USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 53
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About thirty years before New England farmers "fired the shot heard round the world," a small company of Seventh Day Baptists from Rhode Island and Connecticut settled in Monmouth County. They described themselves as the scattered remnant of the little flock of Jesus Christ living at Squan, Squankum, Deal in Shrewsbury and Middletown, in the province of East Jersey, keeping the command- ments of God, particularly that of his holy Seventh Day Sabbath. Their church organization took place in 1745 and the constituency was the following: William Davis and wife, Elizabeth; Pavior Davis, Joseph Davis and wife, Bethia; William Davis, Jr., Joseph Maxson, Judith Babcock, Ruth Babcock, Elizabteh Brand, Mary Stillman, Judith Davis, wife of James and Elizabeth Maxson; John Davis and wife, Elizabeth, Clark Davis, Thomas Brand. The three brethren at the head of this list were ministers. All the families lived on scattered farms in the neighborhood of Shark river.
In 1775, their membership was about three times as large as at their beginning. Their first pastor was Rev. John Davis. He served the church six years, dying in 1753, at the age of sixty years. His ordination had been on July 12th, 1746. After twenty years, Rev. Jacob Davis became pastor, was licensed to preach in 1774 and or- dained in 1775. The Revolution broke up the band. The pastor became a chaplain in the army and most of the male members enlisted. Those left had occasional meetings and continued to build their church edifice. At the close of the war, the membership returned and a. spiritual awakening was realized. In August, 1789, the meeting house was sold and the next month, the majority moved to West Vir- ginia. The remnant remained a short time under the ministry of Rev. H. Lafferty and then moved to Piscataway. Thus closed a move- ment of forty-four years of Christian experience in that part of New
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SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS
Jersey. The reorganized church is still a thriving society in Salem, West Virginia.
Plainfield church, an offshoot from Piscataway church, had a fa- vorable beginning and has always prospered. Coming to the place at the time when new impetus was imparted to the town, 1836-38, the spiritual interests of this church have kept pace with the town's secular devel- opment. Its constituency was composed of the best blood from the parent stock, vigorous and enthusiastic. Most of the membership were descendants in family lines of those who had founded the first church in New Jersey, of their faith in 1705 and were derived from original Baptists. There seems to have been as many as fifty-five, stanch, reliable people associated at Plainfield. Up to 1901, there have been nine pastors of able and strong men, and supplies as in- telligent and competent. Such men as L. Crandel, S. Davidson, J. H. Cochran, J. Bailey, A. R. Cornwall, T. R. Williams, D. E. Maxson, A. H. Lewis, Arthur E. Manton, A. E. Main and G. B. Shaw. Prom- inent among them may be named, L. Crandell, D. E. Maxson and Abram H. Lewis. The labors of each were eminently blest and a large increase of the membership. For more than a year previous to their public organization, those living in Plainfield had purchased a lot and built a meeting house. On the 8th of February, 1836, the house was formally dedicatd to divine service and on the next day, the Plainfield Seventh Day Baptist church was organized with fifty-seven members.
This house was occupied for twenty-six years and as the first spiritual home of the worshippers was endeared to all. But the im- provements of the railroads made it necessary to remove the house to another location. In 1864, a new site was bought and another church edifice erected and completed and occupied in 1867. A parsonage was also built on an adjoining lot. The church has always been a unit in all of its secular and spiritual affairs. In 1893-94, it was decided to build a new, larger and modern house. This was made possible by the generous gifts of two brethren. The result has been to erect a handsome, artistic and durable structure, the pride of the village. The former house of worship built in 1867, was moved to a near by lot and is occupied by one of the departments of public schools. In the activities of a consecrated membership, the church pushes forward and it has been actively useful in every good measure, secular and religious.
A number withdrew in 1845 to aid in organizing a new church in New York City and in 1884, the roll was again depleted by dismissions to another church. The present membership is about 250. Their
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missionary society was founded in 1842. The American Sabbath Tract Society was begun in 1843 and their publishing house has been printing denominational literature since 1849. The education society began in 1855. The general conference among their churches was established in 1802-03. The associations meet annually. The whole number of churches in the United States in 1903 was reported to be 121, having a membership of 10,709. The growth of the Seventh Day Baptists in New Jersey has not been rapid in the past two hundred years. They seek more the development of truth than enlargement of the lines of a denomination. They are thoroughly evangelical in doctrine. The difference with regular Baptists and themselves is wholly the question of the Sabbath. It is their purpose to continue the Sabbath discussion until Christendom accepts their view of the divine testimony.
