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 23
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Mr. Glenn was a laborious and most faithful pastor. He was instant in season and out of season, and liter-
1 Rev. Loyal Young, D. D.
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ally wore himself out in preaching the gospel. He was not a great man, but he was a good man. He was not an orator, but he was a faithful preacher of the Word. He labored for the souls of men as one that must give account. Ile labored and toiled over his sermons as the miner does in his quest for gold. It is not strange then that his preaching was accompanied with the demonstration of the Spirit and with power. If he did not excel in the power of logic, or in that intense grappling of mind with great subjects that exhibits peculiar powers of intellect, he could relate the simple story of the Cross with most persuasive power and unc- tion. And, like Jacob of old, he had peculiar power in wrestling with the Angel of the Covenant. He was mighty in prayer. Those who heard him felt that to him the mercy-seat was a familiar place, and that rev- erence and boldness and faith were all prominent in his addresses to the Most High. As a man he was uni- formly meek, humble, diffident of his own judgment and abilities, yet firm in his adherence to principle and conscience. He was a power for good in the com- munity where he dwelt, and had fewer enemies than many who are less zealous for the cause of truth and righteousness. As a Christian he was simple and childlike in his piety, shrinking from any alhision to his own attainments; yet most evidently bearing about with him the glow of ardent love to God and the souls of men. His ministry was characterized by regular, systematic, conscientious effort, and its fruits were a gradual growth, and a steady, constant adding to the church not only from the families already connected with it, but from the families of the world.
The last hours of such a man were of course peace- ful. Constant labor and frequent exposure gradually
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undermined a constitution that must have been origi- nally of great power and endurance. The disease to which he ultimately succumbed was consumption. He saw the end approaching, and commenced setting his house in order. His religious exercises were most de- lightful and comforting to those who witnessed them. Yet there was nothing of presumption or mere senti- ment connected with them. When the deep waters were approaching his footsteps, a ministerial brother in- quired if he felt that he was on the Rock. He replied, " Yes ; but as a poor guilty sinner, with no hope but in precious, atoning blood." He looked across the dark valley, not with the presumption of the sentimentalist, or the feigned calmmess of the philosopher, but with the earnest, humble faith of the believer in Jesus. And thus, in sublime faith and childlike confidence in God, he passed through the valley, and entered the City of Gold, to " see the King in his beauty."
His death occurred on the morning of the Sabbath, September 6, 1857 ; and he was laid to rest in the burial ground of the church of Mill Creek, just in the rear of the pulpit from which he had preached the gospel for more than a quarter of a century. A simple marble shaft marks the place of his burial, on which was in- scribed, by the direction of Presbytery, the following words : -
(First Side of the Die.) ROBERT GLENN :
A MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, AND FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS PASTOR OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MILL CREEK.
(Second Side.)
BORN MARen 2, 1802, DIED SEPT. 6, 1857, "ITE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP. "
Ps. cxxvii. 2.
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(Third Side.)
THEY THAT TURN MANY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS SHIALL SHINE AS THE STARS, FOREVER AND EVER. Dan. xii. 3.
(Fourth Side.) HE LOVED TO PREACH CHRIST, AND WITH A BURNING ZEAL FOR SOULS, HE WORE. HIMSELF OUT IN THE MASTER'S SERVICE.
Mr. Glenn was thrice married. His first wife was Miss Rebecca Wycoff, of Mercer County, Pa., with whom he lived fifteen years, when she was called away from earth. By her he had three sons and two daughters. One of these sons, Samuel M., was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Erie, and afterwards ordained and installed within the bounds of the Pres- bytery of Columbus. His second wife was Miss Mary Ann MeCracken, a member of the congregation of Mill Creek, and daughter of one of his elders. She died eight months after marriage. His third wife was Miss Harriet Finley of Evansburg, Crawford County, Pa., with whom he lived eight years, until his death, and by whom he had three children.
(45.) JOHN McNAIR, D. D. 1831-1867.
JOHN MCNAIR was the third son of Solomon and Sarah ( McMasters) McNair. He was born near New- town, Bucks County, Pa., on the 28th day of May, 1806. His mother was a great grand-daughter of a French gentleman named De la Plaine, who emigrated at an early day to New Jersey. From him Dr. MeNair in- herited that peculiar vibratory motion of the eye, so
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familiar to his friends. He had the advantage of a careful religious training in his childhood and youth, and at an early age became a member of the church. He owed much to his mother, who was eminently pious and a lady of great decision of character.
