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CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY: 
 
 AN HISTORICAL SKETCH / ^S 
 
 THE OLD PRESBYTEEIAN CONGREGATIONS 
 
 CUMBERLAND AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, 
 IN PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 BY THE 
 
 REV. ALFRED NEVIN, 
 
 OP THE PRESBYTERY OF CARLISLE. 
 
 "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."— Ps. xlviii. 12, 13. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 JOSEPH M. WILSON, 
 
 NO. 228 CHESTNUT STREET. 
 
 1852. 
 
 V 
 
Hi pert 
 
 I ! -■ ' 
 
 r. 
 
 ^'- 
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S52, 
 
 BY JOSEPH M. WILSON, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 C. SHERMAN, PRINTER, 
 
 19 St. James Street. 
 
THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED 
 
 PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The early history of the old Presbyterian Churches of 
 Cumberland Valley is fast growing dim. Many of those 
 in whose memories interesting facts and incidents were 
 treasured, are now dead ; and others, to whom they were 
 intrusted by tradition, are rapidly passing away. 
 
 That it is desirable to have embodied in an accessible 
 form, the recollections and records connected with the 
 origin and progress of these venerable congregations, none, 
 it is believed, will question, who appreciate the ties which 
 bind them to the past, or the duty which they owe to the 
 future. These churches, are almost the only relics of an- 
 tiquity that are to be met with in our new country, and 
 for this reason, to say nothing of their deep religious 
 associations besides, an effort should be made to save 
 them from oblivion. 
 
 From the Presbyterial Records it is evident, that the 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 importance of such a measure was felt at an early day. 
 In 1792, each minister was ordered to prepare a history 
 of his own church ; and in 1801, Dr. Cooper was appoint- 
 ed to draw up a short history of the Presbytery of Car- 
 lisle. That historical account, which was prepared ac- 
 cording to injunction, is not now to be found. Neither is 
 the book which contains the proceedings of Presbytery, 
 from the year 1750 to 1759. It was borrowed, we have 
 been told, by a gentleman in Virginia, and, after his death, 
 was sought for in vain. 
 
 When, therefore, in connexion with these facts, it is 
 remembered that many of the unwritten reminiscences, 
 from which an ecclesiastical history of this valley must be 
 compiled, are now floating in minds which age must soon 
 enfeeble or death remove out of the body, it cannot but 
 be acknowledged, that the work which we have undertaken, 
 however imperfectly accomplished, has not, at least, been 
 prematurely attempted. 
 
 It is unnecessary, perhaps, with the title of the volume 
 in view, to state, that it was not our purpose to prepare a 
 history of the Prcshytery to which the congregations re- 
 ferred to, belong. This would have been a pleasing task. 
 For in addition to the facts that this Presbytery, which is 
 one of the oldest in the country, has several times changed 
 its name and territorial limits, and has always occupied a 
 high position, many of the churches which it now includeSj 
 though not lying within the boundaries which we have 
 
PREFACE. VU 
 
 affixed to our labour, possess as much interest, arc invested 
 with as much importance, and deserve as extended a no- 
 tice, as those whose rise and development we have 
 sketched. We thought it best, however, to confine our 
 effort principally to a more limited field ; and the re- 
 collection of this, it is hoped, will prevent any expectation 
 from our present effort, beyond what it legitimately pro- 
 mises. 
 
 We have, indeed, given, in a supplemental form, a very 
 brief sketch of other congregations pertaining to the Pres- 
 bytery, besides those which are embraced by the limits of 
 Cumberland and Franklin Counties ; but this was done at 
 the suggestion of an esteemed and judicious friend, after 
 the announcement of our plan rendered any material alte- 
 ration of it impracticable ; and will not, it is trusted, 
 either be regarded as inconsistent with our primary intent, 
 or lead to any misapprehension of it. 
 
 We are free to say, that our great object in the enter- 
 prise, has been the humble, but grateful one, of placing 
 within the reach of those to whom veneration for departed 
 ancestry, or long association, or present residence, has 
 made Cumberland Valley a region of peculiar interest, 
 such a record of its religious history as we supposed it 
 would gratify them to read, as well as to hand down to 
 their children. Many such there are, still worshipping 
 where their fathers did, and meditating, at times, with 
 deep solemnity over their last resting-place. Many more, 
 
Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 too, are dwellers in the distant West, where, surrounded 
 with new scenes, yet bound to old ones by ties that never 
 can be broken, often with tender interest 
 
 "Fond memory brings the light 
 Of other days around" them. ' 
 
 To these, we felt assured we could not render a more 
 acceptable service, than furnishing them with a remem- 
 brancer of the old churches with which their earliest re- 
 collections are blended, and of the old graveyards in which 
 many of their dearest friends are buried. 
 
 In the preparation of the several sketches, great regard 
 has been had to chronological accuracy, and, as we sup- 
 pose, with about as much success as is attainable. But 
 as the organizations of the old congregations were so 
 nearly synchronous, we have not deemed it important to 
 insert them in the order of time. On the Records of the 
 Presbytery, kindly placed in our hands by the Stated 
 Clerk, we have, of course, mainly relied for information. 
 Several gentlemen also, however, among whom may be 
 mentioned Dr. Moodey, Dr. M'Grinley, Hon. Geo. Cham- 
 bers, Judge Clendenin, Dr. J. K. Davidson, John Cox, 
 and L. H. Williams, Esqrs., have, by important data 
 which they have supplied, brought us under obligations 
 which we gratefully acknowledge. We have, too, been 
 materially aided by Mr. I. D. Rupp's History of Cumber- 
 land and Franklin Counties. Our indebtedness to other 
 sources, is noticed in the proper place. 
 
PREFACE. IX 
 
 We send the volume forth, confident that it is not, in 
 many respects, what it should be, yet hoping that it may 
 in some measure fulfil its design. We do so, likewise, 
 with the assurance, that those who can form any idea of 
 the difiiculty of its preparation, growing out of lost and 
 faded records, and the sameness of material to be pre- 
 sented, and the vagueness of traditions to be consulted, 
 will regard it with much more readiness to appreciate any 
 merit it may have, than to condemn the defects from 
 which it does not claim to be free. 
 
 Alfred Nevin. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 Reasons of the rapid Settlement of Pennsylvania — Extract from 
 Dr. Williamson's " History of North Carolina" — Extract from 
 Dr. Davidson's " History of the Presbyterian Church in Ken- 
 tucky" — The Huguenots who settled in the Province of Penn- 
 sylvania — The Welsh — The Germans — The English Puri- 
 tans from New England — The Presbyterian Church formed 
 out of these various Materials — The First Presbyterian 
 Church that was organized and furnished with a place of 
 worship in the American Colonies — The Constitution of a 
 Synod in 1716 — Extent of the Presbytery of New Castle in 
 a Western direction until 1732 — Presbytery of Donegal or- 
 ganized in that year — Lancaster County originally embraced 
 all the Territory west of the Susquehanna — First Settlement 
 of the White Man across the "Long, Crooked River" — The 
 Purchase of the Lands west of the Susquehanna by the Pro- 
 prietary of Pennsylvania — The Establishment of Cumber- 
 land and Franklin Counties — Applications by the Settlers to 
 Presbytery to have the Gospel preached among them, . .13 
 
XU CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 MIDDLE SPRING CHURCH. 
 
 Origin of the Name — Organization of the Congregation — Names 
 of the First Elders — Extracts from the Session-Book — Rev. 
 Mr. Blair the First Pastor— Rev. Mr. Calls and Rev. Mr. 
 Clarke had previously been supplies — History of the Con- 
 gregation not known from 1750 to 1759 — Rev. Robert Cooper 
 becomes Pastor, and continues so until 1797 — Dr. Moodey's 
 Letter concerning Dr. Cooper — Inscription on Dr. Cooper's 
 Tomb — 'Rev. John Moodey is Dr. Cooper's Successor — Notice 
 of the Church — The first Log Building erected for Worship 
 — The second Log Building — Epitaph of John Reynolds, 
 Esq. — Epitaph of Capt. Samuel Kearsley — Erection of the 
 Old Stone Church — Poem written on a Visit to it — Congrega- 
 tion not now as large as formerly — Reasons of the Change, 24 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 BIG SPRING CHURCH. 
 
 Originally called Hopewell — Rev. Thomas Craighead, First 
 Pastor — Difficulty in regard to the erection of a Meeting- 
 House — Mr. Craighead's Death — Mr. James Lyon supplied 
 the Pulpit for some months — Big Spring connected with 
 Rocky Spring and Middle Spring — Rev. George Duffield 
 called to be Pastor of the Church — Rev. William Linn Mr. 
 Duffield's Successor — Mr. Linn resigned his Charge in 1784, 
 and was followed by the Rev. Samuel Wilson — Copy of the 
 Call given to Mr. Wilson — Rev. Joshua Williams chosen 
 Pastor in 1801 — Extracts from Two Obituaries of Dr. Wil- 
 liams — Rev. Robert M'Cachren Dr. Williams's Successor — 
 Names of Elders — The First Church at Big Spring — The 
 present Edifice — The Graveyard, 48 
 
CONTENTS. Xlii 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 CHURCH AT silvers' SPRING. 
 
 Name by which it was first known — Origin of the present 
 Name — Gospel first preached in this Church by Rev. Alex- 
 ander Craighead in 1734 — Rev. Samuel Thompson installed 
 Pastor in 1739 — Extract from Presbyterial Records concern- 
 ing Mr. Thompson — Mr. Thompson resigned his pastoral re- 
 lation in 1745 — Suggestions in relation to the duty of Con- 
 gregations to make provision for superannuated Pastors — 
 Rev. Samuel Caven called to Lower Pennsborough in 1745 
 — After Mr. Caven's Death the Rev. John Steel became his 
 Successor — Copy of the Call given to Mr. Steel — Rev. Samuel 
 Waugh Pastor of East Pennsborough and Monaghan in 1782 
 — Sketch of his Character — Rev. John Hayes next called to 
 the Pastorate of the Church — Rev. James Williamson— Rev. 
 Geo. Morris — Present Church Edifice — The Building which 
 preceded it — Epitaphs — Names of the present Members of 
 Session, . . . . , • 1 . . . .63 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 CHURCH IN MERCERS BURG. 
 
 Period I. Introduction — Settlement of the Country — Church 
 organized — Location of the Church Edifice — Religious Con- 
 troversy — Origin of Lower West Conococheague Church — 
 Rev. John Steel — Settlement broken up and the Congrega- 
 tion dispersed — Mr. Steel's removal — The Church reor- 
 ganized — Supplies — The Country again disturbed — Attach- 
 ment to the Church — The Session, . . . . .77 
 
 Period IL Rev. Dr. King becomes Pastor — Obedience to the 
 Civil Magistrate — The War of Independence — The part that 
 Dr. King takes in it — Becomes Chaplain — Address at a Meeting 
 
 B 
 
XIV CONTENTS. 
 
 of the Citizens convened to deliberate on the state of PubUc 
 Affairs — Extract of a Sermon on the Death of General Mont- 
 gomery — Address to Capt. Huston's Company — Extract of a 
 Sermon — The Church bears its part in the Struggle — The 
 Session — Mercersburg laid out — Church Edifice erected in 
 Town — The Session — Dr. King resigns his Charge — Residt 
 of Labours — His Conversion, Life, Character, and Death, . 83 
 
 Period HL Rev. Dr. Elliott becomes Pastor — The Church at 
 St. Thomas — The Session — The Sabbath School — The Social 
 Prayer Meeting — New Church Edifi^ce — The Church's pros- 
 perous state — A Change, and the causes thereof — The 
 Church at Loudon — A Change in the Times — Deaths — The 
 Session — The Female Domestic Missionary Society — Revival 
 of Religion — Dr. Elliott resigns his Charge — Results of La- 
 bour, . . . . . . . . . • . . ] IG 
 
 Period IV. The Rev. Thomas Creigh becomes Pastor — Re- 
 vival of Religion — The Female Sewing Society — The Ses- 
 sion — Revival of Religion — The Church Edifice in Town, 
 the Session, the Lecture-Room — Religious Controversy — The 
 Pastor's Twentieth Anniversary Sermon — Changes and Re- 
 sults — Concluding Remarks, . . . . . , 125 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 WELSH RUN CHURCH. 
 
 Its Original Name — When and why organized — At an early 
 period was supplied by a Rev. Mr. Dunlap-— Church was 
 burnt by the Indians — Congregation at one time very nume- 
 rous — Church was sometimes called " Tent Meeting-House" 
 — Rev. Thos. McPherrin Pastor from 1774 until 1802 — Rev. 
 Robert Kennedy Pastor subsequently — Congregation now 
 greatly diminished, 135 
 
CONTENTS. XV 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 CHURCH AT CHAMBERSBUBG. 
 
 Settlement of Col. Benjamin Chambers at " The Falling Spring" 
 — The Families that subsequently settled there nearly all 
 Presbyterians — Appropriation of ground by Col, Chambers 
 for Church purposes — The first Log Building — The second 
 Log Building — Deed of Conveyance for the Grounds dedi- 
 cated to the Use of the Congregation — Congregation Incor- 
 porated in 1787 — Present Church Edifice erected in 1803 — 
 Congregation, after its organization, supplied for a time by 
 Presbytery — The Rev. Messrs. Caven and Thompson its 
 First Pastors — Rev. James Lang called to the Pastorate in 
 1767 — Union between Congregations of East Conococheague 
 and Falling Spring dissolved — Rev. William Speer becomes 
 Pastor of Falling Spring — Mr. Speer resigned his Charge in 
 1797_Rev. David Denny called in 1800— Notice of Mr. 
 Denny — Mr. Denny was succeeded by Rev. William Adam 
 in 1839— Rev. Daniel McKinley, Mr. Adam's Successor — 
 Rev. Joseph Clarke the Present Pastor — ^The Church at 
 Fayetteville — The Graveyard, 138 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 CHURCH AT SHIPPENSBURG. 
 
 The Settlement of the Place — Its Condition a Uttle more than 
 a Century ago — The Associate Reformed Presbyterian one 
 of the First Churches organized in the Town — Rev. Mr. 
 Walker its Pastor — After him the Rev. Mr. Strong — Rev. 
 Henry R. Wilson took charge of the Congregation in 1823 — 
 Dr. Wilson resigned his Pastoral relation in 1839 — Obituary 
 of Dr. Wilson — Rev. James Harper became Dr. Wilson's 
 Successor in 1840 — Names of Elders of the Congregation — 
 The Title to the Church brought into Litigation — A New 
 Church erected by the Presbyterian Congregation — Descrip- 
 tion of it and of the Gravevard, 154 
 
XVI CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 GREENCASTLE CHURCH. 
 
 Division of the Congregation of the Conococheague Settlement 
 — East Conococheague and Falling Spring united — Rev. Mr. 
 Caven Pastor of the Charge — Mr. Caven admonished by- 
 Presbytery — Mr. Caven succeeded by the Rev. John Steel — 
 The Rev. James Lang Pastor of East Conococheague and _ 
 Falling Spring in 1769 — Regret expressed for the Neglect of ^ 
 Sessions to keep Records — Notice of Presbytery's Failure to 
 preserve Obituaries of Deceased Members — Union between 
 East Conococheague and Falling Spring Congregations dis- 
 solved, and Rev. Mr. Lang intrusted v^^ith sole Charge of the 
 Former — Mr. Lang's Suspension from the Ministry — Rev. 
 Robert Kennedy called to the Pastorate of East and Lower 
 West Conococheague — Sketch of the History and Character 
 of Mr. Kennedy — Mr. Kennedy succeeded by the Rev. 
 James Buchanan — Notice of Mr, Buchanan — Rev. J. T. 
 Marshall Davie Pastor of Greencastle and Hagerstown in 
 1840 — Rev. T. V. Moore called to Pastorate of the Churches 
 at Greencastle and Waynesboro' — Rev. W. M. Paxton settled 
 over Congregation of Greencastle — Rev. Mr. Emerson the 
 
 ' present Pastor — Names of Ruling Elders Fifty Years ago, 
 and at Present — Description of the " Old Red Meeting- 
 House" — Description of the present Church Edifice, . . 162 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 
 
 Its Location — A Description of it — The Original Church with 
 the addition made to it — The " Study House" — Mr. Craig- 
 head the first Pastor — A Company raised by him to fight 
 the Battles of the Country — Anecdote of an old Scotch Wo- 
 
CONTENTS. XVll 
 
 man in the Congregation — Mr. Craighead's Death in 1799 — 
 The Graveyard — Mr. Craighead's Tomb — Epitaphs — State 
 of the Country as infested by Indians — Battle between Capt. 
 Culbertson's Company and a Party of Indians — Account of 
 Major James McCalmont — Other Epitaphs — Names of many 
 who are buried in the Graveyard — Mr. Blair preached first 
 at Rocky Spring — Names of the Persons to whom the War- 
 rant of the Land on which the Old Church was built was 
 Granted — Sketch of Mr. Craighead's History — Anecdote of 
 him in the Battle-field — Dr. Herron becomes Pastor of the 
 Congregation in 1800 — Dr. Herron's Labours — Dr. Herron 
 succeeded by the Rev. John M'Knight, D.D. — Dr. M'Knight's 
 Faithful and Useful Life terminated in 1823 — His Successor 
 was his Son — The Rev. Dr. John M'Knight — The Rev. A. 
 K. Nelson, Pastor at present — The Church once numerously 
 but now sparsely attended — Patriotism a predominant fea- 
 ture in the Early Presbyterians of Cumberland Valley — The 
 Congregation rapidly diminishing, , . . . .176 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 PATH VALLEY CHURCHES. 
 
 Settlement of Path Valley — Extract from Letter of Richard 
 Peters to Gov. Hamilton, in relation to it — Legal Proceedings 
 in the Matter — FirsJ; Preaching by a Presbyterian Minister 
 in the Valley in 17G7 — Difficulty among the People about the 
 Situation of their Meeting-House — Rev. Samuel Dougall's 
 acceptance and resignation of the Pastorate of " Upper Tus- 
 carora" and " Path Valley" Congregations — Mr. Dougall suc- 
 ceeded by Rev. David Denny — Rev. Amos A. M'Ginley be- 
 comes Pastor of the Congregations in 1802. and continues to 
 be so until 1851 — The Pastors of the Churches at present — 
 Statistic Information of the Congregations from the year 
 1802 219 
 
XVlll CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 DICKINSON CHURCH. 
 
 Necessity for its Organization — First Notice of it on Records of 
 Presbytery for 1810 — Rev. Henry R. Wilson first supplied it 
 — Congregation fully organized in 1823 — No Regular Wor- 
 ship until 1826 — Rev. M'Knight Williamson at that time be- 
 came its Pastor, and continued to be so until 1834 — Mr. Wil- 
 liamson was succeeded by Rev. Charles P. Cummins — Rev. 
 O. O. M'Lean accepted the Pastorate in 1844 — Names of 
 Elders of the Congregation — Some Account of the Church 
 Edifice, and the present condition of the Congregation, . 228 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 CHURCH AT CARLISLE. 
 
 Log Church erected on Conodoguinett Creek in 1736 — Rev. 
 Samuel Thompson the First Pastor — Messrs. Craighead and 
 Caven probably laboured there before him — Mr. Thompson 
 resigned his Charge in 1748 — Difficulty with the People of 
 Hopewell about the erection of their Meeting-House — Church 
 built in Carlisle — License from Gov. Hamilton to raise money 
 by Lottery for that purpose — Rev. Geo. Duffield called to 
 Carlisle and Big Spring in 1759 — Rev. John Steel called by 
 Carlisle and East Pennsboro' Congregations in 1764 — Dr. 
 Robert Davidson called to Carlisle in 1785 — Rev. Geo. Duf- 
 field becomes Pastor in 1816 — Trial of Mr. Duffield for al- 
 leged Doctrinal Errors in his Work on Regeneration — Issue 
 of the Case — Action of Synod in relation to Presbytery's 
 final vote in regard to Mr. Duffield and his Book — Second 
 Presbyterian Church organized — Rev. Daniel M'Kinley call- 
 ed to be its Pastor — Mr. Duffield resigns his Charge — Rev. 
 Mr. Sprole is his Successor — Rev. Alex. T. M"Gill called to 
 Second Church — First Church stricken from the Roll of Pres- 
 
CONTENTS. XIX 
 
 bytery — Mr. M'Gill's Pastoral relation dissolved — Rev. Thos. 
 V. Moore called to Second Church — Mr. Moore resigns his 
 Charge — Rev. Mr. Lillie is his Successor — Rev. M. E. John- 
 ston the present Pastor, ....... 233 
 
 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 Paxton and Derry Churches — Monaghan and Petersburg 
 Churches — Lower Marsh Creek Church — Church at Gettys- 
 burg — Churches at Bedford and Schellsburg — The Churches . 
 of M'Connellsburg, Green Hill, and Wells' Valley — Church 
 at Cumberland, Md. — Hagerstown Church — Church at Sher- 
 man's Creek — Mouth of Juniata and Millerstown — Landis- 
 burg, Bloomfield, and Buffalo, ...... 255 
 
 APPENDIX I. 
 
 Call from the Big Spring Congregation to the Rev. Samuel 
 Wilson, 323 
 
 APPENDIX II. 
 
 Call from the Congregations of Carlisle and Lower Pennsboro' 
 to the Rev. John Steel, 327 
 
 APPENDIX III. 
 
 Some Account of the Schism in the Presbyterian Church of 
 this Country, a Century ago, . . . . . .329 
 
 APPENDIX IV. 
 
 History of the Franklin County Bible Society, .... 337 
 
CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 Pennsylvania was settled more rapidly than any 
 of the colonies. Among other causes of this, the 
 salubrity of its climate, and the fertility of its soil, 
 stand prominent. The speedy increase of population 
 within its limits, however, is mainly to be attributed 
 to the religious toleration which was secured to the 
 colony, by its charter and its fundamental laws. 
 
 ''The persecution of the Quakers and other re- 
 ligious denominations, during the reign of Charles IL, 
 and especially during that of his successor, the in- 
 tolerance exercised by the Papists over the Protestants 
 of Europe, and the overbearing or persecuting spirit, 
 on religious accounts, in many of the other colonies, 
 as contrasted with the liberality of the Quakers of 
 Pennsylvania, who were disposed to open their arms 
 to all denominations of professing Christians who 
 might be inclined to settle among them, induced the 
 
 2 
 
14 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 flocking of men by tens, by hundreds, and by thou- 
 sands, to a place where man pretended not to assume 
 the prerogatives of Deity ; nor judge, condemn, and 
 punish in his stead." 
 
 " What sought they thus afar? 
 
 Bright jewels of the mine ? 
 The wealth of seas, the spoils of war ? — 
 
 They sought a faith's pure shrine ! 
 Ay, call it holy ground. 
 
 The soil where first they trod ! 
 They have left unstained what there they found — 
 
 Freedom to worship God." 
 
 We could not, perhaps, throw more light upon the 
 early settlers in Pennsylvania, than by presenting 
 the following extracts from reliable sources. 
 
 " Referring to those who migrated hither from the 
 North of Ireland, and who were chiefly Presbyterians, 
 Dr. Williamson, in his ' History of North Carolina,' 
 says : ' The greater number of those people or their 
 ancestors, had formerly removed from Scotland. 
 But they were treated, after a short residence in Ire- 
 land, with much ingratitude and neglect ; wherefore 
 they sought refuge in America. The Earls of Tyrone 
 and Tyrconnel, in the province of Ulster, having 
 conspired against the government in the reign of 
 James the First, fled from the kingdom to escape 
 punishment. Some of their accomplices were arrested, 
 condemned, and executed, but the two Earls were at- 
 tainted by a process of outlawry, upon which their 
 
INTRODUCTION. 15 
 
 vast estates, about five hundred thousand acres of 
 land, escheated to the Crown. King James resolved, 
 if possible, to improve a country that was covered by 
 woods, desolated by war, infested by robbers, or in- 
 habited by ignorant adherents to the Romish Church. 
 For this purpose he divided the escheated lands into 
 small tracts, and those he gave to adventurers, who 
 were to settle them within four years, with a certain 
 number of sub-tenants. According to his advice, the 
 preference was given, in distributing the lands, to 
 adventurers from the west of Scotland. They were 
 Protestants from his own country. They were in- 
 dustrious people, and the passage being very short, 
 they might, with the greater ease, settle the lands 
 according to their contracts. The establishment of 
 prelacy in Scotland, in the year 1637, and afterwards 
 in the year 1661, among people who had adopted 
 the more simple form of Presbyterian worship, be- 
 came the additional cause of numerous emigrations 
 from that kingdom to the North of Ireland. 
 
 " ' The superior knowledge, industry, and temperance 
 of the Scotch farmers, in a short time enabled them 
 to supplant the natives among whom they lived, and 
 six of the northern counties, by the end of the seven- 
 teenth century, were chiefly inhabited by the descen- 
 dants of Scottish emigrants, or the remains of Crom-_ 
 well's army. That Protestant colony has been the 
 chief support of government against all attempts to 
 establish a Catholic prince, by treason, insurrection, 
 or murder. Those men have been the steady and 
 
16 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 active supporters of the Hanover succession. Their 
 faithful services, and uniform attachment to govern- 
 ment, had placed them in the rank of good and faith- 
 ful subjects, and their unshaken loyalty had entitled 
 them to confidence and public favour. But they 
 "vvere treated like aliens and strangers, with marks of 
 distrust in their civil capacity ; and they were de- 
 pressed in their religious capacity, by the spirit of 
 intolerance, because they w^ere not of the established 
 Church of Ireland. Men who were thus degraded 
 and vexed by incapacities and burdens, migrated in 
 thousands to Pennsylvania ; a province in which the 
 principles of civil and religious liberty had their full 
 operation.' 
 
 "'In England,' says Dr. Davidson,* 'ever since 
 the memorable St. Bartholomew's day, all eyes had 
 been anxiously directed to the Transatlantic settle- 
 ments, notwithstanding they were as yet a wilderness ; 
 and while some fled to Holland, a great number, 
 together with many of the ejected ministers, betook 
 themselves to New England, Pennsylvania, and other 
 American plantations. In Scotland, fines, imprison- 
 ments, and whippings, were abundant from 1662, 
 when the Act of Conformity was passed, until 1688, 
 when the Act of Toleration gave relief under the 
 Presbyterian Prince of Orange. The Western and 
 Southern Counties, which, according to Hume, were 
 the most populous and thriving, were the most ob- 
 
 * History of the Presbyterian Cliurch in Kentucky. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 17 
 
 noxious, and the severity of the persecutions sur- 
 passed, in the judgment of Bishop Burnet, the merci- 
 less rigours of the Duke of Alva. Many sold their 
 estates and crossed over to the Scots of Ulster, 
 where, for a time unrestricted liberty was allowed. 
 But the arm of intolerance soon followed them to this 
 retreat, and the hunted-down non-conformists felt 
 that they had no resource short of absolute expatria- 
 tion. In order that the fury of the prelates might 
 have full sweep, the Presbyterians and their ejected 
 ministers were forbidden to fly into Scotland to avoid 
 it. Of these ejected ministers, both in Scotland and 
 Ireland, Wodrow gives a catalogue amounting to four 
 hundred. 
 
 " ' In consequence of the persecutions of 1679,1682, 
 and 1685, crowds of voluntary exiles sought an 
 asylum in East New Jersey, Carolina, and Maryland. 
 The North of Ireland shared in the general drain. 
 The arbitrary measures pursued by James II., together 
 with apprehensions of a general massacre by the Pa- 
 pists, emboldened as they were by the undisguised 
 partiality of the king, caused such multitudes de- 
 spairing of safety, to fly to foreign climes, that trade 
 declined, and the revenue languished. Successive 
 emigrations from the North of Ireland continued to 
 pour into Pennsylvania in such numbers that by the 
 year 1705, there were sufficient Presbyterian churches 
 in that province, in conjunction with those of the 
 provinces contiguous, to constitute a presbytery, and 
 a few years later (1717), a synod." 
 
 2* 
 
18 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 Prominent among these ''voluntary exiles," were 
 the Huguenots, or French Protestants. The perse- 
 cutions to which they were exposed during the reign 
 of Louis XIV., consummated by the revocation of the 
 Edict of Nantes in 1685, drove hundreds of thousands 
 of those unhappy people from their native country.^ 
 Though the frontiers were vigilantly guarded, upwards 
 of five hundred thousand of them made their escape. 
 They fled to Switzerland, Germany, Holland, and 
 England, and large numbers of them came to this 
 country. It is true that their principal location here, 
 was in the Southern States, yet scattered emigrants 
 fixed themselves in greater or less numbers, in the 
 provinces of Pennsylvania and Maryland. 
 
 " The Welsh, also, from their numbers, deserve 
 particular notice. The principal settlement of them 
 at an early period, was upon the left bank of the 
 Schuylkill. They there occupied three townships, 
 and in a few years their numbers so increased that 
 they obtained three additional townships." 
 
 Nor must the German settlers in Pennsylvania, by 
 any means be overlooked in this enumeration. Their 
 emigration commenced as early as 1682 or 1683, and 
 very rapidly increased. Erom 1730 to 1740, about 
 sixty-five vessels, well filled with Germans, arrived 
 at Philadelphia, bringing with them ministers of the 
 Gospel and schoolmasters, to instruct their children. 
 From 1740 to 1755, upwards of one hundred vessels 
 arrived, which were filled with emigrants of the same 
 nation, and in some of which, though small, there 
 
INTRODUCTION. 19 
 
 were between five and six hundred passengers. With 
 regard to the Germans in Pennsylvania, Mr. Andrews, 
 in a letter dated October 14, 1730, says, " There is, 
 besides, in this province a vast number of Palatines, 
 and they come in still every year. Those that have 
 come of late are mostly Presbyterian, or as they call 
 themselves. Reformed ; the Palatinate being about 
 three-fifths of that sort of people." "There are 
 many Lutherans and some Reformed, mixed among 
 them. In other parts of the country, they are 
 chiefly Reformed, so that I suppose the Presbyterian 
 party are as numerous as the Quakers, or near it." 
 
 Such, then, were the materials, out of which the 
 Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania was formed. 
 The English Puritans, many of whom, with an adven- 
 turous spirit, left their home in New England, and lo- 
 cated in this province "were all Calvinists, and many 
 of them Presbyterians. The Dutch were Calvinists 
 and Presbyterians ; a moiety at least of the Germans 
 were of the same class. All the French Protestants 
 were Calvinists and Presbyterians ; and so, of course, 
 were the Scotch and Irish. Of these several classes, 
 the Dutch and Germans formed distinct ecclesiastical 
 organizations, and subsist as such to the present 
 time. In a multitude of cases, however, their descen- 
 dants mingled with the descendants of other Presby- 
 terians, and have entered largely into the materials 
 of which our church is composed." 
 
 " As they merged their diversities of national cha- 
 racter into that of American citizens," adds Dr. 
 
20 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 Hodge,* ''so the Scotch, Irish, French, English, 
 Dutch, and German Presbyterians became united, in 
 thousands of instances, in the American Presbyterian 
 Church. Having the same views of civil government, 
 our population, so diversified as to its origin, forms a 
 harmonious civil society, and agreeing in opinion on 
 the government of the church, the various classes 
 above specified formed a religious society, in which 
 the diiference of their origin was as little regarded as 
 it was in the state." 
 
 So far as is now known, the first Presbyterian 
 Church that was organized and furnished with a place 
 of worship in the American Colonies, was in the city 
 of Philadelphia. This took place about the year 
 1703. The next year a Presbytery was formed, 
 under the title of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. 
 
 As early as 1716, the Presbyterian body had so 
 far increased, that a Synod was constituted, com- 
 prising four Presbyteries. These Presbyteries bore 
 the following titles : — 1. The Presbytery of PJiila- 
 delphia. 2. The Presbytery of New Castle. 3. The 
 Presbytery of Snow-Hill. 4. The Presbytery of 
 Long Island. 
 
 "After the formation of the Synod, in 1716, the 
 body went on increasing, receiving additions, not 
 only by emigrants from Scotland and Ireland, but 
 also from natives of England and Wales,- who came 
 to the Middle Colonies, and were thrown by cir- 
 
 * History of the Presbyterian Church, Part I., p. 69. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 21 
 
 cumstances in the neighbourhood of Presbyterian 
 churches, and also from natives, or their descendants, 
 of France, Holland, and Switzerland, who preferred 
 the Presbyterian form of worship or government. 
 To these may be added a number from New England, 
 who were induced by local considerations, or other 
 circumstances, to connect themselves with the Pres- 
 byterian body."* 
 
 Up to the year IT 32, at which time there were 
 about fifteen or sixteen Presbyterian churches in 
 Pennsylvania, the ^'Presbytery of New Castle" seems 
 to have covered all the territory reaching to the 
 Susquehanna. In September of that year the Pres- 
 bytery of Donegal was organized, and to it the juris- 
 diction over this portion of the State was committed. 
 
 As is generally known, the limits of Lancaster, 
 one of the first three counties organized in the pro- 
 vince, were then so comprehensive as to embrace all 
 the territory west and north of Chester County, be- 
 tween the Schuylkill, north of the boundary line of 
 Chester, and the Susquehanna, and all west of the 
 Susquehanna. 
 
 About a year or two before the erection of the 
 Presbytery of Donegal, it was, that the first visits 
 of the white man, with a view^ to residence, were 
 made to the deep, dark forests which stretched be- 
 yond the river just named, and which abounded with 
 
 * Dr. Miller's article on "Pres. Ch. in United States," Ency. 
 Relig. Know. 
 
22 CHUB. CUES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 beasts of prey, and, to some extent, as the sequel 
 proved, with still more savage men. 
 
 In 1730-1, some Irish and Scotch adventurers 
 crossed the Susquehanna at Peixtan, Peshtank, or 
 Paxton, and commenced settlements in the "Kit- 
 tochtinny Valley," or "North Valley," at Falling 
 Springs, and other places, till they extended from 
 the "Long, Crooked River" to the Maryland pro- 
 vince ; about the year 1736. 
 
 As the lands west of the Susquehanna were not 
 purchased by the Proprietary of Pennsylvania from 
 the Indians before October, 1736, the Land Office 
 was not open for the sale of them under existing 
 laws, and the settlements, made on such lands before 
 this purchase, were by special license to individuals 
 from Samuel Blunston, or other proprietary agents, 
 and were of limited number. After the office was 
 open, however, for the unrestricted sale of lands on 
 the waters of the Conodoguinett and Conococheague, 
 at the close of 1736, the applications and grants for 
 the district then multiplied ; and the influx of settlers 
 from Lancaster County, Ireland, and Scotland, was 
 great, in the succeeding two or three years, nearly 
 all of whom were Presbyterians. 
 
 Thus, by energy and intrepidity, which cannot be 
 looked for except among men who have been schooled 
 by difficulties and accustomed to perils, was posses- 
 sion taken, by our pioneer ancestry, of the rich and 
 beautiful valley which their descendants now inherit, 
 and which is at present embraced within the limits of 
 
INTRODUCTION. 23 
 
 Cumberland and Franklin Counties, the former of 
 which was established in 1750, and the latter in 1784. 
 How changed the scene ! How different an aspect 
 this universally-admired region now wears, from that 
 which it presented a little more than a century ago, 
 when it stood in its wildness and its gloom ! 
 
 *' Look now abroad, — another race has filled 
 
 Those populous borders ; wide the wood recedes, 
 And towns shoot up, and fertile realms are tilled ; 
 The land is full of harvests and green meads." 
 
 One of the first arrangements made by the primi- 
 tive settlers "west of the Susquehanna," was to have 
 the Gospel preached in their midst. They had been, 
 most of them, reared in the religious element. They 
 had been taught to worship God. Nor was the 
 sacred lesson of duty to the Father of Mercies, which 
 they had received in their earlier years, forgotten by 
 them, even amidst the hardships and perils of a life 
 in the wilderness. 
 
 We find, accordingly, very early applications, or 
 "supplications" (as the Records say), presented by 
 them to the Presbytery, for ministers to be sent 
 among them, to break unto them the Bread of Life ; 
 and in the results which soon followed the labours of 
 these servants of God, we have the beginnings or 
 germs of the congregations whose history is now 
 succinctly to be given. 
 
24 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 MIDDLE SPRING CHURCH. 
 
 For some reason, probably from a regard to con- 
 venience, nearly all the old Presbyterian churches of 
 Cumberland Valley were erected near a spring or 
 stream of water, and from their location they derived 
 their name. It is difficult at this late day to deter- 
 mine precisely why it was that Middle Spring re- 
 ceived its distinctive appellation ; but it is to be ac- 
 counted for, as we suppose, by the equidistance of its 
 position from Big Spring on the east, and Rocky 
 Spring on the west, with the congregations of both 
 of which it was originally connected, in the constitu- 
 tion of a pastoral charge. 
 
 Of the exact date of the origin of this congrega- 
 tion no record has been preserved, neither can it be 
 ascertained from any other source. Some light, 
 however, is thrown upon this point by the following 
 statement, which is found in the minutes of a meet- 
 ing of the Presbytery of Donegal, held at ''Pacque, 
 8ber 17th, 1738." 
 
 " Robert Henry, a Commissioner from Hopewell, 
 complained that the people of Falling Spring are 
 
MIDDLE SPRING CHURCH. 25 
 
 about to encroach on Hopewell Congregation. Or- 
 dered, that representatives from both attend our 
 next, that Presbytery may judge of said complaint." 
 
 As Big Spring was, at that time, called Hopewell, 
 it would appear from this record that the congrega- 
 tion of Middle Spring, occupying an intermedial po- 
 sition between it and the church at Falling Spring, 
 could not then have been organized, otherwise it, 
 also, would be found in the same attitude of com- 
 plaint. The probability, then, is, from this circum- 
 stance, and some others which need not be specified, 
 that this congregation came into existence about the 
 year 1740. Antecedently to this date, Middle Spring 
 was a preaching-place, and was frequently favoured 
 with ministerial service by neighbouring pastors, as 
 well as by supplies under appointment of Presbytery ; 
 but not until that time was a congregation regularly 
 organized. 
 
