USA > Pennsylvania > Bucks County > Warwick in Bucks County > History of Neshaminy Presbyterian Church of Warwick, Hartsville, Bucks County, Pa., 1726-1876 > Part 15
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DIED JUNE 28, 1845.
AGED 55.
The pen of inspiration has written his epitaph.
" BLESSED ARE THE DEAD, WHO DIE IN THE LORD."
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NESHAMINY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
CHAPTER XVIII.
DIVISION OF THE CHURCH .- ELECTION OF A PASTOR.
In consequence of the fact that Rev. Mr. Belville was unable for a year and a half previous to his release from the Church to fulfil the duties of a Pastor, the minds of the congregation were prepared to choose his successor much sooner than they would otherwise have been. In- deed it seemed desirable to many, that the vacancy should be filled as soon as Providence opened the way. Accord- ingly a petition was presented to the Session, signed by about ninety individuals, requesting them to call a meet- ing of the congregation to elect a Pastor. The Session acceded to the request, and fixed upon November 15, 1838, as a suitable day, and invited Rev. C. C. Cuyler, D. D., of Philadelphia, to be present and preside as Mod- erator of the meeting. After due notice had been given to the people, the meeting was held on the day specified ; and after a sermon from Dr. Cuyler the election took place. William Carr was chosen secretary.
In the absence of any provision in the charter of the church prescribing who should vote, the Moderator de- cided, that according to the Form of Government, Chap. 15th, Section 4th, the communicants and contributors are alone entitled to vote in the election of Pastor. William
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H. Long, Robert Mckinstry, and William R. Blair, were appointed tellers.
James P. Wilson, son of Rev. James P. Wilson, D. D., formerly Pastor of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Phila- delphia, a licentiate of the 2nd Presbytery of Philadel- phia, was nominated for the pastoral office; and upon counting the votes there appeared to be 102 votes for Mr. Wilson, and 96 blank.
The Form of Government, Chap. 15th, Section 5th, di- rects, that " when the votes are taken, if it appear that a large minority of the people are averse from the candidate who has a majority of votes, and cannot be induced to concur in the call, the presiding minister shall endeavor to dissuade the congregation from prosecuting it further." In obedience to this injunction the Moderator, finding that the minority would not concur in the choice of Mr. Wilson, used earnest endeavors to lead the people to unite upon some one else, or to defer decisive action till a future time. Meeting with no success in his efforts, he pro- ceeded to prepare a call in due form for the signature of the people or their representatives. James Horner, Joseph Carrell, Joseph Carr, Robert Mckinstry, and Joseph Hart, were appointed a Committee to sign the call in behalf of the congregation, and to prosecute it before the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia. James Horner, at his own request, was excused from serving on the Committee, and William H. Long was substituted in his place.
At a meeting of the 2nd Presbytery of Philadelphia, held December 11, 1838, in the Second Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, the commissioners appeared with the call properly certified, and asked that, if the way were
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clear, Mr. Wilson might be ordained and installed as the Minister of the people of Neshaminy. A remonstrance against his installation in that office was also presented by representatives of the minority, setting forth, that " it was evident to the minds of most of the Session, that at the election for Pastor several illegal votes had been given ; and that as out of one hundred and ninety-eight votes, being the whole number given, Mr. Wilson had a majority of six votes only, it was considered very doubt- ful, whether he had a majority of legal votes." The commissioners and those who favored Mr. Wilson, thought that he had a clear majority, and that some of the votes cast in opposition to him were illegal.
The Presbytery, after deliberating upon the case, deter- mined that it was unwise to put the call into his hands, and declined to take measures for his ordination; and they urged the congregation, through their representatives, to hold another election, and unite upon some one who would be acceptable to all. At the request of the Ses- sion, all but one of whom (Gideon Prior) were among the remonstrants, the Presbytery appointed supplies for the vacant pulpit.
