USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 6
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After an interval of months, Rev. C. E. Cords entered the pastorate in June, 1875, and resigned in November, 1877. His pastoral relation identified him with Baptist interests in Salem and in 1881 "the memorial Church" called him to be their pastor. Rev. J. B. English became pas- tor, serving as such about two years.
"Supplies" ministered to the Church for many months when a call was given to Mr. H. A. Griesemer, who was ordained pastor in February, 1881. Improvements on the meeting house at a larger expenditure than the original cost of the property, added every needed convenience for Christian work. Mr. Griesemer resigned in April, 1884.
Pastor A. H. Sembower began his ministry at Salem on September 1st, 1884 and continued twelve and more years. Being the second pastor after Joseph Sheppard who showed the gains made by long pas- torates, to both pastor and Church. Mr. Sembower resigned in 1896. The debts incurred by improvements in the previous pastoral care, were all paid in this pastorate. A colored sister, Sidney Miller, a member of the Church, left a legacy of eighteen hundred dollars to the Church, which was used to pay the last debts. Pastor Sembower followed some of his predecessors in being a missionary pastor. In Salem, a colony founded the Mt. Zion Church, and in 1890, forty-eight members
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COHANSIE AND SALEM
founded the Quinton Church. In February, 1897, Rev. E. McMinn became pastor and continued until 1900, when he resigned.
Salem has had twenty-five pastors. One served twenty years; two, more than twelve years; four closed their work on earth by death: -Job Sheppard, P. Van Horn, I. Skillman and Miles Sanford. Five pastors were ordained for the pastoral office.
As many as eleven members have been licensed to preach; some of them foremost men in the Baptist ministry. One, C. W. Mulford, was a champion of temperance in a day when it was an unpopular theme and was secretary and president of the New Jersey State Convention. Another was D. J. Freas, he had financial "means." Entering a field, found nine Baptists beside himself; prevailed to have a Church formed; and was one of its constituents; was pastor and used his funds to build a house of worship, sheds and what else was needful. The writer recalls, that having spent "all," he asked the endorsement of the Board of the Convention to visit Churches and ask their help to repay him. Alas, that it was a vain venture! Mr. Freas spent the last years of his life as a city missionary in Trenton, N. J. He chose this work of his own accord and without salary. But he lacked nothing for his work or for himself. It was said: "There had never been such a funeral in Tren- ton," either for the number of clergymen present, nor for the persons there, rich and poor, nor for the profound and universal grief expressed; nor for the multitude present to do honor to the man whose unselfishness and piety was known throughout the city.
Seven colonies went out from Salem Church. These included two hundred and thirty-six members. The membership included the Holmes, Smiths, Keasbeys, Sheppards and Quintons, a large and in- fluential part of the wealth and culture of the community.
CHAPTER III.
CANTON, 1818, WOODSTOWN, 1822, ALLOWAY, 1830, AND QUINTON, 1876, CHURCHES.
Canton is about midway between Cohansie and Salem. Nathaniel Jenkins, first made Canton an out-station of Cohansie Church, long be- fore Salem Church was formed. Pastors Kelsay, of Cohansie, and Job Sheppard, of Salem, and their successors kept up the appointment. Steps were taken in 1809 to build a meeting house in Canton. Messrs. Smalley, of Cohansie, and Joseph Sheppard, of Salem, also, took meas- ures for the organization of a Church. Since mention is made "of constituent members and of a council in November, 1812," having frequent consultations and it "was resolved to constitute a gospel Church." For some reason this decision was not carried out.
Six years later, on November 12, 1818, Pastors Smalley and Shep- pard met with twenty-six members dismissed from Salem and five from Cohansie, in all thirty-one, and endorsed them as a regular Baptist Church. Previously an arrangement had been made with Mr. Thomas J. Kitts to become pastor and in the next December he was ordained. Pastor Kitts was very useful, but he resigned at the end of sixteen months. The pastors were Rev. J. P. Cooper, 1821-23; Rev. E. Jayne, 1824, seventy years old and died in April, 1826; Rev. J. P. Thompson, 1827-30; E. M. Barker, 1830-33; ordained 1831, Rev. J. P. Cooper, second charge; Rev. J. Miller, five years, an antinomian. Under him the Church withdrew from the New Jersey Association and sent a dele- gate to an anti-nomian association.
