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 2
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 2
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The exact time when Dr. McMillan began his school at Chartiers has been in dispute and also the character of the school. Dr. J. I. Brownson, who has thoroughly examined the discussion pro and con, suggests that Dr. McMillan's school may have been opened in 1780 and included Latin and Greek in its design as far as there was demand for them, and when two years later Mr. Dodd's distinctly classical school was started, such instruction may have been surrendered to him for the time being, in view of the sufficiency of one such school to meet the demand at the time. The "Log College" survived the others, supplying classi- cal and even theological training till after the Academy was start- ed in Canonsburg in 1791, when the students in it were passed over to that institution. (See Pres. Cen. Convention, p. 74.)
On September 24th, 1787, a charter was granted for an Academy in Washington, Pa., by an Act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania. The same Act devoted for the uses of the Acad-
12
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
emy 5,000 acres of land north of the Ohio river, chiefly in what is now Beaver county. The charter was secured mainly through the influence of Dr. McMillan and his two Elders, Judges Alli- son and McDowell, who were members of the Legislature. In 1789 the Academy went into operation under the care of Mr. Dodd, who had given up his Academy on the Ten Mile.
In 1791 the burning of the Court House in Washington, the difficulty of obtaining a suitable building, the donation of a lot of ground by Col. John Canon in Canonsburg and the gift of a considerable sum of money by the same gentleman turned the tide in favor of the establishment of another Academy in the last named place. A school was opened there and the first reci- tation in Latin was made by Robt. Patterson and Mr. Wm. Rid- dle. Rev. Messrs. McMillan, Smith, Henderson and others in- terested in the new institution were present and at the request of Dr. McMillan, Mr. Henderson opened and Mr. Smith closed the exercises with prayer. That first recitation was made "under the shade of some sassafras bushes." In that year, 1791, the Pres- bytery of Redstone overtured the Synod of Virginia on the edu- cation of pious young men for the ministry. The Synod re- sponded by recommending the establishment of two schools, one in Rockbridge county, Va., under the Presidency of Rev. Wm. Graham and the supervision of the Presbyteries of Lexington and Hanover and the other in Washington county, Pa., under Dr. McMillan and the supervision of the Presbytery of Red- stone. Canonsburg was chosen as the place and the Academy chartered in 1794.
EARLY COLLEGES.
The former institution grew into Washington College at Lexington, Va., and the latter into Jefferson College, being char- tered as a college in 1802. In 1806, Washington Academy, after varied fortune, became Washington College. The history and work of these institutions, their rivalry, their struggles with pov- erty, the efforts and sacrifices of their friends, the efforts for en- dowment, the plans for union in deference to the demands of the Christian public, form most interesting chapters in the education- al history of the region, but we can not dwell upon them. In
I3
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
1865 the efforts for union were partially successful; a plan was adopted, a charter obtained, giving the three higher classes to Canonsburg, and the Freshmen, the Preparatory and the Scien- tific departments to Washington. In 1869 this was abandoned, a complete union formed and the united College was located at Washington and Jefferson Academy at Canonsburg. Convenient buildings, located in a beautiful campus and an endowment of $250,000 have been secured. The life of the College is assured, but more buildings and larger endowment are needed.
MISSIONARY CHARACTER.
The Presbytery was essentially a missionary Presbytery. Its members not only preached to their own people but they vis- ited waste places, sought out destitute ones and organized them into churches and watched over them till pastors could be ob- tained. The labor performed was wonderful, especially when it is remembered there were no public conveyances of any kind and traveling was on horse-back or on foot, without roads, bridges or ferries, and without comfortable stopping places at night. Often, says the historian, has the preacher been com- pelled to swim the creek or river on Sabbath morning and preach in his wet clothes and then hasten on to fill another appointment. Perhaps after a two days' ride he could not cross the swollen stream and was compelled to retrace his steps without delivering his message. (Hist. Erie Pres., p. 12). Yet their success was great and churches seemed to spring up everywhere. Such was the growth that in October, 1801, the Synod of Virginia, in ses- sion at Winchester, organized the Presbytery of Erie, as we have seen, from the Presbyteries of Redstone and Ohio. And in May, 1802, the General Assembly organized from Redstone, Ohio and Erie, the Synod of Pittsburgh, mother, daughter and grand- daughter.
