I74I 1891 JUBILEE SOUVEN irst iBresbyterian RAHVVAY, N. J BY THE PASTOR, Rev. GEO. HUBBARD PAYSON. BX 9211 .R3 F52 1891 7 BV REQUEST OF TRUSTEES. RAH WAY, N. J. : THE MERSHON COMPANY PRESS, - - — ~ - i?Qi:" /C- 4- 1 Ji' iiii:: I .Ml -^^i --^ I74I I89I JUBILEE SOUVENI MAP, 24 1^31 ^ Irst Ipresbyterian OF I^AHWAY, N. J. BY THE PASTOR, Rev. GEO. HUBBARD PAYSON. PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF TRUSTEES. RAHWAY, N. J. : THE MERSHON COMPANY PRESS, 1S91. Copyright, 1891, BY GEORGE HUBBARD PAYSON. 2)c&ication. TO HIS LOYAL PEOPLE BY THEIR LOVING PASTOR THIS SOUVENIR IS DEDICATED BOTH AS A MEMORIAL AND AN INSPIRATION. I LLUSTRATIONS Frontispiece : Church and Manse. Rev. Geo. Hubbard Payson, Present Pastor. Interior of the Church. Rev. Thomas L. Janeway, D. D., LL. D. Rev. Charles K. Imbrie, D. D. Rev. Samuel S. Sheddan, D. D. Rev. John J. Pomeroy, D. D. Rev. Wm. Alfred Gay. Q ONTENTS. PAGE Order of Services 9 Story of the Jubilee 13 Sermon, 26 Address by the Rev, Dr. Mott, 46 Address by the Rev. Dr. McNulty, 50 Brief Biographies of Pastors, 58 Roll of Elders, Trustees and Sunday-School Superin- tendents, 61 Organization of the Church 64 Church Roll 68 Pew-Holders, 85 Sunday School 87 I Original Roll of Second Church, 92 Rev. Geo. Hubbard Payson. I74I 1891 " Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.'' ORDER OF SERVICES IN COMMEMORATION OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF RAHWAY, N. J, JUNE, 7th to loth, 1891. REV. GEO. HUBBARD PAYSON, Pastor. " Gloria," . By the Pastor, By the Pastor, , Congregation, Congregation, Ps. 121 and 122, Sunday Morning Service, June 7th, 10.30 o'Clock. 1. Organ Prelude, 2. Anthem, 3. Salutation, 4. Invocation, 5. Lord's Prayer, 6. Hymn, 124, 7. Responsive Reading, 8. "Gloria Patri," . 9. Scripture Lessons, . 10. Offertory, . 11. Prayer, . 12. Hymn, 1330, 13. Sermon, Theme — " 14. Prayer, 15. Hymn, 1160, . 16. Benediction, " Praise ye the Father B^ Our Church Past and From Farmer's Mass All Standuig All Standing All Standing .All Seated . All Standing All Standing Gounod the Rev. E. H. Payson All Standing Present." Bv the Pastor All Standing All Standing lO JUBILEE SOUVENIR. Sunday Evening Service, 7.30 o'Clock. 1. Organ Prelude, .......... 2. Anthem, . . "I will extol Thee," .... Sudd 3. Decalogue, with Response and vSummary, ..... 4. Responsive Reading, . . Ps. 96, . . All Standing 5. " Gloria Patri," ....... All Standing 6. New Testament Lesson, ........ 7. Hymn, 293 ; ist, 2d, and 5th verses, . . . All Seated 8. Prayer All Seated 9. Offertory, . Duet, " Peace to this Dwelling," . . Smith 10. Address, ..... Rev. Everard Kenipshall, D. D. 11. Hymn, 678 ; 1st and 6th verses, .... All Standing 12. Address, Rev. John A. Liggett, D. D. Twofold Theme — " The Pulpit and the Pew." 13. Anthem, . . . "Jubilate," . . . Barrett 14. Closing Prayer, .......... 15. Doxology, All Standing 16. Benediction, . . . . . . . .All Standing Tuesday, June 9th, 3 o'Clock, P. M. /nbemorial Service. 1. Organ Prelude, .......... 2. Anthem, . , " Benedic, Anima Mea," . . Parsons 3. Sentences, .......... 4. Prayer, 5. Hymn, 1149, ........... 6. Words of Welcome, . . By the Pastor, Rev. G. H. Payson 7. Roll Call of Pastors, 8. The First Four ; Responded to by the Last, .... Rev. Aaron Richards, 1748 to 1791. Rev. Robt. H. Chapman, I'J^'l to 1799. Rev. Buckley Car II, 1802 to 1826. Rev. Alfred Chester, 1826 to 1829. 9. Address, Rev. Thos. L. Janeioay, D. D., LL. D., Pastor, 1829 to 1840. 10. Tenor Solo, . . " Les Rameaux," . . . Eaure 11. Address, . Rev. Chas. K. Imbrie, D. D., Pastor, 1841 to 1852. 12. Hymn, 339 ; ist, 5th, and 6th verses, . , . All Standing ORDER OF SER VICES. 1 1 13. Address, Rev. G. S. Mott, D. D., in response to the name of the Rev. Samuel S. Sheddan, D. D., Pastor, 1852 to 1874. 14. Address, Rev. Jos. M. McNulty, D. J)., in response to the name of the Rev. J. J. Pomeroy, D. D., Pastor, 1875 ^^ 1884. 15. Greeting, . From the Rev. IVm. A. Gay, Pastor, 1885 to 1889 16. Prayer, ........... 