USA > Pennsylvania > Huntingdon County > Huntingdon > History of the Presbytery of Huntingdon > Part 25
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The life of our excellent friend was checkered with repeated afflic. tions, by which he was bereaved of ten children and two companions, the latter of whom he survived about twenty months, leaving behind but one son to represent the household and the family name. Our acquaintance with the venerable pair justifies us in saying, "They were lovely in life, and (except in point of time) in death they were not divided." But though so often bereaved, our friend never sank into any gloom. His faith seemed to pass through every cloud of
THO! HUNTER, LITH.PHIL!
REV. JOHN HUTCHISON.
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adversity, to a serene sky, and his hope served him as an anchor in every tempest. His expressive countenance however sobered and moderately overcast with the becoming emotions of sorrow, anon brightened with the play of the sunbeam of satisfaction, and easily relaxed into smiles of good-nature, and joy was diffused again over his features. He was favored to enjoy a happy temperament, which rendered him an agreeable companion wherever he went. Of his own family circle he was the life. His was a cheerful hearth, and "joy and gladness with the voice of thanksgiving," were there. His mornings and noons, and evenings, were a constant succession of scenes and sayings, adapted to inspire contentment and pleasure, good feeling, and often mirthful joy, in all who were under his roof. And there from time to time were many of all ages who loved his company as he did theirs. His Godliness indeed verified the promise, both of this life and that which was to come. His was not a gloomy religion. There were some traits of primitive simplicity in his habits worthy of imitation. Very remote from all ostentation, he still knew what was due to his station, and he aspired to nothing in outward circum- stances but what comported with his calling, and is expressed in Agur's prayer-and he observed the golden mean. His home, his table, his apparel, his person, his household economy, his travelling equipage, were all expressive of the neatness, and the order, and native sense of propriety, which characterized him, and without any- thing antiquated, he was a gentleman of the olden time. His scholar- ship was very respectable, and his familiarity with the Greek and Latin languages was not allowed to rust. He was well known as a Theologian in the Presbytery of Huntingdon, and a firm defender of the faith as set forth in the doctrines of the Reformation; and on his death-bed it gave no small satisfaction to remember what he had held and preached, as he several times intimated-thus giving his last and dying testimony to the Calvinistic sentiments, which he uniformly exhibited in the course of his life and labors. He was a very punctual attendant on the courts of the church, while health permitted, when, with a mixture of dignity and pleasantry, he was always ready to bear his full part and just responsibility. He was willing to bear reproach rather than shrink from duty, and while he could show courtesy to his brethren who differed from him, he was firm and unwavering in the assertion and maintenance of what he deemed right. His life was one of much activity, and he labored till his Master bade him rest
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from his labors, and his closing discourse was remarked as peculiar, beyond his usual efforts, and an impressive valedictory. It was on 2d Peter, Ist Chapter, 5-7 verses.
His habits were industrious. His early rising was the secret, per- haps of his longevity, for his frame was not athletic. In travelling past the town at daylight, or a little after, we have found him with his axe at his accustomed exercise. His usefulness to the rising generation was considerable, as a classical teacher, for many, per- haps twenty years.
