History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 62

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Swan, Norma Lippincott. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia, R. T. Peck & co.
Number of Pages: 1148

USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth county, New Jersey > Part 62

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With the new organization the decree went out that the "Monmouth County Bible So- ciety " should live ; and to perpetuate its life, a

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MONMOUTH COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.

greater amount of effort was called for during the decade upon which it had now entered than at any other period of its history. As the band of active and influential lavmen that had gathered around the Rev. Dr. Woodhull at the foundation of the society had, for the most part, passed away or withdrawn their co-operation, and as during the last decade the society, having had but little more than a mere nominal exist- ence, had failed to create an influence in its favor or raise up helpers to the cause, the bur- den of sustaining it, increased as it was by this want of a popular sympathy in its behalf, came upon comparatively but few. They ac- cepted the service and assmned the burden. They dared not shrink from it, for the year of grace was past when the religious interests of Monmouth County could afford to do without an efficient Bible Society. It was was maintained. and from that time, has never failed to have its annual meeting, and its annual report from the executive committee ; and in no year has it failed to do something for the Bible cause. And it is proper to add, in this connection, that dur- i ing that critical period through which the society was then passing much was due to the energetic and persistent efforts of the secretary for the re- sults which have been ultimately reached.

At this meeting it was " Resolved, that in re- liance upon Divine aid, and the co-operation of our fellow-citizens, we will use our best en- deavors to supply every destitute family in the county of Monmouth with a copy of the Bible, and every child under the age of fifteen years, that is destitute, with a copy of the New Testa- ment, before the 1st of July next." Another resolution welcomed the agent of the State So- ciety to aid in the work.

hundred and thirty-three families ; Middletown, ninety-five families; Freehold, seventy-seven families ; Stafford, sixty-two families ; Howell, eighty-one families ; Dover, forty-eight families.

In Upper Freehold nothing was done, for the reason that the society was anticipated in its work by an agent of the State Society. Leaving out this township, it will appear that four hundred and ninety-six families were found des- titute of the Scriptures. Four hundred and fifty Bibles and eleven hundred Testaments were distributed by sale or gift. The receipts into the treasury were $477.36, but it is not known what part of this was in donations.

In the next year the only thing remarkable is that, after such a great work as had been per- formed the year before, the receipts should amount to no more than $52.25. The next year they amounted to $128.68, and in the year fol- lowing, ending with March, 1841, one hundred and one Bibles and twelve Testaments were pro- oured and distributed, while the receipts were $98.75.

At the anniversary held in March, 1841, the following resolution was passed by the society : " That, with the blessing of God and the co- operation of the ministers and officers of the churches, professors of religion and all other friends of the Bible, we will endeavor to sell or give a Bible to every family in Monmouth County, and to every youth and child that can read, a copy of the Holy Sciptures."

The resolution contemplated a new feature in the work of Bible distribution,-not only to se- cure a Bible to every family, but to every child that could read. The executive committee, when they came to act upon it, felt that the work be- fore them would cost more than either prudence or piety would warrant, and that the spirit of by giving additional Bibles to large families when sales could not be affected, so that every child that could read might have access to the word of God. They therefore determined to give a Bible to every destitute family that was not able to buy, and in families where a num- ber of the inmates could read, and where there was but one Bible, to sell, if possible, as many

At the next anniversary, held January 24, 1838, a report was made showing the results of the resolution would be measurably carried out the effort determined on at the previous meet- ing. Rev. J. J. Aiken, the State agent, had been employed to visit the different churches and con- gregations in the county, to collect funds from auxiliary societies and to engage suitable persons to distribute the Scriptures. This report shows that even after the great work performed ten years before, there were found destitute of the Scriptures in the township of Shrewsbury, one | copies as would supply them all ; and failing to

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

sell any, to give one or two cheap Bibles, accord- ing as the number of persons able to read was less or greater. Cheap Bibles were also to be given to domesties or apprentices, when those employing them refused to purchase for them. According to this scale, the society has continued its operations ever since.