17. Hymn, 121 ; island 7th verses, .... All Standing 18. Benediction All Standing Tuesday Evening Popular Service, 7.30 o'Clock. 1. Organ Prelude, .......... 2. Anthem, . . . "Gloria,". . From Farmer's Mass 3. Call to Worship, .......... 4. Prayer, . . ......... 5. Chant, . " Our Father which art in Heaven." 6. Responsive Reading, . Ps. 79, . . . All Standing 7. " Gloria Patri," All Standing 8. Address, . "" Christian Liberality," .Rev. Wm. R. Richards 9. Duet, . . ." The Lord is my Light," . . Buck 10. Address, . " Christian Unity," . Rev. N^ewton W. Cadwell 11. Hymn, 847 ; ist and 2d verses, .... All Standing 12. Address, " Christian Evangelism," Rev. John W. leal, D. D. 13. Anthem, . . " Hark, Hark, my Soul," . . Shelley 14. Prayer, ........... 15. Doxology, All Siatiding 16. Benediction All Standing 17. Organ Postlude, ...... .... Monday, June 8th, 7.45 o'Clock, P. M. Young People's Rally under the auspices of the Christian Endeavor Union of Rahway. Tuesday, June 9th, 5.30 to 7.30 o'Clock, P. M. Supper and Social Reunion in the Lecture Room for the invited guests. Wednesday, June loth, 8 to 10 o'Clock, P. M. Jubilee Sociable and Collation for all the members of the Church and adult members of the Congregation . X u D K U O ^l]e §tofy of tl]e Jubilee 1741 to 1891. FOUR DAYS' SERVICES IN COMMEMORATION OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF HISTORY. [The writer desires to acknowledge the aid obtained from the excel- lent reports of the Jubilee published in the New York, Elizabeth, and Rahway papers, in the preparatiou of this simple story of these memor- able services ; also the facts derived from the exhaustive and able his- tories of the First Church, by the late Rev. J. J. Pomperoy, D. D., and of the Second Church, by Major George P. Edgar, in preparing the sermon and statistics.] The Jubilee services of the First Presbyterian Church of Rahway, N. J., commenced Sunday morning, June 7, 1891, with summer showers, but closed with smiling skies. Will- ing hearts and busy hands had been long devoted to the preparations. The grounds outside were in perfect order. Never was the foliage so fresh or the grass so green as on that June morning. The interior of the church was beauti- fully decorated with garlands of evergreens, cut flowers, potted plants, magnolias, palms, and ferns. Two large white shields were placed on the walls, one on each side of the platform ; that on the right bearing the figures 1741 in gold, 13 14 JUBILEE SOUVENIR. and a similar one on the left with 1891 ; while on the front of the organ a large white star was suspended. Strength and beauty were in the sanctuary. At half-past ten o'clock an audience comfortably filling the commodious house of worship gathered for the morning service. The Rev. E. H. Payson, the venerable father of the pastor, occupied the pulpit with his son. A chorus of twelve voices led the singing. It was com- posed of the following persons : Mrs. J. B. Ross, the Misses Nellie Martin and Addie Weldon, sopranos ; the Misses Nettie Halliday, Addie Stacy, and Hattie Williams, altos ; Messrs. Joseph Avery, Frank Potter, and Edward Carman, tenors ; James T. Barnes, John Williams, and George Betz, bassos. After an organ prelude by the organist, Mr. George C. Oliver, the " Gloria," from Farmer's Mass, was rendered by the choir, the Salutation and Invocation pronounced by the pastor, the congregation joining in the Lord's Prayer. Hymn 124 was then sung, the congregation seated; after which the T2ist and i22d Psalms were read responsively, all standing and joining in the " Gloria Patri " at the close. The Scripture lessons and Offertory followed. Then an appropriate and impressive prayer was offered by the Rev. E. H. Payson, of Oneida, N. Y. After singing hymn 1330, the congregation sat down to listen to a historical and practical sermon by the pastor, the Rev. George Hubbard Payson. His theme was '* Our Church, Past and Present," and the text. Acts xxviii., 15, last clause, " He thanked God and took courage." In the midst of his sermon, after referring to one cause for gratitude, to wit, the entire freedom from a debt which had hung over the church like a pall for many years, the pastor suggested THE SrOKY OF THE JUBILEE. 