USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > New Brunswick > Historical discourse delivered at the celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the First Reformed Dutch Church, New Brunswick, N.J., October 1, 1867 > Part 10
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rative as seeming to prepare the way for this great awakening; namely, the visitation of the cholera in 1832, and the desolating tornado which swept through the city in June, 1835, laying whole streets in ruins and destroying several lives. The minds of the people were arrested and solemnized by these events, and in many instances saving impressions were produced. But in the latter part of May, 1837, the entire congregation seemed to be affected with a religious awe, and it was rare to meet with an individual who was not willing to con- verse with his pastor on his spiritual interests. Religious meetings were thronged, Sabbath days were seasons of refreshing, conversions were multiplied, and the entire population was moved by the Spirit of God.
The result of this work of grace in this church was the addition of one hundred and thirty-seven to the communion, and about five hundred to all the churches in the city. The work was very powerful in the Col- lege. In the graduating class of that year not one was left unvisited. Out of the number who united with our church nine entered the gospel ministry, of whom two are now professors in our Theological Seminary- Rev. Drs. De Witt and Demarest. Many who were received into the membership of the church had been under serious impressions for six, nine, and twelve months, and some for two or three years.
The means employed were the ordinary and estab- lished ordinances of grace, and no new measures or novel doctrines were resorted to in order to feed a mere excitement. Religious meetings were indeed multi- plied, but they were for prayer and the preaching of the Word. The aid of other ministers was sought, but they were the pastors of neighboring churches and the professors in the institutions. The morning prayer-
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meeting at six o'clock was uniformly crowded, and those who attended them will never forget the solemn awe that rested upon the assemblies. While there was far from the exhibition of any opposition, every one spoke of the revival with interest, and all seemed to come under the power of an influence which was not of man but of God. Dr. How remarks, in his narrative, that "there was no disorder, no confusion, no wild, mis- guided zeal. All was serious, solemn, calm, devout, and at times deeply affecting." And months after the work had ceased, the pastor states, as the effect produced upon the congregation, that there has been "an in- creased spirit of harmony and love among the people of God, and never was the congregation in a state of more entire peace or of greater prosperity than it now enjoys."
This is one of the brightest spots in the history of the church, and it will be long before the members of this congregation and the citizens of New-Brunswick will cease to speak with the deepest emotion of the revival of 1837.
In subsequent years it was the happiness of the pas- tor to witness other special seasons of ingathering. In 1843, thirty-three were added to the communion; in 1853, twenty-seven; and in 1858, fifty-four; but the powerful work of grace in 1837 stands without a par- allel in the whole history of the church.
Year after year there was the evidence of increased prosperity, and during the ministry of Dr. How the congregation had so enlarged in numbers that he re- ports to Classis three hundred and fifty families, and five hundred and forty-nine communicants upon the rolls. It was God's blessing poured out upon the faith- ful preaching of the Word, and great diligence in the
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discharge of pastoral work. So will God bless us as we are faithful to his truth, and conform ourselves to the sure teachings of his Providence.
The large accession of numbers and growth of the church called for the organization of a second congre- gation of our order in the city. The blessing of God upon the labors of the pastor had filled this building to its utmost capacity, every seat was occupied, and it was felt that to send out a colony was not only desira- ble but an absolute necessity. Those who were the original movers in this enterprise, while they no doubt felt deeply the sundering of the tie by which they were bound to this ancient church, and could not but express regret at their parting from brethren to whom they were tenderly attached, and to a ministry that had been eminently blessed, were at the same time actuated by a conviction that another church was needed to meet the growing religious wants of this city. The plans of the organization having been perfected, Febru- ary 14th, 1843, there was organized in this building the Second Reformed Dutch Church of New-Bruns- wick, by a committee of Classis; and upon Rev. Dr. How devolved the pleasing duty of ordaining the first Consistory. Very soon after, the Second Church called as their first pastor Rev. Dr. Demarest, now of the Theological Seminary .*
The subsequent history of this church proves that the men who originated it did not misinterpret the in- dications of Providence. And while we with them thank God for all the success with which they have been crowned, and bless Him for the tokens of His favor in
* The following pastors have been settled in this church : Rev. David D. Demarest, D.D., (1843-52,) Rev. Samuel M. Woodbridge, D.D., (1852-57,) Rev. Hugh M. Wilson, D.D., (1858-62,) Rev. John W. Schenck, (1862-66,) Rev. Chester D. Hartranft, since 1866.
