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 A PASTOR'S 25TH (*"' ^ov "s mo '^ 
 
 .A 
 -AND- 
 
 A CHURCH'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY, 
 
 Rev. Owen P, Eaches, D, D, 
 
 PnSTOR. 1870-1895. 
 
 MAY 29th AND JUNE 2nd, 1895. 
 
 THE HIGHTSTOWN BRPTIST CHURCH, 
 
 1745-1895. 
 
 NOVEMBER ist and 3rd, 1895. 
 
 BY THE COMMITTEE. 
 
 CRANBURY, N. J. ; 
 G. W, BUKROUOHS, Book ano Job Printkk. 
 
The Celebration of the 
 TT we nty- Fifth Anniversary 
 
 OF THE PASTORATE OF 
 
 REV. O. P. EACHES, D. D. 
 
 Early in May, 1895, the Trustees and Deacons of the First Baptist 
 Church at Hightstown, resolved to celebrate the Twenty-fifth Anni- 
 versary of the pastorate of the Rev. Owen P. Eaches, D. D., and ap- 
 pointed as a committee of arrangement and reception Rev. Dr. and 
 Mrs. G. W. Clark, Rev. Dr. and Mrs. J. E. Perry, Mr. and Mrs. J. 
 E. Allen, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Chamberlin, Mrs. M. M. Job and Miss 
 A. N. Silvers. It was arranged to celebrate on Wednesday, May 29 
 and Sunday, June 2. 
 
 Wednesday was a beautiful day, and at 11 A. m. Dr. and Mrs. 
 Eaches and family were driven in a carriage to the church into which 
 they were escorted by the committee. 
 
 Standing near the pulpit Dr. Eaches and wife received the greet- 
 ings and congratulations of their many friends for nearly an hour. 
 The guests were brought forward by the ushers. Miss Annie F. Job, 
 Miss Belle Chamberlin, Miss Bertha R. Clark, Miss Grace Clevenger, 
 Miss Ida Hoagland, Mrs. N. C. Schlottman, and Mi.ss Sadie Ayers. 
 
 At twelve o'clock all were invited to the chapel, where the ladies 
 of the church had prepared a substantial dinner which was enjoyed 
 by about five hundred. At two o'clock the people returned to the 
 church where the more formal exercises of the day were held accord- 
 ing to the foil )wiiig program : 
 
PROGRAM. 
 
 Anthem Choir. 
 
 Scripture Reading Rev. E. G. Mason, of Hightstown. 
 
 Prayer Rev. J. L Howard, of Hightstown. 
 
 Hymn (Coronation) " All Hail the Power of Jesus Name." 
 
 Introductory Remarks . . . Dr. J. E. Perry, of Peddie Institute. 
 
 Resolutions J. E. Allen. 
 
 Reading of Letters Dr. Perry. 
 
 A Twenty-Five Year's Pastorate. 
 Its Meaning: 
 
 (a) To the Church . . Rev. W. \V. Case, of West Hoboken 
 
 (b) " Association. . . . Rev. J. Conkling, of Trenton. 
 (ci " State Rev. D. DeWolf, of Newark. 
 
 Solo Miss Luella Chamberlin. 
 
 (d) To the Community . Rev. T. B. Appleget, of Hightstown. 
 Fraternal Greetings .... Dr. Thomas Tyack, of Hightstown. 
 
 Solo Mr. B. P. Stout, of Philadelphia. 
 
 Reminiscence Rev. M. N. Smith, of Marlboro. 
 
 Congratulations . . . Rev. W. T. Galloway, of Hamilton Square. 
 "What Makes a Twenty-Five Years' Pastorate Possible." 
 
 Dr. G.W.Clark, of Hightstown. 
 
 " Retrospect and Prospect" . . T. S. Griffith, of Penn's Neck. 
 
 Presentation of Gifts \ Jj' ^'^''^• 
 
 ( Dr. Perry. 
 
 Remarks . O. P. Eaches. 
 
 Benediction 
 
 The .stenographic report of the afternoon's proceedings and addresses was taken by Miss 
 Carrie M. Smith, of Hightstown. 
 
 The meeting was in charge of Rev. J. E. Perry, Ph. D., principal 
 of Peddie Institute. After an anthem by a choir of thirty voices, 
 with Mr. D. P. Hoagland at the organ, scripture .selections were read 
 by Rev. E. G. Ma.son, and prayer offered by Rev. J. L. Howard, and 
 Coronation, " All Hail the Power of Jesus Name," was sung by the 
 choir and congregation. Dr. Perr}' then made the following open- 
 ing remarks : 
 
 The highest privilege that has been conferred upon me since I have come 
 to Hightstown is to preside at this anniversary which we are to com- 
 memorate to da}-. 
 
 This church has had an over shepherd for twenty-five years. It is a re- 
 
freshing experience to have our pastor to day where he has us — most of 
 us — every Sunday, and my prayer now is, that there shall come from this 
 platform as much of inspiration and good cheer and helpfulness both to 
 our pastor and to those who are gathered here, as come to our hearts and 
 homes, as we listen to him Sunday after Sunday. I am sure if there comes 
 to his heart anything like what has come to our hearts through his min 
 istration from this pulpit, we shall feel like rejoicing in the Lord for this 
 day. 
 
 The following resolution, adopted by the Board of Trustees and 
 
 Deacons, were then read by John E. Allen : 
 
 Twenty-five years ago Rev. O. P. Eaches accepted the call to become 
 pastor of our church At that time the Board of Trustees consisted of 
 ten members, and there were five Deacons. Now there are fifteen Trus- 
 tees and seven Deacons, three Deaconesses and ten assistants. They were 
 faithful and true men, earnest and anxious for the advancement of the 
 Lord's cause. As was the custom of many churches at that time, the 
 Trustees and Deacons seldom met for the transaction of business. Their 
 work had to be planned and mainly executed by the pastor. In our pas- 
 tor they found a wise counsellor, an earnest worker and a most efficient 
 leader. Under his faithful administration, with the loyal co-operation of 
 the church and her officers, the temporal and financial affairs of the church 
 were wisel}' adjusted, and the spiritual life of the church greatly devel- 
 oped. These faithful men who formed the Boards in the early years of 
 this pastorate, have gone to their reward. We, the present Trustees and 
 Deacons, have been called to fill their places and carry forward the work 
 begun by them. We wish to record, on this 25th anniversary, our grati- 
 tude for the continuance of this pastorate, and our high appreciation of 
 the helpful services of our pastor. In the discharge of the duties devolv- 
 ing upon us as officers of our church, we have been patiently instructed, 
 wisely led, and cheerfully encouraged to every good work. Some of us 
 have been brought into the Kingdom of our Lord by his instrumentality. 
 His preaching has been a clear and forcible presentation of the gospel of 
 Christ, and it has come to us, not in words only, but also in power and in 
 the Holy Spirit. We have all felt the power of his consecrated life. We 
 know the happy influence of his ministry in our homes. As officers of 
 this church we cannot express the feelings of our hearts, when we remem- 
 ber his brotherly kindness and the Christ-like spirit manifested by him 
 in conducting all the affairs of our church. To day, as we stand on the 
 summit of twenty-five years and look back on the record of our church life, 
 we rejoice in the Lord for His goodness, and are glad for what He has done 
 for us. Whatever of progress and growth has been attained, we recognize 
 the guiding hand and master mind and Christian spirit of our pastor, who 
 has been, for these twenty-five years, a pastor, friend and brother. May 
 his years be prolonged and his work established, and the union that now 
 exists be continued many years to the edification of the church and the 
 glory of our Lord and his Christ. 
 
 Dr. Perry then read a number of letters of regret and congratula- 
 
tion from prominent men. Among these were letters from Rev, 
 Drs. T. E. Vassar, of Kansas, H. L. Waylancl. of Philadelphia, A. 
 J. Rowland, of Philadelphia, A. G. Lawson, of Camden, J. K. 
 Manning, of Red Bank ; Rev. W. W. Bullock, of Allentown, Rev. 
 W. E. Cornwell, of Jacobstown ; Profes.sors N. L- Andrews, of Col- 
 gate, E. H. Johnson, of Crozer, A. H. Strong, of Rochester, 
 Enoch Perrine, of Bucknell, H. J. Pratt, of Massachusetts, G. M. 
 Phillips, of Penn.sylvania, and others. 
 
 Rev. W. W. Ca.se, pastor of the Baptist Church at West Hoboken, 
 N. J., a college cla.ssmate, and for man}- years past a fellow pastor in 
 New Jersey, then spoke upon " What a twenty-five years' Pastorate 
 means to the Church," as follows : 
 
 Mk. CH.-^IRiMAN, BkoTHKRS, SiSTERS AND FRIENDS : 
 
 I received a warning note the other day, and it warned me that I should 
 be verv careful about eulogi.stic remarks. I won't use the exact phrase- 
 ology that was used. The letter was written in the well-known and diffi- 
 cult-to-read chirography of the pastor of this church. 
 
 But I should like to know about these letters we have heard read. I 
 could not speak in stronger terms than these letters have spoken, but I 
 should belie mv nature and all the feelings of my heart this afternoon if I, 
 as a college class-mate, as a fellow New Jersey pastor, as a personal 
 friend, as one who loves the pastor of this church next to his own 
 brother, did I not speak some strong words. 
 
 I congratulate vou, mv dear brothers and sisters of the Hightstown 
 Baptist Church. 'l remember in 1S70, before I settled at Hamilton Square 
 —and I settled there in 1S71— I was at Hight.stown visiting this pa.stor. 
 I remember one dav when we were sitting on the porch up the street he 
 said, "The Hightstown field is a delightful field," and I do not believe 
 that there has been any change in his feelings since twenty five years ago, 
 on the contrary. I believe that he loves this church a great deal more 
 to-day than he did then. I am sure of it. 
 
 I congratulate ray dear brother and his wife and loved ones on the com- 
 pletion of this twenty-five years. I don't wish to trench upon the valua- 
 ble time of the dear brethren that are to follow me, though I have been 
 alloted five minutes more than they, so I will simply speak upon the 
 subject suggested — " What a tiuenty-five years' pastorate mea?is to the 
 chtirch " — vvhich I will divide into three points : 
 
 First, its effect on the home life : It means identification with the home 
 life. A tree that has been growing for twenty-five years has very great 
 identification with the land on which it is growing and the roots have 
 gone down verv deeply into the earth. Why. I remember that after I 
 went from Hamilton Square to Holmdel I used to sit in my study at 
 Holmdel thinking about Hamilton Square. It was difficult for me to 
 
divest nij'self of the thoughts of my former home. There have been 
 varied scenes in this church, occasions happy and sad. There have been 
 marriage scenes ; there have been funeral occasions, and I doubt if there 
 are many homes into which sadness has come, that have not been visited 
 by this pastor. To homes of sickness he has brought words of comfort 
 and consolation. On funeral occasions he has gone with a loving heart 
 and spoken to the bereaved family and loved ones. And so these people 
 have become identified with him in their home life in a wonderful way. 
 There have been new-born souls, there have been baptisms, there have 
 been family altars established, and all through this community people 
 are identified with him in their home life. 
 
 I turn next to the young people. With all the gravity that Bucknell 
 University conferred upon him, when it added a D. D. to his name, he 
 has never forgotten his interest in the young people. His idea has always 
 been : if you care for the young, you build up the church of Jesus Christ 
 for the future, and this has been one of the greatest thoughts of his heart. 
 Most of the young people have not known any other pastor. They have 
 spoken of Pastor Eaches ; they have thought of him ; they love him. He 
 has been their character-builder. Have you ever witnessed a sculptor 
 working awaj' with his chisel, or many chisels, perhaps? A long time he 
 was engaged in the work of fashioning the face which you now see. So 
 this man of God has been building character among the young people of 
 this congregation — little by little, vSabbath after Sabbath, through the 
 preaching of the word — in the Sunday' school, in the training class, or 
 wherever he has met them— he has been doing good service for the fash- 
 ioning of these characters. 
 
 And now, again, this twenty-five 3-ears as regards social life. Dr. 
 Eaches has believed and has taught during these twenty-five j'ears that 
 while the great object of the church is the cultivation of the religious life, 
 the social life is not to be neglected. He has discouraged vain amuse- 
 ment, but he has encouraged proper amusement, and the one great thought 
 of his life has been that he might so fill the minds of the people with the 
 Lord Jesus Christ and so urge them to work for Christ that they would 
 not have time to indulge in anything that would be improper. He and I 
 have often talked on this subject and so I know the inner feelings of his 
 heart. 
 
 There have been times of discouragement during these twenty-five 5-ears 
 as well as encouragement. It is said that during Dr. Bangs' ministry 
 there came a very dark period in his life. He dreamed that he was upon 
 the top of a rock with a pick-axe, and that he was picking away with the 
 axe. After hours of work he hardly made an indentation in the rock. At 
 last he became discouraged. " I'll give it up," he said. Just then a per- 
 son of dignified mien came along and said, " You are not going to give 
 up this work ? " " Yes, sir," said he. " Why are you going to abandon 
 it?" " Because I make no impression on the rock." " Well," he said, 
 " you pick away at the rock ; j^our work is to pick away." And so, he 
 went to work again. He awoke from his dream and knew the significance 
 of it. As he passed from the dream he imagined that he had superhuman 
 force and so went to work earnestly for the Master. Soon a great revival 
 
was experienced. Now, this man of God has had some experiences of dis- 
 couragement and yet he has picked away and God has given him some ot 
 the grandest revivals that have been experienced in Hightstown. May 
 God's richest blessings be upon you, my dear brother. I wish that many 
 more years of work may be yours, and that they may be a continued 
 blessing upon all. 
 
 Prof. Perry : Rev. Judson Conklin, of Trenton, will now tell us 
 
 what " A twenty-five years' Pastorate means to the A.ssociation . " 
 
 Mr. Ch.airman and Friends : 
 
 I have had the pleasure in my short life of attending a silver wedding 
 anniversary, but this is the first silver anniversary of a pa.storate. It is a 
 most delightful occasion and I am glad to be here, and I bring to all the 
 membership of the Hightstown Baptist Church the sincere congratula- 
 tions of the Clinton Avenue Baptist Church of Trenton. The Deacons 
 and Trustees have united with me in this for you all. It seems to me that 
 the church as well as the pastor ought to haveour congratulations to-day : 
 for, if we were attending a wedding anniversary we would not extend all 
 our good wishes to the husband and leave the wife alone. So, it seems to 
 me that we should remember the church also. For whatever a man may 
 be at the head of the church, unless the church has rare qualities, such an 
 anniversarv is impossible. I think that these anniversaries are wise 
 things. They are so rare we cannot afford to pass them by in silence. I 
 think we are all too much in danger of leaving the good things that we 
 have in our hearts for others, until they are gone. Then we bring our 
 flowers and our sympathies. Dr. Baldwin, in that delightful book of his, 
 tells the storv of what was said at the funeral sermon of a pastor who had 
 been laboring for over thirty years. At the services which were held in 
 the church, the deceased was spoken of in the kindliest way. His wife 
 listened to it all, and after all was over she said, " Oh ! if some of these 
 kind words had been spoken to my husband, how they would have com- 
 forted him. If you have a word of cheer, speak it while I am alive to 
 hear." 
 
 What does it mean to the association ? It means a great deal. In- 
 directly, it means a great deal because of the lesson which such a pastor- 
 ate brings. This is a restless, shifting, and changeable age. When I 
 looked over the ministers of the association I found to my surprise, that 
 I was the second oldest settled pastor in the Trenton association. Yet, it 
 seems to me that I have just begun my work. I suppose that while we 
 believe that a long pastorate is helpful, we yet realize that some short pas- 
 torates are too long. But, after all, it is a wise thing that these biennial 
 and triennial changes are not necessary, they are not es.sential to the well 
 being of a church. On the contrary, wherever you find the .strongest 
 churches, as the Hightstown Baptist Church, the Calvary Church of Dr. 
 MacArthur, and vSpurgeon's Tabernacle in London, you will find that 
 there have been long pastorates. The strongest churches are those that 
 have had a pastorate of eight or more years. The influence of such a 
 pastorate is great. 
 
But, directly it means far more. There is such a thing as a larger min^ 
 istry. I believe that every true man of God should have regard for the 
 community in which he lives. It is in the association, in the state and 
 throughout the wide world, it seems to me, that the pastor and the church 
 should wield an influence for good. First, in the community and then 
 in the other widening circles around it. If there is such a ministry as 
 this, the longer a man stays in a pastorate the better. And, brothers and 
 friends, I congratulate you that in Dr. Eaches you have a man of wide- 
 spread good in the association. Some of these pastors here have known 
 Dr. Eaches longer than I have and they can speak better than I can con- 
 cerning what good he has done the association. I pray to-day that this 
 pastorate will continue. I believe that which has been read by the Trus- 
 tees came from the heart, unlike the man who wished to get rid of his 
 Irish servant and to that end gave him a hearty recommendation. The 
 servant, after reading the recommendation, said, ' I guess I'll stay.' I 
 pray that God's blessing may rest upon the pastor and upon all the mem- 
 bers of this church, and may we all be here to see his 50th anniversary." 
 
 Prof. Perry : Rev. D. Dewolf, of Newark, Superintendent of 
 Baptist State Missions, will now speak on "The Meaning of a 
 Twenty-five Years' Pastorate to the State." 
 Mr. Chairman, Ladiks and Gkntlemen : 
 
 It is a pleasure for me personally to bring, as I maj- in behalf of the 
 State, congratulations to this meeting, to this pastor and to this peo- 
 ple. As has already been said, I feel that the congratulations should be 
 to the people as well as to the pastor, for I realize that while not every 
 pastor can stay twenty-five years in a church, I also know very well that 
 it is not every church that Dr. Eaches would staj^ with twenty-five years. 
 I am verj- sure of that and so while 3'ou have lived these twenty-five years 
 so happily and so usefully, I am very sure that it has been a union formed 
 in Heaven — a union wherein each has contributed its part to the good 
 work done. 
 
 My subject is A Twenty-five Years' Pastorate ; its Meaning for the State. 
 I asked my wife the other day " What does a twenty-five years' pastorate 
 mean to the State anyway" ? She said, "That depends altogether upon 
 who is the pastor." I have known of twenty-five-year pastorates of which 
 the eulogies might be very much like the man who had a great oppor- 
 tunity for a funeral sermon. A man eighty-five years old had died, and 
 the new pastor had just come. The friends said, " Now is your oppor- 
 tunity — 85 years old." The pastor made some inquiries about the man 
 and found that he had been a verj' humble man; no one knew him. Still 
 the friends said, " Now is your opportunity'," and so he preached a great 
 sermon in which he spoke about the discovery of electricity, steam boats, 
 railroad trains and matters of history and ended up by saying, "these 
 things have all occurred since this brother was born." Well, there are a 
 few such twenty-five-year pastorates. Brother Case said he had a letter 
 from somebody. He told me about the letter coming down. He said, 
 " taffy." Well, now when there is such an occasion as this, it is strange 
 
to me how anybody can ^ct throujjh it withont taffy, and I believe, dear 
 friends, that all that we can say should be said. 
 
 What does it mean to the State ? First of all, a protest against the unrest 
 that there is in churches and with ministers. vSome say the ministers are 
 getting so high-toned that they want to get better places all the time ; 
 others say that the churches are'getting so that they must hear somebody 
 else and somebody else, and the two brought together somehow have a 
 mutual relation. There are only two pastors in the vState of longer stand- 
 ing than Dr. Eaches : Dr. D. J. Yerkes, at Plainfield, and T. M. (irenelle, 
 in the northern end of the State. Since 1894, a year and five months, there 
 have been fifty-six .settlements of pastors in the State. Since January, 
 1893, two years and a half, a little less than one hundred and eighteen. I 
 have just given these figures to show how the procession is moving on. 
 We talk "about the Melhodists and their rapid changes, but we can 
 beat them ; we ra//. And so such a pastorate is a healthful protest against 
 the unrest of to-dav. 
 
 Then, again, it i.s a bright example for the young men that are coming 
 to the front. In these twenty-five years 122 churches have been organized 
 and the membership increased about 20,000. Just up the street there is the 
 institution of which you are all so proud. I read that this was dedicated in 
 1869, but whatever may be the history of its earlier days, the real history 
 of it has been within these twenty-five years. And, brethren and friends, 
 I believe that I say not too much when I say that Peddie Institute owes 
 its life to Dr. Raches. Principals have come and gone. Boards of Trustees 
 have changed in character, but Dr. Eaches has stayed with it and has 
 exercised that indomitable, persistent, victorious influence which has made 
 Peddie Institute what it is to-day. That means mighty thing.s for our 
 denomination, for here have been gathered the boys and the girls that 
 have gone back to their churches and exercised their part in the denom- 
 inational life of the State. He has sent forth in the.se twenty five years 
 his silent, radiating influence into all the churches of the State that have 
 been specially represented here. It is my privilege to go among these 
 churches a good deal and to meet young men, and older ones — for those 
 that were voung fifteen or twenty years ago are getting older now. They 
 often speak to me about Hightstown and, I may say, seldom, if ever, do 
 they omit Dr. Eaches' name. They always speak of him with love and 
 recall the influence which he had "on their lives. And so I might speak 
 of the P:ducation Society and his part in that as Secretary, coming in 
 touch with the voung men that are being educated for the ministry and 
 making them feel the touch, so that, as they go forth they feel the power 
 which this pastor's silent, potent influence has brought upon them. 
 
 May God grant that these influences thus enforced by these t\vent}'-five 
 years' may continue and that the hearts of pastor and people inay be if 
 possible, more and more cemented, not only for loving companionship, 
 but for usefulness in God's kingdom. 
 
 The audience was then favored with a solo by Mi.ss Luella 
 Chamberlin. 
 
 Mr. Perry : We will now have an address by Rev. T. B. Appleget 
 
on " What a twenty-five years' Pastorate means to the Community." 
 
 I think myself happy, Mr. Chairman, that I anu permitted this day to 
 answer for the community as to what thi.« man has been to us for twenty- 
 five venrs ; but I am unhappy because those who were not here and there- 
 fore know nothing about it, have fixed a limit of ten minutes in which I 
 am to tell what I have known about the man in twenty-five years. I 
 heard a sermon last Sunday night which has been in my mind somewhat 
 ever since, and I cannot separate it from what I am to saj'. The speaker 
 referred to three elements of true greatness — a noble motive, a self-sacri- 
 ficing devotion, and courage in action. I thought, if it was a great 
 thing we were celebrating to-day, if this man has attained an eminence 
 that deserves this celebration, I will find these three attributes in this 
 man. And a twenty-five years' pastorate in a Baptist church is a great 
 thing, because, as I understand it, your machinery is such that you can 
 get rid of a pastor if you want to. 
 
 But I wish to talk about the man, and I hope that the committee have 
 seen the propriety of having Dr. Eaches absent to-da}-. I take that for 
 granted, and am going to speak just as if he were not here. What does 
 this twentv-five years mean to the community? All that it means when 
 a man comes among us who appreciates the full value of manhood and has 
 a true idea of what a human being is. It means the presence in our com- 
 munity of one who sees the likeness of his Maker in ever}' image that 
 He has placed in our midst, and who sees it not from an elevation, not 
 from the pulpit, not from this platform level, but from the level and stand- 
 point of other men. This pastor has appreciated the worth of men, his 
 heart has been full of love for men, and on the level of the common peo- 
 ple he has worked in sympathy with them. Reference has here been made 
 to what this pulpit has done in twentj-five years. Thank God for every 
 good word that has gone forth from his mouth. But he claims no patent on 
 that word. I never heard him preach when he did not seem to want to be 
 forgotten himself, and to impress upon his hearers the life of the Man in 
 the Book and the words written there, to bring that Christ down to the 
 common people — and he has counted none uncommon. To do this he has 
 gone among us and known us. Did you ever find one in our town who 
 needed guiding or elevating, that this man did not see it before you ? He 
 knows the value of a man anywhere, and it is because of this that he has 
 exerted such an influence for twenty-five 3-ears. Htcanie among us with 
 a high motive, the salvation of every man, woman and child that he could 
 reach in any way. I know of no better Baptist anywhere, nor an^' better 
 Baptist pastor anywhere, but he has not been satisfied with limitations. 
 You may strike the circle of a carriage ride and it is all his parish. With 
 a desire to elevate lives, to bring hearts to heaven, to save men, he has had 
 an interest in all that was going on around him. He has gone into all 
 the little nooks and corners of the community, he has been interested in 
 every phase of our lives, our homes, our organizations, our politics. 
 Feeling that men ought to be right and do right, he has not been slow to 
 show them how, and he has not been afraid to tell them and show them 
 even how to vote right. It has been said, and I believe it, that he knows 
 
more and sooner what is going on in this town than any other man in it — 
 when a child is sick or is born or dies, when a person moves in or moves 
 out, meets with an accident or needs help. His heart is a regular visiting 
 book for every relief committee, and his head the best poll register in the 
 borough. What he does not know on these lines he is not afraid to go 
 around and find out. Strange, indeed, has been the experience of any 
 official Board of this town if they have not had their attention called to 
 necessitous cases by Dr. Eaches. " It must be attended to, brother ; it 
 is your case, but it must be attended to." And it was attended to. And 
 with his noble motive he has always had the courage of his convictions, 
 and this means something when it is on the right side. It was not all 
 easy times. This town is in a much better social and moral and financial 
 condition than it used to be, and Dr. Eaches came among us before the 
 beginning of easy times and he had a hand in that beginning. It has not 
 always been easy times for the Institute or the town. There was hard 
 fighting to make the school safer b\- making the town better. We used 
 to fight on the line of water and whiskey, and Dr. Eaches was on the 
 right side then. I was reading the names of those who stood with him in 
 those days, and are gone away now, all good men like Rev. J. B. Davis, 
 E. R. Cole, Prof. Pratt, Rev. Wm. Walton, Rev. E. Hathaway, Col. Tay- 
 lor, John ^[cMurran, C. W. Mount, T. M. Scroggv, Enoch Allen, Gilbert 
 Seaman, E. T. Combs, A. Walling, I. H. Goldy. Daniel Slack, Elston 
 Hunt, J. C. Johnson. Thomas McDonald, Dr. Deshler, and I could name 
 scores who are with him still. And he keeps on the right side, and fights 
 hard and fair for improvements, morals and good order. And they honor 
 him for his courage and his fairness. The present council was elected on 
 water-works lines ; you will find the flag floating over the town hall in 
 honor of Dr. Eaches ; yes, and over the hotel, too. in honor of this anni- 
 versary. Why, a few years ago they thought the\' would stop the noise 
 of rejoicing over our victories, and they took the tongue out of the bell of 
 the Baptist church steeple and hid it. But one tongue they never could 
 stop, and that was in the mouth of the pastor — it is wagging still. 
 And my prophecy is that while the man lives that tongue will go on 
 speaking good words for the communit\-, helpful words for every man, be 
 he rich or poor. 
 
 My remaining minute I will spend in hearty congratulations to the 
 pastor and to the community that for twenty-five years we have had a man 
 among us who loved men as individuals and was not afraid to get down 
 on the level to do his work, to save men. 
 
 Mr. Perry : I am glad to have Rev. M. N. Smith and Rev. W. 
 T. Galloway with u.s to-day. They will please come to the platform. 
 We will now have some words of fraternal greeting from Dr. Tyack 
 of the Presbyterian church of our town. 
 Mr. Chairman : 
 
 I am very glad to be here this afternoon. I was asked what I expected 
 to say and my reply was, if I remember right, that I should try and steer 
 clear of the brethren who oreceded me. 
 
As a mere introduction, I should like our friends to know that a few 
 weeks since, when the Presbytery of Monmouth met in the Second Church, 
 Cranbury. a paper was read calling attention to the fact that twenty-five 
 years ago at the re-union of the old and new schools, a certain committee 
 was appointed to look after the home missionary interests of this neigh- 
 borhood. Seven ministers were put on that committee. In April of this 
 year when the Presbytery met at the end of twenty-five years, five of these 
 ministers were there present and were still serving on the same committee 
 — looking after the horne missionary interest representing Presbyterianism 
 throughout parts of tlie counties of Mercer, Monmouth and Middlesex — 
 so that the churches of this community are noted for men of long service. 
 
 Representing the younger members of the sisterhood of churches in the 
 town, I bring our congratulations today, and lay down the mead of praise 
 at the feet of the Baptist Church, our elder sister. We are very glad to 
 recognize the fact that this is the oldest of all our churches ; we are also 
 glad to recognize Dr. Eaches as its pastor for twenty-five years, who has 
 represented just what the Baptist Church stands for to-day and has stood 
 for in all the years past. There is a certain tendency in all lives to take 
 on somewhat of our surroundings. There is a certain tendency among 
 certain Baptist Churches to resolve themselves into Congregational 
 churches with the distinctive feature of immersion added. But this church 
 stands for all that belongs to it as the distinctive teaching of the Baptist 
 church. If our brethren throughout the state of New Jersey want to 
 know what an old fashioned Baptist church is like the\' may be pointed 
 to the Hightstowu church and its pastor. There has never been the will- 
 ing abandonment of distinctive Baptist principles to take up some other 
 that belongs to some other denomination. It is perfectly right it should 
 be so, because the Church of Christ is large enough to contain all the ele- 
 ments that go to make up the distinctive body. I am glad to bring the 
 congratulations of the town churches, because the pastor of this church 
 and the church itself stands for the comprehensive teaching of the word 
 of God. No man can make a pretence at holding a congregation for so 
 great a number of 3'ears unless week after week, month after month, j-ear 
 after 3'ear that pastor delve in God's mine — God's book. If you could get 
 at some Bible he has marked, you would find that the book has been 
 studied from lid to lid and that the pure gold of scripture truth has been 
 found and dealt out in peculiar ways to his people. I am glad that atten- 
 tion has been called to the other fact — that of social reform. Dr. Eaches 
 has stood for social elevation every time and on the right side. I will 
 simply pass on in the waj' of just a little warning. I should like to tell 
 Dr. Eaches to please instruct his congregation in the Commandment 
 " Thou shalt have no other gods before me ;" for I never saw pastor and 
 people so devoted to each other. You just keep on with the reverence, 
 but don't erect the image, and may the Lord's blessing rest upon him as 
 well as his people. 
 
 Dr. Perry : We desire to have a word or two from Brothers Smith 
 
 and Galloway. Brother Smith, pa.stor of the Church at Marlboro, 
 
 will speak to us first. 
 
13 
 
 I suppose that Dr. Perry considers that Mr. (Talloway and I are capable 
 of speaking on any subject, since he has not assigned us any topic. 
 
 I am not very much given to flattery unless it is towards myself and 
 you know that makes a different thing of it, but I must say a few words 
 to-day. I had the honor of carrying a musket in the P^irst Regiment of 
 the old Pennsylvania Reserves in the War of the Union and of firing a few 
 stray shots in tho.se unpleasant times. Occasionally there has come up 
 in my mind the recollection of a comrade in that company. He was a 
 young man, singularly beautiful and pure in character, gentle, kind, true 
 and noble. I have heard it said of him that he was never known to do a 
 little thing, an unchristian thing, but he was held in the highest esteem 
 by the good and bad of the company. When he entered service he wore 
 only a Corporal's cheveron, but at the end, when he graduated from 
 " Uncle Sam's" service, he wore the stripes of the Orderly Sergeant. He 
 passed away only a few years ago. His name was John C. Eaches. He 
 was born from the same parents as O. P. Eaches. I have always recol- 
 lected him with the sincerest admiration for his character and for his 
 noble, manly. Christian bearing. I had never known O. P. Eaches until 
 about four years ago, when we came to Hightstown. But the articles of 
 our denominational press, bearing the initials O. P. E., always had special 
 interest for me. In my relations with Dr. Eaches I have found in him all 
 that there was good and true and admirable in his brother with the added 
 force, grace, beauty and power of education and hard work in the service 
 of the Lord as a preacher of the gospel. Dr. Eaches and I both hailed 
 from Pennsylvania. I want to add my testimony to all that has been said 
 here to-day concerning this man, and to extend my congratulations to 
 Dr. Eaches and to his church to-day on the twenty-five years of successful 
 work here. I only hope that this is the threshold of another quarter of a 
 century, and Dr. when you come around to your next anniversary we will 
 come again with our congratulations. May God bless you and the church 
 in your service. 
 
 Mr. Perry : Mr. Galloway will now add a few words. 
 Brethren and Sisters : 
 
 I feel glad that I have this privilege of looking upon you to-day on this 
 festive occasion, and I bring to you the hearty congratulations of a 
 daughter of this church ; I bring to you the congratulations of the 
 daughter to the mother, and I know if you could hear all the children 
 speak concerning this occasion they would say " Amen ! Amen ! God 
 bless you, your pastor and your work." I feel as I look around this build- 
 ing, that this is a festive occasion, that we have had not only the privi- 
 lege of enjoying a bountiful collation in the other room— which was 
 delightful and for the refreshment of the body— but that there is also 
 refreshment here for the inner man We all have our thoughts on this 
 twenty-five years' pastorate, and without attempting any formal speech, 
 I think I could name about four points which would embrace what I have 
 to say. 
 
 First, There must be remarkable common sen.se displayed on the part 
 of the church and in the second place on the part of the pastor. No pastor 
 
ever found a perfect people ; no people ever found a perfect pastor. So, 
 both must have understood that fact all through and must have worked 
 in harmony with that idea. Then, in the third place, the blessing of God 
 must have been resting upon you and your pastor in all these 3'ears. 
 
 And the fourth point I would mention is, that 3'ou and your pastor have 
 been wonderfully successful in banishing the presence and power of the 
 Devil. I believe that it has been the good fight of faith with the spiritual 
 weapons of prayer and the word of God that accounts for this success. I 
 am going to mention one thing more, then I must close. This pastorate 
 is an inspiration to younger men, and to all men in the ministry, and I 
 want to say this : you are making hi.story here to-da^- that will make 
 a lasting impre-ision upon my mind as a pastor and upon the minds of all 
 the pastors gathered here. But the one thing that I have especially' no 
 ticed here to-day is the love that e.xists between pastor and people. This 
 calls to mind a little thing that I heard the other day : Two ladies were 
 discussing love and marriage— ladies do discuss these things sometimes, 
 you know. It was a foregone conclusion with the two of them that a 
 man should love a woman devotedly ; that he should be willing to die for 
 her, if necessary'. On the side of the woman's devotion their opinions 
 differed. The one thought that it was only necessary for a woman to 
 admire the man she married ; the other thought that the wife's love 
 should equal that of the husband. I won't answer any of these questions, 
 but I know and believe that a church may admire a man's face, his elo 
 quence, his intellectual genius, his versatility in presenting a subject, 
 may admire him for his dignity' and greatness and for many other things, 
 but if I can hear that the people of God love a man as a servant of God, 
 love him for his very work's sake, then I believe that the Master has been 
 the inspiration of that love. And when I hear that a pastor loves his peo- 
 ple and lets his heart out to them I know that God is with him. 
 
 May God bless you in more years of useful work in his kingdom. 
 
 A fine .solo was then sung by Mr. B. P. Stout, a former member, 
 now of Philadelphia. 
 
 Dr. Perry : We have now two topics that will be considered. The 
 first is, "What makes a twenty-five years' pa.storate possible?" by 
 Dr. G. W. Clark : 
 
 We have had an object lesson which has extended through twenty-five 
 years, and the proper person to speak upon it would be Dr. Eaches him- 
 self. He is a man who knows how to use the blackboard, and I know 
 that if he should use it here, he could tell us better than anyone else how 
 to make a twenty-five j'ears' pastorate possible. 
 
 And then, on the part of the church. The church here has been acting 
 its part for twenty-five years, and I have no doubt that Brother Allen or 
 some of the other brethren could tell better than I just how a church could 
 make such a pastorate possible. 
 
 We have had exercises on this object lesson this afternoon ; every 
 speaker has been contributing something to it. I can only sum it 
 
15 
 
 up ; I have but little time. I can say this, however, that though Dr. 
 Eaches was a younger man when he came, yet in mauN- respects he is no 
 older now than he was then. He has kept up with the times ; he has 
 kept up in his studies ; he knows what is going on in the world, in the 
 church at large, in our own denomination. And thus he has kept young 
 and fresh, and what he has to sa}- is alwaj-s fresh. We owe not only 
 something to him in this respect, but we owe something to his excellent 
 wife for her quiet, di.screet way and for the counsel and help which she 
 has given to her husband, to the ladies and to the congregation. And on 
 the part of the congregation we owe much to the Trustees and to the Dea- 
 cons and to the officers in our church work. I may say, perhaps, to men- 
 tion one name, we owe much to the Superintendent of our Sunday school, 
 John K. Allen, who, for twenty years, has held this position and who has 
 contributed largely to make this pastorate possible. We owe much to the 
 ladies who have been growing more and more energetic and useful as the 
 years pass on. We owe much to the yoving people who have become 
 more and more active during these twenty-five years. And so, as we look 
 at pastor and people we see what made it possible, and the same condi- 
 tions proving true in other churches would make it possible in them. 
 
 I may state, briefly, two or three things that will make it possible. 
 First of all, there should be a mutual love and confidence between the 
 pastor and his people. In reading II Corinthians lately I have been 
 struck with the love of Paul for the Corinthian Church and how he shows 
 his love in opening his heart to his young converts and so overcame every 
 obstacle. Never afterward within the church was there anything but 
 affection and love ; opposition was completely overcome. There is noth- 
 ing like mvitual love, mutual confidence, — for a pastor to believe in his 
 church and for a church to believe in its pastor. Where this is the case a 
 pastorate will probably be a long one, and there will be devotion to Christ 
 and His cause. And a church, when it receives a pastor, should receive 
 him as if he were to spend his life with them and the pastor should 
 go to them in the same spirit. With such consecration, righteousness 
 and truth will prevail, and a long pastorate will be the result. 
 
 Then, finally, there must be the blessing of God. Without // a pastor- 
 ate is worthless ; with // no pastorate can be too long. And then, with 
 the blessing of God, with hope and trust in Him, we should look forward 
 to a great and glorious future, expecting that as God has blest in the past 
 so he will continue to bless in the future. 
 
 Prof. Perry : Rev. T. S. Griffith will now speak of " Retrospect 
 
 and Prospect." 
 
