USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Middle Spring > History of the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church, Middle Spring, Pa., 1738-1900 > Part 2
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The Presbytery of Donegal met at Chanceford, June 18, 1765. A call was brought in from the congregation of Middle Spring, to Robert Cooper, a probationer, and a supplication to Presbytery, praying them to present said call. Messrs. Campbell and Benjamin Blythe, Commissioners from Middle Spring, informed Presby- tery that for Mr. Cooper's support the congregation "will make good to him the sum of one hundred pounds per annum, ($250.00.)"
At Marsh Creek, Oct. 7, 1765, MI. Cooper accepted
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this call, and ordination exercises were appointed him at a meeting of Presbytery at Middle Spring, Nov. 21, 1765. No objections having been presented against Mr. Cooper being ordained and installed pastor of the church, Presbytery concluded to proceed thereto, and accordingly, after Mr. Bay had preached a sermon on 1 Corinthians, 9: 16, "Woe unto me if I preach not the Gospel," and after the engagements taken in due form, Mr. Cooper was solemnly ordained to the gospel minis- try with fasting and prayer, and the interposition of hands of the Presbytery, and installed as pastor of the congregation.
In this, his first and only field, he labored as pastor over thirty-one years, although the inscription on his tomb stone gives a longer period. This is because he continued to live in the bounds of the congregation nine years after his resignation, during most of which time the church was vacant and he acted as pastor.
In the autumn of 1796, at a meeting of Presbytery at Middle Spring, Dr. Cooper resigned the charge of this church. The Presbytery deferred action, until the fol- lowing spring, hoping that the strange brooding melan- choly, which at this time overwhelmed his mind in gloom, occasioned by a dropsical habit, might pass away; but at the spring meeting of Presbytery, held April 12, 1797, Mr. Cooper, renewed his application and the congregation through his commissioners, Benjamin Blythe and Col. Robert Peebles, reluctantly concurring, the relation was dissolved, the congregation agreeing to pay his full salary and besides deal generously with him.
As pastor 'of this church, he performed his labor,
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with great fidelity, usefulness and success. The con- gregation prospered greatly under his ministry, and at- tained at its close, great size. He watched over his flock, over which the Holy Ghost had made him over- seer, with uncommon solicitude and care, as a father over his child. He, pastorially, as well as socially, vis- ited systematically, his large field again and again, and was usually accompanied in this work by his faithful and loyal wife. He took special interest in, and pains to catechise the young. In his social intercourse with his people, he was remarkably free and jocose, and be- ing the happy possessor of an abundance of Irish wit and humor, his visits were prized at every house and around every festive board in his congregation. He was blessed to an unusual degree with the unwavering affection of his people, to the close of his life. He liv- ed and owned the farm a short distance south of New- burg. This farm he purchased of John Trimble, on the 7th of June, 1776, and then contained two hun- (red and seven acres and seventy-four perches. The stone end of the farm house, adjacent to the road, is said to have been built by the congregation for him.
His personal appearance was not prepossessing; of medium stature, of five feet ten inches, of a thin, spare habit; his face, except when animated, wore a sad mel- ancholy aspect, in the latter years of his life. He al- ways wore a large wig. Often in the warmer weather, he would take off his wig, hang it upon the wall imme- (liately behind him, lay aside any outer apparel which would trammel his delivery, and with all possible ear- nestness, press home the truth upon his hearers. It was customary, during the greater portion of his ministry
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to give out one line of the Psalm at a time; afterwards, the leader of the singing being urgent, two lines were given out. When the Psalm books were introduced, quite a serious difficulty sprang up in the congregation, which lasted more than one year. Some of the "pious old folks" contended as they could not read the Psalms very well, they might commit a sin, whereas, when Dr. Cooper read for them, they knew it was right.
