History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 71

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

USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Morristown > History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1 > Part 71

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PASTORATE VACANT.

it: And that commissioners be appointed to present said address and to represent this congregation in that body, at their next meeting, on the subject of Mr. McDowell's removal.

An address was presented by Doctor Lewis Condict, which was read and adopted.

Doctor Condict and Lewis Mills were ap- pointed delegates, to represent this congre- gation in Presbytery at their meeting and present said address. Adjourned.

LEWIS MILLS, CI'k.

Church stoves and fixtures p'd by sub- scription, 1822 :

2 Stoves,

$37.47

Stove pipe and Drums 429n I-I, 53.62

191 I- 23.87

Sundry articles,

15.90

$130.86

II Lamps, $6}

58.75

2 do for Pulpit, 12.00

Sundry articles, 14.35

Cartage of Stoves and Lamps, and Sundry fixtures, and putting up, 38.01

$254.00

4 October, 1823. A Parish Meeting was held, agreeably to notice given from the Pulpit, for the purpose of selling seats and other business.

Mr. Ezekiel Whitehead was chosen Mod- erator and Mr. Lewis Mills, Clerk.

A letter was rec'd from Wm. A. McDowell, in answer to the address presented him by order of the last Parish Meeting, which was read and ordered to be read in church on next Sabbath. [A later hand adds:] This was not done.

Resolved that Mess. John Mills, William A. Whelply, George K. Drake, Henry Vail, Lewis Condict, Gabriel H. Ford, Esq. and Lewis Mills be Committee of Supplies, and that four of them be a quorum to do busi- ness.

Resolved, that the member from Session be instructed to ask Presbytery for supplies for every Sabbath.

Resolved, that the committee shall not pay to any person who may preach for us more than twelve dollars a week or Sabbath.

Tuesday, 7th Oct. 1823. The Trustees met at the Session House ; present, Mr. Ezekiel Whitehead, Pres't, Joseph Cutler, Silas Con- dict, Charles Ford, Silas Pierson, Stephen A. Prudden. Absent, Silas Lindsly.

Resolved, that no seat in church be rented in future without the rent be paid in ad- vance.

Resolved, that Silas Pierson employ some person to make a new Bier of the best white Oak timber.

PASTORATE VACANT, From Oct. 1823, to Feb. 1825. :0:

MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

Nov. 24, 1823. Resolved, that the follow- ing order be entered on the minutes and read in the church at the time of the first communion season in every year, ziz. That those members of this congregation, who are in regular standing in any of our sister churches, and who have communed with this church for the term of one year, be re- quired to procure from those churches a certificate of their regular standing, that their names may be recorded in the list of members of this church.

Dec. 30, 1823, a distribution of the money, which was raised last thanksgiving day for

the poor, was made to the following persons, viz. To the widow G. one dollar ; to the widow E. one dollar and thirty-three cents ; and to J. C. two dollars ; making four dol- lars and thirty-three cents, the amount of the collection.

Jan. 7, 1825, on application gave a Certifi- cate of dismission of Eldership to Mr. Mat- thias Crane, of Union Town, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. [Mr. Crane appears as pre- sent, at a meeting of the Session, for the last time, 29th April, 1805 ; and his name is not included among the absentees after that date, which was probably about the time of his departure from Morristown.]

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

Jan. 21, 1825, on last thanksgiving day there was collection for the poor $12.26.

In Presbytery at Mendham, Oct. 8, 1825. Thus far examined, and approved with the following exceptions, viz.

I. That the Session did proceed to lay charges against, and to cite a person for trial, who was not a member of there church and so not under there jurisdiction. P. 215, [See May 26, 1823.]

2. That the session ought to have ad- judged a heavier censure on Mr. M. for openly violating the sabbath by running his distillery, when the session declared that in their judgment, there was no necessity in the case and it was acknowledged to be his second offence of the same kind. P. 217. [See Aug. 26, 1823.]

