USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Claysville > Our church and our village > Part 4
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CHISELLING FOR GOD
A stone-cutter was at work under his shed, chiselling on a block of stone, preparing it to be placed in the walls of some edifice. A friend stepping in asked the question :
" What is to be done with this stone? "
" I have not seen the plan," was the stone-cutter's reply; and on he went with his chiselling, content pa- tiently and steadily to work day by day, getting it ready for its designed place-chiselling, chiselling, chiselling.
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Claysville Presbyterian Church
The history of the Claysville Church is the history. of many patient and earnest workers who spent this life chiselling for God-the faithful minister in his ap- pointed sphere, the humble and devoted wife at home among her children, and a thousand other workers who steadily pursued their course, day after day, until life ended.
They did not " see the plan," and yet they toiled in hope. They knew that the great Architect knew exactly where to place each stone in the building, and they went on with their chiselling-it may be, beguil- ing the weary hours with a song.
Think you the Master will not pay them their wages? As in His presence they are enjoying their wages, they speak to us from Heaven, saying: " He will." *
* Chancellor Day.
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History of the
A Sketch of Alexander McCarrell, D.D.,
THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS PASTOR OF THE PRESBY- TERIAN CHURCH OF CLAYSVILLE, PENN.
BY REV. WILLIAM H. LESTER, D.D., Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of West Alexander, Penn.
The Psalmist's words: "The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance," may justly be applied to our departed brother. " None knew him but to love him." His pleasant manners, tender heart, fervent piety, strength of Christian character, and devoted life impressed every one who knew him. These qualities under God were greatly blessed in promoting the growth and strength of this church, and making it a power in this community.
Alexander McCarrell was born near Cross Creek village, Washington County, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1819.
Very precious memories clustered around the hour of his childhood. His father, a moral man, did not become a professed follower of the Saviour till quite late in life. His mother was a devoted Christian. Her example, prayers, and instruction left their impress on his son-the " child of the covenant." He has told me it was the aim and effort of her life that he should become a minister of the Gospel. When only
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Alexander Mebarrell.
Claysville Presbyterian Church
a small boy he was a constant attendant with her in the Sabbath services of God's house. In early life he became a subject of grace, and united with the church of Cross Creek, of which John Stockton, D.D., was the pastor. The mother found in her pastor a faithful adviser and helper. He assisted him in his studies and prepared him for Washington College, from which he graduated in 1841. Brother McCarrell regarded Dr. Stockton as his " father in the Lord," and always spoke of him with great respect as the man who, more than any other, turned him to the Saviour and the ministry. In the college his record was that of a diligent stu- dent and a consistent Christian. In the town his " godly walk and conversation," his straightforward life, commended him to all. He was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Washington in 1841. His theological studies were under the direction of Dr. Stockton. He was licensed April 17, 1844, and or- dained by the same Presbytery, April 17, 1845. With a heart full of the love of Christ and souls, he was ready for his work. Previous to this he was married to Miss Martha McLain, a daughter of Mr. Wm. Mc- Lain, long a ruling elder in this church. Her brothers, John and Joseph McLain, served in the same ca- pacity many years, and have been a tower of strength in the Claysville Church, withholding no labor, money, or self-denial to promote its welfare.
In his wife he found a "helpmeet " worthy of his heart and work. I have seldom seen a woman of more tender, prayerful, consecrated spirit, whose whole life was so bound up in her husband's work of saving souls as was hers.
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He began his ministerial life in the church of Unity, Greene County, Pennsylvania, in 1846, giving a part of the time as a supply to the church of Claysville. His labors were so blessed that in 1852 he was called to this church, over which he was installed as pastor. This relation continued until his death, 1881. The Unity home was a log cabin in the yard of Mr. Brad- dock, and was given to the young preacher without rent. The salary was small; the house had one room, and the conveniences were few. But no murmurs came from the occupants, no self-denials discouraged them in their work; they sought not theirs, but them; they labored to save souls, and they gathered in the harvest.