15 that the whole congregation rise and sing heartily, " Praise God from whom all blessings flow ;" after which the speaker resumed his discourse, and outlined present, practical duties for the Church in regard to truth and life to-day. In the evening an audience assembled that filled the old First Church from pulpit to vestibule, gallery and aisles, with devout worshipers and eager listeners. The congregation of the Second Presbyterian Church united with the First in this service. The Baptist Church was also closed, its pastor and people being present. The ushers, Messrs. D. W. C. Gray, William D. Potter Charles A. Grove, Willard Freeman, Joseph H. Gay, and Frank Whitehead, were untiring in their efforts to seat the throngs, but it was impossible to accommodate all. The Rev. Drs. Kempshall, Liggett, and Rollinson occu- pied the pulpit with the pastor. After the organ prelude and anthem came the Decalogue, with responses by the choir, and the Gospel Summary. Responsive readings from the Psalter followed, with the " Gloria Patri." Then the New Testament lesson was read and prayer made by the Rev. Mr. Rollinson. After a hymn by the congregation and the offertory came the addresses of the evening, eloquent and practical. The Rev. Dr. Kempshall brought a greeting from the mother church, the old First Church of Elizabeth, and the Rev. Dr. Liggett a greeting from the daughter, the Second Presbyterian Church of Rahway. After words of congratu- lation they discussed the twofold theme, " The Pulpit and the Pew." Dr. Kempshall spoke grandly on the province and power of the preacher to-day, in which he clearly and justly discriminated between the doctrinal sermons of by- gone days and the practical preaching of modern times, 1 6 JUBILEE SOUVENIR. touching humorously on the persons and events in the ecclesiastical world which are enlisting attention, and with all his powerful eloquence presenting the Christ to the con- science and heart of every person in that congregation of nearly a thousand souls. In treating this theme the doctor contrasted past with present times. Within this century a wonderful advance had been made in all fields of thought. We are living in widely different times from those of our fathers. In the realm of theology men's thoughts will not consent to be hedged in by barriers erected a century ago. This is an age of upheavals, and all denominations feel the ground- swell of incoming tides of thought. The intellectual hori- zon has broadened, and theology is crystallizing about the old creed of Peter : " Thou art the Christ." This will result in simpler creeds for our churches, while leaving intact the old landmarks of faith. The power of the pulpit of to-day is not derived from ecclesiastical authority. In his boy- hood, the doctor said, it was enough to know that the General Assembly pronounced a thing wrong. Now men ask, wherein is it wrong? The power of the pulpit of to- day will be found in its active sympathy with human progress. The preacher must keep step with the people and make himself felt in all political questions which in- volve moral issues. The address was earnest, eloquent, and not lacking in humorous scintillations, while its broad, pro- gressive spirit won golden plaudits from his hearers. After the singing of a hymn the Rev. Dr. Liggett spoke graceful words of greeting from the daughter church, of which he has been the faithful pastor for more than a quarter of a century. Then he spoke of the power and province of the pew, and, in his usual dignified and earnest way, urged upon all loyalty to the truth, to the Church, and to the ministry. THE STORY OF THE JUBILEE. l? in carrying out religious work in these