USA > New Jersey > Union County > Elizabeth > History of Elizabeth, New Jersey : including the early history of Union County > Part 30
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In these circumstances, Mr. Dickinson was invited and consented to preach at Newark, on Wednesday, June 2, 1736. HIis text was Mark 7: 15; "Howbeit in vain do they wor- ship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." The sermon was given to the press shortly after, with the Title,-" The Vanity of human Institutions in the Worship of
* Records, P'. Chh., pp. 94, 104, 5, 134, 148, 160, 8, 232, 5, 261, 270, 291, 7, 313, 822, 333, 841. Webster, p. 192.
t Samuel Hemphill was an Irish adventurer, who had gained admission to the Synod in .
1734, and, by means of a fluent tongue, had been employed as assistant to Mr. Andrews in the Presbyterian Church of l'hiladelphla. His sermons savored so much of Deism aud Armin- ianism, that complaint was made to the Synodical Commission, by whom he was tried, found guilty, and suspended. Benjamin Franklin was one of his hearers, and warmly es- poused his cause. It was found, after all, that his sermons were not his own, but were re- peated verbatim from the Rev. Drs. Samuel Clarke, Ibbots, and Foster, inen noted for their Arianism. On this discovery he sunk into obscurity. Webster, pp. 110, 2, 3, 416-20.
# Stearns' Newark, p. 143. Mcwhorter's Century Sermon, p. 17.
22
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God." It was called " his famed sermon," and was read with great interest. An answer was attempted by the Rev. John Beach, of Newtown, Ct., who four years before had left the Church of his fathers, and connected himself with the Episco- pal Church. He issued a pamphlet, entitled,-" A Vindica- tion of the Worship of God, according to the Church of Eng- land." " A Defence " of his sermon was published by Mr. Dickinson, in 1737 ; and a rejoinder was put forth, the same year, by Mr. Beach, under the Title,-" Appeal to the Un- prejudiced : In a Supplement to the Vindication of the Wor- ship of God, according to the Church of England." The Controversy was closed by Mr. Dickinson, in 1738, by his publishing-
The Reasonableness of Nonconformity to the Church of England, in Point of Worship. A Second Defence of A Sermon, preach'd at Newark, June 2, 1736, Intitled, The Vanity of human Institutions in the Worship of God. Against the Exceptions of Mr. John Beach, in his Appeal to the Unprejudiced. Done in the Form of a Dialogue, wherein Mr. Beach's Arguments are all expressed in his own Words .*
In his Prefatory Letter, dated "Elizabeth-Town, Feb. 1, 1737, 8," he apologizes for the delay of this replication :
It is not from a Disregard to your Person, nor a Neglect of your tri- umphant Performance, that I have not before now acknowledged your Favour; but from bodily Indispositions, which rendered me incapable of writing.
In the year, 1737, about the time of the Survey, by Joseph Morss, of the land back of the First Mountain, the popula- tion had become so considerable, as to make it desirable that a separate religious Society should be constituted. The Presbytery of East Jersey, to whom they applied, granted the request, and sent them Mr. John Cleverly, a graduate of Harvard in 1715, who preached in a log house built for the purpose, of small dimensions.t
At the ordination of Aaron Burr, by the Presbytery of East Jersey, at Newark, Jan. 25, 1733, Dickinson presided
* Chandler's Life of Johnson, pp. 62, 3. Sprague's Annals, V. 82, 3, 5. App. to Green's Discourses, p. 298.
t Ms. Records of P. Chh. of N. Providerte, 1.
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and gave the charge. In his account of the transaction, Mr. Burr says,-" Mr. Dickinson, who presided at this work, has been of great service to me by his advice and instruction, both before and since my ordination." The same testimony might have been borne, by all the ministry of this section of country. He was the chosen counselor and ready adviser of ministers and churches in all their straits and emer- gencies .*
In May, 1733, Mr. Dickinson and his church became con- nected with the Presbytery of New York, then newly formed by the union of the East Jersey and Long Island Presby- teries.+
In the midst of the exciting controversies through which he had passed, Mr. Dickinson had not been inattentive to the spiritual wants of his people. Faithfully and earnestly he preached the word, and diligently he sought to lead his people to the Cross for salvation. But the results were not answerable to his expectations. Of the year 1739, he writes, " Religion was in a very low state ; Professors generally dead and lifeless ; and the Body of our People careless, carnal and secure ; there was but little of the Power of Godliness appearing among us."
