USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 24
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The names of these women ought to be kept. They were: "Sus- anna Elwell, Catharine Harris, Reuhama Austin, Anna Robinson, Tabitha Mayhew, Mary Nichols, Susanna Garrison, Lovica Elwell, Elizabeth Atkinson, Priscilla Blue, Abigal Joslin, Reuhama Moore and Rachel Brick, Reuhama Moore and Rachel Brick being the only con- stituent members living." The writer recalls that when a resident near Pittsgrove, being told that certain women members at Pittsgrove maintained a weekly female prayer meeting at their homes for fifty years.
Upon the excision of the element of untruth from their midst, a spiritual era set in. The same month in which Mr. Worth and his adherents were excluded, three offered themselves for baptism and ten others followed next month. An administration of the Lord's Supper was enjoyed, the first observance of it in ten years. Mr. Oliver Leonard supplied the church after Mr. Worth's removal for six months and was ordained in June 1811. Up to 1827, the dire influence of the past, hindered spiritual growth. Then William Bacon, M. D., of Salem joined the church and supplied the church till August 1829, when he was ordained and became pastor. Dr. Bacon's coming was Providential. His character of high-toned Christian completeness and cultured intelligence was an unanswerable appeal against the seeds of evil, which Mr. Worth had sown everywhere. In 1831, Dr. Bacon included Woodstown in his field and in 1833, he began the exclusive
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pastorate of Woodstown church, closing in 1833, seven years of labor at Pittsgrove.
Rev. William Pollard settled at Pittsgrove in June 1833. Allusion to "increasing congregations" and an encouraging condition of affairs in the letters of the church to the Association is the only clue to the work of Mr. Pollard, the church records of that time being lost. In October, 1837, Mr. J. S. Eisenbrey was called and ordained that year. He stayed nearly five years, was a true pastor and did much mission work in near by localities, often riding twenty miles into the "Pines." He was a staunch advocate of temperance. His salary was but one hundred dollars and the parsonage farm. He also taught the district school and instructed music classes and was a very busy man. He was not singular in this. Salaries were very small and the fields large. Four or five sermons each week, beside social meetings and many long rides to stations and to visit distant members. Seldom less than three and four sermons on the Lord's Day and a ride of fifteen to twenty miles. Sympathetic and appreciative church members valued these things by their frequent gifts to the larder, the barn and to the family and home. The salary nominally, a pittance was enlarged and the pastor had daily evidence of a kind and thoughtful people. Rev. G. S. Webb said to the writer: "He had noticed that the country pastors always had an ample store laid up for old age."
The time of favor for the Pittsgrove flock came; Rev. Charles Kain, Jr., son of Deacon Charles Kain of Marlton, the father and the son men of noblest worth, settled at Pittsgrove in the spring of 1842. At once, tokens of Divine favor appeared. Old and young had a sudden and great concern for their spiritual welfare. Mr. Kain, Jr., having been ordained in September, scores were baptized. Ere long, a modern and spacious brick sanctuary was built in the place of where the old house stood. Mr. Kain stayed only four or five years, choosing another field where he had previously labored.
In 1847, Mr. W. F. Brown entered as pastor and was ordained. While pastor, a parsonage was built. His stay was only three years Rev. Abel Philbrook followed for three years till February 1854. In May, Rev. Daniel Kelsay became pastor. Mr. Kelsay was the grandson of Robert Kelsay of Cohansie, who began his ministry and was ordained at Pi tsgrove. Like to his grandfather, he was a man of rare worth. Without sentimentalism and clap trap notions, he was wholly indifferent whether his doctrinal views hurt Daniel Kelsay or not. In days when it cost position and repute, he was an Abolitionist and a high toned temperance man. At the Civil War he was on the right side and gave a son and that son gave his life to preserve the Union and to destroy
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slavery. Pittsgrove church prospered under his labors. Many also came into the kingdom of Christ and were added to the church. Three young men were licensed to preach. One of them, his son. Pastor Kelsay held his pastorate ten years, closing it in 1863. As at Mana- hawkin, so at Pittsgrove his service was of great value.
Rev. A. B. Still entered the pastorate in October 1864. Despite his earnest and faithful service, the distractions through the Civil War were serious hindrances. Many converts were a happy fruitage of his labors. From November, 1867, to April, 1871, Rev. Levi Morse ministered as pastor. Within these nearly four years, Mr. Morse preached eight hundred and sixty-six sermons and baptized one hundred converts into the church. The parsonage was much improved and a mission chapel costing two thousand dollars was built at an out station. Having accepted a call elsewhere the church yielded to his removal in August 1871.
