USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > Baptists of Trenton, 1787-1867 : an historical discourse delivered at the First Baptist Church, October 6th, 1867 > Part 2
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The custom then obtaining of lining out the hymn as it was sung, hymn-books being scarce.
In July, 1823, we find a record that the Church was de- prived by death of their aged and highly esteemed sister, HANNAH KEEN, in the eighty-eighth year of her age. A mother in Israel, familiarly called the "Trenton Deacon." It was at her house, when she resided in Lamberton, that the first Baptist sermon known ever to have been preached in this vicinity, was delivered by the Rev. Peter Wilson.
From the time that Mr. Boswell left the Church, until Jan- uary, 1826, the Church depended upon supplies for the preach- ing of the Word. For two years the Rev. James E. Welch, yet living, in the enjoyment of a ripe old age, regularly filled
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an appointment, riding from Mount Holly every other Sab- bath, to meet his engagement, for which he received seventy- five dollars per annum-and with so much acceptability to the Church, that at a Church meeting held on Saturday, January 7, 1826, a vote of thanks was tendered, accompanied with twelve dollars, payment in full for services rendered. I have in my possession the original letter presented to Mr. Welch, signed by Gershom Mott, David Brister, Martin Mull, and George Lanning, "Committee on Supplies."
In November, 1823, the Rev. Samuel W. Lynd was called as pastor. He accepted the invitation, but shortly after ten - dered a letter of resignation, without having entered upon the duties of the pastorate.
In January, 1826, the Rev. Dr. Patterson settled as pastor over this church. He remained until March, 1828, when he resigned, and removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resided until December, 1831, when he departed this life, in the blissful hope of eternal glory. His last words were, "My evidences are right; all's well ; all's peace." During his stay in Trenton, Dr. Patterson, by his genial spirit, his earnest piety, his sterling integrity of character, made hosts of friends, and in the Church, especially, left a name which . shall be repeated to the generations following, ever fresh and fragrant.
The Church was again supplied by different Ministers until April, 1830, when the Rev. Morgan J. Rhees took charge of the church for half of the time, preaching for the Bordentown Church the other half. This continued until the 1st of April, 1834, when he devoted his whole time to this Church. In November, 1840, he resigned the pastorship, and became Secretary of the " American Baptist Publication and Sunday
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School Society," at the same time removing to Philadelphia. This pastorate embraces a period of ten years and seven months, during which there were added to the church, by baptism, two hundred and thirty-one members. Mr. Rhees was educated for the legal profession, and was eminently successful at the bar, which he left only from the strongest convictions of duty, that he might, in preaching the Gospel of Christ, "win souls." He was greatly beloved by the church and deservedly esteemed by all denominations of Christians. He was a leader fearless in his work, faithful in the ministry of the word ; but especially was he known out- side of his own church by his devotion to the "temperance reformation," which, during those years, so widely and so thoroughly agitated all parts of our country. During his Ministry in this city, he experienced great embarrassment in reaching a class of hearers he much desired ; this difficulty arising from the location of the church edifice in the southern part of the city, sparsely populated, far removed from the thrift and throb of business life. To meet the necessity, he went to the people with the Gospel. The old State Bank building on Warren street was secured, and there, a portion of each Sabbath, did this man of God unfold the " riches of Christ." This was a time when the Baptists should have secured build- ing lots, and, like other denominations, had a church estab- lished in the heart of the city. The neglect to do this proved only the wasting of effort and the sacrifice of a golden oppor- tunity. The name of Morgan J. Rhees will never die. He fell " asleep in Jesus " a few years agone, while serving, as pastor, the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, Long Island. At the time of his death he was Recording Secre- tary of the " American Baptist Missionary Union."
