History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 66

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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Resolved, That the Deacons and Elders of

this church be a committee for supplying the pulpit-that the said committee be au- thorized to employ any person duly quali- fied to preach the Gospel whether as Sup- plies or Candidates for any time not more than three months, & in order that such service be duly rewarded, the said Commit- tee are directed to prepare and present a subscription to the parishioners of this Con- gregation for the purpose of raising the sum of one hundred pounds or there abouts to be appropriated for the payment of such supplies or Candidates, including the service already performed by the Rev. Mr. Baldwin, & if the sum so raised should not be all ex- pended as above directed previous to the settlement of another minister in this Con- gregation-that such remaining sum shall be disposed of as the Congregation shall hereafter direct, & the sd. Committee are directed to keep an accurate account of their receipts and disbursements & lay the same before the Congregation whenever thereunto required, and, whereas it becomes us as professing Christians always to take notes of & wisely improve the dispensations of Divine Providence & as it is abundantly evident that God is now frowning on us as a Congregation, not only in permitting our pastor to conduct unbecoming his character and profession, but also in suspending those divine influences which are absolutely necessary to the being & continuance of Christian Love and Unity, the lamentable consequences of which obviously appear in the recent divisions & animosities that take place among us, with this view of our situation and in the same measure sensi- ble of our guilt and vileness, our lukewarm- ness, sloth & want of Zeal in the cause of Religion, and of the justice of God in his dealings with us, and of our entire depen- dence on him for every degree of grace, wisdom and prudence ; we think it proper and do agree to set apart the day of this as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer to Almighty God that he would pour out his Spirit upon us and grant us that penitent & forgiving temper of mind that may dispose us to peace and union and that he would direct us in the path of duty in our future endeavours for the settlement of the ministry and perpetuating the Ordi- nances of the Gospel amongst us.

PASTORATE OF THE REV. TIMOTHY JOHNES, D.D.

July 21, 1794. At a meeting of the con- gregation of the first presbyterian Church of Morris-Town for the purpose of determining whether they should give Mr. James Rich- ards a call to become the pasture of this parrish, or to invite him to preach here a longer time upon tryal, and also for the pur- pose of entering into some resolution re- specting the compleating the new meeting house, and for other purposes held July 21 st, 1794.

After singing a psalm and prayer by Dea- con Alling, the congregation appointed as moderator Deacon Alling ; Tobias Bodinot & Mahlon Dickerson, Clerk.

It being moved a pole should be taken in voting for Mr. Richards, a pole was accord- ingly taken by which it was agreed that a call should be preferred to him to become the pasture of this parish, one hundred and forty-two votes being taken for the call and two for inviting him to preach here a longer time upon tryal. Voted that presbytery be requested to write to the congregation of Sagg harbour on Long Island to solicit them to relinquish a part of the time which Mr. Richards is engaged to them, in order that he may return the sooner to this place.

Voted that the sum of four hundred and forty dollars a year be paid to Mr. Richards in regular quarterly payments, that he have the use of the Parsonage, belonging to this Parish (except a small part planted with a nursery of mulberry trees before Col. De- Hart's door) and to be found fire wood so soon as he shall keep house, while he shall continue to do the duty of a preacher of this congregation.

Voted that Mr. Richards be supported in this congregation by a tax to be raised by an obligation for that purpose in the words following, viz :

Whereas on the 21st day of July, 1794, at a Parish meeting of the first presbyterian Church and congregation in Morris-Town duly noticed for that purpose, it was voted that a call be prefered to Mr. James Rich- ards to take on him the pastoral charge of the said Church and congregation, and that as a compensation during the time, that he continue to do the duties of his office as a minister or pasture to the said congregation he shall be paid at the rate of four hundred

and forty dollars per annum in quarterly payments, with the use of the parsonage lands near the meeting house, excepting the small lot that contains the nursery of mul- berry trees, and it being also voted that the said sallary should be raised and levied by the parishoners by way of tax as the law directs the state taxes to be raised, except- ing that four assistants or supervisors an- nually chosen to assist the assessor whose duty it shall be to make such abatements on the tax of individuals as to them shall seem just and equitable in consideration of their being in debt or any particular misfortune or embarrasment of circum- stances.

