USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Pennington > A history of the old Presbyterian congregation of "The people of Maidenhead and Hopewell" : more especially of the First Presbyterian Church of Hopewell, at Pennington, New Jersey, delivered at the pastor's request, on Sabbath morning, July 2d, 1876 > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9
For nearly five years I maintained for your special benefit a classical school for boys, but as the demand on both time and strength was found too great to be compatible with the pressing labors of a pastoral charge like this, it was not continued. In the latter part of the year 1840, fully impressed with the important bearing of this undertaking on the interests of this church, the female seminary, known as Evergreen Hall, was revived under Presbyterian auspices, by the aid of eleven liberal
88
and public spirited gentlemen of this congregation. From the first of April, 1841, it has been quietly doing its work, while I have watched its progress with no little toil, anxiety and prayer. The good accom- plished through its instrumentality will be best known hereafter.
During my ministry among you, three hundred and eighty-six persons have been admitted to the communion of this church on the profession of their faith ; two hundred and six of whom were baptized at the time of their reception, and one hundred and twenty-seven were received by certificate from other churches, making a total of five hundred and thir- teen. If to the number of communicants in the Titusville church the number connected with this be added, it will give more than four hun- dred and fifty communicants now within the territory covered by this congregation in 1838.
The majority of those who have been hopefully converted here during this quarter of a century have been brought into the church in times of special awakening. In 1840 there was a season of refreshing, when twenty-six were received. In the winter of 1841-2, there was an extra- ordinary work of grace, as the fruit of which one hundred and twelve young converts took their seats at the communion-table for the first time on the same day ; in 1843 another gracious season added twenty-three; in the winter of 1845-6 a revival of considerable power added fifty-six to the roll of communicants ; in the winter of 1847-8, while the new church was in progress, the Lord was pleased to visit us again, and add fifteen to our number ; in 1851 another work of grace gave as its fruit sixteen hopeful converts ; in 1852 there was a time of some religious interest, when nine were received ; in the summer of 1854 the church was refreshed and strengthened, and five members added ; the winter of 1857-8 was a "day of the right hand of God's power," when sixty were brought in ;- three powerful revivals and six other times of special religious interest ! Surely, " the Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad."
I can truly say with the apostle Paul, " And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came in weakness, and in fear and in much trembling." It is true that in my earlier years, when the question of entering the Christian ministry was seriously contemplated, it was the height of my ambition to become the pastor of a rural congregation, of an affectionate people, who could appreciate the gospel, who would " esteem a pastor highly in love for his work's sake, and be at peace among themselves." In this, our Heavenly Father has been better to me than my fondest hopes. Hither His providence brought me without my own motion ; here His providence and grace have upheld me thus far ; and here, contrary to my fears and above my fears, He has strengthened, sustained, and blessed both you and me. The Divine blessing upon my ministry, though not equal to my desire, has been altogether beyond my expecta-
89
tions, far in advance of the measure of instrumentality, zeal, and labor employed. God has verily shown us that He is " able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." That I should not be exempt from discouragements, disappointments and trials of various sorts which come to the lot of all, and especially to those who have the care of souls, was to be expected ; but of these I shall not speak, amid mercies so great, so numerous, so undeserved. These twenty-five years have been the happiest years of my life. In all sincerity can I say, that had the choice been given me, there is no congregation of Christian people of which I have any knowledge, in this or any other land, that I would have preferred before this.
