I Class _£l?1 -i L i ^ The ''Old Stone Chuvc-li,"' finished in 1699. ' C: TO NATHAN SHELTON, M.P., rOK MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS A PRACTISINtt niTSICIAN IN JAMAICA, AND FOB MOEK THAN FORTY YEARS iilli.g ^ItUv PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THAT PLACE, This VolTzme IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I IPrclimrnuriT. POLITICAL HORIZON TWO CEXTUUIES AGO — CROMWELL — CHARLES II. — CONDI- TION" OK TIIOnOlIT AND KNOWLEDGE — BAXTER, BIINVAN, OWEN, IIOWK, EL- LIOTT — IIARVAKI) COLLEGE — NEWSPAPERS — MINISTERS IN NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN — SCHOOLMASTERS — THE KIRST IN JAMAICA — RELIGIOUS HORI- ZON — THE FIRST COMPANIES OF PURITANS LEAVE ENGLAND — CHARLES AND LAUD — THE SCOTTISH COVENANT AND CIVIL WAR — PRESBYTERIANS AND CAVALIERS — CHARLES II. INVITED TO THE THRONE — HIS INGRATITUDE TO THE PRESBYTERIANS — JEREMY TAYLOR — ACT OF UNIFORMITY — ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH PRELACY IN SCOTLAND — -MONUMENT IN GRAVFRIARS CHURCH- YARD — REVOLUTION 1(588 A " MUSTARD SEED " — THE " EAGLE WING " — PROVIDENCE OF GOD PAGES 17-24 CHAPTER II. 1656-1670. SETTLEMENT OF JAMAICA — PETITION — LEAVE GIVEN BY GOVERNOR AND COUN- CIL — FIRST ENTRY IN THE RECORDS — DECLARATION OF PROPRIETORS — TALL TREES TO BE SPARED — THE TENTHS--YEM ACAH — SELLING STRONG DRINK TO INDIANS PROHIBITED — CARE AS TO THE CHARACTER OF SET- TLERS — FIRST MAGISTRATES APPOINTED — EARLY PREACHING — ARRANGE- MENTS FOR A MINISTER— A MINISTER'S HOUSE TO BE BUILT — MR. WALKER — BEATING THE DRUM ON SABUATH DAYS — AGREEMENT WITH MR. WALKER — MEETING-HOUSE TO BE BUILT — MR. WALKER REQUESTED TO PROCURE ORDINATION — REMOVES TO CONNECTICUT — HIS DESCENDANTS — STYLE OP DWELLI.NGS — FOOD — - CATTLE — HABITS — INDUSTRY — • WOMAN — INCREASE IN WEALTH — COMPARATIVE ESTATES OF INDIVIDUALS — DANIEL DENTON — ■ HIS HISTORY — SETTLEMENT OF ELIZABETHTOWN, N. J. — SOCIAL LIFE OP THE PEOPLE — SABBATH AND WORSHIP — DRESS — FUNERALS — THE BURY- ING GROUND, 25-52 CHAPTER III. 1670-1602. REV. JOHN PRUDDEN — A CONVENIENT PEW TO PREACH IN — PERMISSION GIVEN TO MR. PRUDDEN TO BUILD ON THE MINISTER'S LOT THE TOWN " FURTHER THE COMING INTO A CUURCHWAy" — MR. PRUDDEN LEAVES — REV. WM, CONTENTS. WOODROP — FORTY ACRES APPROPRIATED FOR THE USE OF THE MIXISTER IN TG76 — MR. FRUnDEX RETURNED, AND ARTICLES OP AGREEMENT 'WITn HIM — "rules OF THE GOSPEL IN THIS TOWN " — WAS THE CHURCH PRES- BYTERIAN OR CONGREGATIONAL? — REV. RICHARD DENTON — TESTIMONY OF DUTCH MINISTERS THAT HE WAS A PRESBYTERIAN — PRESBYTERIANS AT FLUSHING AND NEWTOWN — DR. WOODBRIDGe's HISTORICAL DISCOURSE — GOV. STUYVESANT TO THE MAGISTRATES OP HEMPSTEAD PHESBYTEKIANS IN NEW ENGLAND — COTTON MATHEr's ACCOUNT OP MR. DENTON — CHURCH GOVERNMENT ACCORDING TO THE SYNOD OF DORT MR. PRUDDEn's PETITION TO THE GOVERNOR TO ALLOW HIM TO BE MINISTER OF CON- GREGATIONALISTS — MR. P. BECOMES A PRESBYTERIAN — GEORGE SCOT ARCHIBALD RIDDELL — THE TOWN VOTES IN FAVOR OF PRESBYTERIAN ORDINATION IN 1700 — REV. GEORGE m'niSH — THE CHURCH FOSTERED BY THE DUTCH PRESBYTERIANS — THE OLDEST CHURCH OF THE PRESBYTERIAN NAME IN AMERICA — VOTE RESPECTING THE ERECTION OF A MEETING HOUSE IN IGS'J — MR. PRUDDEN GOES TO NEWARK — HIS DEATH AND EPITAPH, 53-80 CHAPTER lY. 1692-1699. FIRST MOVEMENT TOWARDS ERECTING THE STONE MEETING HOUSE — APPLICA- TION TO THE ASSEMBLY — VANE A TARGET TO BRITISH SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTION — DATE ON IT — STYLE OF THE BUILDING — JEREMIAH HOEERT — GEORGE PHILLIPS — HIS " DYOTT " PAID FOR — PEOPLE SEND TO THE "main" for a MINISTER — MR. JONES, LATE OF DANBURY — SUBSCRIPTION LIST FOR THE SUPPORT OF A MINISTER — VOTES OF THE TOWN RESPECT- ING MEETING HOUSE AND MR. PHILLIPS — THE GOV. PETITIONED RESPECT- ING THE SETTLEMENT OF MR. HOBERT — DISPUTE RESPECTING MEETING HOUSE SETTLED — ACCOUNT OF MR. HOBERT — HOUSE FINISHED,.. 81-93 CHAPTER Y. 1700-1724. JOHN HUBBARD — ORDAINED IN THE PRESBYTERIAN WAT — VESTRYMEN AND CHURCHWARDENS ELECTED — SILAS WOOD, ESQ. — REV. MR. THOMAS, HEMP- STEAD — COTTON MATHER ON JAMAICA — CHIEF JUSTICE SMITH ON THE JAMAICA TROUBLES — " WATCH TOWER," LIVINGSTONE, SCOTT AND SMITH — CORNBURY's ORDERS TO INQUIRE INTO THE RIOT, AND TO MR, HUBBARD TO VACATE THE PARSONAGE — ORDER TO WARDENS AND SHERIFF TO SELL THE CORN — ORDER TO LAY TAX AND FINE THE WARDENS AND VESTRY FOR RE- FUSING — REV. MR. BARTOW's ACCOUNT OF THE RIOT MR. HUBBARd's DEATH — REV. P. GORDON BURIED UNDER THE CHURCH — REV. W. URQUHART — REV. F. Goodhue's call and commission — his early death — elegant LATIN lines on him REV. G. m'nISH CALLED — THE CHURCH TAKEN POS- SESSION OF BY THE PRESBYTERIANS — ACCOUNT OP MR. m'NISH — -THE PEU- SECDTION CONTINUES — MEMORIAL OP THE PEOPLE TO THE GOVERNOR — S. CLOWES INFORMS OP THE RIOT IN 1710 — ORDERS AND FINES IN RE- SPECT TO IT REV. THOS. POYER — MEMORIAL OF THE CLERGY IN RE- SPECT TO HIM — GOV. HUNTER, COL. MORRIS AND COL. HEATHCOTE ON THE CHURCH DIFFICULTIES — SUBJECT BROUGHT BEFORE THE QUEEN IN PRIVY COUNCIL — THE LAWSUIT — MR. m'niSh's CHARACTER AND SERVICES — HIS CONTENTS. DEATH — REV. ROBERT CROSS — EJECTMENT SUIT DECIDED AGAINST MR. POYER — GOV. Bl'KNET TO BISHOP OF LONDON — MR. POYEK AND MR. CAMPBELL TO SECKETARV — THE CHURCH RECOVERED 94-153 CIIAPTEK VI 17Q4r-177-4. FREE SCHOOL — THE TOWN TAKE POSSESSION OF THE CHURCH — MR. CROSS CALLED TO PHILADELPHIA — THE PEOPLE STRENUOUSLY OPPOSE HIS RE- MOVAL — HIS REMOVAL — HIS EPITAPH — WALTER WILMOT — PUT IN POS- SESSION OF THE PARSONAGE — MRS. WILMOT — HER DEATH — MR. WHITEFIELD VISITS THE PLACE — IIIS PREACHING ON REGENERATION TROUBLES MR. COLGAN — EFFECT — MR. WILMOt's DEATH — EPITAPH — MR. COL(!AN RE- JOICES — DAVID BOSTWICK— TOWN FORMALLY Sl'RKENDERS CHURCH PROP- ERTY TO THE PRESBYTERIANS — THE RECORD — MR. BOSTWICK CALLED TO NEAV Y'GRK — COMMITTEE OF SYNOD MEET AT JAMAICA ON lUS REMOVAL MR. BOSTWICK APPOINTED TO SUPPLY' NEW Y'ORK — COMMITTEE OF SYNOD MEET AT PRINCETON — VOTE FOR HIS REMOVAL — HIS MINISTRY^ IN NEW YORK — HIS PUBLICATIONS, CHARACTER AND DEATH — ELIHU SPENCER ORDAINED AS A MISSIONARY TO THE INDIANS — HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE l.NDIA.N LANGUAGES — SETTLES AT ELIZABETHTOWN — REMOVES TO JAMAICA CHAPLAIN IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR — SETTLES AT ST. GEORGe's DEL. — REMOVES TO TRENTON, N. J. — HIS READY TALENT — EPITAPH — HIS DESCENDANTS — B. BRADNER — WM. MILLS — NUMBER IN COMMUNION — RE- VIVAL OF RELIGION — EFFECT OF AN ACCOUNT OF THE REVIVAL AT EAST- HAMPTON — MR. WHITEFIELD VISITS JAMAICA, THE SECOND TIME — PREACHES IN AN ORCHARD — \ TRACT BY' MR. MILLS — MR. SEABURY' VS. MR. WHITE- FIELD — J.IR. MILLS DECLINES A CALL TO PHILADELPHIA — HIS DEATH — HIS DISEASE — HIS CHILDREN — HIS MSS. — PEOPLE STILL RESIST THE TAX TO SUPPORT THE EPISCOPAL MINISTRY — MR. BLOOMER ON THE POLITICAL TROUBLES OF 177lJ — SHUTS HIS CHURCH FOR FIVE SUNDAY'S UNTIL THE king's TROOPS ARRIVE, 154-1S9 CHAPTEK YII. 1775-1815. MATTHIAS BURNET ORDAINED — MARRIES IN JAMAICA — THE REVOLUTION PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS SirPPORT THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS — REVO- LUTIONARY' INCIDENTS — MR. BURNET HAS INFLUENCE WITH THE LOY'ALISTS — SAVES THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FROM DESTRUCTION — HIGHLANDERS ATTEND HIS PREACHING — THE SCOTCH WOMAN AND HER BOTTLE OF WATER — MR. ONDERDONk's REVOLUTIONARY' INCIDENTS — ELIAS BATLI8 ARRESTED — SENT TO THE PROVOST — SINGS IN PRISON — HIS DEATH OTHER WHIGS SEIZED — WHIGS RETURN AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR — MR. BURNET LEAVES, AND SETTLES .VT NORWALK — DEATH — GEORGE FAITOUTE INSTALLED — ONE OF THE ORIGINAL TRUSTEES OF U. U. ACADEMY — THE OLD STONE CHURCH TAKEN DOWN, AND A NEW ONE BUILT — MK. FAITOUTe's DEATH, 190-211 8 CONTENTS. CHAPTER YIII. 1815-1863. R. WEED — REMOVES TO ALBANY — S. P. FDNCK — DISSENSION — REV. A. NET- TLETON GREAT REVIVAL — • DISSENSION HEALED — MR. NETTLETOn's METHOD E. W. CRANE — HIS USEFUL MINISTRY — -DR. MURRAY'S SKETCH OP HIM — HIS DEATH — J. M. MACDONALD — THE NEW ERA IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHIIIiCH UNDER MR. WEEd's MINISTRY — THE HIGHLY PROSPEROUS STATE OP THE CONGREGATION IN 1841 — INCIDENTS IN MR. MACDONALd's MINISTRY — r. D. OAKEY, 212-225 CHAPTER IX. Moxiixiox]y, STATISTICS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES — INFLU- ENCE OP A SINGLE CHURCH — MEN DIE, TRUTH ENDURES — THE LIFE OP SOCIETY — ERROR AND SIN TRANSMITTED — LOSSES AND GAINS, OR THE TRAN- SIENT AND PERMANENT IN HISTORY — SIGNS OF THE TIMES — THE MISSION- ARY SPIRIT OF RICHARD BAXTER — HOPE FOR OUR COUNTRY IN ITS PRESENT TRIALS — PRINCIPLES RECEIVED FROM THE PRESBYTERIAN FATHERS — LOY- ALTY — RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF YOUTH — FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE CHOICE OF RULERS — HOW WE MAY BEST SERVE THE FUTURE — KING DAVID — ABEL — THE CHAIN OF EXPERIENCE — MR. AMOS DENTON — FAITH AND PRAYER, 226-238 ADDENDA r. RATE LIST OP JAMAICA IN 1683 — II. RETURN OP MARRIAGES, BAPTISMS AND BUItlALS FOR SEVEN YEARS PRECEDING 1688 — III. RATE LIST OF JAMAICA, FEB. 1708-9 — IV. LETTER OF THE REV. GEORGE HALE, PENNINGTON, N. J. V. PRESBYTERIES WITH WHICH THE CHURCH HAS BEEN CONNECTED VI. CATALOGUE OF THE MINISTERS — VII. CATALOGUE OF THE ELDERS — VIII. DEACONS — IX. TRUSTEES OF THE CONGREGATION — X. NUMBER OF COM- MUNICANTS ANNUALLY REPORTED TO PRESBYTERY — XI. LIST OF MINISTERS WHO HAVE GONE FORTH, ETC. — XII. LIST OF VESTRYMEN, ETC. — XIII. CONTEMPORARY MINISTERS OP JAMAICA — XIV. THE FIRST INDIAN DEED FOR THE TOWNSHIP, 239-25'J APPENDIX. PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS — OPENING EXERCISES — MURAL TABLETS — SER- MON BY DR. MACDONALD — INTERLOCUTORY MEETING OF MINISTERS IN FORMER CONNECTION WITH THE CHURCH — SEIIMON BY REV. J. M. KREBS, D. D. SERMON BY REV. W. P. BRKED — COMMUNION — LETTERS FROM DR. WEED AND OTIIEIIS — CONCLUDING ADDRESS BY THE PASTOR, REV. P. D. OAKEY — ■ " NEW YORK OBSERVER," " PRESBYTERIAN," 261-329 PREFACE. The folloAving note will serve to explain to the public the origin of this volume : Jamaica, L. I., January 8, 18C2. To Rev. James M. Macdonald, D. D. : Deak Sir : — The undersigned, a committee of the Eld- ers, Deacons and Trustees, beg leave to thank you for the very able and interesting discourse delivered yesterday, commemorative of the 200th anniversary of the Presby- terian church in this place ; and, believing that the impor- tant matter therein contained should be preserved in a permanent form, ask the favor of a copy for publication. Very sincerely and truly yours, P. D. Oakey, Jno. J. AK:\[STKO>rG, Laukens Reeve, Jno. D. Siielton. Shortly after this was received, the Session and Trustees, through the Pastor, Rev. Mr. Oakey, re- quested that a new and enlarged edition of the History of the Church, which M'as published in 1847, might be prepared. This work was accordingly undertaken ; and the historical matter referred to in the above note, and other matter new, or deemed too important to be allowed to pass into oblivion, will be found incorpo- rated in the following pages. As in the former publication, of which tliis can scarcely be called a new edition, the author felt con- strained to express his special acknowledgments to 1* 10 PREFACE. Henry Onderdonk, Jr., Esq., author of " Eevolution- aiy Incidents of Long Island," for directing him to sources of valuable information, he is in this called upon to renew his acknowledgments to that gentle- man for similar services, and especially for securing for him an accurate co^^y of all the minutes relating to the church, found in the ancient Town Records of Jamaica. These minutes, nearly entire in the order of their dates, are here preserved. Thanks are also due to Dr., E. B. O'Callaghan of Albany, for kindly furnishing two of the oldest docu- ments in the book, one of which he translated from the Dutch ; and to Charles Shaw, Esq., for perfecting, from his own recollections, the rough sketch of the stone church, left by the late Judge Lamberson, an engrav- ing of which appears in this volume. The Indian deed for the first purchase of land by the original settlers, was discovered too late to be in- serted in the proper place. It, with other important documents, will be found in the Addenda. The Appendix, containing an account of the recent bi-centennial celebration was prepared, under the di- rection of a committee aj^pointed for that purj^os^, by the Trustees and Elders of the congregation. This history, it is thought, will be possessed of some interest outside of the particular community to which it relates, as it presents the evidence (if it might not rather be called ^j'rcr^) of its being the oldest existing church of the Presbyterian name in America. Parson AG E-IIousE, Library Place, Princeton, N. J., May 8th, 1862. INTKODUCTION. Jamaica, on Long Island, was settled, under the Dutch rule, in 1656. The English, laying claim to the same territoiy, it was surrendered to them in the year of our Lord 166L After the Revolution in England, in 16S8, a great change took place in the Colonial government. A General Assembly was allowed, which consisted of deputies, chosen by the freeholders of each County, to whom, together with the Governor and the Council, the legislative power was intrusted. Li 1692, Colonel Fletcher arrived, with a commission to be Governor of the Colony. He very soon mani- fested great zeal to form a " religious establishment ;" and, whilst the government was in his hands, a new policy was adopted, in respect to ecclesiastical aftairs, which, at length, produced much dissension, and operated with disastrous effect on the Presbyterian churches in Hempstead and Jamaica, Tlie recommen- dation of the Governor was for " the settling of an able ministry," but no intimation was given that the Church of England was to be exclusively supported by law. The majority of the Assembly were entirely dis- inclined to the scheme; but, as the model of the Church of Ilolh^i^d had been secured to them, by one 12 INTRODUCTION. of the articles of surrender, it is not probable tliey suspected Fletcher of his design to introduce uniform- ity of religion, or to have the Church of England ex- clusively supported by law. The Governor warmly rebuked them, asserting that the same law which secured to them the privileges of Englishmen, did " provide for the religion of the Church of England." Fletcher was a bigot to the Episcopal form of Church government.* In September, 1693, a new Assembly met. The de- termination of the Governor at length induced the house to yield ; and a bill was " brought in for settling the ministry, and raising a maintenance for them in the City and County of New York, Counties of Richmond and Westchester and Queens County." The bill was drawn by James Grahame, Esq., the Speaker of the Assembly, who was the only member of that body who belonged to the Church of England. As the in- habitants of Jamaica were, at that time, seeking to erect a new house of worship, and had applied to the Assembly for an Act to enable them to raise money for the work. Colonel Fletcher and Grahame, perceiv- ing the Assembly inclined to pass such an Act, thought it a favorable opportunity to press their favorite meas- ure for a religious establishment, and accordingly brought in the bill aforesaid. It was artfully framed, and prescribed a method of induction that " would not do well for the Dissenters, and but lamely for the Church, tho' 'twould do with the help of the Gover- nor."t The bill passed and was sent to the Governor * Smith, I. p. 128. t Colonel Lewis Morris' MS Letter to the Ven. See. INTRODUCTION. 13 and Council, wlio innncdiatelj returned it, with an amendment to the cftect that ministers should be "pre- sented to the Governor to be approved and collated." The members of the house refused to pass the amend- ment. Fletcher was so highly exasperated, that he summoned the representatives forthwith to the council chamber, and told thein that he had " the power of col- lating or suspending any minister in his government." Smith thiidvS that it can only be attributed to the sim- plicity of the times that the members of the Assembly peaceably put up with that man's rudeness. The char- ter of privileges granted by the Duke of York to the inhabitants of New York provided that all " pei'sons which profess in Godlynesse Jesus Christ" might " from time to time, and at all times, have and fully enjoy their judgments and consciences in matters of religion throughout all the province." The same char- ter coniirmed "the respective Christian churches now in practice within the Citty of New Yorke, Long Island, and other places of this province," " that they shall be held and re}>uted as pkiviledged Ciiukciiks, AND ENJOY THEIR FORMER FREEDOMS OF THEIR RELIGION, IN DIVINE WORSHIP AND CHURCH DISCIPLINE." In the spring of 1695, the Assembly declared, in explanation of the Act of 1693, " That the vestry-men and cliurch-wardcns have power to call a dissenting Protestant minister, and that he is to be paid and main- tained as the Act directs." This was done on account of the attempt to interpret the Act as made for the sole benetit of the Church of Ens-land. The desi, which occurs frequently in the early records, and was probably used exclusively in conveyances of property. After the sur- render of the colony to the English, Jamaica soon came to be exclusively used. * Thompson, II., i3. 32 HISTORY OF THE SOtli. It is y^ day voted, ordered and agreed upon by this town of Riistdorp, that no person or j^ersons whatsoever, within this town, shall sell or give directly or indirectly, to any Indian or Indians whatsoever, within or about y" said town, any strong licker or strong drinke whatsoever or of what sort soever, either much or little, more or less, upon the forffeiture off fifty Guilders [nearly twenty dollars] for every offence. Jan. 21st, 1659. One Benjamin ITubard, who had bought a house-lot, without the approbation or knowledge of the town, was required to bind himself " to behave so in the town y' he no waies prejudice his neighbours, by any un- lawful or bad courses ; and y' said Benjamin doth engage himself iff he shall fullfill not all and every particular in y premises, to surrender up his lot again to the town." Records T. p. 6. Town made choice of Four men to be presented for magistrates to y* Governor, viz : Mr. Coe, Rich. Everet, Samuell Mathews and Luke Watson. "^"^ Nath'l Denton to present y'" to y^ Governor Aug. 6, 1659. Sep. 9th, 1659. Sam'l Mathews, John Townsend & Ben. Coe, chosen assistants for a Court for this yeare. Records I. p. 8. The inhabitants early manifested a desire to liare a minister of the Gospel settled among them. The min- ister of Hempstead no doubt often visited, and preach- ed to them. Dominie Drisius, one of the Dntcli ministers of New York, preached at Jamaica, January 8, 1661, " to correct the irregularities of Quakers and other Itinerant fanatics."* It is quite certain that pnb- * Mr. Onderdonk's MS Notes. PEESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAilAICA. 33 lie worship was regularly established as early at least as 1G62. Wee whose names are underwritten doe by these pre- sents promise & engage tlint if any meeting or conventi- cles of quakers, shall bee in this town of Kustdorp, then we will give information to y" authority set up in this place by the Governor, and alsoe assist the authority of the town against any such jierson or persons called quakers, as need shall require. Witness our hands this 11th day of February, 1661. Stylo novo. EICHARD EVERITT, ANDREW MESSENGER, * NATH. DENTOX, - BENIEMEN COE, ABRA. SMITH, GEORGE MILLS, SAMUEL MATHEWS, WILLIAM FOSTER. [The rest of the names are illegible, it being the last page of the 1st vol.] Records, I. p. 120. 62, March y" 6th. The town doe give Abraham Smith 30s ftbr beatmg y^ drum a year. It is ordered by y*" town y' y° rates ffor y' minester shall bee leavied upon medowes ffor y" minester. Records p. 14, vol. I. It is ffurther ordered & agreed by y" town y' y" towns- men [torn off in the original] shall look affter y* i)rocuring off a minester. Records p. 15. March y" 13th, 62. It is ordered y' those w""" doe not api)ear at y* beating off y*' drum y^ day & goe to burn y' Avoods, shall pay 2s. Gd. to those av'"' goe. It is further ordered by y" toAvn to build a house ffor y" minester off 36 ffoot long. It is ordered and agreed by y" toAvn y' Jojin^aylie shall keep an Ordinary in y' tOAvn of Rusdorp, for y'' entertahi- ing of strangers, and also to sell drink, and that noe man shall have liberty to sell drink, Avhether beer or liquors, or any sort of Avine, Avithin this toAvn only the Ordinary 2* 34 HISTORY OF THE !\\ keeper aforesaid, and y' he shall forthwith set upon y^ work to provide for strangers, and to give entertainment to such strangers as shall come. Records I. p. 15. AjDrill y^ 11th 62. It is y' day ordered by y^ toAvn y' A minester's house shall bee built, 26 foot long t% 17 foot wide according as is agreed by covenant betwixt y" town & Andrew Messenger tfc his Son, Richard Darling, who have taken y** building of y" house of y' town and are to pay twentie-three pounds in bever pay y' is to say, wheat, at sixe shillings, & Indian corn at three shillings sixe pence y'' bushell ; to bee payd after y' work is done as soon as y" corn is merchantable & y" town doe ingage every man to pay & bring in what shall come to their shares, at such time & to such place as y° [it] shall be api^ointed within y° town of Rustdorp, Goodman Messenger hath promised to take Sam. Mills his rate for y" minester's house, in mdian corn. Records I. p. 16. April y" 11th 1662. Articles of agreement concluded & agreed upon betwixt the town of Rusdorp on y* one party and Andrew Messenger and his son Richard Darling on y" other. The town have hired y^ aforesayd Andrew Messenger, & Richard Darling to build a house for y'' Minister of twentie-six feet long & scaventeen foot broad to bee ten foot high in y" stood [stud] betwixt ioint and ioint y" house to bee well claboarded y" sides & ends, y" roof to bee well & sufKciently shingled w' three foot shingle ; two chimnies to bee made in y" house, one belowe for a lower room & another for y'^ chamber. Two floores of ioice & boai'ds to be layd one above in y" chamber thoroughout y* house & another under foot : to bee well iointed & suffi- ciently layed above & below ; a partition to bee made handsomely & well smoothed & alsoe a i>ayr of PRESBTTEKIAN CHUKCH, JAMAICA. 35 stears, well & stron.2:lie made to goe into y" chamber w* an outward door & imvard door, & a door into y* cham- 1)e'r, the chinniies alsoe to bee well slatted. Three windowes, large ct handsome, two below & one above, the timber all to bee such as may be iudged sufhcient by workmen w' gi'onnd sills & good girts, cross y" house to lay ioice ; y® house thorout to bee well and sufficiently braced : this house is to bee done by y" midle of Auejust next ensuina:. The town are to provide y"' av' nailes and hinges, & also claboard & shingles, & sawn boards for y" inward work ; likewise y* town shall cart all y" timber or other stuft' needful for y" sayd house. In consideration of y" ])remises y* town are to give y" sayd Andrew Messenger, &, Richard Darling, y" full sum of tAventie three pounds, after ye" English account to bee payd in wheat & Indian corn ; wheat at six shillings y" bushel, & Indian corn, at three shillings six-pence ; to be payd at Christmas next, or as soon as it is merchantable ; to bee payd in as many l)ushells of wheat as Indian corn : y' y' is our act, we tes- tifie by subscribing our hands y° day & date above Avritten. Andreav Messenger, Richard Darling. Subscribed before Daniel Denton. Records i. p. 17. May y" 11th, 16G2. A town meeting called; agreed upon Avith Goodman Baylie, & Samuel Smith to get stones for y" minester's house enough to make a back for the chimnies cfc harths & oA'ens, good & sufficient stone for y" Avork, as y" place Avill afford to bee got & brought in ]»lace by this time six Aveeks : they are to have forty shillings for y* sayd AVork : Goodman Messenger & his son Richard Darling are to get the shingles for the minesters house and lo have half a croAvn a hundred for y" shingles the shingles to be 36 HISTORY OF THE three foot long & not above six inches broad "vv* y^ sap hewd out : al y" money above written to bee payd in ye same pay y' y* carpenters have, or at y" same prices Records I. p. 18. August y* 9th. Henry Whitney and Ric. Everet deputed to lay out some of y* touns money in Mr. Coe's hands and alsoe some in y** sayd everets hands to buy boards for y^ min- esters house & lime & to hire a mason : if need require. Records I. p. 18. They evidently set a high value on the gospel, not delaying until some missionary, by foreign aid, should find his way among them, to labor single-handed, in the midst of the indifferent, or opposers, but j)reparing the way for a minister, by furnishing the means of giving him a welcome reception. Can we wonder that God has so signally blessed an enterprise which was begun in such a spirit ? May such men never want worthy successors, who, when the interests of religion demand it, shall be ready, " every man to p)ay and bring in what shall come to their shares " of any ne- cessary expense ! December 20th, 1662. Tlie town appointed a com- mittee of five men to " make the rate for the minister's house, and transporting the minister;" from which it appears that a minister had now been engaged to set- tle at Jamaica. And under date of February l-lth, 1663, seven years after the settlement of the town, appears for the first time in the records, the name of the first minister of this place, ZECIIARIAH WALKER. December y* 20th 16G2. A town meeting called : PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 37 The town have A'oted & concluded & agreed upon y* tliese live namely Mr. Coe Goodman Benedick Goodman Smith Goodman Baylie & Daniel Denton shall make y' rate — for j" minesters house, & transporting y' minester. Good- n)^ man Baylie refusing y° toun have chose Luke Watsmr^^ Records I. p. 20. January y^ 12th, 62. A town meeting called : voted & agreed upon by y' town y' y* rate for y" minesters house shall be leavied upon medows & home lotts. Records I. p. 20. January y* 29th, 16G3. It is voted by y*' town y' Abraham Smith shall have thirty shillings a year for beating y" drum upon Sabbath days & other publike meetings dales, & to have his pay in tobacco i^ay or wheat at 6s & 8d & Indian at 4s. Records I. p. 2t5. February y" 14tli, 1GG3. A toAvn meeting called : Voted ik agreed upon by y' town y' Goodman Bene- dick and Xathanffl Denton shall be overseers in behalf of y" town to supply Mr. Walker's wants w' what hee shall stand in need of according as y" toAvn shall agree to make a supi)ly : and to appoint men as their turns come to bring in what shall bee needfuU in y" premises, as need shall re- quire : Voted by y" toun at what rate or price j\Ir. AValkers maintenance shall bee payd in : concluded y' hee shall have three score pounds per annum ; y' it shall bee payd by rate y* rates to bee leavied upon lands & estates : that is to bee payd in corn : y" wheat to be payd at six shillings a bushell and indcan at three shillings six-pence bushell. Records p. 21. February 14th, 1 6G3. It is voted by y* town y* Mr. Coe and Goodman Benedick and Daniel Denton shall make a rate for Mr. AValkers maintenance. Records I. p. 22. 38 HISTORY OF THE Mai'ch y' 2d, 1663. Wee whose names are underwritten doe by these presents give unto Mr. "Walker his heirs or Assignes y'' house & home lot y' hee lives in w' y" ac- commodations belonging to it, ujdou y' previso y' iif hee goe away and leave y° town w' out any just groimds or cause given by y" town y' y° y* town shall have y"* reftusall of it paying for such labours as hee hath or shall expend upon it & it shall return again to y^ town : but iif y* town shall act soe y' they bee y^ cause off his going away y° y* lot to remain as his and his heirs onely y* to"\vn to have y° reifusal oif it to buy it for what it shall be Avorth & iff it happen y* j" sayd Mr. Walker should die y" his wife shall let y' town have y° reffusall off it iff she shall sell it. ROBERT COE, RODGER LIXAS, l^'JOHN^ STICLAN, JOHN HINDS, THOMAS BENEDICK, BENIAMIN COE, ANDREW MESSENGER, WILLIAM SMITH, DANIEL DENTON, JOSEPH THURSTON, JOHN BAYLIES, NATHANIELL DENTON, THOMAS POSTER, SAMUELL SMITH, RICHARD EVERETT, WILLIAM BRINKLY, EDWARD ROUSE, JOHN RODES, JOHN SKIDMORE, WILLIAM FOSTER, HENRY WHITNEY, GEORG CUMMINS. ABRAHAM SMITH, SAMUELL MATHEWS, Eecords I. p. 25. The above twenty-four names include, it is probable, the whole number of freeholders in the town at the time. From the foregoing extracts it appears that Mr. Walker's salary was £60 per annum, with the use of a house and a home lot, to be his in fee-simple if he re- mained as minister of the town, or if the town should PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 39 SO act as to be tlic cause of his going away. In raising tliis generous support, so much beyond what many in- fant churches at the present clay, especially in new set- tlements, feel themselves able to do, every inhabitant contributed his due proportion. Mr. Walker was a young man about twenty-five years of age, and preached at Jamaica as a licentiate. Mr. Wood says he probably came from England, and Mr. Crane, in his MS. history of this church, adds that he probably came from England before he w^as ordain- ed, but as a licentiate. Mr. Thompcon, however, as- serts that he was a native of Boston, and was the son of Robert Walker, who was made a freeman at that place in 1634, where Zechariah was born in 1637. August y* 30th 1663. A town meeting called voted & agreed upon by y" town y' A meeting liouse shall bee built twcntie-six foot square, & that ]Mr. Coe & Rali)h Keeler shall agree to George Norton for y" building oft' it. Records I. p. 27. December y" 1st 1663 Old Style : Further voted y' Francis Finch and Abraham Smith shall bring in an account of men's estates as soon as may bee, y' a rate may be made for y'' mincster. Records I. p. 28. December v* 3de, '63. Further voted and concluded upon y' all y" inhabitants of this our town shall pay to- wards y' maintenance of y" minestry according to what y* possesse. Records T. p. 29. Feb. y' 27th '63. Further voted y' Samuel Mathews & Joseph Smith shall succeed Tliomas Benedick & Nath : Denton in gathering up & looking aifter to sujiply Mr. Walker w' such thincjs as hee shall stand in need otF. Records I. p. .52. 40 HISTORY OF THE December y' 13th 1664. Joseph Thurstone & John Heins apointed to gather xip an acount of men's estates for Mr. Walker's rate : Thomas Benedick Senior & Daniel Denton shall make a rate for y'' minester Records I. p. 32 Att a toime meeting the 4th of September 1665 itt was Agreed that Mr. Walker shall have three score ponds a yeare well & truly payd in corn at prise currant or other pay equivolent and this to be ceai"fully gathered & payd in to Mr. Zacharah Walker yearly within the moneth of December evary yeare Deuring the time of Mr, Walkers aboode & exarcising his giwfts amoungst us as before as likewise for his farther in curidgement the town doth agree to cut & drawe all the wood hee spends to till his ground et harvest his corn, besides the three score ponds Above mentioned * it is farther to be imderstod that Mr. Walker is to take his whete at 5 shilling \:>r bushells and other pay equifolent, as likewise for the tiladge of his ground it is to be vmderstood that ground only y* Mr. Walker hath now broke up. Eecords I. p. 40. March y'' 12th 1666. At a town meeting fully agreed upon that ISIr. Walker shall have in liew off ^\hat is above written, sixtie-five pounds p. annum to bee payd as is above writen in wheat at five shiUiugs j). bushell provided Mr. Walker does engage to continue w' us from year to year & also procure an ordination answerable to the y' law whereby hee does not only capacitate himself for y" preaching off y" word but for y' baptizing off infants : & so y° above written order for tillmg off land & j" like to bee rendered null :* at a town meeting off y" constable & overseers agreed upon y*^ Mr. Coe shall have the five pounds mentioned in y" next above written agreement & in lew thcreoff shall doe y° work mentioned in y** agree- * What follows is in diflferent ink and hand and at another time. rRESBYTERIAN CHURCn, JAMAICA. 41 ment to Mr. AValker uppermost written according as is tliere exprest. Robert Coe Geo Woolsey William Rescoe Daniel Denton Beniamin Coe Andrew Mesinger John Foster Samuel Smith John Roads Joseph Smith Recoitls I. p. 40. This proposal, that he should procure ordination, as it shows a solicitude to enjoy the ordinances of the gospel, and particularly recognizes the duty of dedicat- ing their oflspring to God in baptism, speaks volumes in favour of the piety of the first inhabitants. He did not, it would seem, obtain ordination agreeably to the wishes of the town, for he took his departure from Ja- maica shortly after, in consccpience, as is evident, of the strong desire of the people to have an ordained minister. On the Yth of August, 1668, the town ap- pointed a committee to make a final settlement with him. This committee was directed to pay him for the improvements he had made on the parsonage and glebe, from which it is evident, according to the terms of the agreement made March 2d, 1663, that his de- parture was not from any occasion given by the people. He went to Stratford, Conn., where he received ordination, but removed to Woodbury in 16Y8, of which place he was the first minister, and where he died, January, 1699, aged sixty-two. Robert Walker, who was a Judge of the Superior Court of Connecticut, is said by Thompson to have been his son, and Gen. Jo- seph Walker, an officer of the Revolution, his grandson. It is quite certain that there was no church regularly constituted during Mr. Walker's residence in Jamaica. o febniary 23 Anno 1060 It was agreed that Abraham 42 HISTORY OF THE Smith shall haufe thirtie schelinges a year for beting of the drum of the Sabbath clay this to be paid by the town in generall his time to begin from the date heirof this was agreed upon by a full town meeting. Records I. p. 42. the 1 of august 1C6S At a tound meeting the tound have chosen John Foster nathaniel Denton mister woters & John Ouldiield & given them full jjower to agre with Mr Walker consarning the price that the tound shall give mister walker for the land that he has now in posetion or the price onle for the labors that he has bestowed upon the land which they shall judg just & equall & if thes men above mentioned & mister walker can not agre they have liberty to chouse 2 men of another tound mister walker on & thay a nother to judg the jirice of the land & labors or onle the labors as mister walker & thes four men shall agre By me John Skidmore Clark Records I. p. 45. the 14 of September 1668 At a tound meting the tound have voted & concluded to take the Best & prudents corse as may be for the jirocuring of a minister as sone as convenient time will permit Records I. p. 46. How very liumblc an aspect this place must have presented tw^o hundred years ago ! A cluster of houses in the wilderness, the greater part of tlieni built of logs, and roofed with thatch from the marshes ! Let us, in imagination, enter one of them. We find, perhaps, two ceiled or covered rooms below, with lofts above for chambers, and a lean-to kitchen, unceiled and open to the roof. We find in them no luxurious furniture such as fills our dwellings. On their tables are a few PRESBYTERIAN CnURCH, JAMAICA. 43 pewter dishes and spoons, with wooden bowls and trencliers. For food tliey do not lack venison and fish, but bread is scarce ; even the crusts of their fathers' tables in old England would have been esteemed a luxury. It often consisted of little more than meal and water and salt, boiled to the consistency of pud- ding. Their dinner was of boiled Indian pudding, boiled Indian corn mixed with beans, with a slice of salted venison, with boiled cabbage, baked or boiled pumpkin, bro\Aai bread and cider, or home-brewed beer. At breakfast and supper milk or pea-porridge took the place of tea and cotfee. Cooking wdiich re- quired sugar was too expensive for our early ancestors. They felt greatly the want of cattle, swine and sheep. The few they had were by day committed to herds- men* and nightly brought to strong enclosures of logs within the settlement, and put imder the care of watch- dogs for security against wild beasts and depredations of the savages that still roamed the forest. They rise early (in the winter before the dawn) and enter on the duties of the day. Family worship and breakfast over they are in summer in the field by six o'clock. A gun is carried along with the implements of husbandry, not so much through fear of the Indians as that they may be prepared, should a wolf, or bear, or deer be dis- covered while at their toil. Their dress was fitted to their work. The father wore an old three-cornered hat, no cravat, short frock of strongest warp, leather breeches and leggins confined above the knee and tied over the shoe like a buskin. The boys wore close-fit- * Paid 12s. a week. 44 HISTORY OF THE ting caps of home manufacture, sliort jackets of tlie coarsest fabric, with leather breeches and leggins. The duties of tlie women were more onerous than those of the men. Wliether sick or well, the baking, cooking, washing, ironing and clothes making and mending had to be done, and there was no hired help to be had. Their work was unremitting as the morning and even- ing, summer as well as winter. Many of them had been nurtured amid the luxuries of the best homes of England. " On the nniioored hut, she, who had been nurtured amid the rich carpets and curtains of the mo- ther land, rocked her new-born babe and comjilained not. She, who in the home of her youth, had arranged the gorgeous shades of embroidery, or, perchance, had compounded the rich venison pastry as her share in the house-keeping, now pounded the coarse Indian corn for her children's bread, and bade them ask God's blessing ere they took their scanty portion. When the snows sifted through their miserable roof trees upon her little ones, she gathered them closer to her bosom ; she taught them the Bible and the catechism and the holy hymn, though the war-whoop of the In- dian rang through the w41d. Amid the untold hard- ships of colonial life she infused new strength into her husband by her firmness, and solaced his weary hours by her love."* Not a few of the early settlers had been familiar with the comforts and forms of aristo- cratic life. With all their cares and gravity they had their festive gatherings and social fireside enjoyments. As the people prosjiered, and increased their ma- * Mrs. Sigourney. PKESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 45 terial possessions, tliey were able to supply tliemselves with a better class of houses, and more of the comforts of life. A rate list of " the Towne Estate of Jemaica, anno 1683," less than thirty years after the settlement was made, has been preserved,"'^' showing the great progress the town had made in population and wealth. The number of "heads," or rateable polls, had become eighty-seven, which, multiplied by five, the usual mode of estimating po])ulation, would show that the number of inhabitants had already increased to four hundred and thirty -five. Samuel Smith is put down as having the largest estate. He had fifty acres of land, {i. e. probably land under cultivation, the wild lands not entering into the estimate,) twenty cattle, and two horses. Caj)tain Carpenter stands next to Mr. Smith in the amount of his estate. lie was captain of a "company of fiuzileers," and we find him ordered with his company, and such volunteers as were willing to serve his Majesty, to Fort James in New York, to de- fend it against the fleet of the Prince of Orange, which appeared on the coast in July, 1673. f Nicholas Everit, Joseph Smith, in the order of the value of their estates, come next on the list. Then we have AYilliam Creed, John ife Jos. Ludly, [Ludlam] Thomas Bayles, Edward Iligbee, John Rodcs, Sen., Nathaniel Denton, Sen., all of them among the most prosperous of the citizens, and all of them still represented by numerous descend- ants in this congregation. Nathaniel Denton had fifty- five, the largest number of acres under cultivation. Daniel Denton, the Town Clerk, now famous amojig * Doc. Hist, of N. Y., Vol. II. p. 519. See Addenda, in this Vol. t Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. III. pp. 91-99. I 46 HISTORY OF THE bibliographers aud antiquarians as the author of the earliest account or history of ]S^ew York, appears to have had a much smaller amount of property than any of the foregoing. He is set down as possessed of no land, two horses, three cattle, and an estate of £56, His work was published in 1670, under the title of "A Brief Description of Xew York, formerly called l^^ew ISTetherlands," etc., and was republished by the His- torical Society of Philadelphia, and by Gowans of New York, as late as 1845. He was a son of the Rev. Richard Denton of Hempstead, and was associated with his brother Xathaniel, John Bailey, John Foster, and Luke Watson, in the purchase [1664] of a large tract of land in Xew Jersey, and in the settlement of Elizabethtown. "Tlie four families found at Elizabeth- town by (Gov.) Carteret, were the pioneers of the Jamaica Colony."* But neither of the Dentons became permanent residents of Elizabethtown. Daniel was / schoolmaster, doctor, and justice, as well as clerk and author. He probably visited England at the time his work was published. The following somewhat singular minute is in the Records : " June ye 13 [1684] it is voted that Mr. Daniel Denton shall have liberty to come and setell himselfe & his family in this towne. By Ben. Coe, Clark." p. 132. The rate list also shows the number of horses, cattle, and swine, owned among the people at its date. During the seven years pre- ceding 1688, there were in Jamaica twenty-seven marriages, seventy- one baptisms, and twenty- three burials.f The number of baptisms would clearly * Whitehead's E. Jersey uDcler the Proprietors, pp. 3S, 39. + Doc. Hist. N. Y., Vol. III. p. 197. See Addenda, in this Vol. . PEESBYTERIAN CHURCO, JAMAICA. 47 indicate the continuance of Mr. Denton's Presbyterian practice of bai)tizing the children of sncli parents as were not members of the church. "^ The labours of the day are over. It is a winter evening. Captain Carpenter, Daniel Denton, Thomas Bayles, and others have come, let us suppose, to spend it at the house of Nicholas Everit. They have nuts and cider or home-brewed beer. The older ones of the party talk of Jxome^ as they still love to call the country from which they have fled. Tliey describe cities and palaces to the wondering children, born in the wilder- ness, and who have seen no grander house than that in which the minister lives. Perhaps some one has served in the armies of Cromwell or the King, and tells how battles were fought, and lost or won. Perhaps some one was present, or had seen those who Avere present when the King was beheaded in front of the banqueting hall of his own palace, and describes the fearful scene. Or they talk of that dreadful plague in London which had just then swept off so many of its inhabitants that grass grew in the streets, and the whole city presented a scene of mournful desolation ; or that momoral)le conflagration, which destroyed more than thirteen thousand houses and eightv-nine churches, making night as clear as day to the distance of miles around, its eSect on the sky being perceptible even on the Scottish border. Perhaps some one had heard Bax- ter preach, and tells of his melting voice and terrible appeals. Or they tell stories of witchcraft, in which delusion they shared with the best and wisest people of their age, Sir Mathew Hale himself not excepted ; * p. G3 scq. 48 HISTOKY OF THE for in 16Y0 we find the people of Jamaica petitioning tlie Governor against a certain witch settling here, a woman* from Wethersfield ; the poor creature seeking rest found none, as she had been expelled from that place on the same charge. Or they tell stories of fearful encounters with wild beasts, or of successful hunting expeditions. Or they talk of the bloody Indian wars ; and some one tells of the seven Indians who were arrested and confined in a cellar at Hempstead on a charge of theft ; though it was afterwards discovered that some Englishmen had themselves committed the crime, and how Governor Kieft sent Underhill and Ensign Opdyke, with a band of soldiers, to punish them.f Or they tell how this same Underhill (called by the Dutch annalist. Sergeant Major Yan der Hyl) was sent to take vengeance on Pennewitz, a great sachem of the country, and with one hundred and twen- ty soldiers marched towards Hempstead, and at a place called Matsepe (Massapequa?) about one hundred and twenty of the Indians were slain.:}; Thus passes the evening away. But the company disperses at an early hour, making their way cautious- ly along the rough and overshadowed paths and roads ; for those who did not permit the daylight to find them in their beds, retired early to their rest. Or, let us try to imagine the scene presented here on a Sabbath morning two hundred years ago. The day is observed with a strictness now unknown in the general community. At the morning family prayer several chapters are read from the Bible. After break- * Catherine Harrison. Mr. Onderdonk's notes. + See Breeden Raedt, as translated in Doc. Hist. N. T. Vol. IV. p. 105. J On the bounds of Hempstead and Jamaica is a river then called Massepe. