USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Centennial biography : Men of mark of Cumberland Valley, Pa., 1776-1876 > Part 15
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Of the spiritual results of his labours among the people of his pastoral charge, not having had time nor opportunity to procure the necessary information, we cannot speak with confidence. But if clear and able expositions of the gospel of the grace of God, if faithful pastoral in- structions and prayers, and if the persuasive influence of a heavenly spirit and a holy life furnish any ground on which to erect a hope, we can hardly doubt but that many were brought to Christ through his instrumentality, and will appear as his "joy and crown of rejoicing, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, at his coming."
Dr. M'Conaughy was the pioneer in the Temperance reform, in his native county. Preparatory to the formation of a society, and with a view of gaining access to all classes, he appointed meetings to be held at the Court House in the evenings, at which he read the Temper- ance essays of Drs. Rush, Beecher, and others. In this way he diffused information, and awakened attention in the community to the subject, and thus led to the formation of the first Temperance Society in Adams county, and of which he was elected the first presi- dent. In aid of the cause he preached a sermon from i Cor. vi, 10, "Drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God," which was published, and extensively circulated throughout that region. It con- tains an accurate description of the character of a drunkard, and a fearless and faithful exhibition of the certainty and justice of his exclusion from heaven. Its delineations are truthful and eloquent, eminently adapted to move and impress the heart.
In the year 1807. Dr. M'Conaughy commenced a grammar school in Gettysburg, for the purpose of thoroughly training young men to enter college. This school he continued until 1812, when he relin- quished it in favour of a county organization. After the organization of the county institution, however, his services were occasionally soli- cited, and cheerfully rendered upon the failure of the board to secure
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other suitable teachers. In this respect he had nothing of the fastid- iousness of some weak and vain men, who disdain to render aid to important institutions or enterprises, unless they are clothed with official rank, or their vanity flattered by some titular distinction. His heart and his hand were always open to the claims of learning and religion, and if, by any practicable service, he could give them increased force, he was ever ready to do it. As a teacher of youth, as well as a minister of the Gospel, he did much to elevate the character of his native county. His pupils were generally distinguished in the colleges to which they resorted for the accuracy and extent of their attainments. Many of them afterwards rose to stations of eminence and distinction in the different departments of society. Among these it will not be deemed invidious to mention the late Jeremiah Chamberlain, D. D., President of Oakland College, Miss .; the late Rev. John E. Annan, Professor of Mathematics in the Miami University, O .; and his brother, the Rev. Wm. Annan, the well known editor of the Presbyterian Advocate; the Rev. John Holmes Agnew, formerly Professor of Languages, in Washington College, and afterward Professor in the Uni- versity of Michigan; the Rev. HI. L. Baugher, D. D., President of Penn- sylvania College, at Gettysburg ; the Hon. Daniel M. Smyser, President Judge of the Bucks and Montgomery District ; and the Hon. James II. Graham, President Judge of the Carlisle District, in this state. These, and others who might be named, laid the, foundation of their eminence and fame under the tuition of this ripe scholar, and skilful teacher of youth. Indeed, as a thorough Latin and Greek scholar, Dr. M'Con- aughy had few superiors; and as a teacher of the classics, the common verdict of those who knew him best, was, that he was eminently judicious and successful. It was the knowledge of this fact, and of his general scholarship, and high intellectual and moral endowments, that led to the suggestion of his name in connection with the Presidency of Washington College.
