USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 29
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MORRISTOWN
growth of the church and to the incerased population of the town and country. The place was dedicated in November, 1893. "The little one had become a thousand." Mr. Thompson closed his labors at Morristown in February, 1895, and was followed that year by S. Z. Batten.
Lessons of moment occur in the record of Morristown church. One, the ill effects of short pastorates. Another, the malaria of anti- nomianism. A third, the cheer of those who wait and have faith in God. A fourth the power of the individual for good. Ezekiel Howell and his son Edward are instances. What if the Morristown had been swept from its mooring on the Gospel by anti-nomianism! What if it had gone to a village four miles away from the center of population and business!
The year in which "the Gobels built at their own expense" the first meeting house is not known. The second in Morristown unnder Mr. Walton was dedicated in May, 1771. The third was built in Pastor Turton's charge in 1845. This building underwent several enlargements and improvements. The first house may have cost several hundred of dollars. The last edifice cost sixty -six thousand dollars and this was the measure of growth and of increase. Three pastors were mem- bers of the church, licensed and ordained at its call, Tompkins, Walton and Trott. Four pastors closed their ministry at death. One pastor had a second pastorate.
Rev. J. M. Carpenter gave to me the accompanying facts, which he caused to be published after Mr. Ford had died. I have the original letter of Mr. Welsh, which he wrote to Mr. Carpenter, containing facts as published. Mr. Ford was a resident of Morris county, and therefore the statement is made in connection with the Morristown church; also the obituary notice of Mr. Ford.
BAPTISM OF A PRESBYTERIAN PASTOR .- In one of the papers of Newark, N. J., there appeared some months ago an appre- ciative article upon the talents and worth of Rev. John Ford, for many years pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Parsipany, N. J. He was a man of abundant labor, of original genius, an intense student of Scripture, perfectly familiar with the inspired originals, and a profound theologian.
The circumstances of his baptism are related in a letter to Rev. J. M. Carpenter from the administrator, Rev. James E. Welch, now of Missouri.
He says As agent of the American Sunday-school Union I preach- ed at Boonton and Parsipany in November, 1839, and spent the even- ing with Bro. Ford. At family worship he read his Greek Testament
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with such facility, that I said to him, "Why, Brother Ford, you seem to understand the Greek language thoroughly," He answered, "Yes, I think I understand it as well as I do my own tongue."
"Well, Brother P., I believe you are a candid man, and will you allow me to ask you what you regard as the primary meaning of Baptizo?"
Said he, "It means to dip-to immerse, and nothing else."
"How do you reconcile your convictions with your practice of sprink- ling children?"
"Oh, I have not baptised any children for years. When I learned any were expected for baptism, I made it a rule to change pulpits with some neighboring pastor, and get him to do the baptizing; and, Brother Welch, I have longed for an opportunity to get some Baptist brother to baptize me privately."
"Why, my brother, I could not consent to do that 'as in a corner.' "
"Then, had you been in Philip's place you would not have baptized the Eunuch?"
"Yes I would; were I traveling in the mountains and fell in company with a stranger who should tell me his Christian experience, and con- vince me that he was a converted man, and demand baptism, I would baptize him; but I would not sneak into the mountain for the purpose of doing it privately."
On Saturday morning, November 17, 1839, I left his house for the purpose of meeting my appointment at Whippany and Hanover, when he said to me, "I believe I will ride with you a few miles, as I wish to go to the shoemaker's," without intimating to me any expectation of being baptized. After we had rode a few miles we came to a stream of water. He looked me fully in the face and said. "See, here is water. What doth hinder me from being baptized? 'And I demand baptism at your hands."
"Well, I'll carry out my creed; I'll baptize you."
"But Brother W., I hope you won't say anything about it."
"I can make no promises; like as not I shall tell it."
"I leave it to your Christian kindness not to speak of it for a season at least."
"We alighted, and in preparing I found that he had an under pair of pants and shirt on. I rolled up my pants and shirt sleeves as far as I could, and into the water we went, and I baptized him."
After a time the transaction became known, there was a stir in the congregation and the Presbytery, but he continued in the same pastor- ate until over seventy years of age, when, according to a long settled purpose he resigned. His name is a household word, and his memory is cherished by many who knew him.
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The incident is thought worthy of record among the materials of New Jersey Baptist History.