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 49 fast an hour is occupied bv tlie children in learnino; by heart a portion of Scripture, a psalm from Sternhold and Hopkins, and the catechism. The father hears them say their lessons, and acts as the superintendent of this, the best of Sabbath schools. At eleven o'clock Abraham Smith* beats the drum ; for the sound of the cluirch-ffoina; bell was as yet unheard amons; "the valleys and rocks" of this island. The entire popula- tion are astir, wendinp; their way towards the house of God. The people of Hempstead passed an order, 1650, in their general court, imposing a fine, which was to be doubled at every repetition of tlie offence, on every person who "without just and necessary cause'' should neglect to attend " public meetings on the Lord's day and public days of fasting and thanksgiving, hotli fore- noon, and afternoony\ They are said to have been more rigid in this respect than the people of any other town on the island ; but in all of them there appears to have been an enforced pecuniary support of, and at- tendance on the preaching of the Gospel. In the throng we see going up to the sanctuary, are represent- atives of every, or nearly every family in the settle- ment. The dress of those whose pecuniary means af- ford it, is expensive, elaborate, and ornamental. The men wear broad-brimmed hats, turned up into three corners, with loops at the side ; long coats with large pocket folds and eufts, without collars, having buttons of the size of a half dollar, plated or of pure silver ; vests without collars, very long, with graceful lappet- pockets ; shirts with ruffled bosoms and wristbands, * Town Records, Jan. 30, 1662, and Jan. 29, 1663. t Dr. N. S, Prime's HUt. of L. I., p. 2S0. 3 50 HISTORY OF THE Avitli gold or silver sleeve buttons ; neck cLjths of fine linen, or figured or embroidered stufi:'; small-clotbes with silver buckles of liberal size ; and shoes orna- mented with straps and silver buckles. A finely dressed gentleman wore a chocolate colored coat, buff vest, full bush wig powdered white, and white top boots. The best dress of the rich was a scarlet coat, with full sleeves, and cufts reaching to the elbows, the wristbands and vest fringed with lace, with gold buttons and sword. The visiting dress of ladies was more costly, complicated, and ornamental than their husbands and brothers wore. Their bonnets were of silk or satin ; their gowns rich brocades, extremely long waisted, with long trails and expanded farthin- gales, ornamented with flounces and spangles. But on the Sabbath their apparel was simple and appropriate ; a cheap straw bonnet with a single bow outside, calico dress of sober colors, simple white muslin collar, neat shawl, and a stout pair of shoes.* The gathering people enter the sanctuary. It is a humble edifice built of logs and thatched. It is with- out pews or pulpit ; benches supply the place of the one, and a table or rude desk that of the other. This, doubtless, was the character of the house, (for precisely such a house was built by the first settlers at East- hampton, and in other places,) which this town voted to build in 1663. The people are all assigned seats by some one ap- pointed for the purpose, according to their age and * For habits and manners of tbe colonists, see Hist, of Medford, Mass., by Rev. Charles Brooks ; Hist, of Dorchester, to which I am specially indebt- ed; HoUister's Hist, of Conn.; Palfrey's New England, Vol. II. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 61 standing in the community ; a tytliingman sits among the chiklren. Mr. Denton, or perhaps " Goodman Benedic," lines a psalm out of Sternhold and Hopkins, and the services proceed. Their souls are borne up- ward by song and prayer, or are melted within them as they hear the young preacher tell of the rest that remaineth in that better land, which they expect to enter, at their next remove. The Scriptures are read and commented upon.* The hour-glass stands by the side of the Bible, and has run out, been turned, and half run out again, when the service closes. The peo- ple spend a half hour of intermission around the doors, or under the neighboring trees, when they enter again to sing, and pray, and hear the word. The service closes, at half-past two, and the people go home to partake of a meal, chiefly prepared on the preceding day, in which the dinner and supper of ordinary days are united. The Sabbath day apparel is now taken oft' and the mother gathers her little ones around her to hear the Catechism, and question them respecting the texts and sermons of the day, and to talk to them as only mothers can, of Christ and heaven. Tlius ends our forefathers' sabbath. Or death enters (for where does death enter not ?) the infant settlement,! and they are gathered, to de- posit in the newly-cleared soil, one, who came into the wilderness only to die. How many tender memories are awakened in those who have left the graves of their * Reading the Bible without comment was called dumb reading, and an imitation of the hierarchical church. Mr. Onderdonk's MS notes. + In 16G8, great sickness in N.Y. and over the land. Some daily swept away. A day of humiliation ordered by the Governor. Mr. Onderdonk's notes. 52 HISTORY OF THE kindred, on a far-distant sliore. The minister addresses them, or preaches a sermon, and they sing a solemn psahn ; perhaps like the Puritans of l^ew England, to avoid the formality of the Anglican Church, prayer is omitted, and no words are pronounced at the grave. But refreshments are provided for all who attend, and presents given to many. November the 5th, 1668. At a tound meeting the toiuid did agre w' Jolm wascot to fens the burring* plas w' good suiitient 5 rail fens be the midell of march next insuing he is to fens it 10 rod squar & he is to have 4 pound in corent pay for his pains & labor Records I. p. 46. The 29th of March, 69, it Avas voted & agreed upon that mister Avaters should go to greenwiche to give mis- ter Jones a invitation to give us a visit that the toune might have opertunyty to make an agreement with him concarning the work of the ministry. Records I. p. 4S. Dec. 5, 1670 : voted, that William Brinkly shaU have a peece of land on the west sid of the buring place leving a soficient high-way between his fence & the Bever- pond. Records I. p. 53. * Tliere is a possible doubt of this word but it seems confirmed by 2d extract below. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 53 CHAPTER III. 1670-169S. nEV. JOHN" rUTDDEX — A CONVENIKNT PEW TO PREACH IX — PERMISSION GIVEN TO MR. PRTDDEN TO Bl'lLD OX THE MINISTER'S LOT — THE TOWN " FURTHER THE COMING INTO A CHITRCUWAX" — MR. PRUDDEN LEAVES — KEV. WM, WOODROP — FORTY ACRES APPROPRIATED FOR THE USB OF THE MINISTER IN 1676 — MR. PRDDDEX RETURNED, AXD ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT WITH HIM — "rules OF THE GOSPEL IN THIS TOWn" — WAS THE CHURCH PRES- BYTERIAN OR CONGREGATIONAL? — REV. RICHARD DENTON — TESTIMONY OF DUTCH MINISTERS THAT HE WAS A PRESBYTERIAN — PRESBYTERIANS AT FLUSHING AND NEWTOWN ^ DR. WOODBRIDGe's HISTORICAL DISCOURSE — GOV. STUYVESANT TO THE MAGISTRATES OF HEMPSTEAD — PRESBYTERIANS IN NEW ENGLAND — COTTON MATHER's ACCOUNT OF MR. DENTON CHURCH GOVERNMENT ACCORDING TO THE SYNOD OF DORT — MR. PRUDDEn's PETITION TO THE GOVERNOR TO ALLOW HIM TO BE MINISTER OF CON- GREGATIOXALISTS MR. P. BECOMES A PRESBYTERIAN — GEORGE SCOT ARCHIBALD RIDDELL — THE TOWN VOTES IN FAVOR OF PRESBYTERIAN ORDINATION IN 1700 — REV. GEORGE MCNISH — THE CHURCH FOSTERED BY THE DUTCH PRESBYTERIANS — THE OLDEST CHURCH OF THE PRESBYTERIAN NAME IN AMERICA — VOTE RESPECTING THE ERECTION OF A MEETING HOUSE IN 16S'J — MR. PRUDDEN GOES TO NEWARK — HIS DEATH AXD EPITAPH. JOHN PRUDDEN. IVTEARLY two years passed away before the town _LM succeeded in obtaining this minister, during which the Rev. Eliphalet Jones, then of Greenwich, Conn., but who settled in Huntington in 1676, was invited to visit the town ; but it does not appear that he com- plied with the request, Mr. Prudden was called in 1670. He was a son of the Rev. Peter Prudden, who came to New Haven in company with the celebrated John Davenport, and had charge of the church in 54: HISTOET OF THE Wetliersfield, Conn., in 1638. John was born at Milford, Conn., November 9th, 1645, to which place his father had removed, with a few of his congregation, in 1640, and begun the settlement of that town.* He grad- uated at Harvard CoUegef in 1668, and was twenty- five years of age when he came to Jamaica. At the same town meeting at which Mr. Prudden was called, it was ordered " that a convenient pew should be made for the minister to preach in," from which it may be inferred that the house of worshij), built in 1663, was but a rude edifice. 6th March 1670 At a toun meeting it was voted & concluded that whereas the toun hath given Mr Prudden a call to be our niinester for this present year it was agreed y* he should have from this towne for his maintenance fo?/rty pounds a yeare for this present yeare in good cur- ant cuntry pay & likewise the use of the house & land & accomadations which Mr walker was in the possession of when he lived amongst us & is commonly called the minesters lott And this to continue unlese thay or he shall see cause to make any othere agreement : This writen by order of the toun by me Anthony Wa- ters Clark of the Sessions Records l. p. 56. The same time it was agreed & concluded y' there should be a convenient pew made for the minester to preach in & one hired to beet the drom to give notice the time when the towne shall com to meetting. Records I. p. 56. The 1 of Jeueay 16 VI At a towne meeting it Avas voted & the towne did agree that mister Preden shall have forty * Hinman's Cat. of Puritan Names of Conn., 66. t Trien. Cat. TKESBYTERIAN CHUKCII, JAMAICA. 5 K pound in coront cunt rev l)riy of tlie tound & the lious & land that lie is in posotion of for this present year acord- ing to the former town order & if the said mister Preden dotli lay out any charge upon the said acomidations wliar- by it is mad beter the tound shall alow him for it if he leve it, at the same townd meetings it was voted that Xicklas Evrit should beet the drum to *iel Denton John Skidmore Kecords I. p. 103. Jemaicae June 24th Anno Domini 1675 there being a towne meeteing it was then & there A^oted concluded & agreed upon by the towne that they would duely & truely pay unto Me" William AYooddrop the full & just som of three score pounds per annum to bee our minister in such pay as will pas currently from man to man that is to say if in wheate at five shillings per bushell peise* at foure & rye at foure indeand corne at three shiUings per bushell as alsoe the use of the house & or- charde which is commonly calde the towne or Parsonige house with the medowe at present & after the crop is of the jrrounde to have the benefit of all such lands & house- ing as belongs to the saide towne lot that this is the townse acte done the day & date above written by the towne in general teste Nathaniel Denton towne clerk Records I. p. 74. Jenewaiy the 24 1675 At a town metting it is voted & concluded that whereas their was three score pounds a yeer promised to M Wood- * Pea». PRESBYTERIAN ClIURCW, JAMAICA. 61 rop in county pay it is now concluded that they will alow him the t'oreuamed some of thre score })0und in merchants pay to he })ayd at Yorke only these men inider written eare freed from the alteration of the pay BENIAMIN COE JONATHAN MILLS JOHN OLDFIELD Records I. p. 74. april the 4th 1676 These presents may witness that the constable and overseers have let out to James heynds the town lot & house w' the apurtinancs their unto belonging for this yeer insuing upon the conditions folowing first that the sayd Jams shall repayer & make sufisant all the out side fenceing belonghig to the sayd lot w' new posts & rayls where their is nede & to secure the orchard from any damage & to leave the fence sufisant at the end of y" yere & to alow to the towne for the sayed housin & acomidation the full & just (some) of £2 lOs for the yere in good pasable pay as it pas between man & man & fur- ther it is agreed that if the town shall have a minister at any time before the terme of the yeere be expired then Jams shal returne the hous barne locliie, connected witli some of the most distinguished families of Scotland, wrote his " Model of the Govern- ment of the Province of East Jersey," the object of which was to encourage emigration, and sailed himself, accompanied by nearly two hundred persons. He says in his " Model, tfec." " You see so it is now judged the intererest of the Government altogether to suppress the Preshyterimi Princi2jJes ; & that in order thereto the whole force & bensill of the Law of this Kingdom are levelled at the effectual hearing them douvi, that the vigorous putting these Laws in execution, hath in great part ruined many of these, who notwithstanding thereof find themselves in conscience obliged to retain these principles ; while in the other hand Episcopacy is b}^ the same Laws supported and protected." lie then goes on to urge those whom he addresses to transport " themselves thither where they are by law allowed the free exercise of their principles P'^ George Scot was the son of Sir John Scot of Seotstarbet in Edinburghshire. He was fined a thousand pounds for frequenting the conventicles of John Welsh and Samuel Arnot, and was again fined a thousand pounds for "harbouring" John Welsh. He was repeatedly fined, and on one occasion, seven hundred pounds, and as often cast into prison. His wife, Lady Pitlochie, was also fined for attending conventicles. At length he petitioned the Council from the Bass prison for his re- lease, engaging to "go to the plantations," and to * Of the four copies of the original edition of the " Model," known to ex- ist, one is in the possession of Gov. King of Jamaica. It is reprinted in Whitehead's "E. Jersey under the Proprietors." PEESBYTKRIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 73 take with him Archibakl Riddell, one of tlie obnoxious preachers. They set sail Septenihcr 5th, 1685, in the " Henry & Francis," a ship of three hundred and fifty tons, and twenty great guns, Richard Ilutton master. Soon after leaving the harbour of Leith, a fever broke out among those who had been long lying in loathsome prisons, which soon assumed a malignant type. The mortality was dreadful. Seventy died, among them the Laird of Pitlochie, his wife, with her sister-in-law. Lady Aithernie and her two children. The Rev. Archibald Riddell, a zealous and pious preacher, was the brother of Sir John Riddell. The first serious proceedings of the Government against him appear to have been prompted by his connection in some M'av with the rising of Bothwell in 1CT9. He was arrested, and sent first to the toUbooth in Jed- burgh, and from thence removed to the prison in Edinburgh. Lie was summoned before the Com- mittee of public aftairs, and although he convinced his examiners of his moderation and loyalty, he would not clear himself from the charge of having preached in the fields, nor promise to refrain from field-preaching in future. " I know not," he said, " but he who has called me to preach this while byegone in houses, may, before I go out of the world, call me to preach upon tops of mountains, yea upon the seas ; and I dare not come under any engagements to disobey his calls." He was therefore remanded to prison, and kept there until, on the application of Scot, he was released with the view of emigrating to New Jersey. His wife died on the voyage. He took charge of the Congregation of Woodbridge within a mouth after his arrival. Li 4 74 HISTORY OF THE 1689, in consequence of tlie political clianges in his native land, he set sail for Scotland, accompanied by a little son ten years of age. The vessel was captured by a French man-of-war, and after being marched in chains from Kochefort to Toulon, he was imprisoned nearly two years, when he was exchanged and allowed to return to Scotland. He settled at Kirkaldie. His daughter, Janet, married James Dundas, son of Sir James Dundas, who was settled at Perth Amboy.^" Thus it appears that the minister of Woodbridge, who was invited to come and settle at Jamaica, to dispense the word of God, was one of the Scotch worthies, a covenanter, who was willing to go to prison or to death rather than renounce his principles. Wodrow refers to the call he received from Long- Island, and declined. t The records exhibit a zeal on the part of the people of Jamaica to secure his ser- vices, which Ave scarcely observe in any other instance. The letter contained a formal invitation to him to be- come the minister. In the next minute, that of August 3d, 1688, a large committee is appointed to secure such ^ minister " as shall suit Avith & be accepted of by the toun." There seems to have been no doubt that Mr. Riddell would suit the town, as they kneAV whence he came, and for what. We come now to a fact which clearly settles, if that has not already been done, what was meant by " the rules of the Gospel in this town." After the Rev. Jer- emiah Ilobart, who had been minister at Hempstead and succeeded Mr. Prudden here, had supplied the place for a short time, the Ilev. John Hubbard became * Whitehead's Contributious, and Wodrow's History. t lY. 335. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 75 minister; and we have this significant record in regard to him : " At a town meeting hehl at Jamaica, Kov. 25, ITOO, it Avas agreed by vote that whereas Mr. John Ilubbart hath continued here among us, in this town, in the present work of tlie ministry, some considerable time, the town does show their willingness to continue him still, & to have him ordained accordingly, pro- vided it be according to the rule and loay of the Pres- hytericui way, & it is the unanimous mind of the town that he be ordained accordingly, & that every man shall pay toward the ordination as much as he shall see cause to pay." Hubbard is ahvays called, in Smith's History of New York, a Presbyterian. It may be added that on the occurrence of the first vacancy in the pulpit, after the formation of the Pres- bytery of Philadeljjhia, the liev. George McXish, one of the original members of that presbytery, in the spring of 1710, Avas called to be minister. There have been ruling elders in the congregation from time im- memorial. In the earliest records of the church, it is never styled any thing but Presbyterian ; there are, however, no records or minutes running past the mi^r die of the last century. On the inside of the cover of the register of the church, the following is written: "This book is the gift of Mr. Daniel Smitli, one of the Elders and Deacons of the Presbyterian Church and Congregation of this town of Jamaica in Queen's County, in the Province of New York, for the use of said congregation, in & by his last will & testament, bearing date the 14th day of July, 1753, & who de- parted this life on the 15th day of October, 1754, being 90 years and 7 months old." The book was bought in 76 HISTORY OF THE 1755, and this inscription appears to have been made by Mr. Hinchman, the jDurchaser. It appears that Mr. Smith was born some eight or nine years before the formation of the church. He probably acted as an elder from a very early period. What do these facts indicate as to " the rules of the Gospel in this town," or the form of church govern- ment most approved by a majority of the people ? Of course, it is not to be presumed that the church was organized, in all respects, or transacted its business al- ways in accordance with Presbyterial rule, before there was a Presbytery to organize and preside over churches, and license and ordain ministers. It is only supposed that they endeavored to act, so far as it was jDOSsible in their circumstances, on Presbyterial princi- ples, somewhat, probably, as the Presbyterians of Ire- land did, prior to the formation of the first Presbytery in that country, under the jurisdiction of the bishops of the Anglican church ; i. e. under the auspices of the Church of Plolland, the model of which church was expressly secured to the people, at the time of the sur- render of the province to the English, in 1664.* Tlie Dutch ministers who inductedf Mr. Yesey, the first rector of Trinity Church, by order of Gov. Fletcher, may have ordained and installed some of the first pas- tors of this church. To the Dutch belongs the honor of transplanting Presbyterianism to this continent. We hazard little, therefore, in saying that the church in Jamaica is the oldest Presbyterian church, estab- * Articles of Surrender. t Dr. Brownlee's Hist, of Ref. D. Ch. in America. Letter of Rev, Dr. De Witt to the author. TKLISBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 77 lislied bv tlie Eiiijlisli, in America. It had been in ex- istence some eiiirbt or ten years before Francis Makeni- ie, nsually styled the father of American Presbyter- ianism, arrived in Maryland. It is evident from the letters of Gov. Stiiyvesant and the New York minis- ters, that the Dutch had a warm side toM'ards Presby- terians, as beinE:: one in faith and order with them, wliilst they looked with doubt or snspicion on other denominations, who sought to establish themselves within the province. A town meeting on the 10th day of June 1G89 Mr Prudden «& Nathaniel Denton Senior was chosen to go to York to meete Avith the rest of the depntis of the resjiective townes for to consider & advise one with an- other of what shall be for the good Avelflire & service of the eontrey tt to act with the rest of the deputies in any tiling that may tend therunto & also if they shall see caiise to make any aplication to our Sovereign King & Queen for any thing that may tend to the good of the whole Collony to act with them. By order of the ToAvn i>er me Nathaniel Denton Clerk Jamaica a town meeting called the 19th June 1G89 Mr John Prudden and Mr Daniel Whithead was chosen for de])utis for this towne of Jamaica to meete with the rest of the deputis of Queens County for the chusing of two comniitty men out of the County for to go to Yorke to sit as a comuiittv of safety & also together with the rest of the Deputies to give the two men that are chosen hy them their instructions & power how far & in what the two 78 HISTORY OF THE Committee men shall act & do when they come to York by ordei- of the Town per me Nathaniel Dej^ton Clerk Becords 1. p. 126. December the 6 Anno 16 89 A town meetmw called It was there & then voted & concluded that there shall be a meeting house built in this town of Jamaica 60 foot long & 30 foot wide & every way else as shall be convenient & comely for a meeting house. Jan 9 1689 a town meeting called It was there & then voted & concluded that Danl Whithead William White Joseph Smith & Nathaniel Denton shall be the men to procure & agree with such a workman or Avorkmen as they shall see cause for the buildinsc & finishino; such a meetino; house as is above mentioned for length & width & every thing else that shall be convenient & comely & what these four men above mentioned shall do the town will stand by them & perform what agreements they make in paying ac- cording to their abilities or estates proportionably by or- der of the toAvn Per me Nathaniel Denton Clerk A town meeting called the 22d of January 1689 or 90 the toAvn did vote cfc conclude that Capt John Carpenter & Nehemiah Smith shall be added to the four men before- named for the accreeing with a workman or Avorkmen for the building of a meeting house & Avhat they six men or the major part of them shall do the toAAU to stand by it by order of the town per me Nataniel Denton Clerk PEESBYTERIAN CllURCir, JAMAICA. 79 At a town metting held att Jamaica August y" 2r' 1691 : It was voatecl & concluded that upon sum pro- possalls mad by Mr. Jolni Pruden to y" town about his ar- rerages & for his inceragement to continue amongst us that six men be chosen to agree dibate & conclude y" matters as well for his arrerages as for his further contin- uancy in y" ministry & make report to y" town theroff as spedely as possible at y" same town meeting it was voated & concluded y' Capt Whithed Capt Carpenter Joseph Smith Jonas Wood Samuell Denton & Wait Smith are chosen to agree with Mr. John Pruden according to y" above record. Records I. p. 183. At a town metting y" 5 : day of August 1691 the maior partt of y" people tliat was then there did Except of Mr. Pruden's proposall to y' metting. Records, I. p. 164. At a town metting held y* 2d day of September 1691 : it was voted & concluded that the record made y* 19th of June 1676* conserninfj Mr Pruden should be establisht & confirmd in every poynt exactly By Saml Ruscoe Clark Records I. p. 184. At a towne meting caled & held the 3d day of Septem- ber 1691 : it Avas voated & concluded that Mr Pruden shall have three score pounds y" yeare payd him & his fever-wood free for which Mr Pruden ducriufj the time he stayeth amongst [us] is to perform the office of a minister amongst us according to gosj^el rules By Sam Ruscoe town dark Records I. p. 101. August 23d, 1692, Mr. Prudden received a call from * See page 02 of this Tolume. 80 inSTOET OF THE the First Presbyterian Church, JSTewark, N. J., to suc- ceed Mr. Pierson, which he accepted. He continued the minister of that Church till June 9th, 1699, when, for some cause not now known, the pastoral relation was dissolved. He died at Newark, December 11th, 1Y25. His epitaph is as follows : Here lies the hody of the Rev. Mr. John Priulden, minister of the Gospel., who departed this life 11 Dec. 1725, aged 80 years, ITOE GRACE, NOK FAYOUK FILLS MY KEINS, Lo, KOOM FOK THEE KEMAINS. Dr. McWhorter, in a sermon preached January 1st, 1801, says that "he sustained a worthy character, as a man of sense and religion, though he does not appear to have been a popular preacher." His descendants are numerous, and reside chiefly in Morris Co., K. J. ; but numerous descendants of his daughters, Joanna, wife of Nathaniel Moore, and Keziah, wife of Elnathan Baldwin, reside in Pennington, and other parts of Mercer Co.* * See the Rev. George Hale's Letter iu the Addenda. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 81 CHAPTER IV. 1G92-1699. FIRST MOVEMENT TOWARDS ERECTING THE STONB MEETING HOl'SE — APPLICA- TION TO THE ASSEMBLY — VANE A TARGET TO BRITISH SOLDIERS IN TlIE REVOLUTION — DATE ON IT — STYLE OF THE BUILDING — JEREMIAH HOBEBT — GEORGE PHILLIPS — HIS "dVOTT" PAID FOR — PEOPLE SEND TO TUB "main" for a MINISTER — MR. JONES, LATE OF DANBCRY — SUBSCRIPTION LIST FOR THE SUPPORT OF A MINISTER — VOTES OF THE TOWN RESPECT- ING MEETING HOUSE AND MR. PHILLIPS — THE GOV. PETITIONED RESPECT- ING THE SETTLEMENT OF MR. HOBERT — DISPUTE RESPECTING MEETING HOUSE SETTLED — ACCOUNT OF MR. HOBERT — MEETING HOUSE FINISHED. IT was in December, 1689, as we have already seen, that the initial movement was made by the town, for the erection of the old stone chnrch, which occupies so important a place in tlie history of this congregation. At another town meeting, held the following month, a committee was appointed to procure and agree with workmen to construct the house. In 1693, the people of Jamaica applied to the Provincial Assembly, for the passage of an act, to enable them to levy or collect money for this purpose. Mr. Faitoute says that " from the date of the vane which was taken down from the steeple, because very much injured by the musket balls of the British soldiers, who were continually shooting at it as a mark in the time of the late war, it appears to have been completed in 1693 or 1699 ; two dates are given, as there is some difference in the opinion of those who 82 HISTOET OF THE saw the vane after it was taken down"* The true date probably was 1699. This building stood near the mid- dle of the main street, not far from the head of what is now known as Union Hall street. It was a substantial stone edifice, of a quadrangular form, with a pyrami- dal roof, and belfry in the centre ; and was used for a house of worship until the year 1813, when the present church was erected ; that is, for about one hundred and fourteen years. This was the church for the pos- session of which the Presbyterians contended with Church of England men, for nearly a quarter of a j3en- tury ; a full account of which will be given in the proper place. October 25th, 1692, a call was given to E,ev. Jeremiah Hobart, or Ilubbart, minister of Hempstead, but he did not at this time see fit to accept. June 8th, 1693, " It was agreed to endeavour to procure Mr. Jones, late minister of Danbury," to be minister of Jamaica. But the next preacher was Mr. GEORGE rniLLIPS who labored here about three years, from 1693 to 1696. He was a licentiate merely, and of course was not pas- tor of the church ; was son of the Rev. Samuel Phillips of Poxbury, Mass., and born in 1664 ; graduated at Harvard in 1686. He probably left this place on the death of his father in 1696. He subsequently went to Brookhaven, where he was ordained in 1Y02, and con- tinued pastor to his death, June lYth, 1739. He is said to have been a faithful preacher, and extended his labors to destitute places. The Hon. Silas Wood says • MS Hist., written in 1793. PKESBYTEKIAN CIimCH, jAaLA.ICA. 83 of him that "he was distinguished for a peculiar vein of natural wit. His ordinary discourse was tinctured with this peculiarity ; and tradition has preserved many of his remarks that exemplify it." Mr. Phillips was probably a single man at the time he lived in Jamaica, as we find the town agreeing as a part of his salary " to pay for his dyott Mdiere he shall be dyated," i. e. to pay for his board. In another minute the word is spelled " diatt." At a town metting held the 25th of October 1692 it was voated & concluded without any inteiTuption to give xinto Mr. Jeremiah Ilubbert the sum of sixty pounds yearly to be dewly payed according to y" currant markett prise & every inhabitant within y" s** township to cut & cart him a waggon load of wood all this to be duly payd & perform- ed yearly during his labour in the ministry amongst us p' me Saml Rusoe dark Records p. 16S. at y' same metting Joseph Smith seanor was appointed & chosen by a generall voat to carry this above written copy out of y' records to Mr. Hubberd & to discourse Avith him about anvthina: to his furtlier satisfaction Per me Sam Ruscoe dark Records I., p. 1G5. Att a towne metting held y' 9th day of march 1G92 Joseph Smith Avas choasen to acompany Nehemiah Smitli to y* main* in order to y' procurement of a minister accord- ing to a former order pr Samuell Ruscoe dark Records I. p. 124. att a toun metting att Jamaica held y° 1 7 of September 1692 Nehemiah Smith was deputed & chosen by y* persons at s"* metting for to goe to y" main in order to y* procuring * New Jersey or Conn. 84 HISTORY OF THE of a minister for y" town of Jamaica & to bring him over to us : to give us a vissit in order to a further treatty & in case such a one doth come over & wee doe not agree Avith him for his continuance amongst us then to satisfy him for his journey in coming to us by y" town pr Samuell Ruscoe dark Records I. p. 127. June y^ 8 93 it was agreed upon to indcavor to prociire Mr Jones late minister of danbery to be our minister or to give us avissitt according to y' tenor of this above record. Records I. p. ]'27. At a town metting lield y* 3'^ day of January 1692 it was voated & conchided that Saml Smith Mr Whithead Nehemiah Smith William Creed Wait Smith Nathaniel Denton John Carpenter Jum- are impowered to agre upon procuring a settlement convenient for a parsonag in Ja- maica & that they shall have liberty to make sale & dis- pose of what parsinag land as shall to them seem mett & conveniant for y* procuring thereof per Saml Ruscoe dark Records I. p. 185. at a metting held at Jamaica y" 8 of June 1693 it was votted & agreed that y^ mai" partt of y* seven above named shall have libberty to procure y'' parsonage house & lot either by exchaing of other land or by giving of money for y® same John Baylis protests against the giving of any land Saml Ruscoe Records I. p. 185. Att a tonne metting held att Jamaica January j" first 169A it was voated & concluded upon that y" parsonage re- PRESBYTERIAN CIIURCH, JAMAICA. 85 maining in y'' hands of y" town thay doe engage to give un- to Mr Fiulliiies the money raised by a free giuft ds to pay for his dyott wher he sliall be dyated the same freely given as above s*^ being sixty poundes this being for one yeare from y® date hereof Per Saml Ruscoe dark Records II. p, 548. Att y" same mettinge it Avas voatted tliat John Oweke & Richard oUUield Samnell Denton & Daniell Smith sliall gather the smnes promised to y minester & to pay it to y" minester quarterly from y° persons hereafter named — Records II. p. 548. Capt AVhithead Mr Harreson Ben Thirston Sam Denton Nath Denton Hope Carpenter Nehemiah Smith Wait Smith . Jos Smith sen"' Jos Smitli J . Cap Carpenter Dan Sexton . Tho Smith . Capt" Wollsey [Geo.] Tlio Wollsey John Ludley John Smith . Sam Milles . Will Creed . John Wollsey Edward Hare Nat Smith . 02 00 01 10 01 00 01 00 01 10 01 00 01 10 01 05 01 00 01 00 01 10 00 15 01 00 01 10 01 00 01 0& 01 00 01 00 01 00 01 00 00 15 00 12 Sam Smith seor Joseph Oldfield Tho Welling Ben Coe John Cokefer David Lues . Will Sallyer Ben Wiggens Sam iNIathews Sam Carpenter Ben Smith . i\[rWhitte . Hendrik Arreson Jonas Wood Tho Wi the same to Mr. Urqnhart, wlilch accordingly was done quietly and peaceabl}',"* and j\rr. Urqnhart remained in possession till his death, which took place in August, 1709. The Rev. FRANCIS GOODHUE was Mr. Hubbard's successor in the ministry. It would not have been surprising if the congregation, their church and parsonage occupied by others, and their minister in the grave, had remained for some time in a ■ destitute and scattered condition. Such was the efi'ect of similar arbitrary proceedings at Hempstead. Mr. Goodhue was settled the year followino' Mr. Hubbai'd's dcath.f He was a native of the same ]ilace, and pro- j bably had been a companion of Hubbard in childhood, as he was but one year younger. He was a son * Petition of Epis. Clergy. + rev'd MR. Goodhue's commission. I i As rreslyterian mi/iisfer of Jamaica L. I. '■' [Deed Book X.] ^' By His Ejccellency Edward Viscoutd Cornhiinj Capt Gen^ d- G&V in Cliief of \ ye I'ravincfs of A Vor/r, Aew Jtrsty '' Coll Beahnan Lievt^ Governor of the Province of New York, Order of Council on the Above. In Council 13^'' April 1710 The President communicated to this Board a letter from PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 123 M' Samuel] Clowes of y^ lltli Aprill setting forth that the Dissenters had that day Committed a Riot or forceable Detainer of y° Church at Jamaica And therefore Desired y' all Due Encouragement might he given to the Queens officers who had committed the persons for that Fact Es- pecially by Directing the Attorney Generall to procecute the otfender. The President also comnninicated a Mittimus under the hand and seal of Robert Read Esq"^ one of Her ]Majesties Justices for Keeping the Peace in Queens County whereby the High SherifTe thereof was Directed to take into his Custody Hugh Carpenter George Woolsey Jonas Wood, Richard Oldtield Sanmel Mills & Jeramiah Smith who he setts forth are convicted of y* said forcable holding (by his own view) and them to keep in the Common Gaol of said County untill thev shall be thence delivered bv due Course of Law. Ordered that the respective Justices of Queens County or the major j)art thereof Enquire into the Facts above- mentioned and Lay a true Representation thereof before this Board by Thursday next, and that a eoppy of this Order be forthwith sent to y'' said Justices. Jamaica in Queens County yM 9"' of April 1710 '■ Wee underAvritten Justices of the peace of our Sovereigne Lady the Queen for Queens County assigned in obedience to an order from the honourable the president &i her Ma'"^ Coixncil of this province dated the 13"' List (to us directed) have Inquired upon oatll into the matter of the Disturbance in the Church of Jamaica & doe find that M' Justice Read 124 HISTORY OF THE has proceeded therein according to Law and that the Re- cord he has made is a true Representation thereof We remain Yo'' Honours most obed' Sei'vants THO : WILLETT JOHX MAESTOK JO" JACKSON THO : JONES JOHN TREDWELL WI : CORNELL SAm" MOORE THO: WHITEHEAD Endorsed "A Lett" from y^ Justices of y^ Peace for Queens County. In Council 20"" April 1710 The Justices of y' Peace for Queens County Layd be- fore the Board according to order a Representation of the Disturbance and forceable Detainer of y' Church of Ja- maica by some Dissenters which was a Record made thereof by Rob' Read Esq' and Certificate of several of y* Justices that the same is a True Record Upon consideration of this matter The Board is of opin- ion That the Law being open they ought not to Encourage or Discourage the said Prosecution Petition of Geo. Woolsey and Others. To the Hon*''" Coll Gerardus Beekman President of her Majesty's Councill for the Colony of New York and Coun- cill. The Peticon of George SVoolsey Hope Carpenter Jonas Wood Richard Oldfield Samuell Mills & Jeremiah Smith of Jamaica in Queens County. Most Humbly ShcAveth That yo' Peticoners Stand Committed till they pay their ifine and charges upon a supposition of their being guilty of a forceable Detainer grounded on the conviction by the view of Robert Read Justice of the peace for » PRESBYTPZRIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 125 Queens County whereof they are not coneious to them- selves of being the least Guilty, and of which they hum- bly conceive they can give sutficient proofe to any Im- partial! Judicature. They therefore luuubly i)ray that yo' Hon" will give them such Kelief as shall appear agreeable to Justice. And they shall as in duty bound Ever pray &c GEORGE AVOOLLSE JONAS WOOD HOPE CARPENTER JEREMIAH SMITH RICHARD OLDFIELD SAMLL MILLS. Read the 19"' day of May IVIO & al partys to attend on Monday & the Justices of the peace to be served with Copy of this Petition. In Council, 23 May, 17 10 M Regnier council for George Woolsey and others IV. titioners on the Petition read at this Board the 1 9"" Ins and M' Bickley Councill for the Queen and the Justices of the Peace of Queens County appearing at this Board and being severally heard It is ordered that the several and respective fines im- posed on the petitioners by the Justices of the Peace in Queens County at the last Court of Sessions be remitted. But the charges which alredy are, or if not shall be taxed within the Bounds of Moderation by the Judge be paid by the said petitioners. The Rev. Tlioinas Pojer, who is said to have been a grandson of Col. Foyer, who fell in the defence of Pembroke Castle, in the time of Oliver Cromwell, was the successor of Mr. Urquhart. He arrived in the col- ony in tiie summer of 1710, and was inducted (as the 126 HISTORY OF THE phrase was) bj^ power from Col. Hunter, July IStli of that year. The Governor claimed the authority of put- ting Mr, Poyer in })ossession of the church in disregard of the rights of tliose whose property it was, but ho re- fused to assume the responsibility of ejecting tenants a la Coriibury^ by his gubernatorial mandate. And in this determination he was sustained by the Chief Jus- tice Mompesson, who gave his opinion in writing that it would be "a high crime and a misdemeanour," to put Mr. Poyer in possession of the parsonage and lands otherwise than by due course of law. But this part of the history will be best related in the very language of the documents from which it is derived. Tliese docu- ments will disclose the fact that whilst Gov. Hunter was as devoted a member of the Church of Eno-land as any of the early Governors, Mr. Poyer and many of the Episcopal missionaries were not a little disappoint- ed that he refused to adopt the peremptory and high- handed measures of Lord Cornbilry towards the Pres- byterians, j, Mr. Poyer to the Secretary of the V. S. [extract.] Jamaica, on L'g Island, 5th Oct. 17 10. Honoured Sir, My ])redecessor's Widow has not dealt kindly by me, for the day that I Avas expected in this town she delivered u^) the parsonage house to the Dissen- ters. From the same to the same. [extract.] Jamaica, L'g Islaxd, 3d May, IVII. Honoured Sir, 1 liave great hopes tliat there will more come over to our Churcli notwithstanding the many PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 127 enemies and discouragements I daily meet withall, of which I have in a former hinted to you, but wrote more fully to the Right Honorable and Iviglit Reverend Bishop of London who has a perfect and true state of the case which I hope when duly considered will induce the Hon- ourable Society to assert the right of the Church here ; that I maybe supported with my salary, due here by an act of the country, one penny of which has not hitherto been paid to me but on the contrary raised and given to one Mr. George McNish an Independent North Britain preach- er who has had tlie assurance, in the face of the country, to aver that the Bishop of London has no power here. The foregoing extract proves that Mi*. McXish liad been employed to supply the pulpit in Jamaica pre- vious to May, 1711, although it is evident he was not installed as pastor till after the meeting of Presbytery in September of that year. Memorial of the Clergij, dc, relat'uuf to Mr. Payer and the Church of Jamaica. [extract.] To the Right Honourable and Right Rev^erend Father in God, Henry, Lord Bisliop of London. The memorial of the Clergy of the Colonies of New- York, New Jersey and Philadelphia, in America, Humbly Sheweth Conformable to instructions from liis late majesty King AVilliam, to tlie then Governor for the encouragement of Relio:ion in General and the Estab- lished Church in particular, and to settle ])arishos within the said province (New- York) in the year 1698 an act of General Assembly passed whereby it was enacted that in the several cities and counties therein mentioned there should be called and Inducted and Established a sufficient 128 HISTOEY OF THE protestant ministry amongst which one was to be for Ja- maica, and the two adjacent towns, and another for Hemp- stead and its adjacent towns, but so imhappy was this province as to remain a scattered people tv'itliout any true Shepherd till the year 1697, wlieji the Rev. Mr. Vesey came to the city of New- York. Nevertheless it is confessed that they have made use of independent and sometimes itinerant preachers in no wise ordained, out of pure necessity for want of Ortho- dox preachers, &c. In the year 1702 came from England the Reverend Pat- rick Gordon to the Church at Jamaica, who, before he could be inducted was snatched away by death from those people to their unspeakable loss, which, by a petition sign- ed by upwards of fifty inhabitants to his then Excellency, Lord Cornbury, (that noble patron of the Church here) they did sufiiciently express, and pray his Lordship to give such directions to the Rev. Mr. . . . Vesey that they might have constant lectures amongst them until that loss shall be made up to them, by her Majesty, Avhich would tend to the advancement of true religion and the best of Churches, and the reconciling their unhappy diiferences, the which Mr. Vesey Avillingly and faithfully performed, till the year 1704, when the Rev. Mr. Urqnhart was estab- lished and inducted in the said Church, by the then Gov- ernor, Lord Cornbury. But one Mr. Hubbard, an indepen- dent minister, bei)ig then in possession of the parsonage house, his Lordship ordered him to deliver vj) the same to Mr. Ur- quhart, which accordingly ivas done, quietly and peaceably, without any force, and was enjoyed peaceably by the said Mr. TJrquhart, for several years, and the Independents them- selves seemed to rest satisfied so iar that they unanimous- ly, at their own expense, l)uilt themselves a fleeting House in the same town Avhich they now use and enjoy. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 129 It is a noteworthy reason that is here given in proof that tlie Presbyterians (the appellation ''Independents" is used in the reports and letters of the Ei)iscopal mis- sionaries, long after Mr. McNisli was settled,) were sat- isfied to see their minister turned out of the Parsonage, that they unanimously, and, "at their own expense," too, went and built themselves a meeting house. But tlie memorial proceeds : After the death of Mr. Urquhart there was nothing but great threatenings tliundered against the church and par- sonage, but Colonel Ingolsby, then Lieutenant Governor of this Colony recommended to the adjacent ministers to serve the cure alternately, during the vacancy, which they all did willingly at their own expense, and in the mean- time the widow of the deceased Mr, Urquhart was suffer- ed to live and enjoy the benefit of the parsonage house and glebe. No sooner was her Majesty pleased to remove Colonel Ingolsby from the Government whereby the same devolv- ed on Colonel Gerhardus Beekman as President of the Coimcil, but the very next day being the 11 th of April 1710, several of the more violent of that sect took posses- sion of the church and forcibly detained the same against a Justice of the peace who came pursuant to the laws in that case made and provided, and recorded the story as in his view and committed the offenders who afterwards were set at liberty upon their own recognizances to appear at the next Sessions at Avhich time they ap2:)eared and were by the Court fined so very small that though there were six of- fenders all their fines amounted to no more than Eighteen shillings, which was put upon them not as a punishment, but ratlicr a cautionary admonition, not to attempt any thing of the like nature for the future, which mild dealing 0* 130 HISTORY OF THE was SO far from having any effect upon the Crhninals, tliat they put in a petition to the President and Council con- cerning what they had judicially done in their foil sessions, and the criminals were so far encouraged as to have their several fines remitted them, and the Justices dismissed from their further attendance as having acted according to law. After this usage of the Justices so contrary to Law and after such countenance to the criminals shown by the Pres. ident and Council, it may easily be concluded the Church could not be very secure from the further attempts of such bitter enemies, and accordingly after the arrival of Mr. Poyer, the present minister, but before his actually coming to the place, they entered into the parsonage house uj^on the possession of the Widow of Mr. Urquhart, who lived in it and kept the Widow out of it by force, though she and her hu^sband had been in possession of the same about six years ; (though we have since very great reason to believe that she connived at their entry, for she was soon afterwards readmitted as a tenant to them, with one Wol- sey an Independent student and approbationer, who has married the Daughter of the said Widow Urquhart) and after Mr. Poyer was inducted into the Church, the Jus- tice repaired upon complaint to the parsonage house, but got no admittance, whereupon a second record of forci- ble detainer was made by the Justice, on his own view, and warrant issued by the Sheriff to apprehend the of- fenders, and to keep them till they should be delivered by due course of law, but the Sheriff who had been lately appointed by the President and Council, in the room of the former deceased, being a strong Independent, told the Justices his conscience Avould not let him do it, by which moans the offenders have as yet escaped punishment, and Mr. Poyer kept out of his possession of the parsonage and G:lcbe. PKESIJYTEKIAN CHUECH, J^UIAICA. 131 In ;i short time after tlie death of Mr. Urquhart the Church Avardens aud Vestiy (tho' new ones, yet all In- dependents) called one Mr. George McNish, a dissenting itinerant preacher, mIio being as much if not more un- qualitied to accept or officiate than Mr. Hubbard, the present Governor, Mr. Hunter, ordered Mr. Poyer to be inducted into the said church and its ap|)urfenances, Avhicli was accordingly done l)y tlie Rev'd Mr. Sharp, ClKijilain of the forces here on the 18th of July, 1710. Tho' Mr. Poyer has duly officiated there for the space of one year and a half, and after a very tedious and ex- pensive voyage Avith his family in a merchant shi]), and being cast ashore with his ship above one liundred miles from his parish, he has not received one pemiy of his sal- ary there since his arrival ; but on the contrary, they paid c£lG certain (and we believe more that Ave knoAV not of) of the money raised by the act to the said Mr. McNish. And now because that upon so firm a foundation it may be expected that Mr. Poyer, the present Avorthy in- cumbent of this unhappy place, should by law endeavour to obtain his salary, together Avith the parsonage house and lands detained from him by the Independents to Avhich method his Excellency Colonel Hunter has encouraged him, by promising him to be at the expense of the suit — We humbly crave leave to offer that Ave cannot at this juncture, think it at all advisable for him because Ave are humbly of opinion that a matter of that consequence ought not to be in such a manner undertaken Avithout the ex- press directions of your Lordship and the Honourable So- ciety, and also because such suit must be commenced be- fore Judges Avho are professed, implacable enemies of the Established Chnvch, Jiidfj/es who are rnhjanced in the room of others toho were men of chanict.rr, and true friends of the Church, at an unlacky time, lohen then were actualbj doing 1i 132 HISTOKY OF THE justice to the Church in this particular ; and we could heartily have ivished that his Excellency would have been pleased to have favoured Mr. Poyeis petition by writing to those new officers to enforce them in their duty, and hope that such admonitions would have had a good influence on them ; tho' indeed justice from these new judges may scarcely be expected after the acting of three of them, who upon Mr. Foyer's complaint against the Church wardens for the non-payment of his first quarter's salary gave judgment against him, and ordered him to pay costs ; in which trial they denied all authority from England in spiritual mat- ters. Neither is it possible to get an impartial Jury in that coimty, where all are concerned in the event, and the greater number of them stiff independents. The reasons, may it please your Lordship that induced us to send this representation are drawn from the certain ruin that the loss of this cause will inevitably bring on the Established Church in the whole government of New- York, and which cannot want its bad influence upon the Church in all the adjacent Colonies, especially the Jerseys and Pennsylvania ; for if upon the death of Mr. Urquhart who was so firmly established by two acts of General As- sembly, and after about six years quiet possession, the sal- ary and parsonage may immediately be seized with im- punity and enjoyed as they are by these Independents, why may not the rest of the places in the said provinces (which do all stand upox the same foot) on the death or avoidance of the present incumbents be in like manner invaded by them, &c. We beg your Lordship to believe that nothing herein contained is designed as the least reflection upon any jjer- son it being only the true plain matter of fact, and which we could not out of a due regard to the interests of the Church, and to your Lordship's omit the transmitting to rRESBYTKKIAN CIIUKCH, J A:\IAIC A. 133 your Lordship that if the sad effect we justly fear slioiild he the consequence of these things, We may clear our- selves before God and man as having done what was pos- si))le for us to prevent it. All which is humbly submitted to your Lordship's pru- dent consideration, by, may it i)lease your Lordship, your Lordship's most dutiful, obedient sons and humble ser- vants, Thos. Poyer, Rector of the Parish of Jamaica and precinct. Wsr. Vesey, Rector of the Parish of New York. Jno. Bautow, Rector of the Parish uud Precinct of Westchester. Evan Evaxs, Rector of Philadelpliia. John Talbot, Of Burlington. JEneas McKexsie, Of Staten Island. Jacob Hendersox, Minister of Dover Hundred. John Thomas, Rector of Hempstead. New York, IZth November, 1711. Notwithstanding tlie declaration in tlie last ])ara- grapb of tlie foregoing memorial, that nothing it con- tained was designed to reflect in the least npon any person, the paper clearly contains the insinuation that the Governor had displaced certain officens, who were n)en of character, and decided friends of the Estab- lished Church, and appointed others Avho were its im- placable enemies, and therefore not disposed to do Mr, Poyer justice. Tiic memorial makes another thing 134 " IIISTOKY OF THE plain, viz., that there were other places in the colonies, where property was held, or claimed by the Episcopa- lians, on the same ground precisely as the ])roperty in dispute in Jamaica. In regard to the other point — the relation between Gov. Ilnnter and the Clergy — the fol- lowing will show that there was I'ar from being a good understanding between these parties. Gov. Hunter to the Secretary. (kxtract.) New York, Feb. 25th, 1711. Sir, — Col. Heathcote told me that he was privately in- formed that there had been a representation against rae carried about to some of the clergy for subscriptions. I could not believe it being conscious to myself of nothing that I had done, left undone, or intended, with relation to the Church's interest, that the most consummate malice could ground a representation upon. That worthy gentle- man was of the same opinion, but positive that there was such a representation; for which reason, he, in conjunction with Col. Morris, as members of the Society thought fit to write a letter to Mr. Vesey, and Mr. Henderson, m whose hands they understood this paper to be, and who were the principal contrivers and promoters of it, signifying that they had been made acquainted with the designs, and de. sired to know the meaning of it ; that if any thing were wanting for the Church's interest they might join with them in proj^er measures to procure it, and redress Avhat was amiss. All the effeot that this letter had upon these two gentlemen was a dcap concern for the discovery, and some sharp reproaches on one another as the discoverers. Neither could the Rev. Mr. Sharp obtain a sight of it tho' he solemnly promised to join Avith them in repressing any PRESBYTERIxVN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 135 thing for the Churcli's Interest, 2)i"ovided it did not con- tain unjust or groundless reflections on the Governor. That gentleman has given an account to the Lord Bishop of London, how he Avas used by them &c. &c. Being to guess at the particular facts of which I stand accused, I can think of none that can so much as aftord a pretence for such a re})reseutation, unless it be the aiiairs of .Jamaica Church here, and that mast only be in the opin- ions of such as think that all laws, human and divine, are to be set aside when they come in competition Avith Avhat they conceive to be the secular Interest of the Church. Mr. Poyer having the Society's Mission, and my Lord Bishop of London's recommendation to that Church, I upon his first application, granted him induction. The Dissenters were in possession of the Manse house by con- trivance of the AVidow of oNIr. Urquhart, the former In- cumbent, whose daughter was married to a Dissenting min- ister there. I consulted the Chief Justice Mompesson how far I might proceed towards putting jNIr. Poyer in pos- session, who gave his opinion in writing, that it could not be done otherwise than by due course of law, without a high crime and misdemeanour. This opinion I sent to Mr. Poyer, and begged him to commence a suit at my cost, but heard nothing from him, until some time after he came to me to complain that the Justices of that County had not done him right, when required in procuring him his Quar- ter's Stipend, upon which I sent for the .Justice he named, ***** jj,^,]^ j,^ ^\^Q presence of Col. INIorris and Mr. Regnier of this place, told him that I Avould forthwith give directions that Mr. Poyer should commence a suit against him, and that they should not flatter themselves that it might be dropped through Mr, Poyer's present wants, for he should not want wherewithall to carry it on through all the lengths so just a cause required, and accordingly wrote 136 HISTORY OF THE to Mr. Poyer to that purpose. Mr. Coe, the justice men- tioned, told me that all this was the practice (work) of one Clows, a most vicious wretch into whose hands Mr. Poyer unfortunately fell, at his first setting out, and lodg'd in his house, led by his pretended zeal for the Church ; but as he himself has since owned to Mr. Sharp, he was soon obliged to change his lodgings, few of his own Communion desiring to come near him, whilst he was in so bad company. Extract of a Letter from Col. Morris to the Secretary. New York, 20th Feb. 1711. In Col. Fletcher's time, one party of the Dissenters in the County where Jamaica is, resolved to build a Church, and in order to it got subscriptions and materials enough to build it about three feet from the ground, but finding themselves unable to perfect it without the assistance of the rest, which could not be got by persuasion, they re- solved to attempt the getting an Act of Assembly in their favour. Col. Fletcher who was then Governor, and James Grahame, Esq., who was then Speaker of the Assembly, perceiving the Assembly inclined to raise money for the building of that Church, and settling a maintenance for ministers, thought it a fit opportunity to do something in favour of the Church, before the zealous fit left them. Ac- cordingly Grahame who had the drawing of their Bills, prescribed a method of Induction, and so managed it that it would not do well for the Dissenters, and but lamely for the Church, though 'twould do with the help of the Governor, and that was all ; but 'twas the most that could be got at that time, for had more been attempted the Assembly had seen through the artifice^ the most of them being Dis- senters, and all had been lost. By virtue of this act, the Church Avas built, and a dissenting minister called. * * * The Church and parsonage house continued in the pos- peesbytp:kian church, Jamaica. 137 session of the Dissenters till some time after the arrival of Mr. Urquhart, when a representation was made to my Lord Cornbury, that the Church and house being built by public Act, could belong to none but the Church of Eng- land. My Lord ujton this gives his Avarrant to dispossess the Dissenters, which immediately by force Avas done, without any procedure at law, and Mr. Urijuhart put into possession of them. This short method might be of some service to the mhiister, but was very far from being of any to the Church, as no such unaccountable steps can ever be. IMr. Urquhart kept the possession during his life, and though he gained not many converts, yet his conduct was so good that I doift think he lost any. After Mr. L^rqu- hart's death, his widow's daughter married a dissenting minister, and she put the parsonage house into his pos- session, in which it continues until now. This happened much about the time of Col. Hunter's arrival. Whether application was made to him or no I can't tell, but some changes in the magistracy being made, and by a mistake one or two put in that were patrons of the Dissenters, Mr. Poyer and his friends chose to apply to those they were sure would refuse them, and not to those in place who Avere firm to their interest, and being refused, complained to the Governor, who immediately sent for the person and ordered him to be prosecuted that it might appear Avhether he had failed in his duty or not. Whether the prosecution was confirmed or not I cannot tell, but I happened to be in the Governor's chamber when this Judije and a Dissenting minister came in and this matter Avas talked of. He said that the intention of the Legislature at that time Avas to raise a maintenance for a Dissenting minister, all the As- sembly but one being Dissenters, and knoAving nothing of the Church ; but that being the intention of the. law makers Avas the meaning of the law, and he hoped the Dissenters 138 HISTORY OF THE might enjoy Avhat was so justly their due, or at least not be deprived of it without due course of law, as they formerly had been. I told him the Legislature did not consist of the Assembly only, but of the Governor and Council joined with them, &c. The Governor joined in the argument, and argued with a great deal of force in favor of the Church, who, he said, he could not help think- ing was in the right, with respect to their claims — that they might be sure that matters of property should be de- termined, by the ordinary course of the law, by which l)erhaps, they, being numerous might weary Mr. Poyer, being a poor man, but that Mr. Poyer should have his purse for the carrying on that suit. A day or two after- w^ards he told Mr. Poyer so himself. Some time after that he wrote to him giving the Gentleman who carried the letter in charge, to tell him he still continued in the same mind. The Governor being at Jamaica, repeated the offer of bearing the whole charge of the suit, and pressed Mr. Poyer to undertake it. Col. Heathcote also pressed him to undertake it, giving him the same assurance from the Governor, and Poyer promised to do it, but has been pre- vailed on to decline that method (as he says) till their representation reach England ; and I believe the poor man and his friends are weak enough to believe that their su- periors there will enter into measures to displace the Gov- ernor for not Dragoonhig in their favor as his predecessor did, &G. Tlie act to settle the Church is A-ery loosely worded ; which, as things stood then, when it was made, could not be avoided — the Dissenters claiming the benefit of it as well as Ave. And the act without such resting (wresting?) will admit a construction in their favour as well as ours. They think it was intended for them, and that they only have a right to it. PRESBYTERLVN CHUKCII, JAMAICA. 139 There is no comparison in our numbers ; and they can on the tleatli of the Incumbents call persons of their own persuasion in every place but the city of New York. ■'•■' * * I believe at this day, the Church had been in a much better condition had there been no Act in her favour ; for in the .Jersies and Pennsylvania, Avhere there is no act in her favour there is four times the number of Churclnnen that there are in this province of New York, and they are so most of them upon principle. Whereas nine parts in ten of ours will add no great credit to whatsoever Church they are of, &c. Mr. Yesey, who had and still makes a tool of that Aveak man Poyer, with him prevailed upon Mr. Evans of Philadelphia and Mr. Talbot, as I am told by some, to sign a representation in direct terms against the Governor, &c. &c. What ground Mr. Poj^er had for tlie apprehension that justice would not be done him by the Judges be- fore whom liis cause would be tried, appears from the following : Extract of a letter from Col. Heathcotc to the Secretary. Nkw York, Feb. 11, 1711. Sin, — The Ships being still detained by the Ice gives me an opi)ortunity of saying something more* concerning the •atfairs of the Church at Jamaica. And I am not a little surprised that the Church's misfortune there is wholly charged on account of the alterations of some of the ofli- ccrs there, and that they dare not go to law for that * Col. Ilciitlicote had iiddrcssed the Secretary before, under date of Jan. 5th and Jan. SOth, 1711, jjivinn; the same version of Mr. Poyer*.*! diflicnlty witli the (lovernor as tliat contained in Col. Lewis Morris's letter. iJotli were members of the Society. 140 HISTOEY OF THE reason : which is a very great mistake because no officers are wanting to do Mr. Poyer justice there either in respect of his salary or otherwise but a Sheriif, that he might be safe as to his Juries, for as his actions will be above £20 in value, so must be tried by the Chief Justice, Mr. Mompesson, Avho never professed any other religion but that of the Church of England — and the present SheriiF, who had the charge of that County for above a year, is a member of the Chui'ch at Jamaica, and was put in that post by Col. Hunter at the request of Mr. Foyer's friends. And altho' the removal which was made among the offi- cers was what I would not have advised the Gov'r to, yet the mistake was not so great as represented; for some time after those changes were made, blaming one of the gentlemen of the Council, who advised the Governor to it, his answer was that the cry of the people was so loud against several of the officers then in place that it was absolutely necessary ; and as for those whom he and his friends had recommended, the most of 'em were dissent- ers, they were on all other accounts much fitter for it : nor were all the old officers turned out, nor all in the new commission dissenters, as I had been told, for that several of the Church were still in place and many Avho had been in before Avere continued — it being their design to cast out ill men and not the Church. Noav altho' I was not of his mind, yet there was truth in some things he offered ; for indeed many of the instruments made use of to settle the Church at Jamaica, in its infancy, were of such warm tempers, and if report is true so indifferent in their morals, that, from the first beginning, I never expected it would be settled with much peace or reputa- tion. For instead of taking an effectual care upon its first settling that none were employed therein but the best and soberest men, and those of the fairest character and best PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 141 reputation among the people, and caressing and making use of such to help settle it, one Mr. Cardell,* a transient person, and of very indiflcrent reputation, Avas recom- mended, and made High Sheriff of that County ; and the settling of the Church was left in a great measure to liis care and conduct. By these imprudent measures the lead- ing men were disobliged which soon chased away most of the good and sober jjeople and left her only a very thin congregation. Tlie following is the record of the Court in the suit of Mr. Poyer for his first quarter's stipend, to which there are so many allusions in the preceding papers. Samuel Coe and Daniel Smitli were the Church- wardens. Queens County, &. At a Special Court, held at Jamaica, the 2Vth day of October, in the 9th year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Anne, Anno Dom. 1710 — Present, John Coe, Judge ; Samuel Bay'ley, Richard Oldfield, Justices: Mr. Thos. Poyer per Mr. Clows comi>lains that the Church Wardens do refuse to pay the one quarter's salary. Court considered of the compl't and find for the def'ts with costs of suit. The reasons of the Church Wardens against the compl't of Mr. Thos. Poyer. Qui tarn, &c. 1st. Because we had no money. * "He seized upon the church land, divided it into lots, and leased them out for the benefit of his own party. This man, it seems, sustained a des- picable character, and being afterwards apprehended for some offence, and thrown into prison, hanged himself in despair." — Thomp. II. 107. 142 HISTORY OF THE 2dly. We had no orders from the Justices and Vestry, according to an Act of Assembly to pay any. 3dly. Because we thought Mr. Thos. Poyer not quaUfied, according to the Act of Assembly of this Province as Minister or Incumbent of Jamaica, to demand the whole, or any part of the said salary. True Copy, Joseph Smith, Clerk. Mr. Poyer to the Secretary. [extract.] Jamaica, L. Island, March V, 1712. By the advice of Counsel I have lately served the Dis- senter who is in possession of the Parsonage house and Glebe Avith a lease of Ejectment for continuing the claim but with no design of prosecuting to effect, for in that I shall not presume to do anything till I receive the express commands of the Venerable Society. In 1712 the Society for the Propagation of the Gos- pel ill Foreign Parts laid the difficulties of Mr. Poyer before the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, and peti- tioned "that ill causes relating immediately to the Church an appeal may lie to your Governor and Coun- cil there, and to your Majesty and Privy Council here, without any restriction or limitation of the value or sum aj3pealed for." Order of Council relating to appeals concerning the Church at New York. [extract.] At the Court of St. James the 8th of January 1712. Present, — the Queen's most Excellent Majesty in Coun- cil. Upon reading this day at the Board a report from the PKESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 143 Lord's Commissioners of Trade and l*lantalions in the Avords following, viz. (the report after reciting the hard- ships of Mr. Thos. Poyer, Clerk, agreeable to the repre- sentations of the Society aforesaid, that he was " wrong- fully kept out of the parsonage house and glebe l)y the violence of some sectaries disattected to tlie Church," con- cludes as follows.) This being the state of the case we are humbly of opinion that in cases where the Church is immediately concerned, as in the present case, your JMajes- ty be graciously pleased to allow the Clergy liberty of ap- pealing, from the Inferior Courts to the Governor and Council, only Avithout limitation of any sum, which is hum- bly submitted. Ph : Meadoav.s, F. Ffoley, R. MoxcKTON, J. A. Cotton. Whitehall, 25th Novem. 1712. Her Majesty in lier Privy Council taking the same into consideration was graciously pleased to approve the said report, and to order, as it is hereby ordered, that in cases where the Church is immediately concerned, (as in this case) liberty be given to the Clergy to appeal from the in- ferior Courts to the Governor and Council only Avithout limitation of any sum ; and her Majesty is graciously pleased to order that as Avell in this, as in other like cases liberty be given to the Clergy to appeal from the Goa'- ernor and Council to her Majesty in PriA-y Council, Avith- out limitation as aforesaid &c. (Signed) Edavard Southaveix. Letter from the Bialio}) of London to Mr. Poyer. Sir — I do not in the least believe it Avas in your thoughts to give any uneasiness to the Church or Gov- ernment ; but I must think that your indiscretion hath 144 HISTOKY OF THE been the cause of it ; of which I should have warned you could I have had the opportunity to do it ; and must now entreat you for the future to have a care of foolish and unwary Advisers. Pray therefore think your Gov- ernors to be wiser than yourself, and if you miscarry un- der that conduct, you will come off with reputation, let the event prove what it wall : for I must tell you that your application over into England hath done you and the rest of our Brethren no great Service, by referring your case to people at such a distance, as neither do or can know any thing of the merits of the cause. Be wiser therefore for the time to come, and believe me that I shall be always ready to approve myself, Your most assured Friend and Brother, H : LoxDON. Fulham, Mmj 21, 1712. At length an order was passed by tlie Society for the Pi'opagation of the Gospel for defraying the expenses Mr. Poyer miglit incur in recovering liis salary by due course of law; and in 1716 he commenced his suit, and at length recovered £16 ll-s. from the Church- wardens. This strife continued from year to year, and " proceeded," says Dr. Eliliu Spencer, "to such lengths that man}' of the principal inhabitants were harassed with severe persecutions, heavy fines, and long impris- onments, for assuming their just rights, and others fled out of the Province to avoid the rage of Episcopal cruelty." As we have seen, the power of the throne itself was invoked in this controversy. That the Pres- byterians should have held out, or that they ever suc- ceeded in recovering their just rights against such odds, is truly matter of astonishment. Let the present and PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAJULAJCA. 145 future generations never forget that eternal vigilance was the price their ancestors paid for the success with wliich their exertions were crowned. From such men it is an honour to liave descended, and their memory should be held in grateful remembrance. Mr. Payer to the Secretary. [extract.] Jamaica, Nov. 4th, 1718. IIon'd Sir, — The people of this place are encouraged in their obstmacy by their minister, a very designing man and who persuades them to what he will, even not to obey the Lawful commands of the magistrates, and they stick not to say that tho' there is a Law for £60 per ann. to be yearly collected for the minister of this Parish, and tho' Coll. Lewis Morris, the Chief Justice of this Prov- ince, has ordered a Writ of Mandamus for collecting the arrearages of the Minister's salary — Notwithstanding these orders, they say, if the Constables offer to collect it upon the Warrants the Justices -iiave given, pursuant to the Writ aforesaid, they will scald them, they will stone them, they will go to Club Law with them, and I know not what. The minister who in the above letter is represented as exerting such an influence over his people, was the Rev. George McNish. He was settled, as stated al- ready, in 1711, although it is highly probable he had preached here, more or less, for a year and a half before. In 1710 Mr. McNish was the Moderator of the Presbytery. Through his influence the Rev. Mr. Pum- ry of Newtown united with the Presbytery of Pliihi- delphia ; and in 1717 the Presbytery of Long Island was formed. Mr. McNish may therefore be regarded 7 146 HISTORY OF THE as the father of the Presbyterian Church on Long Is- land, The Presbytery of Long Island was the first presbytery formed in the Province of New York, and for many years, the Presbyterian Churches in the city of ISTew York and the county of Westchester were sub- ject to its jurisdiction ; he may, therefore, with equal propriety, be regarded as the father of Presbyterian- ism, in its distinctive form, in the State of New York. In 1716, he was again Moderator of tlie Presbytery of Philadelphia, and consequently preached the Synodical sermon at the first meeting of the Synod of Pliiladel- phia in 1717. His text was John xxi. 17, Lovest thou me? The same year (as he appears to have contem- plated making a visit to Great Britain) he was deputed by the Synod to act as its representative abroad, for the promotion of religion in this countr3\ Tliis visit, however, he did not make ; but the appointment, and other important services assigned him, prove that he was a leading and influential minister, and enjoyed, in no small degree, the confidence of his brethren. Mr. McNish is said to have possessed about 1000 acres of land at Walllvill, Orange Co. He left but one child, a son named George, who married a daughter of Joseph Smith of Jamaica, and settled in New Jersey.* In the re(jords of the Synod for 1723 there is the fol- lowing entry : " Upon reading the list of ministers the Synod found to their great grief that Mr. McNish was dead." In the Church Register of Newtown it is stated that * He was licensed to preach, but whether ordained is not known. He preached at Newtown between 1744 and 1746. He died at Wallkill in 1779, aged 65. — Webster's Hist, of Presb. Ch. PKESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 147 he died March 10th, 1722.* Mrs. Elizabeth Everitt, who died in 1840, at the advanced age of ninety-five, said that she liad often seen his headstone in onr bury- ing-ground. He was consequently the third minister this church had lost by death, and the second buried in this town. Although Mr. McNish was minister of this congre- gation ten or eleven years, it is probable he never preached in the house of worship belonging to it after his installation, as it was not restored until several years after his death. Tradition says that he preached in a building at the eastern end of the village, which was the " Meeting House," undoubtedly, which the Presbyterians are represented to have built in the Me- morial which the Episcopal missionaries sent home to the Bishop of London. Jamaica Apprill y' 8 1723 At a town meeting held at Jamaica at y" time aforesaid it was voted by y* majority of y" freeholders then & there assembled Voted at y* same meeting that Just Oldfield Sam" Smith & Jonathan Watters are to take in their possession the parsonage house & home lot for to take care of y° same untill such time as y town shall recall it out of their hands Just Beats protest against the above said vote Mr Clows protest against the above said vote as umies- ary Incertain unreasonable &i illeagull at a town meeting ordered by Just Whithead &c Just Messenger Entered by me Nehemiah Smith Clerk Records III. p. 475. * Mr. Pumry, minister of Newfown, appears to have appreciated more than luany, tlie importance of memoranda of this sort. 148 HISTORY OF THE THE REV. ROBERT CROS&' was the next pastor. He was a native of Ireland, in which country he received his education. He was born near Bally Kelley, anno 1689. On the 19th of Septem- ber, 1717, at the first meeting of the Synod of Phila- delphia, he presented his testimonials as a probationer, lately come from Ireland, which were approved, and he was recommended to the Presbytery of ]N^ewcastle. He was ordained and settled at I*fewcastle, March 17th, 1719, as the successor of the Rev. James Ander- son, transported by the Synod to New York. From the records of the Presbytery of I^ewcastle, it appears that he received the call of this congregation September 18th, 1723 ; and between that date and the 16th of October, he left Newcastle and came to Jamaica. He was minister at the time the people here recovered their property, and had the satisfaction of gathering the flock once more beneath their own vine and tig- tree, and of witnessing the joy of men who had be- come venerable for years, since the period of exile from their house of worship. He married Mary Oldfield, a dauo-hter of Mr. Justice Oldfield. Rev. Mr. Pover married Sarah, another daughter of said Oldfield. In the year 1721, ejectment suits Avere brought by Mr. Poyer, in the Supreme Court of New York, against several tenants in possession of the parsonage lands. Judgment, as the Town Records show, went against Mr. Poyer.* At length, in the year 1727, the Pres- * Jamaica Jeaewary y" 20'i 1724-5 att a town meeting held at Jamaica at the time aforesaid voted whereas lately at the Supream Cort of y« city of New York Ejectments was broght by Mr thomas poyer a church of Enland minister against scwcrall Ten's iu PRESBYTERIAN CUURCII, JAMAICA. 149 bjterians, after great expense, by a due course of law recovered tlieir clmrcli, and had their title to the par- sonage and glebe lands confirmed to them. Lewis Morris, afterwards Governor of New Jersey, was, at that time. Chief Justice, and presided at the trial. lie encountered no little obloquy; his character was as- peised ; and, not long after the trial, he was suspended from the office of Chief Justice by Governor Cosby. Judge Morris wrote to the Board of Trade, showing that the resentment of the Governor was causeless ; and he thought it necessary, on soliciting that his office might be restored, to publish the grounds of his de- cision in the above case. Fulham Manuscripts. [extract.] New York, July 14, 1727. My Lord : — I have been informed by Mr. Poyer that there is an Action commenced by the Presbyterians of possesion of the parsonage lands viz homestead & out lands in this town formerly sett apart for the use of a minister & whereas judgement went against the said Mr. Poyer as may appear : now according to the town vote made June y« 19 : — 1676 which is that there shall be forty acres of medow designed k sett apart for a parsonage lot in y east neck joyning to the lotts of meadows laid out with upland proporsionable to other lots laid out in y town to continue at y disspose of the town to a min- isstcr when they have occasion to make use of it wee doe vote & agree that Mr Rob' Crose minister of y" said town shall have the use bene- fit & possession of y» said homstead meadows & upland laid out & nppre- priated for the use abovesaid there being need & occasion for it to be & remaine to him k his assigns dnering he shall continue our minister voted at y« same town meeting that Jon"> Watters k Sani'i Smith doe immediatel}- put Mr Rob' Cross minister in possesion of y<^ abovesaid lands k meadows wherein he is not allready possesioned Samuell Clowes enter his protest against y« two last votes affirming it not to be in y^ power of y« whole township much less of y^ major part of this town meeting to make such votes Entered by me Nehemiah Smith Clerk Records III., 476-7. 150 HISTORY OF THE Jamaica in Long Island, for the English Church which they pretend was built by, and was taken by violence from them, by my Lord Cornbury. I know nothing certain about their claims, but if they take the course of law, I cannot help it ; but they having committed a riot in taking possession of the church, the Attorney General here has entered an information against them, and refused them a noli prosequi upon their appli- cation, that their rashness may be attended toith charge and trouble at least, if not punishment, which maij perhaps dis- courage them in their suit, or make them tvilUng to compro- mise it. My Lord, &c., W. Burnett. Governor Burnett was the son of tlie Bishop of Sa- rum, and was the Governor of New York from 1720 to 1728. Revd. Mr. Poyer to the Secretary. Rev Sir Jamaica June 1 6"" 1731 By this opportunity I beg leave humbly to represent to my Honb'" Patrons the Venerable Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts that I have been their Mis- sionary here 21 years & may without incurring the imputa- tion of boasting say that my diligence m the discharge of my functions has been little inferior to any I pray God to give a blessing to the seed sown but so it is that besides the great and almost continual contentions that I have strug- gled withal amongst the Independents in this Parish hav- ing had several law suites with them before I could have the Salary which the Country has settled upon the minis- ter of the Church of England several other law suits for Glebe lands which we have lost and at last even the Church PKESBYTEKIAN CHUKCII, JAMAICA. 151 itself of wliich Ave liad the possession 25 years is taken from us by a trial at law (with what justice I cant pretend to say) tho' I say I have endeavoured as patiently as I could to bear up under all these trials besides the loss of tAvo Wives and Several children yet the infirmities of old age bear very hard upon me insomuch that I find myself almost un- able to officiate at the three towns of Jamaica Newtown and Flushing as I have hitherto done and which is abso- lutely necessary for the Minister of the Parish to do. The intent of these are therefore to beg that my dis- tressed state and condition may be laid before the Vener'''* Society and that they may be pleased to permit me to quit my Mission and to return to great Britain as being for the reasons aforegiven not capable of bearing such fatigues and discharging my duty as I have done for so many years in •. this place. I humbly beg of my most honored patrons to consider my case & circumstances & I remain etc Thos Potek Revd. Mr. Cnmphell to the Secretary. New York November 3"' 1731 Rev Sir * * * Mr Poyer is a much better man and Christian than himself [Mr Vesey is referred to] Avhom he endeavors to remove from his Mission in Jamaica, he is a Grandson of Coll Poyer Avho died in the gallant defence of Pembroke Castle in the time of Oliver CroniAvell which alone I hope will recommend him to the favour and protection of the sen- sible and generous Dr Humphreys ; he is a good natured honest man and is beneficent to his neighbors, Avhich 1 take to be qualities superior to any Mr Vesey is possessed of; He has prevailed with JMr Poyer to send a letter home de- siring to be recalled Avhich Avould infallibly ruin the poor Gentleman and his numerous family ; 152 HISTORY OF THE Therefore I entreat you to take care that the Society's answer may entirely leave it at his own choice ; whether to go home or not ; this I write at the desire of his best friends. The secret of this is that Mr Vesey wants to get quit of Mr Colgan and send him to Jamaica tho he must needs he sensible that Mr Poyer will be ruined if he goes home or leaves his Mission ***** Mr. Camjihell to the Secretai-y. [extract.] New York, Jan. 25, 1732. Sir : — The Presbyterians by the sly tricks and quirks of the common law, got the church, the parsonage house, and lands into their possession, and now they are resolved to deprive the next missionary of £60 currency settled as a yearly salary, by an Act of Assembly. The next mission- ary may depend upon it, he must either engage in a Law- suit against the Dissenters, or throw up the salary above- mentioned. Mr. Colgan to the Secretary. [extract.] Jamaica, June 14th, 1734. Rev'd Sir : Upon my first coming into the parish, I found the Church in a declining condition. The Quakers and Indejjendents have been very busy to subvert, and by many studied arts and rules, utterly to destroy it — I may say the Christian religion here. One of their strat- agems was to sue for an edifice wherein divine service was performed by Ministers of the Church of England for near 30 years, by pretence that they had better right in it than the Church members. And this met with not a little suc- cess, for in suing Mr. Poyer, my predecessor, who being defendant in the case, they, upon a very odd turn in the PRESBYTEKIAN CIIUKCII, JAMAICA. 153 trial, cast him. I am informed that in this suit, the Coun- sel upon the part of the Church ahvays designed to put the matter upon some points of law which are clearly in the Church's favour, and accordingly at the time of trial of- fered to demur in law, but was diverted therefrom by the late Chief Justice, Lewis Morris, Esq., (before whom the trial was,) who told them that he would recommend it to the Jury to find a special Verdict, and if they did not, but found generally and against the Church, he would then al- low a new trial — which, after the Jury had found a general verdict against the Church, he absolutely refused, when the Counsel for the Church laid claim to his promise, and strongly insisted upon the benefit thereof. I have been told by some of the Counsel for the Church that the only seeming reason he gave for his denial was that a bad prom- ise was better broken than kept, and thus an end was put to the controversy. The town having recovered their lionse of worship, Mr. Cross, the Presbyterian minister, was immediately put in possession of it, and his successors enjoyed the uiulisturbed possession of it as long as that venerable cdlticc reuiaiued. Still, however, the Episcopal clergy continued to be supported by a tax on the inhabitants, Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed, ami others, from whicii tliey were not relieved until the Revolution of 1776. But to this subject I shall have occasion to re- fer again. 154 HISTORY OF THE CHAPTER VI. 1724.-1774. A FREE SCHOOL — THE TOWN TAKE POSSESSIOX OF THE CHURCH — MR. CROSS CALLED TO PHILADELPHIA — THE PEOPLE STRENUOUSLY OPPOSE HIS RE- MOVAL — HIS REMOVAL — HIS EPITAPH — WALTER WILMOT — PUT IN POS- SESSION OF THE PARSONAGE — MRS. WILMOT — HER DEATH — MR. WHITEFIELD VISITS THE PLACE — HIS PREACHING ON REGENERATION TROUBLES MB. COLGAN — -EFFECT — MR. WILMOt's DEATH — EPITAPH — MR. COLGAN RE- JOICES — DAVID BOSTWICK — TOWN FORMALLY SURRENDERS CHURCH PROP- ERTY TO THE PRESBYTERIANS — THE RECORD — MR. BOSTWICK CALLED TO NEW Y'ORK — COMMITTEE OF SYNOD MEET AT JAMAICA ON HIS REMOVAL MR. BOSTWICK APPOINTED TO SUPPLY NEW YORK — COMMITTEE OP SYNOD MEET AT PRINCETON — ^ VOTE FOE HIS REMOVAL- — HIS MINISTRY IN NEW YORK — HIS PUBLICATIONS, CHARACTER AND DEATH — ELIHU SPENCER ORDAINED AS A MISSIONARY TO THE INDIANS — HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE INDIAN LANGUAGES — SETTLES AT ELIZABETHTOWN — REMOVES TO JAMAICA CHAPLAIN IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR — SETTLES AT ST. GEORGE's DEL. — REMOVES TO TRENTON, N. J. — HIS READY TALENT ' — EPITAPH — HIS DESCENDANTS — B. BRADNER — WM. MILLS — NUMBER IN COMMUNION — RE- VIVAL OF RELIGION — EFFECT OF AN ACCOUNT OF THE REVIVAL AT KAST- HAMPTON — MR. WHITEFIELD VISITS JAMAICA, THE SECOND TIME — PREACHES IN AN ORCHARD — A TRACT BY MR. MILLS — MR. SEABURY VS. MR. WHITE- FIELD — MR. MILLS DECLINES A CALL TO PHILADELPHIA — HIS DEATH — HIS DISEASE — HIS CHILDREN — HIS MSS. — PEOPLE STILL RESIST THE TAX TO SUPPORT THE EPISCOPAL MINISTRY — MR. BLOOMER ON THE POLITICAL TROUBLES OF 1776 — SHUTS HIS CHURCH FOR FIVE SUNDAYS UNTIL THE king's TROOPS ARRIVE. JAMAICA May the forth 1726 at a town meeting held at Jamaica at the time aforesaid it was voted by y* majority of the freeholders then & there assembled voted that Mr. Pier [Poyer] Mr Cross Just Betts Just Messinger Just Smith & Clerk Smith are appointed and PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 155 chosen to see what people are willing to agi'ee to doe or sub- scribe toward y" incorrigement of a free sconle in y° town entered by me nebe"' Smith cletk Records III, p. 478. Jamaica febreAvary the 21'* 1726-7 At a town meeting held at Janaica at y" time aforesaid it was voted & concluded by y" majority of y* freeholders then & there assembled that y' ground Avhereon y* stone building or meeting house now stands in Jamaica with y" said building itselfe which are situate near y* middle of the maine street in Jamaica abovesaid near where y° old pound lately stood & in y" occu])ation of Mr Thomas Foyer shall be granted to May, 1760. He was then appointed by Gov, De Lancey, of New York, a chaplain to the New York * Aldeu's Epitaphs, p. 194;. + Dr. Miller. rHESBYTEMAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 177 forces, about to marcli to the Frencli and Indian war, •which was still raging. Tradition saj's that the con. gregation consented to part with him thinking they conld entrust their children, who had enlisted in the army, to his care. The following is found in the printed minutes of the Synod of New York, p. 283 • "In case Mr. Spencer shall go out as chaplain with the New York forces, the Synod appoints Mr. Simon Ilor- ton to sui)ply Jamaica three sabbaths, and Mr. John Smith two sabbaths, and that the Presbytery of Suf- folk supply seven-eighths of the remaining time of his absence." Whilst at Jamaica he prepared for the press his Letter to President Styles on "The Dissent iuff Interest in the Middle Colonies of America," which attracted no small share of public attention. lie was likewise author of a pamphlet on the origin and growth of Episcopacy. On his return from the army he laboured in the con- gregations of Shrewsbury, Middletown Point, and Am- boy ; and in 1761, was sent by the SjMiod of New York and Philadelphia, in company with Dr. M'Whorter, of Newark, to the Southern Churches, especially in North Carolina, on an important service. After Dr. Podgers' removal from St. George's, Dela- ware, to the city of New York, he succeeded him in that pastoral chai'ge, where he remained five years. He removed to Trenton, N. J., in 1770, and continued to be the pastor of that cliurch until December, 1781, when he died. lie is said to have been a man of promj)t, populai", excellent talents; of highly respect- able literary character ; one of the most ready extem- pore preachers of his day, and eminent foi* his zeal and 8* 178 HISTORY OP THE usefulness. "Whenever, at the meethig of any jndl- catoiy, the mhiisters were at a loss about a preacher, and he appeared, the remark was^Here comes ready- money Spencer ; now we shall have a sermon." The following is the inscription on his gravestone : " Beneath this stone lies the body of the Rev. Elihu Spencer, D. D., pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Trenton and one of the Trustees of the College of New Jersey : who departed this life on the 27th of Decem- ber, 1784, in the 61th year of liis age. Possessed of line genius, of great vivacity, of eminent, active piety, his merits as a minister and a man stand above the reach of flattery. Having long edified the Church by his talents and example, and finished his course with joy, he fell asleep full of faith, and waiting for the hope of all saints." Dr. Spencer left a numerous family. Only one son, John Spencer, Esq., a lawyer, readied adult age. His third daughter, Margaret, married Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, Esq., a distinguished member of the Pliila- delphia Bar, and member of Congress. The Hon. Jolm Sergeant, and the Hon. Thomas Sergeant, eminent ju- rists, and the late Mrs. Sarah Miller, of Princeton, wife of Rev. Dr. Miller, were their children.