 We have examined with care the earliest records 
 of the congregation now to be found, and probably 
 the first ever written, which go back to 1742 ; but 
 they consist almost exclusively of sessional proceed- 
 ings. The following is a literal transcript of the 
 title-page : 
 
 "A Session-Book, for the use of the Session of 
 the Congregation of Middle Spring. Bought for the 
 above-mentioned use, men. Decembris, Anno Dom. 
 1745. 2 Chron. xix. 8, 9 : Moreover, in Jerusalem 
 did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, 
 and of the chiefs of the fathers of Israel, for the 
 
26 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 judgment of the Lord, and for controversies when 
 they returned to Jerusalem. And he charged them, 
 saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, 
 faithfully and with a perfect heart." 
 
 In these Records we find mention made of the fol- 
 lowing names of elders of the congregation : Allen 
 Killough, John M'Kee, David Herron, John Rey- 
 nolds, ordained 1742. John Finley, William Ander- 
 son, Robert M'Comb, ordained 1744. John Maclay, 
 ordained 1747. 
 
 The subjoined extracts from this ancient book may 
 be of interest. " 1744. The Session condemn D. 
 S.'s manner of expressing himself, as being very un- 
 tender to his neighbour's character ; and appoint the 
 Moderator to occasion to warn their people against 
 speaking abroad slanderous reports upon neighbours, 
 either privately, or more publicly in company, and 
 more especially when they have no solid grounds for, 
 or knowledge of them ; — as being very inconscien- 
 tious, discovering a willingness or disposition to take 
 up an ill report, a breach of the ninth commandment, 
 in backbiting their neighbour, wounding to religion, 
 having a tendency to fill the minds of people with 
 jealousies, and thereby exposing Church judicatories, 
 oftentimes, to reflections, as tho' they covered sin, 
 when upon tryal they can't find guilt." 
 
 "J. R. table'd a complaint against Catherine P. 
 his former servant, for some pieces of malconduct. 
 The Session having examined S. R. and R. L. find 
 from their Evidence that said P. has behaved herself 
 
MIDDLE SPRING CHURCH. 27 
 
 undutifully in resisting her Mistress, and imprecating 
 vengeance upon her, and Ij'd in reporting that she 
 beg'd a little Respite of her Mistress. The Session 
 Judge that C. P. shall acknowledge her Fault to her 
 Master and Mistress in the offence she has given 
 them, in the Respects aforesaid, and be rebuk'd in 
 the Session, for the contradiction she has hereby 
 given to her religious Profession." 
 
 "1746. J. P. was cited to the Session for taking 
 venison from an Indian, and giving him Meal and 
 Butter for it on the Sabbath Day. 
 
 " J. P. appeared, and acknowledged that being at 
 home one Sabbath Day, he heard a gun go off twice 
 quickly after each other, and said he would go out 
 and see w^ho it was ; his wife dissuading him, he said 
 he would go and see if he could hear the Horse-bell : 
 having gone a little way he saw an Indian, who had 
 just killed a Fawn and dressed it: the Indian coming 
 towards the house with him, to get some victuals, 
 having, he said, eat nothing that morning, he saw a 
 Deer, and shot it, and charg'd and shot again at 
 another, which ran away ; said P. stood by the Indian 
 until he skin'd the Deer ; when he had done, he told 
 said P. he might take it in if he wou'd, for he would 
 take no more with him, upon which, said P. and W. 
 K., who then had come to them, took it up, and carry'd 
 it in ; when he had given the Indian his Breakfast, 
 said Indian ask'd if he had any meal ; he said he had, 
 and gave him some ; then the Indian ask'd for But- 
 ter, and asking his wife about it, he gave the Indian 
 
28 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 some ; but he denies that he gave these things as a 
 Reward for the Venison, inasmuch as they had made 
 no Bargain about it. 
 
 " The Session Judge that J. P. do acknowledge his 
 Breach of Sabbath in this Matter, and be rebuk'd 
 before the Session for his Sin." 
 
 The "Moderator" referred to in the first of these 
 extracts, was the Rev. Mr. Blair, who, it appears, 
 was the minister of the Rocky Spring, Middle Spring, 
 and Big Spring Congregations, and divided his time 
 equally between them. How long Mr. Blair sus- 
 tained this relation we are not able to say, but when 
 it was dissolved, we have been informed, he went to 
 the city of New York. This gentleman was highly 
 esteemed by the Congregation for his piety and his 
 learning. As a proof of their affection for him, they 
 conveyed to him by deed, a farm belonging to them, 
 which lay near to the church, and contained about 
 two hundred and fifty acres. Two years after this, 
 however, for some reason not now known, he resigned 
 his charge, and the farm was sold. Mr. Blair was 
 preceded in his labours at Middle Spring, by the 
 Rev. Mr. Calls, of Ireland, and the Rev. Mr. Clarke, 
 iOf Scotland, each of whom, with the sanction of 
 Presbytery, served the Congregation about six months 
 or a year. 
 
 At a sessional meeting, Sept. 3, 1744 we find 
 mention made of the ''Rev. Mr. Robinson" as being 
 present. After this, notwithstanding the minutes of 
 Session continue until 1748, there is no reference in 
 
MIDDLE SPRING CHURCH. 29 
 
 them at all, either to preaching or a Pastor. By 
 reason of this fact, consequently, as well as the 
 chasm in the Minutes of Presbytery, which, as 
 already stated, reaches from 1750 to 1759, that por- 
 tion of the history of Middle Spring is a blank. 
 Nothing can be learned of the supply of the pulpit, 
 or of any arrangements in regard to it, until in 1760, 
 a commissioner from the congregation lays a call 
 before the Presbytery "requesting their concurrence 
 to said call's being presented to the Rev. Mr. Car- 
 michael of New Brunswick Presbytery." This call, 
 if it was ever prosecuted, was not accepted. 
 
 We now reach the time when Dr. Cooper was 
 called to the pastorate of Middle Spring. Of this 
 there is the following record on the Minutes of Pres- 
 bytery, May 23d, 1765. "A call was brought in 
 from the congregation of Middle Spring to Mr. 
 Robert Cooper, Probationer, and a supplication to 
 the Presbytery, praying them to present said call, 
 and to allow Mr. Cooper as their constant supply 
 till next Presbytery, if his way be not now clear to 
 accept their call. Said call was accordingly pre- 
 sented, and Mr. Cooper desir'd time to consider of it, 
 as he cannot see his way at present clear either to 
 accept or refuse it." "Messrs. Campble, Esq., and 
 Benjamin Blythe, commissioners from Middle Spring 
 Congregation, inform the Presbytery that the con- 
 gregation will make good to him the sum of one hun- 
 dred pounds currency per annum." Mr. Cooper ac- 
 cepted the call in October of the same year, and at 
 
 3* 
 
30 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 the same time declined a call from " Tuscarora in 
 Virginia." 
 
 The following letter concerning Dr. Cooper is from 
 the pen of his venerable successor. 
 
 *' Shippensburg, May 20th, 1852. 
 
 " Rev. and respected Brother, — 
 
 " In reply to your request I have to say, that my 
 acquaintance with Dr. Robert Cooper, was not until 
 a late period of his life. Our places of residence 
 were fully fifty miles apart. I do not recollect that 
 I ever had the pleasure of seeing him, until October, 
 1799, — two years and a half after his pastoral re- 
 lation to the church at Middle Spring was dissolved, 
 and some months after I had commenced my theo- 
 logical studies. This meeting was at a Presbytery 
 convened at Derry Church, for the ordination and in- 
 stallation of Dr. Joshua Williams. My acquaintance 
 Avith him then, was limited to what I saw and heard 
 in the transaction of presbyterial business. 
 
 " On the following April I presented myself, and 
 was received on trial by the Presbytery of Carlisle, 
 nor had I any intercourse with Dr. Cooper, except 
 at presbyterial meetings, until I was licensed to 
 preach, October 9th, 1801. From that time I al- 
 ways spent at his house a portion of my time, when 
 appointed to preach at Middle Spring, and frequently 
 called and spent a day and night on my Avay to 
 preach at other places. 
 
 " I always found him very hospitable, — a kind, 
 
MIDDLE SPRING CHURCH. 31 
 
 friendly, and instructive companion ; and I have no 
 doubt that he was truly pious. That he stood high 
 in the opinion of his brethren of the Synods of New 
 York and Philadelphia, then the supreme judicatory 
 of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, 
 would appear from the fact, that he was appointed 
 on a committee, with others, among the most cele- 
 brated divines of the day, ' to take into considera- 
 tion the constitution of the Church of Scotland and 
 other Protestant churches, and, agreeably to the ge»- 
 neral principles of Presbyterian government, com- 
 plete a system of general rules for the government 
 of the Synod and the several Presbyteries under 
 their inspection, and the people in their communion.' 
 
 "I have not heard Dr. Cooper preach very often, 
 only a few times at Middle Spring, after my settle- 
 ment there, and on a few occasions elsewhere. As 
 to his preaching, in the latter part of his life, he ap- 
 peared not to aim at display of talents and oratory, 
 but to be instructive and practical. Before his set- 
 tlement at Middle Spring, it appears, from the Pres- 
 byterial Records, that, for some reason, he was highly 
 prized, and his preaching much sought after by the 
 churches. 
 
 "I think I never saw but one sermon of his fully 
 written out, and some two or three skeletons, though 
 I have reason to believe he had, in his time, written 
 a number in full. I do not remember ever to have 
 seen him use any notes in the pulpit, and I believe 
 he seldom, if ever, did. I heard him on one occa- 
 
32 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 sion, in a sermon, declaiming Avith severity against 
 reading sermons. 
 
 " His literary attainments were very respectable, 
 though his education was not commenced in early 
 life. He must, I suppose, have been upwards of 
 thirty years of age when he entered the ministry. 
 Being gifted with a strong and sound mind, he was 
 judicious, well-informed in Theology, a sound Calvin- 
 ist, and always ready to give his views on any subject 
 proposed. A number of young men of very respec- 
 table standing in the ministry, studied Theology 
 under his direction ; among whom were Dr. Joshua 
 Williams, of Newville, and Dr. Herron, of Pittsburg. 
 Except a few articles in the newspapers of the day, 
 he never, so far as I know, published anything but 
 a small pamphlet on Prophecy, entitled ' The Signs 
 of the Times.' 
 
 " I may add that I am Dr. Cooper's successor in 
 the church at Middle Spring, — the first and only 
 pastor of it since his time. After a vacancy of six 
 years, during which the congregation was well sup- 
 plied, by members of the Presbytery and a number 
 of very respectable licentiates, with the preaching of 
 the gospel and the administration of Divine ordi- 
 nances, a call was given to me, April 12th, 1803, 
 which was accepted. On the 5th October, 1803, I 
 was ordained, and installed Pastor of that church, 
 and here I am until this day. 
 
 " The following dates I take from the Records of 
 Presbytery : 
 
MIDDLE SPRING CHUECH. 33 
 
 " ' Dr. Cooper graduated at Princeton, 1T63 ; was 
 licensed to preach, Feb. 22d, 1765 ; was ordained 
 and installed at Middle Spring, Nov. 21st, 1765 ; 
 resigned his pastoral relation, Ap. 12th, 1797 ; de- 
 parted this life, April 5th, 1805.' 
 
 "Very sincerely, 
 " Your friend and brother in the Gospel, 
 
 "John Moodey." 
 
 Dr. Cooper's remains are buried in the "Lower 
 Graveyard" of the church, and on his tombstone is 
 this inscription : — 
 
 " In memory of Rev. Robert Cooper, D.D., Pastor 
 of the Congregation of Middle Spring nearly forty 
 years, who departed this life a.d. 1805, aged 73 
 years. Also, his surviving partner, Elizabeth Cooper, 
 who deceased a.d. 1829, aged nearly 86 years. 
 
 " De quibus qui nunc vivunt et audiverunt vene- 
 rantur, qui contemporales noverunt, plerique mortui 
 sunt." 
 
 As there is some discrepancy between the state- 
 ment of Dr. Moodey, as to the length of time Dr. 
 Cooper was pastor of Middle Spring, and the record 
 of this that is made on his tombstone, it is probable 
 that in the latter case the time is estimated from the 
 date of Dr. Cooper's acceptance of the call, to his 
 deaths instead of to the dissolution of his pastoral 
 relation, as it should have been.* 
 
 * The following extract from a letter from Jonathan K. Cooper, 
 Esq., of Peoria, 111. (a grandson of Dr. Cooper), is here in place. 
 
34 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 As we have already had occasion to notice, the 
 Rev. John Moodey, a native of Dauphin County, in 
 this State, — who, after he graduated in Princeton 
 College in 1796, studied Theology under the direc- 
 tion of the Rev. James Snodgrass, — succeeded Dr. 
 Cooper as pastor of Middle Spring. Mr. Moodey 
 was called, and ordained, and installed, in 1803, and 
 there he has ever since remained, notwithstanding 
 the frequent sundering of pastoral relations that has 
 taken place around him. 
 
 Dr. Moodey, who was born July 4th, 1776, is 
 now, of course, far advanced in life. To him have 
 been allotted, by a kind Providence, more than 
 threescore years and ten. He stands as the repre- 
 sentative of a generation which will soon have en- 
 tirely disappeared. But one now lives in connexion 
 with the Presbytery, that belonged to it at his recep- 
 tion ; and most of the oldest members of his congre- 
 gation are either those whom he baptized in their 
 
 *' The cause of my grandfather's retiring from the active duties 
 of his charge was, as perhaps you are aware, a strange, brooding 
 melancholy (occasioned, as it was found, by a dropsical habit of 
 body), which, for a season, whelmed his mind in gloom, and 
 made him doubt, not merely his fitness for the station he filled, 
 but the sufficiency of the hope in which he had himself trusted. 
 With returning health, his confidence and hope were restored, 
 and he experienced again a bright sunshine of the soul, during 
 which he travelled extensively, and preached in the newly- 
 settled and mountainous parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia, as 
 a sort of missionary, still residing, however, on his farm in the 
 bounds of Middle Spring, and, I presume, occasionally offici- 
 ating." 
 
MIDDLE SPRING CHURCH. 35 
 
 infancy, or whose memory cannot reach beyond his 
 ministry. Few, indeed, remain, who witnessed his 
 installation. They have nearly all been removed by 
 death, and now sleep either in the graveyard of the 
 church in which they worshipped, or in some distant 
 part of the country in Avhich they settled and died. 
 
 To say of the pastoral relation which has for half 
 a century subsisted at Middle Spring, that it has 
 been marked with peace, would be but to affirm what 
 truth demands. To say, also, of Dr. Moodey, that 
 his long life has been one of Christian consistency 
 and large usefulness, would be only to utter a testi- 
 mony which none that have known him would hesi- 
 tate to endorse. For fifty years he has gone in and 
 out before his people, preaching to them, though 
 always changing, a gospel that changes not, and 
 exhibiting to them an example of calm, steady, and 
 trustful devotion to the service of God. As a 
 preacher, he has ever had an excellent reputation, 
 and been regarded as a logical, instructive, and able 
 expounder of the truth as it is in Jesus. With him 
 there never have been the flourishes of oratory, or 
 flashes of fancy, or eff'orts after novelty, which so 
 often attract without permanently pleasing ; but his 
 ministry has ever been characterized by a plain, 
 manly, and solemn exhibition of the Word, and a 
 bringing of things new and old out of his treasure, 
 which have saved his acceptableness in the pulpit 
 from anything like abatement. He is now, as he 
 ever has been, universally esteemed in the commu- 
 
36 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 nity in which his days have been chiefly spent ; and 
 when it shall please God to allow him to sink into 
 the ground which he has seen so often broken for 
 others, all will acknowledge that a faithful servant 
 of the Most High has gone to his reward. 
 
 The following statistics, with which we have been 
 furnished by Dr. Moodey, will be read with interest : 
 
 " In my church there have been 1165 baptisms ; 
 of these there were 44 white adults, one a female 
 above fifty years of age, and 4 adults and 3 infants 
 of colour. In other churches, where, by Presbyterial 
 appointments, I have preached, and administered, or 
 aided in administering, the Lord's Supper, I have 
 baptized 139 infants and 8 adults: 3 of the last were 
 persons of colour. Whole number of baptisms, 1312. 
 
 "During my pastoral relation with Middle Spring, 
 there have been added to the list of our communi- 
 cants, 655. A few of these have been received on 
 certificate ; but by reason of death, removal, and 
 church extension, the number increases but slowly. 
 The largest number added at any one time was 24 ; 
 and on every occasion, with one exception, there 
 have been more or less added. 
 
 "I have officiated at the solemnization of 587 
 marriages. The numbers who have sprung from our 
 congregation and become preachers of the gospel are 
 very gratifying." 
 
 We now proceed to notice the church at Middle 
 Spring. Those who are familiar with this locality, 
 three miles north of Shippensburg, remember well 
 
MIDDLE SPRING CHURCH. 37 
 
 the green slope to the right, on which the building 
 stands ; the graveyard in the rear ; the beautiful 
 wood, stretching back, with its refreshing shadows ; 
 ''the old mill-dam," a few rods to the left of the 
 road, calmly reflecting the light of heaven ; the foun- 
 tain of fresh water bubbling up close by ; the mur- 
 muring stream, which rolls on under the thick over- 
 hanging foliage; and the "Lower Graveyard," a 
 little to the north, along which that stream flows in 
 its course, chaunting its sweet requiem for the dead. 
 It was in that graveyard the first church in that 
 region was built. Anxious for a place of worship, 
 the early settlers met to devise a plan for this pur- 
 pose ; and the result of their consultation was the 
 erection of a log-building, near the gate of the grave- 
 yard, about thirty-five feet square. This was about 
 the year 1738. Soon this edifice, in which, for a 
 while there was preaching only four or five times a 
 year, Avas found to be too small to accommodate the 
 people, and it was demolished, and another of the 
 same material erected on the same spot. This was 
 considerably larger, being about fifty-eight feet long 
 and forty-eight feet wide. In a little while it became 
 necessary again that the house of worship should 
 have its capacity extended ; and this desideratum 
 was effected by removing three sides of the building 
 then in use, and embracing a little more space on 
 either side, which was covered with a roof, some- 
 thing in the form of a shed. Up the sides of these 
 additions to the main edifice, and over the roofs, 
 
 4 
 
38 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 were fixed wooden steps, by which access was gained 
 into the gallery. This arrangement was made for 
 want of room in the interior of the building for the 
 construction of a stairway. Of the internal appear- 
 ance of this ancient structure we are not able to give 
 any very definite information. We have been told, 
 however, that the pulpit, which was of walnut, was a 
 remarkably neat piece of workmanship for that day. 
 This interesting relic, which, with other portions of 
 the building at the time it was torn down, was pur- 
 chased by Samuel Cox, Esq., was converted into a 
 table, which is yet in the possession of his son, John 
 Cox, Esq., who still lives in the old homestead. 
 
 In this church, for many years, the growing con- 
 gregation worshipped ; and during this time the 
 graveyard was filled with the dead. This sacred 
 spot, which consists of about an acre of ground, is 
 enclosed by a substantial stone wall, and stands by 
 the roadside, teaching its solemn lesson to the passer- 
 by. Of the epitaphs upon the few tombstones which 
 it contains, we give the following : — 
 
 " Here lies the body of John Reynolds, Esq., who 
 departed this life on the twentieth day of October, 
 1789, aged 40 years. 
 
 <' This modest stone (wliat few vain marbles can) 
 May truly say, < Here lies an honest man.' " 
 
 " Interred here is the body of Capt. Samuel Kears- 
 ley, a veteran survivor of the Revolution which pro- 
 
MIDDLE SPRING CHURCH. 39 
 
 cured the Independence of America, who departed 
 this life on the 22d of March, a.d. 1830, in the 81st 
 year of his age. 
 
 " In profession a Christian, 
 A soldier intrepid, 
 In body and mind vigorous. 
 Fearless of man. 
 But who confessed that Wisdom's beginning is God's fear." 
 
 About the year 1781, the old stone church was 
 erected, whose site, as is well known, was just beside 
 that of the present building. This was still larger 
 than its predecessor (being fifty-eight by sixty-eight 
 feet), and was necessarily so, by reason of the rapid 
 increase of population. About the same time that 
 this church was built, and which, for its day, was one 
 of more than ordinary elegance, the graveyard imme- 
 diately in its rear, was located. This was done, not 
 only because the old receptacle of the dead was well 
 filled, but also because its soil was of a gravelly 
 description, and its lower section, by reason of its 
 nearness to the stream, was subject to frequent 
 inundation. 
 
 The present building at Middle Spring, which was 
 erected in 1848, and demanded by the dilapidated 
 , condition of the former one, is a neat brick edifice, 
 one story high, with a gallery for a choir, and 
 capacity to accommodate about four hundred per- 
 sons. It was with many a deep regret that the 
 necessity was yielded to that called for the erection 
 
40 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 of this new church ; and hundreds there were who 
 were in full sympathy with one whose earliest asso- 
 ciations were blended with that neighbourhood, and 
 who, returning after the absence of years, thus 
 uttered his feelings in the contemplation of the 
 change that was soon to occur : — 
 
 "Welcome to. me once more this green churchyard, 
 
 To which, this bright May morn, have come my feet : 
 Ah, from the village near, still hitherward 
 Outdrawn I am that good old church to greet, 
 And these sad graves, to pay them homage meet ; 
 What times I come back to this neighbourhood. 
 
 Long whiles between, where erst my boyhood sweet 
 Was sped, here o'er its joys despoiled to brood. 
 But though it bringeth dole the while, it doth me good. 
 
 "As now, long gone, oft sauntering have I come 
 
 Adown that stream on Sabbath mornings bland, — 
 In town at school, but longing much for home, — 
 Beneath that poplar near the church to stand, 
 Watching each carriage come and folks disband ; 
 Till, see ! our own wends to its trysting-place ! 
 
 Then did I bound to grasp each welcome hand ; 
 To catch the beaming looks of each young face, 
 A father's anxious smile, a mother's soft embrace ! 
 
 *' They come not now, who gave that spot its zest. 
 
 Parent and brothers, sisters, all are gone 
 
 To newer homes, far settled in the West, — 
 
 No more to walk, on holy days, this lawn. 
 
 Yet one here rests. 0, most revered one ! 
 
 Dear parent mine ! Say, is thy spirit near, 
 
 To whose green mound here have I first been drawn ? 
 Mark'st thou my sorrowing step and briny tear, 
 To think I loved thee not the more when thou wast here ? 
 
MIDDLE SPRING CHURCH. 41 
 
 " That old stone church! Hid in these oaks apart, 
 I hoped Improvement ne'er would it invade ; 
 But only Time, with his slow, hallowing art, 
 
 Would touch it, year by year, with softer shade, 
 And crack its walls no more, but, interlaid. 
 Mend them with moss. Its ancient sombre cast 
 
 Dearer to me is than all art displayed 
 In modern churches, which, by their contrast. 
 Make this to stand forlorn, held in the solemn Past. 
 
 "Ah, now, they tell me, they will raze it low, 
 And build a lowlier, neater church instead ; 
 And well, no doubt, it is it should be so. 
 But me not joy it brings, but drearihead: 
 For still my thoughts, like fondest ivy spread. 
 In memory green, do clasp that old church-pile ; 
 
 And round a softer, holier light is shed. 
 Than that through stained glass on chequered aisle : 
 Oh, must it then be torn, on me no more to smile ?" 
 
 In ^'that old stone church" there was, for many 
 long years, a very large congregation. Its boun- 
 daries reached six or eight miles in several directions. 
 When the Sabbath dawned, every road and avenue 
 might be seen thronged with those who were assem- 
 bling for worship, — some on foot, some on horse- 
 back, and some in carriages. The spacious house 
 was crowded. Even the galleries, above which " the 
 swallow had built a nest for herself, where she might 
 lay her young," w^as filled. Loud throughout the 
 surrounding forest might be heard the praises of 
 God. At "intermission," the people gathered toge- 
 ther in little circles. Some wandered to the ceme- 
 tery, to sigh over the departed loved ones, and drop 
 
 4* 
 
42 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 a tear upon the sweet-briar that bloomed by their 
 graves. Some flocked to the "spring," to quaff" its 
 sparkling waters. Others met to exchange saluta- 
 tions and friendly greetings. The interval past, the 
 public service of the sanctuary was resumed, and in 
 a little while a scene of happy confusion was to be 
 witnessed: — the old, and middle-aged, and young, 
 moving off" to their homes, comfortable, at least, in 
 the consciousness that, whatever other sins might be 
 laid to their charge, they had not neglected the 
 assembling of themselves together. Pleasant days 
 were those at Middle Spring ! 
 
 Here we cannot resist the temptation to give, 
 somewhat at length, an admirable description of the 
 old church, which, though written in 1847, has but 
 recently been published, and from which we have 
 presented an extract already.* 
 
 "Its pews of obdurate pine, straight-backed and tall — 
 Its gallery, mounted high three sides around — 
 Its pulpit, goblet-formed, half up the wall. 
 
 The sounding-board above, with acorn crowned, 
 
 And Rouse's psalms, that erst therein did sound 
 
 To old fugue tunes, to some the thoughts might raise 
 
 Of folks antique that certes there were found — 
 Ah no! I wote in those enchanting daj's. 
 There beauty beamed, there swelled the richest notes of praise. 
 
 "What though no dainty choir the gallery graced, 
 And trolled their tunes in soft, harmonious flow ; 
 
 * Poem by Prof. W. M. Nevin:— 'TAe Guardian.'' May, 
 1852. 
 
MIDDLE SPRING CHURCH. 43 
 
 One pious clerk, tall formed and sober faced, 
 With book enclutched, stood at his desk below, 
 And with his pitch all people's voice did go ; 
 
 If not full blent, certes in soul sincere, 
 
 Up from their hearts their praises they did throw, 
 
 Nor cared they e'en, of som,e deaf dame, to hear, 
 At close, the voice in suit, lone quavering in the rear. 
 
 ** Out from that pulpit's height, deep-browed and grave, 
 The man of God ensconced, half bust was shown, 
 Weighty and wise, he did not thump nor rave. 
 Nor lead his folks, upwrought, to smile nor moan. 
 By him, slow cast, the seeds of truth were sown. 
 Which, lighting on good soil, took lasting hold. 
 
 Not springing eftsoons, then to wilt ere grown. 
 But, in long time, their fruits increased were told : 
 Some thirty, sixty some, and some an hundred fold. 
 
 " Ah, then, in our pew, my cousin Bess, 
 Happy I was downseated by thy side. 
 With youngsters more, in middle stowed, the less. 
 Where, sex from sex, we did our kin divide. 
 High boarded up no face without we spied. 
 Save of his Reverence high, or some ybent 
 Out o'er the balustrade of gallery wide. 
 Thus were our minds from vanities safe pent, 
 And kept the text, I wote, and each commandement. 
 
 " And when, through summers, thou hadst tall up grown, 
 Above that pew did peer thy witching grace. 
 Like some red rose out o'er its wall, full blown. 
 Is seen abroad, unweeting of its case. 
 And thy full voice, within that holy place. 
 Was heard all others through, richest, I ween ; 
 
 And not a daintier foot nor lovelier face. 
 When all out came the service times between, 
 Nor on this shaded knoll nor by yon spring was seen. 
 
44 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 " Nurtured thou wast hard by yon mountain's height, 
 Which now the distance does in azure steep ; 
 Whose base with laurels, moss, and fern is dight, 
 Where through its gap the gladsome waters leap. 
 The scene there doth its verdure ever keep ; 
 And with its joys was thy young spirit stirred ; 
 And thy dark eye mirrored its beauty deep ; 
 And in its glens thy mellow voice was heard, 
 Sweeter than dash of stream or song of mountain bird. 
 
 *' Ah, can it be that slumbering thou art laid, 
 
 Hard by this high, in yon low burial plot, 
 
 In quiet bed trimmed by the sexton's spade, 
 
 With grass o'ergrown, and violets thither brought 
 By hands bereaved ! Yes, sorrow deep was wrought. 
 And still for thee is felt a lasting gloom ; 
 
 For just when thy rich heart and sprightliest thought 
 Were shedding us, like rose, their prime perfume, 
 Then snapped, thou sudden fell'st into that early tomb ! 
 
 "In this high burial-ground, in that below. 
 
 No massive structure stands of sculptured stone ; 
 No column's shaft, off broke, that it might show 
 Youth's vigour downwards all untimely thrown. 
 But humble slabs and headstones many strown, 
 Simply the names and years and worth avow 
 
 Of those here laid. 'Tis well. They covet none. 
 In life they were plain men of honest brow. 
 They sought no honours then, nor do they seek them now. 
 
 " Here were they gathered every good Lord's day. 
 
 From town, from hamlet, and from country wide. 
 In pleasant groups, but meek and staid alway. 
 
 They showed not often levity nor pride ; 
 
 Yet sooth in some gay maids some pranks were spied, 
 Misled by dress and spirits over light, 
 
 Out by yon firs, with beaux convened aside. 
 
MIDDLE SPRING CHURCH. 45 
 
 They laughed and joked ; yes, some did shrill outright! 
 And that it was God's day they had forgotten quite. 
 
 *' But these were few : and for that breach, I wote, 
 At home their mothers did them well aread. 
 Others all o'er this place in solemn thought, 
 Stood lone, or spoke with sanctimonious heed. 
 Yet this to take full many had no need. 
 For they were grave in grain. Who would might scan, 
 
 Still were they upright found in word and deed. 
 They knew, but most they felt, the gospel plan, 
 And loved their God supreme, and next their fellow-man. 
 
 ** Blest sight it was to mark that godly flock, 
 
 At intermission, grouped throughout this wood. 
 Each log, each bench, each family upping-block, 
 Some granddame held amidst her gathered brood. 
 Here cakes were shared, and fruits, and counsel good ; 
 Devoutly spoken 'twas of crops and rain ; 
 
 Hard by the church the broad-brimmed elders stood, 
 While o'er that slope did flow a constant train 
 Of bevies, springward bound, or coming back again. 
 
 *' Ah! luckless wight, whom gallantry did press, 
 Fast by that spring, to stoop him often low. 
 And serve, with cup up-dipped, and bland address, 
 The gathered fair, whose multitude did grow ! 
 One whom he most affects, and did bestow 
 Her first the cup, hath drunk, and off does walk ; 
 
 Her then to follow fain he must forego, — 
 With some far happier swain he marks her talk, 
 While he must stoop, and grin, and water all the flock. 
 
 *' Here too, like me, some lonesome wight of yore 
 Did stand apart, and these memorials scan, 
 And blighted hopes and buried loves deplore. 
 And feel, in sooth, how frail a thing is man. 
 
46 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 Hither the widow came, weeping and wan, 
 To muse on him of late her joy and pride. 
 
 Ah! now no more she mourns the solemn ban 
 Which did her then from her loved spouse divide — 
 Now does she sleep herself all sweetly by his side. 
 
 "These ask no ponderous tombs, yet sooth to tell. 
 Above doth lie the turf, too bleak and bare ; 
 For they did love their homes and country well, 
 And still of these fresh garlands they should share. 
 Here should the rose its ruddiest clusters wear, 
 The willow droop, the cedar winters brave ; — 
 But, ah ! few hands are left for this to care. 
 So mote the briar spring, and o'er each grave 
 Spread out its vernal blossoms. This they seem to crave." 
 
 That tlie congregation of Middle Spring is not 
 now as large as formerly, is well known. Germans 
 have settled in the region from which it once derived 
 its numerical strength, and consequently have limited 
 the Presbyterian population from which accessions 
 might be expected. Other congregations, too, have 
 sprung up in the neighbourhood, which have served 
 to weaken the old one from which they proceeded. 
 We regard it as one of the evils of the times, that 
 congregations have, in late years, been so much mul- 
 tiplied ; for, to say nothing of the fact that attend- 
 ance upon public worship has not increased by being 
 rendered more convenient, it is undeniable that, in 
 this way, venerable and vigorous churches have had 
 their strength and influence seriously impaired, whilst 
 the new organizations erected around them, have also, 
 
MIDDLE SPEING CHURCH. 47 
 
 in most instances, been doomed to a feeble and em- 
 barrassed existence. Such a course, however, Avas 
 pursued in regard to Middle Spring, and it certainly 
 has not contributed to its prosperity. The present 
 members of the Session of the Church are as follows : 
 Joseph M. Means, Abraham S. McKinney, David S. 
 Runsha, Robert S. McCune, James Kelso, Robert 
 McCune, and Samuel Wherry. 
 
48 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 BIG SPRING CHURCH. 
 
 Among the primitive Presbyterian ministers of 
 Pennsylvania, were several of the name Craighead. 
 One of these, whose Christian name is not given on 
 the Records of Presbytery, was installed as pastor 
 of the congregation of Pequea, in Lancaster County, 
 in 1733. Another (Alexander) settled at Middle 
 Octarara, in the same county, about the same time. 
 The name of a third (Thomas) appears on the Pres- 
 byterial Records in 1735. These last two gentlemen 
 were the first preachers of the Gospel in the regions 
 beyond the Susquehanna. In 1734 the former was ap- 
 pointed by the Presbytery to "supply over the river." 
 The year following, "a supplication from the settle- 
 ment over the river desiring supplies," he was again 
 appointed to act in the same capacity. In the same 
 year, Mr. Thomas Craighead was sent to "supply 
 the people of Conodoguinot." This gentleman was 
 a cousin of Mr. John Craighead, who settled at an 
 early date on Yellow Breeches Creek, near Carlisle, 
 and who was the father of the Rev. Mr. Craighead, 
 afterwards pastor of the church at Rocky Spring. 
 
BIG SPKING CHURCH. 49 
 
 The Rev. Thomas Craighead was the first pastor 
 of Big Spring Congregation, or Hopewell, as it was 
 then called. He entered into this relation with it in 
 1738. In regard to his salary, it is only recorded 
 that, "A list of subscriptions being produced, the 
 commissioners agreed that Mr. Craighead shall have 
 the benefit of all future subscriptions." Previously 
 to this settlement, it would seem that Mr. C. was 
 stated supply at Carlisle and Silvers' Spring (or 
 Upper and Lower Pennsborough) ; for in 1738 it was 
 ordered by Presbytery, " that the two Societies in 
 Pennsburg pay to Mr. Craighead the two-thirds of 
 sixteen pounds, for the half year that he was ap- 
 pointed to supply there, and that the people of Mr. 
 Craighead's congregation make up the other third." 
 
 About the time of Mr. Craighead's settlement at 
 Hopewell, there was some difficulty existing between 
 that congregation and the one at Upper Pennsbo- 
 rough, in relation to the proposed erection of a meet- 
 ing-house by the former. The nature and issue of 
 this difficulty, the subjoined extracts from the Pres- 
 byterial Records will serve, in some degree, to ex- 
 plain. 
 
 June 22d, 1737. " A supplication from the peo- 
 ple of Hopewell being presented, requesting the con- 
 currence of Presbytery to draw a call to Mr. Thomas 
 Craighead, the Presbytery, finding some inconveni- 
 ence in reference to the situation of one of their 
 houses, don't see cause to concur with them at pre- 
 sent, but do appoint Mr. Black to supply at Penns- 
 
 5 
 
50 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 boro' on the last Sabbath of July, and on the week 
 following to convene that people and the people of 
 Hopewell, at James McFarlan's, in order to inquire 
 if Pennsboro' will agree that Hopewell build a meet- 
 ing-house at Great Spring, — and make a report 
 thereof at our next." 
 
 Aug. 31, 1737. " Mr. Black reports that he sup- 
 plied at Pennsboro', and convened the people and 
 those of Hopewell on the Monday following, and 
 heard them confer about the meeting-house proposed 
 to be built at Great Spring, but the parties did not 
 agree about the same." 
 
 Subsequently, " Presbytery voted, by a great ma- 
 jority, not to alter the bounds of the congregation of 
 Pennsboro'," and "disapproved the people of Hope- 
 well building a meeting-house just on the border of 
 Pennsborough congregation." 
 
 Mr. Craighead, though called in 1737, was not in- 
 stalled until October, 1738. This service was con- 
 ducted by the Rev. Alexander Craighead, an "edict," 
 by order of Presbytery, having been sent " to be 
 published timeously before." Mr. Craighead died in 
 June of the ensuing year. In relation to this event, 
 Thomas Craighead, Jr., of Whitehill, Cumberland 
 County, has thus written in a letter, dated Dec. 16, 
 1845, and published in Mr. I. D. Rupp's " History 
 of Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, Bedford, Adams, 
 and Franklin Counties:" 
 
 "At Big Spring, protracted meetings were held 
 for public worship. So powerful, it is said, were the 
 
BIG SPRING CHURCH. 51 
 
 influences of the Spirit, that the worshippers felt 
 loth, even after having exhausted their stores of pro- 
 vision, to disperse. I have heard it from the lips of 
 those present, when Thomas Craighead delivered one 
 of the parting discourses, that his flow of eloquence 
 seemed supernatural, — he continued in bursts of elo- 
 quence, while his audience was melted to tears ; him- 
 self, however, exhausted, hurried to pronounce the 
 blessing, waving his hand, — and as he pronounced 
 the words. Farewell, farewell ! he sank down, and 
 expired without a groan or struggle. His remains 
 rest where the church now stands, the only monu- 
 ment of his memory." 
 
 After Mr. Craighead's demise, Mr. James Lyon, 
 of Ireland (and, at the time of his invitation, under 
 the care of the Presbytery of New Castle), supplied 
 the pulpit at Hopewell for some months. After 
 his term of service had expired. Big Spring was 
 connected with Rocky Spring and Middle Spring, as 
 a charge. We learn this from the sessional records 
 of the last-mentioned congregation, which state (1742) 
 that '' the minister and elders of Big Spring, Middle 
 Spring, and Rocky Spring, met at Middle Spring, 
 in order to settle the division of the minister's labours 
 among the three congregations." The arrangement 
 agreed upon at this meeting was " that the minister's 
 labours be equally divided in a third part to each 
 place, as being most for the glory of God and good 
 of his people." It was also, ^'upon the motion of 
 the elders of Big Spring, left to them, the people, 
 
52 CIIUllCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 and Mr. Blair, to converse among themselves in 
 respect to the subscriptions of the Big Spring Con- 
 gregation." How long Mr. Blair sustained the pas- 
 toral relation to these three congregations we have 
 no means of determining. 
 
