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 24
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connection with New Castle. He continued in these charges some ten years.
Ilis views having changed in some matters, Mr. Boyd proposed changing his ecclesiastical relation, and on the 22d day of October, 1845, he was received as a member into the Presbytery of Erie. From this he passed by certificate to the Presbytery of Steubenville.
He preached for a time at Beech Woods, but declin- ing a eall there, passed into the bounds of the Presby- tery of Huntington, and became pastor of the churches of Fruit Ilill and Mount Pleasant. In this charge he labored pleasantly and successfully for five or six years. It was with great reluctance that the people of these congregations consented to part with him ; but he felt that there were reasons why he should remove further westward. He removed to the State of Iowa about the year 1853, and settled in Solon, of which church he was elected pastor. After laboring here for some years, he resigned his pastoral charge, though he labored in various places in the region until his death, which oc- curred at Newport Centre, Iowa, December 9, 1864, in the sixty-ninth year of his age and the thirty-ninth of his ministry. He left a widow and six children, three sons and three daughters. From the beginning of his last illness, he had no hope or desire of recovery, but was patient and resigned, and longed to depart and be with Christ.
(70.) JOHIN KINKEAD CORNYN. 1845-1853.
JOHN K. CORNYN was a native of Cumberland County, Pa. He was born at Carlisle, Pa., on the 16th day of August, 1815. His earlier life was spent in the
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acquisition and practice of a mechanical trade. He was a student of Jefferson College, where he graduated in the autumn of 1842. Soon after graduation, he be- came a student of theology in the Western Theological Seminary. Here he remained the full term of three years, when he was licensed by the Presbytery of Alle- ghany on the 3d day of April, 1845.
For two years after his licensure, he was employed in supplying vacant churches in the bounds of Alleghany and neighboring presbyteries, having his head-quarters mainly at the Western Theological Seminary, which he considered as his home. About the beginning of the year 1847, he came into the bounds of the Presbytery of Erie, where he preached to the congregations of Sturgeonville, Girard, and Harbor Creek. Having ac- cepted calls from these congregations, he was ordained and installed as their pastor by the Presbytery of Erie, on the 11th day of August, 1847. In these services, Rev. Alexander Cunningham (65) preached the ser- mon, Rev. Robert Glenn presided, Rev. Cyrus Dickson (58) delivered the charge to the pastor, and Rev. James Coulter (62) the charge to the people.
On the 4th day of April, 1850, the pastoral relation was dissolved between Mr. Cornyn and the congrega- tions of Girard and Harbor Creek, and on June 19, 1850, between him and Sturgeonville.
During the interval of a year, Mr. Cornyn was em- ployed in preaching in vacant churches, when, at his own request, he was dismissed from the Presbytery of Erie, with the view of connecting himself with the Presbytery of Wyoming. After this, Mr. Cornyn la- bored for a time in Troy, Pa., but failing health soon obliged him to retire from the active duties of the min- istry. His disease developed into consumption, and he
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lingered until the 22d day of December, 1853, when he passed away from earth.
On the 21st day of March, 1848, Mr. Cornyn was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Frost, who, with two or three children, still survives him.
During his period of ill health, Mr. Cornyn prepared and published a work called " Dick Wilson, or the Rumseller's Victim," that was designed to illustrate the evils of intemperance. There were many noble traits in his character. Although not possessing that just balance that constitutes the fully rounded outline of a desirable character, he was yet generous, sympathizing, and kind. With an exuberant flow of beautiful language, and nice taste in the choice of words, he was well calculated to. be an attractive public speaker. Yet withal there was a sluggishness of mind that kept him back from the high- est excellence in his profession.
(71.) LEWIS W. WILLIAMS. 1840-1857.
LEWIS W. WILLIAMS was descended from an old Pennsylvania family. Ile was the son of Hudson and Agnes (Gray) Williams. The name of his paternal grandfather was Lewis Williams, that of his maternal grandfather, William Gray. He was one of a family of five children, a son and daughter being older, and a son and daughter younger than himself. Ilis father was a brother of the late Rev. Joshua Williams, D. D., of Newville, Pa.
