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 7
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 7
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* Jonathan Smith, a ruling elder, died of camp fever, at Am- boy, Oct. 13th, 1776.
John Campbell, by oppression of the enemy, Oct. 30th, 1776. James McCoy, killed at Fort Washington, Nov. 16th, 1776.
Dugal Campbell, died of camp fever in New Jersey, January, 1777.
Patrick McClelland, by oppression of the enemy, 1777.
Joseph Watson, killed in battle, Dec., 1777.
Capt. Robert McCoy, killed at Crooked-billet, May 1st, 1778. William Dean, 66
William Sterret,
66
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Church, when the spirit of patriotism which dwelt in the bosoms of our friends and forefathers, shall lose its vigour, or become extinct in the hearts of those who are their descendants and successors !
In 1777, the following persons were added to the session : Messrs. Patrick Maxwell, Joseph Van Lear, Matthew Wilson, William Lowery, James McFarland, and Henry Helm. In 1786, the town of Mercers-
burg was laid out. Its population, and that of the adjacent neighbourhood increasing, it was deemed expedient to have preaching in town .* For this purpose an edifice was erected in 1794, and for a number of years was without a ceiling, floor, pews, or pulpit. The ground on which it stands, and that which surrounds it, was given to the congregation by the Hon. Robert Smith. In 1772, Messrs. William Waddell, Archibald Irwin, James Crawford, and John Holiday, were added to the session; in 1799, Messrs. John McMullin, John Johnston, Edward Welsh, William Reynolds, Robert McFarland, and John McCullough; and in 1800, Mr. John Scott, Robert McDowell, and James Dickey.
From the close of the war, after the state of public affairs had become more settled, until 1811, when Dr. King, in consequence of increasing bodily afflic- tions, resigned his pastoral charge, the state of the congregation was peaceful and prosperous. At every communion season, its numbers of professing dis-
* The original place of preaching is two and a half miles from town.
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ciples were increased by new accessions. During the whole of Dr. King's ministry in this church, he baptized nine hundred and fifty persons; and there were admitted to the Communion four hundred and eighty. These numbers, however, are not strictly accurate, as the Doctor's infirmities during the latter part of his ministry were so great that the Church Register was but imperfectly kept. There were persons both baptized and admitted to the commu- nion of the church, whose names are not recorded. Dr. King was a man of piety and of extensive acquirements. His labours were owned of God, and eminently blessed in building up this church. His memory still lives in the grateful remembrance and strong affections of not a few who are spared with us to the present time, some of whom bear the seal of baptism as administered by his own hand, and others of whom are his spiritual children, and will be "his joy and crown of rejoicing in the pre- sence of Jesus Christ at his coming."
It may be interesting to know something more of the life and character of this divine, who was second to none in his day in the Presbyterian Church in this country. For this purpose we will avail our- selves of a brief memoir, penned by himself, and extending to the tenth year of his settlement as pastor of this church; and of a sermon which was preached by the Rev. John McKnight, D.D., his intimate friend and companion, at the request of the church.
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Dr. King thus writes : "I am now nearly thirty- nine years of age, being born December 5th, 1740. The wonderful providence of God has so long spared my life !- a life dishonourable and unprofitable ! Oh, that my soul may be deeply humbled in the review of such a vain and froward, such a slothful and inactive life as I have spent, while I here record my thankfulness for that goodness and mercy of God, that has educated and protected me, that has so long spared me notwithstanding my innumerable provocations of him, that has in any degree fitted me for some usefulness in the world, that has given me at least talents which might be profitable for the good of my fellow-creatures, and especially so if I had improved them as I ought ; and let my soul be thankful that I have been made acquainted in any comfortable measure with that amazing way of sal- vation in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that, through the providence, and, I hope, the grace, of God, I have been brought to be a preacher to others !
