Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 63

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Pennsylvania > Indiana County > Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I > Part 63

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Reformed Presbyterian Presbytery of Amier- Henderson were present. Other meetings fol- ica. About 1781 this Presbytery unanimously lowed and on the 13th of June, 1782, the As- adopted the terms of union, as adopted and sociate Reformed Church was organized, and its first Synod met in Philadelphia on the 30th of October, 1782. offered by the Associate Presbytery of New York, and all its ministers and fully organ- ized congregations went into the union con- summated on the 30th of October, 1782, which United Presbyterian originated the Associate Reformed Church.

Associate Presbyterian

The history of the Associate Presbyterian Church goes back to the year 1733, when Ebenezer Erskine and three other ministers of the Church of Scotland refused to respect . an unrighteous and tyrannical sentence of despotism, deelared their secession from "the prevailing party," made their solemn appeal "to the first free, faithful and reforming General Assembly of the Church of Scotland" and organized the Associate Presbytery. We cannot follow their instructive history, nor show how necessary and how just was their cause. It is now conceded by all impartial students that they were battling for the same great principles, substantially, which more organie union. After a full and free inter- than a century later were upheld by Dr. Chal- change of views it was

mers and the noble men who followed him in founding the Free Church of Scotland. Erskine and his associates deserve our admir- ation and emulation as well, for their stead- fast faithfulness to the pure doctrines of the Gospel, and for the unflinching courage with which they maintained them.

In 1836 Rev. Hugh MeMillan, chairman of a committee of the Reformed Presbyterian Church (N. S.), sent a communication to the Associate Reformed Synod of the West, proposing a convention of delegates from the Scottish Presbyterian Churches to see if a eloser union could be effected. The Synod accepted the invitation. Similar invitations were sent to the other Synods and resulted in a convention which assembled in Pittsburg, October 17, 1838. The work of the conven- tion was preparatory work. Several days were spent in fraternal conference and in devotional exercises. Special consideration was given to the course which should be pur- sued, while yet in a divided state, to promote a nearer approximation preparatory to

Resolved, As the judgment of this Conven- tion, that the ministers of the churches here represented may interchange pulpits; and it is recommended to both ministers and people to unite, as often as opportunity offers, in meetings for prayer and other religions ex- ercises.

As early as 1736 a petition was received An address was also prepared to the Chris- tian public on the subject of the union of the churches, and an invitation to another con- vention was given to all those churches which were agreed in adhering to a Scriptural Psalmody. A second convention met in Phil- adelphia in September, 1839. On this occa- sion there was a free interchange of views on those subjects on which it had been supposed that there existed some diversity of opinion which might present some difficulty in the way of union, such as Psalmody, communion, slavery, testimony-bearing and covenanting. Provision was made for another convention and a special invitation was given the Assoei- ate Synod. Conventions were held annually until nine had passed into history. Every convention gave the first and best part of its labors to the hunting up of difficulties and differences of views, until it was very evident that present methods would never accomplish the object desired. The sudden and abrupt from Londonderry asking that an ordained minister or probationer be sent to labor in that district, but the brethren had none to send. About 1750 missionaries were sent into the eastern counties of Pennsylvania. In the struggle between the Colonies and Great Britain all the ministers of the Associate and Reformed Churches joined heartily with the former. The idea very soon and very natur- ally suggested itself to these men that if polit- ical independence of foreign control would be a good thing, eeclesiastical independenee of a far-off power would not be a bad thing. The question was at once started, and mainly urged by Dr. Annan, whether both branches of Seottish Presbyterians in this country could not be united so as to form one national church organization, independent in govern- ment of all foreign control. The first con- ferenee anent this matter was held on the 30th of September, 1777, at the home of Samuel Patterson in Donegal, Lancaster Co., Pa. termination of this eonvention startled the Messrs. Cuthbertson, Smith, Proudfit, and churches and touched the hearts of the masses.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

The union feeling received no check but posi- gheny, Rev. David Blair presiding. Min- tive quickening. A regular correspondence now commenced between the Associate and the General Associate Reformed Synods which terminated in the offer of a Basis of Union by the former to the latter, which being over- tured to the Presbyteries, was adopted in 1857 by the General Synod. isters : David Blair, William Connor, Samuel Anderson, Matthew H. Wilson, Byron Porter, John C. Telford, J. L. Purdy, David K. Duff, Henry Q. Graham, Joseph C. Grier. Terri- tory : From the mouth of the Kiskiminetas, by the Allegheny river, to the New York State line; thence southward to the lead- waters of the Conemaugh river, on the sum- mit of the Allegheny mountains; thence west- ward by the Conemaugh and Kiskiminetas rivers to the Allegheny river. On October 20, 1880, Beracha, Smyrna and Mahoning con- gregations, which in 1872 elected Conemaugh, were transferred to Brookville.

