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 24
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377 ยท
DUTCH CHURCH AT NEW DURHAM.
The Consistory of English Neighborhood had agreed to convey by deed, to the new church, when organized, the lecture room and lot at New Durham; also, to exonerate those who should go into the new church, from further payment of their subscriptions to the support of the gospel at English Neighborhood.
The committee therefore proceeded to superintend the election of Elders and Deacons. Two Elders and two Deacons having been chosen, arrangements were made for their ordination on the 30th of April, on which day the Rev. B. C. Taylor preached on Nehe- miah 2: 18. "And they said, let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work." The Elders and Deacons were duly or- dained-thus constituting the Reformed Dutch Church at New Durham.
With hearty affection, their venerated former pas- tor, for a few months continued his public services among this people, yet so as not to interfere with any arrangements by way of securing a pastor.
On the 17th of September, 1844, this Church pre- sented to the Classis of Bergen, for approval, a call upon the candidate William J. R. Taylor, who had been licensed to preach the gospel, by this Classis, on the 22d of the preceding July. On its approval, Mr. Taylor announced his acceptance.
On the 24th of September, 1844, the Classis con- vened in Hackensack, for the purpose of the ordina- tion of the two candidates, Messrs. William V. V. Mabon and William J. R. Taylor. This was an oc- casion of such special interest as to claim some notice.
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HISTORY OF THE REFORMED
Mr. Mabon had been induced to accept a mission- ary appointment to labor at Buffalo, N. Y., at that day quite remote from any of the churches, of the nearest Classis. His aged father, the Rev. John S. Mabon, in very infirm health, was residing in Hack- ensack, and earnestly desirous of witnessing the ordi- nation of his son. Every circumstance combined to make the place the very one in which these young heralds of the cross should be ordained. On Mr. Mabon's account, there was his aged father, beloved and honored in the Church of God. On Mr. Taylor's account, there was the sanctuary in which his mother first recorded her vows of consecration to God. In that house of the Lord his loved and venerated grand- father, the Rev. James V. C. Romeyn, had held forth the word of life for thirty-five years. The arrange- ments were such as to meet the wishes of the numer- ous kindred of these young servants of Christ.
The Classis requested the Rev. Professor Samuel A. Van Vranken, D. D., an uncle of Mr. Mabon, to preach the ordination sermon; the Rev. James Romeyn, an uncle of Mr. Taylor, and formerly pastor of this Church, to address the newly ordained ministers ; the Rev. Mr. Mabon to offer the ordination prayer, at the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery on the head of his son, and the Rev. Dr. B. C. Taylor the prayer, at the laying on of hands on the head of his son. These arrangements were fully complied with. The large assembly being frequently moved to tears during the services, and an impression produced, which has often been the occasion of subsequent remark.
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DUTCH CHURCH AT NEW DURHAM.
Little then did these young brethren suppose that they would consecutively occupy, as they have done, the same field of labor.
The installation of Mr. Taylor, as pastor of the Church at New Durham, was appointed for the last Sabbath in September, but the terrific storm which prevailed, compelled a postponement. On Sabbath, the 6th of October, he was installed. The sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Duryee ; the charge to the pastor by the father of Mr. Taylor, and that to the people by Rev. Alexander H. Warner.
Mr. Taylor labored in this charge for two years -- the Church being aided by the Board of Missions in his support. His labors were not without success. Six persons were added to the communion on confes- sion of faith, and four on certificate-in all ten.
Mr. Taylor's labors were devoted to his Sabbath services-the exploration of his field, and the devising of plans for the future enlargement of this young con- gregation. In all this he was aided, not only by the officers of the Church, but by several noble-minded Christian families, of wealth and influence, whose country residences in the vicinity prompted them, with a pious zeal and holy liberality, to foster this church enterprise.
It was not, however, the lot of Mr. Taylor to wit- ness, as the pastor of this people, the completion of the plans of these generous hearts. Circumstances of a very special character, which had their origin with others than himself, operated to summon him, imperatively, to another field of holy labor and use- fulness. On the 18th of August, 1846, a call upon
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HISTORY OF THE REFORMED
him from the recently organized Reformed Dutch Church at Van Vorst, (now Wayne Street, Jersey City), was presented and approved by Classis. This call he could not refuse to accept, on account of the character of the work to be done, and the entire urgency of the case, all of which will appear in the history of that Church. The connection between Mr. Taylor and the Church at New Durham was dissolved, to take effect on the 8th of September, 1846.
