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 7
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 7
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PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
Dodd, James Dunlap, Joseph Patterson and John Brice, a licen- tiate, were appointed supplies.
April, 1789, New Providence Church united in a call with the South Fork of Tenmile for the ministerial labors of Rev. James Hughes, which he declined to accept.
From September of the same year, till some time in 1790, licentiates John McPherrin, John Brice, Robert Marshall and Revs. James Dunlap and James Hughes, officiated as supplies. They were succeeded by Rev. Robert Finley, a minister from North Carolina.
In 1791 Rev. Jacob Jennings became a member of Red- stone Presbytery and was appointed to supply New Providence Church part of his time. April 17th, 1792, this church united with Dunlap's Creek in calling Mr. Jennings to the pastorate. In this relation he continued five and a half years and was then al- lowed to devote his whole time to the church of Dunlap's Creek. Of the fruit of his labors here no record is extant.
By order of the Synod of Virginia, of which the Presbytery of Redstone was an integral part, the latter, in 1793, was divided and the Monongahela river was made the boundary line between it and the new Presbytery of Ohio. By this division New Provi- dence Church was placed under the supervision of the latter Presbytery.
In October, 1798, permission was given to New Providence to join with Union (now Kent) Church and also George's Creek, to put in a call for the labors of Mr. James Adams. On accept- ing the call, Mr. Adams was ordained and installed pastor in Oc- tober, 1799. After serving in this relation two and a half years, Mr. Adams was released from the charge of New Providence Church. Of his ministerial success we are unable to speak.
October 20th, 1802, this church united with that of Jeffer- son in asking for Mr. Cephas Dodd as supply for one year, but for reasons not given in the minutes of Presbytery, the request was not granted. About this time this western region was vis- ited with a gracious baptism of the Holy Spirit. Tradition says it extended to this church, accompanied by the usual bodily af- fections. October 19th, Mr. Cephas Dodd was appointed to
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supply for one year the united congregations of New Providence, Jefferson and Ruff's Creek the whole of his time and order was taken for his ordination at the next meeting of Presbytery. Af- ter his induction into the ministry, Mr. Dodd was married to Miss Ruth, daughter of James Flenniken, one of the ruling elders of this church.
On closing his ministry here, he became the honored suc- cessor of his father, Rev. Thaddeus Dodd, in the pastoral charge of the churches of Upper and Lower Tenmile. At this juncture, New Providence Church seems to have been left vacant for sev- eral years. In the Presbyterial records it is stated that on the 20th of October, 1807, a call was presented by the united con- gregations of New Providence and Jefferson, for the ministerial labors of Mr. Moses Allen, of which he declared his acceptance, and on the 24th of the December following he was ordained and installed, in which services, Rev. Boyd Mercer preached the sermon and Rev. A. Gwyn presided and delivered the charges. Mr. Allen was son-in-law of Rev. John McMillan and is said to have been an able preacher. In this field he remained nine years and was then dismissed to take charge of the church of Raccoon. His successor in this church was Rev. Boyd Mercer, who, in April, 1818, was appointed Stated Supply for one year. He seems not to have attained much distinction in the ministry.
After remaining vacant for some time, in October, 1820, this church, in union with that of Jefferson, obtained as a supply, Rev. George Van Emmon. On the 18th of April, 1821, a call from said churches for the whole of Mr. Van Emmon's time was given to him, and being accepted, he was installed on the Mon- day following. The Rev. William McMillan preached the usual sermon and the Rev. Matthew Brown presided and delivered the charges. By order of the Synod of Pittsburgh, in 1825, Mr. Van Emmon and his charges were set over from the Presbytery of Ohio to that of Redstone. For the term of fourteen and a half years, Mr. Van Emmon continued to sow in this field the precious seed of gospel truth. His social qualities and evangeli- cal preaching commanded the esteem and approval of his people. On resigning his charge here, April, 1835, Rev. James Baber,
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from Eastern Virginia, succeeded him in October, 1835, minis- tering as Stated Supply for two years. This church then be- came vacant and was occasionally supplied by Revs. Guthrie, Gillett, Henry, Bristol and Davis, and by licentiates Joseph H. Chambers, John M. Smith and William McMichal.
RULING ELDERS.
