History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 88

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 88

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

January 22d, 1877.

The following notice was read from the pulpit yesterday morning, January 21st, by the Pastor : " By direction of the Parish at its last meeting, the following named per- sons are hereby announced as a " committee of twelve" who shall select from its own number and from the congregation " a com- mittee of six," whose duty it shall be to recommend a Pastor after the relation of the present Pastor has been dissolved : Henry M. Olmsted, A. B. Hull, David Gil- lespie, Henry C. Pitney, Isaac N. Whitehead

157

MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

William E. Church, Lewis Pierson, Jr., Wil- liam C. Caskey, George E. Voorhees, Theo- dore Little, Wm. W. Stone, Joel Davis.

'This committee will meet in the chapel without further notice on Monday, January 22d, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

H. M. Dalrymple, Chairman Parish meeting."

This meeting was duly held and the fol- lowing gentlemen were chosen to the "com- mittee, of.six :", Theodore Little, A. B. Hull, J. Duryee Stevenson, Lewis Pierson, Jr .. Isaac N. Whitehead, George E. Voorhees.

PASTORATE VACANT FROM FEB. TO

JULY, 1877. -: 0:

MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

1877. Jan. 31. Messrs. Stevenson & Little were appointed a committee to supply the pulpit during the vacancy in the Pastorate. 1877, April 28. The committee appointed to recommend a Pastor to the congregation, having by their chairman signified to Ses- sion their readiness to make a report, it was ordered that a meeting of the Parish be held on Tuesday next, May 1, 1877, in the chapel, at four o'clock P. M., to hear such report, and to take such action in reference to making a call for a Pastor as may seem to be advisable ; and that notice of such meeting be given on Sabbath from the pul- pit. It was further resolved, that Rev. Doct. Irving, the former Pastor, be invited to moderate said Parish meeting.

1877, May Ist. The meeting of the Parish was held this afternoon at four o'clock, pursuant to notice given on Sabbath, and after hearing the report of the Committee it was voted unanimously that a call be made to Rev. Rufus S. Green, of Westfield, New York, to become the Pastor of this church.

1877, June 2d. The clerk informed Ses- sion that the Rev. Mr. Green had accepted the call to the Pastorate, and that he hoped to enter on his duties on or before June 24th inst.

The Clerk was directed to write to the Freedman's Committee, and request that the collection for the Freedmen's cause, to' be taken up next Sabbath, be given by said Committee to Lincoln University, if it can

be so done consistently with the duties of the Committee, and if-in their judgment conducive to the true interest of the Freed- men.

The Committee, heretofore appointed, in reference to a new communion service were authorized to exchange the present service for a new and larger one; on the best terms possible.

1877, June 17. Rev. R. S. Green this day preached for the first time as Pastor elect, though not yet installed by Presbytery. .

1877, July 3d. After consideration, Wed- nesday, July 18th, was fixed on as the day for the Installation of the Pastor. The del- legate to special meeting of Presbytery, to be held at Lower Valley, on July 5th inst., was directed to ask Presbytery to make such appointment, and, if agreeable to Pres- bytery, to appoint Rev. I. W. Cochran to preach the sermon, Rev. Doct. Irving to deliver the charge to the Pastor, and the Rev. Mr. Stoddard to deliver the charge to the Church.

1877, July 12. Messrs. Caskey & Dalrym- ple were appointed a committee, to make the necessary arrangements for the enter- tainment of the Presbytery at the meeting to be held on the 18th inst. for the installa- tion of the Pastor elect.

TRUSTEES AND PARISH. ,

· Mar. i3. 1877. " Annual Parish meeting. About 75 persons present. The Trustees reported, That the doors of the Infant class

> 2158

PASTORATE VACANT.

room, and study in the chapel were rehung at an expense of $382.25, to the complete satisfaction of all concerned.

That both upon the principles that our Church work in all'its branches should be sustained by the Parish funds, and also from the analogy in the method of sustain- ing the Church music, it is recommended that henceforth the Sabbath-school be pro- vided for in the annual appropriation and not from the Session's fund.

