USA > Pennsylvania > Huntingdon County > Huntingdon > History of the Presbytery of Huntingdon > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
At this time petitions were presented to Presbytery, signed by a number of the inhabitants of the town of Milton, on the Susque- hanna, and of White Deer township, requesting permission to apply for one-fourth of Mr. HooD's labors in the town of Milton. To this request the Presbytery gave their consent, providing it met with the approbation of the Rev. JOHN BRYSON, within the bounds of whose charge some of the petitioners resided. This was the origin of the congregation of Milton, now among the largest and most influential of the congregations in the Presbytery of Northumberland. It would appear that some opposition was made by Mr. BRYSON and his sessions, for at a subsequent meeting of the Presbytery, when a call was made by the residents of Milton and vicinity, for Mr. Hoop, and presented to Presbytery, on account of some informality in the call, and because of the town of Milton being within the bounds of Mr. BRYSON's con- gregation, it was not put into Mr. Hoop's hands at the time; but Mr.
.
64
HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
BRYSON and the congregations of Chillisquaque and Warrior Run were required to appear at the next meeting of Presbytery, and show cause, if they had any, why Milton may not be erected into a separate con- gregation. Before the next meeting the division of Presbytery had taken effect, and the matter was left in the charge of the brethren who composed the Northumberland Presbytery. It is probable that the church at Milton was organized soon afterwards, and Mr. HOOD installed its pastor.
It will be recollected that Mr. STEPHENS applied to the Presbytery in October, 1809, for leave to resign his pastoral charge, and the con- gregation were cited to appear and show cause, if any they had, why Mr. STEPHENS' request should not be granted. The congregation not appearing by their commissioners at the meeting held in April, 1810, and Mr. STEPHENS still expressing his desire that the pastoral relation should be dissolved, it was granted, and the congregation declared - vacant.
In the Spring of 1808, the committee appointed to superintend the education of poor and pious youth, with a view to the ministry, reported that they had taken under their care THOMAS CALDWELL, and spoke favorably of his progress under the tuition of the Rev. ISAAC GRIER, who was then employed in teaching a classical school, in con- nection with pastoral labors. Salaries were then so inadequate that pastors had often to connect other employments with the preaching of the gospel, as a means of support. Some had farms on which they labored; but the most common refuge was teaching, as most con- genial to their Sabbath employments. In the fall of 1809 the com- mittee report considerable arrearages due to Mr. GRIER for the board- ing and education of THOMAS CALDWELL, and Presbytery enjoined it upon the members to read this report to their several congregations, and "if possible to excite them to assist, and enable the Presbytery to carry their laudable designs into effect." We know not how faith- ful the brethren were to their own resolution; but it ended like many resolutions, in being passed and recorded in the minutes, For, at a subsequent meeting of the Presbytery, when the members were called upon to give an account of their collections for this object, it appeared that the sum raised was not sufficient to defray the arrear- ages due to Mr. GRIER. In view of this state of the funds, Presbytery resolved that it was not advisable to continue the young man any longer on a fund which was inadequate to his expenses. When it is remembered that Presbytery had but one young man on their educa-
65
HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
tion fund, and that the Presbytery covered the whole territory now embraced in the two Presbyteries of Huntingdon and Northumber- land, it ought not to have been a burden on the churches to support one young man during the course of his education. Some other reason must be found for abandoning the scheme; and it probably was the prejudice of the people against the plan, and against any one who would consent to obtain an education in this beneficiary way. The prejudice is not even yet altogether extinct. It prevails very strongly in a Scotch-Irish congregation, and the nearer a people come to the original stock, the stronger the prejudice. There is no nation- ality to which the adage applies more thoroughly-" poor and proud"- than the Scotch-Irish.
But another action of the Presbytery immediately following this is much more unaccountable. The General Assembly at this time (1810) was seriously agitating the matter of establishing a Theological Sem- inary. The Presbytery took the subject under serious consideration, and made the following deliverance unanimously : "That such school or schools would not be calculated to promote the interests of religion, and were therefore decidedly opposed to any such establishment." The reasons by which they came to this conclusion can only be a mat- ter of conjecture now; most of the ministers then composing the Presbytery had studied theology privately, under the direction of the pastors of the churches to which they severally belonged; but there were others who had gone from Ireland to Scotland to obtain their theological education in the Scottish seminaries, How they could consistently come to such a conclusion, is not to be comprehended. But experience has vindicated our theological seminaries. Of all churches in the land, the Presbyterian Church is under most necessity of good theological seminaries, to vindicate her consistency in demanding an able and learned ministry.
