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 9
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During these last years some interesting revivals of re- ligion had occurred. In Mr. Doolittle's charge the Spirit of God had been poured out with power. Some inter- esting cases are reported of the manner in which these manifestations were at first noticed. In North East, an elder 1 was awakened in the middle of the night by
1 William Dickson.
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a messenger from the country. On inquiry as to his desire, he cried out, -
" O, do come out and see -- , he is in a most dreadful way."
" But what is the matter ?"
" Ile is suffering everything. Come out quickly and do something for him."
" Go for the doctor if he is sick ; I am not the one to send for on such an occasion."
" But it is not the doctor he wants. He complains of his sins, and is afraid he will be lost forever; and we thought you could come and pray for him, and maybe do him some good. We did not know what else to do."
The elder went out and prayed, and counseled with the young man. This was the beginning of a good work. Soon after, during the progress of some meet- ings, a strong, honest man from the country, known as Billy Wilson, was at the church on the Sabbath. God's Spirit was stirring the hearts of the people, and many, who had hardly a religious conviction before, were moved and melted by his power. Wilson felt troubled and anxious without fully comprehending his feelings. They were new to him. During the recess between sermons he stepped over to the hotel, and was standing before the fire, doubtful as to the cause of his strange feelings. At lengthi, stepping up to the bar, he said, ad- dressing the proprietor: " Lem, I feel most dreadful bad to-day ; I guess I'll take a little whiskey ; the day is raw, and it may help me." The bar had been par- tially closed, out of respect to the Sabbath, but a small pigeon-hole was left open for the accommodation of an occasional visitor. The proprietor set down the bottle, but still holding the glass in his hand, seemed for a moment in a brown study. At length he said : " Billy, where is it that you feel bad ?"
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"O, Lem; I feel monstrous bad about my heart ; I never felt so before."
The bottle and glass were immediately returned to the shelf, with the curt advice: " Billy, it is not whis- key you want ; it's the minister. Go to him at once, for you're under conviction."
The result was that Wilson became a Christian, and the Lord remembered Lemuel Brown for his good deed done to one who was under conviction, for many years had not rolled by, before he too was brought into the church.
On the 22d of April, 1829, the following paper on Temperance was adopted : --
" Resolved -1. That Presbytery view with much satisfaction the efforts now making in the cause of tem- perance, and hope to see them crowned with great success.
" 2. That we recommend to the congregations under our care, the formation of societies for the promotion of temperance.
"3. That as we have derived great aid from the female friends of Zion in the cause of benevolence, we would now recommend to them the formation of societies, to aid, not only by an example, but also by the whole weight of their influence, the cause of temperance.
" 4. That the ministers of the Presbytery form them- selves into a temperance society, on the plan of rigid and entire abstinence from the use of ardent spirits, except for medicinal purposes." 1
By this time the bud, spoken of in chapter second, as having presented itself in 1814, had expanded into the full-blown flower. Public opinion had made rapid
1 Min. ii. 241.
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strides in the course of fifteen years, and no doubt the fruit that followed was good and wholesome.
On the 22d of April, 1829, Mr. Mckinney was re- leased from the pastoral charge of the church of Erie. At the same meeting the Commissioners to the Gen- eral Assembly were directed " to purchase sixty copies of the 'Confession of Faith' of our Church, for our con- gregations, for the payment of which, Presbytery will be responsible."
On the 24th of June of the same year, Mr. Condit was installed as pastor of the congregation . of Cool Spring, for one third of his time. This relation contin- ued until his death in 1836.
On the same day, George A. Lyon (41), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Carlisle, was received under the care of Presbytery, and accepted calls from the congre- gation of Erie. This action was followed by the ordi- nation and installation of Mr. Lyon at the next meeting of Presbytery, September 9, 1829, as pastor of the con- gregation of the Ist Presbyterian Church, Eric, Pa. In these services Mr. Doolittle preached the sermon, Mr. Tait presided, Mr. Bushnell delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Anderson the charge to the people. Mr. Lyon entered upon his work with every encourage- ment. He was in the strength of youth, the congrega- tion was enlarging its boundaries, and the people were unanimous in sustaining him. The old " Yellow Meet- ing-house " had been abandoned, and a large, comfortable brick house was now occupied as the place of worship.
