USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > Chambersburg > History of the Rocky Spring Church : and addresses delivered at the centennial anniversary of the present church edifice, August 23, 1894 > Part 7
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ert removing to North Carolina, became a distinguished of- · ficer and performed important military service during the war. Benjamin Patton, the son of William and Elizabeth Patton, who settled in Peters' township, removed at an early period to the castern part of Mecklenburg County. . He was a man of iron firmness and idomitable courage. De- scended from the proud blood of the covenanters, he inher- ited their tenacity of purpose, sagacity of action and purity of character.
Zacheus Wilson, James Harris and Matthew McClure, also signers of that declaration, were emigrants from the Cumberland Valley into western North Carolina. Thus it will be seen that not only were the descendants of these early Scotch-Irish settlers remaining in the Valley, true to their friends, to their country, and their God,-but, those who went Southward performed deeds of noble daring and ex- emplified that lofty patriotism which has been the distin- guishing characteristic of the Scotch-Irish settlers of the Cumberland Valley in their own homes. No other settle- ment in the Colonies of similar area ever sent forth so inany men of distinguished bravery and zeal in the cause of liberty.
There are, perchance, more representative families de- scended from the early Scotch-Irish settlers in this Valley than from any other section. From Maine to California there are people bearing the same surname, as well through intermarriage tracing their ancestry to those sturdy pio- neers of the forest, and it would afford me much pleasure to reliearse tlieir distinguished services, not only to the States wherein they dwell, but to the Nation at large. I can only refer in praise at this time to the deeds of the Blaines, of Middlesex; the Allisons of Antrim; the Duncans of Car- lisle; the Elliotts of Peters; the Browns of Antrim; the Lyons of Milford; the Maxwells of Peters; the Culbert- sons of "The Row"; the McConnells, Herrons, and Hen- dersons of Letterkenny ; the McCalmonts and Stevensons,
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but time on the present occasion will not allow. I intended to refer somewhat to the Campbells, the Findlays, Hoges, Breckenridges and Craigheads, but these also, with the rec- ord of others, must be left for some future historian of the Valley.
It would greatly please me to continue this subject further, as there are hundreds of families of more or less promi- inence concerning whom and their descendants I may have information. The theme is a fruitful one, and there cer- tainly is a fascination about following the lines of descent from the first settler to those of the present generation, scattered as they are to the North, South, East and West. Some day, there may arise, I hope, some one who will take this matter up, and, with a love that knows no faltering, preserve to you and those who come after you, a faithful record of the "Historic Families of the Cumberland Valley."
AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA.
BY REV. THOMAS MURPHY, D. D.
No subject of deeper interest can we study than that of the Providence of God over the affairs of human history and to us no point of that study could be more absorbing, than that whereby He directed the earliest movements of history to the accomplishment of His great design in reference to this land in which we live. That He had iu view for it some sublime purpose in the future we cannot question. On that account, every movement of His Provi- dence in reference to our land, becomes to us a point of intense moment ; and of all other points none are so inter-
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esting as those whereby He prepared a church for our people. Moreover, of all churches, to be gotten ready for the coun- try, none could have the attraction for us that we find in the Presbyterian. In it we believe we can very clearly trace His divine footsteps in preparing a Presbyterian Church in America in which there are many kindred prin- ciples-It was an American Presbyterian Church for America-and the successive stages of its preparation forin the subject on which we would dwell. Merely as a subject for study it is most attractive, but as involving the very highest welfare of our country, it must awaken our greatest interest. The successive stages of preparation for the church, run parallel with the progress of the country, and cannot but attract our affectionate study. We would take these stages in succession, that we may see clearly the won- derful similarty.
First. We see the hand of God in the gathering of the people out of which the church is to be formed. They were all people from lands where a sound Presbyterian faith had long prevailed. . Chief among them were the Scotch-Irish, from Ulster and the land of John Knox, and German Calvinites, from Basil and the home of Calvin, and the faithful from the banks of the Rhine, and Welsh Calvin- ites from Travecea-and descendants of the Puritans from England ; and children ot the Huegenots from France, and many others of a kindred spirit and creed. They were peoples, all of whom had suffered severely in their ancestral homes for their God and their faith.
