USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > Bridgeton > An outline history of the Presbyterian Church in West or South Jersey, from 1700 to 1865 : a discourse delivered October 3, 1865, in the First Presbyterian Church, Bridgeton, N.J. > Part 4
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
A meeting of the inhabitants of Cedarville was held in the Friendship schoolhouse, January 21st, 1819, when it was resolved, that it is the sincere desire of this meeting to continue united to the Presbyterian Congre- gation of Fairfield.
" Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, con- sidering the circumstances of many of the inhabitants of this place are such as to render it almost impossible for them to attend the preaching of the gospel in the old meeting-house, that the building of a meeting- house in this place is necessary for the accommodation of the inhabitants. Amos Fithian subscribed four hun- dred dollars, and he and Amos Westcott, and Henry Howell, of Cedarville, and Sheppard Gandy, of Phila- delphia, were appointed to solicit donations."
Was this another result of that missionary revival? Was not Amos Fithian twenty years in advance of his contemporaries ? The question was brought to a vote of the congregation, when forty-three voted for, and forty-five against the proposition.t
SECOND CHURCH BRIDGETON. The Second Church of Bridgeton arose during the same period of excitement
* The old Fairfield Church had united with the New-school Branch.
t See Elmer's Letters.
49
which rent the Church into the Old and New-school branches, but it did not come under the Presbytery of West Jersey until 1850.
AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY. The colporteur enter- prise of the American Tract Society deserves more than the brief acknowledgment, that the employment of its colporteurs on the coast and in the Pines during the years from 1842-3 to 1846, did much to arouse the attention of the Presbyterian Church to explore its unknown land in South Jersey. It was as an agent of this society that the writer first explored this region.
The subsequent progress of our Zion and its exten- sion, attest the wisdom of the separate organization of West Jersey Presbytery. So soon as they had launched forth, the members girded themselves, with steady and sturdy strokes, to propel the bark. At the second meet- ing of Presbytery, a report was introduced in which the hand of the Rev. Samuel D. Blythe, of Woodbury, is visi- ble. It says* "the extent of territory under the care of Presbytery is very great,; and the amount of ministerial labor that can be devoted to it is exceedingly small. We speak of course, of our own denomination. On this Presbytery must devolve the work of supplying these destitutions, if it is to be done. We need not expect that others can or will do it for us. .. . Were it possible to engraft upon our own admirable system of pastoral relation that of itinerating labor, it is believed that in a few years many flourishing churches of our Lord Jesus Christ could be established at points, where the means of grace from any ministration are now enjoyed but to a limited extent." The report then recommends several openings for the organization of churches.
* Minutes, vol. i. p. 18.
t About one third of the State nominally.
4
·
50
Accordingly, in a short time, churches were estab- lished at Williamstown,* September 9, 1840; at Cam- den, September 27, 1840; and at May's Landing, with eight members, January 4, 1842.
The church of Camden was disbanded temporarily in December, 1841, but was reorganized or rescuscitated in 1846, under the labors of Rev. Giles Manwaring, and has now become two bands. Edifices for public worship were erected at these three points, and subsequently at Franklinville, Gloucester, Cape Island, Tuckahoe, Leeds' Point, Fislerville, Bass River, Woodstown, Swedes- borough, Elwood,; Atlantic City, Westville, Somer's Point, and Hammonton. Two chapels also have been erected for school purposes and public worship, the one at Estelvi ,e, and the other at Absecon ;¿ besides a separate building for the parochial school at Leeds' Point. Thus seventeen church edifices, two chapels, and one schoolhouse have been erected under the auspices of the Presbytery of West Jersey. Connected with these are twelve church organizations, not includ- ing Bass River, where a church was organized by Bur- lington Presbytery, with eight members from Tucker- ton Church,§ February 24th, 1861.
Three of the edifices, and two of the organizations enumerated above, have been transferred to other
* WILLIAMSTOWN Church, original size, 44 by 36 feet: value $2500 : corner stone was laid, July, 1841: dedicated, May, 1842: enlarged by an extension of sixteen feet, and the addition of an end gallery, spire and bell, it was reopened in December, 1859. The expense of these additions and surrounding improve- ments amounted to three thousand dollars, of which two thousand dollars were paid by the pastor's brother, John R. Ford, then living in New Brunswick, now in the city of New York.
