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 5
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south line of the Connecticut Reserve to the Tusca- rawa branch of the Muskingum River; thence in a direct line to the Ohio River, at the mouth of Yellow Creek ; thence up the Ohio River to the place of be- ginning : including the Rev. Messrs. Thomas Edgar Hughes, William Wick, Joseph Badger, James Satter- field, Benjamin Boyd, Nicholas Pittinger, Clement Va- landinghanı, and Johnston Eaton, - to be known by the name of the Presbytery of Hartford." 1
The report was adopted, and the new Presbytery ordered to meet at Hartford, Ohio, on the second Tues- day of November, 1808.
In process of time the territory of the new Presby- tery was divided, until the town after which it had been originally named was no longer within its bounds. In the year 1833, the name was changed by act of Synod to Beaver. From the territory of this Presbytery and its expansion was formed, in 1814, the Presbytery of Grand River; and from this, in 1818, Portage ; and from this, in 1823, Hluron; and from this, in 1830, Cleveland. From Beaver Presbytery was also formed, in 1838, the Presbytery of New Lisbon.
The Presbytery of Erie had now been in existence eight years. The general result had been most en- couraging. Its roll had increased from five to nineteen members, with one licentiate and six candidates. Of these, seventeen were pastors. The churches had in- creased in number and in strength. At the last meet- ing of Synod, previous to the division, there were re- ported the following congregations able to support a pastor : " Warren and Newton, Amiity and West Unity, Gravel Run and Conneaut, Oil Creek and Sugar Creek, Hartford, Smithfield, and Kinsman."
1 Minutes, Synod of Pittsburgh, 1808.
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There were also reported, as unable to support a pas- tor : " Upper Salem, New Salem, Erietown, Water- ford, Brokenstraw, Conewango, Vienna, Bristol, Bea- vertown, Bear Creek, Upper and Lower Greenfield, Mesopotamia, Middlefield, Hilands, Middlebrook, Miles' Settlement, Franklin, Cleveland, East Unity, Sewickly, Boardman, Indiana, Center, Austinburgh, and Mor- gan."
What number of these were regularly organized churches, and what were merely preaching points, it is impossible to determine. The early records rarely if ever give any account of the date and circumstances of the organization of particular churches. They seem to have been enrolled just as they sought supplies, and became known as places desiring the public ordinances of religion.
Much missionary labor had been performed by the Presbytery through its members, and some enterprises had been undertaken by the Synod and General As- sembly within its bounds.
The first years in the history of the Presbytery were marked and rendered eternally memorable by the won- derful revivals of religion that were enjoyed. The great awakening of 1801 and 1802 commenced in the Presbytery of Ohio, but soon extended into what became the territory of the Presbytery of Erie. The first notice of it is found in the history of the charge of Mr. Hughes (1) at Mount Pleasant, Beaver County, Pa. Mr. Munson, who was a member of that charge, tells us 1 many of the particulars of it. It was preceded by a spirit of prayerfulness and anxiety for God's blessing. The people met together for prayer. The female mem- bers of the congregation met for prayer. Individuals
1 Letter to Dr. Plumer, Pres. Mag. vii. 463.
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wrestled with agony and weeping. They laid hold on the strength of Jehovah. They watched and waited for the blessing. They brought the tithes into the store house, and God poured them out a blessing. People came together as with one heart and one mind, to seek the Lord. No business was so pressing, no cares so urgent, as to interfere with these solemn assemblies. Oftentimes they could not be persuaded to retire after the benediction had been pronounced, but lingered around the door of the church, or the tent, as though by some unusual fascination. In some cases, under such circumstances, the services were renewed, and continued all night. Great numbers were brought to the knowledge of Christ; the hearts of God's people were refreshed, and the churches greatly enlarged.
