History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 175

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224

USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 175
USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 175

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Love of the church which the Redeemer purchased with his blood was the ruling passion of Bishop Doane's life, and a defection from her communion was in his estimation the saddest offense that man could commit. Alas, once and again, with a keener edge, did that sword pierce his loving and faithful heart!

During the rector's absence in the winter on a visit to the West Indies most acceptable services were rendered to the congregation by the Rev. Hamble J. Leacock, who afterwards became a distinguished missionary in Africa, where he died, leaving behind him the name of " the martyr of Pongas."

In his annual address to the convention in May, 1842, the bishop states that in his last visit to Bruns- wick he found a valuable organ had been presented by a former member of the parish, Charles M. Leupp, Esq., " as a memento of his affection to the church in which his infancy was trained and nurtured ;" "and with this addition," says the bishop, "to the music of the public services there is, through grace, a constant increase of that harmony of heart which makes the church on earth most like the church in heaven, and best prepares its members for worship here and for enjoyment there."

The next incident of note in the parish occurred in the year 1846, when a valuable property was pur- chased for a parsonage. The purchase-money in- cluded the proceeds of a sale of lots which had been presented some years before by Mr. Edward Boggs

and Mrs. Mary R. Blauvelt; the remainder was pro- cured by subscription of different amounts from the members of the congregation and their friends. Chief among these should be mentioned the name of Fred- erick Schuchardt, Esq., who has been on all occasions the unfailing and generous friend of the church and its rector.

During the same year a large lot adjoining the churchyard was bequeathed to the corporation by Mrs. Mary Leupp, that saintly woman, of whom it was well and truly said by one who could appreciate her worth :

"So like Charity she lived on earth that doubtless,

Like Charity, she remaineth evermore in heaven."

On Ang. 1, 1850, the congregation being in a pros- perous condition, the rector expressed a wish to retire, and proffered his resignation to the vestry. They ap- pointed a committee consisting of Messrs. Wells, Hoffman, and Blauvelt, who in a letter overflowing with earnest and affectionate feeling urged him to remain in his present sphere of duty ; as they were pleased to say, he had "triumphed over past difficul- ties, and his labors, through the blessing of heaven, would be crowned with entire success."

During this year efforts were made by the rector to organize an independent parish in Somerville. Frequent services had been held there in years pre- ceding during the week and a congregation formed. The effort was successful, a zealous missionary was appointed, and on Sept. 4, 1852, the corner-stone of St. John's Church was laid by Bishop Doane. The beautiful plot of ground on which the church is built was presented by Joshua Doughty, Esq., who, with Richard Duyckinck, Isaac R. Cornell, A. Camman, and William Thomson, Esq., aided most efficiently in its construction and support.

The consecration next year is described in the bishop's happiest style : "I was joined on my way to Somerville by ' troops of friends,' till when we reached our place of destination we had already a congrega- tion with us. Our zealous friend [Rev. John Row- land], the missionary, was ready for us, with his beau- tiful church adorned with gifts of love from numer- ous hands ; the day was of the season's best; there was an assemblage that overflowed the building, and the noble service proceeded with as much of tender- ness, devotion, and solemnity as any that I have ever shared in. How I thought of those missionary jour- neys, year after year, when 'two or three' were gath- ered in the court-house, and how I 'rejoiced for the consolation.' Altogether it was a day for the whitest stone, and I could forget many things that had past and were to come in the fullness of its spiritual joy."

The next year witnessed the consecration of Christ Church, New Brunswick. In his annual report to the convention the year previous the rector states : "Our old church has been taken down, with the exception of the tower, for the purpose of being en- larged, and our service has been celebrated mean-

721

CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK.

while in a room kindly offered us by the trustees of the Presbyterian congregation." Every place of re- ligious worship in the city was generously offered for the same purpose. In his next parochial report the rector proceeds to say, "The new building was completed in the month of August, and consecrated on the feast of St. Bartholomew. It is built in the Norman style, from a plan furnished by Messrs. Wills and Dudley, the work being superintended by John G. Hall, Esq."