Therefore we the subscribers sensible of the general utility and importance to our- selves and posterity of supporting the Gos- pel and being desirous that unanimity may subsist, and that the burden of such sup port may be borne as equitable as possible and hoping jointly to participate in the blessings and advantages of the gospel ministry, do hereby bind ourselves to pay the sums that shall be assessed and levied upon us annually to the said Mr. James Richards or to such person or persons as shall be appointed to collect the same, to commence from the time Mr. Richards shall return to supply the said congre- gation, and to be paid quarter yearly during the time he shall continue to do the, duties of a minister to them, and we continue members of the said congre- gation, or until this mode of payment shall be revoked or altered by a majority of the said parishioners, provided that any sub- scribers may within three months after the expiration of any year erase his name by applying to the Clerk of the Trustees. whose duty it shall be to keep this obliga- tion. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names this 22d day of July, 1794.

Voted that Deacon Joseph Pruden and Mr. Jonas Philops be a committee to wait upon Mr. Richards this evening, and inform him of the resolution of this society re- specting him.

Voted that the Elders & Trustees sign the call in behalf of the Congregation to be given to Mr. Richards.

Voted that Messrs. Joseph Lewis, Jonas

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

Stiles, Jonas Philops & Lindley Burnet be directed to circulate the obligation for rais- ing the sallery of Mr. Richards & also the subscription for raising money to finish the new meeting house.

Voted that the obligation dated the 28th of March. 1794, for the support of the min- istry be null and void.

Voted that the managers of the new meeting house be directed to procede to the plastering, glazing and putting in seats this season-& that Silas Condit, Esq., Mr. Benja. Lindsley, Mr. Jos. Lewis, Dr. Johnes,

Mr. Richard Johnson, Mr. George Tucker, Major Kinney, Mr. Jonathan Ogden & Caleb Russell, Esq., be a committee to confer with the managers respecting the same.

April 1, 1795. Ordered that William Cherry be directed to take charge of the parsonage lot & to inform those who owns swine that gits into sd. lot to keep them out or ring and yoke them, in case of non-com- plyance that he kill them after notis if they again trespass, & that he proceed according to law, that he pound horses or cattle in case they trespass contrary to law.

PASTORATE OF THE REV. JAMES RICHARDS, From 1595 to 1800.

MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

May 22, 1795. At a Chh. Session, duly no- tified, May 22d, 1795, Present Deacon Allen, Deacon Pruden, Joseph Lindley, Jonas Philips, Isaac Pruden[1], Samuel Free- man[1], Jesse Cutler[1], Matthias Crane[i] and James Richards, Moderator. The ses- sion being opened with prayer, Bethuel Howard appeared before them and informed them that as he had formerly entered into covenant with this church and received bap- tism for his children he wished to state his case and advise with the session relative to his attendance on the ordinance of the Lord's Supper ; whereupon, having stated his case, it was unanimously agreed that he ought to come forward and attend upon that ordinance.

Mr. Freeman & Mr. Cutler were appointed to converse with the wife of Mr. Howard with respect to her joining in the same or- dinance.

The session adjourned to meet at the usual place of worship on Tuesday afternoon next, at two o'clock, Post Meridian. Con- cluded with Prayer.

June 2. The Ch. Session met according to adjournment. Present Messrs. James Richards, Gilbert Allen, Joseph Prudden, Isaac Prudden, Jonas Philips, Samuel Free- man, Jesse Cutler, & Joseph Lindley, Caleb

Monson, and Ezra Halsey. The session was opened with prayer.

A resolution to this effect was brought forward by one of the members and unani- mously adopted ; Joseph Prudden only dis- senting.

That whereas it had heretofore been the practice of the church to admit all persons having made profession of religion, and who were of good moral character, to the privilege of baptism for their children & to a regular standing in the chh. although they continued to neglect the ordinance of the Lord's Supper; the session, upon ma- ture deliberation, judging this their former practice to be anti-scriptural, and product- ive of evil to the chh. resolved that no per- son for the time to come, who shall be found to neglect the command of Christ to show forth his death in the ordinance appointed for this purpose, shall be considered a mem- ber in good standing with this chh .; or en- titled to the privilege of baptism for his children : that is, so long as he shall con- tinue in the neglect of the above mentioned duty.

Concluded with prayer.

Sept. 3d, 1795. It was also determined that the chh. records should be reviewed, and a more correct account be stated of the names of those who were now members of this church, and subject to its discipline.

