USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Centennial biography : Men of mark of Cumberland Valley, Pa., 1776-1876 > Part 14
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ROBERT DAVIDSON, D. D.
discourses on occasions of public interest, and always did it well. In September of '94 he preached a sermon on "The Duties of Citizens," before the troops, on their way to suppress the Whiskey Insurrection, and soon afterwards delivered another on "The Freedom and Happiness of the United States," before General Washington, Governor Mifflin, and the military bound on the same expedition. The authorities were so much gratified, that Governor Mifflin offered him an honourable position, which he respectfully declined.
In 1796, Dr. Davidson attained one of the highest honours of his church, in being elected Moderator of the General Assembly, the eighth in order, a position which he filled with his usual dignity and affability. When General Washington died, in 1799, Dr. Davidson delivered a eulogy on his life and services, which appears in a collec- tion of discourses elicited by that event, and published in 1802, with the title "Washingtoniana." And upon the death of Dr. Nisbet, in 1804, he delivered a like tribute to his memory. During the five years succeeding the death of Dr. Nisbet, Dr. Davidson discharged the duties of the President of the college, and did so faithfully and accept- ably. In 1809 he resigned, to give himself wholly to his pastoral charge, and received a vote of thanks from the Trustees for his long and faithful services. Dr. Davidson was a lover and composer of sacred music, and had a very decided taste and talent for drawing. In 1811 he published the 119th Psalm in metre, and the next year pub- lished a "New Metrical Version of the Psalms," with annotations -- regarded as superior to Sternhold and Hopkins, improved by Rouse.
After a life of great activity and usefulness Dr. Davidson died in Carlisle, December 13, 1812, in the sixty-second year of his age. His funeral sermon, afterwards printed, was preached by his friend, Dr. Cathcart, of York. As a preacher, Dr. Davidson was eminently instructive, and, owing to extreme modesty, could command his pen much easier and better than his tongue. It has been well said of him, that, as a man of letters, his standing was high. His clear intellect and extensive acquirements made him a valuable instructor. As an evi- dence of his diligent and studious habits, he left twenty manuscript volumes of sermons and scientific lectures, in addition to all he had given to the public through the press. Dr. Davidson was married three times. By his second wife-daughter of the Hon. John Mont- gomery, of Carlisle-he had his only child, a son, the Rev. Robert Davidson, D. D., whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume.
REV. FRANCIS HERRON, D. D.
EV. FRANCIS HERRON was born near Shippensburg, Cumberland county, Pa., June 28th, 1774. He belonged to that honoured and honourable race, the Scotch-Irish, memo- rable in the history of the world, but especially in our country, for a thorough devotion to evangelical truth and constitutional liberty. The training of his early years bore rich fruit at a subsequent period of his life, making him so eminent among his brethren as an effective preacher and an orthodox divine.
Receiving the careful training indicative of his parents' high regard for knowledge, he entered Dickinson college, Carlisle, Pa., then under the care of that distinguished Presbyterian, Rev. Dr. Nisbet. Here he completed his classical course, and graduated May 5th, 1794. The prayers of his pious parents were answered by the influence of grace upon his heart, and he was led to study for the ministry of reconcilia- tion. He studied theology under Robert Cooper, D. D., his pastor, and was licensed by Carlisle Presbytery, October 4th, 1797. -
He entered upon the service of his Divine Master as a missionary, going out into the backwoods, as it was then called, passing through Pittsburgh, Pa., then a small village, and extending his tour as far west as Chillicothe, Ohio. Stopping for the night in a tavern at Six Mile Run, near Wilkinsburg, Pa., the people prevailed upon him to stay till the following Sabbath, which he did, and under the shade of an apple tree did this young disciple break the bread of life to the people.
His journey was resumed the next day, and with a frontier settler for his guide, he pushed on to his destination, through an almost unbroken wilderness, his course often guided by the " blazes " upon the trees. Two nights he encamped with the Indians, who were quite numerous near what is now the town of Marietta, Ohio.
