USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > History of the Newark Baptist City Mission : from its origin in 1851 to its seventeenth anniversary in 1868 > Part 4
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Revivals of religion have been a marked characteristic of this Church. Particular mention should be made of seasons of awakening in the ministries of brethren Sym and Jones, and those of more recent years. The most remarkable of these gracious visit- ations was that which is denominated the " Great Revival," in 1857 and 1858. As this period was memorable all over the land for God's converting power, and perhaps in no place more so than in Newark, the na-
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ture and results of the powerful work in the First Church may here be properly put upon permanent record.
The earliest indication of a better state of things, was an intense yearning for its exist- ence. This was seen, particularly, in the latter part of December, by which time the Sabbath preaching and week-day evening remarks looked almost wholly to a holier and more earnest and active state of the Church. As yet, however, this deep. solici- tude was limited to a very few individuals, - apparently not more than half a dozen be- sides the pastor, and at the first, not even to so many. Where it did exist, it was almost crushing ; and particularly on one occasion, at an evening prayer-meeting, the burden of spirit was so great on the part of the pastor, as to incapacitate him for the conduct of the meeting, and he sat in his chair giving way to suppressed sighs and tears, leaving the meeting to take care of itself.
About this time one extra weekly prayer- meeting was held, and after a little, two ; and
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finally, perhaps threescore of the brethren and sisters met every evening, by common consent, to pour out their prayers to God, and to talk of the languishing state of Zion. No souls had as yet been converted, if in- deed awakened ; and it was often remarked, that it was not desired that the brethren should sing and pray and talk too much about the conversion of sinners ; they were not yet thoroughly reconverted themselves ; and it was needful that the work "get roots " in their own hearts, by confession and suppli- cation and exhortation, and the alternations of hope and fear. The tree would be the more fruitful by cropping and pruning it severely. When the Church was right-at least a small part of it - then it would be time to turn attention to sinners.
Not long, however, was it possible to re- strain the rising desire for the salvation of others. The longing was towards dying men ; and it is remembered that one brother wished (to use his own expression) that the Lord would give them one kid over which
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to make merry. The boon was not long withheld. One soul of the few unconverted in the meetings, was awakened and renewed, and then another; others came, and others still ; the meetings increased, and soon were transferred, of necessity, from the lecture- room to the body of the house. These meetings were continued nearly every eve- ning till near the middle of May.
When the work was reaching its great- est strength, and the audience-room was *crowded, even to the extra seats, it was sug- gested by some whether another minister might not be invited to labor with the pas- tor, and so economize his strength, and save him, perhaps, from entire prostration. It was concluded, however, with one mind, to call in no outside help, but to look to the Lord, and pray and labor on. With the exception of a single week, when the pastor was called away to visit a sick mother, resort was not had to outside help. Indeed, this has not been done in any of the revivals.
The specific form of effort was the prayer-
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meeting. Not a solitary sermon, as such, was preached, except on Sunday, and then only two. Even the usual weekly lecture was dispensed with. But the exposition and en- forcement of the inspired word were never more constantly brought into requisition. After the opening of the meeting, ten or fif- teen or twenty minutes were always given to this exercise. The design was, especially, to open up, and affirm and re-affirm, in every possible way, the two great facts of theology -man a sinner, and Christ a Saviour - and to press home the duty of an immediate attention to the things of salvation. Christ was continually insisted upon and held up to view as the Saviour of the lost, and the Word of God was never more honored of God as the chosen instrument unto salva- tion. Almost every Sabbath-discourse, par- ticularly, seemed to fall with power upon the congregation eager to receive it; and the fruits were perceptible during the week, in the awakening or relief of souls.