As the time approached for the consumma- tion of the union those who had labored and prayed for it became very anxious that peace, harmony and unanimity might characterize it. To aid in this result a convention was called to meet in Xenia, Ohio, on the 24th of March, 1858, to seek by united prayer the outpouring of the IIoly Spirit upon the churches, that they might be enabled to come together in true love and confidence. A very large number of ministers and laymen as- sembled and spent nearly three days in prayer and praise and conference with the happiest effect, and then adjourned to meet in Alle- gheny in May, just before the assembling of the Synods, where the same delightful expe- rience was repeated.

Under these circumstances the two Synods met on the 19th of May, 1858, the Associate in Pittsburg and the Associate Reformed in Allegheny. On the 26th of May, 1858, the five ministers. Its territory was "all west of two Synods met together in the City Hall, Pittsburg, and after prayer and praise and the contemplated addresses the new body was constituted with prayer by Rev. Dr. Donald C. McLaren, moderator of the Associate Re- formed General Synod. Dr. John T. Pressly was elected by acclamation as moderator of the united body, and Dr. Samuel Wilson as its first stated clerk.

The Basis of Union was the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger and the Shorter Catechisms, and a Judicial Testi- mony.

The influence and impulses of the union of 1858 were very benign and happy. A baptism from on high evidently rested upon the new church, reviving and quickening her in her inner as well as in her outer life. But few incidents have marked the course of the United Presbyterian Church. She has done her work quietly and at the same time tried to meet her responsibilities arising from the general progress of the age.

CONEMAUGH PRESBYTERY

The Conemangh Presbytery was organized Revs. Mr. Wilson and Thomas Allison or- at Shelocta, Pa., November 12, 1858, from the Presbyteries of Blairsville, Clarion and Alle- here, and held the first communion. This was

INDIANA CONGREGATION

Before the union, in May, 1858, of the As- sociate Presbyterian Church and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Indiana congregation belonged to the Associate Presbyterian Church, or, as it was commonly called, the "Seceder" branch.

At the time when the history of this con- gregation begins Chartiers was the only Presbytery of the Associate Church west of the mountains. It was organized in 1800 with

the Alleghany mountains, with the congre- gations in Virginia and the Carolinas"-a rather big field of operations for five preach- ers; but it was gradually narrowed as time went on until Chartiers Presbytery, with six- teen settled pastors, now finds work enough with the limits of Washington county, Pa. Under this Presbytery Indiana congregation began to be, and continued to be until 1822. From that time until 1858 the Associate Presbytery of Allegheny had charge of it, and since that time it has belonged to the United Presbyterian Presbytery of Conemaugh.

It is perhaps impossible to fix precisely the date or the circumstances of the organization of this congregation. Conemaugh claims to have been organized as early as 1801, and is probably the oldest Associate Church in the county. Indiana, in all likelihood, comes next. We do not know that Crooked Creek, or West Union, is ever disposed to dispute the priority, but we do know that no other con- gregation can; except Conemaugh, for these three until after Father Blair's settlement were the only Seceder Churches in the county. It is reasonably certain that in the year 1808 dained elders and organized a congregation

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

three years after the laying out of Indiana as Church, Philadelphia. The call was accepted the county seat of what was then a new in Philadelphia August 15, 1871, and in the county, with a population of less than 600. following month he took charge of the con- gregation. He was installed November 11, 1871. IIe accepted a call to Steubenville, Ohio, and was released June 26, 1877. The first communion was in the open air, near the corner of Water and Fifth streets. It is very probable that before the time of the organization there had been preaching here by one or more of the Associate ministers.

