USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Bergen > Annals of the classis of Bergen, of the Reformed Dutch Church, and of the churches under its care: including, the civil history of the ancient township of Bergen, in New Jersey > Part 10
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The services were rendered in the following order :
Prayer, by Rev. John Knox, D. D., of New York. SINGING -HYMN I.
On God's own mount a Temple stands, A House all-glorious in his eyes, Eternal, and unmade with hands, Which his own presence sanctifies.
There sing the Seraphs-there are bow'd The white-rob'd Elders, and the throng Of humble worshippers, who crowd
Those Temple gates, to join their song.
There sits the Lamb-He lights the place, His glory radiates the scene ;
And in the trophies of his grace His Father's promis'd gift is seen.
And will He-can He condescend,
To leave those heights, and dwell with man? Prostrate in dust our spirits bend,
And wonder, at the Gospel plan.
Yet we will plead His promis'd grace, And though no worthiness we claim,
Upon these Stones, and in this place, We'll ask Him to record his Name.
Come, dearest Lord, and in this hour, The influence of Thy grace impart ; Come, in thy Spirit's mighty pow'r, And animate with zeal each heart.
Address by Rev. Thomas De Witt, D. D., of New York, in Dutch.
Address and Laying of the Corner Stone, by Rev. B. C. Taylor, the pastor.
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SINGING-HYMN II.
In the Eternal Father's name, The name of His incarnate Son, And the bless'd Spirit-we proclaim A House for God is now begun.
Our pious ancestors, who brought Their Bibles, and their faith sincere From distant climes, with fervour sought To fix the Gospel standard here.
They watch'd, toil'd, struggled, to secure A Temple, with each sacred rite ; The doctrines they promulg'd were pure ; Those doctrines yet this Church unite.
They carv'd the stones, which twice have been Cemented in a house of prayer ; And with them we again begin These sanctuary walls to rear.
Their God is ours-and we will strive Dependent on assisting grace, To build a house, that shall survive Our names, our landmarks, and our place.
We will provide abundant room For those who seek a dwelling here ; And may this Church, new strength assume, And growing grandeur, year by year.
Bow down in blessing, mighty Lord ! Guide, guard, and prosper those who build; Thy name, Thy presence, here record, And let us see the work fulfill'd.
Oh, grant Thy favor! On this Stone Let a firm, beauteous, fabric rise ; A Temple which thy love shall own As a great Nurs'ry for the skies.
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Prayer by Rev. Philip Duryee, D. D., of English Neighborhood, N. J.
Anthem.
Benediction by Rev. Samuel A. Van Vranken, D. D., of New York.
Under the Corner Stone was deposited a box, suitably enclosed and containing-
A metallic plate, on which is engraved the dates of the organization, and erection, of the three church edifices built by this congregation ; the names of the several pastors, with the periods of their ministry ; the Consistory ; building committee, and builders. A copy of the Psalms and Hymns; the Constitution, Canons, Confession of Faith, Liturgy, and Catechism of the Reformed Dutch Church. Minutes of the General Synod for 1841.
Catalogue of the Officers and Alumni of Rutgers College for 1840. History of the Theological Semi- nary of the Reformed Dutch Church. A printed ser- mon of the Rev. John Cornelison, a former pastor of this Church. Annual report of the American Bible Society, American Tract Society, and American Sun- day School Union, for 1841. Christian Intelligencer of March 7th, 1835, containing a history of this Church. Jersey City Advertiser, and Hudson Re- publican, of August 10th, 1841, containing an account of the taking down of the old, and commencement of the new church now erecting. Two discourses, de- livered on the last Sabbath of worship in the old church, July 25, 1841. The addresses now delivered, and the hymns prepared for, and sung on this occa- sion. A translation of an original certificate of moral and religious character of one of the first settlers in this place, as given by the burgomasters of the
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city of Wagening, in Holland, dated November 27, 1660.
A small box, containing a number of Sea Want, or wampum beads, formerly used in the collections of this Church-being sold at given rates by the dea- cons, and deposited in the collection bags by the pur- chasers and their families. The several numbers of the Christian Intelligencer, for August, 1841. A lithographed print of the church recently taken down.