Besides pastoral visitations, an inquiry
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meeting was held an hour before the ordi- nary evening meeting, in the lecture-room,; where each one present was conversed with personally, and the way of salvation was minutely explained and illustrated. This means was greatly blessed. Two tracts should be mentioned as especially useful : " Don't Put it Off," and " What is it to be- lieve on Christ." .Hundreds of the latter were given away, and in scores of instances did God employ this silent messenger to bring light and relief. In later works of grace, the forty-eight page tract, “Two Questions,"-"Is your Soul Safe? " and " How can I be Saved?" were greatly use- ful. It should alsobe said, that the brethren and sisters, especially the Sabbath-school teachers and converts, were active in exhor- tation and invitation, and God owned and blessed abundantly their labors.
There was not much speaking in the prayer-meetings, except in some stages, by the converts, nor much singing ; praying was the main feature. Every exercise was short
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and spirited. Not unfrequently special prayer was offered at the close of the meet- ing, for those who were so oppressed with feeling as to be unable or unwilling to leave. At these seasons, six or eight of the breth- ren, out of the few that tarried, oftentimes prayed. When the work looked like ceas- ing, prayer-clusters of this kind were formed to pray to God for its, continuance ; and cases of awakening were always multiplied. The anxious were never invited forward, but such as desired prayers were requested, towards the close of the meeting, to arise. This act of committal was often attended with great good.
The number of conversions it is impos- sible to ascertain ; probably it would reach three hundred, at least. Two hundred and thirty-five were baptized, most of them re- cent converts. Of these, one half were heads of families - fathers and mothers. About one hundred of the two hundred and thirty- five were males. A larger number were over forty than under twenty years of age; the
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average being about thirty. About two thirds of those added, were unaccustomed before to worship with this Church, either attending nowhere, or holding connection with other congregations. As far as possi- ble they were all put at work in the Sunday- school and elsewhere. The younger por- tion organized themselves into a Young Converts' Prayer-meeting, and the older into an Adult Converts' Prayer-meeting.
As another result, the gifts of the previous members were materially developed and im- proved, and new attainments were made in the divine life. It is believed that the moral power of the Church was doubled in the space of a few months.
Some of the main features of this re- markable work were the following : -
I. 'The evident presence of the Holy Spirit. It was of God, and not of man. The Spirit went before, the preacher and laborer fol- lowed after.
2. Clearness and depth of conviction for sin. Moralists suddenly saw themselves
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to be the chief of sinners, and stout and hard-hearted men were made to weep like children under a sense of their guilt and danger. In several cases, awakened men were unable to prosecute their daily busi- ness, and not unfrequently did the anxious tell of their sleepless nights, and their deep burden of spirit. In one case, a man sitting up to pray until after midnight, seemed, as he said, to be sinking through the floor ; and rising from his knees, could scarcely walk. In another, a sturdy man, hitherto unmoved, was seen standing in the vestibule of the church, with his long beard all jew- eled with the tear-drops that were rolling from his eyes. Another man declared that he had carried a " cannon ball " in his heart for days together, and that if it had been continued for three days longer he could not have lived. He could neither sleep nor eat ; and yet, a few days before, he was as unmoved as a rock. In another case, a man in middle life came to see the pastor, and on entering the house, cried aloud as he
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told of his sins, and was so agitated that he trembled from head to foot, and could scarcely sit in his chair. Several times, while he was being told what he must do to be saved, he burst out crying, and exclaimed, "O, but I have been such a sinner! " Another man wholly suspended his work, stayed at home, read his Bible and prayed, and seemed to be actually waxing poor in flesh from in- tense concern of mind. He was the pic- ture of despair. All these were men in ma- ture life, and hitherto self-righteous moral- ists.
3. A clear insight into the way of salva- tion through Christ, on the part of the con- verts. In most cases, the sum of the an- swer for the hope of salvation, was, " Christ died !" In most cases, it was the sight of the cross that brought relief. As a conse- quence, the converts were generally strong, and went on their way obeying and rejoic- ing. Taken as a whole, the relation of ex- periences was satisfactory in the highest degree.
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4. Its freedom from noise and excitement. No careless observer would have perceived anything remarkable. The meetings were uniformly solemn, almost like a funeral : - no audible groanings or rejoicings, and nothing whatever to which the most fastid- ious could take exception.
