USA > Pennsylvania > Huntingdon County > Huntingdon > History of the Presbytery of Huntingdon > Part 3
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HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
BRYSON be confounded with that of the Rev. JOHN BRYSON. They were brothers, indeed, but men of very different characters and attainments. The Rev. JOHN BRYSON was permitted to fulfil a very long life of ministerial service, and died embalmed in the memory of three generations to whom he ministered. Until the division of the Presbytery, and the formation of the Presbytery of Northumberland, he more frequently represented the Presbytery in the General Assem- bly than any other minister. More will be written of him before the end of this history.
For some years after the organization of the Presbytery, it constitu- ted an important part of the business to receive "supplications," as they were termed, for supplies for vacant congregations, and meeting these applications so far as in their power. The extent of the desti- tutions may be inferred from the number of the applications for sup- ply. And yet the number of places desiring ministerial services was greatly beyond what appears from the formal applications to the Presbytery. It is supposed that none but formally organized con- gregations made application for supplies, but there were numerous preaching stations within the various pastoral charges, but miles away from the regularly appointed place of Sabbath services, that were making constant demands upon the time and labors of the settled pastors. It has been already noticed, that pastoral charges then em- braced a large scope of country. In view of these things, the supplies granted by. Presbytery to vacant congregations were very liberal, and congregations having pastors had to consent to the frequent absences of their pastors. It is to be hoped that they submitted to this without murmuring, for they knew not how soon their necessity might come.
At every regular, or stated meeting of the Presbytery, a committee on congregational affairs was appointed, whose report was entered in a book kept for this purpose. As the appointment of such a commit- tee has been long since discontinued, the book containing these reports has never been seen by the writer, and he can only conjecture what were the subjects of the reports of the annually or semi-annually appointed committee. But we may infer that the payment of pastors' salaries was one of the subjects embraced in these reports, as on one occasion, immediately after hearing the committee's report, the fol- lowing Standing Rule was adopted by the Presbytery : "That every congregation under our care, having a settled pastor, give an account by a commissioner, or commissioners, to this Presbytery of the state
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of the salary in the respective congregations, at every Spring meeting. Min. v. 1, p. 42.
For some time after the organization of the Presbytery, we find fre- quent references of difficult or delicate questions arising in congrega- tions referred to the Presbytery for advice or decision. It is only necessary here to instance in one case, not because of its importance, but because it may serve as an example of causes sometimes producing much discontent and alienation among members of the congregation. It was brought to the notice of Presbytery by Rev. ISAAC GRIER, "that a considerable dispute existed in the congregation of Pine Creek, of which he was pastor, respecting the place where their meeting house should be erected-that there was no probability it would be decided by the parties themselves, and requested, in behalf of said congrega- tion, the interference of Presbytery in the premises."
In accordance with the above request, the Presbytery appointed a committee to meet at Pine Creek on a day designated, hear botlı parties, and endeavor to terminate the unhappy dispute. Min. Vol. 1, p. 48. There is no record of any report being made by the commit- tee; but it may be inferred that they were successful in their mission, as the matter is not mentioned afterwards.
CHAPTER III.
FROM 1797 TILL THE DIVISION OF THE PRESBYTERY IN 1811.
