USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Orange > The Mountain Society : a history of the First Presbyterian Church, Orange, N. J. organized about the year 1719 with an account of the earliest settlements in Newark > Part 11
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* This was true; yet one of the workmen (David S. Roff) had fallen from the scaffolding, when the wall was within one tier of the top. By a singular providence he fell where a pile of sand was or had been lying, and thus escaped being broken on the frag- ments and chips of stone which covered the ground all around the spot. Those who saw him fall observed that he rebounded from the ground a foot or two. It was on the east side of the building. The accident was occasioned by stepping on a loose bit of stone. The injury did not prove serious. Josiah Frost was standing where he fell. Hearing the noise, he looked up, saw the man de- scending, and had just time to save himself by stepping aside.
179
EARNEST WORDS.
brethren, to look around with suitable emotions of gratitude and praise upon this spacious and con- venient temple of the Lord, whose doors are opened to invite you and your children to the gospel feast. And realize the obligations you are under to attend constantly and devoutly on all the duties of the sanctuary. A solemn responsibility attaches to every member of this congregation. No excuse can be ordinarily made for his absence, who has health and strength to come to these courts. If any now neglect the public worship of God, it be- comes them very seriously to consider what excuse they will make at the great day of account. Let no one suffer his seat to be empty unless imperious ne- cessity compel him. Let your example never en- courage the negligence of others. Let parents and heads of families learn their indispensable obliga- tion, not only to be present themselves, but to be careful that their children, their servants, and all under their care attend constantly upon the public worship of God. Soon you must leave your chil- dren, and upon them the interests of the church and of religion will devolve. Oh, how important, before you die, you should see in your children and those who are to follow you the habit formed of constant and devout attention to the public institutions of religion !""
The younger part of his flock were thus admon- ished :
180
BUILDING OF STEEPLE.
" Remember, this house was in a peculiar sense built for you. Your fathers can enjoy it but a little while. Oh, be entreated early to form the habit of constant and devout attention to the means of grace administered here! Let it not be said of you, my young friends, as is the case with too many others, that you prefer amusement, idleness, or parties of pleasure to the public worship of your God and Redeemer."
Forty-six years have left but few even of the youth who listened to these solemn counsels.
The edifice thus consecrated was built at a cost of about $28,000. A steeple was yet necessary to complete the design. This was added in the follow- ing year by a contract with Mr. Dodd, the architect, for $2,750. The parish in April voted that the surplus money raised by the sale of the pews in the new church remain in the hands of the trustees, to defray the expense of finishing the house, pur- chasing a bell and chandeliers, and fencing the church lot. The fund at interest amounted at this time to about $6,000, the most of it secured by bond and mortgage.
Among these securities was a mortgage on the "Orange Dock," for the sum of $750, given by Jacob Plum, and bearing date the 25th of May, 1812. From the sale of the dock we infer that the sloop owned by the parish was likewise sold about this time, the whole capital thus invested being
181
MINERAL SPRING.
probably absorbed in the new church building. We learn that some difficulty was experienced in the adjustment of the claims of private stockholders. Those claims were, however, satisfied, and the whole shipping interest transferred to the common fund.
Orange was at this time celebrated as a watering- place. The chalybeate spring, which now adds its attractions to the romantic and tasteful grounds of Mr. Pillot, was much resorted to as a public foun- tain of health. Near by was a boarding hotel, which has since been transformed into the mansion occupied by the gentleman just named. Every season brought to this spot hundreds of invalids and pleasure-seekers, whose presence added a new feature to the social character of the place, and swelled perceptibly the large assemblies which on the Sabbath received from Mr. Hillyer's lips the word of life. The mineral spring, it is said, was "once the most fashionable place of resort in the United States. Up to 1824, Orange was the great American Saratoga."*
There was a class of worshippers in the new sanctuary for whose accommodation special provi- sion was made, They are brought to our notice in a resolution of the parish in 1815, requesting the trustees "to call on the slaveholders for the annuity
* See Specimen Number of the Orange Journal, Jan. 7, 1854.
