USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > Mercersburg > History of the Presbyterian Church of Upper West Conococheague : now Mercersburg, Franklin County, Penn'a. > Part 3
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It was but a few years, as stated in a former chapter, after the occurrence of the event just mentioned, until the Colo- nies began to be agitated, from one extreme to the other, on the subject of their connection with Great Britain. The fires which had long been concealed were now beginning to give evidence of their existence. Great Britain had be- come more and more unyielding in her claims and unre- lenting; and the American Colonies had become more resolute and determined to maintain their rights, and to defend them at all hazards. From these positions neither party would recede. The breach had become too wide to be healed. The crisis had been reached, and the country was in arms. The same spirit which pervaded the country at large, pervaded also the minds of the people here. The feeling of patriotism had been enkindled in their breasts, and was to know no abatement in its ardor, until the inde- pendence of these Colonies was achieved. In calling out this spirit and in fostering it, Dr. King was second to none
*See appendix A. ยก See "Incidents of Border Life," p, 67-70.
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of the Presbyterian clergymen of his day. He not only volunteered his services, and went as Chaplain to the bat- talion which marched from this part of the country, but many were the addresses which he delivered in behalf of the liberties of his country. It may be interesting to place on record a specimen of these addresses which this patriotic minister made to the people in these trying times .* Such was the spirit of Dr. King, and such was the spirit of his people in these perilous times of our country's history. How highly should we prize our liberties which were so dearly bought by toil and treasure, and self denial, and sufferings, and death! How closely should we consider the connection which exists between these liberties and our own beloved church ! And how earnest we should be to trans- mit these liberties and institutions to the generations which are to succeed us, as pure as we received them from those who have gone before us, and who have bequeathed them as the richest of earthly legacies to us.
In 1777 the following persons were added to Session : Messrs. Patrick Maxwell, Joseph Vanlear, Matthew Wilson, William Lowery, James McFarland and Henry Helm. In 1786 the town of Mercersburg was laid out by Mr. William Smith. Its population and that of the surrounding country increasing, and the original place of preaching being two miles and a half out of town, at what is now known as "Church hill," it was deemed expedient to have Divine ser- vices in this place. For this purpose this Church building was erected A. D. 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 1792, Messrs. William Waddell, Archibald Irwin, James Crawford, and John Holliday were added to the Church Session. And in 1799, there were added to it: Messrs. John McMullin,
*See appendix B.
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John Johnston, Edward Welsh, William Reynolds, Robert McFarland, and John M'Cullough. And in 1800, Messrs. John Scott, Robert McDowell and James Dickey were added to it.
From the close of the war, after the state of public affairs had become more settled, until September, A. D. 1811, when Dr. King, in consequence of increasing bodily afflictions, resigned his pastoral charge, the state of the Congregation was peaceful and prosperous. At every communion season, its numbers of professing disciples were increased by new accessions. During the ministry of Dr. King in this Church, he baptized nine hundred and fifty persons ; and there were received to the Lord's Supper four hundred and eighty. These numbers, however, are not strictly accurate, as the Doctor's infirmities during the latter part of his pastorate were so great that the church Register was imperfectly kept. There were persons baptized and admitted to the Lord's Supper, whose names are not recorded. Dr. King was a man of piety, social in his disposition, an edifying preacher, sound in the faith, faithful as a pastor, and of varied acquirements. His labors were owned of God, and eminently blessed in building up this church. His memory still lives in the grateful recollection of many who are the descendants of those who were connected with this church in the days of his ministry.
It may be interesting to know something more of this godly minister, who was second to none in his day in the Presbyterian church in this country. For this purpose we will avail ourselves of a brief memoir penned by himself, and extending to the tenth year of his pastorate in this church, and of a memorial sermon which was preached by Dr. John McKnight, his intimate friend and companion, at the request of the Congregation.
Dr. King thus writes : "I am now nearly thirty-nine years of age, being born December 5th, 1740. The wonderful providence of God has long spared my life-a life dishon-
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orable 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 men, 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 meas- ure with that amazing way of salvation in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that, through the providence, and I hope through 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 in- stances of the goodness of God to me, his unworthy crea- ture and unprofitable servant. No more can I call to mind the innumerable instances in which I have dishonored 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 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 goodness of God, and not in that careless, unfeeling manner I was wont; but with all my heart acknowledge it. Let me with care and exactness ob- serve his dealings toward me, and that which may be most remarkable in my own temper and conduct toward him, and labor to improve in humility, heavenly-mindedness, and holy walk with God.
