USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > First church in Newark : historical discourses, relating to the First Presbyterian church in Newark; originally delivered to the congregation of that church during the month of January, 1851 > Part 25
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295
SYNOD OF NEW JERSEY.
first in succession, and then side by side in loving brotherhood. This Church could not have spared the gifts and services of either of them. Richards, I ap- prehend, has left his impress on the character of the people the more deeply of the two; but then his min- istry was nearly twice as long as that of his predeces- sor. Griffin was instrumental in bringing into the Church the larger numbers, in proportion to the time; but then, as he observed, he was here in harvest time, whereas his brother who followed him, came "in the fall of the year." In theological views, both occupied nearly the same position,-that of New England di- vines of the old school-the school of Edwards, and Bellamy, and Smalley, and Dwight. Both were earnest revivalists, yet strenuously opposed to all fanaticism and wild-fire. Both used the gifts which God had given them to the same end-the glory of Christ-and the dissemination of the knowledge of Him crucified.
I have now come with you, my friends, to the period when the history of the illustrious dead gives place to that of those who are still living and acting on the stage of life. The time has not come to speak of their character or estimate the results of their labors. I will simply mention a few general facts belonging to the succeeding period, and then bring my narrative to a close.
The same year in which Dr. Richards was dismissed, the Synod of New York and New Jersey was divided. The old Synod including the Presbyteries of Hudson, North River, New York and Long Island, took the
*
296
REV. WILLIAM T. HAMILTON.
name of New York, and a new one was constituted, consisting of the Presbyteries of Jersey, New Bruns- wick, Newton and Susquehanna, and taking the name of the SYNOD OF NEW JERSEY. The first meeting of the Synod of New Jersey was held in the First Church of Newark on the 21st of October, 1823, at 10 o'clock, A. M., and was opened with a sermon by the Rev. John Woodhull, D. D., of Freehold, from Phill. iii, 8. After sermon, and the organization of the body, the Rev. Archibald Alexander, D. D., was chosen Moder- ator, and the Rev. Geo. S. Woodhull and the Rev. John McDowell, were chosen Clerks .* With this Syn- od the Churches in Newark now became connected.
The successor of Dr. Richards was the Rev. William T. Hamilton, an Englishman by birth, who received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from the Col- lege of New Jersey in the year 1825. After preach- ing to the congregation for a time, a large portion of them were disposed to invite him to become their pastor ; but yielding to the wishes of others of their number who were desirous of hearing another candi- date, they became divided in their preferences, and af- ter a violent struggle, in which the interference of the Presbytery became necessary, determined to separate and form a new congregation. For this purpose, a large number seceded, built a new house of worship, settled the Rev. Joshua T. Russell as their minister, and constituted what is now known as the Third Pres -- byterian Church. The new organization took place in.
* Furnished from the Records, by the the Synod of New Jersey.
Rev. Ravaud K. Rodgers, present Clerk of
297
THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
the Session-room of the First Church, from which its original members-56 in number-had received certifi- cates of dismission for the purpose, on the 8th of June, 1824.
The circumstances which led to this measure were infelicitous. But the measure itself was one for which the condition of the community had long been ripe. The old house of worship was crowded, and the con- gregation already overgrown. Dr. Richards had seen the need of a new church for a long time, but knew not how to effect the object ; and I am told that, when one of the people lamented the division in his presence, he expressed his satisfaction at the event, observing that what could not be brought about by peaceful means, had been accomplished by contention, and that the result was an occasion for thankfulness.
That some kindly feeling prevailed, even in the midst of strife, is manifest from a vote of the Session, · which I find on record, directing their clerk to inform the Session of the Third Church, that it would be "perfectly agreeable" that they should occupy the house of worship of the First Church, until their own should be completed, every Sabbath afternoon, unless circumstances should thereafter require some other ar- rangement ; and to propose that the two congregations should alternately occupy the house for a third service on Sabbath evenings. On the 15th of November, 1824, seventy-two persons, members of the First Church, were dismissed and "affectionately recom- mended " to the fellowship of the Third Presbyterian
298
FINAL SETTLEMENT OF CHURCH PROPERTY.
Church in Newark, now under the pastoral care of Mr. Russell.
