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LIFE AND LABORS 
 
 OF 
 
 ELDER ZELOTES G-RENELL: 
 
 FOR SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AN EMINENTLY SUCCESSFUL 
 BAPTIST MINISTER. 
 
 1818— 1882. 
 
 L. O. CRENELLE. 
 
 Published by North New Jersey 
 Baptist Association. 
 1885. 
 
DEDICATION. 
 TO MRS. ELIZA GRENELL, 
 
 The surviving widow of the departed, 
 
 WHO so FAITHFULLY WALKED BY HIS SIDE FOR FORTY-SEVEN YEARS, 
 
 WHO SO PATIENTLY ADMINISTERED TO HIS WANTS IN SICKNESS, 
 
 AND SO TENDERLY CHERISHES HIS MEMORY, 
 
 THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 
 BY THE AUTHOK. 
 
Contents. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 I. Introduction. ...----- 5 
 
 II. Birth, Name, Early Life. ------ 11 
 
 III. Conversion and Baptism. ...--- 17 
 
 IV. Call to the Ministry. - - . - 27 
 
 V. Settlement, "Wantage, Orange. - - - « - - 33 
 
 VI. Old School Control-erst. ----- 47 
 
 VII. Labors in Paierson. . - . . - - 58 
 VII^ Four Yeats n New York. - C6 
 IX. Frv-E ^"ears in Elmiea. - . . - - 74 
 X- In Pateeson, Horseheads, Honesdale. - - - 8l 
 
 XI. In Port Jervis. .-...-- 88 
 
 XII. In Glenwood and Millington. ----- 92 
 
 XIII. Labors in Hackensack. -..--. 99 
 
 XIV. Paterson the Third Church. ----- 109 
 
 XV. Sickness, decline and Death. ----- 115 
 
 XVI. COTEMPORARIES. - - - - - - - -122 
 
 XVII. As A Man and as a Preacher. - ... - 129 
 XVm. His own Testimony in his own Language. ... - 145 
 
 Testtmont^ of Others. 
 
 Rev. J. B. Case, -.-.--.- 153 
 
 " J. C. Carpenter, -------- 155 
 
 " T. Armitage D. D., ------ 158 
 
 •• Geo. C. BALDwm D. D. 
 
 " W. H. Parmly, 159 
 
 Dr. a. H. Burlingham ,- - - - - - - 162 
 
 A Monument, of Sovereign Grace. - ... - i66 
 
 In Memoriam.- ....... 173 
 
 XXI. Family Record. ....... i76 
 
 APPENDIX. 183 
 
 XXII. Correspondence. ---.... 
 
 XXin REVn-AL INCLDENT. ...... I93 
 
 SERMONS. 
 
 Thanksgiving at Millington. ..--.. 195 
 
 Jubilee at Clinton. - - - - - ■ - 203 
 
 The Blind and Deaf Servant. - - - - - - 213 
 
 The All Sufficiency of Christ. - - - - - - 251 
 
 The Glory of Gospel Baptism ...... 228 
 
 Divine Instruction. .-..-..- 235 
 
 Revealing Secrets. -------- 243 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The North New Jersey Baptist Association at 
 its Fifty-first Anniversary, held with the Echo Lake 
 Baptist Church, June nth and I2th, 1884, adopted 
 the following : (Item 51 of minutes.) 
 
 "Kesolved, That Brother Levi O. Grenelle be encouraged to 
 prepare and publish a small volume in memory of his revered 
 father and our beloved brother, Kev. Zelotes Grgnell ; and that 
 a committee of three be appointed to co-operate with him in this 
 work and to secure advanced subscriptions." 
 
 In compliance with this action, the writer has 
 undertaken the present effort. It would be unbe- 
 coming in him as a son of an honored father and 
 member of the Association that wishes to honor 
 his memory for the work done in building up church- 
 es within its bounds, not to undertake the task. 
 What he would not endeavor to do on his own 
 resolve, he gladly undertakes at the request of his 
 brethren. It is an honest effort in remembrance 
 of a faithful minister of Christ. 
 
 He will not attempt to write the life of Elder 
 Zelotes Grenell. This he conceives to be an al- 
 most impossible thing for any one to do. He has 
 never lived under the paternal roof since a little 
 
6 Introduction. 
 
 over fourteen years of age. And during the last 
 forty years we have only occasionally been thrown 
 together in religious meetings or in the home of 
 either; consequently others may have known him 
 far better as a preacher, and been so thrown in- 
 to his society as to form a more correct idea of 
 the man than the writer can give. He is deeply 
 conscious of inability to do justice to his memory. 
 Adopting the language of another: '' The man was 
 larger and broader than any description that he can 
 give of him. He is certain that he cannot pre- 
 sent even his own ideal of him." But an honest 
 effort to administer to the enjoyment of many 
 brethren by presenting before them a short sketch 
 of his early life and public labors is the aim. It 
 is not undertaken for the purpose of praising the 
 dead nor of bringing the writer into notice, but of 
 bringing a tribute to his memory, and laying it at 
 the foot of the cross, as a thank offering to God 
 for giving to the church such a shining light and 
 to his children such a father. 
 
 The work has been undertaken and proseclited in 
 the midst of more than ordinarily laborious minister- 
 ial duties. It has been cherished as a work of love 
 during weeks of sickness and great weakness of the 
 flesh. It has been written a little at a time, as health 
 and ministerial duties allowed, with cheerfulness 
 
Introduction. 7 
 
 and for the glory of God. It is the tirst venture in 
 this Hne, and must be exceedingly imperfect as a 
 memoir, owing to the scantness of material from 
 which to draw and the unfitness of tlie writer for 
 such work. But the hope is cherished that many 
 will prize the volume and read it with pleasure. 
 A few sermons will be included in the plan of the 
 book, reminding them of his manner of preaching. 
 The account of his conversion and call to the min- 
 istry will reveal the genuine nature of the work 
 wrought in him, and give the solution of such a life 
 of patient toil. It was an inspiration early impart- 
 ed and never failing him in the battle of life. Let 
 us thank God for such men and be encouraged by 
 their example. 
 
 The writer is fully aware that no 'great value 
 or permanent worth belongs to a work of this kind. 
 Many of the books published are ephemeral in their 
 nature. The present good, however, is important, 
 and as a link in the chain of life its influence may 
 reach beyond our ken, as waves of the ocean wash 
 a foreign shore. As the generation now living and 
 their children pass away it will fade from memory 
 and both man and memoir will be forgotten. Sad 
 the expression, "be forgotten," but true, in its turn, of 
 us all. Heaven alone garners up the good of earth 
 and suffers nothing of enduring worth to be forgotten. 
 
8 Introduction. 
 
 Some one has said that the value of a narrative 
 depends often not so much on what is said as what 
 is not said. To draw the proper line between what 
 shall go into a book of this kind and what would 
 be out of place here, is not so easy a task as many- 
 imagine it to be. No little perplexity has been felt 
 by the writer on this point. He has endeavored 
 to make it a worthy memento to the man as a 
 servant of God and a good minister of the Gospel 
 of Christ. 
 
 To the committee appointed by the association to 
 aid in the publication of the memoir for their coun- 
 cil and co-operation, to the brethren in the minis- 
 try who have so kindly furnished reminiscences, 
 and to the younger brother, Zelotes, of Detroit, 
 Michigan, for his suggestions and aid in shaping some 
 of its chapters, the thanks of the author are due 
 and are hereby gratefully presented. 
 
ELDER ZELOTES GRENELL. 
 
 BIRTH, NAME, EARLY ADVANTAGES. 
 
 For more than half a century the name "Elder 
 Zelotes Grenell " has been a familiar one in northern 
 New Jersey; and the man of God thus designated 
 has been held in high esteem by many in the ranks 
 of Zion. Even now, when his career is ended, and his 
 place of public labor left vacant, the mention of his 
 name to one remaining of his early associates in the 
 cause of Christ, causes a glow of countenance, may 
 be the relation of some incident in his earlv ministry; 
 and a falling tear tells the tale of the high position 
 gained in the affections as a devoted minister of the 
 Gospel of Christ. 
 
 This is tJie name by which he has been known 
 through all the years of his public ministry. Never 
 has he been called "Doctor," rarely "Reverend" or 
 " Dominie," and by a few only, during the last years of 
 his life, "Father," but by the great majority of those 
 
12 Elder Zelotes Grexell. 
 
 who loved him and sat under his ministry, Elder Zelotes 
 Grenell. The word "Elder" was used almost exclu- 
 sively fifty years ago to designate a minister of our 
 denomination. On the tomb-stone of his first wife, 
 who died October, 1822, are the words "Wife of Elder 
 Zelotes Grenell." And the writer has often been 
 asked, when introduced to a brother in Christ, "Are 
 you the son of Elder Zelotes Grenell?" Returning 
 an afifirmative answer, he has been moved to tears 
 by the instant brightening of the face and the strong 
 expression of esteem given. He was welcome at 
 once among strangers for his venerable father's sake. 
 This name, so engraved in the memory of many, 
 will, in a great measure, be preserved in this memoir. 
 
 Elder Zelotes Grenell was born in the town of 
 Courtright, Delaware County, Ne\y York, on the eighth 
 day of April, 1796. He was the third child then liv- 
 ing of a family of sixteen, seven of whom died in 
 infancy. Nine grew up to manhood, and nearly all 
 attained an advanced age in life. 
 
 His father, Samuel Grenell, was born in Saybrook, 
 Connecticut, 1764; but, having lost his father when 
 young, he removed to Salsbury, where he married 
 Rebecca Wadsworth. At the age of thirty he re- 
 moved, with his two children then living and the wife 
 o^" his youth, to CourtriglU, about two )'ears before the 
 birth of Zelotes. 
 
Birth, >\\me, Kai^ly Ai)vanta(;es. 18 
 
 These parents were both God fearing, devout 
 people, and members of the Baptist Church. The 
 father was converted and professed faith in Christ 
 about one year before Zelotes was born. Eight 
 months later the mother put on Christ by baptism. 
 Both were baptized by Elder Warner Lake into the 
 fellowship of the Harpersfield Baptist Church. 
 
 Samuel Grenell was by occupation a farmer, and 
 in humble circumstances, but for many years he 
 was also a licensed or local preacher. The testimony 
 of the son, given years after his death concerning 
 him in this calling was, "Of but ordinary preaching 
 talent, but w^arm in exhortation and very powerful 
 in prayer." He lived to the advanced age of 
 seventy-seven, faithful and true to his profession. His 
 wife attained the age of eighty-eight. Of a mild 
 and gentle spirit, she patiently waited her'appointed 
 time to greet him in heaven. 
 
 The family altar was erected in this home and 
 never taken down while the head and father re- 
 mained to officiate there. Morning and evening a 
 portion of God's word was read and prayer offered 
 for the Divine blessing upon the children. When 
 unable on account of corpulence and increasing 
 infirmities to kneel in prayer, he laid "the old 
 familv Bible" on a small stand before him, and 
 after icridinc; from ihc «>j>encd book. j)l:iccd liis 
 
14 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 elbow on the sacred volume, bowed his head in 
 reverence forward upon his hand, and thus offered 
 up his morning and evening petition to his Father 
 in heaven. Under such hallowed influences and with 
 such an example were these children reared. The 
 consecration of the parent was accepted of God, and 
 the prayer answered by the early conversion of all 
 the children, making them a household of faith. 
 
 The name Grenell is French and correctly spelled 
 as here, with the exception of a final e. There 
 is a street in Paris bearing the name, a manufact- 
 uring suburb of the French capital is thus named, 
 the great artesian well, the deepest one in the 
 world, is called Grenelle, and in Theirs' History of 
 the French Revolution the name frequently occurs; 
 in all these instances the spelling is Grenelle. It 
 is thus evident that all the different names, Grinnell, 
 Grennell, Grenell are variations from the original 
 and correct spelling of the name. 
 
 The ancestors of the family were Huguenots, who 
 fled from France on account of religious persecution, 
 not far from the time of the massacre of St. Barthol 
 omew, 1572. "Wales was then the freest country in 
 Europe, and there they found a home and resided 
 for more than a century." Nearly two hundred years 
 ago two brothers by the name of Grenelle immi- 
 i/rated from Wales to New England. One of these 
 
Birth. Name, Early Advantages. 15 
 
 brothers settled in Rhode Island, and the other es- 
 tablished himself in Connecticut. Our family is de- 
 scended from the Connecticut brother, who was 
 probably the great grandfather of Samuel, the 
 father of Zelotes. 
 
 When Zelotes was two years old his father ex- 
 changed his leased land in Courtright for thirty 
 acres in the town of Harpersfield, "with the right 
 of soil." Here he erected a log house, moved his 
 family to the new home, and commenced the work 
 of clearing the land and raising a sustenance for 
 the increasing household. Prosperity attended them 
 in the new habitation, so that eleven years after a 
 frame house was erected and more land purchased 
 and added to the farm. Here these worthy parents 
 lived till God called them to "a better coun- 
 try," and from this home went out two ministers of 
 the Gospel, and seven other children, all followers 
 of Christ, to bless the world. They are all now num- 
 bered with the dead, but gathered, we trust, an un- 
 broken family in heaven. 
 
 The advantages for education were exceedingly 
 meager in the early years of the life of these chil- 
 dren. Reading, writing, and arithmetic were the 
 only branches taught in the common schools. For 
 a number of years one quarter during the year was 
 all the schooling Zelotes had. He could not be 
 
16 Elder Zelotes Guexell. 
 
 spared longer from the farm, yet made good use of 
 the advantages afforded him. 
 
 Three things were a great delight to him from a 
 child. One of these was "athletic exercises, run- 
 ning, hopping, ball-playing, and climbing trees." 
 Another was the "reading of histories and sto- 
 ries, good, bad, or indifferent." But his "greatest 
 delight was in riddles and story-telling," and in this 
 way he amused his young companions during the 
 long winter evenings. 
 
 Human life has been likened to a river, rising 
 in some obscure place among the hills, but in- 
 creasing in volume as it descends to the valley 
 and plains below, flowing on with blessings through 
 its entire course till lost in the sea. Here is the 
 rise of this river, humble in its origin, but destined, 
 when once it emerges from its hidden sources, to 
 bless the communities through which its waters 
 shall flow. 
 
II. 
 
 CONVERSION AND BAPTISM. 
 
 Conversion is the turning of the soul to God, 
 the beginning of a new spiritual life within the 
 soul. The order is, "first that which is natural and 
 then that which is spiritual." Revelation assures us 
 we "must be born again" to enter the kingdom of 
 God. As truly as the natural birth introduces us 
 into this life, so the spiritual is the beginning of a 
 new life and introduces us into the kingdom of God. 
 
 This renewal of the soul is a Divine work by 
 the agency of the Holy Spirit and the Word, creat-- 
 ing it anew and forming it after the image of God. 
 But there are stages through which the soul is led 
 to repentance and faith, and the experience of this 
 ncv/ life. These are by the choice and use of the 
 Holy Spirit in His work of deliverance from the 
 dominion of sin and leading the soul into the love 
 and service of God. These points we arc to notice 
 in the history of the conversion of this youth. 
 A new Christian character was thus formed, and 
 in that was the foundation of his usefulness. 
 
 The first conviction of sin was when he was 
 
18 POLDER ZELUTES GRENELL. 
 
 eight years of age. But this was transitory and 
 produced no pcrnianenl result. 
 
 When near fourteen years of age the work was 
 truly commenced that resulted, under the power 
 of Divine grace, in a new creature in Christ. A 
 girl twelve years of age professed the love of God, 
 camiC to the church, and was baptized on profes- 
 sion of her faith. When he learned her age the 
 thought came home to him with convicting power, 
 "Here is a girl two years younger than I, who is 
 a Christian, and I am yet in my sins." Much un- 
 easiness of soul was produced by this incident, which 
 troubled him for weeks. A little time after, a school- 
 mate had a severe kick of a horse on his head, and 
 for a time his life was despaired of. About the 
 same time three Baptist families in the neighbor- 
 hood began to hold Sunday evening prayer meet- 
 ings, alternately at their several houses. In one 
 of these, the father of the injured boy spoke of 
 the accident that had endangered the life of his 
 son, and addressed his young companions about 
 the uncertainty of life and the need of repentance. 
 This exhortation was brought home by the Holy 
 Spirit to convict him deeply of sin. His conviction 
 became so deep that "he saw himself a vile sinner" 
 in the sight of God, and felt the need of salvation. 
 A VA^eek later the meeting was at his father's house, 
 
Conversion and Baptism. 19 
 
 when his "distress of soul" became so great he 
 could keep it confined within his breast no longer. 
 He arose without any invitation and said, " My 
 friends, I see I am a poor lost sinner, going down 
 to hell. I desire you to pray for me." No disciple 
 of Christ in that meeting was unmoved by such an 
 appeal as that. The tears came freely to the eyes 
 of those loving Christ, and yet they rejoiced in 
 spirit that such evidence was given of the presence 
 of the Spirit in their meeting. But who can open 
 and reveal the heart of his mother when she heard 
 this expression of the sorrow of his soul. She turned 
 her head, cast a look of love and pity toward 
 her son, and burst into a flood of tears. The meet- 
 ing was open then, and "there was liberty." Not 
 one disciple was there in that company but had 
 something to say. His elder brother said, " I feel 
 as Jacob did when he dreamed of the ladder set 
 up on the earth, the top of which reached into heaven, 
 and on awaking said, * The Lord is in this place and 
 I knew it not.'" 
 
 But no permanent relief was given to the soul 
 under such a burden of sin. His " grief had vent " 
 and the sympathy and prayer of Christians "allevi- 
 ated the keenness of his sorrow." In the meet- 
 ing the following Sunday evening he again solic- 
 ited the prayers of God's children in his behalf. 
 
20 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 Soon after this an indescribable sensation was felt 
 by him which "affected both body and mind." In 
 reference to this he said, "It was as if I had a 
 load on my back which instantly slid off without 
 hands. My load of guilt was gone, the Lord did 
 not look angry, and still I had no evidence of 
 pardon. The inquiry was, "What does this mean?" 
 For the next four days Zelotes was in a state 
 of mind between hope and despair. In thought 
 he was "much confused," at one moment a ray 
 of hope appearing, and then nothing but darkness 
 and gloom. Former convictions coulfl not be 
 brought back, nor was there any comforting as- 
 surance of pardon. He could not go to God as a 
 condemned sinner feeling the burden of his guilt, 
 nor could he address Him as one pardoned and justi- 
 fied by the blood of the cross. • The burden of the 
 soul was "Lord, tell me where I am." In this 
 state of anxiety he one day retired to a solitary 
 place and prayed earnestly that "the Lord would 
 show him his true condition, and not suffer him 
 to deceive himself." He left that secret retreat 
 without finding any relief for the wounded spirit. 
 But on returning to the barn "to prepare the 
 stable for the horses when his father should re- 
 turn from the market," deeply agitated in mind 
 and absorbed in thought about his condition, "one 
 
COXVEKSTOX AM) BAPTISM. '21 
 
 arm resting on the manger, and the shovel in the 
 hand of the other, it seemed as if some one whis- 
 pered in my ear ' Voi/r sins are all forgiven^ The 
 hour of deUverance had come, and the Hght of 
 Divine love shined clearly before him. All doubts 
 and fears were removed. A flood of light and 
 joy filled the soul. He was happy in the love of 
 God. It was a new life begun. 
 
 In this experience no note was taken of time. 
 The ecstacy of soul continued to bear it away 
 from the thought of time and sense. Soon the in- 
 quiry arose, "How can such a vile and guilty sin- 
 ner be pardoned.^" At once "the eye of the mind 
 was directed to the cross where Jesus died for him, ' 
 and bore his sins in his own body. With this view 
 the soul was in a rapture of joy. It was lifted onto 
 a higher level of contemplation than before. Not 
 a tear had been shed during the former disclosure, 
 but now the soul was melted in tenderness, and his 
 "eyes were a fountain of tears; tears of wonder, 
 love, and joy that Jesus should die for me, a poor 
 sinner." It was the touch of the Divine hand in 
 forming the soul anew. It produced a powerful 
 and life long impression upon him. His testimony 
 left on record of that view is, "Ever since I have 
 believed in a vicarious atonement, and in this is 
 all my hope." 
 
22 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 Here is a new life begun. A creation of God, 
 deriving the spring of its joy from the power of 
 the cross. *'That which is born of the flesh is 
 flesh, and that wliich is born of the Spirit is spirit." 
 "We know that what God doeth it shall be for- 
 ever." This is a true conversion, with the stamp of 
 the genuine coin upon it. Ever will it remain 
 through eternal ages a monument to "the creative 
 power of Divine grace." 
 
 At the next Sunday evening meeting the good 
 news of his deliverance was given. "It filled all 
 with joy."' And here came the first cross by the 
 suggestion of the Spirit laid upon the young con- 
 vert,, "to engage in vocal prayer." This duty he 
 performed, and thus gained strength and confidence 
 for active service. 
 
 The first Saturday in April, by special permis- 
 sion of his parents, he attended church meeting. 
 A Mrs. Taylor related her religious experience 
 with a view of being baptized and uniting with the 
 church. Zelotes was under great concern of mind, 
 for the impression was forced upon him, "you must 
 relate your experience " when she gets through 
 with hers. He arose and said, "Come near, all ye 
 that fear God, and I will tell you what He has 
 done for my soul." In a calm and clear manner 
 he related the exercises througrh which he had 
 
Conversion and J3aptism. ">'.'> 
 
 been led by the Spirit from under the dominion 
 of sin into the joy of redeeming love. He had 
 entertained no idea of connecting himself with 
 the people of God, as the path of duty in that di- 
 rection had not been pointed out to him. So no action 
 was taken by the church. He saw the ordinance 
 of baptism administered the following Sunday, and 
 both the beauty and significance of the rite as a 
 profession of faith in Christ were plainly perceived. 
 So, at the following monthly meeting he offered 
 himself for membership, and, being accepted, 
 the following Sunday he was baptized into the 
 fellowship of the Harpersfield Baptist Church by 
 Elder Warner Lake. For this man of God he 
 ever after cherished the warmest Christian affec- 
 tion, and during the years of his ministry made 
 long journeys to visit him in the western part of the 
 State. 
 
 An earnest desire now took possession of him to 
 have a Bible, "one that he could call his own." 
 There was only one small Bible in his father's 
 house, and a few leaves of Genesis were worn off 
 from it. It had to do service for the entire family. 
 
 A Bible Society had been formed in New York 
 City, and being anxious to supply the rapidly in- 
 creasing rural districts with the Word of Life, had 
 established a small depository only six miles from 
 
24 - Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 his home. By solicitation he gained the permis- 
 sion of his father to go on foot that distance to 
 get one. With joy of heart and a nimble move- 
 ment of foot he went, only to hear the sad words 
 "They have all been given out." His emotion, for 
 the moment, was too deep for utterance. Soon 
 the comforting words w^ere added to the former 
 announcement, " Come again in two weeks and I 
 will have a supply for you." So at the appointed 
 time he made the journey again, and obtained 
 one for himself and another for other members of 
 the household. The Sunday follo'wing he spent in 
 reading his Bible. He went through the five 
 books of Moses. He was filled with delight and 
 was intensely interested. He put on record, con- 
 cerning that day, the exclamation, "O! what a 
 treasure!" 
 
 One year after his baptism he left the paren- 
 tal roof and went to live with his brother Chaun- 
 cey, in Stamford, on a farm nearly new. In this 
 new home he was five miles from the place of 
 worship, and four from his father's house. All his 
 surroundings were entirely new. The community 
 was mostly Scotch Seceders. Their house of worship 
 was some four miles distant down the river. True to 
 his convictions, he attended his ov\'n church when 
 meetings were held there, and the rest of the time 
 
Conversion and Baptism. 25 
 
 worshiped with the Seceders or Methodists. In 
 these new associations influences for ^ood were ex- 
 erted upon the young disciple. One family of 
 Seceders lent him several books, which he read 
 with great avidity, and gained from them much 
 knowledge of the way of salvation. One of these 
 books was Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. With this 
 he was much delighted, and his ** views of the Gos- 
 pel were greatly enlarged." Another book was 
 Erskine's Gospel Sonnets, a book printed in Scot- 
 land and brought with the family to the new world. 
 This book was made a source of great good to 
 him. He wrote in relation to the reading of it, "I 
 found God had a plan in his work of grace. My 
 views of doctrine became fixed, and so they have 
 remained." 
 
 Here for over five years he resided with his 
 brother, and continued this habit of reading, reflec- 
 tion, and attendance on the instructions of the sanct- 
 uary. During this time, also, a gracious revival 
 of religion was enjoyed by the Baptist Church and 
 about seventy-five were gathered by the united 
 labors of Elders Mack and Adams into the fellow- 
 ship of Zion. It was a great blessing to him, as 
 it gave him more opportunity to take part in re- 
 ligious meetings, and added to his experience of 
 the working of the Spirit, and gave him greater 
 
26 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 stability in the service. God was preparing him 
 for his future work, and the preparation was being 
 well and truly done. Many of the impressions 
 made upon him, and the points of doctrine fixed 
 in his mind during these five years, remained with 
 him through all the years of his active service. 
 
III. 
 
 CALL TO THE MTNLSTRV. 
 
 » Six years after his conversion, when twenty years 
 of age, a new train of ideas began to impress them- 
 selves upon the mind of this young disciple. Pre- 
 vious to this "no thought had ever entered his 
 mind of being a minister of the Gospel," but now 
 the work of the Spirit of God began to be mani- 
 fested in calling him to be an ambassador of Christ 
 to men. 
 
 First in this process was the passage (Rev. 10:9) 
 "And he said unto me, take it and eat it up, and 
 it shall make thy belly bitter; but it shall be in 
 thy mouth sweet as honey." From day to day 
 this text followed him, stood like an armed senti- 
 nel challenging the youthful disciple, impressing 
 itself upon his mind, and causing intense anxiety 
 of soul as to its meaning. It would not depart 
 from him nor let him alone either by night or by 
 day. 
 
 At length he went with the burden of his soul 
 to his pastor. Elder Adams, and wished him to 
 explain it to him. He gained no relief from the 
 
28 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 man of God. ''Have you been thinking about it?" 
 was the question put to the troubled soul. The 
 affirmative answer was given, and the burden of 
 the soul laid open before the pastor. The only 
 answer was, *T cannot tell you, you must study it 
 out and find the solution yourself." So he returned 
 to his daily toil more deeply burdened in soul 
 and anxious to know the meaning of the passage 
 that troubled him. 
 
 Finally it was -revealed to him, so that he saw 
 clearly the meaning of the passage in its relation 
 to himself. And the same Divine messenger that 
 sent the passage of Scripture to trouble him, gave 
 the interpretation of it. It was presented to him 
 in this way: "That book is to you the Gospel, to 
 eat it is to study and digest its contents. In the 
 mouth it is sweet as honey; there is a delight in 
 preaching it, but trials and adversities attend the 
 work." In that revelation he saw in prophetic vis- 
 ion what was realized for more than three score 
 years in his life as a minister of the Gospel. 
 
 Then came other passages of the Word of God, 
 crowding into his mind and producing intense anxie- 
 ty. (Joel 2:1) "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion and 
 sound an alarm in my holy mountain" was one, 
 and another one was (Ezek. 3:17) "Son of man, 
 I have made thee a watchman unto the house of 
 
Call to the Ministry. 29 
 
 Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth and 
 give them warning from me." And with special 
 force came an expression of (Ezok. 6:S), "His blood 
 will I require at thine hand." There was a power 
 in these passages, and the application was made 
 clear by the Spirit. With special force, also, the 
 following one was impressed upon him (Jer. 20:9): 
 "Then I said, I will not make mention of him, 
 nor speak, any more in his name: but his word 
 was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my 
 bones." 
 
 He continued in this state of intense anxiety, 
 with the continual pressure of these passages upon 
 his mind, for a number of weeks. At length 
 one very cold evening, after a hard day's work in 
 threshing grain with a flail, he "left the house, 
 entered the barn, climbed to the large beam over 
 head, and there, with head bov\'ed between his 
 knees," prayed earnestly and persistently for deliv- 
 erance. It was a moment of intense agitation and 
 one of wrestling in ppayer with God. The result 
 was a victory of the Spirit of God and the* first 
 submission of the troubled soul. The testimony 
 given by himself is, " There, for th^ first time, I 
 was willing to preach the Gospel of Christ to men." 
 What a contrast between the first anxious thought 
 of this young disciple and the end reached that 
 
30 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 night in the wrestling of the soul. *' The meaning" 
 of the passage that troubled him was his thought 
 then, "a willingness to preach" the Gospel the 
 result. 
 
 The next step was to relate these exercises and 
 impressions of duty to the church. It required a 
 struggle of soul to do this. He resolved to do it, 
 and then his courage failed and timidity kept him 
 back. But there was no relief to his troubled soul 
 until he firmly ventured on this step. They lis- 
 tened to his story, said but little, but "gave him a 
 verbal liberty to improve his gifts, anywhere 
 within the bounds of the church." The bounds of 
 the church were quite extensive. From four to 
 five miles from the house of worship in all direc- 
 tions, in the different neighborhoods, members of 
 the church resided. All these were included in the 
 terms of the commission, an ample field for the 
 ambition of one just entering upon the work of 
 the ministry. 
 
 The first effort to preach was made in Middle- 
 brook in the north part of the town. The text 
 selected was an excellent one (Titus 3:5): "Not 
 by works of righteousness which we have done, but 
 according to His mercy He saved us, by the wash- 
 ing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy 
 Spirit." The pastor went four miles to hear this 
 
Call to the Ministry. 31 
 
 first effort, and was the cause of no little embar- 
 rassment to the young licentiate. The thought of 
 standing before an audience to preach produced 
 no little trouble to his mind, and almost overcame 
 him. But the effort was made as best he could 
 do under the circumstances. No instruction had 
 been given him by pastor or any one else, about 
 the necessity of study and preparation to deliver 
 a religious discourse. His thought was, *' If God 
 calls any one to preach He will give him a text 
 and tell him what to say." We have no means of 
 knowing what impression was produced by this ef- 
 fort upon the people. He was not at all satisfied 
 with it, and "concluded he had mistaken his call- 
 ing." But other appointments were made for him 
 to preach, and other efforts were put forth to 
 "improve his gifts." In some of these he had 
 great liberty and freedom of utterance, and be- 
 came greatly encouraged and full of enthusiasm in 
 the work. In other instances his way seemed to 
 be hedged up, and discouraging thoughts pressed 
 heavily upon him. 
 
 For more than a year he continued these efforts 
 of preaching in the different neighborhoods " with- ' 
 in the bounds of the church," and with widely dif- 
 ferent results in his experience. "My mind was 
 perpetually changin;^," he wrote, "from the mo3t ele- 
 
32 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 vated hopes to the most distressing fears." He 
 further adds, " I could not get rid of the impression 
 that I must preach." And during all this time of 
 elevating hopes and distressing fears he had "no 
 idea of studying a sermon or selecting a text be- 
 forehand, or of making any other preparation than 
 prayer, reading the Bible and religious books." 
 How much he needed the advice of some father 
 in the ministry, or the sympathy and aid of a pas- 
 tor to put him on the right track, encourage him 
 in the work and teach him the use of all his pow- 
 ers in preparation, and then to rely on the Spirit 
 of God. It was a hard and severe experience, but 
 under the blessing of the Spirit he endured, and 
 was led to continue his efforts. 
 
 In relation to the opinion of the members of 
 the church in reference to these early efforts, he 
 made the record in after years, when he visited 
 his parents and preached to the people that had 
 licensed him, ''They thought that I would never 
 make a preacher, but now they were satisfied." 
 
IV. 
 
 SETTLEMENT IN THE MINISTRY. 
 
 By a chain of events under the immediate control 
 of God, the way was opened for this young preach- 
 er to enter the great harvest field. He was led in 
 a way he knew not, for no higher aim had pos- 
 sessed his mind than a life of toil to sustain himself, 
 and preaching in the destitute places near his home. 
 The same Spirit that had called him to preach had 
 a field ready for him, and in due time he discerned 
 the hand of God in the change of all his former 
 plans for life. 
 
 In the fall of 1817 he went with his brother 
 Chauncey to Masonville, in search of leased land 
 to take up for a future home. During this journey 
 he engaged to teach school in Danby, near Ithaca, 
 for three and a half months during the winter. In 
 this new occupation he had more time for reading 
 and reflection, and usually preached every Lord's 
 day. He supplied either Danby, Windfall, or Spen- 
 cer with the Word of Life. During the month of 
 February, Squire Mead, of Orange County, was intro- 
 duced to him by Mr. Banfield, who resided some 
 
34 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 two miles from the school house. The request was 
 made for the teacher to preach the following even- 
 ing at Mr. Banfieid's house. The request was com- 
 plied with, and the text selected was (Psalm 65:4) 
 ''Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest 
 to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in 
 thy courts." Squire Mead had been on a visiting 
 tour, was delayed by a severe storm and compelled 
 to remain a few days beyond his expectation. By 
 this means he saw and heard the "boy preacher," 
 as many called him. After the sermon, Mr. Mead 
 related to him the destitute condition of the church 
 to which he belonged in north New Jersey, and 
 their desire to settle a young man. As a result of 
 this interview, the promise was given: ''Write to me 
 at Masonville, in the spring, by wish of the church, 
 and I will answer." 
 
 After closing his school, he returned to Mason- 
 ville to make a beginning on the land located the 
 fall before. "He commenced chopping for a small 
 crop," and had toiled at it for two weeks, when an 
 urgent letter came requesting him to visit the church 
 of Second Wantage, New Jersey. This entirely rev- 
 olutionized all his plans of farming. The newly 
 selected farm was given up and a letter written 
 that he would visit them, and they might expect 
 him in April. He made a journey to Danby to 
 
Settlkmext in the Mixistry. 35 
 
 collect tuition due him, paid a visit to his old home 
 in Harpersfield, and then with all his earthly sub- 
 stance tied in a cotton handkerchief started on foot 
 for his field of labor. His journey was "through 
 Lexington, West Kill, south through a notch in the 
 mountain, no house, no road, all forest, seven miles 
 to Esopus Creek, thence across the hill to Kingston, 
 thence to Wurtsborough, across to Finchville and 
 thence to Greenville, and arrived at Ebei^ezer Mead's, 
 April the 20th, about sun down, found good friends 
 and glad to see me." He had occupied ten days 
 in the journey. *■ 
 
 Some of the incidents of this journey were never 
 forgotten by him, and often were they subjects 
 for conversation and comment in after years. On 
 the way he preached several times, formed the ac- 
 quaintance of Elder Petit at Lexington, and of the 
 eccentric Elder Van Velsen at Esopus. On this jour- 
 ney and just before the time of preaching, he had 
 to ford a stream, and as the water was very high 
 and the current rapid, came near being drowned ; 
 he took a severe cold as he tresult of his Sunday 
 morning baptism, and was quite ill on Monday, but 
 pressed on, and came to the end of his journey in 
 good health and full of gratitude to God for the 
 many mercies that had attended him. Here he was 
 far away from all his relatives and former associates, 
 
36 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 in a strange land, and yet where he was to begin 
 his life work as a minister of the Gospel. 
 
 The field opened to him by the hand of God 
 was ample in extent for any aspirant to the work. 
 It reached from the Delaware Mountain, or Blue 
 Ridge, to the Wallkill, eight miles in width from 
 west to east. It was eighteen miles long from 
 north to south, about one-fourth of it in Minisink, 
 Orange County, New York, and three-fourths in 
 Wantage, Sussex County, New Jersey. It is a mag- 
 nificent country to the eye in summer, of great 
 variety of surface, and, like the hill country of Judea, 
 under the smile of heaven. 
 
 The Second Wantage Church had been organized 
 about twenty years before, and had a member- 
 ship of about one hundred and thirty. Its growth 
 had been to the north, and many of the members 
 lived a long distance from the center or place of 
 worship. At Beemerville a log meeting house had 
 been erected as a free church, and was occupied 
 by the Baptists every third Sunday. This was one 
 of the preaching stations, and the second was at 
 Meadville, about ten miles north. There a frame 
 had been erected, with roof and siding on, but 
 '' without windows, door, or floor." This was occu- 
 pied one third of the time. The third preaching 
 station was in the " Elston neighborhood, near the 
 
SETTLEMKXT IX THE MINISTRY. 3t 
 
 bog meadows," at a private house. To these were 
 added about half a dozen school houses, located on 
 different sections of the field. He commenced the 
 work covering the entire ground with a home wher- 
 ever night overtook him, passing from one neighbor- 
 hood to another, welcomed cheerfully by his parish- 
 ioners at any and all times, and usually preaching 
 four or five sermons each week. 
 
 At the commencement of this service no stipulated 
 salary was promised. He lived with and among the 
 people and, so far as we can learn, every want of the 
 young itinerant was supplied. He at once endeared 
 himself to them by his earnestness and zeal in his 
 work. He was ready to communicate the truth, 
 abundant in labor, and eminently social and pleas- 
 ing in his intercourse with the people. In a remark- 
 able degree he was at home and happy in his work. 
 
 Up to this time he had received no formal license 
 to preach, only the verbal one given by the church 
 that had received him by baptism. The church 
 of Second Wantage called a council of brethren 
 from Brookfield and First Wantage, and advised 
 with them about fully licensing the young preacher 
 that had come at their invitation to labor with 
 them. The result was a full and formal license to 
 preach the Gospel, granted by the church and en- 
 dorsed by the council. 
 
38 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 On this entire field, he labored as the pastor of 
 First Wantage four years and six months. Then 
 a new one was organized called the Orange Church, 
 and a meeting house erected one and a half miles 
 east of Unionville, near the Wallkill. The mother 
 church supplied most of the material for the new 
 organization, and the Elder accepted the unanimous 
 call to be their pastor. He then relinquished the 
 field about Beemerville, but Mt. Salem and vicinity- 
 were included in his parish. This relation continued 
 eleven years, until the fall of 1833. It was one of 
 mutual blessing, and owned by the Head of the 
 Church as the means of great good. 
 