Mr. Stephens Called to Shaver's Creek and Installed-Mr. Wiley Resigns Sinking Creek-Rev. Asa Dunham Received-Mr. Alexander McIlvaine from Ireland-Mr. Thomas Hogg applies to be Received-Reports Unfavorable to his Character-Committee Appointed to Investigate -Report-Attendance of Ministers and Elders on Synod-Rev. Hugh McGill-Disorderly Conduct of Mr. McGill-The matter finally disposed of-The Scotch Irish-Mr. Mcilvaine Called, Ordained, and Installed-The Rev. John Johnston appointed Stated Clerk-Mr. John B. Patterson Called, Ordained, and Installed-Overture from the General Assembly-Rev. David Bard Resigns his Charge-Agreement between Mr. Grier and his Congregations- Representation in the General Assembly in 1800-Rev. James Simpson-Rev. Mr. Morrison Messrs. William Stuart and John Coulter-Mr. William Jackson-The Congregation of Lycoming-Rev. Hugh Morrison and a majority of the Buffalo Congregation in Controver- sy-Death of Mr. Morrison-Rev. Matthew Brown, D. D .- Rev. Thos. L. Birch -- Rev. Henry R. Wilson-The Rev. Isaac Grier Resigns Great Island-Rev. John Hutchison Received and Licensed-Missions-Missionary Treasurer-Charges preferred against Rev. Matthew Ste- phens-Rev. Thomas Hood Called-Mr. Hutchison Called-Education for the Ministry-The Division of the Presbytery Proposed-Committee of Education make their first Report- Complaints in regards to Arrearages-Charges against Rev. M. Stephens not Sustained- The General Assembly Refuse to Divide the Presbytery-The Effects of Emigration-Pasto- ral Relations Dissolved-References from the Synods of Virginia and Kentucky on the Subject of the Relation of Baptized Children to the Discipline of the Church-Rev. James Linn Called to Bellefonte and Lick Run-Mr. W. Kennedy Called to Lewistown and West Kishacoquillas-Petition for the Organization of a Church at Milton-Mr. Thomas Caldwell a Beneficiary Candidate for the Ministry-The Establishment of a Theological Seminary -- The Presbytery Divided.
At the time of the constitution of the Presbytery there were only eleven ordained ministers, no licentiates, and no candidates for the ministry. Of the ordained ministers, two were without pastoral charges, Rev. JOHN HOGE and Rev. MATTHEW STEPHENS. There is reason to believe that Mr. HOGE never sustained a pastoral relation. But Mr. STEPHENS was soon invited to become the pastor of Shaver's Creek congregation, of which he had been stated supply for some time previous. The call was presented to Presbytery October 4, 1797, and put into the hands of Mr. STEPHENS, with the subscription paper attached, amounting to upwards of £130. In those times it was com- monly understood that the minister took the subscription paper as the pledge of his salary; and whatever may have been the under- standing of Presbytery, each subscriber was to be looked to as alone
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responsible for his individual subscription, and payment was a matter of settlement between the pastor and the subscriber. It is probable that in many, if not in most cases, collectors were appointed in the congregation ; but too often they met with very indifferent success, either from negligence, or the absence of a feeling of responsibility on the part of the congregation as a whole. Hence there is scarcely the record of a pastoral relation dissolved by death, or otherwise, for a number of years, after which there were not difficulties about arrear- ages of salary, for which the Presbytery was applied to, to enforce a settlement. Sometimes there was a failure in a congregation in meet- ing their engagement with the pastor through real inability to pay, induced by death, or emigration from the congregation. Cases are recorded in which, in these circumstances, a pastor who served two, three, or more congregations, by mutual agreement, and with the sanction of Presbytery, relinquished a portion of his salary ; and that part of his charge concerned, relinquished a portion of the time of the pastor. But this by the way. On the next day after the call from Shaver's Creek had been put into his hands, Mr. S. announced his acceptance of it, but requested that his installation be deferred till after the next meeting of the Presbytery. At the next meeting, April 11, 1798, the Rev. Messrs. WILEY and JOHN JOHNSTON were appointed a committee to install Mr. STEPHENS on the 3d Tuesday of June following, which was accordingly done.
At the same meeting (that Mr. STEPHENS was called to Shaver's Creek,) Mr. WILEY requested leave to resign his connection with Sinking Creek, one branch of his pastoral charge, and represented to Presbytery that said congregation had appointed a committee to inform Presbytery that they considered themselves, in duty to Mr. WILEY, in the present state of the congregation, bound to concur with him in his request, and agree that it be granted. The pastoral rela- tion was accordingly dissolved, and the congregation declared vacant.
At the next stated meeting of Presbytery, April 10, 1798, held at Spring Creek, the Rev. ASA DUNHAM was received, an ordained minis- ter from the Presbytery of New-Brunswick. At the same time and meeting, Mr. ALEXANDER McILWAINE, a probationer from under the care of the Presbytery of Letterkenny, north of Ireland, having pro- duced testimonials of his regular licensure by said Presbytery, and of his good standing in the Church, requested to be taken under the care of Presbytery. But not having with him such collateral testi- mony as the Synod required-the applicant not knowing that such
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testimony was required-Presbytery directed him to procure such testimony to be presented at the next meeting.
