USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > Flemington > One hundredth anniversary exercises of the Baptist Church, Flemington, N.J. June 17th, 18th and 19th, 1898 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9
85
Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J.
In April, 1884, Setema a native Telugu addressed a meeting. Our first Basket meeting was held in November. A home mission thank- offering was raised.
In 1885, the first Home Missionary programme was carried out. Foreign contributors numbered one hundred and twenty-nine ; Home, sixty-six, a marked increase.
The State Convention was held in this church . in 1886, and the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society was addressed by State President, Mrs. Butler. At this time Miss Leila Higgins organized a Boys' Cadet Band, which continued for five years and raised one hundred dollars, with which they made J. W. Britton a life member of the Mission- ary Union, the only one in this church. At the end of this time, their leader having moved away, and being unable to find a successor, it was disbanded, which seems to have been a great mistake. There is no estimating the good they might have done. The first appropriation to Chicago Training School is noted here.
1888-Another contribution to Training School, and six dollars to Judson Memorial in Burmah.
In 1889, free copies of The Kingdom were distributed; and one hundred and three copies of King's 'Messenger, a children's missionary paper, was distributed by the Sunday School in place of other papers. We have not been able
86
Memorials of a Century.
to give amounts raised each year, for unfortu- nately we have only totals, but the complaint of the Secretary, at this time, seems to be not that they have done little, but that constant cries for help make gifts and work done seem very inad- equate. In 1889 a special day of prayer was held, and a special request for money was made, for the support of Miss Faye, under training at Mrs. Luther's Medical School, at Philadelphia, to be fitted to go as a medical missionary, being the first one from New Jersey. Ten dollars was raised by our Society, and money was never bet- ter invested. Our Mission Band of this year was the Banner Band of the Association.
In 1890 the first foreign missionary thank- offering boxes were given out. Money was raised for Ann Judson Memorial. Devotional meetings again commenced.
In 1891 Mrs. Ehlers addressed a meeting.
In 1892 we lost two efficient and faithful offi- cers, though one still continued in office for a time. Miss Ann Stout was elected Vice-Presi- dent in place of Mrs. Chapell, and Mrs. Fluck was made Assistant Treasurer, Mrs. Everitt having moved elsewhere. Mrs. Chapell was a great loss to our Society. (I wonder if we ever told her so? How much easier it is to put these things in memorials.) This year being the one hundredth year of missions, the Woman's So- cieties were requested to double their usual gift
Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J. 87
of one hundred thousand dollars as a centen- nial offering, which I believe they did. Our individual assessment as a Society, including the Mission Band, was three hundred and eighty- two dollars, which was raised.
In February, 1893, Mrs. Everitt resigned and Mrs. Fluck was appointed Treasurer. On May 3d we held a Basket Meeting in this Church, and on that day one of our most faithful and loved members was taken away, Mrs. Rachel Higgins Suydam. Since that time we have lost many others who were also greatly missed, but we can- not mention all. One only we will name, Mrs. Sagebeer, (in 1896), our dear pastor's beloved wife, always willing and faithful; we cannot say how we missed her.
In 1894, our Secretary, Miss Julia Higgins, the last of the original officers, changed her name and residence, and we lost her help in the work, which we missed greatly. Mrs. J. B. Ramsey was elected to fill her place, which she did until this year, when she resigned, and was succeeded by Mrs. Elizabeth Robbins, (1898). Mrs. Fluck also resigned, and Miss Hannah Suydam was elected Treasurer.
In 1896 the meetings were made Foreign and Home alternately. Our Society lost several faithful members as referred to above. During all these twenty years we had been doing both foreign and home work, but with nothing in either
88
Memorials of a Century.
name or constitution to suggest home interests, and reports of home work were read in the annual meetings of the Foreign Society. The question had been brought up before, as to advisibility of changing name and constitution to a union one, but officers not being ready for it, it was dropped. In this year our Associational Director brought up the question of establishing a separate Home Society. The old question was renewed, the two plans considered, and a Union Constitution adopted, and the name was changed by adding the word "Home," making it " The Woman's Foreign and Home Missionary Society." "What I Cans," and "Little Helpers" started, Mrs. Sagebeer leader.
