USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Claysville > Our church and our village > Part 12
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As memory recalls the past, what hallowed asso- ciations! what signal manifestations of the Divine! what greetings and friendships! what influences spiritual! what godly men in pulpit and home and citizenship! what children, trained in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, witness to the Christian
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character of the household the fathers and mothers who have so faithfully carried out their vows and covenants with God in the history of Washington County Presbyterianism! Of the Rev. Thomas Hoge, who filled your pulpit as the first pastor for fifteen years, and Rev. Peter Hassinger, who succeeded him for four years, I had no particular knowledge. The historic is all I know in reading; but with the sainted McCarrell, who served your church for thirty-five years, I had the most pleasant relationships in Presby- tery, in interchanges of communion service, and fellow- ship and in his own home, of precious and endeared memory. What a grand man he was socially! Con- tact with him was enchantment, delight; he seemed to lose himself in making others happy. As a minister, while he honorably carried his " D.D.," there was no walking on ecclesiastical stilts; his character, while sacrificing naught of principle, was of the " circulat- ing " order: it showed best among the people with whom he was ever in living contact; he always had a " Good morning " or a "How do you do?" for the non-churchgoer and the unsaved. His sermons were studied and preached in prayer and the richness of the Gospel of Christ. His prayers-as I have listened to them-seemed to be an unction from the Spirit. I shall never forget a prayer of his, at the close of a sacramental season, when, with the tears coursing over his cheeks, he pleaded with God for those who had again refused "to do this in remembrance of me." Those seed-sowings beside all waters have not been lost; his tears liave been put into God's bottle, and his works follow him, while he has entered his rest with
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Eagleson, Stockton, Marquis, and Greer, of the old Presbytery of Washington.
I should love to hear the addresses of the brethren at your anniversary. Their names certify their interest and character, especially of the sons of the church. May not their orthodoxy on the lines of a German rationalism and biblical inerrancy have its parentage in a godly training in church and homes around Clays- ville? When I would write of the eldership my eyes fill with tears, for tender, sundered ties are touched, and the recollections of years now past crowd themselves upon me. Oh! what names! what characters! rise up before me: Henderson, Craig, Noble, McKee, Mc- Lain, Sawhill, and others whom I might name. What witnesses for Christ in a devoted eldership! The church having such Aarons and Hurs to uphold the hands of the pastor must " go forward." You may find men with more pomp and finish, and much of it too, like our Sabbath day clothes put on for the time, but better men called to the work and willing to work never honored their calling as elders than those in Claysville Church and others in the churches of the old Presbytery.
Of the remaining I must not speak at length. I remember many of them (some of them associated with that " big turkey arrangement ") (ask Jonathan about this?), good Christian men. I honor their memories -and your noble women. God bless them! Any- thing I might say could not increase their good name. I wish you to see that old patriarch, Hon. John Birch; give him a good Presbyterian shake for me and my kindest greetings; remember me to the many friends in Claysville and surroundings. In concluding this
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already too long epistle, I want to unite with you in thanksgiving to God for all His tender mercies shown. I congratulate Bro. Fish, his session, and member- ship upon the God-given success and prosperity of the church in the past, in the present. As verified by the past, let the Davidic sentiment be your inspiration in the years to come: "Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death " (Ps. xlviii. 12-14).
Fraternally yours in X,
J. D. WALKINSHAW.
THE INVITATION AND PROGRAMME
You are cordially invited to attend the Seventy-fifth or Dia- mond Anniversary of the Presbyterian Church, at Claysville, on Friday, September 20, 1895, when we will commemorate the organization of our church, revive old and pleasant mem- ories and the early struggles of a church which has been so richly blessed of God.
W. A. IRWIN, T. B. CRAIG, SR., T. G. NOBLE, W. J. BURNS, J. T. NOBLE, Committee.
PROGRAMME
1:00 P.M. Devotional Exercises.
Address of Welcome, . W. A. Irwin, Claysville, Penn. Response, . . Rev. Francis M. Hall, Conneautville, Penn History of the Church, Rev. G. W. F. Birch, D.D., New York.
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The Pew of the Church, . . Rev. J. M. Mealy, D.D., New Wilmington, Penn.
Reminiscences of Pastors and Presbytery :
Rev. W. H. Lester, D.D., West Alexander, Penn.
Rev. Wm. Speer, D.D., Washington, Penn.
Rev. Henry Woods, D.D., Washington, Penn.
Rev. D. A. Cunningham, Wheeling, W. Va.
Rev. J. I. Brownson, D.D., Washington, Penn.
7:30 P.M. Opening Exercises.
