USA > Pennsylvania > Huntingdon County > Huntingdon > History of the Presbytery of Huntingdon > Part 8
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Resolved, That it be recommended to every congregation under the care of this Presbytery, to form a missionary association within its bounds, as soon as practicable, and that the money raised by these associations be forwarded to the Board of Missions, acting under the authority of the General Assembly."
In October, 1818, the Presbytery met at Mifflintown. The congre- gation of Alexandria requested leave to prosecute a call for Mr. JAMES THOMPSON, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Northumberland. At the same time a written application from the congregation of Shaver's 10
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Creek, was laid before Presbytery for the same purpose. A letter from Rev. MATTHEW STEPHENS, who was absent by reason of age and infirmities, was presented, requesting Presbytery not to give the con. gregation of Shaver's Creek leave to prosecute a call for Mr. THOMP- SON, or any other person, until they had paid the arrearages of salary due to him.
It was moved and seconded that the resolution adopted by Presby- tery in April, 1817, prohibiting the congregation of Alexandria from uniting with any other congregation in calling a pastor, be rescinded. After some discussion, the consideration of the resolution was deferred till the next meeting of Presbytery. But by resolution of Presby- tery, the call from Shaver's Creek congregation for Mr. THOMPSON, was allowed to be prosecuted, notwithstanding the objection of Mr. STEPHENS, the former pastor. Because Mr. STEPHENS had already taken the matter of his claim into the civil court, against the advice of different members of the Presbytery; and the congregation of Shaver's Creek was willing to do what the Presbytery would say was just and reasonable in the premises.
The Rev. NATHANIEL R. SNOWDEN, a minister in good standing in the Presbytery of Carlisle, was at this meeting received by Presbytery ; and calls from the congregations of Millerstown and Liverpool were put into his hands. Mr. S. announced his acceptance of these calls ; and Messrs. HUTCHESON and KENNEDY were appointed a committee to install him, to met at Millerstown, on the first Wednesday of Novem- ber next. At a subsequent meeting the committee reported that in accordance with the appointment of Presbytery, they had installed Mr. SNOWDEN at the time designated as pastor of the united congrega- tions of Millerstown and Liverpool.
At an intermediate meeting of Presbytery, held at Alexandria, February 2, 1819, the matter in regard to the Alexandria congregation was taken up. The following substitute was offered for the resolution presented at the last stated meeting, viz :
" WHEREAS, Presbytery at their stated meeting in April, 1817, adopted certain resolutions erecting the people of Alexandria, who had separated from the congregation of Hart's Log, into a distinct congregation, but con- sidered it at that time prudent for them to remain vacant, without connect- . ing with any other congregation in calling a minister, thus leaving the way open for a reunion with Hart's Log congregation when circumstances may render it practicable ; And whereas, nearly two years have elapsed, without any prospect of such a change of circumstances ; And whereas, Presbytery no longer considers it prudent, expedient, or conducive to the interests of
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religion, that the congregation of Alexandria remain in a state of suspense and vacancy ; therefore,
Resolved, That the said congregation be no longer considered under any restriction with respect to the calling of a minister in connection with another congregation."
The trustees of the congregation of Hart's Log were called upon to state. objections, if any they had, to the above substitute. The trus- tees, the next day, laid before Presbytery, in writing, objections to the proposed action of Presbytery. The Presbytery, after mature consideration of the objections presented by the trustees of Hart's Log congregation, deemed them insufficient to arrest the action of Presbytery, and adopted the substitute.
Mr. JAMES THOMPSON, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Northumber- land, being now present, requested to be taken under the care of Presbytery; and his testimonials of good standing, and regular dis- mission being satisfactory, he was received according to his request. Calls from the congregations of Shaver's Creek and Alexandria for Mr. THOMPSON were presented, and being found in order, were put into his hands and accepted by him. On the 19th day of April, 1819, Mr. THOMPSON was ordained and installed pastor of the congregations of Shaver's Creek and Alexandria, on which occasion Mr. GALBRAITH preached the sermon from Isaiah 52: 7, and Mr. LINN presided, and gave the charges to the minister and people. .
