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Gc 974.802 M53c 1827212
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02220 8117
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I. Mag 6.52 HISTORY OF THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
IN
MERCERSBURG, PENNA.
BY
THOMAS CREIGH.
DEC 1886
PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.
MERCERSBURG :
ANDREW M. SPANGLER. 1846.
HISTORY €
OF THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
IN
MERCERSBURG, PENNA.
BY
THOMAS CREIGH.
PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.
DEG 1806
MERCERSBURG : ANDREW M. SPANGLER. 1846.
./1 208
PRINTED BY LIPPINCOTT & Co., PHILADELPHIA.
1
Hon d. Buchanan) 1827212
with the respecto of the
PREFACE.
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THE author of this History of the Church of which he is Pastor, in consenting to its publication, yields to the wishes of his friends. Its origin was as follows. It was deemed expedient to remodel and improve the Church edifice in town, in consequence of which Di- vine worship was suspended in it for several months. On its being re-occupied-as a subject suitable for the occasion-it was thought that a history of the Lord's dealings with us as a Church and Congregation, would be appropriate. In this opinion, he is happy to learn, that he was not mistaken. And now if the perusal of it will impart any instruction, or afford any gratifica- tion, or excite more gratitude to the King and Head of Zion, he will consider his labours abundantly re- warded.
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CONTENTS.
PERIOD I.
From the organization of the Church, A. D. 1738, to the settlement of the Rev. John King, D. D., as Pastor, A. D. 1769, . 5
PERIOD II.
From the settlement of the Rev. John King, D. D., as Pastor, to the settlement of the Rev. David Elliott, D. D. as Pastor, A. D. 1812, 12
PERIOD III.
From the settlement of the Rev. David Elliott, D. D. as Pastor, to the close of his ministry in this Church, A. D. 1829, 20
PERIOD IV.
From the close of Dr. Elliott's ministry in this Church, to the present time, A. D. 1845, · 27
Concluding Remarks,
30
HISTORY
OF THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
IN MERCERSBURG, PENNA.
PERIOD I.
FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH, A. D., 1738, TO THE SETTLEMENT OF THE REV'D. JOHN KING, D. D., AS PASTOR, A. D., 1769.
INTRODUCTION. Settlement of the Country. Organization of the Church. Its extent. Location of the Church edifice. Religious controversy. Origin of Lower West Conococheague Church. The Rev. John Steele. Settlement broken up, and the Congregation dispersed. Mr. Steele's removal. Re-organization. Supplies. The Country again disturbed. Attachment to the Church. The Session.
" To remember the days of old, and to consider the years of former generations," is both interesting and profitable. Lessons of wisdom and prudence may be learned from the past, which cannot be acquired in any other way. And he who rescues from oblivion a single fact, which may be use- ful to his fellow-men, or which will make a salutary impres- sion upon the mind, should be considered as not having lived in vain.
It is a matter of sincere and deep regret that the History
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justified state, before our religious services can be well pleasing or acceptable to God, was very little understood or thought of; but the common notion seemed to be that if people were aiming to be in the way of duty as well as they could, as they imagined, there was no reason to be much afraid." "In consequence of this ignorance of the nature of practical religion, there were," he adds, "great careless- ness and indifference about the things of eternity ; great coldness and unconcern in public worship; a disregard of the Sabbath, and prevalence of worldly amusements and follies."
