USA > New Jersey > Union County > Scotch Plains > History of the Scotch Plains Baptist Church from its organization on the fifth of August 1747 to its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary on the fifth of August 1897 > Part 2
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Mr. Van Horn served the church well and faith- fully for nearly twenty-two years. He gained and held the respect and confidence, not only of this
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church, but of the denomination at large. His family were amiable and intelligent, a con- solation to himself and an ornament to
the community. But in the latter part of his ministry, his health failed, and he, having quite a large tract of land in the southwestern part of Ohio, determined to resign his pastorate and to remove thither. Hence, on the 28th day of September, 1807, he and his family entered the wagons which were to convey him from the scenes of twenty years of happy associations with a loving people. The long tedious journey increased his maladies, and he was only able to reach Pitts- burg, Pa., where, on the 31st of October, he passed away to his eternal home. The people of Pittsburg sympathized with the afflicted family and showed them many kind attentions. After the funeral the widow and children pursued their journey to their destination.
The church were without a pastor about nine months, during which time they were supplied by Jacob F. Randolph and Henry Ball, both members of the church and baptised by Rev. Mr. Van Horn and licensed to preach the gospel.
PASTORATE OF THOMAS BROWN.
In March, 1808, at the invitation of a com- mittee appointed by the church, Rev. Thomas Brown, Pastor of the Baptist church at Salem, N. J., visited this church. The labors of Mr. Brown and his visit were highly enjoyed, and the following April, a unanimous call was extended to him to become Pastor. This call he accepted, and removed to this place July 1, 1808. Mr. Brown, was a native of Newark, N. J. At the age of seven-
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teen years he was converted, and united with the First Presbyterian Church of that city. His evident preaching talent and inclination, led his friends to advise him to prepare for the ministry. He had not proceeded far in his preparations, when a com- plete change of views compelled him to be bap- tised and become a member of the First Baptist Church of Newark. Afterward, he spent some years in study, chiefly under the super-
vision of Dr. Samuel Jones, and in 1805, assumed his first charge at Salem, where he was ordained as Pastor. Dr. Staughton and Dr. Jones, officiated at his ordination. He remained at Salem about three years, when he came to this place at the call of the church. His pas- toral relations were pleasant and harmonious from the beginning. His pulpit ministrations as well as his judicious and efficient pastoral labors were highly appreciated. Baptisms were reported every year, with only one exception, the whole number amounting to one hundred and fifty, even though the most careful scrutiny was observed in the ex- amination of candidates. Mr. Brown was amiable and cheerful in private life, and held in high esteem for his social qualities ; but his especial power was in his pulpit ministrations. These were always instructive and interesting, and often especially eloquent and thrilling. His management of cases of discipline was tenderly wise and judiciously strict, and thus he endeared himself to the church membership and to the community.
In the winter of 1816-'17, the meeting house, which had no doubt been built before the organization of the church, and stood on ground a short dis- tance Northwest of the present edifice, was acci-
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dently burned and totally destroyed-of course all the inhabitants turned out to witness the unwel- come conflagration. Among others who were pres- ent was Recompense Stanbery, the son of the first deacon of the church and the father of our While esteemed townsman William C. Stanbery. the flames were consuming the timbers of the revered old structure, Mr. Stanbery said: "Bre- thren there is no better time to resolve to rebuild than now, as we stand around these smouldering embers." He then announced his own subscrip- tion for the purpose. His example was conta- gious, one and another followed, and a consider- able portion of the amount needed for the new house was raised then and there. Before the beginning of the new year, work was commenced and a new edifice, larger than the former one was erected. Recompense Stanbery, Joseph Bradford, John B. Osborn, Samuel B. Miller and David Osborn were the building committee who superintended the work to its completion. The new building cost about three thousand dollars and was paid for by contributions received almost exclusively from this vicinity, though the First Church of New York City sent some assistance to her mother in her time of need. There is little doubt that the spot upon which the new house was built was the same as that upon which the old one had stood, and that that ground had been donated to the church by William Darby, its first Ruling Elder ; and consisted of five square chains, comprising the entire old burying ground. The other lands pos- sessed by the church at this time was what was known as "the parsonage farm," and consisted of fifteen acres on the Plains, and twelve acres on the
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mountain. This had been purchased of the exec- utors of William Darby in 1775, and had been occupied by each of the succeeding pastors since that time. During the pastorage of Mr. Brown, Deacon James Brown left a legacy to the church, of Twelve hundred dollars, for the support of the poor, which was sacredly used for that purpose for many years.