The sunburnt bricks, composed of lime and sand, used in the first building at Elwood, crumbled, and a second edifice of wood was erected on the opposite side of the railroad.
į Sold for a public schoolhouse in 1868, after the erection of the church.
¿ Tuckerton Church had been organized with five members, January 30, 1859.
A
Presbyterian Church, May's Landing, N. J., 1841.
51
Presbyteries, viz., Gloucester to Philadelphia, Camden and Bass River to Burlington.
A church was organized at Cape May Court House Dec. 1st, 1856, but was dissolved by act of Presby- tery, October 7th, 1863.
In the two Presbyteries which cover the original territory of West Jersey Presbytery, south of Trenton, are twenty-seven buildings and twenty-one church organizations, which had no existence twenty-six years ago. This statement does not include the rebuilding of churches by old congregations. All those enumerated in West Jersey Presbytery are upon ground newly occupied, excepting the church of Cape Island, which was formed from the Cold Spring congregation.
In 1843 the Presbytery of West Jersey was trans- ferred from the Synod of Philadelphia to the Synod of New Jersey.
The work of Church Extension was quickened by the action of Presbytery* introduced in 1853, and adopted April 1854, viz: " In view of the expansion of the missionary field now cultivated by the Presbytery, and of the increased demands on the time of the mem- bers, and in the belief that if this whole work were placed under the special care and supervision of some individual, who should be charged with the duties of exploring the whole field, selecting suitable places for church efforts, collecting money for the church edifices, and performing other services, we would much more rapidly attain the realization of our missionary schemes, Presbytery resolved to appoint onet of its members to devote his whole time to this work."
This supervisory agency was extended to the eastern
* Minutes, vol. ii., p. 25.
t The writer of this discourse.
52
end of Burlington Presbytery, which West Jersey had previously occupied with a missionary laboring at Batsto, Bass River, and Tuckerton.
In 1857 this agency was further extended to the upper coast (nominally within the bounds of New Brunswick Presbytery). This last extension of the field was reluctantly permitted by West Jersey,* and with the limitation to the period of six months.
The Presbytery of New Brunswick had already manifested an interest in its missionary field; but one especially important result of this superintendence was the appointment of influential men as committees, who explored the unknown territory of their respective Presbyteries, as they had never before done. Conse- quently, they became interested ; the people anxious for Presbyterian services were encouraged, and the com- mittees bearing back to churches and Presbyteries their report, awakened a missionary zeal which still burns brightly.
CONCLUSION.
Brethren, we have together followed the stream of history to the present time, and must omit, among many things of interest, all discussion of the influence of the Presbyterian Church upon the cause of educa- tion ; also the praiseworthy efforts to erect parsonages.
Now, looking backward to the olden time, a vision rises to our view. We discern the pioneers of our Church, who, like early discoverers seeking to explore a new continent, launched forth in the name of the King of kings and Lord of lords, whose royal commis- sion is, "Go preach my gospel, and take possession of the land for the Redeemer, who bought you with his
į Minutes, vol. ii., pp. 148, 149.
53
blood." Having reached the coast, entering a broad bay, they find a magnificent river, and essay to examine its banks and explore its tributary branches, eager to plant colonies and to erect the standard of the cross. But, adverse currents of infidelity and worldliness retard their progress. Anon, jealousy and strife among the officers produce jarring counsels, and they sail for a season in different directions; but thereby more colonies perchance were established in the name of the great King. Again, we see pilots of experience taken from them, when they seemed to be most needed! Then, with v Xivid lightning and the artillery of heaven, a tempest scattered the fleet, paralyzed the mariners, wrecked some of the lighter craft, and though others outli the storm, they bore evidence of the conflict, and recov- ered their former position and beauty only after much time had been lost, and great labor had been expended. A long and increasingly prosperous voyage succeeded ; but again have we been called to pass through stormy scenes. Even now portentous clouds arise on the eccle- siastical horizon. It is now dark, and we are waiting for the second coming of Jesus Immanuel.
What is our duty? Having launched, it is too late to retrace our course. Some advise to take in the sail! Then there is more need to bend to the oars. We must be aggressive or retrogressive. Our position is critical. To stand still is impossible. If we make not strenuous exertions to go forward, we shall be borne insensibly and irresistibly backward.
