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 17
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In October, 1812, Mr. Patterson was dismissed from the Presbytery of Erie, to connect himself with the Presbytery of Redstone. From 1810 to 1836 he was engaged in secular business, book-selling, and at times the manufacture of paper, having been one of the pro- prietors of one of the first paper mills established in the West. This business was carried on extensively for nearly a quarter of a century, bringing him into extensive publie notice, yet not always resulting in suc- cess. Indeed, he suffered many severe reverses, yet was always esteemed a man of most undoubted probity and honor.
During the greater portion of this time, he was stated supply of the Hilands Church, situated about seven miles from Pittsburgh, and in the bounds of the Pres-
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bytery of Ohio. The people of this charge have often remembered his faithful ministrations ; and the recollec- tion of the relationship he had sustained to them, with its many pleasing associations, was a theme of grateful acknowledgment on his part, to the latest period of his life.
In 1840, Mr. Patterson removed to the country a short distance from Pittsburgh. The infirmities of age were now upon him, and he ceased to preach regularly, yet he was always ready, when physical strength would permit, to preach in neighboring churches when they were vacant. For many years increasing spirituality seemed to characterize his mind. The things unseen of the eye of sense absorbed his attention and filled his mind, as was obvious from his reading and conversa- tion. Scarcely a friend or even a stranger paused for a moment at his door, without having their attention called to the things of religion. Rev. Richard Lea, who knew him well, remarks that he did not remember a single conversation with him for many years, were the interview long or short, in which the subject of the soul's great interest had not been introduced. In the bosom of his own family, where he was ever the most tender of husbands, and the most affectionate of fath- ers, and in the enjoyment of that domestic intercourse which had for him a peculiar charm, his spirituality of character and heavenly-mindedness, shone forth with brightest lustre.
His last illness was brief. ITis disease was dysentery. It assumed an alarming character about a week pre- ceding his departure. When all hope of recovery was precluded, his brother Joseph said to him, " You will soon be with that Jesus whom you have loved so long." He smiled a pleased assent. Ilis brother then remark-
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ing that " God showed the same mercy in breaking up as in building up a family," he replied that " We are too prone to regard only one of God's attributes - his mercy ; forgetting that he was infinite in them all - his justice as well as his mercy." Other remarks showed that whilst tenderly mindful of those around, his thoughts were with that Saviour he was so soon to see.
On Sabbath afternoon he lapsed into a state of almost lethargy, which continued with little interruption until Tuesday evening, September 5, 1854, when without a quivering muscle, or a heaving sigh, he passed away from earth.
There are perhaps few to whom could be applied with greater propriety the words which were the last he ever read, when he led for the last time the devo- tions of his family, on the Wednesday preceding his decease : " For our conversation is in heaven ; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." Phil. iii. 20, 21.
In August, 1801, Mr. Patterson was united in mar- riage to Miss Jean, daughter of Col. John Canon, the proprietor of Cannonsburg. They had seven children, five daughters, and two sons.
The following paper from the pen of Rev. Richard Lea, will throw light upon his character : " Rev. Robert Patterson, son of Joseph, was like his father in many respects : rather short and heavy, very lively and good natured. He was not a student, but a good scholar ; long known in Pittsburgh as a bookseller, but preaching for twenty-five years, nearly every Sabbath,
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in Hilands Church. He had labored previously in Erie County, Pa. He lived many years, in a hearty old age, after his resignation as pastor.
"I never knew one so remarkable for under-valuing self. In judicatories he spoke impulsively, and if re- plied to pointedly, none enjoyed it more than himself. He would catechize a young man's performance ear- nestly, and ending with, . It is too much like my own performances ;' or 'It is very poor indeed, but far better than I could do myself.' The severest thing he ever said was, 'Moderator, as a performance, that is more logical and accurate than anything of my own, but I never did preach such a Christless thing. I never will vote for a sermon that has not the slightest perfume of the Rose of Sharon.'
" He often told with great gusto, the following, which was rather at his own expense : -
"' I was riding on horseback through the mud, seven miles to Hilands, to preach on Sabbath morning. A traveller overtook me. I told him he must be fond of violating the Sabbath to travel over such awful roads.
