USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > Readington > Historical discourse and addresses delivered at the 175th anniversary of the Reformed Church, Readington, N.J., October 17, 1894 > Part 5
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As the end of the year drew nigh, her mistress worried about Phillis so much that her husband borrowed enough money from his neighbors to make up the price, and went after her. He did not return for many days; and explained his long absence by say- ing that Phillis had been resold to a man in Monmouth county. He had driven thither and found her.
But the tender and delicate woman had been compelled to work the whole season in the field ; and had been whipped and beaten so that she could neither walk, nor stand, nor sit, nor even lie in an ordinary bed. She was permanently crooked and could
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do no work of any kind. But he had brought her on a specially prepared bed in his farm wagon.
Then he made for her a big cradle fitted to her deformity ; and in this she spent the remainder of her life, cared for by her mis- tress whom she loved. When she died, it was impossible to put the body into a coffin without breaking the legs. But this her mistress would not permit. Accordingly, a very large grave was made, and Phillis's cradle became her coffin. Her mistress's daughter, Ann, who had often rocked Phillis in her cradle, would sometimes tell the story of Phillis to her daughters [now Mrs. Aaron Hoffman and Mrs. Pierre Henri Bousquet] with a pity and pathos they can never forget.
The Dutch had possessions in Africa, as well as in North and South America, and slaves, as well as other merchandise were fre- quently transported from one of these colonies to the others. Those who came from the coast of Guinea were regarded as the most valuable, because of their superior endowments, both men- tal and physical. " Guinea negroes " brought more than others in the open market. Among these were a man who had been the chief of his tribe, with his wife, who now shared his slavery as she had shared his rule in the land of their fathers. These became the property of Jacob Kline, the grandfather of John Kline, the the well known elder of this church (who died nearly fifteen years ago at the age of 95). But slavery is bitter at the best, and it is no wonder that these Africans were fearfully homesick. Every endeavor was made to cheer and comfort them-save, of course, that of setting them free, which probably was never thought of. The result was, that when all hope was gone, they sought and found together the only freedom possible for them. The spot is still pointed out on Kline's brook, a mile directly north of this place, where stood the cedar tree upon which one morning the
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master found only the lifeless bodies of those who refused to re- main slaves in a strange land.
I have a more cheerful story to tell of another Guinea negro, who attained his freedom I know not how. I hold in my hand a. parchment deed, signed in a hand not accustomed to the use of the pen-"Aree Van Genee,"-Aray from Guinea, a name which the irreverent youngsters of a succeeding generation, punning upon the color of the man who bore it, travestied into "a raven Guinea !" I wish I knew his story in the land of his fathers ; how he crossed the Atlantic, learned the Dutch language, obtained his freedom and became a wealthy and respected citizen. But of all this I am in entire ignorance. I know nothing of him earlier than the 3d day of April, 1730, when he purchased of Benjamin Roun - savall, carpenter, 132 acres of land at Potterstown, which was then within the bounds of this congregation. Ten years later (July 29. 1740), he sold this property to Matthias Sharpenstein. From this sale, however, he excepted two lots of about one acre each, which he no longer owned. One of these lots he had sold January 22, 1740, to William McKinney, and it is the deed for this lot which I hold in my hand. It is valuable chiefly because it describes the property as " beginning at a post for a corner standing in a line of land commonly called the West Jersey Society's land, it being a corner to land layed out to the Lutheran Congregation Meeting House." I have also a deed for this Potterstown farm to Corne- lius Wyckoff, executed May 11, 1761, by the children of Matthias Sharpenstein, excepting from the sale the "small lot formerly con- veyed to William Mckinney, and one other, where the Lutheran Meeting House is now built."
These statements warrant the inference that the Lutheran Church at Potterstown (which afterward became the Reformed Church of Lebanon) was organized before 1740, and its edifice
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erected before 1761 ; and also that the land for the meeting house was given by this negro, Aray from Guinea.
After selling his property at Potterstown Aray bought land nearer this church, including the farm now in the possession of Mrs. Herman Hageman and the one back of it to Campbell's brook, on the banks of which he and his descendants lived and died.