practical days. The pastor is the leader, but the faithful co-operation of the people he serves is essential to his efficiency. Among the duties obligatory on "the pew," Dr. Liggett named: Faithful attendance on the services appointed by the Church ; co-operation with the pastor in active church work ; a generous financial support of the church, and careful guarding against thoughtless criticism of a pastor. Each point was fully and forcibly discussed, nor did one of the vast congregation seem weary of the service, which had now continued for more than two hours ; many remained standing throughout, while the church was taxed to its utmost seating capacity. This memorable service was brought to a close with prayer, the Doxology, and the Apostolic Benediction. Its influence will long be felt in unforgetable impressions of truth and duty. Monday, June 8. A young people's rally was held at 7.45 p. m., under the auspices of the local Christian Endeavor Union. Mr. F. W. Mershon presided. The devotional exercises were con- ducted by the pastor of the church, and Mr. Henry M. Woodruff led the singing. Interesting papers were read by Messrs. Lanning, White, and Ward, on practical phases of Christian Endeavor work. Able addresses were made by the Rev. Mr. Shermer, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Elizabeth, and Major George P. Edgar of this city. A large assembly of young people pledged to Christian work was present at this service. Tuesday, June 9. A brighter or more beautiful day never dawned than that l8 JUBILEE SOUVENIR. which witnessed the cuhiiinating services of the Jubilee at the First Presbyterian Church. The pastors and congregations of the city, the living ex-pastors of the First Church, the old members of both the Presbyterian churches, and all the members of the Pres- bytery of Elizabeth were invited. A stage was run from noon to night, conveying the guests to and fro between the station and the church. At an early hour an eager audi- ence began to assemble within the historic walls. The presence of elderly people was especially marked. Promptly at 3 p. m. the notes of the organ broke upon the ears of the assembled congregation under the touch of the efificient organist. Mr. George C. Oliver. The Rev. G. H. Payson, pastor of the church, and the Rev. Mr. Mayham, pastor of the Second Methodist Church, the Rev. Dr. Janeway and the Rev. E. H. Payson, the Rev. Drs. Liggett, Mott, and McNulty occupied the platform. After an anthem by the choir, and Scripture sentences by the pastor, the Rev. Mr. Mayham offered prayer. Hymn No. 1149 was sung by the congregation, after which Mr. Payson made a brief but sincere address of welcome, and read the roll of pastors, he responding to the names of the first four with appropriate words. It was a remarkable coincidence, he said, that the first and third pastorates were the longest, the second and fourth the shortest of all. The Rev. Aaron Richards, 1748 to 1791 ; the Rev. Robert H. Chapman, 1797 to 1799 ; the Rev. Buck- ley Carll, 1802 to 1826 and the Rev. Alfred Chester, 1826 to 1829. These were the men who laid the foundations upon which their successors builded. The liberty and piety transmitted by them are our glorious heritage. He then introduced the Rev. Dr. Janeway, whose vener- able appearance made a deep impression upon the audi- THE STORY OF THE JUBILEE. 1 9 ence, as, with voice trembling with emotion, he spoke of his pastorate sixty years ago, until, overcome by his feel- ings, he was compelled to sit down. Of the large congre- gation to which he ministered in the flush of his young manhood, very, very few were present to greet him in his old age. Dr. Janeway was pastor from 1829 to 1840. Mr. Joseph Avery sang a tenor solo at the close of Dr. Janeway's address. The Rev. Charles K. Imbrie, D. D., pastor from 1841 to 1852, was to have been the next speaker, but the sudden death of his brother on the preceding day precluded his coming, and Mr. Payson read a