Some time in August 1739, the people of Newark became deeply interested in religious affairs. The young, particu- larly, were remarkably exercised, and many of them were hopefully converted from the error of their ways. The con- cern at length became general, resulting in a marked reforma- tion among all classes, and large accessions to the Church.+
In November, 1739, while this revival was in progress at Newark, the Rev. George Whitefield, then a youth in his 25th year, whose fame, as an eloquent divine, and an awaken- ing preacher, had preceded him, first visited these parts. On his way from Philadelphia to New York and again on his return to Philadelphia, he passed through this town :
Wednesday, Nov. 14. Set out from Brunswick, in Company with Mr. Tennent and my other Fellow-Travellers; and as we passed along we
* Davis's Life of A. Burr, I. 1S. Stearns' Newark, p. 155.
t Records of P. Chh., p. 134. # Prince's Cbn. History, I. 252-4.
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spent our Time most agreeably in telling one another what God had done for our Souls. About Noon we got to Elizabeth Town, 22 Miles from Brunswick. Here we took Boat, and about Four reached New-York.
Monday, Nov. 19. Took Boat about Five in the Morning, and reached Elizabeth-Town Point at Seven .- Dined with Mr. Dickenson a worthy Dissenting Minister, who had sent a Letter of Invitation to New York, and offered me the Use of his Meeting House .- About Twelve I preached in it, according to Appointment, to upwards of 700 People, many of whom seemed much affected, and God was pleased to open my Mouth against both Ministers and People among all denominations, who imprison the Truth in Unrighteousness .*
In reference to this discourse, Mr. Dickinson says,-
I could observe no further Influence upon our People by that Address, than a general Thoughtfulness about. Religion; and a Promptitude to make the Extraordinary Zeal and Diligence of that Gentleman, the com- mon and turning Topick of their Conversation. I don't know that there was any one Person brought under Conviction, or any new and special Concern about their Salvation, by that Sermon ; nor more than one by any Endeavours that were used with them that Fall, or the succeeding Winter.
Mr. Dickinson was evidently expecting much from the young Revivalist, and was disappointed with the results :-
Tho' there was such a shaking among the dry Bones so near to us, as is above represented, and we had continual Accounts from Newark of the growing Distress among their People, (their young People especially) and of their awful solicitous Concern about their Salvation; our congregation remained yet secure and careless ; and could not be awakened out of their Sleep. You will easily conceive, that this must needs be an afflict- ing and discouraging Consideration to me : that when from other Places, we had the joyful News of so many flying to Christ as a Cloud, and as Doves to their Windows, I had yet Cause to complain, that I labour'd in vain, and spent my Strength for nought. But notwithstanding all these discouraging Appearances, I could not but entertain an uncommon Con- cern, particularly for the young People of my Charge, during that Win- ter ; and the ensuing Spring ; which not only animated my Addresses to the Throne of Grace on their Behalf, but my Endeavours also, to excite . in them if possible, some affecting Sense of their Misery, Danger, and Necessity of a Saviour. To that End, there were frequent Lectures ap- pointed for the young people in particular, but without any visible success.t
* Whitefield's Journals, I. 274, 7.
t Prince's Christian History, I. 254, 5.
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ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.
In the spring, they were favored with another sermon from the gifted Whitefield. On Monday, April 28, 1740, after preaching at 10 o'clock A. M., to a great congregation in Woodbridge, he says,-
After Sermon, I and my Friends dined at the Dissenting Minister's [Rev John Pierson's] House, who invited. me to preach ; and then we hasted to Elizabeth-Town, where the People had been waiting for mne some Hours .- I preached in the Meeting-House, as when I was there last. It was full, and was supposed to contain 2000 People. Near ten dissent- ing and two Church Ministers were present. I used much Freedom of Speech. No doubt some were offended: But Events belong to God .- After Sermon I intended to ride six Miles : But being over-ruled by the Advice of Friends, I stopped, and lay at an Inn all Night, near the Water- side where People take Boat to go to New York [E. Town Point] .*
Mr. Dickinson took a deep interest in the progress of the work of grace at Newark, and frequently assisted his young brother Burr (then only 24 years old, and, at the best, of feeble health), in the services of the pulpit. On one oc- casion, he preached a sermon, from Rom. viii : 16, so ad- mirably adapted to the state of the congregation and of the times, that its publication was generally called for. It was printed and had a wide circulation. It was entitled,
The Witness of the Spirit. A Sermon preach'd at Newark, in New- Jersey, May 7th, 1740. Wherein is distinctly shewn, in what Way and Manner the Spirit himself beareth Witness to the Adoption of the Children of God. On Occasion of a wonderful Progress of converting Grace in those Parts.t
A second edition was published in 1743. It exposed so faithfully some of the delusions, that were cherished by the more violent promoters of revivals of religion at that day, that, when the Synod met at Philadelphia, three weeks later, and all the intervals of business were given to preaching, Dickin- son was excluded from participating in the work, because of this sermon-its doctrine being regarded by the Tennents and their friends as untenable, and detrimental to the cause ; and yet the Revival had no truer friend, and no abler ad- vocate.+
* Journals, I. 849. t Prince's Chn. IIis., I. 216. Stearns' Newark, p. 157.
