USA > Pennsylvania > Huntingdon County > Huntingdon > History of the Presbytery of Huntingdon > Part 30
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In the Fall of 1854 he received and accepted a call from the Pres- byterian congregation of Altoona, Huntingdon Presbytery. He con- tinued the pastor of this church till the time of his death, which occurred in 1863.
JOHN H. CLARKE was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio in 1857. In 1858 he was ordained by the Presbytery of Carlisle, and installed pastor of the churches of Landisburg, Centre, and Upper, Perry county, Pa. He continued to be the pastor of these churches for about five years, when the pastoral relation was dissolved, as believed, on account of failing health ; as he spent the year after his resignation of the charge mostly in Altoona among his friends with- out any pastoral charge. In 1865 he became the stated supply of the congregations of Tyrone and Birmingham, in the Presbytery of Hunt- ingdon. Two years after he received a formal call, and was installed
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pastor of these churches. This charge he continued to serve as his health would permit till the latter part of the year 1870, when the Lord took him from all his earthly labors and sorrows. He died of pulmonary disease on the 23d day of September, 1870, in the 39th year of his age. His health had been failing for several years before his death. All the usual means had been employed to arrest the progress of the disease, the physician's skill, occasional cessation from pulpit labors, and change of climate; but all in vain. He was a good preacher, an excellent pastor, a valuable presbyter, and an amiable man. Both brothers died of the same disease, and were much lamented at their death; and both died comparatively young, and while yet many years of service in the ministry might have been expected from them.
THQ : HUNTER, LITH, PIN! !
REV. DAVID STERRETT.
REV. DAVID STERRETT.
M R. STERRETT was born near Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, in the year 1800. His parents were members of the Donegal Presbyterian church. His father was a farmer in com- fortable worldly circumstances. His mother was a lady of devoted piety, by whom he was carefully and religiously trained in his youth. As the result of careful religious instruction, with the blessings of God, he early became a communicating member of the church of Donegal, of which the Rev. Mr. KERR was then Pastor. Having turned his attention to the ministry, he pursued his academ- ical course at Newburg, Cumberland county, Pa., and from thence passed into Jefferson College, where he graduated in 1827, in a class numbering thirty-two; out of which nearly one-half afterwards became ministers of the Gospel. In 1832 he completed his theologi- cal course at Princeton Seminary, and the same year was licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle. In 1834 he received a call from Shavers Creek congregation, in the bounds of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, to which he was transferred as an ordained minister. When ordained, and why ordained sine titulo, we do not know; but Shavers Creek was his first pastoral charge, in which he was installed by a committee of Presbytery on the 30th of May, 1834.
He served this congregation for fourteen years, his pastoral rela- tion to it being dissolved at his own request in 1848. This was a large congregation, having three places of preaching, Manor Hill being the centre, and Shavers Creek Bridge on the south, and Stone Valley on the north, each being six miles from the centre. It was in some respects a laborious charge; and not from any serious dis- satisfaction on the part of the people, but rather from failing health, he was induced to seek a dissolution of the pastoral rela- tion ; and with a view to greater advantages for the education of his children. If he had any more difficulties in this charge in the
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discharge of his pastoral duties, than ordinarily falls to the lot of every faithful minister, they arose from his decided advocacy of the temperance reformation, and the faithful application of the discipline of the church.
In the Fall of 1849 he received and accepted a call from the united churches of Waynesburg (McVeytown) and Newton Ham- ilton; and was installed their pastor in the beginning of the year 1850. He served these congregations faithfully and acceptably for six years. Perhaps we may say that these were the most successful years of his ministerial life. During these six years one hundred and sixty-one were added to the church on examination; and in one of these years seventy-five.
At the close of this term, his health having materially failed, he sought a dissolution of the pastoral relation; and never after- wards sought for, or accepted a pastoral charge. But he did not abandon the service of the ministry ; he continued often and stated- ly to preach. He allowed himself but few silent Sabbaths, either preaching for the brethren or supplying vacant churches when in ordinary health. His rest consisted chiefly in being freed from the responsibility of a pastoral charge, and the laborious preparations from Sabbath to Sabbath.