Mr Carpenter writes, "I communicated the baptism to The National Baptist (Philadelphia) July, 1876."
REV. JOHN FORD OF PARSIPANY .- This venerable octo- genarian died on the evening of the 31st ult., and deserves more than a passing notice. He was a native of Morris county. He entered Princeton College, as we have been told, in the Senior year, and was regarded as the first in his class. He was graduated in 1812 with the second honor, missing the first because of his recent connection with the college. A few years after this he was installed pastor of the Presbyterian church of Parsipany, and remained in that position until he was seventy years of age, when according to a purpose, long before made, he retired from that pulpit. His mind was as vigorous at his resignation as it ever was, and he at once began to preach wherever there was an opening. His labors through life and until he was eighty years old were very abundant. It was for years his custom to preach four times each Sabbath, and occasion- ally five, at points widely distant. He was a rare scholar, having made great proficiency in the classical languages, as also in the French and Hebrew. When past seventy years of age he studied German with great interest and success. With the Scriptures in the original tongues he was very familiar, reading and quoting both Hebrew and Greek Testaments with entire ease. He was also a mathematician of no mean attainments.
He was a man of original genius often dashing away from the beaten track and delighting his hearers with new and brilliant thoughts. An intense student of the Holy Scriptures and of the Science of Theology, and at the same time not hampered with the manuscript in the pulpit, he often soared into the higher regions of true eloquence. He was a man of tender affections. There was no kindlier heart than his among all the contemporaries, who with him illumined the pulpits of New Jersey during the first half of the present century. His sympathies were as quick and responsive as those of children and they knew no abatement even down to old age. He was a remarkable man, a scholar, a preacher, a theologian, a Christian man, whose decease, although occurring when he was in his eighty-sixth year, will cause many hearts to feel sad. He did a great work and he did it well.
--- Sentinel of Freedom, of Newark, January 7, 1873.
On the twenty-ninth of October, 1767, eighteen Baptists (ten wom- en and eight men) were dismissed from Scotch Plains church to consti- ยท tute themselves the Mount Bethel Baptist church, Somerset county.
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These Baptists, Morgan Edwards states, "Members of Scotch Plains had settled here in early times." A meeting house had been built in 1761. Their genealogical relation to Piscataway and Scotch Plains is indicated by their names. Of them many were Suttons. The house of worship was moved in 1768 to a plot the joint gift of George Cooper, William Alward and Benjamin Euyart. Mr. Edwards continues: In "twenty-two years the church hath increased from eighteen to one hundred and one" adding, "It has been a nursery of ministers: Rev. Messrs. William Worth, Abner and James Sutton sprang up here." The extraordinary revival in 1786 began here and spread to neighboring churches. Pastors of Piscataway and Scotch Plains preached here very early. In truth, the early settlers here abouts were Piscataway and Scotch Plains people.
Rev. H. Crossley was the first pastor for two years; having removed and served another church, Mr. Crossley returned to Mount Bethel. Of the length of his stay in his second charge, we have no data. His successor was Rev. Abner Sutton. Mr. Sutton was a constituent of the church and was ordained in January, 1775. Mr. Edwards says of him: "He was a solid divine. The Sutton family were remarkable for producing ministers. There are five of the Suttons now extant, viz., Isaac, John, David, James and Abner. Their progenitor, William Sutton was one of the first settlers of Piscataway. He is mentioned in the town book as early as 1682." Again there is no data from which to know how long Mr. Sutton stayed at Mount Bethel. Pastor in other churches, he returned to Mount Bethel; died young, but forty-nine years old on Februray 26th, 1791. A great work of grace occured at Mount Bethel under his labors in 1786. Seventy-six were baptized that year. Considering the sparseness of the population, this was a great many. Still pastor in 1786, his pastorate must have been many years. Possibly his death terminated both his life and his pastorate.
J. Fritz Randolph followed Mr. Sutton and was ordained in 1791. Mr. Randolph had been licensed and baptized at Scotch Plains, where he was a deacon also. Mr. Randolph was a pre-eminently useful man. His remarkable career of blessing is written in connection with the histories of Samptown and First Plainfield of both of which he was the first pastor. Mr. Randolph stayed at Mount Bethel three years, accepting a call to Samptown his native place in the fall of 1793.