 A few trials were encountered in the early part 
 of his ministry on this field. Three unemployed 
 preachers, very desirous of officiating, but not ac- 
 ceptable to the people, though formerly jealous of 
 each other, became one in opposition to the boy 
 preacher. One of them, an old man in the min- 
 istry, sent a request to him to preach from the 
 text, "Tarry in Jericho till your beard be grown." 
 He very properly returned the answer, '* I will, if 
 you will preach from the text * Let no man de- 
 spise thy youth.' " 
 
 Another trial encountered was, one of the old 
 pastors took a dislike to him, and, in various wa}'s, 
 tried to hinder his gaining in in6Aience with the 
 
Settlement in the Ministry. 39 
 
 people. He thought him not sound at heart, and "at- 
 tributed his boldness, zeal, and fearlessness to mere 
 natural talent, without piety." So, when the first 
 council for examination was called. Elder Lathrop 
 controlled the matter and led them to decide 
 against the ordination. He addressed him in pres- 
 ence of the council with the contemptuous lan- 
 guage, *' Come around here where I may look you 
 in the face, while God looks you in the heart." 
 And at a missionary meeting, when he and another 
 brother were appointed to preach, Elder Lathrop 
 arose from his seat in front of the pulpit, 
 when Elder Grenell was in the middle of his dis- 
 course, and said, in a stern tone of voice, " Young 
 man, you are wrong." The "young man sat down 
 as though shot," and the brother appointed to fol- 
 low, went on with the meeting. Hard usage this, 
 and unbecoming in a minister of the Gospel ! To 
 the young preacher it was "among the all things 
 that worked together for his good." It tended to 
 draw the sympathy of the people tow^ard him, and 
 bound his church more closely to their leader. 
 
 It is eminently proper to add here that a few 
 years later the opinion of Elder Lathrop was 
 entirely changed, and thenceforth the warmest 
 friendship existed between him and Elder Grenell. 
 This result was reached in this manner : Elder 
 
40 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 Grenell had been invited to Warwick to preach 
 and baptize on a week day. This was Elder 
 Lathrop's old field, which he had left in 1819 to 
 settle W'ith the Samptown Church, near Plainfield, 
 New Jersey. As Elder Grenell announced his text 
 and commenced his sermon, the venerable Elder 
 entered the house. He was on a visit to his old 
 field. He listened to the sermon, from the text 
 " A peculiar people," very attentively. The preacher 
 was " not afraid of him now," as he had been 
 years before. He preached with great freedom, 
 and with more than ordinary power, as though 
 having an unction from above. At the close of 
 his discourse he invited Elder Lathrop to pray. 
 He arose and began to commend the sermon in 
 the strongest terms, and declared "no man could 
 preach such a sermon unless sent of God." 
 
 In August, 1819, a larger council than the former 
 one was called, and "with one voice" voted to 
 set apart the young licentiate to the work of the 
 Gospel ministry. The meeting was held in a grove 
 adjoining the frame building at Meadville, Orange 
 County, New York. A large audience was in at- 
 tendance, and the exercises were solemn and impres- 
 sive. The following churches of the Warwick 
 Baptist Association were represented by their mes- 
 sengers in the council, viz.: First Wantage, Ham- 
 
SkTTLEMEXT in TilK MINISTRY. 41 
 
 burgh, Brookfield, Lattintown, Decrpark, and Mid- 
 dletown. "A large lumber wagon was drawn into 
 the middle of the grove, and served as a pulpit. 
 It was capacious enough to contain all the 
 ministers present." The ordination sermon was 
 preached by Aaron Perkins, from Acts 13:1, "As 
 they fasted and prayed, the Holy Spirit said, sep- 
 arate me Barnabas and Saul unto the work where- 
 unto I have called them." Henry Ball offered the 
 ordaining prayer. Thomas Teasdel, Senior, gave 
 the hand of fellowship, and Levi Hall gave the 
 charge. In reference to this day he wrote: " This 
 was a solemn day. I was then twenty-three 
 years and four months old." He also put on rec- 
 ord the entire stock in hand, from which he 
 could draw to prepare his sermon: "A Bible, 
 Hymn Book, Pocket Concordance, Erskinc's Gos- 
 pel Sonnets, Brown's Bible Dictionary, a grammar, 
 and Walker's Dictionary constituted my whole 
 library." And yet it is but just to add, he was 
 far in advance of the people to whom he min- 
 istered, both in general intelligence and in Bible 
 knowledge. At the same time, in endowments for 
 his work, and in the use made of what material he 
 had, he was the equal of the ministry of his time. 
 Soon came the seal of the Spirit on the labors 
 of the new minister. This was a source of great 
 
42 Elder Zelotes Grexell. 
 
 encouragement to both pastor and people, and 
 showed clearly that the work of men in ordaining 
 him was recognized in heaven. A gracious out- 
 pouring of the Spirit was enjoyed, and soon he 
 was leading converts into the baptismal waters. 
 Within six months, eighteen were welcomed into 
 the fellowship of the church, "beside a few at 
 Middletown." And then, in the early part of 1821, 
 another precious revival followed, in which forty- 
 five were added to them by baptism. At the close 
 of that year he made the record with thankfulness 
 of heart to God, " 1 have, baptized seventy-eighty 
 all but twelve of them into my own church." 
 The seed that had been sown broadcast over 
 this wide field yielded an abundant harvest, and 
 he was permitted also to gather in the sheaves. 
 Among the fruits of this revival was John M. Car- 
 penter, then a boy, but, for many years since, a 
 minister of the Gospel, and of the same house- 
 hold of faith. 
 
 Joys and sorrows were mingled in the cup of this 
 young watchman on the wall. In January, 1820, he 
 was married to Miss Abigail Osborn, in North Har- 
 persfield, Delaware County, New York. " He had 
 been acquainted with her seven years, and inti- 
 mately so for three years." January i, 1821, a son 
 was born to them, "A New Year's present from the 
 
Settlement in the Ministry. 43 
 
 Lord," they said, and unitedly prayed that he 
 might live to be a blessing to his parents, the church, 
 and the world. October 2, 1822, a daughter was 
 born, bringing with her advent the sunshine of joy 
 into the household. But soon the cloud of ad- 
 versity settled over this happy home. The youth- 
 ful wife and loving mother of these two children was 
 taken with a fever, and on the i6th of October* died 
 in hope of a blessed immortality. Her parents, 
 and his, also, had come to visit and rejoice with 
 them, but only to have their joy turned into 
 mourning. To her mother she gave the infant 
 daughter to rear as her own, and left her only son 
 without a mother, her husband heart broken, her 
 home desolate. 
 
 The family was now broken up, and the young 
 pastor ''left in a lonely condition," the wife of his 
 youth sleeping in the grave, his son cared for by 
 Deacon Rosencrans and wife, his daughter taken far 
 away to the home of her grandparents, and him- 
 self a boarder. In this lonely condition God sus- 
 tained him by His grace, and enabled him to con- 
 tinue his work. 
 
 With the new house at Orange as a center of 
 worship, his field was lessened in extent of terri- 
 tory. He devoted his time now to the northern 
 portion of the original field. It was, however, the 
 
44 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 continuation of labor with the same people, in a 
 new center of worship, for the mother church con- 
 tributed one hundred members of the one hundred 
 and twenty-five of which the Orange interest was 
 composed. When he accepted the call to this 
 society, it was with a stipulated salary of $250 
 a year. This is the first information left on record of 
 any agreement between him and his people as to the 
 amount of remuneration allowed him. 
 
 For a time there seemed to be a great dearth of 
 religion on this new field. In a record of this 
 time he says, "religion was low," and the pastor 
 "burdened in heart for souls." But the blessing 
 was not long delayed. "When Zion travails she 
 shall bring forth." The time of awakening came 
 at length, and three precious revivals were enjoyed, 
 which, taken together, covered the entire territory 
 of the church, and brought many into the enjoy- 
 ment of a new life in Christ. During the first of 
 these, fi-uit was gathered from the northern section 
 of the field. The second one was more extensive 
 in power and blessing, but extending in the op- 
 posite direction, south and southwest. "It con- 
 tinued for four months, right in the dead of 
 winter." In the former of these, twenty- five were 
 baptized, and in the following one the number was 
 about sixty. And then another shower followed, 
 
Settlement in the Ministry. 45 
 
 with blessings upon Mt. Salem and vicinity. 
 "The three," he testified, "completely covered the 
 whole region which the church then occupied." 
 
 The seasons of refreshing were rich in the 
 blessings shed upon the Orange Church. The 
 additions made to the number, to the talents and 
 working force of the society, were excellent. The 
 increase of the moral power in the community 
 was marked, and the pecuniary ability gained was 
 great for the time. There continued to be per- 
 manent influences extending their spiritual forces, 
 causing a gradual growth in power for good. Unlike 
 many modern revivals, these were genuine fruits 
 of the Spirit and Word of God, and gathered 
 much of the wheat and but little chaff into the 
 church. 
 
 Another timely enterprise effected by the energy 
 and personal effort of Elder Grenell, was the erec- 
 tion of a house of worship at Mt. Salem. The 
 frame building at Meadville was taken down, some- 
 what changed in dimensions, and rebuilt on the 
 eminence not yet named. It was to be, as before, 
 the property of the Orange Church. This work 
 was speedily performed, and the entire amount re- 
 quired raised. It still stands near the village of 
 Mt. Salem, an old and dilapidated house, whither 
 the tribe", no ^oiiger go up to worship. 
 
46 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 After the erection of this house the question 
 was asked, "What shall we call it?" No name 
 had been given to the place, and how should they 
 designate the house erected ? The genius of Elder 
 Grenell was ready. He said, "Call it Mt. Salem. 
 It is on a mountain, and Salem means peace." So 
 by common consent this name was given, and has 
 remained to the present time. To the first pastor 
 belongs this honor of giving the name Mt. Salem 
 to the edifice and also the village near. 
 
 In October, 1833, he resigned the charge of the 
 Orange Church. It was a sorrowful parting, both 
 to himself and the people so greatly attached to 
 him. It was well called "a tearing away from 
 those that loved him." The record stands, two hun- 
 dred and fifty-six baptized, three thousand one 
 hundred and seventy-one sermons preached, two 
 meeting houses erected and paid for, and not a 
 family disaffected and desiring a change of pastor. 
 At the call of duty, as he thought, and at the 
 height of his popularity, he turned his steps toward 
 Paterson, New Jersey, whither we will follow him. 
 
V. 
 
 THE OLD SCHOOL CONTROVERSY. 
 
 During the years 1826 to 1833, occurred the con- 
 troversy known as the Old School Division. It 
 made fearful work in the Warwick Association, 
 and was a fruitful cause of discord and disunion 
 among the churches. "Effort" and "Anti-Effort" 
 were the distinctive names of the two parties in 
 the South and West. Also "Hardshell" and "Mis- 
 sionary Baptists" were common appellatives in 
 some sections of the country. 
 
 It is quite difficult to give an accurate account 
 of this conflict now, since so long a time has elapsed, 
 and the men then in active service have all passed 
 away. And yet it is necessary to refer to this 
 subject because the conflict in this section arose 
 and was carried on during the time of his ministry, 
 and he was one of the actors in the contest. The 
 record of his labors would not be complete with- 
 out this notice. 
 
 It is exceedingly doubtful to the writer whether 
 Elder Zelotes Grenell ever performed a better serv- 
 ice for the denomination to which he belonged, 
 
48 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 or honored his Master more than during- this try- 
 ing- period of his ministry. The contest was a 
 fierce one, with earnest men on either side, and 
 each determined to gain the day. It was a hand 
 to hand conflict in argument — a contending for the 
 faith once for all delivered to the saints. It 
 required a clear conception of the meaning and 
 scope of the commission given by Christ to his 
 disciples, a strong and controlling conviction of 
 obligation under it, as well as a manly courage to 
 stand up in defense of the benevolent agencies of 
 the church, and advocate the consecration of ma- 
 terial substance for the extension of the Gospel. 
 
 Elder Gilbert Beebe was the leader and cham- 
 pion on the Old School side, and Elder Grenell 
 was the advocate and defender of the New 
 School or Missionary side. Elder Beebe was a 
 man of rare natural endowments, and of command- 
 ing appearance and manner. He was licensed by 
 the Samptown Baptist Church, April 2, 1823, Elder 
 Lebbeus Lathrop then pastor. He was ordained 
 at Ramapo about the year 1824, or the following 
 year, and Elder Grenell preached his ordination 
 sermon. On the death of Elder Montanye, Sen.ior 
 pastor at Deerpark — afterward changed to New 
 Vernon — he became his successor. At once he 
 took a decided stand against the missionary 
 
The Old School Controversy. 49 
 
 effort already inaugurated in the association, and 
 openly espoused the so-called Old School cause. 
 He became the publisher of '*The Signs of the 
 Times," the organ of the Old School party, and 
 one highly esteemed by his people during all the 
 years of his public ministry. He was a few years 
 younger than Elder Grenell, and died some two 
 or three years before him. 
 
 These two men were in location only eighteen 
 miles apart. They often met in religious gather- 
 ings, and each esteemed the other highly as a 
 minister of Christ. In doctrine they agreed, each 
 in his preaching exalting the Divine sovereignty 
 in renewing the soul and creating a new creature in 
 Christ. Both were Hyper-Calvinistic in their views 
 of the atonement, and they alike exalted the 
 Divine side in their preaching. Nor did they 
 differ as to the ordinances of the Gospel, or 
 order of the house of the Lord. The points of dif- 
 ference were on human responsibility, on the mis- 
 sionary work, and other benevolent organizations 
 of the time. Elder Beebe openly opposed all 
 these organizations and religious agencies — the 
 Missionary, Tract, Temperance, and Bible Societies. 
 Elder Grenell took the field as an advocate of them 
 all, and threw himself into the work of extending the 
 religion of Christ, an J defeating the powers of 
 
50 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 darkness by these agencies. The former regarded 
 them all as worldly inventions, without any war- 
 rant from the Word of God, and the latter advocated 
 them as the proper agencies of an evangelical re- 
 ligion, and demanded by the Head of the Church. 
 It ought to be clearly stated in this part of our 
 labor that, previous to the year 1826, the War- 
 wick Association was a united body on the sub- 
 ject of missionary effort. It indorsed the work 
 of Judson in Burma, took a collection for Home 
 Missions, and arranged for the supply of destitute 
 churches. It is even clear that missionary meet- 
 ings were held, and, so far as the records show, 
 there was no division in reference to the question. 
 Points of difference in view arose from time to 
 time, each being the subject of debate, and caus- 
 ing ministers and members to take sides for or 
 against the measure. The first was in reference 
 to the report of a committee appointed by the 
 association on the subject of missions. Owing to 
 difference of opinion the report never was presented. 
 Then in a council for ordination the candidate 
 openly affirmed that it was not his duty to preach 
 to sinners, but only to feed the sheep. Then other 
 points of debate arose, and the conflict went on 
 until the separation was complete, and all had 
 taken sides with either the Old School or the 
 
The Old School Controversy. 51 
 
 Missionary side of the question. But there were 
 no such names as Old and New School before. 
 The minutes of the Warwick Association, in 1822, 
 say: "The Warwick Baptist Association." The 
 letters "O. S." were inserted in the title after some 
 churches had withdrawn, and the body had be- 
 come Old School. 
 
 In reference to their relations the one to the other, 
 Elder Grenell, a few years before his death, left 
 on record the following: "We were very inti- 
 mate for years, traveled, slept, preached together, 
 and argued for weeks. We differed very little at 
 first, but the lines were not parallel, and hence be- 
 came farther apart. He denied moral obligation, 
 and was anti-mission. We parted. He wrote a 
 long letter of reasons of opposition, and I as long 
 in defense." 
 
 The only authentic records that I have been able 
 to lay hold of are these two letters, the former 
 written by Elder Beebe and the latter by Elder 
 Grenell ; the first one in opposition to missionary 
 effort, and the second in defense of it. These let- 
 ters are models of correspondence, remarkably well 
 written, clear and decided in expression, and fra- 
 ternal in spirit, but decidedly opposed one to the 
 other in reference to missionary operations. Their 
 length, and the aim in this chapter, preclude their 
 
52 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 presentation in full here, but they will be found in 
 the Appendix as a contribution to the history of 
 that crisis of our denomination. Extracts sufficient 
 to show the view of each, and clearly present the 
 work of the subject of this sketch, is all that the 
 writer deems proper in this place. 
 
 It appears a society had been formed, called the 
 *' Orange County Baptist Society," missionary in 
 character, and composed of voluntary members by 
 the payment of a certain initiation fee. This society 
 had addressed letters to ministers and churches, 
 asking for contributions for the extension of the Gos- 
 pel. In answer to this. Elder Beebe took issue, 
 refused co-operation, and openly opposed the society 
 and its work. He heard Elder Grenell was 
 erieved at the action of his church and himself, 
 and so wrote a letter to him. His letter bears 
 the date, December 27, 1830, and the answer of 
 Elder Grenell is dated March 22, 183 1. Extracts 
 from Elder Beebe's letter : 
 
 "I confess I have never had any fellowship for 
 any of the popular institutions of the day." "^ * "* 
 *'I disfellowship the Orange County Baptist Sociey, 
 as such, because it is, in my opinion, without example 
 or precept in the Bible." - -^ - "Because the same 
 honors are ascribed to similar institutions that 
 Aaron ascribed to the golden calf, viz.: ' These be 
 
The Old School Controversy. 53 
 
 tJiy Gods which brought tJwc out of the laud of 
 ^SyP^-' * '" * "lam conscientiously opposed to 
 the society in question." ^ '^ '^ ''I consider you 
 in an error in this particular, and pray earnestly 
 that the Lord may bring you out and make you 
 shine brighter than ever." 
 Extracts from Elder Grenell's letter: 
 "I am truly sorry that you have been so much 
 mistaken in regard to my sentiments, and that I 
 was equally as much so in yours. I did not then 
 know that, among all the lovers of Christ, there 
 could be an anti-missionary." ^ ^ -^^ "You will prob- 
 ably recollect that, a short time after your ordina- 
 ation, we attended the Hudson River Association. 
 A collection was made for Domestic Missions. 
 You and I sat in one seat. We each contributed 
 our mite for that purpose. This was sufficient 
 to convmce you that I was in favor of the object, 
 and I thought I might draw the same touching 
 you. If you then built up the things which you 
 destroy you make yourself a transgressor." "^ - - 
 **I know of only four Baptist ministers on earth 
 who are anti-missionary, and three of them live in 
 one church." "^ "^ ^^ "Two witnesses are all that are 
 necessary to establish one point. When I see a 
 man bring fourteen witnesses into court, all to 
 prove one thing, I begin to think he is conscious 
 
54 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 that his witnesses are not of the best kind, and 
 that he wishes to make up in number and bulk 
 what is lacking in weight." -^ - ^ ''The very quarter 
 from whence the opposition proceeds is an incon- 
 testable witness that it is from heaven. Whatever 
 the Devil, and the Pope, and infidels of every 
 grade hate, must be good; for there is not an 
 infidel paper in circulation but what is anti-mis- 
 sionary, and it is painful to reflect that Satan 
 has got some few of God's children to assist him 
 in opposing the spread of the Gospel." * * ^ *'I 
 wish you ever after this to consider me as favor- 
 able to missionary operations." * -^ ^ "The first 
 breath of Gospel liberty my soul ever breathed, 
 inhaled a desire that this joy in the Holy Spirit 
 might be extended to others. While this burns 
 I must always be a missionary in desire, faith, 
 and practice." 
 
 By this it is easy to see he was a bold and fear- 
 less advocate of missions and all the benevolent 
 agencies of the church. It required more than 
 ordinary courage to withstand the tide of opposi- 
 tion to these benevolent enterprises. The strength 
 of the Warwick Association became intensely Old 
 School. But the Orange Church, of which he was 
 pastor, held to the missionary cause, and is as 
 trong to-day in numbers and influence as sixty 
 
The Old School Controversy. 65 
 
 years ago. All over that section the clear voice 
 of Elder Grenell was heard in defense of these 
 agencies. The temperance cause, then in its infancy, 
 found him a fearless advocate. He adopted the 
 total abstinence doctrine, and delivered lectures and 
 sermons in all the surrounding country. Drinking 
 customs were then prevalent in society, and the 
 church had not opened her eyes to the alarming 
 nature of the evil. Many professing Christians were 
 addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors, and were 
 often sadly under their influence. He raised the stand- 
 ard, made an attack upon the enemy, and continued 
 to carry on the warfare. His zeal and energy in 
 this department of reform were ever unabated 
 during his ministerial life. 
 
 It is difficult to realize the amount of bitterness 
 existing at that time against missionary agencies. 
 All sorts of opprobrious epithets were used by Old 
 School leaders to show the hatred cherished toward 
 the missionary party. An agent raising funds 
 to sustain the work under Judson in Burma 
 was regarded with the utmost detestation. Father 
 Bennett, a devoted and tried servant of God, a 
 man of true piety and great power in the pulpit, 
 pioneer agent of the Missionary Union, came 
 into this section. He was full of zeal for the 
 work, and overflowing with intelligence of tlie 
 
56 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 work of God among the heathen. Could he be 
 allowed to preach before the Warwick Association ? 
 He found in Elder Grenell a kindred spirit, ready to 
 advance the missionary cause, and wise in discern- 
 ing the time. It was arranged that Father Ben- 
 nett preach the last sermon, and that about the 
 time the meeting generally closed. Then the 
 intensely bitter could depart, and those inclined to 
 hear the Gospel of benevolence could enjoy it. 
 The effort of the agent in this meeting, and his 
 intercourse with many brethren, was productive of 
 much good. Some of the Old School even gave 
 money, under his personal appeal, to send the Gos- 
 pel to the heathen. Father Bennett, in after years, 
 referred to the fidelity of his Brother Grenell in 
 that emergency, and said of a strong opponent of 
 the cause, "At the close of my appeal to him, he 
 gave me a dollar, and I am sure that was more 
 than I would give to spread Jiis sentiments." 
 
 Years after the division. Elder Beebe said 
 publicly, in an association, in reference to this 
 early intimacy, "I loved him as a brother, but he 
 became a heretic." And Elder Grenell wrote 
 in reference to the Old School party, ''antiuomian- 
 ism. Rum, fand Covetousness are their parents." 
 
 And here we leave the subject to the verdict of 
 history and the overruling Providence of God. 
 
The Old School Controversy. 57 
 
 Both of these men, and all the others ranked with 
 them, have gone into "the unseen Holy," washed 
 from all impurity and error by the atoning blood 
 of the lamb, and missionary operations are the 
 great religious arm of the Church. 
 
VI. 
 
 LABORS IN PATERSON. 
 
 With the month of November, 1833, Elder Grenell 
 commenced his labors in Paterson, New Jersey, then 
 a manufacturing village of about seven thousand in- 
 habitants. The Baptist Church had been organized 
 about twelve years before this time, under the labors 
 of Elder House. After him Elder Lewis had toiled 
 for eight years and baptized fifteen into the fellow- 
 ship of the body. They had a meeting house thirty- 
 six by forty, with a basement for social meetings, and 
 a debt of $1,200. The seating capacity of the audi- 
 ence room was two hundred and fifty. The finan- 
 cial ability of the church was very small, as times 
 had been hard the year before, and some had lost 
 nearly all they possessed of this world's goods. 
 And yet to the credit of this little band of be- 
 lievers of only thirty-seven in all, the record is left: 
 "They promised the pastor $600 annually, which 
 they punctually paid." 
 
 Under these discouragements the pastor com- 
 menced his labors with an ardent devotion to God, 
 and untiring energy in the work. These labors 
 
Labors in Paterson. 59 
 
 were to be abundant in the line of preparing ser- 
 mons and proclaiming the message of eternal truth. 
 Three sermons on Sunday and one during the week 
 were expected, and all to the same congregation. 
 In addition to this, funeral sermons, labors in reviv- 
 als, and the usual calls for preaching at associa- 
 tions and general denominational gatherings were 
 to be added. Was not all this a Herculean task 
 which no church now demands and no minister 
 would undertake .'' But little labor was demanded 
 in visiting the flock, and so attention was given 
 to reading, to study, to the investigation of new 
 lines of thought, and to a thorough and system- 
 atic preparation for the pulpit. This was just the 
 work demanded for this earnest preacher to deepen 
 and give breadth to his views of Gospel truth, and 
 add to his power as a preacher of the Gospel. He 
 improved these advantages, and manfully met the 
 demand made upon him. Now he began to preach 
 courses of sermons on the Inspiration of the 
 Scriptures, on the Exposition of Revelation, of 
 the Acts of the Apostles and different themes 
 This required close study and clear conception, as 
 well as careful classification, so as to keep 
 each branch of a general subject distinct by 
 itself. And now this extemporaneous preacher 
 began to write sermons, to carefully mature 
 
6o Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 and put on paper his discoveries of truth. He 
 very seldom carried one of these into the pulpit, 
 and could not confine himself to the "reading of 
 a sermon," as he called it, but being blessed with 
 a good memory and abundance of confidence, he 
 delivered these studied efforts with remarkable 
 precision of thought and power. But having a 
 short fit of sickness, which somewhat affected his 
 memory, he began to use a short skeleton or mon- 
 itor. This made the work of preaching easier, and 
 relieved the strain put upon his powers in 
 preaching off-hand so frequently. In a remark- 
 able manner his former antipathy against studied 
 and written discourses began to give way, and he 
 saw the necessity of husbanding his strength and 
 relieving himself of the strain put upon him. That 
 he did not break down and utterly fail under 
 such abundant labors was owing to a remarkable 
 facility of preparing sermons, a good constitution 
 .to endure labor, and the excellent care of a com- 
 panion at home. His growth in the ministry was 
 now assured, and his mark made as *'one of the 
 first preachers" of the time. These habits of study, 
 and this good use of his library and books of 
 reference, continued with him during all the years 
 of his subsequent history. 
 
 It was owing to this line of effort, under the 
 
Labors in Patersox. 61 
 
 blessing of God, that success and prosperity began 
 so soon and rose so high. The house began to 
 fill up, and seats had to be brought into the aisles 
 to accommodate the hearers. Those well prepared 
 sermons, delivered with such energy and devotion 
 of soul, drew the people and impressed them. Soon 
 converts were flocking to the baptismal waters, 
 and the church growing in number, in moral power 
 and influence in the community. Very soon the 
 place was too strait for them, and the house must 
 be enlarged twenty-five feet in length, and a 
 gallery on three sides, thus doubling its seat- 
 ing capacity. And still the people continued to 
 come, and the power of Divine grace was mani- 
 fested in bringing souls to the fountain of cleans- 
 ing and leading them to own "Christ by a public 
 profession. Young people of promise came, the 
 hardened and profligate wanderer of many years 
 was led to repose in Christ and devote all to 
 his service. It was a glorious ingathering for 
 ' the little church, and one tide after another con- 
 tinued to flow in until they were enlarged and 
 established as a church of great promise. 
 
 It was a noble effort of that little band to en- 
 large the house, but under the inspiration and ex- 
 ample of the pastor, and the necessity of the case, 
 it was done. " The riches of their poverty abounded 
 
62 Elder Zelotes Grexell. 
 
 in their liberality." One said, "I have lost all I 
 am worth, but I will give one hundred dollars and 
 raise it outside the church." Another said substan- 
 tially the same. The pastor gave $ioo and raised 
 $300 in Plainfield and New York. 
 
 And so, by a united effort, $1,500 were expended, 
 the former debt paid, and the current expenses 
 of the church met. The inspiration of that day 
 has continued until the present time, and the 
 work then done has multiplied in its results to 
 this day. To God be all the praise. 
 
 During the early part of this ministry, and in 
 the midst of such untiring labors, a cloud of ad- 
 versity settled over the home of the pastor. He 
 was stricken and sad at the loss of his second wife, 
 Esther Blaine, who had been the sunlight of his 
 home for twelve years. She was the mother of 
 six children, all of whom she left to the care of 
 God and her broken hearted husband, except one, 
 who had gone in infancy to the nursery above. And 
 yet there was a silver lining in this cloud. It 
 was the happy and transporting manner of her 
 death. She had lingered for some time on the 
 borderland, and had grown too feeble to speak 
 above a whisper, yet she sang audibly so softly 
 and tenderly the lines: — 
 
Labors in Paterson. 63 
 
 "O when sli<all I see Jesus 
 
 And dwell with him above, 
 And from those flowing fountains 
 
 Drink everlasting love? 
 When shall I be delivered 
 
 From this vain world of sin, 
 And with my blessed Saviour 
 
 Drink endless pleasures in?" 
 
 The house was desolate and empty when the 
 mother and wife was gone. New arrangements 
 must now be made in adjustment to the new cir- 
 cumstances. The oldest son was taken to live with 
 his grandparents in North Harpersfield, Delaware 
 County, New York. The babe was given to the most 
 intimate friend, at whose house they were married, 
 to bring up as her own. Another found a home 
 for a time under the same roof, and the little girls, 
 three in number, kept at home, and Aunt Phebe 
 installed as housekeeper. What sad havoc upon 
 a family of children, tearing them asunder and de- 
 stroying the tender affection that ought to grow 
 with their advance in life. A family of fragments, 
 widely scattered, and never again united. And 
 never have all the children been gathered together 
 under the parental roof, never all seen each other, 
 nor gathered around the one domestic board. God 
 grant they may all be gathered into the one fami- 
 ly of the redeemed in heaven. 
 
 About six months after the death of his wife, 
 
'64 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 the pastor was greatly prostrated, *' physically and 
 mentally," by a fit of sickness. He was laid aside 
 fi"om all active duties, and kept out of the pulpit 
 five successive Sundays. The amount of labor per- 
 formed, together with the severe affliction endured, 
 was the cause. And when so far recovered as to 
 commence again his official duties, his wonted 
 strength was not regained. He remained for months 
 in poor health. In the spring of 1836, March 26, he 
 was married to Mrs. Eliza Hutton, of New York City, 
 and soon after took a journey to his old home in 
 Delaware County, New York. This respite from 
 labor and change in domestic relations were of great 
 benefit to his health, and he returned to his charge 
 with renewed strength. 
 
 This marriage, was a happy omen in the life of 
 this afflicted family. The dense cloud that had 
 rested upon it floated away, and the clear atmos- 
 phere of domestic felicity settled down upon it, Mrs. 
 Eliza Hutton had been a widow five years, 
 with a little girl about six years of age, which 
 she brought with her into the new home. She was 
 an estimable lady, a good mother to the motherless 
 children, and a worthy companion and helper of 
 her husband. He has left on record, *T found her 
 in every respect a very agreeable companion and 
 helpmeet indeed." 
 
Labors in Patkrsox. 65 
 
 Prosperity continued with the extended labors 
 of Elder GrencU on this field. At the close of his 
 fifth year he thought it duty to change his field of 
 labor for one opened to him of more income 
 and wider influence. The record in summing 
 up is one thousand three hundred and eight ser- 
 mons, one hundred and fifty-eight baptized, three 
 of whom, George C. Baldwin, William Cockran, 
 and Robert Hartly became ministers of the Gospel. 
 He "commenced labor here with less than forty 
 members and closed with more than one hundred 
 and sixty." 
 
VII. 
 
 LABORS IN NEW YORK CITY. 
 
 In reference to the c^A\ extended to occupy this 
 new field, he has left on record the following : "I 
 neither wrought it, sought it, bought it, nor thought 
 it. The Paterson church was dear to me as a sea- 
 son of trial, anxiety, and triumph. But I had full 
 evidence that one prominent family desired a 
 change of pastors, my salary fell short $200 a 
 year of supporting my family, and New York was 
 a field of increasing usefulness." So in October, 
 1838, we find Elder Grenell girding on the har- 
 ness and giving himself to this new undertaking. 
 
 Two small Baptist churches, the Grand Street 
 and the Broome Street, had disbanded and united 
 together in one church. They occupied a hired 
 house in Broome street that had been erected as a 
 free church. The body numbered about one hun- 
 dred and seventy members, but not yet made one 
 in sympathy and work. It so happened in the 
 order of Divine Providence, that Elder Grenell 
 had preached "by exchange of pulpits," the first 
 sermon to this newly organized body of believers 
 
Labors in New York City. 67 
 
 after the union of the two into one church. His 
 mind was led to the thirty-seventh chapter of 
 Ezekiel, ''The two sticks put together in the hand 
 and bcconmig one stick,'' as a theme of discourse. 
 The preaching of this sermon made a favorable im- 
 pression, and with other incidents led to the call 
 and its acceptance. 
 
 The officers of the new organization were select- 
 ed in equal numbers from the two bodies of which 
 it was composed. They were "good and true" men 
 in their relation to the new pastor, and in efforts to 
 enlarge the borders of Zion. So old preferences 
 died away, the pastor led his flock into "green 
 pastures," and soon the Spirit of God blessed the 
 union and effort of these humble Christians with a 
 gracious revival, which obliterated all past differ- 
 ences and made them all one in aim for the good 
 of the church. What a healer of division is a 
 powerful revival of religion, bringing all into a 
 higher union to Christ and nearer to each other. 
 About twenty were baptized into the fellowship of 
 the church, the congregation was greatly enlarged, 
 and the Sabbath school grew rapidly in numbers 
 and influence. 
 
 In June, 1839, ^^'^^^ ^'^c'^^' body was "cordially and 
 affectionately" received into the Hudson River 
 Association. The venerable Doc<"or Cone extended 
 
68 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 the hand of fellowship in a tender manner to the 
 pastor as the representative of the church. 
 
 In one year from this time it was evident a 
 new and enlarged house of worship must be erect- 
 ed for the accommodation of the people flocking to 
 this "Temple Gate of Zion." The house they 
 occupied was full, and more room for children 
 coming into the family was imperatively demanded. 
 These Christians were all "the poor" to whom the 
 Gospel had been preached. They had been made 
 rich in the blessings of Divine love, and }'et were 
 poor in this world's goods. How could they un- 
 dertake such a work, when nothing less than 
 $6,000 would purchase a suitable lot, and $12,000 
 would be required to erect a suitable building, 
 " more than they all were worth." But with faith 
 in God and the demand made upon them, they 
 resolved to make the effort, under the inspiring 
 leadership of their pastor. "A lot seventy-five by 
 one hundred feet in Cannon Street, near Broome, 
 was rented for twenty-one years, interest $300 
 annually." A subscription was opened, and soon 
 the work energetically commenced. 
 
 This new undertaking imposed additional labor 
 upon the pastor of a very trying kind, requir- 
 ing great persistence in effort and strong faith in 
 ultimate success. In addition to four stated ser- 
 
Labors in Xi:\v Yokk City. gO 
 
 mons a week, he had to "bef,^ money to keep the 
 thing going, and ransacked New York, obtaining 
 donations from twenty-five cents to $250." This was 
 his summer's work, gratuitously given, and no vaca- 
 tion to rest and recuperate his over-taxed energies. 
 In addition to all this, it was a task of no 
 ordinary kind to animate and keep up the cour- 
 age of the church during the progress of the 
 work. A strain was put upon their beneficence 
 which was not anticipated in the outset. They 
 were required to keep giving, to add one-third or 
 one-half to the amount of their original subscrip- 
 tions. The pastor continued to preach on the 
 rewards of benevolence, the efficiency of the vol- 
 untary system and the need of co-operation in the 
 work, and kindred themes. One text was (Isaiah 
 41: 7): "So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, 
 he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote 
 the anvil, saying. It is ready for the Soldering: 
 and he fastened it with nails that it should not 
 be moved." All these efforts had an influence to 
 inspire the people and lead them to greater exer- 
 tion for the furtherance of the object. Then "a 
 pass book was given to every female who would 
 try to raise five dollars or more," and yet the de- 
 mand was not fully met. Collections came in froui 
 sister bodies, and the house w.is completed and 
 
to Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 dedicated in March, 1841. Meetings were held 
 several evenings, with some noted preacher in the 
 pulpit at each meeting. Several hundred dollars 
 came in this way to relieve the struggling band. 
 They found after all quite a debt resting upon 
 them, but were able to manage it, and eventually 
 saw the entire sum paid. 
 
 The erection of this house of worship was a 
 grand undertaking for both pastor and people. It 
 stood when completed a monument to their faith, 
 their zeal, and self-sacrifice for the cause of Christ. 
 It was, for the time and the part of the city in 
 which it stood, a splendid edifice "of substantial 
 neatness," all well and truly done under a feeling 
 of demand to accommodate the people and prepare 
 the way for large accessions to the church. And 
 not one regretted the sacrifice made when he saw 
 the house full, and three hundred children gathered 
 into the Sabbath school as the future hope of this 
 Zion. 
 
 But the best of this grand undertaking was, God 
 smiled on the effort and filled the house with his 
 glory. It became the birth-place of souls, a Beth- 
 el to many a wandering and solitary Jacob going 
 from his father's home, and a place of sweet com- 
 munion in toil and triumph for Christ. Eternity 
 alone can fully reveal the extent of this work or 
 
Labors in New York City. 71 
 
 tell how many souls w^ere blessed with a new 
 spiritual life in Christ. 
 