An extract from the " Western Missionary Maga- zine," describing the work as witnessed in the Congrega- tion of Cross Roads, will convey an idea of the manifes- tation of God's Spirit during these tintes. It was during the exercises of a communion season. Nine ministers were present. Great feeling had been manifested dur- ing the services. The communicants had retired from the tables : " A great many were affected, and some had to be assisted to move ont. Ministers still preached successively in the hours throughout the day. Prayers and exhortations were continued all night in the meet- ing-house, except at short intervals, when a speaker's voice could not be heard for the cries and groans of the distressed. On Monday three ministers preached at dif- ferent places, one in the house, and two out in the en- campments. This was a very solemn day, particularly in the house. After public worship, when the people were preparing to remove, the scene was very affect- ing ; the house was thronged full, and when some of
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those without were about to go away, they found that part of their families were in the house, and some of them lying in distress unable to remove. This pre- vented a general removal ; and although a number went away, the greater part remained. About the time of the departure of those who went away, the work be- came more powerful than it had been at any time be- fore, and numbers who had prepared to go were con- strained to stay. It was a memorable time of the display of Divine power and grace through the whole night. Many of the young people were remarkably exercised, and frequently addressed others about the condition they were in, the glories of the Saviour, the excellency and suitableness of the plan of salva- tion ; and warned and invited, and pressed sinners to come to Christ ; all this in a manner quite astonishing for their years. Numbers of old, experienced Chris- tians, also, were particularly exercised, were much re- freshed and comforted, and affectingly recommended the Lord Jesus and his religion to those around them. About sunrise, after a time of solemn, sweet exercise, the congregation was dismissed, and soon after dis- persed." 1
Another account describes the work in a different congregation : " The administration of the Word and ordinances was accompanied with an extraordinary effusion of divine influences on the hearts of the hear- ers. Some hundreds were, during the season, convinced of their sin and misery ; and many of them sunk down and cried bitterly and incessantly for several hours. Some fell suddenly ; some lost their strength gradually ; some lay quiet and silent ; some were violently agi- tated ; and many sat silently weeping, who were not exercised with any bodily affections." 2
1 Western Miss. Mag. i. 334-35. 2 Ibid. 338.
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The work extended throughout all the region round. All classes, all ages, all conditions in life were affected. The hoary-headed sinner, who had looked umappalled on scenes of human and elemental strife, and had been unmoved by any appeals to reason or to conscience before, was bowed and subdued. . Eyes that seldom wept, poured out their tears like rain, and hearts that were like the adamant were melted beneath the Spirit's power. Lips that had curled with scorn at the name of Jesus, uttered cries for mercy or lisped the praises of redeeming love. Many who came from mere cu- riosity, or to show, as they expressed it, that strong men could not be influenced by such things, were crushed in the dust and made to cry for mercy. Little children were the subjects of this work. In one instance, some children spent the whole night in prayer, a young man, without their knowledge, being stationed near to guard them against danger.
From the accounts as given above, it is evident that the work of divine grace was accompanied by remark- able and unusual circumstances. The body was affected as well as the mind. These affections were different in different individuals. Sometimes the body was affected with feebleness and languor, so that the person seemed to faint away. Sometimes there were apparent convul- sions, or as the people then termed it, " jerks," or spas- modical contortions of the muscles. In some, the body became quite powerless and without motion for a length of time ; the breathing became very weak, animation was almost suspended, and the pulse almost still. But no pain was experienced, nor did any injurious conse- quences follow to the most delicate constitutions. Yet all this time there was an entire consciousness of all that was passing. The mind was not in a comatose
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state, although the body seemed often slumbering. " It is no unusual thing," says Dr. McMillan, " to see per- sons so entirely deprived of bodily strength that they will fall from their seats, or off their feet, and be as un- able to help themselves as a new-born child." "There was," says Dr. Anderson, " in some cases gradually, and in others instantly, a total loss of bodily strength, so that they fell to the ground, like Saul of Tarsus - and with oppression of the heart and lungs, with sus- pension of breath, with sobs and loud cries." 2
This wondrous affection of the bodily powers was not confined to the place of religious worship : it came upon men in the wood, in the fields, in the workshop, at home, and in bed. It was altogether involuntary, and in spite of every effort of the will to prevent it. The strong and the weak, both in body and mind, were equally its subjects. Sometimes it came upon those who were professing Christians and who had given undoubted evidences of piety. On the other hand, many who were its subjects, received no spiritual benefit, but went on careless as ever.