A succession of pastors was: L. Lathrop, 1794-1805; John Ellis, 1805-13; when a vacancy of three years occured; Mr. Elliott, 1816-18; J. Watson, 1818-26; M. R. Cox (ordained in 1827), 1827-48; E. C. Am- bler, 1849-1851.
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MOUNT BETHEL AND MILLINGTON
In the winter of 1850-51, a remarkable work of grace developed. Mr. Ambler baptized one hundred and fourteen into the membership of the church. Mount Bethel is isolated and a rural church. Distant from a large town, almost a mountainous region and this was an amaz- ing work. In May, 1851, eighty members were dismissed to found a church at Millington, and having set their house in order called Pastor Ambler, who accepted the call. However, Mount Bethel church, in December, 1851, called Mr. Timberman and he was ordained in Jan- uary, 1852. But Mr. Timberman closed his work the next year. Rev. T. H. Haynes settled in 1855, remaining till 1859. Several "supplies" ministered at Mount Bethel and a joint pastorate with Millington church filled up a period of many years till 1900. The location of Mount Bethel does not justify the expectation of a large congregation. There have been marked seasons of revival and refreshing. Such churches must be cared for by the stronger churches and the waste places supplied with means of grace. Mount Bethel has had sixteen pastors. Mr. Cox was pastor twenty-one years, and Mr. Gibb, the present pastor, is in his twenty-ninth year (in 1900). An early rule was that one member should not sue another without notifying the church of the facts. Another imposed displine for the neglect of the monthly meetings. At first the church edifice was located near Plainfield on the land of Captain Dunn. But later was removed to a more central site. The life of the church has been peaceful. Independence implies the right of private opinion and yet means the best plans and various ideas of policy and plan does not imply intolerance, but the cheerful assent of a minority. Thus it is that congregational churches have more concord and harmony than hierarchical forms of government.
Nine members of Mount Bethel have been licensed to preach. If Mr. Carpenter's tables are correct, five hundred and fifty-seven have been baptized into the church. It may be that the mission of the Mount Bethel church may be to feed the city and town churches, not alone to keep them alive, but to make them efficient and benevolent.
The Millington Baptist Church was constituted with eighty mem- bers dismissed from Mount Bethel Baptist Church in May, 1851. Rev. E. C. Ambler being pastor. Millington is in Somerset county, near to the line of Morris county. Among those dismissed from Mount Bethel were seven Stelles, seven Runyons, seven Dunns, six Smalleys, and three Randolphs. These names link these people to Piscataway. The first meeting house built for use of Mount Bethel Church was on land of Captain Dunn, about three miles from Plainfield. Their Baptist faith and religious convictions have come down to present generations.
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Rev. E. C. Ambler, pastor of Mount Bethel Church when Milling- ton Church was formed, was the first pastor of Millington Church. Immediately after its organization he was called to be pastor and en- tered on its charge in May, 1851. Next year a house of worship was was begun and dedicated. Mr. Ambler resigned at Millington in 1855 and was followed the same year by Rev. A. Hopper, serving as pastor till 1865. In 1858 a special work of grace was enjoyed. The venerable and beloved Z. Grenelle became pastor in April, 1865, continuing until January, 1871.
After him Rev. P. Gibb settled as pastor, in 1871, and was pastor in 1900-twenty-nine years. Affairs have moved on kindly and usefully in these twenty-nine years. Seasons of revival have been enjoyed, needful improvements to the house of worship made and a parsonage built.
CHAPTER XXIX.
ELIZABETH CHURCHES
At a meeting in Elizabeth on June fifth, 1843, fifteen members of the Baptist Churches of Scotch Plains, Mount Bethel and Rahway assembled and constituted themselves the First Baptist Church of Eli- zabeth. Elkanah Drake, a member of Mount Bethel church, was the first Baptist resident in Elizabeth, who gathered Baptists into the town into a distinctively Baptist meeting, having in mind the organi- zation of a Baptist Church.
Mr. Drake was one of those men, who impelled with the love of God and of his truth do not wait for some others to develop Baptist interests. Such experiences are an inspiration to seek out those of a like faith and to devise "ways and means" whereby they can establish their convic- tions of truth and duty. These Baptists met in a "select school room" on Union Street. Rev. John Wivill is believed to have preached at their first meeting to a congregation of seven or eight persons. When a church had been formed, the congregation numbered from twelve to twenty individuals, and these engaged "supplies" for regular worship. Steps were taken to obtain a place in which to meet. Eventually the "select school room" property was bought and reconstructed for a place of worship and was dedicated in 1843.
