HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Circa 1900

The following is a recollection from the time period of the 1950's. With the greatest of gratitude we thank Bonnie Lee Smith for compiling this for us.

A church, like a human being, has a life story. A past composed of strength and of weakness, of prosperity and of poverty, of joy and of sorrow, all of which are but reflections of -the individuals who have been associated with it and of the community of which it is a part. But between the lines one can see the power of God made manifest through His people and piloting His church through the stormy and the bright years.

It is unfortunate that many of the early church records have been destroyed by fire over the years. But we have been able to turn to our membership book, Conference records, local history books, and particularly to the recollections of our own members. We are particularly indebted to the late Rev. Perry Bascom for the historical notes he left us, to Mrs. Robert Gilmore who has been a member of this church for seventy years, and to Mr. Fred Bascom for his recollections and research. Perhaps then, we can get a glimpse into the past one hundred years of our church.

Johnsville, as this community was known in 1854, consisted of an old hotel, three or four farmhouses, a school, a storehouse and several stores. The town was known as a grain depot. But this peaceful scene was dramatically altered by the advent of the New Brunswick-Millstone Railroad, which was constructed in that year. It was then -that the name was changed to East Millstone. To this historical fact we add two other traditional streams of thought relating to the origin of the church. It was common talk about 1882 that Major Andrew Vroom, a member of the Hillsborough (Millstone) Reformed Church, because of some misunderstanding withdrew and soon organized a Methodist class which others joined. (See Appendix) It is thought that the slavery question caused the difference of opinion. This has been handed down verbally, but no record is made in either the mother church or new organization. The Major then gave the land and became sponsor for the new building. It is evident then that three factors contributed to the founding of this church. The mushroom growth of the community resulting from the new railroad, the controversy over the slavery issue (New Jersey being a border state in this regard), and the interest in the Methodist Class system.

Consequently the Certificate of Certification of the Trustees was filed in the County Seat May 17, 1855. The first deed for land to the Trustees for the church building is dated July 6, 1855. A second piece adding to the rear of the lot is dated March 23, 1883. The Trustees also bought a lot, which was evidently meant for a parsonage, situated on the northeast corner of what is now known as Livingston Avenue and Franklin Street. This lot was sold a few years later without a building.

It should be mentioned at this point that in 1855, the Dutch Reformed Church of East Millstone was founded, also as an offspring of the Hillsborough church. The community was growing rapidly and a large distillery was soon to compete with farming as the major source of employment.

The first pastor, J. S. Crate: was appointed in 1855 and only a few years had elapsed before it was found necessary to enlarge the building and a new front of sixteen feet with a belltower was added to the sanctuary. These were prosperous years and the young church assumed a leading role in the community. This was the era of revivals, and many successful ones were held in this church. Rev. John Halon, in two years, received on probation seventy-five persons, Rev. T.R. Statton, in one year received seventy-nine, Rev. T.D. Frazee received twenty-seven, Rev. G.R. Neal, thirty-eight, and Rev. P.C. Bascom twenty-nine. Rev. J. Nelson Brown and Rev. J.W. Ryder should also be mentioned. One of these early pastors, Dr. Henry A. Buttz, was for a number of years a professor and in 1881 was made President of Drew Theological Seminary at Madison, New Jersey.

In fact throughout the years, Drew Seminary has continued to supply the pastoral leadership for this church. It has been a long and proud association.

Before leaving this era, let us mention several families now active in the church, whose ancestors joined at this time. From Andrew Vroom, one of the original trustees, to Evelyn and Dorothy Elaine Voorhees, there were five generations represented. Margaret Bascom, daughter of Fred L. Bascom, represents the fourth generation of this family. Mr. Robert J. Gilmore, who joined in 1884, with Emma Ball, who afterward became his wife, also has many connected with the church. Mr. Peter Smith, who was received in 1895, has the largest number of descendents connected with the church, more than twenty-five in all.