In 1897 it was our pleasure to hear, in our meeting, Mrs. Kirkpatrick, who has since re- turned to Burmah. Miss Warlow, of Philadel- phia, told us something of the work of the Breakfast Association in that city.
On May 31st, 1898, the Home Missionary Society, of the Central Association, came by in- vitation, and held their annual meeting in this church. The services were unusually interesting and instructive. In the morning Mrs. Littell read a very delightful and original paper on the Present and Future of Missions as affected by the national situation of to-day. One impressive point she made turned upon the requisite stature of recruits for the army. She referred to an inci-
Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J. 89
dent of a man who was found to be one-eighth of an inch too short, but by a process of massage, was brought up to the required height. Then wishing for-and wondering if there might not be-a species of massage which would bring our ladies up to the requirements of duty, she had the in- spiration to suggest that the Holy Spirit was that divine massage, which, if applied, would fit us for active service in the Master's cause. Miss Burdette, our National Corresponding Secretary, spoke in an inspiring manner, in the afternoon session, and was so full of her subject that she could not talk fast enough to say all she wanted to in the short time allotted, so we called an evening meeting and she gave another beautiful address. She pictured the work going on among the Mexicans, Africans and all nationalities in this country. It was an unusual treat to have Miss Burdette with us. Miss Stout, this year, raised eight dollars which she sent to the sufferers from the famine in India. Throughout the years, the mission fields, both home and abroad, have been well covered in our meetings by studies and letters, and items read from mission papers. One meeting in this last year was devoted to Miss Moore and her wonderful work among the colored people in the South. The chapel car work was lately discussed. Mission- ary boxes have been sent every year since 1881. The total amount of money raised, including
90
Memorials of a Century.
missionary· boxes sent and papers taken, up to the year 1892, was two thousand, six hundred and sixty-five dollars and fifty-seven cents, making an average of one hundred and fifty-six dollars and eighty cents a year. This includes both home and foreign; because of the absence of reports, we cannot give a more definite state- ment. For the last five years the money raised amounted to one thousand, eight hundred and forty-three dollars and fifty-six cents, an average of three hundred and sixty-eight dollars and seventy-one cents a year. In these five years money raised for foreign missions alone, amounted to eight hundred and forty-three dollars and sixty- two cents ; money for home missons, four hundred and seventeen dollars and forty-one cents; and. home mission boxes, four hundred and thirty- three dollars and seventy-seven cents; total for home, eight hundred and fifty-one dollars and eighteen cents; papers, both foreign and home, eighty-five dollars and four cents, making a· total for nearly twenty-three years of four thous- and, five hundred and nine dollars and thirteen cents. Of this amount, over three-fifths of it have been raised in the last seven or eight years. It can be seen by reference to the Secretary's reports, that our society has been represented in all branches of missionary work by at least a small donation. I have mentioned only a few of the objects. The work done is not great,
Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J. 91
but results cannot be estimated by figures and we know that "work done for God it faileth not." . Our greatest regret is with regard to attendance at our meetings. From the first average of twenty-five it has dwindled until sometimes it has been only seven or eight. The club for The Helping Hand, this year numbered only twenty-one, but the number of Tidings taken was thirty-six; total number of papers taken this year was ninety-six, besides a few calendars and one or two magazines. Taken all together, the result is something to be thankful for, but leaves plenty of room for improvement to be made by our successors in the years to come. MISS HANNAH SUYDAM, MRS. HENRY A. FLUCK,
Committee.
Following this report came that of the "Farther Lights," read by Miss Mabel Higgins.
REPORT OF THE MISSION BAND AND " FARTHER LIGHTS" SOCIETIES,
One very rainy Saturday afternoon in Novem- ber, 1881, eight girls met in Mr. Chapell's study for the pupose of of basting blocks to be sent to the Missionary Training Schools.
A Home and Foreign Missionary Society was organized which was afterward called the "Mission Band."
92
Memorials of a Century.
Miss Kate Riley was the first President. Each member paid an admission fee of ten cents and one cent at each meeting they attended.