These Baptists do not seem to have been of the waiting sort. Al- ready, Rev. C. Cox, Jr., was called and ordained in 1844, to serve as pastor. He continued one year, in which the membership of the church was doubled. Rev. E. Conover followed for a year, being predisposed to Arminianism his minisry was unacceptable, Mr. Tibbals, a licentiate succeeded. He became antinomian and was as uncon- genial as his predecessor. These people knew the difference of arminianism and antinomianism and did not accept the teachings of the pulpit nor were led by their minister hither and thither. It has been truc of Baptist churches that they know New Testament truth and accept it, but repudiate tradition and personal conviction, certain that Christ and His truth are of more worth than human opinions.
A safe, patient and good man, a Baptist, became pastor in 1848, and remained to 1850. Financial arrearages were paid; unity was realized, and wholesome influences were exerted and Mr. Turton's oversight was a period of growth in the elements of strength. Rev. J. H. Waterbury settled in March, 1850, and was pastor till 1855. Ill
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with a sickness that laid him aside from his pastoral duties he resigned. But the church hopeful of his recovery, declined to accept it and retain- ed him as pastor till his death in January, 1855. Previous to his illness Mr. Waterbury bought and paid for lots in a central location on which to build a larger and more suitable meeting house. His sickness, how- ever, broke up the plans which had been arranged for with the Board of the New Jersey Baptist State Convention and they were laid aside.
By an arrangement with the Lyons Farms church, First Elizabeth united with that church in a joint pastorate of Rev. T. S. Rogers. This arrangement lasted two years and was marked by financial straits and discord, so much so that propositions of disbanding in Elizabeth were entertained. Rev. I. N. Hill entered the pastoral office in June, 1857, Premonitions of a harvest in the winter of 1857-8 cheered all and dc- ferred action growing out of former fears. Christians of different names sympathised with each other in concerted plans. There was not a suggestion of the surrender of denominational convictions, but a mutual concession of the integrity of the views of each by the others and thus there was concert and mutual helpfulness, Mr. Hill became pastor at this time. Amid large and strong churches of different Christian names they gave welcome and co-operation and words of cheer for the new pastor and the disheartened Baptists. The Second Presbyterian Church offered the free use of their lecture room in the center of the town, to Baptists for their meetings and they shared in the universal revival interest. Several were added to the Baptist Church. Spirit- ual sunshine and refreshing showers of grace gladdened it. Later, a spacious lecture room was built and a house remodeled for a parsonage, etc., on the lots Mr. Waterbury had bought.
After two years of sucessful labor, Mr. Hill resigned and was suc- ceeded by Rev. G. W. Clark in 1859, who was pastor for nine years. Despite the revival and the refreshing of the former years, affairs were uninviting. A debt had been incurred by the erection of the chapel and parsonage of nearly their cost, besides the parsonage was a small and indifferent building. In fact the outlook of the church was dis- couraging. The President of the convention advised Mr. Clark not to settle in Elizabeth because the church was at an adverse crisis. Nevertheless, he did become pastor. In his charge the membership increased, the debt was paid and the first general revival the church had known was enjoyed. A mission was established at Elizabethport in 1862, where weekly social meetings and later in 1877, Lords day after- noon preaching was established. The Broad Street Baptist Church was constituted in 1866 of forty-eight members dismissed from the Firrt Elizabeth church. Pastor Clark resigned in 1869. Under his
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pastorate, Baptist interests in Elizabeth were put on a firm foundation.
Rev. T. A. K. Gessler took pastoral charge of First Elizabeth in 1869, continuing until 1880. A larger and better church edifice had become a necessity. The position and influence of the church had for a long time been impaired by lack of a house of worship, corresponding to those of other denominations and becoming the city in which the church was located. Through the offer of Deacon Amory of the grounds and of a generous subscription for its building, a church edifice was built costing scores of thousands of dollars, nearly half of which was a debt, imperiling the property and a bar to the prosperity of the church. The location, in a suburb, was a mistake. The congregation was virtually ostracised. The house was dedicated in January, 1872. In 1871, thirteen were dismissed to constitute the Elizabethport Church. The mission had been established by Pastor Clark in 1862, and a Sunday School later by Mr. Peter Amory.