Lewis W. Williams was born at Bellefonte, Centre County, Pa., on the 29th day of January, 1807. Dur- ing his infancy, his parents removed from Bellefonte to the neighborhood of Milton, Pa. Here his father died
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in March, 1814. His mother survived until March 27, 1850. Lewis made a profession of religion in his nine- teenth year, and united with the Presbyterian church of Milton.
The matter of the gospel ministry seems to have oc- cupied his mind even before he made a public profession of religion. An older brother writes : "To my certain knowledge, it was his earnest wish, early in life, that Providence would open up the way for his receiving an education. From the time he commenced his studies, his mind was entirely set on preaching the gospel."
The means of accomplishing this desire were fur- nished by his brothers. After spending a number of years in teaching in the district schools, he commenced his classical studies in the Milton Academy. Here he prepared for the sophomore class, which he entered at Princeton College, in the fall of 1833. He was graduated in 1836, standing, in point of scholarship, among the first in his class. His theological studies were pursued in the Princeton Theological Seminary. He was li- censed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Phil- adelphia, on the 21st day of April, 1840.
His first pastoral charge was at Indiana, Pa. The opening to that field seemed providential. He had been advised to spend a year in travelling as a mission- ary, for the purpose of recuperating his health, and was putting the advice to the practical test, when he stopped at Indiana to spend the Sabbath. The Presbyterian church at that place being vacant, he was invited to preach. He did so, and the congregation were so fa- vorably impressed in regard to him, that they prevailed on him to abandon the idea of travelling and remain with them. The way seemed so plain, that their call was accepted, and he was ordained by the Presbytery
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of Blairsville, on the 12th day of May, 1841, as pastor of the church of Indiana, Pa.
During the early part of the following winter, his health became so much enfeebled that he was prevailed upon to take a tour to the South. His health not im- proving materially, his stay was protracted, and some misunderstanding having arisen, his pastoral relation was dissolved. On his return to Pennsylvania, the at- tachment was so strong between Mr. Williams and his people, that new calls were prepared for him. These calls were accepted, and on the 12th day of July, 1843, he was reinstalled.
But the new relation was not as pleasant as he had anticipated. His prospects of usefulness did not seem as good as before. On the 4th day of March, 1844, at his own request, the pastoral relation was again dis- solved. This was perhaps an imprudent step. It is said that Mr. Williams ever afterwards regretted it himself.
About this time he was tendered a professorship in Washington College, Tennessee. This professorship was accepted, and he at once entered upon the dis- charge of its duties.
On the 20th day of October, 1844, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Thompson, daughter of Mr. Samuel Thompson of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Owing chiefly to the delicate health of his wife, he resigned his professorship and returned to Pittsburgh, Pa., in the fall of 1845, and on the 8th day of January following, was called to mourn over the early death of his wife. She died at Pittsburgh, leaving an infant daughter, who afterwards received her own name - Mary Thompson.
During the summer following, he received an invita-
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tion to visit Greenville, Mercer County, Pa., within the bounds of the Presbytery of Erie. He became a mem- ber of the Presbytery of Erie on the 27th day of Octo- ber, 1847, and labored in the congregation of Greenville as a stated supply for about two years.
The summer of 1848 was spent in supplying the churches of Rock Island and Camden, Ill.
On the 20th February, 1849, he was again united in marriage to Miss Caroline Larimore, daughter of Rob- ert Larimore, Esq., of Columbus, Ohio.
His next field of labor was in Holidaysburg, Pa., where, assisted by his wife, who was an accomplished and successful teacher, he opened a male and female academy, which was carried forward with encouraging success for about two years. During this time he preached every third Sabbath at Martinsburg, a neigh- boring village.
But teaching, although to his taste, and pursued with profit, was not preaching the gospel, and he came to the conclusion that he must give up teaching at any sacrifice, even though but a bare pittance might be the conse- quence. It was the soul cry of the Apostle repeated, " Woe is me if I preach not the gospel."
In the fall of 1851, he received and accepted calls from the united congregations of Lower Path Valley and Burnt Cabins, in the Presbytery of Carlisle, where he was installed the following summer. IIe had pre- viously been dismissed from the Presbytery of Erie on the 26th day of June, 1849, to the Presbytery of Hun- tington. In this new charge he continued for three years and a half, laboring faithfully and earnestly, and with much acceptance.
