History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 36

Author: First Presbyterian Church in Morristown (N.J.)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Morristown, N.J. : "Banner" Steam Print
Number of Pages: 942

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THE RECORD

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MORRISTOWN, N. J. " THIS SHALL BE WRITTEN FOR THE GENERATION TO COME."-Psalms 102 : 18.

VOLUME III. APRIL, 1883. NUMBER 4.

[Printed with the Approval of the Session. ]

THE RECORD

Will be published monthly at Morristown, N. J. Terms $1.00 per annum, in advance: Subscriptions may be made at the book- stores of Messrs. Runyon and Emmell, or to Messrs. James R. Voorhees and William D. Johnson, or by letter addressed to the EDITOR OF THE RECORD, Morristown, N. J.

Entered at the Post Office at Morristown, N. J., as second class matter.

CALENDAR. For April and May, 1883.

THE LORD'S DAY SERVICES.

Morning Service, at 10:30 A. M.

Evening Service, at 7:30 P. M. School of the Church, at 3 P. M. Young People's Prayer Service, at 6:45 P.M. OFFERINGS :

For Bible Society, Sunday morning, May 6th. For Freedmen, Sunday morning, June 3d. MID-WEEK SERVICE OF PRAYER. Thursday Evenings, at 7:30.

April 5 .- MISSION CONCERT .- The Light of the world for India. Jno. 1 : 1-9.

12 .- ORGANIZATION AND WORK OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

19 .- UNANSWERED PRAYER. Deut.

iii : 23-27.

26 .- CHRISTIAN GIVING. I Cor. xvi : 2 ; 2 Cor. ix : 6-11.

May 3 .- MISSION CONCERT-Siam. Josh. V: 13-15.

IO .- EMBLEMS OF CHRIST IN THE BIBLE. Rev. v : 5, 6.

17 .- INDWELLING OF THE SPIRIT. Rom. viii : 8-17.

24 .- STAGES IN CHRISTIAN EXPERI- ENCE. Jno. ix : 1-38.

SPECIAL SERVICES.

BAPTISM OF INFANTS .- Sunday Morning Service, May 6th.

PREPARATORY LECTURE .- Friday, at 4 o'clock, P. M., June Ist.

THE LORD'S SUPPER .- Sunday Morning Ser- vice, June 3d.

OTHER MEETINGS.

TEACHER'S MEETING, at close of Mid-Week Service, Thursdays.

SEWING CIRCLE, Wednesdays, at 3 P. M.

The Pastor will be found at his residence, on Franklin Place, Tuesdays ; and on Fri- days, from 5 to 6 P. M., in the Study of the Chapel.

THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING.

The Parish meeting for 1883 was held in the chapel on the afternoon of March 13th last. Mr. John Whitehead acted as chair- man and Mr. James R. Voorhees, the clerk of the parish, as secretary. The pastor was present and invoked the Divine bles- sing. The usual reports of the trustees and treasurer were read. That of the latter, be- ing the more important, is printed in full.

The following named gentlemen were elected trustees :

Aurelius B. Hull, Henry C. Pitney, Ed- ward Pierson, Thomas C. Bushnell, Joseph H. VanDoren, James R. Voorhees and Henry Cory.

James R. Voorhees was re-elected clerk of the parish and Henry Cory, treasurer. Mr. Hull, who for ten years has so worthily filled the position of treasurer, was obliged to resign. His declination was received with very great regret, and the following resolution passed on motion of Doctor Ste- phen Pierson.

Resolved, That we express to Mr. Hull our appreciation of his services in our be- half as treasurer, and our regret that he

THE RECORD.

feels unable longer to serve us in that ca- pacity.

TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF A. B. HULL, TREASURER :

1882. DR.

March 13. Cash in Bank,

1883.

$345 61

March 12. Received from annual

pledges and voluntary contri- butions to this date, compris- ing 12 monthly payments. 4,978 96

Proceeds of fair held Dec., 1882, 293 25

Two-thirds balance Sunday offer- ings, 849 50

Balance of advances hy Treasurer, 500 00

$6,967 32

1882. PER CONTRA.

May 1. Paid for pulpit supplies to ' this date,

$370 00

1883.

Feb. 28. Paid Rev. W. Durant's sal- ary and commutation for parsonage for 10 months to this date. 3,166 66

Mar. 12. Paid chorister to this date, 180 80

Organist do., 231 02

Bass, do., 90 40

Alto, 45 20

Sexton, 598 12

Blowing organ, 50 00 1882.

Sept.30. Treasurer of the Sunday School, 200 00 1883.