These affections seem generally, though not always, to have followed some mental exercises, or anxiety and concern about the soul's salvation. In some instances, however, they followed where there was a determination to avoid any outward exhibition of feeling and interest in the great concern. Yet as the hearers lay apparently unconseious of all that was passing around them, their minds were active. They could hear and reason, and feel even more intensely than under ordinary circun- stances.
Rev. Robert Johnston (14), whilst pastor of the con- gregation of Serubgrass, in Venango County, Pa., relates 1 Western Miss. Mag. ii. 354. 2 Ibid. 464.
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many of the circumstances connected with this work in his own congregation. On a certain occasion, after the benediction had been pronounced at the elose of the Sabbath evening service, a remarkable state of feel- ing presented itself. The circumstances are related in his manuscript autobiography : " While a solemn awe was visible in every face, five or six appeared to be awakened to a sense of their undone condition, among whom were two of the most unlikely persons in the house. One of them was the largest man in the assem- bly, and full of self-importance ; the other a file-leader in the devil's camp, who attempted to escape by flight, got entangled in the bushes, and was forced to come back for a light to find his path, and who, the moment he set his foot inside the door, fell prostrate on the floor, under a sense of self-condemnation." As a result of this revival one half of the adult persons in the con- gregation were brought into the church.
In a letter to Rev. Dr. Elliott of the Western Theo- logical Seminary, Mr. Johnston relates more minutely the circumstances connected with this " Bodily Exer- cise," as it was then called : 1 " 'The effects of this work on the body were truly wonderful, and so various that no physical cause could be assigned for their produc- tion. I have seen men and women sitting in solemn attitude, pondering the solemn truths that were pre- sented, and in a moment fall from their seats, or off their feet, if they happened to be standing, as helpless as though they had been shot, and lie from ten or fif- teen or twenty minutes, and sometimes as long as half an hour, as motionless as a person in a sound sleep. At other times, the whole frame would be thrown into a state of agitation so violent as seemingly to endan-
1 Life of Me Curdy, p. 82.
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ger the safety of the subject ; and yet in a moment this agitation would cease, and the persons arise in the pos- session of all their bodily powers, and take their seats composed and solemn, without the least sensation of pain or uneasiness. . . Another fact that I ascer- tained beyond doubt, was, that those who lay for a considerable length of time, apparently insensible, and sometimes without one discernible symptom of life, ex- cept the natural warmth and color of the skin, could hear, understand, and reflect on what they heard as well as, or better than, when in possession of all their nat- ural powers. Nor was there that kind of uniformity in the occurrence of their different effects on the body as to allow them to be ascribed to corresponding exercises of the mind. Some have been agitated in body, under pleasing exercises of mind, and others have lain mo- tionless under the anguish of a wounded spirit. Some were under deep and pungent conviction for weeks before they felt any effect on the body; whilst some passed through the whole course of awakening and con- viction, and became hopefully pious, who never felt any symptoms of bodily agitation. Of the former class, was a very intelligent young man, now a minister of the gospel, who told me that he had more pungent dis- tress of mind before than after he became affected in body. From these, and many more similar facts that occurred under my own observation, I became satisfied that no natural cause could be assigned, sufficient to account for the extraordinary effects on the bodies of a large majority of the subjects of the revival."
" 'The physical effects of the excitement on the body, was by no means a desirable appendage, in the view of the sensible part of the community, but they were evidently irresistible, and persons were as liable to be
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affected in the very act of resisting, as in any other circumstances ; and many who came to mock and op- pose remained to pray, and returned, inquiring what they must do to be saved."
This state of feeling and action was not encouraged by the ministers. It was something they could not un- derstand, and they took circumstances as they found them. Mr. Johnston states that at the beginning of the revival in his congregation, he cautioned his people against any outeries, or bursts of feeling. This seemed to have had a good effect, for although the work was very powerful, yet this bodily exercise was no interrup- tion to the exercises. "I have preached," says he, " to a crowded assembly, when more than one half of the people were lying helpless before me during the greater portion of divine service, without the least noise or dis- turbance of any kind, to divert or interrupt the atten- tion of any individual from the word spoken."