"' And what are you doing, friend ?'
"'O, I'm going to church.'
"' Do you think it makes much difference to the horse ? Couldn't you get preaching nearer ?'
" The church was soon reached, and I said, 'Sup- pose you come and hear preaching ; it will rest both you and your horse.'
"' Who is the preacher ?'
"' One Patterson.'
"' Did he preach in Erie once ?'
"' Yes.'
"'Then I won't stop - he is the dryest old stick I ever heard.'
1
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" His own sermons were all extempore, and very much taken up with the relative duties of husbands and wives, parents and children. Ile abounded in anecdotes, sure to speak of Jesus ; often, with tears, of his mother.
" The text he often pursed - spoke of nouns and verbs, etc., often exclaiming, 'O, the sweetness of the personal pronouns. Any one can say, a Saviour, the Saviour ; it takes a christian to say, my Lord, my Saviour.'
." Every one wished to lodge him, at Presbytery. He would put all at case by saying, ' What a bountiful meal God has given you for us.' ' Put as much cream into my coffee as though you kept a cow, and as much sugar as if you had a sugar camp.'
"' Make your tea strong, and weaken with cream and sugar.'
". Madam ! What a nice big boy you have! Give him to Christ, and ask him to make him a missionary.'
" To a lady who asked him what school she should send her danghter to, he replied, 'That one that has the most religion in it.'
". Don't send your boy into the world until he has found Christ. But if he will go, follow him with prayers and tears. Give him and God no rest, until he is con- verted.'"
(14.) ROBERT JOHNSTON.
1802-1861.
THERE are many remarkable incidents connected with the life of this servant of God. His old age, his long period of active labor, and his success in winning souls to Christ, make his history interesting and instructive. There is an incident connected with his dawn of life that is worthy of record. "When he was an infant
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of days, his maternal grandfather died, who was a de- votedly pious man. Just before his death, he was led to the door, at his own request, supported by his attendant watchers. It was night. He looked with anxious gaze towards the heavens, as though longing to fly away to God. But his work was not quite done. As he cast his eyes downward, the little babe in his mother's arms smiled upon him, at which sight he lifted his eyes again toward heaven, and poured forth a most earnest and im- passioned prayer for the infant. It was his dying prayer. His work was now done, and he fell asleep in Jesus. From that hour, the parents, who had already devoted the child to God in baptism, resolved with unwavering purpose to educate him for the ministry." 1
" Rev. Robert Johnston was of English extraction, being a lineal descendant of Oliver Cromwell, by Bridget, the eldest daughter of the Protector, who was first the wife of General Fleetwood, and afterward of General Ireton. His paternal grandfather emigrated to this country, in early manhood, and settled and married in the State of New Jersey. He had three sons - Abram, Robert, and Elisha - and one daughter. Robert, the second son, settled as a farmer on the west bank of the Juniata River, in what is called Sherman's Valley, in Cumberland (now Perry) County, Pennsylvania, where he was married to Miss Jane Graham.
" Mr. Robert Johnston had five sons, James, Edward, Robert, Francis, and William, and two daughters, Nancy and Mary. Edward obtained, when somewhat advanced in life, an education, and was licensed to preach the gospel. Robert, the third son and subject of this bio- graphical sketch, was born on the 7th day of August, 1774."2
1 Rev. Loyal Young, D. D.
2 Dr. Swift's Sermon.
16
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The purpose of devoting him to the gospel ministry, his parents seem to have laid up in their own hearts, for in boyhood young Robert was sent to learn the trade of a wagon-maker, which business he pursued until his twenty-second year. In the year 1792, his father crossed the mountains, and with his family settled on a place near Cannonsburg, Pa. Ile had become involved pecuniarily, and must seek a home in a comparatively new country. In this new location his circumstances began to prosper, and he saw the way opening for carry- ing out his long-cherished purpose of educating his son. In May, 1796, the parents of Robert Johnston made known to him and the rest of the family their plans and hopes, and in his twenty-second year he commenced his studies in the Cannonsburg Academy.
In the autumn of 1801, having completed his studies in the Academy, he commenced the study of theology with Dr. MeMillan. His classmates were, James Car- nahan, William MeMillan, Robert Patterson (13), and Stephen Lindley. On the 22d of April, 1802, he was licensed to preach the gospel, by the Presbytery of Ohio.
