Religious forces and other activities in the history of Vineland, N.J.

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RELIGIOUS FORCES

AND

OTHER ACTIVITIES

IN THE

HISTORY OF VINELAND. N.J,

BY

JOSEPH A. CONWEL-L.

(Ex-Mayor)

I AM A CITIZEN OF NO MEAN CITY"

AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE BOTH ANNI.

VERSARY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH OF VINELAND. N. J.

PUBLISHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF
THE NENA/ CHURCH BUIUDING FUND

THE SMITH PRINTING HOUSE
VINELAND, N. J.

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THE FIRST PRFSBYTERIAX CHURCH OF VIXFT.AXD

RKV. JOHN O. WKIT.S
PASTOR FROM 1S(,(, TO 1)

RELIGIOUS FORCES

AND

OTHER ACTIVITIES

IN THE

HISTORY OF VINELAND. N. J.

BY

JOSEPH A. CONWELL

(Ex-Mayor)

AM A CITIZEN OF NO MEAN CITY'

AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE 50TH ANNI-
VERSARY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH OF VINELAND. N. J.

PUBLISHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF
THE NEW CHURCH BUIUDINO FUND

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Inasmuch as Rev. Dr. D. H. King, our Pastor
Emeritus, preached a historical sermon this morning
and dwelt more particularly upon the intimate and
spiritual history of our church, I feel that it is both
appropriate and desirable that I, in what I shall say this
evening, broaden the subject somewhat, and refer not
only to the history of our own church, but to the
various religious and other forces that have exerted an
influence for good in our town during the past half-
century. While the subject is too great to be fully dis-
cussed in the time alloted me, it should be stated with
special emphasis that the history of a live, active
church is inevitably a part of the history of a commu-
nity. The church gives inspiration, encouragement
and genuine vital force to every worthy enterprise and
every good cause. To undertake to give the history
of a church and of religious forces in general in a com-
munity like Vineland, where the churches and every-
thing else grew up together out of a wilderness, and
for fifty years have lived and labored and struggled to-
gether and turned that wilderness into a land of beauty
and fertile fields and extensive manufacturing interests,
where intellectual culture and high moral principles
are maintained, is a task calling for the utmost rever-

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ence and respect. If we candidly accept the plain,
cold facts regarding the founding of Vineland, we
must admit that it offered many advantages not enjoy-
ed by older and differently constructed towns.

THE OPPORTUNITY OF A WILDERNESS
When Mr. Charles K. Landis drove the now
famous stake in the wilderness on the 8th of August,
1861, near where the West Jersey Railroad station now
stands, he established not only a landmark, but a great
historical starting point. This area was then a vast
wilderness. It was such a wilderness that the conduct-
or refused to stop the railroad train at the prospective
city, and instead put Mr. Landis off near what is now
Newfield, forcing him to walk five miles to drive his
fancied city-centered stake. It was such a wilderness
that Mr. Landis had to walk out to Sharp's corner on
Main road to get his dinner. It was such a wilderness
that the railroad officials refused to build a platform so
people could get off the cars. It was such a wilder-
ness that the government refused to recognize Vineland
as a post office until Mr. Landis gave security for the
expense incurred. Yet Mr. Landis, a young man of
twenty-eight, had the faith and courage and grit to walk
over this wilderness for weeks and months, and employ
men to survey and lay out roads and avenues, and pull
stumps and haul dirt. He advertised town lots and
farms until he had not only spent all of his own re-
sources, but had eventually gone in debt over three
hundred thousand dollars to improve and beautify
the prospective enterprise.

The early struggles and experiences of the founder
of Vineland, while to some may seem like the work of
a dreamer, were the true unfoldment of a long-sighted^
orderly, systematic plan. During the first winter Mr.
Landis maintained his headquarters out at Sharp's farm

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house on Main road. And let me quote his words as
found among his private papers:

"There were many days and weeks during
that long and tempestuous winter when nobody
came. To say that I never had moments of de-
pression, when I looked out of my window upon
the boundless stretch of wilderness, would be
simply untrue. The southeast winds at night
would howl around the corner of the house where
I slept, sounding like wailing voices of ill omen
and mockery. And as I listened to the dismal
sound of the wind and thought of the possibility
of no visitors, I would be struck almost by an icy
chill. The greatest relief I found was in prayer."

The founder of Vineland did not claim to be a
religious man, nor was he so regarded. I refer to
these prayers of Mr. Landis, because so far as known,
they were the first religious worship and the beginning
of the religious history of what the world now knows
as "Beautiful Vineland."

This brief outline faintly pictures the wilderness
with its virgin soil and the man with his ambitions and
motives. His determination was to build a model
community free, if possible, from the objections he
had seen elsewhere, and possessing those character-
istics which experience had proved to best insure
beautiful and healthful surroundings and the prosperity,
happiness and general well-being of the people. With
his life dedicated to this proposition, he, through the
public press and other methods, and in the most wide-
spread manner, invited the world to come and make
Vineland a model community.

And in all candor he placed before prospective
settlers an unusual opportunity. Here was offered
what we all more or less crave — the chance to begin
afresh and, to a marked degree, live life over again.
To those of the north was offered a milder climate.
Those in the crowded cities here found fresh air and

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plenty of room. To those in ill health or weary of
monotony was a new hope. Here were good
prospects for the ambitious and an equal opportunity
to all. The proposition appealed to men and women
of intellect, energy and character, and they came
from every direction and were received with cor-
dial welcome. No matter from whence it came, all
blood was new blood on reaching the primitive
soil and inspiring atmosphere of Vineland.

EARLY GROWTH

While at the end of the first year there were only
about six settlers, yet at the end of 1862, the second
year, about eighty persons attended Mr. Landis' first
annual reception. His reception at the end of the third
year was attended by over one thousand persons. The
attendance at the end of the fourth year was two
thousand, and about one thousand partook of supper.
His reception at the end of the fifth year was attended
by more than three thousand. Two brass bands fur-
nished music and the occasion was an innovation to
South Jersey. At this time the population of the tract
was fifty-five hundred. In 1867, when Vineland was
six years old, it was a community of about eight
thousand population, containing churches of all the
leading denominations, fourteen schoolhouses and
twelve hundred pupils. The Presbyterian, Methodist
and Episcopal churches were organized in '63. The
Baptist, Unitarian and what was known as the "Friends
of Progress" later, but when Vineland was six years
old they all had flourishing congregations, the
audience of our own church averaging three hundred
and fifty persons on Sunday.