After the resignation of Dr. Wylie, and during the suspension of the operations of that institution, the Trustees were anxiously looking out for a suitable person to occupy that station. Having received the most favourable information respecting Dr. M'Conaughy, from one who had long been intimately acquainted with his character and quali- fications, they unanimously elected him to the Presidency, on the 12th of March, 1830. This appointment, it was his inclination and purpose to accept, as he intimated in his communication to the board; but, shortly after his election, the unexpected death of a near relative produced such a condition of things in his family relations as to render
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it improper for him to remove. Of this he promptly and frankly informed the board, so that they might not be embarrassed, and their institution injured, by deferred expectations which might not be realized. Although the board deeply regretted the occurence which deprived them of his services, they admitted the validity of his reasons, and approved his course as ingenuous and honourable. The next fall the college was resuscitated, and its operations resumed under a temporary arrangement, which was to continue until a suitable principal could be procured. Failing in their efforts to secure such an one, the board again turned their eyes towards Dr. M'Conaughy. Having learned that the circumstances of his position were so changed as no longer to impose on him the necessity of remaining at Gettysburg, they again, on the 21st of December, 1831, unanimously invited him to occupy the post which he had before been obliged to decline. This invitation he accepted, and having removed to Washington, he was inaugurated as President of the college on the 9th of May, 1832. The number of students at the time of his accession was one hundred and nineteen. Under his mild and paternal administration the number continued to increase, and every year added to the strength and reputation of the institution in the minds of intelligent and well informed men. The whole period of his administration embraced seventeen years and six months, during which time eighteen classes were graduated; the first contained four, and the last thirty-six young gentlemen. And of the whole number who were graduated during his presidency-amounting in all to three hundred and eighty-eight-more than one-half belonged to the last six classes who received the honours of the institution, with his approving signature annexed to their diplomas. It is but justice to the memory of Dr. M'Conaughy that these facts be known. They tell their own story, and will enable those not otherwise familiar with the history of the college, to judge with what measure of ability and public approval its affairs were managed, under his superintendence.
The tender of Dr. M'Conaughy's resignation was made to the President of the board on the Ist of October, 1849, accompanied with a request that prompt action might be had upon it by the board, so that the way might be open for the choice of a successor, in time to meet the wants of the institution. Accordingly, at a special meeting of the board, on the 12th of October, his resignation was accepted, it having been ascertained that his purpose to retire was immovably fixed. At the special request of the board, however, and that the college might suffer no damage, he generously consented-in the event that a. successor could not be immediately secured-to conduct the studies of
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the higher classes, as before, until other suitable arrangements should be made. This he did, unofficially, and as a matter of accommodation, during the greater part of the next two sessions-until the arrival of Dr. Clark, the President elect -- much to the satisfaction of the board and the advantage of the institution.
The high respect and veneration entertained for Dr. M'Conaughy by the Board of Trustees, are indicated by the strongly expressive resolutions which were offered by the Hon. Th. M. T. M'Kennan, and passed immediately upon the acceptance of his resignation. In these resolutions it is declared, "that in accepting the resignation of Dr. M'Conaughy, the Trustees feel that it is alike due to him and to them- selves to say that they part with him, as the presiding officer of the institution entrusted to their care, with undiminished confidence, and entertain for him feelings of the most profound respect and veneration, as a scholar, a gentlemen and a Christian minister ;" -- "that the fact of the graduating classes having increased from four-the number of the first class graduated after his accession to the Presidency-to thirty- six, the number of the last class previous to his resignation-furnishes the most honourable and gratifying proof of the ability and success of his administration, and of the high estimation in which the college and its learned Faculty are held by an intelligent public ;"-" that, as a testimonial of their high appreciation of the intellectual ability, and ripe scholarship of Dr. M'Conaughy, the Board of Trustees do hereby confer upon him, the honourary degree of Doctor of Laws; and in closing their official relation with him, tender to him their best wishes for his future comfort, and their carnest prayers that the special bless- ing of Him, to whose glory his life and labours have been consecrated, may ever accompany and rest upon him."
These resolutions were not designed as an empty compliment, as is sometimes the case, but as the honest tribute of warm and generous hearts to genuine and unaffected worth. And they furnish a suitable close to an official connection, which had been distinguished by the most respectful and affectionate regard on both sides, and by important benefits to the institution which had been the object of their united prayers, labours and anxieties.