 The next point at which it is possible to write 
 with any confidence of the regular occupancy of the 
 pulpit at Big Spring, is 1T59. In that year the 
 Rev. George DuflSeld was installed over Carlisle and 
 Big Spring. According to the terms of his call, 
 one-third of his time was to be given to Big Spring, 
 and two-thirds to Carlisle. In 1761, an effort was 
 made by the former congregation to obtain the half 
 of Mr. Duffield's labours ; but this effort was not 
 sanctioned, for reasons which were regarded as satis- 
 factory by Presbytery, and among which was an 
 apprehension that Mr. Duffield's constitution would 
 not be able to endure, any length of time, the fatigue 
 of being the one-half of his time at Big Spring. 
 
 Mr. Duffield's successor at Big Spring was the 
 Bev. William Linn. The congregation at this time 
 seems to have increased sufficiently to justify them 
 in securing the time and labour of a pastor for them- 
 selves alone. When, precisely, Mr. Linn was called 
 to this pastorate, cannot be ascertained ; for it was 
 registered in that portion of the Records of Pres- 
 bytery which cannot be found. It was, however, 
 there is strong reason to believe, before the year 
 1778. In 1784, Mr. Linn applied to Presbytery to 
 have his relation to the congregation dissolved, in 
 
BIG SPRING CHURCH. 53 
 
 order that he might accept the Presidency of Wash- 
 ington Academy, in Somerset County, Maryland ; 
 and his request was granted. 
 
 After being two years vacant, the church at Big 
 Spring found a pastor in the Rev. Samuel Wilson, 
 who continued with them until he was removed by 
 death, in March, 1799. There is yet in the posses- 
 sion of Mrs. Doctor Sharp, of Newville, — who is the 
 only surviving child of the Rev. Mr. Wilson, — the 
 call which was given to her father. This is rather 
 an interesting document in several respects ; and 
 therefore we cheerfully comply with the request of 
 several members of the congregation, communicated 
 by a venerable member of the Session, that it be 
 published in our volume.* 
 
 In 1801, the Rev. Joshua Williams was called to 
 Big Spring. His installation took place April 14th, 
 1802. On that occasion Dr. Davidson delivered a 
 discourse from Acts xx. 27, and Dr. Cooper delivered 
 a charge. The salary promised was " two hundred 
 pounds annually." Dr. Williams died on the 21st 
 of August, 1838, at his residence in Westpenns- 
 borough Township. 
 
 The following extracts from two obituaries of him 
 which were published will serve to give some idea of 
 his history and character. We most sincerely regret 
 that we have not been able to furnish an equally full 
 and satisfactory account of his worthy predecessors. 
 
 * See Appendix I. 
 5* 
 
54 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 "Dr. Williams had not the advantage of entering 
 at an early age on a course of studies preparatory to 
 the ministry. He was graduated at Dickinson Col- 
 lege, in the year 1795, then under the presidency of 
 Dr. Nesbit. His theological studies were pursued 
 chiefly under the direction of Dr. Robert Cooper. 
 In the year 1798, in the thirtieth year of his age, he 
 was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery 
 of Carlisle. The year following, he received a call 
 from the United Congregations of Derry and Paxton, 
 which he accepted, and was ordained to the work of 
 the ministry, and installed pastor of said charge, by 
 the Presbytery of Carlisle, in the autumn of the 
 same year. After having served the people of this, 
 his first charge, for about four years, he received a 
 call from the Presbyterian Church at Big Spring, 
 left vacant by the death of the Rev. Samuel Wilson, 
 which he judged it to be his duty to accept; and accor- 
 dingly he gave up the charge of his former congre- 
 gations, and was installed pastor of the latter in the 
 year 1802. Under the labours of a prolonged pas- 
 torate, his general health declined, and a complication 
 of infirmities reduced his physical strength.. His 
 nervous system, especially, became disordered, and 
 as a consequence, he often suifered great mental 
 depression. A year or two previous to his release 
 from his pastoral charge, under the impression that 
 he was unable to perform, as they should be done, 
 the duties of a pastor, he proposed resigning his 
 charge. But the congregation earnestly remon- 
 
BIG SPRING CHUKCH. 55 
 
 strated against his doing so, and assured him of 
 their being well satisfied with such services as his 
 feeble state of health permitted him to render. About 
 the year 1829, at his earnest request, the pastoral 
 relation between him and the congregation of Big 
 Spring was dissolved. From the day of his instal- 
 lation till his resignation, he lived and laboured 
 among his people with uninterrupted harmony and 
 growing interest. 
 
 ''After retiring from his pastoral charge. Dr. 
 Williams did not at all abandon the duties of his 
 office as a minister of the Gospel, but continued, as 
 his health permitted and opportunity was afforded, 
 serving vacant congregations in the bounds of the 
 Presbytery, and frequently assisting his brethren on 
 special occasions. In these labours of love he seemed 
 to take great interest, often crossing mountains and 
 riding to a distance into neighbouring counties, to 
 preach the Gospel to the destitute. Dr. Williams's 
 last illness was only of about four days' continuance. 
 He had at various times expressed his fears of the 
 dying struggle; but in his own case death seemed 
 wholly disarmed of all his terrors. His end was 
 peaceful, without a disturbed feature. On the morn- 
 ing of the 21st of August, 1838, he seemed literally 
 to fall asleep in Jesus. The next day a very large 
 concourse of persons (most of whom had been for- 
 merly the people of his charge), together with eight 
 or ten ministers, attended the funeral, and testified 
 their very great regard for him, v,^hom they had so 
 
56 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 much reason to love and to venerate. His remains 
 were deposited in the Big Spring Churchyard, nearly 
 in view from the sacred desk where he had so long 
 jDreached to that people the Gospel of God, which 
 brings life and immortality to light. 
 
 "In the death of Dr. Williams, the Church lost 
 an able and faithful advocate of the truth. His re- 
 tired situation and unobtrusive disposition were, no 
 doubt, the occasion of his being less publicly known 
 than he justly merited. His talents and attainments 
 as a minister of the Gospel were such as always to 
 command the highest respect from all who knew him. 
 He was naturally possessed of strong and vigorous 
 intellectual powers. His judgment was sound and 
 discriminating. He had a remarkable taste and ap- 
 titude for metaphysical discussions, which, however, 
 never seem to have led him into erroneous specula- 
 tions on the doctrines of religion. 
 
 "As a steward of the mysteries of God, Dr. Wil- 
 liams was well instructed, and furnished for every 
 good work, above most others in the sacred office. 
 His mind was richly stored with theological know- 
 ledge : with every part of Scripture he seemed fami- 
 liar, and could quote any passage to which he wished 
 to refer, with great readiness and accuracy. He 
 employed much of his time in reading instructive 
 authors, and always with a view to the furnishing of 
 his mind the more thoroughly, for the duties of his 
 office, and for his own personal edification. 
 
 " As a preacher of the Gospel, Dr. W. was grave 
 
BIG SPRING CHURCH. 57 
 
 and solemn in his manner, and highly instructive in 
 his discourses. His usual method in his sermons was 
 to explain his text, if it needed explanation, then 
 state the subject, or doctrine illustrated, and confirm 
 this by Scripture and argument. And to make the 
 truth bear upon the hearts of his audience, his first 
 object was to instruct, then to persuade ; believing 
 that truth is in order to righteousness, and that there 
 can be no correct Christian practice, till the mind be 
 enlightened, and the heart sanctified through the 
 truth of the Word of God. 
 
 "In his manners and conversation, this excellent 
 man was courteous and afi'able, yet always dignified. 
 He was truly a lover of hospitality. It gave him 
 great pleasure to have his brethren in the ministry 
 visit him. Nor were such occasions sufi*ered to pass 
 without improvement. Very few men, we are as- 
 sured, ever possessed, in the same degree with Dr. 
 W., the happy faculty of communicating solid instruc- 
 tion in social conversations. Some useful subject 
 was always introduced, and discussed in such a man- 
 ner as to be at once interesting and instructive. The 
 great doctrines of the Cross, which he professed to 
 believe, and which he preached, were not held by 
 him as mere theoretical subjects, without a salutary 
 and practical influence on his own heart. It was 
 seldom, except to very intimate friends, that he would 
 freely unfold his religious experience, but then it was 
 manifest that his mind was deeply imbued with the 
 precious truths of the Gospel, that he had felt in- 
 
58 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 tensely the power of that Word of God which he 
 preached to others. But he has fought a good fight; 
 he has finished his course, he has kept the faith, and 
 now we confidently trust he is in possession of that 
 Crown of Righteousness which the Lord, the right- 
 eous Judge, will give to all them that love his ap- 
 pearing." 
 
 Soon after the withdrawment of Dr. Williams from 
 the church at Big Spring (1830), the Rev. Robert 
 McCachren, a native of Chester County, and a licen- 
 tiate of the Presbytery of Newcastle, was called to 
 be its pastor. This call he accepted, and in this re- 
 lation he continued until it was resigned in October, 
 1851. Mr. McCachren's labours among that people 
 were not without encouraging success. The number 
 of members added to the congregation during his 
 connexion with it, was four hundred and eighty-five. 
 During the second year of his ministry the church 
 was favoured with a season of the revival of religion, 
 which resulted in an accession of seventy-three to 
 the list of communicants. Some of the precious 
 fruits of that awakening remain there to this day. 
 Mr. McCachren since his resignation has not ac- 
 cepted of another charge, but still resides in New- 
 ville, and has the supervision of a classical academy 
 of that place. 
 
 From him we have learned that the earliest elders 
 of Big Spring, now known, were, John Carson, John 
 McKeehan, John Bell, David Ralston, Sr., Thomas 
 Jacobs, Alexander Thompson, William Lindsay, At- 
 
BIG SPRING CHURCH. 59 
 
 cheson Laughlin, all of whom served under the min- 
 istry of the Rev. Samuel Wilson, and some of them 
 part of the time of his successor. The session at 
 present consists of the following members : Robert 
 McElwain, William Ker, Samuel Davidson, James 
 Mcllhenny, William Green, James Fulton, Samuel 
 McKeehan. 
 
 It is with Newville, as with other localities in Cum- 
 berland Valley — in gazing upon it the mind is filled 
 with amazement at the mighty change which has 
 taken place. The time is almost within the memory 
 of some who live, when the dark shadows of the 
 gloomy forest fell upon all that region, and the 
 savage Indian roamed over the surrounding hills and 
 valleys ; but now the eye is there called to survey a 
 thriving village in which there are three churches 
 for the worship of God, the circumjacent country 
 highly cultivated and thickly inhabited, with a moral 
 and religious population, the rushing railcar bearing 
 the traveller along with dizzying speed, and the 
 quiet magnetic wires annihilating both time and 
 space with the electric celerity of their communica- 
 tion. 
 
 The first church erected at Big Spring, stood in 
 the graveyard now in use by the congregation, within 
 a few rods of the present building, and was erected 
 about the year 1738. From all the information we 
 can obtain in regard to it, it was a plain log building, 
 such as we have described as being the first places 
 of worship for several of the surrounding cotigre- 
 
60 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 gations, and like them it had a "study" attached to 
 it. It seems to have been the opinion of our fathers 
 that the minister of the sanctuary, should have some 
 place near to it, from which, at least, he could come 
 forth into the pulpit with his mind undistracted by 
 conversation with the members of his flock, and his 
 heart elevated by its communing Avith heaven. And 
 we are free to acknowledge that we have no disposi- 
 tion to differ from this idea. Surely such an arrange- 
 ment much better comports with the sacredness and 
 effectiveness of the service to be performed, than 
 does that which now so generally prevails. 
 
 At what time precisely the present edifice at Big 
 Spring was erected, we are not able to say, but it was 
 in all probability during the early part of the minis- 
 try of the Rev. Mr. Wilson. Until the year 1842, it 
 was a plain stone building, having three doors, with 
 the pulpit on the north side, and pews with high 
 straight backs, and, *on the whole, indicating far 
 more regard for the essential than the comfortable 
 and the ornamental; but at that time it was remodelled 
 in modern style, and now ranks with the handsomest 
 churches in the Presbytery. It is capable of accom- 
 modating about six hundred persons. The site which 
 it occupies, a few rods northward from the town, is a 
 most eligible one, and from it there is a beautiful 
 view of the surrounding neighbourhood. Back of it, 
 at a short distance, rolls gently along the clear and 
 lovely stream from which it has received its name, 
 and which for ages has been flowing on, apparently 
 
BIG SPRING CHURCH. 61 
 
 the same, whilst the crowds that have weekly been 
 gathering on its brink, have, one after another, lain 
 down within the sound of its murmurs, to sleep the 
 sleep that knows no waking till the resurrection 
 trumpet shall utter its voice. 
 
 Let us now take a view of the burial-place at Big 
 Spring. A graveyard is always a solemn and inte- 
 resting spot, whether we find it in the heart of a bus- 
 tling and noisy city, where the present too much over- 
 powers both the past and the future, or in the deep 
 bosom of the country, where unbroken stillness reigns 
 around, subduing the heart for the touching but 
 wholesome lesson which it ought to learn, as the eye 
 is fixed upon the resting-place of the dead. "While 
 we cannot," says one, " subscribe to the doctrine of 
 Chateaubriand, that the existence of graveyards, and 
 our veneration for tombs, are convincing arguments 
 for the truth of Christianity, we own that the in- 
 fluence emanating from the place of sepulture is by 
 no means small ; that the solemn shades of the burial- 
 ground are congenial with a certain class of emotions 
 which are natural to the human breast, and that there 
 are voices thence which speak in impressive tones, 
 for they seem to come from the very borders of the 
 spirit-land. Hence the interest which some minds 
 take in consecrated grounds, in God's acre, as the 
 burial-place has been sententiously termed. Of those 
 who have committed a friend to the last repose, there 
 are few indeed who have not a secret sympathy for 
 
 the spirit of the place." Many, very many there are 
 
 6 
 
62 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 "svlio have " committed a friend" to the cemetery at 
 Big Spring ; for its enclosure, though large, is well 
 filled with graves, and many more, doubtless, have been 
 buried there, the visible evidence of whose sepulture 
 has, under the wasting influence of time, entirely dis- 
 appeared. Among the many graves which specially 
 interested us in a brief visit to this consecrated spot, 
 we have only space to refer to those of the two former 
 pastors of the Church, the Rev. Mr. Wilson and 
 the Rev. Dr. Williams, over each of which there is a 
 befitting marble slab. It may be pardonable, per- 
 haps, for us to add, that a peculiar solemnity fell 
 upon our spirit, as the inscription, " In memory of 
 Paul Pierce, who departed this life, June 7th, 1794, 
 aged 78 years," reminded us of a great-grandfather, 
 who sleeps in the tomb by the side of which we 
 stood. 
 
 On the whole, we would say, that the graveyard of 
 the congregation of Big Spring, is kept in such a 
 condition as reflects credit upon those who have 
 charge of it. The time has happily passed away in 
 which burial-places were too generally regarded with 
 great indifference, except to protect them from the 
 depredations of prowling animals ; and now it is gra- 
 tifying to every person of good taste and correct 
 feelings, to find in every direction, instead of tall, 
 luxuriant grass, and crumbling tombstones, and 
 sinking graves, cemeteries so neatly kept as at once 
 to indicate the affection that is cherished for the 
 mortal remains which they contain, and to make them 
 attractive as places of profitable meditation. 
 
63 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 CHURCH AT silvers' SPRING. 
 
 The church at Silvers' Spring was first known as 
 "the people over the Susquehanna." Afterwards 
 (1736), as connected with the congregation at Car- 
 lisle (then called, as it would seem, the " Congrega- 
 tion of Conodoguinett,") it was known as the "Lower 
 part of the settlement of Conodoguinett." Still later 
 (1739), we find it designated as "Lower Pennsbo- 
 rough." The name which it now bears was received at 
 an early date, and is to be accounted for by the fact, 
 that the land around the stream near which the 
 church edifice stands, was originally owned by Mr. 
 Silvers, one of the first settlers in that region of 
 country. 
 
 The gospel was first preached to this congregation 
 by the Rev. Alexander Craighead, by appointment 
 of Presbytery, in 1734, and for several years follow- 
 ing they were supplied occasionally by the Rev. 
 Messrs. Bartram, Thomas Craighead, Golston, and 
 Thompson. 
 
 In the year 1739, the Rev. Samuel Thompson was 
 installed as pastor of this church, in connexion with 
 
64 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 the church at Carlisle (or "Pennsborough," as it was 
 then called), as the following extract from the records 
 of Presbytery will show. 
 
 "Pennsboro', Nov. 14th, 1739. 
 
 " Mr. Anderson, at the meeting-house door, gave 
 publick advertisement that if any could advance any 
 lawful objection against Mr. Samuel Thompson being 
 set apart to the work of the holy ministry, to both 
 societies in this place, and no objection appearing, 
 Mr. Craighead delivered a sermon from Ezek. 33, 6, 
 and presided in the work of ordination. Accordingly, 
 Mr. Samuel Thompson was set apart to the work of 
 the sacred ministry by the imposition of hands, &c." 
 
 Previously to this time, Mr. Thompson seems to 
 have laboured for a season among "the people of 
 Conococheague," for at the next meeting of the 
 Presbytery after the installation just referred to, 
 "Richard 0. Cahan, Joseph Armstrong, Benjamin 
 Chambers, and Patrick Jack, publicly engaged "to 
 pay to Mr. Samuel Thompson the sum of one pound 
 five shillings, at or before next meeting of Presbytery, 
 as being the whole of arrears due him by the people 
 of Canigagig." It is highly probable, also, that he 
 officiated for some time at Pennsborough before he 
 became pastor. This, the following extract from the 
 Presbyterial records, before his installation at that 
 place is noticed, will serve to show, as well as give 
 some idea of the spirit of the times. 
 
 "The Synod, last May, having received and read a 
 letter directed to one Alexander McKec, subscribed 
 
CHURCH AT silvers' SPRING. 65 
 
 by Mr. Samuel Thompson, containing some things 
 which were very offensive to the Honourable Pro- 
 prietor, the Synod also have condemned said letter, 
 and remitted the further consideration thereof, and 
 what censure should be inflicted upon Mr. Thompson 
 on account of writing said letter, to this Presbytery. 
 Mr. Thompson being now present, the Presbytery 
 took the affaire into consideration, and accordingly, 
 Mr. Thompson being called in, with several of the 
 People of Pennsboro', he also giving a short narrative 
 of the Matter, did acknowledge his imprudence and 
 inadvertency in writing said letter, tho' it was designed 
 to signify not his own thoughts, but the thoughts of 
 the People, and expecting that the said letter would 
 never go any further than Alex. McKee, to whom it 
 was directed. Commissioners also from the People 
 of Pennsboro' gave in a supplication, wherein they 
 took the whole blame of said letter on themselves, 
 and declared they were provoked thereunto by their 
 being credibly informed that some in authority had 
 threatened to order a constable to pull Mr. Thompson 
 out of the pulpit on the Sabbath-day, and drag him 
 at an horsetail to Newtown. The Presbytery ordered 
 that the Minutes of Synod be read, and finding that 
 neither Mr. Thompson's letter nor the Synod's order 
 in relation thereunto, are come to our hands, the 
 Presbytery conclude that at present we can go no 
 further than only accept of Mr. Thompson's acknow- 
 ledgment which he hath already made, and sharply 
 reprove said people for constraining him to write said 
 
 6* 
 
66 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 letter. This conclusion unanimously agreed to, and 
 Mr. Anderson appointed to rebuke said people." 
 
 On account of "bodily weakness," Mr. Thompson 
 "was, at his own request, dismissed from "Lower 
 Pennsborough," in the year 1745, the Presbytery 
 at the same time " recommending to him to be gene- 
 rous and industrious in preaching to the congregation, 
 either on Sabbath-days or week-days, according to 
 his conveniency and their necessity." In 1747, 
 " for several reasons, but chiefly because of unhappy 
 jealousies, on account of which he doubted he could 
 not be farther useful in the congregation," he sought 
 a dismission from " Upper Pennsborough," and in his 
 desire the people, by their representatives, concurred. 
 
 After leaving this charge, Mr. Thompson settled 
 at " Great Conewago," where he laboured until 1779, 
 when, " on account of his infirmities by old age, 
 which disqualified him for performing the duties of a 
 pastor to his people," he requested Presbytery to 
 dissolve the relation between them. In this request 
 the congregation acquiesced, and it was granted. 
 This acquiescence, however, was not that cold and 
 thankless one w^hich too often is signified when an 
 aged servant of the Lord, who has laboured among a 
 people for many years, — perhaps the greater part of 
 his life, — watching over their spiritual interests with 
 deep concern and earnest eff"ort, and all the time 
 receiving a bare subsistence for himself and family, 
 has at length, with worn-out powers, to retire from 
 his post, and is permitted to do so without any pro- 
 
CHURCH AT silvers' SPRING. 67 
 
 vision by his flock for his future maintenance and 
 comfort. The people of " Great Conewago," to 
 their credit be it known, — if credit can be awarded 
 where only duty is done, — " afforded a gratuity for 
 the support of Mr. Thompson, to his satisfaction." 
 
 And thus, we have not the least hesitation in say- 
 ing, it ought in every case to be. There is no class 
 of men who, in view of the expense connected with 
 their education, and the frequent demands upon their 
 liberality, and the amount of their labours, are so 
 meagerly compensated as the ministers of the gospel ; 
 and therefore, though it is true that they are to look 
 for their reward in the world above, and ought to 
 guard against every temptation to feel " at home in 
 the body," yet is it at the same time a sad reproach 
 to any congregation, and sorry evidence that God's 
 word has wrought in them as it ought, that, when a 
 pastor's tears for long years have fallen for them, 
 and his prayers ascended in their behalf, and theirs 
 have been his friendly counsels and indefatigable 
 toils, he is, under the decrepitude of a life soon to 
 end, cast off with indifference, to suffer, perhaps, 
 from want, which he has too much delicacy to make 
 known, and to die with the prospect of destitution 
 for his family, and with an exhibition of ingratitude, 
 in the very scene of his loved labours. 
 
 In relation to this subject, we avail ourselves of 
 an extract from an editorial article in " The Presby- 
 terian" of July 17th, 1852, which refers to the 
 Corporation for the "relief of poor and distressed 
 
68 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 Presbyterian ministers, and of the poor and dis- 
 tressed widows and children of Presbyterian minis- 
 ters." This article, which is exactly suited to our 
 purpose, came under our notice after our views of 
 the neglect of the duty in question had been penned. 
 
 '' The Corporation offers to secure to applicants, 
 1. A stipulated annuity, payable to the widow or 
 children of a minister after his death ; 2. A stipu- 
 lated sum, payable to the legal representatives of a 
 minister on his decease ; and, 3. A stipulated annuity 
 for a minister in the decline of his life, to commence 
 either at 60 or Qb years of age. 
 
 " The various provisions offered may be secured in 
 either of four ways. 1. By the payment of a sum 
 of money at one time. 2. By the payment of an 
 annual premium on the 22d of May, during the life 
 of the minister. 3. By the deposit of such a sum 
 as, if put to interest at 5 per cent., would ^ annually 
 produce the amount of the annual premium, the 
 deposit to remain during the minister's life. 4. By 
 the deposit of a similar sum, to remain for ever in 
 the hands of the Corporation, for the benefit of a 
 succession of m,inisters. 
 
 " Many ministers who would not be able to depo- 
 sit at one time the amount necessary to secure the 
 payment of an annuity, might perhaps save enough 
 to pay the annual premium. But a far better way, 
 in most cases, would be for churches and congrega- 
 tions to take upon themselves the expense of such a 
 provision for their pastor's family. A deposit might 
 
CHURCH AT silvers' SPRING. 69 
 
 be made, which would entitle every successive pastor, 
 of the church making it, to share its benefits, or the 
 amount necessary to meet the annual premium could 
 easily be raised by any energetic person in the con- 
 gregation who would undertake it. Such evidences 
 of afi"ection by a congregation for their minister could 
 not but have a happy effect. 
 
 " The late venerable Dr. Alexander, in a letter 
 written near the close of his life, made some valuable 
 suggestions on this subject. With regard to se- 
 curing the provision payable after the minister's 
 death, he says : ' Some two or three of the most 
 active ladies in the congregation should be engaged 
 to raise, annually, small subscriptions from females, 
 sufficient to pay the annual premium, or if they pre- 
 ferred to raise a sum equal in value to the annual 
 payment, this should be encouraged as less trouble- 
 some, and as safer for the Corporation.' The sum 
 necessary to secure a deferred annuity to the minis- 
 ter himself, in advanced age, he suggests, should 
 engage the attention of the young men." 
 
 We may add that the conditions of the Corpora- 
 tion have been so extended, as to include not only 
 New and Old School Presbyterians, but the German 
 Eeformed, Reformed Dutch, Associate Reformed, 
 Associate and Reformed Presbyterian, or Cumber- 
 land denominations. 
 
 To resume our narrative : In the year 1745, the 
 Rev. Samuel Caven was called to " Lower Penns- 
 borough," and continued to be its pastor, until his 
 
70 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 death, wliicli took place, as the inscription on his 
 gravestone in that burial-ground shows, Nov. 9th, 
 1750, in the 49th year of his age. 
 
 In April, 1764, the congregations of Carlisle and 
 East Pennsborough united in a call to the Rev. John 
 Steel, agreeing to enjoy each an equal proportion of 
 his labours, and promising him <£150 annually for 
 his support. This call has been kindly placed in our 
 hands by Mrs. Givin, a granddaughter of Mr. Steel, 
 who is still living in Papertown, Cumberland County, 
 at the advanced age of seventy-five years. In the 
 letter in which it was forwarded to us, and which was 
 written by her son, it is stated that Mr. Steel's papers 
 were destroyed by fire many years ago. Erom the 
 call, which we publish as interesting for its antiquity, 
 it will be seen by those who are familiar with the lo- 
 cality from which it came, that many of the descen- 
 dants of its signers still reside where their fathers 
 did.* Mr. Steel died in August, 1779. Three years 
 afterwards, " a call from the united congregations of 
 East Pennsborough and Monaghan was presented to 
 Mr. Samuel Waugh, together with bonds for the an- 
 nual salary of one hundred and fifty pounds, and also 
 for a gratuity of seventy-five pounds from each con- 
 gregation, that from East Pennsborough to be paid in 
 one month after his instalment, and that from Mona- 
 ghan, within three years." This call was accepted by 
 Mr. Waugh, and he continued to be pastor of 
 the charge until his death in January, 1807. The 
 following brief but comprehensive delineation of his 
 * See Appendix II. 
 
CHURCH AT silvers' SPRING. 71 
 
 character, by Judge Clendenin, we are happy to in- 
 sert : " Mr. Waugh was a sound divine, a very accep- 
 table preacher, and highly esteemed by his people. 
 After I became a member of his church, I was inti- 
 mately acquainted with him, and as far as my ac- 
 quaintance extended, I can say of him that he was 
 an Israelite in whom was no guile." 
 
 We also give with pleasure the subjoined extracts 
 from a letter, in relation to Mr. Waugh, with which 
 we have been favoured by his daughter, Mrs. Eliza 
 W. Burd, now a resident of Bedford, Pa. 
 
 "My father was a native of Carrol's Tract, in 
 Adams County. On April 14th, 1783, he was joined 
 in marriage with Miss Eliza Hoge, daughter of David 
 Hoge, Esq., a highly respectable and influential man, 
 from whom the place called Hogestown, within one 
 mile of Silvers' Spring Church, derived its name, 
 years before it became a village, by reason of the 
 fact that he and his connexions resided there, as pro- 
 prietors of a large body of land. He accepted the 
 pastorate of the congregation in 1782." 
 
 "The Lower Settlement, as it was then called, was 
 emphatically a settlement of substantial people, who 
 required preaching in the English language, and ac- 
 cording to the Presbyterian form and faith. The 
 sects which now exist in that region were unheard 
 of at that time. A German Reformed Church, 
 which I think still stands at Trindle's Spring, and in 
 which there was preaching in German, was the only 
 place of worship in all that region, out of the Pres- 
 
72 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 byterian communion. At Harrisburg, my impres- 
 sion is, there was no settled minister for a long time, 
 or if there was, the Susquehanna was in the way, 
 which it was not at all times safe to cross in ferry- 
 boats, so that from Middlesex, within three miles of 
 Carlisle, to several miles below Harrisburg, the 
 people attended at Silvers' Spring, as they did, also, 
 from an equal distance north and south. 
 
 " I can in truth say, and it is but justice to do so, 
 that my father was a very amiable and sensible man. 
 He moved amongst the people as a father in his 
 family, and from his mild and prudent course had 
 great influence. In the training of his family he was 
 very faithful, teaching us the great rule and aim of 
 life, making us familiar with the doctrinal standards 
 of the Church, requiring the rigid observance of the 
 Sabbath, and giving force to all his counsels and 
 efforts, by his unostentatious, steady, upright daily 
 walk and his daily prayer. 
 
 " As to his pastoral labours. Silvers' Spring and 
 Monaghan (now Dillsburg) had an equal portion 
 of them. System and punctuality were with him 
 cardinal points. Never did he once disappoint 
 the people, for any cause, within my recollection. 
 In season and out of season he met his engagements. 
 His custom was to catechise at regular periods, 
 throughout his charge, and not the children only, but 
 also the heads of families — households. This was done 
 by announcing from the pulpit certain days in the 
 week, to meet those of a particular district, at a place 
 
CHURCH AT silvers' SPRING. 73 
 
 named, and so he continued from week to week until 
 the whole congregation was visited, and instructed in 
 a pastoral way. His house was ever open to the 
 visitation of his people, and on communion seasons 
 four days were always set apart for religious services, 
 during which the aged, or infirm, or distant members 
 of the congregation, were his guests, according to 
 their pleasure. 
 
 '' My father's last sickness, which was from pleurisy, 
 was but of six days' continuance. He was not well on 
 Monday ; on Thursday he married a couple in his 
 own room, and on Saturday morning he died. A 
 little while before he breathed his last (my brother 
 Samuel having been sent for the physician, and not 
 yet returned), he had his other children brought to 
 his bedside, of whom my sister and myself were the 
 oldest present. He looked upon us all, and said, 
 ^'My poor girls!" — paused, and then asked, "What 
 is the chief end of man?" This question I answered, 
 in the words of my catechism, "To glorify God, and 
 enjoy him for ever." After this, not another word 
 was spoken by him ; he closed his eyes, and soon 
 calmly and peacefully expired. At the time, I did 
 not feel that much had been said to me as I stood 
 by the bedside of a dying father, as I had so often 
 been asked, and answered that question before. Very 
 different, however, has been my view, under a riper 
 judgment and experience. A volume could not have 
 embodied more. In no way could the momentous 
 consequence of that weighty question have been 
 
 7 
 
74 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 presented, so as to secure for it a more abiding re- 
 membrance and a deeper lodgment in the soul." 
 
 The Rev. John Hayes* was Mr. Waugh's successor 
 in the charge vacated by his decease. This con- 
 nexion was formed in 1808, and dissolved by resig- 
 nation in 1814. 
 
 After Mr. Hayes's resignation, the Rev. Henry 
 R. Wilson became pastor of the church at Silvers' 
 Spring, with the promise of a salary of $700, and 
 made this the field of his labour until his acceptance 
 of the call of the congregation in Shippensburg, 
 in 1823. 
 
 The Rev. James Williamson, who followed Mr. 
 Wilson in this relation, in 1824, resigned it in 1838. 
 
 We are thus brought down to the time of the 
 settlement of the present pastor, the Rev. George 
 Morris. Mr. Morris, who was " a foreign licentiate, 
 under the care of the Presbytery of Philadelphia," 
 was called and installed in 1839. 
 
 The present church at Silvers' Spring, which is a 
 substantial stone building, 58 by 45 feet, was erected 
 in the year 1783, during the incumbency of the Rev. 
 Mr. Waugh. The warrant for the land on which it 
 stands was granted in 1770. The congregation was 
 incorporated by an act of Assembly, September 25th, 
 1786, and the Trustees named in that act of incorpo- 
 ration are, — Andrew Galbreath, Samuel Wallace, 
 Daniel Boyd, John Wather, Hugh Laird, Samuel 
 Waugh, William Mateer, Francis Silvers, and David 
 
 * For some time a Professor in Dickinson College. 
 
CHURCH AT silvers' SPRING. 75 
 
 Hoge. A neat and comfortable parsonage has re- 
 cently been erected by the congregation. 
 
 The church edifice which preceded the present one, 
 and which was the first meeting-house at Silvers' 
 Spring, was, we have been informed by one who 
 learned it from his grand-parents, a small log build- 
 ing, near the place where the present house stands. 
 No record of the building of that house, or of the 
 organization of a church in it, can be found ; and, as 
 the members of the congregation at that time are, of 
 course, all dead and gone, it is impossible to tell 
 with certainty when these things were done. It is, 
 however, far more than probable, from the facts 
 which we have already given, and from the following 
 epitaphs, which are to be found in the cemetery, that 
 the old log building, in which the first settlers in 
 what is now the eastern part of Cumberland County, 
 with its beautiful landscapes and thriving villages, 
 assembled for the worship of God, was erected about 
 one hundred and twenty years ago. These epitaphs 
 we have copied from Mr. Rupp's History : — 
 
 "In memory of the Rev. Mr. Samuel Caven, who 
 departed this life, Nov. 9, 1750, aged 49 years." 
 
 "In memory of James Wood, who departed this 
 life, Feb. 24th, 1750, aged 41 years." 
 
 "Here lies the body of John Hamilton, who de- 
 parted this life, Dec. 29th, 1747, aged 47 years." 
 
 "Here lies the body of William MacMean, who 
 departed this life in the year 1747, aged 35 years." 
 
 We may add that these first settlers of that region 
 
76 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 were nearly all Scotch and Scotch-Irish. ^' Cumber- 
 land," says Mr. Rupp, "was exclusively settled by 
 Scotch and Scotch-Irish, with the exception of a few 
 English. The Germans did not begin to immigrate 
 into the lower part of the county till about 1760 
 or '62." 
 
 The Session of the church at Silvers' Spring, as 
 at present constituted, consists of John Mateer, 
 Francis Eckels, and Robert Gr. Young. 
 
77 
 
 CHAPTER y. 
 
 CHURCH IN MERCEESBURG. 
 
 BY THE REV. THOMAS CREIGH. 
 
 [In November, 1851, the Rev. Mr. Creigh preached his twen- 
 tieth anniversary sermon as pastor of this church. This ser- 
 mon, which gave so much satisfaction to the congregation as 
 to lead to its publication by them, has been, at our request, 
 expanded by its respected author into the following interest- 
 ing and comprehensive form, and is, with his kind permission, 
 turned to its present use. — A. N.] 
 
 PERIOD I. 
 
 FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH, A. D. 1738, TO THE SET- 
 TLEMENT OF THE REV. JOHN KINO, D.D., AS PASTOR, A. D. 1769. 
 
 It is a matter of sincere and deep regret that the 
 history of the Presbyterian Church in this place had 
 not been undertaken years ago, when the materials for 
 its early history were more abundant than they are 
 at the present time. From this neglect, many things 
 connected with its early history, with which it would 
 be interesting to be acquainted, have entirely passed 
 
 7* 
 
78 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 away, so that it is impossible to recover them ; or the 
 tradition by which they have been handed down, has 
 become so vague and uncertain, that unhesitating 
 confidence cannot be reposed in them. Discrimina- 
 tion has therefore been exercised in selecting from 
 all the available sources within my reach, those facts 
 which are supported by the best proof; and they are 
 now collected together and arranged in the order of 
 their occurrence. 
 
 This part of Pennsylvania began to be settled about 
 the year, A. D. 1736, the land being taken from the 
 proprietors by those who intended to occupy it. The 
 inhabitants were generally Scotch-Irish, and in their 
 * fatherland' belonged to the Presbyterian Church. 
 Among the first objects which claimed their attention 
 in this their new home — among the labours and pri- 
 vations of a new and uncultivated country — was the 
 organization of a Church according to the faith of 
 their fathers. This took place, A. d. 1738, and 
 was styled. Upper West Conococheague. And so 
 extensive was the territory which it covered, that it 
 embraced all the region which is now occupied by 
 the congregations of Welsh Run, Loudon, and St. 
 Thomas, — about fourteen miles square, or an area of 
 nearly two hundred miles. At this early period 
 there were but few of any other denomination of 
 Christians in this large field. The Presbyterian 
 Church was predominant. Its members were the 
 first and almost the sole possessors of the soil. 
 
 Scattered over so great an extent of country, it is 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 79 
 
 not surprising that a diversity of opinion should 
 have existed in regard to the location of the church 
 edifice. The two most prominent places selected 
 were, the one, near what is now known by the name 
 of Waddell's Graveyard, and which was then opened 
 for interments in anticipation of the building being 
 erected there, and the other, the place where it now 
 stands. But in the spirit of compromise, and as 
 being the most central and eligible, the latter place 
 was chosen. The warrant for the land was taken 
 out by Messrs. William Maxwell and William Camp- 
 bell. And thus, for more than a century, on that 
 hallowed ground has the glorious Gospel of the Son 
 of God been proclaimed. For centuries to come may 
 it be occupied for the same purpose ! 
 
 It was a short time before this, that the Presby- 
 terian Church in this country began to be agitated 
 by a religious controversy, which resulted in a sepa- 
 ration which continued for seventeen years.* The 
 effects of this state of things in the Church at large 
 were felt here also. A division was the consequence. 
 This occurred in 1741. Hence originated the congre- 
 gation of Lower West Conococheague, or what is now 
 called Welsh Run. But though a division took place, 
 it was what their situation as a congregation required, 
 it being much too extensive to allow frequent meet- 
 ings in one place. And when effected, it was done 
 
 * For an account of this controversy, see Appendix III. 
 
80 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 with so much Christian spirit, that both churches 
 still adhering to the same Presbytery, were frequently 
 represented in this judicatory by the same commis- 
 sioner. 
 