Not only had churches been organized at this time,
but "The Historical and Antiquarian Society," "The
Floral Society" the various social and secret Societies

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had been organized and were existing much as they
are to-da}'. Let us mention some of the things that
took place when Vineland was only six years old.

The Sabbath schools were organized and prosper-
ous, and on the 4th of July of that year, paraded the
streets of our town. The procession was about a half-
mile in length and seven hundred children were in the
parade. They picniced in the Vineland Park and Rev.
J. O. Wells, the pastor of this church, was one of the
orators of the occasion. This custom of Sunday
Schools uniting in picnics and excursions continued
for many years, and I have seen a special train take
over nine hundred persons from Vineland to the sea-
shore on a Union Sunday School excursion.

Up until that year this church had used a melodion
when it was exchanged for a cabinet organ. The
Great World's Universal Exposition was held at Paris,
France, and honorable mention was awarded by the
Imperial Commission of that Exposition to Mr. Charles
K. Landis for his great work in founding and promot-
ing the success of Vineland, New Jersey, and he was
placed upon record as one of the benefactors of the
world. Professor Marcius Willson, in a public address
during the year 1867, declared that Vineland made
greater progress in those things which belong to ad-
vanced civilization, during six short years, than all
Cumberland County made in the first two hundred
years of its existence.

THE PIONEER SPIRIT

The resources and initiative instinct of Vineland's
pioneers were almost without limit. They had come
from the four corners of the earth. Each man — and
many women — was a distinct individual. While not
one of them had been born here their loyalty and inter-
est had all the intensity and enthusiasm of a second
birth.

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When the town was less than two years old Mrs. A.
M. Spaulding its first poet composed some verses in its
praise four lines of which were taken as a slogan.

"Brothers and sisters we become

On touching Vineland sod
Inmates of one expansive home

Children of one true God."

These lines were quoted in addresses, were often
seen in the newspapers, occasionally displayed upon
banners at public meetings and became almost a local
patriotic confession of faith.

Among Vineland's early settlers were merchants,
manufacturers, inventors, educators, physicians, re-
formers, editors, financiers, authors — men of affairs —
who had both failed and succeeded elsewhere and who
had come here to secure a change, to gain health, to
retire or to find congenial climate or to hustle for
success amidst new surroundings. There were men
and women of talent— musicians, singers, artists, actors
or adepts in other professions — accustomed to public
life and no matter what the occasion, whether a school
meeting, political caucus, farmers club, literary or
theatrical entertainment, it was more like the work of
leaders and professionals than amateurs. The social
atmosphere was fascinating and there was an abund-
ance of real life. The ability to grasp opportunities
was well illustrated in 1868 when it was learned that the
members of the New Jersey Editorial Association were
to pass through Vineland on their way to the annual
convention at Cape May. They were invited to stop
off at Vineland; ninety seven carriages met them at the
depot; they were conveyed over our town and town-
ship; Cosmopolitan Hall was turned into a banqueting
room and they were sumptuously dined amidst a pro-
fusion of flowers and 250 editors with their wives left
our depot delighted, and the result was, that for days

and weeks in the colums of almost every newspaper in
New Jersey, Philadelphia and New York could be
found editorials referring to Vineland with unstinted
praise. What a splendid example for modern Boards
of Trade and Commercial Leagues!

Although many of the early farmers were new at
the business, many were the occasions which showed
their apt ingenuity. One incident always seemed to
me to be unusually clever. Mr. Landis for several
years gave liberal cash prizes for the best specimens of
farm products, a leading prize one year being fifty
dollars in cash for the largest Dutchess pear. That
Autumn Mr. A. J. Hamilton, of Oak Road and a
charter member of this church, brought to town an
immense overgrown Dutchess pear weighing twenty-
two and one-half ounces. Mr. Landis was delighted,
paid the prize money, placed the pear in a handsome
glass case, exhibited it at our local fair, then at the
New York State Fair in Madison Square Garden and
at various County Fairs outside of our State. To pro-
duce this pear, Mr. Hamilton selected the best tree in
his orchard, stripped it of all pears except one, ferti-
lized and mulched and watered the tree all summer,
propped and stayed the limb against storms and sus-
pended the pear in a woven sack to support its weight.
When Mr. Rockefeller, Jr. intimated that successful
human beings, like perfect American Beauty roses
require that ninety-nine be sacrificed in order that the
hundredth may reach its fullest perfection and beauty
did not know that the idea was first demonstrated by a
member of this church in a Vineland pear orchard.

Had a visitor, during Vineland's early years, stroll-
ed among the people, from Newf ield to South Vineland
he would have met a class of people as various and
interesting as could have been found anywhere in the
nation. Let us tonight in imagination, follow him on
such a jaunt.

At Newfield would be met a small well-clad gentle-
man, George May Powell — preacher, traveler, public-
ist, statesman, publisher of the international Sunday
School maps; whose speech was the chief political doc-
ument in the campaign of Lincoln, President of the first
Congress of Forestry, first man to propose Y. M. C. A.
buildings, a chief originator of The Hague Peace
Court, President of the Peace Society, national temper-
ance advocate, writer, orator and Christian statesman.

Here also lived Mr. Job Ellis, teacher, linguist and
pioneer in the study of vegetable bacteria, whose dis-
coveries and writings are recognized the world over,
his great work ''North American Pyrenomycetes,''
printed in Vineland, costing him and his devoted wife
twenty years of incessant research and labor.

At North Vineland lived John L. Mason iuA^entor
of the "Mason Fruit Jar," which cost years of experi-
ment, the waste of three hundred thousand dollars in
two hundred lawsuits over the patent and what is too
often true the final discouragement and poverty of the
inventor, but the jar revolutionized the methods of pre-
serving fruit and for forty years has been a household
necessity in almost every civilized home.