Three children were born to them, on whom God set the seal of His covenant blessing. Like their parents, the sons have done a noble work in the church of Christ. The father has told me that in the old log church of Unity and the log house of one room they had some of the happiest days and most blessed en- joyments of their lives. The spirit of Christ in the heart makes everything bright and beautiful, even in poverty.
His life-work was, however, done in Claysville. Thirty-five years he prosecuted his vocation without interruption and with great success. His zeal was un- tiring and his labors unremitting. In all this period of pastoral work he took no vacations for bodily recu- peration and rest, until infirmity of health compelled it. He toiled on perseveringly, hopefully, until he could no longer work for the Master. He died in the pastorate-the harness on when he fell. This was
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what he had prayed for and wanted-to go direct from the earthly labor to the unending rest.
I will notice briefly only a few traits of the character and life of Brother McCarrell.
I. He was an industrious man, prompt and faithful in everything he undertook. He was not a man of profound and varied learning. The constant calls in all his ministerial life-for pastoral work, visiting the sick, attending funerals outside his own congregation, preaching in revival services in other churches, and his own pulpit work-forbade this. His Bible, Concord- ance, and a few wisely chosen books, well read, were his books of study. As our congregations lay side by side we were close neighbors, and I knew more of his preaching than that of any other man in the Pres- bytery. He did not point his sermons with sensational incidents-nothing to provoke levity fell from his lips. The sacredness of his calling and solemn import of his message forbade that. "I am determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified " per- vaded every discourse. Doctrine, duty, and experi- ence were happily combined in his pulpit efforts. When he stood at the sacred desk his appearance was so solemn, his words so tremulous with emotion, and his soul so full of the tender and beseeching spirit of his Lord, that every hearer felt he was in the presence of a man who had just come from the mercy-seat and re- ceived the anointing of the Holy Spirit. One sermon preached in my own pulpit, in a time of revival, espe- cially impressed itself on my mind. It was Eliezer's appeal to the father of Rebekah for the daughter's hand in marriage to Isaac, his master's son. " And
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now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right or to the left." It was a plea full of tears with souls out of Christ for an immediate decision in the matter of personal acceptance of the Lord Jesus. The sermon was full of power. It was greatly blessed of God. I felt then that he came up to Paul's measure of the true minister of the Word: " We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." It was " in the demonstration of the spirit and of power." He often preached in this manner. No one ever laughed under his sermons. Multitudes here wept. With him the pulpit was too sacred a place for trifling. He was a born Presbyterian. The doctrines set forth in the Catechisms and Confession of Faith, he heartily accepted and preached. They were the creed of his head and heart; yet he was a man of broad Christian views, ready to reach a fraternal hand to those who differed from him. The first step looking to the union of the old and new school branches of the church was taken at the Assembly's meeting in Newark, N. J., 1864. Brother McCarrell was a member of that As- sembly. About forty ministers and elders signed a paper, of which he was one, in the interest of a union of the two branches of the church. I asked him why, in the absence of instruction from his Presbytery, he did it. He replied, " It was my own act. We are all brethren, and we must come together to do the Lord's work."
2. In the spirit and power of prayer he surpassed almost any one I have ever known.
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Claysville Presbyterian Church
In reading the private diary of Dr. Andrew Bonar, published since his death, I was impressed with the spirituality of the man born of prayer. A large part of his waking hours was spent in prayer. He did nothing except by prayer. I was reminded of Brother McCarrell. He was a wrestling Jacob. His face, like that of Moses, shone from spiritual contact with his Lord. There was not a house in the Claysville con- gregation that was not hallowed by his prayers. In the sick-rooms of his people he was welcomed because he was a " son of consolation " and prayer. I have often seen him so overcome by his feelings that he could hardly go on with the service. Not far from the close of the Civil War, when brethren were alienated and the spiritual condition of our border churches was low, I assisted in a week's preaching before his winter communion. The Sabbath was a stormy winter day; the congregation was small, and there seemed to be very little religious interest among the people. He and his wife were in great distress over the condition of the church. They went apart to pray. That night it was all changed. The Spirit of the Lord came upon the assembled people. More than a score of anxious souls asked for prayer; the meetings were continued, and a large number were converted and united with the church. On the night of that Pentecostal outpouring there was little sleep in that house. I could hear that man and woman, through the thin partition that sepa- rated our rooms, agonizing in prayer until near the break of day, and, Jacob-like, they prevailed.