His son, James Aray, was an honored soldier in the Revolu- tionary war ; and his children were among the most respected cit- izens of this community within the memory of some here present. The first name of a free negro that I find upon the list of commu- nicants of this church is Mary Aray. I believe that there are none of the family now resident here. Some of them have, I believe, been successful business men in New York city.
God makes even the wrath of man to praise Him. The man- stealers meant it for evil-and it was evil in them; but God meant it for good, that the inhabitants of the dark continent might learn the way of salvation and live the life and die the death of the righteous, loving and serving the Lord Jesus.
I have already alluded to Richard L. Stryker, who went from here to Liberia to do excellent work for the Master there. The. records of the Somerset County Bible Society show a contribution made by negroes for the express purpose of sending Bibles to Africa. Heaven is. vocal with praises from thousands thus re- deemed from ignorance and sin. There is now looking out upon us from their heavenly windows "a great cloud of witnesses," in- cluding negroes as well as whites, rejoicing with us to-night in what has been done for the Master here in the days that are past, intent to see what we are doing for him now, anxious only that as our privileges are greater, so also our consecration shall be greater than was theirs. Shall their desires be realized? Shall we be better and do more for Christ than it was possible for them to do?
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I append the names of the slaves and free negroes which I have found upon the records of this church, though the imperfection of the record does not allow it to be made complete:
Slave-Black Toney, belonging to the Rev. Simeon Van Artsdalen ; Sam, a negro servant of Peter Ten Eyck; Martin Wyckoff, to be baptized ; Margaret, negro woman, of the widow Mauriceson ; William, negro serv- ant of Joseph Van Doren ; Thomas, negro servant of Daniel Amerman ; Joseph, a negro man servant of John Wyckoff; Susannah, wife of the aforesaid Joseph, and woman servant of the aforesaid master ; - , col- ored woman, wife of Sam. Hall ; Charles, colored man of Tunis Cole ; States, colored man of Cortland Voorhees : Dian, wife of States.
Free-Mary Aray, John Van Derveer, Susan Kline, Martha Schamp, Pompey Lane, Hannah Lane, Peter L. Kline, Elijah V. N. Ten Eyck, Margaret Ann Simpson, Sarah C. Lane, Josephine Dawes, Sarah C. Schureman, John Cox, Margaret Jane Lane, Leonora Condit, Charles Van Horn, James V. Van Horn.
Address by the Rev. Andrew Hageman.
I have been thinking to-day as to the exact reason why we sons of the church are summoned to respond. Possibly it is that we may give an account of ourselves, for here we still retain our church membership.
I have it to confess, that I have been married three times to churches. The first, a young bride born in 1858. The second, a bride older than my mother church, born in 1699. The last one, venerable also, born in 1700. I cannot decide which is pref- erable, the young or the old ; for I loved them all and they have each treated me right royally and handsomely.
I seem to be a connecting link in my ecclesiastical life of the scenes of the older laborers in the Dutch church in this State.
Bertholf, Morgan and Frelinghuysen were the first to serve our church in this State.
Bertholf was for twenty-four years stated supply at Belleville, my present charge. Morgan, for twenty-two years, served, as its
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first pastor, the Church of Middletown, now called Holmdel, my previous charge. Frelinghuysen, as we have heard this morning, for twenty-eight years was the first pastor of this church of my birth. I have thus been permitted to enter into their places of successful service.
As a son of this church, I therefore look back with pride to- night at her, and count it an honor to be one of her living sons.
I surely stand ready, in these closing hours of a most happy and memorable day in her history, to rise up and praise her for what she has done for me. Although she was more than a century and a half old when I was begotten of her into the grace of Jesus Christ, yet I realize the marks of her motherhood upon me.
The thought which I desire to emphasize in these few moments assigned to me is this: The power and influence of a church over the minister, born and grown up therein. In other words, I believe that the environment of our early years cling to us as ministers of the gospel throughout life.
This is a very comforting thought to me because I can look back to so much, which was pleasurable and profitable in those years of my life.