In Vineland, at that time, women took a more
active part in business and public affairs than else-
where The "Ladies' Store" owned by Misses Leavitt
and Sherburne was for a generation the leading dry
goods and variety business of South Jersey. Among
our most prominent women was Mrs. Louise Cooper
Bristol— tall, graceful, accomplished; teacher, orator,
poet, essayist, a leader in modern thought and ideas;
another. Miss Abby F. Leavitt, her hair short and
groomed by a barber, but her head long and mind
alert,— merchant, church official, Sunday School
Superintendent, W. C. T. U. President, a champion of
women and a leader of men; another, Mary E. Treat,

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reclusive and quiet, — a writer of books on nature,
insects and birds and known as well in Europe as in
her own land.

Never has woman been more devoted and helpful
than during the making of Vineland. When Louis
Bristol ran for Congress, Mrs Bristol plead for his elec-
tion from the platform, her ability causing her to be
asked to place General Butler in nomination for the
presidency at the National Convention at Cincinatti
when her eloquence won her national fame. During
the years that J. B. Duffy published the Vineland
Daily News, Mrs. Duffy, with marked ability, wrote
its editorials and her other writings in book form re-
ceived wide circulation. During the years of the
pastorate of Rev. W. W. Meech at the South Vineland
church Mrs. Meech, herself an ordained minister, was
ever ready to occupy her husband's pulpit and her ser-
mons were always both eloquent and practical. And
in merchantile, and other enterprises it was often
difficult to tell which was the leading spirit and head of
the concern the husband or the wife. Truly can it be
said of the Vineland woman "She hath done what
she could."

On our Streets, in those days, were occasionally
seen women dressed in male attire and Dr. Mary
Walker here found congenial friends to visit and her
presence now and then added interest to our town.
These women were ridiculed in private and in public
press and Vineland to some extent shared the obliquy.
But they were all educated, and sincere and loyal
champions of a cause they loved and the.y did much to
gain for woman that recognition as a political factor
which justice demands shall be hers. If the male attire
or "bloomers" infringed upon the rights of the sterner
sex it can be said of each of them that what remained
woman was a genuine lady and what turned man was
always a gentleman.

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On our Streets would be seen an unusual number
of men who had fought under the flag from '61 to '65
and when peace returned married and settled here, and
Vineland never had better or more loyal citizens than
the soldier citizens who during the rebellion bared
their lives that the flag might live.

Along our streets would be seen more retired
preachers than elsewhere. Vineland was known as
the Mecca of the retired minister. These men, educat-
ed, and interested, and gifted with tongue and pen,
were always a genuine moral force in our community
and all of them loyal examples of the perseverance of
the saints.

He would here meet three gentlemen all formerly
teachers and college professors. One of them— Prof.
D. O. Kellogg, author, orator, cyclopedist; handsome,
eloquent and brilliant; another. Prof. N. B. Webster,
chemist, scientist and cyclopedist who had stored in his
mind fifty thousand dates as accurately as the records
on the printed pages of history and yet was as con-
genial and free from pomp as a child; the other Prof.
Marcius Willson, handsome, well poised, faultlessly
dressed, a gentleman and a scholar par excellent, the
author of more school books than any other American,
about thirty altogether bearing his name and the royal-
ties paid him by Harper Brothers alone being over two
hundred and twenty thousand dollars.

On our streets almost every day was seen and
heard that ubiquitous humorist, poet, jester and punster,
John W. Hum whose laugh was hearty and loud and
whose wit was quick and keen. Here on Saturday
afternoons gathered the populace, men and women
who had succeeded elsewhere as merchants, authors,
editors, physicians, manufacturers and political reform-
ers and they and their children bore the stamp of
cultured energy. Among the children destined to be-

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come men of influence were James H. Ingram now
medical missionary to China and who is doing much
by translating books to revolutionize medical practice
in that great nation. Here were seen two farmer boys —
Ernest Bagnall, inventor and manufacturer, of Cleve-
land, Ohio, and his brother Alfred Bagnall, a manufac-
turing promoter in Japan, whose home is the finest
private residence built by an alien in the Japanese
Empire; Edwin M. Ellis, who has organized hundreds
of Sunday Schools in the far west; Henry W. Wilbur,
editor, author, preacher, reformer and leader in the
cause of peace, temperance and righteousness. Among
the rising young men was Charles Keighley, ambitious,
determined, tireless, laying the foundation of success
for himself and making of our town a centre in the
manufacture of footwear, which from the day he
started has been Vineland's most constant and reliable
support.

At South Vineland were the Bidwells who turned
the sand beds into veritable mines of wealth; the
Wheeler family, reformers and temperance workers,
among them Frederick Wheeler now a national
leader in temperance work; the Gillam family, all
of them brilliant of intellect and all destined to rise
in the world; one of them, M. M. Gillam now the
father of the modern method of graphic advertising so
universal and which has revolutionized the methods
of doing business. Among the school boys was D.
Harry Chandler, bright, quick, energetic, who has
since sought and found ''Acres of Diamonds'' at home,
realized in the growth and success of the shoe manu-
facturing plant which has been a substantial feature of
Vineland's industry and enterprise. Here lived
William A. Daggett inventor of the well known
folding clothes rack and of the closed baking pan,
improved forms of which are now made and sold
all over the world.

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These are only samples of the thousands who-
flocked to Vineland during its early years, who became
known as the "Vineland Pioneers," and of whom an
early poet said:

"Through hardship, weariness and tears,
We wrought the task of pioneers.
In '62 some seventy-five.
Would represent our little hive.
Now thousands throng on every hand,
And yet there's room and work and land."
The question arises: What should be expected
from a colony of people, newly organized, composed
of men and women of such exceptional character, in-
tellect, initiative enterprise and devotion to the public
interest? Let us mention a few things that these
people gave to the world.