The Treas. reported :

Total receipts, $6,544.02 " . disbursements, 6,422.34

Balance, $121.68

Resolved [Ist,] That the collection on the third Sunday of each month, which has heretofore been for the Building Fund of the new Church, be discontinued, and that it be transferred to the general fund' of the Church; [2d,] That, in view of the continu- ed depression in business, this meeting deems it inexpedient further to press the matter of erecting a new Church building at the present time, and that the subscrip- tions already made for that purpose be there- fore considered as canceled ; [3d,] That the money already received for the new build- ing and all other moneys, which may be . hercafter voluntarily contributed, there- fore, be deposited by the Treasurer in one of the Saving's Banks of the town; [4th,] That the Trustees be directed to take the necessary steps for the repairing and re- painting the Church building, at as early a day as practicable ; [5th,] That the ex- penses of the Sabbath School be paid by the Trustees on the requisition of the Ses- . sion, to an amount not exceeding $300. ; [6th,] That the collection to be taken on the first Sabbath in October be appropri- ated to some object to be designated by the Session; [7th,] .That this meeting recog- nizes the principles heretofore avowed in the adoption of the voluntary system of supporting our public worship,and feels the necessity, in order to its more effective and successful working, of a personal canvass of the Church and congregation, so as to secure the co-operation of all; [8th,] That for this purpose a special committee of two „, be appointed, by the Chairman of this meet- ng , to act in connection with the Treasu. · rer, :whose duty it shall be, ftet, to prepare

a schedule of the pews of the Church, and to . note thereon against each pew an estimated sum which shall be the minimum required to furnish, when aggregated, the needful income of the Parish ; [9th,] That, in case where the sum pledged or promised for any pews owned by the Church is less than the estimate placed against the, pew, it shall be the right of the Trustees, whenever there shall be a demand for pews, to inform the occupant that the Parish cannot afford the pew at that rate, and to either arrange with the occupant for an increased sum, or for a change to a pew that shall be more appro- priate to the sum proposed to be paid ; [roth,] That it shall be the duty of said committee to notify any occupants, who are also owners of pews, whose pledges or con- tributions do not reach the aforesaid mini- mum rate, of the deficiency, with, the re- spectful request to increase their payments, and, in case such notice and request should be disregarded, to report the facts to the Trustees and Session for further action ; [[Ith,] That it is the opinion of this meet- ing that from time to time (at least four times a year) such statements and explana- tions of our system of Church support should be made before the congregation on Sunday as shall make it perfectly intelli- gible, and familiar not only, but shall also clearly declare the duty of each member of the congregation to contribute according to their ability.

Messrs. Henry M. Dalrymple and William E. Church were appointed as the special committee of two to act with the Treasurer, as required in resolution 8th.

Also resolved [1st,] That in view of the repeated modifications in our general plan of Church support and beneficence. made during the past six years, Mr. Theodore Little and Mr. A. B. Hull be appointed a committee to revise the plan as a whole, but without alteration of any part, as now in force, and to have the revision printed and distributed through the congregation ; [2d,] That in order to render the amend- ments to our plan of church support, just adopted, effective, the Parish do request all pew owners to present, their deeds to the Clerk of the Board of Trustees for record in his books.

The following;officers were unanimously

MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

elected : Trustees-Lewis Pierson, Jr., J. Duryee Stevenson, Andrew Reasoner, Wil- liam E. Church, John R. Runyon, Charles E. Noble, Edward Pierson ; Treasurer, A. B. Hull ; Parish Clerk, James R. Voorhees.

Mar. 20, 1877. Adjourned Parish Meet- ing. Mr. Edward Pierson, Chairman. About 35 persons present.

Mr. Theodore Little moved, that the reso- lution of Mr. Wm. E. Church, "that it is expedient for this Parish to proceed at once to erect a Parsonage." which' was laid on the table at last meeting, be taken up.

A report being called for from the com- mittee appointed to make an estimate on the plans for a parsonage in the hands of Mr. H. M. Olmsted, they not being present Mr. Theodore Little reported for the com- mittee that they estimated the cost of the building to be about $10,000.

Mr. J. C. Youngblood moved, that a com- mittee of seven be appointed to solicit con- tributions for a Parsonage, to be erected on I to the " Committee of six," was carried.

the vacant lot adjoining the Church, the cost not to exceed $12,000., and the whole estimated cost be raised before proeeding with the building. Messrs. Wm. J. Cooper, Aaron D, Whitehead, Charles E. Noble. Lewis Pierson, Jr., J. C. Youngblood, Theo-, dore Little and James R. Voorhees, were ap- pointed said Com,

May 1, 1877. A meeting of the Congre- gation, called by the Session, was held in the Chapel this Tuesday afternoon, at 4 o'clock. The Rev. Dr. Irving, Moderator. George L. Hull, Clerk, pro. tem:

Mr. Theodore Little reported the action of the committee of six, appointed to select a Pastor.

Rev. Rufus S. Green, of Westfield, N. Y., 1 was nominated, and unanimously chosen by a standing vote.

It was decided that the call be signed by, the Session and Trustees. A vote of thanks

PASTORATE OF THE REV. RUFUS'S. GREEN. From July, 1877, to Oct., 1881.'