9
182
PROVISION FOR SLAVES.
on the pews set apart for their slaves." This was five years before the emancipation act, and ten years before it began to take effect in the dissolu- tion of the servile bond." It is gratifying to know that while the day of emancipation was dawning, the light of the gospel was already shining on this portion of the population. The first Sunday-school in this parish was established for their benefit in 1816.
The demolition of the old meeting-house was to be followed not long after by the abandonment of the parsonage-four years its senior in age. This event was occasioned by a conviction in Mrs. Hill- yer's mind that her health, which was delicate, was injuriously affected by her residence there. In consequence of this impression, Mr. Hillyer remov- ed in 1815 to a wooden house on the corner of the street which bears his name. It is now the resi- dence of his son-in-law, Dr. William Pierson. The parish this year resolved to pay $200 in lieu of the wood formerly provided for him.
The temple so recently consecrated was receiv- ing evidences that the Lord of hosts had made His
* By the act of February, 1820, children born of slave parents subsequent to July 4, 1804, were to become free, the females upon arriving at twenty-one, the males at twenty-five years of age. The slave population of the State reached its maximum (12,422) in 1800. In 1810 it was 10,857. In 1850, there were 236 slaves; 23,810 free colored.
183
REVIVAL OF 1817.
abode there. His people had proved Him with their offerings; a blessing was poured out upon them in return. Before their work was finished in building him a house, a special work of grace was going on. This is indicated by the fruits gathered in during the year 1814, when thirty-one persons took the vow of obedience at the altars of the new sanctuary. Things more glorious were to be spo- ken of Zion three years later, when there came an- other general awakening. In Newark, Elizabeth- town, Bloomfield, Caldwell, Connecticut Farms, and other places, the Spirit came down with signal power.
The first manifestations of the work here were in the autumn of 1816. The weekly meetings held in the academy began to assume an unusual inter- est. Such was the attendance that the place be- came too strait, and the services were transferred to the church. Additional appointments were also made, both for preaching and prayer, in Doddtown and other neighborhoods. Two young men from Princeton, Messrs. Barnes and Riggs, assisted Mr. Hillyer several weeks.
The praying men of the parish were at work in their several localities, and on the morning of the Sabbath might be seen coming together from each point of the compass, to intercede for the Spirit's presence, and for a blessing on the word. Of this number was Elder John Perry- a personal illustra-
184
MEN OF PRAYER.
tion of the proverb that "the legs of the lame are not equal," but demonstrating no less the truth of the promise, that "the lame man shall leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing ; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert." It might have been said of him with very little of poetic exaggeration : "Behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills." His mountain home was not too high nor too distant for him to descend from it, though with uneven, limping pace, to the solemn convoca- tions of the house of prayer; and having waited upon the Lord, and with tears entreated men, he would return to his home in the promised strength and joy of the Lord, mounting up with wings as eagles. Associated with him in the work, and in official responsibility, were the two Joseph Pier- sons, Amos Harrison, Linus Dodd, Moses Condit, John Lindsley, Adonijah Osmun, and Daniel Con- dit; not all of them men of like zeal, but men whom the church delighted to honor, and whose prayers prevailed with God. We could wish that the scenes of that revival had some other record than the unwritten memories of them which remain. Such indeed they have, but the record is on high.
The particulars here furnished are from the re. collections of one who was a subject of the revival. His own mind was wrought upon with great power.
185
SUNDAY - SCHOOLS.
At night, he says, he looked upon the heavens, and thought how these declared their Maker's glory, while he, His rational creature, had done nothing but rebel against Him. In every star that shone, and in every object of nature and blessing of prov- And so idence, he seemed to meet an accuser.
completely was his mind engrossed and overwhelm- ed with the thoughts of his own guilty condition and exposure to the anger of a Holy God, that for a considerable time he scarcely took note of what related to others .* Many others there were, who were passing through a like experience. The records of the session for the year 1817, show an ingathering of one hundred and thirteen souls, the hopeful trophies of recovering grace.