I have ever endeavored to tread in the footsteps of the apostle who said, " I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." I have ever sought to speak advisedly with my lips both in the pulpit and out of the pulpit, and yet with plainness, with fidelity, and with that fearlessness which springs from a just sense of accountability to God. If ought said or done has ever wounded any, let such be assured that not only was there an entire absence of intention to give offence, but there was the most earnest desire to the contrary. For the readiness of mind with which you have heard the Word of God at my mouth ; for your faithful attendance on the services of the sanctuary and at social meetings ; for your help in training our children and youth, especially the children of the church ; for your contributions to objects of benevo- lence and your co-operation in advancing the material interests of the congregation ; for the liberal construction upon my motives, and the care with which you have guarded my reputation; for the cordiality with which you have received me to your houses, and the thoughtfulness with which you have confided to me your trials, fears, hopes and joys ; for every act of kindness designed to promote the spiritual comfort of me and mine, and especially for your sympathy in days of affliction, when we were called to lay our loved ones in the tomb ; for every prayer, every petition you have put up here, or in the family, or in the closet, in my behalf-for all these, and more which time would fail to mention, fathers and mothers in Israel, brethren and sisters, and you that are my spiritual children, I give you this day, in the name of my Lord and Master, most hearty thanks. "God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love." "He that giveth a cup of cold water only to a disciple, in the name of a disciple, shall in nowise lose his re- ward."
During the progress of a little more than five years after the period covered by this Quarter-Century Ser- mon, the church continued to prosper. In the winter
90
of 1865-6, there was a season of a little reviving which brought ten within the fold, and in the winter of 1866-67, there was a spiritual work of still greater power, when the church was enlarged by an accession of twenty-six. As the general result, we see during these thirty years, five hundred and thirteen added on profession, and one hundred and twenty-seven by cer- tificate. There were three hundred and fifty-six bap- tized in infancy ; and there were five hundred and fifty funerals, and two hundred and seventy-five marriages. In the meantime the church raised over $4000 for mis- sionary purposes, nearly one-half as much in five and one- third years as had been contributed within the previous twenty-five. And within those five years, a new inter- est was awakened in the cause of Sabbath-schools, and a more powerful impulse given; deeply felt alike by parents and children,-an influence which prepared the way for blessings yet to come.
Special attention has uniformly been given to the Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Assembly; and at the annual gathering of the children of all the Sab- bath-schools, a Bible was given to each one who had committed the Shorter Catechism to memory, and a copy of the New Testament to such as had learned the Child's Catechism. These occasions, in which an abun- dant feast was spread for the children, and in which addresses, prayers and cheerful songs were commingled, were animating and impressive, and remembered with pleasure by the old as well as the young.
It is pleasant to know that twenty-five of the mem- bers who were in communion at the beginning of this ministry in November, 1838, are now living here, although all the officials, whether ruling elders, deacons,
91
or trustees, are dead. All the churches of the Presby- tery have changed pastors, and only six of the ministers who were then in its connection are now alive.
The following facts and correspondence show the pleasant relations subsisting between the pastor and his people. He having first consulted the Session at an infor- mal meeting, when each member signified his approba- tion, sent to the Pennington congregation the following communication :
PENNINGTON, N. J., March 23, 1867.
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND CONGREGATION OF PENNINGTON :
BELOVED BRETHREN :- For a few weeks past I have been holding under consideration the question of spending the coming summer in Europe. An important element in making up a decision would be the assurance that I have your full consent and cordial approbation. The term of my absence will probably not exceed six months, and during that period I propose to obtain the services of a substitute who would reside within the limits of the congregation.
It may be proper for me here to mention a fact which is probably not known to most of you, namely, that at the time of my settlement among you, a little more than twenty-eight years ago, there was a verbal agree- ment that I should be allowed an annual vacation of six weeks. This indulgence it has never been in my heart to demand, for it has ever been my preference, while health and strength permitted, to remain at home prosecuting my labors.
That your reply may be such as shall be sanctioned by the Great Head of the Church, and for the ultimate good of all concerned, is the prayer of Your friend and pastor,
GEORGE HALE.
To this a reply was returned as follows :
PENNINGTON, N. J., March 25, 1867. REV. GEORGE HALE, D.D. :
DEAR SIR :- Your letter was received and read at the annual meeting of the congregation, and
Resolved Ist, and unanimously adopted, That leave of absence be granted you for six months, or so long as may suit your convenience.