God did not permit this people to be long without a pastor. On the 15th day of September, only seven days after the cessation of Mr. Taylor's labors, this united people asked of the Classis to approve their call upon the Rev. William V. V. Mabon, to become their pastor. The concurrence of the Classis was most cordial, and arrangements were made for Mr. Mabon to be installed at an early day ; the sermon to be delivered by the Rev. Cornelius Blauvelt, the charge to the pastor by Philip Duryee, D. D., and that to the people by Rev. Matthias Lusk.
The Church continued to need a moderate amount of aid from the Board of Missions, but the plans of a liberal soul, devising liberal things for this Church, were now about to be brought into operation. James Brown, Esq., with most commendable zeal and liber- ality, although himself and family were identified with the Presbyterian Church in New York, of which Rev. George Potts, D. D., is pastor, had purchased a tract of about four acres of beautifully located land, on the Western slope of the high lands which skirt the Western shore of the North River, and directly East of the village of New Durham. Here he had
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DUTCH CHURCH AT NEW DURHAM.
determined on rearing a tasteful country church. With some aid from a few personal friends, and about one thousand dollars from the congregation, of which the Elder, Abel I. Smith, contributed seven hundred dollars, Mr. Brown, following out his own tasteful arrangements, had the happiness to see the appro- priate rural church substantially built and neatly furnished. There it stands, surrounded by forest trees of native growth, beautiful for situation, and conve- nient of access for the growing population. When the whole was completed, Mr. Brown conveyed the premises to the Church of New Durham, free from all debt, except that which cannot be repaid, the debt of gratitude for this noble charity. It is, and will very long remain a monument of unaffected and precious Christian benevolence. The whole cost, at that time, could not have been less than six thousand dollars. It is known as " The Grove Church."
The services of the dedication were rendered on the 27th day of September, 1847.
The pastor of the Church having communicated to the Classis the liberality of Mr. Brown, by an appro- priate resolution they expressed their deep sense of obligation to that Christian brother, for his generous and exemplary act, and appointed the Rev. James Romeyn and William V. V. Mabon a committee, to draft a suitable expression of their views and feelings on the occasion, and to transmit it to Mr. Brown. The letter is recorded on the minutes of the Classis, and is as follows :
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HISTORY OF THE REFORMED
" NEW DURHAM, April 17th, 1848. " To James Brown.
"The Classis of Bergen have deemed something beyond a mere approbatory vote to be called for, by the relation in which, by your kindness to the Church at New Durham, you have placed yourself to them and to the Church at large, and have committed to us the grateful task of a more full and more distinct ex- pression of their sentiments.
"In the exercise of benevolence you have cared for others. Under the impulses of Christian benevolence, you have cared for them, upon the highest subject- their spiritual welfare.
" Your attention has been directed to a community in the forming stage, and you have cared for them in the noblest form-providing them with permanent accommodations for the worship of God.
" With true wisdom you have added the character of attraction to the gift, by the erection of a peculiarly chaste, beautiful, and permanent structure. You have appealed to the gratitude of the people, and furnished them with the most stringent incentives to support the gospel among them, by the force of your example, and by the influence of shame, should they suffer the fire to go out upon the altar which you have erected, and the ministry to fail because of the with- holding of the 'meat offering and the drink offering from the house of the Lord.'
" Desirous of adding to the power of your own per- sonal example, you have enlisted the liberality of others, and in bestowing all this upon a people not belonging to your own denomination, you have given
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DUTCH CHURCH AT NEW DURHAM.
a specimen of that exalted, all-comprehensive spirit of gospel love, which breathes in prayer, and acts in good will towards all, in every place, who love our Lord Jesus in sincerity, and who call upon him out of a pure heart.
" Already you taste how much better it is to give than to receive. The face of the moral wilderness is changing. In the face of heaven, and before the eyes of all, ' beautiful for situation, and a joy' like a senti- nel upon his watch-tower, stands your ' Grove Church,' overlooking the region it is appointed to guard.
" We cannot refrain from giving expression to the grateful admiration you have won from us, and the deep affection which we feel for you.