Mr. Mott came from the Seminary, was ordained, was pastor till April 1874. The next August, Rev. Morgan Edwards became pastor. Morgan Edwards is a name widely known among Baptists, as even Roger Williams or Obadiah Holmes, Sr. The first Morgan Edwards whose "Materials for Baptist History" are invaluable, was pastor of the first Baptist church in Philadelphia. He has been styled "the Princely Edwards." The Morgan Edwards who settled at Pittsgrove in 1877, was a lineal descendant of Morgan Edwards the historian, and named for him and as "mighty a man in the Scriptures." and as a preacher as any living man. How he ever settled at Pittsgrove is imaginary and was one of his idiosyncrasies of which he had many. The, writer has known him for forty years. He heard him preach for weeks continuously. He has listened to Richard Fuller, W. T. Brantly, Sr., John Hall and others said to have no superiors, but has never heard a greater preacher than M. Edwards, Jr. Mr. Edwards did not stay long at Pittsgrove. The eccentricities characteristic of the man may be a reason. Whatever his peculiarities, he was eminently a godly man, conscientious, benevolent. His company was a charm. Himself and family were often cold and hungry for he emptied his pockets to give to others what himself and his were suffering for.
Rev. L. Morse was recalled to be pastor in 1875 and his second pastorate lasted till 1878. Many were baptized. Extensive improve- ments were made on the church edifice. The old parsonage was sold and another built near the meeting house. Rev. J. J. Reeder became pastor in July 1878. Only pleasant things are said of him and of his work by the church and by those familiar with his pastorate. He resigned about 1881. From then till 1900, six pastors followed. T. G.
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Denchfield, one year; J. W. Taylor, months; C. D. Parker, three years; E. B. Morris, one year; L. Myers, eight years; F. H. Farley, 1897-1900. A new house of worship was built in a better location, under Mr. Myers, which was dedicated in December 1893. The same year the church received a legacy of two thousand dollars.
The constancy of Pittsgrove under great adversities maintaining the truth despite the defection of its pastor and of his purpose to destroy the church. The integrity of thirteen women for ten long, weary years saving the church is memorable and later, one man, Deacon John Combs, for many years, steadied the trembling ark. The writer knew him well. While the many said, "Give it up," he kept right on as if the sun was just rising.
We can scarce realize the difference between the comforts and convenience of our sanctuaries and those in which our ancestors wor- shipped. The cabin home of the new settler with its small and only window, dirt floor, its uncouth attic, access to which was by a rude ladder is no greater contrast to the spacious residence of to-day, with its conveniences of light and heat and furniture and baths, than is the contrast of the comforts and appliances for enjoyable worship that we have, with those of an hundred and more years ago.
Since Pittsgrove was organized, the church has had twenty pastors, of whom, seven have been ordained. Mr. Worth was pastor eighteen years. Mr. Daniel Kelsay, nine years; Mr. Myers, eight years. Three meeting houses have been in use by the church. The first was built in 1742 and was in use one hundred and three years. The second house was built in 1845; the third in 1893 and is now in use. Two parsonages have been built. A house of worship was built at "Old Man's Creek" in 1773. Evincing a purpose to hold for the future the ground they then occupied. These early Baptists were enterprising and did not spare either their money or their labor to build up the Kingdom. They held truths well worth maintaining at the cost of work, persecution and life.
Manahawken is on the southeast shore coast of New Jersey. There stood there an old meeting house, twenty-four feet square, which Morgan Edwards says was built in 1764, on an acre lot, the gift of John Haywood. Mr. Edwards had been misinformed as to the date of the building of the house, for the date of the deed of the lot is August 24th, 1758, and the lot is described as be- ginning at a stake two hundred and sixty-five links northwest from the meeting house, so that the house was there at the date of the deed. It had also been built before the date of the deed. How long before, none can tell. It was a Baptist meeting house built by
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Baptists chiefly by John Haywood. This church edifice was the first house of worship built in Ocean county.