Notwithstanding the failure of the Presbytery in 1810 to collect I sufficient funds to defray the expenses of the education of one young man for the ministry; yet the matter of the education of poor and pious young men for the ministry was not wholly. overlooked, or altogether abandoned. The attention of the Presbytery was called to the subject by the General Assembly from time to time.
In 1817 the following recommendation appears among the minutes of the Presbytery, viz: "That the members of Presbytery take such measures as may be considered prudent and practicable, to comply with the injunction of the General Assembly respecting the selecting and supporting of poor and pious young men for the gospel ministry." It will be recollected that reference has before been made to the pre- ยท judice prevailing among many members of the congregations to this mode of education. Hence the terms of the above recommendation- " prudent and practicable measures " to be taken in endeavoring to raise funds for this object. The congregations had not yet been educated in the duty of giving, and the prejudices against this particular object
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had not yet been broken down. In the effort to obtain additional pastors for the churches, those who were already pastors might be driven out, or their usefulness and influence greatly impaired. It was, therefore, necessary to be prudent and cautious in urging this matter upon the people. For the same reason the Presbytery always, in their recommendations and resolutions, refer to the authority and injunc- tions of the General Assembly, as their authority for enjoining it upon their churches.
In 1819, the Presbytery appointed a committee of its members in conformity with the 9th Article of the Constitution of the Education Society of the Presbyterian Church under the care of the General Assembly, and to be auxiliary to said society, to consist of five mem- bers, three ministers and two elders. Messrs. JOHN HUTCHESON, JAMES LINN and JAMES THOMPSON, ministers, and JAMES KNOX and JOHN G. LOWRY, elders, were appointed said committee. At the same time the Presbytery enjoined it upon their members to lay this matter before the people of their charges, (and in the same terms as the recommen- dation of 1817,) and by such means as they may deem most prudent and practicable endeavor to procure funds for said society.
The above committee were appointed to draught a constitution of a society auxiliary to the Board of Education of the General Assembly, which committee reported at the following meeting in November. Their report was accepted, and, with some alterations, adopted. The same subject was called up at the meeting of the Presbytery in April, 1820, by an inquiry addressed to the members in regard to what pro- gress had been made in obtaining subscribers for the Education Socie- ty contemplated to be organized at this meeting. It appeared that but few subscribers had been obtained, and the further consideration of the subject was deferred till the next meeting of the Presbytery. At that time a new committee was appointed, and the members of Presbytery enjoined to use exertions in their respective congregations either by forming auxiliary societies, or otherwise to raise money for the object contemplated.
At the stated meeting of the Presbytery in October, 1819, Mr. JOSEPH ADAMS was introduced and recommended to Presbytery by Rev. JAMES LINN, as a young man of promising talents, and hopeful piety, and who had already received a classical education and was re- cieved under the care of Presbytery, and recommended to the Board of Education for assistance. Mr. ADAMS was taken under the care of Presbytery at this time solely with a view to recommend him to the
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Board of Education for assistance, but was again, in 1823, formally taken under their care, and assigned parts of trial with a view to licensure. On the 12th day of October, 1826, Mr. ADAMS was licensed, and employed for a time as a missionary within the bounds of the Presbytery.
