USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Centennial biography : Men of mark of Cumberland Valley, Pa., 1776-1876 > Part 34
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Mr. Mckinley graduated at college in the summer of 1824, and entered the Theological Seminary at Princeton the autumn of the same year. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Carlisle in the autumn of 1827, and was soon after installed as Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Bedford, where he remained about four years, when he was com- pelled by bronchial affection to resign his charge, and desist from the labours of the ministry for about two years. The church in Bedford was gradually strengthened under his ministry, but there was no marked outpouring of God's spirit, such as attended his labours in subsequent years.
When the Second Presbyterian Church in Carlisle was organized, in 1833, Mr. Mckinley was chosen as its pastor, and being encouraged by the improving state of his health, he accepted the call, and served the congregation for about five years. His labours in that field were eminently successful. He was zealous, earnest and untiring in his work. Considerable religious interest was manifested at several periods of his ministry; and during his pastorate there, seventy-six were added to the church on profession of faith. At the close of his labours there, the church was established and prosperous, and he greatly endeared himself to all classes of the congregation. About this time vigorous efforts were being made to arouse the church to the
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importance of the work of Foreign Missions, which was then compara- tively in its infancy, and Mr. McKinley, on account of his well-known missionary zeal and fitness for the work, was urged to embark in it as an agent. This he consented to do, and for upwards of three years he served the board with a vigour, efficiency and success, which told powerfully upon the progress of the cause. He aimed especially to convince professing Christians of their duty to devote to the Lord a definite proportion of their stated income, and he may thus be regarded as one of the pioneers of systematic beneficence.
In the autumn of IS41, Mr. Mckinley was chosen pastor of the Presbyterian Church, in Chambersburg, and he continued to sustain this relation for about nine years. About one year after his installa- tion, a powerful revival of religion took place in that church, as the result of which thirty-two were added to the church at the succeeding communion on examination, and the effects of it were felt for years afterwards. Throughout all Mr. McKinley's pastorate at Chambers- burg, he was eminently faithful, and during the years of his labours, one hundred and four were added to the church on profession of faith.
In the fall of 1850, he left Chambersburg to take charge of the Sixth Church, Pittsburgh, a new enterprise, and one which was supposed to afford a good field for the peculiar talents which he possessed. In this, however, he was partially disappointed, and after one year's labour, he asked to be released from his pastoral relation to the church and returned to the Presbytery of Carlisle.
This Presbytery had just then entered vigorously upon the work of church extension within its bounds, and in behalf of this enterprise enlisted the services of Dr. McKinley, which contributed greatly to its success.
After spending a year in this service, Dr. Mckinley became Agent and Evangelist of the Board of Domestic Missions. For this he was well fitted, and in it he was eminently successful, until laid aside by the disease which proved fatal ; a disease which was undoubtedly hastened in its development by his eagerness to labour, and his readiness to endure hardships and exposures. He knew not how to spare himself in his Master's cause, and especially when he saw tokens of the presence of God's spirit, he seemed to forget entirely the frailty of the earthly tabernacle.
Dr. Mckinley was present in a number of extensive revivals of religion, in the interior of Pennsylvania. In these scenes he was in his element. His services were always eagerly sought by the brethren, and many interesting incidents in connection with his labours survive
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in the memories of those who were present at, or were subjects of these visitations of God's grace.
In the spring of 1855 he was obliged to desist from labour, by a return of his old tendency to bronchial affection, aggravated by other painful and threatening symptoms. Under the progress of a disease which baffled all skill, he departed this life in Chambersburg, December 7th, 1855, whither he had gone hoping to be able to attend the sessions of the Synod of Baltimore, but where, by reason of rapid decline, he remained to die.
There is no record of Dr. Mckinley's death-bed experience and triumphs. The nature of his disease prevented any expression of what may have been his feelings. But his life was his witness, and his monument a life marked by eminent consecration, zeal, and success in his Master's work. He was, indeed, an exemplary Christian, and most devoted minister. His piety made a deep impression upon all with whom he had intercourse, and his efforts to save souls filled multitudes with thankfulness and praise. His mortal remains slumber in the grave yard at Carlisle, under a stone erected to his memory by members of the church in Chambersburg.
