USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Luzerne > History of the Presbytery of Luzerne, state of Pennsylvania > Part 5
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
54
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
To new places, Mr. Webster's benevolent counte- nance, his genial bearing and reputation for disinterested Christian zeal, always secured for him a hearty welcome, the cordiality increasing with the growing familiarity. None questioned his motives, nor was it necessary for him to assert his love for the Master, or for the people.
The Mauch Chunk church has always had an intelligent, working session, although for some time it was small in numbers, e. g., from 1838 to 1842 it consisted of the pastor and Mr. George W. Smith. During this period, however, the sessional records "show a vast amount of work done thoroughly and faithfully." At that time elder Smith conducted Sabbath services in the absence of the pastor. April 13th, 1842, Mr. John Ruddle and Dr. John D. Thompson were elected elders.
In the history of this church, carefully written by a daughter of its first pastor, we find the following with reference to its session. She says: "We notice first, the extreme care of session in receiving members into the church. In the formative years, great wisdom and discretion were needed in admitting persons to the communion of the church. No doubt our church owes much to the decided action and careful deliberation of the men who constituted the session. There was no undue haste in this important matter, but there was most careful and thorough examination. When there was any doubt of the knowledge of spiritual things, the person was held back for a time and instructed by the pastor. When there was a shadow on the reputation, the person was refused admission until truly penitent, and all was cleared away. The session also watched over the members of the church with loving interest. The purity of the church
55
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
was very precious to them, and they guarded it with jealous care, that, if possible, not even one spot should mar the purity of the church of Christ. Carelessness in attendance upon public worship, disregard of the Lord's Day, speaking reproachfully of one's neighbors, tavern keeping, intemperance and profanity, were all brought before the session. If continued, a member of the session was appointed to visit. and admonish the erring one. If the admonition was neglected, the offender was cited to appear before the session and answer the charge." It is in evidence that no judgment was rendered until after a careful, orderly and prayerful investigation had been made. A thorough sessional, as well as pastoral visitation was made frequently to every family of the congregation. In 1852 Elder Ruddle resigned, and in 1854 Dr. Thompson died, and from the latter date until 1856, the pastor and elder Smith constituted the session.
During Mr. Webster's ministry, there were several periods which caused him the deepest solicitude, times of apparent reaction after some seasons of more than usual spiritual awakening and ingathering. These quickened the pastor's diligence and prayerfulness. From the recent settlement of the village, its mixed population, and the variety of motives which brought the people together and gave bias to their sentiments and pursuits, it was not to be expected that perfect accord and the most efficient work could be secured at once in church activities ; but Mr. Webster's wise and devoted ministry accomplished much in that direction. Many seasons of revival were enjoyed as the result of the pastor's labors, and his people's co-operation. Outside human help was seldom, if ever, invoked. As the church grew in numbers, it grew in stability, based on divine truth.
56
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
The Sabbath School was recognized as an important agency in upbuilding, and its operations were carefully directed by the responsible authorities of the church, who have maintained the teaching of the "form of sound words" which the Spirit has so honored, in the work which the Presbyterian and kindred churches have been the means of doing in the world for human salvation, and civil and religious liberty.
The history of the Sabbath School in Mauch Chunk, from which all the Sabbath Schools in Carbon county had their origin, is a matter of importance. While started by a Presbyterian, it antedates the organization of our church ten years.
In 1835, Mr. Joseph P. Engles,* then in Mauch Chunk, was the means of inaugurating the work and securing the necessary supply of books and other things.
Of course, in the absence of any organized church, it was a union school. When the Methodist church came into existence, and had secured a house of worship, their co-operation ceased, leaving the Presbyterians and Episco- palians in union, who worked harmoniously under superintendents, Asa L. Foster, William H. Sayre, Nathan Patterson, and James W. Barnes. The school prospered under this management for several years. When the Episcopalians withdrew, that left only Presbyterians, the original active element. The first record of sessional supervision was made May 8th, 1839. The careful study of the catechism was provided for in the school. Other schools were early arranged for at all the regular preaching places occupied by Mr. Webster; and in maintaining them the members of his session were active and persevering.