* The Rev. BENONI BRADNER ]U'cached here, after Dr. Spencer, from 1760 to 1761. lie was son of the Rev. John Bradner, the first min- ister of Goshen, in this State, and was born in 17ol. He graduated at Kassau Hall in 1755. It is not certain whether he was installed as pastor, or preached * Dr. Miller, in Sprague'a Anuals, pp. 165-lGO. • PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 179 lierc merely as a candidate : tradition says that he was installed, lie married, in Jamaica, Miss Rebecca Brid- ges. lie is said to have been troubled with shortness of breath, and to have been of a consumptive habit. lie left about June 22, 1761, on account of a division in the congregation, although the greater part are said to have liked him. He is never mentioned as a mem- ber of Synod ; but his name appears as a corresponding member, in 1761. Mr. Bradner became minister of Blooming Grove Church, in Orange Co., in June, 1786. In 1802, he ceased from the labors of the pulpit, lie died after a long and distressing illness, January 29t]i, 1801, in the seventy-first year of his age. The Kev. WILLIAM MILLS, a native of Sniithtown, on this Island, was the next pastor. His father's name was Isaac, who with two brothers settled at jVIills' Pond. He was born March 13th, 1739, was a graduate of Nassau Hall in 1756, studied theology at Neshaminy, was licensed by ] the Presbytery of New Brunswick in March, 1760, was ordained at Flemington, N. J., April 21st, 1762, and j was installed here soon after, having begun to preach as a candidate on the first Sabbath in July, 1761. He married Mary, the daughter of John Reading, Esq., act- ing Governor of New Jersey in 1747, and again in 1757. At the time of his settlement here, there were but twelve persons, members in full communion of the church. There were no records to be found belono:ini' to the church. In a book of minutes which he began j to keep August 30th, 1767, he says, " When I settled i in tltis place, which was in the year 1762, I found no ■ 180 HISTORY OF THE records belonging to the church, no, not so ranch as a Keorister of the names of such as were in full coramun- ion. And as the congregation were unacquainted with the business of church sessions, the business of the church which we had to transact was done without strictly attending to the forms of Presbyterianism. Another reason why no minutes have been kept of our proceedings is, that we have been happy enough to have little or none of that business to do which church sessions are very generally employed about, in their meetings. There have, it is true, been a very consider- able number added to the church in this time, who have ordinarily been examined by the church sessions, or in their presence, whose names are preserved in a Regis- ter kept for that purpose. But notwithstanding all this, I wish, I heartily wish, that minutes had been kept both before, and since my settlement in this church, of its proceedings." The names of ruling elders given are Joseph Skid more, Esq., Daniel Baylis, Elias Baylis, and Increase Carpenter. At the meeting of; the session, June 21, 1770, Nicholas Smith and Samuel Denton, are stated to be present as Elders. Mr. Mills appears to have been highly esteemed by his people as an exemplary Christian, and faithful min- ister of the Gospel. During his ministry there occur- red a revival of religion, probably in 1764, by which a considerable number were added to the Church. The last of the fruits of that gracious work, Mrs. Elizdeath Everitt, who was born May 4, 1745, left this world in 1840, at the advanced age of 95, having been a com- municant nearly 75 years. It appears to have com- menced at a time when Mr. Mills was absent from PRESBYTERIAN CITURCII, JAMAICA. 18t liome, and the people were assembled on the Lord's day to attend upon such services as the Elders are in the habit of conducting; in the absence of tlie minister. Among other things, a letter was read from Dr. Buel, the minister at Easthampton, giving an account of a remarkable revival among his people. In the narrative of this revival, which Dr. Buel published, he says, "Some past accounts of this work have been owned of God; which gives ground to hope that a more par- ticular account may have a happy effect, by the divine blessing, for the revival of religion in other places." The effect, when liis letter was read at Jamaica, was surprising. Tlie Spirit of God seemed at once to fill the place where they were sitting, the whole congrega- tion was melted to tenderness. An aged member of the church, who deceased several years ago, informed the writer, that slie well remembered, though she was but a small child at the time, the very solemn appear- ance of the family, and their serious conversation, on their return from the house of God. On Mr. Mills's arrival, he found a gracious work had commenced ; and, subsequently, a goodly number -were received into the communion of the church as the fruit of it. It was during the summer of ITG-I, that Mr. White- field visited Jamaica, the second time, when such crowds flocked to hear him that he preached in the open air, standing, it is said, under an apple tree, not far from the spot on which Union Hall Academy is now located. In a letter written at this time, he says : "At present my health is better than usual, and as yet I have felt no inconvenience from the summer's heat. I have preached twice lately in the fields, and we sat 183 HISTORY OF THE under the blessed Redeemer's sliadow with great de- light. My late excursions upon Long Island, I trust, have been blessed. It would surprise you to see above one hundred carriages at every sermon in the new world." There are still remaining a few who remem- ber the interest and gratitude with which they often heard their pious parents refer to this season of heav- enl}'^ refreshing. One of the methods which Mr. Mills adopted for doing good was the writing and distribution of small tracts. Bj the kindness of Mr. Tliomas Baylis, an elder of the Second Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, and a descendant of one of the former elders at Ja- maica, I am enabled to present one of these tracts dis- tributed by Mr. Mills, and preserved in Mr. B.'s family. The Happy 3fan^s Pedigi-ee. The Happy Man, was born in the City of Regeneration ■ — in the parish of Repentance unto Life : he was educated at the School of Obedience, and lives now in Perseverance : he works at the trade of Diligence, notwithstanding he has a large estate in the county of Christian Contentment ; and many times does jobs of Self-Denial ; lie wears the plain garment of Humility, and lias a better suit to put on wlien he goes to Court, called the Robe of Christ's Righteous- ness ; he often walks in the valley of Self- Abasement, and sometimes climbs the mountain of Spiritual-Mindedness ; he breakfasts every morning upon Spiritual Prayer, and sups every evening on the same ; he has Meat to eat that the world knows not of, and his Drink is the sincere Milk of the Word : — Thus, happy he lives, and happy he dies. Happy is he who lias Gospel Sulimission in his will — due order in his affection — sound peace in his conscience — PKESBYTERTAN' CIItfRCII, JAMAICA. 183 Sanctifying Grace in his soul — real Divinity in his breast — true Humility in his heart — the Redeemer's yoke on his neck — a vain world imder his feet — and a crown of Glory over his head. Happy is the life of such an one : — Tn or- der to attain which — Pray frequently — Believe firmly — wait patiently — work abundantly — live Holily — die daily — Avatch your heai-ts — guide your senses — redeem your time — love Christ — and long for Glory. The following is an extract of a letter from Mr. Sea- bury to the Secretary of the Society for the Propa- gation of Religion in Foreign Parts, referring to Mr. AYhitefield's visit to Jamaica : Jamaica, October 6th, 1764. Rev'd Sir, — Since my last letter to the Honored So- ciety we have had a long visit from Mr. Whitefield in this Colony, wliere he has preached frequently, especially in the city of Xew York, and in this Island; and I am sorry to say I think he has had more influence than formerly and I fear has done a great deal of mischief. His tenets .and method of preaching have been adopted by many of the Dissenting Teachers, and this town in particular has a continual, I had almost said, a daily succession of Strolling Preachers and Exhorters, &c. In 1767, Mr. Mills received an urgent call to the Second Presbyterian Church in Piiihidclphia, but the Presbytery decided against it. An appeal was taken by the commissioners to the Synod, which was an- swered by a long remonstrance from the concrroiration of Jamaica, an address from tlic Presbytery, and a let- ter from tlie Rev. Ebenezer Prime, of Huntington. Mr. Mills also declared that he esteemed it his duty to remain in Jamaica. After a full hearing of the case, 184: HISTORY OF THE the Synod confirmed the judgment of the Presbytery, that it would not be for the edification of the Church to remove him. This excellent minister died in the 36th year of hia age. He had repaired to Kew York for medical aid, being affected with a chronic disease, and there he ended his days, March 18th, 1774. His remains were brought to Jamaica, and interred under the communion table in the old Stone Church. The following notice of his death appeared in Rivington's Gazette for March 21th, 1774. On Friday last, died in this city, in the 36tli year of his age, the Rev. "William Mills, minister of the Presbyterian Church at Jamaica, L. I. His amiable disposition, his peaceful and j^rudent conduct, his unaffected piety, and rational devotion, remarkably endeared him to those ac- quainted with him ; and as his life was a bright example of the Christian virtues he inculcated on others, so in the prospect of dissolution, he enjoyed that calm serenity of soul, and that good hope which are the peculiar blessings of the righteous. " Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." His remains Avere interred on Monday last at Jamaica ; a large number of the most respectable inhabitants of that town and the country adjacent, attended at the funeral, when a sermon well adapted to the occasion was preached by the Rev. Dr, Rodgers, from Matt. xxv. 21. In a letter of Mrs. Eliz. Hackett, a sister of Mrs. Mills, and residing in her family, dated December 21st, 1773, addressed to her niece, Mrs. Mary Green, of Deer- field, l!f. J., it is stated that Mr. Mills had been in a PEESBTTEKIAN CHUECII, JAMAICA. 185 very poor state of health since the preceding March, that he had consulted physicians both at New York and Philadelphia, whose opinions were that he was past the power of medicine. They called his disease an in- duration of the pancreas. "We have but little encour- agement that ever he will be a well man again, lie has not preached since the first of April, and I have no hopes that ever he "will again." It appears that he was sick about one year. He left six children, of whom several emigrated to the West. William settled at Cincinnati, and Isaac at Elizal)ethtown, Ohio, which town he named after Elizabethtown, I^. J., to which place Mrs. JNIills went to reside after her husband's decease. Before his death, Mr. Mills requested his sermons, of which he is said to have had a great number, and his writings to be de- stroyed ; but at the solicitation of the Rev. Mr. Wood- hull, of Newtown, who was his nephew, they were given to him. Mr. WoodhuU was a son of his sister, Joanna, who married Nathan Woodhull, of Setauket. A considerable amount of property appears to have been left by Mr. Mills, as three improved farms, be- longing to his estate, were advertised in Rivington's Gazette, to be sold shortly after his death. During Mr. Mills's ministry the people again refused to raise by tax the £60 which were appropriated to the support of an Episcopal missionary'. This tax, as was stated at the close of a former cha})ter, was laid upon the people of all denominations. In 1769 the people of Jamaica refused to pay the stipend to the Episcopal minister, and at length nuide an appeal to the Court of Chancery, to be relieved from the burden. Mr. Bloomer 186 HISTORY OF THE the missionary, wlio addressed the Secretary in the fol- lowing, was inducted, on tlie 28d of May, 1769. Mr. Bloomer to the Secretary. (extract.) Jamaica, Feb. 15th, 1770. Rev. Sir, — I am sorry to acquaint the Society that my happiness is much obstructed on account of a troublesome lawsuit I am imder the obligation of commencing against the Parish for a salary of £60 a year allowed by an act of the Province to the minister who is legally inducted by the Governor. The law for raising this sum obliges the people of the Parish, consisting of all denominations, annually to elect ten Vestrymen and two Churchwardens who are to call within one year after a vacancy, a sufficient Protestant Minister of the Gospel, whom they are to present to the Governor, or Commander in Chief for induction. And as dissenters compose a great majority of the Parish, they are careful to admit none into these offices but such as are op- posed to calling and presenting a minister of the Church of England. And in order to evade paying the salary (which being raised by tax, they complain of as a burden) and at the same time comply with the law, they some years ago called and presented to the Governor, a minister of the Presbyterian persuasion, but he was refused induc- tion : — and as the act only specifies that he who is called shall be a sufficient Protestant Minister of the Gospel, without confining them to any j^articular denomination, ^ they imagine that the law has been complied with on their parts, and absolutely refuse paying me any money raised by virtue of that act, notwithstanding my being inducted by authority froni his Excellency, the Governor, as I am destitute of a call from them, who being dissenters, and PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 187 chiefly Presbyterians, are averse to the supporting of the Church of England. The Court decreed in favour of Mr. Bloomer, and it does not appear that the people obtained any redress until the Eevolution relieved them. That event put an end to the controversy which had continued in this place, between the Presbyterians and Episcopalians, for three quarters of a century. REV. MR. BLOOMER TO THE SECRETARY. Jamaica, February 1th, 17*70. Revd. Sir, * * * Tlie state of my mission is mucli the same as I informed you in my last only greatly troubled on account of their political sentiments which are strictly loyal ifc peaceable.' Last week a number of Troops by order of the Continental Congress disarmed this Township & Hempstead & carried oft" about twenty of the principal persons of Mr. Cutting's tfc my congregation prisoners to Philadelj)hia they being accused of opposing the present measures. I am Revd. Sir &c. ifec. Joshua Bloomer. ret. mr. bloomer to the secretary. Jamaica, April 9ih, 1777. Revd. Sir, * ^ * I feel myself liapjn' in having it in my power at this time to write to you from a land restored from anarchy & confusion to the blessings of Order and Good Govermneut. The arrival of the Kings troops & their success on this Island has rendered every loyal subject, of which there are a great number here, happy; previous to that event the Rebel Army which were quartered at 1S8 HISTORY OF THE New York had assumed the Avhole power and their Govern- ment was in the highest degree arbitrary and tyrannical ; loyalty to our Sovereign was in their judgment the worst of crimes and was frequently punished Avith great severity. The principal members of my congregation who conscien- tiously refused to join in their measures, excited their highest resentment, their houses were plundered, their per- ||i| sons seized, some were committed to prison & others sent under a strong guard to the distant parts of Conn' where they were detained as prisoners for several months 'til after repeated solicitations to the Governor & Assembly of that Province they were permitted to return to their Families. The service of the church also gave great offence, the Prayers for the King and Royal Family being directly repugnant to their independent Scheme, they bit- terly inveighed & frequently by threats endeavored to intimidate the ministers and cause them to omit those parts of the Liturgy. When Independence was declared by Congress they grew more violent, and I received a let- ter from one of the committee of New York informing me that my persisting in praying for the King gave great offence & conjuring me as I regarded my personal safety to omit it for the future. Upon consulting my Church- wardens & vestry what measure it was most prudent for me to pursue at this critical juncture they unan- imously advised me, that as the Kings Army lay at Staten Island & was daily expected to march into my Parish from whom I should obtain relief, to shut up my church. I agreed with them in opinion as if I did not take that measure I was persuaded tliat I should be sent to some remote part of New England from whence perhaps it Avould be a long time before I could be relieved. My Church was accord- ingly shut up for five Sundays when the Kings troops lauded whose success has restored us to those religious PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 189 principles of which we Avere deprived by tyranny & per- secution. I liope my conduct in this as well as in all other matters will gain the approbation of the Venerable Society as their displeasure would give me the greatest pain ; their approbation the highest satisfaction. The Church in this Province has suiFered greatly by the death of its Ministers viz : Dr Auchmuty at New York Mr Avery at Rye & Mr Babcock at Phillii)sburgh. I am Revd Sir &c Joshua Bloomer. 190 HISTOKY OF THE CHAPTEE VII. 1775-1815. MATTHIAS BURNET ORDAINED — MARRIES IN JAMAICA — THE EBVOLCTION PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS SUPPORT THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS — REVO- LUTIONARY INCIDENTS MR. BURNET HAS INFLUENCE WITH THE LOYALISTS SAVES THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FROM DESTRUCTION — HIGHLANDERS ATTEND HIS PREACHING — THE SCOTCH WOMAN AND HER BOTTLE OF WATER — MR. ONDERDONK's REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENTS ELIAS BAYLIS ARRESTED — SENT TO THE PROVOST — SINGS IN PRISON — HIS DEATH — OTHER WHIGS SEIZED — WHIGS RETURN AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR — MR. BURNET LEAVES, AND SETTLES AT NORWALK — DEATH — GEORGE FAITOUTE INSTALLED — ONE OP THE ORIGINAL TRUSTEES OF U. H. ACADEMY- — THE OLD STONE CHURCH TAKEN DOWN, AND a" NEW ONE BUILT — MR. faitoute's death. THE Eev. MATTHIAS BURNET, D. D., received the call of thiis cliiircli in the fall of 1774, and was ordained by the Presbytery of New York, and in stalled as pastor in April, 1775. He was born at Bot- tle Hill, W. J., January 24:th, 17-19, and graduated at Princeton in 1769. His first wife was Miss Ann Combs of Jamaica, an Episcopalian; he afterwards married a daughter of Rev. Mr. Roe, of "Woodbridge, I^. J., who survived him, and died but a few years since in the city of New York. Mr. Burnet came here just at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, and continued here till its close. It must be owned that he was one of the very few, if PKESBYTEEIAN CllUIiClI, JAMAICA. i'Ji not the only one of the Presbyterian Clergy, who did not openly espouse the cause of civil liberty. Wither- spoon, Rodgers, Duffield, Spencer, and the whole Synod, in its official capacity, without a dissenting voice, threw their influence on the side of the Colonies, against the usurpations of the government. In a pas- toral letter, adopted May 22d, 1775, the Synod exhor- ted the people to endeavor to maintain union, to treat with respect, and encourage the Continental Congress, then sitting at Philadelphia, by letting it be seen that " the whole strength of this vast country " can be brought out to carry their resolutions into execution. At the same meeting, the Synod earnestly recommend- ed it to all the congregations under their care to spend the afternoon of the last Thursday in every month in public solemn prayer to God, during the continuance of the struggle. A large majority of the people of Queen's County were decided loyalists. Jamaica declined to send a deputy to the Provincial Congress, at a town meeting held March 31st, 1775, by a vote of 94 to 83. At a town meeting held on the 6th of the preceding Decem- ber patriotic resolutions had been passed, and a Com- mittee of correspondence and observation appointed of which the Rev. Abraham Keteltas was chairman. A protest against the resolutions and committee was put forth in January following, signed by 136 persons, 91 of them freeholders. Joseph Robinson of Jamaica, was deputy chairman of the county committee ; and Elias Baylis (chairman), Joseph Robinson, Amos Den- ton, John Thurston, Noah Smith, and Nathaniel Tuthill, were the sub-committee of Jamaica appointed under a 192 HISTORY OF THE recommendation of Congress, May 29tli, 1775, all of them, presumed from the names, to be members of the Presbyterian congregation. Elias Baylis was an elder. Congress ordered all persons in Queens County sup- posed to be unfriendly to the American cause to be disarmed ; and Col. Heard, of Woodbridge, N. J. with a force of near 900 marched to Jamaica in January, 177G, and took into custody certain leaders among the disaffected, and disarmed all who could be found who voted against delegates to Congress ; and then pro- ceeded on the same errand to other towns. The patriots or defenders of American liberty formed themselves into a company of minute men, and elected John Skidmore, Esq., Captain. Another company was formed who elected Ephraim Baylis, Captain. At the battle of Long Island, a Jamaica com])any, Captain Jacob "Wright, was in Colonel Lasher's 1st Kew York battalion, in Scott's brigade, and on the day of battle was in Cobble Hill Fort. The day after the battle a detachment of the 17th Light Dragoons were seen dashing through Jamaica, during a severe thunder- storm, in pursuit of General "WoodhuU. They overtook him two miles east of the town, where, after he had de- livered up his sword, they " showered their sabre blows on his devoted head." The tables were now turned ; the Loyalists were pro- tected and the Whigs seized. As fast as they were arrested they were put into the Presbyterian church and guarded until a sufficient number were collected to send to the prison ship. As they were marched off, some, it is said, gazed on them with a fiendish smile of triumph. Some escaped ; Rev. Mr. Keteltas got PRESBYTKKIAN CIIUKCII, JAMAICA. 193 across the sound to Connecticut; J. J. Skidmore went up the North River. The houses, fences, and farms, of tlie refugees were hiid waste; it was a dark day in- deed, for the little band who had declared for American Independence. " Jamai(;a was occupied hy soldiers during the whole war, es])ocially in winter, when the soldiers cantoned here after their summer expeditions. On the side-hill, north of the village, were several rows of huts, extend- ing a mile or so to the east and west, with streets between. The huts were partly sunk in the earth, with a rude stone fireplace and chimney of sticks and inortar, covered with thatch, sedge, reeds, or sods, laid over boards. Boards were in such demand that the old county hall and other buildings, were torn down for building materials. * '^' * The parade was between the huts and the village. The hospital at one time was in the huts. Here, great mortality ])revailed, and the dead were interred so carelessly that after the peace, their bones were seen above ground, and were again covered." Benedict Arnold's Legion, lay near Black Stump, llev. Sam'l Seabury was chaplain of the " King's American Eegiment," Colonel Edmund Fanning. A sermon on "St. Peter's exhortation to fear God and honor the King" preached by him, before his Majesty's provincial troops, was published by order of Governor Tryon.* During the occupation of Jamaica by the British army, Mr. Burnet was permitted to preach undisturbed, and by his influence with the loyalists, preserved the * For the above resume and extracts, see Onderdonk's Revolutionary In- cidents of Queens County. y 194 IIISTOKY OF THE Presbyterian Cliiircli from destruction. Mr. Onder- donk has preserved many interesting facts relating to this period. To his work I am indebted for the follow- ing : Soon after the British were established in Jamaica, a parcel- of loyalists perched themselves in the belfry of the Presbyterian Church, and commenced sawing off the steeple. "Word was brought to the pastor, tlie Kev. Mr. Burnet. Whitehead Hicks, Mayor of Xew York, hap- pened to be at his house, and as Burnet was a loyalist, soon put a stop to the outrage. Mr. Burnet, (who had married an Episcopalian,) Avas the only Presbyterian minister in the county* reputed to be a friend of the government, and was therefore allowed to preach here during the whole war. Although he saved the church from desecration, yet after the peace, party spirit ran so high that he was forced to leave. The Highlanders attended his church, and sat by them- selves in the galleries. Some had their wives Avith them, and several children were baptized. Once when the sexton had neglected to provide Avater, and Avas about to go for it, the thoughtful mother called him back, and dreAV a bottle of it from her pocket. — Pp. 151, 152. The Church Register shoAvs that a considerable num- ber of infants of soldiers belonging to the 71st, Y-lth and 80th Regiments were baptized by Mr. Burnet. Mr. On- derdonk also states that General OliA'er Delancy,Avholiad been appointed by IIoAve to induce the loyalists to join the king's troops, had his quarters at Jamaica for some time, at the parsonage-house of the Re\'. Mr. Burnet. But if the minister Avas a friend of the gOA^ernment, * If Mr. 0. had said country, so far as I kuow, it would liave been true. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAI^IAICA. 195 or concealed his real principles, bis people did not generally take him for an example in that respect. I cannot forbear, in this connection, to give from the same interesting volume, the account of Elias Baylis, an elder of this church, whose descendants are numer- ous in this congregation, two of his grand-children being ruling elders at this time, and whose daughter, Mrs. Abigail Carpenter, was the oldest communicant at the time the first edition of this history was issued, having made a profession of religion nearly sixty years before : The day after Gen. AVoodhull's capture, (August 28tli, 1776,) Ehas Bayhs, Chairman of the Jamaica Committee, ■svas walking over to Nicholas Smith's, at the One-Mile ]N[ill, to hear tlie news, Avhen lie was arrested by a neighbour, who Avished to do something to ingratiate himself with the British. When the venerable man, blind as he was, was brouglit before the British officer at Jamaica, he exclaimed in sur- prise, " Why do you bring this man here ? He's bhnd : lie can do no harm." The unfeeling wretch who liad informed against liim, replied : " He's blind, but he can talk." Baylis did not attempt to conciliate the officer, but unfor- tunately dropped a few words in vindication . of the American cause. This was enough. He was shut up in the Presbyterian church that night, and the next day carried to the prison at New Utrecht.* He was subse- quently removed to the Provost in New York. * Daniel Uuiyee, (afterwards assemblyman,) Wni. Furman, Wm. Creed, and two others were put in one pew in New Utrecht church. Baylis wanted them to get the Bible out of the pulpit and read to him. They feared to do it, but led the blind man to the pulpit steps. As he returned with it, a British guard met him, beat him violently, and took away the book. They were three weeks at New Utrecht, and then marched down to the prison-ship. 19 G HISTORY OF THE Elias Baylis was an elder of the Presbyterian church, and stood high in the community for ujorightness and ability. He had a sweet voice, and could sing whole psalms and hymns from memory : it will not be surprising, then, to find him beguiling his dreary imprisonment in singing, among others, the 142d Psalm: Lord, I am brought exceeding low, Now let thine ear attend, And make my foes, who vex me, know I've an Almighty Friend. From my sad prison set me free, Then I shall praise thy name ; And holy men shall join with me Thy kindness to proclaim. The aged man was visited in prison by his wife and daughter. After a confinement of about two months, at the intercession of his friends, he M'as released, barely in time to breathe his last without a prison's walls. He died in crossing the ferry with his daughter, and his mortal re- mains now repose, without a stone to mark the spot, or commemorate his worth. The .heartless wretch who arrested him fled, on the return of peace, to Nova Scotia, dreading the vengeance of his fellow-citizens ; but after two years' exile, he ventured to return, but looked so poor and forlorn, that he was never molested. Many other Wliigs w^ere seized and sent ofi" to the prison-sliip, and among tliem John Thurston, Robert Hincliman, and David Lamberson, who were Presby- terians. Daniel Smith was confined in the church PRESBYTEKIAN CIIUKCU, JAMAICA. 197 about a week, with old Daniel Bavlis. Tlie ofRcer in charge said to Bavlis, " You'll see England." Baylis rei)lied, " 'T will be a sight — won't it?" Increase Car- penter was a commissary to the American army ; John J. Skidmore, who went away for safety, did not return until after peace had been declared. The glorious event of peace was celebrated, by the Whig inhabitants of Queens County, at Jamaica on the Monday preceding December 13th, 1783. At sunrise a volley was fired by the Continental troops, a liberty pole was erected, and the thirteen stripes dis- played from it. In the afternoon, ofiicers of the army and a number of gentlemen of the County dined, attended by the music of an excellent band, formerly belonging to the Line of this State. In May, 1781, the courts, which had been closed, were re-opened, and were held, until the new court-house was built, in the Presbyterian Church.* But to return to Mr. Burnet. At the close of the war, the influential men of his congregation, who had been scattered in various directions, came back to their homes ; and, as may well be supposed, were not alto- gether satisfied with the course their minister had taken. He still, however, had many warmly-attached friends, who argued that it was through his instru- mentality the church had been saved from desolation, and it M'ould be ungrateful to turn him away.f But Mr. Burnet found it necessary to resign his charge. * Revolutionary lucidonls, pp. 250 and 258. t I have been informed, by an intellij^ent aged person, who was inlimatc in Mr. Burnet's family, that he never spoke either in favour of, or against the British government, and that some supposed he was at heart a sincere Whig. 198 HISTOEY OF THE At the close of liis farewell service, lie gave out tlie 120tli Psalm, wliicli will aiford an idea of the state of feeling on both sides : Hard lot of mine ! my days are cast Among the sons of strife, Whose never-ceasing quarrels waste My golden hours of life. ! might I fly to change my place, How would I choose to dwell In some wide, lonesome wilderness, And leave these gates of hell. Peace is the blessing that I seek, How lovely are its charms ! 1 am for peace ; but when I speak. They all declare for arms. In Mr. Faitoute's " Brief History" of the Church, he thus speaks of Mr. Burnet : " For the greater part of the time Mr. Bnrnet was with this people, it was a time peculiarly distressing. Being seated near the ocean, and possession being soon after gained by the British troops, after their taking the city of New York, a num- ber of the Whigs made their escape from them, leav- ing their possessions, and many friends still on the Island. I have been told an attempt was made to des- troy the Presbyterian Church, or at least to render it unfit for holding worship in it, which Mr. B. by his in- fluence prevented ; and that he saved the woodland from being entirely cut oflf by the enemy. After the evacuation of New York, and the return of those mem- bers of the Society who had fled, some disagreement arose between Mr. B. and his people, which occasioned a desire in liim to be liberated from his charge, and he was accordingly liberated by the Presbytery of New PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAINIAICA. 199 York in May, 1785." He received a call from ]S"or- walk, Comiccticut, where lie settled November 2, 1785, .IS pastor of the First Congregational Chnrch. lie an- nually visited Jamaica, and in 1790, being invited, he preached to an overflowing assembly, in the Presby- terian Chnrch, from John iv. 35-38. Say not ye there are yet four months^ &c. His sermon was published in the American Preacher, Vol. II., and is entitled " Moral Peflections upon the Season of Harvest." In its conclusion he addressed first the minister and then the people. In his address to Mr. Faitoute, he thus al- luded to his connection with the congregation during the war : " In the days of my youth I was by the lay- ing on of hands, and particular designation of the Pres- bytery, placed in this part of the great field of Christ's Church, where numbers of faithful laborers had been before, with a solemn charge to labour in it, and Avatch over it. For several years I devoted myself to this charge; and though with many imperfections, I ac- knowledge I did it, yet never with a dishonest heart. In troublous and perilous times I kept it, laboured in it, and watched over it, readily contributing both by word and deed, whatever was in my power for its protection, cultivation, and growth, in the fruits of truth and right- eousness." Mr. Burnet continued at Norwalk until his death, which took place June 30, 1806. The Rov. Dr. Prime, in his history of Long Island, says that he remembers this event with solemn interest. He preached for Dr. Burnet on the preceding day, and parted from liim on Monday morning, about two hours before his sudden exit. - The Rev. James Glassbrook was received as an or- 200 HISTORY OF THE dained minister from England by the New York Pres- bytery, in 1786, and began to preach here March 11th, 1786. He so far gained upon the regards of the people as to have a call put into his hands ; but son)e ditficul- ties arose, and the prospect of settlement failed. lie continued here till November, 1787, and was for a time stated supply at Pittsgrove (formerly Pilesgrove), Cum- berland County, JSTew Jersey. In 1790, he was dis- missed from the Presbytery of ISTew York to join the Presbytery of Baltimore. Rev. Asa Hillyer, D. J)., afterwards of Orange, New Jersey, preached for about six months, in the year 1788. Messrs. Thompson, Tem- pleton, Tate, Close, Tloe, Brush, White, Woodliull, and Hart preached here during the rest of that year, and the former part of 1789. Mr. White preached as a candidate for several months, and many were pleased with him ; but the Rev. GEORGE FAITOUTE was the next pastor. He was of Huguenot descent, born in the city of New York in 1750 ; and during his early years attended the Episcopal Church. He grad- uated at the College of New Jersey in 1774, and was ordained by New Brunswick Presbytery, pastor of Al- lentown. New Jersey, in 1779, where lie remained till April, 1782, when he was installed at Greenwich, in Cohanzy, by the Presbytery of Philadelphia. In May, 1789, a call was put into his hands from Jamaica. " This call," he says in his " Brief History," written in 1793, "after duly weighing and considering of it, I con- ceived it my duty to accept, and accordingly declared my ready acceptance of it, at a meeting of the Presby- rRESBYTEKIAN CUURCII, JAMAICA. 201 tery of Philadelphia, held at Philadelphia, June 16, 1789, as may be seen in the records of the Presbytery. In the month of July following, I arrived at Jamaica ■with my famih^, and entered the parsonage house with- out those difficulties which some of my predecessors had experienced from the zeal of a few bigoted Episco- palians, who were not original proprietors in this place. Since the Revolution, some time in the year 1784, this Church obtained a Charter, which has secured to them their church property, and troubles of this nature we hope will no more arise." "A dis})ute had subsisted for some time whether this Church belonged to and was under the care of the Pres- bytery of Suffolk, which then existed, and was afterwards dissolved by an Act of the Synod of New York and j^ew Jersey. But upon the application of the congregation to the Synod, by their commissioners, after I had come among them, the Synod, at their meeting in Elizabeth- town, October, 1789, did agree to annex this congrega- tion to the Presbytery of New York, with which they so much desired to be connected, and with which they believed themselves to have been alwavs connected, notwithstanding the claims of the Suffolk Presbytery. In consequence of this Act of Synod I took my dismis- sion from said Presbytery, and was received by that of New York, who appointed a commission to attend at Jamaica, and proceed to my installation. The com- mission were Rev. Dr. Rodgers and Dr. McKnight, who attended at the time appointed — loth December, 1789. Dr. McKnight preached the installation sermon, and Dr. Rodgers gave the charge and made the exhortation to the j)Cople." 9* ft '''-' ^ > Erected A. D. 181S PRESBYTERIAN CIIURCII, JAMAICA. 203 in 1813, and a portion of the stones of which it was composed was used in hiyins^ the foundations of the new edifice, which was solemnly dedicated to the service of God, on the 18th day of January, a. d. 1814, The service was as follows : Introductory Prayer by Dr. Milldoler. Read 2 Chron. 6th Chapter. Sunijj Psnhn 132 — tune New Salem, Dedicatory Prayer by Dr. Milldoler. Sung Psalm 84 — tune Coronation. Sermon by Dr. Milldoler from John ii. IV. Concluding Prayer by Dr. Basset of Bushwick. Sung Ilymu 128, Second Book — tune Mount Olive. Benediction by Mr. Faitoute. Mr. Faitoute lived to ju'cach in this house about one year and a half; and but one of the building com- mittee, Mr. James Ilerriman, survives. The house was completed with a steeple, which was 102 feet liigh, and was much admired for its symmetry ; but it was taken down a number of years since, on account of an injury which it was supposed to have received in the great September gale. In the spring of 1816 this house was enlarged by the addition of 13^ feet, making it 00 feet in length. It is about 4(3 feet wide, and con- tains 144 pews. At the time the lot on which it stands was purchased, the old parsonage, which was the house adjoining the premises of the late Judge Lainberson, near the corner of Fulton and Beaver streets, and the glebe Avhich extended south, along the Beaver Pond, to- ward Mr. G. Phraner's, were sold, and the place where the minister now lives i)urchased. The present glebe in- 204 HISTORY OF THE eludes about nine acres of valuable land. There is also a wood-lot of considerable extent in Springfield, belong- ing to tlie congregation, besides other property to a considerable amount. The venerable Dr. Shelton has favoured the compiler with the following interesting description of the Church and Congregation, more than fifty yeai's ago : "I came to Jamaica in the fall of 1806, and com- menced the practice of medicine in connection with Dr. Minema, who had been a surgeon in tlie American army during the war of the Revolution, and who was at that time somewhat advanced in years. I was at that time just twenty-two years of age, and was actively engaged in the practice of my profession until my son succeeded me in the year 1840, wlien I began gradu- ally to withdraw from the more arduous duties of general practice, although I have continued to do more or less even up to this day. " When I came to the village, Mr. Faitoute was the minister of the Presbyterian church, and was even tlien an old man and very feeble. The parsonage in which he lived was an old revolutionary building, fronting upon what is now called Beaver street, and was but very recently pulled down. Mr. Faitoute continued to preach up to the period of his death, Avhicli occurred some ten years after my coming to the village. He lived to preach but about two years in the church now standing, when he died very suddenly. In person, Mr. Faitoute was small of stature and lame, but very gray and venerable in appearance. His disposition and manner, both in his intercourse with his people and in the pulpit was tender, fatherly, and affectionate. In TRESBYTERIAN CHUKCH, JAMAICA. 