Of the ruling elders of New Providence Church the first set comprised James Flenniken, John Armstrong, John Crawford and John Flenniken. The first mentioned was esteemed as a pil- lar in the church and ceased not to command the respect and con- fidence of his associates and neighbors. In the spring of 1802 he was a commissioner to the General Assembly. ' He died, Au- gust 25th, 1823, aged seventy-six years.
John Armstrong was a fair representative of the Scotch-Irish type of religion. Tenacious and firm in his adherence of accept- ed principles, his predilections were strongly in favor of the old paths and his mind firmly set against innovation upon established forms and usages. Having served the church acceptably for many years, he at length laid aside the badge of office for the crown of life.
For lack of information, we cannot speak of John Crawford with certainty, either as to his Christian attainments, his term of service in the church, or of his ascension to join the sacramental host in Heaven.
At an early period in the history of this (Greene) county, Elder John Flenniken came from North Carolina and permanent- ly settled in this locality. Prior to his immigration, he was a member of the convention, which met at Charlotte, in the county of Mecklenburg, on the 19th of May, 1775. He was also a signer of the famous Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence adopted by that convention, from which Thomas Jefferson drew some of his glowing, patriotic sentiments, embodied in the one adopted in 1776. From this county Mr. Flenniken once was honored with a seat in the Legislature. For a number of years he was also an Associate Judge. Being twice married, he was the father of a numerous family, one of whom, Robert P., was a lead- ing member of the House of Representatives, a Minister to Den-
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mark and a Territorial Judge. Hannah, his daughter, became the second wife of the Rev. Asa Brooks, pastor of the churches of French Creek and Clarksburg, West Virginia. Mr. Flenni- ken died at an advanced age crowned with many honors and blest with a hope full of immortality.
As successors in office, Andrew McClelland, Henry Jen- nings, Robert Morrison, Josias Lowrie, William McClelland and Samuel Harper are worthy of mention.
In this community Mr. Harper was a prominent member. He was son-in-law of Dr. John McMillan, having married Mrs. Jane Moorhead, then a widow. Mr. Harper is spoken of as hav- ing been a very hospitable and worthy citizen, once honored with the Sheriffalty of the county. Of the character and standing of his associates in the eldership, we are unable to speak, as no available materials are at hand.
David, father of Hon. James Veech, having served as an el- der in this church for a number of years, in 1832 removed to Dunlap's Creek Church and afterward to Uniontown, where he became a member of the session of that church and where he died in the eighty-fifth year of his age. Before leaving New Providence Church, Mr. Veech gave in marriage his only daughter to Rev. Joel Stoneroad, then pastor of the church of Uniontown.
OTHER ITEMS.
In this connection certain historical items may be now in- troduced. The exact date of the first house erected by New Providence congregation cannot now be determined. Tradition says it was a log structure, located about a quarter of a mile dis- tant from the present building. In that house of primitive style, among others who proclaimed the Gospel, was the distinguished Dr. Ewing, of Philadelphia, while on his tour as one of the Com- missioners to locate the Mason and Dixon's line, in the year 1784. The ground on which stands the present edifice was pur- chased from John Crawford, on which was erected a log build- ing, 30x35 feet. In this house the congregation worshiped for more than a quarter of a century. In describing the building, Hon. James Veech says: "When we first began to attend church
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and during all our residence there, the building was an old log one, in which I have listened to long sermons in the winter, with- out fire. It was an open house, two stories, no floor aloft and the windows often broken." In the year 1836 this old uncomforta- ble house gave place to a new brick, 43x53 feet, at a cost of some $1,500. A brick church of similar dimensions, in the year 1852 was erected in the village of Carmichaels. The cost of the ground, house and fixtures was some $2,300.
ENDOWMENTS.
By will of William Hale, bearing date, April Ist, 1803, this church became legatee to a farm of 130 acres. To the trustees possession was given, March 3Ist, 1804, by the executor, Joseph Brant, at which time one year's rent of $80 became due, payable in "good whiskey" at forty cents per gallon. In this era of ad- vanced temperance sentiment, the trustees could not be induced to risk their reputation, by contracting for the payment of rent in whiskey, either good or bad, as a means to procure material aid for the support of the ministry and for other purposes.
TRUSTEES.
