USA > Pennsylvania > Huntingdon County > Huntingdon > The Historical memorial of the centennial anniversary of the Presbytery of Huntingdon : held in Huntingdon, Pa., April 9, 1895 : 1795-1895 > Part 14
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The new church in Bigler was built about the year 1872, and dedi- cated on Christmas-day. It is a studding building, plastered and papered inside ; size thirty-two by forty-six feet ; has a vestibule, little side-rooms on each side of the vestibule, with belfry overhead, which has a bell presented by a Mr. Morgan, of Philipsburg, on account of his mother being buried in the cemetery near by.
It is seated by three rows of pews ; the aisles have matting; carpet is placed around and on the pulpit. A little Loring & Blake organ is used to assist the people in singing songs of praise. A fence is built in front of the church. The yard is decorated with arbor-vitæ-trees. The church is capable of seating comfortably two hundred and fifty people. It cost about three thousand dollars, as near as I can tell.
The first pastors, from what I remembered from what my parents said, were Rev. Betts, Mervin, and Cooper. Those were, so far as I know, the pioneer preachers. They preached from about the year 1845 to 1856 or 1857. Later came Rev. Clark. About the year 1863 or 1864 came Rev. W. O. Wright (now of Milesburg), under whose min- istry the church was greatly revived. About 1868 came Rev. William Prideaux (who now lives in Huntingdon), who preached for us two or three years. Then came Rev. John H. Sargent, who was our pastor till April, 1875. Then we were supplied by different ministers for one year or probably more; I cannot name them, as they are not on record, ex- cept two or three, Rev. J. H. Mathers and Rev. D. H. Campbell; the
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latter was sent as a supply in October, 1876. He held a series of meet- ings, the outgrowth of which was a revival, when seventeen were added to the church by examination and three by letter.
We were supplied until April, 1878, when Rev. E. P. Foresman was called as pastor for our church, and installed June 7, the same year. He labored among us until the year 1883, when his pastorate was dissolved, he going west. He was followed by Rev. Harvey Shaw, who preached over a year. Then came Rev. William Kuhn as a stated supply from 1885 to 1887. He was followed by Rev. George Chappell, who preached a year in our midst, then Presbytery gave us into the care of Rev. R. A. McKinley, who broke to us the bread of life until October, 1895.
Our first ruling elders were Angus M. Gill and George J. Kylar, who were ordained about the year 1845. Francis Pearce (my father) was ordained in or about 1850, Dr. F. B. Read and S. A. Caldwell in 1871, and your humble servant in 1891.
Our church was organized about the year 1845, and since that time there have belonged to it and the organizations that have sprung from it (Woodland, Gillingham, and Pleasant Hill) one hundred members. There have been removed, by death twenty-eight, by removal forty-six, by other organizations twenty-three, remaining seven. The last figure is a sad one. Oh, I hope and pray, as the history of our church unfolds itself in coming time, our record will be better; that the good Lord, who has always opened the way for us, will still bless and revive his church.
The pioneers of our church were George S. Kylar and wife Catharine, Angus M. Gill and wife Mary, Francis Pearce and wife Hannah, John Kline and wife Elizabeth.
JOHN L. PEARCE.
BUFFALO RUN.
THE Presbyterian Church of Buffalo Run was organized pursuant to an act of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, February, 1871, by a com- mittee of Presbytery composed of Dr. Robert Hamill and William T. Wiley, ministers, and H. N. McAllister, ruling elder. The organization consisted of twenty-seven members received from the churches of Spring Creek and Bellefonte. Joseph M. Wilson, Richard Conley, and William F. Thompson were chosen ruling elders, and were properly set apart to the sacred office.
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OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
The church has, for the most of its time since its organization to the present, enjoyed the stated means of grace, under the faithful labors of a regular pastor or a stated supply, and has gradually increased until, with all the changes, by death and dismissal, through which it has passed in these intervening years, it now numbers fifty members.
CHURCH BUILDING.