Second. The next stage of God's leading was seen in His providing for these gathered people a sound scriptural creed. The crowning act of this great event was, when in 1729, they heartily and most solemnly adopted the Westminster Confession of Faith, with the catechismns, as the standard of their belief, and pledged themselves in the most solemn manner that they would follow its doctrines and practice. .. The Third stage by which God was preparing His church
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for this land, was that of providing for her an educated ministry. From the first, the Presbyterian Church would have no ministers but those who had been carefully trained for their great work, and at that early day when toundations were to be laid this was especially needed. Our fathers could not rely any longer on a supply of ministers trained in Scotland, Ireland or the colleges of New England. There must be some method found by which the young men could be trained at home. By a strange, almost ro- mantic, path of Providence this was provided for in the es- tablishment of the renowned Log College. The story of the beginning of that blessed institution has never been told in its simple facts. It has only recently been dis- covered in the archives of Bucks County, Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Only now has even the name of the foun- der been brought to light in connection with the records of the transfer of property in those early days. Marvelous was the way in which Providence prepared the way.
The true founder was an linmble girl named Catharine Kennedy, born about 1678, in County Armagh, Ireland. Carefully educated in the manse of her father, Rev. Dr. Ken- nedy, in the earnest faith and love of Christ, her chief train- ing for hier glorious life-work began while yet but a child. At that time merciless persecution for the Presbyterian Faith of his ancestors, drove her father into exile in Hol- land, the daughter of hope and promise with him. After a time, the bloody persecution abating, the fugitives returned to their native land. There, she soon made the acquintance of a young Episcopal clergyman, just graduated from Trin- ity College, Dublin. They were married ; and, after a time, probably through the influence if her godly example and persuasions, he left the Church of England, and entered that of her Presbyterian father. A few years pass, and probably through her influence again, he, the great and good, Rev. William Tennent, with his wife and four boys who had been born to them, sought a better field of usefulness in
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preaching the Gogel to the Indians in America. By the leadings of Providence, they were conducted step by step,. to the founding of what became the celebrated Log College; a very humble structure of 20 by IS feet, formed ot logs cut · down by their own hands in the adjoining woods. Its first design was the education of the four boys; but others-soon sought its advantages, and it rapidly grew into the so-called college where most of the first ministers of our church were trained. That was the scene of the noble Catharine's great life-work .. In helping, probably sometimes with her own hands even, the erection of the building, encouraging her husband, often despondent, and not strong in body, proving a mother to all the boys, in their sickness and sorrows, she left the impress of her deep piety, fine scholarship and emi- nently good sense, upon the character of all the young men trained at that first school of the prophets. It was, through her influence that the ten Log College Evangelists had the foundations laid of their future marvellous power for Christ and His cause. To no other individual is our church and country so much indebted as to Catharine Kennedy though until a few years ago, even her name was unknown to the world.
The Fourth stage by which God was getting his church ready for the country He was establishing, was the endow- ing that infant body with the special power of the Holy Spirit. This was, in one respect at least, the most marvel- ous of his doings. The first ministers, most of whom had come from abroad, were soundly learned men, and possessed of correct theological creed, but their piety was less spiritual and earnest. A different spirit was needed for a great church of a great country. How was the want to be met ? In a way we would little have expected. He sent here that most godly and eloquent man, Rev. George Whitfield, bringing with him from England, the burning spirit of the Oxford Methodists. He came and preached to thousands upon thousands, imparting his earnest spirit wherever he
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went. In no place did he leave so deep an impression as upon Log College. Through him the tone of piety there was utterly changed and intensified. Before, it was eminent for its sound learning and theology ; now it became as emi- nent for its devoted piety. How can we imagine the great- . ness of the marvel that the acknowledged great spirituality of John Wesley, without a particle of his errors, should thus be made the reigning spirit of the church destined to such a mission. Verily it was God's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes !
The Fifth stage of preparation was another very great marvel. The sound creed was provided ; the arrangements for an educated ministry were made ; the Baptism of the Holy Spirit had been granted-all was ready ; but the bless- ings were confined to a narrow locality. The Log College, the city of Philadelphia, and large circle around it were all yet reached ; but the gracious influences were intended for the whole country. East, West, North and South were all contemplated in the sublime scheme. It was a national preparation which the God of the nations intended. How are the other parts of the land to be reached ? How is the whole country to be included in the gracious work? The God of infinite wisdom and power has his plan ready. In the Log College, He has a band of ten evangelists prepared, with the same doctrines and the same spirit; but with dif- ferent gifts, and different powers, as soon as his plans are ripe ; to spring forth over the whole land and spread the system in every quarter, and plant the standard at every point. But little is this glorious movement understood.
The names of these blessed men, all taught in the Log College, sanctified by the same spirit, and bring with them the same love to Christ and souls, must be had in remem- brance. They were the four great sons of Tennent, Gilbert, William, Jolin and Charles ; the two brothers, Samuel and John Blair, Samuel Finley, William Robinson, John Row- land, and Charles Beatty. These were the men whom God
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prepatrol an ! sent abroad to disseminate the cate ouse dic whole land. Not only did he give them all this general commission, but to each of them a special work, and a gen- . . eral qualification. Gilbert Tennent, was the pioneer, to break down with the blows of a giant, all that might op- . press. William Tennent, Jr., was the saintly man appointed to illustrate how near are the interests and communion of heaven and earth. John Tennent, the type of true piety, who did his brief, but glorious work, and then went home. Charles Tennent, the model pastor, leaving an example for all ministers. Samuel Blair the eminent preacher, drawing thousands to the cross. Jolin Blair the theologian, needed to define the doctrines of the church. Samuel Finley, the establisher of institutions for learning and piety. William Robinson, prominently the evangelist who as a flying angel, preached the gospel in every quarter; and who, as asserted by Dr. Archibald Alexander, was the means of inore true conversions than any other man by whom the land was ever blessed. John Rowland, the great revivalist, leading the way in this method of building up the cause. And finally Charles Beatty, the gentleman by instinct and culture, with his mission to recommend the gospel to the cultured, the refined and the intellectual. Among those who had en- trusted to them the work of spreading the cause over all the land, I must name another, a most blessed woman. Among those born of women, how few so highly blessed as she ! The simple story of her relationship to the great, and the good is all that we can give. She was the sister of the two eminent brothers, Samuel and John Blair. She was the wife of Rev. Dr. Robert Smith, president of Pequa Academy, almost equal in learning to its mothier, the Log College. She was mother of Rev. Dr. Stanhope Smith, first the president of Hampden-Sidney College, Virginia ; and afterwards presi- dent of Princeton College. She was also mother of Rev. Dr. John Blair Smith, who followed his brother as president of Hampden-Sidney College, and then became president of
PRESENTERIAS CHURCH.
Union College, Schenectady, New York. Moreover, she was foster mother of Rev. John Caldwell, prominent in the Macklenburgh Convention, Dr. McMillan, the great western missionary, of Dr. George Duffield, of Dr. Rice of Ken- tucky, and many others of the great and good of that carly day. Where-where such a blessed record a's this ?