At the first meeting of the Synod of Pittsburgh, in Pitts- burgh, September 29th, 1802, it was resolved (Ist) "that the Synod of Pittsburgh should be styled the Western Missionary Society. (2d) That the object of the Missionary Society is to diffuse the knowledge of the Gospel among the inhabitants of the new set-
14
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
tlements, the Indian tribes and if need be among some of the in- terior inhabitants where they are not able to support the Gospel." Redstone Presbytery entered heartily upon this work of the Syn- od, aiding the missionary efforts among the Wyandotte In- dians, at Sandusky; the Senecas, near Buffalo; the Ottawas, near Maumee and the Cornplanters on the head-waters of the Allegheny.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
But even before this something had been done in the way of contributions. We find that on the 20th of August, 1789, Pres- bytery ordered "that collections be raised from the several con- gregations under the care of this P. b. y. agreeably to the Act of General Assembly, and that the money collected be brought to our spring meeting," (p. 60, min. Redstone.) This was prob- ably to bear the expenses of Commissioners to the General As- sembly, and, indeed, in the earlier history much of the energy of the Presbytery, in the way of raising money seems to have been devoted to this object and to getting arrears in pastors' salaries settled up. But at a meeting held November 12th, 1789, we find this record :
"Agreeably to a recommendation of the Synod of Virginia for raising contributions for the support of missionaries, the P. b. y. agrees to make contributions in the several congrega- tions for that purpose as soon as convenient and that report of success in the same be brought in at next spring meeting," (min. p. 62). Then, April 22d, 1790, the Presbytery makes inquiry and finding that some congregations had not attended to the matter directs them to take collections and pay the same to Mr. McMillan, Treasurer, (p. 65.) This record says the object was to pay missionaries to vacant congregations. In September fol- lowing, the order was renewed, (p. 70.) October 19, 1796, the order was again renewed and the money ordered to be forwarded to the Treasurer of the Commission appointed by the Synod of Virginia. It was again renewed in 1799, (p. 130). In June, 1799, Presbytery "injoined its members to exert themselves in endeav- oring to raise collections for the support of missionaries and to report at our next meeting," (p. 149).
15
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
On p. 152 is the record that the following sums were col- lected for the Missionaries, viz .:
£.
S.
d.
Salem,
2
2
6
Little Redstone,
I
3
Long Run,
I
8
IO12 61/2
Round Hill,
3
15
I
Unity,
I IO
81/2
Sewickley, .
I
16
O
Rehoboth,
5
12
6
Other records follow showing that the Presbytery was alive to Missionary work and their efforts were the more commenda- ble when we remember the scarcity of money in early days. It is worthy of note that by the efforts of the Synod of Pittsburgh, in which the Presbytery took such an active part, was sown the seed which has grown and ripened into the great work which the church to-day is carrying on at home and abroad in the name of the Lord. Note should be made also of the work of the Pres- bytery in aiding young men of limited means to obtain an educa- tion.
In Joseph Smith's school, at Buffalo, there were four young men, Jas. Hughes, John Brice, Jos. Patterson and Samuel Porter, aided by the ladies of Buffalo, Bethel, Chartiers and Cross Creek Churches, who furnished them a part at least of their clothing. So far as we know this was the first Educational Society in the Presbytery. (See Dr. Smith's Hist. of Jefferson College, Oct., 1791.) The Presbytery in approving the action of the Synod of Virginia in establishing the two schools, or Seminaries, as the Synod termed them, recommended as follows: "The P. b. y. therefore order their members to use their best endeavors to ob- tain contributions for the above purpose and put them in the hands of Mr. McMillan, who is appointed Treasurer, as soon as possible, and of their diligence therein to render account at our next Spring meeting," (p. 81.) Dr. McMillan faithfully attended to this duty and in pursuance of it attended the meetings of Red- stone Presbytery for eleven years after Ohio Presbytery was formed as faithfully as he did his own.
