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 4
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The church has never been numerically large. Though about one thousand persons have been baptised since the organization, yet the member- ship at any one time has never been large. The reason for this is apparent. We are geographically located away from the railroad and are sur- rounded with Baptist churches. Besides this there are few manufacturing interests in our imme- diate vicinity. For this reason young persons who have been converted and united with the church have only remained until they could find employment elsewhere. Hence the church has always been a feeder to other churches. Young men and women have been trained in church work here, and then have gone to enrich the working force of other churches, while few have located permanently with us. We count it a privilege to have thus contributed to the greater efficiency of neighboring organizations through all these past years, and regard it a success if we have main- tained a creditable average membership.
The female membership has been an important factor in the success of every church enterprise. The
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records show that while women have never been entrusted with any official church position, yet the affectionately devoted lives, and hearty co-opera- tion with every good word and work, of many of them, has endeared them to the church and made their memory hallowed when they have passed away. Indeed, many a wisely planned scheme for church enlargement and progress would have failed but for the prayers, self-sacrificing identifi- cation, deft fingers and determined application of sisters of the church, who regarded no effort too great to make, for the cause so dear to their hearts. The Ladies' Circle in the time of the church's greatest financial need helped to carry the burden for years, and assisted in raising both the prin- cipal and interest of the mortgage debt. All honor to the consecrated women who were surely related to the Marys of old, who were last at the cross and first at the sepulchre of our risen Lord.
The Sabbath School was organized during the pastorate of Rev. John Rogers, in the year 1829, just sixty-eight years ago. Catechetical and Bible class instruction, however, was given by the Pas- tors of the church before that time. The East New Jersey Baptist Sunday School Convention was not organized until 1852, and our Sunday School immediately united with it. Its second session was held with this church and school in 1853. It is impossible to collate the names of all who have served as Superintendents, but the fol- lowing named are distinctly remembered by some of the oldest living members of the church : Deacon Henry Hetfield, for twenty-five years, Thomas Ward, Thomas Cleaver, James E. Pugs- ley, Randolph Silvers, Anson Grant, H. E. Need-
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SOME OF THE DEACONS.
ham, Charles A. Smith, L. H. K. Smalley, David Hand, R. C. Treadwell, George Colgate and George E. Hall. Bro. Hall is in charge of the school at this time, and is efficiently promoting its interests. He is also President of the East N. J. Baptist S. S. Convention. All of these officers have been among the most public spirited, self sacrificing and consecrated members of the church. There has always been a corps of teachers too, of both sexes, who have labored in this nursery of Zion, and God has not left them destitute of evidence of His approval.
It is undoubtedly a historical fact, that among the great army of Sunday School workers in our State, it may be declared that this or that man was born into the Kingdom of God by the influ- ence of the Scotch Plains Baptist Sunday School.
The church has had thirteen regular Pastors, of whom four are yet living, viz. : Rev. J. F. Brown, D.D., Rev. J. C. Buchanan, D.D., Rev. J. H. Parks, D.D. and Rev. J. S. Braker, the present Pastor. Two of these Pastors were ordained here, viz. : Benjamin Miller and Joseph C. Buchanan, and two are buried here, viz .: Rev. Benj. Miller and Rev. Joshua E. Rue. The longest term of office continued thirty-four years, and the shortest twenty months. The average is more than twelve years.
DESCENDANTS OF ORIGINAL FAMILIES.
Of course the constituent members of the church have long since gone to their final home and their reward, but some of their descendants are still residents of our town.
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Recompense Stanbery, one of the constituent members and deacons, had children, among whom were Recompense Stanbery, born September 23, 1758. He also was identified with the church. Nine children were the result of his marriage, of whom but one remains, William C. Stanbery, who is an honored and respected member of our com- munity.
Rev. Benjamin Miller left one son, who lived in the homestead, the farm now occupied by our honored townsman, A. D. Shepard. He had sev- eral children. Aaron Drake married one of the granddaughters. Two of his children, Miss Sarah Drake and Miss Louise Barr, are now identified with us and are the only members of the church who are direct descendants of the first pastor.