At the Fall meeting of the Presbytery the Rev. JAMES LINN pre- sented a copy of the minute of Synod respecting the division of the Presbytery, and expressed his desire that the line of division proposed to Synod be altered, and that the congregations of Bellefonte and Lick Run be annexed to the western division. It was agreed that the line be altered, and that Synod divide the Presbytery by the following line, viz : Beginning at the mouth of the Mahantango Creek, and pro- ceeding in a northwesterly course so as to strike the West Branch of the Susquehanna river at the line which divides Lycoming and Centre counties, so as to leave to the eastward the following members : the
9
66
HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
Rev. Messrs. ASA DUNHAM, JOHN BRYSON, ISAAC GRIER, JOHN B. PAT- . TERSON, and THOMAS HOOD, with their respective charges; together with the vacant congregations of Great Island, Lycoming and Pine Creek, to be called the Presbytery of Northumberland."
The Rev. WILLIAM KENNEDY was ordained and installed pastor of the congregations of Lewistown and West Kishacoquillas on the 3d day of October, 1810, the Rev. JOHN B. PATTERSON preaching the sermon, and Rev. WILLIAM STUART presiding and delivering the charge, according to previous appointments.
The last meeting of the Presbytery before the actual division was held in Buffalo church. At the previous meeting the congregations of Upper Tuscarora and Aughwick requested the consent of Presby- tery to be annexed to the Presbytery of Carlisle; the consideration of their request was deferred till this meeting, when the consent of Pres- bytery was refused. It was ordered that a copy of the minute re- specting the division of the Presbytery, and of that concerning the congregations of Upper Tuscarora and Aughwick be forwarded to Synod at its next meeting.
CHAPTER IV.
FROM THE DIVISION OF THE PRESBYTERY IN 1811 TILL THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 1825.
The Rule in regard to the Ordination of Candidates SINE TITULO-Difficulties in the Harts Log Congregation-Death of Rev. David Bard-Sabbath Mails-Petition from Alexandria Con- gregation, and Remonstrance of Harts Log-Rev. James Galbraith and Mr. William A. Boyd Received-Mr. James Thompson Called to Shaver's Creek-Rev. Nathaniel R. Snowden Call- ed to Millerstown and Liverpool-Mr. Joseph Adams a Candidate for the Ministry-Mr. John P. Thompson, a Licentiate of the Baptist Association of Philadelphia, opens the Pres- bytery with a Sermon-Mr. James S. Woods, a Licentiate, Received-Death of Rev. James Johnston-Rev. S. Hill Received-Rev. William A. Boyd's Resignation and Death-Mr. John McIlheney-Charge against Rev. William Kennedy-Death of Rev. John Johnston-Minute adopted in reference to Lotteries, Balls, &c .- Second Trial of Rev. Matthew Stephens on . Charges by Common Fame-Death of Mr. Stephens. Mr. John Peebles, a Licentiate of the Presbytery of Carlisle, Received -- Rev. S. Hill Dismissed to the Associate Reformed Presby- tery of Monongahela.
[THE first meeting of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, after the di- 1 vision, was held in the church of Spruce Creek, and was opened with a sermon by the Rev. DAVID BARD, from 2 Cor. 4:4, " The glorious gospel." After being constituted with prayer an abstract from the minutes of Synod was read, by which it appeared that Synod had divided the Presbytery according to their request.
The Presbytery now consisted of the following ministerial mem- bers :
Rev. DAVID BARD, without a particular charge.
Rev. MATTHEW STEPHENS, without charge.
Rev. JAMES JOHNSTON, Harts Log and Huntingdon.
Rev. WILLIAM STUART, Spring Creek and Sinking Creek.
Rev. JOHN COULTER, Lower and Middle Tuscarora.
