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 BX 3495 . V3 A3 1896 
 Vansant, Nicholas, 1823- 
 
 1902 , 
 Sunset memories 
 
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Sunset Memories 
 
 IIY 
 
 REV. NICHOLAS "VANSANT 
 
 OK THK NKWARK ANNUM, Tc ) N !■ KRKNt E 
 Author of " Thr Life and Chauaci eu «f Rev. H. Mattison, D.D.," 
 
 •■KaCHI!]. WeEIMNG FOK IIKK CnTLLlKEN," "K.NTIKE Hoi.INESS," ETC. 
 
 WITH AN INTRODUCTION 
 By general JAMES F. RUSLING 
 
 NEW YORK : EATON &• MAINS 
 CINCINNATI : CURTS & JENNINGS 
 1896 
 
Copyright by 
 EATON & MAINS, 
 1896. 
 
 Composition, electrotyping, 
 printing, and binding by 
 Eaton & Mains. 
 150 FIfih Ave., New York. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 ANY surprises have come to me during my busy 
 
 life. Not the least among them is the double 
 surprise of having lived so long, and of having passed 
 my fifty-first milestone of unbroken service in the regu- 
 lar active work of the ministry ; to which there now 
 comes the added and greater surprise of boldness to ad- 
 venture the writing of this book, thus reversing, even in 
 a timid nature, the ancient law that old age is "afraid 
 of that which is high." 
 
 Not that I am altogether a novice in authorship; but 
 the project of preparing this larger and more personal 
 volume required far greater courage than any j^revious 
 attempt in that line. Yet for this undertaking there 
 came to me a conscious warrant in the thought that my 
 life and ministry had been so interwoven with the his- 
 tory of the Methodist Episcopal Church, especially those 
 portions of it represented by the Philadelphia, New 
 Jersey, and Newark Conferences, that much of what I 
 should write would of necessity possess far more than a 
 mere local and personal interest. 
 
 This volume covers a period of seventy years in Metho- 
 dist history, than which no other is of greater interest 
 and importance — a period in which the Church has had 
 her severest trials and her grandest triumphs. The au- 
 thor, in memory, goes back to the troublous times of 
 
6 
 
 Preface. 
 
 1830, when, under the cliicf leadership of Nicholas 
 Snelhen, Asa Sliinn,and Alexander McCaine, the Meth- 
 odist Protestant Churcli was organized in Baltimore, 
 Md., and especially to the disturbing excitement which, 
 in the few following years, swept over the region of his 
 childhood home. In 1843 came the formation, at Utica, 
 N. Y., of the U'esleyan Methodist Connection, led by 
 that wonderful man. Orange Scott, with I, a Roy Sun- 
 derland, Luther Lee, and others, who, in their intense 
 opposition to slavery, withdrew from the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, on the ground of its undue conserva- 
 tism. These names became familiar to me in my early 
 ministry. Then followed ajiace the more serious troubles 
 of 1844, issuing in the organization of the Methodist 
 EjMscopal Church, South, with 450,000 communicants, 
 based on adherence to the system of Southern slavery, 
 and a subsequent dix ision of the ]>ook Concern, accord- 
 ing to the ratio of tra\ cling preachers in the two bodies. 
 In the exciting Supreme Court trial it became my priv- 
 ilege to hear that distinguished pleader, the magnetic 
 and elofjuent Rufus Choate. 
 
 " Man proposes, but Cod disposes." The war of 
 1861-65, backed l)y the Ccneral Conference of 1864, 
 effectually destroyed slavery in both the Church and the 
 nation. The action of that C'onference on this and other 
 important subjects is told in the book. In 1866 the 
 Freedmen's Aid Society was organized, the Board of 
 Education in 186S, tlie Woman's Foreign Missionary 
 Society in 1870, followed by the Woman's Home Mi.s- 
 sionary Society, the I'-jjworth League organization, the 
 Deaconess movement, etc. 'I'hus the» old historic 
 
Preface. 
 
 1 
 
 Cluirch of 1784 has successfully braved many a storm, 
 and is still moving forward with unabated courage and 
 hope in her career of ever-increasing prosperity. 
 
 It is hoped that the title, Sunset Memories, will com- 
 mend itself to the reader as at once appropriate and 
 euphonious. With no other book bearing the same or a 
 similar title within our knowledge, it possesses at least 
 the merit of freshness. Not less than six hundred names 
 of ministers, laymen, and friends are scattered through 
 the book, the favorable mention of which, it is believed, 
 will give pleasure to many readers. 
 
 This unpretentious volume is sent forth in humble de- 
 pendence upon Him who is the supreme Master Builder, 
 without whose blessing it must everywhere and always 
 be true that " they labor in vain that build." 
 
 Madison, N. J., April 28, 1896. 
 
 N. V. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Preface. Introdiction. 
 PART I. 
 Thi. Family. 
 
 Chapter Page 
 
 I. Family Name, ..... 15-10 
 
 II. Parents, ...... 20-33 
 
 III. Brothers and Sisters.; John \V., 34; Joel, 36; 
 James, 3S ; Rebecca, 41; Samuel. 44; Nicho- 
 las, 50; Nathaniel D., 51 ; Mar) 53 ; Isaac N.,53, 34-56 
 
 PART II. 
 Personal Like and Ministry. 
 
 I. A Notable Birthplace — .Vhno-l, . . . 5g-6l 
 II. Some Incidents of liov Imoil ; Protection and Es- 
 cape, 62 ; A Sobtary Combat, 65 ; Early School 
 
 Days, 66 ; Sunday School Life, 6S, . . 62-71 
 
 III. Conversion and What Followed, 72 ; Various Re- 
 
 sults, 74 ; Further Camp Meetini; Experiences, 77, 72-S2 
 
 IV. Semicentennial Address, .... S3-94 
 
 PART HI. 
 
 Chronological (Jlimi)>cs of Pastoral Charges and Work : Med- 
 ford, 97 ; Freehold, 99 ; Paterson, 105 ; Dover and .Millbrook, 108; 
 Madison, Ilo; Bloomfield, 119; Woodrow, S. 1., 121; Belle- 
 ville, N. J., 125; New Brunswick, 129; Hridgcton. 137; Trin- 
 ity, S. I., 144 ; Haverstraw, N. V., 148 ; Newark, N. J., Clinton 
 Street, 151; Rahway, First Church, 156; Bethel, S. I., 157; 
 Jersey City District, 160 ; Washington, N. J., 166 ; Newton 
 District, 167 ; Newark, Trinity, 171 ; Elizabeth, Fulton Street, 173; 
 Trinity, .S. I., 176; New Providence, N. J., 179; Chathani, 1S6 ; 
 Port Oram, 1S9 ; St. John's, S. I., 191, . . 97-194 
 
10 
 
 Contents. 
 
 TAR r IV. 
 
 Memories of New Jers-ey and Newark Conferences : New Jersey 
 Coiifcrencf, 197; Newark ( onference, I99 ; In Memoriam, 200 ; 
 J. K. Adams, 237 ; H. AndiLW, 230 ; S. Arnislrong, 205 ; R. S. 
 Arndl, 2-;5 ; ]. Avars, ,2I() ; (.). l;adgck-y, 1:07; ( ;. ISaiigliart, 210; 
 I). W. liarline, 222 : C. II. Easscll, 250 ; A. II. Belles, 239; J. 
 1). lilain. 21S; 11 li.Hhni, 216; A. I,. P.iice, 245: A. H. 
 Brown, 246; |. K. Burr, 223 ; W. !\[. I'.urrdughs, 205 ; W. Bur- 
 rows, 210; T.- T. Camplield, 229; J. F. Canlield, 24S ; G. O. 
 Carniichael, 213; I. 1!. Carniicliacl, 201 ; ('. Clark, .Sr., 235 ; J.S. 
 Coil, 2nS ; I. W. Cole, 243 ; .\. S. Cc)ni]iton, 241 ; A. Cook- 
 man, 213 ; J. N. Crane, 243 ; j. 'l". Crane, 219 ; I. Cross, 227 ; 
 1. 1'. Dailey, 225 ; |, II. Dandy, 224; R. 1.. 1 )ashiLll, 220 ; B. 
 Day, 240; 1'.. A. Day, 227; V. D. Day, 236; W. Day, 249; S. W. 
 Decker. 226; \V. II. Dickrrsun, 220; M. E. Ellison, 223 ; J. 
 Faull, 231; 1. N. Ickli, 217: .M. Fence, 204; J. P. Fort, 247; 
 D. (naves, 22.,; E. M.Cniruh, 226; I., (i. Crillilli. 254; J. Han- 
 Ion, 21:;; M. llerr, 249; S. W. 1 1 illiard, 2 1 3 ; T. 11. ]a.-..bus, 248 ; 
 1!. Kelley. 214; J. N. Keys, 232; J, 1.. l.cnhail, 205, C. A. Lip- 
 liincotl, 2r2; W. M. l,ip|>incoU, 206; H. Litlz, 253; F. Lum- 
 niis, 222; .\. A. Macnichol, 252; J. 1!. Matliis, 242; H. Matti- 
 .son, 2.«): T. McCarroll, 203; j. McClintock, 211; C. May- 
 Imry, 241; S. A'. .\1 onn.e, 2.); ; W. C. Nelson, 207; S. H. Op- 
 dyke, 221: T. W. I'carson, 203; J. .S. l'„rUr, 231); D. F. 
 Reed, 204; \V. KolurlM,,,, 2n(r. |. (). R,,-cr., 231; J. II. Rnn- 
 yc.n, 234; S. K. Ku.s,ll. 225; J. ScaiKtl, 236; J. K. Shaw, 202; 
 
 B. F, Simpson. 212; T. II. Smith, 244; C. R. Snyder, 251; W. 
 Slikeman, 2(m); T, I I. Stockton, 244; |. S. Swaim, 2i6; lI.Trum- 
 howcr, 210; W. Tunis., n, 234; J. -M. Tutlle, 233; C. S. Van- 
 cleve, 237; R. N'ansyckle, 208; W. W. Voorhees, 23S; T. Wal- 
 ters, 219; I!. Weed, 21 S; G. W. White, 206; W. C. Wig- 
 gins, 233; R. Winans, 224; J. O. Winner, 254; G. Winsor, 22S; 
 
 C. A. Wombough, 252; R. B. Yard, 215, -OI-255 
 
 BART V. 
 
 Siipernuinerary E.xperienecs and Review Supplemental, 259-270 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 I THINK this little volume unitiue and charming in 
 its way, of singular and abiding interest, and beg 
 to solicit for it a wide circle of readers. It is both bio- 
 graphical and historical, and a choice bit of both biog- 
 raphy and history. It is a brief history of a New Jersey 
 family of sterling life and character, that began life down 
 in the Jersey " Pines " a century or so ago, and now con- 
 sists of over two hundred descendants, not one of whom 
 has become a pauper or a criminal, or a drunkard even, 
 but all of whom have added to the honor, tlie pros- 
 perity, and the wealtli of the State, and bid fair to do 
 so yet for long years to come. 
 
 Of the seven sons, six became ministers of the (los- 
 pel — two in the Newark Conference, two in the New 
 Jersey Conference, and two local preachers — all of them 
 men of integrity and honor. And it gives me rare pleas- 
 ure to hold up the senior Nicholas Vansant and his 
 Methodist family, of Lower Bank, Burlington County, 
 N. J., as the natural fruit and logical result of the 
 Church and the Sunday school, and as a model to 
 America and to mankind. These are the stuff of which 
 commonwealths are made and empires are builded if 
 they are to stand long; and would that our Republic 
 had more of such sturdy and honest stock ! This little 
 book reveals their home life — shows how ihey began 
 
12 
 
 Introduction. 
 
 and grew, and how allei waid they Ijroadened out into 
 eminent and successful ministers and distinguished and 
 useful citizens, and gi\es glimpses of Aiiierican life and 
 charac ter that cannot fail to be helpful and inspiring to 
 every reader. I bid it hail and Oodspeed ! And may 
 its author survive long before he reaches his own "Sun- 
 set!" James V. Rusling. 
 
 Trenton, N. J., April 24, 1S96. 
 
PART I. 
 
 THE FAMILY 
 
Sunset Memories. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 Family Name. 
 
 CONCERNING tin- family name, \'ansant, tliere has 
 been no liltlc r[)k-\it\ . For many )ears the 
 impression was that, at .->omc lime and lor some reason 
 to us unknown, the old Holland name, Vanzandt, had 
 been changed by dropping out the </ and substituting j- 
 for z; but a careful examination several years ago satis- 
 fied me that this theory was incorrect, and that our 
 long-standing mode of spelling the name agrees more 
 nearly than any other with the original form. 
 
 Making a search in the county clerk's office of Rich- 
 mond County, N. V., in 1879, I found a deed, dated 
 .May 2, 1706, the fifth year of the reign of Queen Anne, 
 of England, conveying land to Aries Jansen by Stoffel 
 and Rachel Vansant, the last name of each of the 
 grantors being spelled as here written, without the z or 
 the d. The search was made by request of George H. 
 Vanzandt, of Thiladelphia, counselor at law, who had 
 been giving diligent attention to the subject of his own 
 family pedigree, and incidentally of ours. From him I 
 learned many interesting facts, some of which are given 
 in the forioTrmg extracts from his correspondence: 
 
 "I am engaged in lookfng tlie genealogy of some 
 members of the A'anzandt family — those descended from 
 Stojihel \'anzandt, formerly of Port Richmond, Staten 
 
16 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Island, wlio settled there about 1680, and afterward re- 
 moved to Bucks County, Pa., wiiere for some time lie 
 was a trustee of IJensalcm I'resbyterian Cluirch. ... I 
 suppose we have the same common ancestor. We have 
 traced matters back to Staten Island. Rev. Dr. Brown- 
 lee, of the Reformed l)ut< h Chun h, of Port Richmond, 
 writes that Slophel \'an/ant had his son Stophel bap- 
 tized October 22, 1701, and his daughter So])hia in 
 1706; so it appears on tiie records of the church." 
 
 Here we must jiausu to note this medley of names re- 
 lating to the same persons — in my correspondent's let- 
 ter Vanzandt, in the baptismal record Van/ant, but in 
 the deed of conveyance Vansant. Do these variatiDiis 
 seem strange.^ Especially, do they invalidate the liis- 
 torical fa( ts related.'' No one is stujjid enougli to hold 
 this. These dist repancies in the (jrtliography of proper 
 names, as in hundreds of other things, are constantly 
 occurring. Talk of various readings in the ancient 
 manuscri])ts of the ]>ible! Other old writings of re- 
 nown reveal even greater variations; but they are not 
 rejected as spurious on this account, nor must the Bible 
 be thrust aside because of its various readings or its 
 apparent discrepancies. Was Stophel Vansant a myth 
 ■because his name was spelled in several different ways.^ 
 Not at all, but a veritable man, who lived and moved 
 and had his being at the close of the seventeenth cen- 
 tury and beginning of tlie eighteenth. 
 
 Now we turn again t(j the correspondence concerning 
 him: 
 
 "Note particularly from whence he came, wliich I sup- 
 pose to be either Xanten, in Germany, where the fam- 
 ily became Huguenots, or, previous to that, from San- 
 tona, on the Bay of I.iscay, in the north of Spain, where 
 I suppose they were good Catholics. . . . He imported 
 from Holland the bricks of which his house was built. 
 
The Family. 
 
 17 
 
 . . . The Vanzandts in tlie old deeds of Bucks County 
 spell llieir n.iuu; :is al)()ve written. Tlie family were 
 originally Spaniards and Catholics of Sanlona (luigi'nie's 
 watering place on the l>ay of Piiscay in the north of 
 Spain), and I sui)pose spelled their name either Santon 
 or Santoiia, that town having been cither named after 
 them or they having taken their name from the town. 
 Near it is also the town of Santander, which is also the 
 name of a province in Spain. In Holland, in Groningen, 
 is a town called 't Zand; in Prussia (Westphalia), just, 
 below Wesel, is the town of Xanten ; and in Drenthe, 
 Holland, is the town of Zandberg. I may also say that 
 in Texas is a county named Van Zandt, after a cousin 
 of my father's, who negotiated or made the treaty for 
 the admission of Texas into the Union." 
 He continues: 
 
 "The Vansants, Santons, or Santoiias went up with 
 Alva or Parma inlo the Netherlands to persecute the 
 Dutch. They were people of some consequence, whO' 
 gave name to pne province and two towns in Spain, 
 three towns in Holland, and one county in the United 
 States. Settling in Iloiland, they married Dutch Hu- 
 guenot wives, became Huguenots themselves, and as 
 such settled on Staten Island. Those who prefer the 
 Spanish form spell their name Sant, or Santen, or San- 
 ton; those who )»refer the Dutch or Cerman, as I always 
 have, take tin- Dutch form. /'(/// or 7<oii is a title of dis- 
 tinction in (k rm.in)." 
 
 From these interesting statements, the fruit doubtless 
 of much carefni research, it seems plain enough that, 
 this old family name, however spelled or whatever its 
 Dutch niodilications or accretions, had a genuine Span- 
 ish origin. Of this fact, indeed, no Protestant bearing 
 tlie name can ever feel proud, especially when he recol- 
 lects that onl)' four centuries ago Spain was the chief 
 
18 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 center of that consummate iniquity of the Romish 
 Church, the Inquisition. 
 
 But, amid all the dark chapters of Spanish history, 
 there sliines out that one luminous page, the brightness 
 of which can never be dimmed — the ])age which Ijears 
 the illustrious name of Christopher Columbus. Not 
 being a native of Sjiain, but of Genoa, in Italy, it must 
 all the more stand to the credit of Spain that Colum- 
 bus, after having api)lied to various courts without avail 
 during long years of disappointment and waiting, was 
 enabled to prosecute his coveted work of discovery un- 
 der the auspices of Ferdinand and Isabella, of Spain, 
 "though the honor of ha\ing aided the great navigator 
 belongs, not to Ferdinand, but to Isabella, a woman of 
 remarkable energy and talent, and possessed of no in- 
 considerable beauty and much winning grace." The 
 late and great Columbian Fair at Chicago has made our 
 own country and, indeed, the civilized world familiar 
 with Columbian and Spanish history as never before. 
 Henceforward we can scarcely think of this vast Amer- 
 ican continent without also thinking of its renowned 
 discoverer and his queenly patroness. 
 
 Doubtless our family name has come to stay; and so 
 we will neither regretfully deplore it nor vainly bf)ast of 
 it, whatever may be its true orthography or its re.il etymol- 
 ogy. I must, however, express a cordial sympathy with 
 my Philadelphia corres])ondent in his decided preference 
 for the Dutch form of spelling, since our family ]irefer- 
 ence is at least ecpially decided in favor of the Spanish 
 form. 
 
 Incidentally, this has sometimes proved an agreeable 
 service, as when, several years since, a son of the writer 
 went to Ilaltimore, Mtl., an almost total stranger, to en- 
 gage in mercantile business. One of the old and hon- 
 ored residents of that city was Joshua Vansanl, who 
 
The Family. 
 
 19 
 
 Diice or oftencr had served as mayor, and wlio for many 
 years liad lield tlie office of city comptroller, in wiiicli, 
 by liis proverbial economy, carefulness, and iionesty, he 
 liad won the odd Init honorable sobriquet, " watciidop; 
 of the city treasury." Tlie young stranger, bearing his 
 ocact family name, tliongii not at ail related, soon found 
 an answer to tlie cpiestion, " ^\'hat's in a name? " for liis 
 own had l)ecome so well and fasorably known in busi- 
 ness circles througli that long-trusted citizen as to be- 
 come substantially helpful to him in winning an honest 
 success. 
 
20 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Parents. 
 
 V father's ("liristian name was Nicholas. But 
 
 * ' * whctlicr lie was so { ailed in lienor of any one of 
 the five Roman i)onlilTs bearing lliat name, or of the 
 highly i)opular Si. Nicholas, liishoji of Myra, who for 
 more than fourtei n ( enturies has been regarded in Cath- 
 olic countries as the especial i)atron of the young and 
 whose Christmas fame has become so world-wide, I have 
 no certain means of determining; but we are quite con- 
 tent to believe that it had no ])oipish origin. 
 
 ^\'ilen a \ ery small l)oy I fancied that lie might have 
 taken his name from the august Nicholas I, FLnii)eror of 
 Russia. T.ut as I became better ac(|uainted with his- 
 tory I found this fancy (|uite exploded by the fact that 
 the emperor was not born until some )'ears after my 
 father, to which was added, by way of "cumulative ev- 
 idence," the furtiuT fact that Nicholas I did not succeed 
 to the Russian throin^ until December, 1S25, previous to 
 which his name and his fame could have been but little 
 known in American homes ; and at that date my father 
 was approaching middle life! 
 
 ( )ne ollu-r < onjei ture remains. .As he and my mother 
 ga\'e s( riplure names to all of their ele\en children, so 
 his ])arcnts, who were reverent believers in the Bible, 
 ni.iy ha\ e adopted for him the name of one of the seven 
 dt'a( ()nsat Jerusalem, the slight difference in the orthog- 
 raph) — Nicolas and Nicholas — being due to the fact that 
 the one, in derivation and form, is Latin, and the other 
 Creek. According to ^Vcl)ster, the two names are iden- 
 tical in their heroic signification — "victory of the jjeoplc." 
 
The Family. 
 
 21 
 
 This name iins been <j;rentl)' aspersed by tlic nilcgation tliat 
 the wise anil good deaeon of Acls \ i, 5, fell from grace, 
 and became toiiiulcr of the corruiit sect of Nicoiaitans 
 so strongly condeniiied in Re\'. ii, 6, 15. The decided 
 weight of o|)inioii. iogi<', and i)rol)al)dil}- among the com- 
 mentalors seetns to be against this damaging assumption. 
 
 'I'iiere is anotlier name in wliich I feel a deep ar.d 
 tender interest — that of our mother; an unusual name, 
 tiiougii not an unusual word. It occurs in the liibie 
 two hundred ami se\ ent)'-two times, and is a soft, gen- 
 tle, tender word of two sy llables — " Mercy." 
 
 Never did a woman's name give more fitting ex])res- 
 sion to character than did this name of our mother. A 
 plain, practi( al woman, of large common sense, witli a 
 heart and life san( tified by grace, she was a mother to 
 be respected, esteemi'd, and lo\ed. 
 
 Both she and father h id become Christians and mem- 
 bers of tiie Metliodist h-piscopal Church before their 
 marriage, wliich occurred Decemlier 23,1808, a mar- 
 riage followed b\- their ha|)p\', lov ing union as husband 
 anil wW'c lor more than sevent)' years, each of them 
 (l\ ingat last in the ninety-first year of life — the date of 
 his liirlh bi-ing Novend)er 9, 17S8, and that of his death 
 March 6, 1879, her birtli occurring March 13, 17S9, and 
 lier death January 8, 1S80. Thus beginning and clos- 
 ing life but a few months a])art, the legacy they left be- 
 hind them, though small in earthly treasure, was great 
 in purity of cliaracter, in fer\'or of piety, in chasteness 
 of coiu'crsat ion, in frugal iudiistrx- of habits, in consist- 
 ency of Christian de])oitment, and in a calm, unfalter- 
 ing, holy trust in death. 
 
 ANCESTRY AND KAUl.V l.IKK OK l ATIIKl^ 
 
 His forefathers came from .Amsterdam, Holland, and 
 settled on the Delaware River abovi; I'hihulelphia, 
 
22 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 at a place called Shamony, which is described in the 
 early editions (jf Lippiiicott's Gazctlrrr " a post office of 
 Burlington County, N. J ," thougli the name was long 
 since superseded, no doubt, by another for the same 
 •place. From there his grandfather removed to New 
 England, where his father was born, and, on arriving at 
 manhood, married. His fatlier's earlier years were 
 spent in following the sea, and often making long voy- 
 ages to foreign ports; but at length he came to New 
 Jersey and settled at "The Forks "on Mullica River, 
 Gloucester, now Atlantic, County, and engaged in ves- 
 sel building. He also owned a place at New Columbia, 
 a few miles above, where a part of the time he resided. 
 It was here that liis youngest child was born and took 
 the name Nicholas. Father, in making this state- 
 ment to me as he lay in bed, remarked, " Tliis, I sup- 
 pose, is the very bedstead upon wliicli I was laid for the 
 first time," showing with what care that article of furni- 
 ture had been jjreserved as a family heirloom. 
 
 'Vo the teaciiings of his mother he chiefly owed his 
 early religious impressions, though she at that time was 
 not a professing Christian. She often told him of the 
 preaching of David Braincrd, and taught him the doc- 
 trine of future rewards and punishments, whicii made a 
 deep impression on his young mind. Nor was this labor 
 lost, either as to him or herself, his early conversion 
 being followed not k)ng after by her own, which was 
 brought about in no small degree through his instru- 
 mentality, as the following incident will sliow. Being 
 greatly bunlened for his mother he made her conver- 
 sion a subject of special and earnest prayer. Religious 
 service was then held in tlie neigliborliood on a certain 
 day of the week ; and wliile on his way to the meeting 
 he turned aside in the woods, where In; sjient a consid- 
 erable time in prayer for the object that lay nearest his 
 
The Family. 
 
 23 
 
 heart. Before he arose lie felt an assurance that his 
 prayer was heard and would s|)eedily be answered. 
 Shortly after the service began the words of the 
 preacher found way to her heart, and she cried out for 
 mercy under her keen convictions. Soon her mourn- 
 ing was turned to rejoicing, and, though she had always 
 been very much opjjosed to shouting, as also to class 
 meetings, she pr.iised God aloud, and thenceforward be- 
 came a regular, happy attendant upon the means of 
 grace, which hitherto she had so much des])ised. 
 
 When he was about three years of age his parents 
 had removed to Bass River, now New Gretna, Burling- 
 ton County, which a few years later became his spiritual 
 birthplace, and subsequently the scene of his mother's 
 conversion as just narrated. Here as he grew up he 
 devoted himself to farming, applying his wages to the 
 support of his parents, the father having become too 
 old and infirm to continue the business of his trade. 
 Though the son was but little more than twelve at his 
 conversion and gave promise of great stability and use- 
 fidness, taking delight in all the means of grace, and 
 especially in reading and studying the hymn book of 
 the Church, yet at length, strangely enough, his religious 
 zeal declined and he lajised into a cold, backslidden 
 state, but without falling into gross outward sins. 
 Happily at the age of eighteen he was renewed, from 
 which time, forgetting the things that were behind 
 and reaching forth to those which were before, he 
 steadily pressed forward during .ill the years that fol- 
 lowed toward the goal of eternal life. 
 
 In 1814, at the age of twenty-six, he went out to 
 serve in the war with Great Britain, and was stationed 
 at Cape May awaiting orders; but after remaining there 
 a few months he was allowed to hire a substitute, with 
 the understanding that his own name should be con- 
 
24 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 tinned on the roll and his substitute answer to it. Not 
 lont^ after he began to devote himself to his father's 
 business as a siii[)wriL!,ht, in the active prosecution of 
 which he continued well nigh half a century. When, 
 several years ago, (Congress enacted a law providing 
 for the payment of jjensions to the few remaining sol- 
 diers of the war of 1812 father's name became entered 
 upon the pension roll, and thenceforward to thic close of 
 his life he was a grateful recijjient of the annual allow- 
 ance thus i)rovided for. 
 
 SUMM.VRY OF LATER LIFE AND CHARACTER. 
 
 The summary that follows was prepared by the writer 
 soon after father's death, and is here given without es-, 
 sential change or alteration. 
 
 The Re\'. Nicholas Vansant, Sr., was born at New 
 Columbia, near Pleasant Mi'.ls, .Atlantic, then Gloucester,. 
 County, N. J., November 9, 17.SS, and died at Lower 
 15ank, Burlington County, N. |., March 6, 1879, having 
 attained the venerable age of ninety years and four 
 months, less three days. lie was connected with a 
 long-lived family, his father and mother, with several of 
 his brothers .ind sisters, having died at a greatly ad- 
 vanced age. He united with the Methodist Episcopal 
 ('hurch when about t'ighteen, so that his entire mem- 
 bership in the Church covered a period of over seventy- 
 two years. 
 
 The exact time when he was licensed as an exhorter 
 is liol know n, nor is the prei ise date of his first local 
 ]ireacher's license at hand; but his ordination jiarch- 
 nu nt shows that he was ordained a local deacon by 
 Uishop Iledding Ajiril 17, i.S3r, which office he fdled 
 with great acceptability and usefulness for nearly forty- 
 eight years. 1 
 
 The number of marriages solemnized by him during 
 
The Family. 
 
 25 
 
 tiiis period was two luiiulicd ami twenty-seven, as ap- 
 pears from his carefully preserved records. 
 
 The last baptism administered ijy him took |)lace at 
 a camp meeting held near Green Bank in July, 1877, the 
 subject being a grandchild of his greatly esteemed 
 friend and fellow-laborer in tiie local ministry, tiie Hon. 
 Joel Haywood. He was to(j nearly blind to perform 
 the whole service; but, others having read the pre- 
 scribed ritual, he ap|)liLd the water in tlie name of tlie 
 Holy Trinity, his liaiid being guided to the tender in- 
 fant's liead by the hand of one of his sons. It was a 
 beautiful and touching scene. 
 
 He livetl, not only to sec .ill his ( liiklren and many of 
 iiis chihiren's children converleil and members of tiie 
 same Church with himself, but was also blessed in hav- 
 ing four of his sons enter the itinerant ministry, another 
 son licensed as a local preacher, a sixth lu^nored with a 
 local pre. teller's ordination, and the seventli intrusted 
 with various official positions in the Church. 
 
 The following may Ik; mentionetl as among the lead- 
 ing traits of his character: 
 
 1. He was a man of great energy and perseveraiK e in 
 his business relations. I"^)r many years he iirosecuted 
 the work fif vessel building with great success, and not 
 a few of those who came after him in the same business 
 were largely indebted to his knowledge and skill for 
 their later success. 
 
 2. He was an ardent lover and a devout student of 
 the Bible. His habit was to read some portion of it 
 every day; nor did he lose his interest in it after he 
 had become too blind to read it with his own eyes. 
 His beloved wife, whose siglit yet remained good, con- 
 tinued his long established habit by reading a chapter 
 or more every morning and evening in conne( lion with 
 their family worship. And so well stored had his mind 
 
26 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 become with its precious truths that lie was often lieard 
 reciting large portions of it to iiiniself, or lor the con- 
 venience and iielp of some of the grandcliiidren living 
 near, wlio not unfreijuently applied to him for aid in the 
 pre[)aration of tiieir Sunday scliool lessons. 
 
 3. He was eminently faitliful in his attendance upon 
 the public and social means of grace. The preaching of 
 the word, the prayer service, and the class meeting were 
 sure of his })resence unless some providential hindrance 
 prevented, iind after his sight luul become too dim for 
 him to go alone, his form still remaining erect, he would 
 cheerily say to his faithful wife, as with bent form she 
 led him along, " You can be eyes to m-, and I will be a 
 staff to you." 
 
 4. His strict attention to family worship, already 
 hinted at, needs to be emphasized. Not only were his 
 nine children as they grew up required to be present, 
 but during the long years in which he carried on his 
 business extensively, cm|)loying large numbers of work- 
 men and apprentices, he made it a fixed rule that all 
 who ex])ected to eat at his table should attend the family 
 devotions, which always preceded the morning meal. 
 
 5. He attached great importance to the duty of secret 
 prayer. Besides maintaining a constant spirit of prayer, 
 he had his stated seasons of jorivate devotion, which he 
 observed with great regularity day by day, not allowing 
 business or visitors or aught else to rob him of this en- 
 joyment. Among his specij^il subjects of prayer were his 
 own children, for each of whom he statedly i)rayed by 
 name. 
 
 6. He was eminently loyal to the doctrines and Disci- 
 pline of the Methodist Episcopal Cinirch. The long 
 line of pastors in the localities where he lived found in 
 him a true friend and fellow-helper. Though most un- 
 obtrusive in spirit and manner, he was always ready to 
 
The Family. 
 
 27 
 
 licrtorm official lUity wiicncvcr called upon by his pastors 
 ()|- liiclliicn. He was (|uick to notice llie least deviation 
 from strict orthodoxy in the puliiit, and witli s^reat mod- 
 esty and genlleness would seek to correct it. 
 
 7. He was remarkable for his progressiveiiess. Old 
 age brought not with it to him a sour, complaining spirit, 
 ,is is too often the case. On tlie contrary, he kept 
 abreast of tht; times as they ad\anceil, readii)' acceiiting 
 all needfid changes and improvements in the Churcii 
 and the community, neser saying in a spirit of disc(;n- 
 tent or lault-finding, "The former days were better than 
 these," His interest in new books from our great pub- 
 lishing liouse, and esjiecially in The Chiisdan ^Idvoiate, 
 which he took from its beginning, ccjntiniieil without 
 abatement to the last. Well do his older children re- 
 member with what enthusiasm he became a sidjscriber 
 for Clarke's Coiiu/ic/itai v, which was fnst i^sued in num- 
 bers, and afteiwarti grew into six stout vohmies, these 
 becoming supplemented at length by lienson's Coininen- 
 tary. Words can scarcely express his exalted estimate 
 of these great comj)anion works. And even near the 
 close of his extended life there was not a more entliusi- 
 astic admirer of liisho]) Sim])sou's Yale IacIhics than he, 
 who was a hearer of them as they were read to him by 
 others. 
 
 8. As a i)reacher he was not only concise and clear in 
 his statements of scripture truth, but unusually apt in his 
 illustrations, ])reaching at times with great ])Ower. With- 
 out the culture of the schools, he was jironounced by 
 cultured hearers a natural orator. His imswerving 
 fidelity in the i)ulpit, as elsewhere, was honored by the 
 great Head of the Cluirch with many seals to his minis- 
 try. 
 
 9. His record as an advocate of the tem|ierance reform 
 was one of rare labors and successes. When, in 1S41, 
 
28 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 lie scttknl at Lower I'.aiik il conI not a little to stand u]) 
 ai^aiiist the ilesolatiiiL; march of inteinpeiaiK e ; yet lie 
 did il most heroically amid sneers and st uffs and threat- 
 ened \iolence, nor was it in vain. 'Then not less than 
 j:.i\ or seven licensed hotels were in full oiierati(jn in the 
 okl township of Washington, whereas at the time of my 
 latest information (iSyy) there was not to be found in 
 the same territory more than cnie su( li place, and not 
 even one in the new t(j\vnshi|) of l\andol|)h, within the 
 houiuls of wlii( h he lived and died. A similar record 
 had been made 1)\' him in the neii^liliorliood of I'ort Re- 
 ])id)lic, Atlantic County, where he resided about eii;hteen 
 years before remo\iiiu; to another county. lie practiced 
 and advot<ited the total abstinence i)riiiciple tlare at a 
 time when he was obliged to stand almost alone. lJut 
 the seed then and afterward sown has ) ielded a rich 
 harvest of blessed residls. Ac-corduiL; to our best infor- 
 mation not a li( ensed or unlicensed place exists in all 
 that neighborhoi nl where intoxicatini; drink is sold. 
 
 lo. His final si( kness was of short duration, continu- 
 ing but four or fiNc days. He was thus mercifully ])re- 
 served from a long season of suffeiiiig. To this, how- 
 ever, he had not been a stranger w ithin the prev ious few 
 years, having siiffereil at times from severe attacks of 
 sickness, espei ially in llammatoiy rheumatism. In his 
 last illness he w as |jarl of the time unconscious, and when 
 not so was but little inclined to ( oiiveisalion except as 
 he was roused by mention of the juet icnis name of jesns, 
 which always brought forth a cheerful response as h)ng 
 as he was able to articulate. Said one of his S(jns to 
 him, a day or two before his death, " I'"ather, if you 
 should die, do you think you would go to heaven.' " to 
 which, with characteristic motlesty, he answered,"! 
 thinkso." The (|uestion followed, " ITi\e you ever done 
 anything to merit heaven.' '.' "No," said he, "but it is 
 
The Family. 
 
 29 
 
 written, ' Jklicvc on the L(jid Jesus ("lirist, and lliou 
 slialt be saved.' " Tliis may be taken as a true illustra- 
 tion of his peaceful, trustful frame of mind until the 
 weary wheels of life stood still. 
 
 A formal review of the life and character of mother 
 would here be approiuiate did s\rdcc ])ermit ; yet in 
 reality this is rendered needless by the summary already 
 given of fatlier's, which in its general s[)irit and tenor 
 would ecjually apply to her. Their lives were full of co- 
 incidences, not only as to the times and i)hu es of tlicir 
 bii lh, but also as to their early conversion, their church 
 relations and a( ti\ities, their social tasles and habits, 
 their general t'liristian character, with their sjjecial re- 
 ligious experiences, and the dates of their fnial departuie. 
 
 Anecdotks ok Parents. 
 
 laving at one time with a (Quaker, C. ('., who was a 
 very wi( ked man, father was led to pray that tlie Lord 
 might " show him hell." The old man heard of it and, 
 meeting him, said, " Nicholas, I hear thee lias jjrayed 
 that (]od would show me hell." " Ves," was the reply. 
 He became very much excited and, raising his cane, 
 vociferated, "Show me hell? Show me hell " l*"athei', 
 approaching him, said with great earnestness, " \'es, sIkjw 
 you hell!" whereupon the man fell j)rostrate to the earth 
 and lay there a short time, when father took him by the 
 liand and raised him up. Afterward lie attended Metho- 
 dist meeting and showed great kindness to the heroic 
 youth who had pra\ eil for him. 
 
 Though father was not a large man, beiiig oidy about 
 fue aiul a half feet in height and well iiroporlioned, yet 
 lie was a man of great muscular strength, resolute will, 
 and unflinching courage in emergencies, these rendering 
 him an unsafe man to trille with. A bully one day came 
 up behind him in the shipyard when he was bent over 
 3 
 
30 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 using his bro;ul;i.\ and acted roughly toward him, l^nt, 
 as father supposed, oidy in sport. Straightening himself 
 and turning around, lie i)layfully raised liis ax as if in 
 self-defense, when lie perceived that tlie man really 
 meant sometliing more tluin rude fun, for he savagely 
 rushed toward him with clinched fists, on seeing wliich 
 fatlier dioi)|)ed his ax and, striking the bully a cpiick 
 blow, sent iiim reeling to the ground. No attempt was 
 made to renew tiie attack. 
 
 During a camp meeting lield in Ilosca Joslyn's woods 
 several men came from May's Landing, the county seat, 
 a few miles distant, to disturb the meeting. A con- 
 stable souglit to arrest tliem; but, armed with clubs, they 
 held him at bay, when fatlier, approaching, said, " Do 
 you want to arrest them?" lie answered, "Yes;" and 
 lather springing tcjward the men they dropped their 
 clubs and the officer arrested them. One of their num- 
 ber, Mr. ^\'ilson, was ])nt in jail — the first prisoner to 
 occupy the new building. Thirty years after this my 
 brother James was pastor at May's Landnig, and this 
 same man, long before converted, was one of the stew- 
 ards of his c hurch. 
 
 At a camp meeting held near New Columbia father is 
 reported to have jjreachcd a sermon of great ])ower. 
 He began by saying, "You boatmen, in going tlown the 
 river, don't go a straight course or you would run on 
 the bars and your\'essels get aground ; but you keep in 
 tile channel, whatever its course may be. So to-night I 
 mean to keep in the channel, be it crooked or straight." 
 Under tlie sermon a man sitting near the altar fell to 
 the ground. 
 
 I'reac hing once at West Creek, he was drawn out in 
 bold denunciations against jirofanity. Sabbath breaking, 
 and kindred vices. When at the height of his fervor 
 the Rev. Isaac Hugg, junior preacher on the circuit, 
 
The Family. 
 
 31 
 
 very tall and slender, spoke out in his slirill, feminine 
 voice, "(live it to them, lirotlier V'ansant ! " to which 
 the k answer was, " 1 intentl to do so, for 1 wouUl 
 rather see a red-liot devil than to liear a man swear." 
 
 In liis advanced years, among tlie l)o)s who lived 
 with him from time to time on tlie farm was Charles 11. 
 McAiiney, now a taientetl and well-known minister of 
 the New \'ork Conference. Like most other boys, lie 
 was fond of fun and fun-making. Seeing lallier one 
 day walking out alone, as he frecjuently eliil, the |)]ayful 
 lad concluded to ha\e a little innocent sport with him 
 by hiding behirul some bushes and then, at the right 
 time, rushing out to slartle him. JUit father's habit of 
 devout solilocpiy cpiite spoiled tlie well-laid scheme. ,\s 
 'le ai)|)ioached Charley heard him saying, " bless the 
 f/Ord, () my soul; and all that is within me, bless his 
 ooly name," etc. This was too much for the sportive 
 youth, who (piietly subsideil witliout demonstration. 
 
 I atld a few items toncerning niolher. I'rom early 
 chdtlhood she was \'ery consc ienlious and tentler- 
 heartetl. When a small girl, smiting a bumblebee, slie 
 felled it to the ground, but in turn was herself smitten 
 far more severely by her own lonsc ience. ( )ne day, 
 ]Kcking up a walnut in passing, she walked away with 
 it; l)ut soon a distressing sense of contlenmation im- 
 pelled her to return and lay it at the sjiot where she 
 had found it. 
 
 In married life, amid all her cares and toils in raising 
 a large family, she felt that if one of her sons shoidd 
 become a ])reacher of the Cospel she would be fidly 
 compensated. For this siie devoutly wished and i)rayed. 
 How the Lord rendered far more than "double" unto her 
 in fulfdlment of this wish! Several times one marked the 
 number of her sons called to the work and crowned 
 with the honors of the ministry ; nor did her eompen- 
 
32 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 sation cease imlil several of lier sons' sons Iiad been 
 calietl and ci owned in like manner. Hai)])y niotlier! 
 
 She was a diligent reader of the IJible and, liaving a 
 tenacious nicnior)', she so learned many portions of it as 
 to be able to recite them as occasion miylu require. 
 Shortly before her death she repeated tiie fifth chapter 
 of Romans verbatim to one of her sons. 
 
 W'lien fallier was sometimes wakeful at night she 
 would interest him by (]uoting various hymns, a large 
 number of wliich she had learned. And he used to say 
 tliat, in conducting religious meetings, wlien he wanted 
 to recei\e a sjjecial blessing lie would call on mother to 
 pray. O how many w ith graleliil recollection can call 
 to mind the holy fervor and power of her testimonies 
 and her prajers! 
 
 In middle and earlier life her habit was to conduct 
 the family W{)rslii|) in the absence of father from hume. 
 The writer has a lively remend)rani e of some of those 
 occasions when he was called upon to lead the tlevotions 
 in turn with herself. I!oy as he was of unusual bashful- 
 ness, a timid, trembling novice too in vocal prayer be- 
 fore others, he < oukl well understand the meaning of 
 Charles Wesley's poetic Ime, "What though my shrink- 
 ing llesh ( omplain." lUit it was a wholesome disci|)line. 
 In their later years the husband and wife led in ])rayer 
 alternately, the scripture reading devolving wholly on 
 her as his vision became more and more dim. The 
 devotions alw;:ys closed with the Lord's Prayer. The 
 leader would pause after the extemporaneous jjetitiuns 
 and the other would lead in the Lord's Prayer. 'Phis 
 double alternation with its beautiful simplicity was con- 
 tinued till the husband " was not, for Clod took him." 
 
 Not long before that taking three or four of their 
 preacher sons, with some of the grandchildren, were 
 gathered at the house of the elder sister; but the central 
 
The Family. 
 
 33 
 
 figures in that happy sroup were tlie venerable father 
 and mother of us all. The delights of that evening are 
 still a sweet fragrance in the memory. The interview 
 was closed with a brief prayer service, and chief among 
 those who led was the veteran father, yielding to a com- 
 mon request. That jirayer carried us back to years 
 long gone, but never to l)e forgotten. The prayer 
 ended, but we arose not, for the lips that uttered it rev- 
 erently said, "Mother, pray tlie I.nrd's Prayer;" and in 
 devout concert we all joined our tender voices witli that 
 of the loved and loving leader. 
 
 Many years before her translation by death she 
 dreamed a dream, in which the Lord said to her, "I 
 have made thy heart pure and wliite." Was it all a 
 dream ? She knew it was not. Rather was it the dream 
 of a blessed divine revelation to her sanctified conscious- 
 ness that she was fully saved. In t1iis blissful experi- 
 ence she lived and at last died, wliile all who knew her 
 had full faith in its reality, and in the unfeigned sincer- 
 ity of her confession and practice of it. 
 
34 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 Brothers and Sisters. 
 
 T^WO of these, Samuel and Phebe, died in early child- 
 * hood, leaving seven brotliers and two sisters to reacii 
 adult life and have homes of their own. Their names 
 and chief characteristics may be read as follows: 
 
 John W. — The first born of the family, upon whom 
 the children who came afterward were wont to look 
 with pride as at once the eldest and best of their num- 
 ber. He was a circumspect youth, early converted, 
 much devoted to secret prayer and the other means of 
 grace, careful of his personal ajjpearance, and very dil- 
 igent in study. His studious habits were strongly stim- 
 ulated by a young Irishman, David Patterson, who c ame 
 to learn the trade with father and brought his books 
 witli him. 
 
 I' or greater quiet and convenience in study Brother John 
 ert ( ted a small building ai)arl f rom the home, where he 
 could i)ass all his spare hours in conimunion with his 
 library and his God. If at any time tlicre seemed to 
 be danger of excess in tliis dirrction a gentle reminder 
 from anyone of tlie |irerLi)t, " Render therefore unto 
 C;csar the things whii li are C;vsar's; and unto dod the 
 things that are Ciod's," woidd always serve as a wliole- 
 some arbiter between the conflicting inside claims of 
 the study and the outside claims of the shipyard. 'J'liis 
 deep interest on his part in gaining knowledge exerted 
 a salutary influence upon the whole family, making it 
 in no small degree a home school of critics in grammar, 
 orlhogra|)hy, j^roiumciation, and the general use of 
 words. 
 
The Family. 
 
 35 
 
 An illustrative incident of his early Cliristiaii life was 
 this: At the old Blackman Meetinghouse one evening, 
 he and a young man of the same church, Rollin Ashley, 
 having left after the public service, concluded to return 
 and hold a little prayer meeting by themselves. Brother 
 James, yet a boy, had been left asleep in the gallery; 
 but just as Mr. Ashley was finishing his prayer he awoke 
 in the darkness, very much frightened, and felt his way 
 down as best he could to the main floor. By this time 
 the second prayer was begun, and the affrighted boy, 
 hearing a sound at the altar, walked up tlie aisle and 
 soon recognized the voice as that of his brother Jolm. 
 For a moment the young worshipers were startled by 
 what at first seemed to them an apparition, but Avhich 
 they soon found was a veritable liuman being, with flesh 
 and bones like their own. 
 
 He was early appointed a class leader, and afterward 
 licensed as an exhorter, and a little later received a al 
 preacher's license. At proiier age he married, and not 
 long after removed to the "far West," as Ohio, Illinois, 
 and adjacent States were then called, settling, after some 
 delay, at Rock Island, on the Mississi|i])i, wlieie lie es- 
 tablished a successful business in steaml)oal l)uilding and 
 repairing. At length his business and residence were 
 transferred to Le Claire, la., where, with his venerable 
 wife, he is now passing the eventide of a long life in the 
 quiet of a well-earned competency and with "a lively 
 hope" of "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, 
 and that fadeth not away." 
 
 Their four sons and two daughters, with numerous 
 grandchildren, are such as any father might well feel 
 proud of — all of them professing Christians, with per- 
 haps one exception, and two of the sons being distin- 
 guished as excellent preachers in the local ranks. Years 
 ago, while yet living at Rock Island, my brother de- 
 
36 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 clincd tlic rcncwnl of liis license on the groiind that 
 there was so Hltle actual need for a local preacher's 
 services in a city station; but as before, so ever since, 
 he has held various other important positions in the 
 C'hurch with both usefulness to the people and honor 
 to himself. His son, Nicholas (1., of Rock Falls, ]11., was 
 a lay delegate to the General ("onference of 1896. 
 
 JoKi,. — The only one of the seven brothers who never 
 felt called to the work of the ministry, itinerant or local. 
 In common with the rest, he was early called to the service 
 of God and the fellowship of his Church; yet from his 
 constitutional make-up it was ])crhaps harder for liim to 
 become a Ghrislian, li\e a Christian, and do Chris- 
 tian work than for most of the others. I lis was a 
 marked indi\ idnality and independence; yet he was a 
 mm of tender sensibilities and warm symi)athies. From 
 early lile iu' was full of mischief, but not viciously so. 
 
 When about eighteen he was converted and united 
 with the Church, but afterward lapsed into a backslidden 
 state, and sd remained a few )ears. Getting hold of his 
 father's ( lass book, he eraseil his own name and that of 
 his cousin, [osiah Carter; but he was very unhajipy, and 
 one niL;ht bi'came so distressed that he sent for father 
 to come and minister relief to his agonized mind. 
 
 'I'houi^h of rather slender frame, he was understood to 
 be a man of gri'at i)liysi( al ner\ e power and strength, so 
 that lliose of pugilistic tendencies were gcnerall)' afraid to 
 encounter him. He was content never to make attacks, 
 but only to defend himself against them, which he al- 
 ways did with consummate skill and success. The story 
 of some (if these fcals, as we have heard itfrom his own 
 lips, has been stirring indeed, almost startling. 
 
 During a i)art of his backslidden life he worked a 
 considerable distance from home, but was constantly 
 followed by the prayers of his yearning parents, and at 
 
The Family. 
 
 37 
 
 length the answer came in a deep impression that tlieir 
 " wandering boy " was saved — an imjjrrssion so strong 
 that each was led to say to the other, " Jotl is con- 
 verted." And so it proved, for a message soon after 
 fully confirmed their comforting belief 
 
 In course of time he became a class leader and stew- 
 ard, holding these, witli sometimes otlier, offices in the 
 various localities wliere lie resided. His singing talent 
 was a source of enjoyment to liimsclf and of great use- 
 fulness to tlie people with whom lie worsliijjed; Init in 
 this rc-pe< t two or more of liis sons have quite out- 
 stripi)ed ihe father. 
 
 In his more vigorous years he was known as an expert 
 at his trade, never finding an ecpial, as is alleged, in the 
 use of liis tools. Ihit a change has come in these later 
 years, not only by reason of advancing age, but also 
 and especially through the heavy pressure of multiplied 
 afflictions. Not to speak of jiecuniary losses, the dark 
 shadows of bereavement in successive visitations have 
 sadly dimmed tlie light of his home and his heart : his 
 ciieerftil Lizzie, d) ing amid the sweet endearments of 
 youthful motherhood ; his devoted Madeline, arrested in 
 the busy career of a useful maidenhood; his gentle 
 Doughty, summoned from the lender rel.it ionshii)s of 
 husband and father; and, heaviest of all to bear, his be- 
 loved Catherine, the cherished, painstaking wife of his 
 youth and of his riper years until old age had stolen on 
 apace — all these overtaken by lingering sickness and 
 borne away to the grave at i):iinfi.lly brief intervals, mak- 
 ing his once happy home a desolation, and leaving ui)on 
 his sensitive soul and already enfeebled body the deep 
 impress of an ineffaceable sorrow. Yet he murmurs not, 
 but day by day is watching and waiting in ])rayerful 
 l)atience until his own change shall come. 
 
 I only add that when, a boy of fourteen, T stood be- 
 
38 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 fore the altar of the old Blackman Meetinghouse and 
 gave my name to the Cliurch it was my brother Joel 
 wiio said to me with a warm grasp of tlie hand, as we 
 met at the close of the service in front of the venerable 
 edifice, "You have engaged in a good cause; be faithful 
 unto deatli." The words were few, but O liow welcome 
 and encouraging! And all through the years that have 
 since come and gone tliey have have been sacredly 
 treasured up in the casket of a grateful memory. 
 
 Since the above was written the end has come. He 
 l)eacefuily slept in Jesus, November 5, 1895, at the home 
 of our brother Nathaniel, Lower Bank, N. J., and was 
 laid beside his cherished dead in the neighborhood ceme- 
 tery. 
 
 James. — Chief of tlie two facetious brothers of the fam- 
 ily. When about thirteen he started to be religious, 
 through the agency of his brotlier Joiin. His fervor in 
 worsliip was very marked, and on one occasion he be- 
 came (juite unconscious of his surroundings, continuing 
 on his knees praying and rejoicing till tiie meeting had 
 closed without his knowledge. He asked advice about 
 joining the Church, the advice being against it; but 
 when the time came for persons to join he felt con- 
 strained to go forward, and the preacher, tlie Rev. James 
 Ayars, putting his arm around liim, said, " God bless the 
 boy!" For a year he was very faithful; then his reli- 
 gi(Mis course began to be a zigzag one, and at length he 
 lost his menibershii) in the ("hurch, which, however, was 
 soon ri'iicwed. 
 
 In liis early manhood he was licensed to exhort by 
 the Kcv. lulward I'age. and about a year later received 
 a !()( al prcarher's lie ense, the Rev. Thomas Christopher 
 biing preacher in cliarge. He was greatly exercised 
 about de\()ting iiiniself to the itinerant work; but his 
 wife (he was married very young) showed a strong aver- 
 
The Family. 
 
 39 
 
 sion to it, whereupon lie laid tlie sul)jcrt before tlie Lortl. 
 saying, " Lord, if under the circumstances it is lliy will 
 that I should go let me be without work; if not, give me 
 a contrary sign." Soon after two gentlemen called to 
 engage him to build a large vessel, and he arranged with 
 them to do so. The next ten years continued full of 
 work, enabling him to make several thousand dollars 
 more, jirobably, than any other builder in the county. 
 
 Near the close of this decade the beloved wife of his 
 youth sickened and died. Presiding Elder Isaac N. 
 Felch suggested that now he ought to give himself up 
 wholly to the work of the ministry, which he decided to 
 do, going out on his first circuit under Presiding Elder 
 Thomas Sovereign in the spring of 1^55. 
 
 In course of time he married another excellent woman, 
 who, after thirteen years of happ)- wedded life, died 
 with great suddenness while away from home with her 
 husband visiting a former charge. Returning to the 
 home at Swedesborough, N. J., on Sunday morning, he 
 arrived just after the congregation had gathered for 
 worship. As he approached the parsonage, next door to 
 the church, the children, all ignorant of what had be- 
 fallen them, ran out to greet father and mother. Alas! 
 she was niissii^g; and when they asked, " Where is 
 mother? " he was sadly obliged to answer, " She is dead." 
 Word was conveyed to the church, where Hrother John 
 Davidson, a local preacher, arose and said, "We are 
 all mourners to-day," and soon afterward dismissed the 
 meeting. 
 
 Having passed years of loneliness, it was rumored that 
 he was again looking toward marriage, which led a fel- 
 low-member of the Conference to say to him, " Brother 
 Vansant, I hear you are about to be married again;" to 
 which, with great solemnity of tone and manner, he re- 
 plied, " I never exjiecl to ( hange another woman's name 
 
40 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 to mine." After tiie marriage the same preacher met 
 him and said, with no little vigor, " Brother Vansant, you 
 lied to me ; you told me you never expected to marry 
 again." To this, with great blandness, the accused 
 bridegroom replied, " W'iiy no, l)rother, I didn't; I told 
 you I never exjiected to change another woman's name 
 to mine, and I haven't, for her name before our mar- 
 riage was Rachel Vansant, the exact name of my former 
 wife." The preacher relaxed his sternness and seemed 
 satisfied. 
 
 Many punning rhymes, the si)ontaneous ])roducts of 
 his fertile brain and pen, can be recited by him at will 
 from a memory which almost never forgets; and not a 
 few of his i)ieces, both grave and gay, as published in 
 various newspapers, have displayed the marks of true 
 ]ioctic genius. However interesting, we are obliged to 
 omit them all. 
 