In 1831, he was married to Miss Mary Wyeth, of Harrisburg, and one daughter survives him, the wife of the Rev. James F. Kennedy, D. D., the gifted and popular Vice-President of Wilson Female College.
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WILLIAM RANKIN, M. D.
ILLIAM RANKIN was born at Potter's Mills, Centre county, Pa., October 9th, 1795 His parents were of highly respecta- ble social standing, and exemplary and useful members of the Presbyterian Church.
He graduated at Washington College, Pa., in 1814. For some time he thought of entering the Gospel ministry, but his native timidity as to his qualifications for this very responsible office, led him finally to relinquish the idea. One year after leaving college he conunenced the study of medicine with Dr. Dean, an eminent physician of Chambers- burg, and graduated at the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1819. He practised his profession for two years in Campbellstown, Franklin county, Pa., after which he removed to Ship- pensburg, where, until within two years of the date of his death, he had an extensive, laborious and successful practice for more than half a century. March 3d, 1829, he was united in marriage with Caroline, eldest daughter of Major David Nevin, of the last mentioned place. Ten children, the fruit of this marriage survive him.
Dr. Rankin was endowed by nature with a singularly lovely tempera- ment, which developed itself in a corresponding character. He was amiable and yet firm, dignified and yet familiar, peculiarly attentive to his own sphere of business and duty, and yet deeply interested in the welfare of his friends and neighbours, and in the prosperity of the community in which he lived. His spirit was generous and sympa- thizing. His manner was gentle and conciliatory. His bearing was respectful and attractive to persons of every rank and condition. Eminently pacific in his disposition, he "followed peace with all men," and often sought the blessing of the peacemaker in endeavouring to reconcile persons who were at variance. Prudence was one of his distinguished traits.
As a physician, Dr. Rankin occupied a high position. Well prepared for his profession by previous education, he never failed to keep abreast with its advances, through its current literature. To his large and ever-growing library, he added the various medical journals of the day, to some of which he made valuable contributions. In his judgment he was cautious but decided. His professional brethren, by many of whom he was often called into consultation, had the highest
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respect for his skill and attainments. The ethics of the profession were sacredly observed by him. His manner in the sick room was peculiarly gentle and sympathetic. His reputation reached far beyond the wide local range of his ordinary practice.
As a Christian, Dr. Rankin was consistent, useful and exemplary. He habitually "walked with God." Whilst making no affected pre- tence to religion, divine truth, as could easily be seen by all, was constantly moulding and fashioning his character. The " things which are lovely and of good report," adorned his walk and conver- sation. He occupied the position of ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church of Shippensburg for many years, and discharged its duties in a most faithful, conscientious, and acceptable manner. Often, in visiting his patients, when he found that earthly skill could not avail, he pointed them to the Great Physician, and sought his consoling and sustaining aid in their behalf.
Towards the close of his earthly career. Dr. Rankin was visited with a paralytic attack, which disqualified him for professional service. After two years' waiting his appointed time, his happy spirit, spared the agony of a painful conflict, was released July 15th, 1872, almost without a struggle, and passed to the reward of the just. By his death. there was removed from earth one, who, in the sweet and tender relations of husband and father, was excelled by none, and whose departure, even in advanced years, as a member of a community in which he had lived nearly fifty years, was universally deplored. It was a fitting and touching expression of this regard, by which all the places of business in the town were closed, whilst the mortal remains of the lamented dead were borne to their resting-place in Spring Hill Cemetery, where they shall repose till mortality is swallowed up of life.
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RICHARD WOODS,
HE son of Samuel and Frances (Sterrett) Woods, was born in Dickinson township, Cumberland county, Pa., March 3d, 1 804.
His parents were Scotch-Irish, and one of the oldest and best fami- lies in Cumberland valley. They were remarkable for energy, integrity and moral culture. Their children were trained with special care. The father was noted for reliability, courage, and probity. During the progress of the Revolution, he acted in the service of the government as Indian scout, an undertaking most dangerous. The mother was a woman of devoted piety. Their house, situated in the country, some miles from any place of worship, was often used for preaching and prayer-meetings.