In the spring of 1855, he resigned his pastoral charge, and accepted calls to become the pastor of the united
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congregations of Landisburg, Center, and Upper, in Perry County, Pa. This was his last charge. Here he was greatly encouraged by the promises of usefulness that opened before him, and commenced his labors with great zeal and energy. After the death of a beloved little son in October, 1856, he was greatly depressed and discouraged, and in this state of mind, went to the Upper church to administer the Lord's Supper. The means of grace were accompanied by the gracious in- fluences of the Holy Spirit, and a revival of religion was commenced that extended throughout his entire charge. The services were protracted for ten days. Then followed the usual exercises at Center, and the following week appointments were made for Landis- burg. These labors were a severe tax on his physical system, but they greatly refreshed his own soul. Ile labored not only in his own charges, but assisted his brethren in other churches in the Presbytery. It is believed that his exhausting labors, performed under such exciting circumstances, during that winter, were the principal cause of the giving way of his physical constitution and his rapid decline, the following spring.
Ilis last labor in the sanctuary was performed Sab- bath, April 26, when he preached three times, at differ- ent places. His last text was peculiarly fitting for the closing work of the ministry, "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." His discourse from these words was deeply solemn and impressive.
Hle returned home on Monday evening with a severe cold and sick headache. On Tuesday evening a physi- cian was called, but for several days his symptoms were not considered alarming. But there was a voice that warned him that his life was ebbing. On the next Sabbath he remarked to his wife, " My feelings are not
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very fervent, but my faith is strong. I have no right- eousness of my own to recommend me to the favor of God ; but I will tell you what I have that is far better. I have a Saviour! Ilis righteousness will give me a sure passport. How sweet the name of Jesus sounds ! Jesus my Saviour !"
On Tuesday he was informed by his physician that he could not recover. "Yes, yes," he replied, " the Lord's will be done." The next evening, being that of the prayer-meeting, he remarked to a gentleman pres- ent, " Remember your pastor in your prayers. He has often prayed for you ; now you must pray for him." He would frequently say, " My work is done. His service was my delight; but the Lord has nothing more for me to do. O that I could sing his praise ; but my harp is all unstrung !"
Ilis lips were moving umtil almost the last. ITe whispered of those who had gone before, that he ex- pected soon to meet, and of those he was about to leave behind, with words of comfort for their cheer ; and then the great work occupied his mind, - " an outpouring of the Spirit of God," he feebly articulated, and then closed his lips, until they were to be opened in singing the " new song " in the upper sanctuary.
He died of pneumonia, on the 7th day of May, 1857, in the fifty-first year of his age and seventeenth of his ministry. His remains rest in the little cemetery of the Center church.
Mr. Williams left a widow and four children. Mary T., daughter of his first wife, and three little boys, sons of his second wife, - Louis L., Hudson R., and Walter Lowrie.
He was of a nervous, sanguine temperament, subject at times to great depression of spirits, but always act-
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ive and diligent in labor for Christ's cause. He was a fine writer, and always commanded attention in the pul- pit, not only for the substance of the truth uttered, but for the manner of its delivery. His last days were his best days, for God set the seal of his Spirit to his work, and he passed away just at the close of a most precious revival.
(72.) LEMUEL P. BATES.
1820-1860.
LEMUEL P. BATES was the son of Lemuel and Lucy (Wait) Bates. Ile was born at Blandford, Mass., in December, 1791. His parents removed to Southamp- ton, Mass., when he was quite young. Ilis classical course was completed at Williams College, Mass., his theological at Princeton, N. J., where he graduated in 1822. In 1820, he was licensed to preach the gospel by the Ilampshire Congregational Association of Massa- chusetts. In the year 1823, he was ordained by a coun- cil of Congregational ministers as pastor of the churches of Whately and Templeton, Mass.
In 1846, he removed to the West and became pastor of the Presbyterian church of Pontiac, Michigan, within the bounds of the Presbytery of Michigan. After laboring here for about one year, he went to Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and became a member of the Presbytery of Erie, on the 16th day of March, 1848, on certificate from the Presbytery of Michigan. In this Presbytery he became stated supply of the churches of Conneautville and Harmonsburg. This relation continued until 1850. On the 11th day of September, of that year he was dismissed from the Presbytery of Erie to connect himself with the Presbytery of Michigan.
