tihxavy of Che theological ^eminarjp 
 
 PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY 
 
 •d^^D- 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 Yale Divinity School Library 
 
 BX 9211 .N47 CTTSTT^ 
 
 Craven, E. R. 1824-1908. 
 
 Historical sermon delivered 
 
 on the fiftieth anniversar 
 
 LIBRARY OF PRINCETON 
 
 "1 
 
 MAR 2 I 2005 
 
 THEOLOGICAL SEMIMRY 
 
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 ^i^r ^)^-r-vCr( y 
 
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HISTORICAL SER 
 
 deliverp:d on thk 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 OF TIIK OKGANIZATION OF THE 
 
 liril Utiefjliiitcriciti ^Ijiiirc 
 
 SUNDAY, JUNE U, 1874, 
 
 Delivered by the Pastor, Rev E. R. Craven, D.D., 
 
 ALSO AN APPENDIX CONTAINING TilE HISTORICAL 
 REPORT OF THE SABBATH SCHOC»L, &c. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY REQUEST. 
 
 NEWARK, N. J. 
 
 I'KINTED AT THE DAILY ADVERTISER OFFICE, 
 1874. 
 
^en]i-Cei)tei)i|i^] i)i>^coui'0e 
 
 At ii joint meeting t)f the Session, Deacons and Trustees of the 
 the Third rresl)yterian Church, it was unanimously Resolral, That 
 our Pastor, Rev. Dk. Craven, be requested to hirnish for publica- 
 tion a copy of the Historical Sermon preached on June 14, 1874, on 
 tlie occasion of the Semi-Centennial of said Churcli. 
 
 Elders. 
 
 John C. Crane, 
 Lorenzo Boydkn, 
 Isaac A. Alling, 
 Daniel Price, 
 Horace Alling, 
 RoBT. S. Gkummon. 
 
 Trustees. 
 
 S. B. Sanders, 
 E W. Whitehead, 
 Geo. M. Dawes, 
 J. Van Name, 
 J. B. Lee, 
 J. H. Huntington, 
 H. J. Fonda. 
 
 Deacons. 
 Albert G. Woorufe, Dr. Jas. B. Buknet, 
 
 Edwin M. Douglas. 
 
SEEMON 
 
 I Samuicl VII. 12. 
 
 Thh:n Samuel took a stone, and set it betwekn Mizpeh and 
 Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer (/. e. The stone 
 of help), saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. 
 
 It seems to l)e einiiiently proper, at certain marked 
 epochs, for every community, tliat lias been blessed of 
 the Lord, to review its history, to consider the deal- 
 ings of Jehovah with it, and to erect some memorial 
 to His praise. It was in vie^v of such propriety that 
 the incident recorded in the text occurred. The 
 epoch contemplated was the close of the first great 
 period after the entrance of the children of Israel 
 into Canaan. The ministry of Joshua ended a few 
 years after the passage of the Jordan, when the 
 Israelites had peaceful possession of the greater por- 
 tion of the pi'omised land. Then commenced the 
 period of the Judges. Again and again did Israel 
 sin, and again and again were they surrendered into the 
 hands of the Philistines for chastisement. But, up(>n 
 repentance, again and again were they delivered. In 
 the days of Eli, because of grievous transgression, 
 they were again brought in subjection to their ene- 
 mies ; but, on the great day of Mizpeh, forty-five 
 years after their subjugation, God again wrought a 
 great deliverance. In the day of their victory, in 
 
review of ;ill the past, " Saiiiiiel took a stone, and set 
 it up Ijetween Mizpeli and Slien, and called tlie name 
 of it Ebenezer^ saying, Hitlierto liatli the L( >rd helped 
 us." 
 
 The present is a marked epoch in the history of onr 
 Church — its Fiftieth Anniversary. Although it is not 
 with us a day of special deliverance, still it is the day 
 of the completion of one of those round numl^ers (^f 
 years, inchiding many deliverances, that are univer- 
 sally recognized as of ecpial importance with an 
 epoch of deliverance. A review of the past Avill 
 make manifest the fact that hitherto the Lord hath 
 helped us, and show the propriety of our erecting, on 
 this day, our Ebenezer, our stone of help, and of in- 
 scribing upon it our doxology. 
 
 Fifty years ago last Monday, June 8tli, the Third 
 Church of Newark was organized as an independent 
 congregation. Its history, however, did not then be- 
 gin. The Third Church is one of the four main 
 Presbyterian l)ranches into \vliich the original Church 
 of Ne^vark divided. This, as really as the First 
 Church, is a representative of those who more than 
 two hundred years ago came to this then uncultiva- 
 ted wilderness to establish a Church of Christ. 
 Newark is the child, the outgrowth of the Church 
 then established : — the Church is not merely one of 
 the institutions of our City, 
 
 It should never be foro-otten that the orisj-inal set- 
 tlement of New England, and of this portion of New 
 Jersey, which is the child of New England, was b}^ 
 the Church of God. The State was the child of tlie 
 
Cliurcli, or perhaps, to speak more correctly, it ^v'as 
 tlie secular side of the Church ; the Church was not a 
 mere institution of the State. I am not myself of 
 New England birth or lineage ; although an Amei'ican 
 of the Americans, no drop of Puritan l>]ood Hows in 
 my veins. — I can therefore s])eak on tliis suhject with- 
 out suspicicm of partiality. 
 
 The original settlement of New England was l>y 
 one of the i)articulai- Cluirches of the Universal 
 Church as a Clinrcli. This C^hurch Avas first consti- 
 tuted of separatists from the Churcli of Enghmd, x\. 
 D. KiOl), in the village of Sci'oo])y, Nottinghamshire, 
 England. Thence, to escape persecution, it fled, in 
 1608, to Holland ; there it divided ; and thence (nie 
 of its l)ranches, itself a Church, with its ]-uling elder, 
 Brewster, sailed, in tlie S[)ee<lwell and tlie Mayiiower, 
 for America. The members of tliis Cliurch, on the 
 night after they first cast anchoi', and befoi-e disem- 
 barking, drew up and signed the following compact : 
 
 "In the name of God, Amen. 
 
 " We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our 
 dread sovereign lord, King James, by the grace of G-od, of Great 
 Britain, Franco, and Ireland, Iving, Defender of the Faith, &c., 
 having undertaken, for the glory of God, and the advancement of 
 the Cliristian faith, and lionor of our King and country, a voyage to 
 plant tlie first colony in the northern part of Virginia, do, bv these 
 presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and one of 
 another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body 
 politic, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of 
 the ends aforesaid ; and, by virtue hereof, to enact, constitute and 
 frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and 
 offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meetand conven- 
 
ient for the general good of the colony, unto which we promise all 
 due submission and obedience. 
 
 " In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names at 
 Cape Cod, the Ilrti of November, &c , A. D., 1620." 
 
 Tliis ^v^a8 tlie foundation upon wliicli New England 
 was settled. It was the Cliurcli tliat hither came to 
 realize the old Puritan idea of the Cluirch as the 
 State. The Church was the germ out of which de- 
 veloped New England — that portion of our country 
 which has given character to all the rest. The exten- 
 sions of the colonies were primarily extensions of the 
 Church ; each township was a new Church. Newark 
 was but one of such extensions. 
 
 The colony of New Haven, in their establishment, 
 adopted the provision, " with not a single dissenting 
 and only one (piestioning voice among them, ' that 
 Church members only shall be free burgesses ; and 
 that they only shall choose magistrates and officers 
 among themselves, to have power of transacting all 
 public and civil aifairs of this })lantation.'' '''"' 
 
 In conse(pience of the union of the New ILiven 
 and Connecticut colonies by a royal charter, a more 
 liberal policy w^as introduced. This, t<^gether with 
 other supposed grievances, led to a further emigra- 
 tion. Many citizens of the towns of Branford, Mil- 
 ford, Guilford and New Haven, determined to estab- 
 lish ^vhat they regarded as a free and untrammeled 
 Church in the Province of New Jersey, ^vllich w^as 
 then opening its arms for settlers. 
 
 In the month of May, 1666, a committee was sent 
 
 *See Stearns' History of the First Church, pp. 3sq. 
 
from those towns for the purposes of surveying the 
 country, and, if they deemed it ex[)edient, of fixing 
 upon a site for tlie colony and of purcliasing the 
 hind. The first entry in the records of the Town of 
 Newark, is a declaration adopted b}^ this committee 
 after thp choice of the site. The first part thereof is 
 in these ^vords : — 
 
 "1666. 
 
 "Impkimis, III the Province of New Jersey, near to Elizabeth 
 Town, and the Town Plotts on Passaic River, m;i.de choice of by 
 friends from Milford and other neighboring plantations, thereabouts 
 from Xew England, on the twenty-first day of May, one thousand 
 six hnndred and sixty-six, the above mentioned persons had a meet- 
 ing, together with the agent sent from Guilford and Branford, to 
 ask on behalf of their undertakers and selves with reference to a 
 township or allottnient, together with friends from Milford ; at this 
 meeting it was agreed upon mutually that the aforesaid persons from 
 Milford, Guilford, and Branford, together with their associates, being 
 now accepted of, do make our township, provided they send word so 
 to be any time between this and the last of October next ensuing, 
 ami according to fundamentals mutualli/ agreed upon, do desire to he of 
 one heart and consent, through God's blessing with one hand they may 
 endeavor the carrying on of spiritual concernments as also civil and town 
 affairs according to God and a Godly government ; these to be settled 
 by them and their associates." 
 
 On the 30th of the follo\ving October those citi- 
 zens of Branford who were about departing for their 
 ne^v home, dre\v up and signed the following paper, 
 which stands as the second entry in the Record Book 
 of NeAvark : 
 
 "October .SOth, 1666. 
 "At a meeting touching the intended design of many of the in- 
 habitants of Branford, the following was subscribed : 
 
("Deut. i. 13; Exod. xviii. 21; Deut. xvii. 15; Jer. xxxvi. 21.) 
 
 " 1st. Tliat none shall be admitted Ireeraeii or free Burgesses 
 witliiii our Town upon Passaic river in the Province of New Jersey, 
 but such planters iJ.s are members of some or other of the Congrega- 
 tional Churches, nor shall an_y but such be chosen to magistracy, or 
 to carry on any part of civil judicature, or as deputies or assi-slants, 
 to have power to vote in establishing laws, and making or repealing 
 them, or to any chief military trust or office. Nor shall any but 
 such Church members have any vote in any such elections ; though 
 all others admitted to be planters have right to their proper inherit- 
 ance, and do and shall enjoy all other civil liberties and privil'\ges. 
 according to all laws, orders, grants, which are, or hereafter shall be 
 made for the Town. 
 
 ''2d. We shall with care and diligence provide lor the mnintcn- 
 a.nce of the purity of religion professed in tlie Congregntinnal 
 Churches. 
 
 " Hereunto subscribed the inliabitants from Branford — 
 
 "Jasper Crane, Abra Pierson, Samuel Swaine, Laurance Ward, 
 Thomas Blacthly, Samuel Plum, .losiah Ward, Samuel Rose, Thomas 
 Pierson, John Wa.rde, John Cat.ling, Richard Marrison, Ebeiie7.er 
 Camfield, John Ward, Snr., Ed. Ball, Jolui Harrison, John Crane, 
 Jliomas Huntington, Delivered Crane, Aaron IMacthly, Richard 
 Laurance, John Johnson, Thomas [jvon." 
 