But we draw our notice to a close by a brief sketch of his pastorial labors and of the final scene: His pastoral charge, formerly held by the Rev. Dr. BROWN, of Canonsburg, was assumed soon after the resignation of Dr. BROWN, and was never changed for another. On a slender support, which, with skillful management, was made to suffice, he continued to labor for nearly forty years, honored and beloved by his people. He witnessed their gradual growth in num- bers and in grace ; and a second or third generation occupies the room first filled by the generations by-gone. Instead of the fathers are the sons ; instead of the mothers, the daughters; and, verifying the saying of JOHNSTON, our friend was living already as it were, with posterity. Two neat and spacious edifices he lived to see erected for the accommodation of his flock, and well filled, alternately, with re- spectful and attentive hearers of the word, many, if not all of whom he has left well instructed, rooted and grounded in the faith, and doers as well as hearers of the same; whom with fervent prayer, in his last hours, he commended to the great and Chief Shepherd, that they might be kept united, and might meet him in glory, to the praise of the Redeemer. And now that we are arrived at the place described by YOUNG, so beautifully, as the "chamber where the good man meets his fate :"
"Privileged beyond the common walks of life,
Quite on the verge of Heaven"-
we shall let him speak for himself. While blood was spouting at in- tervals from his lungs, he betrayed no alarm; and when an interval occurred to speak, he said he felt happy. For his kind and unwea- ried attendants he prayed, and manifested great satisfaction in their services ; was patient, but desirous of an early and easy departure. On inquiring the hour on Sabbath last, and being told it, he said, "Why am I kept here so long ?" and he prayed, "Come Lord Jesus,
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come quickly,"-and then said, "perhaps I am impatient," and prayed to be forgiven. At some time, he remarked that he was clear and peaceful, had no doubts or fears, was established on the Rock of Ages, had no raptures as some had, but he expected God would give him a foretaste of the joys of Heaven before his departure ; and after- wards he did experience some rapturous enjoyment. Finally he fell into a slumber and never woke. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright ; for the end of that man is peace." On Wednesday, the 13th of November, and after the interment, a discourse was delivered from 2d Timothy, 4:6-8 verses ; and the religious services of the occa- sion were shared by ministers of our own and of the Associate Re- formed and Lutheran denominations-not without much tenderness and emotions which almost impeded utterance.
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REV. WILLIAM. STUART.
H TE was a native of Ireland, born in a small village near London- derry, in the county of Donegal, on the 18th of July, 1759. He emigrated to America early in life, and first settled in the State of Delaware, where he acted for some years in the capacity of a teacher.
Having his attention turned to the gospel ministry he passed through a preparatory course of study at the Newark Academy, and entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, then under the presidency of Dr. NISBIT. Here he was graduated in the year 1795.
Leaving college he prosecuted his theological course, privately, under the direction of Rev. JOHN McCRERY, and was licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle, A. D., 1797. For several years he acted as an itinerant in the bounds of his Presbytery-when he came into the bounds of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, preaching as a can- didate.
. Visiting the congregation of East Penns Valley, Sinking Creek and Spring Creek, he received a call to become their pastor. Mr. STUART accepted the call, and was ordained to the gospel ministry, and in- stalled pastor of these churches by the Presbytery of Huntingdon, October 6, 1801.
In these relations he continued faithfully and punctually to per- form his duties until April, 1804, when he gave up the charge of East Penns Valley congregation, and divided his labors equally between the Sinking and Spring Creek churches. These churches he served for thirty-three years, until the autumn of 1834, when he was provi- dentially laid aside by the fracture of a limb, (caused by the kick of a horse,) in returning from preaching on Sabbath. In consequence of this he was compelled to resign his charge, having sustained the
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relation of pastor until he had entered his seventy-sixth year. He continued to reside in the bounds of his former charge during the remainder of his life, beloved by those to whom he had so long ministered. When able, he participated with them in re- ligious ordinances and exercises, but for some years before his death, the infirmaties of age and his want of hearing, placed these privileges beyond his reach. Shut out from much satisfactory communion with others, he spent much of his time in communion with his God. He devoted his leisure hours to reading, meditation and prayer, and in such exercises found his chief enjoyment. He fed upon the precious truth of God, which he had so long ministered to others, and with which he had become so familiar.
His general health through life was good, though he had by no means an iron constitution. He was seldom sick for any length of time, and his last sickness was of short duration. Ten days previous to his death he was attacked with inflammation of the lungs, which rapidly brought him to the close of his earthly career. He was sen- sible throughout his illness, and spoke of his departure with compo- sure and calm confidence in Christ. "I know," said he to the writer, "in whom I have believed. 'The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.' 'Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.' "'
His strength declined daily until the morning of March 30, 1848. when he calmly "fell asleep," having reached the eighty-ninth year of his age. He left an aged partner (who only survived him about two months,) and two children, a son and a daughter, to mourn his * departure.
Mr. STUART was an instructive preacher. His discourses were care- fully prepared. He wrote and memorized all his public exercises. He did nothing extemporaneously. His sermons, his sacramental exercises, and his prayers were all committed. He was punctual in the discharge of duty. In the whole course of his ministry he never failed in fulfilling his Sabbath appointments, save in two instances, in which it was not possible to do it. In one instance, he swam his horse across a stream that lay between him and his church, in order not to disappoint his flock.