Dr. M'Conaughy's labours did not cease with the dissolution of his connection with the college. Although occasional attacks of disease and advancing years had impaired his bodily strength, his intellectual powers remained in all their original force. So far as the mind was concerned " his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." Hence, he pursued his mental labours with his accustomed activity. As
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evidence of this, during the next year after his resignation he prepared and published a volume of " Discourses, chiefly Biographical, of Persons Eminent in Sacred History." These are admirable discourses-" fine specimens of discriminating thought, lucid arrangement, vigorous style. and the skilful and profitable exhibition of sacred truth." Although, in his numerical divisions and some small matters of an artistical kind, the author may not have accommodated himself to the demands of modern taste, he has undoubtedly succeeded in the production of a work, which, in the estimation of competent judges, ranks with the very first of its kind.
In the year 1838, he published for the exclusive use of the senior class in Washington College, "A Brief Summary and Outline of the Principal Subjects Comprehended in Moral Science." This is a com- prehensive and well digested outline, which, it is to be regretted he did not fill up, and thus have furnished our colleges with a convenient and reliable text-book on that subject. His other publications consist of some half dozen sermons, and a few of his Baccalaureate Addresses. These are all written with his accustomed ability, and were well adapted to the occasion and circumstances which severally called them forth. Since his deccase, it has been announced that a couple of tracts from his pen have been issued from the press-one on the Doctrine of the Trinity, and the other on the Salvation of Infants. The subjects are important and their mode of treatment will, doubtless, sustain the well earned reputation of their author.
In his domestic relations, Dr. M'Conaughy was peculiarly blessed. In the spring of the year 1802, he was married to Miss Mary Mahon, daughter of David Mahon, Esq., of Shippensburg, Pa., a lady whose spirit was in harmony with his own, and with whom he lived most hap- pily for fifty years. Her bereavement can only be mitigated by Divine Grace, and by the animating hope of, ere long, joining him again in their "Father's house," in heaven. Although without any children of his own, Dr. M'Conaughy's house was the constant home of some cher- ished young friend, towards whom he ever exercised a father's love and care, although without a father's name. Among his collateral de- scendants, and those of his wife, a number of names are registered as ministers of the Gospel, whose happiness it is to have the light of his bright example shining before them, to animate and cheer them in their work.
" If there was a man within the entire circle of our acquaintance who was entitled to the character of 'a good man,'" says the Rev. David
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Elliott. D. D.,# " it was David M'Conaughy. Although from literary institutions of high reputation he had received the honourary distinction of 'Doctor of Divinity,' and 'Doctor of Laws,' the still higher and nobler title, that of 'a good man,' was conferred upon him by the united suffrage of the whole community. Nor was this title conferred upon him in the sense of disparagement, unless it may have been by some thoughtless charlatan, or by some transient observer, who knew but little of his character. But, Dr. M'Conaughy was reputed 'a good man,' in the most favourable sense of the phrase. The high qualities of his character, which lay transparent on the surface of his acts, com- manded the respect, and won the admiration of all who had the capacity to discern, or disposition to appreciate, true moral excellence. His was no negative nor half-formed goodness, which, with doubtful features, glimmered out occasionally from the cloudy atmosphere with which sin envelops the soul ; but it was goodness of a positive charac- ter, a living, active reality, looming out with a distinctness and maturity which vanquished doubt, and gave assurance of its divine, original and heavenly growth.
"There was, also, a sincerity and honesty in all his words and actions. which put to flight every shadow of suspicion that he was not what he appeared to be. Indeed, no man could be more free than he was from the deceptive practice of uttering words with a double sense, or con- cealing his real intentions by expressions of equivocal import or doubt- ful interpretation, What he said, he thought; his words being ever the faithful transcript of the thoughts and intents of his heart.
"There was, moreover, a completeness of character belonging to him, beyond that of most men. High qualities are often accompanied with great defects. That Dr. M'Conaughy was free from defects, we do not affirm ; but, by the number and strength and vitality of his con- stitutional gifts and Christian graces, these defects were overshadowed and scarcely scen, or, if seen, but little regarded by those whose moral vision was not jaundiced by prejudice. And this living assemblage of excellent properties seemed all to be under the control of a gravitating power, giving regularity to their movements, and impelling them to a common centre, for the fuller ar ! clearer manifestation of the whole. Hence, his character was one of great moral power, and his example was such as those within the sphere of its influence might safely and honourably imitate.
