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 4
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 4
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Mr. Duffield's successor at Big Spring was the Rev. William Linn. The congregation at this time seems to have increased sufficiently to justify them in securing the time and labour of a pastor for them- selves alone. When, precisely, Mr. Linn was called to this pastorate, cannot be ascertained ; for it was registered in that portion of the Records of Pres- bytery which cannot be found. It was, however, there is strong reason to believe, before the year 1778. In 1784, Mr. Linn applied to Presbytery to have his relation to the congregation dissolved, in
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order that he might accept the Presidency of Wash- ington Academy, in Somerset County, Maryland ; and his request was granted.
After being two years vacant, the church at Big Spring found a pastor in the Rev. Samuel Wilson, who continued with them until he was removed by death, in March, 1799. There is yet in the posses- sion of Mrs. Doctor Sharp, of Newville,-who is the only surviving child of the Rev. Mr. Wilson,-the call which was given to her father. This is rather an interesting document in several respects ; and therefore we cheerfully comply with the request of several members of the congregation, communicated by a venerable member of the Session, that it be published in our volume .*
In 1801, the Rev. Joshua Williams was called to Big Spring. His installation took place April 14th, 1802. On that occasion Dr. Davidson delivered a discourse from Acts xx. 27, and Dr. Cooper delivered a charge. The salary promised was "two hundred pounds annually." Dr. Williams died on the 21st of August, 1838, at his residence in Westpenns- borough Township.
The following extracts from two obituaries of him which were published will serve to give some idea of his history and character. We most sincerely regret that we have not been able to furnish an equally full and satisfactory account of his worthy predecessors.
* See Appendix I.
5*
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"Dr. Williams had not the advantage of entering at an early age on a course of studies preparatory to the ministry. He was graduated at Dickinson Col- lege, in the year 1795, then under the presidency of Dr. Nesbit. His theological studies were pursued chiefly under the direction of Dr. Robert Cooper. In the year 1798, in the thirtieth year of his age, he was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of Carlisle. The year following, he received a call from the United Congregations of Derry and Paxton, which he accepted, and was ordained to the work of the ministry, and installed pastor of said charge, by the Presbytery of Carlisle, in the autumn of the same year. After having served the people of this, his first charge, for about four years, he received a call from the Presbyterian Church at Big Spring, left vacant by the death of the Rev. Samuel Wilson, which he judged it to be his duty to accept; and accor- dingly he gave up the charge of his former congre- gations, and was installed pastor of the latter in the year 1802. Under the labours of a prolonged pas- torate, his general health declined, and a complication of infirmities reduced his physical strength. His nervous system, especially, became disordered, and as a consequence, he often suffered great mental depression. A year or two previous to his release from his pastoral charge, under the impression that he was unable to perform, as they should be done, the duties of a pastor, he proposed resigning his charge. But the congregation earnestly remon-
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strated against his doing so, and assured him of their being well satisfied with such services as his feeble state of health permitted him to render. About the year 1829, at his earnest request, the pastoral relation between him and the congregation of Big Spring was dissolved. From the day of his instal- lation till his resignation, he lived and laboured among his people with uninterrupted harmony and growing interest.
"After retiring from his pastoral charge, Dr. Williams did not at all abandon the duties of his office as a minister of the Gospel, but continued, as his health permitted and opportunity was afforded, serving vacant congregations in the bounds of the Presbytery, and frequently assisting his brethren on special occasions. In these labours of love he seemed to take great interest, often crossing mountains and riding to a distance into neighbouring counties, to preach the Gospel to the destitute. Dr. Williams's last illness was only of about four days' continuance. He had at various times expressed his fears of the dying struggle; but in his own case death seemed wholly disarmed of all his terrors. His end was peaceful, without a disturbed feature. On the morn- ing of the 21st of August, 1838, he seemed literally to fall asleep in Jesus. The next day a very large concourse of persons (most of whom had been for- merly the people of his charge), together with eight or ten ministers, attended the funeral, and testified their very great regard for him, whom they had so
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much reason to love and to venerate. His remains were deposited in the Big Spring Churchyard, nearly in view from the sacred desk where he had so long preached to that people the Gospel of God, which brings life and immortality to light.