The following is the address of the Rev. Mr. Taylor on the occasion :-
Christian Friends and Fellow-Citizens-
The circumstances of our assembling on this spot to-day, are peculiar, interesting, and solemn. We have met together to deposite the corner stone of an edifice, not for ordinary use. It is to be a House for God. "But will God indeed dwell on the earth ? Behold, O Lord, the heaven, and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee-how much less this house that we build ! ! " What condescension is this ? The great Jehovah deigns to grace even earthly temples with his presence, and in them to dispense the blessings of his love. Blessings appertaining to every human re- lation, and the influence of which will be known by future generations-and not unknown in eternity. The building here to be reared, is to be the place of devout, holy worship-the seats herein to be con- structed, those in which we, with our children and children's children, are to sit at Jesus feet, to be taught of him, that we may become wise unto salvation- and under his teachings, be made meet for the wor- ship of our God and Saviour, in his upper sanctuary of glory.
The character of the worship to be rendered here will, we trust, ever be in strict accord with the doc- trines, government, and usages of the Reformed Pro- testant Dutch Church in the United States of North
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America. The very doctrines, as we firmly believe, of the sacred Scriptures, which are able to make wise unto eternal life-and the form of government, scrip- tural, efficient, yet mild ; and when administered with fidelity, tending directly to the observance and pre- servation of good order, purity of doctrine and con- duct, and in happy unison with the principles and feelings of our beloved country.
The pious ancestors of the present congregation, early cultivated the religion of their fathers, and brought with them from Holland their Bibles, and their moral and religious certificates of character. They obtained grants and patents for land, between the years 1638 and 1640. And as the Mother Church in this country was located in the city of New York, having been erected in 1642, in the fort near the Bat- tery, the great probability is, that there, until the year 1664, they joined in the worship of God.
I am credibly informed that a record exists, in the Dutch language, in the office of the Secretary of State of the state of New York, in which the then Governor of that Province reported to the States General of Holland, that the inhabitants of Bergen, in the colony of New Jersey, had consented to be taxed, for the building of a house of worship-this document is dated A. D., 1663. In 1664, the registers of the Church commence ; and not until 1680 was the first edifice for holy worship reared in the township of Bergen. From that date, where now lie yonder ruins, successive generations worshiped in the two churches which there have stood ; the one until A. D., 1773, the other from that date until the 25th of July last.
In imitation of the examples of our fathers, we have undertaken the present enterprise, demanded by our increased population, and the growing necessities of this community.
It is a pleasant reflection, that although the site is changed, this newly chosen spot for a house of the
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Lord, is that on which, for a long ministerial life-time, the first pastor of this Church resided ; and from whence his spirit, released from its tabernacle of clay, took its flight to the temple of God on high. It is also a part of the original grant of land, confirmed by Lord Philip Cartaret, in the year 1668.
If we contemplate the influence of religious institu- tions, especially those founded by the adorable Head of the Church, the Sabbath, the ministry of recon- ciliation, and the sanctuary worship, we see blessings abounding, all proclaiming the majesty, wisdom, and love of God to man.
From these institutions issue streams to gladden the city of God. Who can sum up the grand results of primary movements in these holy institutions? Little did they who laid the foundations of the first church in this place, anticipate the demolition of the structure they built for God-nor was expectation of the results, as seen this day, cherished by those who so strongly cemented the stones in the temple now razed to the ground. But they left us an example worthy of imitation. They loved the memory of their fathers, and delighted to look upon the work of their hands-yet they loved Zion, and Zion's God, and Zion's children ; and when the cry was heard, "Give us room that we may dwell," they answered that cry. And, to add to the strength of the things that remain- ed, they strengthened their hands-they brake and gathered, and carved and laid fresh stones in firm ce- ment, with those their fathers laid,-we now bring these stones again, and here will bind them, with in- creased numbers, for another house for God, and thus prove that thy servants, O Lord, remember Zion, take pleasure in her stones, and favor the dust thereof.
But what mighty moral results attend the ministra- tion of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Principles incul- cated, habits formed, and character given to man for successive generations. And then in the sway of gos-
7*
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pel truth, the destiny of immortal souls controlled for time and eternity.
How highly exalted, then, has this community been, in point of privilege ! Should not our improvement bear some proportion to our advantage and our ac- countability ?
Our location, the fertility of our soil, the bounties with which Providence has enriched us, and our ac- cumulated gospel mercies, proclaim this to be a hill which God desireth to dwell in ! Yea, dwell thou in it, O Lord, forever. For we have seen thy goings, O God, even the goings of my God, my king, in the sanctuary. And thy God, O Zion, hath commanded thy strength. (Ps. Ixviii).