The new Church, having fulfilled the conditions of the vote of 1809, providing prospectively for the es- tablishment of such a Church whenever it should be deemed desirable, now presented their claim to the portion of the church property promised by that vote. The congregation of the First Church responded af- firmatively ; and, after some negotiations between the parties, respecting the precise amount to be appro- priated, two-sevenths of all the real estate owned in 1809, except the church and lecture-room and land oc- cupied by them, were set apart for their use.
Meanwhile, the Trustees in their various divisions and appropriations of the property, had made no at- tempt to convey a permanent title. It was supposed they had not the power. But as it now seemed de- sirable that a final settlement should be effected, ap- plication was made to the Legislature of the State; and an act obtained, bearing date November 4, 1825, entitled " an act for the relief of the Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church in Newark." This act, after setting forth the original source and intent of the church property, and the appropriations which had been made by the Trustees of the First Church " gra- tuitously," and "in pursuance of the wishes of the con- gregation," clothed the said Trustees with full power to make conveyance of the lands included in those appropriations to the several Churches mentioned therein, namely, Trinity Church in Newark; the First Presbyterian Church in Orange, and the Second and
.
299
PRESBYTERY OF NEWARK.
Third in Newark, according to the terms before agreed upon between the parties; "the same to be held solely and forever for the support of the Gospel in the said congregations, or religious societies respectively, and for no other purpose." The deeds of conveyance were accordingly ordered by the Board of Trustees, to the two first-named Churches, in August 1826, and to the others in the month of May following.
Mr. Hamilton was invited to become the pastor of this Church, in pursuance of a vote of the congrega- tion at a meeting held on the 17th of June, 1824, at which Dr. McDowel, of Elizabethtown, presided. His installation by the Presbytery of Jersey, took place on the 27th of July in the same year.
In the autumn of the year 1824, the Presbytery of Jersey, which had existed under that name fifteen years, was divided by the Synod of New Jersey, at its own request, into two Presbyteries, the PRESBYTERY OF NEWARK, and the Presbytery of Elizabethtown, of which the former held its first meeting at Jersey City, November 2, 1824. The property belonging to the old Presbytery, consisting of books, money for pur- poses of education, &c., was equally divided by a committee appointed for that purpose. The last two volumes of the Records were assigned to the Presby- tery of Elizabethtown, and the preceding volumes, in- cluding, besides those of the old Presbytery of New York, the first three years of the Presbytery of Jersey, and running back to the year 1775, to that of Newark.
In the year 1825, the interior of the church edifice was thoroughly altered, the ceiling lowered, and the
300
REVIVAL OF 1832: NEW CHURCHES.
floor and pews changed, leaving only here and there a slight trace of the original finishing. The present lec- ture room was erected, as nearly as I can ascertain, in the Spring of 1832.
Towards the latter part of Dr. Hamilton's ministry, there was a memorable manifestation of religious feel- ing in the congregation. The pastor characterizes it in the record, as "the glorious revival of religion with which the Lord Jesus favored this portion of his Zion in February, 1832, chiefly under the labors of Rev. H. Norton and Rev. Joel Parker, of New York." A "protracted meeting," or continued series of religious exercises, occupying the entire day for many days in succession, was held; and other special measures for deepening and extending the religious impression, were resorted to. The number of hopeful converts during this season is not stated, but at the communion in May, 1832, one hundred and twenty-four persons were ad- mitted to the Church together, on the profession of their faith, and forty-five adults received the ordinance of baptism.
We have already had occasion to notice the forma- tion of several Churches, either wholly or in part col- onies from this. On the 14th of April, 1831, the Fourth Presbyterian Church was organized in the ses- sion room of the First Church by the Presbytery of Newark. It consisted of twelve members; two from the First, four from the Second, and six from the Third Churches. The Rev. Dr. Weeks became its first pas- tor, in July 1832. This Church is now extinct.
The African Presbyterian Church, consisting of peo-
301
REV. ANSEL D. EDDY.
ple of color, was organized by a commission from the same Presbytery, on the last Sabbath in October, 1831 .*
In the month of March, 1834, about forty persons were dismissed from the First Church, to form the first Free Church in Newark; and were organized as such in the lecture-room of the First Church, by a commis- sion of which Dr. Hillyer was the chairman, May 22d, 1834.+ To encourage this enterprise, the Trustees made a donation of $500 to the new congregation. It has now become a Congregational Church.