CHAPTER LXII.
AFRO-AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES.
Having been disappointed in obtaining a history of the Afro-Amer- ican Baptist churchcs in New Jersey, from one of their pastors, a brief sketch must suffice. Previous to the last quarter of the nineteenth century the religious work among the colored people in New Jersey was done largely by the Methodists.
In 1862, a colored Baptist church was organized in Burlington. It has had a checkered history, and has always been weak. They own their house of worship.
The Mount Olive Baptist church was organized in Plainfield, in 1868. They have a meeting house and parsonage, and have prospered under the helpful influence of the First Baptist church. Rev. E. E. Jackson is their pastor. Two other churches have been organized there. The Calvary church (1898), Rev. Scott Wallace, pastor, has a substantial church edifice, but burdened with debt.
In 1871, the Bethany Baptist church was organized in Newark. It is a strong body and owns valuable property. The congregations are large and the Sunday-school flourishing. The membership in 1879 was 92. In 1903, it had increased to 411. Rev. R. D. Wynn is pastor. Five other churches have been organized; Mt. Zion in 1878, and in 1903, reported 134 members.
In 1864, a colored church was organized in Camden, as the Seventh Baptist church. It has been a prosperous body and for many years, enjoyed the faithful labors of Rev. Moses Wilcox. In 1903, it reported a membership of 286, pastor, Rev. J. T. Plenty. It owns its house of worship. Two other churches have since come into existence: Mt. Zion, Rev. S. G. Smith, pastor, and St. John (1894), Rev. G. E. Hughes, pastor.
The Salem Baptist church in Jersey City started in 1872. Rev. R. A. Motley has been pastor for many years and is still pastor. The field is large, but their house of worship is too small for either their church or Sunday-school work. The church, however, is accomplish- ing much, and with better facilities could do much more. Two other churches have been organized, the Bethesda, in 1890, Rev. J. C. Butler, pastor. The membership in 1903 was 82, and the Monumental, Rev. W. S. Smith, pastor.
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NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
In 1876, the Ebenezer Baptist church, New Brunswick was organ- ized. Rev. William Wallace became pastor and served several years Rev. A. G. Young followed and for many years, the church prospered under his care. Rev. E. W. Roberts is now (1904) pastor. The church has a good edifice.
About 1884, a colored church was organized at Paterson, under the name of Calvary Baptist church. Its pastor is Rev. O. L. Simmons. It has house of worship. In 1885, Mt. Zion Baptist church was organ- ized at Salem. This has always been a struggling body. In 1903, it reported 173 members, pastor, Rev. J. N. Holley.
About 1865, several colored persons in Elizabeth were baptized by Rev. G. W. Clark. Several years later, these, with others, who had come from the South, were organized as the Fourth Baptist church. The Shiloh church was organized in 1879. In a re-arrangement of the colored churches of the city the Fourth church disbanded, and the Union church started in 1891. Since that time, the Shiloh and Union churches have prospered. They own their houses of worship, and exert a strong influence upon their race in the city. Considerable property is owned by the members of these churches. Rev. J. H. Bailey had a long pastorate at the Union church. Rev. W. P. Lawrence was pastor in 1903, and Rev. W. H. Taylor, of the Shiloh church.
There have been several churches in Asbury Park since 1885, when the Second church was organized, and Rev. R. A. Bolen became pastor and continues till the present time. In 1896, the Mt. Moriah church was organized under pastor W. H. Wallace, who still continues in the same relation. The church owns its house of worship. Rev. E. D. Dromgoole is pastor of Mt. Pisgah church. The general cause has been weakened by too many organizations.
The Second church of Atlantic City was organized in 1889, and has had a prosperous growth. It reported 496 members in 1903 and owns its church edifice. Rev. E. Jenkins has been pastor since 1892. There are two other churches. One of them, Mt. Nebo, pastor, Rev. L. E. Jones, came into existence in 1899.
At Haddonfield, Mt. Olivet church started in 1892, has had a prosperous life under the successful care of pastor J. P. Gregory. It has a commodius house of worship. Merchantville Second, (1895) and Moorestown Second, (1896) are somewhat indebted to the missionary spirit and labors of Mr. Gregory and his church. Both of these churches have substantial houses of worship.