The scarcity of houses for worship made it a convenient center for all denominations. Baptists not having a pastor, enjoyed like other good people hearing the Gospel from ministers of other denom- inations. Quakers, Presbyterians, Methodists and other evangelical people were welcome to it. Thus Baptists answered the repeated assertion of Baptist bigotry and closeness. Baptists thus verified the fact that they had less sectarianism than other professed disciples, insisting as we do, on our fundamental principal, that everyone has a right to think and to speak his opinions and must be his own judge of his conscience.
Mr. Haywood was from Coventry, England. In a letter written by John Brainerd in 1761, he names Mr. Haywood and Randolph as Baptists who entertained ministers of all denominations and that they believed in toleration. Beside (John or James, the name varies in authorities) Haywood, "Benjamin Reuben and Joseph Randolph from Piscataway settled in this neighborhood. They were visited by Rev. Mr. Blackwell in 1764, of Hopewell (?) who preached and baptized five." Four Baptists from Scotch Plains joined the colony about this time and they numbered nine Baptists (ought not this to be nineteen, or, at least, sixteen?). Rev. Benjamin Miller of Scotch Plains visited them and in 1770, constituted them a church. Isaac Stelle of Piscata- way and Peter Wilson of Hightstown, each of these three men accounted the whole world their field. Comprehending in their sympathies and consciousness the needs of lost men for salvation. Nathaniel Jenkins of first Cape May and Robert Kelsay of Cohansie were men of the same kind. Though limited by their field on the peninsula of southern New Jersey, to comparatively narrow surroundings. These however, were well looked after.
Rev. H. Crossley was the first pastor of Manahawken church and settled there in 1774. Next year, Mr. I. Bonnell, a licentiate of the church was called to be pastor and was ordained. He also continued only a year. With his resignation, a cloud overcast the church till 1799. The Association then proposed to drop the name of the church. But a few members of the Association claimed that if Rev. J. P. Peck- worth of Philadelphia could visit them, he might be the means of recovery. He did so, and found only five women members of the church. Not the only instance where a few women saved the life of a church, as at Pittsgrove, Eatontown and others, of whom it could be written: "I know thy works and has borne and hast patience and for my name's sake hast labored and hast not fainted."
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Mr. Peckworth's visits and those of others whom he influenced to go to Manahawken, resulted in the conversion of many who were bap- tized. In the meantime, two of the five women died and could three women constitute a church, was questioned. It was decided, "Yes." In accord with the words of Christ: "Where two or three of you are met, there am I, etc.," The two or three was decided to be enough to constitute a church, Pastor Magowan and Benjamin Hedges of Pem- berton visited the church and at the request of the three sisters, Sarah Perrine, Mary Sprague and Elizabeth Sharp, gave the hand of fellow- ship to twenty persons, who had recently been baptized. In the same year, four more were baptized and the next year, seven were baptized and in 1805, forty-four were baptized and the membership of the church increased to sixty-eight. Mr. Carlisle, a licentiate of Pemberton often visited Manahawken. Rev. Benjamin Hedges of Pemberton is said to have been pastor prior to 1823.
The many gaps in the church records make it impossible to give a consecutive account of the church. Rev. Ezekiel Sexton was pastor 1834-39. He was an efficient pastor, as also a most lovely man. From 1839-40, Rev. Daniel Kelsay was pastor. He was the son of Robert Kelsay of Cohansie. Lacking the brilliant qualities of his father, he was a standard man of rare worth; the longer and better known, the more valued for his integrity and intelligence. While pastor, some sixty to seventy united with the church. A successor writes of him: "He exerted an influence intellectually and religiously on the community which is still felt." Part of this time he was principal of the Public school and sustained the reputation of being one of the best teachers in the country and many were sent from a distance to enjoy the benefit of his instructions. Mr. Kelsay had been at Mr. Aaron's school and had caught some of the incomparable teaching gift of that wonderful man.
The Manahawken church has had twenty-three pastors, two of whom died while pastors. John Todd was licensed to preach, while Mr. Kelsay was pastor and later was ordained. Mr. Todd was one of the most devoted and indefatigable missionaries of the New Jersey Baptist State Convention, travelling on foot from Cape May to Long Branch in the "Pines" carrying the lamp of life to thousands, who but for him would not have known the way of life. After Mr. Kelsay, other pastors were: L. S. Griswold, Rev. Mr. Philbrook, James Thorn, J. Perry, A. H. Folwell, S. Semour, A. H. Folwell, second charge; E. S. Browe, C. A. Mott, C. P. DeCamp, E. L. Stager, who died in the third year of his pastorate. J. F. Bender, W. H. Eldridge, under whom a parsonage was bought; W. N. Walden, who died in 1893 in the ninth
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year of his pastorate; G. C. Horter, G. C. Ewart, E. F. Partridge, H. Stager, 1900.
