USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 21
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In 1845, Marlton and Moorestown churches united to obtain the
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joint pastoral charge of Rev. J. M. Challis, an arrangement that lasted seven years and was profitable to both churches. Mr. Challis thought that each church ought to have its own pastor and resigned in 1852; characteristic of all of Mr. Challis's pastorates, the churches had grown in all the elements of efficiency. After awhile, Rev. E. D. Fendall followed at Moorestown and was pastor for twelve years, closing his labors at Moorestown in 1864. Succeeding pastors were, Miller Jones, 1864-68; J. E. Bradley. While pastor, the old place of worship was torn down and a larger and better one built and the basement was in use before Pastor Bradley resigned in 1873. Twenty seven members were also dismissed in 1870 to constitute the Fellowship- church. That body dissolved in 1875, the members returning to the mother church. But a mission was made at the chapel in which the Fellowship church had worshiped. J. H. Brittain 1873-82, nine years. Pastor E. McMinn entered on his duties in January 1883. A mission was begun at Mount Laurel in 1883 and another at Hartford in 1886. These included a Sunday school, preaching and devotional meetings. In May 1890, Mr. McMinn surrendered his pastoral charge and was followed by Rev. W. T. S. Lumbar in 1890, who is pastor in 1900.
Moorestown church is indebted for its existence to pastor Sisty of Haddonfield, to whose labors, C. Kain, Jr., added his efficient efforts to perfect the plans of Mr. Sisty. Moorestown has had ten pastors. Mr. Lumbar has been in office ten years to 1900. Two church edifices have been in use. Several have been licensed to preach; of them were C. Kain Jr., two brothers, J. N. and A. H. Folwell; both licensed and ordained at Moorestown. The entire region for a circuit of many miles in the vicinity of Philadelphia has been settled by "Friends" (Quakers). The difference in their ideas of the ordinances and of ours, was a hindrance to our growth in their neighborhood, never- theless, their consent that the only scriptural baptism was a burial in water, put us on a better relation to them than other denominations. Besides, they and we had suffered persecutions as the champions of religious liberty and of equality before the law and of the right to exercise private opinions on any and all subjects and this gave us a hold upon them which they recognized and thus there are but few towns and Quaker strongholds where we do not have strong churches. The writer recalls times in which "Friends" and Baptists were domi- nant in West Jersey. The loss of Hopewell and other schools and the persistence of Presbyterian educational facilities changed the order of past times.
When Moorestown had been equipped for the offices of a church, Haddonfield dismissed eighteen members in May 1843 to form the
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Newton Baptist church. The man, John Sisty, widely known for his helpfulness to young and struggling churches, was pastor at Newton the first year of its life. After him, another of the same stamp, Rev. C. Sexton, in place of waiting for a call, himself called the church. Soon after his settlement the church built a meeting house and reported to the Association of it: "The expenses of which are mostly paid." No doubt there good ministers did their share of this undertaking. Mr. Sisty and these Sextons, originally of Jacobstown church, Charles and Ezekiel, were noble men, counting nothing, given or suffered for Christ loss. They preferred a lowly place with such churches than higher positions They had their reward in the lofty appreciation of their brethren and the memory of him who knew their work, and now they have the dignities which they enjoy "on high." Mr. Sexton was pastor five years, resigning in July 1850. Rev. Mr. Patton followed Mr. Sexton closing his labors in 1854. He supplied the church how- ever, till the end of 1856. The name of the church disappears from the minutes of the Association in 1857. Next year it is stated that the church had disbanded.
Ten members of Haddonfield church in August 1889, were dis- missed to organize a Baptist church at Collingswood .ยท Rev. W. F. Smith became its pastor in May 1890. A neat and commodious house of worship was begun soon after the constitution of the church and was dedicated in October 1890. Pastor Smith resigned in September 1892. Two months later, Rev. G. B. Morse settled as pastor. Again, in 1894, Rev. A. D. Nichols entered the pastorate. In 1899, Rev. J. M. Ashton accepted a call to be pastor and was in office in 1900. Originally, a mission of Hoddonfield church and with a small member- ship, they built a fitting sanctuary and increased ninety-eight mem- bers in two years, sustaining themselves. A creditable record and evincing a courage which justified the movement.
An Afro American church, located in Haddonfield, was instituted in 1892. This body received ample aid to build their meeting house from the first church. Rev. J. P. Gregory became pastor in 1893 and in 1900 was still pastor, seven years. There is a lack in the pub- lished records of Mount Olivet. Enough however, is known to assure confidence in its well being. Its pastor's long settlement is a token for good to himself and to the people of his charge.