The sixth stage of this marvelous preparation was as strange as the rest. Its design was to homologate, to bring into harmony the many and various discordant elements of which the church was originally composed. In the original formation of the church, there were members from Ulster, from Scotland, from Old and New England, from Switzer- land, from the Palatinate of Germany, from Wales, and other lands. How could all these harmonize in doctrine and practice. They had been accustomed to utterly diverse views of non essential doctrines, to different ways of wor- ship and plans of work. They were good men and true, but in their minor points they had been used to different modes. Though truly converted men, they could not at once see alike in all things. And without that harmony of views, how could they work and worship together in peace and prosperity ? Then how could they at once be brought all to see, and feel and act in full accord. Such a chance would ordinarily be the work of centuries. But the work could not wait. One united and harmonious church was needed at once, as both church and country were reaching maturity. How shall the problem be solved-the difficulty met ? To mere human wisdom it was impossible ; but God has his own plan ready. In His mysterious Providence he suffered the church to be rent in twain by what is ordinarily called the great Schism of the old and new controversy. From the human side it was a pure and great calamity. Pride, and prejudice, and passion scemed to rage supreme. But what was the Lord doing with it ? What could be ac- complished by no other power on earth. The breach began in 1741 ; and by it misunderstandings were cleaned up, doc-
THE R YAY APXING
trines were discussed and defined, plans were tried and adopted, or rejected, passions had time to cool, and men were seen in excellencies of character, which they were never before supposed to possess. Thus was the blessed re- sult achieved. The annealing process went on for seven- teen years ; when all had become healed in 1758 ; and that in the spirit of these blessed words sincere and permanent- "All complaints and differences shall be mutually forgiven and buried in perpetual oblivion, and they shall unite in principle as though they had never been concerned with one another, nor had any differences." Oh how gloriously perfect in result is God's work !
Seventh Stage. All was now ready-all prepared for the New American Church for America-all but one thing ; and that would require time-veneration for the fathers was needed-sweet associations of the memories of other days- attachments to the old church, with which was connected many blessed reminisicences, the feeling of "our good old church" was wanted there still. Again had the infinite wisdom provided for the want. Time was required in which all that had been accomplished should be settled- defined and fully established. The principles of doctrine and order were to take root ; the habits, and character, and modes of thought, and forms of an American Presbyterian church were to be matured ; influencing traditions were to be formed ; the great power of early associations was to be created ; the children were to be put in possession of such peculiar attachment to the Old Church as is hallowed by the memories of the past. But this would require many years ; and even that was providentially provided for. Moreover it explains a mystery that seemed very dark. In the pro- gress of the cause we find a strange break. From 1758, when the great Schism was healed, until 1788, all seemed at a stand-still, only one church was organized. Not one important movement was witnessed, all seemed dead. Thir- ty years, a whole generation in time, seemed lost to the his-
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tory. What means this? Has the Divine scheme, as to the church been abandoned? No, no, far from it. That long period of apparent inaction, was accomplishing a most important end. It was ripening all the previous planting. It was establishing the cause for the next, and final stage. -
Eighth Stage. That last stage was the organization of the church ; for which God, in his usual manner, was so long, surely, steadily, gloriously preparing. In that final stage, of organizing the church, there comes to light, in a way which cannot possibly be mistaken, the fact that this American Presbyterian Church and American nation or government had been prepared for each other by the sub- lime working ot God's Almighty Providence through all the preceding years. The way in which this is made absolutely unmistakable is that the General Assembly of the church was organized, and the constitution of the government adopted, at the same time, in the same place, by men of the same views, and on the same principles. These momentous facts are beyond all controversy, and with a glance at them we close our remarks.
First, as to the Time. The General Assembly was organ- ized on May 24th, 1789. The organization of the govern- ment was consummated, when Washington was inaugurated as President on April 30th, 1789-the great events only twenty-four days apart !
Second, as to the place. Both events occurred on well nigh the same spot. Not only was it in the same city of Philadelphia ; but the constitution of the government was adopted in a hall a little over two squares from the church where the church was organized. A clear voice might have been heard from one building to the other.
Third, men of the same views formed both. The men who organized the General Assembly were all, of course, staunch Calvinites. On the best of authority we have it that : "For above one hundred and thirty years previous to the adoption of the constitution, all the higher institutions of
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the land were under Calcanistic management and teaching." But that was the period in which the great statesmen who · wrote that instrument had received their education and bias. Such were the institutions which made them what they were. Hence their spirit, the bent of their minds, their opinions and views, and their interpretations of history were the same as those of the framers of the Constitution of the Church.