About the year 1730, however, a visible change for the better, began to take place. God from on high, poured out upon some of the Churches the influences of his spirit ; and the work thus begun, did not cease, until its influence was felt more or less in all the American churches. But while the Son of Man was sowing wheat, the evil one was sowing tares. Many things took place in connection with this work, of a very questionable character. Good men and wise men differed in regard to it. And so far separated did they become from one another in opinion and feeling; and so tenacious were they of their own peculiar views, that they became divided into two parties. The friends of the revival, were styled New-side-men, or New-lights : while the others were denominated Old-side-men, or Old-lights. "These parties thus arrayed, in the progress of collision, became more excited and ardent. Animosities which had long been burning in secret, now burst into a flame. Old-side-men, under the influence of prejudice, regarded their opponents as a body of extravagant and ignorant enthusiasts ; while the New-side, under an equally strong prejudice, regarded the Old-side-men as a set of pharisaical formalists. Undue warmth of feeling and speech, and improper inferences were admitted on both sides. And one act of violence led to another, until, at length, in the year 1741, the highest judi- catory of the Church was rent asunder: and the synod of
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New York, composed of the New-side-men, was set up in a sort of opposition to that of Philadelphia." But although thus divided, "it appears," remarks Dr. Hodge, " that this great schism was not the result of conflicting views, either as to doctrine or church government. It was the result of alienation of feeling produced by the controversies relating to the revival." The effects of this state of things in the church at large, were felt here also. A division was the consequence. This occurred in 1741. Hence originated the congregation of "Lower West Conococheague," or what is now called " Welsh Run." But though a divi- sion took place, it was what their situation as a Congregation required, it being much too extensive to allow frequent meetings in one place. And when effected, it was done with so much Christian spirit, that both Churches still adhering to the same Presbytery, were frequently repre- sented in this judicatory by the same commissioner.
In the year 1754, this Church invited the Reverend John Steele to become its Pastor. Mr. Steele having accepted the invitation, continued among them for about two years, having charge also of " East Conococheague." He settled at a time when the neighbourhood was greatly disturbed by the Indians. General Braddock had been defeated; and the Indians gathering fresh courage from this disaster, has- tened to wreak their vengeance on the inhabitants of these, then frontiers. It was about this time that Col. James Smith, Mr. John McCollough, and Richard Bard, Esq., and wife, were taken captive by them-all of whom were connected with this congregation-the latter two after their captivity ; and whose thrilling narratives, as recorded in a book some short time since published, called " Incidents of Border Life," will give you some idea of the exposures and hardships and sufferings of the inhabitants of this region at this early period. In consequence of these frequent attacks of the Indians, the settlement was entirely broken up; the Congregation was dispersed ; and Mr. Steele having received an invitation from
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the Church in Carlisle to become their Pastor, accepted the invitation, and there lived and laboured the remainder of his days. Mr. Steele was a man of great intrepidity of char- acter. Often did he lead forth companies of armed men to repel the invading savages. He was a good preacher, and a sound divine. But his labours here were too short, and the country too much disturbed, to have been as greatly or as extensively useful, as he would have been under more favour- able circumstances. How different is our condition from theirs ! Theirs was one of toil and great exposure to dan- ger-ours is one of comparative ease and safety. With them, it was a common thing to meet together to worship God with their fire-arms in their hands, and their swords at their sides-to us, belongs the high privilege of meeting in the House of God without fear, and of worshipping without molestation. The ancient Church was enclosed by a Forti- fication, erected for the safety and protection of the surround- ing neighbourhood ;- fit emblem of that safer, securer refuge which God has provided in his Son, for the penitent believer, from the storms of Divine wrath, and from the enemies of his soul.
After the return of the people to their desolated habita- tions, they again organized themselves into a Congregation ; and enjoyed supplies from the Donegal Presbytery,-until in the years 1762 and '63, when the settlement was again dis- turbed by the irruption of the Indians, which had once more, well-nigh broken up the Congregation. Yet, though few in number and labouring under great difficulties, they still clung to the Church. And though it had scarcely an existence, yet did it still live to administer consolation to them in their trying circumstances. They seem to have identified them- selves so completely with the Church, from their first settle- ment in these parts, that they could not live without it. They seem to have felt the truth of the promise, " they shall prosper that love thee." Hence when driven from their homes and from the House of God, they seem to have pos-
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sessed the spirit of the Psalmist, as, when under somewhat similar circumstances, he laments ; "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God : when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me : for I had gone with the multitude : I went with them to the House of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holy day."-Psalm xlii. 1-4. Thus, were they called to pass through many changes and trials, until in 1767, we find the Church in a more prosper- ous condition than it had been at any former period. The following persons at this time composed the Session : Messrs. William Maxwell, William Smith, John McDowell, Wil- liam McDowell, John Welsh, Alexander White, John McClelland, Jonathan Smith, William Campbell, Robert Fleming, and Samuel Templeton.