 In the year 1754, this church invited the Rev. 
 John Steel to become its Pastor. Mr. Steel having 
 accepted the invitation, continued among them for 
 about two years, having charge also of East Conoco- 
 cheague. He settled at a time when the neighbour- 
 hood was greatly disturbed by the Indians. General 
 Braddock had been defeated ; and the Indians, ga- 
 thering fresh courage from this disaster, hastened to 
 wreak their vengeance on the inhabitants of these 
 then frontiers. It was about this time that Col. 
 James Smith, Mr. John M'Collough, and Richard 
 Bard, Esq., and his wife, were taken captive by them ; 
 all of whom were connected with this congregation, 
 the latter two after their captivity ; and whose 
 thrilling narratives, as recorded in a book some time 
 since published, called ''Incidents of Border Life," 
 give a vivid idea of the exposures and hardships and 
 sufferings of the inhabitants at this early period. 
 
 In consequence of these frequent attacks of the 
 Indians, the settlement was entirely broken up ; the 
 congregation was dispersed ; and Mr. Steel having 
 received an invitation from the Presbyterian Church 
 in Carlisle to become their pastor, accepted the invi- 
 tation, and there lived and laboured the remainder 
 of his days. Mr. Steel was a man of great intre- 
 
CHURCH IN MEllCERSBURG. 81 
 
 pidity of character. Often did he lead forth com- 
 panies of armed men to repel the invading savages. 
 
 He was a good preacher, and a sound divine. But 
 his labours here were of too short duration, and the 
 country too much disturbed, to have been as greatly 
 or as extensively useful, as he would have been under 
 more favourable circumstances. How different is our 
 condition from theirs ! Theirs was one of toil and 
 great exposure to danger — oursi^ one of comparative 
 ease and safety. With them^ it was a common thing 
 to meet together to worship God with their fire-arms 
 in their hands, and their swords at their sides — to 
 us^ belongs the high privilege of meeting in the 
 house of God without fear, and of worshipping 
 without molestation. The ancient church was en- 
 closed by a fortification^ erected for the safety and 
 protection of the surrounding neighbourhood ; — fit 
 emblem of that safer, securer refuge which God has 
 provided, in his Son, for the penitent believer, from 
 the storms of divine wrath, and from the enemies of 
 his soul. 
 
 After the return of the people to their desolated 
 habitations, they again organized themselves into a 
 congregation, and enjoyed supplies from the Done- 
 gal Presbytery, until the years 1762 and '63, when 
 the settlement was again disturbed by the irrup- 
 tion of the Indians, which had once more well- 
 nigh broken up the congregation. Yet, though few 
 in number and labouring under great difficulties, they 
 still clung to the church. And though it had scarcely 
 
82 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 an existence, yet did it still live, to impart consola- 
 tion to them in their trying circumstances. 
 
 They seem to have identified themselves so com- 
 pletely with the Church, from their first settlement 
 in these parts, that they could not live without it. 
 They seem to have felt the truth of the promise, 
 " They shall prosper that love thee." Hence, when 
 driven from their homes and from the house of God, 
 they seem to have possessed the spirit of the Psalmist, 
 as, when under somewhat similar circumstances, he 
 laments, " As the hartpanteth after the water brooks, 
 so panteth my soul after thee, God. My soul thirst- 
 eth for God, for the living God; when shall I 
 come and appear before God ? My tears have been 
 my meat day and night, while they continually say, 
 Where is thy God ? When I remember these things, 
 I pour out my soul in me : for I had gone with the 
 multitude : I went with them to the house of God, 
 with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude 
 that kept holy day." (Psalm xlii. 1-4.) Thus were 
 they called to pass through many changes and trials, 
 until, in 1767, we find the Church in a more pros- 
 perous condition than it had been at any former 
 period. 
 
 The following persons at this time composed the 
 Session : Messrs. William Maxwell, William Smith, 
 John M'Dowell, William M'Dowell, John Welsh, 
 Alexander White, John M'Clelland, Jonathan Smith, 
 William Campbell, Robert Fleming, and Samuel 
 Templeton. 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 83 
 
 PERIOD II. 
 
 FROM THE SETTLEMENT OF THE REVEREND JOHN KING, D.D., AS 
 PASTOR, A. D. 1769, TO THE SETTLEMENT OF THE REVEREND 
 DAVID ELLIOTT, D.D., AS PASTOR, A. D. 1812. 
 
 The church having been thus brought into a more 
 prosperous condition, and its members feeling the 
 importance of having a settled ministry among them, 
 in 1768 invited the Rev. John King, then a licen- 
 tiate under the care of the Presbytery of Philadel- 
 phia, to preach to them vnth this view. Dr. King 
 having accepted the invitation, and having laboured 
 among them with great acceptance for several months, 
 was at length ordained and installed pastor, August 
 30th, 1T69. At the time of his settlement the con- 
 gregation numbered one hundred and thirty families. 
 
 Dr. King commenced his ministry in exciting 
 times. It was not long after he had entered upon 
 the pastorate of this church, until the whole commu- 
 nity was thrown into a ferment by the following 
 occurrence, which seriously threatened the best inte- 
 rests of the church. But he was the man to meet 
 the emergency. And he did meet it manfully and 
 fearlessly, and the storm expended itself without any 
 serious results.- In the year 1770, Col. James Smith 
 had been lodged in prison, in Bedford County, on the 
 charge of murder, which had occurred in an affray 
 which had taken place in that county. For more 
 safe keeping he was removed to the prison at Car- 
 
84 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 lisle. His friends becoming exasperated at such 
 treatment, and calling themselves Black Boys, de- 
 termined to go to Carlisle and attempt his rescue. 
 Through the persuasion of the Colonel, they desisted. 
 On their return to Conococheague they met three 
 hundred persons who had set out on the same errand, 
 — so great, so intense, and so general was the ex- 
 citement throughout the whole settlement. It was 
 on this occasion that Dr. King delivered the following 
 address to his congregation. And it teaches two 
 things : (1) that he was a man of great moral courage, 
 to stand up and deliver such an address, under 
 such circumstances, in the very place where this ex- 
 citement was so intense, and when so many of his 
 own congregation sympathized so deeply in the move- 
 ment. And (2) that Presbyterian ministers were 
 then^ as they are noiv, law-abiding men. The ad- 
 dress embodies principles in regard to subjection to 
 the civil magistrate which are as important now as 
 they were when they were delivered, on the occasion 
 referred to. It may be added that Colonel Smith 
 was honourably and justly acquitted of the charge 
 preferred against him.* 
 
 " The distractions which have lately agitated this 
 part of the country, and I am sorry to say, have too 
 much prevailed in this particular settlement, are in- 
 deed a matter of no small uneasiness to me, and 
 certainly it must appear a distressing consideration 
 to every one that has any regard to the peace and 
 * See *< Incidents of Border Life," pp. 67-70. 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 85 
 
 good order of society, either civil or religious. These 
 are both divine ordinances, and as such they claim a 
 universal regard from every one who is a subject of 
 them. Hence, to observe persons in a riotous man- 
 ner openly setting themselves against the government, 
 and endeavouring by force and arms to prevent the 
 due administration of justice, must be deeply afflict- 
 ing to every one who pays any respect to the divine 
 authority in this wise and useful institution. Such 
 practices are highly criminal in themselves, not only 
 in a civil, but also in a religious sense. For if civil 
 government is a divine institution, if ' the powers that 
 be are ordained of God, then whosoever resisteth 
 that power, resisteth the ordinance of God, and they 
 that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.' 
 These are the express words of the inspired Apostle, 
 in Rom. xiii. 1, 2, where he carefully inculcates sub- 
 jection and other duties which we owe to magistrates. 
 He inculcates on Christians the duty of submission 
 even to Heathen governors who had the rule at the 
 time when he wrote ; and so of consequence, the ob- 
 ligation binds with greater firmness under Christian 
 governors. 
 
 ^'The first argument he uses for this duty, is the 
 divine appointment of it : ' For there is no power 
 but of God ; the powers that be are ordained of God.' 
 He has, for the good of mankind, assigned different 
 stations of rule and subjection among men, though 
 they are all of one race, raising some above others, 
 and clothing them with such authority whereby they 
 
 8 
 
86 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 bear some resemblance to himself, and accordingly, 
 he has communicated to them his own name: ^I have 
 said ye are gods' (Psalm Ixxxii., 6) ; so that we see with 
 what regard God himself speaks of magistrates and 
 judges. He also makes use of that very power in 
 magistracy to curb and punish those who despise it, 
 as a strong obligation to bind us to obedience : ' For 
 rulers are not a terror to good works,' &c. (v. 3, 4.) 
 And further, he also adds another, of a higher ne- 
 cessity, that binds more strongly, and is more accep- 
 table, that is, a necessity of conscience : 'Wherefore,* 
 says he, 'ye must needs be subject, not only for 
 wrath, but for conscience sake.' This is the main 
 consideration, and which is the sum of all the rest ; 
 as if he had said : Have a reverent and conscientious 
 respect to the ordinance of God, in the institution of 
 government ; and to the providence of God in the 
 choice of those particular persons, he calls to the ad- 
 ministration of it, and submit yourselves to those who 
 are thus set over you. This you must needs do, and that 
 ' not only for wrath, for fear of the magistrate's sword,' 
 but out of a necessity of conscience, which makes a 
 true willingness and an acceptable service ; and where 
 this is done, it produces an agreeable and regular 
 motion among all superiors and inferiors, states and 
 families, magistrates and subjects, the one command- 
 ing, the other obeying in the Lord. 
 
 " We see the;n that this subjection is a necessary 
 and commanded duty incumbent upon all ; and cer- 
 tainly Christians are to consider themselves under 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 87 
 
 the strongest obligations ; yea, it is so connected with 
 religion, that I can scarcely think a person a good 
 Christian, who is not a good civilian. A disposition 
 to oppose, or to abet, or encourage the actual oppo- 
 sition to civil government, is a temper of mind con- 
 trary to the spirit of Christ, and unbecoming the 
 Christian character. But we are still to remember 
 that this subjection is not to infringe upon the rights 
 of conscience, with respect to the authority and law 
 of God, and the duty we owe to him; for the extent of 
 all these relations and of all subjection and obedience 
 is to be bounded by the unalterable obligations we are 
 under to God, as supreme : ' Render therefore unto 
 Caesar the things that are Caesar's,' but nothing of 
 God's ; that is neither oic7's to give, nor his to receive. 
 The law of God is the first and highest rule, and binds 
 all, both kings and subjects, high and low, under in- 
 violable and perpetual engagements. Magistrates 
 and judges are peculiarly under the eye of God, and 
 as he has elevated them to a higher station than 
 others, so he peculiarly takes notice of their conduct : 
 as the Supreme Judge, he sits and views their pro- 
 ceedings, not only whether they do that which is 
 just, but whether they judge righteously for conscience 
 sake. They are accountable to God, and also to the 
 laws of the land, if they go beyond their trust. 
 
 "But should they leave their station, it affords no 
 argument for uS to leave ours. Nay, if opposition 
 should arise to such a height as to require opposition, 
 which may sometimes happen in any government, 
 such opposition ought to be made in a quiet, peace- 
 
88 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 able, and lawful manner, and not by force of arms, 
 tumults, and riots, and the like. This is choosing the 
 worst way, for no other reason but because it is the 
 worst; for oppression itself will not justify opposition 
 by force, until all milder measures have failed — much 
 less is it justifiable when the circumstances of the 
 case do not require it. 
 
 "Upon the whole, then, as I conceive it my duty 
 to reprove sin, in whatever light it appears, and as I 
 am convinced that the resisting a divine ordinance is 
 a sin, and that the disgraceful conduct of the late 
 rioters deserves that character, I conceive that no 
 upright and well-disposed mind can take offence at 
 what I have declared concerning it. It is a story in 
 the mouths of those who may be called our political 
 adversaries, that the Presbyterians are disaffected 
 towards the government, and that their teachers in- 
 struct them so; and thus, though it is a charge upon 
 that people in general, yet it comes sideways upon 
 the ministers. And therefore I take this occasion 
 publicly to declare my abhorrence and detestation of 
 such riotous conduct, and most earnestly exhort and 
 warn all those that hear me to abstain from it, and 
 to avoid all those who do by any means encourage 
 practices so destructive to the peace and good order 
 of society — nay, so reproachful to human nature." 
 
 It was but a few years after the occurrence of the 
 event just mentioned, until the Colonies began to be 
 agitated, from one extreme to the other, on the sub- 
 ject of their connexion with Great Britain. The 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 89 
 
 fires which had long been concealed were now begin- 
 ning to give evidence of their existence. Great 
 Britain had become more and more unyielding in her 
 claims, and unrelenting ; and the American Colonies 
 had become more determined than ever to maintain 
 their rights, and to defend them at all hazards. 
 From these positions neither party would recede. 
 The breach had become too wide to be healed. The 
 crisis had been reached, and the country was in arms. 
 The same spirit which pervaded the Colonies at 
 large, pervaded also the minds of the people here. 
 The feelings of patriotism had been enkindled in 
 their bosoms, and were to know no abatement in 
 their ardour, until they had achieved their country's 
 independence. In producing this spirit, and in fos- 
 tering it, Dr. King was second to none of the Pres- 
 byterian clergymen of his day. He not only volun- 
 teered his services, and went as chaplain to the 
 battalion which marched from this part of the coun- 
 try, but many were the addresses which he delivered 
 in behalf of the liberties of his country. It may be 
 interesting to place on record a specimen of these 
 addresses, which this patriotic minister made to the 
 people during these trying times. 
 
 At a meeting of the citizens of the neighbourhood, 
 called to deliberate on the state of affairs, he thus 
 spoke: — "Gentlemen, the occasion of your meeting 
 here this day is of a most serious and alarming 
 nature. Driven by the cruel hand of violence, you 
 
 are now brought to the sad alternative, either of sub- 
 
 8* 
 
90 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 mitting to the iron rod of oppression and slavery, or 
 appearing under arms in the defence of your natural 
 and sacred rights ; and your sentiments are required, 
 which of these you will choose and resolutely adhere 
 to. Let us consider a little the occasion of these 
 movements. Whatever secret schemes may be at the 
 bottom, we know that actions speak loud, and from 
 these we may judge that the heaviest chains are 
 being prepared for us — that a plan of the most per- 
 fect slavery and oppression is laid, and is now in 
 actual and violent execution. Say, which of your 
 most sacred rights and invaluable franchises are not 
 in danger by this plan? You think you have a 
 natural right to use your own property. No ! says 
 Parliament, we have a right to tax you as we please, 
 without your concurrence. You think you have a 
 right to be governed by your own laws, made by 
 your own representatives. No ! says the Parliament, 
 we have, and of right ought to have, full power to 
 make laws and statutes sufficient to bind the Colonies 
 and people of America in all cases whatsoever. This 
 breaks down all your boasts of liberty at once, de- 
 stroys your assemblies, and makes you absolutely 
 subject to whatever burdens a corrupt ministry or a 
 venal Parliament may please to lay upon you. You 
 think you have a constitutional right to be tried, in 
 cases of life, liberty, or property, by a jury of your 
 vicinage. No ! you must in several cases be tried in 
 England. You think that murderers should not 
 escape. Yes ! says the Parliament, if they are en- 
 
GHUECH IN MERCERSBURG. 91 
 
 gaged in our cause. Do you think your religion is 
 safe ? Not very secure, indeed, when the Popish 
 religion is established, and the French laws are set 
 up just in our neighbourhood. Or can you think 
 that even your lives will be safe under a dragooning 
 military government ? 
 
 " We hold our charters, and consequently our 
 titles to our possessions, by the plighted faith of the 
 Crown ; yet what regard is paid to this ? These 
 charters are violated at the pleasure of Parliament, 
 and so they may go on to divest us of every- 
 thing we call our own. All these things (and in- 
 deed these are but some of the cruel things) have 
 been done by the last Parliament. And what has 
 the present Parliament done ? Instead of relieving, 
 they have increased our burdens. We waited, and 
 hoped for assistance from friends in England ; but 
 neither they nor we could be heard. One would 
 say, we must confine our trade solely to Britain, 
 Ireland, and the West Indies ; another, that the 
 people of New England must not fish on the banks 
 of Newfoundland (that may be reserved for their 
 peaceable neighbours, the French); and a third, to 
 enable the King to declare us actual rebels, and treat 
 us accordingly, thousands of men are sent over to 
 execute the fatal sentence. The cloud is gathering 
 thicker and thicker ! Nay, it has already burst, and 
 violence is begun. We hear pretty authentic ac- 
 counts of an actual engagement. 
 
 "Now this is our lamentable situation — and what 
 
92 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 will Tve do ? I am ready to anticipate your answer, 
 and say that you will firmly resolve to stand for your 
 liberties, and, with all your force, oppose these un- 
 constitutional exertions of power. We have been 
 opposing them in a peaceable way, but now we are 
 drove to the worst, and must either submit or appeal 
 to arms — that ^ultima ratio regtim,' the last argument 
 of kings. But some will perhaps say it is taking up 
 arms against the King, — a grievous crime, according 
 to the English Constitution, and contrary to the 
 command of the Apostle, who teaches that 'every 
 soul be subject to the higher powers.' My sentiments 
 of this matter are these. I acknowledge King George 
 as my rightful sovereign ; I declare myself hi& sub- 
 ject, and am willing to swear allegiance to him, and 
 I do not doubt but every one of you would declare 
 the same ; but still I do firmly believe that all 
 allegiance is bounded by the constitution of our go- 
 vernment, and all obedience is limited by the laws of 
 God. It is, therefore, constitiitio7ial allegiance that 
 we would declare. It is this that we plead for. It 
 is obedience in things lawful that we are to pay, and 
 beyond this the Apostle surely would never inculcate 
 subjection to the earthly powers. That pernicious 
 doctrine of passive obedience and non-resistance can 
 stand upon no rational foundation, but is contrary 
 thereto. It is absurd in itself, fraught with the most 
 dangerous consequences, and only calculated for the 
 meridian of Turkey or Tartary. The operation of 
 it will never cease until we shall become like the 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 93 
 
 slaves of Morocco, who, when their tyrant, perhaps 
 for his sport, wounds them with a javelin, submis- 
 sively employ their remaining strength to draw it 
 out, and give it to him again, that he may give them 
 the finishing blow. 
 
 "Now, sirs, subjection is demanded of us, but it is 
 not the constitutional subjection which we are in duty 
 bound to pay ; it is not a legal subjection to the King 
 they would bring us to — that we already acknowledge ; 
 but it is a subjection to the British Parliament, or to 
 the people of Great Britain : this we deny, and I hope 
 will always deny. They are not our lords and 
 masters ; they are no more than our brethren and fel- 
 low-subjects. They call themselves, and it has been 
 usual to call them, the mother country ; but this is 
 only a name, and if there was anything in it, one 
 would think that it should lead them to treat us like 
 children, with parental affection. But is it fatherly 
 or motherly, to strip us of everything, to rob us of 
 every right and privilege, and then to whip and 
 dragoon us with fleets and armies, till we are pleased ? 
 No ! As the name does not belong to them, so their 
 conduct shows they have no right to claim it. We 
 are on an equal footing with them in all respects ; 
 with respect to government and privileges ; and there- 
 fore their usurpation ought to be opposed. Nay, 
 when the King uses the executive branch of govern- 
 ment, which is in his hand, to enable one part of his 
 subjects to lord it over and oppress another, it is a 
 
94 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 sufficient ground of our applying to the laws of nature 
 for our defence. 
 
 " But this is the case with us. We have no other 
 refuge from slavery but those powers which God has 
 given us, and allowed us to use in defence of our dearest 
 rights ; and I hope he will bless our endeavours, and 
 give success to this oppressed people ; and that the 
 wicked instruments of all these distractions, shall 
 meet their due reward. I earnestly wish that in 
 such troublous times, while we plead for liberty, a 
 proper guard may be kept against any turbulent or 
 mobbish outbreak, and that unanimity may be uni- 
 versal, both in counsel and action, and that we may 
 still have an eye to the great God, who has some im- 
 portant reasons for such severe corrections. Let us 
 look to the rod and him that hath appointed it ; let us 
 humble ourselves before him daily for our sins, and 
 depend upon him for success. If he be against us, 
 in vain do we struggle ; if the Lord be for us, ' though 
 an host should encamp against us, we need not be 
 afraid. ' 
 
 " Now from a right view of the state and circum- 
 stances of these Colonies, every man of common sense 
 will see that in this conflict nothing is more necessary 
 than union, nothing more dangerous than division ; 
 and if ever we are obliged to give up our sacred 
 rights, it will not be by British force, but by enemies 
 among ourselves. A state divided cannot stand, and 
 therefore we should guard against division. Some 
 will doubtless be so mean, as to prefer some present 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 95 
 
 ease before the most lasting enjoyment, and rather 
 than discompose themselves for the present, would 
 submit to the vilest bondage ; so sordid, as to set up 
 their own interest in -competition with the public 
 good and this general cause, in which we are engaged. 
 It is certain that all these are in a degree enemies to 
 us, and should be avoided ; not only such as will not 
 act with us, but such as will not act harmoniously. 
 Everything that tends to break the harmony should 
 be avoided." 
 
 The following extract is from a sermon occasioned 
 by the death of General Montgomery, preached Ja- 
 nuary, 1777, from the text, " And all these things are 
 against me." (Gen. xlii. 36;) " God's dealings with 
 men when he is working their deliverance are often so 
 dark and intricate, that they are apt to judge and say 
 they are against them. This should prevent us forming 
 hasty judgments concerning our circumstances, how- 
 ever dark, nay, even desperate they may be. Such 
 judgments of matters tend to depress that spirit and 
 weaken that activity and force which are necessary 
 to extricate from troubles : besides, they are injurious 
 to the right exercise of faith in the goodness and 
 power of God, and betray an ignorance of the methods 
 of his providence. Let us, therefore, in our circum- 
 stances guard against them. They arise from a 
 weakness of faith, from cowardice, from principles of 
 sense, from partial views of the matter, and from igno- 
 rance of God. To admit and to follow such a judgment 
 in our case would be dishonourable to our cause and 
 
90 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 attended with certain ruin. For surely we have still 
 reason for the exercise of faith and confidence in 
 God, that he will not give a people up to the un- 
 limited will and power of others, who have done all 
 they could to avoid the calamity, and have so strenu- 
 ously adhered to the cause of reason and humanity ; 
 — a people who have been attacked with unprovoked 
 violence, and driven with the greatest reluctance to 
 take up arms for their defence ; — a people whom he 
 himself by a series of providential actings hath gra- 
 dually led on to this condition. That he should 
 give up such a people to the tyranny of masters, who 
 impiously invade his own prerogative, and mark their 
 proceedings with such instances of barbarity and in- 
 humanity as nature itself abhors — let us never entertain 
 a thought so derogatory to the honour and justice of 
 Him who is the Judge of all the earth, and will surely 
 do that which is right. He is the judge of right, the 
 guardian of innocence, the protector of truth, and 
 the defence of the oppressed. ' The Lord is the re- 
 fuge for the oppressed; he will maintain the cause of 
 the afflicted ; he hath appointed his arrows against the 
 persecutors.' 
 
 "Therefore, when these are our circumstances, we 
 may rationally judge that God is not an unconcerned 
 spectator, but that he sees and will reward the per- 
 secutors. Many things, indeed, seem to be against 
 us ; a very great and powerful enemy, who have been 
 long trained to victory; their numerous and savage 
 allies, who, having lost their liberty, would have others 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 97 
 
 in the same condition ; our weakness and inexperience 
 in war ; internal enemies, which we cannot well root 
 out; the loss of many of our friends, and a beloved and 
 able Greneral. But let not these destroy our hopes, or 
 damp our spirits. To put too much confidence in 
 man, is the way to provoke God to deprive us of 
 them. This may perhaps be that darkness which pre- 
 cedes the glorious day. Nor let us judge that the 
 cause is lost, even though we should be brought much 
 lower still. God may have great things to do with 
 this people. This land he made use of as a refuge 
 for his oppressed people, and has brought them up 
 to maturit}^ in it ; and he may now be about to make 
 them eminent in the world, and give them a name 
 among the nations of the earth. Should this be the 
 case, let us not wonder that we should travail in birth ; 
 that so great a nation should be born into political 
 life and independence with sore pangs and blood. 
 It is agreeable to God's method to bring low before 
 he exalteth ; to humble before he raises up. Let us 
 trust in him, and do our duty, and commit the event 
 to his determination, who can make those things to 
 be for us, which by a judgment of sense, we are ready 
 to say are against us." 
 
 The following was addressed to Captain Huston's 
 company, as they were about to leave their homes for 
 the battle-field. " My brethren — I hope you will 
 remember the designs and resolutions with which you 
 at first consented to, and joined in, the public oppo- 
 sition to the tyranny of Great Britain. I hope that 
 
 9 
 
98 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 at this time of great necessity, you will not suffer the 
 fire and warlike spirit to faint, and so manifest all 
 that you have hitherto done and said, to signify 
 nothing. It appears that even now is the critical 
 and trying time ; our enemy making their main push, 
 and at the same time coming into such circumstances 
 as they will be most in our power. While they con- 
 tinued under the cover and convoy of their ships, 
 they were out of our reach ; now, it seems, they have 
 taken the land, and come into such circumstances as 
 we desired. But our divided army cannot operate 
 against their number, without an addition. You are 
 loudly called upon to go to its assistance. Indeed, 
 the case itself speaks so loudly, as is sufficient to 
 rouse every spark of martial fire that may be in you. 
 
 " There is, one would think, no need of words. 
 Your country, lives, liberties, and estates in danger, 
 all cry most bitterly for help ! And why should 
 there be the least appearance of backwardness among 
 you ? I am glad to hear that some among you are 
 so hearty in the cause, as by their readiness to the 
 service, to show that they still desire to be free, and 
 were in earnest when they said they would defend 
 their liberties with their lives. 
 
 " The case is plain ; life must be hazarded, or all is 
 gone. You must go and fight, or send your humble 
 submission, and bow as a beast to its burden, or as an 
 ox to the slaughter. The Kino; of Great Britain has 
 declared us rebels ; a capital crime. Submission there- 
 fore consents to the rope or the axe. Liberty is doubt- 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 99 
 
 less gone ; none could imagine a tyrant king should 
 be more favourable to conquered rebels, than he was to 
 loyal, humble, petitioning subjects. No ! No ! If ever 
 a people lay in chains, we must, if our enemies carry 
 their point against us, and oblige us to unconditional 
 submission. This is not all. Our Tory neighbours 
 will be our proud and tormenting enemies. But sup- 
 pose that all this were tolerable, and you might think 
 that it might be submitted to, there is still a greater 
 monster behind, that is. Persecution. I do not mean 
 persecution on a religious account, though I have not 
 the least doubt but that will also be the case. The Eng- 
 lish Government, every one knows, is favourable to 
 Episcopacy ; it has found the benefit of it, and it is 
 to all appearance as fond of the maxim, * No Bishop, 
 no King,'' as ever. This was and is designed, and 
 will no doubt be the case here, if they succeed in con- 
 quering us. 
 
 *' But as sure as you sit there, you may expect a 
 political persecution. It has ever been the case, 
 that hard and tyrannical oaths have been imposed by 
 conquerors in such cases ; and if we are overcome, 
 what may we expect but oaths to bind us to passive 
 obedience and non-resistance, which no conscientious 
 man could take ; but yet, must take or suffer. 
 And how miserable a case must it be to be bound by 
 an oath to a principle of the deepest slavery, and 
 such as cuts off the only remedy against tyranny ! 
 
 '' Now, gentlemen, you see what we have to expect ; 
 and surely it must appear to you intolerable, and 
 
100 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 such as must make you still adhere to the glorious 
 struggle for liberty. To be discouraged at what has 
 already happened, is meanly to give up the cause. 
 Surely no one ever expected the war to be carried 
 on with Great Britain without the loss of lives, and 
 those who die must have their friends to lament them. 
 This is what we expected, and though we mourn and 
 are sorrowful for them, and for the success of the 
 English, yet let not this discourage. I sincerely feel 
 the distress, and pray God to enable you to be sup- 
 ported under it!" 
 
 An extract from a sermon preached from the text, 
 "Be thou faithful unto death," (Rev. ii. 10,) will 
 close these deeply interesting addresses. '^My dear 
 brethren — Since God, in the course of his providence 
 has so ordered matters, as to require every true- 
 hearted American to appear in defence of his liberties, 
 it affords me great pleasure to see you stand forth, 
 with others, in the glorious cause. We have heard 
 your declarations on the point, we have seen your 
 diligence in preparing, and now we see that these 
 were not the efforts of cowardice, boasting at a dis- 
 tance, but that in real earnestness your hearts have 
 been engaged in the matter. After observing in you 
 this heroic and laudable disposition, I apprehend 
 there need not much be said to animate you in the 
 grand object of your present attention, and more 
 especially as you enter upon this warfare, not from 
 the low and sordid views which are the main object 
 of ignorant mercenaries, but with a proper know- 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 101 
 
 ledge of the reasons of the contest, and I hope, too, 
 with a consciousness of duty. 
 
 " You see an open field before you, wherein you may 
 acquire reputation and honour to yourselves, and do 
 a most beneficial service to your country. The cause 
 of American Independence and Liberty, which has 
 now called you to go forth to the scene of action, is 
 indeed a cause in which it will be glorious to conquer 
 and honourable to die. The victory, however dearly 
 bought, will be but a cheap purchase ; for what of all 
 worldly goods can be of equal value to freedom from 
 slavery, the free and lawful enjoyment and use of 
 our own property, and the free possession of our own 
 lives and consciences ? This is an object worthy of our 
 vigorous exertions ; a prize worthy of a Christian 
 soldier ; a prize we are commanded to strive for, by 
 the voice of Nature and the voice of God. We have 
 now assumed the independent rank we ought to bear 
 among the nations of the earth, and we are resolved 
 to be free. Our enemies, with all their own and 
 foreign force they could obtain, are attempting their 
 utmost to make us slaves ; and this appears to be the 
 main time of the trial — the very turning-point which 
 will decide the question, and determine either for 
 freedom or bondage. If their designs can be baffled 
 for this campaign, it is most probable they will de- 
 spair of success, and give up the cause. At least it 
 will be a powerfully animating motive for Americans 
 
 to proceed on in that cause, with which they must at all 
 
 9* 
 
102 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 events go through, having nothing before them but suc- 
 cess, or the most ignominious and shameful alternative. 
 
 But though it is a worthy and honourable cause in 
 which you now engage, you are still to consider that 
 it is attended with danger. The instruments of 
 death you carry in your hands, and the power of 
 your enemies, by no means contemptible, declare it 
 to be such. Victory can hardly be expected without 
 blood ; and in such a contest, death itself may be to 
 some of you a certain, and to all a probable event. 
 By putting you in mind of this, I would- not mean to 
 intimidate, but caution you to maintain an habitual 
 fear of God, and a concern about death and eternity 
 which may beget in you a readiness to meet the worst 
 of events. True courage does not consist in proud 
 contempt or thoughtless disregard of death; nay, 
 he is possessed of true courage who allows the serious 
 thought of death its proper weight, yet in a virtuous 
 cause prefers his duty before his life. A man of 
 true fortitude is one who sees the danger, yet from 
 superior motives despises it. 
 
 "You may therefore observe from this, that there is 
 no soldier so truly courageous as a pious man ; no 
 army so formidable as those who are superior to the 
 fear of death, and consequently, that no one qug^lifi- 
 cation is more necessary in a soldier than true re- 
 ligion. And now as you are about to go on this ser- 
 vice, I would have you to apply this to yourselves. 
 Many of you have been under my care, and as it may 
 perhaps come to pass, that this may be the last time 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 103 
 
 I have in this manner to speak to you, suffer me with 
 the greatest earnestness to beseech and exhort you 
 to be watchful over your souls, to strive after accept- 
 ance with God ; for, you must know that if you are 
 not at peace with him and are strangers to the Lord 
 Jesus, that however you fall, you must be wretched. 
 Endeavour, therefore, to cultivate religion; and in 
 good earnest care for your precious souls. Without 
 this you cannot prosper. Especially be watchful 
 that neither your thoughts, words, or actions be dis- 
 honourable to God. Avoid swearing, profaneness, 
 lewdness, drunkenness, and every instance of cruelty. 
 How awful is it to think that those who engage in 
 war should be despisers of God, and abusers of the 
 sacred name of the Lord of Hosts — that they should 
 expect success while they are the enemies of Jehovah, 
 and expose themselves to the imminent danger of 
 being immediately sent from their profanity and 
 wickedness on earth, to the blaspheming rage and 
 despairing horrors of the infernal pit ! It is too 
 often the case, that soldiers claim a latitude to them- 
 selves in vice ; and so armies have been observed to 
 be almost sinks of wickedness. Let it not be said of 
 any of you. Nor let anything which would bring 
 a dishonour on the cause you serve, or the profes- 
 sion you have made, be remarked concerning you," 
 
 Such was the spirit of Dr. King in those perilous 
 times of our country's history. And such was the 
 spirit of patriotism in this congregation, that it con- 
 tributed its full proportion of men and officers to 
 
104 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 advocate our cause and to defend our rights. I have 
 no means of ascertaining the precise number of men 
 and officers who were thus actually engaged in the 
 war of Independence ; but there were many of the 
 best and noblest sons of this congregation who for 
 the sake of their country, had " pledged their lives, 
 their fortunes, and their sacred honour." I find, how- 
 ever, from the Church Register, that the number of 
 those who were killed, and who died by oppression of 
 the enemy, and in consequence of disease contracted 
 while in service, amounts to nine.'^ How highly 
 should we prize our liberties which were thus so 
 dearly bought by toil and self-denial, by sufi"erings 
 and death ! How closely should we consider the 
 connexion which exists between these liberties and 
 our own beloved Church ! And how solicitous should 
 we be to transmit these liberties to the generations 
 which are to succeed us^ as pure as we received them 
 from those who preceded us and bequeathed them to 
 us. Never may the time come in the history of this 
 
 * Jonathan Smith, a ruling elder, died of camp fever, at Am- 
 boy, Oct. 13th, 1776. 
 
 John Campbell, by oppression of the enemy, Oct. 30th, 1776. 
 
 James McCoy, killed at Fort Washington, Nov. 16th, 1776. 
 
 Dugal Campbell, died of camp fever in New Jersey, January, 
 1777. 
 
 Patrick McClelland, by oppression of the enemy, 1777. 
 
 Joseph Watson, killed in battle, Dec, 1777. 
 
 Capt. Robert McCoy, killed at Crooked-billet, May 1st, 1778. 
 
 William Dean, " " " " 
 
 William Sterret, " *' " " 
 
CHURCH IN MEKCERSBURG. 105 
 
 Church, when the spirit of patriotism which dwelt in 
 the bosoms of our friends and forefathers, shall lose 
 its vigour, or become extinct in the hearts of those 
 who are their descendants and successors ! 
 
 In 1777, the following persons were added to the 
 session : Messrs. Patrick Maxwell, Joseph Van Lear, 
 Matthew Wilson, William Lowery, James McFarland, 
 and Henry Helm. In 1786, the town of Mercers- 
 burg was laid out. Its population, and that of the 
 adjacent neighbourhood increasing, it was deemed 
 expedient to have preaching in town.* For this 
 purpose an edifice was erected in 1794, and for a 
 number of years was without a ceiling, floor, pews, 
 or pulpit. The ground on which it stands, and that 
 which surrounds it, was given to the congregation by 
 the Hon. Robert Smith. In 1772, Messrs. William 
 Waddell, Archibald' Irwin, James Crawford, and 
 John Holiday, were added to the session ; in 1799, 
 Messrs. John McMullin, John Johnston, Edward 
 W^elsh, William Reynolds, Robert McFarland, and 
 John McCullough; and in 1800, Mr. John Scott, 
 Robert McDowell, and James Dickey. 
 
 From the close of the war, after the state of public 
 affairs had become more settled, until 1811, when 
 Dr. King, in consequence of increasing bodily afflic- 
 tions, resigned his pastoral charge, the state of the 
 congregation was peaceful and prosperous. At every 
 communion season, its numbers of professing dis- 
 
 * The original place of preaching is two and a half miles from 
 town. 
 
106 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 ciples were increased by new accessions. During 
 the whole of Dr. King's ministry in this church, he 
 baptized nine hundred and fifty persons ; and there 
 were admitted to the Communion four hundred and 
 eighty. These numbers, however, are not strictly 
 accurate, as the Doctor's infirmities during the latter 
 part of his ministry were so great that the Church 
 Register was but imperfectly kept. There were 
 persons both baptized and admitted to the commu- 
 nion of the church, whose names are not recorded. 
 Dr. King was a man of piety and of extensive 
 acquirements. His labours were owned of God, 
 and eminently blessed in building up this church. 
 His memory still lives in the grateful remembrance 
 and strong afi"ections of not a few who are spared 
 with us to the present time, some of whom bear the 
 seal of baptism as administered by his own hand, 
 and others of whom are his spiritual children, and 
 will be "his joy and crown of rejoicing in the pre- 
 sence of Jesus Christ at his coming." 
 
 It may be interesting to know something more of 
 the life and character of this divine, who was second 
 to none in his day in the Presbyterian Church in 
 this country. For this purpose we will avail our- 
 selves of a brief memoir, penned by himself, and 
 extending to the tenth year of his settlement as 
 pastor of this church ; and of a sermon which was 
 preached by the Rev. John McKnight, D.D., his 
 intimate friend and companion, at the request of the 
 church. 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 107 
 
 Dr. King thus writes : "I am now nearly thirty- 
 nine years of age, being born December 5th, 1T40. 
 The wonderful providence of God has so long spared 
 my life ! — a life dishonourable and unprofitable ! 
 Oh, that my soul may be deeply humbled in the 
 review of such a vain and froward, such a slothful 
 and inactive life as I have spent, while I here record 
 my thankfulness for that goodness and mercy of 
 God, that has educated and protected me, that has 
 so long spared me notwithstanding my innumerable 
 provocations of him, that has in any degree fitted 
 me for some usefulness in the world, that has given 
 me at least talents which might be profitable for the 
 good of my fellow-creatures, and especially so if I 
 had improved them as I ought ; and let my soul be 
 thankful that I have been made acquainted in any 
 comfortable measure with that amazing way of sal- 
 vation in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 that, through the providence, and, I hope, the grace, 
 of God, I have been brought to be a preacher to 
 others ! 
 