 Brother Appleget, 3-ou expressed my sentiment exactly when 3-ou said, 
 Ten minutes to tell the story which you could tell, and nobod\' could tell 
 any better, and I just wish that 3'ou had had ten times ten minutes. 
 There is where you made a mistake (turning to Dr. Perr}'). Just think of 
 it — " Retrospect and Prospect" — ten minutes. When I got the communi- 
 cation from the Committee asking me to come over here, and speak on 
 "Retrospect and Prospect," I said, "where does that begin? Does 
 he mean that I shall go back to the times when I first knew Hights- 
 
i6 
 
 town ?" " I preached in that church in Brother Mulford's time," said L 
 Well, now, friends, I have but a word to say, onh', I know that every- 
 thing I have heard here to-day ought to have been said. This dear brother 
 and this dear church ! I feel serious to-day. Twenty-five years gone out 
 of a man's life ! Is there a man of you who looks back over twenty-five 
 years, who doesn't say, " I would do it better if I could do it again." I 
 know just how Brother Eaches feels about that, for he is enough like the 
 rest of us. He would say of his work, " It is a very poor piece of work " ; 
 I'm sure he would. Twenty- five years gone into eternity, and, oh ! I feel 
 sometimes that one of the things that makes me glad I am going to 
 Heaven is, that we will see our work after the touch of the Master is on it. 
 We will see it made perfect, made complete. What a blessed thought 
 that is to think whatever the short comings of the past, the Master will 
 present our works perfect and beautiful. 
 
 And now I want to say one or two things about Brother Eaches and his 
 relations to the church. At one of our evening prayer meetings we had a 
 charming brother who loved to pray and one night he prayed this : " Oh! 
 God, bless our pastor. Thou knowest how hard it is to please some peo- 
 ple, and that it is impossible to please everybody." Now, in view of this 
 prayer, I want to say that it is a marked characteristic of this man that 
 he has stayed in one place for twenty-five 3'ears. Now let me say in this 
 connection — and I doubt if any member knows what I am going to say — 
 that there were disturbing elements in this church when Dr. Eaches came 
 here. People came to my study in the city of Trenton and talked about 
 it. Nobody has since heard of any trouble. What a blessed thing it is to 
 be a peacemaker. What a blessed thing that the Lord sent him here. 
 Every storm was hushed and peace reigned. All that has been said here 
 to-day is very true. I can't talk about prospect. Why sometimes when 
 I read in the Book about Abraham looking ahead to Mt Olivet and the 
 blessed sunlight of a precious future, it makes me so happy. And, now, 
 dear brother, you be happy. The Lord is unquestionably on your side. 
 
 Dr. Perry : We have done a great thing this afternoon. We are 
 through our program within two minutes of the time. 
 
 Dr. Perry then read the following letter from Prof. Enoch Perrine, 
 
 Ph. D., of Bucknell University : 
 
 BucKNELL University, Lewisburg, Penn'a., 
 
 Department of English, May 21, 1895. 
 
 My Dear Dr. Eaches : — Before your invitation reached me, I had taken 
 the cue from the announcement in last week's Gazette, and was about to 
 write telling you how much my heart was in the " Anniversary " soon to 
 be celebrated. I should be glad to come and show what I feel by my 
 presence, but an oration is to be delivered here on the next day and in it 
 I am an important factor. 
 
 If I'm ever asked by the Forum to write about the men " who have in- 
 fluenced me," your name, like Ben Adhem's, will " lead all the rest." 
 Boy and man, you will never know how close you have come into my 
 life ; and though, absolutely, in my case, you have not much to boast of — 
 
17 
 
 since the material on which you worked was so poor — yet relatively there 
 has been "great gain." 
 
 You became our pastor while yet I was a boy, full of ideas cruder than 
 the pictorial daubs on an Indian's wigwam ; but by what you said and 
 did, you managed to lead me into a "large place," for which leading I 
 thank you and through you the " Father of our spirits." 
 
 When the years of work drew on and I came to teach under your e3'e, 
 how kind you were to me and mine ! And when after a little I went up 
 higher — as the people called it— to the college, you were the "causing 
 cause," although no word to that effect ever escaped your lips. If the 
 highest happiness is, as Goldsmith said it was, to do good by stealth and 
 have it found out by accident, then highest happiness may be yours in 
 that case. You assisted when my sister, my mother, my father, my two 
 little children and my father-in-law were buried ; you helped at my mar 
 riage ; you conducted me into the church, — in fact, when there has come a 
 supreme moment in my life, you were there, whether in joy or sorrow, to 
 weep or to rejoice out of the fullness of your great heart. 
 
 Now that there is so much of life behind us both, I have no regret for 
 any part of it I traveled over with you ; and you will believe that I write 
 not mere rhetoric, but what I have long wanted to say. never finding so 
 good an op]5ortunity as the present. As the good God lengthens out 
 your life here, surrounding you with blessings of all kinds, your friends 
 —among whom I proudly count myself— will believe that these are only 
 indicative and typical of the greater and better blessings in store for you 
 when you lay down the work here to take it up on the other side. 
 
 Please give our very best wishes to Mrs. Eaches and the little girls, and 
 bslieve me, Sincerely, E-VOCH Perrine. 
 
 The presentation of gifts by Drs. Clark and Perry. 
 
 At this point Dr. G. W. Clark arose and addressed Dr. Perry and 
 then Dr. Eaches and family. 
 Mr. Chairman : 
 
 There is another party that wishes to speak this afternoon and that is 
 the sisters and ladies of the church and congregation. The Apostle Paul 
 says that the women are to keep silent in the church, and so the sisters 
 have made me their mouth-piece this afternoon, to speak a few words to 
 the pastor and family, and in compliance with their wishes I would say, 
 dear pastor, that there are some here who welcomed you twenty-five years 
 ago, and after twenty five 3'ears' experience they are here now to sanc- 
 tion what they did then. Some of us have come since that time, but we 
 wish, also, to join the welcoming throng. 
 
 Some of us, also, recall 5-our appearance twenty-five j-ears ago. A 
 young man — almost a boy — with ruddy countenance and bright eye and 
 honest face, with some reserve and apparent timidity. Since that time 
 maturity has gradually been taking the place of youthfulness, and, per- 
 haps, a wrinkle has begun its furrow. Your face has paled somewhat ; 
 the hair has thinned a little, and now and then a straggling gray has 
 been making its appearance. But time has dealt very kindly and gently 
 with you and has been tracing its furrows very lightly. 
 
You came, dear pastor, .not alone t,went3»-five 3-ears ag'o ; another came 
 with you — a helper and a loved one. But her stay was brief, for God took 
 her, and then you were compelled to tread your pathway alone. But He 
 who took afterwards gave another, a valued one, who has been your 
 helper for sixteen years — .1 counselor, quiet and excellent in influence. 
 And two others have come to lighten up j'our household, and now a 
 family of four greet this happy anniversary day. Surely there can be 
 none who have a greater interest in this day than you four. And 3'et, 
 behind us there are five hundred or more who feel an interest in this day, 
 and we feel assured that our combined interest is equal to yours. There 
 are others, also ; some kept at home by domestic duties ; some, perhaps, 
 under the shadow of sorrow ; some are far distant, but so far as they know 
 of this day, their interest and their wishes are with ours and with yours: 
 But where are the fathers and the mothers and nmny of those who took 
 your hands and greeted 3'ou so warmly twenty-five years ago.? Many of 
 them are gone ; but have they lost their interest in this da3^ in \ou and 
 in this church ? Do tlie3- not remember this, tlieir scene of toil ? Do they 
 not recall the young pastor they greeted and the beginning of his labors? 
 Have they, because they are in a better countr\', forgotten the trials and 
 conflicts of this world ? No; I cannot believe it. Memor3- cannot be im- 
 paired in that future world. If it be possible for those who have gone 
 before to know what is being done in this stage of our pilgrimage, I can 
 fain believe that to-day they look down upon us with interest and with 
 J03'. We celebrate no common occasion to-day. A twenty fifth birthday 
 is something to be greeted ; a twent>'-fifth wedding anniversary is some- 
 thing to be noted, but a twenty-fifth anniversary of a pastorate is more 
 rare, far more uncommon. Millions look forward to their twenty'-five 
 years ; hundreds of thousands who enter the married state expect their 
 silver wedding, but only here and there, comparativelv, is there one who 
 has reached the silver anniversary of iiis pastorate. We congratulate 3'ou 
 and your famil3' to-day ; nay, we congratulate ourselves rather, upon this 
 happ3' occasion. 
 
 We are all silver men and silver women and silver children to-day. We 
 are honest ones, however. If we do believe in the hard dollar, we believe 
 in one hundred cents to the dollar. We believe in the just weight and 
 the righteous balance, which is pleasing to the Lord. We believe in the 
 shekels of the sanctuary' and so. while we are silver people, it is honest 
 silver, with honest weight, with full measure. You have taught us to be 
 Scriptural, 3'ou have made the Bible 30ur standard, and in that Word we 
 read of silver cups and silver basins and silver tra3'S and silver bowls and 
 silver goblets, and silver urns ; and so the sisters of our church — fast to 
 learn, steadfa.st to the truth — have been following in the line of 3'our in- 
 structions and have thus selected this silver service and silver spoons to be 
 presented to you. to your wife and to your daughters. Your work has been 
 permanent ; your labors have not been superficial ; you have not been lay- 
 ing upon the foundation wood, hay and stubble, but gold, silver and 
 precious stones (I Cor. 3 : 12) ; and these pieces of silver represent the per- 
 manency of the work which you have engaged in. These pieces, also, rep- 
 resent the value of the great truths which have been inwrought into the 
 
19 
 
 hearts and into the lives and characters of the people. Our sisters, there- 
 fore, grateful to God that they have enjoved your watch-care so long, 
 come and cougratulate you upou the happv issue of a tvveut3'-five years' 
 pastorate, and as a token of tlieir esteem aud affection for you. your estima- 
 ble wife and your children, they make this presentation. The service is 
 marked for Dr. aud Mrs. Eaches ; the silver spoons for your daughters, 
 to be used in the preseut and future generations. 
 
 As your work has continued from year to year, so do they think that 
 these are becoming and emblematic of that work. May they be used in 
 this generation and handed down to your posterity. They feel that your 
 work and the influence and blessings of your family accord with the Word 
 of God. And with this word I must close : " Seest thou a man diligent 
 in his business (in his calling) he shall stand before kings ; he shalfnot 
 stand before mean men. Her husband is known in the gates when he 
 sitteth among the elders of the laud. May her daughters be as corner 
 stones polished after the similitude of a palace. Her children arise up and 
 call her blessed; her husband, also, he praiseth her saying. 'Many 
 daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.' '' 
 
 Dr. Perry : There are some things that the trustees wished to say 
 here this afternoon, but they didu't waiit to put them in the resolutions. 
 They didn't want to say these things themselves for fear of offending Dr. 
 Eaches. They said to me : " You haven't been here so long as we have, 
 you can tell "the Doctor tlie-se things, and he will take anything from 
 you since you are a preacher." These things must be said. 'The fact is, 
 they arenot sure they can stand the Doctor for another quarter of a cen- 
 tury. They read somewhere in the Bible that a pastor's conversation 
 and walk should be without reproach. His conversation is all right, they 
 said, but we don't like his walk. 
 
 All that these good men have said here this afternoon is true. Brother 
 Appleget spoke of the extent of Dr. Eaches' parish. One day last summer 
 I was out for a drive. I saw a carriage in the distance. I said, " Who can 
 that be driving .so fast ? " I said, "That's Dr. Eaches ; yes, that is certain- 
 ly his old buggy ; it is a shame that he has to ride in such a buggy, 
 and he should not drive so fast." When we got into Hightstown he was 
 there ahead of us. Now the deacons, some of them, read about the "one- 
 horse shay," and said they believed that .some day Dr. Eaches would find 
 himself in the middle of the road. So they (the deacon.s) got stirred up 
 about it and said we must change that, and so the trustees, deacons, and 
 the men of the church thought that if the ladies of the church were going 
 to give a silver service, they would try to improve Dr. Eaches" method 
 of getting around among his people, somehow. Thev decided to buy a 
 carriage for the Doctor and all we have to say now is that we have a buggy 
 strong enough to endure all the fast driving he wants to do. It is now 
 out on the green. 
 
 This ends our program, except that if I had been given a new buggy, 
 my wife a silver service and my children some silver spoons, I would get 
 up and make a speech. 
 
20 
 
 Dr. Eaches : If you were ever preached about and preached to and 
 singled out by the minister, you would feel just a little the way I feel this 
 afternoon. I was brought up to think whatever ministers said was true, 
 but I have come to put a large discount on what these ministers sa}'. 
 If I were asked what I think of what has been said here this afternoon, I 
 would sav, " I don't believe one-half of it and then what about the other 
 half? Well, I am in great doubt about //." 
 
 Twenty five years ago, on the 22d of March, I received a letter calling 
 me to the pastorate of this church. It was one of the hardest struggles of 
 my life to know what to do. I finally said, " That call I cannot accept." 
 I sent word back, " I must refuse your call." Then a committee consisting 
 of Mr. Wooley and Mr. J. E. Rue came to see me. It was a hard struggle 
 to know what to do. But I came, and it has seemed to me that in some 
 wa}' God's guiding hand was in this. If brother Appleget will turn to 
 the columns of the Hightstown Gazette oi }\\\\q ist, 1870, lie will find an 
 item saying that the new pastor was not orthodox. And so, with the aid 
 of the Gazette, I have tried to keep measurably straight since then and 
 preach according to the Scriptures. 
 
 I want to say this, that in all our church meetings for twenty-five years 
 I have never heard an unkind word said b\' one member to another ; I 
 have never had an unkind word said to me e.xcept once and in five minutes 
 after the lady took it all back and said, "I should not have said that, 
 should I ? " 
 
 A long pastorate illustrates a remarkable church, for how a church can 
 endure a man coming with the same old story for twent^'-five 3'ears, and 
 for fifty-two Sundays in each 3"ear, I don't know. About a month ago I 
 burned five hundred sermons, and I want to say that they were exceedingly 
 dry, they burned so rapidly. You may be sure that you will never hear 
 any one of these five hundred again. 
 
 I never meant to have a long pastorate. Twenty-five years ago I said 
 to the deacons, 'Any time that you think I ought to go, simpl}^ kindly, 
 privately tell me so and I will go.' I would not fight to gain a place, and 
 I would not try to keep a place when once I got it. It has been said that 
 Spurgeon said — though he denies it — " If 30U resist the Devil he will fly 
 from 30U, but if \ovi resist a deacon he will fly at you." In these\\\&x\ and 
 women I have found the kindest people that any pastor could find. There 
 are 528 names on our roll up to the time of our last count, and if the books 
 were burned, I could go over them all, from A to Z. If I close my eyes I 
 know where you sit and with 1113' e3-es closed I can pick out the bo3'S and 
 the girls, and if I see3'0U closing 3-our eyes, I think 3-ou are simpl3' trying 
 to think out some cloudy thing I have said. 
 
 M3' father was a good Baptist deacon for years, and my great-great- 
 grandfather was an old Welsh Baptist luinister, so that we are many 
 generations of Baptists. 
 
 These are long and precioi:s 3-ears. I don't feel at all proud to-day ; I 
 feel so insignificant. There are so manv' things that I ought to have done. 
 Last night I received a letter from a lady asking me to look after a certain 
 man. She said, "Years ago you did me much good." And so, in such 
 
little ways I find out sometimes that I have done some good. I ran across 
 an epitaph the other day. 
 
 " Here lies John Hill, a man of skill, 
 Whose years were five times ten, 
 He never did good and never would 
 Had he lived as long again." 
 
 I feel assured that the best 3'ears of this church are yet to come. I 
 have a vision of what will come in the days to be, a vision of better 
 facilities for work. If .some of the members of this church would loan me 
 their check books I would make the work tell. These davs to come : I 
 don't know what they will l)e, but I trust that (iod will lead us and bless 
 us. 
 
 Of all those who welcomed me twenty five years ago, not one occupies 
 our choir now. 198 of our membership have gone above during this 
 twent^'-five j-ears ; 3-ou know them all and I hope to meet them there. I 
 want to say this, too : I haven't a thought of malice or ugliness toward 
 any of you. Your names are written on my heart. 
 
 i want to thank you all to-day for all your kind words and thoughts 
 for me and mine ; I want to thank these fellow ministers and I do thank 
 them with all my heart. I esteem you all for what you have been and 
 have tried to do. and I hope you will do better things in the da3'S to come. 
 You make me feel that I ought to be a wiser counselor, a more tender 
 friend, more charitable in judging, more appreciative of those who may 
 ■differ with me, more helpful, more lovely. 
 
 Brother Appleget said that the}' didn't stop the tongue from wagging, 
 I suppose he alluded to that zcag-oii the\- have given us to da\'. 
 
 I was asked which of those numbers ('70 or '95) represented my age. I 
 said, "I belong to the class of '95." My future lies ahead of me, not 
 behind me. I expect to be living in the world fifty 3'ears from now, biit 
 I don't expect to be pastor of this church all this tiuie. If God should 
 grant to us larger facilities for work — a place for a reading room, a library 
 and a night school — I should say "let us live for a hundred 3-ears to come." 
 And so, brothers and friends, I thank 3'ou to-day for all that 3-ou have 
 done and thought, for all 3'our kindness. I shall not forget this day and 
 I am sure that it will be to me an incentive for better service and a purer 
 heart. 
 
 Is there anything else 3'ou have to give ? (turning to Mr. Perr3'). You 
 know a man was once asked if he kept the Sabbath. The reply was : 
 " Yes, the vSabbath and ever3-thing else that I can la3- my hands on." 
 
 I am not surprised to-da3', I know what is in 3'our hearts for me and 
 for the One above. I know that 3'ou love this church, I know that 30U 
 love Him, and as we enter upon another quarter of a centur3- and so long 
 as I am here I want to do better work for 30U, for ever3' man or woman whom 
 I can help. Ma3' God bless 30U and keep 30U and ma3' God bring us all 
 at last to a better union, a better fellowship in the unbroken chain. 
 
 A few words of thanks from Mrs. Eaches, and then followed the sing- 
 ing of Hymn 463. " Blest be the tie that binds." 
 
 Benediction by the pastor. Rev. O. P. Eaches, D. D. 
 
On Sunday morning, June 2nd, a large audience assembled at the 
 church, filling every available seat, when Rev. O. P. Eaches, D. D. , 
 preached the following Twenty-fifth Anniversary discourse from the 
 same text that he preached from on his assuming the pastorate : 
 
 CoLOSSiANS I, 28. — " IV/iom wc proclaim, admonishing every 
 mail and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may presoit 
 every matt perfect in Christ." 
 
 In these words, from which I spoke to you twenty-five years ago this 
 morning, we have the heart of Paul's ministry. The deepest thing in 
 Paul's heart was Jesus Christ. Tennyson makes Queen Mary say: — 
 
 " When I am dead, 
 Open my heart, and there 3-ou will find written 
 Two names, Philip and Calais." 
 
 Paul had written deep in his heart only one name, Jesus the Lord. 
 *' Whom we proclaim" — that means Jesus Christ. Paul's desire was to 
 bring men to Christ, to build up Christ in men, to build up men in Christ, 
 to make men like Christ. He was not satisfied with conversion, he de- 
 sired consecration, character, Christlikeness, culture. The great end of 
 the Christian life is, not to escape hell, not to get into heaven, but to be 
 transformed into the image of Christ. (Rom. VIII, 29 ) It was a per- 
 sonal work that Paul had in hand. He desired to bring every man to the 
 one Christ. There came to him a vision of a far off day. There was a 
 throne, a glorified Christ upon that throne, a ministry of Paul to be under 
 review. 
 
 The joy of Paul's life was saving men. The sufferings in his ministry, 
 described in 2 Cor. Chapter XT, were not looked upon as hardships, but as 
 so many ways by which he could get hold of men. He had a large con- 
 scious self respect, but he said, " I will stoop down to any man that I may 
 raise him up ! One of the finest utterences of his life is — " I am made all 
 things to all men that I might by all means serve some." (i Cor. IX. 22.) 
 He was so serviceable, so useful, so concerned about men, so interested in 
 men because he was so Christlike in mind. Here is Paul's life work, a 
 published Christ. Here is the definiteness of Paul's work— a Christ pub- 
 lished to every man. Here is fo"r every saved man, the added work of 
 teaching him, for the enlarging of the saved man. 
 
 The begun Christian life must be a taught, instructed life. It is a tre- 
 
p 
 
 ctstcr '^iwe-n, i . Ccucries. L-. >^'. 
 
23 
 
 mendoiis mistake of the Christian life if that first glimpse of the Saviour 
 in granting pardon and peace be taken for the whole of the Christian life. 
 The training and growth in Christian character constitute the work of 
 all the after'' years. The Christian life, on the side of the Christian, is 
 learnership. The Christian life, on the side of Christ, is teachership. 
 
 How far up is the Christian man to grow ? Jesus Christ and Paul have 
 only one word, perfection. Paul said to the Christians of Colosse— " I wish 
 to have you, all of you, large, noble, pure minded, spiritually lived, use- 
 ful Christian men." He said : "I wish to present you at that day to 
 Him, for my joy, for his glory, for your bles.sedness, perfect in Christ !" 
 
 No one can be a New Testament minister without something of this 
 feeling. No one can be a real Christian who does not wish to publish 
 Jesus as his Savior, as a Savior who would have all men for his disciples. 
 No one can live an intelligent Christian life who does not wish to say to 
 Jesus Christ in that day :— " Here am I, here is my life, here are those 
 who are thine through me !" 
 
 No church can be a Christian church that does not live for this one pur- 
 pose, to witness for Christ, to teach Christ, to present men to Christ saved 
 and built up. Jesus Christ is salvation, happiness, holiness, heaven. The 
 Christian is to be a Christ to others. The church is to be an organized 
 Christ, to do His work, (i Cor. XH. 12.) For eighteen centuries Jesus 
 has been preached in the world. It is Christ that has made the beauty of 
 personal character, a high civilization, the Christian church, access to 
 Him and fellowship with him. 
 
 For one hundred and fifty years Jesus has been preached continuously 
 before this church from the days of James Carman in 1745 to this day. 
 Generations have come and gone, but Jesus Christ remains. For twenty- 
 five years, in the present pastorate. Jesus has been presented as the only 
 Savior of lost men, the only source of pardon and peace, the only authori- 
 tative teacher in matters of faith and conduct, the sole ruler in the church, 
 the only open door to heaven. 
 
 I. In the proclamation of the same Jesus whom Paid preached Jesus 
 Christ has won many hearts to himself. During these years many have 
 been added first to the Lord and then to his church. Twenty-five years 
 ago yesterday twelve were baptized, the fruits of work prior to the present 
 pastorate. During these twenty-five years, six hundred and forty-eight 
 have been added to the rolls of the church by baptism. To His name be 
 the glory and honor for these men and women. Many of these who are 
 now the pillars of the church have, during these years, come- to know 
 
24 
 
 Jesus Christ. All the present Deacons of the church, with one exception, 
 have been baptized during these years ; of the fifteen Trustees, all have 
 been added by baptism, except three. In every year some have confessed 
 Christ in baptism. There have been times of especial refreshing. In 1874 
 sixty-eight were baptized. In 1S76 seventy-three were baptized. In 1SS9 
 sixty-two were baptized. In 1894 sixty two were baptized. 
 
 What an untold blessing if all these six hundred and over had been 
 really, utterly dead, and then risen to a full. Christlike life ! Many of 
 these are the glory and power of the church to-da}', members on whom 
 the church and all good causes and Christ can lean. Some have not ful- 
 filled the hopes cherished of them. Their lives have lieen impoverished, 
 stunted, blighted. But we inay rejoice in the work that abides. For 
 over one hundred years the pond in the rear of the church propertj' was 
 our Jordan. Ten years ago the baptistery was placed in the house of 
 worship. 
 
 Others have joined us by letters from other churches. Two hundred 
 and forty have thus come to us from sister bodies. Thirty-nine have been 
 won back to a Christian and church life and restored to our fellowship. 
 In all nine hundred and twenty-seven names have been placed on our roll 
 during this quarter century. Almost one thousand men and women have 
 been intrusted to our watchcare and training. It was as though Jesus 
 Christ, the Head of the Church and the Shepherd of the sheep had said : 
 " I give these men and women to your keeping. As you love them and 
 love me, care for them, build them in purity and righteousness, and bring 
 them in safety to my home." It is a large and responsible thing to be a 
 pastor, to be a Christian, to be a part of a church entrusted with the sav- 
 ing and care of men. What have we done with these one thousand 
 members ? 
 
 II. God has perfected many of our members in the upper life. Those who 
 filled the office of Deacon twenty-five years ago were Enoch Allen, John 
 M. Allen, Randolph Chamberlain, Matthew Rue and John Woolley. They 
 were pillars of the church. They were men of transparent character, 
 spiritually minded men. They thought nothing too good for Jesus Christ 
 or His church. They are all gone — have been gone for many years, some 
 of them. They were pillars here, they are now pillars in the upper 
 temple. (Rev. III. 12.) They were men who had convictions, men who 
 believed something and knew why they believed it. R. M. Job, who was 
 afterward chosen to the Deaconship, is also among the departed. The 
 men who were Trustees twenty-five years ago, were John M. Allen, James 
 
25 
 
 Paxton, V. D. Van Nest, Abijah Chamberlain, Matthew Rue, Samuel 
 Fisher, James M. Pullen. Four of these are dead, 
 
 The men who were the leaders in 1870 are almost all gone. Let me call 
 t0 3-our remembrance the names of some of our departed worthies: Thomas 
 H. Mount, Abijah Mount, Peter Forman, James Keeler, William Tindall, 
 John Fisher, Wilson Applegate, R. S. Mason, A. F. Job, O. H. Reed. All 
 these have passed awa}' — have passed on, have passed up. Many other 
 names you will think of, some of them touched your lives and homes very 
 closely If we should have an eleventh chapter of Hebrews and call over 
 the list of our dead during this pastorate, there would be one hundred and 
 ninety-eight of them. The church helped to make them. We have, as a 
 church, laid up in heaven a ricli treasure of good men and women. 
 Twenty-five years ago Rev. John Seger sat in the pulpit, an old white- 
 haired man, a former pastor. He soon after passed away. He sleeps in 
 the church burial ground near Peter Wilson, another old pastor. May 
 the memories of our departed members hallow our lives — may their man- 
 tles fall upon their children. 
 
 Several of these left bequests to the church. Peter Forman left five 
 hundred dollars ; Miss Margaret Goldy left five hundred dollars, the in- 
 terest of which is to be used for benevolent purposes ; C. W. Livingstone 
 left one thousand dollars for the care of the aged of the church. The 
 Livingstone Home perpetuates his name. Mrs. Julia Yager, who died 
 recently, left fifteen hundred dollars to be applied for the payment of the 
 debt upon the Livingstone Home. The best heritage these men and 
 women left to the church was the memory of good and useful lives. All 
 of us may greatly enrich the church by holy living. The wealth of a 
 church is the splendor of its piety and character. No member of the 
 church ought ever to leave money by will to care for the current expenses 
 of the church. The church of the living ought to care for the life of the 
 church. An endowment for current expenses will be only a curse and 
 always a curse freeing the members from the duties they ought to bear. 
 It will be wise, eminently wise, to give money now and to bequeath 
 money by will for a house of worship that in time must come, for j'oung 
 men's work, for a public library, for all helping agencies of this kind. 
 Let us strive to live upward and then shall we live best, in the after years, 
 when we are dead. Some of our dead members are yet very useful 
 among us. 
 
 III. Alotigside of these perfected men and wovien God has given growtJi- 
 in material things for the perfecting of his people here. Twenty-five years 
 
26 
 
 ago the Sundny School room was utterly barren, with uiipainted walls, 
 with uncarpeted floors, with fixed pews, having no maps, no blackboard. 
 The primary class met up stairs, making use of a few high benches with 
 no backs. During these jears the interior of the house of worship has 
 been beautified, the Cathedral glass windows inserted, the gift of Mrs. 
 Mary A. Middleton, the old church property re-roofed and refitted, the 
 baptistery built, the steam heating apparatus introduced, the organ house 
 built in the rear of the house of worship, the little organ in the gallery 
 replaced by the present organ, the gift of Wilson G. Hunt, of New York, 
 a new communion service, the gift of Mrs. Mary Job, the Sunday School 
 room refurnished and additions made at the rear of the old church prop- 
 erty for Bible class purposes, the parsonage grounds purchased and a 
 parsonage erected at a cost of five thousand dollars, the grounds in front 
 of the church property greatly beautified and the stone wall erected, the 
 gift often thousand dollars from Wilson G. Hunt, invested for the future 
 musical uses of the church, all these and others not here mentioned, show 
 that the people of Christ worshipping here have not forgotten to care for 
 the place where they meet to call upon his name. The entire sum raised 
 for current expenses and improvements during these years has beeu 
 ^72,650.90. The money given for Christ's sake to be turned into beanty 
 for the sanctuary, is not money thrown away. It is a material thing that 
 may, under God, be the means of helping Christ's cause and saving men. 
 Heaven is a beautiful place. Christ's house here ought, if possible, to be 
 a beautiful place. A beautiful house of worship may contribute, if rightly 
 used, to the beauty of holiness. 
 
 IV. The c/ncrc/i //as utilized new agencies for saving and teaching men. 
 Twenty-five 3ears ago in our Sunday School each class read and studied 
 where it pleased. There was no order in stud3-, no method. There wer'e 
 almost no helps for teachers or scholars. The present plan of regular, 
 systematic study, the International Lesson S3'stem, has come into use in 
 these 3ears. We have lived one hundred 3-ears in these twent3'-five years. 
 We do not love the Book more than our fathers, but we have the privilege 
 of knowing it better. The Superintendents have been John Woolle3', for 
 many years an effective Sunday School worker, who left us in 1872 ; for a 
 time the pastor acted as Superintendent ; John E. Allen, the present 
 efficient leader, was chosen in 1S75. In June, 1S70, the church had tlo 
 Women's Society, Home or Foreign, no Young Woman's Society, no 
 Young Men's Societ3', no Boys' or Girls' Society, no Ladies' Aid Societ3'. 
 The past quarter cetltury has been a period of wonderful discoveries'. 
 
27 
 
 Edison and Bessemer, Koch and Pasteur have enlarged the domain of 
 science. It was a wonderful moral discovery when woman's organized 
 work for women began. In 1871 our Woman's Foreign Mission work 
 began in the Baptist Churches of our land. On April 29, 1872, the 
 Woman's Society in this church was organized. The Home INIission 
 Society was organized in 18.S1. The Young Women were organized into 
 the Farther Lights Society May 13, 18S9, having previously been members 
 of a mission society composed of boys and girls. The Young Men's Mis- 
 sionary Society, the Little Helper's Mission Society are the 5'oung men, 
 the bojs and girls organized and in training to help Christ get hold of the 
 world. The church exists to seize hold of all that for which Christ died. 
 By necessity Christ's church must be a missionary' church. The entire 
 sum rai.sed by these various missionary organizations amounts to $3, 143.15- 
 More than twentj'-five j'ears ago there was on Sunday evening, prior to 
 church service, a meeting for young people. But there was no organiza- 
 tion. These services were almost entirely under the direct charge of the 
 pastor. On December 22, 1886, the Endeavor Society was organized. It 
 has proved to be one of the most efficient helpers of the church. It has 
 kept alive a devotional spirit, it has watched over the young, it has been 
 fruitful in labors, it has won many to Christ, it has built up j'oung men 
 and women in Christ, it has carried Christ into homes through cottage 
 prayer meetings, it has ministered to intellectual needs by its courses of 
 lectures. Blessings be upon it. In no instance has the Endeavor Society 
 been anything but a helping and helpful agency. The Junior Endeavor 
 Society was organized in 1894. Ma^^ Jesus Christ form out of these bo3-s 
 and girls, the men and women of a few 3ears hence, those who shall be 
 pillars of his cause in this community. The Little Helpers Mission Band 
 was re-organized last year. The Young ]Men's Missionary Society was 
 formed November 3, 1893. The Ladies' Aid Society has been in existence 
 thirteen years, having been formed in 1S82. It has made its power felt 
 everywhere. It has been a true, tried helper of the church in every way. 
 It is rightly called an Aid Society. Its President from the first has been 
 Mrs. M. M. Job. The higher the life, the higher is the complexity of the 
 organization. A church is not a sponge, a low kind of life, but a living 
 body with one end in view, getting men and Christ near together. The 
 various organizations in the church do not show an undue reliance upon 
 mere machinery, but are exhibitions of the desire of the church to adapt 
 itself to a new age by new methods of work. Blessings on all agencies 
 that seek to glorify God, to save men, to help the church. We must put 
 
28 
 
 new life and power into all these agencies. We do not now need more 
 machinery, but more power in it, more effectiveness. A sense of duty 
 toward Christ should lead to an earnest doing- for Christ. 
 
 V. God has granted an enlarged heart to the chtirch for helping his 
 cause. The finest thing that we have done is the establishing of the 
 church at Jamesburg. It is our child — it was our Mission. The members 
 there were all received into our fellowship. The Mi.ssion was established 
 May iS, 1S85, under the leadership of Rev. C. A. Schlipf who remained 
 as pastor until 1S94. The house of worship was dedicated February 16, 
 1S87. The church was recognized as a Baptist church October 16, 1S94. 
 It has a property worth five thousand dollars, with an incumbrance of 
 eight hundred dollars upon the parsonage. The present pastor is Rev. 
 H. C. Baum, who was recently ordained. We dismissed fifty-four mem- 
 bers October 4, 1894, to form themselves into a church. This is the sixth 
 church formed from our membership — First Trenton, Hamilton Square, 
 Penns Neck, Manasquan, Washington, Jamesburg. We have lighted 
 these candles that by the grace of God will not cease to burn until He 
 shall come again. We also established the Livingstone Home for the 
 aged members of the church. This property purchased in 1893 at a cost 
 of four thousand dollars, will soon, it is hoped, be freed from debt. In 
 this Home two of our members find a real home life. The needy of our 
 church will never be cared for at the public expense. The benevolent 
 contributions so far as reported, have been $29,505.70. Large sums have 
 been given privately and are not included in this amount. The real 
 measure of Christlikeness in a church is not what it does for itself but 
 what it does for others. Dr. Broadus declared the three tests of a holy 
 church to be Bible stud}', the prayer meeting and giving for Foreign Mis- 
 sions. These three things involve a looking into the Book to see what is 
 the will of Christ — the looking upward for His blessing, the looking out- 
 ward to help others. May we, all of us, be concerned to know the will of 
 Christ for ourselves, be concerned for every man in this community, be 
 concerned for all good causes, be concerned for all the things that touch 
 His heart. 
 
 We have helped Christ's cause in other places by giving them choice 
 men and women from our membership. We have dismissed by letter to 
 other churches three hundred and ninety-eight members. Many of these 
 seemed to be almost indispensable to us. We rejoice in the usefulness of 
 those who have gone out from us. We have given to the work of the 
 ministry in these years William C. Martin, now pastor of the Baptist 
 
^9 
 
 church, at Noank, Conn; W. W. Wakeman, pastor of the church at New 
 Hampton, N. H. We licensed to preach John B. L'Hommedieu, now 
 pastor of the Sherman Avenue Baptist Church, Newark, N. J.; L. H. Cope- 
 land, pastor of the church at vSkowhegan, Me.; A. W. Stockwin, now in 
 England; Joseph Schlipf and Theodore Baunigardner, now in the Roches- 
 ter Theological Seminary; Charles R.Bacon, now in the Newton Theo- 
 logical Seminary. Dr. Enoch Perrine, of Bucknell University, has been 
 licensed to preach since leaving us. It is the mission of a country church 
 to get men, train them for service and then give them to others. In 
 twenty-five years we have given to other churches by letter one hundred 
 and sixty more members than we have received by letter. But, as a rule, 
 a church will grow best by giving its best. Selfishness is never Christlike. 
 
 VI. God has given to the church new conceptions of the purpose and mis- 
 sion of the Christian and the church life in these rece7it years. It is seen 
 now, as never before, that Christianity and the church have much to do in 
 the life that now is. The church must not aim merely or exclusively to 
 get men to heaven, but also must strive to bring heaven down to earth. 
 Christ came to be Savior of the soul — became also to save all the man. 
 We must save all the life, must save society, must create all healthy 
 moral influences, must watch over the beginning of life. And therefore 
 the church must keep at work, not on Sunday alone, but on seven days 
 of the week. If the saloon opens its doors every day and night, why 
 should not the church? Whj' should not this church have a reading 
 room, a night school, a public library ? Why should it not give attention 
 to a Boy's Club as a strictly religious work. The church must care for 
 men and work among men that it may, first, get them and then present 
 them perfect in Christ Jesus. There is nothing secular, or common, or 
 unclean that may be made use of for helping people in the Christian life. 
 Every secular thing becomes a sacred thing when used for sacred pur- 
 poses. Let us strive to make this church a helping and helpful church 
 as Christ was a helping Christ. It cannot do too much for men or Christ. 
 Our Christianity must be an applied Christianitj-. 
 
 VII. A backward look. During these twenty-five years great changes 
 have taken place. No church in the Association has the same pastor it 
 had in 1870. Of the two hundred and fifty Baptist churches only two 
 pastors are in the position the}' filled twenty-five years ago. Dr. Yerkes, 
 of Plainfield; Rev. T. M. Crenelle, of Glenwood. During these years have 
 come the telephone, the phonograph, electric lighting, electric power. 
 France and Brazil have become republics — the German Empire has been 
 
30 
 
 formed — slavery has been abolished the world over — the W. C. T. U. 
 began its wonderful work. The churches in this State have grown from 
 145 to 257. The Baptists in our Country have grown to four million. 
 During this period has been the wonderful work among the Telugus and 
 the opening of the heart of Africa to mission work. The whole world lies 
 open to Missionary effort. The student's volunteer mission movement 
 has been established with its motto — "The entire world should know of 
 Christ before this century closes." This age has discovered the power of 
 organized woman's work and the worth of the j'oung people. Peddie 
 Institute twenty-five years ago was in debt $100,000. To day it has a pro- 
 ductive endowment of $170,000. This school was carried for years on the 
 heart of members of our church, men like Enoch Allen, Rev. J. E. Rue, 
 Matthew Rue. The endowment and property of the Baptist schools in our 
 land has increased from three and one-half millions to thirty-six and one- 
 half millions. 
 
 We have been blessed in having many ministers in our member.ship, of 
 these D. P. Perdun, E. J. Avery, John Seger, J. E. Rue and Lyman Chase 
 are dead. L. O. Grenelle, M. N. Smith, C. M. Deitz, E. P. Bond, J. A. 
 Metz, C. A. Schlipf have transferred their membership. Dr. G. W. Clark, 
 Dr. J. E. Perry and Rev. W. C. Ulyat have their membership with us and 
 render efficient service. 
 