He received his academical education at Newtown academy. In 1825, he entered the Sophomore Class at Jefferson College, and graduated in 1828. His theo- logical studies were pursued at Princeton, and he was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, in 1831, and soon after set out to Western Pennsylvania, to labor as a domestic missionary. ITis first field was in Warren County, Pa., in the bounds of the Presbytery of Erie. By this Presbytery he was ordained as an evangelist on the 7th day of November, 1833. Johnston Eaton (20) preached the sermon, and James Alexander (40) delivered the charge. He was a member of the Presbytery of Erie about three years, and from it was transferred to that of Vincennes in 1836.
Dr. McNair labored as an evangelist about eight years ; one year in Warren, Pa., one in Fairmount near Philadelphia, one in Vincennes, Iowa, one in Milford, N. J., one in Stroudsburg, Pa., and more than three in the Museonetcong Valley, N. J. His first permanent settlement was in Lancaster City, Pa., where he con- tinued eleven years. Ile was obliged to resign this charge on account of ill health, when he removed to Clinton, N. J., amongst his wife's relatives. Here he purchased a farm and commenced farming in connection with ministerial labors, very greatly to the benefit of his health. Ile preached at Clinton for six or eight years.
During the war, he received a commission as Chap- lain of the 31st Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers, and went to the field to share the hardships and dan-
1
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gers of the army. He was a model chaplain ; always faithful, always at the post of duty, and always earnest in his great work. When his army labors closed, he returned to Lancaster, where he resided until his death, which took place on Sabbath, January 27, 1867, in the sixty-first year of his age and the thirtieth of his minis- try. His illness was very brief. He had been studying and laboring hard during the winter and overtaxed his brain ; in this condition of mind and body, he took a violent cold whilst laboring during the " week of prayer." This brought on congestion of the brain and lungs, and in one week's time he sunk to the grave. His remains were carried to Clarksville, N. J., and laid to rest beside those of his son, who had died a few months before.
An appreciative friend thus speaks of him : " Those who knew him best will ever cherish his memory, while they do but simple justice to the characteristics of his head and his heart. Retiring in his manner and de- portment, he was ever cheerful and kind, possessing however a firmmess and integrity of purpose which made itself felt in his expressed opinions, together with a sincerity unquestioned, which gave a high tone to the doctrines he inculcated. His sermons evinced a high order of talent ; eloquent, yet plain and unaffected, lucid and easily comprehended. As a logician he was unsurpassed, and he was consequently an able debater. One could readily ' Look through the crystal waters of his style, down to the golden sands of his thoughts,' and this it was that rendered his discourses so interesting, truthful, and impressive. Ilis arguments were ever clear and concise, and it was impossible to listen to them without feeling convinced that his belief was sin- cere and that his opinions were the honest and firm
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convictions of a man who loved God and kept his com- mandments.
' His lips taught virtue, which his life confess'd.'
" As a husband and father, he was what might have been expected from so pure a man."
About the year 1838, Dr. McNair was united in mar- riage to Miss Susan Adaline Hunt, daughter of Dr. William A. A. Hunt, and grand-daughter of Rev. Hol- loway W. Hunt. They had two children; the elder a daughter named Lizzie (now Mrs. Lizzie Day) ; the younger a son named Alfred, who was killed by a rail- road accident but a few months before his father's depar- ture.
(47.) NATHANIEL WEST, D. D. 1820-1864.
DR. WEST was born in the province of Ulster, Ireland,1 although to all intents and purposes he was as much a Scotchman as though he had taken his first lease of life amid the mountain fastnesses of Scotland. It is probable that his early life was passed in Scotland. He was born in the year 1794. He was at one time a chap- lain in the army. Ilis theological studies were pursued. in Edinburgh. He entered the ministry in the year 1820, in the Independent connection.
Ile emigrated to this country in 1834, bearing letters with him from many of the distinguished ministers of Scotland, amongst them one from Dr. Chalmers.