Robert King, my father, 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 recol-
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lect 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 liability 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 Christ for salvation, The sins of my heart and frequent falls prevented me from forming any conclusive judgment that my heart 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 until I had read the Greek and Latin classics, Logic, Metaphysics, and Moral Philosophy. After this, my father not judging that he could bear the expense of sending me to College immedi- ately, I came to West Conococheague, in Cumberland (now Franklin) County, where I spent almost three years in teaching school, during which I initiated some 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 remarkable about such exercises, until at the celebration of the sacrament of the Lord's Sup- per, at East Conococheague, by the Rev. Messrs, Steel and Roan-the first time that I had joined to partake in that solemn ordinance-when I found myself unusually im- pressed with the concerns of religion, and 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 Lancas-
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ter county, the place of my birth and education. There I continued until the middle of the fall of 1764, in great per- plexity about the manner of life I should engage in. I had often entertained 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 Philadelphia, and there agreed with Dr. John Boyd as an apprentice. Returned home, and set off for Baltimore, where I continued near three months, when Dr. Boyd, who had been in Philadel- phia for the recovery 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 Philadel- phia, applied to Dr. Kearsly, and had nearly agreed with him, which probably would have fixed my condition in that way; but in the meantime 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 attempts towards physic, and to enter College with a view to the ministry. I reflected on the various providences 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 until March 11th, 1767, when I entered on trials for the ministry in the Second 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, hav- ing paid a visit to West Conococheague before winter. Near the opening of the spring, I was invited to Conoco- cheague, by the congregation of which I am now the pastor. After accepting this call, I was received on trials in the
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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 of Upper West Conococheague. During all these changes, my exer- cises about religion had been various, but a prevailing de- sire 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 prementioned prov- idential dispensations, the talents which God has given me, (which however small in comparison to others), I thought might render me, through grace, of some use in the Chris- tian church, and the unanimous call of this people, led me to think it my duty to enter on 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. John McDowell, of this place, on April 2d, 1771, and have continued in the enjoyment of agreeable circumstances un- til 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 Dr. Mcknight in his me- morial sermon.
" Dr. King was pastor of this church forty-two years. During the last six years of his life, he labored 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 to exercise the office of the ministry, in the latter part of which, his limbs were so enfeebled that he was not able to stand, and offici- ated 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.
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His complaint continued to increase, 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 the 15th, A. D. 1813, in the seventy-third year of his age.
Dr. King was a man of good natural parts, which he dil- igently cultivated. And, in particular, from the time of his being settled in the ministry, being placed in favorable cir- cumstances for study, he industriously improved what time he could redeem from the immediate duties of his office, in acquiring the knowledge of all those branches of litera- ture and science which tended to respectability and useful- ness. Besides being a good Latin and Greek scholar, he had a competent acquaintance with the Hebrew and French, He had studied Natural and Moral Philosophy, Astronomy, Mathematics and Logic with attention, and had a consider- able general knowledge of Chemistry. He had paid con- siderable attention to Ecclesiastical History. With Divinity and its several branches, he was well acquainted. Influ- enced by his well-known and established character, as a Scholar and Divine, the Trustees of Dickinson College, at one of its first commencements in the College, viz .: in 1792, conferred on him the degree of D. D. He was Mod- erator of the General Assembly in 1792.
Dr. King was the author of several small publications, particularly a Catechism, for the instruction of youth in the principles of the Christian religion, and more especi- ally calculated to fortify them against the spirit of scepti- cism and infidelity, which, at the time of its publica- tion, 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 time &c. As a companion, Dr. King was sociable, cheer- ful, and instructing. As a friend, he was sincere, affection-
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ate, uniform and faithful. In his principles, Dr. 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 left be- hind him a character unsullied by a blot. He evinced an increasing concern for the interests of Zion; and so far from being of a bigoted or contracted spirit, he held friend- ly 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 institu- tions as promised to be useful. Though his afflictions were severe and of long continuance, and though he was con- siderably advanced in years, yet he retained, until near the close of his life, his intellectual powers, very little impaired. His mind was still vigorous and active.
Let us now, continues Dr. MeKnight, proceed to take a view of his mind under his affliction, and in prospect of his approaching dissolution. And here, I shall introduce a communication on the subject, from Mr. Elliott, your present worthy pastor. "I visited Dr. King," remarks Mr. Elliott, "some weeks before his death, and during his last illness. He entered into an animated conversation with re- spect to his views on 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 hope. He said he 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 redemp- tion 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 ac- quainted 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
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word of God; adding, that the Word was our only standard and directory with respect to the great mysteries of relig- ion, and that to it we ought to keep close. During the intervals of fever, when his mind was capable of regular exertion, he said, he was generally engaged in prayer for himself 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 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 until 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 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 honorable testimony to the religion of Jesus, of which he was a pro- fessor, and of which he was a minister. Having done much to advance the kingdom of his Master among his fellow beings, and having suffered much in the orderings of His providence with cheerful submission to His will, he has "fallen asleep in Christ," and has been "gathered to his fathers, like as a shock of corn cometh in, in his season."