 His remarkable ])Owers of imitation have not alwaxs, 
 l)erha|)s, been wisely employed; but sometimes they have 
 served a \ cry useful i)urpf)se, as the following instance 
 will show. Wiiile in his backslidden slate, working on 
 the stage of a vessel at bass Ris er with his cousin, John 
 Carter, he recited to him a sermon delivered in his hear- 
 ing by that prince of ])nlhetic and st irr/ig ])reachers, the 
 Rev. 'I'homas (\. Stewart. The text was taken from 
 Psalm wwii, 35: "I ha\e sein the wicked in great 
 power," (;lc. So complete and impressive was the imi- 
 l.ilion that :\n unconverted man near by, overhearing it, 
 w.is seized with conviction and afterward became con- 
 verted. Several years having jiassed, it was announced 
 that lirother James would preach at Catawba, where the 
 man now lived, who, having learned of the announce- 
 ment, said, "Why, I have heard him preach; " and when 
 reminded by some one that at the time he named iMr. 
 Vansant was not a preacher, not even a Christian, he 
 
The Family. 
 
 41 
 
 said, "1 don't bcliuvc it, lur no man could preach us he 
 did witlioiit being a converted man." 
 
 His four living cluldren, a son and tliree daughters, 
 are an lionor and comfort to him, and hcli)ful to the 
 ciiurches in tlie localities wliere they reside. Oneof the 
 thrifty merchants of Philadelphia is the son hearing his 
 name; and one of the usefully active workers in the 
 church at 'I'uckerton, N. J., is the eldest daughter, Mrs. 
 G. W. Mathis. 
 
 He has given practical proof of his belief in that 
 ])rimal doctrine of Script iire, " It is not good that the 
 man should be alone." Having sincerely mourned tlie 
 ileath of her whose name needed no change to conform 
 it to his own, he in\iteel another lady u( suit,d)le age 
 and character to occujjy her place in the home and 
 minister to the needs of his athancing years. 
 
 ^\'hile he largely attributes his vigorous health to his 
 facetious spirit and habit in social life, many of his 
 friends, with himself, cannot fi.el ( ertain thai his spir- 
 itual influence and su< ( ess ha\ e not been unla\'oralily 
 affected thereby. He tells of the following conversa- 
 tion between himself and an intelligent lady of his 
 church: "Sister, do )'ou think I am as good out of the 
 pulpit as I am in it?" to which after a pause she made 
 this reply: " lirothcr Vansant, 1 prefer not to answer 
 that (piestion." 
 
 Ri:r,i;c c.\. — The elderof the two sisters, and possessed 
 in earlier }ears of no small measure of personal beauty. 
 She IkhI some special advantages of education in girl- 
 hood as a ]iupil in the ])rivate boarding school of Miss 
 Sarah RicHiards, at (!lou( ester h'urnac e, daughte r of 
 John Richards, l^sq., a man of great urbanity and ex- 
 tensively engagt'd in the manufacture of iron. The 
 daughter partook largely of his s])irit and manner, ren- 
 dering her a great favorite w ith her pupils and the com- 
 
42 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 mmiity in t;cncial. ll was nol wuiulcifiil, therefore, 
 llial tlic Ri v. joliii A. lioyle, an able and talented min- 
 ister ot tile I'hiladel|)liia Conference, should be drawn 
 toward her, or that their aeiiiiainlance should at length 
 result ill a happy marriage. Nor was it strange that the 
 fruit of lliat marriage, in the person of the eldest s(jn, 
 shoukl take the name of John Ric haids IJoyle, nor yet 
 that under the training of such a mother he shoidd grow 
 up to fill, and more than lill, the jilace of his father 
 (who entered the ainiy at the outbreak of the Rebellion, 
 rising to the rank of major, anil was killed at the battle 
 of Chattanooga, ( )ctol)er 29, iMOj) as an able anil dis- 
 tinguished minister of the Methudist i'liiiscopal Church, 
 sU( ll as he i , at this day. It was under the Intel. ige of 
 this superior wDUian, rei ently deceased, that my sister 
 early received important and useful instruction in books 
 and general knowledge. 
 
 Of her disposititjii it may be said that she was and is 
 a model of good nature. \V'hen about seventeen she 
 was married to I'eter Lane, a young man fitted by l)oth 
 nature and grai e to make her an excellent husljand. 
 Their mari ieil lile was a very happy one, during which 
 eleven ( hildren were born to them. Active and suc- 
 cessful in business, a consistent Christian, useful as a 
 member and officer of the Church, with superior talent 
 as a "sweet singer," it seemetl to us all that death came 
 to him ipiite lo<j early, w hen " manhood's middle day " 
 was but little ])ast, and when his large family, with the 
 church and community, greatly needed his presence, 
 counsel, and help. Al)oul two years later the eldest 
 daughter, Abbie, waved her last earthly farewell to lov- 
 ing mother, devoted husband, and five precious chil- 
 dren, which was followeil by the death of the latest- 
 born, Susie, a blooming girl of great beauty and promise, 
 following which a few years later came the sudden 
 
The Family. 
 
 43 
 
 sickness and death, far away lioni lioinc, of an adult 
 married son brariiv^ llic latliei's name. 
 
 Did the stricken wite and mother in all these ])ainfnl 
 exi)eriences "murmur or complain beneath the chasten- 
 nig rt)d," or charge God with either unkindness or un- 
 wisdom ? (), how her lailh rose on each successive 
 occasion to the sublime ahitude of grasping the simple, 
 assuring truth so \ariously and beautifidly expressed in 
 the mottoes, " lie doelh all things well," "Too wise to 
 err, too go(jd to be imkind," "Whom the Lord iovelh 
 he cluisleneth," and " We know that all things work to- 
 gether for good to them that love Clod!" During all 
 the lonely years of her widowhood that faith has been 
 keeping her soul in [unity and patience and iiea( e. 
 
 Several years ago one of the daughters became the 
 happy bride of the Rev. Lewis M. Atkinson, of the New 
 Jersey Conference, a very good preacher and successful 
 ])astor. 'I'heir domestic bliss seemed (piite < omplete. 
 Hut his career, how short and fleeting! Disease fol- 
 lowed him with steady tread until sudden dealli ensued. 
 Ah, how many besides a large circle of kindred lamented 
 his early de|)arture, among them scores and hundreds 
 who had been brought to Jesus under his ministry! To 
 cheer the loneliness of the young widowed mother and 
 to represent the invisible personality of the father, there 
 was left a precious boy, whose exi)anding mind it is 
 hoped and believed will adopt for imitation the pure 
 ideal of that father's noble character and life. 
 
 My sister's maternal love toward her two living sons 
 and five daughters — some of the latter of notable come- 
 liness — ever finds a ready response in that combined filial 
 regard which sjiontaneously turns toward her as theircher- 
 ished ideal of true excellence. Most of them are Chris- 
 tians and walking with her in the way to heaven. Why 
 should not this become speedily true of every one'' 
 
44 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Samuei,.— The first of our adult luinihLr to pioneer 
 the way tliroiiyli death to heaven. He was broad in 
 genius, in character, in usefuhiess. \Vhether a youth 
 in the Ijoatyard, or afterward a jireacher and pastor, 
 or yet later a presiding eider during nearly three full 
 terms, he showed tiie hand oi a master. His preaching 
 was always of a high order, but at camp meetings and 
 on other special occasions it was often extr.iordinary, 
 eliciting compaiisons witli that of I'itman and Jiartine. 
 He was blessed with a wife wlu^se comeliness of person 
 and mannei", combined with lier sociability and Chris- 
 tian zeal, contributed not a little to his i)Oi>ularity and 
 success. 
 
 ^\ath others he became interested in establishing a 
 camp meeting grounil at Island Heights, N. J., where 
 he fixed his district residence, and where he planned 
 and superintended the erection of a beautiful home, 
 o\ L i looking the |)lacid waters of Tom's River in its 
 gentle ebb and How. Ah, little did he then think 
 that the favorite room in that home would in the near 
 future become to him a "( hamber where the good man 
 meets his fata!" l!ut so it proved in the quiet e\enlitle 
 of April 24, icSSi, wl'.en he had just passed the middle 
 of his sixtieth year of life, and was just completing the 
 thirty-eighth of his ministry. 
 
 To hve gootlly sons in that household there had been 
 added a l(j\ely (.laughter, who at once became the joy 
 and pride of the whole family. She was now in the 
 freshness ami bloom of a charming girlhood, and upon 
 no one's heart in that home, sa\e the mother's, did the 
 stroke of this bereavement fall more heavily than upon 
 hers. Yet she bore it heroically, and it served but to 
 quicken her ambition to attain a true Christian woman- 
 hood, that in the highest possible degree she might 
 prove a comfort and help to her widowed mother. Her 
 
The Family. 
 
 45 
 
 yearning aspirations turned toward a liigher education, 
 especially in nuisic; and to this end she entered the Bor- 
 dentown Female College, where she was enthusiastically 
 l)ursuing her course when a fatal typhoid fever stealtiiily 
 enwrapjied her comely form in its slow consuming flame, 
 putting an arrest u[)on all her studies, withering the 
 brightest hopes of herself and her friends, blighting and 
 wasting her stately, womanly i)erson, and leaving behind 
 only the urn and ashes of her flushing, throbbing young 
 life, so ])recions and so promising. 
 
 Sunday, December 6, 1X85, witnessed the return of 
 Ada's pure si)irit to dod. The removal of the remains 
 to the newly-desolated home was followed by funeral 
 services at the Tom's River Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, in which the most appreciative tributes to iier 
 character and worth were tenderly offered by favorite 
 ministers and chosen representati\es of the college. 
 That funeral occasion, coming so soon after the la- 
 mented father's, and occurring on the same spot which 
 had then been suffused by so many tears, was more 
 than simply impressive; it was oppressive beyond all 
 possible description in words, by reason of the double 
 sorrow which cast its dark, dense shadow upon it — the 
 saddest of all the funerals witnessed by the writer dur- 
 ing his long antl \ aried life. 
 
 What would have been the joy of that father could he 
 have lived a few years longer to witness the advance- 
 ment to the ministry of the son whose name so fitly 
 perpetuates both his own father's and that of another 
 distinguished minister among us! He would doubtless 
 have felt that the Lord had indeed raised uj) a worthy 
 successor to him in his cherished life-work. That son 
 is the Rev. Samuel Monroe Vansant, of the New Jersey 
 Conference, to whom there have descended not a few 
 of the noble traits that marked the father. By his re- 
 4 
 
46 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 cent marriage to Miss I,ottie (iertriide Johnson, of New 
 \'()rk city, a xoiing woman at once accomplished and 
 ])ractical, lie has doubled his eciuijiment for his great 
 work. May he more and more honor the full name 
 that honors him ! 
 
 In The Alcthotiist of June 4, 1881, there appears an 
 article with tlic title, " A Brother's Tribute, by -N. V." 
 It was read with tender interest by hundreds, and was 
 copied in whole or in part by various other papers. 
 Many desired its wider circidation, and I was im]ior- 
 tuned by some of the young men of the New Jersey 
 Conference to issue it in tract form for more general 
 distril)Litioii ; but this suggestion was ne\ er carried into 
 elfect. It is here given as originally written and pub- 
 lished, free from all the mistakes of copyists: 
 
 " My brother is dead ! Our domestic circle is broken! 
 The keystone of our family arch has fallen! Until now 
 it consisted of nine closely cemented stones — seven 
 brothers and two sisters. Among these he stood mid- 
 way, four his seniors and four his juniors, the group on 
 either hand embracing three brothers and one sister. 
 This central jilace he held, not by age only, but also by 
 will and character — the fit keystone of our sacred arch. 
 
 " Two years ago the patriarchal father and venerable 
 mother, the long abiding bases of the arch, sunk jieace- 
 fully away from human sight under the pressure of ac- 
 cumulated years, each having a few months before en- 
 tered the tenth decade of earthly life. Their disap- 
 pearance, though so gentle, gave a shock to the whole 
 arch, but to no stone composing it more than to the hon- 
 ored one just fallen. Previously loosened in its position 
 by insidious diseases, the loosening seemed to be hastened 
 by that shock, until its hold was quite broken and, falling 
 from its elevated place, it dropped into the dust of death. 
 
The Family. 
 
 47 
 
 " When we all stood around the casket of our vener- 
 ated sire — all save the hrst-born in his disiani W estern 
 home — and each one's griet was too deep tor utterance 
 in words, he alone ot all the grouji could suninion tiie 
 self-control to say before tlie large assemblage w liat we 
 each felt : ' I would rather possess tiie remembrance 
 and influence of m)' father's godly instruction and holy 
 life than to have placed in my hands at this moment 
 thousands of dollars.' 
 
 " ^\'hen, eight montlis after, the same group gatliered 
 about the chu-eold form of our cherished motlier and 
 gazed upon her countenance, so gentle in life and so 
 jilacid in death, then glanced at the modest wreath of 
 wheat tliat lay upon the casket, it was he who again 
 spoke in a clear, full \di( e and said, 'If it is ripened 
 wheat, it will do,' and, ha\ ing with liis now moveless 
 fingers made satisfactory examination, he added in ten- 
 der, sulxlued accents, ' It is ripe — it will do.' 
 
 "As we grew up togetlier, we were not only next each 
 other in age, but almost e(puil in size, he being in 
 stature behind his years and myself in ads ance ; so that 
 he was often taken for tlie younger brcjilici', tliough in 
 fact the elder. These and other rir( umstances tended 
 to unite us in a closer sNnipatliy and companionship 
 than most others of the home. A\'e ate and slei)t and 
 played and worked together. 'We attended school and 
 walked to the house of God in company. We breathed 
 each other's atmosphere and lived in each other's love 
 and confidence. 
 
 " He was my early defender, superior in age and mus- 
 cular strength, in courage and force of will ; whatever 
 assaults might come to me from rude playmates or 
 school companions he took it upon himself promptly to 
 repel. Indeed, he was born to rule — modes'.ly, kindly, 
 firmly — and the place thus assigned him by natural 
 
48 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 constitution and endowment was recognized instinc- 
 tively and without challenge by all about him. 
 
 "' Who also were in Christ before me.' What Paul 
 thus wrote concerning some in his day was reversed in 
 the present case. My own conversion preceded his by 
 two or more years, and doubtless under God helped to 
 accomplish it. Occupying the same room and bed, his 
 rebellious nature would sometimes protest against the 
 praise and prayer which ever and anon were too big for 
 my young heart to hold, even after retirement. One 
 occasion is vividly remembered when, after returning 
 from a happy evening meeting, it was a sweet relief to 
 moisten my pillow with tears of joy and make the room 
 resound with ejaculations of j^raise; but to him the an- 
 noyance was unbearable, and, petulantly rebuking me in 
 words, he suited the action of his strong elbow to the 
 forceful utterances of his lips. 
 
 " Not long after, the lion himself became a lamb. O, 
 it was a marked achievement of grace when his strong 
 will and proud heart submitted to God! He was sig- 
 nally converted, and he carried the deep stamp of that 
 conversion to the latest hour of his life. As in the 
 Christian life, so in the ministry, he was my junior. 
 But how soon may all distinction of years become ob- 
 literated by superior talent, self-command, and power 
 of execution ! In process of time two, ay, three, others 
 of our number entered the same ministry, but not to 
 challenge his place — only to imitate as best they might 
 his devotion and prowess. All through the years, by 
 common consent, he was our Elijah. 
 
 " ' IJehold, he whom thou lovest is sick.' Let me 
 then hasten to his bedside. O that burning fever, those 
 wasted energies! For weary months, even years, his 
 powerful will has been battling against a marshaled 
 host of diseases. How fierce and unremitting the con- 
 
The Family. 
 
 49 
 
 test! Once and again his devoted wife lias anxiously 
 asked, ' Had you not better suspend your active labors 
 for needed rest and recuperation ? ' to which the charac- 
 teristic answer would always come back, ' No, I can- 
 not cease from my work until compelled to do so.' Ah 
 me, the time has come ! That all-consuming fever for 
 tliree long weeks has been preying upon his vitals. Yet 
 his mind is clear and his courage unabated. 
 
 " This sick chamber is holy ground. The strong man 
 has bowed himself, or rather has been bowed by an- 
 other. Alas, my brother! Sacred is the circle gathered 
 here — the wife, five sons, the only daughter, the next 
 older sister, and the next younger brother. Tread 
 softly ! Will he recognize me ? Approach and ask. ' Do 
 you know me.'' ' Why, yes ; it is Nicholas — kiss me.' 
 My loving brother ! An interval follows. ' You are trust- 
 ing in Jesus?' ' My trust is in the living God.' Another 
 interval. ' Your trust is still in Ood ?' ' I am trusting 
 in Christ.' Blessed testimony ! It is enough. But must 
 he die ? Has the Master no more work for him on earth ? 
 O what pleadings of soul with God for his recovery ! 
 Will he not honor these many and urgent petitions.' 
 
 " The Sabbath evening's sun has just calmly set, and 
 his sun of life seems fast following. Ah ! we must yield 
 him up — yet, dear Father, how can it be Is he gone ? 
 Not a muscle stirs; not a sound is heard. So gently 
 has the spirit passed away, the moment cannot be de- 
 termined. All is over, and the hands on the dial mark 
 eight o'clock. Our Elijah has been translated. 'I pray 
 thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.' In 
 my deep meditation, forgetting there are others to need 
 and to covet this spirit, there comes to me a deej) and 
 almost overwhelming sense of added responsibility, as 
 though I were now charged with the double work of my 
 ascended brother and my own. May I not take up his 
 
50 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 fallen mantle and with it smite many a turbulent Jordan 
 to a parting of the waters hither and thither? 'Who is 
 sufficient for these things ? ' ' Our sufficiency is of God.' 
 My heart is sad. To human short-sightedness it seems 
 as if he ought not yet to have died, as if he were more 
 needed on earth than in heaven. ' lie still, and know 
 that I am God.' ' Speak, Lord ; for thy servant hear- 
 etli.' Ivirewell, pure spirit, till we meet in the glory- 
 land! Dear, slec])ing form, sleep on and take thy rest 
 till tlie voice of the Son of God shall rend the tomb that 
 bears the loved name of the Rev. Samuel Vansant, and 
 he shall write upon thy ransomed brow in lines immortal 
 liis own ' new name.' " 
 
 Now comes tlie sad office of adding the record of my 
 sister-in-law's death on March ii, 1895. Her venerable 
 father, after ninety-two )'ears of life, had recently passed 
 away, and her mother, alike venerable in age and char- 
 acter, had become disabled by a serious accident. To 
 that afflicted mother how welcome were the tender min- 
 istries of the daughter, and how lovingly were they be- 
 stowed! But in the midst of them the daughter her- 
 self became a sadden victim to pneumonia and died. 
 The painful shock of that death was felt very widely. 
 Her precious form was borne back from the homestead 
 in Philadeljjhia to Tom's River, N. J., where it was ten- 
 derly laid beside those of her cherished husband and 
 daughter. AVith her own children, as sincere mourners 
 in this bereavement, was num!)ercil her brotlier, the 
 Hon. J. L. Hays, of Newark, with many other kindred 
 ami fiiends who loved her as one eminently lovable. 
 
 Nicholas. — The seventh child, but not the seventh 
 son. Alackaday! Had the latter been tiaie there is no 
 telling what influence the old seventh son legend might 
 have had ujjon me, or \\ hat great wonders in the healing 
 
The Family. 
 
 51 
 
 art and otiierwisc nii^ht have rendered my name notori- 
 ous lony (. le lliis. ( )!" m\' Christian name I liave never 
 been an ardent admirer, inil have never rebelled against it, 
 since that would have been useless; rather has there been 
 a quiet submission to it from its exact correspondence 
 with the name of my revered father. \\'as this i)articu- 
 lar name gi\ en me in infancy because I w as, or w as likely 
 to be, a favorite child? I trow not; yet I am free to 
 confess that I have never foimd occasion to complain of 
 any invidious distinctions against me in our family life. 
 These few pleasant iotlings, suggested by the number 
 and the name, aie but i)reliminary to a fuller narration 
 in a future i hajjler. 
 
 Nathaniki, 1). — The tallest, though not the heaviest, 
 of our number. For many \ ears he has had " a local 
 habitation and a name " at Lower liank, N. J., where 
 his quiet, but commanding, influence tor good is felt in 
 all tlie community. Poitums of his boxhood were at- 
 tended by frailty and sickness; but, ox'ercorning this 
 condition through a merciful Prox'idence, he reacdied a 
 healthful manhood, giving himself to study and to work in 
 preparaticHi for his future, whatever it might prove to be. 
 l''or a time his occupation was that of a school-teacher, 
 in which capacity he served the jniblic with acceptance 
 and usefulness. 
 
 While yet a young man he was licensed as a local 
 jjreacher, and some years after receivetl orclination as a 
 deacon. Though he never (jffered himself to the Annual 
 ("onference, he was repeatedl}' eMq)loyed by jiresiding 
 elders t(j serve in the i)astoral work, whicli he alwavs 
 did with good success. More than tu'enty-live yea.rs ago 
 he became a justice of the peace, in which |)ublic office, 
 as also others, he has been ser\-ing the comniunit\' with 
 strictest integiity and great usefulness to the present. 
 His habitual endeavor has been by wise counsel and ear- 
 
52 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 nest entreaty to secure a settlement between contend- 
 ing parties witliout a trial, and very often he has happily 
 succeeded. Nor is the fact unworthy of note that 
 no one of his legal decisions has ever been set aside 
 in any essential particular under appeal to a superior 
 court. 
 
 It is now a long time since he sought and found a wife, 
 thereby finding "a good tiling " and obtaining " favor 
 of the liOrd." A precious babe was born to brighten 
 and cheer their home; but, as if in eager haste to satisfy 
 the ever-greedy grave, the dark death angel followed in 
 but a few short weeks, turning the brightness of that 
 home to gloom, its gladness to grief. But a far deeper 
 sorrow awaited the husband and father in the sickness 
 and death of the wife and mother. Several years, indeed, 
 of domestic bliss intervened before that deeper sorrow 
 came, but this seemed only to intensify its bitterness 
 when the dreaded time, foreshadowed by months of fail- 
 ing health, at last arrived. Ah, sad beyond measure 
 was the day on which the open grave received all that 
 was mortal of his beloved Sarah ; and, though long 
 years have since 'passed away, his tender marital love 
 has never ceased to center upon that sacredest of all 
 sacred spots, the grave of his supreme eartlily treasure. 
 Over that honored grave and the smaller one that nes- 
 tles beside it how often does the cpiiet eventide wit- 
 ness some fresh libation of tears from the eyes so wont 
 to weep — not indeed tears of murmuring or repin- 
 ing, but of tender, affectionate remembrance. " Jesus 
 wept." 
 
 Happily, the burden of his oppressive loneliness be- 
 came lightened by the timely offices of a careful, j^ains- 
 taking nie( e, Mrs. I-ouisa Crane, who, in the strange 
 orderings of I'rox idence, iiad become so situated that slie 
 could enter that bereft home and take ciiarge of its do- 
 
The Family. 
 
 53 
 
 mestic affairs. Here numerous kindred and other friends 
 find a cordial welcome and generous entertainment; 
 and here the thoughts of an adopted son, William 
 Cramer, very often cluster in a fond remembrance of his 
 childhood joys. 
 
 ^[ary Ann. — The younger of the two sisters by eight 
 or nine years, taller and more slender. It is no vain 
 conceit which ])rom})ts the statement that in girlhood she 
 was handsome and amial)le. She early became the wife 
 of Captain Ricliard Cramer, whose kindness during all 
 the passing } cars has been ecpialed only by her ow n un- 
 faltering devotion. Tlieir Christian home has been the 
 scene of many a joy and many a sorrow, but amid all it 
 has ever been marked by an absence of all undue elation 
 or undue depression. 
 
 The captain was a widower with a young son, who in 
 the new home grew up to a noble manhood and has 
 shown a respect and affection toward his parents which 
 are worthy of all praise. In course of time there came 
 to be added two other sons and seven daughters, all of 
 whom have been spared, save one of the latter, who 
 several years since was called away in the bloom and 
 beauty of a promising giilhood. Some of those who 
 remain are notable for personal comeliness, and all of 
 them in these later years are proving a great comfort to 
 the rapidly aging parents. 
 
 Isaac N. — The youngest and heaviest of the family 
 group, striking hands at times with two hundred and 
 thirty avoirdupois. He was converted early, married 
 early, and entered the ministry early, but not, in the last 
 case, until he had successfully pursued his trade by 
 building several superb vessels of larger size. 
 
 The number of his children reached half a score, of 
 whom one died when very young, leaving i^ix sons and 
 three daughters to grow up and enter married life. 
 
54 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Several of these, with the father, are noted for their 
 superior musical talent. One of the sons, having gradu- 
 ated at Drew Seminary, entered the New Jersey Confer- 
 ence, but not long after, through impaired health, was 
 obliged to relinquish liis charge. Rest for a while 
 brought with it recuperation and an earnest desire to 
 resume the pastoral work, which was done after a trans- 
 fer to the Troy Conference, the territory and climate of 
 which, it was hoped, ^\•ouId be promoti\e of permanent 
 good health. Here he entered with zest upon the work 
 of a new charge, accomjianied by a young bride adajjted 
 in every way to become a true lieli)meet; nor did their 
 diligent efforts fail of a true success, amid whicli he was 
 overtaken by a dangerous, and what was feared would 
 prove a fatal, illness, compelling him again to abandon 
 his favorite work. I^ong and regretfully will the peo- 
 ple of his late charge cherish the name of the Rev. C. 
 Frank Vansant and that of his excellent wife. 
 
 Brother Isaac's soul is as large as his bod}', enabling 
 him, through sanctifying grace, to preach strong, impres- 
 sive sermons and to achieve far more than average suc- 
 cess, his great emotional, sympathetic nature contribu'.ing 
 not a little to this result. His natural humor gives him 
 great favor and iiojndarity in social life, but is never 
 allowed to detract from the true dignity of the pLdi)it. 
 Ready wit and entertaining anecdote are wont to give 
 s]iecial interest to occasional meetings between himself 
 and brother James, jjrovidcd the circumstances are such 
 as admit of innocent fun. 
 
 He of whom I write, though the latest born of our 
 number, is now no longer young, the sixly-fifth mile- 
 stone of his life having been reached and jiassed; yet in 
 appearance, and largely so in fact, he is still vigorous 
 and able to ]>ursue with iniabated activity his ac- 
 customed vocation. It is fitting that he and his faith- 
 
The Family. 
 
 55 
 
 fill wife, after the cares and toils of rearing a large 
 family, should now enjoy the quiet of a pleasant par- 
 sonage home, amid the happy associations of a loved 
 and loving people. 
 
 Conclusion. 
 
 These sketches, though for the most part very brief, 
 are sufficiently extended for the purpose designed. To 
 have made them exhaustive several volumes would have 
 been required, instead of one. They are intended to 
 magnify the grace of God as illustrated in the history 
 of a plain, practical, honest, and earnest family. In 
 closing this chapter nothing needs to be added but 
 the emphatic public recognition of this family by one, 
 among others, whose eloquence as a speaker and writer 
 has acquired a national reputation. The report of such 
 recognition was published in the Ocean Grove Record o{ 
 August 8, 1885. It ojjened thus; 
 
 " One of the most thoughtful and suggestive lectures 
 of the series delivered at the recent .Sunday School As- 
 sembly was that by General James F. Rusling, of Tren- 
 ton, N. J., on Friday afternoon, July 31. His subject 
 was 'The Relation of the Sunday School to the State.'" 
 
 Tiien followed a strong, convincing argument in il- 
 lustration of this theme, in the course of which he said: 
 
 "We can only save the State by capturing its chil- 
 dren, who are to become its future citizens, and drilling 
 and disciplining them for Jesus; and how can we do 
 this so well as in and by and tlirough our Sunday 
 scliools? . . . Put the children of .Xmerica well through 
 our pid)lic scliools, conii)ulsorily if need be, and then 
 through our Sunday schools, and I will answer for the 
 future of the Rejiublic. Neglect the children, and the 
 logical result i^ ' Margaret, the mother of criminals and 
 paupers.' Educate and care for them, and the result 
 
56 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 will be Vincent and Vansant, ('.rant and Garfield, sa- 
 viours and defenders of the State." 
 
 The speaker was in no way related to our family, and 
 had a personal ac(iuaintance with only two or three 
 members of it; but he could speak as he did on the 
 ground of a general and well-established reputation. 
 The putting of our family name in such good company 
 was as honest and impartial on his ])art as it was un- 
 sought by us. 
 
PART II. 
 
 PERSONAL LIFE AND MINISTRY. 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 59 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 A Notable Birthplace— Almost. 
 
 IN speaking facetiously I ho|)e not to be misunder- 
 stood when I say that, like many great men and 
 many more not great, I was born in a })lain country 
 home, which years ago gave way to another and better 
 structure, no one ever dreaming, apparently, that it 
 ought to be preserved in primitive condition for the 
 sake of those who delight in making pilgrimages to tlie 
 birthplaces of distinguished preachers, poets, liistorians, 
 statesmen, and jiresidents. Yet, as a matter of fact, 
 many thousands of eager sight-seers do pass year by 
 year within a few yards of the spot where I fust saw 
 the light, December 7, 1823, in the modest village of 
 Absecon, N. J., a place now rendered notable by its 
 proximity to that far more notable seaside resort, Atlantic 
 City, which at the time of my humble advent was no 
 city at all, only a bleak, uninhabited strand. I dare 
 not indulge the vain conceit, much less affirm, that 
 years afterward this renowned city was founded and 
 grew into fame for the purpose of securing attention, 
 however casual, to the scene of my nativity and early 
 babyhood. 
 
 But enough of this. In plain prose, Absecon is a 
 very respectable village and has been from the begin- 
 ning of tlie century. Barber's Historical Colicc/ioiis of 
 New Jersey, first published in 1844, contains these 
 notices of it: " From this place [Somers Point] along 
 the shore to Absecombe there is an almost continuous 
 line of houses." "Absecombe, in the southeast corner 
 [of Galloway township], thirteen miles from May's Land- 
 
60 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 ing, contains about thirty iiouses." I.ippincott's Gazet- 
 teer (1S55) describes it thus: "Absecuni (written also 
 Absecombe, Absecom, and Aijsecon), a i)ost-\ illage of 
 Atlantic County, N. J., on a creek of the same name, 
 ninety-five miles south of Trenton, and two miles above 
 Aljsecuni liay. It is connected with Camden by the 
 Camden and Atlantic Railroad." This perplexing med- 
 ley of names for the one ])lace, or rather of modes in 
 spelling the one name, seems at length to have given 
 way to the shortest and simjilest mode, Absecon, which 
 has come to be recognized in common parlance, in 
 railroad time-tables, in the Conference Minutes, and 
 in legal documents as embodying the true orthog- 
 raphy. 
 
 My earliest recollections of this an( ient town stand 
 associated with the old-fashioned (]uarterl)' meeting oc- 
 casions of bojhood days, ^\'hen two years old I had 
 been taken by my parents to their new home at Port 
 Republic, se\en miles northward; but we still remained 
 within the bouiids of the old ISargaintown Circuit, of 
 which Absecon was one of the chief appointments. 
 Here, in its regular turn, the cpiarterly meeting would 
 be held, and we would always be in attendance on both 
 Saturday and .Sunday, ^\■ry vivid is my vision of the 
 plain, substantial brick church, with its hard open-back 
 seats, lofty galleries, and high i)ulpit. The .Sunday morn- 
 ing love feast called forth the best devotions of the best 
 people. Those were the days of admittance only to the 
 saints; the days, too, of lusty singing, of luirning testi- 
 monies, of hearty aniens, and loud hallelujahs. Here 
 were the Corderys, the Doughtys, the Blackmans, the 
 Tiltons, the Frambeses, with "blind Mary Collins," and 
 many others from various parts of the large circuit. 
 Then would come the ])reaching by the j^residing elder 
 to a thronging congregation, preaching not always great. 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 
 
 61 
 
 indeed, but always s])iritual, practical, and telling. The 
 impression left by those early scenes upon one young, 
 tender heart, at least, has been abiding and has been 
 handed down to old age as a legacy of untold worth. 
 For the present, dear birthplace, good-bye ! 
 5 
 
62 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Chapter ii. 
 
 Some Incidents of Boyhood. 
 
 Y boyliood in most respects was like that of most 
 
 ' ^ * otlier boys, with its eating and drinking and 
 sleeping, its langhing and crying, playing and working, 
 hopes and disappointments, school attendance and dis- 
 eases of childliood, etc. ]!nt my memory recalls some 
 startling or otherwise noteworthy incidents. 
 
 When a lad of seven or eight years, being witli other 
 and older boys at play, tliey started to run away from 
 me, and I in running after them, witii a iialf-opened 
 pocketknife in my hand, stumbled and fell upon its 
 pointed blade, which, cutting through my clothes, made 
 an ugly incision in the flesh covering the diaphragm, 
 the scar of which is carried to this day. Had that 
 blade penetrated a vital organ, it is easy to see how 
 serious might have been the result. 
 
 When somewhat older, several boys, of whom I was 
 one, were engaged in jilaying " sky-ball," as it was 
 familiarly called, in front of Levi 1). Howard's black- 
 smith shop, whenc e his attention was turned to us. A 
 large, athletic man of kindly disposition, he came from 
 his shop, with heavy sledge hammer in hand, to aid us 
 in our sport. With a ball adjusted upon the lower end 
 of a lever made of green oak, we went out and stood 
 around, with upturned faces and double hands extended 
 to catch the descending ball, when with his strong, 
 muscular arms he struck the projecting end of the lever 
 and sent the ball whizzing in upper air. Alas for me! 
 
 Protfx'tion and Escape. 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 63 
 
 Instead of the ball there came the flying lever and 
 struck the center of my forehead, as tliough directed by 
 a deadly aim. I fell to the ground, with the blood 
 gushing forth as if from a fatal wound in battle. That 
 the heavy missile did not crash through the skull and 
 dash out my young life has been cause for continual 
 wonder, mingled with devout gratitude to God for his 
 protecting care. I was taken to the blacksmith's home 
 next door, where his good wife tenderly dressed the 
 wound and cared for me till I was able to go home, 
 about half a mile distant. Though no serious results 
 followed this accident, the scar which it left has never 
 ceased to stare me in the face day by day. It may be 
 added that, some years afterward, Mrs. Howard, who 
 w^as a daughter of Mr. Jonas Miller, one of the promi- 
 nent citizens of the ])lace, was left a widow, and subse- 
 quently became the wife of a New Jersey Conference 
 minister, the Rev. William A. lirooks. 
 
 Another sudden peril and hairbreadth esca[)e came to 
 me not far from the same time and place. The old mill 
 race of Mr. Nehemiah Blackman, a wealthy and influen- 
 tial citizen, was used by the ) Oung men and l)oys of the 
 neighborhood as a favorite resort for bathing and swim- 
 ming. With others, I was one day there enjoying the 
 accustomed sport and trying withal to learn the swim- 
 ming art, when suddenly I stepped from the shallow 
 water into a deep hole and soon found myself struggling 
 in vain to keep afloat. Sinking and rising, then sinking 
 and rising again, I was about to sink for the third and 
 last time when my brother James, who was a short 
 distance aw^ay, rushed to my rescue. Not long after- 
 ward the old mill was torn down, and a new and larger 
 one was about to be built in its stead. When the day 
 came for raising the new frame the neighbors gathered 
 from near and far, it being understood that so large a 
 
64 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 building would require many hands to rear its frame, and 
 that, moreover, a bountiful dinner would be served to all 
 who should render help. I could lift a few pounds. Why, 
 therefore, might I not go ? So I reasoned, and under the 
 reasoning answered my own question by going. Was 
 the service I rendered a thank offering to the Lord for 
 my late deliverance from drowning at that familiar spot.' 
 This would have been eminently appropriate. But as I 
 now look back I fear that thoughts of the sumptuous 
 dinner had far more to do with my going than any other 
 consideration. 
 
 Somewhat later I unwittingly ventured into a most 
 perilous position, though but little given in general 
 to adventurous feats. Father had built and launched 
 a schooner of large size, which lay afloat in the stream 
 while being rigged. Her masts and shrouds, but 
 not her topmasts, had been put in ])lnce. Ascending 
 by the shrouds to the foremasthead, I climbed from 
 the crosstrees to the extreme top of the mast, and, 
 raising myself up, stood erect for two or more minutes 
 surveying the landscape before me, with no support 
 save that beneath my feet ; then, carefully letting my- 
 self down to the crosstrees, I thence descended by the 
 shrouds to the deck. Well for me, all this occurred 
 without the notice or knowledge of the men engaged 
 in their work on deck, for a word spoken to me in 
 my dangerous position would have been likely to pro- 
 duce distraction and giddiness, resulting in a fatal fall 
 to the deck. I can never look back upon that boyish 
 adventure without a deep shudder, or without a feeling 
 that the unseen Hand divine was upon me for good, 
 steadying nerves and brain, and thereby averting a fatal 
 result. While far from regarding myself as a child or a 
 man of "destiny," I love to think of myself, in both child- 
 hood and manhood, as a favored subject of God's lov- 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 
 
 65 
 
 ing providence in common with multitudes of other 
 praying and trusting ones. 
 
 " In all my ways Thy hand I own, 
 Thy ruling providence I see." 
 
 A Solitary Combat. 
 
 Very plainly I was not intended by either nature or 
 education for a pugilist, a single fistic encounter in boy- 
 hood being the only one of which I have any recollec- 
 tion. My antagonist was Richard Endicott, a boy 
 somewhat older and larger than myself, a son of our 
 nearest neighbor, Captain \\'illiam Endicott. Just what 
 the ground of dispute between us was I have long since 
 forgotten ; but the fact of our encounter has always 
 been kept in lively remembrance, more, however, as a 
 regret than a pleasure. 
 
 We fought by no fixed or studied rules, for at that time 
 the code of pugilistic warfare had not attained either its 
 present perfection or publicity and was wholly unknown 
 to us ; yet we fought vigorously, each striving to outdo 
 the other. Enough to say that the contest was soon 
 over, with no spilt blood, no blackened eyes, no swollen, 
 distorted features, no broken knuckles, and no wild re- 
 joicings over a fallen foe or a defeated rival, each being 
 satisfied to call it a drawn battle ; nor was the renewal 
 of our mutual friendship long delayed. Now, if boys must 
 indulge in fisticuffs let me commend for imitation the 
 ' encounter here described as one approaching a harmless 
 model. Yet in this, as in drink and many other things, 
 it is far better to practice total abstinence than give way 
 to even the most moderate indulgence. 
 
 A few years after this Richard and myself became 
 widely separated in our lines of work, his involving the 
 exposures and perils of a seafaring life, and mine the 
 labors and responsibilities of the ministry. "Lost at 
 
66 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 sea," tells tlie sequel of liis brief career. " Neverthe- 
 less I live; yet not 1, but Christ liveth in me," tells the 
 story of my own prolonged life, natural and spiritual. 
 
 Speaking of Rich-ard's father reminds mc of this in- 
 cident: One Sunday evening, he and his daughter Je- 
 mima were at home alone, the other members of the 
 family being absent at church. He was just recover- 
 ing from a serious illness; and, though not accustomed 
 to read the liible himself, he became very much inter- 
 ested that evening in listening to the reading of it by 
 his daughter. The effect was soon told by himself; for 
 the meeting having closed, he hastily sent for my father, 
 who on entering the captain's home found him in great 
 distress of mind under conviction for sin. With trem- 
 bling emotion he said, " As I was sitting here and my 
 daughter was reading the Bible to me I felt that God 
 came out of the Bible and came right to my heart [suit- 
 ing the action to the word], and I want you to pray for 
 me." That was a welcome op|)ort unity to my father to 
 jiray by special recpiest for one of his awakened neigh- 
 bors and ])oint out to him the only way of salvation; nor 
 was the impressive lesson of that exciting occasion lost 
 upon that neighbor or his family. 
 
 Early School Davs. 
 The old neighborhood sclioolhouse, with its ten-plate 
 stove, unbacked benches, and long, rude writing desk 
 extending across one end, is still vividly remembered. 
 Standing aloof from human residences and from field or 
 lot inclosures, it afforded ample playgrounds shaded by 
 the natural bushes and trees surrounding it. Was it 
 (|uite behind the age.? Yes, behind tliis age, not that. 
 Tiiink of the clianges in school buildings, school con- 
 veniences, and school management whirli sixty and more 
 years have wrought ! Yet then and there earnest, sub- 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 
 
 67 
 
 stantial, even magnificent work was done l)y botli teach- 
 ers and scholars. It was not a graded school. There 
 was but one room. But grades as to ages and progress 
 in studies were recognized and classified as best they 
 could be. Many a solid foundation was there laid for 
 future scholarship, which has since been wielding its 
 good influence over not a few receptive homes. 
 
 At least three of the teachers of those days require 
 special mention. One was James B. Lane, a man small 
 of stature, but not small in Christian culture and useful- 
 ness. He was especially active in tlie temperance reform 
 and the antislavery movement, each of them but newly 
 introduced in the community. On me fell the honor — 
 honor, as I now view it — of bearing from him to our 
 home the first printed antislavery matter that invaded 
 the neighl)orhood. I say invaded, for such literature 
 was then and there decidedly unpopular, even my own 
 father, who was wont to be in sympathy with all good 
 things, treating it at first very shyly; but more liglit and 
 further thought soon led him into full line with all true 
 opposers of slavery, as of intemperance and the liquor 
 traffic. Mr. Lane was the honored father of him who 
 became the worthy husband of our elder sister, as set 
 forth in a previous chapter. 
 
 Another teacher to be noticed was a man of one arm, 
 but otherwise possessing a well-proportioned and manly 
 physicjue. His dexterous use of the jien and of the rod 
 with that one hand was found to be very lielpful as to the 
 former, but keenly hurtful as to the latlt r. A well-re- 
 membered and useful teacher was "one-armed ClilTord," 
 as he was often called. 
 
 Still another was John Clements, a sturdy Quaker. 
 His qualifications were understood to be of a high order, 
 and under his instrut tions the pupils made good prog- 
 ress in their studies. l>ut though he belonged to the 
 
68 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Society of Friends, he was far from being a noncombat- 
 ant, as ins unmerciful use of the bircli, or rather the 
 hickory, too often proved. Tlie terrible flagellation 
 which he once adniiiiistered to a boy in the school was 
 such as to remind one of the Psalmist's sad recital, 
 "The plowers ])lowed upon my back ; they made long 
 tlieir furrows. ' The lad quickly reported to his parents, 
 who lived near by, and they in turn as quickly visited 
 the teacher, bringing the boy with tliem. Laying bare 
 his corrugated back, they confronted iiis cruel lictor with 
 the awful ridges and furrows which his hand liad in- 
 flicted. To my young eyes and those of the other schol- 
 ars the sight was appalling, while it called forth the most 
 vigorous imprecations and threats from the excited fam- 
 ily and neighbors who gathered to witness the tragic 
 scene. Who was that boy.' His name was John; but 
 he was certainly not the beloved disciple in the esteem 
 of John the teacher. He was probably, however, not 
 worse than the average boy; and, having grown to 
 early manliood, he became a Christian and churcli 
 member, entered iq)on a successful business career, and 
 during many years has been known and respected as 
 Captain John Rose. 
 
 Sunday Schoot, Life. 
 Between the Sunday school of my childhood and that 
 of to-day the contrast is very great — much like the dif- 
 ference between an acorn sprout but a few inches above 
 the surface, and a tall, spreading oak in the fullness of 
 a vigorous growth. Then were the days of its tender, 
 feeble babyhood ; this is the age of its strong and well- 
 developed adulthood. Then no room or rooms pre- 
 pared with manifold conveniences and attractions of 
 sight and sound greeted the little folks, as now; then 
 no uniform lesson system or multipled "lesson helps" 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 69 
 
 and no well-trained normal teachers occiii)ied their at- 
 tention and ministered to their progress, as in the pres- 
 ent day. 
 
 Yet even then the Sunday school was far from being 
 a useless appendage in church work. Among the most 
 valuable acquisitions that ever came to me I reckon 
 those whicli resulted from my early Sunday sciiool 
 studies. My catechism lessons, with scripture proofs, 
 and the additional memorizing of verses and chapters, 
 have proved an unspeakable service during the whole 
 course of my extended ministry. 
 
 Our first Sunda\' scliool room was the old " Blackman 
 Meetingiiouse," witli its uncarpeted floor, rude seats, 
 ])lain altar, higli barrel-shaped pulpit, and lofty galleries. 
 "Can there any good tiling come out of Nazareth ? . . . 
 Come and see." Ay, man\- w ere tlie good tilings which, 
 even in those days, came out of that plain old Nazareth 
 of early Methodism, planted there some years before by 
 its de\oted itinerants. Not insignificant among these 
 good things were the rich golden fruits of its Sunday 
 school work. 
 
 My best remembered teacher as I was approaching 
 my teens was Dr. Gilbert Hatfield, who had previously 
 lived in New York ( ity. Inclining to a rural home, he 
 had removed to our neighborhood and engaged in mer- 
 cantile business at Gravelly I,anding, on the south bank 
 of Nacot Creek (River), nearly opjjosite our own home. 
 The interest between him and his class soon became in- 
 tense, and as the time approached for the usual winter 
 vacation of the school it was mutually agreed by him 
 and them not to suspend their meetings or studies. He 
 invited us to come to his own well-furnished home, 
 where we continued to recite our lessons and receive 
 his wise instructions. Seldom has a class of boys felt 
 more honored than we did under this new and ha])py 
 
70 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 arrangement; nor is it too niucli to say that our associa- 
 tion with this devoted teacher formed no unimportant 
 factor in tlie (juestion of our early conversion. Long 
 since he passed on^to his reward, but the fragrance 
 of his cherished memory still lingers. 
 
 Our next place of meeting was the new brick church 
 erected on grounds donated by Uncle Henry Adams 
 and lying but a short distance from the old location. 
 As the time for its dedication drew near a deep interest 
 was felt in the question of securing the services of some 
 distinguished minister from abroad on dedication day. 
 All thoughts spontaneously turned toward tiie Rev. 
 Charles Pitman, the most eloquent of New Jersey 
 native-born preachers, if not, indeed, of all the preach- 
 ers then living in, at least, the Middle States. Could 
 and would he come.' He was stationed in Philadel- 
 phia, and the journey to the place of dedication would 
 involve a stage ride of some forty-five miles; for in those 
 days there were no railroad lines, as now, between that 
 city and the New Jersey coast. 
 
 Great was the disappointment when it was learned 
 that he could not be secured. Application was next 
 made to the Rev. Levi Scott, afterward Bishop Scott, 
 and he engaged to come. He was but little known in 
 our section, but our preacher in charge, the Rev. Ed- 
 ward Page, knew him personally and spoke of him in 
 terms of high commendation, and my boyish ears were 
 keenly interested in listening to his comparison between 
 the two men. " Mr. Scott," he said, " is not as eloquent 
 as Mr. Pitman, but is considered a more able reasoner." 
 
 The people quietly accepted the situation and looked 
 forward in lively expectation to dedication morning. 
 Alas, the double disappointment! The hour of service, 
 instead of finding a Pitman or a Scott in the ])ul])it, 
 found only our own familiar pastor, as ])lain in person 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 
 
 71 
 
 and unadorned in speech as the reader can well imagine. 
 Many other men would have shrunk appalled from the 
 delicate and difficult task of standing in the place of 
 either of those distinguished jjreachers on such an occa- 
 sion ; but Mr. Page was a man of level head and steady 
 nerves, and was thus well fitted by nature, as by grace, 
 to meet the trying emergency which then and there 
 confronted him. Nothing daunted, though deeply cha- 
 grined, he preached to a large and disappointed congre- 
 gation and dedicated the church, which thenceforward 
 became our stated place of worship, the basement serv- 
 ing for the Sunday school, prayer meetings, and class 
 meetings. 
 
 This was in 1838. Several years afterward a third 
 church was built, larger and in all respects better than 
 either of its predecessors, occupying a commanding site 
 on what was once a part of father's shipyard grounds, 
 and within easy speaking distance of the homestead in 
 which the writer passed the period between his infancy 
 and his call to the itinerant ministry. There stands 
 that church to-day, an ornament to tlie neigliborliood 
 and a monument to the enterprise and liberality, the 
 intelligence and piety of the people. 
 
72 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 Conversion and What Followed. 
 
 I\ A Y conversion in 1S37 was far more a change of 
 ^ ' *■ heart than of life, of nature than of deportment. 
 Habitually prayerful and tenderly conscientious from 
 my earliest recollection, I reached my fourteenth year 
 in practice of the strictest morality, fearing God and 
 working righteousness. Yet in my deepest conscious- 
 ness I knew that not all was right in my inward moral 
 condition. Never, perhaps, was the veriest sinner more 
 pungently convicted of sin, external correctness plead- 
 ing in vain for justification at the bar of awakened con- 
 science. My heart seemed so sinful and, at times, so 
 hard and unfeeling as to drive me well nigh to despair. 
 My boy nature, considered by my friends so good, was 
 constrained to give vent to its anguish in the bitter cry, 
 so impressively versified by Charles Wesley: 
 
 " (uiilty I stand before tliy face ; 
 On me 1 feel tliy wralli abide ; 
 'Tis just tlie sentence sliovdd take place ; 
 'Tis just— l)ut C), thy Son hath died!" 
 
 This emphatic "but" was key to the one saving 
 clause to which alone my troubled spirit might cling; 
 and, clinging to it through long and weary weeks of 
 seeking, there came at length the dawn of a sweet re- 
 lief. I say the dawn, for not till after several added 
 months had passed did the full day open in my assured 
 salvation. Not suddenly, but gradually and gently, I 
 entered the eighth of Romans in which " the spirit of 
 bondage " gave place to " the Spirit of adoption, where- 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 73 
 
 by we cry, Abba, Father." Very long, indeed, was the 
 witnessing Holy Spirit in coming, but far longer has he 
 been in abiding, the " every day and every hour " of 
 more than fifty-nine changing years having been wit- 
 ness to his witnessing and keeping [)resence. 
 
 While i)raying and waiting for the clear, comforting 
 assurance of my conversion, 1 had some doubts in refer- 
 ence to uniting with the Church ; l)ut, finally setting these 
 aside and overcoming my natural timidity, I went for- 
 ward with otiiers for that purpose, and was received by 
 the Rev. Edward Page, already spoken of. In thinking 
 of that important occasion and of liim I liavc often said 
 that, if the i)en with wiiich he wrote my name upon tlie 
 records of the church were in my possession, I should 
 prize it as one of m\' choice treasures. 
 
 Tlie circuit camp for the summer of 1S37 was held 
 in Hosca Joslyn's grove, as mentioned on a previous 
 page; and to me it proved the most memorable one of 
 my life, for it was there I fir.^t bowed at a "mourner's 
 bench" in a tent on the last night of the meeting. On 
 returning liome a series of cottage prayer meetings was 
 started at the house of " Uncle Josy Kindle," as we fa- 
 miliarly called him, wlio, by a common wish, became the 
 liermancnt leader. He was a plain, unlettered, devout man, 
 having charge of Mr. Blackman's sawmill at the end of 
 the dam running south from his gristmill. Here night 
 after night my seeking continued with the blessed result 
 already stated. 
 
 Coml:)ined jiarental precept and e.xamjde had much to 
 do in bringing alxuit my early conversion. We were 
 reared in an atmosphere of prayer and piety. "Provoke 
 not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the 
 nurture and admonition of the Lord," found daily honor 
 and exemplification in our Iiome. Si)ontaneously, with- 
 out pressure or strained effort, we were taught great rev- 
 
74 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 erence for the Bible, family worship, tlie Sabbath, the 
 Church, and tiie ministry. The visits to our home of 
 the circuit preachers, as also of other ministers and 
 good people, were always hailed with pleasure by 
 parents and children alike. With, such environments 
 and associations, why should not the latter, while yet 
 in "life's dewy morn," have given their hearts to 
 Jesus 
 
 Listening once to a recital by the Rev. Charles R. 
 IJarnes of a conversation between his father, of Jersey 
 City, N. J., and a fellow-member of the same ciiurch, I 
 was forcibly reminded of my own parents. 
 
 " How is it, Brother Barnes, that your children, on 
 reaching about a certain age, become converted and unite 
 with the Cliurcl), whereas our children in growing up 
 show a dislike to religion and become indifferent to the 
 Church.' Yet we pray for tliem and habitually talk to 
 them on the subject, urging them to become Christians. 
 What makes the difference?" 
 
 " I don't know," said Brother Barnes, "except that we 
 certainly look for the early conversion of our children. 
 We expect it as much as we expect any other desired 
 and promised thing; so, living to this end and trusting 
 in God, he does not disappoint us." 
 
 Similar to this was the experience of our revered par- 
 ents; and later on it became haiipily repeated in the 
 writer's own home. Why sliould it not be thus in every 
 Christian family.' " l''or the promise is unto you, and 
 to your children." 
 
 Various Results. 
 I. An abiding peace witli frequent overflowing joy. 
 "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but 
 righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." 
 This incident may sufficiently illustrate : Returning 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 
 
 75 
 
 home from a meeting one night full of joy and rejoicing, 
 I went to my room and found Brother Samuel, two years 
 my senior, but not yet converted, already in bed. Ac- 
 customed to sleep together, I took my place beside him 
 as quietly as I could, but unable to restrain altogether 
 my rai)turous emotions. For a while no word was spoken, 
 except in my quiet ejaculations of praise; but the silence 
 was ere long broken by a vigorous thrust of his elbow, 
 accompanied by an e(|ually \ igorous protest in words: 
 "I wish you'd get your shout out before you come 
 home!" Not very long after he himself became a 
 liajipy partaker of the same joy in his own blessed con- 
 version. 
 
 2. A regular, devout attendance upon the means of 
 grace, public and private. These, as intended, became 
 a true nourishment to my young spiritual life; nor have 
 they, even in old age, lost aught of their nourishing vir- 
 tue. Secret prayer and class meetings — far more es- 
 teemed then than now — were made specialties. The 
 most formidable duty that confronted me was observ- 
 ance of the Lord's Supper. Once only, through excessive 
 timidity and a feeling of utter iin worthiness, was this 
 holy ordinance omitted, resulting in a condemnation of 
 spirit which could l)e relieved only by days of deep hu- 
 miliation, special jirayer, and a solemn promise never to 
 repeat such neglect. O, w hat unspeakable joy has come 
 to me all through the years in a conscientious observ- 
 ance of that promise ! 
 
 3. Si)ecial desire and effort for usefulness. Having 
 myself been saved, I longed and labored for the salva- 
 tion of others, such being the genius of our holy reli- 
 gion. "And let him that heareth [savingly] say, Come." 
 While by reason of my youth and lack of courage I 
 could accomplish but little, I earnestly sought to merit 
 through grace a share in the honors and rewards of 
 
76 Sunset Memories. 
 
 that rich encomium wlicrein Jesus so tenderly em- 
 balmed the name of Mary: "She hath done what she 
 could." 
 
 My fust attempt at vocal prayer in tiie presence of 
 others has always been remembered with mingled mor- 
 tification and gratitude. It occurred in a vSunday morn- 
 ing prayer meeting conducted by "Uncle Josy " at the 
 house of Josliua Smith, nearly all in attendance being 
 new converts. After others had ])rayed, to my great 
 surjirise and discomfort my own name w as called. A\'hat 
 must I do? How could I even try? Happily, I knew 
 nothing but to obey. It was a very lame atlemi)t from 
 beginning to end, but it proved a very useful illustration 
 of what I afterward more fully learned, namely, that to 
 obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the 
 fat of rams." The ice was now broken for all that fu- 
 ture use of my voice in ])ra) er and exhortation, ])ersonal 
 persuasion and preaching, which has covered so many 
 busy years. AN'ould that such use had been a thousand- 
 fold more effec-tual ! 
 