5. The honor put upon prayer, and the ordinary means of grace. Answer to prayer was oftentimes direct and almost instan- taneous. In some of the most earnest and importunate of combined supplications, the brethren were as conscious that they were heard above, as if it had been expressly re- vealed to them. Directness in prayer was a marked feature. Now, the one point was the awakening of sinners ; now, the relief of the burdened ; and then again, the efficiency of the word preached. Beyond these three things the range of prayer did not often extend, and in some cases, the wrestling rose well-nigh to an agony of spirit. Lay- agency was greatly honored, and, as already remarked, the plain and pointed preaching
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of the gospel. Such, in some of its main features, was one of the most precious awakenings with which a Church was ever blessed.
Large numbers of the converts gathered during revivals, and at other seasons, have in late years been dismissed to help in the formation of new churches within the limits of the city. This has also been true in re- spect to the experienced members. To
give up these beloved brothers and sisters, often the tried helpers of the pastor, has been a real sacrifice. In the nature of the case, it must have called into exercise en- largedness of view and unselfishness of feel- ing. But it is believed that wherever one has felt it to be duty to go out and strengthen the weak places in Zion, no obstacle has been laid in the way ; while, on the other hand, the whole spirit of the preaching has tended in the direction of earnest individual exertion. Certainly those dismissed from this body within less than twenty years would make several effi- cient churches.
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But, with a present harmonious member- ship of more than eight hundred and fifty souls, and perhaps the largest Sabbath audi- ences of any denomination in the State ; with a Sunday-school averaging nearly five hundred ; with an average charitable distri- bution each year of more than ten thousand dollars, besides a generous outlay for cur- rent expenses ; and with the exercise of its full proportion of moral power in the com- munity where it is planted, the First Baptist Church of Newark may be instanced as an example of the divine principle, that " there is that scattereth and yet increaseth : " - a point which is prominently dwelt upon in the closing chapter of this work.
DRAKE:
SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH. REV. EDGAR M. LEVY, D. D., PASTOR.
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HISTORY OF THE SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH.
Constituted February 13, 1850.
IT is conceded by all, that the erection of the South Church gave the first impulse to the spirit of city missions. For nearly fifty years the Baptist cause had been in a dormant state. A small frame building on Academy Street accommodated all who could be induced to attend public worship conducted by Baptists. But little money was raised, and but few efforts were made for the enlargement of Zion. The limits of the city had extended on every hand, the population had increased at a wonderfully rapid rate, and other denominations had grown from three to seven fold, and yet during all this time the Baptists had ap- peared satisfied with their ill-constructed meeting-house, and with the limited influ-
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ence they were exerting in the community. The gospel had been preached among them by able and faithful ministers, but there were few comparatively who seemed moved by it to a reception of Christ, while the piety of many of these even, was of a sickly and feeble type, like the health of children who have been long confined, and have had no opportunity for physical exercise or for breathing the pure air of heaven.
It pleased God at last, however, to move the hearts of a few worthy men to break up this spell of self-satisfaction. At several meetings of the Church, and on the street and elsewhere, the subject of church ex- tension and Christian enterprise was in- troduced and earnestly advocated. These brethren, feeling deeply the necessity of ex- pansion, and moved with holy zeal for the advancement of Christ's kingdom, finally succeeded in awakening an interest in be- half of the movement in the minds of others.
At a meeting of the Church in 1849, a
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committee was appointed " in order to take measures for the erection of a new church edifice, and for the organization and perma- nent establishment of a new Baptist interest in addition to the one now existing."
In accordance with this resolution, a lot on the corner of Broad and Fulton streets was soon after purchased. Failing, how- ever, to obtain a satisfactory title, the prop- erty was abandoned, and the attention of the committee was directed to the southern part of the city. A location, Kinney Street near Broad, was at length selected, and measures were immediately taken to erect a neat and substantial structure for the wor- ship and glory of God.