But with all our advantages, we are exposed to the corrupting and demoralizing influences always con- centrated in great cities and populous towns. The temptations to our rising race to seek their pleasure, amid the seductions of yonder City, are not small. And whatever facilitates the observance of the sacred services of the sanctuary, and invites to the sanctifica- tion of the Sabbath, and urges the force of gospel truth, will serve measurably to suppress vice, promote virtue, and advance holiness.
Thus we view. the enterprise in which we are en- gaged, as calculated to exert a sanctifying influence on this community.
Here, then, fathers and mothers in Israel, we join with you in fervent prayers, that restraining, instruct- ing, comforting and sanctifying energies may be felt. Here we are cheered by your presence and co-opera- tion, for if we pause and ask, " Our fathers, where are they ; and the prophets, the ministers of reconciliation, who once broke unto you the bread of life, do they live forever ?" our minds are filled with affectionate remembrance of the labors of a Jackson and a Cor- nelison ; and with solicitude, as we are reminded of you. The places which now know you, will soon
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know you no more forever. May your sun go down in peace, and your offspring realize that among your legacies, not the least in value, will be your good, your Christian name; your precious memorial in Jerusalem.
And while we who now occupy the ranks of middle life, look with holy interest on these aged fathers, as a remnant of the generations that were, this labor of our hands, this expenditure of our means, will not be in vain. It is a willing offering unto the Lord, for our own and our children's children. And while we en- large the place of our tent, and stretch forth the cur- tain of this habitation of the Lord, let us " spare not," but trust the promise, as our father's trusted it, " that Zion should break forth on the right hand and on the left, and her seed shall inherit the Gentiles." "For lo, the little one hath become a thousand, and a small one a strong people." " And yet greater things are in store, for the people who yet shall be created here shall praise the Lord, shall declare his name in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem."
Look then around you this day, on these your off- spring ;- each one is an immortal being-an heir of heaven, or an heir of hell. How deep the interest we have in them ! Shall they rise to glory, or sink down to woe ? To open to these youthful minds the prin- ciples of truth-to aid in the formation of their char- acters, and in holy reference to their final destiny, we have said one to another, " Let us rise up and build," and on the corner stone now to be laid, may there rise an edifice, which shall be graced with the pre- sence of Him who of old shone forth between the cherubims ; and may the light of his countenance be lifted upon every worshiper.
Beholding as we do these endeared children, brought here to witness this solemnity, we ask them also to look upon the scene with interest, while we, their parents, urge their happiness and eternal well-being,
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as strong motives to the sacred work. Children, we build this house for God, that you may herein receive his favors, rejoice in his grace, and share in his great salvation.
It is intended that this edifice shall be substantial, convenient, and to a proper degree ornamental. It will then correspond with the character, spirit, and present feeling of this community. May the work advance with harmony, love, zeal, and as becomes a work for God, and by his servants.
We had begun to build for God, we had betaken ourselves, for our public worship, to the Academy, as the only building in which any considerable number could be seated, and there, early in the fall, God prov- ed to us, that he was about to build us up a spiritual house. At the communion season in October, there was no increase of those professedly on the Lord's side ; but an individual previously unconcerned about his everlasting welfare, was deeply convicted of sin, and subsequently, after intense mental and heartfelt anguish, was permitted to rejoice in hope of having passed from death unto life. From that day onward, for more than a year, we could say with emphasis, " the day-spring from on high hath visited us." Meet- ings for prayer were largely attended. The presence and power of the Spirit of God were felt. About the middle of January, (1842), the solemn cry was heard, " What must I do to be saved ?" Numerous calls were made upon the pastor, and the great question was pressed. Many remembered God, and were troubled. In pastoral visitation, passing from house to house, accompanied by the eldership, speaking of the things of salvation, and praying with and for the
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families visited, the pastor found not only a cordial welcome, but that they were waiting for him. Some were thoughtful. Many were burdened with their sins, and some entertained hope of having arisen to newness of life. Further opportunities became neces- sary for conversation with anxious and inquiring souls, and special meetings, for this purpose, were held at the parsonage. At the first, ten persons attended ; at the second seventeen; at the third twenty-eight; and at the fourth thirty-three. The character of their exercises was various, but the deep pervading feeling was, that of fearful guilt before God, and a sense of utter unworthiness.
