USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 31
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An inkling of the ideas of those days in this record is that these seven say that they have obtained "liberty of that church." We would hardly ask "liberty" to do a good thing. The liberty to do for Christ is conceded as an inalienable right of every disciple. A most commend- able feature of the above asking was liberty to attend the mission ser- vice at "all times" and thus avoid the appearance of harming the mother church by absence from its worship, save at its communion seasons. These seven disciples had a clear sense of both their obligation to the church of which they were members, as well also to the locality where they lived. Evidently they were of the right stock to lay found- ations.
There was nothing to encourage them in the religious predilections of Newark. It had been settled by a colony of Connecticut Congrega- tionalists, whose anti-Baptist views had expression of the intollerance of New England Puritans. The proprietors of Newark patent resolved that "none should be admitted freemen or free burgesses save such as were members of one or the other of the Congregational churches." And they determined as a fundamental agreement and order that "any who might differ in religion from them and who would not keep their views to themselves, should be compelled to leave the place."
The Presbyterians by 1801 had supplanted the Congregationalists and got possession of their properties. They did not like Baptists more than the Puritans. A leader among them said in 1644: "Of all heretics and schismatics the American Baptists ought to be most carefully looked
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unto and severely punished, if not utterly extermininated and banished out of the church and Kingdom." (Cramp's Baptist History, page 306.) The prosepct was not cheering to the seven Baptists proposing to plant a Baptist Church in Newark. However, Baptists had secured a guarantee of civil and religious liberty in the Constitution of the United States that made it safe for Baptists even in Newark. These seven Baptists hired a school house for one year, agreeing to repair the plastering and finish painting "ye gable end," as compensation for the use of the building. In June, 1801, two women, Joanna Grummon and Phoebe Hadden joined to the seven and these nine constituted the First Baptist Church of Newark. The growing town implied increase not only from nearby churches, but by converts. Added numbers and corresponding strength forced upon the church the necessity of a meeting house. Lots were bought in 1805 and in September, 1806, a house of worship was dedicated.
Rev. Charles Lahatt supplied the church soon after its organiza- tion. In 1802, he was called to be pastor, remaining until 1806, having the confidence of the church and a happy pastorate. "Supplies" ministered until March, 1808, when Rev. P. Thurston became pastor. Under his charge numbers of converts were added to the church. Rev. Daniel Sharp settled as pastor and was ordained on April 9th, 1809. His oversight continued two years and more. A larger house of worship was built while Mr. Sharp was pastor and his pastorate was shortened by dissentions on account of which he resigned. With his removal, the troubles developed very seriously and in the next two years the church was brought to a low estate by factional differences. In 1812, Rev. John Lamb was chosen pastor and for a year had very little of a "lamb-like" experience.
In 1814, Rev. David Jones entered the pastorate. His coming was a benediction to the church. Harmony was restored, converts were multiplied and the membership was increased. The seven years of his charge was a period of loving and prosperous service. Mr. Jones is more widely known by his pastorate of Lower Dublin ( Penepack ) Church, near Philadelphia, and the high place he had in the councils of the denomination. His successor for two years was Rev. D. Putman and after him for six months, Rev. E. Loomis.
Trouble and sorrow again befell the church. The causes of its adversities have not wisely been made public. Larger towns then as now absorbed the disorderiy element in the churches. Baptists emi- grated to America unfamiliar to our ways and quite naturally suggested their ways as an improvement and with a persistence that involved trouble. Their ideas of religious liberties also were very crude. To
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many it meant license to have their own way and a limitation of their liberty to do and to teach their notions was accounted an infringement of their "rights," ignorant that "rights" had their limitations of truth duty and honor.
That day was also an era of change. Antinomians and Armi- nians were each in search for a crevice in which to get hold. Missions, Sunday Schools, temperance, education and religious activities inspired opposing parties with great concern for the glory of God and the welfare of the church. Few of our churches but have had these contending elements in either country towns and cities,. Of necessity, therefore, they were brought face to face with sharp disagreements. It is a sur- prise not that so many of our churches had troubles, but that so few had and that when they arose, they were so quickly removed.
