The Record of the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown, N.J. : v. 1-5 Jan. 1880-Dec. 1885, pt 1, Part 37

Author: First Presbyterian Church (Morristown, N.J.); Green, R. S. (Rufus Smith), 1848-1925
Publication date: 1976
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 826


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 37


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 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58


for the main object. They bring neighbors and friends together face to face at a place some quiet country village or town, where great good may be accomplished by intro ducing new thoughts, new methods teaching, by waking up dormant faculties by the attrition of mind with mind. - Wha is needed in this undertaking, as in all oth ers, when good is to be accomplished, is honest, sincere, persistent, loving aci tion, here, in the school, among scholars and if in conventions, among the teachers A great State convention is unwieldy, burdensome upon teachers and their enter- tainers, expensive and really accomplishes nothing like what may be done at county conventions held at points where just such meetings are most desirable. A day spent. at a small meeting such as would be gath- ered in the various counties, is worth the two or three days generally employed at the State conventions.


SOUTH ORANGE, Feb. 4th, 1883. Mr. Editor :


Last evening marked a new era in the history of the South Orange Presbyterian Church. Its beautiful new brown stone ed- ifice was dedicated to the service of Al- mighty God, with appropriate services. The exercises were conducted by the Rev, John Crowell, D. D. Several clergymen participated in the services. The prayer invocation was offered by the moderator of the meeting ; Scripture lessons were read by the Rev. J. A. Ferguson, and the Rev. Samuel Sargent; the dedicating prayer was made by the Rev. Alfred Yeomans, D. D., and the other prayer by the Rev. Joseph A. Ely. The sermon was preached by the Rev. J. H. Worcester, Jr., the retiring pastor, from the text ". This is none other than the House of God." Delightful music, appropriate to the occasion, was rendered by the choir.


The new structure is beautiful and cheer- ful, has a commanding position and cost about $20,000. It lacks an element of suc- cess, however,-a settled pastor. With a true man of God, and the blessing of a descent of the Holy Spirit, the good people who gather to worship within its walls, may be assured of that success which must always attend those who have faith in Jesus. J. M. C. M.


.*


٠٠


.1


.


7 ..


:。


١ :


:٠٫٤٥


1 2 21 1 10


..


1


THE RECORD.


23


PULPIT ECHOES. No. 2


Unfortunately we are all likely to over- Wok the moles on our own faces, unless a mirror from God's word is held before our eyes.


In some lights a cobweb looks like a cur- Min of steel wire, bright, flexible.and airy, dat stout and impenetrable. So many a one stays in the dark corner of doubt, refus- ing to come out into light and liberty, be- cause he fancies that he cannot break through the barrier which separates him from Christ ; when, in reality, that barrier is only the cobweb of his own wilful fancies.


The cause of religion suffers, but it will not perish, because of the doubting Tho- mases who stay away from meeting and the timid souls who, after touching the hem of our Lord's garment for blessing, mope in the secret tumult of hope and fear off on the edge of duty.


The church and cause of the Lord Jesus Christ goes on its knees to no man or wo- man for the purpose of begging the honor of his name or the weight of her influence.


Secret faith and all the good resolutions in the world, if brought out for airing only in the privacy of our innermost thoughts, will not have very much effect on our moral standing in the eyes of men or of God. So long as one's Sunday clothes are kept in a dark closet one does not mind how much mud there is in the streets.


It is no wonder that we have had to mourn over the coffins of many good reso- lutions. There was really no chance for the little things to live. How can we live up to our holiest aspirations, when we suf- focate them at their birth ?


Who is the meaner sort of hypocrite : the one who openly promises good and secretly laments his backslidings; or the one who makes secret vows to God and publicly sits on the fence ?


There is good reason to suspect the man who knows himself so little as to start in the Christian life with the assertion, " It matters not what others may do, but I mean to hold out to the end." When that man stumbles he falls over his own feet, his chief prop is gone ; he has put confidence in him- self, and there is danger that he will con-


clude there can be no more religion for him, because he can no longer trust himself.


