USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Historical sermon delivered on the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the Third Presbyterian Church, Sunday, June 14, 1874 > Part 2
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Between the date of the organization and April 4th, 1825, when the first communion was administered, the' following one hundred and thirty-nine persons were received on certificate, viz. :
" Isaac Andruss and Mary C. his wife, Lucy wife of Ellison Conger, William W. Day, Ann wife of Hiram Tichenor, Eliza wife of David B. Burrell, Elizabeth wife of Isaac Hayes, Mary Hayes, Elizabeth wife of William S. Pennington, Isaac Youngs and Sally his wife, Sarah wife of David Nichols, Joan L. Brown, Mary Mulli- gan, Aaron Munn and Sarah his wife, David Morehouse and Nancy his wife, James Tichenor, Jr., and Elizabeth his wife, Luther Goble and Phebe his wife, John W. Baldwin and Fanny his wife, Moses Roberts and Mary his wife, David D. Crane and Martha his wife, Widow Sarah Baldwin, Henry L. Parkhurst, Ezra B. Morehouse, Widow Abby Morehouse, Nancy wife of Jonas Baldwin, Jemima wife of Isaac M. Tichenor, Mary wife of Conrad Teese, Sarah wife of John Hunniwell, Susan W. Shipman, Eliza Congar, Louisa Munn, Abigail wife of David Pike, Phebe wife of Matthias Plum, Rachel wife of
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Jonathan Spinning, Sarah E. Day, Phebe Curry, Ann F. Campfield, Widow Abigail Griger, Rachel wife of Caleb W. Bruen, Catharine Beach, Charlotte wife of Rodney Wilbur, Widow Jemima McChesney, Ann wife of Aaron Baldwin, Tempy Wilson, Lydia L. Parkhurst, Abigail Crane, Joanna wife of Caleb Campbell, Stephen Lum, Elizabeth P. Baldwin, Robert B. Campfield Jr., Eliza wife of Aaron Nutman, Hester wife of Peter Carr, Catharine Pier, Widow Eunice Parkhurst, Sarah wife of William B. Baldwin, Lydia Crane, Margaret Crane, Hannah Ball, Phebe wife of Isaac Nutman, Abby wife of Aaron Marsh, Rebecca wife of Peter Mead, George S. Pier- son and Phebe his wife, Julia Kitchell, Bythenia wife of Joseph Canfield, Catharine Skillman, Amy wife of Samuel Halliday, Eliza- beth Halliday, Anna Marsh, Hannah Lucar, William Rankin and Abigail his wife, Mrs. Mary Hedden, Widow Catharine Pierson, Widow Nancy Mulligan, Charity O. wife of Caleb C. Miller, Widow Phebe Ross, John M. Bouten and Priscilla his wife, Calvin Taylor, Lucinda Taylor, Henry Taylor, Thomas Richards and Elizabeth his wife, Samuel M. Crane, Widow Sarah Sanford, Mrs. Margaret Matlock, Alexander Semple, Widow Polly Baker, Maria Toler, Eleazer Robords, Frances wife of Uzal Ward, Widow Parmelia, Burnet, Harriet wife of Caleb C. Shipman, Polly Ogden, Ebenezer Havens, Widow Abigail Johnson, Sears Roberts and Sarah his wife, Nancy wife of Caleb Baldwin, Hannah wife of Enos Baldwin, Joel Harrison and Sarah his wife, Hannah wife of Lyman S. Averill Mary B. Wheedle, Sarah T. Russell, Mary Ann Russell, Eliza wife of Matthias Pierson, Mary Cogswell, Rachel wife of Aaron Lyon, Widow Mary Lyon, James Nutman, Betsey wife of Isaac Harrison, Widow Susan Mills, Sarah wife of John Alling, Abby wife of Matthias Burnet, Widow Betsey Canfield, Jedediah J. Nichols and Deborah his wife, Priscilla wife of Ebenezer Havens, Elias Genung and Abigail his wife, Widow Abigail Baldwin, Abbey Baldwin, Abraham Baldwin, David M. Fitzgerald, Isaac Crane,“ Abbey Park- hurst, Widow Catharine Beach."
