USA > Maryland > Cecil County > A history of the Rock Presbyterian church in Cecil county, Maryland > Part 2
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3d. Although he may fail, and in a few years be unfit to undergo all the fatigues of his ministerial labors, yet, notwithstanding, we are willing still to adhere to, and abide by, him as our pastor, without di- minishing aught of his ordinary provision. Judging it right to parti- cipate and bear with his age and infirmities, seeing we have enjoyed the benefit of his youth and vigor ; nor is there any just ground for him to dread being involved in any insurmountable difficulties arising from his continuance here, for we will succor him during his life, and finally bury his remains carefully in the silent dust.
4th. As to the probability of his being more useful elsewhere, this we conceive ought to be weighed with the great desolations and darkness that will as probably take place amongst us in consequence of this removal. This is more than probable, for it seems evident to us ; and such an evil ought not to be promoted here that a probable good may be effected elsewhere. Who knows how soon the showers of grace may descend on this, indeed, almost barren vineyard, and cause it to bud and blossom as a rose, and bear much fruit and crown his labors with blessings, even here in this parched soil. Alas! the laborers in God's vineyard in this part of the country are few. In
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twenty miles around there are only two pastors to administer seal- ing ordinances, and where are the candidates ?
5th. We are glad that our pastor is so well pleased with those min- isters to the Westward, because he can the more cheerfully commit the spiritual concerns of his children there to their care, and as to their temporal concerns, he can as readily commit that to Divine Pro- vidence. These considerations may afford him sufficient satisfaction and content of mind in their absence. And we rejoice to hear that the wild world inclines to reform, and are blessed with faithful watch- men ; but it would still be an additional joy and comfort to us if Mr. Finley could obtain such singular satisfaction in union with the ministers here as he expects to enjoy with those to the Westward, in the government of Christ's kingdom; the which we believe he does not,-the cause of which is known to this Rev. Presbytery, as we suppose, and the remedy in their power to apply.
6th and lastly. Mr. Finley mentions a condition made when he ac- cepted a call from part of this congregation, viz : That his acceptance should not be considered as a bar in the way of his removing to the Westward afterwards, if he should choose to do so. As to this we observe : that it is customary and necessary, in the very nature of contracts, that each party contracting hear and understand all the terms and conditions on which they agree. But this congregation of Elk have not heard of that condition mentioned by Mr. Finley, until the time he applied for a dismission. Ergo, &c. There was no inti- mation of it at the time he was ordained to this congregation, nor did the Rev. Presbytery loose Mr. Finley from his first charge, and install him to the congregation again, when it was enlarged by the union of. another part ; nay, they countenanced the union, and looked upon the people who came in, as being under the same obligations to Mr. Finley as his first people, and he under the same to them ; and to suppose Mr. Finley engaged to one part, and at liberty to desert from the other part at any time he chose, does not to us seem very consistent ; and the one part coming in and taking him for their pas- tor also, could not weaken nor alter his first engagements. If Mr. Finley proposed this condition to the Rev. Presbytery, and if it was accepted of by them their minutes will show ;- but how the Rev. Presbytery could dispense with such a condition, or pass the same without the approbation of, or even without any intimation thereof being given to, this congregation, we must leave to the Rev. Presby- tery themselves to demonstrate. And may the Eternal Spirit of Truth lead you into all Truth, and out of all error, that ye may all speak the same thing, and be of the same mind, and of the same judgment. Amen."
From the action of Presbytery he appealed to Synod, and had it set aside. He took his family West in the Spring of 1783, but New-
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Castle Presbytery never dismissed him until 1785, when, June 1st, he was received by Old-Redstone Presbytery. He became pastor of Rehoboth and Round-Hill congregations, which he had organized during his previous visits to Western Pennsylvania. These two churches still exist, are nine miles apart, and in a prosperous condi- tion. He continued their pastor for twelve years, until his decease, January 6th, 1795, aged 70 years. His last words were an exhor- tation to his children to attend above all to the interests. of their souls, that were of infinite worth. It is said he was the first minister of the Gospel, except army chaplains, that ever set foot on Western soil. He was a short, fat man, with a ruddy countenance, and nerv- ous, rapid movements. A small bequest was left by him to Jefferson College, to aid in educating pious young men for the ministry. He married a Miss Hannah Evans, daughter of Robert Evans, and sister of Captain John Evans, who owned the rolling-mill property east of Cherry-Hill. Mr. Finley owned and resided on the White-Hall pro- perty, near Andora. He was one of seven sons, and the father of seven sons. His son James Finley, Jr., was interred at Sharp's graveyard, 1722, aged 5 years, over whose grave still stands a small tombstone. Another son, John Evans Finley, became a preacher of the Gospel. A grandson, the Rev. Robert M. Finley, still lives in Wooster, Ohio. We have been thus minute respecting Mr. Finley, feeling it due to the memory of such a godly, useful man, who for more than 30 years faithfully preached the Word in this community.
