USA > Ohio > Erie County > History of the Presbytery of Erie : embracing in its ancient boundaries the whole of northwestern Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio : with biographical sketches of all its ministers and historical sketches of its churches > Part 11
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In the division of Presbytery, there was no property held by the Presbytery directly that was calculated to bring the constitutionality of either body before the civil courts ; so that happily, for the present, the au- thority of Cæsar was not invoked, and each branch pursued its own course in comparative peace and quiet- ness. There was not much sociability between the members of the different Presbyteries, who had once been on the kindest terms of fellowship, yet there was nothing like warfare. They agreed to differ, and whilst in their hearts they respected and loved each other, there was no demonstration of this feeling -it was buried up amongst the sacred things of the past.
On the 27th of June, 1838, Mr. MeCready was re- leased from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Warren, Pa., and on the same day, David Waggoner (54), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Ohio, was received under the care of Presbytery, and accepted calls from the congregations of Georgetown and Fairfield.
On the 28th of the same month, William MeMichael 1 was licensed to preach the gospel.
On the 11th of July following, Daniel Waggoner was ordained and installed as pastor of the churches of
1 Transferred to the Presbytery of Clarion. Pastor of the churches of Richland and Rockland, in Venango County, l'a.
10
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Georgetown and Fairfield, dividing his time equally be- tween them. In these services Mr. Bushnell preached the sermon, Mr. MeCready delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Glenn the charge to the people.
On the 17th of April, 1839, Rev. Daniel Washburn (55) was received on certificate from the Presbytery of Beaver, and Rev. Wells Bushnell dismissed to the Presbytery of Beaver.
At this time a committee was appointed to report what action should be taken in regard to persons with- drawing themselves from the churches to connect with churches of the other branch. This committee reported recommending that when such withdrawals are ascer- tained, a simple record be made of the fact in the sessional records, and no further action be taken.
On the 14th of October, 1839, Mr. MeCready was installed as pastor of the church of Neshannock, which had been set over from the Presbytery of Beaver. On the same day, Mr. Peck was dismissed to the Presby- tery of Philadelphia, and Edmund MeKinney (57), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Carlisle, received under the care of Presbytery.
On the 15th of October of this year, Cyrus Dickson (58) was licensed to preach the gospel.
On the 13th of November, John Van Liew Reynolds (56) was ordained and installed as pastor of the con- gregation of Meadville, and at the same time Edmund McKinney was ordained as an evangelist. In these services Mr. MeCready preached the sermon, Mr. Tait delivered the charge to the ministers, and Mr. Eaton delivered the charge to the congregation.
On the 24th of June, 1840, Cyrus Diekson was or- dained and installed as pastor of the congregations of Franklin and Sugar Creek, half his time at each. In
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these services, Mr. Eaton preached the sermon, Mr. McCready gave the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Wil- son the charge to the congregation.
On the 9th of September following, Mr. Lewis was dismissed to the Presbytery of Ohio. On the 27th of January, 1841, Edward S. Blake (59), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Ohio, was received under the care of Presbytery, and on the 14th of April following, ordained and installed as pastor of the churches of Gravel Run and Evansburg. In these services, Mr. Waggoner preached, Mr. Eaton delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. McCready the charge to the people. On the same day Joseph T. Smith (61) was licensed to preach the gospel.
On the 14th of June, 1841, Rev. Hiram Eddy (60), of the Congregational Association of Western New York, was received as a member of Presbytery. On the 15th of September following, Daniel Washburn and Edmund MeKinney were dismissed from Presbytery, the former to the Presbytery of Wooster, and the latter to Carlisle. Mr. Blake was also released from the pastoral charge of the congregations of Gravel Run and Evansburg, on account of feeble health.
About this time a zealous effort was made by Presby- tery to seek out and encourage pious and hopeful young men to turn their attention to the gospel ministry. It was made the direct duty of each member of Presby- tery to give attention to this matter ; although the re- sult does not seem to have been encouraging.
The matter of missionary effort within its own bounds was during this year pressed upon the churches. In January, 1842, Presbytery resolved to sustain a mis- sionary in its vacant churches.
At the same meeting the churches were all enjoined
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to unite in memorializing Congress for the better ob- servance of the Sabbath.