Two years passed ere another pastor settled. In 1828, Rev. J. S. C. P. Frey was ordained to the pastorate. He remained two years. Mr. Frey had become a Christian among Pedo Baptists. but the New Testament made him a Baptist. He published a book on baptism in 1829. In its preface he states: "At the christening of one of my chil-
dren, the minister exhorted us, observing: 'These children are now members of the church, adopted into the family of God, etc., etc.' These
declarations appeared to me at that moment inconsistent. * * I resolved not to present another child of my own, nor to baptize the children of any others before I had investigated the subject, comparing the best books on both sides of the question with the word of God. I came to the conviction that believers are the only subjects and im- mersion is the only Scriptural mode of baptism. Therefore, I offered myself to the Baptist Church in New York under the care of Rev. A. MacClay, by whom I was baptized August 28, 1827."
Rev. P. L. Platt followed Mr. Frey in 1830 and at the end of the year went with a colony to form another church, which movement proved a failure. For more than six years from August, 1832, Rev. Daniel Dodge was pastor. Under his labors the membership of the church was nearly doubled. Concord and mutual confidence were re- stored. Mr. Dodge was a man of influence in Newark, both in his church and in the city, and eminently useful. After he resigned, Rev. William Sym entered the pastorate in April, 1839. He was the same type of man as Mr. Dodge. The church grew in number and in influence. Revivals characterized his pastorate, one of which was of especial power. The house of worship was much improved at the cost of thousands of dollars. Both of these pastors were men of high toned Calvinistic preachers and proved that Calvinism built up strong and active churches. It was feared that both of them would slip into the night
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of antinomianism. but they were graciously kept. Neither of them made pretense to collegiate study, nor even to academic. They were Bible students and knew experimental piety. Their lives accorded with their preaching of "temperance, righteousness and a judgment to come" and "knowing the terrors of the Lord persuaded men," alike the old and the young. Preaching of its kind won men and formed a reli- gious character in the Pews which was "salt" and "light" of piety.
Rev. H. V. Jones succeeded Mr. Sym. Pastor Jones was a man of sterling good sence and had a clear idea of the needs of the Baptist cause in Newark and of the means essential to its largest development. The church clerk in an historical sketch in 1876, having summed the data of the growth of the church at the end of the second quarter of the centennial period says, "The secret of this advance was a more correct idea of the mission of the church, it was, when this body partic- ularly under the ministry of Rev. H. V. Jones in the colonization of the South church in February, 1850, really apprehended and began to act upon the Gospel idea of enlargement by activity, that it began to grow." A fitting recognition of the special service of Pastor Jones in Newark. Under the wise administration of Pastors Dodge and Sym the church had accumulated strength, both in men and in "means," and needed most of all a man capable of developing its efficiency. Mr. Jones comprehended the people and their opportunity. He was an in- spiration and his plans commended him to the strong men of his church as a wise and safe leader. His pastorate was from September, 1843, to April, 1850. During that time three hundred were added to the church, among whom were foremost men in the city, men of wealth of large business pursuits, masters in professional and in political circles. As the roots of trees in the Spring send out shoots, so to a vital church.
In the fall of 1849, he (Mr. Jones) said to the writer: "The mother church should build and pay for a becoming house of worship and then appoint some of her strongest and best members to go out with a colony that in its beginning could care for itself and be an aid to the First Church to do city work." As he said this, we came to the building now occupied by the South Church, then enarly finished, and added: "We do not propose to establish a "mission" here, but a church which will be our helper in like enterprises." Those familiar with the constituency of the South Church and its record in Baptist city missions of Newark, well know how practically Mr. Jones carried out his ideas of church expansion and whether the South church has justified his policy. Conducting the writer thence to a corner on Broad street, and pointing to an angle on that street, seen for a long distance, Mr. Jones said: 'That is the most prominent place in Newark. We are assured that
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when its title is perfected we will own it. The meeting house of the First Baptist Church will be built there." It has been said to the writer that the Peddie memorial building is on that site. If so, the forecast of Mr. Jones was remarkable. The historian of the First Baptist Church of Newark has truly said, that Mr. Jones left the church" harmonious and highly prosperous." His removal would be a mysterious provi- dence did we not know that Rev. H. C. Fish would follow him, whose memory and work will be an everlasting remembrance at home in New Jersey.