A VACANCY FOR TWENTY-SIX YEARS. 1783-1809.
Mı. Finley left about the close of the Revolution. The people were impoverished and demoralized, and the national currency depreciated by the protracted struggle. The land was poor and unproductive, and the new lands of the West became about this time a great attraction. Multitudes went West. For these and other reasons, the churches were in great straits, and unable to secure or support pastors. This church had its full share of the trials of the times. Mr. Finley was popular, and when he went West many of his people followed him. Presbytery still continued to send supplies. Often they had no preaching for months at a time, and in 1795 we have no record of any supply to this pulpit. Still the organization lived, and made repeated efforts to secure a pastor.
The Rev. John Burton. a licentiate from Scotland, was taken under the care of New-Castle Presbytery, June 14th, 1785, and appointed a stated supply to this church, and in October was called to become its pastor. The following note was his response to that call : "My grateful acknowledgments are due to this congregation for their favorable opinion of me, and the unanimity they have showed in giv- ing me a call to be their pastor. My wish is, that they and I be further acquainted. I declare my willingness to labor statedly among them
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till your next meeting of Presbytery, in April, and go through the congregation in a course of visitation and examination. And that they have their choice to give, or not to give, a call to me then, and I my choice to accept or refuse ; that this call be lodged with the Trus- tees of the congregation till that time, and that they will pay accord- ing to their subscriptions, for the time intervening." Having preached for them nearly a year, he declined their call, and accepted one to St. George's, Del. After laboring there more than eight years, without ever being installed, he returned that call to Presbytery, October 8th, 1794. The next spring he went to Lewes Presbytery, and was called to Lewes, December 11th, 1797. We do not know that he was ever installed over that charge. In 1805 he returned to New-Castle Pres- bytery, and continued to supply various churches. He died in Wil- mington, 1825, and was buried at St. George's, Del. He was an ex- cellent linguist and theologian, was frank and outspoken, and noted for his eccentricities. Mr. Burton had a little farm advertised for sale. A certain party went to buy it, when he told them, " It was a wet, sorry soil, and they would starve on it." He was so absent- minded as to often drive home other people's conveyances, so that his parishoners had to see him safely away from church.
The Rev. Francis Hindman received a call from this congregation and that of New-London, in 1790, but Presbytery refused to place the call in his hands until the difficulty with the Lewes Presbytery about his licensure was adjusted. A decided opposition to his instal- lation, by a part of this congregation, prevented him from ever be- coming its pastor, although he supplied the pulpit for about a year.
The Rev. John E. Latta was the next to receive a united call, in April, 1800, from this church and that of New-London. About the same time he received and accepted a call to New-Castle, Del., where he was a faithful pastor until his death, in 1824. He was the father- in-law of the Rev. R. P. DuBois.
The Rev. Samuel Leacock acted as stated supply to this people for four years. He was received by Presbytery of Philadelphia, October 22d, 1794, as a foreign minister, from the Lancashire Association of Independent Ministers of Great Britain. On Nov. 13th, he was ap- pointed to supply the Pittsgrove church, Pa., to which congregation he was called, April 22d, and installed pastor Aug. 12th, 1795. After three years a difficulty arose in his church, and the pastoral relation was dissolved. Sept. 24th, 1799, he sits as corresponding member of New-Castle Presbytery, and, April 2d, 1800, presents his certificate from Presbytery of Philadelphia. In the fall of that year he became stated supply to this church, and continued with it in that capacity until 1804. While here he resided at Spring-Lawn Mills. Sept. 25th, 1804, he was dismissed to Oneida Presbytery, Central New-York.
