USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Newville > History of the Big Spring Presbyterian Church, Newville, Pa. : 1737-1898 > Part 2
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Probably owing to the distracted condition of the country resulting from the Indian troubles a successor to Rev. John Blair was not called until 1759. In that year the congregations of Carlisle and Big Spring united in a call to the Rev. George Duffield, D. D., but he was not installed until the third Wednesday of September, 1759. According to the terms of his call, one third of his time was to be given to Big Spring and two thirds to Carlisle. In 1761, an effort was made by the Big Spring congregation to obtain the one half of Mr. Duf- field's labors. To this, the congregation of Carlisle objected and gave notice by commissioners that if Pres- bytery would not allow them the two thirds of his time they would at the next meeting make application for all his time. At the next meeting of Presbytery after con- sidering the claims of each party it was decided in view of Mr. Duffield not being physically able to endure the fatigue of giving one-half his time to Big Spring, that he should give one third of his time to Big Spring and two thirds to Carlisle as agreed upon when the call was made out, and that the salary should be in the same proportion. This arrangement continued until 1769 when Mr. Duffield's relation to Big Spring was dissolved on account of the salary promised, having been allowed to fall in arrears.
15
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
PASTORATE OF REV. WILLIAM LINN, D. D.
The successor of Rev. Dr. Duffield as pastor of the Big Spring congregation was the Rev. William Linn. He received a call from this congregation April 9, 1777, and was installed October 3, 1777. The congregation at this time seems to have increased sufficiently to justify them in securing the services of a pastor for themselves alone. Mr. Linn remained as pastor of the congrega- tion until 1784 when he resigned to become Principal of Washington Academy, in Somerset County, Md. The relations of Mr. Linn and the Big Spring congregation seem to have been very pleasant. In letters in my poss- ession written by him to his friend John Heap then liv- ing in Baltimore he expresses much affection for his late parishioners the congregation of Big Spring. In one of these letters written from Washington Academy June 28, 1785, he gives the impression that the congregation of Big Spring recalled him to become their pastor. We quote from it as follows "The invitation from Big Spring is singular and unexpected, and lays me under additional obligations to that people. I would fain enough, if it was prudent and consistent with duty, re- turn to my old walks and old field. I have not refused the invitation from Big Spring, nor have I greatly en- couraged it. The same line I have persued as to pros- peets held out from Elizabethtown. I am really un- determined and know not what to do. Big Spring is most eligible because most obscure and retired." We regret very much that a very careful search has failed to reveal a record of the ministerial acts of Dr. Linn or either of his predecessors.
16
THE BIG SPRING
THE PASTORATE OF REV. SAMUEL WILSON.
After the resignation of Rev. William Linn there was a vacancy of three years in the Big Spring Church. Just why the pulpit was vacant for so long a time we are unable to state, but we know that efforts were made to secure a pastor. On the 21st of March, 1786, a call was extended to the Rev. Samuel Wilson. The call was accepted and Mr. Wilson was installed June 20, 1787. His pastorate was one of activity and prosperity for the congregation. The different departments of church work were well organized and good results followed. Many accessions were made to the church, a new church building was erected, and the Borough of Newville laid out on the church lands. Mr. Wilson was pains-taking and accurate in keeping a record of his church work, and fortunately the records have been preserved although hidden in a garret for a century, and just brought to light. These records we are glad to give as they are valuable not only to the church but to the community. Mr. Wilson after a faithful ministry of almost thirteen years elosed his life as pastor of the congregation, Mar. 4th, 1799.
CALL EXTENDED TO REV. SAMUEL WILSON.
