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 9
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 9
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Col. Benjamin Chambers, who was himself a Presbyterian, made an early appropriation of some suitable ground for a graveyard, school-house, and place of public worship. This was the romantic cedar grove on the bank of the creek, on which the present church stands. In this grove, and near the spot which the present edifice occupies, there was erected a small log building, which was used for the double purpose of a school-house and place of wor- ship. This building, as would appear from the fol- lowing extract from the Records of Presbytery, at their sederunt in 1739, was erected in that year.
" A Supplication from the people of Canigogig was presented by James Lindsay, commissioner, wherein they requested that Mr. Caven's ordination be has- tened. The Presbytery inquired of said commissioner
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what provision they had made for Mr. Caven's sus- tenance among them ; it was answered, that their sub- scriptions amounted to forty-six pounds, which they will make good, and what can be had over and above shall be allowed him ; and further, they will do what they can to procure a plantation to live upon. The commissioner also learns in writing from that people, signifying that they have agreed about the bounds between them and the west side of Canigogig, west from Alexander Dunlop's to the fork of the creek, and thence the creek to be the line until it come to the line of the Province; and that they have agreed that their other Meeting-House shall be at the Falling Spring."
This old building, as already intimated, was small and exceedingly plain in its structure. It was formed of logs, entered by a door on the eastern side and another on the southern, and lighted by long, nar- row windows, which were of the width of two small panes of glass, and reached from one end to the other of the building. When this building, as was frequently the case, was not of sufficient capacity to accommodate all who wished to worship in it, the congregation abandoned it for the time in favour of the saw-mill of Col. Chambers, which stood on the bank of the creek, on what is now known as "The Island," and which was surrounded by a lovely green plot. On that grassy space, when it was at all proper, the gathered crowd seated themselves, and received with interest and eagerness the messages of God from his commissioned ambassador.
In the year 1767 this rude log building was demo-
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lished. Its dimensions were entirely too contracted for the increasing community, and besides, something a little more tasteful was demanded by the advancing spirit of the times. Another edifice, therefore, was erected, in which the sacred services of the Sabbath might be performed. This was considerably larger than its predecessor, being about thirty-five by se- venty feet, and was of better finished material. It stood where the present church does, though its posi- tion was somewhat different, as it presented a side- view to the street. One year after the erection of this church, Col. Chambers by deed conveyed to trustees the grounds that had before been dedicated to the use of the congregation and burial-ground. The form of this appropriation was as follows :
"Deed for ground of Falling Spring Church, dated January 1st, 1768, from Benjamin Chambers and Jane, his wife, to Patrick Vance, Matthew Wilson, Edward Cook, Robert Patterson, William Linsly, Jr., William Gass, and William Brotherton, in trust for the Presbyterian Congregation of Falling Spring, now professing and adhering to, and that shall here- after adhere to and profess the Westminster Confes- sion of Faith and the mode of Church Government therein contained, witnesseth, that the said Benjamin Chambers and Jane, his wife, as well for their regard to the true religion of the blessed Redeemer, Jesus, the Son of God, and for and in consideration of their regard to the interest and advantage of said congre- gation, and in consideration of the rents, convey to the Trustees, &c., yielding and paying therefor and
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thereout unto the said B. C., his heirs or assigns, at the said town of Chambersburg, on the first day of June next first after this date, the yearly rent or con- sideration of one Rose, if required."
In 1787, the congregation of Falling Spring was incorporated by Act of Assembly, and has ever since been governed in its property affairs by Trustees elected under this Charter. At that time "it would seem that the congregation was larger than in 1832, though at the latter period the population of Cham- bersburg was tenfold that of 1786. After the revo- lutionary war and peace, a German population sup- planted the first settlers, and possessed themselves of most of their choice plantations by purchase, and the families and descendants of these settlers moved west of the mountains."