VINELAND'S
CONTRIBUTION TO TEMPERANCE
Let us begin with the founder of Vineland. It was
he who decided that Vineland should be a temperance
community, free from the dram shop with its tempta-
tions and allurements. He not only established
temperance principles in this community, but did
much to teach the world its advantages. His method
was ''Local Option.'" It is true that there were efforts
to secure local option many years before Vineland was
started, but Mr. Landis gave the movement a new life.
After Vineland had become established, Mr. Landis
wrote an address on the subject of local option, bring-
ing to his aid the experience in the town he had
founded, and his observations in extensive travel and
study of the subject. He delivered this address before
the Legislature of New Jersey at Trenton, and at that
time the subject was so dense to the people in general
that he did not think it was wise to endeavor to get a
general petition, but he went to the State Penitentiary

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and got the inmates of that institution to sign a petition
for the law, and when he delivered his address, he
held his manuscript in one hand, and a petition signed
by the inmates of the New Jersey Penitentiary in the
other, and upon his return home he had his address
published and sent about two thousand of them broad-
cast over the world. It was my privilege forty years
afterward to stand in the same legislative hall and
plead before the legislature to enact the same law,
showing the vitality of the principle but the slow pace
of reform legislation in New Jersey. This address, no
doubt, did much to create an interest and to establish
the justice of such a law to curtail the ravages of
strong drink through the legalized saloon, and while
various measures have been adopted from that time
until now, to accomplish the purpose, it must be ad-
mitted that local option has been one of the most
effective measures to close the doors of the American
saloon, and to-day more than one-half of the popula-
tion and more than one-half of the territory of the
United States are free from the saloon, and local
option perhaps, more than any other measure so far
advanced, has been the method that has brought about
this great and blessed reform. It can be truthfully
asserted that more citizens of our nation, including all
classes of people, from the present occupant of the
White House to the humblest voter, are committed to
local option, than have been committed to any other
temperance movement so far proposed. And the first
systematic public address upon the subject was written
on Landis avenue and two thousand printed copies
were mailed from the Vineland post office. For
many years perhaps more than any other town in the
nation, Vineland was referred to and held up as a
practical demonstration of what temperance will do in
promoting the success and well being of a community.
May it always deserve the reputation it has made.

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THE FIRST NATIONAL CAMP MEETING

In 1867, when Vineland was only six years old, the
officials of the great Methodist church in America
decided to hold what was termed a Camp Meeting of
national magnitude and importance. In looking
around for a location Vineland's reputation for
morality and temperance principles naturally attracted
their attention. The result was Vineland was chosen
as the most desirable place for the first great "National
Camp Meeting" to be held in America. Our citizens
made great preparation for it and the welcome was
cordial and sincere. Vineland Park was turned into a
veritable city of canvass. Great, mammouth tents
were erected capable of accommodating from one
hundred to one thousand people. Wells were settled
to furnish water and every convenience for a great
gathering was made. Our local paper. The Vineland
Weekly, decided to publish a daily edition and it was
not only liberal but lavish in its attitude toward the
management. During the time of the camp meeting
it published fifty-four special columns. Every sermon
was printed almost in full and no event in the history
of the town ever received more enthusiastic consider-
ation from the local populace than was given this first
great National Camp Meeting. The attendance was
tremendous. One hundred and thirty-five ministers,
including the eminent Bishop Matthew Simpson, were
in attendance. It was estimated that on one or two
occasions the attendance numbered from twelve to
fifteen thousand. One Sunday morning over six
hundred vehicles passed along one road before twelve
o'clock, all loaded with people bound for the Camp
Meeting in Vineland Park.

Rev. A. E. Ballard, who is at the present time
President of Ocean Grove, was in charge. This
meeting was a great success and all visitors went

—16—

home singing the praises of Vineland. What was the
result? Its success led to the establishment in the
following year of Ocean Grove as a permanent
National Camp Meeting ground, incorporating features
of government like Vineland, only perhaps more so.
It was found that to make such an institution a success,
permanent buildings must be erected, and the erection
of permanent buildings suggested meetings of other
sorts, and soon the added custom arose that when the
camp meeting had closed its exercises, to devote some
days or weeks to matters outside of religion. Music
and art and intellectual, scientific and other subjects
were taught and promoted. As an outgrowth of
Ocean Grove other similar national Camp Meetings
were established. Among the most famous were at
Martha's Vineyard, Mass.; Lakeside, Ohio; Bartley,
Neb. and Pacific Grove in California. The success of
the special features of these camp meetings caused
Bishop Vincent and others to consider the matter of
establishing centers devoted to various special subjects,
and in response to this idea, in 1874, Bishop Vincent
and Lewis Miller, of Ohio, founded the "Chautauqua"
in western New York and out of this beginning grew a
great system of education along neglected lines, until
the growth of the Chautauqua movement has reached
almost every town and community in the United
States. Two hundred and sixty thousand people have
joined in its work and more than fifty thousand have
graduated after a full four years term of study. The
Catholic church and the Jewish church both have
established Chautauqua centers. The Chautauqua idea
inspired the founding of a system in which talent of all
kinds — music, lectures and an almost endless variety of
entertainment — was placed within reach of almost
every platform and community. This system has
revolutionized the Lyceum platform. The entire field
devoted to this kind of work is organized in our nation

—17—

today. It fills a place between the school house and
the church, and outside of the church and school it is
now the greatest power in existence in developing
wholsome thought and progressive sentiment in the
United States.

And if we trace its history, we find one of its chief
beginnings and inspirations in the success of the first
national Camp Meeting held in Vineland Park forty-six
years ago. And when we recall the fact that for more
than twenty years Vineland has annually maintained
one of the most successful Courses of Star Entertain-
ments in the nation, it shows that we have retained our
appreciation of moral and intellectual culture and that
Vineland in a signal and practical way has profited by
the cultured zeal of its early pioneers.

VINELAND THE FOUNDER OF
GRAPE JUICE
Another great movement to the credit of Vineland
is the adoption of "Unfermented Wine" for sacramental
purposes, and the promotion of Grape Juice as a com-
mercial article. In the spring of 1869, when Vineland
was only eight years old. Dr. T. B. Welch was elected
Recording Steward of the Vineland Methodist Episcopal
church. He protested against his election on the
ground that he would not provide fermented wine for
the communion service. He was told that "he was
elected to the office and could furnish what he pleased."
When grapes were ripe that fall, Dr. Welch, helped by
his son. Dr. Charles E. Welch, squeezed grapes with his
hands and made the first unfermented Grape Juice of
modern times. It was made and sold under the name
of "Unfermented Wine" for over twenty years, when
the name was changed to "Grape Juice." It then
appears that the Vineland First Methodist Church first
used Unfermented Wine for communion purposes.