A blessed and permanent institution of the church-the Sabbath-school-grew out of this re- vival, or had its origin in it. We have spoken of a school instituted for the colored people. Another, for the benefit of the children and youth of the congregation generally, was established in 1817. The two schools assembled in the upper and lower rooms of the academy. Among those who devoted
Mr. Nicol, now an elder in the Second Church. Mr. Osmun, his venerable colleague, was a subject of the revival of 1807. The latter relates to me that Dr. Griffin, being once in Orange, after he had preached here, and meeting Elder John Perry, saluted him on this wise : "Well, brother Perry, you are still limping along to- ward heaven, are you ?" -- " The first part is true," was the reply.
186
BIBLE SOCIETY.
themselves to the religious instruction of the colored population-then in servitude-was a daughter of the pastor, one who is yet with us, and yet un- wearied in the Christian labors that engaged her youthful love.
There sprang from the same revival another in- stitution not now existing, though its spirit lives. This was the Orange Bible Society. The National Society having been organized the year previous, a local society in furtherance of the same object, "in our own vicinity," was formed here, Nov. 1, 1817. One dollar was the price of admission to its mem- bership; ten dollars to a life-membership. Mr. Hillyer took an active interest in the enterprise, drew up the constitution, and was chosen Vice- President. The society does not appear from its books to have been a highly efficient one. The members paid pretty regularly their dollar a year till 1828, when the books were closed, the aggre- gate receipts for eleven years being $250.65.
In the spring of 1817, "the trustees and com- mittee appointed at a late parish-meeting to make arrangements with Mr. Hillyer respecting a parson- age," reported-
" That they had agreed with Mr. Hillyer to raise his salary to $1120 per year; on condition that he would relinquish his claim to the old par- sonage-house and one half acre of land adjoining, a quarter of an acre adjoining Samuel W. Tichenor,
187
NATIONAL SOCIETIES.
a quarter of an acre adjoining Allen Dodd, and all the land owned by the parish on the south side of the road. They further reported that they had con- ferred with Mr. Hillyer on the subject, and that he was satisfied with the arrangement. The meeting ap- proved and confirmed the contract by a solemn vote, and authorized the trustees to use the above- mentioned pieces of land to enable them to fulfil the contract on their part."
The great idea of religious beneficence, and of Christianity as a grand power for reforming the world, was at this period seizing the best and most vigorous intellects of the country as it had never be- fore done. In 1809 was formed the American Board ; in 1814, the American Tract Society (of Boston); in 1816, the American Bible Society; in 1817, the American Colonization Society, and (within the Presbyterian church) the United Foreign Mission- ary Society. This last Mr. Hillyer assisted to form, and he gave his earnest sympathies to the rest, as he did subsequently to the Education Society (1818), the Sunday School Union (1824), the American Tract Society at New York (1825), the Home Mis- sionary Society (1826), the Seamen's Friend Society (1828). It will be seen from the dates how rapidly these institutions sprang up during his ministry. They found in his liberal views, and his warm sympathy with whatever could benefit man, a sure ground of support.
183
REVIVAL OF 1825.
During the year 1818, in the full ripeness of his mind and ministry, he received from Alleghany college the degree of Doctor of Divinity. The honor was worn as modestly as worthily.
The church had at this time grown to a member- ship of 520. At about this number it stood, till the years 1824-5 brought another Pentecost. In this revival Dr. Hillyer was assisted by a young man from Greenfield, N. Y., who had then just completed his theological studies at Princeton .*
* The young man alluded to was James Wood, now Rev. Dr. Wood, President of Hanover College, Ind. He was from my na- tive parish. When I visited Philadelphia in June last, to obtain some material for this history from the library of the Presbyterian Historical Society, he was just closing his labors as one of the Secretaries of the Presbyterian Board of Education. My business, which led me to his room, at once interested him; and he related an anecdote of Dr. Hillyer which is worth preserving. The inci- dent was told him by the latter when he was with him in the re- vival above mentioned.
A Methodist clergyman sometime previously had visited Orange, and preached at a private house where a lady of that denomination resided. There were at that time very few Methodists in the place. It was the evening of Dr. Hillyer's lecture, and the Doctor, on his way home from his own service, passing the place, saw quite a crowd assembled, some of them standing outside the door, among whom was a man of his own society, who seldom went to church. The next day, meeting this man, the conversation turned upon the Methodist preacher, and he was asked what he thought of him. "Why, I thought this," replied Dr. H., " that I ought to be thankful to God for sending a man here to preach His gospel who can get the attention of such men as you. My preaching does
DEED OF THE ACADEMY. 189
We know not the particular aspects of the work. Nearly a hundred conversions were reported the next spring. As in previous revivals, the awaken- ing was simultaneous in Orange and Newark.