The adjourned meeting of the Presbytery, which was held at Lewis- town, November 24, 1819, was opened by a Mr. JOHN P. THOMPSON, a licentiate of the Baptist Association of Philadelphia, with a sermon from Matthew 10:7, first clause, " And as ye go preach." The Synod, on the review of the minutes of Presbytery, took exception to this, and Mr. COULTER, a member of the Presbytery, happening to be the moderator of Synod at the time, was under the necessity of signing the exception as moderator. We do not know whether it was in accordance with his personal views of propriety or not, but he would not of course, choose as a matter of taste, to put his signature to an implied censure of his own Presbytery. Perhaps there may be diver- sity of opinion with regard to the propriety of this exception, but one thing we are sure will meet with universal approval, namely, the appropriateness of the text chosen by the young gentleman, "And as ye go preach." No more suitable text could have been chosen for the opening service of a Presbytery. In inviting a Baptist brother to such a service as this, we do not know whether the Presbytery or the Baptist made the greater sacrifice of principle. The Baptist seemed to recognize the validity of the Presbytery as a court of Jesus Christ composed of a company of unbaptized men, and the Presbytery to ignore infant baptism, and sprinkling, as a valid mode of adminis- tering the ordinance; at least, to hold the denial of the ordinance, the sign and seal of the covenant, to the children of believers, was an unimportant omission. Upon this subject it may not be out of place to express an opinion in general, having reference not to this case alone, but all invitations given to ministers of other denomina- tions, not of the Presbyterian order, to sit as corresponding mem- bers in our Synods and Presbyteries. The General Assembly cannot do it, from the nature of its organization, When an invitation is thus given to a brother, what is the privilege conferred as under- stood by us? That he may speak on any subject that comes before the body, but he may not vote. It is regarded as merely compli- mentary, and it would be considered an unusual manifestation of forwardness for a corresponding member of another denomination, especially to speak on any question before the Presbytery or Synod,
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unless invited so to do. But suppose he should be inclined to speak, might not our Presbyteries and Synods be converted into mere de- bating societies ? And would it be the duty of any man to sit still and see what he conscientiously believes to be the truth of God, overrun in an assembly of which he is part and parcel, to all intents and purposes, if our invitation means anything? But the most available objection to this thing of corresponding members of other denominations, is the absolute inconsistency of the practice. We in- vite men to sit and deliberate in our Presbyteries, when, if one of our young men candidates for licensure, were to hold but one of their principal errors, we would not permit him to enter the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. We probably would not pronounce on his piety, but we would tell him that his sentiments would be better suited to some other denomination.
At the meeting of Presbytery thus opened, Mr. JAMES S. WOODS, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, appeared with proper testimonials of his good standing and dismission to this Presbytery, and was received under the care of the Presbytery. A call from the congregation of Waynesburg (McVeytown) was laid before Presbytery for Mr. WooDs, for one-half of his time. The call being accepted the Presbytery appointed his ordination to take place at the meeting of Presbytery, if the way be clear; Mr. COULTER to preach the sermon on the occasion, and Mr. HUTCHESON to preside and give the charge.
The stated meeting of the Presbytery, in the Spring of 1820, com- menced with the record of the death of the Rev. JAMES JOHNSTON, pastor of East Kishacoquillas congregation, one of the original mem- bers of the Presbytery. He died on the 4th of January preceding.
Mr. WOODS, at this meeting, preached his trial sermon for ordina- tion, as the opening service of the Presbytery, which was sustained; and afterwards he was examined on the languages, the sciences, phi- losophy and theology, which examinations being approved, Presbytery proceeded to ordain and install him pastor of the congregation of Waynesburg (McVeytown) for one-half of his time.
The Rev. NATHANIEL R. SNOWDEN at this meeting resigned his pas- toral charges, Millerstown and Liverpool, with the consent of the con- gregations, and was dismissed, at his request, with suitable credentials, to the Presbytery of Northumberland.
At the' regular meeting of the Presbytery in October of this year, the Rev. SAMUEL HILL, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Ronte, Ire- land, applied to be taken under the- care of Presbytery. All his
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papers being found in order, with the collateral testimony required of a foreign minister, he was taken under the care of Presbytery. The congregations of East Kishacoquillas and Dry Valley requested to have Mr. H. appointed their supply till the next meeting of the Presbytery. And at the expiration of the time these congregations requested that he might be continued their supply for the ensuing six months, till, as a foreign minister, Mr. H. could receive and accept a regular call. These requests were granted.
At this meeting is, for the first time, a record made of the members of the Presbytery entering into a free conversation on the subject of the state of religion in the various congregations; a practice which has never been omitted from that time to the present, at every stated meeting of the Presbytery. The practice may have existed in the Presbytery from the beginning, but no record had been made of it till now. Also a committee to prepare a narrative for the General Assembly of the state of religion within the bounds of Presbytery', is not distinctly mentioned till now; though it may have been intended when it is recorded that committees were appointed to prepare a report for the General Assembly.