"We, the subscribers of this paper, members of the Presbyterian Congregation of Big Spring, taking into consideration that we have been for a considerable time without a gospel minister, by the removal of the Rev. Mr. William Linn, our late worthy pastor, and being satisfied with the piety, learning, character and minister-
THE GRAVE OF REV. SAMUEL WILSON
19
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.
ial qualifications of Mr. Samuel Wilson, preacher of the gospel, of whom we have had trial by his preaching among us, do hereby invite, call and entreat you, the said Samuel Wilson, to become our minister, and to take charge and oversight of our souls in the Lord. We promise you all due obedience in the Lord, and that we will attend the divine ordinances, administered by you, and submit to your discipline according to the rules of our Society, and we entreat the Reverend Presbytery of Donegal, to take the said Mr. Samuel Wilson on trial for the holy ministry, and on his being found qualified, to ordain him as a minister. In witness whereof we have subscribed this paper at Big Spring, this twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and eighty-six."
John McKeehan. John Reid.
Samuel McCormick.
John Hodge, Sr.
Hugh Laughlin.
William Duncan.
David Ralston.
James Irwine.
Robert Patterson.
John Brown.
John Bell.
John O'Neal.
S. Cunningham.
William Douglass.
James Graham.
Alexander Officer.
Hugh Patton.
James Officer.
Margaret MeKcan.
Thomas Espey.
Jno. Ewing.
James Gillespie.
Solomon Lightcap. William Giffon.
Samuel Hawthorn.
James Robinston.
Robert Bovard.
Alexander Leckey.
William Hodge.
John MeFarland.
Charles Leiper.
Richard Woods.
Wm. McFarlane.
James Johnson.
20
THE BIG SPRING
Robert Bell.
Samuel Lindsay.
Alex. Laughlin.
Sam'l. Finley. Samuel Blair.
Matthew Wilson. William Lindsay. John Whiten, Jr. Elizabeth Mccullough.
Thomas Jacob.
Thomas Buchanan.
Thomas Grier.
Joseph Mckibben.
Ann Browster.
John Allison.
· John Lusk.
John Bell.
David Lusk.
Jos. Pollock.
William Lusk.
Jas. Laughlin.
Alexander McBride, Jr. William Milligan.
Atchison Laughlin.
Agnes Irwine.
John Mitchell.
William Hunter.
Samuel Mathers.
William Walker.
William Wilson.
Robert Walker.
Francis Donald.
Robert Patterson.
James McQuon.
James Turner.
James Wilson.
Adam Bratton.
George Little.
Joseph Walker. William Hunter.
Jarmon Jacobs. John Davidson.
James Huston. Catherine Brown.
Alexander Thompson.
Margaret McClure.
Robert Shannon.
Joseph Parks.
James Armstrong. Jared Graham.
William McCracken.
Margaret McFarland.
SUBSCRIBERS TO THE SALARY OF REV. SAMUEL WILSON.
"Big Spring, Cumberland Co. Pa., March 21, 1786. We, the subscribers of this paper and members of
Robert Hutchison.
John Brown.
21
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
the Presbyterian Congregation of Big Spring, do here- by bind and oblige ourselves to pay annually to Mr. Samuel Wilson, preacher of the gospel, on his being or- dained to be our minister, and while he shall discharge the duties of the said office, the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds, Pennsylvania Currency in specie. We will also allow him the use of the house and glebe possessed by our former minister, with sufficient security for the payment of the above sum during his ineum- bency."
£.
s. d.
Alexander Laughlin,
1 10
John Davidson,
1 15
Robert Shannon,
1
5
David Williamson,
1 10
Thomas Buchanan,
1
5
Alexander Thompson,
1
10
James Jack,
1
5
William Denning,
1
Andrew Bell,
1 10
John Allison,
15
Robert Patterson,
1
10
David Ralston,
1 10
John McKeehan,
1
5
Hugh Laughlin,
1
10
John Bell,
1
Jeremiah Mckibben,
1
James Graham,
1 10
Joseph Parks,
1
Charles Luper,
1
15
George McKeehan,
1 5
Hugh Patton,
1 10
22
THE BIG SPRING
£.
S.
d.