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L
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PERIOD II.
FROM THE SETTLEMENT OF THE REVEREND JOHN KING, D. D. AS PASTOR, A. D. 1769, TO THE SETTLEMENT OF THE REVEREND DAVID ELLIOTT, D. D. AS PASTOR, A. D. 1812.
Dr. King becomes Pastor. The War of Independence. The Church bears its part in the struggle. The Session. Mercersburg laid out. Church edifice erected in town. The Session. Dr. King resigns his charge. Result of labours. His life and character.
The Church having been thus brought into a more pros- perous condition, and its members feeling the importance of having a settled ministry among them, in 1768 invited the Rev'd John King, then a Licentiate under the care of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, to preach to them with this view. Mr. King having accepted the invitation, and having laboured among them with great acceptance for several months, was at length ordained and installed Pastor, August 30th, 1769. At the time of his settlement the Con- gregation numbered one hundred and thirty families.
It was about this time that the nation began to be agitated, from one extreme of it to the other, on the subject of its connection with Great Britain. The fires which had long been concealed, were now beginning to give evidence of their existence. Great Britain had become more and more unyielding in her claims and unrelenting : and the American Colonies had become more determined than ever to maintain their rights, and to defend them at all hazards. From these positions, neither party would recede. The breach had become too wide to be healed. The crisis had been reached -and the Country was in arms. The same spirit which pervaded the Colonies at large, pervaded also the minds of
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the people here. The feelings of patriotism had been enkindled in their bosoms, and were to know no abatement in their ardour, until they had achieved their Country's inde- pendence. In producing this spirit and in fostering it, Dr. King was second to none of the Presbyterian Clergymen of his day. And such was its deep hold upon the Congrega- tion, that it contributed its full proportion of men and officers to advocate our cause and to defend our rights. I have no means of ascertaining the precise number of men and officers who were thus actually engaged in the war of Independence : but there were many of the best and noblest sons of this Congregation, who for the sake of their Country, had "pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honour." I find, however, from the " Church Register" that the num- ber of those who were killed, and who died by oppression of the enemy, and in consequence of disease contracted while in service, amounts to nine .* How highly should we prize our liberties which were thus so dearly bought by toil and self-denial, by sufferings and death ! How closely should we consider the connection which exists between these liberties and our own beloved Church. And how solicitous should we be to transmit these liberties to the generations which are to succeed us as pure as we received them from those who preceded us, and bequeathed them to us. Never may the time come in the history of this Church, when the spirit of patriotism, which dwelt in the bosoms of our friends and forefathers, shall lose its vigour, or become extinct in the hearts of those who are their descendants and successors.
* Jonathan Smith, a ruling elder, died of camp fever, at Amboy, Oct. 13th, 1776.
John Campbell, by oppression of the enemy, Oct. 30th, 1776. James McCoy, killed at Fort Washington, Nov. 16th, 1776.
Dugal Campbell, died of camp fever in New Jersey, January, 1777. Patrick McClelland, by oppression of the enemy, 1777. Joseph Watson, killed in battle, Dec. 1777. Capt. Robert McCoy, killed at Crooked-billet, May 1st, 1778.
William Dean.
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66
66
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66 66 William Sterret,
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In 1777, the following persons were added to the session ; Messrs. Patrick Maxwell, Joseph Van Lear, Matthew Wil- son, William Lowery, James McFarland and Henry Helm. In 1786, the town of Mercersburg was laid out. 'The popu- lation of which, and of the adjacent neighborhood increasing, it was deemed expedient to have a part of the preaching in town. For this purpose this edifice was crected in 1794 ; and for a number of years was without a ceiling, floor, pews, or pulpit. The ground on which it stands, and that which surrounds it, was given to the congregation by the Hon. Robert Smith, Esq. In 1772, Messrs. William Waddell, Archibald Irwin, James Crawford, and John Holiday were added to the session: In 1799, Messrs. John McMullin, John Johnston, Edward Welsh, William Reynolds, Robert McFarland, and John McCullough : And in 1800, Mr. John Scott, Robert McDowell, and James Dickey.