 4. Increased de\(ilion to study. My thirst for knowl- 
 edge had always been ardent, but now the desire for 
 mental culture along with spiritual improvement became 
 intense. In obedience to it a suitable desk with sta- 
 tionery was provided, additional books were gathered, 
 and a free use made of the jicn as time would permit. 
 At that plain desk many a composition bearing the im- 
 press of a youthful mind and hand was written, not so 
 much for public use as for personal practice and dis- 
 cipline. Nor was that early habit of diligence in study 
 ei)hemeral. ^\'hether little or much has come of it, an 
 unabated love of study kept pace with all the years of a 
 long and active ministry, and now in this quiet eventide 
 of life its constant companionship affords the same sat- 
 isfaction and joy as of old. 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 77 
 
 FuRTHKR Camp Meetinc; Experiences. 
 
 The camp meeting which marked my awakening was 
 followed, three years later, by another, held not far from 
 my birthplace, Absecon. 
 
 About two weeks before tlie time appointed for it, I 
 had set out with Brother Joel on the schooner Isaac 
 Enslow for a trip around the capes to Philadelphia, for 
 a cargo of Schuylkill coal. He had recently built the 
 schooner and had arranged to become her temporary 
 commander, no doubt being entertained that the pro- 
 posed trij) could be made quite within the two weeks, 
 and probably within ten days. The voyage was a pros- 
 perous one till the city was reached, where the vessel 
 promptly loaded; then the return trip was hopefully 
 entered upon, no one on board seeming to remember 
 those cautionary lines of AVatts, " We should suspect 
 some danger nigli where we possess delight." Tlie 
 "danger" awaiting us was an old-fashioned northeaster, 
 so often the terror of sailors, which, meeting us on our 
 approach toward the capes, drove us back, tossing and 
 plunging, to find a harbor in Maurice River. 
 
 Here we were very safe, but not altogether easy, for 
 as day after day the wind continued unchanged the hope 
 of being able to make a "run " in time for the meeting 
 became more and more doomed to disappointment, 
 which to my young mind, especially, involved a dire 
 calamity. Was there no way of escape ? One, and only 
 one, was within reach, namely, a tramp of more than 
 thirty miles across the country over lonely, toilsome 
 roads. Would not this be a great undertaking for a 
 timid boy — traveling so far alone on foot, tlirough an 
 utterly strange region.' Yes, but as the renowned Kos- 
 suth once said on a very notable occasion, "There is no 
 obstacle to him that wills." So I willed to attend tlun 
 catnp meeting, and no obstacle within the limits of rea- 
 6 
 
78 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 son and religion seemed formidable enough to baffle my 
 purpose. 
 
 The time being definitely fixed for debarkation, my 
 limited wardrobe was packed, and, taking for my motto, 
 " Homeward bound," I soon found my more than willing 
 feet pressing the strange soil as I set forward with quick,' 
 elastic stej>. I>eesburg was near, and thence a short 
 walk took me to Port Elizabeth, where I paused to learn 
 further about the way. The next village would be Ca- 
 tawba, lying some ten miles distant; but as the sun was 
 fast declining I could not hope to get so far till after 
 nightfall, and hence to attempt it seemed to me to be 
 both unwise and unsafe. 
 
 Most naturally I asked, " Are there any houses on the 
 way where I can likely find lodging for the night.'" 
 Tlie answer was not a very assuring one; yet it seemed 
 to afford ground for a reasonable hope : " There is one 
 family living five miles from here where you can prob- 
 ably be accommodated." "Then you feel pretty certain 
 that they will be willing to keep me for the night.'" 
 " O, yes, I think there is no room to doubt it," and I be- 
 lieved my informant honestly meant what he said. 
 
 Thus encouraged, I resumed my journey with quick- 
 ened hope and step. At length the solitary house 
 loomed up in the narrowing distance — a fair-sized and 
 comfortable farmhouse with suitable outbuildings around 
 it. Api^roaching, I inquired for the lady of the house, 
 which soon brought us into conversation on tlie subject 
 which just then was Ujipermost in my mind. Was I 
 cordially received? Tlie sequel must show. 
 
 I found her full of excuses, but more full, apparently, 
 of determined inhospitality, not to say inhumanity. In 
 modestly urging my plea I told her who I was and 
 whither I was bound; spoke of my willingness to sleep 
 on the floor if need be, and of money in possession to 
 
Personal Life, and Ministry. 
 
 79 
 
 pay for both lodging and food; reminded her of tlie 
 near approacli of night and of tlie long, dreary distanc e 
 to the next town ; but her (womanly) heart was impervi- 
 ous alike tg solid logic and gentle persuasion. The 
 husband, comiijg in from the farm, was consulted, but 
 he manifestly dared to "be none otherwise minded" 
 than to quietly submit to her sovereign decision, which 
 submission fell also to my lot, but with this material 
 difference: her decision in its bearing on his case still 
 left him in comfortable (piarters, wliile its bearing on 
 mine sent me out " a stranger in a strange land," to 
 grope my way in solitude and gathering darkness as best 
 I might. 
 
 What became the future of that family I never knew, 
 and doubtless never shall until I come to read their life 
 history with my own in the clear light of eternity. I>ong 
 time- ago my heart forga\e tlicni, and I also trust that 
 long ago they sought and found forgixeness of God; \et 
 it must forever remain true, that, if so hajipy as to be 
 saved, their celestial blessedness will be diminished by 
 at least so much as they failed to honor the divine rule, 
 "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of 
 these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Theirs 
 was a fit opportunity to minister unto one of Christ's 
 little ones, but ihey failed to use it. 
 
 " Faint, yet pursuing." The crisis now reached was 
 a very trying one, but necessity and a resolute will con- 
 joined in pointing to the one practical and proper course 
 of going forward; and go forward I did, "not fearing or 
 doubting, with Christ on my side." The sameness of 
 that long, dreary forest way was nowhere broken by 
 sight of a human habitation, nor its loneliness relieved 
 by word or. presence of a human being, except as I met 
 two men riding in a bpggy, until at length a welcome 
 signal proclaimed my coveted approach to rest. . " Hark, 
 
80 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 hark, hark, hear the dogs bark! " never before had in it 
 such significance to my mind, and never before had 
 canine bark boomed out such music to my ear. " Ca- 
 tawba must be near; " and so it proved. Here I found 
 a commodious hotel, which I entered too weary for 
 aught but rest and sleep, even craving hunger being 
 held in abeyance by these stronger needs. Shown in 
 due time to a room and bed, I committed myself with 
 devout thanksgiving and prayer to tlie keeping of 
 the heavenly Father and was soon locked in profound 
 slumber. 
 
 Next morning, after a good breakfast and settlement 
 of bill, the new day's travel began with renewed strength, 
 leading to May's Landing, thence to Hosea Joslyn's, 
 and thence to the camp ground, wliere footsore and 
 weary I found a warm welcome, notice of my coming 
 having been given by Dr. Gill, who had overtaken me in 
 his narrow sulky and had kindly conveyed my package 
 to the family tent. 
 
 At the camp meeting the three ministers who im- 
 pressed me most were the Revs. John K. Shaw, Joseph 
 B. McKeever, and William A. Brooks. Tlie great Sun- 
 day morning sermon was delivered by the first. It was 
 ponderous in thought, yet animated in utterance, and 
 left a deep impression upon the large, attentive audience. 
 The text, as I recollect, was Mark xvi, 15, 16: "Go ye 
 into all the world," etc. One illustration struck me with 
 great force and has always been remembered. He said, 
 "As I was walking out this morning among the trees be- 
 yond the circle of the tents I saw before me a great 
 cobweb, stretched across from tree to tree, obstructing 
 my way; but with a stroke of my cane I brushed it aside 
 and passed right along. Even so the Gospel, in its 
 steady march to victory, shall as certainly break through 
 all obstructions, until its glorious mission is accom- 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 
 
 81 
 
 plished." Of tliis distinguished minister I shall have 
 occasion to speak farther on. 
 
 The afternoon sermon by young McKeever was 
 founded on Num. xxiii, lo: " Let me die the death of 
 the righteous, and let my last end be like his!" His 
 tender subject combined with his devout face, voice, and 
 manner to render tlie discourse peculiarly affecting and 
 effective. The reading of one of his hymns, " Give me 
 the wings of faith to rise," etc., seemed scarcely less than 
 seraphic. To my young ears it was quite new; but I 
 speedily committed it to memory, and it has ever since 
 been a familiar and favorite guest. In less than three 
 years his work was done. At the Conference of 1842 he 
 was changed from Bloomfield, after one year's service, 
 and appointed to Halsey Street, Newark. " Can one 
 so young and so nervously frail endure the heavy strain 
 of so large and responsible a charge ? " was the grave 
 question concerning which many grave doubts were en- 
 tertained. During the next Conference, held in New 
 Brunswick, the preachers were all invited to meet at the 
 railroad station at a designated time, to pay fitting 
 honor to the passing remains of tliis deeply lamented 
 young minister. It is a noteworthy coincidence that a 
 friend standing at his bedside and witnessing his tri- 
 umphant deatli should involuntarily repeat, just as he 
 breathed his last, the camp meeting text of three years 
 before above given. 
 
 The labors of Brother Brooks at that meeting, espe- 
 cially in prayer and exhortation, and accounts of his 
 Christian experience, found way to many hearts and 
 won them to Jesus. 
 
 One of the most touching incidents of that meeting 
 was the request which came to me from a young man 
 of our neighborhood, Enoch Johnson. His heart, heav- 
 ily burdened with a sense of sin, he said to me with 
 
82 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 deep emotion, calling me by my familiar first name, 
 "Nicky, I want you to pray for me." We were botli 
 greatly affected as we passed out into the woods, where 
 we talked freely, then knelt down together and prayed. 
 He felt in a measure relieved, but not satisfied, and I 
 felt that a new and serious responsibility had come to 
 me. My advice was to j)resent himself at tlie altar as a 
 seeker when the next invitation should be given, and 
 never to cease seeking until he should find. He was 
 afterward converted and became an active, useful mem- 
 ber of the Church. 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 
 
 83 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 Semicentennial Address. 
 
 DURING the annual session of the Newark Confer- 
 ence held at Morristown, N. J., March 30, 1892, 
 three members of the body, namely, the Revs. Richard 
 Vanhorne, Abraliam M. Palmer, and the writer, reached 
 the fiftieth milestone of their Conference connection ; 
 and under a resolution passed at the previous year's 
 session they were invited to deliver semicentennial 
 addresses before the Conference, which was done on 
 April 2. The writer's address was afterward published 
 in pamplilet form and sent to many of the ministers, as 
 also to other friends. The substance of that address 
 seems necessary to the completeness of this volume, but 
 only portions of it can here be given. 
 
 Address. 
 
 Fifty-one years and four months ago a plain, unpre- 
 tending youth might have been seen wending his way, 
 in true primitive style, on horseback and saddlebags, 
 toward his first circuit, there to enter upon liis lifework 
 as an itinerant preacher. That red-letter day in my 
 life was December 4, 1840, tliree days before 1 was sev- 
 enteen years old. After laboring on that circuit for a 
 year and four months, under direction of a jiresiding 
 elder, I was admitted on trial in the New Jersey Confer- 
 ence in April, 1842 ; so that the present month marks 
 the fiftieth anniversary of my unbroken Conference re- 
 lation,' while the whole measure of my continuous active 
 work in the itinerancy aggregates fifty-one and a third 
 years. 
 
84 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 The only rare or especially noteworthy feature in all 
 this is the fact that very few have ever been permitted 
 to render fifty and more years of unbroken service in 
 the regular work anti then pass to the retired list at no 
 greater age than sixty-eight years and a fraction over. 
 If other instances of the same kind are on record we 
 shall be pleased to learn of them. 
 
 My early recollections turn to the godly men who in 
 my boyhood days traveled the old Bargaintown Circuit, 
 or who came to it and preached as visitors. That cir- 
 cuit in those days covered at least the whole of Atlantic 
 County, embracing an area of six hundred square miles. 
 It was a four weeks' circuit, and manned by two preach- 
 ers. I was wont to look upon these men witli the deep- 
 est reverence as niessengers sent from God to the peo- 
 ple and to me. Among them were the following : The 
 Revs. Henry Boehm, who became our venerated cen- 
 tenarian, James Moore, Daniel Fidler, Peter Vannest, 
 John Walker, William Lunimis, Jolin Henry, Edward 
 Stout, James Ayars, James Long, Abraliam Owen, George 
 A. Raybold, Edward Page, by whom I was received on 
 probation, Thomas G. Stewart, Zerubbabel Gaskill, 
 Thomas Christoi)her, Jacob Loudenslager, Joseph At- 
 M'ood, Abraham (iearliart, who gave me my first ex- 
 horter's license, David Duffell, Noah Edwards, ^^'iliiam 
 A. Brooks, and Josiah F. Canfield. 
 
 My first jjresiding elder was the venerable Rev. 
 Thomas Neall, a man of mellow piety, an earnest 
 preacher, and a faithful administrator. "When he sud- 
 denly laid hands upon me to fill a vacancy on Medford 
 Circuit I was holding an exhorter's license only, and 
 had not attempted to preach except on the verbal 
 authority of tlie Rev. Matthias Jerman, the excellent 
 father of Mrs. S. L. Baldwin. He had invited me to 
 assist him in revival services on the adjoining circuit; 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 
 
 85 
 
 <ind, having reported for duty, I was soon honored, 
 more than comforted, by his saying, " I want you to 
 preach to-night." With mingled surprise and fear I 
 replied, " I have no license to preacli," to whicli lie 
 ])romptly said, " I give you license ; " and wlien I sug- 
 gested that I might expose myself to censure he sought 
 to allay my fears by saying in his kind, assuring way 
 that he would stand between me and all harm. I made 
 the attempt and did the best I could on three successive 
 evenings. A few weeks after tliis came tlie summons 
 to forsake all and follow Christ in the great itinerant 
 work. 
 
 I became associated as junior preacher with four 
 successive preachers in charge, the Revs. John W. 
 McDougall and John F. Crouch on Medford Circuit, 
 Bromwell Andrew on Freehold Circuit, and Thomas 
 McCarroll in ('ross Street Station, Paterson, with which 
 the two newly formed societies at Red Mills (now 
 Areola) and Acquackanonk (now Passaic) had become 
 incorporated. Fain would I pause to drop a tear and 
 lay a wreath of affectionate remembrance upon the 
 casket of each did the time permit. 
 
 To these honored names I add two others toward 
 whom I was called to bear the relation of preacher in 
 charge on Madison Circuit in 1845 and 1846 — the Revs. 
 Garner R. Snyder and Robert S. Harris. For many years 
 their names in the New Jersey Conference have been fa- 
 miliar and fragrant. The former has recently joined the 
 church of the firstborn in heaven; the latter still abides 
 and holds an honorable place on the retired list. 
 
 Some reminiscences of the Conference of 1842, held 
 at Camden, may not be out of place. It was a very 
 remarkable one. Two of its members were tried for 
 immorality and expelled; another, holding a prominent 
 position, was charged with unchristian conduct, and 
 
86 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 only after a long, -exciting trial was honorably acquit- 
 ted; two others, young men on ])robation, were dropiied 
 for alleged imprudent conduct. Tiie furies seemed to 
 be let loose. ' 
 
 This Conference was rendered especially memorable 
 to the twelve young men who were admitted by it on 
 trial; namely, Joseph B. Dobbins, Abraham M. Palmer, 
 John I). Blain, Henry B. Beegle, Michael E. Ellison, 
 Richard Vanhorne, Nicholas Vansant, David Graves, 
 Eletcher Lummis, Joseph Gaskill, Charles A. Kingsbury, 
 Henry Baker. A year later the last named two were 
 discontinued at their own request, through failure of 
 health. Brother Baker, the excellent father of Dr. 
 Henry Baker, still lives at Pennington, greatly beloved 
 for his goodness and usefulness. Dr. Kingsbury re- 
 moved to Philadelphia, where he became eminent in 
 the dental profession and prominent in one of our lead- 
 ing churches. Within a few months he has passed to 
 his heavenly home, full of years and honors. It is a 
 noteworthy coincidence that the distinguished son of his 
 Conference classmate of 1842, with whom after a year 
 he returned to the local ranks, was his last pastor, and 
 as such officiated at his funeral. 
 
 What of the otiier ten.' Alas, death has also been 
 busy here. Blain is gone; Ellison is gone; Graves is 
 gone; Lummis is gone; Dobbins is gone; while only 
 Palmer, Vanhorne, Beegle, Gaskill, and Vansant remain. 
 " Time, like an ever-rolling stream. 
 Hears all its sons away." 
 
 True, O poet, true; but not true are the remaining lines 
 of the stanza: 
 
 " They fly, forgotten, as a dream 
 Dies at the opening clay." 
 
 Nay, rather, "The righteous shall be in everlasting re- 
 membrance." Can we forget our fallen comrades.' 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 
 
 87 
 
 Never, never, " while life and thought and being last, 
 or immortality endures." Separation has, indeed, come 
 and must come ; but separation only foretokens a con- 
 scious, blessed, eternal reunion " in the sweet by and 
 by." 
 
 Who were the chief men of that notable Conference? 
 Many might be named, but the time is too short. Only 
 the champion debaters and a few of their associates can 
 be mentioned: the Revs. Jolin S. Porter, Isaac W inner, 
 Ricliard W. Petherbridge, Manning Force, Jefferson 
 Lewis, \Vaters Burrows, George F. Brown, William A. 
 Wilmer, Caleb .\. Lippincott, Tlionias Sovereign, John 
 K. Shaw, John L. Lciiliart, .\biam K. Street, Alexander 
 Gilmore, Francis A. Morrcll, Joscpli Ashbrook. Others 
 of scarcely less strength, but greater reticence, came 
 gradually to the front and proved themselves worthy 
 aids, and at length able successors, of the stalwart 
 fathers, as James M. Tuttle, Crook S. Vancleve, James 
 O. Rogers, Charles H. Whitecar, George Hitchens, and 
 numbers more. (By the bye, the Conference had not 
 at that time been invaded by the title D.D.) 
 
 Three young* men of unusnal brilliancy and promise 
 in that Conference became early crowned but a little 
 time after: the Revs. Joseph B. McKeever. Wesley C. 
 Hudson, and Lewis T. Maps. Fondly, sadly are they 
 remembered by those of us who knew them. 
 
 The marked changes which fifty years have wrought 
 in Conference proceedings deserve a passing notice. In 
 the earlier times it was not enough when a preacher's 
 name was called in the examination of character for 
 the presiding elder to answer, " Nothing against him," 
 but encli in his turn was expected to leave the room and 
 remain without until representations of liis character and 
 work should be made by the elder, and often by others, 
 in speeches of less or greater length. Imagine the time 
 
88 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 thus needlessly consumed. This rule is now wisely 
 confined to candidates and those who are in their 
 studies. 
 
 The gathering of statistics and of the stewards' funds 
 used to be attended to in the regular sessions, which 
 again used up a great deal of precious time. This of 
 late years has been obviated by a special afternoon ses- 
 sion; but now even this is to be abolished and a new 
 time-saving experiment tried. Success ! 
 
 The speech-making in the olden times was far more 
 restricted than now as to the number of speakers, but 
 far less restricted as to the time occupied by each. 
 Then the Conference had leaders ; now it has none, but 
 every man is a leader for himself and without any breach 
 of either law or courtesy may speak at will, though he 
 be the youngest member of the body. Then there was 
 no time limit, every man being a law to himself, except 
 as necessity might sometimes ordain a limit, which it did 
 on one occasion very notably when Bishop Morris ])re- 
 sided at the Bridgeton Conference in 1853. The order 
 of the day had come, the subject being the very familiar 
 one of Pennington Seminary. A venerable brother arose, 
 charged to the full with an appeal of uncertain (piantity 
 in behalf of the institution, but before opening sug- 
 gested that the many brethren outside of the church be 
 called in. The laconic reply of the bishop was far 
 more forcible than elegant : " They're dogged to death 
 by so many long speeches ! " Such an episode in these 
 times seems hardly possible, for, though our modern 
 rules admit of many sjjeeches, they happily shut out the 
 long ones. 
 
 In signal contrast with the long speeches were the 
 short published minutes of those earlier Conferences. 
 Now a stout pamphlet of a hundred or more pages is 
 required to publish our doings; then an unpretending 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 
 
 89 
 
 tract of a dozen l);igc.s siifficed for the same purpose. 
 It was not until several years after our admission that 
 the venture was made of increasing tlie nund)er of 
 pages to sixteen; then they grew to twenty; and thence 
 little by little they Iiave attained their present number 
 and size. 
 
 I rejoice that I ]ia\e been jiermitted to grow old in 
 the acti\e service of (lod and tlie C'hurcli. It is not 
 common for old mep to sing liallelujalis over tlieir ad- 
 vanced age; but to me there is nollung terrible or for- 
 bidding in three- score and eight or ten, or even in tlie 
 ninety years and bexond of ni_\' father and mother, if 
 one's heart may but keep young and his spirit sunny. 
 The great German natuialist Alexander lIuml)oldt, writ- 
 ing to a friend not long before liis dealli, said, "I have 
 now reached a cheerless old age." Cheerless old age, 
 indeed ! I cannot sa\' this, and hoi>e ne\ er to be com- 
 pelled to say it. Rather, let the word be from this time 
 onward to my dying day, " I have now reached a cheer- 
 ful, trustful, happy old age." 
 
 I thank God for my early conx cvsion. Conscientious 
 and prayerful from my earliest ret i illectioii, I definitely 
 sought and found the grace of ( onx ei sion w hen a boy 
 of fourteen years, which was soon followed by my union 
 with the Church. The pious li\ es of my parents and 
 the devout worship of the family altar, together with the 
 earnest ]ireaching of God's ministers ar.d the intelligent, 
 faithful instructions of my Sunday school teacher, had 
 much to do in bringing to pass that supreme event of 
 niy life. 
 
 Warm and continual gratitude to God for my own 
 early salvation has been intensified b)' his fulfillment of 
 the ancient assurance, " For the promise is unto you, 
 and to your ch.ildren." This old covenant was signally 
 verified to my father and mother in the youthful con- 
 
90 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 version of their two daughters and seven sons, six of 
 whom became preachers, and four of the six members 
 of Annual Conferences. One of these fuur is not, for 
 eleven years ago God took him from labor to reward 
 after an eminent ministry of thirty-seven years — a minis- 
 try which is being worthily perpetuated in the person of 
 a devoted and useful son. 
 
 The same old promise was blessedly renewed in its 
 fulfillment to myself and the wife, of my youtli. Our 
 three sons, including an adopted one, and our three 
 daughters were all early brought into saving union with 
 Christ and fellowsiiip with his Churcli, where they abide 
 as members and workers. Happily, whensoe\er they 
 visit tlie father and tlie present mother or we, in turn, 
 enter the homes of tlie children sunshine never fails to 
 meet sunsiiine ! 
 
 I must reckon among the causes for devout thanks- 
 giving the maintenance, through grace, of the conscien- 
 tiousness of earlier years. Tiiis has held me steadily 
 up to duty, though it has sometimes jjroved an incon- 
 venience, and doubtless also a hindrance to popularity 
 and promotion. Either this or absence of proper en- 
 lightenment has repeatedly cast my lot with minorities, 
 even very small ones; as when, in 1855, five or six of us 
 only stood up for the "Troy Conference resolution" 
 making nonslaveholding a test of church membership; 
 and again, in i860, when the still small number of six- 
 teen voted in favor of a footnote in the Discipline tak- 
 ing advanced ground on the same subject. But liow 
 quickly the scales were turned ! In the General Con- 
 ference of 1864 it fell to my lot to be a member of the 
 Committee on Slavery, and tliere help by voice and \ ote 
 to frame the rule by ^\hich sla\eliolding was made an 
 absolute bar to membership in tlie Mctliodist Episcopal 
 Church, and afterward to go on record with the enthu- 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 91 
 
 siastic, overwhelming majority tliat. ado])tcd tlie rule in 
 lull ('onference. 
 
 Finall)', above every other consideration I magnify 
 the grace of God in my jiersonal religious exi)erience. 
 Part of the home theology under which I was reared 
 distinctly recognized the doctrine of entire sanctification 
 or j)crfect love as being at once scriptural and W'esleyan; 
 and there were times in my earlier ministry, especially, 
 ^\ hen I consciously enjoyed the experience. But failure,* 
 through timidity or otherwise, to maintain the testimony 
 as often brought with it a decline of the exjierience. At 
 the Conference of 1875, in Jersey City, my heart was 
 greatly stirred under the Sunday morning sermon by 
 Iiishoi) Tjowman on prayer — a sermon at once scholarly, 
 simple, beautiful, fervid, masterly. One illustration cf 
 the power of prayer was drawn from the preacher's own 
 experience when a young Christian. Of a sensitive, ex-' 
 citable nature, his easilv besetting sin \\as anger, which 
 often betrayed him into sinful words and acts and brought 
 distressing condemnation to his soul. This bent to sin- 
 ning became a burden and a weariness too grievous to be 
 longer borne. Tlien came the awfid crisis; sluitting 
 himself in alone with Clod, he resolved on victory or 
 death. After an agony of prayer, "with strong crying 
 and tears to him who was able to save him from death," 
 the victory came, his overmastering sin was crucified, 
 and his soul saved alive, unfettered and free; for, said 
 tlie bishop, "from that day to this I have not felt the 
 stirring of anger." 
 
 Not very long after this there came to me also a crisis, 
 in which, under the teaching of the word and the illu- 
 mination of the Si)irit, there was disclosed to me a re- 
 siduum of selfishness and ])ride and anger wh.ich startled 
 and humiliated nie'l)eyond measiure. Certain papers 
 had been read and discussed before the Newark Preach^ 
 
92 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 ers' Meeting antagonizing the AVesleyan doctrine of en- 
 tire sanctification as a distinct work of grace subsequent 
 to justification. ']^he effect was to beget in my mind a 
 temporary doubt as to the soundness of the old tradi- 
 tional view in which I had been educated. With avidity 
 I read whatever I could find controverting this old view, 
 and was only too glad to lay the flattering unction to my 
 soul that, being justified, of which I had no shadow of 
 doubt, I must likewise be already sanctified according 
 to the Zinzendorfian theory. But ever and anon my 
 ha])py daydreams would be interrupted by conscious, 
 lurking carnality which I could not explain away on this 
 theory. 
 
 At length I was compelled to reopen the whole ques- 
 tion and proceed in its examination on strictly scriptural 
 grounds. No matter for the nonce what Zinzendorf 
 t.uight or Wesley taught; what did the Bible teach ? On 
 bended knee and with ) carning heart I read and stud- 
 ied the holy word, collating whatever bore upon the 
 subject and, when needful, seeking the aid of the orig- 
 inal. I searched and wept and prayed, with the dil- 
 igence and zeal of one seeking for hid treasure. 
 
 The first result was a vivid revelation and keen con- 
 viction of my unsanctified state; the second was a clear 
 discernment of my high privilege, with a deep corre- 
 sponding sense of imperative duty ; a third followed, in 
 a quiet, firm resolve to obey the voice of God through 
 the Spirit and word, whatever might be the cost. That 
 soon came in a deeply humiliating confession of my heart- 
 felt need before a company of sympathizing friends who 
 had been invited to come together for ten successive 
 days, in order, by their counsels and prayers, to help a 
 struggling soul into a larger, better freedom. Hail, 
 glorious freedom, all divine; for, "If the Son therefore 
 shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed ! " This 
 
Personal Life and Ministry. 
 
 93 
 
 and kindred passages now came to be suffused witli a 
 new, glowing illumination, which gave to tliL-m a beauty 
 and significance such as I had not seen before. Now 
 my experience was brought into sweet harmony with 
 their deeper hidden meaning. And with the passing 
 years there has been a blessed, continual growth in this 
 experience, never, 1 trirst, to cease until the perfect day 
 of earthl\- atlainnient shall merge itself in the full eternal 
 blessedness of heaven ! 
 
 AMth your indulgence I now pass from the effective to 
 the supernumerary ranks. This I do uncomplainingly, 
 cheerfully, and with a grateful ajipreciation of the kind- 
 ness and confidence of niy ministerial brethren, and of 
 the churches and districts which I have ser\ ed. If in my 
 necessary seclusion you sometimes call me to mind, 
 please think of me forgivingly, charitably, prayerfully. 
 Think not of me as repining over any suspected or fan- 
 cied neglect, but as quietly confiding for needed succor 
 and care in the supreme goodness of (iod and the ready 
 beneficence of the Church which I have so long endeav- 
 ored to serve. Think not of me as idle or unemployed, 
 with time hanging heavily on my hands, but as still dil- 
 igent in study and ever busy with voice and pen, accord- 
 ing to strength and opportunity, in trying to make the 
 world better. Think not of me as gloomy or sour or 
 morose, but as rejoicing evermore, continuing instant in 
 prayer, and in everything giving thanks. And at last, 
 when I am gone, O think of me as having swept through 
 the gates, washed in the blood of the Lamb ! 
 
 The official reporter of the A V7i'(/;-/C- Daily Advertiscr,\\^\- 
 ing furnished the closing ])ortions of this address for pub- 
 lication in that well-known paper, added the following 
 statement, which is given solely on his responsibity as a 
 matter of history : 
 
94 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 "During the reading of these words there was a most 
 pathetic and touching scene. I'^very member of the 
 Conference was deei)ly affedcd, antl many men bowed 
 their heads and wept like children, 'i'here were cries 
 of 'Amen' and ' Praise tlie Lord ' resounding all through 
 the church, and there was not a dry eye in the build- 
 ing." 
 
PART III. 
 
 CHRONOLOGICAL GLIMPSES OF PAS- 
 TORAL CHARGES AND WORK. 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 97 
 
 PART III. 
 
 Chronological Glimpses of Pastoral Charges and Work 
 
 LMOST instinctively on reaching my first circuit I 
 
 gravitated to the home of Squire, later Judge, 
 James Rogers, it being understood near and far that 
 this was the Medford paradise for young Methodist 
 preachers; and, in fact, for all others. Here a hearty 
 welcome met the new boy preacher from tlie rotund, 
 big-hearted liost and liis delightful family, consisting of 
 tlie gentle invalid mother and two lovely daughters. 
 The only son, William R., had entered the ministry 
 nearly three years before. Through special invitation 
 of the elder daugliter, Anna, a visit was made to that 
 home by those saintly Christian women, Mrs. Phffibe 
 Palmer, of New York, and Mrs. Mary D. James, of 
 Mount Holly, which gave me my first opportunity of 
 seeing and talking with them. Not very long after 
 Miss Anna Rogers became Mrs. Harlow, of Philadelpliia, 
 where she continued to live the same j)ure, gentle, beau- 
 tiful life as aforetime, until that life expanded into the 
 more beautiful, all-perfect life of heaven. 
 
 In 1 841 a stranger came to Medford and organized a 
 class in penmanship, becoming at length a successful 
 teacher of successive classes. Uniting with the church 
 by letter and " showing all good fidelity," steps were 
 erelong taken to give him license to preach. Tlie trial 
 sermon was founded on the text, " I shall die in my 
 nest" (Job xxix, 18). The Quarterly Conference 
 granted the license, and also recommended him for the 
 traveling ministry. In .\pril, 1842, the New Jersey Con- 
 
 — Medford Circuit, 1840-42. 
 
98 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 ference met at Camden, and among the twelve young 
 men received on trial, as already noted, were David 
 Graves and Nicholas Vansant, recommended by the 
 Quarterly Conference of Medford Circuit. 
 
 On May 13-20, 1894, the seventy-third anniversary 
 of the Medford Methodist Episcopal Church was held, 
 Mfhich by invitation I attended. This afforded me the 
 rare privilege of meeting some whom I had not seen for 
 more than fifty years, among them being an old mem- 
 ber of the Rogers family as I first knew it. He was 
 then a young man in the business employ of Brother 
 Rogers, a member of the church and notably useful as a 
 singer. It was my double joy to call upon liim at the 
 same old homestead and again receive his welcome 
 within its now venerable walls. It seems fitting tliat in 
 his advanced life lie should occupy the home of his 
 young manhood, and should also be enjoying the jiublic 
 honors of his early employer and friend in being known 
 as Squire Reading N. Wright. 
 
 A visit to the sick room of that princely consecrated 
 layman, the Rev. Wilson Stokes, was a great spiritual 
 luxury. The bountiful entertainment in the home of 
 Mr. Potts and family, the fraternal courtesies of the 
 pastor, the Rev. Dewitt C. Cobb, and of the presiding 
 elder, the Rev. George Reed, the cordial attentions of 
 both the young and the old, together with the rich re- 
 ligious services day after da) — these are written indeli- 
 bly upon the tablet of a grateful memory. 
 
 Having by re(|uest furnished some " Recollections " 
 for jniblication, I here repeat the concluding ])aragrapli: 
 "My pleasing task is now done, my assignment having 
 been limited to recollections of my predecessors and 
 contemporaries on my first circuit. 'I'liat circuit f;)r more 
 than half a century has been circled in my memory with 
 a peculiar lialo of beauty and briglitness, to which the 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 99 
 
 late anniversary services liave but added fresh luster and 
 glory." One of my predecessors yet lives in a sunny old 
 age, " full of faith and of the Holy Ghost," the Rev. 
 Socrates Townsend. 
 
 In those days Medford Circuit embraced six other 
 well-remembered [jlaccs, naniel\-, Marlton, Luniberton, 
 Vincentown, TabLMnacle, Hartfurd, and Atsiun, some 
 special notice of each of which would fain be given did 
 not a lack of space forbid. 
 
 Frekhoi.d ("irc^uit, 1S42, 1843. 
 
 Territoriallv, this was very different from Medford 
 (arcuit, embracing over twenty preaching places, and 
 extending in length from Englislitown to Point Pleas- 
 ant, with a corresponding breadth — a large held for cul- 
 tivation by two i^reachers, the Rev. Hroniwell Andrew 
 being preacher in charge. His colleague the year before 
 had been the popular William P. Corbit. 
 
 At Englishtown I found the Rev. Luther H. Van 
 Doren as pastor of the old historic Tennent Church, 
 who warmly invited me to visit liim and preach in his 
 chapel on Sunday evening, which I did, ha\ing in the 
 .afternoon lield our usual service at the schoolhouse. 
 Later lie invited me repeatedly to speak in his church, 
 wliich was done, liis friendshii) seeming to be at once 
 cordial and real. Coukl wc build a church at English- 
 town Brother Andrew lieroically grapi)led the question 
 and, aided by heroic brethren, successfully answered it. 
 In November a glorious re\i\a! broke out here, wliich 
 resulted in adding fort\- or more to the society. 
 
 Freehold, wliich ga\e name to the circuit, was the 
 county seat of Monmouth Count)'. Here one of our 
 chief la\men was Josejjh Muri)!i\-, Esip, father of tlie 
 Hon. Holmes W. Murphy, so well-known in legal cir- 
 cles, and also as a member of the Ocean Grove Camp 
 
100 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Meeting Association, etc. Of him I saw but little, as 
 during that year his college attendance kept him most 
 of the time from liome ; but in that commodious iiome 
 I was often well-cared for by the fatlier, mother, and 
 sisters. Here, too, was Father Rogers, with his good 
 wife and daughters. His fervent piety, warm social 
 spirit, and large musical talent won for liini the confi- 
 dence and good will of all. He and his wife seemed 
 fairly entitled to be the parents of such sons as the Rev. 
 James O. Rogers, one of our most jjopular and success- 
 ful ministers, and J. Furman Rogers, one of our genial 
 and useful laymen as I knew him. Tlie Hulse family, 
 with others, migiit also be mentioned as among the ear- 
 nest supporters of our then struggling cause. 
 
 Turkey, or Blue Ball, now Betliesda, had an old 
 church of the primitive style, but a swarming congrega- 
 tion. Sunday morning, from the number of both the 
 conveyances and the people, reminded one of a great 
 camp meeting gathering. In my diary, under the date 
 of November 6, 1842, I find tiiis entry: " Preaciied in 
 the morning at 'I'urkey, from 2 Cor. vii, i. Felt con- 
 siderable lii)erty ; had no class nuciing in consecjuence 
 of laboring witli mourners, who freely c ame forward as 
 soon as the invitation was given. C), it was a melting 
 time ! " 
 
 Upper Squankum, now Farmingdale, was not far from 
 the center of the circuit. Here the i)leasant iiome of 
 Joseph (loodenough, Esq., gave frequent entertainment 
 to the i)reachers, and but a sliort distance away from 
 the village was the ever-open house of Brother Hance 
 Herbert, accounted one of the wealthiest men on the 
 circuit, as he was certainly one of the plainest. Associ- 
 ated with his own family in tliis ])hun, substantial farm- 
 house was tliat of iiis son-in-law, John B. Williams, an 
 intelligent, vivacious, and useful local jjreacher. 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 101 
 
 An adjacent neigliboiliood, New Bargain, became tlie 
 favored scene in August of a wonderful camp meeting. 
 A few extracts from my diary will illustrate : " Such 
 were the migiity displays of God's power that one of the 
 preachers, while delivering an exhortation, was prostrated 
 upon his back to the floor of the stand, and some of the 
 people fell to the ground ; sinners were seen weeping 
 in almost all parts of the assembly, and mourners with 
 streaming eyes presented themselves at the altar for 
 prayers. Many souls were converted during the meet- 
 ing." "September 12. The Master of assemblies is 
 still carrying on his blessed work. Meeting has been 
 kept up every night somewhere on the circuit since the 
 camp meeting, at which some souls have generally been 
 converted." "October 31. I feel bound to speak again 
 of the great things God has done for us since camp 
 meeting. Several ai)pointments have shnred more or 
 less of the showers of divine grace which he has so richly 
 poured upon us. About one hundred have been added 
 to the Church, the most of whom have been happily 
 converted." 
 
 One of the most eloquent and powerful sermons of 
 that meeting was ])reached by the Rev. James Ayars, 
 then stationed at Long Branch. As the trees of the 
 forest are swayed before a mighty wind, so were the 
 people of that great congregation by the breath of the 
 Almighty from the four winds through tiie mouth of his 
 servant. The effect was at once terrifying and trans- 
 porting. The reader can imagine the rest. 
 
 That the young preacher of the circuit should be 
 pressed into preaching right "in his own country" was 
 to him alike unexpected and unwelcome; but as he had 
 never learned to say no to the voice of authority he 
 tremblingly consented, taking for his text Jcr. viii, 20, 
 "The harvest is pa'^t, the summer is ended, and we are 
 
102 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 not saved." There afterward came to my knowledge 
 two notable cases of awakening under tlie sermon — a 
 man and his wife,, who soon became converted and 
 joined the Churcli, he being a teacher in charge of one 
 of the schools near by. 
 
 Dr. Thomas Hanlon tells this incident: When a boy of 
 nine or ten years he lived in that same neighborhood 
 with a family named Johnson. Being of Catholic parent- 
 age, he was not, of course, allowed to attend Protestant 
 service of any kind. One day a young minister called 
 to visit the family, and, after talking with them about 
 religion, he proposed prayer, the boy being present and 
 listening to what was said. "That was the first Protes- 
 tant ])rayer," states Dr. Hanlon, " I had ever heard, and 
 the remembrance of that occasion has ne\ er passed from 
 me." The writer of this, as Dr. Hanlon has often re- 
 minded me, was that young minister. Was there aught 
 in that prayer, though small as a grain of mustard seed, 
 which contributed in any way to his early conversion, 
 and thence to his distinguished career as a Christian, a 
 minister, and an educator.? "God knoweth." 
 
 Shark River, or Trap, now Hamilton. Here a great 
 revival began on the first evening of January, 1843, and 
 continued until over a hundred had professed conversion 
 and united with the Church. "Upon the whole," says 
 my diary, " I am led to think that I never before saw 
 such an interesting, extensive, and powerful revival in 
 any one such neighborhood in my life." It was not 
 wonderful if a strong attnchment under such circum- 
 stances should spring up between tlie ])astors and the 
 people, expressing itself in a variety of ways. This was 
 notably the case here; but details may not be given. A 
 brief visit to this place in 1883 as the guest of Squire 
 Cook Howland gave me the pleasure of meeting a few 
 of the older people who still remembered me, and who 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 103 
 
 told some amusing things about the napiing of certain 
 children forty years before. 
 
 Manasquan, or Squan \'iiiage. On December 28, 
 1842, a new union churcli was here dedicated, liie Rev. 
 Mr. Finch conducting tiie scr\ ice according to the ritual 
 of the Protestant E|)iscoi)al Church, following which 
 came a very approjiriate sermon by the Rev. James 
 Ayars, founded on Psalm cxwv, 13-18. It fell on me 
 to i)reach in the afternoon, from the last clause in the 
 book of Joel: " For the Lord dweiletli in Zion; " and at 
 night the Rev. J. S. Newman, Independent, preached. 
 Twice during the day the service was closed by the Rev. 
 Mr. Cox, Presbyterian. Some revival followed the dedi- 
 cation, a few of the ( onN erts uniting with us, but most 
 of them with Mr. Newman's society. 
 
 Point Pleasant. On our visits to this appointment we 
 were often entertained, and always cordially, at tiie 
 home of Squire Foreman and family, who ke[)t one of 
 the large boarding houses near the ocean for the ac- 
 commodation of summer \ isitors. Though not members 
 of our Church, they were frequent attendants and gener- 
 ous sujii'jorters. 
 
 Herbert's. This was the family residence of .Abraham 
 Herbert, in which a I,mu>' room had been set apart for 
 prayer meetings and ( Inss nuetings once a week, and for 
 preaching by the circuit preachers every two weeks on 
 Thursday evening. It stood, almost in solitude, on the 
 east bank of the Manasquan River and constituted one 
 of the choice Christian homes of the circuit. The wife 
 and mother was a model as a housekeeper and in her 
 various other relations. Alas, that death should so often 
 love a shining mark! Her departure was a sad loss 
 indeed. 
 
 Bennett's Mills. This appointment took us south not 
 far from the old Pergen Iron Works, or Hricksburg, which 
 
104 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 has recently become noted as a health resort under the 
 new and .more euphonious name of Lakewood. Moses 
 G. Bennett carried on an extensive business as the 
 owner of a i^ristmill and a sawmill, and gave name to 
 the i)lace, he, with his faniil\-, being also prominent in 
 the church. This neighborhood has been remarkable 
 for the number of itinerant preachers which it has given 
 to the Church. The first of these was Moses G. Ben- 
 nett, Jr., who soon after our time there removed West, 
 where he received license to preach, became a member 
 of the Ohio and Cincinnati Conferences, and after a 
 brief career of great activ ity and usefulness was called 
 from labor to reward. "\'ears latL-r tliis same neighbor- 
 hood sent forth the Rev. ^\■illiaul 1'. C. Strickland, now 
 an honored presiding elder in New Jersey Conference, 
 and more recently the Rev. Marion A. Johnston, one of 
 the prornising young men of Newark Conference. 
 
 Here I must jiause, " for the time would fail me to tell 
 of" Burrsville. Newman's Schoolhouse, White's School- 
 house, Lower Scpiankum, etc., with various other places 
 and persons of interest that jjuss before me in the vision 
 of a fond recollertion, ]>rominent among them being the 
 home of the preacher in charge graced with the pres- 
 ence of his ever courteous and genial wife. 
 
 I must, iiowever, linger long enough to speak of two 
 instances of providential deliverance which came to me 
 but a few weeks apart. On Monday morning, Novem- 
 ber 14, having started from T.ii 1 rs\ ille for an appoint- 
 ment at eleven o'clock, I was suddenly tluown from my 
 sulky, falling first u])on the left wheel and then upon the 
 ground; but providentially 1 rereived no injury. Being 
 reminded of a remarkable dream in the life of Dr. 
 Doddridge and becoming seated again in the carriage, I 
 was led by what had occurred to preach from Psalm 
 c.\lv, 20: "The Lord jjreserveth all tlu m that lovehim." 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 105 
 
 The other instance is recorded t'.uis in brief: "De- 
 cember 29. Ti)-day, while riding between Squan Vil- 
 lage and Howell Works, my horse stumbled and fell with 
 his foreparts to the ground, throwing the bridle quite off 
 his head. The fright caused him to run at full speed, 
 while I was left utterly powerless to stop him or to guide 
 him; nor could I with any degree of safety venture to 
 leap. The danger of the situation was greatly increased 
 by the fact that the road in many places was rough and 
 banked up on either side, making not imorobable a sud- 
 den upsetting of the carriage to my serious, if not fatal, 
 injury. In this hour of extremity I lifted my heart to 
 God, praying fervently for his gracious protection, and 
 felt a comforting assurance that he would exercise it 
 toward me. The horse, becoming wearied after running 
 a mile, slackened his speed somewhat in ascending a 
 hill, which gave me opportunity to leap to the ground, 
 in doing which 1 was thrown down and slightly injured 
 ill my left side. With quickened speed the horse ran 
 about three fourths of a mile farther to the Howell 
 Works, where he was caught, having upset the sulky, 
 broken the bridle and lines, and strewn along the road 
 my valise, buffalo robe, etc.; but for all this I cared but 
 little, the Lord having graciously preserved me from sud- 
 den death. O how much I ought to love him! " 
 
 Paterson, Red Miles, and Acquackanonk, 1843, 1844. 
 
 I was greatly surprised on being told during the Con- 
 ference at New Brunswick, in April, 1843, that I was to 
 be appointed to Paterson as the colleague of the Rev. 
 Thomas McCarroll. So it came to pass. My first stop- 
 ping place was at the sign of the " Dog and Teakettle," 
 next door to which the generous Horatio Moses kept 
 a free boarding-house for Methodist preachers and other 
 good people. .A simple list of the names of his guests 
 
106 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 from time to time would require no inconsiderable 
 space, among them being tiie Revs. George Coles, 
 George Lane, Peter^P. Sandford, William Roberts, John 
 Kennaday, Daniel Parrish, Manning Force, James Buck- 
 ley, James M. Tuttle, Charles H. Whitecar, John L. Len- 
 hart, John Poisal, etc. 
 
 A very extensive revival had taken place the year be- 
 fore under the Rev. (afterward Dr.) Daniel P. Kidder, 
 greatly increasing the membership of Cross Street 
 Church (which at that time was our only church in the 
 ])lace), and extending its influence to adjacent neigh- 
 borhoods, especially to Red Mills, now Areola, and 
 Acquackanonk, now Passaic, at each of which it became 
 needful to form a class and have occasional preaching. 
 From this condition arose the necessity for a second 
 ])reacher, which necessity was provided for at the next 
 Conference, the lot falling on me. 
 
 My principal fields of labor were the two outposts 
 spoken of, lying about five miles apart, the former being 
 the morning appointment and the latter the afternoon, 
 with frequent evening service added; but on one Sab- 
 bath in the month I5rother McCarroll visited and 
 jireached at these smaller i>laces, while his colleague 
 supjjlied the i)ulpit of the " big church," as it was some- 
 times called. At neither of these outposts had we a 
 church edifice until the early fall, but used as our preach- 
 ing i)lace at Red Mills a large room fitted v\> for the 
 purpose in the old-fashioned family residence of l^hvard 
 B. Force, a brother of I'residing Elder Manning Force, 
 who, with his excellent daughters, cared for it with a 
 true religious interest. One of these daughters after- 
 ward became tiTe well-chosen wife of the Rev. Jacob P. 
 Fort, whose lamented death was of recent occurrence. 
 Here, on September 27, 1X4^, the new church was dedi- 
 cated, the sermons during the day being preached by 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 107 
 
 the Revs. John Poisal, Asapli C \'ande\vatei", and 
 Charles S. Downs. ]!rothcr i^'orcc, our chict !a)iiian 
 here, was aided by Hrotliers Joralcmon, Gurnce, and 
 others. 
 
 At Ac(iuackanonk we worshiped in an old, deserted 
 ballroom until the new ( liurcli there was reach- for dedi- 
 cation, which occurred not long after that at Red Mills, 
 the ofhciating ministers being l)rs. James Sewcll and 
 Noah Levings, with the Rev. Daniel P. Kidder. This 
 enterprise was liberally aided by some of the Paterson 
 brethren, as also by Mrs. Catharine Ibjlsman, a wealtliy 
 member of our C'hurch residing in the neighborhood. 
 Active in all the work of the church was Hiram Blanch- 
 ard, who also found fellow-helpers in the Kingslands, 
 Devausneys, and others. 
 
 One incident will serve to show the changes in feeling 
 toward Methodism wliich time has wrought since then. 
 I addressed a polite m^te to Dominie Jiogardus, pastor 
 of the Reformed Dutch Church, inviting him to attend 
 our dedication, whic h was to occur on a week day, and 
 requesting liim to read from his pulpit an inclosed no- 
 lice of the services. Did he come.' If he did no one 
 saw him. Did he read tlie notice ? If he did no one 
 heard it, the whole thing l)eing treated by him with 
 silent neglect or — contempt. How marked the change 
 since then in that Church and its later pastors! 
 
 For the first time in my itinerant life I here enjoyed 
 the satisfaction of having a steady boarding ])lace, which 
 was the genial home of Peregrine Sandford, P>scp, after- 
 ward Judge, on the west bank of the ri\-er in Paterson. 
 The board bill, as also my approjiriated salary of one 
 hundred dollars, was promjjtly paid by the stewards. 
 On my jirevious two circuits I was like tlie country 
 school-teachers of those times who "boarded around." 
 Indeed, I seldom slept two successive nights in the same 
 
108 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 bed, and received as salary considerably less than the 
 small disciplinary allowance; yet I was happy in my work 
 and felt that I was^well paid. 
 
 DOVKR AND MiLI.nROOK, 1844, 1845. 
 
 I went to this new field with a double new experience 
 — that of an ordained deacon, and that of a preacher in 
 charge, the first ordination of our clasS, by Bishop 
 Waugh, having occurred during the Conference held at 
 Trenton, Ajjril 17, and my name not having been asso- 
 ciated with any other in the reading of the aj)]3oint- 
 ments, as formerly. This gave to me a sense of loneli- 
 ness and of responsibility such as I had not realized 
 before. The ])lan was to i)reach at Dover every Sunday 
 morning and evening, and at Millbrook, nearly two miles 
 away, in the afternoon. 
 
 This being a single man's apjiointmcnt, the preacher 
 "must needs " have a boarding i)lace, which for years 
 had been the quiet, happy home of "Uncle David 
 Sanford," his motherly wife and her maiden sister, 
 "Aunt Barbara," with himself, forming the family. His 
 well-kept store, containing the post office, was a favorite 
 place of resort. Until a short time before that home 
 had been enlivened by the presence of an adopted 
 daughter, a niece of Mrs. Sanford; but, "once on a 
 time," a certain agent of the American Bible Society for 
 New Jersey came along and spirited her away — not 
 in any evil sense — and Miss Elizabeth S. Morrison 
 became Mrs. Hiram Mattison, and withal the step- 
 mother of his four motherless children. Theirs was a 
 hap])y married life for more than twenty-seven years, 
 until he fell a victim to incessant overwork and died, 
 November 23, 1868, at no greater age than fifty-eight. 
 Between him and Dr. Mendenhall, late Editor of the 
 Mctlwdi$t Eeview^ there were striking similarities of 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 109 
 
 constitution, of character, and of tireless, fatal devotion 
 to work. 
 
 I extended the limits of the charge by establishing an 
 appointment at Walnut Grove, now Mount Freedom, our 
 preaching place being an old unoccupied Baptist churcli. 
 Here one of our quarterly meetings for the year was 
 held by Dr. John S. Porter, the presiding elder. Here 
 also I found and visited an old friend of our family, 
 formerly of Atlantic County, and for some years a fellow 
 local preacher with my father on the old Bargaintown 
 Circuit, then, prosperous in business, holding a good 
 social position, and very useful in church work. Brother 
 Absalom Steelman. Great and sad changes had come 
 to him; with his health much impaired and his financial 
 condition utterly broken, he seemed but little like his 
 former self except as to the great essential fact of faith 
 in God and the hope of heaven. My visiting parish was 
 extended still farther taking in Water Street, now Brook- 
 side, where I found Father Clark, an old-time Metho- 
 dist preacher, residing with his son. A good place to 
 visit. 
 
 At Millbrook our leading man, financially and so- 
 cially, was Brother Ulysses Kinsey; but devotionally 
 the most demonstrative one was Brother Jacob Searing, 
 whose public prayers were distinguished by peculiar 
 earnestness. 
 
 In November a new boarding place was assigned 
 me at the home of Brother William Ford, where, under 
 the kind attentions of his excellent wife and daughters, 
 I was well cared for. This change was soon followed 
 by another, involving the most interesting and important 
 social event of my young manhood, the happy consum- 
 mation of a marriage contract with Miss Amelia P. 
 Moses, daughter of Horatio Moses, Esq., of Paterson. 
 On the evening of December 9, 1844, a large assembly 
 8 
 
110 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 filled the Cross Street Churc h to witness the marriage 
 ceremony, as performed by the Rev. Thomas M(:(;arroll, 
 the sequel of whiclx told of uncounted jo\s and, thirty- 
 nine years afterward, of the one great, inexpressible sor- 
 row of the writer's life. 
 
 Madison, 1845-47. 
 
 This was a compact, level circuit, comprising Madi- 
 son, Green Village, Whippany, Chatham, Ciieajjside or 
 Washington Place, with occasional j^reaching at White 
 Oak Ridge, Hanover Neck, East Madison, and l^ogans- 
 ville. Madison and Green Village had eac h a new 
 church, while Wiiippany and Chatham had each an 
 older one. At the otlier places named we preached in 
 schoolhouses. Until the dedication of the Madison 
 church, early in 1844, the preaching jjlace had been a 
 room in the umbrella factory of Mr. Henry Keep. The 
 l)reac:lKTs on the charge when tlie church was built were 
 the Revs. T.. R. Dunn and Israel S. Corbit. 
 
 My colleague for 1845 was ISrother (iarner R. Snyder, 
 a thoroughly conscientious young man, a strong thinker, 
 and a good, though not captivating, jireaciier. My 
 diary contains this modest review of that year: "The 
 year passed away very jileasantly, but without any sig- 
 nal success of our labors; " which is supplemented in a 
 later record by the statement, " The year was a good 
 one." Brother Snyder died not long ago, after a very 
 pure and useful life in the ministry of the New Jersey 
 Conference. 
 
 The diary continues: "At the next Conference, held 
 April 26, 1846, I was returned to my old charge, with 
 Brother Robert S. Harris for my colleague. This year 
 proved to be one of decided prosperity, over one hun- 
 dred souls being converted and added to the Church. 
 The largest number of conversions took place at Green 
 
Chronological Glimpses. Ill 
 
 Village, a pleasant society before, but now flourishing 
 and truly delightful." 
 
 In the summer of this year a union camp meeting 
 was lielcl at Hanover Neck by two circuits, Madison 
 and I'arsippany, the latter having for its intrepid 
 preac her in charge the Rev. Edward Sanders. Was 
 tlie meeting a success? No, and yes. The heavens of 
 cloud and rain seemed to frown upon us, but the Heaven 
 of heavens propitiously smiled. Our good presiding 
 elder, the Rev. Daniel I'arrish, when sjjoken to time after 
 time about the weather, would give back the cheerful, 
 assuring answer, "'All's right that comes from above." 
 The i>reacliing was "in demonstration of the Spirit and 
 of ])ower, " the altar and tent meetings were excellent, 
 and the result in genuine c()n\-ersi(jns \'ery blessed. 
 
 That justly celebrated cam[) meeting jireacher, the 
 Rev. Dr. Da\ id ^V. Rartine, could never before, as it 
 seemed to us, ha\e excelled, if ei[ualed, his elo(]uent 
 and powerful sermon at that meeting" on " The Suffer- 
 ings of Christ and the (Hory that should Follow." Its 
 effect can be better imagined by those who may have 
 heard him on other favored occasions than described 
 by nie. That from the soil of New Jersey there should 
 ]ia\e si)rung that distinguished trio of extraordinary 
 camp meeting ])reachers, C.'harles Pitman, James Ayars, 
 and Da\ id W. Rartine, is befitting ground, not for self- 
 gratulation l)y any " to tlie manner born," but for special 
 gratitude to the God of nature, jirovidence, and grace, 
 who was i)leased to put this signal honor ui)on one of 
 the smallest of the many States of this great Union. 
 "Rut thou, Rethlehem l^phratah, though thou be little 
 among the tliousands of Judah, yet out of thee," etc. 
 
