USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > Flemington > One hundredth anniversary exercises of the Baptist Church, Flemington, N.J. June 17th, 18th and 19th, 1898 > Part 2
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Memorials of a Century.
for occupancy, services were held in Masonic Hall.
On August 16th, 1868, nine members were dismissed to assist in constituting a church at Ringoes.
After the completion of the new building, there began an era of somewhat wider activities and greater social interests. A Ladies' Aid Society was formed, which was in existence for . several years and raised the money to pay for the new pipe organ, doing this mostly by means. of socials, entertainments, lectures, and the like. An able organist was secured and the musical part of the services was greatly improved. A reading room, supplied with papers and periodi- cals, was opened in the basement of the church. Much attention was given to the Sunday-school and that department of church work was im- proved and enlarged. In all these efforts, the genial, sympathetic pastor and his accomplished wife were leaders.
The earnest, attractive preaching of the pastor was blessed in the conversion of many souls. He baptized one hundred and thirteen in his stay of five years. On August Ist, 1872, Mr. Woods tendered his resignation to the deep regret of his people. The attachment then formed between pastor and people, has not been broken, though over a quarter of a century has passed since the separation.
1872-80.
Truly yours O Elassar
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Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J.
The Sabbath after after Mr. Woods left the' pulpit, it was occupied by Thomas E. Vassar, of Lynn, Massachusetts. Mr. Vassar was called at a salary of $2,000, and November Ist, 1872, he entered upon his duties as pastor. The follow- ing spring, the tact and energy of the new pastor were enlisted in an effort to reduce the large debt of $22,000 that rested on the house of worship. $14,000 were raised. Then came the hard times of '73, and a respite of seven years was required before the remainder of the indebtedness was removed. It was a difficult task then; it would be practically impossible now, so greatly has the value of the dollar appreciated.
On June 19, 1873, the church celebrated, with suitable exercises, the seventy-fifth anniversary of its formation. An historical sermon was preached by the pastor, and addresses were made by Thomas Swaim, G. S. Webb, H. F. Smith, B. C. Morse, Charles E. Young, and A. D. Willifer. The sermon was subsequently printed, together with the Articles of Faith, and a list of officers and members.
The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society was organized in 1875, with Mrs. Vassar as its first president. Some years later the society enlarged its scope, and is now the Woman's Foreign and Home Mission Society.
In 1874, the Hymn and Tune Book of the American Baptist Publication Society was intro-
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duced into the church. In the same year the envelope system of raising money for current expenses was adopted.
The early months of 1874 saw a marked spirit- ual awakening in the congregation, and the interest was felt throughout the community. At the March communion, fifty new members received the hand of fellowship. Again in 1876 a similar powerful revival fell upon the church, and again in March, fifty were welcomed into the church. Other years of sowing and reaping followed, until Mr. Vassar had baptized one hundred and sixty-three.
In the spring of 1874, under the guidance of the pastor, a young men's prayer meeting was started, which was held an hour before the Sun- day evening services. The following year the young women joined the meeting, and years later a Young People's Association was formed, which in later years was re-organized into a Society of Christian Endeavor.
Before leaving Flemington the devoted pastor made an effort to wipe out the debt still resting on the church. His stirring appeal of May 23, 1880, was responded to with noble self-sacrifice on the part of the people. Over $8,000 were subscribed, and the debt was cancelled.
In October, 1880, Mr. Vassar concluded that his work here was done, and on the last Sunday of that month he left the post that he had filled
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with universal acceptance. His untiring labors in the church and community and State had been signally blessed. His wide acquaintance, win- ning personality and sincere sympathy won him a secure place in every home. The church never forgot those rare qualities of mind and heart that peculiarly fitted Mr. Vassar for the pastoral office, and in 1889, when again in need of a leader, they a second time extended him a call, which he felt compelled to decline.
By a happy dispensation of Providence he who presided at the seventy-fifth anniversary of the church is present to perform a like duty at the one hundredth anniversary.
During the winter of 1880-'81, the church was without a pastor. For several months the pulpit was regularly supplied by Mr. L. G. Denchfield, then of Crozer Theological Seminary.