The members of Presbytery thus appointed preached regularly in the church until January 27, 1839. Mean- time, a majority of the Board of Trustees, one of the Elders, and many of the congregation, being anxious that Mr. Wilson should be set over them in the Lord, a peti- tion was circulated for the signatures of those who desired that the Session would call a congregational meeting, with a view to choosing him as Pastor. On the first of Janu- ary this petition, signed by eighty-four individuals, was
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' presented to the Session, at its meeting held at the house of Elder James Horner. The petitioners claimed to be a majority of the pew-holders in the congregation. The Session did not act upon the petition that day, but de- ferred action till another meeting held January 5th, at the house of Elder Hugh Mearns, when they resolved, that "in their judgment it will not conduce to peace and unity to convene another meeting of the congregation for the election of a Pastor so soon after the recent election, and the action of the Presbytery thereon. The divided state of opinion in the congregation on this subject for- bids the hope of a more favorable result at present from another meeting."
On the 7th of January the Board of Trustees met, and a majority of them; five out of nine, passed a resolution, that "Whereas, it is known to be the wish of a majority of this congregation, that Rev. James P. Wilson should have the use of the church for public worship;" and " Whereas, the Session in defiance of the plainly expressed wishes of the congregation " have given the possession of the pulpit to others ; " and have refused to call a congre- gational meeting, when petitioned by a majority of the voters of the congregation ;" therefore, " Resolved, that the use of the church for the object above mentioned from and after the 14th inst. be and it is hereby tendered to the Rev. James P. Wilson, to the exclusion of all others."
The Sexton, Amos Torbert, sympathized with the ma- jority of the Trustees: he held the key of the church, and when the Session demanded the key, that the house might be opened for the supply sent by Presbytery, he, acting under instructions from the Trustees, refused to surrender it. However, the pulpit was occupied by the
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Presbyterial supply two or three Sabbaths beyond the date, to which the use of it by these supplies was limited by the Trustees. The clergymen sent by Presbytery were requested by the Session not to read notices of meet- ings of the Congregation for any other purpose than pub- lic worship, except as they were directed to do it by the Session.
'Those among the people who were favorable to Mr. Wilson, believing that the Second Presbytery would not reconsider the determination they had expressed in refus- ing to put a call into his hands, and that they would not ordain him over the congregation, thought it might be best to transfer the relations of the church to another Presbytery. With this in view, by direction of the ma- jority of the Board of Trustees, some one after service on Sabbath, January 27, 1839, announced before the people had left the house, that there would be a congregational meeting on Thursday, January 31st, to test the wishes of the church and congregation in regard to withdrawal from the Second Presbytery, which was then Old School, and joining the Third Presbytery of Philadelphia, which was re- cently formed in connection with the New School Assem- bly. The supply sent by Presbytery then read from the pulpit a protest, previously prepared by Session, against the proposed meeting. Notwithstanding this protest the meeting was held January 31st, Robert Ramsey being chairman, and Wm. H. Long and Joseph Hart, secreta- ries, and that part of the congregation, who desired Mr. Wilson as Pastor, voted unanimously to leave the Second Presbytery, and apply for admission into the Third. Be- fore this was done, a delegate of the Session, who was present, read by their direction a paper, in which it was
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attempted to show the illegality and impropriety of this action. No notice was taken of these protests, though respectful attention was given to them while they were read. After voting to change their Presbyterial relations, the meeting passed a resolution, that the call previously given to Mr. Wilson to be the Pastor of the church, be presented by the commissioners named in it to the Third Presbytery, and that the Presbytery be requested to re- ceive the church under its care, and install Mr. Wilson over it.
Previous to February 10th, the whole congregation had worshipped together on the Lord's day, and the services had been conducted by the Presbyterial supply. But on that day Mr. Wilson, as he had been requested to do by the Trustees, occupied the pulpit. Not long after he had taken his seat, Rev. William D. Howard, the appointee of the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, appeared in the church, and James Horner, the Moderator of the Ses- sion, rose and demanded the pulpit for him in the name of the Session. No response and no movement to vacate the pulpit being made by Mr. Wilson, Mr. Howard pub- licly protested against his conduct in retaining possession of the sacred desk in opposition to the wishes of the Ses- sion, and, as he claimed, a majority of the people. The Moderator of the Session then read a remonstrance against the course of the Trustees in the matter, and, as had been previously arranged, gave an invitation to all persons who sympathized with the Session, to retire to the school- house in the grave-yard, and hold worship there, declaring at the same time that they did not relinquish nor forfeit their right to the use of the church and all the property appertaining to it.