From an early period the finances of this church have been managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Legislature in 1804. With few exceptions these men have passed away. For their work's sake they deserve to be held in grateful remem- brance. Theirs has been a work not only gratuitous and re- sponsible, but oftentimes perplexing, demanding much thought, wise counsels and forecast.
RULING ELDERS OF 1839.
At the begining of the present pastorate, the ruling elders were six in number. They were men high in reputation in the community, men of integrity and moral worth, men of piety and large influence.
Of John Rea, Sr., it may be said his religious character was strongly marked by tender devotional feeling. Under the preach- ing of the word he was often seen in tears and could seldom lead in social prayer without evincing strong emotion. In 1836 he was Commissioner to the General Assembly in Pittsburgh, prior
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to the disruption of the church. He died in hope, November, 1847.
Daniel, son of Hugh Stephenson, was a man of exemplary character, a regular attendant on the public means of grace in summer and winter, although living some seven miles distant from the church. His translation to the better land was preceded by a long series of afflictions, which he bore with commendable submission. He died trusting in the merits of the Redeemer, September, 1856.
George Davis, early indoctrinated in Bible truth and firmly adhering to his religious convictions, shared largely the respect and confidence of both pastor and congregation. Unostenta- tious and without guile, he sought to please God by a life con- formable to his will. He fell asleep in Jesus, November, 1861.
William was the son and successor in office of John Arm- strong. From choice and sympathy he was in full accord with the church in which he had his birth and training. Naturally he possessed, in a high degree, those domestic and social qualities so well suited to please and ingratiate. A lover of hospitality, his house was ever open for the entertainment of guests. Few excelled him in the kindly greetings he was wont to give to a large circle of acquaintances and friends. Presbyterial and Syn- odical meetings were to him occasions of special interest and en- joyment. Supported by the gracious assurances of the Master, he departed this life, December, 1861.
Henry was the son of Hugh Barclay, an early settler and representative in the Legislature from this county. In his offi- cial life Elder Barclay possessed largely the esteem of the con- gregation and of the members of session. In the spring of 1858, he, with his large and interesting family, emigrated and became a resident of Iowa.
Elder Charles Swan, of English ancestry, was the son of Charles, one of the early settlers on Muddy Creek. Prompt, conscientious and exemplary, he ruled well, both in his own and in the house of God. For twenty-eight years he was a member of the Board of Trustees and as treasurer, did much to keep the finances of the church in a good condition. On three of his sons
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the mantle of the eldership has fallen. To the regret of his many friends, Mr. Swan removed to Ohio, where he closed his useful life.
SKETCH OF THE PRESENT PASTORATE.
At a meeting of the Presbytery of Washington, in June, 1839, a licentiate of that body had just obtained permission to itinerate beyond its bounds. His face was set westward and his purpose formed to pitch his tent somewhere in the widening mis- sionary fields then open in the new States and territories. Before taking leave of Presbytery, however, a fellow licentiate, Mr. John M. Smith, appeared, and through his urgent solicitation, the present writer, with some hesitation, was induced to visit this field. On the first Sabbath of July, 1839, he delivered to the church of New Providence, his first message, from 2 Cor. 9:15. After preaching some two months as supply, a unanimous call for two-thirds of his time, on a salary of $300 was made out, moderated by Rev. Joel Stoneroad. The call having been duly accepted, January 15th, 1840, was fixed as the time for ordina- tion and installation. Rev. A. G. Fairchild was appointed to preach the usual sermon and Rev. Joel Stoneroad to preside and deliver the charges. The other third of the pastor's time was to be given to the church of Jefferson, on a salary of $100. This arrangement continued until the spring of 1849, when at the pas- tor's request, he was released from the charge at Jefferson, with a view of giving his whole time to New Providence Church, with a promise of $350 salary and permission to preach on alternate Sabbath evenings at Greensboro.
January 14th, 1848, Paul Rea, John N. Flenniken and Wil- liam Crawford were added to the eldership. After serving in this office ten years, Mr. Flenniken emigrated and made his home in Iowa. Mr. Crawford, after twelve years acceptable ser- vice, rested from his labors and entered into rest, May 19th, 1860.
MEMBERSHIP.