On the 19th of April, William McMichael, a licentiate under our care, was dismissed to put himself under the care of the Presbytery of Clarion. On the following day, Joseph T. Smith was ordained and installed as pastor of the congregation of Mercer. In these services Mr. Reynolds preached the sermon, Mr. Dickson de- livered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Waggoner the charge to the people. In this congregation Mr. Smith had been born and raised, all his associations were con- nected with it, and his father was a member of the ses- sion. On the same day Mr. Wilson was released from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Greenville.
Sometime during the month of May of this year, the church of Mount Pleasant was organized. On the 28th of June, James Coulter (62), a licentiate of the Pres- bytery of Alleghany, and Henry Webber (63), a licen- tiate of the Presbytery of Elizabethtown, were received under the care of Presbytery. On the 14th of Septem- ber following, Mr. Coulter was ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of Concord and Deer- field ; at the former, one half his time, and at the latter, one fourth, leaving a remaining fourth for missionary labor. In these services Mr. Reynolds preached, Mr. Dickson delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Waggoner the charge to the people. On the same day, Alexander Cunningham (65) was licensed to preach the gospel. On the next day, John II. Townley,1 a licentiate under the care of the Presbytery of Eliza- bethtown, was received under the care of Presbytery.
On the 20th of January, 1843, Henry Webber was ordained and installed as pastor of the church of Green-
1 Returned soon after to New Jersey. Pastor of the church of IJacketstown, N. J. Since deceased.
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ville. Mr. Glenn preached on the occasion, -Mr. Rey- nolds delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Dick- son the charge to the people. The name of the church of Big Bend was stricken from the roll, the church having become extinct. Mr. Hart was dismissed to the Presbytery of Muhlenburg. On the 9th of Au- gust, James W. Dickey (64), a licentiate of the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, was received under the care of Presbytery. In September of this year, Mr. Wilson was installed as pastor of the church of Cool Spring. On the 4th day of October, Mr. Dickey was ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of Conneautville, Harmonsburg, and Evansburg. Mr. Dickson preached the sermon, Mr. Coulter delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Waggoner the charge to the people. On the same day, John Limber (66) was licensed to preach the gospel.
On the 5th day of October, Mr. Cunningham was or- dained and installed as pastor of the congregations of Gravel Run and Washington. Mr. Reynolds preached the sermon, Mr. Smith delivered the charge, to the pas- tor, and Mr. Wilson the charge to the people. At the same time Lemuel G. Olmstead (73), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Beaver, was received under the care of Presbytery. In April of this year the church of Irvine was organized.
In April, 1844, Presbytery petitioned the General Assembly to devise some means to purge the church of "the enormous evil of slavery." On the 16th of October, of the same year, John Limber was ordained as an evangelist, with the view of laboring amongst the Indians. On the 22d of January, 1845, Mr. Webber was dismissed to connect himself with the Presbytery of Beaver. On the 12th of February following, an
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overture was sent to the Presbytery of Meadville, of the other branch, with reference to a union of the Presby- teries. This overture was replied to by the Presbytery of Meadville, in a kind and conciliatory manner, ex- pressing a wish for reunion, yet expressing doubts whether the time had fully come for such reunion. They also suggested that the practice of some of the results of union should be first brought to bear, such as inter-communion, exchange of pulpits, and other mutual labors. This reply is noticed on the minutes, with the recommendation that the suggestions in it be carried out, that ministers and members use their discretion in regard to occasional inter-communion.
On the 26th of August, Mr. Eddy was dismissed to the Presbytery of Buffalo City. At this meeting the organization of the church of Sturgeonville was re- ported, as a colony from the church of Fairview. On the 22d of October, John M. Smith (67), of the Pres- bytery of Ohio, and Alexander Boyd (68), formerly a minister in the Associate Reformed Church, were re- ceived as members of Presbytery, and at the same time an elaborate paper was passed on the subject of slavery, bearing its testimony against slavery, dissenting against the fanaticism of men, North and South, in their war against the church of God, hoping for the time when this great evil shall be removed from the country, and declaring themselves free from all participation in the crime of oppression.
Mr. Diekson was permitted to give the whole of his labors to the congregation of Franklin, and Sugar Creek was declared vacant. At the same time Mr. Boyd was dismissed to the Presbytery of Steubenville.