The congregation erected a neat edifice in 1870 before the organiza- tion was effected, at a cost of two thousand dollars, which was paid for and appropriately dedicated as a house of God. In this building, which has served them for twenty-five years, they still worship.
PASTORS.
The church from 1871 to 1874 was served by students from the Theological Seminary at Princeton, by occasional supplies appointed by Presbytery, and by neighboring pastors.
In November, 1875, the Rev. J. V. R. Hughes was called as pastor, and was installed on November 19, 1875. He continued to serve the church as pastor until April, 1878, when at his request the relation was dissolved.
Mr. Hughes was succeeded by the Rev. W. O. Wright as stated supply, from April, 1878, to October, 1880.
The Rev. W. C. Kuhn then served as stated supply until April, 1882. He was succeeded by Rev. William Prideaux from October, 1882, to October, 1885.
In November, 1886, Rev. George Elliott was called as pastor for one- third of his time, and, accepting the call, was duly installed. He sus- tained the relation until March, 1895, when he was removed by death.
These brethren each in his order did faithful work; no one more acceptably and profitably than their late pastor, Mr. Elliott, who filled his post of duty well for over nine years, and who in his death was sorely lamented by a cordial and loving people.
RULING ELDERS.
Joseph M. Wilson, Richard Conley, and William F. Thompson were chosen elders at the organization of the church in 1871. Mr. Wilson served until 1876, Mr. Conley until 1880, Mr. Thompson until 1888.
In 1876 Joseph W. Marshall was chosen, and in 1890 John P. Seibert. Mr. Marshall and Mr. Seibert constitute the Session at present. Both of
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these elders have proved their fitness for the office by the prudence and fidelity with which they have served the church that placed upon them its responsibility and honor.
ROBERT HAMILL.
CLEARFIELD.
CLEARFIELD COUNTY was settled by persons of Scotch-Irish descent and of Presbyterian proclivities. The first Presbyterian preaching in this county was under the direction of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, in 1803, by Rev. William Stewart and Rev. Henry R. Wilson. For some time thereafter supplies were appointed to preach two or three times a year. In 1806 the General Assembly sent fifty copies of the Shorter Catechism to the Presbytery for distribution in this region. Chinclecla- moose, or Old Town, or Clearfield, received twenty-five of these. At the request of the people in 1812, Revs. Bard, Stewart, and Linn were sent one Sabbath each into this county as supplies.
The precise date of the organization of the Clearfield Church is not obtainable. It was in existence in 1819 with Hugh Jordan and Archi- bald Shaw as ruling elders. The following is the succession of pastors, the first six being at the same time pastors of the Pike, or Curwensville, congregation :
Name. Year.
Rev. Garry Bishop, M.D.
1826-1834.
Rev. Frederick G. Betts
1840-1845.
Rev. Samuel N. Howell .
1845-1847.
Rev. Miles T. Merwin 1848-1853.
Rev. Samuel M. Cooper . 1853-1855.
Rev. John M. Galloway 1858-1864.
Rev. James G. Archer . 1865-1869.
Rev. Henry S. Butler, D.D.
1869-1884.
Rev. Russell A. Mckinley, D.D., Ph.D ..
1884-1895.
Of the above ministers the following died while pastors at Clearfield : Rev. Frederick G. Betts, Rev. John M. Galloway, and Rev. James G. Archer. The latter was killed in a railway disaster near Pittsburg.
Between the pastorates of Messrs. Bishop and Betts there were six
TIT
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CLEARFIELD.
AMHILS. D.P.S.
MILES READ
THOMPSON READ
DRJ.G.HARISWICK
FRANK B. RED
REV.RAMCKINLEY PH.D. D.D.
B.CYOUNGMAN
JOHN T. WEAVER
CLEARFIELD. PASTOR AND ELDERS.
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years in which this church was supplied by home missionaries, among whom were Revs. J. B. Payne and Edmund Mckinney.
The pastorate of Mr. Bishop was a day of small things. As addi- tional means of support he had to practise medicine in connection with his ministry.