Fourth. Formed on the same principles. The principles of the two were precisely alike, as even the most superficial examination will reveal. (1) A. total disconnection of church and state, the one asking no aid, the other acknowl- edging no obedience. (2) Total separation from the old world-one seeking no ordinations, and the other yielding no allegiance. (3) Both adopted written constitutions, as guides to all their laws. (4) Absolute equality in all the members of their respective constituencies-the one tolera- ting do prelates of any degree-the other no potentates or privileged claims. (5) The framing of both constitutions was on precisely the same plan-in the one, the church, the session, the Presbytery, the Synod and the General Assem- bly. In the other, the township, the county, the state and the general government. (6) The principle of representa- tion in all bodies. (7) Courts of review and appeal identi- cal in every respect.
Now were all these coincidences mere chances ? Did they all merely happen to be so? Who can imagine that the mere wisdsmn of men made this arrangement ? Is it uot as inanifest as the day that the same mind was at work in the forination of the purpose that shaped them all, and that the all-wise mind ? Was there not clearly one great plan in both lines of events ? Was not that plan to set up a . great nation that would take a leading part in the final movements of the earth, and side by side with it a great Scriptural Church, that would influence its character and shape its destiny ?
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SOME LESSONS FROM THE HISTORY OF THIS CHURCH.
BY HON. JAMES A. BEAVER.
The church building being unable to accommodate the crowds who were in attendance upon the Centennial, demand was made that Gen. Beaver should take a place in the doorway where he could be heard by those who were inside as well as outside the church. The double doors at the side of the church were opened and, standing in the door- way, he partly faced the congregation inside and the great crowd gathered about the doorway, and was in full view of the churchyard connected with the church, where so many of the founders of the church who were instrumental a hun- dred years ago in erecting the building in which the services were held, lie buried.
The General spoke without notes and, as he said, without previous preparation, the substance of his remarks being what follows:
My Friends, and Friends of the Friends of my Ancestors:
I have joined with you in this service today with very great delight. The invitation to be present was both a sur- prise and a pleasure, and ever since its receipt I have counted in anticipation upon what has been more than realized in the services of today. The journey hither has been in itself a rare enjoyment. A ride through the Cumberland Valley always brings pleasure with it: but, I have, in addition-being the guest of my friend Pomeroy- enjoyed to the full the graphic account of the several occu- pations of Chambersburg by those who were opposed to us · during the late Civil War, as I heard it from the lips of his mother-in-law, Mrs. William McLellan. The drive from Chambersburg here this morning has also been exception- ally pleasant, and, as I have mingled with you in social in- tercourse during the day and have heard, from the lips of
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those who were abundantly able to furnish us both instruc. tion and enjoyment, how for more than a century this region has been cultivated, morally and religiously and how for a round century this building has stood a very beacon light of Gospel truth upon this hilltop, I have realized to the full that it is good to be liere.
The thoughits which come to me upon the occasion, how- ever, are not all joyous. As we have listened to the story of what this church was a century ago and compare what we learn its condition to be now with what it was then, one cannot help a feeling of sadness, in view of the contrast ; and this feeling is emphasized when we consider that this church stands for very many in like condition throughout this valley and throughout our goodly Commonwealth. Many churches, once flourishing and sending out streams of wholesome and elevating influences, are practically dead or able to maintain life only by help from outside themselves. A first and partial view of the subject is discouraging and we are prone to think that the Church goes backward. As a matter of fact, this is not so. The general tendency of the age is toward city and town life, and, as our people con- gregate together, they naturally seek conveniences for wor- ship in their own vicinity. The result in this case, as in many other cases, is that churches in towns and villages draw to their support the descendants of those who formerly founded and maintained this church. If you consult the names of the original pew holders, as they are given in the 'draft which has been exhibited here today, and interrogate their descendants who have come together to observe this centennial, you will find that many of them are doing just as good work for their Master and for the church of their choice in cities and towns and villages widely separated, as was done by their ancestors who founded and maintained the Rocky Spring Church. In looking, therefore, at the ques- tion which naturally suggests itself, in view of the condition which confronts us, we must take a broad view of the case
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