There were some spectators at the Sa- viour's cross who were deeply touched with compassion and roused to heroism, by the meekness of the Lamb of God in the shame of his crucifixion and the agonies of his tor- ture. Two of them are particularly named, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. They appear only in what may be called flashes of light. But these brief flashes make their position and character stand out in striking vividness. Both are rich men, prominent in the councils of the Jews, ear- nest seekers after truth, and yet, like their class everywhere, cautious, conservative, slow to commit themselves and hazard either social standing or property to the uncertanties of a new movement, although this movement wins the sympathy of their hearts and receives their secret aid.


At the very beginning of his ministry Jesus was sought by Nicodemus ; but at night, for fear of the Jews. Afterwards this rich ruler disappears from the page, envel- oped in so prolonged a shadow that we might think him turned away sorrowful, unbeliev- ing and unyielding, except for his appear- ance after the crucifixion as a bold and true mourner of the now lifeless Master.


Joseph of Arimathea, we are told, was a disciple of Jesus ; but he, too, has given only secret adherence, for fear of the Jews. Not till he could no longer escape the avowal of his position, did he begin to show boldness in the cause of the Nazarene. It is said to his honor that he did not consent to the counsel and deed of the elders in sentencing Jesus to death. By that oppo- sition he gave unmistakable evidence of his favorable disposition towards the despised Messiah. And now, as he watches in sor- row before the cross, from which his tardy courage and confession could not save the Master, he is perhaps the first to observe the last flicker of life and the drooping sig- nal of death in the beloved form. At any rate, Joseph is the first to bring word to Pilate that " the king of the Jews" no lon- ger lives.


No hesitation chills the zeal of these two now for the cause whose sun has set. For the lukewarm spirit they shewed when their enthusiasm might have given success, they


eighbom a place h, where y intro- jods of culties What ill oth- hed, is ₹ ac- holars: chers. ieldy. nter- ishes unty. juch ›ent ath- the at le n


-


٦ ١٠


٠٤٠ ٢


٠٫٣٠


.


1 ٠٠ ٢٫


٦٠١


( ٠٠٠ ٫٠٠٠ ١٠٠٠١٥


١٤٤٢


١٠١


24


, THE RECORD.


now exhibit a tender ardor of devotion when | ON TAKING DOWN THE CHRISTMAS GREENS, apparent failure marks the end of the Naz- arene's career., So it is to-day. It is not Take down the fading wreaths, Untwine the garlands gay. Though the glad time we hung them up; Seems but as yesterday. And from their crumbling leaves We still can almost hear Christ the teacher: it is not Christ the miracle-worker ; it is not Christ the model example ; but Christ the suffering Son of God, dying upon the cross, that at last breaks down the opposition of the selfish human heart to his love, and draws those The echoes of the Carols sweet, And greetings of New Year. most absorbed in worldliness away from the world, to honor the precious name of him who loved them and gave himself to death for them.


What is the duty of Christian churches in answer to the question, what shall be done to stop the growth of intemperance ? That this awful vice is growing, statistics unquestionably and fearfully prove. The teachings of the church of Christ are un- doubtedly opposed to the habit which has destroyed so many lives and wrecked so many souls. The solving of the problem troubles thoughtful minds and oppresses the true lover of his kind.


But what shall be done? It is well to think and plan, but action is required. The pulpit utterances are fearless, but what shall be said about the action of individual Christians? The pastor may teach and preach but his hearers must act.


The State provides Alms Houses to re- ceive the pauper, the Jail, Court House and State Prison, to hold secure, try and pun- ish the criminal. The very great majority of crimes are committed under the influence of rum. But our municipal authorities li- cense saloon and grog shop. Where is the responsibility for crime ! With the poor soul, tempted at every corner by the licens- ed dram-shop ; with the good citizen, who claims to be governed by the divine pre- cepts of Christian morality, and who refuses or neglects to use his influence to elect the right kind of men to office ; or with the au- thorities who license ?


