USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > Piscataway > History of the First Baptist Church of Piscataway : with an account of its bi-centennial celebration, June 20th, 1889, and sketches of pioneer progenitors of Piscataway planters > Part 5
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After leaving Princeton, Mr. Jones moved his family to New Bruns- wick. He was near the old parish, his visits to which and his occasional pulpit ministrations were sources of mutual enjoyment and profit. Mr. Jones was now approaching the age which the Psalmist defines as the ordinary limit of life. Indications of heart disease had presented them- selves some months before his death, giving him premonitions of a fatal issue sooner or later but occasioning no alarm to him, whose " life was hid with Christ in God." On a bright Summer morning in June, 1878, following a sermon in this pulpit, after spasms of intense pain, he closed his eyes on earth and all he loved most on earth, and opened them- who can doubt ?- in heaven.
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Mr. Jones was a man of middle stature. He was endowed with a large share of common sense, and an amiable disposition. Naturally of much vivacity of spirits, sprightly in conversation, and warm-hearted, he was always a genial companion In the pulpit he was grave, often solemn, always plain and sensible, clear in his understanding of divine truth, and presenting it in all its simplicity, "warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that he might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."
The remains of Mr. Jones were brought to the graveyard adjoining this house and laid by those of his devoted wife, who six years before had fallen asleep. There they await the resurrection of the just. The stone at the head of his grave, bearing evidence of its erection by filial love, has this inscription :
Our Father, REV. HENRY V. JONES, Died, June 17, 1878, Aged, 70 years, 4 months and 3 days. He kept the Faith.
CHRISTIAN J. PAGE, NINTH PASTOR. 1856-1867.
About five months after the close of Mr. Jones' ministry in this parish, a call was given to Rev. C. J. Page. Mr. Page was born in Baltimore, Md., December 25, 1822. In 1839 he united with the Second Baptist Church of Philadelphia, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Daniel Dodge. His literary studies were pursued in Philadelphia and at the Germantown Collegiate Institute. Mr. Dodge was his theological instructor. In March, 1846, he was ordained as pastor of the Union Baptist Church at Milestown, now one of the wards of Philadelphia, the ordaining council consisting of Rev. Richard Pickard, Rev. D. Dodge, Rev. Dr. G. S. Webb, Rev. G. I. Miles and Rev. George Higgins. After a pastorate of over five years, he removed to Bristol, Pa., where a church of only fourteen persons had been recently constituted, but without a house of worship. At the close of a ministry there of five and a half years he left a membership of one hundred and fifty, and in possession of a substantial and beautiful meeting-house, built of brown sandstone, which still stands and bears testimony to his interest and zeal in the Master's cause. He removed thence to this parish and began labors October 1, 1856. The Lord wrought with him effectually. A revival that attended protracted efforts at an out-station-the village
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of Piscatawaytown-resulted in numerous conversions, and within a period of about eighteen months, just one hundred persons were baptized and added to the Church. The total membership in 1858 reached two hundred and eighty-five, and in the following year two hundred and eighty-eight, a higher total than it had ever before attained.
As is usual after large ingatherings, a declension followed this season of refreshing, and in the five following years the additions by baptism were few. Besides, the political agitation of the country, followed by that terrible strife that absorbed the thoughts and sympa- thies of the people at large, were not favorable to the awakening of religious thought and feeling. At this time, or in the year 1862 when citizens everywhere were being drafted for the war, Piscataway town- ship was about to be subjected to a draft for one hundred and ten men. Volunteers were in vain sought for. At a town meeting, held in this emergency, Mr. Page was not only requested but urged to take the command of a company, provided one could be formed. The company was formed, and true to his word, he went forth as its head to the con- flict, the end of which no one could then foresee. When, however, it was found that he could better serve "the boys" as Chaplain, he was elected by the regiment,1 with which the company was connected, to that posi- tion-a position much more consonant with his feelings and ministerial calling. At the same time the Church voted him leave of absence for nine months with the continuation of his salary.2 Returning to his charge at the expiration of this time, the Head of the Church again smiled on the pastor's labors. In 1864 nearly forty persons were added to the Church by baptism, while each of the three following years wit- nessed many accessions. The whole number baptized by him during his pastorate was one hundred and fifty-five. The total membership at the close was two hundred and sixty-two.