3. That it does not appear from the re- cord that they ever inflicted any censure on Mr. M.

4. That they gave a certificate of elder- ship to a person who does not appear from the record to have been a member of the session. P. 228. [See Jan. 7, 1825.]

5. That there are many records made in the book of dismissions of persons to join other churches, when [sic] it does not ap- pear by whom they were dismissed.

6. That the whole record shows a repre- hensible digree of carelessness in doing business ; in writing there minutes; in spelling, and in not recording the first names of the members of session.

J. M. BABBIT, Moderator.

[It is a relief to observe from the hand- writing that Moderator Babbit did not in- scribe the above exceptions. The name of the martinet who wrote them has not been preserved to fame by his own peculiarities of spelling and literary style, nor by his lore of ecclesiastical polity.]

Jan. 24, 1825, Present, Mr. Albert Barnes, Minister ; Mr. Samuel Freeman, Deacon and Elder, Messrs. Henry Vail, Peter A. John- son and Lewis Mills, Eiders. Proceded in reviewing the Records, and in making out a List of Church Members who are now with us.

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

I Nov. 1823. The trustees being called by the President met at Silas Pierson's Store ; present Ezekiel Whitehead, Jos, ball, paint the steeple, put up conductors

Cutler, and Silas Pierson. Absent, Silas Condict, Silas Lindsley, Charles "Ford, and Stephen A. Prudden.

Resolved, that fenders be provided for the preservation of the seats beside the Stoves.

17 May, 1824. A parish meeting was this day held in the Meeting House, to take into consideration the propriety of giving Mr. Hamilton a call ; and such other business as may be necessary to be done.

Mr. Ezekiel Whitehead was chosen moder- ator, and Dayton I. Canfield, Clerk.

A motion was made to adjourn and nega- tived.

A motion was made to hire Mr. Hamilton for two years, which was carried by a major- ity of 65 to 34.

Resolved, that Mr. Lewis Mills, a dele- gate to the General Assembly at Philadel- phia, be authorized to confer with Mr. Hamilton on the subject of Hiring and offer him $1,000 per year. Adjourned.

Mr. Mills did confer with Hamilton who declined the offer.

I July, 1824. Abstract of proceedings at a parish meeting held at the Meeting House this day, pursuant to public notice from the pulpit two previous Sabbaths.

Doct. Lewis Condict, Moderator ; Mr. Peter Freeman, Clerk.

A motion was made by Gabriel H. Ford, Esq., as follows, viz. That a Parish meeting be held in this House, on Tuesday, the 20th July ensuing, at 4 o'clock P. M., for the purpose of making out a call to the Rev'd. Mr. Griswold to the pastoral charge of this congregation. It was determined that this question should be decided by a poll ; and, upon counting the individual votes, it was ascertained that their were eighty-one votes in favour of the motion, and twenty-five op- posed to it. Whereupon it was ordered that the Clerk of the church Session, invite the Rev'd Asa Lyman, and in case of his failure, the Rev'd John G. Bergen, to preside at said Parish meeting, in conformity to the prac- tice of the Presbyterian Church ; and that public notice of said meeting be given from the Pulpit two Sabbaths.

Resolved, that the Trustees be instructed to repair the injury done to the church by lightning on the 24th of June, to gild the

PASTORATE VACANT.

and cause all other necessary repairs to be made, but not to change or alter the form of the steeple. And that the Trustees also procure two good Ladders, of sufficient length to reach the Roof, and one to place upon the roof, depositing them in a secure and convenient place.

20 July, 1824. A Parish meeting was this day held in the Meeting House, to make out a call to the Rev'd Darius O. Griswold to take the pastoral charge of this congrega- tion. The Rev'd Asa Lyman, having been invited for that purpose, was moderator ; and Jacob Mann, Clerk.

A motion was made and seconded that the vote be taken by Poll, which was accord- ingly done, and on recording the names there appeared to be 85 in favor of the call and 40 against it.

The question being put by the moderator, whether those persons in the majority would persist in having a call made out, it was determined by an unanimous vote in the affirmative.