 " It is impossible for me to recollect or record all 
 the instances of the goodness of God to me, his 
 unworthy creature and unprofitable servant. No 
 more can I call to mind the innumerable instances 
 in which I have dishonoured him, through my sinful 
 life. But these I must remember, for I know and 
 feel them ; and oh that that gracious God, who has 
 been so liberal in his goodness, would deeply impress 
 my heart with a sense of them, and awaken in my 
 
108 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 soul that love and thankfulness and praise Avhich 
 becomes a creature so highly obliged ! Let me from 
 henceforth take a more particular notice of the good- 
 ness of God, and (not in that careless, unfeeling 
 manner I was wont, but with all my heart) acknow- 
 ledge it. Let me with care and exactness observe 
 his dealings toward me, and that which may be most 
 remarkable in my own temper and conduct toward 
 him, and labour to improve in humility, heavenly- 
 mindedness, and holy walk with God. 
 
 " My father, Robert King, whom I believe to have 
 been a pious man, was careful to educate me in the 
 principles of the religion of Christ, and inculcate the 
 necessity of holiness and faith in order to salvation. 
 When I grew up, I recollect that I was sometimes 
 exercised very seriously with the consideration of 
 eternity, and the necessity of preparing for it ; with 
 the thoughts of sin and my liableness to misery, 
 which led me to the exercise of prayer, in which I 
 fear I too much rested, though I had found my heart 
 sometimes much softened, and thought I had some 
 freedom in receiving and resting on Jesus Christ for 
 salvation. The sins of my heart and frequent falls 
 prevented me from forming any conclusive judgment 
 that my state was good, though I had some hope 
 that I had such a view of my sins as had led me to 
 Jesus Christ, and that I had a prevailing love to 
 God and holiness. 
 
 "When I was about thirteen years old, I was put 
 to the grammar school, at which I continued till I 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 109 
 
 had read the Greek and Latin classics, Logic, Meta- 
 physics, and Moral Philosophy. After this, my 
 father not judging that he could bear the expense 
 of sending me to college immediately, I came to 
 West Conococheague, in Cumberland (now Franklin) 
 County, where I spent almost three years in teaching 
 school, during which I initiated some young boys in 
 the Latin language. During this time I was, in 
 general, too careless about the exercise of religion in 
 my own soul, and recollect not anything very re- 
 markable about such exercises, until at the celebra- 
 tion of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, at East 
 Conococheague, by the Rev. Messrs. Steel and Roan, 
 — the first time that I joined to partake in that solemn 
 ordinance, — when I found myself unusually impressed 
 with the concerns of religion, and in the exercise of 
 prayer before and in the work of communion during 
 the service, had much freedom in devoting myself 
 to Christ and receiving him. Yet still, afterwards, 
 I had reason to complain of my heart, as careless 
 about religion, and too vain and prone to diversions 
 and unprofitable and hurtful pastimes, as well as 
 inclined to know sin too much. 
 
 " The Indian war increasing in 1763, my sister that 
 lived here being killed by the Indians, and the school 
 declining, I quitted this part and returned to Little 
 Britain, in Lancaster County, the place of my birth 
 and education. There I continued until the middle 
 of the fall, 1764, in great perplexity about the manner 
 of life I should engage in. I had often entertained 
 
 10 
 
110 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 a thought of the ministry, but for many winters had 
 been prone to a hoarseness, and my voice weak at 
 best, I concluded, after much exercise in prayer for 
 light in the determination, to lay that aside and apply 
 myself to the study of physic. I went to Philadel- 
 phia, and there agreed with Dr. John Boyd, as an 
 apprentice. Returned home, and set off for Balti- 
 more, where I continued near three months, when 
 Dr. Boyd, who had been at Philadelphia for the re- 
 covery of his health, returned home. I found that 
 the place did not suit me, as he, at that time, dealt 
 as an apothecary and followed not the practice of 
 medicine. I again came home, after much loss of 
 time and money, and still intent on the practice of 
 medicine, went to Philadelphia, applied to Dr. Kearsly, 
 and had nearly agreed with him, which probably 
 would have fixed my condition in that way ; but in 
 the mean time was led, by the advice of my first 
 Latin master, Thomas McGee, to go and consult Dr. 
 Allison, Vice-Provost of the College, on that head. 
 The Doctor advised me warmly to desist in my at- 
 tempts towards physic, and to enter College with a 
 view to the ministry. I reflected on the various pro- 
 vidences with which I had been exercised in the 
 matter, and followed his advice. I entered College 
 May 6th, 1765, and commenced, A. B., May 20th, 
 1766. Having returned home, I applied myself to 
 the study of divinity till March 11th, 1767, when I 
 entered upon trials for the ministry in the Second 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. Ill 
 
 Philadelphia Presbytery, and was licensed \o preach 
 on the 13th day of August following. 
 
 " The most of that fall and ensuing winter, I 
 preached at New London, in the bounds of the New 
 Castle Presbytery, having paid a visit to West Cono- 
 cocheague before the winter. Near the opening of 
 the spring, I was invited to Conococheague, by the 
 congregation of which I am now the pastor. After 
 accepting their call, I was received on trials in the 
 Donegal Presbytery. April 11th, 1769, I delivered 
 my first trial discourses ; and on the 30th day of 
 August following, was ordained and installed as 
 Pastor of the Church at Upper West Conococheague. 
 During all these changes, my exercises about religion 
 had been various, but a prevailing desire to glorify 
 God in being useful to immortal souls, I trust, was 
 my ruling motive in entering into this great and 
 awful service ; while the consideration of the pre- 
 mentioned providential dispensations, the talents 
 which God has given me (which however small in 
 comparison of others) I thought might render me, 
 through grace, of some use in the Christian Church, 
 and the unanimous call of this people, led me to think 
 it my duty to enter upon this work. may God 
 forgive my innumerable neglects and miscarriages in 
 it, and strengthen my dependence on his all-sufficient 
 grace, to enable me for the future more faithfully to 
 discharge the important duties of it ! Having settled 
 in this congregation in June, 1768, I was married 
 to Elizabeth McDowell, the third daughter of Mr. 
 
112 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 John McDowell, of this place, on April 2d, 1771, 
 and have continued in the enjoyment of agreeable 
 circumstances until now. I had been always healthy 
 and visited Avith no considerable sickness, until in 
 September, 1775, when I fell into a dangerous fever." 
 
 Thus far we have given Dr. King's autobiography. 
 We now follow the Rev. Dr. McKnight in his funeral 
 sermon. 
 
 "Dr. King was Pastor of this Congregation for 
 forty-two years. During the last six years of his 
 life, he laboured under a rheumatic complaint, with 
 which he was severely afflicted, and which baffled 
 every medical application. For four years, however, 
 of this time, he continued in the exercise of his mi- 
 nistry, in the latter part of which, his limbs were so 
 enfeebled that he was not able to stand, and officiated 
 in a chair fixed in the pulpit. Finding his complaint 
 still increasing, and his prospects of usefulness, in a 
 public capacity, at an end, he resigned his charge 
 September, 1811. His complaint continued to in- 
 crease, and his bodily strength to decline, until he 
 became utterly helpless. Some time before his death, 
 he was seized with a violent fever, which brought his 
 natural life to a close. He died July 15th, 1813, in 
 the seventy-third year of his age. 
 
 " Dr. King was a man of good natural parts, which 
 he diligently cultivated. And in particular, from 
 the time of his being settled in the ministry, being 
 placed in favourable circumstances for study, he in- 
 dustriously improved what time he could redeem from 
 
CHUKCH IN MERCERSBURG. 113 
 
 the immediate duties of his office, in acquiring the 
 knowledge of all those branches of literature and 
 science which tended to respectability and usefulness. 
 Besides being a good Latin and Greek scholar, he 
 had a competent acquaintance with the Hebrew and 
 the French. He had studied Natural and Moral 
 Philosophy, Astronomy, the Mathematics, and Logic 
 with attention, and had a considerable general know- 
 ledge of Chemistry. He had paid considerable at- 
 tention to Ecclesiastical History. With Divinity 
 and its several branches, he was well acquainted. 
 Influenced by his well-known and established cha- 
 racter, as a scholar and a divine, the Trustees of 
 Dickinson College, at one of its first commencements 
 in the College, viz., in the year 1792, conferred on 
 him the degree of D.D. In the same year, he was 
 elected Moderator of the General Assembly. 
 
 ''Dr. King was the author of several small publica- 
 tions, particularly a Catechism for the instruction of 
 youth in the principles of the Christian religion, and 
 more especially calculated to fortify them against 
 the spirit of scepticism and infidelity which, at the 
 time of its publication, threatened to corrupt the 
 principles and morals of many ; of some pieces in the 
 Assembly's Magazine, on the subject of a man's 
 marrying his former wife's sister ; of a Dissertation 
 on the Prophecies, referring to the present times, &c. 
 As a companion. Dr. King was sociable, cheerful, 
 and instructing. As a friend, he was sincere, affec- 
 tionate, uniform, and faithful. In his principles. Dr. 
 
 10* 
 
114 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 King was strictly orthodox — a -uniform and warm 
 friend of the great doctrines of grace. His piety 
 was rational and warm. His life fully corresponded 
 with his profession, and he has left behind him a 
 character unsullied by a blot. He evinced an in- 
 creasing concern for the interests of Zion ; and, so 
 far from being of a bigoted or contracted spirit, he 
 held friendly intercourse with persons of different 
 denominations, and was ready to countenance and 
 encourage all who appeared desirous of promoting 
 the cause of religion. He was ready to distribute, 
 and willing to communicate to every real object of 
 charity that presented itself, and to such literary 
 institutions as promised to be useful. Though his 
 afflictions were severe and of long continuance, and 
 though he was considerably advanced in years, yet 
 he retained, until very near the close of his life, his 
 intellectual powers, very little impaired. His mind 
 was still vigorous and active. 
 
 "Let us now take a view of the state of his mind 
 under his affliction, and in prospect of his approach- 
 ing dissolution. And here I shall introduce a com- 
 munication on the subject from Mr. Elliott, your 
 present worthy pastor: — 'I visited Dr. King,' re- 
 marks Mr. Elliott, ' some weeks before his death, and 
 during his last illness. He entered into an animated 
 conversation with respect to his views of religion, 
 and the peculiar experiences of his mind. He spoke 
 in exalted terms of the doctrines of grace, as the 
 only foundation of a sinner's hopes. He said he 
 
CHURCH IN MEllCERSBURG. 115 
 
 could see nothing in his past life which afforded him 
 any ground of dependence, and that he had no hope 
 from any other quarter, but from the glorious scheme 
 of redemption, as revealed in the word of God. "iVo 
 other way /" said he : " Nothing will do hut this /" He 
 observed that he frequently felt a desire to be more 
 fully acquainted with the glorious character of God 
 than what perhaps was justifiable. He believed 
 Christians ought to be careful not to transcend the 
 limits assigned them in the word of God, adding, 
 Hhat the word was our only standard and directory 
 with respect to the great mysteries of religion, and 
 that to it we ought to keep close.' During the in- 
 tervals of fever, when his mind was capable of regular 
 exertion, he said he was generally in prayer for him- 
 self and others. He was much afraid that he was 
 too desirous to depart. He longed for the time when 
 he should be delivered from his affliction. But he 
 frequently observed, that he strove and prayed against 
 an improper solicitude, wishing to wait the Lord's 
 time. 
 
 " ' About two weeks after the above conversation, 
 and about ten days before his death, I was present 
 at his bedside, and upon his complaining that he 
 suffered much, I observed that I hoped he received 
 abundant support from above. " yes,'' said he, "T 
 am greatly supported.'' He then observed that he 
 had been strongly tempted, some time before, to 
 doubt with respect to the foundation of his hopes ; 
 and whether that system of truth on which he had 
 
116 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 built his faith was agreeable to the word of God. 
 Convinced that he had, long ago, carefully examined 
 into the ground of his belief, he sought comfort in 
 prayer to God, and it was not long till he experienced 
 it. ^^ I have now^'' said he, with a tear of joy sparkling 
 in his eye, ''' I have noio no doubt of my love to Crod. 
 He is the most glorious of all objects. None other can 
 be compared to him!" Thus lived and thus died this 
 servant of the Lord. Both in his life and by his 
 death, he has borne honourable testimony to the re- 
 ligion of Jesus, of which he was a professor, and of 
 which he was a minister. Having done much, and 
 suffered much according to the will of God, he has 
 "fallen asleep," and has been gathered to his 
 fathers.' " 
 
 PERIOD III. 
 
 FROM THE SETTLEMENT OF THE REV. DAVID ELLIOTT, D.D., AS 
 PASTOR, A.D. 1812, TO THE CLOSE OF HIS MINISTRY IN THIS 
 CHURCH, A. D. 1829. 
 
 After an interval of about a year from the resig- 
 nation of Dr. King, the congregation invited the Rev. 
 David Elliott, a Licentiate of the Carlisle Presbytery, 
 to become their Pastor. He having accepted the 
 invitation, was ordained and installed, October 7th, 
 A. D. 1812. The number of families belonging to 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 117 
 
 the congregation at the time of his settlement was 
 one hundred and thirty-seven. 
 
 In 1813, the Presbyterian Church in St. Thomas 
 was organized ; most of the families and members of 
 which were connected with this Church. This new 
 organization was found to be expedient on account 
 of the increase of the population of that district of 
 country, and their distance from our places of worship, 
 which rendered it difficult for them to attend upon 
 the public means of grace. By the organization of 
 the Church at St. Thomas, the limits of this congre- 
 gation became still more circumscribed : and yet in 
 the end, it has resulted more in the furtherance of 
 the Gospel, than if the parts separated had continued 
 in connexion with us. 
 
 In 1814, the following persons were added to the 
 Session : Messrs. Thomas M'Dowell, David Dunwoody, 
 and John M'Coy (of John). In 1815, the Sabbath 
 School was commenced. It was begun amidst great 
 difficulties and discouragements. At this early 
 period, it was a new thing in the Christian Church 
 in this region. But by the perseverance of the few 
 who had engaged in it, not only did they see it begin, 
 but they were also permitted to see it subsequently 
 in full and efficient operation. And from that time 
 to the present, though attended with many fluctua- 
 tions, its exercises have never been suspended for 
 any length of time. How much good has been 
 achieved by it, in its nearly forty years' existence. 
 Eternity alone will disclose. Impressions have 
 
118 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 doubtless been made upon the minds of those who 
 have been, and those who are now scholars, which 
 can never be effaced. And though, for a time, the 
 seed which has been sown may seem to be lost, yet 
 under the life-giving influence of God's Spirit, it may 
 still issue in a rich and glorious harvest. 
 
 The year 1818 is memorable in the history of this 
 Church for the establishment of the Social Prayer- 
 Meeting. The circumstances which led to its forma- 
 tion are thus related in a letter from Dr. Elliott. 
 ^' The want of some meetins; of this kind had been 
 sensibly felt by me, from the time of my settlement, 
 but the difficulty of getting suitable persons to lead, 
 prevented an earlier attempt to organize one. After 
 the removal of Mr. James M'Farland to town, it was 
 a frequent subject of conversation between him, 
 Major Brownson, and myself. Finally, one Sabbath 
 afternoon, Mr. M'Farland, Mr. George King, Major 
 Brownson and myself were together at Mr. M'Far- 
 land's. The prayer-meeting became the topic of con- 
 versation, and it was agreed that we would attempt 
 its organization. This being agreed upon, I re- 
 marked to them, that it was the best time to begin 
 immediately, and that we should date the commence- 
 ment of the meeting from that afternoon. This was 
 assented to, and after spending some time in social 
 prayer, we adjourned to meet again on the next 
 Sabbath afternoon, or perhaps that day two weeks. 
 In the mean time we mentioned the subject as we 
 had opportunity, to several of those who we supposed 
 
CHURCH IN MERCEllSBUIlG. 119 
 
 would favour the object. A few additional persons 
 attended the next day ; and in a few weeks the 
 meetings were so large that we held them in Mr. 
 Cowan's shop. In these meetings we had many de- 
 lightful seasons." And thus from this small begin- 
 ning, did one of the most important means of grace 
 in this Church take its origin. And from that time 
 onward has it been continued ; sometimes flourishing 
 and at other times depressed ; but at all times a source 
 of richest consolation, and a means of quickening and 
 of encouragement to those who attend it in a becoming 
 spirit. 
 
 In 1819, the congregation having so increased, it 
 was found necessary to erect in the country a new 
 house of worship. The old church had been twice 
 enlarged, but was still insufficient to accommodate the 
 congregation. The new church edifice was com- 
 pleted in 1820 : it cost near six thousand dollars. 
 About this time the congregation was in a condition 
 the most flourishing and prosperous. It numbered 
 upwards of one hundred and seventy families, and 
 had connected with it two Bible classes ; the female 
 consisting of one hundred and seven members, and the 
 male of seventy. This prosperous state of things, how- 
 ever, did not long continue. A change took place, 
 which, carrying its influence through a series of years, 
 so greatly diminished the congregation in numbers, 
 that it has never fully recovered from it. The fol- 
 lowing causes may be mentioned as bringing about this 
 change : 
 
120 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 1. The organization of a church in Loudon. This 
 took place in 1820, and was the means of taking off 
 a number of families, which had been connected with 
 this congregation. After it was organized, it enjoyed 
 for several years the ministerial labours of the Rev. 
 Isaac Kellar ; and subsequently those of the Rev. 
 Robert Kennedy ; but it has since become extinct. 
 
 2. Another cause was a change in the times. Prior 
 to this, everything appeared to be in the most pros- 
 perous condition. Providence had smiled upon the 
 labours of the husbandman, and the earth had 
 yielded her increase. Our commerce was whitening 
 every sea ; and our manufactories were accumulating 
 vast wealth for their owners. The expansion of the 
 credit system was never greater; and our citizens 
 began to feel that they were in the full tide of pros- 
 perity. But a change ensued. The smiles of Provi- 
 dence were withdrawn. Judgment began to be min- 
 gled with mercies. And the j^^^^sure became uni- 
 versal throughout the whole extent of our country. 
 It was felt here also. Not a few of our farmers, who 
 had purchased their lands at enormous prices, and 
 others who had made improvements at a great ex- 
 pense, were so affected by this ' change of times,' 
 that to meet their liabilities their all was swept from 
 them. It is supposed that by this reverse of fortune 
 more than half a score of the best families and sup- 
 porters of this congregation were almost entirely 
 ruined in their temporal circumstances. that men 
 would profit by the history of the past ! How vain 
 
CHURCH IN MERCBRSBURG. 121 
 
 and fleeting are all earthly possessions ! " Riches 
 make to themselves wings." Why not then, from 
 such considerations as these, give heed to our Saviour's 
 counsel: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon 
 earth, where moth and rust, do corrupt, and where 
 thieves break through and steal; but lay up for 
 yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth 
 nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not 
 break through nor steal." (Matt. vi. 19, 20.) 
 
 3. But there was still another cause, which was 
 far more felt in this respect than either of the pre- 
 ceding. In the years 1821, '22, and '23, an epidemic 
 sickness prevailed to so great an extent, that the 
 whole neighbourhood resembled a vast hospital. The 
 number of those in health were almost insufficient, 
 in many places, to take care of the sick. The effect 
 of this visitation was, that in the first mentioned year 
 twenty -five persons died ; and in the latter, forty-five 
 — thus making an aggregate of seventy-two persons 
 within two years. And of these seventy-two, many 
 were members of the church in full communion ; many 
 were heads of families; and some of them among the 
 most liberal contributors to the support of the Gospel. 
 So extensive and so rapid was the work of death, 
 that in a period of nine years, commencing in 1820, 
 not less than 07ie hundred and thirty communicating 
 members became its victims, — a number equal to that 
 which, under ordinary circumstances, would not 
 occur in eighteen years. On these scenes of sadness 
 
 and sorrow I will not dwell. They are deeply im- 
 
 11 
 
122 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 pressed upon the minds and hearts of many among 
 us. Many there are who in the rending of relation- 
 ships the closest and most endearing on earth, will 
 never forget the poignancy of that grief, which 
 during that distressing season, was poured forth more 
 than once, around the bed of their dying, or at the 
 grave of their departed friends. With these im- 
 pressions still vivid and deeply fixed in the mind, 
 may they have the consciousness and the evidence, 
 that they have been sanctified to them. "For the 
 Lord will not cast ofi* for ever : but though He cause 
 grief, yet will He have compassion, according to the 
 multitude of his mercies. For He doth not afflict 
 willingly, nor grieve the children of men. " 
 
 In 1822, the following persons were added to the 
 Session : Messrs. John Brownson, John McCoy (of 
 Robert), and William Crawford. In 1825, the Fe- 
 male Domestic Missionary Society was formed. At 
 first, it was auxiliary to the Foreign Missionary 
 Society, but subsequently changed its relation, and 
 became auxiliary to our Domestic Board. At its 
 first formation it numbered eighty-three members. 
 The total amount of funds contributed since its 
 organization is one thousand dollars. It is worthy 
 of remark, that probably there is not another society 
 of the kind within the bounds of our Synod, which 
 has been in existence for so long a time, or which has 
 operated more efficiently. What may be the fruits 
 of these offerings of love, will not be known in time ; 
 although even here, the hearts of its members may 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBUllG. 123 
 
 be gladdened, as by the reports of our missionaries 
 they hear of churches formed where before they did 
 not exist ; of feeble ones, strengthened and supplied 
 with the ministry of reconciliation ; of saints, built up 
 in holiness and comforted ; and of sinners converted 
 to God. Long may it continue to prosper ; may the 
 list of its members increase ; may its contributions 
 be augmented a hundred fold ; and may the blessing 
 of the Most High descend upon the giver and the 
 gift ! 
 
 In 1826, Messrs. Alexander McCoy and James 
 Culbertson were added to the Session. 
 
 The year 1828 is memorable in the history of this 
 church for a revival of religion. The history of this 
 interesting work of grace, I give in the words of Dr. 
 Elliott. "It was in the fall of 1828 that God 
 visited this church with a season of reviving grace. 
 The work was chiefly confined to that branch of the 
 church which was in town. It commenced rather 
 suddenly, and to me, unexpectedly. I had been 
 mourning over the low state of religion — particularly 
 the worldly spirit which prevailed. On the Sabbath 
 preceding the meeting of the Presbytery at Newville, 
 I preached on the Parable of the Talents. I felt 
 unusual liberty, and a deep and solemn concern for 
 the salvation of sinners. The people appeared 
 very solemn and tender. At the prayer-meeting in 
 the afternoon there was great solemnity and some 
 weeping. Having seen these things several times 
 before, I attached no great importance to them. The 
 
124 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 next day I left for Presbytery; — reported to the 
 Presbytery a low and formal state of religion; re- 
 mained abroad the next Sabbath, assisting with a 
 communion service ; and returned home early the 
 week following. No sooner had I reached home, than 
 I was greeted with the intelligence, that their prayer- 
 meetings in town seemed to be visited with the 
 special tokens of God's presence ; and that the solem- 
 nity and tenderness which appeared on the Sabbath 
 before I left, had increased, and that many evinced 
 great anxiety about their souls. I immediately pro- 
 ceeded to town, and found all to be as stated. Re- 
 ligion was the engrossing subject of conversation, 
 and the people of God prayed in a manner very 
 different from that in which they had done before. 
 Things progressed in this way for some time. The 
 work did not extend, as I expected it would, through 
 other parts of the congregation ; although there was 
 some increase of attention on the part of the people 
 generally." As the fruits of this work of grace, it 
 may be stated, that twenty-four persons were added 
 to the church on profession of their faith. 
 
 Dr. Elliott having received an invitation to become 
 pastor of the church in Washington, Pennsylvania, 
 and having accepted it, resigned the pastoral charge 
 of this church, October 29th, 1829. During his 
 ministry, he baptized six hundred and fifty-five per- 
 sons ; and there were admitted to the communion of 
 the Church three hundred and forty : on profession, 
 two hundred and sixty-one ; and by certificate, 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 125 
 
 seventy-nine. Dr. Elliott, as a man and as a minister 
 of our Lord, needs no panegyric. His name is in all 
 the churches. It has become identified with our 
 Church at large. It forms part of its history. And 
 so long as soundness in the faith is appreciated, and 
 the Presbyterian form of Church Government and 
 
 t/ 
 
 its discipline are respected, the name of Elliott will 
 shine forth with resplendent lustre. During the 
 seventeen years that he was pastor, he made full 
 proof of his ministry. Many among us are the seals 
 of his ministry, and will arise to call him "blessed." 
 Long may he live to honour his Divine Master in the 
 work in which he is engaged ! 
 
 PERIOD IV. 
 
 FROM THE CLOSE OF DR. ELLIOTT's MINISTRY IN THIS CHURCH, 
 A. D. 1829, TO THE PRESENT TIME, A. D. 1852. 
 
 On the 17th of November, 1831, two years after 
 the close of Dr. Elliott's ministry, the Rev. Thomas 
 Creigh — a licentiate of the Presbytery of Carlisle — 
 was ordained, and installed Pastor of this church. 
 
 In the beginning of the year 1832, this church 
 was again visited with a revival of religion, which 
 commenced with great power during a Protracted 
 Meeting held in the month of February ; although 
 there had been indications, before this, of a change 
 for the better. As the fruits of this gracious out- 
 pouring of the Spirit, one hundred and seven persons 
 
 11* 
 
126 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 were added to the church that year. Of these, forty- 
 five were males ; sixty-two were females ; and thirty- 
 five were heads of families. In regard to the 
 character of this work, it may be remarked, that 
 while there were some measures used of a very ques- 
 tionable tendency — although in accordance with the 
 spirit of the times — yet, if there have ever been 
 genuine revivals of religion, this deserves to be clas- 
 sified with them. Unworthy members will find ad- 
 mittance to the Communion of the church, even 
 when the greatest vigilance has been used to guard 
 its portals. Among our Saviour's own immediate 
 followers — his chosen twelve — there was a Judas. 
 And He has given us intimation in the "parable of 
 the wheat and the tares," that the "visible church" 
 will be a mixed society, until " the Day of Judg- 
 ment," when He will separate the righteous from the 
 wicked. Why, then, should we look for a difi'erent 
 state of things from that which now exists ? Ar- 
 dently as we pray for, and earnestly as we desire it, 
 we cannot expect it fully, while the Church is in an 
 imperfect state. I would then briefly add, that after 
 a period of nearly twenty years since these one hun- 
 dred and seven persons were received into the Church, 
 the following is the result. Seventeen have died; 
 forty have received letters of dismission to other 
 churches ; six have removed without taking certifi- 
 cates, and of whose residence we are ignorant, but 
 who, for aught we know, may be, at the present 
 time, consistent members of other churches; three 
 
CHUKCn IN MERCERSBURG. 127 
 
 have been the subjects of church discipline ; and one 
 has been ordained to the ministry of the gospel ; 
 while all the rest are still in connexion with us, and 
 are in good and regular standing. I simply ask, even 
 when persons are received into the communion of the 
 Church in the ordinary way — when there is no spe- 
 cial interest on the subject of religion — whether any 
 Church Register presents a more favourable result ? 
 To God alone be all the praise ! 
 
 In this same year, 1832, the Female Sewing 
 Society was organized, the object of which was to 
 educate poor and pious young men for the Gospel 
 ministry. After a short time, however, it changed 
 its relation, and became auxiliary to the Foreign 
 Missionary Society, and has educated a heathen 
 youth in the Orphan Asylum at Futtehgurh, in 
 North India, under the care of the Rev. Henry 
 R. Wilson, and who bears the name of their former 
 much-loved pastor, David Elliott. The amount of 
 funds contributed since the formation of this society 
 is six hundred dollars. 
 
 In 1833, the following persons were added to the 
 Session : Messrs. John Witherspoon, John McCul- 
 lough, and John Dorrance. 
 
 In the winter of 1842 and '43, this church was 
 again visited with a revival of religion. During the 
 nine months immediately following its commence- 
 ment, thirty-four persons were received into the com- 
 munion of the Church, on profession of their faith. 
 Of those who were then received, seventeen have 
 
128 CHURCHES OP THE VALLEY. 
 
 been dismissed, and two have entered the ministry. 
 Not a case has occurred requiring the exercise of the 
 discipline of the Church. The manner in which this 
 revival was conducted ; the truths which were pre- 
 sented, and the manner in which they were exhibited; 
 the instructions which were given to the inquiring ; 
 and the care which was exercised in receiving appli- 
 cants into the membership of the Church, afforded us 
 every reasonable ground from which to expect the 
 most favourable results. 
 
 In 1844, the church edifice in town was repaired, 
 new-modelled, and a vestibule added to it. The ex- 
 pense of repairing and furnishing it was two thousand 
 dollars. It was occupied for the first time, January 
 12th, 1845, on which occasion the pastor gave an 
 historical sketch of the church, from the time of its 
 organization. In 1849, the following persons were 
 added to the Session : — Messrs. Andrew L. Coyle, 
 John McDowell, James Roberts, and William Pat- 
 terson. 
 
 In 1849, a lecture-room was commenced contiguous 
 to the church. It was finished and furnished at an 
 expense of six hundred dollars. The first time that 
 divine worship was held in it, was August 7th, 1850, 
 on which occasion the pastor delivered a dedication 
 sermon from the words: ''For where two or three 
 are gathered together in my name, there am I in the 
 midst of them." (Matt, xviii. 20.) Prior to this, our 
 social meetings were held in the houses of the families 
 belonging to the church in town. We had forty 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 120 
 
 places of meeting, which required nine months to 
 complete their circuit. 
 
 During a part of this period which has been 
 claiming our attention, our Church at large was 
 agitated by a diflference of opinion, chiefly in refe- 
 rence to doctrines and polity, and which resulted in 
 a division, in 1838, known by the names of Old School 
 and New School. In all this controversy, which was 
 deep and wide, spread throughout the whole length 
 and breadth of the land, while here, too, intense 
 interest was felt in relation to it, yet as a church we 
 have stood fast in the faith of our fathers. Nor, at 
 the present time, is there a church, composed of as 
 many members, more harmonious, or more united, or 
 more cordial in their adherence to the symbols of our 
 faith, as taught in the Westminster Confession of 
 Faith, Catechisms, and Form of Government. We 
 record the fact as a matter of sincere and heartfelt 
 thankfulness. 
 
 In November, 1851, the present pastor having 
 completed the twentieth year of his ministry in this 
 church, delivered a sermon commemorative of this 
 interesting event, from the words: "Then Samuel 
 took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, 
 and called the name of it, Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto 
 hath the Lord helped us." (1 Sam. vii. 12.) It may 
 not be out of place to give the concluding part of 
 this discourse, which exhibits the results of this score 
 of years in the pastoral office in this church : — 
 "And, 1st, The Families. When I settled among 
 
130 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 jou, there were connected with this congregation one 
 hundred and forty families. There are at the present 
 time one hundred and fifty-five. Twenty-two are 
 families of colour. One hundred of them reside in 
 the country, and fifty-five in the village. In all this 
 number who compose this congregation at the present 
 time, there are but sixty who were here when I be- 
 came pastor — so many and so great have been the 
 changes ! And yet we still retain the original num- 
 ber, and have fifteen additional. 2. Baptisms. — Four 
 hundred and fourteen were baptized in infancy, and 
 ninety-six adults, making a total of five hundred and 
 ten. 3. Members. — There have been added to the 
 church, on profession of their faith, four hundred 
 and eight members, and by certificate one hundred 
 and thirty-two, making the whole number five hun- 
 dred and forty, or an annual increase of twenty-seven. 
 At the present time we have three hundred and sixty 
 under our immediate oversight. Of this number two 
 hundred and forty-two are females, one hundred and 
 eighteen are males, forty-seven couples are husbands 
 and wives, thirty-six are widows, and forty-five are 
 coloured persons. Of those who were members 
 twenty years ago, but seventy-six remain. 4. Minis- 
 ters. — Seven young men have been either licensed 
 or ordained to preach the Gospel, and two of them 
 have gone forth as missionaries to preach Christ to 
 the heathen. 5. Marriages. — Two hundred and 
 twenty-one marriage ceremonies have been per- 
 formed. 6. Contributions. — Five thousand eight 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 131 
 
 hundred dollars have been contributed to different be- 
 nevolent objects. 7. Visits. — The number which has 
 been made amounts to seven thousand six hundred, 
 or annually to three hundred and eighty-five. 8. Ser- 
 mons, lectures, and addresses. — The number of times 
 which I have preached, lectured, and given addresses 
 within the bounds of the congregation, is twenty- three 
 hundred ; and I have in manuscript eleven hundred 
 and thirty sermons and lectures, nearly all of which 
 have been prepared during my connexion with this 
 Church. 9. Deaths. — The number of deaths which 
 have occurred within these twenty years is, two 
 hundred and seventy-two. Of this number, one hun- 
 dred and sixty-one were members in full communion. 
 The ages of those who have died may be thus classi- 
 fied : Fifty have died in infancy ; from infancy to 
 their twenty-fifth year, thirty ; from their twenty- 
 fifth to their forty-fifth year, fifty ; from their 
 forty-fifth to their sixtieth year, forty-five ; from 
 their sixtieth to their seventieth year, thirty ; 
 from their seventieth to their eightieth year, thirty- 
 three ; and over their eightieth year, twenty. 
 Among these dead, we have to reckon four members 
 of Session," — and another, since this discourse was 
 delivered, leaving but one of the original members, 
 who composed the Session when the present pastoral 
 relation was formed. 
 
132 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 CONCLUDING REMARKS. 
 
 1. To God's care and kindness we are indebted 
 for the permanency and prosperity of this church. 
 It has had its trials and its changes, but the gates of 
 hell have not prevailed against it. At one time in its 
 early history it was entirely scattered ; at another 
 time it was nearly broken up ; and a third time it 
 was greatly diminished by death, in connexion with 
 pecuniary embarrassments : and yet, in the midst of 
 all these adverse circumstances, the Lord has kept 
 it. And this day, after a period of one hundred and 
 fourteen years, notwithstanding all the disasters which 
 have befallen it, the number of its families and com- 
 municants has not only not diminished, but has been 
 greatly augmented. It is an interesting fact con- 
 nected with the history of this church, and which 
 ought not to be passed over unnoticed, that for the 
 space of eighty-three years, as far back as our records 
 reach our Church has maintained its ground, as will be 
 seen from the following statements : — In the year 
 1769, when Dr. King became its pastor, the number of 
 families then connected with it was one hundred and 
 thirty. In 1789, twenty years afterwards, he makes 
 the following remark : '* The number of families 
 connected with this congregation is about the same as 
 when I settled.'' In 1812, the number was ojie hun- 
 dred and thirty-seven. In 1820, upwards of one 
 
CHURCH IN MERCERSBURG. 133 
 
 hundred and seventy. In 1831, about one hundred 
 and forty — having been greatly diminished by the 
 causes already mentioned. And at the present time 
 (1852), they number one hundred and fifty-five. 
 Thus has it never sunk below the first-named number, 
 but has always exceeded it. And rarely has there 
 been a communion season at which, according to the 
 Register, there has not been an addition to its mem- 
 bership. And thrice has it been visited with the spe- 
 cial tokens of Divine grace. With devout gratitude 
 we record these facts ; and in recording them we give 
 all the glory to Him who has brought them into 
 being. Ministers and members of the Church may 
 labour and pray for the building up of Zion, but un- 
 less God hears their prayers and blesses their efforts, 
 Zion cannot prosper. ^'Not by might, nor by power, 
 but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts." Or, in 
 the expressive language of that most laborious of all 
 Christ's Apostles, ''I have planted, Apollos watered ; 
 but God gave the increase. So then neither is he 
 that planteth anything, neither he that watereth, but 
 God, that giveth the increase." 
 
 2. If God has thus prospered this Church for so 
 long a time, let us never yield to despondency in 
 regard to its future condition. If, in looking back 
 upon its past history, we can discover that the Lord 
 has led it, and kept it, and prospered it, we are 
 warranted in drawing the conclusion, that if we re- 
 main faithful to Him, he will continue to dwell among 
 
 us. These are the terms : — " The Lord is with you 
 
 12 
 
134 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 ■while you be with him ; and if ye seek him, he will 
 be found of you ; but if ye forsake him, he will for- 
 sake you." On this principle He has always acted 
 towards the Church. Its entire history, from its 
 commencement to the present time, warrants the re- 
 mark. And what is thus true of the Church in 
 general, is equally true in its application to parti- 
 cular churches. It is true in relation to this church. 
 If this church has been preserved and prospered, it 
 is because it has been faithful to its Head. If it 
 would continue to prosper, it must continue in its 
 fidelity to its King. Its minister, and its officers, 
 and its me7nbers, must possess the Spirit of their 
 Lord and Master ; must follow closely in His footsteps, 
 must yield implicit obedience to his commands ; must 
 maintain and disseminate the truth ; must be united 
 to one another in sentiment and in affection , and 
 must labour and pray for its welfare. Thus living 
 and thus acting, God will still bestow upon it the 
 choicest riches of His grace ; its prosperity shall 
 continue to increase, and its permanency shall be 
 rendered sure. 
 
 And to secure these ends, may all who belong to 
 this Church, in humble dependence upon the grace 
 of our Divine Lord, adopt the language of the captive 
 Israelites and ever live under its constraining influence : 
 " If I forget thee, Jerusalem, let my right hand 
 forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let 
 my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I 
 prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy ! Psalm 
 cxxxvii, 5, 6. 
 
135 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 WELSH RUN CHURCH. 
 
 This Church, formerly known as " Lower West 
 Conococheague," was originally a part of " Upper 
 West Conococheague," or what is now called Mer- 
 cersburg." It was organized, A. D. 1741, and grew 
 out of the controversy which about that time so 
 deeply and so extensively agitated the Presbyterian 
 Church at large, and ultimately led to a division 
 which continued for seventeen years.* But though 
 the effects of this division were felt here also, and 
 brought about the formation of this new interest, it 
 was what their situation as a congregation required. 
 The territory covered by the mother church, was 
 much too extensive to allow the people to meet weekly 
 in the same place of worship. And yet when the 
 separation was made, it was done with so much good 
 feeling, that both churches, still adhering to the same 
 Presbytery, were frequently represented in the same 
 Judicatory by the same commissioner. 
 