"In the death of Dr. Williams, the Church lost an able and faithful advocate of the truth. His re- tired situation and unobtrusive disposition were, no doubt, the occasion of his being less publicly known than he justly merited. His talents and attainments as a minister of the Gospel were such as always to command the highest respect from all who knew him. He was naturally possessed of strong and vigorous intellectual powers. His judgment was sound and discriminating. He had a remarkable taste and ap- titude for metaphysical discussions, which, however, never seem to have led him into erroneous specula- tions on the doctrines of religion.
" As a steward of the mysteries of God, Dr. Wil- liams was well instructed, and furnished for every good work, above most others in the sacred office. His mind was richly stored with theological know- ledge : with every part of Scripture he seemed fami- liar, and could quote any passage to which he wished to refer, with great readiness and accuracy. He employed much of his time in reading instructive authors, and always with a view to the furnishing of his mind the more thoroughly, for the duties of his office, and for his own personal edification.
" As a preacher of the Gospel, Dr. W. was grave
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and solemn in his manner, and highly instructive in his discourses. His usual method in his sermons was to explain his text, if it needed explanation, then state the subject, or doctrine illustrated, and confirm this by Scripture and argument. And to make the truth bear upon the hearts of his audience, his first object was to instruct, then to persuade; believing that truth is in order to righteousness, and that there can be no correct Christian practice, till the mind be enlightened, and the heart sanctified through the truth of the Word of God.
"In his manners and conversation, this excellent man was courteous and affable, yet always dignified. He was truly a lover of hospitality. It gave him great pleasure to have his brethren in the ministry visit him. Nor were such occasions suffered to pass without improvement. Very few men, we are as- sured, ever possessed, in the same degree with Dr. W., the happy faculty of communicating solid instruc- tion in social conversations. Some useful subject was always introduced, and discussed in such a man- ner as to be at once interesting and instructive. The great doctrines of the Cross, which he professed to believe, and which he preached, were not held by him as mere theoretical subjects, without a salutary and practical influence on his own heart. It was seldom, except to very intimate friends, that he would freely unfold his religious experience, but then it was manifest that his mind was deeply imbued with the precious truths of the Gospel, that he had felt in-
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tensely the power of that Word of God which he preached to others. But he has fought a good fight ; he has finished his course, he has kept the faith, and now we confidently trust he is in possession of that Crown of Righteousness which the Lord, the right- eous Judge, will give to all them that love his ap- pearing."
Soon after the withdrawment of Dr. Williams from the church at Big Spring (1830), the Rev. Robert McCachren, a native of Chester County, and a licen- tiate of the Presbytery of Newcastle, was called to be its pastor. This call he accepted, and in this re- lation he continued until it was resigned in October, 1851. Mr. McCachren's labours among that people were not without encouraging success. The number of members added to the congregation during his connexion with it, was four hundred and eighty-five. During the second year of his ministry the church was favoured with a season of the revival of religion, which resulted in an accession of seventy-three to the list of communicants. Some of the precious fruits of that awakening remain there to this day. Mr. McCachren since his resignation has not ac- cepted of another charge, but still resides in New- ville, and has the supervision of a classical academy of that place.
From him we have learned that the earliest elders of Big Spring, now known, were, John Carson, John McKeehan, John Bell, David Ralston, Sr., Thomas Jacobs, Alexander Thompson, William Lindsay, At-
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cheson Laughlin, all of whom served under the min- istry of the Rev. Samuel Wilson, and some of them part of the time of his successor. The session at present consists of the following members : Robert McElwain, William Ker, Samuel Davidson, James McIlhenny, William Green, James Fulton, Samuel McKeehan.
It is with Newville, as with other localities in Cum- berland Valley-in gazing upon it the mind is filled with amazement at the mighty change which has taken place. The time is almost within the memory of some who live, when the dark shadows of the gloomy forest fell upon all that region, and the savage Indian roamed over the surrounding hills and valleys ; but now the eye is there called to survey a thriving village in which there are three churches for the worship of God, the circumjacent country highly cultivated and thickly inhabited, with a moral and religious population, the rushing railcar bearing the traveller along with dizzying speed, and the quiet magnetic wires annihilating both time and space with the electric celerity of their communica- tion.