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They accordingly, in number about one hundred and forty, as is said, went from the meeting-house to the school-house, and had religious services there. This was the end of the union of the two parts of the congregation in the exercises of the sanctuary. The division, begun in feeling and sentiment months before, was consummated that day. For several years afterwards there was much bitterness and animosity on the part of some on the one side towards some on the other. But time does much toward healing such wounds.
At the meeting of the Third Presbytery of Philadel- phia, which was held about the middle of February, the Neshaminy Church of Warwick, by request of the Com- missioners previously appointed, was taken under the care of the Presbytery and its name enrolled on the list of its churches. The call for the services of Mr. J. P. Wilson as Pastor, being found in order, was put into his hands, and by him accepted. Appropriate arrangements were made, and on February 26th, 1839, he was ordained and installed at Neshaminy.
Meanwhile the part of the congregation who were op- posed to Mr. Wilson, and who remained with the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, though they had withdrawn from the worship maintained in the church, still did not abandon the claim to the building and all the property belonging to the corporation. They asserted that they were a majority of the congregation ; that all but one of the members of the Session were with them; and that they were unjustly deprived of the privilege of assembling in the meeting-house under their chosen officers and spiritual guides. Hence, they instituted a suit at law
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against the Sexton and Trustees of the church under the pastoral care of Mr. Wilson for possession of the house of worship. This suit was brought before the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County, sitting in Doylestown, in September, 1841. After testimony had been taken by counsel on both sides from several witnesses, it was pro- posed to settle the case by compromise before it was passed to the jury, and an adjustment was agreed upon in the following terms :
In the Common Pleas of Bucks County. No. 41. September, 1841. Summons in Ejectment.
The Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in the Township of War- wick, in the County of Bucks, for the use of the Minister, Elders and Members of said Church,
versus,
Amos Torbert, Tenant, William Long, Jr., Joseph Hart, William H. Long, John Polk, Samuel McNair, Robert Darrah, Robert Ramsey, Andrew Long, Jr., and Robert Mckinstry, claiming to be the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church, in Warwick Town- ship, in the County of Bucks, Landlord.
September 22, 1841. Jury discharged by consent, and the fol- lowing agreement entered of record: and by consent the jury discharged, and the cause settled on the following principles :
The Church, and ground thereunto attached, to be sold at public sale on the 21st day of October next, the bidders to be the respect- ive claimants in this suit. The purchasers to pay the other party one-half of the purchase money within sixty days thereafter, when full and entire possession is to be delivered to the purchasers of the Church and Church lot. The grave-yard is to remain in com- mon forever to those and their descendants and their succes- sors, who have a right to bury there at this time, each party to
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employ their own sexton. The personal property to be equally divided. The act of Incorporation to follow the building.
Joel K. Mann is appointed to superintend the sale and to settle any dispute respecting the personal property, and whose award shall be final. In case Mr. Mann cannot attend, Charles Lom- baert, Esq., is to be an Alternate. Each party to pay their own costs, and the docket costs to be equally divided.
Mr. Wilson's congregation met September 30, 1841, and passed resolutions expressing full confidence in their Trustees, and their belief that they would do what was best for their common interests in regard to purchasing the church and the lot around it; and their satisfaction and gratitude that the suit had been terminated by an amicable settlement. They also
" Resolved, That Rev. J. P. Wilson, James G. Thom- son, William Carr, and Nathan Mckinstry be a com- mittee to address a conciliatory letter to those who have separated from us."
William Long, Jr., Robert Darrah, Joseph Hart, and Robert Mckinstry were appointed to carry out the views of the congregation by attending the sale, and buying the church property, if the price should fall within proper limits.
