USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Churches of the valley, or, An historical sketch of the old Presbyterian congregations of Cumberland and Franklin counties, in Pennsylvania > Part 10
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > Churches of the valley, or, An historical sketch of the old Presbyterian congregations of Cumberland and Franklin counties, in Pennsylvania > Part 10
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CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY.
After labouring for some months in Virginia, as a supply, he removed with his family to Bellefonte, Centre County, Pa., where Presbyterians had neither organized church nor house of worship. He com- menced preaching in the court-house. His labours were greatly blessed in gathering here a church, as also another at Lick Run, twelve miles distant. Over these congregations he was installed pastor by the Presbytery of Huntingdon, in 1802.
"In 1806, Mr. Wilson was chosen, at the early age of twenty-six, to fill the Professorship of Languages in Dickinson College. A part of the time, during his connexion with the College, he preached to the Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, as colleague with President Davidson. In 1814, a call was presented to him by the congregation of Silvers' Spring, which he accepted.
"In 1823, Dr. Wilson received a call from the church in Shippensburg. During his ministry there, the church enjoyed some precious seasons of refresh- ing, 'and many were added unto the Lord.' He was indefatigable and abundant in labours.
"In 1838, Dr. Wilson was chosen the first General Agent of the Board of Publication, in which station he laboured arduously until 1842, when he resigned his office in that Board, and accepted a call from the church at Neshaminy, at Hartsville, Bucks County, Pa. Here, with his accustomed fidelity, he continued to discharge the duties of pastor until the
THE CHURCH AT SHIPPENSBURG. 157
month of October, 1848, when, at his own request, the pastoral relation was dissolved.
" For some months previous his health had become so infirm, that he was seldom able to preach, except when carried from his bed to the church, and placed in a chair, in which posture he delivered his message, amidst much bodily weakness and suffering, but with his usual clearness of mind, and earnestness of manner.
"Dr. Wilson's health continued to decline, notwith- standing the cessation of his ministerial labours.
" After a sore conflict of forty-six hours, he died in Philadelphia, on the morning of Thursday, the 22d of March, 1849, and was interred the day fol- lowing, at Hartsville, the scene of his closing labours in the ministry. An appropriate discourse was deli- vered on the occasion by the Rev. Dr. Steel, of Abington, and the sympathies and affections of the people of his recent charge were abundantly shown toward one whom, though absent, they had not ceased to regard and love as their pastor.
"The life of Dr. Wilson was an eventful one. More can be said of him, than that he passed through scenes of some interest, grew old, and then died. From his earliest labours in the Gospel there was demand for a steadiness of purpose, and an energy of execution, that not every man is equal to.
" The influence of such a man in the Church, we cannot duly estimate. He was a pioneer in the cause of the Gospel in Central Pennsylvania, and his labours
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essentially contributed to lay firm and deep the foun- dations of those churches that adorn and bless the region of his earliest toil. Ministers of Dr. Wilson's character stamp an impression upon the times in which they live. They give a fixedness to the order, the government, the instruction, and standard of piety in the church, by which, they being dead, yet speak.
" The ministerial labours of this venerable man were abundant. His preaching was in character with the man. It came down from a former generation, with all that seriousness of manner and weight of instruction, that are the fairest ornaments of the Christian Pulpit. His whole deportment and performance may truly be said to have been characterized by simplicity and godly sincerity. Eminently instructive, his preaching always made the impression, 'these things are so,' and religion is a serious and important matter.
"I never knew a man less influenced in his minis- terial work by the changing circumstances around him. Whether the congregation was large or small, whether prosperity attended his steps, or disappoint- ment was his portion, not in these was he to find the measure or the motive of his labours. He felt himself to be of that number to whom it has been commanded, ' Go and preach,' and whose the pro- mise is, 'Lo, I am with you alway.' Not the increase, the work was his. Not the measure of his success, but the command of Christ, and the assurance that God would bless and prosper his own
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THE CHURCH AT SHIPPENSBURG.
truth ;- this was the rule and the measure of his toil.
" Thus he lived, a laborious and eminently useful preacher of the Gospel, the crown of his family, and an ornament to the ministry of reconciliation.