 The Church Clerks during the period, have been John Wooley, James 
 Paxton, Hiram Mount, T. C. Young, J. M. Cubberly, W. P. Forman, 
 Charles E. Cole, C. B. Cole, C. E. Stults. The Church Treasurers have 
 been Daniel Slack, W. P. Forman, John Jemison. The organists have 
 been Misses Jennie Fairbanks, Maggie Morrison, Nettie Grenelle, Rosa 
 Murden, Addie Silver, Carrie Clark, Luella Reed, Mr. D. P. Hoagland, 
 Miss Ida Hoagland. The sexton, D. W. Perrine, has served since 1S63. 
 During these years the following former pastors of the church have died; 
 John Seger, George Young, E. M. Barker, Lyman Chase, Isaac Butter- 
 field. Only one former pastor now survives; J. B. Saxton, living in Cali- 
 fornia, past his four score years. As we look over the past we may 
 thank God for unity, peace, prosperity in temporal matters, souls saved, 
 some good done. As a church we may put up a stone and say — 
 Eben-ezer. 
 
 VIII. An onward look . What shall we do for gaining men for Christ 
 and perfecting them in Christ. We need new and larger and better facil- 
 ities for doing Christ's work. What answered twenty-five years ago will 
 not answer to-day. We need better facilities for Sunday School work, 
 
31 
 
 with separate rooms for the classes. We need a reading room,, a place 
 where the boys and young men may be gathered together for a night each 
 week. If we care for the boys, the girls, the young men, the young 
 women of to-day, for Christ's sake, this church will grow stronger and 
 stronger year by j-ear. We must care for the future by caring for to-day. 
 Before igoo comes this church ought to liave a house of worship more 
 fitted for Christian work. Pride should have no place in this, but the 
 desire to do better things for Christ, who will be here twenty-five years 
 hence, and His cause. Be sure that if you are not on the earth, that 
 you will be in heaven. What a church this would be if every member 
 were a holy man of God, if there were family prayer in every household, 
 if there were a universal interest in Bible study, if all took a personal 
 interest in all good causes, if every member were a witnessing christian, 
 if the church shone with a steady light every day, if there were new and 
 better facilities for Christian work. Let us strive to build up in each 
 member a better and more intelligent Christian life and build up the com- 
 munity in righteousness. Before November, 1S95, we ought to remove 
 the debt of less than two thousand dollars that hangs upon us. Before 
 November, 1S95, we ought to be planning how we can be better men and 
 women, liow we ma}' work more effectively, how we may add believers to 
 the church. In five years more we shall enter upon the twentieth cen- 
 tury. May we help to make the closing years of this century the highest 
 and best in our own personal experience, in the history of the church, in 
 the impress made upon the community. In the next twent\--five years 
 what wonderful changes will occur, what a marvelous growth in the 
 material life and resources ! The bo3's of to-day will then be the men, the 
 pillars, the leaders. The larger part of the membership will not then be 
 here One hundred millions and more will be in our land. Mechanical 
 inventions will go on with rapid speed. May it also be that every Chris- 
 tian man will grow more Christlike, that every hurtful thing like the 
 saloon will be destroyed b}' the aroused Christian spirit, that God's bles- 
 sing may overshadow us. Some things ought to be done to-day. Every 
 one not a Christian, should decide here and now to become a Christian. 
 The sun of to-day, should not go down upon an unsaved soul. All hesi- 
 tancy should give way to decision. Every Christian neglecting a duty, 
 should to-day begin a life of duty. Every life lived for self, should give 
 way to a life lived for Christ. In the next twenty-five years may there be 
 not six hundred and fifty baptisms, but one thousand, fifteen hundred, 
 with what number shall we stop! If the Lord Jesus were here he would 
 
3'2' 
 
 say, "According to your faitli be it unto you." We may all influence the' 
 unseen days and the unseen people who shall crowd this community' 
 twentj'-five years hence by living to-day — a Godly life. There were men 
 and women living in 1870, whose bodies have long been sleeping quietly 
 in the grave j-ard, who are blessedly influencing us in 1895. They live 
 after they are dead because they lived much while they lived on the earth. 
 Be a christian, be a Christlike christian, be a helping christian. Help 
 Christ and his church. Live in the highest st\'le of living. Help Jesus 
 Christ in 1S95 and you will help Christ, in a very effective manner in 1920 
 and beyond. 
 
 May the Lord bless us and keep us ; may the Lord lift upon us the 
 light of his countenance and be gracious to us ; may the Lord cause his 
 face to shine upon us and grant us peace. Amen. 
 
 The evening service was taken up by the various Societies of the 
 church. The other churches of the village gave up their services to 
 unite in this. The audience was large. The opening prayer was 
 offered by Rev. E. G. Mason, and Rev. J. L. Howard made the 
 closing prayer. Drs. Tyack, Perry, Clark and Mr. J. H. Butcher 
 took part in the services. Reports of the Societies of the church 
 were read as follows : Young Men's Missionary Society, by Frank 
 Pullen, Jr. ; Christian Culture Course, Miss Ada V. Hutchinson ; 
 Junior Christian Endeavor, Miss Grace Clevenger ; Christian En- 
 deavor, C. Boud Cole : Woman's Foreign Mi.ssionary Society, Miss 
 Bertha R. Clark ; Junior Mi.ssion Band, Miss Luella Dey ; Farther 
 Lights Mission Band, Mi.ss Mina Tracey ; The Sunday School, John 
 E. Allen. 
 
 The addresses and reports were of great interest, and interspersed 
 with song. Dr. Eaches closed with some fitting remarks. Thus 
 ended the exercises of the pastor's twenty-fifth annniversary, which 
 proved to be most profitable to the church and one of the most 
 interesting occasions in the history of the church. 
 
33 
 
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH 
 
 ANNIVERSARY. 
 
 At a meeting held Dec. 27th, 1894, the following action was taken : 
 
 The deacons and the trustees of the church, having been appointed 
 by the church to nominate a committee to make preparation for the 
 fitting observance of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the 
 founding of the church, make report that they have agreed upon the 
 following— Dr. G. W. Clark, Dr. J. E. Perry, John E. Allen, J. D. 
 Chamberlain, Thomas M. Dey, Ja.sper Hutchinson, Mrs. M. M. Job, 
 Mrs. Forman Hutchinson and Dr. O. P. Eaches. 
 
 The Committee recommend that the above named Conmiittee have 
 power to call to their help such sub-committes as they may think best. 
 
 The recommendations were concurred in by the church. 
 
 The Committee organized by appointing Dr. G. W. Clark chair- 
 man. The following program was prepared for the anniversary 
 exercises. 
 
 PROGRAMME. 
 Wedni-:sday evening, Octobek 30th. 
 7.30. Roll Call of membership from A to G, inclusive. 
 
 Thursday evening, October 31st. 
 7.30. Roll Call of membership from H to Z. 
 
 Frid.ay morning, November ist. 
 10.30. Devotional exercises. 
 11.00. Historj' of the Church b\' the pastor. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 2.00. Opening exercises b}- Rev. J. L. Howard, of M. E. Church. 
 2.15. Address by Rev. W. H. J. Parker, of Middletown, — our mother 
 
 Church. " The position of Baptists 150 years ago." 
 2.30. Address by Rev. F. C. Brown, of Manasquan, — a daughter Church. 
 Topic, " What Baptist Churches stand for." 
 
34 
 
 2.45- Address by Rev. W. T. Galloway, of Hamilton Square,— a 
 daughter Church. Topic, "Fidelity to the N. T. always and 
 everywhere." 
 
 3.00. Address by Rev. W. W. Bullock, of Allentown. Topic, "The 
 Church grows by giving." 
 
 3.10. Address b}' Rev. J. Huffnagle, of Imlaystown. Topic, " How we 
 
 may enlarge the Church numerically." 
 3.20. Address by Rev. M. N. Smith, of Marlboro. Topic, " How we 
 
 may build up the Church spiritually." 
 3.30 Address by Rev. H Baum, of Jamesburg, — a daughter Church. 
 
 Topic, " Caring for the stranger within the gates." 
 3.40. Address by Rev. J. H. Hyatt, of Bethlehem, N. J., — a licentiate of 
 
 the Church. Topic, " Personal Reminiscences." 
 3.50. Tri-Jubilee Hymn by Robert Lowry, D. D. 
 4.00. Unveiling the portraits of former Pastors. 
 4.15. Reading letters from former members of the Church. 
 
 Evening. 
 
 7.30. Opening exercises bj^ Rev. Thomas Tyack, D. D., of Presbyterian 
 
 Church. 
 7.45. Address by Rev. M. P. Fikes, of First Trenton,— a daughter 
 
 Church.' Topic, " What Baptists have wrought in 150 years." 
 8.00. Address by Rev. T. S. Griffiths, of Penns Neck,— a daughter Church. 
 
 Topic, " Characteristics of Baptist Churches in New Jersey." 
 8.15. Address by Rev. J. B. L'Hommedieu, of Newark,— a licentiate of 
 
 the Church. Topic, "The Church of to-day moulding the 
 
 future." 
 8.30. Anniversary Hymn by Rev. F. Denison. Anniversary Ode by 
 
 Rev. S. Giffard Nelson, L- H. D., of Mt. Holly. 
 
 Sunday morning, Novembek 3rd. 
 
 10.00. vSpecial Sunday-School service. Address by John E. Allen, Enoch 
 Barker, Mrs. Mary Barker and Mrs. Philip F. Botzong. 
 
 11.00. Anniversary sermon by Dr. G. W. Clark. Paper by Miss Bertha 
 R. Clark, " Woman's work in the Church." 
 
 Afternoon. 
 3.00. Special Junior service. 
 
 Evening. 
 
 6.30. Special Endeavor meeting. Addresses and papers by P. F. Bot- 
 zong, Isaac E. Charaberlin, Miss Ada Hutchinson, and the 
 former Presidents of the Society. 
 
 7.30. Paper by Mrs. N. C. Schlottman. " What the young people must 
 do for the Church." Address by D. Hart Cunningham, "What 
 the men must do for the Church." Address by Dr. J. E, Perry, 
 " Dedicating ourselves to service for the future." 
 
35 
 The following invitation was sent out for the Roll Call. 
 1745. 1895. 
 
 HIGHTSTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH 
 
 To all the Members of the Church : 
 
 On November ist our Church will be one hundred and fifty years old. 
 It is a matter of thanksgiving that during all this time God has watched 
 over us and blessed us. On Friday, November ist, there will be an all day 
 service. In the morning, in the afternoon, and at night, it is planned to 
 hold services commemorative of the past. It will be fitting also to dedi- 
 cate our Church and ourselves to a larger life in the future. 
 
 Lunch will be .served so that we may spend the day as one family. Let 
 every member devote this da}' to worship with us. 
 
 On Sunday also special services will be held. 
 
 Preliminary to these services and as introducing them will be a Roll 
 Call of the members. Two nights have been set apart for this service. 
 On Wednesday night, October 30th, all the names from A to G will be 
 called. On Thursdaj- night, October 31st, the remaining names will be 
 called beginning with H. Will not E VER V member strive to be present 
 when his name is called. If you are sure that you cannot be present will 
 you not send a message or pas.sage of scripture to be read when your name 
 is called. Be present in person if possible with a short testimony, passage 
 of scripture or praj-er. Make a sacrifice to be there. Make it for yourself 
 a time of renewed dedication to the service of Christ. 
 
 Help others to come. Give a word of exhortation to the faint hearted. 
 We desire a word from the aged, the siel:, iha infirm , the a dsent. If all 
 cannot be present in person, we desire the hearts and prayers and messages 
 of all. 
 
 EBEN-EZER. 
 
 Do not forget these dates. Pray that this time may be a good time for 
 our Church. Help to make it a success. May we not depend on jyoii f 
 
 Let us dedicate our meeting house and ourselves to a better service to 
 Him in the days to come. 
 
 Praying that we may all be spared to meet in this service and finally 
 join in the better service above, 
 
 I am sincerely yours in Church Fellowship, 
 
 O. P. BACHES, Pastor. 
 
36 
 
 The Roll Call, October 30 and 31. 
 The first Roll Call took place Wednesday evening, October 30th. 
 The pastor read from L,iike x : 17-19, and Rev. iii : 5. The names 
 from A to H inclusive were called. About ninet}' per cent, of the 
 members were present in person or by message. The second Roll 
 Call took place on Thursday evening. The pastor read from Mai. 
 iv : 16-18, John x : 10-16, Eph. ii : 19. A heav}' storm prevented 
 the attendance of many who had planned to be present. Among 
 those taking part were Mrs. Eliza Pullen, Mrs. Ellen Rue, Mi.ss 
 Ruth Dey, who had been members fift)- -seven j^ears. Several others 
 had been members over fift}^ years. Very touching were the mes- 
 sages of some past eighty years, who hoped .soon to respond to the 
 Roll Call above. 
 
 Friday Morning, November ist. 
 
 The devotional exercises began at 10.30, by singing " All hail the 
 power of Jesus' name." The pastor read from the old Bible, in use 
 more than a century ago, i Sam. 7:12. Rev. A. S. Flock, lately 
 pastor at Cedarville, led in prayer. 
 
 A large number who could not be present at the Roll Call took part 
 in testimony. The hymns were such as might have been sung in 
 1745 at the founding of the Church — "Bless oh my soul the living 
 God," "God is the refuge of his saints, " "What shall I render to 
 my God" — all written b}^ Dr. Watts. 
 
 After these exercises, at 11 A. M. the pastor read in part, the 
 following historical sketch of the Church. 
 
p 
 
37 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 HIGHTSTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 Nearly two hundred years ago the foundations of our church began to 
 be laid. It was not then the State of New Jersey, but the Provinces of 
 East and West Jersey. Our church was in the Province of East Jersey, 
 whose Capital was Perth Amboy, whose Governor, at the time of the in- 
 troduction of Baptist preaching in this vicinity, was Lewis Edward, Lord 
 Cornbury. Not a thought of separation from the mother land had come 
 into the hearts of our forefathers and all were loyal Englishmen. The 
 Philadelphia Association, of which this church was a member, in 1769, 
 when considering a petition to the King for the relief of the suffering 
 Baptist brotherhood in New England calls him " Our Gracious Soverign." 
 The Baptists of the Jerseys were loyal to Christ and to the English crown. 
 
 They are far off days when Baptist ministers began to come into the 
 neighborhood in 1706. In New England King Philip's Indian war had 
 closed but a few years before. That glorious revolution in England 
 whereby despotism and papal supremacy had been forever driven away 
 from English soil in the person of James— whereby the English language 
 had forever been consecrated to human freedom — this had taken place 
 only twenty years before. John Bunyan about the same time had pub- 
 lished the "Pilgrim's Progress." It is doubtful whether any of the old 
 time forefathers of this Church had ever seen this book, John Milton, 
 but a few years before had published his " Paradise Lost." Sir Isaac 
 Newton, at this time, was establishing the theory of gravitation. It was 
 an era when great men were living — when great thoughts were born — 
 when great books were made. 
 
 George Washington was not yet born —was not born for a quarter of a 
 century to come. Yale College was founded only five years before. Cotton 
 Mather, the New England minister, did not die until twenty years after- 
 ward. At that time there was no post office in New York. Trenton and 
 New^ Orleans were not yet founded. One newspaper had been established 
 two years before in Boston. Some of our Baptist forefathers who listened 
 to the first recorded Baptist preaching in this neighborhood, were born 
 within twenty years of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Some 
 of them may have seen Cromwell, or Milton, or Governor Winthrop, or 
 
38 
 
 Miles Standish ; may have heard John Bunyan, or Roger Williams, or 
 John Clark of Newport, or Cotton Mather, or John Cotton. 
 
 In that far off day the era of invention had not yet arisen. The stage 
 route had not even yet been born. It was a time of small things seem- 
 ingly. Simplicity and quietness and isolation from each other held sway. 
 They had few luxuries. They had almost no books. They had nothing 
 of the teeming literature that now swamps the home. But there were 
 good and true men and women in those days who knew how to live 
 purely, to think clearly, to cultivate a high moral and spiritual life. 
 
 THE BEGINNING OF BAPTIST CHURCHES. 
 When the Middletown pastor began to preach in an occasional way in 
 this vicinity in 1706, there were in this country only thirteen little groups 
 of people holding our views of New Testament teaching. Of these, three 
 were in this State, Middletown, our mother church, founded in 1688 ; Pis- 
 cataway in 1689 ; Cohansey in 1690. There were not over five hundred 
 Baptists in all probability at that time, in our land. Little did the men 
 of that day dream of the great things that would follow in the after years. 
 They were true to their present light and convictions, and thus became 
 benefactors of the after centuries. The oldest church of our distinctive 
 belief was founded in Providence, R. I., in 1639. 
 
 THE FOUNDING OF OUR CHURCH. 
 Edward's History of the Baptist Churches of New Jersey states that 
 there was Baptist preaching in this vicinity in the year 1706. The pastors 
 of that day had large missionary hearts. It is not known who these men 
 were, but in all probability they were the pastors from Middletown in this 
 State and Pennepek in Pennsylvania. By the year 1745 there were seven- 
 teen men and women holding our views in this vicinity. All of them 
 were members of the Middletown church. Without doubt the members 
 resident here often attended the services at the mother church. In those 
 days miles were not obstacles. It is within the memory of persons now 
 living that members would walk ten or more miles to attend worship. 
 During the present pastorate, one good woman was accustomed to walk 
 to church a distance of six miles. Without doubt also services were held 
 in the homes of the members in this vicinity. Many a log house in these 
 days, became a Bethel. Distance from the home church and growing 
 numbers led to a desire to have a church of their own. In the records of 
 the Philadelphia Association we find the following minute : " Agreed and 
 concluded, pursuant to requests made by the brethren about Cranbury, 
 
'39 
 
 that Brethren Nathaniel Jenkins and Jenkin Jones be at Cranbury Friday, 
 the first day of November, in order to settle the members there in church 
 order." 
 
 On this day one hundred and fifty years ago these two Godly ministers 
 met with the brethren in some homestead in or near Cranbury. Nathaniel 
 Jenkins travelled one hundred miles to reach the place appointed. He 
 was at that time pastor of the Cohansey church near Bridgeton. He was a 
 man of mark. He was a member of the lycgislature in 1721, and sturdily 
 maintained the rights of men to think freely without fear of the law. 
 Jenkin Jones was pastor of the Pennepek church in Philadelphia. He 
 also was a man of ability and a good man. That Friday was a day of 
 prayer, of scripture exposition, of enquiry as to doctrinal belief. And 
 then it became a day when a solemn league and covenant was formed. 
 The seventeen men and women entered into a compact to serve Christ, to 
 maintain the truth as they saw it, to help each other, to live holy lives. 
 The original record book, bearing date November i, 1745, is yet in the 
 possession of the church in good preservation. It begins in this way r— 
 " The church book of the Baptists at Cranbury, the people owning and 
 embracing believer's baptism according to the example of our Lord and 
 Master Jesus Christ, constituted and settled the first day of November in 
 Gospel order in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and 
 forty-five, and we the members of the said church have covenanted as 
 follows : 
 
 The Church Covenant is a model of simplicity and of scripturalness. 
 It is called " The Solemn Covenant of the Church at its Constitution." 
 
 They Covenant to obey Christ, to walk in a holy way, to help each 
 other in the Christian life, to strive to spread the kingdom, to support 
 the church, not to go to law with each other. 
 
 There were seventeen constituent members, all of whom were dismissed 
 from the Middletown Church Their names are as follows: James Car- 
 man, William Cheeseman, William Cheeseman, Jr., Samuel Cheeseman. 
 John Dye, Thomas Morford, Moses Hull, John Hight, Malakia Bonhara, 
 Martha Cheeseman, Catharine Cheeseman, Mary Dye, Abigail Morford, 
 Mary Hight, Margaret Carman. Catharine Morris, Joanna Flavel. 
 
 We do not know where any of these old homesteads were except that of 
 John Hight, from whom this town took its name. He lived in a log 
 cabin on the north side of the stream that flows through our town, not 
 far from the bridge that now spans it. Doubtless many devotional meet- 
 ings were held in this old log house. 
 
40 
 
 The newly formed churches in these dajs were small in number. The 
 Piscataway church formed in 1689 had six male members ; the Cohansey 
 in 1690 had nine men. In our church at its organization were nine men 
 and eight women. Of most of these we know nothing, except they were 
 the foundation stones of our church. This we know — they were men who 
 believed something and knew why they believed it. They were far- 
 sighted men. They were men who had in them the spirit of worship, 
 They lighted a candle that, by God's grace, has been shining for one 
 hundred and fifty years. At the end of each name in the old record 
 book stands one suggestive word — Dead. Long since these men and 
 women have been sleeping — -bnt their work abides. They started influ- 
 ences that will go on for centuries to come. 
 
 vSURROUNDINGS. 
 
 This was the seventh Baptist church organized in this State — the others 
 being Middletown, Piscataway, Cohansey. Cape May, Hopewell, King- 
 wood. At that time there were sixteen Episcopal churches in the State. 
 There were Episcopal churches at Allentown, Freehold, Spotswood, Perth 
 Araboy, New Brunswick. The Presbyterians had churches at Allentown, 
 founded in 1725 ; at Cranbury in 1720. There were twenty Presbyterian 
 churches in the State. The Reformed had churches at Freehold, Middle- 
 town, New Brunswick. In all, there were twenty Reformed churches in 
 the State. The seven churches have grown to two hundred and sixty- 
 one. The perhaps two hundred members have grown to near forty-seven 
 thousand. 
 
 When this church was organized the name of Methodist had not yet 
 been heard this side of the Atlantic. The first Methodist chapel was not 
 erected until 1767, The population was sparse. East Jersey did not con- 
 tain, at the uttermost, more than one or two score thousand people. The 
 Indians were near neighbors. In 1745 David Brainerd was preaching to 
 the Indians a few miles bejond Cranbury. Our early church fathers knew 
 and heard that sainted man of God. In 1766 the region about Crosswicks, 
 ten miles from here, was described as a wild and unsettled place and 
 possessed with Indians in great abundance. 
 
 THE FIRST PASTOR. 
 
 James Carman, one of the constituent members was chosen as pastor. 
 He was at this time an old man, 67 years of age. " He was born at Cape 
 May ; bred a churchman ; came with his parents to Philadelphia when a 
 child ; went with them to Staten Island, where he in the fifteenth year of 
 
41 
 
 his age received baptism at the hand of Rev. Elias Keach. He did not 
 join any Baptist Church for many j^ears ; went first among the Quakers, 
 not content with their way, he joined the new light Presbyterians ; and 
 connived at their christening two of his children ; but repenting of that 
 connivance, he joined Middletown Church, and in process of time was 
 licensed to preach among that branch of the Middletown Church which 
 resided at Cranbury, and which is now the church at Hightstown." Ed- 
 wards. He was ordained as pastor of this church, Sunday, Nov. 3d, 1745. 
 Rev. Nathaniel Jenkins and Abel Morgan, of Middletown, assisted in the 
 occasion. Both of these men were rugged defenders of an orthodox faith 
 —men of large abilit\-. It is certain that James Carman, the first pastor, 
 was well grounded in the fundamentals of the faith. He was interested 
 in the larger work of the church — that which lay beyond the confines of 
 the local church work. He was present at almost every meeting of the 
 Association, preaching before that body in the year 1752. We have 
 record of his preaching in New York and elsewhere while pastor of this 
 church. It is probable that he received no stated salary. We find the 
 following record in March, 1748— "The church hath chosen Brother 
 Thomas Morris and Brother Samuel Throp to inspect into Mr. James Car- 
 man's necessities and to inform the church thereof in order that Mr. 
 Carman may have support." No further reference is made in the records, 
 to the question of support. 
 
 It was a church made up of saintly men and women — but there was in 
 it a vast deal of human nature. Under date of March 23, 1754, we have 
 the following record :—" First under consideration was some difference 
 between Mr. Carman, our pastor, and Thomas Appleget and his wife, 
 which by confession to each other and to the church is done away and 
 will be entirely drowned in oblivion." This, in truth, was a scriptural 
 way to settle difficulties. Another ripple in the quietness of the church 
 life appears in the proceedings of the church meeting on the first Friday 
 in June 1756— "a dispute arising between the Rev. Mr. James Carman and 
 Benjamin Cheeseman referred for further consideration." The minutes 
 do not show that this dispute was settled. Both these men have since 
 learned in the upper life, how to live for over a hundred years without 
 any dispute. He died while pastor of the church. Abel Morgan, of 
 Middletown, preached his funeral discourse, Oct. 29, 1756, from Psalms 
 cxvi: 15 Abel Morgan's funeral sermon was, in turn, preached in 17S5 
 by the second pastor of this church. He was buried near the pulpit in 
 which for eleven years he had preached Christ. In the old burial ground 
 
42 
 
 at Cranbury hi.s body rests. A headstone recently erected by the church 
 marks his resting place. 
 
 Morgan Edwards writing in 1789 says of James Carman — " His first 
 wife was Margaret Diiwys by whom he had children, Elizabeth, Caleb, 
 John, Phoebe, James, Ruth and Margaret ; his second wife was Sarah 
 Frazier, who bare him three children, Rachel, Ephraim and Samuel ; 
 these ten children formed alliances with the Woods, Bells, Larouses, 
 Princes, Simmons, &c., and have raised him upward of thirty grand 
 children; and these a numerous progeny of great grand children." Of 
 him we have no portrait, except the moral portraiture, that he was a good 
 man. 
 
 A DAY OF SMALL THINGS. 
 
 Our church and the churches of that day had but few of the agencies 
 for work now possessed. At that day there were no Foreign Missions. 
 The thoughts of Christians had not yet been lifted up to the larger horizon 
 of Christ's plans and words. William Carey, the founder of Modern Mis- 
 sions, was not born until 1761, fifteen years after this church was formed. 
 There was no organized Home Mission movement. Our Country was 
 but a narrow strip lying on the Atlantic. Pittsburgh, Chicago, Buffalo 
 were not yet dreamed of. Albany was considered in the far west. Not a 
 single Baptist school had 3^et been established. Hopewell, the first Bap- 
 tist institution, was not founded until 1756. There was no Bible society 
 in the world. The modern Sunday School movement had not yet been 
 begotten. Robert Raikes did not begin his work until years afterward. 
 The Young People's organization was unthought of. Very simple in 
 their methods of work, very narrow in their range— the church of one 
 hundred and fifty years ago seems. But they did effectively the work for 
 their daj'. They were in quest of opportunity for service. In due time 
 there came a larger outlook and more effective work. But they managed 
 without many books, with no magazines or religious papers or libraries 
 to raise up men and women trained in the christian life. Some essential 
 and important things they had in large abundance. They had God the 
 great and wise ; they had Jesus Christ the Savior ; they had the Holy 
 Spirit the leader into God's thoughts and into larger lives ; thej^ had the 
 Holy Scriptures ; they had enlightenment, a conscience, a clear thinking 
 mind; they had a con.straining sense of duty, a joy in Christian service; 
 with them and in them and through them God worked so that men were 
 brought into the Kingdom and built up in the knowledge of the truth and 
 firm foundation laid for the better davs to come. We need not be ashamed 
 
43 
 of the men and women of the former days or begin to make apologies for 
 
 them. 
 
 " Whatever record leaps to light, 
 
 They never will be shamed." 
 
 THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE. 
 
 On the first Saturday of October, 1747, the following minute occurs— 
 " Concluded that Brother Hopewell Hull and Brother Thomas Morris are 
 appointed to go to Isaac Fitz Randolph in order to acquaint him that all 
 is ready for him to go on with the meeting house." This house was erec- 
 ted on the property now occupied by the Spice Mills in Cranbury. The 
 lot was purchased from Stephen Warne. Previous to this time the 
 services must have been held in private houses. Two years passed away 
 after the organization before the church had a meeting house. The con- 
 veyance of the land bears date April 15, 1746. The house was a wooden 
 structure. It could not have been pretentious or costly. It was plain 
 without and within. There was no Cathedral glass, no carpet on the 
 floor, no elaborate furnishings. The windows were small, it was dimly 
 lighted at night, even if there were services at night. There was no 
 organ, it is a matter of great doubt whether at this time they would have 
 tolerated an}' instrumental music. 
 
 But, there was the true Spiritual worship of the Almighty. There was 
 fellowship with Him and with each other. The services began at eleven 
 o'clock. Except for a short time the morning service of the church has 
 always begun at this hour. The services lasted from eleven to one P. M. 
 Attendance at the place of worship was emphasized as a duty and privi- 
 lege. On the first Saturday of March, 1748, we have the following — 
 
 " Whereas we have fixed and stated times appointed to meet together 
 to consult about the house of God or the things of God's house, too many 
 of the members have here-to-fore neglected their places, and the church 
 has concluded and determined that whatever member shall neglect his 
 place and shall not appear in their place or places, between the hours of 
 eleven and one o'clock in the day, must give some good reason for such 
 neglect or come under the reproof of the church." The meeting house was 
 finished early in 1 74S. We have the name of the first sexton of the meet- 
 ing house. "Brother Thomas Morris is to dig graves at our meeting 
 house and to sweep and take care of the meeting house." This house of 
 worship was used for forty years. It was then sold to Dr Stites and 
 removed from the premises. The front part of the church grounds was 
 afterwards sold, the burial part is still owned by the church. 
 
44 
 THE DARK PERIOD. 
 
 After the bright morning of the church there came a dark period. From 
 1756 to 1782 there was no settled pastor. There were no business meetings 
 recorded from September 6, 1766 to October 2, 1784. After the death of 
 Rev. James Carman the following action was taken November 13, 1756. 
 "Concluded that the church do assemble at the meeting house on the 
 Sabbath, in this instant, to hold Christian Society and so to continue once 
 a fortnight until the church see fit to alter the rule. Concluded that our 
 Brothers Wm. Cheeseman and Thomas Morford do carry on the exercises 
 of divine worship at the times appointed and call to their assistance such 
 helps as they think proper." The pastor was dead, but the church was 
 not. Without a recognized leader they decided they would carry on the 
 worship themselves. It was doubtless a time that tried the patience and 
 faith of the people. The fire burned low, but it burned. We are depend- 
 ent for our knowledge of the church's life, during this period, upon the 
 Minutes of the Philadelphia Association. For two years, 1767, 1768, the 
 pastor of the Piscataway Church acted as pastor of this church and 
 represented it as a delegate at the Association. Rev. Isaac Stelle who 
 thus shepherded our church for two years was an eminently godly and 
 useful man, filling a large place in the Baptist cause at that day. In 1761 
 two were baptized, the membership was thirty-six, the congregation num- 
 bering 150. In 1766 came a time of gracious revival when tliirtj^ were 
 baptized, making the membership seventy-six. And then came a time of 
 darkness and struggle. For five years from 1768-1772 no report was made 
 to the Association. In 1773 we again get a glimpse at the church and the 
 membership has dwindled to twenty-four. During a large part of the revo- 
 lutionary struggle no report was made. Those days were dark days for 
 the spiritual life of the churches. In 1780 the Philadelphia Association 
 " complained in general of great declension in religion and vital piety; 
 also of amazing prevailing stupidity, which are such tokens of the divine 
 displeasure as do loudly call for deep humiliation of spirit." These were 
 dark days also for the Baptists in New England and in Virginia Their 
 farms were sold from them and their pastors were put in jail. The church 
 had, during these dark years, three sources of help, the neighboring 
 pastors, the travelling preachers or evangelists and the Ruling Elders and 
 Deacons. 
 
 THE SECOND PASTOR. 
 
 God was in the meanwhile raising up one of their own number to be 
 their pa.stor. Peter Wilson was born in Windsor Township, May 14, 
 
45 
 
 1753 ; baptized May i, 1776 ; licensed to preach i7cSo, when 27 years of age ; 
 ordained as pastor May 13, 1782. It is very probable that he supplied the 
 pulpit largely before he became pastor. Straightwa}' the Record Book 
 of the church becomes a thing of life. A new interest everywhere sprang 
 up. It was the coming of a man who did it. Morgan Edwards writ- 
 ing in 1789, sa3'S : " He is a man to be wondered at ! " The church 
 had well nigh become extinct. Within nine years two hundred and three 
 were converted and baptized. The like eflFect followed his preaching 
 everywhere. "And for all this popularity, ordination and common 
 English education he did not (like too many lay preachers) hold himself 
 in a state of sufficiency." He spent four j-ears of .study at the Academy 
 of Dr. Burgess Allison at Bordentown, that he might fit himself for the 
 work of the ministry. "When his business was urgent he borrowed 
 parts of the night to attend to it after having spent the days at Mr. 
 Allison's Academy." Peter Wilson was a tailor bj- trade. A true helper 
 was his wife. " It should not be forgotten that Mrs. Wilson encouraged 
 him in his wishes, saying that she would go to the washtub or take a hoe 
 in her hand rather than he should want learning." He thus became well 
 versed in the .standard literature of the day. Morgan Edwards styles him 
 A. M. His salary was " £120 per annum beside perquisites." He was a 
 man of large stature, dressed in the old stj'le of clothing. But one of his 
 sermons, so far as known, remains. The outlines of a sermon preached 
 in 1805 before this church show an orderly arrangement, a knowledge of 
 the Scriptures and a direct and personal appeal. But two persons are now 
 living, so far as is known, who have any remembrance of having seen 
 him or heard him preach^ — Mrs. Abigail Smith and Mrs Margaret Con- 
 over, both of this place. But it is also true that his wide ministr}' — his 
 almost two score years of service — his thousands of sermons impressed 
 themselves, in an incalculable way, upon this community and this part 
 of the State. He had a large parish. His field extended from the Raritan 
 and the Atlantic to the Delaware and beyond into Pennsylvania ; from 
 Penn's Neck to Squan and Mt. Holly. He was con.stant in labors, a man 
 of big frame and large heart, travelling on horseback to fill his appoint- 
 ments. He preached at Trenton, Hamilton Square, Penn's Neck, Wash- 
 ington, Cheesequakes, Squan, Pemberton, Mt. Holly, Jacobstown. "At 
 Pemberton fifty-five were added by means of his preaching there ; almost 
 a dozen at Jacobstown. The members of the new church at the INIanor (in 
 Pennsylvania) were all baptized by him." At that time there were only 
 three churches within the bounds of the Trenton Association, Middletown, 
 
46 
 
 Hightstown, Upper Freehold. There was a large field for work. There 
 was a loud call for a man. With the closing of the war, with the begin- 
 ning of the new national life, there was opened a new era for spiritual 
 and church work. Peter Wilson did his work well and largely. If we 
 could take out of the Baptist Church life in this part of the State what 
 Peter Wilson did, directly and indirectly, what an impoverished thing it 
 would be. Peter Wilson was a missionary committee in himself ; a state 
 convention in himself. This church extended from the ocean to the 
 Delaware. It was one church, but with a widely scattered membership. 
 We find this record September 30, 1786. "Agreed that we hold Com- 
 munion at South River as often as the church may judge it convenient." 
 We find this record August 23, 1802. "Agreed to hold Communion at 
 Squan occasionally, as there appears an open door for the Gospel in that 
 place." In 1804 seventy-four members were dismissed to form churches 
 at South River and Squan. The Squan church was organized October 
 20, 1804. 
 
 We find this record April 25, 1784, " The church agreed to hold Com- 
 munion at Nottingham Square." The meeting house at Hamilton Square 
 was built m 1788. The lot was given by Mr. Eldridge ; the house was 
 largely erected through Mr. Nutt. The property was conveyed to the 
 Trustees of the Church March 10, 1788. The church was organized No- 
 vember 9, 1S05, almost entirely by members dismissed from this church 
 for that purpose. Edwards writes in 1792 : " The families belonging to 
 Hightstown church are about 250 ; whereof 240 persons are baptized and 
 in the Communion here administered, partly at one house and partly at 
 the other." At the church meeting held January 25, 1792, it is stated the 
 salary for Peter Wilson for the preceding year was two hundred and ten 
 dollars in our currency — (^84. 5s.) 
 
 Peter Wilson went beyond Hamilton Square to Trenton. He preached 
 here as early as 1787, the first recorded Baptist preaching in that place. 
 The house of Mrs. Hannah Keen was the first Baptist sanctuary in Tren- 
 ton. On March 4, 1788, he baptized five persons in the Delaware. This 
 was the first instance of believer's baptism within the present limits of 
 the city. The church here was organized November 9, 1805, almost 
 exclusively of members dismissed from this church. Peter Wilson con- 
 tinued to preach for them until 1809. His labors here were greatly appre- 
 ciated. January 9, 1808, the church took this action: — "The thankful 
 acknowledgments of the church for his work of faith and labors of love 
 amongst us for the past years are voted to Rev. Peter Wilson." 
 
47 
 
 The Spirit of work was in him and churches were begotten. In 1787 he 
 preached in the houses of John Flock, near Princeton ; James Campbell, in 
 Princeton, and in 1790 in the house of John Hight, Penn's Neck. The 
 first sermon was from Matthew 1 1 : 28-30. A detailed account of the work 
 in Peter Wilson's hand writing is found in the record book of the Penn's 
 Neck Church. 
 
 The work widened and deepened. The result was a church. This 
 church was organized December 5, 1812, with a membership of thirty-six 
 all of whom were dismissed from this church. 
 
 The Mt. Holly Church histor}- has this record: — "The earliest Baptist 
 influence in Mt. Holly of which we have record was that awakened bj- the 
 preaching of Rev. Peter Wilson, in 1784." Through him indirectly by 
 the labors of Rev. Alexander McGowan. a licentiate of the Hightstown 
 Church, this church had its origin. All the churches thus mentioned, 
 except Mt. Holly, were parts of the one church at Hightstown. Provision 
 was made bj' .vote of the church, for the Scripture ordinances and for 
 church discipline in each neighborhood. The record reads: — "The 
 church met at Hightstown, Nottingham Square, etc." Before these 
 churches were organized this church numbered 424, doubtless the largest 
 Baptist church at that time in this country and in the world. Peter Wil- 
 son continued pastor of the church to November 3, 1816 and acted as 
 supply for the church to May 18, 1S17. He was one of the most useful of 
 men — but he was a man. Under date of August 22, 1817, are these words 
 — " Peter Wilson informed the church that he would neither preach nor 
 commune until the church should see fit to restore him into the fellowship 
 of the church." The church voted to restore him to fellowship. "Novem- 
 ber 2, 1817, Peter Wilson was invited to the fellowship of the church by 
 Deacon Thomas Allen in behalf of the church." It was the curse of strong 
 drink that proved stronger than a good strong man. It was a marvel- 
 ously fruitful life. Revivals followed his preaching. In 17S6 he baptized 
 sixt3'-six; in 1787, fortj'-eight ; in 17S8, forty-five; in 1789, twent3--six. The 
 Hoh- Spirit accompanied and owned his work. He records in the church 
 book these words: — "Peter Wilson baptized from August 10, 1782, to June 
 22, 181 7, 952 persons." He died May 19, 1824, and is buried only a few feet 
 from the pulpit that he filled for thirty-five years. His residence was on 
 Stockton Street, north side, in the old Wilson home. His wife was Mary 
 Fisher; his children, Enoch, Job, Oliver Hart and Ezekiel Robbins. He 
 filled a large place in the work of the Philadelphia Association — being its 
 Clerk for a time and frequently sent as a messenger to other Associations. 
 
