Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-07-02

The time here was about consumed by this
correspondence, and we gave it up. You will
therefore take the will for the deed, and re-
ceive the ordinary church services as usually
administered
And now Citizen Soldiers
In behalf of the officers and congregation Of
this, the LIST Presbyterian church of Freehold,
we bid you hearty welcome to these grounds,
made doubly sacred by SO many deeply inter
esting associations.
Nearly one hundred and twenty years have
now rolled away since the erection Of this ven
cradle edifce, and Notwithstanding the pre-
vailing mania of this age, to remodel or de-
molish the antiquated habitations Of our fore
fathers, and rear in their stead, those of a
more modern style of architecture, this old
church stands in its original attitude, ~unscathed
and unaltered, perfect monument of the work
of generation long past away, most OF
whom have their quiet resting place amid the
shade of these noble old ve'e-,ns of the forest,
and beneath the soil ON which we now stand
Within these walls, and from that sacred
pulpit, the holy word of God has been pro
claimed from time to time by some of the most
distinguished and devoted christian ministers
that have ever lived to bless mankind such
as BRAlNARD, whitfield, TENNENT, WooD-
HULL, Roy, and other worthy soldiers of the
feTess who have long since gone to their final
Resting plaasto reap the reward of their labors
upon the ealsh THIS spot, too, is held deeply
sacred in the political history of our country.
Seventy-nine years ago this day, and that, too,
on the SABBATH, was fought, on yonder heights,
that deadly and bloody battle between the
raw troops of the American colonies, and the
dcipned hosts Of great Britain, (whose ami
Versary we now celebrate
The San, that glorious king of day, rose
then as now, in all his splendor and beauty,
little needing the sad spectacle which should
0 er-shadcw him before he sank to his evening
rest many proud and gallant heart that
beat high on that morn, in Joyful anticipation
of the future, teN in the fatal combat and
multitudes of brave men, dying of their wounds
and the intense heat, were buried in one con-
mon grave on yonder hill.
The starry leaders of the American army
were there. Our Washington, Green Hamii-
ton, Wayne, Putnam, Knox, Lafayette and
many others, all zealously engaged in the
doubtful conflict There fell on the side of
the British, the brave COL Moncton, whose
remains lie mingled with the dust beneath the
shadow of this old church
These charming fields-now teeming with
numerous herds and flocks, and loaded with
rich, luXuriant grain, were then the scene of
ndescribabe misery and desolaton.
These VALUES, now clothed in their richest
verdure and beauty, whose quietude is only
disturbed by the sweetenotes Of the feathered
songster, and the Plow Boys merry whistle,
were on that day the arena, of one of the
darkest and deadliest struggles recorded in
history: the booming cannon, the shrll crack
of musketry, the rolling drum, mingled with
the groans, and lamentations of the wounded
and dying, are strikingly contrasted with the
magnifcence- beauty-and harmony-which
now reigns around u.s. The wifes and daugh-
terS of these devoted men were overwhelmed
with dispar, at the dark and APPALLING prospect
which seemed to lie before them: but the God
of the just prevailed with them, and the enc
my was vanquished.
Have we not then great reason to rejoice
before the Lord this day, that through his in
and the struggles and sacrifices
made by our forefathers, we now enjoy such
beautiful land, and live under the protection
of suchsa glorious Governments and that two
at an age marked by incidents and promises,
in the annals Of the world.
Let us resolve then by our mutual efforts,
and combined resolutions to maintain this leg
acy-and these blessings as memorial holy and
sacred, as trophies obtained at the price Of
suffering and blood and if ever We are called to
defend them let there be no ArnoldS in the
camp, none to falter from their duty. Let rs
VOW upon the alter of our Country to protect
and defend her to the last extremity
g To strike for these green graves of our sires,
God-and our native land"
And now soldiers, and fellow citizens let us
repair 70 the house Of God, let us as Patriots
and christians, show our veneration and re-
spect for the services there rendered, let ms
with one heart and one voice give praise to
that being who hath thus delivered us: BY
whom we live and move and have our being
who will crown us at last with immortal hon
ors, and bring us off more than CONG ,ers un-
to the end.
After this address the companies were in
vited to take seats in the gallery of the Church,
which was done with much prudence and pre-
cision. AT the close of the sermon, delivered
by Rev. VIM. McLaren, an elder brother of
the pastor elect, the companies again formed
in order, marched to their carriages and re-
turned quietly home. We have only to add
the expression currently made by all observers,
that they never saw soldiers and people con
duct themselves with more propriety and or
der, and with such due Difference to the So
lemnity and sanctity of this holy day." Alto
gether the scene was one of interest and salts
faction.
P.S.-We are requested by the officers and
company of the Monmouth Blues, to offer here
an expression Of their most sincere thanks to
Messrs. Carson & Conover, Messrs. Stokes &
Rodgers, Mr.. j Stilwel, &C., for their prompt
politeness in providing gratuitously, convey
ances to take them to and from the church on
that day.
Dss@ The Annual meeting of the Stockhold-
erS of the Freehold and Jamesbnrg Ag., Rail
road Co., was held at Jamesburg on Monday
lnE A n