As much of the old material as could be used was put in the new structure, stone of similar color being found in the neighborhood to supply what was want- ing for the prolongation of the side walls. The present building consists of a nave fifty by seventy- five feet, with a chancel of twenty feet in depth and a south porch. It is admirably adapted for convey- ing sound ; the officiating clergyman has only to speak in the ordinary tone of conversation to be heard in every part of the church. The interior is plainly but substantially finished, and the church retains its former venerable appearance.

The expense of these improvements has not much exceeded ten thousand dollars, and as the memory of the church's benefactors should never be forgotten, it seems proper to mention the names of the chief donors. Two sisters, Mrs. S. V. Hoffman and Mrs. R. J. Liv- ingston, contributed five thousand dollars. To them belongs the praise of laying the foundation of this noble undertaking. Mrs. Carpender, Mrs. Kinney, and Mrs. Hoffman presented the chancel windows, which represent our Lord's prayer in the garden, his crucifixion and resurrection. A side window was given by Mrs. I. R. Cornell, in memory of her grand- mother, the late Mrs. Donan, who was also a benefac- tor of the church. Some friends of the lamented and " greatly beloved" Prof. Ogilby, who now sleeps with- in the church's shade, contemplate placing another memorial window on the opposite side. The ladies of the congregation united generally in furnishing a handsome carpet for the aisles and chancel, and Mrs. F. Schuchardt also supplied a complete set of new and elegantly bound books for the altar, lecturn, and desk. In addition to this three members of the vestry, Messrs. I. R. Cornell, F. S. Kinney, J. S. Car- pender, and the senior warden, S. V. Hoffman, Esq., contributed fifteen hundred dollars. The rest of the money necessary for completing the building was chiefly supplied by the legacy of the late Mrs. Clark- son, of New Brunswick, who bequeathed to the church a few years since one thousand dollars.

The main characteristic of the building and its chief excellence consists in its exquisite appropriate- ness. Every one who looks at it sees that it was in- tended for a church and for nothing else but a church, and as he enters within its porch the conviction is forced upon his mind and involuntarily escapes from his lips, " This is none other than the house of God."

The church being now fitted to accommodate a

larger number of worshipers, many were added, through God's blessing, during the years ensuing, years consecrated by sorrows which swept with a desolating flood over that abode of peace, as much the people's as the rector's home, put out its light, and buried its gladness.

The heart of all was touched, and if the most gen- erous sympathy could stanch such wounds there would have been no lack of healing balm and con- solation.

The self-sacrificing bishop, who came with love's eager haste and a blessing on his lips to the house of mourning on that memorable Easter-day to perform the last sad office of friendship, was taken two years afterwards, about the same season, to his own needful and blessed rest.

By order of the vestry the church was draped in mourning, resolutions expressive of the loss they ex- perienced in common with the whole diocese were unanimously passed and placed on record. Worthy of perpetual record and remembrance were the last words of this devoted servant of Christ, "I die in the faith of the Son of God, and in the Communion of His one Catholic and Apostolic Church. I have no merit; no man has; my trust is in the mercy of Jesus ;" and if "the merciful shall obtain mercy," great will be the reward of that gifted "man of loves."

" His heart lay open ; and by nature tuned And constant disposition of his thoughts To sympathy with man, he was alive To all that was enjoyed where'er he went And all that was endured. He could afford to suffer

With those whom he saw suffer."

The toil-worn bishop now rests in that

"One inclosure where the voice that speaks In envy or detraction is not heard, Which malice may not enter, Where no jarring tone intrudes,"

by the side of that dear church which was watered by his tears and blood, while the flowers planted by loving hands never cease to bloom on his grave.

As far back as the year 1852, when the enlarge- ment of the parish church was in contemplation, the rector had occasion to say to the congregation, in furtherance of that design, "It is necessary that we should have larger accommodation than this building allows; there is a demand for pews which cannot be gratified ; how then shall this demand be met? By one of two ways : either a new church must be erected in another part of the city, or the present building be made more commodious. The first is now im- practicable. Sufficient funds cannot be obtained for such an object; and if there could be, the number of persons attached to our communion is not now great enough to justify the formation of another parish. At some future day this may be done, but the attempt under existing circumstances to form a new congregation would probably terminate in

722

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

weakening and crippling both. The only practica- ble plan, then, for obtaining more church accommo- dation is to enlarge the present building, and we may hope to see the other purpose accomplished in the course of a few years."