For some time the Band met twice a month and basted blocks or worked on fancy articles, Mrs. Chapell, as Lady Director, leading the de- votional exercises.
The Band had several fairs, festivals, suppers and sociables from which considerable money was realized. It also sent off each year a box or barrel of second-hand clothing, and basted garments and blocks. The first one was sent to Burmah, the rest to the Missionary Training Schools of the South.
In May, 1885, Miss Riley resigned and Miss Helen Robert was elected President. Under her administration the constitution was amended by changing the amount of dues. Each member over fourteen years to .pay two cents per week, and all under fourteen, one cent per week. No admission fee.
At one time the Band numbered fifty besides about twenty-five honorary members.
Meanwhile the girls had grown older but they did not feel like leaving the Band and going into the Ladies' Society.
It was felt, not only here, but in other churches as well that a young ladies' society was needed. Mrs. N. M. Waterbury, Secretary of the Home Department of Foreign Missions, was ready to
93
Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J.
meet this need with "Farther Lights," the motto "The light that shines brightest shines farthest from home."
February 24, 1894, the Mission Band met for the last time and disbanded. A "Farther Lights" Society was organized with nineteen members. In four years the society has increased to forty- four. The following officers were elected, Mary R. Gray, President; Mary Moore, Vice-President ; Florence Sproul, Secretary ; Ella C. Higgins, Treasurer. We meet the first Thursday night in each month at the homes of the members, going around in alphabetical order.
Every third meeting we call a quarterly meet- ing, each member bringing a quarter, making a dollar for every year.
We also have thank-offering boxes and bring them to the annual meeting, have them opened and the contents counted, which generally adds ten dollars per year to our treasury.
Mrs. Waterbury prepares programmes for the "Farther Lights" societies. The first year was "A Trip Around the World" with leaflets con- taining questions and answers which we learned, and sometimes chose sides while one asked the. questions and the rest answered as in spelling matches; whoever missed must sit down.
The second year the lessons were all about one country, Burmah ; the third, Japan ; the fourth, "Heroes of the Dark Continent," and the last
.
94
Memorials of a Century.
year we had different subjects, studying the work of the different societies as well as the work of the missionaries and their needs.
The largest amount raised in one year by the Mission Band was one hundred and sixty-seven dollars, from a lecture given by Burdette; the smallest, eight dollars and sixty-two cents; average in thirteen years, fifty-two dollars and thirty cents ; total, six hundred and seventy-nine dollars and eighty-six cents.
Largest amount raised by the "Farther Lights," fifty-nine dollars and sixty-two cents; smallest, forty seven dollars and ninety-five cents ; average, fifty-two dollars and four cents; total, two hun- dred and eight dollars and fourteen cents. Total amount by both eight hundred and eighty-eight dollars.
We have not told you all we have done but only given you a little idea of the nature of the work done by the Mission Band and "Farther Lights" of the Flemington Baptist Church.
We are striving to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as well as in the knowledge of His missionaries and the people to whom they go to tell the story of His love.
· MABEL HIGGINS, Secretary.
Next came the report of the "What I Can" Society. It was presented by Miss Mary R. Gray.
95
Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J.
REPORT OF THE "WHAT I CAN" SOCIETY.
When the young ladies' society of "Farther Light" was organized, there was no Home Mis- sion society as "Farther Lights" society is foreign mission. The young people of Eliza- beth organized a home mission society, and then sent to Miss Mary G. Burdette, Secretary of the Home Mission Society, Chicago, asking her to name it.
After considerable thinking on her part and discussion between the society and Miss Bur- dette, it was named "What I Can," having for its motto "she hath done what she could."
February 17th, 1894, Mrs. Littell, the chief worker in the Elizabeth "What I Can" society and Mrs. Van Deventer of the same place. came to Flemington and explained the object of the society to the young ladies of this church. A society of twelve members was organized and the necessary officers were elected : Mrs. Sage- beer, President; Anna Knower, Vice-President ; Bertha Rittenhouse, Treasurer; Anna M. Hig- gins, Secretary, none of whom are members at the present time; the two first named having been called up higher.