From the close of the war, after the state of public affairs had become more settled, until 1811, when Dr. King, in con- sequence of increasing bodily afflictions, resigned his pastoral charge, the state of the Congregation was peaceful and pros- perous. At every Communion season, its numbers of pro- fessing disciples were increased by new accessions. During the whole of Dr. King's ministry in this Church, he Baptized nine hundred and fifty persons; and there was admitted to the Communion, four hundred and eighty. These numbers, however, are not strictly accurate, as the Doctor's infirmities during the latter part of his ministry were so great, that the " Register" was but imperfectly kept. There were persons both baptized and admitted to the Communion of the Church, whose names are not recorded. Dr. King was a man of piety and of extensive acquirements. His labours were owned of God, and eminently blessed in building up this Church. His memory still lives in the grateful remembrance and strong affections of not a few, who are spared with us to the present time ; some of whom, bear the seal of baptism as administered by his own hand ; and others, who are his spi-
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ritual children, and who will be "his joy and crown of re- joicing in the presence of Jesus Christ at his coming." It may be interesting to such to hear a brief history of his life and character, as it was penned by his intimate friend and companion, the Rev. John McKnight, D. D., and delivered in a sermon occasioned by his death; while it will be in- structive to those who have only heard of Dr. King by name. " Dr. John King was born in Chesnut-level, in the lower part of Lancaster county, December 5th, A. D. 1740, of honest and reputable parents. He was the second son of Robert King, who emigrated from Ireland, and purchased a tract of land there, on which he resided, and on which Dr. King was born. The father was a ruling elder in the con- gregation of Chesnut level, in which office he continued until his death, which was about the year 1763 or '64. At the age of fourteen or fifteen, Dr. King commenced his classical studies in a grammar school under Mr. Smith. Some time after he was removed to Newark Academy, where he com- pleted his classical studies. Between the time of his leaving the Academy and going to College, he visited Conoco- cheague, where, for several years, he taught an English and grammar school. He entered Philadelphia College, then under the care of " Doctors Smith and Allison," May 6th, 1765. Whilst prosecuting his studies in College, he, at the same time, taught one of the higher classes in the Academy, which was connected with it. He commenced " Bachelor of Arts," May 22d, 1766. After leaving College, being much afflicted with a pain in his breast and hoarseness, he was afraid that he would not be able to speak in public ; which induced him to enter on the study of medicine, which he did in Baltimore. Getting better of his pain and hoarse- ness, he relinquished the study of medicine, in about three months after he had commenced it, and applied himself to the study of Divinity. It is not known under what minis- ter he prosecuted his studies. He was licensed to preach August 5th, 1767. Having preached some time in this con-
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gregation as a probationer, he was presented with a call to be its pastor, which he accepted, and was ordained and in- stalled, August 30th, 1769. In May 1770, he took his degree of Master of Arts. April 2d, 1771, he married Miss Elizabeth McDowell, daughter of Mr. John McDowell, one of the ruling elders of the congregation in which he was set- tled. He was pastor of this Congregation upwards of forty years.
" During the last six years of his life, he laboured under a rheumatic complaint, with which he was severely afflicted, and which baffled every medical application. For four years, however, of this time, he continued in the exercise of his ministry, in the latter part of which, his limbs were so en- feebled that he was not able to stand, and officiated in a chair fixed in the pulpit. Finding his complaint still increasing, and his prospects of usefulness, in a public capacity, at an end, he resigned his charge September 1811. His com- plaint continued to increase, and his bodily strength to de- cline, until he became utterly helpless. Some time before his death, he was seized with a violent fever, which brought his natural life to a close. He died July 15th, 1813, in the seventy-third year of his age.
" Dr. King was a man of good natural parts, which he diligently cultivated. And in particular, from the time of his being settled in the ministry, being placed in favorable cir- cumstances for study, he industriously improved what time he could redeem from the immediate duties of his office, in acquiring the knowledge of all those branches of literature and science which tended to respectability and usefulness. Besides being a good Latin and Greek scholar, he had a competent acquaintance with the Hebrew and the French. He had studied Natural and Moral Philosophy, Astronomy, the Mathematics and Logic with attention, and had a con- siderable general knowledge of Chemistry. He had paid considerable attention to Ecclesiastical History. With Di- vinity and its several branches, he was well acquainted.