It will occur at once to the reader that the main reason of the Synod's requiring collateral testimony, besides the ordinary testimo- nials, signed by the clerk of the Presbytery from which the candidate purported to come, was the readiness with which formal certificates could be forged; and the distance of the country from which he came, so that it might be some considerable time before the forgery could be exposed. Instances of such imposition upon Presbyteries made such a rule necessary. And it implied no particular hardship on the part of real ministers of character, and honest probationers; as the appli- cant for admission to the Presbytery was permitted to preach within their bounds till he had time to procure the required testimony. This, like our modern rule to examine all ministers coming from other Presbyteries, so as to be satisfied in regard to their soundness in faith, is no hardship to really sound men; and those who are not, are the very persons it is designed to meet. After they are in, and prove unsound in the faitli, there is no relief but what may prove a tedious and wasting prosecution.
It ought to have been noticed before that at the Fall meeting of Presbytery of 1797, a certain Mr. THOMAS HOGG, a probationer from the Presbytery of Tyrone, Ireland, having produced, in the opinion of the Presbytery, sufficient testimonials from said Presbytery of licen- sure and good standing, requested to be taken under the care of Presbytery. It was agreed that his request be granted, "provided that the Synod coincide with the Presbytery in judgment." The Synod did not concur, and remitted Mr. H. back to the Presbytery to lay collateral testimony before them, in order to his reception. For although it does not appear that the General Assembly did adopt any general regulations in regard to the reception of foreign ministers and licentiates, till in the year 1800, yet the Synods of Philadelphia and New York, so early as the year 1764, and again in 1774, adopted standing rules upon the subject, which were substantially re-enacted by the General Assembly of 1800, with the addition, that no foreign minister, or licentiate, should be received into full membership by the Presbytery, till he had been held in probation at least one full year. What is intended by " collateral testimony" is clearly defined in the Assembly's act of 1800, as is seen in the following extract : "The Presbytery to which such minister or licentiate may apply, shall carefully examine his credentials, and not sustain a mere certificate of
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good standing, unless corroborated by such private letters or other collateral testimony as shall fully satisfy them as to the authenticity and sufficiency of his testimonials."
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Mr. HOGG being remitted back to the Presbytery did produce, in the opinion of the Presbytery, ample collateral testimony; but cer- tain reports injurious to his character prevailing in the country, it was determined to defer his reception into ministerial communion until many means have been used to investigate the subject. At the request of Mr. HoGG, who declared there were no just causes for such reports, Messrs. HUGH MORRISON and DAVID WILEY, ministers, and HUGH MCCORMICK and JOHN RAISNER, elders, were appointed a com- mittee to investigate the matter, and report to Presbytery at its next meeting. This committee reported at the time appointed, laid the minutes of their proceedings before the Presbytery, and the Presby- tery were unanimously of the opinion that the reports were ground- less, and ouglit not to operate against Mr. HoGG's character.
Mr. HOGG, after continuing under the care of the Presbytery for a little over two years, and receiving appointments regularly, which he generally fulfilled, sent a letter to Presbytery, stating that he had "given up his profession, resigned his ministerial office," and request- ing "any minutes respecting him to be expunged from the Presby- tery's Records." After mature deliberation the Presbytery resolved, "That they no longer consider Mr. HoGG as under their care." This is the last time his name appears upon the minutes, and probably there is no person now living who could tell what became of him afterwards.
About this time a committee of Presbytery was appointed to pre- pare a letter addressed to the non-attending members of the Presby- tery, urging their attendance at the next meeting of Synod. Whether there were any special reasons connected with the coming meeting of Synod, why they should be urged to attend, or whether there had been heretofore customary neglect on the part of some members to attend the meetings of Synod, there is nothing in the records to show. However, so late as the year 1805, the Synod of Philadelphia thought it necessary to send a letter to Presbytery, enjoining all the ministers of this Presbytery who have charges, to inform their Ses- sions, at least one month previous to the meeting of Synod, that it is their duty and privilege to send a representative to the Synod annu- ally ; and to apprize vacant congregations of their duty and privilege in this respect. Min. Vol. I, p. 202. From this it would appear that
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there had been a neglect in this matter on the part of Sessions; and, as Synod supposed, on account of ignorance of their duty and their privilege. But it is more than probable, that the neglect arose more from the inconvenience and expense than from ignorance.
