USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > The Sesqui-centennial, or, The 150th anniversary of the Deerfield Presbyterian Church, Cumberland County, New Jersey, celebrated Thursday, Aug. 25th, 1887 : historical sermon, addresses, etc > Part 2
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Another vacancy now occurred covering nearly two years, after which the Rev. Alexander McFarland was ordained and installed pastor of the church April 27th, 1826. His pastorate continued only four years, when he was called to a professorship in Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. It is said that he was a thor- ough Presbyterian and a fine scholar. He was succeeded by
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the Rev. John Burtt, who simply served as a supply for a brief period. During the short time he served the church, the Mas- ter gave him seals to his ministry, and a number were added to believers. After a time he was settled at Blackwoodtown.
He was followed by the Rev. G. D. McCuenn, who, having supplied the pulpit for six months, was installed pastor Novem- ber 9th, 1831. About the time he entered upon his labors the membership numbered only seventy-seven. This slow growth in the church may be attributed, perhaps, to many, and some- times long vacancies in the pulpit, and frequent changes of pas- tors. Such occurrences seem to militate against the prosperity of Zion. Mr. McCueun's pastorate continued about five years. He received forty-one into the fold, and when his labors closed he left a membership of about one hundred. Again the church is left without a pastor.
The next on the list is the Rev. Benjamin Tyler, who was invited to supply the church for six months, but at the expiration of three months the congregation extended him a call to become their pastor, which was accepted. He was ordained and in- stalled October 18th, 1837. He was born and raised at Green- wich, under the influence of the Society of Friends. Through the instrumentality of the Rev. Samuel Lawrence, he was led to make a profession of his faith in Christ. Twenty-three were added to the church during his ministry, but failing health made it necessary for him to seek a dissolution of the pastoral relation, which was obtained February 19th, 1842. He retired to Greenwich, where he died June 26th, 1842, and where his remains are interred. He was 37 years of age.
The Rev. Jacob W. E. Kerr followed Mr. Tyler. He was installed August 16th, 1842. He hailed from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where Presbyterianism was first established in this country. His best years were devoted to this field. Both able and faithful, his ministry was owned and blessed. Some precious seasons were enjoyed, and frequent accessions to the church were made, but these were followed by seasons of spiritual dearth, and a low state of religion was greatly lamented by the most devont portion of the congregation. However, the people fasted and prayed and continued to make supplication until the windows of Heaven were opened, and a
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rich harvest of souls were gathered in. We learn that in December, 1845, thirty-one sat down to the table of the Lord for the first time. Ninety-seven were received during his min- istry, which calls for profound gratitude. But it is not all sunshine here, for the painful duty was assigned him of laying five elders in the grave during his pastorate in this church. He was released from the charge by the Presbytery, May Ist, 1855. After this his time was occupied in supplying vacant fields. He died August 12th, 1879, aged 65 years, 7 months and 20 days, and his remains repose by the side of his compan- ion in this old church yard, on the eastern side of the church building.
Mr. Kerr was succceded by the Rev. Thomas W. Cattell, Ph. D., who was installed pastor of this church October 9th, 1855. He is represented as an earnest and zealous laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. Under his ministry professing chris- tians were built up in holiness, and sinners yielded their hearts to God. Forty-eight persons united with the church during his labors here. Thirty-two of these were brought in in the year 1858, which was a period of special religious interest among so many of the churches.
In his time the church numbered about one hundred and thirty-five members. From the beginning, so far as the rec- ords show, about four hundred had been added to the church. His pastoral relation with this church was dissolved February 9th, 1860. From here he. went to Princeton, N. J., and was principal and teacher in the Edgehill Academy until 1869. He then moved his school to Merchantville, N. J., and re- mained there until April, 1872, when he accepted the position as Professor of Mathematics in Lincoln University, Chester county, Pa., where he did a noble and self-denying work in pre- paring young colored men to labor for the elevation of the colored portion of the race. He closed his labors on earth in that institution, after having filled the position for about fifteen years. His death occurred June 29th, 1887, when about 64 years of age. His remains were entombed in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, on the 2d of July, 1887. He leaves a widow and six children to mourn his departure.
At the beginning of the preparations for this anniversary,
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the hope was cherished that he would be with us to-day and take a prominent part in these services. The invitation was extended, but the condition of his health was such that he did not feel justified to make the promise. At that time he may not have realized that his end was so near at hand; but, alas! he, too, has gone. Another reminder that this world is not our home. How closely the messenger of death is following in the path of the laborers of this field.