Rev. JOHN HUTCHESON, Mifflintown and Lost Creek.
Rev. JAMES LINN, Bellefonte and Lick Run. Rev. WILLIAM. KENNEDY, Lewistown and West Kishacoquillas. The Rev. WILLIAM STUART was chosen moderator.
It will be observed that the Presbytery consisted of three ministers less than at its original constitution. But the territory had been much curtailed, still the bounds of the Presbytery were large, and
68
HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
there were many congregations without pastors, and many preaching points to be supplied. Every pastor had much to do in a kind of missionary work within and without their pastoral charges.
At this meeting of the Presbytery the members were called upon to state what had been done towards the collection of money for the theological seminary, as ordered by the General Assembly, when it was ascertained that no moneys had been collected for that object within the bounds of the Presbytery, as might have been expected from the previous action of the members disapproving of theological seminaries. The General Assembly of 1811 sent down to the Presby- teries a rule with regard to ordinations sine titulo, for their opinion or approbation. The rule was as follows: "That it shall be the duty of Presbyteries, when they think it necessary to ordain a candidate with- out a particular call to a congregation or congregations, to take the advice of their respective Synods, or of the General Assembly, before they proceed to this ordination." The Presbytery is recorded in the minutes as giving their unanimous consent to this rule in the Spring meeting of 1812. But it seems that this consent was not reported to the General Assembly. In 1813, the same rule was sent down a second time to the Presbyteries to be voted upon, and in 1814 the Presbytery of Huntingdon is reported to the Assembly as voting in the negative. It is to be presumed that in the meantime the mem- bers of the Presbytery had given the subject more mature considera- tion. Indeed the reason of their change of views in this matter is so recorded by themselves :
" Although the Presbytery two years ago gave a vote in the affirmative, yet having paid a more particular attention to the subject they give their unanimous negative on the above rule."
In the Fall of 1814 the Presbytery met in the church of Bellefonte. An abstract from the minutes of Synod, respecting the distribution of religious tracts was read, and committed to Messrs. HUTCHESON and LINN to report thereon.
The next day the committee made the following report, which was adopted : "Your committee are of the opinion that this is a subject worthy of serious attention. . But at the same time they are aware, that from various circumstances, little can be done at present ; they however recommend a compliance with the Synod's request, and for the purpose of making a small annual fund: Resolved, that each min- ister in this Presbytery contribute annually one dollar, and procure what he can from any individuals who may be friendly to the cause."
.
69
HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
.A paper was at this meeting of the Presbytery handed in, signed by a number of persons belonging to the Hart's Log congregation, in which they stated that they had deemed it their duty to withdraw from the ministrations of the Rev. JOHN JOHNSTON, and in which they ask to be separated from the congregation. The Presbytery consider- ed the paper informal, as containing no specific charges against Mr. JOHNSTON, and presenting requests which they had no power to grant. For these reasons the paper was returned to those who presented it. The difficulties which existed between these parties and Mr. JOHN- STON was of a political character, as the facts have come down to us by tradition. It was, as will be perceived, about the close of the war of 1812. A sermon preached by Mr. J. on a Thanksgiving or Fast day, (we do not know which,) gave offense to a part of his congrega- tion. Mr. J. was supposed to be opposed to the war, and consequently the opposite party was very ready to take offense. In a time of great political excitement men are not in a condition to form a calm judg- ment, or to conclude impartially. Moreover it has been proven by actual experience, that in such times ministers are very liable to be misunderstood, and their motives misjudged. There is no intention of apologizing for what may be properly called political preaching, as between the policy of political parties, but there has been a great deal of senseless clamor about political preaching, which has had no foundation but in the imaginations of heated partisans. Morals are just as applicable to political action as to any other matters that can engage the attention of men. Ministers are under obligation to make application of the moral law to all the relations of life. But in the instance under consideration, had all the facts been known at the time, as connected with that sermon, it might not have been thought important to make such an uproar about it. A London minister, on one occasion, happened on a sermon which had been prepared during the prevalence of the Great Plague. Of course there were in it many allusions to the plague then prevailing. At length one of his hearers could stand it no longer, and in great excitement arose in his seat and exclaimed, " sir, where is it?" The preacher very cooly replied, "] don't know, but it is in my sermon !" Mr. JOHNSTON, however, was a man of mind and of erudition, and a very substantial preacher, which all would be willing to confess, could they have the privilege of pursuing some of the sermons in manuscript, which the writer has for the present time in his possession.