 "A protracted meeting" was commenced by the 
 church, with but little special interest at the out- 
 set. Some few felt an intense desire for the con- 
 version of sinners, and all united in the effort to 
 lengthen the cords and strengthen the stakes of 
 Zion. After the first week of effort the feeling 
 increased, the work deepened and continued to 
 spread for thirteen weeks. Meetings were held 
 every evening, and but little aid given to the pas- 
 tor in preaching, yet the work went on, and often 
 the baptismal waters were stirred, until one hundred 
 and two had been added to them. Among these 
 converts was an old lady of seventy-three; a hus- 
 band and wife who had long been parted, but who 
 came to the anxious seat, neither knowing the 
 other was there, made one in Christ, and reunited 
 in family relation; an inebriate who was turned to 
 sobriety and became a noted temperance lecturer, 
 and others of all ages and conditions in life. It 
 was a time of rejoicing in this Zion when the first 
 communion was held and the pastor welcomed so 
 many to the fold. 
 
 At the close of these meetings, when the strain 
 under which the pastor had labored w^as removed, 
 he ''found himself completely exhausted" and unable 
 
12 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 to perform his accustomed duties. He had endan- 
 gered his health by overwork, and nature demand- 
 ed payment for wasted energies. The old remedy 
 was resorted to, *'a journey to Harpersfield" and a 
 visit among old friends and relatives. He also ex- 
 tended the journey as far as Elmira, New York, 
 and was absent from his pulpit four Sundays. He 
 returned to his people and work with renewed vigor* 
 but found three sermons on Sunday in a large 
 house exceedingly exhausting. He continued 
 his ministrations during the summer, and in 
 the fall received a call to enter a field de- 
 manding just such a gift of building up and 
 enlarging as he possessed. He had brought the 
 Cannon Street Church to a high state of prosper- 
 ity, with every indication of strength and efficiency 
 in the service, and the hand of the Lord seemed 
 to lead him where he could do the like work in 
 another field. There were also some in the church 
 who thought a pastor ought not to remain in one 
 church more than three years. His labors, also, 
 were too much for his strength, and he concluded 
 to accept the call extended to him, and sunder 
 the relation that had been so dear to him . and so 
 wonderfully blesssed of God to the good of souls. 
 The record stands at the close of this pastoral 
 relation: The church of one hundred and seventy 
 
Labors in Nkw York City. 73 
 
 members had increased to four hundred and twenty- 
 five, a new and substantial house had been erected, 
 with a seating capacity of nine hundred and well 
 filled with hearers, and the Sabbath school of one 
 hundred had grown to over three hundred. He 
 had preached one thousand and ninty-six sermons, 
 baptized one hundred and eighty-nine persons, 
 married ninety-three couples, and left a united and 
 vigorous church with the best of feelings. 
 
VIII. 
 
 LABORS IN ELMIRA. 
 
 We must now take a long journey to western 
 New York, and follow this angel of light as he 
 bears the message to Elmira, then a village of 
 over three thousand inhabitants. In thought or 
 on the wing of the imagination, we can in a mo- 
 ment make the journey, but for a minister to move 
 a family of six children, beside himself and wife, 
 before the erection of the Erie, was quite an under- 
 taking. It was by omnibus to the Hudson River, 
 by steamboat to Albany, canal to Geneva, lake 
 boat to Watkins, and stage-coach to Elmira, and 
 occupied one whole week. Here in a short time 
 Elder Grenell found himself settled comfortably, 
 and began to build the waste places of Zion in 
 this thriving village. 
 
 The Baptist Church was **well located and sub- 
 stantial, and would seat three hundred and fifty 
 persons." They had been without a pastor for 
 some time, and were not in a very prosperous con- 
 dition. There were one hundred and ten resident 
 members, about forty of whom resided in the vil- 
 
Labors in Elmira. 75 
 
 lage, about forty in South Port, some five miles 
 distant on the south side of the river, and the 
 rest scattered over the surrounding country. 
 
 Here the new pastor began with three sermons 
 on Sunday, and one during the week in Elmira 
 and one in South Port — five sermons a week, beside 
 extra occasions. And the salary "$500 and per- 
 quisites." "The church expected this," and evi- 
 dently meant to make their minister earn his 
 money. He was adequate to the task, and 
 brought things new and old out of the treasury 
 of Divine truth for their instruction. 
 
 Before the first month of the new year had passed 
 signs of an awakening appeared, some of the young 
 people in the congregation were serious, and an 
 increasing solemnity was apparent among the peo- 
 ple. A series of extra meetings was commenced 
 and, to the surprise oi the church, when the invi- 
 tation was given on the first night "for any that 
 desired prayer to occupy the front seat, six young 
 people came forward, weeping for sin." This gave 
 a new impetus to the meeting, aroused those that 
 had been cold and indifferent, and the interest 
 continued to increase. A neighboring pastor came 
 to the aid of Elder Grenell, and continued each 
 evening for five weeks, except on the Sabbath, 
 when he must be with his own flock. So the work 
 
76 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 went on until the baptismal waters had been visit- 
 ed six different times, and fifty-five had been buried 
 with Christ and raised in the likeness of a new 
 life. The work extended to South Port, to Jeru- 
 salem, some six miles east, and through the vil- 
 lage. A large proportion of the converts were males, 
 and much strength was added to the church. "Their 
 ages were between fourteen and sixty-five." 
 
 About this time the Chemung Association was 
 formed, and Elder Grenell took an active part in 
 the work. A preliminary meeting had been held, 
 and the enterprise agreed upon, but the organiza- 
 tion and first meeting were under his personal 
 supervision, with other laborers on the field. He 
 preached the opening sermon of the new associa- 
 tion, and was called to preside over its delibera- 
 tions. It was with great energy he entered into 
 and preformed his part of this service. It was a 
 wise and timely step taken when this body was 
 organized with six churches, for it continued to 
 increase until over twenty churches were enrolled on 
 its banner. 
 
 The next effort of the pastor was to increase 
 the benevolence of the church, and this had to 
 be done without the cordial co-operation of the 
 more wealthy members. About sixty dollars was 
 the amount that had been contributed to all the 
 
Labors in Elmira. 11 
 
 benevolent organizations of the denomination. 
 This was thought by the pastor to be a very- 
 small thing for a body possessing the pecuniary 
 ability he knew they had. So by the plain preach- 
 ing of the Word, by continued effort in arousing 
 and cultivating a missionary spirit, the contribu- 
 tions of the first year of his labor came up to 
 $ioo. The next year it reached the sum of 
 $200, and the following year $3CX) were given. 
 The fourth year brought $400 into the missionary 
 treasury and the fifth saw the mark of $500 reached. 
 It was a surprise to all that so much was raised 
 to extend the Gospel beyond the bounds of the 
 church; but it clearly reveals the fact that a faith- 
 ful pastor, inspired with a missionary spirit, can do 
 much to bring the gifts of the disciples into the 
 treasury. 
 
 One great hindrance to ministerial success on 
 this field was the slow and easy way of raising the 
 pastor's salary. It was three years before a settle- 
 ment could be gained, and then they were $250 
 in arrears with him. They had agreed to pay 
 him quarterly, and to furnish his wood, and hay 
 for his horse. These items were neglected, and a 
 continual annoyance and vexation were the results. 
 When they settled with the pastor he had means 
 to meet his obligations, and felt a great burden 
 
78 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 was removed from his mind. In relation to this 
 settlement he said ''This enabled me to pay all 
 my debts and I was happy." 
 
 The income of the society did not meet its 
 expenses, and all through the carelessness and 
 neglect of those able to have it otherwise. The 
 result was a continual friction between pastor and 
 people, and the reflex influence on the harmony 
 and spiritual prosperity of the church was exceed- 
 ingly bad. It led to one vexation after another, 
 continually irritating the pastor and leading to 
 unkind remarks and complaints, till a separation of 
 pastor and people must be the result. A salary of 
 $500 and perquisites, find his own house, and 
 then a family of eight to ten to mantain, how 
 could it be done but by the closest economy ? 
 Should not a body of believers realize the ne- 
 cessity of promptly meeting their obligations and 
 relieving the pastor of all unnecessary anxiety.-^ 
 
 During the fourth year of this pastorate he paid 
 a visit, in company with his brother Samuel, then 
 pastor of the Jackson Church, Tioga County, Penn- 
 sylvania, to Harpersfield. His mother was still liv- 
 ing, and he was enabled to bring her back to his 
 home to m.ake a visit. She remained during the 
 winter, and returned to her home soon to be gath- 
 ered to her eternal rest. 
 
Labors in Elmira. 79 
 
 He also visited Elder Warner Lake at Mount 
 Morris, who had baptized him and his parents many 
 years before. He remained over Sunday, and had 
 a delightful visit with the aged servant, and filled 
 the pulpit for him. This was their last and parting 
 visit, for the venerable servant of God soon passed 
 to his reward. A tender feeling was ever felt by 
 Elder Grenell for this man of God, and he fre- 
 quently spoke of him with great respect. 
 
 At the close of this same year ''special signs 
 of revival" appeared, and a few precious souls were 
 led to own Christ and became members of the 
 church. There was a lack of co-operation, a la- 
 mentable indifference was manifested by the mem- 
 bership, and so the work did not spread and become 
 general in power and blessing. Some desired 
 a change of pastors, and were not heartily second- 
 ing his efforts. So the decision was made, if an 
 opportunity offer it will be duty to embrace it. 
 Soon the old field at Paterson was opened to 
 him, and with the close of his fifth year he 
 resigned and returned to his former charge. The 
 record of these years stands: "Attended fifteen 
 associations, dedicated six new meeting houses, 
 increased the resident membership fifty-five, and 
 added greatly to* the pecuniary ability" of the 
 body. lie had preached nearly six sermons a 
 
80 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 week for the entire time of his labor on this field. 
 
 These five years were not barren of results, but 
 far less was accomplished than might have been, 
 had there only been the requisite spirit of devotion 
 to God and co-operation with the pastor. A faith- 
 ful ministry may be greatly hindred in this way, 
 and the sad result is, such brethren stand in their 
 own light and keep from the church the benefit 
 that might be gained by an opposite course. It 
 was with feelings of sorrow that this field was 
 abandoned, and yet with gratitude to God for 
 many blessings shared there and for an open door 
 of usefulness elsewhere. 
 
 Farewell to Elmira and welcome to Patersoi> 
 again. 
 
IX. 
 
 IN PATERSON AGAIN. 
 
 After an absence of nine years Elder Grenell 
 returned to Paterson and commenced his labors 
 with the same church he had left on account of 
 the insufficiency of the salary to sustain his family^ 
 There were now ten children under the parental 
 roof, and it was an arduous and expensive task to 
 remove the family from Elmira over the same 
 route he had taken when going out there. He had 
 now the promise of $750, and thought some of the 
 older children could aid a little, in various ways' 
 to lengthen out the income. It was a delight to 
 the family to get back to the old place of resi- 
 dence and nearer to their relatives 
 
 During his absence of nine years the church had 
 had four or five pastors, and had received about one 
 hundred by baptism. But a division had arisen 
 among them and a party, about one-third of their 
 number, had separated and formed a second church. 
 They were meeting in a hired hall, and seemed 
 to be vigorous and successful for a time, but in- 
 ternal dissention and hard times soon wasted them 
 
82 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 entirely away. Some went to one society, some to 
 another, but few returned to the mother church, and 
 many glided back into the world. It was thus a 
 damage to the strength of the Baptist cause, leav- 
 ing the society of which he was overseer almost the 
 same in number as when he left them nine years 
 before. 
 
 Under such circumstances the pastor commenced 
 his second term of service. His first text was 
 Genesis 30: 31, "I will again feed and keep thy 
 flock." This indicated the resolution. of the pastor, 
 and must have been a timely and appropriate 
 theme for the contemplation of the people. 
 
 But immediate results did not attend the labor 
 put forth, as in former years. For two years the 
 additions to the church ''were only one baptism 
 and a few by letter." The same Gospel was preached 
 and with the accustomed earnestness in delivery, 
 but the Word did not meet w^th the desired effect, 
 either in arousing the church to a state of spirit- 
 ual activity, or leading sinners to the Savior. 
 But at length there were signs of a revival, and 
 it appeared that soon concerts would be flocking 
 to Zion and asking for baptism. As there was no 
 convenient place to baptise, the pastor anticipated 
 the want by raising, personally, the means, and hav- 
 ing a baptistery put into the church. It was a 
 
In Paterson A(jain. 83 
 
 gentle and refreshing shower that came, with but 
 a few in number gathered in, but precious in its 
 influence, and with blessings to the family of the 
 pastor. Two of the children were among those 
 welcomed into the fold. 
 
 About the commencement of this pastorate, 
 Elder John Rogers, who had been pastor at 
 Scotch Plains, retired from the ministry on ac- 
 count of age and increasing infirmity, and came to 
 reside in Paterson. The relation of the pastor to 
 this aged servant of God was exceedingly pleasant 
 and profitable. There was no jar or jealousy aris- 
 ing on either side, and Elder Grenell often men- 
 tioned, in after years, the pleasure derived from 
 intercourse with him and his family. The stay of 
 the veteran on furlough w^as not long, for during 
 the last year of his pastoral labor Elder Grenell was 
 called to discharge the last sad rite and follow 
 him to the grave. Both at the funeral service at 
 the house, and the following Sabbath in the sanct- 
 uary appropriate sermons wxre preached. *'The 
 memory of the just is blessed," and, ''To die is 
 gain." 
 
 During these years "that fearful scourge, the 
 cholera," visited Paterson, and "made sad havoc 
 in the town and in the church." Two of the lead- 
 ing members were smitten down, and the visitation 
 
84 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 of the sick and attendance at funerals added great- 
 ly to the labor demanded of the pastor. He was 
 mercifully sustained, and in no case refused to visit 
 and pray with the afflicted, or discharge his duty at 
 the funeral. 
 
 And following this came scarlet fever, the 
 dread of so many parents, and so fearful in its 
 destruction of children. It entered the family of 
 the minister and four of the children were sick at 
 one time, and one, the bright and cheerful Eliza, in 
 her ninth year, died. It was a severe blow to the 
 family, but how thankful that the others were spared. 
 
 Elder Grenell preached several courses of ser- 
 mons during this stay w4th the people of Pat- 
 erson — -one on the types of Christ, one on the 
 miracles, and "on other subjects." He also deliv- 
 ered many temperance sermons, and openly ad- 
 vocated the doctrine of total abstinence. The 
 trumpet when put to his mouth gave no uncertain 
 sound on this or any other Gospel theme. 
 
 His " stay at Paterson was just four years and 
 three months. Twenty-five baptized, eight hundred 
 and forty-nine sermons, and thirty-five marriages." 
 With the best of feeling existing, and no desire for a 
 change showing itself, the pastor concluded to move 
 for two reasons, (^ne was, "he could not live on 
 $750 a year," and the other was removing his 
 
In Paterson Again. 85 
 
 boys away from the influences surrounding- them. 
 So he removed to Horseheads and commenced 
 his labors January i, 1852. This was only six miles 
 from Elmira, a former field of labor. Here he pur- 
 chased a few acres of land, in order to furnish 
 work for his boys, and erected a dwelling for 
 a home. But he soon found the new field was 
 not at all after his liking. He found the church 
 "very unsound on the temperance subject," "much 
 moderate drinking," "members used it and dealt 
 in the article." 
 
 They were not a benevolent people, nor were 
 they aggressive in Christian work. "The salary 
 came slow," and there was not the proper response 
 to the earnest appeals of the pulpit. So this was 
 destined to be a short term of service, and lasted 
 only one year and nine months. 
 
 But fruit was gathered even here, and quite a 
 number were welcomed into the church on profes- 
 sion of faith in Christ. On this field "thirteen were 
 baptized, tv/o hundred and fifty sermons were 
 preached, and nine couples married." He left on 
 record, also, "I left all in peace and friendship." 
 
 The tent was next pitched in Honcsdale, at the 
 head of the Delaware and Hudson Canal and the 
 county seat of \Va)'ne County, Pennsylvania. Its 
 population was about three thousand and continu- 
 
8G Elder Zelotes Grekell. 
 
 ally increasing. The Baptist Society had a good 
 house of worship, well located, but only a member- 
 ship of about seventy-five. Other denominations 
 were far in advance of them in wealth, in numbers, 
 and in social influence. But the little church was 
 a truly noble one, united, benevolent, and with a few 
 of the choice spirits in it. Under such inspiring 
 influences, labor was commenced. He threw his en- 
 tire energy into the work, and brought "beaten oil " 
 into the sanctuary. The ''utmost harmony existed" 
 between pastor and people on this field. They 
 were edified and well pleased with the food served 
 for them, and he was assured of their cordial esteem 
 and co-operation. How easy to serve such a people, 
 and how pleasant the service of administering to 
 all their needs. 
 
 But this pastorate was like the former one, destined 
 to be short, but for a different reason. The pastor 
 was anxious to erect a house on the rear of the 
 church lot. It was difficult to hire a suitable house, 
 even for a year, for a certainty, and he wished to 
 have a home of his own. The church did not 
 enter into the arrangement with him, and he gained 
 the idea they were averse to it for fear they 
 might have an old man on their hands, who would 
 not be able to fill the demand. So he quickly 
 accepted a call extended from Port Jervis, and 
 
In Paterson again. 87 
 
 closed his labors to the great sorrow and grief of 
 the members. It is reported, ** one of the deacons 
 cried like a child," when the resignation' was pre- 
 sented, and all were sorry that he had determined 
 to go. 
 
 The record of this field is: "One year and seven 
 months. Three hundred and eighty-three sermons, 
 seven baptized, and married eighteen couples." Here 
 he preached a course of sermons ** on the family 
 relation/' which were well received, and his efforts 
 in behalf of temperance ''were marked with great 
 applause." 
 
LABORS IN PORT JERVIS. 
 
 X. 
 
 Port Jervis, in Orange County, New York, on 
 the Delaware and Hudson Canal, and at the west- 
 ern terminus of the Eastern Division of the New 
 York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad, is only 
 ten miles from Meadville, where Elder Grenell 
 commenced his ministry in 1818. At that time 
 there was no place bearing the name of Port 
 Jervis ; but, with the construction of the canal, a 
 settlement was commenced, the name given, and 
 its growth prospectively assured. From time to 
 time Baptist families moved into the place, and 
 thus soon formed the nucleus of an organization. 
 In 1835 about twenty persons were duly recog- 
 nized as a regular Baptist Church. At the time of 
 Elder Grenell's ministerial settlement the member- 
 ship had increased to seventy-five, but they were 
 scattered over quite an extent of territory — in 
 Quarry Hill, Sparrowbush, and Huguenot — with 
 but a minority in the village near the house of 
 worship. These different places were held as out- 
 posts of the society, and an occasional sermon was 
 
In Port Jervir. ^ 89 
 
 demanded in cacli, in addition to the two on the 
 Sabbatli in tlic church edifice. 
 
 Among the first efforts of the new pastor, aside 
 from preaching the word, was the erection of a 
 baptistery in the vestibule, directly behind the pul- 
 pit. It was carried through by the individual efforts 
 of the pastor in securing the means and superin- 
 tending the work, and so arranged that a door, 
 swinging on hinges, could be raised in a moment 
 and the baptistery opened to the view of the entire 
 audience. He seemed to have an instinctive belief 
 that such a thing would be demanded soon. With 
 his accustomed facility in gaining converts, he ex- 
 pected candidates for the ordinance, and was not 
 mistaken in his expectations. Only a few weeks 
 after the completion of the pool, three candidates 
 for the initiatory rite were received. Among these 
 was his son Zelotes, then a lad of fifteen, now a 
 minister of the same Gospel — a worthy namesake 
 of his father. This bowing to Christ and being 
 buried with him spread like a holy infection, and 
 the baptismal waters were often stirred. These im- 
 mersions were usually on Sunday evenings, and to 
 crowded audiences the pastor gave a reason for 
 the faith and practice of the Baptists. 
 
 There had been but little preaching of the dis- 
 tinctive views of our denomination in this place. 
 
90 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 and many were timid and fearful lest the procla- 
 mation of them might offend. But this minister of 
 Christ was conscientious and decided in his views, 
 and believed people would be converted to no 
 more truth than was preached. So he presented 
 "the glory of baptism" as an ordinance of the 
 glorious Gospel of Christ, "the burial with Christ" 
 and the " putting on Christ" as professing faith in 
 him by baptism. It is believed this effort was a 
 timely and judicious one, resulting in the enlarge- 
 ment of the church of which he was pastor. 
 
 In this place the pastor realized his cherished 
 plan of a house of his own. He purchased a large 
 lot, invested his means in the erection of a house, 
 and was soon settled with his family in a habita-^ 
 tion of his own. He began to hope that it might 
 be the place of his abode till release came from 
 earthly toil. But this dream, like many an other, 
 was not to be realized. 
 
 For the first three years every thing went on 
 smoothly, and there was union and harmony among 
 the people as a body and in respect to the pastor. 
 But the latter part of this pastoral relation was far 
 otherwise. It had been what some call a "one 
 man church" ; not in any invidious sense, but from 
 the necessity of the case. One man of some pe- 
 cuniary ability, of intelligence and devotion to the 
 
In Port Jervip, 91 
 
 Baptist faith, had early settled here and acquired 
 a controlling influence in the working of the church. 
 But there must naturally be a change in this re- 
 spect when the body increases and other minds 
 assert their opinions and assume work for the cause. 
 When influence slips out of the hands of such a 
 man, jealousy and ill feelings arise ; he is ready to 
 attribute his loss of authority to the pastor, or to 
 incidents which may have no direct bearing upon 
 it. 
 
 Times became exceedingly critical, and many 
 trembled for the safety of the ark. Some even went 
 so far as to openly calumniate the pastor, when it 
 was evident that nothing but prejudice and envy 
 ruled the breast. It was a season of deep humili- 
 ation to the pastor, a trying ordeal through which 
 he finally passed fully justified by the church. The 
 result was that some of those bringing trouble into 
 the Zion of God were disowned ; but the evil leav- 
 en continued to operate, till, for peace and self- 
 respect, the pastor closed his relation with the 
 church at the end of six years and six months. 
 During that period he had preached one thousand 
 three hundred and eighty-nine sermons and bap 
 tised fifty-seven converts, 
 
LABORS IN GLENWOOD AND MILLINGTON. 
 XI. 
 
 For the first time during his ministerial life, 
 Elder Grenell was now without a charge. He had 
 been exceedingly uncomfortable in his relations to 
 the church he had left for a number of months. 
 The finances of the society had been badly man- 
 aged. There had been many annoyances and per- 
 plexities continually arising to vex him. He had 
 been "driven from the field," as he thought, though 
 when called it was with the distinct understanding, 
 that while able to perform the duties he should be 
 the pastor of the church. But the reply made 
 was, '*We are not bound by any such agreement," 
 and "We will not be responsible for the salary." 
 
 Quite an amount of salary was relinquished by 
 him at the time of closing his relation in order to 
 get the remainder to settle up his accounts. He 
 felt a great relief in being free from the many trials 
 that had been encountered, and trusted in the lead- 
 ing of Divine Providence, for the future. These and 
 many such trials, are often endured by the minis- 
 ters of Christ, in the prosecution of their work. 
 
In G-lenwood and ]SIiltjngton. 93 
 
 But within three weeks the steps of this unrest- 
 ing^ preacher were directed to North Vernon, now 
 Glenwood, about eight miles the other side of his 
 first location in the ministry. No church or organ- 
 ization had been effected there. The Baptists, 
 residing in the vicinity, were a branch of the Ham- 
 burgh church, and this was eight miles distant from 
 their place of worship. So the thought of organiz- 
 ing an independent society was entertained, and a 
 small house of worship, that had been erected by 
 the Christians, was secured for the debt remaining 
 on it. So the field was open to him, and in Janu- 
 ary a council recognized a church of thirty-seven 
 members, and he became its first pastor. Providence 
 in this way opened to him a pleasant field of use- 
 fulness, and made him a blessing to that people, 
 with whom his relations were remarkably pleasant 
 during the entire time of his stay among them. 
 
 It was not long before converts were coming to 
 the baptizmal waters and seeking admission into 
 the church. He was permitted to baptize seven 
 during his three and a half years of labor, to see 
 the little body becoming earnest and efficient in 
 their eftbrts to sustain the cause, and to gather in 
 a few by letter. " Here he preached five hundred 
 and twenty sermons," and when, at the evident call 
 of duty, his mind turned to Millington, he provided 
 
94 Elder Zflotes Grenell. 
 
 Glenvvood with a successor. His nephew, Rev. I. M. 
 Grenell was commended to them, and introduced to 
 their hearing. The wisdom of both the pastor retir- 
 ing and the people clinging to him was manifested 
 in this step. The nephew has remained on the 
 field for twenty years, and his labors have been 
 blessed to the good of many. 
 
 •'The first Sunday in April, 1865," labor was 
 commenced in Millington, situated in *'the Passaic 
 Valley," a country parish, set off from Mount Bethel, 
 the mother church, about fifteen years previous to 
 this time. The two houses of worship were only 
 two miles apart ; but Mount Bethel was on the 
 ridge, dividing the stream forming the Passaic, and 
 the Raritan, and hence too remote for the con- 
 venience of some of the people. On this account the 
 formation of the Millington church in the valley 
 had been accomplished. The membership was about 
 one hundred, the house well located and the body 
 a united and harmonious one, having a good report 
 of other denominations. 
 
 Nothing of special note occurred during the first 
 two years of pastoral labor with this people. The 
 pastor was at home among them, and free from any 
 annoying incidents in his relations to the people, 
 and sacredly gave himself to preaching and pastoral 
 visitation. It is also due to this band of disiples to 
 
In Glen wood and Millington. 95 
 
 say, that they held their pastor in high esteem, 
 and ever treated him with kindness and the respect 
 due to his age and office. He ever spoke kindly 
 in after years of his relation to them, and the many 
 favors received from them. 
 
 About the middle of the third year, the seed that 
 had been so faithfully sown and watered, began to 
 bear fruit. "The Lord granted them a precious 
 revival of religion," It commenced "early in the fall 
 in the school house, south of the meeting house." 
 Here meetings were conducted by the pastor for 
 three weeks, with about one dozen inquirers anxious- 
 ly seeking the forgiveness of their sins. Then the 
 meeting was removed to the house of worship and 
 soon began to extend to the north. Meetings were 
 continued through the winter, notwithstanding the 
 extreme cold, the depth of the snow, and the drifts 
 that blocked up the roads. The pastor continued 
 to preach each evening, the brethren performed some 
 of the labor of visiting, and the gentle influences of 
 divine love continued to rest upon the people, until 
 thirty-one were gathered by baptism into the church. 
 Among the converts were two young men, both of 
 whom went through college, one to become a 
 preacher of the Gospel, and the other a teacher. 
 The revival "was a great blessing to the church," 
 both in the additions to the membership, and the 
 
96 Elder Zelotes Grenei^. 
 
 spiritual strength imparted. It was a great blessing 
 and encouragement to the pastor. 
 
 About this time, duty seemed to demand an 
 augmentation of the pastor's labors. The Mount 
 Bethel interest had become weak by removals and 
 deaths, and was now unable to sustain a pastor. 
 They wished the services of the Millington pastor 
 every Sabbath afternoon, and there seemed to be 
 an obligation resting on the brethren in the valley, 
 to aid the feeble band on the mountain. So this 
 additional work was taken, and the school house 
 meetings changed to evenings in the week. This 
 move was a good one for the destitute church, 
 but too severe in the strain put upon the ener- 
 gies of the pastor. It was carried out during his 
 labor on this field, but caused him eventually to 
 give up and retire from the charge. He was now 
 a man of over "three score years and ten," and 
 could not endure long- this amount of labor and 
 exposure. This conviction was more and more 
 impressed upon him, as the months went by, that 
 he could not endure the fatigue incident to the work 
 without endangering his health, and breaking down 
 entirely. So he gradually came to the conclusion 
 that duty required him to give up the field if an 
 opening should be presented elsewhere. 
 
 As a pastor he was well pleased with the results 
 
In Glenwood and Millincjton. 9T 
 
 of his labor. "The in<^athcring turned out to be 
 a very good one, after years of trial." The con- 
 verts were true to their profession and the church 
 gained in permanent strength. This was a great 
 encouragement and cause of thanksgiving to God. 
 
 But little change occurred during the years he 
 remained after the revival. The membership was 
 somewhat diminished by removals, but this in part 
 was made up by persons bringing letters. "There 
 was all the time the best state of feeling in the 
 church and between the church and the pastor" 
 
 But his health and strength were giving way, and 
 he was apprehensive that ''the work would event- 
 ually break him down." There was a door opened 
 to him and he felt it duty to enter it. 
 
 Hard was the parting of pastor and people. In 
 a social gathering of the church and congregation 
 he made a farewell address to them. He spoke of 
 the uniform kindness manifested toward himself 
 during his stay of six years. He declared his affec- 
 tion for them but related the steps through which 
 his mind had been led to come to the conclusion 
 reached. He invoked the benediction of heaven 
 upon them and bestowed in a worthy manner his 
 own blessing. There was hardly a dry eye in that 
 concourse as he came to the conclusion of his ad- 
 dress and said "farewell." The writer was present 
 
98 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 and wondered that so much tender feeHng should 
 be manifested by men and women in the activities of 
 life. It reminded him of the Elders of Ephesus meet- 
 ing" Paul when he bade them such an affectionate 
 farewell. 
 
 His testimony was/* To decide in favor of going 
 was hard work indeed. I had preached in five 
 years and nine months seven hundred and fifty 
 sermons, and baptised thirty-four and closed my 
 labors the last Sunday in the year." 
 
LABORS IN HACKENSACK, N. J. 
 XII. 
 
 We must now follow the subject of our memoir 
 to Hackensack, N. J., his twelfth pastorate. He was 
 now a veteran of seventy-five, and yet vigorous in 
 thought, energetic in delivery, and young in heart 
 and enterprise of spirit. A field demanding less 
 travel and exposure, with the preaching in one 
 pla^e, had been his desire. In this he was now to 
 be gratified. There was also special prospect of 
 doing a good work in the place opened to him, 
 since the indications of providence seemed to point 
 with marked distinctness in the direction he was 
 taking. 
 
 Hackensack is only eight miles from Paterson, 
 his second and fifth field of labor. The Paterson 
 Church had formerly had an out station here, in 
 which he had preached once a month while their 
 pastor. A small church had since been organized 
 at Hackensack but having no house of worship and 
 no stated pastor, it had dwindled to only two, a 
 true and tried couple, genuine Baptists, who could 
 consistently be nothing else in church relation. 
 
100 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 These two were in fellowship and could claim the 
 blessing. They waited in the confidence of those 
 who trust in God for the dawn of a better day for 
 the cause. At length one Baptist after another, 
 moving in from the city of New York, as the sub- 
 urban growth was accelerated, was heard inquiring 
 for a church. The good Deacon De Wolfe and 
 wife said to them "Yes, there is the church in our 
 house," and so they received the new comers by a 
 unanimous vote and the church began to thrive 
 again. One step led to another, till at length the 
 work of building a chapel was undertaken and a 
 call was extended to this old pastor of the family 
 to be the first pastor of this interest. This Deacon 
 De Wolfe said as an encouragement and guarantee 
 to the new pastor, "I will stand by you if you 
 will come, and be responsible for your support." 
 Hackensack was not a place propitious to the 
 spread of distinctive Baptist principles. It was set- 
 tled originally by Hollanders, long before the War 
 of the Revolution. Its growth had been exceed- 
 ingly slow. In 1833 the population numbered about 
 fifteen hundred but in 1871 it had increased to about 
 four thousand. It is an important place, the Coun- 
 ty seat of Bergen County. The religious educa- 
 tion of the people strongly favored the Dutch or 
 Reformed Church. 
 
Labors in Hackensack. 101 
 
 The chapel erected by the Baptist Church was 
 dedicated the last day of the year 1871, and on 
 Sunday the first day of the new year, the pastor 
 commenced his labors with them. The first theme 
 of discourse was, "The mutual relation of pastor 
 and people, what each have a right to expect of 
 the other." — Acts 10 29. — A good audience was in 
 attendance at this opening service, to give a wel- 
 come and encouragement to the man of God in 
 his effort to elevate a new standard among them. 
 Not a little enthusiasm was manifested on that day 
 and it is believed a commendable ambition was 
 cherished by those who had given their energies 
 to this new venture in Hackensack. It was with 
 an ardent desire to lead this little band of disci- 
 ples into efficient service, and with his old time 
 energy stirring within him that Elder Grenell en- 
 tered upon the work before him. It is difficult to 
 decide whether pastor or people were the more 
 elated or which cherished the more laudable am- 
 bition on that day. 
 
 The opening of a new place of worship was an 
 event in the religious history of Hackensack. As 
 is common in all such movements, the new chapel 
 and the coming of the venerable preacher were 
 themes of conversation in many circles of the com- 
 munity. Could it be that the Baptists would be 
 
102 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 successful in setting up a standard in such a strong 
 Dutch Reformed centre ? Many had a curiosity to 
 go to the neat little chapel and many wished to 
 hear the new minister. They were all welcomed 
 to the house of God, kindly waited upon by offi- 
 cers of the church to seats, treated to good singing 
 and taught from the oracles of Divine truth. In this 
 new sanctuary, every true worshipper felt that this 
 was none other than the "House of God and gate 
 of Heaven." And there was drawn to the little 
 chapel a gradually increasing congregation, who 
 were edified and charmed by the power of the pul- 
 pit. From this sanctuary sounded out the word 
 of God. The trumpet here gave no uncertain sound. 
 The people continued to come, and the labors 
 of the "old man eloquent," ever in earnest, were 
 not only properly appreciated but enthusiastically 
 praised. 
 
 This ministry was in its opening efforts and for 
 many months a grand success. His auditors were 
 many of them drawn from the Dutch residents of 
 the village and some of the converts won to the 
 Baptist faith and buried with Christ in baptism 
 were from the same source. And when the initia- 
 tory ordinance was administered, in the baptistery 
 under the pulpit platform, in accordance with the 
 faith of Baptist Churches, crowds were attracted 
 
Labors is Hackensack. 103 
 
 to the service. The house on such occasions would 
 be filled to its utmost capacity. And then "the 
 reasons for the practice of immersion," "the glory 
 of gospel Baptism," or some theme of the kind 
 would be presented. Example and precept were 
 then blended and set before the people. Each 
 auditor was furnished with the means of deciding 
 for himself the requirement made by Christ in 
 the ordinance. 
 
 "As a wise master builder," Elder Grenell laid 
 here a firm foundation under the guidance of the 
 Great Builder, upon which might be reared in fu- 
 ture years a magnificent superstructure. His care 
 and over sight extended to every department of 
 church work. He was zealous for the missionary 
 development of the new interest and had an eye 
 to financial affairs. He urged his brethren to use 
 all reasonable precaution against incurring a large 
 debt and advised them to make earnest efforts to 
 extinguish the indebtedness incurred in the erection 
 of the house. In his pulpit ministrations he brought 
 continually to the people rich stores of Gospel 
 truth for their edification and encouragement. Nor 
 were the sick and infirm neglected in his efforts 
 for the good of others. They shared largely in 
 his Christian sympathy and pastoral efforts. 
 
 Some one has said, "There are always two sides 
 
104 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 to a story." Much of truth appears in the saying", 
 owing to the different stand-points of the parties. 
 In relation to many events in life there are half 
 a dozen sides or more, and each has its adherent. 
 Some incidents, if not necessary to a truthful his- 
 tory, may with propriety be left out of a sketch 
 of this kind. Every item in the account is not of 
 importance to the general reader, nor can every 
 thing be seen from only one point of observation. 
 So, without the least intention of saying a word 
 that could wound the feelings of the most sensitive, 
 we may admit there was ''another side" to these 
 labors in Hackensack. And yet, all that may be 
 said does not detract in the least from the general 
 features already presented. There are often anxie- 
 ties, mortifications and despondencies in the mind 
 of a pastor unknown to his people and not re- 
 vealed in his work. If these result mainly from 
 over sensitiveness or are the children of the imag- 
 ination, they are real to him and terribly destruct- 
 ive of peace of mind and rest of soul. It is not 
 impossible but that brethren in the church failed 
 to appreciate the feelings of a pastor in the many 
 annoyances incident to the relation. It may be that 
 even here some did not show proper deference to 
 a pastor, ** whose gray hairs were a constant and 
 scriptural appeal to their consideration." 
 
Labors ik IIackexsack. 105 
 
 There is almost no limit to the endurance of a 
 pastor in labor for a sympathizing, confiding and 
 co-operative people. And should not every man 
 of God have these environments in his work ? Are 
 they not his due as an ambassador of Christ, so 
 far as his labors are in accord with the instruction 
 of the Master? The man who permits the harness 
 to chafe and gall his horse, suffers real loss of serv- 
 ice, while at the same time he proclaims his lack 
 of mercy. Should not every church make the most 
 they can, by a confiding co-operation and affec- 
 tionate encouragement in all his ministrations, out 
 of a pastors labors.-* 
 
 The anticipations cherished when he accepted the 
 call to Hackensack were not realized. These were 
 of a quiet and pleasant field of labor, of a final 
 settlement for the rest of his ministry and so long 
 as able to fulfill its requirements, and of a cordial 
 co-operation of his people under his leadership in 
 carrying out all his plans for the enlargement of 
 Zion. He thought himrself restrained in his w^ork 
 and not as free as one of his age and experience 
 ought to be. He had invested all he possessed in 
 a modest home for his declining years or he would, 
 at a certain time, have taken his departure. He 
 gathered that some were anxious for a change of 
 pastor at the end of three years and feared an old 
 
106 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 man might be left on their hands, unable to fill 
 acceptably the pulpit and discharge the other duties 
 of the office. There were no indications of fail- 
 ure apparent. His feelings and energies were those 
 of a young man, both in the pulpit and in obedi- 
 ence to other calls of duty. Great perplexity of 
 soul was caused and many annoyances arose from 
 such causes. And yet no one was really dissatis- 
 fied with his labors as pastor or wished to inflict 
 a wound upon his feeling. It is probable that 
 rumor and misconstruction of little things had un- 
 fortunately much to do with such an unhappy state 
 of mind. 
 