—18—

Dr. T. B. Welch, Dr. H. L. Tuller, Mr. Harrison Durgin
and Captain Daniel Tracy were all pioneers in promot-
ing its use and later Mr. Frank A. Breck, Mr Henry
Raisch, Mr. John Maytrott, The Vineland Grape Juice
Company and others have done much to introduce its
use to the public. Dr. Welch, Harrison Durgin and
Captain Tracy promoted its use for sacramental
purposes, and Dr. Tuller advocated it as a medicinal
and household article. While all of these men deserved
great credit for the enterprise they displayed in its
adoption by the public, to Dr. T. B. Welch and his son.
Dr. Charles E. Welch, now known as The Welch
Grape Juice Company, belong the special credit of in-
troducing Grape Juice to the world for sacramental
purposes and as an article of commerce. I am in-
formed that from the small beginning in 1869 the
Welch Grape Juice Company now annually press over
fourteen thousand tons of grapes, making an output of
over two million gallons of product. Many concerns
now manufacture Grape Juice and its sale is enormous.
At the present time practically all of the Protestant
churches almost throughout the world use the unfer-
mented Grape Juice instead of fermented wine. As a
temperance movement its influence is beyond compu-
tation. The Grape Juice business will always be
associated with Vineland, as it was for years almost the
source for the world's supply, the first gallon being
bottled at Fourth and Plum Streets. Vineland Grape
Juice is now known all over the world. For years
Vineland supplied not only churches in every State in
the union, but it was sent from our town to every
mission center of the Methodist church throughout the
world. Large quantities are sent to South America,

XoTE— In a recent Report, George E. Anderson, Consul General at Hong-
kong states that American Grape Juice is rapidly gainine foothold in China, that
already about $50,000 Nvorth is being annually distributed, that there is a chinatic
demand for nonalcoholic drinks; that Grape Juice is being found specially whole
some for Nvomen and children; that alcoholic drinks are being less and less used and
that the market for Grape Juice i-o-'-'^^^J^-^l^lIf I^l^e Em^^^^ ,,^ ,^j^

—19-

Australia, to Europe, to China and Japan and to the
Islands of the sea. Minister Wu, Ambassador from
China to the United States, became acquainted with the
virtues of Grape Juice while in America, and upon his
return to China, he occasionally ordered it in quantities
and it was sent direct from Vineland to his home in the
Chinese Empire.

From every viewpoint which it is possible to con-
sider the subject, Grape Juice is one of the greatest
factors in promoting temperance that has yet been
devised. Nothing so takes the place and is so well
calculated to become a substitute for alcoholic drinks
as Grape Juice, and the time surely will come when it
will be almost as much of a common household article
as is milk to-day. Those w ho promoted its adoption
are to be considered among the world's benefactors.
For Vineland to become the originator and promotor
of such an enterprise destined to so bless mankind the
world over, is an honor worthy of the highest praise.

VINELAND'S PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
Another achievement of Vineland is found in the
establishment and history of its public institutions.
Near our town are three public institutions with a
population of over one thousand and all of them are
models in construction and management. Twenty-
five years ago the care and training of unfortunates,
either of mind or body, was not only crude, but the
whole subject was treated with almost universal in-
difference. When in 1888 Rev. S. O. Garrison founded
the New Jersey Training School for Feeble Minded
Children, it became the nucleus of what was destined
to become in the course of its development, the center
of a new era in this line of benevolence. The Train-
ing School in recent years has developed a system of
study and of investigation that has attracted attention

-20—

not only in this country, but in foreign lands. There
is much not only interesting, but closely related to the
happiness and security of the human race associated
with the study of the cause and prevention of mental
deficiency. Those connected with our Training
School have undertaken to systematically study and,
if possible, to solve the great questions which arise in
connection with this subject. Progress in research
work by those connected with the Training School has
already made of Vineland a world centre in the study
of mental defects. They have so far succeeded that
they have attracted the attention of students and
specialists in this particular department throughout
the nation. They have also instituted a course of
study, carried on during the summer months, devoted
to such subjects and methods as have a practical appli-
cation in the education of children in general who are
backward in the regular school studies. This field is
an exceptionally interesting one and invites increasing
consideration along lines that are eminently practical
and vital. Already more than three hundred teachers
have taken the prescribed course at the Training
School and have gone out into various parts of the
nation better equipped not only to teach, but no
doubt impressed with the importance of the subject
of mental conditions. This movement cannot fail to
have a permanent basis and will develop in many
ways, and as people are instructed and an intelligent
sentiment is created regarding the desirability of im-
proving the race, great good will result to mankind in
general. The study of this subject has gone far enough
to prove that the progressive thought of the world in
the social, political, intellectual and medical fields will
become interested and concerned, and the day is not
far away when a more correct knowledge of the
causes which lead to all defects of mind will prevail
and the measures either of legal enactments or

—21—

education that can best prevent their occurrence will
be utilized and the improvement of the race will then
become a living issue and one of the duties of the
patriot and of every lover of his fellowman.

FRIENDSHIP AMONG RELIGIOUS
BELIEFS

In looking up the achievements of Vineland along
religious and moral lines, I have been impressed with
the part that the churches have taken and how friendly
they have worked together in building up not only the
cause of the Master, but in promoting everything that
was for the good of the town and community. When
the walls of our church were erected and the roof had
been finished, boards were used in this room for seats,
resting on nail-kegs, and the good Presbyterians of
those days invited the Methodists to come in and wor-
ship, and I have been informed that the Methodists
helped buy the original seats in this church, and when
our church has been undergoing repairs we have ac-
cepted invitations to worship in other churches.

While those who came here represented the widest
differences of religious faith, yet they lived in com-
parative harmon}^ In Vineland were all kinds of
beliefs, orthodox and otherwise, and yet as w^e look
back on its history we find that unfriendly controver-
sies have largely faded away. Almost every belief
exists here to-day and have houses of worship or
independent places where they adhere to their own
forms of ceremony. This is desirable. Divided into
separate groups we no doubt live in greater harmony
and accomplish more good than possible otherwise.