With this view of their duty the committee entered on the work assigned them, meeting, as the supply progressed in different parts of the field, as often as once a month, enlisting laborers as they went. The ministers of the churches took an active part in the work in their vicinities. For the southern townships, young men from the institutions at Princeton were employed, and so the work was completed throughout the county.

This was a great work and was thoroughly done. Of the results, uniform statistics were not furnished, and so no intelligent compilation could be made of the details of the work. Two thousand two hundred and eighty-two Bibles and ninety Testaments were procured, of which one thousand and forty were put in circulation, leaving the remainder on hand for future opera- tions. A debt was incurred to the parent society for $920. The donations this year were about $275, while in the year after they amounted to only $64.75.

This is a fact of the same nature as had been witnessed on previous occasions. When a great work has been accomplished the efforts of the society have been relaxed, sometimes even to abso- lute suspension. The churches had responded to loud calls when a great work was to be done, but they failed to realize that in the Bible cause a good work was to be done every year. Their benevolence had its channels all marked out, and the Bible Society, as a new purveyor of their gifts, was a long time in getting its proper place and share among them.

At the anniversary in 1844, Isaac K. Lippin- cott resigned the office of treasurer, which he had held for twenty-two years. The society reluctantly accepted his resignation, with a cordial vote of thanks for his long and faithful services. The Rev. D. V. MeI can was elected to fill his place, who, from this time, united in himself both the offices of secretary and treas- urer.

In the year closing with the annual meeting in 1846 considerable efforts were again made in circulating the Scriptures, though no general exploration was undertaken. One hundred and twenty-three families were found without the Scriptures. Two hundred Bibles and one hun- dred Testaments were distributed.

In the same year and the year after, Mr. William C. Patterson, a colporteur of the American Tract Society, was employed to search out and supply the destitute in the southern portions of the county in connection with his own appropriate work. In this way, as appears from the treasurer's books, he put in circulation three hundred and sixty-five Bibles and one hundred and forty-five Testaments.

Entering on this period of the society's life, and coming up to the anniversary of 1847, it must be recognized as a permanent institution. It had stood during the last ten years without a single lapse, and was strengthened by the effort. It had outgrown the spasmodic habits of former years, and had found that there is neither grace nor logie in relaxing effort because the county is well supplied, when such vast regions lay beyond it calling for help.

The society, according to the already quoted report of this year, was free from debt, and had a balanee in the treasury of $147.61. It had also 8175.28 credited on the books of the parent society, awaiting orders for Bibles, making $2753.96 remitted for Bibles since 1837, when it became auxiliary ; to which add $1020.50, the sum expended before that time, and we have $3,774.46, or over cleven hundred dollars more than had been remitted for Bibles by any other Bible Society in the State.

In 1849 a resolution was again passed to supply the county, it having been eight years since the last general supply was made.

At the anniversary of 1850 the Rev. Dr. D. V. McLean resigned the offices of secretary and treasurer, the former of which he had held for seventeen years and the latter six. His resigna- tion was accepted with great reluctance by the society, and a vote of thanks, recounting his long, faithful and efficient services, was adopted.

The Rev. John M. Rogers was chosen seere- tary and the Rev. Harvey D. Ganse treasurer.

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The re-supply of the county, which was ordered in 1849, was found not to have been completed this year, but ran through subse- quent years till the anniversary of 1853, when the final report was made. Perhaps a more interesting report was never before made to this society. Certainly there has never been anything like it in the way of statistics, whether we regard the vohune of the figures or the min- uteness and uniformity of the details. The re- ports of two whole townships and two parts of ord ; and with the exception of the-e and the statistics of the part of Upper Freehold embraced in Allentown and vicinity, of which no report was made to the executive committee, the fig- ures foot up: Families, 3304; destitute, 305- or more than one in eleven ; Bibles circulated, 1100; Testaments, 664. This was in Mon- mouth County, diminished by the erection of the county of Oecan in 1850.

The results would seem to show more thor- ough work than had ever been made before in the county.

At this meeting Bennington F. Randolph, Esq., was chosen secretary, in place of Rev. John M. Rogers, resigned.

