USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Morristown > The Record of the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown, N.J. : v. 1-5 Jan. 1880-Dec. 1885, pt 1 > Part 35
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This characteristic of Mr. French was born with him ; it was as natural to him as the breath he drew. He never abused it, but always knew when to use it, and when to restrain it. Delightful as it was, to his hearers, he lost it when he was in the pul- pit. There he was the minister of God, de- livering the message of his Master to his people. He did not lose the sprightliness of manner and matter, which marked his et- forts elsewhere; that would have been a simple impossibility. But he threw around his pulpit utterances a dignity, which told his hearers, that he, at least, fully felt the importance of his position. His sermons were rarely, if ever, threatening ; his gen- tle nature did not delight in holding up to his hearers the terrors of the law, but he chose rather to dwell upon the love and mercy of the Savior. His efforts were per- suasive, full of similes and comparisons, in which he peculiarly delighted, and which he invested with a directness of purpose, a fitness of adaptation, and a propriety in their application to the subject in hand, which charmed and never failed to arrest attention.
His command of language was great, and
his selection of words, with a view to the nice adjustment for the proper expression of his ideas, seemed intuitive. It is barey probable that his power, in that direction. was the consequence of study ; but he seized the subtle differences in the meaning of words that it appeared as if his was an in herent ability.
He was particularly successful in thom subjects, in which fancy and imagination could be made subservient to his purpose His was the fancy which delighted in trao ing similes between natural scenes and those higher thoughts which lead man from nature to nature's God. His was the im- agination which, with metaphor and figure charged home upon the conscience of the sinner, taught him his duty to repent and believe, showed the mercy of God, the love of the Savior, and enforced all those in ducements, which can be brought to bear upon sinful man, to change the evil of his ways and become reconciled with an offend- ed Deity. His eyes were always open to the scenes which surrounded him, and the quick play of his fancy readily seized upon any event, and passing it through the crucible of his brain, made it subservient for the en- forcement of a truth. The play of the moonlight, following the foot of the rambler upon the shore of the ocean ; the eddying stream ; the little inlet, into which the creeping waves came with ripple and shim- mer, to gladden and brighten; the same wave, caught in its retreat, as the tide went down, by the obstructing sand, and changed from crystal, sparkling health into noisome decay; the rays of the sunlight on the moun- tain side, now caught and obscured by the passing cloud, and now coming forth in all their glory ; the unshapely mass of unsight- ly ore, drawn from the dark mine, submitted to the force of art and transmuted into the shining metal-how he wove all these and a thousand others, like them, taken from na- ture, with a subtle grace and a master hand into his sermons, bringing home to heart and conscience truth and precept, with a power and a charm which logic and argu- ment, could not so well have enforced.
Mr. French was always true to himself, he never brought crudities nor inequalities to the pulpit ; his sermons were the result of study and patient labor, but they were not
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their ssion Irely lion, e so ning in- ose ion ise. Ic- hd n
scholastic, simply derived from books. The scholar appeared in them, but they were such as could only proceed from a man who had a loving heart and a gentle nature. He was enthusiastic, but it was enthusiasm tempered with wisdom. He was fearless in bis delivery of truth ; but it was a fearless- ness founded upon love, a love which went out for all, and desired by a display of truth, though it might sound harsh, to accom- plish the best for those who heard.
It would, indeed, have been most difficult for such a mind and such characteristics as were possessed by Mr. French, not to have left their impress upon our church and congregation. They did impress us and their influence is with us now and will long linger with us.
He gained the respect of all, he won the love of all. His flock were happy under his ministry, happy in their young pastor and he was happy in his people, in his min- istrations to them and happy in the many manifestations of love he received from them. His presence was a delight to all. The eyes of the scholars in the Sunday school flashed with joy as his slender form appear- ed among them, and his bright. laughing glance beamed upon them. They expected something pleasant from their pastor and he never failed them.
Our church has been peculiarly blessed in its pastors, but none of them all will be remembered with greater affection than John Abbott French.