However, the lean years were soon to be in evidence. About 1904 the entire local industry moved to New York State taking eighteen families with it. Most of these people were Methodists and consequently the church membership was virtually depleted. The following excerpt is taken from the Newark Conference Minutes of 1905 and vividly describes the situation:

"East Millstone is taking on new life. To keep the doors open taxed the ingenuity of Elder, Pastor and people. 'Yes, close it up', said the prophets of despair. 'No', said others, 'In God's name we'll go forward.' The little churches that refuse to die command my profoundest sympathy" -Daniel Hallerton, Presiding Elder, Newark Conference

Thus in a few words are portrayed the trials and tribulations, as well as the determination and hope, of this and so many other churches of Christ.

But the Church of Christ moves forward, however slowly, and in 1909 under the pastorate of Newton J. Brown a bell was placed in the previously empty tower.

In 1912, Mr. John Lee and his family were received into the church and his descendants still play an active role in the life of this church. Thus, during the early decades of this century, the ministry of this church continued to give comfort and strength to her members and to the community.

However, it was not until 1930, during the pastorate of W.H. Lewis that the physical plant was greatly improved. At this time the entire building was renovated and redecorated. A new roof was put on the church and the interior was rebuilt as to pulpit, adding a choir loft, and the old gallery and vestibule were transformed into four cheerful classrooms. This arrangement has been retained to the present. However, the addition of greatest importance consisted of a large recreational hall, or chapel, built across the rear of the present sanctuary. A well-equipped stage occupied one end of the building and a church kitchen filled the other end. The center was designed as an auditorium suited to church suppers and recreational activities.

But as most of us remember, the worldwide depression was destined to deal its crushing blow to all activities, and the church was not left unscarred. Despite the peril of these years the church grew in strength through the activities of the Ladies Aid Society and the growth of the Sunday School and Young Peoples Society. In fact the young people who were nurtured by the church through these years, now constitute the heart of the active membership. During a number of these years, the church was on a circuit with Centerville and Neshanic. One of the pastors, Dr. Leroy A. Martin, is now President of our rapidly expanding Tennessee Wesleyan College.

This past decade has seen, perhaps, the greatest strides in physical and spiritual growth. Between 1944 and 1947 the mortgage was paid off, much to the relief of all concerned. This paved the way for a multitude of long needed improvements. In 1948 an electric organ was installed to replace the pump organ, which until then had survived as a reminder of the years gone by. Soon, under the 41/2 year leadership of Arthur Gamblin, now a missionary in Japan, the physical plant was virtually transformed. The kitchen was entirely remodeled, stone driveways laid around the building, and the duplex envelope system was initiated. Two oil burners were installed and the balcony was again remodeled. In 1951 the entire sanctuary was painted and decorated, the floors were refinished and drapes added to the windows. As a result we now have one of the most cheerful and worshipful sanctuaries to be found anywhere.

Not satisfied with this rapid transformation, in 1952 the membership resolved to install memorial chimes, and in a few months they were paid for, and placed in operation. These beautiful messengers of melody add much to our worship service, and the tower chimes serve to remind the whole community of the joy, which Christ offers to all who will come.

Several additional improvements have been recently accomplished. Sidewalks extend to the street, the driveway, and parallel to the street. The front of the church has been completely landscaped, shrubs planted, and set off by a beautiful new lawn. Also this spring, the entire exterior of the church has been renovated and carefully painted. A cellar room, once obscured by coal bins, is being transformed into additional kitchen space.

100th Anniversary, 1954

May we be reminded that it was not financial stewardship alone that brought about these changes over the past one hundred years. The activities and physical improvements directly reflect the spiritual dedication of time and -talents of the members. Most of this work was done by our own dedicated and skilled membership. Many people, including those of other faiths, have likewise donated their time and resources to our cause. To all these people we are greatly indebted and ever thankful.