3. Justice requires I should speak of Brother Mc- Carrell as a pastor. In this work he excelled. He
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History of the
never was a strong and robust man, yet in all seasons and in all kinds of weather, at all hours, he responded to every call. His winning way, warm heart, and well-chosen words fitted him for pastoral work. In sickness, among his own congregation and those not of his church, he was sought for and his labors greatly blessed.
He was wise to win souls for Christ. Those in doubt and spiritual trouble went to him for guidance and counsel. He lifted the veil from many a doubting Christian, and led him to the light and to peace. Anx- ious inquirers sought him, and his happy way of deal- ing with them was blessed in their conversion.
He went to every house in the congregation each year in pastoral visitation, except the last year or two, when he was unable through bodily infirmity. He knew every member of the congregation personally, and every child he could call by name. He loved the children; they loved him. They felt at home with him and enjoyed his company. He had the happy gift of speaking to people in the matter of their personal salvation as much as any man I have known. Like one of whom I have read, " he looked on every man he met as a possible saint," and he sought to have him become such. There are peculiar persons in almost every church, hard to approach on the subject of their personal salvation. Pastors hesitate to do it. He did it, even in the case of strangers, with such rare tact as never to give offence and always to have a courteous hearing.
He was a man of remarkable promptness in keeping his appointments and fulfilling his engagements. He
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Claysville Presbyterian Church
never failed unless providentially hindered, and his brethren felt he could always be depended upon. His last work was done when he was physically unable for it. It was the writing of the annual narrative of the state of religion of this church for Presbytery. It was written with a trembling hand, and when read he had gone to the redeemed in Heaven. He was for many years the stated clerk of the Presbytery. The minutes were always correctly kept and with great care. If the writing clerk blundered, or his work was illegible, it was the frequent remark, " Brother McCarrell will make it right when he transcribes them on the Presby- terial Book," and it was left to him.
He was a conscientious and systematic giver to the benevolent work of the church. He never had a large income, but as money came to him, a tithe was set apart to the Lord's cause. After his death a sum of money was found in an envelope, appropriately marked, to be given to the Boards.
He was an excellent Presbyter. He was wise in shaping and carrying on the business of the body. I never knew him to lose the balance of his temper, or to say an unkind or ungentlemanly word in debate. His self-control was such that he was never called upon to retract or modify any remark he had made. While this spirit of kindness was so manifest, this readiness to de- fer to others was so marked, he was firm in his convic- tions and decided in his opinions. When it came to matters of conscience and principle he was as immov- able as a rock. He would not yield to any man. He was not obstinate, but unflinchingly true to what he believed to be right. The last time he was at Pres-
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History of the
bytery was in December, four months before his death. A matter to which he was opposed came before the body. It was postponed to the April meeting for final action. He arose to his feet with difficulty. He could only stand by holding the back of the seat, so weak was he. He said, " If that matter is passed upon af- firmatively by this body, and I am alive, I shall enter on the record my solemn protest." These words were the last words he ever spoke in Presbytery, and were indicative of the man.
4. He was a happy Christian. It could not be other- wise. With a buoyant and a hopeful temperament, a heart full of love to his Saviour, and a life so conse- crated and abounding in good works, he must be a happy man. He was too modest to parade his piety to the world, but every one who knew him felt the power and charm of that "life which was hid with Christ in God." The peace within was manifested in the spirit of the man in his daily life, which was a " living epistle read and known of all men."