# Webster's P. Chb. p. 148
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These services prepared him for a similar work of grace among his own people. Scarcely had he and his Elder, Joseph Woodruff, returned from the meeting of the Synod, " in June, 1740," when the people were favored with " a re- markable Manifestation of the Divine Presence." He thus describes it :-
Having at that Time invited the young People to hear a Sermon, there was a numerous Congregation conveen'd, which consisted chiefly of our Youth, tho' there were many others with them. I preach'd to them a plain, practical Sermon ; without any Pathos or Pungency, or any special Liveliness or Vigour ; for I was then in a remarkably dead and dull Frame, till enliven'd by a sudden and deep Impression which visibly appear'd upon the Congregation in general. - There was no Crying out, or Falling down; (as elsewhere has happen'd) but the inward Dis- tress and Concern of the Audience discover'd itself, by their Tears, and by an audible Sobbing and Sighing in almost all Parts of the Assembly. There appeared such Tokens of a solemn and deep Concern, as I never before saw in any Congregation whatsoever. From this Time, we heard no more of our young People's meeting together for Frolicks and extrav- agant Diversions, as had been usual among them; but instead thereof, private Meetings for religious Exercises were by them set up in several Parts of the Town. All our Opportunities of publick Worship, were care- fully and constantly attended by our People in general ; and a serious and solemn Attention to the Ministry of the Word, was observable in their very Countenances. Numbers were almost daily repairing to me, for Direc- tion and Assistance in their eternal Concerns. There were then prob- ably more came to me in one Day on that Errand, than usually in half a Years space before. In a Word, the Face of the Congregation was quite altered; and Religion became the common Subject of Conversation among a great Part of the People .*
Tho' there are some of those who were then under special Convictions, that have worn off their Impressions, and are become secure and care- less ; yet I don't know of any two Persons, who gave reasonable Hopes of a real Change at that Time, but what have hitherto by their Conversa- tion confirm'd our Hopes of their saving Conversion to God.
I would be very cautious of any confident Determinations, with Re- spect to the Conversion of particular Persons; but if we may judge the Tree by the Fruits, which we have now had so long a Time to observe, we have Reason to suppose, that near about sixty Persons have received a saving Change in this Congregation only, (and a Number in the Parish
* Writing to Mr. Foxcroft, Sept. 4, 1740, he says,-"I have had more young People ad- dress me for Direction in their spiritual Concerns within this three Months than in thirty Years before."
&
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next adjoining to us, tho' I dare not pretend to guess how many) since the Beginning of this Work .*
The letter, from which these extracts are taken, was writ- ten Aug. 23, 1743, to the Rev. Mr. Foxcroft, of Boston, at his particular request. It describes scenes and events alto- gether unprecedented in the history of the town. The moral reformation, at that time wrought, was one of the most re- markable phenomena till then witnessed and experienced in the settlement. It gave to the town a peculiar character-a reputation for morality and religion that survived the stormy periods of war and political convulsions, and continues, to the present day-its defence and its glory.
The Revival of 1740, it is well known, was of wide extent, and of vast influence in the English Provinces of America. But, with all its manifest and marvelous benefits, it was not unattended with serious evils, affecting, to no small extent, the peace and purity of the churches. Ever watchful for the interests of religion, and ready, at all times, both for aggres- sive, and for defensive, measures, Mr. Dickinson set himself to meet the demand of the times. In 1741, he sent forth "The True Scripture Doctrine Concerning some important Points of Christian Faith ; Particularly, Eternal Election, Original Sin, Grace in Conversion, Justification by Faith, And the Saint's Perseverance. Represented and Applied in Five Discourses : " an admirable book, replete with sound doctrine, logically and scripturally maintained and defended, suited to all classes and climes, and of standard value in all periods of the Church. It has repeatedly been reprinted, in Great Britain and America. Foxcroft, in his Preface to the original edition, gives it unqualified praise :-
I'm of opinion, a book of this nature has long been wanting among us ; and I give unfeigned thanks to God, which put this same earnest care for us into the heart of our brother; whose praise is in the gospel throughout the churches, particularly by means of his elaborate writings in vindication both of the faith and order of the gospel, and other more practical publications .- I look upon his present work the supply of a real deficiency ; and more especially seasonable at this juncture. Now as
Prince's Christian History, I. 235-S. Gillies' IIIs. Coll. II. 142-6.