On his return from Chillicothe, Ohio, he visited Pittsburgh. The keeper of the tavern where he lodged proved to be an old ac- quaintance, and, at his request, he consented to preach. Notice was sent, and in the evening a small congregation of about eighteen persons assembled. The house he preached in was a rude structure built of logs, occupying the site of the present First Presbyterian church. And such was the primitive style of that day, that, during the services,
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the swallows, who had their nests in the caves, flew among the congre- gation.
At this time, the churches in that portion of our country were. visited with a season of refreshing grace, and Mr. Herron entered into the revival with all the ardour of youth, filled with hopefulness and zeal. He preached for Rev. Dr. John McMillan, at the Chartiers church, during a revival season. He also preached at the Buffalo church, where his fervid eloquence made a deep impression, and the people presented him a call, and strongly urged it upon his attention He, however, concluded to return to the vicinity of his home, especially as a call from Rocky Spring church was awaiting him. This call he accepted, and he was ordained and installed as pastor of that church by Carlisle Presbytery, April 9th, 1800.
Here his life work commenced. The season of revival through which he had passed during his journey to and from the west, had given a spiritual unction to his preaching, which soon manifested itself among his people. His efforts in behalf of their true interests were system- atized. Prayer meetings were inaugurated. He established the Bible Class, together with meetings for catechetical instruction. He devoted a large portion of his time to the " little ones of his flock." In scenes like these the first decade of his ministerial life passed away, the people grew in piety and spiritual strength, and the pastor in that power to influence the people, and to instruct and edify them.
During a visit to Pittsburgh, in 1810, he was invited to occupy the pulpit of the First church, then vacant by the recent death of Rev. Robert Steele. The people were charmed with his discourse; his ripening intellect, modified by that refined spirituality which was a prominent element in his ministration, had a powerful effect upon his audience. They urged him to preach for them a second time, which he did; the result was, a unanimous call was made out and presented to him in the usual manner.
The Presbytery of Carlisle dissolved the relation that existed between Rocky Spring church and Mr. Herron, and he was dismissed to Redstone Presbytery, April 3. 1811, and was installed pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Pittsburgh, Pa., the following June. In a few weeks he removed with his family to his new home, traveling in a large wagon with his wife, children, and all his household goods.
He joined Redstone Presbytery, June 18th, 1811. The importance of his new position was fully and truly felt. The commercial importance of Pittsburgh had given all kinds of business an impetus, and pros- perity was advancing rapidly, but this outward show referred only to
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worldly affairs; the religious condition of the people was cold and almost lifeless. The church to which he was called was embarrassed with debt, and the piety of the people manifested a degree of conformity to the world which nearly appalled the preacher's heart. But the experience of his ten years' pastorate was to him invaluable, and girding himself, he entered upon his duties with a true heart and an earnest purpose. His preaching was the simple exposition of the truth as it is in Jesus-pointed, clear and unwavering-revealing the enormity of sin and pleading with the fidelity of one who loved their souls. This style of preaching was sustained by his efforts to establish the prayer meeting, which, strange as it now appears, met with much opposition, even among professors of religion ; but this young pastor
knew the holy influence of communion with God, and that God favoured a praying people; he therefore went forward, and, in connection with Rev. Thomas Hunt, who was pastor of the Second church, they persisted, though to avoid collision with the people the meetings were not held in the church, and a small room was used for that purpose in which Mr. Hunt taught a day school. The first meeting consisted of the two pastors, one man, and six women; and thus, for eighteen months, did these meetings continue without adding a single person to their nuinber.
The chilling indifference of the people soon grew into a downright hostility, and husbands and fathers prohibited their wives and daughters from attending, and, finally, when the continued efforts of these pious people could be no longer borne, they waited upon Mr. Herron and told him that it must be stopped. His reply was the turning point in the spiritual condition of that people. He said, "Gentlemen, thesc meeting's will not stop; you are at liberty to do as you please, but I also have the liberty to worship God according to the dictates of my conscience, none daring to molest or make me afraid." From that time a spirit of piety manifested itself among the members of the church, several gay and fashionable persons were hopefully converted, and an impression was made upon the whole community at once hopeful and healthful.