Brethren, we have been studying the history of the past. Know ye not that we are making history for posterity to study? The history of the Presbyterian Church in this region for the next year, and it may be
54
for many years, depends, under God, upon your action now.
Are any ready to say that enough has been done? They discourage the hearts of the people, when they say we be not able to go up and take possession of the land.
To you, members of this Presbytery, is committed the guidance and management of the ark of God. Paul said, "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved;"-thus does the doctrine of God's decrees involve the means, and God's purposes shall not be accom- plished without appropriate instrumentality.
Remember Freeman's words: "We must look out young men of piety and talents among ourselves, and educate them for the ministry, and thus supply our domestic wants."
Remember the words of Blythe, respecting the im- portance of ingrafting upon our admirable system of pastoral relation that of itinerating labor.
The success of the Church demands steady perse- vering work. Nothing good can be accomplished with- out painstaking effort. The farmer, the merchant, the mechanic, attain no success without unremitting toil. Even so the Church will accomplish nothing without continual offerings of prayer, and time, and money.
It is a favorite theory among us, that the Church is a sufficient organization, fully equipped for its great work, viz., Send ministers, let them organize churches; ordain elders; form a Presbytery, and you have a missionary organization adequate to every good work. Apply the theory to practice, extend far and wide the Church in its organism, and as the whole includes its parts, you have all that is requisite. But this essential work had been neglected from the days of John Brainerd until
55
the formation of the Presbytery of West Jersey. Dur- ing these nearly sixty-five years we have no evidence that Presbyterians made any well defined, systematic, persevering efforts to extend and sustain their own much beloved Church, with all its blessings and benefits, over this wide extent of territory, where their fathers were the pioneers. The efforts made, however import- ant and useful, did not accomplish the great work. They were spasmodic in action, temporary in their design, or merely voluntary movements not under eccle- siastical control. Even when attempts in the right direction were made to establish the Church, they were feebly prosecuted or too soon suspended.
Our fathers did not overestimate the amount of money required, nor the importance of the work, when they resolved to raise $40,000; but they did err, when they acted as if the work could be completed in two years, and suspended their enterprise when they had raised only one-tenth of the sum. No! no! It is a life- long, a perpetual work. Fifty thousand dollars might. now be raised, and be wisely expended, but the work would not then be ended.
We do not depreciate Bible distribution, nor colpor- teur labor, when we maintain, that if every house were filled with Bibles, and the ground covered with good books and tracts by the acre, there would nevertheless be need of a settled ministry, and the stated assemblies of the people for public worship. These auxiliaries to the pastor and the itinerant, deserve our more diligent regard; but they cannot be equivalents, and they must not be made substitutes for God's divinely appointed and chief instrumentalities. With God's blessing they may save souls; but in comparison with the organized church, are as a raft or a life-preserver, which may save
56
a man from drowning, but which he would not choose in preference to the staunch life-boat, or the gallant ship, for a long and perilous voyage. If our ecclesias- tical polity is not adapted to the poor, then it lacks one essential element of the spirit of Christ. If our plans contract the affections and efforts of ministers and people within the narrow bounds of their own little parish, and cherish not a practical sympathy for the destitute and perishing of the world beyond, then is our system in- deed defective.
That there is a defect somewhere, is felt and acknow- ledged by many. Chapter XV. of the Form of Govern- ment, provides for the ordination of Evangelists to labor in frontier or destitute settlements. Chapter XVIII. respecting missions, is very brief, and merely permis- sive, not imperative. There is no law requiring Pres- byteries to explore the outlying territory which geo- graphically belongs to them. The demands of churches upon their own pastors, leave them little or no opportunity for missionary tours. No law requires the employment of Evangelists. There is no rule regulat- ing the employment of licentiates and of ministers without charge. In many ways the power, the dormant talent of the laity, both men and women, might be developed and organized, and made more efficient. All these subjects are left to occasional and contingent action. The extension of the Church has seemingly depended upon personal enterprise and individual zeal. The consequence has been, that when the individual died, the work has declined until it has been wholly abandoned. Why should not our ecclesiastical system provide that another catch the standard from the falling soldier of the cross, and bear it on to further conquests ? Our system of pastoral relation well suits a settled,
57
stationary population; but to supply destitute regions and keep abreast with the unexampled increase of popu- lation, and the growth of railroads,* towns, and cities in the far West, and even in West Jersey,t different tactics are demanded.