Very providentially for the cause of history, Mr. Johnston has left behind a brief autobiography, from which a few paragraphs are selected, quoted from the discourse delivered by Rev. E. P. Swift, D. D., before the Synod of Alleghany : -
" After prosecuting the study of theology about eigh- teen months, I was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio, on the 22d of April, 1802. After riding one year as a licentiate (chiefly in Ohio and Kentucky), I received a call from the united congregations of Scrubgrass and Bear Creek, and entered upon my charge on the first Sabbath of August."
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Mr. Johnston was ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, on the 19th day of October, 1803, at Scrubgrass. His trial sermon was on John vi. 45. In the ordination services, Rev. James Satterfield (6) preached on Matt. xvi. 26, and Rev. William Wylie (7) presided and de- livered the charges.1
" I had become familiar with the great western re- vival which commenced in Kentucky, in 1802, having seen it there and in Ohio during the summer, and in Western Pennsylvania in the fall and winter following, and felt anxious to see it in my own charge. The set- tlement in Serubgrass was new, and composed generally of young families, and was lamentably destitute of vital piety. So far as I knew, there were but three praying men in the congregation, and they lived in the extreme parts of it, and could not be convened for a prayer meeting."
Mr. Johnston then proceeds to relate the circum- stances, already alluded to in the body of this work, con- nected with a powerful revival of religion, the fruits of which he states to be the hopeful conversion of more than a hundred souls within the bounds of the con- gregation of Scrubgrass, comprising fully one half of all its adult members.
" Not long after the revival had ceased, I resigned the charge of Bear Creek, and devoted my whole time to Scrubgrass, where I continued to labor in peace and comfort until interrupted by claims to the soil, presented by land-jobbers, which eventually drove many of my best members from their farms into the State of Ohio. This reduced the congregation so far that I was laid under the painful necessity of parting with the remains of a
1 Min. Erie Pros. i. 21.
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flock, endeared to me by every tie that could bind a pastor and his flock together in love.
"In February, 1811, I took my leave of this little flock and moved to Meadville, and took charge of that congregation, with two others, Sugar Creek and Con- neaut Lake, devoting half of my time to Meadville, and the balance to the other two. Here I continued to labor until the spring of 1817, when, for causes not under my control, I felt it to be my duty to leave them and to remove to the congregations of Rehoboth and Round Hill, on the forks of the Youghiogheny River, under the care of the Presbytery of Redstone.
" In these congregations, I continued to labor in peace and comfort, and I trust not without some degree of usefulness, until December, 1822, when for various reasons that to me appeared sufficient to decide the ques- tion of duty, and which I presented to the Presbytery in writing, I took my leave of that people. I spent the following winter principally in an Agency for the Board of Domestic Missions ; and in the spring I accepted an Agency in behalf of the Western Foreign Missionary Society and part of the summer and fall I acted as agent for the Western Theological Seminary.
"On the first of November, 1833, I visited Bethel congregation, Indiana County, Pa., where I spent the winter as stated supply, and in the spring accepted a call and became their pastor. Here I continued until, through the infirmities of age, I became unable to en- dure the fatigue and exposure necessarily connected with parochial duties, particularly family visitation, dis- triet catechising, and Bible-class and Sabbath-school instruction. Believing that in ordinary circumstances no man is justifiable in holding an office in Church or State, the duties and responsibilities of which he is un-
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able to discharge, I asked and obtained leave to resign my pastoral charge in October, 1841, and at the request of the congregation, I continued as stated supply for six months. While I felt it my duty to resign the charge of a congregation,1 I had no design to quit preaching, and being blessed with health and strength of lungs beyond the lot of my fellow-laborers, I had no desire to demit my beloved employment, and for six years that I have been without a charge, I have, in as- sisting my brethren on communion occasions, and in supplying their pulpits when they were necessarily ab- sent, and occasionally supplying a vacant congregation, preached as many sermons as there have been Sabbaths, since my dismission in 1841 up to October, 1847. Since that time I have not been able to preach so fre -- quently."
