History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 74

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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TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

this conclusion almost unanimously ; that at the present prices of all the necessaries of life, it is expedient and necessary to raise the salary of our Pastor to the sum of $1,200 per year.

If the congregation adopt this recom- mendation, of course it will be necessary to increase the rents upon the seats. The pre- sent assessment of 72 per cent upon the first valuation, after deducting bad debts and other casualties, produces a revenue of about seven hundred dollars. This sum with about $120, which is about the inter- est accruing from the funds on hand, is all the means to be relied on for the payment of the salary.

The insufficiency of the assessment to de- fray current expenses has compelled the Trustees for many years to apply a portion of the principal annually to meet their en- gagements with the minister. In this way the funds have been reduced from about $6,000 to about $2,000, and the whole must be soon exhausted, unless the deficiency be supplied by other means. It will be wise in us to meet this contingency at once, and save the remnant of this small fund rather than permit it all to vanish.

This can done only by laying at once such an assessment as shall support the minister and keep the house in repair. And so numerous is this congregation, that if we should double the pew rents, our contribu- tions for the stated ministrations of the gospel would still be less than is paid by many of our neighbours. We believe that the parishioners of New Vernon, Bottlehill, Whippany and of many other Churches pay treble the sum in pew rents, that are paid be the parishioners of this congregation.

And if this congregation shall be so blessed of Providence as to obtain a Pastor of eminent talents, well qualified for all the duties of his sacred office, we have no doubt that the vacant seats will soon be filled and the tax become less burdensome.

Such are the views and opinions your Session, Trustees, and committee of supply entertain upon these points, which are so intimately connected with the peace and welfare of the congregation. With our united prayers, we commend its interests to the great Head of the Church, trusting and confiding in him to preserve us in

peace, in harmony and in the bonds of Christian fellowship and brotherly love. By order of the joint committee of Ses- sion, Trustees, and Committee of Supply.

Ezekiel Whitehead, )

(Signed) June 28th, 1836. President of Trustees. Board

The above communication having been read, after much deliberation it was,

Resolved unanimously, that this Parish meeting approve of the address from the joint committee of the Session, the Trus- tees, and the Committee of Supply, which has just been read, and that we cordially adopt the sentiments therein expressed.

Resolved, That the salary hereafter to be paid to the Pastor of this congregation be $1,200 per annum. and that the Trustees be instructed to increase the present rate of assessment from time to time at their dis- cretion, not exceeding in the whole

percent. upon the original valuation of the seats. Adjourned.

Morristown, August Ist 1836. A meeting of the congregation was this day held to consider the expediency of presenting a call to the Rev. James W. Adams of Syra- cuse, New York. Rev. Clifford Arms of Madison being moderator of the Meeting.

After much deliberation it was on motion,

Resolved, with but two dissentient votes, [John Smith and Charles Ford,] that a call be made out to the Rev. J. W. Adams of Syracuse, New York, and that the congre- gation tender to him a salary of $1,200 per annum.

Resolved, That Messrs. Richard W. Stites and Peter A. Johnson be a committee to prosecute the call.

Sept. 15, 1836. The Annual Parish Meet- ing was this day held in the church. Dr. Lewis Condict being appointed Chairman, the minutes of the last An. Meeting were read and approved.

The following gentlemen were then nom- inated and appointed to office.

R. W. Stites, Clerk.

Ezekiel Whitehead, Silas Condict, Wil- liam Sayre, Jun., Loammi Moore, Rich'd W. Stites, Joseph Cutler, and Edward Con- dict, Trustees.

Asher Carter, Chorister.

Moses Cherry, Sexton.

It was resolved, that the Trustees ex-

PASTORATE OF THE REV. ORLANDO L. KIRTLAND.

amine the Parish wood and sell such part | Whereupon it was Resolved, That a con- of it as they may think advisable.

The following is an abstract of the Treasurer's report, which was read and ac- cepted.

Amount of principal and interest received by L. Moore on Bonds, Notes and Salary (and pew rent) for the year ending 12th Sept. 1836.

Cash for Salary, 953.724 do. for Notes & Int., 956.40

$1,910.124

Amount of expenses paid, to-wit : Sal- ary, Rev.Mr. Hoov- er, Sexton, Choris- ter, Repairs of the Church, &c., $1,858.124

Balance due the Parish, Memorandum.

52.00

There remained due the Parish on Bonds and Notes with interest on the same to the 12th Sept., 1836, $2,191.19}, $1,985.28 being principal, and 202.91} being Interest.

There remains due the Parish for salary $1,517.17 as of the 12th Sept. Inst., $690.08, arrears of years past.