The congregation numbered when organ- ized between thirty and forty persons. No complete list of their names exists, but among them were William Trimble and John Clyde, the first elders; Gawin Adams, James Simp- son, George Trimble, James Thompson, James McKee.

From the time of the organization, in 1808, for about nine years we find no records which tell of the congregation's condition. There was no pastor. Rev. Alexander Wilson and Rev. Mr. MeClelland, and perhaps others, preached here. Passing over these early years of which we know so little, we shall en- deavor to arrange the facts we know under the successive pastoral settlements.

Pastorates .- The first, the longest and in many respects the most important pastorate is that of Rev. David Blair. It began form- ally with his ordination and installation in October, 1818, but really some time before that, and closed by his release in October, 1862, and thus extended fully over forty-four years. A full history of his connection with the congregation is given in the sketch of his life.

After the release of Mr. Blair ineffectual calls were presented to Presbytery as follows: March 5, 1863, for J. R. Johnston, of Presby- tery of Big Spring; June 16, 1863, for J. R. Kerr, of Presbytery of Monongahela.

The call for Rev. William Fulton was laid before Presbytery April 12, 1864. He had preached here during the preceding winter, coming out from the seminary at Allegheny. The call was forwarded to Wheeling Presby- tery, under whose care he was as a student, and accepted. In the summer of 1864 he be- gan his labors here. His trials for ordination were heard by Presbytery at West Union the 24th of August, 1864, and on the 25th of October following he was ordained and in- stalled. His ministry here continued until May 3, 1870, at which time he was released and accepted a call to the Fourth U. P. Church of Allegheny. Then his death took place amid a sorrowing people on the 25th of June, 1873.

Rev. William S. Owens was called in June, 1871, being at that time pastor of the North

The congregation were very sorry to part with Rev. Mr. Owens, but they were singu- larly fortunate in securing Rev. J. Day Brownlee to preach for them that summer. A call was made out, presented and accepted, and Mr. Brownlee entered upon his pastoral duties about three months after the former pastor was released. He has continuously served the congregation since that time. Dur- ing his pastorate the congregation has been very prosperous and now numbers 555 mem- bers. The elders at present are: J. T. Stewart, clerk; W. B. Pattison, G. P. Mc- Cartney, Harry Carson, James W. Wiggins, James A. Simpson. The enrollment of the Sabbath school is 400; Prof. F. Ernest Work is the superintendent.

Houses of Worship .- In 1818, when Mr. Blair's ministry began, Indiana was but a small village. There was then no church building of any kind in the place, and but two organized congregations of Christian peo- ple-the other being the Presbyterian congre- gation, of which Rev. John Reed was pas- tor. He settled here the same year as Mr. Blair. Both these congregations worshipped in the old courthouse (a new courthouse then), which gave place in 1871 to the present structure. Mr. Blair preached here every third Sabbath and Mr. Reed every second Sabbath, so that their appointments frequently fell on the same day. This matter, so long as it was necessary, was amicably arranged by each of the ministers alternately giving way to the other on the conflicting days, and fixing his appointment elsewhere to suit.

The first house of worship of the U. P. congregation, and the first erected in the town, was built in 1826-27. It was a one- story brick building on the same site which is now occupied. This house was replaced in 1851 by a two-story building, the walls of which still stand, though the building was entirely remodeled in 1867, after the close of Father Blair's pastorate. The cost of the first building was probably under $3,000. The cost of the second house, in 1852, was about $3,400. The remodeling in 1867 cost $3,300. From time to time the church has been repaired and in 1909 a new pipe or- gan was installed at a cost of $2,500.