16
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
For a period of 30 years the work of the Presbytery was quiet, yet faithful, under the ministrations of such good men as Dr. Power, Samuel Porter, Rev. Geo. Hill, Wm. Swan, Wm. Speer, Francis Herron, Joseph Stockton, Wm. Wylie, Robt. Patterson, Robt. Johnson, Jas. Graham, Jas. Guthrie, Wm. John- ston, Elisha P. Swift, Ashbel G. Fairchild, John Reed, Aretas Loomis, A. O. Patterson, Jos. Henderson, Francis Laird, Robt. Lee, Asa Brooks, David Barclay, Geo. Van Eman, John McPher- rin, Thos. Hunt and Thos. Davis. If it were not that we must be brief, it would be interesting to give a sketch of the work per- formed by some of these faithful servants of Christ, whose names and memories are still fragrant in the church.
DRS. SWIFT AND HERRON.
The names of Francis Herron and Elisha P. Swift are inter- woven with the history of the Church in Pittsburgh and Alle- gheny. They did a work there in laying the foundations of Pres- byterianism which will never be forgotten. We doubt not that the historians of these churches will do justice to these godly men.
Samuel Porter did a work in the Congruity Church and Geo. Hill in Fairfield and Ligonier Churches which have made their names memorable in Blairsville Presbytery.
MEMBERS OF PRESBYTERY.
We refer to two or three who served the church grandly in the bounds of the Redstone of to-day. Robt. Johnston was one of these. He was of English extraction, a lineal descendant of Oliver Cromwell, born August 7th, 1774. He was educated at Canonsburg and Dr. McMillan's "Log College," licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio in 1802, came to this Presbytery from the Presbytery of Erie and settled in Round Hill and Rehoboth con- gregations in 1817, continuing for five years in that relation. He was a successful pastor and a vigorous preacher. During his pastorate these churches enjoyed some precious revivals.
Ashbel Green Fairchild, D. D., was another of Redstone's noble workers. He was born in New Jersey, May Ist, 1795, graduated from Princeton in 1813, licensed by the Presbytery of New Jersey, April 1816, received under the care of Redstone
I7
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
Presbytery, April 21st, 1818, and July Ist following, was ordain- ed as an evangelist. July 2d, 1822, he was settled as pastor at George's Creek, Morgantown and Greensboro, at a salary of $333.00. In '27 he resigned Morgantown and Greensboro and was settled over the Tent Church, giving it half the time and George's Creek the other half, till April, 1854, from which time till his death, June, 1864, he gave his whole time to the Tent Church. He was a faithful and successful pastor. Of wide and varied scholarship, of genial temper, simple, dignified, yet unas- suming, tried and true as a friend, he was greatly beloved by his people and esteemed by his brethren. The historian of the Tent Church has given a most admirable description of this good man. It will be found further on in this book. But we must not tarry longer with these personal sketches.
The first Statistical Report recorded in the minutes of Red- stone Presbytery is as follows, (p. 234, in 1809) :
NAMES
April Ist, 1808.
Total in Communion,
Members since added.
Died. .
Dismissed .
Suspended
Total in Communion
Adults
Infants . .
Total .
Congruity
125
3
45
48
Poke Run .
Plumb Creek .
I36
8
.
·
I
9
.
I22
20
20
Rehoboth
Round Hill
I20
7
I
.
·
I26
22
22
Tyrone .
90
I5
I
2
2
I
IOI
7
20
27
Rehoboth (New)
20
2
18
2
II
I3
Licking .
33
8
25
I
15
16
Ist Pres. Cong. Pitts
45
6
2
.