Nov. 30, 1795. The sum of four pounds & three pence was brought in by Mr, Crane,

[I] First appearance of these names among elders,

PASTORATE OF THE REV. JAMES RICHARDS.

whh was collected on thanksgiving day for the benefit of poor widows and others not provided for by the town.

The session agreed to distribute this money in the following manner : twenty- four shillings to Joseph W. fifteen shillings to the widow J. fifteen and four pence to the widow H. nine shillings to the widow S. and sixteen shillings and eleven pence to Hannah E.

March 2, 1796. It was proposed by one of the members that some further provision should be made for furnishing the elements of the communion table, and the following resolution upon this subject was agreed to : " That the person employed in procuring bread & wine for the above purpose should be allowed to charge for each communion day, the price of 12 lb. of flour-the price of what wine should be consuned, be the same more or less-and eight shillings for his trouble". Mr. William Jones being present agreed to furnish the elements of the com- munion table upon these terms.

The Session moreover appointed Joseph Lewis treasurer of the funds of the chh. and authorised him to receive the collections made on communion days, and to pay Mr. Jones, or any other person whom the ses- sion may so employ, his account from time to time, agreeably to the above conditions.

Concluded with prayer.

Lord's day Jan. I. 1797. Agreeably to certain acts of the session on the 16th & 22d of December last, the persons who are specified in the minutes of those dates, as candidates for admission to the chh, were solemnly admitted to the communion & privileges of the same, after having made a public profession of their faith in Christ and subjection to his gospel

Dec. 6, 1797. This day was observed by the congregation of Morris town as a day of thanksgiving & prayers ; at which time there was collected for the benefit of poor widows and other distressed persons the sum of £5. 5s. 6d.

Lord's day May 13, 1798. A collection was made agreeably to an appointment of the congregation on the fast of the 9th instant for the benefit of the poor. The sum collected was three pounds.

August, 1798. The session agreed to in- stitute a meeting for special prayer, and to that she' still remained unconvinced, and

invite the Ministers & chh's of Hanover and south Hanover to join with them in this duty, at some place, or places, contigu- ous to each congregation. The first meet- ing they agreed should be held at Jonathan Fords, the 2d Tuesday of Sep'r next at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

Sept. 17, 1798. A petition was made by John B, to the session, for their advice concerning the propriety of his being mar- ried to Polly A. a member of this chh, while he was not legally divorced from his former wife. Upon mature deliberation the session were of the opinion that in present circumstances it would be improper for him to prosecute his intention of marriage, and advised him to desist untill he should obtain a divorce from his former wife ac- cording to the laws of this state. Mr. Rich- ards & Mr. Phillips were appointed to con- verse farther with him and with Polly A. on this subject.

Deacon Allen reported that he had con- versed with the wife of Mr. C. concerning her neglect of the public worship and the Lord's Supper, and that she excused herself by saying that she had no clothes which would be decent to wear in public. Deacon Allen and Mr. Crane were appointed to con- verse farther with her on this subject, and endeavour to convince her that her excuse was insufficient, as her want of clothes was to be attributed, in a great measure, to her want of care and industry and to her extrav- agant use of opium. [Suspended Aug. 12, 1800, for intemperance and neglect of ordin- ances.]

Feb. 5. 1799. Abagail P. a member of this church, being present agreeably to a citation delivered her by Mr. Cutler, was enquired of by the session why she neg- lected public worship and the special ordin- ances of the gospel. To whh she replied that she considered herself as persecuted by the session, and that this made it proper for her to absent herself from public worship. agreeably as she supposed to a command of Cht's, " When you are persecuted in one city, then flee ye to another." After much time was spent in endeavouring to convince her of her error, and dispose her to her duty, she was asked if she had anything further to offer ; she replied that she had not : but

MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

could not comply with what the session judged it to be her duty. The farther con- sideration of her case was defered. [Sent word, May 25, 1801, that she had "joined a congregational church at Blackriver."]

Aug. 19, 1799. Amos P. agreeably to a citation whh had been given him, appeared before the Session, and acknowledged that he had been guilty of the sin of intemper- ance alledged against him by public fame, and professed his grief and sorrow there- fore. Upon whh the Session resolved, that as his offence had been of an open and flagrant kind, whereby the cause of religion had been much dishonored ; he be required to make a public confession of his sin and his penitence before the congregation ; and that the Moderator be requested to draw up a confession suitable to this case, and lay it before the Session for their inspection next Lord's day.