The Church and College, . . Rev. J. D. Moffat, D.D., Washington, Penn.
The Boy at Church, .. Rev. A. A. Mealy, Bridgeville, Penn. The Social Church, . . Rev. E. O. Sawhill, Allegheny, Penn. Voluntary Remarks.
Programme interspersed by special music, including "Songs by Ye Olde Folks."
ALEDO, MERCER COUNTY, ILL. September 17, 1895
Messrs. W. A. Irwin and Martin Finley.
Dear Sirs :- I received your letters in due time, stating your arrangement to hold and celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Claysville Presbyterian Church on the 20th of this month, and that you have so kindly invited my presence with you, to participate in the solemn services of the day in giving thanks to Almighty God for His fostering care over His church of Claysville.
I am sorry that circumstances will not permit me to be present in person; therefore I send you this letter regarding the earlier history of the church, so far as my knowledge goes.
The Claysville Church was organized in the fall of
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1820 by Rev. Thos. Hoge. . I commenced going regularly to the Claysville Church in 1828, when they were occupying the old church building.
In the summer of 1830 there were communion services; the church not being large enough to hold the people, arrangements were made to hold the meet- ing in a grove near by. A tent was erected. Rev. Hoge preached the sermon from the words: "Prepare to meet thy God, oh Israel."
These words seemed to stir the hearts of the people, showing that God was in the midst with convincing and converting power.
One young man was so deeply affected that he burst into tears and went into the grove to be alone for meditation. There were fifteen received into the church on profession of faith, and eight received by letter. It was a solemn scene when those fifteen came for- ward and were received into full membership in the church; it was also a glad scene to the parents and the church.
The Church Record is full until Rev. Wm. Wright became stated supply from 1841 to '42. During this time, at one of our meetings shortly before Mr. Wright left, the Church Records were presented to be looked over. He was looking them over and remarked, “ If this book goes to Presbytery in this shape it will not come back." Then some one of the session asked for what reason. His answer was, " It is so informal." One of the session said, " Mr. Wright, you take it and fix it in shape to go before Presbytery." That was the last we saw of the book until after he left. I found the book in his room with a part of the records cut out
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and destroyed. I went to Presbytery with the book in a worse shape than when Mr. Wright got it. When I explained matters, there was severe criticism against him.
If you look at the old book you will see how much of the record is missing.
In 1856 we had another manifestation of the Spirit's power. About twenty were received on profession, and others by letter. This was under the pastorate of Rev. McCarrell, the winter before we left Claysville. I am so glad God has still remembered His church in Clays- ville. As I look back over the past and remember the names of those who were ruling elders in the church with me, and who were ruling elders when I was re- ceived into the church-Jos. Donahey, Sr., Archibald Brownlee, Thos. Stewart, Wm. McLain, Geo. Mc- Conahey, Hugh Craig, Nicholas Bearly, John Hoon- who have all passed away with the exception, perhaps, of one or two, it makes a deep impression on my mind when I remember the happy days which we spent to- gether in the church.
I hope that the blessings of God may continue to follow the labors of the present and coming session and pastors, and that the Church of Claysville may be a bright and shining light that others may see their good works and glorify our Father which is in Heaven.
And with these greetings to the brethren and Church of Claysville, I will close. Please remember me in your meeting.
I remain your brother in Christ,
ROBERT WOODS.
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To the Christian brethren and sisters of the Pres- byterian Church of Claysville.
September, 1895.
When I first read in the county paper a notice that you were to celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the dear old church, my earnest desire was to be with you-to mingle once again in this world with dear brethren and sisters in the Lord-to sit once more within the old sacred walls where, for a goodly number of years, it was my blessed privilege to sit under the ministry of that faithful and devoted man of God, Dr. McCarrell. This desire to be with you, under the cir- cumstances, seems to be denied me, and I send these lines to tell you that my love for and interest in the old church's welfare and prosperity remain with me and have never forsook me during these many years. Since I felt constrained, as I trust from duty and con- viction, to sever my connection with the dear old church and connect myself with another, how could it be otherwise, that I should not cherish such feelings towards a place connected from earliest childhood with the holiest and most sacred associations-a place where, if ever I experienced that greatest of all changes, that change wherein only a man begins truly to live, the change from death unto life called the "new birth," it was there-a place where for many years I enjoyed uninterruptedly the means of grace in which my soul was often filled with " joy unspeakable and full of glory " and "a peace that passeth all under- standing," where I seemed to " sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus"? How could I but cherish toward such a place the warmest feelings of interest, how could my
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prayer be other than " Peace be within thy walls and prosperity within thy palaces " ? " If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning."