He was for years the oldest member of the Presbytery of Hunting- don, and one of the patriarchs of the Presbyterian church.
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He lived to baptize, to receive into communion, and to marry children and CHILDREN'S CHILDREN among the people of his charge.
" Having served his own generation by the will of God," " he died in a good old age-an old man and full of years."
Mr. STUART was buried in the grave yard of the Sinking Creek church ; and a sermon adapted to the occasion was preached in the church, by the pastor, on Sabbath, April 9, following, from Zacha- riah, 1:5-" Your fathers, where are they ? and the prophets, do they live forever ?""
NOTE .- The foregoing sketch of the life of Father STUART was prepared by Rev. ROBERT IIAMIL, D. D., a successor of Mr. STUART, and read before the Presbytery, and entered in the Obituary Book of the Presbytery. Dr. HAMIL is still the pastor of Spring and Sinking Creek churches.
REV. THOMAS HOOD.
D' IED at his residence in Lewisburg, Penn'a, on Friday, the 17th of March, 1848, the Rev. THOMAS HOOD, in the sixty-seventh year of his age.
The deceased was born in Chester county in July, 1781. His parents were JAMES and JANE HOOD. At the early age of seventeen he was graduated with honor to himself in Dickinson College, which was then under the care of the venerable Dr. NISBET. Soon after completing his collegiate course, he entered on the study of Theology under the supervision of the Rev. NATHAN GRIER of Brandywine. In 1802 he was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of New Castle, and in 1805 he was installed pastor over the congregations of Buffalo and Washington, by the Presbytery of Huntingdon. In October, 1812, he was installed pastor over the Milton Church one- fourth of his time, by the Presbytery of Northumberland. It was not long, however, until this congregation required half of his time. In two of these congregations, Buffalo and Milton, he continued to preach with fidelity and earnestness until a short time before his death, when, in consequence of declining health, he was obliged almost entirely to desist from preaching.
As a preacher he was popular. His personal appearance in the pulpit was commanding, and his talents and acquirements were highly respectable.
He was an affectionate husband, an indulgent parent, a kind friend, a consistent christian, and a useful minister.
His discourses were practical and persuasive rather than argumen- tative. As a man, as a christian, and as a minister, he was exemplary. His modesty and natural diffidence, which were not unfrequently construed into haughtiness, prevented him from occupying that elevated position in the church and in deliberative assemblies, to which his talents and acquirements fairly entitled him. It is true he
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had his faults. These however were but few and scarcely percepti- ble, while his virtues were numerous and prominent. Those who knew him best valued him most. When called to give an account of his stewardship he was prepared for the summons. He said he relied entirely on the merits of Christ for salvation, and that he was per- fectly resigned to the will of his Heavenly Father. His end was peaceful; it was such as became a christian and a christian minister. He died comfortably to himself, honorably to the Saviour, and in such a manner as to recommend religion to those who survive. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his."
Mr. Hoop was married twice. His first wife was Miss MARY HAZ- LETT, to whom he was married April 16, 1803, and by whom he had seven children. Mrs. Hoop died November 10, 1840, greatly beloved for her humble and unobtrusive piety, and many social and domestic virtues. He was married a second time to Miss HANNAH MCCLURE, a lady of sterling worth, on the 4th of March, 1845. This marriage contributed greatly to his comfort during his last years. He was eminently happy in his marriage relations. Mrs. Hoop and two daughters, by his first wife, still survive to mourn his loss. His remains now repose in the cemetery near Lewisburg, in the midst of those who were his hearers, where they will rest in peace until the morning of the resurrection."
(Obituary Book of the Presbytery of Northumberland, p. p. 9-11."
REV. JAMES THOMPSON.
ITTHE Rev. JAMES THOMPSON was a native of Union county, Pa. He studied Theology under the care of Rev. THOMAS HOOD of North- umberland Presbytery, and was licensed by that Presbytery in 1817 or 1818. February 3, 1819, he was received as a licentiate by the Presbytery of Huntingdon, having been called to the pastoral charge of Shaver's Creek and Alexandria. On the 7th of April following he was ordained and installed pastor of these congregations. He continued to be the pastor of said congregations till the year 1830, in which year he was removed by death on the 8th of October. He was cut off by a violent disease, and in the midst of his usefulness in his congregations.
