In 1808 the little band of believers were greatly strengthened by the removal from Kingston to St. John of Mr. Thomas Pettingill, who had been converted under the labors of Elder Innis. Mr. Pettingill was filled with religious fervor and an earnest desire to bring sinners to Christ. His house was at once consecrated to the service and worship of God, and his heart and purse were open to support the infant cause. When Baptist ministers came to the city, they were gladly received by him. In the absence of ordained ministers the members did not fail to maintain regularly the worship of Almighty God.
VISITS OF EVANGELISTS, 1808-1810.
In addition to the visits of the Ministerial Pioneers from Nova Scotia, ministers were sent here by the Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society. Elders Isaac Chase, Henry Hale, and David Merrill spent considerable time in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. They were eminently useful in preaching the Gospel, administering its ordinances, and in confirming the infant churches in the doctrines and practice of the New Testament Christianity. Each of these Evangelists visited the city and rendered valuable service to the cause of the Master.
CHURCH ORGANIZED 1810.
On May 23rd, 1810, the Church was organized by Rev. Henry Hale, and called the First Baptist Church of St. John. The membership consisted of twelve persons—seven brothers and five sisters, who had been brought to a knowledge of the truth through the labors of Revs. Edward Manning, Joseph Crandall, James Innes, Theodore Harding, James Manning, Joseph Dimmock, Thomas Ansley, and other evangelists. The names of the original members so far as we are able to obtain them are as follows: (1) Jeremiah Drake, grandfather of Brunswick and the Misses Drake; (2) Thomas Pettingill, father of the late James Pettingill; (3) Nathan Garrison, father of the late Deacon George A. Garrison; (4) George Harding, son of the late Captain William Harding; (5) John M. Wilmot; (6) William Stenning, an uncle of the late Deacon J. H. Harding. (1) Mrs. Thomas Harding, mother of the late Deacon John H. Harding; (2) Mrs. Uriah Hatfield; (3) Mrs. Lovett, wife of Captain Lovett. It is probable that the other three members were from among the following persons: Mrs. Harper, Mr. A. Magee, Amy Nixon, Captain William Harding and his wife, all of whom had shown much interest previous to the formation of the Church.
First Officers.
Nathan Garrison was the first Church Clerk. Thomas Pettingill was chosen Deacon of the little Church on account of his deep-toned piety and sincere devotion to the cause of God. He was soon joined in office by Jeremiah Drake, and “these two, like Jachin and Boaz, the pillars of Solomon’s temple, did, as these names signify, Establish in Strength the truth as it is in Jesus, both by precept and example. In the absence of a settled minister, they regularly maintained and led the religious exercises of the Church, so that when they were called up higher they had seen the cause of Christ greatly advanced through their instrumentality, and departing bequeathed to the church a precious legacy,
‘The stainless memory of the just,
The wealth beyond the grave.’”
Mr. Asa Blakslee was the first person baptized after the organization of the Church.
Mrs. Thomas Harding, who died in her ninetieth year in August, 1875, was the last of the twelve that formed the little band in 1810. She saw the small vine send out boughs to the sea and branches to the river, and many dwell under its goodly shadow.