" The Lord our covenant God ' think upon you for good,' as Nehemiah prayed for himself, and fulfil in your experience the promise, 'them that honor me, I will honor.'
"May God remember you all your life. Through trials severe, as those you have been called to pass through, and the still severer ones that may still per- haps await you, may you always find the everlasting arms underneath you to sustain you. When the labors of life are ended, may its closing scene be re- lieved by a measure of the grace of Christ, such as the hour calls for ; and to the sweet consciousness, and satisfying evidence, that it has been 'Christ to live,' may you be entitled to add the triumphant assurance, ' to die is gain.'
"In behalf of the Classis, and for ourselves personally, "Your friends and servants in the gospel,
"JAMES ROMEYN, "WM. V. V. MABON, Committee."
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HISTORY OF THE REFORMED
Mr. Brown has since reared a convenient parochial school house, hard by the church, at present devoted to the education of girls, under a well qualified in- structress ; the school enjoying the fostering care of Mr. Brown's family and the Consistory of the Church; the teacher's compensation coming from the same benevolent hands.
To all this Mr. Brown has added a noble parsonage house, of most tasteful structure, in entire keeping with the style of architecture of the church, and cost- ing about five thousand dollars, thus supplying this people with every well appointed arrangement for holy worship, and for the comfortable abode of the pastor's family.
Such liberality appeals with power to the heart- cheers the pastor in his blessed work-encourages the people to exercise gospel benevolence and liberali- ty, and points the community onward in the paths of righteousness. It will bring with it its own reward. The liberal soul shall be made fat.
During a large part of the year, this Christian gen- tleman and his estimable family are constantly found in this sanctuary, in devout worship, and feeding upon the bread of life.
Mr. Mabon's pastoral labors continue in all the vigor and usefulness which he loves to put forth. He is wielding an influence in that community which will long be felt. Rich and poor feel the power of the truths he presents, and attest the excellency and fulness of his pastoral work.
The congregation was organized in 1843, with thirty-nine families, and forty-five communicants. It
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DUTCH CHURCH AT NEW DURHAM.
embraced one hundred and twenty families and eighty- four communicants, in April, 1856. The people value their privileges-co-operate with the benevolent institutions of the Church, and show that those who are planted in the house of our God shall flourish in his holy courts.
A very few years ago a change in this community began, which wears a serious aspect when viewed in the light of religious influence. A German popula- tion has come in and secured several thousands of acres of valuable land. Small villages and hamlets, whose inhabitants are emigrants from the German States, have sprung up with wonderful rapidity. A great practical question naturally arose. What must be done to secure for this people the stated ministra- tion of the worship and ordinances of God's house ? Shall it be furnished to them, or shall they be left without the blessed influences of the gospel.
This subject filled the mind and oppressed the heart of the ever laborious pastor of the Grove Church. He took good counsel, and early secured occasional preaching for this people in their mother tongue. The results of this judicious movement will appear in our history of the German Evangelical Church at North Hoboken.
Mr. Mabon continues his services, and rejoices in a rich variety of fruit, which will hereafter be found more abundant through the abounding grace of Christ.
The pastoral record is as follows :
Rev. William J. R. Taylor, installed October 6th, 1844-resigned August 18th, 1846.
Rev. William V. V. Mabon, installed 1846.
17
History of the First Reformed Dutch Church in the Colunship of Van Dorst.
EARLY in the month of January, 1846, an ex-Elder of the Church of Bergen, residing in that part of Jersey City formerly known as Harsimus, called on his pastor, to open his mind to him on the subject of a church organization in that neighborhood. After a full and free interchange of views, we spread the mat- ter before the Lord in prayer, asking direction from on high, and craving that our path of duty might be made plain before us by the developments of God's providence. There we left the matter to abide the issue of God's working.
On the ensuing day, Cornelius Van Vorst, Esq., called on the author to propose a suitable gift of ground, and the sum of one thousand dollars towards the erection of a church thereon, if proper efforts should be made by others for that purpose. Mr. Van Vorst was ignorant of the visit and of the views of the ex-Elder expressed on the previous day. We [ 886 ]
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DUTCH CHURCH AT VAN VORST.
could not but view it as an indication that this work must go forward. Arrangements were made to ascer- tain the sentiments of families and communicants resident in that neighborhood. These were soon dis- covered, and on the 28th of January, 1846, a special session of the Classis of Bergen was held at the house of Stephen Garretson, Esq., " to take into considera- tion a petition for the organization of a Reformed Dutch Church in Harsimus."
