ephraim in 1895. A mission Sunday school was begun at Haddon Heights in 1897 and in 1898, a chapel was built there costing thirty-five hundred dollars and eighteen members dismissed to form a church there. Mt. Olivet (colored) was established in.1892 and their meeting house was largely built by first Haddonfield church. It cost two thousand dollars. A goodly number of members have been licensed to preach. Large sums have been given for world-wide missions. Pastor Griesemer held his office till April, 1900, having been pastor sixteen years.
Haddonfield has had three houses of worship and has built seven chapels for mission schools and the house of worship for Olivet church.
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Seven colonies have gone out from Haddonfield, organizing churches, one of which,-in Newton-disbanded. The first house of worship at Moorestown, was in part largely paid for by the mother church. No hu- man estimate can be made of the value of the pastorate of Mr. Young; the Sunday schools he established were the beginning and foundation of the colonies, subsequently sent out and Haddonfield church owes a vast obligation to him and to Mr. Sisty, its founder.
The section about Moorestown has several other churches than the Baptist church there. On this account, the church in the town is limited to the immediate locality. But the town is attractive and grows, inviting residents from abroad. Baptist meetings had been held long before the church was formed. A daughter of Rev. Mr. Ustic, once pastor of the first Baptist church in Philadelphia, lived in the village. Her "latch string" was always out for Baptist ministers. Her husband, a member of another denomination, cheerfully welcomed those of his wife's fellowship. Mr. Sisty had been baptized by this lady's father and came often to the town to preach and while pastor at Haddonfield, had regular appointments at Moorestown. The first man whom he baptized there was Charles Kain, Jr., son of Deacon Charles Kain of his church in Haddonfield. Mr. Kain, Jr., later entered the ministry.
Those baptized at Moorestown united at Haddonfield and in April 1837, C. Kain, Jr., asked the Haddonfield church for the letters of thirty members to constitute a church at Moorestown. These with two others from Marlton church, in all, thirty-two organized the Moorestown church on May 6th, 1837. At its first business meet- ing, a pledge was adopted to abstain from the habitual use of intoxi- cants as a beverage, and required a like pledge from all applying for membership in the church. This action was taken early in the tem- perance movement. Measures were at once taken to erect a house of worship, with such success that it was dedicated in August 1838. Rev. J. M. Courtney had aided Mr. Sisty in continuous meetings held previous to the organization of the church and when these were closed maintained Baptist meetings in the place, relieving Mr. Sisty, who was now, nearing seventy years of age, of the added duties of his charge and at the constitution of the church, was its first pastor. Mr. Courtney was an able devoted pastor for nearly five years, resigning in 1841. For the ensuing months, Rev. J. Wigg supplied the church, also, Rev. Ezekiel Sexton served as supply for months. Thus nearly three years passed. Mr. Sexton was the same type of man as Mr. Sisty and Mr. Powell in being above the necessity of a salary.
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