48 
 
 SECOND MEETING HOUSE. 
 
 In the early part of Peter Wilson's ministry the church decided to move 
 to Hightstown. It is not known what led to the change of location. The 
 residence of the pastor in this part of the field, with more rapidly growing 
 membership in this section may have contributed to this result. In this 
 vicinity was no place of worship, in Cranbury was a Presbyterian church. 
 In the church book is the statement — "The first meeting held at Hights- 
 town, November ii, 1785." This was on Friday. Whether the house was 
 finished at this time the records do not state. At that time the village con- 
 sisted of the log cabin of John Hight, a blacksmith shop built by him, a 
 tavern also built by him at a da}' when a spiritual life and the sale of spir- 
 ituous liquors were not deemed inconsistent. The mill was built at the 
 close of the revolutionary' period. Perhaps two or three other houses were 
 in or near the present village. Half an acre of ground was purchased from 
 William Smith, the conveyance bearing date April 3, 1784. Upon this lot 
 was built a frame house 40x30 feet, .standing where the brick house now 
 stands. Edwards says that it was well finished and accommodated with 
 a vStove. It was a remarkable thing in those days to have the meeting 
 house warmed. For forty years, in the first meeting house, the}' had 
 braved the winters with no heat save that which their warm hearts gave 
 them. Some of the older members would perhaps bring with them their 
 warming pans filled with charcoal. This house had, as the older people 
 relate, galleries and. a sounding board over the pulpit on which rested a 
 dove. The house was freed from debt soon after its erection. The church 
 voted April 12, 1788: — " Agreed to raise by subscription money to paj^ the 
 deficiency for discharging expense of building the meeting house at 
 Hightstown." Back of the meeting house stood the grave yard, God's 
 acre, which was used for burial purposes until fifteen years ago at which 
 time it was voted to permit no more interments. The oldest grave stone 
 bears date July 4, 1790. This meeting house which was of frame, was 
 used until 1834. At this time it was sold and removed from the premises. 
 One of the old pews is still in existence. In this old pew, stiff and high 
 backed, sat some of those who were intent, it may be hoped, on hearing 
 that they might improve the life. In the upper sanctuary they now meet. 
 The old meeting hou.se was purchased by Dr. McChesney and was used 
 for several 3'ears by the Universalists as a house of worship. Part of its 
 framework was used in constructing the Universalist parsonage. A view 
 of this old meeting house is still preserved in an old print. Soon after 
 entering the new house, the church was incorporated as a body politic. 
 
Third rAsroK, John Six.kk. 
 
 Fourth Pastor, C W. Mui,kori> 
 
 Fii-TH Pastor, C.korge Yoiinc 
 
 Sixth Pastor, J. 15. Saxton. 
 
49 
 
 March i6, 1786, an act passed the legislature to incorporate the church. 
 November 30 it was organized under the act, adopting a seal and electing 
 its first board of trustees, namely, Samuel Minor, William Tindall, Wil- 
 liam Covvenhoven, William Cubberly, Nehemiah Dey, John Walton, John 
 Cox. William Tindall was chosen President of the Board. 
 
 This house having served its purpose for fifty years gave way to 
 another. Benjamin Ward was appointed to take charge of the meeting 
 house. A few of the older members have a remembrance of this old place 
 of worship. Mrs. Peter Pullen whose membership with us dates back 
 nearly sixty 3'ears has remembrance of Deacon Enoch Allen, standing in 
 front of the pulpit and lining out the hymn, two lines at atime. James M. 
 Pullen and John Seger, Jr., also standing in front led the singing. The 
 pulpit Bible used in the house is in the possession of the church. Many 
 hundreds were converted and comforted through the words of this old book . 
 
 A part of the Communion service remains until this day — made of 
 pewter, ver}- common in appearance, but they were witnesses for large 
 and tender teachings. 
 
 THE THIRD PASTOR. 
 
 There was no long interval between the retirement of Peter Wilson and 
 the coming of the new pastor. Rev. John Seger. He entered upon the 
 new pastorate May i, 1S18, having previously supplied the church for 
 several months. He was born in New York Feb. 4, 1786. After a long 
 and painful religious experience, that reminds one of John Bunyon's deep 
 soul exercises, he came into the light. Matt. 5 : 4. was his spiritual birth- 
 place. He joined the First Baptist Church in New York April, 1803, Rev. 
 William Collyer, pastor. Straightway he began to work in destitute 
 places. When he was converted, he was converted into the ministry. 
 He was ordained while carrying on business, January 17, 1813. He was 
 a man who knew how to do things ; how to make things come to pass. 
 
 " He obtained a patent right for the first cooking stove that had ever 
 been invented." He was a man of deep and earnest piety, a plain and 
 effective preacher. He was not a man of very large acquaintance with 
 books, but he was a man who knew the one book. He was also a sweet 
 singer in Israel. A great revival took place during his ministry, during 
 which 150 were baptized. During a part of his pastorate here he was 
 alsothe joint pastor at Hamilton Square. He also preached largely at 
 Penn's Neck. He remained pastor of the church for eighteen years, end- 
 ing his work May i, 1836. After this he served as pastor at Jamacia, Long 
 Island, and Lambertville, N. J., then returned to make his home among 
 
50 
 
 the people with whom he labored so long. He spent here an honored old 
 age. Many will remember the venerable white haired man who always 
 occupied the pulpit with the pastor. He entered into rest November rg, 
 1870. He lies resting in the old grave yard, a few feet distant from the 
 pulpit he filled while living. He was a man of missionary spirit, having 
 a heart larger than his own field and his own church. He had a wide 
 horizon. July 27, 1830, a meeting was held at Hamilton Square, with 
 delegates from ten churches. At this meeting the State Convention was 
 formed. Of this meeting John Seger was president. The other delegate 
 from this church was Thomas Allen. Those eighteen delegates were 
 doing a far larger thing than they dreamed of in laying the foundations 
 of our State mission work. During his later years he wrote and published 
 his autobiography, an interesting sketch of a long and useful life. A copy 
 of this work is in possession of the church. While other strong Baptist 
 churches, like Hopewell, became anti-missionary in spirit, John Seger 
 with other like minded men, put a different stamp upon this church. 
 Being dead, he lives. 
 
 THIRD MEETING HOUSE. 
 
 During Mr. Seger's ministry a brick meeting house was erected on the 
 site of the former house. It was dedicated in 1S34 It was repaired and 
 enlarged in 1839 with the dedicatory sermon by Rev. Samuel Aaron of 
 Burlington. As orignally built a small cupola adorned the house — this 
 was afterward removed. Galleries surrounded three sides of the interior. 
 The end gallery was used for Sunday School purposes. Here is found the 
 diminutive library case used by the school before the modern era of books. 
 This house is now used for the Bible .school, for prayer meeting purposes, 
 for social purposes. The upper room was the first home of Peddie Institute. 
 Here for years school work was carried on. On the erection of this house 
 it was voted to tear down the brick house. Tradition asserts that the 
 work of destruction had already begun when Rev. Lewis Smith, the new 
 pastor, stopped the work that it might be used for school purposes. In 
 the year 1885 an addition was put to this building for primary and Bible 
 class work. This with the work of improving the entire lower floor for 
 better Sunday School work cost over two thousand dollars. In 1834 
 Hightstown contained six stores and between thirty and forty dwellings. 
 This house was for twenty-five 3'ears a birth place for souls. 
 
 FOURTH PASTOR. 
 Rev. Clarence W. Mulford began his pastorate December 21, 1836. He 
 was baptized and licensed at vSalem, was ordained at Pemberton November 
 
51 
 
 1830. He was called to Hightstown from Frankford, Penna. It was a 
 fruitful and faithful ministry. He baptized while here 225 persons. The 
 older members of the church retain the kindest memories of him as a 
 heavenly minded man. For the first time in the history of the church, 
 the pastor, because of his pastorship, acted as moderator of the business 
 meetings. Before this time it had been customary to elect a chairman for 
 each meeting. For the first time also pews were rented as a means of 
 church revenue. This plan continued to be made use of by the church 
 until 1S90, when the pews were made free and the envelope plan was 
 adopted. At first the offerings were made monthly — in 1S94 the weekly 
 plan was adopted. During his pastorate a bell was first used to call peo- 
 ple to worship. It was voted that it be tolled at funerals, subsequently 
 this action was rescinded, but without any formal action the old custom 
 reasserted itself. Mr. Mulford was a man who planned for the Common- 
 wealth. For several 3'ears he served as Secretary of the State Convention, 
 and for six 3'ears he was its president. At a large ingathering in 1839 
 fifty were baptized on one occasion. He was a leader in temperance work. 
 Old drinking habits were sanctioned by a century of custom. Deacon 
 Enoch Allen, for fifty years a pillar of the church, said that one of his 
 duties when a young man at home, was to see that a sufficient amount of 
 good liquor was on hand when the great meetings were held and pastors 
 and messengers from other churches were expected. He closed his pas- 
 torate July 30, 1S46. He preached subsequently at Flemington and 
 Holmdel, dying at Flemington June 2S, 1864. He was an eminently good 
 man, preacher and pastor. 
 
 FIFTH PASTOR. 
 Rev. George Young, born March i, rSi3, became pastor April i, 1847, 
 having previously been pastor at Sandy Ridge. The first recorded recog- 
 nition services took place June 22, 1847. The sermon was preached by 
 George R. Bliss of New Brunswick ; the hand of fellowship in behalf of 
 the church by Deacon Thomas Allen ; on behalf of the ministers by Rev. 
 J E. Rue ; the address to the candidate by Rev. A. Armstrong of Upper 
 Freehold ; address to the church bj- Rev. D. D. Grey of Penn's Neck ; 
 questions to the church by Brother George Allen. The salary was fixed 
 at $435 per 3-ear and the use of the parsonage farm of seventy acres. Dur- 
 ing his pastorate the church took measures for S3'stematizing and enlarg- 
 ing the benevolence of the church. In the last 3'ear of his pastorate a 
 large ingathering took place. During his pastorate a new mission in- 
 terest was established at the Cross Roads, now Dayton. Preaching was 
 
52 
 
 maintained ; the Lord's Supper was observed here as an outstation of 
 this church. While a mission of the church there was an absence of har- 
 mony among the members. In 1855 it was formed into a separate church, 
 known as the South Brunswick church. Its only pastor was Rev. M. R. 
 Cox ; owing to dissensions in the church and the death of some who 
 were pillars in the church, the house was closed — the church finally dis- 
 banded and the property was sold. Because the members were not faith- 
 ful and brotherly the candlestick was removed and the church light went 
 out. Mr. Young closed his labors April i, 1851, having baptized 78. 
 Three of his sons entered the ministry ; Charles E., who died while pas- 
 tor of the church at Cherry ville ; Thomas C, now pastor at Ringoes, N. 
 J. ; George B., late pastor at Hamilton Square. Rev. George Young was 
 a man of superior ability. He had a large, clear, well-trained mind ; a 
 graduate of Princeton, a profound student of the Bible, a man of large 
 force of character ; he filled many pulpits in this and other States, and 
 entered into rest April 10, 1893. 
 
 SIXTH PASTOR. 
 
 Rev. J. R. Saxton entered upon his pastorate May 25, 1851, having been 
 called from Somerville, N. J. He was soon afterward called b}' the Home 
 Mission Society to enter their service on the Pacific Coast. He labored 
 there successfully for manj' years. In advanced old age he is waiting the 
 summons to pass over, to pass up. He has written a letter to the church 
 to be read at this Anniversary. He resigned October 2, 1852, having bap- 
 tized sixteen. He is still remembered by a few of the older members. As 
 a recognition of his ability as a man and a preacher, the degree of Doctor 
 of Divinity was conferred upon him. 
 
 SEVENTH PASTOR. 
 
 Rev. E. M. Barker became pa.stor March 27, 1853. He was baptized at 
 Cohansey, licensed to preach at Woodstown, ordained at Canton. He 
 was called to Hightstown from Samptown, N. J. His was a pleasant and 
 pro-Sperous pastorate. During his ministry additional ground was pur- 
 chased for church purposes. The ground occupied by the present house, 
 extending to the water in the rear, embraced three acres, thus pur- 
 chased. The meeting house proving too small for the congregation, it 
 was decided to build a new house. Mr. Thomas Hunt of New York, pre- 
 sented the church with a bell weighing 3144 pounds. This was at first 
 suspended from a temporary framework alongside the old house. It may 
 be that a desire to get a suitable place in which to hang it contributed 
 somewhat to the decision to build a new house. The corner stone of the 
 
Seventh Pastor, K. M. Hakkkr. 
 
 EioHTH Pastor Lewis Smith. 
 
 Ninth Pastor, Is.-^ac Bi ttkrhei-d. 
 
 ■ri:NTH Pastor, LYiMan Chase. 
 
53 
 
 new house was laid June i6, 1857. Dr. John Dowling of New York, gave 
 an address on this occasion. Having accepted a call to Beverly, he closed 
 his pastorate August i, 1857. He baptized manj' during his pastorate. 
 He was a good man and did a faithful work. After several subsequent 
 pastorates he died at Baltimore, July 3, 1886. During his fifty-two years 
 in the pastorate, he baptized 500 and preached over 8000 sermons. His 
 son Richard Barker was, for a long time, church clerk. 
 
 FOURTH MEETING HOUSE. 
 This house of worship was dedicated Februar\- 24, 1858. It is a frame 
 structure 57 by 82, costing nearlj^ twent}' thousand dollars. The building 
 committee consi.sted of Enoch Allen, Joseph S. Ely, Thomas H. Mount, 
 John Woolley, Samuel Fisher, E. T. R. Applegate. Four of these men 
 have entered into the service of the upper sanctuar}'. It was freed from 
 debt soon after its dedication. It has been greatly improved since its 
 erection. The cathedral glass windows were put in position in 1883, the 
 gift of Mrs. Mary A. Middleton. The present Roosevelt pipe organ was 
 the gift of Mr. Wilson G. Hunt of New York, in 188 r. The organ room 
 was built b}' the church. Stoves were discarded in 1891, and the steam 
 heating plant was put in place, heating both properties. The grounds 
 were beautified in front, and the stone wall erected in the same year. 
 The Baptistery was introduced in 1886. Previously to that time for one 
 hundred years the mill pond had been used for baptismal purposes. It is 
 not known how soon the fourth meeting house will give waj' to a fifth. 
 
 EIGHTH PASTOR. 
 
 Rev. Lewis Smith was born July 20, 1820, ordained at Hatboro, Pa., 
 November 5, 1S46, having been graduated at Hamilton, N. Y. He served 
 as a missionary in New Mexico, and pastor of the First Trenton church, 
 from which became to the pastorate of this church December i, 1S57. 
 His salary was $Soo per year and a house. The previous pastor, Rev. E. 
 M. Barker, was the last one who occupied the parsonage farm. Mr. 
 Smith was a faithful earnest preacher and pastor. He had a strong soul 
 in a weak body. He was efiicient in work in all the departments of 
 church life. He was devoted in loyalty^ to his country during the civil 
 war. This pulpit rang out in no uncertain sound on the duty of good 
 men to stand b}' the government in word and in work. The grounds in 
 the rear of this church were made use of to hold meetings to recruit the 
 ranks of our armies. It was also used as a drilling ground by the Home 
 Guard. This house was also made use of to collect and forward stores to 
 
54 
 
 the men in the front. Several members of the church went out into the 
 service and did tiot return. Among those was the church clerk, Richard 
 Barker, who died and found a resting place in the South. The records 
 speak of others who laid down their lives for their country ; on the re- 
 cords are entrances like these : " May 24, 1862, in United States Hospital, 
 of wounds received in the battle of Williamsburg, Bro. Charles Leh- 
 ming, aged 24 ;" " Killed in a skirmish with the rebels near Upperville, 
 Va., on May 6, 1S63, Bro. Robert Vorhees, aged 20." Pastor Smith left the 
 pastorate to die. He closed his labors in the midst of a spirtual refresh- 
 ing. He died at St. Paul, Minn., Aug. 25, 1864. His funeral discourse 
 was preached from Ps. CXVI, 15. He lived a useful and holy life. He 
 left a fragrant memory. A volume containing a sketch of his life and a 
 number of his sermons was published after his death. The sermons re- 
 veal him as a man very clear in his thinking and very fervent in spirit. 
 Many of our present members were brought to know Christ through his 
 preaching and living. He baptized a large number during his pastorate, 
 having a fruitful pastorate. During his pastorate the Sunday- School 
 received new life. The following appears on the minutes, dated January 
 30, 1858: " Resolved, that the Sabbath school be reorganized. Resolved, 
 that a committee of ten be appointed to whom all matters pertaining to 
 the regulation of the school shall be submitted. The committee to con- 
 sist of Rev. L. Smith, T. Mount, E. Allen, M. Rue, J. S. Ely, S. Fisher, 
 J. Woolley, J. M. Pullen, E. R. Cole, C. Learning." This is the first 
 reference in the records to an}' Sunday school, though one had existed 
 for many years. 
 
 PEDDIE INSTITUTE. 
 
 On the record book of the church stands this resolution, Januar}' 30, 
 1864 : "Resolved, that the room over the Lecture room be granted to 
 Bro. Lewis Smith for a school room, free of charge, for one year." That 
 was the beginning of a school that ripened into Peddie Institute. It was 
 in the heart of the pastor and other large minded men in the membership 
 to establish here a school for Christian education. The work began in an 
 humble way. Miss Gurr was employed to teach the pupils gathered 
 from the congregation. The school remained in this room for six j-ears. 
 In the meantime the work was widening and larger plans were coming 
 into their minds. The school was incorporated March, 1866, under the title 
 of " The New Jersey Scientific and Classical Institute." Of the original 
 Board of Trustees almost all were members of our church and congregation- 
 Of the nineteen members constituting the first Board of Trustees, Novem- 
 
55 
 ber 8, 1865, thirteen were members of our congregation — Rev. I. Butter- 
 field, S. C. Denise, Enoch Allen, Jos. S. Ely, O. H. Reed, Matthew Rue, 
 J. E. Rue, Samuel Fisher, John C Fisher, John Woolley, James Paxton, 
 E. B. Hall, Enoch A. Ely. These were the foundation men on whom 
 Peddie Institute has been built. Among the names of the men who were 
 the founders of the school were Rev. Lewis Smith, Enoch Allen, for many 
 years the Treasurer of the school ; Rev. J. E. Rue, who everywhere 
 through the State brought the needs of the school before men ; Matthew 
 Rue. Some of these men gave one-quarter of all their possessions to 
 found and save the school. Some of them endorsed notes equal in amount 
 to all their pos.sessions. They were men who believed there ought to be 
 a school here, they were men vi'ho believed the school was worthy of their 
 best endeavors. The church contributed over $20,000 to the school. To- 
 day there is a property worth $150,000 with an endowment of $175,000, 
 ranking as one of the eleven most highly fitted and endowed schools in 
 our land. To God and good men here and elsewhere be all the praise. 
 The church for a hundred years past has had an intelligent interest in 
 education. In 1802 and the following years the church contributed regu 
 larly to the Education Fund of the Philadelphia Association. 
 
 NINTH PASTOR. 
 Rev Isaac Butterfield, of Davenport, Iowa, became pastor June 19, 1864. 
 His salary was $1,000 per year and a house. He was born in Vermont, 
 October 16, 1812, was baptized May, 1S35, licensed to preach in 1836, or- 
 dained January, 1837. He remained here as pastor until October 6, 1866. 
 During his pastorate the congregations were large and the general in- 
 terests of the church were in a flourishing condition. He left, much to 
 the regret of the church. He was a man of marked pulpit ability, fervent 
 piety, a wise leader. He died at Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 17, 1S95. 
 He spent nearly sixty years in the ministry. Even after he left the pas- 
 torate he continued his work among feeble churches. A memorial 
 volume, containing a sketch of his life and the last sermon preached by 
 him is in the possession of the church. Shortly before his death he wrote 
 an aftectionate letter to the church to be read at this Anniversary. 
 
 TENTH PASTOR. 
 . Rev. Lyman Chase became pastor May i, 1867, coming here from Vine- 
 land, N.J. His pastorate terminated April i, 1869. He resigned to ac- 
 cept a position as teacher of Natural Sciences in Peddie Institute. He 
 was a well trained man, scholarly in his habits, well read. Leaving New- 
 Jersey he settled at Kennebunkport, Me. He was bom March 27, 1821 
 
56 
 
 graduating at Colby University in 1843, dying November 25, 1894. He 
 was an able and instructive preacher, well versed in the Natural Sciences, 
 trained also as a physician. His preaching was instructive. As a pastor 
 he was of the building up kind. 
 
 ELEVENTH PASTOR. 
 
 Rev. O. P. Eaches, of Nicetown, Philadelphia, became pastor June 1, 
 1S70. The relation of pastor and people remains unbroken November i, 
 1895. These years have been years of quiet but steady growth. During 
 this period the old house has been thoroughly changed so as to fit it for 
 Sunday school work. Chairs have taken the place of fixed benches. A 
 piano has been introduced to help the music. The main house of wor- 
 ship has also been made more beautiful and serviceable. The grounds in 
 the rear have been made attractive. The building on the adjoining prop- 
 erty has been purchased to furnish a home for the aged members of the 
 church. It has been called " The Livingstone Home," in commemoration 
 of Brother C. W. Livingstone, who left a bequest of one thousand dollars 
 for this purpose. The Sunday school with its modern methods of study 
 is almost a new creation. New methods of work have been introduced. 
 The Woman's Foreign Mission Society was organized April, 1872. The 
 Woman's Home Mission Society was organized April, 1883. Both of them 
 have been very helpful in begetting a missionary spirit in the church. 
 The "Farther Lights " was organized May 17, 1879, to give opportunity 
 for work for young women. The Young Men's Mission Society was or- 
 ganized November 3, 1893. The Little Helper's Mission Band was organ- 
 ized May 1889. The Ladies' Aid Society, that has been for years one of 
 the most efficient helpers of the church, was organized November 10, 
 1882. It has rai.sed and expended for the church nearly three thousand 
 dollars. The Endeavor Society was organized December 28, 1886. This 
 Society with its Committees, its devotion, its prayer meetings, its soci- 
 ables, its cottage prayer meetings, its counses of lectures, has been a 
 great spiritual blessing to the church. The Junior Endeavor Society was 
 organized May 20, 1894. 
 
 For the greater efficiency of the church four women deacons were 
 chosen in 1890. It has proved to be a wise step. Ten assistants to the 
 deacons were appointed in 1891, thereby giving one person for each of the 
 twenty divisions into which the church is divided. By an act of the Leg- 
 islature in 1S94 the church increased its trustees from seven to fifteen. 
 The mission at Jamesbure: was established May 18, 1S85, with thirteen 
 members. Rev. C. A. Schlipf acted as pastor from the first to September 
 
57 
 30, 1894 The meetiny;^ house was dedicated February 16, 1887. Since 
 that time the parsonage has been built. The entire property- is worth five 
 thousand dollars on which rests a debt of $800. Fiftj'-four members were 
 dismissed to form the church there, which was organized as an independ- 
 ent Baptist church October 16, 1894. 
 
 In 1893 Mr. Wilson G. Hunt left a bequest of ten thousand dollars to 
 the church, which he suggested might be used for a new organ and for 
 the musical purposes of the church. The entire sum has been invested. 
 
 PARSONAGE. 
 
 By a convej'ance from Joseph South to Thomas Allen, Wilson Hunt, 
 Thomas Slack, Aaron Forman and Redford Job, Trustees, bearing date 
 November r7th, 1817, the Church became the owner of a farm of seventy 
 acres, lying on the east side of the York road, about one mile from town. 
 This was occupied by the pastors of the Church until 1857, at which 
 time it was sold. In 187 ( a parsonage was built in the town, at a cost 
 of nearly $5,000. 
 
 DISCIPLINE OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 From the first, the Church meetings have borne witness to a desire to 
 maintain the truth. In 1748, members were disciplined for non-attend- 
 ance at the business meetings of the church. In 1767 appears the first 
 exclusion for error in doctrine. The act of exclusion is called the solemn 
 ordinance of excommunication. The steps previous to exclusion were, 
 visitation, suspension from the Lord's supper. To many of the acts of 
 exclusion are appended the words, " May he be saved in the day of 
 Christ." From the beginning of the Church to 1855, the exclusions were 
 announced publicly on the Lord's day. The custom has since fallen into 
 abej-ance. Occasions of discipline have been, attandance at assemblies 
 for dancing, breaches of trust, betting and horse racing, signing petitions 
 for tavern license One colored man was excluded for running away 
 from his master. In the olden times man}- slaves were members of the 
 Church. Upon the records for one hundred and fifty years past are the 
 names of hundreds of men and women over whom the church has exer- 
 cised a tender concern when the}- were out of the wa}'. Many of these 
 were won back again to a godly life. The officers of the Church have not 
 been exempt from this Church scrutiny. On March 12, 1757, appears the 
 following: "Whereas Josiah Davison, a member in this v.hurch, and 
 formerly chosen as an Elder in this Church, but for a long season has ab- 
 sented himself from his place, to the dishonor of religion and dissatis- 
 
58 
 
 faction of the church, being several times reproved or called upon to show 
 reason for his conduct, on his non-compliance the church have thought 
 fit to exclude him from eldership and the Church willing to make further 
 trial leaving the event to divine power have appointed Brother Samuel 
 Cheeseman as messenger to inform said Davison unless he doth appear at 
 our next meeting of conference and give satisfaction to the Church for 
 his conduct, may expect to be laid under censure." The Church meet- 
 ings have always been occasions for settling private differences. In 1830 
 two good men, long since in Heaven, were b}' vote of the church requested 
 to remain from the Lord's Supper until they became rconciled to each 
 other. The settlement of difficulties between Church members by arbi- 
 tration forms a part of the Church covenant. 
 
 GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 At its formation, the Church had ruling elders as well as deacons. The 
 deacons had charge of raising moneys, more strictly financial work. The 
 ruling elders filled a more spiritual office. In the absence of the pastor, 
 it was the province of the elders to carry on the Church worship. It is 
 doubtful whether women voted in the early Church meetings. We find 
 this record October 2d, 1784 : " And those male members that omit at- 
 tending upon the appointed days, shall render an account for their not at- 
 tending at the next meeting." It was a grave question before the 
 Association in 1746, whether women should have their votes recorded. 
 The last ruling elder was elected in 1798. There has never been any ser- 
 ious trouble in the Church arising from parties in the Church. Years ago 
 the Church was in doubt what to do in the ca.se of a wrongdoing member. 
 The Church invited a Council of neighboring churches. When no 
 churches responded the Church voted, "Resolved, that we settle the. 
 difficulty ourselves." The Church has been eminentlj^ peaceful and peace 
 living. 
 
 A LIST OF RULING ELDERS. 
 
 Malakiah Bonham; elected November i, 1745; dismissed 1749. 
 
 William Cheeseman; elected November i, 1745. . 
 
 Thomas Morford; elected November i, 1745. 
 
 Josiah Davison; elected November, 1748; deposed March 12, 1757. : 
 
 Reuben Major; elected May 12, 1766. 
 
 John Chamberlain; elected May 12, 1766. 
 
 Thomas Dey; elected June 8, 1798. . ^ .:. 
 
DEACONS, 1S95. 
 
59 
 A LIST OF DEACONS. 
 
 Thomas Dey; elected April i6, 1785. 
 
 Daniel Hutchinson; elected April 16, 1785. 
 
 William Tindall; elected April 16, 1785 
 
 William Cheeseman; elected Sept. 30, 1786; dismissed April 21, 1796. 
 
 William Ball; elected April 21, 1796; dismissed. 
 
 Joseph Cheeseman; elected April 26, 1796; dismis.sed. 
 
 John Flock; elected June 8, 1798; dismissed. 
 
 John Morford; elected June 8, 1798. 
 
 Enoch Chamberlain; elected August 23, 1802; died April 24, 1832. 
 
 John Havens, Sr. ; elected April 24, 1S04; dismissed September 10, 1804. 
 
 John Vaughn; elected April 23, 1805. 
 
 Thomas Allen; elected April 2^, 1805; died February 13, 1855. 
 
 Wilson Hunt; elected August 25, r8i2; died September 24, 1S23. 
 
 Archibald Forman; elected August 25, 1812; died November 15, 1816. 
 
 Andrew Seger; elected during Mr. Seger's pastorate; died. 
 
 Samuel Allen; elected during Mr. Seger's pastorate; died Aug. 30, 1857. 
 
 John Fisher; elected during Mr. Seger's pastorate; died Sept. 23, 1S63. 
 
 Thomas Ely; elected during Mr. Seger's pastorate; died Aug. 21, i860. 
 
 Enoch Allen; elected July 30, 1853; died May 30, 18S6. 
 
 Matthew Rue; elected July 30, 1853; dismissed June 26, 1890. 
 
 T. S. Snedeker; elected January 24, 1863; died August 31, 1868. 
 
 John Woolley; elected January 24. 1863; dismissed July 11, 1872. 
 
 Randolph Chamberlain; elected Januar}- 24, 1S63; died Dec. 30, 1891. 
 
 John M. Allen; elected January 24, 1863; died September 27, 1873. 
 
 R. M. Job; elected March 28, 1S74; died October 26, 1874. 
 
 L. C. Mount; elected April i, 1876; dismissed May 27, 18S2. 
 
 John Perrine; elected April 26, 1890; died April, 1892. 
 
 Thomas M. Dey; elected April 26, 1890. 
 
 John E. Allen; elected April 26, 1890. 
 
 John Jemison; elected April 26, 1890. 
 
 J. D. Chamberlain; elected April 26, 1890. 
 
 C. E. Cole; elected April 26, 1890; dismissed October 12, 1S93. 
 
 B. P. Stout; elected April 26, 1890; dismissed January 12, 1893. 
 
 Henry W. Robbins, elected April 26, 1890; dismissed Nov. 21, 1895. 
 
 Alexander Mason; elected May 17, 1893. 
 
 Forman Hutchinson; elected Maj' 27, 1S93. 
 
. 6o 
 
 DEACONESSES. 
 
 Mrs. M. M. Job; elected March 26, 1887. 
 
 Mrs. D. W. Perrine; elected March 26, 1887. • 
 
 Mrs. A. E. Chamberlain; elected April 26, 1890. 
 
 Mrs. Hattie Cunningham; elected April 26, 1S90; dismissed Jan. 11, 1894. 
 
 It is probable that in the earlier history of the church, some filled these 
 offices whose names are not recorded. Of the forty seven who have filled 
 the office of elder and deacon all are dead but thirteen — of these, two are 
 serving other churches as deacons. One of the elders was deposed from 
 office, but not excluded from the church. The church records speak of 
 some of them as pillars of the church. The experience of Thomas Allen, 
 who served the church as deacon for fifty 3'ears, was deemed so clear and 
 spiritural that the church voted to have it printed. The original ex- 
 perience on faded paper, ninety years old, is in possession of the church. 
 A Ruling Elder of the First Presbj-terian Church in Cranbury, he was 
 convinced of the scripturalness of our views while in an accidental way 
 attending a baptismal occasion. The church in all its history has been 
 greatly blessed in having wise and spiritually minded leaders. 
 
 LICENSED PREACHERS. 
 
 1. Petek Wilson. His history has been given above. 
 
 2. Malakiah Bonham. He was one of the constituent members of 
 the church, subsequently chosen a Ruling Elder. He was ordained in 
 1749 as pastor of the Kingwood church by a council consisting of Rev. 
 Mr. Miller and Rev. James Carman. He continued in the pastorate until 
 Februar}' 17, 1757, when he was refused the pulpit on account of an evil 
 report that was spread concerning him. He was excluded from the 
 church November 24, 1761. He died in 1789 in the 76th j'ear of his age. 
 
 3. Alexander McGowan. He was licensed July 30, 1790. He was 
 a native of Ireland. He became a Baptist while preparing to meet Rev. 
 Peter Wilson whom he had challenged to public debate in Trenton on the 
 subject of baptism. The public heard no controversy, but witnessed a 
 baptism instead. Tradition asserts that he was pastor of a Presbj'terian 
 church in that place. Soon after he settled at New Mills, now Pember- 
 ton, and in 1795 we find him alternating between that place and Mount 
 Holly. He subsequently preached at Evesham, now Marlton. He died 
 in 1815. He was a man of great ability and deep piety. 
 
 4. David Reese. He was licensed January 7, 1795. He died in 1796. 
 It was a short life — we hope a useful one. 
 
6i 
 
 5. Peter Groom. He was licensed January 7, 1795. He at once be 
 came pastor of the West Creek church. We find in the minutes of the 
 Philadelphia Association, in 1807, this record: "We announce to the 
 churches the afflictive tidings that our beloved brother, Peter Groom, has 
 been removed by death this year." 
 
 6. John Cooper. He was licensed January 24, 1805. He was or- 
 dained as an itinerant preacher at Hightstown by Rev. Peter Wilson. 
 Samuel Jones and William White. He was subsequently excluded, but 
 restored November 24, iSri. He preached for a time at Penn's Neck. 
 He was again excluded at Schenectady, N. Y., in 1828. He was the source 
 of some difficulty between this church and the Middletown church. The 
 Philadelphia Association appointed a committee of seven men in 1805 to 
 settle the difficulties. The difficulty was adjusted by the exclusion of 
 Cooper by this church 
 
 7. Joshua E. Rue. He was licensed August 27, 1S44 ; ordained as 
 pastor at Jacobstown, January 30, 1S45. He served subsequently as pas- 
 tor at Sandy Ridge and Scotch Plains ; was agent for the Home Mission 
 Society and the American Bible Union. He was one of the founders of 
 Peddie Institute, acting for a time as its financial agent. He died while 
 living a retired life in North Carolina in October, 1870, aged 70. He was 
 a man of marked ability in his knowledge of the scriptures. 
 
 8. Charles Cox. He was baptized December, 1841 ; licensed January 
 30, 1842. He was ordained at Hightstown and became the pastor at 
 Squan. He was subsequently pastor at Hilltown, Pa., Salem, Backwood- 
 town. Allowaystown and Kettle Creek, N. J. He died in 1871, aged 
 "JT, years. One of his sons. Rev. S. L. Cox, entered the ministry and has 
 for years done valuable service. 
 
 9. John Harvey. He was licensed September 26, 1858, He was after- 
 ward dismissed to the Mariner's Bethel, Philadelphia. He labored several 
 years among the seamen. He then went to England, preaching until the 
 time of his death. 
 
 ro. James H. Hyatt. He was licensed Januar}' 5, 1S69. He became 
 pastor of the church at Dividing Creek. He has since served as pastor 
 the churches at Great Valley, Hepzibah and Coleraine, Penna. He has 
 for several years been pastor of the church at Bethlehem in this State. 
 His pastorates have always been attended with great blessings. 
 
 II. Arthur W. Stockwin. He was licensed June 20, 1875. He was 
 ordained pastor of the New Baltimore church, N. Y. He afterward was 
 pastor at Albany, N. Y. He went to England about ten years ago, since 
 
62 
 
 which time no accounts have been received from him He was a man 
 very earnest in spirit. 
 
 12. Levi H. Copeland. He was licensed September 25, 1875. He 
 was ordained at West Camden. Me. He afterward served the churches at 
 South Ambo}' and Calvary, Trenton, Milestown, Pa. He is now pastor 
 at Skowhegan, Me., where he is doing a fine work. 
 
 13. John B. L'Hommedieu. He was licensed October 2, 1875. He 
 finished his course at Crozer Seminary and accepted a call to Babylon, 
 L. I- He afterward was pastor at Port Jefl^erson, Staten Island. He is 
 now pastor of the Sherman Avenue Church of Newark, N. J. His min- 
 istry has been remarkabh- successful in its results. He is what his name 
 means, a man of God. 
 
 14. Charles A. Schlipf. Joined our church by letter from Newark, 
 September 26, 1885, taking charge of the Mission at Jamesburg. Here 
 his devotion and untiring earnestness were greatly blessed. He was ex- 
 amined by a Council held in this place and was ordained at Jamesburg 
 Februarv 16, 1S87. He continued as pastor there until 1894, and then 
 entered pastoral work at Killaloe, Canada. 
 
 15. John Schlipf. A son of the above, was licensed by the church. 
 While pursuing his studies in the Rochester Seminary, within a short 
 period of graduation, he was drowned April 28, 1890. 
 
 16. William C. Martin. Was licensed to preach January 21, 1888. 
 After finishing his course in Crozer he was ordained as pastor of the 
 Cramer Hill Church March 31, 1891. Serving here acceptably until 1S94, 
 he is now doing an important work at Noank, Conn. 
 
 17. W. W. Wakeman. Was baptized September 25, 1881, while a 
 student in Peddie Institute. After finishing his studies at Brown and 
 Newton, he was ordained as pastor of the Hampton Falls Church, N H. 
 He has already done a large work and gives promise of large usefulness. 
 
 18. Joseph Schlipf. Was baptized December 17, 1SS5. He was 
 licensed to preach December 14, 1893. He will finish his studies in 
 Rochester Seminary next j-ear, 
 
 19. Theodore Baumgardner. Was received by letter from a church 
 in Russia. He was licensed to preach December 14, 1893. He also will 
 finish his course at Rochester next year. 
 
 20. Charles R. Bacon. While a member with us was licensed to 
 preach. He is now in the last year of his study at the Newton Theologi- 
 cal Seminary. 
 
63 
 ASSOCIATIONAL CONNECTIONS. 
 In 1746 the Church joined the Philadelphia Association. We find this 
 record October, 1747 : "Concluded, that the Church shall contribute to- 
 ward the expense of the messengers on their journey to the Association." 
 Attendance at the Association would sometimes mean a journey of a hun- 
 dred miles on horseback. Under September, 1793, the following : "No 
 Association held this year at Philadelphia on account of the yellow fever 
 there." Let us read the names of some of our members who one hundred 
 3ears ago and more met in consultation in the Association : John Tin- 
 dall, William Cubberly, John Morford, Abraham Freeling, William Cow- 
 enhoven, Peter Jobes, Nehemiah De\% John Flock, Thomas Appleget, 
 Samuel Minor. They are simplj- names to us, but these were the men 
 who carried this church \ears ago. For the promotion of State growth 
 it withdrew in 181 1. In that year, December 3, the New Jensej^ Associa- 
 tion, consisting of fourteen Churches, was formed at Hightstown. Oc- 
 tober 25, 182S, the Central Association, consisting of seven churches, was 
 formed at Hightstown. Here also the Trenton Association held its first 
 anniversary, in 1865, numbering ten churches. It has proved a good 
 place at which to organize associations. Here also in 1894 was organized 
 the Woman's Home Mi-ssion Society of the Trenton Association. 
 
 DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 The Church has always aimed to stand for the New Testament teach- 
 ings as it understands them. It stood one hundred and fifty years ago, 
 — it stands to-daj- for a regenerate membership — it holds that the Church 
 and its ordinances are not for the saving of people, but for the saved peo- 
 ple. It has alvva3'S stood for the supremacy of Jesus Christ in His 
 Church. It stood for the rights of conscience, and the separation of Church 
 and State in these dark da^s v^'hen large parts of our country had not 
 learned that fundamental doctrine, the right of each man to make his own 
 creed subject to Christ alone. In a few details we have departed from the 
 practice of our fathers. We have no Ruling Elders. But for these there 
 is no -scripture warrant. We do not practice laying on of hands on the 
 membership as was the practice of the older churches. For substance of 
 doctrine the first pastor, James Carman, would express our views and 
 practices to da}'. It is probable that, at the first, the Philadelphia Con- 
 fession of Faith was adopted by the Church. For many years past the 
 New Hampshire Confession of Faith has been the accepted expression of 
 our views. From the first the Church has been .strict communion. We 
 find in a Church letter granted in 1757, these words : " We have granted 
 
64 
 
 the liberty to join in Communion with any Church of like faith and 
 order." 
 
 In 1749 the Church began to take collections at the Lord's Supper for 
 the needy of the Church. The custom has been maintained to the present. 
 
 In 1750 it was decided to take up a collection every Sabbath day. 
 
 The Lord's Supper was observed quarterly from the founding of the 
 Church until 1858, when it was voted to observe it every two months. 
 The quarterly meeting days were occasions for large gatherings for miles 
 around. 
 
 The first recorded Thanksgiving service was held in 1837. 
 
 BEGINNINGS OF THINGS. 
 
 In the record book, December, 1751, we find this : " Concluded that all 
 Church members, and others that find freedom to comply herewith, do 
 endeavor to instruct their children in their catechism in order to be cate 
 chized in the Church every second Sabbath in the month, from the 
 second Sabbath in April to the second in'October." Before Robert Raikes 
 ever thought of Sunday Schools, here was a germ from which this mighty 
 power was developing. One hundred and thirty years ago this Church 
 began its work of catechising the young. It is not known when the first 
 Sunday School was established here. Deacon E. Allen remembers receiv 
 ing instruction in the gallery of the church about eighty years ago. The 
 Church for ^-ears has elected the officers of the Sunday School. It also 
 bears all the running expenses of the school. The first allusion to the 
 Sunday School in the records is in 1858. 
 
 Among these who served as Su])erintendents of the school have been 
 Gabriel Young, Enoch Allen, John Woolley, H. A. Pratt and John E. 
 Allen since 1874. The Home Department of the Sunday School was 
 established in 1894. 
 
 September 19, 1788, the following resolution was passed : " Agreed that 
 every male and female pay yearly from one shilling to six in proportion 
 to their ability, into the hands of William Tindall, in order to establish a 
 fund to pay travelling preachers." What is this but a Home Mission So- 
 ciety over one hundred years ago. These travelling preachers were men 
 who were laying the foundations of the prosperity and privileges that we 
 now enjoy. The three oldest churches in our State, Middletown, (1688), 
 Piscatawa}' (1689), Cohansey (1690), were all the outgrowth of one travel- 
 ling preacher, Elias Keach. It is a source of comfort and rejoicing to day 
 that our Church helped to do work of this kind before the days of organ- 
 izations. There was a desire from the first for the broadening of the 
 
65 
 
 Kingdom. The second Saturda}- in June, 1750— " Concluded that the 
 Church and all others that desire the advancment of the Gospel should 
 lay by them for collection the first Sabbath day in each month." This is 
 the heart of all missions, at home and abroad. This was the spirit of 
 William Carey before Carey was born. A Mite Society was in the church 
 as earl}' as 1786. In the old Bible are the following words : " Presented 
 to the Baptist Church at Hightstown by the young women belonging to 
 that society " And, " This Bible was rebound in 1789 by the Female 
 Mite Society." The women of the church have always been the efficient 
 helpers in church work. The church passed the following in 1849 : " Re- 
 solved, that the sisters have the privilege of painting the meeting house 
 if the money can be raised." The women of the church have usually 
 changed the burdens upon the church into privileges for service. The in- 
 troduction of instrumental music into the church was the occasion of 
 much grave discussion and occupied the attention of many church meet- 
 ings. Some yet remember the old time custom of two deacons standing 
 in front of the pulpit, one lining out the hymns, the other leading the 
 singing. Instrumental music was introduced. The church afterwards 
 voted out the organ. Then it voted that the melodeon should be used. 
 Some protested that they would not remain in the meeting house during 
 the singing. Gradually this feeling passed away and the organ came to 
 stay. For a long time a base viol was used in the services. For man}' 
 years the church employed, under salary, some one to lead the singing. 
 Among those thus employed were Peter Bilyeu, Mr. Dafter, Peter Bergen, 
 E. R. Cole. The church has been blessed with much service of sanctified 
 song, freeU" given. Among the leaders of church singing in recent years 
 has been notabl}', Mrs. M. M. Job. The oldest hyiun book preserved is 
 that of Watts & Rippon's collection. Then came the Psalmist, the new 
 Sabbath Tune and Hymn Book, the Baptist Hymnal, now in use. 
 
 CHURCH CLERKS. 
 In the early years thej' were Malakiah Dunham, William Cheeseman, 
 John Hull, William Tindall. In the last seventy years the following 
 have acted as Clerks : Enoch Allen, Richard Barker, John Woolley, 
 Hiram Mount, T. C. Young, James M. Cubberly, W. P. Forman, C. E. 
 Cole, C. B. Cole, C. E. Stults. 
 
 CHURCH TREASURERS. 
 
 No names can be given for the earl)- years of the church. In the last 
 sixty years it has been served by Enoch Allen, Daniel Slack, W. P. For- 
 man, John Jamison. 
 
66 
 
 SEXTONS OF THE CHURCH. 
 Thomas Morris had charge of the first house at Cranbur}- in 1745. Ben- 
 jamin Ward had charge of the first house at this place at a salary of ten 
 dollars per year. The position was afterwards filled b}' E. R. Cole. 
 Orpha Giberson was sexton for twenty years, and had charge of the grave 
 yard for fifty years. Her compensation was twenty dollars per \'ear. She 
 lived in the family of Rev. Peter Wilson; had the care of him during his 
 last illness and often spoke of his Christian character. D. W. Perrine has 
 had charge for the last thirtj'-two years. 
 
 WHAT THE CHURCH HAS DONE. 
 
 It has planted six churches that abide — First Trenton, Hamilton Square, 
 Penn's Neck, Manasquan, Jamesburg. The church at Washington, 
 South River, lapsed into an anti-mission spirit. It therefore ceased to 
 grow — it has almost ceased to live. But then by its propogation of Baptist 
 influence it prepared the way for the formation in 1871 of the efficient 
 Baptist church in that place. The work at Chee-sequakes, done 3'ears 
 ago by the church, has been almost extinguished by an anti-mission in- 
 fluence. We have had a noble line of ministers and elders, and deacons, 
 and saintly men and women. It has not done all it could — all it might 
 have done. It has given to the Kingdom many good ministers. It has 
 given to other churches hundreds of good men and women to be their 
 helpers. It has helped to raise up and develop hundreds of men and 
 women in this community, many of whom have been real helpers of Jesus 
 Christ. It has helped many good causes in money. No record, in the 
 early years, is kept of moneys raised for home expenses or benevolence. 
 For the last twent3'-five years the amount reported for home expenses is 
 $72,650.90; for benevolence, $2g, =,0^.70. 
 
 The number baptized into the fellowship of the church, so far as re- 
 ported to the Association from the beginning to June, 1895, has been 
 1,998. Most of these are dead. Through man}' of them life was made 
 richer through their living, and heaven was made richer by their coming. 
 Alongside of many of these names are words expressive of their life and 
 their manner, of departure from life. "His last words were, ' Come Lord 
 Jesus.' " " Died rejoicing in the Lord." " Died triuniphantl}' " "Anxious 
 to depart to be with God." 
 
 May these departed worthies be a constant inspiration to a worthier 
 life for all the remaining members. 
 
 In the ministry of Rev. Lewis Smith steps were taken to re-establish 
 our work in Cranburj'. Services were held there —an eligible lot was at 
 
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67 
 
 our disposal. His untimely death frustrated these plans. About twenty 
 seven years ago it was under consideration to start an interest at Perrine- 
 ville. Here also an eligible site was offered, but the time did not seem 
 ripe for the undertaking. INIay the Lord give to us a wise and under- 
 standing heart that we may see opening opportunities and lay hold upon 
 them. What we have done in men saved, in ministers given, in churches 
 formed, in influences for righteousness for a century and a half, what we 
 have done, this will abide. 
 
 GROWTH OF BAPTIST PRINCIPLES. 
 
 When this church was established, Benedict says, it was the fortieth in 
 the countr\-. The\- were all small and struggling. Meeting houses were 
 nailed up by the authorities for the crime of teaching Baptist principles. 
 Old Samuel Adams in 1775, when waited upon in Philadelphia by a 
 deputation of Baptists seeking relief from oppression, said, that it was as 
 hopeless to expect the separation of Church and State as to stop the 
 shining of the sun. We may as a church, claim a humble part in the 
 work of effecting a separation of Church and State in our countr\- and the 
 complete conquest of the rights of conscience. We were members of the 
 Association that appointed Dr. Samuel Jones to wait upon Congress in 
 that year and urge the right of religious libert}-. That truth held by our 
 Baptist fathers alone is now a universal blessing, and men wonder that it 
 required the sacrifice of propert}- and blood to get it. 
 
 To-day there are in this land 37,910 Baptist Churches. When the 
 Church was established it is doubtful whether there were more than two 
 thousand baptised believers in our land. To-day there are 3,637,421 
 members of Baptist churches. Including all those who hold with us, as 
 to believer's baptism, there are in our land nearly five millions who have 
 been buried in baptism. 
 
 There was no Baptist paper, missionar}- enterprise, or school in exist- 
 ence until long after our Church was established. 
 
 The past is past. The present is here to mould and shape for the future- 
 Even while we are here to-day, at this ver}' hour, the seventeen men and 
 women who were the founders of this Church, were in 1745 on November 
 I, in session. They were counselling, praj'ing, looking up to Him 
 for guidance, looking on. Thej^ were rejoicing in that they were 
 to have a church home of their own. They were listening to the wise 
 counsels of Nathanael Jenkins and Jenkin Jones. The}' were men and 
 women, who doing the dutj- for their day, were also laying their impress 
 in the future. Blessed be their memor\-. Thej- did not see our day. 
 
68 
 
 The}' would have been bewildered could they have foreseen the growth 
 and the grandeur of the movements that lay ahead of them We cannot 
 foresee or foretell. Be it ours to serve God supremely, to wear the yoke 
 of Christ gladly, to stand by the New Testament teachings, to fill up the 
 opportunities that growingly present themselves, to win men to the love 
 of the Lord Jesus, to train those in our fellowship in the Christian life, 
 then shall we prove to be a great and permanent blessing to the few 3-ears 
 left of this century, then shall we also transmit a blessing to the next 
 century and the centuries after it. 
 
 One hundred and fifty years ago Baptist principles were ostracised as 
 revolutionary, subversive, destructive. They have quietly won their way 
 — some of them as that of the rights of the individual conscience — into 
 supremacy. Our other instinctive principles, if they be in accord with 
 the New Testament, must in time also get hold of all Christ's people. 
 Our Church, in an humble wa\', has contributed to this great change; 
 lifting up their hearts in prayer. 
 
 WHAT IS TO BE DONE. 
 
 The best part of our histor}- lies in the future— if we be faithful to 
 Christ. There must be holier living, larger giving, wider planning, the 
 use of new agencies. In a few years more will be the new century. We 
 have lived in two centuries. We shall soon get sight of a third, the 
 twentieth centur}-. No man in 1745 would have dreamed of what has 
 come to pass in these past years. No one can dream to-day of the con- 
 dition of the world in its material, moral, social, intellectual aspects in one 
 hundred and fifty years more, in 2045, A. D. Then there will be five 
 hundred million people here New sciences will be born. But they will 
 need God and Jesus Christ and the Hol}^ Spirit and good men and women. 
 We must bless these unseen days most by being a blessing to-day. The 
 holier we are to-day, the holier will the world be one hundred and fifty 
 years hence. May God give to us a correct knowledge of the scriptures — 
 a love for the person of Jesus Christ — a scriptural conception of the church 
 and its functions, a tender personal love for men, wisdom in using all ap- 
 pliances in a wise wa}' to build up the Kingdom. 
 
 May God keep the candlestick in its place until Jesus Christ shall come 
 again the second time in person. 
 
 With malice toward none, with charity for all, ma}' we walk in the 
 light as God shall give us to .see the light; if more light shall break forth 
 from the word may we have hearts to welcome it. Thus may we hold the 
 truth entru.sted to us, cultivate the heritage allotted to us, serve our gen- 
 
69 
 
 eration faithfully by the will of God, and thus perpetually he fellow 
 helpers to the truth. 
 
 May the historian of 2095, A. D., find in us fellow helpers of the truth, 
 holding doctrines that honor Christ. May the Lord Jesus welcome our 
 members as they one by one pass into the unseen, and find in the church 
 that remains a witness that shall loyally speak for Him and live for Him. 
 
 Friday Afternoon, November ist. 
 
 Rev. J. L. Howard led in the opening exercises, by reading the 
 35th chapter of Isaiah and prayer. The choir and congregation sung : 
 " O God, our help in ages past," 
 and 
 " He leadeth me, O blessed thought." 
 The addresses which follow, were then made in accordance with 
 the program. 
 
 The Position of Baptists 150 Years Ago. 
 
 By Rev. W. H. J. Parker, 
 
 Pastor of the First Baptist Church at Middletown, N, J. 
 
 It was a period most significant and vitally important in the develop- 
 ment of denominationariife, in moulding and shaping of theological 
 thought, in the practical demonstration of New Testament doctrine. It was 
 a period coincident, on the one hand with the "great awakening " that 
 began in New Fngland in 1743, under the Elder Edwards, and the rise of 
 the New Lights under Whitefield's preaching, on the other with the rise 
 of unitarianism. Professor Vedder tells us that New England Baptists 
 stood as a mighty bulwark against this heresy, and as late as iSoo, of the 
 six orthodox churches which did not succumb under its blighting 
 influences, two of them were Baptist Churches. 
 
 I believe it to be true beyond the question of a doubt, indeed it is a 
 fundamental fact in historv, that one generation is a very important 
 factor in that which follows, that one age is but the preparation for the 
 subsequent, that one century has left upon it the indelible stamp of the 
 one preceding. If this be true, then the position of Baptists one hundred 
 and fifty years ago was not materiallv different from that of their brethren 
 in 1645. Thev believed what they believed with all their heart and soul. 
 They were not easily moved from their convictions whether or not those 
 convictions were based on the truth. John Calvin had been dead nearly 
 two hundred years, yet his teachings had a tenacious hold on the 
 theological thinking oi the eighteenth century. We don't easily change 
 
70 
 
 our modes of belief and habits of thinking. This was pre eminently true 
 of the fathers of 1745. They stood for, 
 
 ist. A Spiritual Church. The "Half Way Covenant" had been a 
 pernicious influence on spiritual life, destroying for the time a spiritual 
 church. It was given to the Baptists of 1745 to adhere firml}' to the 
 doctrines of the New Testament and to insist that citizenship and church 
 membership are not synonomous, but that the church is "the body of 
 Christ." They insisted, 
 
 2nd. /;/ a conscience superior to King or Pope or Hierarchy; That 
 every man has the right to think and believe as he pleases without let or 
 hindrances from any earthly power. It was in October, 1635, that Roger 
 Williams was banished from Salem, for holding that the civil magistrate's 
 power extends only to the bodies and goods, and outward state of man. 
 Such was his influences on the following century. They held that 
 
 3rd. Christ ivas Supreme. Christ was " all and in all." This was 
 Pauline, this was and is the fundamental doctrine, and with it is the con- 
 sistent practice of Baptist Churches of all ages. 
 
 What Baptists Stand For. 
 
 By Rev. F. C. Brown, 
 
 Pastor of the Baptist Church at Manasquan, N.J. 
 
 I bring the greetings of the daughter to the mother, proud to be called 
 the daughter of such a mother; and the earnest prayer and sincerest hope 
 of the davighter is, that what the past has been may be but as the 
 dawn to the day that shall shine with an ever-increasing light in the 
 years that are yet to be. It has been the aim of the Baptist famil}' from 
 the beginning to know and to do His will. Whatever doctrines we may 
 inculcate, whatever principle may control us, are not in any wise the 
 "Ipse dixit" of the Baptist Church, but the clear statements of our 
 great head, Jesus Christ Himself 
 
 It maj- not be necessary to tell 3'ou, "what Baptist Churches stand 
 for," here in this Baptist stronghold where the truth has been so faithfully 
 taught for a century and a half, and yet, as this is the assigned theme, I 
 cannot do otherwise. There are those here to-day perhaps who would fail 
 to agree with me should I say that we stand for apostolic succession, and 
 3'et, I hazard the statement; looking away of course from the low idea of 
 a succession of individuals or churches to the grander one of spiritual 
 succession by virtue of conformity to apostolic principles of faith and 
 practice. The very simplicity of our worship commends it to the great 
 masses of the people, who are seeking to come to a knowledge of God the 
 Father, through Christ the Redeemer, without the intervention of priest, 
 or ritual, or man made creeds. 
 
 We stand for a regenerated membership, believing that as we are 
 members of the mj'stic body of Christ, even as the bodj- is pure, so should 
 the members be. " Ye must be born again." saith the Master; and upon 
 this declaration we stand, and virge the impossibility of finding life 
 
except by conformity with this requirement. "Neither circumcision 
 availeth anjthing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature."' We stand 
 for baptism as the symbol of regeneration; the presenting to the world 
 of an impressive picture, of death to the world and a resurrection to a new 
 "life hid with Christ in God;" not claiming any virtue in the water, 
 repudiating the heresy of baptismal regeneration, making the ordinance 
 simplj' the outward symbol of an inward fact. They alone are baptized 
 who have the witness of the spirit, " the spirit bearing witness with their 
 spirits that they are the children of God." We stand therefore for this, 
 that the table of the Lord is designed alone for His children, " He that 
 eateth and drinketh unworthih', eateth and drinketh condemnation to 
 himself not discerning the Lord's body," and that body must be spirit- 
 uall\' discerned. We would not seem harsh nor unkind, but feel that our 
 Father's table must be guarded from those who are unwilling to obe}' 
 the Divine command as a pre-requisite to coming thereto. 
 
 The Baptist Church stands also for reformation, personal, social and 
 political. We are in hearty accord with all organizations of a kindred 
 nature, whose object is the reforming and reconstructing of men and 
 women on lines of purit}' and holiness. We desire that men shall be 
 saved for this world, that their gifts and talents and powers shall be 
 rescued from the blighting, blasting effects of sin, and that they shall be 
 employed in the way God designed they should be, in behalf of their 
 families, of the church, the communit}', the world. 
 
 Again; We stand for the right of private judgment. Every man must 
 interpret God for himself b}- the Spirit's aid, in accordance with his need. 
 Dififerentl}- constituted as we are, no one view, and no one interpretation 
 will fit ever\' need. God is many sided and the mightiest intellects the 
 world has ever produced have given us but faint glimpses, magnificent 
 though they may seem to us, of the surpassing grandeur of Him, whose 
 " habitation is clouds and darkness." " Uye hath not seen nor ear heard, 
 neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath 
 prepared for them that love Him." "In essentials, therefore we stand 
 for unit\-, in non-essentials liberty." We stand for a scriptural interpre- 
 tation of Christ. 
 
 Fidelity to the New Testament as the Only Standard of 
 
 Faith and Practice. 
 
 By Rey. W. T. G.alloway, 
 
 Pastor of the Baptist Church at Hamilton Square, N. J. 
 
 If we desired, fifteen minutes time in the program, would neither permit 
 us to glorify Baptist histor3' nor eulogize the long list of Baptist mart^-rs, 
 who have surrendered their lives for a strict adherence to New Testament 
 truth. Hence we make a plea for Baptist consistencj' in the practice of 
 New Testament principles. Seventeen years ago I united with the 
 Baptist Church because I believed the}- accepted the Bible as the only 
 
72 
 
 rule of faith and practice. But I find many Baptist Churches have 
 adopted a declaration of faith and rules of order, both written by men. 
 Having served as pastor of several different Baptist Churches I find 
 manv members in these churches who are sticklers for a strict adherence 
 to the teachings of these human documents. 
 
 In ca.ses of discipline men refer to the adopted manual rather than the 
 Bible. In this practice where do we differ from Pedobaptists ? Are we 
 entirel}' free from the bondage of creeds ? Are we consistent ? Is the 
 Bible our only rule of faith and practice ? Consistency will drive us to 
 one of two conclusions. We must either cease criticising other denomi- 
 nations for adopting creeds or stop adopting them ourselves. It will not 
 answer the question fairly to sa}- that the adoption of a creed and politj- 
 by a Baptist Church has no significance. If they mean nothing with us 
 M^hy do we adopt them ? Why should we adopt them if we do not intend 
 to be governed by them ? If creed bondage is the bane of Christendom 
 will it not in time work harm in our churches as well as others ? 
 
 ist. We affirm that the adoption of any kind of human creed or polity 
 by a church is anti scriptiiral. It is a reflection on the wisdom of the 
 Creator. In the New Testament Christ and the Apostles have laid down 
 rules and principles of government for the church that are all-inclusive 
 and all-sufficient for all time. No finite mind can construct a creed or 
 polity to suit all times and all cases. All questions of faith and govern- 
 ment should be settled in the light of Scriptural truth. The Bible is the 
 Christian's Law Book, his court of appeal for judgment on all matters in 
 the church. 
 
 2nd The adoption of a human creed and polity is an imposition on 
 future generations. Why should we be compelled to look at the Bible 
 through dead men's glasses ? The reformers were onh' half-waj^ reformed, 
 manj- of them came only half-way out of the Roman Catholic Church. 
 To impo.se their narrow statements and crude conceptions of Bible truth 
 on coming generations of Christians, was an act of preposterous conceit 
 and self righteousness on their part. It is also an act of spiritual coward- 
 ice and intellectual stupidity for men of the nineteenth century to live 
 under the bondage of creeds made by men in the sixteenth century. A 
 creed is alwaN's a narrow, obscure, cramped statement of Scriptural truth, 
 if it be always truth. All the creeds in Christendom do not contain the 
 whole truth of the Bible. The Bible is always broader than the creed, it 
 is broader than all the creeds. I^et all churches adopt the Bible and ask 
 future generations to accept the Bible onl}- as their rule of faith and 
 practice. 
 
 3rd. The adoption of a human creed and church polity breaks the unit}' 
 of the Spirit and divides Christendom. 
 
 Paul shamed the Corinthians for saying, "I am of Paul," "I am of 
 Apollos," "I am of Cephas," and " I am of Christ." I Cor. 1:12. 
 
 Because of this he said, there is " among 3'ou envN-ing, strife, factions, 
 ye are carnal and walk as men." I Cor. Ti'.t,. 
 
 Can we expect anything else in the present day so long as churches are 
 saying b}- their adopted creeds, "I am of John Wesley," "I of John 
 Calvin," "I of Martin Luther," and if a Baptist " I of the man who wrote 
 
73 
 
 the creed for the church to which I belong." Oh, let us break the creed 
 shackles that bind us, and with onl\- the Bible in our hands and hearts 
 prav "till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of 
 the Son of God." Eph. 4: 13. Christ prayed for his disciples to the 
 Father, "That they may be one, as we are," (one). John 17:11. What 
 are we doing as denominations and Christians to answer this prayer? 
 
 The Church Grows by Givincj. 
 
 By Rey. W. W. Bullock, 
 
 Pastor of the Baptist Church at AUentown, N. J. 
 
 I know where there is a great spring in Bucks Co., Pa., which gushes 
 in almost unvar3-ing profusion out of the earth. No frost was ever sharp 
 enough to congeal its surface. No prolonged drouth ever perceptibl}- 
 diminished its volume. Its flow is strong, spontaneous, perpetual, gener- 
 ous. It gives constantly and grandh', 3'et it is not impoverished. It in- 
 deed grows by giving, for it sets in motion the intricate machinery of 
 several factories; the products of which bring gain to their owners, and to 
 the man}' who are served by these things, comfort and blessing — thus 
 giving it enlarges itself, grows by giving. I can realize how the spring 
 would cease to be if it did not give, it continues because it does give; its 
 flow does not end when it reaches the surface for it winds its wa}- about 
 the mill wheels, and through all the play and work of the machinery; and 
 further enlarges itself by increasing the volume of the noble river into 
 which it flows. 
 
 This is God's illustration in nature of the grace that is enjoined in 
 God's book. Sermons in stones, yes, and needed lesson in the gushing 
 spring. This is a beautifully helpful wa^' Ciod has of saying to the church, 
 thus give, and you will not onl\- enrich others, but enlarge 3'ourself. 
 Giving is a grace, larger promises are made to it than to any other. Lov- 
 ing is a grace too, but even loving depends for its expression upon the grace 
 of giving. Giving is the weapon of love's conquest. Jesus loved, oh how 
 much, but his love avails for you and me in this, '"He gave himself for 
 ns," he gave because He loved ; He loved and hence He gave " Greater 
 love hath no man that this;'' loving and giving belong together. We 
 niaj' separate them in thought, we cannot in fact. 
 
 The Church in order to give scripturall}-, to abound in this grace, must 
 make its pulse-beat felt, far as well as near. In God's conception of the 
 Church's commission, there is no division of our giving, as lor in.stance. 
 Home Missions, P'oreign INIissions, State Missions, Education , etc. The 
 field is the world and the command is ''go into all the :co)-l(l and preach 
 the Gospel to ez'erv creature." For convenience of administration we may 
 and do divide our gifts, but for purposes of growth, we need only the 
 world-wide commission. 
 
 This grace of giving in order to growth of the Church involves first, 
 the giving of ourselves to the Lord, for such use as he will be pleased to 
 make of us through the Church, and then out of this will come the giving 
 
74 
 
 of our time, our prayers, our talents and our money. This is the form in 
 which for convenience of handling, we put our gifts. Each member of a 
 church may not go into the far regions and preach the gospel, nor may he go 
 everywhere that prayer is needed and pray, but he can bottle up his ser- 
 mons, prayers, songs and .service in good American dollars, that can be 
 used for the support of his substitute who can go. 
 
 The field is the world, and no church can grow while it spends all its 
 time and talents and wealth upon a ten acre lot. Not until it grasps the 
 whole field and seeks to cultivate it, will it grow as it should and ought. 
 The church that can at one time gather all its children under one roof 
 hasn't abounded in the grace of giving. Not until by means of our giving 
 we have begotten children, east, west, north and south, can it be said truly 
 that the church has grown. 
 
 It might be laid down as an axiom that the church grows by giving 
 and not by accretion. There is a kind of increase that tendeth to poverty. 
 Endowments are dangerous. No one who gives or bequeaths money to a 
 church should, generally speaking, designate hoiv it should be used, for 
 often this hinders the growth of the church by reducing the gifts of 
 the members to the church and the gifts of the church to Christ's work. 
 In a word anything that could be used as an excuse by a church member 
 for not giving as God has prospered him, hinders the growth of the 
 church. 
 
 How many men there are who owe their prosperty to their liberality, 
 and how such men grow, how enlarged they become by means of this 
 grace, and it is equally true of the church. A church will grow faster, 
 larger and better by aiding to support the pastor of a feeble sister church, 
 than it will by frescoeing the walls of its own meeting house. A woman 
 and man who content themselves this year with last year's cape or 
 coat in order that their fellows in far away India or China, ma}' hear the 
 old, old story, will b}' this real self-denial grow. 
 
 The church that sees the destitution of the poor, hears the cry of the 
 hungry, sympathizes with the aged, and rises in the might of the Holy 
 Spirit to deliver the oppressed, will grow in Christ's likeness, in power, 
 and in membership, because in this wa}' as perhaps in no other, it will 
 get a loving hold on the wayward hearts of some of our Father's prodigal 
 sons and draw them to the Saviour. 
 
 The church reallj' grows by giving. The church grows by weeping 
 with the mourner, and sympathizing with the afflicted. The church at 
 Salem voluntarily gave up the use of its Sunday school rooms for several 
 months as a storage place for the property of those who were rendered 
 houseless by a great fire. By this single gift it grew in the affection and 
 favor of the people and of God. The church grows by what it gives, 
 rather than by what it withholds, l^npleasant memories abide with me, 
 and doubtless with you, of churches, that because of penuriousness have 
 become .so emaciated that one could scarce perceive any motion in them ; 
 verily withering up, consumed of their own lust for gain. The cause of 
 this is discord, lack of unity. The cure is Ciiving; giving unifies and 
 unity gives strength ; withhold giving and it tends to segregation, which 
 brings weakness. 
 
75 
 
 It was the sacrificial character of Jesus' giving that gave him enlarge- 
 ment. ''And IJf/be lifted up from the earth ivill draiv all men unto mc,"' 
 is assurance of the growth that comes of such giving. And it .seems to 
 me that something of this sacrificial character must attach to our giving 
 in order to render its full effect upon us individually, and give the greatest 
 growth to the church. But it seems farcical to speak of sacrifice in con- 
 nection with giving, (iod's treasury does not get even the superfluities 
 of the church. And so lingering in drowsy surfeit about its own table, hear- 
 ing not, seeing not, nor caring for the world's need of the Gospel, the 
 church will lose gradually its hold and swaj' over the hearts and lives of 
 men. Oh let us arise to the achievements and possibilities of the growth 
 that will be ours, by abounding in the grace of giving. 
 
 The account of Mary's alaba.ster box of costly perfume is meaningful. 
 While she kept it in the box, but one person at a time could enjoy its 
 fragrance; but when she broke the box, and poured the pungent perfume 
 for His anointing on her Lord, the house was filled with the odor and 
 all could enjoy it at the same time. What an enlargement of the spike- 
 nard this was, how the giver grew by giving. At the supper before the 
 crucifixion, when John leaned on Jesus' bosom Peter could not, but after 
 the breaking on the cross, and the pouring out of the remidial blood, after 
 the giving of his life — he was so enlarged that all could lean on His 
 bosom at the same time, and whosoever would could be cleansed from sin. 
 " Give as the morning that flows out of heaven, 
 Give as the waves when their channel is riven. 
 Not the waste drops of th}' cup overflowing. 
 Not the faint sparks of thy heart, never glowing, 
 Not a pale bud from thy June roses blowing. 
 Give as He gave THf:E, who gave thee to live." 
 
 How TO Enlarge the Church Numerically. 
 
 By REY. J. HUFFNAGLE, 
 Pastor of the Upper Freehold, Baptist Church, Imlaystown, N. J. 
 
 Two methods, the Sensational and the Gospel. 
 
 The Sensational. — Wealth, grand edifices, magnificent furniture, choice 
 rituals, grand music, secular entertainments and sensational evangelistic 
 work, can add names to our church register, but not to the book of eter- 
 nal life. Too much reliance here on the externals of religion. God judges 
 the heart, and gives no credit to lip service. This method maj' create a 
 desire to join a pleasing moral societ}-; but not the church of the living 
 God. Not the Apostolic Method — Too much reliance on man. 
 
 The Gospel Method. — This is the true method as taught by Jesus Christ 
 and by the Holy Spirit in the early age of the church. We must mould 
 our future from the experience of the past. Unspiritvial churches may 
 study His dealings with the Israelites. God is a jealous God; we must 
 worship Him alone. The Holy Spirit is now the permanent resident in, 
 and director of the church. His the duty to superintend, and direct the 
 upbuilding of the Spiritual Temple. He uses human instrumentalities, 
 
76 
 
 therefore, study the means best adapted to His co-operation. His work 
 to energize the word and make it effectual, it must then be the word of 
 God. It is the duty of the church member to help the work by pensonal 
 efforts. Let each member bring another to Christ, the church and its 
 services. John 1:35-51. Character must act as a potent fact. There 
 must be life and activity in the membership. There must be pra\-ers and 
 testimonies. The prayer meeting is the central life and power in a church. 
 Uphold the church and j-our pastor. Be sure and maintain harmon}-. A 
 very few cold and evil minded members can destro\' a good pastor's 
 influence, and disgrace a church in the eyes of God and the w^orld. 
 
 The church should be an educational centre in the community to 
 encourage and sustain the Young People's religious societies. Let there 
 be no jealous}' between the young and the older membership; let there be 
 perfect co-operation. Let "Christ crucified" be the theme from pulpit 
 and pew. There must be entire consecration to the one object, the bring- 
 ing of souls to Jesus. Link self to Jesus and His interests, and all else 
 will follow. Let there be an entire surrender of talent and of will to the 
 Hoh' Ghost. A church working along this line, as pastor and people, 
 will have no trouble to enlarge its membership, and its additions will be 
 of those who are regenerated. The watch-word must be, a regenerated 
 church membership. "Not by might, nor by power, but hy )uy spirit 
 saith the Lord." Zech. 4: 6. 
 
 Ho\v TO Build up the Spiritual Life ov the Church. 
 
 By Rev. M. N. Smith, 
 
 Pastor of the Baptist Church, Marlboro, N. J. 
 
 The church is a spiritual bod}', made up of spiritual material. Its end 
 is the enlargement of the inner life of its membership and of its numbers 
 from the world. If the church has prosperity, it must be in spiritual 
 things, it must be growing Godward. To attain this, we can utilize all 
 the spiritual means at our disposal. We can preach spiritual truth; we 
 can live spiritual lives; we can make the social life of the church pure 
 and healthy. The Holy Spirit is at our disposal, and with his leadership 
 we can work in spiritual ways, by spiritual agencies, and for spiritual 
 results. We must set our sails to catch the heavenly winds. If we 
 would grow in religious impulse, we must be found in the church and 
 at the altar. We must expect prosperity, too, in the ways indicated by 
 the Holy Spirit in the written word. Our text book must be our store- 
 house of information. Our spiritual theories and procedure are there, 
 clearly outlined. 
 
 The Bible is the vi'isdom of the Infinite, applied to the spiritual needs 
 of this world. It is ample and comprehensive. Its doctrines are the 
 principles of spiritual truth. Its ordinances are the essentials of that 
 truth in symbol, and its polity and order are the application of that truth 
 in detail. No church can be right or prosperous while ignoring the truth 
 of the written word. 
 
 Then, what significance has this for a Baptist Church ? We claim New 
 
77 
 
 Testament authority for everything in doctrine and practice. We pledge 
 ourselves to abide in hul}' fellowship with God, according to the written 
 word. If in everything we have the mind of God, ought we not to prosper 
 beyond any who deny Him, or pervert his word ? If rot, there must be 
 something wrong in divine methods, which we could not admit, or else, 
 with all our boasted fidelit}', we must be still somewhere out of harmony 
 with (lod. But witness our unparalled success with our modern Foreign 
 Mission work; our marvellous growth at home and our rapidly enlarging 
 forces in so many departments of the great vineyard of our Lord. What 
 we need for genuine enduring success, is genuine, enduring fidelity to 
 our profession as .servants to the Most High God. " Eulogize dead 
 assemblages into demonstrations that look like life. But nothing but 
 God's word, sacraments and prayer, used reverently for the feeding of 
 living souls and for quickening of the dead, for honoring Christ and for 
 the extending of His Kingdom, and all this blessed by an acknowledged 
 divine comforter, so that he is felt to build the temple and bear, the glory 
 — nothing but this will develop a live church. Give us this and the life 
 in it will be deep, spiritual, heavenly, and the possessors of it will in 
 beauty and in glory live forever." 
 
 Caring for the Stranger within our Gates. 
 
 Bv Rev. H. Baum, 
 
 Pastor of German Baptist Church, Jamesburg, N. J. 
 
 How to care for a stranger can best be learned b}- practice, because of 
 the different dispositions and habits or customs of the people. What is 
 understood by a stranger * One with whom we have not yet become ac- 
 quainted, a foreigner, or from our stand point as Christians, one who has 
 not 3'et united with our church. By caring for we understand, showing 
 heart felt s^-mpathy, taking a living interest in the temporal and spiritual 
 welfare of others. Within our gates has reference to our church, our 
 homes, or as far as our influence reaches. Certainly all Christians who 
 love God, love their neighbors, and therefore everNone has opportunity 
 for such work at some time or place. Missionaries come in closer contact 
 with the foreigner and therefore the missionary should be supported. If 
 the foreigner is so influenced by a missionary, when he comes to this 
 part of the globe, it will not be so hard to win them afterward for Christ 
 and the Church. St. Paul sa^'s: " I am a Roman to the Romans, a Greek 
 to the Greek, only that I may win them for Christ." If the opportunitj- 
 is ofi"ered, care for the stranger in temporal needs, for what \q have done 
 to one of these, you have done for Christ, and that will be the measure of 
 his judgment. Often an erring soul has been made one of us b\- kindlj- 
 deeds. We should care for the foreigner because we or our ancestors at 
 some time have been foreigners and they appreciated a helping hand and 
 welcome words. But not only in this sense were we foreigners, but also 
 as Paul writes: " In the time past ye walked according to the course of 
 this world, but now ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow 
 citizens with the saints and of the household of God." Some one may 
 
78 
 
 say "I have nothing to do with foreigners, they can help themselves." 
 This sounds something like the words of Cain : "Am I my brother's 
 keeper?" We all are pilgrims and strangers in this world below and 
 therefore it behooves us to care for and help each other. Persuade such 
 as are vet in darkness of sin from their evil doings, and lead them to the 
 right pith. It is my deep conviction this is the best way to care for the 
 stranger. Do the work for love's sake in the comfort of Christian hope 
 for all mankind. Love sees no hopeless cases, can never despair, can 
 never cease to labor and wait. Let us preach the Gospel to every nation, 
 and just as soon as we can impress on strangers the unbounding love of 
 God, we can hope for an ingathering of souls. 
 
 A Poem. 
 
 By Rev. James H. Hyatt, 
 
 Pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist Church, Pattenburg, N. J. 
 
 lyines on the 150th Anniversary of the Baptist Church at Hights- 
 town, New Jersey, November ist, 1895 : 
 
 We pause in life's journey and linger to-da}'. 
 
 To think of the saints in the dim far away. 
 
 Who, led by the Spirit, with hearts deeply stirred. 
 
 For surel}' an Angel had touched every chord. 
 
 Here laid their foundation and on it each stone. 
 
 Believing that God, by his presence would own. 
 
 The house they should build, where oft would be given, 
 
 A Sabbath's sweet rest, a foretaste of Heaven. 
 
 What burdens, what blessings, what hopes and what fears. 
 
 Have come and have lingered, these long weary 3-ears. 
 
 Within those old portals there came a vast throng. 
 