The character of the preaching at these times was plain and practical. The terrors of the law were often set forth with peculiar pungency. Says Mr. Munson, in speaking of Mr. Hughes' preaching at Mount Pleas- ant during one of these revivals : " He took the ground that Boston and Rutherford and Edwards had done, to cut them off stroke by stroke from the Old Covenant. He thought the case of these anxious sinners required the exhibition of the requirements and threatenings of the law. This method was calculated to increase the distress which was already insupportable." Afterwards his thoughts took a different channel. " These dis- tressed souls were directed to the Cross; Christ was held forth in his ability, willingness, and sufficiency; as suited in all his offices to relieve the distressed souls before Ifim of their heavy burdens. The new course
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had the desired effect; a favorable change was soon apparent, so that that was the beginning of days to a goodly number."
The character of the preaching was largely doctrinal. Man's total depravity and corruption was largely dwelt upon. The awful penalty of the law was set forth, at times, with dreadful severity and terror ; the utter help- lessness of the sinner without the assistance of divine grace was insisted upon ; and then the blessings of the Atonement of Christ were spread before the convicted sinner as his only hope and peace.
During the first years of the history of the Presby- tery this grand and wonderful work of God spread over its bounds, and extended with greater or less power to almost every pastoral charge. It was a bap- tism of the early days of the Presbytery that was a prophecy of great and glorious things for days to come. And whilst there were peculiarities connected with it that have not been seen in modern times, yet there can be no doubt that it was a genuine work of God. Its results show this. Its subjects dwelt in the church as sincere Christians. They died in peace and now stand before the Throne.
5
CHAPTER III.
FROM THE FIRST TO THE SECOND DIVISION OF PRES- BYTERY.
1808-1820.
THE first meeting of the Presbytery, after the erec- tion of the Presbytery of Hartford, was at Concord, in Butler County, Pa., on the 18th day of April, 1809. The number of its members was much reduced, and its territory greatly curtailed. But there were men of en- ergy and zeal and courage yet left, and there was terri- tory left more than sufficient to occupy all their time and attention. The roll at this time contained the names of Samuel Tait, settled at Cool Spring and Mer- cer; Joseph Stockton, settled at Meadville and Little Sugar Creek. or Cochranton ; Robert Lee, who was without a pastoral charge ; John Boyd, settled at Union and Slate Lick, Armstrong County, Pa. ; Abraham Boyd, settled at Bull Creek and Middlesex; William Wood, settled at Plaingrove, Mercer County, Pa .; Alexander Cook, settled at Slippery Rock and New Castle ; Robert Patterson, who was without charge, and not residing within the bounds of Presbytery ; Robert Johnston, settled at Scrubgrass, in Venango County, Pa. ; Cyrus Riggs, settled at Fairfield and Mill Creek, in Mercer and Venango Counties ; Reid Bracken, settled at Mount Nebo and Plain, in Butler County, Pa., and John
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McPherrin, settled in Concord and IIarmony, also in Butler County, Pa.
At the following meeting of Synod they reported the following vacant congregations, as "able to support a pastor : West Unity and Amity, Gravel Run and Wa- terford. Vacant congregations, not able to support a pastor : Erie, Upper and Lower Greenfield, Oil Creek, Brokenstraw, Conewango, Middlebrook, Franklin, and Unity."
The territory with which they had parted was about as great as that which they retained. But its bounda- ries were now more definitely determined. Heretofore the western boundary had been rather mythical than real, extending as far as civilization had advanced, and consequently rather migratory than permanent. It was deprived also of its Indian missionary ground, although, as will be seen, its interest in Indian missions did not abate in the least.
At this time the accommodations for religious wor- ship began to improve. The "tent," as the little cov- ered platform on which the ministers stood was called, was used only on sacramental occasions, or in times of great religious interest. Comfortable log-houses with glazed windows had been erected in almost all the con- gregations. In some of the congregations, sacramental services were held in barns, and with great comfort and satisfaction. There was at this time an occasional frame barn throughout the settlements. Before harvest these could be comfortably occupied. The barn was carefully swept out. Seats of rough wood were arranged in the threshing-floor and in the haymows, and some- times in the stables, with a long tier out in front of the open doors. A platform in the further end of the threshing-floor served for a pulpit.