The first number of the Palladium of Liberty was published at Morristown, Thurs- day, March 30, 1808. Jacob Mann was its first editor and publisher, Mr. Mann's ad- dress to the public, which occupies the first two columns of the first page, closes thus, " I therefore pledge myself to the patrons of this paper, that its columns shall never be poluted with sentiments derogatory to na- tional unanimity-at variance with truth or injurious to private reputation ; but as far as my judgment will direct me, I shall en- deavor to strengthen the just maxim, that a free press is THE PALLADIUM OF LIB- ERTY."
The paper was printed "on the Green." All of the four pages, except one single col- umn, were devoted to news, to original
poetry and communications. One column alone was all that was required for adver- tisements. There was soon, however, a change in this feature, as nearly a whole page in subsequent issues was devoted to that kind of literature. The paper began its publication at a most stirring period in the history of the world. Thomas Jefferson was President of the United States, James Mad- ison, Secretary of State, and James Monroe, Minister at the British Court. Bonaparte, or, Buonaparte, as he was invariably called in the newspapers of the day, both in Europe and in this country ; was in the full tide of victory. The celebrated " Orders of Coun- cil" had been made in the preceding No- vember. There were serious fears of a rup- ture between England and the United States. In the first number news from Europe, happening there from January 28th to February 6th, were published, making an interval of nearly two months, during which no information was received from the old country. The paper is remarkable, cer- tainly, for one feature. It is wanting en- tirely in any news of events happening either in town or county ; not a single item of gossip, no mention of wedding dresses nor wedding gifts. An examination of its columns, when it appeared at the time of the installati on of the Rev. Dr. Fisher, gave no information whatever of that event.
It contains some advertisements, which show the difficulties and delays connected with a trip then to New York, compared with the ease and swiftness with which the journey can be made to-day. May 30, 1808, John Halsey advertises that " having fur- nished himself with a pair of good horses, and a careful driver, he intends to run a stage from Morris-Town to Elizabeth-Town- Point, which will start from his house in Morris-Town on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday s at 6 o'clock in the morning of each day, so as to arrive at the Point for the first boat and return on each succeeding day." Fare one Dollar. "The driver will leave New York with the first boat on the returning days." "The Four Horse Stage will run to Powles-Hook as usual, that is, on Tuesdays and Fridays in each week, so that passengers can be accommodated in either Stage."
Mr. Martin, " lately from New York,"
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May 23, 1808, " informs the Ladies and Gen- tlemen of Morris-Town and its vicinity, that he will open his FRENCH SCHOOLS on Thursday, the 26th inst., from five to eight in the morning for young men, and from nine to twelve for young ladies."
April 14, 1808, the death of John Newton is thus noticed :
"On the evening of the 21st December last, in the 83d year of his age, the Rev. JOHN NEWTON, Rector of St. Mary, Wool- north, Lombard street, London, He was 29 years Rector of that Parish, and had for- merly been a long time Curate of Olney, Bucks.
He was the intimate friend of the celebra- ted Cowper, as may be seen in Mr. Newton's preface to Cowper's poems ; and while liv- ing together at Olney. these two composed the well-known Olney Hymns, which are certainly among the best extant.
Mr. Newton is well known by his numer- ous works, among which are his ' Omicron Letters.' These were the first he published and were universally admired. He had a peculiarly happy talent at letter writing, and his epistolary style has justly been con- sidered a model. His works have under- gone several editions in England and Scot- land and have also been published in Amer- ica."
Immediately following this notice of Mr. Newton's death, is an announcement by the editor, that he had issued proposals for printing the works of Mr. Newton in nine volumes, Duodecimo, at the low price of seven dollars a complete set. Each volume was to contain 340 pages, and was to be is- sued every two months "or thereabouts." This edition was actually published, and no doubt is in the possession of some of the families of the congregation. Will not some one, possessing a copy, place it in the Li- brary ?
The intense patriotism of Mr. Mann is ap- parent in almost every line, certainly upon every page of his paper. It is quite inter- esting to notice the manner in which events, then crowding fast upon each other, and which have since become recognized as decisive upon subsequent history, were received. Mr. Mann was a close observer, and, in his intense love of country, he did not fail to give full expression to his views'ment of vigorous christian nations.
as in his opinion those events might affed the interests of the Republic.