During the winters of 1833 and 1834, Dr. Hamilton was absent at the South on account of his health. Returning in the Spring, he remained through the warm season ; and in the Autumn, having been advised by his physicians, that his health would again require him to spend the Winter in a warmer climate, he re- signed his pastoral charge, and was dismissed October 22, 1834. He was soon after settled in Mobile, Ala., where he still remains.
The successor of Dr. Hamilton was the Rev. Ansel D. Eddy, a graduate of Union College in the class of 1817, and formerly the pastor of a Church in Canan- daigua, N. Y. Having received a unanimous call, he assumed the charge of the pulpit in the month of July, and was installed on the 11th of August, 1835.
In the year 1838, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church became divided into two bodies both claiming its name and rights .¿ The Synod of
* Records of Newark Presbytery, p. 346. # To state the causes of this unhappy + Records of Newark Presbytery, p. 373. separation, would require more space than
302
SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
New Jersey declaring its adherence to the one, and the Presbyteries of Newark and Montrose sending their commissioners to the other, the two Presbyteries were excluded from the Synod, the latter in October, 1838, and the former during the following year .* Thereupon a new Synod was formed, called the Synod of Newark, which held its first meeting in this house, October 15th, 1839, and was opened by a sermon from the Rev. Dr. Hillyer, from Genesis xiii : 7, 8, 9. The Rev. Barnabas King was chosen as its Moderator. In the following Spring, this Synod and that of New York were united in one body, and took the name of the SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY. It held its first meeting in the city of New York, on the third Tuesday in October 1840, and the Rev. Dr. Fisher preached the opening sermon from 1 Cor. xv: 58 With this body the Church is still in connection.+
can be given to it in the present narrative, and the writer has no disposition to enter into the mournful details. Both bodies adhere to the same standards of doctrine and discipline. May they both learn "how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."
* The action of the Synod respecting the Presbytery of Newark, was as follows: Oct., 1838. " Resolved, That the Presby- tery of Newark be enjoined between this time and the next General Assembly, to decide on its course in regard to this sub- ject ; and if that Presbytery shall send Commissioners to the Body appointed to meet in May next, by the Body calling it- self the General Assembly, which met in the First Presbyterian Church in May last, the said Presbytery shall be consid- ered thenceforth as no longer in connec- tion with this Synod."-Minutes, p. 21.
1839. "Whereas, the Synod at its last meeting in Morristown, resolved, That
the Presbytery of Newark be enjoined be- tween that time and the meeting of the General Assembly, 1839, to decide its course in reference to the attendance of its Commissioners on the body claiming to be the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and which convened in the First Presbyterian church in Philadelphia, in May, 1838, and should that Presbytery send Commissioners," &c., "and whereas, the said Presbytery of Newark did send Commissioners to the said Body, in May last, as appears by the printed Minutes of said Body, therefore, by said act and res- olution, the Presbytery of Newark is no longer connected with this Synod."-Min- utes for 1839, copied by the present stated clerk, the Rev. R. K. Rodgers.
t See Minutes : for extracts from which I am indebted to the kindness of the Rev. John N. Lewis, present stated clerk of the Synod of New York and New Jersey.
303
NEW CHURCHES.
During the ministry of Dr. Eddy, the Second Free Presbyterian Church was formed. Seven persons were dismissed from this Church to assist in founding it, on the 24th of May, 1836, and it was organized with about forty members. Its existence was of short duration. On the 31st of January, 1837, a commission of the Presbytery then in session, organized a new one, com- prising most of its members, together with others, which took the name of the Central Presbyterian Church, by which it is still known. The Rev. Charles Hoover was the same evening installed as its pastor. The services took place in this house, and Dr. Magie, of Elizabethtown, preached the sermon. The Rev. George C. Lucas, the present pastor, was installed in the summer of 1849.
In the Spring of 1847, Dr. Eddy took a voyage to Europe, and was absent during the summer. Soon after his return, he resigned his charge, and was dis- missed by the Presbytery, February 22d, 1848.
Before this time, several attempts had been made to organize another congregation, to meet the pressing wants of a growing community. In the course of the summer following the dismission of Dr. Eddy, seventy- two persons, fifty-nine at first, and nineteen afterwards, were dismissed from this Church to begin a new enter- prise under the direction and ministry of their former pastor. The Fifth Presbyterian, which has since changed its name by the direction of the Presbytery, to that of Park Presbyterian Church, was accordingly organized in Library Hall, on the 2d of April, 1848. The Rev. A. D. Eddy, D. D., was installed as its pastor,
304
NEW CHURCHES.