The present church edifice at Chambersburg, which was erected in 1803, is a handsome and comfortable building. It is of stone, and indicates by its external structure that it was the product of a past age, yet is it not on this account less, but rather more attractive in its appearance. We like many of the improve- ments which have of late been made, and the liberality which has generally been displayed in church archi- tecture throughout our land. We undervalue not a due regard to external beauty and becoming decora- tion in the erection of a house of worship. We sym- pathize not with those whose penuriousness, though they give it a holier name, makes them content to dwell themselves in houses of cedar, whilst the ark of
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God dwelleth within curtains. Rejecting, indeed, on the one hand, a religion of attitude and show, a religion of picturesque and imposing observances, "wherein the fine arts, and the power of genius, the chisel of the sculptor, the ode of the poet, the combi- nations of instrumental music, the trillings of various voices, the stated procession, the scattered flowers, the blaze of many lights, or the costly frankincense of Arabia, are directed to excite the fancy and the passions to a pitch which lulls the conscience and draws away attention from the conduct,"-on the other hand, we as much admire the taste, the libe- rality, the sincerity, and the spirit of devotion, which find somewhat of their expression in exercises at once simple and sublime, and in a building for the worship of God, which is convenient in its arrangements, chaste in its design, neat in its furniture, and attrac- tive by its comeliness, rather than repulsive to the eye. To be satisfied that all this is true of the Church at Chambersburg, and that besides, its exterior has an impress of antiquity which throws around it a peculiar interest, it is but necessary to see it. It is at once simple, neat, and beautiful. Its elevated site, also, is a most desirable one, calling as it does, for those who worship within the sanctuary, to leave the associations and pursuits of a bustling yet fading world, and come up to the service of the Lord. The shadows which fall around it, likewise, from trees which were stand- ing when the footstep of the white man first broke the silence of the wilderness, are not without their
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deep significance ; neither is the ivy which covers its walls, as if to bear constant testimony to the truth, that with a steadiness and tenacity, which neither sunshine or storm or revolving seasons can impair, man's affections should rise above the earth, cleave to the risen Saviour, and cluster around the Church which He hath purchased with his precious blood.
There can be no doubt that the congregation at Falling Spring was for a time supplied by ministers sent from the Presbyteries of Donegal and Newcastle. But this arrangement was of short continuance, as the following extract from the minutes of a meeting of a committee of Presbytery, held at "Canigogig, 16th November, 1739, plainly shows.
"Mr. Boyd having published an edict at the door, in the hearing of both societies, Thomas Brown ap- peared, declared that if said societies are willing to have Mr. Caven ordained among them, he will make no objection against it; at the same time said Thomas Brown desired that the ground of the censure laid on him by the Presbytery be inquired into : the committee, after some discourse on said request, agree to defer the consideration of that affair until the work of or- dination be over. Richard O'Cahan, Joseph Arm- strong, Benjamin Chambers, and Patrick Jack, have 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 at Canigogig."
From this record it is evident that, in all probabi-
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lity, Mr. Thompson preceded Mr. Caven as pastor of "the people of Conococheague," the name by which the congregations of Greencastle and Falling Spring were then known. Mr. Caven resigned his pastoral -relation in 1741.
About the year 1767, the Rev. James Lang (or Long, as he was generally called) became the pastor of the church at Falling Spring for one-half his time, the other half being given to Greencastle, where he resided.
In 1792, in compliance with a " supplication" from the united congregations of Falling Spring and East Conococheague, the Rev. William Speer was "ap- pointed for six months statedly to supply them, in rotation with their present pastor, Mr. Lang; to which arrangement Mr. Lang declared his hearty consent."
In 1794, the union between the congregations of Falling Spring and East Conococheague was dis- solved, and the latter became the sole charge of Mr. Lang. At the same time Mr. Speer accepted the pastorate of Falling Spring. Mr. Speer was licensed by the Presbytery of Carlisle, June 22d, 1791, or- dained and installed pastor of Falling Spring, Oct. 8th, 1794, and his pastoral relation was dissolved in April, 1797.
After being supplied for a time by appointments of Presbytery, the congregation at Chambersburg, in the year 1800, secured the services of the Rev. David Denny, who was set over them in the Lord, and con-
13
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tinued to labour among them until 1838, when, on account of the infirmity of years, his resignation was tendered and accepted.