205 ]M"cachinf^, lie was earnest and maTiifested his sincerity and interest for tlie spiritual welfare of liis cliai-ge, by weeping often profusely. Ills salary was three hundred dollars per annum, and was obtained, not as now by taxing the pews, but by voluntary subscription. This small sum being insufficient for a comfortable support, was aided (eked out) by an annual visitation of his people, at that time denominated " a spinning party." This term, I suppose, was derived from the fact that among other contributions brought by the congregation, consisting of such articles as butter, cheese, wood, etc., were also wool and flax to be spun for the clothing of the family ; cotton as an article of domestic economy being at that time unknown. Mr. Faitoute still further added to his means of support by teaching a small classical school. "The church in which he preached was a square edi- fice of stone, directly in the street, and about the centre of the village. In dimensions it was exactly forty feet square, with a broad aisle running east and west tJirough its middle, with a door at either extremity. The pulpit ■svas a very small structure, with a sounding board over it, as was customary in those times. A smaller aisle extended from the larger one at right angles, opposite the pulpit to the south wall of the church. Directly in front of the pulpit was a long table, in a Hue with the smaller narrow aisle just mentioned. The pews, on either side of the pulpit, were placed parallel with this table and extending from the middle aisle np to the north wall. Around this table sat the elders and deacons every Sabbath. It is to be presumed that this table was intended primarily for, and was used at com- 206 HISTORY OF THE niunion services, the commnnicants sitting around it; but as my knowledge on that point is not sufficiently accurate, I cannot state this as a positive fact. At the head of this table, and directl}' under the pulpit, sat Mr, Thomas Baylis, one of the elders, who acted as precentor. He had a fine voice, and was a good singer. In the broad central aisle was a row of chairs, the high- backed chairs of those days, extending from one end of it to the other, each numbered and occupied on the Sabbath by its own proprietor. The farmers came to church in their farm w^agons ; all of which, with one exception, were in their every day working tritn. The one which constituted the exception alluded to, had a • pair of sides, somewhat better painted and kept in re- serve, probably for Sundays. This wagon had the letters D. L., Daniel Ludlum, very prominently painted on the side, to mark it, doubtless, as belonging to a patrician family. They had no tops, were verj'- long- bodied, and on Sundays had two or three rows of the straight-backed, rush-bottomed chairs placed two abreast; over them, by way of cushions, were spread the counterpanes or bed-spreads of the family, neatly folded. Mr. James Ilerriman, who was, at the time alluded to, a lad of about twelve years, has told me that liis father's house being directly opposite the church, was the rendezvous of the congregation previous to service on the Sabbath ; the only object of this gathering being, iu the winter season, of course, to warm themselves and fill the small foot-stoves which the women all carried, with hickory coals. The church was never warmed in Avinter iu those days. To ac- commodate the people, Mr. Herriman, senior, was al- PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 207 i r ways in the habit, on Sabbath mornings, of building an immense fire of good dry liickory wood. The peo- ple would come in ; sit around it, until sufficiently warm, fill their pans and retire. My friend, Mr. James Ilerriman, tells me he can never forget the impression produced upon his youthful mind, by the profound silence of these venerable worshippers of the early times, as they sat, for a few brief moments, around the blazing fire. There was no chatting, nor gossipping, but profound stillness ; scarce a word was uttered. The vestibule and outer porch of the sanctuarj^ was not in those days an exchange, where the price of com- modities, or the current news of the day, or local gossip could be discussed and opinions ventilated. Two ser- vices were held on Sabbath, morning and afternoon, with an interval of one hour between. Durino; this interval the people dispersed themselves around among the houses in the neighbourhood, (Mr. Ilerriman always entertaining the larger share,) partaking of some slight refreshments brought with them. The foot-stoves were again replenished. The venerable old stone edifice was never desecrated by stoves or furnaces, foot-stoves alone excepted; our pious progenitors seemingly not being conscious of any inconsistency in the idea of striking a balance between the propriety of warming their feet while the total corpus beside went nncared for. !No living soul in those days would have had the hardihood and courage to hint at the idea of diffusing warmth more generally and geniall}^ through the whole build- ing; but when the old edifice had at length yielded, like all mundane structures, to the progress of time and ruthless innovation, and a new church buildinc; had ' 208 HISTORY OF THE been erected, and men had grown more bold and daring, it was ventured to suggest that God could be wor- shipped quite as well and devoutly in a warm building as in a cold one. Great was the tumult occasioned. But the innovators triumphed. Mr. Herriman tells me, as undoubtedly genuine, the following story, (doubtless often elsewhere revamped and related,) which I cannot forbear, even at the expense of time and space, of relating. On the first Sunday after the stoves, then known as Shoemakers' stoves, were introduced (with pipes protruding through the windows) no fires were kindled, it being thought advisable, as I suppose, to accustom the congregation to an innovation so bold and shocking. On coming out of the church, Mr. Herri- man, who belonged to the reforming party, accosted an old lady — one Mrs. Kettletas, with, ' Well, Mrs. K., how did you like the stoves?' 'Ah, just as I said, and knew it would be ; they made me so faint, I thought I should liave had to leave the church.' " You requested some information about the general appearance of the congregation, on the Sabbath, in that venerable old building. The men in those times, those at least who could afford it, wore small clothes, buttoned or tied at the knee, with ribbons, and shoes with large buckles, or high topped boots ; the hair powdered and tied up behind in a queue. This was my OAvn dress at that day. The poorer class wore trousers as now. The women wore bodices high or short waisted, witli very long, narrow skirts, and long protruding bonnets. In winter, they wore cloaks, pre- cisely like those of the Quaker ladies at the present day, only of red colour. This was then the universally PKESBYTEKIAN CUURCH, JAMAICA. 209 prevailing style, and gave a gay, lively, picturesque aspect to the congregation, which contrasted strangely with the devout solemnity and awful stillness which pervaded the assembly. I have stated above, that a row of chairs, numbered and owned like pews, ex- tended through the broad middle aisle. These being always occupied on the Sabbath, and facing the pulpit, added materially to the grotesqueness and singularity of the tout ejiseinhle^ as seen retrospectively with more modern eyes. The story of a wild young blood, who, one Sabbath morning in summer, when the doors, at either end of tiie aisle were wide open, dashed through on horseback, at full gallop, to the great alarm and peril of these women, and the consternation and dis- turbance of the whole congregation, you already know ; and I need only add, that story, though of little conse- quence, is yet authentic and undoubtedly true. I must add, moreover, that the good people of the congrega- tion felt the insult that had been ofiered to them so keenly, that they came out of the church, got into their wagons and chased the offender some four miles, but being well mounted on a fleet horse, he effected his escape, and immediately afterwards went into Kew Jersey, where he remained six months, before he ven- tured to return. " The Rev. Mr. Weed succeeded Mr, Faitoute, and came to this place fresh from Princeton Seminary, be- ing of the very first class wliich graduated at that institution. He came highly recommended by Drs. Alexander and Miller. He was a man of the first order of talent, and as a preacher was extremely elo- quent and powerful, chaining the attention of his audi- 210 ■ mSTOEY OF THE toiy from the first words wliicli dropped from his lips, with a power that was irresistible. He remained with tliis people six years, and his ministry was remarkably successful. During the first year of it, there was a pow- erful revival of relis-ion, in which a lars^e number was gathered into the cliurch; and his labours continued to be blessed, with numerous additions to the church, throughout the whole period of his ministry. As a controvei'sialist, his powers were eminent and remark- able, and he grappled with the prevalent errors of his day, with a boldness and success that marked him as no ordinary man, and inspired even his opponents with respect and fear. During the period of his ministry in this place, the celebrated Quaker preacher, Elias Hicks, the founder of the party in the denomination of the Friends, known from his name as Hicksites — came to Jamaica, and preached at Mr. Hewlett Creed's Hotel, on a week day. Mr., now Dr. Weed was among the number of his hearers ; and on the following Sabbath, before commencing his discourse, he apologized to his people for having been seen, during the previous week, among those who had been attracted to listen to the preaching of a man known to be of such loose and in- fidel sentiments as the celebrated Quaker. He said that he had felt it his duty to do so, in order that hav- ing heard with his own ears, he might the better be enabled to judge of the man and his teachings, and so to warn his flock of the danger to which thev were exposed, by exposing the unscriptural and pernicious character of his preaching. He then proceeded in a most powerful discourse to refute the errors of Hicks, to point out their dangerous tendency, and with great PKESBYTERIAN CIIUKCII, JxVMAICA. 211 boldness and ability, to warn his flock to beware of the wolf that was prowling about the sheep-cote. "Dr. AVeed was succeeded by the Rev. Elias W. Crane, who was introduced to the people by the Kev. Dr. Nettleton, and who received a unanimous call. He was a man of excellent natural abilities, and good learning. As a preacher he was earnest and faithful, — the whole burden and theme of his discourses being repentance and life eternal. As a pastor, he M'as the most beloved of men, and his memory is still fragrant and fresh in the hearts of those who knew him only to love him ; and who have taught their children upon whose heads his hands were |)laced in bai:)tism, to revere the very mention of his name. He was abundant in labours, never tiring in the performance of duty. He had a jDleasant smile and a kind and tender word for every one he met. None were beneath his notice. As a friend he was tender, kind-hearted, warm and affec- tionate to a degree seldom equalled and never sur- passed, among the sons of men. His ministry was most abundantly blessed, from its commencement to its termination, with large accessions to the church. Mr. Crane was in every sense and point of view, a boon to humanitv, claiminjj; most eminent gratitude to God. It is indeed delightful to think of such a man." 212 HISTORY OF THE CHAPTER YIII. 1815-18GQ. H. R. -WEED — REMOVES TO ALBANY — S. P. FUXCK — DISSENSION' — REV. A. NET- TLETON — GREAT REVIVAL — DISSENSION HEALED — MR. NETTLETOn's METHOD — E. W. CRANE — HIS USEFUL MINISTRY — DR. MURRAT's SKETCH OF HIM HIS DEATH — J. M. MACDONALD — THE NEW ERA IN THE BISTORT OF THE CHURCH UNDER MR. WEEd's MINISTRY — THE HIGHLY PROSPEROUS STATE OF THE CONGREGATION IN 1841 — INCIDENTS IN MR. MACDONALd's MINISTRY P. D. OAKEY. THE Eev. HENRY R. WEED, D. D., succeeded Mr, Faitoute. He was born at Ballston, graduated at Union College in 1812, studied Theology at Princeton, was called here in 1815, and ordained as pastor January 4th, 1816. Mr. Weed was a much es- teemed minister. His labours were greatly blessed. An extensive revival of religion commenced durino- the first year of his settlement, as the blessed fruit of which above eighty persons were added to the communion of the church. He discountenanced the practice of fur- nishing ardent spirits at funerals, (it was the custom to serve them round to the assembled people,) and for many years this practice has been unknown. He also declined to baptise the children of parents, not in full communion, from which it appears that a contrary practice had prevailed. In 1822, his pastoral relation was dissolved, and he took charge of a church in PRESBYTERIAN CUURCII, JAMAICA. 213 Albany. Dr. Weed is at present pastor of the Presby- terian cliurcb. at Wheeling, Ya. His ministry here, as will be shown in the seqnel, was the beginning of a new era in the history of the church. The Rev. SEYMOUR p. FUNCK, who graduated at Columbia College in 1819, and studied Tlieology in the Seminary of the Reformed Dutch Church, at New Brunswick, N. J., was the next minister. He was ordained here March 6th, 1823. Some dissatisfaction arising in the congregation, the pastoral relation was dissolved. May 9t1i, 1825, and he left the place, carrying with him the warm affection of ardent friends. His removal was the occasion of a very serious dissension in the congregation. Mr. Funck never re-settled in the ministry. He died, April 3d, 1828, aged 32, and was buried at Flatlands. The Rev. Asahel Nettleton,' D. D., well known for his eminently useful labours, far and wide in the churches, was in the providence of God directed hither, during the winter of 1826, when the congrega- tion was in a very divided and distracted state. He commenced his labours on the 24:th of February, and continued them till the following November. He was in a feeble state of health, so that he did not attend many extra meetings, nor spend much time in visiting. But his labours were remarkably blessed. On the second day of July, the Lord's Supper was celebrated and seventy-two persons were added to the church, on profession ; eighteen were baptized. From that day the revival received a new impulse. It was often ob- served, that it seemed (so great was the solemnity) like 214 HISTOKY OF THE tlie Judgment day. A number of strangers visited the town and went home rejoicing in hope. So many from other places visited him, while here, that Mr. Nettleton thought of devoting one evening in the w^eelv to conversation with strangers. He was instrumental in healing the divisions of the congregation. It is said, that instead of exhorting to brotherly love, and descanting on the evils of dissension as had been the uniform practice of the ministers who were sent here to reconcile the parties, he ignored their quarrels, preached on the claims of God, the wickedness of the human heart, and the duty of sin- ners, aiming directly at the conscience, and thus brought them to look inwardly, instead of at the sins of one another. In his sermons, outlines, and plans of ser- mons, published by Dr. Tyler, in 1845, may be found, it is presumed, many of the discourses which he preached here with such happy effect. The congrega- tion wished him to take the pastoral charge, but he de- clined. He departed this life at East Windsor, Conn., in January, 1843. His memoirs were published by Dr. Tyler, in 1844. The Eev. ELIAS ^Y. CRANE, was born at Elizabethtown, N. J., on the 18th of March, 1796. "When yet a boy from six to eight years of age, he was serious and conscientious in his morning and evening devotions." " His serious turn of mind, and his great devotion to reading, and readi- ness of acquisition, led his parents to entertain the idea that it was their duty to give him a collegiate education.'' When about sixteen years of age he en- PKESBYTEKIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 215 tered the Junior Class in Princeton College, wliere he graduated in Septend^er, 1814. During his residence in Morristown, N. J., while engaged in the business of teaching, he made a public profession of his faith in Christ, and attached himself to the church in that place, then under the care of Rev. Dr. Wm. McDowell, on the 2d day of March, 1816. On the 8th of October, 1818, by the Presbytery of Jersey he was licensed to preach the gospel. December, 1819, he received and accepted a call from the church at Springfield, X. J., and was ordained January 5th, 1820. lie remained here seven years, a devoted and useful pastor, and was permitted to rejoice greatly in seeing the work of the Lord prosper in his hands. In the year 1825 the Lord poured out his Spirit on that people, and very many were brouo-ht from death unto life. In the month of May, 1825, the church in Jamaica became vacant by the removal of the Rev. Mr. Funck its pastor, Mr. Nettleton, at his departure, recommended Mr. Crane to the people as a fit person to become their pastor. The great blessing he was made to this people, proves the sagacity of Mr. ]S^. as to ministerial character. The pastoral relation of Mr. C. to the church of Springfield was dissolved, and he was dismissed from the Presby- tery of Elizabeth town on the I7th October, 1826, and on the 31st of the same month was, by the Presbytery of New York, installed pastor of the church of Jamaica. Jamaica must be regarded as the chief scene of his usefulness. Here he spent fourteen years, almost the third of his whole life. " "When he entered this field,'' remarks Dr. Murray, in a sermon preached at Elizabeth- town, November 29, 1840, on the occasion of his death, 21 G HISTORY OF THE and from wliicli most of tlie facts concerning Mr. C. have been derived, " tlie cloud of mercy ^vas withdraw- ing for a season, but spanned with the bow of promise that it would again return to water the seed he was beginning to sow ; — when called away in the midst of his labours, the same cloud was retiring, after fulfill- ing all the hopes it had once inspired, glittering all over with the same bright bow, as if at once to illume and beautify his path to his rest and his reward. A few communions before his departure, it was his priv- ilege and joy to receive nearly eighty into the church, and among them three of his own children." Mr. C. was aifected with a disease, not unlike the asthma, whose violent and frequent attacks admonished him as to the manner of his departure. But he continued cheerful and constant in the discharge of his ofiicial duties, feeling that he was immortal until his work was done. On the evening of his decease, and but a few hours previous to its occurrence, he was preaching in a private house in a distant part of his congregation and exhorted his hearers with unusual fervency from the text, " But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly." The services were concluded by the hymn, the last he ever read or sang on earth : " "We've no abiding city here — This may distress tlie worldly mind, But should not cost the saint a tear, Who hopes a better rest to find." After the services were over, he returned to the bosom of his family. Mrs. C. was absent on a visit to I I PEESBYTEEIAN CIIUKCII, JAMAICA. 21Y a sister at Norwich, Conn., and lie liad made ar- rangements to leave the ensuing morning for Norwich for the purpose of accompanying Airs. C to her home. The family had all retired to rest, except the faithful domestic, who for years had been a member of his liousehold, when his disease fell upon him with fatal violence. Feeling, after a few struggles, that resist- ance was hopeless, he committed his s])irit, his wife, and his children to God, and laid him down and died, in the forty-fifth year of his life, and having just en- tered on the twentv-third of his ministry. lie was cut down like a tree that yielded much fnut, and that was laden with blossoms, even in its fall." The following is an abstract of the beautiful sketch given of his character, by Dr. Murray, in the sermon before alluded to. lie was blessed bv God with a natural disposition remarkable for its amiability and sweetness. By his severe trials and afflictions this dis- ])Osition was never soured or changed. He was one of the most desirable friends and companions we have ever known. A near and dear relative relates that for twenty years, she never saw a ruffle upon his temper. And all his brethren in the ministry can say that they never met him but M'ith pleasure, and never part- ed with him but with regret. Ilis pleasant and cheer- ful smile always diffused pleasure around him. But it was religion which chiefly gave lustre to his character. His views of the way of acceptance with God, and of the great doctrines of grace, were clear and distinct ; and he sought consolation more from resting on the great principles of the Gospel, than from excited feel- ing. He lived in the constant sense of God's favour 10 213 niSTOEY OF THE and acceptance, and seemed to have little else to do than to serve God with all his might. His character as a preacher and pastor has been highly appreciated. It was never his ambition to se- cure the fame of a profound scholar, or of a great theo- logian, or of an acute controvertist ; and whilst he was a good scholar and a sound theologian, and carefully discriminated between truth and error, his great object was so to preach Christ as to lead his hearers to believe in him. We have never heard him preach a sermon of which it could not be truly said, both as to the mat- ter and manner, that it was a sweet savor of Christ, and as ointment poured forth. His qualifications as a pastor very far surpassed those of many of his brethren. It was to him a j^leasure, instead of a cross, to mingle w^ith his people ; and so frank and winning were his ways, that without repelling any, he attracted all to himself. His was an uncommonly sympathizing heart. Whilst, as a mere preacher, he has left behind him some superiors, and many equals; yet, when we re- gard him as a preacher and pastor, he has left behind him no superior, and but very few equals. In these respects the church has lost one of her best models. Mr. Crane departed this life on the 10th day of No- vember, 1810. His funeral was atteiided on tlie 14th, by a large concourse of people, who listened to an ap- propriate discourse by the Rev. John Goldsmith, D. D., from Pliil. i. 21 : " For me to live," &c. The REV. JAMES M. MACDONALD was installed May 5th, 1841. Rev^ Dr. Spring preach- ed from 1 Pet. iii. 15 ; the late Rev. Dr. Goldsmith, of PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 219 I Newtown, gave tlie cliarge to the minister, and the Rev. Di\ Jacobns, of Brooklyn, now professor in the Western Theoh)gical Seminary, at Allegheny, Penn- sylvania, the charge to the people. On the 16th of April, 1850, his pastoral relation to the chnrch was dis- solved, and the Presbytery, on the 28th of the same month, installed him pastor of the Fifteenth Street Chnrch in New York. From his farewell address at Jamaica, delivered April 21st, the following snmmary is derived : Perhaps days of as great spiritual prosperity as this chnrch has ever known, have occurred since 1815. That year may, in some sense, be regarded as beginning a new era in its history. Previous to that date there are not wanting instances in which the Spirit appears to have been poured out with considerable power, as for example during the ministry of Mr, Cross, and again during that of Mr. Wilmot, and again of Mr. Mills. But previous to the year 1815, the number of commun- icants does not appear, at any time, to have been large. In comparison with the number of families in the con- gregation, the number of communicants was small. In 17G2, before the revival which occurred in Mr. Mills's day, there were but twelve. In 1793, there were but iifty-eight. In 1807, there were fifty three. But soon after the settlement of Mr. Weed there was a special work of grace among the people, as the result of which about sixty were added to the communion of the chnrch. In 1822, the year in which Dr. Weed left, the number of communicants had increased to one hun- dred and ninety-three. In 1827, following the revival under Dr. Nettleton, there were reported to Presbytery 220 HISTORY OF THE two hundred and sixty-three communicants. In 1831, God so smiled on the ministrations of Mr. Crane that over seventy were admitted to the communion, on pro- fession of their faith. The church continued to increase by more gradual additions until 1839, about a year be- fore Mr. Crane's death, when nearly eighty were re- ceived into its communion. The number reported to the Presbytery in 1841, the spring following Mr. C.'s decease, was three hundred and eighty, making an in- crease of three hundred and twenty-seven from the time of Mr. Weed's accession to the pastorship, and of one hundred and seventeen from the time of Mr. Crane's. This, however, only shows the number that remained, after deducting removals by death, dismis- sions to other churches, and otherwise. During Mr. Crane's ministry there were four hundred received on confession and by certificate, and from the beginning of Mr. Weed's ministry to the close of Mr. Crane's, about six hundred. The above statistics serve to show the highly pros- perous state of this church of Christ at the opening of the pastorate which had its commencement in the spring of 1811. Of the one hundred and seventy or eighty families in- the congregation, there were not more than ten or twelve, at the most, the heads of which were not in communion with the church ; and a very large proportion of the youth were also members of the church. The average age of the seventy-six re- ceived at the June communion in 1839, was less than twenty years. But God's gracious favour Nvas so far con- tinued during this pastorate, that an average of more than seventeen were annually received to its member- TRESBYTEKIAN CIIUKCH, JAMAICA. 221 ship. Tlic largest number in any single year was in 184:5, Avlien nearly sixty were received, forty-four of them on profession of their faith. Again, in 1817, the Lord granted some refreshing from his i)resence, and thirty-six were added during that year, mostly on pro- fession. The congregation considerably increased. The few vacant pews found at its beginning were filled up; and, in consequence of the demand for more, the church was enlarged, and the number of pews, includ- ing those in the galleries (which were to a considerable extent rented) increased to one hundred and forty-four. These were soon all taken, and again applications for more could not be granted. The charitable collections averaged not far from six hundred dollars per annum- The rite of baptism was administered to one hundred and seventy-six persons, one hundred and fifty of them being infants; and eighty-eight marriages were solem- nized. " I suppose I have preached," the address pro- ceeds, " on an average, more than one hundred and fifty times every year of my ministry among you. I remember that I have officiated at about one hundred and seventy funerals, preaching in almost every in- stance. How often have we stood together beside the infant's grave, and from that point sought to catch a glimpse of the glory to which they had been taken ! I do not forget the sympathy I received from you in those bereavements which it pleased the Judge of all the earth to bring upon my own family. I have gone with the aged, as they approached the baidvs of Jordan. Three of them were over ninety years of age ; seven between eighty and ninety ; and eight or ten between seventy and eighty. Over thirty were the victims of 222 HISTORY OF THE consumption. Several were strangers at Jamaica. One* was instantly killed by a fall from his wagon, and crushed beneath the wheels. Another,f a mother in Israel, met her Saviour in the waters of the Hudson, when the steamboat Swallow perished. One made a profession of lier faith in Christ at the communion be- fore her death, being then in blooming health. One died at the Asylum for tlie Insane. One was a man who had been a great opposer to religion in health, and whom I never saw in the house of God, who was peni- tent and heart-broken in his last sickness. One was a young man who, in a few days over a year, followed his young wife to the grave. A sprightly child of pa- rents in humble life was drowned in a tub by the door side. One had been a communicant in this church sixty years,:}: and in her old age was a model of intelli- gent and cheerful piety. Another,§ a wife and mother, lingering with consumption, said of a winter during which she was wholly confined to the house and hardly expected to see the spring, that it had been the happi- est portion of her life. Another was an excellent man, II whose snow-white locks and peculiarly beseech- ing tones in prayer cannot soon be forgotten, who be- ing overtaken with sudden sickness and told only two hours before his departure that his end was at hand, was as undisturbed as if it was only a journey on which he was to start, for which he had been preparing for many weeks. And another was a man^ of vigorous intellect and earnest piety, whose heaviest sorrow seem- * Mr. James Baylis. + Mrs. Ann Lamberson. X JIis. Abigail Carpenter. § Mrs. Iluntting. I John Rhoades. H Nicholas Smith. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 223 cd to fall upon him after liis tVainc had been weakened and bowed down by years of sickness, but whose faith failed not." ***** " I have it to mention, to the glory of the God of grace, that during the whole nine years of my connec- tion with you, there has been nothing to disturb the harmony of the congregation, or the kind feeling that has existed from the beginning between the people and minister. I know not that there is a single mem- ber of this congregation, and I may add of this com- munity, who has ever sought, by Avord or deed, to injure me. I have endeavoured to live in charity with all men, and, with scarcely an exception, have tmet with like in spirit on the part of others. I have formed many Christian friendships here, which I do not think any thing can essentially impair, and which it comforts me to hope shall be continued and perfected in heaven. I am bidding adieu to a scene where God has graciously condescended to honour me infinitely beyond my deserts, and where, with many afflictions, I have also had many sources of happiness opened to me. I have full confidence that that God who planted this goodly vine in the wilderness, and has watched over it now, for nearly two hundred years, will continue to watch over it, and make it even more fruitful ; that he will send you another minister, and I pray that he may be made more honoured and success- ful than any of his predecessors. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace ; and the God of love and peace shall be with you," 224: HISTORY OF THE More than twenty ministers preceded the writer here, the greater number of them pastors ; and but one of them survives. From time to time they have fallen, nearly every one of them, at some post of use- fulness, faithful to their character and ofhce, to the last. Six of them died during their pastoral connectio:i with the church at Jamaica; five of them lie buried with their people ; five of them made a sudden exit, three of them having preached on the very day of their death. The Eev. PETER D. OAKEY was born at IsTew Brunswick, K. J., June 22d, 1816. He united with the First Eeformed Dutch Church, September, 1830, then under the pastoral care of the Eev. Jacob J. Janeway, D. D. Graduating at Eutgers College in 1811, and completing his theological course at the Seminary in New Brunswick in 1844, he was ordained and installed pastor of the Eeformed Dutch Church, Oyster Bay, in September of the same year. He resigned his charge at Oyster Bay, having been called to the Middle Eeformed Dutch Church, Brook- lyn, over which he was installed in March, 1847. He was installed over the church in Jamaica, May 25th, 1850, having been unanimously called almost immed- iately after the pastoral relation of his predecessor was dissolved.'^ That pastorate ceased on the IGtli of April ; he entered on his the following month — a striking evi- dence of the harmony and healthful condition of the congregation. Mr. Oakey's ministry, before he came * The Rev. J. D. Wells preached from Jer. iii. 15 ; Rev. N. C. Locke gave the charge to the pastor; aud Rev. J. M. Macdouald the charge to the congregation. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 225 to Jamaica, had been marked with signal success. He took charge in Brooklyn of an infant church, having 20 members ; at his departure, after three years, the church had increased to 150 members. Mr. Oakey's ministry at Jamaica has been blessed to the edification of the church, and a steady annual addition to the number of its communicants. He, too, bears testimony to the uniform kindness of the people to himself and his family. The following is an extract from his tenth anniversary sermon, preached May, 1860, taken from the Long Island Farmer^ of that date : " There have been added to the church, during the past ten years, 179 members. There have been 135 baptisms. The Pastor has solemnized the rite of marriage 98 times, and officiated at 270 funerals. He has delivered, during the ten years, about 2,000 ser- mons and other religious discourses. Of the whole number of communicants, but -19 have died during the period. Of this number several were over 90 years of age ; 6 over 80 years ; 22 over 70 ; 31 over 60 ; leaving but 18 under 60 years of age ; of these but four w'ere under 35 years." 10* 226 HISTORY OF THE CHAPTER IX. STATISTICS OP THE PRESBTTERIAN CHURCH IX THE UXITED STATES — INFLU- ENCE OF A SINGLE CHURCH ^ MEN DIE, TRUTH ENDURES — THE LIFE OF SOCIETY — ERROR AND SIN TRANSMITTED — LOSSES AND GAINS, OR THE TRAN- SCIF.NT AND PERMANENT IN HISTORY — SIGNS OF THE TIMES — THE MISSION- ARY SPIRIT OF RICHARD BAXTER — HOPE FOR OUR COUNTRY IX ITS PRESENT TRIALS — PRINCIPLES RECEIVED FROM THK PRESBYTERIAN FATHERS — LOY- ALTY — RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF YOUTH — FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE — CHOICE OF RULERS — HOW WE MAY BEST SERVE THE FUTURE — KING DAVID — ABEL — THE CHAIN OF EXPERIENCE — MR. AMOS DENTON — FAITH AND PRAYER. IN concluding this volume, it will be proper to glance at what the Presbyterian Church, in its several branches has become, in this country, since the church whose history has been sketched in the preceding pages, was established ; and at the duty imposed on those who are charged with the conservation and dis- semination of the principles maintained at such cost, in a former age. In the United States there are now more than five thousand five hundred Presbyterian ministers, without including those of the Peformed Dutch Church ; more than eight thousand churches ; and more than seven hundred and seventy -five thousand communicants ; — being considerably more than double the number of communicants, churches and ministers in the several PKESBYTKKIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 227 brandies of the Presbyterian Ctiurclies in Great Britain and her Provinces.* In the branch of the ohnrcli, known as old-school, there are, according to the last reports to the General Assembly, two thousand seven hundred and sixtv-sev^en ministers, five hundred and forty-five candidates for the ministry, three thou- sand six hundred and eiii-htv-four churches, havino; more than three hundred thousand connnunicants. In the branch, known as new-school, there are one thou- sand five hundred and fifty ministers, two hundred and eighty candidates, one thousand four hundred and seventy-eight cluirches, with nearly one hundred and thirty-five thousand communicants. The Presbyterians have church property of larger value than any other denomiiuition — the Methodists excepted, the two being very nearly equal in amount, it being, according to the census returns of the United States in 1850, more than fourteen millions and a half, and furnishing one church for every 4,769 of the total population. The educational interests of the country, in the higher sem- inaries of learning, have to a large extent been in the hands of the Presbyterian Church and her ministers. Of course it is impossible to estimate correctly the influence of a single church, however clearly may be- long to it the honour of being the first of its own name, established in the country, in laying the foundations of that which has grown into so vast a superstructure. It is difficult, indeed, to trace the influence, in promoting true religion, of the church at Jamaica, in this its own peculiar fields, ^Numerous evangelical churches have grown up around it, several of them, for more than a * Wilson's Almanac for 1860. 228 HISTORY OF THE century, sharing witli it in Christian labours. Large Presbyteries now occupy the territory, including the two great cities adjacent, where there was not a single church of the Presbyterian name at the time religious worship was commenced in this place. ISTor is it much easier to estimate the amount of good done when we limit our view to the confines of the congregation itself. Godly men, one generation after another, who la- boured for the establishment and preservation of this church, have passed away, but the church remains. Truth and righteousness did not take their departure from the earth with those who loved and defended them in the past. The same great fundamental prin- ciples which were so dear to holy patriarchs, prophets, aj)Ostles, and our pious forefathers are in the custody of their successors in the faith. The same faith by which Abraham was justified, justifies every believer. The law of the ten commandments, which came by Moses, is the law of the Christian Church. Even that knowl- edge, which is the result of experience, is not entirely lost, but has been transmitted in institutions, customs and laws ; or stands recorded for our instruction in hu- man biography. Society, like the individuals of Avhich it is composed, has its own peculiar life and growth, which goes on, whilst one generation passeth away, and another cometh. 'No gulf ever divides one generation from its predecessors, or from those which follow it. The isolation of any single one, except by a mere form or figure of speech, is impossible. They may be dis- tinct links, yet they belong to one great chain, stretch- ing across the ages, and transmit from one to another PKESBYTEKIAN CHUKCII, JAMAICA. 229 a subtle and powerful influence. Tlie coming one im- bibes the life, and puts on the growth of that which is passing away before it wholly disappears. Not only truth and righteousness, but error and sin, are transmitted from one ii-eneration to another. If the evil which men do died with them, long since would the fountain of supply have been exhausted, and the moral desert would be now blooming as the rose. Error survives, because of the deceivable character of man, and the imperfection of his teachers. It is truth misconceived ; or, it is truth perverted ; or, it is truth absolutely denied ; and, because of this necessary rela- tion to truth, it lives and will live, until the deceiver shall cease to employ it, or those who have been his dupes, shall be secured against his wiles. Let it not be supposed that the highest civilization of itself can ever expel error from among men, or withstand the corruption of the liunum heart. A Divine power and instrumentality are requisite for this great work. Just as Christianity, in the purity of its doctrines, and lives of its disciples, is brought to bear on the mass of evil in human societv, will the work of exterminatino' it advance. And liere, too, let us thankfully acknowl- edge the progress which has been nuide. The light which began to shine on the hill of Zion, more than eighteen hundred years ago, already shines with glad- dening beams on many lands, giving joyful presage that it will yet penetrate all the dark places, and till the earth with glory. This view of losses and gains, as exhibited by a study of the past, is suited to check vanity, whilst it forbids despair. If we have any advantage over 230 niSTOKY OF THE those wlio have gone before us, it is because we come after them. They have removed obstacles out of our path. If we had to contend with their difficulties, we should accomplish no more, peradventure, not so much as they. If we had lived when they did, we should have been the slaves of their ignorance and prejudices; no more enlightened and charitable than they. We are to take into consideration the age in which they lived, and judge them by their light, not ours. Can we hope to equal the greatness of their efforts in the difficulties they encountered, in contending with the difficulties that meet us, and in removing them out of the way of those who shall come after us ? We might well despair, when taking into account the slow progress which has been made for so many generations, if the entire work of bringing the world to the point where it now stands, had been committed to any single one of them ; as we should certainly be presumptuous, if we supposed that all which remains to be accomplished has been committed to the one now on the stage. Each one has its allotted work ; and if we perform not ours, we may fall far behind many that have gone before us. The period in which we live has been thought, by some profound minds, to belong to an era which bears " marks of the fulness of time," as if there could be no great future beyond it, except that glorious con- summation to which Prophecy has long pointed, and the Gospel so clearly tends. The ancient world lacked that perfection of moral and spiritual truth with which the Gospel has furnished us. The providence of God has opened to us doors which were effectually barred PKKSBYTKKIAN CIIUKCir, JAMAICA. 231 and sealed ag-aiiist our fathers of two hundred years ago. " Coukl we hut go among Tartars, Turks, and heathens," says Richard Baxter, in his personal Narra- tive, " and speak their language, I should be but little troubled for the silencing of eighteen hundred ministers at once in England, nor for all the rest that were cast out here, and in Scotland and Ireland ; there being no employment in the world so desirable in my eyes as to labour for the Avinning of such miserable souls ; which maketh me greatly honour Mr. John Eliot, the apostle of the Indians in New England, and whoever else have laboured in such work."* Look in whatever quarter we may, we not only descry doors wide and effectually opened, but the nations that are without the Gospel, eftete ; and we descry no gifted race which seems endued with power to impress new ele- ments on the history of the world. Christian nations must be, as has been said, " the last reserve of the world " to do God's work. And because it is God's work, and because they are in possession of the truth, as it is in his Son, the truth which makes men free, it shall be done. We have not the least ground for des- pondency, as to the final result. The delays and defeats, which vex ns, are but a temporary adjourn- ment, or perhaps the mysterious means employed for the hastening on of the day of promised peace and rest. The trials, through which the Christian nation, to which we belong, is now passing, should be looked upon hopefully, rather than in the spirit of dejection. * Narrative Part I. conclusion; written 1664. 232 IIISTOKY OF THE Considering the long period during whicli God kept this great continent hidden from the rest of the world, and how it was opened jnst as soon as it was ready for occnpation, and there were men ready to occupy it ; and how the most enlightened kingdoms were sifted, for the precious seed with which to sow the virgin soil, we can not yield to the fear that He is about, at so early a stage in its history, to give the nation np to destruction. If the shadow npon the dial of our pro- gress has seemed of late to be going back,* we can not believe it is the symbol of approaching dissolution, but rather of a prolonged and useful existence. Tlie civil wars in England, two centuries ago, involved sufferings of which the bloody pages of its history can give us but a feeble idea ; they ended in the beneficent revolution of 1688, deciding the struggle which had been kept up, for weary ages, between the monarchical and popular elements, in favour of the latter. God is sorely chastening us ; but what son is there whom the Father chasteneth not? What greatness or eminent virtue is to be attained by individuals or nations, ex- cept in the school of affliction ? May He grant that our present grievous troubles, like the afflictions of his own children, shall prove to be not judgments but chastisements, which afterwards yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness ! But it merits our most serious inquiry what it is we have received from the past, worthy to be transmitted to those who are to come after us ; what it is we have been put in charge of specially for the future. "We * II Kings XX. 9-11, PRESBYTERIAN CIIURCH, JAIMAICA. 233 have inherited something more than the estates of the dead — the liouses they built, the acres they cultivated — to wit, the jiirindplcs they defended^ and the immu- nities and privileejes^ which it cost them untold lcd)Ours and sujferlngs to icring from the grasp of Tgranny. The measure of our indebtedness to them is the measure of our obligation to hand down the legacy we have received, to those who have in it an equal heirship with ourselves. What have we received from our Presbyterian fathers % We have received the principles of loyalty to the civil government. They even sustained a gov- ernment which oppressed them. They were opposed to the violent measures which resulted in the execution of the first Charles, and were in favour of the restora- tion of the second. They were opposed to the usurpa- tions of the military power and the Protector. They , were opposed to whatever was in contravention of the fundamental law of the land, whether it appeared in the Charleses or Cromwell. They were support- ers of the government snider the ancient con- stitution of the land. Whilst they were ready to yield to the civil authority all due honour and sub- mission, in matters temporal, in affairs concerning the commonwealth, they claimed the privilege of choosing their own ministers, and demanded that they should be ordained by their own acknowledged spirit- tual rulers; and persisted in their claim and demand in spite of disabilities, confiscations, and the sword. If we would prove ourselves worthy scions of such a stock, we must never relinquish Christ's headship in the church ; and in the State, we must abide firndy by 234 IIISTOIiY OF THE the Constitution, in all its parts, and the government administered, according to its provisions. " Think well tbrouffli wliom Your life-blood tracks its parent lake." The strictest discipline in morals, and religious in- struction of youth, was another of the principles of our forefathers. The Bible and the Catechism were em- ployed in the family and in the school, as well as in the house of God, to impress on the minds of their children the principles which should govern their conduct to- wards God and man. These principles, submission to the powers that be in the state, freedom of conscience, the choice of rulers by the suffrage of the people, were transplanted by them to this land. They were admira- bly qualified by their love of liberty, their respect for law, and their fear of God, to lay the foundations of empire. May we, their descendants, be faithful to the trust committed to us, and deliver it unimpaired to the rightful heirs ! They lived in times of civil commo- tion, but their spirit of uncharitable dogmatism and in- tolerance, which was the spirit of the age they lived in, has passed away. God forbid that, in these dark and bitter times which have come upon us, that fell spirit should be revived ! Let us abhor that which was evil in them, whilst we cleave to that which was good. In fine, if we would know how best to serve the fu- ture, it is by serving our own generation well. In cast, ing ourselves forward, to live for posterity, it is not ne- cessary to lose sight of the present interests of the world. We are not to "stop," as has been said "to dry up the fluids of present vitality, that we may em- PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JAMAICA. 