 To join in the worship and swell the glad song. 
 
 When the song died awa}', with white heads bowed low, 
 
 They prayed from the heart, in the days long ago. 
 
 Right here stood the preacher — his tongue like a flame; 
 
 While there sat the sinner; his cheeks tinged with shame. 
 
 Salvation the message he tremblingly heard, 
 
 When turning from sin, he believed in the Lord. 
 
 For days came the message, this altar was pressed. 
 
 Men thirsted for pardon till hundreds were blest, 
 
 A scene which the Angels with joy would behold. 
 
 Now going, then coming, like sheep to a fold. 
 
 The flock how it prospered, the sheep how they fed. 
 
 As through the green pasture they followed their head, 
 
 The}- gathered around him, they heeded his word. 
 
 And greeted him oft in the house of the Lord. 
 
 How changed is the scene in this temple to-day. 
 
 For preacher and people have both passed away; 
 
79 
 
 Lo ! 3onder they sleep, in their low, dusty bed. 
 
 Suppressed be our sorrow, and light be our tread, 
 
 As we bend o'er each stone, its record we trace. 
 
 While memory is busy and calls up each face. 
 
 A father, a mother, our children, our friends, 
 
 A husband, a wife, why the list never ends, 
 
 For sure as the leaves above us shall fade. 
 
 Beside these still-sleepers we too shall be laid. 
 
 Though new friends may come, and old friends must sever. 
 
 May the church still remain, a light here forever. 
 
 Farewell ancient Zion thy glory complete. 
 
 No more by this altar thy people I'll greet. 
 
 May others still linger, to hear the old word, 
 
 Be fervent in worship, delight in the Lord, 
 
 Abundant in labor for treasure Divine, 
 
 Till the house made with hands shall crumble with time. 
 
 Till Jesus shall come with the trumpet's loud sound. 
 
 The dead shall be raised, the lost shall be found. 
 
 In yonder bright heaven, when saints have all pas.sed. 
 
 I'll see thee, and know thee, and love thee, at last. 
 
 The following was sung in the tune of Duke Street : 
 Tri-Jubilee Hymn, 
 By Robert Lowry, D. D., Plainfield, N.J. 
 
 O Lord, now in thy courts we raise 
 Our songs of gratitude and praise. 
 And thank Thee for the gracious way 
 That brings us to this sacred day. 
 
 Our sires beheld Thy cloud in light, 
 And saw Thy signal-flame by night; 
 They followed where Thy banner led. 
 And marked the path for us to tread. 
 
 We bless Thee, Lord, that hitherto 
 Our hearts have found Thy promise true; 
 And all Thy saints exalt Thy name. 
 That thou art evermore the same. 
 
 Here we recall the precious grace 
 That made our house Thy dwelling place; 
 And here rejoice that we have heard 
 The saving message of Thy word. 
 
 We stand where once the fathers stood, 
 And hold with them the true and good; 
 O may we all Thy glory see 
 When dawns the final Jubilee. 
 
8o 
 
 The portraits of all the former pastors, except the two first { whose 
 likenesses have not come down to us ) were then unveiled in front of 
 the pulpit, before the congregation. 
 
 Letters were received from the former pastors Rev. J. B. Saxton, 
 now living in California, and from Rev. Isaac Butterfield, of Grand 
 Rapids, Mich. Soon after writing the letter he passed away. 
 
 Letters were received also from Rev. E. P. Bond, Miss E. C. 
 Bond, Missionary from Assam, Mt. Pleasant, Pa.; Professor H. A. 
 Pratt and wife, Mass. ; Profes.sor H. E. Slaught, of Chicago Uni- 
 versity; Rev. J. A. Metz, Somerville; Rev. C. M. Dietz, French- 
 town; Rev. S. L- Cox, Huntington, L- L; Rev. W. W. Wakeman, 
 New Hampton, N. H.; Rev. W. C. Martin, Noank, Conn.; Dr. 
 Enoch Perrine, Bucknell University; Rev. L. H. Copeland, Skow- 
 hegan. Me.; Rev. G. B. Young, Trenton. 
 
 Letters of congratulation, signed by the pastor and clerk, were read 
 from the churches at Middletown, Hamilton Square, Trenton First, 
 and Jamesburg. 
 
 Fraternal letters were received from the First Church at Provi- 
 dence, R. L; First Church in Boston, Ma.ss. ; First Church in Phil- 
 adelphia, and the Lower Dublin Church, Pa., whose pastor was 
 present in 1745. Rev. W. C. Ulj'at of Princeton, .sent a letter full 
 of hi.storic information. 
 
 From among the.se we here place the letter of the First Church of 
 Providence, R. L, the oldest Baptist Church in America: 
 
 Providence, R. I., Oct. 2t,, 1895. 
 Yo the First Baptist Chunk, Hightstoivn, N.J. 
 
 In behalf of the First Baptist Church in this city, whose organization 
 dates back to 1639, (possibly a year or two earlier) I send to you and your 
 people our cordial and affectionate greetings on the occasion of your 150th 
 Anniversary'. 
 
 We rejoice with you that you are able to look back over a centurj- and a 
 half of church life, with its uninterrupted tokens of the divine favor, and 
 its incalculable influence for good upon the community, the nation and 
 the world. May the review of your past history inspire all hearts to a 
 profound gratitude to God and a larger consecration to his service. 
 
 The beginnings of our denominational history in this countrj' were 
 small indeed, and from a human point of view gave little promise of 
 
8i 
 
 growth and prosperity. The mother church, which antedates yours by a 
 little more than a hundred years, was born in persecution and in exile. 
 It was the church in the wilderness. But it stood for great truths and 
 immortal principles, which had had all too little recognition since the 
 days of Christ and his Apostles, but which, in the Providence of God, 
 were in this land to push their wa}- to a conspicuous victory. 
 
 The doctrine of religious liberty, whose apostle Roger Williams was, 
 and for which he was tried as a criminal, and condemned and banished, is 
 now^ the distinguishing glory of this great Republic. Once to believe as 
 he believed, was to suffer as he suffered, and in other ways. But those 
 early banishments, fines, imprisonments, and cruel whippings were not 
 endured in vain. The long, weary and bitter seed-sowing has yielded a 
 harvest of untold blessings to the nation and the world. Through the 
 heroic fidelity of the fathers, the children have entered upon a glorious 
 heritage of exalted privilege and unlimited opportunity. 
 
 To-day the mother church looks out upon the prosperous city with its 
 homes of comfort and refinement, upon the State with its busy and suc- 
 cessful industries and its worldwide commerce, upon the land wdth its 
 fabulous population, its inexhaustible resources, its equality in physical 
 power and moral influence with the mightiest nations of the Old World, 
 and as she sees her daughters fair and beautiful as herself; numerous be- 
 yond her proudest expectations ; free, absolutely free to worship God ac- 
 cording to the dictates of an enlightened conscience and to do His will on 
 the earth ; equipped with endowed institutions of learning, with success- 
 ful missionary organizations, with multitudinous Sunday schools, with 
 an intelligent raini.stry and a consecrated laity, with the wisdom of age 
 and the zeal of an awakened and irrepressible 3outh, she exclaims in 
 adoring gratitude, "Verily, verily, what hath God wrought !" 
 
 His promise has been manj- times fulfilled. The little one has become 
 not onlj- a thousand, but millions, and those who were driven out into 
 the wilderness, are now going forth to the conquest of the world. 
 
 yiay the blessing of the great head of the church abide with you richlj-, 
 and ma}' you be permitted to have a large share in the present conflict, 
 and in the joy of the coming victor^'. 
 
 In behalf of the First Baptist Church, Providence, R. I. 
 
 Henry M. King, Pastor. 
 
 Friday Evening, November ist. 
 
 The opening exercises consisted in singing : 
 
 " All the Way My Savior Leads Me." 
 
 and 
 
 "The Church's One Foundation is Jesus Christ the Lord;" 
 
 the reading of Psalm 145 and prayer by Rev. Thomas Tyack, D. D. 
 The program for the evening was then carried out as follows : 
 
82 
 
 What Baptists Have Wrought in 150 Years. 
 
 By Rev. M. P. Fikes, 
 
 Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Trenton, N. J, 
 
 Mr. Chairman, and venerable mother, the saints who are in Trenton 
 salute you ! The child of your cradle and tender training rejoices with 
 you upon this auspicious occasion. We wish you many happy returns of 
 such a day as this. But, I confess I am somewhat puzzled at the sight of 
 such well-preserved beauty; you certainly repre.sent the youngest century- 
 and-a-half agedne.ss I have ever seen. I deem it a great honor to stand 
 upon this historic platform surrounded, as we are, b\' the revered mem- 
 ories of early New Jersey Baptists. 
 
 I am glad to participate with you at this hour, in the light of historj- 
 and experience, to point out the paths of our fathers, and the continued 
 indulgence of our fathers' God towards their children, in faith and hope, 
 in toil and sacrifice. We gather to-night to embalm these sacred memories 
 and to tell this generation facts and triumphs, which should never be for- 
 gotten. Neither pen nor tongue can offer an exaggerated eulogj' of the 
 battles and victories. The time and place forbid more than the presenta- 
 tion of facts, and yet these are eloquent in themselves, eloquent with the 
 majestic silence of noble lives and heroic principles. 
 
 By reference to the few records at my disposal, I have gathered some 
 data which has been to me a source of pride and inspiration. We find 
 that prior to our organization, there were less than 135 churches in the 
 whole United States, and in- 1768 only 137. And when Rev. J. Carman 
 with eleven or twelve others formed the Hightstown Church in November, 
 1745, there were but five other churches in the State. Just think of it ! In 
 1745 there was not a Baptist church in this great land save in twelve states. 
 Even Vermont and New Hampshire of intelligent, religious New England 
 had no sign of a Baptist meeting house. And it was twenty years after 
 that a church was organized in Massachusetts north of Boston. Why, 
 Hightstown had been in operation forty-four years before the First Presi- 
 dent was elected, or ever Washington seated himself in the Presidental 
 chair. It was twenty years prior to the establishment of our first edu- 
 cational institution in Rhode Island. 
 
 Your work had been going steadily for nearly one hundred years before 
 the Home Mission Society was realized. To-day, behold her magnificent 
 record ! From sea to sea, from the icy waters of the north to the warm 
 currents of the south, upon the mountains and in the valleys of this wide 
 stretching country, thousands upon thousands of consecrated men have 
 gone telling the old story of the love of God. To-day, 1,1 ri men backed 
 by millions of dollars are erecting churches, and schools, responding to 
 the pitiful cries of the needy, and spreading the good news to troubled 
 hearts. 
 
 No Foreign Mission Society was known for a hundred years. Adoniram 
 Judson and Judson's father were as yet unborn. But the Light was not 
 to be hid. You cannot hide the light. Suppose that to-morrow at mid- 
 
83 
 
 day 30U could gather all the mountains of the universe about this little 
 town. Then go to the four corners of the earth, and bring hither every 
 black cloud that floats in the aerial sea, over-arching the mountains, until 
 at last you had a complete prison for the sovereign of day, could you hide 
 that splendid light? No! The sun would turn her blazing eye of 
 splendid fire full upon the scene, and, instantl}-, every mountain would 
 be transformed into a monument of glor\', and the dense, dark canopy 
 would be charged with a brillianc}' that would rival Revelation's sea of 
 glass ! So the Spirit pushed bej^ond the limits of our continent until to- 
 day, the jungles of India, the wastes of Africa, the superstition of China, 
 the intelligence of Japan, the rocky acres of the Islands of the Sea, have 
 been lightened by the beauteous beams of the Son of Righteousness; until 
 to-day 474 devoted men, and women too, are preaching, teaching, living the 
 life of the Son of God under the fostering care of the Missionary Union. 
 
 One hundred and fift}- years ago, there was no Publication Society. 
 To-day the number of men and the amount of money at the command of 
 this gigantic organization is gratif3-ing indeed. They are sending the 
 message in many languages, by many tongues, to and through manj- 
 colors. It has been taking the leaves of Life and scattering them as 
 widely as our boundary lines, and as thickly as has been consistent with 
 resources. 
 
 1 am proud to be a citizen of New Jerse}-. Others to the contrary, not- 
 withstanding, who could call it but a heap of sand; a clump of pine trees; 
 the happy hunting ground of the blood-thirst}' mosquito; the peaceful 
 reservation of the duke of Gloucester. Whatever eLse may be said, when 
 the empire state mercilesslj- drove them out, and the rocky heart of New 
 England turned against them, and the hot blood of Virginia rose in 
 opposition to them. New Jersey opened wide her hospitable arms and 
 received the fleeing Bapti.sts as the}- came, and further, she has never 
 placed a law upon her books against this child of principle. Noble state! 
 Maj- your great heart be the happier for our coming, and may the breezes 
 of the ocean fan your honest brow until the end! Your church started 
 with seventeen members, but now you and your illustrious daughters have 
 a constituency of about 2,000 strong. You organized when five churches 
 stood within the borders of our state; to-day, 257 spires point towards the 
 heavens, a constant reminder of the God whose we are and whom we 
 serve. In the whole country in 1745 there were probably not more than 
 20,000 members, to-day, we are crowding the 4,000,000 mark, and leaving 
 out all but strictly members, have the largest following of any evangelical 
 denomination in the United States. 
 
 I was reading of two statesmen, the one three score ^-ears and ten, the 
 other just entering the gates of mature manhood walking arm in arm, 
 along a mountain side one afternoon towards the close of day. As if 
 impelled by a sudden inspiration, the elder statesman stepped upon a high 
 rock, and as he uncovered his head, the wind caught the long silvery 
 locks of his snowy hair and tossed them in lovely confusion about his 
 shoulders. Lifting high his hat and turning full towards the western 
 sky, he shouted. " Oh, glorious past, I salute thee! ' ' The younger states- 
 man caught the inspiration and sprang upon a still higher rock. As he 
 
84 
 
 uncovered his head, his coal-black hair flying in the breeze, he turned his 
 face full toward the eastern sky, and waving his hat above his head 
 shouted, "Oh, glorious future, I salute thee!" So dear friends, as we 
 stand to-night upon the mountain of one hundred and fifty years of 
 successful Christian work let us turn our eyes along the path we have 
 come, and shout, " Oh glorious past, we salute thee! " But remembering 
 XhsX life is still on, turn our determined faces full towards the east, and 
 shout, " Oh, glorious future we salute thee! " 
 
 Characterlstics of Baptist Churches of New Jersey. 
 
 By Rev. T. S. Griffiths, 
 
 Of Penn's Neck, Princeton Junction, N. J. 
 
 Baptists are much the same in all ages. They differ in only unimportant 
 variations of name and externals, occuring by reason of place and period. 
 Baptists! What are they ? Not a .sect. Sects are the outgrowth of the 
 limitation of ideas, started by the word of God. Born of conscience and 
 of the right to speak one's convictions, which the Psalmist early asserted 
 (Ps. 1 16: lo) and Paul reaffirmed (2 Cor. 4: 13). " We believe and therefore 
 speak." The dictionaries belie the truth, defining sectaries as bigots. 
 Sects are not of Satan. Nor the spawn of heedless thought. Human 
 they are, and peculiar to Christianit}-. Buddha, Confucius and Moham- 
 med hold their followers by undivided hosts of millions. John W'esley 
 lived and died an Episcopalian. Had Episcopacy appreciated and wel- 
 comed him; there had been no Methodism. But Episcopacy would have 
 been to-day, the vast and pre-eminent force of Christianity. Weslej- 
 founded a sect. And who dare say, he did an evil thing } 
 
 Sects are shoots from living roots. Baptists are not a sect. They are 
 original. They are among the names of Christendom, what Adam is, 
 among the names of men — the first of all. Divinely born. The first 
 born of the ministry of the Nazarene. Since then till now, they have 
 retained their New Testament characteristic, "These that have turned 
 the world upside down." Acts 17:6. "A people ever}- where spoken 
 against." Acts 28 : 22. They have been martyred in every age since 
 Stephen died. They have come to earth to stay, as surely as Jesus 
 founded a kingdom to stay. It is a trueism: destroy every Baptist 
 Church: let all of its ministers repudiate its faith; and where ever there 
 is an open Bible and men are free to obey their convictions of its teach- 
 ing, within months there will be the same Baptists as those of to-da3^ 
 
 New Jersey and Rhode Island, each witness that there need not to have 
 been Baptists, for Baptists to be. In this land we number a great multi- 
 tude. Our associated numbers, however, by no means indicate our 
 strength. 
 
 For as the wind catches up the prairie fire and carries it far away and 
 abroad; so the breath of the Holy Spirit has caught up our doctrines and 
 faith, and impregnated all other Christian names with them. They are 
 becoming more and more of us, in the truths which separated them 
 
85 
 
 from us; and the union for which Jesus prayed, — "that they all may be 
 one in us," is by so much the nearer. 
 
 Whence came to this new world the seedlings of this Baptist host? 
 Not from our brethren of the continent, in the Novations, Paulicians, 
 Albigences and their successors of later days. Of these, were the 
 martyrs of the past. The world can never pay the debt it owes to them. 
 They were Baptists, as Roger Williams was, as hosts of others have been, 
 of spontaneous growth, having only the ancestry of the word of God and 
 of the Holy Spirit. The names of the men who planted our Baptist faith 
 on this continent and nursed it to come to be what it is, indicate its 
 source. Jones, INIorgan, Evans, Williams, Edwards, Griffiths, Thomas 
 and others of the like Penn was the son of a Welshman. Williams, as 
 the name indicates, was of the same origin. Williams is credited with 
 having founded the first government in modern times, of civil and 
 religious freedom. He is worthy of the loft}' place among the legislators 
 of the world which history assigns to him. 
 
 In his home land, Wa'les— the equality of Prince and Peasant in the 
 civil court and the right to worship as conscience dictated, had been 
 maintained for a long indefinite period. 
 
 It is significant that in Wales, where Baptists have been far back in 
 the past a potent force; and in this land of the free, also, whither 
 Baptists came in its early period, that the fundamental principles of 
 the equality of civil rights and of freedom to believe and to teach as con- 
 science dictates, is the constitutional right of all. 
 
 Baptist Churches organized in W^ales, came hither in the earliest daj's, 
 and unchanged, are the same as all other Baptist Churches. They did not 
 come here to exercise a right denied to them at home. But having it 
 there, brought it with them. 
 
 Baptist churches of New Jerse}- retain the characteristics which have 
 heretofore discriminated them among the families of God in the world. 
 
 ist. J//^//^rt'///)' is one of these. Our congregational government, looked 
 upon from without, is a rope of sand. Practically, it is a " three fold cord 
 not easih- broken." There is no ecclesiastical organization more compact 
 and so tlaoroughl\- a unit. Divisions and heresies are essentialh' local. 
 Even though they cause a noise as of the breakers on the sea shore; 
 away from its vicinity, it is lost in its self 
 
 This mutuality is instanced in the shoulder to shoulder attitude of our 
 churches, exacting fellowship only of each other, holding the distinctive 
 faith of Baptists It appears also, in the recognition of churches as of 
 us, only after a rigid scrutiny of their Baptistic character, that the_v are: 
 unquestionably evangelical; their internal econotu}-, congregational; and 
 the constituency heartily in fellowship with Baptist faith and practice. 
 
 With a like sense of responsibility for the whole cause, entrance into 
 the ministry is hedged against the teacher of doctrines subversive of the 
 faith of the churches. And no less surely, one who holds and teaches 
 another doctrine than ours is separated from us. Especially in earlier 
 3'ears, a place in the ministr}-, was a sufficient endorsement and commenda- 
 tion, not alone of character, but also of Baptistic integrity. Out of this 
 commonalit}- of interest, grew in the older churches a very practical care 
 
86 
 
 for the younger and weaker. It inspired also, the choice of the general 
 good, rather than of personal right and preference. Thus the Philadelphia 
 Association, the first Baptist Association formed in this country, was 
 constituted with five churches. One in Delaware, one in Pennsylvania, 
 and three in New Jersey. 
 
 The majority denied themselves their convenience and right, locating 
 the Association in an adjoining State and adopting an unrepresentative 
 name; persuaded that the interests of the denomination would be thereby 
 advanced. 
 
 2nd. This sense of responsibility for the welfare of the cause of 
 Christ be3'ond themselves broadened, into a very real missionary spirit. 
 Pastors made long journeys south and west, and the churches consented 
 to their absence, even though it involved the loss of pastoral care for 
 months. Nor was the home field neglected. The Philadelphia Associa- 
 tion extended from Southern Connecticut to Georgia, and west to the 
 border settlements. And yet the New Jersey churches maintained a 
 majority of the body for fort}^ 3-ears. Increasing more rapidh' in their 
 narrow limits than in all the rest of the vast territory. 
 
 The New York Association furnishes a like instance of the earnestness 
 and activity of these men and churches in the home field. Organized in 
 1791; with a majority of its churches in New Jersey, which was held for 
 forty-five years, and would have been retained longer, but for dismis- 
 sions to the Central Association of this State. In the narrow strip, 
 bounded by Paterson, Morristown, Plain field, New Brunswick, Holmdel 
 and the Raritan Bay, our churches increased more in number, than in 
 New York City, Long and Staten Islands, and south eastern New York. 
 Thepastorsandchurches wrought diligently and gathered large harvests. 
 
 Their influence in the New York Association, is indicated in that, when 
 in 1841, our churches withdrew and formed the east New Jersey Associa- 
 tion, the New York Association lingered a few years and died. 
 
 Killingworth, Abel Morgan, Eaton, Allison, Peter Wilson, made the 
 mould in which was cast the influences and activities, that for more than 
 an hundred years have characterized New Jersey Baptists. Of these men, 
 one was head and shoulders above those of his generation, — Peter Wilson, 
 twenty-eight years pastor of this church. 
 
 Jacobstown, Hamilton Square, First Trenton, Manasquan, and Prince- 
 ton, date their first life from him. Beside these memorials of this 
 wonderful man, he sowed the seed of life, in all the region round about. 
 None in this State have left more, and more witness of usefulness and of 
 the Divine blessing upon his labors than he. Nevertheless, he was only 
 the fore most of his contempories; men who also, like unto the Master, 
 " went about doing good." 
 
 3rd. A conipreiiensioti 0/ the educational needs o{t\\&\rt\n\&saind. conn- 
 try characterizes New Jersej^ Baptists. So early as 1722, a training school 
 was begun by the Philadelphia Association in which they had a dominant 
 influence. Later, the records make frequent mention of educatoinal 
 movements. 
 
 The first Baptist school in America, of permanent worth, was founded 
 at Hopewell. The first bequest by a Baptist, for education was by a 
 
87 
 
 Jersey woman. Brown University was born in New Jersey. Its first 
 President, who laid its foundations in Rhode Island, was a Jersey man. 
 The New Jersey Association constituted in 1811, the first Baptist organiz- 
 ation of the kind in the state, at its first meeting, resolved itself into a 
 convention to take steps to establish a school. Before this, while in the 
 Philadelphia As.sociation, and later, after separation from that body, at 
 various times and in different places, schools were begun. All these were 
 ephemeral, because hampered with plans of co-operation with Pennsj'lva- 
 nia or New York. 
 
 Hamilton, novs' Colgate, successfully appealed to New Jersey in 1839, 
 to save it from threatened bankruptcy. Lewisburg, now Bucknell, was 
 made a pos.sibility in 1846, by New Jersey. 
 
 For nearly one hundred and fifty years the Baptists of New Jersey have 
 busied themselves making up the deficiencies of their brethren of 
 neighboring states, denying themselves schools of their own. As respects 
 education, they have been the " keepers of vineyards; but their own 
 vineyard thej- have not kept." Having now, set up our big sisters in 
 housekeeping, the way is open to do something for ourselves. 
 
 That Baptists are essentially an educated and educating people, is 
 signified b}- the constitution of our churches. Whoso, the aged, the child, 
 the cultured, the ignorant; of ever\- one seeking membership in our 
 churches, whether in the city or in the woods, it is asked: What do 3-ou 
 know ? Give us a reason for your hope. Thus the first condition of 
 membership is educational, in that it demands an experience founded 
 v;pon knowledge. The applicant must have been thinking and learning; 
 rejecting some things, approving some things, and attained to new 
 ideas of himself and of things outside of himself. He has been a learner 
 in a school, where, as the result of its teaching, a new order of things has 
 come to pass in his soul, ^increase, growth along the line of self culture. 
 
 This higher education, leavens our ideas of Christian work. Evolving 
 our theorj', that education is not elementary to religion, but that religion 
 is elementary to education. Our missions in heathen lands have this 
 distinction from that of other denominations and it accounts for their 
 wonderful growth. As an outgrowth of this law of our denominational 
 life. New Jersey Baptists have a high appreciation of an intelligent 
 ministry. From the beginning until now. Baptist Pastors in the state 
 rank far above the average of the ministr}' at large. 
 
 Our 3'oung people also, have to a large extent obtained from without, 
 the education unprovided by ourselves for them at home. 
 
 4th. Allied to this appreciation of education b\- our churches is an 
 intelligent Bible knoivledge. Not, as some judge, merely conserva- 
 tism. But a consciousness of the supreme authority' of the Divine 
 word. Other Christian people than ourselves, read the Scriptures: own 
 its authority: build confidently on its one foundation, walking and living 
 by faith on the Son of God. Yet, when Baptists and other evangelical 
 Christians meet on common ground for common work, there is sensibly, 
 a wide gap between them and us. While they are as evangelical and as 
 
conscientious in their convictions of truth as we are, there is b}- us an 
 emphatic recognition of the absoluteness of the Bible as the exclusive 
 authority- for duty and for doctrine; in generalities and in minutia, to 
 which they do not respond. We ignore creeds as authority for belief and 
 as a law for the conscience; insisting upon " thus saith the Lord," for 
 faith and practice, which is not merely a dividing line, but a positive 
 difference from them. This is so real that we are looked upon as a 
 seperate people, adverse to other protestant Christendom, — the minority 
 saying to the majorit}-, we are right, 3'ou are wrong. 
 
 The reference already made to the condition of membership in a Baptist 
 Church, "I know what I know. I know it for myself. And it is true what 
 ever an}' one may think," develops positive and individual character and 
 constrains a continued and self satisfactor}' inquiry of the Divine word for 
 the things which lie be\ond the first experience of the grace of God. 
 Thus human opinions whether of great or of small names; creeds, 
 traditions, legends, commentaries, councils, assemblies, conferences, are 
 subjected to the judgment of the individual, as if he were Lord. 
 
 Hence the universal Baptist characteristic, — Bible searching. And the 
 assumption of the right and of the ability to decide for one's self; what is 
 truth, which vexes the sectary and shocks the wisdom of the wise. As 
 in the beginning, so now. The Baptist understands that he must for 
 himself quarry his doctrines of faith and his convictions of duty from the 
 word of God. Therefore, the wonderful fact of the history of our churches; 
 corresponding to the Gospel itself the same yesterday, to-da^- and 
 unchangeable. The change which has come over the other denominations 
 in the last one hundred years is marvelous. They have come to us. 
 Adopting the principles distinctive of Baptists and which have separated 
 us from all other Christian denominations, since Penteco.st. The Bible, 
 the arbiter of all religious theories: experimental piety a condition to 
 church membership: civil and religious liberty, the absolute right of 
 every one: and last and only within four or five years, the severance of all 
 governmental patronage from denominational interests, whether schools, 
 charities or missions. This, however, is true of them, only in this 
 country. 
 
 In all the rest of the world, Baptists alone, teach and uphold these 
 great truths, — an open Bible; a converted membership; civil and religious 
 liberty the absolute right of each and of all. The homely proverb, "True 
 Jersey Blue," which in " the Revolution " emphasized the integrity of 
 the Jersey soldier, is no less expressive of the integrity of New Jerse}' 
 Baptists in maintaining their convictions of truth and of dut}-. 
 
 This faith of ours, means manhood of the highest type. The ke}^ which 
 unlocks the secret of our strength and power is, an intelligent Bible 
 knowledge. This, endows the soul with consciousness of its vast capacit)'- 
 for growth and service. This, is a bond of indissoluble unit}' to each 
 other and to him " whose image and superscription " we bear, signified 
 in his own beautiful figure of the vine and its branches. Such are 
 characteristics of New Jersey Baptists and equally of all Baptists worth}-- 
 of the name. 
 
89 
 
 The Church of To-Day Moulding the Future. 
 
 By Rev. J. B. L'Hommedieu, of Newark, X. J. 
 
 /. The Church of Christ has a Mould. It was cast in the counsel, 
 wisdom and purpose of (Tod. It is not therefore something flexible or 
 elastic. Its shape is unalterable. " The Scripture cannot be broken." 
 " Teaching them to observe all things." ' Whatsoever he saitli unto you 
 doit." "If ye love me keep my commandments." We insist on con- 
 formity- to type. Mr. Spurgeon said : "An ounce of what God says is 
 worth "a ton of what men think." In every parliament of religion, 
 whether social or international, we ask " Whose is this image and super 
 scription." To Confucionism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Materialism, Ration- 
 alism, we say that "your model is not as our model" — "even our enemies 
 themselves being judges." The superscriptions are not alike. "Never 
 man spoke like this man." "Render therefore unto Caesar the things 
 which are Caesar's and unto God the things which be God's." 
 
 2. The Church of to-day should mould the future evangelically. I mean 
 by this the Gospel on foot. I mean doctrine, but doctrine animated, en- 
 thused. If church members were to ask " What is our mission ? What 
 are we here for ?" The reply comes in the words of the Master: "As 
 thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world." 
 
 He came "to seek and to save that which was lost." "I came that they 
 may have life and may have it abundantly." " I lay down my life for 
 the sheep." But when he had manifested his power to lay down that life 
 and to take it up again, he declared that the benefit of Pentecost to them 
 should be power to herald the Gospel. '"Ye shall be my witnesses." "And 
 he that heareth. let him say, come." When Jesus has found you tell 
 others the story. The first, the greatest, and the continued eflfort of the 
 church, should be an effort to save the lost. 
 
 3. The Church of to-day should mould the future conservatively. Novel- 
 ties are attractive. Broom, fan and flag drills are more fascinating than 
 prayer or covenant meetings. There are among many but few longings 
 for the " old paths." Many communities are moved churchward only in 
 proportion as the truth has an Athenian coating of " some new thing." 
 Topics are arranged to catch the eye rather than the Holy Spirit relied on 
 to prick the heart. "A Publican Converted," would be considered a tame 
 announcement for a sermon on Zaccheus. But the drawing way would 
 be, come hear an eloquent discourse " On a Sinner up a Tree." Such 
 dainties are destructive to spiritual digestion. The appetite becomes 
 capricious. If God is immutable then some things at least are unchange- 
 able. If there was a hell 2,000 years ago then there is a hell now. We 
 cannot expunge the word. If Paul stated the truth when he wrote to the 
 Romans : " All have sinned." And " None righteous, no not one." Then 
 there has occurred nothing since to change man's standing out of Christ. 
 If Nicodemus could not see nor enter into the Kingdom of God without 
 the new birth neither can any man now. If Christ was the only name 
 when Peter and John stood before the Council then there is "none other 
 
90 
 
 name" in the 19th century. If man was totally depraved then, naturally 
 he is no better to-day. Reformation is not a substitute for regeneration, 
 or education for a living faith. 
 
 4. The Chnnii of to-day should mould the future socially. The Church 
 cannot be oblivious to the general interests of the people. As Christ 
 went among men and S3'mpathized with them, so must Christianity reach 
 down to help and elevate the people. But how ? We reiterate, aim first 
 to save them. We cannot mould society permanently on the outside when 
 it is wrong on the inside. An apple decaying at the core demands core 
 treatment. The Bible begins at the right place— with the heart. Before 
 there will be right conduct there must be right character. Men cannot 
 recognize a brotherhood before they experience a fatherhood 
 
 5. The Church of to-day should mould the future fi>iancially. She must 
 create and corroborate the impression that possession means obligation, 
 that wealth is a sacred trust, that God's claim reaches the purse, the 
 bank and the bonds. The Church should ask '' Hozu much owest thou 
 unto my Lordf but with no authority to discount 20 or 50 per cent. 
 Money is agency. Dollars help or hinder. God has something to do 
 with financial crises. He started t-he Jews right on this question, and on 
 all other questions. Christ did not abrogate it. Tithitig, proportionate 
 giving was the plan. Dr. John Humpstone says: " The question of 
 finance is a question of the Holy Spirit, given pentecostal ble.ssings and 
 Pentecostal consecration of property will follow." 
 
 God does not accept of us in sections. Man and money go together. 
 "For ivhere thy treasure is there icill thy heart be also.'" "The silver is 
 mine and the gold is mine saith the Lord." — Hag. 2:8. " But thou shalt 
 remember the Lord thy God, for it is he that giveth the power to get 
 wealth." A desire for wealth is laudable if the divine obligation is not 
 ignored. Hard times! Yes, but why? What caused hard times in the 
 days of Malachi ? He obtained information that God was looking after 
 his own accounts. They had withheld their tithes and offerings. They 
 ma}' have bought an occasional ticket for an entertainment, made a cake 
 for a paid supper, or given a pound of butter or a qviart of milk But God 
 said " 77/n' owed him," and when they paid, they prospered. Back to 
 first principles. Let the Church of to-day settle her accounts according 
 to the Lord's ledger. 
 
 6. 'The Church of to-day should tnould the future by an adjtistment of 
 .'iocial life zcithi?i her own compass. Society and its claims in the church 
 is receiving considerable attention. It is an important factor in church 
 life. The young demand it and the mature need it. Let there be social 
 meals and free social entertainments. Let the young and the old. the 
 rich and the poor meet together before they die. 
 
 The cemetery has brought some people nearer to each other than ever 
 they have been in the church. 
 
 A dining hall and kitchen may not produce apostasy if properU' applied. 
 
 Let the exuberance of youth expend its effervescence in a good rather 
 than in a questionable place. 
 
 Better have the noise and keep the boj's. 
 
 Better laugh with the children than weep at their absence. 
 
91 
 
 The social life in the church must be controlled and cultivated. 
 Between the theatre and the convent there is a lawful mean. One 
 gratifies, the other denies. The Church must qualify and modify. She 
 must expel a doubtful gratification by introducing a helpful amusement. 
 As Dr. Robinson expresses it: "Dispossession by pre occupancy." 
 
 Then straight forward! Stand by the old land marks! Do not curve the 
 lines, or crook the fence. Stand by the " Thus saith the Lord." It is the 
 successful way. When the late Dr. C. F. Deems, of New York, wanted 
 money to pa}' off the indebtedness on his church he called on Commodore 
 Vanderbilt. " Are you going to preach what I want to hear," asked the 
 old man sternly. "I shall try to preach acceptably," answered the 
 clergyman. No sooner had he said the words than he realized that they 
 lacked the spirit of his master, and added quickh', " I shall preach the 
 Gospel as I believe and understand it, and if 30U have any special sins I 
 shall be most likel}' to preach against them." "Humph," said the 
 Commodore, and ended the interview. But the next day he sent Dr. 
 Deems a check for ^50,000 for not being afraid to do his dutj'. 
 
 150TH Anniversary Hymn 
 
 By Rev. F. Denison, A. M., Providence, R. I. 
 
 Tune.— The Old Oaken Bucket. 
 
 One hundred and fifty winged years have departed 
 
 Since here, in the wilderness, trusting in God, 
 Our fathers and mothers, devout and brave-hearted. 
 
 For truth and for conscience in covenant stood. 
 With loyal devotion they laid the foundation 
 
 Around which their children have lovingly knelt, 
 And each generation, with new consecration. 
 
 The smile and the cheer of the Savior has felt. 
 
 While over our land has swept bloody commotion 
 
 And forms of oppression were fully cast down. 
 True libert}-, marching from mountains to oceans, 
 
 Bn' will of the Lord, wears the national crown. 
 Due praise to our Baptist forefathers be given, 
 
 With all who stood fearless in Liberty's fight. 
 Elected and guided by edict of Heaven — 
 
 The Bible their sole Magna Charta of right. 
 
 True churches of Christ stand aligned and undaunted, 
 
 Proclaiming his gospel to perishing men: 
 And here has his word and his spirit been granted — 
 
 His message received, but to herald again — 
 And forward to others we send salutation — 
 
 Stand fast by the right in the strength of the Lord, 
 High holding the cross as the pledge of salvation, 
 
 And find in the city of God your reward. 
 
92 
 
 Beatae Memoriae. 
 
 Written for the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Hightstown 
 
 Baptist Church. 
 
 By Rev. S. Giffard Nelson. Mt. Holly, N. J. 
 
 We meet, to-night, on hallowed ground 
 
 Whereon the earl}' fathers trod. 
 And h3-mns the}- taught us still resound 
 
 Where once they met to worship God. 
 
 The centuries solemn vigil keep 
 
 Above their hamlet, church and tomb. 
 
 And, where the grand old singers sleep. 
 Their altar-fires their graves illume. 
 
 Their's was the lofty faith of old — 
 
 The faith the high born prophets knew— 
 
 A faith that bade them grandly hold 
 Their being vassal to the true. 
 
 All other yoke they scorned; and dared 
 For conscience, kings and courts to brave; 
 
 Then, heedless how their fortune fared. 
 Set sail for freedom or the grave. 
 
 Grown weary of the creedal feud, 
 
 Their souls b\- sorrow purified. 
 They sought the simple brotherhood 
 
 Embittered zealots had denied. 
 
 And, east of rolling Delaware, 
 
 And south of rilling Raritan, 
 They found a moorland, in whose air. 
 
 The child of God became — a man. 
 
 And, here, on Jersey's virgin soil. 
 Where bigotry had never thriven. 
 
 They gave their dajs to honest toil. 
 Their years to God, their hopes to Heaven. 
 
 Kingship of Christ " their simple creed. 
 The Book inspired, their rule of faith, — 
 
 The staff divine, of human need. 
 
 The sword that triumphs over death ! 
 
 A humble fane their choice sufficed. 
 
 Where, clad in raiment white and clean, 
 
 They might behold the Bride of Christ 
 In apostolic, pristine mein. 
 
SrxDAY School Suterintknoknt and Di;acun. 
 
93 
 
 Of learning they had little store, 
 
 To meek confines they held their thought, 
 
 Enough, immortal Bunyan's lore, 
 
 And truth, as Roger Williams taught. 
 
 So, Hightstown's band of seventeen 
 
 Here reared their Bethel, and were led 
 By waters still and pastures green, 
 
 Till slowly numbered with the dead. 
 
 From sires the trust bequeathed to sons 
 
 Was grandly kept; and, now, as then. 
 The church her race of glory runs. 
 
 And rounds, to-night, seven score-and ten. 
 
 And, where the walls their shadows fling, 
 The youth of many a household throng, 
 
 And learning folds her burnished wing. 
 And lists to catch her own sweet song. 
 
 Heaven guard thee, mother church, sublime ! 
 