The small salary accounts for most of these changes. Manahawkin is an isolated field. Distant from business centers and until a "resort by the sea," will not have a large population. Still such churches give the Ganos, Peter Wilson, Benjamin Miller, Kelsays and South- worths to our churches and are the mountain springs which thousands of miles inland, nourish the oceans.
The large share which some of our oldest churches have had in this distant locality is noteworthy. Piscataway and Scotch Plains con- tributed a majority of the constituents and Pastor Miller was its voucher. Pemberton also came to its aid in the days of extremity. Its Pastor Magowan did anew the service Pastor Miller had rendered. Of the first meeting house we had an account. It was a memorial of a good man, the lone Baptist, who did "what he could" for Christ and for his adopted country. When it had fallen into decay, Rev. C. W. Mulford, pastor at Pemberton, was principally instrumental in having a second house of worship built. Another instance of the worth of that good man to coming generations. The third house of worship, now in use, was begun under Pastor A. H. Folwell in 1865, and was completed in 1867, the first year of Mr. Browe's service.
When in 1876, fifty-eight members were dismissed to form the West Creek church under Pastor C. A. Mott; they say referring to the organization of that body: "We have transferred to them the church property there." That property was an old Methodist church edifice. bought and repaired, through Dr. T. T. Price of Tuckerton. In the winter of 1875-6, sixty-nine converts had been baptized at West Creek, These were constituted the West Creek church and joined Manahawkin church as being the nearest Baptist church.
To have sent John Todd on his mission of love to the destitute in the "Pines" justified the one hundred and thirty years of struggling church life and the early attempt of Mr. Haywood to minister the word of life, and built a house of worship, nearly two hundred years since, compensated a thousand fold for the costs of maintaining the church. The constituents of West Creek church, though dismissed from Manahawkin church, very rarely worshipped at Manahawken, the link to Manahawkin was exclusively the pastor, Mr. Mott, who preached at West Creek on the afternoon of the Lord's Day.
CHAPTER XXIV.
KEYPORT AND MATAWAN.
Keyport is on the shore of the Raritan Bay in Monmouth county, six miles from Middletown village. At the time of the organization of the Baptist church, in 1840, it was a small village of late origin. The pastors of Middletown, Holmdel and Jacksonville had appoint- ments there for several years before the Baptist church was formed. Thus Baptists increased until their number justified an organization of a Baptist church. Rev. J. M. Carpenter of Jacksonville, first made a regular appointment. Mr. S. Sproul, a licentiate of Middletown, a resident at Keyport was active in maintaining social devotional meetings there. Providentially, Rev. F. Ketchum, an evangelist came to Middletown. Hundreds of converts were a result of the meeting.
A proposal to found a branch at Keyport was rejected and a Baptist church of eleven constituents was organized in August 1840. On the same day, Mr. Ketchum baptized twelve converts into its fellowship. The Board of the State Convention appointed Mr. Jackson Smith, a licentiate of Middletown church its missionary at Keyport. Mr. Smith gave up the field and in February 1841, the Board was asked to appoint Mr. William V. Wilson to Keyport. They did so. Mr. Wilson was ordained in May 1841. Rev. Mr. Wilson has lived and his ministry has been exclusively in Monmouth county, New Jersey, where he has been pastor of three Baptist churches, Keyport, Navesink and Port Monmouth, closing his pastoral work January 1, 1892, of fifty-one years, being past his eightieth year and pastor of the third church to which he ministered thirty-eight years. These fifty years of pastoral labor within so narrow a circuit is an indication of the worth of the man and of his influence. Himself financially able, churches, missions and education were quietly uplifted from depths.
A meeting house was built at Keyport the first year of Mr. Wilson's pastorate. Originally, Keyport church had been constituted as the third church of Middletown. Holmdel being the second Middletown. But in 1850, the name was changed to first Baptist church of Keyport. Soon after settling at Keyport, Pastor Wilson made a regular appoint- ment at Middletown point, (now Matawan). He also administered the Lord's Supper in school houses for the convenience of the Baptists scattered in the (now Marlboro township). In 1850, Mr. Wilson
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secured the crection of a very neat and commodius house of worship in Matawan. Mr. Wilson resigned in August 1853, after being pastor more than twelve years. The growth of the church had been constant and the increase was such that a larger and better church edifice was necessary and measures were taken to build it.