At the annual meeting in 1856, the Rev. Ezra W. Collier was appointed treasurer in place of Rev. H. D. Ganse, who had removed from the county.

With the opening of the fifth decade of the · society's existence a new phase of life and ac- tivity is noticed. The time had come for action on its long-cherished purpose of aiding the pa- rent society in the world-wide diffusion of its beneficent work. Up to the year 1850 only $86.36 had been contributed in all the years of this society to the Bible cause beyond its own partienlar field. In 1857 this sum had increased to $2169. The annual collections for the last four years had averaged 8470.13 per year, com- pared with $187.83 as the average of the four ending with 1847.

At the anniversary of 1857 it was resolved to make another effort to supply the county with the Scriptures. The executive committee was authorized to employ agents for such parts of the work as could not otherwise be performed,

so as, if possible, to complete the supply within the year.

At this meeting Bennington F. Randolph, E-q., asked to be relieved from further service as secretary, an office which he had held for four years ; whereupon the society reluctantly consented, in a resolution highly appreciative of his services in behalf of the Bible cause.

Gilbert H. Van Mater was then appointed secretary, and held the office up to 1868.

At the annual meeting in 1858, the exee-

townships were lost before they were put on ree- i ntive committee reported the work on the can- vass and supply of the county completed in six townships and parts of three others. Three townships were supplied by an agent, the rest by voluntary labor.

The next annual report showed all the town- ships supplied except Shrewsbury, Atlantic and Raritan. The executive committee exerted themselves to secure the supply of these during the next year, but with limited snecess. Though this supply was by no means equal to the last in thoroughness and efficiency, yet a good work was done. In the townships of Howell, Wall and Ocean, supplied by the agent, ninety-nine families were found destitute, and one hun- dred and eighty-nine Bibles were circulated. A general summary of the whole cannot he given, for the reason that in the other town- ships the statistics are not full and uni- form.

From this time there is nothing worthy of note in the operations of the society till the an- nual meeting of 1861, when the attention of the friends of the Bible was directed to the soldiers in the army. The following resolutions were passed at this meeting :

" Resolved, That considerations of patriotism, and a regard to the spiritual wants of those who, by their services in the army, are removed from their religious privileges, urge on us the duty of distributing the Scriptures as far as possible among the soldiers, and having learned with great satisfaction of the efforts of the American Bible Society for this end, we pledge our co-operation to the extent of our ability.

" Resolved, That this Society approve of the work which has been done in Trenton, in supplying the sol- diers of our county with the New Testament, and do direct that the work be continned as begun."

On this subject, the Rev. Dr. George Sheldon,

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

agent of the American Bible Society of this State, said,-

"Among us the distribution of the Scriptures in that portion of the army composed of our own troops was conducted under a plan peculiar to this State, and seems to have given general satisfaction.

" While in camp, before leaving the State, the men were supplied with handsome copies of pocket New Testaments, in the name of the Bible Societies of the several counties from which they had come, and so went forth equipped with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Additional supplies were also sent to chaplains, to replace such copies as were lost. In this, as well as in other ways, our men were continually reminded of God and of their Christian friends at home.

"The aggregate expense was apportioned among the several County Bible Societies, on the basis of the rolls kept in the adjutant-general's office at Trenton. The part belonging to Monmouth County was about $704, and the number of volumes distributed among Monmouth County soldiers was about 2500; the ac- tual number was probably in excess of this."

The minutes of this society in continuation show that when bills were presented, from time to time, for Testaments given to sokliers from this county, such bills were passed by a vote of the society at the next annual meeting, and orders given to the American Bible Society to charge the same to this society, against funds kept con- stantly on deposit there for the purchase of Bibles when wanted.

At the anniversary of 1863 notice was taken of the death of the Rev. Charles Webster, who had died during the year. He was a life director in the American Bible Society, -a life-long worker in the good eause,-of which twenty-three years were spent in eo-operation with this organization.

The year ending with the annual meeting of 1865 was remarkable as exhibiting a larger amount of donations than had been made in any year of the society's history. They amounted to $886.48, of which $243.22 were contributed by the Methodist Episcopal Churches in the county. Arrangements were made at this meet- ing for celebrating the jubilee of the American Bible Society by holding Bible meetings in different parts of the county, by soliciting larger contributions to the funds of the society, and by making a fresh canvass and re-supply

of the county, all of which were but imper- fectly carried out.