It is well known that this appeal was instantly re- sponded to by a contribution of five thousand dollars for the enlargement of the church, and from that time the other purpose was steadily kept in view. Many obstacles, however, interposed to hinder the work, and not until the lapse of several years could it be accomplished.

In the autumn of 1860 two members of the vestry, Samuel V. Hoffman and Robert J. Livingston, Esqs., offered the rector one thousand dollars towards erect- ing a mission chapel. Other members of the vestry and of the congregation followed the example, and in the course of a few weeks a sufficient sum was collected to justify the purchase of land and materials for building. Several citizens of the town not connected with the church kindly offered their aid ; rich and poor united, and the contributions varied from one dollar to five hundred.

The corner-stone of the chapel was laid by the rector on Thanksgiving-day, Nov. 28, 1860. In it were placed a copy of the Holy Scriptures and of the Book of Common Prayer. A large concourse of people united with one voice in commending the work to the care and protection of Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost, in whose name the foundation stone was laid.

The plans and specifications were furnished by John G. Hall, Esq., a member of the vestry, and the carpenter's work, including chancel furniture, was executed by Edward B. Wright, a member of the congregation.

On the 28th day of December, 1861 (the feast of St. John the Evangelist), the building was ready for consecration, and on that day the solemn ceremony was performed by the bishop of the diocese, under the name and title of " The Church of St. John the Evangelist."

The ladies of the congregation zealously aided the enterprise, and under the direction of Mrs. Carpen- der, Mrs. Swift, Mrs. Van Rensalaer, and Mrs. John- son, by their work and contributions were enabled to furnish the chapel with carpeting, upholstery, and gas fixtures. The bell and the melodeon were the gift of Mrs. Littleton Kirkpatrick ; Miss Mary R. Croes presented the font ; Miss Kearney, books for the pews ; Mrs. Frederick Schuchardt, the Bible and prayer- books for the lecturn and altar. A rich and beauti- ful set of silver vessels for the celebration of the Holy Sacrament were offered by Mrs. Robert J. Liv- ingston "in memory" of her departed son.

duty the Rev. Alfred B. Baker, A.M., was appointed, who is still rendering most acceptable service. Mr. Baker had been ordained on the 5th of July previous, 1864, by Bishop Odenheimer, in Christ Church, to- gether with Alfred Houghton Stubbs, A.M., the eldest son of the rector. The candidates were presented by the Rev. Robert Merritt and the Rev. Prof. Mahan, of the General Theological Seminary, who also preached the sermon.

It was an hour of grateful recollections that in which one who had been baptized, catechised, and confirmed in the same church was admitted in God's good providence to receive there a commission by his father's side to serve at the same altar and preach the same gospel.

"Spirit of light and truth ! To thee We trust them in that musing hour, Till they, with open heart and free, Teach all thy word in all its power."

The last ordained was the twelfth of the candidates for holy orders admitted in this parish during the present rectorship. Among whom may be mentioned Dr. A. B. Carter, Dr. Eugene Hoffman and his brother Charles, the two brothers, Edward and Samuel Appleton, the Revs. Benjamin Leacock, Henry H. Loring, Edward B. Boggs, James Chipchase, and John Cornell. Good Dr. Milledoler, son of the late ven- erable president of Rutgers College, was the first to begin and to " fulfill his course."

On the day before the consecration of the church of St. John the Evangelist, St. Stephen's day, the bishop laid the corner-stone of St. Paul's Mission Chapel at South Bound Brook, within the northern precincts of the parish. The rector presided at a meeting called for organizing this congregation in the district school-house, Oct. 6, 1861, when the primary election of wardens and vestrymen was made. This election was ratified at an adjourned meeting held on the 18th of the same month, on which oc- casion a handsome lot of ground was offered by Daniel Talmage, Esq., and accepted for the site of the church. Measures were immediately taken for building on a plan furnished by Duncan J. McRhea, Esq. There being no suitable room near to accommodate the con- gregation, an opening service was held in the building while yet incomplete by the rector on Septuagesima Sunday, 1863; and when the rector could not be present the services were conducted by Thomas L. Wells, Esq., who by the appointment of the bishop acted as a lay reader.