During his residence in MeVeytown he was called to experience the greatest affliction of his life, as personal and family. His only son, a boy of eight or ten years of age, was drowned in a shallow stream in which he was wading in returning from the pasture field. He suddenly plunged into a deep hole which had been washed out by previous floods ; and being unable to swim, and no adequate help being at hand, the boy perished.
The closing years of his life and ministry were spent in efforts to secure the endowment of Lincoln University, in which he was unu- sually successful. The Winter before his death he was in feeble health, but as Spring approached he seemed to recuperate, and at a meeting of the Presbytery in April, was appointed, according to his own desire to represent the Presbytery in the General Assembly which met in Chicago, May, 1871. He was able to reach the Assem- bly, and was punctual in his attendance every day till the one before its final adjournment. On that day he said to the writer-"I will leave for home to-morrow morning, lest I shall not be able to reach home at all." Contrary to his expectations, traveling and change of scene had not availed to benefit his health, but probably his
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close attendance on the sessions of the General Assembly hastened the end. By a kind providence he was permitted to reach his family in Carlisle, but a few days afterwards was stricken with paralysis, and died on the 21st of June, 1871, in the 71st year of his age.
His death bed was marked by calmness and hope, and trust, explicitly and firmly declared in the righteousness of Christ. His disease prevented him from communicating with his family and friends except by writing. Though the organs of speech were entirely paralized, his mind was in an unusual degree unim- paired. To the entire satisfaction of his friends, and the ministerial brethren who were permitted to visit him in his last sickness, he expressed in the way indicated, his entire resignation to the will of God in the event, and his unhesitating reliance on the merits of Christ for salvation. But to those who had a personal acquaintance with Mr. STERRETT, no death-bed declarations were needed to assure them of his peaceful, trustful, and triumphant death. "Mark the perfect man, behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace." Ps. 37:37.
Mr. STERRETT'S christian character from the time that he made a profession of religion, was not only unexceptionable, but eminent ; no one was ever known to question his personal piety. Out of the pulpit, as well as in the pulpit, he was a reprover of evil doers. No man could give more expressive indications of disapprobation of unbecoming words or actions, without uttering a word of reproof ; the expression of his countenance being the certain index of his thoughts. As a christian he lived near to God, and was zealous for his honor and glory. He would allow of no trifling with sacred things on any occasion in his presence.
As a christian minister he was able and faithful. His one aim was the salvation of souls; and he was favored by God to be the instrument of the salvation of many. As a preacher he was highly esteemed among pious people, and those who loved the pure Gospel. He was not a BOANERGES, but he was eminently a BARNABAS. His services were sought for at protracted meetings and in times of revi- val, and were then eminently efficient. He was a wise counsellor on such occasions to pastors and people, and to inquirers.
He was no extempore preacher, but required time for preparation ; he never read his sermons but delivered them memoriter. He was a man of great humility, far more ready to underrate his own perfor-
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mances than to take satisfaction in them. In services which might be common, he was always disposed to shove his brethren forward and stand aside himself. Yet he never declined a service when duty required it, or when properly called to it. As a presbyter he was wise and judicious, considered a safe counsellor and confided in by his brethren. He never occupied much time by set speeches, but always spoke directly to the point without circumlocution. Though of a very mild and conciliatory disposition, he was always firm and fearless in what he believed to be the right. Hardly any one ever exhibited more of the suaviter in modo, fortiter in re.
His manner in the pulpit ordinarily was calm, yet at most times eloquent with heart-felt earnestness. His voice was not strong, but pleasant and engaging. His delivery was not boisterous, but more resembled the smoothly flowing stream. In all his pulpit perform- · ances there was a greater equality than is exhibited or maintained by most preachers. He never rose much above or fell much below his common pulpit exhibitions. Of course, the state of his health would affect the manner of his delivery ; but not much the material or sub- stance of his sermons.
THỌ! HUNTER, LITH.PHIL!
REV. JAMES LINN D. D.
REV. JAMES LINN, D. D.