.: 0:

MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

1877, July 18. The Pastor was duly in- stalled by Presbytery : Rev. Theodore F. White, D.D., preaching the sermon, by, re- quest, in the place of Rey. I. W. Cochran, absent on, his vacation ; Rev. Doct. Irving delivered the charge to the Pastor; and Rev. Dr. Stoddard the charge to the Con- gregation.

U Rahway, N. J. Mrs. Mary A. Drake, wife of Julius A. Drake, and Anna Isabella and George Augustus Drake, her children, were received from the Second Pres, Church of Mendham on certificate. After much pa- tient and careful consideration of the case of Mr. Session felt constrained in view of his own confession and the action heretofore taken in his case to suspend him from Church privileges until he gives evi- dence of repentance; and the Pastor was di- rected to announce such suspension to the Church next Sabbath morning, and to state the reason of the same.

1877. Aug. 3. Regular monthly meeting of the Session. Present the Pastor and El- ders Davis, Stevenson, Dalrymple, Caskey, VanDoren and Little. The meeting was opened by prayer. The minutes of the meetings held July,3d, 5th and 12th were read and approved. Mr. James E. B. Stiles and Mrs. Ruhamah H. Stiles, his wife, and J. Egbert Stiles, were received into men- bership with this Church, on certificate from the First Presbyterian Church of judgment of Session, no longer existing.

The Pastor was also directed to notify the Church at the same time of the suspension of -.: -- , by the Session, from Church privileges, in January, 1876 ; the reasons for . . not making such suspension public, in the

160

PASTORATE OF THE REV. RUFUS S. GREEN.

1877, Nov. 7. Application having been | and in view of the fact that several members made' to Session, in behalf of the African boti the Church have for a length of time been suspended from church privileges, it was re- solved, that the Pastor be requested to se'e these persons, inquire into their spiritual condition and urge them to practical repent -. ance. M. E. Church of Morristown, to aid the Church in procuring Bibles for their use ; it was resolved, that Session would avail itself of the right to draw, from the Depository of. the Bible Society, Bibles to the amount of one-half of the last year's contribution of the Church, and that the same be appro- priated, so far as' necessary, for the use of the colored Church.

1877, Nov. 30. The. matter of a Question Book . for, the use of the Sabbath-school, having been presented for consideration by Mr. VanDoren, the Superintendent, it was, after conversation, Resolved to refer it to those members of Session connected. with the school, to. act in the premises accord- ing to their best judgment.

1878, Feb. 1, The Sabbath school of the - Church having asked for aid, it was re- solved, That the Trustees be requested to appropriate for the use of the school the sum of $150 out of the moneys raised for our home work. The Union Mission Chapel having asked for aid in procuring Bibles for the use of their Sabbath school, it was or- dered That whatever may remain of the col- lection made the past year for the Bible So- ciety, for which the Church has a right to draw Bibles, be appropriated in aid of the chapel.

1878, April 3d. A communication was re- ceived from the Trustees in reference to the employment of Chorister and Organist for the ensuing year, and after being read and considered, it was considered inexpedient to change' the salaries of these 'officers, and resolved that the Trustees be so informed. It was thereupon further resolved that the Chorister and Organist be employed for the eusuing year at their present salaries.

1878, May 30. On' request of the Super- intendent, the' Trustees were requested to give to the Treasurer of the Sabbath 'school an order, on the Treasurer 'of the Church for $100-to be paid out of the moneys col- lected for our home work. "The committee appointed to supply the pulpit, during the Pastor's vacation, reported that they had secured the services of Rev. T. F. White, D. D., for that purpose ; and the Clerk was directed to so inform the Trustees. After con- sultation over the condition of the Church,

1878. June 13. Mr. VanDoren, as late Superintendent of the Sabbath school, re- ported to Session the result of the annual meeting of teachers held Monday evening, Jnne 3d, for the election of officers of the school, at which meeting Elder J. D. Steven- sơn was elected Superintendent.

Elder J. H. VanDoren was elected As- sistant Superintendent.

Jacob J. Davis was elected Librarian. ..

Phil. B. Pierson was elected Secretary and 1 ! Treasurer.

This action . of the teachers was . ap- proved. . The Pastor was requested to take. charge of the opening exercises; of the Sab- bath School on the next Sabbath, and, in the name of the Session, state to the school the result of the election, and that the names had been approved by Session.

1878, Oct. 4. Elder J. D. Stevenson was, at his own request, dismissed to the Pres- byterian Church at San Antonio, Texas, and the Pastor was authorized and request- ed, in granting this letter, to accompany it with an expression of the sincere regret which Session feels in parting with Brother Stevenson, and their earnest prayer for his usefulness and success wherever God in his Providence may cast his future lot.