At Morristown, the African Baptist church was organized in 1889 and is fulfilling her mission under the efficient leadership of pastor G. E. Morris, and in a meeting house suited to present needs. Cran-
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AFRO-AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES
ford (1887) was fostered for several years by its first pastor, Rev. W. H. Wallace. It has a respectable house of worship. Rev. William Perry was pastor in 1903. Roselle Second is a small but vigorous body, owning its meeting house, and contributing to different benevolent objects. Rev. W. M. Vaughan is pastor (1904).
Baptist interests among the colored people of Trenton has had a varied history. Several unsuccessful efforts had been made, but in 1896, the Shiloh Baptist church was organized, and for several years, worshipped in hired houses. But under the pastorate of Rev. A. R. Satterfield, (1900-03) with the co-operation of the Baptists of the city, a neat house of worship was erected. Various lines of church work are successfuly carried on. There is another church, Union, Rev. J. L. Burton, pastor, which maintains a struggling existence, and which ought to be united with the Shiloh church.
At Princeton, there is a good and growing interest, which was organized in 1885 as the Bright Hope Baptist church. It has a com- modius house of worship and a parsonage; large congregations and a prosperous Sunday-school. It has enjoyed the pastorates of good men. The present pastor, Rev. D. H. Klugh, entered upon his duties 1902.
The church has received aid from the Trenton Association, the State Convention and from the Chairman of the Missionary Committee of the Trenton Association. Its membership in 1903 was 195.
There is a large colored population in the Oranges. In 1887, the Calvary Baptist church was organized, and soon after, purchased the church edifice of the First Baptist church in East Orange. In 1903, it reported 273 members. It has a good Sunday-school and good congregations, and contributes to benevolent objects. There are four other churches: Mt. Olive, G. W. Krygar, pastor; North Clinton St., E. D. Samuels, pastor; South Orange, a small but growing interest, and Ebenezer, Orange, with a membership of 318, and one other.
At Monclair, there are two churches. The older is the Union (1887), a prosperous interest, owning valuable property, with a mem- bership of 477. Its pastor is J. C. Love. The other, a young church, is doing some aggressive work.
There are small interests at Keyport (1893), Rev. D. D. Hall pastor; at Matawan, (1892), Rev. P. T. Morris, pastor; at Middletown, Rev. J. W. Hamlin, pastor or supply. At Long Branch, the Second Baptist church has a membership of 260, under the pastoral care of Rev. A. Smallwood. Also the Ebenezer church, started in 1902, Rev. R. W. Fields, pastor.
At Red Bank, there are two churches: The Calvary (1886), pur- chased the old house of the First Baptist church and removed it to a new
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NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
location. This building was lost by fire, but a new one has been erected. Rev. J. W. Hamlin is pastor. The Pilgrim church (1894) is more cen- trally located, and is growing under the labors of pastor L. J. Tunston. It would be better for the general cause if both churches were one organization. Better support would be given the pastor and more effective work could be done.
At Lakewood, work began among the colored people about 1894, which resulted in the Sixth Street Baptist church in 1895. Energy and perseverance have characterized the movement. Prosperity is enjoyed under the wise pastoral care of Rev. A. G. Young. They own their meeting house and in 1903, reported a membership of 50. As Lakewood is a winter resort, their congregations are excellent during that season of the year.
Early in 1903, Rev. R. F. Thomas visited Hightstown and began labors among the colored people. Success attended him and on June 5th, an organization was effected, of ten members, under the name of Mt. Olivet Baptist church. On September 18th, it was publicly recog- nized by a Council of the Trenton Association. It has the hearty approval of the First Baptist church. Mr. Thomas continues as pastor with a membership of twenty-five (1904).
Other churches may be mentioned: Macedonian, Cape May (1892), G. W. Kemp, pastor; Angelic, Bayonne (1888), Rev. J. T. Thornton, pastor; St. Paul, Atlantic Highlands, Rev. E. W. Wainwright as pastor; Mt. Olive, Hackensack (1892), Rev. T. B. Twisby, pastor; Calvary Second, Hopewell (1892), Rev. T. E. Johnson, pastor; Madison First (1897); Mt. Zion, Passaic (1901); Pennington (1903), Rev. E. D. Crawley pastor; Rahway Second (1898), Rev. L. L. Coone, pastor; Mt. Ararat, Rutherford (1895), N. L. Harris, pastor; Fountain, Summit, Rev. J. E. Cothran, pastor; New York Avenue, Westfield (1893), Rev. W. P. Ross, pastor; Second Freehold, Rev. J. R. Brown, pastor; Mt. Zion, Passaic (1901); Palmyra (about 1899); Swedesboro (1904); Paulsboro (1904) and others. Besides these, there are a number of missions at Vineland, Riverside, Bordentown, Pompton and other places.