During the year 1846, there were not many changes in the Presbytery. Peace and quietness reigned, and
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HISTORY.
prosperity prevailed, although there was no special out- pouring of the Holy Spirit. Ou the 28th of January, Mr. Smith was installed as pastor of the church of Warren ; and on the same day Miles T. Merwin (69), a licentiate of the Presbytery of New York, was re- ceived under the care of Presbytery, and on the 21th of June ordained and installed as pastor of the church of Irvine. On the 22d of April Mr. Coulter was re- leased from the charge of the congregations of Concord and Deerfield. On the same day Rev. John Matthews (22), who had formerly been a member of Presbytery, was received from the Presbytery of Coshocton. On the 26th of August, Mr. Dickey was released from the pastoral charge of the congregations of Harmonsburg and Conneautville, and at the following meeting, from that of Evansburg ; and on the 28th day of October, John F. Kean,1 a licentiate of the Presbytery of Blairs- ville, was received under the care of Presbytery.
During the year 1847 two ministers were received into the Presbytery, one was dismissed, and one re- moved by death. On the 23d of June, Mr. Matthews was dismissed to the Presbytery of Saint Louis, and on the same day, John K. Cornyn (70), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Alleghany, was received imder the care of Presbytery, and on the 10th of August ordained and installed as pastor of the churches of Girard, Sturgeon- ville, and Harbor Creek.
On the 17th day of June, Johnston Eaton (20), the oldest minister then on the roll, departed this life. He had been for forty years and upward pastor of the church of Fairview, and had spent the whole of his ministerial life in the pastoral relation to that church.
1 Born in Westmoreland County, l'a. Graduated at Jefferson Col- lege and Western Theological Seminary. Died December 20, 1846.
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On the 10th day of August, Mr. Dickey was dis- missed to the Presbytery of Richland, and on the same day Mr. Smith was released from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Warren ; and on the 27th day of October, Lewis W. Williams (71) was received from the Presbytery of Blairsville.
There were more changes in the year 1848. On the 15th of March Mr. Smith was dismissed to the Presby- tery of Muhlenburg, and on the next day Samuel J. M. Eaton (76) was licensed to preach the gospel, and Lemuel P. Bates (72) received from the Presbytery of Michigan. Mr. Dickson was also released from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Franklin, and dismissed to the Presbytery of Washington. On the 20th of April Mr. Olmstead was ordained as an evan- gelist, and on the 28th of June Charles V. Struve (74), a minister of the Baptist Church, was received as a member of Presbytery. On the 25th of October, James II. Callen (75), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Wash- ington, was received under the care of Presbytery ; and on the same day Mr. Coulter was installed as pas- tor of the congregation of Sugar Creek, and Mr. Mer- win dismissed to the Presbytery of Huntington.
In the year 1849, there was one death in the ministry of the Presbytery, - that of Mr. Struve, that occurred at St. Louis in October. One ordination, that of S. J. M. Eaton (76), as pastor of the churches of Franklin and Mount Pleasant, February 7. On the 18th of April, Mr. J. T. Smith was released from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Mercer, and dismissed to the Presbytery of Baltimore. On the 26th of June, Mr. Williams was dismissed to the Presbytery of Hun- tington, and Mr. John M. Smith to the Presbytery of Ohio. On the same day, Nathaniel M. Crane (77) was
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received from the Presbytery of Buffalo. Mr. Crane had been a missionary to India, under the auspices of the American Board, and had done most excellent ser- vice in that benighted land. Enervated and enfeebled by the climate, he had returned to spend such days as God might give him in preaching the gospel. Of a meek and quiet and lovely disposition, he seemed, like the evangelist John, to be always leaning upon the Mas- ter's bosom, and reflecting the quiet expression of his countenance in his daily life.
During the year 1850, the Presbytery held its own in point of numbers. On the 18th of June, Michael A. Parkinson (78), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Ohio, was received under the care of Presbytery, and on the 11th of September, ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of Concord and Deerfield, the former in Venango, and the latter in Warren County, Pa. On the same day, John Sailor (79) was received from the Presbytery of Pennsylvania, of the other branch. On the 3d of April, Mr. Glenn was released from the pas- toral charge of the congregation of Amity, and on the next day, Mr. Cornyn was released from his charge of Girard, Sturgeonville, and Harbor Creek. On the 19th of June, Mr. Glenn was installed as pastor of Sugar Creek for half his time. On the 11th of September, Mr. Bates was dismissed to the Presbytery of Michigan, from which he had been originally received, and on the same day, Mr. Wilson was released from the pastoral charge of Cool Spring and Salem, and dismissed to the Presbytery of Iowa.