John Darby, one of the early members, married Nancy Stanbery. He had several children. Levi, Aaron, John, Joseph, Recompense, William, Katie and Margaret. William H. Cleaver married Mar- garet, and Judge James D. Cleaver, one of the sons of this union, is a member of our Board of Trustees. He was President of the Board in 1847, and is again President this present year, 1897. Levi Darby, who is yet with us, is a son of Aaron Dar- by. Albert B. Darby, now of Plainfield, is a son of Joseph, who was a member and trustee of this church fifty years ago, and his widow is still a member of this church.
Benjamin Stites, whose name often appears in the old records, had three sons-Henry, Foster and Benjamin. Mrs. James D. Cleaver who died only two years ago, the wife of Judge Cleaver, was the daughter of Benjamin. Henry Stites, who passed away in 1894, was the son of Foster,
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Mrs. Gershom Little, who now resides in our com- munity is the daughter of Henry.
James Coles came into this community in the last century. One of his sons was Dennis Coles, who was the father of our lamented fellow mem- ber, Dr. Abraham Coles, L.L.D., and of Mrs. Susan Stout. He was the grandfather of Dr. J. Ackerman Coles and his sister Emily who are still in church relationship with us. Dennis Crane,
another grandson, is also a member of the church.
Dr. Corra Osborn was a deacon of the church and a prominent and influential member. He left several children, one of whom married Samuel Hayes. She was an active and useful member until 1892 when she died, leaving three daughters, Mary, Hannah and Lydia, who are still efficient workers with us.
There are other representatives of the old mem- bers living, some still in our community, and others in other parts of the Lord's heritage.
These all cherish a commendable and fervent love for the old church home. They rejoice in every success which attends the labors of those who are working in the old vineyard; and believe that God has blessed every scripturally inspired effort which has been made by His people in all the eventful years of its history.
The Present Officers of the Church are
Rev. J. S. Braker, Pastor. William Archbold, Deacon. Dr. J. A. Coles, David Hand, George L. Dunn, Church Clerk. George E. Hall, Treasurer.
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TRUSTEES.
James D. Cleaver, Pres .; F. W. Westcott, M. D., Norman Dunn, Alfred D. Beeken, Wm. T. Banks, John P. Bornman and Frederick W. Happle.
CONCLUSION.
The history of one hundred and fifty years is completed. While the workers of other years have passed away, God has raised up others in their place, for "while the laborers cease the work goes on."
The fidelity and constancy of our forefathers amid difficulties and discouragements is an example to us which we may well emulate. Their work is ended. Their remains repose in this silent ceme- tery until the summons of the Great King in the last great day .- Here they saw the cross and en- dured the toil, and here they will see the King in His beauty. Their work is transferred to us. It is a glorious inheritance. It ought to arouse our zeal and our grandest efforts for the honor of the Master. May the church continue until Christ's second appearing, and may we contribute our share to the accomplishment of the purposes of the great Head in Zion.
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THE TRUSTEES-1897.
THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
AT
SCOTCH PLAINS,
A MID-SUMMERS SABBATH IN, AND ABOUT IT,
FIFTY YEARS AND MORE AGO.
BY JAMES D. CLEAVER.
Not many will come up to our Sesqui Centen- nial Anniversary, who were here at the date of this sketch which is Ante-Centennial.
Most of them have gone on to the "undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveller returns." Many of them are quietly resting in the Old Bury- ing Ground, their mortal remains lying around those of the Reverend Benjamin Miller, the first and beloved pastor of the church in the bivouac of death, awaiting the reveille, which on the morning of the Resurrection, shall call them from their slumber to the realities of that day.
Of the remaining few, the writer is one. He writes from Memory, and hopes to be substan- tially correct in what he states.
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The day was a Sabbath; indeed. The sun rose brightly, and ushered in a day of rest for the quiet old village and the neighboring farms. Over all reigned an air of peaceful contentment which gave promise of a day full of worshipful experi- ence, which should hallow the hours with heavenly joy and blessing, while it's duties and services should comfort and strengthen all who should share in it's Mission of Love to God and Man.
