USA > New Jersey > Memorials of Methodism in New Jersey : from the foundation of the first society in the state in 1770, to the completion of the first twenty years of its history > Part 8
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us to brother H.'s, where about forty persons had assem- bled to wait for us in order to have prayer before we parted. As soon as I entered the house, a woman en- treated me to pray for her, and added, 'I am going to hell, I have no God.' I exhorted her and all present, setting before them the curses of God's law against sin ; and likewise I applied the promises of the gospel to the penitent ; then a young woman came to me and said, ' Father Abbott, pray to God to give me a clean heart.' I replied, ' God shall give you one this moment.' How I came to use the word shall, I know not, but she dropped at that instant into my arms as one dead. I then claimed the promises and cried to God, exhorting them all to look to God for clean hearts, and he would do great things for them, at which about twenty more fell to the floor. When the young woman came to, she declared that God had sanctified her soul. I saw her many years after, and her life and conversation adorned the Gospel. Prayer was kept up without intermission for the space of three hours; eight souls professed sanc- tification, and three Indian women justification in Christ Jesus."
The Church at New Mills, during the first years of its existence enjoyed remarkable prosperity. William Watters returned to New Jersey in the spring of 1782 to visit his friends there, and he says :
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" At the New Mills, I thought it very extraordinary ; seven years before I left a large society, and now found all alive, and but one of them had in that time left the society, while they had become double or treble the num- ber !"* This testimony speaks much for the stability and devotion of its early members.
JACOB HEISLER was one of the first members of the Church in New Mills. When he united with the society there were but four in class beside himself. He was but sixteen years of age when he experienced religion. He assisted in building the first Church in New Mills, and lived to see it decay, and another larger and better oc- cupying its place, and its membership greatly in- creased. Having fought the good fight for sixty years, he made a glorious and happy exit to heaven on the 17th of August, 1834, in the 76th year of his age.
"He was a sample of primitive Methodism," says Gov. Fort in an obituary sketch, "in the discharge of his duties, and in his conduct as a Christian and a man. He was alike punctual in attendance on public worship, family prayer, and reading God's holy word. He dis- charged with fidelity and success the active duties of a trustee, class leader, and exhorter for a number of years. Amid all his difficulties, trials, and severe afflictions, which to use his own language, 'equaled if not exceeded
* Life of Watters.
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those of Job,' he never lost his confidence in God, nor did religion cease to be his 'chief concern.' He passed through them all with almost unexampled patience and resignation. As the period of dissolution approached, his piety shone brighter, his love grew warmer, his zeal increased, and his whole soul seemed more impressed with the image of the living God. About a week before his death, he told me that his bodily afflictions were so great he could not realize that fullness of joy and spirit- ual comfort which he earnestly desired ; but still all was calm and peace within."
In a private letter Gov. Fort remarks concerning him as follows :- " Jacob Heisler was a man of remarkable piety. I have often heard him, when quite a child, speak in class and love-feast. He obeyed the apostolic injunction, to 'pray without ceasing,' nearer than any man I ever knew. He prayed seven times a day habit- ually in family and private, had strong emotions, and enjoyed the blessing of perfect love. He was always ready for death, walked with God as Enoch, and often made me think he would, like Enoch, not taste death."
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CHAPTER VII.
JAMES STERLING.
FOREMOST among the most honored and distinguished laymen of his time was James Sterling, a man who was identified with New Jersey Methodism for nearly half a century.
He was born in Ireland in the year 1742, but came to this country when very young. His mother was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, and her godly example and admonitions produced religious impressions on his mind at an early age. As he grew up, however, he fell into gay and trifling company, and imbibed the spirit and adopted the practices of the vain world, thus illus- trating the Scripture declaration that "evil communica- tions corrupt good manners."