This was the third society organized. We meet the third Saturday in each month. The first year we met with the President and studied
F
96
Memorials of a Century.
the United States history. Since then we have taken up different subjects: one year the mis- sionariés in Mexico, and last year the Indians of Oklahoma Territory. We also have something read from the Tidings.
Mrs. Sagebeer started the plan of each mem- ber leading the devotions in turn. This has been kept up except that we hold our meetings at the homes of the members in alphabetical order and the one with whom we meet, leads the devotional part of the exercises. Each one present usually offers a short prayer. Each member promises to give what she can and some give ten cents a month and some five. Thank-offering boxes are also given to each one and last year we had six dollars and seventy-one cents in them. The first year our collections amounted to nine dollars and forty-seven cents : the second, to twelve dollars and twenty-three cents; the third, twelve dollars and five cents; the fourth, thirteen dollars and eleven cents.
We have basted blocks and garments and sent them together with cast-off clothing, to the mis- sionary training schools; the two last to the Blanket Indians.
Although we commenced with twelve mem- bers, two have left us by death, two by marriage and some others because-well I do not think they gave very good reasons-we still have the original number twelve.
97
Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J.
We feel that we do not live up to our motto and that we do not do all we can, but we mean to keep trying and we know that we will im- prove if we do our part, for the Lord always does His and He has promised to help us if we ask Him and trust Him.
M. R. GRAY, Secretary.
The final report of the afternoon was from the "Little Helpers." It was read by Miss Olive Lovell.
REPORT OF THE "LITTLE HELPERS."
The missionary spirit which had aroused the women and young ladies of the church, not only remained in their societies but reached out to the children of the church. The question arose : why can we not have a band for them where they can do their little part and be trained to give intelligently and systematically.
The girls were very anxious to organize, and in March, 1892, ten of us met in the Sunday- school room for that purpose. We called our- selves "Little Helpers."
Our object was to create an interest in home and foreign mission work, and as the members reached the age of fourteen, they were to leave and join the older bands. The following officers · were elected: President, Miss Mary Fisher; Vice-President, Miss Ella Higgins; Secretary, Miss Eva Rice; Treasurer, Miss Eva Fulper.
1
.
98
Memorials of a Century.
The first year we met the fourth Saturday afternoon in each month, in the church parlor. Since then we have held our meetings at the different homes of the members. The average membership during the six years has been four- teen. Two have left us by death and several have joined the "Farther Lights." The first two years we studied the lessons prepared for little ones by the Home Missionary Society. Since then we have taken up different topics. Each member pays one cent a week for dues. Birthday offerings are given and thank-offering boxes are brought in at the close of each year. Money has been raised in various ways, such as . by entertainments and the making and selling of articles by the girls.
During the six years of our experience, we have sent away two Christmas boxes and two barrels of clothing valued at ninety-six dollars. The money given to various missionary objects has been one hundred and nine dollars and eighty-seven cents, making a yearly average of eighteen dollars and twenty-two cents.
Our result is but a cipher compared with what others have done. But knowing God can make · the humblest effort of use to Him, we are trying to prove ourselves "Little Helpers" for Christ and the church.
ELLA C. HIGGINS.
At the conclusion of these reports, the Mission-
99
Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J.
ary Sermon was preached by Director Chapell, of the Gordon Training School for Missionaries, Boston.
MISSIONARY SERMON.
REV. VII, 1-3. And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth holding the four winds of the earth that the wind shall not blow on the earth nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea.
Saying, hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
I DO not assert an ultimate application of this text; but just take the principle involved in
it as characteristic of the century which we have in review to-day. The principle is that the universal is delayed for the operation of the elective, that judgment is withheld for the operation of mercy. The four angels standing on the four corners of the earth in control of the four winds are representative of universal action ; the one angel with the seal of the living God is representative of elective action ; the former has to do with destructive judgment, the latter with elective mercy. The action of the former is delayed for the operation of the latter.
