History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 79

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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of desire that he should remain the Pastor of the church. The disorder in the church has not been reached in the result of those meetings ; no expression as to it, no plan of adjustment, no security for the future, have been suggested by these meetings.

So has the Pastor been left to feel that he was without that support for his ministerial station from people and elders, which he had a right to expect and which, from his fearfully great responsibility and unceasing pressure of labour as the Pastor of this people, is essential to the comfort and use- fulness of his ministry among them.

4. The above, added to complaint and dissatisfaction in matters in which he sees no reason to change, and would not change under similar circumstances, were felt to be most unreasonable, and given in no small degree, have during months past de- stroyed the comfort of the Pastor's ministry, impaired his hopes of future usefulness, and after the most solemn and continued sup- plication for Divine Guidance, compeled him to feel it his duty to ask the appoint- ment of commissioners.

For these, as the main reasons, I ask the appointment of commissioners to unite with me in asking from the Presbytery of Elizabethtown a dissolution of the Pastoral relation between me and this church.

Morristown, N. J. ALEX'R R. THOMPSON.

July 7, 1847."

It was ordered by the meeting that the above communication be laid on the table, and recorded by the Clerk in the book of minutes.

To a resolution offered by Dr. Condict, the following was offered as an amendment and cried : Whereas, this meeting has been called, at the request of our Pastor, to appoint commissioners to unite with him in an application to Presbytery, to dissolve the pastoral relation now existing between him- self and this congregation ; Resolved : [Ist,] That Richard W. Stites, Jonathan D. Marvin, Ezra Mills, Theodore Little and Peter B. Shafer, be, and they hereby, are appointed commissioners to represent this congrega- tion in Presbytery, to be called on the ap- plication of our Pastor, for the purpose of ef- fecting such dissolution of the pastoral rela- tion now existing between himself and this congregation. [2d,] That, inasmuch as our

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TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

Pastor has requested this meeting to be | the original resolution offered by Dr. Con- called, after having been twice assured by dict having been withdrawn. the session and Trustees that the congrega- Resolved, That tion does not desire a dissolution of the pas- be, and they are hereby, appointed a com- mittee to prepare an answer in the form of a protest against the communication ad- dressed to this meeting by Mr. Thompson. [The protest is not recorded in the Parish minutes.] toral relation now existing, and that, so far as they could ascertain, no reasonable cause for such dissolution existed, we deem it in- expedient further to oppose the expressed desire of our Pastor in that behalf; and that, while we cannot unite with our pastor July 26, 1847, Trustees. Resolved, That an effort be made to raise by subscription suffi- cient to pay off the debt remaining unpaid on the Parsonage house. John F. Voorhees and Abraham Tappan agreed to see what they could raise. in making his application to the Presbytery, our commissioners be and they hereby are instructed, in view of the premises, to make no objection or opposition to such applica- tion. The above resolutions, after being passed, were reconsidered and again passed,

PASTORATE VACANT, FROM JULY TO DECEMBER, 1847.

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MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

Aug. 1847, Sabbath. Session met at the foot of pulpit, agreeably to notice, when Ezra Mills was appointed Clerk during the time we are destitute of a Pastor.

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

Sept. 8, 1847. Trustees. The proposals re- ceived to paint the Church and steeple,agree- ably to an advertisement, was submitted. The president was authorized to bargain with George W.Corwin to paint the same two coats, and furnish all the materials, to fully complete the outside of the church for $250, he taking the Trustees' note payable in one year for $80, with interest, and $170 in cash ; and also to endeavor to include in the above for said Corwin to paint the seats in the gal- lery ; but if he will not, then to prevail on him to paint the seats in gallery, the Trustees finding materials ; but if he will not, then the president is authorized to Bar- gain, and to enter into an article of agree- ment with the said George W. Corwin to paint the outside of the church two coats and gilding for $250, he finding at his own expense all the materials, labour, &c., to complete the same.

Sept. 30, 1847. Parish meeting, Peter B.

Shafer, moderator; and Aram G. Sayre, Parish clerk.

Resolved, Ist, That the Trustees be au- thorized to continue the present insurance on the church. 2d, That Wm. Sayre, Jr., Abraham Tappan and Moses A. Brookfield endeavor to procure, by subscription, the amount necessary to pay off the debt due on the Parsonage House. A motion to dis- continue the collections in church on Sun- day mornings was lost. The following per- sons were elected Trustees for the ensuing year : John F. Voorhees, George W. Johnes, Theodore Little, Zebulon W. Concklin, Jacob Crane, Jr., Moses A. Brookfield and Dorastus B. Logan. Resolved, That the Trustees continue their efforts to get the consent of pew owners to the revaluation of the pews.