Richard was always of a lively disposition. From his very childhood he was known as firmly adhering to the truth. This truthful character cleaved to him until death. He abhorred insincerity, equivocation, and deceit. His opinions were always uttered with such plainness as made them easily understood. His word was his bond. He was controlled by an habitual desire to do right. He strove to bring his entire life into subjection to this rule. It was evident to all who studied his char- acter, that he was governed in all matters, even the most trivial, not by interest, caprice, or convenience-not by a thirst for popularity, but by elevated and unyielding Christian principle. Mr. Woods, being in stature about six feet. and of large frame, had an impressive appearance. His countenance, habitually thoughtful, was lighted with smiles during social and friendly intercourse. His manner was open, genial, courte- ous, and refined. He had an exuberant fund of information always at his command. Many a friend whilst visiting his hospitable home was instructed without the least tinge of pedantry, and made happy in the gushing flow of innocent mirth. Though never sent to college, yet by diligent study he had acquired a vast amount of theoretical and prac- tical knowledge. He attached great importance to mental culture, and was guided by this conviction in the schooling of his children.
Mr. Woods, in his twenty-third year, on November 16th, 1826, mar- ried Mary Jane Sterrett, a native of Lancaster county, and a lady of great moral worth, whose Christian deportment told with moulding effect, not only upon her husband's character, but also upon that of her
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children. His happy conjugal relation threw an almost uninterrupted sunshine upon his domestic life, and surrounded him at its close with the consoling sympathies of a large and most affectionate family, whose love and reverence he had carned by a cordial participation in their feelings, and an ever active, yet well regulated interest in their welfare. His family numbered thirteen children, three of whom died in infancy, and another at the interesting age of nineteen, in the bright hope of a blessed immortality. Five sons and four daughters still survive, all of whom hold important positions in the several walks of life.
Mr. Woods always took an active interest in every good cause, contributing to their aid not only his energy but also his pecuniary means. He liberally assisted in the erection and support of Dickinson Presbyterian Church, in which, in 1836, he made a profession of faith living thereafter as a true and devoted Christian.
He inherited from his father the original homestead, which was among the oldest settlements of Cumberland Valley, and here, on an immense tract of land, he carried on his agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Woods had early and frequent evidence of public confidence. When but twenty-four years of age, and without his seeking. he was appointed Justice of the Peace for the district in which he lived, and was several times re-appointed, until he declined the position. In this office he was eminently useful, seeking always to be a peacemaker between the parties in litigation, and often succeeding, even against his own pecuniary interest. He was often called to serve as arbitrator. For many years he was called to be Treasurer of the Cumberland Valley Mutual Insurance Company, and by the force of his character much enhanced the credit of the Company. He was one of the origi- nal directors of the banking house of Ker, Brenneman & Co., after- wards changed to Ker, Dunlap & Co., and, finally, when the war came on between the North and the South, called " The First National Bank of Carlisle."
He was not only respected, but admired and esteemed by all his neighbours and friends. The regard and veneration he received was but a just return for the general benevolence by which he was actuated. He was a strenuous advocate on all occasions of the rights of his fellow- men, and as such, ever and earnestly opposed negro slavery. Firm- ness and courage were conspicuous traits in his character, yet with these was blended frankness, and a singleness of purpose which dis- armed hostility, and disposed those most averse to his views to admire and love him as a man.
Mr. Woods was in feeble health for several years previous to his
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demise, which occurred February 29th, 1872, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. In his last illness, though afflicted with much bodily distress, he preserved unimpaired those amiable traits of character by which he was distinguished in health, frequently expressing a grateful sense of the kindness of those who ministered to his comfort and relief. In the full possession of his faculties, and aware of the fatal nature of his disease, he was perfectly calm and self-possessed; made arrangement of his affairs, spoke to his family as a tender husband and affectionate father solicitous for their eternal welfare, expressed his firm reliance on the mercy of God in Christ, and then departed in peace to his reward, leaving to his children an example worthy of imitation, and to the. world an instance of useful living, and safe and happy dying.