Rev. David Blair was born in the parish

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of Donagor, County Antrim, Ireland, in the two days. The winter was spent in Steuben- year 1787, "three weeks after old Hallow- ville. There, in the spring of 1803, the whole e'en," that is, in November. The name of family met together. Then came the re- his father was Hugh, of his mother, Jane. moval to Crawford county, Pa., near Harts- town, where Hngh Blair, the father of Da- vid, had purchased 100 acres of land, three acres of which were cleared and a log cabin erected thereon. In a short time Mr. Blair built a log house in which the family lived until a frame dwelling was erected a number of years after. He also purchased the bal- ance of the tract, in all 400 acres. Here they made their home. On the 10th of March, 1835, Jane Blair, David's. mother, died aged ninety years. His father died January 5, 1837, aged ninety-six years. They were members of the old Seceder Church and their bodies rest in the Shenango graveyard. Many of their de- scendants live in the western part of Craw- ford county, and others of them are scattered throughout the West. They were of Scotch-Irish descent. - They had eleven children, three daughters and eight sons, David being the eighth child. Hugh Blair with his family attended the Presbyte- rian Church at Park Gate, County Antrim, but for some reason became dissatisfied with the pastor and joined the Seceder Church. Donagor congregation about one mile away was the nearest organization of Seceders, but in good weather the pastor would preach in the barns and in the groves in the vicinity of Hugh Blair's house. David's first school teacher was an old maiden lady named Jen- nie Taggart, who kept school near his home. He afterwards attended school in the session house of Donagor congregation. His instruc- tor, whose name was Haveron, had been edu- cated for the priesthood, but he got married and thereafter devoted himself to teaching. The last night that the Blair family spent in their old home there was a school exhibition

At the time of their removal to Crawford county, David was a youth of not quite six- teen, and by no means rugged. Indeed all through his early manhood he was somewhat in the session house. David, being one of the delicate. He had not seriously thought of pupils, was in attendance. One part of the devoting himself to the ministry, though the exercise was the delivery of sentiments by the pupils. When David was called upon he arose and said :

This is the last night of our school, So I hear them say; To-morrow we will leave our home, For sweet America.

The teacher had not learned of the in- tended departure of the family, and when David repeated these lines he came to him and bade him an affectionate adieu.

The family crossed the ocean at five dif- ferent times. The larger part, however, in- cluding David, went to Belfast the day after the exhibition and after a delay of a few days, on the 2d day of October, 1802, set sail in the ship "Philadelphia." The sea was rough, and they landed at the city of Philadelphia after a passage of nine weeks and three days. From there they went in a wagon to the city of Pittsburg, where they met Rev. Mr. Black, a minister with whom they had been acquainted in Ireland, and many mem- bers of their congregation in Ireland who had settled in that vicinity. The family pro- ceeded to Steubenville, Ohio, where Ann Stra- han, David's sister, lived. David with two of his brothers walked from Pittsburg to Steubenville. The Ohio river being filled with floating ice they were unable to get across, and were detained on the eastern side for

subject had been mentioned in the family. His inclination was for books and studies. His elder brother John sent him a copy of "Brown 's Remains." The reading of this lit- tle book made a strong impression upon him, and was largely instrumental in deciding him to enter the ministry. In this resolution he was encouraged by a student with whom he was intimately acquainted. Such were the natural and simple influences by which Di- vine Providence ordered the choice of a voca- tion and decided the course of his life. In the winter of 1805-06 he began his classical studies under the direction of Rev. Mr. Mc- Lean, the father of Dr. D. H. A. McLean, late of Canonsburg, Pa. Like many others then since, he had to work his own way for the most part to an advanced education and was none the worse for such discipline. In 1810 he entered Jefferson College, at Can- onsburg. He would have been graduated in . 1812, but his health gave way early in that year, and he sought its restoration in open- air work at home. His college course was thus never formally completed, but his edu- cation was, for that day, good. With reestab- lished health, in the fall of 1812, he began his theological course under Dr. John Ander- son, of the Associate Church, in the old two- story log building at Service Creek, in Bea- ver county, Pa., which is claimed to have been

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

the first Associate theological seminary on this and the relation between the law and the gos- western continent. The usual four sessions pel-did not accord with the ideas or coin- were passed here, study being carried on pri- cide with the modes of expression which some vately during the spring and summer months of the members regarded as alone orthodox. between sessions. A portion of the second summer Mr. Blair spent teaching a school ten miles distant from Service Creek. He took the old way and made the pupils read the Bible. He kept up his theological studies, and at the opening of the term returned to the seminary.