A petition, dated January 21st, 1846, signed by twenty-two heads of families, and twenty-five com- municants in the Reformed Dutch Churches of Bergen and Jersey City, and of other Christian Churches uniting with them, and all being inhabit- ants of Harsimus, in the township of Van Vorst, praying for the constituting of a distinct church at an early day, was presented. This was based upon the rapidly increasing population of the township, and set forth the generous offers of ground and money which had been made towards this object.
The request was granted, and the Classis authorized the petitioners, or any three of the male communi- cants so applying, to meet at some convenient time and place, and elect a Consistory. The Rev. M. Lusk, then pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church at Jersey City, was appointed to superintend the election of officers, and the Rev. B. C. Taylor, of Bergen, to preach and to ordain the Elders and Deacons so chosen. The Classis immediately appointed supplies for several Sabbaths.
On the third Sabbath, the 15th day of March, 1846, the persons elected as Elders and Deacons, were-
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REFORMED
Barzillai W. Ryder, Earl B. Sipple, Stephen Garret- son and John Garretson, as Elders; John Berry and Benjamin Bell, as Deacons.
On the 18th of March they assumed the style and title of "The First Reformed Dutch Church in the Township of Van Vorst," and became incorporated as a Reformed Dutch Church. On the 21st of April following, their Elder, duly delegated, took his seat in the Classis.
At the organization of this Church, only six com- municants presented their certificates, but the Church, now having an actual existence, set out to do the work assigned her. The earliest efforts of this Church were directed to raising of funds for erecting a proper edi- fice, and the Consistory, having obtained the tempo- rary use of the Congregational church, then standing on the corner of Grove Street, and Newark Avenue, determined on an effort to secure a pastor.
On the 30th day of July, 1846, they called the Rev. William J. R. Taylor, then pastor of the Church at New Durham. This appeal Mr. Taylor could not re- sist. The enterprise was a noble one, and if success- ful, would be full of blessings. Having accepted the call, and on the 18th of August been dismissed from his pastoral charge at New Durham, to take effect on the 8th of September, he immediately entered on his new field of labor. His installation took place on the 27th of September, in the First Reformed Dutch Church at Jersey City, the use of which was kindly granted for the occasion. The Rev. Alexander H. Warner delivered the sermon. The charge to the pastor was given by his father, B. C. Taylor, D. D.,
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DUTCH CHURCH AT VAN VORST.
and that to the congregation by James Scott, D. D., of Newark.
While exceedingly anxious to possess a sanctuary of their own, nearly a year passed away before the conflicting proposals of different landholders, for a suitable site, could be decided upon. On the 5th day of May, 1847, the generous offer of Cornelius Van Vorst, Esq., of the three lots on Wayne Street, where- on the church stands, were accepted, accompanied by his cash donation of one thousand dollars. On the 7th of May, Cornelius Van Vorst, Barzillai W. Ryder and Stephen Garretson, were appointed the building com- mittee. On the 24th of August, the corner-stone of this house for God was laid by the pastor. An eloquent address, from Rev. James Romeyn, was delivered, and prayers were offered by Rev. John C. Guldin, of New York, and B. C. Taylor, D. D., of Bergen.
On the 28th of May, 1848, this appropriate, neat and comfortable church, beautifully furnished by the ladies of the congregation, was opened for the public worship of God, and was solemnly dedicated to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
The lecture room had however been ready for, and was used by the congregation, for some months previous to the dedication. The first service in this room was rendered on the 16th of January, 1848.
While engaged in building for God, the congrega- tion had been increasing, and in April preceding, numbered seventy families and forty-eight communi- cants. The unpaid indebtedness for the building was, at this date, only about half its actual cost.
With increased conveniences, and a quickened in-
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REFORMED
terest in the affairs of the congregation, Mr. Taylor witnessed a growth of numbers, and of energy, show- ing that God was blessing his labors. There were constant accessions to the communion of the Church. Under these encouragements, his labors were pleasant to himself, and acceptable to his people. In 1849, the declining health of Mrs. Taylor compelled a re- moval of his family to another climate. In Septem- ber, 1849, the Reformed Dutch Church at Schenectady invited him to the pastorate of that Church, and on the 4th of October, 1849, the pastoral relation be- tween him and the Church at Van Vorst was dis- solved.