In the month of September, 1834, he came to Mead- ville, l'a. Hle had been taken on trial as a foreign min- ister, by the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, and was by that body dismissed to the Presbytery of Erie, by which he was received on further trial, April 15,
1 Wilson's Presbyterian Historical Almanac.
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1835. On the 8th of October following, he was ap- proved and accepted as a member of Presbytery, sub- ject to the approval of Synod. The action was after- wards approved by Synod. Having accepted calls to the church of Meadville, Pa., he was installed on the 11th day of May, 1836. This relation continued until the 26th day of June, 1838, when at his own request it was dissolved. He subsequently labored at North East, Pa., Monroe, Mich., Pittsburgh, Mckeesport, Belmont, and Hestonville (united), Pa. At the time of his death he was the senior chaplain of the Satterlee U. S. Hospital, West Philadelphia.
Dr. West was a remarkable man. His history was crowded with incident and anecdote, that were interest- ing and almost romantic. He was endowed by nature with a stalwart frame, great powers of endurance, and an energy that was almost invincible under ordinary difficulties. In mind, he was gifted above the ordi- nary range of men, although his mental characteristics were peculiar. Ilis powers of analysis and his strength of memory were astonishing. His knowledge of the Scriptures was such, that he could not only quote at any length verbatim, but give chapter and verse. In this respect he was almost literally a living Concordance. He was accustomed to draw from the Word of God the rules that governed his daily life and action, so that at times it seemed to strangers almost as though he used the Word of God in too light and trifling a manner. He was never at a loss for Scripture language in any reply or retort he thought necessary to make. On oc- casion of coming into the bounds of the Presbytery of Erie, and before he had become acquainted with the members, he was preaching at a small town near where two of the brethren were stopping. They went to hear
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him, and after the service was concluded, made them- selves known to him. Ilis instantaneous remark was -
" Hlad I but known you were here, sure my text should have been Gen. xlii. 16. 'By the life of Pharoah, surely ye are spies.' "
During his chaplaincy at Satterlee Hospital, he felt the need of a small chapel for the use of the sick and wounded soldiers, and opened a subscription for the purpose of erecting one. Among others he called upon an acquaintance, a member of the Society of Friends, with the remark -
" Friend John, I have called to ask thee to subscribe to an important enterprise."
" Very well, friend Nathaniel, what is it ?" The Doc- tor proceeded to describe the need of a chapel for the hospital, when his friend replied, -
" Well, that is a good object, and I think I will sub- scribe twenty-five dollars."
" But, friend John, I can prove to thee from the Scriptures, that thee should subscribe fifty."
" Well, friend Nathaniel, if thee can do that I will even subscribe fifty."
" And sure, and does it not say in Luke xvi. 6: ' Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.'"
As a preacher Dr. West was original, fluent, and eminently Scriptural. His divisions were usually text- ual, and drawn out in the old style of many divisions and sub-divisions, yet all based upon the text and rigidly drawn from it. In the Old Testament Scriptures, in every tree and shrub, in every nail and stone of the Temple, he saw something that pointed to the gospel and the work of Christ. He was an eminently instruc- tive preacher, bringing from his treasure things new and old.
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He published many sermons and tracts. The " Anal- ysis of the Bible " was, however, his great work. Al- though based on the work of Talbot, yet the work of compiling and arranging it for the press was herculean.
At the division of the Church in 1838, Dr. West went with the New School, but after the lapse of some ten or twelve years became connected with the Old School.
His disease was paralysis. He died at Philadelphia, on the 2d day of September, 1864, in the seventieth year of his age and the forty-fourth of his ministry. His remains rest in the Oakland Cemetery.
(53.) CHARLES DANFORTH.
1829-1867.
CHARLES DANFORTHI, the son of Samuel and Lucy (Auger) Danforth, was born at Rupert, Bennington County, Vermont, on the 23d day of August, 1800. His father was son of Jonathan Danforth, of Hardwick, Mass. His mother, Lucy Auger, was a native of New Haven, Conn. He was fitted for college by Rev. Moses Hallock, of Plainfield, Mass. He graduated at Wil- liams College in 1826.
Ilis was a life of struggles and vicissitudes. With a desire to work for the cause of Christ, and for the good of souls, he found the way often full of obstacles and sore discouragements. There was to his inner ear the voice, " Go work to-day in my vineyard," and the dis- couraging thought, that weakness of constitution and narrowness of means would be in his way ; so he pressed on in study and resolution, possibly one of the martyrs of the church militant.