The amount of wood sold Dec. 11, 1835, was $282.00

Upon the receipt of a letter from the Rev. J. W. Adams of Syracuse, declining to ac- cept of the call made him by this congrega- tion, a meeting of the male members of the congregation was held in the Session Room,

mitte of two be appointed to visit the Rev. J. W. Adams and converse personally with him upon the subject of accepting the call made him, and that the expenses of that committee be defrayed by the church.

Resolved, That Ezekiel Whitehead and R. W. Stites be that committee.

Dec. 15, 1836. A meeting of the congre- gation took place this day in the Church. Mr. Lewis Mills in the chair. A resolution was offered and carried unanimously that a Parish meeting be called on Monday the 19th Inst. to make out a call for the Rev. O. L. Kirtland to become our settled pas- tor. An adjournment then took place.

Dec. 19, 1836. A Parish meeting was held this day according to appointment, and the Rev. A. Chester, who was expected to act as moderator of the meeting. being suddenly indisposed, Ira C. Whitehead, Esq. was called to the chair and the meet- ing opened with prayer. A resolution was then offered, that a call be made out to the Rev. O. L. Kirtland, of Philadelphia, to be- come our pastor, and upon the vote being counted, there were fifty-two yeas and twelve nays.

Likewise, Resolved, that the blank in the Salary be filled up with the sum of Twelve Hundred dollars. It was ordered that the Trustees of the church sign the call, and that Stephen A. Pruden, Loammi Moore and R. W. Stites be a committee to prosecute the call. Adjourned.

PASTORATE OF THE REV. ORLANDO L. KIRTLAND,

From March, 1837, to Aug., 1840.

:0:

MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

Orlando L. Kirtland was called to be- come Pastor of the Church and Congrega- tion by vote of the congregation passed Dec. 19, 1836.

Entered upon his labors in pursuance of the call, Jan'y 13, 1837.

Was Installed by the Presbytery of Eliza- bethtown, March 23, 1837. Installation ser- mon by Rev'd John C. Hart of Springfield, charge to the Pastor by Rev'd Joseph M. Ogden of Chatham Village, charge to the People by Rev'd Clifford S. Arms of Madi- son. [This introductory note is in the hand-

MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

writing of Mr. Kirtland, who evidently acted as Clerk during his Pastorate.]

April 2, 1837. Session met in the inter- val of Divine worship and appointed Lewis Mills a member of the Presbytery to meet at Rahway on the 3rd tuesday of this month.

Resolved, that hereafter members of ses- sion attend Presbytery in Alphabetical or- der, and that if any one in his turn fail to attend he shall procure a substitute.

Members of Session all present except P. A. Johnson, who sent word that he was unwell and could not tarry with them.

April 24, 1837. Session spent the after- noon in examining the list of church mem- bers. At the conclusion of the examination they found that they could report no more than 450 members to the General Assem- bly, as now in communion with the church. With some individuals, included in this number, the Session were not sufficiently acquainted at present to decide whether they are now in communion with us or not.

Nov. 1, 1837. Resolved, that the treas- urer, Stephen A. Prudden, procure a suita- ble book for keeping the records of the Deacons.

Resolved, that Session will meet on the first tuesday of every month, at the house of the Pastor, for united prayer and con- sultation on the state of religion in their own hearts and in the Church.

S .* J .* , having in a written note request- ed Session to allow him, on certain terms which be prescribed, to withdraw from this church for the purpose of uniting with a Unitarian Church in the City of New York, assigning as his reasons therefore, a change in his religious views and sentiments ; Re- solved that his request be not granted.

Whereas complaints have long and ex- tensively prevailed against S .* J .* for en- tertaining and publishing sentiments at va- riance with our confession of Faith, espec- ially on the doctrine of the Trinity, and the other doctrines of the bible necessarily re- sulting from that ;

cease to publish his objectionable senti- ments ;

And whereas he is reputed to have con- tinued his efforts, and that too with no lit- tle zeal, to disseminate those same senti- ments, among our youth and other mem- bers of the church ;

And whereas he is further reputed to have published a book entitled "Two Short Arguments," in which he has attempt- ed to disprove and hold up to ridicule the Doctrines of our church in relation to the Holy Ghost ; and whereas he has given no- tice of an intention to publish two other books in opposition to the doctrine of the Trinity ;

Therefore Resolved unanimously, that he be cited on the grounds of Common Fame to appear before Session to answer to the following charges.

I. Denying the personality of the Holy Ghost, and ridiculing the views entertain- ed of him by the Presbyterian Church.

2, Denying and deriding the Doctrine of the Trinity as set forth in our Confes- sion of Faith at Ch. II. Sec. III.