A motion to fill up the call with one thou- sand dollars Sallary pay'l half yearly was decided in the affirmative.

Resolved, that the call made out according to the above resolution be signed by the Trustees.

Resolved, that Mr. Lewis Mills be ap- pointed a commissioner to prosecute the call before Presbytery, if agreed to or ac- cepted by Mr. Griswold.

N. B. Mr. Griswold did accept the call and afterwards declined coming ; his reasons are stated in a letter to Lewis Mills, dated 6 Sept. 1824.

16 Sept. 1824. The Annual Parish Meet- ing was held this day in the Meeting House. Doct. Lewis Condict, Moderator, and Mr. Loammi Moore, Clerk.

The minutes of the last annual meeting were read. Moses Cherry was chosen Sex- ton, his salary and duties to be the same as last year, $62.00.

The report of the Treasurer was read and accepted. Mr. Loammi Moore, Mr. Jos. Cutler and Mr. Frederick King were ap- pointed a committee to employ a chorister for the ensuing year, at a salary not exceed- ing forty dollars.

Resolved that the Trustees cause a collec- tion to be taken up quarterly, to pay the

chorister-the collections to go into the fund and the salary to be paid out of it. Joseph Cutler, whose time as Trustee had expired, and Silas Pierson, who resign- ed, were reappointed Trustees.

Resolved, that the Resolution of the Par- ish passed the 27th Sept., 1823, relative to the impropriety of "calling Ministers of the Gospel from congregations where they are usefully settled, and dwelling in harmony with their people," be rescinded.

Doct. Lewis Condict and Doct. William A. Whelply, two of the Committee of Sup- plies resigned, and Doct. John B. Johnes and Mr. Ezekiel Whitehead were appointed.

The Committee of Supplies now consists of John Mills, Gabriel H. Ford, George K. Drake, Lewis Mills, Henry Vail, John B. Johnes, Ezekiel Whitehead.

Nov. 29th, 1824. A Parish Meeting was held in the meeting house this day, to make out a call to Mr. Albert Barnes to take the Pastoral charge of this congregation. The Rev'd John G. Bergen, having been invited for that purpose, was Moderator, and Loammi Moore, Clerk.

Moved and seconded that the congrega- tion now proceed to choose a Pastor, which was carried, and Mr. Albert Barnes was nominated and unanimously elected to be the Pastor of this congregation.

Resolved by this meeting that the call be filled with the sum of one thousand dollars pr. annum, payable half yearly, and that the Trustees be authorized to sign the call.

Resolved, that Mr. Lewis Mills be ap- pointed a Commissioner to prosecute the call.

Resolved, that an address, read by Doct. Lewis Condict at this meeting, be accepted and that Gab'l H. Ford, Wm. A. Whelply, Peter A. Johnson, Lewis Mills, Ezekiel Whitehead, John Smith and Henry Vail be a committee to confer with Mr. Barnes on the subject of said address.

Jan. 11, 1824. The Trustees met at the session house. Present; Ezekiel White- head, Joseph Cutler, Silas Lindsly, Silas Condict, Charles Ford, and Stephen A. Prudden.

Resolved, that all notes due the Parish of less sum than ten dollars be collected as soon as possible.

Loammi Moore presented following

MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

amounts to the Trustees for allowance, viz :

Mrs. Sarah Ann Pierson, amt. for boarding Mr. Barnes and Sunday Supplys, $24.00

L. Moore's ac. for putting gravle at Church door, 1.75

L. Moore's and Henry Vail's act. for expenses and services to Newark, 5.00 All of which was allowed, and the Trus- tees adjourned.

PASTORATE OF THE REV. ALBERT BARNES. From Feb. 1825, to June 1830.

:0:

MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

Feb. 8, 1825. Presbytery met in this Church for the purpose of ordaining Mr. Albert Barnes, and instaling him Pastor over this Congregation. Rev'd Doct'r John Mc- Dowell preached a sermon from 2d Thessa- loinans, 5th chapter and 12th and first clause of 13th verses : " And we beseech you breth- ren to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake." Rev'd Mr. McGee presided and gave the charge to the Minis- ter. Rev'd Wm. B. Barton gave the charge to the People. The whole exercises of the day were extremely solemn and interesting to a full and crowded audience. [This is in the handwriting of Mr. Barnes.]