 The record continues as follows : — 
 
 " And upon the reception of their letters and suoscriptions, the 
 present inhaliitants in November foUowing declared their consent 
 and readiness to do Idvcwise ; and at a meeting the 24lh ot the next 
 June following in 1667, they also subscribed with their own liands 
 unto the two fundamental agreements referred to on the other side, 
 their names as follows. 
 
 " Robert Treat. Obadiah Bruen, Matthew Camfield, Samuel 
 Kitchell, Jeremiah Pecke, Michael Tompkins, Stephen Freeman, 
 Henry Lyon, John Browne, Joiui Rogers, Stephen Davis, Edward 
 Rigs, Robert Kitchell, J. B. Brooks, Robert Lymens, Francis Linle, 
 Daniel Tichenor, John Bauldwin, Senr., John Bauldwin, Junr., Jona. 
 
Toinkiiis. Geo. Day, Thomas Johnson, John Curtis. Eplirani Burwell, 
 Robert Deiiison, Nathaniel Wheeler, Zachariah Biirwell, William 
 Campe, Joseph VV^alters, Robert Daglesh, Hauns. Albers, Thoni. 
 Morris, Hugh Roberts, Eph'm Pennington, Martin Tichenor, John 
 Browne, Junr., Jona. Seargeant, Azariah Crane, Samuel Lyon, Joseph 
 Riggs, Stephen Bond. 
 
 "Item, it is fully agreed that ev^ery man that comes to be admitted 
 an inhabitant with us, shall produce and liring a certificate from the 
 Chief of the place from whence he comes, unless the Town be upon 
 their knowledge satisfied in and about the good carriage and behav- 
 ior of them otherwise : then it is agreed upon by a full vote of the 
 Town assembled, that all and every man that comes to be received 
 .... an inliabitant of our Town on Passaic river, shall first subscribe 
 his name and declare his assent with the rest of the 'i'own, to all and 
 every one of oui' fundamental agreements on the other side recorded 
 (the preceding) and here following agreed upon, viz : — That it is fully 
 and unanimously agreed upon, as a condition upon the which every 
 one doth reckon and hold his hind and accommodations in this Town, 
 viz : that they will from time to time pay or cause to be paid yearly in 
 tlieir full proportions equally, to the maintenance and allowance 
 agreed upon for the upholding of the settled ministry and preaching 
 of the word in our Town, and tliat was agreed upon before any divi- 
 sion of land was laid out, except Home Lots — and Eighty Pounds, 
 per the year was agreed to and allowed for the present minister. 
 
 '■ Item, it is agreed upon, tliat in case any shall come unto us or 
 arise up amongst us that shall willingly or willfuU}^ disturb us in our 
 peace and settlements, and especially that would subvert us from the 
 true religion and worship of God, and cannot or will not keep tlieir 
 opinions to themselves or be reclaimed after due time and means of 
 conviction and reclaiming them hath been used; it is unanimousl}^ 
 agreed upon and consented unto as a fundamental agreement and 
 order, that all and persons so ill disposed and affected, shall, after 
 notice given them from the Town, quietly depart the place seasona- 
 bly, the Town allowing them valuable considerations for their lands 
 or houses as indifferent men shall price them, or else leave them to 
 make the best of them to any man the Town shall approve of." 
 
 2 
 
10 
 
 It is manifest in the liglit of these (h)cuinents that 
 the settlement in Newark was primarily the estab- 
 lishment of a new Clinrch. I am not here to defend 
 the exclusion of all but communicants in good and 
 regular standing from the full rights of citizenship. 
 This principle was, in my judgment, based on a 
 wrong idea as to the nature of the Kingdom of God. 
 I have l)arely been stating facts, and the facts demon- 
 strate that the Town Avas but the civil side of the 
 pre-existing Church. 
 
 It is not ray intention to trace the farther history 
 of the original Church previous to 1809. This Avork 
 has been ably performed by my beloved friend and 
 brother, the Rev, J. F. Stearns, T). 1)., in his history 
 of the First Church of Newai'k. It is pr()})er, h()\v- 
 ever, that I should state that about the year 1718 oc- 
 curred the first division of the original Church. In, 
 or about, that year the " Mountain Society" was or- 
 ganized, now known as the " First Church of Orange ;" 
 from which main l)rancli have grown many flourishing 
 Churches. It is also proper to state that early in the 
 18th century all the Congregational Churches in East 
 Jersey became connected Avith the Presbytery of 
 Philadel})liia, the mother Presbytery, Avliich itself was 
 organized about the year 1705.* 
 
 Early in the present Century it l^ecame manifest 
 that increased Church accommodations were needed 
 for the increasing population, and measures were 
 
 *Dr. McWhorter, in liis Centur}- Sermon, states that the Church ot Newark 
 united with the Presbytery in 1T16. Dr. Stearns is of opinion that the union 
 did not take place until 1720, 
 
11 
 
 adopted to supply tlie need. I (piote from Dr. 
 Steams' History, (pp. 284 s(p) 
 
 '• As early as the Spring of 1809, about the time of Dr. Griffin's 
 dismission, the business of Church extension was entered upon with 
 commendable zeal and enterprise. At a meeting of the congrega- 
 tion, held in this house (the First Church), April 8th, incipient steps 
 were taken to that eifect, and a large committee was appointed to 
 draw a plan. The committee reported at an adjourned meeting, on 
 ttie 18th of the same month Whereupon 'it was resolved, that, from 
 tiiis Congregation, a separate and distinct Congregation should be set 
 off, and measures taken to invest it with all the powers and privileges 
 of a body politic' For the encouragement and promotion of this de- 
 sign, it was resolved, that when the new congregation should have 
 become incorporated and have built a meeting-house, not less than 
 fift}^ feet Ijy seventy on its base, in a good and substantial manner, 
 and should have called and settled a minister, this congregation 
 would convey to them, with the reserve only of their own house of 
 worship and the land occupied by it, two-sevenths of their real estate 
 for the support of the Gospel forever. At the same time, as it was 
 plainly perceived that the day was not far distant when even this 
 provision would be insufficient to meet the wants of a rapidly in- 
 creasing population, the congregation proceeded, with a liberality and 
 forethought which cannot be too much admired, to agree that when- 
 ever it should be deemed advisable to establish a third Church, the 
 same provisions, subject to the same conditions, should be made for 
 the furtherance of that enterprise." 
 
 It was, mtli great unanimity, the Judgment of tlie 
 congi'egation, that the work of buikling shoukl at 
 once be commence(k There were differences of 
 opinion, ho^vever, as to the proper site of the new 
 edifice. The inhal)itants of the North end and of 
 the South end of the town alike claimed the rio-ht to 
 go forward. At last it Asais determined tkat the 
 people of the South end should have the preference, 
 
12 
 
 with tlie further provision, however, that, unless the 
 foiin(hitions of the new edifice shouhf he raised as 
 high as the "water table" \vdthin six months, the obli- 
 gation should be void, A building of the rec[uired 
 diniensif)ns was at once commenced in what is now 
 kno^vn as Lincoln Park, in the angle between Broad 
 street and Clinton avenue, and the foundations were 
 carried to the recjuired heiglit Avithin the time s])eci- 
 fied. Strange to say, however, for some reasons not 
 known to me, at this point, the work was relinquished, 
 and the materials collected for further building were 
 scattered. The foundation remained as erected until 
 1824, when, the consent of the survivors of the 
 original subscril)ers haviuij: been obtained, the stones 
 were removed and were used in the construction of 
 the foundation of this building. 
 
 The work at the South end having l)een relin- 
 quished, the people at the North end commenced 
 operations, and the corner stone of the Second Church 
 was laid June ITth, 1810. This building was rapidly 
 pressed to completion, and on the 8th of November, 
 1811, the Second Church was organized. 
 
 During the first portion of the following thirteen 
 years, the First Church continued to gi'ow under the 
 ministry of its devoted Pastor, the beloved and vene- 
 rated Dr. Kichards. The number of communicants 
 rose to about seven hundred. It was then, with the 
 exception of the First Church of Philadelphia, re- 
 garded as the largest Presbyterian C'hurch in the 
 United States. The house became too small for the 
 congregation. This, I doubt not, was the period, ^vhen 
 
God, in liis Providence, was calling for a neAV Cliiirch. 
 Dr. Ricliards himself, I liave always understood, 
 felt tlie propriety of such an organization. There 
 were, however, difficulties in the way, and nothing 
 was accomplished. In the failure then to go forward, 
 I think I perceive the<true reason for the following 
 condition of affairs. A ]>eri()d of spiritual declension 
 supervened. Large nunil)e]'s of communicants liad 
 to be removed from the Church roll because of 
 offences; l)ut few professed Christ — only .S'^y;e/? during 
 the last t^vo years of Dr. Richards' pastorate. By 
 reason of death, dismission and discipline, the num- 
 ber of communicants declined from seven hundred to 
 five hundred and t^venty ; and, worse than all, after 
 the resignation of the Pastor, the Church became 
 torn by contention. Still, however, the Church edifice 
 remained too strait for the congregation. 
 
 Dr. Richards resigned in the Fall of 1823. After his 
 resignation, Mr. William T, Hamilton, a licentiate of 
 the Presbytery of Philadelphia, occu])ied the pulpit. 
 A large portion of the congregation desired to give 
 him a call to the pastorate ; others, however, desired 
 to hear as a candidate the Rev. Joshua T. Russell, of 
 Norfolk, Virginia. After Mr. Russell had been heard, 
 the congregation became irreconcilably divided l)e- 
 tween the two candidates ; contentions arose which 
 at last l)ecame so violent that the Presbytery found 
 it necessai'y to interpose. Into the merits of these 
 contentions it is not my purpose to enter. Suffice 
 it to say that through their instrumentality, the <li- 
 vision that should have taken place peaceably, was 
 
14 
 
 enforced by Him Who caiisetli tlie wrath of man to 
 praise Him, and Who, blessed l)e His name, restraineth 
 the remainder of wrath. To these contentions we 
 owe, nnder the over-rnling Providence of God, the 
 organization of the Third Chnrch. Do not nnder- 
 stand me as jnstifying, or even excnsing, the conten- 
 tion that led to this blessed result. It is (rod's pre- 
 rogative to permit the evil — ^tliat ^vllich in itself is 
 only evil — and then over-rule it for the accomplisli- 
 ment of His own gracious designs. The most atro- 
 cious of all sins was the Crucifixion of Jesus, and yet 
 that sin (rod permitted and over-i'uled for the salva- 
 tion of His Church. 
 
 On the 8tli of June, 1824, this Church was organ- 
 ized in the Session, or Lecture Koom, of the First 
 Church, Jifty-six persons having been dismissed from 
 the parent oi'ganizatiou for the purpose of being so 
 organized. The Record, as it stands on the hrst pages. 
 Vol. I., of our Session Books, is as follows : — 
 
 "session room of the first PRESBYTERIAN CIiaRClI, NEWARK." 
 
 "June 8tli, 1824. 
 