He was trained to the business of a merchant by his uncle, James Hunter of Philadelphia, to whom he was much indebted for his success in life. Having reached the age in which it seemed expedient that he should en-
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ter business for himself, he removed to Burlington, New Jersey, and established himself as a merchant under the counsel and patronage of his uncle, depending, however, upon his own energy and industry for success. He withdrew from such society as was of questionable charac- ter, and formed such acquaintances as were likely to be of service to him.
He married a Miss Shaw who was an Episcopalian, himself being a member of the Presbyterian church, but agreeing to avoid all contention about differences of opinion in religion, they established the worship of God in their family, and maintained the form of godliness though for some time they remained without its power.
About the year 1771 he heard Mr. Asbury preach, and was brought under deep conviction of sin. He now be- came a constant hearer of the Methodist preachers, and soon joined the society, and for a considerable time he was connected with both the Methodist and the Presby- terian Churches. When the Revolutionary struggle com- menced, he held the office of justice of the peace under the royal authority, "but when the government of England declared that the Colonies were no longer under his Majesty's protection, he very justly concluded that where there was no protection there could be no obligations to allegiance. He then took a decided and active part in the American cause as a firm and zealous whig. He
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was the Captain of a company, and went with his com- pany to Staten Island and other places in the public service. He embarked his reputation, his fortune, and his all in the support of the Independence of the United States."*
During the war his religious fervor abated, and his connection with the Methodist society ceased. But, not- withstanding he made no profession of vital religion, he preserved his attachment to the cause and followers of Christ.
Having enjoyed prosperity in his business, he aban- doned " mercantile pursuits and bought a valuable farm in Salem county, and furnished it with stock and every- thing necessary to become a complete and great farmer. He moved on his farm with flattering anticipations," but not being contented in his new sphere of life he did not continue very long in it; but "about the close of the war he returned to Burlington and again went into the mer- cantile business where he continued to reside till the close of his valuable life.".
During his residence in Salem county he renewed his attention to spiritual concerns and was made the par- taker of a "peace that passeth all understanding."
* "Obituary Notice of James Sterling, Esq., of Burlington, New Jersey, which was published in the American Daily Advertiser, (Philadelphia,) January 19, 1818."
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Benjamin Abbott, in his Life, p. 45, says, " On a Satur- day night I dreamed that a man came to meeting, and stayed in class, and spoke as I never had heard any one before. Next day James Sterling came to meeting, stayed in class, and spoke much as I had seen in my dream. After meeting I said to my wife, that was the very man I had seen in my dream, and the Lord would add him to his Church. Soon after he was thoroughly awakened and converted to God." Years after this event Mr. Abbott, speaking of Mr. Sterling, says, "He yet stands fast among us a useful and distinguished member, known by many of our preachers and mem- bers." Having obtained the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins he had to endure a severe conflict in order to subdue his pride of spirit. He was a man of position and of fortune; but the Methodist society there at that time was composed chiefly of persons in the humble walks of life, and was generally regarded with disrespect by the polite and refined world. "However, he humbled himself, or rather, was humbled by grace, and became and continued to be a member of the perse- cuted and reproached society, and the Lord blessed his soul very remarkably, and in such a gracious manner as he had never before experienced, with pardon, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. He professed and no doubt possessed justifying grace by faith in his Lord and
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Saviour, the Spirit of grace bearing witness with his spirit, that he was born of God. He became very bold, zealous, and active in the cause of religion ; and he fre- quently spoke in public by way of exhortation, warning his fellow creatures to flee by repentance from the wrath to come, and to fly by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