70
HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
The ecclesiastical year of 1815, commences with the record of the death of the Rev. DAVID BARD, one of the original members of the Presbytery. He died on the 12th day of the preceeding March. Five of the old original members are now dead, the Rev. JAMES MAR- TIN in 1795, the Rev. HUGH MORRISON in 1804, the Rev. HUGH MAGILL in 1805, the Rev. JOHN HOGE in 1807, and Mr. BARD in 1815. The Rev. ALEXANDER McILWAINE died the same year with Mr. HOGE, a month later, but he was not one of the original members.
There was a renewed application at this time on the part of those of Hart's Log congregation who were dissatisfied with Mr. JOHN JOHN- STON, to obtain a separation from his charge, charging him with neglecting his ministerial duties in several instances. The next day, when the case was taken up, the commissioners on the part of the dissatisfied portion of the congregation, stated that all they desired was, that they should be no longer considered members of the Hart's Log congregation, and they were willing to pay up all their arrearages till the time of their withdrawing. The commissioners on the part of the congregation acceded to this, and the Presbytery agreed to the adjustment which the commissioners from both parties had made. They also considered the answer given by Mr. J. to the charges alleged against him, as in a great measure excusing him for the neglect of those ministerial duties specified, and it was agreed by the parties that no further notice should be taken of them.
Those who withdrew from Hart's Log congregation were afterwards, at their own request, recognized as a congregation under the care of the Presbytery, and supplies were granted them. There is no record of a formal organization, other than the above. It is altogether prob- able that a portion of the old session of Hart's Log went out with the seceding members, and the mere recognizing them as a congregation, duly officered, was all that was deemed necessary in this case. But the Synod did not concur in this opinion, and therefore this was made an exception in the approval of the minutes. .
The only further item of business occurring in this year, which is out of the usual routine, was the action of the Presbytery in reference to the transportation and opening of the mails on the Sabbath. The General Assembly had taken action on the subject, and enjoined it on the Presbyteries to take measures for circulating petitions to Congress against this violation of the Lord's Day. The Presbytery ordered, that the members use their influence to procure signatures to the
71
HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
aforesaid petitions, and send them to Congress before the first of the next January. Upon this historical fact, the following statement may be made : that in a true record of passing events, it will be found that Presbyterians have either been among the first originators of all moral reform, or the most steady and reliable friends of such reformations. Presbyterians may be slow to adopt new measures, but when once a cause commends itself to their approbation, there are none more fear- less and unwavering in its support. In the case above referred to, it is believed those of the Presbyterian order were first movers; and though unsuccessful for a long time, yet public sentiment came at last to the same conclusion. It is not supposed that all have come to the same conclusion out of respect to the authority of God; but if not, out of respect to their own interests. The Calvinistic system, so much misunderstood and misrepresented, is the only solid foundation of a practical morality. The Arminian systems, accordingly as they are more or less logically embraced, always lead to a loose and pliant morality. In the Roman Catholic church, where Arminianism appears in its full proportions, the morality of the Sabbath, and all other pre- cepts, are not only wonderfully obscured, but wonderfully disregarded. Such was the contrast between Paul and the Pharisees.
The Presbytery met April 2d, 1816, in the Presbyterian church of East Kishacoquillas. At this meeting commissioners from the congre- gation of Hart's Log, presented a memorial and remonstrance of the trustees of said congregation against the action of the Presbytery at its last meeting, in recognizing the congregation of Alexandria. The commissioners were heard in support of their remonstrance, and Pres- bytery refused to rescind their former action in reference to the people of the congregation of Alexandria. The commissioners gave notice that, in behalf of the congregation of Hart's Log, they would appeal to the Synod.
