USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Annals of Morris County > Part 27
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*By a pleasant coincidence, too marked to be neglected, that very year was the one bun- dredth anniversary of the Church's organiza- tion. Thus two interesting facts were asso- ciated in the same services. A series of dis- courses was consequently prepared by the Jnmor Pastor, the author of this sketch, the first of which was delivered on the evening of the day that Dr King preached his fiftieth anniversary sermon. These circumstances furnished. in fact, the substance of the paper on "The carly history of Morris County," sub- mitted to the N. J. Historical Society in May, 1869.
#When Dr. King began to preach in Rock-
*Entered in the old Rockaway Trustce Book.
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its close ; not a dog wagged his tongue agamst him; the entire community regarded him wigh unabated veneration ; and now he placed on such a public carcer the beautiful crowning act of that benediction.
People are wont to note coincidenres, and it was noted as singular that the very day that Dr. King's resignation was laid before the parisb, and declined as already stated, he be- came ill. The parish meeting called to con- sider the resignation of Dr. King and his colleague occurred March 20th, and was large- lv attended. The people resolved unanimously not to accept Dr. K.'s resignation, affection- ately expressing their will that he should con- tinue their pastor until death should termin- ate the relation. When this fact was commu- nicated to him the morning after its occur- rence he expressed the most lively pleasure saying as the tears ran down his cheeks "They have always been a kind people!" Probably in the long period of his official connection with the church he had rever a happier mo- ment than that in which saw his congregation clinging to him as if indeed he were a father. After a sickness of several days he passed from earth as peacefully as a little child passes into sleep. He rested from his labors on the 10th of April, 1862, and on the 13th his remains were consigned to the grave, in the midst of such a concourse of people as was never before gathered in that old yard ! At uis own request the funeral scrmon was preached by his colleague in the pastorate of the church, who
away, he boarded in the family of Moses Tut- tle, Esq., the sixthi child and fifth son of Col. Joseph Tuttle, of Hanover, and his wife Abigail Ogden. Col. Tuttle and his brother Timothy settled in Hanover, in Morris County, about 1733 or 4. Col. T's second wife was Abigail Nutman, a sister of the Rev. James Nutman, the second pastor of the Hanover church. Their son, the Rev. James Tuttle, was the first pastor of the churches at Rock- away and Parsippany. Dr. King was the pas- tor of Moses Tuttle ; of the daughter of Moses, Mrs. Hannah Hoff, widow of Charles Hoff; of her daughter Mrs. Jane Beach, widow of Col. Samuel Serrin Beach ; cf ber daughter Mrs. Delia Hazzard, the widow of the Rev. Silas H. Hazzard; and he lived to see Mrs. Hazzard's daughter and grand child on a visit to Mrs. Beach. the venerable great -grandmother, who at the time was still living! Making six gen- crations of one family who lived in the period of his ministry. The late Matthias Kitchel, Esq., also married Caroline Beach, the great- granddaughter of Moses Tuttie, and Dr. King lived to see her grand children. He ministered to five generations of Capt. Stephen Jackson's family, viz : Capt. Stephen Jackson, his son Col. Joseph Jackson, his daughter Mrs. Sarah Dubois Halsey, and her children and grand children. The same was true in other in- stances. The whole constitutes a singular and perhaps not very easily paralleled state- ment of permanence and longevity in his pas- toral office.
selected for his text on the occasion the words '. By the grace of God I am what I am ; and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain ; but I labored more abundantly than they all ; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Cor. 15:10.) This dis- course was published.