And at the first communion, April 4th, 1825, the following forty-six persons were received on Confes- sion of Christ, viz. :
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" John B. Carle and Eliza his wife, John Nutman, Susan G. Charlot, Abby Hayes, Widow Catharine Tillou, William A. Cann and Mary his wife, Stephen Vansickel, Eseck Graves, William D. Woodruff, Nicholas R. Bunning and Elizabeth M. his wife, Rachel wife of Miller Kearney, Widow Sarah Douglass, Sarah E. Crowell, Mary Jones, Lydia Jones, Cornelia Baldwin, Eliza wife of Job Meeker, Phebe Ann Bennet, Jacob S. Casterline and Sarah his wife, Ann S. Harrison, James McDougall, Caleb C. Miller, Charles T. Dav, Aaron Marsh. Alexander M. Taylor, Abby L. Andruss, Mary Richards, Widow Parmelia. F. Cook, Mary C. Pike, Widow Eliza- beth Force, Sally Ann Williams, Maria Colie, Maria Suydam, Joan wife of William Mockridge, Clarissa C. Nutman, William B Ross, Widow Rhoda Mulford, John H. Condit, Margaret L. Halliday, Edward Le Fort, Eliza S. Camfield, Catharine wife of Moses Baldwin."
These Two hundred and forty-one persons (organized 56, certificate 139, confession 46), may be regarded as constituting the original Third Church. Of these there remain in the congregation only eight, viz :- Lee, Eliza, widow of Charles T. Shipman ; Eleanor, widow of John L. Morris; Hannah M. Brown, widow of Joseph Nichols ; Eliza Congar, widow of Charles T. Day; Ann, widow of Aaron Baldwin; Mary C. Pike, wife of Elder John C. Crane, and Mrs. Rhoda Mul- ford. Several others, however, are living in this and different portions of the country, having been dis- missed to other Churches.
The congregation met and organized themselves as a civil body on Thursday preceding the ecclesiastical organization, June 3d, and then elected seven Trustees, viz: LUTHER GOBLE, ROBERT B. CAMPFIELD, DAVID NICHOLS, JAMES SEARING, ISAAC ANDRUSS, SMITH BURNET, and CHARLES T. SHIPMAN.
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The Board thus elected, convened and organized in the house of Robert B. Campfield on the 10th of June. LUTHER GOBLE was chosen President; SMITH BURNET, Treasurer ; and ISAAC ANDRUSS, Secretary.
On Monday, the 14th of June, the Rev. Joshua T. Russell of Norfolk, Virginia, and a member of the Presbytery of Hanover, was unanimously elected Pastor. He at once signified his willingness to accept the call, and began to preach in Newark the follow- ing Sabbath. He was installed as Pastor at a special meeting of the Presbytery of Jersey, in the First Church, on Tuesday the 13th of July. On the occasion of the installation, the Sermon was preached by the Rev. John McDowell, D. D., of Elizabeth ; the charge to the Pastor was given by the Rev. Asa Hillyer, D.D., of Orange, and the charge to the con- gregation by the Rev. Mr. Crane of Sparta.
Immediately after the organization of the Church, measures were taken for the erection of a house of worship. At the second meeting of the Trustees held the 18th of June, it was "Resolved to appoint Moses Dodd as master builder of the new meeting house, and to allow him. two dollars and fifty cents per day for his own services, and to allow him the privilege of bringing two hands with him, and they to receive the regular wages paid in Newark for carpenters."