At the stated meeting of the Presbytery in October following, the business in reference to Alexandria congregation was again brought before Presbytery, by commissioners from both the parties concerned ; the commissioners representing the people of Alexandria, praying that they might be again recognized as a congregation, and the com- missioners on the part of Hart's Log remonstrating against such recog- nition. On motion, the consideration of this matter was postponed till the next meeting of Presbytery. But a motion was made and carried, that the Rev. JAMES JOHNSTON be appointed to preach in the church of Hart's Log on the 2d Sabbath of November; and that he
1
72
HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
and Mr. SINCLAIR, a ruling elder of the church of Sinking Valley con- gregation, be a committee to advise with the people of Alexandria and Hart's Log for the purpose of effecting a reconciliation, and report to Presbytery at its next meeting.
The next stated meeting was held on the 19th of November follow- ing, at which time the committee appointed for reconciliation report- ed that they had failed to effect a reunion under Mr. JOHN JOHNSTON, as the pastor of Hart's Log congregation.
The next day another petition was, presented from the dissatisfied portion, asking to be recognized as a separate congregation; and a remonstrance by the trustees of Hart's Log congregation against such recognition by the Presbytery. Presbytery postponed definite action till the next meeting of the Presbytery. Thus the business passed over till the next year.
During this year, additions were made to the roll of the Presbytery by the reception of the Rev. JAMES GALBRAITH, an ordained minister from the Presbytery of Redstone. Calls from the congregations of Frankstown and Williamsburg were presented to Presbytery for Mr. GALBRAITH, which he accepted ; and arrangements were made for his installation at a meeting to be held a Williamsburg, on the 3d Tuesday of November.
Mr. WILLIAM A. BOYD, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New Castle, applied to be received under care of Presbytery, having the usual testimonials of character and licensure, and dismission to the Hun- tingdon Presbytery ; and calls were put in his hands from the united congregations of Spruce Creek and Sinking Valley, each for half his time. Arrangements were made for the ordination and installation of Mr. BOYD at the next stated meeting of Presbytery, if the way. be clear. At the meeting of Presbytery, April 2d, 1817, Mr. BOYD was ordained and installed, in which service Mr. HUTCHESON preached the sermon, and Mr. COULTER presided, and gave the charges to pastor and people.
The persons who had withdrawn from the congregation of Hart's Log, and the ministry of the Rev. JOHN JOHNSTON, renewed their ap- plication to be erected into a separate congregation, which the Presby- tery declined to do, assigning their reasons in a series of resolutions, the third and the last of which were to this effect :
" That as the party which have withdrawn persist in declaring that the ministrations of the Rev. JOHN JOHNSTON are not for their spiritual advan- tage, supplies be sent to them to preach and administer ordinances. And
73
HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
that it be considered prudent for the people who have separated from Hart's Log congregation not to connect themselves with any neighboring congre- gation in calling a minister, thus leaving the way open for a reunion when circumstances render it practicable."
At the meeting of the Presbytery in the Fall of 1817, the subject of raising money for the education of poor and pious young men having in view the ministry, was taken up in obedience to an injunction of the General Assembly, and it was recommended to the members to take such measures as may be considered prudent and practicable, respecting the selecting and supporting such candidates for the minis- try. Order was also taken in regard to the contribution by each pastoral charge to the commissioners fund, raising it from four to six dollars.
A letter from the Board of Missions, accompanied with an address to the churches, requesting the Presbytery to aid them by missionary associations, was received and read. The consideration was deferred till the next stated meeting in October. At that time the Rev. Messrs. STUART and COULTER were appointed a committee to make report on the subject. This committee reported the next day, the substance of which report is as follows :
" We would willingly lend a helping hand in this important work, but from the particular circumstances of the churches under our care, we be- lieve that at present the formation of a missionary society within our bounds would be impracticable. The vacancies under our care are numer- ous, our members (with the exception of one, whose age and infirmities render him unable to attend to the duties either of a missionary or stated pastor) have each of them two pastoral charges, and we have no licentiate under our care. We believe, therefore, that although there is much mission- ary ground within the bounds of this Presbytery, no missionary could be obtained. Your committee, however, are of opinion that missionary asso- ciations on the congregational plan might be generally formed, and that much good might result from them. Your committee, therefore, beg leave te submit the following resolution :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.