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their rapid and healthy growth, we will pray that both of these churches in harmonious cooperation may seek the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, and from our communions there may go up to the heavenly man- sions, a host of redeemed and sanctified souls swelling the company of the ransomed around the throne.
The failure of Dr. How's health in the winter of 1860 led him to seek rest from mental and physical exercise. Failing to receive the benefit which he hoped to derive from this temporary cessation from the labors of the ministry, he felt that the time had come for a dissolution of the pastoral connection. Accordingly, June 14th, 1861, he resigned his call into the hands of the Consistory, and his relations as the pastor of this church ceased. During his ministry there were received into the membership of the church five hundred and thirty-eight on profession, and two hundred and twen- ty-five by certificate from other churches, in all the large number of seven hundred and sixty-three. It is a pleasant record that "this relation had been continued nearly thirty years in a spirit of entire harmony, and that he left them in a highly prosperous condition." *
A long vacancy now ensued. But in the mean time the Consistory was not idle. In the summer of 1861, the old square pews were removed, and the building reseated and refurnished in the present modern and attractive appearance. The former dependent method of raising the salary by subscription was abandoned, and the present mode of making the pews assessable for the expenses of the church was adopted. Rev. Joseph A. Collier was called, but failing health induced
* By the will of John B. Egerton, in 1857, the church came into pos- session of $1000, to be invested, and the interest used for the benefit of the Sabbath-school ; and also $3063, "the interest of which shall be used as occasion may require for the church edifice and its appurtenances."
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him to decline the invitation. An unsuccessful effort was also made to settle Rev. J. L. McNair.
The pulpit remained vacant until December 3d, 1863, when your present pastor was installed. The sermon was preached by Dr. How, from the words, "Who is sufficient for these things ?"
During the short period of my ministry the church has come into the possession of the adjoining property, known as the "Old City Hall," by the gift of John Clark, at an expense of $3400. A beautiful and com- modious parsonage has been purchased, 106 George street, under the management of a committee consisting of John Clark, Johnson Letson, Joseph Fisher, Ira C. Voorhees, and John Johnson. The amount paid for the purchase and improvements was $5580. The ladies of the congregation have purchased and placed in the gallery a noble organ at an expense of $2625.
There were upon our church rolls, in June, 1863, three hundred and sixteen communicants. We have received during my ministry one hundred and sixteen by profession and seventy by certificate, in all one hun- dred and eighty-six. Our present communion embraces four hundred and sixteen members.
I have thus traced the history of this church during a period of one hundred and fifty years. Great changes have been witnessed since your fathers laid the foun- dation of our civil, religious, and literary institutions. The insignificant hamlet that had grown up around Inians's Ferry of a few hundred inhabitants, has spread into this goodly city, with its churches, and College, and Seminary, and schools, and advantages of commerce and trade. The dense forests that surrounded New-Bruns- wick have given place to well-cultivated farms, and the thrift and enterprise of our rural population. The Ra.
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ritans, who have given a name to our beautiful river, have long since disappeared. The obscure paths through deep forests along which Dominie Frelinghuysen found his way to his distant preaching places, have been ex- changed for these iron roads that course our State, the route of a mighty traffic. The little church in Burnet street, scarce accommodating three hundred worship- ers, has given place to two flourishing congregations, with these ample buildings inviting more than two thousand souls to hear the Gospel.
That God was with your fathers is the 'record of our history. Since January, 1720, twelve ministers have held the pastoral office. Of this number four, Freling- huysen, Leydt, J. R. Hardenbergh, and Condict, died while in the service of the church. Five of your min- isters have held professorships in our literary and theo- logical institutions. Four are still living.
One fact in our history worthy of special interest is the large number of young men who have been con- nected with our church and have entered the gospel ministry. We have upon our roll of communicants the names of fifty-one who here made a profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and have been commis. sioned to preach the Gospel of salvation .* In addition to this number, upward of fifty were received by cer- tificate from other churches, and were subsequently numbered among the ministry. While. we have reason to thank God that He has raised up from the midst of us so many whom he has honored to be standard-bear- ers in His army, we will remember with even deeper gratitude that among the most devoted of our foreign missionaries, Rev. David Abeel, D.D., Rev. Frederick B.