 Following that meeting, revivals occurred at all the 
 principal i)oints on the charge — revivals in which my 
 colleag-ue, Rrother Harris, proved himself eminently 
 
112 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 qualified by both nature and grace to be a soul winner. 
 That he still lives, an honored veteran of the New Jer- 
 sey Conference, aftar a long, active ministry of great 
 usefulness, is alike gratifying to the writer and to all 
 others who have followed his successful career from its 
 beginning or for a shorter period. It seems proper 
 to add that the great revival at Green Village, of 
 which he was so important a factor, extended to what 
 was known as " The Swamp," as also to Logansville, 
 and laid the foundation of the society and church at 
 Pleasant Plains, since then a part of Basking Ridge 
 charge. 
 
 Some of the chief lay workers in that revival need 
 also to be named, especially Brothers Ellis Parcel and 
 Levi iMuclimore, the former of whom continued to live 
 in activity and usefulness till a short time since. That 
 he and his open-hearted, o})en-handed wife, still sur- 
 viving, should have gi\'en two of their daughters to 
 young preachers, the Revs. Sylvester N. Bebout and 
 Jacob E. H. Sentman, then live on a goodly number of 
 years to witness the true domestic hapjiiness of each 
 and the well-earned success of their husbands, is a mat- 
 ter worthy of record and must have proved to both of 
 them a source of real gratification and comfort. Brother 
 Muchmore, son-in-law of Mr. Samuel Roberts, was less 
 favored as to long life, he having died years ago, leaving 
 behind him the wife of his youth, who still lives to cher- 
 ish his memory in old age. Other families and friends 
 can receive but a passing mention in the familiar 
 names of Badgeley, Cochran, Lindsley, Brookfield, Be- 
 dell, Moore, Mesler, Leonard, Absalom, etc. 
 
 At Whippany our cause was small in numbers and 
 ability; but warm hearts and willing hands gave encour- 
 agement and help. The number of converts added to 
 our probationers' list was twenty-two. Here such names 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 113 
 
 as Norris, Cooper, Taylor, McFarland, Wildy, Magee, 
 etc., were well-known. 
 
 Two of our best homes were found at " Father 
 Swaim's " and Mr. Israel Dickinson's, Washington Place. 
 The latter was a warm friend and supporter of the 
 church, his wife and children being members also. 
 Here hospitality abounded. The writer, from leaving 
 this family as pastor in April, 1847, was called in April, 
 1892, to officiate at the funeral of the widowed mother, 
 in her ninetieth year. What a life was that which she 
 had led — kind, generous, devoted, useful! Her three 
 daughters and the husband had passed on before, but 
 her two noble sons, David and Bern, were left and yet 
 remain to represent and illustrate her Christly charac- 
 ter. One other, bearing the stamp of the same character, 
 a venerable sister but little younger than herself, whom 
 loving friends delight to call " Aunt Amanda," is joyfully 
 "brushing the dews from Jordan's banks" in hope of 
 the near crossing and the blissful reunion to follow. 
 
 Fatlier Swaim was a man small of stature, but plucky, 
 quiet, conscientious, persevering. His family at home 
 consisted of himself, his gentle wife, and his only 
 daughter, whom we were wont to call "Sister Abby." 
 In advanced maidenhood she married Mr. Baldwin, of 
 Verona, and several years after died in the faith. Father 
 Swaim's eldest son, John Sanford, had become one of 
 our faithful and useful ministers, and he in turn gave a 
 son to the ministry, named for the grandfather — Mat- 
 thias. They both removed to Florida, where each came 
 to a peaceful death. Father Swaim's younger son, Ezra, 
 died in middle life, his widow, a sister of the Rev. Isaac 
 Cross, still surviving to rejoice in the prosperity of their 
 children, the only son being a successful practicing 
 physician, Dr. George M. Swaim, of Chatliam, N. J. 
 
 Our services at Washington Place were held every 
 
114 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 fortnight, on Friday evening in tiie sclioolhouse, the 
 families named, with others, attending the Sunday serv- 
 ices at the Chatham church. Some years before his death 
 Father Swaim removed from tlie old liomestead farm to 
 a pleasant house quite near that church, where his 
 peaceful, honored life was lengthened to almost a hun- 
 dred years. 
 
 Another interesting suburb of Chatham was White 
 Oak Ridge, to which a few )'ears before a great re\ ival 
 in the village had extended itself, bringing into fellow- 
 ship with our cliurch several imj^ortant and useful fam- 
 ilies, making the names Denman, Drew, Ross, and others 
 pleasantly familiar. It is especially interesting to trace 
 the history of some of these. In ])assing Sunday, De- 
 cember 2, iSy4, at Springfield, N. J., to assist the pastor, 
 Brother AVilliam A. Knox, I found myself agreeably 
 (piartered at Scpiire Mulford's, whose genial wife told of 
 having known me in her childhood when I was pastor 
 of the Drew family, to which she belonged, at ^Vhite 
 Oak Ridge. The surprise and joy were mutual. 
 
 In the Denman family there were four sisters, all ac- 
 tive young members of the church — Harriet, Amanda, 
 Carrie, and Hetty. The eldest became the wife of Jo- 
 sei)h Cleveland, Esq., of Elizabeth, N. J., where her 
 useful activity in the church continued, even with in- 
 crease, backed by larger means and an excellent social 
 ])Osition. For )ears she has been li\ ing in widowhood, 
 and is now passing a cpiiet, cheerful eventide of life 
 with her son at ]>ridgeport, Conn. 
 
 The name of the second sister was carl)' changed to 
 Ross ; and after several years of hai)]))' married life she 
 passed to her reward, leaving behind an only daughter, 
 who in process of time became the youthful wife of Mr. 
 Isaac S. Crane, of AVest Livingston, N. J. The third 
 bister has been for many years the cheerful, devoted wife 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 115 
 
 of Mr. Thomas E. Biidd, of Elizabeth, whose sunny 
 home is ever wreathed with welcomes. The fourth in 
 our list combines abounding good nature with unbounded 
 energy in health and with genuine Christian patience in 
 sickness. She has been content to remain in single life, 
 in which the " Friend above all others " is ever cheering 
 her with the best of all companionships. 
 
 In those days the Chatham church was very dependent 
 upon its suburban supporters, Methodism having up to 
 that time won to itself but few in tlie village as mem- 
 bers or unfaltering friends. Among these few must be 
 reckoned General Minton and his energetic wife, he not 
 being a member, but a warm friend. Her death occurred 
 years ago, but his not until recently. Here we also had 
 Brothers Harvey Bond, AVilliam Green, and a small 
 number of others not far from the church who could 
 render spiritual and financial help. Some very familiar 
 names appear on the old probationers' list of fifty years 
 ago. 
 
 In these glimpses we group Madison and East Mad- 
 ison. To us a very interesting event was our first expe- 
 rience in housekeeping. The modest hired parsonage 
 stood on what is now called Prospect Street, the first 
 dwelling from the corner of Main Street, south side. It 
 was years ago removed. There we had some choice neigh- 
 bors — Knapp, Mills, Sayre, etc. My wife became very 
 intimate with that saintly woman, Mrs. William H. Sayre, 
 on the corner, from whom she received many helpful 
 attentions. Among the godly women of the church was 
 Sister Ann .\ndrews, poor in purse, but "rich in faith." 
 Precious is the memory of Brother O. Bagshaw and his 
 wife, whose devotion to goodness and the church was 
 limited only by their ability. Brother Stephen N. Ward 
 was useful all around, especially as leader of the singing. 
 It was fitting that one of the Drew graduates, the Rev. 
 
116 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 William Redheffer, should capture his granddaughter for 
 a wife. Many others come to mind : Young, Matthews, 
 Muchmore, Amzi Ward, Haslam, Dennis, Schenck, 
 Squier, Larue, Shawger, Losey. Good friends were Mr. 
 and Mrs. Keep, with their young daughters, Carrie 
 and Camilla, and the aunt, Mrs. King. It is gratify- 
 ing to be assured by the present faithful treasurer of 
 the church, Mr. Charles L. Chovey, then a boy, that he 
 has a distinct remembrance of the writer and his col- 
 leagues. 
 
 Methodist preaching in the schoolhouse at East Mad- 
 ison antedated by several years all public service by our 
 ministers at Madison, the result being that for many 
 years the mother society at East Madison quite exceeded 
 in the number of families and in financial strength the 
 later-organized society at Madison. Coming here in 
 the spring of 1845, we found in the former neighborhood 
 the Hancocks, the Tunises, Budds, Genungs, Hedges, etc. 
 
 " Father " Hancock, as we called him, was a rare char- 
 acter — intensely conscientious, unswerving in his prin- 
 ciples, fixed in his manners and habit.s, and very much 
 given to prayer. Family worship at each meal was as 
 regular as the clock that stood in the corner. In mak- 
 ing calls at the parsonage he would always say before 
 leaving, " Brother Vansant, shall we have a word of 
 prayer.? " and then add, " There is always time to pray." 
 He began the work of preaching long before I knew 
 him, and continued it until his strength failed him. 
 Sometimes in very warm weather he would say, stand- 
 ing in the pulpit, " Comfort before fashion," and, taking 
 off his coat, would preach in his shirt sleeves. He was 
 a prolific rhymer, displaying no little ingenuity, and 
 sometimes true poetic genius. 
 
 His two sons and two daughters, as I knew them, were 
 imitators of the virtues of tlie parents. The elder of the 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 117 
 
 sons, John Wesley, became an ordained local preacher, 
 and in his later years was known as "Judge " Hancock. 
 He was a devout, intelligent, true man, fully worthy of 
 being the father of the Rev. John E. Hancock, of the 
 Newark Conference, of Mrs. Daniel F. Hallock, of the 
 New York East Conference, of another daughter promi- 
 nent as a teacher in the city of Newark, X. J., and 
 of another son, intelligent, respected, and useful as a 
 layman in the Methodist Episcopal church of Madison, 
 N. J. Father Hancock's younger son, Monroe, was a 
 man of sterling qualities, a consistent Christian, honored, 
 trusted, beloved. During several years prior to his death 
 he was wholly disabled from active duty by shaking 
 paralysis. His esteemed widow still lives in a green old 
 age verging on fourscore years, the only adult member 
 of this entire notable family, as I first knew it, who is 
 yet surviving. 
 
 Two other reliable and helpful families in this neigh- 
 borhood were those of the Tunis brothers, Charles 
 and W. Whitfield — the one a blacksmith, the other a 
 farmer. Faithful in their attendance and regular in their 
 contributions, the church could always depend upon 
 them for needed cooperation. The elder brother's death 
 about thirty years ago, in the prime of a vigorous man- 
 hood, created a sad vacancy, which has been followed 
 by the wife's more recent departure, leaving two daugh- 
 ters and a son to honor the name, the latter till recently 
 an active and useful member of the borough council of 
 Madison. The quiet, industrious, exemplary life of the 
 younger brother was prolonged to his eightieth year, 
 ending in a peaceful death April 22, 1894. To him and 
 his faithful wife, who died in 1879, were born three sons 
 and si.\ daughters, of whom seven are still living as 
 worthy representatives of the dead, yet speaking, parents. 
 Their unvarying htibit of family worsliip morning and 
 
118 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 evening of each day, combined w ith right living, left a deep 
 impress for good upon the whole family. The eldest 
 son, Captain Edwa^rd C. Tunis, died suddenly in Jan- 
 uary, 1893, leaving behind an honorable record as a 
 soldier and officer in the Union army, postmaster at 
 Madison, N. J., under the Arthur administration, etc. 
 
 In the list of twenty-six probationers for 1846 repre- 
 senting the two Madisons appears the name of Melissa 
 W. Budd, behind which stands an interesting item of 
 unwritten history. In early girlhood she lived with her 
 maternal grandmother Ward, who was a staunch Presby- 
 terian, with the very strong prejudices against Metho- 
 dism so common in tliose times. But her father, Vincent 
 B. Budd, was among "the true and the tried" of our 
 brethren; and the daughter, having become a happy 
 convert among us, very naturally desired to unite with 
 the father's Church.- For a time the opposition to this 
 was vigorous and persistent, but at length her own 
 prayerful and consistent choice prevailed. To tell the 
 whole sequel would require many words, but only few 
 can be used. She afterward became the wife of Henry 
 W. Pierson, who, with herself, held useful membership in 
 the Madison church for a considerable time, and then 
 took their letters to the Chatham church, in which for 
 years he has been a leading officer, and she among the 
 most active, influential, and best-loved of its sister- 
 hood. 
 
 These glim])ses of Madison must close with this ex- 
 tract from my diary: "I would here record, especially, 
 the extreme kindness of my friend and brother, Isaac 
 Faulks, and his good lady, with whom my wife remained 
 during my absence at Conference and for some time 
 afterward. Their unwearied attention to her during a 
 sickness of several weeks calls forth my warmest grati- 
 tude. May heaven abundantly reward them!" 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 119 
 
 Bloomfiei.d, 1847-49. 
 
 Bloomfield, in the Minutes, then meant West Bloom- 
 field, now Montclair, and the old stone church in Morris 
 neighborhood, with Spdertown as a schoolhouse ap- 
 pointment. The church at Bloomfield proper was quite 
 an after consideration. The stated Sunday work con- 
 sisted of preaching three times and walking three miles, 
 with frequent leading of a class. 
 
 Among our principal families were Crane, Doremus, 
 Taylor, Sandford, Wilde, Pierson, Coit, Bai ton, Cockefair, 
 Rusby, Marr, Reford. The Rev. John N. Crane, of pre- 
 cious memory, had gone forth from the excellent home of 
 his father, Josiah Crane, to enter the itinerancy; and even 
 greater honor came to " Father" Coit and his devoted wife 
 in the call of two of their sons to thesame work. Years 
 since the Rev. John S. Coit finished his course, leaving 
 to the Church and the community a family of rare merit; 
 while the Rev. Charles S. Coit still lives in a vigorous, 
 happy, and useful old age. And the honor seems suc- 
 cessive, for the only son of the latter, the Rev. Olin B. 
 Coit, occupies an honorable position in the active min- 
 isterial ranks. 
 
 The youngest and one of the most earnest members 
 of our official board was Brother John Rusby. He had 
 always found himself too busy to give attention to the 
 subject of marriage ; but, having now concluded that he 
 must seek a wife, he made a quiet confidant of his pastor, 
 telling me freely what was in his thought and seeking 
 some needed help. Among our lady members was one 
 whom we familiarly called " Sister Abbie," a super- 
 excellent girl, who, all unconsciously, had been made an 
 object of furtive glances by the only young man in the 
 congregation who was worthy of her love. What he 
 wanted to be certain of was that no one had entered the 
 
120 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 race before him, and lie detailed me to ascertain 
 the situation, which very soon after I delicately did 
 through her sister, one of our best members, with 
 wiiom she made her home. My report was very sat- 
 isfactory, and was followed by a correspondence and 
 occasional interviews (for many of the latter he was 
 too busy), which resulted in an early engagement and 
 a short courtship, crowned by a marriage of eminent 
 and long-continued felicity. Well nigh a half century 
 has passed since Miss Abbie Holmes became Mrs. 
 John Rusby. Many children have come to that home, 
 among them a son whose name stands in the list of 
 honored members of the Newark Conference, Samuel 
 O. Rusby. 
 
 Our nearest neighbor at the left was a venerable 
 local preacher, the Rev. John Lee, intelligent and tal- 
 ented. He loved to preach, and his sermons were 
 quite above the average. Opposite the parsonage was 
 another family with which we were drawn into close 
 relations. The wife and mother, Mrs. Littell, though 
 belonging to another Church, acted the part of a true 
 sister or motlier toward my wife, who was much her 
 junior. 
 
 The one event of chief personal interest to us during 
 our residence here was the advent of our firstborn living 
 child, whom we named Fannie, in honor of Miss Fannie 
 McElwee, of Paterson, an intimate friend of the mother 
 and one of the two young ladies who had officiated as 
 bridesmaids at her marriage. She has quite outlived 
 both the mother and the child, and, though much 
 afflicted, she is waiting in cheerful patience and hope 
 until her change shall come. Her associate brides- 
 maid, Miss Jane Smylie, berame Mrs. C. T. Vander- 
 voort, and after a brief married life passed to her heav- 
 enly rest. 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 121 
 
 WooDROW, Staten Island, N. Y., 1849-51. 
 
 This was a new charge, one pastor having previously 
 been preacher in charge at both A\'oodrow and Bethel 
 Churches; now they were separated and a pastor ap- 
 pointed to each. The support of two preachers, instead 
 of one, as formerly, was looked upon as a serious experi- 
 ment; but the new arrangement worked surpassingly 
 well, each pastor — the Rev. Mulford Day at Bethel, and 
 myself at Woodrow — receiving an ample support. In- 
 deed, although my annual appro[)riation was only three 
 hundred dollars and a visit, I left the charge with more 
 clear money in my pocket than ever before ur ever since, 
 with a possible exception or two. The secret was that 
 \ ery much of our li\ ing was supplied by the generous 
 gifts of tlie people, reducing our table exijenses, horse 
 keeping, etc., well-nigh to a minimum of cost to us. 
 
 Besides the regular i)reaciiing services at AN oodrow 
 Church every Sunday morning and afternoon or even- 
 ing, I made appointments at l>louming\ ie\v, now Hugue- 
 not, Newtown, now Clifford's, and Androvett's, now 
 Kreischerville, where we had a flourishing class. At 
 Bloomingview we also had a good class, Mhich met 
 at Mother Cole's, widow of the Rev. "William Cole, a 
 widely known and very useful ordained local preacher. 
 The two daughters, Mrs. Mary Ann Cole, a widow, and 
 Miss Jane Cole, who years afterward became the wife 
 of the Rev. William M. Sandford, of Belleville, N. J., lived 
 in the old homestead with the aged mother. O how 
 many were the delightful visits which we enjoyed in 
 that consecrated home! It became needful to appoint 
 a new leader for this class. Who should be selected.' 
 My thoughts turned toward one of our younger men, 
 but he most earnestly begged to be excused. Feeling 
 assured, however, of his integrity, intelligence, and fit- 
 
122 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 ness all around, I i)rci)arcd a new class book, entering 
 the name of James Ivldy as leader. He has since been 
 living all through tlje years a trusted and useful officer 
 of Woodrow Church, a worthy brother of Samuel Eddy, 
 Esq., of Morristown, N. J., so well-known in religious, 
 social, and business circles. 
 
 Newtown was rendered a point of special interest by 
 the residence of Father Boehm very near the school- 
 house where, every two weeks, our services were held on 
 Sunday afternoon. His family was four in number — 
 himself and cheery wife. Aunty Boehm, with two of the 
 daughters. Misses Lizzie and Sarah, who had given to 
 their cozy home the poetic title of " Sweetbriar Cot- 
 tage." Here ready and entertaining conversation never 
 languished, a strong social element being always a 
 prominent feature of the place. The youngest daugh- 
 ter, Miss Mary, had just been captured for wifehood by 
 the Rev. Amos N. Mulnix, of the New York Ccjiifer- 
 ence — a happy marriage, resulting, among many other 
 good things, in giving to the ('hurch anotlier minister, 
 the Rev. Henry Boehm Molyneaux (Mulnix). Sarah 
 in course of time became Mrs. ^\'ood, and afterward 
 Mrs. David Teed. Removing to the West, one of 
 her daughters became the wife of one of our ministers 
 there. Lizzie, Father Boehm's eldest daughter, was 
 well-known for several years as Mrs. Emley, she and 
 her gentlemanly husband fre(iuently ministering to her 
 father's comfort in his very old age. Father Boehm 
 had one son, Henry ALartin, who died before reaching 
 middle life, leaving a wife and one daughter. He was 
 at the head of a select school for boys at Fresh Kill, 
 now Green Ridge. His cai)abilities were of a high 
 order. By no other man have I ever heard the Declara- 
 tion of American Lidependence read so grandly as once 
 by him. It was at the home of his widow that our ven- 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 123 
 
 erated centenarian breathed his last December 28, 
 1875- 
 
 South of Father Boehm's, near Great Kills and over- 
 looking Sandy Hook Bay, was another delightful visit- 
 ing place, Captain Abram Cole's. He was an invalid, 
 shut out from all business and shut within the precincts 
 of his own quiet home. Here the pastor, with his 
 family, was always made welcome by the generous host 
 and hostess. Years after the parents had passed away 
 a call at the old place by the writer and his sons on a 
 little yachting expedition was met with the old warmth 
 of welcome from the son residing there. It was far 
 more than a social pleasure, it was a true spiritual com- 
 fort, to learn that Cornelius Cole was a Christian and 
 active in church work, though in another communion. 
 
 Pleasant Plains was then a part of Woodrow charge 
 and had a good vigorous class, of which Brother Israel 
 Laforge was leader, assisted by Brother J. K. Avis. 
 That was the nucleus of a church and of a separate 
 charge, which became verities but a few years after- 
 ward; since which time that good, compact society has 
 been giving a comfortable sup[)ort to successive pastors 
 and making a creditable record of usefulness in church 
 work generally. 
 
 At Androvett's great changes afterward came. A 
 chapel was built and for a time profitably used; but at 
 length Methodism in organized form was completely 
 crowded out by the foreign element which settled about 
 the brick factories at Kreischerville. 
 
 Rossville was not then a preaching place, though it 
 was the chief village within the bounds of the charge, 
 located on the Staten Island Sound near the principal 
 steamboat landing, and the post office center of quite 
 an extensive population. Here we had a class of which 
 Brother Mark Winant was the leader, at whose house 
 
124 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 the meetings were held. He gave one of his daughters 
 in marriage to Mr. Reed Benedict, who since then has 
 become prominent in business and a chief supporter of 
 Grace Church at Port Richmond, Staten Island. Most 
 of the family removed to California. My first arrival at 
 Rossville was marked by a unique event. A young 
 man who had died elsewhere was to be brought here 
 for burial from St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church, 
 the mother being a member of that communion. But 
 St. Luke's was without a rector, and I was the only 
 minister within reach ; so I was invited by those in 
 charge of the church to officiate, which I did, having 
 the full freedom of chancel, reading desk, and pulpit. 
 The first entry in my memorandum book for that charge 
 was this: " May 3, 1849. Funeral of Mrs. Jackson's 
 son. Job xvi, 22." 
 
 My pastorate here was rendered memorable by a two- 
 fold enterprise — the payment of the church debt of 
 about $1,200, and the building of a new parsonage. 
 The subscriptions toward the debt, as my book shows, 
 stand in connection with one hundred names less three, 
 the sums ranging from twenty-five dollars down to 
 twenty-five cents. This, of course, means work in both 
 soliciting and collecting the subscriptions; but it was 
 work involving far less of wear and tear of body, mind, 
 and conscience than the holding of fairs, festivals, etc., 
 would have necessitated. Lideed, these things had not 
 in those days become at all fashionable in Methodist 
 circles, so that an attempt to raise money for the Lord's 
 cause by such means would have greatly shocked, not 
 to say paralyzed, the average Methodist church. The 
 change since then is marked, even marvelous; who 
 shall say it is for the better.? To the writer, at least, it 
 is a real satisfaction to look back and remember that 
 by means of plain, honest, loving appeals, followed by 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 125 
 
 the direct payment of hard cash, we freed the Lord's 
 house from the incubus of a troublesome debt without 
 resorting to doubtful expedients. 
 
 Woodrow had had a church for more than sixty years, 
 but had never owned a parsonage. Now the need of 
 one was sorely felt, especially as the renting of a suitable 
 house was found to be impracticable. The two occupied 
 by us during our time there were quite below the grade 
 of suitableness, but were the best that could be obtained 
 under the circumstances. So, with the church debt 
 provided for, vigorous steps were taken toward the erec- 
 tion of a parsonage, the land for which, adjoining the 
 church lot, was surveyed January 6, 1851. Mysuccessor 
 in the following April was the Rev. Wesley Robertson, 
 who was the first to occupy the new building, which 
 after a few years was enlarged to its present size. 
 
 Under date of March 17 my diary contains this entry: 
 "Twenty-three have joined as the fruit of our late extra 
 effort, and others will. Our net increase for the two 
 years will be about forty." Woodrow Church at that 
 time had an extensive parish, embracing a considerable 
 number of strong men and interesting, influential fam- 
 ilies. Among the young men no one, perhaps, was more 
 worthy of special mention for nobleness of spirit, warmth 
 of friendship, and open-handed generosity than Brother 
 I. Washington Cole; and no lady proved herself more 
 thoughtfully appreciative than did Mrs. Moore in her 
 recognition of the services at Newtown, though she be- 
 longed to another Church — the special form of recogni- 
 tion being a set of silver spoons bearing the inscription 
 " N. v.," a gift as useful as it was beautiful. 
 
 Belleville, N. J., 185 1, 1852. 
 In Methodist annals this was old historic ground. 
 Some years before the planting of Methodism in Newark 
 9 
 
126 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 it had taken root in Ik'ileville, whence it spread to New- 
 ark and otlier adjacent localities. Prominent in its early 
 history was the Rev. John Dow, who, with his large 
 family, held a connnantling inlluence. 1 found there a 
 plain, substantial church edifice, built of brick and dedi- 
 cated a few )e:ns before by the Rev. Charles Pitman, 
 his sermon, as 1 remember, being fountled on Isaiah 
 .\.\v, y. 'I'he mcmbershii) \\ as neither \-ery large nor 
 remarkably harmonious. The following names repre- 
 sent the chief members and families of the church: 
 lirower, Williams, Sandford, C.'oUard, Molmes, ^Vhitefleld, 
 Pennett, Osborn, Coeyman, Pyle, Nuttall, Ackerman, 
 'Pice, Kinney, Crissey, Cole, Negles, King. 
 
 On the op[)osite side of the Passaic River, near the 
 present borough of Arlington, was the inviting home of 
 Mrs. Condict, a lady of wealth wlio held membership 
 in another communion; but her great desire to be useful 
 led her to fit u]) a room in her commodious house for 
 Sunday school purposes. 'I'he result was a well-attended, 
 orderly school, under the wise and efficient superintend- 
 ence of Brother Hugh Holmes. In this neighborhood 
 lived our faithful milkman, Mr. Ab)rgan, from whom and 
 whose family came generous support to the church; 
 and here occasional ])reaching services during the week 
 were arranged for. 
 
 Jhit our chief week-night ap[)ointment was Mont- 
 gomery, l)ing west of Pielleville on the way to Jiloom- 
 field. Here we preaclied every other P'riday e\'ening 
 to a fair-sized (-ongicgatidn; and here were the \'rce- 
 land, lilamey, ( 'ris]), \\'inne, l<"urlong, and other families. 
 
 'I'he longest wacation of m\' ininistr\' occurieil in the 
 summer of this year. It was |)lanned by my wife's 
 noble, generous-hearted uncle, Mr. Porcnzo Moses, of 
 New York, a staunch Presbyterian, but with a warm 
 side toward all good people. Our party was to consist 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 127 
 
 of his <iOod w ile, w hom we al\va\ s enjoyed calliiiL; "Atuit 
 Eli/a," togetlier with my wife and myself, the uncle 
 makinij; nic treasurer of the funds which he deemed 
 needful for our tri|). 
 
 So on llie niorninu; of July 15 we took train at Pater- 
 son, or. the New \'ork antl Krie Railway, f^)r Jiuffalo, 
 rid Dunkirk, which meant a steand)oat ride of forty 
 miles on Lake ICrie, mostly Iiefore dayliglit the next 
 morning;; for then there were no trains runnin<,r direct to 
 lUiffalo. Our objective point was 1 ,()ck|iort, thirty-one 
 miles farther on. Hut how could we reai h it ? ()nl\' liy 
 canal packet, ipiile a new mode of traxel to us. .\t 
 10 .V. M. we cmi)arked, and reached our destination at 
 4 1'. M., after a reall\- enjox ahlc trip, folioweil h}' one of 
 the warmest of welcomes from Mr. Marcus Moses, who 
 took us at once to Ids pleasant home, where a week's 
 enterlainnient of the best type awaited us. lie was a 
 cousin to m_\- father-in-law and to the iin( le spoken of 
 'When Sunda}' morniuL^' came 1 preachetl b)' previous 
 invitation to a larL;e congregation for the Rev. Mr. 
 Kingsley, pastor of the ^Methodist Kinscopal church, 
 who also insisted on m\' preac hing in the afternoon 
 and so announced to his jieople. Besides doing this, 
 1 attended serv ice in the ]",[)i>( i ipal churcdi at 2:30 v. .m., 
 and at night heard the Rev. ?\Ir. \\'isner, Presbyterian, 
 ])rea(;li in his large c:hur(di, where I was in\ ited to (jffer 
 the opening prayer. 'Phus I had a \ er\- busy day. 
 
 What would visiting strangers at l.oc k|)ort now think 
 of being obliged to reach Niagara f alls, twenty-two 
 miles distant, by horses and carriage as the oidy mode 
 of ( ()n\e\ ance? A connecting railroad came later. .My 
 diary shows how we passed Monda\', July 21: "Set off 
 at 7 A. M. for Niagara Falls, arriving about 11. S])ent 
 considerable time on Goat Island, jiassing cpiite around 
 it in our carriage. After dinner crossed by suspension 
 
128 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 bridge to Canada side, viewed falls, rode down to whirl- 
 pool, thence to Brock's monument and Queenstown, 
 where crossed anqther suspension bridge to the States, 
 rode down to Youngstown, thence to Fort Niagara, 
 through which we were shown by one of the officers, and 
 thence returned to Lockport, arriving about ii p. m." 
 
 After two more days added to our delightful visit 
 here, we left by packet for Rochester, accompanied by 
 " Cousin Nancy " and daughter, to visit other cousins 
 in that city— Dr. Moses, Councilman Schuyler Moses, 
 Mr. Dunn and wife, etc. Saturday afternoon I received 
 a call from three of the Methodist ])astors — the Rev. 
 Messrs. Copeland, Alden, and another whose name has 
 escaped me — each of whom made request for help in 
 his pulpit on the next day. I found Brother Copeland's 
 cliurch, known as "the chapel," a very large building, 
 with a good congregation, to whicli I preached at 10:30 
 A. M., though with great difficulty, being very hoarse. In 
 the afternoon I preached for the brother whose name 
 I have forgotten over a store in North Street, and at 
 night for Brother Alden in a new church west of the 
 canal. On Monday came a i)ackct excursion of thirty- 
 seven miles to Mount Morris to visit still other cousins. 
 
 The next day a carriage ride of fourteen miles took 
 us to Portage, to see the falls with their wonderful 
 scenery, and to visit other friends. Returning to Mount 
 Morris, we took packet toward evening on our return 
 trip to Rochester, where the next morning we boarded a 
 train for New York, with many sweet recollections of the 
 places and friends visited and the new acquaintances 
 formed. Saturday, August 2, found us snugly fixed 
 again in the ])arsonage at Belleville, after a twenty days' 
 vacation packed all full of marvelous sightseeing, social 
 enjoyment, and Christian work. 
 
 The most blessed event of this Conference year was 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 129 
 
 the glorious revival that came to us, in which, according 
 to my recollection, fifty or more, mostly young persons, 
 professed conversion. Many of our meetings were of 
 intense interest and of great power. Under date of 
 Sunday, April 4, 1852, I wrote: "Memorable Sabbath! 
 Preached from Prov. iv, 18, 'The path of the just,' etc., 
 after which I baptized eight of the converts and admin- 
 istered the Lord's Sapper. In the afternoon attended 
 Sunday school prayer meeting, at close of which the 
 converts presented me a large and beautiful Bible." 
 That venerated book was adopted as our chief family 
 Bible, in which the family record has been kept from 
 that time to the present. It bears upon its front cover 
 this affectionate inscription: " Presented to Rev. Nicholas 
 Vansant by the converts of the M. E. Church, Belleville, 
 N. J." Seldom, if ever, have I seen a more happy or 
 more united company of young converts than were they; 
 but a sorrowful surprise awaited both them and their pas- 
 tor in the near future, as will be shown by what follows. 
 
 New Brunswick, 1852-54. 
 
 " The providence of God moves in mazes intricate, 
 
 Eccentric, intervolved; yet regular 
 
 The most, when most irregular they seem." 
 
 A Sturdy Christian faith is bound to accept this as 
 true, since it accords so fully with the inspired declara- 
 tion of the psalmist: " Clouds and darkness are round 
 about him: righteousness and judgment are the habita- 
 tion of his throne." The clouds and darkness are ap- 
 parent, being objects of sense or of reason ; but the 
 righteousness and judgment so often ob.scured by these 
 clouds and darkness can be perceived only by a faith 
 keen enough and strong enough to penetrate them and 
 to read unswerving rectitude in God's eternal throne. 
 Such a faith was needed by the churcli at Belleville, and 
 
130 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 especially by its new converts, in the si)iing of 1852, 
 under the strangely sudden removal of their pastor. 
 
 He went to Conference " with gladness and singleness 
 of heart," bearing a gootl report of success under the 
 divine blessing, and without a thought of possible dis- 
 turbance by any other church or by ])residing elder or 
 bishop. Alas, for all his pleasant dreams of another 
 happy and prosperous year in the old charge! An 
 official of the Liberty Street Church, New ]5runswick, 
 introducing himself, said to me, 
 
 "I am here with authority from our official board to 
 ask the bishoj) to appoint you to us as our pastor." 
 
 "O no," said I, "you are mistaken; it is my brother 
 Samuel you mean." 
 
 "No, it is you, Nicholas Vansant, whom we want," was 
 his quick res]jonse. 
 
 " ]!ut I have been at Belleville only one year," I said, 
 "and I ought to stay there another, especially to take 
 care of the converts which a recent revival has brought 
 to us." 
 
 "() yes," he rejjlied, "we understand all that, but you 
 are needed at our church, and we have agreed unani- 
 mously to rcipiest \-our ai>])ointment." 
 
 The reader may infer the outcome ; for it was a case 
 of a stronger church against a weaker, and whoever 
 knew the old maxim that "might makes right" to fail 
 even in church administration ?— a maxim musty with 
 age, but not effete in vigor. The quite too rare excep- 
 tions are jjcculiarly refreshing. 
 
 My old charge fell bereft and the converts wejit like 
 children. At a meeting promptly called a committee 
 was appointed to wait on Bisho]) Janes and secure, if 
 possible, a reversal of his action. It was understood 
 that he was at iiis country home near Bernardsville, and 
 the committee set out by carriage to find him there; but 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 131 
 
 as the journey was long Ukv nuisl of neccssit)- pass a 
 night on the way. 'J'lienext cla\- Inouglit with il a storm 
 of unusual severity, gullxint; the roads, swceiiing away 
 bridges, and otlierwise scrionsl\- obstructing travel. 
 What could they do but abandon their trij) and return 
 home, which they did. 
 
 A sliort time before my appointment to New Bruns- 
 wick the Rev. John D. lilain, my predecessor, had gone 
 to California as a missionary, having left behind him 
 many proc^fsof his zeal and success, among them the new 
 Pitman Church, ])lanned ami erected imder his super- 
 vision. The formal dedication occurred August 12. 
 the sermons being i)reaclicd by l\ev. John Kennaday, 
 the Rev. William V. Corbit, and T.ishop K. .S. Janes. 
 Brothers Charles S. Coit and James M. Freeman were my 
 colleagues, the lormer holding a special pastoral relation 
 to the new church. Our first Sabbath in the city was 
 passed together at the Liberty Street Church, each of us 
 preaching a sermon, Jlrother Freeman being on duty at 
 Milltown. After the evening service, in passing along 
 the sidewalk I overheard some ladies ahead of me talk- 
 ing thus: "Well, how- did you like the young man this 
 evening?" "First rate," was the ready answer; and 
 another spoke and said, " Yes, and I liked the old man 
 this morning too." At that time I was less than thirty- 
 one years of age, being slightly the junior of Brother 
 Coit; but he was then unmarried. 
 
 Thechiefworkingand contributing force of the churches 
 and congregations in tliis charge ma}' be rejiresented by 
 this partial list of names: Ednuuuls — three families — Stout, 
 local preacher, Bis]u)p,Speer, Miller, Cheeseman, Cornell, 
 Owen, Rogers, Durant, I'ette, Ashmore, Fine, Helm, Carl, 
 Vankirk, local jjreacher, Johnson, Holland, Strong, 
 Provost, Patterson, Buzzie, Conover, Jeffries, Edgerton, 
 Meyer, Stewart, Grover, Buckalew, l*-llis, Rusling. 
 
132 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 One of the happy circumstances of my pastorate here 
 was the special privilege it gave me of association with 
 Ur. McClintock, then Editor of our Quarterly Reviciv, 
 who for a time resided here. His social character, as 
 also that of his family, was charming. He soon came 
 to know of my ambition for mental improvement, and 
 cordially invited me to come to his study once or twice 
 a week to recite lessons in Greek, which I gladly did 
 with encouraging success. This was my first opportunity 
 to study under a competent teacher that beautiful lan- 
 guage. Of course, the text-book used was McClintock 
 & Crooks's First Lessons. My confidence in Dr. Mc- 
 Clintock's friendship was so thorough that I could 
 preach before him with far less intimidation than before 
 some other men with only a tithe of his scholarship and 
 culture. His occasional sermons in our jjulpits afforded 
 rare enjoyment. Among his wise suggestions to me, 
 always so welcome, was this: " The opening of your ser- 
 mons is too emphatic. The congregation are then 
 cool, unimpassioned, and not jjrepared to respond to 
 deep emotion or to great earnestness of voice or manner 
 in the preacher. But by moderation in the beginning 
 and a gradual warming into emotion and earnestness he 
 can carry them up to a state of feeling corresponding 
 with his own." 
 
 An incident will illustrate his warm-heartedness and 
 his tenacious remembrance of old friends, whether emi- 
 nent or obscure. Memorial services in honor of Bishop 
 Waugh were being held at Forsyth Street Church, New 
 York, in February, 1858, at which Dr. McClintock was 
 present, thougli, having just arrived after a long ab- 
 sence in Europe, he took a seat near the door. Being 
 obliged to leave before the conclusion, I was about to 
 open the door and pass out when a gentle nudge ar- 
 rested my attention and, looking around, I found it to 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 133 
 
 be a friendly signal from Dr. McClintock's cane; then 
 came the old warm grasp of the hand, and then the 
 added salutation, " Glad to see you! Come and see me; 
 I want to have a chat with you." Such was Dr. McCIin- 
 tock in the warmth and endurance of his personal 
 friendships — "one of a thousand." 
 
 While here there came to me the rare pleasure of 
 hearing the great Daniel Webstci in the Day .S: Good- 
 year rubber suit. Our residence here also gave oppor- 
 tunity to become acquainted with that distinguished ci- 
 vilian and educator, the Hon. Tlieodore Frelinghuysen, 
 President of Rutgers College. Scarcely too much could 
 be said of his great abilities and manifold excellences. 
 Among the many good causes to the promotion of which 
 he gave his telling energies was the great temperance 
 reform. One of the grandest meetings ever held in the 
 interest of this cause was the Middlesex County Con- 
 vention, which met in the Liberty Street Methodist 
 Episcopal Church October 20, 1852, the speakers at the 
 day meeting being Messrs. McDonald, Jackson, and 
 Frelinghuysen. The address of the last named was one 
 never to be forgotten. He was at his best and spoke 
 with surpassing power, producing an enthusiasm well- 
 nigh unbounded. The evening meeting was also a nota- 
 ble one, the speakers being the Rev. William McDon- 
 ald, Neal Dow, and the Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler. Of 
 course, Neal Dow was the hero of the hour and gave 
 " a convincing argument," as I made record at the time. 
 He was our guest at the parsonage, the remembrance of 
 which has always been associated in our minds with a 
 sense of honor in having entertained such a guest. My 
 acquaintance with Brother McDonald began about this 
 time, and we were honored in also having him for a 
 guest. For many years his has been the noble and use- 
 ful work of promoting by both voice and pen the special 
 
134 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 cause of Bible holiness, defending and advocating it 
 from the true A\'esleyan standpoint. To human seeming 
 such men ought to live a thousand years! 
 
 During our time in this charge one of the sorest vis- 
 itations of rro\ idence came to our home in the sickness 
 and death of our little Fannie, four and a half years old. 
 Her portrait, one of Theodore fine's finest oil paintings, 
 indicates even to tlie most impartial eyes her impressive 
 loveliness. The artist was guided by a daguerreotype 
 taken some months before her death; and to insure per- 
 fect correctness we requested Mr. (afterward the Hon.) 
 James Bishop, Dr. McClintock, and ]5crhaps one or two 
 other friends who knew her well, to visit Mr. Pine's 
 studio and make any suggestions that might seem need- 
 ful, which they kindly did. The finished picture was 
 strikingly lifelike and eminently satisfactory, the one 
 truly ideal ])irture of our home for more than forty 
 years. 'J'his great bereavement is sj^oken of more at 
 lengtli in the writer's book, Railid M'ccpiii!:^ for Her 
 CliilJrcn, p;iges 90-94, which is ])ul)lished by the Meth- 
 odist Jiook Concern, New York. "When liishop Janes, 
 afterward visiting us, saw and read the original lines 
 there given, J spoke of them as " rhymes," to which he 
 tersely answered, "They are more than rhymes; they 
 are genuine poetry." There was one sustaining close fra- 
 ternal relations toward us who could especially sympa- 
 ihi/.c witli us in our bereavement by reason of his own 
 far heas ier aflbction. Between the first Mrs. Freeman, 
 wife of the Re\-. J. M. k'reeman, and our ])recious one 
 there was a lender attacliment, and in their death they 
 were divided by only two intervening ilays. That she 
 was a truly model woman, wife, and friend will be read- 
 ily conceded by all who ever knew her. 
 
 In the latter ])art of my last year arrangements were 
 made, as in a late former charge, for the erection of a 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 135 
 
 new parsonage, and with this in view a certain Sabbatli 
 was set apart for the raising of a building fund. Aided 
 by the stirring sermons and appeals of the Rev. William 
 M. D. Ryan, of Philadelphia, the day was crowned with 
 a good measure of success. The house was built on 
 Bayard Street, and the next year occupied by my suc- 
 cessor, the Rev. Samuel Y. Monroe. 
 
 As I review my pastorate here I can readily perceive 
 that the serious impairment of my health was the result 
 of plain, natural causes, but causes to which at the time 
 I was largely blinded. Being ambitious to accomplisli 
 the best results in the ])ulpit and elsewhere, I worked 
 excessively, especially in tlio matter of niglil study. 
 The question of Gay, in his jjoem of 1712, " Tlie Shep- 
 herd's Week," 
 
 " Hath thy toil 
 O'er books consumed the midnight oil ? " 
 
 quite fails to indicate the full measure of my folly in 
 nocturnal study. The habitual consuming of the "mid- 
 night " oil would have been bad enough ; but the addi- 
 tion of one, two, sometimes even tliree hours in study, 
 meant far more than a simple consumption of oil or its 
 equivalent — it meant a slow, but sure, consuming of my 
 vital energies. 
 
 All the horrors of chronic dyspepsia intervened, 
 which ceased not to cling to me in greater or less 
 severity for twenty-five years, and the gliostly shadow 
 of which will doiibtlesslv haunt me to my grave. Just 
 then my situation was iciulcrcd the more trying by the 
 near approach of our Annual Conference which was to 
 meet in the Liberty Street Church, the chief labor of 
 preparing for which fell, of course, upon the pastor. 
 Among the visitors at that Conference was Dr. J. M. 
 Howe, of Passaic, N. J., who temporarily became our 
 guest, and by whom valuable suggestions were made 
 
136 
 
 Sunset Memories- 
 
 concerning my health. Besides recommending his in- 
 haling tube, he instructed me in such processes of 
 kneading, tapping, and pommeling the abdominal mus- 
 cles, supplemented by simple calisthenics, as proved of 
 unspeakable service in affording relief and leading to 
 measurable recovery. Indeed, my honest conviction 
 is that in the absence of the knowledge thus afforded I 
 should have been dead long ago. The manipulations 
 in my case were of far greater service than the tube. 
 
 The Conference opened April 12, 1854, and was pre- 
 sided over by Bishop Waugh, who found a pleasant 
 home in one of- our excellent families, Brother Jephtha 
 Cheeseman's. The session was marked by a phenome- 
 nal snowstorm, which came during Saturday night, the 
 15th, and was followed by a cold wintry wind on 
 Sunday. A free use of shovels was needed to clear the 
 sidewalks and make passageways to the doors of tlie 
 churches. 
 
 Two facts of very dissimilar importance may be 
 added. One relates to the adojition of tlie pastor's 
 name for a dear boy in the family of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Robert ^\'i!son, making it pleasant to reflect after 
 leaving that, in one family at least, the name would 
 be held in remembrance. The other fact relates to 
 a watch night service and its blessed outcome. Dr. 
 Joseph Holdich preached and otherwise assisted. 
 A solitary mourner bowed at the altar — an intelligent, 
 comely young lady prominently connected with the 
 Sunday school, of which Brother Bishop was the cul- 
 tured and efficient superintendent. For long and 
 weary montiis she had been a seeker at home and at 
 the church. Though much discouraged, she now re- 
 solved to seek once more. Menioralile niijlit on which 
 Miss Henrietta Deeth realized tin; new-found joy of 
 pardoned sin! Her goodly fellowsliip witii the church 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 137 
 
 incited to fresh zeal and increased usefulness. A few 
 years later she became the wife of Mayor Ezekiel 
 Patterson. 
 
 COMMKRCE StREK I', BrIDGETOX, 1 854-56. 
 
 Many were the circumstances that combined to 
 render our term of service here a happy and prosperous 
 one : 
 
 1. A good parsonage, owned by the church, nearly 
 new, and far better than the average in those times. 
 
 2. A spiritual and well-organized church. Our peo- 
 ple believed in class meetings and attended them, as 
 well as the other means of grace. The stewards, lead- 
 ers, and trustees were all godly men and men of good 
 business capabilities, which they used in the affairs of 
 the church. 
 
 3. Large, attentive congregations, filling the church 
 below, and frequently filling the three galleries above. 
 If any were inclined to rudeness the trustees were so 
 distributed in all sections of the house, under their own 
 wise arrangement, as to be able promptly to detect and 
 as promptly to clieck all signs of disorder. 
 
 '4. A large and harmonious chorus choir, under the 
 able, discreet leadership of Brother A. L). Maul. 
 
 5. A united membership, more free from jealousies 
 and bickerings than most others, with a wholesome 
 equality of financial condition and social position — none 
 very rich, and none very poor. 
 
 6. The good feeling and fellowship between the two 
 churches of our denomination. Commerce Street and 
 Trinity or Fayette Street. 
 
 7. Tlie respect and confidence of the other denomi- 
 nations. Two circumstances lieliicil to bring me into 
 very pleasant ])ersonal relations ^\•ith the Presbyterians. 
 One was the fact that our Conference had met at Com- 
 
138 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 nierce Street in i<S53, and that 1 had been assigned for 
 cntcitainnicnt to the goodly home of Mr. Henry 
 Lupton, a prominent member and officer of the Presby- 
 terian church, Dr. Durbin, the Rev. Rol)ert L. Dashiel, 
 then of Baltimore Conference, and my brother Samuel 
 having also been assigned to the same place. Tliis 
 gave me opportunity to become acquainted with Mr. 
 Lujjton and his excellent sister and housekeeper a year 
 in advance of my appointment to that town. The other 
 circumstance referred to was that the annual meeting 
 of the Cumberland County fJible Society would be iield 
 early in May at the I'resbyterian church, and that under 
 an established rule it would be the turn of the Com- 
 merce Street jjastor to preach the sermon. Our recent 
 arrival and the unsettled condition of the parsonage 
 made this embarrassing, but duty seemed to recjuire 
 submiission to the venerable usage. When the day came 
 I was blessed with nuich freedom in discoursing from 
 the text, " Thy testimonies are wonderful." This occa- 
 sion afforded me opportunity to make the acquaintance 
 of the Rev. Dr. Jones, the able and influential pastor of 
 the church, together with that of Judge Elmer, John T. 
 Nixon, Esq., af'terward judge, and other prominent 
 citizens. 
 
 8. The delightful companionship of fellow Confer- 
 ence associates. Two of these resided in the town. 
 Brothers Alexander L. Brice, pastor of Trinity, and 
 Samuel Parker, a sui)ernumerary engaged in kce])ing a 
 book and stationery store. AVe were all partial invalids 
 and needed physical recruiting; and with this in- view 
 we made frecjuent excursions to field or forest, where, 
 secluded from public gaze, we could practice various 
 athletics, as running, jumping, leaping, climbing, etc. 
 Whether or not these exercises contributed essentially 
 to our physical invigoration, they certainly did afford 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 139 
 
 large measures of physical and social enjoyment. 
 Krotlier Benjamin ¥. Woolston was in 1855 appointed 
 l)astor at Roadstown, four miles away, and him we were 
 invited to visit at liis boarding place, his host being an 
 officer of the church there and tlie owner of a very fine 
 peach orchard. It was just the right season of year for 
 plucking the ri[)e, rich fruit, and we were given the fice- 
 dom of the orchard. Never did four men of the cloth 
 more fully enjoy such a freedom. Remembering my 
 dyspeptic troubles, I at first i)lurked and ate very 
 charily; but after a while, so tempting was the luscious 
 fruit, I began to reason thus: "Well, in any case I 
 must suffer, so as well be hung for a sheep as for a 
 lamb." Strolling from tree to tree, we made the com- 
 pass of that delectable orchard, until every palate was 
 satisfied and every capacity repletcd. Of course, I ex- 
 pected to pass a sleei)less, suffering night; but, instead 
 of this, I rested in unusual (piietness and comfort, from 
 which I learned that among the specially wholesome 
 fruits for dyspeptics is the peach in its fuUgrown, ripe, 
 and fresh condition. That was a happy day for soul 
 and body. Where are Brothers Rrice, Parker, and 
 Woolston.' (lone! And I alone am left. 
 
 9. 'The unusual number of families from which came 
 invitations for social visits by the pastor and his family. 
 Not to have accejitetl these would have been to deny 
 ourselves the pleasure of corilial and eminently enjoy- 
 able entertainment in numerous excellent homes. A long 
 list of names is ])efore me, Init, as all cannot ])e written, 
 I mention none, w ith a single exception, that of lii'other 
 I^ayton B. \\ liitakcr, with wh<_)m, in addition to general 
 church and social relations, there sprang uj) a small 
 business matter in which he showed a genuine si)irit of 
 unselfish kindness and accommodation. \'ears since 
 he passed to his reward, leaving a devoted wife and 
 
140 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 two daughters to represent his pure character and 
 life. 
 
 lo. The good revivals which crowned the united labors 
 of the pastor and ^people. One of these occurred each 
 year, giving us forty probationers the first year, and eighty- 
 nine the second. We had a strong working force of loyal 
 men and women, with whom it was no hardship to carry 
 forward our revival campaigns. Among the names added 
 to our probationers' list was that of Charles F. Sheppard. 
 He was a faithful boy, graduating in due time to full 
 membership, who felt called to the ministry, gave him- 
 self to study, entered the Philadelphia Conference, mar- 
 ried a sister of Dr. R. L. Dashiel, and for many years 
 has been a busy, successful pastor in the Wilmington 
 Conference. Another honored name may be fitly men- 
 tioned in this connection. Before the Leaders and Stew- 
 ards' Meeting there came an application in behalf of 
 Benjamin O. Parvin for an exhorter's license. He was 
 recommended and the license issued, which was followed 
 soon after with a local preacher's license, and, in the 
 spring of 1856, by his admission on trial in the New Jer- 
 sey Conference. One year later liis appointment fell in 
 the Newark Conference, of whicli he has continued a 
 beloved member until now. His career in the active 
 pastoral work M-as brief by reason of insufficient health; 
 but his eminent usefulness in the Second Church, now 
 Trinity, of Rahway, where he resides, is proof of his 
 helpful influence in counsel, holy living, and Christian 
 work. Once, when his presiding elder, I saw him se- 
 verely tested, but found him as inflexible for the right as 
 the test was hard to bear. 
 
 Toward the close of this pastorate a new joy came to 
 our home in the birth of a precious daughter, Julia, who, 
 having grown to a true womanhood, became the wife of 
 Mr. Charles A. Dennis, of Newark, N. J., and the happy 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 141 
 
 mother of the three winsome children, two daughters 
 and a son, who now cheer their home. 
 
 During our term here opportunity came for another 
 vacation. My objective point was Rock Island, on the 
 Mississippi, where lived my eldest brother. Setting out 
 alone at Philadelphia, my first halting place was Cincin- 
 nati, where I took occasion to cross over to Covington, 
 Ky., in search of several relations whom I had never 
 seen, descendants of my father's half-brother Joel. It 
 was' a pleasure to meet them. Then came a trip by 
 steamer twenty miles down the Ohio to Lawrenceburg, 
 where we transferred to a train pointing northward. I 
 remembered that a former Conference associate in New 
 Jersey, the Rev. Asaph C. Vandewater, was then resid- 
 ing at Thorntown, Ind., right in the line of travel; him 
 I must visit, if only for a few hours, which I did, a later 
 train bearing me on to Indianapolis, where the niglit was 
 passed. The next day came Michigan City and Chicago, 
 when a Rock Island train was boarded for the balance 
 of the journey. Having become domiciled at my broth- 
 er's house in his absence, it was not wonderful that upon 
 entering a short time after he should fail to recognize 
 me, for about twenty years had passed since I, a boy, had 
 tearfully said good-bye to him on his removal to the "far 
 AVest." 
 
 That visit marked one of the greenest spots of my life. 
 Among those whom I had the honor of becoming ac- 
 quainted with were Judge Spencer and his family. He 
 had known much of pioneer life, but was now enjoying 
 the quiet competency and comfort of a substantial city 
 home. Here several delightful hours were passed as 
 an invited guest with my brother and his genial wife. 
 It was " meet and right " that one of the boys of that 
 home should grow up and become an eminent minister 
 among us. 
 10 
 
142 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 The next Sunday developed the following coinci- 
 dences : To the congregation at Rock Island, where I 
 preached in the morning, belonged the promising youth 
 who in these later years has become so widely known and 
 honored as the junior secretary of our Board of Church 
 Extension, Dr. \V. A. Spencer; and, crossing the river in 
 a rowbuat at evening, I was cordially welcomed to the 
 pulpit of the Davenport, la., church by its young pas- 
 tor, who not many years after was called to the responsi- 
 ble position of secretary of the same society, then in its 
 infancy, and who ever since has been serving the 
 Church in that ])osition with distinguished ability and 
 usefulness — Dr. A. J. Kynett. 
 
 An added coincidence was this: The first secretary 
 of that society was Dr. S. Y. Monroe, who immediately 
 after the Ceneral Conference of 1864 was transferred 
 from the New Jersey Conference and appointed pastor 
 of Trinity Church, in Jersey City, Newark Conference, 
 thereby supjilying the vacancy occasioned by the elec- 
 tion of the late pastor. Dr. (afterward Bishoii) I. W. 
 Wiley, to the editorial chair of tlie Ladies Repository ; 
 and now a new affliction to Trinity Church came on 
 apace. Hers having been the good or the ill fortune of 
 being ministered to by men of sui)erior ability, another 
 pastoral bereavement became imminent. Dr. Monroe, 
 with his family, was scarcely more than well settled in 
 his new home when the voice of Providence quietly en- 
 tered that home with the unexpected message, "This is 
 not your rest." AVhat did it mean ? Simjjly, though 
 seriously, that the bishops of the Church had fixed upon 
 Dr. Monroe for secretary of the newly organized 
 Board of Church Extension, a matter which very di- 
 rectly and very deeply concerned me as his presiding 
 elder. How to supply the vacancy thus made at Trinity 
 became a i^erplexing problem, which, however, was soon 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 143 
 
 after happily solved by llic employment of Dr. Hiram 
 Mattison. Alas, that tiicre should so early come to the 
 society so ably represented by Dr. Monroe the distress- 
 in- ( alaniiiy of his sudden, mysterious death February 
 9, I .S07, ( i cating a sad, important vacancy which Dr. 
 Kynett was j)romptly and wisely called to fill. These suc- 
 cessive coincidences supplied to me those providential 
 links of memory in connection with our church exten- 
 sion work which can never cease to be of both pleasing 
 and painful interest. 
 