Some changes worthy of notice occurred about this time, affecting the Orange Academy. Mr. Hillyer, like his predecessor, had served the institu- tion as a trustee and a patron. In 1823, we find associated with him as trustees, Stephen D. Day, Doctor Daniel Babbit, John M. Lindsley, Daniel D. Condit, Abraham Winans and Samuel W. Tiche-
nor. Of those who originally held the property by a deed of trust, John Condit was yet living, but had removed to Jersey City. It was necessary the title should now rest in others, and accordingly, in November, 1823, it was conveyed by him to the acting board of trustees. The terms of the deed in- dicate that the Academy had ceased to be, if it ever was such, in any sense a parochial institution ; * it
you no good, for you don't come to hear it. If another can draw you out, I shall be glad, and still more if he is made an instrument in bringing you into the kingdom of God." The result was, that the man was seen at Dr. Hillyer's next inquiry meeting, and was soon a member of his church.
The deed says : "To be kept and held by the trustees of the aforesaid academy forever in trust, (agreeable to the above conveyance to myself and others, which is as follows) : for all the inhabitants in general of the place and neighborhood of Orange, to be and remain a place for an academy, which shall be for the use of a public school. Furthermore, it is the true intent and- meaning of these presents,"
9*
190
RELIGIOUS CHANGES.
being affirmed to be " the true intent and meaning" of the conveyance, " that no particular sect or pro- fession of people in said place shall have any right to said premises on account of the profits which may arise from it more than another ; but it shall be and remain for the purpose of a good public and moral school of learning, for the use of all the in- habitants which now are or ever shall be in said Orange, to the end of time." These terms indicate the religious changes which thirty-eight years had gradually effected in the community.
Yet the population of Orange, until this period, adhered so generally to the doctrines and polity of the Presbyterian church, that no movement was made to collect a congregation on any other basis. Persons who belonged to other communions, or were drawn to them, either went to Newark to worship, or consented to forego their preferences. It speaks much for the vitality of our system, that it struck its life so deep, and maintained its growth so long, without decay and without division. It was guarded and fostered by no State patronage. It was planted in a field open to the freest competi-
&c. The quotation from the original conveyance shows that the institution had never, in form, been denominational; while the furthermore shows that something more explicit upon the point was now felt to be needed in the title. It may be added that this was inadvertently given by Mr. Condit in his own right, and not as a trustee ; a defect subsequently remedied by the Legislature.
191
ST. MARK'S CHURCH.
tion. Yet it held the ground, almost unquestioned, for a century. Evidently it had taken deep root in the convictions and affections of a free, intelligent and Bible-loving people. An established church may be held up by the civil arm. A lordly and showy hierarchy, claiming apostolic sanctity, and clothed with mystery and magnificence, may draw the world wondering after it by its very arrogance and excess of gorgeous absurdities. The Presbyterian churches of New Jersey borrowed no strength from these sources. They claimed no exclusive commission from God. They had no captivating ceremonies. They had neither monarchy nor hierarchy in their favor. The Church-of-England sympathies of the Provincial Government were long against them. Whence came their vigorous life? What gave them so long and so strong a position in the intel- lects and hearts of men trained to piety and thought and freedom ? The question is not asked invidious- ly or boastfully. We would gratefully honor the goodness of God, and we shall be pardoned for calling attention to the favor he has bestowed on a church we venerate; by those at least who know our cordial fellowship with others, drawing their creed and life from the Everlasting Word.
In 1825, Rev. Benjamin Holmes, a missionary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, residing in Morristown, made Orange a part of his missionary circuit. His appointments here were monthly.
192
DEATH OF MRS. HILLYER.
At the end of two years-April 7, 1827-a church was organized. The corner-stone of a house of worship was laid May 12, 1828, and the house consecrated February 20, 1829. In the following May, the church had thirteen communicants and fifty pew-holders. In June, Rev. William R. Whit- tingham, now bishop of the Maryland diocese, was settled over it. He remained about a year. The church is Saint Mark's, now under the rectorship of the Rev. James A. Williams.