The name of the next to follow on the list of pastors is as- familiar to yon as household words-I mean the Rev. R. Hamill Davis, Ph. D., whose memory is widely cherished in this con- gregation. He was much esteemed as a christian gentleman, and beloved as a pastor. Faithful to his calling and profes- sional duties, the Lord added many seals to his ministry. About one hundred and ninety-four persons were received into the church as the fruit of his labors. Forty-two professed Christ at one time in March, 1868. Mr. Davis was born at Coatesville, Pa., March 25th, 1832. He was descended on his father's side from a Welsh and Swedish ancestry, but is Scotch - Irish through the ancestry of his mother. His grandfather, John Davis, served as an officer all through the Revolutionary war. His great grandfather, John Horton, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and gave the casting vote for Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress. Rev. Mr. Davis graduated at Lafayette College in 1852. After this he taught at the Lawrenceville school for four years. He studied Theol- ogy in Princeton Seminary, where he graduated in 1859. IIe was licensed to preach the gospel April, 1858, by the Presby- tery of New Brunswick. He came to this church in August, 1860, which he supplied regularly until June 4th, 1861, when he was ordained and installed its pastor. The Rev. E. P. Shields, Rev. Samuel B. Jones, D. D., Rev. Joseph W. Ilub- bard, and the Rev. Samuel J. Baird, D. D., took part in the ordination and installation services. The pastoral relation was dissolved August 1875; a loving and appreciative people reluctantly consenting to the dissolution of the relationship so long sustained. He left Deerfield to become the principal of the Young Ladies Seminary at Lawrenceville, N. J. Hc retired from that position in 1883, with health greatly impaired.
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On the restoration of his health he became the pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Delaware, N. J., in June, 1885, where he still labors to bless souls. Mr. Davis has the honor of hav- ing the longest pastorate here of any of his predecessors or successors; his labors covering a period of fifteen years. He was settled here during a very stormy period of the country's history. He commenced his pastoral work just about the time of the outbreak of the rebellion, when the entire country became unsettled and quivered from the centre to the circumference. By pursuing a prudent and consistent course he maintained his position well during all those years of civil warfare, when such a diversity of sentiment prevailed North and South, and when so many of our ministerial brethren became unsettled, either because they manifested too great loyalty to the govern- ment, or exhibited too much sympathy for the rebels. He is the author also of a carefully prepared history of the church up to the year 1871, which he read on the occasion of the cele- bration of the Centennial of Deerfield Church Building; an occasion which is looked back to by this congregation with a great deal of pleasure.
The history was afterwards published in pamphlet form, and may be found in the homes of many of this congregation. It is a valuable production, and should be preserved for future reference.
The following poem, composed by Mr. Davis and read by him on the centennial occasion, does not appear in the printed history, and considering it too good to drop out of sight, I obtained permission to use it on this occasion. It reads as follows:
"I love old Deerfield Church, The church my fathers loved, The church whose doctrines pure These hundred years have proved; And may she many a hundred more In power and usefulness endure.
I love the dear old church; To me 'tis dearer now Than e'en cathedral grand, With all its splendid show.
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Far full a century has flown
Since rose its walls of solid stone.
I love the old, old church, For sainted ones at rest
Worshipped devoutly here,
And now are with the blest.
Their memory sweet we cherish still,
And cherish it, we ever will.
I love, I love our church, The birth-place of my soul;
And whereso'er I roam, O'er earth from pole to pole,
No spot there'll be, more sweet to me,
Than this, I love so tenderly.
God bless old Deerfield Church, Protect from every foe; Nurtured of God, may she To large proportions grow; Till time itself shall cease to be, Lost in a vast eternity."
Not only did Mr. Davis love the "dear old church," but he loved his home in the old parsonage, (as we now call it), where all his children were born; yes, he loves it still.