June 1, 1848. The Rev. Jonathan B. Condit, D. D., preached the sermon from Rom. xi: 13 .; "I magnify my office."*
During the year 1848, and subsequently, five per- sons were dismissed to aid in establishing the Sixth Presbyterian Church; which was organized with thirty- six members, October 1, 1848. A commodious house of worship was erected for their use, and dedicated to the worship of God, December 26th, 1849. The Rev. William Aikman, its first pastor, was installed the same day. His brother, the Rev. Robert Aikman, preached from 1 Cor. i: 21.
Another detachment of seven was sent out during the same year, to aid in forming the High street Pres- byterian Church, which was organized in the house of worship of the Third Church, with thirty-eight mem- bers, on the 16th of September, 1849. The Rev. Mr. Poor was installed as its first pastor, November 7th, 1849. The services took place in this house, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. George L. Prentiss, from 1 Cor. xiv: 20.+
The present pastor took the charge of this pulpit, on the 28th of October, and was installed by the Presbytery of Newark, December 13th, 1849. The Rev. Henry B. Smith, Professor in Amherst College, preached the sermon from Col. ii: 9.
* Its house of worship, of which the cor- ner stone was laid in the summer of 1849, was completed and dedicated in the month of August, 1851.
+ The dedication of its house of worship a beautiful edifice of stone, took place in the month of September, 1852.
# Since the settlement of the present pastor, two new Presbyterian Churches have been organized; the German Church, by a commission from the Presbytery of Newark, in the summer of 1852, and the South Park Presbyterian Church, on the 20th day of March, 1853. To assist in the
305
STATISTICAL SUMMARY.
The history of the Church, reckoning the time from the commencement of its first pastor's ministry in this place, in October, 1667, to January 1, 1851, embraces a period of one hundred and eighty-three years and three months. During that time the number of its pastors who have completed their ministry, including the short and somewhat uncertain ministry of Mr. Brainerd, is thirteen; and their several terms of ser- vice, as nearly as I am able to fix them, are as follows :
1. Abraham Pierson, senior, from October 1, 1667 to August 9, 1678-a little short of eleven years.
2. Abraham Pierson, junior, from July 28, 1669, to about April 2, 1692-twenty-two years and eight months. Of this period he was assistant minister two years and seven months, colleague pastor six years and five months, sole pastor thirteen years and eight months. His whole pastorate was twenty years and one month.
3. John Prudden, from August 23, 1692, to June 9, 1699-nearly seven years.
4. Jabez Wakeman, from November 16, 1669, to October 29, 1704, about five years, of which time he was the installed pastor probably about four years.
5. Nathaniel Bowers, from June 16, 1709, to Au-
formation of the latter, twenty-nine per- sons were dismissed and recommended from the First Church, including one of its elders; and the services of organization took place in its house of worship. The Rev. James P. Wilson, D. D., was installed as the first pastor of the new Church, October 25, 1853 ; sermon by Rev. Samuel Fisher, D. D. The Presbyterian denom-
ination in the city of Newark now com- prises ten regularly organized Churches, including one German and one colored congregation, besides two or three mis- sionary stations.
The Third Church withdrew from the Presbytery of Newark and joined that of Elizabethtown, belonging to the other General Assembly, in the autumn of 1851.
20
306
STATISTICAL SUMMARY.
gust, 1716-seven years, viz., six years as pastor, and one as candidate,
6. Joseph Webb, from December 16, 1719, to No. vember 1736-nearly eighteen years, viz., seventeen years as pastor, and one as candidate.
7. Aaron Burr, from December, 1736, to the autumn of 1755-nineteen years, viz., eighteen years as pastor, and one as candidate.
8. John Brainerd, from the autumn of 1755, to May, 1759-three years and a half, including a season of absence, whose length is not ascertained.
9. Alexander Macwhorter, D. D., from the summer of 1759, to July 20, 1807, excluding less than two years, when he was absent in North Carolina-forty-six years.
10. Edward D. Griffin, D. D., from October 20, 1801, to April 27, 1809-seven and a half years, viz., five years and nine months as colleague with Dr. Mac- whorter, and one year and nine months as sole pastor.