Under the sway of such influences it was easy to say with Coleridge :
"He prayeth well, who loveth well
"Both Man, and Beast and Bird;
"He prayeth best, who loveth best
"All things, both great and small;
"For the dear God, who loveth us,
"He made and loveth all."
The Old Meeting House, which was of frame and covered roof and sides with shingles, painted white, without porch or spire, or any architectural ornament, stood at quite a distance from the road (now Park Avenue).
It was flanked on the northwest and on the rear by the Burying Ground. On the southeast was "The Green," reaching eastwardly, to the School House which then stood on the line of the side walk, nearly where the present church build- ing stands.
"The Green" or Lawn had upon ita grove of fine trees, oaks and hickories.
It was the play ground for the school children; it was the place where the soldiers of the early days, met, "horse and foot," on "training days," and were drilled in their manual.
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"The Green," was, also, where the annual "Town Meetings" were held, and where the early politicians displayed their eloquence and their skill in guiding the Ship of State.
"The Green," was not fenced on the front or road side, but was open to all :- It has disap- peared now, with the Old Meeting House, and the Old School House which then stood on its south- easterly and northwesterly corners as sentinels of religion and education. The Lawn now ex- tending along Park Avenue northwesterly from the present church building marks the location of the old "Green."
On such a Sabbath as I am speaking of "The Green" was the drawing room of the parish, where ante-sermon receptions were held.
Without, as within, the Old Meeting House was devoid of ornament or architectural pretension. It's two doors of entrance, each opening into one of the two aisles within, were approached by stone stoops, three steps high, no porches or railings protected them.
There were two rows of square windows, one above the other, on the sides, and a long narrow window, on either side of the Pulpit, in the rear wall.
No shutters, or shades or blinds were there to shut out the sun.
The "dim religious light" now so great a de- sideratum in modern sanctuaries, was an unknown quantity there.
Galleries extended around the sides and front of the auditorium.
These were terraced, and constituted the Sunday School room of those days.
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They also, usually, accommodated the flotsam and jetsam of the parish with sittings, free of charge.
The Sunday School was primitive and unpre- tending.
The teachers did not "know it all," and pru- dently confined themselves to the printed questions and answers contained in the lesson books.
The library was not extensive or various.
The books were as dry as they were few; the Librarian went from class to class with his stock of books displayed on a board shelf which he car- ried in front of him, and the scholars accepted with meek resignation the book given them; they had no choice in those days; nor did it take a faithful reader long to "go through " the entire list, so that being deprived of "a choice " mat- tered but little.
No stage then brought the children to Sunday School.
If their parents thought the children were well, the children came-having nothing to do with the business, except to obey, and attend.
Sunday School Excursions had not invaded this secluded spot -as to Picnics-well, there were times when on the glorious fourth of July, the Sunday School was assembled on "the Green," and the youthful hearts fired with patriotism by weak rhetoric and weaker lemonade .- Excuse the digression.
Let us return to the Meeting House. Within, the floor space was divided by the two aisles lead- ing from the doors of entrance, into three parcels of pews, two wall slips and the central body, the pews of which reached half way from aisle to aisle.
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THE OLD
SCHOOL HOUSE ERECTED.A.D.
1786
THE BUILDING IN THE BACKGROUND IS THE OLD CHURCH AS IT STOOD FROM 1819 TO 1870.
The pews were straight up and down, made of very hard boards and so high of backs and seats that a boy of fourteen could, with difficulty, "see out " while he was standing, or "touch bottom " when sitting down.
The floors were uncarpeted, save on some extra- ordinary occasion, when they were ornamented with a top-dressing of "Rockaway sand." The house was warmed in the winter, at least two cor- ners of it were, by two immense stoves known as the "ten-plate " variety. These were fired with great hickory and oak billets, and, when in full blast, made their immediate vicinity unbearably hot, while at the other end of the room, the mer- cury was down to zero. Still it is likely that the temperature, had it been fairly averaged, would have marked about " temperate." The house was lighted ! by a system of tallow candles, held in tin holders, at the end of crooked wires, attached to the square wooden pillars which supported the galleries.
The naps of the bad boys and girls who slept in "meetin' time," were disturbed at stated intervals, by the Sexton, who went around the aisles, with heavy tread and creaking shoes, Snuffers in hand, to snuff the candles, and make darkness visible.