In the month of March, 1867, Mr. Page tendered his resignation, and in the following Autumn removed to Spring Valley, N. Y., bearing with him the testimony of the Church that during the eleven years of his ministry among them he had been "abundant in labors, instant in season and out of season, earnest in contending for the faith, and faithful in seeking the peace, harmony and prosperity of the Church and the salvation of souls."
After leaving here, Mr. Page became successively the pastor of the Manuet Church, Rockland County, N. Y., two and one-half years ; of
1. Twenty-eighth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers.
. 2. The Church was ministered to during the pastor's absence by Rev. Dr. Webb.
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the First Baptist Church, Peekskill, five and one-half years ; of the Cold Spring Church, on the Hudson, seven years ; of the First Church, Middletown, N. Y., where he still is, and has been the last seven years, and to it is devoting the ripe experience of a ministry of forty-three years and the sanctified energies of " a sound mind in a sound body."
JAMES F. BROWN, TENTH PASTOR. 1868-1878.
[Prepared by the present Pastor.]
The following sketch, found partly in the " Baptist Encyclopedia," is known to be an accurate outline of the prominent points in the history of Dr. Brown, prior to his settlement with the Piscataway Church.
James F. Brown, son of Rev. Thomas and Mary Brown, was born at Scotch Plains, N. J., July 4, 1819. He united with the Fifth Baptist Church, Philadelphia, in 1833, then under the care of Rev. Dr. J. L. Dagg; graduated from the University of Pennsylvania July, 1841 ; was licensed to preach by the First Baptist Church, Philadelphia, the sanie year ; studied theology with Dr. Dagg, and was ordained in March, 1843, as pastor of the church at Gainsville, Ala.
In April, 1846, he became pastor of the Great Valley Baptist Church, Chester County, Pa., where his father had preceded him, remaining eight years, when he was called to Scotch Plains, his native place, in April, 1854, where also, long years before, his father had preceded him. After six years he accepted a call to the First Church, Bridgeton, N. J., June, 1860. From this position he was called to the Piscataway Church.
In 1863, the University at Lewisburg, Pa., conferred on him the Doctorate of Divinity. As a still more marked expression of the esti- mate in which he was held by his brethren, he was at one time elected to the Chancellorship of the University, and served in the relation of Chancellor several years.
During the pastorate of Dr. Brown, very important external changes took place in the Piscataway Church. The condition of the country and the spirit of the hour favored these movements. In the five years since the close of our civil war, the country had not only recovered from financial and other straits; there was a general rebound. Money, current in business, was abundant ; real estate and every product brought into the market were at high prices-high beyond any precedent. Specula- tion was rife ; and, among another class, was also awakened a wide-spread spirit of enterprise. The Lord gave unto pastor and people to see a
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great opportunity : The parsonage, located a mile and a half distant from the church edifice, with 20 acres of land attached to it, was dis- posed of, and in its place and with its avails one much more generous and convenient on an eligible site near the church home was built. An oblong plot of one acre, barn and garden in the rear, and grounds taste- fully laid out surrounding the dwelling, all provided for by the sale of the other, was a long step forward.
The large, substantially built church edifice, occupying high ground, was crowned with a graceful spire. In a rural section as nowhere else, and especially where an undulating landscape admits of a wide range of the eye, and among a thoughtful people, such a spire is touchingly elo- quent, and preaches perpetually to human hearts. This one, seen from a large number of homes in the different neighborhoods, is evermore pointing hopefully from their sacred, central meeting place to Him who is enthroned in the heavens.
A lecture room, needed for every department of church work, was added on the rear of the main building, and at the same time was intro- duced a commodious baptistery, entered from the new lecture room. These additions, though they had slept, were no more than the full com- plement of the architect's original design, making the completed build- ing impressively and gratefully symetrical.
In Piscatawaytown, two miles distant, where there is a larger and closer settlement than in Stelton, a neat chapel of ample dimensions was erected, with exclusive reference to the spiritual needs of that com- munity.
