Church Manual for the Members of the Presbyterian Church. New Providence, NJ., 1834.

Amerikan Bord Heyeti (American Board)

Printed at the Daily Advertiser Office, Newark, NJ

This is a text of the published pamphlet. A handwritten note indicates that the “Elias Riggs mentioned here as pastor of New Providence, NJ Presbyterian Ch. was father to Elias Riggs of Near East Mission.” This published manual lays out a brief history of the Presbyterian church of New Providence since its founding in 1737. Elias Riggs, father of Elias Riggs (b.1810) of the Near East Mission, is named as one of the “ministers who have labored statedly in this congregation” beginning in 1806. Riggs senior is profiled on pages 6-7 of the booklet, and is described as having “cool and dispassionate judgment,” “unaffected simplicity of manners,” “christian prudence and meekness,” and “humility and heavenly mindedness.” His death is described curiously: “He was called to his rest…in the midst of a highly interesting state of religious feeling in the congregation. Only three weeks previous to his death, he assisted in the examination of six individuals, who were the fruits of his labors, and who were to have sealed their covenant engagements at the Lord’s table, on the very day that they were called to follow their beloved Pastor to the grave. That was a day long to be remembered by this people. Few, who were present on the mournful occasion, can give any account of the feelings manifested by the congregation. Each seemed to be too deeply afflicted to notice the grief of others. The house was literally a “Bochim,” a house of weeping. Mr. Riggs preached his last sermon to his charge, two weeks previous to the day of his internment.” At the back of the text is a “list of the present communicants,” among which Phebe and Margaret Riggs are listed on page 19.

A published pamphlet detailing the history of the parish. A (modern) handwritten note enclosed indicates that the “Elias Riggs mentioned here as pastor of New Providence, NJ Presbyterian Ch. was father to Elias Riggs of Near East Mission.” Printed (typeset), published manual, paper bound in thread.

1834-01-01

English

New Providence

Missions, Missionaries

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