Vineland has occasionally suffered from the ex-
aggeration of those who did not understand the
situation. The chief difference between Vineland and
other places has been that here every man and woman

-22—

has felt free to publicly express his or her private
opinions upon all subjects, including religion, and
where a sufficient number agreed upon any doctrine
or line of thought they felt at liberty to organize and
hold religious meetings suited to their own views and
tastes no matter how widely they differed from the
prevailing beliefs and more widely accepted forms of
worship. Manj'^ years ago the great Metropolitan
papers seemed to delight in creating an impression
that Vineland, religiously and otherwise, was different
from other places, yet this might be strongly question-
ed. I have seen copies of these newspapers asserting
that at certain meetings held in Vineland, doctrines
were preached that deserved to be criticized, that
marriage vows were loosely held and religion in
general was ridiculed, yet these things were circum-
scribed to narrow limits. It was true, however, that
differences of opinion in religion, politics and other
matters, caused many a controversy, and there have
been as many pop-guns filled with hot air to explode
in our midst as in any town in the United States, yet it
can be as truly said that when there was genuine
reason for a united effort on the part of our people to
crush some evil, no town in the United States could
summon heavier artilliery and deal a more crushing
blow to any invasion that threatened the welfare of
the community, than could Vineland.

When I came to Vineland thirty odd years ago I
received a letter from a friend of mine referring to
these things. My attention was called to a national con-
vention, that had been held in this town, composed of
women with peculiar notions regarding religion and
morals, at the time styled "free thinkers" and where
one of the leaders more bold than others made asser-
tions regarding marriage and moral relations that were
considered grossly improper. But let me tell you that
this same woman, born in the rurals of Tennessee, has

—23—

experienced poverty, obscurity, notoriety, fame, social
position and a title as a wife and widow of a millionaire
philanthropist who was knighted by England's King.
And though her life has had many changes including a
period of mazy religious belief, she is now "Lady
Cook" of London noted for her intelligence, and
interest in the poor, an earnest Christian, a genuine
philanthropist devoting her wealth and talents to uplift
those who are downtrodden and discouraged.

Many years ago during a special revival of religion
in this town, when the churches were united, and con-
certed effort was made to reach outsiders and bring
them into the fold of the church, those who were
opposed to that sort of thing, paraded the streets, and a
young lady riding on a white horse led the procession
up Landis Avenue. It was looked upon by some as a
defiance of that which was sacred and holy. But let
me tell you that this same young lady came back to
Vineland years afterward a converted and consistent
Christian, and for years, in the town in which she has
lived, has been zealous in church work, and I know of
others, less conspicuous, who have joined the ranks of
Christian workers, who in early life sympathized and to
some measure took part in activities that seemed to be
in opposition to that which we religiously hold sacred
and dear. The prevailing thought of our people how-
ever has always been loyal to scriptural doctrines and
the prevailing trend of effort has always been toward
higher ideals. Let us learn to look upon the antago-
nisms in the religious life of Vineland during its history
as rather a virtue than an evil. There has always been
not only an earnestness, but a joy and a hearty
enthusiasm in the moral and religious activities of
Vineland.

The churches, taken as a whole, have always been
willing to join hands with every good work, and in

-24-

few towns have the various reUgious elements lived in
greater harmony. Our church bells on Sabbath morn-
ing, ring in unison and the musical tones of the
Episcopal church chimes are a delight to all.

I was impressed sometime back in reading a
notice of our Methodist friends during Vineland's early
history. In those days they had plenty of room, plenty
of ground outside, and their advertisement of a church
fair ran thus:

"To our citizens:

FAIR, AT METHODIST CHAPEL. Bring
anything worthy of a show. Fruits, vegetables,
live stock, tools, driving horses, cows, etc. Let
Vineland fairly represent itself. Ladies are
especially expected to show flowers, fancy work,
specimens, etc. No danger of crowding. Come
all. Whatever you bring you will get a prize or
receive honorable mention."

Our Presbyterian church sometime afterward, not
to be outdone, held a fair and it offered as a prize — "A
New Bonnet" — to the pastor's wife, including all the
churches of the town, who received the most votes for
her popularity. The object of the fair was to raise
money to finish the top of the tower of the Presby-
terian church. I do not know what pastor's wife won
the bonnet, but they made enough money to finish
the church tower. Whether the four peaked top of
the tower was patterned after the bonnet or not, was
not stated. But these events show that in those
pioneer days when churches needed money, they used
means at hand to get it.

Our churches have been holding Union Thanks-
giving services since the beginning of the town. One
of the first was held in this church. We are informed
that the church was crowded, although a rainy day.
In those days they knew better perhaps than we know
now how to get a crowd out Thanksgiving Day.

-25—

Pastor Wells was the speaker and on that Thanks-
giving morning when the congregation had assembled,
a young man came up one of these aisles with a young
lady leaning on his arm. They stood in front of this
altar and were united in marriage, and after receiving
that famous kiss, given to all young brides by Pastor
Wells, they went out man and wife. I say this for the
benefit of the young men and women present, because
our handsome new church when completed, will
afford a delightful environment for the marriage
ceremony.

This church was first organized July 7, 1863, whh
twenty-nine members. The first sermon preached in
Vineland was by Rev. Mr. McConnaughay, pastor of
the First Presbyterian Church of Millville, the services
being held in Mr. Mabbitt's barn, then located at the
corner of Landis avenue and Myrtle street. The first
communion service was held in a school house where
the Grove House now stands, and was conducted by
the Presbyterians, with sixty participating. This
church was dedicated by Rev. Ezra Eastman Adams,
who had been Professor of Theology in Lincoln
University, and Editor of ''The Presbyterian'' of
Philadelphia.

Rev. Samuel Loomis, the first pastor, was installed
July 7, 1863.

Rev. John O. Wells, was installed April 19, 1866.

Rev. D. H. King, January 1, 1877.

Rev. J. Russell Verbrycke, November 3, 1912.