*Subsequently, 1839-1867, Publishing Agent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication.
57
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
At Mauch Chunk, the session was formally made responsible for the regulation of the school, Feb. 16th, 1840,* and rules were then adopted for its management. Mr. Nathan Patterson was then superintendent, and continued in that office till 1844, when the same duties were assumed in Summit Hill, which then had become his residence. Elder Ruddle was made superintendent in 1845, Mr. Lewis Hoyt 1848, Mr. George W. Helme 1849, Mr. J. H. Siewers performed the duties of the office after Mr. Helme's removal from Mauch Chunk. Mr. Charles G. Rockwood was next appointed, and superintended the school till he left Mauch Chunk in 1857.
During Elder Rockwood's superintendency, the Sabbath School was moved into the lecture room of the new church, which gave it an impetus. The faithful superintendent says in his report in the spring of 1857, "Our school prospers and is, perhaps, larger than ever before. We have on the roll 290 scholars, and 31 teachers. The teachers keep up, with interest, a weekly meeting for study, which is well attended."
After Mr. Rockwood, Mr. A. G. Broadhead filled the office for a period of a quarter of a century, and when he retired received the thanks of the session for his long, efficient and acceptable service. Mr. Broadhead's term of service extended beyond the life of Luzerne Presbytery, and covered a troublous period in the history of our country, and several changes in the pastorate of the church, which indicates acceptable and wise management, meriting the thanks given to him by the session at the close of his service.
*Rev. Dr. Ferrier's Historical Sermon.
58
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
Pastor Webster, during the greater part of his ministry, labored under the disadvantage of having a house of worship that was inadequate to the wants of the field. It was erected soon after the missionary work began in Mauch Chunk and the regions round about, when the town was small and the people generally poor, and during troublous times in the Presbyterian church in this country ; when as yet our noble and beneficent Board of Church Erection had not been born ; when the growth and stability of the little town was not yet certain ; therefore this structure soon proved too small. It was, however, substantial, being built of stone, and to those whose hearts, within these stony walls, had so often been made to swell with gratitude to God and with love to each other, it was a good and attractive place, where they fondly lingered.
Yet, as early as 1847, the enterprising women of the congregation inaugurated measures for providing means for a more commodious sanctuary. These were not only successful in that direction, but also in calling into activity and deepening the zeal of several young ladies whose earnest helpfulness has continued and increased even down to old age. These ladies are pointed out as illustrious examples of faithful stewardship.
It was, however, nearly ten years before the com- pletion of the new and commodious house of worship, which was built in a defile of the mountain, over a rushing stream whose unceasing music also praises God. The voice of the beloved pastor whose faithful instructions and whose tender and pathetic appeals had gone forth for a score of years from his very heart was never to be heard in the new house. But the echo and memory of its
59
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
utterances have not yet died away in the minds of those to whom they were originally addressed, the faithful men and women whom God has raised up to carry forward, through the agencies of the new sanctuary, the work of the devoted Webster, "who being dead, yet speaketh."
Mr. Webster, as a presbyter, or member of other ecclesiastical bodies, notwithstanding the disadvantage of his ever-increasing deafness, was always influential, because of his thorough acquaintance with the whole range of subjects to be considered, his good judgment, the directness and ability with which he approached the particular topic to be discussed, and his ever Christian and courteous spirit and address, spiced with his charac- teristic wit and humor. It need not be added that he was a popular member of ecclesiastical courts. There are some still living who remember an occasion in the Synod of New Jersey, when the question of dividing that Synod was under consideration. Some of the brethren recoiled from the long, perilous, and fatiguing journey necessary to reach meetings among the mountains in eastern Pennsylvania, and the large missionary aid needed in that part of the Synod, and they earnestly pleaded for division. Mr. Webster, without having heard a word that had been said in the discussion, arose in his place at the proper time, and, seeming to have been fully aware of the drift things were taking, characterized the spirit of the movement in one of the most facetious and trenchant speeches the writer ever heard. The Synod was not divided in his day.