The blessed fruit of his work and life abounded. Its hallowed influence radiated in an ever-widening circle beyond all measurement. Many young men were pre- pared for college by him who have entered the minis- try. The impress of his character was stamped on them, and, like him, they have and are doing good work for the Master. Had he done nothing but this, his life would have been well spent and worthy of honor.
In the early years of his ministry, when his health was comparatively good, he was sought for in pro- tracted meetings by the neighboring churches. He
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1
Martha Measure δΈ€
Claysville Presbyterian Church
was adapted to this work and blessed in it. He la- bored in many revivals in these congregations, and was greatly blessed.
But he was married to the church of Claysville. He could say to it, as Paul said to the Corinthian Chris- tians, " Ye are in my heart to live and die with you." If I were to give the result of Brother McCarrell's life in a word, it would be the Church of Jesus Christ in Claysville.
When he came to this congregation its membership was small, its spirituality low, and the outlook not flattering. He " coveted no man's silver or gold." He came to " strengthen the things which remained and were ready to die." He gave himself without any reserve to the building up of this Zion. He had anxious days and nights. He sowed in tears. He reaped in joy. His labors were full of blessing. " What hath God wrought!" This church, large in numbers, abounding in liberality, vigorous in Christian work, united in the bonds of the Spirit, is the God-given fruit of his life.
He was not a perfect man. No one was so con- scious of this as he. A sight of himself made him humble and kept him close to the fountain of all fitness and strength. I only claim for him the ability and gifts of other men, made attractive and useful by the indwelling presence of his Lord.
In closing, I venture to lift the curtain of his home life, and see him as the husband and father of the family. Mrs. Martha McL. McCarrell was his long- time wife and companion, passing away only a few months before him. They were heart-satisfied with
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each other. So united were they in affections, so similar in their sympathies, and so one in their life-work, it " seemed as if they had but one soul between them." She entered into his work with all her heart, and was no less loved and respected, and, in her sphere, no less useful than he. It was in every sense a Christian family. The children look back to that home, so full of precious associations of their sainted father and mother, with thankful hearts. When he was at the meetings of Presbytery or preaching for his brethren, he was contented until his work was done; then noth- ing could keep him. His feet and heart were home- ward turned. Their children were the children of the covenant, becoming God's children in early life. The eldest son, Hon. S. J. M. McCarrell, is an elder in the Presbyterian Church in Harrisburgh, and a faithful worker in the vineyard. Rev. Wm. A. McCarrell, of Shippensburgh, Penn., Rev. J. J. McCarrell, of Mc- Keesport, Penn., and Rev. T. C. McCarrell, of Waynes- boro, Penn., are ministers in the Presbyterian Church. It is enough to say of them-they honor the home, name, and religion of their parents. One daughter, Lizzie, was called to the Master in her girlhood, giving comforting assurance of her interest in the Lord.
The summons to " come up hither " first came to the wife. It was a gradual failing of her strength, extend- ing through several months. I was attending a fu- neral of one of my members who died while on a visit in Claysville. It was only a few days before her death. I went to their house. She was calm, and peacefully awaiting the time of her departure. It was just such a closing of the earthly life as one might look for in
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REV. W. A McCARRELL
BRAGOONFITTE,
REV. J. J. MCCARRELL, D.D.
Claysville Presbyterian Church
one who had lived so near her Lord, and experienced so fully of His saving grace. It was the going down of the sun without a cloud in its sky. Her husband was broken-hearted. He leaned upon me and wept bit- terly. "She has been so much to me in my life, my home, and my work, I cannot give her up. It will be well with her-but what will I do?" were some of the words that came from his stricken heart. From that time he began to fail in health. Her death he re- garded as the call to him to set his house in order. Un- able to discharge his duties in the church, his people relieved him of all care in this respect by securing supplies for the pulpit for several months, a kindness he fully appreciated. He sometimes thought he would be able to take up his work, but rest brought no return of strength. He gradually sank, and entered into rest, April 18, 1881.