The following character is given of him by the late Rev. Dr. J. LINN of Bellefonte : "He was a vigorous, active young man, much esteem- ed by the people of his charge, and accounted a good member of Presbytery." He married Miss ELIZA STEWART of Alexandria, who still survives with the children, one son and two daughters.
REV. JAMES H. STUART.
M R. STUART was a native of Philadelphia. He was the son, and the only son of Mr. JAMES STUART, who was long an elder in the 3d Presbyterian Church of that city-Old Pine Street Church, so distinguished for the eminency of its pastors, among whom was Rev. Dr. ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER. In the life of Dr. A. ALEXANDER, written by his son, the following mention is made of Mr. STUART, the father of Rev. J. H. STUART.
" Among the excellent private christians who were members of this Church, Mr. JAMES STUART deserves honorable mention. He was a native of Ireland, and long occupied the place of ruling elder. To a natural temperament of great ardency, he added evangelical knowledge and a remarkable disposition to be useful. He was gifted in prayer, assiduous and affectionate among the poor and suffering, and a valuable aid to his pastor. It is but a few years since he died, full of years, and venerated by all who knew him."
This was written 1855, many years after the death of his son, the subject of the present notice. Mr. J. H. STUART was educated at Princeton, both as to his literary and theological education. He was licensed and ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia.
Having preached in the congregations of East and West Kishaco- quillas and Little Valley, he received calls from each of them. From East Kishacoquillas for two-thirds of his time, and from the twolast mentioned, each for the other third of his time. After some deliberation he accepted the united calls from East and West Kish- acoquillas, and was installed as their pastor on the 26th day of October, 1827. He continued but a short time in this connec- tion. It pleased God to affliet him with a lingering disease, by which he was disqualified from ministerial labors, and under which he finally sunk. He died on the 27th of February, 1829, and was in- terred in the grave-yard of East Kishacoquillas church. His inten-
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tion was to go to another field of labor in the West, but God in his providence directed him to settle in the before named congregations. HIis coming among them was the means of uniting them in feeling, and healing some very unhappy divisions which had existed among them. He was a pleasant, promising young man. He was all that might have been expected in the son of such a father. His brethren of the Presbytery esteemed him very highly, and would have been, glad, had it pleased providence, that his life had been prolonged among them, that they might have enjoyed his company and coun- sels in their meetings.
He married after his settlement in East Kishacoquillas, Miss LAW, whose father resided in Mifflintown. She was a lady of great beauty, and of superior mental and moral endownments. She afterwards married General FOSTER of Harrisburg, and is still living; at least we have not heard of her death. She had one son by her first husband. who is now dead. If we mistake not he was lost at sea.
REV. WILLIAM REED.
M R. REED was a native of Mifflin county, Pa. He was a graduate of Jefferson College; and after a course of Theological studies in one of our Seminaries, he was licensed by the Presbytery of Hunting- don, in 1832. He offered himself to the Western Foreign Missionary Society as a candidate to labor in the foreign field. His offer was ac- cepted, and he was ordained in May, 1833, with a view to entering on that service. He received a commission for India, and sailed shortly after. He reached Calcutta and continued sometime in study to prepare himself for his work. But his health failing him, he was ad- vised to return home. He set sail with this view, but died on the passage shortly after he had embarked.
He was a very pious, devoted young man; but he had a very feeble constitution which was not sufficient to bear the hardships which the foreign missionary must endure. The disease, which at last proved fatal to him, had been long preying on his system. He fell a victim to it when he was in sight of his intended field of labor. He died on . the 12th of August, 1834.
REV. THOMAS I. KEATING.
