USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > Amwell > The history of the First English Presbyterian Church in Amwell > Part 20
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It seems to the writer worthy of mention that one of the above number, Mr. Alexander Stryker, was at the time of his reception into the Church seventy-five years of age. During my entire pastorate, of over forty years, this is the only person received into the Church of so great age, and only one other as old as seventy. And it may be added that both these aged disciples were blessed with godly, faithful and praying wives.
During the year now closing a new organization in the church was constituted, which has already occom- plished much and has the promise of greater things.
Mrs. Kugler having enlisted the assistance of Mrs. M. J. Bellis and Miss Fulper, a teacher in the public school, gave notice for the children to meet in the after-
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309
THE MODERN PERIOD-1820-1900
noon of November 21st, 1896, at the home of Mrs. Wil- liam Cronce, in order to organize a Children's Mission Band. On the day appointed, owing to the inclement weather, Mrs. Kugler found herself alone with a small number of children. However, she proceeded to effect the organization, acting herself as President, and ap- pointed Mrs. Bellis as Treasurer, and Miss Fulper as Secretary. The ten children present were so delighted with the exercises of this first meeting that the numbers increased rapidly and by close of the Church year at the end of March following, the Band numbered twenty- eight members. And the contributions up to this date amounted to three dollars. It was enjoined upon the Children from the start to earn the money they contri- buted, and at each meeting a time was set apart for these little ones to tell how they had earned their money. This awakened so much interest among the children, that at length it reached the parents and extended beyond the Church. Some one related this to Miss Petrie, Editor of the Children's Department, in the Home Mission Monthly of the Woman's Board, who wrote, asking for an account of the method and its working, and published the same at length in that magazine. It was decided, by the Band at the beginning, to send their money for the School at Juneau, Alaska, to aid in securing educa- tion, and especially religious instruction, for these be- nighted American children. The Band was invited, each year, during the summer, to hold a meeting at the par- sonage. Here, after the exercises, refreshments were served under the green trees on the spacious lawn. Their enjoyment from this, and the exuberance of childish glee
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AMWELL FIRST CHURCH
showed plainly that a Mission Band was a thing of life and joy.
After the first year Miss Fulper took a school elsewhere; Miss Anna Everitt was selected to fill her place. She continued the faithful and efficient Secretary until the close of my pastorate.
In 1898 Mrs. Kugler organized a Baby Band, which by the end of the year had twelve members, and made a contribution toward reducing the debt on the Board of Home Missions. At the close of the same year, March 3Ist, 1898, the Band honored the pastor, by taking his name, being after this known as the Kugler Mission Band. The contribution of the Band to the work at Juneau at this time was eight dollars. In 1899 and 1900, the contribution was for each year $10, making in all up to this time, the time of my last report, $31 to the Mission Work in Alaska. The Band continued its meetings and exercises with unflagging interest to the close of my pas- torate. Mrs. Kugler has looked upon the Band as her crowning joy, and small as the sum is in the aggregate, let me remind you that $10 a year is a larger sum than the entire Church gave to Home Missions in the early sixties. Evidently organized, faithful and persistent ef- forts are needed; and such efforts will secure the funds for the spread of the gospel.
The death of Deacon Lewis Sutphin occurred during the year. Upon his death the Session took the following action :
Lewis Sutphin united with this Church April 4th, 1863, during the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Janeway. He was ordained to the office of Deacon, March 2nd, 1870,
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311
THE MODERN PERIOD-1820-1900
Rev. N. L. Upham being the pastor. He died after a painful and protracted illness, July 2nd, 1898. He was sustained during that sickness through an unwavering faith in his Redeemer, and a blessed hope of immortality. And further; be it
Resolved, That we bear testimony to his faithfulness as a member and office-bearer in this Church, which in his death has sustained a serious loss. And further, by his departure we are called to increased devotion to his Saviour and ours. Ordered that a copy of these resolu- tions be handed to his afflicted family, with assurances of our sympathy, and that this minute be placed on our records.
Instead of growth, there was decrease during the year in the total membership of the Church, and also in the sum given to support the Church, as well as the offerings for the use of the Boards of the Church.