Besides his talents as a preacher, and his loveliness of character as a pastor, Dr. Herron was a practical man and a good manager. The debt which hung as an incubus upon the church increased the diffi- culties of his situation, and after various efforts to remove it or stave off the issue, the natural result arrived, and the church was sold by the sheriff in December, 1813. He attended the sale and bought the property in his own name for $2,819. In a short time he disposed of
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a corner lot to the Bank of Pittsburgh, whereon to erect a banking house, for $3,000. With this money he paid off the debt of the church, and placed the surplus, $18o, in the treasury.
The church started on a new era of prosperity. Dr. Herron's intel- lect was in its full strength, and his influence was felt throughout the whole community, and his fame throughout the whole Church. The church became crowded with hearers, and the membership rapidly increased, so that an enlargement of the building was rendered neces- sary. This was done by removing the side walls and enlarging the width, so as to admit an aisle and an additional row of pews on each side. This alteration was completed in December, 1817, and on a re- sale of the pews, enough funds were realized not only to pay all the expenses of the alteration, but to alter the pulpit and erect a session- room in the rear of the church.
As a token of gratitude of the congregation to the pastor, and of the high estimate they put upon his practical efficiency and ministerial excellence, they raised his salary to fifteen hundred dollars-a large salary at that time.
Dr. Herron was a fine representative of a minister of the olden time. He was fond of the good old paths. He based his success, as a minister, upon catechetical instruction, Bible Classes and Sunday Schools. He believed, and acted out his belief, that the good old Presbyterian usage of drilling the children in the family and in the church, in the letter of the Shorter Catechism, is the best of all methods for impressing evan- gelical conviction, and for training a generation of sound, orthodox, intelligent Christians. This system, at first confined to the children, he extended, in 1823, to the adult members of his congregation. These meetings were conducted by the minister every Sabbath afternoon, and were, of course, highly blessed.
In 1825, the General Assembly resolved to establish a Theological Seminary in the west, and appointed a committee to select a place. Rev. Dr. Herron, with his naturally quick preception, in connection with the Rev. Dr. Swift, urged the ,claims of Allegheny city, Pa. He entered into the enterprise with his whole heart, and by much labo- rious and skilful effort, obtained a decision in favour of locating it there. Dr. Swift took charge of the instruction of the pupils, whilst Dr. Herron assumed the toils and anxieties of its sustenance. Though this involved a vast amount of time and labour, still Dr. Herron never for a moment withdrew from his post, but for every additional burden he seemed to be specially sustained by his Divine Master. Such a super- abundance of toil suited the man, and with unwearied assiduity he 8
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laboured on for years, and to no one does the Western Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church, owe its influence, and success, too, in a greater degree, than to Dr. Herron.
In 1827 he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, at its session in Philadelphia. During the autumn of that year a revival of religion manifested itself among his peo- ple, and eventually throughout the community. His ministrations were also blessed with outpourings of the Spirit in 1832 and 1835.
In 1850, Dr. Herron, having reached his seventy-sixth year, felt like the prophet Elijah, that he must soon depart. He therefore pressed his resignation upon his congregation, which they accepted with the understanding that he would accept a thousand dollars per year for life. He feel asleep in Jesus, and entered his rest on the 6th day of Decem- ber, 1860. Though he had retired from active life for some years, his death was felt to be a public loss. A meeting was held of the ministers of the city of Pittsburgh, and the adjoining city of Allegheny, to give expression to their feelings. The Court of Common Pleas and the District Court adjourned, and the news spread as though a public calamity had befallen the city. The funeral was attended by all ranks in life.
The Rev. William M. Paxton, Dr. Herron's successor, delivered a memorial discourse in which he thus presented the aged patriarch as a man, a Christian, and a minister :
"As a man he was made for the times -- a man of nerve, will, power, moulding rather than being moulded, breasting the current rather than floating upon its surface. Such men are generic forces, originating thoughts, creating circumstances, and propelling society in their own way and for their own purposes, stamping their impress upon the com- munity in which they live, work reformation and originate eras of pro- gress and improvement.