Thus as time went on, the church was being enriched both spiritually and materially. Rev. Mr. Brown was giving the strength of his manhood to the preaching of Christ crucified. Sinners were being converted, and uniting themselves with this church, while the brotherhood were being cemented in closer fraternal relations by their trials and sor- rows as well as their successes.
In November, 1828, much to the regret of his attached people, Mr. Brown resigned the pastorate and removed to Great Valley, Pa. More than twenty years of constant service bore testimony to the faithfulness of the Pastor, but the records of eternity only can reveal the full measure of his success.
PASTORATE OF REV. MR. ROGERS.
After a period of less than a year, the church extended a call to Rev. John Rogers on the 30th of May, 1829. Mr. Rogers was born in the north of Ireland in 1783. He was converted at the age of seventeen years, and united with the Presbyterian Church of which his parents were members. Convinced of a personal call to the ministry, he entered upon a course of study, which was completed at the University of Edin- burg. After this he labored among the Independ-
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ents in Scotland and in Ireland. In the year 1811, after a careful study of the subject, he became con- vinced that christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water on profession of faith; and he was thereupon baptised by Rev. Daniel Cook, a Baptist Minister of Scotland. In the year 1816 he came to this country, and after a short residence at Hopewell, N. J., he was called to Pemberton, where he was ordained in 1817. His labors at Pemberton were highly appreciated by the mem- bers of that church, and the writer, who afterward labored in the same church, often heard him affec- tionately spoken of. He continued to labor with the Pemberton church until he removed to this place about the middle of August, 1829.
Mr. Rogers was a close student, and a good and instructive preacher. He had an extensive knowl- edge of the teachings of the bible, and his views of the plan of Salvation were clear, scriptural and definite. His ministry here was blessed with two special revivals, during which many were brought into the fold of Christ. Among these were three of his own daughters who proved the genuineness of their profession by a humble and pious deport- ment. Mr. Rogers baptized about one hundred and thirteen happy, rejoicing converts while he labored in this pastorate. The ingathering of 1837 was especially thorough and widespread. Perhaps the gloom and depression of that memor- able time of financial distress had something to do with turning men's minds into religious channels and leading to so many similar displays of the power of Divine Grace.
Mr. Rogers took a lively interest in both Home and Foreign Missionary enterprises, and he estab-
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lished in the church a schedule of systematic con- tributions to these objects.
The New Jersey Baptist State Convention was organized in 1830, and Mr. Rogers was one of its constituent members and gave it his influence dur- ing his life.
Mr. Rogers resigned in June, 1841, and removed to Perth Amboy, where he remained only about three years. Thence he went to Paterson, where he spent the remainder of his days without a di- rect pastoral charge, but preaching frequently and always acceptably for neighboring churches. He died August 30th, 1849, aged sixty-six years. His son, A. C. Rogers, M. D., survives him, and is a prominent and useful worker in the denomina- tion.
These four pastors, who occupied the pulpit of this church nearly the whole of the first century of its existence, were eminent men of God, and their record evinces how certainly the Great Head of the church will raise up suitable and qualified leaders to conduct his people along the line of His own purposes.
All of these men seem to have been wholly con- secrated to the work to which God had called them. They knew the truth in their own experi- ence, and they never hesitated to proclaim the doctrines of grace. They loved the distinguish- ing principles of our denomination, and they taught them fearlessly. Such teachings with the Divine blessing would be apt to make staunch, stalwart, Baptist christians; and it did-all honor to the human agencies-all praise to the Divine leader.
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REV. THOMAS F. BROWN, D.D.
REV. MR. WIVELL'S PASTORATE.
John Wivell was born in England. He became a sailor in early life, professed conversion and joined the Methodists-afterward he became a Presbyterian, and among them commenced preach- ing. He labored sometime in Nova Scotia, and then came to New York and was baptised by Rev. Duncan Dunbar. He was almost immediately licensed and ordained, and spent some time laboring among the seamen. He removed to Scotch Plains in March, 1842, and such was his tact, and insin- uating address, that he soon attracted to him the public favor, and the congregation rapidly in- creased in numbers, and there were many pro- fessed converts.