At the same meeting of Presbytery, the church of Harmonsburg was enrolled. This church is in Craw- ford County. A day of fasting and prayer was also appointed, " for the purpose of unitedly calling upon God for the outpouring of his Spirit upon that section
,
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of his church with which we are more especially con- nected, as well as upon the church at large."
On the 13th of January, 1830, Mr. Chase was released from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Cen- terville, in Crawford County.
On the 14th of April, of the same year, George W. Hampson (43), a member of the church of North East, was licensed to preach the gospel. On the same day Mr. Chase was released from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Oil Creek, and Mr. Doolittle from that of Ripley. Mr. Doolittle then accepted a call from North East, for the whole of his time.
On the 21st of September, 1830, Mr. Mckinney was dismissed to connect himself with the Presbytery of Huntington. Hle had been a member of Presbytery five years.
On the next day, Edson Hart (42), a member of the Presbytery of Trumbull, was received as a member of Presbytery.
On the 2d day of February, 1831, Robert Glenn (44) was licensed to preach the gospel. He had been a stu- dent of Mr. Tait, a man of no pretension to brilliancy, yet a genuine, earnest worker in the cause of Christ; and his record was marked with the seal of God's approval throughout his ministry.
On the 23d of the same month, Mr. Hassinger was released from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Gravel Run, and on the 14th of April following, Mr. Anderson was released from the pastoral charge of Concord.
There was a recommendation at this time that throws light upon the practice of the church at this period of its history : " Presbytery, taking into consideration the destitute state of the vacant congregations under their
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care, recommend to its members and such vacancies, to adopt the practice of holding two, three, or four days' meetings during the week, and administering the Lord's Supper ; and that two or three ministers go together on such occasions."1 These days were usually observed in the following order : On Thursday, a fast day was observed. It was not usually observed as a day of literal fasting, but simply as a day of abstinence from worldly labor. On Saturday, divine service was held as preparatory to the Communion. On Sabbath the communion service was attended to; and this was fol- lowed by service on Monday. It was also usual to hold evening service at school-houses in different parts of the congregation, in the evenings during these days. Sometimes two, and sometimes three, ministers were present during these meetings. The services, particu- larly of the Sabbath, were protracted, and the addresses at the communion table were long and varied.
Whilst these meetings were being held, the people of the congregation, and others, expected to give all their attention to the matter. Business was so arranged that the families could attend without distraction. This ex- tended in a greater or less degree to neighboring con- gregations. In these days the service was usually known as " The Sacrament." Such a meeting was known far and near, and people thronged thither from distances of ten or twelve miles or more. Families living near the place of meeting always expected to accommodate strangers at their houses. Sometimes their houses were crowded for two or three days in suc- cession. Where the ordinary accommodations were not sufficient, cots and blankets were laid upon the floors. Everything was free and welcome as the provisions of
1 Min. iii. 37.
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the gospel they came to receive. And for such occa- sions, families made provision for weeks beforehand ; and looked upon it as a matter of course.
At this time houses of worship were generally pro- vided, yet on sacramental occasions they often resorted to the grove. There was more room. The air was fresh and pure. The heart was more cheerful. Some- times storms would come up, and summer showers pour down, but it did not seem to disturb the people. They would sit unmoved in the driving rain, and the minis- ters would preach in the storm as though they knew not of its presence. Nor were the services abridged by these unfavorable circumstances. The ministers came to preach and administer the ordinances ; and the peo- ple came to hear ; and so they fulfilled their intentions; without regard to the clouds or the rain.
To these meetings as of old, people came on foot where there were not conveniences for riding. Sometimes the oxen were attached to the farm-wagon, and this sufficed for the entire family. But young women often walked from two to five miles to " meeting," as the service was called. Sometimes they walked barefooted, and carried their shoes to within a short distance of the meeting- house, and then put them on ; sometimes they wore coarse shoes, and exchanged near the place of worship, leaving their coarse shoes in some place of conceal- ment.