3. Attempting to draw away our youth and others from the doctrines of our church, by publishing his views and feelings in op- position to the same.

Feb. 6, 1838. Stephen A. Prudden [the Treas. of Session] was instructed to furnish three boxes for the purpose of taking up collections in the gallery, and to defray the expenses from the church funds.

Resolved, that Jonathan D. Marvin, Sam- uel J. Doty and John J. Guerin be appoint- ed to circulate the boxes for taxing up col- lections in the Gallery.

March 7, 1838. The whole afternoon was spent in examining and endeavouring to correct the list of members, in enquiring after the absent, and in considering whether any, and if any, what cases require the dis- cipline of the church. A list was made of those whose names are still found upon our records but who are known to have remov- ed from our bounds, or whose present loca- tion is wholly unknown to Session, amount- ing to one hundred and twenty-two. Of this list it was agreed that each member of Session should take a portion and make diligent enquiries, for ascertaining if possi-

And whereas Session have formerly la- bored with him on that point, and several months since commenced a process against him, which they dismissed on certain con- ditions, one of which was that he should | ble, everything which it is important for

PASTORATE OF THE REV. ORLANDO L. KIRTLAND.

Session to know in relation to the persons concerned.

May 1, 1838. The Moderator reported that the following items had been reported to Presbytery for the year ending with the second tuesday in April last, viz :

Added to this church, on Confession 12, by letter 24, total 36. Dismissed 26, died 12, excluded I. Total now in communion ex- clusive of a number whose names are upon our records but for whom Session cannot account 453. Baptized, adults 2. Infants 21, total 23.

David Lindsley and Amos Prudden ap- peared before Session as a Committee from the church at New Vernon, requesting that, as their church was formed from ours, they might receive a part of the church fund which belongs to our church and which was raised previous to their remov- al from us. The Committee having been heard on the subject of their request resolv- ed that further action on the subject be de- ferred till a future meeting of Session.

June 5, 1838. The application from the church at New Vernon having been con- sidered, it was resolved unanimously, to recommend to the church at its next quar- terly meeting that they appropriate fifty dollars from the church fund to the use of the church at New Vernon. [The italics are Mr. Kirtland's; was he sarcastic? or only emphatic ?]

July 26, 1838. At a meeting of the church, the application from New Vernon was pre- sented before them, together with the action of Session upon the same. Whereupon it was resolved unanimously that One hun- dred dollars from the Church fund be ap- propriated to the use of the church at New Vernon, and that the Treasurer be author- ized to transfer to them that amount from the funds in Bank.

Sept. 30, 1838. Resolved that Peter A. Johnson, Lewis Mills, Stephen A. Prudden and John R. Freeman be a committee to prepare for the reception and entertainment of the members of the next Synod. [First O. S. Synod after division of Church.]

Feb. 4, 1839. A message was received from Timothy Tucker, a member of Session, who has long been detained from the meet- ing of Session, stating, that as he is still very feeble and declining, it is probable

that he never can meet with them again, and requesting to be remembered in their prayers.

Resolved, that the several members of Session, without any public notice upon the subject, will, each in his own neighbor- hood, commence a course of religious visits in the different families, and report at the next meeting of Session.

Feb. 21, 1839. A number of the members of Session reported, that they had spent some time in visiting the families in their vicinity, as proposed at the last meeting, and that they were encouraged to go for- ward in the work.

April 2, 1839. The list of church mem- bers was reviewed for the purposes of cor- rection, and of ascertaining if any cases re- quired the attention of Session. The mod- erator reported that he had ascertained that 55 of of those included in the list re- ferred to [in the minute of March 7, 18 38,] were either dead or dismissed. Several of the residue have removed to remote places, and of several others he has yet obtained no information.

May 28, 1839. Moderator reported also that the following items had been re- ported to Presbytery for the year ending April, 1839, viz : Added to the church, on Certificate 24, On Examination 13, Total 37, Died 13, Dismissed 12, Total in communion, exclusive of some whose names are on our list but for whom Session connot account, 463. Baptized, Adults 4, Infants 13, Total 17. Amount of Contributions to different benevolent objects, $2,263.99.

June 4, 1839. The Treasurer, Stephen A. Prudden, presented his Annual report, from which it appears, that the fund in Bank, consists of Nine shares, ($450.) and $33.23 of Dividends, in all $483.23.

Aug. 26, 1840. At the request of O. L. Kirtland, the pastoral relation between himself and the Congregation was dissolved by the Presbytery of Elizabethtown. [None of the trouble between Mr. Kirtland and some of the Congregation appears in the minutes of Session.]