The Rev. John Waugh was the chief supply from 1804 to 1806. Dur- ing 1805, he gave one-half his time to this people, and the other half
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to White-Clay Creek. He was licensed Sept. 30, 1801, and ordained April 2d, 1806, at a meeting of Presbytery in this church. He mar- ried Miss Mary Platt, the daughter of Dr. Platt, of Newark, Del. His chief work was teaching, and for a number of years he was the Principal of Newark Academy. He died Dec. 15th, 1806.
A PASTORATE OF TWENTY-SIX YEARS, 1809-1835.
The Rev. Robert Graham came from Western Pennsylvania, a licen- tiate of Carlisle Presbytery, and accepted a call to the New-London and Rock congregations, Sept. 12th. 1808. He was ordained and in- stalled pastor, Dec. 13th, 1809. The Rock only received one-third of his time. Mr. Graham was a medium-sized man, black hair, blind of one eye ; agreeable in address, and had many warm friends. He was a fair preacher, a faithful pastor, an active temperance advocate, and a friend of progress. The church was greatly benefitted by his la- bors. About a year before his death he was thrown out of his car- riage, and received an injury from which he never recovered. He died at his residence, two miles northwest of New-London, Nov. 5th, 1835, and left a large, but short-lived, family, that now sleep with him the sleep of death, at New-London.
SUPPLIES FOR SIX YEARS, 1835-1841.
New-London declining to unite again in the support of a pastor, the Rock found it difficult to obtain a preacher, and for six years was chiefly dependent on supplies from Presbytery.
The Rev. Andrew Jardine was born Feb. 25th, 1785, in Parish of South Dean, Scotland. His parents were Thomas Jardine and Janet Oliver, both pious members of the Established Kirk. When a child he was struck by lightning, and his eyes were severely injured for some years. He early desired to preach the Gospel, but his parents were too poor to educate him. He spent half a lifetime farming, tending sheep, and teaching school, in his efforts to acquire an educa- tion. While in the Edinburg University, he taught a classical school, and was secretary of the Scottish Bible Society. Having been licensed in 1832 by Presbytery of New-Castle in England, he was supply for six months at Felton, England. In 1834, a Dr. Rose gathered a colo- ny in Jedburgh, Scotland, for America, and invited Mr. Jardine to become its pastor. He was ordained in England, Aug. 5th, 1834, and with the colony settled at Silver Lake, Penn. The colonists were dissatisfied, and soon scattered. Mr. Jardine left and joined Presby- tery of Philadelphia, April, 1836. The next year he came to this locality, and was for nearly three years stated supply of the Rock church. From this place he went for a short time to Durham church, Bucks county. Penn., and then for eighteen months to Port Carbon, and finally became pastor of Middle Tuscarora, Juniata county, Pa., where he remained for sixteen years. In the early part of that pas-
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torate his labors were wonderfully blessed. The people were from Scotland, and he was adapted to the field. The church at one time had five hundred members. Old age, and a severe attack of fever impaired his powers ; the old people died, the young were dissatis- fied with him, and the church asked Presbytery for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, which was granted. He afterwards supplied Mt. Pleasant, Clearfield co., Pa., for a few months, and in 1858, went to East Maine, Brown county, New York, and there lived with his cousin, Wm. Hogg, until his death from old age, June 17th, 1868. He never married. Mr. Jardine was an excellent scholar, a good pastor, a solid but dry, tedious preacher ; was neither a bright nor great, but a good man. He was not suited to this field, and the church declined under his ministry. M
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Rev. Abraham Detsitt was born Dec. 2d, 1798, in Warren co., N. J., educated at Easton, Pa., Bloomfield, N. J., and Princeton Semi- nary, was licensed Oct. 6th, 1831, ordained as an evangelist Oct. 30th, 1832, and sent as a Domestic Missionary, for one year, to Great Bend, Penn. Nov. 14th, 1834, he was installed pastor of the Lewes, Cool- spring and Indian-River churches, of Delaware, where he remained until Nov. 22d, 1838. After teaching some time at Princeton, N. J., he began preaching to this people, Sept. 20th, 1840, and became their pastor Sep. 13th, 1841. and continued in that relation until April 10th, 1855. He married, Sep. 27th, 1832, Miss Anna, daughter of Abraham Terhune, Princeton, N. J. He and his wife still reside in this congre- gation, respected and beloved by the people with whom they have mingled for the last thirty years.