The prominent feature of the "Interior " was, however, the Pulpit. From it came the "bread of life," as it was broken by the Pastor. From it issued " in tones of love or warning fear," instruc- tion, appeal, admonition, reproof, rebuke, threat- ening. It was the central point and fountain for the people, and its influence for good in the com- munity was recognized and gratefully ac- knowledged.
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The Pulpit was located between the long win- dows in the rear wall, and was suspended about mid-way between the floor and the ceiling, so as to be plainly visible from the remotest part of the room. It was reached by a long winding stairway, and a cushioned seat afforded room for two or three people.
The preachers of those days seemed to prefer an elevated place from which to reach their hearers.
There was no "sounding board" overhead. Underneath the Pulpit was a recess which con- tained the book-case (about the size of an ordinary wardrobe), holding the Library of the Sunday School. In front of the recess were four large rush bottomed arm chairs, which at Communion and other important occasions contained the four Deacons; who to us boys, were awful in their solemn dignity.
Thus was the Old Meeting House the one that had arisen from the ashes of its predecessor.
No spire or belfry rose above its roof, and no " church-going bell " rang out over the Plains to ummon the worshippers to the Sanctuary.
Nevertheless, they came. Let me recall some of them as they came up from their homes that day, to join in their Sabbath day's worship.
There came the brothers, Silas and Mulford Cole, from their brook farm-they came out to the Plainfield road, now Front street.
They then joined the sisters Jemima and Emme- line Shotwell, who came from their father's house on the hill just beyond.
From the "Short Hills," near Netherwood and the "Terrill Road," there are coming Corra O. Meeker and Deacon William Hand, Grandfather
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of our present Deacon David Hand, and with them come the Lees, the Garthwaites, the Hetfields, the Dolbiers, the Lines, the Crisps and "Aunt Betsy Terrill," the last representative of the family which gave its name to that road.
As these come out on the Plainfield Road, they are joined, or followed by "Aunt Katie Cole," and the families of Melvin Parse, Amos Osborn, Jona- than Hand Osborn, Joseph Bradford, Deacon Henry Hetfield, Vincent L. Frazee, William H. Cleaver, Noah and Cooper Parse, Jotham D. Frazee, "Aunt Phebe Darby," widow of Ezra Darby, formerly Member of Congress; the families of Samuel Ver- meule, Gideon Allen, the Moffetts, Simeon V. and Amos, Joseph M. Osborn, afterward Sheriff of Union County, Jonathan Osborn, Jr., formerly Sheriff of Essex County and Thomas J. Barr, then the Keeper of the Old Tavern. N. B. It was not thought dis- reputable in those good old days for a hotel keeper to attend church.
Going over a point further east to "The Darby Road," now Park ave., there came up by that way to our church, the Lamberts, the Sisters Hetfield, Deacon James E. Pugsley and family, also the families of Aaron and Levi Darby, the Platts, John Darby and Benjamin S. Hetfield.
Another point eastward brings us over to the Westfield road, and up from that old village, and beyond, we have coming as worshippers at our altar the widow of Thomas Clark with her sons, the families of Jacob Cole, brother to Silas above named, Doctor Corra Osborn, M.D., father of the late Mrs. Samuel Hays; she was one of the true and tried friends of the church in the years of peril and poverty. With them came Major Aaron
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Ball, who for years acted as Precentor, and led the congregational singing. After these came John B. Osborn, surnamed "the little," the Adair brothers, Shuttleworth and George W .; then the families of William Osborn, and of Deacons John and Jonathan Osborne, and with them the Wil- cox and Marsh, and Ryno families ; coming 'round the corner, known as "Pfaff's," these were joined by the households of Andrew Schuyler, Oliver Hand, surnamed "the Lawyer," Abraham Nelson, "Aunt Rachel Darby," Aaron Drake, Alexander Wilson, a scholarly man, who often expounded the Scriptures, at the evening meetings in the upper room of the Old School House, John W. Osborn and Judge Corey.