.
58
·
.
18
18
.
.
.
.
144
I
56
57
Beulah
I22
7
3
.
.
·
Laurel Hill
2
tion.
On Examina-
On Certificate.
Baptized since.
OF CHURCHES.
LAST REPORT IN THE PUBLISHED MINUTES OF REDSTONE PRESBYTERY, APRIL, 1831 .- p. 413.
NAMES OF CHURCHES.
last Report.
Total Communicants per
Added on Examination.
Added on Certificate.
Died.
Dismissed.
Suspended.
Total now in Communion.
Adults.
Infants.
Commissioners' Fund.
Educational.
Theological Seminary.
Rehoboth and Round Hill Laurel Hill and Tyrone
25I
18
5
2
I
271
8 14
22 48 37 3 00
3 17
96
225
16
5
4
8|
I |233
2 24
26
3 00 71 00 73
187
IO
I
7
189
32
32
5 00 2 00
40
160 143
4|
2
2
303 59 73 132
Jefferson and New Providence
Mt. Pleasant and Sewickley
317
34
7
7
345
4 22
26 52 65 4 50
7 25 177
Long Run and Mckeesport
208
28
6
41
6
232
7 29
36 15 00 5 53
65
Greensburg and Unity
293
I4
2
I
I|307
I
I
6 00
2 00
Somerset and Jenner .
28
3013
71
2
19
21 |25 00 6 00
2 00
Morgantown, S. S.
70
22
4
88
3
3 3 00
Middletown, S. S.
22
4 2
28
3 12
1 5
Uniontown, S. S. ·
81
2|14
3
94
4
4|30 00
18
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
Brownsville and Dunlap's Creek George's Creek and Union Clarksburg and French Creek
·
.
6
.
·
Baptized.
Missionary.
Total.
19
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
TRANSFER OF CHURCHES.
In the year 1822 the Synod of Pittsburgh set off the churches of Pittsburgh to the Presbytery of Ohio, and in 1825, three years later-in a small measure compensated for the loss by transferring to the Presbytery of Redstone the churches of Jefferson and New Providence.
BLAIRSVILLE PRESBYTERY.
Up till 1830 the Presbytery held its north-east border un- disturbed. But at the October meeting of that year, it request- ed Synod to divide the Presbytery by a line starting at the Mon- ongahela river below Mckeesport and running north-east to the Pittsburgh and Stoystown turnpike and thence along the pike to the top of the Allegheny mountains, the ministers and churches north of the pike to be called the Presbytery of Blairsville, leav- ing it optional with the ministers through whose charges the road passes to which of the two they shall belong. (Min. p. 409.) Subsequently Greensburg and Donegal, now called Pleas- ant Grove, were transferred to Blairsville, and the churches of Somerset and Jenner at first in Redstone were set over to Blairs- ville, but after a time restored to Redstone.
NEW AND OLD SCHOOL.
The division into Old and New School affected Redstone at Greensburg, and at Mt. Pleasant and Pleasant Unity, which at that time were one organization. A part, the larger part, went off under the leadership of Rev. Samuel Montgomery, at that time pastor of Mt. Pleasant, to the New School body. A church was organized in the Mt. Pleasant (Middle) Church and another at Pleasant Unity, under the care of the Presbytery of Pittsburgh. After thirty-two years of separate existence, in the year 1869, when the Old School and the New School Assemblies united and the terms Old School and New School were dropped as titles, two congregations under the care of Redstone took the place of the three, viz .: Mt. Pleasant and Pleasant Unity. Subsequently a new church building in the town of Mt. Pleasant was erected and soon after the "Reunion Church," of Mt. Pleasant, was organ- ized.
20
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
WEST VIRGINIA PRESBYTERY.
The only subsequent change in our boundary was brought about by the organization of the Presbytery of West Va., on the south, by which we lost all south of the Pennsylvania line. With this single exception the Presbytery has occupied substantially the same ground for about fifty-seven years.