After Mr. Gessler resigned Rev. J. C. Allen settled in February, 1880. In his second year the entire debt, forty-five thousand dollars, was paid, indicating the great change that had come in the financial resources of the church. Having served the church nearly six years, to its satisfaction and profit, Mr. Allen closed his labors in Elizabeth in 1886.
The same year in which Mr. Allen resigned, Rev. C. H. Jones entered on the pastoral duties. In three years he retired from the pastorate and within a short time Rev. W. H. Shermer held the pastoral office. He also gave up his charge at the end of three years. In April, 1894, Rev. W, E. Staub accepted a call to be pastor and is now (1900) serving in the office.
Thirteen pastors have ministered to the church. The longest charge was ten years, another nine years. Two were errative in doctrine, and one, while he may be blameless for a temper with which he was born, was thereby disqualified for the largest usefulness. Three church edifices have been in use. A property remodeled for its use; second, one built in 1858 and a parsonage; third, that now in use. Three churches have been colonized from the home body: Broad Street in 1866, with forty-eight membership; Elizabethport, in 1874, with thir- teen members. This body was known as East Elizabeth. Central Elizabeth was constituted in 1877. Its relationship is, however, indefinite. Central Elizabeth being composed of the debris of the Broad Street Church, when it was scattered, and some other Baptists living in the city. The original elements of the Central Church were really and truly Baptists, men and women to whom misfortune had come, entirely independent of their personality or relationship.
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NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
The rail roads from NewYork City in New Jersey brought the families and business men in large numbers to the towns and villages within reasonable access of business in the city. Some of them had accumulated fortunes; a sudden revulsion, lost as quickly as made the wealth that had been gained. Elizabeth shared in the gains and losses of the other localities to which families came. Various denominations had their proportion of these migrations. The Broad Street Baptist Church originated with such influences. Men with sudden large wealth part with it easily and for schemes that appeal unexpectedly and has a promise of ample returns, the more so, if being good men they seek opportunity to do good.
The First Baptist Church was said to be "slow." It may be their experience had taught them its value. Forty-eight of their members caught the infection of "push," not having as yet learned that motion is not progress. Receiving letters of dismission they organized the Broad Street Baptist Church. A brother doing business in New York identified himself with them and gave choice lots and a house of worship which with its grounds claimed to have cost one hundred thousand dollars was built. Other expenses corresponding were also incurred. For a time money was as in Solomon's day when "the King made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones." Ere long the straits came, mort- gages were put on the property, and the end soon came. A Baptist in Newark bought the proprety to hold it for the church for redemption. But that time did not come and it was traded for some cheap church properties.
In 1867, Rev. D. H. Miller became pastor of Broad Street Church and was such to April, 1872. On the next October, Rev. H. M. Gall- aher was thrust under the load. His call was a dernier resort. It was hoped that his peculiar pulpit gifts could command financial resources. Temporary relief justified the hope, but with his retirement in 1876, the end came and in 1877 the church disbanded.
In the order of age or beginnings, Elizabethport is entitled to be considered. But as inasmuch as "Central Eilzabeth" inherits a kind of succession to Broad Street probably it may follow with its history. There is some confusion of dates, when Broad Street was disbanded. It was not represented in the Association after 1872 and it is supposed to have had a nominal existence until about the time of the organzia- tion of the Central Church, in 1877.
Elizabethport mission was begun in 1862 by the First Baptist Church, while Rev. G. W. Clark was its pastor. Deacon Peter B. Amory of the First Elizabeth Baptist Church in 1870 built a chapel there in memory of his daughter. For this reason the chapel was called
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ELIZABETHPORT AND CENTRAL ELIZABETH
the memorial chapel. Deacon Amory before his death had been snared in a financial panic that involved his estate including the chapel, so that it had to be redeemed at nearly its original cost.
In 1872, a renaming or reorganization occured in which members of Elizabethport Church took part, involving confusion of dates and of organizations and obscurity overhangs Baptist movements in Eliza- bethport. Rev. H. W. Jones became pastor, and accomplished happy results, retiring from the field in 1876. The church edifice proved too small to meet the needs of the congregations and the membership increased from thirty-six to one hundred and fifty-six. Within a year W. H. Marshall settled as pastor. On account of the death of Mr. Amory in 1878 and the nontransfer of the "deed" of the chapel property to the church, serious trouble arose and marked changes occured.
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