The enrolled membership of this church in 1839 numbered fifty-five, of whom sixteen were males and thirty-nine females. Since that date there has been a steady, though moderate growth, by accessions, mainly on profession. At the close of the first
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decade there were fifty-eight additions; in the second decade, ninety-five, and during the third, seventy-one. In the mean time our membership has been greatly depleted and our moral and pecuniary strength annually diminished by deaths and re- movals. Since January, 1848, two additional sets of elders have been invested with official authority. These were Solon B. Swan, John Rea and Thomas L. Cummins, December 12th, 1858; also, February, 1873, Ralston Williams, Aaron Gregg and Sam- uel Bunting. Mr. Cummins, after serving many years with much zeal and ability, together with his large, intelligent and well trained family, left us and became a resident of Des Moines, Iowa. Ralston Williams, also, after a brief term in the elder- ship, left this for another church in Monongahela City.
For many years in its official acts the session of this church has had the good fortune to harmonize. With few exceptions, church members have also been careful to study the things that make for peace.
Until the spring of 1873, New Providence Church never sustained a separate and independent existence. From its earli- est recognition, it had a connection with Dunlap's Creek, George's Creek, Ruff's Creek, Tent, Jefferson and Greensboro. While Jefferson made part of the pastoral charge, there were in that church fifty-three additions. The members at Greensboro were mainly connected with New Providence and so continued until June, 1867, when, by order of Presbytery, they became a sep- arate organization, with a membership of thirty-eight, increased to fifty in 1873.
BEQUEST.
In October, 1866, a bequest of $500 came into the hands of the trustees from the estate of Alexander Davidson, Captain of Company F, of the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry. This bequest was applied in 1867 to the repairing of the two houses of wor- ship belonging to the congregation.
BENEVOLENT CONTRIBUTIONS.
During a period of thirty-seven years contributions were as follows : For Home Missions, $866; Foreign Missions, $1,- 402; Education, $1,436; Publication, $147; Church Erection,
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$404; Ministerial Relief Fund, $267 ; Freedmen, $155; Sustenta- . tion, $30; making an aggregate of $4,697.
For several years the plan adopted by the session for raising money for benevolent objects, is that of districting the congrega- tion and appointing collectors to receive the offerings at specified times, usually every two months.
For contingent expenses Sabbath collections are taken up. And for the payment of the pastor's salary, voluntary subscrip- tions are secured.
In commemoration of the reunion of the Old and New School branches of the Presbyterian Church, the General As- sembly recommended the raising of a five million fund. To this fund this church contributed the sum of $550, about one-half of which was expended on home objects.
RELIGIOUS MEANS AND OBSERVANCES.
Besides the usual Sabbath services, the weekly prayer meet- ing, family religion and Christian education have received a measure of attention. Many of the children and youth in years past were encouraged to memorize and recite the Shorter Cate- chism. For these recitations copies of the Bible were donated.
PASTORAL WORK.
In summarizing the pastoral work done in the congregation from 1839 to 1887, the following items may be reported, including a period of forty-eight years :
Sermons delivered, not including addresses and lectures, 4,540. Additions on profession and certificate, 400. Baptism of infants, 159, and of adults, 102; total, 261. Members dismissed to other churches, 125. Removed without certificate, stricken from the roll and dealt with by the session, fifty-eight. Deaths, eighty. Present number, 105.
TEMPERANCE.
Most of the members of this church for many years have been pledged to total abstinence from all intoxicants. Members of the Sabbath School, also, of proper understanding, are en- couraged to thus pledge themselves. A member who for some
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time embarked in distilling was suspended. Others known to drink to intoxication have been disciplined.
CO-OPERATION OF LADIES.
As helpers in beneficent work in the interest of the church, the lady members have been greatly useful. In their social meet- ings for prayer and other purposes and in their private devotions and missionary efforts, they have done much to encourage the pastor and to strengthen his hands. In June, 1872, the ladies or- ganized a Missionary Society, the second formed in the bounds of the Presbytery. This society meets monthly for prayer, con- ference and other objects in the interest of the cause and does much to swell the contributions to the cause of missions.
SABBATH SCHOOL.