 'I'he homeward trip from Rock Island began with a 
 delightful carriage ride across the country, my nephew, 
 Dr. A. Clarke \'ansant, having invited me to accompany 
 him in this way as far as Rockford, a distance of about 
 eighty miles. The first day took us to I'roplietstown ; 
 the second to Dixon, where we passed the night with 
 friends whom I had known in New York, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Hines; on the third we approached Rockford just as 
 the setting sun was casting his rays across the broad 
 acres of golden wheat as it gracefully bowed before us 
 and around us. A more gf)rgeous sunset we had not 
 before witnessed. Soon came the pleasure of calls on 
 two families of former esteemed parishioners in Wood- 
 row charge, I'.rothers AVilliani Jobes and Thomas Dorset. 
 Acquaintance was formed witli one of the pastors, the 
 Rev. James r>a\une, at whose invitation I occupied his 
 pulpit on the Sabbath. On Monday, taking train for 
 Chicago, I left behind the finest city hy far in the line 
 of my western journeyings. At Chicago I was < (irdially 
 entertained in the ])leasant home of the Rev. J. IT (now 
 Bishop) Vincent's jjarcnts. My trip, resumed next day, 
 soon ended in a safe and grateful reunion with the 
 loved ones at home. 
 
 Here came to the pastor's wife the honor of having 
 her name perpetuated in one of our excellent families. 
 
144 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Amelia Graham, from a lovely babe, advanced to a fair 
 maidenhood, and thence to the joint headship of a 
 happy home near Salem, N. J., where she is now re- 
 siding. ^ 
 
 Trinity, Staten Island, N. Y., 1856-58. 
 
 At the Conference of 1856, held in the Broad Street, 
 now St. Paul's, Church, Newark, and i)resided over by 
 Bishop Simpson, I was confronted with a serious i)rob- 
 lem concerning my health. Feeling that my next charge 
 must be a very light one, I was urged by my host, Mr. 
 Abram Hedenberg, a friend as true as he was impulsive, 
 to open the subject to my presiding elder, the Rev. 
 Thomas Sovereign. This would be something quite 
 new for one who had been accustomed to (juietly re- 
 ceive his appointments without asking any (juestions ; 
 but necessity seemed now to require and justify it. On 
 consulting tlie elder I found that my name stood for 
 Broad Street, Burlington, a large and important church; 
 but, while I felt complimented by this arrangement, 1 
 was compelled to say to him that my health was utterly 
 insufficient for such a charge, and asked him to accom- 
 modate me with a smaller one. He afterward reported 
 to me a transfer of my name from Burlington to Eliza- 
 beth, a ligliter charge, indeed, but still a city church, 
 and one requiring the work of a strong man. 
 
 My perplexity led to serious thoughts of a supernu- 
 merary relatioti, touching which I soiiglit tlie advice of 
 Dr. Isaac W. ^^'iley, tlien an honored member of our 
 ("onference. He counseled against a ciiange of relation, 
 saying that my total severance from a definite aim and 
 work would be likely to hinder rather than hasten my 
 recovery; and, accepting his judgment as correct, I 
 committed myself fully to the guiding hand of an all- 
 wise Providence, having exercised, as it seemed to me. 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 145 
 
 all proper human precautions. The outcome was just 
 right ; wlien tlie appointments were read my name was 
 announced for Trinity Church, Staten Island, a charge 
 quite above what I had fancied would be best for me, 
 but one thoroughly adapted to my actual needs. 
 
 Here, in the winter of our second year, one of the 
 most extensive revivals of my ministry occurred, result- 
 ing in the professed conversion of a hundred and fifty 
 souls. Some of these went to other churches, and some 
 belonged to other neighborhoods; but all, except about 
 thirty, became enrolled in our list of probationers. 
 During our special services of eight or ten weeks but 
 two or three extra sermons were preached, the talent 
 employed in assisting the pastor being the home talent 
 of the church. Nobly did the leaders, stewards, trus- 
 tees, and members cooperate by prayer, exhortation, and 
 personal entreaty in carrying forward the blessed work. 
 
 Many names connected with this charge, as it then 
 was, rush upon my memory: W. D. Simonson, the 
 brothers Snedcker, William and J. W., L. Onderdonk, 
 S. K. Smack, Thompson, Shilcox, Wilde, J. Smith, R. 
 P. Smyth, B. F. Roe, Parker, Jones, Kennison, Hough- 
 wout, L. Edwards, Dunham, (Ireer, Blake, Hillyer, Price, 
 Young, JJodine, Gibson, Merrill, Mitchell, Mersereau, 
 Decker, Waltears, Sise, Morris, Steers, Sprague, Heal, 
 Clark, Alston, Wells, Speer, Seawood, Burbank, Stillwell, 
 Houseman, Cadmus, Pratt, J. Q. Simonson, Searles, 
 Boice, Degroot. 
 
 In the congregation there statedly sat at my right two 
 hearers of special literary note, Messrs. Gabriel P. Dis- 
 osway and Robert A. West. 'I'he former was a fre- 
 quent contributor to various papers and magazines and 
 the author or compiler of some excellent Ijooks, among 
 them that superb volume, called Our Exccllfiit Woinoi, 
 which I prize as a true ornament to my library in 
 
146 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 keeping with its name. He, with most of his family, 
 is gone; but it was refreshing to the writer on July 4, 
 1895, to meet his son Wilbur and with him talk over 
 the past. For several years Mr. West was Editor of the 
 New York Co)iiiucrcial Advej'tiser and held that position 
 at the time of my first acquaintance with him, his fam- 
 ily residence being not far from Mr. Disosway's. That 
 they were intelligent hearers goes without saying; but 
 with all their knowledge and culture they were far from 
 being captious or hypercritical. To preach before such 
 men was a matter of pleasure, rather than of dread. 
 
 Once, when I had preached from the text, " Now are 
 we the sons of God," etc., and had s])oken of spiritual 
 sonship as "the relation acquired," Mr. West very mod- 
 estly asked me, when alone, whether the word "con- 
 ferred" or ''bestowed" would not be better than "ac- 
 quired?" I caught the idea at once and said, "O yes, 
 sonsliij) in God's spiritual family is a state or relation 
 conferred by him, and not accpiired by us." Thanking 
 him cordially for his wise suggestion, I never tliereafter 
 failed to profit thereby. In 1851 a volume of four hun- 
 dred and twenty pages from his ready pen was issued 
 by our Book Concern with the modest title, Skcfi/ws of 
 ]]\-slcyan Prcitchcis, wliich had a rapid and extensive 
 sale, as it fully deserved. A copy of this very interest- 
 ing work came to me in 1857, the fly leaf bearing my 
 name, "with kind regards of the autlior," written in his 
 neat and easy hand. That Dr. Wardle, of the New 
 York Conference, should have come to Mr. West's home 
 to find a wife among his three or four comely daughters 
 was not at all surprising; others of his profession might 
 safely have done tlie same. 
 
 During our second year at Trinity a sore afiliction 
 came to one of our chief families, that of Brother 
 William Snedeker, in the death of his son Charles N. 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 147 
 
 One of the promising young men of the cliurch, lie was 
 fast developing into an active, efficient worker; but 
 after an unexpected illness God took him from loving 
 parents, an only brother, and a devoted wife of rare 
 beauty, intelligence, and talent — the young mother of a 
 lovely boy baby. At the funeral a somewliat extended 
 sketch of the deceased by the pastor was read, and after- 
 ward published in small pamphlet form. In sadness we 
 bore his body to Hempstead, L. I., and tenderly laid it 
 away to await a glorious resurrection. The precious 
 boy became a special tie of endearment to the grand- 
 parents and a special object of their care, training, and 
 education. He has grown to a noble, cultured manhood, 
 and now, without either parent and without grand- 
 parents, he lives to honor the cherished name of each 
 and to bless the Church, in the manly person and use- 
 ful ministry of the Rev. Charles H. Snedeker of the 
 New York Conference. 
 
 Here also came to our home a welcome boy, Wilbur 
 Craig, whose early promise of continued life and health 
 was very assuring; but sickness stole on apace and main- 
 tained its hold till a fatal result seemed inevitable. 
 The hope of his recovery was abandoned by all save 
 one, who clung to her almost skeleton babe with the 
 unconquerable tenacity of a mother's love and hope. 
 Much prayer went up to heaven, and the all-loving 
 Father answered ; suddenly came signs of a favorable 
 change, surprising physicians and friends alike. That 
 almost dying babe is at this writing the honored Sunday 
 school superintendent of First Church, Baltimore, Md., 
 and active in various other lines of church work. Hav- 
 ing gone to that city for business purposes, he found a 
 young lady, Miss Carrie S. Nelson, who met his ideal 
 of maidenly excellence, resulting in their nuptials Oc- 
 tober 13, 1886. Their inviting home at Roland Park is 
 
148 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 now brightened by three comely children, a son and two 
 daughters. 
 
 My successor was a Conference classmate, the genial, 
 whole souled Rev.' Michael E. Ellison. 
 
 Haverstraw, N. Y., 1858-60. 
 
 This was my second appointment as a member of the 
 Newark Conference, the first separate session of which 
 was held at Morristown, N. J., March 31, 1858. At the 
 session of the New Jersey Conference held in Newark 
 two years before, action had been taken requesting the 
 General Conference to authorize a division of that Con- 
 ference into two distinct bodies, the one to retain the 
 old name, and the other to take the name of Newark. 
 This authorization was given by the General Conference 
 at its quadrennial session in May, 1856, the same to take 
 effect at the next session of the New Jersey Conference, 
 which, as the Minutes show, was held in Trenton April 
 8, 1857, and presided over by Bishop Scott. The ses- 
 sion closed with the reading of two sets of appoint- 
 ments, under the two heads of " Newark Conference " 
 and "New Jersey Conference." 
 
 During the session at Morristown my presiding elder. 
 Dr. John S. Porter, asked me which I would prefer for 
 my next appointment. Orange or Haverstraw. " O," I 
 said, " it is not for me to choose ; that belongs to others. 
 But," I added, " if I should express a preference it 
 would be in favor of Haverstraw." He approved my 
 answer, which, however, was not based on any definite 
 knowledge of the two places, but only on a general im- 
 pression. Our home at Haverstraw was delightful, and 
 our term of service not without good fruit. 
 
 As the close of the first year approached we were all 
 looking forward with intense interest to the coming ses- 
 sion of Newark Conference, which had selected Hav- 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 149 
 
 erstraw as its next place of meeting. Could so large a 
 body be accommodated in so small a place? A thor- 
 ough canvass was made, which happily resulted in a 
 favorable answer; but, of course, we were obliged to do 
 what was also our great pleasure, that is, accept the 
 proffered hospitality of other churches. The truly fra- 
 ternal spirit manifested by the two Presbyterian congre- 
 gations, with their pastors, the Rev. Messrs. Freeman 
 and Myers, was as warmly appreciated as it was oppor- 
 tune. 
 
 For the first time after his long and dangerous sick- 
 ness, contracted in the East, Bishop Simpson was to 
 preside, with his home at the parsonage, next door to 
 the church. When the time came he was accompanied 
 by Mrs. Simpson and little Charlie. Our entertainment 
 of the bishop, with his dear wife and boy, marked a 
 green spot in our home life which ever since has con- 
 tinued fresh and inspiring. Other dear friends were with 
 us during that week, adding to the pleasures of the oc- 
 casion — Mrs. C. Holsman, Mrs. N. Sipp, and Miss Mar- 
 tha Jones. A week more full of true enjoyment cannot 
 well be imagined. We afterward learned to our real 
 comfort that Bishop Simpson's memory was too tena- 
 cious and his heart too warm ever to forget or to neg- 
 lect old friends. My own frequent, and my wife's occa- 
 sional, meetings with him always brought an instant 
 recognition and a warm greeting. 
 
 The Conference sermons and addresses were preemi- 
 nently enjoyable. A program had been prepared call- 
 ing for a sermon each evening, followed by an exhorta- 
 tion after the old-time Methodist order, and it worked 
 hapjjily. Among those who preached or exhorted were 
 the Revs. George Winsor, James O. Rogers, Alexander 
 H. Mead, Bartholomew Weed, etc. The anniversaries 
 were fewer then than now, and were held in the after- 
 
ISO 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 noons. Following a grand missionary speech from the 
 Rev. William Tunison was a thrilling address by Dr. 
 McClintock, who outdid even himself. He was in his 
 happiest mood, and carried the audience whither he 
 would. One of the speakers at the Sunday school an- 
 niversary was the Rev. Richard B. Lockwood, whose 
 sparkling address delighted both preachers and people. 
 The cause of education was represented by Dr. James 
 Strong with even more than his usual sprightliness and 
 ability. 
 
 The Sabbath services were full of interest and unc- 
 tion. Bishop Simpson not being able to preach in the 
 morning, Bishop Janes took his place and nobly filled 
 it. His text was Phil, iv, 7, which he elaborated with 
 telling impressiveness and power. The sermon of the 
 afternoon was by Dr. Holdich, who preached well and 
 usefully, but without reaching his usual elevated stand- 
 ard. Years afterward he told me the cause of his fail- 
 ure, as he considered it. He had been invited to dine 
 with the bishops at the deliglitful home of Brother Si- 
 las D. Gardner, about one mile and a half north of the 
 village, where a luxurious dinner awaited them, which 
 was disposed of only in time for a hasty return to the 
 church. Without opportunity for rest or meditation or 
 prayer, Dr. Holdich was obliged to enter the pulpit and 
 preach under an embarrassment far greater, doubtless, 
 to his own consciousness than apparent to the congre- 
 gation. Dr. James B. Faulks, in his charming Glimpses 
 of Methodism in Haverstraw, speaks most truly of the 
 Conference thus : " The occasion was one of lively in- 
 terest to the people hereabouts." 
 
 In the autumn of our second year one of those domes- 
 tic events occurred at the parsonage which are wont to 
 bring with them new joys and fresh responsibilities — the 
 birth of another son, who took the name of his maternal 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 151 
 
 grandfather, Horatio Moses. At suitable age he entered 
 the New York University, and, successfully pursuing the 
 studies of the regular course, was graduated in the sum- 
 mer of 1881. He early became converted, and is now a 
 member and officer of the Roseviile Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church, Newark, N. J. Not feeling called of the 
 Holy Spirit to the work of the ministry, he engaged in 
 business, saying to Dr. Buttz, who invited him to enter 
 Drew Seminary, and to other friends, that he believed 
 the Church had as much need of good, Christian busi- 
 ness men as of good, faithful ministers. His happy 
 marriage to Miss Essy A., daughter of Mr. Joseph S. 
 Morriss, occurred April 24. 1884. Two sprightly chil- 
 dren, a son and a daughter, enliven their cheerful home. 
 
 It would be gratifying to mention here some names 
 of the many excellent families embraced in this charge, 
 as I found and left it, but this has been rendered quite 
 needless by the befitting record made of them in the 
 Giimpsts of Dr. Faulks, which can never cease to be of 
 great historical value to all whose lot has been or may 
 yet be cast in that locality. Though more than a gen- 
 eration has passed since our leave-taking, memory still 
 lingers about its loved associations and finds refreshment 
 in their sweet, delightsome odors. I left sixty-five pro- 
 bationers, and during the last year had baptized forty- 
 three adults and fifteen children. 
 
 Clinton Street, Newark, N. J., i860, 1861. 
 My appointment to this church, unlike almost every 
 other one in my long ministry, was prearranged by a 
 written call of the official board and my own written 
 consent, subject, of course, to the action of the bishop. 
 Its membership of four hundred, with fifty-eight proba- 
 tioners, widely scattered in one hundred different 
 streets of the city, meant plenty of work for the head 
 
152 Sunset Memories. 
 
 and heart, the voice and hands and feet of the pastor. 
 Some untoward surroundings and a serious difficulty 
 within conspired to rob the year of its highest measure 
 of hoped-for success. " For a great door and effectual 
 is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries." 
 Paul could brave " many," but one was an overmatch 
 for me, as he had been five years before for an honored 
 predecessor, the Rev. Alexander L. Brice, one of the 
 purest and best of men. 
 
 Early in my second year I felt constrained to notify 
 the official board of the church of my purpose to resign 
 as its pastor — a pur])ose deliberately formed, but without 
 any plans wliatever having been made in reference to 
 the future. " By faith Abraham, when he was called, 
 . . . went out, not knowing whitlTcr he went." In this 
 spirit I had determined to " go out," trusting in Abra- 
 ham's God for direction and protection. Soon after I 
 received the following letter embodying the action of 
 the church through its official representatives, the letter 
 being signed by James C. Ludlow, a jirominent and ex- 
 cellent officer, who a few years later was called to serve 
 the city as its honored mayor: 
 
 "Newark, June i8, 1861. 
 " Rev. N. Vansant — Dear Brother : At a joint meet- 
 ing of the official boards of the Clinton Street Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, held in the lecture room on the even- 
 ing of the seventeenth instant, the following preamble 
 and resolutions were adopted : 
 
 ' U'7iereas, Rev. N. Vansant, pastor in charge of the 
 Clinton Street Methodist Episcopal Church, for certain 
 reasons has in contemplation the resigning of the pastor- 
 ate of said church, 
 
 ' Rfsol-i't-d, That Brother Vansant has our heartfelt 
 sympathies, and we regret that any causes should have 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 153 
 
 occurred to produce such action ; and we hereby, see- 
 ing the interests of our church will very much suffer by 
 such resignation, most earnestly request him to recon- 
 sider the matter and consent to remain with us as pastor, 
 and we do pledge him our hearty cooperation. 
 
 " 'Resolved, That the secretary be instructed to send a 
 copy of these resolutions to the pastor, and also a copy 
 to the presiding elder of this district.' 
 
 "J.AMES C. Ludlow, Secretary." 
 
 Such a paper, conveying such expressions of sympa- 
 thy and confidence, coyld not fail to prove very grate- 
 ful to my feelings; but the purpose to dissolve my 
 pastoral connection with that church had become so 
 fixed that I could not honorably or conscientiously ac- 
 cede to the request of its united office-bearers, much as 
 I respected and loved them. Of course, I would con- 
 sult my presiding elder, the Rev. James M. Tuttle, 
 which I did, conferring also with my former presiding 
 elder. Dr. John S. Porter, of the adjoining Rahway 
 District. 
 
 Following my purpose to resign, an unexpected 
 vacancy occurred at the First Church, Rahway, by the 
 appointment of its pastor, the Rev. Robert B. Yard, as a 
 chaplain in the army. Was this a providential opening 
 to me ? So it seemed. Dr. Porter, who, of course, was 
 glad to have a supply for this vacancy, corresponded 
 with Bishop Ames, Elder Tuttle concurring, the result 
 being the following letter from the bishop : 
 
 ''Indianapolis, Ind., June 20, 1861. 
 " Rev. X. Vansant — Dear Brother : Having been in- 
 formed by letter from Dr. J. S. Porter that, in the judg- 
 ment of himself and Brother J. M. Tuttle, the interests 
 of the Church will be promoted by a change of your 
 
154 
 
 Sunset Memories/ 
 
 appointment from Clinton Street, Newark, to the First 
 Church, Rahway, and that tlie change will also be 
 agreeable to yourself, the change is therefore hereby 
 made, and you will immediately on receipt of this take 
 the pastoral charge of the First Church in Rahway. 
 May the Lord be with you and bless you and make you 
 a blessing in your new field of labor ! 
 
 " Yours truly, 
 
 "E. R. Ames." 
 
 An interesting fact in the history of Clinton Street 
 Church is the ministry of the Rev. Dr., afterward 
 Bishop, Gilbert Haven as my immediate successor, 
 having been employed temporarily to fill the vacancy 
 occasioned by our removal. At the next Conference 
 the redoubtable and eloquent Rev. William P. Corbit 
 became its pastor and served it faithfully for two years; 
 but the zenith of its healthful prosperity seems to have 
 been reached under the pastorate of niy immediate 
 predecessor, the Rev. Dr. Jonathan K. Burr. From 
 that time forward it passed through varying fortunes 
 until the spring of 1881, when its name appeared for the 
 last time in the Conference Minutes. Its commodious 
 church edifice, handsomely fitted up at large expense, 
 was sold to the Young Men's Christian .Vssociation, by 
 which it has since been occu])ied in carrying on its use- 
 ful work. For several years uncontrollable circum- 
 stances had been foreshadowing its dissolution or its 
 removal, chief among these circumstances being its 
 location in the business center of the city and its close 
 proximity to Central Church, with its greater wealth and 
 stronger organization. 
 
 One of the most noteworthy institutions of Clinton 
 Street Church was its large and flourishing Sunday school, 
 under the efficient superintendence of Brother W. D. 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 155 
 
 Cowan, who yet lives to recall with grateful joy the fruit 
 of his industrious toil. The following clause in a re- 
 port concerning this church, adopted by the Newark 
 Conference in 1881, applies particularly to its Sunday 
 school : "It has given to the Church nine ministers of 
 the Gospel, namely, G. H. Winans, S. L. Baldwin, J. B. 
 Faulks, D. R. Lowrie, H. IM. Simpson, T. H. Jacobus, 
 W. S. Gallaway, of this Conference ; Milton Relyea, of 
 the New Jersey Conference ; and Henry Still, of the New 
 York East Conference." 
 
 In closing this sketch I am doubly glad to put on rec- 
 ord an important interview between my unnamed " ad- 
 versary " and myself — doubly glad because of the honor 
 which it reflected on him and the comfort which it 
 yielded me. It occurred during the annual session of 
 our Conference at Elizabeth in 1865. Calling me aside, 
 he referred to the difficulty at Clinton Street, and then 
 said, " The fault in that matter was mine, not yours." I 
 answered, "Yes; but you have noticed during the years 
 that have since passed that I have manifested no spirit 
 of revenge, but have treated you with uniform kindness." 
 " Ah," he replied, " that has been my greatest trouble. 
 Had you shown a disposition to fight I could have borne 
 it; but your kindness has been a continual reproach and 
 sting. Let the hatchet be buried." That seemed like a 
 dying confession, giving to me a welcome relief, and a 
 far greater to himself. We shook hands and parted in 
 peace, never to meet again in this world, his death fol- 
 lowing not long afterward. During the same Conference 
 he sought a similar interview with Brother Brice, to 
 whom he made similar admissions, with a like happy 
 result. 
 
 These instances were but added verifications of Isa. 
 xlix, 23. Says Dr. Kitto: "Thirty years ago ... I put 
 my mark upon this passage in Isaiah, ' I am the Lord: 
 
156 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.' Of the 
 many books I now possess, the Bible that bears that 
 mark is the only one of them all that belonged to me at 
 that time. It now lies before me. ... I believed it 
 then; but I know it now ; and I can write piobatuin est, 
 with my whole heart, over against the symbol which that 
 mark is to me, of my ancient faith. ' They shall not be 
 ashamed that wait for me.' ... It [the word 'wait'] is 
 but a monosyllable ; but it is fuller of meaning than any 
 other word in the language, and it is applicable to all 
 ages and to all circumstances." 
 
 First Church, Rahway, N. J., 1861, 1862. 
 
 Few, if any, of tlie Northern cities were more seriously 
 affected in business by the war than Rahway, N. J. Its 
 chief and almost sole industry was tlie manufacture of 
 carriages for tlie Southern markets, which was prostrated 
 beyond recovery by the breaking out of the war. Of 
 necessity, therefore, the salary in my new charge would 
 be small ; but after all the matter of salary is far from 
 being the stintininit honuiii or chief good in the life of a 
 Christian pastor, though the tendency of the times is to 
 exalt it to this unmerited position. 
 
 Never, perhaps, was a ciuirch in sudden, embarrassing 
 poverty more appreciative, hoi)eful, and generous than 
 tlie one which I was now so strangely called to serve. A 
 choice list of names, rei)resenting families or individuals, 
 1 find indelibly written on memory's exjianded tablet, 
 among tlicm the following : Osborn, Terrill, Price, 
 Simpson, C.ihby, Pease, Swaim, Putnam, Stone, Havi- 
 land, Ryno, I'latt, ( lark, Marsh, Dubois. 
 
 While here, an unusual \ isitation of Providence came 
 to the parsonage in the birth of twin daughters, who took 
 the twin names of Hattie and Hetty, after two dear 
 friends at Elizabeth, Mrs. Harriet Cleveland and Mrs.. 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 157 
 
 Hetty Faulks. Tlicy were so niucli alike in size, com- 
 plexion, and features that we were often puzzled to call 
 either by the right name in the absence of the otiier, 
 though when together there could be seen on close in- 
 spection a shade of difference. Did we idolize tlicm ? 
 Perhaps; but, whether such was the case or not, after 
 three beautiful summers of life the one was taken and 
 the other left. Hetty sleeps with her mother in lovely 
 " Cedar Lawn," but a short remove from the low-mur- 
 muring Passaic on tlie outskirts of the mother's native 
 Paterson. Hattie survives, the devoted wife of Mr. H. M. 
 Wagner and mother of three affectionate children, two 
 daughters and a son, by whom theirgoodly home at 1809 
 Bolton Street, Baltimore, Md., is cheered and gladdened. 
 
 The closing months of this pastorate were devoted to 
 special revival services, which resulted in several wel- 
 come accessions to the church; but the strain of inces- 
 sant labor in speaking and singing in a damp basement 
 brought upon the pastor, unconsciously to himself, a 
 state of chronic hoarseness, which threatened serious 
 results, and which, in fact, during most of the next two 
 years greatly crippled him in his work. 
 
 As the time of Conference approached a "call " from 
 Bethel Church, Staten Island, was received and favor- 
 ably responded to on the usual condition of e})iscopal 
 consent. The appointment was made, and I entered 
 hopefully upon my new charge. 
 
 Bethel, Staten Island, N. Y., 1862-64. 
 Here my predecessor was the Rev. Benjamin Kelley, 
 who "in labors more abundant" and corresponding 
 fruitage was a worthy successor of Paul. He was the 
 father of Dr. W. V. Kelley, the scholarly Editor of the 
 Methodist Revim\ and was a man of whom any son 
 might justly feel proud. 
 
 n 
 
158 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 The war fever ran liigh, making it needful for me in 
 tliat eminently conservative locality to stand up in pri- 
 vate and in public for the government, which, of course, 
 evoked some criticism and oi)position, not to say threats 
 of violence. The nearest approach to this last was the 
 wish of one of our neighbors, vigorously expressed, 
 that he might see me "strung up on a sour apple tree." 
 The unpoetic wish was never gratified, and I have 
 long since forgiven the ill-wislier. Wiiile many were in 
 secret or open sympathy with the Rebellion, the home 
 government was not without its heroic, outspoken sup- 
 porters, prominent among wliom were Messrs. John S. 
 Sleight, Elias P. Manee, Alfred H. Taylor, S. W. Cronk, 
 W. A. Brown, S. L. Hopping, and others. Indeed, to 
 tl\e praise of IJethel C'iiurcli and congregation be it said 
 tiiat, although a large majority of them belonged to the 
 party not in power, they all, with rare exceptions, re- 
 frained from active opposition to the Union cause or to 
 the pastor in his earnest defense of it. As loyal to both 
 I mention Messrs. Epliraim J. Totten and otliers of the 
 same family name, M. S. Taylor, the Spragues, Manees, 
 Ryders, Jolines, Weir, Moore, Cole, Graham, and 
 Turner. 
 
 During the reign of the bloody draft riot in New 
 York in July, 1863, a sensation amounting to a veritable 
 scare was produced by a rumor that the rioters were 
 on their way to Tottenville. The appalling message, 
 "The rioters are coming! the rioters are coming!" 
 passed rapidly from mouth to mouth, till the whole neigh- 
 borhood was wrought up to a ferment of tremendous ex- 
 citement. Our good neighbor, Mr. Taylor, living nearly 
 opposite, rushed over to the parsonage and, repeating the 
 rumor, advised us to come at once to his house, saying 
 that the rioters would be sure to raid the parsonage first. 
 So, taking his advice, we vacated our own home and 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 159 
 
 took slicltcr in his. Jiul the riiniur, tliough not an in- 
 tended hoax, was a totally false alarm, without the least 
 foundation except in the heated imagination of its orig- 
 inators. 
 
 The troublesome hoarseness of which I have spoken 
 continued without abatement during my fust year at 
 Bethel, making necessary the help of an assistant during 
 the second ye;;r. Hap|)ily, that assistant was found in 
 Brother John C'oyle, a )oung local preacher and school- 
 teacher, who was awaiting a ijrovidenlial opening to the 
 itinerant work. That oi)ening had now come, and he 
 entered it in good heart and hope. Our plan for preach- 
 ing was a sermon by each of us on the Sabbath, under 
 which 15rother Coyle, by his exemjilary jjiety, social 
 spirit, and excellent preaching, rendered himself both 
 popular and useful. Afterward, while stationed at St. 
 Luke's, Newark, he was transferred to the California 
 Conference, where his successful ministry has proved a 
 happy fulfillment of its early promise. He was a del- 
 egate to the General Conference of 1896. Under the 
 skillful treatment of Dr. R. Hunter, of New York, my 
 stubborn hoarseness jjassed away, and the vocal organs 
 became (piite restored to their normal condition. 
 
 A twofold improvement was put upon the parsonage 
 propert) — the addition of a small extension at the rear 
 of the dwelling, and the stocking of the large garden 
 with blackberry plants, vines, and fruit trees by means 
 of a "bee." Not far from this property stood the beau- 
 tiful home of Chaplain John L. T,enhart, whose sudden 
 death on the Ciniibfilaiid in Hampton Roads is well and 
 sadly remembered, and whose monuinent in Bethel 
 Cemetery fitly perpetuates the story of his noble life and 
 heroic death. The parsonage here became the birth- 
 place of our youngest child, a precious daughter who 
 took the name of Amelia Foster, after the estimable lady 
 
160 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 whom Chaplain Lenhart had left as his affianced bride, 
 but whom he never returned to take to be his wedded 
 wife. Our " Mellie " is now Mrs. P. T. Wood, of Rose- 
 ville, Newark, and ihe happy mother of a bright, promis- 
 ing boy, two others having recently passed away. 
 
 My successor was the Rev. Edward W. Adams, who, 
 in 1867, was transferred to the Rock River Conference 
 after an honorable record among us. 
 
 Jersey City (Paterson) District, 1864-68. 
 Among the events of the Conference session held in 
 Market Street Church, Paterson, March 16, 1864, and 
 presided over by Bishop Simpson, were my election as 
 delegate to the General Conference and my appoint- 
 ment to the presiding eldership of Jersey City (then 
 called Paterson) District. The former was purely spon- 
 taneous, no one to my knowledge having been solicited 
 directly or indirectly to cast his ballot for me. Indeed, 
 " from youth to hoary age " I have been kept in blissful 
 ignorance of the politician's art in both Church and 
 State, though the cost of such ignorance has doubtless 
 sometimes been, in my case as in others, a loss of prefer- 
 ment. 
 
 Our residence for the first half of the year was fixed 
 at Paterson ; but in the autumn it was changed to 
 Nyack-on-the-Hudson, where not long after a deep sor- 
 row came to us in the sickness by scarlet fever of our 
 whole family of seven children, one of whom, our little 
 Hetty, of three years and two months, was taken from 
 us. It was no comfort when, on his first visit, the family 
 physician, Dr. Hasbrouck, more noted for his skill than 
 for his gentleness, said to the anxious mother, "Madam, 
 it is scarlet fever, and no telling where it will end ; bet- 
 ter have had smallpox break out in your family." 
 
 To bury our dead a trip of twenty-four miles across 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 161 
 
 the country to Paterson was made on runners, the con- 
 veyance having been furnislied through the kindness of 
 our sympathizing neighbor, Brother J. W. Towt, the 
 pastor at Nyack, the Rev. Richard B. Lockwood, taking 
 skillful management of the team. Appropriate services 
 were held at Market Street Church, under direction of 
 the pastor, the Rev. James M. Freeman, special and 
 fervent prayers being offered for the recovery of the 
 sick ones at home. Was it a mere coincidence that on 
 returning home we found them all improving, and, espe- 
 cially, those in greatest apparent danger when we left, 
 decidedly better ? Or was it an instance of divinely 
 answered prayer according to the teaching of James v, 
 16-1S? We prefer to believe the latter. 
 
 The General Conference held in Philadelphia during 
 the month of May, 1864, was a very exciting one, the 
 nation being still in the throes of the gigantic civil war. 
 The Newark Conference delegation consisted of Isaac 
 W. Wiley, Nicholas Vansant, Alexander L. Brice, Jona- 
 than T. Crane, and Stacy W. Hilliard, all of whom, ex- 
 cept the last, were elected on the first ballot in the 
 order named. 
 
 Of choice, the writer was assigned to the Committee 
 on Slavery, where, by invitation of Dr. Daniel Wise, its 
 secretary, he acted part of the time as his assistant. 
 An elaborate report of this committee closed with a 
 recommendation that the General Rule on slavery be so 
 ' changed as to read: " Slaveholding; buying or selling 
 slaves; " and the report was adopted by an overwhelm- 
 ing majority — 207 to 9 — a consummation devoutly 
 wished, and which had been labored and prayed for by 
 hundreds of great and good men who had died without 
 the sight. That was more than a proud day — it was a 
 sublime epoch in the progress of the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church! 
 
162 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Two days after this action came the public reading 
 of that wonderful autograph letter from President Lin- 
 coln in which he paid so emphatic a compliment to the 
 Methodist Church-^a letter which mu;;t go down to 
 posterity as an official tribute unsurpassed in its wise 
 discriminations and its honest emi)hatic acknowledg- 
 ments, as also in its terse and graceful composition. 
 Happily, that autograpli letter is in possession of Wil- 
 liam H. Harris, of New York, a son of Bishop Harris, 
 who at that time was secretary of tlie General Confer- 
 ence. 
 
 A i)leasant episode early in tlie session was the ap- 
 pointment of a deputation to the (ieneral Conference of 
 the African Methodist Episcopal Cluirch and its cortlial 
 reciprocation. The de])utation, as publislied in tlie 
 Journal, consisted of James Hill, Nicholas Vansant, John 
 W. Armstrong, Daniel Wise, and James Cunningham. 
 Our visit to that Conference was lieartily welcomed and 
 mutually enjoyed, resulting in tiie a])])ointment by it 
 of a similar deputation to our body and its cordial 
 reception a few days later. Two of that deputation, 
 the Revs. J. P. Campbell and A. A\'. A\'ayman, were at 
 the same session of tlieir Ceneral Conference elected 
 bisiiops; and I'ishop A\'a\man, in our occasional meet- 
 ings afterward, was wont to make pleasant reference to 
 our first acquaintance at tiiat time. 
 
 It was at tiiis General Conference tliat the term of 
 pastoral service was extended from two years to three; 
 that advanced action was taken on the subject of lay 
 delegation; that tlie C^hurcli Extension Society was 
 organized by tiie a(Ioi)tion of a carefully prepared con- 
 stitution; and that various other important changes 
 were made in the Discipline, most of them recom- 
 mended by the Committee on Revisals, of which the 
 writer had tlie i)leasure of being a member. Three new 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 163 
 
 bishops were elected, Clark, Thomson, and Kingsley, the 
 leader of our delegation, Dr. Wiley, and the Rev. D. D. 
 Lore, late a member of Newark Conference, being 
 elected to the editorial chairs, respectively, of the Ladies 
 Repository and the Northern Christian Advocate. 
 
 The home of my brother Samuel, then pastor of 
 Third Street Church, Camden, furnished delightful en- 
 tertainment to Dr. Jonathan T. Crane and myself dur- 
 ing the session. On one Sabbath morning his pulpit 
 was filled by Dr. Thomas M. Eddy, whose sermon, 
 founded on Gal. i, ir, 12, was a masterpiece of sur- 
 passing logic and eloquence, unction, and power, lifting 
 the congregation to the highest pitch of religious en- 
 thusiasm, and more deeply affecting the writer tlian any 
 other sermon before or since, rendering him utterly 
 powerless to close the service as had been arranged by 
 the pastor. 
 
 But a few weeks after entering upon the district work 
 in March a sad bereavement came to one of our 
 charges, New Prospect, now Waldwick, in the death of 
 its beloved pastor, the Rev. William M. Burroughs, 
 April 17, 1864. The funeral discourse was preached 
 by the writer from Phil, i, 20 : " Christ shall be magni- 
 fied in my body, whetlier it be by life or by death." 
 
 During my term of four years on tliis district five 
 different preachers were "employed by tlie elder" who 
 afterward became useful members of the Conference, 
 namely, Merritt C. Reed, Albert Van Deusen, Hiram 
 Mattison, Enoch V. King, and Thomas H. Jacobus. 
 The first, second, and last were employed as local 
 preachers to supply \acancies in the regular way; the 
 other two were received from other denominations, each 
 through a Quarterly Conference, and tlien employed to 
 fill vacancies. Brother King having been received from 
 the Baptist Church, through the Nyack Quarterly Con- 
 
164 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 ference, was appointed to Piermont as a supply, where 
 an extensive revival attended his labors. At the en- 
 suing Annual Conference, his ordination having been 
 recognized, he was admitted on trial, and two years 
 later received into full connection. While at Piermont 
 a sore affliction came to his home in the death of a pre- 
 cious child. 
 
 Dr. Mattison's return to his old Church home from 
 the Independent Methodist Church is fully related in 
 his Life and Character, by the writer, and need not here 
 be repeated. He was admitted and recognized as a local 
 preacher by the Palisades Quarterly Conference in 
 August, 1865, and by unanimous wish of Trinity Church, 
 Jersey City, was at once appointed to supply the va- 
 cancy occasioned by the election of Dr. Monroe as sec- 
 retary of the new Church Extension Society. At the 
 next session of Newark Conference he was received on 
 trial, and a year later, under a new rule of the Disci- 
 pline, admitted to full membership. 
 
 The Conference of 1864 having witnessed the strange 
 fact of no admissions on trial for lack of room, there 
 followed, two years later, the correspondingly strange 
 fact of no candidates for full connection. Yet during 
 the latter session, held at Washington, N. J., there stood 
 before the altar of the church two notable men, to re- 
 ceive the suffrages of the body; the one for a recogni- 
 tion of orders after examination, without a reimposition 
 of hands, the other for election and ordination as a 
 deacon after examination, with the laying on of hands. 
 Both were tall, slender, erect ; the one dark of complex- 
 ion, the other light; tlie one ])ast middle life, the other 
 young; the one well-cultured without the culture of the 
 schools, the other educated through the liberal culture 
 of school and college curriculum; the one already dis- 
 tinguished as a prolific writer, an able debater, and an 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 165 
 
 eloquent preacher, the other yet to reap distinguished 
 honors by his convincing, winning graces of pen and 
 voice in the sanctum and the pulpit; the one widely 
 known by his familiar signature, H. Mattison, the other 
 to become more widely known by the name of William 
 V. Kelley. To Bishop Baker fell the honor of conduct- 
 ing the service of that interesting occasion. 
 
 Besides the parsonages already spoken of as invaded 
 by death, another calls for tender and appreciative men- 
 tion. The clear, gentle, steady light which illumined 
 the parsonage at Rockland Lake was quenclied in sud- 
 den darkness, leaving the heart and home of the hus- 
 band, the Rev. Alexander Craig, in deepest sorrow. A 
 daughter of the saintly Amos Hoagland and wife, and 
 a sister of Mrs. Henry A. Buttz and the Rev. Warren 
 L. Hoagland, her parentage and family relationships 
 served as a true index to her excellent personal char- 
 acter. Her death was the beautiful setting of a bright 
 jewel in the Saviour's crown. 
 
 How full of contrasts is the present ever-changing 
 life ! Not far distant in time or space came nuptial fes- 
 tivities and joy at the sightly, capacious home of John 
 W. Towt, Esq., Nyack. The bride was a stately, cul- 
 tured daughter, the bridegroom her scholarly and tal- 
 ented pastor, the Rev. Solomon Parsons, whose useful 
 career in the pulpit, on the platform, and in the arena 
 of debate has become extensively known. True to the 
 usual custom in all such cases, no marriage fee was ac- 
 cepted; but after the lapse of two and a half decades, 
 in which sons and daughters had been born and several 
 of them had grown to a noble manhood and woman- 
 hood, a generous fee enriched the purse of the writer's 
 "better half." Ours was also the pleasure of officiating 
 at the happy marriage of the Rev. Richard Johns and Miss 
 Emma Cadmus, of Paterson, N. J., February 23, 1865. 
 
166 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Washington, N. J., 1868, 1869. 
 
 At the Conference held in March of 1868 at Plain- 
 field, and presided over by Bishop Clark, I made 
 public request not to be continued in the presiding 
 eldership, a retpiest which, as I now review it, was far 
 more unwise than wise, embarrassing the bishop in his 
 cabinet work and forestalling my appointment to New- 
 ark District. The outcome took us to Washington, 
 Warren County, which had risen to the status of one 
 of our prominent charges outside of the chief cities, 
 but where my strong antislavery record, as I afterward 
 found, had preceded me, to my hindrance in successful 
 work. Not that open antagonism by the dominating 
 Democratic influence in the church at any time with- 
 stood or confronted me, but secret currents of that in- 
 fluence operated to retard tlie wheels of progress, and, 
 at last, to " beseech," not me, but tlie appointing author- 
 ities, that I "would depart out of their coasts." 
 
 Had I preached politics in the pulpit or been dispu- 
 tatious out of it ? Neither; nor can I recall any in- 
 stance of indiscretion, unless the following miglit be so 
 construed, namely, illuminating the parsonage, as a good 
 citizen, on occasion of a great Republican parade in the 
 town, using for candlesticks some flat turnips that had 
 grown in a patch owned by tlie wealthiest man in the 
 church, who belonged to the opposite party. Should 
 that have been considered a mortal offense in " the land 
 of the free and the home of the brave?" After I had 
 ceased to be his pastor and he was dying of cancer, I 
 visited him at his home and found him cordial, trustful, 
 devout, awaiting in calmness his coming change. The 
 interview closed with a prayer as sincerely appreciated, 
 I believe, as it was sincerely offered. " His loving- 
 kindness, O how great!" overlooking human foibles, for- 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 167 
 
 giving human sins, whether of ignorance or intent, 
 sanctifying human suffering to the chastening of mind 
 and he^irt, purifying and fitting human souls for God's 
 own sinless heaven. 
 
 Since my pastorate at Washington many others have 
 passed away, while many more remain whose names are 
 in the book of life but cannot be written here. Gradu- 
 ally this church has grown in numbers and strength to 
 such proportions as to require and justify the enterprise 
 of a new church edifice, which at this writing (in 1896) 
 is in course of erection under supervision of the heroic 
 l)astor. Rev. John R. Wright, and which gives equal 
 ])romise of great beauty and superior commodiousness. 
 
 Newton District, 1869-73. 
 
 My request of one year before was quite set aside by 
 Bishop Scott at the Conference session of 1869, held in 
 Central Church, Newark. The outcome was a great 
 surprise to me, no liint of it in advance having been re- 
 ceived from eitlier bishop or presiding elder; and, while 
 it gave proof of continued official confidence, it sadly 
 disturbed our comfdit and interfered with our conveni- 
 ence. Thougli perhaps intended as a compliment and 
 not in any wise a penalty, I could easily foresee that my 
 api)ointment to Newton District meant an abundance of 
 hard work and some painful sacrifices to which neither 
 health nor purse seemed at all equal. But if " all's well 
 that ends well," then may we look back with gratitude 
 and pleasure upon our four years of service there, 
 ^ilost of our quarterly meetings meant much as to both 
 attendance and interest, revivals were numerous, and 
 substantial progress, financial and spiritual, crowned the 
 united labors of pastors and people. 
 
 As an interesting item of history it may be stated that 
 the first District Conference in the whole Church was 
 
168 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 held, under the new provision of Discipline, at Decker- 
 town, on Newton District, September 25, 26, 1872, the 
 writer presiding, and the Rev. John F. Dodd acting as 
 secretary. By the common verdict it was a pronounced 
 success. Anotlier similar one was held at Newton, 
 February 5, 6, 1S73, and was graced by the welcome 
 presence of Bishop Foster, whose sermon and addresses 
 were listened to with profound attention and interest. 
 His personal address to me at llie district parsonage, in 
 presence of the preachers and law men of the district, was 
 of special interest to myself and family, being rendered 
 doubly surprising and weighty by the well-filled purse 
 that crowned it. Added interest followed in the read- 
 ing by Brother Dodd of an appreciative original poem 
 which is still carefully preserved. 
 
 During the (juadrennium several new churches were 
 built and dedicated, an average of at least two for each 
 year; besides which old debts were either paid off or 
 greatly reduced, and good progress made in building or 
 improving parsonages or relieving tliem of debt. The 
 recently purchased district iiarsonage, located at Ne\\- 
 ton, engaged a large share of attention and called forth 
 vigorous efforts by jiastors and laymen to meet the finan- 
 cial obligations held against it; nor did they fail of a 
 fair measure of success. 
 
 Among the eminent ministers who rendered their 
 valuable services at our church dedications, were Bishop 
 Janes, Drs. John Milcy and Robert L. Dashiell, the Revs. 
 Lewis R. Dunn, James S. Chadwick, John D. Blain, and 
 Charles Farew, each of tliem preaching at one or morp 
 of the following places: Hamburg, Newfoundland, Ver- 
 non, Unionville, Branchville, Hurdtown, Lake Hopat- 
 cong, and Dingman's Ferry (Riverdale). 
 
 An interesting feature of a presiding elder's life on 
 this district was his association with the Sussex: County 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 169 
 
 Bible Society in its annual meetings. Prominent in this 
 society were Judge R)erson, ex-tlovernor Haines, Dr. 
 Ryerson, etc., of the Presbyterian Church, through 
 whose inllucncc such men as the Hon. ^\'illiam E. Dodge 
 and Dr. S. 1. Prime were brought from New York or 
 elsewhere to address the annual meetings, thus giving 
 opportunity to those living remote from the centers to 
 see and hear them. The stated annual sermon, however, 
 was preached (juite as often, to say tlie legist, by some 
 Methodist minister as by any other. The secretary of 
 the society at that time was the Rev. James N. Fitz- 
 Gerald, now bishop, who continued to hold the office 
 while lie remained pastor at Newton, his successor in 
 the office being one of our ])roniincnt laymen, the Hon. 
 Hiram C. Clark, to whose faithful and efficient services 
 during the years that have followed the society has been, 
 and still is, especially indebted for its success. 
 
 Very few parsonages on the district were visited 
 by death during my term, yet they were not wholly ex- 
 empt. From the home of Protlier John F. Dodd, at 
 Lafayette, was borne away a lo\ely child, after tender 
 obsequies conducted by tlie writer. At Hainesville 
 the pastor, the Rev. Cieorge (). Carmichael, fell asleep 
 in Jesus March 3, 1872, and two days after was con- 
 signed to his last resting place amid deep regrets and 
 many tears. 
 
 A few pleasant episodes occurred in lines matrimonial. 
 I say ejMsodes, for the solemnization of marringe is 
 practicall}- forfeited by one's appointment to the presid- 
 ing eldership, this cheerful sers ice being properly con- 
 fined to the pastors, with here or there an excei)tion. 
 One of these exceptions took me to Paterson to officiate 
 at the marriage of ()s( ar JelTery, Escp, of ^Washington, 
 N. J., and Miss iMnma A\'ilde, of the former place, her 
 pastor, the Rev. Jesse L. Plurlbut, assisting. The 
 
170 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 happy days of nuptial bliss elapsing since have been as 
 numerous as the days themselves. 
 
 Another exception occurred much nearer home, in 
 the marriage of Mr. Frank M. Hough, a leading 
 merchant of Newton, as also a prominent, influential 
 member and officer of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 But a few yards from his own inviting home he stood 
 with his handsome bride while the writer pronounced 
 them husband and wife, his pastor, the Rev. Charles C. 
 A\'inans, assisting in other parts of the ceremony. The 
 nuptial occasion was not more delightful than the do- 
 mestic happiness that followed has been complete. 
 
 Tile marriage of one of our young townsmen brought 
 me again into pleasant association with the pastor just 
 named, this time as his assistant. The comely bride 
 was Miss Ella M. Gordon, daughter of a skilled and use- 
 ful blacksmith known and respected by all. The bride- 
 groom was a dexterous, industrious, progressive printer; 
 and the wedding was a very pleasant affair. Since then 
 Mr. John S. C.ibson has risen to marked prominence 
 and influence as an editor, a popular and eloquent politi- 
 cal speaker, and the incumbent of an important lucra- 
 tive public ofiice in the city of Newark — that of comp- 
 troller. 
 
 Not the least delightful of all the occasions in this 
 line was the marriage of the Rev. Alexander Craig to 
 Miss Ella Hart, at the genial home of her brother, 
 William H. Hart, Esq. The pleasant day, the befitting 
 arrangements, the quiet and select company, the family 
 connections on either side, and the character of the 
 parties combined to give special interest to the time 
 and place. The very generous fee was in keeping with 
 the man. The prominent position in the Church since 
 held by them, and the useful work accomplished are 
 well known. 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 171 
 
 Of the happy homes and deliglitfiil associations of 
 this large district I am forbidden to write, except to 
 make a bare record of some names of the sainted dead : 
 Peter Smith, Esq., of Waterloo ; Brothers J. Osborn, 
 Clark, and Rose, of Stanhope; Judge Iliff, of Newton; 
 Brothers Bedell and S. H. Hougli, of Branchville; 
 Mother Stoddard, of Deckertown ; Brother M. Wilson, of 
 Wantage; L. E. Elston, Esq., of I'ort Jervis; Brother S. 
 M. Palmer, Mrs. Siierman, Brotlier Samuel Utter and 
 wife, of Milford, Pa.; Brother Jesse Bell and Theodore 
 Shea, of Hainesvillc; Brother Timothy Shea, of Walpack; 
 Mrs. Robert Blair, of Johnsonsburg, and, \ cry recentl)'. 
 Brother Joseph Ay res, of Tranquillity. Doubtless many 
 otherchoice spirits have ascended since those well-rcmcm- 
 bered days of toil and triumjjh. May the larger numbers 
 who still survive follow them as they followed Christ! 
 
 It is a jjleasure to recollect that at least six young 
 men, who afterward, witii one exception, became honored 
 members of Annual Conferences, began their itinerant 
 career on this district " under the elder " during these 
 four years, namely, the Revs. Samuel W. Ciehrett, of 
 Philadelphia Conference; William Ivikins, William Mc- 
 Cain, and John H. Timbrell, of Newark Conference; 
 Walter A. Chadwick, of New York Conference, and 
 W^illiam W. Fellows, who changed denominations. 
 
 For the bestof all reasons our residence at Newton must 
 ever be held in special and sacred remembrance. Here 
 our children were saved and brought into fellowship with 
 tlie Church, some of them under the ministry of Brother 
 FitzGerald, and others under that of Brother Winans. 
 
 Trinity, Newar|,, 1873-76. 
 Here we met a cordial welcome from a generous, de- 
 voted people. The reception at the jjarsonage was 
 cheerful and hearty. 
 
172 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Here the Sunday scliool was an interesting and impor- 
 tant factor in the work of the church. Its prosperit)', un- 
 der the efficient superintendence of Brotlier William H. 
 Fairlie, suggested>and made j)Ossiblc a reseating of the 
 main room and otiier improvements in all the basement 
 rooms of the church, by the liberal contributions of the 
 school. Among his successors is the present efficient 
 superintendent, Brother Atlia B. Crooks. Here, also, the 
 prayer meetings were occasions of more than the usual 
 interest and enjoyment, a special feature being the su- 
 ]>erior singing which enlivened them. For this we were 
 indebted under God to two of the sweetest prayer meet- 
 ing singers in the land, Brothers J. S. Morriss and C. 
 Robshaw. The leader. Brother Morriss, displayed rare 
 judgment and taste in his selections, and both of them 
 sang with a fcr\ ur and unction which seemed to bring 
 heaven very near to earth ; and as they sung so they 
 prayed. Here, too, the old-time class meetings were in 
 good measure maintained. The veteran leader of the 
 Sunday morning class, Brother John C. Dennis, is well 
 remembered, and, though now dead, he yet speaketh. 
 Anotlier well attended and prosperous class had for its 
 vigorous leader ]5rother Morriss; and yet another was in 
 charge of Brother Warrick. Here was a church around 
 whose beginning and early history clustered many dis- 
 tinguished names. 
 
 Here occurred a social event of peculiar interest to 
 us — the marriage of our eldest daughter, Julia B., to 
 Charles A. Dennis, previously spoken of. A son of the 
 veteran leader above mentioned, he has been giving in 
 these later years a most tender, impressive illustration 
 of the command, " Honor thy father and thy mother," 
 both of whom, when disabled by age and infirmity, 
 found a loving home in his home, where each in turn 
 came down to a calm deathbed " sustained and soothed 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 173 
 
 by ail luifaltciing trust," and whence each with befiitini; 
 lioiiors was borne away to " the house appointed for all 
 living." In all the kindly ministrations of that home 
 toward the venerable pair, and singly toward the mother 
 after the father's death, the daughter-in-law shared fully 
 and affectionately with the son. 
 
 Here we were favored each year witli blessed revi\ al 
 influences, under which precious souls in goodly num- 
 bers were saved and brought into the Church. 
 
 By the courtesy of the Newark Preachers' Meeting I 
 served as its president for two or more successive years. 
 Tlie weekly sessions were held in the parlors of St. 
 Paul's Church, of which Dr. Charles X. Sims was then 
 pastor, to whose regular attendance and strong influence 
 tile meeting owed much of its success. Some of us re- 
 call with pleasure tiie happy Monday gatherings en jo} cd 
 at his table through the generous urbanity of liimsclf 
 and Mrs. Sims. An added personal favor to me was his 
 careful inspection of Raclui ]]'ccpiii^^ for Ju r Cliildicit, 
 followed by his a])[)rc< iative " Introduction." 
 
 Here, just on the e\e of our leaving for the new 
 charge, a genuine surprise came to me in the form of 
 an elegant upholstered student's chair, which is still do- 
 ing good service and is likely yet to do for years to come. 
 
 FuLTox Street, Elizaiskth, 1876-79. 
 
 Our appointment to this charge was a new surprise, 
 but proved to be among the happiest and best. That 
 it contained a percentage of " peculiar peoi)le " was not 
 strange, since to escape them altogether one must needs 
 go quite out of the world. AVith a comfortable house, 
 a good-sized church, a large congregation, a strong offi- 
 cial board, an interesting Sunday school, and a live 
 class-attending membership, we had much to encourage 
 us in our work of faith and labor of love. 
 12 
 
174 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Our cliildren, fast growing into early manhood and 
 womanhood, found safe and agreeable companionship 
 among the many young people of the church. So strong 
 at length did the young element become that steps were 
 taken to organize a young people's prayer meeting. Did 
 any oppose it O, certainly, a few of the older breth- 
 ren ; but the meeting was quietly formed and proved 
 an eminent success in every point of view. Each Sat- 
 urday evening witnessed the coming together of a com- 
 pany of Christian young people ambitious for spiritual 
 advancement and usefulness. Two of the young men of 
 that meeting afterward went forth under the call of the 
 Spirit to devote themselves to the work of the ministry 
 in the Newark Conference, the roll of which bears the 
 names of Andrew Henry and John McMurray. 
 