R EV. JAMES LINN, D. D., was born in Sherman's Valley, now Perry county, Pa., September 4, 1783. He was graduated at Dickinson College in 1805, licensed by the Presbytery of Carlisle in 1808, and ordained in Bellefonte, Pa., April, 1810, by the Presbytery of Huntingdon. His pastoral charge embraced the churches of Bellefonte and Lick Run. In 1839 he was released from Lick Run and retained Bellefonte, where he sustained the relation of pastor until his decease, February 23, 1868.
In 1811 Dr. LINN was married to Miss JANE HARRIS, daughter of JAMES HARRIS, Esq., one of the earliest and most eminent citizens of Centre county. By this marriage he had four sons and two daugh- ters,-four of whom, three sons and one daughter, still live. He was again married on the 15th of April, 1829, to Miss ISABELLA HENDERSON, a daughter of another of the early and reputable citizens of Centre. This union gave him another daughter, the present Mrs. WILLIAM WILSON, of Bellefonte. The second Mrs. LINN survived her husband three years. Our brother was eminently happy in both his marriages; happy also in his children, all of whom have ever been exemplary. His family was an illustration of the blissful influence of a well ordered home and of the power of that truth which the father pro- claimed from the pulpit. He and his house were truly a pattern to the people of his charge.
In social life Dr. LINN was rather more retiring and silent than became one in his position, possessed of talents and learning, and gifted with fair conversational powers. He needed to be drawn out. He waited for others to lead, and when they did so they found him both vivacious and instructive.
As a Presbyter, Dr. LINN was one of the most faithful. The Pres- bytery of Huntingdon is large in regard to both ministers and
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churches. Its boundaries are extensive. Ranges of precipitous mountains traverse it, which made bad roads a necessity. Travelling was hence laborious. The fifty miles of a journey often needful to attend presbyterial meetings, and to supply vacant churches, had to be accomplished by the minister's own means of conveyance, which ordinarily, was a horse and saddle; and yet appointments were filled without failure, up to almost the extreme of old age. Among his brethren he was, in Presbytery as elsewhere, the wise and reliable counsellor. The aged and the young found in him the ever trust- worthy friend.
As a pastor Dr. LINN was neither a flatterer, nor fussy, but atten- tive, kind, and sympathising. None were too rich and powerful to be admonished ; and none were so obscure and feeble but that they were waited upon with assiduity. As a preacher, our brother was earnest, plain and instructive, inclining more to the doctrinal and practical than to the experimental and hortatory. In the early part of his ministry he spoke, as was the custom of the times, mostly from memory. Later in life he sometimes used a manuscript. Always was he a student.
That Dr. LINN possessed a combination of excellencies, and was capable of transferring them, is evident in the intelligence, taste, refinement, moral excellence, and elevated christian character and liberal spirit of the people of Bellefonte-evident also in his con- tinning the pastor of such a people for nearly sixty years-evident also from the strong attachment of three generations, the parents, the children, and the grandchildren. The third generation, in all the vivacity of youth and early manhood regarded the aged pastor with love, as well as with veneration.
Dr. LINN is a most instructive example to the younger class of our ministers. He cast in his lot with a people poor, few in num- bers, with lands yet to clear and houses yet to build. His promised salary was hence small, and he had not much extra means. No Mi ;- sion Board behind. No Church Erection Fund whence to draw. The court-room was his church in one congregation, and a log cabin in the other. But his was in purpose, a life contract. He was the people's and the people were his. That was to be his home, and he would make it what a minister's home should be-a home in the happy hearts of a well nurtured flock. He would have an attached family-a people who would love him in response to his love for them. He knew that if he would train them a truly and
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deeply religious people they would be also a people industrious, thrifty, liberal, and faithful to their pastor. If he would enrich them with spiritual treasures, they would never allow him to be destitute of the needed good things which should be the fruits of their toil. Such were his faith and purpose. The purpose he exe- cuted, and his faith proved to be well founded. He never needed to stimulate his people by complainings or threatening. They felt that he performed his duty, and a performance of theirs was but a natural and christian response. And when the infirmities of age disqualified him for ministerial labor, the tendered resignation was refused. An assistant was provided and the aged pastor's salary would have been continued as before had he not absolutely declined. under the altered circumstances, to receive more than $200 per an- num, which was forced upon his acceptance. Happy pastor, happy people. Blessed of the Lord. REV. D. MCKINNEY, D. D.