In playful repartee with his brethren he was a master. But there was no bitterness in his witticisms-nothing calculated to give pain to those at whom they were so
60
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
pleasantly aimed. If Mr. Webster ever had any misun- derstanding with any of his ministerial brethren, the writer never knew of it. . They all loved him and he loved them. The Presbytery of which he was the respected father was indeed fraternal. The Rev. Dr. C. R. Lane, a prominent member, in writing to Mrs. Webster, long after her husband's death, asks, "Was there ever such a Presbytery " (in this respect) " as Luzerne ?" It certainly was a delightful body of men.
Mr. Webster, as a preacher, was methodical, instructive, plain, and eminently practical in his presentation of the gospel. None who heard him questioned his love for the truths he uttered, or his judgment as to their importance to those whom he addressed. He was not a speculative or philosophizing preacher, but delivered his message as from God, without leaving the impression that he himself questioned it, and was reasoning himself into the cordial belief thereof. He evidently was not found in the pulpit for the purpose of personal display. He wanted to secure attention, in his own country, to that gospel which he would gladly have carried to India, regarding it as no less precious or necessary at home. He ceased not to commend it with the deepest solicitude, to the very hour of his departure, to those around him and those whom he could reach by messages of love.
The consciousness to which he was so unexpectedly and recently awakened,* viz., that the time had come for his separation from one of the happiest of earthly homes, and one upon which no such dark cloud had before risen, did not in that trying hour wholly occupy his loving
*Mr. Webster's illness was of such a character as to awaken no fear of a fatal result until a short time before the end came.
61
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
solicitude. It also embraced his congregation, especially members of it for whose salvation he was so anxious. These were in his heart and in his last prayers, and to some of them he dictated loving appeals from their dying pastor. From him the sting of death had been averted. When death approached to do his work he did not know him, and was not alarmed when made aware of his presence. His abiding affection for the loved on earth, and his interest in them, were in no measure lessened, but his realization of and delight in the yet unseen things above were greatly increased. Thus the Rev. Richard Webster ended his earthly ministry, June 19th, 1856, when a little less than forty-five years of age, with an established reputation, an acquired experience, and with increased facilities for prosecuting his pastoral work secured, but not yet used. His earthly sun set at noon-day. His last sermon, which was so impressive that some members of his congregation regarded it as prophetic, was with reference to Enoch's communion with God and his translation to glory.
Many pages might be inserted relative to the remarkable close of Mr. Webster's days on earth, but passing by others equally to be noted, the testimony of Elder Charles G. Rockwood, the intelligent and devoted Sabbath School superintendent, will only be given here. Mr. Rockwood, after giving a just and appreciative sketch of the character and worth of his late beloved pastor, says : "I was permitted to be with him for the last ten or eleven hours, and. a greater privilege is seldom enjoyed in a lifetime. No written narrative of peaceful death-bed scenes ever gave me such a realizing sense of the value of a good hope in Christ and daily consecration
62
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
to God as a preparation for death. There was not a fear or a doubt. His mind was calm and composed, though active and fully awake to his nearness to eternity ; yet all was peace, and joyful anticipations for himself and cheerful trust in God for his family and his church."
In addition to Mr. Webster's missionary and pastoral labors he had written considerable-mostly the result of patient and extensive research -- with reference to the planting of our church and her institutions in this country .* Although his work in this direction was not completed, he left much valuable information, a part of which was published about as he left it, under the supervision of his life-long friend, the Rev. Dr. Cortland Van Renselaer, also of precious memory. His ministry resulted in raising up successors in the sacred office. His family consisted of his wife, (who still lives, and does much for the furtherance of the work her husband inaugurated), with five sons and three daughters, the last born a short time after her father's death. The eldest son, John Cross, died in childhood. The second son, Charles Edward, was early inducted into the Eldership of his father's church. He subsequently performed the duties of the office in Pottsville church, and now is an elder of the South Bethlehem church. In all these places he is highly esteemed for his official faithfulness and as an honored business man.