 Here a coveted pleasure came to us through the char- 
 acteristic kindness of our two good friends. Major Wil- 
 son and Mr. P. H. Wyckoff, neither of them a member 
 of the church, but both of them liberal supporters, Mr. 
 Wyckoff being also a trustee. He was prominently con- 
 nected with the Central Railroad of New Jersey as gen- 
 eral freight agent; and Major Wilson had a heart and a 
 purse as rotund as his handsome person. From the 
 former came the happy surprise of round trip passes for 
 myself and wife to the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 
 in Philadelphia, accompanied by the wherewith from the 
 latter to meet our boarding and incidental expenses. 
 The problem that had been puzzling us was now solved, 
 and we were not slow in setting out on our delightful 
 trip or tardy in our sight-seeing of the wonders of the 
 great Centennial. The death of Major Wilson after we 
 left the charge was preceded by his genuine conversion 
 and emphatic declarations of faith in Christ. 
 
 I must write of another special friend, but can do it 
 only with mingled joy and sadness. Thomas Winsor, a 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 175 
 
 cultured and brilliant lawyer, was tlio only son of the 
 Rev. (leorge \\'insor, so long and favorably known as a 
 minister of the New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 
 The son was a member and officer of the Fulton .Street 
 Church. The familiar ma.xim, " Liberal to a fault," was 
 applicable to him with p double emphasis. His lovely 
 wife was attacked with [)ulnionary disease, and, after 
 many alternate hopes and fears, calmly entered into rest. 
 Standing in the pulpit at the funeral, I thought and 
 spoke of his only sister, Mary, whose funeral services 1 
 had conducted at Woodrow, Staten Island, fifteen years 
 before. This was a new and yet greater s()rr(Mv. After 
 a suitable lapse of time he sought and found another 
 wife, cultured, refined, wealthy, affectionate. Alas! 
 that he should have been caught in the toils of the 
 drink habit! The rest is soon told. With business 
 ruined and health broken down, he goes to his widowed 
 mothers home at Milford, Pa., to suffer a little longer 
 and then die. several years short of middle life. Was he 
 saved.'' Those who were with him in his last sickness 
 believe that he was. on the one only condition of " re- 
 pentance toward Gotl, and faith toward the Lord Jesus 
 Christ." Largely through his generous influence our 
 youngest son was able to enter and pass through Dr. 
 Pingree's preparatory school, and afterward enter and 
 become a graduate of the New York University, which 
 Mr. Winsor was ever proud to call his own alma titater. 
 Fain would we forget his weaknesses and failures and 
 think only of his generous, noble qualities of mind and 
 heart. 
 
 During our term here some needed repairs were put 
 upon the church and a pressing indebtedness canceled, 
 thereby preparing the way for a new parsonage enter- 
 prise, which was entered upon and completed after our 
 departure. It is pleasant to remember that the Quar- 
 
176 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 tcrly Conference of lliis cluircli lionored itself in giving 
 local ineacher's license to one who has since risen to 
 distinguished jironilnence and usefulness, the Rev. Jona- 
 than iM. Meeker, 1-ih.l)., now of the Cincinnati Confer- 
 ence. That he still calls nie " pastor " seems not hu- 
 miliating to him and is accei)ted as a compliment by me. 
 A review of the ])rol)ationers' list indicates the ingath- 
 ering of several scores of souls during this pastorate, 
 the chief increase occurring the second year. The 
 names of the many friends, devoted and true, whom we 
 left behind in this growing charge can only be remem- 
 bered and cherished, not written. 
 
 A\'ould that in these later years the wolf of division 
 had not entered to scatter the sheep of so goodly a fold! 
 Without attempting to locate the responsibility, the fact of 
 a serious wrong somewhere is but too obvious. "United 
 we stand, divided we fall." 
 
 Trtnitv, Staten Isl.\nl), N. Y., 1879-82 (Second 
 'I'imk). 
 
 Having reached and passed my majority of absence 
 from this church, I was appointed to it again, the con- 
 ditions having meanwhile, however, become greatly 
 altered. On the one hand, it had been tapped by Grace 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, and, on the other, by Cal- 
 vary Presbyterian Church, reducing both the member- 
 shii> and congregation, especially the latter. The parson- 
 age had grown old and less comfortable, many of our 
 former parishioners had died or moved away, while the 
 increase of pojiulation had been but small; yet the status 
 of the charge in i)oint of salary had risen many ])er cent. 
 
 The project of building a new parsonage, or at least 
 greatly enlarging and improving the old one, soon be- 
 came a very live question, and several meetings of the 
 official board were held and plans discussed with refer- 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 177 
 
 ence to it; but it became apparent at length that the 
 great diversity of opinion among the brethren, though 
 tlioroughly good-natured, was proof that the conditions 
 were not yet ripe for such a movement. So the pas- 
 tor's advice to postpone the whole subject indefinitely 
 was quietly accepted as the best thing to be done. 
 The proper ripeness of conditions was reached a few 
 years after, and a superb new parsonage took the place 
 of the old. 
 
 The Sunday school session was held the year round 
 in the morning, and the pastor was expected to serve 
 as teacher of the adult Bible class, which met in one of 
 the side rooms of the church. The superintendent. 
 Brother A. C. Hillyer, desired this arrangement still 
 continued, which to my mind seemed not a little for- 
 midable, the last hour before preaching having hitherto 
 been peculiarly sacred and important to me in the 
 study. I told him of my embarrassment, but said, " I 
 am here as pastor to serve the church and the Sunday 
 school to the utmost of my ability, and shall do it in 
 whatever way you and the brethren may deem best." 
 Many were the happy and, I trust, useful hours spent 
 by me in that Bible class. 
 
 There came a time when the room greatly needed re- 
 pairing and refurnishing, to provide the necessary funds 
 for which our son, pursuing his college course, and other 
 members of the class resolately set about the work of 
 ' arranging for a concert of high order, which in due time 
 was held at Griffetli's Hall and proved a success, finan- 
 cially and otherwise, even beyond the highest expecta- 
 tion, the net result being about $130. This was expended 
 for the purpose designed, making the room both com- 
 fortable and attractive, the effect of these substantial 
 improvements being even yet apparent. 
 
 As my pastoral term was closing a now and happy 
 
178 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 arrangement was made for the class under which a thor- 
 oughly competent layman would have charge of it as 
 teacher. That layman was Captain Charles W. Ken- 
 nedy, a cultured, consecrated Christian gentleman with 
 few equals in any church. Both he and the excellent 
 superintendent are now fast becoming veterans in their 
 respective lines of work. 
 
 While here, there came to reside among us a dis'tin- 
 guished and venerable couple, the Rev. John Robinson 
 and wife, he being a superannuate of the Erie Conference, 
 in which when younger he had been a man of great 
 power, physically, intellectually, and spiritually, jjlain 
 traces of which power were manifest in his old age. His 
 great familiarity with the Bible enabled him to recite 
 his scripture lessons with closed book when about to 
 preach. His sermons, prayers, and testimonies were a 
 benediction, as were also the presence, testimonies, and 
 prayers of his saintly wife. They resided with their 
 son. Dr. S. Robinson, an eminent physician whose kind- 
 nesses to us personally we shall never be able to repay. 
 
 A noteworthy event was the visit of Drs. Hurst and 
 Fowler in the interest of Drew Seminary, of which the 
 former was at the time president. This was the church 
 from the pastorate of which he had gone, several years 
 before, to take charge of our theological school work in 
 Cermany. His old friends at Trinity were glad to see 
 and hear him again; and tliey gave a hearty welcome to 
 Dr. Fowler, as one witli whom they h.ad become ac- 
 quainted through his editorship of The CJirisfian Allo- 
 cate, though they had never before heard or seen him. 
 He jireached on Sunday evening, Dr. Hurst having 
 preached in the morning; and the reader may be sure 
 there wns\igorous "begging" at each service on that 
 niemoral)lc day. Part of the time they v/ere entertained 
 at the parsonage, and afterward at the more commodious 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 179 
 
 home of Brother A. C. Hillyer, the sequel but a few 
 years later showing that we had been entertaining two 
 coming bishops " unawares." 
 
 Although no such extensive revival attended this sec- 
 ond pastorate as had crowned the first, yet each year, 
 especially the second, witnessed the conversion of a 
 considerable number. 
 
 Here came another farewell surprise, tliis time a double 
 one, enriching the hand of the pastor's wife with a beau- 
 tiful gold watch, and investing his own person with a 
 handsome wrapper for use in the study and the home. 
 How true that "there is none abiding!" The latter 
 gift became worn out in honest, useful service; the 
 other, some years later, quietly stepped "down and out" 
 one day at noontide on the dexterous fct-t of a bedroom 
 thief, who, worse than Judas Iscariot, never returned to 
 confess his crime or restore his dishonest booty. 
 
 New PROvinENCE, N. J., 1882-85. 
 
 The Conference session of 1882 was held in one of 
 our stately churches, and, from occupying the bishop's 
 chair by his authority on the last evening till near its 
 close, we were sent by that same authority to a parson- 
 age home which, by common consent, was cpiite unfit 
 for occupancy by any respectable family. AVas it strange 
 that the pastor's wife who, for many years, had borne 
 " the burden and heat of the day " in serving the Church 
 and caring for a large family should give expression to 
 her deep sorrow in tears, or that the sorrow thus experi- 
 enced should insensibly impair her health and hasten 
 the sudden death in which in less than seventeen months 
 after stilled her beating heart ? 
 
 Meanwhile, my own health had succumbed to the 
 heavy strain wliich tliree sermons and a ride of eight 
 miles each Sabbath had imposed upon me, tlie breakdown 
 
180 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 coming early in June of our second year and obliging a 
 perfect rest of my broken voice during the next four 
 months. A part of this time was occupied in visiting 
 friends, my wife remaining behind to care for the home 
 and entertain the various ministers who had been en- 
 gaged to fill the pulpit. While in Cape May County, a 
 letter told me of her sickness, which, though not con- 
 sidered dangerous or even serious, led me to shorten my 
 intended absence and hasten back to our home. 
 
 None too soon was my return. She was able to meet 
 and greet me on the front lawn, and for a few days to sit 
 with us at the family meals; but during the next Sun- 
 day night she was suddenly attacked as she had been 
 two weeks previously, then, however, to find relief, now, 
 alas ! to wrestle in vain with the insidious heart trouble 
 which a few years before, as the setpicl proved, had 
 marked her for a victim. At break of day, August 13, 
 1883, her troubled heart had ceasi^d to throb, there being 
 present the family physician. Dr. Corey, our youngest son, 
 Horatio M., and the two younger daughters, Hattic and 
 Mellie, with the writer. Our home and our hearts were 
 desolate beyond description. 
 
 Three days later the funeral services at the church 
 were attended by a large congrc-atii^n, including nu- 
 merous relatives, with friends from former charges, and 
 about thirty ministers of the Conference, addresses being 
 delivered by Presiding Elder Joseph H. Knowles, and 
 the Revs. Crook S. Vancleve, Ralph S. Arndt, and 
 Thomas H. Smith. Next day a new-made grave at 
 Cedar Lawn, Paterson, N. J., received all that was mortal 
 of my faithful, devoted, beloved Amelia, the Rev. Charles 
 C. Winans conducting the burial service. A fitting 
 memoir from the i)en of Dr. J. M. Freeman was published 
 in The Christian Advocate^ and the next spring read by 
 him at the Conference memorial service. 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 181 
 
 Five months and more after our changed life had here 
 begun I received the following episcopal letter, which 
 sufficiently tells its own story without note or comment 
 from me : 
 
 "September 6, 1S82. 
 
 " Dear Brother Vansant : I intended shortly after 
 the Newark Conference to write to you, for I wanted to 
 say some things which it was not possible, in the hurry 
 of the Conference session, to say. I felt very keenly the 
 singular and unexpected combination of unfortunate 
 circumstances which resulted in New Providence being 
 your home. I could say what I know would convince 
 you of my best will and earnest sympathy with you and 
 your dear family. But I know you will take some things 
 for granted, and that my undiminished good feeling to- 
 ward, and effort to accommodate, you will be one. . . . 
 "Yours very truly," etc. 
 
 Coincident with my first Sunday on the charge, before 
 moving, was the lamented death of one of the most 
 prominent members and officers of tlie church, Mr. 
 John Wood; but I was taken sick and became unable 
 to attend the funeral services, which were conducted by 
 the Revs. James M. Tuttle and Charles S. Coit. 
 
 Amid all our embarrassments we quietly entered in 
 good heart upon the work of our new field. One of the 
 first things to engage attention was that of repairing the 
 parsonage. I was especially urged to this by our near- 
 est neighbor, Mr. E. F. Williams, with whose elegant 
 home directly opposite the dilapidated parsonage stood 
 in humiliating contrast. He said the trustees were too 
 busy witli their own affairs to attend to it, and added, 
 " If you don't do it, it will not be done ; " then for my 
 encouragement he said he would give me his check for 
 
182 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 one hundred dollars that day, which he did. With such 
 practical interest shown by a citizen not connected with 
 the church, how could I do otherwise than proceed ? A 
 meeting of the trustees was secured, to whom I said, 
 "If you will authorize the necessary repairs and appoint 
 an advisory and auditing committee I will collect the 
 needful funds, buy the materials, hire the workmen, and 
 pay all bills, with the understanding, of course, that you 
 render the aid of your personal contributions according 
 to ability." The trustees were only too glad to take me 
 at my word, and the work was promptly begun, vigor- 
 ously prosecuted, and satisfactorily completed. 
 
 Another meeting of the trustees was held, to which I 
 reported that the total subscriptions had been sufficient 
 to cover the entire cost of over five hundred dollars ; 
 that every subscription had been collected without the 
 loss of a dollar or a cent ; that every workman had been 
 paid, and every bill settled in full, with three dollars and 
 forty cents remaining in my hands, which they voted I 
 should keep. Thus we were made comfortable and they 
 happy, while all the people were glad. 
 
 About ten months after the deatli of her whom we 
 mourned the parsonage witnessed the quiet marriage of 
 her sister, Mrs. Emma R. Buckhout, and Mr. Sherman 
 Broadwell, which proved a source of great domestic 
 happiness to both. Five months later occurred the 
 marriage of our surviving twin daughter, who had now 
 reached a bright and useful young womanhood. The 
 two ladies, mentioned elsewhere, for whom she and her 
 mate had been named, were present to superintend the 
 home preparations, besides whom a very small number 
 of friends had been invited. Amid the mingling of 
 tender memories and joyful anticipations she became the 
 wife of Mr. Harry M. Wagner, a young man of Balti- 
 more, Md., whose personal character, with his family, 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 183 
 
 cluircli, and l)usiness relations, rendered him full worthy 
 tlie hand of his happy bride. 
 
 Here I served as pastor of not only one of the most, 
 but of the most, remarkable of all the men of my ac- 
 quaintance — S. Thomas Day. Stricken with blindness 
 in slacking lime six months after his marriage, he lived 
 to be tlie father of seven sons and a daughter without 
 ever seeing one of them, the whole number, with no ex- 
 ception, growing up possessed of rare excellences; he 
 himself a member and officer of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Ciuirch, and each one of his sons the same, the daughter 
 becoming the wife of one of our ministers, the Rev. 
 Stephen H. Jones; his own father, the Rev. Stephen 
 Day, an ordained local preacher, and four brothers, the 
 Revs. Mulford Day, Benjamin Day, Peter D. Day, and 
 Edwin A. Day, members of Annual Conferences, with 
 three other brothers, Stephen, Daniel, and Francis, mem- 
 bers and officers of the Churcli ; liis mother an almost 
 lifelong Christian, with a fair prospect, but for a fall, 
 of becoming a centenarian; and his wife, still living, a 
 woman, as anyone might readily infer, of superior judg- 
 ment, energy, and wisdom. Where can be found a 
 parallel? The conversations, prayers, and testimonies 
 of S. T. Day still ring in the writer's soul as inspirations 
 to hope and courage and work. 
 
 Other important families might be named, as Burnett, 
 Wilcox, Valentine, Dickinson, Corey, Ulrich, Samson, 
 Nevins, Durie, and Johnson at New Providence; and 
 French, Stevens, Coon, and Smalley at Union Village. 
 
 The extraordinary afflictions through which I had 
 passed were followed by fervid expressions of an unfal- 
 tering, triumphant faith, published in The Christian Ad- 
 vocate. Soon after, I spoke to Dr. Buckley, the editor, 
 of my embarrassment in having written so frankly and 
 fully about myself, to which he kindly replied that the 
 
184 
 
 Sunset MemorieSi 
 
 ai'lirlc had doubtless found a ready and dee]) respfjnsj 
 in tlie hearts of hundreds of readers. It is here given as 
 thus published: 
 
 Faith and Feeling. 
 
 BY THF. UEV. N. VANSANT. 
 
 One of tlie blessed lessons taught me in my late sick- 
 ness was the value of faith — a fixed, uncjuestioning faith 
 in Jesus and his word. Stripped of all else, nothing 
 was left to me but "naked faith;" but this pro\ed 
 enough, (juite enough. As the hand of disease pressed 
 more and more heavily upon tlie helpless body my whole 
 emotional nature seemed under bonds. Joyless, grief- 
 less, tearless, I lay for weary weeks with cloudless mind, 
 in the calm exercise of the steady, restful faith. 
 
 Had anyone asked, " Do you /re/ happy.'" the an- 
 swer must have been, " No, but I a//i ha[)p)-, for, ' IJlessed 
 [hapi)v] is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin 
 is covered.'" Or, " Do you /<\-/ that you are a child of 
 God and an heir of liea\'en ?" " Xo, but I am sure of 
 it, for 'The S[>irit itself bearetli witness with our spirit, 
 that we are the chiklren of (iod: and if chiklren, then 
 heirs.'" Or, " Do you /rr/ that should you die you 
 would go to Jesus ? " " No, but I A-//(m' it, for ' We know 
 that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dis- 
 solved, we have a building of God, an house not made 
 with hands, eternal in the heavens. . . . Wc are confi- 
 dent, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the 
 body, and to be present with the Lord.' " 
 
 The pressure of affliction lifted, the unbound tide of 
 emotion began to flow as aforetime in " joy unspeakable 
 and full of glory." Now I know, as never so fully be- 
 fore, that the soul's great sheet-anchor of safety in 
 trouble is a firm, immovable faith. Such a faith, kept, 
 becomes in turn a keeping faith. 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 185 
 
 In reading raul's last c[)istlL' — second Tiinotliy — 1 
 liear him shout from his jirison cell at Rcmie, " I ha\ c 
 kejit the faitli; henccfortli tliere is laid u[) tor iiie a 
 crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous 
 juilge, shall gi\ e l:ic at that lAixy; " and then, turning to 
 Peter's first letter, 1 hear hini sending back from far-off 
 IJabylon the gladsoiiie response, " Who are kept by the 
 power of (iod through faith unto salvation ready to be 
 revealed in the last time." 
 
 While the above — written and dated August ii — was 
 awaiting transmission to the editor, there suddenly came 
 to me, but two da_\s after, a new and most jjaint^ul e.x- 
 ])eriencc. ("lod's ancient servant Ezekiel, in relating his 
 own sorrowful bereavement, tells the sad story of mine: 
 "Also the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son 
 of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of 
 thine eyes with a stroke; " the touching sequel of which 
 he writes in the few tender words, " And at even my 
 ■wife died." More sudden still was the fulfdlment of 
 our later premonition. Scarcely a brief hour had fol- 
 lowed it when the beloved wife, the modest but heroic 
 sharer of my itinerant toils and successes, sorrows and 
 joys, for almost thirty-nine years was also taken away 
 with a stroke. Ah! then I understood the psalmist's 
 deep bemoaning as I could not before — " All thy waves 
 and thy billows are gone over me." 
 
 ^N'ill faith stand the test of this sorer trial ? If under 
 physical prostration too great for feeling, whether of joy 
 or grief, it proved itself master of the situation, how will 
 it be now, wl.en " all the fountains of the great deep " of 
 emotion are "broken up" and "the water-flood" of 
 sorrow "overflows" the whole being.' AVill the sheet- 
 anchor still hold ? Thanks be to God, it will — it does! 
 In the inner soul-realm it is peace, blessed peace; not, 
 indeed, peace after the storm, nor \ et peace quelling it, 
 
186 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 but peace in the midst of it. Tlie winds and the waves 
 of sighing grief and gushing tears continue, nor would I 
 have them stayed ; but the divine Master's " Peace, be 
 still" steadies the. beaten bark and withholds from sub- 
 mergence beneath the agitated waters. 
 
 Only a few days before this sorrowful experience I 
 had read and marked for future reference a sweet pas- 
 sage in Fenelon, which now comes to me as part of the 
 heavenly Father's preparation for a more perfect walk- 
 ing by faith, and not by siglit: " Whoever will try it will 
 soon find that this way of naked faith, rigidly followed, 
 is the i)rofoundest and most complete death of self. . . . 
 To suffer ourselves to be stripped within and without at 
 once — without by providence, and within by the night 
 of pure faith — this is a total sacrifice and a state the 
 farthest possible from self-deception." 
 
 New Providence, N. J., Aug. 24, 18S3. 
 
 Chatham, N. J., 1885-88. 
 
 The beautiful parsonage here was nearly new, having 
 been occupied but about one year by our predecessors, 
 the Rev. Salmon D. Jones and wife, through whose ex- 
 ertions largely it had been built, under the wise plan- 
 ning and supervision of architect George W. Bower. 
 
 Here I found a veteran couple. Brother Harvey Bond 
 and wife, to whom I had ministered in my pastorate of 
 1845, 1846. Well-preserved and happy, they celebrated 
 their golden wedding a year or two since. Here, also, 
 were Brother H. W. Pierson and wife, previously men- 
 tioned, who were still active in church work. But in 
 the main the membership and congregation consisted 
 of a new generation very few of whom I had ever 
 known, including the names Kelley, Bower, Lees, Conk- 
 lin, Hall, Hopping, Carter, Sheldon, Mesler, Ford, 
 Muchmore, Taylor, Smith, Morgan, Fouratt, Brewster, 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 187 
 
 Spencer, Morgan, Broadwell, Genung, Bruen, Riker, 
 McCarl, Hill, Ryerson, Phipps, Munson, Pollard, Sid- 
 man, Struble, Hesse, and Reed. Among our best, as 
 they were our nearest, neighbors were Mr. Edward 
 Taylor and family, on the one hand, and Mr. J. T. 
 Wagner and family, on the other. A member of an- 
 other Church, Mr. A. M. French, Congregationalist, 
 kindly consented to become our Sunday school super- 
 intendent, serving as such with great acceptability and 
 usefulness. 
 
 The parsonage here was the scene of two soc ial 
 events of peculiar interest to us. The first was the 
 home-bringing of one between whom and myself was 
 thenceforward to subsist the tenderest of all human re- 
 lationships — that of husband and wife. The memoraljle 
 date when the name of Miss Josepliine L., daughter of 
 Mr. W. W. Tunis, of Madison, N. J., became changed 
 to mine was December 30, 1885, the Rev. Joseph H. 
 Knowles officiating. Said an intimate friend on becom- 
 ing acquainted with her soon after, " That marriage was 
 made in heaven;" so we believed then, and so during all 
 the years that have since passed we and our children 
 and friends have continued to believe. The other 
 event was the marriage of our youngest daughter to 
 Mr. P. T. A\'ood December 7, 1886, my sixty-third 
 birthday. A genial company gathered to witness the 
 ceremony and enjoy the quiet festivities of the even- 
 ing. The bridal tour included a trip by ocean steamer 
 to Florida. 
 
 At considerable exj)ense, provided for in advance, the 
 church and parsonage were repainted and a substantial 
 new drain built along the front of the former. The 
 garden spot in rear of the parsonage was for the first time 
 cultivated, to which was added the planting of grape- 
 vines donated by Mr. Sheldon, the fruit of which has 
 
1C8 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 been enjoyed by our successors. Ornamental vines 
 were also sel out before tlie front piazza. Mention is 
 made of these small improvements because life is 
 largely made up df little ihni^s. 
 
 Some measure of revival influence was realized each 
 year, adding somewhat to the numerical and moral 
 strength of the church. Near the close of the last year 
 we organized a Christian P^ndeavor Society, of which 
 Brother M. K. Hopping became the efficient president. 
 
 Afterward it took on the name and character of an 
 l'4)worth League chapter, under the same officers, and 
 is still continuing to do excellent work. 
 
 I must not fail to mention that the New Year's Day 
 of 1 886 was a notable one at the parsonage. Having 
 made preparation for successive calls, we waited in 
 ([uiet expectancy to welcome them; but none came, and 
 hour after hour passed, only to intensify our disap- 
 pointment. What did it mean ? Were our parishion- 
 ers offended by the installation of a new wife and 
 mother in the parsonage ? No one but the daughter 
 knew, and she skillfully concealed her knowledge by re- 
 marking in perfectly natural tone and manner, " If no 
 calls come I think it will be shabby treatment." Hav- 
 ing about settled down in quiet despair, at eight o'clock 
 or soon after the long spell was broken by the ringing of 
 the bell and the sound of footsteps. I was asked to 
 wait on the door, the opening of which revealed a 
 throng of both sexes and various ages, who had mani- 
 festly come to take possession, notwithstanding that 
 well-known maxim of the old English law that "a man's 
 house is his castle." The surprise was perfect, and to 
 the number of seventy or eighty they entered and took 
 the freedom of our house. Never did a company enjoy 
 or inijjart more genuine pleasure. The congratulations 
 were many and hearty; nor this alone, for an excellent 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 189 
 
 timekeeper, in form ot a bcaLititul mantel clock, fell to 
 the lot of tlic wife, while a superb adjustable chair, 
 suitable for health or sickness, for youth or iioary age, 
 was made over to the husband. From these and mani- 
 fold other proofs of genuine friendship the people of 
 Chatham can never cease to hold a large and warm 
 place in our hearts. 
 
 Port Oram, X. J., 1888, 1889. 
 
 My successor at Chatham, the Rev. Joshua Mead, 
 was my predecessor at Port Oram. Here I found large 
 congregations and, with but two exception-^, the largest 
 Sunday school in Morris County, these exceptions being 
 in Morristown. It was under the efficient management 
 of Brothers W. H. Tongking and E. \V. Rosevear, each 
 of whom has since become a local preacher. Tiie old- 
 fashioned class meeting was here maintained in much 
 of its primitive simplicity, the membership, consisting 
 mostly of Cornish miners and their families, being di- 
 vided into classes, the weekly meetings of which they 
 were expected to attend. As to prayer meeting work- 
 ers, their equals in numbers and talents I have rarely 
 found in city or in country. 
 
 Two good local preachers of several years' standing, 
 Brothers Eustice and Cook, were found ready to ren- 
 der all needful assistance to tlie jjastor. The latter 
 since then has passed to his reward; tlie former has 
 been employed much of his time in j)astoral work 
 under the presiding elder, and tiie spring of 1895 was 
 elected by the Newark Conference to deacon's orders 
 and ordained by Bishop Hurst. Three excellent ex- 
 horters. Brothers William Champion, James Moyle, 
 and John Trenberth, made themselves useful in many 
 ways. The last named has since become a pastor in 
 the Primitive Methodist Clnirch, and Brother Moyle has 
 13 
 
190 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 entered the ministry of the Methodist Church of Can- 
 ada. The choir furnished sweet music under the able 
 leadership of Brother Josiah Curtis, by whose worthy 
 successor, Brother Rosevear, this part of the service is 
 still happily sustained. The official board was a large 
 and strong one, with a secretary. Brother Samuel Davis, 
 as good as the best. 
 
 Besides the homes of those mentioned there were 
 many others which extended a warm welcome and 
 bountiful entertainment, as those of James T. Spargo, 
 our wonted headquarters, Farr, Dunkin, Kice, James, 
 Bullock, Osborn, Richards, Williams. 
 
 A young peojjle's society for intellectual and social 
 improvement had been organized and kept in success- 
 ful operation, the meetings of which we found a source 
 of interest and pleasure. I suggested the addition of a 
 new department of exercises, that of " literary inquiry," 
 in which the blackboard should be freely used. This 
 was adopted and proved a means of real profit, especially 
 in the orthography and j)ronunciation of words. 
 
 At length came the time to favor Zion, " yea, tiie set 
 time," resulting in a glorious revival. It began unex- 
 pectedly in a Sunday night prayer meeting after the 
 sermon. The pastor invited any who' desired to be 
 saved to rise, whereupon three young men arose and, 
 after further invitation, came to the altar. Tiiat was a 
 sudden call to tlie churcii to " go forward," and the 
 call was obeyed by the appointment of a meeting for 
 the next night, and so on for every night during the 
 next six or eight weeks, not excepting Saturday or 
 holiday evenings, until a hundred souls in round num- 
 bers had professed conversion. Many thrilling incidents 
 might be given of that gra( ious work, the blessed fruit 
 of which is seen more and more. Not an extra sermon 
 was preached, and no outside help rendered, except as 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 191 
 
 near its close three earnest brethren of Morristown, 
 Messrs. Hedges, Green (deceased January i8, 1896), 
 and McCollum, passed an evening with us. Among the 
 valuable accessions that came to the church were Dr. H. 
 W. Kice and wife, the latter by certificate, the former on 
 profession of faith experienced in a neighboring revival. 
 
 One of the regular attendants at church was Mr. E. 
 E. Potter, who has now been more than twenty-five 
 consecutive years the trusted and useful principal of the 
 Port Oram public school. This unusual fact, com- 
 bining with his superior scholarship, extensive knowl- 
 edge, thorough self-possession, plain, open manner, 
 great comp:iss of voice, and marked power in debate, 
 serves to render him a citizen of special and well-de- 
 served note. To number such a man among one's 
 honest friends is a genuine pleasure. 
 
 Having been mysteriously changed at the end of one 
 year, it is no small comfort, on revisiting tliis charge, to 
 find so many open hands and hearts and homes ready 
 to welcome us with a cordiality peculiarly refreshing. 
 My successors have been Dr. Charles Larew, an old and 
 intimate friend, the Rev. Henry Bice, and the present 
 beloved pastor, the Rev. Abraham M. Harris. 
 
 St. John's, Rossvii.i.e, St.\ten Island, N. Y., 1889-92. 
 
 This small station was set off from the old Woodrow 
 charge in 1876, with the Rev. Salmon D. Jones as its 
 first pastor. That it had not with the years increased 
 to a larger and stronger appointment resulted chiefly 
 from a constant decrease in the neighborhood popula- 
 tion. Its principal officers were the Rev. Jesse Oakley, 
 a local elder, H. H. Seguine, S. W. Benedict, J. G. 
 AVinant, J. C. Winant, J. Johnson, D. M. Ayres, Mrs. J. 
 C. Disosway, and Miss Mary Gole, besides whom may 
 be mentioned several excellent families : Woglom, 
 
192 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Sleight, Dixon, Turner, Moore, Williams, and Meyer. 
 During most of our time W. 15. Sharrot served usefully 
 as superintendent of the Sunday school. Three vener- 
 able members and ^former active officers of the church, 
 Brothers Isaac C. Winant, John V. S. Woglom, and 
 James J. Winants, passed away, the writer officiating at 
 the largely attended funeral of each. I had known 
 them all, having been their pastor forty years before, 
 and now saw them in turn come down to a peaceful 
 end. The last-named left a beautiful example of 
 Christian patience and resiL^nalion tluring a long and 
 trying affliction. After an active and successful busi- 
 ness life he was overtaken, sixteen years before his 
 death, by a paralysis which affected his whole body 
 and continued without intermission to the last; but his 
 mind was preserved in conscious serenity and trust, of 
 which, however, he was able to give but little expres- 
 sion in words. His devoted wife for so many years, 
 w^ith two sons and two daughters, still lives to cherish 
 and honor his memory. 
 
 Vet another of those long-ago parishioners whose 
 names stood on tlie rcc ords of St. John's reached the 
 (juiet end of her i)ilgriniage, Mrs. Susan A., widow of B. 
 P. Winant. For years she had been unable to attend 
 church, but, though deprived of " the communion of 
 saints," she still maintained her communion with God 
 and left assuring testimony of victory in death. The 
 funeral occasion gave us opportunity for interesting 
 reminiscences. 
 
 The semicentennial anniversary of my entrance u\^on 
 the pastoral work occurred December 4, 1890, and was 
 appropriately celebrated. A large congregation gathered 
 at the church and listened with deep interest to ad- 
 dresses from the Revs. Abraham M. Palmer, James R. 
 Bryan, John (). Winner, William B.Wigg, Enoch V. King, 
 
Chronological Glimpses. 
 
 193 
 
 and Isaac N. Vansant, as also to an original poem writ- 
 ten for the occasion by the Rev. Thomas H. Smith, the 
 merits of which fully entitled it to publication. Special 
 music was rendered, including the singing of an original 
 hymn written by the pastor. Before the dismission a 
 double surprise came to me in the well-chosen forms of 
 a handsome gold pen and a beautiful Rochester lamp, 
 the one with which to write, and the other to give need- 
 ful light. The first presentation address was made by 
 our little Sunday school orator, Aimee Oakley, and the 
 second by her venerable grandfather, Jesse Oakley. 
 After our departure her devoted mother, wlio so de- 
 lighted in the training and early development of her only 
 child, died amid many regrets, leaving lier to the care 
 of others ; and not long after the aged grandfather ex- 
 changed his earthly life of long and useful service for 
 the eternal rest of heaven. Much interest gathered 
 about the parsonage on that memorable evening, both 
 before and after the church service. On turning up my 
 plate at tlie family supper table I found adhering to it 
 in a circle five shining eagles, representing the fifty 
 years of my itinerant ministry. This well-planned 
 surprise had been concerted by our children, all of 
 whom, save the daughter at Baltimore, were present. 
 The joy was mutual, theirs as the donors being exceeded 
 only by ours as the recipients. After the public services 
 the s[)Lakcrs and a large number of other friends re- 
 paired to the parsonage to enjoy the refreshments so 
 bountifully provided by the ladies of the congregation. 
 
 Several months before this a legacy of about $1,500 
 from the estate of Mr. Orlando Wood had come into 
 possession of the trustees, enabling them to li(piidnte a 
 debt on the church building of $600, to expend $,500 
 and over on church repairs and improvements, leaving a 
 considerable balance to be used for the enlargement of 
 
194 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 a hall belonging to the church and standing directly op- 
 posite. This accomplished, the enlarged building, at 
 the pastor's suggestion, took the name of " Orlando 
 Hall " in honor of ^he generous legator. 
 
 The parsonage was owned by Captain J. Johnson Wi- 
 nants, and since 1876 had been occupied by the pastors 
 and their families, either free of rent or at a very small 
 rental consideration. In the autumn of our first year 
 several needed improvements were put upon the build- 
 ing and a well of good water added at the expense of 
 the owner, under the wise direction of his son, J. J. Wi- 
 nants, Jr., to whom the father had several years before 
 intrusted the management of his business. The gener- 
 ous owner having repeatedly expressed an intention to 
 give this property to the church, it was supposed that 
 provision to this effect would be found in the will; but 
 this proved not to be the case. His noble wife, how- 
 ever, who so fully knew and sympathized with his wish, 
 proceeded to supply the omission at her own expense 
 by purchasing the property, which under the will had 
 fallen to the children, and then conveying it by deed to 
 the church. 
 
 In spiritual results this pastorate was a disappointment. 
 Among the means used were the labors of Mrs. M. E. 
 Lowry, a well-known and successful evangelist, who came 
 at the pastor's invitation and by consent of the church, 
 and whose discourses were especially able, eloquent, and 
 powerful, producing a deep impression upon the large 
 congregations in attendance. Why not a marked re- 
 vival.' As it was, some were saved. 
 
 With mingled emotions our thoughts turn back to 
 this, the last and the lenst of our pastoral charges, in 
 which we arc glad to reckon some as among our best 
 and most valued friends on earth. 
 
PART IV. 
 
 MEMORIES OF NEW JERSEY AND 
 NEWARK CONFERENCES. 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 197 
 
 PART IV. 
 
 Memories of New Jersey and Newark Conferences, 
 
 HE first session of the New Jersey Conference was 
 
 * held in April, 1837, it liaving been till then a part 
 of the Philadelphia Conference. In 1841, four years 
 after its organization and one year before my admission 
 on trial, I began attending its sessions. Our annual ex- 
 aminations in the four years' course of study began with 
 the Conference of 1843, and were always looked forward 
 to with very great interest, sometimes even nervous nnx- 
 iety, which, however, in the end as often proved to have 
 been needless. 
 
 The committees of examination embodied various 
 types of men, represented somewhat as follows: Rev. 
 Jefferson Lewis, the austere, yet a true friend to all true 
 young men; Rev. John S. Porter, the dignified, yet 
 when understood as approachable, open, and simple as 
 a child ; Rev. Joseph Chattle, the gentle, a jjlain, practi- 
 cal, useful minister, with no airs and much piety; Rev. 
 Abram K. Street, the painstaking combined with the 
 earnest, himself thoroughly prepared for his examina- 
 tion on Wesley's Sei»ic7>is, and inviting similar prepara- 
 tion from the whole class by furnishing to each in ad- 
 vance a list of the questions to which he expected 
 answers ; Rev. William Roberts, the scholarly, a cultured 
 gentleman whose look, manner, and utterance gave to 
 the class a delightful home feeling in his presence. 
 
 In 1846 the latter was selected by the board of bishops 
 as superintendent of the Oregon Mission; sailed from 
 New York with instructions from the missionary board 
 
 1842-96. 
 
198 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 to explore California, where he stopped six weeks and 
 organized the first church in San Francisco; reached 
 Oregon in June, 1847, and took the place of the Rev. 
 George Gary as superintendent of the mission work on 
 the Pacific coast; in 1849, by direction of Bishop Waugh, 
 organized the Oregon and California Mission Conference, 
 which was under his superintendency four years; in 1856 
 was delegate to the General Conference at Indianapolis, 
 and the next three years agent of the American Bible 
 Society; was then stationed at Portland, Ore., and 
 served as presiding elder of the Portland District. He 
 died August 22, 1888. A few years ago, at Ocean Grove, 
 the writer, with many other old friends, enjoyed again the 
 pleasure of seeing his genial face and feeling the grasp 
 of his warm hand. Born at Burlington, N. J., in 1812, 
 he was an honor to his native State and to the Church. 
 
 Besides these five typical men we found ourselves 
 in the hands of a dozen or more others, taking the 
 four years together, but none of them ever expressed 
 censure over our lack of delight with Claude's Essay or 
 our failure to indorse everything we found in Dymond's 
 Moral Science. By common consent all around, the one 
 member of our class who passed the best examination 
 in Whateley's Lo,i;ic was the Rev. Henry B. Beegle so 
 recently dismissed from the flesh. His was a long and 
 beautiful record of fidelity, purity, and usefulness. 
 
 All of the early members of this Conference whose 
 names were mentioned in the semicentennial address 
 have passed away, with the single exception of the Rev. 
 Abram K. Street, who at this writing still survives in a 
 happy old age. It is gratifying to be able to recall the 
 names of thirty-seven still living brethren of the New 
 Jersey Conference with whom the class of 1842 held 
 Conference relations a longer or shorter time from the 
 close of that year till the opening of 1857, when the 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 199 
 
 Newark Conference was officially separated from the New 
 Jersey. Here follow the names in alphabetical order: 
 Revs. Aaron E. Ballard, Henry ^I. Brown, Peter Y. 
 Calder, Thomas C. Carman, Philij) Cline, John P. Con- 
 nelly, John I. Corson, Edward H. Durell, Caleb K. 
 Fleming, William Franklin, Jacob B. Graw, John J. 
 draw, Thomas Hanlon, Robert S. Harris, John S. 
 Heisler, Charles W. Heisley, Charles E. Hill, Samuel 
 M. Hudson, George Hughes, Alvin M. Lake, William 
 Margerum, Albert jSIatt'.iews, George H. Neal, Hamilton 
 S. Norris, William B. Osborn, Samuel E. Post, Matthias H. 
 Shimp, Thomas D. Sleeper, John L. Souder, William C. 
 Stockton, Elwood H.Stokes, RIordecai C.Stokes, Richard 
 Thorn, James Vansant, William Walton, Edwin Waters, 
 and Thomas S. Wilson. Hail, veteran comrades in "the 
 good fight of faith," till we "lay hold on eternal life! " 
 
 Newark Conference. 
 
 In 1865 the mother Conference issued a " Memorial" 
 volume containing a record of all the ministers in its 
 fellowship who had lived and died up to that time. It 
 was a book of thrilling interest. The Newark Confer- 
 ence in 1888 took action looking toward the compila- 
 tion of a similar volume, but after several postpone- 
 ments the project was abandoned in 1892. This fact 
 suggested to the writer the idea of incorporating a me- 
 morial chapter in the present volume, which of neces- 
 sity must be doife on a limited scale. It will at least 
 serve the purpose of a tJicsaurus or dictionary for con- 
 venient reference, with brief jiersonal reminiscences 
 added. The number of names on our death roll, ex- 
 tending from 1858 to 1896, inclusive, is ninety-six. All 
 the essential facts in each case are gi\'en in the tabu- 
 lated form published in the Conference Minutes, which 
 we here reproduce: 
 
200 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 IN MEMORIAM. 
 " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.' 
 
 Place of Death. 
 
 N.J 
 
 , N.J 
 
 :waik. N. J. 
 ■ ce. N.J. 
 
 Ill 1 N \ 
 
 1864,11, 
 18641 Ve 
 .S64lja. 
 
 I.X.J. 
 ,N. J. 
 N. J... 
 illc. Fla 
 
 \^ 
 
 ,N. J.. 
 
 ert l!,.yd Var.l .. 
 J.ihii S..nford Swaim. 
 
 my lic.ehm 
 
 :.c N. Fclch 
 
 Jnlin D. lilaln 
 
 liaMlinlon.ew Wc^a.. 
 Thomas Walters 
 
 ?rt I.. l).ishiell... 
 William H. l)i, kcrs„i 
 Sylvester H. OiHlykc 
 
 Kel). 
 Mar, 
 
 Mar. 
 
 ..■yC.iy, N.J. 
 riswood.N J. 
 <inu Kid;;o. N. 
 2. 1870 Clarkcsville. N. J 
 
 liridgcville. N. J 
 
 Madison. N. J 
 
 H.anover. N. J 
 
 Dcnvillo. N. J 
 
 Newark. N. J 
 
 Hainosville, N. J. . 
 Peril. .\ml,..y N.J. 
 I'ort lervis, N. V. .. 
 Mcirrislown. N. J... 
 
 u ,, N. V, 
 
 N. I.... 
 , N. J.... 
 
 N. J.... 
 
 N. J. .. 
 
 ^. ].... 
 iiv.N. J. 
 
 J.... 
 N.J. 
 
 N J 
 
 ^ N.J 
 
 ik, N. J.... 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 201 
 
 IN MEMOKIAM— Continued. 
 
 No. 
 
 Name. 
 
 Date of 
 Death. 
 
 Place of Death. 
 
 Age. 
 
 Years 
 inMin- 
 
 6.' 
 6- 
 
 John Kanll 
 
 James X.' Keys'?:;::;;'. 
 
 Willi,,!!, C. W i-uins... 
 
 1 eh. 4. 1887 Sereeantsville. X.J... 
 \l)r. I,. .H87 Ilaekensack. X. J.... 
 \l.,v 14, !^S7 lie. kertown, N. J ... 
 s,.,,", , , . -- 1' ,,, ,.,„, \- t 
 
 66 
 74 
 63 
 66 
 
 37 
 51 
 33 
 
 
 |a!!,e. M. r.iille 
 
 
 >1.>.„K 1 ake. N J.... 
 
 78 
 
 43 
 5' 
 
 6^ 
 fin 
 
 lames H. l-llinv ■!! 
 
 William ll!i,i..ii, 
 
 Cornelius Clark. .Sr 
 
 I..,,.' r,: 
 
 \[)r. 8, i8X.S 
 
 1 .1,. ,i,ille. N. V 
 
 *|{' 1"*' '1 
 
 54 
 6^ 
 75 
 
 32 
 36 
 
 6S 
 7.'. 
 
 I'eter I). D.ay 
 
 John Scarlett 
 
 cr.H.k s. va„/ie\.';; ; ; ; ; 
 
 UcL i'888 
 I.in. iR, 18S0 
 
 New Pro\ idence. N.J. 
 Or.ine,'. X. 1 
 
 r'' "'■""'u'. n; j;';;; 
 
 77 
 86 
 63 
 75 
 
 56 
 48 
 39 
 54 
 
 
 
 
 i ,,Ms. \. V... 
 
 
 .\n,.'.s n' r.di'v,; ; ;;.;;, 
 
 
 li.N, I 
 
 \ 1 
 
 85 
 
 61 
 
 "4 
 
 lleiijaniii, 1 l.,v 
 
 Cl.,,llr, M.,x1m,,v 
 
 
 ■ , V .'■ '■' 'v 
 
 84 
 18 
 
 59 
 8 
 
 
 ..\ml.r..,e s. C'. .1,1 , a. ■„ . . . . 
 
 
 
 
 36 
 
 
 ].,\,u V. M tlii^ 
 
 N - W C 
 
 
 \ 
 
 77 
 
 ':.'> 
 
 40 
 
 
 
 
 N :i 
 
 N.'i.;.', '.. 
 
 
 59 
 21 
 
 
 Al. v.illder L. l;riLL' . . 
 
 
 .■..nk N. 1: 
 
 1 li/,,h. ih, N, 1 
 
 70 
 
 42 
 43 
 45 
 
 
 .Mlpcrt H. I'.ro'.vn 
 
 
 
 
 38 
 
 
 |a, ,,l> P. Kort 
 
 J.-ial, F. Canli, l.i 
 
 Thomas H. Ja.ol,,,.., . 
 
 
 \r"'"k: n; j:;.;;;;; 
 
 75 
 87 
 
 50 
 65 
 27 
 
 
 
 59 
 
 
 Martin llerr 
 
 William Dav 
 
 
 'v'j::: 
 
 75 
 
 5' 
 44- 
 
 
 Charles H. Ilass.-tl 
 
 \\^is,,„ a; m,m III. ii..r " " 
 
 ( \ ieliiiis A, W -mil n^li 
 
 
 
 30 
 58 
 
 S 
 34 
 
 
 
 
 43 
 70 
 
 '9 
 
 tl 
 5 
 48 
 
 c)4 iiuiiiy i.iiiz 
 
 95 Lewis (i. (jrifTifli 
 
 q6 IJohn O. Winner 
 
 i-'eb. 5, cai„'.ie„.'x';'j ;.;..:;. 
 
 Mar. 4. 189611'enningion, N.J 
 
 7< 
 
 33 
 70 
 
 Rev. IcHABOD B. Carmichael was converted in 1834, 
 when a boy, and became a useful member and oftit cr of 
 the Church. After many struggles he yielded to tlie 
 call of God and the Church in 1853, by leaving liis busi- 
 ness as a farmer in Sullivan County, N. Y., and serving 
 as junior preacher on Harmony Circuit, Warren ("ounty, 
 N. J. The next spring he was received on trial in the 
 New Jersey Conference and returned to the same circuit; 
 in 1855, 1856, laborctl on Sparta Circuit, Sussex County, 
 and in 1857 was appointed to Vernon Circuit, where his 
 
202 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 brief itinerant career was ended by death within the 
 Conference year. He was twice married, each time to 
 a sister of the Rev. Reuben Vansyckle. His death was 
 triumphant, his la,st words being, " Jesus is with me." He 
 is pleasantly remembered as a devoted, earnest, and use- 
 ful preacher. 
 
 Rev. John Knox Shaw was born in Ireland April lo, 
 1800, and within a year was brought by his parents to 
 this country. He was marked by superior ability in the 
 pulpit, great diligence in his pastoral work, and eminent 
 usefulness in promoting the material and educational 
 interests of the Church. He "took an active part in 
 founding the Pennington Seminary;" indeed, "all the 
 early records give him the credit of having originated 
 the school," so that in a large sense it may be said of 
 him that he was the founder of tliat great institution. 
 Fifteen years after attending liis impressive funeral serv- 
 ices at Trinity (Warren Street) Churcli, Newark, just 
 then completed through his industrious toil, tlie writer 
 became pastor of the same church, where he found his 
 name lovingly embalmed in the memories and hearts of 
 the people. It was fitting that his three sons, of Bal- 
 timore, Md., inheriting, with one daughter, Mrs. Run- 
 yon, of Morristown, N. J., the noble qualities of their 
 father, should give expression to their reverence for his 
 memory in a superb volume of four hundred pages, 
 bearing title. The Life and Words of tlie Rev. John 
 Knox Shaw (1887). To this was added a beautiful 
 tribute by the widowed mother, when at her more recent 
 death she left the generous bequest of $1,000 to the 
 Centenary Fund and Preachers' Aid Society of the New- 
 ark Conference. He was admitted to the Philadelphia 
 Conference in 1825, and spent thirty-three years in 
 active, successful work, having been a member of the 
 General Conferences of 1844 and 1848. 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 203 
 
 Rev. Thomas McCakroll, a man of singular mod- 
 esty, purity, and lovableness, was born in Chester County, 
 Pa., August 12, 1800. I was in a position to know him 
 better than I could know most other men. As a friend, 
 a preacher in charge, and a presiding elder, he was 
 found in my experience to be without superiors and with 
 few equals. He was a strong man in the pulpit and 
 genial in social life; was a diligent student, and in his 
 later years devoted himself with good suc cess to liie 
 study of the original languages of Scripture. A\"hile 
 recently visiting Mr. Thomas McCarrt)ll at Morristown, 
 N. J., the writer enjoyed the great satisfaction of look- 
 ing again upon the well-])resej"vcd librai)- of his father, 
 with its choice collection of old and valuable works. 
 Besides the son named he left two others, William and 
 Charles, both of whom have since followed him in death, 
 the funeral services of the former being conducted by 
 the writer and Dr. John Atkinson. A few years earlier 
 had come the obsequies of the vcneral)le and beloved 
 mother, in which the writer assisted, it liaving yet earlier, 
 i860, devolved on him to preach the funeral discourse 
 of the venerated husband and father at the Halsey Street 
 Church, Newark, and to prepare his memoir. The only 
 daughter, Miss Eli/a, is living in loving remembrance 
 of her dead. Brother McCarroll entered the Pliiladel- 
 phia Conference in 1829, and was a member of the Gen- 
 eral Conference of 1852. 
 
 Rev. Thomas W. Pearson was born in Hull, Kngland, 
 December 8, 1804, and came to us by transfer from Troy 
 Conference to the New Jersey in 1S52, his successive 
 charges being Asbury and Trinity, Statcn Island, two 
 years each; Otisville, N. Y., two years; Asl)ur\- again, 
 two years; and New Providence, N. J., where he soon 
 died. The funeral sermon was preached by his intimate 
 friend, the Rev. J. L, G, McKown, the interment being at 
 
204 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 xXsbury, Staten Island. 1 was his successor at Trinity, 
 and served as a bearer at his funeral. His excellent 
 wife survived him till July 8, 1894, living and dying at 
 the happy home on Staten Island of their only daugh- 
 ter, Mrs. Albert Vroom. Brother Pearson was a good 
 scholar, a superior preacher, and a successful pastor. 
 
 Rev. Dayton F. Reeij was born in Simsbury, Conn., 
 March 16, 1817, and converted at twenty, when straight- 
 way he began laboring w ith zeal for the conversion of 
 others; was licensed to preach in 1839, and devoted the 
 next ten years to the work of an evangelist, winning 
 many souls to Christ; was admitted on trial by the New 
 Jersey Conference in 1850, and went as a blazing comet 
 from charge to cliarge, never remaining in any one more 
 than a single year ; in 1857 broke down in health; and 
 in i860 died, "after a brief, but violent, attack of con- 
 gestion of the brain." In originality of thought and 
 vividness of descri])tion, especially in presenting the 
 darker shades of truth, he was almost without an equal. 
 As we heard him again and again, his pictures of "judg- 
 ment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the ad- 
 \ersarics," were startling in the extreme. His book, 
 J)////<-s, Tests, and Coinfoits, was a soul-stirring one, but 
 never attained a circulation equal to its merits. He was 
 a man of deep and uniform piety. His estimable widow 
 is still living in Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Rev. Manninc; Force stood very high in both stature 
 and influence. His ministry extended over the long 
 period of fifty-one years. During much of this time 
 "he held a commanding rank among his brethren," and 
 was " the compeer of Lawrence McCombs, Jose])h Ly- 
 brand, Joseph Rusling, Richard W. Petherbridge, and 
 Cliarles Pitman." He was elected to six General Con- 
 ferences— 1824, 1828, 1832, 1836, 1840, and 1S48. The 
 word " Jioney " was a favorite one with him, and he 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 205 
 
 carried in his spirit and his life a rich measure of the 
 sweetness signified by tlie word. He was one of my 
 good presiding elders. His end was blessed. 
 
 Rev. John L. Lenhar r, a native of Pennsy lvania, " was 
 chaplain in the United Slates Xa\ \-," and came to his 
 death when "the ship Cia/il'cr/a/it/ wis sunk in Hampton 
 Roads, Ya., by the ironclad Mcniinac." He is believed 
 to have been the first minister to sacrifice his life in the 
 war against the Rebellion. He had occupied a good 
 class of appointments, his last one having been Cross 
 Street, Paterson, where I came to know him more fully 
 than before, and was a member of the Cieneral Confer- 
 ence of 1856. He was a forcible preacher and a warm, 
 genial friend. With a strong muscular body and a fiery 
 disposition, he might, but for the grace of Cod, have 
 become a pugilist. Those were beautiful words whicli 
 he wrote to a friend just before the fatal attack of the 
 Merrimac : " It is just as near my heavenly home from 
 the old Ciaiiberland from any other place." 
 
 Rev. Svlvester Armstroxc, born in the State of 
 New York in 1S26, was a frail man in l)ody, but strong, 
 according to his name, in mind and heart, in con\ iction 
 and expression. " \\'hen in his best frame of mind and 
 free from physical j^ain, his eloquent periods produced 
 a thrilling effect. . . . He was a strong antisla\-cr\- man 
 and fearless in the utterance of his \ iews." He possessed 
 the spirit of a reformer and excelled as a debater. His 
 peaceful death occurred at Plainfield, X. J., the last ap- 
 pointment in his brief ministry. 
 
 Rev. William M. Burrou(_. hs, born in Hopewell 
 Township, N. J., July 21, 1814, "was a man of even 
 temper, a lover of peace, and a promoter of harmony." 
 " His mental powers were solid, rather than brilliant, 
 and his sermons were compact, instructive, and useful." 
 He was greatly beloved by the people of his various 
 U 
 
206 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 charges. I heard, never to forget, his last impressive 
 testimony in love feast a Sunday or two before his sud- 
 den death. He told of his conversion and call to the 
 ministry, of his severe struggles in yielding to the call, 
 and the joy that had come to him in his work. Apo- 
 plexy had marked him for a victim. He left a beloved 
 wife and three daughters. 
 
 Rev. George W. White during his short ministry 
 "gathered gems for the Master's crown," and "left the 
 impress of a saintly life behind him." His charges were 
 Fairfield and Pine Brook, two years; Chatham and 
 Livingston, two years; Verona, where he entered into 
 rest, less than half a year. His death was sudden. He 
 Avas born in Sussex County, N. J., entered the Newark 
 Conference in i860, and died at the early age of thirty- 
 two. 
 
 Rev. AV^esley Robertson was born near New Provi- 
 dence, N. J., and converted at Rahway under the minis- 
 try of the Rev. Thomas B. Sargent; went out on his 
 first circuit in 1835, and a year later entered the Phila- 
 delphia Conference; labored in twelve different charges 
 during the ne.xt twenty-one years, and became a super- 
 numerary in 1857. His ministry was a very successful 
 one, during which "he received over eighteen hundred 
 persons into the Church on probation." He was gentle 
 in disposition and manner, kind and sympathetic in 
 social life and in the pulpit, yet was not wanting in 
 earnestness. Dying far away from home, at Jackson- 
 ville, Fla., he said, " Tell my friends not to weep for me; 
 I am going home — sweet home." AVe all loved him. 
 