* See Appendix V.
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Thompson, and his wife, Catherine Wyckoff, "were born in this city, were baptized and educated in this congregation, were members of the catechetical class and Sabbath-school, and were here received into the full communion of the church."
We have gathered together some items in our his- tory, but have made no attempt to sum up the actual amount of good accomplished by this Christian church. The souls that have here been educated for heaven, the benefactions that have here been poured into the treas- ury of the Lord, the influence that has gone forth from this house of prayer, the power that has here been felt, is known only to God. The existence of a single Chris- tian church in a community is an unspeakable blessing, and eternity alone can unfold the results of her mission.
While gratitude is awakened in view of the past, our history calls us to be faithful to the present. We in our generation are making a history, and those who come after us will write up the record of our lives and doings. Shall our history be as worthy as that of the fathers ? We meet, to-day, a congregation of the living in the midst of the dead. Around us are the monu- ments of the departed. The sacred dust of ministers, elders, members of this church, Presidents and Profes- sors of our College and Seminary, surround these walls. This ancient graveyard is the resting place of the illus- trious dead. Perhaps no spot of ground has crowded within its inclosure names so dear and honored through- out the whole bounds of our denomination as that which lies beneath the shadow of this venerable build- ing. A walk through this unpretending cemetery will bring before your eye the names of men which are common property to the Church of Christ. Aside from the patriots of the Revolution who are resting here
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until the morning of the resurrection ; and elders who in their infancy were baptized by the hand of Freling- huysen, and in their maturity were received into the communion under the ministry of Leydt; and women who helped in the Gospel of Christ; there are beloved pastors, and learned professors, and noble benefactors, who will awake when the dead hear the voice of the Son of God, and come forth. It is meet that the pre- cious dust of Hardenbergh, and Condict, and Living- ston, and Woodhull, and De Witt, and Schureman, and Van Benschoten, and Ludlow, and Van Vranken, and Cannon, and Theodore Frelinghuysen should here re- pose in waiting for the glorious resurrection unto eternal life. We do not wonder that, on reading the inscrip- tions on these monuments, one has been reminded " of that place of sepulchre in the neighborhood of London called Bunhill Fields, where are deposited the remains of such men as Bunyan, and Baxter, and Watts, and a host of others of whom the world was not worthy."
Blessed indeed is the memory of the fathers of this church, and noble their toils and sacrifices for the ad- vancement of the Redeemer's kingdom. "The Lord our God be with us as he was with our fathers." They have left their names and deeds, and have passed away. Do they not appeal to us to do more for Christ than they have done? The circumstances that surround us for promoting the Redeemer's kingdom are far more favor- able than those which the fathers enjoyed. We have grown in numbers and in resources ; we may derive ad- vantage from the experience and study lessons from the errors of the past; while all these organizations of modern times were unknown to those who have gone before us.
Though the oldest organization of our city, this church
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has not outlived her influence. Shall we not recognize our responsibility, awakened by the position we occupy and the history of God's dealings with us? Am I wrong in cherishing for this ancient church the brighest hopes ? Progress is the law of Christian life. May we not, then, anticipate growth in the piety of her members, in the liberality of her benefactions, and in the efficiency of her labors for Christ? The most wonderful develop- ments of Divine Providence are now in progress. Move- ments are going on in our world which are tending to advance the kingdom of our Lord. Let us watch the signs of the times and make our church life throb with the impulse of a Christian activity. And let this church always stand among her sister churches of this city, established upon the true principles of the Gospel, maintaining the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ in its purity, and built on Him as the chief corner-stone.
PART SECOND.
ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES, ,
ermon
BY
RICHARD H. STEELE, D.D.
ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES.
AT a meeting of the Consistory of the First Reformed Dutch Church of New-Brunswick, N. J., held April 11th, 1867, the pastor stated that the church would complete the one hundred and fiftieth year of her history during the present season. Whereupon, the following action was unanimously adopted :
" Resolved, That we hereby express our devout thanksgiving to God for the establishment and preservation of this church during so long a period, and that the event be celebrated with suitable commemorative religious exercises.