I was often with him during his illness. He was assured of his interest in the Saviour. I think doubts never troubled him as the end came near. It was a happy going home. His funeral service was in the church where he had so long preached, conducted by his brethren of the Presbytery. A mourning congre- gation followed him to the grave, in which he was gently laid by his four sons, at the side of their sainted mother. They rest securely under the covenant prom- ise of " even so them that sleep in Jesus, will God bring with Him."
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Address
BY HENRY WOODS, D.D.,
Professor of Latin in Washington and Jefferson College, and Pastor of the East Buffalo Presbyterian Church, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
It is my privilege to bring greetings to the church of Claysville on her diamond birthday from a congre- gation which has special reasons for taking a deep in- terest in these exercises. East Buffalo and Claysville churches occupy contiguous territory. They were or- ganized near the same time. They were united in 1821 under the pastoral charge of Rev. Thomas Hoge, neither of them having had a settled pastor before. Sev- eral ruling elders exercised their office in both churches at different periods in their lives. In this list are found the names of Joseph Donahey, Sr., Archibald Brown- lee, and Joseph Donahey, Jr. Many ties have been formed in the passing years between the families of these churches, that make them sharers in the mem- ories we have met to embalm.
When I first came into this vicinity to enter Wash- ington College as a student, the Claysville Church was creditably represented in the halls of learning, as she has been ever since. The affectionate regard in which the pastor, Rev. Alexander McCarrell, was held by the students whom he had encouraged to seek a liberal education, was known to all associated with the Clays-
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Claysville Presbyterian Church
ville boys. At that time my acquaintance began with the historian of to-day, Dr. Birch, an acquaintance which soon ripened into a friendship which years have only served to strengthen. As his guest in his father's house, I spent a Sabbath in Claysville in the summer of 1861, and preached for Dr. McCarrell at one of the services. From that occasion dates my personal knowl- edge of the man whose influence is still felt so widely and so beneficently in this church and community. My intercourse with him was only occasional, until I became a member of the Washington Presbytery. In the first year of my labor at Upper Ten Mile, we as- sisted each other at communion services. Similar ex- changes were made several times after I began my ministry at East Buffalo, and to me they were seasons of refreshment and delight, the memory of which I would not willingly let die. As a guest at the manse, when the services in connection with the Lord's Sup- per were protracted more than is now customary, it was my privilege to get something of an inside view of the home life of one of the godliest men I have ever known. And gradually was he sustained in his work by his excellent wife, whose influence was a power not only at home, but throughout the congregation. It was not difficult to understand how, from a family reared in such an atmosphere of virtue and piety, three sons should go forth to preach the Gospel, and the only other son become an elder in the church and an active worker in every good cause. To this devoted pastor and his wife the congregation was a larger family, the care of which was upon their hearts in a degree only less than the solicitude felt for their own children. The
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pastor possessed, in a measure that is quite unusual, the confidence of the young people. Their plans in life were freely communicated to him in the assured expectation of sympathy and helpful advice. More than one case has come incidentally to my knowledge of young persons from this church who, being brought under conviction of sin while attending school or college, at once opened correspondence with the home pastor as the one to whom they could open their hearts with least reserve. At all points he touched the lives of those under his ministry. Never have I witnessed more sincere and affecting tributes of love than were rendered by his people when this good man was borne from this sanctuary to his last resting- place.
As a member of Presbytery, Dr. McCarrell was es- teemed and loved by his brethren. He was in many respects a model Presbyter. He was punctual in his attendance upon the meetings, ready for any duty that was laid upon him, and free from bitterness toward those from whom he differed in opinion. For fifteen years he served as stated clerk, longer than any other incumbent of the office in the history of the Presbytery. The records of these years are a monument of his ac- curacy and painstaking.
At the invitation of the session, I presided at the meeting of the congregation which elected Rev. James L. Leeper as Dr. McCarrell's successor. His ministry was characterized by vigor and success, and its termi- nation by a call to another field of labor was regretted by all his co-presbyters. With the present pastor, my interchanges have been frequent, and to him and his
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