The work of rearing the outer temple, had by this time so far progressed, that on the third Sabbath in March, the lecture room in the basement of the house was ready for occupancy, and with gladness we enter- ed it. On the next Sabbath, the communion season had returned, and forty seven persons were added un- to Christ's professed followers, on confession of their faith, of whom twenty were men-most of them heads of families.
The gracious influences of the Spirit continued. The hearts of the people were alive to the interests of their own souls, and to the welfare of Zion. The di- vine word was armed with power from on high, and God in Christ was precious. Our lecture room be- came too straight for us, and we longed for the spa- cious apartment in the house of the Lord to be opened for our reception. God rendered the needed strength and health to the numerous workmen, and in due sea- son our desire was gratified.
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THE DEDICATION.
On Thursday, July 14th, 1842, the congregation assembled in the church, and precisely at three o'clock P. M., the services commenced.
The order of exercises was as follows :
Invocation of the divine presence, by Rev. Edward H. May, of New York.
Reading of a part of the 6th chapter of the second book of Chronicles, by Rev. Nicholas I. Marsellus, of New York.
SINGING -HYMN I.
Oh Thou, to whom, in ancient days, The morning stars together sang, Responsive to whose glowing praise Glad shoutings through creation rang.
Thee we adore !- and as we rise On Faith's broad pinions, to thy throne, Thy train, thy Temple, in the skies,
We ask, Will God our offering own ?
Will He approvingly behold The place we've builded for his feet ?- Devotion burns, and Faith grows bold, While we thy entrance, Lord, entreat.
Come, Father, come, we long to see Thyself, thy Son, thy Spirit here. Let this thy rest from henceforth be ; Oh, enter, dwell and bless us here.
Inscribe salvation on these walls, Upon these gates, enduring praise, And when for succour Zion calls, Oh, prosper her in all her ways.
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Let all her pray'rs as incense rise, Her priests, her ministers appear Girded with Truth, -with full supplies Of holy unction, year by year.
Thou hast our Shield, our Helper been Until the topmost stone was laid, And at thy glorious ent'ring in, Let homage from each heart be paid.
Prayer by Rev. John Garretson, of Belleville, N. J.
Sermon by the pastor, founded on Isaiah 7: 8. “I will glorify the house of my glory. Who are these that fly as a cloud and as the doves to their windows ?"
Dedicatory prayer by the pastor.
SINGING-HYMN II.
Hosannah ! Let the chorus swell, The echo long resound ; Again in holy courts we dwell, In God's own house are found.
Tis done !- We've consecrated now This building to His fear ; And we, adoring, humbly bow, Believing God is here.
Here with his Son, his Spirit too, To reign, and rule, and bless, His cov'nant mercies to renew, And give his word success.
We wept to see our Temple razed, Our father's house destroyed ; But now, each stone in order plac'd, Again may be enjoy'd.
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Here we may meet to praise and pray, To feast on food divine ; Here Zion's glory, day by day, May more resplendent shine.
Come, waiting souls, your wants and woes, To this fresh altar bring ; No sympathy so freely flows, As that of Christ your King.
The widow's and the orphan's sighs, The prayers of youth and age ; The contrite sinner's wrestling cries, His tenderness engage.
Oh, wondrous grace ! its rich displays O'erwhelm our feeble sense ; Yet we will trust, and love and praise, And draw our comforts thence.
Special addresses by the pastor to the Consistory, building committee, builders, ladies, and the congre- gation, in which he congratulated the Consistory- those in office when the building was commenced, as well as those who had been newly elected and ordain- ed-upon the successful issue of their arduous under- taking; expressing his special gratitude, as well as that of the congregation, to those of them who had constituted the building committee, for the indefati- gable and faithful discharge of their important trust. Allusion was made to the blessing they had already received from the Lord. Whilst they were building for God, he was building them up a spiritual house- several of their children having, in the meanwhile, been hopefully converted.
To the contractors, who as well as the Consistory
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rose upon being addressed, he had also a few words to offer-reminding them of their special indebted- ness to the Lord for their preservation. Not one of them had sickened; not one of them had been injured during the progress of the work. It was his pleasure to announce to them, they had rendered entire satis- faction, and to read several commendatory resolutions furnished him by the Consistory.
The ladies of the congregation were deservedly commended, to whom they were indebted for the en- tire furniture of the church-the carpeting both of the aisles and galleries-the dressing of the pulpit, and for the communion vessels.