He yet continued to be a member for some time both of the Presbyterian and the Methodist connections. But about that time some objections were raised by a part of the Presbyterian Church Session to his continu- ing to be a member of both communities ; that if he con- tinued in the Methodist society, and to speak in public, by virtue of authority or permission from the Methodists, they objected to his communing with them ; and also they objected to some tenets which he held in opinion with the Methodists as true and Scriptural, which some of the Session considered as contrary to their Confession of Faith. The Session, however, was divided on these questions. Some were for his continuing among them as he had done ; others were for his not communing with them unless he left the Methodists. He had been re- commended to them in terms of high approbation in his certificate from a sister Church, and they had no charge of immorality against him, and were probably unwilling to part with him. Yet the foundation was laid in that
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dispute for him to leave the one or the other society for the sake of peace; he therefore voluntarily made his election, or choice, to withdraw from the Presbyterians, as he had resolved to continue among the Methodists. Henceforward to the day of his death he was closely and firmly united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in fellowship and communion."*
Probably no layman in the State ever did more to ad- vance the cause of religion and Methodism than Mr. Sterling. Not content with laboring for the cause in the community where he lived, he was accustomed to go abroad to aid in the work of God. He was a "true yoke fellow" of Abbott, and more than once they to- gether shook the gates of hell. One day Abbott had an appointment at the house of a Baptist. When he ar- rived the man of the house declined permitting him to preach on account of the offence which had been given him by a piece on baptism which one of the Methodist preachers had published. "I remained perfectly com- posed and easy," says Abbott, "whether I preached or not. Brother Sterling, who had met me here, reasoned the case with him until he gave his consent." Abbott then preached and "the people wept all through the house and the man of the house trembled like Belshaz- zar."
* Obituary Notice of James Sterling, Esq, of Burlington, N. J. 10
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Abbott made a preaching tour in Pennsylvania, and his ministry produced its accustomed effect. At one of his appointments, "I met," he says, " with my worthy friend and brother in Christ, James Sterling, of New Jersey, whom I was glad to see, having written to him some days before and informed him how God was carry- ing on his work. In two days after he had received the account he met me here. We had a crowded house and the Lord laid to his helping hand; divers fell to the floor and some cried aloud for mercy." After the people be- gan to recover from the physical suppression produced upon them, doubtless, by intense religious emotions, Ab- bott appointed a prayer-meeting at the house of a friend in the neighborhood. He says, "I gave out a hymn and brother S. [Sterling] went to prayer, and after him myself. I had spoken but a few words before brother S. fell to the floor." All in the house were prostrated shortly except Abbott and three other men. One of these was a Presbyterian, who opposed the work, attrib- uting these marvelous phenomena to Satanic agency. Abbott arose and began to exhort, "and the two men," he says, " fell, one as if he had been shot, and then there was every soul down in the house except myself and my old opponent. He began immediately to dispute the point, telling me it was all delusion, and the work of Satan. I told him to stand still and see the salvation
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of the Lord. As they came to they all praised God, and not one soul but what professed either to have re- ceived justification or sanctification, eight of whom pro- fessed the latter." It thus appears that Mr. Sterling either enjoyed the blessing of sanctification previously to this time or he received it on this occasion. Our au- thorities do not determine which was the case.
At one time he was subjected to the operations of the Spirit to such a degree that his physical powers entirely gave way, and the friends being alarmed called a physi- cian who treated him for a physical disorder, applying blisters, &c. When he recovered sufficiently he made known to them the cause of his being thus affected, as- suring them that it was the result of a powerful Divine influence and not an "infirmity of the flesh."