"It is impossible for me to recollect or record all the instances of the goodness of God to me, his unworthy creature and unprofitable servant. No more can I call to mind the innumerable instances in which I have dishonoured him, through my sinful life. But these I must remember, for I know and feel them ; and oh that that gracious God, who has been so liberal in his goodness, would deeply impress my heart with a sense of them, and awaken in my
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soul that love and thankfulness and praise which becomes a creature so highly obliged ! Let me from henceforth take a more particular notice of the good- ness of God, and (not in that careless, unfeeling manner I was wont, but with all my heart) acknow- ledge it. Let me with care and exactness observe his dealings toward me, and that which may be most remarkable in my own temper and conduct toward him, and labour to improve in humility, heavenly- mindedness, and holy walk with God.
" My father, Robert King, whom I believe to have been a pious man, was careful to educate me in the principles of the religion of Christ, and inculcate the necessity of holiness and faith in order to salvation. When I grew up, I recollect that I was sometimes exercised very seriously with the consideration of eternity, and the necessity of preparing for it; with the thoughts of sin and my liableness to misery, which led me to the exercise of prayer, in which I fear I too much rested, though I had found my heart sometimes much softened, and thought I had some freedom in receiving and resting on Jesus Christ for salvation. The sins of my heart and frequent falls prevented me from forming any conclusive judgment that my state was good, though I had some hope that I had such a view of my sins as had led me to Jesus Christ, and that I had a prevailing love to God and holiness.
"When I was about thirteen years old, I was put to the grammar school, at which I continued till I
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had read the Greek and Latin classics, Logic, Meta- physics, and Moral Philosophy. After this, my father not judging that he could bear the expense of sending me to college immediately, I came to West Conococheague, in Cumberland (now Franklin) County, where I spent almost three years in teaching school, during which I initiated some young boys in the Latin language. During this time I was, in general, too careless about the exercise of religion in my own soul, and recollect not anything very re- markable about such exercises, until at the celebra- tion of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, at East Conococheague, by the Rev. Messrs. Steel and Roan, -the first time that I joined to partake in that solemn ordinance,-when I found myself unusually impressed with the concerns of religion, and in the exercise of prayer before and in the work of communion during the service, had much freedom in devoting myself to Christ and receiving him. Yet still, afterwards, I had reason to complain of my heart, as careless about religion, and too vain and prone to diversions and unprofitable and hurtful pastimes, as well as inclined to know sin too much.
"The Indian war increasing in 1763, my sister that lived here being killed by the Indians, and the school declining, I quitted this part and returned to Little Britain, in Lancaster County, the place of my birth and education. There I continued until the middle of the fall, 1764, in great perplexity about the manner of life I should engage in. I had often entertained
10
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a thought of the ministry, but for many winters had been prone to a hoarseness, and my voice weak at best, I concluded, after much exercise in prayer for light in the determination, to lay that aside and apply myself to the study of physic. I went to Philadel- phia, and there agreed with Dr. John Boyd, as an apprentice. Returned home, and set off for Balti- more, where I continued near three months, when Dr. Boyd, who had been at Philadelphia for the re- covery of his health, returned home. I found that the place did not suit me, as he, at that time, dealt as an apothecary and followed not the practice of medicine. I again came home, after much loss of time and money, and still intent on the practice of medicine, went to Philadelphia, applied to Dr. Kearsly, and had nearly agreed with him, which probably would have fixed my condition in that way ; but in the mean time was led, by the advice of my first Latin master, Thomas McGee, to go and consult Dr. Allison, Vice-Provost of the College, on that head. The Doctor advised me warmly to desist in my at- tempts towards physic, and to enter College with a view to the ministry. I reflected on the various pro- vidences with which I had been exercised in the matter, and followed his advice. I entered College May 6th, 1765, and commenced, A. B., May 20th, 1766. Having returned home, I applied myself to the study of divinity till March 11th, 1767, when I entered upon trials for the ministry in the Second
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Philadelphia Presbytery, and was licensed to preach on the 13th day of August following.