In 1851, one minister was dismissed from the Presby- tery - Mr. Cornyn, to the Presbytery of Wyoming, April 9 ; and one received. This was Robert S. Morton (80), who was received from the Presbytery of Beaver,
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June 10, and installed pastor of the church of Mercer on the 10th of September.
On the 10th of April, George Wright Zahniser (84) was licensed to preach the gospel ; and on the same day William Willson (81), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Ohio, was received under the care of Presbytery ; and Alexander Cunningham released from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Washington. On the next day, Mr. Willson was ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of Girard, Sturgeonville, and Fairview.
The year 1852 presents few changes. On the 14th of April James Young 1 was licensed to preach the gospel. Mr. Cunningham was released from the pas- toral charge of Gravel Run, and dismissed to the Pres- bytery of Alleghany. On the 22d of June, Mr. Callen was released from the pastoral charge of Greenville, and John Wesley McCune (82), a licentiate under the care of the Presbytery of Carlisle, was received and ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of Cool Spring and Sandy Lake. Mr. Coulter was installed as pastor over the congregations of Harmonsburg and Conneautville on the 14th of September, and the follow- . ing day over that of Evansburg.
On the 15th of September, Mr. Morton was released from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Mercer, and dismissed to the Presbytery of Beaver ; and William Mccullough (85) licensed to preach the gospel.
During the year 1853, Presbytery dismissed two of its members, and received an addition of three. On the 12th of January, Mr. Callen was dismissed to the Pres .. bytery of Redstone. On the 4th of May, Mr. Wag- goner was released from the pastoral charge of the
1 Graduated at Washington College, Pa., and Western Theological Seminary ; member of the Presbytery of Sydney.
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congregations of Georgetown and Fairfield, and Mr. Sailor installed at Warren, Pa. On the 7th of Septem- ber, David Grier (83) was received from the Presby- tery of Wyoming, and George W. Zahniser ordained and installed as pastor of the congregation of Conneautville ; and at the same time William McCullough was or- dained as an evangelist ; and on the next day James Irvine Smith (87) was licensed to preach the gospel. On the 22d of June, Robert F. Sample (86), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Northumberland, was received under the care of Presbytery, and on the 18th of Oc- tober, ordained and installed as pastor of the congre- gation of Mercer. On the 20th of October, Mr. Parkin- son was released from the pastoral charge of the con- gregations of Concord and Deerfield, and dismissed to the Presbytery of Steubenville ; at the same time Mr. Young, licentiate, was dismissed, to put himself under the care of the Presbytery of Greenbrier.
In the year 1854, two new churches were enrolled : Waterloo, in Venango County, with a membership of twenty, and two elders, was organized on the 8th of March; and Greenfield, in Crawford County, on the 22d of June, with eleven members and two elders. On the 18th of January, Mr. Diekey (64), who had formerly been a member of Presbytery, was received from the Presby- tery of Richland, and on the 19th of April, installed as pastor of the congregations of Gravel Run and Wash- ington. On the 18th of January, Mr. Waggoner was dismissed to the Presbytery of Beaver, Mr. Grier was installed as pastor of the church of Greenville, and William J. Alexander (89), a member of the church of Mercer, licensed to preach the gospel. On the 27th of June, Mr. Crane was dismissed to the Presbytery of Clarion ; and on the 25th of September, James Irvine
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Smith was ordained as an evangelist, with the view of laboring as a missionary in the region of Lake Superior.
In 1855, the usual changes took place, pastoral rela- tions formed, and others broken up; members received and others dismissed. On the 7th of February, Mr. McCune was released from the pastoral charge of Sandy Lake, and gave all his time to Cool Spring. On the 2d of May, James M. Shields (89), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Blairsville, was received under the care of Presbytery, and on the 29th of August, ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of George- town and Fairfield. On the 2d day of May, Mr. Will- son was released from the pastoral charge of Girard, Fairview, and Sturgeonville ; and Mr. Eaton from the pastoral charge of Mount Pleasant, giving all his time to Franklin. On the 28th of August, Mr. Sailor was dismissed to the Presbytery of St. Joseph's, of the other branch. On the 19th of December, Mr. Alexander was ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of Concord and Deerfield, and John D. Caldwell licensed to preach the gospel. On the 28th of June, Park Church, Erie, was organized.
In 1856, there were fewer changes than usual. The church of Milledgeville was organized ; Mr. Caldwell, licentiate, was dismissed to the Presbytery of Dubuque on the 7th of May. On the same day, Mr. Sample was released from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Mercer, and dismissed to the Presbytery of Carlisle. On the 13th of August, Charles A. Behrends (90), a German minister, was received into the Presbytery from the United Evangelical Synod of North America.