11. James Richards, D. D., from June 7, 1809, to the autumn of 1823-a little more than fourteen years.
12. William T. Hamilton, D. D., from July 27, 1824, to October 22, 1834-ten years and three months.
13. Ansel D. Eddy, D. D., from August 11, 1835, to February 22, 1848, twelve years and five months.
Of this number, four have died in the service, and their remains lie buried among you. One laid down the office of the ministry but remained among the people, serving them whenever there was occasion, during a long life, and is also buried by the side of his
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307
STATISTICAL SUMMARY.
parishioners. Three were called away much against the will of the people, to take responsible stations in literary or theological institutions, and one to become a missionary among the Aborigines of America. One was dismissed on account of ill-health, requiring a dif- ferent climate ; and of the remainingthree, one is now the pastor of a new congregation in the same city.
From its beginning, in 1667, to 1719, the Church belonged to the Congregational or Independent order. Since that time it has been connected with the follow- ing Presbyterian bodies, viz:
Presbytery of Philadelphia, from 1719 to 1733.
East Jersey, 66 1733 to 1738.
66
" New York, 66 1788 to 1810.
66
Jersey,
1810 to 1824.
66
Newark, 66
1824
Synod of Philadelphia 66
1719 to 1745.
66
66 New York,
66 1745 to 1758.
66 N. Y. and Phila., 66 1758 to 1788.
66
66 N. Y. and N. J., 66 1788 to 1823.
66 New Jersey,
1823 to 1839.
66
Newark, is 1839 to 1840.
66
N. Y. and N. J., 66 1840
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, from 1788 to the present time.
Thus have the wheels of time, rolling steadily along, brought us down to the present eventful period- eventful to us at least, beyond all other periods. In long succession, we have seen one generation pass away and another come, till at length we find ourselves occupying the same places, surrounded by the same
308
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
objects, and engaged in the same pursuits with those whose history we have been endeavoring to trace. Many affecting lessons might be drawn from this re- view, local and limited as its sphere is. But they will force themselves I am sure, spontaneously on your at- tention, and you will scarcely need any suggestions from me.
Where are the men now, who in successive ages have called this First Church in Newark our Church -- the men who went through the perils of the war with Macwhorter, and rejoiced to behold the rising honors of the infant College with Burr-who wept at the untimely end of the beloved Wakeman, grew tired of the unpretending services of worthy Messrs. Webb and Prudden, measured their strength of will success- fully with the younger Pierson, or followed his good father, ripe in years and honors, to the grave? Where are the men whom the eloquent Griffin awakened and turned to righteousness, or who withstood rebelliously his thrilling appeal to their consciences-the men whom Richards taught, and built up in the most holy faith, or who hardened their hearts under his faithful ministry, and so "treasured up unto themselves wrath against the day of wrath ?" Where, O where are they now ? Almost all gone. Their race is run, their mis- sion finished, their record with all its good or ill, its faithfulness or neglect, has passed the broad seal of time, and cannot be altered in a single syllable or pen stroke. We, as I have intimated, are enacting our his- tory. Some future hand will trace the history of this congregation, and gathering up what we have pre-
309
, CONCLUDING REMARKS.
served of the past, will carry it on through your lives and through mine, and tell our children and our chil- dren's children, who we were, and what we either did or left undone.
In less than seventeen years from this time, this con- gregation will celebrate its second centennial anniver- sary. That, we may well believe, will be a great day here, if the Church lives and flourishes as we trust it will. Then a large portion of the present race will · have left the stage. My ministry will, in all proba- bility, have ended-perhaps for years. And these scenes, fresh still in the memories of the elder class, will come up as matters of history. And what will they say of us ? What report will be given of the period beginning with November 1849, and ending God knows when ? Shall it be a period over which the devout shall love to linger ; a period of holy de- votion and blameless lives on the part of those who pro- fess the faith ; of sweet refreshings and anticipations of heaven, and of sacred zeal and energy guided by wisdom, in the service of the blessed Redeemer ? Shall they say of it, " during that period, religion flourished ; prayer meetings were well attended, for all loved to be there; the Sabbath-school was flourishing, and the children were never so well instructed in the knowledge of Christ ; the young men and young women cheered each other in the paths of virtue and holiness, and strengthened each other's hearts in resisting evil; Christian morals, though they had languished, soon revived, and were strenuously promoted ; large contri-
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