 " At a meeting previously appointed lor the purpose of Ibrming a 
 Third Presbyterian Church in the Town of Newark, the following- 
 persons, with a view to that object, produced regular dismissions 
 from the First Presbyterian Church in this Town, viz : — 
 
 " Hugh McDougall and Electa his wife, William Brown and 
 Eusebe B. his wife, John Lee and Jane S. his wife, Irad Congar and 
 Hannah M. his wife, Charles T. Shipman and Eliza P. his wife, 
 James Searing and Elizabeth his wife, Josiah Congar and Elizabeth 
 his wife, Edson Park and Mary his wife, Benjamin Lyon and Polly 
 his wife, Ellison Conger, George Crane, David Nichols, Job Meeker, 
 Robert B. Camptleld, Aaron Lyon, John Miller, James N. Hedden 
 
15 
 
 and Elizabeth his wife, Ephraira Beach and Maiy his wife, John 
 Brittin and Catharine his wife, Aaron Shipman and Sarah his wife, 
 John L. Morris and Eleanor his wife, Jane S. wife of John Dey, 
 Elizabeth Pierson, Widow Sarah Baldwin, Matilda L. Baldwin, 
 Sarah Baldwin, Barbara Dunbar, Moses Lyon, Charlotte C. wife of 
 Abraham Deiunan, Charlotte wife of David Congar, Sarah wife of 
 Jonas Dodd, Hannah Chilcoat, Abigail W. wife of James Dawes, 
 Samuel B. Brown and Hannah his wife, H. Matilda Brown, Abby 
 W. Brown, Cornelia P. Clark, Plannah wife of Richard Sweazy, 
 Levina wife of Elihu Mockridge, Moses Johnson and Hetty his wife. 
 
 " The Rev. Dr. Hillyer having been appointed Moderator, opened 
 the meeting with prayer. After which Moses Lyon was appointed 
 Clerk, and the male members present, to wit, (here follow their 
 names), proceeded to consider the following Resolutions, \\'>hich were 
 unanimously adt)pted. 
 
 " 1st. That we whose names are above written, do covenant and 
 prom'se to walk together as members of the Church of Christ. 
 
 " 2nd. 'i'hat we do adopt the Confession of Faith and Form of 
 Government of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. 
 
 ' 3rd. That this Church shall be known by the name and style of 
 the Third Presbyterian Church in the Town of Newark. 
 
 "4th. That the -Church now proceed to choose by ballot three 
 Elders. 
 
 '' Whereupon the Church proceeded to the choice of Elders, when 
 the following persons were elected, viz : — Hugh McDougall, 
 Gk(^kgk Ckank, and Ellison Conger. 
 
 " Resolved^ 5th. That the Moderator be requested to ordain and 
 install the Elders now elected at 4 o'clock this afternoon. 
 
 " Adjourned. Concluded with prayer by the Moderator. 
 
 " At 4 o'clock P.M., the Church and congregation assembled in 
 the First Presbyterian Church, w^hen a sermon was preached by the 
 Rev. Dr. Hillyer. 
 
 " After sermon, Hugh McDougall, George Crane and Ellison 
 Conger were solemnly ordained and installed Elders of the Third 
 Presbj'terian Church in Newark. 
 
 " After the installment of the above named officers, the congrega- 
 tion uuauimously 
 
16 
 
 " Resolved, That the Session be directed to lay before the Pres- 
 bytery of Jersey, at their next meeting, a copy of the above resolu- 
 tions and proceedings of the Church and congregation, and to re- 
 quest the Presbytery to receive this Church and congregation under 
 their care." 
 
 "Asa Hillyer, Moderator,''^ 
 
 - M. Lyon, Ckrky ' 
 
 The modeof organization was irregular. It sliould 
 liave been eft'ected by a Committee of Presbytery 
 appointed for the purpose upon ap])lit'ation by the 
 parties desiring to be organized. The direction of 
 the congregation to the Session anjis ol)eyed, and at 
 the next meeting of the Presbytery of Jersey, this 
 Churcli \vas formally received under their care. By 
 this action all defects of organization were cured. 
 
 Between the date of the organization and April 4th, 
 1825, when the hrst communion was administered, 
 the folhnving oy^,(^ hundred and iliiriij-iihie persons 
 were received on certificate, viz. : 
 
 " Isaac Andruss and Mary C. his wife, Lucy wife of Ellison 
 (yonger, William W. Da}', Ann wife of Hinun Tichenor, Eliza wife of 
 David B. Burrell, Elizabeth wife of Isaac Hayes, Mary Hayes, 
 Elizabeth wife of William S. Pennington, Isaac Youngs and Sally 
 his wife, Sarali wile of David Niciiols, Joan L. P)rown, Mary Mulli- 
 gan, Aaron Munu and Sarah his wife, David Morehouse and Nancy 
 his wife, James Tichenor, Jr., and Elizabeth his wife, Luther Goble and 
 Phebe his wife, John W. Baldwin and Fanny his wife, Moses Roberts 
 and Mary his wife, David D. Crane and Martha his wife, Widow 
 Sarah Baldwin, Henry L. Parkhurst, Ezra B. Morehouse, Widow 
 Abby Morehouse, Nancy wife of Jonas Baldwin, Jemima wife of 
 Isaac M. Tichenor, Mary wife of Conrad Teese, Sarah wife of John 
 Hunniwell, Susan W. Shipman, Eliza Congar, Louisa Munn, Abigail 
 wife of David Pike, Phebe wife of Matthias Plum, Rachel wife of 
 
17 
 
 Jonathan Spinning, Sarah E. Da}', Phebe Cnrry, Ann F. Campfield, 
 Widow Abigail Griger, Rachel wife of Caleb W. Bruen, Catharine 
 Beach, Charlotte wife of Rodney Wilbur, Widow Jemima 
 McChcsney, Ann wife of Aaron Baldwin, Tenip_\- Wilson, Lydia L. 
 Parkhurst, Abigail Crane, Joanna wife of Caleb Campbell, Stephen 
 Luni, Elizabeth P. Baldwin, Robert B. Campfield Jr., Eliza wife of 
 Aaron Nutman, Hester wife of Peter Carr, Catharine Pier, Widow 
 Eunice Parkhurst, Sarah wife of William B. Baldwin, Lydia Crane, 
 Margaret Crane, Hannah Ball, Phebe wife of Isaac ISTutman, Abby 
 wife of Aaron Marsh. Rebecca wife of Peter Mead, George S. Pier- 
 son and Phebe his wife, Julia Kitchell, Bythenia wife of Joseph 
 Canfield, Catharine Skillman, Amy wife of Samuel Halliday, Eliza- 
 beth Hallidav, Anna Marsh, Hannah Lucar, William Rankin and 
 Abigail his wife, Mrs. Mavy Hedden, Widow Catharine Pierson, 
 Widow xNancy Mulligan, Charity 0. wife of Caleb C. Miller, Widow 
 Phebe Ross. John M. Bouten and PrisciUa his wife, Calvin Taylor, 
 Lucinda Taylor, Henry -Taylor, Thomas Richards and Elizabeth 
 his wife, Samuel M. Crane, Widow Sarah Sanford, Mrs. Margaret 
 Matlock, Alexander Semplo, Widow Polly Baker, Maria Toler, 
 Eleazer Robords, Frances wife of Uzal Ward, Widow Parmelia. 
 Burnet, Harriet wife of Caleb C. Shipman, Polly Ogden, Ebenezer 
 Havens, Widow Abigail Johnson, Sears Roberts and Sarah his wife, 
 Nancy wife of Caleb Baldwin, Hannah wife of Enos Baldwin, Joel 
 Harrison and Sarah his wife, Hannah wife of Lyman S. Averill 
 Mary B. Wheedle, Sarah T. Russell, Mary Ann Russell, Eliza wife 
 of Matthias Pierson, Mar}' Cogswell, Rachel wife of Aaron Lyon, 
 Widow Mary Lyon, James Nutman. Betsey wife of Isaac Harrison, 
 Widow Susan Mills, Sarah wife of John Ailing, Abby wife of 
 Matthias Burnet, Widow Betsey Canfield, Jedediali J. Nichols and 
 Deborah his wife, Priscilla wife of Ebenezer Havens, Elias Genung 
 and Ai)igail his wife, Widow Abigail Baldwin, Abbey Baldwin, 
 Abraham Baldwin, David M. Fitzgerald, Isaac Crane,- Abbey Park- 
 hurst, Widow Catharine Beach." 
 
 And at the first comniimion, April -Itli, 1825, the 
 following forty-six' persons wei'e received on Confes- 
 sion of Christ, viz. : 
 3 
 
IS 
 
 " John B. Carle and Eliza his wife, John Nutman. Snsan G-. 
 Chariot, Abby Hayes, Widow Catharine Tillou, William A. Cann 
 and Mary his wife, Stephen Yansickel, Eseck Graves, William D. 
 Woodruff. Nicholas R. Banning and Elizabeth M. his wife, Rachel 
 wife of Miller Kearney, Widow Sarah Douglass, Sarah E. Crowell, 
 Mar}' Jones, Lydia Jones, Cornelia Baldwin, Eliza wife of Job 
 Meeker, Phebe Ann Bennet, Jacob S. Casterline and Sarah his wife, 
 Ann S. Harrison, James McDougall, Caleb C. Miller, Charles T. 
 Dav, Aaron Marsh. Alexander M. Taylor. Abby L. Andruss, Mary 
 Richards, Widow Parmelia, F. Cook, Mary C. Pike, Widow Eliza 
 beth Force, Sally Ann Williams, Maria Colie, Maria Suydam, Joan 
 wife of William Mockridge, Clarissa C. Nutman, AVilliam B Ross, 
 Widow Rhoda Mulford, Jolin H. Condit, Margaret L. Halliday, 
 Edward Le Fort, Eliza S. Camdeld, Catharine wife of Moses 
 Baldwin." 
 
 These Two li iiudred and forty-one persons (organized 
 56, certificate 139, confession 46), may be regarded 
 as constituting tlie original Third Chiircli. Of these 
 there remain in the congi'egation only eight, viz : — 
 ^olx^i'x. Lte^ , Eliza, ^vid()W of Charles T. Shipman ; Eleanor, wido^v 
 of John L, Morris ; Hannah M. Brown, widoA\' of 
 Joseph Nichols ; Eliza Congar, widow of Charles T. 
 Day ; Ann, widow of Aaron Baldwin ; Mary C. Pike, 
 wife of Elder John C. Crane, and Mrs. Rhoda Mul- 
 ford. Several others, however, are living in this and 
 different portions of the country, having been dis- 
 missed to other Churches. 
 
 The congregation met and organized themselves as 
 a civil body on Thursday preceding the ecclesiastical 
 organization, June 3d, and then elected seven Trustees, 
 viz : LuTHEK GoBLE, EoBERT B. Campfield, David 
 Nichols, James Searing, Isaac Andruss, Smith 
 Burnet, and Charles T. Shipman. 
 
19 
 
 The Board thus elected, convened and organized 
 in the lionse of Robert B. Camphehl on the loth of 
 June. Luther .Gtoble was chosen President ; S.mith 
 Burnet, Treasurer; and Isaac Andruss, Secretary. 
 