NEW CHURCHES.
During these years some new and important churches have been organized, viz .: West Newton, Belle Vernon, Dunbar, Mt. Pleasant Reunion, Scottdale, Fairchance, Leisenring and Mt. Vernon.
MEMBERS OF PRESBYTERY.
During this half century the Presbytery has had on her rolls not a few of the excellent of the earth, among whom we may mention the names of Rev. A. O. Patterson, D. D., Rev. N. H. Gillett, Rev. Joel Stoneroad, Rev. Watson Hughes, Rev. John McMillan, D. D.,-who rest from their labors-Rev. Sam- uel Wilson, D. D., long the pastor of Dunlap's Creek, who is waiting calmly for the end in Fairfield, Iowa, and Rev. J. R. Hughes, who is still faithfully serving the Master in Dayton, Ohio. In the Presbytery is Rev. John McClintock, pastor of New Providence, who has stood in his lot in that field, faithful and beloved since July, 1839, and Rev. Hugh O. Roseborough, who has served the church of the "Old Frame," George's Creek, since 1854. During these years, which make up the later life of the Presbytery, we have nothing of unusual character to chronicle. Possibly every church within the bounds of the Presbytery has enjoyed precious revivals of religion and again has experienced seasons of spiritual coldness. Pastors have been released to go to other fields of labor and worthy successors have come to fill their places. Some strong churches have been weakened for a time by strife and division or by immigration and death and have grown strong again or remain in a crippled condition. Others by revival or immigration have grown and are strong-some which were in a healthy state and able to support pastors are about the same still-and a few which had but a name to live fifty or sixty years ago are still breathing-not exactly dead yet,
21
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
but comatose, with the probabilities that in the course of nature they will join two or three others and be numbered among the dead.
We have at this day some eight or nine churches which date their birth before the organization of the Presbytery and are older than the General Assembly.
We believe the Presbyterian church has not ceased to be the leading denomination in this region. In the early days it stood here almost alone ; but now there are many others nobly engaged with it in the work of the Master. With our advancement in numbers, wealth and influence, we have made advancement in benevolence and in systematic church work. Now our attention is not so much absorbed in efforts to raise the Commissioners' fund to defray the expenses to the General Assembly, or to se- cure the payment of the arrears of Pastors' salaries. The whole work of the Church at home and abroad in bringing the Gospel to every creature occupies time and thought and prayer and ef- fort. We are trying to build on the foundations our fathers laid in faith and prayer and self-denial and toil, to maintain, enlarge and strengthen the institutions they founded and hand them down fitted as well to do the work of the future as they were to do the work of the times when we received them. The brethren of Redstone Presbytery are striving to cultivate well the field in which God has placed them, to care for the strangers that God is bringing into their midst, to extend their influence as far as they are able to "the regions beyond," and so leave the inheritance re- ceived from the fathers undiminished in its glory. The last statistical report to the General Assembly will show the present condition of the churches and something of the progress of the Presbytery.
PRESBYTERIAL CENTENNIAL.
The history would be incomplete without a notice of the Centennial Celebration of the Presbytery, held in Uniontown, Pa., September 22d, 1881. This celebration was held at Union- town, rather than Laurel Hill, because of its greater accessibility and superior accommodations. The Synod of Pittsburgh ar- ranged to hold its eighty-first and last meeting at the close of the
22
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
celebration. Most of the members of the Synod were present from the beginning.