The deportment of Mr. Wivell was regarded by some from the beginning, as somewhat offensive to good taste, but was readily excused on account of his sea-faring life. After a while, reports unfav- orable to his moral purity were whispered about. At length the truth burst upon the church like a thunder clap. The humiliation and mortification which ensued was great, and Mr. Wivell was speed-
ily excluded from the fellowship of the church. His subsequent life and the fictitious names he assumed fully proved the wisdom of the church in its prompt action. Nothing so disastrous had ever occurred in the history of the church; but while it humbled the membership, it did not divide them.
The unfortunate incident proves that God's real people will be true and united even under disas- trous circumstances; and that the acts of even bad men will be overruled to accomplish His glory.
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REV. MR. LOCKE'S PASTORATE.
William E. Locke was a native of New York City. He was baptised by Rev. Dr. Cone in 1831. He was licensed by the Sandy Ridge Baptist church, N. J., in 1833. He was ordained at Mos- cow, New York, in 1836. He had also been set- tled at Gouveneur, Trumansburg and Sing Sing, N. Y. He accepted a call to this church and re- moved to Scotch Plains, May 2d, 1844.
Mr. Locke found the church in the peculiar cir- cumstances resulting from the defection of the former pastor. The labor to be performed was of that kind which needed much adroitness and cool judgment. If Mr. Locke had possessed and ex- hibited these qualifications it would have been far better for the church. But the course he pur- sued and the measures he adopted only alienated the membership and increased the friction which already existed. The ingatherings which had marked former pastorates, did not occur. But four persons were added by baptism during Mr. Locke's administration.
On the 8th of August, 1847, the church held a centennial service, commemorating with grati- tude the way in which the Head of the church had led them during the first one hundred years of their history. Mr. Locke, preached a centennial discourse on the occasion, which was printed and is in possession of many members of the church, and is held by them in high esteem.
At its organization the church had united with the Philadelphia Association, and in 1792, it had withdrawn and united with the then organized New York Association, and now in 1844, it united
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with the East New Jersey Association where it has since remained.
Mr. Locke, continued in charge of the church until September 1st, 1849, when he resigned and accepted a call to Amenia, N. Y. He afterward joined the Presbyterian denomination.
REV. MR. RUE'S PASTORATE.
Joshua E. Rue was born at Hightstown, N. J. He was licensed by that church in 1844. He was ordained at Jacobstown as Pastor in 1845, having been educated at Lafayette College and Madison University. Subsequently he served as Pastor at Sandy Ridge, N. J. In the beginning of the year 1850, he accepted a call to the pastorate of this Church and entered upon his duties. He preached the simple doctrines of grace, and as a result, a pleasant condition of spiritual awakening followed, and twenty-seven rejoicing converts were buried in baptism.
But in the midst of his work he was smitten by disease, and for many weeks his life seemed to hang in the balance. He was partially restored however, but was almost immediately called to follow to the grave the remains of his beloved companion, who had also endeared herself to this people. Thus sorely afflicted and with ruined health, he resigned the charge of the church, having served it acceptably just four years. Afterward he held agencies for the Home Mission Society, American Bible Union and for Peddie Institute. He retired to North Carolina, and died in 1887, and his remains were brought to this place and buried beside his wife and near the grave of the first pastor of the
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church, Benjamin Miller. The Ladies' Circle of this church erected a monument to mark the spot ; and the trustees have recently reserved and set apart some adjacent lots for the burial of any who may have served the church as pastor with their immediate families in all time.
During the period of Mr. Rue's pastorate some improvements were made upon the church prop- erty.
The number of members in 1854 was one hundred and forty-six.
DR. BROWN'S PASTORATE.