A mission of first Haddonfield grew into the Magnolia Baptist church in 1894. The mission Sunday school begun in 1880 under Pastor Young was nurtured until 1891, when a chapel was built at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars. The Magnolia church was organ- ized in 1894, with thirteen members. Rev. T. R. Rowe was pastor
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from then to August 1896, when sickness made a change of pastors necessary. While Mr. Rowe was pastor, the debt on the church edifice was paid. S. R. Wood followed as pastor the same year. Financial burdens were very serious at this time. But the Camden Association gave needful aid to its young churches, effecting thus, the chief aim of Association relationship. Pastor Wood's health failed and he resigned in 1899. Despite adversities, the members of the church increased to fifty-seven and all current expenses were paid.
Haddonfield sent out another colony in two years, which became the Mount Ephraim church. Twenty-three constituents composed it. Previously in 1887, a chapel had been erected. Rev. A. E. Finn was the first pastor, resigning in 1897 and was followed by Mr. D. E. Lewis, who served the church for a year. Then Mr. J. T. Anderson settled in 1899 and was pastor in 1900. Since the organization of the church its membership has doubled and all debts on the property are paid.
This mission was the first established after Mr. Griesemer followed Pastor Young at Haddonfield. Of necessity, the field about Haddon- field had been thoroughly occupied by Mr. Young. Haddon Heights, however, had grown into a populous location. Since Mr. Young had died, a mission Sunday school that had been begun in 1897 and for which a modest meeting house was built in 1898, had prospered. That year, eighteen members were dismissed to constitute a church there. The church has prospered and is growing. The local mem- bership, anticipating increased strength by being an independent church, overcame the objections of Pastor Griesemer to an early church organization. Mr. T. H. Sprague became pastor in 1898 and in 1900 was occupying the place.
CHAPTER XIX.
MEDFORD, VINCENTOWN AND BERLIN.
Of the twenty-three constituents of the Medford church, sixteen came from Marlton; four from Haddonfield; one from Philadelphia, one whom Mr. Sisty had baptized, but had not joined a Baptist church. Mr. Sisty was the first Baptist minister to preach at or near to Med- ford. Mr. Sisty preached in homes and in the summer of 1839, in a grove near Medford. The Medford church was organized on February 25th, 1841. About two years after the meeting in 1841, a house of worship was built. Worthless subscriptions for the building subjected the property to a heavy debt and it was sold by the sheriff. James Logan and Judge Swain, members of Pemberton church, bought the property; by the kindness of these men the church occupied it.
Years after the death of Judge Swain, Mr. Logan met one of the executors of the Judge's estate and asked the executors to join him and to transfer the property to the church. They did and the church received the property entirely free of all incumbrance, these brethren giving both the cost of the property to them as well as the interest of the money they bought it for, until they returned it to the church.
The pastors have been, J. M. Carpenter, 1841-45; jointly with Vincentown; George Sleeper, 1847-49; J. M. Cochran, 1850-52; J. Thorn, 1853-54; T. W. Sheppard supply to 1857; John Todd, 1858-63. Mr. Briant. A colony to form a church went out 1865. Mr. Briant went with the colony. He had been a deacon of Marlton and was ordained when sixty years old and died February 20th 1867, sixty-four years old. Medford was his first pastorate and was an outgrowth of his labors, his second charge. He was a man of real devotion and much beloved. Walter Patton, 1868; W. G. Coulter, 1869; J. M. Craner, 1872-77. In a revival while pastor, many were baptized. L. H. Copeland, 1879; E. K. Bailey, 1880-83; W. F. Smith, ordained in the spring of 1884-86; W. H. Beach, 1886; J. M. Lyons, 1887-90; W. A. Leak, 1890; K. Walling, 1891-95. A lot was bought and a new meeting house built and dedicated in 1894. J. W. Francis, 1896-1900.
Medford has had twenty pastors; one died. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Sleeper and Mr. Briant were very useful at Medford. Mr. Todd had the longest pastorate. One colony went out from Medford. Two houses of worship have been in use at Medford. Latterly, the church has been in financial straits, due to anti-Baptist views. These financial
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difficulties have been removed through the agency of Rev. D. DeWolf, superintendent of missions of the State Convention, chiefly by means of Rev. J. E. R. Folsom, evangelist and Sunday school missionary of the State Convention.
While David and John Brainerd were missionaries to the Dela- ware Indians, a meeting house was built for their worship. The tribe dwindled to two and had no more use for the sanctuary. The people of Vincentown bought it and moved it into the village. Thenceforth, it was known as the "Free Meeting house" and was used by all denom- inations for worship. Pastors of the Pemberton church preached in in more than others. Rev. Alexander McGowan of Pemberton, was the first Baptist to preach in it.