 * See Appendix III. 
 
136 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 This church, at a very early period in its history 
 was supplied for a season with the preaching of the 
 gospel by a Rev. Mr. Dunlap. The church edifice 
 in which the congregation then worshipped, was burnt 
 down by the Indians in their wars with the whites. 
 A second building was afterwards erected, which, 
 having undergone frequent repairs, still stands. The 
 congregations which assembled at this place of 
 worship on sacramental occasions were so numerous, 
 that the church being insufficient to accommodate 
 them, it was not an unusual thing for two ministers 
 to be preaching at the same time ; the one in the 
 church, and the other in a temporary building, near 
 at hand, called the Tent. From this circumstance, 
 this place of worship was sometimes called the " Tent 
 Meeting-House." 
 
 The Rev. Thomas M'Pherrin having become 
 pastor of this church, August 17th, A. D. 1774, con- 
 tinued in this relation until October 2d, A. D. 1799, 
 when he resigned his charge. He died February 3d, 
 A. D. 1802, aged 51 years. Besides preaching to 
 this congregation, he also preached a part of his 
 time to a congregation near Greencastle, which wor- 
 shipped in a tent that stood on the farm formerly 
 belonging to Mr. Andrew Snively. 
 
 From the time of Mr. M'Pherrin's relinquishment 
 of his charge, this church became connected with the 
 Greencastle Church, and was supplied with the pas- 
 toral services of the Rev. Robert Kennedy. He 
 commenced his labours among them in 1802, 
 
WELSH RUN CHURCH. 137 
 
 and continued in this connexion until April 9th, 
 1816, when he removed to Cumberland, Maryland. 
 Having resided in Cumberland for nine years, he 
 returned to this charge in the year 1825, from which 
 time to his decease, he continued in the exercise of 
 the pastoral office among them. Mr. Kennedy died 
 in the fall of 1843. 
 
 This church has been subject to many changes. 
 At an early period in its history, it was large and 
 numerous, composed of the most respectable and in- 
 fluential families in the neighbourhood. In the year 
 1814, the number of families had diminished to 
 seventeen. And at present, there are about seven. 
 There are but two families connected with it now, 
 who stood in this relation to it seventy years ago. 
 At that early period, the entire population of the 
 surrounding country were Scotch-Irish, and all of 
 them belonging to the Presbyterian congregation. 
 Now, the great mass of them are Germans, and belong 
 to the Dunkers and River Brethren. 
 
 The materials for the foregoing sketch of the 
 history of this Church, in relation to its early state, 
 were furnished to the writer of it (Rev. Mr. Creigh), 
 by Mr. David Dunwoody, now in his eighty-second 
 year, who was born and reared within its bounds, and 
 who for forty years has been a Ruling Elder in the 
 Church at Mercersburg. 
 
 12* 
 
138 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE CHUECH AT CHAMBERSBURG. 
 
 As we have bad occasion to state elsewhere, though 
 the Land-office of Pennsylvania was not open for the 
 sale of lands west of the Susquehanna, until they 
 were purchased of the Indians, in October, 1736, yet 
 the proprietary offices and agents were disposed to fa- 
 vour settlements west of that river, with the consent 
 of the Indians, who were conciliated by the settlers. 
 " These settlements were encouraged and recognised, 
 though without official grants, in order to resist the 
 encroachment of the Marylanders on what was con- 
 sidered part of the Province of Pennsylvania. This 
 policy, and the fine country forming that part of the 
 Kittatinny Valley, extending from the Susquehanna, 
 at the mouth of the Conodoguinett, along the waters 
 of the beautiful Conococheague to the Potomac, in- 
 duced men of enterprise to seek and locate desirable 
 situations for water-works and farms, in the valleys of 
 those two streams, and of Yellow Breeches Creek." 
 
 Among the first to explore, and settle in this 
 valley, were four adventurous brothers, James, Ro- 
 bert, Joseph, and Benjamin Chambers, who emigra- 
 ted from the County of Antrim, in Ireland, to the 
 Province of Pennsylvania, between the years 1726 
 and 1730. The last of these gentlemen, when about 
 
THE CHURCH AT CHAMBERSBURG. 139 
 
 twenty-one years of age, settled where Chambersburg 
 now stands, in 1730, and "The Falling Spring" was 
 the name given by him to the place of his settlement, 
 at the confluence of the large spring with the Cono- 
 cocheague Creek, over the bank of the latter. 
 
 The families that subsequently located themselves 
 on and near the waters of this spring (which gave 
 the name to the entire settlement, until 1764), were, 
 with scarcely an exception, Presbyterians, and soon 
 organized a congregation. Until the town of Cham- 
 bersburg was laid out, in the year just mentioned, 
 this congregation was known as the Congregation of 
 Falling Spring, but after that it was called the Pres- 
 byterian Congregation of Chambersburg, and also that 
 of Falling Spring. 
 
 Col. Benjamin Chambers, who was himself a 
 Presbyterian, made an early appropriation of some 
 suitable ground for a graveyard, school-house, and 
 place of public worship. This was the romantic 
 cedar grove on the bank of the creek, on which the 
 present church stands. In this grove, and near the 
 spot which the present edifice occupies, there was 
 erected a small log building, which was used for the 
 double purpose of a school-house and place of wor- 
 ship. This building, as would appear from the fol- 
 lowing extract from the Records of Presbytery, at 
 their sederunt in 1739, was erected in that year. 
 
 " A Supplication from the people of Canigogig was 
 presented by James Lindsay, commissioner, wherein 
 they requested that Mr. Caven's ordination be has^ 
 tened. The Presbytery inquired of said commissioner 
 
140 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 what provision they had made for Mr. Caven's sus- 
 tenance among them ; it was answered, that their sub- 
 scriptions amounted to forty-six pounds, which they 
 will make good, and what can be had over and above 
 shall be allowed him ; and further, they will do what 
 they can to procure a plantation to live upon. The 
 commissioner also learns in writing from that people, 
 signifying that they have agreed about the bounds 
 between them and the west side of Canigogig, west 
 from Alexander Dunlop's to the fork of the creek, and 
 thence the creek to be the line until it come to the line 
 of the Province; and that they have agreed that their 
 other Meeting-House shall be at the Falling Spring." 
 
 This old building, as already intimated, was small 
 and exceedingly plain in its structure. It was formed 
 of logs, entered by a door on the eastern side and 
 another on the southern, and lighted by long, nar- 
 row windows, which were of the width of two small 
 panes of glass, and reached from one end to the 
 other of the building. When this building, as was 
 frequently the case, was not of sufficient capacity to 
 accommodate all who wished to worship in it, the 
 congregation abandoned it for the time in favour of 
 the saw-mill of Col. Chambers, which stood on the 
 bank .of the creek, on what is now known as " The 
 Island," and which was surrounded by a lovely 
 green plot. On that grassy space, when it was at all 
 proper, the gathered crowd seated themselves, and 
 received with interest and eagerness the messages of 
 God from his commissioned ambassador. 
 
 In the year 1767 this rude log building was demo- 
 
THE OHURCH AT CH A MBERSB U RG. 141 
 
 lished. Its dimensions were entirely too contracted 
 for the increasing community, and besides, something 
 a little more tasteful was demanded by the advancing 
 spirit of the times. Another edifice, therefore, was 
 erected, in which the sacred services of the Sabbath 
 might be performed. This was considerably larger 
 than its predecessor, being about thirty-five by se- 
 venty feet, and was of better finished material. It 
 stood where the present church does, though its posi- 
 tion was somewhat different, as it presented a side- 
 view to the street. One year after the erection of 
 this church, Col. Chambers by deed conveyed to 
 trustees the grounds that had before been dedicated 
 to the use of the congregation and burial-ground. 
 The form of this appropriation was as follows : 
 
 "Deed for ground of Falling Spring Church, dated 
 January 1st, 1768, from Benjamin Chambers and 
 Jane, his wife, to Patrick Vance, Matthew Wilson, 
 Edward Cook, Robert Patterson, William Linsly, Jr., 
 William Gass, and William Brotherton, in trust for 
 the Presbyterian Congregation of Falling Spring, 
 now professing and adhering to, and that shall here- 
 after adhere to and profess the Westminster Confes- 
 sion of Faith and the mode of Church Government 
 therein contained, witnesseth, that the said Benjamin 
 Chambers and Jane, his wife, as well for their regard 
 to the true religion of the blessed Redeemer, Jesus, 
 the Son of God, and for and in consideration of their 
 regard to the interest and advantage of said congre- 
 gation, and in consideration of the rents, convey to 
 the Trustees, &c., yielding and paying therefor and 
 
142 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 thereout unto the said B. C, his heirs or assigns, at 
 the said town of Chambersburg, on the first day of 
 June next first after this date, the yearly rent or con- 
 sideration of one Rose, if required." 
 
 In 1787, the congregation of Falling Spring was 
 incorporated by Act of Assembly, and has ever since 
 been governed in its property afi'airs by Trustees 
 elected under this Charter. At that time "it would 
 seem that the congregation was larger than in 1832, 
 though at the latter period the population of Cham- 
 bersburg was tenfold that of 1786. After the revo- 
 lutionary war and peace, a German population sup- 
 planted the first settlers, and possessed themselves of 
 most of their choice plantations by purchase, and the 
 families and descendants of these settlers moved west 
 of the mountains." 
 
 The present church edifice at Chambersburg, which 
 was erected in 1803, is a handsome and comfortable 
 building. It is of stone, and indicates by its external 
 structure that it was the product of a past age, yet is 
 it not on this account less, but rather more attractive 
 in its appearance. We like many of the improve- 
 ments which have of late.been made, and the liberality 
 which has generally been displayed in church archi- 
 tecture throughout our land. We undervalue not a 
 due regard to external beauty and becoming decora- 
 tion in the erection of a house of worship. We sym- 
 pathize not with those whose penuriousness, though 
 they give it a holier name, makes them content to 
 dwell themselves in houses of cedar, whilst the ark of 
 
THE CHURCH AT CHAMBERSBURG. 143 
 
 God dwelleth within curtains. Rejecting, indeed, 
 on the one hand, a religion of attitude and show, a 
 religion of picturesque and imposing observances, 
 ^'wherein the fine arts, and the power of genius, the 
 chisel of the sculptor, the ode of the poet, the combi- 
 nations of instrumental music, the trillings of various 
 voices, the stated procession, the scattered flowers, 
 the blaze of many lights, or the costly frankincense 
 of Arabia, are directed to excite the fancy and the 
 passions to a pitch which lulls the conscience and 
 draws away attention from the conduct," — on the 
 other hand, we as much admire the taste, the libe- 
 rality, the sincerity, and the spirit of devotion, which 
 find somewhat of their expression in exercises at once 
 simple and sublime, and in a building for the worship 
 of God, which is convenient in its arrangements, 
 chaste in its design, neat in its furniture, and attrac- 
 tive by its comeliness, rather than repulsive to the eye. 
 To be satisfied that all this is true of the Church at 
 Chambersburg, and that besides, its exterior has an 
 impress of antiquity which throws around it a peculiar 
 interest, it is but necessary to see it. It is at once 
 simple, neat, and beautiful. Its elevated site, also, is 
 a most desirable one, calling as it does, for those who 
 worship within the sanctuary, to leave the associations 
 and pursuits of a bustling yet fading world, and come 
 up to the service of the Lord. The shadows which 
 fall around it, likewise, from trees which were stand- 
 ing when the footstep of the white man first broke 
 the silence of the wilderness, are not without their 
 
144 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 deep significance ; neither is the ivy which covers its 
 walls, as if to bear constant testimony to the truth, 
 that with a steadiness and tenacity, which neither 
 sunshine or storm or revolving seasons can impair, 
 man's affections should rise above the earth, cleave to 
 the risen Saviour, and cluster around the Church 
 which He hath purchased with his precious blood. 
 
 There can be no doubt that the congregation at 
 Falling Spring was for a time supplied by ministers 
 sent from the Presbyteries of Donegal and Newcastle. 
 But this arrangement was of short continuance, as 
 the following extract from the minutes of a meeting 
 of a committee of Presbytery, held at " Canigogig, 
 16th November, 1739, plainly shows. 
 
 ^'Mr. Boyd having published an edict at the door, 
 in the hearing of both societies, Thomas Brown ap- 
 peared, declared that if said societies are willing to 
 have Mr. Caven ordained among them, he will make 
 no objection against it; at the same time said Thomas 
 Brown desired that the ground of the censure laid on 
 him by the Presbytery be inquired into : the committee, 
 after some discourse on said request, agree to defer 
 the consideration of that affair until the work of or- 
 dination be over. Richard O'Cahan, Joseph Arm- 
 strong, Benjamin Chambers, and Patrick Jack, have 
 publicly engaged to pay to Mr. Samuel Thompson 
 the sum of one pound five shillings, at or before next 
 meeting of Presbytery, as being the whole of arrears 
 due him by the people at Canigogig." 
 
 From this record it is evident that, in all probabi- 
 
THE CHURCH AT CHAMBEllSBURG. 145 
 
 lity, Mr. Thompson preceded Mr. Caven as pastor of 
 "the people of Conococheague," the name by which 
 the congregations of Greencastle and Falling Spring- 
 were then known. Mr. Caven resigned his pastoral 
 relation in 1741. 
 
 About the year 1767, the Rev. James Lang (or 
 Long, as he was generally called) became the pastor 
 of the church at Falling Spring for one-half his time, 
 the other half being given to Greencastle, where he 
 resided. 
 
 In 1792, in compliance with a " supplication" from 
 the united congregations of Falling Spring and East 
 Conococheague, the Rev. William Speer was "ap- 
 pointed for six months statedly to supply them, in 
 rotation with their present pastor, Mr. Lang ; to 
 which arrangement Mr. Lang declared his hearty 
 consent." 
 
 In 1794, the union between the congregations of 
 Falling Spring and East Conococheague was dis- 
 solved, and the latter became the sole charge of Mr. 
 Lang. At the same time Mr. Speer accepted the 
 pastorate of Falling Spring. Mr. Speer was licensed 
 by the Presbytery of Carlisle, June 22d, 1791, or- 
 dained and installed pastor of Falling Spring, Oct. 
 8th, 1794, and his pastoral relation was dissolved in 
 April, 1797. , 
 
 After being supplied for a time by appointments 
 of Presbytery, the congregation at Chambersburg, in 
 the year 1800, secured the services of the Rev. David 
 Denny, w4io was set over them in the Lord, and con- 
 
 13 
 
146 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 tinned to labour among them until 1838, when, on 
 account of the infirmity of years, his resignation was 
 tendered and accepted. 
 
 We transfer the following truthful sketch of the 
 history and character of this excellent man, from the 
 Presbytery's book of obituaries of deceased ministers. 
 
 "Died at his residence in Chambersburg, on Tues- 
 day, the 16th of December, 1845, the Rev. David 
 Denny, in the 78th year of his age, formerly pastor 
 of the Falling Spring Church, in that place. To those 
 whose sympathy or admiration is limited to terrestrial 
 displays, the memorials of valour or political eminence 
 address a grateful spectacle, but the mind that has 
 learned to reverence religion, and contrast the tri- 
 umphs of the Cross with the loftiest of mere human 
 attainments, will turn with more delight to the sublime 
 but less ostentatious records of Christian virtue. 
 The modesty that distinguished the venerable servant 
 of God who forms the subject of this notice, would 
 have been sensibly shocked, had he known that a 
 sketch of his retired life would be submitted to the 
 public eye after his decease ; and the feeble tribute 
 that is now offered to his memory is not without the 
 restraint imposed by that humble sentiment of self- 
 approbation which he was always known to cherish. 
 
 '' The Rev. David Denny was the third son of a 
 revolutionary soldier who fell in battle, when his 
 eldest son, contending at his side, was captured by 
 the enemy. He graduated at Dickinson College, 
 while Dr. Charles Nesbit was Principal of that Insti- 
 
THE CHURCH AT CHAMBERSBURG. 147 
 
 tution, and under that learned and classic divine 
 began and completed his theological studies. He 
 was a fond admirer of his distinguished preceptor, 
 and the writer has often heard him narrate anecdotes 
 illustrative of his wit, learning, and accomplishments. 
 The sources of Philosophy and Divinity at that day 
 were neither as copious nor accessible as at present, 
 and the acquisitions of the student were consequently 
 earned by severer toil and application, than the fa- 
 cilities of learning now exact. The lectures of Dr. 
 Nesbit were delivered at a modulated rate and tone, 
 that the members of his class might be able to reduce 
 them to writing as they fell from his lips. The de- 
 ceased has left in his library seven quarto volumes 
 of these discourses, in his own handsome and legible 
 handwriting, which form together a respectable body 
 of metaphysics and divinity. Whatever the present 
 intrinsic value of these lectures may be, when the 
 bounds of sacred and profane learning have been so 
 much enlarged, the diligent reader will find in many 
 pages of them, strong marks of the erudition, origi- 
 nal thought, and classic taste of the author. 
 
 " Mr. Denny was licensed to preach about'the year 
 1792, by the Presbytery of Carlisle, within Avhose 
 bounds he remained until the close of his pastoral 
 office. He was first installed over two congregations 
 in Path Valley, that had lately become vacant by the 
 death of the Rev. Mr. Dougal, where he continued 
 until the year 1800, in the enjoyment of the esteem 
 and affections of a much-beloved people. In the year 
 
148 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 last mentioned, he was transferred to the pastoral 
 charge of the Falling Spring Church, in Chambers- 
 burg, which he retained until the termination of his 
 public ministrations, — a period of 38 years. That 
 church, then in comparative infancy, was delivered 
 over at his retirement to his estimable successor in the 
 pastoral ofiSce, in the vigour and maturity of improving 
 manhood. His means derived from the ministry being 
 inadequate to the demands of a large and growing 
 family, he was obliged to combine with it, for a series 
 of years, the labours of a teacher of the learned lan- 
 guages in an academy, and being a master of eco- 
 nomy he secured that enviable maintenance midway 
 between poverty and wealth, so desirable to the good 
 man, and that proves at once a defence against the 
 inconveniences of penury, and the vices of pro- 
 fusion. 
 
 " In the year of Mr. Denny's retirement from the 
 active duties of the sanctuary, death snatched from 
 his side the fond partner of his pilgrimage, a lady of 
 exalted worth, and by the same stroke broke his 
 cheerful spirit and firm constitution. Companions 
 also who shared his better years and pastoral inti- 
 macy, had then dropped away one by one around him, 
 until he was left almost alone, like the gray oak of 
 the forest, surrounded by generations of a younger 
 growth. He continued to languish under increasing 
 infirmity, until repeated attacks of paralysis accele- 
 rated his decline and deprived him of the power of 
 articulate speech. It was not until several months 
 
THE CHUECH AT CH A M B ERS B U RG. 149 
 
 after this trying visitation, that the mysterious hand 
 which often chastens out of plenitude of love, called 
 him, by a voice gentle and meek as the breathing of 
 infant slumber, from the sorrows of his earthly state 
 to the joyous assembly of the just. His person, cast 
 in the finest mould for strength, activity, and propor- 
 tion, was well adapted to the air of dignity which 
 Nature herself had impressed upon it. His mind was 
 of a strong and discerning order, always governed 
 by candour and sincerity, and warmed by the love of 
 truth. His views were expressed in the language of 
 simplicity and earnestness, neither adorned nor ob- 
 scured by the garnish of imagery or the flashes of 
 rhetoric. 
 
 " In doctrine Mr. Denny was a decided Calvinist, 
 and conscientiously attached to the standards of the 
 Presbyterian Church. The tide of new measures that 
 threatened, about the close of his ministerial career, 
 the subversion of everything like rational religion in 
 the church, was consonant neither to his judgment 
 nor taste, but regarded rather as the offspring of 
 Pelagian error than the fruit of evangelical repen- 
 tance, — a decision which the overseers of the honour 
 and purity of the Church are fast vindicating, by the 
 substitution of a higher and more solemn test of spi- 
 ritual improvement. Modesty and humility were in- 
 terwoven with the very texture of his heart, and its 
 liveliest sympathies were always in expansion for the 
 sick, the suffering, and the desolate. 
 
 " Neither inclemency of weather nor transient ill- 
 
 13^ 
 
150 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 ness were suffered to detain him from the exercises of 
 the pulpit, and he enjoyed in no ordinary degree the 
 esteem and affection of the people among whom he 
 laboured. He was actuated in social intercourse by 
 a manly, tolerant, and liberal spirit, and has left to 
 all who stood in private or public relations to him, an 
 example of many virtues with which humanity is not 
 often adorned, which they may fail to imitate, but 
 can never cease to admire and love." 
 
 As in addition to his active interest in other 
 Christian enterprises, the Rev. Mr. Denny took a 
 prominent part in the organization of " The Franklin 
 County Bible Society." We give some account of 
 the origin of this association.* 
 
 After Mr. Denny's withdrawment from his pulpit, 
 the Rev. AVilliam Adam was chosen to fill it, in Sep- 
 tember, 1839, and did so until April, 1841, when im- 
 paired health demanded a temporary cessation of his 
 ministerial labours. 
 
 The Rev. Daniel McKinley was Mr. Adam's suc- 
 cessor, and continued to be pastor of the church for 
 nine years. At the time of his resignation Dr. 
 McKinley accepted a call to a congregation in the 
 city of Pittsburg. 
 
 After being vacant for about twelve months, the 
 congregation invited Mr. Joseph Clark, a Licentiate 
 of the Presbytery of Carlisle, to be their stated supply 
 for a year, and before the expiration of this time, he 
 was unanimously called to be their pastor. Mr. 
 
 * See Appendix IV. 
 
THE CHURCH AT CHAMBERSBURG. 151 
 
 Clarke was ordained and installed in June, 1852, — 
 the Rev. Messrs. D. D. Clarke, Creigh, Morris, and 
 Dr. McKinlej, officiating on the occasion. 
 
 The Session of the Church, at present, consists of 
 the following members : — Samuel Mcllroy, David 
 Lytle, Robert Sharp, Holmes Crawford, John Cree, 
 and Robert Black. 
 
 As Fayetteville lies within the ancient limits of the 
 congregation of Chambersburg, this may be the proper 
 place to notice the church there. This congregation 
 was organized, July. 21st, 1833. For a number of 
 years it was favoured with preaching by the pastors 
 of the Chambersburg church, and for a brief season, 
 was served by Mr. Thos. K. Davis, a licentiate, but for 
 some time it has been under the care of the Rev. 
 James F. Kennedy, who unites with his ministerial 
 office the charge of a flourishing classical academy 
 in Chambersburg. The congregation is not large, 
 but is steadily increasing. It worships in a comfor- 
 table brick building, which stands near the centre of 
 the village, and which is owned jointly by the Pres- 
 byterian and the German Reformed congregations of 
 the place. 
 
 Let us now turn to the churchyard of the congre- 
 gation of The Falling Spring. 
 
 "A churchyard! 'tis a homely word, yet full 
 Of feeling: and a sound which o'er the heart 
 Might shed religion. In the gloom of graves 
 I read the curse primeval, and the voice 
 That wreaked it seems to whisper by these tombs 
 Of village quiet, which around me lie 
 In green humility. Can Life, the dead 
 
152 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 Among be musing, nor to God advance 
 
 The spirit of her thought ? True Nature wears 
 
 No rustic mourning here : in golden play 
 
 Her sprightly grass — flowers wave, the random breeze 
 
 Hums in the noon, or with yon froward bough 
 
 A murm'ring quarrel wakes : and yet, how oft 
 
 In such a haunt, the insuppressive sigh 
 
 Is heard, while feelings which may pilot years 
 
 To glory, spring from out a minute's gloom." 
 
 The expression of admiration is universal on the 
 part of those who visit the Cemetery at Chambers- 
 burg. And it is, unquestionably, one of the loveliest 
 homes of the dead that is anywhere to be seen. 
 Though within the precincts of the town, it is yet 
 in a great measure hidden from the view, and pervaded 
 by much of the solemn stillness of the country. A 
 wanderer among its tombs might easily imagine him- 
 self in some lonely retreat, secluded from the world, 
 and where none would be likely to disturb his medi- 
 tations or see the falling tear. This beautiful place, 
 which lies in the rear of the church, is skirted on the 
 north by the Conococheague, whose waters flow noise- 
 lessly along beneath a steep and high descent. In 
 the direction of its southern extremity, and but a short 
 distance from it, are to be heard the murmurs of the 
 Falling Spring, as it rolls onward, soon to lose itself in 
 the deeper stream to which it pays its tribute. The 
 time was when this spring flowed through the grave- 
 yard, in the deep ravine which yet divides it in a di- 
 rection nearly north and south, but it was at an early 
 day diverted from this channel to its present course, 
 
THE CHURCH AT C H AM B E RS B U R G. 153 
 
 that its power might be employed for a useful and 
 profitable purpose. That ravine is now occupied with 
 a number of majestic trees, which have since grown 
 up in its bosom, and its sides are thickly studded with 
 smaller ones, a,nd bushes of various kinds. This, in- 
 deed, is true of the entire yard : it is nearly altogether 
 protected in this way from the rays of the sun. The 
 visitor at once, and with interest, observes the rich 
 shrubbery which adorns the undulating ground on 
 which he treads, the numerous cedars scattered 
 through the enclosure, as if to represent the unfading 
 recollections of the departed which are cherished in 
 many a heart, and the refreshing shade which is spread 
 around him by stately trees which once sheltered the 
 redman in his slumbers after the toils of the day, and 
 which yet maintain their vigour and freshness amid the 
 very ravages of death. Sacred spot ! How many 
 warm tears have gushed upon thee ! How many 
 crushed hearts have poured forth their wailings upon 
 thy passing breeze ! How many affections hast thou 
 seen to bleed, and how many hopes to perish ! How 
 many loved treasures hast thou unveiled thy bosom 
 to receive, which now rest beneath the grassy mounds 
 which mark thy surface ! How many sad memories 
 continually linger about thee ! How many, too, are 
 there, among thy silent and shattered occupants, who, 
 because they died in faith in Him who is the Resur- 
 rection and the Life, shall catch with triumph the last 
 trumpet's stirring sound, 
 
 *'Then burst the chains in sweet surprise, 
 And in the Saviour's image rise !" 
 
154 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE CHURCH AT SHIPPENSBURG. 
 
 Shippensburg is the oldest town, except York, west 
 of the Susquehanna River. It was originally wholly 
 settled by Irish. In it the courts were held when 
 Cumberland was organized, 1750. During the French 
 and Indian wars, two forts, Fort Morris and Fort 
 Franklin, were erected there, the remains of one of 
 which, were, until lately, still to be seen. Some idea 
 of the size and condition of the place, a little more 
 than a century ago, may be derived from the subjoined 
 extracts from a letter, dated June 14th, 1755, to Go- 
 vernor Morris, from Charles Swaine, who, it appears, 
 was on a visit to the place on public business. 
 
 " I judge there are sufficient buildings for storing 
 the provisions, without erecting any." 
 
 " I find not above two pastures here, those but 
 mean as to grass, from drought, but there is a fine 
 range of forage for upwards of four miles, in the woods, 
 quite to the foot of the South Mountain. " There are 
 no bricks here, and little lime at present, so the 
 making ovens would be difficult, and if made of clay, 
 then there would be some iron-work wanting." 
 
THE CHURCH AT SHIPPE N SBURG. 155 
 
 One of the earliest churches organized in Ship- 
 pensburg was the Associate Reformed Presbyterian. 
 Until this organization was effected, the Episcopal 
 element was, perhaps, dominant in the borough, 
 through the influence of Mr. Shippen, the proprietor, 
 who was connected with that denomination. This 
 church was under the care of the Second Presbytery 
 of Philadelphia, in connexion with the Associate 
 Reformed Synod. For a number of years the Rev. 
 Mr. Walker was its pastor. After his separation 
 from it, the pulpit was filled, for about eighteen 
 months, by the Rev. Mr. Strong, now of New 
 York. In 1823, the Rev. Henry R. Wilson was 
 called, with the permission of the Presbytery, to 
 take charge of the congregation. Mr. Wilson con- 
 tinued in connexion with that body until 1825, when 
 it was dissolved, and he was received by the Presby- 
 tery of Carlisle. Mr. Wilson continued to be pastor 
 of this church until 1839. The following sketch of 
 the history and character of this useful servant of 
 the Lord, is an abridgment of his obituary, as pub- 
 lished in the "Presbyterian," June 14, 1849. 
 
 " The Rev. Henry R. Wilson, D.D., was born in 
 the neighbourhoo'd of Gettysburg, Adams County, 
 Pa., on the 7th of August, 1780. He was graduated 
 at Dickinson College, Carlisle, whilst the venerable 
 Charles Nesbit presided over that Institution, in the 
 days of its prosperity. He was licensed to preach 
 the gospel by the Presbytery of Carlisle in 1801. 
 
156 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 After labouring for some months in Virginia, as a 
 supply, he removed with his family to Bellefonte, 
 Centre County, Pa., where Presbyterians had neither 
 organized church nor house of worship. He com- 
 menced preaching in the court-house. His labours 
 were greatly blessed in gathering here a church, as 
 also another at Lick Kun, twelve miles distant. 
 Over these congregations he was installed pastor by 
 the Presbytery of Huntingdon, in 1802. 
 
 " In 1806, Mr. Wilson was chosen, at the early age 
 of twenty-six, to fill the Professorship of Languages 
 in Dickinson College. A part of the time, during 
 his connexion with the College, he preached to the 
 Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, as colleague with 
 President Davidson. Li 1814, a call was presented 
 to him by the congregation of Silvers' Spring, which 
 he accepted. 
 
 "In 1823, Dr. Wilson received a call from the 
 church in Shippensburg. During his ministry there, 
 the church enjoyed some precious seasons of refresh- 
 ing, * and many were added unto the Lord.' He 
 was indefatigable and abundant in labours. 
 
 "In 1838, Dr. W^ilson was chosen the first General 
 Agent of the Board of Publication, in which station 
 he laboured arduously until 1842, when he resigned 
 his office in that Board, and accepted a call from 
 the church at Neshaminy, at Hartsville, Bucks 
 County, Pa. Here, with his accustomed fidelity, he 
 continued to discharge the duties of pastor until the 
 
THE CHUKCH AT SHIP P ENS B U R G. 157 
 
 month of October, 1848, when, at his own request, 
 the pastoral relation was dissolved. 
 
 " For some months previous his health had become 
 so infirm, that he was seldom able to preach, except 
 when carried from his bed to the church, and placed 
 in a chair, in which posture he delivered his message, 
 amidst much bodily weakness and suffering, but with 
 his usual clearness of mind, and earnestness of 
 manner. 
 
 " Dr. Wilson's health continued to decline, notwith- 
 standing the cessation of his ministerial labours. 
 
 " After a sore conflict of forty-six hours, he died 
 in Philadelphia, on the morning of Thursday, the 
 22d of March, 1849, and was interred the day fol- 
 lowing, at Hartsville, the scene of his closing labours 
 in the ministry. An appropriate discourse was deli- 
 vered on the occasion by the Rev. Dr. Steel, of 
 Abington, and the sympathies and affections of the 
 people of his recent charge were abundantly shown 
 toward one whom, though absent, they had not ceased 
 to regard and love as their pastor. 
 
 " The life of Dr. Wilson was an eventful one. 
 More can be said of him, than that he passed through 
 scenes of some interest, grew old, and then died. 
 From his earliest labours in the Gospel there was 
 demand for a steadiness of purpose, and an energy 
 of execution, that not every man is equal to. 
 
 " The influence of such a man in the Church, we 
 
 cannot duly estimate. He was a pioneer in the cause 
 
 of the Gospel in Central Pennsylvania, and his labours 
 
 14 
 
158 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 essentially contributed to lay firm and deep the foun- 
 dations of those churches that adorn and bless the 
 region of his earliest toil. Ministers of Dr. Wilson's 
 character stamp an impression upon the times in which 
 they live. They give a fixedness to the order, the 
 government, the instruction, and standard of piety 
 in the church, by which, they being dead, yet speak. 
 
 " The ministerial labours of this venerable man were 
 abundant. His preaching was in character with the 
 man. It came down from a former generation, with all 
 that seriousness of manner and weight of instruction, 
 that are the fairest ornaments of the Christian Pulpit. 
 His whole deportment and performance may truly be 
 said to have been characterized by simplicity and 
 godly sincerity. Eminently instructive, his preaching 
 always made the impression, ' these things are so,' 
 and religion is a serious and important matter. 
 
 " I never knew a man less influenced in his minis- 
 terial work by the changing circumstances around 
 him. Whether the congregation was large or small, 
 whether prosperity attended his steps, or disappoint- 
 ment was his portion, not in these was he to find 
 the measure or the motive of his labours. He felt 
 himself to be of that number to whom it has been 
 commanded, ' Go and preach,' and whose the pro- 
 mise is, ' Lo, I am with you alway.' Not the 
 increase, the work was his. Not the measure of 
 his success, but the command of Christ, and the 
 assurance that God would bless and prosper his own 
 
THE CHURCH AT SHIPPBNSBURG. 159 
 
 truth ; — this was the rule and the measure of his 
 toil. 
 
 " Thus he lived^ a laborious and eminently useful 
 preacher of the Gospel, the crown of his family, and 
 an ornament to the ministry of reconciliation. 
 
 " Thus he died^ amidst great bodily suffering, with 
 the language of praise upon his lips. Not weary with 
 his ministerial labours, and his conflicts as a sinner 
 saved, but in obedience to the Master's call, ' It is 
 enough, come up higher,' he bade the world adieu, 
 with a full hope of immortality, most beloved by those 
 who knew him best, and lamented by all pious men of 
 every name." 
 
 The Rev. James Harper was the successor of Dr. 
 Wilson at Shippensburg. The call was given to him 
 and accepted, in 1840, and in that Pastorate he has 
 ever since continued, with a sustaining evidence of the 
 Divine blessing upon his labours, and a large and 
 influential congregation committed to his care. 
 
 The first elders of the congregation of whom there is 
 any record, were, John Means, who died September 1, 
 1823, and William Bard, who was ordained in May, 
 1805, declined in 1823, was re-elected and installed 
 in 1825, and declined in 1826. The Session is at 
 present composed of George M'Ginnis, installed 
 April 11, 1824 ; John Reside, ordained and installed 
 at the same time ; Daniel Henderson, installed January 
 2, 1825 ; Alexander P. Kelso, ordained and installed 
 Oct. 4, 1845 ; Dr. Wm. Rankin and Robert Mateer, or- 
 dained and installed, Feb. 6, 1848 ; and Benjamin 
 
160 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 Snodgrass, John Mateer, and John Bridges, ordained 
 and installed, Sept. 7, 1851. 
 
 A few years after Mr. Harper's settlement among 
 that people, the church property was brought into 
 litigation. It was claimed by the few Associate 
 Reformed members still remaining in the town and 
 neighbourhood, and suit was brought by them to 
 establish their exclusive right to the building. Their 
 effort was successful. The Presbyterian congre- 
 gation then purchased a lot in a different part of 
 the town, and erected the edifice in which they now 
 worship. This is a neat brick building, constructed 
 and furnished according to the modern style, with a 
 gallery for a choir, and of sufficient capacity to ac- 
 commodate about four hundred and fifty persons. 
 Immediately in the rear of it is a lot, which has been 
 set apart for a graveyard, and which already has re- 
 ceived not a few who have, since the transfer of the 
 place of worship, yielded to the doom that is ap- 
 pointed unto all men. 
 
 Though feeling a deep interest in all the Presby- 
 terian congregations of Cumberland Valley, it would 
 be strange if we did not cherish, and perhaps as 
 strange if we did not here acknowledge, a special re- 
 gard for the Congregation of Shippensburg. Within 
 its boundaries we were first numbered among the 
 living ; to its sanctuary our infant feet were led by 
 the hand of love ; by the venerable servant of the 
 Lord who presided over its interests during our child- 
 hood were we taught the holy truths of Christianity ; 
 
THE CHURCH AT SH IPPENSB U RG. 161 
 
 at its altar we first entered publicly into covenant 
 with God ; and in its cemetery there are those en- 
 tombed, for whom an ardent afiection must be felt 
 whilst memory shall endure. It, therefore, naturally 
 occupies a warm place in our heart. True, the 
 years which have rolled away since we have been 
 absent from it, in preparing for, and in the perfor- 
 mance of, professional duty, have wrought in it, as in 
 other churches, many changes, yet still is it ever 
 remembered with an interest which advancing time 
 increases rather than abates. Long may it exist 
 in peace and prosperity, and long may the very large 
 contribution which it has hitherto made of its pious 
 young men to the holy ministry, continue. 
 
 14* 
 
162 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 GEEENCASTLE CHURCH. 
 
 In tlie year 1738, the Congregation, which, pre- 
 viously to that time, seems to have been known as the 
 Congregation of the " Oonococheague Settlement^'" ^^d,^ 
 divided. The following extract from the Records of 
 Presbytery, will show their action in the case. 
 
 " The affair of Conegocheck reassumed, and several 
 papers being read, and a pretty dale said by several 
 persons on that affair, at last the Presbytery un- 
 derstanding that the people of the east and west 
 sides of the creek, had agreed among themselves to 
 divide into two societies, the one on the east and the 
 other on the west side, and those on the east side 
 having presented a call for Mr. Caven to be their 
 minister, the Presbytery, taking these things into 
 consideration, do, in the first place, considering 
 circumstances, approve of the division, though we 
 think they have acted somewhat precipitantly in 
 separating without consent of the Presbytery, and 
 have likewise presented the call of the east side to 
 Mr. Caven, which he has taken under his considera- 
 tion. N. B. That Alexander Dunlop is the highest 
 that belongs to the society on the west side." 
 