Mr. HILL having nearly completed his term of probation as a foreign minister, and the congregations of East Kishacoquillas and Dry Valley being anxious for his permanent settlement among them, Presbytery made arrangements for his ordination and installation, though his papers had not yet passed in review before the Synod. The Synod, however, took exception to this, in approving the minutes. It seems, however,, before the minutes of the Presbytery came to be reviewed by the Synod, the Presbytery did proceed to ordain and install Mr. HILL pastor of East Kishacoquillas and Dry Valley churches, on the 3d of October, 1821.
The pastoral relation of Rev. WILLIAM A. BOYD to the congregations of Spruce Creek and Sinking Valley, was at the same time dissolved on account of his continued ill health, rendering him unable to dis- charge pastoral duties. It was with much regret the congregations consented to the dissolution, but the state of his health demanded his release. Mr. BoYD died of pulmonary complaint a little more than a year after he resigned his charge.
The raising of funds for the missionary, educational, and other ben- evolent objects of the church, frequently engaged the attention of the Presbytery. At almost every regular meeting, at least once a year, these subjects came up for discussion and consideration. Mis-
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sionary and education societies were formed, constitutions framed, rules adopted, and committees appointed. At this time, October 3, 1821, Messrs. COULTER and LINN, ministers, and RANKIN, elder, were appointed a committee to report some plan for raising money in all the churches of the Presbytery, for missionary and other purposes. This committee no doubt reported some plan, but the fruits were very meagre, as all former resolutions and plans were comparatively unproductive. It is more than probable the chief cause of failure was the scarcity of money in those times, as much as indisposition on the part of the people. The truth is, the churches had as much as they thought they could do in sustaining the gospel among them- selves. Farms may have been large, but they were comparatively unimproved; and there were but few markets for their surplus pro- duce, which was rather exchanged than sold. Money could with diffi- culty be obtained on any conditions. Presbytery, on one occasion, was under the necessity of reducing the assessment on full pastoral charges for the commissioners and contingent fund of the General Assembly, from six to four dollars; the former sum being considered excessive from some cause. The farmer who paid ten dollars towards the salary of his pastor then, paid that which cost him more time, and labor and anxiety to procure, than five times that amount now would demand Before the present highly favored generation look with contempt upon the liberality of the fathers, let them, at least, come up to the measure of the comparative obligation of their times.
At the first stated meeting of the Presbytery in the year 1822, a Mr. JOHN McILHENNEY presented himself before the Presbytery as a licentiate of the Presbytery of Litterkenny, Ireland, and requested to be taken under the care of Presbytery. He presented a regular cer- tificate of his licensure, and such collateral testimony as was consider- ed sufficient. This man was afterwards a source of great trouble and annoyance to the Presbytery. After personal conversation with him, and various examinations, he was received under their care as a foreign probationer. He seems to have been a man of some popular talent, and was engaged as stated supply to two of the most respecta- ble congregation within the bounds of the Presbytery, till the close of his year of probation, when calls from said congregations were pre- pared to be presented to him. But about the time these calls were to be laid before the Presbytery, unfavorable reports in regard to his character began to be circulated, and were brought to the notice of the Presbytery. A female followed him to this country from Ireland,
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who claimed to be his wife, but whom he disowned, and he was charged with acts of grossly immoral character, since he came within the bounds of the Presbytery. After several meetings upon the sub- ject and the examination of witnesses, and letters from Ireland in regard to Mr. McILIENNEY's character, the Presbytery revoked his license. This was the end of his connection with the Presbytery. though it is believed that Mr. McILHENNEY continued to preach in the southwestern part of the Presbytery, to those who would hear him as long as he lived, or as long as he was able to preach. The letters and other testimonials on which he was received under the care of Presbytery, and which were at the time deemed satisfactory. were afterwards found to have been surreptitiously obtained.
