USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > Frenchtown > Semi-centennial history of the Frenchtown M.E. Church with a chapter of reminiscences, and brief sketches of the pastors, also, a chapter on the part this church bore in suppressing the rebellion > Part 3
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Soon after the erection of the Frenchtown Church, but in an unfin- ished state, I attended a class-meeting conducted by Henry Eisenbry, of Lumberville. I believe he is still living, having passed his four score years.
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HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
My next visit to the Frenchtown Church, after it was finished, was at a singing school, February 19, 1848. Obadiah Stout, Cyrenius A. Slack and Ambrose Silverthorn were then prominent members.
Camp-meetings were a source of religious enjoyment, and spiritual growth to the society, and large numbers were added during these meetings. The second camp-meeting was held in Francis Roberson's woods, near David Cline's, somewhere near the year 1818, but I have not the names of the preachers who took part.
A camp-meeting was held in the woods. of James Dalrymple, near Joseph Stout's, soon after this. Later still a meeting was held a little north of Croton, also for several seasons, near High Bridge and Califon, and in the woods a little west of the fair ground, near Flemington, where I first attended.
In 1841 a camp-meeting was held on John Slater's, now Pearson Wood's, farm, where I attended meetings, although I cannot recall the names of the preachers. In 1845, a woods meeting, which continued for some days, was held a little east of James Ashcroft's residence. The meeting was removed to the house of Thomas Roberson, where it was continued. Rev. A. K. Street took part in some of these meetings. He now resides in Camden, N. J., and is near ninety years of age.
Sarah Roberson, mother-in-law of Rev. A. K. Street, died March 15th, 1880. This sister was within two months of ninety years old. She was converted in 1817 at a camp-meeting held in Warren County, N. J., under the ministry of Rev. Manning Force. Her house, near Baptisttown was for a long while a home for Methodist preachers, and also a place for holding services. She first joined the Kingwood M. E. Church, but after her husband's death transferred her membership to Frenchtown.
September 12th and 13th, I attended the camp-meeting in the woods, a mile northeast of Frenchtown, on what is now Samuel Opdyke's farm. This was the last camp-meeting held near Frenchtown.
Methodism has become a power for good in our land, and in a little over a century many have been converted to God.
Reminiscences by Rev. A. M. Palmer.
The Rev. Zerubbabel Gaskill was the preacher on Quakertown circuit in 1843-'44. During his second year, I think, a lot was secured in Frenchtown for a church. There was not money on hand to erect and complete the church, and the members and friends did the next best thing. The frame was raised and enclosed, the floor laid and windows and doors put in. Temporary seats were put in the enclosure, some-
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FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
what in the order of seating groves in that day for camp-meetings. Quite rustic in appearance, but answered for the time. A platform was built with some of the unplaned boards for a pulpit, and other boards were placed in position for an altar. Two stoves were put in and quite a comfortable place for worship secured. Brother Z. Gaskill preached for several months, every other Sabbath afternoon, in the unfinished room. At the conference in 1845, the Bishop in reading the appoint- ments read, "Quakertown circuit, Abraham M. Palmer." I did not know at the moment in what part of the conference territory I would find my field of labor; but quite soon Brother Gaskill handed me a " plan of the circuit." I found that it was a " two weeks' circuit." One Sabbath I was to preach in the morning at Quakertown and in the afternoon at Cherryville; the following Sabbath at Everittstown in the morning and Frenchtown in the afternoon. This was my first appoint- ment as a married man. I had been married some two months before. As a single man I had preached for three years, remaining but one year on the same charge, as was the custom at that time. My predecessor on the circuit had resided at Quakertown. For the residence of the preacher in 1845 the stewards had rented a house in French- town. May 15th, 1845, at about six o'clock in the afternoon, after a ride of fifty miles, we drove into Frenchtown. My young wife's brother and sister came with us from her father's with his horses and wagon. We brought a few things with us toward housekeeping. I had shipped from Newark a barrel of dishes and two bedsteads, which came to hand the following day. The house was barren of every scrap of furniture which, however, was not uncommon at that time in our parsonages, and especially so in hired houses. I remember till this