Dr. Lixx's portrait as a clergyman has been drawn by an able hand. but there were features of his character as a man and citizen, unnoted in this memorial, which those who knew and loved hin best desire to have perpetuated ; more especially those tender and lovable qualities which united with the stronger and sturdier ones, to make him what he was.
The estimation in which he was held by his own people was largely shared by the whole community in which he lived. Among the immediate neighbors, with whom his friendly relations were unbro- ken, were those of various religious opinions; Episcopalians, Qua- kers and Jews as well as Presbyterians ; and nearest of all, within sight and hearing of much that was done and said in the household, lived for twenty-five years, a Roman Catholic family, and the affec- tionate veneration of their feelings was strongly expressed by one of them when he died, in the exclamation that "Mr. LINN would certainly go straight to heaven." Among his Jewish friends, was one in particular, who evinced his regard by kind personal attentions; redoubling them in his last illness by taking to the dying clergy- man grapes and other delicacies. And to these tokens of a wide spread reverential feeling in the community, may be added the general respect shown at his funeral, in the closing of stores and dismissal of schools; the large concourse of people attending the services in the church being composed not only of parishioners
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mourning for their pastor, but also of fellow citizens paying their last tribute of respect to an earnest and patriotic man, a faithful and generous friend, a patriarch, whose useful and blameless life merited all the honor that could thus be paid to his memory.
The tablet which fitly commemorates his long connection with the Bellefonte church, on the wall of the new edifice, bears this inscription :
"Faithful, wise; meek, patient; pure, devout."
Of the faithfulness in his ministry much can be said. His field of labor for twenty-nine years, embraced the two parishes extending from Tyrone to Lock Haven, and from Karthaus, on the West Branch of the Susquehanna, to the Seven Mountains, fifty miles each way ; and it was his invariable custom to pay pastoral visits to each family of his charge, twice a year in the earlier part of his ministry, and later, once a year at least. In the more primitive days these ministrations to a flock so scattered involved toilsome service ; all sorts of weather braved, and much time spent on the road. I can remember seeing Dr. LINN when advanced in life, saddle his horse or else gear him for driving, and start out after sunset to preach at some distant point ; for his congregation, even at that time, had numerous mem- bers living five, six, and seven miles in the country. I have the authority of Judge LINN, for recording that in one of the rare instances when he induced his father to speak of himself, at a time when he had been about thirty-six years in the ministry, he men- tioned that he had only once missed keeping an appointment of any sort, and this on account of the serious illness of his wife ; punc- tuality being one of the marked virtues of his character. He was faithful also in another respect, being ready at all times to rebuke bad conduct, not "beating about the bush," but speaking outright whatever he felt it his duty to say; and this must have had the more weight because of his natural reticence and unwillingness to give offence. A lady expressed her sense of the force of his disap- probation to Judge LINN, in these words-" Your father's smile is like sunshine, but his frown is terrible."
Dr. LINN was eminently a modest man, disliking to put himself for- ward in any way, "seeking not his own," hiding self in the Saviour for whom he lived and labored. When he was made a Doctor of Divinity, though realizing the honor, he was exceedingly annoyed and distressed. In response to the first salutations connecting the
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title with his name, he would say, "there is no doctor here." He said that when strangers came to the place and asked on the Sabbath who preached there, on being told " Mr. - preaches there and Mr. - there, but Dr. LINN preaches in the church with a tall steeple," they would go to the latter place with great expectations, and he should feel mortified to disappoint them. In his address at the semi- centenary of his pastorate he remarked: "Some one thought it would be a proper token of respect for me to have a theological title attached to my name. I cannot doubt the goodness of the motive which prompted the mover in this case, but he has overestimated my qualifications for that degree. I have no scruples of conscience respecting the wearing of titles ; but I never thought myself posessed of the mental power and theological attainments that would qualify me for having such distinction."