The corner stone of the edifice was laid on Monday, the 5th of July. A short address was delivered on the occasion by the Rev. Mr. Russell, and prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Hay, Pastor of the Second Church. On the same day, Messrs. Robert B. Camp-
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field, Smith Burnet, and James Searing were appoin- ted a building committee with orders to report weekly to the Board of Trustees. The building was erected with great rapidity, but at the same time with great care and thoroughness. Large numbers of the con. gregation took part personally in the construction. On Thursday, the 10th of February, 1825, it was so near completion that the seats were sold. In refer- ence to the sale I extract the following from the "Sentinel of Freedom," under the date of the 15th of February.
"THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. -
"The seats in this new and beautiful edifice in Newark, (the corner stone of which was laid on the 5th of July last) were sold on Thursday last agreeably to notice given. We learn that the sales were such as far to exceed the sanguine expectations of its friends, and that most of the seats brought a higher price than the appraise- ment. After the reservation of several valuable seats by the Trus- tees, we are informed that those sold, amounted to more than Twenty- two thousand dollars,* a sum sufficient, and more than sufficient, to defray all the expenses of the building and the lot on which it was erected."
The dedication took place on Thursday, the 24th of February, 1825. The sermon was preached by the Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Russell, from 2 Chron. vi. 18, " But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth ? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee ; how much less this house which I have built." The Rev. Dr. Hillyer of Orange, and the Rev. Mr. Hay of the Second Church took part in the devotional services.
* The exact amount was Twenty-one thousand, five hundred dollars.
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Before the completion of the Church, the public services of the Sabbath had been in the afternoons and on alternate evenings in the First Church-the use of that building having been kindly granted for that purpose.
The Sabbath school was commenced on the 13th of December, 1824; there is no record, however, as to the place in which the exercises were conducted. No further reference will be made in this discourse, to that important institution of the Church, as its history will be read this afternoon.
From the time of the dedication of this building, all the religious exercises were regularly conducted herein, a portion of the basement having been fitted up as a lecture and Sunday school room.
The Communion, as was before remarked, was administered on the 4th of April, 1825; and on that occasion, as was also mentioned, forty-six persons were received on confession. Of these forty-six, twenty-one were baptized. The name of Susan G. Charlot, appears first on the list of those received in the sacrament of Baptism ; Abby Hayes, the second.
The first infants were baptized the 29th of August, 1824. This sacrament was administered to the following four, viz: Elmina Jewell Congar, William Ramsden Lee, Cornelius Ludlow Denman, Matilda Ramsden Denman.
The ministry of Mr. Russell closed the 29th of June, 1829, having lasted a little less than five years. Its first year . was exceedingly fruitful : the whole number received on certificate and confession was
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One hundred and fifty-one; of these one hundred and thirty-three were on confession. The last years, however, were clouded by reason of con- flicts into the merits of which I shall not enter. The whole number who were received during his ministry, exclusive of the one hundred and ninety-five certificate members received before the first communion, was two hundred and forty-five; one hundred and seventy-eight on confession, sixty-seven on certificate.
I have been unable to obtain any reliable informa- tion as to the early history of Mr. Russell. He came to Newark with letters of high recommendation from the professors at Princeton, and he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from the College at Princeton the year after his installation in this Church. He has been described to me as apparently about forty-five years of age at the time of his, installa- tion as a man of fine personal appearance, but of rough manners ; and also as a sound, earnest, and impressive preacher. After leaving Newark, he entered into the General Agency for the Assembly's Board of Missions. Subsequent to this, as I have been in- formed, he became a Pastor at Pittsburgh, Pa ; and . then at Louisville, Ky. During the later portion of his life, he was an humble, faithful Pastor in the State of Mississippi. I have understood that at some time subsequent to 1847 he connected himself with the Baptist denomination, in which communion he died in 1854.
The second Pastor was the Rev. Baxter Dickinson, who received a unanimous call the 8th of September,
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1829. At the time of his call he was Pastor of the Congregational Church of Longmeadow, Mass. He was installed by the Presbytery of Newark on the 17th of November, 1829. The Rev. Gardiner Spring, D.D., of New York, preached the installation sermon from Psalm cx. 3, "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power." The charge to the Pastor was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Ford, and that to the con- gregation by the Rev. Mr. Crane of Sparta.