PARISH AND TRUSTEES.

Sept. 21st, 1837. The Annual Parish Meeting was this day held in the church, and Dr. Lewis Condict being called to the

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

chair, the meeting proceeded to the election of the following officers for the present year.

R. W. Stites, Parish Clerk.

Messrs. Ezekiel Whitehead, Silas Condict, W.m. Sayre, Jun., Loammi Moore, R. W. Stites, Joseph Cutler, and Edward Condict, Trustees.

Asher Carter, Chorister.

Moses Cherry, Sexton.

The Treasurer, Mr. L. Moore now read his report, which was accepted.

The following is an abstract of the same : Dr.

To Bal. due Parish 12 Sept , 1837, $52.33}

To Cash Rec'd for Salary, 618.35}

Do. Rec'd for Notes, and Int., on Bonds and Notes, 304.53

975.22}

To Balance due Parish,

51.01}

Cash pd. Expenses including

Semi-annual Salary of Minister, Balance of Acct.,

$924.21

51.014

975.22}

There remained due the Parish in Bonds and Notes with int. on the same to the 12th inst., $2,588.61 ;-- 2,338.57 being principal, and $250.04 interest.

There remains due the Parish for salary, $1,940.78, as of the 12th Sept., Inst. and $838.10, arrears of years past.

The amt. of wood sold 6 Dec., 1836, $511.20.

The following Resolution offered by Ira C. Whitehead, Esq., was carried unani- mously.

Resolved, That the Treasurer of the Parish be required to make out and deliver to the Trustees annually, at least one week before the Annual Parish Meeting, a parti- cular account and inventory of the Bonds, Notes, and other securities for Monies due the Congregation, with the amount due on each up to the 12th Sept. of each year ; which inventory the Trustees are hereby required, after they have been examined and approved of by them, to deliver to the Parish Clerk, to be filed with the other pa- pers of the Parish.

Mr. L. Moore handed in to the meeting a letter containing " Proposals on the part of

the Board of Managers of the Morristown Fire Association to the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church," which are that they are " willing to release the assessment on the church property under the following conditions, viz : The Trustees of the church to build or cause to be built a reservoir of water of some hundred Hogsheads, the Trustees giving the right to the association to enter and use the water at all times for the purpose of extinguishing fires."

It was resolved that the above paper be referred to the Trustees of the church and that they be authorized to act as they think proper for the benefit of the church.

Also Resolved, That the Trustees be au- thorized to take measures immediately to stop all of the leaks about the Steeple, and to repair the walls injured by said leaks.

On motion of Mr. Z. Conklin it was re- solved, that the Treasurer be required to make up to the Rev. Messrs. Sym and Free- man, a sum equal to ten dollars pr. Sabbath for each and every Sabbath they supplied the pulpit during our vacancy. Adjourned.

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 1837. At a full meeting of the Board of Trustees held at Mr. L. Moore's house, and the resolution concern- ing the adding to the compensation of the Rev. Messrs. Sym and Freeman for supply- ing the pulpit during the vacancy being under consideration, it was resolved unani- mously, that some doubts being entertain- ed whether said resolution was a fair ex- pression of the will of the Parish, they, the Trustees, do hereby advise the Treasurer not to act in the matter until another ex- pression of the Parish is obtained. The Trustees are of the opinion that there are other gentlemen who supplied the pulpit equally entitled to an addition to their com- pensation, but who received no more than the Rev. Gentlemen above named.

It was further resolved, that Col. Cutler be a committee to stop the leaks about the church Steeple.

Also, that Col. Cutler and Mr. Silas Con- dict be a committee to examine the wood belonging to the church, and to sell any portion of it they may think in a fit state to cut.

Morristown, Sept. 18, 1838. The Annual Parish Meeting was this day held in the church ; Dr. Lewis Condict in the chair,

PASTORATE OF THE REV. ORLANDO L. KIRTLAND.

The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and accepted.

The Treasurer's annual account was then read and accepted, of which the following is an abstract :

Bonds and Notes due the parish, $2,161.26

Interest thereon due, 277.98

Dr.

L. Moore, Treasurer, to cash re- ceived for salary, notes,inst., &c., $1,241.07 Cr.

L. Moore, Treasurer, sundry ex- penses pd. as per Acct., 1,280.52}

Leaving a balance due the treas- urer of $39.45

There was due the Parish in Bonds and Notes with interest to the 12th Sept., Inst., $2,534.83 (including Wm. Knight's note un- paid,) to-wit, $2,248,96 principal, and $285.87, Inst.