FREDERICK AUGUSTUS RAUCH.
HIE REV. DR. FREDERICK AUGUSTUS RAUCH, first President of Marshall College, was a native of Germany. He was born at Kirchbracht, Hesse-Darmstadt, on the 27th of July, 1806. His father was a clergyman of the Reformed Church, and continued in this relation, until Hesse, following the example set by ' Prussia, in 1817, resolved the two Confessions, Reformed and Lutheran, into one religious communion, known as the Evangelical Church.
Of the boyhood and youth of Frederick very few particulars can be given. Tradition says that he was bright and active, studious and apt to learn, and somewhat disposed to waywardness. He enjoyed all the advantages of education in his native country, applied himself diligently, and made rapid progress in his studies. At the age of eightcen he had graduated from the gymnasium, and was admitted to the University of Marburg, where he took his diploma in 1827. After this he prose- cuted his studies for a year at Giessen. For a time, he was employed as an assistant in teaching, by an uncle who had charge of a literary institution at Frankford. Another year afterwards he spent as a stu- dent at the University of Heidelberg.
At Heidelberg, Rauch came under the special influence of the dis- tinguished philosopher and theologian, Charles Daub. The two men were congenial spirits. Daub inspired Rauch with confidence, ; nd Rauch at once awakened the liveliest interest of his great teacher. . 1 friendship and intimacy, closer than is common between Professor and student, sprung up between them. The plastic influence of Danb on his life and habits of thought, philosophical but es-ecially religious, was so powerful and permanent, that the association became an epoch in his spiritual life, to which Rauch was wont subsequently to refer with emphasis as a momentous one in his history.
On leaving Heidelberg, Dr. Rauch became Extraordinary Professor in the University of Giessen. At the end of a year, he was honoured with an invitation to accept a regular professorship in the University of Heidelberg. His prospects were bright, but in an unguarded moment they were dispelled suddenly. Dr. Rauch expressed himself too freely on a political question on some public occasion, at Giessen. He never liked to refer to the matter subsequently, and his most intimate friends in America remained ignorant of the precise character of the offence.
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The result was that, instead of becoming ordinary Professor at Heidel- berg, he drew upon himself the displeasure of the government, and regard for his personal safety imposed the necessity of fleeing from his fatherland. His departure was sudden. Time allowed him to make only a hurried visit to his father, between the hours of eleven and one at night.
Turning his face westward, he landed on our hospitable shores in the fall of 1831, being in the twenty-sixth year of his age. Dr. Rauch found his way to Easton, where he studied English assiduously, and for a livelihood, as he excelled in the science and act of music, gave lessons on the piano. Soon he was elected Professor of the German Language in Lafayette College. In the spring of 1832, he was appointed Principal of a classical school at York, which a few years before had been organized by the authorities of the Theological Seminary of the (German) Reformed Church, then located at that place. Several months later he was chosen Professor of Biblical Literature by the Synod of this Church, and ordained to the office of the ministry. For three years he laboured in this two-fold capacity at York. His chief attention was given to the classical school, which increased rapidly in numbers, and soon gained the position and character of a first class academy.
In the summer of 1833, Dr. Rauch was united in marriage with Miss Phoebe Moore, a daughter of Mr. Laomi Moore, of Morristown, New Jersey.
In the fall of 1835, the classical school which he presided over was removed to Mercersburg. Retaining his position, Dr. Rauch accom- panied the institution. Measures were immediately taken to erect the school into a college. This was accomplished during the ensuing year, 1836, when Marshall College was organized. Dr. Rauch became the President, being continued at the same time as Professor.