The first church erected at Big Spring, stood in the graveyard now in use by the congregation, within a few rods of the present building, and was erected about the year 1738. From all the information we can obtain in regard to it, it was a plain log building, such as we have described as being the first places of worship for several of the surrounding congre-
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gations, and like them it had a "study" attached to it. It seems to have been the opinion of our fathers that the minister of the sanctuary, should have some place near to it, from which, at least, he could come forth into the pulpit with his mind undistracted by conversation with the members of his flock, and his heart elevated by its communing with heaven. And we are free to acknowledge that we have no disposi- tion to differ from this idea. Surely such an arrange- ment much better comports with the sacredness and effectiveness of the service to be performed, than does that which now so generally prevails.
At what time precisely the present edifice at Big Spring was erected, we are not able to say, but it was in all probability during the early part of the minis- try of the Rev. Mr. Wilson. Until the year 1842, it was a plain stone building, having three doors, with the pulpit on the north side, and pews with high straight backs, and, on the whole, indicating far more regard for the essential than the comfortable andthe ornamental ; but at that time it was remodelled in modern style, and now ranks with the handsomest churches in the Presbytery. It is capable of accom- modating about six hundred persons. The site which it occupies, a few rods northward from the town, is a most eligible one, and from it there is a beautiful view of the surrounding neighbourhood. Back of it, at a short distance, rolls gently along the clear and lovely stream from which it has received its name, and which for ages has been flowing on, apparently
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the same, whilst the crowds that have weekly been gathering on its brink, have, one after another, lain down within the sound of its murmurs, to sleep the sleep that knows no waking till the resurrection trumpet shall utter its voice.
Let us now take a view of the burial-place at Big Spring. A graveyard is always a solemn and inte- resting spot, whether we find it in the heart of a bus- tling and noisy city, where the present too much over- powers both the past and the future, or in the deep bosom of the country, where unbroken stillness reigns around, subduing the heart for the touching but wholesome lesson which it ought to learn, as the eye is fixed upon the resting-place of the dead. "While we cannot," says one, " subscribe to the doctrine of Chateaubriand, that the existence of graveyards, and our veneration for tombs, are convincing arguments for the truth of Christianity, we own that the in- fluence emanating from the place of sepulture is by no means small; that the solemn shades of the burial- ground are congenial with a certain class of emotions which are natural to the human breast, and that there are voices thence which speak in impressive tones, for they seem to come from the very borders of the spirit-land. Hence the interest which some minds take in consecrated grounds, in God's acre, as the burial-place has been sententiously termed. Of those who have committed a friend to the last repose, there are few indeed who have not a secret sympathy for the spirit of the place." Many, very many there are
6
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who have " committed a friend" to the cemetery at Big Spring ; for its enclosure, though large, is well filled with graves, and many more, doubtless, have been buried there, the visible evidence of whose sepulture has, under the wasting influence of time, entirely dis- appeared. Among the many graves which specially interested us in a brief visit to this consecrated spot, we have only space to refer to those of the two former pastors of the Church, the Rev. Mr. Wilson and the Rev. Dr. Williams, over each of which there is a befitting marble slab. It may be pardonable, per- haps, for us to add, that a peculiar solemnity fell upon our spirit, as the inscription, "In memory of Paul Pierce, who departed this life, June 7th, 1794, aged 78 years," reminded us of a great-grandfather, who sleeps in the tomb by the side of which we stood.
On the whole, we would say, that the graveyard of the congregation of Big Spring, is kept in such a condition as reflects credit upon those who have charge of it. The time has happily passed away in which burial-places were too generally regarded with great indifference, except to protect them from the depredations of prowling animals ; and now it is gra- tifying to every person of good taste and correct feelings, to find in every direction, instead of tall, luxuriant grass, and crumbling tombstones, and sinking graves, cemeteries so neatly kept as at once to indicate the affection that is cherished for the mortal remains which they contain, and to make them attractive as places of profitable meditation.