Christian ! as you see the poor wretch, staggering away from the saloon, licensed by the men you selected for office, and fol- low him to his miserable home ; as you hear of his arraignment for foul murder committed under the blinding, soul-de- stroying, conscience-blasting influence of rum, answer this question. Am I in no way responsible for all this ?


But ah ! too well we know The festive season's o'er ; For treading in life's dusty paths We find ourselves once more. Swifter than the wheels of steam The golden hours have rolled ; And while we deemed the year was young We wake to find it old.


Now clear above the din Of earthly toil and care, We hear once more in solemn tone The Lenten call to prayer, Bidding us turn from pleasure's sound, A higher joy to find In fellow ship with Him whose death Gave life to all mankind.


Thus do the years go on, And times and seasons glide ; Till soon the story of our life Is closed and laid aside. Yes, since the New Year's dawn How many a soul has gone From scenes of earth to realms unscen, Whose record here is done.


Ah ! life's a mystic page ! In vain we try to scan The hidden thought between the lines, God's purposes to man. Like children in the dark 'Tis ours to meekly stand And wait in hope the eternal morn, Clasping a father's hand.


Morristown, N. J. E. F. R. C.


The Clyde Methodist Advocate is welcome. It is devoted to Temperance, the Home and the Church. It is outspoken in its utter- ances about intemperance, and gives no uncertain sound in its denunciations of that terrible evil. It is published at Clyde, N. Y., and is a neatly printed, well edited paper,


1


٠ ١٠ ٠٠. ٠٠١١٠١٢


٫٥١٠٠


١ ٢٠٠


٠٫٫٠٠٠


11


١ ٠ ٠ ٢٢٠١)


.2


C.


THE RECORD


FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MORRISTOWN, N. J. "THIS SHALL BE WRITTEN FOR THE GENERATION TO COME."-Psalms 102 : 18.


VOLUME III.


APRIL, 1883. NUMBER 4.


[Printed with the Approval of the Session. ]


THE RECORD


Will be published monthly at Morristown, N. J. Terms $1.00 per annum, in advance: Subscriptions may be made at the book- stores of Messrs. Runyon and Emmell, or to Messrs. James R. Voorhees and William D. Johnson, or by letter addressed to the EDITOR OF THE RECORD, Morristown, N. J.


Entered at the Post Office at Morristown, N. J., as second class matter.


CALENDAR. For April and May, 1883.


THE LORD'S DAY SERVICES.


Morning Service, at 10:30 A. M.


Evening Service, at 7:30 P. M.


School of the Church, at 3 P. M.


Young People's Prayer Service, at 6:45 P.M. OFFERINGS :


For Bible Society, Sunday morning, May 6th. For Freedmen, Sunday morning, June 3d. MID-WEEK SERVICE OF PRAYER. Thursday Evenings, at 7:30. April 5 .- MISSION CONCERT .- The Light of the world for India, Jno. 1 : 1-9. 12 .- ORGANIZATION AND WORK OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.


". 19 .- UNANSWERED PRAYER. Deut.


iii : 23-27.


= 26 .- CHRISTIAN GIVING. I Cor. xvi :


2 ; 2 Cor. ix : 6-11.


May 3 .- MISSION CONCERT-Siam. Josh. V : 13-15.


IO .- EMBLEMS OF CHRIST IN THE BIBLE. Rev. v : 5, 6.


17 .- INDWELLING OF THE SPIRIT. Rom. viii : 8-17.


.6 24 .- STAGES IN CHRISTIAN EXPERI- ENCE. Jno. ix : 1-38.


SPECIAL SERVICES.


BAPTISM OF INFANTS .- Sunday Morning Service, May 6th.


PREPARATORY LECTURE .- Friday, at 4 o'clock, P. M., June Ist.


THE LORD'S SUPPER .- Sunday Morning Ser- vice, June 3d.


OTHER MEETINGS.


TEACHER'S MEETING, at close of Mid-Week Service, Thursdays.