" Thus he died, amidst great bodily suffering, with the language of praise upon his lips. Not weary with his ministerial labours, and his conflicts as a sinner saved, but in obedience to the Master's call, 'It is enough, come up higher,' he bade the world adieu, with a full hope of immortality, most beloved by those who knew him best, and lamented by all pious men of every name."
The Rev. James Harper was the successor of Dr. Wilson at Shippensburg. The call was given to him and accepted, in 1840, and in that Pastorate he has ever since continued, with a sustaining evidence of the Divine blessing upon his labours, and a large and influential congregation committed to his care.
The first elders of the congregation of whom there is any record, were, John Means, who died September 1, 1823, and William Bard, who was ordained in May, 1805, declined in 1823, was re-elected and installed in 1825, and declined in 1826. The Session is at present composed of George M'Ginnis, installed April 11, 1824 ; John Reside, ordained and installed at the same time ; Daniel Henderson, installed January 2, 1825 ; Alexander P. Kelso, ordained and installed Oct. 4, 1845; Dr. Wm. Rankin and Robert Mateer, or- dained and installed, Feb. 6, 1848; and Benjamin
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CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY.
Snodgrass, John Mateer, and John Bridges, ordained and installed, Sept. 7, 1851.
A few years after Mr. Harper's settlement among that people, the church property was brought into litigation. It was claimed by the few Associate Reformed members still remaining in the town and neighbourhood, and suit was brought by them to establish their exclusive right to the building. Their effort was successful. The Presbyterian congre- gation then purchased a lot in a different part of the town, and erected the edifice in which they now worship. This is a neat brick building, constructed and furnished according to the modern style, with a gallery for a choir, and of sufficient capacity to ac- commodate about four hundred and fifty persons. Immediately in the rear of it is a lot, which has been set apart for a graveyard, and which already has re- ceived not a few who have, since the transfer of the place of worship, yielded to the doom that is ap- pointed unto all men.
Though feeling a deep interest in all the Presby- terian congregations of Cumberland Valley, it would be strange if we did not cherish, and perhaps as strange if we did not here acknowledge, a special re- gard for the Congregation of Shippensburg. Within its boundaries we were first numbered among the living ; to its sanctuary our infant feet were led by the hand of love ; by the venerable servant of the Lord who presided over its interests during our child- hood were we taught the holy truths of Christianity ;
.
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THE CHURCH AT SHIPPENSBURG.
at its altar we first entered publicly into covenant with God; and in its cemetery there are those en- tombed, for whom an ardent affection must be felt whilst memory shall endure. It, therefore, naturally occupies a warm place in our heart. True, the years which have rolled away since we have been absent from it, in preparing for, and in the perfor- mance of, professional duty, have wrought in it, as in other churches, many changes, yet still is it ever remembered with an interest which advancing time increases rather than abates. Long may it exist in peace and prosperity, and long may the very large contribution which it has hitherto made of its pious young men to the holy ministry, continue.
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CHAPTER IX.
GREENCASTLE CHURCH.
IN the year 1738, the Congregation, which, pre- viously to that time, seems to have been known as the Congregation of the " Conococheague Settlement," was divided. The following extract from the Records of Presbytery, will show their action in the case.
" The affair of Conegocheck reassumed, and several papers being read, and a pretty dale said by several persons on that affair, at last the Presbytery un- derstanding that the people of the east and west sides of the creek, had agreed among themselves to divide into two societies, the one on the east and the other on the west side, and those on the east side having presented a call for Mr. Caven to be their minister, the Presbytery, taking these things into consideration, do, in the first place, considering circumstances, approve of the division, though we think they have acted somewhat precipitantly in separating without consent of the Presbytery, and have likewise presented the call of the east side to Mr. Caven, which he has taken under his considera- tion. N. B. That Alexander Dunlop is the highest that belongs to the society on the west side."
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GREENCASTLE CHURCH.
At the time the separation here referred to took place, the eastern part of the congregation thus set off, embraced the people of the region which is now known as the town of Greencastle and its vicinity, but which was then called "East Conococheague." At that time, also, the congregations of " East Cono- cocheague" and "Falling Spring," were united as one charge, and were under the pastoral supervision of the Rev. Mr. Caven.