Rev. George Marshall was ordained and installed pastor of this church, May 13th, 1856. He was born in Ireland about 1831, but received his education in this country, graduating at Union College, N. Y., and Princeton Seminary, N. J. Mr. Marshall possessed fine natural powers, had a generous, unselfish heart, a child-like trust in God, and an ardent love for the Master's work. Under many difficul- ties and discouragements, he labored faithfully to build up the inter- ests of this church. He died Feb. 27th, 1861. He married Miss Bella Campbell, of Ireland, who died in 1864. His body, with those of his wife and two children, lies in Sharp's graveyard ; and his two daugh- ters, Lizzie and Carrie, reside with his brother, William Marshall, in Missouri.
The present pastor was born in Baltimore, Maryland, graduated at Princeton College and Seminary ; was licensed by New-Castle Pres- bytery, April 10th, 1861, and ordained and installed in this charge, May 6th, 1862. Since its organization in 1720, this church has had seven pastors, and during forty years it has been dependent on sup- plies.
THE NAMES.
Few churches have had such a variety of names. It was at first
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called the New-Erection, on the branches of Elk-river, then Elk- river, Great Elk, Upper Elk, and Elk. During the schism from 1741 to 1761, the Old-Side congregation was called Elk, and the New-Side East-Nottingham ; and after the reunion in 1761, it is occasionally called Elk, but generally East-Nottingham. The first time that the name Rock appears on the records is Oct., 1787 ; then we see no more of Rock until 1793, from which time to the present this has been the only name. By an act of the General Assembly of Maryland, in 1801, it was incorporated as "The Rock Presbyterian Church, in North Milford Hundred, Cecil county, State of Maryland."
BUILDINGS.
The first building was located at the Stone-Graveyard, Lewisville, Chester co., and was probably a small log house, with no floor, no fireplace, and a few small windows. In those days the people pro- vided their benches or pews according to their own taste and means, and there was no doubt a variety of the " high and low seats in the synagogue." In this house occurred the strife about seats, which was settled by Presbytery in 1725, as we have already stated.
The second building was erected by the New-Side about 1741, at Sharp's Graveyard. It was a frame, covered with clap-boards, and was a decided advance on the original house. When the Old and New sides united under Mr. Finley, in 1761, they worshipped for a short time at Sharp's Graveyard. We know not what became of this house ; tradition says it was removed to the present Cleaver property, and converted into a barn.
The third building was erected in 1761, by the united congregations under Mr. Finley. It was built of stone, and its dimensions precisely the same as those of the present house. It had three doors-one in each end, about ten feet from the east side, and one midway in the west side. Between the end doors was a wide aisle, running the en- tire length of the church, in which were the long benches or tables used at the communions. About the middle of the east side stood the massive, elaborately-carved blue pulpit, perched high up against the wall, with an immense sounding-board projecting overhead along the ceiling. A rounding stairway of ten or twelve steps ran up the pul- pit on the south side, while beneath the pulpit, in front, was a boxed- up space for the choir, which in those days consisted of one man, " the clark." From the pulpit to the door, in the west side, was a medium sized aisle, and some eight or ten feet from each end of the church, and running from the long aisle towards the west side, were two nar- row aisles. The pews rose in amphitheatre style as they approached the walls. The back pews along the two ends, also those along the west side, were high boxes, with small blue balustrades in the front. The pews had doors, and were without paint. The floor was made of plaster. The two large posts that supported the ceiling, as well as
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the doors, and the window frames were, like the pulpit, painted blue. The architecture of that church was very common in those days. In 1805 the building received a new roof, and at different times was re- paired, but in 1844 it was thoroughly remodeled and modernized.
The fourth building. After twenty-seven years, the floor, the roof, and the inside generally, needed repairing. The congregation began the work, and kept on repairing, until to-day we enter a virtually new house. What a contrast between this fourth building and the first log house, the second clap-boarded frame one, and the antiquated third !
THE WORK.