In his able and interesting nistory of the Presbyterian Church, Dr. Gillett thus de- scribes Dr. King, of Rockaway, in language which does not seem extravagant to those who knew him. "Frail and feeble in appearance, and supposed by all to be cousumptive, he was spared to the discharge of a long and useful pastorate. * * * * But while faithful to his special charge, he did not neglect the mis- sionary field around him. With the best men of the Jersey Presbytery he bore his full share in itinerant evangelization, going trom Powles Hook to the Delaware, to tell the destitute of Christ. The monuments of his success were scattered around him far and near. One of the most eminent of his contemporaries-the Rev. Albert Barnes-remarked that he knew 'of no minister whoge walk and labor and success had been so admirable as those of Mr. King of Rockaway.' His great ambition was to win souls. His one book was the Bible. As a preacher, he was simple and scriptural ; and his whole course was characterized by good sense, consum mate judgment, earnestness of purpose and devotion to his work. Usctulness he preferred to eloquence or learning. Yet his utterance was always manly, and at times fervent. One of his most critical hearers re- marked ' that he never said a foolish thing.' Amid fragrant memories and the rich harvests of the usefulness he coveted, he descended to the grave in a ripe and beautiful old age. The wrinkles of more than fourscore years were on his brow, but there were no wrinkles on his heart. His closing hours were marked by peace and cheerful hope, and when called to depart he was ready for the summons." He lacked only two months of being eighty-two years of age.
TO THE CONGREGATION OF THE FIRST PRESBY- TERIAN CHURCH IN ROCKAWAY, N. J., ASSEMBLED IN PARISA MEETING.
DEAR BRETHREN :- The undersigned associ- ated as the colleague pastors of this church and congregation, desire to tender to you the resignation of our office and to ask you to unite with us in requesting the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation which now sub- sists between you and us.
It would be unjust to you and to our own feelings were we to refrain from expressing to you our unalterable attachment and confi- dence. "For what is our hope, or joy, or -
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crown of rejoicing ? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his com- ing ? For ye are our glory and our joy."
The fact, as it has been stated to us, that our love for you is reciprocated by you with no dissecting voice, is one that both embar- asses and delights us. Had you been less than unanimous in your expressions of attachment we could less reluctantly take this stop, and yet the oneness of your affection we esteen as among the sweetest fruits of our pastorate among you.
It is more than fifty-six years since the Senior Pastor preached his first sermon here, and more than fifty-three since he was ordained and installed as the pastor of this church. Very few are now living who witnessed that scene. Great changes have taken place since that time, and yet amid all these changes this church has never varied in its attachment to one selected and placed over it by a generation, the most of which have long since "fallen asleep."
It is compared with this, a recent event, the settlement of the colleague pastor. Nearly nineteen years ago he first preached in this place. Fifteen years ago he supplied vour pulpit a few Sabbaths during the dangerous illness of your pastor. Early in November, 1847, having accepted your call, he began his labors among you, although not formally in- stalled until the following April.
This brief period has been full of changes in the congregation and community. Some of the standard bearers have fallen, and others have taken their places. It is our belief that God has placed his seal on the act of this con- gregation, in consequence of which we became colleague pastors of the church.
It is not necessary to enter into any detailed statements of the reasons which have led us to seek a dissolution of a relation thus far so happy and fruitful. The step has been taken after earnest prayer to the head of the church for his guidance, and after a protracted and carelui exammation of the field to which the Junior Pastor has been called. We are to please not ourselves, but Christ in this matter, and ahhough we cannot make this change without exquisite pam to ourselves, it seems to be our duty. We may have erred in our judgment of the duty required of us, but if so, it has not been an error intentionally com- mitted.
Wishing and praying that grace, merey and peace from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ may be with you and this entire flock, we are, acar brethren,
Yours in the Lord, (Signed in behalf of the pastors, )
JOSEPH F. TUTTLE. Rockaway, N. J., March 19th, 1862.
It was the intention for the Semtor Pastor to sign this paper, but sickness preventest him.
ROCKAWAY, March 19th, 1862.
DR. BEACH :
DEAR SIR :- I suppose from present appear- ances, in case of my release from the pastoral care of the ebnreb, that I shall not be able to arrange my business to leave sooner than the last Sabbath iu April. If it be deemed best I can supply the pulpit until that time, but I leave this entirely to the judgment of the church. It will greatly facilitate my arrange- ments to have the Trustees enabled to settle with me whatever balance may be due. Any accounts against me by pew holders can be turned on the books. Truly yours,
JOSEPH F. TUTTLE.
ROCKAWAY, March 15th, 1862.