In the comparatively early days of the Presbytery and the churches, it occasionally occurred that differences arose between ministers and their congregations, requiring the interference of Presbyteries; but perhaps not more frequently than in more modern times. It will be recollected that Rev. HUGH MAGILL applied to Presbytery at its second meeting after organization, to have his pastoral relation to Tuscarora congregation dissolved. He still remained pastor of Cedar Spring, the other part of his charge. At the meeting of the Presby- tery at Pine Creek, October 3, 1798, a petition from the Session and others, members of Mr. MAGILL's congregation, was handed in and read, which informed Presbytery that an unhappy difference existed between Mr. M. and a number of his congregation, and asked Presby- tery to appoint a committee of the Presbytery to meet at Cedar Spring Church (now Mifflintown) to assist them in effecting an accom- modation. In accordance with this request, Messrs. WILEY, BRYSON (JOHN) and MORRISON, ministers, with the elders THOMAS FERGUSON, WILLIAM BELL, Esq., and JOHN COOPER, were appointed the commit- tee to meet at Cedar Spring Church, on the last Saturday of month. At the adjourned meeting held on the 20th of the succeed- ing month, this committee reported that they had met at the time and place appointed, but had been unable to effect an accommodation. The Presbytery then, after consideration, resolved to appoint an adjourned meeting at Cedar Spring, on the 2d Tuesday of January, at which still farther endeavors may be used to effect an accommodation, or do whatever shall appear to be expedient in the premises. At this meeting of the Presbytery, Mr. MAGILL informed Presbytery, that in consequence of advanced age and many infirmities, he conceived himself no longer capable of discharging the duties of a pastor, and therefore requested that the pastoral relation between him and the congregation of Cedar Spring be dissolved. The members of the Session, in behalf of themselves and the congregation, united with Mr. MAGILL in his request, and stated, that in consideration of his past labors, they would pay to him annually the sum of thirty dollars, and continue to him the use of the glebe during his natural life-provided he did not permit the timber to be wasted, or unnecessarily destroy- ed, nor the premises to be otherwise injured. Upon this the Presby-
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HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
tery dissolved the pastoral relations, and declared the congregation vacant.
No doubt the Presbytery considered all matters of dispute between Mr. MAGILL and Cedar Spring congregation happily and finally settled, and at the next meeting in April, 1799, proceeded to appoint supplies for the congregation, as usual in the case of vacant congregations. Mr. MAGILL was appointed the first supply for the first Sabbath of May, and the first Sabbath of June; the rest of his time at discretion. Mr. WILEY to administer the Lord's Supper there on the third Sab- bath of August, and Mr. S. BRYSON to assist on that occasion.
The following extract from the Minutes of the Session of Presby- tery, held October 2, 1799, will tell the whole story-p. 104, Vol. I :
" A paper was handed to Presbytery signed by Mr. MAGILL, in which he declares that he declines all connection with the Presbytery, and that he will not submit to our authority. Also a letter from Mr. McG. to SAMUEL BRYSON, in which he desires Mr. B. not to assist in the administering the Lord's Supper at Cedar Spring, on the third Sabbath of August last, although Mr. B. had been appointed to that service by Presbytery. It was, moreover, represented to Presbytery, that Mr. M. had procured the doors of the meeting house, at Cedar Spring, to be nailed up, so that Mr. MORRISON was prevented from preaching there on the second Sabbath of August; that the people have thus been prevented from the use of the house ever since ; and that his conduct has been in other respects irregular and disorderly, contrary to the peace and welfare of the society, and inju- rious to the interests of religion in general."
In consequence of these representations the Presbytery cited Mr. MAGILL to appear before them at their meeting at Upper Tuscarora, on the first Tuesday of November following, and forbid his preaching within the bounds of the congregation of Cedar Spring, unless by permission of Presbytery hereafter. They also warned the people from giving countenance to Mr. MAGILL in any disorderly conduct. It would seem as if some of the people of the congregation had coun- tenanced Mr. MAGILL, and therefore a committee of Presbytery was appointed to prepare a letter to be addressed to them on the subject. Mr. BARD and Mr. JOHN BRYSON were the committee.