The pastorate of Mr. Betts was signalized by the erection of the first church building. Considering the difficult conditions under which he labored, he was eminently successful. He was taken away in the prime of his usefulness. His son, Hon. W. W. Betts, is still a member of the congregation, and one of Clearfield's successful business men. He has been a member of the State Senate. His family is one of the most important connected with the church.
The pastorate of Mr. Galloway was characterized by more perfect organization and considerable addition to the membership. Owing to his untimely death, the pastorate of Mr. Archer was quite brief, but nevertheless bright and prosperous. It was characterized by a precious revival, in which forty additions were had at one time upon examination. The present large stone edifice was built during his pastorate at a cost of nearly fifty thousand dollars. It was erected under the immediate supervision of Elder William Bigler, who gave about two years of his time to this work. It remains a fine monument of the zeal and devotion of this distinguished man:
The pastorate of Mr. Butler began with the occupation of the new church, which he found ready for dedication. It was attended by a steady growth and by a marked increase of the contributions to the benevolent work of the church at large. The membership increased from one hundred and ninety to two hundred and thirty-seven.
Dr. R. A. McKinley resigned in the twelfth year of his pastorate. During his term the following material improvements have been made : the large church has been refrescoed and refitted throughout, a fine pipe-organ has been procured, a new and elegant chapel and also a mission chapel have been built. A marked feature of this pastorate has been the development of two missions, greatly adding to the pastor's labors and to the influence and prestige of the congregation. The membership has increased from two hundred and thirty-seven to five hundred and twenty-six, including one hundred and sixty-nine in the missions. The congregation is now in the third year of supporting a foreign missionary, Rev. F. E. Simcox, of China.
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The following is the succession of elders in the Clearfield Church :
Name.
Year.
Hugh Jordan
1818-1840.
Archibald Shaw 1818-1843.
John R. Read
1842-1856.
James Irvin
1842-1887.
Henry B. Smith
1852-1857.
William Robertson
1852-1859.
Ashley M. Hills, D.D.S.
1852.
William Merrell
1859-1861.
Moses Fulton
1859-1865.
Thompson Read
1859.
Miles Read
1865.
John F. Weaver
865.
William Bigler .
1872-1880.
James B. Graham .
1872-1883.
Henry W. Park
1872-1895.
John G. Hartswick, M.D.
1872.
Prof. B. C. Youngman
1892.
Frank B. Read
1892.
One of the first elders, Hon. Hugh Jordan, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and served throughout the entire struggle. At the time of his death he was associate judge of Clearfield County. Another elder, Hon. William Bigler, was governor of the State, 1852-1855, and United States senator, 1855-1861.
Among present members of the congregation who have been prom- inent in county, State, and national affairs are Hon. William A. Wallace, who has served four terms as State senator and one term as United States senator; James Kerr, who has served one term as member of Congress and two terms as chief clerk of the House of Representatives; Hon. D. L. Krebs, who has served one term as judge of the court; and Hon. Cyrus Gordon, the leader of the choir, who is the present judge.
It is worthy of mention that the following persons have served long terms as Sabbath-school superintendents : Henry B. Smith, Dr. A. M. Hills, Prof. B. C. Youngman, and Frank B. Reed.
The present pastor, Rev. R. A. Mckinley, Ph.D., D.D., was graduated from Alleghany College in 1873, and from the Western Theological Seminary in 1876. In 1889 he received the degree of Ph.D. from the University of Wooster. He came to Clearfield from Bedford, Iowa, after a seven years' pastorate. He was moderator of the Synod of Iowa : South in 1880. He served three years as'stated clerk of the Presbytery
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HENRY KERNS
PRVI SPENCE
JOHN A READ
REV DAVID ELDER CRAIGHEAD
WILLIAM N, DYER,
COL. E A IRVIN
CUR WENSVILLE. PASTOR AND ELDERS.
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OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
of Council Bluffs. He is now the permanent clerk of the Presbytery of Huntingdon.
R. A. MCKINLEY.
Dr. McKinley was dismissed from Huntingdon Presbytery, October, 1895, to accept a call from the First Church of Steubenville, Ohio.