The Presbytery of New Brunswick was invited, at its Spring meeting this year, 1898, by the Church, to join in celebrating its One Hundred and Sixtieth An- niversary. The Rev. Samuel M. Studdiford, D. D., of the Third Church, Trenton, a college and seminary friend of the pastor, was appointed to represent the Pres- bytery at this celebration. The pastor must confess that at the time very little preparation had been made for this service, which was set for June Ist. In fact, it was contemplated as more of a commemoration service, with a brief statement of the pastorates and their accompany- ing dates, than an occasion of commensurate historical importance. But when once he began to search for these facts, so many unrecorded and forgotten things in the
312
AMWELL FIRST CHURCH
Church's history were discovered, that he was led to go on with his investigation and to the best of his ability produce a history of the Church. The result has been told in the preceding pages. Even the date itself must be changed. The minutes of the Presbytery had re- corded, time without number, the organization of the Church as taking place in 1738. But as has already been stated, the Church, as organized, was found on the rec- ords of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, in 1737. How much earlier, we do not know, because for several years the records of that Presbytery are no longer in exist- ence.
But when June Ist, 1898, came, we had a charming day, and the attendance of a large congregation and many invited guests. Among these were several former pastors and former members of the Church.
According to the programme, the pastor opened the exercises with an historical sermon. Then our invited guests and a large number of the church people partook of a very excellent luncheon, prepared by our ladies for the occasion.
After this we had a delightful hour of after-dinner speeches. We listened to these with great pleasure. Among them were Dr. Studdiford, from the Presbytery, former pastors, Rev. N. L. Upham, Rev. John H. Sco- field and Rev. J. W. P. Blattenberger, D. D .; also Oliver P. Rex, M. D., one of our boys, and a former member of the Church.
In the afternoon visiting clergymen took possession of the exercises, and insisted on another discourse from the pastor.
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THE MODERN PERIOD-1820-1900
In the evening the programme was delightfully car- ried out. John L. Connet, Esq., of Flemington, gave us a most stimulating address on the Mission of the C. E. Society.
Dr. Blattenberger delighted and helped the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Societies by an address full of fact and force on the great work in which they are engaged.
The history of the Church was thus very auspiciously placed before the public, but its work was really only well begun. Not until the close of his pastorate in 1900 could the pastor feel he had been over the field. Since that day, while engaged as he has been able in revising what he had already written, he has made many additional discoveries, which have enlarged, and he hopes, greatly im- proved the whole. To go back to the work itself-the Session decided June 19th, 1898, to return to the cus- tom of former pastorates, and suspend the evening ser- vice until in September. September 3rd, Emma J. John- son, wife of William B. Prall, Jr., was received from the M. E. Church of Linvale, N. J. December 3rd, Elizabeth S. Hall was received on examination to Church membership.
In making out the report, April, 1899, while there had been losses in other respects, the pastor was de- lighted in being able to report the largest gift to Home Missions, and the largest total sum for the work of the Boards in the history of the Church, viz: $70 in the former and $260 for all causes.
June 3rd, 1899, Laura Ent, wife of Howard Sut- phin, was received to the membership of the Church by
314
AMWELL FIRST CHURCH
letter from the Baptist Church of Flemington, N. J. June 16th, letters were given to John J. Hall, Theo- dosia, his wife, and Elizabeth, their daughter, dismiss- ing them to the Presbyterian Church of Flemington. During the early fall, a number of clergymen and Chris- tian workers met at the Baptist Church of Flemington, of which the Rev. Mr. Sagebeer was pastor, and or- ganized what was called an Evangelistic Campaign in Hunterdon County.
The plan contemplated holding interdenominational cottage prayer meetings in every available center through- out the county, every Monday evening. It asked for the appointment of two managers for each locality, whose duty should be to secure a house for the meetings, and appoint. a leader. The pastor brought this move- ment to the attention of the Session October 15th, and it received their sanction. With the approval of the Ses- sion it was set on foot in this Church. The people throughout the congregation responded heartily and sus- tained their respective meetings for many weeks. Men took hold and worked with great faithfulness who had hardly done any work of the kind before. This was a uniform experience among our people, and a similar testi- mony was given elsewhere to the interest with which these meetings were sustained. There was thus awak- ened a truer sense of personal responsibility, and a re- vival of interest delightful to behold. It cannot be said that the immediate result was any large increase in mem- bership, but an awakened Church with increased activ- ity are blessings to be thankful for. A similar move- ment was organized by the Presbytery. However, when
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THE MODERN PERIOD-1820-1900
the year closed, it was with a small decrease in our work of beneficence, and no increase in our membership. Yet we are persuaded that all honest efforts that secure the co-operation of the whole Church, work for the estab- lishment of the Kingdom.