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Influenced by his well known and established character, as a scholar and a Divine, the Trustees of Dickinson College, at one of its first commencements in the College, viz. in the year 1792, conferred on him the degree of D. D.
"Dr. King was the author of several small publications, particularly a Catechism, for the instruction of youth, in the principles of the Christian religion-and more especially calculated to fortify them against the spirit of scepticism and infidelity, which at the time of its publication, threatened to corrupt the principles and morals of many ;- of some pieces in the Assembly's Magazine, on the subject of a man's marrying his former wife's sister ;- of a Dissertation on the Prophecies, referring to the present times, &c. As a companion, Dr. King was sociable, cheerful, and instruct- ing. As a friend, he was sincere, affectionate, uniform, and faithful. In his principles, Dr. King was strictly orthodox ; a uniform and warm friend of the great doctrines of grace. His piety was rational and warm. His life fully corre- sponded with his profession, and he has left behind him a character unsullied by a blot. He evinced an increasing concern for the interests of Zion ; and so far from being of a bigoted or contracted spirit, he held friendly intercourse with persons of different denominations, and was. ready to countenance and encourage all who appeared desirous of pro- moting the cause of religion. He was ready to distribute, and willing to communicate to every real object of charity that presented itself, and to such literary institutions as pro- mised to be useful. Though his afflictions were severe and of long continuance, and though he was considerably ad- vanced in years, yet he retained, until very near the close of his life, his intellectual powers, very little impaired. His mind was still vigorous and active.
" Let us now," continues Dr. McKnight, "proceed to take a view of the state of his mind under his affliction, and in prospect of his approaching dissolution. And here, says he, I shall introduce a communication on the subject, from
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Mr. Elliott, your present worthy pastor. 'I visited Dr. King,' remarks Mr. Elliott, ' some weeks before his death, - and during his last illness. He entered into an animated conversation with respect to his views of religion, and the peculiar experiences of his mind. He spoke in exalted terms of the doctrines of grace, as the only foundation of a sinner's hopes. He said he could see nothing in his past life which afforded him any ground of dependence, and that he had no hope from any other quarter, but from the glori- ous scheme of redemption, as revealed in the word of God. No other way ! said he : Nothing will do but this ! - He observed that he frequently felt a desire to be more fully acquainted with the glorious character of God, than what per- haps was justifiable. He believed Christians ought to be care- ful, not to transcend the limits assigned them in the word of God: adding, ' that the word was our only standard and directory, with respect to the great mysteries of religion, and that to it, we ought to keep close.' During the intervals of fever, when his mind was capable of regular exertion, he said, he was generally in prayer for himself and others. He was much afraid that he was too desirous to depart. He longed for the time when he should be delivered from his affliction. But he frequently observed, that he strove and prayed against an improper solicitude, wishing to wait the Lord's time. About two weeks after the above conversa- tion, and about ten days before his death, I was present at his bed-side, and upon his complaining that he suffered much ; I observed, that I hoped he received abundant sup- port from above. 'O yes,' said he, ' I am greatly sup- ported.' He then observed that he had been strongly tempted, some time before, to doubt with respect to the foundation of his hopes; and whether that system of truth on which he had built his faith, was agreeable to the word of God. Convinced that he had, long ago, carefully exa- mined into the ground of his belief, he sought comfort in prayer to God, and it was not long till he experienced it.
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' I have now,' said he, with a tear of joy sparkling in his eye,' ' I have now no doubt of my love to God: He is the most glorious of all objects : None other can be compared to him!' Thus lived and thus died this servant of the Lord. Both in his life, and by his death, he has borne honourable testimony to the religion of Jesus, of which he was a pro- fessor, and of which he was a Minister. Having done much, and suffered much according to the will of God, he has ' fallen asleep,' and ' has been gathered to his fathers.' "
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PERIOD III.
FROM THE SETTLEMENT OF THE REV. DAVID ELLIOTT, D. D. AS PASTOR, A. D. 1812, TO THE CLOSE OF HIS MINISTRY IN THIS CHURCH, A. D. 1829.
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