One fact characteristic of the spirit of ec- elesiasties in those days, and strongly illus- trative of the independence of control and te- nacity of purpose which always distinguished Mr. Blair, we cannot omit. We refer to it chiefly because it was but one of several in- stances during his early ministerial life in which he came into very unpleasant, but to him not discreditable, collision as we think with the rigid views and requirements of part of the Presbytery. It must be remem- bered that in all the branches of the Pres- byterian Church, and in others also, the tests of orthodoxy were formerly defined much more narrowly than they are now. This was true even of those ministers whose views were called liberal, and there were many such, but in the case of others there was a keen watch- fulness for heresy, and a success in finding it which we cannot even understand. The slightest departure from the most minute points of the received doctrines, from the common interpretation of the text from the current metaphysics of theology, and even a failure to come fully up to the standards in modes of expression, were by not a few regarded as evidences of unsoundness in the faith. We may not blame these good men of "lang syne." Their strictness was excess- ive, but it was sincere and honest. Let us simply be thankful that we now know as they did not how to maintain the truth faithfully and yet not put men in strait-jackets. The Associate Church has been reported and af- firmed, and we dare say not slanderously, to have had its full share of ministers not only orthodox, but strictly and minutely so. That "Elders-James Smith, John Pattison, William Trimble, John Clyde, Samuel Tem- Blair's experience shows. In the year 1813, pleton, James Hart, Robert Miller. Chartiers Presbytery once had some such Mr. while in his seminary course, he received a "Members-William Coleman, Francis Mc- Olim. David Hutchinson, James McKissick, Sr., James Smith, Bartholomew Hadden, Sam- uel Lyon, William George, W. Fleming, James Thompson, Robert Douthitt, John Black, Nathan Douthitt, Joseph White, Wil- text from which to preach a specimen of progress before the Presbytery. The passage was in Romans, Chapter i, beginning, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." Some- thing in this discourse when delivered-we believe it related to the word "law" as used liam Smith, John Smith, James Smith, Jr., by Paul, the nature of the covenant of works Alexander Pattison, William Calhoun, Wil- 21

This discourse, after some discussion, was condemned. Mr. Blair was examined, but yielded nothing. He thought he was right and some of the presbyters, at least among them that man of honored memory, Dr. Rob- ert Bruce, of Pittsburg, either took the same view or held the point of no real importance. The matter was dropped and Mr. Blair cou- tinued to attend the theological Seminary. He pursued his studies diligently. Having spent four years at the theological seminary, he was on the 29th of August, 1816, licensed to preach. His first visit to this region was made shortly after, at which time he preached at Conemaugh and Crooked Creek. The peo- ple desired that he should be sent back and some time in the winter following he returned and preached at Indiana, as well as at Cone- maugh and Crooked Creek. Early in the year 1817 a call was made out from the three congregations and was presented to the As- sociate Presbytery of Chartiers, at a meeting in Pittsburg on the 4th Wednesday of May, 1817, accompanied by the following petition :

"To the Rev. Moderator and other mem- bers of the Associate Presbytery of Chartiers to meet at Pittsburg on the 4th Wednesday of May :

"The prayer of your petitioners of Cone- maugh congregation humbly showeth: That having obtained the moderation of a call for Mr. David Blair, it is our earnest desire that our call be presented to him as soon as pos- sible, and that his settlement amongst us in case of his accepting our call, be forwarded with all convenient speed. The annual sal- ary which we promise to pay Mr. Blair for his ministerial labors is five hundred dollars. John Pattison, Esq., and Judge James Smith are appointed commissioners.

"In testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names, this 27th day of May, 1817.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

liam Rankin, John Morrow, Theophilus Smith, George Trimble, Joseph Scott, James Templeton, David Gilleland, Robert Henry, John Moreland, John Lytle, Samuel George."

This paper is signed by seven elders from the three congregations, and thirty men who were main householders and represented a much larger number of members. It requires a little explanation. It is not a call, but sim- ply a petition accompanying the call. Why was it drawn up and sent to the Presbytery ? Unless we mistake its character, it was not necessary or usual to send such a paper. Our impression is, and Father Blair's supports it, that it was known to the people that some members of the Presbytery were disposed to question the orthodoxy of the candidate, and they feared some obstacle would be interposed to prevent or at least delay his settlement, hence this petition. There may have been other good reasons to account for it, but in the light of all circumstances, the explana- tion seems natural and probable. In what- ever way its existence may be accounted for it is an interesting relic of years long gone by.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 63

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930