These " four days' meetings," in some parts of the Presbytery, about the year 1831, became remarkable for a new feature. This was the presence of ministers who were called revival men, or Evangelists, as they sometimes styled themselves. They went from place to place, devoting themselves entirely to this kind of work. In many of these meetings the pastor of the
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church acted quite a subordinate part, leaving all to the evangelist, who preached on day after day, exhorting, entreating, and persuading men to turn to the Lord.
About this time, too, a new feature in Presbyterian- ism was introduced, called the " Anxious Seat." It was simply a certain seat or seats set apart, to which per- sons anxious about the concerns of the soul were invited to come, as an expression of their feelings, and for the purpose of being conversed with and made the sub- ject of special prayer. Sometimes such persons were simply invited to come; at others they were urged and entreated to take this as the most important step of their lives. Like almost every other good work, this was sometimes carried to an extreme. Sometimes too great stress was laid upon the simple matter of going to the anxious seat. Sometimes, possibly, per- sons were persuaded to go there who had no heart con- viction, and were disappointed or deceived. But many of the ministers of that day considered that they were drawing the gospel net, and that all were to be gathered in, where at the last the good would be gathered into vessels and the bad cast away. Others opposed these measures. They could not think them necessary, but rejected them as innovations, and having a dangerous tendeney. And the records of the churches show that the revivals of that day were not confined, by any means, to those congregations where the new measures were adopted. As a general thing the older ministers hesi- tated about countenancing them. Such men as Father Tait, although their hearts were always warm, and the spirit of revival always glowing in their preaching, felt that "the old pathis" were safest and best. In the good old days of 1802, powerful revivals were enjoyed without them. Souls flocked to Christ under the simple
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preaching of the Word, and the irresistible influences of the Spirit of God ; and they thought these the best means that could be used.
On the other hand the younger ministers, at least many of them, adopted the new measures, conscien- tiously believing them best adapted to accomplish the great object. Something was needed to attract atten- tion and fix the mind. Something was wanted to in- duce inquirers to commit themselves to the great work, and thus take the first step toward the service of God. Something was needed by way of example, to induce others to go in the same direction. Thus they reasoned, and thus they pursued the course that to them seemed right. Great good was done, no doubt, and many brought into the Church.
But in many cases disastrous results followed. Some of these revival men were not men after God's own heart. Whilst some of them were earnest, conscien- tions men, others were moved only by excitement, if not by a more unworthy motive still. And at times the hurt of the daughter of God's people was healed but slightly. The building was daubed with untem- pered mortar. Desolation was found in the track of what the pious, earnest people of God thought was the chariot of salvation.
Nor is this strange or unusual. Satan strives to counterfeit every good work. In the midst of the won- drous works that Moses did in the presence of Pha- raoli, we read: "These things did the magicians with their enchantments." When the Apostles wrought miracles, and such wondrous scenes were witnessed of divine power and efficacy, Simon Magus offered them money that he might take part in the glorious work. And an hundred years ago, when wondrous revival
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scenes were witnessed in Eastern Pennsylvania, Mary- land, and New Jersey, disorders crept in that marred and blighted the beautiful work of God. And during the powerful outpouring of the Spirit that occurred during the founding of the Presbytery of Erie, the wheat and the tares were seen springing up together. So it is, and so it will be in all the imperfect scenes of time. The good and the evil dwell together. The rose and the violet are found side by side with the deadly nightshade. The poison ivy is found clasping to the death the flowering magnolia.
The summer of 1831 was a harvest season in the Presbytery. God's presence was most sensibly felt, and his power most signally displayed. Thus it is re- corded, in the narrative of the state of religion sent up to Synod : " Many of our congregations, through the reviving power of the Holy Ghost, wear an aspect which has hitherto been new to them. The Lord has poured down upon them the influences of his Spirit, quiekening his own people, and convincing and convert- ing the ungodly. The churches at Meadville, Erie, North East, Forks of French Creek, Fairview, Spring- field, Salem, and Warren, have been specially favored. These vines have produced fruit, some thirty, some sixty, some an hundred fold. Other churches have been quickened, and many sinners brought to inquire what they must do to be saved."