Jan. 1, 1800. This day being held as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, there was collected for the benefit of poor widows and others, the sum of fifteen dollars.

May 11, 1801. It was also agreed that Messrs. Gilbert Allen and Joseph Lindsley be appointed a committee to converse with Wm. C. a member of this chh, with respect to the education of his children, whh has been reported to the session as having been much neglected.

Jan. 1, 1802. This day being observed as a public thanksgiving and prayer, there was collected for the benefit of poor widows and other needy persons, the sum of fifteen dol- lars and seventy cents, which was distrib- uted by the session.

Oct. 1, 1802. It was reported to the ses- sion that I. C. a member of this chh, lived · in neglect of family prayers, and was guilty of unkind treatment towards his wife- whereupon the session agreed that he should be cited to appear before them at their next meeting, and that Mr. Phillips be appointed to deliver the citation.

Thursday, Mar. 24. 1803. Mr. Crane re- ported that the committee of whh he was a member had examined the Treasurer's ac- counts of the communicants' fund, and ; found them kept with care, and that the Treasurer would lay a statement of his accts before the session at their next meeting.

formed the session that John L. had not complied with the order of the session, made in his case the 24th of March last, by confessing his sin before the congregation ; and the session, hearing from another source that the said L. had fallen into the sin of intemperance since that period, therefore resolved, that he be cited to appear before this Judicature at their next meeting, to assign his reasons for neglecting the duty prescribed in his case, and also to answer to the charge of intemperance into whh it is publicly reported he has fallen since the above mentioned date. Mr. Munson was appointed to deliver him the citation ; and to serve him with a copy of the above charges, and the names of the witnesses who would appear against him in support of the case.

The accounts of the communicants' fund being settled to this date, there was found in the hands of Joseph Lewis the Treasurer, due to the communicants of this chh, the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars, in- cluding all the monies collected to this day and the stock purchased by those collec- tions ; which sum, by agreement, is to lie in the hands of the treasurer and to be con- sidered as drawing interest from the date hereof, June 6th, 1803.

Dec. 19, 1803. Naney B. who had fallen into the sin of antenuptial fornication, and thereby greatly dishonored her christian profession, appeared before the session, and expressed a desire to make such satisfaction for her offence as the gospel of Christ re- quired. Whereupon the session, having good hopes or her repentance, resolved that she be permitted to make a public confes- sion of her sin and her penitence for the same, on Friday, the 30th instant, immedi- ately after the lecture preparatory to the Lord's supper ; and, that upon her doing this, she be restored to the communion and fellowship of the chh, from which, by her offence, she has been sometime debarred.

Sept. 2, 1804. [Under this date in Mr. Richards' roll of communicants, the follow- ing is appended, in a foot note, to the names of " Patience, wife of Benjamin Woodruff " and Jane Douglas, widow."] These persons having owned their covenant in Doctor Jones day, did not appear before the ses-

June 6, 1803. The Moderator having in- sion, to give an account of their experi-

PASTORATE OF THE REV. JAMES RICHARDS.

mental acquaintance with religion, nor were they required publicly to profess their faith in Xt by any vow and explicit declaration thereof ; but were admitted to special ordi- nances upon the ground of their former re- lation to the chh.

Nov. 1, 1804. The following statement of James Stevenson had been duly elected communicants' fund was laid before the ses- sion by the Treasurer, which being exam- ined and approved was ordered to be put on file, viz

" Communicants of the Church of Morris- the session. " town.

" Cr. June 6th, 1803, By amnt of " their funds in hands of Joseph

" Lewis Treas'r

" June 6th, 1804, By one year's in- " terest on Do 17.50

" By amt of Collections last

" year £9,8.,9

" From which deduct amt

" p'd for Bread,wine, &c. 6., 9., 8

2., 19., I 7.39

" Total amt Communicants' fund . $274.89 " I acknowledge that there are two hun- " dred and seventy-four dollars and sixty- " nine cents in my hands to be on interest

" the ensuing year, from 6th June. 1804. " JOS. LEWIS."

