USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 41
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CHAPTER XLI.
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ORANGE AND OLD BRIDGE.
Mr. John Hatt, a licentiate of the North Church, New York City, originated by his immediate personality the First Baptist church of Orange. Baptist families of New York had moved to Orange and were accustomed to meet on the Lord's day in their homes for worship under the superintendence of Mr. Hatt, who though more than three score years old and in infirm health, delighted in the work of God and main- tained the meetings with unabated interest until these Baptists decided in December 1836 to constitute a Baptist church.
At an appointed time, June 14th, 1837, fifteen disciples consummat- ed their fellowship in the organization of the First Baptist church of Orange. Mr. Hatt united with them in their covenant. The school house was the place of worship on the Lord's day and the house of Mr. Hatt the place for social meetings. Nearly three years passed before the church had a pastor, in the meantime the membership grew to twenty-six, chiefly by baptism. Limited means prevented the erection of a meeting house. In 1840, Rev. J. Beetham was called to be pastor, remaining one year. A Sunday school was begun. On January 3rd 1843, Josiah Hatt was ordained for pastor. He remained till in 1844.
Forty members were added to the church in 1843. Thirty-one of them were baptized and it was resolved to begin the erection of a house of worship on August 30th, 1843. Josiah Hatt was the son of the beloved John Hatt and on his resignation in October 1844, he returned to his studies, despite the protests of the church. While pastor, a house of worship was so far finished that the basement was opened for worship January 1st, 1844. Rev. I. N. Church became pastor in October 1844, closing his labors at Orange in May 1848. Mr. J. McLeod supplied the church for three months and was ordained for pastor January 3rd, 1849, remaining till April 1851. Mr. E. T. Hunt was ordained in Janu- ary 1852 and supplied the church till March 1853. Worship continued in the basement until 1859. A legacy of one thousand dollars left by Col. M. Reynolds of Newark, made it possible to finish the upper room. W. D. Hedden had been licensed by the church in 1853 and in 1855 was called to be pastor.
Pastor Hedden served the church for a year to June 1856. Again a licentiate ministered to early in 1858 and then Mr. Hedden was called
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FIRST ORANGE
to a second charge. From 1860-70 the minutes have disappeared. In February 1881, the following was adopted:
WHEREAS, Rev. W. D. Hedden has faithfully served this church as its pastor for twenty-five years,
Resolved, That we celebrate the coming anniversary with such exercises as shall be fitting for the occasion.
A full week of happiness was enjoyed in the second week of May 1881. The completion of their church edifice and the increase of pop- ulation, by the overflow from New York City introduced problems of church extension. Those resident in the vicinity of the house of wor- ship decided to maintain worship in it. Those living in North Orange resolved to organize a Baptist church in that neighborhood. A hall had been rented and services begun in it in 1857 and the North Orange church was constituted that year. On February 1st, 1882, Pastor Hedden resigned, his resignation previously having been rejected. In the next May Rev. William F. Taylor settled as pastor on July 1st, 1882, remaining till May 1st, 1889.
Seven years of useful and efficient service. Rev. J. A. Chambliss followed Mr. Taylor September 1st, 1889. About this time, lots were · bought in a new location on which to build a new sanctuary. This house was begun in 1891 and dedicated in June 1892, contrasted with the first house begun in 1844 and dedicated in 1859. Fifteen years in progress, illustrates the growth of the church and of its resources. This last house was beautiful in location and as much so in its architecture and appointments for convenience and fitness for church work. Pastor Chambliss resigned in June, 1899, and was followed by Rev. D. D. Munro in December 1899. Members have been dismissed who, with others have constituted churches. The North church, however, is the own child of First Orange and this, with not only the entire accord of the North church, but with special reference to advancing the Kingdom of God Some members have been licensed to preach. The church has had twelve pastors. Special mention should be made of John Hatt. For several years, he cared for the field and the coming church. His home was the place of meeting for prayer for years and he was more than pastor. Josiah, his son, was the second pastor. Father and son were much alike: Gentle, loving, godly men. Their companionship, heavenly and their memory is blessed. It will inform some that in 1873, the First Orange Church changed its designation in the Associa- ation minutes to East Orange Church, signifying its location as distinct from North Orange and West Orange churches.
North Orange church had an origin specially characteristic of Godliness. In 1857, the First Orange Church had a membership of
400
NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
fifty and was using the basement of an unfinished house, which it had been using for thirteen years. Baptists in North Orange asked: "Can you not spare us now and you in East Orange care for the First church and for the Baptists living hereabout?" First Orange replied: "Yes." Then seventeen took letters of dismission leaving only thirty-three in a population imbued with the demands of a city life. The seventeen hired a hall. Ten other Baptists joined them. A Sunday school was begun. And, on November 5th, 1857, these twenty-seven constituted themselves the "North Orange church."