"As a Christian, he was distinguished by the vigourous growth and uniform development of the whole circle of Christian graces. His character was symmetrical, admirably adjusted, and equipoised in all its parts. His chief distinction as a Christian was his love for the person and his devotion to the glory of Jesus Christ. Secondly, his love for souls. Thirdly, he was eminently a man of faith. Fourthly, with a pure evangelical faith he combined a liberal catholic spirit, and fifthly, he was magnanimous in the highest and noblest sense the word can be used.
"As a minister, first, he was an experimental preacher ; second, he was
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doctrinal ; third, he was an awakening preacher ; fourth, his preaching was tender and affectionate.
"As a presbyter, he was attentive, regular and prompt; thoroughly acquainted with rules of order, he very often presided over the Pres- bytery and Synod.
"As a public man, he was interested in every enterprise to promote the comfort of the people and the adornment of the city of Pittsburgh. He was one of the city's fathers, and no man loved it better or did more to advance its highest welfare. He not only loved his city, but also his state and nation. Patriotism was a part of his religion, and his heart was alike true to his country as to his God. He knew the worth of human liberty, and believed that these United States are a peculiar heritage of freedom."
Dr. Herron married in February, 1802, Miss Elizabeth Blain, daugh- ter of Alexander Blain, Esq., of Carlisle, Pa. She died in 1855.
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D. M'CONAUGHY, D. D. LL. D.
HE REV. DAVID M'CONAUGIIY was born in Menallen town- ship, York county, (now Adams,) about six miles from Gettys- burg, on the 29th of September, 1775. His grandfather, David M'Conaughy, had settled in that region when Pennsylvania was a colony of Great Britain, and held the office of Sheriff of Lancaster county, under the royal government. In the revolutionary contest, however, he was on the side of the colonies, and proved himself a true patriot, although too far advanced in life to aid by his personal services. His son Robert, the father of the subject of this notice, partaking of his ancestral spirit, engaged actively in the service of his country ; but how long, or in what capacity-whether as an officer or a private soldier- we are not informed. During his absence with the army, an incident is related of the remarkable preservation of his son David, then about two years of age, showing the special providence of God, in rescuing from death one who was destined afterwards to accomplish so much for Christ and his Church. His mother being temporarily absent. David, in company with the child of one of the labourers, wandered off to a mill-race in the vicinity, and falling into it, remained there for some time. When discovered and taken out, life appeared to be extinct. But after hours of unceasing efforts, suspended animation was restored, and he was given back, of God, to parental affection, to be reared for high and holy services in the kingdom of His Son.
In the vicinity of his parental home, under the tuition of a Mr. Monteith, he received the rudiments of his early education. When about ten years of age, he was sent to a grammar school in the neigh- bourhood, taught by a Mr. Boggs, which was one of the earliest classi- cal schools established in the interior of the state. This school having continued but a short time, he was removed to a classical school in Gettysburg, taught by the Rev. Alexander Dobbin, a Scotch minister belonging to the Associate Reformed Church, and who is represented to have been a gentleman of extensive learning and devoted picty. In this school he continued in the diligent prosecution of his studies, until he was prepared to enter college. What degree of talent or aptness in the acquisition of knowledge he discovered, during this juvenile period of his life, we have no information. But his friends who knew him in his boyhood, represent him as possessing the same leading
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traits of character which he exhibited in after life. Quiet, patient and unobtrusive-though fond of the amusements usual with boys of his age-his conduct was ever marked by genuine politeness, and a regard for the feelings of others, which knew no distinction of rank or position.
His collegiate education he received at Dickinson College, Carlisle, where he was graduated on the 30th day of September, 1795, during the presidency of the Rev. Dr. Charles Nisbet, so celebrated for his various and extensive learning, and his salient and sparkling wit. He had the Latin Salutatory assigned him, which, according to the usage of the institution of that time, was considered the first honour. Among his class mates were Chief Justice Tancy, of the Federal Court of the United States, and Justice Kennedy, of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, both distinguished as learned and able jurists, and the Rev. Joshua Williams, D. D., of Newville, equally distinguished as a profound and skilful theologian. To have been the successful com- petitor of such men, was no mean honour. But, even if we had not this testimonial of his scholarship, we might safely infer, from the accu- racy and extent of his attainments in subsequent life, that he had laid a solid foundation, and industriously improved his advantages, during his preparatory and collegiate course.