GREENCASTLE CHURCH. 163 
 
 At the time the separation here referred to took 
 place, the eastern part of the congregation thus set 
 off, embraced the people of the region which is now 
 known as the town of Greencastle and its vicinitj, 
 but which was then called "East Conococheague." 
 At that time, also, the congregations of " East Cono- 
 cocheague" and "Falling Spring," were united as 
 one charge, and were under the pastoral supervision 
 of the Rev. Mr. Caven. 
 
 The connexion of Mr. Caven with this people as 
 their shepherd was but of brief duration. A com- 
 plaint was preferred against him before Presbytery, 
 in 1741, by a part of the congregation of " Falling 
 Spring," and although Presbytery "could not find 
 any gross immorality proved against him, yet they 
 thought he ought to be admonished for some expres- 
 sions which appeared to them imprudent and unguard- 
 ed, such as speaking of his sacred office under the 
 notion of a trade, and his running to drive the devil ; 
 and accordingly they admonished him, and yielded to 
 his request to be dismissed from his congregation." 
 
 The probability is, that Mr. Caven continued to be 
 pastor of "East Conococheague" until 1747. His 
 place was supplied in 1754 and '55, by the Rev. John 
 Steel, who had charge of the congregation for this 
 length of time in connexion with the congregation 
 of "West Conococheague," but was then obliged by 
 the Indian disturbances to abandon his post. 
 
 In the year 1769, the union between the congrega- 
 tions of East Conococheague and Falling Spring which 
 
164 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 had previously been dissolved, was re-formed, and the 
 Rev. James Lang was called as Pastor of the charge. 
 It seems scarcely credible that the former of these 
 congregations should remain vacant for more than 
 twenty years, with the exception of the two years' 
 service rendered them by the Rev. Mr. Steel, yet 
 such is the fact, for anything that appears to the con- 
 trary in the Presbyterial records ; and the sessional 
 records of the church, which might be expected to 
 throw some light upon this point, if indeed they ever 
 had an existence, have perished. 
 
 We here take occasion to express our regret, that 
 there is generally so much indifference on the part of 
 our church sessions, in regard to preserving a history 
 of their respective congregations. We were not 
 aware that this neglect was so common or extensive 
 in the Presbytery of Carlisle, until we came to seek 
 the information necessary for the satisfactory accom- 
 plishment of our present undertaking. In the case 
 of the church now before us, we were sad to learn that 
 "its sessional records, previous to the year A. D. 
 1837, are not to be found." The late pastor of another 
 large congregation writes, that "In furnishing you 
 with facts relative to our church, I will have to 
 depend almost entirely on oral communications from 
 some of our oldest and most intelligent church mem-'^ 
 bers." In several other instances, also, where we^ 
 hoped to meet with full and accurate records, we 
 were referred to floating, and sometimes vague, tradi- 
 tions. 
 
GREENCASTLE CHURCH. 165 
 
 In affirming that these things ought not so to be, we 
 are sure we utter a sentiment in which no one, after 
 due reflection, can fail to concur. In addition to the 
 reasons which must suggest themselves to every mind, 
 in favour of a measure which would enable children's 
 children to trace back to its beginning the congregation 
 in which their ancestors worshipped, we may be allowed 
 tQ suggest that another is to be found in the fact, that 
 in this vast country of ours, so rapidly rising to a 
 magnitude and importance almost overwhelming to 
 the mind, and in which Freedom's and Christianity's 
 «last battle seems destined to be fought, every revolv- 
 ing year is attaching augmented interest to the past, 
 and especially to the primitive churches, which were 
 organized for the diffusion of religion and morality, 
 so essential to national greatness and perpetuity. So, 
 too, we may add, is it constantly becoming of more 
 and more importance, for those who believe that 
 " God is in history," to look back upon the moulding 
 power which the former years have exerted upon the 
 present, and to study the Christianity of the first set- 
 tlers of our land, in the light of the circumstances 
 and peculiar influences under which it was developed. 
 
 It is also to be deplored, that something of the 
 blame to which we have just adverted, attaches to 
 the Presbytery to which these churches belong. Only 
 in the year 1847 was it that a resolution was adopted 
 by this body, requiring an obituary of its deceased 
 clerical members to be prepared and preserved. Pre- 
 viously to this time, the simple entry upon their 
 
166 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 book of records,^" The Rev. A. B. was removed by 
 death since our last meeting," was all the notice that 
 was taken of the demise of men, many of whom for 
 long years preached the Gospel faithfully and suc- 
 cessfully within their bounds, and whose history, 
 consequently, has well-nigh faded away. 
 
 But, returning from this digression, we proceed to 
 say that, in the year 1793, " in consequence of some 
 late proceedings of the congregation of Falling 
 Spring," the union between that congregation and 
 the congregation of East Conococheague was severed. 
 After this separation, the congregation of East Cono-« 
 cocheague became the sole charge of the Rev. Mr. 
 Lang, and enjoyed his whole labours. This gentle- 
 man, on a charge of intemperance, " was suspended 
 from the exercise of the Gospel ministry sine die,'' in 
 1802. 
 
 In October of the same year, a call was presented 
 to Mr. Robert Kennedy, from "the united congre- 
 gations of East and Lower West Conococheague," or 
 Welsh Run, which was accepted. In April, 1803, 
 public notice having been given (according to the 
 custom which then prevailed), that if any persons 
 had any objections to the ordination of Mr. Kennedy, 
 and his installation in the congregations to which 
 he had been called, they should state them at a spe- 
 cified time, and no objections having been presented, 
 Mr. Kennedy was ordained and installed. On this 
 occasion the sermon, previous to the induction into 
 the ministerial and pastoral offices, was preached by 
 
GREENCASTLE CHURCH. 167 
 
 the Rev. Mr. Snowden, and Dr. Davidson "presided 
 and gave a charge." In 1816, the pastoral relation 
 between Mr. Kennedy and these congregations was, 
 by his own request, dissolved. 
 
 In relation to this good man, the Rev. A. A. 
 M'Ginley, D.D., for many years his co-presbyter 
 and familiar friend, has thus written : 
 
 " In the year of our Lord 1803, the Rev. Robert 
 Kennedy was ordained and installed Pastor of the 
 Churches of Greencastle and Welsh Run. He had 
 officiated as their stated supply for six previous months. 
 Mr. Kennedy was born in the lower end of Lancaster 
 County, Pa., in 1775. He graduated at Dickinson 
 College, Carlisle. He was the best scholar in his 
 collegiate class. Immediately after leaving College, 
 he commenced the study of Theology, with a view to 
 the Gospel ministry. He was licensed by the Pres- 
 bytery of Newcastle in 1800. At that time there 
 were a number of vacant churches in the bounds of 
 the Presbytery of Carlisle, where Mr. K. laboured 
 until he was settled as above stated^ On the morning 
 of the day of his ordination, he requested the Presby- 
 tery to dispense, in his case, with the ceremony of im- 
 position of hands, alleging that it was not intended to 
 be continued in the Church after the cessation of mi- 
 raculous gifts. Presbytery was not disposed to listen 
 to his objection, but gave him half an hour to decide 
 whether he would remain unordained, or submit to be 
 ordained in the usual way. With deep feeling, he at 
 length submitted to the judgment of Presbytery. 
 
168 CHUKCHES OP THE VALLEY. 
 
 " As a preacher, Mr. Kennedy had few superiors. 
 The plan of his discourses was as clear as the sun. 
 He could pour a flood of light on almost every subject 
 he discussed. And although his voice was unmusical 
 and his pronunciation somewhat peculiar, yet there 
 was no difficulty, but great pleasure and profit, in at- 
 tending to his sermons. They were always orthodox, 
 always to the point, always instructive, and frequently 
 very impressive. As a scholar, Mr. Kennedy was 
 superior to most ministers of his day. Without the 
 assistance of an instructor, by his own industry, he 
 obtained a competent knowledge of the Hebrew lan- 
 guage, and was master of Greek and Latin. As a friend, 
 Mr. K. was most valuable. Firm and constant in his 
 attachments, he would not sufi'er dangers or difficul- 
 ties to alienate him from those for whom he professed 
 friendship." 
 
 Two years after the pulpit was vacated by Mr. 
 Kennedy's resignation, a call from the congregation 
 of East Conococheague was given to the Rev. 
 James Buchanan, in which they promised him nine 
 hundred dollars annually, and agreed to allow the 
 people of Waynesburg to enjoy the one-third of his 
 pastoral labours. Mr. Buchanan, who had previously 
 been settled at Harrisburg, accepted this call, and 
 continued to serve the congregation, though never in- 
 stalled as its pastor, until 1839, when, in consequence 
 of ill health, which disqualified him for the public 
 duties of the ministry, his connexions with it was 
 dissolved. It is, we need scarcely say, an anomalous 
 
GREENCASTLE CHURCH. 169 
 
 thing, in the Presbyterian Church, for a minister to 
 preach to a congregation so long a time without in- 
 stallation, but this irregularity was tolerated in this 
 case by Presbytery, in view of Mr. Buchanan's feeble 
 health, which from year to year, seemed to render 
 such a solemnity unadvisable. 
 
 For the following notice of this excellent man, we 
 are indebted to the Rev. David Elliott, D.D., of the 
 Theological Seminary at Allegheny, who was long and 
 intimately acquainted with him. 
 
 "The Rev. James Buchanan was a native of Chester 
 County, Pennsylvania. He received his collegiate 
 education in Dickinson College, Carlisle, where he 
 was graduated Sept. 28th, 1803. He studied Theo- 
 logy with the Rev. Nathan Grier, D.D., of Brandy- 
 wine, and was licensed by the Presbytery of New- 
 castle, when he was about twenty -three years of age. 
 His first settlement was in the Presbyterian Church 
 of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he laboured some 
 years with faithfulness and success. His health 
 having become impaired, he resigned his pastoral 
 charge, and spent several years in travelling, with a 
 view to its restoration. At length, finding his health 
 in some degree restored, and having received a call 
 from the congregation of Greencastle, he accepted 
 it, and became their pastor in the year 1816. In 
 this pastoral charge he laboured with great fidelity 
 and acceptance for about twenty years, when on ac- 
 count of declining health, and his inability to discharge 
 
 his pastoral duties to his own satisfaction, he resigned 
 
 15 
 
170 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 his charge, to the very great regret of his congrega- 
 tion, who were devotedly attached to him. In hope 
 of retaining him with them, they generously offered 
 to accept a diminished amount of labour, such as his 
 weak health would allow, without any diminution of 
 salary. But a sense of duty and a regard to their 
 highest interests, induced him to withdraw, and open 
 the way for the settlement of another pastor, who 
 would be able to give them the full amount of labour. 
 By changing his location, also, he hoped that some- 
 thing might be gained in point of health, and that 
 his life might be rendered more useful in the service 
 of his Divine Master. He accordingly removed with 
 his family to Logansport, Indiana, where, in charge of 
 the Presbyterian church in that place, he laboured 
 with encouraging success, until the Head of the Church 
 dismissed him to the possession of his reward. As 
 pleasing evidence that he did not labour in vain, we 
 have been informed that during the short period of 
 his ministry there, the church increased from about 
 twenty to an hundred members. His death took place 
 at Logansport, on the 16th of September, 1843, at 
 the age of sixty years. His disease, which was con- 
 gestion of the brain, and which at its first appear- 
 ance on the Sabbath, obliged him to close abruptly 
 the public services of the sanctuary in which he 
 was engaged, terminated in death on the Saturday 
 morning following, at five o'clock. The nature and 
 violence of his disease incapacitated him for much 
 satisfactory conversation. He gave ample evidence, 
 
GREENCASTLE CHURCH. 171 
 
 however, of his resignation to the will of God, and 
 that his hope of salvation was firmly fixed upon the 
 atoning blood of Christ. 
 
 To strangers who did not know Mr. Buchanan, his 
 appearance was rather harsh and repulsive. His de- 
 licate health and shattered nerves, often greatly af- 
 fected his spirits, and gave to his countenance the 
 appearance of severity and moroseness. But he was 
 a man of a warm heart, and of a kind and generous 
 disposition. In his friendships he was steadfast, as 
 the writer's experience for upwards of twenty years 
 enables him to attest. Although he was generally 
 grave, yet in the midst of his intimate friends he 
 often relaxed, and was highly cheerful and sociable. 
 His piety was of a retiring and unostentatious charac- 
 ter. It was, however, eminently practical, prompting 
 him to the diligent discharge of all incumbent duties. 
 He placed a very low estimate on his own piety, and 
 although no one else doubted its reality, he himself 
 often did. His bodily complaints gave a melan- 
 choly complexion to his religious experience, and in- 
 terfered largely with his Christian comfort : occa- 
 sionally, however, he was favoured with seasons of 
 comfort, during which he greatly enjoyed the conso- 
 lations of religion. 
 
 As a preacher, he held a very respectable rank. His 
 sermons, in their structure, were neat, systematic, 
 and short ; in their matter, solid, evangelical, and 
 practical ; and in their manner, grave, solemn, and 
 earnest. Although he could not be considered elo- 
 
172 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 quent, he scarcely ever failed to interest and please 
 those, who were capable of judging correctly and had 
 a taste for good preaching. Indeed, we have known 
 very few men who preached so uniformly well. 
 
 In the Judicatories of the Church, Mr. Buchanan 
 rarely spoke. This was not owing to any want of 
 interest in the affairs of the Church, or any want of 
 readiness in communicating his thoughts, but to his 
 nervous debility, which induced embarrassment, and 
 rendered it exceedingly painful for him to make the 
 effort. He was, however, a judicious counsellor, and 
 did his part, in this way, in the disposal of the busi- 
 ness of the Church. 
 
 In his doctrinal views, he adhered strictly to the 
 standards of our Church, which he believed to be in 
 conformity with the Word of God. He eschewed all 
 novelties in doctrines and forms of worship, being 
 content to walk in "the old paths," and the "good 
 way" in which his fathers had trod. He was deci- 
 dedly and from conviction Old School, and gave his 
 hearty approval to the measures which were adopted 
 by the Assemblies of 1837 and 1838, to purify the 
 Church from error." 
 
 The Rev. J. T. Marshall Davie was the successor 
 of Mr. Buchanan. Mr. Davie, in 1840, received a 
 call from the congregations of Greencastle and Hagers- 
 town. This call he accepted, at the same time re- 
 signing his connexion with the Church at Lancaster; 
 and in this new relation he continued until 1845, 
 when, by his desire, it was dissolved. 
 
GREENCASTLE CHURCH. 173 
 
 After Mr. Davie's resignation, the Rev. T. V. 
 
 Moore, of Carlisle, was chosen pastor of the Church 
 at Greencastle ; and the Church at Wayneshoro', 
 which until that time was in connexion with it, then 
 became separated, and attached, as it still is, to the 
 charge of the Rev. D. D. Clarke, of Adams County. 
 After Mr. Moore's acceptance of a call, in 1847, to 
 the First Presbyterian Church of Richmond, Va., 
 the Rev. W. M. Paxton became pastor at Greencastle, 
 and continued in that relation about two years, when 
 he took charge of the First Presbyterian Church 
 of Pittsburg. The congregation, after having been 
 vacant for a year or two, has recently had installed 
 over it the Rev. Edwin Emerson, of New York, and a 
 member of the last graduating class at the Theolo- 
 gical Seminary of Princeton. 
 
 The following are the names of those who, fifty 
 years ago and subsequently, were ruling elders in the 
 East Conococheague congregation : — John M. David- 
 son, Robert Robison, Mr. Sellar, John Watson, John 
 M'Lean, Dr. John Boggs, Dr. Andrew Heathering- 
 ton, David Fullerton. All of these have gone the 
 way of all flesh, except Robert Robison, who now, in 
 the 85th year of his age, still continues a member of 
 session, and a regular attendant on the public minis- 
 trations and ordinances of God's house. "In him," 
 says a correspondent, '' there is full illustration of 
 the words of the Psalmist, ' The righteous shall 
 flourish like the palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar 
 
 15* 
 
174 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 in Lebanon. — They shall still bring forth fruit in 
 old age : they shall be fat and flourishing.' " 
 
 The Session, as at present constituted, consists of 
 Robert Robison, James Davison, John AVaddel, and 
 Dr. James K. Davidson. 
 
 The first building used as a place of public worship, 
 vrithin the bounds of the East Conococheague con- 
 gregation, was erected near a spring, on the lands of 
 Wm. Rankin, about three-quarters of a mile east of 
 Greencastle. The plan of the edifice was one, which 
 appears to have been very generally adopted through- 
 out that section of the country, at that time. It 
 was a frame building, 42J by 28J feet, one story 
 high, weatherboarded, and painted red. The inside 
 was ceiled and lined with boards. There was an aisle 
 running the whole length of the building, and from 
 this, running at right angles, were two aisles, leading 
 to the front of the building, the former communicating 
 at each end with a door, and the latter, each with a 
 door in front. The pulpit, made in the style of those 
 days, stood at the middle of the north side of the 
 house. The pews were arranged on either side, 
 and in front along the aisle. The precise number of 
 pews, before and after the enlargement of the build- 
 ing, is not known. During the incumbency of the 
 Rev. Robert Kennedy, for want of sufiicient room to 
 accommodate the congregation with seats, an addition 
 twelve feet wide, was made to the front. From all the 
 information, we can gain, it is about one hundred 
 years since the " Old Red Meeting-House," as it 
 
GREENCASTLE CHURCH. 175 
 
 was, and is still called, was built. This was about 
 thirty years before the town of Greencastle was laid 
 out by Col. John Allison. This house continued 
 to be the place of worship, until the year 1828 
 or '29, when it was sold, and some of the material, 
 we have been told, was used in the construction of a 
 barn, which still stands on an adjacent farm. At 
 that date the place of meeting was transferred to 
 Greencastle. 
 
 The present church edifice, is situated on the south 
 side of West Baltimore Street, and was built in the 
 years 1829 and '30. It is a plain brick building, 
 being 60 feet long by 50 feet wide, finished in a very 
 neat and substantial manner, and having a basement 
 under part of it. There are two aisles running its 
 whole length, and communicating at each end with 
 double doors. It contains sixty-eight pews, and can, 
 under the present arrangement, very conveniently 
 accommodate with seats, an audience of four hundred 
 persons. The pulpit, constructed in a very plain and 
 chaste style, somewhat on the modern plan, stands 
 in the middle of the southern end, contrasting well 
 with the rest of the building. The room in the base- 
 ment being damp, and without means for its proper 
 ventilation, the congregation, a few years since, built 
 quite a neat and beautiful lecture-room, near to the 
 church, in which the Sabbath School now assembles, 
 and the weekly meetings are regularly held. 
 
176 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 
 
 [A series of articles, entitled ^'Chambersburff and its Changes,^* 
 from the pen of William C. Lane, M.D., appeared in the "Cum- 
 berland Valley Sentinel," during the past year. To the polite- 
 ness of this gentleman we are indebted, for the use which is 
 now made of the following one of those well-written historical 
 sketches. It was prepared with so much accuracy, as to ren- 
 der unnecessary on our part, a repetition of the labour of its 
 author, in the collection and arrangement of the materials 
 which it embodies. We have modified the article somewhat, to 
 adapt it to our purpose, and made to it several considerable 
 additions, but it is substantially the same as at its first publi- 
 cation. — A. N.] 
 
 So we descend ; and winding round a rock, 
 Attain a point that showed the valley — stretched 
 In length before us ; and, not distant far. 
 Upon a rising ground a gray church towers, 
 Whose battlements were screened by tufted trees. 
 And, towards a crystal mere, that lay beyond. 
 Among steep hills and woods embosomed, flowed 
 A copious stream with boldly-winding course; 
 Here traceable, there hidden — there again 
 To sight restored, and glittering in the sun. 
 Green is the churchyard, beautiful and green. 
 Ridge rising gently by the side of ridge, 
 A heaving surface— ral most wholly free 
 From interruption of sepulchral stones, 
 And mantled o'er with aboriginal turf 
 And everlasting flowers. 
 
 Wordsworth. 
 
 We are acquainted with no spot in our County, 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 177 
 
 around which cluster more hallowed and interesting 
 associations, than the Church at Rocky Spring. 
 
 After a ride of four miles from Chambersburg, over 
 the tortuous road which runs over the Slate Hills, 
 towards Strasburg, we approach the venerable edifice. 
 It stands near the brow of a hill, which slopes gra- 
 dually away in the distance, towards the east. The 
 hill seems to be composed almost entirely of limestone 
 rocks, and, at the foot, near the Spring, where some 
 excavating has been done, are to be seen large masses 
 of rock, rising to some distance above the level of the 
 water, and indicating that the whole hill is composed 
 of the same material. The country for miles around is 
 all slate land, through which a vein of limestone runs, 
 upon which the church is situated. At the foot of 
 the hill, below the church, on the west, the Rocky 
 Spring gushes from the hill, and spreads out into a 
 broad sheet of cold and clear water in the vale ; and 
 after forming a pretty cascade by falling over an 
 embankment, soon becomes lost among the luxuriant 
 meadows, and quietly wends its way to Back Creek, 
 into which it empties. As we approach the Spring 
 from Chambersburg, we pass a beautiful woods upon 
 a high hill, opposite to which, in the valley, is an old 
 orchard, thickly filled with ancient fruit trees. There 
 are several roads leading to the church from different 
 directions, which make it easy of access from all points. 
 From the hill-top, the view is one which is not often 
 excelled for picturesque and lovely scenery. The 
 
178 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 hills and valleys spotted over with farm-houses, the 
 thick woods and green fields, the beautiful stream 
 meandering through the rich meadows, the old build- 
 ing and its graveyard with its ancient tombs and 
 fragments of broken fences about the graves, make 
 the prospect one of more than ordinary beauty and 
 interest. 
 
 The church is an ancient and time-worn structure, 
 which stands upon the hill-side, without any ornament 
 near it, except a single large hickory tree, which 
 grows near the north end, and a small cluster of trees 
 a few rods distant towards the southwest. Its form 
 is nearly square, and is in size, about 60 by 48 feet. 
 It is built of brick, upon a stone foundation which is 
 several feet in height. On the southern side is the 
 front of the church. There are two doors by which 
 it is entered, and, as the floor is some feet above the 
 level of the ground, some kind of steps are requisite. 
 One door is reached by five^rude steps, similar to those 
 used in cellars, formed out of heavy boards, and which 
 are not cased on either side. At the other door lie 
 two rough logs, which answer the purpose of steps. 
 The west side is also provided with steps, precisely 
 like those just described, and has one door only. A 
 single door is found on the eastern end, where we find 
 old steps also of similar description. These steps 
 look as if they had stood there for many years, pro- 
 bably ever since the church was built, and are now in 
 a state of rapid decay. On the northern side, there 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 179 
 
 is no entrance, but there are four windows, between 
 two of which is a small square one, which is immedi- 
 ately behind the pulpit. The window-shutters are 
 made of plain boards, without any panel-work, and, 
 together with the doors, were formerly painted red. 
 Time has, however, nearly removed the paint, and 
 leaves them of a dark rust-colour. The doors are 
 somewhat more elaborately made, and like the window- 
 shutters, exhibit the same evidences of age. The 
 arches of brickwork above the windows and doors 
 were painted red, and form a contrast with the rest 
 of the building. There is no enclosure around the 
 building, which stands alone upon the barren and 
 dreary hill. The inside is in correspondence with 
 the exterior of the edifice. As we enter, we observe 
 the pews formed very much like those of modern 
 times, with high straight backs, and without any paint. 
 Their arrangement is like that in our modern 
 churches. The aisles are paved with bricks, and in 
 som.e places, these having crumbled away, limestones 
 have been substituted. The broad space in front of 
 the pulpit, and between it and the pews, is also paved 
 with brick. The floors of the pews are boarded. The 
 pulpit is old-fashioned and rough. It is of a circular 
 form, and extends some feet from the wall. Above, 
 there is an oval-shaped sounding-board, or canopy, 
 on which is a rude representation of a star. A plain 
 wooden casement extends on either side of the pulpit, 
 which, together with the pulpit, is painted a deep blue 
 
180 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 colour. The pulpit is entered by a staircase, towards 
 which a passage, with railing on each side, leads. In 
 front of, and below the pulpit, is the chancel. It is 
 a square enclosure with board walls, and contains an 
 old-fashioned walnut table, a bench formed of heavy 
 timber with rough supports, a hickory chair, and a 
 couple of benches attached to the sides of the enclo- 
 sure. The ceiling is arched, and at the place where 
 the walls and the ceiling meet, there is placed all 
 around the room, a narrow strip of board, which, to- 
 gether with the edges of the window cases, is painted 
 blue, similar to the pulpit. There are standing in 
 the church, a couple of old ten-plate stoves, which 
 have a rough, ancient appearance, and were doubtless 
 among the first of the kind cast in the country. The 
 pipes extend directly upwards, and two holes are cut 
 into the ceiling, through which they are admitted into 
 the garret above. There are no chimneys on the 
 church, and we presume the pipes are extended 
 through the openings which are near the upper por- 
 tion of the end walls, and which are now covered with 
 rough boards, that are some distance apart. — At 
 one end of the ceiling, near the entrance at the south 
 side, is a square opening, w^hich serves as an admit- 
 tance to the loft. This is reached by means of a rude 
 ladder, which is permitted to remain in the church, 
 and which makes the ascent steep and dangerous. — 
 The numbers of the pews are marked upon the doors 
 with red chalk. In several of the back pews, is a 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 181 
 
 quantity of wood, and the utensils necessary for dig- 
 ging graves. 
 
 Strange feelings occupy the mind, while wandering 
 through this ancient House of God. Those pews 
 once held the venerable forms of our forefathers, 
 who, in imagination, resume their places, but who 
 have long since been laid in their tombs. Not one 
 member of those who worshipped there in olden times, 
 now exists. In yonder pulpit, for more than half a 
 century, the men of God delivered their exhortations, 
 and in powerful and eloquent strains pointed their 
 hearers to the " Lamb of God which taketh away the 
 sins of the world." There, upon yonder platform 
 stood the clerk, who raised the song of praise from 
 Sabbath to Sabbath, for a lifetime of years. We can 
 almost yet hear those songs as they ascend from the 
 worshippers, and are borne upon the breeze towards 
 the throne of the Almighty Being, in whose praise 
 they are sung. Those places are now all filled by 
 strangers, and among the congregation can only be 
 found, a few of the old men, who were children when 
 the church was built. Those ancient walls have 
 resounded with countless songs of praise ; and thou- 
 sands of eloquent sermons have been delivered from 
 the old pulpit, and who can tell how many immortal 
 spirits have found admittance within the gates of 
 heaven, through their instrumentality ? 
 
 While we gaze on the old building, and reflect upon 
 
 the memories of those who worshipped there long ago, 
 
 16 
 
182 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 we are forcibly reminded of our own mortality. The 
 persons engaged in constructing the venerable edifice, 
 and those connected with it as members at the time 
 of its erection, are all gone. So too with us — a few 
 short years will fly SAviftly away, and, as with eagle 
 wings, we will soon be in the eternal future. Soon 
 we will meet, face to face, in another world, the old 
 worshippers whose place we are now contemplating 
 in the lonely church. 
 
 The original church, which was built about the 
 time the ancient congregation was organized, stood 
 between the present building and the graveyard. It 
 stood pretty much in the relation to the points of 
 the compass, which the new church sustains, — the 
 front being towards the south, and smaller ends 
 facing the east and west. It was erected about one 
 hundred and ten years ago, and was a rough log 
 building, a story and a half high ; and was built in 
 the rude style of architecture peculiar to that early 
 day. It had one row of windows on the lower story, 
 the lights of which were small and few in number. 
 It was entered by two doors, which were placed in 
 the eastern and western ends of the house. The 
 doors were small and single ; they were made of 
 plain boards, without any panel-work. 
 
 We find the following reference to this church, on 
 the minutes of a meeting of a committee of Presby- 
 tery, assembled at " Canigogig, 16th Nov., 1739," 
 for the settlement of certain difficulties which had 
 arisen : — " A supplication being presented and read. 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 183 
 
 requesting the committee's concurrence that the 
 meeting-house be erected at the Rocky-Spring, and 
 hearing a great deal on both sides of the question, 
 the Committee observing that proper methods were 
 fallen into some time ago to regulate this affaire, and 
 that a report of the good issue thereof being made 
 by Bro. Craighead and a Commissioner from that 
 people, together with several other circumstances too 
 tedious here to insert, doe agree and conclude that 
 the house for publick worship be erected as nigh to 
 the Falling Spring as conveniently as may be." 
 
 The present building was erected in the year 
 1794, by Mr. Walter Beatty, the gentleman by 
 whom the old Court House was erected, soon after 
 the formation of Franklin County. The old building, 
 although rude and uncomfortable in many respects, 
 answered the purpose of a place of worship very well, 
 for some years after the organization of the congre- 
 gation. But, as this increased, it was found neces- 
 sary to build an addition to the house. This was 
 formed by constructing a small square building, 
 which was attached to the south side of the church, 
 and which extended only one-half the length of the 
 main structure. The roof was then continued over 
 it from the original edifice. When completed, the 
 wall between it and the church was sawn away. 
 There were no windows in this addition, and it was 
 consequently poorly supplied with light. In a few 
 years after this alteration, the increasing size of the 
 congregation demanded still more room, and another 
 
184 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 similar addition was built by its side. These altera- 
 tions gave tlie house a singular, slanting appearance 
 towards the south end. The logs with which the 
 former building was erected, were used in construct- 
 ing the dwelling-house now occupied by Mr. George 
 Sprecher, who resides some two miles from Rocky 
 Spring, 
 
 About the time the original church was erected, 
 there was also built a small, rough log structure, 
 about fifteen feet square, with a w^ide fire-place, and 
 a large, wooden chimney, covered with mortar, and 
 extending nearly along the whole end of the house. 
 This structure stood close beside the church at the 
 northeastern end, and was called the " Study House." 
 We are told by an aged member of the congregation, 
 tliat it was originally built as a receptacle for the 
 saddles of the members in rainy weather, as, in those 
 early days, they generally came to church on horse- 
 back — carriages and other vehicles being rarely used. 
 In later years, the minister was accustomed to use it, 
 in preparing for the services, when he chanced to 
 arrive before the hour at which they began. The 
 church session also met here, and arranged the busi- 
 ness of the church, and examined candidates for ad- 
 mission to membership. After service, the minister 
 would resort to it to prepare for any afternoon ser- 
 vice which was to be held. The necessity of such a 
 place will be obvious, when it is remembered that the 
 church officers, from the distance at which they lived 
 from the church, were obliged to hold their meetings 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 185 
 
 on Sabbath, when they had collected for the exercises 
 of the day ; and, as the church would then be occu- 
 pied by the congregation, private business could not 
 be transacted there. The " Study House" stood for 
 nearly a hundred years, and only a few years have 
 elapsed since its removal. 
 
 It was in the old log church that its first pastor, 
 the Rev. Mr. Craighead, preached for many years. 
 There it was that the minister, in glowing terms, 
 preached Jesus Christ, the only hope of salvation, 
 and after the delivery of his sacred message, in elo- 
 quent and patriotic strains, exhorted the youth of 
 the congregation to rise up, and join the noble band, 
 then engaged under the immortal Washington, in 
 struggling to free our beloved country from British 
 oppression. It is related that, upon one occasion, 
 from the pulpit, the patriotic preacher declaimed in 
 such burning and powerful terms against the wrongs 
 we then were suffering, that after one glowing de- 
 scription of the duty of the men, the whole congre- 
 gation rose from their seats, and declared their will- 
 ingness to march to the conflict. 
 
 There was but one, tradition says, in the entire 
 assembly, who was not overcome by the stirring 
 appeal that was made, and that was an aged female, 
 in whom maternal affection, recently caused to bleed, 
 completely mastered both a sense of propriety and 
 the love of liberty. "Stop, Mr. Craighead," she 
 exclaimed; "I jist want to tell ye, agin you loss 
 such a purty boy as I have, in the war, ye will na be 
 
 16* 
 
186 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 SO keen for figliting ; quit talking, and gang yersel to 
 the war. Yer always preaching to the boys about it, 
 but I dinna think ye'd be very likely to gang yersel. 
 Jist go and try it." 
 
 As we walk reverentially over the hill, we feel as 
 if we were treading upon sacred ground — dedicated 
 to God and American Liberty. We can almost 
 fancy we see the man of God standing where we 
 now stand, telling to the assembled multitude the 
 story of their country's wrongs, and urging them to 
 hesitate no longer which to choose, cowardly inacti- 
 vity or the noble part of brave defenders of their 
 country's rights. We hear him call on them as he 
 stands before his old church, and requests those who 
 desire to march with him to battle, to hesitate no 
 ^longer, but place themselves by his side, and acknow- 
 ledge him their commander, who will lead them to 
 the field of battle, where they will save America, or 
 perish in the cause of Freedom. One by one they 
 approach their pastor, and soon a long line of daunt- 
 less spirits stretches across the green to the neigh- 
 bouring wood. The wives, mothers, and sisters, stand 
 gazing on the exciting scene, and with sweet, encou- 
 raging words, urge them to stand by their pastor 
 and captain, and trust in the arm of the Lord of 
 Hosts for the result. At length the line is completed, 
 and they are dismissed, to meet on the following 
 Monday. Soon after the dawn of day, might be seen 
 the sturdy husbandman, with gray hairs scattered 
 over his brow, and the youth of few years, reaching 
 
EOCKY SPRING CHURCH. 187 
 
 down their old fire-arms, hitherto used only for 
 beasts of prey, or the wild game, but now to be used 
 for other purposes. They fling around their necks 
 their rude powder-horns and bullet-pouches, and 
 shouldering their guns, march to the place of ren- 
 dezvous. As the eye wanders over the neighbour- 
 hood, in the distance they may be seen, one by one, 
 drawing near the hill. Soon they are all assembled, 
 and their company is organized, and after an elo- 
 quent appeal to the Almighty, the Reverend Captain 
 places himself at their head, and the noble band 
 marches off to battle. As they march away over 
 the hills, ever and anon they cast a lingering look 
 back upon their beloved friends, who stand weeping 
 upon the hill, and upon their old and loved place of 
 worship, which many of them will never enter again. 
 The company joined the army of Washington, and 
 gave undoubted evidence that their courage was of 
 no mean order, but was based upon the hallowed 
 principles of Christianity ; which, although discoun- 
 tenancing bloodshed and war, does not forbid the 
 oppressed to make an effort to throw off the yoke of 
 the oppressor. 
 
 Their Captain engaged vigorously in the war, and 
 during the hours spent in camp, habitually acted as 
 chaplain to the soldiers. After the war was over, he 
 returned to his charge, and faithfully watched over 
 the congregation until the period of his death, which 
 occurred in 1799. 
 
 We will now enter the graveyard, and describe 
 
188 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 the appearance of the tombs which mark the places 
 where many of the old members of the congrega- 
 tion sleep. The graveyard is large, and is en- 
 closed by a rough post-and-rail fence. Over the 
 gateway is a yoke, extending from one post to the 
 opposite one. Along the fence, on the outside of the 
 yard, near the gate, stand three or four oak trees. 
 These, with two poplar and wild cherrytrees in the 
 southern end, and a single cedar near the centre of 
 the yard, are the only trees about the enclosure. The 
 ground is covered with thick and high grass, and wild 
 thyme grows luxuriantly over the greater portion of 
 the graveyard. We are sorry to say that this desti- 
 tution of trees is not natural, but is owing to the de- 
 structive propensities of uncultivated man. In looking 
 over the yard, we may see many trunks of noble trees 
 which fell before the axe. One stood near the tomb 
 of the Rev. Mr. Craighead, and the beams of the 
 beating sun were obstructed by its wide-spreading 
 branches. It has been removed ; and now the spot is 
 bare and cheerless, and the tomb lies exposed to the 
 rays of the scorching summer sun. Previously, it 
 was shaded and cool, and was a lovely spot for the 
 visitor to linger and meditate upon the life and cha- 
 racter of the departed ; and, also upon the interesting 
 scenes which were long years ago enacted on the hill- 
 side near by. What think you, reader, was the cause 
 which was deemed sufficient to justify such wanton 
 destruction ? We are told they shaded the tombs and 
 made them and the yard too damp ! This very fact 
 would have appealed urgently to a cultivated heart 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 189 
 
 in their behalf, but the bold destroyers deemed it a 
 sufficient reason for their destruction. We envy not 
 the feelings of a man who would thus ruthlessly enter 
 the place where rest the dead, and rob their graves of 
 their proudest ornaments. They had stood there 
 perhaps, ever since the old log church was erected, 
 now more than a century ago, and had sheltered the 
 ancient congregation from the oppressive heat of 
 many a summer's day. For many long years, under 
 those trees, the Reverend Pastor and his flock assem- 
 bled, and exchanged the courteous salutations of friend- 
 ly intercourse, upon each successive Sabbath day. 
 Here, the venerable sires and matrons of the congre- 
 gation met before the hour for service, or during 
 the intermission at noon, and talked over the excit- 
 ing events of the Revolution, and expressed their 
 kind interest in the welfare of those of their brethren 
 and neighbours, who were then fighting for our inde- 
 pendence, under the illustrious Washington. There 
 they recounted each gallant deed of the patriot band, 
 until their youthful auditors burned with patriotic 
 enthusiasm, and bravely declared their determination 
 to march oiF to the tented field, and join their com- 
 rades in the fight. Amongst those lofty boughs, the 
 gentle dove built her nest and reared her young, 
 whose mournful notes, as the shades of evening drew 
 near, seemed a fitting requiem for the spirits of the 
 dead. Upon the topmost branches of those venerable 
 trees, the lark alighted, as the morning dawned from 
 behind the eastern horizon, and in sweet, harmo- 
 
190 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 nious strains, sung her matin song, as if offering her 
 tribute of praise to the Great Creator of the lovely 
 scenes amidst which she lived. From some ancient 
 walnut, the timid squirrel looked out from his nest, 
 with curious eye, upon the assembly below, until, at 
 length becoming accustomed to their presence, he 
 skipped playfully among the branches, and gathered 
 the ripened fruit to provide against the approaching 
 winter. 
 