" Resolved, That we cordially invite all who have been as- sociated with our church, or who are interested in our history, to unite with us on the interesting occasion of the celebration of our one hundred and fiftieth anniversary.
" Resolved, That our pastor, Rev. Richard H. Steele, be in- vited to deliver, on the day which shall be appointed, a his- torical discourse, commemorative of the founding of this Chris- tian church."
The committee who were appointed to take charge of the arrangements for the occasion selected Tuesday, October 1st, for the proposed celebration. The day of the anniversary was one of the most beautiful of the season. The invitation which had been circulated brought together hundreds of the friends of the church and former members of the congregation, to unite with us on this commemorative occasion.
MORNING EXERCISES.
At ten o'clock, the venerable church edifice, which had been tastefully decorated for the occasion with evergreens ornamented with flowers, was filled with a large congregation.
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The portraits of Drs. Ira Condict, John Ludlow, and Jacob J. Janeway, former pastors of the church, were suspended be- hind the pulpit. In the centre was a painting of Dr. John H. Livingston, beneath which was a drawing of the old stone church erected in 1767, on the site of the present edifice. At the right and left of the pulpit were placed the figures 1717 and 1867. Around the gallery were displayed the names of the twelve pastors of the church. Over the pulpit was in- scribed the motto, " The Lord our God be with us as he was with our fathers." In front of the orchestra was the appro- priate sentence, " Praise ye the Lord."
The pulpit was occupied by the pastor, Rev. Isaac Fer- ris, D.D., Rev. Gabriel Ludlow, D.D., and Rev. Thomas De Witt, D.D.
Besides these, the following clergymen were noticed in the audience : Rev. Drs. Berg, Woodbridge, John De Witt, Dema- rest, Campbell, Sears, Kip, Hageman, Cole, Du Bois, P. D. Van Cleef, C. C. Van Cleef, See, B. C. Taylor, W. J. R. Tay- lor, Proudfit, and Stryker ; and Rev. Messrs. Ten Eyck, Brett, Corwin, W. H. Steele, Alonzo Peek, Lloyd, Bodine, Van Neste, Swain, Willis, Buckelew, Le Fevre, P. Q. Wilson, Manley, Peter Quick, Ward, F. Wilson, C. Wyckoff, A. V. Wyckoff, David Van Doren, A. M. Quick, Enyard, H. P. Thompson, Hartranft, D. A. Jones, McKelvey, Suydam, Riley, Doolittle, and Phraner, of the Reformed Dutch Church ; Rev. Dr. Devan, of the Baptist ; Rev. Dr. Boggs, of the Episcopa- lian ; Rev. Jacob Cooper and Rev. Robert Proudfit, of the Presbyterian ; and Rev. Messrs. Lawrence Dunn and Thorn, of the Methodist.
The religious services commenced with an invocation by the Rev. Dr. Ludlow, who also read the One Hundred and Thirty-second Psalm. A select piece was then sung by the choir, after which prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Ferris. The following hymn, written for the occasion by Rev. Peter Stry- ker, D.D., was then sung:
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CELEBRATION HYMN.
TUNE-Varina.
A HUNDRED years have come and gone, And fifty more have flown,
Since Thou, O Lord ! this church ordained, And called this flock thy own. The men who then were in their prime, And children in their bloom,
With myriads more, who since have lived, Are sleeping in the tomb.
Time, on its rapid flowing tide, Sweeps all our race away ;
Pastors and people seek the dust, And buildings show decay. But 'mid the wrecks of hoary time The church securely stands,
Increasing only with its age, And sending forth its bands.
And now, O God ! we crowd thy gates ; We join in psalms of praise ; With angels and the host redeemed Our fervent songs we raise. We give Thee thanks for blessings past ; We plead for grace to come ; Oh ! lead us in our future course, And bring us safely home !
Come, Holy Spirit, like the dew, And fertilizing showers, That fall on Hermon's lofty peak, And Carmel's blooming flowers. O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Visit this flock to-day ! Be thou their God for centuries yet, Their Everlasting Stay.
The Historical Discourse contained in the preceding pages was then delivered by the pastor, after which the following ode, written for the occasion by Professor David Murray, was sung :
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TUNE-Auld Lang Syne.
All honor to the names of those Who first these regions trod, And in God's fear, here sought to rear This Zion of our God. Chorus .- Let hearts be glad and lips rejoice At what we see to-day ; With organ peal and living voice Unite our thanks to pay.