Jan. 2, 1805. The minutes of the last ses- sion were read. After which the session took into consideration the expediency of having their number enlarged ; and agreed to recommend it to the communicants of

March 9, 1807. Whereas Mr. H. has for the church at their meeting on friday next, a long time lived in neglect of the daily worship of God in his family, as he did not deny but admitted before the Session ; and whereas the Session have at different times, and by various means, endeavored to bring

that two persons should be chosen, who, after being set apart according to the form prescribed in the book of discipline, might officiate as elders in this church. They agreed moreover to propose Uzal Condict him to a sense of his duty on this subject. and David Lindsly as proper persons to be but ultimately without effect ;- therefore, resolved that he be suspended from the sealing ordinances of the gospel untill he repent and return to the practice of his duty. elected for that purpose. [There are no records of the meeting appointed, and neither of the names to be proposed appears among the complete list of elders, recorded at every meeting of Session, until Septem- ber.]

[This year, 1805, Mr. Richards, being only thirty-seven years old, was Moderator of the General Assembly.]

Sep. 11. 1805. 3 o'clock, P. M. Present the Rev. James Richards, Minister ; Messrs

Gilbert Allen, Jonas Phillips, Jesse Cutler and Samuel Freeman, Elders. Absent, Joseph Prudden, Joseph Lindsley, Ezra Halsey and Caleb Munson, Mr. Richards reported to the session that Messrs. Henry Vail, David Lindsly, Zophar Freeman and elders of the Presbyterian church in Morris- town, and regularly set apart to their office ; whereupon it was resolved, that they should be requested to take their seats in

Monday, March 31. 1809. Mr. Vail re- ported that he had conversed with Mr. Ab- ner B. on his neglecting. family prayers, $250.00 and that Mr B. stated to him that he had at length been brought to a sense of his duty on that subject-that he had recently taken up this duty-and was regular and careful in the performance of it -and that he felt himself much indebted to the session for the care and labor they had exercised in his behalf. [He had previously refused compliance.]

July 1, 1806. The Rev. Sam'l Whelpley, formerly a minister in the Baptist church, made application to the Session to be re- ceived into full communion with the church under their care. Whereupon, the session being satisfied, from testimonials laid before them, of his good christian char- acter, and of his regular standing in the church with which he was heretofore con- nected, agreed to receive him, and he was accordingly received.

April 25, 1808. Resolved that Timothy J. Lewis be appointed, and he is hereby ap- pointed, the Treasurer of the communicants fund, in the room of his father Joseph Lewis, resigned.

June 27. 1808. Resolved that no person, professing to belong to any sister church,

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

shall hereafter be admitted to occasional communion in this church, for more than one year, without producing a certificate of regular standing in the church to which such person professedly belongs.

Aug. 18, 1808. Mr. Samuel Miller and his wife Mrs. Jane Miller produced a certificate of their good standing in the presbyterian church at Springfield, and desired admission to a full and regular standing in this church. The Session agreed to receive them. [This is the first appearance, in the minutes of Session, of the names of persons received on certificates ; previously the names of such persons have been found only on the Roll of Communicants. Another fact may be mentioned here. From Jan. 23, 1671, (which see,) when the elders were first made a committee with the Minister, to ex- amine candidates, and the names of candi- dates first appear in the Minutes, it has been the invariable practice in the Rolls to date the admission of communicants on the Sunday when they made public confession of faith, irrespective both of the time of their admission by the Session and of the fact of previous baptism. In this instance the Roll dates the admission of Mr. and Mrs. Miller on Aug. 18; but that of those examined and passed at this same meeting, on Sunday, Sept. 4.]

Oct. 3, 1808. An extract from the min- utes of the Pby [Presbytery] at their last meeting was laid before the Session by the Moderator : which, being read, was ordered to be entered on the minutes, and is as fol- lows :

" Whereas, the General As'by have re- " peatedly enjoined it on the inferior Judi- " catories, to take the most effectual meas- " ures, to obtain complete reports of the " number of communicants and the persons "baptised in the several congregations ; " and whereas, also, the synod has required " them to attend to this business ; and this " Pby has repeatedly enjoined it on the " church sessions under its care to be "punctual in sending up to Pby their an- " nual reports on these subjects ; the Pby "feeling the importance of this subject, " regret that some of their sessions still " sometimes fail to make these reports. " Wherefore, Resolved, that it be again " strictly enjoined on the Sessions under

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History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 66

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