1878, Oct. 9. There was no special busi- ness, but a general conference was had on the subject of Church work, and on' the plan proposed by the Pastor for securing it in a greater degree than in the past.

1878, Nov. 7th. Elder J. D. Stevenson; having removed from the State, sent to Ses- sion his resignation as Superintendent · of- the Sabbath School, which was accepted.

The Pastor read the following letter, which; by request of Session, he had writ- ten to Rev. J. W. Neill, Pastor of the Pres- byterian Church of San Antonio, Texas, to which Elder Stevenson had taken a letter of dismission ; and the same was approved, and ordered to be recorded in the minutes of Session :

161

MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

"Rev. J. W. Neill ; Dear Brother,

"The Session of this Church cannot grant the enclosed letter, without some additional testimony of their high esteem for Mr. Stevenson. He has long been a member of this Session, and his conscientious and zealous discharge of the duties of his office has endeared him not only to us, but to this whole Church. His influence has been felt, and only for good, in every department of Christian work. We part with him with the sincerest regret, and with earnest prayer that God will as abundantly bless, for His own glory, his life in your Church and city as he has blessed it in the midst of us.

By order of Session,

R. S. Green, Moderator."

1879. June 8. The election by the teachers of the Sabbath-school, of Mr. George E. Voorhees as Superintendent, and of the other officers of the school, was reported to Session, and approved by it.

1879, July 3. The Pastor stated, that he was engaged in an examination of the old records of the Church, particularly the re- cords of membership, deaths, births, &c. and, the necessity of preserving a suitable record being manilest, he was authorized to procure such new books for the purpose as he might think necessary.

1879, Aug. I. The Pastor stated to Ses- sion, that he had a very satisfactory conver- sation with- -, who wished to unite with the Church on profession of her faith in the Saviour ; and recommended that she be received without further exami- nation. The applicant having been baptised in the Catholic Church, of which Church her father was a member; it was decided that re-baptism is not necessary ; and, hav- ing been brought up by a family connected with our own Church, it was deemed proper to admit her, without further examination by Session, and she was so received to the sealing ordinances of the Lord's Supper.

1879, Nov. 13. Elder William G. Ander- son sent to Session a communication ex- plaining his continued absence from the regular services of the Church, and his rea- sons for attending the services of another denomination, and asking to resign his Eldership ; which was read and carefully considered. Session, having entire con-

fidence in brother Anderson, and marking the kind, Christian spirit of his letter, and having some understanding of the peculiar circumstances to which his letter referred, deemed it just to him and to the Church to accept his resignation, so far forth as ' they can do so according to the rules of the Church.

1879, Dec. 18. The Pastor presented a plan for the publication of an eight page monthly, during the year 1880, devoted to the historical interests of the Church. The plan was approved. [This was the inaugu- ration of THE RECORD.]

It was deemed advisable that the Pastor devote one Sabbath evening of each month to Missionary topics.

1880, Jan. 7. Session consulted on the need of increasing the Eldership.

1880, Jan, 8. Discussion was renewed on the advisability of increasing the number of our Elders, and it was agreed to recommend an addition of seven to our Session.

1830, Jan. 15. The Pastor stated that he had conversed with several of the persons who had been named as Elders, some of whom would consent to accept of the office, and others wished more time to consider the matter. Whereupon it was resolved, That in view of the difficulty of securing the number of Elders mentioned at a previous meeting of Session, no further action will be taken in the matter for the present.

1880, Jan. 30. A communication was re ceived and read from Mr. John R. Runyon, resigning his position as chorister, to take effect on the first day of April next.

1886, Feb. 25. The Pastor stated that he had begun the publication of an eight page monthly, devoted to the historical interests of the Church, and called THE RECORD ; and that the first number was published in January. He also reported, that, as re- quested by Session, he had revived the Monthly Concert ; the first Missionary talk having been given on Sunday evening, the 8th inst., on the subject of "Southern New Jersey as a Missionary Field."

1880, Mar. 4. The pastor reported, That the Canvassers appointed by Session had procured 10 subscribers to the Foreign Missionary, and 13 additional [making in all 35] subscribers for the Rocky Mountain Presbyterian. Resolved, That the Pastor

162

PASTORATE OF THE REV. RUFUS S. GREEN.

be authorized to purchase 200 copies of the " Songs of Praise" for the use of the Sab- bath School and weekly prayer meeting, to be paid for out of the Session's Contingent Fund. Resolved, That Session nominate to the Church, for election as Elders, Messrs. Wayland Spaulding, James R. Voorhees and William D. Johnson, who have con- sented to such nomination ; and also Dr. Stephen Pierson and Aaron D. Whitehead, if their consent can be obtained ; and that this action of Session be announced to the Church on next Sabbath by the Pastor ; al- so that the election of Elders be held two weeks from next Sabbath.