" And while the Presbytery unite in blessing and adoring God, that through the special influences of the Holy Ghost near six hundred souls have been added to their churches within the last year, they would aeknowl- edge their unfaithfulness, and implore the continuance of his kind regard and blessings."
That year Meadville reported fifty-five ; Erie seventy-
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five; North East, sixty-nine ; Fairview, twenty-seven ; Mr. Condit's charge, thirty ; Springfield, eighty-two; Salem, Greenville, and Big Bend, forty-three; Franklin and Big Sugar Creek, twenty-three; Middlebrook, Beaver Dam, and Union, twenty-seven. Warren and Brokenstraw, thirty-three. This was the largest report that was made by any Presbytery to the Synod that year. And it is doubtful whether, either before or since, there has been as great a number gathered into the churches, in one year, during the entire history of the Presbytery. So that the year 1831 may be considered the great harvest year in the history of the Presbytery.
At the meeting in September, 1831, the question of baptism was brought to the notice of Presbytery. It was reported that one of the members had recently baptized fourteen or fifteen persons by immersion. After mature deliberation, Presbytery declared their " unanimous opinion that this practice is not in accordance with our standards, and is altogether inexpedient." 1 From the above date, Mr. Anderson gave half his pastoral labors to the congregation of Big Sugar Creek, and the re- maining half to Franklin.
On the 26th of May, 1832, the church of Harbor Creek, in Erie County, was organized. It was a col- ony from the church of North East.
On the 11th of April, 1832, Mr. Alden was dismissed to connect himself with the Presbytery of Cincinnati. He had been a member of the Presbytery sixteen years, and although at no time a pastor, yet he had done a noble work for the cause of education and Sabbath- schools. He had also performed a large amount of missionary work, and retired to another field with the respect and love of all his brethren.
1 Min. iii. 46.
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On the 27th day of June, 1832, George W. Hampson (43) was ordained and installed as pastor of the united congregations of Oil Creek and Concord. In these ser- vices Mr. Doolittle preached the sermon, Mr. Eaton delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Anderson the charge to the people.
The year 1832, being the year in which the Asiatic cholera made its appearance in the United States, Pres- bytery sent down to the congregations the following recommendation : " In view of the threatening aspect of Divine Providence toward our guilty land, particu- larly that scourge of nations, the Asiatic cholera, which has already reached our country, Wednesday, the 11th of July, is recommended to be spent as a day of humili- ation and prayer." 1
At the meeting of Presbytery June 28, 1832, notice was called to a sermon, published by Mr. Doolittle, upon the words " To every man according to his several ability." It was resolved to review this sermon at the next meet- ing of Presbytery. Accordingly, at the next meeting, the matter was brought up, and the following order fixed for the discussion : " Each member, in the order of the roll, shall have opportunity of stating what erro- neous doctrines, if any, are contained in the discourse. If errors are alleged, they shall be definitely stated, and the part of the discourse in which they are contained pointed out." After discussing the discourse at some length, a committee, consisting of Messrs. Eaton, Cham- berlain, and Elder John Lytle, was appointed to bring in a minute on the subject. The committee subse- quently reported that they could not agree, and were discharged. A motion was then made to postpone the matter indefinitely, which was carried by a majority of one.
1 Min. iii. 59.
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" Coming events cast their shadows before." Here was the beginning of differences of opinion that ere long were to involve the Presbytery in trouble, and result in changes disastrous to the peace of Zion.
At the same meeting, Mr. Doolittle, at his own re- quest, was released from the pastoral charge of the con- gregation of North East. This was on the 13th of September, 1832. On the 10th of April following, he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Portage. He had found a home at Hudson, Ohio, and thither he re- moved to enter upon a new field of labor. Both his friends and himself were afterward of opinion that he made a mistake in removing from North East. Ilis labors had been abundantly blessed there ; he had many devoted friends there; yet the path of duty to him seemed to lead elsewhere; he was a man of decision, and for him to decide was to act.
