USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Tenth anniversary of the North Reformed Dutch Church, Newark, N.J > Part 3
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As a shock of corn fully ripe, Mr. Waldron has been gath- ered to his fathers. Presiding over the consistory and con- ducting our meetings, he was to us an ambassador of Christ. Well do I remember, when, with a little company about him, he deposited under yonder corner-stone the appropriate memo- rials. Then the "man of God,"+ who still continues with us, invoked heaven's benediction. No formality was there-no discourse-no singing, but the imploring heart-beatings of those present, I believe, made music that was heard in heaven. Mr. Waldron has, in his counsels, his prayers, and his example, left the church an inheritance much more endur- ing than the stone, which the decaying finger of time will destroy.
The two brief ministries of the faithful and efficient Du- Bois and Demarest are a part of our history. Under each we
* Rev. Wm. H. Campbell, D.D.
+ Rev. Wm. H. Steele.
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grew. The truths they uttered, like good seed, have borne fruit, and will, years hence, like the wheat taken from the mummies of Egypt, still yield increase.
To-night we pass from youth to manhood. This is our climacteric ; and now, favored with a pastor who has already won to himself the respect, the sympathy, and the regard of every member of our congregation, a vast field of usefulness opens before us.
Placed, as our church is, in the midst of a growing city, from hence should go forth a christian energy and charity doing much to render church extension, at least commensurate with the increase of our population. Having accomplished this much in the last ten years, what can we not do in the next ten ? Is any one the worse for what he has done or given in this direction ? No! It is by scattering that we get increase. And within the pale of the church too, what good will be accomplished! The church will be to us and other generations a covert from the tempest and "the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." "Souls will here be converted to Christ, and we shall rejoice over them in heaven." If you would estimate the value and importance of this church, fol- low the history, the biography of a single immortal, and then estimate the benefits to the world when these blessings are aggregated. See the beams of joy that radiate from that young christian's countenance ; how calm and placid is her brow! Her eye kindles with love ; her lips open with words of gratitude; the element of human disquiet, unhappiness and estrangement from God, has been eradicated from her soul; she is now forgiven. The problem of her being is solved; she sees why she was created and what glories are before her ; she walks life's path with alacrity ; she has a new joy and a new friend ; " one who sticketh closer than a brother" is ever with her ; on Him she leans, on Him she bestows a love which cannot be idolatrous, and the overflowings of that holy affection reach every member of her race; her hand is ready
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for deeds of charity, and her voice attuned to benedictions. There is no exclusiveness in her love. She pants to bring all to Him, " who has taken her from the horrible pit and placed her feet on the sure rock." It is the story of Calvary taught from that pulpit; it is the invitation of Christ's ambassador here, "come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest;" it is the promise, "as I live ye shall live also," that has thus transformed her.
Follow her further: now temptations assail and afflictions overtake her; they are distressing to bear, but she is not quite overcome ; she clings with a firm grasp to the hand that first rescued her. Now her pallid cheek rests on death's pillow ; the terrific king visits her in the silence of midnight-tells her every human tie must now sever-points her to the lonely grave, to the fearful shroud-speaks to her of corruption, and portrays the perils of an untried eternity. They view each other face to face; for an instant nature quails ; but death's conqueror, introduced to her here, is beside her and whispers, " He that believeth in me shall never die"-" as I live ye shall live also." She utters words of triumph, "I know in whom I have believed"-"I know that my Redeemer liveth"-and while she still lingers in her wonted abode, heaven opens to her ecstatic vision, and she learns that death has no sting, the grave no victory, that death is but a shadow to the faithful-and now, at last, freed from earth, disenthrall- ed from sin, in communion with Jesus, she has begun her immortal youth of unsullied joy. What a biography for one, who, but for the knowledge of the priceless truth here com- municated, was destined to unending woe! This is but the history of one. If you would gather the benefits of this church organization, you must multiply that by the thousands who are here to be brought to the knowledge of Jesus.
My friends-love the church, and remember that our Saviour " so loved the church that he gave himself for it" and for none but the church ; and remember that He looks with complacency
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upon the brethren who sympathize with Him in this affection ; remember that here God's honor dwelleth, and it is here that we may find pardon. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper who love thee."
ADDRESS
BY
REV. WM. H. CAMPBELL, D.D., PRESIDENT OF RUTGER'S COLLEGE.
MY FRIENDS :- After the deep impression made upon your minds by the historical discourse and address, I shall not detain you long with any protracted remarks of mine. Five minutes will suffice for all I have to say. God has mercifully blessed you, my friends, and you should trust in Him.