Mr. McGowan ha been introduced to Pemberton by Rev. Peter Wilson of Hightstown; his successors, especially John Rogers, made regular appointments at Vincentown every month. Rev. C. W. Mulford, who followed Mr. Rogers, continued to preach at Vincentown and Baptists gained rapidly, and within a short time a Baptist church became necessary. Accordingly, on September 19th, 1834, twenty- nine members of Pemberton were dismissed to constitute a Baptist church at Vincentown. Soon after its organization, a committee was appointed to build a house of worship, which was duly completed. Mr. Mulford was called to be pastor and so far as he could consistently with his pastoral duties at Pemberton, supplied the church at Vin- centown. After a period of supplies, Rev. William Smith became pastor in 1837, remaining until 1840. Being an eminently good man, he enjoyed universal respect and the church prospered under his ministries. Rev. J. M. Carpenter followed in January 1841, remaining till 1849. Mr. Carpenter had rare gifts as a statistitian and tabulist.
New Jersey owes him a vast amount for his work on these lines. Addi- tional to Vincentown, Mr. Carpenter was the first pastor of Medford Bap- tist church, preaching there on the Lord's Day afternoon. The same year in which he resigned, Pastor J. S. Miller settled in September, remaining till 1855. Mr. Miller was useful not only in promoting spirituality in the church, but of relieving it of debts. Rev. J. Thorn followed Mr. Miller in 1855-70, nearly fifteen years. His only fault, if fault it was, was his extreme modesty and diffidence. A parsonage was bought and the church edifice was repaired and improved. Rev. J. Bray was pastor 1870-72. Mr. F. O. Ekins was ordained and pastor 1873-75. The sympathies of the people went to their old pastor, Rev. James Thorn, whom they recalled and he returned in June 1875. Death closed his earth work in January 20th, 1881. His two pastorates included twenty years. Mr. Thorn was a true man. The succession
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of pastors till 1900 was: T. A. Floyd, 1882-3; A. H. Bliss, 1884-87; H. Hill, 1887-91; W. H. Harrison 1892-94; E. D. Shull, 1894-95; W. H. Harr son, 1895-1900. Mr Harrison was ordained in his first charge in January 1892 and was the second pastor recalled. Both Mr. Thorn and Mr. Harrison indicated that their people preferred good things to new things. Few can know a pastor's experience amid the plodding of farm life and of old people, who if not born tired, grew tired with drudgery or his experience amid the aspirations of youth for school and part in a busy world and who are replied to "I had no larnin' and I have got on; what was good enough for me is good enough for you." Pastors who have been there know the mountains of prejudice and of hindrance, encountered in prevailing in such to adopt ideas of progress. It is a satisfaction that changes are happening in rural districts. Inquiry, contact, schools are having vast fruitage, diffusing culture. In another generation, there will be less change from country to town and clergymen in the country will have audiences of culture and homes of refinement which will afford congenial companionship and an appreciative hearing. Vincentown has had fifteen pastors. Two of them have had a second charge. Vincentown is a colony of Pemberton and has been a great stay to Medford.
Berlin is in Camden county, several miles from the sity of Cam- den. Deacon Chalkley Haines of Marlton church removed to Berlin also Mr. William S. Kain, a member of Marlton church and began a Sunday school in the town hall of Berlin on June 23rd, 1867. The Sunday school numbered sixty one scholars and ten teachers. Deacon Haines was at this time in his ninetieth year. The Sunday school grew and in 1869, an unused Methodist building and lot were bought and paid for.
Pastor Miller Jones of Marlton occasionally preached at Berlin, until in June 1874, the Berlin Baptist church was organized with nineteen constituents under the pastoral care of Rev. A. J. Hires. Deacon Haines was the means of the organization of the Fellowship church in co-operation with Pastor Sisty and C. Kain. When Mr. Hires retired, T. W. Wilkinson, a student, supplied the Berlin church and in 1876, was ordained and became pastor. After a little, illness compelled him to resign in 1881.
Mr. Samuel Hughes, a student ministered with great success until 1884, when his physician warned him of the nearness of his death, and he retired. Loss of pastoral care is rarely made up by the best of supplies; as in married life, so in church life. Rev. Messrs Powell and Raybold did well and much good resulted from their ministries up to 1894. Deacon Coxey of the first Baptist church
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of Camden, added Berlin to the long list of young churches, which he delighted to aid and Mr. Simmonds, a student, was secured. He labored with success for two years. Mr. J. R. Murdock, a student likewise, continued until 1898. Another student, Mr. H. W. Stringer, renewed pastoral labors and in 1899 entered the pastorate.