On May 1, 1881, the church welcomed its new pastor, Frederick L. Chapell, formerly of Janes- ville, Wis., who had been called at a salary of $1,800. It was soon evident that the faithful and able preaching of the previous ministry would be fully maintained. Mr. Chapell was an earnest and profound student of the Word of God, and his exposition of the Scriptures was much appreciated. Renewed attention was given to the missionary cause. It might almost be said that .a new interest was created. In this work the pastor was most ably seconded by his excel-
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lent wife. . A young ladies' Mission Band was formed, which was afterwards changed into The Farther Lights. In 1885 monthly mission ser- vices were held on Sunday evenings, when special attention was given to some famous mis- sionary field, or some heroic worker. The con- tributions to missions were greatly increased, and an interest aroused that has never died out.
The year 1887 witnessed the second largest ingathering that the church has ever known. For two months the pastor conducted meetings unaided. The interest increasing, evangelist John T. Vine was engaged to assist in the work. As a result eighty-four were baptized, almost as many as in the " great revival " of 1838.
About this time a Cadet Corps was formed, consisting of a number of young boys. This Corps was in existence for several years, and accomplished something in behalf of missions.
On the last Sunday in June, 1889, Mr. Chapell left his charge here to enter upon his work as director of the Gordon' Missionary Training School of Boston, a position for which his gifts and attainments. peculiarly fitted him. One hundred and fifty-two persons were baptized by Mr. Chapell into the membership of this church, and much good seed was sown that is even now yielding precious fruit.
For nine months the pastorate remained vacant. During a large part of this time Presi-
ยท FREDERICK L. CHAPELL, 1881-89.
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dent Henry G. Weston, of Crozer Theological Seminary, filled the pulpit to the utmost satis- faction of all his hearers.
At length the church secured Joseph E. Sagebeer, formerly assistant pastor of the First Baptist Church, of Philadelphia. Mr. Sagebeer began his labors here, April 1, 1890. Just pre- vious to this, extensive repairs were made to the building. A new roof was put on. The aspect of the main audience room was greatly changed by inserting a hard wood ceiling and arches, by painting the walls and by adding new furniture. A grand piano was also purchased. Thus newly equipped and led by a young and active preacher, the old church entered upon the last stage of the century. It is only necessary to give a brief sum- mary of these recent years. The communion ser- vice was improved by the disuse of the large goblets and the adoption of small cups, one for each pew. The new Laudes Domini was substi- tuted for the Hymn and Tune Book that had seen years of service. Five years ago, the church had a roll call, at which a large majority of the mem- bers responded to their names. Several series of meetings were conducted by the pastor in various school houses of the township, notably at Sand Brook and at Voorhees Corner. Not a few joined the church as the outcome of these meet- ings, and one hundred and fifty-six were bap- tized during the eight years of Mr. Sagebeer's
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labors here. The pastor was in frequent demand elsewhere for lectures and addresses. The con- gregations at home were gratifyingly large, and bore witness to the helpfulness of the earnest, thoughtful and eloquent sermons of the preacher. In the summer of 1896 we were called upon to mourn the loss of Mrs. Sagebeer, who had been an invalid for over two years. Her brief life among us had revealed her admirable traits of character, and served to augment our sorrow. In this period two new missionary societies were. organized-The Little Helpers and The What I Can Society.
At length Mr. Sagebeer heard the call of duty to another field in Germantown, Pa., and on March 1, 1898, we parted with our eleventh pastor. The church awaits a new leader with whom to enter upon the new century.
The strength and success of a Church cannot be estimated solely by its size or by its increase in membership. Yet it may not be unprofitable to note the accessions to this church in each decade of its existence. In the first decade, 1798-1808, the increase was from 16 to 85; in 1808-1818, the decrease was from 85 to 76; in 1818-1828, the increase was from 76 to 90; in 1828-38, the increase was from 90 to 295; in 1838-48, the increase. was from 295 to 336; in 1848-58, the increase was from 336 to 341; in 1858-68, the increase was from 341 to 400; in 1868-78,
JOSEPH E. SAGEBEER, 1890-98.
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Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J.
the increase was from 400 to 502; in 1878-88, the increase was from 502 to 531; in 1888-98, the decrease was from 531 to 497. The great- est increase was in the fourth decade, the greatest decrease in the last decade. This present de- crease is partly owing to the fact that the church roll has been thoroughly revised this year. Besides the population of the village may not be increasing as rapidly as it did in former . decades.
