USA > New York > History of the Presbytery of Redstone : organized by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1781, and under its care till 1788 : a part of the Synod of Virginia, 1788-1802 : of the Synod of Pittsburg, 1802-1881 : and now of the Synod of Pennsylvania, 1881-1889 > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > History of the Presbytery of Redstone : organized by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1781, and under its care till 1788 : a part of the Synod of Virginia, 1788-1802 : of the Synod of Pittsburg, 1802-1881 : and now of the Synod of Pennsylvania, 1881-1889 > Part 18
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PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
most popular works published by the Board, and is universally re- garded as one of the very best definers of our peculiar doctrines extant.
RESOLVED, 3d, "That such were his gifts of understanding and memory ; his general information and discrim- inating taste; his knowledge of the Scriptures in the original tongues and in our common version, and such his spiritual in- sight of divine things and deep religious experience and fervency of spirit, that his pulpit exercises were of the most pleasing and edifiying character.'"
The Presbytery also speaks of his high social character, and dignified, yet genial disposition, and kindly manner and attrac- tive and instructive conversation.
REV. JOEL STONEROAD.
In addition to the sketch given in the supplement to the History of Laurel Hill Church, we give an extract from the ad- mirable memorial prepared by Rev. Wm. F. Hamilton, D. D., who for a number of years was a fellow Presbyter and a neighbor of Mr. Stoneroad's :
"Of the many exemplary traits which adorned the character of Mr. Stoneroad as a Christian man and as a minister of the Gospel, little need be said. He was very generally known throughout this region, and none who knew him had any diffi- culty in determining his real character. There was no conceal- ment, no mystery enveloping him. It was felt by all that he was just what he seemed to be, and that his character was that of an honest, faithful, devoted servant of God in the ministry of his Son Jesus Christ. If those most intimately acquainted with him were asked to point out his distinguishing traits, they would probably agree in mentioning two as more conspicuous than any others. One of these was his thorough conviction and steadfast maintenance of the infallible truth of all Scriptural teachings, and consequently the truth of some doctrines which many refuse to
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PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
accept. In the depths of his heart he was sincerely and unwa- veringly orthodox. He honestly believed God's word, not as doubtingly and compromisingly interpreted, but as clearly and definitely formulated in the accepted creeds of the Church in which it was his privilege to exercise his ministry. And this gave character to his preaching. What he believed, he spake. No truth was kept back because of men's enmity to it. Nothing was suppressed because unpopular. Nothing was passed over because difficult. Nothing was rejected because it confounded human reason. He declared God's whole counsel, and did it honestly, ingenuously. No one could say that there was any un- certainty in the sound of the Gospel trumpet as blown by him. The other most noticeable trait distinguishing him was his abun- dant zeal in the ministry which he had received of the Lord Je- sus, prompting him to such labors and hardships and self-deni- als as fall within the experience of but a limited number of Christ's ministers."
When the relation between Mr. Stoneroad and the Church of Laurel Hill was dissolved, April 24th, 1878, on account of his failing health, Presbytery
RESOLVED, Ist, "That we recognize in our co-Presbyter a brother beloved, who, for forty-eight years, has shown himself to be a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, and a watchman upon the walls of Zion, whose laborious, earnest and faithful ser- vices, the Head of the church has largely blessed in the conver- sion of souls, and in comforting and establishing believers in the faith once delivered to the saints.
RESOLVED, 2d, "That our relations and intercourse with Brother Stoneroad have been such as greatly to endear him to us and furnish occasion to us to hold him in affectionate and de- served remembrance.
RESOLVED, 3d, "That we deeply sympathize with him in his feebleness and impaired health, and do earnestly pray that in honorably retiring from a laborious and successful ministry, the remnant of his days may be crowned with domestic and social joys and with the sweet consolations of that Gospel of Peace which he has proclaimed to others and above all with the com-
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PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
forting presence of Him who has said: 'Lo I am with you al- way, even unto the end of the world.'"
Mr. Stoneroad tarried a few years longer patiently waiting for the salvation of God, until at length, having survived nearly all the associates of his early ministry, he entered into rest on the IIth of August, 1884, in his 79th year.
"Servant of God, well done! Rest from thy loved employ ; The battle o'er, the vic'try won, Enter thy Master's joy."
REV. GEORGE PAULL.