COALPORT.
COALPORT CHURCH is about two miles distant from Irvona. It has ' been usually united with the latter under one charge. This church was organized on the 2Ist of January, 1887, by a committee of the Hunting- don Presbytery, consisting of the Rev. J. H. Mathers, D.D., Rev. Wil- liam Prideaux, and Elder C. B. McKean. The new organization was composed of eighteen members, five of whom were received on exam- ination.
W. J. Caldwell and E. R. Langill were chosen as ruling elders. The present eldership consists of W. J. Caldwell, W. F. Lydick, and W. R. Daudson.
There is a Sabbath-school consisting of fifty-eight members. A Christian Endeavor Society has been recently reorganized, and an active Ladies' Aid Society exists.
The congregation worships in a very comfortable little chapel with a seating capacity of two hundred. It cost two thousand dollars, and is free of debt.
The following is the succession of pastors : Rev. J. J. Wolf, from 1887 to 1889; Rev. F. T. Wheeler, 1889 to 1894; and Rev. William Gibb, 1895.
WILLIAM GIBB.
CURWENSVILLE.
IT is to be regretted that so few records have been kept preserving the story of the earlier days of Presbyterianism in Clearfield County, and for this reason the history of the older churches must be brief and unsatisfactory.
At the present time there are no known records furnishing the date
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
of the organization of the church in this place. It would seem that as early as 1803 the attention of the Presbytery of Huntingdon was called to the religious destitution of this county, and the Rev. William Stuart, of Penn's Valley, was appointed "to visit Chincleclamoose," one day at his discretion and preach. A similar appointment was assigned to the Rev. Henry Wilson, of Bellefonte, and from that time supplies visited the neighborhood, preaching at various points as circumstances dictated, in private houses or in barns, the favorite places being at McClure's, two miles above, and at Bloom's barn, two miles below, Curwensville.
The earliest knowledge of the church as a distinct organization goes back to 1826, when the Rev. George Bishop, a graduate of Yale College and Princeton Seminary, was received from the Presbytery of Philadel- phia, and ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of Clear- field and Curwensville, from which he was released in 1834.
After a vacancy of six years, in 1840 Frederick G. Betts, a young licentiate, was appointed to supply the churches of Clearfield County, and in October of the same year was called to the united pastorate of Clearfield and Curwensville, where he labored till his death, January, 1845.
Succeeding Mr. Betts, the order of pastors occupying both pulpits is as follows :
Name.
Year.
Samuel N. Howell
1845-1847.
Miles T. Merwin
1848-1853.
James J. Hamilton (Curwensville alone) 1853-1855.
John M. Galloway
1857-1864.
Curwensville alone :
J. E. Kearns .
1866-1868.
William M. Burchfield .
1869-1876.
J. C. Grier (supply) 1878-1879.
J. Q. A. Fullerton 1879-1885.
W. C. McBeth
1885-1886.
Charles Herron
1886-1893.
David Elder Craighead
1894.
Members of Session, in order, so far as known: Matthew Caldwell, James B. Caldwell, Boss Read, Henry Kunns, ordained 1866; G. Bishop Caldwell, ordained 1866 (deceased); John A. Read, ordained 1866; E. A. Irvin, ordained 1872; D. O. Crouch, ordained 1872; Jordan Read, ordained 1872; W. J. Caldwell, ordained 1872; James Spence, ordained 1872; W. N. Dyer.
CUR WENSVILLE. THE MANSE.
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CUR WENSVILLE.
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OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
The first church building was erected during the pastorate of Rev. Garvy Bishop in 1827, and was used until 1843. It stood about two miles north of town, at a place known as McClure's Country.
Under Mr. Betts the first building on the present site was erected, in 1843, which was used until 1869, when it was replaced by the present structure, a handsome stone building in the Gothic style of architecture.
In 1879 a handsome stone manse was erected on the grounds adjoin- ing the church, while from time to time a series of improvements have been carried on adding largely to the beauty and convenience of both properties.