 The writer will throw in here an item of testi- 
 mony gained incidentally from a citizen of Hack- 
 ensack, more than a year after the death of Elder 
 Grenell. Being asked if he knew him, he replied; 
 "Did I know Father Grenell.'' I guess I did. 
 He did a work in Hackensack that no other man 
 ever did." 
 
 When a minister has been for three score years 
 in the \v:ork and has faithfully served his genera- 
 tion, it would appear that he should be spared the 
 specially marring troubles which may fall to the 
 untried and unknown servant. Why it should be 
 otherwise, as is too frequently the case, is one of 
 the mysteries of providence not yet solved. 
 
Labors in IIackensack. lOT 
 
 Would not the added wisdom and experience 
 brought to the ministration of the sanctuary, rich- 
 ly repay a people for a uniform kindness and forbear- 
 ance shown to a venerable servant of God, and give 
 them honor in the community ? 
 
 Of old Moses spake unadvisedly with his lips. 
 It was under the annoyances and perplexities that 
 irritated him. So did this servant of the Lord give 
 vent to the indignation of his soul in an unbe- 
 coming manner and cast censure where it did not 
 belong. He quietly waited a time, brooded over 
 the evil, preached a scathing sermon on a Sunday 
 evening and peremptorily closed his labors. His 
 text was the language of our Lord to Peter, John 
 21 : i8. 
 
 It is pleasant to say and to the honor of the 
 good people of this society, that good feeling and 
 fraternal intercourse were restored. Many acts of 
 kindness were shown by them in attestation of 
 their confidence and interest in him. Here was to 
 to be his last earthly home and among this peo- 
 ple he was destined to pass gently down the slope 
 of life to the rest remaining for him in heaven. 
 
 His term of service with this people was three 
 years and three months. He baptized into the 
 fellowship of the church twenty persons, and preach- 
 ed five hundred and fiftv sermons. At the com- 
 
108 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 mencement of his labors here the church number- 
 ed twenty-eight at the close, seventy-three. 
 
 "Glory be to the Father, and to the son, and 
 to th-e Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is 
 now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 
 
XIII. 
 
 LABORS WITH THE PATERSON THIRD CHURCH. 
 
 From the last of March, until late in the fall of 
 1875, Elder Grenell held no pastoral relation. It 
 seemed at times to be fully settled in his mind 
 that on account of his age and the infirmities that were 
 coming upon him, he would not again assume the 
 duties of a pastor. And yet he was not content 
 to settle down in the quiet enjoyment of his home, 
 and patiently wait the time of his departure. He 
 had preached so many years that when Sunday 
 came he felt lost and out of place if not in the 
 pulpit, with an audience before him. His thoughts 
 ran much in the line of sermons, and the laying 
 out of some new subject or the recast of an old 
 discourse that had done service years before. 
 Wherever a door was open and the call extended 
 to supply a destitute church he was ready to 
 respond. 
 
 During a portion of the summer, in company with his 
 wife, he went to see his son Zelotes, in Bay City, 
 Michigan. On the way the}' visited scxcral of his 
 children and grand children, and spent an entire 
 
no Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 month with old and tried friends in different locali- 
 ties. Each Sabbath there was a pulpit opened to 
 him and he was ready to gratify his former friends 
 and parishioners by delivering the Gospel message 
 to them. And in Bay City there was an open door 
 among the destitute and in the pulpit of his son's 
 church. While he and his family were on a journey 
 to the east, he found work that was exceedingly 
 agreeable to him. But being urgently invited to 
 be present at the Jubilee meeting of the Paterson 
 Church, of which he had twice been pastor, and 
 perform a part of the services, his visit was terminat- 
 ed much sooner than he had anticipated. He 
 hastened back to the social enjoyments and religious 
 festivities in his old field of labor, and afterward 
 supplied the Millington church one month, during 
 the absence of the pastor on a visit to his old home 
 in Scotland. Before this he became somewhat 
 acquainted with the Third Baptist Church of Pat- 
 erson. It was without a pastor, exceedingly feeble 
 and presented a field of promise and yet of self- 
 sacrifice to the laborer. He concluded to accept an 
 urgent call extended to him to undertake once 
 more the work to which he had so long devoted 
 himself. This relation was formed in the month of 
 November, but he had supplied them during the 
 month of October. "He called himself a permanent 
 
Paterson Third Church. ill 
 
 supply," but was, in fact and by the voice of the 
 people, pastor. The connection was to continue in 
 accordance with the opening of Providence and 
 his ability to continue the work. He at once as- 
 sumed all the duties of an overseer of the flock 
 and responded to every call for pastoral service. 
 
 His first pulpit effort after the formation of this 
 relation was from the text, (2 Cor. 12:14) "Behold 
 the third time I am ready to come to you: and I 
 will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not 
 yours, but you." This interest was a child of the 
 First Baptist Society and had been recognized as 
 an independent church a little over a year. Hence, 
 quite a number of his former flock were gathered 
 into this fold. In this sense he was ''coming: the 
 third time" to the same people as a messenger of 
 the Most High. 
 
 With the earnestness and energy of a young 
 man he took hold of the feeble interest. His quiver 
 was yet full of arrows and his bow abobe in strength- 
 
 A ripe age and rich experience were also brought 
 to the work. He ardently desired to see the work 
 of the Lord prosper in his hands on this, as it had 
 in other fields of labor. 
 
 The first winter 'was a trying one to the pastor, 
 since his residence was in Hackensack,and he was 
 under the necessity of travelliug on the Rail-Road 
 
112- Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 in going to and from his appointments. He usually 
 went on Saturday and returned on Monday. He 
 had a good home and kind treatment when absent 
 from his own home and was the recipient of many 
 tokens of kindness from his people. But so feeble, in 
 a pecuniary sense, did he find the church, that fre- 
 qently he supplied the pulpit of some destitute 
 church and gave them the amount realized over his 
 stipulated salary. In this way he aided them in 
 carrying the burden laid upon them. 
 
 In the spring he moved his family to Paterson> 
 and resided near the place of meeting. His work 
 was then near at hand and more easily performed- 
 He continued to feed the flock, to foster the feeble 
 church, and to lead others to the knowledge of 
 Christ. There were also from time to time a few 
 gathered into the fellowship of Zion. During one 
 year he baptized eight and in all the years of his 
 labor here, twenty-six. There was a gradual increase, 
 so that the society nearly doubled in membership 
 and correspondingly gained in ability. It was his 
 last and closing field of labor, all through a quiet 
 and peaceful one, and his resignation was given in 
 the fall of 1 88 1, with the resolution formed not 
 again to undertake the work. 
 
 At the close of this pastoral relation, he retired 
 to his own modest home at Hackensack with the 
 
Paterson Third Church. ^13 
 
 intention of supplying destitute pulpits when his 
 strength should be adequate to the exertion de- 
 manded and such opportunities of usefulness might 
 be presented to him. In this way he expected to 
 spend his declining days, and "wait all his appoint- 
 ed time," for his discharge. Opportunities of the 
 kind were not wanting, and wherever he officiated 
 the surprise was both general and marked, that a 
 man of his years could yet preach with such energy 
 of delivery and clearness of thought as were mani- 
 fested in his pulpit efforts. At times he was "the 
 old man eloquent," in these last efforts of his life. 
 Some went long distances to hear the old friend of 
 their fathers and veteran in the service preach, 
 and returned delighted and profited by the sermons 
 they heard. But only a few months were allotted 
 to him in this service. In the following spring he 
 supplied the First Wantage Church several Sabbaths. 
 Here he performed his last successful labor in the 
 pulpit to the edification of the hearer but with 
 great exhaustion of his physical strength. In July 
 the hand of disease was laid upon him. He was 
 entirely incapacitated for the performance of minis- 
 terial duties. His work was done. There re- 
 mained less than a year of life to him and 
 that to be spent within his own home. Administer-^ 
 ed to by loved ones, he gradually declined 
 
114 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 in strength till removed by the hand of death. 
 Here must close the sketch of his labors in the 
 ministry. What shall the closing sentence of the 
 narrative be ? What more becoming at the close 
 of a public life of sixty-five years, than the expres- 
 sion, ''Well done good and faithful Servant.?" 
 
XIV. 
 
 SICKNESS, DECLINE AND DEATH. 
 
 We now come to the last and closing scene in 
 the life of this servant of God. Our Savior said : 
 **I leave the world and go to the Father." So must 
 every servant of His leave the world as a scene 
 of conflict and go where his Redeemer has gone. 
 And Paul affirms: " David, having served his genera- 
 tion according to the purpose of God, fell asleep 
 and was added to his Fathers." Elder Grenell had 
 "served his generation according to the purpose of 
 God." It only remained, at the close of such a day 
 of toil, that he "fall asleep and be added to" the 
 company above. How sad the reflection that such 
 an issue sunders all the relationships of this life ; 
 but how glorious the result to the weary and worn 
 laborer, taken away from earth and added to the 
 redeemed in the presence of God. 
 
 The scantiness of m.aterial for this part of our 
 effort fills us with apprehension of failure. Very 
 little is left on record from which we can draw 
 material to picture him descending the slope of 
 life into the silence of the grave. We natupally 
 
116 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 wish to look within the man, at such a time, 
 through some door that is left ajar. We desire to 
 know the musings of the soul as it converses with 
 death and gains by faith a view of the unseen. 
 Here must the true life be, within the man, in the 
 emotions and aspirations of the soul. And here 
 the conditions of happiness are to be found in the 
 ''full assurance of hope" as ''an anchor to the 
 soul, sure and stedfast" in the storm, but holding 
 to the rock of eternal safety "within the veil." 
 Could we only read and rightly interpret the writ- 
 ing of the Eternal Spirit on the tablet of the soul, 
 how easy the task before us. 
 
 He had said, in anticipation of the end, " I wish 
 to follow the cloud and preach as long as I am 
 wanted and the Lord gives me strength, and freely 
 resign when his providence shall dictate." The 
 time had now come for him to resign, to give back 
 to God the commission given to him sixty-seven 
 years before, and with it his life and labors. The 
 time also was near for him to peacefully resign 
 himself to death as the end of life and door to eter- 
 nal rest. He did thus give up all his concerns 
 into the hand of God and commit himself unto a 
 faithful Creator. To the writer he said in reference 
 to the severe attack of sickness he had endured: 
 " I knew that I was very sick, and the first concern 
 
Sickness, Decline and Death. 117 
 
 was about myself: will I get well? Then the 
 thought came: ''It is none of your business ^ and 
 my anxiety was gone." He resigned himself to 
 God and in quietness and assurance of soul 
 patiently waited for his change to come. At an- 
 other time he said : *' However much I may be 
 wrong, or whatever may become of me, God is 
 all right. There is no error or imperfection in Him. 
 I know he does all things well." How grand such 
 an utterance from the lips of a servant of God, 
 when prostrate on a bed of sickness and helpless 
 as a child ! He justified the ways of God and 
 "ascribed righteousness to his Maker." And there 
 remained, so long as reason was on the throne 
 and the power of memory was not impaired by 
 disease, this peaceful acquiescence in the will of 
 God. No murmur escaped his lips, no complaint 
 was uttered. The restless man of life was the quiet 
 child in the mother's arms. 
 
 His last effort to preach was at Millington, the 
 first Sabbath in July, 1882. He had preached a 
 few weeks previous to this, with great acceptance 
 to the people but with an almost entire exhaustion 
 to himself, at First Wantage. He was not adequate 
 in physical energy to this last venture. Disease 
 was already fastened upon him. He felt within 
 himself unable to perform the task, but regard for 
 
118 Elder Zelotes G renell. 
 
 the people led him to make the effort. The old 
 time energy was not within him. It was apparent 
 to his former parishioners that neither in mind nor 
 in body was he himself. He was taken from the 
 Sanctuary to the home of a brother near, violently 
 sick. A physician was at once summoned and all 
 that medical attention and kind christian friends 
 could do was cheerfully done to relieve the sufferer. 
 He was alarmingly ill for several days, but on the 
 fifth day was so much relieved that he could be 
 tiken to his home at Hackensack. Here he was 
 confined to his bed for a number of weeks, and 
 all hope of recovery, for a time, seemed to have 
 fled. But he continued to live, began to show 
 signs of improving and of coming back to the en- 
 joyments and activities of life. He gained in 
 strength until he could w^alk a mile. He talked 
 of anticipated visits to his children, and seemed to 
 have an abiding interest in all that he heard of 
 the prosperity of the churches. But toward spring 
 the balance began to tip the other way and there 
 was an apparent decline from week to week. He 
 had earnestly desired to visit his son at Deckertown^ 
 and see the new church edifice recently erected 
 there. He was compelled to forego the anticipated 
 visit on account of increasing weakness. There 
 was a general decline and failure of all his powers, 
 
Sickness, Declinb and Death. 119 
 
 both of body and mind. The body became exceed- 
 ingly weak and emaciated, the mind wandering 
 and in perplexity. There was only the wreck of 
 the man of active life. The time of release was 
 drawing nigh, and he quietly passed away, just after 
 midnight, June 21, 1883. There was no alarm given, 
 no word spoken, only a perceptible change and 
 in a few moments the scene was ended. He was 
 no more. "Absent from the body, present with the 
 Lord'. 
 
 Many incidents of these last weeks of his life were 
 especially tender and touching in their appeal to 
 the hearts of loved ones. Could they all be col- 
 lected and put in order before the reader, a long 
 chapter would be required. But they belong to 
 those in the inner circle, who waited upon him, 
 watched his decline and tenderly anticipated all 
 his wants. For the comfort of his many friends 
 only a few items need be added. One of these is 
 his devotion to the Bible and his fidelity to the 
 family altar as long as he was able to ofificiate. 
 And when too much reduced in strength to per- 
 form the duty, his pastor, or any minister of the 
 Gospel or private member coming in to visit 
 him, was invited to offer prayer. Toward the 
 last, he requested th« one offering prayer to stand 
 by the bed and hold his hand while addressing 
 
120 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 God in his behalf. This was done when the ear 
 could with difficulty distinguish the difference in 
 sounds. He greatly enjoyed those seasons of devo- 
 tion and seemed to be lifted in thought to the bet- 
 ter home above. 
 
 His child-like acquiescence in the directions of 
 the physician and conformity to the wish of attend- 
 ants was remarkable. "All right," was his frank 
 expression, with a tenderness that often started the 
 tear to the eye, so submissive was he, so like a 
 child. **It was wonderful," as remarked by the 
 physician, and '* I never saw the like before." And 
 only for a few days did he appear troubled in mind 
 and not like himself. As he had lived in Christ, 
 so did he die in Him and depart to be with his 
 living Redeemer. ** The children of God shall ever 
 live in their Father's house, and eat at their Father's 
 table." 
 
 The funeral services were held on Monday, 
 June 25th, in the Baptist Chapel of Hackensack, 
 under the derection of the pastor. Rev. R. M. Harrison. 
 An anthem and hymns were sung by the choir, 
 prayers were offered by Rev. A. Hopper and 
 Rev. J. N. Adams, and addresses were made by Rev. 
 W. W. Everts, D .D. and Rev. W. H. Parmly, D- D. 
 Doctor Everts spoke of the "blessedness of the 
 dead who die in the Lord," and Doctor Parmly 
 
Sickness, Decline and Death. 121 
 
 gave reminiscences of his early ministry in New 
 Jersey, and his relations to the ministry and churches 
 of the State. The remains were then borne to 
 Cedar Lawn Cemetery, near Paterson, New Jersey, 
 and interred. He rests there in hope of the 
 resurrection to immortal life. ** He that believeth in 
 me though he were dead yet shall he live." 
 
XV. 
 
 COTEMPORARIES. 
 
 - During the early years of his ministry Elder Grenell 
 occupied a prominent position among a group of 
 men distinguished alike for their mental endow- 
 ments, the strength of their convictions, and the 
 wide spread influence exerted by them. The mem- 
 ory of some of those venerable servants of God 
 still lingers as a fragrance in the hearts of the fathers 
 of our day, but others have passed almost entirely 
 from the recollection of all now living. Soon they 
 will all be forgotten on earth, and their record re- 
 main only on high. The mention of the names of 
 some of them, and their time of service, leads us 
 to venerate them as devoted ministers of the Gos- 
 pel, and we recognize the hand of God in raising 
 them up and endowing them so richly for their 
 work. They were true and tried men. They nobly 
 met the demands of the age in which they lived. 
 These men were sent into the ministry without 
 the training and culture of the schools. They made 
 no pretension to scholastic education. Some of 
 them regretted exceedingly that advantages of this 
 
Cot EM POR ARIES. 123 
 
 kind had not been given to them. But they were 
 endowed with a vigor and grasp of intellect, had 
 gained an intimate acquaintance with the word of 
 God, and, with a burning desire to see the religion 
 of Christ spread through the world, were possessed 
 of a power in the ministry seldom excelled in 
 our day. In temporal matters they depended large- 
 ly upon their own toil. They held the plow, ''lifted 
 up the axe upon the high trees," planted and gath- 
 ered their sustenance from the earth, but their thought 
 and study meantime were on things higher than 
 those of this life. They were daily students of the 
 Bible, sought wisdom and spiritual insight from God 
 and gained an unction from the Holy One. When 
 they went to the log cabin, to the school house or 
 grove to deliver the message of eternal truth they 
 spake as one coming from the immediate presence 
 of God. Saints were edified and sinners convin- 
 ced of the reality and claim of religion. 
 
 Association with such men is a powerful influ- 
 ence for good. It gives inspiration to a young 
 minister and decides in a great degree the character 
 and efficiency of his efforts. He is moulded and 
 developed by intercourse and contact Avith them. 
 In some things he is led to imitate another, in 
 other things to shun a folly or strive for an oppo- 
 site excellence. The associational gathering was 
 
124 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 then a prominent meeting and many of the "Elders 
 and brethren" came to it as to a rich feast. Min- 
 isters mingled together as brethren of the same house- 
 hold, greeted each other "with a warmth and god- 
 ly sincerity" which has not been increased by half 
 a century of progress. There was much preaching 
 in those gatherings, and but little of the routine of 
 business. It is even recorded," No person was ap- 
 pointed previously to deliver the annual sermon in 
 those early days." When assembled some one by 
 general desire or invitation of the officers of the 
 body, or pastor of the church, preached the opening 
 sermon, and four or five others followed during the 
 meeting. Such a meeting was an educational force 
 as well as a social and fraternal influence to a young 
 minister. These Elder Grenell often acknowledged 
 to have been of great benefit to himself, especially 
 in the earlier part of his ministry. His testimony 
 has been left in his own words: "My great pulpit 
 help was in attending associations, from one to five 
 a year. Abington, New York, Philadelphia, Hudson 
 River, Franklin, and others more remote. Both in 
 a literal and theological sense these were means 
 of improvement. I felt I carried home a full com- 
 pensation for time and expense." 
 
 Among those early associated with the subject 
 of this sketch, in the Warwick Association was 
 
COTEMPORARIES. 125 
 
 Henry Ball then pastor at Brookfield, with a church 
 of three hundred and forty members. He was in 
 the strength of his manhood, an able minister of 
 the Gospel, of good report among all his associates, 
 and one who openly advocated the missionary agen- 
 cies of the denomination. He was a friend and 
 counselor of the young minister and ever cherished 
 for him an abiding affection. 
 
 Another of those worthies was Aaron Perkins, 
 whose clear and logical method in preaching, first gave 
 to Elder Grenell the idea of system in the arrange- 
 ment of a sermon, and suggested "the plan of a 
 discourse and the classification of ideas." He was 
 a good preacher of the Gospel, devoted and true 
 to the demands of the time for religious efforts in 
 the extension of the kingdom of Christ. He lived 
 to an advanced age and was gathered as a ripe 
 sheaf into the garner. Often was his name mentioned 
 as one who had contributed greatly to his benefit 
 in these early associations. 
 
 In this list we may also include the name of Gilbert 
 Beebe, during several years of his ministry in Orange, 
 New York. For a number of years there was an 
 intimacy and fraternal fellowship existing between 
 him and Elder Grenell seldom surpassed. They 
 traveled together, slept together, and preached 
 n the same meetings. On the great doctrines of 
 
126 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 salvation by vicarious atonement, they were one in 
 view. On the ordinances and order of the church 
 they also agreed. But on the doctrine of moral 
 obligation and missionary agencies they differed. 
 It was but a little difference' at first, but the farther 
 the lines were run the wider apart did they become. 
 There was a season of argument and contention 
 for the faith. The result was a separation, but with 
 a mutual feeling of respect the one for the other. 
 Elder Beebe became the leader of the Old School 
 party, openly opposing the missionary and other 
 benevolent agencies of the church, and Elder Grenell 
 held to and advocated them all as included in 
 the great commission given by Christ to the church. 
 These two men became wide apart in their efforts 
 but ever retained for each other a mutual esteem. 
 Then comes the name of Thomas Teasdale Senior 
 the devoted pastor of Hamburgh, Benjamin Montanye 
 the former preacher of Deerpark, Levi Hall, hold- 
 ing "God has connected the means with the end, " 
 pastor of First Wantage, Philander Gillette, leader 
 of the flock at Warwick, and others, each with his 
 peculiar gift and in his own way doing service for 
 the Master. These were all watchmen on the wall 
 hearing the voice of God, and warning the people 
 for Him. The influence of these men, and results 
 of their labors, have come down as a benediction 
 
COTEMPORARIES. 1*27 
 
 upon the churches of our time. It was a ^reat 
 blessing to Elder Grenell that associations were 
 given him with such men in the early part of his 
 ministry. 
 
 And as we extend the circle of acquaintance, 
 and* follow him to other fields of labor in like 
 associations, where shall we stop.-* He attended so 
 many associations, had such pleasant relations with 
 his brethren in the ministry, met so often with 
 them and discussed the questions arising for con- 
 templation thatthe boundaries of the circle can hardly 
 be determined now. Many had a beneficent influ- 
 ence on him and his ministry w^iile at the same time 
 he was a power for good to others. In New York 
 City the names of William Parkinson, Charles Somers, 
 Duncan Dunbar, and Spencer H. Cone stand in the 
 early part of his ministry in Paterson and New York. 
 After these were Daniel Dodge, John Dowling, David 
 Benedict, Samuel White, W. W. Everts, Thomas 
 Armitage, and W. H. Parmly, and perhaps many 
 others unknown, in this relation, to the writei". His 
 intercourse and associations with ministers and many 
 laymen were very extensive and remarkably frater- 
 nal. In the Abington Association he had many 
 friends and admirers. He often attended this asso- 
 ciation from 1 8 19 to the close of his ministry, and 
 took council with Elder John Miller, C. A. Fox, 
 
1 28 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 Henry Curtis, and Deacon Grennell of Clinton. Other 
 associations and names mij^ht be added to this, but 
 for want of definite information no record can be 
 intelligently made here. 
 
 Life, it has been said, consists in harmony with 
 one's environments. There must be the organism, 
 the surroundings and the receptivity, in order to a 
 true life, considered either m its own growth or 
 influence for good on others. There were pleasant 
 and profitable surroundings given to this servant of 
 Christ through all the years of his public life. He 
 possessed the organism that could adjust itself to 
 its surroundings and develop a high type of growth 
 and usefulness. In his harmony with environments 
 was one source of his enjoyment and usefulness in 
 the work of his life. In the order of Divine Provi- 
 dence, these associations had an educational value, 
 and contributed greatly to his usefulness in the 
 ministry. 
 
XVI. 
 
 AS A MAN AND AS A PREACHER. 
 
 '' All power in heaven and on earth," is given to 
 the ascended Christ. In the exercise of that power 
 he carries forward his work by calling, qualifying, 
 and sending forth laborers into the harvest-field of 
 the world. In the beginning*' He gave some, apostles; 
 and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, 
 pastors and* teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, 
 for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the 
 body of Christ." This he continues to do. Every 
 true minister is an exemplification of the declaration. 
 
 And he who selects the men determines their 
 special gifts. The adaptation of each to his work, 
 his training, his mould of mind, his inherited traits — 
 these, and such as these, are providentially arranged 
 by Him whose spirit divides to each man severally 
 as He will, and who holds the stars in his right 
 hand. Thus every servant of Christ becomes an 
 object of interested study, and especially such as 
 have been signally useful. Each may be regarded 
 as a special provision of the Lord, to fill a particu- 
 lar place. As Luther, Calvin, Knox, Bunyan, Roger 
 
130 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 Williams, and many another illustrious agent of 
 God, was raised up at the exact time and place 
 when and where his peculiar endowments fitted into 
 the needs and opportunities of the age, so also less 
 conspicuous servants of God have no less exactly 
 matched their day and place, and have possessed 
 their distinctive characteristics. It does not require 
 great eccentricity to render a man peculiar. As the 
 world can have but one Martin Luther, but one 
 John Calvin, but one Adoniram Judson, so it can 
 have but one Zelotes Grenell. If there be another 
 of the same name he will be still a different person, 
 with a gift and sphere of his own. It is, then, no 
 unwarranted assumption to claim that the subject 
 of this memoir is a man worth studying. We will 
 look at him just now as a man and as a preacher. 
 
 I. — As A MAN. 
 
 He was naturally possessed of a sound and vigor- 
 ous bodily organism. In his youth he was noted 
 for physical activity and endurance, excelling in 
 those boyish competitions which required skill and 
 dexterity. Accustomed from childhood to labor 
 with his hands he was never averse to bodily exer- 
 tion, and whenever so situated as to render it feasi- 
 ble, he always had a garden spot which he culti- 
 
As A Man and as a Preacher. 131 
 
 vated with care, and whose fruits he particularly 
 relished. Thus his natural vigor was replenished by 
 wholesome exercise up to the last year of his life. 
 When approaching- middle age a dyspeptic habit 
 seized him which for several years gave him annoy- 
 ance, but an added prudence in diet, joined to his 
 hardy constitution, triumphed completely over the 
 affection. 
 
 His mind was of the same temper as his body. 
 He was what is called ''clear-headed;" possessed 
 of an intellect at once active and discriminating. 
 From childhood he was fond of riddles and puzzles, 
 and as a boy he mastered his arithmetic with pleasure 
 because every problem proposed therein was but a 
 puzzle to be unraveled. The riddles and conundrums 
 learned in his youth were often reproduced in his 
 age in such abundance as to surprise listening 
 children and grand-children. All his life through 
 he was very fond of anecdote and could appreciate 
 a story with point to it, and never forgot the point 
 when repeating it. 
 
 Cheerfulness was a predominating feature of his 
 disposition. Though of a nervoCis temperament, and 
 often short and blunt in his manner of speech, it 
 did not take long for a reflective person, who might 
 feci aggrieved at the seeming sharpness of his ques- 
 tion or answer, to discover that it was rather earn- 
 
132 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 estness than combativeness that accented his words. 
 He was not one to take pleasure in humiliating 
 another. His instincts were generous, and his con- 
 verse with others ever indicated a desire to confer 
 pleasure. In social intercourse he stimulated the 
 minds that came in contact with his own, keeping 
 them attent with novel, shrewd, or incisive remarks, 
 challenging inquiry and evoking repartee. Young 
 and old alike regarded him as good company. 
 
 He was an earnest man. His cheerfulness was 
 not frivolity. Life was intensely real to him. Its 
 claims upon him were recognized as most exacting. 
 Duty was a potent word. Indolence he knew not. 
 He never was obliged to pause and ask what he 
 should do next. He made seasonable plans and 
 followed them. He walked neither on the sunny 
 nor on the shady side of life, but took the road of 
 rugged respoHsibility, and found his enjoyment in 
 moving along that path. What his hands found to 
 do he did with his might. He practiced that pro- 
 verb which he often quoted to his sons when they 
 found difficulties in the way of their tasks, "If thy 
 tool be dull put thereon more strength." 
 
 He was a man of strong convictions. What he 
 believed he believed thoroughly, and to that belief 
 he proposed to conform his utterance and his actions. 
 No one who knew him well was in ignorance as 
 
As A Man and as a Preacher. 133 
 
 to his position on the prominent questions of the 
 day as to religion, society, or politics. Indeed, many 
 could accurately forecast his attitude upon new 
 issues from their knowledge of his cardinal opinions. 
 Even casual acquaintances did not remain long in 
 doubt as to who and what he was. He had the 
 courage of his convictions. Compliant to the wishes 
 and views of his friends in matters involving no 
 moral principle, he was rigid as granite against any 
 or all, if he believed any moral decision impended. 
 No one who knew him attempted to make use of 
 him in appeals to selfishness or policy. 
 
 He was a generous man. Regarding beneficence 
 as much a duty as truthfulness or honesty, he both 
 taught and practiced it. With a large family and a 
 small income he was obliged during many years of 
 his life to exercise the most rigid economy. Never- 
 theless he always had something to bestow in chari- 
 ty. In a company of ministers who were discus- 
 sing the best methods of inculcating benevolence 
 among their people, being appealed to, he said : 
 "A good way to get a fair collection is for the 
 minister to put a five dollar bill in the plate before 
 it is passed to the congregation." A leaf from his 
 own experience. 
 
 He was a man of unblemished integrity. It was 
 part of his natural endowment to be singularly 
 
(3 i Elder Zelotes Grenell. ^ 
 
 ingenuous. He had not the arts of concealment or 
 disguise. He could keep a secret, but only by a 
 reserve so unnatural that his silence was a half dis- 
 closure. This frankness, which was often a source 
 of amusement to his friends and his family, since 
 it led him to speak sometimes of things which did 
 not concern others, forbade anything like dissimu- 
 lation or pretence in his business dealings. Not 
 only did his principles prohibit any attempt to take 
 advantage of others, but these, together with his 
 transparent methods, offered every opportunity for 
 others to take advantage of him — opportunities 
 which were seldom seized, however. On one occa- 
 sion he had a horse to sell. It had improved under 
 his easy use so that it was a much more valua- 
 ble animal than when purchased. When the day 
 came to dispose of it, he led it into the village 
 and said to the first man who looked at it, ''This 
 ware cost me one hundred dollars. I've had the 
 use of her eighteen months, and I'd like to get 
 seventy-five dollars for her." She was soon sold, 
 and the buyer sold her again in an hour, making 
 forty dollars in the transaction. When informed of 
 the outcome of his horse sale he expressed no dis- 
 satisfaction with the price he had received. And 
 as deceit v/as far from his nature he had a great 
 scorn and repugnance for it when seen in others. 
 
As A Man and as a Preacher. 135 
 
 All underhand methods he abhorred, as hostile to 
 the truth. Secret conclaves and collusions he 
 regarded as prima facie proof of bad motives and 
 evil objects. Whatever may have been said against 
 him at any time in his life it is doubtful if he was 
 ever charged with dishonorable dealing. One who 
 knew him from early manhood said to the writer 
 while these pages were being penned, "You are 
 writing the life of an honest and hard working 
 man. ' 
 
 II.— As A Preacher. 
 
 The Man and the Preacher vv^ere so blended, 
 that it is difficult if not impossible to draw a sharp 
 division between the two. Rarely do we see a 
 minister of the Gospel who is so naturally and 
 thoroughly the man in the pulpit that he is out of 
 it, and the preacher out of the pulpit that he is 
 in it, as was characteristic of the subject of this 
 sketch. His individuality was in his preaching, 
 and his preaching work permeated his hourly life. 
 No conversation with brother pastors was of so 
 great interest to him as that which turned upon the 
 interpretation of scripture and the structure of ser- 
 mons. In corresponding with those of his sons who 
 are preachers, he frequently gave lists of subjects and 
 
136 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 texts lately treated by him, with more or less de- 
 tail of the treatment, and if they failed to respond 
 in like terms he reminded them of the omission. 
 
 To learning a'nd literary culture he made no pre- 
 tension. The meager educational advantages of 
 his youth forbade acquisitions of this sort. At the 
 beginning of his ministry he gave no attention to 
 them. Afterward he keenly felt the lack of them, 
 and strongly advocated an educated ministry. He 
 did what he could to repair the lack he had come 
 to realize. Having a quick, eager, and receptive 
 mind, he did much to amend the earlier defects. 
 He became a diligent student, and up to the last 
 years of his life when at home he was uniformly 
 found in his study, and in his study he was at 
 work. His library contained an average of from three 
 hundred to four hundred volumes. He frequently 
 bought new books and as often gave away old 
 ones. He read his books and scarcely a volume 
 can ' be found in his library which has not the pen- 
 ciled dates when it was read and sometimes 
 reread, and usually the number of hours con- 
 sumed in the reading. Thus he kept himself 
 abreast with the thought of the times. 
 
 His preaching, however, was not bookish, but 
 scriptural: he preached the Gospel. Says one who 
 knows, *' Preaching was his forte. He could preach.' 
 
As A Man and as a Preacher. 137 
 
 He was, in the best sense of the term, a popular 
 preacher. It could be said of him in a measure 
 as of his Master, "The common people heard him 
 gladly." He always had hearers, and his preach- 
 ing was influential. It gave shape to the opinions 
 and actions of his hearers, and was not merely a 
 pleasant sound in their ears. 
 
 He believed in preaching. He had an abiding 
 faith in God and confidence in the Gospel as a 
 way of salvation. He believed in a vicarious atone- 
 ment made effectual by the Holy Spirit, and that 
 there must be a communication of the message in 
 order that men may hear, and the spirit may have 
 an instrument with which to work. In this con- 
 fidence he boldly and joyously spoke the word, 
 being kept by this faith from despondency or from 
 undue anxiety in his work. Thus, he delighted in 
 preaching. Scarcely ever was he known to decline 
 an invitation to preach, whatever the occasion or 
 however brief the time for preparation. This was 
 not from a desire to be conspicuous, or to gain 
 applause. In fact he was so unprepared for words 
 of compliment that he was never so much at his 
 wit's end as when attempting to reply fitly to them. 
 He loved to speak the truth to men, and usually 
 impressed his hearers that he relished the message 
 he brou^rht. Said one who marked the glow of 
 
138 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 his face in preaching, ''That man would rather 
 preach than eat his dinner." 
 
 He put his whole self into the work of preaching. 
 Often before preaching he. seemed abstracted and 
 was apparently unconscious of what was transpiring 
 about him. Walking the street or sitting in the 
 pulpit absorbed in pursuing the line of thought for 
 his sermon, he could be seen to nod his head or 
 make a quick, slight gesture with his hand, and 
 those nearest him would hear him softly ejaculate, 
 ''Good!" or "That's it." These premonitory signs 
 were fully vindicated in the discourse. His delivery 
 was full of life. Using ordinarily but a brief out- 
 line of his prepared sermon, he looked his congrega- 
 tion in the eye and spoke with energy, throwing 
 his physical vigor in to emphasize his utterance. 
 Whatever else he was in preaching, he was never 
 tame. Neither dulness nor obscurity could be charg- 
 ed against him. 
 
 It was characteristic in him to select texts which 
 attracted attention by their obvious need of explana- 
 tion, though he did not clip or mar scripture pas- 
 sages to surprise his auditors. Of this many 
 instances might have been gathered up from the 
 memory of friends who recall and repeat years 
 afterward certain texts aud their elucidations. 
 Favorites in this class were these: "A peculiar 
 
As A Man and as a Preacher. 139 
 
 people ;"•'• Thou brcakest the head of leviathan in 
 pieces and gavest him to be meat for the people 
 inhabiting- the wilderness;" "I will fasten him as 
 a nail in a sure place;" ''A plant of renown;" 
 *'I will make thee a new sharp instrument having 
 teeth;" "Every one that was in distress, and every- 
 one that was in debt, and every one that was dis- 
 contented gathered themselves unto him and he 
 became captain over them." Before the Philadelphia 
 Association, being unexpectedly invited to preach, 
 he took for his text: *'Is not this the Carpenter?" 
 This was in 1819, at the beginning of^his ministry. 
 He was oftentimes very happy in matching his 
 text to the occasion. At one time in his first set- 
 tlement at an outstation on a stormy evening but 
 seven persons were present. Another came iri dur- 
 ing the preliminary devotions, and when he rose 
 to preach he announced as his text Eccl. xi: ii. — 
 *' Give a portion to seven and also to eight." 
 When the two little bodies in Broome and Grand 
 Streets, New York, disbanded and formed one new 
 organization he preached to them on Ezek. xxxvii:i7 
 "Join them one to another into one stick, and 
 they shall become one in thine hand." When he 
 returned to Paterson as pastor, his text was Gen. 
 xxx:3i — "I will again feed and keep thy flock." 
 When he accepted the call of the Totowa church 
 
140 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 in the same city, he selected 2 Cor. xiii:i. — ''This 
 is the third time I am coming to you." In begin- 
 ing his pastorate at Port Jervis his text was Acts x: 
 29. — "Therefore came I unto you without gainsay- 
 ing as soon as I was sent for. I ask, therefore, 
 for what intent ye have sent for me.^" At the time 
 of a great freshet he preached on Eccl. i:/, — "All 
 the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not 
 full." For a temperance sermon he had his text: 
 "Show us a sign;" and again, "What shall we 
 drink.?" 
 
 His resources in the way of turning apparently 
 disadvantageous circumstances to helpful account 
 was often illustrated in sermons preached under 
 special difficulties. On one occasion, being called 
 upon to preach immediately after another, he be- 
 gan his discourse in this way: "When I was a 
 boy, my father sent my brother and myself to bring 
 in each an armful of wood. My brother took all 
 that was ready cut for the fire and I returned with- 
 out any. My father asked me why I had brought 
 in no wood.? I told him Chauncey had brought 
 all that was cut. He said to me, ' why did you 
 not bring in a basket of chips, then.?' The brother 
 preceding me has brought in the wood. I will 
 bring a basket of chips." Some expressed the opin- 
 ion before he had finished that it was a back-log 
 
As A Man and as a rREACiiEiJ. 141 
 
 he was bringliiij. At an association incctinc,^ he 
 was called upon to preach the last sermon and 
 take a missionary collection. Several collections 
 had already been taken during- the meeting and 
 it looked like an unpromising time for another. 
 He began by saying, "My brethren, some of you 
 think this an unfavorable time to take a collec- 
 tion for foreign missions. I regard it as the very best 
 time. You have had several collections and have 
 given away all your small change; now I expect 
 you will give your dollars." And the result proved 
 that he had not erred in judgment. 
 
