USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > Flemington > One hundredth anniversary exercises of the Baptist Church, Flemington, N.J. June 17th, 18th and 19th, 1898 > Part 3
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(c) Finances.
Up to a very recent date the financial burden of our church was willingly borne by a few .. After due deliberation on the subject we came to the conclusion that this was not the gospel teach- ing of church finance. The weekly envelope system by which every member might be able to contribute as the Lord has prospered him was adopted, and with very gratifying results. We
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try to impress upon the minds of all the truth that if they can only give one cent per week it is as much their duty to give that cent as it is for a person who can afford to give one dollar to give the dollar. This teaching has had its effect especially upon our young people, many of whom do not earn very much money, but who through the weekly envelope system are now contributing as the Lord has prospered them. All the collec- tions that are taken up in our church both morn- ing and evening are given to benevolent objects. Last year we contributed to the State Convention, $67.73; Education Society, $45.96: to Home Missions $64.19; to Foreign Missions $63. 11; to Publication Society $39. 19; other objects $45.59; raised for current expenses and improvements $1,250; total money raised last year $1,575.77. (d) Our Prayer Meetings.
Those who live in rural districts know some- thing of the difficulty of maintaining prayer meetings through the entire year. During the summer months farmers are exceedingly busy working from early morn till late at night; as a result of this, many churches in rural districts are compelled to dispense with their prayer meetings during the summer months. Not so at Cherry- ville. We have our prayer meetings through the entire year, well attended, and spiritually maintained.
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(e) Our Sunday School.
Is not as strong as you would expect it should be; this needs explanation. Our efforts in Sun- day school work are divided among four schools. We have members working in the schools at Sunnyside, Pittstown, Oak Grove and the home school. This necessarily weakens the home school. Nor can it well be remedied on account of our scattered membership. We have on our roll seventy-five, and an average attendance of from forty-five to fifty.
III. PROPERTY.
In 1850 a good house of worship was built at a cost of $2,500. The cemetery grounds were enlarged, and repairs made on the church edifice in 1868, at an expense of $1,000. A parsonage was bought in 1869, which, with re- pairs made, cost $2,700. In 1882 the church building was enlarged and repaired at a cost of $7,619.59. In 1886 the old parsonage was sold for $1,500; and a new one was built for $2, 300. The total value of church property now is $10,500.
This report is not reminiscent; it largely deals . with present conditions; but these present con- ditions have not been reached without a struggle. "But God forbid that we should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus." If we have been able to accomplish anything for the Master, it has not been by might or power, but by the
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Spirit of God who has seen fit to use us as an instrument.
In closing, we wish to extend to our mother church our heartiest congratulations on the occa- sion of her one hundredth anniversary. Our earnest prayer is that your best days still lie before you, and that there may go out from your church such a holy and charitable influ- ence that many may learn to know Jesus Christ . as a Saviour.
CROTON CHURCH.
The Croton Church was formally recognized . in May 1861.
Before that time a weekly prayer meeting had been maintained for some years at the homes of Daniel B. Rittenhouse and Hiram Robbins both members of the Kingwood Baptist Church.
Elder Thomas Barras, pastor of the Kingwood Missionary Baptist Church (now Baptisttown Church) occasionally visited Croton and preached at the home of Brother Rittenhouse very near the present Croton Church.
Rev. William D. Hires, in 1859 moved into the vicinity for his health, and in 1860 he had so far recovered that he was able to accept an invitation to preach in the homes of Brothers Rittenhouse and Robbins, and occasionally in the Presbyterian Church.
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Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J.
In April, 1861, Brother Hires baptized thirty- seven persons. This gave a great impetus to the work, and the Croton Church was organized April 27, 1861.
Twelve members of the Flemington Church brought their letters to the new church, the signature of Brother Asa Suydam, Clerk, being affixed.
Twenty-two were dismissed from Kingwood Church, seven from Cherryville and two from Sandy Ridge.
W. B. Smith, D. S. Rittenhouse, J. Bearder, H. Robbins and H. Warford were appointed a committee to purchase the old brick Presbyterian Church. This was purchased for $500.