We do not advocate the general adoption of the itinerant system, but we do deplore the fact, that we have gone to the opposite extreme, and seem to have forgotten the true duties, if not the name of Evangelist. A judicious combination of some Evangelists with some pastors, and some teachers, and a discreet employment
* Only in recent years have railroads penetrated South Jersey, and now nearly three hundred miles of iron track give ready access to its towns and villages. The Camden and Atlantic Railroad was opened in 1854. Subse- quently the Raritan and Delaware Bay Railroad traversed Monmouth, Ocean, and Burlington counties. The West Jersey Railroad and its connections extend to Bridgeton, Salem, Millville and Cape Island. These and other shorter roads have opened many thousands of acres of wild land to speculation and improvement. Old settlements have received a new impulse. Cities, towns and villages spring up in the wilderness, to astonish both the intelligent and the incredulous. Among the new settlements are Vineland, Atlantic City, Elwood, Hammonton, Fruitland, Shamong, Manchester, and many others.
+ OUR STATE RESOURCES. Marcus L. Ward, Governor of New Jersey, in his annual message to the Legislature in 1868, said: "New Jersey is the thirtieth State of the Union in size, and the twentieth in population : . ... . . the twelfth in the total value of its farms, and the first in the value per acre of its farm lands. Second in the value of market garden products, and probably almost as high in the value of small fruits. . . . As a manufacturing State, New Jersey stands sixth in the amount of capital invested, and also in the annual value of its manufactured products. There is still at least a quarter of the State," (mainly in South Jersey,) "more than a million of acres, susceptible of easy improvement and cultivation, which is still uncleared. It is now coming into market rapidly, and needs only to be known, to be quickly taken up. For purposes of fruit culture, and market gardening, these lands are not inferior to the oldest and richest parts of the State. The population of the State in 1865 was 773,700, and the ratio of increase to 1860, was thirty-seven and twenty-seven hundreths per cent., an increase more rapid than in any other of the States east of the Alleghanies, or than in any of the older States in the Mississippi valley. Since 1860, the rate of increase has been quite as rapid as before that time."
Governor Ward must have reckoned Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas, not among the older, but among the newer States, because their rate of increase exceeded that of New Jersey. Even with this explanation, the facts derived from the census are truly surprising, and should arouse the Christians of New Jersey to their corresponding responsibility and duty.
58
of lay members in other departments, would tend to the rapid enlargement of Zion. Let us prove whether an educated Presbyterian ministry, itinerating from place to place, year after year, in a defined circuit, preaching the gospel, proclaiming repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as the only way of salva- tion, organizing churches, administering sacraments, promoting the cause of education, will not become the most powerful instrumentality for elevating the people to the eminence to which their natural talents are fitted, and for developing most completely the resources of their country.
Brethren of the ministry and eldership, if we do sin- cerely and honestly believe the doctrines of the Presby- terian Church to be in accordance with the Holy Scrip- tures, and do approve its government and discipline to be the best for ourselves and our families, then, by our ordination vows, and by the command of Christ, "Go, preach my gospel," we are bound to pray, and give con- tinuously, and labor energetically for its extension. This we may and ought to do, with perfectly kind and fraternal feelings towards all other evangelical Christian churches. The command is not, Wait until the perish- ing and destitute come to you for the gospel; but, Go, carry it to them. You would not expect the wounded dying soldier to come to you for the cup of water; but a sufficient inducement to carry it to him, is your know- ledge of the fact that he is dying for want of it. So, go to those who are perishing for the want of that liv- ing water, of which, if a man drink, he shall never thirst.
The history of the Church has ever been, and we may suppose ever shall be, with varying results, a succession or alternation of strifes, and struggles, and contendings
59
for the faith between the hosts of God's elect and the powers of darkness. What! though individual churches die, and even denominations be blotted out of exist- ence, yet the Church of Christ still lives. But, when the strife is over, may we, entering into the wide haven of peace, meet many, who, by God's blessing upon these feeble missionary efforts, shall be saved from everlasting wreck and ruin.