More than one amusing anecdote has been rescued from the oblivion of the past, which incidentally throws not a little light upon the history of the day of Dr. Cooper. One is here given .- He had the custom of calling the roll of the church members every Sabbath morning, and noted the absentees, whom he visited the following week. He also required his members to sing a Psalm each Sabbath morning, going regularly through the book. Now on communion Sabbath-solemn days were those-David Herron's name was called, (he was one of the most regular, reliable and godly members of Dr. Cooper's session, ) but there was no response. Amazed, the Dr. stood in silence. The clerk rose at his desk and called again, David Herron ! No answer. Early the next morning, the Dr. was seen trotting briskly up the creek; he was hailed by Capt. Hugh Brady, Capt. Strain, Archie Cambridge, as he passed in turn their houses, but there was no stopping him: on he went until he reached the house of Mr. Herron, and passed rapidly in, and meeting Mr. H., said, in his un- varnished way, "not at church yesterday, what is your excuse ? "Well Doctor," said Mr. H., "you know your rules. Yesterday morning I got up a little earlier than usual; ate a little breakfast, read a short chapter, then
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we kneeled and said a short prayer, and I commenced with the family to sing a Psalm, the one in course being the 119th. I could not violate your rules; I could not pass over it: I did my best but was not able to finish it until in the afternoon." Hereupon the Dr. arose, ad- justing his wig, and placing his hand upon the shoulder of his faithful elder, said: "David, your excuse is a good one. I am perfectly satisfied," and then rode home.
From the end of Dr. Cooper's ministry in this church, until the commencement of Mr. Moody's, there was a period of six years, during which the Middle Spring church was supplied by members of the Carlisle Presby- tery.
By appointment of Presbytery, Mr. Moody first preached at Middle Spring, on the fifth Sabbath of November, 1801. On the 12th of April, 1803, a call was presented to the Carlisle Presbytery, by this church for the pastoral services of Rev. John Moody, promis- ing him the sum of £175. Mr. Moody accepted this call, and arrangments for his ordination and installation were at once made. He was appointed to prepare a ser- mon on Rom. 13:10, and Presbytery adjourned to meet at Middle Spring, on the first Tuesday of October, 1803, when after his examinations were approved, Rev. Josh- na Williams, D. D., preached the sermon and Rey. Dr. Robert Cathcart, gave the charge to the pastor. He was solemnly set apart to the gospel ministry by prayer and the interposition of hands of the Presbytery and in- stalled over the church. He resigned the charge at the spring meeting of Presbytery, April 1854.
During the history of this long but quiet, harmonious ministry, little of striking interest has fallen under
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observation to be recorded. In the year 1806, difficul- ties sprang up between Dr. Moody and many of the people on the subject of baptism, which found their way into Presbytery. It would seem that Dr. Moody had been rather strenuous on the subject of baptismal vows.
It was during his ministry in 1833, the Presbyterian churches of Newburg and Roxbury, were organized by persons who had become more or less alienated from Dr. Moody and the people of Middle Spring Church. The causes of their temporary organization, were these: Ist, -The effects of the revival in the Middle Spring church in 1832, caused by the preaching of Duffield and others. 2 .- The attempted introduction of Watts' Psalms and Hymns into the church. 3 .- Prayer meetings. Mr. Moody held that leading in prayer by laymen, engendered spiritual pride. 4 .- Mr. Moody's neutral position on the temperance question, which was then very prominent, Other minor family matters also entered in. This organization had an up and down existence for about 12 years, when it died out, and the remaining members of it, returned to the old fold. During this period, Rev. Joseph McKee, was called April 11, 1838, by this organization, but was never in- stalled. On Oct. 1, 1839, Rev. Geo. D. Porter was called and installed over this field. He resigned April 13, 1843. He was the only settled pastor of the New- burg and Roxbury churches. It was during his min- istry, that the Presbyterian Church of Shippensburg, was organized,-a necessary outgrowth of Middle Spring.
In the earlier part of Mr. Moody's ministry, many of the families of the church, living in Shippensburg,
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desired a portion of his service. This was never coun- tenanced by a majority of the people, and was never granted. They then, after the removal of Rev. Mr. Walker, pastor of the Associate reformed Church of Shippensburg, sought a union with that church, with the understanding that all parties assist in the remodel- ing of the house, and in supporting a minister, who was to be selected either from the Presbyterian or asso- ciate Reformed church, according to the leadings of Providence.
Under this arrangement, the Rev. H. R. Wilson was called in 1823, and the following families left this church: D. Henderson, Maj. Joseph Mckinney, Geo. McGinnis, D. Nevin, Wm. Snodgrass, John McClay, the Cochrans, the Rippies. B. Reynolds, S. Sturgeon, J. Criswell, George Hamil, David Mahan, and others. Rev. H. R. Wilson was succeeded by Revs. Dr. Har- per, W. W. Taylor and W. A. McCarrell.
