Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-06-08
SCRAPS FROM AN OLD PRINTERS
NOTE BOOK.
NO.

NO. 1.
A little more than a quarter of cen
fury ago there came to the borough of
Elizabeth farmer possessing little
wealth, but animated by noble SOUL
His virtues soon won for him the warm
regard of his fellow citizens. He had
long been esteemed for his excellent
traits of character, for he delighted in
doing good. A devout Christian, he
glorified his Savior by leading q blame
less life, and in a quiet, unobtrusive
manner, sought to induce his friends
and neighbors to act justly, love mercy,
and walk humbly with God. The new
conner opened d place of business on
Broad street, near the railroad depot,
and his first customers found him less
eager to sell merchandise than to con-
verse with them on holy themes. Not
that he loved religious disputation, or
was in the habit of casting pearls be-
fore swine. Few men were more Justly
famed for good Judgment, and he was
too much impressed with the mysteries
of our holy religion to speak unadvis-
eddy on topics of gravest Importance.
Very few who were residents here at
the time of which l write, have forgot
ten the silver-haired, gentle-voiced man,
who has long since been called to his
reward. ELKANAH DRAKE was widely
known and honored. Directly ON his
arrival here, he sought diligently for
others belonging to the same branch of
Christs church. In, community dis
tinguished for its number of protesting
Christians, only some half dozen Bap-
fists were to be found. Ardently at
tached to the faith of his ancestors,
and DESTROYS of organizing a Baptist
congregation in the place where gra-
cious Providence had guided him, Mr..
DRAKE induced few worthy fellow dis
ciples to unite with him in an appeal to
churches in the vicinity to constitute
them into regular Baptist church. =
Accordingly, delegates from churches at
Scotch Plains, Plainfeld, Lyons Farms,
Samptown, Newark and Staten Island,
assembled at the "Select School" room
in Union street, and band of fifteen
persons, several of whom resided in the
suburbs, were recognized by the con-
vention as a Gospel church.
Although familiar with the history of
the Baptist church in this city from its
infancy, it is not my purpose in this
brief sketch to narrate interesting facts
of which have personal knowledge. =
At the time I write, scores of dig.
nitaries from other cities are assem-
bling here to join in dedicating spa
cious and elegant church edifce, erect
ed at great cost, and furnished with ev-
cry appliance to minister to the happi-
ness of thousand worshipers. What
change has quarter of century
wrought !! 1t seems but brief period
since l attended divine service occa-
sionally with few friends in the neat
little church "made ready" in part, at
great sacrifice of Mr.. BRAKES limited
means. That the prayers and offerings
of this pious man have been richly
blessed, we have abundant evidence. -
OF his zeal and services, honorable men,
ton is made in the History of the First
Baptist Church, by Rev. GEORGE w.
CLARK. From little band the Baptists
of Elizabeth have increased exceeding
ly and embrace in their societies many
highly cultured persons, as well as n
few of considerable wealth. But it is
my firm conviction, and use the words
with full appreciation of their mean
ing, among the large congregation
about to worship in yon stately temple,
there will be none who have labored
more zealously, or contributed more
largely in proportion to their wealth, to
establish the Baptist church in Eliza
beth, than did the late ELKANAH DRAKE.
When history of the churches in
this city shall be written by the coming
scholar, who will find many things wor-
thy of record outside of the annals of
his own denomination, those who nobly
struggled under adverse circumstances
to show their love for the Redeemer,
will not be overlooked or forgotten.
Few men were more careful in their
eulogies than the late Rev. DR. Magic.
Among the latest of the kind words of
this holy man to fade from my memo
ny, will be those which testified his af-
lection for Mr.. DRAKE, with whom for
q long time the venerable divine held
familiar intercourse. J. S. d.
Tomorrow morning, in the city of
Washington, will be held the twenty
e