At a meeting held in the lecture-room of the First Church, February 13, 1850, of persons holding letters of dismission for the purpose of forming a new Church to occupy the edifice then in course of erection, Mr. Edward Doughty was chosen Moderator, and M .: D. C. Whitman, Clerk. After prayer, the Moderator requested persons
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holding letters of dismission, for the pur- pose for which this meeting was called, to present them. The following was read : -
" At a regular meeting of the First Baptist Church in the city of Newark, N. J., held February 13, 1850, the following brethren and sisters, members in regular standing with us, were, at their own request, dismissed. to form a new Baptist Church to worship in the house now being erected by this Church, in Kinney Street in this city, namely : Edward Doughty, John M. Davies, Alice S. H. Davies, Louisa Davies, Robert Johnston, Ann L. Johnston, Samuel Baldwin, Mary Baldwin, Mary Belcher, David Jones, Mary Jones, Jane B. Hedden, Emma Ely, James Hague, Anna Hague, Daniel C. Whitman, Abraham Runyon Jr., Sarah Ann Runyon, Jane Morris, Rebecca Shuart, Caleb H. Earl, Elizabeth H. Earl, Mary M. Earl, Mary Canfield, George P. Morrow, E. P. Morrow, Catherine Fowler, George H. Bruen, Mary Bruen, George M. Foster, Mary Law, Lydia Ann Force, Julia Wilson, Maria Hedden, Isaac Scribner, Caroline Scribner, I. Cam- field. May the blessing of God attend the formation of this new interest, and the same unanimity and Chris- tian harmony ever characterize the intercourse of the two sister churches which prevail between us and these dear brethren and sisters.
" By order and on behalf of the Church.
" ISAIAH PECKHAM, Church Clerk."
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The persons named in this letter, who were present, were requested to arise and thereby signify their assent to the formation of this new Church. Prayer was then of- fered by Mr. David Jones. Articles of Faith were adopted, and a covenant read and approved. South Baptist Church, Kin- ney Street, Newark, New Jersey, was adopted as the name by which this Church should be known. Mr. George H. Bruen was elected clerk.
At a subsequent meeting the following additional names were presented, and by vote were received as constituent members : Ebenezer T. Kirkpatrick, Joseph O. Nichols, Eliza D. Nichols, Abraham Coles, John H. Cross, Nancy Johnston, Mary Earl, John Rees, - in all forty-five members.
With great unanimity the Rev. William Hague, D. D., of Boston, was called to the pastorate of the Church. On motion, a council of delegates from Baptist churches was called to meet in the First Church, on the first Tuesday in March, for the purpose
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of publicly recognizing the body as a regu- lar Baptist Church. This council convened according to the request, Tuesday, March 5, 1850, when, after an examination of the Articles of Faith, and the manner of their organization, it was unanimously resolved to proceed to recognize them as an inde- pendent church of Christ. The services were held the same evening in the following order : reading of the Scriptures and Prayer by the Rev. H. C. Fish, of Somerville, N. J .; Sermon by the Rev. E. L. Magoon, D. D., New York, from Psalm cxix. 18 ; Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. H. V. Jones, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Newark, N. J .; Charge to the Church by Rev. S. J. Drake, Plainfield, N. J.
The Lecture-room of the church edifice was opened for worship, April 14, 1850. Dr. Hague, the pastor, was present for the first time, and preached in the morning from Mark iv. 34. " Vestry services " was the subject of the discourse. In the afternoon, the twenty-first chapter of John was ex-
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pounded, and the small meetings of the dis- ciples, with their beloved Master as their teacher, was the subject.
July 18, 1850, the church edifice being finished, was opened for public worship. Dr. Hague preached from Ephesians iv. 21.
This enterprise, so auspiciously begun, sent a thrill of vital energy through the whole body. It was now seen what might be accomplished by the united efforts of the Church of Christ in devising liberal things.
The South Church continued to prosper under the able discourses and faithful labors of its distinguished pastor. Our princi- ples, as a denomination, were so clearly de- fined, and so scripturally maintained, that many from other denominations were con- vinced and became obedient to the truth. Many also, among the unconverted, were awakened by the Spirit of God, sought mercy through Christ, " believed, were bap- tized, and added to the Church."