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Sometime after this, he connected himself with the Presbytery of New Lisbon, and labored in Utica, Ohio. After this he removed with some relatives to Illinois, and was for some time without charge, yet frequently preached as opportunity offered. In 1859, he took charge of the church at Edwardsville, Illinois, where he was laboring at the time of his last illness.
In 1823, Mr. Bates was united in marriage to Miss Eunice Edwards, daughter of Deacon Elisha Edwards of Southampton, Mass. Mrs. Bates died at Southamp- ton in 1854. They had no children.
Mr. Bates excelled as a preacher. His theology was that of the older New England divines, and to this he adhered to the last. Ile was a fine writer, and gen- erally had his sermons wrought out to a great degree of elegance. Ilis ministry was successful, and many revi- vals occurred during his pastoral labors.
In his outward appearance there was much to attract the attention. Ile possessed great dignity of manners, rather solenin countenance, and mild expressive eye. Ile was withal of a cheerful, even genial disposition, and at all times a most welcome guest. He was remark- able for physical endurance. During his labors at Ed- wardsville, he spent much of his tine at the home of his nephew, Rev. Dr. Taylor of Alton, Illinois. He would frequently walk the whole distance, twelve miles, and still not complain of fatigue. An incident, illustrating his physical strength and jovial, sunshiny disposition, is related by his friends. A young minister who was in the pulpit with him had prayed for the " aged brother, now in the decline of life " Some allusion being after- wards made to it, Mr. Bates replied, " I could whip him any day."
In regard to his last days upon earth, one 1 who watched
1 Mrs. C. HI. Taylor.
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over him to the last is best qualified to speak : " His powers of physical endurance were remarkable, and when his last illness came upon him, he was wholly in- disposed to yield to it; and did not give up the hope and expectation of recovery, until the day of his death. A partial unconsciousness came upon him unawares, and when aroused to answer an inquiry whether Jesus was near, he replied humbly but hopefully. Ile sang no note of triumph. As the spirit left the body, those of us who stood by him were electrified by the sudden illumination of his face. A radiant smile broke over every feature, as if a vision of delights unutterable had opened before him, and we felt that the golden gates were opened, and he had heard the plaudit - ' Well done, good and faithful servant.'"
His death took place at Alton, Illinois, of fever com- plicated with other diseases, on the 7th day of March, 1860, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and fortieth of his ministry. The same loving pen quoted above re- lates further : " We have erected a stone to his memory in the cemetery in Alton, where his body lies. On it are inscribed these familiar and appropriate lines : -
"Servant of God well done - Rest from thy sweet employ, The battle fought, the victory won, Enter thy Master's joy."
(74.) CHIARLES V. STRUVĂ.
MR. STRUVE, was a native of Germany, and was a man of considerable scholarship. Soon after coming to the United States, he became connected with the Bap- tist Church. He had previously been a minister in some of the German churches of the Fatherland. He was received into membership of the Presbyterian church
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of Franklin in 1847, and on the 23d of June, 1848, he was received as a minister into the Presbytery of Erie. He labored for a time amongst the Germans in the bounds of the Presbytery, and in the autumn of 1849, removed to Saint Louis, Mo., where he died in the month of October, 1849. He left a wife and several children.
(77.) NATHANIEL MARCUS CRANE.
1836-1859.
NATHANIEL M. CRANE was the son of Oliver and Susannah Crane, and was born in West Bloomfield, New Jersey, on the 12th day of December, 1805. He was the child of pious parents, and was early instructed in the truths and practice of religion. Ile was designed for a tradesman by his parents, and was apprenticed at the age of fifteen. Making a profession of religion soon after this, his mind was directed to the ministry. Hle devoted himself to the work and employed the little means he had acquired by his industry in quiet prepar- ation for it.
Having spent two years in Bloomfield Academy, he entered Williams College, Mass. Remaining here sev- eral sessions, his health gave way, when he travelled westward, and finding his health restored, entered Washington College, Pa., where he graduated in 1832. . His theological studies were pursued in the Western Theological Seminary, Alleghany, Pa., and at Auburn, N. Y. During the progress of these studies, he decided to become a foreign missionary. He was licensed to preach the gospel, by the Presbytery of Cayuga, on the 13th day of April, 1836, and on the 6th day of July following was ordained by the same Presbytery, as a foreign missionary.