Looking, now, further toward the north, we may see another contingent of our friends, coming in by the Springfield road-now Mountain Avenue. From the Branch Mills neighborhood come the families of William Darby, William Richards, Carlisle and Erastus Miller, James Roll and William H. Darby.
Coming hitherward, these are re-inforced by the families of James Coles and his father, Esquire Dennis Coles, who was the father of the late Doc- tor Abraham Coles, M. D., and Grandfather of our present Deacon, Doctor Jonathan Ackerman Coles, M. D., and these were joined by Captain William Abel and Robert Walpole with their folk.
From Feltville, or as the locality was known in the early days, "the Old Powder Mill," where in Revolutionary days, the Continental Army, more especially " the Jersey Blues," drew largely their supply of powder, then manufactured up in that secluded nook-from their mountain farm up
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there, came Thomas and William Ward, two stal- wart brothers.
Still further around toward the north west, down by the New Providence Road, sometimes called "The Turkey Road," we may see coming down to join the Congregation, the Townleys and Deacon Maxwell Frazee, with his large family, while from the Washington Valley and the Mount Bethel way, the procession is supplemented by the families of James C. Lyon, the Archibalds, of whom I believe our worthy Deacon, William Archibald and his brother John, are now the only representatives left, Lyman Spencer and Nathaniel Drake, Jr .; and coming down the eastern slope of the mountain these were joined by the families of Amos Cole, Nathaniel Drake, Isaac Drake, Joseph S. Darby and Gauin McCoy, David Frazee and John Mooney, while on the Plains, east of Green Brook, the line was increased by the house- holds of Col. Stanbery, Matthew S. Dunn, "Aunt Sally Stites" and Aaron B. Allen. Thus they came, from every point of the compass, on foot, on horseback, in comfortable wagons and in covered carriages.
As they reached "the Green," and cared for their teams, they began at once the first duty and pleasure of the hour, that of the social nature.
In that place and hour there were no class dis- tinction : all met on a common plane. No rich, no poor, no high, no low. All were friends and neighbors, and most of them were of kin to each other.
As group after group arrived, and joined those already there, the welcomes went around with sincerest feeling. The glances of recognition, the
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smile of pleasure at meeting, gave wealth of honest reality to the voices which spake, and to the hearty hand shaking which emphasized the greetings given by all to all.
Those present exchanged their genuine and un- affected salutations, and the absent ones were all enquired after.
All were not Church members, all were not pro- fessing Christians; but all who came there were such as revered the Most High, honored His Religion, and His Sabbath, and respected the services of the hour.
The day was a perfect one, an ideal Sabbath. The sun had now risen high overhead, and was giving warmth, and life, and light and color to all created things animate and inanimate. On the northwest, the sky-line was shown by the waves of the range of hills which marked the boundary of the plain in that direction, and were clad in all the pomp of their green and misty purple foliage.
The Old Mill which stood hard by, had ceased its work-a-day clatter, the ponderous mill-stones hung quietly upon their spindles, the whir of the iron cogs in the big wheel-pit was hushed, and the great master wheel, suspended on its mighty shaft, was motionless and silent.
The brook -- Green Brook-released from its bondage and servitude went freely and joyfully on its way, sparkling and dancing in the sunlight, singing its Sabbath song of praise and glad- ness, as it rippled on over its stony bed, or turned aside in circling eddies into some deep pool among the lily pads, or under the overhanging alders, to gossip with the fishes, as it went on its way to the sea rejoicing.
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To the east, the south, and the west, the Plain spread out to the horizon's verge, a panorama of pastoral beauty.
In places the wooded groves, and the great apple orchards, then abundant hereabouts, marked the landscape with the dark green of their foliage.
Interspersed with these were fields of sturdy corn and yellow grain, waving in the sunshine and the gentle breezes, and prophesying to the waiting farmer of the coming harvest.
The meadows, too, which carpeted with their verdure most of the Plain, were bright and wor- shipful with their bloom and with their fragrance, which under the wooing of the warm sunbeams and the inborn impulses of their own nature, were exhaled as the incense of gratitude and love for the Great Creator of the mountains mighty and lilies of the valley fair and frail.