George Paull was the third son of Joseph and Eliza Lea (Rogers) Paull and was born near Dunbar, Fayette county, Pa., February 3d, 1837. Like so many of Pennsylvania's noblest men his early life was spent on his father's farm. His early training was in the home, the common and the Sabbath School. He began his classical studies with Rev. Ross Stevenson, D. D., pastor of Connellsville Presbyterian Church and continued them in Dunlap's Creek Presbyterial Academy, and afterward with Prof. John Frazer, who became Professor of Math- ematics in Jefferson College and a General in the Union army. He entered Jefferson College at Canonsburg and graduated with high credit in 1858, in the twenty-first year of his age. In the spring of 1853, during a revival in College, he decided for Christ and made a public profession of religion in the Church at Con- nellsville. He spent three years at the Western Theological Seminary and was ordained and devoted his life to mission work in Africa. A very interesting memoir was written by his uncle, Rev. Samuel Wilson, D. D., and published by the Presbyterian Board, to which the reader is referred for information in regard to his interesting, consecrated and useful, though brief life. The action of Presbytery on his death is added to this notice. This
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PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
action was reported by a Committee and adopted, October 19th, 1865.
"WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God, in His inscruta- ble providence to remove by death from the field of Foreign Missions a young brother greatly beloved, and who had shown himself so eminently fitted by nature and grace for the great work to which God and the church had called him; and whereas, he was born and reared among us and by this. Presbytery set apart to the work of the ministry in a foreign missionary field; and whereas, his self-consuming, untiring devotion to the Mas- ter's cause not only reflected great honor upon the Gospel of God, but also on this body by whom he was given to the foreign service of the church ; therefore
"RESOLVED, Ist, That while as a Presbytery we record with gratitude to God the gift of one to the church so specially quali- fied for the great work to which he had conscrated his life, we would at the same time bow with profound submission to the mysterious behest which summoned him so soon and so sudden- ly from the service and labors of the church militant to the high- er and holier service of the church triumphant.
"RESOLVED, 2d, That in the life and labors of our departed brother, we recognize a spirit akin to that of a Brainerd, an Elli- ott, a Schwartz-akin to the spirit of Him who said: 'The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up'-a zeal for the salvation of bleeding Africa, which prematurely and almost literally con- sumed the vessel in which it burned-a love for the souls of men and the glory of God, which many waters could not quench- which quailed at no sacrifice however great, and could say with the great Apostolic Missionary to the Gentiles, 'neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.'
"RESOLVED, 3d, That while Presbytery would bewail the loss to benighted Africa of so burning and shining a light, whose inchoate and earliest labors on the mainland were signalized with remarkable and immediate success in the conversion of souls, we would also record our unfeigned condolence and sympathy with
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PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
the honored parents and other friends in the early demise of such a relation and son, divinely assured that however great their loss to him it was unutterable gain." Minutes Redstone Presbytery, October 19th, 1865.
DR. CAMPBELL AND JUDGE EWING.
It is proper to add some additional items in regard to Dr. Campbell and Judge Ewing. In the history of Uniontown Church, prepared by Rev. S. S. Gilson, there is this record : "October the 9th, 1825, is a date long to be remembered by this congregation. It was then that the two young men, Dr. Hugh Campbell and Nathaniel Ewing, Esq., came for the first time to the Lord's Table. Together they followed Christ with reverence and Godly fear for almost half a century. These men were prop- erly regarded as the pillars of the church in their day, and it is hardly possible now to unduly exalt their influence as Christian citizens. They were also exceedingly useful in the higher courts of the Church to which they were so frequently delegates. In- deed, it came to be said in Presbytery in regard to the Commis- sioners to the General Assembly, 'it was Dr. Campbell one year and Judge Ewing the next.' Dr. Campbell was a member of the famous General Assembly which met in Pittsburg in 1838, at the time of the disruption. A man of far more than ordinary abili- ty, he made his influence felt in that body. During the discus- sion he arose and made a remark or two which attracted atten- tion. Some Doctor of Divinity made a remark which combed him a little, and wanted to know who is 'this young David?'
"The doctor arose and said: 'I am a very humble el- der from a very humble Church and a very humble Presbytery, but I thank God I have the same rights on this floor as the most learned Doctor of Divinity or the greatest lawyer here.' He then proceeded to score his unfortunate antagonist in a speech of wonderful keenness, which electrified the Assembly. He was an excellent and impressive speaker and his addresses on the sub- ject of Temperance were very eloquent.'"
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PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
The following tribute was prepared by his life-long friend, Nathaniel Ewing, and offered and adopted in session : "For more than thirty-five years Dr. Campbell has exercised continu- ously the office of Ruling Elder in this church with uniform ac- ceptance and eminent ability and faithfulness. During this long period his exemplary walk, the abundance of his benefactions, exertions and prayers, and his diligent and scrupulous discharge of official duty, contributed largely to the maintenance, growth and establishment of the church. By the eminence of his gifts, also, he was enabled to perform effective service for the general interests of the Master's cause by sitting, on frequent occasions, as a member in each of the the Superior Judicatories."