Resolved 2d, That the congregation pay the substitute you shall fur- nish in the time of your absence.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN E. BURD, Moderator.
92
The pastor sailed from New York for Havre, France, Saturday, May 25, in the steamer Guiding Star, and on his return in the Arago from Falmouth, England, landed in New York, and arrived at Pennington on Thursday, Nov. 14, 1867, at evening. On Friday, two hundred of the congregation met at Evergreen Hall, and gave their pastor and those who returned with him a cordial greet- ing. An address of welcome was delivered by Major John G. Muirheid in behalf of the people, and responded to by the pastor. A neat family Bible was at the same time presented to Rev. J. H. B. Janeway, who had sup- plied the pulpit. The ample supply of provisions with which the " tables groaned" that evening was furnished by the ladies. Reading the Scriptures, singing and prayer, in which our friend and neighbor Dr. John Hall, of Trenton, took part, elosed this joyous festive occasion.
The congregation, true to its promise, had continued the pastor's salary, and paid in full the amount agreed upon for the services of the substitute.
On the 11th of February, 1869, the Rev. George Hale, D.D., was elected, by the Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, the Secretary of the Fund for Disabled Ministers and their Families, to fill the vacancy created by the death of the Rev. Joseph H. Jones, D.D. Having accepted the appointment, sub- ject to the action of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, he addressed the following letter to the congregation at a special meeting held at 3 P. M., Tuesday, March 2, 1869, to wit :
1
PENNINGTON, March 2, 1869.
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND CONGREGATION AT PENNINGTON :
BELOVED BRETHREN :- You have already learned from other sources that I have been elected " Secretary of the Committee on the Fund for
-
93
Disabled Ministers and their Families." This office I think it my duty to accept. You have therefore been called together to-day that I may resign into your hands, so far as I received it from you, the charge of this church and people ; and also that you may make arrangement to unite with me in applying to the Presbytery of New Brunswick (at its meeting in Trenton, at 3 P. M., to-morrow) for the dissolution of the pastoral rela- tion. The contemplated separation is not only trying to you but also to me. This consideration has had its due weight in coming to the decision which I have reached. The interest I feel in this congregation is deep and abiding, for it has been matured for many years during which I have anxiously watched over you, and labored and prayed for you, and rejoiced in your joys and wept in your sorrows. Nevertheless, with all the light I now have, my calm and sober judgment is convinced, and my conscience clear, that this appointment is as truly a call of God as that which brought me hither to be your pastor. It is a consolation to know that you are under the care of the Great and Good Shepherd, who will never forsake you unless you forsake Him ; and that in answer to your prayers, He will soon send you an under-shepherd, who will do for you all that He shall see to be for your highest good and His own glory.
It is, therefore, my earnest request that the kind feeling which you have ever cherished towards me will now be shown by interposing no obstacles, but by cheerfully uniting with me in the application to Pres- bytery for the dissolution of the pastoral relation subsisting between us. I have endeavored to be faithful while I have been with you, and wherein I may have failed, I implore your kind indulgence, while I take refuge in atoning blood.
Grant me, dearly beloved, as long as you shall live, an interest in your prayers, as it will ever be my privilege to remember you at the throne of grace, until that day when we must, both people and pastor, stand before God.
"What is my hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing ? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming."
And now, brethren, 1 commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them which are sanctified.
Ever your sincere friend in our common Lord and Saviour,
GEORGE HALE.
The congregation gave expression to their confidence in their pastor, and their warm regard for him, by com- plying with his request; and accordingly the relation was dissolved, to take effect March 7, 1869. The pas- tor was appointed to preach in the Pennington Church on
94
that day, and to " declare the pulpit vacant." On that Sabbath, in the morning, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered, and in the evening, after a sermon from the words of God to Moses, " Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward," the action of the Presbytery was cited, and the last word spoken. There was a separation in form, but no farewell.