Though not strong numerically nor in wealth, the church stands to-day one of the best-equipped in the Presbytery, and at the same time an illustration of the result of faithful labor and sacrifice.
D. E. CRAIGHEAD.
DUNCANSVILLE.
ORGANIZED as "East Freedom" Church in 1846, the name being changed to Duncansville June 10, 1873. It is served now and has been for many years in connection with Martinsburg, now called "Gibson Memorial" Church. Its pastors and stated supplies have been Wm. J. Gibson, D.D., Levi Risher, J. R. Sansom, Wm. Anderson, A. L. Lathem.
Those before Rev. Wm. J. Gibson the writer does not recall. The membership is sixty-two.
The elders now are Thomas Patterson and D. M. Thompson.
R. F. WILSON.
EAST KISHACOQUILLAS.
THE exact time of the organization of this church is not known, the early records having been lost. The early settlers of the valley were Scotch-Irish, and belonged to the Presbyterian Church. They were of the better order of peasantry, and brought with them the characteristics of their native land. Attracted by the beauty and fertility of the valley, they came hither as early as 1755 for the purpose of locating lands, but on account of the hostility of the Indians and the French war no per-
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manent settlements were made until about 1765. From this year we may safely date the rise and progress of the East Kishacoquillas con- gregation. There was probably no formal organization, but all assembled together from time to time by mutual agreement under the leadership of their principal men for religious exercises; and thus the congregation grew in members and influence. It is not known certainly how fre- quently they enjoyed the ministrations of ordained ministers prior to the year 1775, but that they were then a large congregation is evident from the following extract from the diary of Rev. Philip Fithian, who preached to them on August 13, 1775, and thus writes : " There is a large society, and it makes a good appearance. We were in the forenoon in a large barn; it was too small, and we went into a fine meadow [the meadow of Judge Brown, opposite the present village of Reedsville]. I am told the people of this village are all united in religious matters, all Presby- terians, and all orthodox primitive Presbyterians too, all except eight sour unbrotherly Seceders, and a sociable and agreeable Churchman, Mr. Landrum. For supply Esquire Brown gave me 20 shillings 9 pence."
The first stated ministry enjoyed by this congregation was under the labors of Rev. James Johnston, a native of this State, a graduate of Princeton College, and a soldier of the Revolution. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Donegal October 11, 1783, and ordained by the same Presbytery August 19, 1784, and installed pastor of East Kishacoquillas. West Kishacoquillas was comprehended in his charge, although it does not appear that he was installed over the latter as a separate congrega- tion. The call addressed to him, and still preserved, was dated March 15, 1783, sixty-nine names being appended to it, among them names yet familiar in the valley in the persons of their descendants. The call is as follows, differing from the prescribed form now in use, and yet, as all will agree, in some respects superior to it :
" MR. JAMES JOHNSTON, Preacher of the Gospel.
"SIR,-We, the subscribers, members of the United Congregation of East and West Kishacoquillas, having never, in this place, had the stated administration of Gospel ordinances, yet highly prizing the same, and having a view to the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ and the Spiritual Edification of ourselves and families, have set ourselves to obtain that Blessing among us; and therefore as we have had the Oppor-
EAST KISHACOQUILLAS, REEDSVILLE.
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OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
tunity of some of your labors in this place, and are satisfied with your Soundness, Piety, and ministerial ability to break unto us the bread of life, we do most heartily and sincerely, in the name of the Great Shep- herd of the Flock, Jesus Christ, call and invite you to come and take the Pastoral Charge and oversight of us in the Lord. And for your encouragement we do promise, if God shall dispose your heart to em- brace this Call, that we will pay a dutiful attention to the word and ordinances of God, by you administered, that we will be subject to your Admonitions and reproofs, should our Falls and miscarriages expose us thereto, and will submit to the discipline of the Church exercised by you agreeably to the Word of God; and also that we will treat your Person with Friendship and Respect, and behave in all things towards you as becomes Christians always should towards their Pastor, who labors among them in word and Doctrine.
