USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 5
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The same Providence that hitherto had directed this people in the choice of a pastor for them, influenced them to call Henry Smalley, of Piscataway, who entered on his work on July 3, 1790, and was ordained the next November. Mr. Smalley had but lately graduated from col- lege. From the first, a uniform and continuous prosperity attended the pastoral charge of Mr. Smalley. There was also an intelligent and re- sponsive spirit of enterprise in the Church. A new house of worship in a more central location was needed. The site on which the Church edifice now stands was bought in 1799 and the house of worship now in use was dedicated in 1802. Internal changes and adaption to modern ideas have been made. But the substantial structure, its neat and fitting architectural proportions signify intelligence in its original plan- ning and a staunch and cultured piety that preferred the larger cost to the inferior and its economical tendencies. Various Christian activities indicated the accord of pastor and people in all movements for the ex- tension of the Kingdom of God. When the New Jersey association was formed in 1811, a Baptist mission society for State missions was estab- lished. In 1812, its income was $195.73, of this Cohansie gave $87.22.
On the eve of the War of 1812, a Church edifice in Bridgeton was proposed, which was completed in 1817. This house in size and style was befitting a town developing into a city and a Church, whose age and social standing and pastoral strength gave it a fore-most place in that section. Pastor Smalley preached in this house on each Lord's day, laying the foundations of the First Church of Bridgeton. At the organ- ization of that Church this property was given to them. Pastor Smalley in 1838 was seventy-three years old and being consulted on the subject he consented to an assistant pastor. The pastor's choice for the man was approved.
About this time, the Church built a meeting house at Greenwich, an out-station. This house was not completed until in a later pastorate. Mr. Smalley's work on earth was shortening and on February 11th, 1839, it pleased God to call him up higher, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. Having been pastor at Cohansie almost forty-nine years. The second longest Baptist pastorate in New Jersey. Two colonies to or-
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ganize Churches left Cohansie during Mr. Smalley's pastorate, one at Bridgeton, in 1828; another to unite with members of Salem Church, to form a Church at Canton. Under Mr. Smalley, five hundred were bap- tized. He also was the sixth and the last of the old pastors to close his pastorate at death. There were but three years in his long charge in which there were no baptisms. It is wonderful that six pastors succeed- ing each other had each long pastorates and enjoyed continuous growth and prosperity.
A change began with the settlement of Rev. I. Moore, in July, 1840. Since then, the Church has had thirteen pastors, in sixty years: One remaining eleven years; one, ten years; one eight years; one, five years; the other eight averaging more than two years each.
Mr. Moore differed widely in his doctrinal views from his prede- cessors and preached his convictions. Former pastors were decidedly Calvinistic in their ministry, developing motives for Christian activities from the Divine sovereignity building up a high-toned piety that busied heart, hand and foot for the Divine glory. Mr. Moore dwelt upon the virtues of well-doing and on the testimony not of the "witnessing spirit," but of conduct. This nutriment was not palatable and trouble ensued: Councils were called and the pillars of the Church, including much of its wealth, intelligence and spiritual activity were dismissed; the social and the benevolent interests were dried up; congregations maimed and wailing, supplanted rejoicing. Mr. Moore was a good man, but failed to understand the situation. His change from a diet of "faith and works" to one of works was a treatment whereby the "patient" grew worse in- stead of better. Had he waited and been less vigorous in discussion, he might have prevailed with the Church. In about three years, he resigned. The writer was familiar with the causes of the unpleasant- ness. Really, it was a happening in which both parties misunderstood each other and pushing with their horns, hurt each other. Mr. Moore was proven in that he had the good sense and piety to retire, rather than stay and blight the heritage of God. He settled at First Cape May and did good and when he resigned, after a pastorate of many years, that Church recalled him and his second pastorate was as long as his first.
Rev. E. D. Fendal became Pastor of Cohansie Church in April, 1843. His stay was about three years, to September, 1846. He had a useful pastorate. Large accessions by baptism and the membership larger than it had ever been before. The house of worship at Greenwich, projected at the end of Pastor Smalley's term, was built and is occupied by the Greenwich Church organized in 1850.
Rev. J. G. Cullum followed Mr. Fendal and settled as pastor in November, 1846, remaining to the end of July, 1850. While pastor, a
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colony was dismissed to constitute the Greenwich Church. Also, steps were taken to build a parsonage at Roadstown and funds were pledged to remodel the interior of the meeting house. A successor to Mr. Cullum was secured in Rev. J. N. Folwell, who became pastor in October, 1850, and was ordained in the next month (November). Mr. Folwell's labors were shortened by illness and this "earnest effective" pastor was constrained to give up his charge in February, 1852.