Mar. 12. Sundry expenses as per

schedules rendered quar- terly to Trustees and Session, 2,034 64

Balance Cash in Bank, 48

$6.967 32 A. B. HULL, Treasurer.

Morristown, March 12th, 1883.

THE REGISTERY.

Asterisks will be found appended to some of the names appearing in the Regis- tery. They need an explanation. The former editor of the RECORD, the Rev. Mr. Green, in his preparation of the paper, spared no pains to present as far as possible, a correct record. To secure this perfection

with that persistent energy, which marked all his efforts in whatever he undertook, he examined with great care some files of old newspapers he found in the possession of Mr. Monroe Howell, then living at Troy in this county. An asterisk appended to a name in the Registery denotes that the name is taken from the files of the old newspapers thus examined and may not be in the Re- gistery.

The name of William Goble appears twice in the list of marriages, on the same day, in this number'of the RECORD, An asterisk is attached to one of these entries ; which means that that marriage was taken from the newspaper ; the other was taken from the church registery. Probably the bride may have been an adopted daughter, and in one case gave her own name, while in the other, her adopted father's name was taken. But this is mere suggestion.

REV'D. JAMES RICHARDS. D. D.

Dr. Richards was the third settled pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Mor- ristown. He succeeded the Rev. Aaron Collins, who was for a few years, the asso- ciate of Dr. Timothy Johnes. Mr. Collins was dismissed September 2, 1793, and Dr. Richards was settled 1795 and remained in charge of the church for fourteen years and until April 26, 1809.

The Richards family is of Welsh origin and emigrated early to this country. Branches of the family are to be found to- day in New England, New York and Penn- sylvania, and doubtless in other parts of the United States. A German family who also early came to America have Angli- cised their name, now calling themselves Richards. The original German is Reichert or Reichard. This must not be confounded with that from which Dr. Richards sprang. His ancestor, who came to New England in his early youth, was undoubtedly of Welsh origin. His name was Samuel Richards ; he served in the British army in Canada against the French in the reign of Queen Anne, it is said. When his term of service expired he settled in Connecticut near Stam- ford. The exact date of this settlement can- not be ascertained, but it must have been very early in the 18th century or at the

THE RECORD.

close of the 17th. It was probably as early as some date in the 17th century. Queen Anne succeeded William III. in 1702. War had been raging in North America between the English and French for several years prior to the accession of Anne. Samuel Richards was a youth of eighteen years when he emigrated from Wales. Dr. Richards was the fourth in descent from this Welsh soldier, the originator of the family in this country, and was born October 29, 1767, at New Canaan, in Connecticut. His father whose name was also James, became a cap- tain in the Continental army during the Revolution. The father was a fair repre- sentative of New England yeomanry ; when a demand was made upon his patri- otism he responded with alacrity ; when the necessity for action for his country ceased, he at once resumed his peaceful avocations and served her in another direction. He was a farmer, a man of sound, common sense and held in estimation by his neigh- bors for social and Christian virtues. The subject of this sketch was the eldest of nine children, four of whom survived him. His mother's name was Ruth Hanford, and to her he seems to have been much indebted for many of the prominent characteristics which so enriched his nature. She was a woman of uncommon merit. The idea pre- valent among many, that much of great men's mental strength is due to their moth- ers, was fully proved in the case of Dr. Richards. His mother was of strong intel- lect, of ardent piety and was uncompromis- ing in the performance of duty. At the time of the birth of her children, parental authority in the family was paramount, and implicit obedience was demanded from the younger members. They were expected ta obey and did obey. Parents did not then love their children less, nor were the chil- dren less affectionate than now. The household looked up to father and mother as heads and directors, and no question could be made when command came from them.

James Richards was a very precocious boy, fond of study, but of such delicate con- stitution that it was feared that he would not be able to submit to the necessary pri- vations and hardships then involved in a student's life. The advantages then within

reach of a youth, even though possessed of sufficient means to enable him to pursue a course of study, however great those means might be, were very limited compared with those which may now be obtained by even the poorest. The parents of Dr. Richards did not seem to have had the pecuniary ability to afford their eldest born the means of availing himself of even the slender op- portunities for intellectual improvement which the country then possessed. He was not daunted by these hindrances, but early resolved to avail himself of all the appli- ances for an education which could possibly be found. His industry and perseverance overcame every obstacle. His untiring en- ergy must have been early developed, for it is reported of him, that at the early age of thirteen he had charge of a district school. He was so successful in discharg- ing his duties as teacher that he secured the same school for a second winter. If this fact were not well authenticated it would seem almost incredible, but it is so well proved that it cannot well be disputed.

