New-York tribune., 1896-01-19
IN of its pointed to take charge Of the church

brated tho lO1th Anniversary OF the erection OF is
'new building" ~ .---4
Among It's pastors are numbered the founders OF
Yale and Princeton colleges. and one of the presi-
dents of Williams; its hrsi e.der Robert Treat. .
famous afterward Governor of Connecticut, anu
one OF the who rescued the State Charter from
the destroying hand Of Andros. the usurper; and ?
many of those connected with it in other capacities
during its long career have enjoyed fame wlder
than sectarian bonds.
one OF the II ost interesting phases of lis story
is it's change from the Congregational principles.
under which il founded to Presbyterianlsm OF
the most exact type The why and when OF this
change have caused historians deal of speculation
and many theories have been advanced in eXplana-
ton. At its beginning, in 1866. Newark and its
church were one, ofshoot of the sturdy Consre-
gationalisrn of Connecticut Its founders were, so
the records state. "godly and learned men from
Branford" who moved unit to the shores OF the
Passaic, taking with them their old town ana churcA
records. and so completely obiiteratng the oder
settlement that it not reincorporated until
twenty years afterward.
Abraham Person. ST. was It's first pastor Until
his death in 1915 and ali the sternness of CongTe-
gational belief and law transp;anted with him
from New England. The first building erected was
the meeting house, and the first town meeting was
held to determine the pastors salary. The union
Of Church and State was further emphasized IN
resolution still preserved which declares that none
shall be admitted freemen or free burgesses upon our
town upon Passayack River in the Province OF
New-Jersey. but such planters are members Of
some or other Congregational Churches. nor shall
any but such be chosen to magistracy or to carry
on any part Of the civil judicaure any chief mill
tary trust office. Nor shal. any but such church
members have any vote in any election These
laws throughout all the elder Persons pastorate
were as those of the Medes and Perslans but the
first note OF dissent came during the ministry OF
Abraham Pierson, jr., his and his successor.
1t Is a remarkable fact that this man-afterward
the first president of Yale College. which during
its early career at least was distinctly Con-
gregational-should have been the first to attack
the Congregational government OF the Newark
church. To the amaZement and horror of his hear
ers he wrote and spoke In favor of moderate
form OF Presbyteranism. Dissatisfaction and dis
cord arose and his parishioners tried to discipline
him by Withholding his small yearly stipend OF 49,
Pierson, however would not be persuaded, and so.
in 1892, the relations between pastor and peop.e
severed.
The change OF doctrines however, came about
gradually. john Prudden. Jabez Wakeman and
Nathaniel Bowers. Mr. Persons successors in the
pastorate were CongregatiOnalists of the strctest
kind, and II amusing incident that finally
made the church distinctly Presbyterian. The peo-
ple OF Newark had always been extreme Sabba-
tarians, but Sunday in 1892 discord per-
manent and bitter came. The morning dawned with
threatening aspect and the church-gong crowds
knew that storm was imminent Co.onel Josiah
the truly plous stayed at home from meeting to
Gather in his hay The wrath OF the righteous
knew bounds. and the wandering sheep received
the official OF the fod In this censure the
pastor the Rev. Joseph Webb unwilling to join,
and TO obtain definite settlement on the question
Colonely Ogden appeaed 20 the Presbytery OF Pha-
delphia The Church allowed the validity of the ap-
peal and prepared to defend Itself vigorously No
decision ever recorded, however, as Coionel
Ogden left the church before his trial declaring his
case had been prejudced, and established Trinity
Episcopal Church. Of Newark, one OF the Oldest
Of that communion IN the country and the oiGest in
This additional sch!sn doubtless emphasized the
need Of closer union against common enemy, ana
so poor MIR. Wcbb-who had ventured to suggest
that Colonel Ogden's sin In the hayheld was eX-
resign. His place taken By the Rev. Aaron
Burr afterward president OF Princeton College,
strict Presbyterian. This seems 10 be the real MS
tory Of the change, although contemporary records
are strangely silent to 1t. The name OF the
Rev Joseph Webb Is mentioned In the minutes or
the Synod OF Philadelphia IN ll25. but with abso-
lutely TO explanato or comment.
But whenever the change and whatever the
cause the old meeting house has had splendid
history and its influence has been felt in every
portion Of this broad land. In this church was
College and In the parsonage was porn Aaron Burr
the brilliant but unfortunate statesman ana oppo-
nent of Hamilton. Its Revolutionary minister was
DIR Hugh Macwhorter. chaplain to General Knox,
nd when Washington was hositatinS as TO "hetncr
or not to cross the Delaware he sent for Dr. Mac
whorter acted his urgent advice. and took the
American arms DR. Griffin. his successor resgnet
10 become president OF Williams, and Dr Klchards,
who followed him. was called 10 an important cha.r
in Auburn Theological seminary Nor mas oiu ge age
pa stor is q graduate and trustee OF Princeton COL
ieee and OF the a5cst preachers In the c,ty
Which has grown up about the rude meeting house
erected by the sturdy. God-fearing pioneers .-