Several letters were presented to the meet- ing touching the qualification and useful- ness of Mr. Richards.

The Treasurer's report, as presented, shows receipts for the past year $1,- 290.62, and payments during the same time of $1,286.03, leaving balance due the church in Treasurer's hands $4.59.

Oct. 11, 1847. Parish meeting. The Rev. David Magie officiated as moderator, and Aram G. Sayre, as Secretary.

102

PASTORATE OF THE REV JAMES RICHARDS, [JR.]

Resolved. That a call be made out for the Rev. James Richards, of Penn Yann, to be- come the Pastor of this congregation, at a salary of nine hundred dollars, payable quar- terly, together with the use of the Parson- age House, call to be signed by the elders and Trustees ; and that Richard W. Stites, Lewis Condict and Theodore Little be a committee to prosecute the call.

Oct. 11, 1847. Trustees. Resolved, That Zebulon W. Concklin be appointed Presi- dent of the board of Trustees, and John F. Voorhees, Treasurer. Asher Carter, choris- ter at a salary of $100. Silvanus Mulford, the sexton, he doing and performing all the duties required of him as such by the Trus- tees, at a salary of $100. And that Abrm. Tappan, Wm. Sayre and Moses A. Brook- field be a committee to raise, by subscrip- tion, a sufficient sum, or the one-half of Amt. due on Parsonage House, agreeable to an offer made by Ira C. Whitehead.

Dec. 13, 1847. Trustees. Resolved [Ist,] that the policy of insurance on the Parson- age house be renewed, and that the amt. be increased $500, making it $2,000 instead of $1,500 as heretofore. [2d,] That the annual Parish meeting held for the sale of pews, for- feited for the non-payment of salary due thereon, be postponed, as there are none to be sold, save a half seat. [3d,] That the President receipt in full D. M. Stiger for balance of rent from Oct. 1, 1847 to Nov. 15, 1847, he paying $12.50, allowing him a rea- sonable deduction for the house, and around the same, not being put in order as he says, he having moved out so that Rev. Mr. Rich- ards could move in. [4th,] That Jacob Crane and Moses A. Brookfield be a com- mittee to have the deck in the steeple of the church caulked and put in good repair so that it will not leak.

PASTORATE OF THE REV. JAMES RICHARDS, From Dec. 1847 to April 1851.

.: 0:

MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

Rev. James Richards entered upon his la- bours, in pursuance of the call from this church and congregation, Nov. 25, 1847. He was installed Dec. 28, 1847, by Pres. of Eliz. T. [This note is in Mr. Richards' hand, but the Minutes during his pastorate are, for the most part, in the handwriting of Ira C. Whitehead].

Dec. 3, 1847. Session convened in the Session house, opened with prayer. Present : James Richards, Moderator ; Elders, Prud- den, Freeman, I. C. Whitehead and Mills.

Nov. 20, 1848. The object of this meeting was simply to converse together on the propriety of a church visitation, and to make arrangements for the same.

Jan, 9, 1849. Time was occupied in revis- ing the Church records, with reference to the preparation of a new Church Manual.

Judge Whitehead was appointed Clerk of Session, vice Ezra Mills, resigned.

March 13, 1849. The Session having been informed that Mr. Asher Carter and Eliza- beth, his wife, contemplated settlement in one of the Western States, and, conse- quently, a separation from this Church, it was thereupon

Resolved, That, in view of the consistent Christian character of Mr. and Mrs. Carter, and the valuable services they have render- ed to this church and congregation for many years as leaders of the choir, that the Moderator be, and he is hereby, appointed a committee to prepare a memorial of the es- teem and affection this Session, and the Church they represent, entertain for them.

In pursuance of the above resolution, the Moderator reported a memorial, of which the following is a copy, which, having been read, was unanimously adopted.

"A Memorial of esteem and affection from the First Presbyterian Church of Mor-

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MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

ristown, N. J., to Mr. Asher Carter and Elizabeth, his wife.

" To Mr. and Mrs. Carter :

By the minutes of the Session of March 13th, 1849, you will perceive that they have honored me so far as to entrust to my care the expression of their grateful respect and affection. I am unable to do justice to my own feelings, and, of course, much less ca- pable of conveying to you the united senti- ments of the Session and of the Church represented by them ; our regard for you, as members of society and members of the same household of faith, and our regret at the prospect of no longer enjoying the benefit of your edifying example as Chris- tians, or your valuable services in the choir of which you have, for so many years, been the judicious and successful leaders. We hope you will not measure our regret or our gratitude by the inadequate testimony, which we wish to present to you as a me- morial of the sentiments we entertain to- wards you. Allow us briefly to convey to you our united expression of respect and affection, our earnest wishes that you may be blessed in your new home, by being as useful and as honored as you have been in that which you are about to leave. And we have now only to request your acceptance of this small evidence that such are the sentiments we entertain towards you.