235 balm ourselves as mummies for posterity; vet whilst striving chiefly to act in the present, we shoukl draw our bow with such tension as to strike within the veil of the great liereafter." Let our plans be for immedi- ate, and if well devised, they will be for prospective usefulness. No man ever did better for men, in all time, than that Prince and Psalmist of Israel, the psalmist of God's people, of every name, of every suc- ceeding age, in every land, who, " after he had served his own generation, by the will of God, fell on sleep." His tongue was silenced, and his right hand forgot its cunning, when the sleep of death fell on him ; but his songs are echoed and re-echoed, and will continue to be, until they mingle with the hymns of the millennial morning. It is said of the very first one of our race who died, that he " yet speaketh." His voice comes sounding to us across the abysm of the past, telling us not so to magnify the present as to lose sight of the fu- ture, and commending to us that faith which gives a present realization to things hoped for, and demonstra- tion of things not seen. It enabled him to seize hold of that great sacrifice to be made for sin in the distant future, of which the blood that stained his own altar was the type. It is by this faith we may link ourselves to the gi- gantic chain of the experience of thousands of years. For it begets in all who })ossess it, like courage and lio])e, and leads to a deportment corresponding to the great and solemn revelations which are addressed to the understandino; and the heart. It constrains to a course of conduct which speaks after death has palsied our tongues and done its work 236 HISTOKY OF THE on our poor bodies. The writer can truly say, and has often been constrained to say, tliat he never saw the lite of faith more beantifully exhibited than it was in Mr. Denton, a former elder of this church, and to whom the first edition of the preceding his- tory was dedicated. Always cheerful and hopeful, al- ways prayerful and spiritual, alwaj^s about his Master's business, always ready to speak a word in season to him that was weary, and to contribute out of his mod- erate means to the needy in a measure beyond many of those who have the resources of wealth, let me express the hope that he has and will continue to have many to follow him as he followed Christ. What though disease which had long been wasting his bodily strength, at length commenced its ravages on his mind and overshadowed him in his last sickness with a rayless cloud ? How great and joyful must have been the good man's astonishment when, having closed his eyes for ever on the darkness of earth, he opened them on the brightness of heaven !* * Mr. Denton departed this life August 9th, 1857, aged 63 years, 5 months and 8 days. The following sketch of him was published by the present pastor, Rev. Mr. Oakey : Mr. Denton was born in the town of Jamaica, March 1st, 1794. A child of the covenant by a pious mother, he was early taught the obligation and practice of true religion. The subject of our notice united with the Presbyterian Church in October, 1816. His consistent piety and devoted zeal pointed him out as well quali- fied to fill the office of ruling elder. Accordingly, having been previously called to this office by the voice of the church, he was ordained thereto on the Sd of June, 1819. How well he filled that office they who knew him most in- timately can best testify. It is due to his memory to say that for 38 years, except when sickness intermitted his labours, he served the church as an elder with an aflection, a faithfulness, a devotion of piety, a pure consistent chris- tian character seldom surpassed, not often equaled. And though for awhile PKESBYTERIAN CllUIlCn, JAMAICA. 237 It is by faith we receive the great propitiation. It is by faith that tlie unseen things of eternity become living and influential realities. It is Christ in our prayers like the angel of the Lord, ascending in the flame of the burnt sacrifice* of Israel's great champion laid aside from active duty by physical disability, yet to the last his interest was in and for tlie churcli. Some of the traits in his character may be summed up in a few words. Jle had a teiuhr conscUnce. He feared nothing so much as sin. He was very susceptible to anything in his own person or in the church that might offend the Divine Master or wound his cause, lie irai of a huvihU 7niiui. He never was obtrusive in his manner. He never arrogated to himself su- periority ; nor was he dogmatic in the statement of his opinions. His dis- position was rather conciliating, contiding, cliildlike ; more like those of whom the Saviour said, "of such is the kingdom of Heaven." lie tvas chariUihle upon principle ; he was Ulieral (uroidimj to stjdem. If he was ab- sent on collection days, his contribution nevertheless came. And that contri- bution was a fair representative of his worldly circumstances, for he felt it to be a j[>/'/ci7<'j7«' to " give according ff.t the Lord had prospered him. Ik was desirous of doing good to the souU of men. Many can testify to his efforts in the sick chamber, and by personal conversation with the impenitent, to lead them to Jesus. And some who have united with the church traced their convictions to his conversation, or to books given them by him. " They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever." Ik was strong in, Ids faith in God. However little faith he may have had in himself, he never lost hold of his faith in God. He never permitted him- self to question the wisdom or righteousness of the Divine proceedings. And in this respect, like Job, he kept his integrity to tlie end. And though his disease, reaching the brain, produced great mental suffering, partially thereby suspending the full enjoyment of his hope, yet in his life and char- acter the e.vample and power of a godly life speak out, justif\Mng the appel- lation, if it may he ajiplied to any one within the range of our knowledge, of a good man and full of the Holy Ghost. And while friends gather around his grave, the church mourns his loss, and the impenitent have lost a friend, than whom no one felt a more tender interest for them than our departed brother. But he is gone. We can only mourn our loss, and tender our condolence to the afflicted relatives, and in the language of the apostle, exhort them " that they sorrow not, as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again ; even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." * Judges xiii. 20. 238 PKESBYTERIAN CIIUKCH, JAMAICA. which brings them near the throne of the Lord of all the ases and kino:doms of the world. It is a 2;reat en- couragement when we remember we approach the same gracious being who heard the prayers of our own parents and ancestors, who have passed beyond the shadows amidst which we are moving to the inheri- tance of the promises. Our hearts are moved when we think how they prayed for their children's children, and we are blessed ; how they prayed for Christ's cause and it was strengthened, and his work revived. Are we wrestling as they did to obtain the everlasting prize ? and for a blessing on those who are to come after us ? ADDENDA. A list of the Towne Estate of Jemaica. ANNO 1G83 o ^ >- >• to >< Ed a •*• CO < ESTATES 2 !1 1 C>1 r— 1 o 2 5 4 3 1—4 3 1 52 2 £ K d. Capt. Carpcntor 186 00 00 ^ John Roiles Senr 4 2 5 2 2 40 1 120 00 00 Thomas Smith sen 1 1 2 3 3 3 2 2 45 2 145 (lO 00 Jonathan Dchie 1 2 (1 18 1 58 00 02 John Evei-it 2 2 1 (1 4 4 3 4 5 1 4 4 2 2 2 2 1 1 3(t 42 33 1 2 1 104 00 00 Joseph Smith 170 00 00 Thomas liayles 1)9 00 00 Thomas AVij^eus iun.. . 2 1 1 8 022 00 00 John AVi> r-1 ^ > < a Ed ESTATES 2 CO 1— ( o 2 4 2 3 CO 2 •M rH cc 6 1 21 8 11 a £ .s. d. Abell Galle 3 9. 09.S no 00 Fulke Davis 039 00 00 tramuell Davis 2 050 00 00 John liindes 1 2 1 1 ijo 0,0 1 6 048 00 00 Richard Denton 042 00 00 Nehemiah Smith 1 4 4 3 2 1 n 22 116 00 00 Wait Smith 1 1 4 4 3 1 2 2 2 1 1 36 26 110 00 Oo John Smith Sen' 086 OD 0;» John & Jos. Ludlv. . . . 1 1 6 3 2 3 1 311 154 00 00 John Carpenter 1 '2 2 2 1 2 13 078 00 Oij Samuell Mils 1 1 2 2 4 3 2 2 1 2 3 30 15 103 00 00 Nath Denton iu 087 00 00 Sam Deine Sen 2 4 6 2 3 34 1S9 00 00 Sam Deine Jun 4 022 00 00 John Deine 1 2 4 1 6 1 1 5 55 1 040 00 00 Nath Denton Sen l.o3 00 00 George Mills 2 4 2 6 2 1 4 4 36 2 034 00 00 George Woolsey Sen. . 108 00 00 Widow Ashman 1 4 3 2 21 o75 00 00 John Rowlifson & Fred. 1 1 4 3 3 16 2 104 00 00 Thomas Wellin 5 3 2 30 065 00 00 "^ John Bayles 2 3 3 8 22 098 00 00 Sam Ruscoe 2 2 8 6 2 6 3 3 4 1 16 14 22 2 0-14 00 00 John Hanson 118 00 00 Derick Powleson 107 00 00 Cornelius Barnson 1 2 10 050 00 00 Rich Everit 1 1 1 2 10 9 022 00 00 Hugh Fordo 030 00 00 Thomas Smith iun .... 043 00 00 William Bringscel 1 2 1 3 044 00 00 Edw Burrows 1 1 1 5 032 00 00 ■* Caleb Carman 1 6 5 4 19 198 00 00 John Rodes iun 2 3 2 1 1 1 9 079 00 00 The Foster 1 2 1 2 3 2 4 1 1 1 1 10 6 032 00 00 ^ John Carman 028 00 00 The Woolsey 040 00 00 John Freeman 089 00 00 Beniamin Jones 1 1 2 1 2 6 058 00 00 William White 1 1 3 038 00 00 Hope Carpentor 1 2 1 1 1 4 055 00 GO Randolph Evans 9 009 00 00 Barnet Caterlin 018 00 00 John Foster 1 2 4 6 046 00 00 Jerem Hubard 034 00 00 Daniel Denton 2 2 1 056 00 00 ADDENDA. 241 II Return of Marriages Christenings and Burials in the town of Jamaica, for Seven Tears preceding 1G88. — Doc. Hist. III. IG?. Capt. Carpenter, Joseph Smith, John Oldtielcl, jNIr. Woolsey, Will ft'oster,' Samll Smith, . John Everett, Zac'hary Mills, Alexander Smith, iru'li Junes, Edward J->timf^ Nehemiah Smith, Jolni Ileines, John Carpenter, Saml Mills Kath Denton Senr Jolm Kodes, . Jt)hn, U.c.<.Mc,p^ Nath Denton, Georg-e Woolsey, Tho : Smith Sen', Tho : Smith Jnn^, John Smith, Kich : Rodes, Ralph Hunt, Derrick Poulson Rich Everett . 11 OES. CHRISTENINGS. BCI HALLS 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 3 2 3 1 4 1 2 ... . 1 1 1 ... 1 3 ... 2 2 3 ... . 3 ... . 1 ... . .... 4 ... . 1 3 ... . 1 1 2 ... . 1 1 ... . 1 2 . ... . 1 1 ... . 2 ... . 1 3 ... . 1 1 ... . 212 ADDENDA. llARP.IAfiES. CHRISTEXIXCS. BU RIALLS. garall Mathews, . . . 1 ... Nicolas Everett, . . . 1 . 4 1 Jonas Wood, .... 4 ... 1 ffrederick . . . . .0 3 ... John Baylie, .... 1 ... John Hanson, . . . . . 1 Elias BayUe, .... 3 ... Abell Gale, .... 1 . ... 1 Jonth Dean, . . . .0 ... 1 Sainll Dean, .... 3 ... 1 Nath Lynas, .... 4 ... Wait Smith, ... 3 ... Danll Denton, Jun', . . . , ... 3 Joseph Thurston, ... 1 8 ... 1 John Wood, . . . . . 2 ... Mr. Whitehead, ... ... 1 Mr. White, . . . . . .. . 2 Hoj^e Carpenter, ... 1 .. . . 1* Danll Denton Sen' . . . - - ... — Tho: Wellen, . . . - . — ... — Will Creed . . . . - — ... — John iFoster, . . . . - — ... — John Man, . . . . — — ... — WillSallierd . . . . - — ... — Fulk Davis, . . . . - — ... — Mr. flreeman, . . . - — ... — Samell, tUi/^tfo-^. . . . — — ... - Jonth: Mills, . . . - — ... — Beniemin Coe, . . . . - — ... - Tho : Wiggins, . . . - — ... _ Widdow, .i^ kyvio.A'*^ . . . - - ... - Edward Higbee, . . . - ~~ • • • - * The remaining figures of the MS. ar B obi iterated. ADDENDA, 243 Wi o .Facob Lowese Jos. Uldtield Sam'I Thurston Hope Mills Dan'l Bayles John Messenger Abm. Lot , David Forman Wait Smith, Jr Nathan Smith Nicolas Stilhvell , Peter White Justice Robt. Reade.. Josiah Wiggins Sam'I Smitir(Cord) Ebenezer Smith Jonaii Dean, Jr Nath'l Denton, Jr. Daniel Dean , Samuel Clows (Clerk) . Saml Jlills, Jr Thos. Howel John Foster (Comber) GabriU Luff" Jos. Smith James Denton Widow Goldin , Zachariah Mills John Carman Sam'I Mills, Sr Jos. Ludlum John Ludlum Jas. Lewis Waito Smith, Sr Neh'i Smith, Sr Neh'' Smith. Jr Capt. John Carpenter. Daniel Bull Thomas Smith, Jr. . . . A bell Gaile Thos. Gaile Nehii Gaile Wm. Moss. Jona" Waters Doc Beekman John Smith, Jr Jos. Burton Sam'I Fisch Hope Carpenter Jonas Wood, Jr Timothy Wood Thos. Wigofins Charles Williams John Woolsey , £ (/. q.w 11 2 2 2 1 3 2 1 3 2 11 6 3 2 5 5 2 9 6 2 10 2 3 11 5 4 3 8 9 4 3 1 2 4 2 10 2 2 5 2 4 3 3 9 3 3 1 1 1 2 3 1 2 11 6 6 4 11 5 2 2 3 3 3 12 10 8 13 2 Q 11 7 10 1 6 5 8 8 5 7 11 9 3 8 10 8 6 8 2 4 4 2 2 2 4 5 2 4 8 10 3 3 10 10 1 1 4 4 11 11 1 3 ADDENDA. Rate List, etc. — Continued. 245 Hend'k liegeman . . . Tlios. IJiirus tloliii I'uriis Saiii'l Denton John Foster, Jr. . . . Wni. Jones Charles Sniitlj Thos. Woolsey Jonas Wood, Jr. . . . Solomon Car]>enter. Thos. Smith (Cord). ]{icliar(l Oldliold.... Wm. Oidlield...... . John I'earce Fredeiick A'an Lew. John Kveiitt David Waters 11 4 1 1 (J 5 1 •2 3 13 8 17 7 5 Sam'l Smith, Sr 6 Mrs, Whilhead 4 Doct. ()t(|nai-t 2 Francis Sawyer Jnstice Kver'itt 9 Noah Smith Thos. I'etit 2 George Cimbal Jnstice Whithead 2 11 Joseph Fanton Andrew Mariner 1 Widow Ilinksman Widow Ihullock 3 Tho.s. Waters »j Amos Snuth 5 Edward Hare 5 2 4 n 4 4 5 3 1 3 2 8 5 1 1 2 5 10 6 2 2 4 5 4 10 2 2 8 1 3 3 'J O 1 y 1 1 7 10 1 3 2 6 1 3 2 10 2 4 2 8 4 3 2 2 2 4 4 2 4 2 The above rate being £51 IG*" Oi'/, whereof £50 oS Id to be paid to Col. Abin. ])epe3-ster, Treasurer of the Colony, and the remainder £1 13»' Sd to rcmaine to y townes use made by us Tnos Waters ) , Amos Smith \ ^^■^■'^■^■^ors. Town Records, III. 53 to GO. Bemarhs on Oie foregoing List. The Whitheads were the two richest, and now not one of the Lame can be found hereabo\its. The denominations of money are, £. *. d. qrs. and wamintm. I suppose 5 wampums were a farthing. We have here all the taxable inhabitants of the town of Jamaica. We learn there were two doctors, one Bloodgood and one Urquhart, per- haps Xhcf'itlicr of the Rev. Mr. Urciuhart. .John Uniuhai't occurs ni 1696. We see the odd alli.xes to persons of the same name, as Smith, Cord, i. e., cordwainer or shoemaker ; Smith, Redlid, i. e., red haired, red head ; Foster, Com}), whether it means wool coviher, or what, I can't guess ; Smitli, Pond, who lived at Beaver Pond ; Sam'l Denton, t^inith, i. e., blacksmith. Dan'l Bull was the one who caused the riot in Jamaica, while JIcNish looked on and encouraged the non-payment of church dues to Poyer- He was supervisor. — Doc. Hist. III. 2S5. H. 0., Jr. 246 ADDENDA. lY LETTER OF THE EEV. GEORGE HALE. Pennington, JV.J., Februarij 5th, 1862. Itev. J. M. Macdonald^ D. D. Dear Sir, — The township of Hopewell, in which the village of Pennington lies, was originally settled about the year 1700, and principally by emigrants from Long Island. These emigrants were the founders of the First Presby- terian Church of Hopewell of which lam now^ the pastor and which foi'med part of the old "congregation of Maiden- head [Lawrence] and Hopewell" mentioned as early as 1709, in the minutes of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. Some of these were from Jamaica. Within view of the spot where I am now writing, is the farm conveyed (as the parchment deed before me states) on " the 1 7th of Novem- ber, 1699, to Edward Burrowes of Jamaica on Long Island." This land was first occupied by his son Thomas Burrowes, who took an active part in favor of the " old side " in the controversy which agitated the Presbyterian church in 1737-8, &c. In the call for the services of the Rev. John Guild in 1739, are found his name and those of his five sons. Three of his descendants have been elders of this church, and one of them is the Rev. George Burrowes, D. D., now of San Francisco, Califoi'nia. Opposite to the farm of Thomas Burrowes, on the north side of the road, is the land purchased by George Woolsey also of Jamaica, and now in possession of his descendant of the fourth generation, George Woolsey, a deacon of this church. Adjoinmg the fai-m of Thomas Burro Aves is land once the property of John Muirheid, who was married to ADDENDA. 24:7 '-'■Rehekah Bailc;/'' at Jamaica, November 22, 170G. Tlieir oldest child Jane, was born August 29, 1710 and "bap- tized by Mr. George McXish." It is recorded that all their other children, seven, were baptized in infancy. Two of his posterity, each bearing the name of their ancestor, " John," liave been ruling elders of this church. A portion of the last mentioned tract was bought by John Carpenter of Jamaica, and occupied by him and three generations following, each of the four bearing the name " John " the third being for many years a ruling elder in this church, and the fourth dying unmarried just as he had reached manhood. Between the farm of Mr. Carpenter, and a line fence, which is but a few rods distant from here, is the purchase of John IVellinff, also of Jamaica, two of whose grandsons have been ruling-elders, and a great grandson a deacon of this church. In addition to the above, Thomas Smith, John Everit, Eldad Davis, Jonas Wood, Caleb Carman, Samuel Everit, and Andrew Foster, are believed to have immigrated hither from Jamaica, Long Island. Two of the early settlers married daughters of the Rev. John Prudden, once pastor of the Presbyterian church of Jamaica : — viz, Nathaniel Moore of Newtown, the husband of Joanna Prudden, and Elnathan Baldwin, (of the Hemp- stead Baldwins) the husband of Kezia Prudden. From Hempstead came John Mott, John Johnson and William Cornwell. From Newtown, came Rali)h Hunt, whose son Nathan, was long a ruling elder here, and whose daughter Charity became the wife of the Kev. John Guild, the pastor for nearly iifty years of this church. In this family there have been at least three ministers of the Gospel, live ruling elders, and numerous professors of religion who have been pillars of this church and a blessing to other Presbyterian 248 ADDENDA. cliurches. John Titus also was from Xewtown. Through his seven sons and two daughters, most of Avhom settled in this vicinity, he has become the ancestor of a posterity more numerous probably than that of any early inhabitant of this county. Seven of his descendants have served the people as ruling elders and three as deacons, besides those who have been office-bearers in other churches. Ephraim Titus, one of the original settlers from New- town, was a ruling elder here ; and through the marriage of his two daughters, one to a Phillips of Lawrence, and the other to a Green, of Ewing, his descendants are nu- merous, — among whom may be mentioned the Rev. Enoch Green, once pastor of the church of Deerfield, New Jersey. Other immigrants, who came directly from Newtown hither, were Timothy Titus, John Hunt, Sackett Moore, Robert Blackwell, John Burroughs, John Reed, William Read, John Keetcham, Benjamin Keetcham, Andrew Smith, John Smith, Jonathan Sticklin, Thomas Combs, John Field, Gershom Moore, Simon Sackett, Jonathan Furman, Samuel Furman, and doubtless others. It is probable that the family of Stevenson, of Amwell, on the north, Reeder, Scudder, Severance, Reed, Sackett, Fish, &c. of Ewing, with those who bore the name of Hunt, Smith, Davis, Phillips and Lawrenson of Lawrence, were also originally from Newtown, Long Island, There is no evidence, either documentary or traditional, that the Christian people who settled the region, occupied by the cliurches of Lawrence, Ewing, Pennington, Tren- ton, and Titusville, were not Presbyterian from the be- srinnincr ; and their Presbvterianism seems to have been brought with them from Long Island. The iirst Presby- terian record we have of this " people of Maidenhead and Hopewell" is in the minutes of the Presbytery of Pliila- delphia, May 11th, 1709, where "Mr. Smith is ordered to ADDENDA. 249 ffo to them, and confer with them on such matters as sliall be propounded to liim by them, conccrnhig his being called to be their minister." There are some names which denote that the ]ieople were in part descended from Hollanders, as HofF, Ringo, De- bough, Vanhook, Ilendrix, and two at least are of French origin. La Rue, and Vannoy, [Huguenots ?] If this meagre sketch can aid you in your investigations it will be gratifying to, Yours as ever, George Hale. V. Shoiviug the Prcshijieries with u'liich this C/nnrh has been connected. Tins church belonged to the Presbytery of Philadel- phia, from 1711 to 1716. It was set off to the Presbytery of Long Island, which was organized at Southampton, April 17, 1717, and was the first Presbytery constitu- ted in the province of New York. May 24, 1738, the Presbytery of Long Island was united with the eastern part of Jersey, under the name of the Presbyterj' of Xew York, under the jurisdiction of which this church con- tinued, until the ministry of iSlv. Mills, Avho became a member of the Suffolk Presbytery. On the 20th of May, 1774, in the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, "a reference Avas brought in from the Presbytery of New York, praying the advice of the Synod, whether the con- gregation of Jamaica, on Long Island, Avhose late minister, the Rev. Mr. Mills, belonged to the Presbytery of Suffolk, may be taken under their care as they formerly Avere, and had never been dismissed. The Synod alloAved that the 11* 250 ADDENDA. above congregation be taken under the care of the Pres- bytery of New York." (Minutes of Synod, p. 454.) Ac- cordingly, by the last named Presbytery, Mr. Burnet was ordained here in 1774. But Mr. Faitoute says, that at the time he came here a dispute had existed some time, whether this church belonged to the Pi'esbytery of Suftblk or the Presbytery of New York; the Synod, in 1789, decided that it belonged to the Presbytery of New York, which body proceeded to install Mr. Faitoute. In 1790, the Presbytery of Suifolk was dissolved, and a new one formed under the original name of the Presbytery of Long Island, and this congregation was attached to it. It was organized at Jamaica, November, 1790. Dr. Buell was ai^pointed to preach. In 1809, the minister and congregation of Ja- maica requested to be detached from the Presbytery of Long Island, and placed under the care of the Presbytery of New York, which request was granted. This church has been attached to the Presbytery of Nassau since Nov. 7, 1855, at which date said Presbytery was organized. — - — ♦♦• — YI. Catalogue of the Ministers of the Church. Zechariah Walker, Elihu Spencer, D. D., John Prudden, Benoni Bradner, William Woodruff, William Mills," George Phillips, Matthias Burnet, D. D., Jeremiah Hobart, George Faitoute," John Hubbard,'- ' Henry R. Weed, D. D.,' Francis Goodhue,* Seymour P. Funck,' George McNish,^ Elias W. Crane,* Robert Cross, James M, Macdonald, Walter Wilmot,'- * Peter D. Oakey. David Bostwick,' 1 Ordained when settled here. - Died pastors of this church. ADDENDA. 251 YII. Elders of tlie Church. Mr, McNish, at the meeting of Presbytery in 1716, gave reasons for not bringing an elder witli him, Avliicli Avere sustained. At the first meeting of the Synod of Philadel- phia, in 1717, John Kodes (IMiodes) was present as an elder, who was, I have no doubt, from Jamaica. In 1737, Philip Tanner was present in Synod as an elder, who may have been from Jamaica. Daniel Smith, an elder of this church, was present in 1720. lie died on the 15th day of October, 1754, having been born in 1663 or 1664. By his last will and testament he gave the IJegister, which is now in use by this church. Elias Baylis was present for the first time in Synod in 1734, As we have no Re- cords of Session, and no Register extending back of the middle of the last century, it is probably impossible to form a complete list of the Ruling Elders of this church. With the exception of INIessrs. Rhodes and Tanner, re- specting Avhom there may be some doubt, the following are known to have been Ruling Elders hi this church : John Rhodes, Elias Baylis, Philil) Tanner, Joseph Skidmore, Esq., Daniel Smith,' Daniel Baylis,* Sam'l Smith, Esq.' Sam'l Smith, Jr. Esq.' I Acting; as Klder.s in 174t. * Daniul Eaylis, is supposed to have come from England. lie had five sons, wlio were all elders of Presbyterian cluuclies. Isaac was an elder of the Ilunliniiton clinrcli ; Daniel, of tlie Goshen Cliurcli ; Oliver and Elias, of the Huntington church ; Thomas was an elder of the Jamaica church. Several of his grandchildren are at this time ofTieers of Prcshyterian churches. Thomas Uaylis, an elder, and Abraham Baylis, a deacon of the Second Presbyterian church in Hrooklyn, and Daniel Baylis, one of the elders of the church in Jamaica, are of this number. 252 ADDENDA. Increase Carj^enter, Nehemiah Smith, Nicholas Smith, Samnel Denton, Benjamin Tliurston, Benjamin Everitt, Richard Creed, William Ludlam, Thomas Baylis, Abraham Bnrtis,' Benjamin I. Smith,' Hon. Eliphalet Wickes,' Amos Denton, - Nathan Shelton, M. D.,^ Charles S. Lord,^ John Carpenter,^ Nathaniel Carpenter,' Jas. H. Reeve,'* Daniel Baylis,* Hon. James Rider,^ Laurens Reeve,^ John D. Shelton, M. D.,^ Daniel Smith, Elias Baylis, Samuel Denton, Nicholas Smith, Michael Skidmore, YIII. Deacons. Othniel Everitt,* Laurens Reeve,' James Rider,' Wm. L. Denton,^ Latham M. Jao-oar.^ IX. Tritsfees of (he Church. Benj. Thurston, 1V91 David Lamberson, Benj.Everett,Esq.Pres. 1791 Daniel Ludlam, Esq., Jacob Carpenter, Pres. 1791 Daniel Smith, 1701 1791 1791 Nicholas Everitt, 1791 Wm. Ludlam,Esq.Pres.l791 1 Elected Feb. 23,1817. 2 ElectedJiine 3, 1819. 3 Elected May 13, 1821. * Elected Feb. 21,1847- 5 Ordained Oct. 18,1857. 6 Ordained Jan. 13, 1819. ■« Ordained Sept, 22, 1833. ADDENDA. 253 Stephen TTerriinan, 1T91 Epliraiin liaily, 1791 Daniel Iligbie, 1793 Josepli IJobinson, 1793 liernardns IIen(lricksonl7!>3 Neheniiah Everitt, 1794 Eliplialet Wickes, Esq.,1795 Samuel INIills, 1790 Benj. Everitt, 1798 James Denton, 1802 Simeon Smith, 1802 Henry Mills, 1805 Othniel Smith, 1805 Dan 1 Lndlum, Jr. Pies. 1805 Benj. N. Smith, 1805 Johnlihodes, 1810 Eicharcl Creed, 1813 Thomas Baylis, 1817 David Lamberson, Jr. 1817 Daniel Smith, 1817 Michael Skidmore, 1818 John Rider, Pres., 182-1 Gen.YanWyckWickes, 1 827 David Bergen, 1827 John Phodes, Jr., 1827 Daniel l^aylis, 1827 Laurens Peeve, Pres., 1829 Samuel Hi o-bic, 1829 Nich's S. Everitt, 1830 Thomas Smith, 1831 James Baylis, 1831 James llerriman, 1833 Benj. Bergen, 1833 Daniel Baylis, 1837 Amos Denton, 1842 "\Vm. Ludlam, 1843 lion. James Pider, 1845 Jacob Bergen, 1849 John B. Smith, 1859 JohnD.Shelton, M.D., 18G0 John J. Armstrong, 18G0 Isaac S. Hendrickson, 1801 Waite S. E. Ludlam, 18G1 251 ADDENDA. X. Number of Communicants anniialli/ reported as far back as can be ascertained. [Up to the year 182G, the year ends on the first of Oc- tober; from 1827 to 18C1, on the first of April.] YEAR. TOTAL IN COM. TEAR. TOTAL IN COM. TEAR. TOTAL IN COM. YEAR. TOTAL IN COM. 1807 46 1821 184 1835 328 1849 420 1808 47 1822 193 1836 325 1850 419 1809 49 1823 196 1837 316 1851 445 1810 51 1824 201 1838 328 1852 456 1811 53 1825 1839 327 1853 464 1812 58 1826 197 1840 392 1854 470 1813 55 1827 263 1841 380 1855 484 1814 54 1828 262 1842 373 1856 480 1815 53 1829 270 1843 369 1857 493 1816 118 1830 276 1844 368 1858 504 1817 147 1831 278 1845 404 1859 513 1818 160 1832 333 1846 403 1860 519 1819 169 1833 338 1847 417 1861 529 1820 177 1834 335 1848 419 In 1793, there were fifty-eight communicants. In 17G2, there were but twelve, whose names are thus given by the Rev. Mr. Mills : Benjamin Hinchman ; Nehemiah Denton ; Deborah Denton, his -wife ; John Carman, and his wife ; Samuel Denton ; Dea. Elias BayUs, and his wife ; Mr. (John) Messenger ; Obadiah Smith, and his wife ; Eliza- beth Smith, (Justice Smith's wife.) It is proper to state, that in the above list there is a number who have been long absent, and their places of residence being unknown they have not been reported to Presbytery since 1854. ADDENDA. 255 XI. List of Ministers v/io have gone forth from this church to preach (lie Gospel. The following Ministers, either by baptism or com- mnnion, liave been members of the Jamaica Church. They are given without reference to the order of their licensure ; the date of their connection with the church extending back about thirty years; there being no re° cord preserved of any who may have studied for the Ministry previous to that date. ev. Charles S. Lord Entered on Ministry. • " Thomas S. Wickes 1816 " Daniel Iligbie . 1836 " William B. Reeve 1836 " Frederick W. Shelton . 1847 " Frederick M. Noll 1837 " Jeremiah S. Lord, D.D. . . 1840 " Samuel L. Lamberson . 1829 " Nicholas E. Smith, D.D. . 1845 " A 1~»1'*1 llllll r* l'11ir*K " William Mack, D.D. . 1831 " Thomas Wickes . 1834 " Henry Wickes " John Wickes " Geo. F. Ilendrickson " INlartiu Ryerson . 1844 " John Hall . . . . " Charles Furman . " James Smith . . . . " John H. Mills . 256 ADDE^'DA. Rev. u Entered on Ministry. 1850 1852 1858 1858 Wilson Phraner E. N. Crane .... Benjamin S. Everett " Joseph T. Duryea " Sam'l Hendrickson (coFd) Mission- ary to Liberia. .... There are also two young men now in coni'se of pre- paration for the gospel ministry. XII. List of Vestrymen, vnder the Act o/ 1G93, {as far as can he ascertained) from 1702 to 1722, chosen by the Parish of Jamaica, arranged alphabetically. Berrian Peter 1714-22 Nicholas 1717 Jno 1702 Bass Abra. 1716— not present Bloom Barent 1716 — not present Bayles Elias 1714-18 Sam'l 1708 Burroughs Thos & Jos 1709 Jas 1712 BullDan'l 1708-18 BettsDan'l 1720 Blood crood W" 1702 Brinckerhoff Derick 1720 Carpenter Jno 1709 Hope 1702-09 Jos. 1714 Sam'l 1705 Coe Jno 1702-19 — David 1709-20 — Robert, 1705 — Sam'l 1709-19 — Jona. 1714 Cornelius Ehas 1 709 — erased Dean Sam'l son of Jona. 1 720 Denton Xath'l 1702-9 Everet Jno 1705-20 Xich. 1713 Fitch Sam'l 1712-19 Fish Sam'l 1719 — Jona 1713-20 Furman Josiah 1716 Jona. 1712 Glean Anthony 1709 ADDENDA. '^Oi Glenn W" IV 02 Gale Jno 1717 Hazard Thos 1709-20 Jas 1709 Nath. 1713-18 Jona. 1705 Ilougton Jno 1713 Iligbie Xath. 1715 Sam'l 1705 Huff Peter 1714-20 Ketcliam Jos 1710 Ketcham Sam'l 1709 Lawrence W'" 1710 Danl 1705 Thos 1718 Lndluni Henry 1716 Messenger Jno 1720 Mills Zach. 1709 Moor Gershom 1709 Moss W'" 1714 Monfort Peter 1715 Morrell Jos 1713 Oldtield Rich. 1714-18 W" 1712 Petit Thos 1716 Roe David 1717 Renne Jas 1714-18 Reeder Jacob 1714 Ryder Jnrian 1713 Stephen 1713-li Sackett Jos Jr. 1712 Jos 1702 Skidmore Sam'l 1709 Smith Dan'l 1710-20 Eben. 1712 Nehemiah Jr. 1702-22 Sam'l (Scoon) 1715 Nathan 1716 Jeremy 1717 Amos 1712 . Thos 1702 SkillmanThos 1717 Titus Silas 1712-19 Content 1702 Talman Jno 1705 Thurston, Benj. 1710 Sam'l 1712 Van Lie w Jno 1712 Van Wyck Jno 1716 — not present Waters Anthony 1705-10 Jona. 1710-17 Thos 1713 Woolsey Geo 1709 Wood Timothy 1714 Jonas 1720 Woodward Xath. 1720 Wright David 1702-9 Henry 1705 Jona. 1709-19 WilletThos 1702 25S ADDENDA. XIII. Cotemporary Ministers of Jamaica. DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH. 1702-5 Ministers from N. York and Kings Co. 1705-41 Bernardus Freeman* 1705-41 Vincentius Antonides* 1741-48 John Henry Goetschius 1742-54 Johannes Arondeus* 1754-60 Thos Romeyn 1766-72 Hermanns L. Boelen 1775-6 Sol. Froeleigh, D.D. 1781-4 Martinus Schoonmaker* 1785-97 Rynier Van Nest 1792-1 824 Zach. H. Kuypers 1802-50 Jacob Schoonmaker, D.D. 1835-49 Garret J. Garretson 1851- John B. Aliger CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 1702 Patrick Gordon — Died before induction. 1 704-9 W" Urquhart 1709-32 Thos Poyer 1732-55 Thos Colgan 1757-66 Sam'l Seabury 1769-90 Joshua Bloomer 1790-95 W" Hammel 1796 (2 months) Chas Seabury 1797-1 802 Elijah D. Rattoone 1803-4 Calvin White 1805 Geo. Strebeck 1806 Andrew Fowler 1807 John Ireland 1 808 Edmund D . Barry 1809 Timothy Clowes 1810-30 Gilbert H. Sayres 1830- W" L. Johnson, D.D. * Resided in Kings County. ADDENDA. 259 XIY. The First Indian Deed for the Township now called Jamaica^ referred to on jxic/e 2G. Be it known unto all men Ly these presents that we whose names are underwritten, have sold and set over from ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators or assigns unto Mr. Richard Odell, Nicholas Tanner, Richard Ogden and Nathaniel Denton, their associates, heirs, executors, administrators or assigns a certain tract of land beginning at a great swamp lying on the west side of Rockeway neck, and so running westward to a river lying on the east side of a neck of land which Mr. Coe hath hired of the Indians, which river is called by the Indians, Wauwee- bheag, the north line running near unto or about the path that goes from Hemsted to Midlburroug,* with all the uplands & meadowing Avithin the aforesaid bounds, with all privileges & appurtenances thereunto be- longinff. In consideration whereof the aforesaid Mr. Richard Odell, Nicholas Tanner, Richard Ogden, Nathan- iel Denton & their associates shall give unto these whose names are underwritten, two guns, a coat & a certain quantity of powder & lead. In witness Avhereof we have subscribed our hands this 13th of September Anno Domini 1655. Thetr marks. Witnesses. rackquakek + DANIEL DENTON KUNNASUK + RODGER + LINAS AUMERIIAS + CASPEROUAV + CAUMENUK + ADAM, or CIIACIIANAT + ACIIITTERENOSE + ASKASETONE + WAUMETOMPACK 4 MANGUAUOPE + * Newtown. APPENDIX COXTAIXINQ AN ACCOUNT OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE BICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE |irst |Utsl)gtcri:tii Cluirrlr, JAMAICA, L. I., HELD ON THE 7tit, 8tii and Oth OF JANUARY, 1863. rnEPAEED BY THE COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. APPENDIX. PRELIMINARY AURANOEMENTS — OPENING EXERCISES — JURAL TABLETS— SER- MON BY UK. MAC-DONALD — INTEKLOCfTOKY MEETING OF MINISTERS IN FORMER CONNECTION WITH TUE CHURCH — SERMON BY REV. J. M. KREBS, D. I). — SERMON BY REV. W. P. BREED — COMM UNION — LETTERS FROM DR. WEED AND OTHERS— CONCLUDINti ADDRESS BY THE PASTOR, REV. P. D. OAKEY — "new YORK observer" '' PRESBYTERIAN " AT a meeting of the Session of the First Presbyterian Clmrcli, Jamaica, L. I., held August 31st, 1861, the Moderator having stated that on January next wonkl occur the two liundreth anniversary of the founding of the church, it was unanimously ^'-Resolved., That from a sense of gratitude to God for his preserving care over us as a church for so long a period of time, the occasion should be celebrated with appropriate services ; and that the Trustees and Deacons be invited to meet with us on Wednesday, September 4th, at 3 o'clock p. m., to take measures for carrying the same into effect." Tlie Elders, Trn^tees and Deacons held a meeting in the Lecture Room, September 4th, the Pastor in the chair. The meeting was opened with prayer, and Latham M. Jaggar appointed Secretary. The following Kesolutions were adopted : ^'' Resolved^ That it is highly proper, in thankful re- 264 APPENDIX. membrance of God's goodness, and due to tlie history of tlie past, tliat the Bicentennial Anniveraiy of this church should he suitably observed. liesolved, That the Pastor, Laurens Keeve and John D. Shelton, M. D., be a committee to make all neces- sary arrangements." Also on motion of the Pastor, the following preamble and resolution were adopted : " W/ieyeas, The Kev. J. M. Macdonald, D. D., when pastor of this church, published its history to the year 1847 inclusive, therefore ''''Resolved,, That the Pev. Dr. Macdonald be invited to preach the historical sermon." It was also voted to erect mural tablets to the memory of those who had been pastors of the church. John J. Armstrong was subsequently added to the committee. The following invitation was printed and circulated through the mail and by the press : Dear Sir : With the close of the present year a period of two hundred years will have elapsed since our forefathers established divine worship in this jjlace, and laid the foundations of the Presbyterian church of which we are members, and which has continued to the present time. It has appeared proper to us, their descendants and representatives, that an occasion so rich with happy results and remembrances should not be permitted to pass without some suitable commemorative exercises. We propose, accordingly, to celebrate it with appropriate services expressive of gratitude to God, who has thus far helped us. We wish to summon together from far and AITKKDIX. 265 near our friends and kindred who have, as ministers or fellow Christians, held church relations with us, to unite with us in a social Christian re-union and a season of re- ligious services, to commemorate an event Avhich should awaken in every heart grateful emotions. Providence permitting, the services will commence the Vtii of January, at 3 o'clock i\ sr., with a com- memorative sermon by Rev. J. M. Macdonald, D. D. Communion services on Thursday afternoon. Please let us know, as soon as convenient, if we may expect the fovor of your company. Yours very respectfully, P. D. Oakev, I Laukens Peeve, V Commiiiec. Dk. John D. Siielton, j Jamaica, L. I., Nov., 18G1. The following invitation was sent to the different pul})its in the vicinity : The Presbyterian Church of Jamaica contemplate cele- brating their two hundredth anniversary with appropriate exercises, commencing on Tuesday, January 7th, at 3 o'clock p. :^r., Avitli a commemorative sermon by the Rev. Dr. Macdonald. This congregation is respectfully invited to participate in the exercises. By order of the Session, P, D. Oakey, Moderator. The following was the order of exercises adopted by the committee : " Services to commence Tuesday, January 7th, at 3 o'clock r. M., by the Pastor dedicating the mural 12 266 APPENDIX. tablets, to be followed witli tlie commemorative sermon bj Rev. Dr. Macdonald. Wednesday morning a meeting for free conversation by tbe ministers present "wlio have been born in this church, or who have com- menced their religions life or education in connection with it. The afternoon to be appropriated to social receptions and calls. Wednesday evening a sermon by the Kev. Dr. Krebs, of the Presbytery of New York. On Thursday morning a sermon by the Rev, Wm. P. Breed, of the Presbytery of Philadelphia;* in the afternoon the communion, administered by the oldest minister present." On Tuesday afternoon, January 7th, at 3 o'clock, a Tery large congregation assembled in the church. After the invocation by the pastor the Scriptures were read and a very appropriate prayer offered by Rev. N. E. Smith, D. D., of Brooklyn. The Bible used on this occasion was the oldest pulpit Bible belonging to this church, which has been preserved, being an Edin- burgh edition published in 1769. On the fly leaf is the following inscription in the hand-writing of the Rev. Mr. Burnett : " This Bible belongs to the Pres- byterian Church in Jamaica, Long Island. April 20, 1776." — An important period in American history — when Washington was in ISTew York city, preparing its defences ; and but a short time before the adoption of the immortal Declaration of Independence of the United States. * The Jamaica Church was ono of the original churches of the Presby- tery of New York, which was well represented by Uov. J. M. Krcbs, D.D. The Kev. W. P. Breed was appointed by the Presbytery of Philadelphia as their representative, the Jamaica Church being one of the earliest members of the mother Presbytery, oi', as asserted by one qualified to judge, " the mother of the mothef Presbytery." APPENDIX. 267 After prayer the following address, dedicatory of tlie mural tablets just erected, was made by the pastor : "To-day dates an epoch in the history of this church. The spirit of that history is upon us. The associations of the past gather around us. We summon from their graves the generations of our fathers according to the flesh who have here eno-aired in the services of the sanctuary, and our fathers in the ministry who conduc- ted these services. For two hundred years they and their descendants, as a united church and conc-reo-a- tion, have in this place worshipped the God of their ftxthers. But ' your fathers, where are they ? and the prophets, do they live for ever? ' As sacred to the memory of those who here ' laboured in the word and doctrine,' as a memento of proper affection for them ' who being dead yet speak,' as a matter of gratitude to God who so early in the history of this country here planted this church, and gave to it a succession of able and faithful ministers, as in every way fitting the oc- casion we celebrate, we this day inaugurate these ex- ercises by dedicating these mural tablets to perpetuate their names, and cherish the influence, which if living they would have imparted. "These stones are our Ebenezer — hitherto hath the Lord helped us. They will be a link, binding the present to the past. Their perusal will not fail to awaken profitable musings in the reflecting mind, car- rying anticipatory thoughts to the grave, and to the place M'here are the spirits of just men made perfect, and where the earthly worshipper shall ere long join his hallelujahs with the songs of those who have gone before. And they will speak with the uniform testi- 268 APPENDIX. mony of the cliurcli's experience that God in covenant is a God to them that fear him and their seed after them in their generations. The evoked voice of these tablets, as read from the spirit of the past, will say to the gnardians of the Sacred Desk : preach the Gospel, the truth as it is in Jesus ; and to the responsibilities of those who enjoy Gospel privileges, 'Take heed how ye hear.' And the abiding effect which we wonld leave as the engraved sentiment of these stones is in the words of Paul to the Hebrew Christians concerning their deceased Pastors : ' Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation : Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.' " But we turn from the dead to the living. There is a connection between the two. As the descendants by family ties or church relation, of those whose mem- ory we revere, we extend to you our cordial greeting and welcome. We welcome you to a participation in these exercises. Many of you here will revisit the scenes of your childhood, and revive youthful impressions and friendships. Some of you here began your heaven- ward journey, and consecrated yourselves to your life- long work in the service of God. Here at the altar of your early consecration may you receive a fresh baptism for your holy work. And your souls mingling with kindred spirits, and communing with thoughts of the past, be sweetly bathed afresh with the light of Divine Love, and spiritual joy. "We welcome you to our homes and hearts. Mingle your prayers and praises with ours. We have looked forward to this APPENDIX. 2G9 season witli prayerful interest as a means of grace. And now may the Divine influence of the ever blessed Spirit be shed copiously upon these exercises and their participators, and to the triune God of our salvation, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, shall be given the glory evermore. Amen." Tlio Rev. Dr. Macdonald then preached a very able and interestino; historical sermon from Eccles. i. 4 : " One generation passeth away, and another generation Cometh ; but the earth abidcth for ever." This dis- course, which was requested for publication, constitutes the main body of this work. On AVednesday morning, at half-past ten, a large audience assembled in the church, to engage in a con- ference mectino; of the old friends who had come to join in the festive occasion. The pastor stated that this was a meeting of the friends from a distance, to be under their particular care, and conducted as they thought most fitting. He therefore called upon them to appoint a chairman from their own number ; where- upon Dr. Macdonald was selected to preside. The chairman stated that the meeting would be left mainly to shape itself. He then called on the Rev. John Wickes, pastor of the Congregational Church of Brighton, N. Y., to offer prayer. The presiding officer said that there were three persons there who had been acting elders of this church more than forty years. He would call on one of these, his venerable friend. Dr. Nathan Shelton, to address them. The Dr. made some brief and appropriate remarks, telling of his hearing fifty years ago of one of the female members 2Y0 APPENDIX. of tliis cliurcli wlio was very mucli in prayer, and on one occasion kneeled down at bedtime to pray, and be- came so engaged that when she closed, to her surprise it was daylight. Following the Dr. was the Rev. J. Wickes, son of Yan Wyck Wickes, Esq., a foj-mer resident of the vil- lage. He told of his love for the place and congrega- tion, and though this was not the place of his spiritual birth, yet it was here at that altar that he was dedica- ted to God in baptism by his pious parents. He gave his testimony to the fidelity of God to his covenant, and found verification of this in the experience of his father's household. God hath brought one after anoth- er of them into the fold ; and parental faith and covenant vows with the baptismal seal had not been in vain. Dr. Macdonald then, by a haj)py reference to the Kev. Elias W. Crane, a departed Pastor of blessed memory, introduced his son, the Rev. Elias IST. Crane, of ISTew Yernon, K. J., who addressed the audience in- terestingly, referring to the happy days of his youth ; especially to the precious j)i'ivileges of the Sunday School, and the faithful superintendent, who for more than thirty years has presided and labored and j)rayed there. He read also an old paper on which were the names of the ofiicers appointed at the organization of the first Temperance Society in Jamaica, in the year 1827, thirty-five years ago. Tliey were as follows : President — Yan Wyck "VYickes. Vice Presidents — Eliphalet Wickes, Nathan Slielton. Secretary — Elias W. Crane. Treasurer — James Rider. ArPENDIX. 