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In January, 1831, George Lanning, Gershom Mott, David Brister, and Martin Mull, were chosen Deacons of the Church. In November, 1834, the aged and beloved Deacon John Wel- ling departed this life. A good man, a faithful Deacon, a living Christian, the Church mourned his death. After the removal of Mr. Rhees the Church was destitute of a leader for one year, when, in October, 1841, the Rev. Luther F. Beecher was invited to become pastor. He accepted the call, and on the 28th of the same month was ordained to the work of the ministry, Revs. J. E. Welch, John C. Harrison, C. W. Mulford, E. W. Dickerson, Levi G. Beck, Serin Stites and Joseph Hammitt assisting in the services. Mr. Beecher remained but one year pastor of the church, yet, during that year was abundant in labors. Aside from his regular ser- vices here, he held meetings in a room on the corner of State . and Greene streets, over the store now occupied by Mr. Scott, and, like his predecessor, at that day saw the necessity of a Baptist Church in a central location. He was a popular preacher, and drew large congregations to hear the Word. During the year he served the church he baptized forty-nine rejoicing converts.
From October, 1842, the church was supplied by Rev. Thomas Wilks, and others, until February, 1843, when the Rev. John Young was called as pastor. He remained so from the 15th of February to the 15th of August, a space of six months. Directly after his settlement, a difficulty arose respecting the Moderatorship of the church meetings. Mr. Young claimed it as his right to preside, as pastor of the church. There were some who thought differently from this, and argued that an election should take place at each church meeting as to who should preside. Mr. Young also took ex-
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ception to the manner of examining and receiving candidates for baptism and church membership. The result was, two parties. This feeling increased so rapidly, and became so intensified, that on the 31st of July, at a special church meeting convened for the purpose, he resigned the charge of the church, to take effect on the 15th of August, when his six months would expire. In his letter of resignation he wrote as follows :- " No creed, no code of discipline, or test of communion, or ecclesiastical bond or civil law, have I ever used in any church of which I have yet been pastor, and none will I ever sanction till I ascend to meet my God at the judgment." The church accepted his resignation, and on the next Sabbath he preached a sermon in which his views were more particularly set forth. This added to the excite- ment which before existed, and which resulted finally in a sad division. Mr. Young was a fine preacher, a strong thinker, and peculiarly independent in his notions. He made many friends throughout the community. As soon, therefore, as it was known that there existed a difficulty between Mr. Young and "some of the Deacons and members of the Church," and that he proposed leaving the city, "an unusually large and crowded audience " assembled at the City Hall, in Trenton, on the Tuesday evening following the delivery of the discourse already referred to,-August 8th, 1843. David Brister was called to the Chair, and F. S. Mills, Esq., was appointed Secretary. William Boswell, son of the former pastor, Ben- jamin Moorhouse, George Wilson, James Erwin and F. S. Mills were appointed a committee to report a series of resolu- tions as expressive of that meeting. Mr. Young was asked to stay in Trenton, and pledges were made him of support. The enthusiasm of the hour had its effect, and on the 2d day
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of September one hundred and twenty-three (not eighty-five, as you find it in a certain "historic " statement,) members were dismissed to form the Second Baptist Church in Trenton. Among the number was Deacon David Brister. In 1844 thirty-five of these members returned, and were again re- ceived into the fellowship of the church. Deacon Brister was one of the returning members.
Owing to these dissensions, the church was greatly re- duced in membership, efficiency and resources, but soon peace and harmony were restored. The memberhood of the church was reduced from three hundred and eighteen on the roll at the time Mr. Young took charge, in February, 1843, to two hundred and eleven in the September following, although twenty-seven persons had been baptized during that time.
This colony formed the Second Baptist Church, and was re- cognized by a Council as orthodox as Baptist Churches usually convene. It embraced such men as George B. Ide, J. Lan- sing Burrows, and the endorsement of the venerable and justly esteemed, though now sainted Spencer H. Cone and Joseph H. Kennard, whose letter on the subject I have in my possession. This colony built the edifice now occupied by the Baptist Church, on the corner of Hanover and Montgomery streets, in this city. The building has been recently enlarged and beautified by adding length and breadth to the south end, the structure being, in general appearance, very much im- proved. This church edifice was erected, if ever building was, through the most patient and persevering toil of faithful, devoted men and women. They boasted, nor could they, of but little of this world's goods, yet they set an example which might be profitably imitated by their descendants of to-day- giving of their little until they felt what they gave, and so consecrated their benefactions in sacrifice.