Margaret Mckean,
10
William Giffin,
15
William Hodge,
1
5
Alexander McKeehan,
1
William McCracken,
1
10
William McFarlane,
1
10
Samuel McCormick,
1
5
William Laughlin,
1
15
Thomas Jacob,
1
Andrew Walker,
15
Rannuel Blair,
1
3
Samuel Findley,
1
10
S. Cunningham,
1
Jno. Ewing,
1
Robert Bovard,
10
Hannah Bovard,
10
Solomon Lightcap,
1
5
Jas. Pollock,
1
Jas. Laughlin,
1
10
Atchison Laughlin,
1
Robert Hutchison,
1
John Mitchell,
7 6
Samuel Mathers,
1
5
Jarmon Jacobs,
1
John Reed,
15
John Hodge, Sr.
5
William Duncan,
8 6
James Irvine,
3
John Brown,
2
MEMBERS RECEIVED INTO THE BIG SPRING PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH BY THE REV. SAMUEL WILSON.
23
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This list is not complete as it does not begin until four years after he was installed pastor of the church.
JUNE 1791.
Samuel Anderson and William McNicholas admitted from Ireland.
· Isaac Shannon.
Alexander Glenn.
. Jean Shannon.
Jean Glenn. John Laughlin.
Margaret McFarlane.
Jennie Adams.
Margaret Carson.
John Connelly.
Ann Espey. Ruth Hamilton.
SEP. 29, 1791.
Martha Ewing. Samuel Fenton.
Mary Morrison.
Katherine Jacob.
John Parks.
William Porterfield.
Eleanor Reid.
Mary Walker.
John Boyd.
Robert Morrison.
Jean Ewing. Ann Fenton.
John Reid. John Adams.
MAY 23, 1792.
Joseph Gourd. Isabel Anderson.
Mary Laughlin.
David Officer.
Robert Officer. Margaret Gourd.
John Anderson. Mary Mathers.
OCT. 18, 1792.
F. Work.
Jennie Hannon.
Robert Sterrit. Mrs. Sterrit, his wife. A. Elliott. James Fenton.
Hugh Bryson.
Daughter of John Purdy.
Hannah Carson. Mary Laughlin.
MAY 29, 1793.
Gabriel McKimins.
John Carson, Jr.
Thomas Glenn.
24
THE BIG SPRING
Rosanna McFarlane.
Peggy Johnson.
John Patton. Hezekiah Patton.
OCT. 19, 1793.
Sidney Forhner.
Betsy McKeehan.
Samuel Moyer and wife.
Martha Gillespie.
Elizabeth Martin.
Daughter of W. Ewing.
Betsy McFarlane.
Katherine Forhner.
Nathaniel Gillespie.
Jennie Johnson.
Rosanna Work.
Alexander Work.
MAY
Robert Gillespie.
George Gillespie.
Thomas Jacob.
Elizabeth Jacob.
M. Thompson.
Mary Johnson.
Samuel Bryson. Sarah McEntire.
Mary Wilson. James Patton.
Joseph McCormick. McGoffine.
Saml. Emit.
Robert Johnson.
Jolın Shannon.
Major Finley. Polly Finley.
SEPT. 30, 1794. James Moor.
Matthew Laughlin. Phebe Laughlin.
Martha Adams.
Priscilla Forhner.
Rob. Kilgore and wife.
Mary Forhner. Jean Blain.
James McGoffine.
MAY 20, 1795.
Thomas Morton and wife, Joseph Morton and wife,
1794. Mary Shannon. Margaret Shannon. Joseph Shannon. Jane Mckinsey. Mary Shannon.
Eliz. Sterrit.
Thomas McCormick.
James Lindsey and wife.
Jane McCormick.
Jared Martin, Jr.
25
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Miss Ramsey, James Purdy.
OCT. 20, 1795.
Mary Pollock, Ruth Cook, Nancy Hughs, wife of Alex. Glenn.
JUNE 8, 1796.
Mary Green. John Davidson. Elizabeth Davidson.
Adam Wilson.
Andrew Taylor.
Elizabeth Geddes.
Hugh Thompson.
Dr. John Geddes.
Samuel Thompson.
Nancy Roberts.
Margaret McKeehan. Sam. Lightcap and wife. Obadiah Patterson and wife.