 On Monday, the 14th of June, the Rev. Joshua T. 
 Russell of Norfolk, Virginia, and a member of the 
 Pi'esl)ytery of Hanover, was unanimously elected 
 Pastor. He at once signified his willingness to accept 
 the call, and liegan to preach in Newark the follow- 
 ing Sabl)ath. He Avas installed as Pastor at a special 
 meeting of the Presbytery of Jersey, in the First 
 Church, on Tuesday the 13th of July. On the 
 occasion of the installation, the Sermon was preached 
 by the Rev. John McDowell, D. D., of Elizabeth ; the 
 charge to the Pastor Avas given by the Rev. Asa 
 Hillyer, D.D., of Orange, and the charge to the con- 
 gregation by the Rev. Mr. Crane of Sjjarta. 
 ' Immediately after the organization of the Church, 
 measures were taken for the erection of a house of 
 worship. At the second meeting of the Trustees held 
 tlie 18th of June, it was "Resolved to appoint Moses 
 Dodd as master l)uilder of the new meeting house, and 
 to alloAV him two dolhu-s and Jifti/ cents per day for 
 his own services, and to allow him the privilege of 
 bringing two hands \\'\t\\ him, and they to receive the 
 regidar ^vages paid in Newark for carpenters." 
 
 The corner stone of the edifice was laid on Monday, 
 the 5tli of July. A short address was delivered -on 
 the occasion by the Rev. Mr. Russell, and prayer was 
 offered l)y the Rev. Mr. Hay, Pastor of the Second 
 Church. On the same day, Messrs. Robert B. Camp- 
 
20 
 
 field, Smitli Buniet, and James kSearing were a|)p()in- 
 ted a building coniniittee ^vith orders to report weekl)^ 
 to the Board of Trustees. The l)uilding was erected 
 with great rjr[)idity, but at the sjuiie time Avith great 
 care and thoroughness. Large numl)ers of the con- 
 gregation took part personally in the construction. 
 On Thursday, the 10th of February, 18!?o, it was so 
 neai- com]»letion that the seats were sold. In refer- 
 ence to the sale I extract the following from the 
 "Sentinel of Freedom," under the date of the 15th of 
 February. 
 
 " THIRD I'RKSBYTERIAN CHURCH." 
 
 "The seats in this new and beautifnl edifice in Newark, (the 
 corner stone of which was laid on the 5th of July last) were sold on 
 Thursday last agreeably to notice given. We learn that the sales 
 were such as far to exceed the sanguine expectations of its friends, 
 and that most of the seats brought a, higiier price than the appraise- 
 ment. After the reservation of several valuable seats by the Trus- 
 tees, we are informed that those sold, amounted td more than Tirentij- 
 two thouticaid dollars,''' a sum sufficient, and more tlian sufficient, to 
 defray all the expenses of the building and the lot on which it was 
 erected." 
 
 The dedication took place on Thursday, the 24th 
 of February, 1825. The sermon \\'as preached 1)\' the 
 Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Russell, from 2 Cliron. vi. IS, 
 " But will God in very deed d^vell with men on the 
 earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens 
 cannot contain thee ; how much less this house Avhicli 
 I have built." The Rev. Dr. Hillyer of Orange, and 
 the Re\'. Mr. Hay of the Second Church took part in 
 the devotional services. 
 
 * The exact anioimt was Twenty-one thousand, five hundred dollars. 
 
21 
 
 Before the completion of tlie Cliiircli, the jniblic 
 services of the Sabbath ha<l l)eeii in the afternoons 
 and on alternate evenings in the First Cluirch — the 
 use of that buikling having been kindly granted for 
 that purpose. 
 
 The Sabbath school was commenced on the 18th 
 of Decern! )er, 1824 ; there is no record, however, as 
 to tlie place in ^vhich the exercises were conducted. 
 No further reference will be made in this discourse, 
 to that important institution of the Church, as its 
 history will be read this afternoon. 
 
 From the time of the dedication of this Iniilding, 
 all the religious exercises ^vere regularly conducted 
 herein, a [)<»rtion of the basement having ])een titted 
 up as a lecture and Sunday school room. 
 
 Tlie Communion, as was before remai-ked, was 
 administered on the 4th of 2\])ril, 1825 ; and on that 
 occasion, as was also mentioned, f'orti/-.sij- persons 
 were received on confession. Of these forfy-six, 
 twenty-one Avere baptized. The name of Susan (r. 
 Chariot, ai)pears hrst on the list of those received in 
 the sacrament of Baptism ; Abby Hayes, the second. 
 
 The first infants were baptized the 29th of August, 
 1824. This sacrament ^vas administered to the 
 following four, viz : Elniina Jewell Cougar, William 
 Ramsden Lee, Cornelius Ludlo^v Deuman, Matilda 
 Ramsden Denman. 
 
 The ministry of Mr. Russell closed the 29th of 
 June, 1829, liaving lasted a little less than five years. 
 Its first year was exceedingly fruitful : the whole 
 number rec^eived on certificate and confession ^vas 
 
22 
 
 Om hifndred and fifty-one; of tliese one liundred 
 and thlrfff-fhree were on confession. The last 
 years, however, were clouded by reason of con- 
 flicts into the merits of which I shall not enter. The 
 whole number who were received during his ministry, 
 exclusive of the one hundred and ninety-five certificate 
 members received before the first communion, was 
 two hundred and forty-iive ; one hundred and 
 seventy-eight on confession, sixty-seven on certificate. 
 
 I have been unable to obtain any I'eliable informa- 
 tion as to the early history of Mr. Russell. He came 
 to Newark with letters of high recommendation 
 from the })r()fessors at Princeton, and he received the 
 honorary degree of Master of Arts from the College 
 at Princeton the year aftei* his installation in this 
 Church. He has been (lescril)ed to me as a])]^arently 
 •al)out forty-five years of age at the time of his, installa- 
 tion as a man of fine personal appearance, but of rough 
 manners ; and also as a sound, earnest, and impressive 
 preacher. After leaving Newark, he entered into 
 the General Agency for the Assembly's Board of 
 Missions. 8ul)se(|uent to this, as I have been in- 
 formed, he became a Pastor at Pittsburgh, Pa; and 
 then at Louisville, Ky. During the later portion of 
 his life, he was an humble, faithful Pastor in tlie State 
 of Mississippi. I have understood that at some time 
 subsecpient to 1847 he connected himself with the 
 Baptist denomination, in which communion he died 
 in 1854. 
 
 The second Pastor ^vas the Rev. Baxter Dickinson, 
 Avho received a unanimous call the 8th of September, 
 
23 
 
 1829. At the time of liis call lie was Pastor of the 
 Congregational Church of Longmeadow, Mass. He 
 was installed by the Presbytery of Ne^va^k on tlie 
 17th of November, 1829. The Rev. Gardiner S^n-ing, 
 D.D., of New York, preached the installation sermon 
 from Psalm ex. 3, " Thy people shall Ije willing in 
 the day of thy power." The charge to the Pastor was 
 delivered by the Rev. Mr. Ford, and that to the con- 
 gregation by the Rev. Mr. Crane of Sparta. 
 
 The pastorate of Dr. Dickinson lasted precisely 
 six years, he being dismissed on the anniversary of 
 his installation, Nov. 17th, 1835. During his incum- 
 bency two hundred and thirty-two were received into 
 the communion of the Chiivcli, jVlfisti/-t7u'ee on confes- 
 sion, O/i-e // undred and tlili'ty-iilne on certiiicate. The 
 years 1831 and 1832 seem to have l)een years of the 
 outpouring of the Spirit. In 1831, twenty-nine were 
 I'eceived on confession in July, and tJurteen in Octo- 
 ber; and in July, 1832, twmty-e'njht A\'ere so received. 
 Many who confessed Christ in those precious seasons 
 of revival, are still with us. 
 
 The ministry of Dr. Dickinson seems to have ])een 
 largely one of discipline. It occurred hi the period 
 in which, it will be remembered, the Church was 
 awaking to the enormity of the sin of intemperance 
 in which multitudes of all classes in the community 
 had been indulo-ins;:. 
 
 The time has woi arrived, and may it be lono- 
 distant, when it would be proper to present to the 
 pul)lic a protraiture of the life and character of Dr. 
 Dickinson, as he is still living. It is, however, but 
 
24 
 
 proper I should state, that it is the universal 
 testimony of all, in this cominunity, who remember 
 him, that his ministry was characterized by great 
 ability, l)()th as a preacher and a pastor; that he 
 was a man eminent for dignity, tor wisdom, and, 
 above all, for piety. 
 
 It is also proper that the follo^ving facts concern- 
 ing the history of this honored sei'vant of God should 
 be placed on record. He was born in Amherst, Mass. 
 on tlie 14th of A})ril, 1TV)5. He was graduated at 
 Yale College in the class of 1817. Subse(piently to 
 his graduation, he was, for a year, engaged as Princi- 
 pal of an institution in Virginia. At the expiration 
 of that time he entered Andover Theological Semi- 
 nary, graduating in 1821. By the assignment of the 
 Facultv, the usual Valedictory Address was delivered 
 1)V him at the anniversary exercises. He was licensed 
 by the Presbytery of Londonderry in 1822, and in 
 1828 was ordained and installed over the Congrega- 
 tional Church of Longmeadow, Massachusetts. After 
 a pastorate of six years and a half he removed to 
 Newark, as stated above, and was installed Pastor of 
 this Church on the 17th of November, 1829. He ^vas 
 dismissed from the Presbytery of Newark, November 
 17th, 1885, that he might accept an appointment to 
 the Professorship of Sacred Rhetoric and Pastoral 
 Theology in Lane Seminary. His labors in that 
 institution began in December, 1885. In 1889, 
 while Professor there, he was chosen Moderator of 
 the General Assembly, N. S. He Avas second Moder- 
 ator of that body, and is now its oldest surviving 
 
25 
 
 Moderator. After a connection of four years witli 
 Lane Seminary, lie resigned, on an appointment to 
 the same department of instruction in tlie Aul)urn 
 Theological Seminary. There he remained eight 
 years, resigning in 1847. Suhsecpiently, he was asso- 
 ciated with the Rev. Dr. Baird in the organization of 
 the American and Foreign Christian Union, and 
 became one of its Secretaries, his residence being in 
 Boston. This closed his puldic life. He was very 
 prominent in the Temperance movement while in 
 Newark, and subsecpiently; and was author of a 
 widely circulated prize essay puldished by the Tract 
 Society, entitled, " Alarm to Distillers." He was also 
 the author oi a juize essay, "Letters to Students," 
 and prepared the historical document styled "The 
 true Doctrines," on the points of dilfereuce between 
 the Old and New School bodies. He recei^'ed the 
 Honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Amherst 
 College in 1888. He has had two sons in the minis- 
 try, Richard Salter Storrs Dickinson, now deceased, 
 who was for a time associate Pastor in Philadelphia 
 with the Rev. Mr. Barnes, and AVilliam C. Dickinson 
 at present settled in Lafayette, Indiana. He still 
 lives, honored and beloved, in the city of Brooklyn, 
 N. Y. 
 
 On Wednesday, the 13th of January, 1836, a call 
 was made out with great unanimity for Mr. Selah B. 
 Treat, a licentiate recently graduated from the Ando- 
 ver Theological Seminary, Mr. Treat signified his 
 acceptance of this call on the 26th of January. He 
 was ordained and -installed by the Presbytery of 
 4 
 
26 
 
 Newark on tlie 22iid of the f()ll()^^illg Marcli. Tlie ser- 
 mon was preached by tlie liev. Thomas H. Skinner, 
 D.D., of New York ; the charge to tlie Pastor was 
 delivered by the Kev. Mr. Cheever of the Second 
 Church ; and the charge to the Congregation l^y the 
 Kev. Dr. Fisher. 
 