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During the erection of the building, worship was held in the " City Hall," as is evident from the following extract from the minutes of the Common Council, held October 2d, 1843 :
" A petition from a number of members of the Baptist Church, praying the use of the City Hall for holding meetings therein for the space of four months.
" On motion, the prayer of the petitioners was granted, with pro- vision that all the necessary expenses of fuel, light, attendance, etc., be borne by the applicants."
This minute is introduced to show that the colony dismissed from the "Mother Church" was organized into a church within a month after the separation, and with a location and shelter at the generosity of the city government. These were days and nights of toil and trial to the pastor and members of this young church. Worship was maintained at the City Hall until the completion of their new church building, which was , dedicated to the worship of Almighty God on Thursday, No- vember 28th, 1844, the Rev. J. Lansing Burrows preaching in the afternoon, and the Rev. George B. Ide in the evening.
Mr. Young's independence of character, coupled with his peculiar views of creeds and church order, made him the sub- ject of suspicion and distrust with many of his brethren in the ministry, and owing to this fact, more than to any other, the Second Baptist Church in this city did not, at that time, receive the fostering care it should, from the State Con- vention. The Church was orthodox, though its pastor may not have been so considered. To a lack of help in its infancy, after the most worthy and earnest efforts for a successful life, may be traced the ills and sorrows which followed for years, and which the State Convention so heartily labored to wipe
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out, by liberal appropriations, at a later date, and in which effort it has been so successful.
The ministry of Mr. Young continued for about two years, at a salary of four hundred dollars a year. During this time harmony prevailed, and his labors were most acceptable. I have a letter from Mr. Young to the church, in which he says, from pecuniary considerations alone, "it will be my duty to leave this place on the first of April next. This con- clusion is painful, from the strong affection I have for you as a people, the sacrifices and difficulties already endured in this cause, and the prospect now opening of a more favorable hearing for our principles by the neighboring churches." Thus, it will appear, Mr. Young left the Second Baptist Church in harmony, and if it "broke into three parts," as you have been told, it was not because of the heresy of John Young more than of the hyper-orthodoxy of some who fol- lowed him. The Second Baptist Church did not break, was not scattered, until under the third minister who followed Mr. Young. It certainly bears the aspect of vindictiveness to make him the scapegoat of what did not occur until Sep- tember, 1851. Indeed, no well-informed person respecting the history of the Baptist cause in this city, will attempt to controvert this statement.
I am indebted to Rev. Dr. Hall, of Trenton, and others, for facts and dates bearing on this period. After Mr. Young's departure from New Jersey, he went to the "West," and united himself with the people known as "Disciples "-which step confirmed the convictions of many who believed him heretical in his theological tenets. The Second Baptist Church called to the pastorate the Rev. Joshua Fletcher, a man of large experience, who had served the Baptist Church
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at Saratoga Springs nearly nineteen years. He was invited in 1847. In April he was on the field at work. In his letter of acceptance he wrote, respecting his support, as follows :- " If I settle with a people, I expect to live in as good style, and in as comfortable circumstances, as they live. I do not desire to live above my people; neither would I be willing to live below them." As might have been expected, a man like Mr. Fletcher, with such positive views of right and justice, of equality and dignity, did not find all that consideration on the one hand that he had a right to expect, nor that pecu- niary ability on the other to meet his demands which he wished; he therefore labored little more than a year as pas- tor. During that time a feeling of dissension arose in the church respecting Mr. Fletcher and his treatment of several members of the body. Whether Mr. Fletcher was right or wrong, is not our province to decide ; but the feeling continued to increase even after he left the place. He brought letters of membership from Saratoga, for himself and wife, and only after severe opposition were letters granted him when he left Trenton. Mr. Fletcher was faithful in his preaching, and abundant in his labors, visiting Flemington and other places, as he had opportunity, for days at a time, to preach the Gospel ; yet did he fail to please and secure harmony in the Second Church. His is not the only case where the faithful laborer has been left unrequited.