In December, 1834, they resolved: "That, we as a particular Baptist Church hold no further correspondence with the New Jersey Baptist Association, believing that they have acted contrary to their constitution in the following particulars: First. To allow Churches to make alterations in their 'articles of faith.' Second. In the admission of the Church at Vincentown on a new 'confession of faith.' We have, therefore, come to the conclusion: "That the aforesaid Association has no standing article of faith by which it may be discrim- inated as a particular body and under such considerations, we have deemed it expedient to withdraw from the same." The resolution to which reference is made is: Resolved, that we recognize no right in our association to dictate confessions of faith to the Churches, and
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CANTON, WOODSTOWN, ALLOWAY AND QUINTON
therefore, deem it expedient to act upon the confession of faith, which we have generally received, but refer it to the Churches to make such alterations as they may deem necessary in that instrument."
This resolution is wholly Baptistic, denying to associations or to any other person or body the right to dictate to a Church what it shall The Canton Church had no right to dictate to the Asso- believe.
A Church ciation, that it ought to dictate to the Churches. must choose for itself. If Baptist, Presbyterian or another it is free to choose its own relationship. The only right of an associated Church is to inquire if it agrees to the accepted faith. Asking to join a Baptist or any other such body one ought to be a Baptist, or be in accord with those with whom he unites.
In the digest of 1833, page 7, a quotation from the Canton letter says: "Have preaching from a sound evangelical man." Sound and evangelical had a significant meaning in that day. To one familiar with Hyper and moderate Calvinism, two generations since, the memory is horrible. An "unsound" preacher was ostracised. We can have no conception of the bitterness and enmity cherished against Rev. H. Holcombe, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia, excited by that memorable sermon, "On the attainableness of faith" inti- mating that a soul had some part in its own salvation, at least, by ac- ceptance of Christ and by overcoming and growth.
Subsequently this action of the Canton Church was shown to be the work of the Pastor and he became a "bone of contention." A council was called, both parties agreeing to abide by their decision. But the Miller faction repudiated it, and Mr. Miller and the minority left the Church. Another council's advise was accepted and Miller with thirty adherents were excluded. These built a place of worship, near the old Church edifice, adopted anti-nomianism, having Mr. Miller for pastor. But when he removed, the light went out and the property was put to secular uses. This was the only attempt of anti-nomianism made in South Jersey. Pastor Moore, at Cohansie, tasted, 1843, its bitterness. With his removal and the coming of another, using careful formula of speech, dissent and difference disappeared. An old pastor at Canton, Rev. J. P. Cooper, whose goodness and ministering piety were known to all and doubted by none, em- ployed himself to heal the wounds of old hurts and to restore the spirituality of the Church.
Rev. William Ruddy became pastor in 1838. The Church re- united with the New Jersey Association. A large and very creditable brick house of worship was built and paid for in 1840-1. Pastor Ruddy resigned in 1841. His pastoral care was unmixed good to the Church
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NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
and to the community. Rev. William J. Nice followed. Prudent, extremely modest, eminently pious, his work and influence promoted the best spiritual welfare of the Church. Concord prevailed, many converts were gathered, restoration characterized the labors of one of the best of men. After this the pastors were: Rev. William Bowen, 1842-45; George Sleeper, 1849-55; William Pike, 1856-58; S. C. Dare, 1859-63; W. E. Cornwell, Jr., 1864-5; J. W. Marsh, 1866-69; E. M. Buyrn, 1870; S. Hughes, 1871; E. M. Barker, Second pastorate, 1872-73; F. Spencer, 1874-76; M. M. Fogg, 1877-80; C. DeCamp, 1881-83; J. Ferris, 1883-87; J. J. Davies, 1887-91; William G. Robinson, 1891-93; J. D. Williams, 1894-96; L. Myers, 1896-1900.
The Church has had twenty-seven pastors in its eighty-two years of life, an average of three years each. One died while pastor. Two were pastors twice, and it may be one of them, three times. Mr. Marsh baptized ninety-five in 1867-68. Mr. Dare baptized in 1861-62 seventy-one. Mr. Fogg, in 1880-81 baptized sixty-five. Other pastors while no less useful did not gather in so many converts in any one revival work. Two houses of worship have been in use by Can- ton Church, one built in 1809, while Canton was yet a mission station of Cohansie Church, the other in 1840-1, Mr. Ruddy being pastor.
There is no reliable information of Baptist interests in Woodstown earlier than 1822. Pastor Kelsay and Pastor Sheppard may have had meetings there before the organization of the Church. Woodstown Baptists were commonly associated with the Salem Church as the con- stituency of Woodstown shows. The Church was formed of fifteen members, fourteen of them from Salem and one from Cohansie and was organized as an independent body on July 24th, 1822. In the next August, Mr. William B. Marshall was ordained. His stay was short, only about six months. Rev. P. Cooper followed for a year. On October 23rd, Rev. William Bacon, M. D., became pastor. Both as physician and pastor. Dr. Bacon sustained a noble record as a good and true man having the entire confidence of all, even though his home was a burden and an affliction and only the good of Christ's cause prevented him from making his troubles pub- lic and getting a divorce. While pastor, the temperance pledge was added to the covenant, in 1832. A society was also formed to aid young men to get an education for the ministry, six years before the New Jersey Education Society was organized. After eight years of untiring service, Dr. Bacon resigned, in February, 1838. But for his income from his medical practice he could not have been supported on the field and this the more indicates his worth.