His remains are interred in the Cemetery at Church-hill, where stood the church buildings, in which he so long and so faithfully preached the everlasting gospel of the Son of 6
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God. A tomb stone has been erected over them by his loving people, bearing this inscription :
"As a tribute of respect, to the memory of the Rev. John King, D. D., upwards of forty-two years the able, learned and faithful pastor of the Congregation of Upper West Conococheague, whose life exhibited the beauty of holiness; whose death declared the triumph of the Cross, this monument is erected by the grateful children of his pastoral care."
"They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever."
CHAPTER IV.
FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PASTORATE OF DAVID ELLIOTT, D. D., OCTOBER 7TH, A. D., 1812, TO THE CLOSE OF IT,. OCTOBER 29TH, A. D., 1829.
Dr. Elliott's Call to the Pastorate-Birth, Education, Relig- ious Training, Conversion, Licensure, Ordination and Instal- lation-The Church at St. Thomas-The Session-The Sab- bath School-The Social Prayer Meeting-The Church Edi- fice-The Congregation's Prosperous Condition-A Change and the Causes Thereof-The Church at Loudon-A Change in the Times-Prevailing Sickness and Deaths-The Session -The Female Home Missionary Society-Revival of Re- ligion-Dr. Elliott's Resignation of his Pastoral Charge- Subsequent Life and Labors-Death-Memorial Sermon and Resolutions.
Dr. Elliott was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 6th, 1787, and was the son of Thomas Elliott and Jane Holliday, who were of Scotch-Irish descent. His mother was a woman of decided piety, and to her mainly, did he ascribe his conversion. He received part of his edu-
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cation in the Classical school in Tuscarora Valley in charge of Rev. John Coulter, and part of it in the Classical acade- my in Mifflin, Pennsylvania, in charge of Mr. Andrew K. Russell. Subsequent to this, he spent one year as the as- sistant of Dr. Matthew Brown in conducting a Classical academy in Washington, of this State. Leaving Washing- ton, he entered the junior class in Dickinson College, Car- lisle, where he was graduated September 28th, 1808. And now, having decided to give himself up to the work of the Christian Ministry, he prosecuted his theological studies for the first two years under the direction of his pastor, the Rev. John Linn; and the last year of his theological course he prosecuted under the direction of Joshua Williams, D. D., of Newville, Pennsylvania. He was licensed to preach the gospel, by the Presbytery of Carlisle, September 26th, A. D., 1811. After which, having preached to the congre- gation of Upper West Conococheague, he was invited by a unanimous call, to become their pastor. This call being accepted, he was ordained and installed the pastor of this church, October 29th, A. D., 1812. On this occasion, John McKnight, D. D., preached the sermon, and Rev. David McConaughy presided and gave the charges to the pastor and the people. May 12th 1812, he was married to Ann West, the daughter of Mr. Edward West, of Landisburg, Perry county, Pennsylvania, a union which continued for fifty-eight years. When Dr. Elliott entered on his work in this congregation, it numbered one hundred and thirty-seven families. The public services of the Sanctuary on the Lord's day were equally divided between the two churches.
The St. Thomas Presbyterian church was organized in 1813, most of the families and members of which were con- nected with this church. This new organization was found to be expedient on account of the increase of the popula- tion in that district of country and of their distance from Church-hill and Mercersburg, which rendered it inconven- ient for them to attend upon the public means of grace. In
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1814, December 11th, the following persons were added to the Session : Messrs. Thomas McDowell, David Dunwoody, and John McCoy, of John.
In 1816 the Sabbath School was organized. It was begun amidst difficulties and discouragements. At this early pe- riod it was a new thing in the Christian Church in this re- gion. But by the perseverance of the few who had under- taken it, not only did they witness its beginning, but in due time, with the blessing of God upon their labors, they were permitted to see it in full and successful operation. And from that time to the present, though attended with many fluctuations, its exercises have never been suspended for any length of time. Major John Brownson was its first Super- intendent. His successors were Mr. James McDowell, Dr. Alexander Speer, Thomas Creigh, (pastor), Dr. Traill Green, Rev. Edward D. Yeomans, Thomas Richards, John T. Dick, Andrew L. Coyle, John McDowell and Oliver L. Murray, who has held this position for the last eighteen years, and still holds it.
The year A. D. 1818 is memorable in the history of this Church for the establishment of the " Social weekly prayer meeting." The circumstances which led to its formation 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 or- ganize one. After the removal of Mr. James McFarland to town, it was a subject of frequent conversation between him, Major Brownson and myself. Finally, one Sabbath afternoon Mr. McFarland, Mr. George King, Major Brown- son and myself were together at Mr. McFarland's. The Prayer meeting became the topic of conversation, and it was agreed that we would attempt its organization. This being agreed upon, I remarked to them that it was the best time to begin immediately, and that we would date the commencement of the meeting from that afternoon. This
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