This is a most awfully solemn thought to me, as I look forward and realize the indelible influence of my life upon those, whom God has called or is calling in my own congregations into this most kingly of all services, the Christian Ministry.
And the life of each individual in every congregation has its influence, too, as such. "For no man liveth to himself."
I consider myself extremely fortunate in being born into this church just at the time I was. It was thirty-one years ago -- nearly a generation ago. So what I say of praise is mostly con- cerning those whose work is almost or quite completed.
I am glad that the man of God, who received me as a lad of thirteen, so tenderly and lovingly into this church, has had his.
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memory so conspicuously emphasized by this beautiful tablet un- veiled this morning. It will ever greet the eye of those who wor- ship here as an evidence of worthy esteem.
The impress of his life was left upon the generation of men who are almost gone. The parents of the most of these seven living sons of this church had their characters moulded and de- veloped by this man of God ; and we have entered in thus largely to the inheritance of their blessings.
The first thing which I will mention as stamped upon me by my early associations in this church is this. It may seem trivial, but to me it is real in illustrating the influence of early church asso- ciations.
I saw the old church consumed into ashes. From yonder seat of learning with a boy's vim I ran thither and watched it to the end. I recall the grave look upon the faces of the older men. I heard their resolves to build. I watched the progress until all was completed. And when I saw the effect of this so beautiful interior with its oak grain finish, I could conceive of no effect more beautiful and durable. And thirty years of wear upon it have proven that I was not a bad judge. What was the result ? Just this. In my ministry I have built two chapels and remodeled a third; and somehow, minister like, I expressed my opinion and stuck to it, and to-day two of the three bear the marks of the oak grain.
Another thing stamped upon me by my early church associa- tions here is this. I think it was largely born of the calm, digni- fied, gentle, loving, sympathetic manner of him who was my spiritual shepherd.
I never saw him impatient with his people. I learned a lesson for life. "That the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. In meekness instruct-
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ing those who oppose themselves." That more and better battles for the Lord are won by love than by wrath.
If I have been successful in my ministry in quelling strifes, I owe much of my success under God to what I learned semi-un- consciously here.
Again sitting under the preaching of a sound gospel; thor- oughly orthodox and yet not timid of new truth.
Listening to the reasonings of men, but never letting go of those " Thus saith the Lords"-how often do I recall his emphasizing these-I have never lost my love for the old truths, nor grown too big for the Bible of my fathers.
No one can fully tell the effects of the plain, simple preaching of the truth.
I attribute also somewhat of my love and interest in the circu- lating of the Scriptures to what I learned here as in a sort of re- ligious kindergarten.
Well do I recall those annual offerings for the County Bible Society. When after the appeal to the importance of the work had been made, the subscriptions were taken and one, two, three at least, some years perhaps more, names had set opposite them $30 for a life membership. From year to year this was repeated until there were families in which the husband and the wife and each of the children became L. M.'s of the Bible Society in this way.
Do you wonder that such scenes left their impress? And that when I in turn asked my people to contribute to the Bible cause I could do so with ease and confidence and generally with marked success ?
Here, too, I learned my first lessons about the heathen without the gospel. And as this church was never tardy in its sympathy and loving gifts for the outcast and the lost of earth in the regions
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beyond, I caught the lesson early in life that my Christian love must be worldwide.
Those early impressions have never left me.
The importance of an education was impressed upon me here. A small village is not the easiest place to obtain this. And yet I recall that when good old Dr. Campbell, President of Rutgers College, came here seeking for friends to aid in the indorsement of that institution, he found some who were willing to give the amount of a scholarshipin the hope that one or more of their sons would desire to enjoy a collegiate education.
There has been a long line of college graduates from this church. The pastor of this church for forty-two years believed, and he often emphasized his conviction that every lad desirous of a college education ought to be sent. Possibly some of us, sons of this church in the ministry and elsewhere in useful callings, never will know exactly all the influence he exerted to open the way for our higher education.