JAMES RICHARDS, Mod'r."

Resolved, That the Moderator, in behalf of the Session, procure and present to Mr. and Mrs. Carter, a Bible, as a testimony of our affection for them ; and that he accom- pany the same with a copy of the said Me- morial, and a copy of these resolutions at- tested by the Clerk of Session.

Aug. 31, 1849. It was resolved to change the time of the Monthly Concert for prayer for Foreign Missions, from the first Monday evening to the Sabbath evening next be- fore the first Monday evening in the month.

Nov. 30, 1849. Resolved, That hereafter the Sabbath evening services commence at half past six o'clock.

Jan. 20, 1850. Sabbath. Miss Harriet N. P*, being still in feeble health, and having expressed a desire to make a public profes- sion of her faith, the Pastor, with Elder Ira C. Whitehead and a few private members of the Church. attended at the house of her | To my brethren of the Session :

father, (Mr. Samuel P*,) where she made a public profession of her faith.

Feb. 10, 1850. Sabbath. At the request of Miss Harriet N. P*, a member of this Church, sick and unable to attend at the house of God, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered at the house of her father, by the Pastor, in the presence of Elder Ira C. Whitehead and a few private Christians.

Oct. 24, 1850. On a motion of Elder Mar- vin, and seconded by Elder Prudden, that the name of * be stricken from the roll of. chh members, in consequence of a failure to report himself to the Session of this church for a period of more than ten years, it was unanimously resolved to strike his name from the roll.

Feb. 4, 1851. The Session met at the house of Elder Ira C. Whitehead, pursuant to public notice from the pulpit. Present, Dr. J. D. Marvin, Ezra Mills, John R. Free- man, William Enslee, Stephen A. Prudden and Ira C. Whitehead. The Trustees of the Parish were also present, by invitation from the Session. After prayer by Dr. Marvin, the meeting was organized by appointing Ira C. Whitehead as Chairman and Theo- dore Little, Secretary.

The object of the meeting was then stated by the Chairman, who also laid before the meeting a communication rec'd. from the Pastor, Rev. Dr. Richards, in the words and figures following, to wit :

"Upon invitation of Rev. Dr. Richards of Morristown, the undersigned met to con- sider the question, whether under existing circumstances he had better resign his pas- toral charge. After hearing from Dr. Rich- ards a statement of the case, we consulted together and agree in the opinion that it would be well for him to offer his resigna- tion at the meeting of Presbytery in April. We, too, deem it best for him, in the mean- time, to allow the Session to take the re- sponsibility of supplying the pulpit while he seeks to regain his health.

DAVID MAGIE, ELIZ'TOWN, Jan. 31, 1851. N. MURRAY, R. STREET, E. H. RHEMBART.'

"MORRISTOWN, Feb'y 1, 1851.

104

PASTORATE OF THE REV. JAMES RICHARDS, [JR.]

It is my desire that the Session of this Church shall act in accordance with the above recommendation and counsel.

JAMES RICHARDS."

There was also read to the meeting a let- ter from our Pastor in the words and figures following :

"MORRISTOWN, Feb. 4, 1851.

To the Elders of the Ist Pres. Chh of Mor- ristown :

Dear Brethren :

Common fame charges your Pastor with conduct unbecoming a minister of the gos- pel. And I am obliged to state to you, that after mature deliberation, earnest prayer and patient enquiry, I have determined to call a meeting of the Elizabeth Town Pres- bytery, to enquire whether these charges be of a nature to require the notice of that court, that the honor of religion may not be sullied, and the individual impeached af- forded an opportunity of repelling them if false.

To Elders Whitehead,) I am dear breth- Prudden, Marvin, Ens- & ren, yours with high lee, Mills, &c.

S consideration, JAMES RICHARDS."

It was thereupon, after mature delibera- tion, unanimously

Resolved, That we all sympathize with our Pastor in his afflictions ; and that, in view of his indisposition and of his recom- mendation, and the recommendation of Dr. Magie and others, as contained in the state- ment read to the meeting, the Session em- ploy some person to discharge his duties as Pastor for the present.

Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing resolution, signed by the Chairman and Secretary in behalf of the meeting, be given to our Pastor.