A few statistics may give us another spiritual barometer. In the past decade alone, our world service giving has increased seven fold. The pastor's salary has been increased four fold, Sunday School membership has tripled, and attendance at worship services nearly equal to the total membership. All this growth, despite a relatively static number of the membership Thus the untiring efforts of the Ladies Society, the choir directors, the junior and senior choirs, the Sunday School staff, our faithful treasurer, and the newly formed Men's Club have not gone unrewarded. The present membership and leadership can be deservingly proud of their contribution to the historical growth of this church.

Many hands, minds, and hearts have labored in the church over the past century. The Methodist Church of East Millstone has an honored past and a rich tradition which we have inherited. We are deeply thankful to God for this heritage. We rejoice also that it is a past with a future. The activities and hopes of the present make up the history of tomorrow. The drama of life that is history moves on toward an unseen future. In this our anniversary year, we are poignantly aware of our past and our future. Surrounded as we are by the cherished memories of the past, we look forward to a future in which God will lead us to still greater things, achievements which are made possible because we build on the sure foundation laid by those of the Christian Fellowship who have preceded us.

WILBUR A. THOMAS

APPENDIX

A history of our church would not be complete without reference to probationers' Class Meetings and the class leaders. The early history of the Methodist Church discloses that as John Wesley preached, the people wanted more instruction in religious matters. It is easy to surmise that the Church of England gave little freedom of expression -to the laity. In order to hold the new converts to Wesley's teachings, the early societies as they were called, were organized into groups of about 12. A leader was appointed to collect dues of a penny a week. At first the leader visited each member once a week, but it was soon found that a meeting would be more satisfactory.

Wesley saw the further advantage of instructing the class members by appointing a leader who had ability in Christian leadership; thus the class leader would conduct a public examination into the life of each member. He would praise, admonish or exhort as the case might require. This was in truth a spiritual clinic and much of the secret of the growth and persistence of the Methodist Movement. It was the foundation of the Methodist Church.

The early records of the East Millstone Methodist Church show the first class leader to be C.C. Snyder. His class met at the Church each Sunday at noon with 32 members. Isaac F. Frazee led class No. 2. This class had 30 members. Its meeting place is not mentioned. These classes were contemporary, as transfers appear. The early records of the classes are full and complete with leaders, but as time went on they became less complete. In February 1904, William Packer was listed as Steward, Trustee and Class leader. His class met after Church on Sunday mornings and he was perhaps the last lay class leader. William Packer joined the Church as a Probationer October 1st, 1882 and shortly after became a full member. The writer as a child was taken to his class in the 1890's and has a vivid recollection of these meetings.

Prayer and Testimony were the principal order of service. Each member was expected to take part no matter how short his testimony might be. There was something in this act that was personal and self-searching. It is obvious that one would be a hypocrite to stand in public and state before his neighbors that which he was trying to do in everyday life, if that everyday life did not bear it out.

At about the same time a class was held near Middlebush. This often met at the home of the writer's Grandparents, John & Ellen Wilson. This class was more of a Prayer Meeting with Gospel Hymns without instruments. If a recording could have been made of these class meetings, it would be instructive to now hear the testimonies and the eloquent prayers. The records would indicate that the Minister instructed the Probation classes, which were held independent of these regular classes.

A mention of the Probation System should be made, as it was an important part of the early life of the Church. This was particularly true up to 1891 in East Millstone. From October 1857 at which date the first list of Probationers is given, to 1891, there are 353 names listed. 200 of these were in the first eleven years.

A person joined the Church as a Probationer. He was required to publicly express his desire to join and spend a period of not less than six months before becoming a full member. This was a trial period, and gave a good opportunity to keep track of converts.

The present method of joining the Church on Confession of Faith moves our Church along with the more conventional.

It would not be possible to bring back class meetings, but with its passing something unique with the Methodist Church was lost.

FRED L. BASCOM