It was his aim to make his sermons plain, and if in writing a flower of rhetoric sprang up beneath his pen, it was ruthlessly plucked up and cast away ; and yet with their unadorned simplicity, he was fre- quently asked for these sermons for publication .. And in this connec- tion it may be stated, as illustrating his modesty as well as his indus- try, that no sermon was ever repeated in the same pulpit.
It is much to be regretted that he was so unwilling to speak of himself. At the time of the semi-centenary there were but three or four persons in the entire range of his pastorate who were of mature years when he first went to Bellefonte. There are none, therefore, now who can give the information that would be so valuable as to his early life, the influences that moulded his character and his expe- riences as a young clergyman in so interesting a locality.
He lived during his first married life and for some years afterwards on a farm in the immediate neighborhood of Bellefonte, and was noted in those days for his great strength, being the best reaper in all the country. He was always present at the "frolics," as they were called, i. e. gatherings of the farmers for the purpose of helping each other at harvestings, and other such occasions ; and always continued to have an interest in everything connected with agriculture. He was a good horseman and very fond of horses, preferring for his own use even in advanced years, those that were spirited.
He had a thorough acquaintance with music as a science, and a fine voice, which he used with admirable effect; being able to lead the singing at any service.
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He was, for many years, President of the Board of Trustees of the Academy, and taught a class of young ladies in that institution, in the early years of his pastorate. Beside his strong interest in educational matters he also felt an interest in the affairs of the country. During the war especially his sympathies were warmly called forth.
A public meeting on the Sabbath would never, on ordinary occa- sions, have had his countenance, but he promptly responded to a summons for such a meeting, when the object was to minister to the relief of soldiers suffering in defence of the country.
In a region noted for its hospitality, Dr. LINN was eminently hospi- table, and his generosity was spontaneous and unpretending. The late H. N. McALLISTER never wearied of referring in the congrega- tional meetings to Dr. LINN's generous dealings with the church. It was at one time greatly in debt, $900 for a country church being a heavy weight of indebtedness when the people had not been educated up to the present state of enlightenment as to church obligations, nor attained the present measure of prosperity. Until this pecuniary cloud was dispelled Dr. LINN voluntarily remitted every year $100 from his salary as his contribution towards the payment of the debt.
S. L. B.
PART III.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE MORE PROMINENT DECEASED ELDERS OF THE PRESBYTERY.
DECEASED RULING ELDERS.
THE writer anticipated difficulties in the way of obtaining reliable sketches of the lives of the original elders of the Presbytery, but has experienced more than he expected. Of the ruling elders who served the respective congregations at the time of the organization of the Presbytery, and for some years afterwards, but few fragments of their history remain to be gathered up. Their cotemporaries are all dead; the second generation have also passed away ; and the third know but little about them but their names and the places of their residence. Indeed, as the time of the organization of most of the original churches is buried in obscurity, so the elders offici- ating in these times, even their names, in many instances, are un- known. Take for example the church of Huntingdon, one of the most prominent in the Presbytery, has no record of the original elders, and can only be guessed at by the names of those who acted in the capacity of trustees to whom the original deed of church property was made. Records never were made, or have been lost, or as in the case of Huntingdon church, destroyed in the conflagration of the buildings in which they were kept. For these reasons we have been unable to obtain but little information concerning the first class of elders, who lived and served the congregations in conjunc- tion with the original pastors ; and are therefore under the neces- sity of contenting ourselves with the names and memorials of those of later date, mostly of the second generation. The elders present at the organization of the Presbytery, were JOHN WATSON, WALTER CLARK, ROBERT SMITH, and WILLIAM HAMMOND, but the congregations they represented are not upon record. The second day of the ses- sion Mr. ROBERT RIDDLE was enrolled as an elder from Shavers Creek congregation. He afterward removed to Scotch Valley, within the bounds of the Frankstown (Hollidaysburg) congregation ; and many descendents are yet living within the same bounds. A
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