telegram from him, convey- ing his regrets. Great disappointment was felt among the audience, and deep sympathy expressed for him in this second bereavement, his brother's death following so closely that of his wife. The Rev. Dr. George S. Mott, of Flemington, responded in a graceful and eloquent address to the name of Dr. Sheddan, pastor from 1852 to 1874. The Rev. Joseph M. McNulty, D. D., of Woodbridge, read a well-written, just and touching tribute to the memory of Dr. Pomeroy, pastor from 1875 to 1884. The Rev. William Alfred Gay, pastor from 1885 to 1889, sent a brief but eloquent greeting from Corry, Pa., which was read by the pastor and well received by the people. After singing and prayer the memorial service was closed and the congregation dismissed with the Apostolic Bene- diction of *' Grace, mercy, and peace." It was an impressive and memorable occasion. The clergy, officers of the church, with their wives, old mem- bers of the First and Second churces, and other invited guests then repaired to the lecture room, where a sumptuous repast was spread under the efficient direction of the Ladies' Com- 20 JUBILEE SOUVENIR. mittee. The room was tastily dressed with flags, flowers, and ferns. Four tables were bountifully spread. The well- known hospitality of this church was never more fully ex- emplified than on this occasion. The correspondent for the New York Evangelist said : " It would have done credit to some of the famous banquets provided by New York's prominent chefs." Too much credit cannot be given to the ladies and their assistants for their earnest and successful efforts. It is to be regretted that our artist did not photograph the supper as well as the upper room. But the picture lingers in the memory of everyone present. The Rev. George H. Payson, pastor of the church, pre- sided at the center table, Mr. M. T. Gay, President of the Board of Trustees, sitting at the opposite end. At Mr. Payson's right was seated the Rev. Dr. Janeway ; on the left his venerable father. Rev. E. H. Payson. On Mr. Gay's right sat the Hon. William Chamberlain, Mayor of the city, on his right, the Rev. Mr. Rollinson, pastor of the Baptist Church. The rest of the table was devoted to the ministers of Rahway and adjoining towns with their wives. This table was daintily decorated in green and white. Pond lilies nestled their waxen beauty in a bed of green and white leaves ; snowy magnolias exhaled their sweet- ness from dainty green vases, and exquisite ferns lent a garniture of beauty all their own. On the right was the pink table, whose rosy beauty found a living embodiment in the fair young rosebuds who graced it in their character of waitresses. At this table were seated the elders and trustees with their wives and friends. To the left glittered a yellow table, where golden butter- cups reared their graceful heads and slender grasses nodded. This table was occupied by the invited guests. THE STOK Y OF THE JUBILEE. 2 1 A fourth table, devoted to the choir, ushers, and others, was decorated in blue and crimson. Among the guests present, not already mentioned, were the Rev. Drs. Liggett and McNulty, with their wives; the Rev. Messrs. Mayham, Hayes, and Rollinson of this city, and their wives ; the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Cobb of Elizabeth ; the Rev. Drs. Mason and Teal ; the Rev. Messrs. Cadwell, Blauvelt, and Buckle ; Mr. and Mrs. N. Mooney, Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Shaffer, the Misses Edgar, Mrs. Tichenor, Mrs. Schnediker, Mrs. Fithian, the Misses Woodruff, Miss Ayres, Messrs. H. B. Rollinson, Jonathan Woodruff, Geo. B. Edgar, and many others. At the different tables, arrayed in garments of spotless white, each wearing the " colors" of her table, were the following young ladies, who assiduously looked after the wants of each guest : Pink : Misses Eva Oliver, May Car- man, Lizzie Weber, Harriet Williams, LiUie McKenzie, and Emily Shotwell. Green : Misses Lizzie Freeman, Fannie