 He was eminently a Scriptural preacher. His 
 love and reverence for the Bible was very strong. 
 He read the book daily, apart from the family 
 devotions, and could always tell where he was. 
 He believed in reading it by rote, and practiced it. 
 Thus he was familiar with its structure and con- 
 tents, and its language was familiar to his lips- 
 This familiarity with the scriptures gave decided col- 
 or to his preaching. Scripture quotations abounded 
 as proof texts, and the Bible was his treasury of 
 illustrations. He stuck to his text, and had a 
 knack of cracking the nut and extracting the meat 
 in the most direct and simple manner. To say 
 that he was scriptural is to say that he was at 
 once doctrinal and experimental in hi» metkod. 
 
142 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 He held to the doctrines of grace with a firm 
 grasp, while he hesitated not to insist upon god- 
 liness of life as evidencing the workings of grace. 
 • Perhaps as strong a characteristic of his preach- 
 ing as any, was the systematic arrangement of his 
 matter. He uniformly made points and seldom 
 failed to announce their number as he proceeded. 
 With scarcely any variation in form, there was an 
 Introduction and a Conclusion to each discourse. 
 And yet there was a sufficient variety in the sub- 
 jects treated to avoid the effect of sameness. 
 He believed in the nine digits. Method master- 
 ed him. He knew the dimensions in feet and 
 inches of every house in which he preached 
 as pastor, and could give the figures years 
 after. He knew how many persons could be 
 seated in his meeting house. He could tell the 
 number of steps from his house to the church and 
 to the Post-Office or the railway station and the 
 exact number of minutes it took for him to walk 
 to any of these accustomed places. These and 
 many other things were reduced to figures, and 
 stood thus represented in his mind. If he set Out 
 on a journey he had a definite plan for almost 
 every hour until his return, and he was remarka- 
 bly successful in carrying out his project, greatly 
 to his satisfaction. His annual visits to his mother 
 
As A Man and as a riiEACiiEii 143 
 
 at Harpcrsfield, New York, were often made in 
 his own conveyance. When so made he usually 
 left preaching appointments for all the evenings of 
 his returning way, and seldom failed to fill them. 
 On one occasion in travelling in his own buggy 
 from Elmira to New York, he left such a series 
 of appointments for his return. But an unlooked-for 
 delay occurred the day he was to begin his home- 
 ward journey, a delay he could not make up be- 
 cause heavy rains had made the roads unusually 
 bad. As a result, he failed of every appointment 
 by a few hours. He never overcame the chagrin 
 of this long series of unmet appointments. It can 
 be readily seen that this mental habit would ap- 
 pear in his sermons. They were uniformly thorough- 
 ly planned. He never began a discourse, however 
 brief, without some idea of the course of thought 
 he would pursue, and the conclusion he would reach. 
 This rendered his sermons the more easy to follow 
 and to remember. 
 
 These are but imperfect showings of the distin- 
 guishing traits of this man of God. Those who 
 heard him before age had dampened the fires of 
 his spirit, bear witness to the versatility, energy, 
 and effectiveness of his pulpit ministrations. And 
 those who knew him onl}' in the last two decades 
 of his earthly life saw plain and frequent tokens 
 
144 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 of those earlier powers. As said of another, his 
 preaching was "the lightning- of thought, the heavy 
 artillery of truth, and the eloquence of a soul earn- 
 estly delivering the message of God." 
 
XVII. 
 
 HIS OWN TESTIMONY IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE. 
 
 "One mistake I made in the commencement of 
 my ministry was in not realizing the importance of 
 literary acquirements. I loved knowledge dearly, 
 and highly prized all authentic histories, but espec- 
 ially the knowledge revealed in the Bible which I 
 read much. But of the knowledge of science or 
 any language but my own or even a critical knowl- 
 edge of that, I saw no need. I paid some attention 
 to the elements of English Grammar, but I had 
 preached several years before I had a common school 
 boy knowledge of it. To be able to speak so as 
 to be well understood by my hearers was all that 
 I supposed necessary. This has always weakened 
 my influence, especially among the literary classes. 
 I now believe literature is by some made too much 
 of; by others its real value is not duly appreciated. 
 Had I realized its value I might have acquired much 
 that I did not." 
 
 ** Another mistake of my early ministry was in not 
 realizing the need of studying a text selected as 
 the foundation of a sermon. I saw the importance 
 
146 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 of Bible knowledge and all Bible truth, histori- 
 cal, doctrinal, and practical, and was a daily student 
 of the Bible, but of making a text the subject of study 
 I had no idea. I supposed when the Lord leads a 
 minister to preach and gives him a text and hear- 
 ers. He will assist him at the time. I looked on 
 preaching as something a little below Divine inspir- 
 ation. The use of the pen in study, I had no idea 
 of, and when first attempted, my thoughts ran so 
 much faster than I could write that all w^as confus- 
 ion, and progress for the time ceased. But I learn- 
 ed that practice and determination was a cure of 
 the difficulty which had appeared insurmountable. 
 I would advise the young minister to study much, 
 make free use of the pen, bring ** beaten oil" into 
 the sanctuary, and strive rightly to divide the word 
 of truth." 
 
 ''When I commenced my ministry I was strong- 
 ly opposed to reading sermons in the pulpit and 
 I have not got over it yet. During the first seven- 
 teen years I never took a scrap of paper into the 
 pulpit. I had written hundreds of outlines of sermons, 
 some short and others longer, had preached at 
 associations, conventions, ordinations, on temperance, 
 and a course of sixteen sermons on the inspiration 
 of the Scriptures, and some were written full length, 
 but, all were left at home. At the age of forty a fit of 
 
His own Testimony in his own lan(;ua(jk. UT 
 
 sickness deranged my power of memory, and as a 
 remedy I used a short skeleton and have done so 
 since. I never enjoyed reading sermons in the pul- 
 pit, and probably twenty is the full number of all 
 I have read. But a short and judicious skeleton 
 aids the memory and does not detract from the 
 power of the sermon on the common mind." 
 
 ''During the first part of my ministry I adopted 
 the plan of preaching one sermon a week, at a so- 
 cial meeting from a text chosen out of the chapter 
 which a brother selected and read at the opening 
 of the meeting. All the time I had to select and 
 arrange was during two prayers and tw^ice singing. 
 I have continued this with some modification dur- 
 ing my whole ministry. These discourses were 
 from fifteen to thirty minutes long, at times a par- 
 agraph was the theme of comment, more generally 
 a single sentence. This was of much advantage to 
 myself, as it taught me to think and arrange quickly, 
 and be always ready. In some instances the dis- 
 course was more of an exhortation than a sermon, 
 and some were among the sweetest to myself and 
 hearers. It helps to speak extemporaneously. I 
 recommend young ministers to adopt it as a means 
 of self improvement." 
 
 "When I moved to Paterson, in the fall of 1833, I 
 was expected to preach three sermons each Sunday 
 
148 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 and one on a week evening. All were to the same 
 congregation and the most intelligent would hear 
 them all. Four new sermons a week was no easy 
 task. As a relief, I began preaching a course of 
 sermons on some subject. Among these were twelve 
 on the inspiration of the scriptures, twenty-two 
 on the book of Revelation, fifteen on the types 
 of Christ, fifteen on revivals of religion, some thirty 
 on the scripture titles of Christ, eight to young 
 people, and eight on the family relation, beside a 
 few other courses on the Parables and one in oppo- 
 sition to national wars. These were of especial 
 advantage to me, as I was led to read many books 
 and to pursue studies I would not otherwise have 
 done. 
 
 "The effect of a letter. There lived in a neigh- 
 borhood where I frequently visited a family compos- 
 ed of three sisters, whose parents were Baptists and 
 had moved West near Oswego. The oldest of these 
 sisters was a widow, not a member but cherishing 
 a hope in Christ. The second one was unmarried 
 and a member of the church and the youngest not 
 a professor. I had preached near them and went 
 with them to tarry for the night. They each re- 
 quested me to write a letter to send to their par- 
 ents. I wrote for the eldest, laid it aside then for 
 the second one and the third. In each I strove to 
 
His own Testimony in his own language. 149 
 
 write such a letter as each should write. I read 
 aloud the letter of the eldest sister and asked 
 "Does it suit you?" she replied, "Yes" Then the 
 second, and gained the same answer. When I read 
 the third she burst into a flood of tears and cried 
 like a child. Some months after, in a revival sea- 
 son she came to the church to relate her experi- 
 ence. She declared the reading of the letter to 
 her parents was the beginning of her conviction. 
 She had no peace till she found it in Christ." 
 
 "During the first eighteen years of my ministry 
 my principal pulpit help was Brown's Dictionary 
 of the Bible, which I purchased about the time of 
 my ordination. It was an incalculable advantage 
 to me. I never saw a book of skeletons which I 
 admired or had any wish to posess. Brother Per- 
 kins recommended to me Jay's works. I found his 
 morning and evening exercises a valuable assistant 
 and have used hundreds of his texts and illustra- 
 tions as the foundations of sermons." 
 
150 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 HIS RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE IN VERSE. 
 
 Composed and written by himself soon after his 
 baptism, before he was fifteen. 
 
 Young friends, attend, while I relate 
 
 The mercies of the Lord, 
 In saving me from endless death, 
 
 By faith in Jesus' blood. 
 
 In early life, I oft did hear 
 God's people preach and pray, 
 
 My heart at times was full of fear 
 About the judgment day. 
 
 But when the sound did leave my ear 
 
 No more on God I'd think. 
 And thus I spent near fourteen years 
 
 Careless on ruin's brink. 
 
 One night to meeting I repaired, 
 
 A conference it was called, 
 I was exhorted to repent 
 
 Or death would be my fall. 
 
 An arrow from Jehovah's bow 
 
 Into my heart did strike, ' 
 I saw my condemnation just. 
 
 But had no strength for flight. 
 
His own Testimony in his own language. 151 
 
 My sins arose as mountains high 
 
 And all before my eye, 
 And God was just in damning me; 
 
 But mercy was my cry. 
 
 Thus daily did I grieve and mourn, 
 
 To see it was my guilt 
 That Jesus Christ my Lord had slain, 
 
 His precious blood had spilt. 
 
 But while I thus in anguish lay 
 
 O'erwhelemed in deep despair, 
 A small calm voice to me did say 
 
 Arise and do not fear. 
 
 The love of God did fill my soul 
 
 My cup did over run. 
 All, all was joy and peace within, 
 
 Heaven in my soul begun. 
 
 My soul was filled with holy joy 
 
 To feel a Savior's love ; 
 My theme by day and song by night 
 
 Were on "the things above." 
 
 But oft amid these holy joys 
 My tears would rise and flow. 
 
 To feel so vile a wretch as I 
 Should be beloved so. 
 
152 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 But since my Lord endured the cross 
 To save my soul from hell, 
 
 I'll go among his people dear 
 His wondrous love to tell. 
 
 And since from Gallilee he came 
 
 By John to be baptized, 
 I'll follow him without delay 
 
 Though scoffers do despise. 
 
 And now the world I do forsake 
 With all their frowns and love, 
 
 Hoping to serve the Savior here 
 And dwell with him above. 
 
 Come now, my friends, and go with me 
 
 To taste redeeming love. 
 Or you'll regret when 'tis too late, 
 
 For fast the time does move. 
 
 When death will come and judgment too 
 
 The Judge will sternly say: 
 Sinners depart, saints dwell with me 
 
 In all eternity. 
 
TESTIMONY of OTHERS. 
 
 Reminiscence of Rev. John B. Case now residing 
 at Hawley Pennsylvania. 
 
 "The first Gospel minister I have any recollection 
 of hearing preach was Elder Zelotes Grenell. I 
 recollect distinctly his preaching, and some of his 
 baptisms before I was eight years old. The first 
 sermon I recollect was about Solomon's Temple. 
 His remarks were very earnest and impressive." 
 
 "From the spring of 1818 to the fall of 1833, the 
 preaching and pastoral labors of Elder Grenell were 
 very laborious, aggressive, and successful. When he 
 first came there, some sneeringly called him a strip- 
 li)ig and Mead's yearling T 
 
 "My grandfather Ebenezer Mead was the storm- 
 staid traveler, who heard him preach in Thomp- 
 kins County New York, invited and introduced him 
 in Orange County New York." 
 
 "He gathered two large congregations one 
 at Orange County, N. Y., the other at Mt. Salem 
 N. J., five miles apart. Foes as well as friends 
 
154 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 admitted that he was much the ablest preacher of 
 any denomination for many miles around. He had, 
 many admirers. He was a warm devoted friend of 
 education, Sunday Schools, and missions. The pul- 
 pit was his forte, he could preach." 
 
 He was a close student and kept himself abreast 
 with the times, and was always outspoken on the 
 great moral questions of the day. He spoke out 
 clearly on God's will of purpose and will of command, 
 and consequently did not have the instability of 
 doublemindedness. Would that we had many such 
 ministers now in 1884, as Elder Grenell was from 
 1818 to 1833. He baptized me at Mt. Salem '* April 
 2ist, 1833." 
 
 When I was ordained to the ministry, he gave 
 me my charge and said among other things," Make 
 short visits." 
 
 "When he left, the church numbered two hun- 
 dred and fifty members, thirty-six had been bap- 
 tized during the year." 
 
Testimony of others. 155 
 
 Testimony of Rev. J. C. Carpenter, of Burlington 
 New Jersey. 
 
 "Elder Lathrop opposed the ordination of your 
 ftither at the first council. But a few months after, 
 and when Elder Grenell had been ordained and 
 was preaching to a full house, he saw Elder Lathrop 
 in the congregation and called upon him for the 
 closing prayer. Before praying the venerable Elder 
 said, "When I first heard this young man, I did 
 not like him. I thought the Devil sent him, not 
 the Lord. I have now heard him preach a sermon 
 big as eternity." After the meeting closed, he threw 
 his arms around the young preacher in fraternal 
 kindness. 
 
 "The revival enjoyed in 1819 began February 
 28th. Your father, just before going on a visit to 
 his old home, preached a sermon which without 
 his knowledge of it was blessed -to the conversion 
 of two wild young men who had been opposes 
 of the Gospel. It continued to spread until a large 
 number were converted. 
 
 In 1833 there was a powerful revival. It began 
 in the fall of 1832 by four brethren meeting to 
 pray. At the end of a week they met again and 
 each one brought another with him. Then at the 
 next meeting the eight brought eight more, and die 
 
156 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 work extended with great power. Elder^ Grenell 
 would preach at the meeting house Sunday morning, 
 at a school house, and another part of the field, in 
 the afternoon, and at another still in the evening. 
 Five evenings of the week meetings were held, and 
 on both sides of the mountain many were con- 
 verted. 
 
 "On one occasion when the house was crowded 
 and it was late, so that they had about given up 
 the preacher, a voice was heard at the door "I 
 have come." He walked to the pulpit and gave 
 out his text, **I am come that they may have life 
 &c." His introduction was in these words ''lean- 
 not give you life, but have come to tell you who 
 can!' It was a powerful sermon. 
 
 **The Anti-mission question was making a stir 
 It caused your father some perplexity but he pre- 
 served his equilibrium and came out all right. 
 
 "In 1826 he was moderator of the Warwick 
 Association and preached from the text Hosea i4 
 5-7,." '*Iwill be as the dew unto Israel &c." 
 
 The Rev. George C. Baldwin D. D. of Troy N. Y. 
 gives the following reminiscence of his labors in 
 Paterson, N. J. 
 
 ''Both Mrs. Baldwin and myself respected and 
 loved him as our Father in the Gospel, We were 
 members of the congregation, in 1833, when he set- 
 
Testimony of others. 157 
 
 tied as pastor over our church at Patcrson, New 
 Jersey, the first time. The pastor who preceeded 
 him, Elder Daniel Lewis, was an excellent old man, 
 hyper-calvinistic in his theology, and very quiet 
 and gentle in his manner of preaching. He also 
 utterly failed to interest young people. The com- 
 ing of your father in the prime of his stalwart man- 
 hood; his physical energy in preaching, his tender 
 earnestness and touching pathos, his interest in 
 the young, surprised and won all hearts. We were, 
 in fact, amazed at his enthusiasm, his power of, 
 endurance, the variety and richness of his sermons, 
 and the intensity of his zeal. Very soon an ex- 
 tensive revival followed his labors, of which wife 
 and I were among the first fruits. 
 
 "In 1837 another, and a greater revival was en- 
 joyed, during which, if my memory serves me, more 
 than a hundred young people were baptized. That 
 was a much rarer and more wonderful fact in those 
 days than it is now. 
 
 " I thought then, and I think now, that, at his 
 best, he was the best natural, scriptural preacher 
 I ever heard. His knowledge of the Bible v/as 
 extensive, his power of preserving the central truth 
 of a text was intuitive, his ability to analyze and 
 illustrate was exceptional. He did a good work 
 for God. His memory is blessed." 
 
158 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 The Rev. Thomas Armitage D. D. gives the 
 following testimony in a letter to the author. 
 
 *'I had the greatest respect for your venerable 
 father, though it was my lot to see but little of 
 him for many years before his death. But all who 
 knew him and had an eye for character, saw at 
 a glance, that he was a man of mark, and of the 
 good Old School. His perceptions of Divine truth 
 were very clear and keen, having tutored himself 
 in early life to master the writings of the old Div- 
 ines, and to revel in their force and wealth of thought. 
 The first copy of Gill's Body of Divinity that I ever 
 saw was in his library, and he praised it so highly 
 that after a long hunt I procured a copy. Whether 
 Hall was right or wrong in calling his commentary 
 **a continent of mud" it is not necessary to say; 
 but heaven knows that his Divinity would clear 
 many a muddled head to day, if they would, or 
 perhaps could, master it as your father did. 
 
 **As a preacher, your father was one of the most 
 clear, analytical, natural expounders that I ever 
 knew. A text opened itself instinctively to him 
 as nurse to a hungry babe, and it seemed to taste 
 just as good. The only fault that I ever found 
 with him was his love of tobacco. God bless his 
 memory and his sons. 
 
Testimony of others. 159 
 
 Rev. L. O. Grcnell. 
 
 My dear Rrotlicr: 
 
 The memory of your honored father, is 
 one of the cherished treasures of my heart. Early 
 in my ministry we were frequently thrown together, 
 on public occasions sometimes taking different parts 
 in the same service. His age and experience and 
 kiiow7i popularity^ rendered me at first a little shy 
 of him, but I soon learned his genial nature; as 
 well as his love for younger brethren, and his read- 
 iness to overlook in them what he doubtless might 
 have justly censured in older and more experienced 
 men. From that time my shyness left me, and 
 our acquaintance grew into a mutual, and abidijig 
 friendship. This was specially the case after we 
 had bowed together either in some family circle, 
 or in secret before the throne of grace; and I had 
 heard him pour out his hearty in prayer. I felt at 
 once that he was a loving, godly and sy^npathisiyig 
 christian brother ; with a young heart and cheering 
 word for all who were Jionestly striving to serve 
 the same Master. Among his many excellencies, 
 there were a few which I will name, because they 
 seemed particularly attractive to me. 
 
 The first was his extreme ingenuity in the use 
 
160 Elder Zelotes Geenell. 
 
 of the scriptures. I have known him to name many 
 a scripture text which at the time seemed to me 
 little more than a bone, and sometimes a "very 
 dry bone," yet, with his fertile brain he would so 
 turn it over, elucidate it , and draw out logicaUorv- 
 clusions; that ere it left his hand it would be not 
 only clothed with flesh but filled also with useful 
 instruction and freighted with mighty power. And 
 then his humility in conveying this instruction, 
 seemed fully equal to his ingenuity. 
 
 Another feature in his character was his native 
 wit and readiness at repartee. These rendered him 
 a welcome guest in the many households with whom 
 he mingled. For several years he visited my family 
 frequently, occasionally passing the night with us and 
 always ministering to the ycy. of both parents and 
 children. During one of these visits when we were 
 all assembled for vtortiing worship, which was al- 
 ways observed before breakfast, after we had read 
 the scriptures, when I called on him to pray, he 
 looked up very meekly, and asked, "What shall I 
 pray for now) I can pray far more thankfully after 
 I have eaten my breakfast. At others of these 
 visits he often convulsed with laughter the younger 
 portion of the family with his sallies of humor 
 Knowing that I did not use nor advocate the use 
 of tobacco he had several times, without my knowl- 
 
Testimony of others. 161 
 
 edge, gone into the back-yard to indulge his favorit 
 habit of smoking. But one evening when I came 
 home and welcomed him, I saw from the twinkle 
 in his eye, as well as from the strong smell of 
 tobacco-smoke in my study, and the general /^z'/^r- 
 2/j/ manifested that ''some thing was up." It was 
 soon explained when he said ; "I asked your wife," 
 (who was a daughter of his old and valued friend, 
 Rev. Ducan Dunbar, of New York)if I could not 
 smoke in your study and she said certainly, certainly, 
 Mr. Grenell, and now I am going to smoke as much 
 as I please ; and any man who has preached as 
 many years as you have, and cannot bear a little 
 tobacco smoke must be a weak brother. The effect 
 of this and lik^ characteristic expressions of his, 
 was of course electincal upon the whole group. 
 
 The greatest attraction however in your father's 
 life always seemed to me to be his deep devotion 
 to his Master's service and glory. Nothing seemed 
 long to please him which had not these as their 
 ultimate object. God honored him as few men have 
 been honored by giving him souls for his hire ; 
 and his influence cannot be otherwise than salutary 
 upon many generations to come. I am glad that 
 you have undertaken to prepare a memoir of him. 
 May the Lord bless the undertaking and crown your 
 efforts with success^ is the earnest prayer of 
 
162 Elder Zelotes Grfxell. ' 
 
 j 
 
 Your own, and your father's ', 
 
 Friend and brother in Christ. \ 
 
 Wheelock H. Parmly, * 
 Jersey City, December nth, 1884. 
 
 Contribution of the Rev. A. H. Burh'ngham D. D.^ 
 
 District Secretary of the Missionary Union. 
 
 I once asked the late Peter Balen, than whom I 
 know not one better qualified to express an intel- 
 ligent and correct opinion as to Gospel preaching": 
 *'Who was the best preacher under whose ministry 
 he had ever sat?" He replied quickly, "Zelotes 
 Greneli." This is high praise. Peter Balen, of bless- 
 ed memory, had been during his christian life a 
 member of the Tabernacle, Fifth Avenue, Cannon 
 street and Central Baptist churches of New York, 
 of the Pierrpont Street, Baptist church of Brooklyn, 
 and was then connected with the First Baptist 
 Church of Piainfield, N. J.. With some of the churches 
 he was a worker for several years each. The dis- 
 tinguished pastors to whom he listened are all well 
 known and are an honor to the denomination. The 
 memories of those dead and the ministration* of 
 those living, make all their pulpits famous Tor ability 
 and spiritual power and some of them for added 
 charms of grace and eloquence. 
 
Testimony of others. 163 
 
 This remarkable testimony to the great excellence 
 of Mr. Grenell as a preacher was not given with- 
 out the amplest opportunity for forming a correct 
 judgment. During the whole period of his pastorate 
 in Cannon Street Baptist Church, New York, Mr. 
 Balen was an attendant on his ministry. 
 
 This concession of this superior christian lay-man 
 led me to study our revered friend more closely 
 and possibly with greater interest than otherwise 
 I would have done, when I was pastor by his side 
 in Paterson in 1877 — j^. He had been the honored 
 pastor of the First Church, where I was then, but 
 now he was leading and feeding the flock in Union 
 Avenue. Traditions and grateful memories of his 
 ministry in the First Church, were often dwelt upon 
 by the older members. I coveted their utterance. 
 Even their expressions of their veneration and love 
 or their old pastor were generally accompanied 
 with testimony to his marked ability as a preacher. 
 Several times I had the privilege of hearing him 
 in the First Church. 
 
 In his church on Union Avenue there was no bap- 
 tistery. Converts multiplied, and his church would 
 join with mine in service, because of the facilities 
 thus afforded for baptizing them. He pleaded old 
 age, for he was eighty then, as a reason for asking 
 me to officiate at the baptism ; but I n^ver thought 
 
164 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 his number of years any barrier to his preaching 
 upon those interesting occasions, nor did he, for 
 preaching he relished, reveled in the very thought 
 of it, and followed it with a zeal and fire, well for 
 younger men to have, till wasting and sickness laid 
 him aside entirely, a few months only before he 
 died. He had a genius for making sermons. He 
 loved it too. But many can make sermons who 
 cannot preach them. He could do both. The in- 
 genuity, skill, and comprehensiveness displayed in 
 his sermons were intellectually refreshing: their 
 evangelical sentiment and tone, and their earnest 
 spirit and utterance made them soul stirring. 
 
 In conversation with my wife, while in Paterson 
 he revealed the secret of his ability, and success 
 as a preacher. He said, unlike some ministers he 
 had always attended to his preaching first ; he had 
 made pastoral work subordinate to the pulpit, that 
 his notion had always been and it had governed 
 him through life ; that if his pulpit were allowed 
 to suffer, a minister Avas weak where he ought to 
 be strongest, and that his ministry as a whole would 
 be inefficient; that when many others were running 
 about doing what they called pastoral work which 
 often degenerated into traveling around in parish 
 circuits to indulge in gossip and twaddle, he was 
 attending to his sermons. This attending to sermons 
 
Testimony of others. 165 
 
 always makes good preachers where there is any 
 foundation of nature worthy to build upon. How 
 he became possessed of it I know not. Father, 
 mother, more likely God gave it to him, but he had 
 a large stock of native preaching stuff in him which 
 he made as his advantages allowed the very most 
 of by ''attending to his sermons." 
 
 His originality had a touch of quaintness in it. 
 This would display itself in sermon and prayer, as 
 well as in personal conversation. Quite probably 
 his Son, Zelotes Junior, now the height man in the 
 pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Detroit, when 
 a student and at home in vacation, may have ex- 
 pressed an opinion about some doctrine or preach- 
 ed it, which did not quite satisfy Zelotes Senior. 
 This may have furnished the occasion for the follow- 
 ing back-stroke, said to have been made by him 
 in family prayer when the son was knelt by his 
 side, **0 Lord teach the young man that little he 
 knows, how little he knows." But however indi- 
 rect the Senior may have been in trying to make 
 his point, the Junior with a merry, loving twinkle 
 in his eve was face to face with his answering par- 
 rying blow, ''Father, dont you think it better to pray 
 for a young man, than to pray at him." 
 
 New York, July loth, 1885. 
 
 A. H. Burlingham. 
 
XVIII. 
 
 ;A MONUMENT OF SOVEREIGN GRACE. 
 
 We have now come to the close of this active 
 life of sixty-five years in the service of the ministry. 
 We have followed him from place to place as he 
 followed the pillar and the cloud, and taken a survey 
 of his work. At every point where he labored his 
 ministry was a blessing. In no instance did he labor 
 in vain or spend his strength for nought. The same 
 spirit that called him, and sent him forth into the 
 harvest field went with him and made his ministra- 
 tions effectual. Is our work in this memoir complete 
 and shall we drop the pen and leave the record as 
 it is ? Does there not yet remain one feature of 
 that life, by no means an unimportant one not yet 
 presented? Ought not another and closing tribute 
 to the untiring labores of three score years and five 
 be added to what has already been written ? What 
 was the ruling element in his character and the 
 inspiration of his work? The ardent desire is to 
 form the right estimate of the man and his work, 
 and put it on record as a fitting close of our efforts. 
 What inscription now shall we place upon the tab- 
 
A Monument of Sovereign Grace. 167 
 
 let to his memory as a truthful index of him and 
 his labors ? Shall it not be one in harmony with 
 his stern and unyielding conviction of Gospel truth? 
 A monument of Divine grace. 
 
 The subject of this memoir was a firm believer 
 in the doctrine of salvation by grace as held by 
 the Calvinistic school of theology. Quite early in 
 his ministry he read and mastered Gill's body of 
 divinity. This work was one of his texts books of 
 theology. "He loved to revel in the stores and 
 wealth of thought" of the Old School Divines. His 
 views ran along the same lines, and in the main 
 coincided with those of the Old School Theology- 
 Dr Gill's commentary of the old and new testaments, 
 thought by some even in this day to be the best 
 one ever published on the entire Bible, was ever 
 at his right hand in the study. Many of his expo- 
 sitions were drawn from the comments of this vol- 
 uminous expounder of scripture. Some pronounced 
 him ''Hyper-calvinistic " in the early years of his 
 ministry and declared, "There was no difference be- 
 tween his preaching and that of Elder Beebe" in 
 relation to the doctrine of grace. "They were one 
 in doctrine " and the lines of division were on mis- 
 sionary effort. The expression "Sovereign and in- 
 vincible grace" was a familiar one m his theology 
 and an index of his creed. 
 
168 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 Dr Wayland in one of his letters uses the expres- 
 sion "the sharp angles of Calvinism." These did 
 not trouble this preacher of the Gospel. He saw 
 no need of ''filing and hammering" them out in 
 order to construct a system of theology. And all 
 through his ministration he held substantially the 
 same views. There may have been a modification 
 inclining more to the practical in the presentation 
 of the message, but ever the same exaltation of 
 the divine purpose and power of sovereign grace. 
 To the writer he said late in life as an index of 
 his views, "I think a calvinistic sermon with an 
 Arminian Association about right." Yet he ever 
 held **the soul is passive in regeneration," "is made 
 willing by grace" to accept Christ and "sovereign 
 and irresistible grace rules in the entire work" of 
 redemption, and to that grace all the glory is due. 
 The Westminster confession on regeneration express- 
 ed his views, "If an act of omnipotence, it is cer- 
 tainly efficacious, for nothing can resist almighty 
 power." Dr Hodge says in his theology, "Pre- 
 destination and irresistible grace are the great key 
 notes, and the two main points of Calvinism.." Elder 
 Grenell would readily accept this statement and 
 add that the Divine will is ''necessarily irresisti- 
 ble in its efficacy, selecX. in its object and persevering 
 in its results." 
 
A Monument of Sovereign Grace. 169 
 
 This grace was magnified by him in all his min- 
 istrations. It was the strongest element in the for- 
 mation of his character. All his other qualifications, 
 whether natural or acquired, were in subordination 
 to this. It was the inspiration of his work. He 
 often used to quote as an index of his belief, the 
 words of Dodrige: 
 
 Grace first contrived the way 
 
 To save rebellious man, 
 And all the steps that grace display 
 
 Which drew the heavenly plan. 
 
 Grace led my roving feet 
 To tread the heavenly road; 
 
 And new supplies each hour I meet. 
 While pressing on to God. 
 
 Grace all the work shall crown 
 Through everlasting days. 
 
 It lays in heaven, the topmost stone. 
 And well deserves the praise. 
 
 In an old hymn book published in 1807, by John 
 Inglesby, is a hymn of sixteen verses, often repeat- 
 ed by him. The second verse is, 
 
170 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 "'Twas not from the creature 
 Salvation took place, 
 
 The whole was of God, to 
 The praise of his grace' 
 
 And all to his glory- 
 Shall tend bye and bye, 
 
 To accomplish the lifting 
 Of Jesus on high." 
 \ A declaration of Paul was, ** We also believe and 
 therefore speak." The Psalmst had centuries before 
 made the same declaration. A real and powerful 
 force in the formation of character, and in giving 
 utterance to a herald of the cross, is faith. A rigid 
 and unyielding creed will render a man unyielding 
 and positive in his ministrations. The creating pow- 
 er of divine grace, so prominent as an underlying 
 element in the ministry of John the Baptist, was 
 made actual in his experiance when he was converted 
 to God. Ever after, this was the predominating 
 feature of his character and work. 
 
 The Apostle to the Gentiles said of himself to 
 the Corinthian Church, '*By the grace of God I am 
 what I am." The power that had created him anew 
 and made him an Apostle, was the grace of Christ 
 the crucified and ascended Savior. He had been 
 arrested by it when persecuting the church and 
 blaspheming the name of Christ, and made a servant 
 
A Monument OF Sovereign Grace. 171 
 
 of the Lord Jesus. Durin^^ all his life of sacrifice 
 and toil it had sustained him and made him bold in 
 the defence of the gospel. And as he looked on 
 to the end of life, it was with composure and as- 
 surance that the same power would sustain him 
 and be his everlasting reward. 
 
 It is from this stand point we wish to take the 
 final view of the character and work of this servant 
 of God. He was raised up by divine providence, 
 created anew in Christ, called unto the ministry, 
 inspired and sustained through all his labors by 
 divine grace. He was held as a star in the right 
 hand of the ascended Christ. The principles ac- 
 tuating his character were of ''eternal excellence." 
 He ascribed all within himself, and all his work 
 to grace alone. Since Christ was magnified in his 
 life, and in his death, shall not this estimate 
 stand as the tribute we bring to his memory ? It 
 was to him sovereign and irresistible grace in the 
 formation of the character and in the life work. 
 In a remarkable degree he ** apprehended that for 
 which he had been apprehended of Christ Jesus." 
 We bring forth he top-stone of this monument to 
 his memory with the inscription ** grace, grace unto 
 it!" 
 
In Memoriam. 
 
 North N. J. Baptist Association. 
 Rev. ZELOTES. GRENELL, 
 The " Bible Preacher." 
 
 Born, 1796. Bom again. 1810. 
 
 He labored for his Lord in New York State, at Elmira, 
 
 HORSEHEADS, New YoKK CiTY, OrANGE, AND PoRT JeR- 
 
 vis; IN Pennsylvania, at Hoxesdale; and in New 
 Jersey, at Glenwood, Hackensack, Millington, 
 Paterson, and Wantage. 
 
 Sixty-Five years of Preaching. 
 
 Ten Thousand Sermons. 
 
 One Thousand Converts Baptized. 
 
 FELL ASLEEP IN JESUS AT HACKENSACK, 
 JUNE 21,; 1883, 
 
 Aged Eighty-aeven Years and Two Months, 
 His remains were interred at Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Paterson, to await the 
 Archangel's summons on the Resurrection Mom. 
 
IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 WAYNE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 
 
 [TO OUR DEPARTED BROTHER, 
 
 REV. 2ELOTBS QRENELL. 
 
 Who for sixty years £^ave large portions of his time 
 to the moral and spiritual condition of the field occu- 
 pied by our Association, was at one time pastor of 
 the Honesdale Baptist Church. 
 
 BORN, 1796. 
 
 ORDAINED TO THE MINISTRY, 1819. 
 
 DIED JUNE 20TH, 1883. 
 
 "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or 
 who shall stand in his holy place?" 
 
 *' He that hath clean hands and a pure heart: who 
 hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn 
 deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the 
 Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation." 
 
 "Thine eyes shall behold the King in all his beauty." 
 
 " God buries his workmeJt but carries on His work!' 
 
Obituary Report. 
 
 Of 
 
 N. J. Baptist State Convention 
 
 At Orange, New Jersey; 
 
 OCT. 30, 31, 1833. 
 
 Rev. Zelotes Grenell. — This brother was born in Court- 
 right, Delaware Co., N.Y., in 1796, and was "born again" 
 in 1 8 10. We deny that reUgion runs in the blood, but if 
 ever such an idea has any good foundation, it is to be found 
 in such families as that to which he belonged. He was of 
 good Huguenot stock, some of his ancestry having sealed 
 their faith with their Hves during the bloody horrors of St. 
 Bartholomew's Day. He did not begin to preach till twen- 
 ty-one years of age ; but when he had once begun, he stay- 
 ed not for sixty-five years, preaching more than ten thousand 
 sermons, and leading more than one thousand converts into 
 the baptismal waters. And such sermons ! Those who 
 heard him preach cannot speak of his discourses now with- 
 out a glow of holy admiration. And such converts ! They 
 are all over our State, true to their Master — eleven of them 
 becoming fellow-laborers with him in the work of the min- 
 istry, two of whom, denominationally, have national reputa- 
 ions to-day. Oh, for a company of such preachers ! He 
 held pastorates successively with churches at Wantage, N. J. 
 Orange N. J., Paterson, N. J., Cannon Street New York 
 City, Elmira, N. Y. , Paterson again, Horsehcads, N. Y., 
 Honesdale, Penn., Port Jervis, N. Y., Glenwood, Milling- 
 ton, Hackensack, Paterson yet again, all this State. In each 
 and every one of these places his memory is revered for what 
 he was, as well as what he believed. He had a firm grasp 
 of the doctrines of grace, as the result of such a continuous 
 study of the Word itself as few now give it. Thus it was he 
 became known as "The Bible Preacher"; and it was touching 
 when he could no longer read, through infirmity of sight, to 
 see him fondly handling the sacred volume, which he believ- 
 ed ''able to make men wise unto salvatson." 
 
FAMILY RECORD. 
 
 ELDER ZELOTES GRENELL. 
 
 Born April 8th, 
 
 1796. 
 
 
 Converted 
 
 March 
 
 1810. 
 
 Licensed March 
 
 1817. 
 
 
 Settlement 
 
 May 
 
 i8i8- 
 
 Ordained August 5th, 
 
 1819. 
 
 
 
 
 
 HIS 
 
 PARENTS. 
 
 
 
 Samuel Grenell, Born March 24th, 1765. 
 Rebecca Wadsworth, Born Oct. 20th, 1766. 
 They were married Sept. 22nd, 1785. 
 His Brothers and Sisters. 
 Chauncey was born March i6th, 1787 
 
 Lucretia " 
 
 (< 
 
 March 29th, 1793. 
 