SEWING CIRCLE, Wednesdays, at 3 P. M.


The Pastor will be found at his residence, on Franklin Place, Tuesdays ; and on Fri- days, from 5 to 6 P. M., in the Study of the Chapel.


THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING.


The Parish meeting for 1883 was held in the chapel on the afternoon of March 13th last. Mr. John Whitehead acted as chair- man and Mr. James R. Voorhees, the clerk of the parish, as secretary. The pastor was present and invoked the Divine bles- sing. The usual reports of the trustees and treasurer were read. That of the latter, be- ing the more important, is printed in full.


The following named gentlemen were elected trustees :


Aurelius B. Hull, Henry C. Pitney, Ed- ward Pierson, Thomas C. Bushnell, Joseph H. VanDoren, James R. Voorhees and Henry Cory.


James R. Voorhees was re-elected clerk of the parish and Henry Cory, treasurer. Mr. Hull, who for ten years has so worthily filled the position of treasurer, was obliged to resign. His declination was received with very great regret, and the following resolution passed on motion of Doctor Ste- phen Pierson.


Resolved, That we express to Mr. Hull our appreciation of his services in our be- half as treasurer, and our regret that he


-


THE BECOND


1


:


٠٠


1 1


٠٠١


1.1.


٠٠م .


.


(-1


26


THE RECORD.


feels unable longer to serve us in that ca- pacity,


TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF A. B. HULL, TREASURER : 1882. DR. March 13. Cash in Bank, 1883.


$345 61


March 12. Received from annual


pledges and voluntary contri- butions to this date, compris- ing 12 monthly payments. 4,978 96


Proceeds of fair held Dec., 1882, 293 25


Two-thirds balance Sunday offer- ings, 849 50


Balance of advances by Treasurer, 500 00


$6,967 32


1882. PER CONTRA.


May I. Paid for pulpit supplies to


this date, $370 00


1883.


Feb. 28. Paid Rev. W. Durant's sal- ary and commutation for parsonage for 10 months to this date. 3,166 66


Mar.12. Paid chorister to this date, 180 80


Organist do., 231 02


Bass, do., 90 40


Alto, 45 20


Sexton, 598 12 Blowing organ, 50 00 1882.


Sept.30. Treasurer of the Sunday School, 200 00


1883.


1


Mar. 12. Sundry expenses as per schedules rendered quar- terly to Trustees and Session, 2,034 64


Balance Cash in Bank, 48


$6.967 32 A. B. HULL, Treasurer.


Morristown, March 12th, 1883.


THE REGISTERY.


Asterisks will be found appended to some of the names appearing in the Regis- tery. They need an explanation. The former editor of the RECORD, the Rev. Mr. Green, in his preparation of the paper, spared no pains to present as far as possible, a correct record. To secure this perfection


with that persistent energy, which marked all'his efforts in whatever he undertook, he examined with great care some files of old newspapers he found in the possession of Mr. Monroe Howell, then living at Troy in this county. An asterisk appended to a name in the Registery denotes that the name is taken from the files of the old newspapers thus examined and may not be in the Re- gistery.


The name of William Goble appears twice in the [list of marriages, on the same day, in this number of the RECORD, An asterisk is attached to one of these entries ; which means that that marriage was taken from the newspaper ; the other was taken from the church registery. Probably the bride may have been an adopted daughter, and in. one case gave her own name, while in the other, her adopted father's name was taken. But this is mere suggestion.


REV'D. JAMES RICHARDS. D. D.


Dr. Richards was the third settled pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Mor- ristown. He succeeded the Rev. Aaron Collins, who was for a few years, the asso- ciate of Dr. Timothy Johnes. Mr. Collins was dismissed September 2, 1793, and Dr. Richards was settled 1795 and remained in charge of the church for fourteen years and until April 26, 1809.