James F. Brown was born in Scotch Plains, July 4th, 1819. He was the son of Rev. Thomas Brown, who was at that time pastor of this church. James F. graduated from the University of Penn- sylvania in 1841, and studied theology with Rev. Dr. Dagg. He was ordained Pastor of the Ganis- ville Baptist Church, Alabama, and in 1846 took charge of the Great Valley church, Pa., where he remained eight years, and was then called to this his native town and to the pastorate of the church his father had so acceptably served. He removed to this place in 1854 and remained six years. He is a man of scholarly attainments, gentle spirit, sound theological views, large sympathies and has been blessed in his ministry. The church during his pastoral connection was harmonious and grew both in numbers and in influence. That memor- able year of financial adversity, 1857, was one of spiritual prosperity in this church. Many who were then added became prominent members, and those who yet remain remember gratefully and affectionately the judicious measures and
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REV. WILLIAM LUKE.
devout earnestness of the Pastor. Mr. Brown resigned in 1860 and became Pastor at Bridgton, N. J. While at Bridgton the University at Lew- isburg honored him with the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and also elected him to the chancellor- ship of that Institution. Dr. Brown is still liv- ing, and although not a Pastor, in consequence of ill health, is held in high esteem in the Denomin- ation.
REV. MR. LUKE'S PASTORATE.
Rev. William Luke was born in Esopus, New York, in 1821. He was both baptized and licensed to preach the gospel at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He entered Madison University in 1848, but remained only two years when he went to Rochester, where he graduated in 1854. He went to the Province of New Brunswick, but remained only a short time and returned to his native and more congenial climate. He was ordained at Hornellsville, and soon after removed to Forestville, N. Y., where he preached until 1857. Afterward he became Pastor of the Eighty-third Street Baptist Church of New York City, where during four years of service he was successful in building up the church which was weak when he assumed charge. In 1860 he was called to the pastorate of this church, and having accepted he removed to this place about the first of December of the same year. The circumstances which led; to the war of the Rebellion were culminating. Heated political discussion, was rife on every hand. Pastors were censured, some for being too pronounced in their devotion to the Union cause, and others for being too little so. Mr. Luke took a lively interest in
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the events transpiring and a number felt aggrieved. The congregation, the membership and the in- fluence of the Pastor, all declined. A number left the church by letter, and only two baptisms occurred during the six years of Mr. Luke's ad- ministration. It was at this period too that the church at Westfield was organized, and nearly twenty members asked for and received letters to unite with that organization-all these concurrent circumstances reduced the membership to one hun- dred and five.
Mr. Luke resigned January 1st, 1867, having been called to Greenport, L. I. Here he labored with much success, but ill-health compelled him to resign the pastorate; and he died at Wap- pinger Falls, N. Y., in the triumphs of faith, and the hope of the Gospel he had so faithfully preached, on May 16, 1869.
PASTORATE OF DR. BUCHANAN.
Joseph C. Buchanan was born in Ringoes, N. J., in 1841. He entered the sophomore class of Madison University in October, 1863, taking the degree of A. M., in course, three years later. He accepted a call to this church in 1867, and was ordained here, Oct. 1st of that year. Rev. D. J. Yerkes, D. D., of Plainfield, preached on the occasion, and Rev. J. D. Morell delivered the charge to the candidate, and Rev. L. O. Grenell to the church. He remained here until September 1st, 1878, when he resigned this his first pastorate, to accept the call of the Pemberton Baptist Church, where he still remains. During his pastorate at Pemberton, Bucknell University at Lewisburg, Pa., conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
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REV. J. C BUCHANAN, D.D.
Dr. Buchanan is a good theologian, a thought- ful preacher, a judicious, affectionate pastor, and has been prospered in winning souls. When he assumed charge of this church a pleasant state of religious feeling met the pastor at the outset; and by a faithful preaching of the gospel, attended by the blessing of God, a most important work of grace was experienced in the year 1868. Nearly fifty were baptised, and many who are now tried and true members of [the church were converted and put on Christ in baptism as the fruit of his ministry here.
An important material work accomplished during the pastorate of Dr. Buchanan was the erection of our present house of worship. The old church ed- ifice was sold. A considerable part of the parson- age farm was sold for building lots, and a substan- tial structure was erected on a fine corner, near where the old building stood. The present house is fifty feet by one hundred and ten feet including the lecture room in the rear. The main audience room is fifty by seventy feet with recess pulpit. The building is gothic in style, with corner tower and spire. The material is pressed brick, with Ohio stone and white brick trimmings, and slate roof. The cost including furniture and organ, was Thirty thousand dollars. The removal of the railroad further from the village, thus preventing the increase of population, which was confidently expected, together with the financial depression of the times left the church heavily involved in debt, which rested wearily upon them for many years.