My connection with the church commenced in the early years of Dr. McCarrell's ministry. My whole soul was absorbed in religious things. They filled my waking hours, and often in the night, when sleepless, I wanted to read on no other subject. How I longed for the Sabbath when I could give myself wholly to these things, and how precious to me were the communion seasons observed regularly every three months! How eagerly I looked forward to them-a ser- vice Friday and Saturday, two on Sunday, and a con- cluding one on Monday! They were verily feast times to my soul. How I longed to hear those venerated men that assisted the pastor on those occasions, such as Dr. Stockton, Dr. Eagleson, Dr. McKennan, Dr. Mc- Cluskey, Dr. Brownson, Dr. Lester, the two Herveys, and the two Griers, and others I need not name! How they thrilled and profited my soul by their able expositions of Bible truth, and what an unction seemed to attend their words so that the old truths seemed fresh and new! What sweet and heavenly and soul-satisfying seasons they were to me, and how often on Monday have I went away sad and burdened at heart that so long a time would elapse before I could enjoy another! I have reason to bless God that my Christian life began under such a devoted and conse- crated man as Dr. McCarrell. Few men were so wholly given to the work, or could say more truly with Paul, " This one thing I do." What a high ideal of what the Christian life should be he ever held before his peo-
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ple, and how tenderly and solemnly and with many tears did he warn and entreat the sinner to turn and live! What a work he accomplished for Claysville and vicin- ity, eternity alone can reveal, and how long its influence will last in this world, who can tell? But I will weary you. I will close with one of the weighty inferences of St. Paul. He had been speaking of the Resurrec- tion, of the glorious reunion of all the saints in their heavenly home, of their final victory over sin, death, and hell. He says, " But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. There- fore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." JOSEPH F. CRAIG,
Reserve, Kan.
SHIPPENSBURG, PENN., August 27, 1895. Mr. W. A. Irwin, Claysville, Penn.
My dear Friend Will :- Your letter inviting me to attend the seventy-fifth anniversary of the old church at Claysville on the 20th of next month, came while I was away from home on my vacation. I came home only a few days ago, and I now hasten to reply. It would give me the greatest pleasure, on many ac- counts, to be present at this anniversary, for I love the old church, and anything I could do for its true pros- perity I would do most cheerfully. It was in this church that my sainted father spent the most of the years of his life and almost all of his ministerial life, and it was for this church that he toiled and prayed and sacrificed; and it was here that the Lord gave him such
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signal success, and he now wears in heaven, as I be- lieve, the many seals of his faithful ministry. The very fact that so many of the sons of this church have gone into the ministry is the mark of a success which any preacher of the Gospel might well covet. It was in this dear old church that I spent the days of my child- hood and youth, and there, as I trust, I gave myself to the Lord and to the ministry of the Word. It was in this church that many of my beloved kindred lived and labored, and it was from this church that they went to " join the general assembly and church of the first-born in heaven " ; and here, also, were and are many of my best earthly friends. For these and many other reasons I shall never cease to love the old church and to pray for her true prosperity. Yet, notwith- standing all of this, I feel that it would not be best for me to go there at the present time. Quite a number of my relatives have but recently gone out of the church; quite a number are still in it, and I fear that my coming to this anniversary at this time would not be altogether comfortable for me. Taking everything into consideration, I feel that it would be better for me just now to stay away. I have taken no part whatever in the controversies which have rent the old church; I want to take no part now. That there have been sad faults and mistakes on both sides, every one must admit. My prayer to God is that all of these breaches may be healed; that the past may be forgotten; that all may forgive, as they hope to be forgiven; and that by a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit on those who have gone out as well as on those still in the old church, those who have gone out may come back to the
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church of their fathers, and all being " bound together in the bonds of Christ's love," the church may have a more glorious future than it has ever had in the past!
For this consummation I will ever pray; and if there is anything that I can do to bring it about I will do it most cheerfully. I want it to be distinctly understood that that old church is my church, and for it I will ever stand. I regret exceedingly that I cannot see my way clear to attend the proposed celebration. You can easily see the position in which I am placed. I thank you for the invitation, and I trust you may have a profitable and pleasant time. I will be glad to have a full report of the proceedings. If there is anything which I can do, let me know. With kindest regards to you and all inquiring friends,
I am, yours most sincerely,
W. A. McCARRELL.
KEOKUK, IOWA, September 16, 1895. W. A. Irwin, Claysville, Penn.