He once went to Pott's Furnace where Abbott had an appointment and met him there. The place was re- markable for its wickedness, being in this respect, as Abbott affirmed, "next door to hell." The furnace men and colliers . swore they would shoot Abbott, but un- daunted by their threats he "went into the house and preached with great liberty." Some of the colliers were so deeply affected under the word that their blackened faces were streaked with the tears which streamed from their eyes. Mr. Sterling exhorted, and was very happy in declaring the truth. After meeting they went to a
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Mrs. Grace's at the forge. " The old lady took me by the hand," says Abbott, "and said, ' I never was so glad to see a man in the world, for I was afraid that some of the furnace men had killed you, for they swore bitterly that they would shoot you.'" At another time Mr. Sterling went into Maryland where Abbott was making one of his tours. They met at a Quarterly meeting which was held in a barn. Abbott preached on Sabbath morning and many cried aloud under the word and some fell to the floor. After the service he went to the house of a friend taking Mr. Sterling with him. On their ar- rival they were congratulated by the gentleman in a complimentary style, to which Mr. Sterling replied " as became the Christian and gentleman." At family wor- ship the kitchen door was opened so that the colored people, who assembled there in numbers, might partici- pate in the devotions without entering the parlor. Ab- bott announced a hymn and Mr. Sterling led them in prayer. When he ceased Abbott prayed. The power of the Lord was displayed in a wonderful manner among the colored people ; " some," says Abbott, " cried aloud, and others fell to the floor, some praising God and some crying for mercy ; after we had concluded, brother S. went among them, where he continued upward of one hour, exhorting them to fly to Jesus, the ark of safety."
Mr. Sterling was, as the above acts show, an earnest
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and indefatigable Christian laborer. He felt a deep in- terest for the religious welfare of all classes, and though a man of wealth and position, he did not think it below his dignity to labor in a kitchen with the enslaved child- ren of Ham, and point them to Him who is no respecter of persons, but who accepts all of every nation that fear Him and work righteousness.
He was particularly devoted to the spiritual interests of his own household. He kept a watchful eye over those in his employ as well as over those to whom he sustained a more intimate and endearing relation. A rule of his house was that all who were able should at- tend Church on the Sabbath. When the hour of service arrived he was not only there himself, but it was his cus- tom to rise and look over the congregation to see if all the members of his family, which included his clerks and servants as well as his own children, were present ; and if not, when he returned home the absent ones were called to an account, and if they could render a satis- factory excuse it was well, but if not they received from their parent or employer, as the case might be, such a reproof and exhortation as they were not likely soon to forget.
Mr. Sterling was a man of large benevolence, making his money as well as his time and energies subservient to the cause of religion. He contributed much during
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his life towards building Methodist houses of worship, and his Christian hospitality was unbounded. Twenty- four Methodist preachers, who were on their way to General Conference, stopped at a hotel in Burlington to spend the night. He heard of them being there, and immediately he proceeded to the place, introduced him- self and told them he desired them to repair to his house and spend the night. They inquired if it would be conve- nient for him to entertain so many at once. He replied, Perfectly, and as many more if it were necessary. Of course the clerical company exchanged their quarters at the hotel for the more genial accommodations of his at- tractive Methodist home. On Quarterly meeting occa- sions it was no uncommon thing for a hundred persons to dine at his house, and he frequently lodged as many as half that number at those times.
In the obituary sketch of him, which is attributed to Rev. Ezekiel Cooper, it is said, "It is supposed and believed that he has entertained in his house and contributed to- wards the support of more preachers of the gospel than any other man in the State, if not in the United States; and that he has done as much, if not more, in temporal supplies towards the support of religion, than any other man in the circle of our knowledge. In this work of benevolence he had been zealously, diligently, and regu- larly employed for about half a century. His heart, his
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purse, and his house were open to entertain, not only his acquaintances, but to show hospitality to strangers ; especially to those who came in the name of the Lord; and particularly to the ministers of Jesus Christ, of any denomination, who were always made welcome under his roof, where, with his family, they found a hospitable home and a comfortable resting place. The writer speaks in part from his own observation and knowledge, for more than thirty years.
" As a merchant and a man of business he was equaled by few. He conducted his affairs upon a large and ex- tensive scale with great diligence, perseverance, punctu- ality, and integrity for more than fifty years. Probably no other man in the State, and but few in the United States, ever transacted so much business in the mercan- tile line as he did; nor with more honor and honesty, and general satisfaction to those with whom he had deal- ings. He was particularly distinguished as an extraor- dinary and supereminent man of business for more than half a century.