We transfer the following truthful sketch of the history and character of this excellent man, from the Presbytery's book of obituaries of deceased ministers.
"Died at his residence in Chambersburg, on Tues- day, the 16th of December, 1845, the Rev. David Denny, in the 78th year of his age, formerly pastor of the Falling Spring Church, in that place. To those whose sympathy or admiration is limited to terrestrial displays, the memorials of valour or political eminence address a grateful spectacle, but the mind that has learned to reverence religion, and contrast the tri- umphs of the Cross with the loftiest of mere human attainments, will turn with more delight to the sublime but less ostentatious records of Christian virtue. The modesty that distinguished the venerable servant of God who forms the subject of this notice, would have been sensibly shocked, had he known that a sketch of his retired life would be submitted to the public eye after his decease; and the feeble tribute that is now offered to his memory is not without the restraint imposed by that humble sentiment of self- approbation which he was always known to cherish.
" The Rev. David Denny was the third son of a revolutionary soldier who fell in battle, when his eldest son, contending at his side, was captured by the enemy. He graduated at Dickinson College, while Dr. Charles Nesbit was Principal of that Insti-
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tution, and under that learned and classic divine began and completed his theological studies. He was a fond admirer of his distinguished preceptor, and the writer has often heard him narrate anecdotes illustrative of his wit, learning, and accomplishments. The sources of Philosophy and Divinity at that day were neither as copious nor accessible as at present, and the acquisitions of the student were consequently earned by severer toil and application, than the fa- cilities of learning now exact. The lectures of Dr. Nesbit were delivered at a modulated rate and tone, that the members of his class might be able to reduce them to writing as they fell from his lips. The de- ceased has left in his library seven quarto volumes of these discourses, in his own handsome and legible handwriting, which form together a respectable body
of metaphysics and divinity. Whatever the present intrinsic value of these lectures may be, when the bounds of sacred and profane learning have been so much enlarged, the diligent reader will find in many pages of them, strong marks of the erudition, origi- nal thought, and classic taste of the author.
" Mr. Denny was licensed to preach about the year 1792, by the Presbytery of Carlisle, within whose bounds he remained until the close of his pastoral office. He was first installed over two congregations in Path Valley, that had lately become vacant by the death of the Rev. Mr. Dougal, where he continued until the year 1800, in the enjoyment of the esteem and affections of a much-beloved people. In the year
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last mentioned, he was transferred to the pastoral charge of the Falling Spring Church, in Chambers- burg, which he retained until the termination of his public ministrations,-a period of 38 years. That church, then in comparative infancy, was delivered over at his retirement to his estimable successor in the pastoral office, in the vigour and maturity of improving manhood. His means derived from the ministry being inadequate to the demands of a large and growing family, he was obliged to combine with it, for a series of years, the labours of a teacher of the learned lan- guages in an academy, and being a master of eco- nomy he secured that enviable maintenance midway between poverty and wealth, so desirable to the good man, and that proves at once a defence against the inconveniences of penury, and the vices of pro- fusion.
" In the year of Mr. Denny's retirement from the active duties of the sanctuary, death snatched from his side the fond partner of his pilgrimage, a lady of exalted worth, and by the same stroke broke his cheerful spirit and firm constitution. Companions also who shared his better years and pastoral inti- macy, had then dropped away one by one around him, until he was left almost alone, like the gray oak of the forest, surrounded by generations of a younger growth. He continued to languish under increasing infirmity, until repeated attacks of paralysis accele- rated his decline and deprived him of the power of articulate speech. It was not until several months
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after this trying visitation, that the mysterious hand which often chastens out of plenitude of love, called him, by a voice gentle and meek as the breathing of infant slumber, from the sorrows of his earthly state to the joyous assembly of the just. His person, cast in the finest mould for strength, activity, and propor- tion, was well adapted to the air of dignity which Nature herself had impressed upon it. His mind was of a strong and discerning order, always governed by candour and sincerity, and warmed by the love of truth. His views were expressed in the language of simplicity and earnestness, neither adorned nor ob- scured by the garnish of imagery or the flashes of rhetoric.