Dear Sir :- Your letter and invitation, inviting me to the diamond anniversary of the Presbyterian Church of Claysville, Penn., received, and I am sorry to write you that my business engagements are such that I cannot accept the invitation and be present on that interesting occasion. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to go back among my old friends and the associates of my childhood days and participate in the celebration of the three-quarter century anniversary of the existence of the old church where I received my religious education. There are so many hallowed memories around the old church where I spent my
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early life that it would be certainly a very great privi- lege to be present with those who will be assembled there, and listen to the reminiscences of its life and history, and if I could possibly spare the time I would consider it a high privilege and honor to be permitted to have a voice in the proceedings. I know you will all enjoy the occasion, and I can assure you that my best wishes will be with you upon that day.
May the Divine Master who has followed that church through all these years and given it so great success, and from whose bosom have gone out so many candidates for the Gospel ministry, cause it to be as highly blessed in the future as it has been in the past.
I am, very truly yours,
JOHN E. CRAIG.
3447 PRAIRIE AVE., CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 1895. W. A. Irwin, T. B. Craig, Sr., and others of the Com- mittee, Claysville, Penn.
Gentlemen :- Your kind invitation to be present on the 20th inst. on the occasion of the seventy-fifth anni- versary of the Presbyterian Church of Claysville, Penn., is just received. I thank you. The time is so short I will not be able to arrange my business so as to attend. This I very much regret.
To me there is no spot on earth about which so many pleasant, sacred memories cluster as about the . dear old Church at Claysville. There, under the tutor- ship of the sainted McCarrell, who was to me both teacher and friend, I was rooted and grounded in the wholesome doctrines of the church, through its
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Shorter Catechism and Bible teachings. Through these teachings came habits of logical thought which have ever had an influence upon my life-work.
I would love again to meet the dear friends of my youth and mingle my tears with theirs to the mein- ory of the sainted McCarrell and others of the dear ones who have joined him.
Trusting the occasion may be one of the greatest enjoyment to you all, I am,
Yours truly,
JOIIN M. HOON.
ALEDO, ILL., September 16, 1895. T. B. Craig, Claysville, Penn.
Dear Sir and Brother :- Your kind invitation to the Diamond Anniversary of the old home church to hand. What a stream of loving memories it brings to us! A glance at the programme shows so many names of old day and Sabbath-school associates. We are sorry to have to send our regrets instead of being pres- ent in person, but will be there in thought and spirit on that day. Our Presbyterian Church here has quite a number who claim the old Brick Church as their parent church. Robt. Woods (whose failing strength only keeps him from being with you), Wmn. Woods, John G. and Nannie McGuffin, A. W. Henderson and wife, Mrs. Anna Hammond (née Henderson), and J. F. Henderson, are those we can call to memory at this time. That the day may be a glorious and long- to-be-remembered one in social and spiritual blessing, and that you may all be spared for many years of
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useful work in the Master's vineyard, is the wish of your friends.
A. W. HENDERSON. J. F. HENDERSON.
CONCORDIA, KANSAS, September 16, 1895. T. B. Craig, Sr., Claysville, Penn.
My dear Friend :- Your letter of invitation to be present or write a letter for the seventy-fifth anniver- sary of the Claysville Presbyterian Church is at hand. It is not possible for me to be present, and the time is too brief to write more than to tell you how I would like to be there. I often think of my old church; two names always rise before me in this connection: Rev. Alexander McCarrell and A. K. Craig. It would hardly seem like home to me without them. While the church has had many godly men, the impressions of my youth, or childhood rather, that the above two men were " the church," cling to me. Now, the prin- cipal statement I want to make in this letter is the hope that all the addresses, speeches, letters, etc., will be published in book form. I think you could sell enough to cover expenses. I will promise to take one. To me the next best thing to being present will be to read all about it; the book would prove valuable to future generations. If you have not made arrange- ments along this line I trust you will consider it. Trusting that the blessing of our Heavenly Father may be on the church in the future as in the past,
I am, yours truly, WILLIAM F. SAWHILL.
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WAYNESBORO, PENN., August 27, 1895.
Mr. W. A. Irwin.
Dear Friend :- Your favor of August 13th, informing me of the proposed celebration of the " seventy-fifth" or " Diamond Anniversary " of the Claysville Presby- terian Church, on September 20th next, was duly received.
I thank you for your cordial invitation to be present and take part in the exercises of that occasion. It would afford me great pleasure to be with you at that time. The old church is very dear to me, both because it was the church of my youth and especially because of father's long connection with it as pastor. I find, however, that it will not be convenient for me to at- tend the anniversary exercises. I regret very much that I cannot be present to join with you all in calling to mind the work and the men of the past. I will be with you in spirit, if not in person.