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Soon after this he was married to Miss Julia A. Ostrander, and on the 13th day of November, 1836, in company with six other missionaries and their wives, set sail from Boston, to Southern India, to labor amongst the Hindoos. He was under the care of the American Board, and his point of labor Madura. Here he con- tinued to labor for upwards of seven years, until his health failed under the enervating influences of the climate. Ilis physician giving it as his opinion that he was beyond the hope of recovery in that climate, he reluctantly severed his connection with the mission and in December, 1844, set sail for home. IIe landed in Boston early in May, 1845.
After spending about two years in New Jersey amongst his friends, he removed with his family to Warren County, Pa., and engaged in agriculture. Con- tinuing in this avocation for about two years, his health was so far restored that he was able to engage in preaching. On the 26th day of June, 1849, he was re- ceived as a member by the Presbytery of Erie, and preached as a stated supply to the congregations of Sugar Grove and Irvine. Here he labored for six years, with great self-denial, and in the face of many discouragements. His support was very inadequate, and the field one that would have severely taxed the energies of a minister in full health.
On the 27th day of June, 1854, he was dismissed from the Presbytery of Erie and connected himself with that of Clarion. He removed his family to Rei- mersburgh, Clarion County, Pa., and labored in the churches of Bethesda, New Bethlehem and Middle Creek. Over the former of these churches he was in- stalled pastor in 1855, serving the others as stated supply.
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In the autumn of 1857, he removed to the West, and spent the following winter in Illinois. The next spring he removed to Indian Town, Tama County, Iowa. This was his last field of labor. He preached here for eigh- teen months, when he was attacked by typhoid fever, ' and died September 21, 1859, in the fifty-fourth year of his age, and twenty-fourth of his ministry. His last words were, " I die in the faith of Jesus Christ. "Tis sweet to die in Jesus." 1
Mr. Crane was one of the purest of men. His char- acter was a model of excellence in all the characteris- tics that adorn humanity. There was a meekness and quietness and humility about him that won the hearts of all that came in contact with him. He was at the same time dignified in person and polished in manners. He was throughout his whole life a missionary. In the destitute regions of Pennsylvania and on the prairies of the great West, he was a missionary, as well as under the burning sun of India. And in all places, and under all circumstances, he was distinguished for his sincere and earnest devotion to the gospel and the wel- fare of his fellow-men.
In person Mr. Crane was of medium stature, com- plexion rather dark, yet with a mild blue eye that kindled with animation in conversation and in public discourse. He was not fluent in discourse, nor was he free in the use of words even in conversation ; yet he was social, friendly, and even genial as a companion.
One who was his companion on the ocean voyage and his associate for six years in the Madura mission, and who knew him most intimately, thus speaks of hint : 2 " You have brought to my attention the name of the
1 Wilson's Presbyterian Historical Almanac.
2 Rev. F. De W. Ward, D D.
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purest, most symmetrical, and most excellent of men : one of whom it is difficult to speak as I would, without apparent exaggeration. My acquaintance with Mr. Crane covered more than six years, during which time our relations were intimate, as associates in the same missionary circle. He was, in its true meaning and strictest sense of the term, a gentleman. IIe was so in- nately, and without much artificial culture. I cannot re- call the word or the act, that was aside from perfect pro- priety and good taste. As a Christian he was intelligent, thoughtful, calm, with no fitfulness, and little demonstra- tion. What he believed to be right, he did with few words, and no parade of sacrifice. As a minister of the gospel, he was well informed in doctrine and ecclesias- tics, with no claim to a mastery of theological and exe- getical science. Ilis discourses were written with a slow pen and carefulness of expression, were clear in style, instructive in matter, pious in spirit, and calculated to benefit the thoughtful hearer. As a missionary, he was fraternal in all his feelings towards his associates, ready to go to any place, and engage in any service assigned him. Though slow in acquiring the language, yet through catechists he did what he could for the parish placed under his care. He was greatly esteemed by all around him.
" Among the many who have gone to India in the service of the American Board, there have been per- sons of more masterly intellect, profounder scholar- ship, bolder enterprise, more effective oratory, and wider reputation at home; but for kindness of spirit, suavity of manner, singleness of purpose, true-hearted piety, and sincere desire to be and do right at all times and in all ways, Mr. Crane had no superiors, and few equals. I recall with greatest satisfaction, the days
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