The pastorate of Dr. Dickinson lasted precisely six years, he being dismissed on the anniversary of his installation, Nov. 17th, 1835. During his incum- bency two hundred and thirty-two were received into the communion of the Church, Ninety-three on confes- sion, One hundred and thirty-nine on certificate. The years 1831 and 1832 seem to have been years of the outpouring of the Spirit. In 1831, twenty-nine were received on confession in July, and thirteen in Octo- ber; and in July, 1832, twenty-eight were so received. Many who confessed Christ in those precious seasons of revival, are still with us.
The ministry of Dr. Dickinson seems to have been largely one of discipline. It occurred in the period in which, it will be remembered, the Church was awaking to the enormity of the sin of intemperance in which multitudes of all classes in the community had been indulging.
The time has not arrived, and may it be long distant, when it would be proper to present to the public a protraiture of the life and character of Dr. Dickinson, as he is still living. It is, however, but
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proper I should state, that it is the universal testimony of all, in this community, who remember him, that his ministry was characterized by great ability, both as a preacher and a pastor; that he was a man eminent for dignity, for wisdom, and, above all, for piety.
It is also proper that the following facts concern- ing the history of this honored servant of God should be placed on record. He was born in Amherst, Mass. on the 14th of April, 1795. He was graduated at Yale College in the class of 1817. Subsequently to his graduation, he was, for a year, engaged as Princi- pal of an institution in Virginia. At the expiration of that time he entered Andover Theological Semi- nary, graduating in 1821. By the assignment of the Faculty, the usual Valedictory Address was delivered by him at the anniversary exercises. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Londonderry in 1822, and in 1823 was ordained and installed over the Congrega- tional Church of Longmeadow, Massachusetts. After a pastorate of six years and a half he removed to Newark, as stated above, and was installed Pastor of this Church on the 17th of November, 1829. He was dismissed from the Presbytery of Newark, November 17th, 1835, that he might accept an appointment to the Professorship of Sacred Rhetoric and Pastoral Theology in Lane Seminary. His labors in that institution began in December, 1835. In 1839, while Professor there, he was chosen Moderator of the General Assembly, N. S. He was second Moder- ator of that body, and is now its oldest surviving
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Moderator. After a connection of four years with Lane Seminary, he resigned, on an appointment to the same department of instruction in the Auburn Theological Seminary. There he remained eight years, resigning in 1847. Subsequently, he was asso- ciated with the Rev. Dr. Baird in the organization of the American and Foreign Christian Union, and became one of its Secretaries, his residence being in Boston. This closed his public life. He was very prominent in the Temperance movement while in Newark, and subsequently; and was author of a widely circulated prize essay published by the Tract Society, entitled, " Alarm to Distillers." He was also the author of a prize essay, "Letters to Students," and prepared the historical document styled "The true Doctrines," on the points of difference between the Old and New School bodies. He received the Honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Amherst College in 1838. He has had two sons in the minis- try, Richard Salter Storrs Dickinson, now deceased, who was for a time associate Pastor in Philadelphia with the Rev. Mr. Barnes, and William C. Dickinson at present settled in Lafayette, Indiana. He still lives, honored and beloved, in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y.
On Wednesday, the 13th of January, 1836, a call was made out with great unanimity for Mr. Selah B. Treat, a licentiate recently graduated from the Ando- ver Theological Seminary. Mr. Treat signified his acceptance of this call on the 26th of January. He was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of
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Newark on the 22nd of the following March. The ser- mon was preached by the Rev. Thomas H. Skinner, D.D., of New York; the charge to the Pastor was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Cheever of the Second Church ; and the charge to the Congregation by the Rev. Dr. Fisher.
The pastorate of Mr. Treat, extended from the 22nd of March, 1836, to the 24th of June, 1840: a period of a little more than four years. During this time One hundred and twenty-seven communicants were received : fifty-eight on confession, and sixty-nine on certificate. In the year 1837 there was a work of grace, as the result of which twenty-seven confessed Christ at the communion in July.