In 1900, a chapel in West Berlin was dedicated. The old place of worship bought in the beginning, has undergone enlargements and remodelling so thoroughly that it would not be recognized in its originality. Instead of pastors, students have mostly ministered, who young and carnest, have had unusual success in their ministries.
CHAPTER XX.
COLUMBUS AND CHESTERFIELD.
Columbus church was derived from Pemberton Baptist church. Not that Pemberton had members there, nor that Pemberton ex- pended her resources on the field, but that her pastor, C. W. Mulford, saw in the field of which Coulmbus was a center, a section destitute of a ministry that called men to repentance. For Mr. Mulford to see such a need, was to devise ways and means to make up its lack. Pastor L. G. Beck, in his centennial sermon of Pemberton church states, "Brother Mulford bestowed much labor on the Columbus field, laid the foundation of God's visible church and did much in the erection of a house of worship."
An old carpenter shop was the first place of meeting, which those interested fitted up, whose regular service was held once in two weeks. Divine blessing attended the place and the people. Converts were gathered, uniting at Pemberton church. A larger and better place was needed. A lot was secured and a meeting house was built and dedicated. At the end of Mr. Mulford's charge at Pemberton, his labors at Columbus ended. But the Rev. W. D. Hires, pastor at Jacobstown, took up the work and occupied the field, and when Mr. Hires removed from Jacobstown, students from the Burlington school preached and kept up the services. In 1839, Mr. J. C. Dyer, a licentiate of the first Baptist church of Philadelphia, was teaching in Vincentown. He visited and preached in Columbus. After a little, he was ordained. Soon afterwards, he died.
The next spring, in 1840, Rev. William Smith moved to Columbus and was pastor at Jacobstown, preaching at Columbus on alternate weeks. On Ferbuary 25th, 1841, nineteen Baptists met, adopted a covenant and articles of faith and constituted the Baptist church of Columbus. Rev. William Smith supplied the church till March 1845. His service included five years. From the middle of July, Rev. B. N. Leach, pastor at Bordentown, supplied the church for a few months.
Rev. Job Gaskill was the first pastor and gave his whole labors to the church, from April 1846, Mr. Gaskill was well known in that region. His family was an old one and influential and he did not need a salary for his suppor . He had, however, too much religion and concern for the church to preach for nothing. The house of worship was repaired. Mr. Gaskill taking charge of the work, collecting
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COLUMBUS AND CHESTERFIELD
the funds, paid all debts. Two stations were established and two places of worship were built, one at Jobstown and one at Chesterfield. A later writer, speaking of Mr. Gaskill says: "Vigor and strength characterized his ministry. He served the church in every position; was a true friend to succeeding pastors and in him the poor and needy had heart sympathy and the penitent sinner was pointed to "the Lamb of God who taketh the Sin of the World." At the same time, he com- bined honesty and firmness in the discharge of known duties." The writer knew him well. A man of lofty Christian principle. He resigned at Columbus in October 1850 to accept another charge. Ere long, he returned to the old homestead and sent his letter to Columbus church, broken down in health and never preached any more. He was church clerk to the day of his death, April 10th, 1860, only forty-seven years old.
Mr. H. C. Putnam was ordained to be pastor on April 20th, 1851-53. S. Gale, 1854-55; J. M. Lyons, 1856-59; E. C. Ambler, 1859-60; W. H. Jones, ordained 1861 and died December 1862; J. M. Lyons, 1863-65; W. D. Sigfried, 1867-68; G. W. Snyder, 1869-71; W. B. Tolan, 1871-72; a new house and location, H. Wescott, 1873-77; C. A. Babcock, 1877-79; R. Cheney, 1879-85; A. S. Flock, 1885-88; W. L. Wardell, 1889; H. Hill, 1890-93; M. C. Alexander, 1893-96; J. F. Jennings, 1896-97; W. O. Owens, 1898-1900.
The church has had twenty pastors. One member has been licensed to preach. Two sanctuaries have been built, the first by Mr. Mulford long before the church was organized; the second by Rev. H. Wescott in 1872 and dedicated in November 1872. One church has been colonized in 1871, now Chesterfield.
In the summer of 1839, two young ladies, members of the first Baptist church of Philadelphia, Miss Margaret Burtis and Miss Margaret Keen, visited friends in Recklesstown, (now Chesterfield). They were impressed with the lack of the religious activities to which they were accustomed at home, neither Sunday school nor church, only the quiet uniformity of "Friends meeting," consecrated the Lord's day with worship, song and prayer. "Their spirit was stirred within them," as was Paul's in Athens (Acts 17:16) and going from house to house, they gathered the children in a school house for Sunday school. Beside officers and teachers, they began the school with sixty-nine youth. Returning home they took the burden of the Sunday school with them. When returning, to the village, they took with them a student, who, interested the people with expositions of Scripture.