At the anniversary of 1866 the Rev. Ezra W. Collier, the treasurer of the society, having removed out of the county, after surrendering his trust to the executive committee, William Statesir, Esq., was chosen to fill his place. The resolution to re-supply the county was renewed, and arrangements were made for a celebration of the jubilee or fiftieth anniversary of the society, which was duly held September 11, 1866, and of which the following report is taken from the Monmouth Democrat, under date of September 19th, having been reported for that paper by the editor :

" The fiftieth anniversary of the Monmouth County Bible Society was celebrated on Wed- nesday last, the 11th inst., at the Presbyterian Church in Freehold. There was a very large attendance of the friends of the cause from all parts of the county and from other parts of the State. The exercises were of a highly interest- ing character, and the occasion was one long to be remembered by all who were present.

" The meeting was called to order at half-past ten o'clock, A.M. by Rev. Ralph Willis, of Marlboro', president of the society. After sing- ing by the choir, a fervent prayer was offered by Rev. Donald MeLaren. Next in order was the reading of the Scriptures by Rev. L. II. Van Doren, who selected the 19th Psalm and 2d chapter of Proverbs, and accompanied the reading with an interesting practical comment- . ary upon the text. Mr. Willis then made a brief address. He said the occasion was one of unusual interest and should be one of thankful- ness ; it also demanded an enthusiasm, and that if there was any cause more than another that demanded our hearty support, it was the Bible rause. In conclusion, he congratulated the soci- ety on the arrival of its semi-centennial anni- versary. As he had been instrueted to limit the speakers to fifteen minutes each, he, himself, would not occupy the time. He then read let- ters from Rev. Job Halsey, D.D., and B. F. Randolph, Esq., acknowledging invitations and making excuses for not being present.

"The choir then sang the 119th Psalm, sec- ond part. Rev. H. C. Westwood, D.D., of the

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MONMOUTH COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.

Methodist Episcopal Church, Princeton, was in- troduced and delivered an able sermon from the text Rev. xxii. 18, 19.

"The sermon was followed by prayer. Next in order was an address of the representative of the American Bible Society. Rev. Dr. Sheldon was called upon to respond. He announced that Rev. Dr. Taylor, one of the scoretaries of the parent society, who had engaged to fill the place, would soon be present. The choir sang 19th Psalm, fifth part, and during the singing Dr. Taylor arrived. He gave a hearty greet- ing to this society upon the occasion of its meet- ing, and then with stirring eloquence repre- sented the blessed fruits of the Bible work, and gave a brief statement of the aims and scope of the labors of the American Bible Society.

"The president then announced that the ladies of the several churches in Frechold had pre- pared a collation under the trees on the grounds of the 'Young Ladies' Seminary,' which had been kindly tendered by Professor A. Richardson, and invited all present to partake of it. After the benediction the meeting adjourned to two o'clock P.M.

feelingly and impassionately warned them to prepare for eternity.

"Rev. L. H. Van Doren was then called upon. He cordially reciprocated the kindly remarks of Dr. Ganse. For seventeen years he had been pastor of a church that gave as much, if not more, than any other church in the county, and had been personally active in the Bible cause. He had himself carried the Bibles in a wheelbarrow and distributed them to the destitute of his township. He felt solemn, in connection with the joy of this occasion, when he reflected how little had been done,-if men would give in this county as the Lord had pros- pered them, they would give by thousands in- stead of hundreds. He gave some interesting reminiscences of past times. Among others, he mentioned the labors of Luther Halsey, who not only carried Bibles to the people, but took with him, in his carriage, food for himself and horse, and spectacles to enable the aged to read the Bibles when they got them,-all a free gift. In conclusion, he said he would soon pass away, but before meeting the present generation in eternity he wanted to do something for them. At the present rate people were born faster than the Bible Society could produce Bibles. He wished this society to sustain him in recom- mending the publication and distribution of God's word in separate books as God gave it to us, and offered a resolution to the effect that the American Bible Society be requested, when un- able to furnish the whole Bible, to furnish one of the books of the same. The president stated that the resolution could not be entertained for discussion at this meeting, but would be referred to the regular business meeting of the society.