 Rev. William Monroe Lippincott, only son of the 
 Rev. Caleb A. Lippincott, was born at Newton, N. J., 
 October 19, 1834, and began his very brief ministerial 
 career by sup])lying the vacancy at New Providence oc- 
 casioned by the death of the Rev. T. W. Pearson in i860. 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 207 
 
 Entering Newark Conference tlie next spring, he was 
 appointed to ]r\ington, where iic continued two years, 
 and was tlien stationed at Montclair, wliere after one 
 year his health totally failed, the disease being con- 
 sumption. Brilliant and siiccessfid in life, he was sub- 
 limely victorious in death. " He often repeated the 
 expression, ' I am on the sure foundation. Glory to God, 
 I am resting in the arms of Jesus.' " 
 
 Rev. Warren C. Nelson was born at Cold Spring, 
 N. J., November i8, 1805, and converted at twenty- 
 three; was employed as a supply on New Prospect Cir- 
 cuit in 1835, and next year admitted on trial in the 
 Philadelphia Conference. Thenceforward he labored 
 efficiently on eleven different charges until 1852, when 
 his health failed. Previous to the war he moved his 
 family into Virginia, where he lost all his property. 
 True to the old flag, "he rejoiced greatly when Peters- 
 burg, his place of residence, was captured by our arms." 
 His severe, brief illness found liim ready and anxious to 
 depart. 
 
 Rev. Oliver B.vugelev was born near Springfield, 
 N. J., April II, 1807, and was converted at Alorristown, 
 .N. J., in 1823, under the ministry of the Rev. John 
 Potts. Entering the Philadelpliia Conference in 1832, 
 he filled fifteen charges: three in Pennsylvania, two in 
 New York, and ten in New Jersey, filling one of the last 
 group a second time. His record " sums up thirty-three 
 years in the ministry — twenty-two in active service, 
 eleven on the retired list." His death was very sudden, 
 but sudden death was sudden glory. 
 
 Rev. S.vmuel Yorke Monroe, U.D., was born at 
 Mount Holly, N. J., July i, 1816, and converted in 
 Philadelphia in 1833. Though not a stalwart or impos- 
 ing man in physique, he belonged to the race of true 
 giants in mental and moral strength. His parentage and 
 
208 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 home life gave type in no small degree to his preeminent 
 character. He was a man of mark from the beginning 
 of his itinerant ministry, as is shown by the character of 
 his charges. Eviry position he was called to occni)y 
 was filled by liim with eminent success. Superiority 
 belonged to the man; and had he at the General Con- 
 ference of 1864 been elevated to the episcopacy, the 
 office and himself would alike have l)een honored. Ah, 
 it was no wonder that a deej) wail of anguish went up 
 from the great heart of the Church in 1867 over the 
 mystery involved in the peculiar death of such a man! 
 He entered the New Jersey Conference in 1843, and was 
 transferred to Newark Conference in 1864. He was a 
 delegate to the General Conferences of 1856, i860, and 
 1864, and at the time of his death was corresponding 
 secretary of the Church R.xtension Society. 
 
 Rev. Reuben Vansyckle, a classmate with Dr. Mon- 
 roe, was " an interesting preacher, original, quaint, and 
 sensible." Much of his life was a struggle w^ith disease, 
 constraining him shortly before his death to remark, " I 
 have tried my best to rise above my disease, but I guess 
 it will master me after all." Having embraced and 
 kissed his children, he said, " All is ready, all is ready.". 
 To the question, "Is Jesus with you?" he replied, 
 " Yes, glory to God," and soon passed away. He was 
 born in November, 1822, and converted in his seven- 
 teenth year. 
 
 Rev. John Simmhrkield Coit, brother to the Rev. 
 Charles S. Coil, w;is born September 17, 182S, and 
 transferred in ihe spring of 1867 from the Newark Con- 
 ference to the Des Moines, as a member of which he 
 died of typhoid fever within a year. Little Mary had 
 died two days before, and the bodies of father and child 
 were conveyed in one casket for interment to Bloom- 
 field, N. J., his native place. As wc tenderly remember, 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 209 
 
 the scene at the funeral was deeply solemn and affect- 
 ing. His triumphant death was followed recently by 
 that of the wife and motlier; but two cultured daughters 
 and a son, Dr. H. Leiber Coit, are left to illustrate in 
 their character and lives the excellences of their honored 
 dead. 
 
 Rk.v. Hiram Mattison, D.U., was born in Herkimer 
 County, N. Y., February 8, 1811, and joined the Black 
 River Conference in the summer of 1836, two years 
 after a very notable conversion. He soon rose to prom- 
 inence and influence, which continued with increase 
 during his busy life. His preaching was of a very high 
 order, and his versatility of talent in both speaking and 
 writing was remarkable. My special relations to him 
 are set forth on other pages, and more at large in his 
 Life and Character by the writer. He was a member 
 of the General Conferences of 1848, 1852, and 1856. 
 
 Rev. William Stikeman was born at Port Rich- 
 mond, N. Y., August 9, 1845, and in his very brief life 
 and ministry gave a succession of striking illustrations 
 of the grace of God in saving and keeping, endow- 
 ing and crowning. First came his thorough conver- 
 sion in 1861, under the ministry of the Rev. James 
 M. Freeman at Trinity Church, Staten Island; then his 
 call to work for souls and his prompt response to the 
 call; then his licensure to preach, and his employment 
 as a supply on successive charges while yet in his teens; 
 his admission to Conference in 1866, followed by his 
 entire sanctification in 1867, and, later, by his happy 
 marriage; his ordination as deacon in 1868 and marked 
 success in his last charge; his utter failure of health, 
 joy in suffering, victorious death, and jubilant admis- 
 sion among tlie "early crowned." The death of one so 
 young, so pure, so useful and promising was sincerely 
 mourned. 
 
210 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Rev. Waters Burrows was born in Elizabeth, N. J., 
 April 19, 1790, was converted in early manhood, and 
 entered the Philadelphia Conference in i8i6, his labors 
 thenceforward co\'«ring the extensive territory now oc- 
 cupied by the New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 
 When, in 1837, his original Conference was divided 
 and the New Jersey Conference formed the young men 
 of the latter looked upon him as one of their leaders, 
 and as such found him generous and helpful. He 
 served two full terms as presiding elder. His " preach- 
 ing was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but 
 in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." He died 
 peacefully at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Atward, 
 of Basking Ridge, N. J., and his honored grave is at 
 New Providence. 
 
 Rev. Henrv Trumhower was born in Bucks County, 
 Pa., June 20, 1822, and reared in the Evangelical Lu- 
 tlieran Churcli, but in his nineteenth year joined the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church; two years after was 
 licensed to preach, and emj)loyed as second junior 
 preacher on Clinton Circuit; in 1844 entered the New 
 Jersey Conference, and spent the next twelve years in 
 active pastoral work, the balance of his ministry fluctu- 
 ating between the effective and supernumerary relations. 
 We knew him as a genial friend and an earnest, de- 
 voted minister. In his last sickness and death he was 
 signally triumphant. Happily, he has been succeeded 
 in the ministry by a useful and honored son, the Rev. 
 William M. Trumbower. 
 
 Rev. George Bangh.\rt was a notable man in his 
 day. His active ministry, beginning in 181 2, covered a 
 period of forty-one years, all of which were spent on the 
 soil of his native State, New Jersey, excepting four 
 years on North Philadelphia District and one year on 
 Haverstraw, N. Y., Circuit. His preaching was full of 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 211 
 
 earnestness and pathos, and as a pastor he excelled in 
 warm and active sympathy with his people. He was 
 greatly esteemed and beloved in the community, War- 
 ren County, N. J., where he was born March lo, 1782, 
 and passed so many of the closing years of his life. 
 
 Rev. John McClintock, D.D., LL.D., was born in 
 Philadelphia October 27, 1814, and as a preacher, a 
 scholar, and an educator held a place in the Church of 
 marked preeminence, making his name and character 
 very widely known. His simplicity was refreshing. At 
 the dedication of a church in Poughkeepsie we were 
 assigned to the same home for entertainment, in which 
 it fell to our lot to occupy the same sleeping room and 
 !)ed. Was he demure or reticent.' Just the reverse; 
 he was as cheerful and chatty as if I had been his full 
 ecpial. " While a boy engaged as bookkeeper in the 
 Methodist Book Room in New York he made a dis- 
 tinct profession of conversion ; " graduated at tlie 
 University of Pennsylvania in 1835, and entered the 
 Philadelphia Conference; in 1836 became professor of 
 mathematics in l^ickinson College; in 1840 took the 
 chair of ancient languages; aided in translating Nean- 
 der's Life of Christ; prepared, with Dr. Crooks, elemen- 
 tary text-books in Latin and Greek; from 1848 to 1856 
 was editor of The Methodist Quarterly Rernew; in 1856 
 was elected a delegate, with Bishop Simpson, to the 
 Wesleyan Methodist Conferences of England and Ire- 
 land ; was a delegate to the General Conferences of 
 1852, 1856, i860, and 1868. On returning he became 
 pastor of St. Paul's Church, New York; in i860, ac- 
 cepted the pastorate of the American Chapel in Paris; in 
 1864, returned to the United States and was again pas- 
 tor of St. Paul's. In 1867 he became president of Drew 
 Theological Seminary at Madison, N. J., where he also 
 edited, in cooperation with Dr. James Strong, the great 
 
212 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Cyclopuuiia bearing their names, only the first three vol- 
 umes of whicli had ai)peared prior to liis death. 
 
 Rev. Benjamin 1'"rank.lin Simpson was born at York, 
 Me., December 30, 1835, and converted when about 
 nineteen. After ]jassing two years at the Concord Bib- 
 lical Institute, he was admitted on trial by the Newark 
 Conference in 1862, and labored tlie next two years at 
 Roseville, Newark. He was continued on trial and ap- 
 pointed to I'assaic, where he was drafted into the 
 United States service July 13, 1864, and felt it his duty 
 to go. Having fought in one of the hardest battles of 
 the war he was appointed in October to a chaplaincy ; 
 but he was unordained. What could be done "i The 
 Quarterly Conference of his church recommended him 
 lo tlie Genesee Annual Conference, soon to meet, for 
 deacon's orders, besides which a paper indorsing the 
 recommendation was signed by several leading ministers 
 of the Newark Conference. Being his presiding elder, 
 I went with liim to Klmira, N. Y., and stated our errand 
 to Bisliop Simpson, who brouglit the case before the 
 Conference, whicli after hearing all the facts took favor- 
 able action by electing him to deacon's orders. The 
 ordination by Bishop Simpson followed at his private 
 rooms. Tlie failure of hisliealtli in 1869 was succeeded 
 by montlis of patient suffering and a peaceful dealli. 
 
 Rev. Cai.eh Atmoke Liimmnco i t was born in Burling- 
 ton County, N. J., July 26, 1803, of Quaker parentage ; 
 in 1825 was i)owerful]y awakened at Pcmberton, N. J., 
 under the ministry of the Rev. Tlionias Neall and 
 soundly converted; in 1829 was sent by Presiding 
 Elder Cliarles Pitman to Tuckerton Circuit, and a year 
 later admitted to the Philadelphia Conference; was "a 
 burning and a shining light " for forty-one years ; and in 
 1871 ceased at once to work and live. Of a large, com- 
 manding person, " lie was a natural orator, and by prac- 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 213 
 
 tice he acquired the complete mastery of liis voice. His 
 mind was full of imagery, his illustrations original and 
 pertinent, and his powers of description remarkable. 
 . . . He was preeminently a revivalist." His last 
 words were, "Lord Jesus, take care of me ! " 
 
 Rev. Alfred Cookman came to the Newark Con- 
 ference by transfer in the spring of 1871, but a few 
 months before his death. The strong powers of mind 
 and heart, expression and life, so happily blended in 
 him have seldom been equaled. Amplification here is 
 rendered needless by Dr. Ridgaway's widely circulated 
 volume, Tlie Life of Alfred Cookman. The writer's 
 personal accjuaintance with him, though limited, was 
 sufficient to indicate that he was unusually endowed 
 with both gifts and grace. Two of his sons are usefully 
 pursuing the high vocation adorned by the father — the 
 Revs. Frank S. Cookman, of the Newark Conference, 
 and William W. Cookman, of the Philadelphia Confer- 
 ence. 
 
 Rev. George Oliver Carmichael, nephew to the 
 Rev. Ichabod B. Carmichael, was born in Sullivan 
 County, N. Y., October 31, 1S33. With a very limited 
 early education, after his conversion at seventeen he ap- 
 plied himself diligently to the gaining of knowledge ; 
 was admitted to the New Jersey Conference in 1857, 
 having traveled one year under Presiding Elder Day, 
 and thenceforward filled nine different charges until re- 
 leased by death in 1872. His was a genial heart and a 
 genial home. He was a good, useful preacher and a 
 skillful financier. The day of his funeral is remembered 
 as among the coldest of the season. 
 
 Rev. Stacy Watkinson Hili.iard, born near Yin- 
 centbwn, N. J., November 14, 1823, was a man of far 
 more than ordinary capabilities. His unfaltering cour- 
 age and self-reliance greatly aided him in his work. 
 
214 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 He ardently loved his brethren, and was much loved 
 by them. He served full terms on two different dis- 
 tricts, Newton and Elizabeth, was a member of the 
 General Conference in 1864 and a reserve delegate to 
 those of 1868 and 1872. His conversion occurred 
 during a revival at Pemberton, N. J., under the Rev. 
 Thomas McCarroll in 1842, and was followed by a 
 course of study in Pennington Seminary. In 1845 he 
 went to his first circuit, Allentown, under the Rev. Isaac 
 Winner, presiding elder, and next year was admitted 
 on trial in the New Jersey Conference. His useful 
 career of twenty-eight years in the ministry closed at 
 Perth Amboy, his last charge, after a very brief illness. 
 
 Rev. Benjamin Kelley lias been sufficiently cliarac- 
 terized in another connection ; but this item of un- 
 written history may be added: In the spring of 1873 
 there was a serious faction in tlie church at Port Jcrvis, 
 where tlie Conference was being lield. The factious 
 party held a private meeting to confer respecting a new 
 pastor, the time of the old one liaving expired. After 
 discussing many names they agreed upon several to be 
 presented to Bisliop Foster, witli a request that one of 
 them be appointed. Tlie bislioj) laid th.e matter before 
 his cabinet, which elicited various expressions of 
 opinion. The case was felt to be a delicate and diffi- 
 cult one on which to reach a decision. My term on the 
 district was just closing ; and wlien appealed to I said, 
 " The brethren named are all good men, but unfortu- 
 nately they liave been asked for by a faction, and not 
 by tlie great body of the church or its representatives." 
 " Can you name a man ? " "I can." " Who is it ? " to 
 which I promptly answered, " Benjamin Kelley; he can 
 be appointed as pastor of the whole cliurch, and is a 
 man thorouglily s;ife and in every way fully competent." 
 He was appointed, with the happiest results. His 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 215 
 
 ministry began in 1843, and continued thirty-one years 
 with eminent success. 
 
 Rev. John Hanlon had a great soul in a frail body. 
 Born in Monmouth County, N. J., June, 1836, he was 
 converted at a camp meeting in the same county in 
 1852, was licensed to preach in 1856, and admitted to 
 the New Jersey Conference in 1857. Desirous of greater 
 educational attainments, he entered Rutgers College, at 
 New Brunswick, N. J., three years after, while stationed 
 at Millstone and still continuing his pastoral work, his 
 college course being completed at Weslejan University, 
 Middletown, Conn., in 1863, to accomplish which he was 
 left a year without appointment. A\'hile he was stationed 
 at Hedding Church, Jersey City, I came to know him 
 well and to enjoy association with him in his home and 
 his work. He was a very superior man in mind and 
 heart. His wonderful sermon at Mt. Tabor in 1869 
 made a deep impression and is still remembered by 
 many. Again and again he said, as death approached, 
 "It is sweet to die in Jesus," and sent affectionate 
 messages to his brother, the Rev. Thomas Hanlon, and 
 his brotlier-in-law, the Rev. John Atkinson. 
 
 Rkv. RoiiF.RT Boyd Yard was born at Trenton, N. J., 
 amid the best of social and religious advantages, 
 January 9, 1828, was converted and called to the min- 
 istry while a student at Pennington Seminary, and in 
 1848 entered the New Jersey Conference. "Prepos- 
 sessing in person, pleasing in address, rich in voice and 
 musical skill, and with a highly religions character. 
 Brother Yard's ministry began with much promise and 
 has extended over the space of twenty-seven years with 
 honor and usefulness." For two years he held a super- 
 numerary relation, and for three years was a chaplain in 
 the army. " With a delicacy and tenderness almost 
 feminine were blended in a marked degree the qualities 
 
216 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 of a true manhood." By all of us who knew him he 
 was greatly beloved, and in return he could honestly 
 say, as a part of his farewell message, " I love the 
 Newark Conference." That full message, too long for 
 quotation here, reads like an inspired homily. "Jesus 
 is sweet, sweet, sweeter; heaven is near, nearer, near- 
 ing," were his last words. 
 
 Rev. John Sanford Swaim was born at Chatham, 
 N. J., May i, 1806, and was converted at fourteen, en- 
 tered Philadelphia Conference in 1834, and became 
 successively a member of New Jersey and Newark Con- 
 ferences. His ministry extended over forty-one years, 
 the last eleven of which were passed in a supernumerary 
 relation. " His preaching was always instructive, and 
 appealed rather to the intellect than to the emotions. 
 He was a member of the Ceneral Conference of 1856." 
 He was my predecessor in 1854, 1855, at Commerce 
 Street Church, Bridgeton, N. J., where we found that he 
 and his family were greatly beloved. Having been ap- 
 pointed in 1864 by Bishop Janes as missionary to 
 Jacksonville, Fla., he found the climate so adapted to 
 his health that he made it his permanent home. "I am 
 wonderfully sustained " were among his last words. 
 His body was brought to Newark, N. J., for interment, 
 after appropriate funeral services, at the Halsey Street 
 Church. 
 
 Rev. Henry Boehm, our honored centenarian, was 
 born in Lancaster County, Va., June 8, 1775, and united 
 with the Church in 1798; in 1800 was licensed to 
 preach, and the next year entered Philadelphia Con- 
 ference on trial. In 1808 he became the traveling 
 companion and assistant of Bishop Asbury, and so con- 
 tinued for five years. After this he was successively 
 presiding elder of Schuylkill, Cliesapeake, and Delaware 
 Districts. At lengtii his lot fell in the New Jersey, and 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 217 
 
 then in tlie Newark, Conference, in both of whirh he 
 was signall)' lionored and beloved. He prcachetl the 
 first si.'rinon in tlie (lermaii language in (ancinnati 
 September 4, iXoS, and before 1810 he had preached 
 tiie Gospel in (lernian in nearly fourteen Stales. He 
 jiassed to the retired list in 1S37. Among our de- 
 lightful memories is his remarkable centennial cele- 
 bration at Trinity Church, Jersey City, June 8, 1S75. 
 His sermon — how clear, distinct, impressive ! Even 
 after that he preached two or three times, once as late 
 as October in Woodrow Church, Staten Island, where 
 three months later his solemn funeral services were 
 held. 
 
 Rev. Is.v.^^c Newton Felch was born in Norwalk, 
 Conn., July 17, 1806, and converted at a camji meeting 
 held in September, 1826; was licensed to preach at 
 Belleville, N. J., in 1S30, tlie Rev. Charles Pitman being 
 presiding elder, and entered the Philadelphia Confer- 
 ence in 1 83 1. Thenceforward his useful labors were 
 given to fifteen pastoral charges and two districts, cov- 
 ering a period of twent\-seven ai tive v ears. " He was 
 a member of the Philadelphia ( 'DnfereiM c six years, of 
 the New Jersey twenty years, and of the Newark nine- 
 teen years." Always a good man, some years before his 
 departure he experienced a signal uplift in his religious 
 life and cnjo\nient, whereby his later years especially 
 became radiant with " the beauty of holiness." His de- 
 voted wife wrote thus to the Re\'. M. K. Ellison, his 
 biographer : " Having been married forty-two \'ears, 1 
 would state that in e\'ery resjiei t he was a de\'oted hus- 
 band, a tender father. Always kind and cheerful under 
 every circumstance of life, ne\'ei- omitting any Cliristian 
 duty, his home life was pure and holy." His death was 
 very sudden, but as safe as it was sudden. And now 
 she whom he so ardently and so worthily loved has fol- 
 
218 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 lowed him to the eternal rest. He was a member of the 
 General Conferences of 1848 and 1856. 
 
 Rev. John D. Blain, born in Kingston, N. J., February 
 24, 1819, and concerted in 1835, was the first member 
 of the class of 1842 to fall in death. The whole class 
 loved him. From 1852 till 1865 he labored with great 
 success in California, both as pastor and presiding elder. 
 In 1856 "he was sent to General Conference by a flat- 
 tering vote." Returning East in impaired health, he 
 supplied Washington Heights, New York city, and was 
 agent for the National Temperance Society and the 
 Newark Conference Seminary. In 1872 he resumed 
 Mork in Newark Conference, and filled two charges, 
 Belleville and Roseville, Newark, when his health se- 
 riously declined. He was very affable, thoroughly con- 
 scientious, and full of sympathy. As death drew near 
 he said, " I am at the crossing. There is no dark- 
 ness."' 
 
 Rkv. Bartholomew Weed was born in Ridgefield 
 (Danbury), Conn., March 6, 1793, and converted at six- 
 teen. He joined the Philadelphia Conference in 1817 
 and continued in the effective ranks forty-seven years, 
 nine of which he spent in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri as 
 pastor and presiding elder. During his last eleven years 
 of life he was cliaplain of Essex County, N. J., Jail, and 
 was called to minister at intervals to three prisoners 
 about to be hanged. " His entire ministry, including 
 two years in the local ranks, extended over sixty-two 
 years, of which forty-four were given to New Jersey, 
 mostly within the territory of the Newark Conference." 
 He had a passion for preaching; and when told by his 
 physician tliat his work was probably done he burst 
 into tears and said, " What ! am I never to preach the 
 Gospel any more " Among his last sayings was the 
 golden sentence, " I find firm footing." He was a mem- 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 219 
 
 ber of the General Conference of 1844 from the Rock 
 River Conference. 
 
 Rev. Thomas Walters was born in Enghmd July 
 18, 1824, in a Methodist home. He was converted at 
 fifteen, licensed to preach at nineteen, and soon after 
 took his place on the circuit plan ; came to this coun- 
 try in 1847, and was admitted to the New Jersey Con- 
 ference in 1849 after i)rea( hing a few months as a sup- 
 ply under Rev. I. N. FcU h, presiding cider. Thence- 
 forward he efficiently fdled seventeen different charges 
 in country or in city, covering a period of thirty years. 
 He was a genial friend and an intelligent preacher, with 
 a musical voice and pleasant manner. His death was 
 sincerely mourned. 
 
 Rev. James Avars was born near Bridgeton, N. J., 
 February 20, 1805, and converted when about twenty. 
 He was a man of notable worth. His memoir by the 
 Rev. J. B. Heward contained this concise summary of 
 his long and useful ministr)': " He was five years on cir- 
 cuits, thirty years in stations, eight years a presiding 
 elder, five years secretary of the American Sunday 
 School Union, and three years a superannuate, making 
 in all fifly-one years a minister of the Go.spel." He was 
 a member of the General Conference of 1852. Of his 
 preaching I have spoken elsewhere. His friendships 
 were warm and abiding. When nearing death he sent 
 these expressive messages: "Tell him [his Conference 
 classmate] I am on the Rock; " " Tell them [the New- 
 ark Preachers' Meeting] f am in the old paths ; I do 
 not want any newfangled religion ; Jesus Christ is a 
 perfect Saviour." 
 
 Rev. Jonathan Towni.ev Crank, U.U., was a man 
 of sterling character and abilities. He was born near 
 Elizabeth, N. J., of Presbyterian parentage, June 19, 
 1819; converted in his early youth; joined the Metho- 
 
220 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 dist Episcopal Cluircli ; graduated at Princeton College 
 in 1843 ; and entered the New Jersey Conference on 
 trial in 1845. " Not often is it our j^rivilege to contem- 
 plate so harmonious, earnest, and productive a ministe- 
 rial career." From 1849 to 1858 he was principal of 
 the Conference seminary at Pennington ; then filled 
 important stations till 1868, following which he served 
 two full terms as presiding elder on Newark and I'.liza- 
 beth Districts ; was a member of four General Con- 
 ferences — those of i860, 1864, 1868, and 1872 — and 
 a reserve delegate to that of 1876 ; and became the 
 author of six or more valuable books written in tlie 
 purest and best style of Englisii composition. His hon- 
 est mistake in writing Holiness tlie Birtliriglit of all God s 
 Children was as honestly acknowledged in his latest 
 years. His death was very unexpected and deeply 
 deplored. 
 
 Rev. RoiiERT Laurknson Dashiell, D.I)., was born 
 at Salisbury, Md., June 25, 1S25, and was converted at 
 fifteen. He came to the Newark Conference in i860, 
 by transfer from the Baltimore, and had filled success- 
 fully four prominent charges when, in 1868, he was chosen 
 president of Dickinson College. In 1872 he was made 
 presiding elder of the Jersey City District, but in a few 
 weeks was elected by the General Conference one of the 
 missionary secretaries. To both that Conference and 
 the one in 1876 he was a delegate, being in the latter 
 year reelected to the same office. " His jjreaching was 
 full of the passion of the Cross and yearned for the sal- 
 vation of souls. . . . Often the tide of his eloquence 
 flowed like a stream of oil on fire." His sickness ex- 
 tended over four weary, but uncomplaining, months. 
 Looking up, he said, "The shadows are all in the valley, 
 the hilltops are gilded with glory beyond." 
 
 Rev.. William H. Dickerson was born in Berkshire, 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 221 
 
 N. J., May 23, 1828, and converted when about twenty- 
 one in Newark; served for a lime as a local preacher; 
 in 1855 was admitted to the New Jersey Conference, and 
 during the next twenty-five years filled sixteen different 
 charges in the territory of the Newark Conference. He 
 was a good, earnest, sensible^ preacher and a diligent 
 pastor, being especially gifted in exhortation and prayer. 
 He was very fond of Camj) 'I'abor, and reached it after 
 a long ride by carriage on August 14, i SSo, to make it, 
 as the sequel ])roved, his mount of ascension to glory. 
 When near the close of his lirief sickness lie said to the 
 Rev. J. M. 'I'uttle: ".All is bright. I trust in the atone- 
 ment; I have joy in Christ." 
 
 Rev. Svlvestp:r Hili. Oi'dvke was well worthy of 
 the confidence and love which he so readily won. He 
 was born at Jwerettstown, N. ]., June 22, i828,and con- 
 verted in 1843. He prepared for college at Penning- 
 ton Seminary, and entered AWskyan I'niNersity, where 
 he was graduated in 1853 ; became i)iofessor of Latin 
 at Charlotteville, N. Y., and also ]>r()fessor of ancient 
 languages at Coo])erstown ; studied theology in Union 
 Theological Seminar)-, by which he was graduated, and 
 in 1858 entered the Newark C'onference, with eleven 
 others. Then followed twenty-three years of effective 
 service, including his presiding eldership of four years 
 on Newton District. Cnce during his serious, and as 
 was supposed fatal, illness at Mariner's I larbor, N. Y., the 
 Revs. A. I,. I'>ri( e, R. S. ^Vrndt, and the w riter stood in 
 solemn silence al)out his bed when he broke the silence 
 by speaking as follows in a distinct, though feeble, voice: 
 " Brethren, there is one thing I want to say to you. Don't 
 be afraid to die. I used to feel afraid of death — not 
 that I dreaded its conse([uen( es, but there was such a 
 shrinking back of nature from the thought of dying. 
 Now even all tliat is taken from me, and I look upon 
 15 
 
222 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 death with perfect composure and pleasure. Don't be 
 afraid to die." He partially recovered, and the next 
 spring became the pastor at Newton, N. J., where after a 
 few months in the^same sweet composure he yielded up 
 his spirit to God. 
 
 Rev. David Wesley Bartine, I).D., for nearly fifty 
 years " held his place among the strongest and most elo- 
 quent men of the American pulpit." In earlier and 
 middle life he was a noble specimen of manhood, nearly 
 six feet in height, stoutly built, and vigorous, with beau- 
 tiful black hair, eyes large and brilliant, and a voice of 
 wonderful sweetness and power. His soul was in keep- 
 ing with his body. He entered the Philadelphia Con- 
 ference in 1832, and became successively by transfer a 
 member of the New Jersey and Newark Conferences ; 
 served one term as presiding elder, and was three times 
 elected to Ceneral Conference. Among my very pleasant 
 recollections is that of my association witli Dr. Bartine for 
 a week as his roommate, during the Conference of 1874 
 at Paterson, in the deliglilful home of Mrs. May, Bishop 
 Wiley and Bishop Gilbert Haven being also guests at the 
 same home. He was born at Trenton, N. J., March 17, 
 181 1, was converted in youth, and received license to 
 preach in 1831. 
 
 Rev. Fletcher Dummis belonged to the class of 1842. 
 We became accpiainted in our boyhood when his vener- 
 able father, the Rev. William Lummis, resided at Port 
 Republic as one of the jueachers on Bargaintown Cir- 
 cuit. The son grew up to manhood willi strong convic- 
 tions and great firinness in maintaining them. "He 
 had the courage of Luther to face and defy attack in 
 the defense of his convictions." He was "an able 
 preacher, often impressing his hearers with his burning 
 words in an extraordinary manner, especially at camp 
 meeting." Here his fertility of thought and expression 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 223 
 
 in conducting revival prayer meetings day after day I 
 have not seen equaled. His death was very sudden. 
 In less than an hour after he had said to a passing 
 stranger, on one of the streets of Newark, " I am sick," 
 his spirit returned to God. But he was ready. He was 
 born in Accomack County, Va., July lo, 1819, and con- 
 verted at a camp meeting near Clayton, N. J., in 1835. 
 
 Rev. 1\Iich.\ei, Earl Em.ison was born at Juliustown, 
 N. J., April I, 1818, and was anotlier r(j) al classmate of 
 1842. Converted at nineteen while walking one of the 
 streets of Wilmington, Del., he joined the Presbyterian 
 Church in which he had been reared, but afterward 
 united with the Methodist Episcopal Church; emcri.d 
 Pennington, N. J., Seminary in 1840; and two years 
 after was admitted to the New Jersey Conference. From 
 that time until 1882 he made such a record as pastor, 
 presiding elder, and delegate to General Conference as 
 greatly magnified the grace of God and would have done 
 honor to any name. His deathbed testimonies were 
 peculiarly terse and expressive. We can give only the 
 last: " He saves to the uttermost; it is an uttermost sal- 
 vation, and it is mine." Well did Dr. Porter in his 
 memoir of him say, " Brother Ellison was an interesting 
 man." The impressive funeral services in Hedding 
 Church, Jersey City, were to have been presided over by 
 the writer, but he was not aware of this arrangement and 
 arrived a little late, through the slowness of a Staten 
 Island ferryboat. 
 
 Rev. Jonath.an Kelsev Bl kr, D.D., was justly re- 
 garded by many as a model man and minister. No name 
 in our extended death roll represents more sterling (juali- 
 ties. Born in a godly Methodist home at Middletown, 
 Conn., September 21, 1825, he joined the Church at 
 thirteen, and at twenty was graduated from Wesleyan 
 University in the city of his birth; then became a stu- 
 
224 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 dent at Union Tlieological Seminary in New York, and, 
 having for a time served as a sup])!)', entered the New 
 Jersey Conference in 1848. He was a delegate to the 
 ("icncral Conference of 1872, a member of the Society of 
 Bil)li( al Literature and Exegesis, also of the American 
 Committee on the Revised New Testament, and served 
 about two years (1867-8) as professor of Hebrew in 
 Drew Theological Seminary. Bishop Simpson's Cyclo- 
 picdia of Alctliodisiu says that " he then returned to 
 pastoral work," whereas during this time he continued 
 the efficient pastor of Central Church, Newark. 
 
 " His preaching was strong, deep, spiritual, and practi- 
 cal. . . . Excellent as a preacher, he was still more ex- 
 cellent as a ])astor." " He was jjarticularly effective in 
 revival work." Sweet is the writer's remembrance of 
 the hours spent in his genial, linppy home. "I am 
 holding on to my trust in Jesus," was his last reli- 
 gious utterance. His wife, a "noble Christian woman," 
 followed him in less than four months. 
 
 Rkv. Jamf.s H. Dandv was l)<)rn in Ireland Septem- 
 ber 8, 1798, and converted when about nineteen; came 
 to this country three years afterward, and in 1826 was 
 admitted to the Philadelphia Conference, his fields of 
 labor for the next thirty-one years being confined almost 
 wholly to New Jersey. He was a thoughtful and able 
 preacher, with social (jualities rendering him a very 
 agreeable friend. From 1857 until his death in 1882 his 
 name stood on the retired list ; but he retained his sweet, 
 cheerful spirit to the last, and died in great peace. 
 
 Rkv. Rodnev Winaxs was converted in Newark, N. 
 J., when a little ])ast nineteen; early became a class 
 leader; entered Dickinson College in 1835; was admitted 
 to the New Jersey Conference in 1838, served as pastor 
 of seventeen charges, and in 1861 became a supernume- 
 rary, settling on a i'arm near Wcstfield, N. J., where he 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 225 
 
 lived the next twenty-one ye;irs. " His sermons were 
 always thoroughly studied and evangelical," while his 
 life was marked by great conscientiousness, circum- 
 spection, and consistency. Two of his sons became 
 graduates of Drew Theological Seminary and entered 
 the New York Conference. His death was very sudden. 
 He was born on Governor's Island, Mass., January 6, 
 1813. 
 
 Rev. Jacob P. Daii.ev was born in Pittsgrove, N. J., 
 August 23, 1820, was converted at seventeen, and soon 
 after became imi^rcssed that it was his duty to preach. 
 In 1845 he entered the New Jersey Conference and 
 served in the pastorate without interruption for thirty- 
 eight years, occupying twenty-two charges, three of them 
 a second time each. " His retiring manner, gentlemanly 
 bearing, and pure life won for him the confidence and 
 esteem of all who knew him. As a preacher he was in- 
 structive and practical, always presenting his subject in 
 a clear and impressive manner." His last words spoken 
 to his wife and children were, "Trust and love God; 
 good-bye." At the funeral services held in St. Paul's 
 Church, Staten Island, the writer was expected to speak, 
 with others, but was hindered by a troublesome hoarse- 
 ness. 
 
 Rkv. Stephen K. Russei.l became a probationer in 
 the Newark Conference in 1865 and served ten years as 
 a pastor, less one as a supernumerary. In 1879 he re- 
 moved to California for his health and there preached 
 as he had strength and opportunity, still retaining his 
 connection with the Newark Conference; and there he 
 came to a joyful death in 1884. " In the pulpit he was 
 evangelical, earnest, and impressive;" in social life, 
 " warm in his attachments, kind in his disposition, in- 
 telligent in his intercourse, and refined in his manners." 
 Shortly before his death he was visited by the Rev. 
 
226 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Joseph P. Macaulay, then recently transferred from the 
 Newark Conference to the California, to whom he re- 
 plied, "Yes, I am just in sight of the beautiful cily; " 
 and to his dear wife he said, " Death is nothing; I am 
 only peacefully and ([uietly sailing along in a smooth sea 
 into the harbor." 
 
 Rev. Sylvanus W. Decker was born in Orange 
 Comity, N. Y., October iS, 1S07, and converted in 1832. 
 He was admitted to the New Jersey Conference in 1S39, 
 having jjreviously served as a supply under the Rev. 
 Manning l''orc e, iiresiding elder. During the ne.xt thir- 
 teen years lie filled eight different charges; in 185 i be- 
 came State pri>on chaj)lain at Trenton; engaged in 
 mercantile business and became dee])ly involved in debt, 
 under the [jrcssure of which he ^\•it]ulrew from the min- 
 istry; removed to Jersey City and began business again, 
 in \\hicli lie was prospered; paid his indebtedness, 
 principal and interest; was restored to (Conference rela- 
 tions as a supernumerary with work, aud removed to 
 Paterson, "where he was looked upon as a man of God, 
 pure in life, a generous giver, and an efficient worker in 
 the Church." His last hours were triumpliant. 
 
 Rev. Edw ari) Morrell CiRIkeii h was born near 
 Elizabeth, N. J., March 5, 1S22, and had a notable pedi- 
 gree as a Metliodist, his great grandfather, Robert Dun- 
 can, having been converted under the preaching of John 
 Wesley and afterward becoming a member of old John 
 Street Church, New York. He himself was converted 
 in his eleventh year, and entered the New Jersey Con- 
 ference in 1844, following whicli Iiis actix'e ministry ex- 
 tended over sixteen years in ele\'en different charges, 
 when he became supernumerary. Resuming in 1S67 he 
 fdled five additional charges, continuing till 1877, when 
 his actixe work ceased altoLetlier. His thrilling letter 
 addressed to the Conference of 1SS3 told uf an unspeak- 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 227 
 
 able joy in the midst of a wasting disease. l!y vote it 
 was j)ul)lisiied in the Conference Minutes. "Brother 
 (irifhth was a student. His sermons were carefully pre- 
 jjared and, in the days of his strength, were delivered 
 with energy and effect." Among his treasures, " handed 
 down to him by sainted men," were "letters of Bishop 
 Asbury, Thomas Morrell, and other fathers of the Ameri- 
 can Church." 
 
 Rev. Edwin A. Day belonged to the distinguished 
 Day family of New Providence, N. J., and was born 
 January 8, 1828. Converted at fourteen under the 
 ministry of his eldest brother, tlie Rev. Mulford Day, 
 he entered the New Jersey Conference at twenty-three, 
 in 1851; but after laboring three years in the ])astural 
 work he located, from jiartial failure of health. In 1855 
 he was readmitted and resumed his chosen work, but 
 after continuing it for nine years he was obliged to take 
 a supernumerary relation, never to become effective 
 again. He was a superior ])reacher, and with good 
 health was well fitted to hold a conspicuous i)lace in 
 the ministry. His letter to the Conference of 1880 was 
 deeply expressive and impressive, as a few sentences 
 will show: "I write this letter in great feeblenes.s, look- 
 ing death in the face. ... O, what precious concep- 
 tions of Christ, of his jjower to save, even to the utter- 
 most, I am permitted to enjoy ! . . . His blood is upon 
 my soul, washing, cleansing, and purifying it." After 
 this he partially recovered, and lived a few years longer 
 in possession of this deej) and ric h experience. Visit- 
 ing him some weeks before his departure, the writer 
 found him blessedly ready. 
 
 Rev. IS.A.AC Cross was born at White Plains, N. Y., 
 November 22, 181 1, and became a plain, jiractical, 
 earnest, and useful minister. Converted in Newark, N. 
 J., when about twenty, and admitted to the Philadelphia 
 
228 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Conference in 1835, his active ministry was confined 
 within the bounds of what is now the Newark Con- 
 ference. For twenty-seven years, ending with 1862, he 
 " stood witli his brethren in the thickest of the battle, 
 having proved himself a faithful soldier and true com- 
 rade." Removing to AVashington, I). C, in 1862, he 
 served under the American Missionary Society as 
 missionary to the colored people, and also as chaplain 
 to the Freedmen's Hospital, extending his labors to the 
 Washington City Almshouse and the United States 
 Insane Asylum. A true disciple was he of Him " who 
 went about doing good." Many a more brilliant man 
 will receive a far less brilliant crown. With a Christian 
 experience fully ripe, his end was full of peace. 
 
 Rkv. Ge()rc:e WiNSOR was born in England Novem- 
 ber 18, 1813, but in his second year came to this country 
 with his parents, who settled at Bound Brook, N. J. 
 With pleasure I recall my visits to their goodly home 
 fifty years ago. George was converted at twenty-four 
 under the labors of another who bore the same Christian 
 name, and who was also of English birth, the Rev. 
 George Hitchens. Soon called to the work of the 
 ministry, he entered the New Jersey Conference in 
 1839, and rendered unbroken service in twenty charges 
 during tlie next forty-six years. " He was a firm be- 
 liever in the doctrines, discipline, and economy of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church and kept them for con- 
 science' sake. . . . Every appointment was received as 
 from the hand of Providence, and many in the great day 
 will rise up and call him blessed. ... As the result of 
 a long and faithful pastorate nineteen hundred souls 
 were converted under his ministry." His punctuality 
 was proverbial. With a true courtly bearing, he was 
 exceedingly companionable. Some of his quaint say- 
 ings will be readily recalled, such as, "Thomas, Richard, 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 229 
 
 and Henry," and, " As our excellent Discipline says, 
 'AH this I steadfasdy believe,'" etc. During the last 
 two years of his life he was called to endure great 
 physical suffering, but he could cheerfully say, " It's all 
 right, it's all right ! There the weary be at rest." 
 
 Rev. Tho.m.as Thornton Campfield was born at 
 Hagerstown, Md., May 23, 181 1, but early became a resi- 
 dent of Freehold, N. J. After traveling several years as 
 a supply he was admitted to the New Jersey Conference 
 in 1844, being one of a class of eighteen. In 1881 his 
 effective work of thirty- seven years in the Conference 
 closed, and his name passed to the retired list. He 
 was ardent in piety, heroic in spirit, social in disposi- 
 tion, courteous in manner, and methodical in habit, 
 with "a peculiar aptness for dates and figures. From 
 these we learn that he traveled in his own conveyance 
 as a minister, from March 2, 1839, to March 2, 1884, — 
 forty-five years — about one hundred and twenty thou- 
 sand miles; servedlwenty-two charges; preached about 
 seven tliousand times ; made about twelve thousand 
 pastoral calls ; received into the Methodist Episcopal 
 Cluirch, on probation and into full membership, about 
 two thousand and fifty-seven persons ; baptized about 
 one thousand; attended about seven hundred funerals ; 
 and married about six hundred couples." His class- 
 mate, the Rev. Jacob P. Fort, spending a night at his 
 liouse a few days before his departure, found him very 
 haj^py and ready for his change. 
 
 Rev. D.wii) Graves, born in Corinth, \'t., August 9, 
 181 7, belonged to the class of 1842, was converted at 
 fifteen in his father's barn, and was licensed to preach 
 at Medford, N. J., as stated elsewhere. Having filled 
 eighteen charges he took the supernumerary relation in 
 1870, and engaged successfully in business in tlie city 
 of Newark. The terse summary of his character by 
 
230 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Dr. Spellmeyer contained the following: " David Graves 
 was a man of marked individuality. He had a sharp 
 and rugged mind, clear conceptions of right, an inflexi- 
 ble will, great ferv-ency of spirit, untiring energy, and a 
 tender heart. . . . His preaching was of the straightfor- 
 ward, hortatory, practical, spiritual type. . . . He was 
 an aggressive, hard-working minister, restless until he 
 could bring something to pass. . . . Into the fight 
 against the liquor traffic he threw all the forces of his 
 being, and by public address, by private entreaty, by 
 personal gifts, he was known everywhere as a stalwart 
 champion for total prohibition. . . . When the fatal ill- 
 ness came it found an easy victim. . . . When he had 
 to stop he had to die. But no man was less afraid to 
 die. . . . ' Gather my family about my bed,' said he, 
 'and let my children hear me. I owe everything, every- 
 thing to the Methodist Church. You know my mind on 
 other subjects. I want you to know my mind on this. 
 The Methodist Church has been everything to me.' . . . 
 In his last hours on earth there was only triumph." 
 
 Rev. Bkomwell Andrew had a notable history. He 
 was born in Talbot County, Md., June 12, 1798, and 
 when twenty years old was converted at a camp meet- 
 ing. Then followed a license to exhort issued by the 
 Rev. Henry Boehm and wonderful success in saving 
 souls. He was licensed to )ireach under Rev. Lawrence 
 Lawrenson, presiding elder, in 1822 ; in 1826 supplied 
 a vacancy on Smyrna Circuit, Del. ; and at the next Con- 
 ference stayed with the mother of Bishop Scott, her 
 two sons, Levi and William, being then with her. In 
 1829 he was admitted to the Philadelphia Conference, 
 from which time till 1853 he fdled seventeen laborious 
 charges, and then became a supernumerary, removing 
 soon after to Navesink, N. J., where he died. He "was 
 an ' old-fashioned ' Methodist preacher. For a quarter 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 231 
 
 of a century he was one of the most zealous, laborious, 
 and successful of the earlier itinerants. . . . Under his 
 ministry probably not less than four thousand souls were 
 converted. . . . He estimated that he had taken into 
 the Church one person for every dollar he had received 
 as salary." His end was blessed. One of his sons, the 
 Rev. Joseph F. Andrew, is an honored member of the 
 Newark Conference. 
 
 Rev. John Faull was born in Cornwall, England, 
 December 6, 1820, was converted in early life, and li- 
 censed to preach in 1843. In 1849 he came to New 
 York, and soon after was employed to fill a vacancy at 
 Franklin, N. J. Next spring he entered the New Jersey 
 Conference, served eight charges in succession as pas- 
 tor, and then became chaplain of the Twenty-seventh 
 New Jersey Infantry. After nine months the regiment 
 was mustered out, when he was immediately chosen for 
 cliaplain of the Thirty-third New Jersey Volunteers, 
 and served as such till tlie close of the war. " He was 
 a personal friend of Generals Grant, Sherman, Howard, 
 Hooker, and other distinguished officers." After the 
 war he occupied ten charges, closing his work and life 
 together during his second year at Sergeantsville, N. J. 
 As a jireac lior he was ready, intelligent, instructive, im- 
 pressive; in social life agreeable and entertaining; a 
 good pastor and sincere friend. A few years before his 
 death his only son, Willie, comely and skilled in his 
 business, a young husband and father, had been buried 
 at Asbury Church, Staten Island, the writer officiating; 
 and thither the father's remains were borne to " rest in 
 hope " of a glorious resurrection. 
 
 Rev. James Oliver Rogers, a name which always 
 awakened peculiar interest in the writer's mind when, in 
 his boyhood, he used to read the annual ap]:)ointments, 
 as also did tlie name of the Rev. Crook S. Vancleve — • 
 
232 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 the one by its middle " ().," the other by its initial 
 " Crook," which was usually printed in full. But in 
 after years when he became a fellow-laborer with them 
 in the ministry he^found that these names of special in- 
 terest to boyish eyes and ears represented personalities 
 of special excellence. The parentage of Brother Rog- 
 ers has been given on a preceding })age. By request of 
 tiie family I prepared his Conference memoir, which 
 supplies the following facts: From his admission to the 
 Philadelphia Conference in 1836 till 1859 he filled four- 
 teen charges, all in New Jersey; was transferred to the 
 New York East Conference in i860, and two years later 
 transferred back to the Newark, and filled eight 
 charges, closing his active work with 1886, two years, 
 1872 and 1873, having been passed as a supernumerary. 
 His ministry was as remarkable for its success as for its 
 length. One revival, at Elizabeth, gave five young men 
 to the ministry. His career was marked by continuous 
 revivals. The committee appointed by the Conference 
 to visit him at his home in Hackensack, I)rs. Porter, 
 Dunn, Larew, and the writer, found him peacefully 
 awaiting his change, which came two weeks afterward. 
 He was born at Freehold, N. J., July 10, 1813, and ex- 
 perienced conversion when about sixteen. 
 
 Rkv. James N. Kf.vs was boin in I'-ushkill, Ireland, 
 February 12, 1819, and converted when a chihl; studied 
 at Didsbury Institute; was admitted to the Irish Con- 
 ference in 1846, came to this country and joined Balti- 
 more Conference in 1853; returned to Ireland, but aftCi 
 his father's death came back; entered Newark Confer- 
 ence in 1859, filled eight charges, one of them (Decker- 
 town) twice; and in the spring of 1881 took a supernu- 
 merary relation. He was a cultured preacher, faultless 
 in grammar and ])ronunciation, his sermons being "bib- 
 lical, argumentative, clear, bold, and original." After 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 233 
 
 his pastoral work ctased " lie was often called upon to 
 supply the vacant pul[)iis of \arious denominations in 
 the community. ... It is the testimony of his beloved 
 wife that ' he walked with God.' " His death from 
 paralysis was \ ery sudden. 
 
 Rev. William G. Wicuixs was born in Mount Hope, 
 N. v., Februarv 24, 1821, converted at sixteen, and ad- 
 mitted to the Newark Conference in 1S44, having served 
 the ])revious \ ear as a.sup|)l\'. He filled thirteen charges, 
 and in 1866 became a supernumerary; engaged in Ijusi- 
 ness, first at Newburg, N. "W, and afterward at Paterson, 
 N. J., remo\ing there in 1874. "Ilis business grew to 
 large proportions," and he "soon became one of the 
 prominent merchants of that enter[5rising city." lint he 
 continued to work diligently for souls in freipient ser- 
 mons and other labors, his generosity being broad and 
 constant. He was a ])lain, honest, earnest, childlike. 
 Christlike man and minister. In his last sickness he 
 said to his presiding elder, " IJrother IJarnes, I am so 
 glad that Father and I arranged matters long ago, and 
 that no settlement is necessary now." 
 
 Rev. James M. Tu i 'i le was born in Caldwell, N. J., 
 June 12, 1809; con\'erted at twent\'-four; a year later 
 was licensed to preach, and soon after became a supply 
 under Presiding bolder Force. In 1836 he entered the 
 Philade![)hia Conference. All his futui'c appointments 
 were confined to the State of New Jersey, in which he 
 became a great [wwer for good. I lis effective relation 
 continued till 1 878, twenty-fi\ e \-ears ]ia\ ing been spent 
 as pastor in fifteen charges, se\ on as presiding elder on 
 two districts, five as tract agent, three as agent for Pen- 
 nington and Hackettstown seminaries, and two as sec- 
 retary of United States Sanitary Commission. In i860 
 he was elected to the General Conference, and for twenty- 
 seven years he served as a manager of the parent Mis- 
 
234 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 sionary Society. He was wise in council and of large 
 executive abilities. " His preacliing was of ten in power; 
 but his exhortations were remarkable. . . . His friends 
 were numerous an^ he never lost a friend — a man of 
 imperturbable coolness, seldom greatly excited, and 
 never angry. Above all, " he was a spiritual, conse- 
 crated man ; " " true, open, frank, noble, ingenuous." 
 To all who knew him and to those who knew him not, 
 it is enough to say that the father's excellences are per- 
 petuated in tlie son, the Rev. Dr. A. H. Tuttle. 
 
 Rev. James Henry Runvon left an excellent record 
 of fidelity and success. "His ministry was one of ex- 
 tensive usefulness. Revival work was his delight. . . . 
 He was a bold champion of the truth. When it cost 
 something to be something, he was willing to pay the 
 price. . . . He was fearless in his attacks upon sin, and 
 faltered not to attack it in high or low places. He was a 
 good preacher, clear and practical, a faithful expounder 
 of the word of life." His conversion at nineteen was 
 followed in due time by license to exhort, by his em- 
 ployment as a supply, and license to preach. In 1856 
 he joined the New Jersey Conference and served sixteen 
 different charges, until 1887, when he fell at the post of 
 duty after a brief illness. He was born at Liberty 
 Corner, N. J., August 28, 1833. 
 
 Rev. William Tunison — a name fragrant with pleas- 
 ant memories. Converted at sixteen, in Green Street 
 Church, Trenton, N. J., he became impressed that he 
 ought to devote his life to the ministry. He entered 
 Pennington Seminary to prepare for college, and thence 
 went to Weslcyan University, where he was graduated 
 in 1846. Next spring admitted to the New Jersey Con- 
 ference, he spent forty-one active, earnest, and useful 
 years in serving the Church, as pastor in seventeen 
 charges, and a full term as presiding elder on the Jersey 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 235 
 
 City nislrict. He was eiiipliatically a man of one work. 
 The great thought, 
 
 '"Tis all my business here below, 
 To cry, l>elu)l(l the l.amb!" 
 
 gave shape to liis whole being and life. Hence his well- 
 prejjared and well-delivered sermons were etninently 
 evangelical and effective. " He filled some of the most 
 ))rominent appointments, in all of whitii he was popular 
 and useful. . . . His labors were crowned with many 
 blessed revivals." I visited him during his last sick- 
 ness and found him with unclouded mind and cheerful 
 spirit, sweetly trusting in God. At another time lie said, 
 "There is not a shadow around me; all is sunshine." 
 He was born at Trenton, N. J., August 30, 1S25. 
 
 Rev. Cornelius CbAUK, Sr , born at Whealsheaf, N. 
 J., March 4, 181 1, was able to c laim for an ancestor 
 Abram Clark, one of the signers of the Declaration of 
 Independence. Though carefully trained in Dr. Mur- 
 ray's Presbyterian cluirch, Elizabctii, N. he sought 
 and found conversion at a Methodist altar in his seven- 
 teenth year, and united with the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. Removing to Newark soon after, he became 
 a zealous and useful worker. He had "a vigorous 
 mind. He was a great reader, a close thinker, and an 
 acute reasoner. Possessed of strong logical powers, and 
 endowed with a natural, rugged ehxpicm e which, when 
 inspired by the great themes of religion and temperance, 
 glowed with a fervor and beauty that mastered his 
 audience, we find him early recognized as a iiopular 
 speaker on the temperance platform and a successful 
 worker in revivals." Continuing a local preacher till 
 1852, being then forty-one years of age, he entered the 
 New Jersey Conference and served as pastor of eleven 
 charges, intermitting one year, t868, and finally ceasing 
 from the pastoral work in 1S71. Preceding his death 
 
236 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 he suffered for over a year from paralysis, and then 
 quietly passed away. 
 
 Rev. Peter Davidson Day was born August 6, 1811, 
 and grew up at ,New Providence, N. J. Converted in 
 his eighteenth year, he became two years later a sup- 
 ply on Newton Circuit, and in 1832 was admitted to 
 the Philadelpliia Conference, becoming successively a 
 member of the New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 
 His active pastoral service covered thirty-three years, 
 in twenty charges. As a minister of Christ he "was 
 true to the sacred trust committed to his care. He 
 deeply loved the doctrines and discipline of our beloved 
 Church. His spirit was fervent, labors abundant, his 
 words well chosen. . . . And God gave him many seals 
 to his ministry. . . . His last words were, 'I am going 
 home.' " 
 
 Rev. John Scarlett, born in Morris County, N. J., 
 April 30, 1803, was not only a very remarkable man, but 
 in many respects quite uniepie. A large volume might 
 be written concerning him, but this is rendered needless 
 by the three small and interesting volumes that came 
 from liis own ready pen while he yet lived: Converted 
 J II fi del, Almond, in verse, and Itinerant on Foot — all of 
 them largely biographical of himself. The "Introduc- 
 tion " to the second of these was written by me at his 
 special request ; and not long before his death he placed 
 in my hands for publication a manuscript with the title. 
 True Methodism in its Spirit, Jl'or/cs, and Jlurys, written 
 from the standpoint of his keen observation and long 
 experience. Besides being warmly attached to his 
 three Conference classmates, the Revs. Lewis R. Dunn, 
 Williani P. Corbit, and A$aph C. Vandewater, with many 
 more, there was one other whom he specially loved 
 and delighted to commune witli, the Rev. George 
 Hughes, Editor of the Guide to Holiness. It was very 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 237 
 
 fitting tliat lie sliould si)cak at the funeral — a service 
 to which, by tongue and pen, lirother Scarlett had also 
 invited the writer; but his reijuest was probably not 
 known by those having charge of the arrangements. 
 Powerfully converted in Newark when about thirty, 
 John Scarlett entered the New Jersey Conference in 
 1841, and filled sixteen charges during the next thirty- 
 two years; then he became a working supernumerary 
 until, on the last day of his life, he could say, " 1 am 
 nearing the portals — I shall be there to-night." To say 
 the least, he was one of the sprightliest in mind and 
 body, one of the aptest, deejiest, purest, holiest, hap- 
 piest, and most interesting men we have ever known. 
 