The coincidence may here be noted, that the First Church exhibited at this time the largest membership it has ever enrolled. It reported in 1827 more than six hundred communicants. It
had grown to repletion.
The population of the
parish was increasing. There was a demand for more laborers ; the Lord of the harvest sent them.
But a cloud of sorrow was now gathering over the pastor's home. Many a joy had inspired him in his fruitful labors. Richest blessings had de- scended upon his flock. He had been a minister of comfort to hundreds of mourning penitents and to many afflicted homes. He was now to feel the loss of one who had been often a comforter to him. Mrs. Hillyer, whose health had been long declin- ing, was removed by death, April 4, 1828. She died much regretted, the mother of four sons and three daughters. The ladies of the congregation caused a suitable headstone to be put over her
193
METHODIST CHURCH.
grave -- a permanent memorial of their esteem and sorrow.
Left to a lonely ministry at the age of sixty-five years, and having now one of the largest parishes in the State, Dr. Hillyer was not averse to receiv- ing, in the year following this bereavement, the assistance of a colleague. With this arrangement in view, he entered into an agreement that for seven years succeeding the first of May, 1829, he would accept of an annual salary of $920, instead of the $1,155 which he then received. At the expiration of that term, he was to receive $800 per annum during his natural life .* In the selec- tion of an associate, the choice of the congregation fell upon Mr. George Pierson, a native of the parish. Having finished his education at Princeton, and preached here with acceptance as a licentiate, he was ordained as co-pastor June 22, 1829.
Another division of the Christian army set up soon their banner. It has been thought to be the peculiar mission of Methodism to do pioneer work, but it has not restricted itself to this, nor are its capabilities and adaptations limited to it. It en- tered the field here at a late day-at once a gleaner
By a later agreement, made in 1834, he accepted $600 per annum, and a donation of $1,000. This was after the separation of the Second Church. Five-sevenths of the whole were to be paid by this Society; the arrangement to go into effect from the Ist of April, 1833.
194
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
and a cultivator. A society was formed in 1829 by the Rev. (now Dr.) John Kennaday, who had charge at that time of the Halsey street church, Newark. It numbered about fifteen members. He preached at first in the old Academy, but after- ward in the Masonic Hall, which was hired and fitted up for the purpose by two members of the society. The church was soon attached to the Belleville circuit. In 1830 and the following year a plain wooden edifice was built, which has since given place to a larger and more tasteful structure of brick and stone.
The process of disintegration had now fairly begun. The rock which had received no visible fracture from the wear and friction and civil agita- tions of a hundred years, was beginning to part. Each fragment, as it fell, helped to dislodge anoth- er. The spirit of religious enterprise was conta- gious. The old church was to become the mother of two daughters, to be henceforth nursed at her side.
Two colonies were planted in the spring and summer of 1831. The earliest was in March, when a hundred and eighteen members, accompanied by the junior pastor, were dismissed, to be organ- ized as the Second Presbyterian Church. Among them were four elders- Adonijah Osmun, John Nicol, Aaron Peck, and Peter Campbell. Mr. Osmun had belonged to the eldership in this church
195
DIVISION OF FUND.
sixteen years, and at the end of twenty-eight more has not laid his office down. Mr. Nicol had been an elder ten years, and still remains with his vener- able associate in the sister church. Mr. Campbell has deceased. The organization was effected the 26th of April ; the pastor installed November 15th. During the same year a house of worship was built, which has recently been improved and fur- nished with an organ. The church has gone for- ward under four ministries in a path of steady prosperity.
In May, twenty-nine members were dismissed, who on the 13th of June were constituted as a Presbyterian church at South Orange. Elder Samuel Freeman was one of the number, a grand- son of the "Deacon Samuel Freeman " who con- tributed to the old parsonage in 1748. He lived only four years to assist in building up the new society. The first minister was Rev. Cyrus Gil- dersleeve, an uncle of the elder now with us who bears the name. Mr. Gildersleeve preached there as stated supply till the first of May, 1833. This church gathered around it the families belonging to the southern part of the parish.
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