Woodruff, Alice Gay, Maggie Dunham, Nettie Halliday, Mrs L. D. Terrill. Yellow: Misses Mae Urmston, Mamie Baumgartner, Addie Weldon, Alice Potter, Maggie Halli- day, Mrs. Fred. Martin. Just before the dinner was fin- ished, Masters Herbert Gay, Jamie Waters, and Walter Ter- rill, each dressed in becoming suits of white, acting as pages, presented every guest with a souvenir of the event, in the shape of a white silk badge, bearing in golden letters the word " Ebenezer," and the figures 1741 above and 1891 below. At the conclusion of the repast Rev. Mr. Payson rapped for order, and announced that now would come the ''feast of reason and flow of soul" and named M. T. Gay, Esq., President of the Board of Trustees, as toast master, who presided with his wonted grace over the postprandial festiv- 2 2 JUBILEE SOUVENIR. ities. After a brief address Mr. Gay announced the various toasts and introduced the different speakers, each of whom responded in fitting terms. The Rev. E. H. Payson was the first speaker, and made a witty and appropriate address on ** Ye Church of Ye Olden Time." Dr. Janeway also spoke to this toast. Dr. Mason responded to *' The Church of To-Day." The Rev. Messrs. Rollinson and Mayham represented '' Our Sister Churches," and Major George P. Edgar " The Daughter Church." " The Church Organizations " found an able advocate in John R, Morss, one of the trustees, and the Rev. Mr. Blau- velt evoked laughter and applause as he gracefully toasted " The Ladies." As the church bell was ringing, speechmaking was brought to a close, and after singing " Auld Lang Syne," all repaired to the church for the evening service. An audience had gathered which again filled the old First Church to overflowing. The following clergymen occupied the platform with the pastor : The Rev. Messrs. Teal, Richards, Cadwell, Hayes, Buckle, and Cobb. The chorus was further augmented by the presence of Mrs. G. H. Payson and Mrs. John R. Morss. This service was de- signed to be of a popular and practical nature. It was opened with an anthem and "call to worship." The Rev. Mr. Hayes, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, offered prayer, which was followed by the choir chanting the Lord's Prayer, the congregation remaining with bowed heads. Then all, standing, read responsively the 97th Psalm, and sang " Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost." The Rev. William R. Richards, pastor of the Crescent ^ r II E STOKY OF THE JUBILEE. 23 Avenue Presbyterian Church, of PJainfield, then spoke on " Christian Liberality '' with his natural grace and lucid diction. *' Christian Liberality is a subject," said the speaker, " never more important than to-day, because money is more used in all the relations of life than ever before ; each man now perfecting himself in some one department, and paying others to do other things for him. So it must be in the Christian enterprise." He then quoted three texts to hang these thoughts from : (i.) "I will not give unto the Lord of that which cost me nothing." Even so long ago David reached a standard of liberality that we do well to emulate. (2.) " Why did you not give my money to the bankers ?" The Lord in the parable does not rebuke the self-distrustful servant because he had not traded like his more adventurous companions, and gained manifold. He does rebuke him that he had not invested the money in the bank, v/here others would take the risk and he make sure of some moderate profit. The organized activities of the Church are a spiritual bank, for those of us who distrust our independ- ent ability for such work as Mr. Moody does, or David Livingstone. (3.) *' He shall show you a large upper room, furnished." The messengers were told to ask only for the " guest-cham- ber," or hallway, the place where sandals and robes would be laid aside ; but the householder, with ready hospitality, would make haste to give the large upper room, the best in the house, even if he and his must sup in