" In doctrine Mr. Denny was a decided Calvinist, and conscientiously attached to the standards of the Presbyterian Church. The tide of new measures that threatened, about the close of his ministerial career, the subversion of everything like rational religion in the church, was consonant neither to his judgment nor taste, but regarded rather as the offspring of Pelagian error than the fruit of evangelical repen- tance,-a decision which the overseers of the honour and purity of the Church are fast vindicating, by the substitution of a higher and more solemn test of spi- ritual improvement. Modesty and humility were in- terwoven with the very texture of his heart, and its liveliest sympathies were always in expansion for the sick, the suffering, and the desolate.
"Neither inclemency of weather nor transient ill-
13*
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ness were suffered to detain him from the exercises of the pulpit, and he enjoyed in no ordinary degree the esteem and affection of the people among whom he laboured. He was actuated in social intercourse by a manly, tolerant, and liberal spirit, and has left to all who stood in private or public relations to him, an example of many virtues with which humanity is not often adorned, which they may fail to imitate, but can never cease to admire and love."
As in addition to his active interest in other Christian enterprises, the Rev. Mr. Denny took a prominent part in the organization of " The Franklin County Bible Society." We give some account of the origin of this association .*
After Mr. Denny's withdrawment from his pulpit, the Rev. William Adam was chosen to fill it, in Sep- tember, 1839, and did so until April, 1841, when im- paired health demanded a temporary cessation of his ministerial labours.
The Rev. Daniel Mckinley was Mr. Adam's suc- cessor, and continued to be pastor of the church for nine years. At the time of his resignation Dr. Mckinley accepted a call to a congregation in the city of Pittsburg.
After being vacant for about twelve months, the congregation invited Mr. Joseph Clark, a Licentiate of the Presbytery of Carlisle, to be their stated supply for a year, and before the expiration of this time, he was unanimously called to be their pastor. Mr.
* See Appendix IV.
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Clarke was ordained and installed in June, 1852,- the Rev. Messrs. D. D. Clarke, Creigh, Morris, and Dr. McKinley, officiating on the occasion.
The Session of the Church, at present, consists of the following members :- Samuel McIlroy, David Lytle, Robert Sharp, Holmes Crawford, John Cree, and Robert Black.
As Fayetteville lies within the ancient limits of the congregation of Chambersburg, this may be the proper place to notice the church there. This congregation was organized, July, 21st, 1833. For a number of years it was favoured with preaching by the pastors of the Chambersburg church, and for a brief season, was served by Mr. Thos. K. Davis, a licentiate, but for some time it has been under the care of the Rev. James F. Kennedy, who unites with his ministerial office the charge of a flourishing classical academy in Chambersburg. The congregation is not large, but is steadily increasing. It worships in a comfor- table brick building, which stands near the centre of the village, and which is owned jointly by the Pres- byterian and the German Reformed congregations of the place.
Let us now turn to the churchyard of the congre- gation of The Falling Spring.
" A churchyard! 'tis a homely word, yet full Of feeling : and a sound which o'er the heart Might shed religion. In the gloom of graves I read the curse primeval, and the voice That wreaked it seems to whisper by these tombs Of village quiet, which around me lie In green humility. Can Life, the dead
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Among be musing, nor to God advance The spirit of her thought ? True Nature wears No rustic mourning here : in golden play Her sprightly grass-flowers wave, the random breeze Hums in the noon, or with yon froward bough A murm'ring quarrel wakes : and yet, how oft In such a haunt, the insuppressive sigh Is heard, while feelings which may pilot years To glory, spring from out a minute's gloom."