Dr. Moody presented a fine personal appearance, ful- ly six feet in height, with a weight of over two hun- dred pounds, of fair complexion. During the warm weather of the summer season, he would, while in the pulpit, wear a long, loose gingham gown. One who sat under the sound of his voice for twenty years, uttered these three striking sentences: "I never saw him excited; I never saw him preach in the Middle Spring Church, without the use of his manuscript; I never saw him lift his hand to make a gesture." He was remarkably order- ly in all his work. His marriage, communicant and baptismal ceremonies, were models of neatness and scru- pulous care. His brief funeral addresses were always to the living. His sermons, though delivered in a slug-
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gish manner, were full of pith and instruction to the hearer.
The last public act of Dr. Moody was attempting to hold a short prayer meeting during a communion season in Middle Spring church, but through frailty of mind, he was unable to properly conduct it. His last official act in the congregation and his five hundred and ninety- fourth wedding, was to officiate at the marriage of Mr. William Ker, of the Big Spring congregation and Miss Elizabeth Orr.
Dr. Moody resigned the pastoral charge of the Mid- dle Spring church, June 11, 1854. It was his desire for the congregation to take immediate steps to secure a successor. In accordance with this wish they invited and heard a number of candidates, and with one voice chose Rev. I. N. Hays as pastor. On June 13, 1854, Mr. Hays was installed pastor of this church, having previously been released from the charge of the Great Conewago church, Adams county, Pa. Here he contin- ued his labors fourteen years and five months. This church at that time presented a wide field for usefulness. The field was white to the harvest. The results of fifty years' sowing were to be reaped. The church was in pressing need of an earnest, laborious, practical self- adapting man, and in the providence of God, as history has plainly demonstrated, the right man was found for the right place. A reformation in the manner and cus- toms of the people, as well as in the discipline and polity of the church was needed, and the session of the church turned with anxious eye to the pastor of the Great Conewago Church, as the instrument under God by whom this great work was to be accomplished.
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For four years after the commencement of his minis- try here this church enjoyed a continuous revival, dur- ing which time there was scarcely a day he could not have gone to some anxious, inquiring soul. In these four years one hundred and forty persons were added to the membership of the church. During all his min- istery here a very fair average of additions were made- twenty-three by certificate or examination each year. The church trebled her benevolent contributions, which were perhaps unduly directed to the Foreign Mission work. The bounderies of the congregation were ex- tended; regular preaching was established each alternate Sabbath afternoon at Newburg and Orrstown. These soon became important outposts of this congregation.
A number of families and individuals were brought into the church. They were of an element entirely out- side of the Presbyterian faith. I doubt not that dur- ing these fourteen years, the very heart of his life and ministry, and the vigor and flower of his manhood, the great spiritual work of his life was accomplished, and Providence opened up another field near by, upon which he at once entered.
After the resignation of I. N. Hays, Middle Spring Church remained vacant for one year and a half, though the pulpit was usually occupied. Several attempts were made to secure a pastor, but on account of division of sentiment in the congregation and other causes, these attempts proved fruitless, until the autumn of . 1869, when Rev. D. K. Richardson was called, and having accepted, commenced his labors Jan. 1, 1870, and was installed May 6th of the same year. He resigned the pastoral charge Dec. 21, 1871. The first year of the
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labors of Mr. Richardson in the Middle Spring church, was one of great discouragement, which arose from an absence of the convicting and converting presence of the Holy Spirit, and disharmony in the church. Dur- ing the latter part of this year, things became more set- tled, and there was an increased interest in the preach- ing of the word. On the third Sabbath of January 1871, during the afternoon service at Newburg, the presence of the Spirit became manifest. It proved to be the Prophet's cloud from the sea, and the harbinger of a gracious revival, which extended pretty generally through the congregation, and resulted in the accession of forty-seven persons to the membership of the church. During his ministry here the church was no doubt greatly benefitted spiritually. The pastor was growing in favor each day with the people, and we have no ‹loubt the dissolution of this pastoral relation was the saddest and most unexpected in the history of the church. This took place December 21, 1871, he having received a call from the church at Greencastle, Pa.
REV. SAMUEL S. WYLIE.
Rev. Samuel S. Wylie was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio (now Pittsburg,) April 28, 1869, and was in- stalled pastor of the Middle Spring Church June 9. 1872.
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PASTORS OF THE MIDDLE SPRING CHURCH.
To the feet of the One Great Teacher They tenderly led the way.