The church edifice built in 1847-8 was a stately Gothic struture in the style of the eleventh century, with the lancet-arch. It was in imitation of brown freestone, all the old material on the ground being used as a matter of economy. It was some time after the subscription began to be circulated before the work was begun. On the 5th of August, 1845, the congregation appointed a committee to circulate a subscription paper. The following amounts were subscribed :
James B. McNair,
$500 00
Elizabeth Stevenson,
$61 00
Charles Welling,
300 00
D. B. Skillman,
50 00
Isaac Welling,
250 00
James Burroughs,
50 00
John Conrad,
250 00
Joshua Ketcham, 50 00
Asa Hunt,
275 00
Wm. S. Hunt,
15 00
Stephen B. Smith,
200 00
Hannah Howd,
15 00
George Woolsey,
200 00
Josiah Baldwin,
12 00
Andrew Titus,
200 00
Joseph Phillips, Jr.,
3 00
IIenry P. Welling,
100 00
Azariah Titus,
5 00
C. L. Wynkoop,
100 00
Joseph C. Van Doren,
5 00
D. N. Wiley,
100 00
Margaret Wikoff,
20 00
Ephraim Woolsey,
100 00
Sarah Wikoff,
25 00
George Hale,
200 00
Geo. and A. S. Lanning,
20 00
Reuben Titus,
100 00
Solomon D. Irvin,
10 00
Absalom Blachley,
200 00
Wm. Smith Hunt,
10 00
Andrew Baldwin,
105 00
John C. Titus,
10 00
Garret J. Schenck,
100 00
Benj. Q. Ege,
15 00
Mary L. Hale,
100 00
Boswell Howe,
25 00
Pierson Bake,
100 00
Charlotte Titus,
5 00
Aaron Hart, Jr.,
100 00
Ursula Fish,
15 00
J. Smith Hart,
100 00
Sarah Schenck,
25 00
John Welch,
100 00
Sarah Phillips,
10 00
B. S. Holt,
100 00
Jesse Snook,
15 00
Azariah Hunt,
100 00
Benj. Taylor,
20 00
Mary Hart,
50 00
Azariah Reed,
5 00
George Muirheid,
25 00
Clark Miller,
5 00
John G. Muirheid,
25 00
Hannah Ketcham,
5 00
95
Eliza Ketcham,
$5 00 John V. Terhune,
$10 00
Sarah S. Vancleve,
2 00
Randall Drake,
25 00
Deborah Dennison,
5 00
Charity Dunn,
15 00
N. R. Titus,
25 00
Edward Hepburn,.
20 00
Daniel C. Titus,
15 00
Enoch A. Titus,
25 00
Charity Vancleve,
2 00
George R. Cook,
20 00
Charles Tindall,
5 00
John S. Vancleve,
10 00
Benjamin Ogden,
1 00
Samuel Hart,
10 00
Emily T. Ogden,
1 00
James Large,
10 00
Mary L. Wynkoop,
5 00
Jesse Atchley,
5 00
Ann Reed and daughters,
3 00
John Vancleve,
5 00
Sarah Wilgus,
3 00
Anthony Reed,
5 00
Asher R. Hart,
15 00
Uriah Burd,
10 00
John D. Drake,
10 00
David B. Green,
5 00
John Temple,
10 00
Wm. A. Green,
50 00
Samuel S. Hart,
10 00
Wm. P. Vankirk,
7 00
Israel Temple,
1 00
John C. Hunt,
5 00
Rhoda Hunt,
5 00
Isaac Primmer,
10 00
Timothy Hunt,
15 00
Wm. H. Temple,
3 00
Samuel H. Burroughs,
5 00
Asher Brown,
10 00
Aaron W. Stout,
25 00
Hannah McClellan,
3 00
Ann Hagaman,
5 00
Mary Hunt,
2 00
Augustine M. Vankirk,
20 00
Henry H. Phillips,
5 00
Henry B. Perrine,
25 00
John Dilts,
50 00
John E. Burd,
25 00
Malvina Forman,
25 00
Edward Atchley,
20 00
Daniel J. Blackwell,
40 00
Jonathan Anderson,
5 00
Ishi V. Blackwell,
5 00
Israel Baldwin,
5 00
Andrew and Charles Fish,
5 00
John McClellan,
5 00
Nathaniel H. Hart,
10 00
Wm. Williamson,