Nine brethren have been licensed by this church to preach the gospel, viz .: Thomas Barrass and William Pollard in 1830; Edward Barrass in 1831 ; William B. Shrope and John L. Brooks in 1843; Moses Heath in 1851 ; J. Dayton Merrill in 1854; R. F. Y. Pierce in 1885 ; Walter B. Pimm in 1886. Some of these have entered into rest. The last four have been invited to participate in the exercises of this anniversary.
It would be interesting to contrast the past with the present, but such is not the purpose of your historian. The great advances of the nine- teenth century are manifold and remarkable. A century ago there were in this land about nine hundred Baptist churches, with sixty-five thousand members. To-day there are over forty-three thousand Baptist churches, with more than four million members, a gain of over forty- fold in churches, and over fifty-fold in members. A comparison in other lines of activity, educa-
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tional, political, and social, would be equally overwhelming.
As we close our rapid review of the century, some reflections are forced upon us. Our fore- fathers were for the most part devout, faithful, and simple-minded men. Quiet, agricultural pursuits were their chief occupation.
"Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife, They kept the noiseless tenor of their way."
But if their horizon was somewhat circumscribed, they were distinguished for an insight into spiritual truth, an adherence to duty, and a love of the brethren that we of a later day may well covet. They lived happy, died happy. Be not surprised. They loved and served their God. May it be ours to avoid their mistakes, to emu- late their virtues, to be worthy of the inheritance into which we have entered. May we have larger usefulness commensurate with our greater opportunities.
Now what of the present? It is glorious with achievement, and rich with promise. To-day we are making the history of the future. It is not wise to assume that we have already attained or to ignore the dangers in our path. Our gravest perils are discontent and indifference. They arise from various causes, which we can best search out for ourselves. Forewarned should be forearmed.
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With glad hearts we would celebrate the Cen- tennial of our church. Let us realize and remember the true function of the church, which is greater than the individual, but less than Christianity; which is ordained among men that it may secure the vital union of the individual with his Lord.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Read by Treasurer, Howard Sutphin.
T T HE report of the Treasurer of this Church is not just as we could have wished it to be, because of the lack of positive figures during the first seventy-five years of its exist- ence as an organization, and in order that I may secure a reasonably correct starting point, I want to use (with his permission) the same words that Dr. Vassar used twenty-five years ago, when celebrating our seventy-fifth anniversary.
This is what he said: "On account of the meagreness and imperfection of our early records, it is difficult, if not impossible, correctly to re- port these years. Getting figures in the best
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shape we can however, some such story as this they seem to tell: 'From the beginning of our various mission organizations, this church ap- pears to have been in hearty sympathy with them and for many years has been one of the foremost according to its ability in contributing to their fund.
'What has gone directly through the treasury of the church towards carrying out our Master's last commission, it would be impossible to tell. We have a very incomplete statement of our charitable collections for the last forty years, and this shows a total of more than $20,000 given. Assuming that the previous thirty-five years brought offerings half as large and the aggregate contributions for benevolence would foot up $30,000 ; this estimate however is thought by those best informed to be far to small.
The amount raised for church edifices and the support of the gospel, must have been at least $120,000 more, or $150,000 for all objects com- bined.'"
This then brings us down to twenty-five years ago, since which time we are able to give you correct statistics. During the past twenty-five years, this church has raised $15,000 for benevo- lence : for repairs and improvements, $10,000; and for current expenses connected with the support of the gospel here, $75,000, making a
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Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J.
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grand total raised by this church during it one hundred years, of $250,000.
What further should we report? What further can we say except, that aided as we firmly be- lieve by God's blessings and our Saviour's lead- ings, these things have been accomplished by the liberal contributions of this people in pro- portion as God hath prospered them, to the end that we come up to our one-hundredth year with our financial obligations all met and not a penny of debt upon us.
THE CHURCH'S OUTGROWTH.
C UT from the Flemington Church have gone colonies to form the following churches : Sandy Ridge, Wertsville, Cherryville, Croton and Ringoes. Stockton is an off-shoot from Sandy Ridge, and so may be accounted a grandchild of Flemington. These churches, through their pastors or other delegates, pre- sented the following reports :
SANDY RIDGE CHURCH.