Mr. Webster's third son is the Rev. William S. C. Webster, D. D., who was licensed by the Presbytery of Luzerne, after completing the full course of study in
*He also published A Digest of the Deliverances of the General Assembly. Owing to the fact that the full text of these several deliverances were not printed in full in his Book it did not retain the regard to which it was entitled.
63
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
Princeton College and Seminary, and, subsequently, after spending some time in teaching, and as stated supply of Paris church, Kentucky, he was advanced by the Presby- tery of Lehigh as minister of the Weatherly church, a part of his father's original field. He is now pastor of the Inslip church, Nassau Presbytery, N. Y. His record indicates his fidelity to his father's church, and his success in its service. The Rev. Richard B. Webster, the fourth son of the Mauch Chunk pastor, is now the successful and honored pastor of the Westminster church of Wilkes-Barre. He is also a graduate of the Princeton institutions. The fifth son, Henry Horace, possessed of a remarkably amiable and sprightly disposition, was not only loved ardently in his own family, but wherever he was known, especially in college at Princeton, where his Christian character, early attained and always maintained, together with his zeal, prudence, ability and tact, made him a power for good among the students, not only in the class room and the prayer meeting, but on the campus as well, as he heartily and vigorously participated in the manly sports of the field, and greatly enjoyed them.
After his graduation, in connection with his business engagements, he did good and acceptable evangelistic services in the Sabbath Schools and the Young Men's Christian Association in his native town, and afterwards in New York city, to which he was invited to take an important official position in Y. M. C. A. movement ; but soon after he entered upon his work and had demonstrated his ability to meet its responsibilities, and had attracted the affection and secured the co-operation of his associates, he was called to lay down that work and
64
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
join his sainted father in services above. He died January 17, 1891. The character and work of Henry Horace Webster were soon after his death lovingly embalmed in a suitable memoir prepared by Jasper Van Vleck, an associate in Christian service, who was also called from earthly work soon afterward. This little book was published by "The Young Men's Era" Pub- lishing Co., Chicago, Il1.
Mr. Webster's three daughters, who solace the mother in the absence of her beloved husband and sons, are active and efficient Christian workers. The youngest of them has recently prepared an excellent history of the Mauch Chunk church, to which the writer has been much indebted.
From the Mauch Chunk church, during Mr. Webster's ministry, the Rev. Edward Kennedy, Rev. James Scott and Rev. Joseph W. Porter, members of his church, entered upon a course of study for the gospel ministry which they regularly completed, and were, in due course of time, inducted into the sacred office, as ministers of the Presbyterian church.
Another member of the Mauch Chunk church during Mr. Webster's time, afterwards inducted into the ministry, viz., Mr. Peter Munnes, for four years the leader of the choir and superintendent of a branch Sunday School, was, after leaving Mauch Chunk, taken under the care of the Presbytery of Baltimore, licensed, and ordained in 1853.
Another remark is in place with reference to Mr. Webster's ministry. It is the loving regard which it elicited for his work from so many members of his church, as well as their love for him personally.
65
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
The writer, in the Providence of God, became pastor to a large number who had been of his flock. These persons from Mauch Chunk church were disposed to entertain the most considerate regard for, and extend the most generous treatment to, other ministers, whom they regarded as honestly engaged in the work which had filled Mr. Webster's heart and consumed his time and strength.
He elevated the ministry as few men have done, calling out the loving regard of his people which did not terminate with him personally, but reached all others engaged in like work with like zeal and spirit as to the Master and as to men. He seemed more anxious to honor the office than to be honored in it.
The Rev. J. Aspinwall Hodge, his immediate successor, in a recent communication says of Mr. Webster : "I was not blessed with a personal knowledge of him. The character of his work in Mauch Chunk I am now competent to estimate. While there I thought I fully appreciated it, but since I have been able to compare it with that of others, I am more and more filled with admiration ; for it far surpasses in faithfulness and durability the work of any minister, perhaps, that I know."
5
VII.