These words apply also with equal force to Judge Ewing as descriptive of his life and service. For almost forty-one years he was a member of the Session of Uniontown Church and very often a member of some of the higher courts. The compiler of this well remembers to hear his father speak of a General Assem- bly of which Judge Ewing was a member. Some knotty ques- tion was before the body. Difficulties increased and no one seemed to know what to do, when Judge Ewing got up and in a few minutes cleared away the difficulties, so that the Assembly finished the business readily and properly. He acquired great influence in the Assembly and perhaps the most important ser- vice of this kind ever rendered was a report which he made on the decision of Judge Rodgers, of the Nisi Prius Court at Phila- delphia, against the Presbyterian Church. This report is record- ed in full in the Minute Book of the Presbytery, covering six pages.
Judge Ewing acquired large wealth and gave liberally to the Lord without letting his right hand know what the left did. He chiefly gave his benefactions while he lived and was personally attentive to the wants of the poor of this community who were brought to his notice.
He was President Judge of the County Court and a Ruling Elder in the church, and his son, Hon. John K. Ewing, was also President Judge and is a Ruling Elder in the same church. His grandson, Nathaniel Ewing, is keeping up the succession, being
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PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
President Judge in the county and a Ruling Elder in the church of his grandfather and his father.
JOSEPH PAULL.
Among all those who have served in the eldership of Red- stone Presbytery, no man was more respected and beloved than Joseph Paull. He descended from an honored ancestry. The first records in the Paull family date back to 1765, eleven years before the Declaration of Independence, and speak of George Paull as a resident of Berkeley county, Va., who, with his wife, Martha Irwin, four years later, in 1769, removed to Fayette coun- ty, Pa., locating a tract of land, which has been transmitted from father to son for four generations, and is still in possession of the family. His son was Col. James Paull, Sr., who was married to Miss Elizabeth Rogers, and was a distinguished citizen of Fay- ette county up to his death, which occurred in 1841. Joseph Paull. the son of James and Elizabeth, was born in the old home- stead, in November, 1808, and, with the exception of two or three years, spent all his life in the place of his birth. He was married, June 4th, 1833, to Miss Eliza Lea Rogers, by whom he became the father of ten children, some of whom have attained to prominent positions in the world; his second son, Aaron, killed in the battle of Shiloh, was a rising young lawyer in the State of Texas; his third son, George, went as a missionary to Africa, and died two years after his arrival, and his remains lie buried on the Island of Corisco; his daughter, Mary Elizabeth, is the wife of Rev. N. H. G. Fife, of Sterling, Ill., one of the most successful pastors in the State of Illinois ; his son, Joseph Rogers, is an Attorney-at-Law and Judge of the Circuit Court in the city of Wheeling, Va., and his son James L., is a Ruling Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Connellsville, Pa. Mr. Paull dated the beginning of his religious life from a Metho- dist camp-meeting, where he was converted at the age of twenty- one years. Soon after, he united with the Presbyterian Church of Tyrone and afterwards with Laurel Hill. He was elected a
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PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Connellsville and became a member of that church in 1832, and continued to ex- ercise the office to which he was called until 1874. In the last named year the Presbyterian Church of Dunbar was constituted by the Presbytery of Redstone on the petition of the members of Connellsville Church 'in that place and vicinity and Mr. Paull was transferred as an elder to the new organization and served with great efficiency up to the time of his death, February 14th, 1880. He was a man of rare intelligence, wise in counsel, care- ful in the exercise of his official duties, and most exemplary as a Christian. He was of the most Christ-like spirit, never failing to impress any and all with whom he was brought in contact, with the fact not only that there is a reality in the religion of Jesus, but also that there is in it a beauty and power. The tones of his voice, the benevolence of his countenance and the mani- fest spirit of deep piety running through all his conversation, gave an impression to those who were about him that they had been in a most sacred companionship. His death was the result of a complication of painful diseases, but through all his illness his faith never for a moment wavered. The final scene resem- bled the death of one of the old patriarchs; a weeping family, tri- umphant faith in Christ, calm and peaceful resignation and de- vout prayer from the lips of the dying father in Israel. He more than once represented his church in Synod and was also a member of the General Assembly. In the memorial year (though his miss onary son was sleeping in the soil of the "Dark Conti- nent") he gave a large thank offering to the Lord for the privilege of having had a son in the Foreign Mission work. The prayer of the writer is, that the spirit of Joseph Paull may rest upon the entire eldership of the Redstone of to-day.