 Enlarge thy coast till latest days. 
 And bless thy pastor, in his prime, 
 
 Whose worth and wisdom all men praise ! 
 
 Sunday Morning, Nov. 3RD. 
 
 At the appointed hour the Sunday school room was filled to its 
 full capacity. Mrs. Mary Barker gave interesting reminiscences of 
 the early days of the school. Mrs. Philip F. Botzong spoke of How 
 we could Help the School. Mr. Enoch Barker on Results. Letters 
 were read from Mrs. Mattie Marten Grenelle, of Deckertown, Mrs. 
 Ivuella Reed Middlebrook, of California, and Mrs. E. M. Avery, of 
 New York. The Stiperintendent, Mr. John E. Allen, spoke sub- 
 stantially as follows : 
 
 As we look back into the olden time we ask the question : Was there a 
 Sunday School at that time ? If so, what were its methods, its manner 
 in carrying on the work. I think that we might all agree in saying that 
 there was a Sunday School, or an appointed hour for each Sabbath, when 
 our older parents 'with their children would meet for the reading and 
 teaching of God's word. Old and young for miles around might have 
 been seen every Sabbath morning treading their way to this school. So 
 earnest for the truth, to teach and do His will, that through storm and 
 sun.shine they felt their presence needed the same. To lay well the 
 
94 
 
 foundation of Bible truths was the aim and purpose of these Christian 
 heroes. Their absence would mean neglect of duty. Sacrifices must be 
 made. Consecrated combined Christian effort must be theirs in order 
 that this church and school might grow. Had thej- grown indifferent, 
 their faith allowed to weaken through discouragements, through trials, 
 the church in its infancy- would have died out, and we to-day would not 
 be enjoying this "blessed heritage." Through hardship, in perils of 
 winter thev came to meet in a cold cheerless room. No conveniences, no 
 lesson helps as we now enjoy, save the " open Bible." They were few in 
 number, but strong in faith. Ready and willing to respond when needed. 
 We to day could not be enjoying such blessed privileges, nor boast of the 
 work done for Christ's Kingdom in this school, had /"//n' not first "learned 
 to endure." Let us take heed not to ignore, and despise old methods, 
 nor the " old time religion;" but rather to adore and bow in holy rever- 
 ence to their Christian faith and example. By their Christian fortitude 
 and perseverance, may we learn many lessons ; that the way to the cross 
 must sometimes be borne through trials and hardship and while it might 
 not be our v^-aj' it might be God's way. If teachers fail to respond to 
 their duties, and scholars grow careless, become irregular, and the spirit- 
 ual interest appears to be at a stand.still, let us remember that they have 
 passed through the same ordeal. May the Lord help us to be strong, and 
 of good courage. Pray as we work, our faith unfaltering; that our lives b)' 
 deed and example may be such as shall shine forth for truth and right- 
 eousness in the hearts of our scholars. Each year many souls from our 
 school have come into the vineyard for work. Many of them are faraway 
 in other fields of labor. To-day we can thank God that the one hundred 
 and fiftieth Anniversary finds us a happy, united family. In Pastor, 
 Teacher and Scholar dwells the utmost unity, with still higher aim and 
 purpose than past years, for the spiritual advancement of this school. 
 One hundred years from to-day we will be dead. While we are here let us 
 see to it by earnest endeavor in the Master's name, that our work shall be 
 well done and well fitted to leave in other hands, that shall some day take 
 our places. Let us pray that the God who walked with our fathers, may 
 continue to v\-alk with us, and bless this school for His name's sake. 
 
 Church, Morning Service. 
 
 At II o'clock the audience filled the church. The pastor, Dr. O. 
 P. Eaches conducted the exercises, reading Matt. 5: 1-16. Rev. A. 
 S. Flock prayed. All joined in .singing: 
 
 " How pleased and blessed was I," 
 
 and 
 
 " Awake mj- soul and with the sun," 
 

95 
 
 Anniversary Sermon. 
 
 By Geo. W. Cl.\rk, D. D. 
 
 (a sketch.) 
 
 Matt. S-' 14- — " ye are the light of the worlds 
 It seems fitting this morning as we are passing the one hundred and 
 fiftieth annual milestone of this church, to pause and catch a view of our 
 relations to Christ and to the world about us ; to consider wh\- we exist 
 as a church and as individual members of it ; to ponder the mission God 
 has given us, our duties and obligations ; to catch inspiration and 
 encouragement from the past, and gird ourselves for present and future 
 labors and conflict. To help us attain this end, let us dwell awhile upon 
 this theme, Christians, the Light of the World. 
 
 The phrase here used, "the light of the world," is equivalent toWx^ sun 
 of the world. It is applied to the great orb of day, and Christ applies it 
 figuratively both to himself and his disciples. We can easil}- conceive 
 how Christ is the sun to our darkened world, sending forth ra3's of glory 
 and of truth from him.self. But how can Christians be styled by the 
 same name ? Evidently onh- as the true light is /;/ them, and as it shines 
 through their character and lives. Theirs is not a mere reflected light 
 like so many mirrors, but the light is within them. God has put it there 
 by His spirit. But hozc are Christians to send forth their light ? Through 
 their tongues, "the words of the wise are as goads and as nails well 
 fastened." Through their examples. It is the part of pure religion to 
 keep " unspotted from the world." Through their work. That men may 
 see their good works and glorify God. But not only individually, but 
 also collectively, are they the light of the world. Their light is to shine 
 through churches. They are thus to hold forth the truth as Christ has 
 committed it to them. They are to hold fast to the doctrines, the 
 ordinances and the practices which have come down to us from Christ 
 and his Apostles. In their church organizations and in their church life 
 they are to be witnesses for Christ. They are to take the Bible as their 
 guide, and the New Testament as their standard of faith and practice. 
 The light of Christ the head must shine through his church his body. 
 
 I. It is natural for religion to show it.self. It is in the nature of light 
 to shine; and so it is of the nature of truth to spread, and of religion in 
 the soul to bring every power of body and mind in subjection to Christ- 
 Why then do christians and churches fail to let their light shine ? 
 Because it is obstructed. It is covered over by the world, coldness, for- 
 
96 
 
 mality, and neglect of duty. If you put a candle under a bushel, the 
 light will exhaust the air and extinguish itself. So all attempts to cover 
 your religious light will only lessen the flame in your hearts. Alas, that 
 so many should have covered it so long that the flame is scarcely visible! 
 And now you complain of little love, and small interest ; and you are 
 troubled about what to do. Take off the cover! Take off" the cover! 
 Let some of the pure air of heaven ventilate your souls, and the flame 
 within you will increase in size and brightness. 
 
 II. Seek then to shine brightl}' and prominently. The text tells what 
 you are and what is your mission in the world. Your place is in the 
 world, before men, in the community where you live and in the church 
 where you belong. You are to be where you can be seen, like a city on a 
 hill, and there to let your light shine to the full extent of its brightness. 
 You owe it to God, the Author of all. You owe it to yourselves for your 
 own good. You owe it to your brethren, thereby helping them to let 
 their light shine. I hear some of my j'ounger brethren, shouting the 
 motto " For Christ and the Church." Most excellent indeed. But what 
 Christ? Why your Christ, whom you received, and to whom you conse- 
 crated your service. For Christ ? Then you must conform to his Spirit. 
 For Christ ? Then you must obey his words. For Christ ? Then must 
 you be faithful to him in all things. But what church ? Your church, 
 where you have made your most solemn vows, in the presence of God, 
 and angels and men. Here is the place where you are to put your light, 
 keep your light and send forth your light. And you owe it to Christians 
 of other names. If we follow Christ in doctrines and practice more closely 
 as we believe, than some others, then we should show it in our lives. 
 None should be more consecrated, none more earnest, none more devoted 
 than we. Since Baptists lay special stress on the Bible as their standard 
 and ultimate ground of appeal, they should first of all others be Bible 
 Christians. Since they put special emphasis upon following the example 
 of Christ and his apostles, they should be pre-eminently Christ-like, 
 and apostolic. It is because Baptists have discarded human authority 
 and made the Bible their sole standard and ground of appeal, and rule of 
 faith and practice, that they have been, and are, what they are. One 
 hundred and fifty years ago when this church was organized, they 
 stood distinctively for the five following important principles : 
 
 First. Freedom of conscience and the entire separation of church and 
 state. Second. A converted church membership. Third. Baptism and 
 the Lord's Supper of no avail without choice and faith. Fourth. Believers 
 
97 
 the only scriptural subjects of baptism. Fifth. Immersion, onl}- the 
 baptism of the New Testament. A considerable part of these principles 
 have been conceded fully or largely since that day by many of the wisest 
 and best of other denominations. The great principle of soul liberty, the 
 rights of conscience and of separation of church and state, for which 
 Baptists were then struggling so nobly, have become a permanent 
 principle in our government, and is held professedly by all denominations 
 in our countrv. Evangelical churches generally demand conversion as a 
 condition of membership. Infant baptism has greatly decreased, and it 
 is estimated that not far from a million immersed believers are members 
 of churches of other names. Baptists thus have not shed forth their 
 church light in vain. 
 
 But if we have been a blessing to the world and to the church in 
 the past, we surely may be so in the future. Baptists still have a 
 mission. Let us be true to our principles. In a Christ-like spirit, 
 let us boldly, firmly, yet lovingly contend for the whole counsel of 
 God. The past encourages us to hope for greater results in the future. 
 In this way more than in any other can we work for Christian unity, and 
 hasten the day when Christians of every name and every clime shall be 
 substantially one. From the past may we not hope that the unifying 
 process may go on. Baptist principles have been the center toward 
 which the denominations have the last one hundred and fifty years been 
 tending. These principles as we believe are Bible principles. It is union 
 in the truth and for the truth, that we labor for and pray. May we not 
 hope that one hundred and fifty more years will bring all christians close 
 to that center. They may still bear different names, and be marshalled 
 under their several banners, and yet be united in the truth and holding 
 the truth in unity. Each bearing the gospel flag, each marching at the 
 word of the Lord Jesus as their Lord, and the head of the church, in true 
 allegiance and in true obedience ; and thus all endeavoring to "keep the 
 unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace"— one Lord, one faith, one 
 baptism, one God, and Father all, who is above all, and through all, and 
 in you all.— Eph. 4 : 5, 6. Until that happy and glorious day shall come, 
 you brethren and Baptist Churchs shall not have accomplished their 
 mission. But you especially owe it to the unregenerated world. You 
 are like light-houses along a rock-bound coast. You are rather like the 
 keepers of these light-houses. How condemnable the negligence of one 
 of these who should fail to light his lantern on a stormy night. How 
 great disasters would result to many mariners sailing those coasts. But 
 greater, far greater the disa.ster that may result from the negligence of a 
 
Christian to hold up his light on the sea of life! Nothing less than the 
 loss of souls! 
 
 "For sadder sight the eye can know 
 Than from barks lost, or seamen's woe — 
 The shipivreck of the soul.'" 
 
 III. Permit me also to emphasize the universality of this truth, as 
 applicable to every disciple, to both the pastor and his people The aim 
 of the pastor and the aim of his people are the same — the building up of 
 Christ's cause, and the salvation of souls. The pastor has his flock, but 
 they have their families, their acquaintances and their friends. The life 
 of every disciple should be a daily warning against sin, a daily invitation 
 to come to Jesus, a daily encouragement to serve God. Thus the pastor 
 is only one among many lights. His should indeed shine brightly, but 
 theirs should also. It was never intended that the light of a church 
 should be embodied in the light of the pastor, but that he should be sur- 
 rounded by many burning, shining lights, and that thus their united 
 splendor should be shed forth upon a dark and sin cursed world. 
 
 IV. Allow me also to urge upon you the necessity of attending to 
 your inward light. As we have already noticed the light is within you, 
 placed there by the Holy Spirit. It is bj- pra^'er that heaven is opened, 
 and the Holy Sprit comes in and fills the heart. Watch then and pray. 
 Renounce every sin, live near to God. Let your light shine from a con- 
 secrated heart through a consecrated life. Thus increase the light of this 
 church b}' increasing the light in 3'our own souls. 
 
 V. But does not this subject appeal to 3'ou who do not profess to be 
 Christians ? Christians are the light of the ivorld. They send forth their 
 light for you. Have you not seen it in this church and its pastor, in a 
 pious friend, in an anxious father, or mother, or teacher, or acquaintance.-* 
 Have you not seen it in the preaching of the Gospel, in the words of 
 Christians, and in their pious examples. O how much light has beamed 
 upon 3'our path, showing you the way to the cross and to heaven. Do 
 not find fault with the church, with the dimness of the light of some, and 
 the imperfections of the light of others. The sun has its dark spots upon 
 it. You surely would not refuse to be guided by it, because of those dark 
 spots. Be as wise in spiritual as in earthly things. "Awake thou that 
 sleepest, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give the light." 
 
 But I must close. From the past we must turn ourselves to the future. 
 More than a thousand lights during the past 150 years have ceased their 
 shining here ; they have gone to be living stars, shining lights on high. 
 
99 
 You and I stand in their places. Let their example inspire us to shine 
 brightly for Christ. We seem to stand in their presence, as it were, to- 
 day. From their blest abode their eyes seem fixed on us, and I seem to 
 hear them saying, " Let your light so shine before men that they seeing 
 your good works may glorify your Father in Heaven." Brethren and 
 friends, the ages are looking down upon us A vast host gathered from 
 Hightstown and Middletown, and Manasquan, and Hamilton Square, 
 and Trenton and Penn's Neck, and wherever this church has had influ- 
 ence, are watching us with interest. Be then faithful. Seeing then that 
 we are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside 
 every weight and whatever sin may easilj- beset us, and let us run the 
 race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of 
 our faith, who for the jo}^ .set before him endured the cross, despising the 
 shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. And 
 He it is that has promised "To him that overcometh, I will give him the 
 morning star." — Rev. 2 : 28. 
 
 After the sermon the following paper was read on 
 Woman's Work in the Church. 
 By Miss Bertha R. Clark. 
 
 The last thirty years have seen a wonderful advance in woman's influ- 
 ence in all departments of church work. There is no doubt that this is 
 due in great measure to the development of her interest in missions. The 
 feeling graduall}- came to women that they must do more to give the 
 knowledge of Christ to the women of the East. One or two undenomina- 
 tional societies existed as early as 1S14, but it was not until 1871 that the 
 Woman's Baptist Foreign Mis-sionar}' Society was organized, as an auxil- 
 iary to the Missionary Union. The women of Baptist Churches, besides 
 contributing to the general society, were to raise special funds for work 
 among women and children of heathen lands. This interest in foreign 
 missions led later to the formation of home mission societies. To-day- the 
 women of our churches render invaluable assistance to the cause of 
 missions. We are glad to note that the women of this church were 
 among the first to respond to the foreign missionary appeal of 1871. 
 
 Our Woman's Missionary Society was organized April 29, 1872, with the 
 help of Mrs. William Ward, a missionary from Assam. The membership 
 has varied much during these twenty -three years. At least three hundred 
 women have at some time been connected with our societ}-. Some of 
 these have been members for a short time only. Many earnest workers 
 have died, but a large number are now in other churches and, we believe, 
 proving themselves as invaluable as they did here. In looking over the 
 early records we find that ten of our present number joined the society 
 
lOO 
 
 during its first year. There were sixty nine members at that time. The 
 largest membership was in 1876 when there was a total of one hundred 
 and seven, but that year did not show a corresponding increase in contri- 
 butions. The society was purely a foreign missionary organization until 
 1883, when a home mission department was added. The membership of 
 each is kept distinct, but we consider home and foreign fields alternately 
 in our meetings. We now have eighty-four members, forty-nine contrib- 
 uting to foreign, and thirty-five to home missions. 
 
 The first officers were : President, Mrs. M. P. Eaches; Vice-President, 
 Mrs. Enoch Allen; Secretary, Miss Addie Silvers; Treasurer, Mrs. M. 
 H. Smith. Our other Presidents have been Mrs. E. P. Bond, Mrs. Mary 
 Barker, who also taught the infant class for about twent\' 3-ears, and Mrs. 
 G. W. Clark, who has served as President thirteen years. Others of our 
 number have given years of faithful service as officers: Mrs. C. W. Liv- 
 ingston, Mrs J. M. Eaches, as Vice Presidents; Miss Sadie Pembrook, 
 Secretary for eleven years; Mrs. Hannah Cubberly, Treasurer for four- 
 teen years; Mrs. T. L. Hermance, Treasurer for seven years. 
 
 The total amount that has been raised by our societ}' is $2,780.15 Of 
 this $1,699.85 was contributed to foreign missions, and $1,080.30 to home 
 missions. This result, though small compared with what is done else- 
 where, represents much prayer and many hours of patient, hopeful work. 
 
 In iS84we began to hold public anniversaries. By this means we have 
 been able to hear many missionary workers, and have come to understand 
 very clearly how much the world needs Christ. The vinion missionary 
 meetings, which occur quarterl}', are a pleasant feature of our work. 
 They have been held for the past three years and have proved very help- 
 ful. Our four societies meet together and all others interested in missions 
 are welcome. 
 
 Only one of our former members has become a foreign missionary. 
 Miss Ella C. Bond, who spent nine years in Assam, was once an active 
 member of our Society, and a teacher in our Sunday school. Miss Mamie 
 Avery has done city mission work in New York. May we not hope that, 
 as 3'ears go by, many of the members of this church will enter active mis- 
 sionary service. 
 
 May 17, 1884, under the auspices of the Woman's Missionar}' Sooiet\', a 
 Mission Band was started with Miss Sadie Pembiook as President. This 
 was the first organization in the church especially for young people. In 
 five years they contributed $130.17 to missions. The Band remained in 
 this form until May, 1889, when the younger members, with the boys who 
 then for the first time joined the society, became the Boys' and Girls' 
 Mission Band. The young women reorganized as the " Golden Chain" 
 Mission Band. Four years later they changed their name to " Farther 
 Lights." They have had four Presidents, Miss Pembrook, Miss Lillie 
 Clark, Miss Sadie Ayers, Miss Ada Hutchinson. For two years the Band 
 had no President. Four Vice-Presidents were elected to take charge of 
 the meetings and the work of the Society. When in 1893 Miss Lillie B. 
 Clark was made President, this arrangement was continued. The plan 
 has proved an admirable one. The last three years have been ver^' suc- 
 ce,ssful. The Band has gradually extended its work in sending flowers 
 
and fruit to Missions in New York. Last year a circulating library of 
 missionary books was started There are forty members. The monej- 
 raised bv subscriptions is divided between home and foreign missions. 
 During the past six years the\- have contributed to missions S273.25. 
 
 The Boys' and Girls' Mission Band after various changes became the 
 " Little Helpers " Band in 1891. They now have forty two members and 
 have given Sio to missions. Mrs. J. E. Perry has been Superintendent 
 for two years, and under her guidance they are learning to do their part 
 in this great work. The3- will be the missionary women of the future. 
 
 November 3, 1S93, the voung men and older boys formed a Societ}' of 
 their own. Previous to this they had met with the 3'ounger band. Mrs. 
 Eaches has been director of the Young Men's Missionary Society- since its 
 organization, and the success of its work has been due largeh- to her 
 efforts. Their officers are elected twice a year. The Presidents from the 
 first have been: Mr. Frank Pullen, Mr. Willie Hutchinson, Mr. Charles 
 H. Weller, Mr. Logan Clevenger. There are twenty-four members. All 
 nionev raised is given to the general societies. The}' have contributed to 
 various missionary objects $79 75. 
 
 There is another organization which has been doing missionary- work 
 within the church. The Ladies' Aid Society has contributed much to the 
 efficiency of this church during the last thirteen years. This has been 
 done in many practical ways. They have assisted in meeting many inci- 
 dental expenses, which would otherwise have proved a burden. Many of 
 the improvements which we have seen from time to time are the result of 
 their thoughtful efforts. Since their organization November 10, 1882, 
 they have expended for such purpo,ses $2,850.66. Mrs. M. M. Job has been 
 President from the first and Miss Elmira Silvers, Vice-President. There 
 have been two Treasurers, Mrs. S. E. Vannest and Miss Susie De}', who 
 has served since 18S4. We hope the time will come when every woman 
 in the church will be activeU" engaged in this work. Mrs. Job has also 
 taught the Infant Class for many years. 
 
 The Missionary- Societies proper have raised 5i?3,i43.i5 ; the Ladies' Aid 
 Society, $2,850.66, giving a total of $5,993.81. This amount gives the re- 
 sult, as far as figures can show it, of the work of the women in this 
 church for the past twent3-three years. The Societies have had alwa3-s 
 the most cordial and heart}' co-operation of our pastor. Dr. Eaches, and 
 much of our success may be attributed to his thoughtful suggestions and 
 encouragement. 
 
 We feel sure that our Missionary Societies have had ?m important in- 
 fluence in making our church a missionary- church. Many of us date our 
 interest in missions from work done in connection with these organiza- 
 tions. The spirit of Christ is essentialh- a missionary spirit. One of the 
 best tests of the spiritual life ot a church is obedience to the last command 
 of Christ, to give the Gospel not onl\- to our neighbor, but to all nations 
 of the world. No Christian who studies the subject can long withhold 
 his pra\-ers and gifts from this cause in which Christ is most interested. 
 The more we know of the degradation of heathenism and the dangers 
 which threaten our countr}-, the stronger our desire will be to take and 
 keep the whole world for Christ. 
 
I02 
 
 A Special Service of the Junior Endeavor was held in Sun- 
 day School room at three o'clock in the afternoon, conducted by- 
 Miss Grace Clevenger, Superintendent. Rev. Dr. O. P. Eaches and 
 J. E. Allen, made addresses. 
 
 Sunday Evening Service. 
 
 A large and interesting service of the Christian Endeavor was 
 held in the Sunday school room at half past six. Mr. P. F. Botzong, 
 State President of the Baptist Young People's Union, made an 
 address on "The Need of Training in Baptist Principles." A 
 letter was read from Isaac E. Chamberlin. Mr. C. Boud ColE 
 gave an historical address, of which the following is a sketch: 
 
 One of the youngest and most important departments of our church life 
 is found in the Young- People's Society of Christian Endeavor. 
 
 The Pastor, recognizing in it a long-looked-for organization which 
 could be most effectively used as a training school for the young people 
 of the church, organized the Society Dec. 22, 1886, with a charter member- 
 ship of sixty-two. Since that time the Society has had two hundred and 
 sixty Active members and seventy-four Associate. Its present member- 
 ship is one hundred and four Active and twelve Associate. 
 
 The Society has been an important factor in many directions. Its 
 prayer meetings on Sunday evenings have always been helpful and 
 inspiring, and many have been led in these meetings to take the first step 
 toward the Christian life; and still more have shown, by their interest and 
 participation, their growth in grace. The church praj^er meeting has felt 
 its influence in a marked degree. In conjunction with the Sundaj^ school 
 it has for several years supported a native Bible woman in India. 
 
 For two years it has carried on a course of popular free lectvires. In 
 short, its membership has always shown that the Society is what it was 
 intended to be, a Pastor's Aid Society. 
 
 Its olhcers are chosen every six months ; ladies and gentlemen alternating 
 as Presidents. The following have been its Presidents named in their 
 proper order: B. P. Stout, C. A. Pullen, Sadie A. Pembrook, C. Boud Cole, 
 Hattie Dalrymple, Lillie C. Robbins, Luella B. Reed, Chas. E. Cole, 
 Lizzie D. Pembrook, Phebe Cox, Matthew Sutphen, Cora B. Tracy, F. V. 
 Jemison, Sadie H. Ayres, C. Boud Cole, Evva Kelley, Chas. Craig, Tillie 
 VanNest. 
 
 Miss Ada Hutchin.son read a paper on ' ' Our Influence. ' ' 
 The roll of the ex-Presidents of the Society was called and a 
 number of them responded. 
 
 The attendance at this meeting was the largest in the history of 
 the Society. 
 
I03 
 
 A large congregation gathered at the church for evening service, 
 which was under the direction of the pastor, assisted by Dr. G. W. 
 Clark and others. All united in singing. 
 
 " Glory to thee my God this night." 
 Mrs. N. C. Schlottman read a paper, of which the following is 
 a sketch: 
 
 What the Young People must do for the Church. 
 
 The term " 3'oung people" is generallj^ applied to those having the 
 strength and enthusiasm of youth. The}^ are especially fitted for church 
 work because of their strength, enthusiasm and the new ideas they bring 
 to the work. Young people can be of use in every department of church 
 work. The Sunday School, Christian Endeavor Society, Mission Bands 
 and Church Prayer meeting, all afford good fields for the young people's 
 work. They can especially help the church prayer meeting: first, by 
 attending the meetings themselves: second, by bringing some one else 
 with them: third, by taking an active part in the meeting. Be the first, 
 or among the first to take part. Don't be slow about taking part for fear 
 someone else will get up at the same time. We will have better meetings 
 when we all get so much of God's love in our hearts and get so anxious 
 to tell what He has done for us, that not only one, but two or three or 
 more, will rise to give testimony at the same time. If an3^ of the young 
 people are so situated they cannot attend the meetings, there is yet some- 
 thing they can do, and that is, they can pray for the meeting. God can 
 make the humblest effort of use to Him. If you can pray for the meetings 
 and attend them too, be sure not to do the former because it is easier. 
 Young people have manj- excuses to give for not attending the meetings, 
 excuses which may be all right, but sometimes very flimsy. If we cannot 
 give the same excuses to God that we give to our pastor and one another, 
 they are not worth an3'thing. God is invisible, but he is none the less 
 real. Do not we all need to ask ourselves the question — Am I doing all 
 that I can for Christ's work ? How man^^ of us could answer in the 
 afiirinative.'* 
 
 The church needs boys and girls like Samuel, who had an open ear for 
 God's call: it needs 3'oung men like Gideon, who was not afraid of being 
 laughed at, and 30ung women like Ruth, who made an entire consecration 
 of herself to God. Let us have purit3' in our members. Purit3- in the 
 individual means purit3' in the church. The 3'oung people of to-da\' will 
 be the mature people of to-morrow. We need the stead3' strength of the 
 older members and the enthusiastic life of the 3'ounger. The conversion 
 in 3-outh must be followed at once by culture and service. Jesus a long 
 time ago discovered the worth and efficienc3' of organized 3-oung people's 
 work. Let us be set apart for Christ and His cause through His church. 
 We must all find a place of work and fill it full. We must be 3'Oung 
 people on whom Christ and His church nia3' lean. Be enthusia.stic, be 
 earnest, be strong, be a pillar! 
 
I04 
 
 May we all make this the prayer of our lives — "Lord what wilt thou 
 have me to do?" And when He has o:iven us the work, let us do it with 
 our might. 
 
 After this, Mr. D. Hart Cunningham addressed the congregation 
 substantially as follows on: 
 
 What the Men must do for the Church. 
 
 The Church of Christ has been greatly prospered in this land during 
 the past one hundred and fift}- 3'ears. One proof of this is the fact that 
 the ratio of communicants has increased in the past one hundred years 
 from one to fourteen then, to one to three now. But while this progress 
 is rapid and steady, and a cause of joy to American Christians, it has 
 accompanying it a feature which is unwelcome. The Christian churches 
 do not add to their memt)i-rship men and women in anything like equal 
 numbers. The majority of the males of this country, — may I say of this 
 neighborhood, or of this town, are not in connection with any Christian 
 Church. 
 
 The first inference is that this is a weakness of our Protestant Churches, 
 as practical forces. Not that women are to be depreciated, far from it. 
 Individuall\- compared, women are the equals of men in intellectual lines 
 and morally they are the superiors of men. What is emphasized is the 
 fact that there is a large portion of every community, for the most part 
 men, who are not in direct connection with the church; and as a conse- 
 quence the power of the church for good is greatly crippled. For instance 
 the commercial resources of our communities are controlled almost 
 exclusively by men, and the majority of men are not in the church. 
 
 The subject we consider is of great importance, secondly, as exhibiting 
 to the churches, to our church, the one field in which, above all other, 
 efforts need to be made for the conversion of souls. Next Tuesday- more 
 than 300,000 men will take part in our State Election — only about one- 
 fourth are members of Protestant Churches. The others rtr.!' rt'// accessible 
 to the influence of the church. Let effort be made then to win them for 
 Christ. Is the work confessedly difficult? Let it nevertheless be under- 
 taken systematically, earnestly, pra5'erfully, looking unto Him with 
 whom all things are possible. Christian workers should put forth ever}' 
 effort to win men for Christ. 
 
 The men of to-day, you and I must help make the histor}- of this 
 church for the next twenty-five years. The pastor and deacons cannot do 
 it alone, they need our help, and our pra3'ers, and our mone}'. God grant 
 that we ma}' do our part. 
 
 It is not right when once inside the doors, to fold our arms and say by 
 our actions, "now we are saved," "Go now ye, that are men and serve 
 the Lord." The Christian homes we live in, the Christian atmosphere 
 about us, we owe to Christ and His church. 
 
 My brethren, let us each try to live a good life every day in the week. 
 Do you know the wonderful influence one good Christian man has among 
 the church membership, not onl}- on the older members, but particularly 
 
Jcse-pK £. "Perry, r'li. 13. 
 
 Principal of Pkddie Institute. 
 
I05 
 
 the young men ? Cannot we recall to mind the blessed raenion- and help, 
 the life, the counsel, the prayers of the good men of the church, now 
 departed? I for one can. Christ first called men to become christians. 
 Christianity began in a divine man. Its first converts were eleven men. 
 Its greatest leaders have been men, and its triumphs both at home and in 
 foreign lands have been acliieved, m large part by men. A pastor in this 
 State sometime ago said, "I do not say it disparagingly, but somehow 
 when the average Christian man gets to be forty-five, he becomes a 
 spiritual corpse, as far as his usefulness to the Church is concerned." Is 
 some one sa^-ing this about us ? 
 
 The supreme needs of the times are revival triumphs and missionary 
 victories. While maintaining, if the need arises, religious principles at 
 the polls, American Christians must remember that true reforms start 
 with the individual, and that the most reliable voters will be men 
 regenerated by the Holy Ghost and filled with the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 
 The sure way to political purity and national righteousness is that which 
 leads to the Cross of Christ. 
 
 Dr. J. E. Perry then made the clo.sing address on 
 Dedicating Oi'rselves to the Service of the Future. 
 
 The evangelist describes a most magnificent event in Bible story when 
 he relates the transfiguration of our Lord, and tells us of the heavenly 
 voice which said, "This is mj' beloved Son, hear him." — Luke 9:35. 
 Here we do not now .stand with Moses on Mount Pisgah, nor view Elijah 
 translated, nor our Lord ascending. Here we do not look on friends 
 taken from life through the gates of Heaven, but Heaven coming down to 
 earth. The past comes to talk with the present of the future. We behold 
 the glory of Christ, and a revelation of Himself, and a confirmation of 
 His words, and an assertion of His authority. The disciples would hold 
 on to the past. It was a delight to them, and they said, " Let us build 
 for it, let us throw it around the present." But not so with Christ ; He 
 was a man of the future. The Gospel of Christ is a message of the future. 
 The word of the Church is, "Forgetting the things that are behind, I 
 press forward." 
 
 We have held our tri-jubilee. Here Heaven has come down to many of 
 us. You have talked in spirit with the men of b\-gone years. You have 
 seen them in the church service and work, and in the Sunday school. 
 You have mentioned the names of Allen and Rue and Mount and many 
 others. Who of you who knew these men and lived in those days has 
 not said "Let us here build a tabernacle and commemorate the past." 
 The first impulse when the heart is full and the vision is dazed is to bring 
 the past to be the present, and too often perhaps the cry of the heart is 
 "Oh, for the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is 
 still." 
 
 Thus the di.sciples felt, but this was not the word of Christ. Je.sus 
 threw the present into the future. From the Mount of Transfiguration 
 he saw Calvary, Instead of the tabernacle for the past, He saw the cross 
 
io6 
 
 of the future. It has been said that the transfiguration marked the end 
 and seal of the Galillean ministry and opened the Passion week. Out of 
 this experience came the voice of God, telling the apo.stles of the new dis- 
 pensation and turning them away from the prophets of the past and its 
 history to the beloved Son of God, the Word of the new days that were 
 dawning upon the world. 
 
 This vision should be ours if this jubilee is to be of profit and power in 
 the future of our church. We now mark a limit and begin a new era. 
 The history of this church is written to this period, and now a new hisiory 
 begins. The power of the future is not the method in teaching and cus- 
 toms and habits of the old days, but the power is the same power that 
 they had. The presence of the Son of God and the same message comes 
 to us now that came to the disciples on the mount, " Hear Him." We 
 should now listen to that voice and catch the message which he gave to 
 the disciples at that time. 
 
 Just preceding and following this instance were uttered some of the 
 most vital and startling truths ever spoken by Christ. He has spoken of 
 the fact that He is a suffering Christ. The law of the life of the soul is 
 the same as that of the seed. He has asked the startling question, 
 " What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose him- 
 self.^" Against these words their despondent spirits rebelled, and they 
 tried to persuade Him from His purpose. They come down from the 
 mountain and find their work in the valley. To-day we must find our 
 work not here in the grand review of our past history, but in the valley 
 of the present. To-day are brought to the church for solution questions 
 social as well as religious. All of these questions grow out of the dangers 
 that are threatening the life of the church. The world mocks and the 
 church quakes and asks the question, " Why can not we cast him out ? " 
 The work of our church to-day is, if possible, greater than the work of 
 those who began the church one hundred and fifty years ago. We are 
 living in an age on ages telling. To direct us in carrying forward this 
 work we have this word of Christ and the voice of God, saying "Hear 
 Him." 
 
 The first word spoken at this time was concerning the suffering Christ 
 and the law of denial of self for the disciple. The wa}- opened up before 
 the disciples was the way of Christ. The second word spoken to the de- 
 spairing father was " Bring him to me." To us this same message comes. 
 The world that is lying about us is to be brought by us to Christ. This 
 is to be done by personal contact with Christ and by personal work for 
 the individual. For this work is needed the consecration of one's self 
 and living sympathy with the world. Neither the elder brother in the 
 father's field, or the prodigal son while spending his patrimony, could 
 bring the boy to his home. In this time we need better facilities for 
 church work. Once, in order to bring a man to Christ, they let him down 
 through the roof. We cannot expect to win the men of our town if the 
 church is open but once a week and places of sin are open both night and 
 day. The third word of this message is that nothing is impossible to 
 him that believeth. How much we need to have this truth sounded into 
 our souls. When we consider the questions which the church must solve 
 
I07 
 
 to-day, one exclaims " Who is sufficient for these things ? " Is it possible 
 for us in our community to overcome the evil of the liquor traffic, to 
 purify our social life, to hold inviolate the Lord's day ? To everyone 
 asking this question the reply comes "All things are possible." The 
 lyOrd's day and social life and the liquor traffic are all within the power 
 of the Christian churches of this community. We look back to the 
 earlier history of this community and see that members of the chvirch at 
 that time owned hotels, and we wonder. But the words might be well 
 said of us, " Ye are worse than your fathers, for they killed the prophets 
 and ye build their sepulchers." By indifference and careless living, and 
 in a few instances by active interest, these evils are supported by Chris- 
 tian people. 
 
 The time is at hand when the church should be able to do as Christ did 
 to the doubting father, and fling back into the face of the world the word 
 of doubt when it says " If thou canst." It is a time when the Christian 
 churches of this community should be able to stand forth firm and strong, 
 and say, with reference to all these great evils, '"It is possible for these 
 things to be overcome." Shall not the delightful experiences through 
 which we have been passing, and the sacred memory of those who have 
 toiled so faithfully and well in this place, and the message of our Lord — 
 shall not all these move us all to a most earnest effort in advancing the 
 cause of our Lord in this place. May we so build on the record which we 
 now have that in the near future this church shall be well equipped with 
 every facility for prosecuting the work which belongs to us in this com- 
 munity, and may we in the coming years be as faithful to do our work as 
 the men and women who toiled here in the years that are gone. 
 
 Dr. Eaches added a few word.s emphasizing the lessons of the 
 hour, and dismissed the congregation after singing 
 
 " Praise the Lord, ye heavens adore him." 
 
 "Now to the King eternal, the incorruptible, invisible,' the only 
 God, be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen." 
 
io8 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 Pastor — O. P. Eaches. 
 
 Treasurer — John Jemison. 
 
 Clerk— Charles E. Stults. 
 
 Treasurer of Helping Fund — D. W. Perrine. 
 
 Treasurer of Benevolent Funds — E. H. Savige, Jr. 
 
 Treasurer of Livingstone Home and Hunt Funds— Jasper Hutchinson. 
 
 Financial Secretary' — D. H. Cunningham. 
 
 Assistant— C. E. Stults. 
 
 DEACONS. 
 
 John E. Allen, 
 
 Joseph D. Chamberlain, 
 
 Alexander Mason, 
 
 Mrs. A. E. Chamberlain, 
 
 Mrs. D. W. Perrine. 
 
 Thomas M. De}-, 
 Forman Hutchinson, 
 John Jemison, 
 Mrs. M. M. Job, 
 
 ASSISTANTS TO THE DEACONS. 
 
 Mrs. M. E. Hoagland, 
 Miss A. N. Silvers, 
 Mrs. Forman Hutchin.son, 
 Mrs. Lizzie Van Nest, 
 Mrs. Alexander Mason, 
 
 Mrs. Alexander Savage, 
 Mrs. Jasper Hutchinson, 
 Mrs. \\ D. Van Ne.st, 
 Mrs. Thomas M. Dey, 
 C. Bond Cole. 
 
 TRUSTEES. 
 
 Jasper Hutchinson, President of the Board. 
 
 W. P. Forman, Secretar}-. 
 D. H. Cunningham, 
 L. C. Mount, 
 T. L. Hermance. 
 Albert Chamberlain, 
 Joseph D. Chamberlain, 
 L. H. Perrine, 
 Jacob Stults, 
 
 R. H. Ely, 
 
 W. N. Cunningham, 
 
 Alexander Mason, 
 
 W. T. Hutchinson, 
 
 S. B. Mount, 
 
 R. R. Thomas. 
 
TRrSTKlvS AND CHIRCH CLHRK. 1S95. 
 
I09 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 
 
 President— Mrs. G. W. Clark. 
 Vice-President — Mrs. J. M. Eaches. 
 Secretary — Miss Bertha R. Clark. 
 Treasurer — ]\Irs. T. L. Hermance. 
 
 FARTHER LIGHTS SOCIETY. 
 
 President — Miss Ada Hutchinson. 
 
 Vice-Presidents — Misses B. R. Clark, Ida Hoagland, Grace Clevenger, 
 Mrs. Eva Schlottman. 
 Secretarj' — Miss Jennie Cole. 
 Treasurer — Miss Sadie Ayres. 
 
 LADIES' AID SOCIETY. 
 