" To take him all and in all perhaps his like we shall seldom see again. Not that we presume to intimate that he had no faults, or was without the infirmities of human nature which are the common lot of man; but he was un- questionably an extraordinary man, in the several circles of his long, active, useful, and devoted life."
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He died firm in the faith of Christ, and in hope of a blissful and glorious immortality, on Tuesday, the sixth of January, 1818, in the 76th year of his age, after a long and painful illness "which he bore with great pa- tience and Christian resignation." In his will he re- quested that on his grave stone should be inscribed the following lines :-
" Christ is to me as life on earth, And death to me is gain, Because I trust through him alone Salvation to obtain."
Mr. Sterling was the father of Mrs. Porter, the es- timable wife of Rev. John S. Porter, D.D. ; and the ex- cellent Robert B. Yard of the Newark Conference is his great-grandson, and the only one of his descendants whose life has been devoted to the ministry of the Church of which he was so long an ornament.
HE RESTS FROM HIS LABORS AND HIS WORKS DO FOL- LOW HIM.
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CHAPTER VIII.
DAWNING OF BRIGHTER DAYS.
THE Conference of 1780 met in Baltimore the 24th of April. It was a most important and trying session. The Virginia preachers seemed determined to administer the ordinances themselves to their people, arguing that those who were instrumental in converting men by their ministry had a right to give them the Sacraments, not- withstanding they were without Episcopal Ordination. They had even gone so far as to appoint a Committee, who first ordained themselves and then proceeded to or- dain their brethren. The Northern preachers could not approve of this extraordinary measure, and at this Con- ference it was feared that the controversy would result in a division of the Church. Before the close of the session, however, the Conference appointed a Committee consisting of Asbury, Watters, and Garrettson, to attend the Conference of the Southern preachers in Virginia, with a view to effect, if possible, a reconciliation. "But
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as nothing less than their suspending the administering the ordinances," says Watters, " could be the terms of our treaty with them, I awfully feared our visit would be of little consequence ; yet I willingly went down in the name of God, hoping against hope."
"We found," continues Watters, "our brethren as loving and as full of zeal as ever, and as fully determined on persevering in their newly adopted mode; for to all their former arguments, they now added (what with many was infinitely stronger than all the arguments in the world), that the Lord approbated, and greatly blessed his own ordinances, by them administered the past year. We had a great deal of loving conversation with many tears; but I saw no bitterness, no shyness, no judging each other. We wept, and prayed, and sobbed, but neither would agree to the other's terms. In the mean time I was requested to preach at twelve o'clock. As I had many preachers and professors to hear me, I spoke from the words of Moses to his father-in-law, 'We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you; come thou with us and we will do thee good : for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.'
" After waiting two days, and all hopes failing of any accommodation taking place, we had fixed on starting back early in the morning; but late in the evening it was proposed by one of their own party in Conference, (none
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of the others being present,) that there should be a sus- pension of the ordinances for the present year, and that our circumstances should be laid before Mr. Wesley, and his advice solicited in the business; also that Mr. Asbury should be requested to ride through the different circuits and superintend the work at large. The proposal in a few minutes took with all but a few. In the morning, instead of coming off in despair of any remedy, we were invited to take our seats again in conference, where with great rejoicings and praises to God, we on both sides heartily agreed to the above accommodation. I could not but say, It is of the Lord's doing and it is marvel- ous in our eyes. I knew of nothing upon earth that could have given me more real consolation, and could not but be heartily thankful for the stand I had taken, and the part I had acted during the whole contest. ] had by several leading characters, on both sides, been suspected of leaning to the opposite; could all have agreed to the administering the ordinances, I should have had no objections; but until that was the case, I could not view ourselves ripe for so great a change. In
a letter received from Mr. . -, in the course of the year, he observed, amongst other things, nothing shakes Bro. - like your letters. You will, I hope, continue to write and spare not. We now had every reason to believe that everything would end well, that the evils
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