day my feelings as we stood-the four of us-in that empty house, tired, hungry, lonesome. In a few minutes, however, several persons were at the house to welcome us, and to invite us to supper and lodging. Brother and sister Slack preferred to accommodate the four of us. The next day I bought a cooking stove, a table and a few other things, and we had dinner in our own house and by night had arranged for sleeping. On Sunday, May 18th, I preached at Everittstown in the morning and at Frenchtown in the afternoon ; the following Sabbath, at Quakertown in the morning and had a funeral in the afternoon. Soon after coming to Frenchtown I bought a horse, carriage and harness and felt well equipped for my work. Congregations increasingly good and the spiritual interest seemed most excellent during the summer months. On September 3d, we commenced a woods meeting in a grove on the road to Baptisttown. There was much interest in the meetings from the opening. On Sunday, September 7th, the Rev. C. A. Lippencott
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HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
(in the forenoon) preached a most powerful sermon to a large congrega- tion, and in the afternoon the Lord helped me greatly in preaching to the people. The Holy Spirit was present in mighty saving power. A large number came to the altar for prayer, and ten professed conversion. The meetings were continued in the grove afternoons, and evenings at Brother Thomas Roberson's, and fifty professed conversion. Greater displays of saving power are seldom witnessed. The churches of different denominations for miles were moved to engage in revival work and in some churches there were very many accessions. Sabbath afternoon, October 19th, we had a baptismal service at Frenchtown which was witnessed by a multitude of people. Some fifty kneeled on the bank of the river near the bridge, and I sprinkled water from the river upon their heads in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, consecrating them to Christ and his service. Four persons by their special request were immersed in the same adorable name and for the same sacred purpose. In October we had extra meetings at Everittstown and some twenty-five professed conversion. In November, special services were held in Quakertown, and about thirty came into the church on probation. In the fall of 1845, while the revival spirit was abroad, strenuous efforts were made to collect money to finish the Frenchtown church. It was a difficult thing to do. Our members had but little money ; we raised what we could, and secured a brother to go abroad and obtain if possible, money to assist us. After a time we felt justified in going forward in the work and rejoiced greatly as the work advanced toward the completion. Wednes- day, December 17th, 1845, the church was dedicated. The Presiding Elder, Rev. Isaac Winner preached in the forenoon and dedicated the church. Rev. Abraham Owen, then pastor at New Germantown, preached in the evening. It was a day of rejoicing and one of much interest. In February and March, special services were held in the church and over fifty persons professed conversion. Our conference in the spring of 1846 was held in the Clinton Street Church, Newark ; I was ordained Eider at that conference, and was re-appointed to Quakertown circuit; I found much to do in looking after the recent converts and in the general work of the large circuit. In September and October, special meetings were held in Everittstown, and forty persons professed conversion. In November, I held extra meetings in Quakertown; grandly successful, but cut off by storms and bad roads. In January the special meetings in Frenchtown resulted in a goodly number of conversions. In all our revival meetings the members of the church were greatly benefited, and some of them professed entire sanctification. The last page of my diary at Frenchtown, written April
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FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
12th, 1847, reads : " Have worked constantly for two years ; feel weary in body; hope for a light charge next year ; including backsliders reclaimed, over two hundred have been converted at our altar ; have not received much money, not enough for our necessities, but friends have been very kind in giving us provisions, some families keeping us bountifully supplied with eatables. We must remember Frenchtown for numerous reasons, and especially as the birthplace of our dear son."
Reminiscenses by Rev. Walter Chamberlin.
Frenchtown first appears in the minutes of 1854 as a station, with James Harris as pastor, but after that year it was connected with Milford till 1861, when I was sent there, when it was again made a station with about one hundred members. I was instructed and almost commanded, by the Presiding Elder, C. S. Vancleve, to see to it that the church be rebuilt and enlarged. I arrived in Frenchtown an entire stranger, Friday evening, April 12th, and put up with the old pastor, George H. Jones.
