The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-03-21

sEE HI Nj Arnold Tavern
Sz1Esss that be joined the
Essss.s .ssssss members Of the
Presbyterian church
in the obseryanoe
OF the Lords Supper. He had asked
Parson Jones" as he was familiarly
called, whether he would Be permitted
to join in the service, and was assured
by the good minister that Our table
is the Lords table, and we give the
Lords invitation to all his followers
Of whatever name. The answer he-
ing satisfactory to the General be
|reverently united with the congreQa-
tion in their semi annual communion
service. 1t is said that this was the
only occasion in his public career,
where he partook Of the communion
outside Of his own church. The Pres
byterian Church edifice being used at
this time as hospital for the sick
soldiers, the congregation were accns-
tened to meet for divine service Il,
dell, in the rear of the parsonage, then
occupied by Rev. Or. Johnes on Morris
street, on the grounds where now
stands the Memorial Hospital. a
group of trees sheltered this dell, and
the hardy people braved the cold and
snow, and storm, to praise God, and
invoke His blessing, in the open air.
The fact that Washington had partak-
en- of the Communion in this manner,
or even at all, has been doubted BY
some, but its authenticity, is abun-
dantly proved by evidence which
must be admitted to be incontrover-
tible. DR.. Johnes confirmed it by di-
rect statement to his granddaughter,
who was still living, at an advanced
age, as recent as the summer Of 1900,
and she has often repeated, what her
grandfather has stated in eonyersa-
ton with his family and friends, In
regard to this incident A prominent
citizen of Morristown, descended from
one Of the leading Revolutionary
families now living, adds his testi-
mony. He says My aunt, Mrs. Hull
dab Lindsley, sister of Judge SiIas
Condiet, gave me, in the most distinct
and definite manner, an account Of
the communion Of General Washing
ton with the Presbyterian Church,
while the soldiers were encamped at
Morristown in 1777. She said that the
congregation sat out Of doors, even
in winter but were shielded from the
winds, by the surrounding high
ground. Benches were placed in q
circle, the Pastor occupying cen-
trail point. In this out of door place,
muffied in their thickest clothing,
many of them warmed by foot stoves,
or other arrangements, with nothing
over their head but the winters sky,
the congregation, and among them.
General Washington, partook of the
Lords Supper. The question wheth-
or Washington did really partake Of
the communion at Morristown, having
been a matter of considerable discus
sion, a we'll known writer took up
the matter, in series of articles pub
lished in the New York Independents
February 1924, 1928; from which we
quote some additional facts, to those
already related. The writer there
says, Samuel II. Cox, DID,, first at
tracted attention to this subject, hav-
ing received the account from the
Rev DIR. Hillyer, who had it from the
lips of DIR. Johnes' himself; who was
pastor of the Church at that time.
The only denominations, having
church organizations there, were the
Presbyterian and the Baptist. 1t was
the custom of the Presbyterian
Church, to observe the communion
emi-annually. The church building
was used at that time as a hospital
for the small pox patients. The dis
ease being alarmingly prevalent in the
army and the church having been
given up to this purpose, the religious
services of the congregation were held
on the grounds of the parsonage
According to DIR. Hillyer, during the
week previous to the communion,
General Washington visited !" Pastor
Johnes, = and said to him, Do un-
derstand the Lords Supper is to be
celebrated with you next Sunday. /
would learn if it acoords with the
canons of your church, to admit conn
municants of another denomination
The Doctor replied, Most certainly,
ours is not the Presbyterian, but the
Lords table, and we hence give the
Lords invitation to'all his followers
of whatever name. The General re-
piled I am glad Of it, that is as it,
ought to be, but was not quite snre
of the fact, thought I would ascer-
tain it from yourself, as ! propose to
join with you on chat occasion Az
though merlber of the Church OF
England, have no exclusive partial
tiles. On the next sabbath the Gen