Elizabeth Espy.
OCT. 1796.
Betsy Work. Susanna Work.
Tamar Williamson.
Nancy Shannon.
Nancy Brown.
Daniel McGuire.
Alexander Thompson.
Theo. McClure.
Leary McCormick.
Ginny Bell.
Peggy Thompson.
Susanna Hutchison.
David Williamson. Martha Hutchison.
JUNE 14, 1797.
Elizabeth Johnson. Samuel McElheny.
ОСТ. 25, 1797.
Mrs. Isaiah Graham. Jenny Eliot.
AUG. 29, 1798.
James Montgomery. Mrs. Bryson.
Wm. Connely and wife. John Green. Sally Green. Mary Ramsey. John Peeples and wife. Nancy Douglas.
Elizabeth Espey.
Robt. Peeples and wife. Isaiah Graham.
26
THE BIG SPRING
A PETITION FOR THE ELECTION OF AN ELDER.
"To the Rev. Samuel Wilson and the session of the Big Spring Congregation.
The humble petition of the subscribers showeth that in consequence of the death of Mr. John Lusk, elder of this quarter, we were, and still continue to be in want of such a guardian to preside over us as a ruling elder. We therefore petition your honors to grant us your con- sent to nominate and appoint one of our number for our elder. And in consequence of our return of an elder your wisdoms will be pleased to confirm our choice, if no legal objections appear to hinder. And your pe- titioners as in duty will ever pray &e.
James Ramsey.
William Browster.
Nathan Ramsey.
John Huston.
Thomas Woods.
Thomas Norton.
Andrew Huston.
Archibald Mccullough.
Samuel Woods. Joseph Turner.
William Woods, Jr.
John Turner.
Alexander McBride, Jr.
William Roan.
William Gladen.
Nathaniel Eckels.
Andrew Browster.
William Lusk."
"To The Rev. Mr. Wilson :-- Reverend Sir,
I enclose you the petition of the Southern part of the Big Spring Congregation, with a desire that they should be heard, and if so it will be convenient for the quarter to meet at the house of Mr. James Ramsey to have the election, and the sooner the better with conveniency. This from your sincere friend, Alexander McBride, Jr. Dec. 10, 1789."
27
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
PROCEEDINGS OF A MEETING OF SESSION.
" The session of the Big Spring Congregation serious- ly affected on the one hand with the declining state of religion, the decay of real piety, and on the other with the prevalence of vice and profanity, view it as a matter truly distressing the many professors of Christ's holy re- ligion who attend upon the distinguishing ordinances of his church manifest such a disposition to encourage balls and other criminal amusements. Also that they allow themselves in drunkenness, in the profanation of God's name, in various species of gambling, a neglect of family worship, as well as attending upon the public means of grace, and notwithstanding live in the belief that they have a continued right to the sealing ordinances of the church and are offended if these are refused to them. Session, very sensible that there is a fault in such conduct, and not desirous to clear them- selves, afraid that a charge of unfaithfulness to God and the souls of men should justly fall on them lest they partake in the sins of others, unanimously agree to en- deavor a reformation in these things. They know well that wherever the fault may lie it is not in the discipline of the church which makes all the errors enumerated censurable, but rather in a lack of discipline among ourselves. In order to a reform, they are assured that some change must take place with respect to the mode of admission. They have no doubt that the evil in many cases may be traced to a delicacy in members with persons applying on the Sabbath for the baptism of children. If reports have been in circulation unfavor- able to Christian character, there is then little time or
28
THE BIG SPRING
opportunity to inquire into them, and it has been feared that if persons were then kept back, offense would be taken, and no doubt reports are sometimes groundless. To prevent then the growing evil and the prostitution of holy ordinances, the members of session respectively engage that they will use every lawful means which be- longs to their office in order to a knowledge of those who are members of their own district, that they will not recommend any one chargeable with any of the glaring crimes above taken notice of. It is unanimously agreed in session that in the future that any persons who have in view to attend upon the ordinances of baptism some time before, signify their intention to the member of session in the district in which he lives, or if there be no member of session in the district, the one most convenient, so that the member previous to his recommending him may have an opportunity of con- versing with him before he recommends him, and that the blessing of God may succeed this attempt for the re- formation of this society, upon whose account it is essay- ed, is the earnest prayer of the respective members."