 The pastorate of Mr. Treat, extended from the 22nd 
 of March, 1886, to the 24th of June, 1840: a period of 
 a little more than four years. During this time One 
 liuiidred and twenty-seven cominunicants were received : 
 fffij-eiglit on confession, and sixty-nine on certificate. 
 In the year 1837 there w^as a work of grace, as the 
 result of wdiich tirenty-seven confessed Christ at the 
 communion in July. 
 
 The ministry of Mr. Treat, like that of his pi'ede- 
 cessor, was one of great faithfulness, but, as he sur- 
 vives, it is, as in the case of Dr. Dickinson, inipro|)er 
 that I should say aught in reference to his character. 
 
 The leading facts in the li-fe of Mr. Treat are as 
 follows. He was born in Hartland, Hartford County, 
 Connecticut, February 19th, 1804. He entered Yale 
 College in 1820, and was graduated in the class of 
 1824. After graduation, he studied law with Judge 
 Peters of Connecticut, and was admitted to the bar 
 in September, 1826. He practiced law in Connecticut 
 until 1831, when he removed to Penn Yan, N. Y. 
 where he followed the same profession. He entered 
 the communion of the Church at the latter place, in 
 1831; and in 1833, relinquished the legal profession 
 and entered the Theological Seminary at Andover. 
 He w^as graduated in 1835, and in the April of the 
 
27 
 
 same year was licensed to preach the gospel by the 
 Andover Association, Mass. He was ordained and 
 installed Pastor of this Church, as before remarked, 
 on the 22nd of March, 1836. On the 24th of June, 
 
 1840, he was dismissed from his charge in consequence 
 of the failure of his health. Subsequently, he became 
 one of the editors of the Bil>lical Repository and 
 American Eclectic, New York. In 1843, he assumed 
 the Editorial charge of the puldications of the Amer- 
 ican Board of Ccmimissioners for Foreign Missions. 
 In September, 1837, he was chosen one of the Corres- 
 ponding Secretaries of that Board. He still continues 
 in the active, efficient, and honored service of that 
 Society. 
 
 After the resignation of ]\Ir. Treat the Church was 
 without a Pastor for more than a year. On Tuesday, 
 the Hth of July, 1841, a call was extended to the Rev. 
 Mr. Brinsmade, then Pastor of the First Congrega- 
 tional Chui'ch of Pittsheld, Massachusetts. This call 
 was accepted, and the Pastor elect was installed by 
 the Presbytery of Newark, on the 23d of September, 
 
 1841. At the installation, the Rev. Dr. Eddy of the 
 First Church presided ; the sermon was preached by 
 the Rev. Dr. Vermilye of New York, from Acts, xiii. 
 26, "Unto you is the word of this salvation sent;" 
 the charge to the Pastor Avas delivered by the Rev. 
 Mr. Treat, the preceding Pastor ; and the chai'ge to 
 the congregation ])y the Rev. Mr. Cheever of the 
 Second Church. 
 
 The pastorate of Dr. Brinsmade extended from the 
 23d of September, 1841, to the 9th of October, 1853 : 
 
28 
 
 a little more than t^velve years. It was a ministry 
 fruitfnl in l^lessings. During its continuance there 
 were several periods of special ingathering from the 
 world. In July, 1842, ten were received on confession ; 
 in 1848, t went If, in 1847, twenty-mule, and in October, 
 
 1849, twelve. The wdiole number received during 
 this pastorate was Four htiii<lj-e(J and fort if-foirr : One 
 liinidred ami fortij on confession, and Three hundred 
 a lid four on certiticate. 
 
 During the incund)ency of Dr. Brinsmade, several 
 important events occurred. On the U)th of August, 
 
 1850, the male members of tlie congregation l)y a. 
 vote of Ekfhtii-tino to Tioenti/-t]L,ree resolved to change 
 their ecclesiastical relations from the Presbytery of 
 Newark, then in connection witli what was styled 
 the New School l)ranch of tlie Church, to the Presl)y- 
 tery of Elizabeth, Old Scliool.. From the time of 
 the disrui)tion of the Presbyterian Church in 188H 
 (a disruption now happily healed), this Churcli liad 
 been in connection ^vith the New School branch. In 
 the month following the vote just I'ef erred to, the 
 Third Church of Newark was unanimously received 
 by the body >vith which they had resolved to connect 
 themselves. 
 
 During this pastorate, also, the Park, the Sixth, and 
 the High Street Churches were organized. To the two 
 last mentioned, many members of this Church \vere 
 dismissed. The High Street Churcli was organized in 
 our o^vll edifice, and to it Avas given one of our elders, 
 Mr. James B. Pinueo, and some twelve other mem- 
 bers. 
 
29 
 
 During this period, also, a new Lecture and Sunday 
 School House was erected, which was dedicated in 
 the year 1845, and into ^vhich was moved the great 
 Sunday School, then under the Superintendency of 
 the Rev. S. I. Prime, D.D., Editor of the New York 
 Observer, 
 
 In the year 1846, Dr. Brinsmade found it neces- 
 sary to visit Eui'ope for the restoration of his 
 health, which had l^ecome impaired l)y his incessant 
 labors. The Rev. Nathaniel S. Prime was engaged 
 to supply the pulpit during his absence. Many here 
 present renieml)er ^vitli delight and gratitude the 
 faithful, beneficial labors of that earnest servant of 
 God. 
 
 In the Avinter of 1848, the Pastor again tVmnd it 
 necessary to leave Newark for a season, in conse- 
 (juence of the feeble health of Mrs. Brinsmade, who 
 had been recommended l)y her physician to visit the 
 South. The Rev. Mr. Bradley, of this city, and Prof. 
 Hope, of Princeton, were engaged to supply the pul- 
 })it alternately during his absence. Then ct>mnienced 
 the connection of that pious, eloquent and beloved 
 Professor with this Church — a relation of mutual es- 
 teem and affection, which continued to the day of his 
 death. 
 
 I cannot better set forth the regard entertained for 
 hiin by the people than by reading the follo\ving res- 
 olution, prepared by Elder William Rankin and 
 adopted by the congregation at the annual meeting 
 following his decease : — 
 
30 
 
 "Newark, January 1st, 1860. 
 
 ■' The Conguegation of the Thu'd Presb^'teriau Church, Newark, 
 assembled at their regular annual meeting, herewith record their af- 
 fectionate and grateful remembrance of the late Rev. Dr. M B. Plope, 
 Professor of Belle Lettres and Rhetoric in Princeton College, who 
 entered on his rest the 17th of Decembsr last. 
 
 " Thirteen years ago, during the temporary absence of our former 
 Pastor, Dr. Hope became the regular supply of our pulpit, and 
 greatly endeared himself to the people. Sympathies then awakeiied 
 have since been kept active by his occasional ministrations and visits, 
 continued to the last Sabbath of his life, when he worshipped with 
 us. 
 
 "We feel that one has passed away who remembered this Church 
 among his most cherished and sacred remembrances. He loved us 
 to the end, much as a Pastor loves his own tlock. 
 
 '' We mourn that his earthly tabernacle is so soon taken down, 
 and that we shall see its beautiful curtains, and feel the influence of 
 its genial and glowing altar no more. We tender to his deeply 
 stricken family our respectful and heartfelt sympathy." 
 
 Ill c()iise(|iience of the failing healtli of himself 
 and Mrs. JBrinsmade, the Pastor felt it to l)e his duty 
 to remove to another climate ; and on the 2Hth of 
 August, 1858, brought the matter before the Session. 
 The minute adopted is as follows : — 
 
 " Whereas, the Pastor of this Church, Rev. H. N. Brinsmade, 
 D.D., has communicated to his session that a due regard to his own 
 state of health and that of Mrs. Brinsmade, and to his prolonged 
 usefulness in the Church of Christ, require him to ask a release from 
 his pastoral charge in order to remove to another climate and Held of 
 usefulness ; 
 
 "Therefore Resolved^ That we have heard this communication from 
 our revered Pastor with so'rrow, and regard his intended removal as 
 an afflictive dispensation of Providence, calling us to humility and 
 to a more faithful discharge of the duties of the eldership ; that we 
 
31 
 
 are under special obligations of gratitude to God for having made 
 him for a period of twelve years the minister of much good to this 
 people ; and should the relation so happily existing now be dissolved, 
 we will earnestly pra3' the Head of the Church that he will abund- 
 antly reward His servant for his self-den3ang labors among us, and 
 make him a yet richer blessing to the people among whom his future 
 lot may be cast." 
 
 Tlie Board of Trustees adopted resolutions strongly 
 opposing the resignation, and declaring that all the 
 time needed l)y him for absence, in order to the I'es- 
 toration of his own health and that of Mrs. Brins- 
 made, would be granted. Not^vithstanding these 
 resolutions, Dr. Brinsmade felt it to be his (kity to 
 press his resignation, and on the 9th of Octol)er was 
 dismissed by the Presbytery of Passaic. 
 
 It is improper that I should say aught in eulogy on 
 this occasion of this beloved friend and former pas- 
 tor, who is with us to-day. I ^vill, lio\vever, read the 
 following, extracted from the Record of tlie C^lass of 
 1822 of Yale College, of which institution he is an 
 alumnus : 
 
 Horatio Nelson Brinsmade, son of Dr. Thomas C. and Eliza- 
 beth (Goodwin) Brinsmade, born in New Hartford, Conn., December 
 28, 1798; fitted for College with his Pastor, Rev. Cyrus Yale, and 
 at Phillips Acadeni}', Andover, Mass. ; entered Princeton Theologi- 
 cal Seminary in 1822, but not remaining there through the whole 
 course, completed his preparatory Theological studies with Rev Joel 
 Hawes, D.D., of Hartford, Conn. ; was for eight or nine years in 
 structor in the Deaf and Dumb Institution, Hartford ; ordained to 
 the work of the Ministry in 1828, by the Hartford North Cong. 
 Association, and preached one year at the North Cong. Church, 
 Hartford; in 1831 left Hartford for CoUinsville ; gathered a Church 
 there and left in the fall of 1834 for Pittsfield, Mass. ; was Pastor 
 
32 
 
 of the first Cong. Church, Pittsfield, till called in 1841 to the pastor- 
 ate of the Third Presbyterian Church, Newark, N. J., where he re- 
 mained twelve years ; left on account of his wife's ill health, in 
 October, 1853, /or Beloit, Wis., Avhere he was Pastor of the First 
 Cong. Church for seven years ; also, for three or four years of the 
 time, teacher of Physiology and of Intellectual and Moral Philoso- 
 phy in the College ; in 1864 he returned to Newark, N. J., wiiere 
 he now lives, and has gathered a Church, composed in part of mem- 
 bers of his former Church. For more than forty-four years he has 
 labored almost exclusively in the Ministry, not having been inter- 
 rupted by ill health or any other cause, except a visit of several 
 months in Europe in 1846. He lias experienced unbroken harmony 
 and happy results with those he has been connected with. For sev- 
 enteen years he was Trustee of Williams College^ and for ten years 
 of Beloit College ; has published several S. S. books, and assisted 
 S. G. Goodrich in preparing school books. He received the degree 
 of D.D. from Union College in 184'2. 
 
 After the resignation of Di*. Brinsniade, the [)iilpit 
 remained vacant for more than a year. Dnriug this 
 period the South Park Church ^vas organized ; to av liich 
 an elder and some twenty-four members were dismissed. 
 