I preached my first sermon the following Sabbath from Romans, 10: 1. The following Thursday we moved the family, via. Trenton, amidst the excitement of war; the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment passing us as we stood on the platform of the railroad station at Tren- ton. We were cordially received by the brethren and sisters, who assisted our getting settled in the parsonage. Notwithstanding the war excitement, and some of our young men enlisting to put down the wicked Rebellion, the trustees met on the 10th of May and resolved that a subscription be opened to rebuild and enlarge the church edifice, and as soon as this subscription would warrant, to commence the work in the fear of God. On the 31st of May the trustees and building com- mittees met and resolved to commence the renovation of the church. On June 3d the seats were removed from the church to a hall, and the work began. The church was raised one story, extended in length and a tower put up, with a fine toned bell. (The following letter is inserted by D. M. M.)
" TROY BELL FOUNDRY, January 13th, 1862.
M. E. CHURCH, FRENCHTOWN, BY REV. W. CHAMBERLIN,
Bought of JONES & Co.,
1 Church Bell, 710 lbs., @ , 30cts. $213 00
Hangings Complete 35 00
248 00
14 20
Less Donation
$233 80
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HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
The above mentioned bell and its mountings are warranted not to break in one year from date and tone warranted satisfactory to the purchaser. Should they fail or break during the year, we agree to recast the bell or replace the broken mountings without charge.
Dated Troy, January 13th, 1862.
JONES & Co. REV. W. CHAMBERLIN.
DEAR SIR :- Your favor of the 10th was received Saturday, and to-day we ship the bell. Above is bill and warrantee, and inclosed is railroad receipt. This railroad now refuses to contract beyond its own route, and all we could do was to get terms to New York. Please pay that amount and deduct from the bill, viz : 30c. per 100 lbs., on 1,050 lbs , $3.15. We trust the bell will reach you safely and in good time and give you and your people most ample satisfaction. Don't use over a 5 rope and the bell will work the better. You will much oblige us by remitting as promptly as convenience will allow.
Very Sincerely Yours, JONES & CO."
The lecture room was dedicated on Saturday, August 24th, 1861, Rev. C. H. Whiticar preaching in the morning and Rev. William W. Voorhees in the evening. The subscription for the day was $112. On the following day (Sabbath) Rev. Charles E. Hill preached a regular evangelical sermon which was a real benediction to all that heard it. In the afternoon at half-past three o'clock, the Presiding Elder, C. S. Vancleve preached a splendid sermon, and in the evening Rev. W. E. Blakeslee preached for us. The subscription during the two days amounted to about $150.
The dedication of the audience room took place on Tuesday, January 28th, 1862. Bishop E. S. Janes preaching in the morning, Rev. A. K. Street in the afternoon and Dr. I. W. Wiley giving us a grand discourse in the evening. By collection and subscription $500 were raised during the day, leaving $450 to be provided for. The people did nobly considering the circumstances and deserve the prosperity following their sacrifices. Among those worthy of mention was Joseph Ashton, who started the subscription with $100, and finding it a blessing to give, added $50 more. May the blessing of Heaven ever rest on the M. E. Church of Frenchtown !
It may be of interest to you and all the citizens of Frenchtown, to know the age of those trees in front of the church and parsonage. I assisted in planting them Saturday, May 3d, 1862.
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FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
Reminiscences by Rev. C. Clark, Jr.
When I came to my pastorate, the people of Frenchtown had just voted no license for the borough ; and in consequence of which we were a dry town for that year. It was during the panic of '71 that the license people thought they saw the business of the town prostrate, and "grass growing in the streets," and in the spring election, secured a majority in the council for license again. Of course, grass did not grow in the streets, neither had it before, but drunkenness, disorder and noise did result therefrom.
During my third year, the town and church were visited by a most remarkable and overwhelming revival of religion; and a few facts leading thereto may be worthy of mention. My health was in such a precarious condition that my advisers urged upon me positive rest ; but my conviction was that there must be a meeting held, and I arranged for it about as follows: I called for volunteers among the ladies to go under my direction two by two and canvass the town, and do strictly pastoral work of religious conversation and prayer. Six ladies, including my wife, responded to the call. They met at the old parsonage, and an hour was devoted to consecration and prayer. It was a holy hour! Each one felt that God was in the plan, and that it must succeed ; and with this feeling and a baptism of the Holy Spirit, this faithful little band began their labors from house to house.