December 2nd, 1899, the Session received by letter from the Baptist Church Mrs. John Ent.
The Session having felt the importance of adding to its number, gave official attention to this matter March 3rd, 1900, and on the 31st of March, appointed Sabbath, April the 8th, as the day when nominations would be made, and if the way was clear, hold the election on that day.
The Session also agreed, March 31st, on three per- sons with whom they would hold conversation, and en- deavor to secure their consent to allow their names to be placed in nomination. On the 8th of April the pas- tor laid the action thus far taken before the congrega- tion, and at the same time gave a brief statement of the essential qualifications for the office of Ruling Elder. After prayer Elder C. F. Quick placed in nomination the following names, already agreed upon by the Ses- sion, viz: Alvin Hill, Isaac S. Lowe and Johnson B. Pierce. Elder A. J. Prall seconded the nominations. Mr. Pierce declined the nomination, but yielded to the request to allow his name to stand for the present.
Opportunity .was given to the members of the Church to make additional nominations. No other nomination was made.
The Moderator then presented each nominee separ- ately, and called for a vote, by the holding up of the
316
AMWELL FIRST CHURCH
right hand by the members of the Church. Each nomi- nee was unanimously elected.
The Moderator then announced that if the way be clear the ordination and installation of the Elders-elect would take place next Sabbath morning.
After sermon, April 15th, the pastor reminded the Church of its action on last Sabbath and stated that we would now proceed to the ordination and installa- tion of the Elders-elect, if there be no objection.
Whereupon, Johnson B. Pierce renewed his request to be allowed to withdraw his name, which request was .granted with regret by the members of the Church.
Alvin Hill and Isaac S. Lowe then presenting them- selves before the Congregation, and answering affirma- tively the constitutional questions, and the Church also answering affirmatively, by holding up the right hand, Alvin Hill and Isaac S. Lowe were set apart by prayer and the laying on of hands by the pastor to the office of Ruling Elder. During the ordination prayer the Eld- ers, with the pastor, stood around the candidates, and at its close, each one extended to the newly ordained Elders the right hand, saying: "We give you the right hand of fellowship, to take part with us in this office."
In the very month in which the first steps were taken for enlarging the Session, the Church lost by death its Senior Deacon, Mr. John Quick.
Deacon Quick's death was a great shock to the Church, it having occurred without previous sickness, and dur- ing sleep on the 14th of March, 1900. His dying moans were heard only by his wife, who was alone with him in their home.
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THE MODERN PERIOD-1820-1900
The action of the Session, on his death, was delayed until July by the pastor's sickness. The essential state- ments of that action were as follows: John Quick was the son of Gideon Quick and Sarah Fisher, his wife, his mother being one the two first teachers in our Sab- bath School. His grandfather was John P. Quick, an Elder in this Church.
Mr. Quick was born July 17th, 1820, therefore being nearly eighty years of age when he died. He and Frances Holcombe were united in marriage at Mount Airy, November 30th, 1842. He and Mrs. Quick united with this Church April 11th, 1846, under the pastor- ate of Rev. Benjamin Carrell. He was ordained to the office of Deacon March 20th, 1870, Rev. N. L. Upham being pastor. This venerable couple celebrated their golden wedding November 30th, 1892.
Mr. Quick was a warm and generous friend of his pastor, and a liberal supporter of the church, not only in its annual expenses, but always ready to join, and of- ten to lead in movements for improving the Church property. The Session bore hearty testimony to his liberality as shown throughout his life; also to his de- voted interest in all her service; as also to his faithful discharge of the duties of Trustee from 1851, and for many terms afterward; to his fidelity as Treasurer of the board from 1877 to 1888, during which period he was often called to bear heavy burdens for the Church, and finally for his gift of $500 to the Church, to become available at the death of Mrs. Quick.