MEMBERS AND
. ADHERENTS OF THE BIG SPRING
CHURCH, 1789.
About 1789 Rev. Samuel Wilson made lists of mem- bers and adherents of the church dividing them into districts, and over each district, an elder was placed. The lists give the ages of the persons, and states whether they were in communion, not in communion, and whether they were baptized. The communicant members of the church are shown in these lists by a
29
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
star following a name. There is no date at- tached to the lists, but comparing the ages given of persons whose ages we positively know, we feel quite safe in saying, the lists were made in 1789. Dating back from that time, the number of years given to each person, will give about the year in which they were born.
One of the duties of the elder, was, to visit the people and catechise them. Questions having been previously prepared by the pastor and given to the members to com- mit to memory, or, at least to obtain a correct under- standing of them. These visitations of the elder were made annually.
JOHN CARSON'S DISTRICT.
QUESTIONS AND MEMBERS.
1. Who was the penman of the Book of Genesis? When is it generally thought to have been written, and what length of time does that history contain ?
2. What are the principal doctrines and events recorded in this book ?
3. What do you understand by creation, and is it a work peculiar to God only ?
4. What seems to be the order of creation, and what was the work of each day ?
5. What are those called who do not acknowledge divine revelation ? What objections do they offer against Moses and his writings, and how are their argu- ments confuted ?
6. What rational arguments can be offered in favor of Moses, that his mission was from God and that his writings were of divine inspiration ?
7. What scripture prophesies have been fulfilled and what are at present fulfilling or yet to be fulfilled ?
M
30
THE BIG SPRING
These with the ninth chapter of the Confession of Faith to be examined upon.
Robert Mickie
68, *
Mary McGuffine
7,
Agnes Mickie
64, *
Robert McGuffine
4,
David Mickie
22,
William Leman
Elenor Mickie
20,
Samuel Leman
7,
Hannah Mickie 18,
Martha Leman 29, *
Phillis, a negro.
William Leman 5,
Thomas E. Fullerton 21,
James Johnston 23,
Isabel Fullerton 18,
Margaret Johnston
22,
John Ackman 30,
Robert Johnston
20, *
Mary Ackman 28,
William Auld 30,
Elenor Laughlin
70,*
Christiana Auld 25,
7,
Paul Laughlin 27,
Martha Ewing 70,
Doctor Laughlin 24, Samuel Findlay 35,
Peggy McCune 17,
James Denny
21,
Samuel McCune 16,
William McCracken 35,
John McCune 12,
Elizabeth MeCracken
William M. Flin 7, Betsy Peoples 16,
Isabel McCune 50, *
Robert Peoples 14,
Robert McCune 17,
Martha McCracken 9,
Rebecca Parks 13, Jenny McCracken 7,
William Parks 11,
Jonathan, a Negro,
David Parks 9,
Prudence Farhner 19,
Priscilla Carson 35, *
Robert Mickie 45,
Elisha Carson 20,
Isamiah Mickie 35,
John Carson 18,
Andrew Mickie 12,
Hannah Carson 16,
Mary Mickie 10,
Joseph McGuffine 32,
Thomas Mickie 7,
Jane McGuffine 27, * John Smith 20,
William McGuffine 9, Jonathan Kilgore
27,
Matthew Laughlin
30,
Mary Auld
31
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Ruth Kilgore 22,
John Caldwell 20, *
John Caldwell a mem-
Elizabeth Caldwell
ber of session.
Samuel Caldwell 14,
Anne Caldwell
45, *
Ann Caldwell
12,
James Caldwell
Families,
24.
.
Persons in full Communion, 14.
WILLIAM LINDSAY'S DISTRICT. QUESTIONS AND MEMBERS.