Finally there is one other influence for good received here of which I wished to speak. We hear much of C. E. in these latter days, and well it is. But there was a Christian Endeavor in this congregation before modern C. E. ever shaped itself into exist- ence, which has helped me to this hour.
About twenty-seven years ago in one of the homes of this con- gregation, half a dozen or more young men met to open their lips for the first time in public prayer. I was one of them. I see some of them now before me. Some have gone on into the heav- ens. But there we fought our battle against timidity and self-dis- trust and gained a mastery for life.
But more than that, I learned a lesson of sympathy for the young, and felt a desire to aid such, where I had needed help, which has never left me.
And I can say with pride and joy and conscious success that I.
P.
REV. B. V. D. WYCKOFF, PRESENT PASTOR, 1894.
.
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have never been the pastor of a church for a single year in these, my nineteen years of service for Christ, without having a young people's prayer meeting service.
Such are a few of the things which impress me as I.stand up to-night and wish my old mother church a word of joy and God- speed for her beneficial influences bestowed upon me as she cele- brates her, century and three-quarters birthday. May she live to round out her second century, and many, many centuries of years of usefulness.
Address of the Rev. Gilbert loane.
Rev. Gilbert Lane, the oldest of the ministerial children of Readington Church, said as follows, as near as he could recall it : He expressed his great gratification in being permitted to enjoy and participate in the exercises of this memorable occasion and while feeling young was convinced that he could not be young (as measured by years), for it was forty years (40), ago that the Classis of Philadelphia, to which this church then belonged, met in this place to examine him for license, and that not only the venerable Dr. Labaugh, who signed his license with feeble and trembling hand, but all the other ministers of the Classis, who then ministered in the several congregations, have ceased from labor and been called to enjoy the reward of the faithful. He thought it becoming in this gathering of the ministerial children of the congregation to say a word about those who preceded him in the ministry, with whom he had enjoyed acquaintanceship.
The first was the Rev. Peter O. Studdiford, licensed in 1821, and who labored for the Master in the Presbyterian Church of Lambertville, N. J., of whom he says :
It was during the last years of his life that I enjoyed this ac- quaintance with him. I admired him for his learning, ability and
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eloquence, but I learned to love him, for his piety, his sympathy and the encouragement he gave to me as a young and diffident brother. He labored long, faithfully and successfully.
The next son of the church was the Rev. Cornelius Wyckoff, licensed in 1838. I visited him when I was a student. This visit was not only pleasant, but instructive, and I held him in great es- teem as long as he lived. I have never forgotten a remark he made about his very large congregation of 300 families in Ulster County, N. Y., the present pastor of which is the Rev. John L. McNair. He divided the congregation in three parts ; 100 families were regular church attendants, 100 families occasional, and the other 100 never. Their desire for and need of a minister did not extend beyond their desire that he should marry them, and preach a funeral sermon when they died. I relate this experience with the hope that Bro. Wyckoff, of Readington, will never have to make this division or anything like it in his congregation.
The next minister licensed from this congregation was the Rev. Wm. J. Thompson, in 1841. He labored for three years in the pastorate, and then entered on the great work of his life, the pre- paring students for college and business life ; and in Rutgers Col- lege Grammar School, and other places made his mark as an able and successful instructor, as I with many others can testify, and are thankful now, if we were not always then, for the severe dril- ling that he gave us, in the laying of a good foundation for a lib- eral education. It can be said of him (in the best and truest sense), "he rests from his labors and his works do follow him."
The Rev. John Simonson, the ministerial brother next preced- ing me, was licensed in 1845. Before this he for some time taught the village school in Readington, which I attended in my boyhood. I seldom met him afterward, but I know from the church records that he labored for the Master, in the churches of
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Bethlehem, West Farms and Plainfield. The Great Shepherd has lately called him to his eternal reward.
In view of the limited time necessarily awarded to each speaker, on account of the size of this church's ministerial family, I am glad that I feel like the candidate for the office of Auditor, whom I once heard in North Carolina at the Hustings, where all who had been nominated for office, were expected to appear and advocate their claim to office. When he was called upon for a speech he rose up and said : "I do not want to be a Speaker, I want to be an auditor."