In behalf of Session,
JOHN B. KUGLER, Modr.
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AMWELL FIRST CHURCH
On the Sabbath following the ordination of these Eld- ers the pastor's sickness began, which resulted in his breakdown and withdrawing from the pastorate of the Church. For this reason I may be pardoned for its men- tion here. I preached at the morning service April 22nd, 1900, with unusual earnestness and conscious ease. Not until evening did I realize my approaching sickness. Be- fore the hour of service I was constrained to send word to the Church that I would be unable to serve them, but then thinking it only a cold that disabled me, and in a few days I could return to the work. It was otherwise ordered. The cold developed in grippe, and grippe was accompanied with pneumonia. Then came a long strug- gle for life. While others were more than anxious I never lost hope of final recovery.
Yet when two neighbors sat through an entire night on the piazza unknown to my family, expecting every hour would announce my death, to be on hand to render help to Mrs. Kugler, I must admit my case to have as- sumed a critical stage. I am grateful to Almighty God that He was pleased to extend His hand of mercy. I
fully believe He often, if not always, disposes the hearts and hands of His people to do His service. The Church truly did what it could for my recovery. The skilled Dr. Leidy, of Flemington, and Dr. Oliver P. Rex, of Philadelphia, who was spending a few days at his mother's home for needed rest, also most kindly and efficiently exercised in my behalf his healing art. A trained nurse did what she could. Johnson B. Pierce, David Huffman and Morris W. Robinson watched be- side my bed many a night. Mrs. William Pierce came
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THE MODERN PERIOD-1820-1900
after the nurse left and served me faithfully and wisely. Above all, and I think best of all, was the exhaustless care and always timely and loving helpfulness of my devoted wife. My son and his wife did what they could, while home duties were calling them away from me. So to the joy and gratitude of us all the relief came.
This sickness began the 22nd of April; not until the first Sabbath in July was I able to return to my pulpit. My physicians had advised me of the necessity of resign- ing my charge and quitting the work. This was more than, at the time, I could accept. To gain the health needed for continuing in the service of my Master, we spent many weeks at the Clifton Springs Sanitarium. The strength acquired was only temporary. It would not endure the strain of daily service. A few weeks made this evident. Sabbath morning, October 7th, I gave notice of my purpose to request Presbytery to release me from my charge. The usual steps were taken. The Congregation with manifest regret appointed Com- missioners to unite with me at the Presbytery meeting at the intervals of Synod at Atlantic City to ask for the dissolution of my pastoral relation with the First Church of Amwell. This took place October 17th, the action to go into effect November 11th, 1900. Soon came the sad day on which was broken the official bond. We held a communion service in the morning, when we broke bread together and partook of the cup. The older people had in the former part of this service received an especial message. Then we sang "Blest be the tie that binds."
In the evening the message and the whole service were
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AMWELL FIRST CHURCH
for the young people. The Church was completely filled. During this service the unwavering attention, the intense interest, the enthusiasm, the manifest kind- ness were all so abounding that it was not in nature to allow the emotion of sadness to prevent emotions of joy and gratitude for the kindness showed at this parting service.
Following these closing services, there remain a few facts to be gathered and stated.
When I took charge of this Church, one aim I set before myself was to do my very best to reach the com- paratively small number not in Church fellowship. The record of this endeavor has already been given. I am free to say the result was not up to my desire. Stated in figures, we received into the Church on examination 50, and by letter 40. And yet the number who died during my pastorate, the number dismissed to other churches, and the number put on the list of absent members re- duced the membership of 157 to 114 when I left. This is to me sad, although it follows a long existing example. It may be added that new churches on territory formerly under this Church are ever reducing our membership. Yet I believe there is a better day coming for this venerable Church.
Another aim set before myself was to lead the people to closer fellowship with the Master, and to a more lib- eral consecration of their means to the spread of the gospel. The gain was gratifying and gave reason for gratitude to the blessed Master. In this department of Christian activity and liberality, Mrs. Kugler co-oper- ated with me to the fullest extent. It is impossible to
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THE MODERN PERIOD-1820-1900
express Christian activity by tabulated statements. These however may be indexes of efforts for the Master, and sometimes are useful.