REV. THOMAS CRAIGHEAD
Rev. Thomas Craighead belonged to a family of min- isters. He was a son of Rev. Robert Craighead, a native of Scotland, and a brother of Rev. Robert Craighead, jr., who was moderator of the Synod of Ireland. Thomas was born in Scotland and read medicine there, but af- terwards studied theology under his father in Derry. He was licensed to preach the gospel, and was ordained and settled some ten or more years in Ireland. In consequence of a number of grievances to which the Presbyterians were subject, such as "oppressive rents," "the sacramental test" and the "marriage ordinance," he joined a company and came to America. He first set- tled at Freetown, Mass., but became dissatisfied because of a want of sufficient support. In January 1724 he became a member of the New Castle Presbytery and accepted an invitation to preach at White Clay Creek and Brandy Wine. In 1733 he was called to Pequea, Pa., where he was very active in gathering up new con- gregations. He was released from Pequea Sept. 19, 1736. At a meeting of Presbytery Oct. 27, 1737, he ivas appointed a supply to Conodoguinet for six months. The following year he was called to supply the people of Hopewell, but was not installed until Oct. 13, 1738, on account of the difficulty in locating the church on the Big Spring and a trouble in his own family; having, without consulting his session, suspended his wife from church privileges, because she failed to live in peace in
THE LOWER GRAVEYARD.
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the same house with her daughter-in-law. Mr. Craig- head was now well advanced in life, but he still preached with great power and impressiveness. Under his dis- courses the people very often deeply and powerfully moved, and often when dismissed they were unwilling to leave. On one of these occasions, near the close of April, 1739, during a communion season at the Big Spring Church, when having preached until quite ex- hausted, he waved his hand, being unable to pronounce the benediction, and exclaimed, "Farewell, farewell," fell to the floor and expired in the pulpit. He was bur- ied beneath the pulpit in which he died.
REV. JOHIN BLAIR, D. D.
Rev. John Blair was born in Ireland in 1720; came to this country when quite young, and it is thought his father settled in Chester County, Pa. He and his brother Samuel received their classical and theological education under William Tennent at the Log College at Neshaminy, Bucks County, Pa. He was licensed to preach by the Newside Presbytery of New Castle, and was ordained pastor of the congregations of the Three Springs, Big, Middle and Rocky, Dec. 27, 1742. Just when he left this charge is uncertain. It was, how- ever, in 1757, or prior to that time, as in that year he accepted a call to Fagg's Manor which had become va- cant by the death of his distinguished brother, Rev. Samuel Blair. Here he continued for ten years, taking the place of his brother as pastor of the church and principal of the classical school which his brother had conducted. In 1767 he was chosen to fill the newly founded chair of divinity in Princeton College, and was
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also chosen vice-president, and was its acting president until Dr. Witherspoon entered upon his duties in 1769. It soon became evident that the fund contributed to en- dow the chair of divinity was insufficient for the sup- port of the professor. Accordingly Dr. Blair resigned his position and accepted a call to Walkill, Orange county, N. Y., where he continued until his death, De- cember 8, 1771. He is said to have been a "judicious and persuasive preacher, and through his preach- ing sinners were converted and the children of God edified." Fully convinced of the truth of the doc- trines of grace, he addressed immortal souls with a warmth and power which left a witness in every bosom." He married the daughter of John Durbarrow of Phila- delphia.
REV. ROBERT COOPER, D. D.
Rev. Robert Cooper, was born in Ireland about 1732. His father died when he was a child, and at the age of nine, he came with his mother and two sisters to Amer- ica and settled in Lancaster county, Pa. Like many others, he was greatly indebted to the energy and econ- omy of an excellent mother, for obtaining an education, and manifested his appreciation of the same, by his affectionate, filial devotion. He prepared for college under Rev. John Roan, pastor of the New Side congre- gations of Paxton, Derry and Mt. Joy, entered Prince- ton College and graduated September 1763. He stud- ied theology with Mr. Roan and Dr. George Duffield, of Carlisle, was licensed by the Presbytery of Donegal, Feb. 22, 1765, ordained and installed pastor of Middle Spring, November 21, 1865.
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Dr. Cooper had a good library for his day, a part of which had been selected and purchased for him in Scot- land, by Dr. Witherspoon. He was a well read theolo- gion and noted for being a theological instructor. A number of young men read theology with him, who afterward attained distinction in the church. They were Dr. John McKnight, Dr. Joshua Williams, Dr. Francis Herron, Dr. Matthew Brown, Dr. David Mc- Conaughy, Rev. Samuel Wilson, and others. Dr.