10 00
J. P. Martin,
5 00
Abm. De H. Williamson,
3 00
John B. Beatty,
5 00
Charles Hoff,
5 00
R. W. Petherbridge,
5 00
Jonathan Burd,
10 00
Edward Cooke,
5 00
Peter Updike,
20 00
Joseph Bunn,
5 00
Joseph Titus,
10 00
Enoch V. D. Waters,
5 00
Charles Kelsey,
10 00
Simeon Phillips,
1 00
William Beatty,
5 00
Williamson, Burroughs, &c., 10 00
David L. Titus,
20 00
I. and I. P. Steiner,
5 00
Joseph M. Vancleve,
25 00
Mary C. White, 5 00
Thomas H. West,
5 00
G. H. White,
25 00
Susanna Titus,
5 00
Ludlow D. Potter,
10 00
Elias Golden,
10 00
Ed. Evrenham,
6 00
William Rosco,
20 00 John S. Hunt,
10 00
Samuel C. Cornell,
5 00
Widow of Asher Temple,
50
96
Mr. Moses Baldwin, $
50 Wm. Davis, $1 00
Hannah Muirheid,
20 00 John H. Phillips, 5 00
Josiah Hart,
20 00
Isaac H. Bergen, 2 00
Joseph Vannoy,
10 00 Aaron Hart,
50 00
Mrs. Mary Smith gave timber.
Here are one hundred and fifty-one subscriptions (of these donors, sixty only are living, ninety-one are dead) amounting to $5619, and yet with that beginning, a church that could not now be erected for $40,000 was built at a cost in cash of $10,000 to the congregation.
Messrs. Isaac Welling and John Conrad, who undertook the contract from love to the church, lost over $4000. In God's own time, the reward will come to them and to their posterity. The designing architect was Mr. Johnson, of Philadelphia ; the superintending builder, Augustine M. Vankirk ; the master mason was John McPherson ; the building commit- tee were Benjamin S. Holt, Dr. James B. McNair, and C. L. Wyncoop.
The exercises at the laying of the corner-stone, May 5, 1847, were :
1st. Invocation and reading of the Scriptures, by the Rev. James R. Talmage, of Blawenburgh, N. J.
2d. Psalmody : " Before Jehovah's awful throne." 100th Psalm, Rev. George Ely, Hamilton Square.
3d. Laying the corner-stone and prayer, by the pastor.
4th. Psalmody : 87th Psalm, "God in its earthly temple," &c. By Rev. R. D. Morris.
5th. Addresses by Rev. Joseph H. Jones, D.D., of Philadelphia, Pa., and Rev. P. O. Studdiford, D.D., of Lambertville.
At the dedication, August 10, 1848, the exercises were as follows :
1. Voluntary, by the choir, " Jerusalem my happy home." Mr. Peter V. D. Schenck, leader.
2. Invocation, by the Rev. P. O. Studdiford D.D., of Lambertville.
3. Reading Scriptures, Psalm xx., lxxxiv. and cxxii., by Rev. R. D. Morris, of Newtown, Pa.
4. Psalmody. 122d Psalm (P. M.) : " How pleased and blest was I." By Rev. George Ely, of Hamilton Square.
5. Prayer by Rev. Samuel Miller, D.D., of Princeton.
6. Dedication hymn prepared for the occasion :
In Thy blest presence now, Father in Heaven, we bow ; Oh, be Thou near.
97
Cause thy rich love so free, In every heart to be, While we devote to Thee This house of prayer.
Thou who on earth once dwelt, Who all our sorrows felt, On Calvary ; This humble temple grace,
Here show Thy smiling face,
Be this Thy dwelling-place, Perpetually.