These changes, external in their nature, eminently spiritual in their influence, have become a kind of " fruit that remains." Their influence, quiet, untraceable and forevermore outreaching, will never be measured or weighed till every secret thing is brought to light. They make con- spicuous to the eye, and will continue to do so everywhere about Stelton, the hand of wise, far-sighted, Christian men under the moulding minis- try of Dr. Brown.
And yet it was in the spiritual edification and building up of the . Church in order to stability, and for the wider ingathering of the lost through the Church-it was in that line more especially that Dr. Brown found the stimulus that never failed him, and the purest satisfaction ; and under his administration the Church reached the greatest numerical strength it has ever had.
All the benevolent enterprises of the denomination were fostered by his ministry. During his pastorate, under the inspiring lead of Mrs.
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Brown, who was aided and encouraged in the undertaking by Miss M. A. Sutton, a sister whose earnest piety and life-long devotion to mission- ary and Sabbath School work gave her a wide influence among us-the " Judson Band " was organized as a missionary center in the Church, and further along sprang up the "Cheerful Workers," as also a mission- ary center, one composed of the elder and the other the younger sisters in the Church. The influence of these unpretentious but systematic and untiring workers has been, all along, as now, a continuous bene- diction.
As a preacher, Dr. Brown had few superiors. His ideal of preach- ing was so high that he could never reach it, and therefore he could see little occasion in his own preaching for self-gratulation. This modesty, always conspicuous, was inborn. But in the estimation of Dr. Green- leaf S. Webb, known so widely among Baptists and so long a father among New Jersey Baptists, Dr. Brown as a preacher, was second to no Baptist minister in the State. All through life he was a hard student, not sparing the midnight oil, and often forgetful of his bodily health, never robust. The strain at length proved too exacting. At the end of nine years, in 1877, his health had so far failed that he felt incompetent to meet the demands of this large field, and wished to resign. At the request of the Church a respite of some months was taken, but with no such results as encouraged him to look for a speedy return to work. His resignation was finally accepted in September, 1878.
The resolutions unanimously adopted at this time by the Church were so warm and full and overflowing, that we cannot refrain from introducing as much of them as space will permit.
There is first a full expression of deep sympathy with him in the common affliction. The following resolutions, after that, will clearly indicate the ground covered, and the place he held in the hearts of Church and people :
" RESOLVED, That during his ministry of ten years among us, our pastor enjoyed the fullest confidence of his brethren and the entire community, and has exerted an influence that will be long and powerfully felt for good by all who have enjoyed his wise and tender counsel, or witnessed his devoted Christian life.
" RESOLVED, That we bear our testimony to the untiring zeal with which, since he first entered upon his duties, he has labored in his Master's cause-his devotion to the spiritual interests of his people being so great that his growing bodily infirmities were either forgotten or ignored in his desire to serve them. His pulpit minis-
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tractions have always been full of comfort and edification to the Church ; and words cannot express our gratitude to God for the rich Biblical instruction we have received, and the steady growth in piety and knowledge that has been observable among us under his faithful ministrations. We desire, also, to testify to his ability and prudence as a safe leader and guide of God's people. The utmost harmony has prevailed during his entire ministry.
" RESOLVED, That though now formally parting as pastor and people, there can be no separation of the ties that unite our hearts in Christian love and fellowship. The work here performed can never be forgotten ; and we feel assured that its fruits will appear through all the coming years to the praise and glory of our dear Redeemer's name.
After a rest of nearly seven years, preaching only occasionally, he took temporary charge of the church at Tunckhannock, Pa., in July, 1885. where he remained two and a half years, when finding himself unable to preach twice every Lord's day and to meet the other duties of his charge, he resigned the pastorate, but at the earnest request of the Church there continued to supply once each Lord's day for six months longer.
He has now felt obliged to retire altogether from active work in the ministry and has fixed his residence near that of his daughter's at Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, N. J., his general health impaired but his intel- lectual force not abated.