 Rkv. JosKi'U Roi'.KRT A HAMS was born at Swedes- 
 borough, N. J., February 12, 1824, and converted 
 at nineteen in Philadelphia. He entered the New 
 Jersey Conference in 1850. Then followed a ministry 
 of twenty-nine years, in thirteen charges. In 1879 he 
 became a supernumerary, settled at INIetuchen, and en- 
 gaged in mercantile business. P.ishop Wilson, of the 
 Reformed Episcopal Church, in his comprehensive 
 memoir of him said, " His sermons were the result of 
 patient thought, were thoroughly scriptural and practi- 
 cal, remote from anything apjjroaching irreverent specu- 
 lation, and the topics were always edifying. . . . Many 
 souls were led by him to Jesus." In his last illness he 
 was often visited by the bishop, to whom he said three 
 days before his death, "This will try the realities, the 
 foundations — the wide foundations." lUit "not willi 
 fear was this sjioken ; it was the calm outlook of a wait- 
 ing soul." 
 
 Rev. Crook Stevenson Vanct.kve was born at 
 Woodsville, N. J., December 30, 1814 ; converted in 
 his eighteenth year at Pennington, N. J., near his birth- 
 place; was early licensed to exhort and then to preach; 
 lU 
 
238 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 entered tlie grammar school of Dickinson College, 
 Carlisle, Pa., but after one term was urged by the Rev. 
 Manning Force, presiding elder, to supply a vacancy on 
 Newton, N. J., Circuit; in 1836 was admitted to the 
 Philadelphia Conference and for fifty consecutive years 
 pursued his work in the effective ranks, filling twenty- 
 six pastoral charges and presiding over two districts, 
 Morristown (twice) and Newton. His was a noble 
 record of labor and success. He was a member of the 
 General Conference in 1868 and of the Book Commit- 
 tee during the next four years, as well as a reserve dele- 
 gate to the General Conference of i860 and 1864. His 
 preaching was of an excellent order, always thoughtful 
 and earnest, and not unfrequently masterful and mighty. 
 His sermons were well prepared at his study table and 
 on his knees, then delivered with seriousness, direct- 
 ness, and unction. He was a diligent, happy, success- 
 ful pastor. In my deepest sorrow, as told elsewhere, 
 my heart turned toward him, as one of our best friends, 
 for help; and when, six and a half years later, the 
 choice of his bereft family turned toward me as his de- 
 sired biographer I felt that such service would be a 
 true " labor of love." 
 
 Rev. William Wesley Voorhees was converted in 
 his eighteenth year at Freehold, N. J.; became an inti- 
 mate associate with John Hanlon and Cornelius Clark, 
 Jr., in church and Sunday school work; entered the 
 New Jersey Conference in 1856; and filled nineteen, 
 charges in the next thirty-four years. His death oc- 
 curred very suddenly at Liberty Falls, N. Y., whither he 
 had gone with his wife for a restoration of broken 
 health. When about to return home, having to ride 
 two miles to the railway station, he reached for the 
 driving reins, "when, lo, God's chariot swept down, and 
 without a sigh or a farewell he stepped in and was trans- 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 239 
 
 lated to the company of tlie blood-washed." Hai)iuly, 
 though the distance was great, his special friend of early 
 and later years, the Rev. Cornelius Clark, could re- 
 spond to a telegraphic summons to officiate at his 
 funeral. In his excellent obituary of him he might well 
 say, " Brother Voorhees made faithful use of his time 
 and talents, and was a valuable and successful minister 
 of the word." He was born in Upper Freehold, N. J., 
 January 21, 1834. 
 
 Rev. John S. Portkr, D.I)., was born in Snow Hill, 
 Md., August 23, 1805, and soon after an early conver- 
 sion felt it to be his duty to preach. Having been 
 licensed and recommended to the Philadelphia Confer- 
 ence, he was admitted on trial in 1829, and after four 
 years in country circuit work he was appointed to old 
 St. George's in Philadelphia, with Henry White, Robert 
 Cierry, and Thomas McCarroll. Then followed twenty- 
 one years in stations, nearly all of them in cities, and 
 eighteen years in the presiding eldership, tiie whole of 
 his effective service covering forty-four years. He was 
 eight years connected with the Philadeljihia Conference, 
 twenty with the New Jersey Conference, and over thirty- 
 three with the Newark, in the two latter of which he 
 was reverently looked upon as a Nestor or a Solon in 
 wisdom and counsel. He was a born leader, was six 
 times a member of the General Conference and once a 
 reserve delegate. Deeply interested in the cause of 
 education, he served as a trustee of Dickinson College, 
 Drew Theological Seminary, and Centenary Collegiate 
 Institute, giving to each his time, labor, and means. 
 Dr. Porter was a man of mark physically, intellectually, 
 spiritually, socially, officially. He died as he lived, and 
 saying this is saying much. His funeral was large and 
 impressive. 
 
 Rev. AmosHolcomb Belles was born in Hunterdon 
 
240 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 County, N. J., March 31, 1816 ; converted when a boy ; 
 entered the New Jersey Conference in 1849; and 
 served seventeen cliarges in the effective relation during 
 the next forty \ sars. " After his retirement from the 
 more active ministry he preaclied in the churches in 
 and about Newark as occasion required." He was "a 
 man of large physical proportions and of a very vigorous 
 manhood. His voice was remarkably powerful and 
 resonant. . . . He was very modest ; . . . remarkably 
 kind and even-tempered ; brave and uncomplaining in 
 enduring the hardships of the itinerancy in those early 
 days. His mind was like his body, rugged and strong." 
 He was "an earnest, orthodox. Gospel preacher of the 
 Wesleyan type," and had " a rich personal religious ex- 
 perience." In his last sickness of more than a year's 
 continuance he suffered much, but amid all was enabled 
 to say, " The Lord's will be done." 
 
 Rev. Benjamin Day was the eldest but one of the 
 notable Day brothers of New Providence, N. J., who 
 entered the ministry. Born January 31, 1807 ; was 
 converted at sixteen ; joined the Philadelphia Confer- 
 ence in 1832, one year before his eldest brother, Mul- 
 ford, and in the same year with his brother Peter D.; 
 served ten charges the next fourteen years ; was super- 
 numerary the following six years ; resumed pastoral 
 work and served two charges two years each, one of 
 them for the second time; was made presiding elder of 
 Newton District and served four years, then of Paterson 
 (Jersey City) District and served four years, becoming 
 supernumerary in 1864 and so continuing. In 1869 he 
 left New Jersey and went to Ann Arbor, Mich., where 
 he became associated with the First Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, and where at his funeral Dr. Coburn spoke of 
 his "pure, transparent character," and the ofificial board 
 testified of him as "one who has long served the church 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 241 
 
 of Ann Arbor and the cause of Christianity with singu- 
 lar faithfulness." As another wrote, "It was a privilege 
 to know him, and his friendship was a benediction." 
 He led the Newark Conference delegation to the General 
 Conference of i860. 
 
 Rev. Charles Mavburv was born of Protestant 
 parents in Ireland March 4, 1854, and when about 
 twenty came to this country ; was converted in a re- 
 vival at Catskill, N. Y., and soon felt called to the work 
 of the ministry; entered and passed through Claverack 
 Institute; in 1884 was graduated at Drew Tiieological 
 Seminary ; and the same spring admitted to the Newark 
 Conference. His brief ministry covered but eight years 
 and was given to three charges, Campgaw, South 
 Market Street, Newark, and Westtown and Unionville, 
 serving in each with marked success. After a month's- 
 sickness, as the end approached, he said to his dear 
 wife, "Take our Charlie [seven years old] to prayer 
 morning, noon, and night; teach him to love God, so 
 that he may be a blessing to society if he should be 
 spared." With excellent equipment for his work, 
 Brother Maybury was a young minister of unusual 
 promise. 
 
 Rev. Ambrose Stewart Compton was born August 
 23, 1823, and "born again," in Newark, N. J., where for 
 several years he labored usefully as a local preacher, and 
 where he entered New Jersey Conference at its session 
 in Broad Street (St. Paul's) Church in 1856, having 
 served as a supply the previous year. Then followed 
 eleven successive pastorates, extending over twenty-two 
 years. In 1878 he became a supernumerary, but next 
 year resumed the pastoral work and labored five years 
 in two other charges, taking a change of relation again 
 in 1 884. his health having become impaired through the 
 protracted sufferings of his wife in their last charge. A 
 
242 
 
 Sunset Memories, 
 
 few months later she passed through the gates, "not 
 ajar, but wide open," as she had recently said. After 
 this he resided with his daughter, Mrs. Daniel W. Disos- 
 way, whose home from 1885 was at Ocean Grove, where 
 Brother Compton found a very congenial atmosphere. 
 Here the shock occasioned by the sudden death of his 
 estimable son-in-law probably hastened his own death, 
 about a year later. " His sick room was a Bethel." By 
 the writer his company and his home were often found 
 happy and helpful. 
 
 Rev. John B. Mathis was a man whose great modesty 
 was more than equaled by his real excellence. With a 
 ])lain education, a plain personal appearance, plain man- 
 ners in the pul[)it as among the pcoj^Ie, and but little 
 known outside of his own charges, he was yet one of the 
 most acceptable, beloved, and useful ministers among 
 us. " He was so well beloved in all the region where he 
 labored that fretpiently he was by invitation of the 
 church stationed in adjoining charges, and twice fdled a 
 second pastorate. Thus he spent fifteen years of his 
 successful ministry at Waipack Center, Hainesburg, and 
 Hainesville, contiguous charges." Let me add that he 
 Avas born October 14, 1814, at Bass River (now New 
 Gretna), Burlington County, N. J., on "the shore" — a 
 region which, with its pines and sand, has sent forth not 
 a few ministers of great influence and usefulness, such 
 as the Atwood brothers, Anthony and Joseph, Noah 
 Edwards, Alphonso A. Willetts, Charles S. Downs, 
 Samuel Parker, Charles Fletcher Downs, the Adams 
 brothers, Daniel L. and John E., Josephus Deander 
 Sooy, Charles H. McAnney, and, going back several 
 generations, John Collins and Learner ]51ackman, both 
 of whom became distinguished members of the Western 
 Conference. Brother Mathis was converted at nineteen, 
 and entered the New Jersey Conference in 1852, filled 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 243 
 
 fourteen charges in tliirty-two years, and passed to the 
 retired list in 1 885. 
 
 Rev. Isaac Wesley Cole was born at Arlington, X. 
 J., November 4, 1820, was converted at eighteen, and 
 united with the Church at Belleville, \. J. In 1S52 he 
 entered the New Jersey Conference, having previously 
 served as a supply. The next year he went as a mis- 
 sionary to California, remaining about three years and 
 then returning by reason of his own and his wife's im- 
 l)aired health. Resuming work at home in 1857, he 
 filled fifteen charges, and in 18S4 took a supernumerary 
 relation. " He was a successful workman in God's har- 
 vest field. In every appointment he paid off indebted- 
 ness, improved church property, erected new buildings, 
 and won souls." " His dying testimony was clear." 
 Besides leaving behind him a good name, he generously 
 deeded to tlie trustees of the Centenary Fund and 
 Preachers' Aid Society of the Newark Conference liis 
 jjleasant home at \Voodside, Newark, to be used by his 
 devoted wife until she, too, shall be translated to the 
 "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 
 
 Rev. John Newton Crane began his ministry at 
 twenty-two, having been converted six years before; was 
 admitted to the Philadelphia Conference in 1 833, after 
 serving as a supply; spent the next thirty-five years in 
 filling twenty-two pastoral charges; was supcrnumerar\- 
 in 1868-70; became effective in 187 1, and, having served 
 a year as pastor at Milburn, became chaplain of the 
 Minard Home at Morristown. " In revival work he had 
 great success, by the grace of God winning many souls 
 for Christ." During the last fifteen years of his life lie re- 
 sided in Newark, N. J., and was a member of the Roseville 
 Quarterly Conference. " He fre([uently assisted tiie 
 preachers in charge, and always with acceptance to the 
 congregation. He was held in high esteem by the com- 
 
244 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 munity in which he dwelt. . . . His was a worthy life 
 and a happy death." He was born at West Bloomfield 
 (now Montclair), N. J., December 26, 1810. 
 
 Rev. Thomas, Hewlings Stockton came to the 
 Newark Conference by transfer in 1878 from the New 
 Jersey Conference, of which he had been a member for 
 seven years. His father was the well-known Thomas 
 
 H. Stockton, D.l)., of the Methodist Protestant Church, 
 "an elo(iucnt man and mighty in the Scriptures," and 
 the son inherited no small measure of the father's preach- 
 int; ability. During five years he filled two pastorates 
 in our Conference work, and was then appointed to 
 Buenos Ayres, South America, where his ministry proved 
 a very successful one. In the latter part of the year 
 
 I. S9I he came to the United States for rest and relief. 
 His healtli improved and he returned to his work, but it 
 
 seems his return was prematuie, for he died of nervous 
 exhaustion July 29, 1892." He was liorn in Philadel- 
 phia Mny 26, 1839. 
 
 Rev. 'I'lioMAs HoLi.iNcsHEAD Smith was a native of 
 England; Ijorn January 15, 1S19; was converted when 
 very young, and preached his first sermon Mhen he was 
 but sixteen, thenceforward laboring as a local preacher 
 under the circuit plan. He came to New York in 1848, 
 and one year later was called to supjjly the church at 
 Orange, N. J., its pastor, the Rev. Jonathan T. Crane, 
 having been elected piinci])al of Pennington Seminary. 
 In 1850 he entered the New Jersey Conference and was 
 ap[)ointed to the same chuich, including wliich he filled 
 seventeen charges, presided over two districts, was super- 
 numerary one year (1890), then made effective and ap- 
 pointed corresponding secretary of the Conference Tract 
 Society in 1891 and 1892. Brother Smith was a man of 
 sterling integrity, a strong preacher, a true friend, a lov- 
 ing husband and father. Thrice at different times we 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 245 
 
 roomed together during Conference week, and always 
 found our fellowship, as I believe, mutually pleasant and 
 profitable. The last occasion of this kind was during 
 the Conference at I'lainfield in 1889, at the home of the 
 Rev. Dr. David J. Yerkes, the distinguished pastor of the 
 First Baptist Cluirch. 
 
 Rev. Ralph Stover Arndt was born near Easton, Pa., 
 June 4, 1826, his parents removing five years later to War- 
 ren County, N. J. Reared in a home of deep piety, he 
 was converted at nineteen and soon after felt called to the 
 ministry; became a student at Pennington Seminary; in 
 1848 served as a sui)ply in his home county; a year later 
 entered the New Jersey Conference and continued his 
 ministry till 1890, filling twenty-one pastoral charges and 
 one term as presiding elder of the Elizabeth District. 
 "As a preacher he was held in higli esteem. His sermons 
 were well prepared, his style cliaste, his delivery quiet, 
 yet earnest and impressive. ... In temperament he was 
 mild and in manner very agreeable. . . . Many of us 
 will recall his ciieerful greeting in his home and else- 
 where, and the sunsliine that he diffused all around him. 
 . . . His domestic life was exceedingly beautiful." Tlie 
 illness of nearly two years preceding his death was 
 borne with devout patience and cheerfulness. The 
 writer had excellent opportunity for knowing him, hav- 
 ing been his presiding elder and having had him in turn 
 as such; and "to know him was to love him." 
 
 Rev. Alexander Lawrence Brice, D.I)., " was a 
 truly great man." So we remarked to Dr. Daniel R. Low- 
 rie on the day of the funeral, and immediately justified 
 the statement by giving substantially the following rea- 
 son : For one with his small beginnings of ojqjortunity, 
 education, and social influence, without jjatronage or 
 favoritism, constitutionally timid and shrinking, to have 
 attained by dint of honest, conscientious, steady devo' 
 
246 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 tion to God and the work of the Church, and for so 
 many years maintained the high position of honor and 
 influence accorded to him, then to have died in a ripe 
 age with this honoi; and influence undiminished — here- 
 in is conclusive proof that he must have been essen- 
 tially a great man. During twenty-five years "he was 
 pastor of thirteen different churches, seven of them be- 
 ing in our principal cities, and for twenty years he was 
 a presiding elder." As a preacher he was "earnest, 
 dignified, instructive." Three times he was a member 
 of the General Conference and three times a reserve 
 delegate; sixteen consecutive years a member of the 
 Missionary Board; from its beginning a trustee and the 
 treasurer of the Centenary Fund and Preachers' Aid 
 Society; during all its history a trustee of the Confer- 
 ence collegiate institute; and for many years a trustee of 
 the camp meeting association at Mount Tabor. Dr. Brice 
 was a well-balanced man in whom there centered a rare 
 combination of the best qualities — the perfect gentle- 
 man, the consistent Christian, the wise counselor, the 
 impartial arbiter, the skillful financier, the modest but 
 self-reliant leader, the ready helper, the generous giver, 
 the sincere, faithful friend, the honest, unselfish, pains- 
 taking, successful preacher, pastor, and presiding elder. 
 He was born in Suffield, Conn., October 24, 1822, en- 
 tered the New Jersey Conference, after a year's supply- 
 ing, in 1847, and died in peace after a brief illness. His 
 funeral was remarkable for the number of ministers- 
 more than a hundred — in attendance. " I feel lonely," 
 was the low, sad murmur of many besides the writer as 
 we saw him borne away so soon after the quick depar- 
 tures of Smith and Arndt — the strong " threefold cord " 
 suddenly broken! 
 
 Rev. Alkkk t Halsev Brown was born in Boston, 
 Mass., A\n\\ 30, 1829; converted at a camp meeting 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 247 
 
 when ten years old ; at suitable age entered Wesleyan 
 University, and afterward Concord ]?iblical Institute; 
 was admitted to the New Jersey Conference in 1855 ; 
 spent the next eighteen years in filling eleven charges; 
 was a supernumerary two years, and, then becoming 
 effective, served three more years as pastor in three 
 charges. This ended his i)astoral work, but not his ac- 
 tivity, for he could not be inactive. " His zeal for the 
 truth well-nigh consumed him. All his life with a frail 
 body, he wrought for God as if he were a giant with 
 sword and battle-ax." In thought and conviction he 
 was a quarter century in advance of his generation. The 
 " |)lanning, l)uilding, furnishing, and managing" of the 
 "Clood Will Institute," in Roseville, Newark, "was the 
 closing and crowning work of his life." His last week 
 on earth was one of extraordinary suffering; yet amid 
 it all he could say, " Not my will, Father, but thine be 
 done." 
 
 Rev. Jacob P. Fort, born at Peniberton, N. J., Feb- 
 ruary 20, 1818, was converted at sixteen under the Rev. 
 Henry Boehm and, feeling called to the ministry, sought 
 by diligent study to jirepare himself for it. He was one 
 of the notable class admitted to the New Jersey Confer- 
 ence in 1844, and "for forty-five years, without a rest 
 or break in his work," he continued " to receive and fill, 
 with remarkable diligence, his appointments," twenty- 
 three in number. " He looked closely after the work as- 
 signed him; not only the temporal, but the spiritual, in- 
 terests of the church prospered in his hands. Many gra- 
 cious revivals with their lasting fruits survive him." When 
 compelled in 1889 to take a supernumerary relation, "he 
 manfully accepted the inevitable and was the same genial, 
 loving Christian gentleman, still seeking to do what he 
 could to advance the Redeemer's kingdom." He fixed 
 his home in Newark, where he died suddenly amid many 
 
248 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 regrets and tears. He was a man of clear head, warm 
 heart, philanthropic spirit, and godly life. 
 
 Rev. Josiah Flint Cankield had a notable lineage, 
 his mother's father having been the Rev. James Cald- 
 well, of Revolutionary renown, pastor of the old First 
 Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, N. J. Born at Mor- 
 ris Plains, N. J., March 22, 1808, he was converted at 
 twenty in the great revival of 1828 at Morristown, un- 
 der the Rev. Anthony Atwood, and soon felt called to 
 the ministry. In 1830 he entered the Philadelphia 
 Conference with such men as John L. Lenhart, Caleb 
 A. Lippincott, and Edmund S. Janes (afterward bishop), 
 and filled twenty pastoral charges during the next twenty- 
 ^ five years, all in the State of New Jersey. In 1855 his name 
 was placed on the retired list, where it continued during 
 the balance of his life, nearly forty years. Most of these 
 years were passed in Illinois; but in 1888 he returned 
 to his native State and settled at Ocean City. When 
 eighty-one he preached twice on Sunday and rode eight- 
 een miles. His favorite theme was entire sanctification. 
 His grandson wrote that he loved his old (Ireek Testa- 
 ment very much and was very fond of the beautiful, 
 spending much time in the culture of flowers. During 
 his last month of life he was a great sufferer, but never 
 failed to trust in God. 
 
 Rev. Thomas H. Jacoiuis was born at Pine Brook, 
 N. J., November 20, 1834, and in early youth became a 
 member of the old Clinton Street Church of Newark in 
 her palmy days. "Naturally studious, his new environ- 
 ments inspired him with new impulses toward learning. 
 Intensely spiritual, he loved the house of God and the 
 ])lace of prayer." In 1866 I found him a local preacher 
 at Bloomingdale, N. J., in charge of the public school 
 at that ])lace; and, learning from him a desire to enter 
 the itinerant work, arrangements were made with him to 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 249 
 
 supply Ladentown charge llic next year. At tlie Con- 
 ference of 1868 he was elected and ordained a deacon 
 under the rule for local jjreachers, being also admitted 
 on trial, and returned to the same charge, including 
 which he filled fourteen appointments during the next 
 twenty-seven years. He had a laudable ambition for 
 goodness, greatness, and success of the best ty[)e. His 
 last sickness was of short duration. Anticipating a 
 (juestion from his anxious wife concerning his peace 
 with God, he said, " That is all settled; everything is all 
 right." 
 
 Rev. IMartin Herr was born in Lancaster County, 
 Pa., May 6, 1820, and when eight years old found the 
 "pearl of great price," Init did not unite with the 
 Church till some years later. At length he was licensed 
 to preach and, Iea\'ing his native State, was admitted to 
 the New Jerse\' Conference in 1844. Then followed 
 sixteen jjasLorates, closing with 1871. He "then took a 
 supernuinerar)- relation and purchased a {property at 
 ^\'l^ile House, consisting of a small farm and a country 
 store. Here he spent the last twenty-five [twenty-four] 
 years of his life in labors incident to his business, fre- 
 quently preaching for the pastors in that vicinity. . . . 
 His preaching ability was regarded as above the ordi- 
 nary. . . . He was an excellent administrator and a 
 good pastor." ^\'e recall with pleasure our (piarterly 
 visits to his charge and his home at Ilackensack in 1866, 
 and well remember a centennial service, held under his 
 wise planning and direction, in the; interest of the great 
 Centennial of American Methodism. His last sickness 
 was very severe and trying, but his faith proved tri- 
 umphant. 
 
 Rev. William Day was born in Larkfield, England, 
 November 16, 1827, and converted on his seventeenth 
 birthday. He received his first love feast ticket from, 
 
250 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 the Rev. Benjamin Clough, who said, " There, William, 
 take that, and carry it up to the gate of heaven with 
 you." He soon became an exhorter and then a local 
 preacher, doing e^^cellent service as such in the circuit 
 work. Having entered the Richmond Theological In- 
 stitute, he was compelled by failure of health to leave 
 before finishing his course. He came to the United 
 States in March, 1850; was admitted to the New Jersey 
 Conference in April, 1851; and served as pastor of 
 twenty-one charges, mostly city stations, until 1895, 
 when he was suddenly called from labor to reward. He 
 was a superior preacher, a loving, synipatlictic pastor, 
 an affectionate friend, and always successful in his 
 work. In his home life he was overgenerous. At the 
 close of a Tract Board meeting in New York, as we 
 talked together, he spoke tenderly of liis personal friend- 
 ship and made feeling reference to the death of several 
 brethren of about his own age in the Conference, pro- 
 ducing in his heart a sad sense of loneliness. His own 
 death soon after was a great surprise and sorrow. 
 , Rev. Charles Howland Bassett was born at Great 
 Hill, Conn., December 10, 1864, and " gave his heart to 
 the Lord when he was but eleven years of age." He 
 was graduated from Cazenovia Seminary in 1886, from 
 Syracuse University in 1890, and from Drew Theolog- 
 ical Seminary in 1895, He joined the Northern New 
 York Conference in 1890, having successfully served as 
 a supply the previous year. In 1894 he was transferred 
 to the Newark Conference and appointed to Branchville, 
 N. J., but in June, 1895, was made assistant pastor of 
 Market Street Cluirch in Paterson, where after a few 
 weeks of faithful service he was attacked with a fatal 
 typhoid fever. His brief career was marked by great 
 toils and great successes. " To save men from sin was 
 his great ambition. . . . God always honors a holy pas- 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 251 
 
 sion for saving souls, and Brother Bassett did not go to 
 meet the Redeemer empty-handed." 
 
 Rev. Charles Ridgewav Snyder was born at Alla- 
 mucliy, N. J., February 3, 1837, and converted wlien 
 fourteen under the ministry of Dr. John S. Porter, wliose 
 son-in-law he became on March 3, 1863. He had a 
 noteworthy parentage. His father belonged to a large, 
 intelligent, and influential family, while his middle name, 
 Ridgeway, pointed to the family name of his mother, a 
 name which early came to Paterson, N. J., and stood 
 for culture and manifold excellences. That mother at- 
 tained a ripe old age, with a rich Christian experience, 
 and died but a few years ago full of honors. The name 
 "Aunt Sarah" was pleasantly familiar. Charles was 
 educated at Pennington Seminary, Wesleyan University, 
 and Dickinson College; entered the Newark Conference 
 in i86i ; served five pastoral charges until 1867, when 
 he became supernumerary and removed to Minnesota, 
 where he made himself very useful. Returning afler 
 several years' absence, he became effective in 1882 and 
 occupied six charges, becoming supernumerary again in 
 1895. Then followed months of patient suffering till 
 death ensued. Here was a remarkable man in many 
 ways, but in none so much as in his wonderful Christian 
 experiences, as reported by the Rev. L. C. MuUer. He 
 described himself as "a modern Tantalus "• up to June, 
 1895. " He was continually having his expectations 
 excited, to suffer disappointment. . . . Now he was no 
 longer Tantalus; he was permitted to drink of the allur- 
 ing cup and was content. He found himself as never 
 before satisfied." His testimony was: " All my concep- 
 tions of the possibilities of tlie Christian life have been 
 surpassed. God has surprised me as a sufficiency, stay, 
 and joy. Nobody need sympathize with me in connec- 
 tion with this sickness." At another time he said: " I 
 
252 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 had not thought it possible for one to have suc h abso- 
 hitc assurance for reaching heaven. I have such cer- 
 tainty there seems no room for failure." What a sub- 
 lime illustration vf^ere these experiences of that inspired 
 declaration, "Able to do exceeding abundantly above 
 all that we ask or think! " Are not such experiences 
 for each of us ? The funeral services were held at the 
 residence of his well-known brother, Mr. William V. 
 Snyder, of Newark, N. J. 
 
 Rev. Nelson Alexander Macnilhol was born in 
 ]'hiladclphia, Ta., August 2, 1851, and converted when 
 about seventeen. He came to the Newark Conference 
 in 1890 by transfer from the New Jersey, where for 
 fourteen years he had been esteemed " very highly in 
 love " for his work's sake, as also for his jjcrsonal quali- 
 ties. With good success he served a full term of five 
 years at the Halsey Street Church, Newark, and was 
 then ap])ointed to Market Street Church, Paterson. 
 Once the writer heard him preach an extraordinary ser- 
 mon on an ordinary occasion to a good, but not full, con- 
 gregation. I said, " Such a sermon ought to have been 
 heard by thousands; " and I added, " If Talmage can 
 crowd his Brooklyn Tabernacle every Sunday, Mac- 
 nichol ought as often to fill every sitting in Malsey 
 Street Church, below and above." Well might his 
 biographer say, " He had rare gifts of textual illumina- 
 tion. By a quick emphasis, a studied pause, or a quaint 
 simile he would make lasting impressions. His power 
 of illustration was rich, varied, and striking." Was his 
 death untimely ? So it seems to human vision — like 
 Hudson's and Batchelder's, McKeever's and Hanlon's. 
 Would rest or lighter work have saved them longer to 
 the Church.' 'Who knoweth ? "The secret things be- 
 long unto the Lord our Cod." 
 
 Hey. Cyreniu.s Andersun WoMtioucJH was born at 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 253 
 
 Ringoes, N. J., May 17, 1S25, began liis Cluislian life 
 in early youth, entered the New Jersey Conlerenc e in 
 1854, and spent tiie next thirty years in ser\ ing sixteen 
 |)astoral charges. In 18S5 iiis rehition was ciKingccl lioni 
 effective to supernumerary. Afterward death \ isiud his 
 liome in the removal of his cherished wife, and was 
 followed by a personal attack of paralysis wliicli made 
 articulation difficult. lUit amid all he was ]ieaceful, 
 resigned, and hajjpy in the conscious ])reseiice of liis 
 covenant-keeping ( '.od and under the tender ministries 
 of his children. A final Mow came at length, rendering 
 speech impossiliK'; Imt by unmistakable signs he still 
 responded to cw i)- mLiition of the lovetl name of jcsus. 
 In 1856 and i>'^57 n\ e were slatiuned near each other on 
 Staten Island ami went together t(j New ^'ork as mem- 
 bers of Dr. .Strong's class in the dreek and iiebrew. 
 Brother ^\'ombough was a tliorougldy ( onscienlious 
 Christian, a good preacher, a faithfid pastor, wliose life 
 and character alwax's uKule for righteousness. 
 
 Rev. IIk,\rv larrz was born in Sandyston, N. J., 
 September 25, 1S24, experienced con\'eision when about 
 eiglitecn, soon after felt called to preach, and was li- 
 censed, first as an exhorter, and later as a local preaclier, 
 in which relation he " sujjplied a number of i harges 
 under the elder." He was admitted to the Newark Con- 
 ference in i860, and during the ensuing liiirly-four 
 years served as pastor of thirteen charges, "liis love 
 for preaching was im incible. One of the saddest days 
 of his life was when, two years ago, he was advised to 
 give up preaching and retire from the active work. . . . 
 As a preacher he possessed rare gifts. Me had native 
 eloquence. His sermons were biblical and interesting. 
 . . . He was a man of power in i)rayer, ... He grew 
 old sweetly and beautifully." Having gone to \ isit his 
 son at Sus(]uehanna, N. Y., he was taken ill with pneu- 
 17 
 
254 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 monia a few days after jireaching on Sunday evening, 
 January 19; but he was suljuiissive to the will of God 
 and died in peace. 'I he writer recalls with pleasure the 
 warm hospitality of himself and his estimable wife in 
 more than one of their charges. 
 
 Rev. Lewis Goodwin Griffith was born at Rock 
 Hill, Pa., October 9, 1863, and converted at nineteen 
 in Philadelphia. He entered Dickinson College in 1885, 
 and was graduated from Drew Theological Seminary in 
 1891, having for two years served as a supply at Parsip- 
 pany. He was admitted to the Newark Conference the 
 same spring and had filled two charges when, during 
 1893, he was stricken down with typhoid fever, which re- 
 sulted in a fatal consumption. He was " a true Chris- 
 tian minister " and faithful in liis work. His death oc- 
 curred at Camden, N. J., where ai)propriate funeral 
 services were conducted by ministers of the New Jersey 
 Conference. 
 
 Rev. John Ogden Winner was born in Sussex 
 County, N. J., May 29, 1826. His father was the Rev. 
 Isaac Winner, D.D., one of the heroes of early New 
 Jersey Methodism. He was a man of great power in 
 the pulpit and in the arena of Conference debate. The 
 writer well remembers him as his presiding elder and in 
 other relations. His now departed son possessed many 
 of the father's noble qualities, his early educational ad- 
 vantages being greatly superior. His preparatory course 
 at Pennington Seminary was followed by iiis gradiiation 
 at Dickinson College in 1848, he having, in April of the 
 same year, been admitted on trial in the New Jersey 
 Conference. From tiiis time he filled ten pastoral 
 charges, until 1865, when he became supernumerary, 
 resuming active pastoral work in 1873 and continuing 
 the same until April, 1895, less than a year before his 
 death. He was an instructive and edifying preacher. 
 
New Jersey and Newark Conferences. 255 
 
 a faithful pastor, a sincere friend, and stood at tlie 
 head of a family of notable distinction and worth. 
 His only son, the Rev. John ( ). W inner, of the Newark 
 Conference, wortiiily represents his ascended father. 
 My recollections of lirother Winner's ardent personal 
 friendship are among the most precious. 
 
 All, how the Conference death roll is swelling! Dur- 
 ing thirty-eiglit fleeting _\ears it has grown to ninety-six. 
 It began with Ichabod — " where is the glory ? " — and now 
 closes at date willi Jolin — "the gift or grace of God," — 
 the glory-cruwned seer of Patmos ! Who'll be the next.' 
 Let every tlioiiglitful reader ask, "Lord, is it I?" De- 
 lightful is tile thought that as tlic deatli roll increases the 
 number of \\ itnesses to conquest over death correspond- 
 ingly enlarges. "Our preachers die well " is as true to- 
 day as when John Wesley wrote it: 
 
 " Our glorious Leader claims our praise 
 
 For his own pattern given ; 
 While the long cloud of witnesses 
 
 Show the same path to heaven." 
 
PART V. 
 
 SUPLRNUMERARY EXPERIENCES AND 
 REVIEW SUPPLEMENTAL 
 
Supernumerary Experiences. 259 
 
 PART V. 
 
 Supernumerary Experiences and Review Supple- 
 mental. 
 
 me tlie transition from the effective to the 
 ' ' supernumerary rehition was easy and even grate- 
 ful, producing no shock and causing no regrets; first, 
 because 1 had served my long day of fifty active years 
 in the Conference; and, secondly, because it allowed me 
 quietly to vacate a place in the pastoral work for some 
 one who could better occupy it. Mingled with this feel- 
 ing, however, was one of humiliation and grief in the 
 thought of becoming a claimant on the funds of the 
 Conference, aside from which my happiness would have 
 seemed complete. Happy, indeed, must those be who 
 are able to close a lengthened active ministry without 
 dependence upon such aid! I found myself taking 
 kindly to the pew as a listener, instead of occupying the 
 pulpit as a preacher, never chafing or fretting under this 
 new providential arrangement ; in fact, it has proved to 
 be quite a luxury to sit under the ministry of our suc- 
 cessive pastors, Dr. James I. Boswell, the Rev. Frank 
 S. Cookman, and the Rev. Edwin N. Crasto. 
 
 Thus set free from " all time and toil and care " in 
 the pastoral service, what could I find to occupy my 
 attention and save my life from a dull and ciieerless 
 monotony? Not more natural is the question than the 
 answer to it is easy. Had I from boyhood been ;i i)rcacli- 
 er and pastor simplj — nothing more — an irksome monot- 
 ony would have been inevitable ; but within ))roper limits 
 I had also been " a tiller of the ground " and a mechanic, 
 
260 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 without, however, remitting close habits of study. Hence 
 on removing in tiie s[)ring of 1892 to the native home of 
 my wife at East Madison, N. J., connected with which 
 was a farm with a garden, I had full opportunity for the 
 use of rake and fork and hoe, the privilege thus afforded 
 being cheerfully embraced as strength and other duties 
 would permit. Moreover, for some twenty years I had 
 been tlie owner of a full chest of carpenter's tools, the 
 impress of which had been left on many a parsonage, 
 and the convenience of which was now realized more 
 than e\ er in repairing breaches and making sundry im- 
 provements. Still further, my large library continued to 
 invite attention, which with unabated interest continued 
 to be given to it in the preparation of new sermons and 
 writing for the press. Though hundreds of old sermons 
 had been carefully preserved in stock, I found far greater 
 pleasure in mapping out new discourses than using old 
 ones to meet occasional or frequent calls to preach. 
 
 After two years of happy life at the quiet homestead 
 a sorrowful change occurred in the death of Mr. Tunis, 
 the kind, loving father ; then followed the settlement 
 of the estate under the executorship of Henry W. Tu- 
 nis, the youngest son, and the writer. Within this year 
 the property was sold, obliging us to seek another home, 
 which we found in the borough of Madison, where our 
 nearness to the post office, stores, and trains, as also to 
 the Methodist Church and Drew Theological Seminary, 
 has proved a special convenience. On arranging the 
 study in our new home it was found a great accommo- 
 dation to send away, as a small gift to the Drew library, 
 nearly a hundred volumes, large and small, together 
 with sc\eral boxes of magazines, reports. Conference 
 Minutes, pamphlets, etc., which were accepted through 
 the courtesy of the Rev. Samuel G. Ayres, assistant li- 
 brarian. 
 
Supernumerary Experiences. 261 
 
 The long cherished friendship of Dr. Buttz, the ac- 
 complished president, with the enjoyable acipiaintance 
 of the other distinguished members of the faculty, ren- 
 ders our convenience to the seminary a matter of very 
 great interest, affording as it does the delightful privi- 
 lege of attending the lectures given by eminent special- 
 ists and others before the students, as also the pleasure 
 of hearing the Wednesday morning sermon by some 
 member of the graduating class. Among the former I 
 mention Dr. C. H. Payne, Joseph Cook, President B. P. 
 Raymond, Professor J. Rendel Harris, Dr. T. B. Neely, 
 Professor Caspar Rene Gregory, Dr. M. D. Buell, I^r. 
 J. C. Hartzell, and Dr. J. M. Buckley. Others, as Dr. 
 George K. Morris and Dr. A. B. Leonard, I unfortu- 
 nately failed to hear. To fitly characterize Dr. Buck- 
 ley's course of lectures on " Extemporaneous Speaking " 
 would require several emphatic adjectives, with each 
 one underscored at that. I had repeatedly heard some 
 veteran minister express a wish to live his life over, but 
 I had never shared that feeling or anything approaching 
 it ; now, however, under the instruction and inspiration 
 of these lectures, with such a living example before me, 
 I was brought to the point of soliloquizing thus: If it 
 were possible for me to begin my ministry again, with 
 my present knowledge and experience charged with the 
 fresh illumination and stimulus of these forceful utter- 
 ances, there seems no room for doubt that by the crown- 
 ing help of God's Spirit I could preach far more effi- 
 ciently and usefully than ever in the past. 
 
 To have personally known each president of the sem- 
 inary from its beginning till now — McClintock, Foster, 
 Hurst, Buttz — and each professor during the same pe- 
 riod — Nadal, Miley, Strong, Burr, Crooks. Upham, Kid- 
 der, Sitterly, Rogers, Cramer, Bowman — is felt to have 
 been and still to be no insignificant iionor. With this 
 
262 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 has come the added pleasure of a personal acquaintance 
 with Dr. George G. Saxe and Dr. Homer Eaton as 
 neighbors and fellow-worshipers in the same church. 
 Yet another pleasure is found in the friendship of the 
 venerable Dr. Robert Aikman, pastor emeritus of the 
 Presbyterian Church. 
 
 With grateful satisfaction we recall the years of our 
 residence at East Madison, where, in the old historic, 
 but well-kept, schoolhouse the Sunday evening preach- 
 ing service was usually conducted by some one of the stu- 
 dents, and where the Tuesday night prayer meetings, led 
 alternately by Messrs. Aaron P. Condit and David Y. 
 Hedges, were often delightfully full of interest and 
 profit. Seldom is sweeter or more inspiring music any- 
 where heard than was heard there from choir and con- 
 gregation at the Sunday evening service. Among our 
 neighbors we were happy in having many of the kindest 
 and best. 
 
 As busy thought sweeps over the past I am constrained 
 to cry out, " What shall I render unto the Lord for all 
 his benefits toward me.' " Among these benefits I must 
 reckon a personal knowledge of all the bishops of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church from its beginning, except- 
 ing the first five, with Bishop Emory, whose sudden 
 death occurred in less than four years after his election, 
 and when I was but twelve years old. Including the 
 missionary bishops Taylor and Thoburn, here are forty 
 honored men the panorama of whose forms and faces 
 has been passing before me in the various successive 
 stages of my life, from its teens till the opening of its 
 eighth decade and beyond. Between 1842 and 1892 
 twenty-five of these presided over the New Jersey and 
 Newark Conferences, from whom I received my fifty 
 annual appointments. Associated with them during the 
 same period were more than two hundred presiding 
 
Supernumerary Experiences. 
 
 263 
 
 elders, often the same men, sitting each year with one 
 of. the bishops in groups of four or five to assist him in 
 fixing the appointments. 
 
 And now, after an observation and experience of 
 more than half a century as to the working of our 
 Church polity, if I should say that among all these of- 
 ficials I have found but one selfish bishop, with one 
 thoughtless presiding elder, another insincere, and a 
 third unkind, I feel that I should be paying a compli- 
 ment to our episcopacy, presiding eldership, and itiner- 
 ant system fiir more unqualified than could justly be 
 paid to any other ecclesiastical system under the sun. 
 
 In the Methodist Quarterly Rnnerv for April, 1864, 
 appeared an article from my pen on " Our Lord's Prayer 
 in the Garden," setting forth a new interpretation which 
 is becoming gradually accepted as the correct view. 
 After its publication I found the same view suggested in 
 McClintock & Strong's Cyclopcedia. At this writing an 
 article with the title of " Some Thoughts on the Last 
 Things " is in the hands of the present editor, Dr. Kel- 
 ley, for publication. 
 
 During several years, by request of the Rev. George 
 Hughes, Editor of the Guide to Holiness, I furnished the 
 " Berean Holiness Lesson Leaves," assisted in prepar- 
 ing his book. The Beloved Fhysiciaii, revised Four 
 Pearls, and have more recently been serving as one of 
 the corresponding editors of the Guide. 
 
 Sometimes my pen productions have been wrongly 
 credited, and sometimes not credited at all. In 189 1 I 
 wrote three or four serial articles for the Christian 
 Standard, of Philadelphia, and soon after saw an extract 
 from one of them in the Oeean Groi'e Record, with the 
 heading, " Sinless Human Nature of Christ," credited 
 to " Dr. Whedon, in Northern Christian Advocate." The 
 mistake was as complimentary to me as it was innocent 
 
264 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 on the part of Dr. Wallace, editor of the Record. In 
 1887 the Board of Education published in its program 
 for Children's Day a hymn which I had written a few 
 years before for J'lie Christian Advocate, where it was 
 published with my name prefixed ; but in the program, 
 though every other hymn was fully credited to its au- 
 thor, my name was wholly oinitted. 
 
 If occasional humiliating slights have come to me they 
 have been far more than counterbalanced by the un- 
 sought honors enjoyed, as election to the General Con- 
 ference; service for eight years in the presiding eldershij); 
 joint superintendence for several years of the religious 
 services at Mount Tabor; a member of the first board 
 of trustees of the Centenary Collegiate Institute; a man- 
 ager and officer for years of the Newark Conference 
 Historical Society, and now a manager of the Methodist 
 Historical Society in New York city; one of the board 
 of managers during the last twenty years of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Tract Society, and the last half of this 
 time or longer a member cf the executive committee; 
 the chairman of a committtee of thirteen to fry an 
 accused member of the Newark Conference, the trial 
 resulting in his expulsion ; frequent service on the ex- 
 amining, standing, and special committees of the Con- 
 ference, as also on the board of stewards ; and a trustee 
 for many years till recently of the Centenary Fund and 
 Preachers' Aid Society, serving much of this time as 
 president of the board, my successor being the present 
 efficient incumbent, the Rev. Daniel Halleron, with the 
 same faithful secretary, the Rev. Samuel K. Doolittle, 
 and the new corresponding secretary, the Rev. John A. 
 Gutteridge, so successful in his work, with the careful, 
 painstaking, whole souled, cnthusinstic treasurer, William 
 H. Murphy, Esq. Association with these and the other 
 distinguished laymen of the board, Messrs. Samuel T. 
 
Supernumerary Experiences. 265 
 
 Smith, Edward L, Dobbins, John M. (IwinncU, and 
 Charles C. Cockefair, together with its other well-known 
 clerical members, was found to be delightfully pleasant. 
 Finally, there has often come to me at various times, tlie 
 honor of presiding temporarily over the Annual Con- 
 ference sessions by appointment of the bishop. 
 
 Some one may be ready to say, " All this is not much." 
 No, not much comjiarcd witli the lienors enjoyed by some 
 of my brethren, and not much as looked at by the eyes of 
 a towering ambition suc li as never belonged to me; but 
 quite enough to satisfy that graufu!, appreciative spirit 
 which by divine grace can transmute stones to iron, wood 
 to brass, brass to silver, and silver to gold (Isa. l.\, 17). 
 
 In 1893 a long-desired consummation was reached in 
 the sale of a strip of land at South Nyack, N. V. For 
 more than twenty-five years it had been a drain through 
 heavy taxes upon my slender purse. .\ll through those 
 years I had been waiting for tiie riglit purchaser, who 
 at length came in tlie person of the Rev. Ross Taylor, 
 son of Bishop William Tax lor, attended by his e.vcellent 
 wife. Into what better hands could it have fallen 
 Alas, that three of their lovely < hiklren should have 
 been swept away so suddenly into eternity by the mid- 
 night flames which dismantled their new substantial 
 home! But their faith in Cud faltered not. And now 
 day by day from that restored new home, so "beautiful 
 for situation," they are permitted, witii the twofold 
 vision of natural and spiritual e\es, to look forth "and 
 view the landscape o'er." Is it a mere fancy that the 
 venerable apostolic bishop may some day here rest 
 awhile until another chariot of fire, like to lilijah's, 
 shall sweep down and bear him up to the sapphire 
 throne (Ezek. i, 26; x, i) ? That would be to ascend 
 from one delectable mountain slope of earth and "scale 
 the mount of Cod " in the heaven of heavens I 
 
266 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Among our pleasures have been our summer visits to 
 Ocean Grove, that marvelous, matchless Christian Mecca 
 of "far extended fame." It has many rivals, but no 
 equals. If Chautauqua is greater in some respects, as 
 it doubtless is. Ocean Grove bears the palm in many 
 others ; as its comparative proximity to tlie two great 
 cities of New York and Philadelphia; its sea bathing 
 advantages; its anniversary services in the interest of a 
 greater number and vaiiety of societies, educational and 
 religious; its various meetings under different leaders 
 for the special promotion of holiness; its unequaled 
 new auditorium; and, greatest of all, its annual camp 
 meeting, with its vast congregations, its inspiring music, 
 directed by Professor John R. Sweney, its eloquent and 
 stirring sermons, its unique surf meetings, its earnest 
 and successful revival work — all this and much more, 
 not to speak of the strict enforcement of its rules against 
 Sabbath desecration and the liquor traffic in all its forms, 
 etc. That thousands of names have gone up for record 
 in the " book of life " is its crowning glory. 
 
 The most eloquent and most thrilling sermon ever 
 heard from its platform by the writer was that delivered 
 several years since by Rev. Dr. B. B. Hamlin, of the 
 Central Pennsylvania Conference, on the "opening of 
 the book," so glowingly pictured in the fifth chapter of 
 Revelation; while the most entertaining and entrancing 
 lecture was that given by General John B. Gordon in 
 August, 1895, on "The Last Days of the Southern Con- 
 federacy." The enthusiasm of the nearly ten thousand 
 who packed the vast new auditorium was surpassing, 
 unbounded. 
 
 Last year a new enterprise was started on its promis- 
 ing career, winning its way at once to public favor. 
 "The Summer School of Theology," under the dean- 
 ship of tiie Rev. Dr. Jacob E. Price, is plainly destined 
 
Supernumerary Experiences. 267 
 
 to become one of the fixed and most useful institutions 
 of Ocean Ciiove. 
 
 From its beginning, twenty-six years ago, till now the 
 Rev. El wood H. Stokes, D.D., has stood at the head of 
 the Ocean Grove Association as its honored president. 
 He has grown venerable in age and in service, having 
 entered his ninth decade of life; yet his black hair, 
 smooth face, erect form, elastic step, and full, strong 
 voice would indicate an ane twenty years less. Have 
 his praises sometimes been sounded extravagantly by the 
 Ocean Grouc Raord and other admiring friends ? .So it 
 may have seemed to many. But all blandisliments aside, 
 no sober, impartial estimate of his cliaracler, abilities, 
 and achievements can deny to him a place among the 
 most remarkable men of the country and the age. His 
 great versatility of talent, joined with an unswerving de- 
 votion to God and the right, has wrought wonders for 
 the Church and humanity. He began his ministry in 
 1844, as we know, in a spirit of true Christian simplicity 
 and sincerity, and that early spirit has suffered no infla- 
 tion by all his later promotions and honors — a case too 
 rare not to deserve special mention. 
 
 Veterans' Day, October 20, 1895, was delightfully 
 passed by the Rev. A. M. Palmer and myself at the 
 Second (Trinity) Church, Rahway, N. J., with the pas- 
 tor, the Rev. Thomas C. Mayham, and his generous peo- 
 ple, each of us preaching a sermon. Our entertainment at 
 the parsonage was most cordial and enjoyable. 
 
 The last few years have called us to Baltimore, Md., 
 for visits among our children; and while the centers of 
 interest have been their delightful homes, the city itself 
 has afforded unusual attractions and enjoyments. If 
 any other city on the continent can treat its visitors to 
 better churches, better preachers and preaching, better 
 schools and institutions of learning, better music on 
 
268 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 Sunday and on week day, more or better free lectures, 
 better homes or warmer liospitality, we liave yet to make 
 the acquaintance of that city. 
 
 Our latest visit gave me opportunity, early in Decem- 
 ber, 1895, to witness the impressive obsequies of Bishop 
 W'ayman, of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 All the living bishops of that Church were present and 
 took part in the services, Dr. John Lanahan also making 
 one of the addresses. Within and without the large 
 building many thousands were in attendance. During 
 this visit the National Cily Evangelizaticjn Union held 
 its annual convention in Baltimore, to which were drawn, 
 from both neighboring and remote localities, notable min- 
 isters and laymen, among the latter our own William H. 
 Beach, Esq., who acted as secretary of the convention 
 and made stirring addresses. Many of the meetings were 
 of thrilling interest. 
 
 Among the names of ministers pleasantly remembered 
 in connection with our visits at Baltimore are those of 
 Drs. Cioucher, Van Meter, Huntley, Frost, Stitt, Clark, 
 McCauley, Richardson, Townsend, AVagner, AVightman, 
 Davis, with the Revs. B. F. Clarkson, AV. I. McKenney, 
 J. F. Heisse, AV. M. Ferguson, G. A\^ Cooper, E. H. 
 Smith, AV M. Hammack, J. P. AVright, AV. A. Koontz, 
 C. E. Guthrie, AV. Sheers, J. P. Dean, of Reisterstown, 
 J. F. Ockerman, AV. G. Herbert, etc. 
 
 A visit to the New Jersey Conference, held at Bridge- 
 ton March 11, 1896, afforded unusual enjoyment. 
 Forty-one years had passed since I ceased to be pastor 
 of the Commerce Street Church in that city. AA^ere any 
 still left for mutual remembrance and rcc ngnilion ? Yes, 
 a surprising number, with whom the jiasl was joyously 
 talked over. One said, " I distinctly remember two of 
 your sermons," repeating the text of each. Another said, 
 " I was awakened under one of your sermons," naming 
 
Supernumerary Experiences. 269 
 
 the text. Another said, " I was converted when you 
 were pastor here," and tlien gave the names of a Iialf 
 dozen others who sought and found at the same time. 
 Was there no comfort in these and otlier simihir expres- 
 sions.' The measure of it was unspeakable, as every 
 pastor of long experience can well understand. A few 
 calls only could be made, but these were very enjoy- 
 able. 
 
 The addresses and sermon by Bisiiop Joyce were 
 masterly. His powerful appeals on Sunday morning 
 helped to jMepare the wny for the revival services led by 
 Dr. William A. Spencer on Sunday e\ening, in which 
 twenty-five jirofessed con\'ersion. The home of Mrs. 
 Laura C. Cox and her lovely family afforded me delight- 
 ful entertainment in company with Brothers Belting 
 and Barnhart, members of the Conference. Here, too, 
 was the venerable mother and grandmother, Mrs. Whit- 
 aker, whose warm hospitality of long ago was so well 
 remembered. Though now some years past the eightieth 
 anniversary of her birth, her cheerful spirit, retentive 
 memory, and excellent gift of conversation still render 
 her coni])anionshij) at once agreeable and heljiful. 
 
 Two weeks later came the annual session of the New- 
 ark Conference, at St. Paul's Church, city of Newark, 
 presided o\er l)y IJislioi) Foss. It was a harmonious 
 session, with about the usual disposition to " talk," which 
 in general, however, was wisely employed. Had Dr. 
 Samuel A. Keen's life and health been spared he woidd 
 probably have been with us to conduct jientecostal serv- 
 ices, which would doubtless have proved a great blessing, 
 as it would have met a pressing need. An occasion of 
 special interest was the reception on Friday morning to 
 the Lay Electoral Conference, a nol)le body of loyal, 
 intelligent laymen representing two liundred and thirty 
 pastoral charges. The address of welcome by the bishop 
 18 
 
270 
 
 Sunset Memories. 
 
 was all that could have been desired, and the response 
 to it by the president of the Lay Conference, the Rev- 
 John M. Gwinnell, was befitting and happy. The ad- 
 dresses and sermon- of Bishop Foss, like those of Bishop 
 Joyce two weeks before, were "mighty through God." 
 How refreshing to see the banner of scriptural holiness 
 raised aloft in such quick succession by our chief min- 
 isters, and to hear the doctrine of perfect love in this 
 life so clearly and forcibly discussed! What a beautiful 
 example for imitation by the ministry of the whole 
 Church! 
 
 In closing these Su/isi't Memories I wish to emphasize 
 the great goodness of God " all along my pilgrim way." 
 That goodness has ever been the supreme thought of my 
 being, whereby I have been preserved from murmuring 
 or repining in even the sorest trials and deepest sorrows. 
 What Addison wrote many years ago as a resolve or 
 pledge early became with me a./ialHt : 
 
 " Through every period of my life 
 Thy goodness I'll pursue." 
 
 That habit has never failed to give sunshine beneath 
 clouds, joy amid grief; nor has it lost aught of its power 
 to bring to the heart " good cheer " in old age. I still 
 live in a blessed atmosphere of hallelujahs. My super- 
 numerary years have been among the happiest, most 
 contented, and blest; and now as I gaze upon the cloud- 
 less sky of my sunsetting, I see the glad tokens of that 
 bright to-morrow in which the ancient promise, " Thy 
 sun shall no more go down," will become merged in the 
 light of an everlasting fulfillment; for " there shall be 
 no night there." The following stanzas of a jubilee 
 hymn written for use December 4, 1890, continue to 
 give expression to my abiding " patience of hope in our 
 Lord Jesus Christ : " 
 
Supernumerary Experiences. 271 
 
 " Lo, fifty years for Jesus ! 
 The lengthening shadows fall ; 
 
 The toil soon closing 
 
 In calm reposing, 
 To wait the Masters call ; 
 
 While peaceful age 
 
 Completes life's crowded page. 
 Lo, fifty years for Jesus, 
 Telling his wondrous love ! 
 
 " Hail, ripened years in Jesus ! 
 The sun of life sinks low ; 
 
 Pisgah ascending. 
 
 And heaven descending, 
 The spirit longs to go ! 
 
 Stronger the light. 
 
 The glory beams more bright ! 
 Lo, endless years with Jesus, 
 Praising his wondrous love ! " 
 
 For the reader and the writer, with all others of the 
 common faith, I invoke all the rich benefits comjjre- 
 hended in the tender farewell doxology of Jude, so 
 sublime and inspiring: " Now unto him that is able to 
 keep you from falling, and to present you faultless be- 
 fore the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the 
 only wise Ciod our Saviour, be glory and majesty, domin- 
 ion and power, both now and ever. Amen:" 
 
 THE END. 
 
II I 111 iilli iiili iliil^ iiiilif 1 1 
 
 1 1012 01488 1959