The ideas gained by his service as princi- pal of a school, only strengthened his de- sire for an education. But his father could not afford him the means, so, at the early age of fifteen, he determined to select some occupation for future use. Accordingly he entered, as an apprentice, into the business of cabinet and chair making, and also as a house painter. But his plan for a future avocation was soon interrupted by a severe illness which obliged him to return to his father's house. After his recovery he again took up the occupation of cabinet making. This was, however, abandoned, and in his nineteenth year, with the full consent of his master, he made preparations to pursue a course of study with a view of entering the ministry.

Like all New England youth of his day he had been piously educated, had been taught the Catechism and to repeat hymns, texts from the Scriptures, and indeed, had, at one time in his early youth, memorized entire chapters of the Bible. But he had never considered himself a subject of the forgiving grace of Christ, until he had pas- sed his eighteenth year. He then gave the most hopeful evidences of his having be- come a true Christian. Soon after this and

THE RECORD.

on the 17th September, 1786, he united with the Congregational Church at Stam- ford, and by his earnest zeal and pious ef- forts to promote all Christian work, and to stimulate the Congregation to a higher in- terest in all religious matters, he very soon satisfied others that he should be aided in attaining the dearest object of his heart, that he might enter the Christian ministry. His pastor and many friends strongly ad- vised his preparation for that office. Ac- cordingly he proposed to enter College and studied for that purpose under the Rev. Justus Mitchell. In the fall of 1789 he en- tered Yale College, but was soon obliged to leave for the want of funds. In his prepa- tion he was aided, in his studies, by Dr. Burnett, of Norwalk, and materially by two excellent ladies, who were relatives, Sarah and Phebe Comstock. These ladies never withdrew their helping hands so long as he needed their aid.

bute is the more striking as the time which was employed by Mr. Richards on Long Is- land was very brief, for early in 1794, he was invited to visit the church and congrega- tion at Morristown. This invitation was" the result of the very strong recommenda- tions of the young pastor given by the Rev'd Dr. Buel of East Hampton, and by the Rev. Aaron Woolworth of Bridgehamton, who was the son-in-law of Dr. Buel. These two clergymen, especially Dr. Buel, strongly commended Mr. Richards to Dr. Timothy Johnes. The Rev. Mr. Collins, the associate of Dr. Johnes, was dismissed in the pre- ceding year, and the congregation had been in great difficulty arising from its relations with that gentleman. The position was one of great delicacy and involved great re- sponsibility, but the young pastor was equal to the task. There seems to be some diffi- culty in establishing some dates relative to events in the life of Mr. Richards hap- pening at this period. Mr. Gridley, in his biography, says that he was invited in May, 1794, to visit Morristown ; Louis Richards, Esq., whose notes, relative to the Richards family, are very full, states that he was called to the pastoral charge of the church in Morristown, in June, 1794. Both of these gentlemen agree that he was not installed until May, 1797. The RECORD, Vol. I., No. I, gives the date of his settlement as May I, 1795. Mr. Barnes, in his church manual, published in 1828, says he was installed " as pastor May 1, 1795," by the Presbytery of New York.

After being obliged to leave college he determined that it was impossible for him to pursue a regular collegiate course of study, so he abandoned that plan, but only to take advantage of the means which were within his reach. He pursued his studies with Dr. Burnett at Norwalk and with Dr. Dwight at the "Greenfield Hill," school. These difficulties and the still more depres- sing one, arising from frequent and prostra- ting illness, did not deter him from his pur- pose. Amid them all he persevered until in 1793 he was licensed to preach by the Association in the Western District of Fairfield County in Connecticut. The church seems then to have been in ecclesiastical relations with what was call- ed the Presbytery of New York, and the installation took place at a stated meeting of that body. In November, 1794, Mr. Richards married Miss Caroline Cowles, daughter of James Cowles, of Farmington, Connecticut. His first sermon after his license to preach, was delivered in the pulpit of his old friend and preceptor, the Rev. Dr. Burnett, of Norwalk, in compliance with a special re- quest made to the former pupil of the good Dr. Mr. Richards for a few Sabbaths preached at Wilton, near Norwalk, and then made a short engagement with the church At the time Mr. Richards assumed the pastorate Dr. Johnes was still living, but he died very soon after, in September, 1794. The young pastor, therefore, must have had the entire charge of the congregation, from the very beginning of his ministry here. It was a very difficult duty imposed upon him. The congregation was large, the parish ex- tensive, and the state of feeling arising at Ballston, in New York. He was at this last named place certainly in December, 1793. Soon after this he went to Long Is- land and there took charge of two small congregations, one at Sag Harbor and the other at Shelter Island. The Rev. N. S. Prime in his history of Long Island, pays a warm tribute to Mr. Richards for his minis - tery while at these two places. This tri-I from the unfortunate position in which it