Here Holy Spirit too, Who dost the soul renew, Exert Thy power. Make stubborn wills to bend,
And rocky hearts to rend,
While prayer and praise ascend, Each holy hour.
Come great eternal Lord ! Father, Spirit and Word, Blest Three in One:
Thy glories bright display,
Light, life and joy convey,
Here may ten thousands say, "Thy will be done."
Then when life's work is o'er, And they from earth shall soar, In Heaven to appear, Loud voices glad will say,
As hence they wing their way,
To dwell in endless day, " We were born here."
7. Sermon by the pastor, Deut. viii. 2: " Thou shalt remember all the way the Lord, thy God, led thee."
8. Dedicatory prayer by the pastor.
9. Collection.
10. Concluding prayer by Rev. Daniel Deruelle.
11. Benediction by Rev. Hugh Hamill of Lawrence, with doxology.
VIII. Rev. DANIEL REQUA FOSTER is the eighth pastor. He was born September 22, 1838, at Patterson, Putnam 7
98
county, New York, the son of Edmund and Ann Eliza Foster; received into the full communion of the church in January, 1849; prepared for college at Peekskill Academy ; took the degree of A.B. at the College of New Jersey, 1863, and A.M. in 1866; graduated at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1866; was licensed as a probationer for the gospel ministry by the Presby- tery of Connecticut, at Bridgeport, Connecticut, April 24, 1866, and entered upon his duties as pastor elect in the Presbyterian Church of Phelps, New York, June 1, 1866. He was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry and installed pastor of the church at Phelps July 29, 1866, by the Presbytery of Rochester City. On the 25th of June, 1868, he was married to Miss Anna Evans Steward, daughter of Mr. Jonathan Steward, of Trenton, New Jersey. In the month of October, 1869, his pastoral relation to the church at Phelps was dis- solved. He entered on his ministerial duties on the first Sabbath of October, 1870, at the Pennington Church. Having received a cordial and unanimous call from this people he was installed pastor on the 17th of April, 1871, by a committee of the Presbytery of New Brunswick. On that occasion the Rev. James B. Ken- nedy presided, and preached the sermon from Exodus xvii. 11, 12, the Rev. A. Gosman, D.D., gave the charge to the pastor, and Dr. Hale, the ex-pastor, gave the charge to the people.
Previous to the call and the installation, the Lord came down with power upon the people, thus owning the labors of His servant. All the members of a Bible- class taught by one of the elders were subjects of the work, with several others from the Sabbath-school, two of the children of the ex-pastor, and children of the
99
church officers, with others of mature age. Mr. Foster had been preaching with great pungency, with the view of arousing the church members to more earnest prayer and effort; services were held for nine successive weeks, in which short expositions of the Word of God were fol- lowed by prayer and exhortation. In the meantime visitation from house to house was diligently prose- cuted. Another means which helped forward the work was the establishment of cottage prayer-meetings at five different points in the congregation. These meetings were conducted by the people themselves, the pastor taking the general supervision and appointing the leader. The earliest conversions appeared among the young men, of whom there were several in the congregation, and most of them the children of the covenant. As the result of this blessed work, over seventy were gath- ered within the spiritual fold.
On the minute-book of the session of the church is found this record :
PENNINGTON, January 25, 1874.
The Moderator takes the liberty of recording, for future reference, that between the hours of twelve and one o'clock to-day the edifice of this church was burned, the third house of worship they have erected upon these grounds.
The benediction had been pronounced and the people had just left the building when the alarm of fire was given, and within fifty-five minutes the steeple had fallen over and the church was a heap of ruins. The musical instruments, the old and new communion tables, the pulpit chairs, old and new, with the old pulpit cushion of 1766 and the Bibles, were saved. It was a sad hour to that pastor and people as they stood by and saw the flames ascending to heaven from their burn- ing sanctuary While almost scorched by the intense
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.