Since 1876, there has been a large emigration into New Jersey of colored people from the South, especially from Virginia. These are, largely of Baptist preferences, and very many members of Baptist churches in the South. They do not feel at home with their white brethren of the North, and very naturally wish a religious home of their own. Missions have been formed and churches organized. A missionary spirit has been developed and many have become exhorters and licentiate preachers. With great industry and perseverance they have visited places wherever people of their own race could be found,
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AFRO-AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES
holding meetings, and starting missions which have grown often into churches.
Frequently a spirit of great sacrifice and devotion to the cause has been manifested. The growth has been rapid and churches have been multiplied. Their evening congregations are generally large and quite out of proportion to their church membership. This is owing to their changing population, and to the fact that many spend only seven or eight months of the year in the north, returning south for the winter.
Some of the missions and churches have been troubled with bad and inefficient leaders. In such cases, the work has been greatly hindered. In some cases, brethren, who like "Diotrephes, loveth to have the pre-eminence," have caused divisions, unsettled pastors, started independent missions and little churches. Thus in some places there is a church too many. But upon the whole, the work of the colored Baptists has been quite successful in the midst of great diffi- culties, and they merit the sympathy and prayers of God's people everywhere.
About 1893, the Afro-American churches in the vicinity of Plain- field, Elizabeth and Newark, formed the Afro-American Association of New Jersey. It was incorporated February 6, 1894. Its object is "to spread the Gospel and do missionary work in the State of New Jersey and wherever Providence may provide." It has had a varying membership. In 1900, it reported thirty-two churches; in 1903, forty- two churches. It holds its meetings annually the last week in Sep- tember.
Its officers for the year ending 1901, were: President, Rev. W. A. Harris, Cranford, N. J .; vice president, Rev. W. H. Wallace, Asbury Park, N. J .; corresponding secretary, Rev. A. G. Young, D.D., New Brunswick, N. J .; recording secretary, Rev. George W. Krygar, East Orange, N. J .; treasurer, Rev. E. E. Jackson, Plainfield, N. J. Its Foreign Mission Board: Rev. M. W. Vaughan, Chairman; Rev. Asbury Smallwood, Secretary; Rev. J. L. Burton, Rev. George E. Morris, B. D., Rev. E. W. Roberts, Rev. L. B. Twisby. Its general state missionary, Rev. J. H. Bailey. Rev. R. D. Wynn is secretary for 1904.
About the same time, as the formation of the above Association, the colored Baptist pastors of Camden and vicinity started a South Jersey Missionary Union. Its object was the helping one another, and starting and assisting mission fields and weak interests. This society meets with some pastor and his church on a fifth Sunday of a month, beginning on the Saturday preceeding. It thus has four gatherings a year. The meetings are largely attended and have resulted in great
33
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NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
profit and helpfulness to the brethren and the churches. The pastors generally have entered heartily into the work. Rev. J. P. Gregory of Haddonfield, has acted some time as Secretary.
In 1903, the Seacoast Missionary Baptist Association of New Jersey was organized, and held its first meeting with the Mt. Moriah Baptist church, Asbury Park, on August 13 to 17, 1903. The object of this Association is to do missionary work, and help weak churches among the colored population along the sea-coast and vicinity, south of the Raritan River. It reported sixteen churches. The officers were: William H. Wallace, Moderator; R. W. Fields, Clerk, D. D. Hall, Treasurer; M. F. Mathews, Corresponding Secretary. The annual meeting is held on Thursday before the third Lord's Day in August. The Second annual meeting was at Asbury Park in 1904 and reported seventeen churches.
It is difficult to obtain complete statistics of the Afro-American Baptist churches in New Jersey. Some of them are not connected with any Association, and but few of them make careful returns of membership, Sunday-school work, or of money raised for expenses and benevolences. So far as can be ascertained, there are, in 1904, sixty-nine churches and several missions, with a membership of 10,500. About forty have meeting houses; about thirty worship in halls. The value of church property owned and paid for is $153,000. There are sixty pastors, and about forty licentiates, some of whom are in schools.
Thus the Scripture is being fulfilled which says, "Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God."
CHAPTER LXIII.
-
ASBURY PARK.
The manuscript of the Asbury Park church was mislaid, and the his- tory is therefore placed here.