The same year in which Mr. Jones resigned, 1850, Rev. E. E. Cum- mings became pastor, remaining only a year and resigned for the same reason as had Mr. Jones, ill health. Rev. H. C. Fish began his charge in 1851 with eminently favorable conditions. Under Pastor Jones foundations had been laid, inspiration acquired, direction of local activities attained, men of power, of wealth and of appreciation had been added to the church, all of which under the executive force of and direction of such a man as H. C. Fish would be put to the highest and best use. The event proved that the right man had been put in the right place.
Rev. G. W. Clark was asked by the writer to prepare a memorial of Mr. Fish, and with some abbreviations is inserted: "H. C. Fish was born in Vermont, his father, Rev. Samuel Fish was pastor for more than forty years, of the Baptist church in the town in which he and his son, H. C. Fish, were born. When sixteen years old, the son united with his father's church in 1836. Of studious habits and academic training for teaching, the son came to New Jersey in 1840 and taught for two years. Impressed that he ought to preach, Mr. Fish entered Union Theological Seminary in 1842. Graduating in 1845, the next day he was ordained for the pastorate at Somerville on June 26th, 1845. The church at Somerville prospered under his labors at and the end of five years, first Newark called him, (Mr. Cummings having resigned) and Mr. Fish became pastor there in January, 1851. His intense activity had a result that in almost every month of his long pas,torate converts were baptized and great revivals were enjoyed in 1854, 1858 1864, 1866, 1876, in these revivals there were baptized 106, 236, 125 152, 224. In other years, scores were baptized. In the nearly twenty-seven years of his charge in Newark, more than fourteen hundred were baptized and the membership was increased from 340 to 1199.
In 1851, there were three Baptist churches in Newark (one a Ger- man Baptist, the other the South church, both originated under Mr. Jones). These three had a membership of five hundred and thirty- five in 1877, the year in which Mr. Fish died there were ten churches
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with three thousand and fifty-five members. Mr. Fish had a large part in the origin of these churches, that were located in the central points of the growing city.
Pastor Fish's plan of increase differed widely from that of Pastor Jones. Mr. Jones would build a substantial roomy house of worship as in the case of the South church and colonize a strong church that would be an immediate helper in evangelization. Mr. Fish proposed cheap chapels for temporary use, to be supplanted by a substantial meting house. The first plan commanded attention; invited mem- bership and returns were immediate. The last involved delay, repelled membership by the prospect of large future cost. The South church was quite as efficient at the first church, in the promotion of Baptist interests in Newark, if not more so.
The increase of the membership and of its congregation of the first church required a larger church edifice. A new location was bought in 1858 and the house begun. It was dedicated in 1860 and paid for in 1863. During the Civil War, 1861-65, the first church was a center of patriotic interest. Mass meetings were held in its house and one hundred and seventy-two of its members and congregation enlisted in the armies. The pastor was drafted and the church sent a substitute in his place.
The denominational, educational interests of the state had a large place in the work of Pastor Fish. He was secretary of the New Jersey Education Society for twenty-three years and had a primary part in founding the German department of Rochester University. Denom- inational schools in the state shared fully in his labors. He was one of the most devoted friends of Peddie Institute and in the last twelve years of his life gave to it, his best thoughts and plans. Through him, the foremost members of his church were identified with the school. Two deacons, D. M. Wilson and Hon, T. B. Peddie, were presidents of its Board. To Mr. Wilson is due the erection of the spacious and beautiful building Peddie Institute occupies. Mr. Peddie followed as President at Mr. Wilson's death, from whom also, its endowments of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars came, having previously given to cancel arrearages fifty thousand dollars. The nearly last words of Mr. Fish were said to Mr. Peddie: "Brother Peddie, take care of Hightstown."