The Rev. W. H. Dinsmore was Mr. Davis' successor. He was installed pastor of the church March 15th, 1876. The Rev. L. E. Coyle, Rev. J. A. Maxwell, and the Rev. J. R. Wil- son conducted the installation services. He came to this charge from Stroudsburg, Pa., where he had spent about five years of his ministerial life. After having been in this field about four- teen months-four of which he was laid aside from active duty -the Master called him to his eternal rest May 26th, 1878. His remains were interred at Phillipsburg, N. J. This was a sad bereavement to the church, for they highly esteemed and loved their newly chosen pastor, with whom they were called to part so soon. He left a widow and two children to mourn their loss, who reside near the resting place of his mortal remains. Nine persons were added to the church during his
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ministry. His two sons found the Saviour during the past year, and entered into covenant with God and His people, which is a great comfort to their mother.
He graduated from Princeton College in 1857, and from I'rinceton Seminary in 1860. In 1861 he was ordained and installed pastor of the Silvers' Spring Church, near Harrisburg, by the Presbytery of Carlisle. He left that church in 1865, and went to Mahanoy City, where he remained until 1869; going from there to Stroudsburg, and from there he came to Deerfield. He lived as he preached. He was a man of much carnest prayer, and wherever he worked was attended by marked revivals, and many were converted under his ministry. This church loved him and were wonderfully kind to him in his affliction. Nothing was left undone that could be done; but the Master called, and he must obey the summons.
On October 9th, 1877, a call was extended to the Rev. Edward P. Heberton, which he accepted the 22d of October following, and entered upon his duties as pastor elect October 28th, 1877. The installation took place April 1st, 1878. The committee appointed by Presbytery to discharge this duty were Rev. William A. Ferguson, the Rev. R. H. Davis, and the Rev. E. P. Shields.
Mr. Heberton graduated from Princeton, N. J., and was or- dained to the gospel ministry in 1868 by the Philadelphia Pres- bytery. During his ministerial life he served the Great Valley Church in Chester county, Pa .; the Church of Duluth, Minn .; the First Church of Columbus, Ohio, and the Kenderton Pres- byterian Church, of Philadelphia. He died in Florida in 1883, where he had gone for his health. He is spoken of as a man of rare abilities and an able preacher. He left a widow and five children to lament their sad loss, who at present reside in the city of Bridgeton, N. J. Twenty-one persons were added to the church during his ministry. The roll of members at the close of his labors was one hundred and ninety-seven, indepen- dent of those on the reserved list. His father also spent his life in the ministry, and is now about 84 years of age, honora- bly retired, and living in Philadelphia. His brother William likewise entered the ministry, and was ordained in 1869. His first charge was the Church of the Forks of Brandywine, Pa.,
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and the second was Elkton, Md. He is now Treasurer of the Board of Ministerial Relief.
Mr. Heberton was succeeded by the Rev. James D. Hun- ter, who was called to this church in the fall of 1880. He was ordained and installed pastor of this charge November 30th, 1880. Those taking part in the services were Rev. H. L. May- ers, Rev. Heber H. Beadle, Rev. H. E. Thomas, and Rev. Frank E. Miller, of Easton, Pa., by invitation. He graduated at Lafayette College in 1878; entered Union Theological Sem- inary, N. Y., the same year, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Lehigh, June 16th, 1880.
During the first year of his ministry here, it pleased the Lord to pour out of His spirit most copiously upon the people, and a precious revival of religion followed. The extra services were continued for some considerable time, and the religious feeling that prevailed was intense. As the result of this special spirit- ual interest, sixty-six professed Christ before the world, and sat down to the table of the Lord for the first time. His ministry continued about three years, in which he received eighty-three into the church as the fruit of his labors. He was zealously affected in every good work, which he prosecuted conscien- tiously and with commendable persistency. He resigned this pastorate in November, 1883, to accept a call to the Presbyte- rian Church of Greencastle, Pa., in the Presbytery of Carlisle.
He began his ministry at Greencastle, in December, 1883, and was installed in April, 1884. Mr. Hunter preached an historical sermon in 1884, on the occasion of the celebration of the Centennial of Franklin county, Pa., which was afterwards published in the "Greencastle Church, in Franklin county." He is still laboring in the same charge with encouragement and success.