" The piety of Dr. M'Conaughy was eminently spiritual. It partook largely of the lineaments of its Divine Author. Formed by the Holy
* Commemorative Discourse, preached in Washington, Pennsylvania, Much 21st, 1852
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Ghost, nurtured and strengthened by his abiding influence, it seemed to have largely outgrown and overshadowed the opposing principles of corruption in the soul, and to have brought him into a state of familiar fellowship with God, his Saviour. This spiritual feature of his piety, and its pervading and controlling influence over the mind, were often distinctly seen in his devotional exercises and acts. There were occasions on which, forgetting apparently the things of earth, he seemed to rise, in wrapt devotion, to the very throne of God.
"One of these occasions the speaker distinctly recollects, and will never forget. We had gone together, on a summer's Sabbath day, to preach and administer the Lord's Supper in the church of Mount Nebo, in the vicinity of your town. The morning service, including that of the communion, being over, Dr. M'Conaughy preached in the after- noon. By the time he closed his sermon the western sky was over- cast with dark clouds, from the midst of which sheets of lightning burst upon the eye, the roar of distant thunder and the heavy sighing of the wind fell upon the ear, portending a fearful storm. The church (a building, as now recollected, of no great strength,) was in the woods, and the impulse, probably, of almost every mind in the house, was, that the service should close, to afford the people an opportunity to reach the neighbouring farm-houses, where they and their horses might find a shelter from the impending tempest. With Dr. M'Conaughy, however, all seemed to be clear sky. He raised his hands and his voice in prayer. He became deeply engaged. Pious thoughts seemed to crowd upon his mind; devout aspirations swelled his heart; time passed on, and still he prayed ; while the indications of the approach- ing storm became more alarmingly distinct. And while others of weaker faith and less spiritual affections were anxiously observing the troubled atmosphere, our stronger and more devout brother had ascended from Nebo ' to the top of Pisgah,' and there, far above the reach of conflicting elements, and in view of the promised land, was holding sweet fellowship with his God. At length he ceased, and descending from the mount, closed the services with a hymn ; we retired from the church, but, before we reached the nearest house, the storm was upon us."
On Sabbath, the 11th of January, Dr. M'Conaughy preached his last sermon, in the church of Washington, from Proverbs i, 22. He is reported to have been unusually animated and impressive, and all agreed in pronouncing the discourse one of the most solemn and powerful they had ever heard. On the next Sabbath he was confined to bed by a severe cold, but which, at first, created no alarm. After
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some days, however, his strength rapidly failed him, and he gradually sunk, until, at length, while his friends around his bedside were engaged in prayer that he might have a safe and easy departure, " the silver cord was loosed," and his ransomed spirit was "present with the Lord." His extreme weakness and difficulty of breathing, during his illness, prevented him from conversing much; but, in the language of one who was present, " the serenity of his countenance, and the few expressions which fell from his lips, betokened the heavenly sunshine of the soul within." His days were numbered, his work was done, and he has gone-as we confidently trust-to the enjoyment of that " rest which remaineth to the people of God."
He departed this life, at his late residence in Washington, on Thurs- day evening, the 29th of January, 1852, in the seventy-seventh year of his age, and the fifty-fifth of his ministry. He " died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years," having passed the ordinary period allotted to human life on earth.
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JOHN MOODEY, D. D.
HE REV. JOHN MOODEY, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., July 4th, 1776. He graduated at Princeton College in 1796. His theological studies were pursued under the direction of the Rev. James Snodgrass. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Crawford. In 1803 he was installed as pastor of the Middle Spring Presbyterian church, about two miles north of Shippensburg. This was the only congregation of which he ever had charge. He served it for fifty years. During his protracted and faithful ministry, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by the Trustees of Washington College, Pa.
Dr. Moodey was a gentleman of stately personal appearance, and dignified bearing. He was eminently courteous in manner and sound in judgment. Apparently free from ambition, he was desirous only to be found faithful in the duties of the sphere to which Providence had called him.