Closing now before the time limit, thus affording those to fol- low me more time, I think I also comply with an Apostolic injunc- tion that says : "In honor preferring one another."
Address of the Rev. Herman Hageman.
A boy always has a warm place in his heart for his mother. Of all the persons living or dead, he cannot hear her name spoken against, for she does more in moulding his character than any one else. Daniel Webster often alluded to his mother, and the way he referred to her was this : "My honored mother." Abraham Lincoln, though his mother died when he was but 10 years old, said: "All that I am I owe to my mother." Some one has said if you would reform a man, you must be present and pick out his grandfather and his grandmother. We are not able to do this, and so the work of reform goes on but slowly.
Now, though I had nothing to do with the selection of my grandparents, or my parents, I am very grateful to Almighty God he gave me the ones he did. I am also very thankful I was born in the place where I was. I am glad of the hayseeds which used to get on me, and I trust I shall never want to lose the recollec- tion of them. And especially to-night am I glad that God per-
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mitted me to have this honored church as my church home. Had I my own selection I would choose to-day this church to begin - my Christian life as I remember the church of my childhood. Now, when we boys are asked to come home and to give in just ten minutes an expression of our appreciation of the worth of our church mother, the idea is simply preposterous. We ought to have at least seven days to tell of our love for the old church home and of our appreciation of what she has done for us.
Now there are a great many things I have forgotten that trans- pired when I was a boy. A good many things no doubt the ma- jority of you have forgotten. There are some things that I recall that I trust you have likewise forgotten.
But there are certain things which have left an indelible im- pression on my mind, for which I thank God even to-day. David was at one time sorely pressed by his enemies, and it seemed to him as though he might die and at this moment he made this re- quest : "Oh, that one would give me to drink of the water of the Well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate." The very taste of the water in the well around which he had played in childhood had made its impression, and in an hour of danger he longed for a . drink from that very well. How often in my experience as a min- ister have the scenes of boyhood days come to mind, and I have, like David, longed to drink from the spiritual well of my child- hood. Some bygone scenes may be a little rosy-tinted as seen through the distance of intervening years, yet there are times when the old scenes of life are most satisfactory. Now one thing about this old church that made an indelible impression on my mind, and for which I have often longed, was the attendance on divine service. The early years of my churchgoing were years when every one went to church. Who can ever forget the scenes of those Sabbath days ? The long string of wagons coming to the church, or the scenes in front of the church-like it was to-day,
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or the scene as they formed in line and drove from the church ? Yes, some one says, they came early and gossipped a great deal before the service began. Yes, perhaps they did, but before they went home they heard the pure, simple gospel proclaimed by the pastor of my boyhood, and the records of the church show how many were converted under his plain and practical preaching.
The people did not work on Sunday. Their practice was to come to church. I recall one case, however, where a man carted in his hay on the Sabbath, and in two weeks' time his barns burned. And to my boyish mind, as I looked on the burning building, I regarded it as cause and effect. Superstition you say. Perhaps, but God give us a little more superstition if that is the word to use concerning the fact that God's judgments follow a violation of his laws. In those days we were free from the influ- ence of the Sunday newspaper and the flashy, trashy literature of to-day, which is unfitting so many for the attendance upon and a participation in the worship of God's house. And when we to- day see so many who are neglecting the Sabbath, and even trying to destroy it, may we not be pardoned if at times as the scenes of boyhood days come to mind we long for a drink from the water of the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate ?
This church also stands in my memory as one that had implicit faith in the Bible and in the doctrines of the church. This people regarded the Bible as the Word of God. They received it with childlike faith. It was handed down from one generation to an- other as the Word of God. This fact is explained by the charac- ter of the men who proclaimed the Word of God. This pulpit has never had in it a man who was weak-kneed concerning the Word of God. Of the nine preachers there has never been an unsound one in all the number. And one result has been that this people regard the Bible as the Word of God. The Heidelbergh Catechism was preached and taught. The class in the northeast corner of
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