In the meantime, a pastor had been found, Mr. J. B. Morse and on the day set for the recognition of the church, he was ordained. Mr. Morse resigned in 1860 and was followed by Rev. George Webster. A hindrance to secure the best location for their meeting house, delayed its beginning. However, it was begun in 1861. Probably the fire which burned the hall where the church met for worship hastened the building of the church edifice. It was finished and in use in 1862. Rev. G. E. Horr settled as pastor in 1863 and resigned in 1866. Rev. J. F. Elder became pastor in 1867 and closed his pastorate in 1870. Soon after, Rev. Wm. Hague entered on the pastoral care. In 1873, a new and spacious sanctuary was in progress and dedicated in 1874. Pastor Hague resigned in 1875 and was succeeded by Rev. E. Judson who was ordained in May 1875. An Orange Valley mission chapel was begun in 1878. Two missionaries were employed in 1879. One for the valley mission and one for the Washington street mission. Pastor Judson resigned in 1881 and on the next October, Rev. T.S. Barbour settled as pastor.
Assistant Pastor H. B. Steelman also resigned and Rev. R. L. Martin was called to take Mr. Steelman's place. Mr. Barbour resigned in September 1884 and in November of that year, a colony at the Washington street mission organized as a Baptist church. Assistant Pastor, J. L. Davis entered on the pastoral care of Washington street church. Rev. J. T. Dickinson entered on the charge of the North Orange church in 1885. By the erection of a building adapted to Sunday school uses in 1888, special opportunities were given for an ad- vance in that department of Christian work. A chapel of generous size in a desirable location on Prospect street was completed in 1895, costing twelve thousand dollars. Another chapel was begun at Watch- ung Heights inW est Orange in 1896. Mr. Dickinson is pastor of North Orange church, now in 1900. Numerous missions are characteristic of North Orange church, an accession to it of men of wealth and of positive active Christian diligence, enables the church to undertake enterprises possible to but few churches.
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NORTH ORANGE AND WASHINGTON STREET
Eight pastors have served the church. Of them, the present pastor has held the pulpit more than one third of the church life, excepting the assistant pastors. Three churches have been colonized from North Orange, an Afro-American, Washington Street and Prospect Street. At one time, thirty-five young men were being educated for the ministry in whole or in part by the church. Such a record contrasts with older churches that have become weak by caring for themselves. One member of the church is President of the New Jersey Baptist State Convention, E. J. Brockett, clected in 1896 and still holding the trust and that, with universal confidence in his intelligence and impartial- ity.
The Washington street church was colonized from North Orange Baptist church. Previously North Orange church had built a chapel on Washington street and had employed an assistant pastor, Rev. I. L. Davis, on whom was devolved the special charge of the Washington Street mission. · Mr. Davis was engaged to care for it in 1879 and had it under his care for about four years before its constitution as a church. Upon its organization as an independent body with a membership of thirty-nine members, he being one of them, he became the first pastor. Grateful mention is often made of the help of the mother church and of its members. Pastor Davis resigned in February 1886, having been identified with the mission six years. In the next April, Rev. E. D. Clough became pastor and at the end of six years he removed in June 1892. Rev. H. Cross settled as pastor January 1st, 1893 continuing till 1896. Mr. Cross was followed by Rev. P. J. Lux, who in 1900 still ministered to the satisfaction of the people. Four pastors have served the church with the full average of prosperity.
In the fall of 1892, two members of North Orange church and'two of the Washington street church started a Sunday school in a Hall on Prospect street, East Orange. J. M. Burr of North Orange church was chosen superintendent. The growth of the school and the interests clustering about it, made more room necessary and in 1894, North Orange church bought a large plot of ground on Prospect street and built a beautiful and roomy chapel on it at a cost of twelve thousand dollars, which was dedicated in February 1895 and the Prospect Street church was constituted in July 1895, with a membership of twenty- eight.