A call was extended to your present pastor March 26th, 1884, and accepted by him April 13th, 1884. He and his fam- ily moved into what is called the old parsonage, April 25th, 1884. The congregation kindly and generously defrayed the expense of moving the furniture, which amounted to $20. The installation took place October 28th, 1884, the Rev. H. H. Beadle, Rev. L. E. Coyle and Rev. Wm. V. Louderbough, con- ducting the services. By these figures it will be seen that a
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trifle over three years have elapsed since I came among you. The record must necessarily be a very short one. Eighteen persons were admitted into the church during the above period. This is not a very flattering exhibit of ingathering, but there is something more to be done by God's ministers besides gath- ering in the sheaves. One part of a ministers duty is to labor to build up God's people in holiness, and fit them for the respon- sible duties of life. I soon discovered on entering on my duties in this field that the condition of things and circumstances were such as not to warrant the indulgence of a hope for early and rapid growth, and large accessions to the fold of Christ. Old sores must be healed; into the wounds existing the oil of gospel grace must be poured; and the alienated must be brought together in love and friendship. To this work of establishing peace and harmony the present incumbent addressed and applied himself. The hope is now cherished that the object in a great measure has been accomplished; that peace, and union, and harmony, now prevail throughout our borders. If this be so, may we not then indulge the hope that in the near future the Lord has a rich blessing to bestow; that by fervent prayer, an abiding faith, and earnest and faithful preaching of the word, this old Tree, which we trust is of God's own right hand plant- ing, will yield an abundance of fruit, only the riper and better for the delay! "The present roll of members is two hundred and fifty-six, including those on the reserved list. During my brief ministry here twenty-three marriages have been solemnized, and the parties entering into holy wedlock, sent on their way rejoicing. I also officiated at twenty-four funerals. But I inust hasten on. A certain historian says, that no one can speak long of himself without being egotistical.
Of all the ministerial laborers connected with the history of this old historie church, only two remain to-day to join with us in these anniversary services. The rest have all laid their armour by to dwell, as we trust, at peace with God. This is a faithful reminder, that we who survive this little army of noble soldiers of the cross, must soon succumb to the inevitable, and likewise fall on the battle-field of life.
We must leave our history to be written by those who shall follow us, and take up the work where we left off. As
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we have been faithful to those who went before us, so they will do us justice when our bones lie mouldering in the dust.
In glancing over the many ministerial changes which have occurred during these 150 years, and observing that there was but one pastorate that reached fifteen years, the conclusion is arrived at that the outlook for the present pastor is not very flattering; or does not predict a very lengthy pastorate. Who knows but there may be some one already at work in this con- gregation digging his grave to bury him to make room for his successor! But let us hope for better things. Why indulge in a subject so sad and gloomy as this to-day-our happy Anni- versary?
In glancing over the past, we notice that all the ministe- rial laborers of this charge have been called from other parts of the vineyard of the Lord; perhaps fulfilling the saying that "a prophet is not without honor, save in his own country."
But this church has not only been a receiver, enjoying the benefits of other mens' labors and talents; she has been likewise a producer; furnishing to the church at large talented men for the pulpit, and earnest workers for the pew.
The Rev. David M. James, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Bath, Pa., and his brother the Rev. Wm. H. James, D. D., pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Springdale, Ohio, and also the Rev. John F. Sheppard, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at South Easton, are among those who have received their earliest religious impressions in this church, combined with good home influences; and have gone out from among us to prepare for the gospel ministry, and have entered important and useful fields of labor, where they are doing a good work for the Master in their ministerial calling.
The Rev. David M. James has long been in the ministry, and is at present occupying his second field of labor only, which speaks exceedingly well for his wearing qualities. His brother, the Rev. Wm. H. James, D. D., has been twenty-one years in his present charge, which has been his first and only pastoral charge. His people very thoughtfully celebrated his 20th anniversary among them, at which time he and his wife were made the recipients of some handsome presents as an expres- sion of appreciation of his labors.
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The Rev. John F. Sheppard was ordained by the Presby- tery of Lehigh, in the synod of Pennsylvania, June 20th, 1881, and has been pastor of the Presbyterian Church at South Eas- ton ever since.
Mr. John Dunlap, who has recently graduated at Yale, and completed his theological studies, preparatory to the gos- pel ministry, although a member of the Woodstown Presbyte- rian Church, N. J., his parents and brother belong to this part of the family of Christ. With rare natural endowments and a liberal education, his prospects for extensive usefulness are very good.
I learn also that the Rer. Robert P. DuBois, now deceased, but for many years pastor of the Presbyterian Church at New London, within the bounds of the Presbytery of Chester, Pa., was the son of Mr. Uriah DuBois, who at one time taught school in the district school house just above this church. Dr. F. L. DuBois, in Bridgeton, N. J., who now fills an important position under the Government, is the son of Rev. Robert P., and grandson of Uriah. The Rev. Robert P. DuBois lived to a good and ripe old age. He was a useful man in his day and generation. He preached the gospel for many years, and was greatly beloved by the people of his charge at New London. His life and work are still fragrant in the memory of a grateful and appreciative people.