 On Tuesday, December 28d, 1858, a unanimous call 
 was made upon the Rev. Abraham Gosman, of Law- 
 renceville, to become Pastor. After due consideration 
 Mr. Gosman declined the call, assigning as a reason 
 feeble health. 
 
 On March 28th, 1854, a call was made upon the 
 Rev. Samuel Beach Jones, D.D., of Bridgeton, N. J., 
 which was also declined. 
 
 On Monday, October 2d, 1854, the present incum- 
 bent, the Rev. E. R. Craven, then Pastor of the Sec- 
 ond Reformed Church of Somerville, N. J., was 
 elected. 
 
Having been recei\ ed ])y tlie Prenl^ytery of Passaic, 
 lie \\'as duly installed on the evening of October HUtli, 
 1854. The sermon was preached by the Rev. William 
 C. Hornl:)lower, of Paterson ; the cliarge to the Pastor 
 was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Magie, of Elizabeth; 
 and tlie charge to the congregation by Professor Hope, 
 of Princeton. 
 
 The pastorate thus commenced has continued to 
 the })resent time : a period of nearly twenty years. 
 The whole nund)er received during this pastorate has 
 l)een SLvlnvmlred nitd twenty-one : Tlwee liundred and 
 p't'tij-tliree on confession, Two hundred and ><ixty-elgld 
 on certificate. The average per year on confession 
 has been (d(j]iteeii. The ninnl)er on certificate has been 
 propoi-tionatel}' less than during preceding pastorates. 
 This is, in measure, to be explained by the new condi- 
 tion of affairs in Newark. Previous to 1853 the only 
 Protestant Churclies, Ijesides the Third PresV)yterian, 
 south of the First Church, A\'ere the Franklin Street 
 Methodist, the South Baptist, and Grrace Episcopal. 
 The only ecclesiastical homes for Presbyterian and 
 other affiliated denominaticms, were the First and 
 Third Churches. Since that time, the South Park, 
 Calvary, and Clinton Avenue Reformed Churches 
 have l)een l)uilt ; and also St. Paul's and Clinton 
 A\enue Methodist Episcopal, the Hill Street Metho- 
 dist Protestant, the Clinton Avenue Episcopal, and 
 the Sherman x\ venue Baptist. And, at the same time, 
 the influx of the Presbyterian population into this sec- 
 tion of the city has diminished. That class of the 
 5 
 
34 
 
 population luitiTrally falling to our denomination lias 
 materially dimiuislied. 
 
 Tlie nnmher received on confession has been above 
 any preceding average, witli the exception of that of 
 the pastoi'ate of Mr. Russell. 
 
 The period of greatest ingathering was after the 
 revival of 1857 and 1858. During 1858 mie limidred 
 and twenty were received' on confession. In Fel)- 
 ruary, tioenty-two ; in A]^)ril, sixty-six (the largest 
 nnnd)er ever received at one time) ; in Jul) , twenty- 
 jive ', in October, seven. 
 
 Besides this revival there have been periods of 
 blessed refreshing. In July, 1864, twenty-two were 
 received on confession; in April, 1866, twenty-seven ; 
 in April and Jid), 18(V7, twelve; in Feljruary and 
 May, 1S70, ff teen ; in March and June, \'6l?y, ffteen ; 
 in March and June, 1874, seventeen. 
 
 The su1)ject of Ohurch extension early engaged the 
 attention of the Pastor and session ; and it was de- 
 termined to erect a mission chapel and employ a mis- 
 sionary. After vai'ious locations had Ijeen considered, 
 it was resolved to build at the corner of St)uth 
 Orange Avenue and Wickliffe Street, on a lot given 
 by William Rankin, Sr., Esq., for that purpose. 
 The corner stone was laid by the Pastor of this 
 Church in 1856. The Chapel was dedicated to the 
 service of Almighty God, also by the same person, 
 on Sunday, January 25tli, 1857. The entire cost 
 of the building, the erection of which was kindly 
 superintended by Mr. Rankin, amounted to five thous- 
 and dollars. 
 
35 
 
 A mission scliool, that had previously l)eeii estab- 
 lished in the- neighborhood of Wickliffe Street, was 
 received nnder tlm care of the session of this Church, 
 and invited to occupy the Chapel. 
 
 On September IHth, 1857, the Rev. Samuel Hutch- 
 ings was invited by the session to take charge of the 
 enterprise— which office he accepted, and continued t(j 
 perform the duties of a missionary in that section of 
 the city with great profit and acceptance for many 
 years. The Mission School connected with that en- 
 terprise was one of the most flourishing in our city, 
 and was an exceedingly prohta];)le training school for 
 the young Christians of our Church. 
 
 On the 5th of December, 1864, the session request- 
 ed the Pastor to correspond with Dr. Brinsmade, rela- 
 tive to taking charge of the Wickliife Cha})el. He 
 consented to do so, and shortly after commenced his 
 labors with us. The following April, it was resolved 
 to organize a Church. On the 13th of May, Elders 
 Rankin and Davis, and eighteen others, were dis- 
 missed for the purpose of being so organized. The 
 organization was duly effected May 14th, 18H5, l)y a 
 committee of the Presbyteiy of Passaic, of which the 
 Pastor of this Church was chairman. 
 
 Shortly after the organization of Wickliffe Church, 
 another mission school enterprise was commenced by 
 a lady of this congregation. Miss Adelaide Burnet, 
 whose memory is still fragrant, subsequently the wife 
 of the Rev. Walter Condict, which resulted in the 
 erection of Calvary chapel and the organization of 
 Calvary Church. The corner stone of the chapel was 
 
36 
 
 laid Sept. IMh, 1867, by the Pcistor of this Church. 
 The dedication sermon was preached by tlie same per- 
 son, early in 1868. On the 21st of June, 186S, the 
 new Church was organized by a committee of the* 
 Presbytery of Passaic, of which the speaker was 
 chairman. Twenty-one persons were dismissed from 
 this Church for the purpose of being so organized. 
 The whole amount contributed for the erection of the 
 edifice and the support of the enterprise, by this con- 
 gregation, was about fourteen thousand dollai's. 
 
 At the annual meeting of the congregation in 1869, 
 it was determined to repaii- the church edifice. In 
 the summer of that year the re})airs wei-e commenced, 
 and on the 18th of September, 1870, the church was 
 re-opened for worship. During the intervening thir- 
 teen months, religious services were conducted, at 
 first in the Lecture Room, and afterwards in connec- 
 tion with the First Church, in their edifice. On the 
 occasion of the re-opening, September 18th, 1870, a 
 sermon was preached, in the morning, by the Pastoi*, 
 from 2 C'lironicles, vi. 41 — "Noav therefore arise, O 
 Lord God, into tlw resting ])lace, thou and tlie ark of 
 thy strength ; let thy priests, ( ) Lord God, be clothed 
 with salvati<m, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness." 
 In the afternoon, there were religious ser\ices in 
 which the Rev. Dr. Stearns of the First Church, the 
 Rev. Mr. Condict of Calvary, and the Rev. Dr. Findley 
 of the Central, participated. 
 
 In September 1872, the New Lecture Room, Sun- 
 day School Rooms and Church Parlor, were dedicated. 
 
 The entire cost of repairing the old church edifice 
 
37 
 
 was about Forty-six tliousaud dollars, ($45,941.81), 
 aud of the additional building, including furniture. 
 Twenty-seven thousand dollars (|27,297.36),— in all 
 nbout Seventy-three thousand dollars ($73,239.17.) 
 
 The whole number of names on the Church Kecord 
 amounts to Nineteen Imvndred and seven Of these 
 One hundred ami ninety-jive were upon certificate to 
 organize the Church, and before the first communion. 
 Including the number then Y^c^iy^d^Seventeen Itundred, 
 and tiro have been added : Eight Inindred and f'orfij- 
 tliree on confession and EigJd Inindred and fftij-nine 
 on certificate. 
 
 There are now on the Church roll, the names of 
 Five linndred, and twentrf-oiie communicants. Of 
 these Forttj-one are on what is known ;is the appendix 
 roll (/. e. nothing is known concerning them.) leaving 
 Four liji wired and eiqldt/m o-ood and reii:ular standino;. 
 
 The whole number reported to the Presl^ytery, 
 April 1860, was 7^/^ v^ luindred and forty-mven which, I 
 believe, was the largest numl)er ever reported. This 
 was shortly after the accession of 1858, and before 
 the organization of Wicklilfe and Calvary Churches. 
 
 Brethren — Truly the Lord hath been with us. 
 We have often transgressed ; often l)een chastised ; 
 but as often delivered. The Shekinah has ever 
 shone amongst us — the fiery cloudy pillar has l)een 
 our guide and guard. 
 
 Here the pure gospel has, for half a century, been 
 pr(jclaimed — a free and full salvation has been offered. 
 Here our children have been sealed with the seal of 
 the covenant. Here souls luivftbeen born into Zion. 
 
38 
 
 Here we and oiir loved ones liave confessed Christ. 
 Here have we been nourished and strengthened and 
 comforted. Hence have gone forth streams of the 
 waters of life into the waste places of our own and ^ 
 other lands ; God hath blessed us, in making us an 
 instrument of blessing. The branch here planted 
 has grown over the wall ; this infant of fifty years 
 affo has become the Mother of Churches. 
 
 A new era dawns upon us. The village of eight 
 thousand inhabitants, who were gathered around the 
 tliree old Churches, has expanded into a City of one 
 hundred and twenty thousand. A new population of 
 an entirely different type, largely foreign, has fio\ved 
 in \vliere the fathers d\velt. We must recognize the 
 fact that ours is now in great measure a mission \vork. 
 God has given us the position and the means to ac- 
 C(^)mplish this work. Would we be faithful to Him, 
 and to the souls He has placed within the reach of 
 our influence, whose incoming has made our property 
 valuable, we must gird ourselves to our task. 
 
 Children of the Chukch, you who bear the seal of 
 the Covenant, but are unmindful of its duties and its 
 promises, I would speak to you. I would preach to 
 you the same gospel that you have heard from in- 
 fancy ; the gospel in which your fathers trusted and 
 rejoiced, that has been preached within these walls 
 for half a century. You are sinners, but God loved 
 you ; He gave His Son to save you ; He has caused 
 the promise of His grace to be sealed to you. God 
 so loved the world — He so loved yoii — that He gave 
 
39 
 
 His only begotten Son tliat whosoever believetli in 
 Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 
 Believe ; give yourself to Him who gave Himself for 
 you. Self-interest calls you to this — away from 
 Jesus you must perish ; only through Him can you 
 tread the streets of the New Jerusalem, and meet 
 again in blessedness, the dear ones who have gone 
 before. A regard for the right, demands that you 
 should give yourselves to Jesus, for- only l)y His 
 Spirit can you be purified and strengthened for the 
 right. Gratitude demands it ; He died for you. A 
 few short years only remain to you in this land of 
 gracious opportunity — how few, hoAV short, who can 
 tell i Of the t^vo hundred and forty-one, who fifty 
 years ago constituted this Chui'ch, only eight remain. 
 As in the past, so ^vill it be in the future. Methinks 
 I see you falling, as the departed have fallen, like 
 grain before the reaper, like leaves before the Au- 
 tumn wind. To-day is yours — O seize the opportu- 
 nity for life, for holiness, for gratitude. 
 