Much interesting matter will be found the Palladium, and reference may hereafter be made to it to show change and progress, and how our ancestors thought and livel,
PULPIT ECHOES. NO. I.
A wise man, like Socrates ; a powerful executive, like Cæsar; an enthusiastic philanthropist, like Howard, continues exert a certain sway over all the genera- tions that remember the thoughts and deeds of such a heroic leader. But the influence of Jesus Christ in the world to-day is as real and active and direct as the mysterious influence of the sun upon vegetation. Yes, that is but a faint figure. It is more than an influence ; it is a personality. The work of the Holy Spirit is the work of Jesus Christ. We are influenced not merely by'a memory, or an example, or an inscrutable force ; but by the living, present Jesus, our Savior, the Son of God.
Take the inspired idea of Redemption as a guide in reading the history of the world. As surely as the law of gravity draws the water of the mountain springs towards the sea, so all the events of time have trended to the broad estuary of christian civilization where we are now resting. Before the ad vent, patriarch and law giver, priest and prophet, the flood and the dispersion, the rise and fall of kingdoms, the culture of Egypt and Greece, the power of Babylon and Rome, famine and plenty, the regular course of the heavenly bodies, and the won- derful Star of the East-all events are seen now to have been the preparation of the world for the advent of its Redeemer,
Upon no other principles car. subsequent history be explained. What but Redemp- tion reveals an intelligible purpose in the conversion of the Roman Empire and its overthrow ?- that thus both the civilized states around the Mediteranean, and the barbarous hordes of pagan Europe, might learn the story of the Cross.
What but a Redemptive aim can account for the occurrences of the 16th century ?--- the revival of learning, the invention of printing, the opening of a new world, the Reformation ; all factors in the establish-
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The present century will be most memor- able for two things : the marvellous achiev- ments of physical science, and the enthu- siasm of missions. Why were the secrets of steam, electricity and chemistry-which now, though still in the infancy of their de- velopment, have so stimulated industry and commerce as to bring the ends of the earth nearer together than Rome and Jeru- salem were in the days of the apostles --- why were these potent secrets kept hidden from man until the Reformation had crys- talized into enduring forms and begun to exhibit an unprecedented missionary zeal ? Why, unless the Son of God is ruling in all things so that the good news of Redemp- tion shall go forth to every creature in all the world.
In the light of the gospel of Redemption, past and present display one, grand, benefi- cent purpose for the future of mankind. If the pessimists, whether professed infidels like Shopenhauer and Hartmann or pro- fessed Christians like the Plymouth Breth- ren, would read the signs of the times, as Jesus bade us do, their creed for humanity would not be, "The goal of Christian civ- ilization is barbarism ; Christ is surrender- ing the world to Satan ;" but, instead, they would be praising the Redeemer, who makes each new dispensation of his grace wider and more effective than the last. . If the ma- terialists could be induced to read the indel- ible marks of design on the face of the heavens, on the rocks of the earth, in the historic life of man, they would discard a creed which makes Eden a frog-pond, and whose gospel has been aptly called by Carlyle, "the gospel of dirt." If the Christian, who does not believe in foreign missions, were more desirous of learn- ing his Lord's will in the signs of the times, he would perceive that the secrets of steam, electricity and chemistry, with all the ma- terial benefits they bring, were not disclos- ed for our selfish indulgence, but, on the contrary, are the wards of the providential key with which the doors of heathen souls · are being opened. By thus opening doors our Lord himself beckons for our prayers and our self-denying gifts, to send the mes- sage of Redemption within.
The Redemptive aim of Providence is in- dividual as well as general. It must be so.
A machine cannot be manufactured, an army cannot be marshalled, without design- ing and constructing each smallest part, without drilling each common soldier, for special adjustment to the plan that covers the whole. Whosoever will may receive the new life, may share the glory of the redeem- ed. Do all the Christian influences which have surrounded each one of us, from the cradle to the present moment, go for noth- ing ? In whose ears has not the word of life sounded? With whom has the Holy Spirit not striven long? Look back over the way you have come and see if the trend of the whole has not been to show you the vanity of this world and the value of your soul, to reveal your need of pardon and the hope of it in Christ Jesus, to ex- hibit your own weakness and sin and the power and holiness to be had through faith in the Redeemer.