While the church has been in existence fifty years,
it has been served by only four pastors. All of these
pastors have been able, earnest, christian men, and be-
loved by the people they served.

Mention should be made of the career of Miss
Abbie F. Leavitt as a member of this church. She

-26—

c -

served as a Sunday School Superintendent for seven-
teen years, was a Trustee and Treasurer for many
years. She was active, aggressive and especially
devoted to the cause of temperance. She was
President of the local and county W. C. T. U., and
during her administration in our community the cause
of temperance was a live one. For many years union
temperance services were held in rotation in the
various churches, one Sunday evening every three
months. Temperance meetings were held in the W.
C. T. U. hall every Sunday afternoon for many years.
A temperance Sunday School was carried on in con-
nection with these meetings, and during these years
Vineland was visited by nearly all the leading temper-
ance workers of the nation. The first Order of Good
Templars in the state was established in Vineland.
Among those who have visited Vineland and delivered
addresses upon the subject of temperance are John G.
Woolley, Clinton B. Fisk and Governor John P. St.
John, all presidential candidates, Francis Willard,
Neal Dow, Mary Lathrop, J. Ellen Foster. Dr. Anna
Shaw, Francis Murphy, Clinton Howard, Col. George
W. Bain, Dr. C. H. Meade, Helen Gouger, and
George Scott, a number of whom have been here
several times.

During the pastorate of Rev. D. H. King, D. D.,
our church enjoyed unusual prosperity and he display-
ed great energy and earnestness. Dr King can well
claim to be the founder of "OLD FOLKS' DAY" now
so well known and adopted by many churches
throughout the country. While isolated services had
occasionally been held of special interest to the aged.
Dr. King's enthusiasm and interest in old people made
the celebration popular for which he deserves special
credit. Old Folks' Day has been observed in this
church on the second Sunday of September annually

—27-

for twenty years and has been heartily appreciated by
the old people of this community.

Dr. King during his ministry, made over sixteen
thousand pastoral calls, carrying sunshine and en-
couragement into the homes of his parishioners. He
received into this church nine hundred and twenty-
four members. He performed four hundred and
twenty-seven marriage ceremonies and what a delight-
ful vision this must be to his memorj-. What a con-
noisseur of bridal flowers! What a splendid judge of
wedding cake! He also conducted six hundred and
sixty-five funerals. This would be a funeral every
day for nearly two years. To stand beside so many
coffins and speak words of consolation to those who
are bereaved, and offer the assurances of the gospel
surely entitles a man to a special rew ard in the home
of the blessed.

POETRY, LITERATURE AND CULTURE

Poetry and Literature have been indigenous to
Vineland since its birth. Our town is greatly indebted
to those who are inspired by the Muse. I was sur-
prised at finding eight volumes of poetry in the
Historical Society written by Vinelanders. These
poets have done much to keep Vineland's popularity
and progress on the crest of the wave and to combat
those who have been disposed to criticise and belittle.

"Friends, come and see — nor stay and cry,
'Utopian,' 'a sell,' 'a lie,'
Once here you'll find like one of old.
That the attractions have not been told.
While through each coming golden year.
Your Vineland home shall be more dear."

Nearly every public event in the earh^ history cf
the town was accorded the recital of a poem special

-28—

for the occasion. The first newspaper published con-
tained an original poem; most of the issues for years
contained original verses, many of them singing the
praises of Vineland. I have known most of these
poets, and their acquaintance has been a pleasure and
a profit. They have loved Vineland and its people
and their efforts were to make happiness and sunshine
attend the struggles and sorrows of life's experiences.

Dr. King is to be numbered among Vineland's
recognized poets. He has enshrined in verse the
sentiments of many occasions and at his anniversary
every year we have sung together a hymn of his com-
posing. This has added an interest and a charm to
the recurring exercise as the years went by.

We also have in our membership Mrs. Carrie
Ellis Breck, who has written over twelve hundred
hymns and over two hundred other poems and articles
for papers and magazines. Many of her hymns have
won a national reputation. One of them has been a
favorite for years wherever Christian people have
gathered and raised their voices in song and praise.
I refer to that beautiful hymn, "face to face."

Face to face with Christ my Saviour,
Face to face — what will it be.^

When with rapture I behold him,
Jesus Christ who died for me.

Face to face shall I behold him.

Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all his glory,

I shall see him by and by!

This hymn written by Mrs. Breck, was first sung
years ago by the evangelist Grant Tuller in front of
this pulpit, and is now found in most of the modern
collections of sacred songs.

—29—

Work of this kind and the recognition it has
received surely is a compliment to our community
and is worthy of being considered as one of
Vineland's honored achievements. May Vineland's
poets long live and others be born, because we know
that so long as they do, it can be said that:

"The very name of Vineland charms,

The weary ones elsewhere,

The beauty of its meaning warms

Desires to breathe its air.

The land of fruit, the land of spring,

Land neath a favored sky.

Land where the strange bird's weary wing

May fold, no more to fly.

Land of adoption swift to come.

Fair clime, vines and flowers.

Clime that affords the heart a home,

A sunny clime now ours."

General literature, as well as poetr3% has also been
native to Vineland. One hundred and four books are
to-day in the Historical Societ}^ written by Vinelanders.
This is a surprising number, and few to^^^ls the size
of ours in this nation can claim as much. About forty
of these books were written by men and women who
have worshipped in this church. Not only has litera-
ture been produced and flourished here, but men and
women devoted to patriotic and progressive measures,
have visited Vineland and delivered addresses to a
greater extent perhaps than any other town in the
nation.

Vineland people have always been awake and
willing to listen and learn. A square deal has awaited
every question and ever>^ vital issue. Nowhere has
woman's voice or woman's cause received a more cor-
dial welcome. When Vineland was only nine j-ears
old, the county elected one of our citizens to the state

-30—

Legislature. He carried with him a Hberally signed
petition to change the state constitution in favor of
equal suffrage. "Women's Rights" which meant
woman suffrage, was as familiar a term and as much
favored in Vineland forty years ago as is "Votes for
Women" in the average town to-day. Vineland has
never been a laggard but a leader and always among
the first to make new footprints forming the aggres-
sive and advancing pathway of progress.