"At two o'clock the meeting reassembled, and commenced their exercises by singing the 378th hymn. Rev. William Reiley, D.D., of Holm- del, then delivered, according to appointment, the historical address. Brief addresses from friends of the society and former laborers within the county being then in order, Rev. Harvey D. Ganse, D.D., of New York, was called upon. He came forward and said it gave him great pleasure to be present. He wished to express his thanks to Dr. Westwood for his sermon, to Dr. Reiley for his lucid history. He paid a Representatives of other county Bible Socie- ties were called for, when the following reported : Rev. Il. C. Westwood, D. D., and Prof. J. F. Schenck, special delegates from the Princeton Society ; Rev. I. H. Van Doren, special dele- gate from Morris County Society. tribute to the labors of Dr. MeLean, so often alluded to in the historical address. He came here to see the faces of dear friends with whom he had labored in past years. He went on to relate a number of interesting incidents connected with the operations of this society in Rev. F. Chandler announced that Dr. John T. Woodhull, one of the members of the first board of directors of this society, was in the house and would like to address the meeting; but his voice was too ferble to be heard. He this section in years long past, of which he was personally cognizant. In conclusion, he alluded to the pleasant social gatherings of this hour, and of his enjoyment in the occasion, and re- minded his bearers that time was passing, and ! also stated that Judge Thomas (. Throckmor-

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

ton, also one of the founders of the society, and believed to be the only other one now living, was in a ripe old age, among us, having his residence in this village, respected and beloved by all who knew him.

Rev. D. V. McLean, D. D., was called for. He thanked Drs. Reiley and Ganse for the kind notice they had given of his labors in this society years ago. He continued in a pleasant vein of reminiscences of the early history of the society, with which he had been actively identified, and read a biographical sketch of the life of Rev. Dr. John Woodhull, the first president of this society, which embraced notiees of his sons,-Gilbert S. Woodhull, one of the sixteen founders of the American Bible Society, and Dr. John T. Woodhull, one of the first directors of this society. He also read sketches of Dr. Samuel Forman, Dr. Thomas Hender- son, Joseph Scudder, William, James, Caleb and Corlies Lloyd, and referred to others who had taken an active part in the work of this society.

Dr. Sheldon, the State agent of the Ameri- can Bible Society, expressed his gratification with the exercises on this occasion and with the great number of persons present.

Dr. Reiley said that it had been stated that but two of the original members of this society were yet alive; he had just been informed that there was another survivor,-Dr. James H. Baldwin, of Blawenberg, Somerset County.

Rev. Donald MeLaren, Chaplain of the United States navy, recently from the frigate " Powhattan," said that during the last two years he had had opportunity to observe the effects of distributing the Bible. On board a ship it was a great auxiliary to the preacher's work. Men of various nations were here gath- ered together, and could not be reached except by the Bible in their own language. To see it in the familiar characters of their youth had a powerful influence upon them. In this connec- tion he related some interesting incidents which had come under his own observation.

At the close of his remarks he said he had greetings to bring from an unexpected quarter, -from the Bible Society of Peru. At Lima he had been permitted to assist in the formation

of a Bible society,-it was small, but it was an earnest one ; and he asked for it the prayers of this society. The government and the prevail- ing religion were opposed to it, and the people had to make their applications for the Bible privately. The history he gave of this society was one of the most interesting features of the meeting.

It was now drawing well on to the close of the day, and yet the audience showed no abate- ment of interest in the proceedings; it was time to close ; President Willis made some remarks to that effect, and called upon Rev. J. L. Ke- hoe, of Manchester, to offer prayer.

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History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 62

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Swan, Norma Lippincott. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia, R. T. Peck & co. Number of Pages: 1148

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Swan, Norma Lippincott. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia, R. T. Peck & co.
Number of Pages: 1148