After appropriate music, Rev. John M. Barnett, pastor of the Presbyterian church of Connellsville, delivered the address of welcome at II A. M. "In the afternoon Rev. Wm. F. Hamilton, D. D., of Washington, Pa., formerly pastor of the Presbyterian church of Uniontown, gave a 'Brief History of the Founders of Redstone Presbytery, Ministers and Elders,' in an exceedingly clear and forcible style." After the singing of a hymn, Rev. S. J. Wilson, D. D., since gone to rest, set forth with great vivid- ness and eloquence, "The growth and influence of Presbyterian- ism, west of the Alleghenies during the past century." He was followed by Rev. S. J. M. Eaton, D. D., of the Presbytery of Erie, who gave interesting reminiscences of Redstone Presbytery. The evening exercises were held in the Presbyterian Church, Hon. J. K. Ewing presiding. Addresses were made by repre- sentatives of the Presbyteries occupying territory once covered by Redstone Presbytery. The venerable Rev. C. C. Beatty, D. D. LL. D., represented Steubenville Presbytery; Rev. Wm. O. Stratton, the Presbytery of Mahoning; Rev. Anson Smythe, D. D., the Presbytery of Cleveland; Rev. Wm. M. Robinson, the Presbytery of Allegheny; Rev. Wm. McMichael, the Presbytery of Clarion. Rev. Wm. V. Milligan, D. D., of the Presbytery of St. Clairsville and Hon. John Trunkey, of the Presbytery of Erie, were unable to be present.
At 9 A. M., on the 23d, the exercises were resumed on the Fair Grounds. Rev. W. H. Jeffers, D. D. LL. D., of the Western Theological Seminary, was to have discussed "The Future of Presbyterianism and its part in moulding the Nation," but severe illness in his family prevented his presence. His place was occu- pied by Rev. John Gillespie, D. D., now Junior Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions and Rev. S. F. Scovel, D. D., now President of Wooster University, O. Both made excellent ad- dresses. After singing and prayer, at the request of Rev. Adam Torrence, who was shortly after called home, the 23d Psalm was sung and the benediction pronounced and the Centennial closed.
In its final action, the Synod of Pittsburgh, after extending
·
23
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
hearty thanks to various parties, added "also to the Presbytery of Redstone for the invitation extended to the other Presbyteries to share the enjoyments and benefits of the exceedingly interesting and profitable celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the formation of that first Presbytery west of the Allegheny mountains."
THANK OFFERINGS.
During the sessions of the Synod the following resolution was adopted: "Whereas, the last meeting of the Synod of Pitts- burgh occurs in connection with the Centennial celebration of the foundation of Redstone Presbytery, therefore, Resolved, That as a monument of this memorable occasion, the churches in the bounds of the Synod contribute $3,000 to found in the Western Theological Seminary, a scholarship to be named the Redstone Centennial Scholarship." The following Committee, one from each Presbytery, was appointed to suggest the means for carrying out this resolution, viz .: Rev. Messrs. W. W. Moorhead, C. V. McCaig, Wm. P. Moore, W. F. Hamilton and J. B. Reed. The committee reported a plan which was adopted, but was subsequently so modified and changed, that under the management of Rev. C. V. McCaig, D. D., it resulted in the en- dowment of a Professorship of Elocution in the Seminary in the sum of $10,000 and the founding of the Redstone Centennial Scholarship in the sum of $3,000. Of this sum $6,000 were contributed by Redstone Presbytery-and of this two members of Uniontown Church gave one half.
In the territory occupied by Redstone Presbytery in 1788, there are now, in 1888, the Presbyteries of Allegheny, Blairs- ville, Butler, Clarion, Erie, Kittanning, Pittsburgh, Shenango, Washington and West Va., in the Synod of Pennsylvania, and Cleveland, Mahoning, St. Clairsville and Steubenville, in the Synod of Ohio.
The eleven Presbyteries in the Synod of Pennsylvania have 340 ministers, 32 licentiates, 58 candidates, 453 churches, 67,299 members, 64,182 Sabbath School members. They gave in 1887 to Home Missions, $57,357; to Foreign Missions, $74,654; Edu- cation, $12,942; to Sabbath School work, $7,819; Church Erec-
4
24
PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
tion, $10,913; Relief Fund, $48,984; Freedmen, $15,388; Sus- tentation, $3,771; Aid to Colleges, $18,671; General Assembly, $5,398.69; Congregational, $574,686; Miscellaneous, $25.000.
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