During the year 1857, there were still fewer changes, as regards the reception or dismission of members. But the Presbytery, during the year, were called to
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lament the death of Robert Glenn, the oldest minister on the roll. He was not old in years, yet he had been a faithful laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. He died whilst yet pastor of the church of Mill Creek, where he had been ordained on the 12th of September, 1832. He died with the harness on, trembling as a sinner, yet re- joicing and triumphing as a Christian, in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. His death took place on the 6th of September, 1857, after having preached the gos- pel for a quarter of a century, and leaving behind him a record of piety and Christian consistency that is far more valuable than that of the heroes and conquerors, whose deeds are chronicled in story and in song.
On the 6th of January, William M. Blackburn (91) was received from the Presbytery of Lake, and on the 25th . of May, installed as the first pastor of Park Church, Erie. On the 7th of January, Mr. Eaton was released from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Franklin, but continued as a stated supply, and Mr. Alexander from that of Concord and Deerfield. On the 29th of April, John Ross Findley (92) was received from the Presbytery of Sydney, and installed as pastor of the congregation of Mercer ; and the name of Charles A. Behrends stricken from the roll, and on the 26th of September Mr. Willson was dismissed to the Presbytery of Kansas.
During the year 1858, there were few changes, but it was a year of rich mercy and blessing to many of the churches. The spirit was poured out in many places, reminding the attentive reader of the early years of the history of Presbytery. In the narrative of this year we read: " Sinners, not by twos and threes, but by scores, have been hopefully converted. One narrative (church) reports one hundred and fifteen precious souls
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as brought to Christ, another seventy-five, another forty, another twenty-five, another twelve."
On the 13th of April, Mr. Alexander was dismissed to the Presbytery of Washington. Mr. Coulter was released from the pastoral charge of Harmonsburg and Evansburg, and on the next day Ira Miller Con- dit (95), a member of the church of Georgetown, was licensed to preach the gospel. During this year the hearts of the brethren were made sad by the death of Mr. McCullough, who went to rest on the 1st day of February. He was anxious to labor, yet the call to rest was welcome and joyous.
In the year 1859, there were two dismissions from Presbytery, and three ordinations. On the 13th of April, Mr. Zahniser was released from the pastoral charge of Conneautville and dismissed to the Presby- tery of Huntington ; and on the same day, Mr. Grier was released from the pastoral charge of Greenville. On the next day, Mr. Coulter was dismissed to the Pres- bytery of Alleghany. Also, Jolm R. Hamilton (93), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Blairsville, and Jolin Dagg IIowey (94), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Steubenville, were received under the care of Presby- tery. On the 15th of June, Mr. Hamilton was ordained and installed as pastor of the congregation of Fair- view, and on the 20th, of that of Sturgeonville. Half his time was employed in each congregation. On the 21st. of September, Mr. Howey was ordained and in- stalled as pastor of the congregations of Mill Creek and Sugar Creek - time divided equally. On the 24th of the same month, Mr. Condit was ordained as an evangelist, with the view of laboring as a missionary in China. The Presbytery had already sent two of its members to labor as missionaries amongst the Western
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Indians, but Mr. Condit was the first to go to foreign lands. The occasion of his ordination was one of great interest. Rev. E. P. Swift, D. D., by invitation, preached the sermon, Dr. Reynolds offered the ordain- ing prayer, and Mr. Eaton delivered the charge to the missionary.
In the year 1860, two ordained ministers were re- ceived into the Presbytery and one dismissed. One licen- tiate was received and one candidate licensed. Rev. Anthony Canon Junkin (96) was received from the Presbytery of Baltimore on the 10th of April, and on the following day, Rev. Huey Newell (97), from the Presbytery of Iowa. On the same day, John Gordon Condit (100), a member of the church of Fairfield, and nephew of Rev. Ira Condit (24), one of the fathers of the Presbytery, was licensed to preach the gospel. On the 26th of June, George Scott (98), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Washington, was received under the care of Presbytery, and on the next day ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of Greenfield and Evansburg, and afterwards of Harmonsburg. On the 27th of June, Mr. Grier was dismissed to the Pres- bytery of Carlisie. On the 19th of June, the church of Mount Vernon, a colony from the old church of Concord, in Venango County, was organized. This church consisted of eleven members with two elders.
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