William D. Hires was pastor for three years.
Rev. William Archer succeeded him in 1864 and during his pastorate a new brick church was built and paid for and dedicated December 8, 1865. Rev. Charles Cox supplied for six months.
The Rev. William Humpstone was the next pastor from 1867 to 1870.
Rev. B. C. Morse became pastor in 1871 and held his office for nearly four years. A neat and commodious parsonage was built during his pastorate, on a lot given by Deacon Daniel B. Rittenhouse.
Rev. G. F. Love was pastor for ten years from 1875-1885, doing splendid spiritual service.
L. P. Morse was pastor from 1885-1888 during
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which the church enjoyed a gracious revival. Brother Morse is still in the active ministry near Philadelphia, at the age of eighty.
He was followed by Rev. James L. Hastie, Jr., who came from Rutherford, N. J., and was pastor for eighteen months.
Rev. Orlando Jeffery came from New York State and was pastor one year.
Rev. James L. Hastie returned to Croton from Philadelphia November 1894 and has been in his second term three years and eight months.
It is worthy of note that Jacob Bearder was clerk for twenty years, from 1862-1882 and Amos A. Bearder, his son has been clerk for sixteen years.
The church has sent many into the surrounding towns and cities. At present there are forty-six non-resident members. Some of these still kindly help their church. There are eight mem- bers of our church living in Flemington at the present time.
Two of our young men have gone into the ministry and are doing noble service.
Rev. John Humpstone, D.D. of Brooklyn, son of William Humpstone was licensed to preach August 1868.
Rev. G. Fred Love now pastor of an Oswego, N. Y. church is the son of a former pastor, Rev. G. F. Love, now of George's Roads this state.
A number of gracious revivals have been
Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J. 5.1
experienced in the history of the church-notably in 1861, 1881, 1883, 1888, 1889, 1895, 1897.
The present pastor, Rev. James L. Hastie has baptized forty-two persons.
The field in some respects is a hard one- members are continually moving away, we find the young people are restless and impatient to get away from the farms. A new class of people are moving on the farms, Danes and Germans who are very hard to reach ; a good moral people, but non-church going.
We find encouragement in the interest which the young people are taking in the work.
RINGOES.
The Ringoes Baptists, like those of Fleming- ton, erected a house of worship before they had an organized body of believers to occupy it. They dedicated a sanctuary on the first day. of August, 1868, that then patriarch among New Jersey Baptists, Dr. G. S. Webb, of New Bruns- wick, preaching the sermon from the psalmist's words: "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord."
A month afterward, twelve brethren and sisters formally entered into covenant relations, and were recognized by an ecclesiastical council. Six of these constituent members came from Flemington and six from other adjacent churches.
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For a time neighboring pastors preached, but after a season we secured Rev. J. M. Carpenter; and he remained three months. Other supplies were secured until the autumn of 1869, when we called our first pastor, Dr. Andrew B. Larison. He acceptably served us till the autumn of 1872, when the Lord called him to his eternal rest. During his ministry, more than sixty were added by letter and baptism. Crozer Seminary sent us supplies for some months after Dr. Larison's death. Rev. E. J. Pearce was the next pastor, but he remained only a year on the field. Dr. Vassar, then at Flemington, and brother Thomas, then of Lambertville, aided us in a protracted meeting about this time, and more than twenty converts united with us as the result. Thomas C. Young and J. M. Helsley served us for the next half dozen years.' The latter was our leader for five of the six years. He resigned to accept an appointment from our Home Mission Society, to the far West, where he is still engaged. Nearly fifty joined us during these years. Brethren Wilson and Gerald served us for the next two years, and then Dr. George H. Larison, a brother of our first pastor, took charge of our church, along with that at Bushington, Pennsyl- vania, till his lamented death in 1892. While engaged in a protracted meeting at Sandy Ridge (which church he was then caring for along with ours), he was stricken down, and a few days later
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called home. He welcomed about a score to our fellowship.