The hush and calm was broken, not disturbed by the neighing of horses and the lowing of the kine in the distance. Overhead in the branches of the trees, the song-birds were filling the air with the melody of their songs of praise and happiness, while all around there came to the ear the monot- onous hum and drone of the bee and insect, which served to soothe the mind and give added repose to the Baptism of tranquility, which typified the angels' song at the Saviour's birth, "Peace on earth, good will to men."
Over all this scene of peaceful beauty from the "delectable hills" to the "sweet fields" then "dressed in living green," the overhanging canopy of blue and gold, seemed to come down nearer to earth and enfold within its radiant curtains, for the time at least, this quiet spot; and it needed
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but a slight effort of the imagination to give to the listening ear of the devout soul "the still, small voice" of the Christ whispering through the Heav- enly corridors : "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
And with one accord the people all went into the Temple for Worship.
When all were seated, the Minister arose, while every head was bowed, returned thanks to God for all the mercies which we enjoyed, and invoked the Divine blessing upon the services of the day and for guidance to words and thoughts and feelings of preacher and people.
The hymn was then given out:
"Majestic Sweetness sits Enthroned "Upon the Savior's brow; "His head with radiant glory crowned, "His lips with grace o'erflow."
This hymn was the keynote to the service of the day. We knew that the message would come from Calvary, and not from Sinai, and when the words of the hymn went out upon the voices of the Congregation on the tune of Ortonville, the hearts of the people were as one with themselves and their preacher-receptive, loving, worshipful.
We had in those days no "Service of Song," by that name, we had no responsive readings of the Scriptures, no Antiphonal Service of any kind.
The Minister read the Scriptures and the hymns, the Precentor "led the singing," and his leading was followed by the Congregation with willing tongue, and with tuneful voice, and lofty praise.
No trained Choir awed or amazed the people, or drove the very idea of worship out of mind, by its skill and perfection in vocal calisthenics or some- times gymnastics.
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But the singers of those days, while not always precisely in tune or "on time," sang with the hallowed inspiration of praise, gratitude, and reverence for Him whom they were taught to re- gard as Creator, Benefactor, Saviour.
When the hymn had been sung and the hearts of the people were attuned to the sweetness of harmony and of love for the subject of the hymn, who had so loved them, the Minister then began reading the Scripture lesson.
This consisted of selections from the Sermon on the Mount, including the golden rule, and the Beatitudes.
From this treasure-house of the Wisdom and love of the Master, so much was given as was need- ful to prepare the minds of the listeners for fur- ther consideration of the subject-matter of the coming sermon.
Following the reading, the Hymn announced was,
"All hail the power of Jesus' name
"Let Angels prostrate fall;
"Bring forth the royal diadem,
"And Crown Him Lord of all."
This crowning of Christ, borne aloft upon the exultant strains of "Coronation," gave grand out- let and utterance to the rising warmth of the de- votional spirit which was overcoming the as- sembly.
When this glad song of acclaim had ended, it's triumphant ascriptions of Kingship and Lordship to the Christ, and it's expressions of loyalty to Him as Prince and King and Saviour, had been wafted into upper air, and upward toward the heavenly throne, and the listening Ear Divine;
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then were the worshippers, the ready, rapt, eager listeners to the words of the Preacher, as he gave out the text :
"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the World."
And now we knew, of a truth, that this day's message was the voice from Calvary, not from Sinai.
The Preacher was in his kindliest mood. His heart, as well as his head was in, and behind what he said. He sought to unravel no theological en- tanglements. He simply preached "Christ and Him crucified."
Beginning at the Manger cradle, in the cavern of the Khan at Bethlehem, whither the Star had guided the Magi, and found them kneeling awe- stricken and worshipful, worshipping before the Child, whom they had been told in a vision, was "born King of the Jews;" and unto whom they were gladly giving gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and homage-worship as well; the preacher went skilfully over many of the prominent events in the life of the Nazarene, selecting such as pointed most directly to His Divine Humanity, showing Him as a "Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" and, as at the baptismal waters of the Jordan, when the hovering Dove brooded over the example set by Jesus for his followers, and the voice of Deity spake from above to a listening world : "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."