We have here in his own words, plain and unassum- ing as they are, a record of his outward life and public labors. From other sources it appears that he remained at Scrubgrass and Bear Creek about eight years; in Meadville, and the congregations attached to it, six years; in Rehoboth and Round Hill, sixteen years; in Bethel ten years, making an active pastorate of forty years.
After retiring from the pastoral office he continued to reside with his son, James W. Johnston, Esq., until his death.
Mr. Johnston was a member of the Presbytery of Erie, from the time of his ordination until February 25, 1818, when he became a member of the Presby- tery of Redstone. He continued a member of this : Presbytery until 1834, when he became a member of the. Presbytery of Blairsville, of which he continued a
1 Mr. Johnston was then in his 68th year.
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member until 1851, when he became a member of the Presbytery of Beaver, continuing this connection until his death.
About the beginning of his ministry, he was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Wright, a daughter of Judge Wright, long an eminent and valuable ruling elder in the church ; and with her he lived most happily for near fifty years. This devoted woman entered most heartily into the spirit of his labors, accompanying him on horseback in his missionary work, sharing in his pri- vations, comforting him in his discouragements, and taking such part in his labors, throughout his public ministry, as a devoted, heroic, Christian wife can, and died in New Castle, Pa., about the year 1852.
Of his family four sons received a liberal education, and are settled respectably in professional life : Rev. J. Watson Jolinston, of the Presbytery of Beaver ; Hon. S. P. Johnston, President Judge of the Sixth Judicial District of Pennsylvania; Robert Johnston, M. D., of West Middlesex, Pa. ; and James W. Johnston, Esq., a member of the bar. Of his two surviving daughters, one is the wife of Rev. Loyal Young, D. D., of Butler, Pa., and the other of Alexander Ross, Esq., of New Castle, Pa.
During the last few years of his life he was much dis- abled by infirmity, being obliged to walk with crutches and even in this way with difficulty. The last time he appeared in Synod was at New Castle, in September, 1855; when, coming in on his crutches, he was cordially saluted by the venerable moderator, Dr. Swift, with in- quiries for his health, he replied : "I have nothing of which to complain," but checking himself he added, - " Yes, there is the old wicked heart yet. I cannot get clear of that."
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He was always punctual in his attendance at meet- ings of church courts. To his son-in-law, Dr. Young, he wrote in October, 1849 : " My health has been so precarious for some time past, that I feel that it would not be prudent to be from home for any length of time. I have therefore concluded to be absent for the first time for the last forty-six years from the meeting of Synod."
From his early struggles in the way of life, he was eminently fitted to guide the inquiring, to comfort the desponding, and to warn those who were disposed to trust in their own works. His ministry was eminently successful. During the revivals with which his ministry was blessed, many young men were brought into the church, who afterwards became ministers of the gospel.
Hle was the special friend of all the benevolent opera- tions of the church. Missionary, Educational, Bible, and Temperance Societies, always had his most hearty cooperation and encouragement.
" Mr. Johnston was an able, instructive, and impres- sive preacher. Without being what is familiarly called an eloquent, polished, or captivating speaker, he pos- sessed strong lungs, a voice capable of filling with ease the largest building, and an enunciation so distinct that any in the largest assembly could easily hear him. If his voice was mighty in strength, and solemn and com- manding in its utterance, it lacked melody and softness. His manner in the pulpit was grave, solemn, and often impassioned, attesting the profoundest sincerity and ardor ; and at times his appeals to the conscience were thrilling and powerful." 1
Says Dr. Young : " His preaching was earnest, solemn, and instructive. Often was he so deeply moved by the importance of his themes, that utterance almost
1 Dr. Swift.
.
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failed. This was more especially the case in prayer. The unction and pathos of his prayers are well known by those who have often bowed with him at the family altar. The circle gathered there have often found the place a Bochim, while he led in penitential supplication."
With a heart overflowing with human kindness, there was yet much in his countenance and manner that re- minded one of the old Puritan fathers. The blood of his old ancestors seemed to show itself in his counte- nance and in his speech. There was a gravity and sternness in his countenance and words that at first were almost repulsive. Hle used the old Anglo-Saxon lan- guage with great power, and handled the vices and fol- lies of the times with unmitigated severity, speaking in language so strong that it seemed sometimes to amount to censoriousness and harshness. Yet withal, no one acquainted with him doubted the genuine kind- ness and charity that dwelt in his heart.