 President— Mrs. M. M. Job. 
 
 Vice President — Miss A. N. Silvers. 
 
 Secretary and Treasurer — Miss Susie A. Dey. 
 
 ENDEAVOR SOCIETY. 
 
 President — Miss Tillie Van Nest. 
 Vice-President — John Lingernian. 
 Secretary — Charles Weller. 
 Treasurer— Clarence Mount. 
 Corresponding Secretar\- — C. B. Cole. 
 
 JUNIOR ENDEAVOR vSOCIETY. 
 
 Superintendent — Mi.ss Grace Clevenger. 
 Assi.stants — Misses Tillie Van Nest, Ida Hoagland. 
 President — Erna Hoagland. 
 Vice-President — ^Jonah Dey. 
 Secretary — Edith Eaches. 
 Treasurer — Karl Perry. 
 
 YOUNG MEN'S LEAGUE. 
 
 Director — Philip F. Botzong. 
 President — Logan Clevenger. 
 Vice-President— Joseph Johnson . 
 Secretary — Arthur Dennis. 
 Treasurer — Garfield Chamberlain. 
 
no 
 
 BOYS' MISSION BAND. 
 
 Director — Mrs. J. M. Eaches. 
 President — Voorhees Dillatash. 
 Vice President — James Ryan. 
 Treasurer — Harry Stults. 
 Secretary — Irving Lewis. 
 
 LITTLE HELPERS' MISSION BAND. 
 Director— Mrs. J. E. Perry. 
 
 THE BIBLE SCHOOL. 
 
 Superintendent — ^John E. Allen. 
 
 Assistant — Charles B. Cole. 
 
 Secretaries— Joseph Cole, Hiram Van Nest. 
 
 Librarians — C. H. Pembrook, E. H. Savige, Jr, 
 
 Pianists — Mrs. Eva Schlottman, Miss Medora Smith 
 
 TEACHERS IN THE PRIMARY DEPARTMENT. 
 Mrs. M. M. Job, Mrs. Lillie Reed. 
 
 TEACHERS IN THE MAIN SCHOOL. 
 
 Mrs. Laura D. Allen, 
 Mrs. J. A. Clevenger, 
 Mrs. Sarah Dey, 
 Mrs. J. M. Eaches, 
 Mrs. J. E. Perry, 
 Mrs. Sadie Perrine, 
 Mrs. Eva Schlottman, 
 Miss Grace Clevenger, 
 Miss Belle Chamberlain, 
 J. A. Hurley, 
 P. F. Botzong, 
 
 Miss A. V. Hutchinson, 
 Miss M. A. Hutchinson, 
 Miss Jennie Hutchinson, 
 Miss Medora Smith, 
 Miss Tillie Van Nest, 
 Miss Emma WiLson, 
 Miss Sadie H. Ayres, 
 Miss Anna B. Job. 
 J. D. Chamberlain, 
 John Jemison, 
 O. P. Eaches. 
 
I II 
 
 MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH, NOVEMBER ist, 1895. 
 
 John E. Allen, 
 
 Mrs. Laura S. Alien, 
 
 Elmer E. Anderson, 
 
 Mrs. Lillie Anderson, 
 
 A. R. Anderson, 
 
 Mrs. May Reed Anderson, 
 
 John .Anderson, 
 
 Mrs. Mar}' Anderson, 
 
 Mrs. Allie S. Anderson, 
 
 Asher Applegate, 
 
 Mrs. Maggie Applegate, 
 
 Cornelia Applegate, 
 
 Mrs. Adelaide E. Applegate, 
 
 Mrs Jennie Applegate, 
 
 Amy Applegate, 
 
 Ada Applegate, 
 
 Mrs. Eavinia Applegate, 
 
 Edward Applegate, 
 
 Thomas Applegate, 
 
 Wilson G. Applegate, 
 
 Mrs. Enoch Applegate, 
 
 Mrs. Minnie B. Appleget, 
 
 Mrs. Addie Ayers, 
 
 Katie Ayers, 
 
 Sadie Avers, 
 
 Samuel H. Ayers. 
 
 Mrs. Mary E. Barker, 
 
 Mrs. Lorena Wilson Barcla}' 
 
 Mrs. Emmaline Bergen, 
 
 Mary E. Bergen, 
 
 Sarah Bergen, 
 
 John Bergen, 
 
 Hannah \'. Bergen, 
 
 John Berrian, 
 
 Miles Best, 
 
 Mrs. Abbie Black well, 
 
 Mrs. Jennie C. Black, 
 
 Eelix Bandel, 
 
 Philip E. Botzong, 
 
 Mrs. Sadie P. Botzong, 
 
 Albert Bowers, 
 
 Mrs. L. Johnston Brandt, 
 
 Remembrance Bresnahan, 
 
 Mamie Bresnahan, 
 
 Mrs. Catharine Brown, 
 
 L^'dia A. Brown. 
 
 Mrs. Lida Bryan, 
 
 Mrs. Mamie Haviland Burroughs, 
 
 Samuel Butcher, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah E. Butcher, 
 
 John Butcher, 
 
 William Butcher, 
 
 Howard J. Butcher. 
 
 Laura Camp, 
 
 Anna Carman, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah H. Carman, 
 
 Mrs. Ann Chamberlain, 
 
 Joseph D. Chamberlain, 
 
 Mrs. Margaret Chamberlain, 
 
 Melville P. Chamberlain, 
 
 Nettie P. Chamberlain, 
 
 Lsabelle Chamberlain, 
 
 Albert Chamberlain, 
 
 Mrs Emma M. Chamberlain, 
 
 Lizzie Chamberlain, 
 
 Abijah E- Chamberlain, 
 
 Mrs Emmeline S. Chamberlain, 
 
 Isaac S. Chamberlain, 
 
 Grace Chamberlain, 
 
 Henry P. Chamberlain, 
 
 Mrs. Carrie W. Chamberlain, 
 
 Mrs. Josephine Chamberlain, 
 
 John H. Chilton, 
 
 Rev. George W. Clark, 
 
 Mrs. Susan Fish Clark, 
 
 Bertha Rebecca Clark, 
 
 Lillie B. Clark, 
 
 Mrs. Anna Danser Clark, 
 
 J A. Clevenger, 
 
 Mrs. Julia G. Clevenger, 
 
 Grace Clevenger, 
 
 Logan Clevenger, 
 
 Mrs. Laura Smith Clowe, 
 
 David Cole, 
 
 Mrs. Marv Gordon Cole, 
 
 Mrs. Mati'ldaJ. Cole, 
 
 Charles B. Cole, 
 
 INIrs. Phebe Cox Cole, 
 
 Jennie Cole, 
 
 Joseph J. Cole, 
 
Joseph Coleman, 
 
 Mrs. Mary E. Coleman, 
 
 William Coleman, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Ann Coleman, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Colver, 
 
 Frank Compton. 
 
 Mrs. Frank Compton, 
 
 Tobias Compton, 
 
 Mrs. Emma Compton, 
 
 Mrs. Lillian Robbins Conover, 
 
 Rachel Cottrell, 
 
 Georg-e Cottrell, 
 
 Hannah Cottrell, 
 
 Laura Cottrell, 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Coward, 
 
 Charles E. Craig, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Anderson Craig, 
 
 Mrs. Emma Riemer Crater, 
 
 Edward K. Cresse}', 
 
 ]\Irs. Emily Cressey, 
 
 Samuel Croshaw, 
 
 Mrs. Samuel Croshaw, 
 
 Henr}' Croshaw, 
 
 Mrs. Mary E. Croshaw, 
 
 Charles Croshaw, 
 
 Eva Croshaw, 
 
 Daniel P. Croshaw, 
 
 Mrs. Hannah Cubberly, 
 
 vSamuel T. Cubberl}', 
 
 Mrs. Carrie Barclay Ciibberl}', 
 
 Mrs. Susan Cunningham, 
 
 D. H. Cunningham, 
 W. N. Cunningham, 
 
 Mrs. Hattie M. Cunningham, 
 
 Rezeau Cunningham, 
 
 Mrs. Anna B. Cunningham, 
 
 E. T. Cunningham, 
 
 Mrs. Lavinia J. Cunningham, 
 
 Mrs. Ellen A. Davison, 
 Grace Davison, 
 Laura Davison, 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Dennis, 
 Emma Dennis, 
 Susan A. Dey, 
 Thomas M. Dey, 
 Mrs. Catherine Dey, 
 Cora Dey, 
 Ruth Dey, 
 
 Charles W. Dey, 
 Luella Dey, 
 Jones Dev, 
 John W Dillatash, 
 Mrs. Margaret Dillatash, 
 Voorhees Dillatash, 
 Mrs. Amanda Dillatash, 
 ]\Irs. Rachel A. Dilts, 
 Henry Disbrow, 
 Mrs. Henry Disbrow, 
 William Dolton, 
 William Donnell, 
 Mrs. William Donnell, 
 J. Addison Donnell, 
 Amanda Donnell, 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Duncan, 
 
 Rev. Owen P. Eaches, 
 
 Mrs. Jennie Mount Eaches, 
 
 Louise Earl}-, 
 
 Mrs. Ursula Early, 
 
 John Filers, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah D. Filers, 
 
 Herman Filers, 
 
 Aaron EI3', 
 
 Mrs. Mary Ann Ely, 
 
 Mrs. Cornelia Ely, 
 
 Richard H. Ely, 
 
 Samuel B. Ely, 
 
 Eva Ely, 
 
 Mrs. S. R. Ely, 
 
 Mrs. Jennie Ely, 
 
 Mrs. Julia A. Ely, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Cottrell Ely, 
 
 Mrs. Mary E. English, 
 
 Mrs. Sallie C. Embley, 
 
 Mrs. Mary Gordon Everett, 
 
 John Ewart, 
 
 Mrs. Amanda Ewart, 
 
 James Ewart, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Ewart, 
 
 Edward Fanshawe, 
 
 Mrs. Lizzie B. Fanshawe, 
 
 Mary Fanshawe, 
 
 Mrs. Sadie A. Field, 
 
 Mrs. May Miller Fones, 
 
 John H. Ford, 
 
 Mrs. Delilah O. Ford, 
 
 Archibald Forman, 
 
Mrs. lyaniatta P'ornian, 
 William P. Formati, 
 Robert Foster, 
 Mrs. E. M. Fowler, 
 
 Charles A. George, 
 
 Mrs. Addie Cottrell (iroeiidyke, 
 
 Ann Goldy, 
 
 Margaret troldy, 
 
 Mrs. Tillie Ely Gordon, 
 
 Mrs. Mary \\ Gordon, 
 
 Mrs. Carrie P. Ciordon, 
 
 Fornian Gordon, 
 
 Mrs. Margaret Gordon, 
 
 John Gordon, 
 
 Mrs. Maggie Donnel Gordon, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah H. (Gordon, 
 
 Harry (iordon, 
 
 Mrs. Rebecca M. Gravatt, 
 
 Mrs. Jane Gravatt, 
 
 (iertrude Gravatt. 
 
 Mrs. Ehnira Haniler, 
 
 Maggie Haniler, 
 
 PZlla Haniler, 
 
 Joseph Ha mm el, 
 
 Mrs. David Hammel, 
 
 Mrs. Mary H. Hampton, 
 
 Watson Hancock, 
 
 Barzillai Hankins, 
 
 Mrs. Mary W. Hankins, 
 
 John E. Harden, 
 
 Mrs. Jennie M. Harden, 
 
 Walter P. Harden, 
 
 P^dvvin T. Harden, 
 
 Mrs. Jennie R. Harden, 
 
 Pvinnia Hare, 
 
 Mrs. Lettice Hartshorne, 
 
 Mrs. Emma Haviland, 
 
 Theodore L. Hermance, 
 
 Mrs. Maggie O. Hermance, 
 
 W'illiam O. Hermance, 
 
 David Hill, 
 
 Mrs. IVfarv E. Hoagland, 
 
 D. P. Hoagland, 
 
 Ida Hoagland, 
 
 Lena Hoagland, 
 
 Erna Hoagland, 
 
 Harry Holmes, 
 
 George Horner, 
 
 "3 
 
 lyizzie Horner, 
 
 Lnella Horner, 
 
 Harry Horner, 
 
 Lida Pnllen Howell, 
 
 William H. Hulse, 
 
 Mrs Emma M. Hulse, 
 
 Mrs. Mary Hulse, 
 
 Mrs. James Hulse, 
 
 Jasper Hutchinson, 
 
 Mrs. Susan Hutchin.son, 
 
 Jennie Hntchinson, 
 
 Mary A. Hntchinson, 
 
 James Hutchinson, 
 
 T. Ely Hutchinson, 
 
 Mrs. Adaline Hutchinson, 
 
 Ada Hutchinson, 
 
 Willie Hntchinson, 
 
 F"onnan Hutchinson, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah C. Hutchinson, 
 
 Mrs. Jennie Cxordon Hutchinson, 
 
 (rcorge Hutchinson, 
 
 William J. Hutchinson, 
 
 Mrs. Mary A. Hutchinson, 
 
 Mrs. Catharine Hulse Hutchinson, 
 
 Mrs. Harr}' Hutchinson, 
 
 Mrs. Cornelia P. Hutchinson, 
 
 Mrs. Mary Gordon Hutchinson. 
 
 Paul Indermiiller, 
 
 Mrs. Friede S. Indermiiller, 
 
 Lizzie Indermiiller. 
 
 Mrs. Adaline P. Jackson, 
 
 John Jemison, 
 
 Mrs. F^lizabeth Jemison, 
 
 Mrs. Isabella Jemison, 
 
 Mrs. M. M. Job, 
 
 Anna B. Job, 
 
 Mrs. Rachel H. Johnes, 
 
 T. Harr}' Johnes, 
 
 Mrs. vSusan Johnes, 
 
 Mrs. George John.son, 
 
 James Johnson, 
 
 Joseph Johnson, 
 
 Julia Johnson, 
 
 Clara Johnson, 
 
 Jennie Johnson, 
 
 Mrs. Ida \'an Cleaf Johnson. 
 
 Mrs. Isabelle Kelley, 
 
 Frank W^ Kellev. 
 
Jasper T. Laird, 
 
 Mrs. Lizzie R. Laird, 
 
 James Laird, 
 
 Mrs. Gertrude Laird, 
 
 Frank Lamb, 
 
 Mrs. Fairy P. Legget, 
 
 William Lewis, 
 
 Mrs. Anna Lewis, 
 
 John Lewis, 
 
 Mrs. Josephine A. Lewis, 
 
 John Lingerman, 
 
 Mrs. Emma Ivins Lingerman, 
 
 Hugh B. Lokerson, 
 
 Mrs. Emma T. Lokerson, 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Lowinger, 
 
 Mary Maple, 
 Anna Mariner, 
 James C Marlott, 
 Alexander Mason, 
 Mrs. Margaret Mason, 
 Emma Mason, 
 Richard Mason, 
 Charles Mason, 
 Mrs. Gertrude Mason, 
 Mrs. Rachel R. Masterson, 
 Mrs. Edward INIcCue, 
 Mrs. Lavinia S. Meeker, 
 Wellington J. Mickle, 
 Mrs. Emma Mickle, 
 Mrs. Mary A. Middleton, 
 Mrs. Malvina Miller, 
 Mrs. Anna Miller, 
 Madge Miller. 
 Mrs. Phebe Morris, 
 Acsah Mount, 
 Kate E. Mount, 
 Harriet Mount, 
 William T. Mount, 
 Mrs. Catharine Mount, 
 Clarence Mount, 
 Perrine Mount, 
 Mrs. Mary E. Mount, 
 Jones Mount, 
 Lewis C. Mount, 
 Hannah S. Mount, 
 Samuel B. Mount, 
 Mrs. Anna Mount, 
 
 Mrs. Matilda H. Norris, 
 
 114 
 
 James C. Norris, 
 Mrs. George Norris, 
 
 Mrs. Phebe Ann Okerson, 
 Lydia Okerson, 
 Albert Okerson, 
 
 Omar Palmer, 
 
 Mrs. Lizzie Pullen Palmer, 
 
 Mrs. vSarah S. Palmer. 
 
 Sadie Pearce. 
 
 Charles H. Pembrook, 
 
 Mrs. Matilda Pembrook, 
 
 Alfred D. Pembrook, 
 
 Sarah Perdun. 
 
 Mrs. Isabella Perrine, 
 
 Lewis H. Perrine, 
 
 Mrs. Mattie H. Perrine, 
 
 Mrs. Lizzie Chamberlain Perrine, 
 
 William Perrine, 
 
 Lizzie Perrine, 
 
 Addison Perrine, 
 
 Daniel W. Perrine, 
 
 Mrs. Mary E Perrine. 
 
 Owen E. Perrine, 
 
 Peter \'. Perrine. 
 
 Mrs. Kate I\L Perrine. 
 
 Mrs. Frances E. Perrine, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Conover Perrine. 
 
 Jacob Perrine. 
 
 Rev. Joseph E. Perry. 
 
 Mrs. May G. Perry.' 
 
 Mrs. Viola Tantum Petty, 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Pickering. 
 
 Howard Pickering. 
 
 Sallie Pickering. 
 
 Ma}' Pickering. 
 
 Mrs. John Polhemus, 
 
 Phineas Potter. 
 
 Mrs. Henrietta Potter. 
 
 IMrs. Mary A. Potter, 
 
 Mrs. Eliza Pullen, 
 
 Judson Pullen, 
 
 Newell Pullen, 
 
 Mrs. Marv A. Pullen, 
 
 Johnson Pullen, 
 
 Mrs. Charlotte A. Pullen, 
 
 J. Frank Pullen, 
 
 INIrs. Fannie E. Pullen, 
 
Frank Pullen, 
 Charles A. Pull en, 
 Mrs. Hattie M. Pullen, 
 Emerson Pullen, 
 Mrs. Ella S. Pullen, 
 Clarence Pullen, 
 Mrs. Ida H. Pullen, 
 Mrs. Margaret F. Pullen, 
 Mrs. INIarv Donnel Pullen, 
 Mrs. Lloyd W. Pullen, 
 Willard C. Pullen, 
 Mrs. Ida M. Pullen, 
 Mrs. Melvina Pullen, 
 
 Thomas Quinton, 
 Mrs. Rosalie Quinton, 
 
 Mrs. Mar}- V. Reed, 
 
 Benjamin H. Reed, 
 
 Mrs. Lillie Reed, 
 
 Julia Reed, 
 
 Bert Reed, 
 
 Ada Reed, 
 
 Mrs. Mary S. Richardson. 
 
 Mrs. Martha J. Riemer, 
 
 Frank Riemer, 
 
 Mrs. Tillie M. Riggs, 
 
 Henr3' W. Robbins, 
 
 Mrs. Annie A. Robbins, 
 
 Asher Robbins, 
 
 Eleanor Robbins, 
 
 James Robbins, 
 
 Mrs. Mar\' Robbins, 
 
 James Robbins, Jr., 
 
 Milnor Robbins, 
 
 Mrs. Anna Robbins, 
 
 Mrs. Mary J. Robbins, 
 
 Mrs. Mary Croshaw Robbins, 
 
 (ieorge Robbins, 
 
 Mrs. Ida V. Robbins, 
 
 Ivibbie Rodell. 
 
 Humphrey Rogers, 
 
 Mrs. Humphrey Rogers, 
 
 Ella Rogers, 
 
 (xcorge Rogers, 
 
 Mrs. Lillie Okerson Rogers, 
 
 Ida Rogers, 
 
 Lewis Rogers, 
 
 Mrs. Lavinia Johnson Rogers, 
 
 Mrs. Anna Cubberly Rogers, 
 
 115 
 
 Eugene Roszel, 
 Mrs. Lizzie Roszel, 
 El wood Rue, 
 Mrs. Sarah Rue, 
 Anna Rue, 
 Mrs. Ellen Rue, 
 Mrs. Amanda R\an, 
 
 Alexander Savage, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Savage, 
 
 Edward H. Savige, Jr., 
 
 Mrs. Eva K. Schlottman, 
 
 Mrs. Lillie A. Scott, 
 
 Harry Scott, 
 
 Mrs. Ella D. Selover, 
 
 Mrs. Fvlizabeth R. Shangle, 
 
 Thomas Shotwell, 
 
 Mrs. Thomas Shotwell, 
 
 Jediah Shotwell, 
 
 Lillian Shotwell, 
 
 Mrs. Martha Shotwell, 
 
 Almira Silvers, 
 
 Joseph H. Smith, 
 
 Charles M. Smith, 
 
 Mrs. Smith, 
 
 Leonard Smith, 
 
 Mrs. Belle D. Smith, 
 
 Emmaline Smith, 
 
 Mrs. Adaline M. Snedeker, 
 
 Mrs. Helen Snedeker, 
 
 Enoch South, 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth M. South, 
 
 Mrs. Anna Shotwell Stinson, 
 
 Charles Stockton, 
 
 Mrs. Marv Stockton, 
 
 Richard M. Stockton, 
 
 George Stout, 
 
 James Stout, 
 
 Jacob H. Stults, 
 
 Mrs. Lsabella A. Stults, 
 
 Charles E. Stults, 
 
 Mrs. Addie B. Stults, 
 
 Mrs. Madora Smith Stults, 
 
 Matthew P, Sutphen, 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Sutphen, 
 
 Mrs. Maggie Tantura, » 
 
 Mrs. LN'dia D. Taj-lor, 
 Mary A. Taylor, 
 Richard R. Thomas, , 
 
ii6 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Thomas, 
 
 Bert D. Thomas, 
 
 Mrs. Emmaline Thompson, 
 
 Mrs. Eunice Thompson, 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth R. Tracey, 
 
 Mina Trace}', 
 
 Josie Tracey, 
 
 James Trace j'. 
 
 Amanda Trout, 
 
 Rev. William C. Ulyat, 
 
 Mrs. Mary L. Ulyat, 
 
 Clement Updike, 
 
 George Updike, 
 
 Mrs. Anna M. Updike, 
 
 Forman Updike, 
 
 Mrs. Bertha Dey Updike, 
 
 Mrs. Helen Van Cleaf, 
 Harry Van Cleaf, 
 Mrs. Ora V. Vandervere, 
 Mrs. Catharine Vanderberg, 
 Mrs. Rebecca I. Vandyke, 
 Vincent D. Van Nest, 
 Mrs. Margaret Van Nest, 
 Til lie Van Nest, 
 
 Hiram M. \'an Nest, 
 Mrs. Belle P. Van Nest, 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Van Nest, 
 Mrs. Rachel Voorhees, 
 Ali^e W. Vose, 
 
 Flora Wallace, 
 
 Mrs. Mary Ann Walton, 
 
 Allen Walton, 
 
 Mrs. John W^lch, 
 
 Charles H. Weller, 
 
 Harry Weller, 
 
 Mrs. Emma M. White, 
 
 Mrs. Adaline D. Wells, 
 
 Allen Wilson, 
 
 Mrs. Anna Wilson, 
 
 L\-dia Wilson, 
 
 Emma Wilson, 
 
 Anthony Wilson, 
 
 Mrs. Ellen C. Wilson, 
 
 Mrs. Amy T. Worden, 
 
 W. W. Wycoff. 
 
 Mrs. Am}' Chamberlain Wright, 
 
 Mrs. Anna Mount Wycoft, 
 
 Zhelasco ZhilascofiF. 
 
 Whole number, November ist, 524. 
 
117 
 Additions from Nove.mhkk ist, 1895 to Apkii. ist, 1S96. 
 
 Lavinia Applegate, 
 
 Walter Boyer, 
 Mrs. Sarah Bowers. 
 
 Lizzie Cubberly, 
 Mabel Clouser,' 
 
 Ida Dillatash, 
 Miller Dey, 
 Mrs. Rebecca Dey, 
 Charles H. Davison, 
 Mrs. Sarah Davison, 
 
 Minnie Emmons, 
 John V. Ely, 
 William Ely, 
 Edith Eaches, 
 Daisy Ettgen, 
 Henry Engel, 
 Elva Franklin, 
 
 Edward Harden, 
 
 Gertrude Hartshorn, 
 
 Mrs. Lizzie Hartman, 
 
 William T. Hiitchinson, 
 
 Mrs. Catharine L. Hutchinson, 
 
 Lulu Hare, 
 
 Ada Hulse, 
 
 Frank V. Jemison, 
 Mrs. Lizzie P. Jemison, 
 
 William Kirbv, 
 Mrs. Ella Kirby, 
 
 Luella Lewis, 
 Ellen Lewis, 
 Irving Lewis, 
 Robert B. Lanning, 
 Mrs. Ella Lanning, 
 
 Charles. McCue, 
 
 EUvood Pickering, 
 Charles Pol hem us, 
 Lillie Polhemus, 
 George Palmer, 
 
 Ursula Rogers, 
 Harry Rogers, 
 
 Mrs. Augusta E Savage, 
 Preston H. Smith, 
 Mrs. Cordelia R. Smith. 
 William Sprawl, 
 Harr}- Stults, 
 Blanche Sutphen, 
 George Swinger, 
 Mrs. Jennie P. Swinger. 
 
 Pearl Thompson, 
 Lizzie Tantum, 
 
 Luella Whitlock. 
 
 If any name has been omitted in these lists, it has occurred 
 through oversight. 
 
IlS' 
 
 I]MIDKX. 
 
 Allen, Enoch 55 
 
 Allen, Mr. J. E., address by, . 93 
 Anniversary Hymn, by Rev. 
 
 F. Denison 91 
 
 Anniversary Ode, by Rev. S. 
 
 Gifford Nelson, L. H. D., . 92 
 Anniversar}- of Dr. O. P. 
 Eaches' pastorate, Thetvven 
 
 ty-fifth 2 
 
 Committee of, 2 
 
 Program of, 3 
 
 Re.solutions of Trustees 
 
 and Deacons, 4 
 
 Letters ' from Prominent 
 
 Brethren 5 
 
 From l^rof. Enoch Per- 
 
 rine, 17 
 
 Addresses 5-16 
 
 Presentation of Silver bv 
 
 Dr. G. W. Clark. . . '. 17 
 Presentation of Carriage 
 
 by Dr. J. E. Perry, . . 19 
 Dr. Eaches' Response, . . 20 
 Dr. Eaches' Twenty-fifth 
 
 Anniversary' Discourse, 22 
 The Closing- Services, 
 
 June 2d, P. M 32 
 
 Anniversary of the Baptist 
 Church, One Hundred and 
 
 Fiftieth ^,7. 
 
 Committee of, 33 
 
 Program of, 3^ 
 
 The Roll-Call 35, 36 
 
 History of the Church, 37-69 
 
 Addresses 69 
 
 Tri-Jubilee Hymn, by R. 
 
 Lowry, D. I) 79 
 
 Unveiling of the Portraits 
 
 of Former Pastors, . . iSo 
 vSpecial Sunday - school 
 
 Services 93 
 
 Anniversary' Sermon, by (i. 
 W. Clark, D. D 95 
 
 Paper by Mi.ss Bertha K. 
 
 Clark 99 
 
 Special Junior Service, . 102 
 
 .Special Endeavor Meeting, 102 
 
 Sunday Evening Service, 102 
 Paper by Mrs. N. C. 
 Schlottman, and Ad 
 
 dresses 103 
 
 Anniversary Sermon, 'i'he One 
 
 Hundred and Fiftieth, . . 93 
 Appleget, Rev. T. B., Address 
 
 of, 10 
 
 Bacon, Charles R 62 
 
 Baptists, Characteristics of, . S4 
 Baptist Churches, What they 
 
 stand for 70 
 
 Baptists, New Jersey-, Charac 
 
 teristics of 84-8S 
 
 Baptists Not a Sect, .... 84 
 Baptists 150 Years -Ago, . . 69, 96 
 
 Baptist Principles, (irowth of, 67 
 Baptists, What They Have 
 
 Wrought in i^o Years, . 82-S4 
 
 Barker, Rev. E. M 52 
 
 Barker. Enoch 93 
 
 Barker, Mrs. Mary E 93 
 
 Baum, Rev. H., Address b}-, . 77 
 
 Baumgardner. Theodore. . 62 
 
 Bonham, Malakiah 60 
 
 Botzojig. P. F 93 
 
 Botzong, Mrs. P. P"., .... 93 
 
 Brown, Rev. F. C, Address bv, 70 
 Bullock, Rev. W. W , Address 
 
 by 73 
 
 Butterfield, Rev. Isaac, ... 55 
 
 Carman, Rev. James 40 
 
 Case, Rev. W. W., Address of, 5 
 Chamberlin, Miss Luella, vSolo 
 
 b\- 9 
 
 Chase, Rev. Lyman 55 
 
119 
 
 Christians, the Li«-ht of the 
 
 World . . 95 
 
 How 95 
 
 Where and for Whom, . 96 
 
 I'niversality of, . . . . 9S 
 Attend to the Inward 
 
 Light 9S 
 
 The Ages Looking I'pon 
 
 I's 99 
 
 Chnrch Discipline 57 
 
 Ciuirch, How to Enlarge Its 
 
 Membership, 75 
 
 Chnrch, How to Bnild it Up 
 
 Spiritually 76 
 
 Church. Moulding the Future, S9 
 Six Waj-s of Doing It, 89-91 
 
 Church Music 65 
 
 Clark, Miss Bertha R., Paper 
 
 by 99 
 
 Clark, Rev. (V. W., Address of, 14 
 
 Presentation Speech by, . 17 
 One Hundred and Fiftieth 
 
 AnniversarvvSermon bv, gs 
 
 Mrs. G. W. Clark, . . ". lob 
 
 Conklin, Rev. J., Address of, . 7 
 
 Cooper, John, . . ... 61 
 
 Copeland, Levi H 62 
 
 Cox, Charles 61 
 
 Cunningham, D. Hart, Ad- 
 dress by [04 
 
 Deacons 4. 59 
 
 Deaconesses 60 
 
 Dedicating Ourselves for the 
 
 Future 105 
 
 Denison, Rev. F., Anniversary 
 
 Hvnin bv 91 
 
 De Wolf, Rev. D., Address of, 8 
 Discourse, Twenty fifth Anni- 
 versary, the Pastor's aim to 
 present ever\' man perfect in 
 
 Christ 22, 23 
 
 Souls Won to Christ, ' . . 23 
 Christians Perfected for 
 
 the I'pper Life 24 
 
 Material Growth for Per- 
 fecting of Ciod's People 
 Here 2^ 
 
 Utilizing New Agencies 
 for Saving Men. . . . 
 
 iMission and Benevolent 
 Work 
 
 New Conceptions of Chris- 
 tian and Church Life, . 
 
 A Backward Look, . . . 
 
 An Onward Look, , . . 
 
 Eaches, Rev. O. P., Eleventh 
 
 Pastor 
 
 Response at His Twenty- 
 fifth Anniversary, . . . 
 Twenty-fifth Anniversarv 
 
 Sermon 
 
 His Invitation to the Roll- 
 
 Call 
 
 His History of the Hights- 
 town Baptist Church, . 
 Endeavor ,Societv, Historv of, 
 
 26 
 
 28 
 
 29 
 29 
 
 56 
 20 
 
 102 
 
 Fikes, Rev. M. P., Address by, 82 
 
 Galloway, Rev. W. T., Ad- 
 dress by 13 
 
 Address by, 71 
 
 Giving, Growing bv 7^ 
 
 Crriffith, Rev. T. S.. Twenty- 
 fifth Anniversary Address, 15 
 One Hundred and Fiftieth 
 Anniversary Address, . 84 
 Groom, Peter 61 
 
 Harvey, John 61 
 
 Hightstown, The Past Twen- 
 ty-five Years 11 
 
 Its Baptist Church at One 
 Time the Largest in the 
 
 Country 47 
 
 History of the Hightstown 
 
 Baptist Church 37 
 
 Our State and Country 
 
 When it Began t,j 
 
 The Beginning of Baptist 
 
 Churches, 38 
 
 P'ounding of the Hights- 
 town Church 38 
 
 Surrounding Churches, . 40 
 
I20 
 
 James Carman, the First 
 
 Pastor 40 
 
 A Day of vSmall Thin^fs, . 42 
 The First Meeting House 
 
 at Cranbury, 42 
 
 The Dark Period 44 
 
 The Second Pastor, Peter 
 
 Wilson, 44 
 
 The Second Meeting - 
 
 House, the F"irst at 
 
 Hightstovvn 48 
 
 The Third Pastor, John 
 
 Segar 49 
 
 The Third Meeting-House, 50 
 Fourth Pastor, Clarence 
 
 W. Mulford 50 
 
 F'ifth Pastor, (icorge 
 
 Young, 51 
 
 Sixth Pastor, J. B. Sexton, ~,2 
 Seventh Pastor, V,. M. 
 
 Barker 52 
 
 Fourth Meeting-House, . 53 
 Eighth Pastor, L e w i s 
 
 vSniith, 5,^ 
 
 Peddie Institute 54 
 
 Ninth Pastor, Isaac But 
 
 terfield, 55 
 
 Tenth Pastor, L y m a n 
 
 Chase 55 
 
 Eleventh Pastor, (). P. 
 
 Peaches 56 
 
 Parsonages 57 
 
 Discipline of the Church, 57 
 f i o V e r n ni e n t of the 
 
 Church, Ruling FZlders, 
 
 Deacons ,sS 
 
 Deaconesses 60 
 
 Licensed Preachers, ... 60 
 
 .Associations 63 
 
 Beginnings of vSunday- 
 
 school and Missions, . 64 
 
 Church Clerks, 65 
 
 Church Treasurers, ... 65 
 Sextons of the Church. . 66 
 What the Church Has 
 
 Done 66 
 
 Growth of Baptist Princi- 
 ples 67 
 
 What is to Be Done, . . 68 
 
 Howard, Rev. J. L 32, 69 
 
 HuflFnagle, Rev. J., Address 
 
 by. • ■ 
 
 Hunt, Wilson G 
 
 Hyatt, Rev. J. H. 
 
 Poem by 
 
 Hymn, Tri Jubilee 
 
 Letter of H. M. King, D. D., . 80 
 
 Letter of Prof. Enoch Perrine, 16 
 Letters at the Twenty- fifth 
 
 Anniversary 4 
 
 At the One Hundred and 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary, . 80 
 
 L'Hommedien, Rev. J. B., . . 62 
 
 Address by 89 
 
 Little Helpers' Mission Band, 101 
 
 Lowry, Rev. R., Hymn b}', . 79 
 
 iNlason, Rev. F). (i 3i- 3^ 
 
 Men, What They Should Do ' 
 
 for the Church 104 
 
 Mulford, Rev. Clarence W., . 50 
 McCiowan, Alexander, ... 60 
 Members of the Church, No- 
 vember 1st, 1895 Ill 
 
 Added from November ist 
 to April 1st, 1896, ... [ 17 
 
 NeLson, Rev. S. Gifford, Anni 
 
 versar\- Ode by 92 
 
 New Jersey Baptists, Charac- 
 teristics of, 84 
 
 Mutuality 85 
 
 Real Missionary Spirit. . 86 
 A Comprehension of F^du- 
 
 cational Needs 86 
 
 Intelligent Bible Knowl- 
 edge ..... 87 
 
 New Testament, Fidelity to 
 the ". . 71 
 
 Ode, One Hundred and Fif- 
 tieth Anniversary, .... 92 
 
 Officers of the Church, . . 108 
 
 Of the Bible School, ... no 
 
 Of Boys' Mission Band. , i 10 
 
 Of Fvudeavor Society, . . 109 
 
 Of F'arther Lights Society, 109 
 
121 
 
 Of Junior Endeavor So- 
 ciety, 109 
 
 Of Ladies' Aid Society, . 109 
 
 Of Woman's Missionary 
 
 Society, 109 
 
 Of Vouno^ Men's League, 109 
 
 ♦Parker, Rev. W. H. J., Ad- 
 dress by 
 
 Parsonages 
 
 Peddie Institute 
 
 Perry, Rev. J. E.. Remarks by. 
 Presentation Speech b\', . 
 
 Address by, 10 
 
 Poem, One Hundred and Fif- 
 tieth Anniversary 7 
 
 Portraits of Former Pastors 
 Unveiled, ....... 
 
 Providence, R. L, First Bap 
 tist Church, Letter From, . 
 
 19 
 
 Reese, David 
 
 Retrospect and Prospect, 
 
 Roll-Call, 
 
 Invitation to 
 
 Rue, Joshua E 
 
 Ruling Fvlders, 
 
 vSexton. Rev. J. B 
 
 Schlipf, Charles A 
 
 Schlipf,John, 
 
 Schlipf, Joseph 
 
 Schlottman, Mrs, X. C, Paper 
 
 by, 
 
 Segar, Rev. John 
 
 Smith, Rev. Lewis 
 
 Smith, Rev. M. N 
 
 Addresses bj- r 
 
 So 
 
 80 
 
 60 
 
 '5 
 36 
 
 35 
 61 
 
 58 
 
 62 
 62 
 62 
 
 103 
 49 
 53 
 30 
 
 .76 
 
 Societies of the Church, . . . 
 
 Stockwin, Arthur W., . . . 
 
 vStout, Mr. B. P., Solo by, . . 
 
 vStrangers Within Our Oates, 
 Caring F^or 
 
 Sunday - school Superinten- 
 dents 
 
 61 
 14 
 
 64 
 
 bv 
 
 bv 
 
 Sunday-schools of the Pa.st, 64, 93 
 
 Trustees 
 
 Twenty-live Years' Pastorate : 
 Its Meaning to the Church, 
 by Rev. W. W. Ca.se, . 
 To the Association, 
 
 Rev. J. Conklin, 
 To State Missions, 
 Rev. D. I)e Wolf, . 
 To the Community, 
 
 Rev. T. B. Applegate, . 
 What Makes Such a Pas- 
 torate Possible, bv Dr. 
 G. W. Clark, .."... 
 Retrospect and Prospect, 
 by Rev. T. S. (iriffith. . 
 Fraternal Greetings, bv 
 Dr. T. Tyack, . . . ^ 
 Reminiscence, bv Rev. M. 
 N. Smith, ."..... 
 Congratulations bv Rev. 
 W. T. Galloway," . . . 
 Tvack, Rev. T., Address of, . 
 
 Wilson, Rev. Peter 
 
 Woman's Work in the Church, 
 
 Paper on 
 
 Young, Rev. George 
 
 Young People, What They 
 Must Do for the Church, . 
 
 14 
 
 13 
 1 1 
 
 44 
 65 
 99 
 
 :El:E^^^^^^'T.,^. 
 
 Page 61, twentieth line from the top, after the word October, instead 
 of 1S70, read 1887. 
 
DATE DUE 
 
 ^r ...-••^^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GAYLORD #3523PI Printed in USA 
 
BX6250.H6B2 
 
 A pastor's 25th and a church's 150th 
 
 Princeton Theological Semmary-Speer Library 
 
 1 1012 00020 6732