With brave old Holland hearts they crossed Through ocean's wave and wind ; And naught of trust in God they lost, Nor left their faith behind. Chorus .- Let hearts, etc.
Here in the wilds, they sought to raise An altar to their God ; And train their children in the ways . In which their fathers trod. Chorus .- Let hearts, etc.
And while they plowed with zeal and thrift, And filled their barns with corn ; They sought from God the better gift Each evening and each morn. Chorus .- Let hearts, etc.
From Heidelberg and Dort they brought The dear old creed and psalm ; And with their quaint old music broke The wilderness's calm. Chorus .- Let hearts, etc.
Through all these years, what burdening fears Have here besought relief ! Here sorrowing saints have dried their tears, And soothed away their grief. Chorus .- Then let our hearts and lips rejoice, And cheerful music raise ; With organ peal and living voice, Give God his due of praise.
The morning services were concluded with the benediction by Rev. Thomas De Witt, D.D.
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In the old court-house, adjoining the church, the ladies of the congregation had prepared a bountiful collation, to which the hundreds of friends who were in attendance on the anni- versary were invited.
AFTERNOON EXERCISES.
At three o'clock, the audience again assembled in the church, when the services were opened by an appropriate voluntary by the choir.
The venerable Rev. Thomas De Witt, D.D., having been in- vited to preside, made the opening address.
He expressed the pleasure he had enjoyed in listening to the thoroughly-prepared discourse commemorative of the history of this ancient church by its pastor. It is the mother church of many in the adjacent field, which has ever been so interest- ing and valuable a portion in our Reformed Dutch Church.
The name of the first Dominie, Frelinghuysen, is well known, not only in the annals of our own church, but also in those of the religious history of our country. Dr. De Wirt remarked that, not many years ago, he found in the hands of a Hollander a volume entitled, "Life and Letters of Sicco Tjadde." Tjadde was a devoted and successful minister in Friesland. He had been written to in reference to procuring a minister for the early settlements in New-Jersey. The cir- cumstances connected with the acquaintance he gained with Mr. Frelinghuysen shed light upon the character he sustained of great spirituality of mind, close evangelical preaching, and entire fidelity and faithfulness. It is to be regretted that this volume was not secured at the time. It contains several let- ters between Mr. Frelinghuysen and Tjadde, after his removal to America. A powerful revival attended Mr. Frelinghuysen's labors, the fruits of which are noticed by Tennent and Presi- dent Edwards as existing previous to the great revival under Whitefield. Salt was then spread around, which still is found, not having lost its savor. Dominie Frelinghuysen had a par- ticular friend of his early days-Dorsius, of the German Re- formed Church, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania-and a helper to him in revival scenes. They each of them received classical
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students, and several of the American ministers, as Goetchius, Verbryck, Thomas Romeyn, etc., were educated under Mr. Frelinghuysen. The subject of creating an academy was early advocated before the Classis of Amsterdam, without any action resulting. After the disruption of the churches, in 1755, into Coetus and Conferentie, on the question of independent eccle- siastical judicatories and the education and training of our ministry here, in 1758 Rev. Theodorus Frelinghuysen, of Al- bany, son of the elder Frelinghuysen, was commissioned to Holland, to labor for the erection of a college, by obtaining the consent of the judicatories in that country. He was lost at sea on his return. Ecclesiastical recognition was refused, until Dr. Livingston, pursuing his studies in Holland, re- turned with the olive branch, and the breach was healed. This was the same year, 1770, when the charter of Queen's College was obtained.
Dr. De Witt then referred to Dominie Leydt, who is first heard of in Dutchess county, near one of the congregations over which he was placed in his early ministry. The testi- mony of aged persons with whom he conversed represented him as of great respectability of character, and honored by the church and community. He took a leading part in the Coetus controversy, and published two or three pamphlets. Dr. Har- denbergh was from one of the most distinguished families in Ulster county, not far from the place of Dr. De Witt's na- tivity. During the years of his ministry at Marbletown and Rochester, in that county, he was the pastor of his mother's family. The uniform testimony given by those acquainted with him there exhibits him in the same character of mental, spiritual, and official excellence which rendered him so dis- tinguished in New-Jersey.
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