Though speaking of the living, it will hardly be considered indeli- cate, in closing this outline, to quote from a book so widely known as the "Baptist Encyclopedia," its own and comprehensive summary under this name : " A man of scholarly attainments, gentle spirit, sound theo- logical views, large sympathies, and blessed in his ministry."
JOHN W. SARLES, ELEVENTH PASTOR. 1879.
Rev. John Wesley Sarles was born June 26, 1817, at Bedford, Westchester County, N. Y. He was born again, in New York city under the ministry of Dr. Spencer H. Cone, and was baptized by him April 5, 1835. By the same Church, the Oliver St. (now the Epiphany) he was licensed to preach in April, 1839. The same year he entered Madison University, and, after a full course of study in both the Lit- erary and Theological Departments, graduated in August, 1847. In the month of October following, he was ordained in Brooklyn as pastor
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of the Central Baptist Church, of which he was the first and only pastor till March 31, 1879, a period of nearly thirty-two years. On the following day, April 1, he entered upon pastoral duties here to which he had been unanimously invited the preceding February. This, therefore, is his second charge.
Dr. Sarles' ministry here has been characterized by unwavering fidelity to all pulpit and pastoral duties. From none of the latter, although from the extent of the parish they have been necessarily onerous, has he shrunk. His eyes have been on the whole field, and not simply on the home field, but on " the field " which is " the world," his sympathies embracing evangelical work in all climes. Hence his care to foster the missionary spirit, and particularly among the young people of the Church and congregation, and hence, too, the or- ganization of two Societies, the " Light Bearers," at Stelton, and the " Band of Hope," at Piscatawaytown, both which, in addition to the " Judson Band " and the " Cheerful Workers," formed under the preceding pastorate were intended to enlist the interest of the youngest in the cause of missions. The intent has been largely realized.
The " Society of Christian Endeavor," also recently organized, is prosperous, and accomplishing good results, aiding especially the younger members in conducting devotional meetings, contributing “ to the promotion of an earnest Christian life " among themselves, and to greater zeal in the service of God.
In addition to the above Societies with their respective officers there may be noted the organization by the ladies of a Temperance Society, together with two little Bands for the children who are in- structed in the subject, and induced to become total abstainers.
There have also been established monthly concerts of prayer, one for missions, the other for Sunday-schools led by the superintendents.
Covenant meetings are held on Saturday preceding every com- munion. It will thus be seen that in respect to appliances for Christian work, means for the development of gifts and graces of the Spirit, for the encouragement of an active and aggressive piety and for the recognition and acknowledgment of God as " all in all," noth- ing seems to be wanting.
Great care is also taken to carry out a firm but kind discipline in the belief that the Lord of the Church cares for purity of life rather than for swelling numbers of communicants who have only a name to
1. October 26, 1886.
·
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live. In the desire to keep the Church pure, the members, happily, are of one mind with the pastor.
Justice would hardly be done to the honored pastor if no reference should be made to an evident characteristic of his inner Christian life, namely, his strong personal faith in God, in His word, in His special providential government of His Church and people, timing all changes and events, even the minutest circumstances of life in their interests, or for their present and eternal good. And it is the testimony of the members of this Church that the application of this faith to all the. occurrences of life has been helpful to them and conducive to their abiding peace and happiness in God.
The writer feels somewhat straitened in speaking more elabor- ately of this servant of God, particularly of his endowments both by nature and grace, and of his pulpit gifts, while he is yet living and in the pastorate. Some future historian will extol the grace that has made such prominent use of Dr. Sarles both in the Denomination at large and in the only two churches he has thus far served throughout a ministry of forty-two years.
MINISTERIAL GIFTS.
In the beginning of this sketch it was stated that three constituent members of the Church had been before its organization, recognized as exhorters, one of whom was ordained as its pastor. Whether they had been licensed before they came into the settlement, or, were afterwards informally requested by their brethren here to exhort and teach, does not appear. The latter alternative is more probable.
The third and fourth pastors, Isaac Stelle and Reune Runyon, were both born in the township, and licensed by the Church. With regard to Benjamin Stelle, the second pastor, there can be no other conclusion drawn than that he also received his license from this Church.