Cooper was moderator of the United Synod of Phila- delphia and New York, in 1775, and was a member of the committee to prepare rules for the government of the assembly in 1785. He married Elizabeth Kearsley, of Carlisle, by whom he had two sons and two daught- ers. One son died in infancy. The other son John had charge of Hopewell Academy. Dr. Cooper died April 5, 1805, and is interred in the lower grave yard at Middle Spring, where the first log church was built.
REV. JOHN MOODY, D. D.
Rev. John Moody was born July 4, 1776. His father, Robert Moody, Esq., was a native of County Derry, Ireland, and emigrated to this country about 1773, and settled in Cumberland County, Pa. He married in 1775, Mary Hutchinson, and afterwards moved with his family to that part of Lancaster County now known as Dauphin County. There the son John prepared for college in the grammar school of Francis Hindman. He entered the junior class of Princeton College Nov. 1794, and graduated in September, 1796. He commenced the study of theology under his pastor, Rev. James Snodgrass, August, 1799, and was liccensed by the Pres-
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bytery of Carlisle, Oct. 9, 1801. He spent one year and a half in supplying vacant churches, and preaching in destitute places, under the direction of Presbytery. On April 12, 1803 a call was presented from the Mid- dle Spring church, which was accepted and he was or- dained and installed Oct. 5, 1803. He continued pas- tor of this church for over fifty years, resigning April 14, 1854. "Dr, Moody was a man of a meek and quiet spirit, patient under opposition and even injury, and always a lover and promoter of peace. He was tall of stature, of stately personal appearance, dignified and gentle, manly in his deportment, polite and courteous in manner, a man of sound, practical judgment and methodical and industrious in his habits." As a preacher he was logical, instructive and practical. His manner in the pulpit was quiet, dignified and solemn. He always wrote his sermons in full and preached from the manuscript. His sermons were finished in style and he was eloquent and impressive in their delivery. He received the title of D. D., from Washington College. He married April 1, 1802, Miss Elizabeth Crawford and had four sons and four daughters. Dr. Moody died Oct. 7, 1857 and is buried in the upper graveyard at Middle Spring.
REV. ISAAC N. HAYS.
Rev. Isaac N. Hays was a son of John and Orpha Hays, and was born April 17, 1827, near Cannonsburg, Pa. He was the oldest of three brothers, all of whom have risen to prominence in the Presbyterian Church, He graduated from Jefferson College, June, 1847 and from the Western Theological Seminary in 1850. He was licensed April 15, 1850 by the Presbytery of Ohio,
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ordained Oct. 10, 1850, by the Carlisle Presbytery and installed pastor of the Great Conewago Church. Mr. Hays ministered to the needs of the people and labored zealous- ly for the welfare of the congregation. He spent four years in this field, and resigned in 1854 to accept a call to the Middle Spring Church. He served fourteen years of acceptable ministry, increased the financial condition of the church, and beloved for his many sterling quali- ties, he withdrew from the congregation of Middle Spring, and was installed pastor of the Central Church Chambersburg, which charge he held until June 1874. He received a call from the Presbyterian Church at Junction City, Kansas, and left the Cumberland Valley, but the drought and grasshopper plague which befell the west, prevented his acceptance of the call, and in 1875 he returned to Pennsylvania, and took charge of the State Normal School at Shippensburg. In 1878 he severed his connection with the school and began his pastorate in the Central Presbyterian Church, Allegh- eny, Pa., where he successfully labored for ten years, when he resigned and ministered to the Westminster congregation, Allegheny, until the time of his death May 23, 1894. He received the degree of D. D., from Washington and Jefferson College. He married Dec- ember 17, 1850, Rebecca King, and had three sons and five daughters, one of whom Calvin C. Hays succeeded his father in the gospel ministry and is an earnest, per- sausive witness for Christ.
REV. D. K. RICHARDSON.
Rev. D. K. Richardson was born in Tuscarawos Co. Ohio, January 7, 1836. His father was for a number
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of years an honored elder in the Presbyterian Church. He graduated from the Western Theological Seminary in the spring of 1863, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Maumee, at West Liberty, Ohio, April 30, 1863. He was ordained as an evangelist at Napoleon, Ohio, November 22, 1864, and for six years labored as stated supply to several charges in the north- western part of the state. On January 1, 1870, he ac- cepted a call to the church at Middle Spring, and con- tinued his ministry there until December 21, 1871, when he was called to labor at Greencastle, Pa. His. death occurred August 20, 1877, and not only the people of Greencastle, but many who knew his worth, mourned his removal as a great loss to the church. He married Miss S. L. Hosack and had five children, four sons and one daughter.
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