the hallway. Give the Lord the first, not the last. The first of time, strength, money, love. After his address Mrs. Payson and Mr. Avery sang a duet, *' The Lord is My Light," that came in sweetly be- 24 JUBILEE SOUVENIR. tween *' Christian Liberality " and "Christian Unity." The latter subject was earnestly and eloquently handled by the Rev. N. W. Caldwell of Westfield, and was appropriately followed by the hymn sung by the congregation, " Blest Be the Tie that Binds." The Rev. John W. Teal, D. D., pastor of the Westmin- ster Church of Elizabeth, spoke on " Christian Evangelism ; " clearly, concisely, disclosing the conditions, the needs, and the measures by which the vast problem of saving the masses must be solved. After an exquisitely rendered anthem by the choir, " Hark, Hark, My Soul," and prayer by the Rev. Mr. Buckle, of Elizabeth, the congregation rose, and the Jubilee service was closed with the Doxology and the Apos- tolic Benediction, which the Rev. E. B. Cobb of Elizabeth pronounced. Wednesday, June lo. The three days' religious services were followed on Wed- nesday evening by a church sociable in the Sabbath school rooms. Several hundred of the members of the church and congregation gathered together and spent the evening in congratulations and anticipations. Sociability was spon- taneous. Everyone was happy. The Jubilee had been a grand success. After refreshments were served impromptu speeches were made by Mr. William V. McKenzie, the senior elder, and by the Pastor of the church, in which unstinted praise was justly given to the different committees who had so faith- fully fulfilled their various duties. These committees were composed as follows : Arrangements. — Rev. G. H. Payson, M. T. Gay, C R. Oliver, J. C. Waters, W. V, McKenzie, and W. C. Terrill. THE SrOK V OF THE JUBILEE. 25 Decoration. — Mrs. C. R. Oliver, Miss Emma Shotwell, Messrs. Thomas Kidd and George C. Wilkins. Music. — Messrs. John- R. Morss, John Williams, and Joseph Avery. Entertainment.— yix^. G. H. Payson, Mrs. Ann Terrill, Mrs. M. T. Gay, Mrs. C. R. Oliver, Mrs. Ira Bull, Mrs. E. C. Carman, Mrs. John Weldon, and the Misses Minnie Williams, Maggie Oliver, Mary Shotwell, and Louise Urm- ston. Invitation. — Rev. G. H. Payson and John R. Morss. Jubilee Souvenir. — Rev. G. H. Payson, M. 1\ Gay, John R. Morss, J. C. Waters. Many others unofficially but not unwillingly lent helpful service, wherever it was needful. Thus, with fragrant flowers and sweet songs, with tender recollections and noble inspirations, the old First Church of Rahway marks an epoch in its history, and goes on its way rejoicing. Free from debt, fired with hope, united, har- monious, active, may its glorious past prove the earnest of a far more glorious future, as heart with heart and hand in hand, pastor and people, sorrow and joy, hope and pray, toil and triumph, in the blessed service of the Christ, " Till He Come." SERMON. By the Rev. George Hubbard Payson, delivered in THE First Presbyterian Church of Rahway, N. J., June 7, 1891. Theme : " Our Church Fast and Present'' Text: ''He Thanked God and Took Courage.'' Acts, xxviii, 15. Thus Paul on his way to Rome, meeting his brethren at the Appii Forum, gave thanks and took heart, as God led him on. The twofold sentiment of the text is timely. This anni- versary occasion calls for gratitude and courage. It marks an epoch in the history of our church. One hundred and fifty years of toil and triumph lie behind, untold possibilities before. Friends clasp hands to-day in friendly salutation. Past and present meet together ; memory and hope kiss each other. Gratefully we glance backward, my dearly beloved, bravely we look ahead as God leads us on. Many memories evoke our gratitude for the past. I. The origin of this historic church suggests thankful thoughts. It was born in a revival. The Holy Spirit, like a dove, brooded over its cradle. The infant church was baptized with the Holy Ghost. The exact date of its birth is uncertain, since the early church records are lost ; but there is every reason to believe that the church organization was effected before the church building was erected. This was in the winter of 1741 and 1742. Hitherto the residents of Rahway attended the First Presbyterian Church of EHza- 26 Rev. Thomas I.etper Janeway, D. D., LL. D. SERMON. 