It was a dark morning of your history, a dark Sabbath morning, when in Oraton Hall I read to you from the proph- ecy of Haggai, and besought you to follow the example there given, and assured you that you would surely re- ceive the final promise which God there made to his prophet. You did follow the advice of the prophet, and now you have met together to thank God for your success. He has ful- filled the words which he spake by the prophet Haggai to the Jews of old, and through them to His people in every age of the world. I say therefore, be thankful, be prayerful, be faithful, be humble; for, be assured, if God has prospered you, it is because He has some harder work for you to do; if He has brought you through trials, and difficulties, and sorrows and saved you notwithstanding them all, what an excellent God He is! How faithful to his promise He is ! How unbeliev- ing we are whenever we doubt Him! And remember too, that this history which we have just heard, is not that of an individ. ual church. No, it is the history of hundreds of thousands o churches in the world. The monopoly is not here to-night
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Every church throughout our land has a history and every church has a voice to say :- " Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name." The churches ought often to meet together and tell their history and remember all the glorious things that God has done for them. In that one song of praise, the one hundred and third Psalm, we are ex- pressly told to "remember all His benefits."
And now let us remember, my friends, for what the church is instituted. The blessed Master tells us when He says :- " Ye are the light of the world" and then adds- "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, who is in Heaven." Let all of you remember God's glory. Let the light of true doctrine, let the light of the humble, devoted christian example shine forth and be everywhere seen. Then God shall spare you through the next decade of years, and when you again meet for a similar purpose, you will be able to tell that God loves you and has abundantly blessed you during the ten years then past. And if any of you should be then dead, this church will be rejoicing over you in heaven, for as my friend Mr. Bradley says-the church can never die-she is immortal.
Again I say, be thankful, be prayerful, be faithful, and be hum- · ble.
APPENDIX.
The following letters, from the former living pastors of the church and the pastor of the neighboring (2d Presby- terian) church, were read :
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MOTT HAVEN, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1866.
REV. CHARLES E. HART,
DEAR BRO. :- In the midst of the festivities of Christmas I have just received an invitation from you, in behalf of the North Dutch Church, to attend their approaching decennial celebration.
Nothing, I need hardly assure you and the church, could afford me greater pleasure, but, unfortunately for myself, I have arranged for an exchange of pulpits next Sabbatlı evening, which will prevent my ac- ceptance.
Allow me, however, through you, to present to the church my hearty congratulation for their success in the past, their prosperity and har- mony, and their hopeful prospects.
Please tell them for me, that I still regard the North Dutch Church as the church of my first love; and, whether they received much profit from my brief pastorate or not, that I regard myself as having learned more in that than in any equal period of my life. The probability is, in that respect, I am more indebted to them than they to me.
Among them are a goodly number who gratefully assured me that I was the humble instrument whom God chose to lead them to that Prince of peace whose birth we are now celebrating. In them shall I always feel special interest, and shall look forward to an eternal reunion with them as one of the brightest joys of heaven.
May God richly bless them, and the whole church, and you, whom He has chosen as their shepherd. Please excuse the haste and brevity of this note, and accept for yourself, and present in my name to the church, a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Fraternally yours,
HASBROUCK DUBOIS.
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CHICAGO, Dec. 26, 1866.
REV. CHARLES E. HART,
DEAR BROTHER :- Your favor of the 17th ult., conveying an invitation to,be present at the tenth anniversary of the organization of the North Church of Newark, has been received.
There are many reasons why I would gladly accept such an invitation, not the least of which is my first impulse to do so, prompted by the af- fectionate remembrance in which I hold that church. I am, however, just resuming my usual labors after a suspension of two months, caused by a fit of sickness; and now that I am able to work again, it seems im- portant that I should stay at my post.
I trust that the contemplated service will be an occasion of great pleasure and profit ; and that the many reasons for thankfulness which a review of the past will furnish, will be so many incentives to courage and christian enterprise for the future. While I rejoice with you all in what has been thus far accomplished, I also unite my prayers with yours for a large prosperity in the time to come. Though absent in body, I shall be an interested participant in the thanksgivings and thé hopes of your jubilee.
Very truly yours,
JAS. DEMAREST, Jr.
NEWARK, N. J., Dec. 28, 1866.
REV. MR. HART,
DEAR BROTHER :- Your note has been received, inviting me to partici- pate in the commemorative services at your church on next Sunday evening.
I thank you and your consistory for this invitation, and for the kind fraternal feeling which it manifests. It would give me much pleasure to accept it, and to be present on so interesting an occasion; but the duty . of sustaining the regular service in my own church at the same hour, forbids my enjoying that pleasure.
I am happy to know that the relations between our congregations have thus far been most friendly and pleasant. May they ever continue so.
Be assured, and be kind enough to assure those whom you represent,
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of my most cordial wishes for the largest prosperity of your church. May it increase in numbers and in strength, in activity of usefulness, in extent of influence, and be ever healthful and vigorous in the spiritual life which comes from the presence of the Lord.
Hoping that all the services of the appointed evening may be fully successful, and that the occasion may be one of much enjoyment and en- couragement, I remain
Very truly, Your friend and brother, J. FEW SMITH.
The HF Group Indiana Plant 082132 E 99 00 1/19/2007
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