North Orange sent six of these: Bloomfield, and Washington St. (of Orange) churches and resident Baptists made up the number fifteen. Others from North Orange were added next month. Early in 1895, Rev. M. G. Coker was engaged as a supply and when the church was formed, was its first pastor, remaining till 1897. On January 26th, 25
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NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
1898, Rev. M. V. MacDuffie became pastor and was still in office in 1900. Pastor Dickinson of North Orange church offered to pay four thousand dollars of the debt, if the Prospect Street church would pay one thous- and in the next three years. The offer was gladly accepted and within a few weeks, the church paid their thousand and the church was finan- cially unencumbered. The mother church has thus brightened the future of the young church. There have been two pastors of the church. One house of worship, that built by the North Orange church, for which Prospect church has paid but one thousand dollars. North Orange church appears thus far to have cancelled (except the one thous- and dollars) all claims against the property.
The church at Washington, South River, Middlesex Co., had lapsed into Antinomianism by a majority vote, in and about 1835. The minor- ity declined to assent to the suicide. Kingwood lived anew in Baptist- town and at Washington, Tabernacle maintained the Baptist name at South River and Herbertsville redeemed the Baptist name from dishonor. Not, however, till the minority at Washington had called a council to advise them.
The majority repudiated any compromise, whereupon thirteen mem- bers of Sonth River church, met with a council called at Herbertsville on November 4th, 1840, and were recognized as the Independent Baptist church of Herbertsville. There is some obscurity as to the name of the church. In some minutes of Association it is Bethel church first Washington. In others, Washington and Herbertsville. The Board of the State Convention sent Rev. William V. Wilson to preach to the new church. He was there six months and had a glad welcome. In May, 1844, Rev. S. Sproul was pastor closing his labors there in 1848. The next Jan- uary Rev. L. S. Stelle was pastor for two years, closing his charge at the end of 1851. Rev. J. Salisbury ministered as pastor for two years into 1859. On November 20th, 1859, Rev. H. H. Rouse began his pastorate continuing till January 1874, fifteen years. Mr. Rouse had a, prosperous service. At the end of his charge, a righteous discipline developed a faction, which, when excluded, with others, constituted themselves a church at Washington. Herbertsville, with other churches nearby being a unit in support of Brother Rouse. Mr. Rouse then resigned.
Rev. C. P. DeCamp followed in October 1874 and retired in 1876. Certain good and influential members of the Board objecting to aid the church. It would have perished but for the missionary Committee of the Association, and students from Peddie Institute, who supplied the pulpit for many months. The positive convictions of Baptists, who had learned the truth, aided them, Rev. M. M. Fogg was pastor in 1886
403
HERBERTSVILLE, OR OLD BRIDGE
and resigned in 1889. Death ended objection to aiding the church and an appropriation was cheerfully made. Rev. L. O. Grenelle supplied the church in 1890 and Rev. M. N. Smith followed, staying three years. In 1895, Rev. L. A. Schering settled and was pastor till 1899. The church has had thirty-five years of pastoral care. Of that, Mr. Rouse had more than one third of that period. It lives, despite the plague of antinomianism and a faction that destroyed its peace and bad preju- dices that cut it off from needed aid. A house of worship was built in an early day. A condition in the deed that it shall never be en- cumbered with debt has hitherto preserved it and will still. While Mr. Smith was pastor the building was much improved. A lady, whether a member of the church or not, we do not know, gave her home for parsonage uses and thus the church is in a better condition than hither- to.
CHAPTER XLII.
SOMERVILLE, MULLICA HILL AND BERKLEY.
Somerville is compassed by New Brunswick, Plainfield and Flem- ington, each a center of Baptist influence and strength. There was, however, an intermediate community of Dutch Reformed, who had settled in the rural sections, strangely ignorant of Baptist ideas, both of church order and of the Ordinances. The dense mist of this super- stition, wholly absorbed the light that otherwise might have reached the town.
Sometimes such communities are suddenly awakened by a baptism that compels them to think of John the Baptist and of the son of Man; of Philip and the Eunuch; the "going down into the water;" of the "burial by baptism and of a burial in baptism," a baptism which it is impossible to disassociate with a New Testament baptism and as im- possible to associate with a "sprinkling." Thus in Somerville in Oct- ober, 1842. Mr. Samuel B. Tunison, brought up in the faith of a Dutch Reformed church, converted in a Methodist church, decided to be and to do, what the New Testament enjoined and with the universal result of honest Bible inquiry, became a Baptist. Conferring with Rev. Mr. Barker, pastor of the Samptown Baptist church, the pastor offered to come to Somerville and to baptize Mr. Tunison. The plan was adopted and Somerville people saw for the first time in their midst a Gospel baptism.