JASPER MARKLE THOMPSON.
Jasper Markle Thompson was born in Mason county, Ken- tucky, August 30th, 1822, having been left, by the death of his parents, to the care of relatives. Before he was three years of
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PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
age he was taken to Mill Grove, Westmoreland county, Pa., the home of his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Markle, where he remained until her death in 1832, after which he made his home for eighteen years with his cousin, Gen. Cyrus P. Markle.
Mr. Thompson was married in 1846 to Miss Eliza Caruthers, youngest daughter of Samuel Caruthers, a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Sewickley, Westmoreland county, Pa., and came to this place in 1848. He united by examination and profession of his faith with the Presbyterian Church of Union- town, January 25th, 1851. He was ordained and installed a ruling elder of this church by the Rev. Wm. F. Hamilton, D. D., on the 4th of March, 1860. He was a commissioner to the Gen- eral Assembly which met in Albany, N. Y., in 1868, and was again sent to the Assembly which met at Madison, Wis., in 1880. He is a director of the Western Theological Seminary and also a Trustee of Washington and Jefferson College.
Mr. Thompson has not only been prominent and successful in business and public life, but also active and efficient as an offi- cer in the church and Presbytery.
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS.
On page 35 in the history of Mt. Pleasant Church, after the resignation of Rev. James I. Brownson, it should be added that the churches of Greensburg and Mt. Pleasant called the Rev. Wm. D. Moore, September 15th, 1849, who at that time was pas- tor at Long Run. Mr. Moore asked counsel of the Presbytery and acting on its advice accepted the calls and was installed pas- tor over the united congregations on the first Tuesday of Octo- ber. In April, 1851, he was called to Greensburg for all his
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PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
time. Accepting this, his relation with Mt. Pleasant was dis- solved on the 9th of April.
Rev. Wm. Wylie McLain was installed pastor on the second Saturday of May, 1852. This relation continued until terminated by the death of Mr. McLain, November roth, 1855.
Mr. David Henry Barron, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Allegheny City, was received, April 13th, 1858, and called to Mt. Pleasant. He was ordained and installed as pastor, May 13th. Mr. Barron was called to Hollidaysburg and Presbytery severed the relation, August 6th, 1861.
The connection of J. P. Blackburn with the Presbytery (see page 211) ceased sometime ago.
CORRECTIONS.
Page 64, for "Mr. J. A. Means," read Mr. J. A. Mearns.
Page 115, seventh line from the top, "Thursday" should be Tuesday.
Page 161, "Alvira M. Fromier" should be Alvira M. Fernier and "Mary C. Aler" should be Mary C. Alter.
Page 180, "Mrs. Fulton Price" should be Mrs. R. T. Price. Page 188, No. 47, for "Thomas Hurst," read Thomas Hunt. Page 193, No. 99, "1838" should be 1837.
Page 203, No. 211, at the close, for "accepted," read a de- posed.
Page 217, fourteenth line from the bottom, read Philadelphia instead of "Pittsburg."
222 (a)
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
THE HON. JASPER M. THOMPSON.
Since the foregoing sketch was published, and while this book was in the hands of the binder, the community was sadly surprised and shocked by the announcement of the death of the Hon. J. M. Thompson, which occurred on the evening of March 15th, 1889. About six weeks previous, Mr. Thompson had gone South to look after some business interests, and, during his ab- sence, had taken a severe cold, which, causing a violent attack of pneumonia, resulted in his death about five hours after his return. He evidently felt that the disease would prove fatal and seemed anxious to hasten back to his family and familiar friends before he should be finally overtaken by the relentless messenger, and, on entering his home, after being kindly cared for by his loved ones and his physician, expressed himself as ready to depart, if it were the Lord's will to call him away. He is gone, as we be- lieve, to the reward of those who trust implicitly in the Redeem- er and Saviour of men.
Mr. Thompson was a man of most generous impulses, broad, philanthropic, conservative and kind. Schooled to hard labor him- self, he knew how to sympathize with those who were honestly obliged to contend with poverty and battle with the world for a livelihood; to all such he was ever ready to lend a helping hand. It would be indeed difficult to find one in any community whose personal influence has been exerted in so many directions and to so great a variety of usefulness. Whenever an opportunity was had-and often he created the opportunity-Mr. Thompson was ready to speak a word for Christ, to direct the erring in the paths of righteousness, to comfort the sorrowing, to pray with and for the sick and the dying, and to lead all to Him who is able to save. He was a plain, unassuming, substantial man ; a well bal- anced, consistent, affable, Christian gentleman ; universally re- spected, honored and loved ; living, because of his peculiarly
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nature, very
approachable disposition and sympathetic natural way, near the hearts and affections of the people. Often prevailed upon and appointed by Presbytery to preach in our pulpits, he did so ac- ceptably and with profit to all. He was not only a helper but a leader in every good work and enterprise, secular and religious. In his remarkably industrious, successful and exemplary life, we have this valuable truth most fully demonstrated, that a man may be diligent in business, yet fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.