The connexion of Mr. Caven with this people as their shepherd was but of brief duration. A com- plaint was preferred against him before Presbytery, in 1741, by a part of the congregation of "Falling Spring," and although Presbytery "could not find any gross immorality proved against him, yet they thought he ought to be admonished for some expres- sions which appeared to them imprudent and unguard- ed, such as speaking of his sacred office under the notion of a trade, and his running to drive the devil ; and accordingly they admonished him, and yielded to his request to be dismissed from his congregation."
The probability is, that Mr. Caven continued to be pastor of "East Conococheague" until 1747. His place was supplied in 1754 and '55, by the Rev. John Steel, who had charge of the congregation for this length of time in connexion with the congregation of "West Conococheague," but was then obliged by the Indian disturbances to abandon his post.
In the year 1769, the union between the congrega- tions of East Conococheague and Falling Spring which
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CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY.
had previously been dissolved, was re-formed, and the Rev. James Lang was called as Pastor of the charge. It seems scarcely credible that the former of these congregations should remain vacant for more than twenty years, with the exception of the two years' service rendered them by the Rev. Mr. Steel, yet such is the fact, for anything that appears to the con- trary in the Presbyterial records ; and the sessional records of the church, which might be expected to throw some light upon this point, if indeed they ever had an existence, have perished.
We here take occasion to express our regret, that there is generally so much indifference on the part of our church sessions, in regard to preserving a history of their respective congregations. We were not aware that this neglect was so common or extensive in the Presbytery of Carlisle, until we came to seek the information necessary for the satisfactory accom- plishment of our present undertaking. In the case of the church now before us, we were sad to learn that "its sessional records, previous to the year A. D. 1837, are not to be found." The late pastor of another large congregation writes, that "In furnishing you with facts relative to our church, I will have to depend almost entirely on oral communications from some of our oldest and most intelligent church mem- bers." In several other instances, also, where we hoped to meet with full and accurate records, we were referred to floating, and sometimes vague, tradi- tions.
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GREENCASTLE CHURCH.
In affirming that these things ought not so to be, we are sure we utter a sentiment in which no one, after due reflection, can fail to concur. In addition to the reasons which must suggest themselves to every mind, in favour of a measure which would enable children's children to trace back to its beginning the congregation in which their ancestors worshipped, we may be allowed to suggest that another is to be found in the fact, that in this vast country of ours, so rapidly rising to a magnitude and importance almost overwhelming to the mind, and in which Freedom's and Christianity's last battle seems destined to be fought, every revolv- ing year is attaching augmented interest to the past, and especially to the primitive churches, which were organized for the diffusion of religion and morality, so essential to national greatness and perpetuity. So, too, we may add, is it constantly becoming of more and more importance, for those who believe that " God is in history," to look back upon the moulding power which the former years have exerted upon the present, and to study the Christianity of the first set- tlers of our land, in the light of the circumstances and peculiar influences under which it was developed.
It is also to be deplored, that something of the blame to which we have just adverted, attaches to the Presbytery to which these churches belong. Only in the year 1847 was it that a resolution was adopted by this body, requiring an obituary of its deceased clerical members to be prepared and preserved. Pre- viously to this time, the simple entry upon their
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book of records, "The Rev. A. B. was removed by death since our last meeting," was all the notice that was taken of the demise of men, many of whom for long years preached the Gospel faithfully and suc- cessfully within their bounds, and whose history, consequently, has well-nigh faded away.
But, returning from this digression, we proceed to say that, in the year 1793, " in consequence of some late proceedings of the congregation of Falling Spring," the union between that congregation and the congregation of East Conococheague was severed. After this separation, the congregation of East Cono- cocheague became the sole charge of the Rev. Mr. Lang, and enjoyed his whole labours. This gentle- man, on a charge of intemperance, "was suspended from the exercise of the Gospel ministry sine die," in 1802.
In October of the same year, a call was presented to Mr. Robert Kennedy, from "the united congre- gations of East and Lower West Conococheague," or Welsh Run, which was accepted. In April, 1803, public notice having been given (according to the custom which then prevailed), that if any persons had any objections to the ordination of Mr. Kennedy, and his installation in the congregations to which he had been called, they should state them at a spe- cified time, and no objections having been presented, Mr. Kennedy was ordained and installed. On this occasion the sermon, previous to the induction into the ministerial and pastoral offices, was preached by
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GREENCASTLE CHURCH.
the Rev. Mr. Snowden, and Dr. Davidson "presided and gave a charge." In 1816, the pastoral relation between Mr. Kennedy and these congregations was, by his own request, dissolved.
