Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-10-16
N. J. PRETYTERY
MARKS CENTENNIAL
Work Of Synod for One Hun
dred Years Summarized by
Church Historian
HAS BEEN POWER FOR GOOD

SDrciu' DisUuich 10 Ersninp Pubiic Lcd0"r
Atlantic City. Oct. 1i.--Cclebration
NJ the centennial of organized Preshy-
tcrianism in New Jersey was begun
hero this afternoon with the one hum
dredth annual assembling of the Synod
nf New Jersey in the First Prcsby-
tCrion Church.
The feature of this afternoon was
the centennial address by Dr.. Frederick
William G.octscher. professor Of church
history at Princeton Theological semi.
nary. In part. he said
"Thc Synod uf New Jersey celebrates
today it, entrance upon the hnndrcdth
yoar of its existence ns n separate judi
catory Of the Presbyterian Church in
the United States of America. II was
General Assembly of lS23, whereby the
synod Of New York and New Jersey
was. AT It's own request. divided into
thc Synod of New York and the Synod
Of New Jersey. II held its first meet
ing in the First Presbyterian Church Of
Newark on October 81. 1S23. the Rev.
Dr. John Woodruff. of Freehold,
preaching the opening sermon. and
Prof. Archibald Alexander. Of Prince
ton, serving as the first moderator. Ii
consisted of The four PrcSbyterieS of
New Brunswick. Jersey. Newton and
Susquphannn. comprising eighty three
ministers, lO4 congregations. twenty
four licentiates and twenty. five candi
dates for the ministry.
The opening decades of the nine =
teenth century formed one of rho bright
est craS in the development of American
Christianity. The churches were speed E
ily recovering from the exhaustion, i'm
poverishment and disorganization due TO
the Revolutionary War. The dcmoral- =
iZing Influences of army life had spent
their force.
The Great Awakening"
The frivolous inhdelity Of the school
Of Noltairc which some French Of
luri2e among the Colonial troops: the
shallow drism of men like jefferson.
and tn" shabby utilitarnn ethics of
Franklin had given wny TO deep and
serious concern for spiritual realities.
Presently. from about the year lI9J,
when as vet to tho eye Of little faith
the whole situation seemed desperate,
the o-caled Second Awakening began
~ spread its benetiCicnt influence from
Kentucky io New lnglahd. "nergizing
and fructifying with truly cvangelistiC
spirit our own and other d"nOmina-
tionS for well nigt Il third of II century.
The memorable revival Of 1851. which
owed it~ power To no single leader.
added round million of members to
the fellowship Of the denominations.
"AnOther important feature of the
Synod's history during these hundred
years is found in It's noble achievement
in the sphere Of home missions. In
deed. TO quote two former members OF
this body who we're closely connected
with this enterprise, it may be fairly
said that New Jersey was the first
Synod that actually assumed complete
s"If-,.upport: that in simplicity and
effectiveness rcr plan has not been sur
lasscd. and thar her success has given
encouragement and suggestion to 9TH
crs
The devotiOn of this Synod to the
cause Of Christian education is worthy
of special mention. In this respect. I,
be sure. our predecessors in this body
were not peculiar, they were Simpl,
giving expression TO another Of tn,
characteristic traits Of our Rcformct
faith.
Educational Work Stressed
The family of churches TO which WI
b"long has never put premium, eithe
on SanCtihed ignorance or unSanct tict
lanruir, In rho I'irSt Rnol- nf hiSci