Dr. Rauch was in all respects a remarkable man. "He was," says Dr. E. V. Gerhart, "a man of general intelligence and of general cul- ture. A finished classical scholar, he was at home also in the science of the Fine Arts, in the department of History, in Bibical Literature and Theology. But his main strength lay in the department of Philosophy. For this abstruse sphere he was fitted by natural endowment. Upon it also he concentrated with affection his time and his studies, and here he attained to great eminence and great power. Acquainted with all the systems of Greek philosophy, and with the different phases of scholastic thinking developed during the medieval age, he was also thoroughly conversant with all the metaphysical systems of the modern
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world, of Germany, Scotland, and France, with Locke, Hume, Berkeley and Reid, with Condillac and Helvetius, no less than with Leibnitz, Kant, and Hegel. Yet whilst treading these labyrinthian mazes he never let go his firm hold on the verities of the Christian faith. He was not entrapped by the anti-Christian errors of philosophy.
He was not bewildered by the confusion of systems. He discrimi- nated properly between man and psychology, nature and physics, the human reason and metaphysics, between a personal God and philosophical speculation concerning Him, between the truth revealed in Christ and theological science. Christ glorified was the anchor: the cable, faith, and the violence of no conflicts could break his moorings."
He published a work on Psychology, in March, 1840; and at the time of his death he had nearly completed his revision of it prelimi- nary to a second edition. His Psychology was to have been followed by a work on Christian Ethics, and this by another work on /Esthetics.
We conclude this brief sketch of a noble man with a quotation from an eulogy on the life and character of Dr. Rauch, delivered by the Rev. J. Williamson Nevin, D. D., who was very intimately associated with him for a year at Mercersburg. He says, "I could not but look on it as a strange and interesting fact, that the infant college of the (German) Reformed Church should have placed at its head, there in Mercersburg, without care or calculation, or consciousness even on the part of its friends generally, one of the very first minds of Germany, which under other circumstances might well have been counted an ornament and honour to the oldest institution in the land."
The remains of Dr. Rauch were buried in a grove belonging to Marshall College. When Marshall College was consolidated with Franklin College, at Lancaster, 1853, measures were taken to remove the body. This was done in March, 1859. His ashes now repose in Lancaster Cemetery, and a few years ago a beautiful monument was erected to his memory by the Alumni, in the campus of Franklin and Marshall College.
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ROBERT DAVIDSON, D. D.
R. DAVIDSON, son of Dr. Robert Davidson, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Carlisle, and President of Dickinson College, was born in Carlisle, Pa., February 23d, 1808. He graduated in Dickinson College in 1828, and in Princeton Theological Seminary in 1831. In 1832, he took charge of the McChord Church in Lexington, Kentucky. In 1840, he was made President of the Transy !- vania University, and the following year received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Centre College, Kentucky. Resigning the Presidency in 1842, he was appointed by Governor Letcher, Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Kentucky. He was also offered a chair in Centre College; and was subsequently elected to the Presi- dency of Ohio University. All these offers were declined from prefer- ence for the pastoral office.
Dr. Davidson's pastoral charges have been, the McChord or Second Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, 1832 : the First Presby- terian Church in New Brunswick, New Jersey, 1843; Spring street Church in New York, 1860; the First Presbyterian Church in Hunting- don, Long Island, 1864. In 1868, impaired health required a tempo- rary intermission of the active duties of the ministry. since which time he has made his abode in Philadelphia.
He served as Permanent Clerk of the General Assembly from 1845 till 1850. For a score of years he has been a member of the Board of Foreign Missions ; and since 1867, a Director of Princeton Theological Seminary. In 1864, he was appointed one of the Committee on the Hymnal. In 1869, he was one of the delegation to the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, in the city of Edinburgh. when they were complimented with a public breakfast.
His published works are the following: "Excursion to the Mam- moth Cave, with Historical Notes," 1838; "History of the Presbyte- rian Church in Kentucky," 1847 ; " Leaves from the Book of Nature, Interpreted by Grace," 1850; "Letters to a Recent Convert," IS53 ; " Elijah, a Sacred Drama, and other Poems," 1860; "The Relation of Baptized Children to the Church," 1866; "The Christ of God; or, the Relation of Christ to Christianity;" 1870.
Pamphlets-" The Bible, the Young Man's Guide:" " Reply to the (New School) Manifesto;" " A Vindication of Colleges," (Inaugural ;)
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