 Samuel 
 
 (I 
 
 Sept. 30th, 1798 
 
 Rebecca " 
 
 <( 
 
 March 20th, 1801. 
 
 Walter 
 
 <( 
 
 June 2nd, 1803. 
 
 Miron 
 
 (i 
 
 Sept. 1 2th, 1805. 
 
 Ora B. 
 
 (( 
 
 April 15th, 1808. 
 
 PhebeL. - 
 
 it 
 
 HIS WIVES. 
 
 Oct. 9th, 1810. 
 
 Abigail Osborn born Feb. 21th, 1797. 
 They were married Jan. 25th, 1820. 
 Esther Blain born Sept. 27th, 1802. 
 Date of marriage March 20th, 1823. 
 Mrs. Eliza Hutton born March 7th, 1807, 
 Date of marriage March 23th, 1836. 
 
Family Recobei. ITT 
 
 ins CHILDREN 
 
 Levi Osbron Born Jan. ist, 182 1. 
 
 Abigail ♦' Oct. 2nd, 1822. 
 
 increase Marther " Dec. 29th, 1823. 
 
 Julia Ann *' April 15th, 1825. 
 
 Susan '• Sept. 20th 1827. 
 
 Rebecca " Oct. 23 th, 1829' 
 
 Mary " Oct. 20th, 1831. 
 
 Esther " Feb. 9th, 1833' 
 
 Emma *• May 4th, 1837. 
 
 William Burt " April 17th, 1839. 
 
 Zelotes *• Feb. 25th, 1841- 
 
 Eliza Kelly *' Dec. 9th, 1842. 
 
 Elmira *' July 19th, 1844. 
 
 Adoniram Judson ** April i8th, 1847. 
 
 HIS FIELDS OF LABOR. 
 
 Second Wantage N. J. May 1818 to Oct. 1822. 
 
 Orange Church N. Y. Nov. 1822 *' Oct 1833.. 
 
 Paterson N. J. Nov. 1833 '' Oct. 1838. 
 
 Cannon St. N. Y. City. Nov. 1838 " Oct. 1842. 
 
 Elmira N. Y. Nov. 1842 " Oct. 1847. 
 
 Paterson N. J. Nov. 1847 *' Dec. 185 1. 
 
 Horseheads N. J. Jan. 1852 '* Sept. 1853, 
 
 Honesdale Pa. Oct. 1853 '' March 1855. 
 
 Port Jervis N. J. April 1855 " Sept. 1861. 
 
 Glenwood N. J. Nov 1861 " April 1865. 
 
 Millington N. J. May 1865 " Dec. 1871. 
 
 Hackensack N. J. Jan. 1872 "March 1875. 
 
 Paterson 3rd' Church Oct. 1875 '' Nov. 1881. 
 
178 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 his term of service. 
 A continued public service in the active duties 
 of the ministry of sixty-four years from May 1818 
 June 1882. 
 
 HIS RESTING PLACE. 
 
 He is buried in Cedar Lawn Cemetery near Pat- 
 erson N. J, on a plot of ground given to him by 
 the ladies of the First Church of which he had been 
 twice the pastor. 
 
 HIS RECORD. 
 
 A man of God, of unblemished character, adhering 
 to the one purpose of preaching the gospel of Christ 
 for sixty-five years. His true record is on High. 
 "Well done, good and faithful servant." " Blessed 
 are the dead who die in the Lord." 
 
 A RECORD OF DEATHS. 
 
 His wife Abigail 
 
 died 
 
 Oct. i6th, 
 
 1822 
 
 His wife Esther 
 
 «« 
 
 April 27th, 
 
 1835- 
 
 His sister Lucretia 
 
 n 
 
 July 15th, 
 
 1810. 
 
 His father Samuel 
 
 n 
 
 Oct. 4th, 
 
 1841. 
 
 His brother Miron 
 
 i( 
 
 March 13th, 
 
 1847. 
 
 His brother Chauncey 
 
 (( 
 
 June 1st, 
 
 1848. 
 
 His mother Rebecca 
 
 << 
 
 Feb. 2ist, 
 
 1851. 
 
 His sister Rebecca 
 
 (< 
 
 Dec. 20th, 
 
 1864. 
 
 His brother Samuel 
 
 << 
 
 April 26th, 
 
 1872. 
 
 His sister Phebe L. 
 
 ii 
 
 Nov. 
 
 i88r. 
 
 His brother Walter 
 
 << 
 
 Nov. 7th, 
 
 i88r. 
 
 His brother Ora B. 
 
 t < 
 
 
 1882. 
 
 Himself the last of the family died June 21st, 1883. 
 
Family Record. 179 
 
 DEATH OF CHILDREN. 
 His daughter Mary died Jan. 20th, I832. 
 
 Eliza '' April 5th, 1851. 
 
 His daughter Julia Ann Mills" Dec. 28th, 1854. 
 
 '* Rebecca Reed *' April 17th, 1864. 
 
 " Esther Smith '' Nov. 22th, 1865. 
 
 " Abigail Fanches " Dec. 3rd 1869. 
 
 A RECORD OF THE LIVING. 
 There survive him his wife Eliza and eight chil- 
 dren. Of the children now living William Burt, is 
 in Astoria, Oregon; Zelotes and Adoniram Judscn, 
 are in Detroit, Michigan; Increase Mather is in. 
 New York City; Emma is residing at Port Jervis, 
 N. Y.; Susan and Elmira are living at Hackensack 
 N. J; and Levi Osborn is located at Roselle N. J 
 
Appendix. 
 
 CORRFSPONDENCE BETWEEN ELDER GtT^BERT 
 
 Beebe and Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 About the time of the separation of the Baptist Churches in the 
 United States into the Old and New Schools. 
 
 New Vernon, Dec. 27, 1830. 
 Dear Brother Grenell: 
 
 Having understood that you was aggrieved with the church 
 with which I labor, in connection with myself also, on account oC 
 the letter which was written in answer to the communicatioii 
 which we received from the Orange County Baptist Society— ap- 
 prehensive as I am that your grief has originated in a misun- 
 derstanding of our intentions in that communication, I feel my- 
 self callel upon by a sense cf duty to address to you the follow- 
 ing lines; hoping thereby with the divine blessing on my labor," 
 to remove all difficulties and to perpetuate that bond of christian 
 love and fellowship which has hitherto existed between thee ami 
 me as brethren and fellow-laborers, and also between thee and 
 the church in this place. 
 
 In the first place, I wish to refer you to the decision of the 
 Association on the queries from the New Vernon and Wallkill 
 churches. The committee, of which you was chairman, recom- 
 mended that "individuals and churches should believe and judgo 
 for themselves and act accordingly" (see minutes). Your report 
 was adopted. In perfect accordance with your own advice, wo 
 have "Delieved," "judged," and "acted." Have we done righto,. 
 wrong? If right, do not censure us. If wrong, do not forget v. e 
 were advised on the subject, and forgive. 
 
 I have been told that rou said you considered that by om- 
 letter this chuich had wilhdit.wa all fellowship from you aiul 
 
184 Elder Zelotes Grexell. 
 
 find all the brethren concerned in the Orange County Baptist 
 Society, I can assure you that this was very far from our inten- 
 tions as a church, and nothing more remote from my own mean- 
 iT g on the subject. I confess I have never had any fellowship 
 for any of the popular institutions of the day. Some of my rea- 
 sons I will give in a subsequent part of this letter. But believe 
 me, my dear brother, since the death of the venerable Elder Van 
 Volsen, I have never found a minister of the gospel for whom 
 I felt so much nearness, christian love and fellowship, as your- 
 self. I have and do still love you for the work's sake. Consid- 
 ering that the present is a day of error, there are but probably 
 few to be found who are, generally speaking, more united in the 
 doctrine of salvation by grace. I do not know that we differ 
 essentially in regard to the doctrine, discipline, or the ordinances 
 of the House of God. In christian experience, I believe we have 
 both drank of the same fountain. Our difference of views is 
 wholly of a different nature. As far as your kindness has applied 
 to me as an individual I am not insensible to the laws of grati- 
 tude. But you will suffer a remark concerning my ordination 
 and your recommending me to the favor of the brethren of this 
 church. And first, I think you had higher motives in view than 
 my personal interest or accommodation. You acted for God in 
 these particulars. Secondly, I did not dissemble when examined 
 by the council. I answered all your questions honestly, accord- 
 ing to the best of my abilities. And I am now precisely what I 
 was then in reference to missionary, and other societies ; and far- 
 ther, I am now what I then took you to be on the same subjects. 
 There has been some difference of opinion between me and 
 some of my brethren touching the propriety of answering the 
 letter which we received from the society. Some have deemed it 
 inexpedient to make any reply, but I insisted on a reply being 
 sent, upon the following grounds First, because your circular 
 requested it; secondly, because whenever we are collectively or 
 individually called upon to co-operate in any thing which pro- 
 fesses to have the glory of God or the interests of his cause 
 in view, especially when we are called upon by brethren whom 
 we love and fellowship to co-operate in an undertaking which we 
 cannot fellowship, I believe it to be our indispensable duty to 
 give our reasons why we cannot co-operate. Indeed I don't 
 
CORRESrONDENCE. 185 
 
 tliink it woulu he. usiiifj you Avell to pass your coiumunicfition 
 by in silence. If there was anything in our letter which was 
 abusive or that amounted to a dis-fellowship of the brethren 
 any farther than to disapprove of the institution, I have not 
 discovered it nor meant it. 
 
 I dis-fellowship the Orange County Baptist Society, as such, 
 because it is in my oj)inion without example or precept in the 
 Bible, which I profess to take as my standard of faith ani.! 
 practice. Because it will not (in ni}' opinion)subserve the interests 
 of Zlon. Because neither Jesus Christ nor his Apostles have 
 ever established any society other than the church. Bec.iuse 
 all other societies are invented by man. Because this society 
 receives members for fifty cents each without regard to any 
 other qualification than the cash. Because infidels and other 
 corrupt men can thereby become members of a Baptist societ\ 
 without regeneration or immersion. , Because this institution 
 requires in its organization such officers as are unknown in 
 the Bible. Because no Executive Committee or Board have a 
 right (in my opinion)to control the merssengers of Immanuel, 
 by directing their course, telhng them where to go, how long 
 to stay and v/hat remuneration to receive, &c. Because no 
 minister of Christ has a right to contract in the abov^ manner, 
 \A'ith any Board or body of men. Because the Executive Com- 
 mittee having all this authority vested in them by the society 
 are chosen by a majority of votes given by any one, saint or 
 sinner, who \A'ill purchase a bivth-right in the institution. Bo- 
 cause the same honors are ascribed to similar institutions that 
 Aaron ascribed to the gold3n. cilf, viz., Tkese he thy God-i 
 tchich browjht thee out of the land of Ejypt. You will recollect it 
 was said at Brookfield that "this Association owes its existence 
 to Missionary Societies," &g. Because this institution makes a 
 schism in the church, sows discord between very friends, divides 
 churches &c. Because this institution is calculated like all 
 similar institutions, to unite the church and the world, or 
 state, by incorporating materials from both into a religious 
 confederation. Lastly, because the Lord of the Harvest is as 
 mighty and able to thrust laborers into his vineyard as ever, and 
 "his arm is not shortened" and he has directed his children to 
 pray unto him tor all these things. 
 
186 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 I have given you thirteen or fourteen reasons (out of the hun- 
 dred which might be added)why I am conscientiously opposed 
 to the society in question. Remove these difficulties, and I 
 ^\dll endeavor to co-oj)erate with you* Till then I ask only for 
 that liberty of conscience which you and the Association re- 
 commended at our last session. 
 
 I have much more to say to you on this subject, but my 
 gheet will contain but a small portion of what I would com- 
 municate. 
 
 If this subject makes a dis-fellowship between you and me, 
 you must make it so, I do not. I consider you in an error in 
 this particular, and I pray earnestly that the Lord may bring 
 you out and make you shine brighter than ever. In the mean- 
 time let me admonish you as a brother to reconsider the whole 
 matter, ask counsel of God who giveth liberally. Let not the 
 glittering bait of popularity or any other temptation cause you 
 to err. Leave the fame and honor of all human inventions 
 to men whose element is in such things. Go unto your Lord 
 without the camp, shun not to bear his reproach. Tremble not 
 for the Ark; God will take care of it. Be a good soldier for 
 jesus. Be faithful unto death, and God will give you a crown 
 of Glory. 
 
 I consider the representative phm adopted by the New York 
 Association, far preferable to the Orange County Baptist Society, 
 if I understand it; bnt I am not wholly satisfied with that. 
 If our churches would by voluntary contributions (without sell- 
 ing membership)raise a fund in each church, let it be deposited 
 in the hands of one of the deacons or other members, let the 
 church draw from this fund from time to time such drafts as 
 they shall think proper, and give it to such poor itinerant 
 preachers as they are in fellowship v/ith. I should be much 
 pleased with such an arrangement wholly carried on under the 
 direction of the churches as indepeidcnt bodies; or othe wise 
 as I proposed at Brookfield. I will bear an equal share of the 
 burden with my brethren in the ministry if they, on their 
 part will divide their time and service more equally among all 
 the churches in the Association. 
 
 The church at Newfoundland have at length consented to 
 give Brother J. Abers a council. They have named Brethren 
 Broom. N. Maxtip. Deacon Clay Bowven and a member of 
 
CORE ESPONDENCE. 1 8 4 
 
 Newton Cliurcb, Joel has sent for me and Brother Harding 
 to come down as witnesses the first Saturday in January next. 
 
 I expect to go. I do most earnestly request your persona, 
 presence at that meeting, as much will depend on the develop, 
 ment of facts then and there to bo made, also the decision of 
 the council. You know something of the nature of the dilfi. 
 oulty, and if it should so turn out that the council should 
 lecide against Brother Abers, brethren Harding, Ball, Terry, 
 Beebe and others would be implicated, you know. I wish you 
 and all our ciinistering brethren if possible, to attend, that 
 they may know the utmost of this affair, &c. 
 
 I have been afflicted with a very bad cold ever since I saw 
 you. My wife is not in very good health* It is a general 
 time of colds. Remember jpe affectionately *o Sister Grenell 
 and the brethren and friends at Orange. "Write me, if you 
 have time to spare, and be assured I remain with affection. 
 Yours in the best of bonds, 
 
 GiuBKBT Beebe. 
 ELDER Z. CRENELLE 
 
 P. S. Elder Harding and I talk of going down the mountain 
 voad. If so, we shall not pass by your house. Don't let that 
 hinder your attending the meeting. I do thiuk, if the case were 
 reversed, I would attend on your request;; and certainly you are 
 as good and obliging as I am. At all events I trust I shall see you^ 
 going or coming, if not at Newfoundland. If I write any more 
 on this sheet, I shall cheat the paper market. G. B. 
 
 REPLY TO THE FOREGOING. 
 
 Unionville, March 22, 1831. 
 Dear Brother Beebb: 
 
 A letter from you bearing date December 27, 1830, reached mo 
 .ibout three or four weeks after it was written; consequently, it 
 was too late for me to comply with your request in reference to 
 the expected council at Newfoundland, for the time had gone by. 
 But as there is much in your letter on another subject, I shall 
 turn my attention to that subject. 
 
 You inform me that you are now in the same sentiments on 
 
188 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 the subject of Missionary Societies that you was when you was 
 ordained, and that you then took me to be of the same opinion. 
 I am truly sorry that you have been so much mistaken in ref- 
 erence to my sentiments, and that I was equally as much so 
 in yours. I did not then know that among all the lovers af 
 Christ, there was or could be an Anti-missionary. You will 
 probably recollect that a short time after your ordination we 
 attended the Hudson Kiver Association. A collection was made 
 for Domestic Missions. You and I sat on one seat We each 
 contributed our mites for that purpose. This was sufficient t6 
 convince j'ou that I was in favor of the object, and I thought 
 that I might draw the same touching you. If you then built 
 up the things which you destroy, you made yourself a trans- 
 gressor. 
 
 At a meeting held with the Walkill church, pursuant to ap- 
 pointment of our Association, to devise some plan to supply 
 the destitute with preaching, there I learned for the fii-st timo 
 that a Baptist Minister could be an Anti-missionary. You here 
 had an opportunity to know my mind in full. At a social 
 meeting held at Brother BalFs the query, "In what way does 
 God intend to send the Gospel to the heathen?" was discussed. 
 You there had my mind in length, breadth, and depth on that 
 subject. Query: In view of all this, how can you say that Elder 
 Murphy has been the cause of leading me into this sentiment and 
 practice ? 
 
 You profess much fellowship for me in particular, and I believe 
 you are sincere in that prafession. But how to reconcile that with 
 some other things I find not. If our society Ls a calf, (probably in 
 allusion to the golden one which Aai*on made), if it is a hmb of 
 antichrist, if it has the mark of the beast, and you knov/ I am in 
 fuU fellowship with it and a principal instrament in promoting it, 
 consequently I am rearing and worshiping a calf, promoting an- 
 tichrist, and have the mark of the beast. For if the Missionary 
 cause is Anti-christian, I acknowledge I am a lover and in full 
 fellowship with antichrist, query : what communion hath light 
 with darkness, or a tnie Gospel minister with one who suj)ports 
 antichrist ? 
 
 Your fourteen reasons for Tinfellowshiping our Missionary 
 Societies, remind me of forty-two reasons, a man not long since 
 
CORRESPENDNCE. 189 
 
 "gave why be could not be a Baptist. Probably you have seen 
 them in point, I think that his arguments are about as weighty 
 as yours. Your fourteen reasons may be reduced to six heads : 
 1. — No authority in Scripture for such a society ; 2, — no mention 
 of such ofl&cers as President, Secretary &c ; 3. — too much power 
 is attributed to them ; 4— .they unite church and world ; 5.— they 
 limit the bounds of the preacher and make him a hireling; 6, — they 
 sow discord among brethren. If I am not much mistaken, all 
 these objections have as much force against many things which 
 you admit and practice, as they have against that which you 
 oppose, 1, — Where is our express authority for building meet- 
 ing houses, for holding a council to decide whether a preacher 
 shall be ordained, and for having a yearly association of ministers 
 and brethren, and for sending them a string of knotty questions 
 to answer, and for examining candidates for baptism before the 
 church? 2, — Where is our authority for having the offices of 
 church clerk, chorister, moderator in church meeting, trustees 
 of church property &c, 3, — Some teach that Baptism is regenera- 
 tion ; that the bread and wine in communion are the real body 
 and blood of Christ ; that the preaching of the Gospel is that 
 which saves from hell. Here too much is made of these things, 
 therefore reject them. 4, — I have heard that some who are not 
 members of your church, have been trustees of your church 
 property, or managers if you please, I understand that a num- 
 ber of your subscribers are not members of your church, and 
 yet you receive their money. I have seen many in your gallery, 
 and heard them sing who do not even profess religion. Here 
 you fellowship the wicked as actors in the public worship of 
 God. I also understand you celebrate the rite of matrimony 
 between saint and sinner, and thus unite him that believeth with 
 an infidel. 5* — I have heard that you are recognized as the 
 pastor of the church in New Vernon, and receive a salary. Some 
 covetous man may tell you that you had no right to thus hire 
 out, and that the church had no right to hire you and thus 
 limit your labors which makes you a hireling. 6. — What point 
 of doctrine, experience or practice has not sown discord among 
 brethren? When Luther arose to set bDunds to the ambition 
 of the Pope he sowed discord among brethren. When the true 
 w'.iuesscs in ancient times rejected the mother of Harlots they 
 
190 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 sowed discord among brethren. So with the Baptists in Piedmont, 
 Germany, Old England and New England, all have sowed dis- 
 cord among brethren. And I remember that when the box of 
 ointment was broken and our Lord was anointed with its con- 
 tents it was the cause of sowing discord among brethren. One 
 of the brethren was offended and cried, "Why this waste"? and 
 that in the|true anti-missionary spirit. My Lord came not to 
 send peace but division and discord. 
 
 It is well known that two witnesses are all that is necessary 
 to establish one point. When I see a man bring fourteen wit- 
 nesses into court all to prove one thing, and he tells me he 
 could bring hundreds more, I begin to think he is conscious 
 that his witnesses are not of the best kind ; and thus he wishes 
 to make up in number and bulk what is lacking in weight. 
 When you have got arguments in your mind to prove yourself 
 right in the things which you practice, as noted above, then 
 yoU will have all the arguments I need to remove, your four- 
 teen objections. "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in 
 the things which he does allow." 
 
 Your exhortation to me is very good, and your admonition 
 also. I have examined the subject again aud again, and that in 
 prayer to God for wisdom, and it shines more and more , and 
 I have no more doubt that it is commended and approved of 
 God than I have that there is a God, and I now say that I 
 know of only four Baptist minisiers on earth who are anti-mis- 
 sionaries, and three of them live in one church. The facts is, 
 the very quarter from whence the opposition proceeds is an in- 
 con testible witness that it is from heaven. Whatever the devil 
 and the Pope and infidels of every grade hate must be good, for 
 there is not an infidel paper in circulation but what is anti- 
 missionary ; and it is painful to reflect that Satan has got some 
 few of Gad's children to assist him in opposing the spread of the 
 Gospel. That it is abused, I admit; and so is every institution of 
 heaven, and that, bythose who are its professed advocates. Could 
 all that the apostles did in executing their commission in Judea, 
 Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth be hid from view, 
 could all the sacrifices that christians have made in every age from 
 that day to this in spreading the Gospel be struck from the page 
 of history, while two passages of God's word are left, I have all 
 
Correspondence. 191 
 
 thcit I want as a warrant to duty ir this thing : 1 — Go ye into 
 all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature; 2. — They 
 that preach the Gospel shall live of the Gospel. Here is sufficient 
 proof to meet and confront all the arguments that can be brought 
 from both worlds, in opposition to the spread cf the Gospel. 
 
 You exhort me not to tremble for the ark, and wish me to have 
 much faith. If you wish me to possess that kind of faithl which 
 lulls to sleep, which is not manifested by works and which says 
 "I have nothing to do," I would inform you that I have too much 
 of it already. But if you mean that faith which leads its possessor 
 to devote his time, talents, and property to the service of God, 
 yea, that which made Paul willing to endure all things for the 
 elect's sake that they might obtain the salvation which is in Christ 
 Jesus with eternal glory, this faith, I acknowledge, I need more 
 of, and would say, '0 Lord increase my faith." Yea, I fain would 
 like Abraham, be strong iu faith, giving glory to God, and that 
 by bringing forth much fruit. 
 
 Again, j'ou exhort me to go forth unto Chrtst without the camp 
 bearing his reproach. This is very timely and very kind, and I 
 acknowledge to you and above all to God that I have been very 
 deficient on this ground. I have gone too much with the world 
 in their love of money. I have too little opposed their vain con- 
 duct and maxims in opposing the spread of the Gospel. While God 
 has given me property, I have too much shut up my bowels of 
 compassion against the perishing heathen, I have too much said 
 to the poor saints who are destitute of the Gospel, •* Be ye warmed 
 and fed," while I have not done all that I might have done in 
 sending or carrjnng the Gospel to them. And I desire hereafter 
 to be more engaged fn doing my duty, and by precept and example 
 teach others to do theirs. I know that in doing this I shall meet 
 with strong opposition from many who profess to love God and 
 perhaps a few who really do. And I know that the world and 
 Satan will oppose ; but I have counted the cost and hope to be 
 willing to endure the cross and count the reproaches of Christ 
 greater riches than all the treasures of the world. 
 
 I shall conclude this epistle with a few remarks. I was truly 
 surprised at some remarks which I heard that you had made in 
 the pulpit in the Mount Salem meeting house the time of our last 
 exchange. But I wish these and other things like them to be 
 buried in ohlivlon. 
 
1 92 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 I still hold you as one of the Lord's Ministers in fellowship with 
 me; although I think that your anti-mis;?ionary spirit and sentiments 
 are a contradition of this term, and prove that every preacher has 
 not every mark of being so, 
 
 I attribute your opposition to a want of information. This is 
 the most charitable conclusion I can make, and I wish to have 
 that charity which covers a multitude of sins. 
 
 I wish you ever after this to consider me as favorable to 
 Missionary operations, and remember that I now say that I was 
 never otherwise, and cannot conceive how a true child of God 
 can be in the ranks of those who o]3pose it. 
 
 The first breath of Gospel liberty my soul ever breathed in- 
 haled a desire that this joy in the Holy Ghost might be ex- 
 tended to others. It was a desire which knew no bounds but 
 the utmost bounds of the earth. That vital spark has never 
 ceased to burn, although not always to the same degree,. V/hile 
 this burn?, I must alwaj's be a Missionary in desire, faith and 
 practice. When this dies, if I am then in the body, I shall 
 then be an anti-missionary. 
 
 You have drawn the sword on this subject ; I have followed 
 you. I hope you will not sheath it until you have done all 
 you can. I write you to bring all your strong arguments, yea 
 all which can be brought from three worlds. If the cause which 
 I espouse will not endure investigation, I desire to give it up. 
 I hope to hear from you soon. 
 
 Yours to serve in the Gospel of Christ, 
 
 Z. Gbenell. 
 
REVIVAL INCIDENT. 
 
 When laboring- in Paterson N. J. he preached a 
 
 course of sermons on revivals of religion. The 
 
 themes of these sermons were from a series given by 
 
 Rev. Pinney, the great revivalist. The peculiarities of 
 
 the effort were, first, that the interest increased and 
 
 the meeting advanced and kept pace with the theme 
 
 of discourse. When the sermon was to inquirers 
 
 there were anxious inquirers ready to hear it. When 
 
 the address was to converts, there were converts 
 
 awaiting the message. And, second, the revival was 
 one of great power and blessing. It continued 
 
 through the winter, and brought seventy-five hope- 
 ful converts into the church. 
 
 The following verse was repeated to the author 
 by one of the aged disciples yet living, who was 
 a warm personal friend of Elder Grenell. He re- 
 peated it as Elder Grenell's composition, and with 
 the tears trickling down his cheeks, adding, "He 
 was very dear to us." 
 
 *' Zelotes Grenell is my name, 
 America is my nation ; 
 My station is the harvest field, 
 And Christ is my salvation." 
 
SERMONS. 
 
 NOTE.— It Hliould be understood that the sermons following are 
 not full length discourses. Those who are accustomed to preach 
 will at once discern the readiness with which many subdivisions 
 would be expanded in delivery, as well as the necessity of such 
 enlargenaent. 
 
 THANKSGIVING AT MILLINGTON. 
 
 A Thanksgiving Sermon, preached in the Baptist Church 
 of Milhngton, New Jersey, Novmeber, 24, 1870, by Elder 
 Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 Text: "According to this time it shaU be said of Jacob, 
 and of Israel, 'What hath God wrought?'" (Numbers 23:23. ) 
 
 The children of Israel, in the fortieth year of their sojourn, 
 encamped in the plain of Moab. The rulers of Moab and 
 Midian were greatly alarmed, and sent for Baalam, a noted 
 soothsayer, to come and curse them. He came with the 
 desire to do so, but God interposed and compelled him to 
 pronounce sundry blessings on them, and my text is one 
 of them. 
 
 The text atlirms that God's special goodness to them had 
 been such in the past, and would from this time be such, 
 that others, even their enemies, would in astonishment 
 utter the exclamation, " W/ia/ hath God wrought"/ 
 
 Friends and fellow citizens : as this is the day set 
 apart by the Chief IMagistrate for National Thanksgiving, 
 let us now pause a moment and proceed to a hasty view 
 of our history as developinii^ the special care of Divine 
 
Thanksgiving at Millington. 
 
 providence for our nation's good. We see evidences of this, 
 Firstly — In our origin as a nation. 
 
 I. Though Columbus discovered America in 1492, 
 and the southern portion commenced being settled soon 
 after, no permanent settlement vras effected in the northern 
 portion till 1607, a period of one hundred and fifteen years. 
 During that interval the great Reformation broke out in 
 Germany and swept over France, Switzerland, England, 
 Scotland, Denmark, and Sweden— all the north of Europe, 
 embracing especially all those countries from which our 
 land was settled. Hence, while South America was settled 
 by Paptists, North America was settled by Protestants, 
 with an open Bible and an evangelical faith and civiliza- 
 tion. 
 
 2. Shortly before the settlement of New England, a fatal 
 disease raged among the native Indians, and thousands 
 were swept away, leaving vacant much territory, which had 
 been occupied. Moreover, much jealousy existed, and 
 many wars had occurred among neighboring tribes, by which 
 they had been greatly reduced, and in consequence some 
 soon became our faithful allies. By these means the col- 
 onies were saved from ruin, and finally gained an ascend- 
 ency over the most powerful tribes. 
 
 3. The unsettled condition of European governments, 
 their revolutions, and especially the persecution of the 
 Puritans, drove large numbers to our shores, and rapidly 
 increased our population. The persecutions furnished us 
 the most valuable materials out of which to form a pe- 
 manent government. This was especially true of New 
 England. Hence, by 1776, we had increased to three mil- 
 lions of souls. 
 
 Secondly — In the War of the Revolution, from 1776 to 
 1782, by which we became an independent people. 
 
Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 •i I. Great Britain ^vas far from being united in procccut- 
 ing the war. Many of her citizens, and some who occu- 
 pied high places of influence, had relations living here 
 whom they highly esteemed. This prevented them from 
 prosecuting the war with their accustomed vigor. 
 
 2. France and England were hostile nations. Many wars 
 had occurred between them. England had succeeded in 
 taking Canada from France, and was threatening her western 
 possessions. This gave us a powerful ally in the French 
 nauon, which encouraged us, and discouraged our enemies. 
 Other European nations soon followed the example of 
 France. 
 
 3. The real patriotism of our people was marvelous in- 
 deed. The determination was to conquer or die. The 
 wisdom developed in the Declaration of Independence, 
 the choice of Washington, the right man to lead our army, 
 whose patriotism, courage, prudence, patience, fortitude, 
 and perseverance were equally balanced, and the fact that 
 in all that bloody struggle we had but one Arnold, and 
 that he was detected before causing much damage, all 
 these were providential. 
 
 4. The large extent of territory we gained, eight hundred 
 thousand square miles, more than six times as large as 
 the home possessions of Great Britain. This now contains 
 tv»enty-five States and a population of nearly thirty millions. 
 
 Thirdly — The formation of the Fedoral Consdtution. 
 
 I. Our men of influence discovered, before anarchy had 
 orn us all to pieces, that the old articles of confederation 
 between the States, though sufficient while they were bound 
 together by the pressure of war, were insufficient in the 
 time of peace. They could not secure a revenue, nor sup- 
 press rebellion, nor carry on a firm government. Danger 
 of anarchy beset us all around. ....... 
 
198 Ji'LDER ZELOTES URENELL. 
 
 2. Our wide extent of territory ; the variety of climate, 
 soil and productions ; the various nations, religious opinions, 
 habits, governments, and modes of thinking, represented in 
 the population, rendered it all but impossible to form a 
 constitution which would secure the popular vote. In the 
 midst of debate, when opinions were various, passions be_ 
 came heated, no progress was being made, and all seemed 
 to be at a stand-still, Benjamin Franklin arose and pro- 
 posed that a clergyman be invited to come and offer prayer. 
 They agreed. He came, all knelt while prayer was offered. 
 Then the waters ran smoothly. The progress was rapid. 
 The instrument was completed, and received the signatures 
 of all. 
 
 3. The Constitution was a monument of human wisdom.. 
 It did not constitute the nation a ConsoHdated Republic, 
 and thus annihilate State Governments, but a Federal Re- 
 public, leaving every State with sovereign authority, and 
 perfectly independent in all local State matters, to regulate 
 as they chose. And yet they organized a firm national 
 government over the whole population, and every individ- 
 ual dwelling among us. They wisely separated the legisla- 
 tive, executive, and judical departments of the government, 
 making them independent of each other. 
 
 4. The existence of slavery, which was the greatest bar 
 to the national union, was made not a national, but a 
 State institution, each State for itself could establish, abolish, 
 or modify it, in any way it chose. This enactment de- 
 prived it of concentrated power, which greatly weakened its in- 
 fluence. At the same time. Congress by law abolished it 
 forever in our Northwestern Territory, which was all the 
 public domain we owned, and which includes the States of 
 Ohio, IMichigan, Indiana, Illinois, and part of Minnesot'. 
 These enactments were the first blow to the progress of 
 
Thanksgiving at Millington. 199 
 
 slavery, which terminated in its annihilation in 1863. 
 
 5. But the crowning glory of the Constitution, was its 
 ecuring universal religious liberty in opinion and mode of 
 worship. None but the Quakers and Baptists believed in 
 full religious liberty. Neither the Congregationalists, Episco- 
 palians, nor Presbyterians were numerous enough to gain 
 the ascendancy. Hence, as a matter of necessity, all were 
 made equal before the law. Rhode Island had set the 
 example in her charter, and thus we obtained what all 
 Baptists in all places have ever desired — perfect religious 
 liberty. Sjurely this has been a blessing to the world. 
 
 Fourthly — Our progress under the Constitution. 
 
 1. There have been three prominent struggles for the 
 ascendancy between Democracy and Aristocracy: In 1801, 
 when Jefferson became President, in 1829, when Jackson 
 came into office, and in 1861, when Lincoln was elected 
 President. It is worthy of remark, that in each contest the 
 party most democratic, which contended for the widest 
 personal liberty, and the highest privileges for the masses, 
 gained the victory. And so may it be in all coming time. 
 
 2. We have passed through several wars, some more and 
 some less general. 
 
 a. With Great Britain from 181 2 to 181 5, in which we 
 lost much property, and many men, and gained nothing. 
 
 b. In 1835 and 1836, the Texas Revolution, which our 
 rulers aided clandestinely. 
 
 c. With the Florida Indians, from 1840 to 1845. ^^'e 
 compelled them to emigrate to the Indian country. 
 
 d. With Mexico, from 1845 to 1848. By conquest and pur- 
 chase, we obtained California. 
 
 e. With the Southern States, from 1861 to 1865, ^vhich 
 seceded and formed a separate government. This far exceed- 
 ed all our other wars, and terminated in the conquest of 
 
200 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 the Seceders, their subjugation and restoration to tae union, 
 their reconstruction, and slavery aboHshed. 
 
 3. Increase of territory. At the close of the War for 
 Independence, we had eight hundred thousand square miles. 
 In 1803 we purchased Louisiana of France for $15,000,000. 
 Louisiana was then a territory of more than eight hundred 
 thousand square miles. In 1820 we purchased of Spain, 
 Florida, for $5,000,000, a territory of aboutsixty thousand 
 square miles. In 1837 we obtained Texas by annexation, 
 which contained probably four hundred thousand square 
 miles. In 1840 we obtained California of Mexico, by 
 war and purchase money, $15,000,000, probably nearlv 
 one hundred thousand square miles. In 1867 we purchased 
 Alaska, of Russia, for $7,000,000, a territory of nearly five 
 hundred thousand square miles. Nov*^ our whole domain is 
 nearly three millions five hundred thousand square m.iles. 
 Surprising growth indeed. 
 
 4. Increase of population. In 1790 we had four millions. 
 Since then we have doubled every twenty-five years ; making 
 in 1815, eight millions, in 1840, sixteen millions, in 1865, 
 thirty millions, and now about forty millions. What nation 
 has ever gained so regularly and so rapidly.? At this rate 
 of increase in 1890 we shall have sixty-four millions, and 
 in 1 91 5, one hundred and twenty-eight millions. Many now 
 living will see that day. 
 
 5; Our pecuniary resources have increased far more 
 rapidly than our population and extension of territory. 
 Our magnificent cities, which spring up as if by magic, our 
 splendid churches, and other public buildings, our bank 
 capital, and our canals and railroads evince this. From 
 1850 to i860 our property, real and personal, increased 
 126 per cent. This is astonishing. Though our national 
 debt is enormous, it is doubtful whether it is larger in 
 
Thanksoiving at Millington 201 
 
 proportion to our population and means, than it was at 
 the close of the Revolutionary War. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 The abundance of the Divine favors conferred on our 
 nation is clearly seen in two particulars. 
 
 1. It is a fact, notorious and indisputable, that in 
 general intelligence, the means of living and the accumula- 
 tion of wealth, we stand mountain high above all ancient 
 and modern nations. Our free schools, select schools, 
 academies and colleges, all conduce to this result. Our 
 newspapers, so widely spread and perused, our books so 
 numerous and cheap, our Sabbath school literature and 
 churches aid in the diffusion of intelligence. The extent 
 of our public domain, the fruitfulness of the soil, variety 
 of productions, our minerals, metals, coals, and ores, with 
 water and steam-power in abundance, and our free in- 
 stitutions all conduce to every form of labor and skill, and 
 open wide the door to competence and wealth, and ren- 
 der us a marvel to other nations. 
 
 2. Our religious condition. In no other land are 
 there as many evangelical churches, houses of worship, and 
 evangelical preachers, according to the population, as in 
 our own. In illustration of this, we present the following 
 estimates: 
 
 The Baptist family, including all branches holding their 
 })eculiar views, has two million communicants, and eight 
 millions population. The Methodists, including all classes 
 of them, have not less than two million communicants and 
 eight millions population. The Presbyterian family, includ- 
 hig all who hold their form of church government, has 
 one million members and four million people. Then the 
 Ki)iscr)pal, Congregationalists, and Lutherans will average 
 v»iK-third of a million each, making one million members 
 
202 Elder Zelotes Grenel^'^ 
 
 and four millions population. These denominations have 
 six million communicants and twenty-four millions popula- 
 tion. What other nation can show as fair a record? 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 The history of ouf nation is before us, and calls for 
 giatitude and trust. Two problems have been solved: 
 First, the strength of Democracy. Second, Religion flour- 
 ishes best when left free. Two great and all important 
 duties, are then demanded of us : 
 
 1. The evangelization of all classes of our population, 
 give thorough intellectual and religious instruction to all, 
 regardless of color or social position. Meet all immigrants 
 with an open Bible, and living religion. The permanency 
 of our institutions depend upon this. This is Home 
 Missions. 
 