 Brethren all, the first stadium of our course is 
 ended. As we review the past, how many memories 
 of the departed come over us — ^of the fathers who 
 founded this Church ; of companions, husbands, 
 wives, brothers, sisters, children, who here confessed 
 Christ, and with wliom we walked to the house of 
 Go.d in company ; of children, whom we have here 
 dedicated to the Lord, and over whose dead bodies 
 we mourned as they were taken from our arms. We 
 now think of those who filled their days and were 
 
40 
 
 gatliei'ed as sliocks of corn, fully ripe ; of those who 
 fell in the strength of manhood and womanhood ; 
 of those who were cut down in youth — the bride in 
 her l)eauty and the l)ridegroom in his strength ; of 
 those who died in our arms; of those who passed 
 a^vay in other lands ; of those who perished in the 
 shipwreck, and the battle. For each one, this house 
 is cro^vded ^vith the spirit forms of the depai'ted. — 
 Each l>eholds faces that others cannot see — Each hears 
 voices that others cannot hear — Each looks upon 
 beckoning hands invisil)le to others. The past ! the 
 past comes over us — ^tlie past is present. Oar feelings 
 can best be ex})ressed in the hmguage of a poet, wlio 
 descril)es his emotions, on returning to his lK)nie, 
 Avhen ferried over the stream he had crossed long 
 years before : — 
 
 " Many ;i. year is in its grave 
 Since I crossed this restless wave; 
 And tlie evening, fair as ever, 
 Sliines on ruin, rock and river. 
 
 " Then, in this same boat, beside, 
 Sat two comrades, true and tried ; 
 One with all a father's truth. 
 One with all the fire of youth. 
 
 " One on earth in silence wrought, 
 And his grave in silence sought; 
 But the younger, brighter form, 
 Passed in battle and in storm. 
 
 ■' So whene'er 1 turn my e3'e 
 Back upon the days gone by ; 
 Saddening thoughts of friends come o'er me, 
 Friends that closed their course before me. 
 
41 
 
 But what binds us friend to ineud 
 But that soul with soul can blend ? 
 Soul-like were those days of yore ; 
 Let us walk in soul once more. 
 
 Take, boatman, thrice thy fee; 
 
 Take, — I give it willingly : 
 
 For, invisible to thee, 
 
 Spirits twain have crossed with me " 
 
 But brighter visions come over us than were vouch- 
 safed to the poet. Our dear ones live, not only in 
 imagination ; tliey are not lost ; — they are gone be- 
 fore. They, each one in Christ, heard the voice of 
 tlie Beloved gently calling, "Arise, my love, my fair 
 one, and come away." They have gone to the 
 mountain of myrrh, and the hill of frankincense, 
 where the day breaks, whence the (hirkness is iied 
 a^vay forever. There, clothed in white raiment, Avith 
 all tears \viped forever from their eyes, and with the 
 song of praise and gladness on their lips, ^vith joy 
 they await our coming. 
 
 Let us so walk that when the summons comes to 
 us, Ave may depart to the place where they are, — the 
 place where Jesus is — Jesus, the best beloved. 
 
Ai^j'^jvnijL I. 
 
 The Semi-Centeiinial Anniversary of the organization of the 
 Third Church, occurred on Monday, the 8tli of June ; the religious 
 exercises coninieniorative of that event took place on the following 
 Sunday. On the morning of that day, the preceding Historical 
 Discourse was preached by tlie Pastor, the Rev. B. R. Craven, D.D.; 
 the Rev. H. N. Brinsmade, D.D., the immediately preceding Pastor, 
 being present and taking part in the devotional services. 
 
 The anniversary exercises of the Sunday School took place in the 
 afternoon. Addresses were delivered by the Pastor and the Rev. 
 Dr. Brinsmade. The Annual Report of the School was read by the 
 Superintendent, Mr. J. H. Huntington ; and also the following 
 Historical sketch by Mr. Chailes A. Carter, the senior teacher, wlio 
 had prepared it by request. A letter from the Rev. S. Iren:eus 
 Prime, D.D., Editor of the New York Observer, one of the former 
 Superintendents, was also read, expressing regrets at his necessary 
 absence, and giving several interesting reminiscences of the school. 
 
 On the following evening there was a largely attended social re- 
 union of the present and former members of the congregation, of 
 which the ensuing account appeared in the columns of the Newark 
 Daily Advertiser : 
 
 " THE THIRD CHDRCH REUNION." 
 
 " The reunion sociable at the Third Presbyterian Church last evening, in 
 honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the Church and Sunday School, drew to- 
 gether a large number of the present and former members of the congregation 
 and school. The spacious Lecture and Sunday School rooms were brilliantl}' 
 lighted, and the guests began to assemble about 8 o'clock. The Pastor, Rev. 
 Dr. Craven, extended a cordial greeting to all, which made them feel entirely at 
 home. There were also a number of clergymen present from other churches, 
 including Rev. Dr. Few-Smith of the Second Presbyterian Church, Rsv, \Ym. 
 
44 
 
 B. Brown of the Congregational Church, and Rev. Mr. Hopwood of Calvary 
 Presbyterian Church. After spending an hour or so in social conversation, and 
 relating many reminiscences, the people were invited to the Sunday School 
 room on the second floor, where were spread large tables loaded svith cream, 
 strawberries and cake, and which were handsomely decorated with flowers 
 After a brief and impressive prayer by Dr. Craven, in which he earnestly in- 
 voked the Divine blessing upon all present, a bountiful supply of the delicacies 
 was served out. Dr. Craven was then called upon for a speech, but, as he said he 
 had preached for an hour and a half on the day previous, and also delivered 
 an address of welcome in the afternoon, he thought it hardly the thing for him 
 to do, but nevertheless he extended a most hearty welcome to all the present 
 and former members and their friends, and spoke in feeling terms of the good 
 fellowship which existed between the sister churches in the city, who were 
 working together heart and hand, and shoulder to shoulder, for the advance- 
 ment of the Master's kingdom. Remarks were also made by Rev. Dr. Few- 
 Smith and Rev. Mr. Brown, who warmly congratulated the Third Church on 
 the success which had attended it thus for, and invoked the richest blessings 
 on all connected with it." 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL HISTORY 
 
 SABBATH SCHOOL, 
 
 o i^ 3sr E3 "W -A^ :f\ i^ , nsr - j". 
 
 BY C. A. CARTER. 
 
 The earliest record of the Third Church Sabbath School, is Dec. 
 12th, 1824. The school was opened with prayer. Scholars present, 
 20, teachers, 6, formed into six classes; now. as the record was of 
 male teachers and boys only, while female teachers and girls, always 
 preponderated some 25 to 30 per cent., there would have been at the 
 first opening of the school an aggregate of 46 scholars and 15 
 teachers. The first Superintendent was Mr. Ellison Conger, an 
 Elder of the Church, a very zealous and active Christian ; the G 
 male teachers were E. B. Morehouse, James McDougall, W.W. Day, 
 Samuel Baldwin, G. Cook and Wm. A. Cann ; it is greatly regretted 
 that the names of the first female teachers could not be found. One 
 of the names earliest recorded as a scholar is that of Theodore Lee, 
 son of John Lee, the latter venerable man yet survives and attended 
 the semi-centennial of the Church this day ; the son subsequently 
 became an active and useful member of the Church but Avas called 
 early to his heavenly home in 1843. On Dec. 19th. 1824, the second 
 session of the school, there was an attendance of 92 scholars and 
 22 teachers. On Jan. 16th, 1825, 175 scholars and and 28 teachers, 
 and on Feb. 20th, 1825, 188 scliolars and 30 teachers. From this 
 time up to 1827 the record varied but slightly. On the 30th of Dec, 
 1827, is the following record : School opened with prayer by Rev. 
 John Chandler, Superintendent. Pastor present. Classification of 
 of scholars commenced : 
 
45 
 
 9 male teachers, 20 female teachers - - 29, 
 97 boys and 120 girls, .... 217. 
 
 The record continues only to May, 1831, showing the attendance to 
 average from 30 to 40 teachers and 175 to 200 scholars. The first 
 female Superintendent was Miss Mary Ha3'es, then well known and 
 beloved, and remembered b}' the affectionate few who are yet with 
 us. The most noticeable feature of onr early scliool was a Sabbath 
 School association of Church and Congregation for the support of 
 the school by annual subscriptions, thus not only affording material 
 aid for expenses, but the keeping alive and active, an earnest interest 
 in this nursery of the Church by the Church ; beside this regard for 
 the school there was a regular visiting committee of this association 
 who visited and examined the school at intervals ; the first record of 
 this kind I find Feb. 6, 1825, "Visited by committee of the associa. 
 tion.'" Under date of Aug 20, 1825, is introduced the name of one 
 still living, and long engaged in the hallowed Sabbath School enter- 
 prise. " School opened with prayer by the Kev. R. B. Campfield, 
 ibllowed by a solemn address, to which the children were very at- 
 tentive, also prayer by Rev. Mr. Paterson, of Philadelphia." Sept. 
 18, 1825, " Prayer by Rev. Mr. McFarland, of Kentucky, and an 
 address by Professor Wells;" Sept. 25, 1825, "An affecting address 
 by Rev. Mr. Cox, of New York." Such records were freqnent, con 
 tinuing so far as 1831, the termination unfortunately of the record, 
 showing the important fact, that, in addition to teaching the lesson, 
 prayers and addresses by ministers and laymen were deemed effec- 
 tive. Among the few witli us now, then boys in the sciiool, are 
 John C. Mandeville, admitted March 12th, 1826 (aged 9), and Isaac 
 A. Ailing, admitted Nov. 12th, 1826 (aged 11). "Annual exami- 
 nation Dec. 4, 1825, prayer by Professor Wells ; after reports were 
 made, and examination closed, a hymn was sung appropriate to the 
 death of a scholar, George Spinning, who entered the school at its 
 commencement and was buried to-day" There is no memorandum 
 of any examhiation in 1826. Dec. 23, 1827, the first regular anni- 
 versary (so called) is noticed by the statement that the Rev. Job F. 
 Halsey made an address. " On the 21st Dec, 1828, yearly exami- 
 nation, the scholars repeated the lessons in scripture and answered 
 questions on the same, also in the shorter catechism, with a good de- 
 