Mr. MAGILL not appearing at the meeting of the Presbytery, in November, was again cited to appear at the next meeting to be held at Derry in Northumberland county, on the first Tuesday in Decem- ber next, to answer to the charges exhibited against him. Mr. M. was again absent, but it appearing that the citation ordered at the former meeting had not been transmitted to him, it was agreed that
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the Presbytery meet again in the town of Northumberland on the 4th Tuesday of January, and Mr. M. be cited to appear there to answer to such charges as have been alleged against him. Mr. MAGILL, not appearing in answer to the renewed citation, it was ordered that he be again cited to appear at the regular stated meet- ing to be held in Mifflintown on the first Tuesday of April, 1800. At this meeting Mr. M. appeared, acknowledged that most of the particu- lars alleged against him were true, and that he would cheerfully submit the matter to the determination of Presbytery.
In consideration of his age and infirmities, the Presbytery dealt very leniently with him, only censuring his conduct as very reprehen- sible, admonishing to be more careful and circumspect in his conduct for the future, and immediately to restore to the congregation all the church property which he held, and no longer to consider himself as having any claims to the meeting house. Further, they ordered that he should not interfere in any manner with the affairs of the congre- gation, nor preach within its bounds, but by the invitation.of the Session or the order of the Presbytery. And in regard to his annuity promised at his resignation of the congregation, payment of which had been suspended because of his troubles with the church, it was ordered that it should commence immediately upon his compliance with the orders of the Presbytery, and not till then.
It would be injustice to the congregation of Cedar Spring to close the account of this case without an expression of admiration for the prudence and forbearance which they manifested throughout the conduct of this whole case, and the consideration and kindness which they manifested to their aged ex-pastor up to the very last. The grace of God must have ruled in that congregation, or the promise of the use of the Glebe, and the annuity of thirty dollars, had been recalled at the close of this vexatious case. It is true, that two years afterwards, Mr. MAGILL complained to Presbytery that the congrega- tion of Mifflin and Lost Creek refused to pay him the annuity prom- ised at the time the pastoral relation was dissolved. But it was provoked by repeated acts on the part of Mr. M. and his family tending to the injury of the congregation. If the Presbytery did not expressly justify thewithholding of the annuity, they permitted the congregation to do as they thought proper in regard to the payment, and considered it no bar to the settlement of another pastor.
Though the aged ministers were dropping out of active service one after another, in the good providence of God others were coming to
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HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
fill the vacant places, and to carry on the work; yet not so fast as the necessities of the numerous vacancies seemed to require. But the Lord of the harvest knew best the appropriate times in which, and the places to which to appoint his ministers. Though some from . among the churches of the Presbytery were looking towards and preparing for service in the ministry, the larger portion of acces- sions to the ranks of the ministry in the early years of the Church were foreigners, who came to this country either as licentiates or ordained ministers. Indeed, of those who constituted the Presbytery of Huntingdon at its organization, they were almost all of Scotland or Ireland by birth, or of the Scotch-Irish by descent. And this was mainly true of the private members of the congregations. There were some in every congregation, doubtless, of other origin and descent, but they were comparatively few. If it were not for the descendants of Scotch-Irish, our church would even yet make a sorry ' appearance as to members, after the lapse of one hundred and sixty- seven years since the constitution of the first Presbytery in this country. For many years there was a constant emigration from Scotland and Ireland, but especially from Ireland to this country ; and the assertion may be ventured, that nineteen-twentieth's of the mem- bers of the Presbyterian churches in the bounds of this Presbytery are the immediate descendents of Scotch-Irish parents, or of foreign birth themselves.
In the Spring of 1798 Mr. ALEXANDER McILWAINE, a licentiate who had lately come to this country, made application to be received under the care of the Presbytery, as has already been referred to; but according to the rules adopted by the Synod and General Assembly, he could not be received till after a year's probation. During that year he passed through almost the same parts of trial as a candidate for licensure among ourselves, and his christian character was tested, also his ability to labor, and his acceptableness as a preacher among the people. On the 17th of April, 1799, the Presbytery made the follow- ing minute in respect to Mr. McILWAINE: "Having now resided and preached within the bounds of this Presbytery for upwards of one year, his case was reviewed. He was examined as to his knowledge and approbation of our standards of doctrine, discipline, and govern- ment; whereupon, Presbytery unanimously determined to receive him under their care, and make report to the next General Assembly of his reception, as a candidate of prudence, gravity, and godly con- versation, and highly acceptable to our churches." The Assembly
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