After the adjournment of the Joint meet- ing of the Trustees and Session, the mem- bers of Session met and appointed El- ders Ezra Mills and Ira C. Whitehead a committee, in behalf of Session, to employ some person to discharge the duties of Pastor for the present.

Feb. 28, 1851. Ira C. Whitehead, one of the committee appointed to supply the pulpit, by resolution passed on the 4th inst., pre- sented to the Session a letter rec'd by him from the Pastor, in the words and figures following, to-wit:

" MORRIS TOWN, Feb. 20th, 1851.

To the Committee of Supply from the Ses- sion of the Ist Chh. :

Dear Brethren :

It is my present conviction that I shall be able to supply the pulpit after the next Sab- bath, or as early as the first Sabbath in March at least. If anything should occur to prevent, I shall give you timely notice, or furnish a supply myself, if that course shall meet with your approbation,

I am dear Brethren, Yours in the best of bonds,

JAMES RICHARDS."

Which being read, it was on motion of the committee, ordered that they be discharged from all further duties in the matter for which they were appointed.

March 13, 1851. A motion was made to rescind all that portion of the minutes re- corded in this book as original records under date of February fourth, 1851. The motion was made by Elder Marvin, but was not seconded. Thereupon the Moderator gave notice that he should enter his pro- test against all that portion of the minutes embraced in the above motion. [There fol- lows a long protest by Dr. Richards and an equally long reply by a com. of Session.]

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

July 17, [1848]. Trustees. Resolved, To remove the railing on the church steeple, it not being in a sound and secure state.

Oct. 2, 1848. Parish meeting : William Sayre, Moderator. and J. M. DeCamp, Par- ish Clerk. The Treasurer's report shows the receipts for the past year to be $1,670.12, and payments during the same time of $1,- 647.08, leaving balance due the church in Treas' hand $23.04. Also that there is due to the church, considered good, $240, making in all cash on hand and due $263.04 ; and that there is due from the church to Asher Carter, chorister, one year's salary, $70, also a balance for painting the church, $50 - total, $120. A motion to discontinue the collections in church on Sunday mor- nings was lost. The committee appointed at the last annual meeting to raise money by subscription to pay off the debt on the parsonage, reported that said debt had been provided for and arranged ; and a vote of

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TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

thanks to the committee was passed. The following Trustees were elected : John F. Voorhees, George W. Johnes, Theodore Little, Silas Miller, Jacob Crane, Jr., Moses A. Brookfield and Dorastus B. Logan.

Oct. 6, 1848, Trustees appointed Theodore Little, President ; John F. Voorhees, Treas- urer ; Asher Carter, Chorister, at a salary of $100 ; Silvanus Mulford, sexton, at a salary of $100, on last year's terms.

Nov. 17, 1848. Trustees. Motion to dis- continue the penny collections upon the Sabbath, after discussion, was negatived.

April 15th, 1849, Trustees. Resolved, [Ist,] That the President be requested to inform the members of the choir, that the trustees will meet them, at such place as the choir may designate, on Wednesday evening April 17,1849, to confer with them as to what steps it is advisable to take to supply the vacancy in the office of chorister, occasioned by the removal of Mr. Carter. [2d,] That, as the representatives of the congregation it is proper for us, we do hereby express to the choir our high appreciation of the services rendered by them during past years, and particularly for their services since Mr. Car- ter's removal from amongst us; and that they be requested to remain together and continue their services until the trustees shall be able to make such other arrange- ments as shall be acceptable to the choir and calculated to promote the interests of the church; That this resolution be com- municated to the choir at the meeting for conference.

October 3, 1849, Parish meeting : John- athan Thompson, moderator : J. M. De- Camp, Parish Clerk.

The Treasurer's report shows receipts for year $1,658.16 ; expenses, $1,636.93.

The church owes $243.17. There is due the church $211.63.

The Trustees of last year : John F. Voor- hees, George W. Johnes, Theodore Little, Silas Miller, Jacob Crane, Moses A. Brook- field and Dorastus B. Logan, were re-elected.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Trustees and Session of the church to take into consideration the propriety of so ar- ranging the hours of meeting, through the coming winter, as that both services may be held in the day time.

April 29, 1850, Trustees. Resolved, [Ist, ] That Jacob Crane be appointed to examine the steeple of the church and the fence of the burying ground, and make such repairs as may appear to be necessary. [2d,] That the Treasurer pay to the Rev. John M. Johnson fifty dollars for his services dur- ing the indisposition and absence of the Pastor, and that a deed be also presented to him for lot No. - - of the burying ground.