The first Baptist church of Asbury Park was born, chiefly of the earnest efforts of the missionary committee of the Trenton Association. The chairmen of that committee often visited the place and found many Baptists there from the whole country: New England, the South, the West, were represented largely. In fact, Baptists were much like a church in new towns in the West. Ofttimes, members of the commit- tee preached there long before an organization of the church. Es- pecially, Rev. A. Armstrong, who subsequently was called to be pastor.
The first meeting of Baptists was held in February about 1875. This meeting resolved itself into a Business Session. Wilson Rose was appointed a committee to write to the chairman of the Missionary Committee of the Trenton Association, upon the subject of an organi- zation of a Baptist church. Thirty-seven Baptists were ready to enter into such an organization of such a body.
Subsequent meetings were held at various homes. One at the house of Brother West at Hamilton Square, at which, Rev.T. S. Griffiths chairman of the Missionary Committee, was present. Thirty names of those willing to unite in the new interest were secured. Uriah White and Jonathan were appointed a committee to prepare "articles of faith." After this, meetings were held in the homes of different mem- bers.
On April 9th, 1877, a meeting was held at the house of the clerk, at which a delegation of the missionary committee was present, Rev. T. S. Griffiths and Thomas Burrowes of Keyport. At which this reso- lution was adopted:
"We, the undersigned, do now covenant with each other as Baptists, and solemnly agree to enter into church relationship as a regular Bap- tist church. G. S. Dye, Eliner Dye, Elisha Rittenhouse, Delia Ritten- house of Sandy Ridge, H. B. Lockerson, Mrs. E. T. Lockerson, Jonathan West, Mrs. H. West, Wilson Rose, James Bresnahan and Mrs. Bresna- han, Miss Georgie Brown, Mrs. Caroline Brown, Miss Emily C. Brown, John Sutphin, Miss Harriet M. Gilhooly, Mrs. Caroline Holmes, Miss
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NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
Ada F. Rittenhouse, Mrs. Anna E. Wykoff, Mrs. Amy C. Rose, Saxon J. Raymond," in all, twenty-one.
Soon after, arrangements were made for the recognition of the church. Nine churches in the vicinity were invited to recognize the body as a Baptist church. The Council met on the 17th, 1877.
Through the kindness of Mr. Bradley of Asbury Park, the church used Park Hall until they could build a house of worship. On November 26th, T. R. Taylor was called to be pastor and was ordained on January 22d, 1873. Mr. Taylor proved an efficient and missionary pastor.
May 9th, 1878, steps were taken to build a church edifice. C. B Stout of New Brunswick was accustomed to spend his vacations at Asbury Park. Mrs. Stout had a sister who was influenced to give $800, at least, to the church. With this, accumulated debts were paid and the house was completed. The house is large, well located, the ground, having been given by Mr. Bradley at a later date, lots were bought and a parsonage built in the rear of the church.
Now an effort is being made to build a new house in a more eligible location. In one year, the congregations were compelled, by a great revival, to occupy the unfinished house which they did at very con- siderable cost of convenience and comfort.
Mr. Taylor received a visit from Avon, asking for help to come there and open meetings. He went, began a Sunday-school and preached at its close. Preaching in the morning at Asbury Park, he walked to Avon, four or five miles, and returned in time to preach in the evening. He also superintended the Sunday- school at Avon and taught a class at Sunday-school in Asbury Park. As a result, he baptized many at Avon and at Belmar, laying the foun- dation of a Baptist church at Belmar.
Besides securing lots at Avon and accumulating $800 for a church edifice at Avon, he was also offered lots at Belmar for a house of wor- ship, and had there been a church there to hold them they would have had a house of worship in a central location and accessible to the summer visitors.
Thus, on his return and settlement at Avon, he entered upon the charge of a church where he had laid its first founda- tions. Mr. Taylor presented his resignation, unfortunately, on January 1st, 1884. It was declined. But after a conference on the subject, was accepted at a meeting on November 5th, 1885, nearly two years after its presentation. Mr. F. C. Colby followed; but no substi- tute could hold the place and exert the power of the first pastor, whose congregations crowded the house and he was a vast power in Asbury Park.
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ASBURY PARK
Mr. Taylor baptized 306 in seven years, an average of 43 each year. One was licensed to preach, much of whose expenses were paid by Mr. Taylor. He was followed by Mr. Colby. It is worthy of mention that a revival of religion occurred under his ministry during the winter of 1892. He closed his labors Oct. 1st, 1893, and he was followed by Mr. Martin in December, 1893. A mortgage of thirteen hundred and fifty dollars was paid in his pastorate. Mr. Martin was followed by Rev. John Love, Jr., in 1902.
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