There was due on the 12th Inst., for salary 1,993.20 ;- 890.42, arrears of years past.

The following gentlemen were then ap- pointed Trustees for the ensuing year : Ira C. Whitehead, Dr. J. B. Johnes, Wm. Sayre, J. W. Poineer, L. Moore, Edward Condict. Jabez Mills.

For Chorister, Asher Carter, with a sal- ary of One hundred dollars pr. annum.

For sexton, Moses Cherry, salary, Sixty- two dollars.

For Parish Clerk, R. W. Stites.

Col. Cutler was appointed a committee, in conjunction with two of the trustees, to ex- amine and sell as much of the wood of the parish as they thought stood in need of . being cut.

The following resolution offered by Mr. I. C. Whitehead was passed, "That the Treasurer be instructed to pay to Mrs. Elizabeth Russel twelve dollars, being the sum paid by her for clearing out the brush and shubbery from the grave yard. And that it shall be the duty of the Sexton under the direction of the Trustees, to pre- vent the further spread of bushes and shrubbery by clearing out and cutting them away every spring and fall season."

lease for it, as the parish may loose the ground by her claiming by right of posses- sion."

The resolution offered by Mr. Z. Conklin at the last annual parish meeting," that the treasurer be required to make up to the Rev. Messrs. Sym and Freeman a sum equal to ten dollars pr. sabbath, for each and every sabbath they supplied the pul- pit during our vacancy," was recinded.

Mr. P. A. Johnson presented a written request that the parish would appoint a committee to adjust and settle the difference between himself and the parish, in reference to their united line and the fence thereon, whereupon it was resolved that the whole business be referred to the Trustees.

Morristown, Sept. 18, 1838. Trustees met at the office of Ira C. Whitehead, and after being duly sworn into office proceed- ed to the appointment of officers for the en- suing year.

Ira C. Whitehead, Esq., was elected Presi- dent of the board and J. W. Poineer, Clerk.

Resolved, That hereafter in the appoint- ment of Committees, the President appoint two of the board unless otherwise directed. The President appointed Messrs. Moore and Poineer the committee to attend to the af- fairs of the house of worship and the Lec- ture Room, to have all necessary repairs and improvements done.

On motion, Messrs. Condict, Johnes, Sayre and Poineer were appointed a com- mittee to act on the memorial of Peter A. Johnson, presented at the Annual Parish Meeting; and also the resolution in relation to the Parish land within the enclosure of Mrs. Elizabeth Cobb.

Messrs. Moore and Whitehead were ap- pointed a committee to examine the wood land belonging to the parish and sell as much as they may think necessary.

Resolved, That the clerk of the Board procure a book in which to enter the min- utes of the proceedings of the Trustees ; the Board adjourned to meet at this place on Saturday next at 5 o'clock P. M.

Saturday, Sept. 22, 1838. Trustees met according to adjournment. Present, Messrs. Whitehead, Condict, Johnes, Sayre, Mills, Moore and Poineer.

The following resolution was then adopt- ed, "Resolved, That the Trustees of the congregation be required to ascertain the line between the church property and Mrs. Elizabeth Cobb, so that if the parish own Resolved, That the Trustees now pro- her door yard, she be required to sign a ceed to the election of Treasurer, by Ballot,

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

for the ensuing year ; whereupon counting the votes, Mr. Jabez Mills had four votes and Wm. B. Johnston two votes, and there- upon Mr. Mills was declared duly elected Treasurer for the ensuing year.

The Trustees finding upon the record of the Parish book a resolution, that the Trea- surer should give Bonds for the faithful performance of his duties; Mr. Mills having tendered to the Trustees a Bond, agreeably to the above resolution, with Ira C. White- head and I. W. Poineer as his securities, it was Resolved, that the same be accepted and left in the hands of the President of the Board for safe keeping.

Resolved, that Loammi Moore the late Treasurer be requested to deliver over to Mr. Jabez Mills all the Bonds, Notes, Obli- gations, and securities for money in his hands belonging to the congregation, and also all the Books, deeds, and other papers in his hands as late Treasurer.

Resolved, that Jabez Mills be requested to deliver to Mr. Moore a copy of the above resolution.

October 22, 1838. Trustees met accord- ing to request of President. Present, Messrs. Whitehead, Mills, Sayre, and Poineer.

Resolved, that the Treasurer proceed to collect all notes due the Parish of Fifty Dollars and under ; and those notes which the drawers cannot conveniently pay the same, that they be requested to give their notes payable at the Bank.

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History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 74

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