At its meeting, March 27th, 1889, the Board of Trustees of Washington and Jefferson College, took action in regard to the death of Mr. Thompson, one of its members, March 15th, 1889, and recorded its high estimate of Mr. Thompson as a successful business man, eminent for his public spirit and zeal in good works and Christian manhood and his fidelity and efficiency as a mem- ber of the Board.
ADDITIONAL CORRECTIONS.
Page 116 : 3d line should be, His first wife was a daughter of Rev. Joseph Smith and sister of Rev. David Smith, &c. And 5th line: She was an aunt of Rev. Joseph Smith, D. D., &c.
Page 129: 13th line from the bottom should read, Until after 1815.
In the Index, page 184, after the name of James R. Hughes, belongs to the name of James Hughes, above.
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PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
INDEX.
Adams, Jas . 73, 87, 94, 98, 186 Beatty, Charles . 2
Additions and Corrections, 22I
Addison, Alexander . 6
Aid for Students 15
Agnew, John Holmes, 116, 191 Allen, Bela . 192
Allen, Moses . 74
Allison, Alexander 2
Allison, Hector .
2
Allison, Judge
12
Anderson, Rev. Mr.
2
Anderson, S. McC., D. D., 65
Andrews, John
. 190
Andrews, J. K.
31, 202
Andrews, Mrs. R. E. P. . 180 Annan, Wmn., D. D., 30, 145, 193 Armstrong, John .71,75
Armstrong, Wm. 78 .
Baber, James
. 74, 193
Bailey, M. C., Ph. D., 97,
IC3, 138, 141, 154, 208,
156,210
Bailie, Mrs. Anna 174
Baird, Aaron .
26
Baird, Miss Maggie
28
Baird, Robert .
. 25, 26
Baker, Perrin, 158, 160, 162,
208, 210
Bain, Henry
. 16,93
Barclay, David
. 16, 189
Barclay, Henry 78 Barnett, John M., 22, 35, 36,
. 132, 149, 169, 200, 210 Barnett, Mrs. J. M. . 175 Barr, Samuel . 9, 184 Barret, Elisha D., M. D. . 191 Barron, D. H., D. D., 149, 199
Beatty, C.C., D. D., L.L. D., 22
Belden, Luther
199
Bell, Wm. G. .
192
Belle Vernon Church, 160-163
Bergen, S. S., 37, 49, 93, 96,
102, 137, 144, 156, 206
Bethel Chapel .
50
Biggs, Henry W.
198
Black, Jas., D. D., L.L. D.,
132, 195
Black, John
I86
Black, James
195
Blackburn, John I.
207
Blackburn, J. P. .
. 2II
Boggs, John
188
Boughner, Daniel
. III
Boughner, A. V.
. IIO
Boyd, Wm. L., 31, 53, 57, 201
Boyd, A. F. .
60, 150, 205
Boyd, John .
. 186
Bradley, M. H.
36, 208
Branch, John .
. 200
Brice, John . .
8, 61,73, 184
Bristol, Cyrus B.
75,192
Brooks, Asa .
16, 189
Brooks, Edward F.
. 194
Bronson, Asahel, D. D., 69,
154,203 Brownson, James I., D. D.,
. II, 19, 35, 36, 149, 194 Brownsville Church, 127-130 Brown's Church . . 143
Buchanan, George D. . 207 Burchinal, Wm. J. 196
Buston, Rev. Mr.
104
Cataba War-path
98
224
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
Caldwell, James . 197
Caldwell, A. J. 201
Caldwell, Eben B. 202
Caldwell, J. D.
203
Caldwell, John 2
Calhoun, J. Y. 68
Calhoun, J. Adley 56, 194
Callen, J. H. . 118, 197
Campbell, Dr. Hugh, 120,
Campbell, Allen D. 211, 217
189
Campbell, Benjamin
. 123
Campbell, James . 191
Campbell, Joseph
194
Campbell, Samuel
. 14.1
Campbell, Samuel L.
200
Campbell, W. W. 199 Candidates for Ministry, 83, 89 Canon, Col. John I2
Catechising
29
Centennials
21, 83
Chalfant, George
26
Chambers, Joseph H., 75, 193
Chartiers Church
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