In relation to this good man, the Rev. A. A. M'Ginley, D.D., for many years his co-presbyter and familiar friend, has thus written :
" In the year of our Lord 1803, the Rev. Robert Kennedy was ordained and installed Pastor of the Churches of Greencastle and Welsh Run. He had officiated as their stated supply for six previous months. Mr. Kennedy was born in the lower end of Lancaster
He graduated at Dickinson County, Pa., in 1775.
College, Carlisle. He was the best scholar in his collegiate class. Immediately after leaving College, he commenced the study of Theology, with a view to
the Gospel ministry. He was licensed by the Pres-
bytery of Newcastle in 1800. At that time there were a number of vacant churches in the bounds of the Presbytery of Carlisle, where Mr. K. laboured until he was settled as above stated. On the morning of the day of his ordination, he requested the Presby- tery to dispense, in his case, with the ceremony of im- position of hands, alleging that it was not intended to be continued in the Church after the cessation of mi- raculous gifts. Presbytery was not disposed to listen to his objection, but gave him half an hour to decide whether he would remain unordained, or submit to be ordained in the usual way. With deep feeling, he at length submitted to the judgment of Presbytery.
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CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY.
" As a preacher, Mr. Kennedy had few superiors. The plan of his discourses was as clear as the sun. He could pour a flood of light on almost every subject he discussed. And although his voice was unmusical and his pronunciation somewhat peculiar, yet there was no difficulty, but great pleasure and profit, in at- tending to his sermons. They were always orthodox, always to the point, always instructive, and frequently very impressive. As a scholar, Mr. Kennedy was superior to most ministers of his day. Without the assistance of an instructor, by his own industry, he obtained a competent knowledge of the Hebrew lan- guage, and was master of Greek and Latin. As a friend, Mr. K. was most valuable. Firm and constant in his attachments, he would not suffer dangers or difficul- ties to alienate him from those for whom he professed friendship."
Two years after the pulpit was vacated by Mr. Kennedy's resignation, a call from the congregation of East Conococheague was given to the Rev. James Buchanan, in which they promised him nine hundred dollars annually, and agreed to allow the people of Waynesburg to enjoy the one-third of his pastoral labours. Mr. Buchanan, who had previously been settled at Harrisburg, accepted this call, and continued to serve the congregation, though never in- stalled as its pastor, until 1839, when, in consequence of ill health, which disqualified him for the public duties of the ministry, his connexions with it was dissolved. It is, we need scarcely say, an anomalous
GREENCASTLE CHURCH. 169
thing, in the Presbyterian Church, for a minister to preach to a congregation so long a time without in- stallation, but this irregularity was tolerated in this case by Presbytery, in view of Mr. Buchanan's feeble health, which from year to year, seemed to render such a solemnity unadvisable.
For the following notice of this excellent man, we are indebted to the Rev. David Elliott, D.D., of the Theological Seminary at Allegheny, who was long and intimately acquainted with him.
"The Rev. James Buchanan was a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania. He received his collegiate education in Dickinson College, Carlisle, where he was graduated Sept. 28th, 1803. He studied Theo- logy with the Rev. Nathan Grier, D.D., of Brandy- wine, and was licensed by the Presbytery of New- castle, when he was about twenty-three years of age. His first settlement was in the Presbyterian Church of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he laboured some years with faithfulness and success. His health having become impaired, he resigned his pastoral charge, and spent several years in travelling, with a view to its restoration. At length, finding his health in some degree restored, and having received a call from the congregation of Greencastle, he accepted it, and became their pastor in the year 1816. In this pastoral charge he laboured with great fidelity and acceptance for about twenty years, when on ac- count of declining health, and his inability to discharge his pastoral duties to his own satisfaction, he resigned
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CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY.