271 Managers — J. Eliodes, Jr., C. Smitli, L. Reeve, G. Creed, N. Carpenter, W. J. Jolinson M.D., D. Eergen and M. W. Fox. Mr. Crane was followed b j Rev. B. S. E veritt, of Black- woodtown, N. J., wlio appeared as the descendant of the first founders of the chnrch, as the representative of the rural district, and being also one of the two last that have gone forth from the membership of the church to preach the Gospel ; having been in the minis- try but three years, and consecpiently, as he looked at his audience saw very few unfamiliar faces. He, too, added his testimony to the inestimable value of Sab- bath School instruction and the sure blessimr of God that will follow fidelity on the part of parents to their covenant obligations. The next speaker was the Rev. Dr. Nicholas Everitt Smith, (altogether a Jamaica name) of Brooklyn, N. Y. He spake of the old stone church that stood in the Main Street, where now Union Hall Street enters it. He exhibited a diagram of the church and told how his father (now ninety-four years old) saw a man w^ho bet he could ride on horseback at full speed in at the west door and out of the east of that old church, and how the bettor actually performed the feat. The next speaker was the Rev. Mr. Breed, Pastor of the West Spruce Street Church, Philadelphia, who came as the representative of the Old Mother Presby- tery of Pliiladelphia, and gave its congratulations to all on this interesting occasion, and though he came here a stranger yet he found his heart so warmed and touched by the interesting exercises to which he had listened that he really felt as one of them, a member 272 APPENDIX. of tlie same liouseliold, having witli tliem a common Saviour and Father. Rev. Dr. Krebs, of Entgers Street Church, New York city, came to represent the Presbytery of New York, and the Rev. Wm. B. Reeve, that of Long Island, each of which made brief and engaging remarks. The services closed by the reading of letters from Rev. Dr. Phillips, of New York city, and the Rev. Dr. Henry R. "Weed, of Wheeling, Va., the oldest living pastor of the church, and others, with a brief address and prayer by the Rev. Daniel Higbie, (another child of the church,) of Orange County, N. Y. LETTER OP REV. II. R. WEED, D. D. Mr. Laurens Reeve, Wheeling, Nov. llfli, 1801, My Dear Friend, — Your favour of the 20th Septem- ber, was duly received and its contents awakened me- mories of great interest in my early ministry. To no period of my life does my mind recur with greater pleasure than to the time I spent in the dear old church of Jamaica, and should I be so happy as to find my final home in our heavenly Father's house, I ex- pect to meet many there whom I was permitted in the ardor of my youth successfully to point to " the Way, the Truth, and the Life." Later events, too, I have witnessed of a soul stirring character in your congregation, that have left an indelible impression on my mind. Indeed, the history of that church is one of great interest from early times. Its old records and the traditionary accounts cur- rent among the elder members in my day, were such as pertain to no other church in our connection, and fully justify the commemoration you contemplate. I trust tlie occasion will be profitable to all concerned, and redound to APPENDIX. 273 a new display of that glorious grace that has ominently distinguished the history of your Acncrable old church. Let ine say, in conclusion, that while I feel flattered by the invitation to attend, and by the kind remembrance of all surviving friends among you, my age and intirmities forbid me to indulge the hoj^e of being with you. Please give assurances of my aifectionate regard to all inquiring friends, and believe me, Very truly yours, II. R. Weed. LETTER OF KEY. THOMAS "WICKES. P. D. Oakey, ETC., Marietta, Ohio, Jan. 2d, 1862. Gentlemen, — I received your kind invitation to partici- pate in the celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the founding of the Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, lie assured that it would aiford me the highest gratiflcation to be present with you on this most interesting occasion, meeting again those whom once I knew so well, and Avith them reviewing all the previous memories of the past, and the goodness of our God. Never shall I forget Jamaica, though for many years separated from it. It is my birth-i>lace in a double sense, the scene of my natural and spiritual birth. I re- member its Sabbath School, where one of your number was my loved teacher. I remember its sanctuary and its consecrated place of prayer. I remember some of its pre- cious revivals of religion thei'e experienced, for Avhich I have such reason to thank God and rejoice. The first minister Avhom I recollect was Dr. Weed, now labouring Avithin 80 miles of me at Wheeling, Avhere he is finishing his earthly work by a pastorate of more than 25 years. I well remember the grief that was awakened by the announcement of his intention to leave. It made a strong impression u])on my youthful mind. 13* 274 APPENDIX. Mr. Nettleton came in 1826, and with hini came the Spirit of God in mighty power. Those scenes I remember well. It was the first outpouring of the Spirit of which I knew. It was not however until the revival of 1831, that I was brought to a knowledge of Christ, and enabled to devote myself to his service. With the history of the church for the last 25 years or more, I have not been so familiar. With sincerest pleasure however would I be with you on the coming week, were it in my power, and particijiate in all the interests of the occasion. You have my sympathies and prayers as one of the spiritual children of that church honoured also of Christ, with the work of the ministry, and a pastorate over the Congregational Church in this place of 22 years, the close of the present month. May the Lord abide with you still, making that church his joy and crown, from which a multitude of faithful ones shall be raised up to be found worthy of Christ, at his coming and kingdom. Yours very sincerely in the bonds of Christ, TUOMAS WiCKES. LETTER OF REV. W. W. PHILLIPS, D.D. Kev. and Dear Bro., Nexo York^ Jan. Sd, 18C2. I thank you for the invitation which has been sent me, to be present at the celebration of the 200th Anniversary of your church. It would gratify me very much to accejit it. I have found however that, as I am situated, it will not be in my power to be with you. It appears from our re- cords that the church at Jamaica did at one time very reluctantlv, and against their consent furnish the 1st church in New York, then in Wall Street, one of their most acceptable pastors. Rev. 1). Bostwick. Your church has been a remarkably favoured one, and furnishes a most in- teresting history. How many precious souls have there APPENDIX. 275 been gathered into the fold above ? What an instance of faithfuhu'ss on the part of our common God, to preserve a people called by his name and to dwell witli them, giving them tokens of his presence, and displaying the riches of his grace for 200 years ! Yet it is not strange, since he has made with them an everlasting covenant ordered in all thuigs and sure. May his presence abide with you ever- more, and your ex})erience of his jiast favours be as the first fruits only of what is in reserve for you. Affectionately and truly yours, Rev. p. D. Oakey. W. W. Phillips. LETTER OF TUOMAS S. "SVICKES, ESQ. Laukens Reeve, Esq. Poitghkeepsie^ Jan. ls(, 18G2. Dear Sir, — I had the favour of receiving a few days since, a circular, to Avhich your name with others was appended, inviting me to be present at Jamaica on the 7th inst., to join with others in celebrating the first foundmg of the Presby- terian Church in that place. The design seems highly appropriate, and did my health permit, I should be very happy to participate in those services. As it is, I cannot at present leave my home. Many associations connect me with the Jamaica Presby- terian Church. I delight to think of those days of mercy, which God has shown so abundantly there — of the many .honoured names, written upon the history of that church, whose memory is blessed. God grant that the recollections of the past may be full of cheer and encouragement for the future. With sentiments of kind regard and Christian fellow- ship, I remain, yours, TUOMAS S. WiCKES. T6 APPENDIX. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM REV, E. N. CRA2JE. Rev. p. D. Oakey: Neio Vernon^ Dec. 11 th, 1861. DeaeBro.,— * * * * *, * * As you may.suppose, the occasion would be one of great and peculiar interest to me. Most of my father's ministerial life Avas spent at Jamaica, and there he rested from his labours, and lies in the graveyard beside my mother. There I was born and baptized and passed my childhood and early youth. There I, and my three sisters and a brother professed our faith in Christ and united with God's people, and there I made one of my earliest efforts to preach the Gospel. Well do I love Jamaica and the old church, though so little associated with them of late years. My heart will ever pray for the peace and prosperity of Zion there. Ever may her " Avails be called Salvation and her gates Praise." Yours fraternally, E. N. Craxe. In the evening the Church was again crowded, when Dr. Ki'ebs delivered the following Exordium and Sermon : EXORDIUM REMOTUM. It was formerly the custom in the Reformed Dutch Church, at some time in the service previous to the sermon, to prepare the way for it by what was called the " Exordium Remotum." I shall take the liberty, on the present occasion, of following the example. Under other circumstances, I would not presume to oficr the suggestion which I now design to throw before you. I hope to be justified at this time, speaking in the midst of your rejoicings, and welcomed among you as almost one of yourselves. APPENDIX. 277 Two j)assagcs of Scripture I commend to your con- sideration. " Moreover, I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant tliem, lliat tlicj may dwell in a place of their own and move no more." — 2d Samuel vii. 10. "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations : spaie not, lenr;then thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes : For thou shall break forth on thy right hand, and on thy left." — Isaiah liv. 2, 3. Home., Peace., Increase. Tliese are the elements of blessing indicated by tliese passages. Precious to us as individuals, as families, as a people, as citizens or as Christians, as a civil community or as a Church. Dear is the hearth-stone and tlie homestead where God setteth the solitary in families ; and goodly and pleas- ant is it for brethren to dwell too-ether in unity, sitting in peace under their own vine and fig-tree and none to make them afraid. Sweet, too, to go to the house of God in company with them who are likeminded, heirs of like precious faith, the associates of our childhood, the guides, the acquaintance with whom we took sweet counsel together, the familiar friends whose counten- ances greet us in the walks of life, whose sympathies are cherished amid the associations of worship and communion in the same holy truths and songs of praise and labours and cares, in tlic same sanctuary and en- joyments of the same ministrations. Dear, too, to patriotism and piety the contenn)lation of the purposes and promises of security and enlargement in reference to the people to whom we belong, an inheritance both for possession and for communication, a prosperity whieli grows within our borders and around them, till the wilderness and the solitary place are fflad for us 278 APPENDIX. and tlio desert rejoices and blossoms as the rose. Thus does Jeliovali promise Israel, and thus, especially, lie declares His purposes in regard to the security and en- largement of that holy nation, the generation which He has chosen and ordained to be a royal priesthood to minister the sacrifices of His praise, and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ, to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heav- enly places might be known by the Church the mani- fold wisdom of God. Here, too, is an implication of the interest we ought to take in all that relates to this great cause and of our personal obligation to promote it : an obligation which rests not on ministers only, but on all the people of God. This interesting anniversary may be used, I think, to suggest large illustration of the duty and the priv- ilege to which you are come who have entered on the inheritance transmitted to you by two centuries. Other men have laboured, and you have entered upon their labours. Your heritage is a responsibility. By ac- cepting it and improving it you will shew yourselves worthy children of worthy progenitors. I recognize gladly, and congratulate you while I recognize, the prosperity you enjoy and the service and success of those whom you have sent forth to till other fields, of which we have had example to-day in your sons who have returned to tell you of their ministries elsewhere, and in the reports that have been brought you from others whose blessing also comes back to you. For a recompense in the same, be ye also enlarged. APPENDIX. 279 This commemoration is well.- But docs it not become yon to make tlic occasion monumental? Wliether yon should cno:a<2;e in the work of Church extension in one form rather than in another, yon are better able to judge than I am. But I have heard that the place in which you worship is too strait for your increasing numbers. Why should you not signalize your grate- ful zeal hy erecting on this sacred spot another edifice of more enduring material^ more tasteful and conven- ient, and of am/pler accommodation, while the building in which we arc now assembled may be removed and still devoted to kindred uses? Do not be startled at this Tjroad hint. Do not too readily conclude against it by alleging that this house will answer all your need for a good while to come. You may think so : others will not accept your decision. Your pleasant viUage is growing. It is attracting re- sidents from the neighbouring metropolis. It is des- tined to be girdled with tasteful villas and to be en- larged with new accessions. Already you are compelled to deny or to restrict the accommodation of those who desire to worship witli you. You cannot long afford to act upon a narrow and short-sighted polic}'-. The overflowing population will seek accommodation else- where — and it may be, for such things have been — you may find organizations and churches growing np altogether separated from you, with fruitful rivalries and jealousies, which might be prevented forever by a timely provision for the increasing numbers who are now desirous only to bo joined with you even as they arc in the Spirit, joying and heholding your order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. Now, there- 280 APPENDIX. fore, thank God and take courage. The joy of the Lord is your strength. SUBSTANCE OF SERMON. " The joy of the Lord is your strength." — NEHEiiiAn riii. 10. To be sorrowful under calamity is neither unnatural nor unsuitable, — especially to be sorry for our sins. Yet, is it consistent with cheerfulness in view of the grace that saves. Grief may be indulged nnmoderately and untimely. Upon the return of the Jews from cap- tivity and the restoration of their worship, they were glad ; but as they listened to the law they felt their sins, their hearts sunk, and they wept aloud. They were dissuaded from this excess, and were reminded of all the mercy which had forgiven their sins and restored them to the privileges they had inherited from their fathers, and they were exhorted to give themselves up to holy festivity and to display kindness to the destitute as a token of their prosperity and gratitude : and it was added, " ISTeither be ye sorry, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." The joy of the Lord. God is often said to rejoice over His people. His delight is in them. They are to Him a holy satisfaction ; as are faithful children to their parents. And if this were what is meant by the "joy of the Lord" in the text it would be equally true as a declaration of the cause of our strength and the element of our joy, our safety and defence. But it is rather used subjectively, to express that joy which we have from the Lord and in Him. Since it is God's joy in His people in saving and blessing them APPEXDIX. 281 Avliich fiinn'slies joy to their own souls. And tliis aifec- tion of theirs is the "joy of the Lord," because (1) It conies from God. He iinjnirts it — lie produces it. It is Ilis <;ift tln-ougli Jesus Ciirist, and it is tlie work o the Holy Sjurit. It is divine in its nature, like that which God himself feels in objects that are good. It arises from a sense of the mercies of God — all His favour in redemption, in the blessings of llis covenant, His kindly providence, all the portion He has })i"e- pared for his people. (2) AVe have this joy in God. "We joy in God through our L(^i-d Jesus Christ, by Avhom now we have received the atonement for the reconciliation]." By virtue of our reconciliation to God, Jehovah becomes our portion, our dei)endence, hope and trust and love. Once it was not so. The Christian did not then know God, nor Jesus Christ. lie was opposed to God ; he was jealous and afraid of God; he saw no form nor comeliness in Christ; He trusted in himself, and looked for his portion in his Heshly idols. A change has come. He has become accpiainted with God, and is at peace. He has fellowship with the Father and with His Son. Jesus is precious. The love of God is shed abroad in his lieart by the Holy Ghost. He delights himself in the Lord, in His su[)remacy and lioliness, in His law and grace, in His holy providence and exceeding great and precious promises. He walks with God. He looks to Him to sup])ly all his need from the riches of His glory in Jesus Christ, and his hope of heaven is that there he shall be for ever with the Lord. — As ^5f//>//, " Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon the earth that I desire be- 282 APPENDIX. side tliee;." or as David, "Thou art fiiirer than the children of men;" or as the Cliurcli, "Thou art the chiefest among ten thousands and altogether lovely." This joy is our strength. It fortifies the believer in his attachment to the great truths of the gospel. Men without an experimental knowledge of the doctrines of grace, disparage and deny them. But let one feel those truths in their effects upon the heart; let him realize his guilt and his depravity, and cry out in anguish, "What must I do to be saved?" let him realize the grace and power of Christ to save him ; let him taste the' joy and peace of believing and the attraction of the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost ; let him bask in the light of the knowledge of the glory of God by Jesus Christ, and adore M'itli grateful wonder the sovereign mercy which begot him anew by His resurrection to the lively hope of the immortal inheritance ; — let him feel all this, and you have before you a man to whom all the truths of the gospel are precious and nourishing as the very life of the soul. You cannot make him relinquish them. He knows whom He has believed ; and the joy of his salvation anchors his soul fast to all the counsel of God. It is an element of our growth in grace. " Unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings : and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall." Diseased by sin and enfeebled, we begin the Christian life in weakness : we are as those who are recovering from sickness, while tlie genial influence of the sun and the sweet breath of heaven animate the convalescent and impart life and APPENDIX. 283 bounding joy and invigoi-cato all the powers. A meny lieart doetli good like a niedicine. Let the Christian be joyful in tlic Lord. All Jiis faculties shall work in harmony ; his soul shall grow in knowledge, love, and ])urity and power. Ev^en as when the circulation flows buoyantly through the veins, the blood briskly fulfils its course, health mantles the cheeks, the spirits bound, the limbs play, the active powers developc in healthful and vigorous growth ; even as the skipping heifer fat- ted at the stall furnishes an image of happy life re- joicing in the freedom as well as the fatness of the open pastures. This joy is our support under trials. A wounded, spirit who can bear ? It is weak and wasted, and in- capable of exertion and of hope. But if the heart be joyous — if it knows the joy of the Lord, it regards afiliction as light, and patience performs its perfect work. Joseph in the prison, Daniel in the den of lions, the Hebrew children in the burning fiery fur- nace, Paul and Silas bleeding in their midnight dun- geon, David in the valley of the shadow of death, — all have supports and comforts, and they learn even to glory in their tribulation, which was producing the peaceable fruits of righteousness and begetting hope that should never be ashamed nor confounded. "Thy statutes are my song in the house of my pilgrimage." This joy is our guard and defence against tempta- tion. The heart that is destitute of it is exposed and open to the fascinations of sin, and in its vacant or troubled hours has no resort but worldly and sinful recreation. But the Christian has meat to eat the worldling knows not of. Thus preoccupied and forti- 284 APPENDIX. fied he opposes his godly joy to the incantations of the charmer that would allure him to transg-ression. The joy of the Lord has an expulsive power, and it meets the full tide of temptation and rolls it back : " God is my all-sufficient good, My portion and my choice ; In him my vast desires are iilled And all my powers rejoice. " In vain the world accosts mine ear And tempts mine heart anew, I cannot buy your bliss so dear, Nor part with heaven for you." "There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased." " "We will remember thy love more than wine." This joy is our wealth, enabling us to make sacrifices of worldly ease and possessions, at the call of duty. Men who brood over their sorrows become terribly selfish. They have little thought for the woes of others. Morose and churlish they do not, cannot, under- stand, how it can be more blessed to give than to re- ceive. Buta joyous, is apt to be a lavish spirit. It takes a pleasure in doing good. It will divide its crust with the famishing, and rise at midnight to comfort the weary. It has always enough for contentment, yea, enougii and to spare. It may be poor, but it makes many rich — with a cup of cold water, a kind look, a tear, a prayer — all it has to give. It loves to do good just APPENDIX. 285 in proportion as it is like God. The ever-blessed God is the most bountiful giver in the Universe. This joy is our energy and efficiency in duty, and a source of our help and success in enterprize. Grief and fear depress a man, and hide from his view all encouragements. There is always a lion in the way. Moses cannot rouse his countrymen in Egypt ; they hearkened not to him for anguish of spirit and for cruel bondage. The disciples cannot watch with their Lord, but sink into sleep for overmuch sorrow. David says, " Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, then will I teach trangressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee." And he resolves, " I will run the way of thy commandments when thou shalt enlarge my heart." Joy disposes a man to action like the bub- bling and bounding life of a healthful, happy child. It sees encouragements and finds resources. It is ready for service. It can testify of God's faithfulness and love. It has good success : as when God honoured the praises of his j)eople, and gave Jehoshaphat the victory over the Ammonites — for when he encouraged Judali to believe in the Lord their God, and the singers went out before the army, not playing dead 7narches^ but singing, " Praise the Lord, for his mercy endureth forever," so that when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against their enemies and they were smitten. Finally, this joy is the strength of God's people in their dying hour. It removes the bondage and the fear of death. See, — the timid woman, who has appre- hended the parting with beloved friends, and shrunk from the thought of judgment, finds supports and 286 APPENDIX. comforts in the j)resence of that Friend who sticketh closer than any brother and in the assured hope of entering npon the joy of the Lord forever. Tlie little child, that trembled with vague fear of the cold church-yard and the dread mysteries of the world beyond the grave, is more than consoled with the sweet promises of the Good Shepherd who folds the lambs in his bosom, and expects with sweet hope the call of that dear voice which said, " Suffer the little children and forbid them not to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." " Jesus, the vision of thy face Hath overpowering charms ; Scarce shall I feel death's cold embrace, If Christ be in my arms. " Then while ye hear my lieart-strings break How sweet my minutes roll ; A mortal paleness on my cheek, But glory in my soul." ' Would you then be strong in the faith, useful, bene- ficent, pure, comforted in life and death, rejoice in the Lord always. So, too, shall you honour your religion and commend it. Of all persons in the world, a Christian is the most obliged and has the best right to be happy. Sulky and sullen tempers only disgust and repel. Cheerfulness is a hymn of praise ; and whoso offereth praise glorifieth God. But guard against losing this joy. Sin makes broken bones, and hides God's countenance. Grieve not the Holy Spirit. But follow on to know the Lord, then shall thy goings be as the morning. The path of the just is as the shining light APPENDIX. 287 tliat sliinetli more and more unto the perfect day. Let the superiority of tlie Christian's portion be appre- ciated and sought after. The true Christian is not that moping, melancholy, feeble creature the thoughtless worldling deems him. He has joy, he has strength, both in acting and suffering, while you despond and lie inactive: and he is honouring his Maker and enjoying Him, while you are vainly dreaming of selfish, earthly, sinfal pleasure. What is the mirth of fools ? " I said of laughter it is mad. There is no peace to the wicked." But how shall we get this true joy? "We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom now we have the atonement." Let the Christian al- ways resort to Him. In Him the most sorrowful abject may find comfort. Let the sinner turn from the paths of sin. "Ho every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. Why spend ye your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfietli not ? Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." He will give — salva- tion is free in Christ ; He will give 7'est — O, the precious repose for the sin-burdened and sin-weary — rest! rest! rest in the bosom of God! joy! joy forever ! Come then — let not conscience make vou lino-er — nor of fitness fondly dream — think not of buying the gift of God — of offering a price for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Come t/i us to the mercy-seat : " Just as I am, -without one plea, But that tliy blood was shed for me, Aud that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God I come." 288 APPENDIX. On Thursday, at lialf-past nine A.M.,tlie friends assem- bled in the Lecture Hoom to spend an hour in prayer and conference, having reference especially to the World's concert of prayer, which was that week being observed by the Evangelical churches. Here the Rev. AVilson Phraner, (another child of the church,) of Sing Sing, 'N. Y., made some appropriate and forcible re- marks. At half-past ten, a large assembly gathered in the church to listen to a Sermon from the Rev. William P. Breed, of Philadelphia. SERMO]^. " Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our taith." — Hebrews xii. 1,2. The more strictly doctrinal portion of this epistle terminates with the eighteenth verse of the tenth chap- ter, and the hortatory begins with the next verse. In the first exhortation faith is thus mentioned. " Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith." In the thirty-eighth verse, this faith is de- clared to be the principle of spiritual life. " The just shall live by faith." In the first verse of the following chapter, faith is defined. " Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." The rest of this chapter consists of a list of illustrious examples of the power and achievements of this faith in the sphere of practical life, as in the experience of Abel, Noah, Enoch, and the rest. And our text is a rational and forcible exhortation, based upon what has gone before. APPENDIX. 289 " "Wherefore, seeing what faith is, and what it has clone let US, committing ourselves to its influence, run the race set hefore us, looking unto Jesus." In a passage so opulent in treasures, the chief difti- culty lies in making such a selection of points for a single discourse as to avoid, on the one hand, crowding and thus confusing the vision, and on the other, omit- ing those whose prominence and importance are essen- tial to any other than a merely fragmentary view of the text. A little attention however in this case obtrudes iipon the view as the most prominent object, "The race set before us," with a cloud of Avitnesses on the one hand, and Jesus, faith's author and finisher, on the other, as stimuli to the racers. Each one of these three objects therofore, demands more or less of our attention. First, Look at The Cloud of Witnesses. The rhetorical figure of a cloud as a type of multi- tude, could hardly fail of frequent recurrence in the literature of all nations. Accordingly, Homer writes of " a cloud of Infantry." Livy says, " The King hurled a cloud of horse and foot upon the foe;" and Isaiah asks, " Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows ?" Nor is the figure less impressive than it is apt. Who has not gazed with rapt interest upon a cloud in a summer afternoon — black but comely ! At first no bigger than a man's hand, it rises and spreads its sable wings till at length they cover and darken half the he- misphere, and pile their cumulative masses up to the skies, the very type of majesty and multitude ! 13 290 APPENDIX. And now suppose every constituent atom of that va- pory mass replaced by a glorified sj)irit, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Samuel and the Prophets : You are compassed about with a great cloud of witnesses ! IS^ow listen to the exhortation — "Ye candidates for eternal bliss, blood-bought, blood-washed, vow-laden, think that all those celestial eyes are fixed upon you, watching the banner of the cross committed to your hands to see whether it is waving in victory over a prostrate, or trailed in the dust beneath the feet of a triumphant foe ; watching for the ark of Grod entrusted to your custody, to see if it be safe within its peaceful curtains at Shiloh, or whether it has fallen into the hands of heathenish Philistines ! Beyond all doubt such an exhortation were quite in- telligible, and to every true child of faith, spirit-stirring. Still, we are persuaded that this view by uo means ex- hausts the meaning of the sacred wi-iter. Had it been his chief aim to impress it upon us, that we were the objects of constant celestial scrutiny, there was a truth to this effect nearer home and much more effective. For indeed there is One that Avatches us day and night, at home and abroad, scanning our thoughts, sift- ing our motives, making record of our ends and aims, and this, not as a mere spectator, but as a gatherer of testimony for the judgment-seat of Christ ! " Whither shall I go from thy Spirit ? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven thou art there ! If I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there ! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost part of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me and thy right hand shall hold me !" APPENDIX. 291 Naj, my brethren, those bright hosts are summoned in clouds around us, as witnesses of another kind ! They are witnesses upon the stand., giving testimony ! And the point of tlieir testimony is the validity of a scriptural. Christian laith, and its power to bear its sub- jects through all life's toils, trials, and temptations to the very end ! Thus they declare, it did for them, thus we are to infer it will do for us. Under its inspiration jSToah, amidst the sneers and jeers of his cotemporaries, built a great ark, to shield him and his from an overflowing flood, beneath a sky undarkened by a threatening cloud, and upon a conti- nent that since the world began liad neither known nor feared aught of overflowing floods ! By faith Abraham set out with his family and flocks to go, he knew neither why nor whither, " on a fools errand " as his heathen deridcrs would say, and at the bidding of a groundless fancy. And what shall I more say ? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephtha ; of David also and Samuel, and the prophets ; who through faitli subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." And now saith tlie Spirit, in the presence of this cloud of worthies, bearing such testimony to faith's ex- haustless and invincible power, let us, with a faith like theirs in oi-igin — like theirs in kind, and, if we will Be- 292 APPENDIX. loved, like theirs in degree also, — let us rnn the race set before us, looking unto Jesus ! In the Second place consider, " The Race set before Us." 1. These words may be considered as pointing to the Race set before the Whole Christian Chcrch. Uttered centuries ago, the exhortation still rings in the ears of the church of Christ, urging her to applj herself with all diligence to the solution of the great problem assigned to her of discipling the nations ! As . Moses set up the brazen serpent where every bitten Is- raelite in the camp could see it, so the church is to bear the cross onward and upward, from height to height, "Excelsior!" her constant motto, until, with redoubled emphasis and significance, the cry may ring forth from its lips — " Look unto me and be ye saved all ye eyids of the earth." How this problem has been understood and prac- tically treated by the church is significantly hinted in certain statistics attributed to Sharon Turner. During the first century, he tells us the church gathered under discipleship half a million of souls. The second century made this half million, two millions. The third century increased the number to five millions ; the fourth to ten ; the fifth to fifteen ; the sixth to twenty ; the seventh to twenty-five ; the eighth to thirty ; the ninth to forty ; the tenth to fifty ; the eleventh to seventy ; the twelfth to eighty; the thirteenth, the dark thir- teenth reduced the number to seventy-five ; the four- teenth, regained the lost ground, and restored the number to eighty; the fifteenth advanced it to one APPENDIX. 293 hundred ; the sixteenth to one hundred and twenty- iive ; the seventeenth to one hundred and fifty-liye ; the eighteenth to two hundred, and the nineteenth, thus far to three hundred millions! ]S^ow, whatever may be said of the character of this nominal Christianity in the mass, and admitting that these figures can only be approximatively accurate, yet is there enough in this general view to encourage and exhilarate the soul, and assure us from the lips of his- tory itself, that the day is drawing on when the millen- nial bells will announce that the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ ! And it by no means weakens this assurance to bear in mind that no other religious system in the world can lay claim to anything like such a population in any sense under its sway, excepting perhaps that of the Buddhists — that not one of all these false systems of re- ligion is aggressive — that palsied with age, they all feel the discouraging premonitions of coming dissolution — further still, that every one of these great systems is assailed and penetrated at many a point, by our religion which, though so many centuries old, is yet in the dewy morning of its youth, and last, but not least, the grasp with which Christianity has seized the reins of i)Ower among the nations. Treaties between high contracting parties, legislation in Congresses and Parliaments, and the great thoughts that pervade our literature and rule the age are mainly what they are by reason of the re- ligion of Jesus ! Away then with apologies for the tardy growth of Christianity ! The mushroom may spring up in a 291 APPENDIX. night, but yonder oak, that hardly bows its proud head to the tornado, has been gathering strength for a century ! And assuredly the steady growth of a plant through more than eighteen hundred years, demon- strates a vitality that must strike its roots down, till they take the very planet in their embrace, that must lift its top into eternal sunshine, and spread its branch- es until all the nations find shelter beneath and food upon them ! 2. In the solution of this general problem, there is also A Eace set before each generation of Chris- tians. And before us, as members of the generation living in the middle of the nineteenth century, there lies a large and important work of Aggression and Defence. Our generation is peculiarly one of Christian Aggres- sion. JSTever before were all barriers so prostrated in the church's path. But a few years ago a potent di- rector of the British East-India Company declared that he would more willingly send fifty devils to India than fifty missionaries. And now where is the power of that company ? Once a Governor-General of India for- bade the Christian missionary to set foot on Indian soil, and what became of him ? Like Julian the Apostate, breathing out his life on Parthian plains, he too had reason to cry — " O, Galilean thou hast conquered !" One and the same vessel bore him in disgrace from Madras to Ceylon, and returning, carried from Cey- lon to Madras the missionaries he had persecuted ! And now what a vast, unforbidden chorus of Macedo- nian voices calls thence in our ears ! A grand and im- APPENDIX. 295 presslve truth is set to music in the immortal lines of Heber : " From GrecnlancVs icy mountains, From India's coral strand ; "VVlierc Al'ric's sunny fountains Roll doA\Ti their golden sand ; From many an ancient river, From many a palmy plain, They call us to deliver Their land from error's chain." And never were men so our bretliren and neigh- bours as they are now. Who is my neighbour ? lie to whom I may send a message, and in half an hour receive reply ! But he may live in New Orleans or Nova Scotia. If our fellow men, two hundred miles away are starving, are they sufficiently our neighbours to obligee us to send them bread ? But Ireland is near- er to day than was such a community twenty years ago. Beloved, the triumphs of the human intellect, under the blessing of God, have laid the heathen world on the doorstep of tlie Christian church ! But a work of Defence also lies before us. For we have a foe of immeasurable cunning and immeasurable malice, immeasurable resources, and terrible energy. " The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." Ours is a day in which the current sets strongly in for tlie cold, cheerless shores of Unbelief. The grim divinities of Doubt and Denial, exhumed for the thou- sandth time, are again set upon their pedestals, and all 296 APPENDIX. the world called on to fall down before them. " "Wo seem to be slowly coming round through sublime b_y- wajs of intellectual superiority and sentimental faith, to the old mean era of cavilling and criticism, the age that finds humbug in every thing — the puny, debased, narrow age of unbelief." The Church even has been menaced with invasion. The Christian world lias re- cently been startled by the discovery of a conspiracy in the bosom of the venerable Church of England, to pour poison into the "pure water of life that flows oat from the tlirone of God and of the Lamb." Further, this is a day of unusual cultivation, pride and power of intellect ; and marshalled on the side of the foe are found no little solid learning, profound re- search and keen logical acumen. Besides these are troops of sciolists, whose smattering of knowledge and overweening self-conceit render it harder to convince one of them than "seven men that can render a reason." Whole universities, too, lend their power to the un- hallowed work of undermining the faith once delivered to the saints. !Never was the infidel library so well re- plenished. Yolume after volume, the ever-recurring Quarterly instinct with Infidelity, and furtive scraps in the omnipresent magazine and newspaper, allure and ensnare the unwary, satisfy and fortify the sceptic, and form a barrier behind which the ribald wag their heads and affect to defy the armies of the living God. Even Science has been suborned to lie against the Holy Ghost, and the stars in their coui'ses to fiMit on the side of Sisera. And that no stone might be left un- turned, an imbecile necromancy has been evoked, APPENDIX. 297 and, in its mutterings, Panl under tlie rapping table made to contradict Panl at the Areopagus. Now the race set before the Christians of this gen- eration is, in the midst of all this, and in spite of all this — the enemy coming in like a flood — not only to save the cross, but to give it the victory ; not only to retain the ground already won but to add new king:- doms to its sway. 3. Then there is A Race set before us as American CURISTIANS. Ancient History furnishes us with examples of two classes of nations ; those which, destitute of true re- ligion, have assailed it in other nations, and those which, once having it in possession have become apostate. The doom of the former was thus written by Moses. (Gen. xii. 3.) "I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee." And Ezekiel (xxv. 12, 13) records particular apjilications of this laAV. " Thus saith the Lord God, because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Jndah, by taking vengeance, and hath greatly oft'endcd. Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, I will also stretch out my hand upon Edom, and I will cut off man and beast from it ; and I will make it deso- late from Teman ; and they of Dcdan shall fall by the sword." And Babylon and Kincveh and Egypt, where are they ? But it fares worse with apostate nations ! When the unclean spirit, once gone out of man, returns again, the last state of that man is worse than the first. " So," said the Saviour, " shall it be unto this generation." 13* 298 APPENDIX. And so it was with that generation — for under the whole heaven hath not been done as was done npon Jerusalem. But our country must be ranked, if with either, with the apostate. It has never been the assailant of reli- gion ; on tlie contrary we have been from the first a Christian nation. The first act of Columbus, after leap- ing upon these western shores, was to set up a cross. The first sounds the wolves and Indians heard on our New England coast from the lips of the white man, were sounds of prayer and praise to the Triune God. The name of Jesus has been invoked in our Congresses and great political assemblies from the first to this hour. Appeal was made to Him on the battle field before the conflict and in thanksg-ivino; for victories. Our legislation, so far as it has borne at all upon re- ligion, has been Christian in its character. High au- thority has declared Christianity to be a part of the common law of the land. The Sabbath is distinctly recognized and annually days of devout thanksgiving to Almighty God are appointed in nearlj'- all our com- monwealths. In our land Gospel institutions have sprung up like willows by the water-courses. Kevivals of religion, like that of Pentecost, have been enjoyed. Church edifices stud our territory from limit to limit. From our shores the most successful of Christian mis- sionaries have gone to bless the heathen world. And this day we behold an army of five millions of com- municants enrolled under the banner of evangelical religion ; and as the Sabbatli sun moves in inajesty from the Atlantic to the Pacific, he sends down his beams upon more than four millions of children in APPENDIX. 