One of the first great orators to come to Vineland
was the giant reformer, Wendell Phillips, who oc-
cupied this pulpit. And from that time until now
reformers, patriots, temperance workers, men with a
message who loved mankind and had special powers
to lead in world movements, have delighted in visiting
Vineland and addressing our people, always going
away convinced that here the popular mind and popu-
lar heart were in full accord with the onward march
of progress and civilization. Among those with a
national reputation, who have addressed Vineland
audiences are the following: Woodrow Wilson,
Theodore Roosevelt, President Taft, President Grant,
Vice President Colfax, Grace Greenwood, Mary
Livermore, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton,
Julia Ward Howe, D wight Hillis, Theodore Tilton,
Governor Hadley, Henry George, James G. Blaine,
Horace Greely, Fred Douglas, Bishop McCabe, John
Temple Graves, Thomas Dixon, Frank Dixon, Hon.
George R. Wendling, Russell H. Conwell, J. Irving
Handy, Gen'l George B. Gordon, Dr. Harvey Wiley,
Josh Billings, Bill Nye, Robert Colyer, Judge Lindsay,
Joseph Fels, Frank Gunsaulus and a host of others.

PHILANTHROPY

Our church has also made a name for itself in the
cause of philanthropy. One of our officials, Mr. B. D.

—31—

Maxham, in his will, left $100,000 to the Training:
School. Dr. R. B. Moore, during his residence in
Vineland, I have been credibly informed, gave per-
haps nearly as much to the cause of benevolence,
education and religion. Mrs. Leake and others have
done their part and I think it is within reasonable
bounds to state that during the history of this church
outside of what was given to various church Boards
that more than a quarter of a million dollars have
been given to various causes by those who worshipped
here.

Our people in general have always been devoted
to benevolence. In the founding and development of
our public institutions they have done much to pro-
mote their growth and insure their success. And in
the broader field of patriotism and philanthropy
Vineland has always shown a spirit of loyalty and
liberality worthy of the highest praise.

Special mention should be made of Dr. Moore's
gift of the Italian Mission church and parsonage locat-
ed in this town, both of which he built at his own ex-
pense. This mission has become a most worthy and
successful field of Christian work. It is under the
management of the Presbyterian Board. A flourishing
Sunday School is maintained in connection with the
church and the work is increasingly appreciated by
those it is intended to reach. This church and the
work connected with it is worthy of full confidence
and support.

A COLONIZING SPIRIT
The early settlers of Vineland gave to the world a
practical lesson in city building. By adopting the
system of small sized farms they developed a new era
in the growing of fruits and produce. The new colony
they helped to found and make successful has had a

—32—

wide and important influence.

As nature had given this region only limited ad-
vantages, the settlers employed artificial methods to
meet the occasion. Our wide avenues and streets,
ample sidewalks, beautiful shade trees, uniform build-
ing line, extensive advertising, under the magic power
of brains and industry and sobriety, made this a model
community. Vineland's success and growth establish-
ed the success and growth of the colonizing spirit.
This colonizing spirit has shown its power and influ-
ence not only throughout South Jersey, but beyond the
borders of the state. The same brains that founded
and established Vineland founded Hammonton, Rosen-
hayn and Sea Isle City. Out from Vineland went the
founders of Holly Beach, Wildwood and Wildwood
Crest, all of them splendid examples of constructive
thought and enterprise. Wherever Vinelanders have
migrated, whether to Florida or California, they have
carried with them the cohesive and constructive
qualities of genuine home and community builders.

Vineland's colonizing spirit was early recognized
across the sea. Italian immigrants have been coming
to Vineland almost from the beginning, and they have
taken a foremost rank in developing and improving
our land, establishing homes and promoting every
form of enterprise by their industry, frugal habits and
thrift.

It is estimated that at present there are over three
thousand Italians living within a trading radius of
Vineland and they constitute an important factor in
every department of progressive activity.

When the Hebrew exodus from Russia took place
in 1882, one of their chief colonies was founded in the
vicinity of Vineland. This early settlement has been
constantly growing and while the Jews have been
successful at farming, their aptitude for business and

—33—

manufacturing enterprise has been increasingly mark-
ed. Their business acumen is a challenge to every
form of rival and in our community they are main-
taining the same spirit of thrift which history all
through the ages has recorded in their favor. The
Hebrews have shown their urban tendencies by found-
ing villages and towns as centres of their population.
Among these are Alliance, Norma, Brotmanville and
the modern development of Rosenhayn. Much of the
business and manufacturing in our town is conducted
by the Hebrews and they keep in touch with the
enterprise of our larger cities and many of them are
affiliated with well known establishments of Philadel-
phia and New York. About three thousand Hebrews
are located in this section, and their numbers and
influence are constantly on the increase.

I have been informed that an average of three
hundred letters per week are sent from Vineland to
Europe, chiefly written either in Italian and bound for
Italy or written in Hebrew and addressed to Russia.
When we add the additional fact that more than one
thousand persons get on and off the trains at our
depots every day in the year, we realize that Vineland
is in constant and vital touch with the outside world.

CONCLUSION

It can well be claimed that few towns of
Vineland's size are better known in America or Europe.
We are as a city set upon a hill. Vineland's influence
covers a realm upon which the sun never sets. Let us
realize that whatever we do to establish the cause of
religion or promote the principles of truth and morali-
ty, is of wide and vital significance.

Let us feel that the moral and religious history of
Vineland's first half century is secure. The men and
women who settled this wilderness and built the

—34—

churches and school houses and made it the success
that it is, have mostly gone to their reward. Vineland
is their monument. To possess a heritage so associat-
ed with noble efforts and high achievements is our
good fortune. As we look about us we are proud of
what we see.

Four thousand homes

From a wilderness grown,

Beautiful Vineland

Everywhere known.

And to-night as we stand between the Vineland of
the past and the Vineland of the future, may we re-
solve that by the practice of morality, of industry, of
patriotism, of religion and of civic devotion, we will
transmit unimpaired this garden spot of New Jersey
to those who shall take our places in the years that are
to come.

HECKMAN

BINDERY INC.

AUG 94