About the close of the year 1821, reports injurious to the character and usefulness of the Rev. WILLIAM KENNEDY, pastor of the church of Lewistown, were brought to the notice of the Presbytery. In particular and specially he was charged with the intemperate use of ardent spirits. Temperance had not in that day attained the point or status of total abstinence. A committee was appointed to meet at Lewistown on a designated day, to investigate the grounds for these reports and to take testimony. At the stated meeting of Presbytery, April, 1822, the committee reported. An adjourned meeting was held in May following, with a view to the formal issuing of this case. At that meeting, after hearing all the witnesses that could be made to appear, Presbytery passed unanimously the following minute, viz :
" Although the testimony received against the Rev. WILLIAM KENNEDY is not of such a clear and specific nature as to subject him to the high cen- sure of suspension, yet, in the opinion of Presbytery, his conduct has not always been so circumspect in the case in which he is charged, as it ought to have been, and he is hereby warned to be more watchful in future, so as to prevent any ground of suspicion, and that he guard against every ap- pearance of evil."
In the meantime Mr. KENNEDY had resigned the pastoral charge of the congregation of Lewistown, and at the conclusion of his trial. requested leave to travel out of the bounds of Presbytery till the next meeting.
Mr. KENNEDY's troubles, as well as those of some other of his brethren, resulted from the common and universal use of intoxicating liquors in that day. The wonder is that they were not all overtaken, one time or another, in absolute intoxication ! And so common was the use among the members of the churches, and so many occasions
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tempting to the excessive use, that testimony against a minister as to being intoxicated on a particular occasion was liable to grave sus- picion. A drunk man thinks the whole globe is turning topsy-turvy, while he is as steady as the pillars of Hercules. These suggestions are thrown out because of the extreme doubt which subsequent facts cast upon this case, as to the main charge being well founded. At the time of the investigation Mr. KENNEDY denied the charge in mild and humble terms, "I am not conscious of having acted impro- perly." His contemporaries believed him to be a good and godly man, and his subsequent lengthened ministry in a neighboring Pres- bytery, was without reproach or suspicion.
October 1st, 1822, Mr. KENNEDY was, at his own request, dismissed to the Presbytery of Erie; but ultimately settled in the bounds of the Presbytery of Clarion, where he continued to labor till his death.
At the stated meeting of the Presbytery in April, 1823, Mr. WIL- LIAM RAMSEY was introduced to Presbytery by the Rev. JOHN HUTCHE- SON, and taken under their care as a candidate for the gospel ministry. At the same time Mr. JOSEPH ADAMS, whose case was before men- tioned, was formally taken under the care of Presbytery. Both of these young gentlemen were then in attendance at the Theological Seminary at Princeton, in a course of preparation for the ministry.
The Rev. JOHN JOHNSTON, pastor of Hart's Log and Huntingdon congregations, requested by letter to Presbytery at this meeting, on account of old age and infirmities, the dissolution of his pastoral rela- tion to the former of said congregations. The consent of the congre- gation being ascertained through their commissioner, the request was granted, and the pastoral relation dissolved. At the meeting in the fall, Mr. JOHNSTON requested that his pastoral relation to the congre- gation of Huntingdon be also dissolved. The congregation consent- ing, the relation was accordingly dissolved.
Mr. SAMUEL SWAN, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, applied to be received under the care of Presbytery. Having produced a regular certificate of his licensure and dismission, with a view to put himself under the care of this Presbytery; he was received as a licentiate in good standing. At the same time a call for the pastoral services of Mr. SWAN, for one-half of his time, from Sink- ing Valley congregation, was laid before Presbytery. It was laid on the table for future consideration. During this year two of the mem- bers of the Presbytery were removed by death. The Rev. WILLIAM A. BOYD died on the 11th day of May, and the Rev. JOHN JOHNSTON,
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one of the original members of the Presbytery, on the 16th day of December, 1823. At the Spring meeting of the Presbytery, April 6, 1824, Mr. HUTCHESON presented a letter from the Rev. NATHANIEL R. SNOWDEN, addressed to him, from which it appeared that he was requested to lay before Presbytery the dismission of Mr. SNOWDEN from the Presbytery of Northumberland, with a view to his becoming a member of this Presbytery; upon which the following action was had :
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