The ministry of Mr. Treat, like that of his prede- cessor, was one of great faithfulness, but, as he sur- vives, it is, as in the case of Dr. Dickinson, improper that I should say aught in reference to his character.
The leading facts in the life of Mr. Treat are as follows. He was born in Hartland, Hartford County, Connecticut, February 19th, 1804. He entered Yale College in 1820, and was graduated in the class of 1824. After graduation, he studied law with Judge Peters of Connecticut, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1826. He practiced law in Connecticut until 1831, when he removed to Penn Yan, N. Y. where he followed the same profession. He entered the communion of the Church at the latter place, in 1831; and in 1833, relinquished the legal profession and entered the Theological Seminary at Andover. He was graduated in 1835, and in the April of the
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same year was licensed to preach the gospel by the Andover Association, Mass. He was ordained and installed Pastor of this Church, as before remarked, on the 22nd of March, 1836. On the 24th of June, 1840, he was dismissed from his charge in consequence of the failure of his health. Subsequently, he became one of the editors of the Biblical Repository and American Eclectic, New York. In 1843, he assumed the Editorial charge of the publications of the Amer- ican Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. In September, 1837, he was chosen one of the Corres- ponding Secretaries of that Board. He still continues in the active, efficient, and honored service of that Society.
After the resignation of Mr. Treat the Church was without a Pastor for more than a year. On Tuesday, the 6th of July, 1841, a call was extended to the Rev. Mr. Brinsmade, then Pastor of the First Congrega- tional Church of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This call was accepted, and the Pastor elect was installed by the Presbytery of Newark, on the 23d of September, 1841. At the installation, the Rev. Dr. Eddy of the First Church presided ; the sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Vermilye of New York, from Acts, xiii. 26, "Unto you is the word of this salvation sent ;" the charge to the Pastor was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Treat, the preceding Pastor; and the charge to the congregation by the Rev. Mr. Cheever of the Second Church.
The pastorate of Dr. Brinsmade extended from the 23d of September, 1841, to the 9th of October, 1853 :
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a little more than twelve years. It was a ministry fruitful in blessings. During its continuance there were several periods of special ingathering from the world. In July, 1842, ten were received on confession ; in 1843, twenty ; in 1847, twenty-nine, and in October, 1849, twelve. The whole number received during this pastorate was Four hundred and forty-four : One hundred and forty on confession, and Three hundred and four on certificate.
During the incumbency of Dr. Brinsmade, several important events occurred. On the 19th of August, 1850, the male members of the congregation by a vote of Eighty-two to Twenty-three resolved to change their ecclesiastical relations from the Presbytery of Newark, then in connection with what was styled the New School branch of the Church, to the Presby- tery of Elizabeth, Old School. From the time of the disruption of the Presbyterian Church in 1836 (a disruption now happily healed), this Church had been in connection with the New School branch. In the month following the vote just referred to, the Third Church of Newark was unanimously received by the body with which they had resolved to connect themselves.
During this pastorate, also, the Park, the Sixth, and the High Street Churches were organized. To the two last mentioned, many members of this Church were dismissed. The High Street Church was organized in our own edifice, and to it was given one of our elders, Mr. James B. Pinneo, and some twelve other mem- bers.
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During this period, also, a new Lecture and Sunday School House was erected, which was dedicated in the year 1845, and into which was moved the great Sunday School, then under the Superintendency of the Rev. S. I. Prime, D.D., Editor of the New York Observer.
In the year 1846, Dr. Brinsmade found it neces- sary to visit Europe for the restoration of his health, which had become impaired by his incessant labors. The Rev. Nathaniel S. Prime was engaged to supply the pulpit during his absence. Many here present remember with delight and gratitude the faithful, beneficial labors of that earnest servant of God.