Having learned that a parish meeting is to be held on Wednesday, the 19th inst., that the people may have opportunity to express their views in regard to the continnance or discon- tinnauce of the relation between them and their pastor, Rov. J. F. Tuttle, D. D. Sup- posing this may result in calling the Preshy- tery to act on the subject. I wish to say, that in case his dismission should be effected, I shall request the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation between me and this people which has subsisted nearly 54 years. This request originates from no unkind feelings, from no want of attention, but simply fron the fact that from age and infirmity I can no longer be of service and inight be considered in the way of the settlement of another pastor. Should the dissolution take place I shall take leave of this people with a deep sense of grat- itude for the many and long continued kind- nesses which they have manifested and the forbearance which they have exercised in re- gard to my frailties. My prayer will be that God would soon give to this people a-pastor after his own heart and one in whom all shall be harmoniously united. What ver may be the result reached by the Presbytery, I trust that pastors and people will achnowledge and feel that it is of the Lord.
BARNABAS KING.
FATHER KING, OF ROCKAWAY.
( FROM THE NEW YORK OBSERVER. )
On Thursday, April 10th, 1862, the aged and beloved man whose name stands at the head of this article, entered into rest. On the Sabbath afternoon following, a vast throng of people from the neighboring congregations met with the bereaved church at Rockaway, to pay a tribute of lovo to the departed pas- tor. Huadreds were not able to get into the church, which was draped in deep mourning. The exercises were conducted by the Rev. Messis. Magic, of Dover, Johnson, of Hanover, and Ford, of Parsippany. The sormon was
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ANNALS OF MORRIS COUNTY.
preached by the Rev. Joseph F. Tuttle, D. D., endearing him to the people.
fourteen years colleague pastor with the de- ceased, in compliance with whose wish the arrangement was made.
The sermon set forth "the grace of God as manifested in the character and labors of the successful minister of Christ," and was found- od on 1 Cor. 15:10, " By the grace of God I am what I am ; and Inis grace, which was bestowed on me, was not in vain, but I labored more abundantty than they all : yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
The personal statements made by the preacher, concerning the character and labors of the deceased, were very simple. The Rev. Barnabas King, D. D., was born in New Marl- borough, Mass., June 2d, 1780; at the age of fourteen was prevented from becoming a cabinet-maker by the sagacity ot his pastor, Dr. Catlin, who offered to fit him for college in four years, in consideration of his laboring for him during the summer mouths. At the age of eighteen he was couverted. He then taught school to get the meaus of entering college, and in the spring of 1802, he entered the Sophomore class of Williams College, half advanced. In the fatt of 1804, he was grad- nated, after which he spent a year teaching. and studying theology. October 15th, 1805, he was licensed by the Berkshire Association, and having in vain sought a settlement near home, he was about to start for Western New York, then a new country, when a letter from his class-mate, Beach, turned his steps to New Jersey. He preached in Rockaway the first time January 25th, 1806, from Eeel. 2 : 1, 2, "A time to be born and a time to die ;" but for a year and a half labored at Sparta and Berk- shire. In October, 1807, he began his labors statedly in Rockaway, dividing his time be- tween this place and Sparta. Very soon there began a revival, which added to the church eighty converts, and in the midst of such scenes, he was oraamed and installed the pas- tor of the church, December 27th, 1808, the eermon being preached by Dr. John McDowell, the only one who participated in the transac- tion who now survives him. During the entire time of his sole ministry, that is from 1807 to 1847, there was only one year withont addi- tions to the church from the world. That exceptional year was 1817, in the fall of which began "the great revival of 1818," which brought 151 converts into the church. The next greatest work was in 1831-2, when he was aided by Rev. Dr. Hatfield in a manner greatly
In his 40th anniversary sermon, preached Dec. 31, 1848, Father King stated that he had attended 681 funerals, baptized 547 children, solemnized 417 marriages, and received into the church 680 persons. For many years his labors were spread over a territory which now includes five Presbyterian and five Methodist churches. He had regular appointments at Powerville, Rockaway Valley, Lyonville, Green- ville, the Glen, Mt. Hope, Denmark, Berkshire Vallev, Dover, Mine Hill, Shoregrove, Union, Franklin, Harrisonville, besides those at the centre. For weeks together he preached ten times a week. He was indefatigabte in his pastoral labors, being assisted by an admir- ably constituted Session.