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CANTON, WOODSTOWN, ALLOWAY AND QUINTON
The succession of pastors has been : Rev. H. Samuel Wilson, 1839; Rev. C. C. W. Park, 1840-42; Mr. D. Mead, ordained in July 1842-44; Mr. F. P. Baldin, ordained December, 1844, suddenly died within a year; A. J. Hires, "supply," ordained July, 1846-47; Rev. J. P. Hall, 1847-50; Rev. C. Brinkerhoff, 1850-54; Rev. A. Harvey, 1854-56; E. C. Ambler, 1856-59 (Lecture and Sunday-school room built in 1858.); W. E. Corn- well, 1860, ordained 1861 and remained as "supply;" H. B. Shermer, 1861-63; Rev. F. D. Meeson, 1864-65.
For nearly three years destitute of a pastor, in which time A. J. Hires and E. M. Barker were supplies; Rev. S. C. Dare, 1868-69; (Bap- tistry put into the house of worship in this pastorate.) Rev. J. Thorn, 1870-71; Rev. F. B. Greul, 1872-74; ordained; Rev. P. S. Vreeland, 1874-76; Rev. F. W. Sullivan, 1877-78; (In 1878, Sister S. B. Ale in her will left her house to the Church for a parsonage.) Mr. E. I. Mckeever, 1878-81;(ordained 1879.) Rev. E. D. Stager, 1881.
The Church has had twenty-eight pastors. Dr. Bacon had the long- est charge, eight years. Seven of the pastors were ordained. Five mem- bers have been licensed to preach. The loss of the early records ac- counts for our ignorance of how and when the Church edifice was built, a substantial brick building of large size for the times in which it was erected. It was believed that each of the two deacons gave one thousand dollars for it. One of them, Matthew Morrison, is known to have given one third of his property toward the building. It was said that in the night he dreamed that he and Deacon Waters had given that sum, whereupon he asked the Brother Deacon to give that amount. He, willing to give liberally, did not think that he could give so much. But constant importunity prevailed, and such an example secured the additional needed sum and the work was done. From his knowledge of Deacon Morrison, the writer is fully persuaded that he was the kind of man whose whole soul was wrapped up in the welfare of the kingdom of God.
Baptists and Alloway are associated from an early date. John Holmes, second son of Obadiah Holmes, Sr., the Massachusetts martyr, moved from Philadelphia to Alloway earlier than 1700. His youngest brother, Obadiah, Jr., having come to Salem county about 1683-5. John Holmes was a man of wealth, of culture and of position in social life. Under the Colonial government, he was a Judge in Philadelphia and was in disfavor with the "Friends" (Quakers) for a decision in which he maintained the Baptist doctrine of the right of private opinion. Other Baptists lived at Alloway. In reprint of Philadelphia Association (A. B. P. Soc., 1851) 1755, page 72, is this minute: "Concluded to receive the Church lately constituted at Alloway's Creek in Salem county."
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NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
This body and First Salem were really one Church. The first meeting house of this body was built at Mill Hollow, on land given by Daniel Smith, two miles from Salem, toward Alloway. Mr. Job Sheppard was the first pastor of this Church and preached twelve years in the Mill Hollow house.
There was in early times a very real Baptist element in Alloway. A concentration of Baptists in Salem at the building of the Second Church edifice in Upper Salem, accounts for the loss of Baptist influence in Alloway. A Baptist house of worship was built in Alloway, in 1821, and Pastors Cooper, Sheppard (Joseph) and Hopkins preached in it. The present Church was not organized until 1830, when twenty-five members were dismissed from Salem to constitute the Church. In 1832, Rev. E. M. Barker became pastor. Rev. John Miller was pastor in 1833, being an anti-nomian he led about one third into schism, but he and his party were failures. Rev. Mr. Ferguson was pastor in 1835. Dr. Bacon, of Woodstown, divided his labors at home and in Alloway, in 1836. The succession of pastors was: N. Stetson, one year; Ezekiel Sexton, three years; then, "supplies," William Maul, three years; F. T. Cailhopper, seven years, and ordained; William Roney, one year; James Tricket, four years; A. H. Bliss, seven years, while pastor the meeting house was enlarged and remodeled; J. E. Bradley, three years; M. M. Finch, one year; J. Walden, three years; J. Tricket, three years (second charge); L. Wardell, one year; E. V. Glover, three years; C. R. Webb, one year; W. L. Mayo, two years, in whose oversight a parsonage was built; G. S. Wendell, seven years.