Now, after eighteen years of labor (1865) among you, and about to retire to a more limited field of labor, if I knew that we should meet no more, and that my work was ended, my last counsel would be: As you value God's blessing on your own souls, and on your own churches, cultivate the missionary spirit. And if in tempestuous times a selection or difference must be made, take care-as you would of the lambs of a flock, or of the infant members of a family-take special care to cherish the young and the feeble churches, for the older and more established are better able to outlive the storm.
Ask yourselves, what would have been the fate of the churches, which you now happily serve, had they been neglected and forsaken by our fathers one century ago, or even one generation ? Then view by faith, not fancy, what may be the destiny of the churches, which are now and shall yet be established and fostered by your care: and may God add his blessing.
VAN INGEN=SNYDER
West Presbyterian Church, Bridgeton, N. J., 1869.
APPENDIX.
·
SINCE the delivery of this discourse, progress has been made in church organizations and in church erection.
CHURCHES HAVE BEEN ORGANIZED
At Waterford, with eight members, April 25, 1866. At Berlin, with seven members, July 10, 1867.
At Glassborough, with ten members, Oct. 14, 1867.
At Somers' Point, with four members, March 31, 1868.
At West Bridgeton, with one hundred and seventeen members, March 16, 1869.
At Bunker Hill, with eleven members, June 14, 1869.
CHURCH EXTENSION. 1
Some congregations, such as Cold Spring, Deerfield,* Greenwich, and Woodbury, have repaired and im- proved their houses of worship, but we mention here particularly only those which have recently made pro- vision for the accommodation of larger audiences.
EDIFICES ENLARGED BY THE OLDER CHURCHES.
MILLVILLE. The church at Millville was enlarged in 1868, by "the addition of two wings, each 30 by 20 feet. A tower also was built, suitable for a bell," and the appearance of the building was entirely altered. The whole expense was about $5,500.
* In 1859, the church at Deerfield was remodelled and enlarged by the addition of twenty-five feet, at an expense of $3,000.
62
THE SECOND CHURCH OF BRIDGETON having been re- modelled in the front, and extended in the rear, was re-opened on the first Sabbath of May, 1869. The building was extended twenty feet, and a pulpit recess of eleven feet added. The audience-room is now 90 by 41 feet-total length of building, 108 feet.
These improvements, including fourteen hundred dollars for furniture, and five hundred dollars for the organ, cost $7,900.
NEW BUILDINGS ERECTED BY THE OLDER CHURCHES OF SALEM, PITTSGROVE, AND EVEN FISLERVILLE.
SALEM. The corner-stone of the new church at Salem was laid July 17, 1854. The house was dedi- cated October 15, 1856. Cost of building, $22,000; furniture, $1,200; land, $4,000-total, $27,200. Di- mensions, 83 by 49 feet, with spire 165 feet from the ground.
PITTSGROVE. The new church erected at Pittsgrove is 81 by 51 feet, and including projecting tower and pulpit recess, is 91 feet in length, the tower and spire 125 feet. Corner-stone laid July 14, 1864. Dedicated August 15, 1867. Cost of building, $21,150; furni- ture (and $700 for bell,) $4,186-total, $25,336.
FISLERVILLE, OR CLAYTON. Fislerville was an out- station of the church of Williamstown. In 1853, August 18th, a church of six members was organized. At the same time a house of worship, which cost $1300, was dedicated. In 1866, the church was separated en- tirely from Williamstown. It is now self-sustaining by the providential liberality and energy of a few persons, and is making rapid progress.
The corner-stone of the new church at Clayton was laid June 18, 1868. The basement was dedicated July
63
28, 1869. The edifice, 65 by 40 feet, will probably cost $13,000.
A handsome parsonage also has been erected recently by the same individuals.
NEW EDIFICES ON NEW GROUND.
The new edifices named below have been erected upon ground which has been more recently occupied. With the exception of Absecon, their church organi- zations are recent.
WATERFORD. Corner-stone laid June 14, 1866. Dedicated January 3, 1867. Size 50 by 32 feet; spire, 90 feet. Cost of building, $2,727; furniture, $317- total, $3,044.
ABSECON. Corner-stone laid November 16, 1865. Dedicated June 20, 1867. Dimensions 50 by 32 feet; posts, 20 feet; spire, 105 feet. Cost of building, $4,400; furniture, bell, and organ, $700; land, four acres, $1000-total, $6,100.
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.