Towards the youth of the congregation the pastor expressed himself as, possessed of no ordinary feelings on the auspicious occasion. A short time since they had asked, not for a worldly inheritance, but for seats in the church of their fathers. The Lord had provided them room. They could now be well accommodated. And what was more, a number of them had become savingly acquainted with their Redeemer.
The aged-the fathers and mothers-were in the last place affectionately greeted, and invited to mark all the kind and gracious dealings of the Lord towards them and their children, and their children's children.
Prayer by Rev. Thomas Vermilye, D. D., of New · York.
Anthem by the choir.
Benediction by Rev. Ira C. Boice, of Bergen Neck, New Jersey.
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The church was thronged. Solemnity prevailed, and joy abounded. In addition to the clergy who shared in the exercises, we enjoyed the presence, and hearty congratulations of Rev. Thomas De Witt, D. D., William C. Brownlee, D. D., James B. Hardenbergh, D. D., and Isaac S. Demund, of New York, Ransford Wells, of Newark, N. J., William R. Bogardus, of Acquackanonck, N. J., John L. Chapman, of Clinton- ville, N. J., Matthias Lusk, of Jersey City, and James Stuart, of Warwick, N. Y.
On the day following the dedication, the unsold pews were offered for sale, and the amount sold for, largely increased.
On the ensuing Sabbath, the Lord's Supper was ad- ministered, on which most interesting occasion, the pastor was aided by the Rev. John Knox, D. D., of New York, who preached a most impressive discourse, on Hebrews 11: 28. "Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that de- stroyed the first-born should touch them."
On this season of hallowed association, twenty-five more persons put on Christ, by a confession of their faith, and were added unto the Lord, in the commu- nion of his Church. This was the crowning glory of the house. It was a day of the right hand of the Most High. And we entered his holy house with " shoutings of grace, grace unto it."
For months afterwards, the truth was prevailing in the hearts of the people, and many were they, who re- fered to this season of God's love and grace, as that of their espousals to Christ. The whole number of the subjects of this blessed work, who united in holy
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fellowship with the Church, was eighty-nine. Many of them, of the number who signed the original peti- tions, for room wherein to dwell in the house of the Lord.
What a fulfillment of the word of the Lord, from which they were addressed, in the services of the morning of the last Sabbath's worship in the old church? Zion had enlarged the place of her tent, and stretched forth the curtains of her habitation ; spared not-lengthened her cords, and strengthened her stakes, and was breaking forth on the right hand and on the left, and her seed was inheriting the Gentiles.
Although the new sanctuary had been entered, and we rejoiced in its occupancy, there remained to be done a considerable amount of work around it. It was not until the 26th of November, 1842, that the Consistory could present to the congregation, a detailed state- ment of the erection of the house, and its various ap- purtenances. On that day, a full presentation was made, of the labors of the Consistory, and of the build- ing and finance committees. The entire cost of the edifice, and its various fixtures, exclusive of the furni- ture, was fifteen thousand four hundred and sixty- seven dollars and four cents. To this was added the original valuation of pews in the old church, refunded by credits to the owners, on their purchase of pews in the new house, to the full amount of three thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight dollars. Towards the erection of the house, the Consistory appropriated two thousand dollars, which was an excess, realised in 1826, on sales of pews in the old church, after exten- sive alterations and repairs had been paid for.
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It was ascertained by the finance committee, that after all payments should be made, for pews sold, and the applying of the grant of the Consistory, about three thousand dollars would be needed to entirely liquidate the indebtedness. An effort was made at once, to reduce the debt by subscriptions, and con- sidering that many were yet paying in the purchase money for their pews, the amount subscribed was liberal, being eleven hundred and eighty-one dollars. In 1844, another subscription amounted to six hundred and fourteen dollars ; and in 1846, a final and success- ful effort was made, to the amount of eleven hundred and thirty-three dollars. In 1850, the finance com- mittee, of which from the very commencement the pastor had been the chairman, made their final report, announcing the entire payment of the whole cost of the edifice and its fixtures. The thanks of the con- gregation were expressed, in their recorded resolution, to the chairman and members of the committee, and a substantial acknowledgement made to the chairman, for having kept all the accounts of the committee, and a separate account with each pew-holder. His joy was not small, when this load of care was removed, and which he never could have consented to bear, had it not been so pressed upon him by the Consisto- ry, that he could not refuse.
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