THE RECORD.

had been left by the action of Mr. Collins, all combined to make the task of the new pastor a laborious and responsible one. But his wisdom and good, sound sense en- abled him successfully to meet all the exi- gencies of the situation. He was untiring in the performance of all ministerial duties, but did not lose his interest in literature and scientific pursuits. His attainments in mental culture had been so great that in 1794 he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Yale College, and in 1801 the trustees of Princeton college conferred on him the honorary title of Master of Arts. In 1805 he became Moderator of the Gen- eral Assembly of the Presbyterian church, a very great honor, when it is remembered that he was then but thirty-seven years of age.

While at Morristown three distinct and powerful revivals of religion marked his ministry. The first occurred in 1799, the second in 1803 and 1804, and the third in 1808. At the first more than a hundred were added to the church. Mr. Rich- ards seemed to have regarded the last of these seasons with the most favor. In 1828 he wrote to Mr. Barnes, who was then pastor of the church, in which he referred to these three revivals, but spoke of the third " as the most precious."

In April, 1809, he received a call from the First Presbyterian Church at Newark, which he accepted, removing to his new field of labor in May of the same year. This action does not seem to have been the result of any dissatisfaction, either with pastor or people. There was mutual love between them. Mr. Richards never spoke, nor wrote of his peo- ple at Morristown, but in the very warmest and most affectionate terms. Just before his death he wrote to a member of the church here in these words : " Never was a minister more happy with his peo- ple than I with mine during the fifteen years I spent among you. With you I was willing to live and with you I expected to die." These sentiments he more than once re- peated. But his expenses were increased, a growing family involved greater outlay, the health of Mrs. Richards was precarious, and he required additional salary. The people did not feel able to meet the additional bur- then, and had declined to vote any increase

of salary, although, in anticipation of the proposed change of pastorate, they after- wards offered to do so. The refusal of the congregation, at first, to increase the salary, made no change whatever in the hearts of either people or pastor towards each other. Before it was known that the call from the Newark church had been accepted a me- morial, signed by seventy-one ladies of the congregation, was presented to their pastor which closed with these words : " Whether you leave us or remain with us, you may rest assured of our prayers for a blessing on your labors, and our best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of yourself and family."

This memorial fully showed the feeling of love with which their pastor was regarded.

The difficulties attending the discharge of his duties at Newark were of a different character from those which met him at Morristown, but they were of no ordinary kind. The Newark church contained with- in its membership some of the best minds in the State. Dr. Griffin, whom Mr. Rich- ards succeeded, was one of the foremost men in the church. He was eloquent and accomplished and had been most successful. The membership, during his ministry, had doubled ; when he entered the pulpit he found two hundred communicants ; when he left, after eight year's service, it had in- creased to five hundred. All this Mr. Rich- ards knew and fully appreciated. But he trusted in a mightier power than could be afforded by man.

In 1811, the second Presbyterian church was organized in Newark, the new congre- gation being mainly gathered from that to which Mr. Richards ministered. To this new organization Mr. Richards gave not only his full consent, but aided it with ad- vice and counsel. An event happening in the subsequent history of this new church, evinced the wisdoni and true Christian spirit of Mr. Richards. After an absence of six years from Newark, a call was extended to Dr. Griffin to become the pastor of this Second church. This call became the sub- ject of correspondence between the two clergymen, and in all kindness and broth- erly love these two men, differing so mate- rially from each other, labored side by side in the two congregations for several years.

While at Newark he was elected trustee

THE RECORD.

of the College of New Jersey, and in 1812 in the very organization of the Theological Seminary at Princeton he was appointed a director. The position of trustee of the college he held until he removed from the State. In 1815 he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from two colleges, Union and Yale. This was an honor which at the time it was conferred, was a certain evidence of moral and professional worth.

He remained in Newark fifteen years and during that period received many tokens of the respect and confidence with which he was regarded by the church, in addition to those already mentioned. He was for several years secretary of the Educational Society, and took a very deep interest in the American Bible Society, which, in fact, was largely indebted to him for its organi- zation. Several revivals occurred during his ministry in Newark, and the addition of five hundred members to his church marked the faithfulness and fervor of his efforts for the salvation of sinners.