Pastor Fish was a busy writer, publishing as many as nine volumes. Some were prize essays, published by the Boards of other denominations. He contributed also, frequent articles to the daily and religious press. The two last years of his life were intense in their activities. In July, 1877, physical prostration compelled him to stop. His last hours
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corresponded with his life. "Don't say death," he exclaimed: "I shall soon be on the other side. H. C. Fish is nothing; the grace of God is everything." Of the service at his funeral he said: "Let it be a plan of victory, the shout of him that overcometh through the Blood of the Lamb." As passing away, friends could only catch in broken words, "I have fought," and he was gone October 3rd, 1877, in his 58th year. The sense of loss in Newark was universal. It is stated that ten thous- and people looked upon the silent one. More than one hundred clergy- men were present at the burial. Mr. Fish had preached over four thousand sermons and addresses, and had made twenty thousand visits. We know that the fruitage of these labors, none of it will be lost.
Rev. Thomas Rambaut entered the pastorate in 1878 and re- mained three years. He was an able preacher and had attained a high place in the ministry. But whoso follows a successful pastor, enters on a serious task. Reaction invariably follows. Unfavorable contrasts are made and disgruntled ones talk, if perchance the new pastor makes a misstep or in any wise gives occasion for remark. In 1883, Rev. E. G. Taylor became pastor. His labors for three years were profitable for the church.
After him, Rev. W. W. Boyd settled as pastor in 1887, and closed his labors in 1894. The spacious house of worship, which had been dedicated in 1860, was sold and lots in a more public place bought and a new edifice built. The church edifice is a nondescript affair. It cost about two hundred thousand dolars, of which Mr. Peddie was the chief donor. Soon after, the name of the church was changed to Peddie memorial. It is said that Mr. Boyd had more to do with the change of name than Mr. Peddie. Mr Peddie was a very modest man, upon whom such a name must needs be thrust. The house sacrificed convenience and comfort for display and the man who planned and built would be, surely asked for and his folly would be his memorial. Happily, the structure is never likely to be imitated. Pastors and churches preferring convenience and suitability to show. This house was dedicated in 1890.
Within a short time after Mr. Boyd's resignation, Rev. C. H. Dodd was called to be pastor and is now (1900) holding the office. First Newark church and first Paterson church have been much alike in their aggressive work in the cities in which they are. In Newark, the pastors were the inciting force. At Paterson the membership did not wait for pastoral impulse. But, A. W. Rogers, M. D., son of the revered Rev. John Rogers, lived in Paterson and was an impelling influence, There was however, mutual co-operation in both places.
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First Newark is not credited with colonizing others than the "South church" and the First German Baptist, and yet, all of the Baptist churches there owe their existence substantially to the mission work which was sustained by the first and by the South churches of Newark. Especially Pastor William Hague and Deacons J. M. Davies, at whose home, the Newark city Mission was formed, and H. M. Baldwin, all of the South church, were constant and devoted in sustaining local mis- sions.
First Newark has had eighteen pastors, of whom H. C. Fish con- tinued twenty-six and more years. Three, David Jones, D. Dodge, and H. V. Jones served the church, each about seven years. Four meeting houses, one in 1805; a second in 1810 or 11; a third in 1860 and a fourth in 1890. Twelve members have been licensed to preach. Two thousand, six hundred and forty-four have been baptized into the membership of the church.
The conditions under which the South Church originated have been given in the history of the First church, while Rev. H. V. Jones was pastor of it. The house of worship had been built and paid for by the First church before the South church was formed. Then a colony was appointed by the mother church to compose the South church of sufficient strength to take an equal place with itself and to sustain a pastor quite equal in all respects to any other in the city. An estimate of the strength of this body may be made by the fact that from its organization up to 1883 the average of its benevolent contributions was seven thousand dollars annully and in 1870, its benevolent gifts abroad were eleven thousand, eight hundred and sixty-six dollars.