On the 12th day of September, 1832, Robert Glenn (14), was ordained and installed as pastor of the congre- gations of Mill Creek and Amity. In these services Mr. McCready preached the sermon, Mr. Tait delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Hassinger the charge to the people. Mr. Glenn labored in these churches one third of his time in each ; the remaining third was given to Sandy Lake, although he was never installed there. The church of Sandy Lake was not really organized until October 3, 1835. Mr. Glenn preached for some time at the house of Theodore Bailey, and in the school-house in the vicinity. The house of wor- ship was not erected until 1846.
On the 11th of April, 1833, Morgan D. Morgans was licensed to preach the gospel. He had been a preacher in Wales in some independent branch of the Church, and had given satisfaction as to his experimental
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acquaintance with religion, but had not received a lib- eral education. Against this action Synod entered its protest. Mr. Morgans did not prove an acceptable preacher, and being about to remove from the bounds, Presbytery recalled his license after he had preached one year. Ile subsequently engaged in teaching.
On the 10th of April, 1833, Benjamin J. Wallace,1 a licentiate of the Presbytery of Carlisle, was received under the care of. Presbytery.
On the 25th of June, 1833, Mr. Bushnell was released from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Mead- ville. The Western Foreign Missionary Society had been organized, having its centre of operations at Pitts- burgh ; and missionaries were called for to go to India, to Africa, and to our Western Indians. Mr. Bushnell's ardent missionary spirit impelled him to devote himself to the work, and after much thought and prayer he re- solved to offer himself as a missionary to the Indians. lle was designated as a laborer amongst the Weas, in Missouri, but did not sunder his connection with the Presbytery. The result showed that he had overesti- mated his strength and endurance. After struggling for a year and a half, he resigned and returned to the bounds of the Presbytery of Indianapolis, to which he was dis- missed on the 3d of February, 1836, having been a member of the Presbytery ten years.
On the 26th of June, 1833, James G. Wilson (49), was licensed to preach the gospel. During this year
1 Son of William and Eleanor (McClay) Wallace; born in Erie, Pa., June 10, 1810. Cadet at West Point. Studied theology at Princeton ; licensed by Presbytery of Donegal. Ordained by Presby - tery of Muhlenburg; Professor of Languages in Newark College, Dela- ware. Editor Presbyterian Quarterly Review; also of American Presby- terian. Died of neuralgia, July 25, 1862, in the fifty-third year of his age. - Wilson's Presbyterian Historical Almanac.
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Mr. Hassinger was installed as pastor of the congrega- tions of Harmonsburg, Evansburg, and North Bank, in Crawford County.
On the 11th of September, 1833, William A. Adair (46), a licentiate of the Presbytery of Hartford (Beaver), was received under the care of Presbytery, and accepted calls from the congregations of North East and Harbor Creek. On the 6th day of the fol- lowing November, he was ordained and installed as pastor of this charge. In these services Mr. Eaton preached the sermon, Mr. Anderson delivered the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Chamberlain, to the people. At this meeting, John NcNair (45), a licenti- ate of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, was taken under the care of Presbytery and ordained with Mr. Adair, as an evangelist, with the view of laboring as a missionary in Warren County.
On this occasion, Presbytery cordially endorsed the Western Foreign Missionary Society, and resolved to support one missionary in the foreign field. It was further resolved, that Mr. Bushnell be the missionary to be supported by Presbytery. After Mr. Bushnell returned from the field, Presbytery still resolved to con- tinue their support of a missionary. At this meeting, Wattsburg was reported and enrolled as an organized church.
On the 25th of June, 1834, Mr. Alexander was released from the pastoral charge of Salem, Green- ville, and Big Bend. On the 9th day of the following month B. J. Wallace, licentiate, was dismissed, to place himself under the care of the Presbytery of Muhlen- burg ; and Mr. Adair released from the pastoral charge of the congregation of Harbor Creek.
On the 25th of June in this year, a paper, called the
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" Act and Testimony," drawn up by a number of the members of the last General Assembly, was brought to the notice of Presbytery, a portion of it read, and com- mitted to a committee consisting of Messrs. Tait, Hamp- son, and Alexander Brown, elder, to report upon at the next meeting of Presbytery.
At the meeting on the 9th of October following, the committee presented the following report : -
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