In April, 1852, Rev. J. M. Challis entered the pastorate. His pas- toral charges were always and everywhere a success. He was pastor eight years and supplied the Church until his successor arrived, Rev. T. G. Wright, on May 1st, 1860. Mr. Wright was pastor longer than any other since the death of Mr. Smalley-eleven years. A lot for parsonage was given by Benjamin Mulford in August, 1861, and in the next March the pastor occupied it. The house of worship was enlarged and re- novated in 1864. Large contributions were made to several Baptist ed- ucational institutions from 1865-1868. Pastor Wright was followed in August, 1871, by Rev. T. O. Lincoln, who closed his ministry at Cohansie in April, 1874. In that year Rev. W. F. Basten settled as pastor and after ten years resigned in 1884. A call was given to Rev. W. W. Pratt, which accepting began his oversight January 1st, 1885, and ended his pastoral care in March, 1888. Benevolences and Christian activities developed in the years of this pastorate. On the next June, Rev. H. Tratt accepted the call to be pastor and, after about three years, resigned in 1890.
A few months elapsed when Rev. E. S. Fitz became pastor, in May 1891. After two or three years of prosperity, evil reports effected his morality. A Council was called, the findings of which although "ex- parte" and repudiated by the Church, condemned Mr. Fitz. At the session of the Association in 1894, "the hand of fellowship was with- drawn from the Church so long as they retained their present pastor; regarding him unworthy of Christian fellowship." This was a sorrowful act; circumstances justified the action. A creditable feature of the sad affair was the devotion of the venerable Church, sustaining the honor of their pastor, fully convinced that he had been wronged and accepting with him the condemnation he had incurred. This ostracism lasted two years. Mr. Fitz was excluded when the Church was satisfied of the truth of the evil reports about him and in 1897, the Church reported its self and its action to the association and had a warm welcome back.
Rev. T. C. Russell entered the pastorate three months after Mr. Fitz left, in May, 1896. The new pastor had an unenviable place and the supposable reason for his course was a hope of recovering the Church to itself and of averting the wreck that threatened. A noble motive,
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with which he allied himself to the great army of martyrs. The sympa- thy of the neighboring pastors and Churches was with him in his great work. His memory will always be precious to the living and eternity only can show the results of his work and worth. The wisdom of Mr. Russell, was shown by his resignation. Alienation and opprobrium attached to him among the members of the Church by the course he had taken, but he wisely resigned and left the door open for another in whom there could be unity.
Thus in April, 1898, Rev. J. S. Teasdale accepted the pastorate and is now (1900) serving the Church. The old time unity and activity is renewed. The Church from the beginning has been characterized by a comprehension of its mission to bless the world. The early pastors were missionary pastors, having stations far off, involving long journeys and perils and laying foundations for Churches. There is some uncer- tainty as to the number of meeting houses, which the Church has built in part or in whole, probably ten. The first four long before 1742. In 1799, the site of the house now in use at Roadstown was bought and the house built there. Two parsonages were lived in by pastors: One before 1862, the other in 1876. It is not certainly known how many have been licensed to preach. But of those known, two pastors have each been represented in the ministry by a son, and one, Mr. Kelsay, by a son and grandson. Cohansie has a large lineage of Churches. They may be counted by scores. These old Churches had the continent before them and they appreciated their opportunity and entered in to possess it. To us of the twentieth century is offered not a continent, but the world through the agency of the American Baptist Missionary Union and the American Baptist Home Missionary Society.
Salem, the county seat of Salem county is among the oldest set- tlements in New Jersey. In 1641, English colonists from Connecticut settled at Salemtown . About this time, the Swedes bought of the In- dians, the district from Cape May to Racon Creek. The Swedes yielded to the Dutch and the Dutch yielded to the English. The "Friends" (Quakers) flocked to New Jersey and were a controlling element in West Jersey, assuring to the people free speech, free conscience and equality in the Courts.
In 1683, Obadiah Holmes, Jr., youngest son of Obadiah Holmes, the Massachustets martyr, came to Salem. He was a licensed Baptist preacher, and being appointed a Judge in the county Courts, he may have lived at Salem. Soon after coming he gathered together Baptists, set up Baptist meetings and did the work of an evangelist. Cohansie Baptist Church owes its origin to him, being the first Baptist minister in these parts.