The sale was made on the 21st of October, and the highest bid was from the congregation of Mr. Wilson, who had been alone statedly worshipping in the church for nearly three years subsequent to the division. The sum at which the property was bid off, was six thousand dollars. Half of this was paid to the other party, and the personal property was divided equally between the two parties, under the supervision of a committee from
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each Board of Trustees. Included in the personal prop- erty were some funds at interest, which were equitably divided. With the money thus obtained, and some money raised by subscription, the Old School party built, in 1842, a neat stone church in Hartsville, in which they have worshipped since that time. The Pastors of that congregation, for which a Charter was obtained in 1842, have been since the division, Rev. Thomas B. Bradford, Rev. Henry R. Wilson, D. D., Sen., Rev. Jacob Belville, Rev. A. M. Woods, and Rev. G. H. Nimmo; and Rev. John McCluskey, D.D., supplied the pulpit about a year and a half.
CHAPTER XIX.
PASTORATE OF REV. J. P. WILSON.
In consequence of the withdrawal from the Neshaminy Church in Warwick of the following Elders, viz .: Hugh Mearns, James Horner, Samuel Craven, James Weir, Wil- liam Jamison, and Williamn White, there remained of the original Session only Gideon Prior. It became necessary therefore to elect others to fill the vacancy. At a congre- gational meeting held March 28, 1839, Joseph Carrell, Joseph Carr, and Nathan Mckinstry were elected, and
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soon after duly installed as Elders, by prayer and the right hand of fellowship.
In 1842 it was deemed advisable by the Trustees to repair and remodel the meeting-house, and the congrega- tion heartily concurred in the plan. The building accordingly was thoroughly renovated. The square win- dows on the sides were removed, and long Gothic windows were substituted in their stead ; a large window of the same style was placed in the end back of the pulpit ; two small doors in the front end gave place to a single large one; and a vestibule was made, which should contain the stairs leading to the gallery. The church was also beau- tifully painted within and without, and refurnished. When the improvements were all completed, it presented the appearance of a new edifice, and was in fact quite dissimilar and far superior to its former self. The whole expense of the work was more than $2000.
Almost immediately after Mr. Wilson's ordination an increased attendance on the ministrations of the Word was visible, and at successive communions persons pro- fessed their faith in Christ, and were incorporated with his visible people.
An unusual degree of interest on the subject of re- ligion manifested itself in the congregation in 1840, during which year fifty-two persons were hopefully con- verted and admitted to the fellowship of the church. In the early part of 1845 a gracious season of revival was enjoyed by the church, as one result of which fifty-four persons were received by the Session on examination, at the communion in May.
In regard to this work of divine grace the Pastor
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recorded these remarks in the Book of Sessional Records :
REMARKS.
" Fifty-four additions in all at the communion in May, 1845, the fruits of a glorious Revival of Religion in the congregation and vicinity. Behold ! what hath God wrought ! Glorious and blessed be His holy name forever and ever!
" This revival was characterized by great stillness and power. The Synod of Pennsylvania appointed a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer throughout their bounds, in view of the low state of religion in all their churches. This day was in January, 1845. By some mishap the day passed unnoticed by us ; and we resolved to appoint an- other day two weeks distant, as a day of humiliation, &c. for our own church particularly. There was a general disposition among our church members to unite in fervent supplication to Almighty God for his blessing on the an- ticipated meeting. All felt that something must be done. Few came to the solemn feasts.
" The day came. The Pastor conducted the morning service, and during the intermission of half an hour, Dr. E. S. Ely, who was expected earlier, came. He preached in the afternoon. The Pastor urged on Christians their obligations, and the necessity that the whole church should unite in fervent secret prayer for a divine blessing. Christians seemed to feel much. All difficulties were removed ; secular work was suspended ; private jealousies and heart-burnings were healed over; and the injured persons generally were reconciled to the injurers. 'If thy brother hath aught against thee, go,' &c.
" The intention of the Pastor a month previously was
-
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to make the fast day the commencement of a series of meetings for several days. Dr. Ely preached again on Thursday evening, and returned to the city on Friday morning. The Pastor preached on Friday evening, and on Saturday evening, and three times on Sunday, and on Monday afternoon. On Monday afternoon, Dr. Joel Parker, of Philadelphia, came, and preached that evening, and every afternoon and evening during the week, and three times on Sabbath, while the Pastor went down and supplied his pulpit on that day in the city.