299 Sabbath-schools, grouped around more than four hun- dred thousand teachers ! Our land furnishes a home for some tlnrty thousand or thirty-five thousand minis- ters of the Gospel, who preach, with more or less regu- larity, in some sixty thousand houses of worshij), of various classes; sometimes a school-house, sometimes a court-house, and sometimes a church edifice, built for the purpose. Bible societies, tract societies, colporteur agencies, and other societies — Christian and benevo- lent, (supported by an annual voluntary contribution for all religious purposes of from twenty to twenty -five millions of dollars) make up a world of hallowed ac- tivities that set the broad seal of Christianity upon our national character, and make it impossible for us not to be either i)ermanently Christian or basely apostate. The only alternative left us, is either, with hands at once impious and ungrateful, to tear up the deep-rooted cross and cast it into the sea, and thus hang the mill- stone of divine wrath about our nation's neck ; or to go forward, ploughing and planting, until at the name of Jesus the whole aggregate Republic shall bow the knee in heartfelt devotion ! The race set before us then, as American Christians is, at whatever cost, to make our land a tabernacle of Immanuel. Infidelity and wickedness in every form must be met and thwarted. The emigration from other lands must be Christianized ; the neglected youth must be gathered into Sabbath-scliools, and in every valley, on every hill-side, and along all water-courses Gospel ordinances must be enjoyed. AVliile Alexander was thundering at the gates of Tyre, the terrified inhabitants, fearing lest their god 300 ■ APPENDIX. should desert them, assembled in the public square, and there had the statue of Apollo cliained to his pedestal. The follj of tlie heathens maj teach us wisdom. "We must secure the permanent residence of Immanuel in our midst, or we are lost. We must bind him fast, not with iron chains, but with the bands of a man — the ties of love for a Christian people. 4. Again there is A Kace set before us as Presbyterian CHRiSTi.\Jsrs — Christians holding as dis- tinctive tenets the equality of the clergy, the coopera- tion of the Ruling Elder in the government of the church, and courts of review and control. With our sister-denominations we have no quarrel. God forbid ! We bid " God speed " to as mau}^ of any name as " sensible of their lost and helpless state by sin, depend upon the atonement of Christ for pardon and acceptance with God ; such as desire to renounce their sins, and are determined to lead a holy and godly life." There is room for all and work for all. Still, will any chide us for entertaining the con- viction that there lies a peculiar race before a church like ours in a land like ours; a church, between whose form of government and that of the nation analogies so striking exist — both enjoying in felicitous counter- poise the right and privilege of free thought and pri- vate judgment on the one hand, with the predominance of an ultimate, venerable and potent authority on the other ; a church historically and notoriously not one whit more Republican in the form of its government than in its spirit and tendencies ; always ready in her APPENDIX. 301 clergy to bless and pray for, and in her membership to carry and ti^lit nnder the banner of Repnblican liberty, and hence always looked on with cordial disfavour by liigh monarchists. ''You are aiming at a Scot's Presby- tery," snarled King James at the Hampton Court Con- ference in 1G04, "which agrees with monarchy as well as God and the devil. Tiien Jack, and Tom, and AVill, and Dick shall meet and censure me and my council. Then Will sliall stand up and say it must be thus; then Dick shall reply and say nay, marry but we will have it thus." In this, this Scottish Solomon only followed Queen Elizabeth who " hated Presbytery because it held ■l)rinciples inconsistent with allegiance to her crown." And in this he was followed by Charles the First, who wrote : "Show me an}'- precedent wherever any Fres- byterial government and regal was together without perpetual rebellions." And Dryden has left liis testi- mony in no very amiable lines : " So Presbytery and its pestilential zeal, Can flourish only in a commonweal." * A church always taking high ground in favour of general education, under a government whose very life depends on general education as one of its essential con- ditions; a church embracing such a proportion of high character, talent, learning, zeal and piety — before this church we say there is a peculiar and honourable race set by her Master, and well will it be for her and for the world if, like true children of Issachar, they "have * Smythe's "Ecclesiastical Republicanism." 302 APPENDIX. iindei'stanJiiig of the times to know what Israel ought to do." The race it has already run demonstrates that her race is only just begun. While Louis XIV. was filling France with profligacy, and emptying her of citizens and wealth; while the Marlboroughs and Peterboroughs of England were winning renown for her abroad, and .at home, amidst bitter and endless wranglings of Whig and Tory factions, Swift, Pope, Addison, Steele, and others were filling her libraries with a brilliant and deathless literature ; while the American colonies were harassed with controversies with their selfish old mother for their' rights, and their borders tormented with the miseries of a savage warfare, God, in liis quiet but resistless providence, was moving on, sowing tlie seeds of Presbyterianism on these western shores. Two hundred years ago signs of Presbyterian vegeta- tion here and there appeared. At Jamaica, in Mary- land, N"ew York and Philadelphia, churches sprang into existence. About 1695, weekly religious worship began to be held in a litte stocking-store with a sign above the door, " C & N Jones," on the nortliwest corner of Chestnut and Second Streets. Nine Baptists and per- haps as many Presbyterians (Presbyterians in reality if not yet in name) and a few Episcopalians, formed that seminal congregation. Since that day of small things how many precious souls have gone from these churches with so humble an origin, to join in the song of Moses and the Lamb on high! And to-day Philadelphia rejoices in some two hundred and seventy Evangelical churches, num- APPENDIX. 303 bering perhaps one hundred thousand communicants. Of these churches seventy are Presbyterian, thirty -three Old-School, eighteen New-School and nineteen of other names. And you heard in the sermon two days ago, what an aggregate of Presbyteries, of ministers and of com- muning members are now arrayed under the two Assemblies in our land, ecpiipped with a noble array of schools, colleges and theological seminaries, and ■with a powerful machinery for the propagation of the truth in fields domestic and foreign. Before the Presbyterian Church, thus endowed, there is set a race which includes at least the duty of de- monstrating to the world the superior ejSicacy of our ecclesiastical system in spreading the Gospel among men, in subduing sinners to King Emmanuel, in de- veloping all the graces of piety, and training the branches of the messianic vine to the production and maturing of all the rich " fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meek- ness, temperance." FiKALLY, There is a Race set befoke us as In- dividual Chkistians. There is a race set before each believer peculiar to himself, which no one can run either for him or with him. Of all the thousands of vessels that have left New York for Liverpool, no two ever pursued just the same path. And of all the Pilgrims that have made the voyage to heaven, no two ever followed in just the same track. 304 APPENDIX. The experience of each one was inai-ked with decided peculiarities. God sets the race before ns, and He never repeats himself in nature or in grace. He makes no two stars, no two flowers, no two dew-drops, no two grass-blades, no two human faces, no two courses of human ex- perience alike. The race of one lies among the allurements, tempta- tions, and sometimes persecutions of wealth and high social position ; that of another, through the toils, cares and hard trials of extreme poverty. Having supped upon his hard crust, hardly earned, the son of penury retires to his hard bed to sleep. The early dawn finds him again at his task, or in anxious pursuit of employ- ment. And so his life wears on to the end. At length he dies, and the undertaker hides his poor body among the long grass in some obscure nook in the field, and soon no one of all earth's thousand millions knows or cares that such a human being ever lived and sinned and suffered and died ! The race of one is very short, a few brief suns bringing it to the close; that of another runs on almost through the century. The race of one lies in the bustle and excitement of public life ; of another through paths of alniost unbroken bodily sickness. To one is appointed a race amidst scenes of general Christian defection, and he cries out with the prophet, "I, even I alone am left, and they seek my life to take it away;" while the career of another is like that of a Whitefield, a continued suc- cession of revival scenes. One finds his way to bliss through the sorrows and glories of martyrdom, another through years of fearful bereavement and sorrow, and APPENDIX. 305 aiiotlicr still passes to the cold river's xcvgc, throiigli the Dark Yallcy, through the grim hoi-rors of Doubt- ing Castle and the merciless beatings of Giant Desi)air. Each one, wc re})eat, has his own appointed race to run. llun then, Beloved, the race set before you! Grieve not, envy not, re])ine not, wish it not otherwise than it is. Say with Eutherford, " If it were come to an ex- change of crosses I would not exchange my cross with any." Indeed, there is something both of selfishness and folly in the wish that our race were other than it is; folly, for we each have ills the balm for which lies only in the path nuirk'xl out for us; selfishness, for some one must run this very course. The religion of Jesus must have this particular illustration of its power. Heaven's choir cannot lack the song that you arc learning to sing. The tapestry of grace, weaving here below to be the wonder and admiration of the universe, cannot lack that particular figure and colour that your peculiar experience is adding. Some one must weep these teai's, bear these burdens, do these works, and you are the only one just qualified for the task. Run then with patience and diligence the race that God hath set before you ! And now, beloved brethren, as we near the close of these refreshing exercises, let us all as members of the great Church of our Redeemer, as participants in the honours and duties of this passing generation, as Christian citizens of our beloved America, as Presby- terian Christians and as individual believers, each with his own salvation to work out with fear and trembling 306 APPENDIX. — ^let us all, I say, set out anew in the race set before us, looking, as we run, on the one side at the witnesses, and on the other unto Jesus ! For our text seems to place us, as it were, in a parenthesis between the two. First we look at the witnesses, as the text commands, and as did the saints of old. " Our Fathers trusted in Thee. They trusted and Thou didst deliver them. They cried unto Thee and were delivered — they trusted in Thee and were not confounded." — Ps. xxii. 4, 5. Bnt should any be disposed to add with the Psalmist, "Yes, but we are very different from our fathers;" "I am a worm and no man, a reproach of men and dis- pised of the people." "The Patriarchs trusted and were delivered, but we have not the faith of the Patriarchs," Then look awa}'^ to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, and He can increase its power till mountains shall flow down at its presence ! It is as if two separate divisions of I^apoleon's array were fighting under his eye, each with his own opposing force, the one nearer and the other more remote. The remoter one is victorious at the first onset, but the nearer one wavers. The ofiicer in command, trembling lest disgrace befall his flag, cries to his men, "See how your comrades chase the foe!" "Ah," they murmur in reply, " we are^fewer and weaker than they." Seeing now that the case is desperate, as a last resort he cries, " Behold, your Emperor is looking at you ! " Every face is turned, and catching fire from the glance of that eagle eye, like a tornado they sweep the enemy before them ! So let us on in the race set before us— looking at the APPENDIX. 307 cloud of witnesses, now more numerous bv hundreds of tliousands than when this exhortation was penned — embracing in addition to the more ancient worthies, the blessed army of confessors and martyrs of early Christianity, and then the Luthers, Calvins and Knoxes; Baxters, Bunyans and Owens ; Tennents and Davies; Braiuards and Pay sons; yes, and others too, whom we have known and loved in the llesh ! We saw how they lived ; we saw how they struggled with ill ; with what preternatural patience they endured ! Racked with pains we heard them cry, "Thy will be done!" Bruised and crushed they still exclaimed, "We glory in tribulations also ! " The dark chamber of adversity they made to echo with the shout, "Although the fig- tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vine ; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat ; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls : yet will I rejoice in the Lord ; I will joy in the God of my salvation ! " And we saw how they died ! Some as the infant falls asleep on its mother's bosom, and some as Elijah went to heaven in a chariot of fire ! Yes, blessed witnesses, we take your testimony, and here before the Triune God, and before the angels, and in view of all the toils, and sorrows and triumphs of believers in every age, we solemnly promise to heed this exhortation, and from this good hour to run more resolutely, more diligently, more patiently, the race set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faitli. Amen and amen ! 308 APPENDIX. The closing services of the Anniversary were on Thursday, commencing at half-past two p. m. It was the Communion season. Dr. Krebs conducted the exercises, assisted by Dr. Macdonald and Rev. Mr. Breed, with a few concluding remarks and prayer by the pastor. "It was a time the solemnity, the delight, the profit of which language fails to convey, and was a fitting close to tlie series of intei*esting services, such as would be appropriate to very few churches in this country." The Committee would here acknowledge their ob- ligations to Professor Andreu, organist, and the choir for the music tliroughout the Anniversary. Their performances aided much to enhance tlie pleas- ure and interest in the occasion. APPENDIX. 309 AN APPLICATORY ADDRESS SUBSEQUENTLY DELIVERED BY THE PASTOU TO TUE PEOPLE OF II 1 3 CHARGE. " TIic Lord our God be with us, as lie was with our fathers." — 1 Kiugs viii. r>7. "Beloved of God, called to be saints; grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." Dear Brktuken, — God has favored us. Our recent anniversary exercises have left their impress upon our minds. The congratuhitions received ; the satis- faction expressed ; the elevated spiritual enjoyment acknowledged by all ; the reluctance to leave the place •where lingered so many sweet and sacred associations, and the full heart and tearful eye when those from a distance spoke the parting word — all accumulated the evidence that it was a "high day" in the annals of our Zion, and that we did not mistake the indications of Providence calling to its observance. But the more important that occasion, and the more deliglitful those services, the greater subsequent re- 310 APPENDIX. sponsibilities do they impose upon ns. They have tended to fix the gaze of the rehgious world npon ns. They have served to raise this church to the hill top of public observation. A more than local interest gathers around the place, where, it is believed, God, in his all-wise purposes, planted in its continuance, the First Presbyterian Churcli in America. For the purpose of retaining these impressions, and of appreciating our responsibilities, as they are under- stood by the Christian world, and as due to God, I would offer for your consideration a few thoughts which, it may be hoped, will tend to strengthen the jpractical effects of the services in which, as a church, we have been so pleasantly engaged. lie who was among " the chiefest of the apostles," sought the will of God at tlie throne of grace. And in what way can we so suitably express our gratitude to God, and our readiness to do his will, as in tlie form of earnest prayer for grace to be equal to our position in the world, in the church, and in our obligations to the Great Head of the church, who in the past has gone before us "in a pillar of a cloud to lead us in the way, and a pillar of fire to give us light," and wliose Cove- nant of mercy has spanned the future with the bow of promise ? Such a prayer I find Solomon offered. With the children of Israel he was engaged in dedicating a new temple to the service of God. Tliat temple was at once a monument of their gratitude and liberality. They were children of a blessed ancestry. God had led their fathers through a "waste and howling wilder- ness." They had been " brought forth also into a large APPENDIX. 311 place," and safely settled in the land the Lord had given them. By the good hand of the Lord upon them, temporal and spiritual prosperity, in a dis- tinguished manner, had marked their career. How much is all this like our own nation ! King Solomon could say with Asaph — and we might also almost literally adopt the same language — "Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt ; Thou hast cast out the heathen and planted it. Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it tilled the land. The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars. She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river." Descendants of parentage so highly blessed of God ; enjoying the worship of the true God for so many successive generations; living to see the church of their father spread from river to sea ; assembled in a new house of worship, the most splendid the world ever saw : well might the Children of the Covenant, so greatly favored, through the mouth of the Royal Preacher oiler the prayer, "The Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers." This prayer may certainly be considered relevant to the condition of our church and congregation at the present time. God was with our fathers. Brethren, if you call to mind the difhculties incident to the settlement of a new territory, the hardships, the pov- erty, the sickness, the dangers, the weakness of even good men, the proneness of all to error, and to all this add a persistent effort of the Colonial Government to destroy this church in its form of worship and doctrine, there will be no room to doubt the fact of God's special Q 12 APPENDIX. providence with the early founders of this church. Amid all these pressures would this Church have sub- sisted for two hundred years without divine inter- ference and preservation? Believe it wdio may. We say with adoring gi-atitude : The Lord Jehovah was with our fathers. They paused before they commenced the toils and trials of tlie wilderness, and at the thres- hold of all sanctuary enterprises with Moses pra^'ed, " Now, therefore, we pray thee, if we have found grace in thy sight, shov/ us now thy way, that we may know thee: and consider that this nation is thy people." And God answered their praj'ers : "My presence shall go with you, and I will give thee rest." The spirit the fathers manifested ; their inclination to the service of God; "their coming together in a church way;" their uniform regard for the ordinances of God's house ; the fruits of their labors and prayers which are this day present to our consciousness, all attest the same truth — God was with our fathers. HhoiY faith in God, and their zeal for his cause bear the same testimony. "Abraham believed God," and one of the greatest evidences of his faith was, at the call of God, to go from his " country," his " kijidred," and his "father's house," into a strange land. The early settlers of this counti-y did this very thing. They left their "country," their "kindred," and their "father's house." Conscience was trammeled, liberty of Avorship was suppressed, and under the light of the guiding star of Faith and Hope, they said farewell to childhood's early scenes, launched their bark upon the boisterous deep, and with a cheerful voice sang as they sailed : APPENDIX. 313 " His call we obey, like Aliram of old, Not knowing our way, but faith makes us bold; For though we are strangers, we have a good guide, And trust in all dangers, the Lord will provide." But their faith and zeal led them to do more than this : they made provimon for the future. They were men of the covenant. The blessings whicli they en- joyed they wished to transmit to their children and their children's children. The more religion a man has the less selfish he is, and the greater will be his sympathies for others. And especially will those in covenant with God feel upon them the binding force of parental obligations, and the duty of providing for the S])iritual welfare of their children, after their own heads shall lie low in the bed of death. No man liveth to himself. Not for themselves alone did our fathers brave the dangers of the deep; not for themselves alone did they fell the ancient forest; not for themselves alone did they build houses of worship — they had faith in God. They saw this great wilderness peopled with a multi- tudinous population — a happj^, free and independent-, people. For them they labored, for them they prayed, and for them they established the institutions of the gospel. It was faith in the future and in the God of the future that gave vigor to their purpose, courage to their hearts ; and the results of the seed sown has evidenced the correctness of their faith, abounding in a harvest to the praise of God's grace, the grandest and most glorious the eye of the world ever rested upon. In our faith in God, in our zeal for his glory, and the future welfare of his church, God be with us as he was with our fathers. 14 314 APPENDIX. For tlie attainment of this, let the petition of Solo- mon be ours. We must pray. We must earnestly, habitually pray. The life of the Christian is in pro- portion to his closet devotion. If I had to compress all I had to say in one sentence, it wonld be, Live the life of jprayer. Prayer is a realization of dependence upon God. We stand in our place this day, and, at the foot- stool of God's throne, say, Our fathers would have been nothing if God had not been with them. Kone were more conscious of this than themselves. Their whole history is replete with the evidence that they looked to God. Every step of progress was marked by prayer. And we would not be their worthy successors in church privileges, if, like them, we did not feel that our springs are in God. " And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end. That ye bo not sloth- ful, but followers of them who through faith and pa- tience inherit the promises." We claim not perfection for man in his best estate while a sojourner on earth. Solomon, in the sentiment of his prayer, did not mean to intimate that their fathers were exceptions to the common laws of human infir- mity, — that David, that Jesse, that Moses or Jacob or Abraham had never erred. The prophet makes the direct acknowledgement " our fathers have sinned." But the petitioner meant that as "heirs according to the promise" "of like precious faith througli the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ," " that ye be like minded, having the same love, of one accord, of one mind." The prayer is as Thou wast with our fathers, be with us. Thou didst give them tlie APPENDIX. 315 grace of self-sacrifice, give lis the same grace. Thou didst give thein the grace of perseverance, so give us the same grace. Thou didst give them wisdom, give us wisdom. Thou didst give them zeal for thy glory, im- part the same to us. What thy providence was to them, leading, protecting, controlling, be Thou to us. Wherein thy Spirit did work in tliern, in like manner w'ork thou in us. The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. " So that ye come heJiind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Dear Brethren, " all anniversaries have their force and their joy in this, that they are the registry of growth !" And as we survey the growth of the past, these anniver- sary exercises would fail in one of their most important effects did they not serve to awaken emotions of grat- itude to God who has been with us and our fathers. By the mouth of Moses God commanded Israel : "Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness." Me- mory of divine favors will inspire grateful thoughts. And if as a church we look back two hundred years we cannot be otherwise than sensible of God's goodness, and our duty of thanksgiving. For such a history, — for the characters composing that history — for the tokens of the divine presence, radiant with the displays of God's saving grace up to this very moment of our existence, we have great reason to say with hearts of adoring love ; " Lord thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations." " Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name." It is a scriptural injunction to be " followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." 318 APPENDIX. To imitate the virtues of those who have gone before us is no less a duty tlian that of gratitude for their godly example. When Paul speaks of " forgetting the things that are behind " he does not mean that the re- cord of the past should be effaced from the mind. If so, why was the faculty of the memory created? Where then would be the rich results, and incom- parable benefits of experience ? But I understand the apostle to caution us against relying upon the past as though nothing further was to be attempted ; making the past a pillow to rest our heads upon in ease and quietness. If this were the only result, then the past would be a snare and sin. If we could gather together before us in one depository, all the virtues of our an- cestors, their merit could not be imputed to us. And so far from excusing us from the obligations of the present they are of no more value than the mouldering dust of their lifeless remains. We hold in reverence the importance of the past. But the more important the historic character of the past, the heavier the weight of responsibility resting upon us to sustain its dignity, and, by carrying it forward, secure its amplest fruits. It is in the rich fruition of their graces in our hearts and hopes and labors, that " the memory of the just is blessed," and their devotion, love, joy and faith become ours. " Know, therefore, that the Lord thy God, lie is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his command- ments to a thousand generations." Beloved in the Lord, as a church and congregation we stand on high vantage ground. The dust of sainted generations, of Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Trustees, Mem- Appendix. 317 bers, male and female, are at onr feet. " They rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." We cull from their departed ashes gems of immortal truth to enrich our spiritual treasury. They cleared away the rubbish and paved a well-beaten path after the " good old way" easy and safely for our feet to walk in. They "labored, and we have entered into their labors." And as they made history for us, so we are making history for those Avho are to follow us. In the great drama of life every one has a part to act. "And though one may have a more splendid and another a more obscure part assigned him, the actor of each is equally responsible." In one hundred years from now our descendants will meet to review our actions, as we have those of our ancestors. Not one of us shall be at that meeting. Long, long before that time each one of us shall have gone to his account. Shall we in our generation till a bright page in our church relation ? Brethren, the answer of that question is in ourselves. " Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wil- derness," but their " dust has returned to the earth," " their sepulchres are with us unto this day." And as we enter upon the third century of our existence, it ap- pears to me that every particle of their sleeping dust is instinct with life, and from the memory of their cher- ished graves, and from their glorified spirits around the throne, as a great cloud of witnesses, comes a united voice into the living ear of those upon whom the present responsibility rests; '■'■Be faithful to the Past — he true to the Present — he just to the Future^ And the influ- ences of their history, sparkling with rays of light, as stars in the milky way, emitted from the Sun of right- 318 APPENDIX. eousness, converging into one focus, emblazon as upon the very face of the heavens — as the express will of God — as the teachings of the past, that which must ever be the Christian's, the church's motto — Go for- ward. " 'Tis God's all animating voice, That calls tliee from on high : 'Tis his own hand presents the prize To thine aspiring eye. " A cloud of witnesses around Hold thee in full survey ; Forget the steps already trod, And onward urge thy way." ♦ "Blessed he the Lokd, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised : there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. " The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers : let him not leave us, nor forsake us : " That we may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fatJiers." — Amen. APrKNDIX- 319 From the New York Observer, of January IGtli, 1S62. BI-CENTENARY COMMEMORATION AT JAMAICA, L. I. Tuesday, "Wednesday and Thursday, (January Y, 8 and 9, 18G2,) will long be remembered by the people of Jamaica, Long Island. Agreeably to the compre- hensive preparations made for the commemoration of the settlement and the planting of the Presbyterian church at that place two hundred years ago, the exer- cises were continued tln'ough those three days ; and the spirit with which they were carried on, would only have been satisfied had they contuiued three days longer. It was a " holy convocatiou to the Lord." The dwellings of a hospitable people were thrown open for the reception of their guests — their own returned children — and for the interchange of friendly greeting and intercourse ; and in them was heard abundantly the voice of prayer and praise. The Commemorative Discourse was delivered on Tuesday by the Ivev. Dr. Macdonald, now of Prince- ton, the predecessor of the present worthy and suc- cessful pastor at Jamaica, the Ecv. Peter D. Oakey. Dr. Macdonald's discourse occupied two hours in the delivery, and was heard by the crowded assembly with continued interest until the close. It did not need his own felicitous apology for its length, that it was but in the proportion of an hour to a century. It will be printed uniform with the author's interesting volume, c 320 APPENDIX. "The History of the Presbyterian Church at Jamaica, L. I.;" and no abstract, therefore, is given here. It was rich in research; in liistorical detail; in quaint in- cidents of the olden time ; in clear and logical argu- ment and proof of the antiquity and of the decided Presbyterianism of the Church from the beginning, of its trials and persecutions, its pastoral succession, its seasons of refreshing, its emigrant development and re- lation to the history of the Church and the country at large, and — ^last, but not least — its opportunities and its obligations to preserve and to extend its influence in all time to come. On Wednesday morning there was a festival of good things ; — Dr. Macdonald presided. More than twenty ministers have gone out directly from this church, especially in its later years ; of these a goodly number were present. There were no formal services, each in turn came forward and contributed his reminiscence and memorial with the simplicity, frankness and unc- tion, which had free scope in this family gathering. The Rev. Dr. Nicholas Everitt Smith, pastor of the Re- formed Dutch Church in Harrison street, Brooklyn, and the Rev. Benjamin S. Everitt, pastor of the Presby- terian Church at Blackwoodtown, N. J., — descendants of Nicholas Everitt, one of the original members of the church, — were baptized here, although the former of them was in infancy removed by his parents to the Rutgers street congregation, New York, where he claimed as his spiritual father the Rev. Dr. Krebs, its pastor, now present. The Rev. Mr, AVickes, pastor of a church, near Rochester, spoke in behalf of liimself and of his brother, also a minister. The Rev. Elias N. APPENDIX. 321 Crane, pastor at New Vernon, N. J., son of the former beloved pastor, Elias W. Crane, and the Rev. Wilson Phraner, of Sing Sing, brought their aftcetionate tribute. The Kcv. Dr. llenrj 11. AVeed, of Wheeling, Va., (tlic eldest surviving minister of the former pastors of Ja- maica,) and others, unable to be present, sent letters. As this congregation was first brought into a reirular " church way," and that way was in an important legal document referred to "according to the rules of the Gospel in this town," — i. c, Presbyterian — it is not a child, but the mother even of the " mother Presbytery." George McNish, (settled A. D, lYlO,) cotemporary of Francis Mackemie and John Hampton, (who was im- prisoned by the Colonial authorities in the old church at Jamaica, for preaching the Gospel,) was one of the original members of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, (170G-1716,) and was the eighth pastor at Jamaica. Mr. McNish and the church of Jamaica were set off subsequentl}^ to form the Presbytery of Long Island — the lirst Presbytery in the province of New York. Afterwards the congregation became a part of the Presbytery of New York, and in 1855 it was attached to the new Presbytery of Nassau. Representatives of these Presbyteries were also present : — The Rev. Mr. Reeve, of Long Island; lyfr. Wm. P. Breed, of Phila- delphia, and Dr. Ivi-ebs, of New York. These breth- ren also spoke. Mr. .Breed could not claim to be a descendant of Jamaica, but he also, as well as Dr. Smith, recognized as his spiritual father the jiastor of the Rutgers street Church, (which relation nuiy be claimed by about twenty-five ministers of the Gospel,) 322 APPENDIX. he would feel as if lie belonged here too. Dr. Krebs had come on behalf of the Presbytery, which, for a long time after the foundation of Jamaica, had not yet come into existence, as indeed there was no church in New York until the beginning of the eighteenth century, but was now multiplied into six or seven Presbyteries with their many scores of cliurches and pastors. But he would not now speak of this. His own church was for many years familiarly spoken of as the "Long Island Church in New York." Many of its members were drawn from the Island and from Jamaica, even in his own day. And he had been so intimately connected with them in intercourse with their pastors and with themselves in the enjoyment of their liospitality, and in preaching the Gospel to them in their own place, as well as by the marriage of his own child with the de- scendant of one of their oldest families, still numerous and dwelling there, that he felt as if he also was their kinsman. He spoke with especial eulogy of that man of God — -the Rev. Elias W. Crane — and enlarged on the happy combination of means of grace, in the " home, the school, and the church," which God had so signally blessed. No attempt is made to report these speeches. Ref- erence was made to the presence of three ruling elders still in office, after forty years' service, and to the Super- intendent of the Sunday-school, Mr. Laurens Reeve,* still labouring in that vocation after thirty-three years. * [Elder Laurens Reeve lias been superintendent of the village scliool for thirty-three years; Elder John Carpenter was superintendent of the Fos- ter's Meadow school for thirty years; and Elder Nathaniel Carpenter, of the Springfield school, for twenty years. — Com.] ArPKNDix. 323 The venerable Di*. Sliclton was called upon and gave some pleasant recollections of the early days, not only of fifty-five years ago, but through old people with whom he had conversed in his early life among them. He was able also to speak of what theij had seen and told him of nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. For three hours this free and unrestrained outgushing of the heart Avent on — some speaking only with tears, where the tide of feeling choked utterance — till the time itself gave out. and the people, who would fain liave lingered, were forced to disperse. None who were there will ever forget that scene, A volume only could describe the interesting details, nor could any written record describe the heavenly and tender feelings of the scene. On Wednesday evening Dr. Krebs preached, and on Thui-sday morning Mr. Breed, and on Thursday af- ternoon the Lord's Sup[)er was administered. Thus fitly concludes this delightful anniversar3^ The people had remembered their fathers and the grace of God that was with them; and now, crowning all, they kept with joy the feast in remembrance of Him " of whom the whole family in earth and heaven is named," by whose death they and their fathers were made heirs together of the grace of life. It may be mentioned as an affecting incident, that there came also niQssages and greetings from sick beds of members of the church, who felt that they were standing on the verge of Jordan ; and that one of the more aged members of the church was actually dying,* while we, unaware of that fact, were singing the hymn, * Nathaniel IauIIuih. 824 APPENDIX. " Come let us join our friends above," wliicli contains these stanzas : " One army of the living God, To his commands we bow ; Part of the host have crossed the flood, And part are crossing now. *' How many to their endless home, This solemn moment fly ! And we are to the margin come. And soon exiject to die 1 " A Guest. APPENDIX. 325 From Ihe Presbytoiinii, .faiiuiiry 25, 1802. THE JAMzVICA JJI-CENTENAllY. Wi: can hardly realize that any thing human in America can be two hnndred years old. Bnt we liavo just celebrated the Two Hundredth Anniversary of a Christian church at Jamaica, Long Island, and in all probability the oldest Presbyterian church on this con- tinent! That Father Makeniie was an adopted son of Presbyterianisni in America, and not its father, is man- ifest from the fact that, long anterior to his arrival in this country, this church existed, and without doubt as a Presbyterian church ; and when, in 1707, he was arrested by the amiable Lord Cornbury, he was im- prisoned in the old stone church at Jamaica. It was about 1G55, while Peter Stuyvesant was Governor of New York, that seventeen persons, some from Hempstead, Long Island, and soidc from New England, formed this settlement. They were a vir- tuous, godly race. The town records for February 27, 1658, say ; "It is y^ day voted by this town that no person shall sell, or give to any Indians within, or about y° said town, any strong licker, much or little, more or less, upon the forfeiture of fifty guilders." The original name of the town was " Yemacah," of Indian origin. As early as 1662, public worship was regularly established, to which the citizens were called b}'' "the sound of the church-going" drum. And on January 22, 1663, it was " voted by the town that 326 APPENDIX. Abraham Smith shall have thirty shillings a year for beating the drum upon Sabbath days," etc. It would seem that longevity has become a con- firmed habit with persons and things in Jamaica. The churcli two hundred years old; tliree of the ruling elders more than forty years in the eldership ; the superintendent of the Sabbath-school more than thirty years in office, and able to count more than twenty ministers of the Gospel who have once been in con- nection with liis school, and an uncommon number of venerable, silver-headed patriarchs in the congregation ! The commemorative services were commenced on Tuesday afternoon, the Yth inst., at half-past three o'clock, with a most instructive discourse of a histori- cal character, by the Rev. Dr. James M. Macdonald, formerly pastor of the church, and now of Princeton, New Jerse}'. The house was crowded, and at the close of the service all withdrew with the deep conviction that such an anniversary could not have had a more instructive and appropriate beginning. On Wednesda}' morning, at lialf-past ten o'clock, the congregation again assembled for free conference and prayer. Dr. Macdonald was called to the chair, and a most touching and impressive service it was. Before our eyes on each side of the pulpit, was a marble tablet, containing the names of all the deceased pastors of the church, beginning with Zechariah AYalker, in 1662. Here and there, in the same pew, might be seen the grey-liaired patriarch, with his white cravat and venerable mien, and the son, in the vigor of manhood, evidently ready to endure hardness in the service of either Church or State, and the flaxen-haired, bright- APPENDIX. 327 eyed graiid-daiigliter, the flower in the grass beneatli the aojed tree. Children of tlie church were there from a distance, several of whom came to tell the story of their labors as ambassadors of Jesus Christ. The first who spoke wiis the venerable Dr. Shelton, now more than two score years a ruling elder in that church. Among other things, lie told of a pious wo- man of the congregation in former days, who, one night before retiring, bent the knee in prayer at her bedside, and when she rose to lay her head upon her pillow, to her astonishment, she found the daylight streaming into the windows ! She had spent the whole night in prayer ! Following him, came several "children of the Church," now ambassadors of Christ, with their stories of hallowed and touching reminiscences. The Rev. Mr, Weeks, from the vicinity of Kochester, NewYork ; the Rev. Elias N. Crane, the Rev. Mr. Everitt, and the Rev. Mr. Higbie — all these brethren spoke in the most earnest manner of God's faithfulness as a covenant- keeping God ; and all bore repeated and explicit testi- mony to the value of Sabbath-school instruction, as il- lustrated in their own experience. As the exercises continued, every heart was moved, and tears flowed freely from aged and youthful eyes, and when Mr. Laurens Reeve, Superintendent so long of the Sabbath-school, was called upon, liis emo- tions utterly forbade uttarance. The representatives from sister churches and Presb}'- teries were now called on ; and the Rev.Dr. N. E. Smith of Brooklyn, now of the Dutch church, responded in a happy address. His father, now ninety years old, was 828 appp:ndix. formerly a member of the Jamaica Church, and coukl narrate many carious incidents in its history. The old square stone church stood in the middle of the road, and, besides the usual door before the pulpit, had two others in the sides of the building, opposite each other, and connected by an aisle. One summer Sabbath, when the people were engaged in worship, and these two doors standing open, a worthless fellow, at a neigh- bouring tavern, made a bet that he would ride on horseback in at one of these side doors, and out at the other — which bet he won ! The effect on preacher and hearer, of the sudden apparition of a man on horseback in the midst of the congregation, may be imagined. The Rev. W. B. Reeve, of the Presbytery of Long Island ; the Eev. W. P. Breed, of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, the venerable mother of all our Presby- teries ; and the Rev. Dr. Krebs, of the Presbytery of ]^ew York, made appropriate gratulatory addresses. On Wednesday evening. Dr. Krebs preached on the text, " The joy of the Lord is your strength." Thurs- day morning, Mr. Breed preached from Heb. xii. 1. Li the afternoon, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was celebrated, and it added no little to the solemnity of the occasion, to reflect that the generations of two cen- turies had refreshed themselves at that table on their way to the marriage-supper of the Lamb. This was the closing service ; and, altogether, the occasion was of a most refreshing and delightful character, and will not soon be forgotten by any who were permitted to participate in its sweet solemnities. May many a godly generation yet enjo}^ the precious means of grace in the venerable old church at Jamaica ! B. APPENDIX. 329 At a niccting of the Elders, Deacons, and Trnstees, lield January 27tli, 1862, tlie report of tlie Committee of arraiiij^cments was accepted and adopted. It was " Ilesolved tliat our thanks be presented to the Brethren who have come to assist in tlie anniversary exercises ; that a new edition of 500 copies of the history of the church be published, and that the Ttev. Dr. Macdonald be requested to complete it for tlic two centuries of tlie churh's existence; that a narrative of the anniversary exercises be published as an appendix to the same, and copies of the sermons preached on the occasion solicit- ed for publication." The Committee of arrangements were authorized to carry out these )-esolutions, and Latham M. Jaggar, was appointed treasurer of the publication fund. A 'u.di.^r ^OlaJC-L - £ly. ^. O). dP^^^r^ X^U..^ ^J^6 -'T^^z^j?^^^^ -x^