"The most of that fall and ensuing winter, I preached at New London, in the bounds of the New Castle Presbytery, having paid a visit to West Cono- cocheague before the winter. Near the opening of the spring, I was invited to Conococheague, by the congregation of which I am now the pastor. After accepting their call, I was received on trials in the Donegal Presbytery. April 11th, 1769, I delivered my first trial discourses; and on the 30th day of August following, was ordained and installed as Pastor of the Church at Upper West Conococheague. During all these changes, my exercises about religion had been various, but a prevailing desire to glorify God in being useful to immortal souls, I trust, was my ruling motive in entering into this great and awful service; while the consideration of the pre- mentioned providential dispensations, the talents which God has given me (which however small in comparison of others) I thought might render me, through grace, of some use in the Christian Church, and the unanimous call of this people, led me to think it my duty to enter upon this work. O may God forgive my innumerable neglects and miscarriages in it, and strengthen my dependence on his all-sufficient grace, to enable me for the future more faithfully to discharge the important duties of it ! Having settled in this congregation in June, 1768, I was married to Elizabeth McDowell, the third daughter of Mr.
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John McDowell, of this place, on April 2d, 1771, and have continued in the enjoyment of agreeable circumstances until now. I had been always healthy and visited with no considerable sickness, until in September,.1775, when I fell into a dangerous fever."
Thus far we have given Dr. King's autobiography. We now follow the Rev. Dr. McKnight in his funeral sermon.
"Dr. King was Pastor of this Congregation for forty-two years. During the last six years of his life, he laboured under a rheumatic complaint, with which he was severely afflicted, and which baffled every medical application. For four years, however, of this time, he continued in the exercise of his mi- nistry, in the latter part of which, his limbs were so enfeebled that he was not able to stand, and officiated in a chair fixed in the pulpit. Finding his complaint still increasing, and his prospects of usefulness, in a public capacity, at an end, he resigned his charge September, 1811. His complaint continued to in- crease, and his bodily strength to decline, until he became utterly helpless. Some time before his death, he was seized with a violent fever, which brought his natural life to a close. He died July 15th, 1813, in the seventy-third year of his age.
" Dr. King was a man of good natural parts, which he diligently cultivated. And in particular, from the time of his being settled in the ministry, being placed in favourable circumstances for study, he in- dustriously improved what time he could redeem from
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the immediate duties of his office, in acquiring the knowledge of all those branches of literature and science which tended to respectability and usefulness. Besides being a good Latin and Greek scholar, he had a competent acquaintance with the Hebrew and the French. He had studied Natural and Moral Philosophy, Astronomy, the Mathematics, and Logic with attention, and had a considerable general know-
ledge of Chemistry. He had paid considerable at- tention to Ecclesiastical History. With Divinity and its several branches, he was well acquainted. Influenced by his well-known and established cha- racter, as a scholar and a divine, the Trustees of Dickinson College, at one of its first commencements in the College, viz., in the year 1792, conferred on him the degree of D.D. In the same year, he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly.
"Dr. King was the author of several small publica- tions, particularly a Catechism for the instruction of youth in the principles of the Christian religion, and more especially calculated to fortify them against the spirit of scepticism and infidelity which, at the time of its publication, threatened to corrupt the principles and morals of many ; of some pieces in the Assembly's Magazine, on the subject of a man's marrying his former wife's sister ; of a Dissertation on the Prophecies, referring to the present times, &c. As a companion, Dr. King was sociable, cheerful, and instructing. As a friend, he was sincere, affec- tionate, uniform, and faithful. In his principles, Dr.
10*
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King was strictly orthodox-a uniform and warm friend of the great doctrines of grace. His piety was rational and warm. His life fully corresponded with his profession, and he has left behind him a character unsullied by a blot. He evinced an in- creasing concern for the interests of Zion; and, so far from being of a bigoted or contracted spirit, he held friendly intercourse with persons of different denominations, and was ready to countenance and encourage all who appeared desirous of promoting the cause of religion. He was ready to distribute, and willing to communicate to every real object of charity that presented itself, and to such literary institutions as promised to be useful. Though his afflictions were severe and of long continuance, and though he was considerably advanced in years, yet he retained, until very near the close of his life, his intellectual powers, very little impaired. His mind was still vigorous and active.