The Richards family is of Welsh origin and emigrated early to this country. Branches of the family are to be found to- day in New England, New York and Penn- sylvania, and doubtless in other parts of the United States. A German family who also early came to America have Angli- cised their name, now calling themselves Richards. The original German is Reichert or Reichard, This must not be confounded with that from which Dr. Richards sprang. His ancestor, who came to New England in his early youth, was undoubtedly of Welsh origin. His name was Samuel Richards ; he served in the British army in Canada against the French in the reign of Queen Anne, it is said. When his term of service expired he settled in Connecticut near Stam- ford. The exact date of this settlement can- not be ascertained, but it must have been very early in the 18th century or at the


٤٠


J:


1


27


THE RECORD.


close of the 17th. It was probably as early as some date in the 17th century. Queen Anne succeeded William III. in 1702. War had been raging in North America between the English and French for several years prior to the accession of Anne. Samuel Richards was a youth of eighteen years when he emigrated from Wales. Dr. Richards was the fourth in descent from this Welsh soldier, the originator of the family in this country, and was born October 29, 1767, at New Canaan, in Connecticut. His father


whose name was also James, became a cap- tain in the Continental army during the Revolution. The father was a fair repre- sentative of New England yeomanry ; when a demand was made upon his patri- otism he responded with alacrity ; when the necessity for action for his country ceased, he at once resumed his peaceful avocations and served her in another direction. He was a farmer, a man of sound, common sense and held in estimation by his neigh- bors for social and Christian virtues. The subject of this sketch was the eldest of nine children, four of whom survived him. His mother's name was Ruth Hanford, and to her he seems to have been much indebted for many of the prominent characteristics which so enriched his nature. She was a woman of uncommon merit. The idea pre- valent among many, that much of great men's mental strength is due to their moth- ers, was fully proved in the case of Dr. Richards. His mother was of strong intel- lect, of ardent piety and was uncompromis- ing in the performance of duty. At the time of the birth of her children, parental authority in the family was paramount, and implicit obedience was demanded from the younger members. They were expected to obey and did obey. Parents did not then love their children less, nor were the chil- dren less affectionate than now. The household looked up to father and mother as heads and directors, and no question could be made when command came from them.


James Richards was a very precocious boy, fond of study, but of such delicate con- stitution that it was feared that he would not be able to submit to the necessary pri- vations and hardships then involved in a student's life, The advantages then within


reach of a youth, even though possessed of sufficient means to enable him to pursue a course of study, however great those means might be, were very limited compared with those which may now be obtained by even the poorest. The parents of Dr. Richards did not seem to have had the pecuniary ability to afford their eldest born the means of availing himself of even the slender op- portunities for intellectual improvement which the country then possessed. He was not daunted by these hindrances, but early resolved to avail himselt of all the appli- ances for an education which could possibly be found. His industry and perseverance overcame every obstacle. His untiring en- ergy must have been early developed, for it is reported of him, that at the early age of thirteen he had charge of a district school. He was so successful in discharg- ing his duties as teacher that he secured the same school for a second winter. If this fact were not well authenticated it would seem almost incredible, but it is so well proved that it cannot well be disputed.


The ideas gained by his service as princi- pal of a school, only strengthened his de- sire for an education. But his father could not afford him the means, so, at the early age of fifteen, he determined to select some occupation for future use. Accordingly he entered, as an apprentice, into the business of cabinet and chair making, and also as a house painter. But his plan for a future avocation was soon interrupted by a severe illness which obliged him to return to his father's house. After his recovery he again took up the occupation of cabinet making. This was, however, abandoned, and in his nineteenth year, with the full consent of his master, he made preparations to pursue a course of study with a view of entering the ministry.


Like all New England youth of his day he had been piously educated, had been taught the Catechism and to repeat hymns, texts from the Scriptures, and indeed, had, at one time in his early youth, memorized entire chapters of the Bible. But he had never considered himself a subject of the forgiving grace of Christ, until he had pas- sed his eighteenth year. He then gave the most hopeful evidences of his having be- come a true Christian. Soon after this and


·ked ; he old 1 of · in me ¡ is rs e-


1


i/:


1-


Y.