In September, 1848, the Rev. Leonard L. Fletcher, brother of the late pastor, brought a letter of membership from the Keesville Baptist Church, and supplied the Second Church until early in the year 1849, when he was regularly dismissed. He became pastor of a church in Georgia, where he died. His name is spoken with kindly utterances by many who knew him during his brief stay in Trenton.
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September 3d, 1849, the Rev. Joseph Hammitt was invited to become pastor of the Second Baptist Church. On the 9th of the same month he read to the church his letter of accep- tance. It is too long to introduce at this period : suffice it to say, I have read it carefully, and find it pre-eminently worthy of the man. A difficulty had existed between the old church and the Second, which had so greatly augmented in its pro- portions that the churches declined to correspond with each other. At the instance of Mr. Hammitt, a series of resolu- tions were passed by the Second Church, asking for a com- mittee from the "Mother Church," to adjust the difficulty, and henceforth to labor in harmony for the Master's cause.
On the 31st day of May, 1850, at a meeting of the joint committees of both churches, held at the house of Mr. J. G. Coleman, it was resolved "that the difficulty between the two churches has been satisfactorily adjusted, and that corres- pondence between the two be re-opened." Signed on behalf of the Trenton and Lamberton Church, by Martin Mull, Jas. G. Coleman, James Howell, William Johnson and John Q. Carman; on behalf of the Second Baptist Church by Rev. Joseph Hammitt, G. W. Albertson, John M. Howell, James H. Smith and David Clark.
Up to this period we find no indication of heresy in the church ; indeed, the facts of history prove the orthodoxy of the Second Church from its organization. "Benedict's His- tory of the Baptists " appearing about this time, represented the Second Baptist Church as having been constituted upon open communion principles, to the injury of the Church, and its standing with the sisterhood of Churches. In its defence, therefore, on the 27th of May, 1850, the following resolu- tions were unanimously adopted :-
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" Resolved, That this Church was constituted September 11th, 1843, upon the established principles of Regular Baptist Churches, and in no instance whatever have we departed from that cardinal doc- trine, of baptism by immersion being a pre-requisite to communion at the Lord's Table.
" Resolved, That we still declare our unwavering attachment to the Bible truths as set forth in the New Hampshire Baptist Confes- sion of Faith, which was adopted by us at our constitution.
" JOSEPH HAMMITT, Pastor, " DAVID CLARK, Church Clerk."
We have been rejoiced to put our hands on these official documents, if for no other purpose, in vindicating the early faith of the Second Church, to reprove those mushroom de- famers whose scent and cry has been "heresy !" "heresy ! ! "
In 1851, Captain Lewis Parker, John Whitehead, N. Holmes, William McKee, S. Smith, J. Hammitt and George Sweet, were elected to serve as Trustees of the Second Bap- tist Church. This election occurred on the 31st of March, 1851, at which time we find the body unbroken, and compar- ative unity existing. Between the months of March and Sep- tember, however, a dissatisfaction with the pastor was mani- fest, and his removal agitated. This immediately caused two parties-those seeking a change in the pastorate, and those opposed thereto.
This affair ripened rapidly into a distinct and fixed result, neither party showing a willingness to yield, the pastor being determined to remain. On the evening of September 1st, 1851, he presided at the church meeting, and read the letter he had prepared by vote of the church for the approaching meeting of the Association, which was accepted. He then presented his resignation as pastor, "to take effect from that date," stating that he "released himself from all the obliga-
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tions and duties of their pastor." He then presented the names of twenty-six persons asking for letters of dismission. The communication was laid on the table for future considera- tion. This vote was no sooner taken than Rev. Mr. Hammitt arose and presented the following declaration :-
" We, the undersigned, members of the Second Baptist Church of Trenton, N. J., having regularly and respectfully asked for our let- ters of dismission, which application you have not granted, we there- fore wish it understood, from this time henceforth, we withdraw from you, having no fellowship with you as a Baptist Church."
Then followed the names of the twenty-six persons. Mr. Hammitt had, up to this point in the meeting, occupied the chair. On reading the letter of withdrawal he vacated the Chair and left the house, followed by the persons whose names he had read. It was just here that the Second Church "broke " into two parts, not into "three," and owing to the secession of its third minister, and not to " suspicions that" their first pastor " was not a regular Baptist minister." Let us be true to history if we speak at all.