Since 1832, twenty-three pastors have served the Church. Being a rural Church, a struggle was essential to maintain it. Had such Churches an endowment to pay the current costs, the Church need only care for the pastor and the foreign element now being substituted for the American in rural sections. It would have the means and influence to Christianize and Americanize them.
As one result of the great revival in the First Bapitst Church of Salem, in 1868-69, the Memorial Baptist Church of Salem was con- stituted on July 4th, 1869, with seventy-two constituents dismissed from the First Church, for the organization of the Memorial Church. It was supposed that this new Church was intended to be a memorial of the work of grace out of which it grew. It met in a hall until their house of worship was ready for use. The basement of their Church edifice was occupied in 1870, and upon entrance into the upper room all expenditures were paid.
On September 1st, 1869, Rev. H. H. Rhees became pastor. His stay was short and, in 1870, Rev. H. G. Mason accepted the pastoral
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CANTON, WOODSTOWN, ALLOWAY, AND QUINTON
charge, closing his oversight in 1875. Rev. A. C. Williams entered the pastorate in May, 1876, and concluded his pastoral care in 1879, being followed by Rev. C. M. Ray, in March, 1879, continuing until 1881. Pastor C. E. Cordo settled on February 1, 1881. Important and needed repairs on the meeting house were made and at the end of four years, he resigned in April, 1886. Rev. D. DeWolf entered the pastorate, in November, 1890. Mr. DeWolf was called into the service of the New Jersey Baptist State Convention and B. P. Hope became pastor in March, 1891, and is now (1900) pastor. A parsonage was bought in 1893. Mr. Hope exceeded in the length of his oversight any preceeding pastor.
The Memorial Church has had seven pastors. Mr. Hope has in- cluded more than one-third of the time the Church has lived. One member has been licensed to preach. The financial management of the Church has accorded with business affairs, a most creditable arrange- ment.
A mission was begun by First Salem Baptist Church at Quinton, in 1876, in the school house. Two constituents of the First Baptist Church at Salem, in 1755, were Quintons and probably a Baptist ele- ment was in the place. In 1888, a chapel society was formed and they erected a building which was dedicated in March, 1890, and at that time a Baptist Church with forty-nine members was formed. Of these, forty- eight were dismissed from First Salem Church. Within a year it had largely increased.
After the organization, a student preached until July, 1891, when Rev. H. S. Kidd became pastor, remaining about a year. The members increased in 1892 to nearly one hundred . In November, 1892, Rev. W. H. Burlew entered the pastorate. A parsonage had been built. Mr. Burlew resigned in 1894. Rev. William B. Crowell settled as pastor in 1895. A mission at Harmony was begun about this time. Revival seasons appeared and the general interests of the Church improved. Mr. Crowell having been pastor nearly three years, resigned in February, 1899. The next April Rev. E. Fullaway became pastor. Quinton Church has prospered.
Located in a rural district, the outlook for its increase is limited. But alone in its field, it will be responsible for making known the way of life to the people thereabouts. With little prospects of a large member- ship, it will have the larger opportunity to train its membership for a larger part in the Kingdom of God.
CHAPTER IV.
BRIDGETON IN 1828, CEDARVILLE IN 1836, FLEMINGTON AND OTHER CHURCHES.
Bridgeton is distant three or four miles from Roadstown. Robert Kelsay, pastor of Cohansie was the first Baptist to preach in the place, then consisting of a few cabins and a transient population. The first house of worship was built there in 1792, when Bridgeton gave sign of its coming position as a county seat. Baptists from Bridgeton could easier get to Cohansie and the need of a Baptist Church in Bridgeton was not as necessary then, as later. An early planting of a Baptist Church was therefore delayed. Pastor Kelsay had also nearly reached his eightieth year and his home field needed all of his strength.
On July 3rd, 1790, Mr. H. Smalley became pastor and in 1797, made a regular appointment to preach in the Court House at Bridgeton. Pastor Smalley continued this service until 1816, when it was removed to the new meeting house on Pearl street, a substantial brick building begun in 1812. The preaching was in the afternoon of the Lord's day. At a meeting in this house in February, 1827, resident Baptists agreed to ask letters to organize the First Baptist Church of Bridgeton having gotten a minister as conditioned by the Cohansie Church. On January 5th, 1828, Cohansie Church gave letters to thirty-eight members, who with pastor elect, Rev. George Spratt, M. D., and his wife, made forty, were constituted the First Baptist Church of Bridgeton. Financial troubles came early and discord, and Dr. Spratt resigned in October, 1830.