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The Cohansie Church was located on the Cohansie river. Very soon after its organization its pastors began missionary work and Salem was one of the first localities of its missions. If Mr. Holmes lived in Salem, the beginning of Salem Church must have been contemporary with Cohansie Church. Rev. Killingsworth removed to Cohansie and became its pastor in 1690. Later, Judge John Holmes, second son of Obadiah Holmes. Sr., and brother to Obadiah Holmes, Jr., removed to Salem county, settling near Alloway. Pastor Killingsworth and Oba- diah, Jr., were Judges in the Court and Baptists had two of their number Judges in Salem county. Baptists were in Salem and in Alloway, which led in 1741-3 to the building of a Baptist house of worship at Mill Hollow, two miles from Salem toward Alloway, and the two congrega- tions worshiped in it. A few years after, Mr. Sheppard, a licentiate of Cohansie, moved to Alloway and supplied that branch. A Church had been constituted at Alloway, in 1741. The pastors of Cohansie kept on in the missionary work of Mr. Killingsworth. As Pastor Jen- kins declined in health the two years before he died in 1754, Messrs. Sheppard and Kelsay maintained the out-stations, each in their respect- ive localities-Alloway and Pittsgrove. Nineteen Baptists were on May 17th, 1755, recognized as the "Anti-Poedo Baptist Church of Salem and Alloway Creek." Another name: "The Anti-Poedo Baptist Society meeting in the Town of Salem," was adopted in June, 1786, the Church having decided to build a meeting house in Salem. Services continued, however, in the Mill Hollow house until 1790. By special legislative act the name was again changed in 1860 to the "First Baptist Church of Salem."
Job Sheppard descended from David Sheppard, who came from Ireland in 1683, was a constituent of Cohansie in 1690. Job Sheppard was ordained pastor of the Salem and Alloway Church, 1755-56. He died March 2nd, 1757, only fifty years old. His chief work was done be- fore his ordination, preaching in Salem, Alloway and other stations. He was a man of rare worth, unenvious and without a taint of jealousy of another's influence or position. Messrs. Kelsay and Sheppard had been licensed at the same time, when Mr. Jenkins died, each was anxious that the other should succeed to the eminence of pastor at Cohansie. But Mr. Sheppard preferred the lowlier position of pastor at a mission station. There was a sorrowful lack of appreciation in the Churches which he served, that his dust lies in an unmarked grave in a country graveyard, it may be, overgrown with briers and weeds. Job Sheppard the first pastor of Salem and Joseph Sheppard, pastor there 1809-29, were descendants of David Sheppard, who had come from Ireland in 1683 and was a constituent of Cohansie Church.
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A vacancy in the pastoral office lasted four years. When, in 1761, Rev. John Sutton became pastor, but illness compelled him to retire within a few months. Mr. Sutton was one of five brothers-all Bap- tist ministers-sent out by Scotch Plains Church. Rev. John Stutton was a graduate of Hopewell, an associate with Rev. James Manning, of Scotch Plains Church, founder of Brown University. Mr. Sutton was an eminent man in his times. An interval of eighteen months occurred before Rev. John Blackwell, of Hopewell, entered the pastorate, which again soon closed.
About four years passed, when, in February, 1768, Rev. Abel Grif- fiths settled as pastor, ministering seven years to the Church and sup- plied the Brandywine Church in Delaware. Material interests prosper- ed under Mr. Griffiths. A parsonage and farm of one hundred acres about a mile from town was bought.
A long vacancy of nine years followed the resignation of Mr. Grif- fiths, including the dark days of the American Revolution. This in- terval, however, showed traces of the Divine presence. In one year eighteen were baptized, in two other years, eight in each. Despite of death and other losses, the membership had doubled. It is quite likely that Pastor Kelsay of Cohansie had a care for Salem Church, the eldest child of his Church.
Rev. P. Van Horn became pastor in March, 1784. He died while pastor, September 10th, 1789. During the pastorate of Mr. Van Horn, 1786, the meeting house in Salem was begun and was nearly four years before completed. The building was of brick, large and substantial and creditable in architecture and taste to those who built it. The house cost seven thousand five hundred dollars. It was built on a lot of the widow Dunlap, formerly Mary Wiggins, who died in 1797, leaving, by her will, all her property, personal and real, to the Church. Eleanor Waters, who died in 1795, also left the Church 100 pounds or about $500. What remained of these legacies in 1844 was used in securing the present house of worship.