"Let us now take a view of the state of his mind under his affliction, and in prospect of his approach- ing dissolution. And here I shall introduce a com- munication on the subject from Mr. Elliott, your present worthy pastor :- 'I visited Dr. King,' re- marks Mr. Elliott, 'some weeks before his death, and during his last illness. He entered into an animated conversation with respect to his views of religion, and the peculiar experiences of his mind. He spoke in exalted terms of the doctrines of grace, as the only foundation of a sinner's hopes. He said he
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could see nothing in his past life which afforded him any ground of dependence, and that he had no hope from any other quarter, but from the glorious scheme of redemption, as revealed in the word of God. "No other way !" said he : " Nothing will do but this !" He observed that he frequently felt a desire to be more fully acquainted with the glorious character of God than what perhaps was justifiable. He believed Christians ought to be careful not to transcend the limits assigned them in the word of God, adding, 'that the word was our only standard and directory with respect to the great mysteries of religion, and that to it we ought to keep close.' During the in- tervals of fever, when his mind was capable of regular exertion, he said he was generally in prayer for him- self and others. He was much afraid that he was too desirous to depart. He longed for the time when he should be delivered from his affliction. But he frequently observed, that he strove and prayed against an improper solicitude, wishing to wait the Lord's time.
"'About two weeks after the above conversation, and about ten days before his death, I was present at his bedside, and upon his complaining that he suffered much, I observed that I hoped he received abundant support from above. "O yes," said he, "I am greatly supported." He then observed that he had been strongly tempted, some time before, to doubt with respect to the foundation of his hopes ; and whether that system of truth on which he had
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built his faith was agreeable to the word of God. Convinced that he had, long ago, carefully examined into the ground of his belief, he sought comfort in prayer to God, and it was not long till he experienced it. "I have now," said he, with a tear of joy sparkling in his eye, " I have now no doubt of my love to God. He is the most glorious of all objects. None other can be compared to him!" Thus lived and thus died this servant of the Lord. Both in his life and by his death, he has borne honourable testimony to the re- ligion of Jesus, of which he was a professor, and of which he was a minister. Having done much, and suffered much according to the will of God, he has " fallen asleep," and has been gathered to his fathers.' "
PERIOD III.
FROM THE SETTLEMENT OF THE REV. DAVID ELLIOTT, D.D., AS PASTOR, A.D. 1812, TO THE CLOSE OF HIS MINISTRY IN THIS CHURCH, A. D. 1829.
AFTER an interval of about a year from the resig- nation of Dr. King, the congregation invited the Rev. David Elliott, a Licentiate of the Carlisle Presbytery, to become their Pastor. He having accepted the invitation, was ordained and installed, October 7th, A. D. 1812. The number of families belonging to
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the congregation at the time of his settlement was one hundred and thirty-seven.
In 1813, the Presbyterian Church in St. Thomas was organized ; most of the families and members of which were connected with this Church. This new organization was found to be expedient on account of the increase of the population of that district of country, and their distance from our places of worship, which rendered it difficult for them to attend upon the public means of grace. By the organization of the Church at St. Thomas, the limits of this congre- gation became still more circumscribed : and yet in the end, it has resulted more in the furtherance of the Gospel, than if the parts separated had continued in connexion with us.
In 1814, the following persons were added to the Session : Messrs. Thomas M'Dowell, David Dunwoody, and John M'Coy (of John). In 1815, the Sabbath School was commenced. It was begun amidst great difficulties and discouragements. At this early period, it was a new thing in the Christian Church in this region. But by the perseverance of the few who had engaged in it, not only did they see it begin, but they were also permitted to see it subsequently in full and efficient operation. And from that time to the present, though attended with many fluctua- tions, its exercises have never been suspended for any length of time. How much good has been achieved by it, in its nearly forty years' existence, Eternity alone will disclose. Impressions have
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doubtless been made upon the minds of those who have been, and those who are now scholars, which can never be effaced. And though, for a time, the seed which has been sown may seem to be lost, yet under the life-giving influence of God's Spirit, it may still issue in a rich and glorious harvest.