I had arranged with the officials of the church, that they should conduct the singing and praying and to work in the congregation, and leave me to take it as easy as circumstances would permit, and to secure ministerial aid if deemed necessary ; but in less than a week it became apparent that no assistant preachers would be necessary to further the glorious work.
The basement of the church was thronged with anxious humanity, and the altar with weeping penitents. The work of that consecrated band of women during the first afternoon was clearly visible at the evening service.
Soon the subject for conversation in the stores, shops and hotels of the town was the revival in the Methodist Church ; and as a consequence, all classes and persuasions flocked to the meetings and some remarkable scenes took place. Many members of the church soon found that they needed more grace for the work, and held a holiness meeting for that purpose. Members of the Presbyterian and Baptist churches stood up for prayer and came to the altar and sought a state of justification which they declared they had never before enjoyed. Thus for one month or more these services engrossed the thought and conversation
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HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH.
of the town and vicinity, and resulted in the addition of some seventy- five persons of all ages to the membership of the church.
At the conclusion of this series of meetings, the question of license or no license came up again. I consulted with the Rev. C. Conkling, a retired Presbyterian minister residing in the town concerning the matter, and the result was a call for a meeting of especially selected citizens in the basement of our church to consider the question. This was indeed a memorable meeting, both for its personal character and for the decided spirit manifested for God and the right. The result was that a committee of thirteen was appointed with authority to make a ticket for the approaching election for mayor and councilmen, and to report in one week for approval. The selection made by the committee was highly satisfactory, and we pledged ourselves to work for the ticket. The liquor men had been demoralized by the revival, but boasted of being victorious; but when the votes were counted they were badly defeated, and the church and no license reigned again for one year at least.
My pastorate at Frenchtown was very pleasant, both in its social and church relationship. I could mention the names of many with whom I was associated, and with whom I passed many hours of spiritual and social profit; but for fear of occupying too much space, I shall refrain from so doing. Some of those associates have gone to heaven; some have moved to other earthly homes; but there are many who yet reside in the town. Those names are dear to me; and I shall ever hold in fond remembrance the personalities they represent, and the happy scenes entwined around them-scenes undimmed by the haze and mist of the years that have since flown.
But if permitted, I shall make mention of one man; Morris Max- well, class leader; I believe it was so before I came and after I left ; I know it to be true during my stay, that Brother Maxwell was most faithful to his duty as class leader. He led a class meeting in the church, and he led it rain or shine. On the night of his meeting it was a well-known fact throughout the town that he could always be found at the Methodist Church with his class. Sometimes few and sometimes many met with this good man, and all found it " good to be there."
The closing hours of my stay in the town were exceedingly pleasant. Many persons came to assist us in packing and getting off, and we left the parsonage for the station, believing we had said good-bye to nearly all. To our surprise, however, the station was thronged in and out with members of the church and others. It was a hallowed moment of hand-shaking, tears and good wishes never to be forgotten.
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FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
Reminiscences by Rev. Joseph Gaskill.
The following was published in The Hunterdon Independent, June 22d, 1894. It was written as a supplement to a paper read at French- town before the Hunterdon County Historical Society :
Editor of The Hunterdon Independent.
DEAR SIR :- Will you please allow me a little space in your valuable paper to supplement, or add to, that very remarkable history, of the rise and progress of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Frenchtown, as written by the Rev. D. M. Matthews, and published in your paper, The Independent, of June the 8th inst .; and also, to give some brief account of my ministry in the adjoining community to Frenchtown in the year of 1842? But first of all, I want to thank you, or to whoever it was that sent me the paper that contained the graphic history ; and also, Brother Matthews who wrote it in such detail, fullness and general accuracy. I have read the communication with great pleasure, and have no criticisms or corrections to make, save one; and that is only in the date, or year, when the "first class" or society was formed in French- town.
Mr. Matthews says, "In 1840 the first class was formed in French- town by Joseph Gaskill." That is a mistake, whereas it was formed in 1842. I was admitted into the New Jersey Annual Conference in the month of April, 1842, and was appointed, as the minutes of the Conference show, to Quakertown charge; the charge consisted of four appointments, namely, Quakertown, Everittstown, Baptisttown and Kingwood.