.13


-


-


: 6.


28


THE RECORD.


1


on the 17th September, 1786, he united with the Congregational Church at Stam- ford, and by his earnest zeal and pious ef- forts to promote all Christian work, and to stimulate the Congregation to a higher in- terest in all religious matters, he very soon satisfied others that he should be aided in attaining the dearest object of his heart, that he might enter the Christian ministry. His pastor and many friends strongly ad- vised his preparation for that office. Ac- cordingly he proposed to enter College and studied for that purpose under the Rev. Justus Mitchell. In the fall of 1789 he en- tered Yale College, but was soon obliged to leave for the want of funds. In his prepa- tion he was aided, in his studies, by Dr. Burnett, of Norwalk, and materially by two excellent ladies, who were relatives, Sarah and Phebe Comstock. These ladies never withdrew their helping hands so long as he needed their aid.


After being obliged to leave college he determined that it was impossible for him to pursue a regular collegiate course of study, so he abandoned that plan, but only to take advantage of the means which were within his reach. He pursued his studies with Dr. Burnett at Norwalk and with Dr. Dwight at the "Greenfield Hill," school. These difficulties and the still more depres- sing one, arising from frequent and prostra- ting illness, did not deter him from his pur- pose. Amid them all he persevered until in 1793 he was licensed to preach by the Association in the Western District of Fairfield County in Connecticut. The church seems then to have been in ecclesiastical relations with what was call- ed the Presbytery of New York, and the installation took place at a stated meeting of that body. In November, 1794, Mr. Richards married Miss Caroline Cowles, daughter of James Cowles, of Farmington, Connecticut. His first sermon after his license to preach, was delivered in the pulpit of his old friend and preceptor, the Rev. Dr. Burnett, of Norwalk, in compliance with a special re- quest made to the former pupil of the good Dr. Mr. Richards for a few Sabbaths preached at Wilton, near Norwalk, and then made a short engagement with the church At the time Mr. Richards assumed the pastorate Dr. Johnes was still living, but he died very soon after, in September, 1794. The young pastor, therefore, must have had the entire charge of the congregation, from the very beginning of his ministry here. It was a very difficult duty imposed upon him. The congregation was large, the parish ex- tensive, and the state of feeling arising at Ballston, in New York. He was at this last named place certainly in December, 1793. Soon after this he went to Long Is- land and there took charge of two small congregations, one at Sag Harbor and the other at Shelter Island. The Rev. N. S. Prime in his history of Long Island, pays a warm tribute to Mr. Richards for his minis- tery while at these two places. This tri-I from the unfortunate position in which it


bute is the more striking as the time which was employed by Mr. Richards on Long Is- land was very brief, for early in 1794, he was invited to visit the church and congrega- tion at Morristown. This invitation was the result of the very strong recommenda- tions of the young pastor given by the Rev'd Dr. Buel of East Hampton, and by the Rev. Aaron Woolworth of Bridgehamton, who was the son-in-law of Dr. Buel. These two clergymen, especially Dr. Buel, strongly commended Mr. Richards to Dr. Timothy Johnes. The Rev. Mr. Collins, the associate of Dr. Johnes, was dismissed in the pre- ceding year, and the congregation had been in great difficulty arising from its relations with that gentleman. The position was one of great delicacy and involved great re- sponsibility, but the young pastor was equal, to the task. There seems to be some diffi- culty in establishing some dates relative to events in the life of Mr. Richards hap- pening at this period. Mr. Gridley, in his biography, says that he was invited in May, 1794, to visit Morristown ; Louis Richards, Esq., whose notes, relative to the Richards family, are very full, states that he was called to the pastoral charge of the church in Morristown, in June, 1794. Both of these gentlemen agree that he was not installed until May, 1797. The RECORD, Vol. I., No. 1, gives the date of his settlement as May I, 1795. Mr. Barnes, in his church manual, published in 1828, says he was installed " as pastor May 1, 1795," by the Presbytery of New York.




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.