 2. To evangelize the world as fast as the door 
 shall be open. This is Foreign Missions, commenced and 
 progressing. The inspired saying ''There is that scattereth 
 and yet increaseth, and that withholdeth more than is 
 meet and it tendeth to poverty," (Proverb 11:24) is as 
 apphcable to nations as to individuals. 
 
 3. In view of our entire history, and especially the 
 numerous mercies of the past year, including national peace, 
 a healthful and fruitful season, our national debt diminish- 
 ed $100,000,000, commerce, manufacturers, and agriculture 
 thriving, let us raise our Eben-ezer, ''Hitherto the 
 Lord hath helped us." To Him be all the glory, both 
 now and forever. Amen. 
 
JUBILEE OF THE CLINTON BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 Clinton, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, Nov. io, i88i. 
 Dear Brethren: 
 
 I am happy to address you on this interesting occasion. 
 You will find my text in Exodus 14-^5^ Psalms 20:5, 
 Philippians 3:16. "Speak unto the Children of Israel that 
 they go forward." "We will rejoice in thy salvation and 
 in the name of our God we will set up our banner." 
 "Nevertheless, whereunto we have already attained, let us 
 walk by the same rule, let us mind the same things." 
 
 These three passages of the inspired volume are the 
 foundation of my remarks at your Jubilee Meeting. I 
 shall use them as themes of instruction, in the order in 
 which they lie before us. 
 
 First — Exodus 14.15. The command **go forward" 
 was given by God through Moses to "the Children of Israel" 
 when in a condition of peril and beset with great danger. 
 The hosts of Egypt, bent on their destruction, were behind 
 them, an idol temple on one side, a garrison of the enemy 
 on the other, and the waves of the sea before them. Thus 
 shut in they cried to Moses and he to the Lord. God 
 said : ' ' Stand still. " Cease your murmuring, trust in me. Then 
 sounded out the words, "go forward." They obeyed, and 
 grand was the result. 
 
 From this we learn: The church in every condition, pros- 
 perous or adverse, should go forward. In either case there 
 is need of this command; for in prosperity we are not to 
 
204 _ Eldeb Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 be satisfied with present attainments, since Joshua cautioned 
 Israel: ''There is much land yet to be possessed." And 
 under adverse circumstances we are prone to despair, feel 
 that all is lost and give up' the warfare. 
 
 That the church and the individual Christian should go 
 forward the following facts show. 
 
 1. Progress is the universal law of nature. This is seen 
 in the heavenly bodies. Sun, moon, and stars all move 
 forward. Also in all vegetable life, from the smallest weed 
 to the mighty oak. Also in all animal life, from the insect 
 of a day to the soaring eagle, the lion, and sea monster. 
 Such is human life in all its stages from infancy to gray 
 hairs. Should the church be exempted from God's uni- 
 versal law.? surely not. 
 
 2. God has commanded it. "Grow in grace," is a law 
 ^vhich binds the church and every individual member. 
 Paul felt its force and determined to obey its precepts. 
 Philippians 3: 12-14. "Not as though I had already attained. 
 But I follow after. I press toward the mark for the prize 
 of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." This was the 
 constant purpose of Christ. "I must work the works of 
 Him that sent me," said he, "while it is day, the night 
 cometh in which no man can work." 
 
 3. If the church does not go forward it will lose ground. 
 Like the boat rowed up stream, against the current, it falls 
 back when rowing ceases. Religious duties are crosses 
 that must be borne or we decline and grow weaker. 
 
 4. We have full assurance our cause is right and true. 
 The cause is God's. This should stimulate to action. Con- 
 science, our moral sense, the Bible, the whole work of 
 Christ, history, truth, safety, happiness, honor, usefulness 
 are all on the same side and urge us onward. 
 
 5. We can have no doubt of the qualification of our 
 
JuBiLKE AT Clinton. 205 
 
 Txadcr, the Lord of Hosts. His goodness, love, pov;er, 
 wisdom ar.d resources are infinite. He never lost a battle. 
 His trumpet never sounds a retreat, but onward ^lvkX vlclury. 
 Apparent defeats are final victories. ''Gad, a troop, shall 
 overcome him, but he shall overcome at last" (Genesis 49: 
 19). As Erskine says; 
 
 "All our battles, lost or won, 
 Were gained before^liey were begun."* 
 
 Finally, though surrounded by enemies and beset by 
 discouragements, all parts are encouraging. Every soldier 
 is a volunteer. He has the good of the cause at heart. 
 
 His Equipage is the whole armor of God. His cap- 
 tain is glorious, his service a pleasure, his conquest sure, 
 his crown eternal and unfading glory in the kingdom of 
 our Father, where the rage of earth and hell shall be heard 
 no more. Then, brethren and sisters, by all means go 
 forward. 
 
 Secondly — We now come to our second text, Psalms 20:5, 
 "We will rejoice in thy Salvation and in the name of our 
 God we will set up our banner." 
 
 Our first text developed duties which belong to all 
 times, places and circumstances. This shows our present 
 special duties in view of present circumstances of goodness 
 with which we are surrounded. "We will," said Israel 
 "rejoice in thy salvation," a deliverance granted to them 
 from the power of their foes. Such is our special duty 
 now, in view of the Divine goodness manifested in the 
 commencement and progress of this settlement and espec- 
 ially in the circumstances connected with the organization 
 of this church and the fifty years of its history. There is 
 no room for self-glorying here. God's providence and 
 grace have managed all your affairs. Our short-comings 
 have been many, for which we need humility and deep 
 
206 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 repentance. Our success is of the Lord, for which joyful 
 praise is demanded. This will lead us, on this jubilee of 
 rejoicing, in the name of God to set up our banner. 
 
 Let us consider the iiaiure and use of the banner, the 
 reasons for its erection and how we should do it. 
 
 1. The banner is an implement of war, valued by ail 
 nations. Its uses are various. It is a band of union to 
 the soldiers of the cross. It designates the nation to which 
 the ship, the fortress, or the army belongs. It is the means 
 of confidence and courage. It makes an army terrible to 
 the enemy, "terrible as an army with banners," Canticle 6: 
 4-10. The banner is a protection. The authorities of 
 Cuba dare not execute a British subject when the consul 
 throws the flag of his nation around him. Here are pleas- 
 ure and safety. "He brought me to the banqueting house 
 and his banner over me was love." 
 
 2. Why should you erect a banner,? In consideration 
 of many mercies. Now is your jubilee and a crisis in your 
 history. Here a new era in your history commences. You 
 survey the past and hope for the future. 
 
 In my first visit here sixty-eight years ago and eighteen 
 years before you became a church, I saw the nucleus of 
 a church in the Nortons, Grenells, Griswolds, and other 
 men of culture and piety baptized in Connecticut. You 
 wanted the Gospel, and God gave it to you in men good 
 and true. God blessed their toils, souls were converted 
 and baptized. In eighteen years, you covenanted together 
 twenty-six in number. Seldom has a church been organ- 
 ized in so sparse a settlement which had as many elements 
 of strength and promises of perpetuity as you then had. 
 
 3. Since your organization, the first twenty-six years ol 
 your history, as recorded in the history of the association, 
 developed much of Divine goodness. You were usually 
 
JuiiiLEE AT Clinton. 201 
 
 supplied, statedly supplied with pastors, good and true, and 
 God blessed the preaching of the Word. Brother Curtis 
 was with you in all fourteen years. Brother Curren five 
 years.' Brethren Spencer, Purdun, Fox, and Hubbard also 
 labored acceptably among you. In 1844, fifteen were baptiz- 
 ed and your membership was eighty-six. In 1855, forty-one 
 were baptized, your number one hundred and thirty-six. Dur- 
 ing these years the church had three revivals and became a 
 strong body. In 1846 the Lord gave you the means and 
 the disposition to erect a house of worship, but in 185 1 
 he tore it to pieces with a tempest of wind, and this to 
 try your faith, and in 1855 you completed another and 
 better one. I had the honor of preaching its dedicatory 
 sermon. 
 
 During these last twenty-four years you have sung of 
 mercies and judgments, judgments few and mercies many. 
 Brother Halsted was your main supply in 1857, and in 1862 
 L. O. Grenell baptized four at- one time. Alexander Smith 
 preached one year, baptized two. Brother Bennett preach- 
 ed in 1 86 1 and baptized thirty-two. Brother Curtis supplied 
 you when destitute. Brother Bunting preached from 1862 to 
 1868 and baptized twenty-eight. He died on the field. 
 Brother More labored from 1870 to 1871 and baptized six. 
 Your present pastor has been with you some eleven years 
 and baptized sixty. Surely these are mercies great and glor- 
 ious. But some have died, some moved away, a few have 
 turned their backs on the cause. Two hundred and ninety 
 three have been baptized into your fellowship, four hundred 
 and six have had their names on your roll and your present 
 membership is one hundred and fifty. This is a good showing 
 considering your location, where many move away and few 
 come among you. Surely these mercies demand a banner 
 of gratitude and praise. 
 
208 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 3. To erect this banner implies that you reahze clearly 
 the abundance of God's mercies to you and have a clear 
 sense of the personal obligation this goodness imposes. 
 This will inspire enlarged devotion and increased consecra- 
 tion. Having these, you will take a more prominent and 
 public stand in favor of the cause of God, and you will 
 have enlarged desires to promote its progress in your com- 
 munity and throughout the world. Then you will take an 
 expansive view of the wide field of christian enterprise God 
 has spread out before you, and enter into all God's pur- 
 poses to save the world. 
 
 We have endeavored to show the various uses of the 
 banner as a bond of union, as an inspircr of courage, as 
 a protection and place of safety. With this banner float- 
 ing over your heads, when tempted to delay you will say 
 with one of old : "I have sworn to the Lord and cannot 
 go back." and with the poef.. 
 
 "Here in thy house I leave my vows 
 
 And thy rich grace record; 
 Witness, ye saints, who hear me novv^, 
 If I forsake the Lord." 
 Then will you attempt great things for Christ and expect 
 great things from him and not be disappointed. Then }'ou 
 will bring all your offerings into the Lord's store house and 
 prove him if he will not pour you out a blessing indeed. 
 Then will this day be a jubilee indeed and God will 
 say, "From this day I will bless them." Then may you 
 here see developed the agonies of dying unto sin, followed 
 by the joy of souls born into the kingdom. May the Lord 
 grant it now. 
 
 Thirdly. Let us consider the other text named: "Never- 
 theless, whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by 
 the same rule, let us mind the same things." 
 
Jubilee at Clinton. 209 
 
 Tliis church seems anxious to secure further prosperity 
 and know the means to attain it. Paul directs them to 
 consuh their experience as a rule of attaining success. Such 
 I take for granted is now your anxious desire. As exper- 
 ience was the guide of the Phihppian Church why should 
 it not be yours.? And you have an advantage in this re- 
 spect; their experience was but short while yours embraces 
 half a century. Allow me to remind you of a few things 
 taught in these fifty years of experience. 
 
 I. That neither wealth, nor talents, nor both combined are 
 the sovereign means of the prosperity of a church how- 
 ever useful in themselves, but true, ardent, intelligent piety 
 is the all-essential means of permanent prosperity. Piety 
 commences in the family, secures the support, education, 
 control, and instruction of children. Such a family is a 
 Bible-reading, praying church and Sunday School-going 
 family. The Sabbath is observed as a holy day and the 
 Bible is prized as the book of books. Such a family is 
 the glory of the State, the nursery of the church and its 
 greatest blessing. God dwells there. 
 
 Such a church will have a pastor of like spirit. They 
 will sustain him pecuniarily according to their ability and 
 his needs. They will watch over him in love, sympathize 
 with him in his sorrows, protect him if aspersed, aid him 
 in his eflbrts to build up the church and spread the Gos- 
 pel far abroad. They will heed the caution, "Touch not 
 mine anointed, and do my prophet no harm." 
 
 Humility is an element of piety and of church growth. 
 
 ** Which should be greatest" disturbed the immediate 
 family of Christ. This spirit has retarded the growth of 
 many churches and annihilated not a few. Which shall 
 be least, brings no trouble. Pride brings jealousy, hatred 
 strife, and the Holy Spirit takes his flight. The humble 
 
210 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 church most resembles Christ and secures the blessing which 
 makes rich and adds no sorrow to the soul. 
 
 But among all the elements of piety and church growth 
 befievolence is the most essential and deservedly wears the 
 crown. As this is the highest type of piety, and the great- 
 est cross imposed on us, the Bible has taken unusual pains 
 to show evils of covetousness and the value of benevo- 
 lence, that we may forsake that and follow this. 
 
 1. The Bible for our warning describes the character 
 and doom of such, of Balaam who served for the wages 
 of unrighteousness and died fighting against God — Israel 
 and Israel's God ; of Judas who sold his Lord for thirty 
 pieces of silver, the price of a slave, in remorse hung him- 
 self over the verge of a precipice and falling asunder all 
 his bowels gushed out ; of Ajtam'as and his wife Sapphira, 
 who lied to the Holy Spirit and died on the spot; of 
 Simon Magus, who wished to purchase the gift of the Holy 
 Spirit with money; of the Ri'c/i Fool, whose soul God 
 demanded that night. Such are our warnings. Happy 
 they who hear and duly heed them. 
 
 2. God has commended benevolence by the examples 
 and influence of such as Noah, who built the ark, saved 
 his house, and condemned the world. Israel under Moses 
 built the Tabernacle in the wilderness which cost millions 
 and after, in the time of Solomon, the Temple was erected 
 at a cost of hundreds of millions. The Gospel was spread 
 in the Apostolic age by the self-sacrificing labors and gifts 
 of the church. For an account of the labors of Prophets 
 and Apostles read the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, their 
 heroic benevolence. 
 
 3. God has commended benevolence by developing its 
 character and promises attached to it. Such "lend to the 
 Lord" and *'He will repay" them. To such as give, men 
 
Jubilee at Clinton. 211 
 
 will give in return, good measure, pressed down and run- 
 ning over. Benevolence supplies the wants of the saints 
 and produces abundant thanksgiving to God. The benev- 
 olence of the Philippians was an odor of sweet smell, a 
 sacrifice well-pleasing to God. Benevolence is a sacrifice 
 well pleasing to God. 
 
 4. The unmistakable signs of the age demand of the 
 church enlarged benevolence. God is waking up the na- 
 tions and opening vast fields for the spread of the gospel. 
 
 The hundreds of millions of China and millions of 
 Japan are calling for the Word of Life. All Africa is now 
 open to the heralds of the cross. The Telugus are coming 
 to Christ by thousands. Our own land opens a wide field 
 for evangelistic work. **The field is the world," and we 
 are commanded to enter it as laborers of the Cross. As a 
 denomination we have entered into the work, and God has 
 blessed us abundantly in it Our benevolence should be 
 greatly enlarged. 
 
 5. A man in health need not ask his physician how 
 much he should eat. His appetite will inform him. Even 
 so, if our souls were healthy and benevolence were our 
 food, our appetites would direct us in this matter. Then 
 would benevolence abundantly increase, and the Lord's 
 treasury would be abundantly supplied. 
 
 Brethren, Sisters, look on your broad acres of teeming 
 soil, your flocks and herds, your cellars and pantries, your 
 houses, equipages and wardrobes, listen to the wail of 
 the dying pagan and then inquire, what have I done? 
 What am I doing.? What ought I to do in the great 
 work of carrying out the great commission.? Then act for 
 God and in view of eternity. 
 
 CONXLUSION. 
 
 Since you were organized as a church great changes have 
 
212 Elder. Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 occurred in this place. Our entire country has undergone 
 a great change during that time. The same may be said 
 of the entire world. Especially is this true of our beloved 
 denomination. There are five times as many Baptists in 
 the United States of America as when you were organized, 
 and six times as many as sixty-three years ago. Benev- 
 olent toil has been abundantly blessed. The Old School 
 Baptists in twenty years have diminished from one hundred 
 to forty thousand, a solemn warning against inaction in 
 the cause of God. 
 
 Few are living who were with you fifty years ago. Only 
 a few of those now with you will be living fifty years 
 hence. Time is short. Improve it while it is given to you. 
 Soon the night of death cometh in which no one shall 
 work. 
 
 Finally, sixty-three years ago I first saw this place and 
 its inhabitants. I loved them then, and have loved them 
 more and more ever since. God only knows how much 
 I loved Deacon Grenell and his family and others. I have 
 been enabled to visit you occasionally through all these 
 long years. I have preached in your dwellings, school- 
 houses, barns and churches, at your funerals and associa- 
 tions and now at your jubilee. My acquaintance com- 
 menced in the dew of my youth and boyhood of my min- 
 istry, and has continued till old age has come. My sight 
 and hearing have failed, memory has become treacherous, 
 my right hand is forgetting its cunning, and I tremble on 
 the brink of* the grave. I love you dearly, am anxious for 
 your prosperity, therefore I have used on this occasion great 
 plainness of speech. I feel you will hear my voice no 
 more. This is my farewell sermon. Finally, brethren, farewell. 
 
THE BLIND AND DEAF SERVANT. 
 
 "Who is blind^ but myjscrvant ? or deaf as my messen- 
 ger that I scnt.P^who is bHnd as he that is perfect, and 
 bhnd as the Lord's servant?/' {Isaiah 42 : ig. ) 
 
 Isaiah has with propriety been denominated the Evan- 
 gehcal prophet. Though he prophesied more than seven 
 hundred years before tha coming of Christ, his views of his 
 character and work, his rejection, sufferings and death, and 
 the wonderful result in the progress of his Kingdom, are 
 so clear and full that he seems to have been living among these 
 wonderful scenes and appropriately writes in the past tense. 
 This whole chapter is a description of his character and 
 work- 
 Some have suggested that this text discloses the obstinacy of 
 the Jews, especially the rulers of the nation, in rejecting 
 Christ. It is true they were wilfully and wickedly blind. 
 But the term servant in the passage is in the singular and 
 cannot apply to a class. Would the Lord term them his 
 servant ironically or sarcastically.? Moreover the description 
 in the text and its connection is true of Christ and some 
 expressions can apply to no one else. He was a servanj 
 and the Lord's servant, a messenger and the Lord's messen- 
 ger. He was perfect, absolutely so. He only of all Adam's 
 race magnified the law and made it honorable. It is only 
 in his righteousness the Lord is well pleased. It is only 
 he that can open the ear. Hence, my text asserts Christ 
 
2i4 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 was both deaf and dumb, and more so than any other one. 
 "Who is bHnd but my servant, or deaf as my messenger ?" 
 Hence, inspired prophecy pronounced our Lord both bhnd 
 and deaf Of course this must be true. 
 
 But the question is, in what sense is he so ? There are 
 two kinds of bhndness and deafness, viz: physical and moral. 
 One, so born and cannot see nor hear though very desirous; 
 and the other, having the power but not the disposition. 
 He hates the light, closes his eyes and ears and is as blind 
 and deaf as the other, but under different circumstances. 
 With one it is voluntary, with the other involuntary. In 
 one case it is neither a virtue nor a vice, but a great mis- 
 fortune, with the other it may be either according to cir- 
 cumstances. When Joseph was blind and deaf to the 
 temptation of his mistress, it was a virtue. When the 
 believer is blind and deaf to the charms of vice, it is a 
 virtue. When the sinner is so blind he can see no charms 
 in Christ, and so deaf he can hear no music in the Gos- 
 pel, it is a vice. Such are described in Psalms 58 : 4, 5. 
 **Like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear, which will not 
 hearken to the voice of charmers charming never so 
 wisely. " 
 
 Christ was neither blind nor deaf physically. He was a man 
 perfect physically and morally, every physical faculty was 
 perfectly developed; but he was morally blind and deaf to 
 all that was evil. He lived thirty-three years surrounded 
 by temptation and remained undenled. The Prince of this 
 world found nothing in Him. 
 
 The following points developed in his life will illustrate 
 the subject: 
 
 I. Christ was totally blind and deaf to the temptations of 
 Satan. 
 
 His contest with this potent adversary is described in 
 
Blind and Deaf Servant. 215 
 
 Matthew 4: i-n. When he had fasted forty days and was 
 sorely pinched with hunger, Satan tempted him to prove his 
 Messiahship by converting stones into bread. Christ had 
 an appropriate answer, "Man shall not live by bread alone." 
 Deut. S:j. Then on the pinnacle of the Temple Satan 
 tempted him to cast himself down, as no evil could in 
 that case befall him, and quoted as proof Psalm 21: 11-12. 
 Christ had an answer ready, *'Thou shalt not tempt the 
 Lord thy God," Deut. 6: 6. Then on a high mountain 
 he showed him all the Kingdoms of the earth, claimed the 
 ownership of all and promised them all to him if he would 
 fall down and worship him. Truly he possessed all these 
 as a usurper though he could not dispose of any. Christ 
 had as an answer, Deut. 6: ij. "Thou shalt worship the 
 Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve." In every 
 conflict, he defeated Satan by the word which is the sword 
 of the Spirit. 
 
 Satan also tempted him by stirring up the Scribes and 
 Pharisees to harass him and extort answers by which they 
 might accuse him of treason to Caesar or of violating the 
 law of Moses. See on paying tribute to Caesar (I\Iatt. 22: 17- 
 22). Also the woman taken in adultery. (John 8: 3-10). 
 Also on the resurrection. (Matt. 22: 23-33). ^^^^ ^^ the 
 subject of divorce. (Mark 10: 1-12). No temptation ever 
 turned him aside. He was blind and deaf to them all. 
 
 2. He was totally blind and deaf to all the glory which arises 
 from civil office and the possession 0/ wealth. 
 
 Honor and wealth as a means of sensual enjoyment are 
 the great enticements of men. Where is the man who is 
 blind and deaf to these charms.? But such was our Redeem- 
 er. Instead of ruling he served as a menial, and even 
 washed the feet of his diciples. When they came to 
 make him a king by force, he refused and fled from them 
 
216 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 (John 6:15). Though he possessed the world, he volun- 
 tarily subjected himself to a situation of poverty. He was 
 ministered to and his daily wants supplied by pious and 
 benevolent women (Luke 8: 2-3). He could say, ** Foxes 
 have their holes and the birds of the air nests, but the 
 Son of Man hath not where to lay his head " (Luke 9:58.). 
 He wrought many miracles to supply others but never one 
 to supply his own wants. So extremely poor was he, that 
 he owned no house or home and lived all his life by bor- 
 rowing J he was wrapped in a borrowed swaddling-band, 
 laid in a borrowed boat, rode on a borrowed animal, 
 and was buried in a borrowed tomb. Such his blindness 
 and deafness to honor and wealth. 
 
 3. He was totally blind and deaf io all the reproaches 
 of the ungodly and their combination to destroy him. None 
 of these turned him aside from the one subject which was 
 always before him, to finish his work. True he escaped 
 until his time had come and then met death manfully and with- 
 out flinching. See Gethsemane and the Cross. — He was 
 accused of being a glutton, a wine bibber, a friend of 
 Publicans and Sinners(iMatt. 11:19). Also of performing 
 his miracles through Beel zebub the Prince of the devils 
 (Mark 3: 22). He was accused of blasphemy (Matt. 26:65). 
 He was also accused of treason against Caesar by pro- 
 claiming himself a king. He was advised to flee from the 
 country or Herod would kill him. And he said, "Go and' 
 tell that fox, behold I cast out devils and do cures to-day 
 and to-morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.' 
 His work was ever before him and no consideration of 
 flattery or frown, security or danger, friendship or emnity, 
 pity or scorn could turn him aside. He could say, ''Father 
 I have finished the work which thou hast given me to do. ' 
 
 4. He ever was and ever will be totally blind and deaf 
 
Blind and Deaf Servant. 217 
 
 to all the /also, charges brought against his children, cither 
 by the Devil or the ungodly. 
 
 Saints in every age have been an accused, reproached 
 and persecuted people. Satan accused Job of selfish hypoc- 
 ricy, of serving God for gain. He accused and resisted 
 Joshua when about to be restored to the priesthood, but God 
 answered, **Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire"? 
 Zech. 3: 2) The three Hebrews were accused of treason to 
 the king, Daniel was accused of disloyalty to his monarch, 
 the apostles were accused as disturbers of the peace and of 
 turning the world upside down. Paul was accused of be- 
 ing a pestilent fellow, a mover of sedition. All the apostles 
 but John were executed on false charges. During the first 
 three centuries of the christian era, thousands were accus- 
 ed before Pagan Magistrates, tried, condemnc<l and execut- 
 ed on false charges. Under the dominion of Papal Rome, 
 millions have been subjected to all the indignities and tor- 
 tures human malice could invent, viz., fines, prisons, ban- 
 ishment, starvation, fighting with wild beasts, drowning and 
 the fire, and all on false charges. Think of Paul, suffering 
 as recorded by himself ( 2 Cor. 11:24-26). All these false 
 accusations and persecutions have been conducted in the 
 name of religion. And in this, Protestants have not been 
 innocent. Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians and Con- 
 gregationalists have imbued their hands in the blood of the 
 saints. All national churches have practised this iniquity. 
 But our Redeemer is blind and deaf to all these charges. 
 He knows his sheep and is known of them. They are 
 clothed in his righteousness. He says, *'Thou art all fair, 
 my love." Hence, the triumphant language of Paul, "Who 
 shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect ? it is God 
 that justifieth: who is he that condemncth"? In all their sor- 
 rows, the persecuted had communion with Christ, and the 
 
218 Elder Zelotes Grenelx.. 
 
 witness of his spirit was with them. Though often chas- 
 tized with a fatherly hand, ultimately he will present them 
 before his Father's throne without spot and complete in their 
 Redeemer. 
 
 5. Christ is absolutely both blind and deaf/o all the for- 
 vier sins of the penitent. 
 
 Such come to him for mercy confessing sin and seeking 
 forgiveness. When saul of Tarsus imploringly said, **Lord 
 what wilt thou have me to do" ? Christ did not reproach 
 him for being a blasphemer and a persecutor of his chil- 
 dren. His love and sympathy would not break that bruised 
 reed nor quench that smoking flax. He addressed him in 
 words of tenderness and directed him in the way of deliver- 
 ance. So the three thousand stung with remorse of con- 
 science and dreading the doom awaiting them, inquired 
 "What shall we do?" Peter under the influence of the 
 spirit uttered no reproachful word, but directed them to the 
 remedy that God had provided. And when the Jailor in 
 amazement cried, ''What shall I do to b 2 saved"? he was not 
 reproached by Paul. He directed him to Christ and bade 
 him trust in him for salvation. Such is true of every one 
 coming in sincerity to him. Conscience, the law and satan 
 reproach such; but Christ welcomes all in love who come in 
 penitence to him. 
 
 This is equally true of the repenting backslider. David 
 reproached himself most bitterly when brought to repentance, 
 but God had put away his sin. So Peter reproached him- 
 self, but from Christ received the looks of love and peace 
 of faith. He wept bitterly over his denial, but Christ in 
 compassion had forgiven him and bade him feed the sheep. 
 The returning prodigal reproached himself but the father 
 welcomed him with joy and without reproach. So with 
 every true penitent and with all under the burden of guilt. 
 
Blind and Deaf Servant. 219 
 
 Thus he said to his ancient Israel, ** Return, O backsliding 
 daughter, for I am married unto you, saith the Lord." He 
 neither reproaches nor casts out any who come to him. 
 
 6. He is also blind and deaf to the pretensions^ zeal^ 
 prayers and profession of the self-righteous hypocrite. He 
 would not receive the offering of Cain. Such were the 
 hypocritical offerings of Israel and hence rejected. He testi- 
 fies against them (Isaiah 66:3). *'He that killeth an ox 
 is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb as if he 
 cut off a dog's neck : and he that offereth an oblation as 
 if he blessed an idol." They chose their way, God chose 
 their delusions. So scribes and Pharisees who for a pre- 
 tense made long prayers and yet robbed widows' houses, 
 received the greater damnation (Matt 23:14). Such was the 
 prayer of the Pharisee, and he was unblessed. All the pleas of 
 such at the judgment will be vain,(Matt. 7:23). All re- 
 ligion without love is vain (i Cor. 13: 1-3). (Heb. 11: 6). 
 
 7. A time is coming when to every impenitent sinner 
 Christ will be blind and deaf to all his sighs and tears. 
 Though long suffering and patient, there is a point beyond 
 which his forbearance will not go. This is true of nations. 
 When the flood came, when Sodom and other cities were wrap- 
 ped in flames, when the ten plagues fell upon Egypt 
 and Pharaoh's host sank in the Red Sea, when the Roman 
 army closed around Jerusalem the day of grace was ended, 
 and in each case an awful doom followed. This is true 
 of every sinner when death comes. It may take place long 
 before, how long we know not. Belshazzar and Herod 
 arrived at that state and were given up. Asaph describes 
 it(Psalm 'J7,: 4). Then no more sacrifice for sin but a fear- 
 ful looking for of judgment. The door then shut. Solo- 
 mon describes such (Prov. 1:24-27). This an awful state. 
 Let the sinner tremble before it is too late. 
 
220 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 IMPROVEMENT. 
 
 It was necessary that Christ should be thus blind and 
 deaf. Only a spotless victim could be accepted to make 
 atonement. Had he failed in a single point all would have 
 been lost. Hence, the amazing responsibility under which 
 he labored during his entire life, especially the most trying 
 moments in Gethsemane, before the Jewish Sanhedrin, at 
 Pilate's bar, and when all the powers of Hell combined to 
 crush him. When God forsook him and he trod the 
 wine-press alone, then he cried, "It is finished." 
 
 2. In this, Christ is our inspired pattern, (i Pet. 2:21), 
 at which all should industriously aim. None can hope 
 to come fully up to it in this life, yet effort is the source 
 of improvement. When this ceases, so does improvement. 
 Here see the folly of those who think they have arrived at a 
 state of perfection. 
 
 3. No christian should be satisfied with his present at- 
 tainments. Paul was not yet perfect, nor had attained in 
 full, but he labored to apprehend that for which he was ap- 
 prehended of Christ. Thus striving, the christian will go 
 from strength to strength till he appears before God. 
 O for grace to be like our Redeemer, deaf and blind to 
 all that is sinful and vain, to be vessels fit for the Mas- 
 ter's use and ready -for toil and sacrifice! 
 
THE ALL SUFFICIENXY OF CHRIST. 
 
 "And the key of the House of David will I lay upon 
 his shoulder, and he shall open, and none shall shut, and 
 he shall shut and none shall open. And I will fasten him 
 as a nail in a sure place, and he shall be for a glorious 
 throne to his father's house. And they shall hang upon 
 him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and 
 the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of 
 cups, even to all the vessels of flagons." Isaiah xxii: 22- 
 24. 
 
 In this chapter, verses fifteen and twenty-fifth, the removal 
 of Shebna an unworthy officer, and the appointment of 
 Eliakim to succeed him, with the blessings which should 
 result from his administration are clearly predicted. All 
 this was doubtless fulfilled in due time. This passage has 
 also an application to Christ. Christ the infallible interpreter 
 of scripture applies a part of this discription to himself. 
 Rev. 111:7. While all was true literally of Eliakim, all is 
 true in a higher sense of our Redeemer. 
 
 The theme which is the import of the text is, The all 
 
 sufficiency of Christ. This is presented under four signif- 
 
 . icant metapl^rs. The key, the nail, the throne, the glory. 
 
 Firstly— The key he holds. The house of David is literally the 
 kirgdom over which David ruled, mystically it refers to the 
 gospel church, of which the kingdom of David, was only 
 t}pical. To hold the key is the official work of a treasurer^ 
 a work of much responsibility and honor. Such was the 
 office of the Eunuch Philip baptized. Acts, viii-27. 
 
222 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 Christ holds the key of the whole moral universe which 
 he opens and shuts at pleasure. This includes, i. Hea- 
 ven which was shut by sin against all the fallen race of 
 Adam. But Christ has opened it by his obedience, sac- 
 rifice, and intercession, to every penitent sinner who 
 will believe on him. 2. He holds the key of the gospel 
 church, which is his militant kingdom. He, in his word, 
 has opened its door wide, to every penitent who believes 
 in him, irrespective of race or color, or previous condition, 
 and closed it against everybody else. 3. Of the heart. All 
 hearts are closed against him, no human power can open 
 our hearts. But as he opened the heart of Lydia Acts 16 
 :i4, so it has been of every soul who is converted, his 
 grace can open the hardest heart. 4. He opens death and 
 hades. By his resurrection death is abolished, life and im- 
 mortality are brought to light. *'A11 in their graves shall 
 hear his voice and come forth." 5. Of the bottomless pit. 
 Then he will confine the old serpent a thousand years. 
 And finally satan, his angels and every sinner dy- 
 ing impenitent, will there be eternally confined This 
 will be the second death. Revelation 2c: 1-3; 14-15 
 verses. 
 
 Surely with this key, "he opens and none can shut, 
 shuts and none can open." 
 
 Secondly — He is a nail fastened in a sure place. This 
 metaphor alludes to the custom of inserting pins, as nails 
 in the post or beams in a house, for the purpose of sus- 
 pending articles on them. 
 
 The term denotes the permanence and stability of Christ, 
 in his official work. Shebna was removed for incapcity, 
 Eliakim would die.. 
 
 The high priest could not continue because of death. So 
 of all kings or prophets, but Christ abides and will have 
 
The all Sutficienct of Christ. 223 
 
 no successor. The prophet informs us, "a tried stone." 
 Isaiah 28:16. 
 
 Trial develops strength. Christ was tried by heaven, 
 earth, and hell. He was tried by the law in all its demands, 
 against him as the surety of his people. He owned the 
 demand and discharged it in agonies, groans, sweat, blood, 
 and death. Nailed all to his cross. He was tried by satan 
 the god of this world, by all his artful seductions in the 
 wilderness, onTthe temple, and on the mountain. He was 
 tried by the ungodly Jews and Romans who used every 
 means to defeat him, and drive him from his work. He 
 was tried by toil, hunger, weariness, and the reproaches 
 and scorn of his enemies. He was tried by his auful agony 
 in the garden, by his bloody sweat, and the indignities 
 inflicted on him. Then by a crown of thorns, mock scep- 
 ter, blind-folding, scourging and vinegar for his thirst. He 
 was tried on the cross by its auful agony, the railing of 
 the malefactor, and the hiding of his father's face. He 
 was tried by his diciples who forsook him and fled, Judas 
 who betrayed him, and Peter who denied him. He was 
 tried in Joseph's tomb and by the guards who watched 
 his body. And alas how often is he tried by the follies 
 of his children . Amid all these trials he developed his 
 stability, neither earth nor hell could move him, "the cup 
 (said he)which my father gave me to drink shall I not 
 drink it.?" He was officially both deaf and blind to all 
 the favors or flatteries of both friends or foes. He was a 
 person of one idea, and one purpose. His work was al- 
 ways before him, his sole purpose was to finish it. Surely 
 then in his official work, he was as a nail fastened in a 
 sure place. 
 
 Thirdly — He should be a glorious throne to his father's 
 house. By his father's house we understand the new testa- 
 
224 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 menl church which is God's house in the kingdom of Christy 
 By a common figure of speech the throne is here used for 
 himself 
 
 Who is seated on this throne. The text might be read 
 thus, He shall make the throne of his father's house glor- 
 ious. Such is the plain meaning of the sentence. Cer- 
 tain things constitute a throne glorious, and this developes 
 every conceivable element of glory, as, i. — Superior wisdom. 
 Christ is infinite in wisdom, even wisdom personified, Prov. 8. 
 He is in perfection what Solomon was only in degree. 
 He devised the plan of human redemption, displaying the 
 highest wisdom. 2. — Justice is an element of glory in a 
 throne. "Justice and judgment are the habitation of his 
 throne, while mercy and truth go before his face." 3 — Pow- 
 er is an element of glory in a throne, it is developed in 
 justice an equity. Christ is not only mighty but almighty. 
 To protect his children, and crush his foes. His power 
 is always exercised in harmony with all that is right. As 
 the judge of all the earth, he cannot do wrong. ' Even his 
 vengence on the antediluvians, Sodom and Egypt; while 
 it displays his power was all executed in equity and none 
 could impeach him with folly. 4. — Sovereignity displayed 
 in justice always gives permanency and glory to a throne. 
 Christ is an absolute sovereign, his will is law in all cases, 
 from twhich there is no appeal. Life and death are in his 
 hands. He sets up one, and puts down another at his 
 will. No one can say, What doest thou .'* The fate of nations 
 as well as individual is in his hands. 5. — But grace 
 and mercy, if exercised in harmony with justice make 
 a throne especially glorious. God's mercy through Christ 
 flows a boundless stream, and though he pardons trans- 
 gressions and sin, he will by no means clear th^ 
 guilty; while his law developed in the whole ministry o 
 
The all Sufficiency of Christ. 225 
 
 Moses was glorious as one of condemnation. The gospel 
 far exceeds in glory, hence angels celebrate his birth, in a 
 song of ''glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and 
 good will to men." Such is the song of every convert. Such 
 is the song of every gospel church, and such will be the end- 
 less song of heaven. 
 