Feb. 17, 1825. The session met and was opened with prayer.

Present ; the Rev. Albert Barnes, Mod'r, Messrs. Sam'l Freeman and David Lindsley, Dea's ; Ezra Halsey, Stephen Youngs, Lewis Mills, Henry Vail, Jesse Cutler, Zophar Freeman, Peter A. Johnson, Elders.

Mr. John W. Cortelyou and Mrs. Mary Ann Cortelyou, his wife, made application to be received to the full communion of the church. After conversing with them indi- vidually, and being satisfied with their knowledge, and the evidences of their piety, the Session agreed to receive them.

Mrs. Abby Ann Barnes, wife of the Rev. Albert Barnes, was received by certificate from the church at Fairfield, N. Y.

Resolved, that the Treasurer be directed to purchase a cloth for the communion table.

Resolved, that Stephen Young, Elder, be appointed to attend as a member of Presby- tery on Tuesday, the 22nd inst., at the 2nd church, in Woodbridge.

Concluded with prayer.

[The above is the full record of the first meeting of Session after Mr. Barnes' instal- lation. He acted as clerk throughout his pastorate.]

Feb. 25, 1825. Minutes of the last meet- ing were read. The Session then proceeded according to a standing rule [Dec 25, 1812], to a careful examination of the list of church members.

April 7, 1825. The Treasurer submitted his accounts for examination. Dea. Free- man and Mr. Zophar Freeman, who were appointed to examine them, reported that they found them correct, and that there is a balance in the hands of the Treasurer of $505.96 cts:, for which he gave his note.

Resolved, that Mr. Mills be directed to in- vest $500 of the funds belonging to the church in Morris Bank stock, for the use of the communicants of the church.

Feb. 23, 1826. The Mod'r informed the Session, that on New Year's day there had been collected for the poor the sum of $24.25, which had been duly distributed.

March 16, 1826. The session proceeded to a careful revision of the list of church in em- bers.

May 25, 1826. The Treasurer also report- ed that there is in his possession a table- eloth belonging to the church ; resolved, that it be forwarded to the Charitable So- ciety, with a request that it be presented to some poor member of the church.

Aug. 15. 1826. Resolved, that it be recom- mended to the churchto elect six additional Elders on the Friday previous to the next communion.

Sept. 1, 1826. At a meeting of the church on Friday, the first day of September, the following persons were elected Ruling Eld-

PASTORATE OF THE REV. ALBERT BARNES.

ers : Timothy Tucker, William Enslee, George K. Drake, Jonathan Thompson, S., Jonathan Oliver. And on Sabbath, the first day of October, they were solemnly set apart to the office by prayer.

Dec. 14, 1826. The Mod'r reported that there was collected on Thanksgiving day, the sum of $22.

Jan. 18, 1827. Resolved, that a collection for the poor members of this church be taken up on each Sabbath before com- munion.

Resolved, that Mr. Mills be a committee to sell the tankard and plates now used in the communion service, and to purchase new ones made of silver ; and that he be au- thorized to loan money to defray the ex- pense of the above purchase, and to give his note as Treasurer of Session.

Mar. 19, 1827. The Treasurer reported that there was taken up on the Sabbath previous to the last communion, for the poor, the sum of $12.52. Resolved, that the collection for the poor members of the church hereafter be taken up on the com- munion Sabbath.

Nov, 1, 1827. Agreeable to a standing rule, the Session proceeded to a careful re- view of the list of church members.

Nov. 6, 1827. The Session spent consid- erable time in conversing on the present state of the church and congregation, and their own duties under existing circum- stances.