At this time, the congregation had increased to ninety families, and over eighty communicants. Of the communicants, fifteen had been received on con- fession of faith, and sixty-seven on certificate.
The congregation, with most commendable energy, exerted themselves to secure another pastor. Their attention was early directed to the Rev. Paul D. Van Cleef, then pastor of the Second Reformed Dutch Church of Coxsackie, New York. In November, with great unanimity they invited him to become their pastor, and on the 10th of December, 1849, he was admitted as a member of the Classis of Bergen, and by direction of the Classis, installed pastor of this Church. The Rev. W. V. V. Mabon preached the sermon ; the Rev. B. C. Taylor charged the pas- tor, and Rev. John Garretson the congregation.
A renewed impetus was now given to this Church. Her onward way has been prosperous-not, indeed, without great anxiety and toil ; yet success has at-
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DUTCH CHURCH AT VAN VORST.
tended her. The comfort and convenience of the congregation was, however, interrupted for some time on account of serious damage by fire to the church, and the destruction of their organ. This occurred on the night of the 13th of December, 1851. The Church now experienced the sympathy of St. Matthew's Epis- copal Church, the Second Presbyterian, and the Lu- theran Church, in their fraternal offers of the use of their respective churches, while deprived of the use of their own sanctuary. For these offers, kind expres- sions of thankfulness are recorded. Nevertheless, they preferred to use their own lecture room, which was soon in readiness for their occupation.
As the congregation had increased, and pews were in demand, the project was started of enlarging the house, by extending it to the full depth of the lot. Special subscriptions were obtained for the object, amounting to about two thousand dollars. The con- gregation urged on the repairs and enlargement of the house. This handsome effort, together with the amount of sixteen hundred and twenty-five dollars, as damages paid for by the Insurance Company, and five hundred and fifty dollars from the same source, as insurance on the organ, enabled the Consistory to prosecute their work with energy.
A new organ was promptly ordered at a cost of one thousand dollars, and the energy of the people was afresh and availably taxed. In a few months they found themselves comfortably occupying their en- larged sanctuary, and rejoicing in the blessings God has promised, wherever he records his name. The cost of the whole improvement was four thousand and five hundred dollars.
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST REFORMED
The providence of God, which, for a season, seemed to have frowned upon this people, was in the end sanctified. It excited mutual sympathy, and awaken- ed a spirit of liberality. Believing the fire to have been kindled by incendiary hands, they soon felt that God had made the wickedness and wrath of man to praise him.
It is here worthy of note, that a little more than a month after the conflagration of this church, its early friend and liberal patron, Cornelius Van Vorst, Esq., after a brief illness, terminated his earthly career, on the 23d of January, 1852, leaving behind him a family devoted to its interests, and continuing to enjoy the blessings of the house of God, with which they are identified by very many holy ties.
During this period of exclusion from their ordinary seats in God's house, there was an increased religious interest in the congregation, the Sabbath assemblies and meetings for prayer being often crowded. At the spring communion of that year, eight persons were admitted to membership on confession of faith, a larger number than had been received on confession during any one previous year since the organization of the Church. Such were the prospects for the future, that the Consistory looked forward to an early day, when accumulated numbers and strength would enable them to colonize and aid in establishing a third church in the Northern district of Jersey City. This they avowed in their annual report, 19th April, 1852. On the very next day, twenty-three heads of families applied to the Classis to be set off from this congrega- tion, to constitute the Third Reformed Dutch Church
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DUTCH CHURCH AT VAN VORST.
of Jersey City, and arrangements were made to gratify their wishes. There were yet left a host of working men, good and true, to strengthen and en- courage the young, but already mother Church, just emerging from the darkness and distress of a destroy- ing element-a fresh evidence that "there is that scattereth and yet increaseth." There were dismissed from this Church seventeen communicants, as the germ of the new Church. Onward they have con- tinued to press their way and prosper; a flourishing Church-blessed of God, and blessing others with a vigorous and healthful example.
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