The Sandy Ridge Baptist Church was consti- tuted on October 24th, 1818, with nineteen con- stituent members. We suppose they were mostly members of the Flemington Baptist Church; the records does not tell us. We find previous to the constitution of the church, that Elder Charles Bartolette, who was at that time pastor of the Flemington Baptist Church, had been preaching regularly in private houses for five years, and that on the third Lord's day in January, 1817, a meet- ing house was opened and dedicated to Divine services. The speakers on that occasion were Elder Bartolette and Rev. Alexander Hastings; ministering brethren present at the constitution of the church were Elders Thomas B. Montague, David Bateman, Alexander Hastings and Charles
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Bartolette. On October 25th, 1818, it being the Lord's day, two were baptized, and the ordin- ance of the Lord's Supper was observed. Again on January 17th, 1819, ten persons were bap- tized. On April 10th, 1819, a call was extended to Brother Bartolette, to become the regular pastor, dividing his time with the Sandy Ridge and Amwell (Flemington) Churches; he con- tinued as pastor until 1832. Rev. Joseph White then became pastor, continuing until 1842, followed by Rev. E. B. Hall, as supply ; Rev. George Young, pastor; Rev. J. E. Rue, pastor ; Rev. J. J. Baker, pastor; Rev. J. Timberman, pastor; Joseph Wright, supply; Rev. Samuel Sproul, pastor nine years; Rev. Morgan R. Cox, supply ; Rev. George R. Young, second pastor- ate : Rev. B. R. Black, pastor: Rev. A. W. Peck, pastor; Rev. George Young, third pastorate; Rev. M. B. Lanning, pastor ; Rev. A. Cauldwell, pastor, in connection with Stockton Baptist Church; Rev. G. H. Larison, in connection with Ringoes Baptist Church ; Rev. C. W. Ray, D.D., and C. A. Mott, both in connection with Stock- ton Baptist Church, then our present pastor, William Gresty Robinson, commenced his labors on the first of May, 1897. Since his coming the Sandy Ridge Baptist Church has taken on new life. We have large congregations both morn- ing and evening; before his coming we had only afternoon services. We have a large Sun- day-school; live and active Young People's
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Society; Junior Society; an average attendance at prayer meeting of forty-five, besides a Ladies' Aid and Missionary Society. We find among those who have been members of our church and who have entered the ministry the names of Rev. Charles S. Wilson, Rev. William V. Wil- son, Rev. William E. Lock, Rev. Silas Larue, Rev. George H. Larison, Rev. A. B. Larison, Rev. E. C. Romine. In 1849, the church purchased land and built a parsonage; in 1860 completed and dedicated a house of worship at Stockton, and in 1867 built a new house at Sandy Ridge in place of the old one. In 1866, a colony of per- . sons, forty-five in number, received letters from Sandy Ridge, to form a Baptist Church at Stock- ton, and in 1868, a small number was dismissed to form a Baptist church at Ringoes, N. J.
In this history of nearly eighty years who can compute the good accomplished? None but God himself. The old church has had many experi- ences; there have been a great many struggles and sacrifices on the part of its members, and a great many have entered into the rest that re- maineth for the people of God. We have had our dark days as well as bright ones, but out of all ills the Lord has delivered us. We hope that the good that has been done by the old Sandy Ridge Church is small compared with that which shall be accomplished in the future, God helping us.
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Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J.
WERTSVILLE CHURCH,
The Wertsville Church sends happy greeting to her mother on this pleasant occasion of her one hundredth birthday.
On March 18th, 1834, a meeting was called at the school house at Werts' Corner (now Werts- ville), of persons favorable to the erection of a Baptist meeting house. At an adjourned meet- ing, held March 22d, articles were drawn and subscribed to. One acre of land was given by James Servis and Betsy Hoagland as a site for a meeting house and burying ground forever. A solid stone structure forty by forty-eight feet was erected and dedicated with appropriate services. October Ist, 1836, a council was called for the purpose of constituting a regular Baptist church. The ministering brethren present were Revs. G. S. Webb, Daniel T. Hill, Morgan J. Rhees, and David B. Stout. Rev. G. S. Webb was moderator and Rev. Morgan J. Rhees, clerk ..