In 1883, we settled Rev. G. W. Leonard, along with the church at Wertsville, and later, our last pastor, Rev. Alfred Wells. During the ministry of the latter, large accessions were made to our numbers, there being but a single communion season for a year that did not bring in some new recruits to our ranks. We are now without a pastor, but have preaching each Sunday afternoon. From this statement you will see that we have had a varied experience in the thirty years of our church life. There have been nights when the darkness could almost be felt, and other junctures where joyously we could sing: "There's sunshine in our souls to-day." Amid all the viccissitudes however, we hold on our way in faith, and are yours in the kingdom and patience of our common Lord.
STOCKTON.
Thanking you for your kind remembrance of us, and appreciating the courtesy that prompted you to give us a place on your centennial pro- gram, your grandchild sends to its venerable progenitor, the sincere wish that there may be a joyous season for it and its descendants, as they gather around the ancient denominational hearth- stone.
Memorials of a Century.
What changes have taken place on that site where your fathers and mothers began their religious house-keeping ! Gone, the rude sanctuary which rung with their prayers and praises for two generations! Where the old Brunswick stage used to jolt along, run the railtrack and the telegraphic wires. Men and women who were. chattels then, are citizens to-day. A feeble nation grown into one of this world's mightiest powers! Best of all, what marvelous transformations religiously. Half as many Baptists in New Jersey now as there then were in North America.
And how many now in the "glory-land" your church must have helped thither! There must be many more to represent you in the church triumphant, than stand associated with you below.
Our church, as you know, branched off from Sandy Ridge in, 1866. We numbered at the beginning forty-five. We have seen the time since when we ran up to one hundred and seventy. For some years past, there has been a decline. At present we number scarcely more than eighty, and are, in all regards, a weak church. WVe sincerely ask your prayers while you lift the voice of praise over the mercies that have fallen on your heritage in summer showers. Amid your glad thanksgivings over temporal and spiritual bounties bestowed, ask the Lord of the harvest to roll our way once more the clouds
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that shall bring the early and the later rains of grace divine.
Perhaps some of our number may get over to participate with you in your pleasant festival. If we do not, accept these few words as the indications of what our hearts desire.
After the noon adjournment, a most bountiful dinner was served in the basement of the church. To it a large company sat down, and also to a similar repast, served there at the close of the afternoon meeting.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
After devotional services conducted by brethren Vassar, Hyatt and B. P. Stout, men now in the Baptist ministry elsewhere, but who had earlier been identified with the Flemington church, and most of them licensed by it, were heard from.
The first of these was Rev. Moses Heath, of Wilmington, Delaware. Mr. Heath said :-
It may, perhaps, be expected of some of us of older years that we should indulge somewhat in reminiscence on this occasion.
My first relates indirectly to the first pastor of the church, and in the year 1834. There came to my father's, about two miles west of the old Kingwood Church, two gentlemen in a rich old-
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time chaise, in the spring of that year. The older, quite an aged man, asked the privilege of looking through the house and over the premises. My mother showed him from room to room. He seemed greatly interested in everything. He went to the barn, to the apple and cherry orchards, and then stood and looked over the surrounding fields. My boyish curiousity was excited. As soon as they had gone I asked my mother who those men were and what they wanted. She replied, "That older gentleman is Garner Hunt. Many years ago he preached for the Kingwood Church, and lived in this house. He has been away almost thirty years, and wanted to see his old home as he has come back on a visit." As a boy of seven years, I had pleasant thoughts at living where a preacher had lived. In maturer years I have thought the preacher must have enjoyed his home there, or he would not have wished to see the place after a thirty years' absence. For five years Garner Hunt had preached alternately between this church and Kingwood. I have, therefore, seen the first pastor of this church-him who was also my great grandfather's pastor at Kingwood.
April 1, 1846, I came to Flemington to learn the carriage making business from Mr. John Forker, for whom I have always possesssed a very high esteem. Through the influence of Mrs. Forker, and my aunt, Mrs. Jane Fulper,
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I was led to attend the Baptist Church and to be- come a member of the Sunday School. My teacher was Nathaniel Higgins, who was per- mitted to see during his short and faithful life, nearly if not quite all his scholars come to Christ.