 Fourthly — The glory of Christ in his sustaining grace. 
 In the text we are informed he sustains, i. — All the glory 
 of his father's house, the new testament church is his fath- 
 er's house. It was built, ruled, defended, and provided 
 for by Jehovah, and he makes his dwelling there. The 
 conversion of our souls is so glorious it fills heaven with 
 delight. Countless millions will be redeemed and called to 
 this house. 'They shall be brought from all ages of the 
 world, from all nations, languages, and color, and all in- 
 tellectual, moral, and social positions, all justified and sanc- 
 tified, and made meet for heaven. All the glory of each 
 individual of this vast assembly hangs upon our glorious 
 Redeemer. 2. — All vessels of small quanity "from the ves- 
 sels of cups even unto the vessels of flagons," Each true 
 member of the church of Christ is a vessel of mercy who 
 was wrought by Christ, to be a monument of his grace, 
 and show forth his glory. As in a large and well furnished 
 house, there are vessels of various capacity, adapted to va- 
 rious uses, so it is in the church of Christ, here we behold 
 prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors, deacons, helps, 
 governments. Some official and others private members. 
 We behold various grades, in pecuniary ability, intellectual 
 culture, natural talents, public gifts; hence in the church 
 we find fathers, young men and litde children. These are 
 vessels of various capacity, and each has his appropriate 
 place of usefulness in Uie church. 4. — But they all 
 alike hang upon this nail, and he is able to sus- 
 
226 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 tain the whole. This is true. i. — In the meritori- 
 ous sense of the word. All are saved by the same 
 atonement, regenerated by the same spirit, justified by the 
 same imputed righteousness, heirs of the same inheritance, 
 and will sing the same song in heaven to all eternity. 
 2, — In the experimental sense of the term, all have ahke 
 seen their ruined condition by sin, and had the same re- 
 pentance. All had seen the way of salvation through Christ, 
 and believed on him, all alike ascribe the glory of their 
 salvation to Christ, sing the same song here, and will in 
 heaven ever own all is of grace. 3. In the practical sense 
 of the word all look to Christ as law giver, pattern, lead- 
 er. The same ordinances for all, and all feel bound to 
 obey his commands. Most surely then all the glory of his 
 father's house, the offspring and issue hang upon him. 
 
 From the whole we may infer, 
 
 I. — What is the grand mark ofa true christian, viz: hav- 
 ing correct views of Christ, as he is revealed in the scrip- 
 ture. The word of truth in the bible and of grace in the 
 heart of the believer, have the same origin, viz : the holy 
 ghost, and so they must argue, as Christ is revealed in the 
 bible he is all sufficient to the true Christian, and he must be all 
 and in all. If Christ is every thing in our view, self is 
 nothing, for they always occupy opposite scales in the bal- 
 ance. 2. — Our life of service is the grand evidence of the 
 disposition of our heart. He who loves most will serve 
 most. Hence a flaming zeal, a great memory, eloquence, of 
 speech and profound knowledge, may all exist when love 
 is absent. (See ist. Cor. i3.)0bedience, consecration, per- 
 severance cross-bearing and especially benevolence are the 
 evidences of o ur own state. The individual who hopes he 
 is a christian and on his way to heaven and yet clings to 
 his wealth, as the chief good, gives poor evidence of hav- 
 
The aiaj Sufficiency of Chkist. 22 1 
 
 ing all his hopes hanging upon this nail. 3. — This subject 
 is the best news to the hungry, mourning' seeking soul. 
 While you can do nothing, there is nothing for you to 
 do, but believe in him, who is all sufficient, and will save 
 to the uttermost, all who come to God by him. 4. — The 
 awful folly and just doom of those who will not have this 
 Redeemer to rule over them. Oh ! sinner think of the day, 
 when he shall say, Bring forth these my enemies who would 
 not that I should rule over them, and slay them before me. 
 
THE GLORY OF GOSPEL BAPTISM. 
 
 "And they both went down into the water, both PhiHp 
 and the Eunuch; and he baptized him." Acts 8: ^S. 
 
 This is the only place in the New Testament where the 
 ordinance of baptism is minutely described. This descrip- 
 tion is given for our instruction and imitation. Philip the 
 evangelist was directed by the angel of the Lord to "go 
 toward the south, into the way that goeth down from 
 Jerusalem to Gaza." There he met "a man of great au- 
 thority," a Jewish Proselyte., returning from Jerusalem and 
 engaged in reading the roll of Isaiah. Philip by the direc- 
 tion of the Spirit joined himself to the chariot, and by in- 
 vitation entered it, and preached unto the Eunuch the doc- 
 trine of atonement by the offering of Christ. He set forth 
 clearly the meaning of the passage he was reading. It was 
 done under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who also open- 
 ed the understanding of the inquirer to know the truth as 
 it is in Jesus. As they rode along they came to a certain 
 water and the Eunuch requested to be baptized. The re- 
 quest was granted, the chariot was ordered to stop, and the 
 initiatory rite was administered to this convert to the relig- 
 ion of Christ. He went on his way rejoicing. 
 
 The description given of baptism in the text is so plain 
 no argument can render it more so. The proof of immersion 
 is needless. All admit 2/ to be baptism. To attempt 
 to prove that sprinkling is not baptism is a work of super- 
 erogation. No man is under any obligation to prove a 
 negative. Let those who practice it prove it from the Bible. 
 
GloPvY of Gogpel Baptis: 229 
 
 The Superior glory of this ordinance is the point n'^\^ 
 under contemplation. God is glorious in himself. Ali hi ; 
 v,\)rl;s are glorious, so are all his ordinances, but on^ 
 may be more glorious than another. Of all institutior 
 baptism is ihi most glorious. 
 
 First — It has an author itat roe glory. 
 
 Every command is glorious in propoition to the digni- 
 ty of the authority whence it emanates, whether paren- 
 tal or political. God's law has the highest authority. Bap- 
 tism is a positive command of Christ, incorporated in the 
 commission given to his disciples, (]\Iatt. 28: 19). Under 
 his authority they required every convert to submit to this 
 ordinance. 
 
 Second — Baptism has an exemplary glory. 
 
 There is a glory in the example of the learned, aged, 
 wise and good. Why was Christ baptized.? Not as a Je\A- 
 ish Priest. The law commanded the Priest to be vra^ilied 
 at the door of the tabernacle, not baptized in Jorc'oi cr 
 any other place. Christ was a Priest not after the order 
 of Aaron but of IMelchisedek. He was baptized to fulfil 
 all righteousness. So of every divine institution. He gave 
 us an example that we shouM follow him. He says to 
 every believer, "Deny thyself, take up thy cross, and fol- 
 low me." Surely tliere was a superior glory in this exam- 
 ple. 
 
 Thirdly — Baptism has an approp-ia!e glory. 
 
 It points the candidate and audience to Jordon where 
 the Redeemer submitted to the Divine rite, (IMatt. 3: 13-17). 
 John, sent of God to baptize, was the administrator; Jesus, 
 our incarnate Redeemer, the candidate. The Holy Spiii^ 
 descended and lit upon him. A voice from the Father 
 said, "This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well jilcas- 
 ed." The three persons of the Trinity were here, livcrv 
 
230 Elder Zelotes Geenell. 
 
 baptismal scene brings this incident in the life of Christ 
 before us and demonstrates the superior glory of this or- 
 dinance. 
 
 Fourthly — It has a glory which arises from the character oi 
 the candidate. He is not a sinless infant, brought to the 
 font against its will, nor a grrcelcss adult with no love 
 to God. He is a believer in Christ, who was eternally 
 chosen to salvation, was purchased VN'ith the blood of the 
 son of God, renewed by the Holy Spirit, justified, pardon- 
 ed, washed by the grace of God and is through Clirist 
 an heir of glory. 
 
 Fifthly — Baptism has a vwtivo glory, arising from the 
 motive actuating the candidate when submitting to it_ 
 In all moral performances mo.ive crowns the action. An 
 unworthy motive pollutes the best action and renders it 
 solemr mockery. The candidate in this ordinance is not 
 influenced by gain, honor, human applause or political au- 
 thority, but by the highest motive that ever moved an in- 
 telligent being, viz., the glory of Gcd. He had inquired 
 ''Lord, what wilt thou have me to do.?" He has read, 
 <* Arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on 
 the name of the Lord." Love leads him onward. A glori. 
 ous motive. 
 
 Sixthly — There is a glory in the ordinance vievred as a 
 sign or symbol It symbolizes our death to sin, our quick- 
 ening by the spirit, being washed from pollution ; salvation 
 by the resurrection of Christ, a new life and heavenly felici- 
 ty. In this sense it washes awav sin, is fcr the remission 
 of sin, not for regeneration but the sign of it. In every 
 unregenerate candidate it is a false sign, in every true chris 
 tian a true one (Rom. 6: 3-5). 
 
 Seventhly — Baptism has a glory in view of its effects on 
 the relation of the baptized. The change of a person's re 
 
Glohy o ' Gosi'EL B.vptis:.:. 231 
 
 lations and of his moral condition are two very different 
 things. Baptism produces no change on the heart or on 
 th.e moral condition, but its effects on the relations of the 
 individual are great. There are three transactions in civ- 
 il life that are analagous to it. i. The \2i\v <:){ naturalization 
 by which one of foreign birth becomes a citizen. This ef- 
 fects no change in his heart. He loved our govern- 
 ment before he was naturalized, now he is a cidzen having a right 
 to all its privileges. 2. '\\\q. enlistment 2i's, a soldier to fight 
 in his countrie's cause. This effects not his moral state; for 
 he loved the cause before; but it changes his reladons from 
 a private citizen to a soldier bound by oath to perform all 
 the duties of the soldier. 3. The law of matrimony. Ir 
 entering the marriage state there is no moral change. The 
 parties loved each other most sincerely before. Eut it makes 
 a total change in their relations to each other. They are 
 now recognized as husband and wife bound by all the 
 obligations contained in the marriage covenant. So in this 
 ordinance the foreigner becomes a cidzen r.nd has all the 
 rights and privileges of citizenship . The private citizen 
 becomes a soldier, has all his privileges and is bound to 
 perform all his duties. And the individual takes Christ as 
 husband, swears eternal allegiance to Him, and secures al] 
 the privileges of a wife. All who are baptized into Chriit 
 have put on Christ. Surely such changes in the relations 
 of the candidate arc glorious indeed. 
 
 Eightly — Baptism has also a discriminating glory. This 
 world is composed of two moral kingdoms, one ruled by 
 Christ, the other by Satan. The inhabitants of these King, 
 doms are intermixed. Those of our kingdom have a right 
 to all the blessings and privileges of the new covenar' 
 and those belonging to the other are children of wrc.... 
 and under sentence of death. Between the two kinr^doms 
 
232 Elder Zelotes Geenlll. 
 
 there is a perpetual war. In faith and practice the inhab- 
 tants of the twj are wide apart, and the poUcy of both 
 not defensive but aggressive. IMost surely then it is of much 
 importance that a line should be drawn between them^ 
 This discriminating line is Gospel Baptism. Every person 
 truly ccnverted belongs to the invisible kingdom of Christ 
 and should be baptized, that he may be publicly recogniz- 
 ed as a member of Christ's kingdom. No unconverted man 
 has a right to this ordinance, for if he comes into the king- 
 tdom he is at the feast without a wedding garment. If in 
 he building up of this kingdom, the separation is not per- 
 fect, it is not owing to any deficiency or obscurity in the 
 laws of the ordinance, but in our obtuseness in the under- 
 standing and application of it. The church is bound to 
 make this line as perfect, as she can. In the Apostolic age 
 it was nearly perfect and so will it be in the MiDennial state 
 of the church. Oar only remedy is to exclude any who 
 creep in unawares, either by self deception or hypocrisy. 
 
 Ninthly — This ordinance lias also a moninneiUal glory. 
 Nations from time immemorial have erected monu- 
 ments to perpetuate the memory of important events. Such 
 are found in all parts of the old world and in many places 
 in our own country. See Baltimore, Bunker Hill, Gettysburg 
 Antietam and Atlanta. The Passover feast of tabernacles, 
 the twelve stones set up at Gilgal, were among the many 
 .monuments erected by divine command in the Jewish na- 
 tion. There is a glory in every monument in })rcportion to 
 the greatness of the event it was erected to perpetuate the mem- 
 ory of Baptism is a monument elected by Christ's 
 authority to commemorate his lesurrection, the most im- 
 portant event of tinie. In this, he gained a conquest over 
 death, hdl and the grave, and all the dominions of the king 
 of these terrors. Tills was his legal discharge and the dis- 
 
Glory of Gospel Baptism. 23o 
 
 charge of all his people in their covenant head. Were il 
 not for this, Paul affirms our faith and preaching arc vain 
 (i Cor. 15:14-15). As the monument of Bunker Hill de- 
 monstrates a battle was there fought and a victory gained, 
 so this monument proves the resurrection of Christ. That 
 it is such a monument erected by divine authority for that 
 purpose has the clearest evidence of holy writ. ''What shall 
 they do who are baptized for the dead ? if the dead rise not, 
 why are they then baptized for the dead (i Cor. 15:28).'' 
 So also in (Romans 4): "Buried with him by baptism into 
 death, that like as he was raised from the dead by the glory 
 of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of 
 life. Also (Coloss. 2:12): "Buried with him in baptism where- 
 in also ye are risen with him." The candidate demonstrates 
 his belief in the resurrection of Christ The final salvation 
 of all represented by Christ as the first fruits are secured 
 by emblem. What then were all the victories of Alexander, 
 Caesar and Napoleon in comparison to the victory gained 
 on Calvary and in Joseph's tomb? Surely that which per- 
 petuates this grand event must be glorious indeed. 
 From the whole we may properly infer, 
 I. The great contrast between Gospel baptism and infant 
 sprinkling and giving it the name of baptism. That has no 
 authoiitative glory. Christ never commanded it; no exem- 
 plary glory, he never set such an example; no appropriate 
 glory, it points to no solemn scene; no dignity glory, the 
 candidate is a senseless infant; no motive glory, the infant 
 has no motive in it, all is farce; no sign or symbolical 
 glory, it is false if the candidate is unregenerated ; no rela- 
 tionship glory, it does not alter the child's rerations ; no dis- 
 criminating glory, it mixes church and world together; no 
 monumental glory, it is a monument of nothing in heaven 
 or on earth. It is will-worship, that nourishes superstition 
 
234 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 in the parent, decieves the child, corrupts the church, in- 
 troduces an ungodly priest-hood, is the parent of that aw- 
 ful heresy of infant damnation and the legitimate parent of 
 all persecution for conscience sake. 
 
 2. All who have been born again are solemnly bound to 
 submit to this ordinance as a duty and privilege. Christ 
 placed baptism, not before faith nor long after it, but at 
 its right hand as the first public duty of a new born soul. 
 There it is glorious, but anywhere else it is a deformity. 
 
 3. Those submitting to the ordinance have performed the 
 most solemn act and transaction of life. In these conse- 
 crated waters you swear allegiance to Christ in the presence 
 of the triune Jehovah, angels and men. There you become 
 a volunteer in the Lord's army. There you take the glori- 
 ous Redeemer as your head and husband. The baptis- 
 mal vow can never be annihilated, its obligations will fol- 
 low you all your days and stare you in the face on 
 the dying bed and meet you at the judgment of the 
 great day. You will look back, in all your pilgrimage 
 to those waters where you publicly gave your soul into 
 the hands of your Redeemer. That look will create joy 
 or sorrow in proportion as you honor or disgrace the 
 solemn profession you made. May the Lord enable a'.] 
 of us who have professed his Name to ever honor it be- 
 fore men, that we may die in faith and meet in glory ■ lor 
 Jesus, sake. Amen. 
 
DIVINE INSTRUCTION. 
 
 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying 
 this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right 
 hand and when ye turn to the left, (Isaiah 30:21st,). 
 
 Commencing with verse seventeenth to the nineteenth, the 
 prophet presents in his discourse a mixture of mercies and 
 judgments. In verse twenty he views the church emerg- 
 ing from a state of affliction and coming into a condition 
 of comparative prosperity, "yet shall not thy teachers be 
 removed into a corner any more. Thine eye shall behold 
 thy teachers." This event may correspond with the res- 
 urrection of the witnesses. (Rev. :ii-ii.) 
 
 Then follow the promises in my text. My theme is, 
 "Divine ins ruction." L^t us consider: 
 
 First — The instruction. Christ is the great teacher o^ 
 the church. Said Moses, "The Lord thy God will raise 
 up unto thee a prophet from the midst of thee of thy 
 brethren like unto me, unto him shall ye hearken. "(Z?^«f. 
 /(i'-zj) So also Isaiah impersonating him, said, "The spirit 
 of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath 
 anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek. He 
 hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim 
 liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prisons 
 to t lem that are bound." {Isaiah :6i-i.) 
 
 Christ accepted the description and applied it to him- 
 self {Luke:4-i8)i:hQ public ministry of Christ lasted three 
 years and a half He taught as one having authority, 
 his enemies being judges. His teaching was simple, appro- 
 
236 Elder Zelotes Geenell. 
 
 priate, forcible, discriminating, and important, and always 
 true and unmixed with error. As other teachers use text 
 books to simplify their instruction so does he. Creation 
 is a book of instruction in his hand. "The heavens 
 declare the glory of God ; and the firmament showeth his 
 handy-work. "There is no speech nor language where 
 their voice is not heard." (Psalms:i6-i.3-)"For the in- 
 visible things of him from the creation of the world, ^are 
 clearly seen being understood by the things that are made, 
 even his eternal power and God-head : so that they are with" 
 out excuse. (Rom. i:-20.)He also uses the book of his un- 
 iversal providence, for their instruction, whose opening leaves 
 unfold new wonders. "Consider the lillies of the field how 
 they grow, they toil not, neither spin, and yet I say unto 
 you even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one 
 of these." (Math. 6:28-26. )Every providence whether sorrow- 
 ful or joyful is used as a source of instruction. But the 
 nspired volume is the great book of instruction, which he 
 commands us to search. By it the man of God may be 
 "furnished unto every good w^ork." By its teachings all 
 may "become wise unto salvation." By the instruction of 
 this book David became wiser than his teachers. Other 
 instructors employ under-teachers ; so also does Christ. The 
 Holy Spirit is a teacher equal to himself, sent by him to 
 lead into all truth. This teacher instructs in unison, im- 
 parts lessons of truth from the word. Under him also are 
 prophets, apostles, evangelists and ordinary pastors, all of 
 whom occupy important positions as teachers, each in his 
 sphere, and all as public teachers under his guidance. 
 
 Secondly — Who are the taught. "Thine ear shall hear 
 a word behind thee." All the ungodly are like the deaf 
 adder that stoppeth her ear, which will not hearken to the 
 voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. (Psalm 58:45.) 
 
Divine Instruction. 2;:>T 
 
 The adder is not physically deaf, but so opposed to music 
 that it stops its ears, as naturalist say, by laying one car 
 in the ground and closing the other with its tail. 
 
 So the sinner closes his ears to divine instruction by his 
 pride, sensuality, self-righteousness, love of wealth, vain 
 amusements and heretical sentiments. He doubts, cavils, 
 disbelieves and opposes all the truth of God. 
 
 The church of Christ is composed of those whose ears 
 have been circumcised to hear the teaching of divine truth. 
 Then the soul hears the thunder of the law and the sweet 
 music of the gospel. When the heart is opened as was 
 Lydia's of old, "and as were those of the three thousand at 
 P.enticost, of Saul of Tarsus, and of the Phillippian jailor. 
 Then they hear anxiously, as the starving hear of food, as 
 the naked of clothing, the sick of medicine, the criminal 
 of pardon, and the bankrupt of the means of relief 
 
 Thirdly — The manner of Divine instruction. "A word 
 behind thee. ' Peculiar expression. This may be used in 
 allusion to the ancient method of instruction when the 
 instruction was mostly oral, and the teacher stood or sat 
 behind his pupils, uttered his sentences and they repeated. 
 But there is a better reason than this and the following con- 
 siderations evince the propriety of this expression. 
 
 I. — All men have turned their backs upon God, and are 
 running away from him. God cannot alter his position and 
 the sinner will not hear if God speaks to the sinner. It 
 must be from behind him. 
 
 2. — ** A word from behind "us comes from one who sees 
 us, while we cannot see him. Thus it was with Hagar, "And 
 she called the name of the Lord that spoke unto her. "Thou 
 God seest me," for she said, "Have I also here looked 
 after him that seeth me?" (Gen. 16:13). Thus every soul 
 to whom God speaks, and arrests in his mad career. " Alas" 
 
238 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 says the awakened sinner, "God sees me," and has always, 
 while I have never looked to him. He sees and has marked 
 all my sins." 
 
 3. — A word from behind an individual is starthng. Many 
 a child while engaged in some disobedient act, and fancy- 
 ing he is not seen, is startled by hearing his name called 
 by some one behind him, perhaps a brother, sister, mother, 
 or father. 
 
 Thus when the Spirit's voice reaches the heart of the sinner, 
 and arrests him in his course of iniquity, he hears his name 
 called, as was Saul of Tarsus when the Master said in a 
 voice of power which went through his whole soul, "Saul! 
 Saul ! why persecutest thou me?' This was a voice behind, 
 startling indeed. Thus was the jailor startled when he heard 
 the divine voice in the earthquake which shook the founda- 
 tions of the prison. Such was the feeling of the three thous- 
 and at Pentecost. Thus the Lord works to convince us 
 of sin, righteousness and a judgment to come, as thunder 
 precedes the rain. So the law must enter that the offense 
 might abound. Conviction must always precede conversion. 
 
 Fourthly — The matter of Divine instruction. 
 
 I. — Its brevity. It is but a word. Warriors tell us it 
 takes hundreds of balls to kill one person, every one killed 
 is slain by one ball, all the other balls were thrown away. 
 God sends many words of instruction which are apparently 
 lost upon the sinner, but that which reaches the heart, is 
 usually a word, a word of scripture read, a word from the 
 pulpit, a word uttered in prayer; and sometimes a word 
 dropped causually by the way-ride, is directed by the 
 Spirt to the heart, reaches the soul dead in sin, and at- 
 tended by the quickening of the spirit crushes the soul in 
 the dust, and one word of promise gives relief and fills 
 it with unspeakable delight. Thus was it with the three 
 
Divine Instruction. 239 
 
 thousand at Pentecost, and with the jailor, and our own 
 experience illustrates it. One arrow from Jehovah's quiver 
 is mighty indeed. 
 
 2. — This is a word conveying knowledge the most im- 
 portant. ''This is the way," O! how much wisdom is 
 conveyed in this. It is a revelation to the soul, of what 
 it was totally ignorant of. The way of salvation through 
 the active obedience, vicarious death, and glorious resur- 
 rection of Christ. Thus he brings ''the blind by a way 
 they know not," "leads them in paths they have not known 
 makes darkness light before them, and crooked things 
 straight."' Thus are all his children instructed. 3, — This 
 is practical. It contains not only some things to believe 
 but some things to do. To walk, implies action, loco- 
 motion. The gospel is practical in its demands and in- 
 fluence. There is a race to be run, a battle to fight 
 many victories to be gained, many crosses to be borne. 
 This life is for labor, the next for repose. 
 
 4. — It is also a word of authority. "Walk ye in it,"' 
 is a solemn command from the King of Zion, and "obe- 
 dience is better than sacrifice." None can have Christ as 
 a piiest, unless they have him as a King, to reign over 
 them, and put their neck under his gracious yoke. Every 
 command of Christ is imperious, it must be obeyed, re- 
 gardless of the consequences that may follow. 5. — It ss 
 also discriminating. ''When ye turn to the right hand, 
 and w^hen ye turn to the left," When a soul is converted 
 he is placed in the road to heaven, with his face heavenward. 
 This road is straight, doctrinally, experimentally and prac- 
 ically. If he moves directly onward, he will ^always be rght. 
 But there are many by-paths . Three are hear named, which 
 reprc^rent the whole, we suppose legality, formality, com- 
 munism, all of which proceed from self righteousness is a 
 
240 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 right hand path because it is the religion of fallen nature, 
 developed soon after the fall, in the fig leaved apron our 
 first parents clothed themselves with and the sacrifice of 
 Cain. The Scribe and Pharisees were of this religion "igno- 
 rant of God's righteousness and going about to establish 
 their own righteousness." Anti-nomianism, which is faith 
 without works, a religion the main element of which is 
 knowledge is a left hand road, not as much frequented as 
 the other, yet equally fatal. 
 
 James says it is dead being alone. There are two thingst 
 in nature men are usually fearful off, viz., a body withou 
 a soul, which is a mere corpse and a soul without a body 
 which is a mere spirit or ghost. 
 
 Works without faith is a body without a soul, and faith 
 without works is a soul without a body. The Arminian and 
 Anti-nomian have divided the bible between them, each holds 
 a part As it requires a whole bible to constitute a gospel 
 both are wrong. As soul and body united constitute a liv-, 
 ing man of which none are frightened, even so faith and 
 works properly united, in which each holds its appropriate 
 place, constitute a true system of divinity, a living christian 
 in Christ. Faith in its appropriate place looks to the work 
 of Christ as the ground of hope, his incarnation, substitu- 
 tion vicarious sacrifice, the invinciblework of his spirit in regen- 
 eration, justification, pardon, adoption, sanctification and 
 final salvation, and in all this he carries out his eternal 
 purpose of grace. The appropriate place of works is as the 
 evidence of salvation and absolutely necessary to prove a 
 gracious state. The contrast between this and those by 
 paths and the gospel is this, one works to obtain life, the 
 other as the effect of life. In one case the mill moves the 
 water, in the other the water moves the mill. Thence faith 
 resting on the finished work of Christ, with supreme love 
 
Divinp: Instruction. 241 
 
 to his name and good works the evidence of faith the true 
 way. Such is the right way in opposition to by-paths, hence 
 every beHever ascribes grace, grace, grace to the whole work 
 of his salvation. 
 
 From the whole we infer. 
 
 I. — The gospel ministry is the voice and instruction of 
 Jesus our great teacher. That voice every person within 
 leach is bound to hear, believe and obey. '-He that hear- 
 eth you, heareth me" said Christ, and *'he the despiseth 
 yon despiseth me." 
 
 2. — There is a vast contrast between every converted soul 
 and the impenitent. One is deaf willfully, the other hears 
 anxiously, lone is blind willfully and the othes sees with 
 delight, one is dead in sin, the other is alive in Christ. 
 
 3. — As God's word has ample instruction we shouid al- 
 ways consult it, view it as the standard of doctrine experience 
 and practice, bring all opinions to this test, knowing it is 
 all true without any mixture of error. 
 
 4. — Blessed are they that hear, believe, and obey the voice 
 of the teacher. Christ his word and spirit always agree. His 
 communications are life to the soul. 
 
 - 5. — Those who will not hear the voice of this instructor 
 who will not love and obey have no good excuse, their 
 own conscience, the bible and its ministry all testify against 
 them. When the judgment shall sit and the awful sentence 
 shall be passed, they will be speechless. 
 
REVEALING SECRETS, 
 
 There is a God in heaven that reveals secrets. 
 
 Daniel 2:28 
 
 About s'x hundred and six years before the coming Of 
 Christ, Nebuchadnezzer king of Babylon took the city of 
 Jerusalem and carried to Babylon the nobility and many 
 of the royal seed. From among these captives he select- 
 ed four individuals, viz., Daniel, Shadrach, Meshacg and 
 Abednego, to be educated at the expense of the kingdom 
 for three entire years, that they might be prepared at the 
 end of that time to stand among the wise counsellors of 
 the nation. 
 
 About the close of these years of training, the heathen 
 monarch had a dream. It was a wonderful one. The ap- 
 pearance was so magnificent, and its effects on the mind of 
 such a nature that when he awoke nothing could be recal- 
 led or related by him. 
 
 He called the wise men of his realm together, informed 
 them he had had a wonderful dream, could not recall it, 
 yet was troubled in mind about it, and demanded of them 
 to tell his dream, and give the interpretation of it. 
 
 They promised to give the interpretation if he would tell 
 the dream. He demanded on the penalty of death that they 
 ' should tell his dream. 
 
 They demured, but he was inexorable and gave orders 
 for their execution. Daniel said to the appointed execution- 
 er, Why is the king so hasty ? Bring me into the king's pre- 
 sence and I will tell him his dream, and its interpretation, 
 
 Danel ibeing introduced to the king, said, -'Could none 
 
Revealincj Secrets. 243 
 
 ■« 
 of the king's wise men tell the king his dream? TRere 
 is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets." He then inform- 
 ed the king that he saw in his dream a great image whose 
 head was of gold, its belly and arms were of silver, its thighs 
 of brass, and its legs and feet of iron and clay. He also 
 saw a stone cut out of the mountain without hands, that 
 smote the image upon its feet, — when the iron, brass, sil- 
 ver and gold became as chaff and were driven away, 
 and the stone became a great mountain ; and filled the 
 whole earth. He informed the king, the four parts of the image 
 predicted four empires which should succeed each other. 
 The head of gold was himself, the silver portion of the im- 
 age denoted a kingdom which should succeed his, which 
 was, as history informs us the Medo-Persian. The brazen 
 part denoted a third kingdom, the Grecian; the iron part 
 a fourth kingdom, and the stone a fifth kingdom of Christ, 
 which the God of heaven would set up, which should 
 stand forever and destroy all the other kingdoms. 
 
 The monarch was well satisfied and confered great hon- 
 or on Daniel. We now return to the text. There is in 
 man a controlling principle of jcuriosity which leads 
 him to endeavor to pry into secret things. Perhaps this 
 had some influence in inducing our mother Eve to eat 
 the forbidden fruit. This led the men in Beth-shemeh to 
 look into the ark, for which they paid dearly. We wish 
 to know the secrets of our friends because we love them; 
 of our rivals, because we envy them, and of our enemies 
 because we fear them. 
 
 I\Ien have invented many ways to pry into secrets. 
 In c.lden times they would consult the flight of birds, ihe 
 entrails of animals, the stars and heathen oracles. Some 
 now consult moles, warts, dreams, fortune-telling and the 
 spirit of deceased fricntls. If the witch c»f Kndor wore 
 
244 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 now living, she would doubtless have as many followers 
 as she had in the days of Saul. God to check this curiosi- 
 ty said that ''Secret things belong to the Lord our God; but 
 those revealed, unto us and our children forever, that we 
 may do all the words of this law, (Deut. 29:29).' 
 The God of heaven is the only revealer of secrets. 
 Let us consider: 
 
 Firstly — The God of heaven can reveal secrets. If God 
 is infinite in wisdom, he must know all secrets; if he is in- 
 finite in power, he can do all he pleases. If he can exer- 
 cise as much power over man as man, as man can over 
 his fellowman, then he can reveal secrets, for man can re- 
 veal a secret to his fellow man. That the God in heaven 
 can reveal secrets, is as evident, as that there is a sun in 
 the heavens where its beams fill our eyes. 
 
 Secondly — The God of heaven has revealed secrets, i. Such 
 was the work of creation. God spake and it was done. 
 He commanded and it stood fast forever. Chaos heard 
 his voice and this world existed. This was the revelation 
 of a secret to all the angels of heaven, hence, *'the morn- 
 ing stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted 
 for joy." 
 
 2. In all the events which occurred from man's creation, 
 all the way down the track of time God has revealed secrets 
 in his providential dealings with individuals and communi- 
 ties. Thus in man's fall and expulsion from Eden, in the 
 ark and deluge, in the call and history of Abraham and 
 his seed, in the destruction of cities, and the preservation of 
 Lot, in the tower of Babel, and the confusion of languages, 
 in the bondage of Egypt and their deliverance, in these, and 
 others the God of heaven has revealed secrets. 
 
 3. But the God of heaven has revealed secrets especially 
 in his inspired volumiC (the Bible). 
 
Revealing Secrets. 245 
 
 Soon after the fall He began to reveal his secret purpose 
 of grace. In the prediction, "that the seed of the woman 
 should bruise the head of the serpent," while his heel only 
 should be bruised. And as the lofty oak which crowns the 
 mountain top with arms spread wide, once existed in an 
 acorn, so the whole purpose of mercy had its germ in that 
 one prediction. Many secrets are revealed in the Bible, as 
 the lineage from which he should dccend, from Shcm, 
 from Abraham, from Isaac, from Jacob, from Isaiah, from 
 David: where he should be born, in Bethlehem; when he 
 should appear, when Daniel's seventy weeks should expire; 
 the work he should perform; the treatment he should retrieve 
 and the result in his kingdom, with its victories, and de- 
 feats, and final triumphs. 
 
 4. The God of heaven has revealed many secrets in re- 
 gard to the mighty nations of antiquity. As Babylon, Nine- 
 veh, Tyre, Egypt and Rome, whose histories were writ- 
 ten long before the events which sealed their doom. 
 
 Think what a vast amount of information is conveyed 
 in this one chapter which streches forward from the days 
 of Daniel to the close of time. 
 
 Thirdly— The God of heaven is even now revealing secrets. 
 
 1. This is true in his daily and wonderful work of provi- 
 dence. Providence is a book not yet completed but being 
 written, and its added leaves constantly reveal new won- 
 ders. While his purposes are eternal, his providences are 
 universal. Thus every event, prosperous or afflictive, every 
 infant born, and every person who dies, every disaster on 
 rail-road or steam-boat is a secret revealed by the God of 
 heaven. Yea, every thing we know at night that we did not 
 know in the morning is a secret which God has revealed to us. 
 
 2. The God of heaven is revealing secrets in the way of 
 grace. Every sinner when under genuine conviction is most 
 
246 Elder Zelotes Grenell. 
 
 miserable and why? God has revealed to him an awful 
 secret, his depravity, his just condemnation as a sinner, 
 the awful hell to which he is justly exposed. In due sea- 
 son that soul becomes most happy, because God has re- 
 vealed to him a glorious secret, the way of salvation 
 through the blood and righteousness of Christ, that his sins 
 are pardoned, and he is saved. Thus he brings the blind 
 by a way they know not, he leads them in paths they had 
 not known, he makes darkness light before them, and cro^^^k- 
 ed things straight, Isaiah 45; 1 6. To every soul who is 
 truly converted, the Lord has revealed these two secrets, 
 which though they are contained in the word, are secrets 
 to him till the spirit reveals them. 
 
 3. The Lord of heaven is also now revealing secrets 
 in regard to the purposes of grace. When Saul the bloody 
 persecutor, and bold blasphemer lay in a house in Da- 
 mascus located in a street called Straight, the Lord appear- 
 ed to Ananias and directed him to go where Saul was,' 
 and pray over him. Ananias objected, because of 
 Soul's wickedness, and said, * ' Lord I have heard what 
 evil he hath done, and that he has come here to per- 
 secute the saints. ' 
 
 God replied, ' ' Go thy way for he is a chosen vessel to 
 bear my name to the Gentiles." Saul a chosen vessel.' 
 Oh ! what a secret was here revealed to Ananias. Not 
 an angel in heaven, nor a saint on earth knew ihal un- 
 til God revealed it Thus in every converted soul, the God 
 of heaven reveals a secret in regard to his purposes of 
 grace. How many a pious parent prays and waits with 
 painful anxiety in regard to the conversion of a beloved 
 child, and when that child is converted to Christ, how 
 glorious is the secret, which God reveals. When a wan- 
 dering and profligate son returns after a long absence and 
 
Revealing Secrets. 24 T 
 
 lias been converted, the glory of this secret fills the whole 
 family with delight, and angels in glory rejoice over such 
 secrets revealed, and why should not the church? 
 
 Fdurtnly — The God of heaven will reveal secrets in all 
 future time: 
 
 1. The wheels of providence, all under the divine conrrol, 
 will continue to move onward and meet out to individuals, 
 families, and communities their doom. This will involve 
 the progresss, security, and triumph of the church. In 
 the vision of the prophet *'to the place whither the head 
 looked, they all followed." So all the movements of provi- 
 dence follow the head. 
 
 Christ the head of the church, and head over all things 
 to the church. All will move on in the earth till it has 
 answered the purposes of God in its creation; then time 
 shall be no more. 
 
 2. Then the judgment will sit, and all Adam's rt3ce will 
 stand before the great white throne; and Oh ! what secrets 
 will then be revealed. The painted hypocrite will be undress, 
 ed and all his hypocrisy exposed and he will receive his 
 reward. And when those who have suffered shame, and 
 reproach, for the cause of Christ, the down-trodden slave, 
 and the millions of martyrs will all be rewarded and hon- 
 ored by the Redeemer before the assembled world. Oh! 
 how many a boasting professor here, who was highly hon- 
 ored will then hide his face with shame. How manv 
 a poor trembling christian here, who was weak in faith, 
 and whose sinful propensities often got the mastery of 
 him, was a trouble to the church and a thousand times 
 more trouble to himself, who all his life time was as Bun- 
 yan's "ready to halt," will then appear among the blest 
 in glory. That last glorious and awful sentence will be 
 according to evidence, and founded in equity, and so the 
 
248 Elder Zelotes Greneu.. 
 
 whole moral universe will say Amen to all its decision from 
 which there is no appeal. 
 
 From the whole we may infer, 
 
 1. While doubtless much is yet a secret, we should be 
 thankful for the vast amount God has revealed, and especial- 
 ly that He has made known all that is necessary to pro- 
 mote real good. Our dangerous condition as sinners, the 
 way of salvation through Christ, the means by which a sin- 
 ner may avail himself of its advantages the motive to do 
 so, and all personal duty-social, moral and evangelical are 
 clearly revealed. 
 
 2. Wherein we walk in darkness and have no light in 
 regard to the future, instead of endeavoring to pry into secret 
 things we should trust in the Lord and stay ourself on God be- 
 lieving he is at the helm, and will safely guide our bark 
 through the storms and bring it to the heaven of rest. 
 
 :<, The christian may be assured, the great revealer of 
 secrets, will reveal to us, just as fast as will promote his 
 own .glory and our best good. The stories which were in 
 Solomon's temple were winding. Such is our pathway. 
 The future may be dark, but present duty is usually plain. 
 He will guide all his children with his counsel and after- 
 wards receive them to glory. 
 
 "But Oh! my soul, if truth so bright. 
 Should dazzle and confound the right, 
 Y"et still his written word obey, 
 
 And wait the great decisive day.