He was dignified and serious in his manners and so consistent that no one questioned tris piety. His style of preaching was very sim- ple, but scriptural, and usually very earnest. His heart was. full of sympathy, aud in atl respects he was a model pastor, to whom his flock was perfectly devoted. In several in- stances be has ministered to five generations of the same family, and in one instance to six.
His thoughtfulness, generous forbearance and helpfulness in the delicate and often unpleasant relation of the colleague pastor- ate, were only needed to round out his adınir- able character. It is a fact that is honorable to both the semor and junior colleague in that church, that they should have been associated fourteen years with not merely harmony, but with a devoted affection well fitting that of father and son.
The very day he was stricken with his last sickness, his resignation was offered to the church of which he had so long been pastor, This was on account or his colleague's accept- ance of the Presidency of Wabash College, and he did not wish to be in the way of settling a successor. But the church, with a noble spirit, refused to accept his resignation, alleging as a reason their wish, if it were God's will, that he should die their pastor, and be bnried among his own people.
His mind was in perfect peace, unclouded with a doubt, and he passed to his home amid the tears of as loving and devoted a people as ever cheered the declining years of a minister of Christ. Many men have shone more bril- liantly in the Church and State, but very few have lived so as to make a brighter mark or leave a more enviable reputation than Father King. of Rockaway.
1776. CENTENNIAL. 1876.
THE
REVOLUTIONARY FOREFATHERS +
OF
Morris County,
AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT
MORRISTOWN, N. J., JULY 4th, 1876,
BY
Rev. JOSEPH F. TUTTLE, D. D., =
PRESIDENT OF WABASH COLLEGE, INDIANA.
JULY 4TH, 1876. BENJ. II. VOGT, PRINTER -- THE IRON ERA OFFICE. DOVER, N. J.
د
THE ORATION.
The hero and the shrine have been severely condemned and yet men continue to worship the one and bow at the other. In so doing they mean no wrong, but merely express the sentiment of admiration we feel for a great deed and the one who performed it, and the sentiment of reverence which we experience for the place in which a great deed has been performed and a great man has been.
We may in our philosophy jeer at Mr. Car- lyle's notion of hero-worship, and feel grieved as we see our fellow men bowing at their shrines of what ever kind.
And yet the greatest philosopher uncovers his head at the tomb of Washington and the most devout Protestant is thrilled with rever- ence as be stands under the tree where Luther rested, or at the sepulcher which holds his dust.
Mr. Webster in his speech at Valley Forge said "there is a power in local association. All acknowledge it and all feel it. Those places naturally inspire us with emotion which in the course of human history have become connected with great and interesting events."
On this one hundredth anniversary of our nation we experience sentiments which are among the best ever felt in the human breast. We think of the original colonies, in. themselves weak, and this weakness increased by their independence and jealousy of each other ; of the contrast between them and the great power that coerced thein-they weak, it the strongest on earth; of the conviction which leading men in England had before the collis- ion that "notwithstanding their boasted affec- tion for Great Britain the Americans will one day set up for independence"-a conviction which such men as, Franklin regarded as the portentions prophecy of bloody battle, and they therefore in all sincerity hastened to assure the people and rulers at home that "Americans can entertain no such idea unless you grossly abuse them," and that "a union of the Ameri- can colonies was impossible unless they be driven to it by the most grievous tyranny and oppression ;" of the scenes in many a private home and many a council chamber, as well as in the more publie assembly, whether of legis- lators or people, in which with unutterable forebodings and agony and yet with heroic courage the best and truest men in this coun-
[ try weighed every principle, determined the character of every act affecting them, and at last announcing their independence fought for it through years of darkness and blood ; of the special incidents of that long struggle and the great men that acted on the conspicuous theatre in the presence of all civilized nations, Concord, Bunker Hill, Trenton, Yorktown, bat- tles which were the offspring of Independence Hall and the Declaration -the Adams, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and the greatest of them all Washington. I say, we think of these great acts and great men and with more fervent devotion than ever we pronounce the words, "OUR COUNTRY," and we yield our homage to the men who gave us a country and we devout ly bow as at a shrine at the spots where they achieved the deeds which give them immortal renown.
But whilst to day we indulge in these remi- niscences of our national glory-these great in- cidents and persons that find place in general history-let ours be the humble task of re- counting some incidents which are part of the history of Morris county during that period which to-day is in every thought.