" And further we are persuaded that those who serve at the Altar should live by the Altar, we do promise, in order that you may be, as much as possible, freed from worldly incumbrances, to provide for your comfortable and honorable maintenance in the manner set forth in our Subscription Papers accompanying this our Call, during your continuance with us as our regular Pastor. And in witness of our hearty Desire to have you settle among us, we have hereunto set our names this Fifteenth day of March, Anno Domini 1783.
" Wm. Brown, Jam's Scott, John Cooper, William Corbett, John McManagill, Samuel Mitchell, Hugh Martin, Matthew Taylor, Joseph Adams, William McAlvey, Wm. Harper, James Alexander, James Reed, James Glass, Thomas Brown, Alexander McNitt, Elijah Criswell, John Fleming, Alexander Brown, Edm'd Richardson, Wm. Miller, Robert Barnhill, Wm. Young, James S. McClure, Thomas Arthurs, Thomas Alexander, Samuel Alexander, Samuel Wills, William McNitt, Philip Clover, David Kelly, Arthur Buchanan, Joseph Brown, John Means, James Means, John McNitt, William Wilson, Robert McNitt, Thomas Thompson, Joseph McKibbins, James Laughlin, Robert Allison, James McCay, William Fleming, Matthew Kenney, Robert Gardner, James Reed, Robert McClelland, William Miller, Jr., Joseph Wisley, Wm. Mitchell, James Burns, John McDowell, Robert Campbell, Samuel Mil- liken, David Barr, Neal McManigal, Benj. Hall, Benjamin Cresswell, Henry Taylor, Elisha Cresswell, Thos. Sankey, William Thompson, John Culbertson, Abraham Sandford, John Kyle, Samuel Hower, Joseph Heslot, John Reed."
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On the 22d of June, 1796, Mr. Johnston requested leave to resign his charge, and the congregations being cited to appear by their com- missioners at the next stated meeting to show cause, if any they had, why Presbytery should not accept his resignation, did so appear by their commissioners at the meeting, October 5, 1796, and declared in writing and by verbal statements, "That the congregations heartily desired that Mr. Johnston should continue their Pastor, and that they would be perfectly satisfied with what ministerial duties his health would permit him to discharge. Nevertheless Mr. Johnston having given sufficient reasons, Presbytery agreed to dismiss him, and he is hereby dismissed." At the same meeting of the Presbytery the commissioners from East Kishacoquillas applied for as much of Mr. Johnston's time as the Pres- bytery could give them until our next meeting. Two appointments were given him elsewhere, the rest of his time being left at his own dis- cretion. On October 4, 1797, " A Supplication" was presented " from the congregations of East Kishacoquillas and Lewistown for Mr. Thomas Hoge's time as Stated Supply till our next meeting; to each one half." On April 11, 1798, "Petitions from East and West Kishacoquillas for liberty to present a call through the Presbytery of Carlisle to the Rev. John Arnold, a member of that Presbytery, were handed in and read." Permission was granted them, and also liberty to apply to the Presbytery of Carlisle for supplies. On April 1, 1800, " A Supplication" was pre- sented "from East Kishacoquillas for supplies, and, if possible, for the one-half of the labors of their former minister Mr. James Johnston." On October 8, 1800, " A Supplication" having been presented " from Dry Valley for a part of Mr. Johnston's labors as Stated Supply," Mr. Johns- ton from this time resumed his labors in East Kishacoquillas congrega- tion, and continued as stated supply of it and Little (Dry) Valley until his death on January 4, 1820. Mr. Johnston was a popular, scriptural, and affecting preacher, a useful and beloved pastor, and a judicious and influential Presbyter. "He seems to have had a special adaptation to the settlement of difficulties among contending parties in the church. At least, he was generally appointed by the Presbytery on committees in business of this kind, and usually the chairman. This may have been out of respect to his age and sound judgment, as well as his conciliatory disposition." He died lamented by the congregation among whom he had labored for the long period of thirty-three years.
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