During this time the first funeral was solemnized within the new parish. One who took the liveliest interest in the good work, the wife of the junior warden, Capt. John S. Nicholas, U.S.N., and the mother of a daughter whose heart and life have been devoted to this mission, was called from her sphere of labor in the church militant. The absence of one so much lamented cast the only shade of gloom over

The first minister appointed by the rector, with the sanction of the vestry, to aid him in this missionary work in the parish was the Rev. Louis Van Dyke, a deacon of New York. At the end of his term of | that joyful morning of the consecration, the 6th of

723

CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK.

June, 1863, which was the brightest and sweetest of all summer days. Since that time the senior warden, the gallant Tunis Augustus Craven, found a glorious sepulchre in his ship while leading the attack on a fortress in Mobile Bay. The congregation in Bound Brook has sadly felt the effect of these bereavements. Capt. Craven was present at the consecration of the chapel, and in conjunction with his wife, Mrs. Marie Louise Craven, presented the rich silver communion service used then for the first time, in memory of their beloved son, Lieut. Augustus C. Craven, who } fell likewise in his country's service from sickness contracted amid the hardships of military life. The altar, chancel furniture, and lecturn were given by their son and daughter, Charles and Mary Thomæ; the font was presented by the Rev. Edw. Anthon ; the Bible and prayer-books by Mrs. Boream and Miss Mary Cornell ; the melodeon by Mr. and Mrs. William Vail ; and the stained glass for the window in the chancel by Mrs. Sarah Moran.

The Rev. James Thomson while at Somerville often held service at Bound Brook, and with the aid of Mr. John F. Blake and Miss Sarah Van De Water, who gathered in the children, formed the nucleus of the congregation. The church is now under the pas- toral care and ministry of the Rev. William B. Otis, who has also in time past ministered most acceptably in St. James' Church, Piscataway. Here likewise occasional service has been rendered by the Rev. and venerable Robert B. Croes, the only surviving son of the bishop, whose honored name he bears. How pleas- ant to recollection is the name of another most faith- ful, devoted servant of God, who labored a while in that sweet country church, and now sleeps near the altar within its peaceful cemetery, the Rev. Isaac Smith, and the brief story of his guileless life and happy death cannot be told by the present writer in fitter terms than he has used already in a letter ad- dressed to Bishop Doane, under date of April 20, 1855, which is published in the Convention Journal of that year :

" Good Mr. Smith has at length gone to his rest. He departed from all 'the ills that flesh is heir to' this morning at six o'clock. Happy dawn it was for him, for he woke to 'see the King in his beauty.' Mr. Smith had been confined to his bed for more than a week. I saw him on Wednesday, and made During the excitement and distractions of the late unhappy civil war all allusions of a political charac- an appointment to administer the holy communion to him to-day, but a more glorious celebration awaited ter had been studiously omitted in the services of the him ; surely he is among that blessed company who ! are 'without guile before the throne of God.' A more childlike, gentle spirit I never knew. He al- ways spoke of God as his father. 'My Heavenly Father is very good to me' was his frequent expres- sion during his illness. He loved you deeply, and doubtless he has carried his love with him, and will not forget us where he is. May my soul rest with his !

" His most faithful and loving wife saw a change in

his features this morning, and suddenly exclaimed, ' Lord Jesus, receive his spirit !' He looked steadily at her for an instant, and with a smile of thanks closed his eyes and died. He will be laid in his last earthly abode on Sunday afternoon. The spot which has been watered by the labors of such men as Bishops Seabury, Hobart, Croes, and John Ogilby, and now is to be enriched with the dust of this hum- ble saint, will surely one day 'blossom as the rose,' desolate as it now seems to be.

" ' How happier far than life the end Of souls that, infant-like, beneath their burden bend.'"