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Rev. J. C. Harrison settled in February, 1831. Tokens of Divine blessing and monthly additions by baptism for two years caused the indifference and discord to disappear. One member was licensed to preach. At the end of three years, in March, 1834, Mr. Harrison re- signed. In December, 1834, Rev. M. Frederick became pastor. Mr. Frederick was an exceptional man for the graces of the Holy Spirit. He died November 13th, 1837, universally beloved both in the Church and in the community. While pastor he organized a Church in Cedar- ville. In his pastorate he baptized one hundred and fifteen converts. The Church numbering eighty-seven at his coming, had one hunderd and sixty-six when he died.
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BRIDGETON
In November, 1838, Rev. C. J. Hopkins settled as pastor. Upon his labors the Divine blessing rested. Mission work at home and abroad had a large place in the Church under his influence. Mr. Hopkins had eminent social gifts and was as much beloved as was Pastor Frederick, and yet there was a vast difference in the men. His predecessor was not a "solemn man" in the common sense, but a religious man impressing others that while there were other things in the world beside religion, they were insignificant, lacking the savor of piety. But Mr. Hopkins met people with a smile and rarely failed to have them smile, too. He did not always come out foremost in his humor. An incident happened in Bridgeton of the kind: A colored man asked him to marry him, say- that he would give him five dollars " if you marry me as you do white folks." "Certainly I will." They came and were married. As they were leaving and as nothing had been said of the "fee," Mr. Hopkins said to the man: "You said you would give me five dollars if I married you as I did white folks?" "Yes." "Ah! Massa, you no marry me as you did white folks." "Yes, I did." "Ah! Massa, you no bus the bride !! " None would more appreciate this outcome than Mr. Hopkins, even at the cost of five dollars. During the pastorate of Mr. Hopkins, a "lecture and social meeting room" was built "down town." He resigned in September, 1843, much against the wish of his people.
Great as was the unlikeness between Mr. Frederick and his successor it was no more so than between Mr. Hopkins and Rev. C. E. Wilson, his successor. Mr. Wilson was a most amiable man, more modest and quiet than otherwise. Mr. Hopkins would entertain a crowd; Mr. Wilson would sit aside and chat in monosyllables. The choice by Churches of succeeding pastors is one of the curiosities of humanity. Mr. Wilson was pastor from April, 1844, to May, 1852, more than eight years. The second longest pastorate the Church has had. His oversight was a con- tinuous prosperity. He was one of the men whom longer and better known won a place in the confidence of others. He was a man to be leaned upon and was always found where he ought to be.
Rev. W. E. Cornwell, Sr., entered on his pastoral duties in July, 1852. Soon after Mr. Cornwell's coming, the increase of congregation made it necessary to build a larger house of worship and in February, 1853, it was decided to buy "a lot in as central a location as possible." The lot on which the First Baptist Church edifice stands was bought the next October. A decision not to build until two-thirds of the cost was subscribed, delayed the enterprise until June, 1854. Pastor Cornwell's happy pastorate, abounding in good to the Church and to the cause of God, lasted only four years, to July, 1856. He had been a minister many years in the German Reformed Church, preparing a sermon on
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NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
baptism, he failed to find in the Scripture authority for sprinkling as a mode of baptism and for infant baptism, and joined a Baptist Church. Accepting a call to Princeton, he died there March 29th, 1857. His successor was J. S. Kennard, who settled in January, 1857. He had been ordained in his home Church the December before. On September 23rd, 1857, the new house of worship was dedicated. Mr. Kennard resigned his charge in September, 1859.
Rev. J. F. Brown succeeded him and continued until March, 1868. The Civil War had begun and ended in these years. Homes, families, parents, sons and brothers were divided A nation of common origin, allied in trade, intercourse, relationship, government and in natural interests warred upon itself. Religious interests suffered more than any other. Pastor Brown was a patriot in all this test of character and of principle. In his pastorate the name of the Church was changed from Second Cohansie to First Baptist Church of Bridgeton. The Pearl street property that had been given to the First Baptist Church and used by them for twenty-nine years was being encompassed by a large popula- tion among whom were many Baptists, and the question of a second Baptist Church to occupy the old house was freely discussed until on July 17th, 1866, the subject having been decided, sixty-six Baptists were dismissed for this purpose, and were recognized as a Baptist Church and called themselves the Pearl street Baptist Church.
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