This charge had formerly been a part of old Flemington circuit, but at the conference had been set off by itself, and I was appointed as its first pastor. I entered upon the work with some misgivings as a young man of little experience, and moderate intellectual abilities, but, being filled with " faith and the Holy Ghost" I had but little doubt as to the outcome.
In addition to the four churches demanding my time and labor, I began to study, and plan how to reach the masses of the non-church- going people. Accordingly in the month of August I arranged to hold a woods meeting near Quakertown for a few days. In the meantime I had secured the promise of old Brother Banghart, (of precious memory) Presiding Elder on Newton district, to help me in the meeting, and preach for me, especially Sunday. When Sunday morning came, a large concourse of people were gathered, and Father Banghart was on hand, and took for his text the words of the weeping prophet Jeremiah. " Rivers of water runneth down mine eyes, etc."; and from the
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HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
announcement of the text he began to weep, and throughout the sermon his cheeks were bathed in tears; and among the masses of the great congregation there was scarcely a dry eye. Under that sermon, many were awakened, many hearts were melted, and not a few were happily saved from their sins.
Have all the weeping prophets and preachers passed away ? Has the cause ceased to exist? or have preachers and people become so refined, educated and hardened that the fountain of tears is dried up?
Not being able to continue the meeting in the grove longer, I con- cluded to follow up the good work by opening and inviting the people to the church at Quakertown, to which they came in crowds and packed the house night after night, and the revival continued with unabated interest until I was stricken down with disease, and had to close the meeting; but as it was quite a large number were saved and the church was greatly comforted.
After recovering from my illness, and still filled with an irrepressible desire for new conquests, and not feeling content to confine my labors to my immediate charge alone, I resolved to venture out into the " regions beyond " if need be, and learning that Frenchtown, a few miles from Baptisttown, had no church, or church organization of any kind, and also hearing that there was one man at least who was in favor of having religious service held in the place; and as the doors of the school-house were closed against all ministerial intruders, he proposed to open his shop for the purpose. So, learning this fact, I made it a point to have an appointment given out for me to preach there on a given Sabbath afternoon, and when the hour arrived I think there were present about a score of souls, men, women and children.
During the service, I thought there were indications that they would like me to preach again, so I gave out another appointment for two weeks from that day. When the two weeks rolled round, a still larger gathering was present, and I tried as best I could to give them some plain gospel truths, and impress upon them the importance of at once consecrating their hearts and lives to God and his service then and there forever. And being encouraged by visible effects, I gave out a third appointment for two weeks, and on this occasion I made the strongest appeal to them I was capable of to make a start for the kingdom, and identify themselves at once with the people and church of God ; and at the close of the service, I called for volunteers to join the church on probation, and eleven men and women came forward and gave me their names, and I recorded them in a class book prepared for that purpose ; and appointed old Brother Thomas Robertson, of Baptist- town, as their leader, and Ambrose Silverthorn assistant. That was the
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FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
origin, and beginning of the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Borough of Frenchtown.
Truly it was the day of small things; humble the beginning, but what has God wrought during these more than fifty years ?
The seed planted had vitality in itself, took deep root, and sprang up and has born abundant fruitage. To God be all the glory.
At the close of this conference year '42, I was removed from Quaker- town charge and sent to Gloucester circuit, embracing twenty-one appointments, 1,400 members, with Joseph Atwood as my colleague ; and of course, the little infant church at Frenchtown fell into the hands of my successor, and subsequently his successors to the present time. How well they have nourished and cared for the tender infant plant, Brother Matthews' glowing history fully sets forth. To God be all the glory for this wonderful result.
I would like to make mention of a revival also that took place at Everittstown during the winter of '42 ; quite a number were converted ; among them, some few arose to distinction and usefulness. There was Sylvester Opdyke, who became a member of the Newark Conference, and Presiding Elder ; but he has passed to his reward. There was also one by the name of Mahlon Rittenhouse ; I think he is still living, and a merchant at Everittstown; and still others whose names have faded from my memory ; but their names were written in Heaven, and I trust they remain uneffaced.
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