In the winter of 1848, the Pastor again found it necessary to leave Newark for a season, in conse- quence of the feeble health of Mrs. Brinsmade, who had been recommended by her physician to visit the South. The Rev. Mr. Bradley, of this city, and Prof. Hope, of Princeton, were engaged to supply the pul- pit alternately during his absence. Then commenced the connection of that pious, eloquent and beloved Professor with this Church-a relation of mutual es- teem and affection, which continued to the day of his death.
I cannot better set forth the regard entertained for him by the people than by reading the following res- olution, prepared by Elder William Rankin and adopted by the congregation at the annual meeting following his decease :-
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" NEWARK, January 1st, 1860.
" The Congregation of the Third Presbyterian Church, Newark, assembled at their regular annual meeting, herewith record their af- fectionate and grateful remembrance of the late Rev. Dr. M B. Hope, Professor of Belle Lettres and Rhetoric in Princeton College, who entered on his rest the 17th of December last.
" Thirteen years ago, during the temporary absence of our former Pastor, Dr. Hope became the regular supply of our pulpit, and greatly endeared himself to the people. Sympathies then awakened have since been kept active by his occasional ministrations and visits, continued to the last Sabbath of his life, when he worshipped with us.
" We feel that one has passed away who remembered this Church among his most cherished and sacred remembrances. He loved us to the end, much as a Pastor loves his own flock.
" We mourn that his earthly tabernacle is so soon taken down, and that we shall see its beautiful curtains, and feel the influence of its genial and glowing altar no more. We tender to his deeply stricken family our respectful and heartfelt sympathy."
In consequence of the failing health of himself and Mrs. Brinsmade, the Pastor felt it to be his duty to remove to another climate; and on the 26th of August, 1853, brought the matter before the Session. The minute adopted is as follows :-
" Whereas, the Pastor of this Church. Rev. H. N. Brinsmade, D.D., has communicated to his session that a due regard to his own state of health and that of Mrs. Brinsmade, and to his prolonged usefulness in the Church of Christ, require him to ask a release from ·his pastoral charge in order to remove to another climate and field of usefulness ; 1
" Therefore Resolved, That we have heard this communication from our revered Pastor with sorrow, and regard his intended removal as an afflictive dispensation of Providence, calling us to humility and to a more faithful discharge of the duties of the eldership; that we
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are under special obligations of gratitude to God for having made him for a period of twelve years the minister of much good to this people ; and should the relation so happily existing now be dissolved, we will earnestly pray the Head of the Church that he will abund- antly reward His servant for his self-denying labors among us, and make him a yet richer blessing to the people among whom his future lot may be cast."
The Board of Trustees adopted resolutions strongly opposing the resignation, and declaring that all the time needed by him for absence, in order to the res- toration of his own health and that of Mrs. Brins- made, would be granted. Notwithstanding these resolutions, Dr. Brinsmade felt it to be his duty to press his resignation, and on the 9th of October was dismissed by the Presbytery of Passaic.
It is improper that I should say aught in eulogy on this occasion of this beloved friend and former pas- tor, who is with us to-day. I will, however, read the following, extracted from the Record of the Class of 1822 of Yale College, of which institution he is an alumnus :
HORATIO NELSON BRINSMADE, son of Dr. Thomas C. and Eliza- beth (Goodwin) Brinsmade, born in New Hartford, Conn., December 28, 1798 ; fitted for College with his Pastor, Rev. Cyrus Yale, and at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass .; entered Princeton Theologi- cal Seminary in 1822, but not remaining there through the whole course, completed his preparatory Theological studies with Rev. Joel Hawes, D.D., of Hartford, Conn .; was for eight or nine years in. structor in the Deaf and Dumb Institution, Hartford ; ordained to the work of the Ministry in 1828, by the Hartford North Cong. Association, and preached one year at the North Cong. Church, Hartford; in 1831 left Hartford for Collinsville ; gathered a Church there and left in the fall of 1834 for Pittsfield, Mass .; was Pastor
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