His eldest son, Robert C. Moodey, was a physician, but died in mid- dle life. His second son. John W. Moodey, also a physician, who long and successfully practiced his profession in Greensburg, Indiana, died there about five years ago. His third son, James C. Moodey, is a a lawyer of ability, and about ten years ago was a United States Judge for the district of Missouri. His fourth son, Joseph, departed this life in his youth.
Dr. Moodey, during his pastorate at Middle Spring, resided in Ship- pensburg, and much of the time in the building at the western end of the town, which is located within a few yards of the line dividing the counties of Cumberland and Franklin. Being the owner of some fields near to his dwelling, he carried on agricultural operations to some extent. His time, however, was mainly devoted to the spiritual interests of his congregation which was very large and scattered over a wide extent of territory.
As a preacher, Dr. Moodey had an excellent reputation. He was a logical, instructive, and able expounder of the gospel. He always read his sermons. With him there were none of the flourishes of oratory, or flashes of fancy, or efforts after novelty, which so often attract with- out any permanent interest or benefit, but his ministry was ever char- acterised by a plain, manly and edifying exhibition of the Word, and a
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bringing of things new and old out 'of his treasure, which saved his acceptableness in the pulpit from anything like abatement. A number of preachers of the Gospel were sent forth by his church. * One who grew up under his ministry, in a most admirable description of the old church, published in 1847, thus refers to its solid and solemn pastor :
"Out from that pulpit's height, deep-browed and grave, The man of God ensconced, half bust was shown. Weighty and wise, he did not thump nor rave, Nor lead his folks upwrought, to smile nor moan. By him, slow cast, the seeds of truth were sown, Which, lighting on good soil, took lasting hold.
Not springing eftsoons, then to wilt ere grown, But in long time their fruits increased were told ; Some thirty, sixty some, and some an hundred fold."
Dr. Moodey died full of years. His remains now lie entombed in the same grave with those of the partner of his life, in the rear of the new church edifice which has taken the place of the old one in which his voice for half a century was heard proclaiming the way of salvation. Over the grave his congregation has erected a handsome monument, a fitting expression of their affectionate regard for one to whom their parents were so much attached, and whose memory is endeared to themselves by so many tender and touching associations.
* William M. Nevin, Esq., Professor of Belles Lettres, in Franklin and Marshall College.
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REV. DAVID DENNY.
HE REV. DAVID DENNY was the third son of a Revolution- ary soldier who fell in battle, when his eldest son, contending at his side, was captured by the enemy. He graduated at Dickinson College, while Dr. Charles Nisbit was Principal of that institution, and under that learned and classic divine began and completed his theological studies. He was a fond admirer of his distinguished preceptor, and often narrated anecdotes illustrative of his wit, learning and accomplishments. The sources of Philosophy and Divinity at that day were neither as copious nor accessible as at present, and the acquisitions of the students were consequently earned by severer toil and application than the facilities of learning now exact. The lectures of Dr. Nisbit were delivered at a modulated rate and tone, that the members of his class might be able to reduce them to writing as they fell from his lips. Mr. Denny, at his decease, left in his library seven quarto volumes of these discourses, in his own hand- some and legible handwriting, which form together a respectable body of metaphysics and divinity. Whatever the present intrinsic value of these lectures may be, when the bounds of sacred and profane learning have been so much enlarged, the diligent reader will find in many pages of them strong marks of the erudition, original thought and classic taste of the author.
Mr. Denny was licensed to preach the Gospel about the year 1792, by the Presbytery of Carlisle, within whose bounds he remained until the close of his pastoral office. He was first installed over two con- gregations in Path Valley, that had lately become vacated by the death of the Rev. Mr. Dougal, where he continued until the year i Soo, in the enjoyment of the esteem and affection of a much beloved people. In the year last mentioned, he was transferred to the pastoral charge of the Falling Spring Church, in Chambersburg, which he retained until the termination of his public ministrations-a period of thirty-eight years. His means derived from the ministry being inadequate to the demands of a large and growing family, he was obliged to combine with it, for a series of years, the labours of a teacher of the learned languages in an academy, and being master of economy he secured that enviable maintenance midway between poverty and wealth, so
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