And here I find myself beset with a peculiar embarrassment which is both like and unlike that of the great French pulpit orator when he preached in the cathedral of the French capi- tal. Like him when he preached sermons al- ready printed and in the hands of his hearers, all that I know of our local history has been in your hands for years ; and nnlike him in the eloquence with which he swept away the em- barrassment, I in my humble gift of speech must yield to it with an appeal to my bearers for their indulgence. In former years gather- ing many a fact of our Revolutionary history from lips that are now dead, and from sources 80 scattered in archives, libraries and garrets that many of them now are beyond my own reach, I have not hoarded them, but without money and without price have given them free- ly to the press, the historian and the orator. Some of these facts, so precious to me as their preserver, in one case with no recognition of their source, are found in a general history of this country ; in another a graceful pen so pre- sented them on his glowing pages, and so ' kindly defined their source that in their new
2
REVOLUTIONARY FOREFATHERS
beauty I almost forgot they were ever mine ; and in still another case the tongue of the Sen- ator repeated them so eloquently and with such generous commendation-I crave pardon for the weakness-that though a thousand miles away as I read his worda, my blood tingled as with wine. Thanks to the historian, the journalist and the Senator for their appre- ciatiou of this incomplete, yet genuine, labor of love amid the reminiscences of men and thinga a hundred years ago in this goodly county of Morris !
And yet this does not help me to-day and here very much, for whether I speak of our own heroic men and women, or of those patriots who dwelt here during two winters in house, cabin or tent, or of the things grave, or the things not so grave, that were done among these hills so long ago, a hundred of my hearers will either nod or shake their heads in approval or dissent as if they knew these things a great deal better than the speaker himself, which no doubt they do since they have his knowledge and their own !
You see, my friends, how much I need your forbearance, and how kind it will be in the wisest of you to look as though you never had beard of these things as I repeat them to-day ! And, moreover, even if you do hear these things for the hundredth time, pray remember that Yankee Doodle, Hail Columbia, and the Declara- tion are quite old and familiar, and yet old as they are how they cause the blood to Jeap ! Though they had seen the old flag a thousand timea, "the boys in blue" wept and shouted as they saw it run up at Fort Donaldson and Port Royal !
How different the Morris County of 1776 and the Morris County of 18761 It is truc its moun- tains then as now were grand to look at, the conspicuous watch-towers whence our fathers saw the enemy and gave the alarm, and yet these mountains then stood in the midst of a sparsely settled wilderness in which were scat- tered a few towns and villages with far fewer acres under cultivation than in our day. Its churches were few, the principal being the Presbyterian churches at Morristown, Hano- ver, Bottle Hill, Rockaway, Mendham, Black River (or Chester), Parsippany, Succasunna, the Congregational Church at Chester, the Baptist church at Morriatown, and the Dutch churchea and Old Boonton and Pompton Plains. Its schools were few. The late Dr. Condit says that the majority of those who learned the most common English branches did so in night schools taught either by the preacher or some itinerant Irish scholar. The roads were bad and tho wheeled vehicles so scarce that at the funeral of a light horseman on Morris Plains after the war, as an eye witness once told me,
there was only a single wagon of any sort pres- ent, that being the one that carried the re- mains to the grave. Dr. Johnea the pastor, the attending physician, the bearers, the mourn- ers, and the friends were either afoot or on horse back. Nor in this respect was this funer- al of the light horseman very different from the more pretentious funeral of the Spanish Ain- bassador who died at Morristown the second winter the army was in this pla e.
The manners and ocenpations of the people were simple. The fleece, the flax, the spinning wheel and the house-loom were found in every mansion, and the most eloquent men at tho bar and in the pulpit, as also the most beauti- ful women. and brave men who made this coun- ty so glorious in those days, wore garments which the women had made of cloth which themselves had manufactured. They were hardy, simple, frugal, brave and good, and when the conflict came it required as little to keep both men and women in fightirg condi- tion as it did the soldiers of the Great Froderic. The contrasts between the beginning and the end of the century in these as also in many other respects are remarkable, and one cannot but be inspired by it not only to glory in the splendor of our county as it now is, but in the sturdy simplicity of the people of our county as it then was.
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