1880, Mar. 21. After the usual Sabbath ser- vice a meeting of the Church was convened, and the Pastor led in prayer for Divine guid- ance. The names of the four brethren whom Session had previously notified the Church it would nominate for Elders, were mention- ed, and a full opportunity afforded for other nominations, in accordance with the notice of the previous Sabbath. Messrs. Aurelius B. Hull and Anthony I. Olmsted were nomi- nated, but declined to be elected. There- upon the meeting proceeded to vote on the nomination of Aaron D. Whitehead, Way- land Spaulding, James R. Voorhees and William D. Johnson, respectively, and each was unanimously elected. The name of Dr. Stephen Pierson was not mentioned because he declined to give his consent thereto.

1880, Mar. 23. Mr. Wm. H. Runyon was re-elected Chorister for the ensuing year, at a salary of $400., and the Clerk was directed to notify the Trustees of his election. Re- solved, That the Elders recently elected be ordained and installed next Sabbath morn- ing, immediately after the sermon.

1880, April 2. The resignation of Mr. James R. Voorhees, as Organist, was accept- ed, and the Committee on Music reported that they had engaged Mrs. Clara L. Cory, as Organist, for six months, for $100., her term of service to commence on Sunday, April 4th.

1880, April 4. The newly elected Elders, were solemnly ordained to that sacred of- fice ; and after their ordination assisted at the celebration ot the Lord's Supper.

The 64th Annual Report of the Sabbath School, as prepared by the Superintendent, was read and ordered to be placed on file.

1880, Nov. 5. Elder Johnson was added to the Committee on Prayer Meetings ; and the Com. was instructed, with the aid of the Pastor, to prepare a list of subjects to be considered at the weekly prayer meetings during the next year, commencing Jan., 1881, reserving, however, the first meeting of each month for the monthly Concert for Missions. The Com. on Music reported, That they had agreed with Mrs. Cory, the Organist, for her services until April 1, 1881, at a salary of $4. per Sabbath, and an additional allowance of $1. per Sabbath, to- twards payment of her expenses, after she shall remove to New York.

1881, Jan. 13. A bill of $4.32 for tracts pro- cured of the Board of Publication ; also a bill of $1.13 for printing for the devotional meeting held on the 11th and 12th instant ; also the sum of $5 to Rev. Mr. Stocking for half the expenses incurred by him in his re- cent visit to lecture on the mission in Per- sia ; were ordered paid out of the Contingent Fund.

1881, March 2. Resolved, That as a Ses- sion we respectfully petition the Legisla- ture of the State of New Jersey to pass the General Local Option Law now before that body.

1881, April 1. The Pastor submitted a statistical report, which he had prepared for Presbytery at its approaching session, and stated that he should report the spiritual state of the Church to be encouraging ; which was approved.

1881, Sept. 28. The Pastor stated to Ses- sion. That he had been to Buffalo, to ex- amine the field to which a call had been ex- tended to him, as he had previously in- formed Session ; and found it an inviting one. After a full conversation in respect to that field and his present one, he said that he would, on the next Sabbath, call a meet- ing of the Church and Parish, to be held at 4 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, to appoint Commissioners to unite with him in asking Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation now existing between himself and this Church.

1880, June 4. The sum of $10. was voted to the State Temperance Alliance, to be 1881, Sept. 30. The Treasurer was re- paid out of the Session's Contingent Fund. quested to pay to the Pastor, out of the

163

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

Contingent Fund, $40, for the deficiency in the receipts for "The Record" in paying its costs.

1881, Oct. 11. The Pastor announced, That Presbytery had met at his request, on the morning of this day, and granted his re- quest for a dissolution of the Pastoral rela- tion existing between himself and this Church, to take effect after next Sunday ; and that Dr. Irving had been appointed to declare the pulpit vacant on the succeeding Sunday. The Pastor further stated, That the Presbytery had granted to Session the privilege of supplying the pulpit until the next meeting of Presbytery. After a general and free conversation about the affairs and condition of the Church, it was Resolved, To invite the Trustees aud Deacons to meet with the Session, on some evening of next week, to confer upon the affairs and interests of the Church and Congregation, and espec- ially to consider what measures it will be well for the congregation to pursue looking to the settlement of a Pastor.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 88

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