Later, Mr. Barker alternately with Rev. S. J. Drake of Plainfield preached regularly on Lord's day afternoon at Somerville. Baptist residents appeared. Ere long, Rev. B. N. Leach baptized a Mr. Shattuck in Somerville. Mr. Pethnel Mason, a member of the Dutch Reformed church in Somerville united with the First Baptist church of New York City. Mr. Mason and Mr. Tunison were in con- cert for the constitution of a Baptist church in Somerville and effected their aim on October 31st, 1843. Eleven members constituting the church, one of them was Mr. J. B. Saxton, a student, who had occasion- ally preached for Baptist churches. The first to be baptized into the church were Mrs. Mason and Mrs. Shattuck. On January 30th, 1845, the house of worship was dedicated. Mr. Saxton had been called to be pastor in 1844, but chose to continue his student's course.
In April 1845, Mr. H. C. Fish was called to the pastorate and was ordained the next June, remaining until January 1st, 1851. Mr. G. P.
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SOMERVILLE AND MULICA HILL
Nice followed and was ordained in May 1851. He was pastor seven years. Rev. J. N. Folwell succeeded for eighteen months. B. C. Morse settled, remaining till January 1866. In the spring of 1867, H. D. Doolittle became pastor. Soon after he came, a parsonage was bought. Mr. Doolittle resigned in August 1872. Necessity compelled the erection of a new church edifice, which was dedicated December 4th, 1873. Rev. G. W. Clark entered the pastorate in September 1st, 1873. In the winter, 1873-4, a parsonage was built on the lot on which the new church edifice stood. Many were added to the church. Mr. Clark was laid aside by illness in 1875, but remained as pastor until May 1877. Mr. Clark while here issued his "Harmony of the Four Gospels and Commen- taries on the Gospels of Luke and John." Previous to this, while pastor at Ballston, N. Y., he had published similar works on the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Since then he has extended the work to the end of Philemon.
On January 1st, 1878, Rev. J. B. Mulford became pastor, resigning in June 1881. Supplies preached till October 1st, 1883, when Rev. G. E. Horr settled and in the five years of his stay, ejoyed the unabated love of the people. On October 1st, 1889, Rev. A. Parker was pastor, but closed his pastoral care in October, 1891. Rev. F. A. Smith began his pastorate in June 1892 and was pastor in 1900. Two members have been licensed to preach and two houses of worship have been built, also two parsonages. Special mention may be made of Mr. P. Mason. He was foremost in all denominational work at home and abroad. The church has attained to both strength and influence.
Prior to the constitution of the Mullica Hill Baptist church, there had not been a Baptist church within the present boundaries of Glou- cester County. On the direct road from Salem to Camden, passing through Mannington and Woodbury, a distance of thirty-six miles, there was not a Baptist church. Woodstown in Salem County was two miles off the direct route and eight miles from Mullica Hill. The road from Bridgeton to Camden was also without a Baptist church, save as travellers passed through Pittsgrove, west of the direct route.
In fact, east of Pittsgrove and Mullica Hill, the population was very sparse, the country desolate and lonely, by the edge of the "Pines." Between Woodbury and Camden up to about 1840, as the writer knows well, it was a "Pine" Region. Pastors within reach of scattered hamlets in the "Pines" and missionaries of the State Convention supplied the people with the means of grace. It is a great mistake that as in 1700, there were only three Baptist churches in New Jersey there must have been a serious destitution; or that if in 1800, only about thirty Baptist churches were in the state, that the churches had made small progress
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NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
In fact, in 1700, there were at least thirteen to fifteen houses of worship among the three churches and the pastors each included the state as their field. There were also from twenty to thirty localities where Baptist preaching was regularly maintained in which strong and efficient Baptist churches were subsequently founded, constituting now the strength of the denomination.
Hezekiah Smith acquired ideas of mission work in New Jersey and took them to New England. Oliver Hart of First Hopewell attested in S. C., his mission training in the Jerseys. There had been Baptist preaching in Mullica Hill, long before the Baptist church was formed in 1845. Henry Smalley, who died in 1839, preached there. The Board of the New Jersey State Convention sent a missionary there. Rev. C. Kain of Pittsgrove often did missionary work there, when suitable places could be secured. In the spring of 1845, Baptists there rented a hall. Congregations grew. In due time, at a meeting in the home of Benjamin Lloyd, in April 1845, it was agreed to constitute a Baptist church, in which eighteen covenanted with each other in mutual behalf.