The Preacher then illustrated some traits in the dual character borne by this "Son of Joseph, the carpenter."
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His poverty and humility, as when he said: "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man, hath not where to lay his head."
His power and sublimity ; as when he spake to the winds, and the tempest on the Sea of Galilee, and the turbulent waves obeyed the Master's voice, and sank to calm again.
But of all the characteristics displayed in the life of Him "who spake as never man spake," the Preacher dwelt longest and most emphatically upon the Love displayed in all the Saviour's works and ways.
How He fed the hungry, healed the sick, opened deaf ears, gave sight to the blind, cleansed the lepers, raised the dead.
How he strove to teach by word and Example the heaven-born lesson of the Golden Rule, and the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Tracing the earthly career of the Christ, from Bethlehem to Calvary, he pointed out how in all that life of majesty, omnipotence and God like- ness, all those attributes and potencies which marked Him as the Son of God, were in turn sub- ordinated to unwearied self-abnegation, and to the most untiring ministration of goodness, mercy and love; the preacher strove to win his hearers to imitate in their lives, and towards each other, as men and brethren, in their daily intercourse the sublime example of their "elder brother, their in- tercessor," "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the World."
The peroration covered with graphic fidelity and eloquence the last crowning act of self-sacrificing love for man-the tragic scene, when the sun was
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darkened, and night at mid day brooded over the rent, and reeling earth, and suspended on the Cross, the Saviour, with compassion more than mortal, prayed for His persecutors: "Father for- "give them for they know not what they do;" and the curtain fell upon that awful scene, as the same voice exclaimed : "It is finished."
Pity, gratitude and love for and to the Christ filled all hearts.
But high above all these emotions arose the sense of triumph in His triumph, the glow of joy inexpressible in His conquest-the feeling of vic- tory born of His last triumphant words: "It is finished."
And these high-born and holy sentiments wel- ling up and overflowing in their hearts, were relieved but not fully expressed in the closing hymn set to the tune of "Merdin."
"Burst ye Emerald gates and bring
"To my raptured vision, "All the Exstatic joys that spring "'Round the bright Elysian:
"Lo! we lift our longing eyes,
"Break, ye intervening skies.
"Sun of Righteousness, arise,
"Ope the gates of Paradise.
"Sweetest sound in Seraphs' song.
"Sweetest sound on Mortal's tongue;
"Sweetest carol ever sung-
"Let it's Echoes flow along."
When the voice of song in these exultant strains, were gradually led by the Precentor to the words of long metre doxology-
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all Creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost"-
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which was rendered upon the majestic measures of "Old Hundred," the worshippers were well pre- pared to receive from the good Minister's lips the Benediction, and retire from the house, with re- freshed souls, and devout hearts, hoping to be thereby helped to do good and get good, in the coming week, convinced, as they were, that Love is the grand remedy for all social evils, as it is, indeed, the only foundation for good, toward God or Man.
And so they went out, and only stopping to bid each other affectionate adieus, they separated and went to their several homes.
In the evening the villagers, and a few from the suburbs, met in the upper room of the Old School House and had a simple service.
The Pastor or Deacon Hetfield, or Alexander Wilson, would read a selection from the scriptures, and make a brief exposition of it. Prayers were offered and hymns sung, and with exhortations to believers and unbelievers, the meeting would close and the people return to their homes. A most de- lightful feature of those "evening meetings" and one over which memory lingers with fondness, was the singing led by Mr. William Drake, son of Nathaniel, assisted by Miss Margaretta Osborn, sister of the late Sheriff, Joseph Manning Osborn ; and when the songs of praise led by their young, clear and melodious voices, it was no mere "lip service" but bore aloft the very sign of true Praise. They are now for a half century or more, hus- band and wife, living happily at Irvington, and members of the Baptist Church at Lyons Farms.
And thus ended a Mid-Summer Sabbath at Scotch Plains, fifty years, and more ago.
73
1
This Sketch must close, as it began :
"Not many will come up to our Sesqui Cen- tennial Anniversary who were here at the date of this sketch, which is Ante-Centennial."
6/11/62 God & Mac Manus Bo @ hola, 50 5
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