Immediately after leaving college, he entered on his theological studies, under the direction of the Rev. Dr. Nathan Grier, of Brandy- wine, who had an extended reputation as an eloquent and popular preacher, and with whom many young men pursued their studies for the ministry. There he remained two years in the prosecution of his studies, when, on the 5th day of October, 1797, he was licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle to preach the gospel. The next spring he received permission from the Presbytery to itinerate six months without their bounds, and particularly within the limits of the Carlisle and Philadelphia Presbyteries. In accordance with this permission, he preached frequently in Philadelphia, and also in New York, whither he had gone, and where he was detained a considerable time by the pre- valence of the yellow fever in Philadelphia, where it raged during the latter part of the summer, and the fall of that year. What proportion of time he spent in the Presbyteries of Carlisle and Philadelphia respectively, is not known, but the spring following, April 5th, 1799, he took his dismission from the Presbytery of New Castle, and on the 9th of the same month placed himself under the care of the Presby- tery of Carlisle, his long residence within the bounds of which fully entitles him to a place in this volume.
Having received and accepted a call from the united churches of
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Upper Marsh Creek and Great Conewago, within the bounds of that Presbytery, he was ordained and installed their pastor on the 8th day of October, 1800. In that same year the formation of Adams into a separate county took place, and Gettysburg became the county scat. This town was situated about three miles from the site of the Upper Marsh Creek church, and within the limits of that congregation. In- creasing in wealth and population, and embracing within it a number of Presbyterian families, it was deemed too important a place to be left without the stated preaching of the gospel by Presbyterians. For a time it was supplied with occasional preaching by Dr. M'Conaughy himself, and also by Dr. Paxton, the talented and cloquent pastor of the adjacent church of Lower Marsh Creek, one or more of the fami- lies belonging to whose church resided in the town. After some years, however, the congregation of Upper Marsh Creek determined to remove their edifice to town, and in the year 1813, Dr. M'Conaughy preached his last sermon in the old church, previous to its demolition. From various causes, the new edifice was not ready for occupancy for several years. In the meantime, the congregation were kindly allowed the use of the Associate Reformed church, then vacant, until a pastor should be procured. Afterward, they worshiped in the Court House until the completion of their edifice. In the month of August, IS16, the house, having been completed, was solemnly dedicated to the worship of the Triune God. The congregation still retained its original chartered name of " Upper Marsh Creek," and still remained in union with Great Conewago, under the same pastoral care as before. In these united congregations, Dr. M'Conaughy continued, in the faithful and accepta- ble discharge of his ministerial duties, until the spring of 1832, when he was dismissed, at his own request, to connect himself with the Pres- bytery of Washington, and to enter on another, and in some respects, a more extended field of labour.
Dr. M'Conaughy watched over his flock with a shepherd's care, and was ever ready to bestow his labour and exert his influence for the ad- vancement, not only of their spiritual, but also of their temporal interests. A few years before his removal from Gettysburg, the church in that place had suffered their debt to accumulate, until it had reached a larger sum than their real estate was worth. Under the pres- sure of such a debt, nothing but the most prompt and energetic efforts could save them from bankruptcy and ruin. At this crisis, Dr. M'Conaughy, with generous devotion to the interests of the church, undertook to relieve them ; and by his untiring industry, great personal efforts, and the exercise of his large influence, succeeded in extinguish-
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ing the debt, with the exception of a very small and insignificant sum, which was paid after his removal from Gettysburg. In the accom- plishment of this object he spared no labour. In addition to home exertions and influence, he visited the cities of Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York, for the purpose of procuring funds. He also published a new edition of " Doddridge's Sermons," for which he procured a large subscription, from the avails of which he realized a considerable sum towards the liquidation of the debt. Providence smiled upon his efforts -the congregation were relieved, and before his death he had the satis- faction to see it, single handed and alone, able to support a pastor the whole of his time.
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