The Baptist City Mission of Newark was formed in December 1851, at the home of a member of South Newark (J. M. Davies), deacon H. M. Baldwin was also a constituent. Whether in social life, in spiritual and church relations or in financial, he was foremost in Baptist growth in Newark, until his death in January 1882. Every newly organized Baptist church in the city shared in his counsels and in his generous gifts. In the effort to found the school at Hightstown (now Peddie Institute), he was the first donor and then (unsolicited) of one thousand dollars for it. Deacon Baldwin did not need the example of others to comprehend his opportunity nor his duty. An immediate resultant benefit of this action to the mother church was an increase of the salary of its pastor to a sum more befitting his position and the dignity of the church. Another benefit was, the general wel- fare of the cause of righteousness especially in its local promotion, the means of its advancement being doubled.
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Only occasionally pastors propose to their churches the removal of their best and most influential members to build up another church, as did Mr. Jones, who himself was a man of rare type. The policy which originated the South church is a marked contrast to that usually followed. Commonly a few devoted disciples longing to do more for the cause of Christ, take upon them the responsibility of founding a church, with great sacrifices, and self denials, known only to those who have had experience in such an undertaking. The end is at last attained; not, however, in many cases till most of those who began the enterprise have gone to their reward on high. Few appeals to our helpfulness have a better claim to it: coming from a little company, who having done what they could ask help, not for themselves, but for a common cause.
The South Baptist church was oganized on February 18th, 1850 with forty-five constituents. Their house of worship was so nearly completed, that on the 14th of April, they worshipped in the basement and in the next July dedicated the sanctuary worshipping in the upper room. Pastor William Hague had previously accepted a call to be pastor. He was one of the foremost men of the denomination. At the end of the first year, the membership had grown to one hundred and twenty-eight, verifying the wisdom of the mother church, as also, attesting the efficiency of the new body and giving assurance that it would be a helper in every good work. Pastor Hague closed his min- istry in Newark in 1854, in accord with his life long habit of short pastorates. Despite the protests of his people, Mr. Hague persisted in his resignation.
Rev. O. S. Stearns followed, remaining two years; whom Rev. E. M. Levy succeeded and broke the record of short pastorates, continuing until 1869, more than ten years. After Mr. Levy came Rev. John Dowling for three years. Mr. Dowling was known as a champion of Protestantism. Rev. G. A. Peltz succeeded Mr. Dowling and was pastor of the church four years until 1876. Months later, Rev. C. Y. Swan became pastor. His labors were attended with constant and large blessing. In about four years, an illness cut short his earthly work. He died in August 1880, Mr. Swan was beloved. He had many of the lofty qualities of his father, Rev. Jabez Swan, a remarkable man as an evangelist in New York and contemporary with Jacob Knapp, evangelist as widely known. To hear Mr. Swan pray or preach was an everlasting remembrance. Illustrative of the fervency and piquancy of Mr. Swan's preaching: preaching on the evidences of conversion, he said: "Put a hog out of his pen and he will go to his wallow. Put a sheep out of the fold and he will bleat around its walls and gates till he
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gets in " The son and pastor in Newark, having had the polish of college training was in manner and speech, unlike his father.
In November 1880, Rev. T. E. Vassar became pastor and until 1888, had a happy and welcome ministry to the church and congre- gation. Mr. Vassar was followed by Rev. J. B. English for one year. Next year 1890, Rev. R. M. Luther settled as pastor. During the coming eight years, he ministered to the entire satisfaction of the people of his charge, closing his pastorate in August 1899. On the first of January, 1900, Rev. W. G. Fennell entered the pastorate and is now holding its trusts.
The house of worship, with needed renovation and enlargement is the same as that originally built by the first church in 1849. Those who subsequently constituted the South church in Newark will be understood as having borne their full share of the cost of its erection. Some clearer judgement of the policy of sending out the South church may be gathered from these data. Pastor Hague suggested that the Lord's Day morning collection be devoted to some special benevolence Since its organization up to 1900, the benevolence of the church sums up one hundred and eighty thousand, nine hundred and sixty-five dollars. The number of licentiates is not stated publicly. While Mr. Vassar was pastor, one member was ordained and two others were licensed to preach. Many churches, north, south, east and west, have had such men as constituted South Newark. Only the detail of church life reveals them. Those who look at Christianity in the gross, have but little conception of its power over the whole man.
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