The Assembly in which these entered was held later in a grove near the town. Naturally, the desire of the people was that Mr. C. Kain be their pastor. Mr. Kain had labored most efficiently in behalf of a Baptist church, For seventeen months he was pastor of both Pitts- grove and of Mullica Hill churches. Deacon John Mulford and Abigoil, his wife, gave a large plot of ground in the center of the town for a church edifice, a parsonage and sheds for the beasts bringing rural members to the house of God. Deacon Mulford was also much the largest contrib- utor of the funds needed for the church buildings.
Mr. Kain was pastor at Mullica Hill for twenty years. It is easily known that the resignation of Mr. Kain was a great shock and only persistence made it final. Rev. W. B. Toland was pastor for the ensuing six years. To their great satisfaction, Mr. Kain began his second charge, lasting seven years in 1872. His second resignation was in despite of the protest of church and congregation. In June 1880, Rev. William Warlow was welcomed. More so, since Mr. Kain indorsed him. Serious trouble, involving the place and existence of the church arose and pastor Warlow resigned in 1883. Mr. J. H. Hamil- ton was ordained in June 1884. Pastor Hamilton restored the former concord and cheer. Converts were baptized. The Berkeley Mission was revived. A house of worship built there through Deacon Mulford, became a birthplace of souls and fourteen were dismissed to constitute a church at Berkeley. The place of worship was given to the Berkeley church. Pastor Hamilton resigned, but on request withdrew it, for a while.
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MULLICA HILL AND BERKELEY
In 1888, his resignation was renewed and accepted with regret. On September 1st, 1888, Rev. J. L. Watson entered the pastoral office. His charge was too short. His health was shattered by the wounds he had received and hardships suffered in the Civil War and the only alternative was to resign, but the church was loath to part with him. Rev. J. J. Davies became pastor October 1891, and is now (1900) pastor. Mr. Davies was identified with the mission at Swedesboro and has the co-operation of the church at Mullica Hill. The meeting house is kept in good repair, another at Berkeley is also well kept. Pastor Kain was a noble son of a noble father, Deacon C. Kain of Marlton, a constituent of Haddonfield and again of Marlton church, when it built its last church edifice in the village of Marlton. To him, Haddonfield owes a vast debt of gratitude and no less, does Marlton also.
The church at Berkley was constituted April 14th, 1887, with fourteen members, dismissed from Mullica Hill, of which it was a mission About a year after, it was recognized as a Baptist church and had grown to thirty members. Rev. T. W. Wilkinson was a supply till 1889. A sister in the church was missionary in Burma. In 1890, Rev. J. Dussman was a pastoral supply under whom they enjoyed prosperity. Deacon J. Mulford of Mullica Hill, had previously largely provided a place of worship in Berkley mission. Rev. J. C. Madden was pastor in about 1891-2, retiring in the latter year. A fire had badly marred the interior of their house of worship, but it had been entirely repaired in 1894. Rev. A. H. Whynkoop was pastor in 1895 and in the next year, Rev. W. T. Paulin ministered, whom Rev. J. W. Davis followed in June 1897, and was succeeded by Rev. J. H. Galliffe. There have been six supplies and pastors ministering at Berkley church. This may explain its slow growth, its dependence on foreign aid.
CHAPTER XLIII.
HOBOKEN AND JERSEY CITY.
Hoboken is a New Jersey suburb of New York City. The place was a large town, before a Baptist church was in it. In November 1845, a Baptist church was constituted there with fourteen members. Mr. J. Batey is reported as pastor in 1846. In the same year in which the church was formed, a house of worship was begun. Rev. J. Hatt became pastor in 1847 and in the eight years ensuing held the pastoral charge. The old house of worship was sold about 1852 and a new and larger place built and presumably finished in 1853.
Pastor Hatt resigned in November 1854. He was followed in January 1855 by Rev. A. S. Patton, who closed his work in Hoboken in 1859. A. Harris followed in 1860, remaining twelve years. W. R. Maul held the pastorate two years. In the next six years, Rev. W. S. Goodno was pastor to 1881. Under G. L. Hunt's pastorate, between 1881 and 85, the house of worship was improved in 1882 and in 1884 all debts were paid. While Rev. C. Coleman was pastor in the interim 1885-89, a mission chapel which had been previously built was put in good order at considerable cost. Rev. J. Finch ministered to the church in the period of 1889 to 1895. A new meeting house was built in 1890, to accommodate the increased congregation. Rev. J. P. Hunter was the next pastor holding the office for three years from 1895 to 98. The present pastor in 1900 is, Rev. W. C. Richmond, having begun his charge in 1898. Three houses of worship have been in use by the church. One built in 1846-7. Another erected in 1852-3; a third in 1890. Eleven pastors have ministered to the church. Each of them has had a successful and happy charge.
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