There are times, indeed, in the lives of sincere Christians, when providence is dark and bitter and hard. But redemption and suffering are not incompatible ; suffering is the heroic drill for perfection ; our Redeem- er himself was made perfect through suffer- ing. A child does not appreciate the love which prompted its mother to govern it by painful discipline. But the child, grown to be a man, whose character has thus been built up in noblest principles, looks into the placid eyes, or stands over the grave of that mother, with a heart full of tender grat- itude for the love that did not shrink from keenest pain to herself in giving him the painful discipline which has made him noble and godly. An infinitely greater love, even that of our crucified Redeemer, sends trial and chastisement, affliction and tribulation. into the earthly lives of his disciples for their eternal good. Now we see through a glass darkly, and often murmur that our Lord deals so severely with us ; but when we shall see him face to face, the wisdom and the love in all his providence will shine out clear and bright; and we shall praise Him because all things have worked for our redemption.
CHRIST'S INCARNATION.
Christ took our nature on him, not that he 'Bove all things lov'd it for the puritie ;
No, but he drest him with our humane trim Because our flesh stood most in need of him.
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THE RECTOR'S ASSISTANT
is welcome. It is an excellent church paper, a credit to its editor and his parish. Its reference, in the last issue, to the Rev. Mr. Green's sermon, on church worship, is pe- culiarly graceful, and has the true Christian, brotherly spirit. With this spirit ever ani- mating the various denominations, there could be no contentions, no strife, but one, and that who should serve the Master in the best manner.
The Presbyterians in Fredonia are a wide-awake people. The Fredonia Presby- terian is a bright, spicy publication of ten pages, full of Presbyterian news and pub- lished monthly. Its proprietors promise to issue one thousand copies monthly, and do not require payment as a condition for sending the paper, but leave its support to voluntary contributions. It states some facts which deserve notice. The salaries of all the ministers in the United States amount to six million of dollars. Dogs cost seventy millions ; lawyers, thirty-five mil- lions ; over six hundred millions are expend- ed annually for tobacco and twice that sum for liquors.
We will always be glad to receive the Fre- donia Presbyterian.
Our good friend and former pastor, Rev'd R. S. Green, of course, would not be satis- fied, in his new field of labor, if he did not fill up his time with useful work. So he edits and issues his excellent church or- gan "Our Church at Work." An exceed- ingly appropriate name, for the paper shows conclusively that the Lafayette Street Pres- byterian church at Buffalo, is a most indus- trious organization, fully alive, alert and abounding in every good word and work, from pastor down.
The paper is an eight-page issue, well printed, and like all that Mr. Green does, is well edited, and shows a lively interest in all matters pertaining to church labor. Our Church at Work will always receive a hearty welcome in Morristown,
So many congratulations crowd upon the RECORD, at its reappearance, that their very · wealth embarrasses. They come from the great West, from the North, from our own
State and now Morristown has added its word of greeting. Is this the result of con- spiracy, or does the RECORD, really, de- serve it all ?
The West always gives words of hearty cheer ; the north never flatters ; staid New Jersey, severely just, should speak. the truth. What shall be said then to, the greeting of the Banner, so warm in its con- gratulations ; so strong in its commenda- tions, both of paper and editor? All are received with thanks and will act as incen- tives to future effort.
Will kind friends, who make such gener- ous donations, please accept hearty thanks. It would afford great pleasure to mention names, but the liberal giver is always modest.
One sends fifty dollars ; he is of our kith and kin. Another, not worshipping with us, bearing another denominational name, but always alive to every good word and work and ever alert in Christian benevolence, un- solicited, donates a smaller amount.
But the kind words accompanying the gift and the kinder sympathy prompting it, add a hundred fold to the pecuniary value.
A pleasant word comes from Cleveland, Ohio. So pleasant that it is repeated.
"The receipt of THE RECORD was a very pleasant surprise and I wish you every suc- cess for its publication."
The words are few, but they are more than encouraging.