Mr. Bartolette had just resigned, and after a few months C. W. Mulford became pastor. In the autumn of 1847 a growing spiritual interest was manifest. The meeting of the New Jersey Baptist State Convention occurred and seemed to deepen the interest. Two weeks after the con- vention, November 28th, the pastor preached a sermon by which ten or twelve persons were awakened to a sense of their condition, myself among the number.
I hold in my hand to-day, as a sacred memento, the very paper that lay on the pulpit that morn- ing and containing the outlines of that powerful discourse. The text is Ezekiel 16: 5, 6.
At one division of the sermon under the head, " The love of Christ to sinners in their pitiable condi- tion," his eye swept slowly over the young people in the gallery. That imploring look and the tender words accompanying it, proved an arrow for my heart. Days of struggle followed, but the surrender was made by me, as by some others, before the extra meeting began. That was a meeting of great power and continued several weeks. As it was his custom not to baptize until near the close of a revival season, it was not until
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January 9, 1848, that the first converts were baptized. Fourteen of us that day were the first candidates that ever entered a baptistery in Flemington. Baptisms continued from week to week, until in March between fifty and sixty of us received the hand of fellowship.
Ten years afterward, when that beloved servant of God gave to me this sermon outline, he said that he had never dared to preach again from that text by which so many were awakened.
After fifty years, I recall those events with emotion. I had received a new life and a new purpose in life. A desire to prepare for the ministry began to press into my heart, but the way was dark; I had not the means necessary to secure an education. Brother Mulford counseled, encouraged and sympathized, but failing health removed him to another locality. In my anxiety, my uncle, Abraham Fulper, kindly loaned me seventy dollars, with which I resolved to set out for college.
Four young men of us-Brother J. D. Merrell,. whom I am happy to meet. here to-day, brethren Rittenhouse and Lair, from Sandy Ridge, both of whom are deceased, were taken by brother Merrell's father across the country in a private conveyance to Lewisburg University. This was the beginning of that movement that has given Hunterdon County the large number of collegi- ately educated men for which it is noted. :
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At my own request I returned here to my home church after graduating, for ordination.
Thus here I was converted and baptized, here I was kindly encouraged and licensed to preach, and here before the church and congregation I took the vows that have given me a faithful and efficient partner in all my varied life work, and who hereby sends her loving regards to the church and friends of her early youth. Here, ยท too, I received from the hands of my ministering brethren that which I value more highly than I would any other title of earth-the badge of a recognized minister of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus.
I hope that in my life I have done enough of gratitious work for others to balance with large interest, what was kindly done for me. Thus daily teaching, occasional help for a sick or wearied pastor, and some visiting among our missions, keep my life busy and buoyant, and brighten the vision that looks towards a higher and purer service in the heavenly life.
Allow me, in conclusion, to say that this is one of the especially happy days of my life. Great is the pleasure of meeting and rejoicing with friends of early days and those of younger years, who are bearing aloft the Gospel banner here. I have come from my busy life work, to lay a tribute of effection at the feet of her who nurtured me in my Christian childhood-a church that I
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have always loved and have always spoken of with filial pride.
I have come to offer here the brief but heart- felt prayer that the Great Head of the church may continue to bless her in the coming century, and even more largely than He has in the past one.
Mr. Heath was followed by Rev. J. D. Merrell, of Herkimer, New York. Mr. Merrell's grand- . parents were among the constituent members of . the church, and in the singing of the congrega- gation, the family has for three generations, had a prominent part.
Mr. Merrell said :-
When first invited to take a part with you in . this Centennial service, I expressed a doubt as to my being able to do so, but asked the com- mittee to kindly suggest a subject about which I might be thinking, in case I should be able to be present. This the committee declined to do, assuring me of their wish that I should speak of whatever I thought appropriate and best. It would seem very appropriate to continue on the line of reminiscences, so well begun by brother Heath, and what he has said has started so many trains of thought that it is difficult to refrain from following them out. That, however, may not be the best. At any rate, it is not what I have proposed to myself. Paul declared that forgetting the things that are behind, he pressed forward to those which were before. In the
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sense in which Paul meant it, may not we do the same? I therefore ask you to listen to a few suggestions on the subject: "How the next century of the church's history may be made even better than the past has been."