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Paul said of Timothy, I have no man like-minded, so I will presume to speak it, without any design of flattery or offence, I know no man better accomplished (in my opinion) for a work of this kind, than Mr. Dickinson.
Not content with this masterly vindication of the Doctrines of Grace, and finding the current of prejudice and opposition to " the Great Awakening " running strong and deep in al- most every direction, he next prepared, and published at Boston in 1742,
A Display of God's special Grace. In A familiar Dialogue Between A Minister & a Gentleman of his Congregation, About The Work of God, in the Conviction and Conversion of Sinners, so remarkably of late begun and going on in these American Parts. Wherein The Objections against some uncommon Appearances amongst us are distinctly consider'd, Mis- takes rectify'd, and the Work itself particularly prov'd to be from the Holy Spirit. With An Addition, in a second Conference, relating to sundry Antinomian Principles, beginning to obtain in some Places.
The first edition was anonymous, but sent forth with an Attestation, signed, Boston, Aug. 10, 1742, by the Rev. Messrs. Colman, Sewall, Prince, Webb, Cooper, Foxcroft, and Gee, all Ministers of Boston. A second edition was published, at Philadelphia, in 1743, with the author's name, and an additional Attestation by Messrs. Gilbert and Wm. Tennent, Samuel and John Blair, Treat and Finley. The book was of convenient form, plain and practical in style, and well-adapted to accomplish its end. "No contempora- neous publication," says President Green, " was probably as much read or had as much influence." *
At the meeting of the Synod in 1742, Mr. Dickinson was again chosen Moderator ; and, in 1743, as such, preached the opening sermon, from 1 Cor. 1 : 10,-a text admirably adapted, as, no doubt, the sermon was, to the divided and couvulsed state of the Synod. The same year, 1743, he pub- lished-
The Nature and Necessity of Regeneration considered in a Sermon from John 3 : 3, preached at Newark, N. J. at a meeting of the Presbytery there. To which is added some Remarks on a Discourse of Dr. Water-
* Green's Discourses, App., pp. 256-61.
·
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ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.
land's, entitled " Regeneration stated and explained, according to Scrip- ture antiquity." *
Dr. Waterland's book had been imported and circulated by the Episcopal ministry, and circulated as an antidote to the revival doctrines of Whitefield and his sympathizers. Dickinson's Remarks drew forth, in 1744, from the Rev. James Wetmore, Rector of the Parish Church of Rye, N. Y., " A Defence of Waterland's Discourse on Regeneration." This was answered promptly by Mr. Dickinson in
Reflections upon Mr. Wetmore's Letter in Defence of Dr. Waterland's Discourse of Regeneration. With a Vindication of the received Doctrine of Regeneration, and plain scriptural Evidence that the Notion of Bap- tismal Regeneration is of a dangerous and destructive Tendency.t
In the same year, 1745, his prolific pen produced " Famil- iar Letters to a Gentleman, upon A Variety of Seasonable and Important Subjects in Religion :" a work of very great ability, in which he discusses colloquially and familiarly, with direct reference to prevailing prejudices, the evidences of Christianity, and the Doctrine of God's Sovereign Grace in the redemption of men. The way of salvation, by repentance and faith, is clearly exhibited, and the Dangers of Anti- nomianism are fully set forth. It has been frequently re- . printed at home and abroad, and, with his book on " the Five Points," is on the Catalogue of the Presbyterian Board of Publication.
In the agitations, (resulting mainly from the Revival), and in the exciting discussions, by which the Synod and the Churches were convulsed, extending through a period of five years, he not only took the deepest interest, but the conceded position of a leader in the maintenance and defence of what he believed to be the truth and the right. When the Pres- bytery of New Brunswick and their party were virtually ex- cluded in 1741, he and his Presbytery being absent, it grieved him deeply. He sought, by every means in his power, to cast oil on the troubled waters, and bring about a reconcilia-
* Records, P. Chh., pp. 160, 8.
t Bolton's Ep. Chh. of W. Chester Co., N. Y., pp. 272, 3.