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CHAPTER IV.
CHURCH AT SILVERS' SPRING.
THE church at Silvers' Spring was first known as "the people over the Susquehanna." Afterwards (1736), as connected with the congregation at Car- lisle (then called, as it would seem, the " Congrega- tion of Conodoguinett,") it was known as the "Lower part of the settlement of Conodoguinett." Still later (1739), we find it designated as “Lower Pennsbo- rough." The name which it now bears was received at an early date, and is to be accounted for by the fact, that the land around the stream near which the church edifice stands, was originally owned by Mr. Silvers, one of the first settlers in that region of country.
The gospel was first preached to this congregation by the Rev. Alexander Craighead, by appointment of Presbytery, in 1734, and for several years follow- ing they were supplied occasionally by the Rev. Messrs. Bartram, Thomas Craighead, Golston, and Thompson.
In the year 1739, the Rev. Samuel Thompson was installed as pastor of this church, in connexion with
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the church at Carlisle (or "Pennsborough," as it was then called), as the following extract from the records of Presbytery will show.
"Pennsboro', Nov. 14th, 1739.
"Mr. Anderson, at the meeting-house door, gave publick advertisement that if any could advance any lawful objection against Mr. Samuel Thompson being set apart to the work of the holy ministry, to both societies in this place, and no objection appearing, Mr. Craighead delivered a sermon from Ezek. 33, 6, and presided in the work of ordination. Accordingly, Mr. Samuel Thompson was set apart to the work of the sacred ministry by the imposition of hands, &c."
Previously to this time, Mr. Thompson seems to have laboured for a season among "the people of Conococheague," for at the next meeting of the Presbytery after the installation just referred to, "Richard O. Cahan, Joseph Armstrong, Benjamin Chambers, and Patrick Jack, publicly engaged to pay to Mr. Samuel Thompson the sum of one pound five shillings, at or before next meeting of Presbytery, as being the whole of arrears due him by the people of Canigagig." It is highly probable, also, that he officiated for some time at Pennsborough before he became pastor. This, the following extract from the Presbyterial records, before his installation at that place is noticed, will serve to show, as well as give some idea of the spirit of the times.
"The Synod, last May, having received and read a letter directed to one Alexander McKee, subscribed
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CHURCH AT SILVERS' SPRING.
by Mr. Samuel Thompson, containing some things which were very offensive to the Honourable Pro- prietor, the Synod also have condemned said letter, and remitted the further consideration thereof, and what censure should be inflicted upon Mr. Thompson on account of writing said letter, to this Presbytery. Mr. Thompson being now present, the Presbytery took the affaire into consideration, and accordingly, Mr. Thompson being called in, with several of the People of Pennsboro', he also giving a short narrative of the Matter, did acknowledge his imprudence and inadvertency in writing said letter, tho' it was designed to signify not his own thoughts, but the thoughts of the People, and expecting that the said letter would never go any further than Alex. McKee, to whom it was directed. Commissioners also from the People of Pennsboro' gave in a supplication, wherein they took the whole blame of said letter on themselves, and declared they were provoked thereunto by their being credibly informed that some in authority had threatened to order a constable to pull Mr. Thompson out of the pulpit on the Sabbath-day, and drag him at an horsetail to Newtown. The Presbytery ordered that the Minutes of Synod be read, and finding that neither Mr. Thompson's letter nor the Synod's order in relation thereunto, are come to our hands, the Presbytery conclude that at present we can go no further than only accept of Mr. Thompson's acknow- ledgment which he hath already made, and sharply reprove said people for constraining him to write said
6*
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letter. This conclusion unanimously agreed to, and Mr. Anderson appointed to rebuke said people."
On account of " bodily weakness," Mr. Thompson was, at his own request, dismissed from "Lower Pennsborough," in the year 1745, the Presbytery at the same time " recommending to him to be gene- rous and industrious in preaching to the congregation, either on Sabbath-days or week-days, according to his conveniency and their necessity." In 1747, " for several reasons, but chiefly because of unhappy jealousies, on account of which he doubted he could not be farther useful in the congregation," he sought a dismission from " Upper Pennsborough," and in his desire the people, by their representatives, concurred.