Ilis theological education was obtained at Auburn Theological Seminary, where he was licensed to preach
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the gospel by the Presbytery of Cayuga, in 1829; and, at the same meeting, ordained to do the work of an evangelist. Ile soon after went out to labor in the States of Ohio and Indiana. Ile afterwards labored several years in the bounds of the Presbyteries of Miami and Chilicothe. On the 11th of April, 1838, he became a member of the Presbytery of Erie, and re- moved from its bounds in 1840. He labored for a time in Springfield, Pa.
In April, 1830, Mr. Danforth was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia F. Sadd, daughter of Harry Sadd, of Austinburg, Ohio. They have had five children, three daughters and two sons. The second daughter went as a missionary to Africa, and was connected with the Mendi Mission. Whilst there she became the wife of Rev. S. J. Whiton, of the same mission. After labor- ing a little more than a year in that benighted land, she was called to rest in Jesus. Her departure was greatly lamented by all who knew her. Mr. Danforth adhered to the New School branch at the division.
During the last years of Mr. Danforth's life, he suffered greatly from ill health. In fact, for several years he had no pastoral charge, but resided at Ober- lin, Ohio, preaching occasionally as opportunity offered and strength permitted. In the spring of 1867, he was greatly afflicted with lameness, and other symptoms of failing health. Ilis liver became complicated with dis- ease of the lungs, when he rapidly sunk. He died at Oberlin, Ohio, on the 29th day of April, 1867, in the sixty-seventh year of his age, and the thirty-eighth of his ministry.
In the last weeks of his life, he made a thorough re- examination of his hope, and felt that he could trust all in Christ. The Rock seemed firmer under his feet,
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and he could trust confidently in the merits of Jesus Christ. And to the last Christ was with him, sustain- ing, comforting, and cheering him, until he went up to be "Forever with the Lord."
(66.) JOIIN LIMBER. 1843-1849.
JOHN LIMBER was the son of John and Mary (Long) Limber, and was born in Crawford County, Pa., on the 22d day of April, 1814. Both his father's and mother's families came from Northumberland County, Pa., and settled in Crawford County, about the year 1795. His mother died when he was but four years of age. The family was then broken up, and John was raised amongst his friends until the age of fourteen, when he was sent to Meadville, to learn a mechanical occupation. Whilst at his trade, with other boys of his age, he formed a literary society for mutual improvement ; and as he grew older, manifested a very earnest desire for a better education than he had yet been able to obtain. Through the influence of friends he was released from his ap- prenticeship, when he went to Greenville, Pa., worked at his trade, and studied with Rev. James Alexander (40), who was pastor of the church at that place. Whilst there he made a profession of religion. From this place he went to 'Zelienople, Pa., and pursued his studies under great difficulties, but with considerable success. He was also tutor in the family of Judge Derickson, at Meadville, Pa. Studying at the same time with Rev. Nathaniel West (47), pastor of the church there. ITe also studied for a time at Alleghany College. Finally he became a student at Amherst College, Mass., pursuing his studies under great and
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pressing difficulties, yet) with a calm heroism that was well-nigh sublime. Sometimes he would teach in the neighborhood of the college, and recruit his finances. On one occasion, he went to North Carolina and taught for a time. He finally graduated. After this he taught for a time in the academies of Meadville and Erie, meanwhile pursuing his theological studies privately.
He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presby- tery of Erie, on the 4th day of October, 1843. For a year or two, he was engaged in preaching in vacant churches in the bounds of the Presbytery, to the great satisfaction of those who heard him. But there was a nervous diffidence that oppressed him like a great shadow resting upon his heart, and often filling him with distress amounting to agony. Under this feeling of op- pression, he would sometimes walk his room wringing his hands in his distress, yet he felt at the same time, " Woe is me, if I preach not the gospel."
In the autumn of 1844, he was designated by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, as a mission- ary to the Indians. In view of this, he was ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, on the 16th day of October, 1844. John V. Reynolds (56) preached on the occa- sion, David Waggoner (54) presided, and Cyrus Dick- son (58) delivered the charge to the missionary.
He labored amongst the Indians for a year or two, and then went as a missionary to Texas. Ile preached at Houston, Galveston, Austin, and Washington. He finally concluded to settle at Washington, Texas, and was dismissed from the Presbytery of Erie to that of Brazos, on the 25th day of April, 1846.