For nearly one hundred years, this, church was the only place where the people of this entire community, for miles around, assembled to pay their homage to the living God. For the want of records, we know not how many have had their names on its roll of membership; but we do know that a great multitude of such as are already saved and crowned in glory, here learned the way of Eternal Life. During Mr. Graham's ministry, we hear of two revivals-one in 1822, when eleven were received as members,and in 1832, when over thirty pro- fessed their faith. While Mr. Dergitt was pastor, eight united at one time, seven at another, and in 1844 twenty came out on the Lord's side. Mr. Marshall's heart was made glad in 1858, when twenty-three stood up for Jesus. During the present pastorate, this church has been blessed with three precious ingatherings : in 1865, twelve; in 1867, twenty-four, and in 1870, twenty-seven. Besides these special out-pourings, God's Spirit has been ever descending upon the church like the gentle dew, refreshing its members, and adding to it daily of such as are saved. The work of no church can be fully estimated, be- cause so much of its influence is silent and unseen ; its very presence restraining from evil, and awakening thoughts of God and eternity. For one hundred and fifty-two years this church has strengthened the weak, led the blind and given the oil of joy for mourning to multi- tudes of souls. If your slumbering ancestors could to-day rise from their graves, O, how they would bless this dear old church, for what their ears here heard and their hearts here felt!
The Rev. Mr. Graham, about 1819, organized a Sabbath school in this church. Hitherto the religious instruction of the young had been confined to the families, but now the church, for the first time, enters upon this new and most important feature of its work. It would be exceedingly interesting to know who were the teachers and what was the order of exercises in that school. How far-far has the Sabbath- school work grown beyond the expectations of its friends! This church has done a work for education that should be placed on record. In its early days, schools and school teachers were scarce, and many of the ministers not only preached but taught. The Rev. Alexander McDowell was a great teacher. When Dr. Allison went to Philadel-
Witt
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phia, Mr. McDowell took charge of the Synod's school that was at New-London, and established it on his farm, a mile west of Brick- Hill, in this county, where it remained from 1752 to 1767. In 1754, the Rev. Matthew Wilson was associated with Mr. McDowell in this school, the former teaching the classics and the latter mathematics and philosophy. In 1767, Mr. McDowell removed the school to New- ark, Del., where it still flourishes. The Rev. James Finley was also interested in the work of education, for we read that the Rev. James Dunlap, after graduating at Princeton College, studied theology under Mr. Finley. The Rev. Francis Hindman, for some years, taught a classical school in the large stone house that still stands on the old Sharpe property.
Sons of this Church. This church has been singularly blessed in raising up young men for the ministry. The original Latta family, that afterwards became so noted for its learned and eloquent preach- ers, came from Ireland to this county, about 1739, and settled near Elkton. Its heads were no doubt members of this church. Their son said they were buried in the Stone Graveyard.
The Rev. James Latta was born in Ireland in 1732, and came to America with his parents. He studied under Dr. Allison, at New- London, and most probably under Mr. McDowell, after the removal of the Synod's school to this locality. He finally graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, and was licensed in 1758, by Presbytery of Philadelphia. He preached the Gospel for forty-three years, and thirty of those years he was pastor of the Chestnut-Level congrega- tion. He was a fine scholar, eminent preacher and successful teacher. His four sons, Francis Allison, William, John Ewing, and James, were all distinguished ministers of the Gospel.
The Rev. James Dunlap was born in Chester co., Penn., in 1744, of pious parents. From the fact that the Dunlap family lived in East- Nottingham, and that James Dunlap, after he had graduated at Princeton College, studied divinity with the Rev. James Finley while pastor of this church, we lay claim to this most distinguished scholar and divine, as a son of the Rock. He was ordained by Presbytery of New-Castle, in 1781, and went to Western Pennsylvania with Mr. Finley, where he spent forty-three years teaching and preaching. For nine years he was president of Jefferson College. In 1816, he went to reside with his son, the Rev. William Dunlap, pastor of Abington Presbyterian Church, where he died in 1818.
The Rev. Joseph Alexander was the son of Theophilus Alexander, an elder of this church, who lived in Cecil co., on the road running from Cowantown to Kimbleville, just north of where it crosses the tele- graph road to Newark. After graduating at Princeton College, and being licensed by New-Castle Presbytery, July 31st 1766, he was or- dained by Hanover Presbytery, March 4th, 1768, at Buffalo, Guilford
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co., North Carolina. He spent the greater part of his exceedingly useful life teaching and preaching at Bullock's Creek, York District, South Carolina. He was a man of commanding talents, fine educa- tion, a very animated, popular preacher, and renowned as a teacher of youth. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by the College of South Carolina, in 1807. During the Revolution he was a fearless patriot, and often preached while the men of his church, armed to the teeth, guarded his life. He married a daughter of Pres- ident Davies, of Princeton College ; was said to be quite small in stature, and lame. He died July 30th, 1809.
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