May 18, 1850, Trustees. Resolved, [ist,] That hereafter no grave shall be dug, or tombstone be erected, in the burial place of this church, by any other person or persons than the sexton of the church for the time being, or by such persons as may be author- ized by him.

September 25th, 1850, Parish meeting, Dr. Lewis Condict, moderator; David M. Stiger, Parish Clerk. The following pre- amble and resolution were offered : Where- as, since the exhaustion of the funds for- merly belonging to this congregation, it is found by the experience of several years, that the annual tax of ten per cent. hereto- fore assessed on the Pews, is altogether in- adequate to defray the necessary expenses of each year, and the deficiency increasing every year, must in the end greatly embar- rass the congregation. Resolved, That the Trustees are hereby authorized and in- structed to levy and assess on all the pews, an additional assessment of two and one- half per cent. upon the present valuation.

The above resolution having been dis- cussed it was postponed to an adjourned meeting, Monday, the 7th October, next, a notice to be read from the pulpit request- ing a full attendance of the congregation.

Oct. 7, 1850, adjourned Parish meeting. The committee appointed to raise one hun- dred dollars to meet the deficiency in the receipts of the church, reported that they had raised and paid over to the Treasurer $19.

The Treasurer reported :

Total receipts for the past year, $1,232.08

" disbursements, $1,150.12

Counterfeit Bill, 3.00

Balance,

78.96

$1,232.08 $1,232.08

106

PASTORATE OF THE REV. JAMES RICHARDS, (JR.)

Balance on hand Sept. 25, 1850,

$78.96

The church owes up to Sept. 12, 1850, $456.21

There is due the church from Pew holders 8203.24, of which is supposed good,

$150

$306.21

From which deduct cash on hand, 78.96

Deficiency, 227.25

The resolution offered at the last meeting to increase the assessments on the pews of the church was then read, discussed, and unanimously adopted, viz : that the Trus- tees be authorized to assess and collect the additional sum of three per cent. on all the pews of the church (except those in the gallery),according to their present valuation.

Resolved [Ist,] to discontinue the penny collection on Sabbath hereafter. [2d,] That the Trustees be authorized to put one or more ventilators in the church.

The Trustees of last year were re-elected : Jno. F. Voorhees, George W. Johnes, Theo- dore Little, Silas Miller, Jacob Crane, Moses A. Brookfield and, in the place of Dorastus B. Logan (who has removed,) Silas B. Con- dict.

Oct. 21st, 1850, Trustees. Mr. B. A. Barnes was unanimously elected chorister, at a sal- ary of $100.

December 13, 1850. [Last record of sub- scription to oath of office occurs under this date.] Trustees. After considerable dis- cussion it was unanimously Resolved, [Ist,] That inasmuch as the Trustees have become satisfied that there is a consider- able degree of misunderstanding in the con- gregation as to the true meaning and ef- fect of the resolution adopted at the annual parish meeting, whereby the Trustees were directed to lay an additional assessment of three per cent. on the valuation of the Pews, it is inexpedient for the Trustees to lay that assessment for the present year. [2d,] That, inasmuch as the deficiency for the present year is estimated at $250 ($70 of which has already been provided for), and, inasmuch as the weekly collection is dis- pensed with by the order of the Parish meet- ing, we make an effort to collect the balance by collections in the church, to be taken up

on the morning of the last Sabbath of cach month, commencing Dec. 29, Inst. [3d,] That we borrow sufficient money to pay the existing debt of $250. [4th,] That a state- ment of the financial affairs of the church, from 1836 to the present time, be prepared and printed, and distributed through the congregation by the collector ; and that the statement be signed by all the Trustees. March 24, 1851, Parish meeting : Mr. Jonathan Thompson, Chairman ; and Ezra Mills, Clerk, Pro tem. Opened with prayer by Elder J. D. Marvin. The following com- munications from the Pastor, Dr. Richards, to Theo. Little, Esq., President of the board of Trustees, were then read :

" Morristown, March 10, 1851.

To Theo. Little, Esq.,"

President of the Board of Trustees of the Ist. Pres. Ch. at Morristown ;

My Dear Sir,

Satisfied that my personal comfort and usefulness, as well as the edification of the People to whom I now sustain the relation of Pastor, will be best promoted by the dissolution of that relation, I desire you to call a parish meeting, at such time as shall be agreed upon by myself and the trustees, previous to the next regular stated meeting of Presby, for the purpose of asking their concurrence in my request for a removal, and for the appointment of Commissioners to represent the Cong'r at Presby.

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History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 79

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