27 beth. Fancy our going so far now ! That church was the mother of all the Presbyterian churches in the township, which included Union County and parts of five adjoining counties. The Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, D. D., was its pastor, and during his pastorate occurred the widespread work of grace which resulted in the organization of this church and the erection of a house of worship one hundred and fifty years ago. That building was historic. It stood on the cemetery grounds near the entrance. Some of you remember it — not many. Its rough-hewn floors and shingled walls echoed the steps and re-echoed the praises of our fore- fathers, while the storm clouds of war gathered ; its weather- stained, cock-crowned spire kept silent guard over their peaceful graves, where the snows of many winters have blown and the flowers of many summers bloomed, as " Time rolls his ceaseless course." For the sturdy character of those devout worshipers in that ancient church we give thanks to-day. Three elements composed that primitive con- gregation : Puritan, Covenanter, and Quaker. They were diverse in character, yet one in their love for freedom and tlieir faith in God. Both liberty and piety are the heritage they bequeathed to us. Plain living and high thinking char- acterized those olden times. For all that was devout and patriotic, brave, unselfish, true, in those men and women, who established this church a century and a half ago, we give thanks to-day. Ours is a noble inheritance. 2. The line of faithful pastors calls for gratitude. There have been ten, with an average service of fifteen years. The shortest was three years, the longest three-and-forty. We should " count time by heart-throbs, not by figures on a dial," and though a short pastorate may prove signally suc- cessful, yet it is gratifying in these changeful days to recall a union of pastors and people long and lasting. The church 2 8 JUBILEE SOUVENIR. from the start was Presbyterian. This is noteworthy, for many of the neighboring churches were originally Congrega- tional or Independent, subsequently adopting the Presby- terian form of government. The church when organized belonged to the Presbytery of New York, which then in- cluded East Jersey and Long Island. The Rev. Aaron Richards was its first pastor. He was ordained and installed November 15, 1748. Hitherto the pulpit of the newly organized church had been supplied by the Rev. Messrs. Cleverly, Grant, Strong, and Watkins. The first pastorate was the longest. It covered the trying period of the Revolution, which imperiled the existence of the church and the safety of the people, and tested both the patriotism and piety of the pastor. With pardonable pride we point to the monument in our cemetery erected to the memory of Abraham Clark — one of the worshipers in this church, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, the " Magna Charta " of our freedom. It is im- possible to overestimate the heroic zeal of that first third of our church's history. Nor is it strange that the naturally buoyant spirit of the pastor became depressed and melan- choly in those days that tried men's souls. Why, to success- fully conduct the affairs of the average church in times of peace requires the meekness of Moses, the patience of Job, the courage of John the Baptist, and the independence of Paul. The pastoral relation between Mr. Richards and the church was dissolved in 1791, having lasted forty-three years. He died May 16, 1793, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and was buried in the church cemetery, close to the spot where for more than t