Previous to going to the Indian country, he had formed the acquaintance of Miss Emily S. Messenger, of Wrentham, Mass., but who was then teaching at Mead-
22
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ville, Pa. To this lady, Mr. Limber was married on the 18th day of January, 1849. The marriage took place at Louisville, Ky., where Miss Messenger was then teaching. The same day they left on board a steam- boat for New Orleans. On the 29th of January, the boat lay to at the Lafayette landing. Then he went down to the city, took passage on another boat to Texas, and returned to his wife. After tea, and about dark, he remarked that he wished to procure a few Bibles to take with him, took an omnibus, went down to the city. At the Bible House he purchased his books, placed them in a satchel, and finding that the carriages had ceased running, started to walk to the boat, a distance of two miles, through the dark and stormy night. Here his record ceases. He never returned to the boat. Alone in that dark, tempestuous night, and in that city of great wickedness, he disappeared. Who shall finish the record ? Who tell how he passed away ? The completed history will be found only in God's great book above. Whose voice did he hear? That of the midnight robber ? that of the wildly surging river? Did some " horror of great darkness " envelop him as in a cloud from which there was no escape ? Great are the mysteries of time. Eternity will reveal them all.
The stricken, widowed wife went on to Texas, and resumed her old employment. From boyhood, Mr. Limber was of a quiet, shrinking temperament, fond of reading, seldom playing, most inoffensive in his disposi- tion, and exemplary in his life. After the age of fifteen, his burning desire was to receive a liberal education, and after all his difficulties, he accomplished this, be- coming a good, critical scholar.
The following tribute, written at the time of his dis-
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appearance, by one 1 who knew him well, is so beautiful and just, that it is here reproduced : " He was gentle as a woman, tender and kind as a mother, generous almost to a fault, often to his own injury, sympathetic as a sis- ter. His heart was deep as woman's, and he added the mental qualities and discipline and worth of a man. Hle covered up great stores of wealth, that none but his intimate friends ever knew, under a modesty and diffi- dence very rare. His life was full of troubles. Poor from a boy, he struggled without aid through school and college, and became a superior scholar. His fears were great, and he was doomed to a constant strife. He was driven to and fro, and tossed by buffetings. He came, one scarcely knew whence, nor whither, how, nor where. He would hail you from Brokenstraw, from the Creek Indians, from Texas. Ile married, and has gone, none knows how, nor under what circumstances. As a mist he has faded from our sight."
(68.) ALEXANDER BOYD. 1825-1864.
ALEXANDER BOYD was the son of William and. Mar- garet (McCann) Boyd, and was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, about the year 1796. His father was a merchant of Armagh, Ireland, but about the year 1825, removed to Paisley, Scotland. Alexander Boyd had one brother named William, a printer, and two sis- ters, who married and settled in Scotland.
The subject of this sketch was taken in childhood, and raised by his grandfather, who was a pious and de- voted man. Ile was designed for the ministry ; and after some preparatory education, was sent to Queen's
1 Rev. J. V. Reynolds, D. D.
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College, Belfast. Dr. Edgar was at that time a pro- fessor, and the late Dr. Edgar, son of the professor, was his fellow-student. He completed his course about the year 1825, and was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Donegan, now Londonderry. Be- fore the Union, he was a seceder.
Intending to emigrate to America, he declined all calls to a pastoral settlement, although he remained some years, preaching in various vacant churches as opportunity offered. Amongst other places, he supplied the congregation of Stranorlar, near his grandfather's.
In April, 1829, he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Dickey, daughter of Rev. Wm. Dickey, of Car- nom, Ireland, at which place her brother, Rev. John Dickey, is now settled, as successor to his father. Her father's ministry in that congregation extended over a period of fifty years. IIer brother, Rev. Joseph Dickey, is settled at Kilrea, in the County of Londonderry, Ire- land, and her remaining brother Robert, is a ruling elder in the U. P. Church, at Greenville, l'a.
Mr. Boyd emigrated to America in the year 1831, and landed in Philadelphia, where he tarried for a time, but declined all overtures looking toward a settlement, as he wished to explore the country, and particularly to visit the great West. Soon after this, he removed to Alleghany County, and spent some time within the bounds of the Presbytery of Alleghany. He was, at this time, in connection with the Associate Presbyterian Church. About the year 1835, he accepted calls to the Associate Presbyterian Church of New Castle, Pa., where he was ordained and installed as pastor by the Presbytery of Shenango. He also preached a portion of his time at Wilmington and Mount Prospect, in
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