Nov. 14. 1827. The Session spent some time in conversation on the state of religion in the church and congregation. On mo- tion, resolved, that the Session will hereafter hold a meeting monthly for prayer and con- versation on the state of the church, and that the next meeting for this object be on tuesday, the 4th of Dec. next, at 2 o'clock P. M.

Jan. 1, 1828, on motion, it was ordered, that the poor members be, according to the primitive practice, considered as under the peculiar care of the Deacons of the church ; that the funds collected for their benefit be put into the hands of the Deacons ; and that they be required to report annually to the church the wants of the poor, and the dis- tribution made of the funds.

[Session began again to divide funds to

the poor at regular meetings, as soon as Mr. Barnes left, Sept. 7, 1830.]

On motion, resolved that the Moderator be requested to prepare and publish a list of the members of the church, and such notices of its past history as he may be able to procure.

Feb. 5, 1828, The Moderator presented a "Manual" for the use of the church, accord- ing to the resolution of the last meeting, which, after being partly read, was deferred to the next meeting.

Feb. 21, 1828. The Mod'r read to the Ses- sion a part of the Church Manual directed by them, containing Articles of Faith, which was approved, and ordered to be used in ad- mitting members to the church.

March 10, 1828, on motion, it was resolved that the Moderator be requested to receive the Manual now printing, and the bill, and purchasee 200 copies of "Essays on Intem- perance," for the purpose of distribution among the members of this church, in the following manner, viz, that every member be presented with one Manual, and every family where there is a member with one copy of the Essays. Resolved, that the Treasurer sell one share of Bank stock to defray the above expenses.

On motion, resolved that the Moderator be requested to call the church together at such times as may be convenient in the months of April, July, October and January, for the purpose of mutual prayer and ex- hortation.

Dec. 2, 1828, Resolved that the Session endeavor to visit all the families in the con- gregation previous to the next monthly meeting. The Session proceeded to divide the congregation for the purpose of visiting, and adjourned to the first tuesday in Jan'y, 1829. [For about a year-see extract from Minutes of Nov. 14, 1827-the Session had met monthly "for prayer and conversation on the state of the church ;" now they pro- pose this thorough visitation. In the fol- lowing Feb. began the first large ingather- ing of the revival that continued till the end of Mr. Barnes' pastorate.]

Jan. 6, 1829, on inquiry it appeared that the congregation had been generally visited since the last meeting.

Mar. 3, 1829, The Session spent the after-

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

noon in singing, prayer and conversation on the state of religion, and then adjourned.

[This entry appears in the Minutes of nearly every subsequent meeting during Mr. Barnes' pastorate.]

June 8, 1830, The Pastoral relation between Albert Barnes and the congrega- tion of Morris-Town was dissolved by the Presbytery of Elizabeth-Town, at a meeting at Westfield, June 8, 1830. [This minute is in Mr. Barnes' hand-writing.]

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

Sept. 12th, 1825. The annual Parish Meet- ing was held this day in the meeting house. Doct. Lewis Condit, Moderator ; Doct. John B. Jones, Clerk.

The minutes of the last Parish Meeting were read. The following persons were nominated and appointed Trustees, viz : Silas Condict, Ezekiel Whitehead, Charles Ford, Stephen A. Pruden, Loammi Moore and David Day, Esq. Moses Cherry was appointed Sexton, to receive the same sal- ary as last year, viz : $62.00. The report of the Treasurer was read and accepted.

Doct, Wm. A. Whelply, Ezekiel White- head and John B. Jones was appointed a committee, to employ a corrister for the year, and to pay him any sum of money for his services, not exceeding fifty dollars, to be paid out of the parish funds ; also that the committee enquire, and report at the next Parish Meeting, whether it is expedi- ent to procure and place in this church an organ to lead, instead of a corrister, the sacred music.

Resolved, that notice be given from the pulpit for two Sabbaths preceeding the next Parish Meeting, to be held four weeks from this date, to take into consideration the propriety of compensating the Rev'd Darius O. Griswold for losses sustained in conse- quence of his refusing a call from this con- gregation, and for raising the assessments on the seats and pews in the church. Ad- journed.