Benjamin Miller, the first pastor of the Scotch Plains Church, was born in Piscataway, it is said "about the year 1715." Of somewhat wayward tendencies in early life, he was awakened by a sermon preached by the celebrated Gilbert Tennent, then of New Brunswick, by whom he had been christened. A young man of talent and piety he was per- suaded to enter upon a course of study preparatory to the ministry, but soon after doing so he was led by conviction to embrace Baptist views, whereupon he united with this Church. Previous reference to Mr. Miller in our narrative supersedes the necessity of further remark, save
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that after a pastorate of over thirty-four years at the Plains he died there, November 14, 1781, in the sixty-sixth year of his age.
More than a hundred years ago there was a certain member of the Church who, it was reported, "attemped to preach without the consent or knowledge of the Church." A special church meeting was called to " consider such conduct," and it appeared to the brethren, in solemn council assembled, that this brother had, " at some society meetings held in several neighborhoods proceeded too far by way of exhorta- tion, which some call preaching, whereupon the Church proceeded to advise the brother to desist from such conduct, to which, as it was the voice of the Church, the brother cordially agreed. Nothing daunted, this brother, at the same meeting, " requested that he might be per- mitted to improve his gift, in order to make his usefulness as a preacher appear, upon which the Church concluded to take the matter into con- sideration until the next meeting of business."1 At the next meeting, the Church again " expressed the opinion that it was best for him to give the matter up for the present." After a lapse of a year we find a record which shows that " the matter " had been given up only for the present. The request was renewed, and the Church, not wishing to take the sole responsibility of deciding so grave a matter, invited a number of members from neighboring sister churches to sit in council with a committee of this Church and give judgment in the case. The Council, "after duly considering every circumstance attending the affair, advised that it would, in their opinion, be most for the honor of the cause of religion that the brother give up any further thought of exercising in that way, to which he cordially agreed."2
In the month of June, 1791, Mr. Peter S. Bryant came before the Church with reference to licensure, and after a discourse by him, "the voice of the Church was unanimous that he should be encouraged to another opportunity." It does not appear from the minutes that this "other opportunity " ever presented itself, or that he was licensed by this Church at all. We know, however, that as a " licentiate of Piscata- way " he was ordained as pastor of the Church at Lyons Farms, which relation he sustained for sixteen years. Mr. Bryant was scholarly, and withal an earnest worker in the vineyard. Outlines of two or three of his sermons fell into the writer's hands nearly forty years ago. Their penmanship is beautiful, the arrangement logical, the expression terse and clear, the subject matter evangelical. While at the Farms, Mr.
1. Oid Minutes, p. 7.
2. Old Minutes, pp. 8, 13.
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Bryant prepared an abridgement of Booth's work on Baptism, that it might obtain a more general circulation. Owing to ill health he retired from the active ministry and removed to Newark, where he died in 1808.
Henry Smalley, son of John Smalley, a worthy member of the Church, was born in Piscataway, October 23, 1765 ; graduated at Princeton College in 1786, soon after which he was licensed by the Church, and rendered valuable assistance to the aged pastor, Rev, Mr. Runyon. On November 8, 1790, he was ordained pastor of the First Cohansey Baptist Church, and there labored till his death, February II, 1839, in the seventy fourth year of his age, after a pastorate of nearly forty-nine years. Mr. Smalley was one of the excellent of the earth, and a wise master-builder. To his labors is to be attributed the forma- tion of the Second Cohansey Church, now the First Baptist Church of Bridgeton, and the strengthening of the cause of our Lord throughout Cumberland County. It was the testimony of the late Judge L. Q. C. Elmer, of Bridgeton, that the great truths of the Gospel Mr. Smalley preached laid deep and broad foundations for an orderly and prosper- ous community. He commanded universal respect for his solid worth and blameless life ; and from his Church and Christians of every name, veneration and love for his work's sake. To the aged members of that parish who yet survive his ministry, his name is still as precious oint- ment.
Jacob Sutton was licensed in January, 1811. He preached for the Church at Penn's Neck, then recently formed, but after a brief ministry was called to his rest in 1814.
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