In the department of church work the Sabbath School holds an important place. It is matter of regret that in the schools of this church but few materials have been preserved for historic de- tails. Of the exact time of organization there seems to be no ex- isting record. It is supposed to be one of the earliest schools, as to organization, in the county. For a considerable time after its formation, the method of instruction comprised Bible reading, reciting Scripture, Hymns and the Catechism. In some in- stances large portions of Scripture and sacred poetry were memorized.
Since the erection of the church in Carmichaels, two schools have been in working order. Both are regularly supplied with the periodicals of the Board of Publication. By contributions raised in the schools, the publications are paid for.
ADDITIONAL ELDERS.
On the eighth day of August, 1880, Mr. Josiah H. Rea and Mr. Ellis B. Bailey, being duly elected and having signified their acceptance of the office, were ordained and installed ruling elders.
As a church, God has given to us many proofs of his pa- ternal favor. In a spiritual point of view, he has fulfilled his pledge to the children of the fathers, favored as they are with the means of grace and with a place in Israel.
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Though it is not our joy to speak of any powerful and ex- tensive revival, yet upon us mercy drops have occasionally fallen and seasons of refreshing and ingathering have marked our pro- gress. These tokens of the divine favor have nerved us for toil in the vineyard and cheered us in our pilgrimage. When the Lord cometh to write up the people, it will be found that this and that man were born in Zion. On various occasions, besides quickening the zeal and imparting fresh vitality to the member- ship, accessions of ten, twenty or more have served to swell our ranks. A survey of the past may well beget serious reflections. The fathers and mothers in Israel, where are they ? Active once in laying the foundation for the church's growth, long since their mortal remains have been laid to rest in the adjacent cemetery. From their lowly resting place, a voice silent, though eloquent, seems to say to us: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."
Recalling past historical details may serve also the end of prompting to humility. Unlike others we could name, this church has done little towards furnishing the Gospel field with laborers. Of the youth who became pious under former pas- tors, we can point to no one in the ministry. And since the be- ginning of the present pastorate, though several young men re- ceived a college education, only two members of this church have entered the ministry-Hugh Aretas Barclay and John Calvin Mc- Clintock. The former of these is no longer enrolled among the ministers of the Gospel. This fact is humiliating and calls for serious thought. That this review may serve to strengthen the bonds of Christian brotherhood and lift us up to a higher plane of personal consecration is the earnest prayer of the author of these lines.
SUPPLEMENTARY.
On September 8th, 1876, New Providence Church held a centenary meeting which proved to be an enjoyable occasion. At the hour of 10 o'clock, A. M., the congregation convened and was organized by the election of Paul Rea, as President ; S. B. Swan, as Vice President and John Armstrong, Secretary.
After prayer by Rev. Francis Downey, a Baptist minister,
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the congregation sang the Coronation hymn. The pastor then stated that Rev. Joel Stoneroad, who was expected to be present, could not attend. A letter was read from Hon. James Veech, who had been invited, expressing regret that he could not be present.
Rev. J. C. McClintock, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, of Burlington, Iowa, read selections from the Scriptures. Hymn 647, of the Hymnal, was now sung, after which the historical discourse prepared by the pastor was delivered, at the close of which the choir sang from "Pure Gold" the good old way.
Revs. McClintock, son of the pastor, H. O. Rosborough, John Huston, of the M. E. Church and W. S. Danley, of the C. P. Church, being called on, entertained the audience with remin- iscences and appropriate remarks.
ADDENDA.
In the year 1882, the congregation took down and rebuilt the church in the country on a more eligible site, at a cost of about $1,500.
The church in Carmichaels has also been rebuilt in modern style and neatly refurnished at a cost of some $2,500. At the rededication in April, 1887, Revs. M. C. Bailey, and Dr. James I. Brownson and Dr. James Dinsmore, classmates of the pastor, were present and took part in the services.
Of the members in communion in 1840, only three are now on our roll as survivors.
The marriages solemnized number 207.
The pastor is now in his forty-ninth year of service in this congregation and is hopeful of doing still further service for the Master, to whom he is greatly indebted and to whom be all the praise for any good accomplished.
GEORGE'S CREEK.
BY REV. H. O. ROSBOROUGH.
The congregation of George's Creek was collected by Mr. James Power, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New Castle, who
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visited this county in the spring of the year 1774. There is no one living, perhaps, who knows when the first sermon within its
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