" The meetings continued with increasing interest. On Thursday evening an invitation was given for any who wished to be prayed for particularly, to come out at the close of the session and take the front seats; nine came forward ; on the next evening, seventeen more ; on Satur- day evening, thirty-two ; on Sunday evening, forty-eight. On Monday morning Dr. Parker returned to the city, and the Pastor preached every evening that week, and every other evening, alternately, the following week. Each public service was preceded by a public prayer-meeting in the church. Enquiry meetings were held every afternoon from 3 to 5 o'clock, and all the anxious were requested to attend that meeting.
" The meetings were continued in the church two even- ings in the week until the month of May. The converts were assembled together frequently and addressed, in order to instruct them and relieve their doubts, &c., prev- ious to communion and reception into church-fellowship.
ADDENDA.
"1. The meetings were always dismissed before 10 o'clock, P. M., and the usual order of public services
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was at no time interrupted, not even a prayer, or hymn, or reading the Scriptures omitted once.
"2. The sermons were generally doctrinal, the only foundation for duty; the sovereignty of God was preached, and the duty of immediate submission.
"3. All the converts who were heads of families, engaged at once in the performance of the duty of family prayer, and there seemed to be on the part of all a wil- lingness to do their duty.
" 4. There was no difficulty in speaking to any one on the subject of personal religion. Sinners seemed to desire religious conversation, and manifested no disposition to shun it.
" 5. It is remarkable, that in this revival, all those who had long been hesitating and loitering, as it were, around the gate of heaven, and who, every one thought, would be the first subjects, all of these were without an ex- ception passed by. May God in His infinite mercy reach them yet !
"6. The anxious were not, as it were, put into a pew and kept there, while Christians went out to convert others, but they were immediately put to work, while their hearts were warm, and they were informed that much of the burden of the work must now be done by them ; they were not suffered to stagnate.
" 7. One great and most useful and important instru- mentality was unavoidably omitted, faithful and regular visitation of all the families of the congregation, which should never be omitted, both previously and during the meeting.
" It was deemed proper to make the above brief re- cord of a most gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit :
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the only revival that occurred in the Synod of Pennsyl- vania, and perhaps in the whole church, during a long period of coldness.
May 10, 1845. JAMES P. WILSON."
During his pastorate, Mr. Wilson baptized, adults 75; infants 96.
In the spring of 1847, Mr. Wilson was chosen by the Board of Trustees of Delaware College at Newark, Del., President of that Institution, and regarding that posi- tion as a more important field of labor, which would afford opportunities for more extended usefulness, after mature deliberation he accepted it, and resigned his charge at Neshaminy, much to the regret of his congre- gation. They were warmly attached to him; the church was in a flourishing condition, and it would have been a source of gratification on many accounts to him to have remained with those, among whom he commenced his work in the ministry. But the voice of Providence seemed clearly to indicate that he should be at the head of a Seminary of learning which was then struggling with many difficulties.
The meeting of the congregation to receive his resigna- tion took place June 30, 1847. Dr. James S. Rich was appointed Moderator, and Wm. H. Long, Esq., Secretary.
The following Committee was appointed to draft reso- lutions expressive of the feelings of the congregation on the occasion, viz .: George Jamison, Mahlon Long, Robert Ramsey, Joseph Carrell and Jacob H. Rogers, Esq., who reported the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :
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Whereas, Our Pastor, the Rev. James P. Wilson, has felt himself called in the Providence of God to labor in a different part of Christ's vineyard, and has therefore requested to be dismissed from us, we waive all personal and selfish considerations, which would prompt us to retain him, and comply with his request, though to us it is a painful task to sever the tie which has united us in so tender a relation. Therefore,
Resolved, That this Congregation receive the resignation of our Pastor with unfeigned regret, arising from our attachment and love, but feel it a duty we owe to the literary institutions of our country, to accede to the wishes of the patrons of Delaware College, who have unanimously elected Mr. Wilson to preside over that Institu- tion.
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