That it will be no easy thing to do, and yet no one will claim that the past has been perfect and everyone will admit that the second century, starting out as it does with a church more than five hundred strong, and with this beautiful and convenient house for worship and work, has a great advantage over the beginning of the first. If that advantage is maintained and especially if the second is made even better than the first, it must be; I am persuaded by the practical appli- cation of the following facts and principles.
I. A right conception of the real scope and grandeur of the church's work.
2. By the cultivation of a spirit of mutual love, confidence and cooperation.
3. By exercising a practical and missionary spirit.
4. By giving liberally, as God prospers.
And if these four are earnestly recognized, they will assuredly involve a
5th, viz: A deep sense of dependence on the Holy Spirit and much prayer for His presence and power.
Without the stimulus of the first, the church will grow weary in well-doing. Without the
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cementing influence of the second, its strength will be largely scattered and wasted. Without the third, it will not have the people with which to build itself up. Without the fourth, it will not have the means necessary for carrying on the work. And without the fifth, it will not have the spiritual power indispensable to its success. Combine these as the Lord would have. us do, and who can doubt, but that the work and growth of the second century will surpass that of the first?
The next speaker was Rev. Walter Pimm, of Baylon, N. Y. He was born in Flemington; baptized into the church of his parents in boy- hood and by it licensed to preach. Mr. Pimm said : -
I congratulate this church that for a full hundred years her light has shined in this com- munity. For so long a time she has stood for God and the right; and heaven alone holds the record of the good that has been accomplished through her influence. Other churches have joined you in the work, and unitedly we seek the welfare of man and the glory of God. But chiefly to you, as the first to raise the standard of Christ, does the community owe its debt of grati- tude for its standing in society, for its peaceful homes, for its noble men and women.
But, brethren, let us not deceive ourselves.
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Much has been accomplished, and much remains yet to be done. Although the physician may not be able to rid the community of all disease, so long as one member remains sick his work is not accomplished ; he dare not lay down his work. No more dare the church relax her endeavors as long as one evil remains to corrupt society, or one life is yet under its power. The standard is Holiness unto the Lord ; we may not stop short of this.
With this aim before us it is our's to know how to increase the Moral Value of the church, and how to accomplish the moral work in the com -. munity. One or two suggestions may be perti- nent :
The moral value of a church in a community is always in direct proportion to its spiritual strength. Paul tells us that the "foundation of God standeth sure" in this: "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Tim., 2: 19.) The closer a man lives to God the farther will he, live from sin. Spiritual strength and moral purity always go hand in hand. A Godly life will be a pure life. And so with the church. The closer the church walks with God, the purer it is in its worship and ser- vice, the more devout in prayer, the firmer in doctrine, the more exalted will it be in moral character and the stronger its influence for good.
It is said that during the battle of Gettysburg
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the color bearer of a certain regiment carried the standard forward in advance of the position of the ranks: nearer to the the enemy, when on the gain or the loss of a foot of ground almost hung the destiny of a nation. The colonel sent to him this message : "Bring the standard back to the ranks." The reply was true to the cause of Freedom : "Bring your men up to the standard." Does the world ever say to the church bring your standard back to us ? Let us ever by the grace of God dare to place a difference between the life of the church and the life of the world, and then say ; Bring your life up to the standard set before you ! Christ saith ; "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me." There is an attractive power in a holy life. Lift up the church; exalt it in grace and purity ; and the world will be attracted by an irresistible force. Carry forward the banner of the cross and the world will not be far behind in all moral living.
Again I would say that the moral value of a church in a community is always in direct pro- portion to its own moral courage or activity.
The world has always been divided into two classes ; those who seek the honor of God and the welfare of man; and those who oppose God and humanity. The righteous and the wicked. Of these two classes the wicked are the more aggressive and energetic; the righteous are more apt to endure evils than avenge themselves.
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