The expression of admiration is universal on the part of those who visit the Cemetery at Chambers- burg. And it is, unquestionably, one of the loveliest homes of the dead that is anywhere to be seen. Though within the precincts of the town, it is yet in a great measure hidden from the view, and pervaded by much of the solemn stillness of the country. A
wanderer among its tombs might easily imagine him- self in some lonely retreat, secluded from the world, and where none would be likely to disturb his medi- tations or see the falling tear. This beautiful place, which lies in the rear of the church, is skirted on the north by the Conococheague, whose waters flow noise- lessly along beneath a steep and high descent. In the direction of its southern extremity, and but a short distance from it, are to be heard the murmurs of the Falling Spring, as it rolls onward, soon to lose itself in the deeper stream to which it pays its tribute. The time was when this spring flowed through the grave- yard, in the deep ravine which yet divides it in a di- rection nearly north and south, but it was at an early day diverted from this channel to its present course,
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that its power might be employed for a useful and profitable purpose. That ravine is now occupied with a number of majestic trees, which have since grown up in its bosom, and its sides are thickly studded with smaller ones, and bushes of various kinds. This, in- deed, is true of the entire yard : it is nearly altogether protected in this way from the rays of the sun. The visitor at once, and with interest, observes the rich shrubbery which adorns the undulating ground on which he treads, the numerous cedars scattered through the enclosure, as if to represent the unfading recollections of the departed which are cherished in many a heart, and the refreshing shade which is spread around him by stately trees which once sheltered the redman in his slumbers after the toils of the day, and which yet maintain their vigour and freshness amid the very ravages of death. Sacred spot ! How many warm tears have gushed upon thee! How many crushed hearts have poured forth their wailings upon thy passing breeze ! How many affections hast thou seen to bleed, and how many hopes to perish ! How many loved treasures hast thou unveiled thy bosom to receive, which now rest beneath the grassy mounds which mark thy surface ! How many sad memories continually linger about thee ! How many, too, are there, among thy silent and shattered occupants, who, because they died in faith in Him who is the Resur- rection and the Life, shall catch with triumph the last trumpet's stirring sound,
"Then burst the chains in sweet surprise,
And in the Saviour's image rise !"
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CHAPTER VIII.
THE CHURCH AT SHIPPENSBURG.
SHIPPENSBURG is the oldest town, except York, west of the Susquehanna River. It was originally wholly settled by Irish. In it the courts were held when Cumberland was organized, 1750. During the French and Indian wars, two forts, Fort Morris and Fort Franklin, were erected there, the remains of one of which, were, until lately, still to be seen. Some idea of the size and condition of the place, a little more than a century ago, may be derived from the subjoined extracts from a letter, dated June 14th, 1755, to Go- vernor Morris, from Charles Swaine, who, it appears, was on a visit to the place on public business.
" I judge there are sufficient buildings for storing the provisions, without erecting any."
" I find not above two pastures here, those but mean as to grass, from drought, but there is a fine range of forage for upwards of four miles, in the woods, quite to the foot of the South Mountain. "There are no bricks here, and little lime at present, so the making ovens would be difficult, and if made of clay, then there would be some iron-work wanting."
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One of the earliest churches organized in Ship- pensburg was the Associate Reformed Presbyterian. Until this organization was effected, the Episcopal element was, perhaps, dominant in the borough, through the influence of Mr. Shippen, the proprietor, who was connected with that denomination. This church was under the care of the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, in connexion with the Associate Reformed Synod. For a number of years the Rev. Mr. Walker was its pastor. After his separation from it, the pulpit was filled, for about eighteen months, by the Rev. Mr. Strong, now of New York. In 1823, the Rev. Henry R. Wilson was called, with the permission of the Presbytery, to take charge of the congregation. Mr. Wilson con- tinued in connexion with that body until 1825, when it was dissolved, and he was received by the Presby- tery of Carlisle. Mr. Wilson continued to be pastor of this church until 1839. The following sketch of the history and character of this useful servant of the Lord, is an abridgment of his obituary, as pub- lished in the "Presbyterian," June 14, 1849.
" The Rev. Henry R. Wilson, D.D., was born in the neighbourhood of Gettysburg, Adams County, Pa., on the 7th of August, 1780. He was graduated at Dickinson College, Carlisle, whilst the venerable Charles Nesbit presided over that Institution, in the days of its prosperity. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Carlisle in 1801.
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