Bridgeton pioneer., 1886-03-11

BR1DGETON.
antipathy to college-bred ministers, or
to singing in church by note, or with
the aid of a choir. With all his eccen-
tricities, he was very useful man, and
did more perhaps in his day towards
establishing the church than any other
person.
In 1905 the Bridgeton society was
represented for the first time at the
Quarterly meeting of the Circuit. The
contribution was eighty-seven cents
from membership of fifteen persons.
This was a small sum, bat the people
were poor, and they could do no better.
The same year John Walker and Nath-
an Swain were the preachers. They
were followed in 1906 by VIM. Mills
and Caleb Kendall, they in turn being
succeed by VIM Mills and VIM. Smith
the following year.
A permanent church organization
was effected in the latter part of the
year 1907, when a board of trustees was
elected, to whom deed was made for
the land on which the Commerce
street church now stands. The lot
was the property of jeremiah Buck,
from whom it was secured for the sum
of one dollar, thus apparently having
been donated to the new society. A
church was then erected. 1t was a
frame building, very plain in appear
ance, thirty by thirty-six feet. For
several years the church remained in
an unfinished condition, not even hav-
ing a coat of plaster. No sexton was
employed, the members taking turns
in that position for month each,
bringing with them on assuming Office
pound of candles each for the pur-
pose of lighting the building. The
congregation at this time did not ex-
ceed twenty-five or thirty persons.
Rev. Joseph Totten, Presiding Elder,
preached the dedicatory sermon.
On September 10Th and goth, Quar-
terly Meeting was held in the church
for the first time, when an effort was
made to pay off the church indebted
ness. Only fifteen dollars and fifty
cents were realized.
During the next sixteen years the
church had its ups and downs, but con-
tinued to grow gradually. The preach
ers during that period were as follows:
John Stevens and Nathaa Swain, in
1903: James Moore and VIM. Fisher,
in 1909; VIM. Fox and Joseph Bennett,
in 1910; VIM. Smith and Daniel Ire
land, in 1911; Daniel Ireland and VIM.
Leonard, in 1912; Samuel Budd and
John Fox, in 1918; VIM. Fisher and
Amos c. Moore, in 1914; Peter Vannest
and George Woolery, 1915 Mr.. Van
nest was powerful minister, and under
his administration the church pros
pered greatly. In 1863 he had visited
England, and become acquainted with
John Wesley. Hearing Wesley preach
and talk frequently, he was much i'm
pressed, and afterwards patterned his
course largely after the great mans
methods and teachings.
In the year 1916, George Woolery
and John Creaner were appointed
pastors. In 1917, John Walker was re-
turned for a second term, and with
him John Creamer. In 1918, John
Walker was continued, in company
with Edward Page. Mr.. Walker was
a man of great simplicity of character,
but was possessed of decision, energy
and courage. 1t is related of him that
at one time in his career he was often
annoyed by the memebrs of a promi-
nent family who made a habit of enter
ing church after all others had passed
in, and services commenced He re-
solved that he would not endure it.
On certain Sabbath morning the
family entered as usual after the
preaching had begun. Mr.. Walker
Immediately stopped preaching, and
elevating his spectacles, he gazed
steadily at them while they passed up
the aisle, and entered pew. After the