In this work collections were annually taken for all the eight Boards of the Church, and for the Bible So- ciety also. Only the Boards of Home and Foreign Mis- sions are here tabulated, together with what the Church did in its own behalf. While the importance of all these Boards is recognized, it has been the custom of the Church to do more liberally for the two boards men- tioned than for the others. It is deemed sufficient for the other boards to state the sum contributed to the in- terests they represent in the column of total beneficence. The cause standing next in interest to the two mission boards so-called (they are all equally mission causes), is what we designate Synodical Home Missions. In the advocacy of this, we experienced the greatest difficulty in making headway with the people. But understanding its importance, as the people did not, or would not, and as in this case, there was a specified sum indicated by the Synod for each Church to work up to. Mrs. Kugler and myself resolving to reach it if possible, offered to the Church people, if they would give one-half, we would contribute the other half. In this way we succeeded from year to year in reaching the sum asked.
The tabulated statement of the beneficence of the Church, and what it contributed to its own needs is here given. The variation in congregational expenses arises from the fact that in 1891 a new furnace was put in the parsonage. The congregation consented to do this, 21
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AMWELL FIRST CHURCH
when Mrs. Kugler and myself offered to contribute $50 on the expense. The whole cost was $149, and we gave more than we promised. In 1891 and 1892 the Church was painted at a cost of $155. A new roof was put on in 1894, at a cost of $281.
The columns for Home and Foreign Missions first state what the whole Church contributed. The next two columns show what part of this was given by the Women's Societies. Then we have the total beneficence of the Church, including these and all other objects.
Year.
H. M.
F. M.
W. H. M.
1891
$39
$112
$45
1892
42
93
56(a)
1893
54
III
5I
1894
50
II2
38
1895
54
II9
54
1896
48
98
49
1897
50
III
47
1898
47
98
39
1899
70
107
52
1900
56
IOI
50
$502
$1062
$481
NOTE (a)-Here the Women's Home Mission gives more than is set to the whole Church. The explanation is this Society handed over a part of their funds to the cause of Freedmen Sunday School or any other cause that came out very low.
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THE MODERN PERIOD-1820-1900
Total Congregational Expenses.
Year.
W. F. M. Beneficence.
1891
$75
$244
$1401
1892
64
206
1594
1893
73
253
1315
1894
75
256
I355
1895
91
247
1222
1896
68
220
1242
1897
77
245
1495
1898
62
330
1022
1899
71
260
938
1900
67
235
1030
$723
$2496
$12605
My third object on which to lay stress, was the cause of temperance. I determined to present this cause to the consciences of the Church people, in the sanest, most forcible manner in my power. It is a real pleasure to me to see that now, twelve years after this toil and ad- vocacy, the influence of this effort abides as a living fac- tor in creating a healthy sentiment, which at times has been translated into telling action.
Another labor of love of mine, a real pet it was and one never spoiled as pets often are, was a Bible Class in connection with the Sabbath School. There was of- ten evidence of interest and study that showed plainly that the class fully shared with me my enthusiasm and pleasure in this effort to know more of the blessed book.
The sexton of a Church, to do his best, will get as much blame as praise, for the reason that too hot for
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AMWELL FIRST CHURCH
one is too cold for another. Be it so, I can not bring this record to a close, without saying that during my ministry there has never been any more faithfully served than has this old Church during my pastorate by Mr. Wil- liam Cronce. In keeping it thoroughly clean, he had the efficient help of Mrs. Cronce. Wisely heated, well and wisely ventilated is the verdict I gladly place to his credit. In addition to this Mr. and Mrs. Cronce made Mrs. Kugler and myself their debtors by the many help- ful things they did for us at the parsonage. With this I close the record, excepting the usual personal statement, as I have given of other pastors, and a word about two funerals I was called back to attend after leaving the Church. The very last was that of Mrs. Christianna Wert, widow of the late Jacob Quick. This service was in 1910. Mrs. Quick, with her husband, united with the Church in 1846. This makes her Church member- ship sixty-four years. As she was a member of the Wo- man's Missionary Society, I asked Mrs. Kugler about her, as I was getting ready for these sad services. Her an- swer was: "She was a woman who made the world better for having lived in it." This is her tribute. May the Master help us all to do likewise. The other fu- neral was that of Elder Quick, the account of which is given in an appendix.
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