1. What are the different kinds of faith taken no- tice of in the scripture ?
2. What are the marks by which true faith is dis- tinguished from all other kinds ?
3. Whither does saving faith lie in assent or con- sent ?
4. What reason would you assign why no actions are acceptable to God, but such as flow from faith ?
5. Will it then follow, that wicked and unregenerate persons, may as well transgress the law of God, as en- deavor the observance of it ?
6. Must we turn from sin in order to come to Christ by faith ?
7. Seeing faith is the act of the believing soul, in what sense then, is it said to be the gift of God ?
These, with the eighth chapter of the Confession of Faith, to be examined upon at John Woods' Wednes- day, Dec. 30th.
William Hunter 60, * David Shannon 55, *
Jane Hunter 60, * Sarah Shannon 47, *
John MeIntire
Lenard Shannon 21, Sally MeIntire 18, Samuel Shannon 19, Joseph Hunter 14, Patty Cowley 8,
32
THE BIG SPRING
William Warrington 9, Rachel Mills
24, *
William Walker 50, *
Gabriel Glen 50,
Jane Walker 50, *
William Glen 9,
Elizabeth Walker 25,
Jenny Glen
7,
James Walker 19,
Jared Graham 24,
William Walker
18, Jenny Graham
20,
Rachel Walker 16, John Brown 55, *
Jane Walker 15,
Martha Brown
50, *
Samuel Walker 10, Mary Brown
20, *
Joseph Walker 45,
John Brown
18,
Rachel Walker
40, *
William Brown
15,
Mary Walker 18,
Agnes Brown 16,
Elizabeth Walker
16,
James Brown 11,
Jane Walker 12, James McGovern
35,
Isabel Walker 9,
Ann McGovern
20,
Hannah Walker 7, Mary McGovern
8,
James Walker 6, Francis Donnel
Andrew Walker 40,
George Lightel
Mary Walker 38,
Sarah Lightel
James Walker 18, *
William Hunter
50, **
Joseph Walker 11,
Jane Hunter
50, *
Betsy Walker
7,
Agnes Hunter
17,
Robert Walker
56,
William Hunter 15,
Margaret Walker 50,
Lathie Hunter 13,
Mary Walker 19,
Jane Hunter 11,
John Walker 17,
Lathie Wilson
Elizabeth Walker 14, John McTeer 23, *
Margaret Walker 8, Agnes McTeer
20, *
Robert Walker 6, Adam Brattan
35,
Gabriel Glen
55, * Martha Brattan 9,
Jane Glen
40, * John Gilmore
-
Jane Walker 9,
James Hunter 17,
33
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
William Wilson 60, * David Ewing 24, *
Mary Wilson 59, * Elizabeth Ewing 22,
Samuel Wilson 25, James Graham 60.
Mary Wilson 20,
Susannah Graham 45,
Margaret Sayers 17,
Thomas Graham 21,
James Wilson 27,
Arthur Graham 19,
Margaret Wilson 22, *
Isaiah Graham 18,
William Giffin 35, : James Graham
14,
Elenor Giffin 30,
Elizabeth Moor 18,
Betsy Giffin 11,
Margaret Moor 12,
Sally Giffin
Robert Boyd 16,
Joseph Pollock 30,
Margaret McFarlane 55,
Mary Pollock 28,
Robert McFarlane 22,
Thomas Jacob 30, Ann McFarlane 19,
Elizabeth Jacob 27,
Mary McFarlane 16,
Elenor Jacob 12,
Elizabeth McFarlane 13,
Mary Jacob
9,
Hannah McFarlane 10,
William Patton
25,
William Brisby 40, *
Mary Patton 25,
Sarah Brisby
35, *
William Ferguson
Nancy Brisby 13,
William Patton
SO,
William Brisby 10
John Patton 30,
Elizabeth Wilson 70, 1
William Patton 27.