After leaving this charge, Mr. Thompson settled at " Great Conewago," where he laboured until 1779, when, "on account of his infirmities by old age, which disqualified him for performing the duties of a pastor to his people," he requested Presbytery to dissolve the relation between them. In this request the congregation acquiesced, and it was granted. This acquiescence, however, was not that cold and thankless one which too often is signified when an aged servant of the Lord, who has laboured among a people for many years,-perhaps the greater part of his life,-watching over their spiritual interests with deep concern and earnest effort, and all the time receiving a bare subsistence for himself and family, has at length, with worn-out powers, to retire from his post, and is permitted to do so without any pro-
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vision by his flock for his future maintenance and comfort. The people of "Great Conewago," to their credit be it known,-if credit can be awarded where only duty is done,-" afforded a gratuity for the support of Mr. Thompson, to his satisfaction."
And thus, we have not the least hesitation in say- ing, it ought in every case to be. There is no class of men who, in view of the expense connected with their education, and the frequent demands upon their liberality, and the amount of their labours, are so meagerly compensated as the ministers of the gospel ; and therefore, though it is true that they are to look for their reward in the world above, and ought to guard against every temptation to feel " at home in the body," yet is it at the same time a sad reproach to any congregation, and sorry evidence that God's word has wrought in them as it ought, that, when a pastor's tears for long years have fallen for them, and his prayers ascended in their behalf, and theirs have been his friendly counsels and indefatigable toils, he is, under the decrepitude of a life soon to end, cast off with indifference, to suffer, perhaps, from want, which he has too much delicacy to make known, and to die with the prospect of destitution for his family, and with an exhibition of ingratitude, in the very scene of his loved labours.
In relation to this subject, we avail ourselves of an extract from an editorial article in " The Presby- terian" of July 17th, 1852, which refers to the Corporation for the "relief of poor and distressed
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Presbyterian ministers, and of the poor and dis- tressed widows and children of Presbyterian minis- ters." This article, which is exactly suited to our purpose, came under our notice after our views of the neglect of the duty in question had been penned.
" The Corporation offers to secure to applicants, 1. A stipulated annuity, payable to the widow or children of a minister after his death; 2. A stipu- lated sum, payable to the legal representatives of a minister on his decease ; and, 3. A stipulated annuity for a minister in the decline of his life, to commence either at 60 or 65 years of age.
" The various provisions offered may be secured in either of four ways. 1. By the payment of a sum of money at one time. 2. By the payment of an annual premium on the 22d of May, during the life of the minister. 3. By the deposit of such a sum as, if put to interest at 5 per cent., would annually produce the amount of the annual premium, the deposit to remain during the minister's life. 4. By the deposit of a similar sum, to remain for ever in the hands of the Corporation, for the benefit of a succession of ministers.
" Many ministers who would not be able to depo- sit at one time the amount necessary to secure the payment of an annuity, might perhaps save enough to pay the annual premium. But a far better way, in most cases, would be for churches and congrega- tions to take upon themselves the expense of such a provision for their pastor's family. A deposit might
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be made, which would entitle every successive pastor, of the church making it, to share its benefits, or the amount necessary to meet the annual premium could easily be raised by any energetic person in the con- gregation who would undertake it. Such evidences of affection by a congregation for their minister could not but have a happy effect.
" The late venerable Dr. Alexander, in a letter written near the close of his life, made some valuable suggestions on this subject. With regard to se- curing the provision payable after the minister's death, he says: 'Some two or three of the most active ladies in the congregation should be engaged to raise, annually, small subscriptions from females, sufficient to pay the annual premium, or if they pre- ferred to raise a sum equal in value to the annual payment, this should be encouraged as less trouble- some, and as safer for the Corporation.' The sum necessary to secure a deferred annuity to the minis- ter himself, in advanced age, he suggests, should engage the attention of the young men."
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