As soon as Mr. Hammitt and his friends had left the house the church meeting was re-organized, and George Albertson, whose body we have so recently laid to rest in our grave-yard -the devout Christian, the patient sufferer, "an Israelite in whom was no guile,"-being present at that memorable meet- ing, was elected Moderator. George Parker offered prayer for "that wisdom which cometh from above," and in the need of which that distracted fold now had such afflictive evidence.
With full faith, the church "voted to go forward," though greatly tried and weakened. John Whitehead, J. M. Howell and George Parker were appointed a committee to "supply
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the church with ministers until otherwise ordered." The Second Church now found it absolutely necessary to have help from the Convention in order to support a pastor. By vote of the church, the excellent and devoted John White- head-a brother whose memory is dear to this church, now, we believe, sainted and joyful in the Paradise of God-went to the Convention, made a full statement of all the facts be- fore the Board, and received the assurance that their appli- cation would be granted as "soon as the church should call a pastor."
In the interim, Mr. Hammitt and his party formed what is known in the history of this cause "The Trinity Baptist Church." If a high-sounding name could have afforded life, "Temperance Hall" would not have "proved to be their cradle and their coffin." Of the few left to bear the burdens of the Second Church, some gave evidence of discouragement, and asked for letters to the old church, thus, by removal, weakening those that remained. After much delay respect- ing the pastorate, during which time several others had left the church, a call was extended to Rev. John Berg,-James Robinson and William Gillingham serving as committee. This invitation was unanimous, and voted on the 8th of March, 1852. The church became hopeful that with Mr. Berg the "little one" would be able to maintain visibility, and still exert a churchly influence, and also to obtain the promised aid from the Convention. The church waited anxiously Mr. Berg's reply, from March until May, when the committee re- ported the "call declined ;" then went out the light of hope for the life of the Second. Baptist Church. Members now began to leave so rapidly that it was evident some provision must be made, or the property gathered through the noble
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efforts of the Second Church would pass into other hands. That it was secured, a debt of gratitude is due to Captain Lewis Parker and other friends for loans in the time of need.
Mr. Hammitt and his party failing of that success which they had fondly anticipated, after recognition by Council, which was afforded in due season, and the Second Church holding the property, though unable to secure, and now alone to support a pastor, an overture was made to the State Con- vention to take the property, pay the floating debts, and re- construct the Baptist element, and hold the property for the Baptist denomination. The Convention Board acceded to the proposal. The pastor of the "Trinity Baptist Church " meanwhile found it convenient to leave the field. Under the auspices of the Convention, on the 30th of April, 1853, the Central Baptist Church was organized, absorbing most of the members of the " Trinity " enterprise, and a few of those who remained of the Second Church. A Council was convened at the Meeting-house, and the organization perfected on Wed- nesday, the 10th of May, 1853. The letters calling this Council were signed by that venerable, justly esteemed, and devoted servant of God, Rev. G. S. Webb, whose life is yet prolonged, and who stands like a patriarch, pointing to the lessons of the past, yet, in the vigor of a manly piety, is obedient to the injunction, " occupy till I come." Thus was a fourth organization afforded to nearly the same parties in establishing a Second Baptist interest in the City of Trenton. The only feature of special note characterizing the present church in its abnegation of the Second interest, is found in the fact, that under the direction of Judge P. P. Runyan, of New Brunswick, one of the Trustees representing the State Convention, the metallic box, placed in the corner-stone at
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the erection of the church edifice, which was said to contain heretical sentiments as uttered by Mr. Young, was taken out, and is now to be found in a bank vault, where its contents are not likely to be infectious.
The Apostles of the Baptist cause serving this new interest on the old field, some of them well and widely known through- out the denomination, are as follows, and in the order :- The Rev. Messrs. Wilcox, Wright, Darrow, Howlett, and the pre- sent pastor. Of Mr. Wright's pastoral labors, christian men and women in this city, of all denominations, speak favorably. His friends are many at the State Capital.
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