The following are the names of the Ruling Elders who have served this church, as far as I have been able to secure them, viz: John Garrison, Jeremiah Foster, Arthur Davis,. Thomas Read, William Tullis, Ezekiel Foster, Recompense Leake, William Smith, John Stratton, William Garrison, Abner Smith, Joseph Moore, Ebenezer Lummis, Dr. Joseph Brewster, Nathaniel Diament, Ebenezer Harris, Ephraim Lummis, Noah Harris, Samuel Thompson, Jonathan Smith, Benjamin Davis, William Garrison, Broadway Davis, Elijah D. Riley, John More, John Davis, Ludlam Dare, Samuel Barker, Jeremiah Parvin, E. B. Davis, Archibald Shimp, David Paris, Aaron Padgett, Thomas Bowen, John Ott and Robert Peacock. These have all died, as we trust, in faith, and gone to join the four and twenty Elders that come around the throne of God and
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the Lamb, except E. B. Davis, David Paris, Aaron Padgett,* John Ott and Robert Peacock. The last four constitute the present session of the church. E. B. Davis is now living at Phillipsburg. He was ordained and installed an elder of this church December 16th, 1848.
Archibald Shimp and David Paris were ordained and installed elders of this church on the 21st of May, 1854. Mr. Shimp died September 3d, 1883, having magnified his office and served the church faithfully in this capacity for about twenty- nine years. Aaron Padgett and Thomas Bowen were ordained and installed elders of the church February 9th, 1862. Mr. Bowen died December 30th, 1879, having served the church in this capacity for over seventeen years with great acceptance. In the death of these brethren the church sustained a heavy loss. David Paris and Aaron Padgett have both filled the office with credit to themselves and with satisfaction to the congregation-the former for thirty-three years and the latter for twenty-five years. John Ott and Robert Peacock were ordained and installed elders of the church April 17th, 1881. Experience shows that the selection was a good one; possessing sufficient courage and zeal to meet all the responsibilities of the office, and yet modest withal. Long may their lives be spared to be a blessing to this church, and be pillars in the house of our God.
The Sabbath School of this church was first organized during Mr. Ballentine's ministry, on March 29th, 1820, in the District School House, a short distance above the church, with about sixty in attendance during the early part of its history. It was first called "The Sabbath School Society of Deerfield Street, No. 1, in the Sunday School Union of Cumberland County." It was at first sustained by obtaining subscribers for its support. It appears that the society was in connection dur- ing its early years, with a Sunday School Union of Cumberland County, to which they annually, for seven years, elected a rep- resentative and paid an annual fee of one dollar, and receiving in return certain privileges. Up to the year 1847 the school had been regularly held in the Union School House. Then it was removed to the gallery of the church, where it was con-
*Elder Aaron Padgett died Oct. 3d, 1887, about 78 years of age.
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tinued until the present chapel was built, which it has occupied ever since. Up to the year 1865 the school was in session only through the six summer months of the year; since then the ses- sions have continued during the entire year.
The following are the names of the Superintendents from the beginning of the school, viz: Samuel Thompson, Esq., Broadway Davis, Mark A. Peck, David O. Garrison, John Davis, Elijah D. Riley, James Davis, Samuel Barker, Mr. Olm- stead, Charles O. Garrison, E. S. Corey, Ephraim T. Corey, Ephraim B. Davis, Ephraim Davis, David S. Finley, David Paris, Archibald Shimp, Joseph L. Davis, Alfred Davis, Elmer Biddle, Dr. Charles C. Phillips, James Dunlap and George D. Davis; only twenty-three in all from 1820 to 1887-stretching through sixty-seven years. It was at first the custom to elect several Superintendents for the term, in order that they might alternate in conducting the school, and make it more certain to have a presiding officer in the event of absence. George D. Davis is the present Superintendent, and James F. Moore his assistant. The school is properly officered with a band of noble and faithful teachers, who are untiring in their efforts to lead the children and rising generation to the Saviour. The school numbers at present about one hundred and thirty or more. The outlook for growth and usefulness is very hopeful.
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