About a year after Mr. Van Horn died, Rev. Isaac Skillman entered the pastor's office, in September, 1790. The following curious docu- ment signifies the business arrangement of this settlement, It is a sample of a number that follow, when new pastors were engaged. It reads as follows: "Be it remembered, That on the sixteenth day of November, 1791, the following argeement was entered into between the Rev. Mr. Isaac Skillman and the Baptist Church and congregation and their trustees in Salem, that is to say, the said Mr. Skillman covenants and agrees to be the pastor or minister of said Church and congregation, to execute all the duties that a minister ought to perform in a Church
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agreeable to the Baptist Confession of Faith; preach all funerals that he may be called upon to preach for said congregation; preach two sermons a day in the summer season, visit the said congregation twice a year, formally, and not leave nor absent himself from the necessary services of said congregation, without consent of said congregation. And the said Church and congregation and their trustees doth covenant and agree to and with the said Mr. Skillman to pay him for his labors and services in the said Church and congregation, as above said, the sum of one hundred and twenty-five pounds a year, to commence on the four- teenth day of August last. And further the said parties agree and promise each to the other that if any discontent on the part of the said Mr. Skillman, whereby he should wish to be dismissed from serving said Church and congregation, or if any discontent should arise in the Church and congregation that they should wish to have the said Mr. Skillman dismissed from being their minister, in either case, they may, if cither of them see 'mete' call the minister and two of the members from Cumber- land and Wilmington Baptist Churches to judge between them, and their determination shall be binding to each party. In witness whereof the parties hereunto set their hands in presents of the minister and two members of the Cumberland Baptist Church and the minister and two members of the Wilmington Baptist Church.
ISAAC SKILLMAN, Pastor.
Signed: Henry Smalley, Jonathan Bowen Isaac Wheaton
--- Cohansie Church.
Caleb Way, Thomas Sasnot,
Job Robinson, - Wilmington Church
Thomas Sayre,
John Holme, Benjamin Holme,
John Briggs,
John Walker,
Anthony Keasby, Howell Smith,
-Trustees.
This is followed by the signatures of seventeen male members of the Church in addition.
Mr. Skillman was a native of New Jersey. Had prepared for college at Hopewell and graduated from Princeton. In the minutes of the Philadelphia association, October, 1772, is this record: "Thursday morning being appointed by the First Baptist Church of this city (Phil- adelphia) for the ordination of Brother Isaac Skillman to the work of the ministry, it was attended with fasting and prayer and a sermon by Brother James Manning, President of Brown University. Then the person was ordained by Messrs. John Gano, Abel Morgan and Isaac Stelle; the charge was given by Benjamin Miller." Call up this galaxy of names-Manning, Gano, Morgan, Stelle, Miller !! Manning, Gano and Miller and the candidate, Skillman, natives of New Jersey; Morgan and Stelle, pastors of the two oldest Churches south of Rhode Island
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and Morgan Edwards was then pastor of the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia. If great names and godly men ministering in Divine things, could call down the sanctity of the Holy One upon the person in waiting, he might be assured of the Divine anointing at the hands of these.
The next year, Mr. Skillman settled in Boston, Mass., (1773), pastor of the Second Baptist Church for fourteen years. Resigning his charge there he accepted the call to Salem in 1790. "The Church grew in numbers, in resources and in effective strength." Mr. Skillman died suddenly in 1799 and was greatly lamented. Leaving the memorial of one whom "the king delighted to honor." Mr. H. G. Jones supplied the pulpit for six months, from June, 1791, when he was called to be pastor, in January, 1792. He served the Church nearly four years, resigning on account of failing health.
After several months had gone, Mr. Thomas Brown was called and ordained in 1796. He remained two years and moved to East Jersey. His short pastorate was successful and he left behind him a cherished memory. Joseph Sheppard was called to be pastor and was ordained in April, 1809, resigning in 1829. His pastorate of twenty years was the longest the Church had known. Mr. Sheppard was the fifth genera- tion from the original David Sheppard. The other pastorates approxi- mating Mr. Sheppards in length were Rev. J. R. Murphey and Rev. A. H. Sembower, each lasting twelve and more years. The oversight of Pastor Sheppard was a continuous good to the Church. Two colonies were dismissed in it, to constitute Churches-Canton and Woodstown. Six young men were influenced to prepare for the ministry. A higher academic school was begun and a building erected for its use. Under his able, earnest and intelligent oversight, the welfare of the Church was promoted. He took an active part in originating the New Jersey Baptist Association in 1811, the first association and general body of Baptists in the State, and was its first clerk; also, clerk of the "New Jersey Baptist Mission Society," constituted at the organiza- tion of the Association. In effect, the beginning of the New Jersey State Convention. Mr .. Sheppard survived his removal from Salem about nine years and died at Camden fifty-two years old.