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tion of the contending parties. In the spring of 1742, he had occasion to visit Boston to bring out his "Display of God's Special Grace," and took advantage of the opportunity, to consult the Boston ministers and others in relation to the matters in controversy. Year by year, he sought to act, in the Synod, the part of a mediator and pacificator, in the embittered strife, of which the "Records" give painful illus- tration. But finding, at length, no hope of an honorable re- construction of the old Synod, he cast in his lot with the aggrieved brethren, and united with them and their friends in constituting the new Synod of New York; the former comprising the " Old Side," and the latter the "New Side " brethren. For the details of this mournful controversy, reference must be had to the authorities in the margin .*
The first meeting of the New Synod was held, September 19, 1745, at the Presbyterian Church in this town, 22 Minis- ters, and 12 Elders being present. Elder Joseph Woodruff represented this Church-Mr. Dickinson was chosen Moder- ator. His opening sermon, the following year, at New York, was from Psalm 24: 4.+
In the midst of these troubles and anxieties, preaching, writing, publishing, and caring for his own flock and the churches of the Synod, his soul was stirred within him at the benighted condition of the savage tribes in N. Jersey and the adjacent Provinces. In connection with Pemberton of New York, and Burr of Newark, he addressed, in 1740, "the Honorable Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge," formed at Edinburgh in 1709, and urged them to send mis- sionaries to the Indians on Long-Island, in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. These three brethren were appointed Corre- spondents of the Society, and authorized to employ mis- sionaries to the Indians. They prevailed on Azariah Horton, a brother of Simon Horton, of Connecticut Farms, in this town, to undertake a mission to the Indians at the east end of Long Island, for which purpose he was ordained by the
* Records, P. Chh. pp. 153-182. Hodge's His. P. Chh., II. 124-252. Log College, pp. 57- 73. Stearns' Newark, pp. 166-173. Gillett's P. Chh., I. 76-91.
t Records, P. Chh., pp. 232-4.
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ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY.
Presbytery of New York in 1740. Two years later, they en- gaged David Brainerd for a similar service among the In- dians, near New Lebanon, N. York. In 1744, (June 11,) Brainerd was ordained at Newark, for a mission at the Forks of the Delaware .*
From the time of his removal to N. Jersey, Brainerd found, in Mr. Dickinson, a faithful counselor, and devoted friend ; and, in his house, an ever-welcome home. At the time of his ordination, he spent more than a fortnight here. In April following, 1745, he was here again. In August, he came on to consult with Mr. Dickinson. Nov. 10th, he occupied the pulpit, preaching, in the morning, from 2 Cor. 5 : 20, and, in the afternoon, from Lu. 14: 22; and took up a collection for the Indian mission amounting to £7. 5. 0. Of the morn- ing service he says :
God was pleased to give me freedom and fervency in my discourse, and the presence of God seemed to be in the assembly ; numbers were affected, and there were many tears among them.
He spent the next Sabbath here also, and several days afterwards, being deeply exercised for the spiritual welfare of the town :
Had some longings of soul for the dear people of Elizabeth Town, that God would pour out his Spirit upon them, and revive his work among them.t
The first week in December he was here again, in attend- ance on the Presbytery at Connecticut Farms; also, the third week in January, in consultation with the Correspond- ents, and supplied the pulpit at Connecticut Farms, on the 26th. The second week of April found him here again in attendance on the Presbytery ; again on the 29th, for three or four days ; and the first week of July :-
Lord's Day, July 6. Enjoyed some composure and serenity of mind, in the morning: heard Mr. Dickinson preach, in the forenoon, and was refreshed with his discourse; was in a melting frame, some part of the time of sermon : partook of the Lord's supper, and enjoyed some sense of divine things in that ordinance. In the afternoon I preached from Ezek.
* Webster's P. Chh., pp 353, 518. Edwards' Works, X. 141, 2.
+ Ibid, X. 187, 216, 244, 5.
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33 : 11. "As I live, saith the Lord God," &c. God favoured me with freedom and fervency, and helped me to plead his cause, beyond my own power.
. He met the Presbytery here again on the 22d, and remained three days. He had the fever and ague at Mr. Dickinson's house, for a fortnight in October. Nov. 5th brought him back again from his mission, too enfeebled for work or travel. And here, at his "home" in the parsonage, he remained nearly six months-until April 20th, (with the exception of four or five days),-his last winter on earth,-in so low a state, much of the time, that his life was almost despaired of .*
Mrs. Joanna Dickinson, the pastor's wife, had been taken from him by death, April 20, 1745, in the 63d year of her age. Brainerd's intimacy with the family was mostly of a later date, the daughters of the pastor ministering to him in his chronic infirmities. The missionary makes the following entry in his Journal for 1747 :
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