THE REV. JOHN DORRANCE, D. D., AND THE WILKES-BARRE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
THI ^HIS distinguished member of the Presbytery of Luzerne did not, for the first time, come into vital relationship with this church when he became its pastor in 1833. He was born within its pale, breathed its atmosphere, and received its moral and intellectual training, until prepared to enter and receive the culture of institutions affording more ample facilities for ex- tended intellectual attainments than were, as yet, enjoyed in the immediate vicinity of his pleasant home in the beautiful valley in which he was born. We have already noted above the institutions in which he studied, the direction of his pursuits, his return to his native valley, his licensure to preach the gospel, his subsequent departure to the south, his induction into the full work of the gospel ministry, his successful work in Mississippi, and Bradford county, Pa., but in addition to this, it is due to the man whose work and influence was second to none in the establishment and enlargement of the Presbytery of Luzerne, and to all who are and may hereafter be interested in the work for the advancement of Christ's kingdom accomplished by that Presbytery,
67
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
that we should give here a more extended biographical sketch of Dr. Dorrance. This we are enabled to do through the filial regard of his daughter, Mrs. G. M. Reynolds, who has furnished the writer ample material, and in such a way as to clearly indicate the reverence, affection and honor ardently cherished for her father.
When the Dorrance family came to Pennsylvania, it was, to all intents and purposes, a Connecticut family, but Mrs. Reynolds says of her father, "that his great grandfather and first American ancestor was the Rev. Samuel Dorrance, a Presbyterian minister who came from Ireland in 1723. He settled at Voluntown, Conn., and was . the first Presbyterian minister settled in New England. * He was a graduate of Glasgow University and, his gravestone says, was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Dumbarton, Scotland. One of his sons was George Dorrance, who was commissioned a first lieutenant of the 24th Regiment of Connecticut Militia in 1775. He came to Wyoming Valley and was in the little company that marched against the English and Indians on the fatal 3rd of July, 1778, when the massacre took place. He ranked, in that battle, Lieut. Col., and commanded the left wing. He was wounded, captured, and the next day slain. One of his children, a small boy at that time, was Benjamin. He resided all his life on the property on which his father had settled, situated one and one half miles from Wilkes-Barre, at Kingston. There my father was born on the 28th of February, 1800. His father was a man of prominence in the community, being the first President of the Wyoming Bank, and was
*Mather says that 4000 Presbyterians settled New England before 1640. See Hodge's History of the Presbyterian church, p. 60.
68
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
sent to the Legislature for eight consecutive years. My father was prepared for college at the Wilkes-Barre Academy, and at Chester, Connecticut. He graduated at Princeton college, 1823, and the Theological Seminary in 1826."
With regard to the mother of Mr. Dorrance, Mrs. Reynolds is certainly right in saying that "reference to her may not be uninteresting." "His mother was Nancy Buckingham, who was the sixth generation from Thomas Buckingham, the Puritan settler who came to America in 1637, with Davenport, Ponden, Eaton, Hopkins and others, who constituted what is known as the New Haven Colony, they being the founders of that town. Thomas, his son, was a Congregational minister, and one of the founders and fellows of Yale College. So my father was of ministerial descent on both sides."
In going south as a missionary, Dr. Dorrance, . although in delicate health, left home on horseback, making the entire distance in that way from Wyoming Valley to Baton Rouge, Miss. While engaged in planting a southern church, the Lord gave him, what to a devoted minister is always the best earthly helper, a good wife, in the person of Miss Penelope Mercer, then residing on a neighboring plantation with a widowed sister. This beloved wife long cheered his home, where she always presided with grace and dignity ; nor was she ever wanting in wise and helpful counsel in her husband's official work. She, however, felt that her most important work was to exercise Christian care over her household, especially guarding and polishing her "Cornelian jewels," eight of which had been bestowed on this loving house- hold, all of them giving promise of ever increasing value;
69
PRESBYTERY OF LUZERNE.
but the Lord who gave, recalled six of the bright ones. Still his name was blessed by the parents, who recognized that he thereby indicated a change of duty from doing to enduring ; and this in their sadness they sought grace to accept.
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.