In 1819, Auburn Theological Seminary was organized, and Dr. Richards, as he must now be called, was regarded by its friends and founders as the proper person to fill one of its professorial chairs. One of them was tendered to him very early in the his- tory of the seminary, but was declined. In 1823, however, after a unanimous re-election, he accepted the appointment, and remov- ing there in October of that year, on Octo- ber 29, 1823, his fifty-sixth birthday, he was duly inaugurated professor of Christian theology.

From this date to the time of his death he was engaged in the performance of his duties as professor. While connected with the Seminary, he took a prominent part in all of its various interests, aiding it ma- terially, not only in his Professor's Chair by the tuition afforded to hundreds of students, but by his efforts in various parts of the country to place the seminary in such position with reference to finances, that there should be no fear for its future. In whatever he undertook, for the advan- tage of the institution, he was eminently successful. Before his death the seminary was placed in such a position that its use- fulness in the church was assured beyond a question.

Dr. Richards was not at the head of the Seminary, but his sound judgment, his wise action, and his commanding talents secured him a pre-eminent position in the Faculty. Dr. Richards died at Auburn, Aug. 2nd, 1843, twenty years after his inauguration and in the 76th year of his age. His death was ac- knowledged as a public calamity by the citizens of Auburn, and by the church. Resolutions passed in different parts of the country and by many public bodies, fully attested the estimation in which this emi- nent clergyman was held by all classes.

The personal appearance of Dr. Richards was striking and commanded universal re- spect. In social life he was simple, digni- fied, but courteous withal. Not a stain was ever cast upon his irreproachable character as a man, a citizen, or minister of the Gos- pel. His name is a household word in the families of the church at Morristown. His former parishioners have perpetuated it by giving it to their children. One of the youngest ruling elders of the church to-day bears it, and doubtless it will be borne by many in future generations.

The debt of gratitude our church owes him is great. He found it divided, despon- dent ; he left it strong, united, aggressive. He vivified it by his teachings, edified it by his Christian doctrine, increased its mem- bership, and leading it by his example, in- cited it to every good work.

The memory of James Richards will ever abide with us, cherished as one of our dear- est possessions.

INTEMPERANCE.

The problem connected with this subject is one which must be met by all patriots and Christian philanthopists. No citizen can avoid individual responsibility either by inattention or refusal to act. How shall the problem be solved ? Of course all think- ing men agree that intemperance is an evil and should be repressed. But how shall it be done? No question involves more difficulty than this. Perhaps one part of the difficulty arises from the want of courage. The number of those who are engaged in the business of selling liquors is small as com- pared with the rest of the community. An- other part of the difficulty arises from the want of union among the friends of tempe-

THE RECORD.

rance. Plans for the remedy of the evil of intemperance are too numerous and the proposers of these plans are too strenuous in promoting their pet schemes to admit of that hearty co-operation always necessary for the success of any important measure. If any one plan could be adopted with unanimity and prosecuted with courage there is enough Christian sentiment and Christian ability in the land to accomplish all that is needed in this contest with evil. But indecision on the part of many and dis- union everywhere have paralyzed effort and prevented success.

The strict Prohibitionist proposes simple Prohibition. Refuse to license saloon and tavern ; stop the traffic in liquor at once and entirely ; make the sale of ardent spir- its a crime ; even destroy the very manu- facture of alcohol, says the Radical. As a means to this end he proposes to carry this great moral question into politics, submit all candidates to strict inquiry as to their sentiments, and vote only for those who favor his peculiar views, or else to nominate only those who are pledged to the support of his plan. Another would introduce the growth and culture of the vine, manufac- ture cheap wines and present beverages comparatively innoxious, for common use, at such price that those who require them can easily procure the apparently needed stimu- lants. A third says, control, regulate the traffic, throw around it such safeguards that it may be deprived of its terrific power to brutalize men ; keep it within such bounds that its ability to destroy soul and body may be lessened. Still another says the laws now in force are sufficient for every purpose ; put them in operation, bring to bear upon the retailer of liquor, and all en- gaged in the traffic, every lawful means which the laws afford, to repress the evil ; make saloon and tavern keeper amenable to every provision which is to be found in the Statute Book; there is enough there for all needed purposes ; if the law cannot be enforced, then educate public opinion up to the point where the community will de- mand, imperatively, that the law shall have full force. Still another says, let the exper- iment of putting the present laws in force be fully tested before any other plan be at- tempted. If, after a fair trial be had, the

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History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 36

Author: First Presbyterian Church in Morristown (N.J.) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Morristown, N.J. : "Banner" Steam Print Number of Pages: 942

Author: First Presbyterian Church in Morristown (N.J.)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Morristown, N.J. : "Banner" Steam Print
Number of Pages: 942