Says Dr. Young, in speaking of his last days : " To the doctrines and order of the Presbyterian church, Mr. Johnston was devotedly attached ; and yet he loved with true Catholic charity all that bore the image of Christ. No man appreciated more than he, a good sermon or address, and he was enraptured by the power of elo- quence, especially when the subject was the excellency of Christ, the glory of his coming kingdom, or the work of his grace in the hearts of men. These were themes of which he never grew weary. These themes so filled his heart during his last years that he was always happy. Never, perhaps, was an old age more cheerful. His wonder was why God should continue the life of one so useless, and he said often that he was just wait- ing in daily anticipation of his departure. A few years before his death, and at the last time he was at the
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house of the writer, while the family were gathered for worship on the evening of the Sabbath, he gave utter- ance to words so full of longing desire for heaven, that the pen can do no justice in attempting to record them. He said he had such an insatiable desire to know what the glory of heaven was, that he felt almost impatient for the time to come when he should be per- mitted to behold it; and this was said with so much pathos, and with a face so radiant with joy, that we all felt that we were communing with a man that had a foretaste of the bliss to which he was going. It was then, or at a later period, that he informed the writer that he had an abiding assurance of his being accepted with God and of his final happiness, and that for many years he had had no anxious doubt. In view of the Millennium, whose dawn he soon anticipated, he would sometimes say, that if it were lawful, he could wish to have been born fifty years later."
But the time of departure came at last, and with an illness of but two weeks' duration, he seemed literally to fall asleep, without a muscle indicating a departing struggle. His death occurred at New Castle, Pa., May 20, 1861, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. Ilis remains rest in the cemetery at New Castle, near those of his departed companion in life.
(15.) NICHOLAS PITTINGER.
1803-1831.
NICHOLAS PITTINGER was born about the year 1766. Although his death took place at a comparatively late date, yet not much of his history has come down to our day. Of his parents and place of birth, we know noth- ing. He was educated at the Cannonsburg Academy,
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and studied theology in the approved way with Dr. McMillan, and was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio on the 20th day of October, 1803. Ilis name first ap- pears on the records of the Presbytery of Erie, January 11, 1804, in this wise : " Mr. Pittinger, a licentiate of the Ohio Presbytery, being present and having signified his willingness to itinerate through the vacancies in this Presbytery, was appointed to preach at Poland," etc.
On the 27th day of June, in the same year, he was received under the care of Presbytery, and calls from the congregations of Westfield, Pa., and Poland, Ohio, having been presented for his pastoral labors, Rom. iii. 31, was assigned him as a subject for a sermon as part of trials for ordination.
On the 24th day of October, 1804, he was ordained to the whole work of the ministry, and installed pastor of the above churches. The meeting of Presbytery was at Westfield, the veteran Joseph Badger (11) preached the sermon, and William Wick (2) delivered the charges. He continued to serve the church of West- field until the 13th of September, 1809, and the church of Poland until the 20th of March, 1810.
Ile was one of the original members of the Pres- bytery of Hartford, or Beaver, and from that Presby- tery was dismissed to that of Washington, Ky., March 21, 1810. We cannot follow him closely now, as the footprints become indistinct. In the year 1810, he was a member of the Presbytery of Washington, Ky., and is reported as pastor of the church of Rocky Spring, near Greenfield, Ohio. Soon after, he is preaching at Nazareth and New Market, in connection with Rocky Spring. His pastorate at the latter place continued about ten years, and terminated in 1820. He is after- wards reported as stated supply at Pisgah, in the Pres- bytery of Chilicothe.
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About the year 1821, he removed to the State of In- diana, and in 1823 was commissioned by the Board of Missions to labor in the northern part of that State.1 This missionary work was arduous and severe. It con- tinued but about one year, as he returned to the con- gregation of Rocky Spring, in Highland Co., Ohio, in April, 1824, where he continued to labor as a stated supply until his death, which occurred April 16, 1831, in the sixty-fifth year of his age, and the twenty-eighth of his ministry.
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