Miss Keen was a daughter of Deacon Joseph Keen of the first Baptist church of Philadelphia and subsequently the wife of Rev. W.
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E. Watkinson, many years pastor of the Hamilton Square Baptist church. Miss Burtis was a companion and intimate friend of the writer's sisters, all members of the first Baptist church of Philadelphia. These families had been under the training of those foremost men of their day, Holcombe and Brantly Sr., pastors of the church, who introduced a new era of Christian activities among Baptists of the North, who were tending to antinomianism. The first Baptist minister on this field in New Jersey, was a son of the first Baptist church in Philadelphia, T. D. Anderson. The Sunday school which these ladies planted was the origin of the Baptist church of Chesterfield. Its scholars founded it.
The trustees appointed a committee of three to build a house of worship. Two of them were ministers, Revs. J. Gaskill and Christian Brinkerhoff. This house was dedicated January 25th, 1848. Baptist interests were well looked after by Mr. Gaskill, until laid aside by illness.
Rev. C, Kain, Jr., pastor at Jacobstown preached occasionally at Chesterfield and in 1867 he had special meeting in the village and baptized one hundred and five converts won in them. Himself, like to Mr. Gaskill and Henry Wescott was not dependent on a salary. But he was an eminently spiritual man. A debt left upon the church edifice, was eventually paid off by the efforts of Rev. J. M. Carpenter in 1865. The Chesterfield Baptist church was organized on January 28th, 1871. Mr. Kain, Jr., seems to have been the first pastor, the Jacobstown church consenting to his preaching at Chesterfieldon the afternoon of the Lord's day, when in September 1871, Rev. A. G. Thomas became pastor of Jacobstown church. He followed Mr. Kain at Chesterfield.
The later succession of pastors was: M. L. Ferris ordained in February 1874-80; L. S. Colburn, 1880-82; R. G. Lamb, 1883-86.
Rev. C. E. Cordo, hearing of the low condition of the church, voluntarily held a series of meetings there with happy results. The need of a pastor was felt and the question of a parsonage was intro- duced by the offer of a lot for it, by Mrs. Bullock of Chesterfield. A parsonage house was built by funds freely offered. These events occurred about 1888-89; A. Millington, 1888-92; A. J. Alexander, ordained September 1893-94; E. M. Ogden, 1895-99. Ill health induced his resignation. The name of the church was changed to that of the town in which it was, about this time. Rev. Mr. Miller, October 1900.
Chesterfield has had the usual experience of rural churches, in the going to centers of business of the younger population. Nine
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pastors have been in charge of the church. Cultured pastors are apt to consent to exchange a small salary that denies education to their children, for a larger one that assures to them their right to the best help for advance in the world and who knows that his wife is breaking down under the hardships of daily toil and of the economy necessary to "make both ends meet." He is called from home at times and is relieved of the trials of home, while the wife endures constantly, the routine of managing to save and of a dark future for the children, for whom she "dies daily" inspired by a mother's love.
Chesterfield, while intimately related to Columbus and to Rev. Mr. Job Gaskill was more really a child of Jacobstown. Fifty-nine members were dismissed from Jacobstown, to constitute it. Rev. Mr. Rue, pastor of Jacobtsown, was the means of building its house of worship and Mr. Kain, another pastor of Jacobstown, was the first pastor of Chesterfield, by the consent of Jacobstown church, to preach there, on the afternoon of the Lord's day. (Thus though Pastor Gaskill of Columbus cared for the young church, Jacobstown is really the mother church.)
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CHAPTER XXI. UPPER FREEHOLD, JACOBSTOWN AND BORDENTOWN
Upper Freehold church is much older in its formal organization than the Holmdel church; still it is younger. At Holmdel, the two first houses of worship and the two first parsonages owned by Middle- town church were built. The first about 1664-5. The debris of the original buildings, lay on the site of the structures for about one hundred years after their decay and after the building of the third house by John Bray in 1705 and of a parsonage in 1825 on the Holmes and Law- rence tracts, which Mr. Bray bought in 1688. ( A descendant of Mr. Bray of the same name showed the writer the original deed made in 1688). Mr. Lawrence selling his in anticipating of removing to Upper Freehold. The first and second meeting houses and the parsonages were on the Holmes tract, facing on the road from Holmdel to Colt's Neck, we thus have a clue to the early days of Pastor Ashton's coming to Holmdel.
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