Matthew Wilson 28,
Margaret Patton 25,
Prudence Penwell 16,
William Devinport 23,
Joseph Edmonston 25,
Robert Patton 12,
Agnes Edmonston 22,
Samuel Bayle 30,
Adam Conelly 17,
Martha Bayle 25, James McFarlane 27,
Horace Brattan 17, Elizabeth McFarlane 23,
Anne Brattan
15,
Ceasar and Dick,
James Marshbank 25,
Betsy Brisby 12.
Janet Patton 78, *
John Brisby 8,
34
THE BIG SPRING
James Johnson 30, *
Joseph Woods 14,
Martha Johnson
28, *
Adam Hays
86,
Peggy Johnson
10,
Joseph Hays 23,
Jenny Johnson
6, Anne Hays 18,
Samuel Lindsy
60, *
John Green
16,
Nancy Lindsy
55,
Nancy Allen
13,
Samuel Lindsy
Patrick Gibson
Robert Lindsy
Martha Gibson
Jenny Lindsy 20,
James Connelly 22,
Nancy Lindsy
16,
William Connelly
20,
William Lindsy 27,
Elizabeth Connelly 18,
Jane Lindsy
Charity Connelly 17,
Robert Huston 50,
Joseph Means 26,
Martha Huston
50,
Nancy Means 2, *
Nancy Huston 20, John McFarlane 60,
Peggy Huston 18,
Elizabeth McFarlane 50,
John Espy 20,
Sarah McFarlane 20;
William Clark 24,
James McFarlane 16,
John Love 27, Robert McFarlane 14,
Margaret Love 25, Andrew McFarlane 14,
30, James Love 25, Thomas Buchanan. Thomas Love 22, Agnes Buchanan 28,
William Clark 67,
Robert Buchanan 8,
Agnes Clark
William Buchannan 6,
John Clark 13, Jenny McClellan 14,
John Woods 80, William McFarlane 56,
Jane Woods 80, Elizabeth McFarlane 50,
Richard Woods 27, David Murray 22,
Isabel Woods
35, Anne McClellan 16,
Robert Woods 25, James Hall 9,
Polly Woods 18,
Families,
44.
THE BIG SPRING, NORTHEAST OF THE CHURCH, AT THE OLD LAUGHLIN MILL
37
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. .
JOHN BELL'S DISTRICT.
QUESTIONS AND MEMBERS.
1. What do you understand by creation? Is it a work peculiar to God ?
2. How will you prove from scripture and reason, in opposition to Aristotle and others, that the world is not eternal ?
3. How will you prove both from scripture and reason, that the world neither came by chance, nor yet made itself ?
4. How will you defend the Mosaic account, which asserts, that the world has not existed 6000 years, against ancient history, which tells us of Egyptian records for more than thirteen thousand years, and the Babylo- nians, speak of things done four hundred and seventy thousand years before, and the Chinese tell of things, still longer done.
The third chapter of the Confession of Faith also to be examined upon.
Elleanor Gillespie 67,
Geo. Gillespie (absent)25,
James Gorly 7,
James Johnston 5,
Sal, a negro,
James Gillespie 38,
Robert Dunbar
Jane Gillespie 30,
Samuel Wilson 26,
William Gillespie 7, Samuel Hawthorn 32,
Mat. M. Gillespie 5, Margaret Hawthorn 28,
John Talbart 10, James Hawthorn 9,
Rebecca Armstrong 50 George Kelsy 60,
James Johnston 78, * Elizabeth Kelsy 28,
James Johnston 38, * Jane Kelsy 20,
Alexander Johnston 16, George Kelsy 22,
Mary Johnston 14,
John Johnston, 10,
Jane Johnston 8,
38
THE BIG SPRING
Elizabeth Bell
52,
Jennet McClure 25,
Katharine Brown
50,
Hannah Anderson
23,
Robert Bell
24, * Margaret McClure 19,
Jane Bell
22,
Andrew McClure 21,
William Bell
24,
James Laird
34, *
Joseph Bell
17,
Jane Laird
24,
George Bell
15,
Joseph Halbert
20,
John Bell
13,
John O'Neil
40,
Thomas Bell
12,
Thomas Espey
50, *
Katharine Bell
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