H E was a native of Huntingdon county, Pa. His parents were Roman Catholics. He was in early life bound out to a mechanic in Bellefonte, to learn a trade. He was thus thrown into the society of Protestants ; and there he embraced the Protestant Presbyterian faith, more from his own judgment than from any direct influence on him by others. As he was fond of reading, and being in situations fa- vorable to it, he improved his mind very considerably on the leading doctrines of the gospel, as well as on other subjects. After some time he felt a very strong desire to enter the ministry, if practicable. Being encouraged, he then turned his attention more particularly to the study of Theology. During a part of the time he was under private instructions, and a part he spent at the Western Theological Seminary, Alleghany City, Pa. He was taken under the care of Pres- bytery as a candidate for the ministry, April, 1834, and was licensed to preach the gospel, April 9, 1835. He was ordained sine titulo in 1837, with a view to perform missionary labor within the bounds of the Presbytery. But God cut short his days. He never preached more than two or three times after his ordination. He died on the 15th of February, 1838, at the house of JOHN CRAWFORD, Esq., near Petersburg, Huntingdon county, after several weeks of severe suffer- ing. His remains lie in the yard of the church of Alexandria.
REV. FREDERICK G. BETTS.
{THIS brother was born in Philadelphia, August 14, 1812. His pa- I rents were New Englanders. From Philadelphia they removed to Pittsburgh, and afterwards to Meadville; in the Academy of which place FREDERICK received his classical education. In his nineteenth year he engaged as clerk at an iron works in Centre county. He con- tinued in the Iron business there and in New Jersey, for above six years.
In May, 1838, he commenced the study of Theology in Boalsburg, under private instruction. In October following he was received by Presbytery as a candidate, and in April, 1840, was licensed to preach the gospel. In the autumn of the same year, he was ordained to the full work of the ministry, and installed over several small churches in Clearfield county.
The field of his labors was extensive and difficult to cultivate. He toiled assiduously at his work, leaving no part of his charge destitute of the good seed of the word; and his success was unusually great. In the summer of 1844 his health became so impared that he was obliged to cease from preaching. This was a most painful Providence. He was anxious to be restored to his delightful employment. Accord- ing to medical advice, he set out in the autumn of that year on a journey, intending to pass the winter in a milder climate; but de- taining awhile in Cincinnati, his disease (pulmonary consumption) advanced so rapidly, that he was unable to proceed any farther. Though among strangers he soon became known to some valuable Christians, from whom he received the kindest attentions. But his end was drawing near. He entered into his rest on the 17th of Jan- uary, 1845.
Mr. BETTS was a good scholar, well acquainted with mankind, and an excellent preacher. He united mildness and firmness in a pre- eminent degree. He was easy of access, pleasant, communicative, and in every respect amiable. It was hardly possible to know him and not love him. He had married early, and had been the father of six children ; three of whom, with their mother, yet survive.
REV. JOHN LLOYD.
J TOHN LLOYD was the son of THOMAS and CATHARINE LLOYD. He was born at McConnelstown, Huntingdon county, Pa., on the Ist of October, 1813, and was the eldest of twelve children, six of whom were sons. Four of his brothers, and three of his sisters sur- vive him. His father was of Presbyterian origin, but not a commu- nicating member. He was a highly respectable citizen, and at one time sheriff of the county. Some years before his death, he became a regular member of the Baptist church. Mrs. LLOYD was of a Sece- der family, but united with the Presbyterian church, in which she adorned her profession. The boyhood of JOHN, till his 14th year, was spent under the parental roof, where he obtained the education which our common schools afforded. From that time till his twen- tieth year he was engaged in business, mostly as a clerk in a country store, or at iron works. He had always been remarked for his so- briety, thoughtfulness, and fondness for reading; and his predilec- tion for knowledge was now to be gratified in a more ample and pro- ductive field. About this time he entered on a course of study at Jefferson College, first in the preparatory school, and afterwards in the regular classes, and was graduated in September, 1839, being then in the 26th year of his age. He united in the communion of the church in 1835. He studied Theology in the Seminary at Princeton, was licensed by the Presbytery of New York to preach the Gospel, in April, 1844; and in May of the same year was ordained by the Presbytery of Huntingdon to the full work of the ministry. On the 22d of June he sailed from New York as a Missionary to China, under the care of the Assembly's Board, and on the 6th of December he arrived at Amoy. In this place he spent four years most laboriously in the service of the church, and on the 6th of December, 1848, en- tered into rest.
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