In June 1854, Rev. J. Q. Adams entered the pastorate. In little more than a year, he gave up his charge. Mr. Wilson was called but declined to return. After a long interval in the pastorate, Rev. F. A. Slater accepted the pastoral charge in the latter part of 1856. The resignation of Mr. Wilson delayed the plans for a new house of worship, but earnest plans were adopted at the coming of Mr. Slater and the mecting house was nearly finished when he resigned in 1862. Next December, Rev. A. P. Greaves became pastor; the new church edifice was dedicated while he was ministering to the church. His resignation took effect in 1864.
On the next June 1865, Rev. F. F. Cailhopper was called and soon after settled as pastor. His stay was but four years. A long interval occurred in the pastoral office and the church prospered as much as the conditions allowed. Rev. J. K. Manning entered the pastorate in October, 1870; held the longest pastoral charge the church enjoyed. Resigning in 1883, about thirteen years. The succession of pastors since has been: S. K. Dexter, 1883-89; J. D. Crumley, 1890-99. Up to 1900, the church has had nine pastors, two of whom remained twelve and more years each. Several members have been licensed to preach. The church has not been disturbed with discord. Deacon Thomas Burrowes has been an efficient co-worker with the church and the pastors. Equally active in all missions in the vicintiy of the church and the Association missions. One church, Matawan has been colonized from Keyport church.
Although Matawan Baptist church is closely related to Keyport Baptist church, Baptist interests there antidated the beginnings of Baptist movements at Keyport. Before 1830, Pastor Roberts of first Middletown church preached in the house of Mrs. Elizabeth Bent at Matawan. Pastors J. M. Carpenter and J. Goble of Jacksonville also, preached in Matawan. Mr. Carpenter lived in Matawan two years. Rev. William V. Wilson, while pastor at Keyport preached regularly at Matawan for nearly nine years. Converts there were baptized into the membership of Keyport church. Of the thirty-two Baptists who constituted the Matawan Baptist church on October 22nd, 1850, twenty were from Keyport and a church cdifice was built for them by Pastor Wilson of Keyport the same year. It would not surprise those who know Mr. Wilson if they learned that he was the largest donor for its cost.
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The Matawan church chose Rev. Job Gaskill of Columbus for their pastor. Mr. Gaskill was a missionary of the Board of the State Convention at work about Matawan. Mr. Gaskill was one of the most devotedly godly men and Mrs. Gaskill one of the most active and earnest among Christian women. Both of them had ample private means and relieved the church of wholly caring for them. Mr. Gaskill was a very frail man, though he had immense courage. Only a few months sufficed to lay him aside and he was compelled to return home Additions to the church greatly strengthened it. Mr. D. F. Twiss followed as pastor. But like to his predecessor, he was very frail. Sad afflictions befell him. Death claimed his four children. Disease preyed upon his companion and hemhorrages warned him of his own early death and in October 1853, he resigned to the grief of the church and community. He died June 30th, 1857, and entered into his re- ward.
In June 1854, Rev. J. W. Crumb became pastor. For four years he wholly served the chrurch. In the last year of his charge a great calamity befell the church: their church edifice was burned in February 1858. The insurance policy had expired days before and the loss was total. The loss of the pastor and the burning of their house of wor- ship was a concurrence of disappointments, nearly fatal to the church. But a conference of neighboring pastors pledged them help in their need. Pastor Crumb closed his labors at Matawan in May, 1858. A hall was rented and a "permanent supply" obtained. Pastor Slater of Keyport assured them of an afternoon Lord's Day service till they had a pastor.
Rev. J. E. Barnes settled as pastor in November 1859, remaining two and more years. These years had ample returns. Large con- gregations waited on his ministry and his executive gifts wrought to complete a new house of worship. A graduate, Mr. R. G. Farley, came within a year and was ordained. In the next four years, their new church edifice was paid for. The hardships of short and new pastorships and of the fire, caused a decline of the membership and of the financial and spiritual strength. However, Rev. F. A. Slater entered the pastorate in October 1866. In a few years, harvests of converts and renewed vigor confirmed the choice of the pastor. Mr. Slater was pastor for twenty-three years. Resigning in September 1889, on account of increasing infirmities, suffered several years since in a railroad accident.
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