Dr. Buchanan, labored self-sacrificingly and well, and very many members of the church as
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well as of the community hold him in highest regard. He is actively engaged in furthering the religious interests of our State, as well as our own denominational interests in addition to those of his pastorate. While Dr. Buchanan, is a New Jersey- man, yet his constant effort is for the widest dissemination of gospel truth. May he long live to witness the results of his labors.
PASTORATE OF REV. MR. GUISCARD.
Uriah B. Guiscard, was born and educated in England. In this country he was Pastor at Banks- ville, N. Y., at New London, Conn., at Brewsters, N. Y., and at Greenport, L. I. In each of these places he made a good record. He was called to the pastorate of this church April 29, 1879, and accepted the position early in August of the same year.
During his pastorate the church lost by death three tried and honored deacons, viz. : Jared S. Stout, Henry Hetfield and L. H. K. Smalley. Only two persons were baptised here by Bro. Guis- card. He resigned his charge March 26, 1882. During his administration a fine toned bell was placed in the tower of the church mainly by his efforts. The cemetery also was surrounded with a neat iron fence. Mr. Guiscard, was a good preacher, and had many amiable qualities. After his resignation he settled at Newton, N. J., where he remained 'a few years. He died, and was buried from the home of his son in Summit, N. J., at the age of seventy-one years.
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REV. U. B. GUISCARD.
PASTORATE OF REV. DR. PARKS.
PREPARED BY JUDGE J. D. CLEAVER.
James H. Parks was born in the City of New York, July 13, 1829. He was converted in the year 1847, and united with the Reformed Dutch Church. Soon after he commenced a course of preparation for Rutgers' College, having the Min- istry in view, but health failing, and a series of circumstances arising which brought the subject of Christian Baptism to his attention, he was com- pelled to make a thorough examination of Scrip- tural teachings upon the subject, which resulted in his being immersed, on profession of faith, on the second day of July, 1854.
He afterward pursued a post-graduate course at Columbian College, Washington, D. C., and re- ceived the Degree of Master of Arts, upon Ex- amination, from that Institution.
He was also honored with the Degree of A.M. from Princeton College, New Jersey.
He was ordained to the Ministry, May 28, 1856.
He has been Pastor of the Baptist Churches at Stamford, Connecticut; Bedford, New York; Pem- berton, New Jersey ; Mannayunk, Pa., and Norwich, Conn .; Calvary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Lin- den Avenue, Dayton, Ohio, and Scotch Plains, New Jersey.
While Pastor at Scotch Plains, in the year 1889, he received the Degree of D.D. from Shurtliff College, Illinois.
He settled with the Scotch Plains Church the second week in January in the year 1883, and resigned the pastorate December 31, in the year 1893.
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During his pastorate seventy-nine members by baptism or letter were added to the Church.
The years 1882-83 formed a critical period in the history of this Church.
It was the culminating period in a distressing series of financial disasters and spiritual barren- ness.
It was the "Harvest Home," when were garnered the Dead Sea fruits of unwise and, as the result proved, almost ruinous business mismanagement.
Many who had been active and prominent in the affairs of the Church were gone.
Some were alienated, some driven out by a spirit of intolerance, some were dead, some removed to other places.
A decade of business blunders and mistakes of management had given birth to unchristian feel- ings and harsh recrimination, so that the year of our Lord 1882 found but a few left who were will- ing to stand by the fortunes of this venerable church, when the storm-waves were beating high upon her walls and undermining her foundations.
It was, indeed, a time of peril which made all those who loved the church, for herself, her his- tory and her mission, realize that there was need of all being done that could be done by all who still clung to the cause, and were willing to go on, hoping and trusting that in His own time and way God would raise up instrumentalities for the care and perpetuation of this, His Zion.
So serious was the condition in the years 1881 and 1882, that it was with great difficulty the Treasurer could raise the paltry, weekly stipend of ten dollars, then the pay received by the Rev. Mr. Guiscard, the then Pastor, while at the same time
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