I sincerely hope that you may have a most pleasant and profitable anniversary. And I earnestly pray that the present members of the old church may be blessed with an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them, and that in the spirit of " the fathers " they may enter with new zeal upon the Lord's work during the closing quarter of the century. May the last twenty- five years of the hundred years of the church's history be the best!
Thanking you again for the invitation, and wishing you all abundant success, and with kindest regards for you personally, I am,
Yours sincerely, THOS. C. McCARRELL.
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Obituary
Died November 29th, Thaddeus Clark Noble, of Claysville, Penn., in the sixty-fourth year of his age.
A good man has gone to his reward. A life has passed away that leaves behind it an influence for good. The light in a happy home has been quenched in the darkness of death, and yet the sad hearts that are left are not without consolation. A long life of constant service in the cause of Christ, an untiring zeal and un- wavering testimony for Jesus, give absolute assurance that he who has gone has entered into the rest pre- pared for the people of God.
T. C. Noble was born December 29, 1818, in Amwell Township, but most of his life was spent in the town of Claysville. His life was a busy and industrious one. Constantly and actively engaged in extensive business, he was a public benefit to the community in which he lived. He was strictly honorable and upright in his dealings, and his character for honesty was without reproach. He was a public man. He promoted by his influence and means every useful enterprise. He was a patron of education and one of the earliest advo- cates of temperance. He was kind to the poor and he never turned a deaf ear to the cry of the needy. A kind and devoted husband and one of the best of fathers, he was especially happy in the relations of home. As a citizen he conscientiously discharged his duty to the State by an active and intelligent participa- tion in public affairs. As a member of the community
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he constantly promoted peace and, although engaged in extensive business, never was a party to a lawsuit.
But, above all, as the crowning virtue of his life, he was a humble, devoted, and faithful Christian. His voice and influence in the church were always for peace and harmony. He was a liberal giver to all the be- nevolent enterprises of the church. His place in the church on the Sabbath was seldom ever vacant, and his voice was ever heard in the social prayer-meeting. He was an active member of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association until declining health forbade the work in which his heart was engaged. He loved chil- dren, and it was his special delight to do them good. For many years he had been the faithful and efficient superintendent of the Claysville Presbyterian Sabbath- school. His punctuality was remarkable. In all these many years the writer only remembers two Sab- baths which he missed being in his place until illness kept him away, and even then his heart was in the school. The Sabbath before he died he told his wife he thought he could go. We will ever remember his untiring and unwearied efforts to impress Scripture texts on the minds of the children. No doubt the seed thus sown and consecrated by prayer will bring forth a rich and abundant harvest. His record is on high, and his reward is sure. His home is with the blood- washed throng in the city which has no need of the light of the sun, for the Lamb is the light thereof. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from hence- forth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.
ALEXANDER K. CRAIG.
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The following item is furnished by one of the leading physicians of Pittsburgh :
" I desire to personally acknowledge and express my thanks to Mr. J. T. Noble for the interest that he has taken in not only the historical exercises of this church, but particularly the memorial exercises. He was the first to visit Mrs. Patterson, of Philadelphia, and engage her interest in these exercises, as well as to renew her interest in this church and its future welfare. It was especially fitting for him to do so, as this church had its origin through the influence of the Rev. Thomas Hoge and his grandfather Truesdell."
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Rites Tonight
Major W. M. Hogg
Funeral services for Major Wil-
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liam Mathison Hogg, 56, assistant to the vice president of the National Tube Company, and World war vet- eran, who died Monday night in his home, 306 Maple avenue, Edgewood, will be held tonight in the home. Burial will be private, tomorrow morning, in Monongahela cemetery, Braddock.
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He was past master of the Brad- dock Field Lodge, No. 510, F. & A. M .; past potentate of Syria Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and a member of Pennsylvania Consistory, A. A. S. R .; Tancred Commandery; Military Order of the World War, and the 'Keystone Athletic Club.
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He leaves his widow, Mrs. Amelia Fridges Hogg; a son, Wallace B. Hogg; a daughter, Mrs. A. S. Her- rington; two sisters, Mrs. John J. W'alker and Miss Agnes E. Hogg, and brothers, George and Charles
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Major Hogg was born in Dundee, Scotland, and was associated with his father, George Hogg, for many ears as a contractor, one of the jobs he supervised being the erection of the Masonic Temple, Oakland. He was a lieutenant colonel in the United States army ordnance reserve, and saw active service as a captain and major in the production division, army ordnance, during the war. He was made chairman of the claims adjudication board after the war and served until it was disbanded. He had been assistant to the vice presi- dent at the general offices of the Na- tional Tube Company in Pittsburgh for the last 12 years.
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