And this is the principle that characterizes the . century we have in review to-day. An hundred years ago the great fact that was appearing in
100
Memorials of a Century.
the world was the marvelous rise and career of the man of destiny, who was aiming for universal empire. In Napoleon Bonaparte human ambition was having a concrete expression, which, had it been successful would doubtless have culminated in such a universal empire and religion as would have necessitated the judgment of the day of the Lord. But the elective action of saving mercy, which is the work of the present dispensation, was not then finished. Hence the universal had to be delayed for the elective; judgment had to be stayed for the operation of mercy. The de- structive winds had to be held in check until the full number of the servants of God had been sealed. Or, in other words, the world's ambition for its self-redemption in a universal earthly kingdom under Antichrist, had to be delayed for the fuller operation of the Gospel in order to the bringing in of a universal heavenly kingdom under Christ. And this has been the character- istic of the century. No universal, human, earthly kingdom ; but an increased understanding and heralding of an universal, divine, heavenly kingdom, and the sealing of those who shall be. sub-rulers in the same.
This work of kingdom heralding has involved two things closely related to each other. First, a better understanding of what the kingdom of heaven is; and second, the wider proclamation of it, even to the remotest corners of the earth.
101
Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J.
Neither of these things has been fully accom- plished yet, but this century has seen very much done in this direction. So then let us take a cursory review of the century and see what has been done in this regard.
(1) And first, I remark, that there was at the outset a widening of view as to what the final course of sin in the world might be, and the con- sequent nature of the final victory over it, with the preparatory work in order to such victory. The Reformers had encountered so much of evil in the Papacy that they had reckoned it as the only, or, at least, the chief manifestation of evil in the world. This apostate church was by them con- sidered not only "the "harlot" but also "the beast" of Revelation, and the lines of popes was by them reckoned to be the Antichrist. But the French Revolution with its blasphemous infidelity, and the rise of Napoleon with his autocratic power had so tallied with much of prophecy regarding the evil of worldly and political power, that there was something of a return to the early method of interpretation, commonly now called the Futurist, (as dis- tinguished from the Historical) which conceives of Antichrist as a political rather than a religious ruler, and the final development of evil as athe- istic rather than simply apostate. And while we cannot affirm that either of these views has, even now, received general credence, yet there
-
102
Memorials of a Century.
has been a widening of view as to the develop- ment sin is to have in the world before the Lord comes to judge it. Whether Antichrist is a system or a person, whether the final develop- ment of evil shall be chiefly ecclesiastical or political-this one fact does stand out clearer than ever before, that sin is exceeding sinful, and that judgment rightly falls upon it in the day of the Lord, so that the Kingdom of God must come with power in order to gain the victory over the the kingdoms of this world. This century was · ushered in with facts so terrible and so colossal that their lesson was certainly taught, whether it has been remembered or not. Some, indeed may infer that because the four winds do not now blow that they never will blow. But this is walk- ing by sight rather than by faith in the word of God. These winds are held in check only "till" the servants of God are sealed. And its needs no prophet's ken, in view of the events of the present year, to perceive that these winds are still in existence-that the ambition for universal empire still lives in the human breast.
(2) But that which is preëminently character- istic of the last century as set forth by the one angel, is what is called the missionary enterprise, or the carrying of the Gospel proclamation to every tribe and tongue of the earth's population in every remotest corner thereof. It is well known that right in the midst of those un-
-
' ,
103
Baptist Church, Flemington, N. J.
paralleled scenes of political confusion and start- ling human achievement, God was quietly yet persistently awakening his chosen ones to the duty of carrying out Christ's long neglected "great commission." The stories of Carey and Martin and Judson and Mills have been so often told of late that I need not rehearse them now. But the tremendous significance of the missionary movement should never be lost sight of. This is the finding and sealing of the servants of God. It is for this that the four winds are held in check. This, I repeat, is a chief characteristic of the last century, religiously considered. During its first quarter the leading organizations for this purpose like the English Baptist Society, The London Society, the Church of England Society, the American Board, the American Baptist Mission- ary Union, the Basle Evangelical, the English Weslyan, the American Methodist and the Ameri- can Episcopal were strongly founded and are living to-day with increased vigor, while a multi- tude of other agencies, as we shall see later, have sprung up to assist in the sealing work ere the four winds shall be let loose.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.