The Church likewise abounded in gen-
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. erosity. Liberal donations were made from time to time, towards the extension of Christ's kingdom in the city and through- out the world. Very early in the history of the Church, the subject of systematic benevolence claimed special attention. In July, 1850, Dr. Hague made the following report : -
" NEWARK, July 2, 1851.
" The Committee appointed to consider and propose a plan for regular and permanent contribution to ob- jects of benevolence, report, -
" That they regard the object before them as one of the most important that can now engage the attention of the Church. As with us it is an acknowledged truth that a church is Christ's appointed instrumentality for the extension of His kingdom on the earth, the ques- tion which relates to a plan of contribution is one which bears directly on the grand design for which the Church was constituted. To the Corinthian Church the Apos- tle said, 'Therefore as ye abound in everything, in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also,' that is, liberal giving. Hence it is evident that God has made it the duty of a church to promote His cause, not only by contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, but also by the contribu- tion of property.
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" In writing to this same Church, to whom the words just quoted were addressed, Paul gave the following direction : 'Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.' At that time a special object of benevolence was before the Church of Corinth, and the Apostle wished all the members of it to contribute systematically. and from principle, with quietness and efficiency, so that he might not appear among them as a fiscal agent seek- ing for money. The direction which we have cited involves several important principles.
" First, that Christian benevolence should be con- ducted according to a system. It should not be left to the mere play of impulse or the excitement of circum- stances.
" Second, that this system should be comprehensive and pervasive. 'Let every one lay by him.' Let the sick and the poor meet together with their offerings of love at the altar of Christ.
" Third, that the designation should be made at a stated time, frequently as often as once a week. On the first day of the week, when we thank God for redemp- tion and salvation, then we are bidden to lay a tax on our worldly income or expenditure, and to place it as a tribute of gratitude at the Saviour's feet.
" Fourth, this weekly study and calculation of the amount of our contribution should lead us to give to
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an extent commensurate with our power of giving. ' Let every one lay by as God has prospered him.'
" Here we have developed the apostolical plan of benevolence ; a system of God's ordering - simple, equal, rational, effectual ; requiring nothing to sustain it in any church but that degree of love to Christ and His cause which will keep us from forgetting Him longer than the interval between successive Sabbaths. If we have real love to Him, that system would be found to be self-sustaining, and we have reason to believe that the result would prove that the hints of Scripture are better than volumes of man's wisdoms.
"In view of these considerations, which might be more largely urged, the Committee recommend, -
" First, that a collection be taken after the sermon, on the morning of every Sabbath, for the cause of evangelization.
" Second, that from the funds thus accruing to the treasury of the Church, appropriations be made to specific objects of benevolence, at such times as may be hereafter designated.
" All which is respectfully submitted.
"WM. HAGUE."
This was the beginning of a system of Sabbath offerings which has secured a large amount of money in the aggregate, and has been a continual source of blessing to the Church. This system of benevolence was
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farther modified in 1865, when Dr. Levy, by direction of the Church, presented the following plan, by which the contributors know, at all times, the objects which are claiming their offerings and their prayers :
" The custom, recommended by the Apostle Paul, and established by this Church at its organization, is still cherished by us as eminently the wisest and most suc- cessful and becoming arrangement for securing the contributions of God's people. It is but right that every Christian, as he comes to the sanctuary 'on the first day of the week' to worship God and to give thanks 'for His unspeakable gift,' should bring with him a portion of the fruits with which God has crowned his labors. The rich should give of their abundance, the poor of their frugal savings, and all should give cheerfully and according to the measure of their ability.
"The collections on each Sunday morning will be appropriated to the following objects and in the order now designated : -
"January and February, Foreign Missions ; March, American Baptist Publication Society ; April, Newark Baptist City Mission ; May, Sunday-schools ; June, American Baptist Home Mission Society ; July and August, Miscellaneous Objects ; September, American and Foreign Bible Society ; October and November,
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