Letters of dismission were presented from the Baptist Church at Flemington by the following persons: Nicholas Ott Durham and his wife Mary Durham, Mahlon Higgins and his wife Ann Higgins, Abraham I. Van Doren, Abraham Larison, Mary Carr and Elizabeth Young. The letters with the articles of Faith and Covenant, having been examined and approved, the church was regularly constituted and recognized.
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The next day being Sunday, the council re- mained over and served the Lord's Supper, receiv- ing two by baptism that day. The following Sunday, October 9th, Rev. William Pollard and his wife Lydia Pollard, from Pittsgrove, were received by letter and he was called to the pastor- ate, serving three years when the Lord called him home. He baptized twenty-one during that time. The church has had thirteen regular pastors, with a number of supplies, and three hundred and forty-three members during its existence, with many converted who united else- where. Owing to deaths, removals and etc., the present membership is but forty-three, with eleven non-residents.
The church building was re-modeled by pastor H. A. Chapman, and re-dedicated January 7th, 1885. Sermon by Rev. T. E. Vassar, D.D.
Rev. N. B. Randall, (State Evangelist), held a series of meetings with us in December, 1896, which resulted in a number of conversions and added fourteen to the church. Inspired with fresh zeal and new workers we took courage again; our regular and cottage prayer meetings and Christian Endeavor have been well kept up. Our Ladies' Aid is doing very effective work. The church is to- be cleaned and new carpet laid this week; have purchased a lamp for out- side. Our children's day exercises will be held next Sunday evening.
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Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J. 43.
Since February 20th, 1898, our pulpit has been very acceptably supplied by Mr. John H. Dening, a student from Crozer. He has. the hearts of the people both in church and com- munity, with increasing congregations both morn- ing and evening. We are trying to do what we can and have the aid of the Convention, but we would greatly appreciate the help and sympathy from our mother church, for, though past sixty- one years of age, we are at present not able to walk alone and accomplish the Master's work which surrounds us.
YOUR SECOND DAUGHTER, WERTSVILLE.
CHERRYVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH.
It is nearly forty-nine years since Cherryville left the fostering care of her mother, the Flem- ington Baptist Church. We have passed through infancy, childhood, young manhood, and are now in the prime of life. Through all these years we have not forgotten the goodly heritage given us by our fostering mother. We come here this morning to do homage to our mother church, whose devoted, God-fearing, Christ-loving people have worked faithfully and well to extend the kingdom of Jesus which we all love.
We are placed in a peculiar position this morn- ing; very like the young man who comes home to the family gathering, and has to take the next
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train out; he has so much to tell that he scarcely knows where to begin. His limited time forces him to leave much untold. Our time is limited this morning, and we will have to leave much unsaid which might be of interest to many.
I. CONCERNING OUR CONSTITUENT MEMBERS WHO CAME OUT FROM THIS CHURCH :
On October 2d, 1849, thirty-nine members re- quested their letters from this church for the pur- pose of forming the Cherryville Church. Of these thirty-nine there are, so far as we know, but eight living. Two are still members with us, and one, William B. Smith, loved his mother so much that he had to come back home again. These were noble servants of the living God, they laid the foundations of the Cherryville Church deep and strong, and the years of pros- perity that we have been permitted to enjoy are due in part to the fact that its constituent mem- bers did their work nobly and well.
II. THE CHURCH.
(a) Our Present Membership.
We have at present one hundred and ninety- one members. These figures are not nominal, they are a reality. We have been carefully re- vising our church roll, have dropped all names of persons whose whereabout we could not trace after diligent search, and have excluded those whose conduct did not warrant us continuing
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them in our fellowship. Our records will show that this course has been diligently pursued in years past. The result of this course shows itself now in a regenerate church membership.
(b) Our Attendance.
Our people love the Bible. It is this love for the Bible that causes them to come to the house of the Lord. They are not moved by the "sounding brass and tinkling cymbals" of human effort, they are moved by the pure and unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ. Their pastor does not have to expend his energy in coaxing the people to come to church, they are always found in their place on the Lord's day. I do not suppose there is any place where a pas- tor is more loyally supported by his members in their attendance upon worship than at Cherryville; we say this with a great deal of pride and satisfaction, and with due deference to the early training of our mother, the Flemington Baptist Church.
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