Another good word comes from nearer home, from Cranford, N. J. "I assure you," says our correspondent, "I was pleased to receive the RECORD again. I hope you will have as much and greater success than the Rev. Mr. Green, who so nobly com- menced."
CHRIST'S ACTION.
Christ never did so great a work, but there His humane nature did in part appeare ; Or ne're so meane a peece, but men might see
Therein some beames of his divinitie ; So that, in all he did, there did combine His humane nature and his part divine.
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THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Of South Orange, will dedicate their new house of worship on Friday evening, Feb'y 2, 1883.
The following correspondence speaks for itself :
"SOUTH ORANGE, N. J., Jan. 25, 1883. To the Pastor and Congregation of Morris- town First Church :
The Session of the First Presbyterian Church of South Orange, cordially invite you to attend the dedication of their new house of worship on Friday evening, Feb- ruary 2d, 1883, at half-past seven o'clock. By order of the session.
JAS. W. CONROW, EDW'D D. SHEPARD,
Committee. To Messrs. Conrow and Shepard, Committee :
The old First Church of Morristown re- . joices in the prosperity which your service of dedication bespeaks, and desires to unite in your prayers that the Spirit of God may fill your new house of worship with his wis- dom and power for the saving and sanctify- ing of souls through many generations.
W. DURANT, Pastor."
The teachers in the Sunday schools of the various churches in Morristown deserve a library. Books of reference, encyclopedias, commentaries, church histories and other books, useful for Sunday school teaching, could be easily procured and in sufficient numbers, at comparatively trifling expense.
Two or three hundred volumes would be all that is necessary. Each church, of course, could have its independent library. If the First Presbyterian church should adopt this plan, the books might be placed in the study in the chapel.
But a suggestion comes from a friend of Sunday schools worthy of attention, not only by reason of its source. but also be- cause of the excellence of the suggestion.
Combine all the strength of our churches and provide a library exclusively for the use of the Sunday school teachers of the city and make it free to all. In this way the necessary number of volumes could be readily procured. Doubtless the directors of the Library and Lyceum would devote a place to them in their building and provide means for access to them. If each congre-
gation have a separate library, some room, in connection with the church, must be pro- vided for the books and some person to take charge of them. If the combination suggested be formed and a general library procured and placed under the charge of the librarian at the Lyceum, access could be had to the books at all times, a pleasant place would be at the service of the teachers and means provided for full examination and reference and for taking extracts and notes.
If thought necessary to procure distinc- tive denominational books, so much the better. Each sect would have its own com- mentaries and the others could ascertain the opinions held by their fellow Christians of different name. More than one advan- tage could be derived from the plan pro- posed of a general library. Want of space forbids a further discussion of the plan. Let the subject be brought to the attention of superintendents and teachers and the friends of Sunday schools.
A newspaper was published in Morristown prior to the Palladium of Liberty, called the Genius of Liberty. Some files, perhaps the whole of it, may be in the possession of some one who would be willing to donate it to the Library, or, at least, place it at the disposal of the editor of THE RECORD, for a short time. A favor will be conferred if this can be done. It is hoped that, by an ex- amination of its colums, in connection with those of the Palladium of Liberty. some de- fective registries of deaths and marriages may be restored. Some of these, about the time of the publication of these two papers, are missing.
There were not many newspapers pub- lished, in this country at the close of the last century ; but there were a number suf- ficeut to show that they had become a necessity and that the cammunity was a reading one. The citizens of Morris County, in Revolutionary times, were overwhelm- ingly Whig in their political sentiments. They had no organ, so far as is known, through which to express their views. For news, they depended, generally, on papers published in the city of New York. The principal one, printed there, was called Rivington's Gazette, which was published
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before and during the Revolution. It
was intensely loyal to King and Parlia- ment. Some of its utterances, indeed its general tone, gave great offence to the Whigs of Morris County, during the excit- ing period, just before the breaking out of the war between the Colonies and the mother country. The paper and its editor were denounced in the severest terms, the paper burnt with great indignity, an effigy of the proprietor tarred and feathered, and other measures taken to show the disgust telt at the sentiments uttered by the pub- lisher.
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