Rev. C. J. Hopkins followed at Salem, in May, 1829, and continued in charge of the Church six years. Mr. Hopkins always had a crowded audience and was a "taking" preacher. A most genial and humorous man. Many incidents are told of his funny side both on the road, in the parlor and in the pulpit. Serious matters had their "sunny side" to him. A colony for the organization of a Church at Alloway was sent out in 1830. Later, in 1859, Mr. Hopkins returned to Salem and was
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pastor of the Second Church, remaining until 1861, when they disbanded. While visiting Salem in July, 1862, he died very suddenly.
Rev. Thomas Wilkes followed Mr. Hopkins, in July, 1835. His stay was only eight months. Mr. Nightinggale succeeded in March, 1863. He was a vigorous man and of his piety and worth none who knew him had any doubt. Had he been born a hundred years earlier, he would have fitted the times admirably. As the writer remembers him, his solemnity was at times embarassing. For three years, after Mr. Nightinggale, Rev. Samuel Smith was pastor; much the same kind of a man as Mr. Nightinggale Worthily known for the three "S's"- Sober, Sound and Safe.
The pastor succeeding Mr. Smith, Rev. S. C. James, was wholly unlike the two last. Ministering from January, 1842, to March, 1844. A lovable man and eminently useful. A smile always wreathed his countenance and his words cheery and youthful; his grey hairs seemed out of place. In April, 1844, Rev. J. W. Gibbs entered the pastorate. He had the gift of words. One of the good women of his Church said to him, "Mr. Gibbs we cannot understand the words you use," To her he replied: "My sister, you must buy a dictionary." A member of his congregation caught this from his sermon :- "Anticipating the circumstances of the results of the consequences on the part of the Apostles, aside and separate from the Scriptures."
A new house of worship down town where people lived had long been needed. The sanctity of the old house of worship suddenly en- hanced. A second Church was formed of the disaffected to the movement. The gates of the cemetery in which it stood were locked and funerals with the dead shut out. The new structure, however, was finished and dedicated in December, 1846. Pastor Gibbs re- mained about three years. Closing his labors in April, 1847. Mr. Gibbs did a great work for the Church by his tact and wisdom in building the new sanctuary.
James Smithers became pastor on the same day on which Pastor Gibbs retired. He was discovered in various immoralities and ex- pelled from the Church on account of them.
Special Providence sent them for pastor Rev. R. F. Young. The troubles growing out of building the new Church edifice and the odium which attacked to the Church on account of the Smithers reprobacy, called for such a pastor as Mr. Young proved to be. One who could instantly command universal confidence for his known purity in the many years of his devoted Christian ministry. He became pastor, October 1st, 1849. While pastor for five years, his labors were incessant and reached in every direction. He made no pretentions and was emi- 4
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nent for humility, tenderness and efficiency. Many converts were add- ed to the Church under his labors, the debt on the new Church edifice was paid and concord in the Church restored. A second effort was made to found an academic school. The failure of the movement and the loss of funds to provide a temporary home for the school was wholly beyond the control of Mr. Young. Mr. Young resigned October 1st, 1854, to return to an old charge in Pennsylvania. The beloved and able Aaron Perkins followed in February, 1855, and soon remedied so great a loss. Mr. Perkins was in his sixty-third year and had been preaching for forty-three years, but retained the ardor and vigor of his youth. At the close of his pastorate, in July, 1859, he left large re- turns as the harvest of his sowing and of the wonderful rewards which his successor was privileged to reap. A few months later, in October, 1859, Rev. J. R. Murphey became pastor and for twelve years served the Church. In 1868 and 1869 a revival broke out and two hundred and forty-seven were baptized, the largest number baptized in one associa- tional year in any Baptist Church in the State. Seventy-two members were dismissed in July, 1869, to organize the memorial Church in Salem. A week elapsed at the close of the service of Pastor Murphey in March, 1872, when Mr. Miles Sanford settled as Pastor. Mr. Sanford died October 31st, 1874, only two years and seven months after the be- ginning of his work.
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