his charge, to the very great regret of his congrega- tion, who were devotedly attached to him. In hope of retaining him with them, they generously offered to accept a diminished amount of labour, such as his weak health would allow, without any diminution of salary. But a sense of duty and a regard to their highest interests, induced him to withdraw, and open the way for the settlement of another pastor, who would be able to give them the full amount of labour. By changing his location, also, he hoped that some- thing might be gained in point of health, and that his life might be rendered more useful in the service of his Divine Master. He accordingly removed with his family to Logansport, Indiana, where, in charge of the Presbyterian church in that place, he laboured with encouraging success, until the Head of the Church dismissed him to the possession of his reward. As pleasing evidence that he did not labour in vain, we have been informed that during the short period of his ministry there, the church increased from about twenty to an hundred members. His death took place at Logansport, on the 16th of September, 1843, at the age of sixty years. His disease, which was con- gestion of the brain, and which at its first appear- ance on the Sabbath, obliged him to close abruptly the public services of the sanctuary in which he was engaged, terminated in death on the Saturday morning following, at five o'clock. The nature and violence of his disease incapacitated him for much satisfactory conversation. He gave ample evidence,
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GREENCASTLE CHURCHI.
however, of his resignation to the will of God, and that his hope of salvation was firmly fixed upon the atoning blood of Christ.
To strangers who did not know Mr. Buchanan, his appearance was rather harsh and repulsive. His de- licate health and shattered nerves, often greatly af- fected his spirits, and gave to his countenance the appearance of severity and moroseness. But he was a man of a warm heart, and of a kind and generous disposition. In his friendships he was steadfast, as the writer's experience for upwards of twenty years enables him to attest. Although he was generally grave, yet in the midst of his intimate friends he often relaxed, and was highly cheerful and sociable. His piety was of a retiring and unostentatious charac- ter. It was, however, eminently practical, prompting him to the diligent discharge of all incumbent duties. He placed a very low estimate on his own piety, and although no one else doubted its reality, he himself often did. His bodily complaints gave a melan- choly complexion to his religious experience, and in- terfered largely with his Christian comfort : occa- sionally, however, he was favoured with seasons of comfort, during which he greatly enjoyed the conso- lations of religion.
As a preacher, he held a very respectable rank. His sermons, in their structure, were neat, systematic, and short; in their matter, solid, evangelical, and practical ; and in their manner, grave, solemn, and earnest. Although he could not be considered elo-
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quent, he scarcely ever failed to interest and please those, who were capable of judging correctly and had a taste for good preaching. Indeed, we have known very few men who preached so uniformly well.
In the Judicatories of the Church, Mr. Buchanan rarely spoke. This was not owing to any want of interest in the affairs of the Church, or any want of readiness in communicating his thoughts, but to his nervous debility, which induced embarrassment, and rendered it exceedingly painful for him to make the effort. He was, however, a judicious counsellor, and did his part, in this way, in the disposal of the busi- ness of the Church.
In his doctrinal views, he adhered strictly to the standards of our Church, which he believed to be in conformity with the Word of God. He eschewed all novelties in doctrines and forms of worship, being content to walk in "the old paths," and the "good way" in which his fathers had trod. He was deci- dedly and from conviction Old School, and gave his hearty approval to the measures which were adopted by the Assemblies of 1837 and 1838, to purify the Church from error."
The Rev. J. T. Marshall Davie was the successor of Mr. Buchanan. Mr. Davie, in 1840, received a call from the congregations of Greencastle and Hagers- town. This call he accepted, at the same time re- signing his connexion with the Church at Lancaster; and in this new relation he continued until 1845, when, by his desire, it was dissolved.
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GREENCASTLE CHURCH.
After Mr. Davie's resignation, the Rev. T. V. Moore, of Carlisle, was chosen pastor of the Church at Greencastle; and the Church at Waynesboro', which until that time was in connexion with it, then became separated, and attached, as it still is, to the charge of the Rev. D. D. Clarke, of Adams County. After Mr. Moore's acceptance of a call, in 1847, to the First Presbyterian Church of Richmond, Va., the Rev. W. M. Paxton became pastor at Greencastle, and continued in that relation about two years, when he took charge of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg. The congregation, after having been vacant for a year or two, has recently had installed over it the Rev. Edwin Emerson, of New York, and a member of the last graduating class at the Theolo- gical Seminary of Princeton.
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