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But it is doubtful whether this worship in barns and mills was any improvement on that of the forest. In summer, with pleasant weather, and a delightful site, under the great trees, and the sweet breath of God all around in its purity, the worship was most delightful and inspiriting.
"The groves were God's first temples. Ere man learned To hew the shaft and lay the architrave, And spread the roof above them, - ere he framed The lofty vault, to gather and roll back The sound of anthems, - in the darkling wood, Amidst the cool and silence, he knelt down And offered to the Mightiest, solemn thanks And supplication."
There was a freedom too about those forest sanctua- ries that was most inviting to the earlier settlers. It suited their ideas of propriety to come together on common ground, where every one was alike at home, and where the accommodations were unlimited, save by the extent of the forest. Many scenes of melting inter- est were witnessed at such times and under such cir- cumstances.
A single picture of this forest worship will convey some idea of the early worship of the fathers. It is in the month of June. It has been announced far and near that a stranger from the old settlements is to preach on the following Sabbath in the woods near the Big Spring. A great congregation has assembled ; and it is a motley assemblage. Every variety of costume and habit and expression of countenance is there. One is habited in a suit brought from his early home, but since unused, save on special occasions like the pres- ent. The texture is still good, but the changing fashions have left it far in the background. Another, perhaps, has a single garment of this kind, whilst the remainder
1
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of his costume is manufactured in the wilderness. Still another has a costume that is nondescript in its character. Ilis hunting-shirt is of deerskin, whilst his lower extremities are cased in garments of the same material, shrunk by the weather, until they completely adapt themselves to the form they were designed to protect.
The wives and daughters of the settlers are in as good trim in their outward adornment as circumstances would permit; where a bonnet was wanting a cotton handkerchief supplies the deficiency; where shoes were wanting, they manifest their sense of propriety by coming without these appendages of modern refine- ment.
It is an imposing place, too. The tall trees have stood there for centuries, witnesses of the power and wisdom of the God of creation ; and now in the midst of their deep solitude, the love of the God of Redemp- tion is to be set forth.
The preacher appears and takes his stand under the shadow of a venerable elm. Ile is a mere youth, and bears a cast of care. IIe is thin and sallow, almost cadaverous, yet with an eye full of the fire of thought. As he proceeds with his subject, his form becomes erect, and his ideas flow forth in a torrent of burning eloquence. Ile sways that untutored multitude as the passing breeze sways the unreaped grain. Many a brown cheek is moist with tears; many a heart hard as the adamant, is melted beneath the burning power of truth.
When he commenced, the congregation were seated upon fallen logs, leaning against the trees, or carelessly lounging upon the ground. But as he proceeds and warms with the subject, and the truth begins to fall
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upon their consciences, they gradually draw nearer until all are standing around the speaker. Every eye is riveted upon him; they hang upon his lips. Upon those upturned countenances are plainly visible the deep emotions that are struggling within. "Is not my word like as a fire ? saith the Lord ; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces ?"
In some of the churches at that day, in the summer time, it was not unusual for some thoughtful man to carry a brand of fire from his home, and apply it to a dry stump in the neighborhood of the church. To this fire the men would resort for the purpose of a quiet smoke. Occasionally, even during the sermon, a staid deacon would quietly withdraw, light his pipe, smoke to his satisfaction, and return, perhaps even before the minister had taken up a new head of discourse.
On the 14th of June, 1809, Mr. Cook (12) was re- leased from the charge of Slippery Rock and New Castle, and on the 6th of March following was dismissed to the Presbytery of Hartford, and soon after went on his missionary tour to South Carolina and Georgia.
April 17, 1810, John Boyd was released from the pastoral charge of Slate Lick, Armstrong County, Pa., when he began to labor as a stated supply at Amity and West Unity. On the 27th of June, 1810, Mr. Stockton was released from the charge of Meadville and Little Sugar Creek, and dismissed to the Presby- tery of Redstone.
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