The year 1818 is memorable in the history of this Church for the establishment of the Social Prayer- Meeting. The circumstances which led to its forma- tion are thus related in a letter from Dr. Elliott. " The want of some meeting of this kind had been sensibly felt by me, from the time of my settlement, but the difficulty of getting suitable persons to lead, prevented an earlier attempt to organize one. After the removal of Mr. James M'Farland to town, it was a frequent subject of conversation between him, Major Brownson, and myself. Finally, one Sabbath afternoon, Mr. M'Farland, Mr. George King, Major Brownson and myself were together at Mr. M'Far- land's. The prayer-meeting became the topic of con- versation, and it was agreed that we would attempt its organization. This being agreed upon, I re- marked to them, that it was the best time to begin immediately, and that we should date the commence- ment of the meeting from that afternoon. This was assented to, and after spending some time in social prayer, we adjourned to meet again on the next Sabbath afternoon, or perhaps that day two weeks. In the mean time we mentioned the subject as we had opportunity, to several of those who we supposed
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would favour the object. A few additional persons attended the next day ; and in a few weeks the meetings were so large that we held them in Mr. Cowan's shop. In these meetings we had many de- lightful seasons." And thus from this small begin- ning, did one of the most important means of grace in this Church take its origin. And from that time onward has it been continued ; sometimes flourishing and at other times depressed ; but at all times a source of richest consolation, and a means of quickening and of encouragement to those who attend it in a becoming spirit.
In 1819, the congregation having so increased, it was found necessary to erect in the country a new house of worship. The old church had been twice enlarged, but was still insufficient to accommodate the congregation. The new church edifice was com- pleted in 1820: it cost near six thousand dollars. About this time the congregation was in a condition the most flourishing and prosperous. It numbered upwards of one hundred and seventy families, and had connected with it two Bible classes ; the female consisting of one hundred and seven members, and the male of seventy. This prosperous state of things, how- ever, did not long continue. A change took place, which, carrying its influence through a series of years, so greatly diminished the congregation in numbers, that it has never fully recovered from it. The fol- lowing causes may be mentioned as bringing about this change :
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1. The organization of a church in Loudon. This took place in 1820, and was the means of taking off a number of families, which had been connected with this congregation. After it was organized, it enjoyed for several years the ministerial labours of the Rev. Isaac Kellar ; and subsequently those of the Rev. Robert Kennedy ; but it has since become extinct.
2. Another cause was a change in the times. Prior to this, everything appeared to be in the most pros- perous condition. Providence had smiled upon the labours of the husbandman, and the earth had yielded her increase. Our commerce was whitening every sea ; and our manufactories were accumulating vast wealth for their owners. The expansion of the credit system was never greater; and our citizens began to feel that they were in the full tide of pros- perity. But a change ensued. The smiles of Provi- dence were withdrawn. Judgment began to be min- gled with mercies. And the pressure became uni- versal throughout the whole extent of our country. It was felt here also. Not a few of our farmers, who had purchased their lands at enormous prices, and others who had made improvements at a great ex- pense, were so affected by this 'change of times,' that to meet their liabilities their all was swept from them. It is supposed that by this reverse of fortune more than half a score of the best families and sup- porters of this congregation were almost entirely ruined in their temporal circumstances. O that men would profit by the history of the past ! How vain
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and fleeting are all earthly possessions ! " Riches make to themselves wings." Why not then, from such considerations as these, give heed to our Saviour's counsel : "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust do corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." (Matt. vi. 19, 20.)
3. But there was still another cause, which was far more felt in this respect than either of the pre- ceding. In the years 1821, '22, and '23, an epidemic sickness prevailed to so great an extent, that the whole neighbourhood resembled a vast hospital. The number of those in health were almost insufficient, in many places, to take care of the sick. The effect of this visitation was, that in the first mentioned year twenty-five persons died; and in the latter, forty-five -thus making an aggregate of seventy-two persons within two years. And of these seventy-two, many were members of the church in full communion ; many were heads of families; and some of them among the most liberal contributors to the support of the Gospel. So extensive and so rapid was the work of death, that in a period of nine years, commencing in 1820, not less than one hundred and thirty communicating members became its victims,-a number equal to that which, under ordinary circumstances, would not occur in eighteen years. On these scenes of sadness and sorrow I will not dwell. They are deeply im-
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