46 
 
 gree of satisfaction to the visitors." " Dec. 13, 1829, j^early ex- 
 amination took place in the presence of a goodl}'- number of visitors. 
 The subject on which the school was examined was the history of 
 Our Lord from his birth to betrayal. Col. Andruss, in behalf of the 
 association, expressed the great satisfaction and pleasure they had 
 enjoyed during the exercises." Mr. Chandler was succeeded in 1832, 
 by Mr.Timothy B.Crowell, as Superintendent, an Elder of the Church, 
 and previously assistant, who, by his methodical and faitiiful manner 
 continued to guide and conduct the school in a prosperous way. Mr. 
 Chandler is yet living in the winter of his days, cared for by a lovino; 
 daughter. Mr. Crowell died many years since, truly revered and 
 lamented. His successor was Elder Frederick S. Thomas. Bright 
 indeed are all our remembrances of this venerated man ; it is doubt- 
 ful if there was any man ever connected with our school so well 
 qualified to talk plainly and persuasively to boys ; it is related of 
 him that many years after his superintendency, when so afflicted by 
 disease as to be wandering in mind, he imagined himself at the head 
 of his school, and addressed his supposed audience of boys with 
 peculiar earnestness, plainness, and power. At the expiration of 
 Miss Hayes' term of service, Mrs. Conrad Teese gave honor to the 
 office, having for assistant Mrs. Dr. Goble. The laudable efforts of 
 both of these ladies were successful in the highest degree. Mrs. 
 Teese still lives in the city, loved and reverenced. Mrs. Goble was 
 taken to her happy rest several years since, mourned as a friend and 
 mother. Miss Eliza Earl, a most lovely and thorough Christian, 
 believing and practical, took position after Mrs. Teese, having for her 
 assistant Miss Elizabeth Tunis, who gave particular attention to the 
 Infant Department of the School. A Garment Society was formed 
 in the school in its earliest days, and the number of indigent families 
 and children aided, and supplied with substantial garments, would, 
 if known, excite some surprise in our modern Church sewing circles 
 We sadly need a Garment Society at this day. Mr. Daniel Price 
 was the successor of Mr. Thomas ; the latter, however, continuing in 
 the school many subsequent years, having a Bible class and per- 
 forming other duties — long, long shall we remember his faithful work. 
 An earnest desire being manifested for the appointment of Rev. S. 
 Irenieus Prime as Superintendent, Mr. Price courteously resigned in 
 
47 
 
 his favor, and then followed many years of health}', happy progress. 
 Mrs. Aaron Burnett was at this time female Superintendent, and by 
 her efficient aid was indeed a help-meet hi advancing the school to 
 the height it attained. Dr. Prime is a prolific writer and compiler, 
 an industrious, able and erudite editor, a learned and travelled 
 clergyman, esteemed, honored and beloved, but he never will attain 
 to a higher position in this lower sphere, than when he was Superin- 
 tendent of the Third Church Sabbath School. Almost worshipped 
 without being idolized, honored without servility, and always obeyed 
 with a cheerful alacrity, he assumed at once, and kept the assumption, 
 of a gentle kingly power, and received a kingly reverence that led 
 to great prosperity in the school. 
 
 Succeeding Dr. Prime, came Mr. John R. Davison, an Elder of 
 the Church. During his executive the school diminished in num- 
 bers, from causes, however, beyond the control of any Superinten- 
 dent, though its high character was kept inviolate. About this period 
 the Sixth, High Street, WickliflPe and South Park Schools were es- 
 tablished and drew numbers from our crowded ranks. Through 
 other Superintendencies, many scholars were, from time to time, ad- 
 mitted to the Church. Thelargest number received at one communion 
 was in April, 1858, during Mr. Davison's administration, when 66 
 presented themselves, the majority being of and from the school. 
 Who of us then present can be forgetful of the blessed scene ? 
 Then was sung, 
 
 " Lo ! from the nursery of the Church, 
 
 Spring tender buds and flowers ; 
 Those " Corner Stones" and " Olive Plants," 
 
 Are Christ's as well as ours." 
 
 Mr. Wra. Rankin, Jr., became the eighth Superintendent. His refgn 
 was 8 years — a good and gentle reign : at its close a valued testi- 
 monial was presented him by the teachers, in the reception of whicli 
 he uttered the following characteristic words : " Whatever ma}' have 
 been my failings, I have always been punctual, never, never late." 
 Mrs. Samuel Goes was the last female Superintendent, but held the 
 position only a short time, the office being abolished together with 
 that of female assistant, filled by Miss Elizabeth Tunis for twenty- 
 seven years. She is yet with us in active life, blessed by the love 
 
. 48 
 
 of many liearts, and though her innate modesty may take offence at 
 the application, truly may the saying of the wisest of men apply to 
 her, " Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them 
 all." 
 
 A Youths' Missionary Society was formed in the Church in 1834, 
 to which most if not all of the scholars and teachers became con- 
 tributing members ; their meetings were held regularly, monthl}^; and 
 strict, persistent and successful efforts made to foster a missionary 
 spirit so much neglected now. Under the kindly care and govern- 
 ment of Mrs. E. Dorrance, and the beloved and lamented Miss 
 Adelaide Burnet, the Infant Department of the school was revived, 
 remodelled and improved, so as to become thenceforward the most 
 distinguished feature of the school. M r. E. F. Dorrance and others, 
 established, after great labor, a thriving Mission school, wiiich soon 
 became a blessed success, being superintended by Mr. Dorrance fo r 
 several years, assisted by Mr. Horace Ailing, and subsequently by 
 Mr. E. M. Douglas and Mr. J. H. Huntington. Tiiis school, on the 
 12tii of Sept., 1872, was consolidated with the Parish school. 
 
 Mr. diaries V. Harrison was the unanimous choice as ninth 
 Superintendent, and being a superior singer, and gifted with order 
 and administrative qualities, was very popular during his period of 
 office. Teachers' meetings with other meetings for prayer, received a 
 new impetus, from which flowed good results. It was during his 
 official career that our school set the example of paving the debt of 
 the Foreign Board of Missions, by the Sabbath Schools of the land, 
 — an effort successfully accomplished. 
 
 Mr Wm. H. Jackson was the last Superintendent before the 
 schools were consolidated, and no former occupant of the ofhce ex- 
 celled, if the}' equalled him, in liis earnest desire and regard for the 
 spiritual welfare of teachers and scholars. This is brief encomium, 
 hut just. Mr. J. Henry Huntington, asssisted by Mr. E. M. Douglas, 
 our present efficient guide and director, is in his second 3'ear as 
 Superintendent of the consolidated schools, and will be retained 
 during good behavior. 
 
 After the removal of Mrs. Dorrance and Miss Adelaide Burnet 
 to another Church, Miss Theresa Burnet held the charge of the In- 
 fant School. Since the union of all the schools the Infant De- 
 
49 
 
 partment is ably conducted by IVIrs. R. M. Grummon, and Mrs. J. 
 Henry Huntington. 1 omitted, in the proper place, to mention that 
 Mr. Edwin Dawson, assisted by Miss Damaris Foster (from our 
 Parish School), conducted very successfully, for some time, an in- 
 fant department of the Mission School — a noble enterprise. There 
 are some, Aye, many other efforts which for rhe school merits credit 
 ^amoi]g them, the help to WicWiffe and Calvary Schools, in the 
 morning of their existence, by our teachers ; the teaching of colored 
 classes in our own school in early days ; and in other directions. 
 But further occupancy of time is forbidden. 
 
 The want of correct records prevents the presentation of the two 
 most vital interests of an_y Sabbath School, viz. : The amount of its 
 Missionar}^ contributions, and the number of children entering the 
 Church from the school. In the absence of records, the estimate of 
 contributions, from the best sources, is |20,000 for the past fifty 
 years; and the numlier of scholars estimated to have become Church 
 members of our own communion, within the half Century just 
 closed, is 500, more than equal to the active membership of the 
 Church at the present date. 
 
 May God, for His Son's sake, for His own Honor and Glory, and 
 for the good of this community, continue to bless our school. 
 
 The dawn and night of fifty years, 
 
 Historic record bears ; 
 The present turns a backward page, 
 
 While mem'ry bright appears. 
 
 The hmned portrait of the past. 
 
 Is drawn for modern sight ; 
 Though darken'd tints the canvass shades, 
 
 Truth gives a mellow light. 
 
 We think of those who held our ijlace, 
 
 'Half Century ago ; — 
 Now lying 'neath the Church Yard mold, — 
 
 Of those before us now. 
 
 Blest are the mera'ries of the just. 
 
 Gone to the School above ; 
 There Christ His verbal lessons gives, 
 
 In soul transporting love, 
 
50 
 
 We greet the living here to-day. 
 
 Disciples of our Lord ; 
 Who heat and burden faithful bore, 
 
 To magnify His Word. 
 
 The dead — have gone to their reward ; 
 
 The live — wait at the Gate ; 
 Bless'd Master, set on us Thy seal, 
 
 Teach us to work and wait. 
 
jirrEjsrniJ^ ii. 
 
 LIST OP PASTORS. 
 
 Joshua T. Russell, Installed July 13th, 1824, Dismissed June 22nd, 1829. 
 
 Baxter Dickinson, " Nov. 11th, 1829, " Nov. I7th, 1835. 
 
 Selah B. TRE.A.T, " March 22, 1836, " Jan. 24th, 1840. 
 
 HoR.vno N. Brinsmade, " Sep. 23rd, 1841, " Oct. 9th, 1853. 
 Elijah R. Craven, " Oct. 30th, 1854. 
 
 LIST OF ELDERS. 
 
 *IIUGII McDOUGALL, 
 
 *lxEORfiE Crane, 
 *Ellison Conger, - 
 *David D. Crane, 
 
 *MosES Roberts, 
 
 *R0BERT B. CaMPFIELD, 
 
 * David Nichols, 
 John Chandler, - 
 *James N. Hedden, - 
 
 * Alexander M. Taylor, 
 *Stephen R. Grover, 
 *Tiiiothy B. Crowel, - 
 *ThomasR ichards, - 
 *Eredbrick S. Thomas, 
 John C. Crane, 
 *Aaron C. Johnson, - 
 *WiLLiAM B. Guild, 
 *James B. Pinneo, 
 *JoHN R. Davison, 
 Lorenzo Boyden, 
 *WiLLiAir Rankin, Jr., - 
 
 * Edward Ingleton, - 
 
 * Jacob D. Vermilye, 
 
 I June 8, 1824, ; 
 
 Removec 
 
 I Oct. 12, 1830. 
 
 June 8, 1824, 
 
 " 
 
 Feb. 14, 1829. 
 
 June 8, 1824, 
 
 " 
 
 Feb. 14. 1829. 
 
 Oct. 31, 1824, 
 
 a 
 
 Sep. — 1828. 
 
 Oct. 31, 1824, 
 
 Died 
 
 July 6th, 1853. 
 
 March 27, 1825, " 
 
 Aug. 18, 1861. 
 
 March 27, 1825, " 
 
 April 2, 1843. 
 
 Feb. 1, 1829, 
 
 
 
 Feb. I, 1829, 
 
 Removed Feb. 7, 1S:;7. 
 
 Feb. 1, 1829, 
 
 Died 
 
 Nov. 16, 1829 
 
 Feb. 1, 1829, 
 
 Removed June 14, 18;!9. 
 
 Feb. 1, 1829, 
 
 Died 
 
 July 3, 1849. 
 
 Aug. 26, 1832, 
 
 " 
 
 March 30, 1853^ 
 
 Aug. 26, 1832, 
 
 11 
 
 April 9, 1868. 
 
 Aug. 26, 1832. 
 
 
 
 Aug. 26, 1832. 
 
 Rem. 
 
 Mar. 18, 1853. 
 
 Nov.— 1837, 
 
 11 
 
 Oct. 21, 1861. 
 
 Nov.— 1837, 
 
 » 
 
 Sep. 16, 1849. 
 
 Feb. 3, 1850, 
 
 Died 
 
 April 14, 1863. 
 
 Feb. 3, 1850. 
 
 
 
 Dec. — 1852, Removed 
 
 . May 14, 1865. 
 
 Dec. — 1852, 
 
 " 
 
 Jan. 5, 1859. 
 
 Dec. — 1852, 
 
 u 
 
 Dec. 10. 1868- 
 
2212TC 910 J 
 
 LBc g I J La 
 02-17-fl5 32180 MS r 
 
Princeton Theological Seminary Libraries 
 
 1 1012 01254 9103