Missionaries of the church seem to have officiated at Piscataqua, or Piscataway, as it is now commonly called, as early as the year 1701. It was then styled "The Anabaptist Town, from about twenty that agree in that persuasion, the rest of the people being of all or of no religion." Since 1722 no less than three churches have been built there; one was destroyed by the violent tornado which swept through this re- gion on the 19th of June, 1835. The present edifice was soon afterwards erected by the liberality of the late Joseph Foulke, Esq., of New York. He now sleeps within its churchyard, by the side of this noble monument to his memory. The church, unfortu- nately, has been for many years deprived of the ser- vices of a resident minister. Its most flourishing state was during the years 1839 and 1840, when the Rev. Dr. Fred. Ogilby, now assistant minister of Trin- ity Church, New York, had charge of the congrega- tion. It has since been dependent in great measure on such ministrations as the rector of Christ Church has had the opportunity to render. These have always been cheerfully given and gratefully accepted.

On Easter-even of the present year, while on the way to morning service, the appalling intelligence reached us of the assassination of the President of the United States on the evening of Good Friday. The national heart was strong in faith, and there was no appearance of consternation, but every face bore traces of sadness and grief. Men, women, and chil- dren were seen in tears, for each one seemed to feel that he had lost in the Father of his Country a per- sonal friend or brother, so greatly had he endeared himself to the people by his genial disposition, his unaffected humility, and unfeigned sincerity of heart.

church. Men of the most opposite opinions knelt by each others' side forgetful in that house consecrated to the God of love and peace of their differences and troubles. But no good man differed from bis brother in reference to the enormous crime which had been committed, and the rector on Easter morning ad- dressed the large congregation assembled to keep the joyful festival of the resurrection in words of the fol- lowing import, which met a response in every heart and which, referring to one of the marked events in

724

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

the history of the country, he has been requested to insert in this narrative :

" We are this day surrounded, brethren and friends, by the emblems of death and of national sorrow. What a sad contrast to the joy which should fill our hearts on this morning of the resurrection !

" It hardly becomes me here in this sacred place to speak of that parricidal crime by which the whole country is this day plunged into grief. Indeed, words would fail in the attempt. The effect of it is paraly- zing. The heart is appalled at its enormity. It does not seem possible that any human being could reach that beight of wickedness as to raise his hand against the life of one who represents at once the majesty of his country and the majesty of God. What enemy hath done this? No man surely who bears the image of his Maker. The earth has borne a monster who is the agent, the emissary, the embodiment, the imper- sonation of that great adversary of our race who was a murderer from the beginning.

"As we contemplate with grief and horror the enor- mity of the crime which has been perpetrated by his power and agency, should not at the same time our hearts be lifted up with chastened joy that a Deliverer 'has come to the rescue of our fallen race, that One has risen who has taken away the penalty of sin, who has broken through the barriers of the grave, who has 'abolished death and brought life and immortal- ity to light' ?

" Blessed be His name for the consoling promise that ' He does not willingly grieve the children of men ;' that He 'chastens us for our profit ;' that when He leads us through the wilderness of discipline and suf- fering it is to bring us to the land of promise; that when He tries us in the furnace of affliction it is ' to refine ns as gold and silver is tried,' that each ran- somed soul, cleansed by blood and purified in fire, may be fitted to shine with undimmed lustre in that glorious crown of living gems which shall encircle the Redeemer's brow and illumine the mansions of our Father's house.

" ' Weep ye not for the dead,' for even the heathen felt that no man could be counted happy before his death, and the Christian 'knows that his Redeemer liveth.' That man's death is surely not to be la- mented, whatever cause we may have to mourn his loss, whose sun, having reached its zenith and illumined the earth and filled other stars with its light, descends amid halos of glory ; whose memory shall be cherished to the latest generations, and shall terminate only with the duration of his country. To her service his heart and life were devoted, and she has shown her appreciation of his character by all the tenderness of a mother's love mourning the loss of her dearest child; his name will doubtless be en- shrined in her annals beside the first and worthiest of her sons.

" While then we share the common grief and deplore this national calamity, there is no ground for despond-

ency or hopeless sorrow. Rather does it become us as Christians to say with the heroic apostle, 'Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory' over sin, death, the grave and hell ; who hath opened to us the gates of the kingdom of heaven ; and who 'shall reign until He hath put all enemies under his feet.' May He reign triumphantly over the country of our love ; may He stanch her bleeding wounds and bind up her broken heart; may He save her from rebellious children and treacherous friends ; may He arrest the parricidal hands that seek her life's blood ; may He give us pardon and peace !"

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 175

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts Number of Pages: 1224

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224