Oct. 10th, 1825. The adjourned Parish Meeting was held this day in the meeting house.

Doct. Lewis Condit, Moderator ; Lewis Mills, Clerk.

ish Meeting to lay an additional assessment on the seats and pews in the house of one pr. ct., was lost by a large majority. Also the resolution to pay Mr. John Mills out of the parish funds, money advanced by him in building the session house was lost. Like- wise the resolution to pay the Rev'd D. O. Griswold for losses, said to have been sus- tained by him in preparing to remove to this place, was rejected by a united vote.

The committee appointed at the last Par- ish Meeting, to enquire into the expediency of placing an organ in the church, not be- ing present did not report, and were dis- charged from further duties. Res'd, that a collection be taken up on every Sabbath morning, after service, for the use of the congregation for one year.

Resolved, that the Rev'd Albert Barnes be requested to purchase a Bib'e for the use of the pulpit at the expense of the congre- gation.

The following persons were nominated and appointed to take up the collection in the gallery, viz: Jonathan Condict, John G. Conkling and Elijah Oliver.

Sept. 13th, 1826. The annual Parish Meeting was held this day in the meeting house.

Edward Condict, Esq'r, was chosen Mod- erator, and Jabez Mills, Clerk.

The minutes of the last Parish Meeting was read, and the following person, viz : Mr. Joseph Cutler was appointed Trustee for the ensuing year. The Treasurer's re- port was read and accepted, and Moses Cherry appointed Sexton for the ensuing year at the same as last year, viz : Sixty- two dollars.

Res'd, that a committee of five persons be appointed, to superintend the singing in the church, whereupon the following persons was appointed, viz : Jonathan J. Oliver, John B. Jones, Edwin Ford, Matthew G. Lindsley and Jonathan Pierson.

Resolved, that the above committee be empowered to employ a chorrister and pay him any sum of money, by order on the Treasurer, not exceeding forty dollars pr. annum. Resolved, that a collection quar- terly to defray the above expense of chor- rister, and that Jeduthan [Condict ?], Amos

The minutes of the last Parish Meeting was read, and the resolution of the last Par- | Pruden, Aaron Bunnel and Ira Pruden, be

PASTORATE OF THE REV. ALBERT BARNES.

appointed to take up the collection in the gallery. Adjourned.

Sept. 17th, 1827. The annual Parish Meet- ing was held this day in the meeting house, pursuant to due notice given. Joseph Cut- ler was chosen Moderator, and Jabez Mills. Clerk. The minutes of the last meeting was read, and the following persons were appointed Trustees, viz : Ezekiel White- head, Silas Condict, Loammi Moore, Edward Condict, Charles Ford and Stephen A. Prud- den. The Treasurer's report was read and accepted. Moses Cherry was appointed Sexton, with the same salary as last year, $62.00. The same committee was appointed to arrange the singing as last year. The following Resolutions were adopted, and ordered to be recorded on the minutes, viz :

Res'd, that the Singing Committee shall not pay out, or order to be paid, any sum of money to a chorrister exceeding forty dollars. Resolved, that it be the duty of the Trustees, at the Annual Parish Meeting, to exhibit a statement of all the funds and property of the Parish, in such form as to show how much has been added, or taken from, the funds the past year, and for what ; also the amount of money collected on the seats. Adjourned.

Septem. 18th, 1829. The annual Parish Meeting was held in the meeting house, pursuant to due notice given. Edward Con- dict, Esq., was chosen Moderator, and Ira C. Whitehead, Esq., Clerk.

The minutes of the last Parish Meeting were read. The Treasurer's report was read and accepted. The meeting proceeded to the appointment of six Trustees, whereupon Ezekiel Whitehead, Dr. John B. Jones, Loammi Moore, Stephen A. Prudden, John W. Cortelyou and Charles Ford was ap- pointed.

Resolved, that three persons, to-wit: Ezekiel Whitehead, John B. Johnes and Loammi Moore be appointed the Singing Committee for the ensuing year.

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History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 71

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