 We will now enter the old churchyard, and endea- 
 vour to trace out the inscriptions on its ancient and 
 moss-covered tombs. A feeling of awe pervades our 
 mind as we wander over the resting-places of those 
 who lived, many of them, almost a century ago. 
 Here sleep many brave spirits who freely ventured 
 their all to secure the precious freedom which we now 
 enjoy. Here are they who settled among the hills 
 and dales which surround us on every side, and the 
 stroke of whose axe first broke the stillness of the 
 forest, and who cleared the fruitful fields, now covered 
 with the luxuriant * harvest, which are in the pos- 
 session of those who were then unborn. Here lies 
 the beloved Pastor of the old congregation, and all 
 around him repose the remains of the persons who 
 listened for many long years to his eloquent teach- 
 ings, and who, in time of danger, marched with him 
 to share the perils of the protracted struggles which 
 released our land from the tyranny of a foreign foe. 
 Here rest the honoured remains of the ancestors of 
 many of our community, who have long since ceased 
 
IIOCKY SPRING CHURCH. 191 
 
 the struggle incident to human life. All around us 
 lie the brave men of other nations who came to our 
 land, and among the wilds of a savage and uninhabited 
 region, built the House of God, and disseminated 
 through our remote settlements, the hallowed princi- 
 ples of the religion of Jesus Christ. The graves of 
 many of these bear no inscriptions, by means of which 
 the name and station of the occupant can be ascer- 
 tained. Many of them are only marked by rude 
 stones, or boards, which have almost crumbled into 
 dust after the long lapse of years since they were 
 erected. 
 
 As we enter the graveyard, from the gate, at the 
 distance of a few feet from the fence, we meet the rest- 
 ing-place of the first regular minister of the Rocky 
 Spring Church. When the tomb was first built, it 
 consisted of a brick wall, upon which a large flat slab 
 of gray stone was placed. Through the effects of 
 time, the walls have sunk, and the slab now lies upon 
 the ground — we are sorry to say, broken into several 
 pieces. These again, are broken into numerous 
 smaller portions, and are so scattered about, that it 
 is somewhat difficult to make out the inscription. In a 
 short time more, these numerous fragments, bearing 
 parts of the letters of the inscription, must necessarily 
 become scattered and lost, and the visitor will vainly 
 endeavour to read the remaining characters. 
 
 It shows little respect for the memory of the great 
 and good man who lies beneath, for the children of 
 his old congregation — the co-labourers in his efforts in 
 
192 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 disseminating the precious messages of the Book of 
 Life — thus to permit his tomb to be destroyed, with- 
 out making an effort to save it. The recollections of 
 the past should induce them to protect it, and not 
 permit even this last memento of departed worth to 
 be broken into fragments, and cast uselessly away. 
 After collecting the broken pieces, and placing them 
 in their proper position, we were enabled to read the 
 following inscription : 
 
 " In memory of the Rev. John Craighead, who de- 
 parted this life the 20th day of April, A. D. 1799, 
 aged 57 years. Ordained to preach the Gospel and 
 installed pastor of the congregation of Rocky Spring, 
 on the 13th of April, A. D. 1768. He was a faithful 
 and zealous servant of Jesus Christ." 
 
 To the right of the grave, stands the stump of a 
 large forest tree : and a beautiful cedar, the only one 
 in the yard, grows near its foot. The space all 
 around the tomb is beautifully covered with thyme, 
 which somewhat relieves the barrenness of the spot. 
 Near the tomb of the Minister are three graves, 
 marked by stones of a very ancient appearance, one 
 of which contains the following inscription : 
 
 " In memory of James Robertson, who departed 
 this life August 13, 1793, aged 4 years and ten 
 months." 
 
 Another stands by its side, and bears the inscrip- 
 tion : 
 
 " In memory of Elizabeth, wife of Alexander Ro- 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 193 
 
 bertson, who departed this life 8th April, 1780, aged 
 30 years." 
 
 Near by is a third stone, from which we copy the 
 following words : 
 
 " In memory of William Robertson, who departed 
 this life April, 1796, aged 44 years. 
 
 " In the same grave lieth their infant daughter Eli- 
 zabeth." 
 
 These three stones are of gray slate, of a much 
 harder quality than the ordinary slate, and which 
 seems to be little influenced by the hand of time. 
 They are all near the grave of the Pastor, a little to 
 the east of his tomb, and partly under the shade of 
 the cedar tree which stands near by. To the left, as 
 we enter the gate, is an old stone, formed of slate, upon 
 which we find the following words, cut in very old- 
 fashioned letters : 
 
 " In memory of Mary Cummins, who departed this 
 life Nov. 9th, 1790, aged 17 years." 
 
 By its side is another stone, of the same character, 
 of which the following epitaph is a representation : 
 
 " In memory of John Boyd, who departed this life 
 in the year 1770." 
 
 " In memory of Elizabeth, wife of Charles Cum- 
 mins, who departed this life 9th Sept., 1802, aged 54 
 years." 
 
 These three last-mentioned graves stand side by 
 side, and contain members of the same family. 
 
 Near the latter is another old stone, of the same 
 kind, and upon which the following words appear : 
 
 17 
 
194 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 " In memory of Mary, wife of John Boyd, who died 
 June 30th, 1778." 
 
 " In memory of Elizabeth Cummins, who died Deer. 
 30, 1792, aged 12 years." 
 
 To the right of these graves, and near the entrance 
 to the yard, is the oldest tombstone in the burying- 
 ground. It is roughly carved on a hard slate stone, 
 similar to those already described, and which diifers 
 considerably from the slate found in the neighbour- 
 hood. We are ignorant of the source from which it 
 was derived. It has a venerable and antique ap- 
 pearance, and in the form of the letters, and the mode 
 of spelling, differs materially from the custom of later 
 times. The stone is nearly round on the top, and 
 contains a rim cut into it in a rough manner. 
 Above the inscription appears a representation of an 
 angel's face and wings. The stone is covered with 
 moss, which sticks tenaciously to it, and renders its 
 deciphering a task somewhat difficult. The following 
 is a copy of the inscription : 
 
 " Here lys the body of John Burns, who departed 
 this life December y' 23, 1760, aged ; 79 years." 
 
 The occupant of this tomb lived at a period before 
 any settlement wasmadeinthispart of the State, and 
 when nearly all of Pennsylvania was a howling wil- 
 derness. He was born in 1681 — one year before 
 William Penn came to America. His remains have 
 lain here for nearly one hundred years. At the period 
 of his death, he lived where Mr. Tobias Crider now 
 resides. In the neighbourhood, near this grave, is 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 195 
 
 another, marked by a couple of moss-covered lime- 
 stones, bearing no letters, but covered with grass, and 
 about which fragments of a fence yet remain. This 
 is doubtless amongst the oldest graves in the burying- 
 ground. 
 
 In the southwestern corner of the yard, is an old 
 tomb, the walls of which are of rough, unhewn lime- 
 stone, and which is covered by two marble slabs of 
 large size. Beneath this tomb sleep an aged couple 
 and several of their children. The venerable pair 
 far transcended the usual limits of human life, and 
 lived to an extreme old age. The wall is falling 
 away on one side, and the rough stones, together with 
 the old marble slabs, coloured almost black by age, 
 give the tomb an ancient and interesting appearance. 
 One slab of mottled marble gives us the following 
 memorial of those who rest beneath it. 
 
 " In memory of James M' Calmont, who departed this 
 life July the 2d, 1780, aged 96 years." 
 
 "Also, Jane, his wife, who departed this life, May 
 the 4th, 1794, aged 100 years." 
 
 " Also of Charles, Elizabeth, and Isabella, their 
 children." 
 
 The other stone is the memento of their son, James 
 M' Calmont, of whom we shall speak somewhat at 
 length. 
 
 "In memory of James M'Calmont, Esqr., who de- 
 parted this life July the 19th, 1809, aged 72 years." 
 
 The occupant of this tomb lived near Strasburg, on 
 the farm now occupied by Mr. John Dice. He was 
 
196 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 a Major in the Revolutionary War, and became dis- 
 tinguished as a brave and accomplisbed soldier. 
 When the British had possession of Philadelphia, 
 Major M'Calmont commanded a company of Rangers, 
 whose duty it was to intercept the supplies of provi- 
 sions which the Tories might be disposed to send to 
 the city. Upon one occasion, while on duty in New 
 Jersey, opposite the city, he captured about a dozen 
 Hessian soldiers. Having no convenient way of 
 disposing of them, he marched them to Strasburg, 
 near which he owned a large tract of land, and in- 
 duced them to settle there, by presenting one with a 
 few acres of land, another with a tannery, a third 
 with a tavern stand, and providing for the residue in 
 a manner suitable to their several capacities. 
 
 During the war, the inhabitants of the Cumberland 
 Valley were much annoyed by the inroads of the 
 Indians, who murdered the people, burned their 
 houses and barns, destroyed their crops, and com- 
 mitted the usual atrocities characteristic of savage 
 warfare. The inhabitants were obliged to work in 
 their fields after night, for fear of being surprised 
 and murdered by their subtle foes. The farmer 
 would drop his corn, as he ran through the fields, 
 and cover it with his foot, while he held his rifle in 
 his hand, and feared to stoop, lest he might be at- 
 tacked by the lurking Indian. In this manner a 
 farmer would plant his field in a single night, as he 
 did not pretend to raise more grain than was abso- 
 lutely necessary for the subsistence of himself and 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 197 
 
 his stock, and considered himself fortunate if he did 
 even thus much. In the neighbourhood of Strasburg 
 and Roxburj, the Indians were particularly trouble- 
 some. We have been told by an old 'and highly 
 respected citizen of this vicinity, that, on one occa- 
 sion, the Indians captured a number of persons in 
 the neighbourhood of, and not far from, Rocky Spring, 
 and proceeded with their prisoners towards Bedford. 
 About the same time another party burned the fort 
 (which then stood near Bossart's Mill), after shooting 
 the only man who happened to be in it at the time, 
 and then followed in the same direction taken by the 
 preceding gang. A company of the inhabitants of 
 the neighbourhood, under the command of Captain 
 Alexander Culbertson, went in pursuit of the Indians, 
 and overtook them near Sideling Hill. A desperate 
 fight ensued, in which the company of Capt. C. was 
 defeated, and himself killed. A number of the men 
 were made prisoners, and carried off by the Indians. 
 The stream known as Bloody Run, is said to have 
 derived its name from this battle, which is repre- 
 sented to have occurred in its vicinity. We wish it 
 clearly understood, that we do not give this statement 
 as historically correct ; but we think it is as plausible 
 an explanation of the naming of Bloody Run, as any 
 we have yet seen. A short time before the battle, a 
 man, named McConnell, was ploughing near the 
 Spring, and was surprised by a couple of Indians, 
 who shot at, but fortunately missed him, and lodged 
 
 a ball in the handle of his plough. He ran into a 
 
 17* 
 
198 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 house near by, where the Indians did not follow him. 
 His remains now repose in the churchyard at Rocky 
 Spring. His. brother, not yet arrived at manhood, 
 was taken, but managed to make his escape at the 
 slaughter at Bloody Run. There were a number of 
 forts in the neighbourhood, to which the people fled 
 upon the approach of the enemy. One stood at the 
 mill on Mr. Bossart's farm, near the foot of the 
 mountain; another (called Reed's Fort) on the farm 
 now owned by William Etter, about one mile and a 
 half from Rocky Spring ; another at Strasburg ; and 
 a strong fortress stood on the hill, in the town of 
 Shippensburg. 
 
 The above remarks may appear to be somewhat of 
 a digression, but we deem them essential to a clear 
 understanding of what follows, respecting the adven- 
 tures of Major McCalmont. This gentleman was 
 generally selected as the leader of the parties sent 
 in pursuit of the savages, after the perpetration of 
 their numerous hostile acts ; and, from his success in 
 discovering their haunts, and inflicting summary ven- 
 geance upon them for their atrocities, he became 
 quite celebrated as an Indian-hunter ; and was con- 
 sidered by the savages as a daring and formidable 
 foe. As a bush-fighter he was quite equal to the 
 most wily Indian. One day he met unexpectedly a 
 tall, desperate-looking savage, while alone in the 
 woods, near his residence at Strasburg. Both hap- 
 pening to see each other simultaneously, took to 
 trees, and each endeavoured to get a shot at his 
 
KOCKY SPRING CHURCH. 199 
 
 antagonist ; after evading each other for some time, 
 the savage incautiously peeped from behind the tree, 
 and instantly received a ball from the rifle of his 
 dexterous enemy. Upon another occasion, while 
 returning home from Chambersburg, he was pursued 
 by a party of Indians, who were bent on securing 
 the scalp of their old and hated enemy. After 
 running for a considerable distance, he darted into a 
 barn which stood near by, and escaped out of the 
 other side, and secreted himself in a thicket, unob- 
 served by his pursuers. The savages supposing he 
 was yet in the barn, set it on fire, and stood around 
 it, yelling in exultation at their supposed success in 
 capturing their foe. When they discovered that 
 they were bafiled, they commenced the search after 
 the Major, and soon found his trail, and again joined 
 hotly in the pursuit. The Major was remarkable 
 for his swiftness of foot, and succeeded in outrunning 
 the Indians, who pursued him to the fort at Ship- 
 pensburg. They often chased him to this fort, we 
 are told ; and, on several occasions, he selected men 
 from the garrison, and, in turn, pursued the Indians, 
 and avenged himself by returning with their scalps. 
 During the war, he was working one day in the field 
 with several other persons, at harvest-time. The 
 guns of the party were in a distant part of the field. 
 A gang of several prowling savages suddenly sprang 
 from the thicket, and one, more bold than the rest, 
 ran for the guns. McCalmont also started ofi" on the 
 same errand ; and, although the Indian had the ad- 
 
200 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 vantage of the ground, reached the guns first, one of 
 "which he snatched from the stack, and with it shot 
 the savage dead. The settlers coming up soon after 
 the Major, the Indians retreated. He was considered 
 by the Indians as quite as swift a runner as they, 
 and fully equal to themselves in all the wiles and 
 strategy of their peculiar warfare. In consequence 
 of his extraordinary fleetness and agility, they be- 
 stowed on him the appellation of '' Supple McCal- 
 mont." On the southwestern side of the town of 
 Strasburg, there is a cave, called "McCalmont's 
 Cave," in which he was accustomed to hide, when 
 closely pursued by the Indians. It was in the midst 
 of a thicket, and so covered by thick vines and 
 bushes, that it afibrded an admirable retreat in times 
 of danger. 
 
 The Major was a tall, muscular man, of modest 
 and unpretending manners. In private life, his quiet, 
 difiident deportment gave no indication of the daunt- 
 less spirit of the man, of which he presented so many 
 evidences in his encounters with the Indians, as well 
 as with the British army during his campaign under 
 General Washington. After the conclusion of the 
 war, he was appointed one of the Associate Judges 
 of Franklin County, soon after its formation. He 
 died at Strasburg in 1809. 
 
 Near the fence, in the western end of the yard, is 
 a tomb, formed in the usual square, or rather oblong 
 shape, with a brick wall and marble slab, which is 
 nearly blackened by age and exposure. The wall is 
 
KOCKY SPRING CHURCH. 201 
 
 falling away, and the bricks are scattered about the 
 tomb, which was formerly surrounded by a paling 
 fence ; a few posts of which, with two or three decay- 
 ing rails, yet remain. On the stone is the simple, 
 modest inscription : 
 
 "Joseph Armstrong; born 1739, and died 29th 
 Augt., 1811." 
 
 The tenant of this tomb lived on Mr. Wise's place, 
 near the mountain. During the Revolution he was 
 a major in the Pennsylvania militia. 
 
 In the eastern end of the enclosure, we find two 
 graves, which strike the eye on account of their 
 ancient appearance, which results rather from the 
 gray colour of the stones, than any peculiarity in the 
 wording or carving on them. The inscription on one 
 of them reads thus : 
 
 *' In memory of Mary Machen, who departed this 
 life August 2d, 1803, aged 75 years." 
 
 Close beside this gravestone is the other, which we 
 are told is 
 
 " In memory of Elizabeth, wife of John Machen, 
 died 24th September, 1804, aged 54 years." 
 
 In the extreme southwestern corner of the burial- 
 ground, beneath the poplar trees, are a number of 
 pieces which form a very beautiful monument. They 
 are scattered about in confusion over the ground ; and 
 some of the handsome slabs were so covered with clay, 
 that it was difficult to read the engraving which they 
 contained. The sides of the tomb, and many of the 
 columns were deeply sunk into the ground, in conse- 
 
202 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 quence of having lain there for so many years. There 
 are more than a dozen of pieces, many of which are 
 now partially injured by carelessness, and the confused 
 manner in which they are strewn over the ground. 
 Some pieces lean against the trees, and others are so 
 much covered by grass as to be hidden from view. 
 The side stones are handsomely made in the form of 
 panel-work, and the columns are beautifully fluted. 
 They are all of fine, white marble, which, however, is 
 now blackened by exposure to the elements, for more 
 than half a century. The whole monument was a 
 beautiful structure, much handsomer we presume than 
 any now there. We are told that these pieces were 
 brought to the graveyard, from Philadelphia, more 
 than fifty years ago; but owing to some cause, with 
 which our informant is unacquainted, they were never 
 erected into a tomb, but have remained as separate 
 pieces ever since. After cleaning the letters of the 
 topmost slab, we have copied the inscription and the 
 verses accompanying it, without any alteration as re- 
 gards arrangement and punctuation. 
 
 " Jane Cooper, was born, 1st of July, 1768, and 
 (J. N.) died, on the 26th evening of June, 1796. 
 
 "Jane Nicholson's respected dust, now here, 
 Once liv'd esteem'd, and shar'd health's warmest cheer 
 Her life seem'd fix'd, as but with age to cease 
 Till fated accident produced disease 
 Young, wise and good ! she was her children's guide 
 Bliss to her partner, joy to all alli'd. 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 203 
 
 "From tender youth, sh' obey'd, with love and awe 
 Reasons, religion, and her parents, law ; 
 So grew, her dignifying strength of mind ; 
 Tho' firm, yet soft, and happily refin'd 
 No affectation, pride, or passion, stain'd 
 Nor harbour'd ills her candid breast prophan'd. 
 
 "Her face expressive, spoke each thought sincere 
 Truth and its friends, to her, were ever dear. 
 Eager she priz'd each social, virtuous joy; 
 But prudent shunn'd the haunts, which peace destroy. 
 
 " For other's woes, her keenest sorrows flow'd 
 Or for th' impious wandering from their God 
 Is she perhaps, your guardian Angel, still ? 
 children ! live as would obey her will, 
 So shall you join her on that happy shore 
 Where death or grief, will visit you no more." 
 
 On one of the side pieces of the monument, whicli 
 had sunk deeply into the earth, and which was re- 
 moved with difficulty from its bed, we read as follows : 
 
 " William Cooper Nicholson died on the 16th morn- 
 ing of April, 1798. — Before the end of his third year." 
 
 On the other side piece we find the following 
 verses : 
 
 "Oh! when will spring visit the mould'ring urn 
 And celestial dawn bless the night of the Grave ? 
 Blest Angels rejoicing, will all hail the great Morn, 
 When Saints bright descending, their bodies receive." 
 
 A few feet from the above, are three square tombs, 
 with walls of hewn limestone, and slabs of white mar- 
 
204 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 ble, which are erected over the remains of the departed 
 members of the Wilson family. Upon one are the 
 names of John Wilson, Sr., who died in 1826 — aged 
 76 years; and Sarah, consort of John Wilson, who 
 died in July, 1848, at the advanced age of 96 years. 
 The one next to this is dedicated to the memory of 
 John Wilson, Jr., who died in 1818, aged 27 years. 
 Upon the third is the name of Alexander Wilson, who 
 died on the 24th September, 1828, aged 24 years ; it 
 also contains the name of James Wilson, who died in 
 July, 1847, aged 56 years. Upon these monuments 
 are several verses of poetry, which we will not copy, 
 on account of their length. To the right of these and 
 somewhat nearer the lower fence, are two handsome 
 marble monuments, erected over the remains of the 
 McClellan family, from which we copy the names of 
 those who sleep beneath them ; omitting also several 
 verses, for the reason given above. Upon the first is 
 the name of George McClellan, Esq., who departed 
 this life July 15th, 1823, in the 62d year of his age. 
 The next is dedicated to the memory of Lydia McClel- 
 lan, who died in 1840, aged 68 years. In the rear 
 of the McClellans are the graves of David McKinney, 
 who died in 1835, aged 68 years ; and Eleanor McKin- 
 ney, whose death occurred in 1825, in her 53d year. 
 Near the spot where repose the ashes of the McKin- 
 neys, are two plain marble stones, which are erected in 
 commemoration of Grizida, consort of Robert McCon- 
 nel, who died in 1832, in the 36th year of her age; 
 and of Captain John McConnel, who died in August, 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 205 
 
 1819, aged 73 years. At the distance of a few rods 
 towards the northern end of the yard, are a number 
 of neat tombstones which mark the last resting-place 
 of several members of the Davis family. Mr Davis 
 died in October, 1823, in his 62d year. Sarah, wife 
 of William Davis, died in 1825, aged 64 years. Close 
 by is the tomb of Col. Stephen Wilson, who died in 
 1823, aged 46 years. Near this point are three beau- 
 tiful marble tombstones which indicate the place where 
 repose the Grier family. The deceased are Thomas 
 Grier, whose death occurred in 1818, in his 17th year ; 
 Margaret Grier, who departed this life in 1822, in the 
 20th year of her age; and Michael Grier, who died 
 m 1844, aged eleven years. Near by is the tomb of 
 John Durborow, whose decease occurred in 1825 
 when he was sixteen years old. In the southern part 
 of the yard, near the monuments of the Wilsons is 
 an old grave, covered over with thyme, and marked 
 by a headstone of gray-coloured sandstone, upon 
 which is carved, in very old-fashioned, rude charac- 
 ters, the following inscription. 
 
 "Here lies the body of John Wade, who departed 
 this life, January 17th, A. D. 1799, aged 80 years " 
 
 On the footstone, in the same style, is chiselled the 
 lollowmg exhortation ; 
 
 "Kemember, man, as you pass by, as you are now 
 so once was I ; as I am now so must you be ; remember, 
 man, that thou must die." 
 
 ^ Close by the above is another stone, of the same 
 kind, upon which we decipher the following words 
 
 18 ' 
 
206 CHUKCHBS OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 with some difficulty, owing to the rough manner in 
 which tliey are cut. 
 
 "Here lyes the body of McDonell McConnell who 
 departed this life, July 29, 1776, 75 years." 
 
 The next grave is the resting-place of Rosannah 
 McConnell. Upon the gray sandstone, at the head 
 of her grave, we are told that 
 
 " Here lyes the body of Rosannah McConnell wife 
 of Robert McConnell, who departed this life-177U. 
 
 The stone is broken into two pieces, and part ot 
 the inscription remains below the ground, and cannot 
 
 be read. , , ^ 
 
 In the northwestern portion of the yard, are two 
 white stones, which are placed at the graves of Mary 
 Jane and Samuel, son and daughter of Charles and 
 Elizabeth Culbertson, who died at early ages m the 
 years 1815 and 1816. 
 
 Near the centre of the yard are two monuments 
 which we will next describe. The first is composed of 
 a marble slab which rests upon a brick wall, part ot 
 which has sunk into the ground, and the whole ot 
 which appears to be in a decaying condition. On tlie 
 slab we are informed that it was erected 
 
 " In memory of Hugh Beard, who departed this 
 life, December 8d, 1771, aged 14 years ; also Sarah 
 Beard who departed this life, March 16th, 1794, aged 
 
 20 years." 
 
 Adioining this tomb stands one which was origi- 
 nally much handsomer, but is now much impaired by 
 time The sides are formed of broad stones, of a yel- 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 207 
 
 lowish colour, fastened at the angles by iron clasps, 
 and supporting a slab, which is moved partly from its 
 position, on which we find the following inscription : 
 
 " In memory of Martha Beard, wife of John Beard, 
 Junr., who departed this life, December 17th, 1795, 
 aged 40 years ; also Agnes Beard, mother of the above, 
 departed this life, Feb. 20th, 1810, aged 80 years." 
 
 Beside these two graves is another, marked by a 
 head and foot of blue slate, which was erected 
 
 " In memory of Jane Jamison, daughter of John 
 and Agnes Baird, Senr's, departed this life, December 
 9th, 1799, aged 24 years." 
 
 Around these graves a paling fence once stood. 
 This has now partially fallen down, and parts of it 
 lie scattered about the tomb. Two sides yet remain, 
 which meet at a right angle. The whole appearance 
 of the fence and graves, indicates exposure to the de- 
 stroying hand of time for many years. In the south- 
 eastern portion of the yard are two substantial lime- 
 stone tombs, supporting marble slabs, one of which is 
 dedicated to the memory of '' Mrs. Mary Culbertson, 
 consort of Joseph Culbertson, and daughter of James 
 Finley, Esq.," who died in 1817. The other "is 
 dedicated to the memory of James Finley, Esq., and 
 Jane his wife. James died the 27th day of Septem- 
 ber, 1812, in the 73d year of his age. Jane departed 
 this life on the 21st of July, 1814, aged 69 years." 
 Not far from this is a grave, thickly covered with 
 thyme, and marked by a couple of rough limestones, on 
 one of which we read, " G. Vance, 1793." Near this, 
 
208 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 are three other graves, similar in appearance, all co- 
 vered "vvith thyme and marked by pieces of limestone, 
 upon the respective headstones of which, the following 
 initials are rudely chiselled : 
 
 "P X L 
 N X L 
 M X L." 
 
 A few paces from these is a marble stone, which is 
 erected, 
 
 " In memory of Mary, the wife of James Gibson, 
 who departed this life, April 25th, 17 — , in the 71 year 
 of her age. 
 
 "All you that come my grave to see 
 Prepare for Death and follow me 
 Prepare for Death make no delay 
 For suddenly I was snatched away." 
 
 We copy the above just as we find it. It will be 
 perceived that the year of her death is not given. 
 
 There are many other graves in the yard, a descrip- 
 tion of which would be tedious to the reader, and re- 
 quire more space than we can appropriate to it. We 
 have given those which are the most prominent, and 
 strike the visitor as interesting, either on account of 
 their venerable appearance, or the quaintness of the 
 inscriptions which they bear. Those about which we 
 shall say nothing, are of recent date ; and diJBfer in 
 no respect from those seen in any modern church- 
 yard. We may also state that the inscriptions which 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 209 
 
 we have given above, are copied from the stones with- 
 out any alteration in regard to spelling. 
 
 Of the early history of the Congregation of Rocky 
 Spring, we know little. We do not know precisely 
 how many years have elapsed since it was organized, 
 but we do know that divine services were held in the 
 old church, one hundred and nine years ago. In the 
 year 1742, we learn from the minute-book of the Ses- 
 sion of the Middle Spring Church, near Shippensburg, 
 that a meeting was held by the congregation, for the 
 purpose of making some arrangement in relation to 
 the distribution of the pastoral labours of the Rev. Mr. 
 Blair, who, it appears, was the minister of the Middle 
 Spring, Big Spring, and Rocky Spring congregations. 
 It was then determined that the reverend gentleman 
 should preach on every third Sabbath, at each of these 
 places, alternately. These congregations were esta- 
 blished about the same time, by the Donegal Pres- 
 bytery, in Lancaster County, in this State. The 
 Presbytery was accustomed to send out missionaries 
 to preach for the different churches, in their infancy, 
 before they were large enough to support a settled 
 minister. This appears to have been the manner in 
 which the church at Rocky Spring was supplied, for 
 some years after its establishment. 
 
 At the time the old church was built, the land upon 
 which it stood belonged to the government, and had 
 never been surveyed by the congregation. When the 
 present building was about being erected, a warrant 
 was taken out by the Trustees, and the land occupied 
 
 18* 
 
210 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 by the congregation was then, for the first time, sur- 
 veyed. The following is a transcript of the original 
 warrant, copied from the official draught filed in the 
 office of the Deputy Surveyor, and politely handed 
 to us by Samuel M. Armstrong, Esq. " Warrant 
 for 5 acres, granted to George Matthews, Esq., James 
 M'Calmont, Esq., James Ferguson, Esq., Joseph 
 Culbertson, Esq., and Samuel Culbertson, Trustees 
 for the congregation including the Rocky Spring 
 Church.— November 6th, 1792." A draught of the 
 land is attached to the above, which, of course, we 
 cannot transfer to paper, without unnecessary labour 
 
 and expense. 
 
 We shall now speak of the several ministers who 
 have officiated at Rocky Spring as its regularly or- 
 dained pastors. The period embraced by the labours 
 of these gentlemen, is about eighty-three years. 
 
 The first regular minister of the church, Avas the 
 Rev. John Craighead, of whom we have already 
 spoken. Mr. C. was the son of Mr. John Craighead, 
 who settled at an early date on Yellow Breeches 
 Creek, near Carlisle, and who was a cousin of the 
 Rev. Thomas Craighead, pastor of Big Spring. He 
 received his education at Princeton College, of which 
 Institution he was a graduate. He was installed as 
 pastor at Rocky Spring, in 1768, but we presume he 
 had been accustomed to preach there before that time. 
 At the commencement of the Revolutionary War, as 
 previously stated, he raised a company from the mem- 
 bers of his charge, and joined the army of General 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 211 
 
 Washington, in New Jersey. Of his valour there can 
 be no question. " He fought and preached alternately," 
 says a friend, in noticing his character, " breasted all 
 danger, relying on his God and the justice of his 
 cause for protection.". 
 
 His company was present at the battle on Long 
 Island, and acquitted themselves with much gallan- 
 try. Mr. C. was also with the army, when Fort Wash- 
 ington was evacuated, and fell into the hands of the 
 British. His friend, the Rev. Dr. Cooper, for many 
 years pastor of the Middle Spring Church, was also 
 present on this occasion, and was, we believe, also 
 captain of a company. He and Mr. C. were very 
 intimate, and were in the same mess, as they were 
 congenial spirits. Mr. Craighead was somewhat 
 celebrated as a humourist, and many good jokes are 
 told of him by many aged persons, by whom he is 
 well remembered. One day, it is said, going into 
 battle, a cannon-ball struck a tree near him, a 
 splinter of which nearly knocked him down. " God 
 bless me!" exclaimed Mr. Cooper, ^' you were nearly 
 knocked to staves." " Oh yes," was his reply, "and 
 though you are a Qooper^ you could not have set me 
 
 5 1 
 
 up. 
 
 Mr. Craighead was a tall, handsome man, with 
 dark chestnut-coloured hair, and possessed a strong, 
 clear, and musical voice. His disposition was mild, 
 aifable, and peculiarly winning ; which, together with 
 his agreeable social qualities, rare conversational 
 powers, and fine humour, made him the favourite of 
 
212 CHURCnBS OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 all who chanced to know him ; and from his promi- 
 nent position, there were few persons in the neigh- 
 bourhood who did not know him. His ministry was 
 at one time interrupted for a few months, hj mental 
 alienation, and we are told by intelligent persons, that, 
 after his recovery, his zeal and efforts in the cause 
 of his divine Master, as well as his strong intellect, 
 seemed to have been greatly increased in energy by 
 his temporary insanity. His sermons were well pre- 
 pared, forcible, and persuasive ; and were delivered 
 with a power and eloquence peculiarly his own. His 
 public as well as his private life, "^as pure and un- 
 exceptionable. He lived on the farm recently occu- 
 pied by Mr. Byers, which is a couple of miles from 
 the church. In 1799, the year in which his pastoral 
 relation had been dissolved, this good man gave up 
 his spirit to his Creator, and entered upon the reward 
 which, through divine grace, his long life zealously 
 spent in the cause of Religion, so well prepared him 
 to enjoy. 
 
 After the existence of a vacancy in the congrega- 
 tion for about one year, — Mr. Francis Herron, now 
 the Rev. Dr. Herron, was elected to preside over the 
 spiritual interests of the flock. He was ordained 
 and installed April 9th, 1800, on which occasion '' Dr. 
 King preached a sermon from Matt. v. 14, and Mr. 
 Linn presided, and gave a charge." Dr. H. con- 
 tinued faithfully to discharge the duties of his station 
 for about ten years, at the expiration of which time he 
 was chosen the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 213 
 
 in the city of Pittsburg. He continued to fill this 
 station, with great credit to himself and benefit to his 
 people, until about one year since, when, in conse- 
 quence of advanced age, he resigned the charge, after 
 having carefully watched over its welfare for about 
 forty years. Dr. Herron's ministerial connexion 
 with the Church at Rocky Spring was eminently 
 successful, and through his zealous efi'orts, he added 
 many converts to its numbers. Dr. H. ranks among 
 the first ministers in the Church, as a pious and 
 faithful shepherd, an accomplished scholar, an able 
 and convincing preacher, and above all, as an 
 humble and conscientious follower of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
 When Dr. Herron resigned his place at Rocky 
 Spring, it was supplied by the Rev. John M'Knight, 
 D.D., who ministered to the people for several 
 years. The relation existing between him and the 
 congregation was interrupted by an invitation to 
 preside over Dickinson College, when the presi- 
 dency of that Institution was made vacant by the 
 death of its incumbent. The Doctor was well 
 known to our older citizens, as he resided in Cham- 
 bersburg ; and for us to speak of his many vir- 
 tues, his talents, his fervour in discharging the du- 
 ties of his divine mission, would be a work of superero- 
 gation. He lived a useful and holy life, and at an 
 advanced age was called to his reward. His death 
 occurred in 1823, and his ashes now repose beneath 
 a handsome monument in the lovely cemetery at- 
 
214 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 tached to the Presbyterian Church in Chambers- 
 burg. 
 
 The vacancy occasioned by the removal of Dr. 
 M'K., was supplied by his son, the Rev. Dr. John 
 M'Knight, for many years a resident of our toAvn. 
 The labours of this gentleman were abundantly suc- 
 cessful : and all the members of the church yet living, 
 will testify to the able and affectionate manner in 
 which he discharged the duty imposed upon him. 
 Mr. M'K., after preaching at Rocky Spring for 
 several years, removed to Philadelphia, where he is 
 yet engaged in the ministry, in connexion with the 
 New School Presbyterian Church. His successor is 
 the Rev. A. K. Nelson. Mr. N. accepted the call 
 from " Campbellstown and Rocky Spring," in 1840, 
 with the understanding that the half of his time was 
 to be given to each of these congregations ; but he 
 has, for some years, at least, been preaching also occa- 
 sionally on the Sabbath at Strasburg, where many of 
 his charge reside. — These are all the ministers, who 
 have been regularly ordained to preach in this ancient 
 temple of the Lord. 
 
 In latter days the congregation is gradually de- 
 creasing, and seems to be in a fairway soon to become 
 entirely extinct. We learn this fact with much regret, 
 and feel pained that the hallowed spot, around which so 
 many endearing recollections cling, should cease to 
 occupy a place among churches, or at least, should 
 fall into other hands than those of the same denomi- 
 nation, who worshipped in it for more than a century. 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 215 
 
 At the time of its erection, it was attended by a few 
 of the early settlers only, some of whom had come 
 from the mother country to seek a home in the new 
 world, where they might enjoy, unmolested, their 
 cherished religious opinions. As the country became 
 more thickly settled, the congregation also became 
 large, and occupied an important position among the 
 churches in the Cumberland Valley. People resorted 
 to Rocky Spring, from Loudon, Mercersburg, Green- 
 castle, Chambersburg, Culbertson's Row, Greenvil- 
 lage, Roxbury, Orrstown, Strasburg, and from the 
 whole valley along the mountain foot, extending nearly 
 to Shippensburg. When there chanced to be no 
 preaching at Middle Spring, the people of that con- 
 gregation were accustomed to worship here. 
 
 But the original settlers have long since died, and 
 their descendants,' to a considerable extent, have 
 moved to other regions ; and persons from other places 
 (particularly Germans) have taken their places. 
 These, generally, belong to other denominations, and 
 have deserted this ancient temple of the Most High. 
 Then, again, other churches have sprung up in the 
 neighbouring towns, and many of those who formerly 
 attended at Rocky Spring, can now enter the sanc- 
 tuary nearer their homes, without the inconvenience 
 of riding several miles, as was formerly necessary. 
 All these circumstances have conspired to diminish 
 the congregation, and its doom seems inevitable. 
 Services, we are told, are only held about once 
 in four weeks, and we very much fear, that before 
 
216 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 very long, the interval will be indefinitely pro- 
 longed. 
 
 Patriotism has ever been a predominant feature in 
 the character of the Presbyterians in the Cumberland 
 Valley. It pervaded especially the old congregation 
 of Rocky Spring ; and when their bleeding country 
 called for the services of her sons, none were more 
 ready than they to respond to the call, and freely 
 offer themselves, if need be, upon the altars of Free- 
 dom. Many of the people, as we have shown, 
 marched with their minister ; others had participated 
 in the war previously, some of whom sealed their de- 
 votion to their country with their lives, on the battle- 
 field. In 1774, a meeting of the Presbyterian 
 Church was convened at Carlisle, in Cumberland 
 County, of which our county then formed a part, and 
 passed a series of patriotic resolutions, expressing 
 their sympathy with the cause of oppressed America ; 
 and in the name of the Lord of Hosts, declaring their 
 willingness to participate in the dangers of the strug- 
 gle, whenever the government might demand their ser- 
 vices. Considering the near connexion existing be- 
 tween the inhabitants of the two counties at that 
 period, and the fact that the assembly was formed by 
 the Presbyterians of the Cumberland Valley, it will 
 readily be conceived that our churches acted a pro- 
 minent part in making these patriotic declarations. 
 Patriotism then pervaded all classes, from the minister 
 down to the humblest member of his flock, and was 
 something more than that wild, roving spirit of ad- 
 
ROCKY SPRING CHURCH. 217 
 
 venture, ^Yhich so often prompts men, particularly in 
 these latter clays), to engage in warfare ; it was a 
 higher and nobler feeling — a principle of resistance 
 to oppression, and a firm, unconquerable desire to 
 establish the liberty of America, and secondarily, that 
 of the whole world. 
 
 We may here also add, that this steadfast and 
 self-sacrificing devotion to their country, was emi- 
 nently characteristic of the Presbyterian ministry 
 and membership, as a body, throughout the land, 
 during the Revolution. 
 
 "That man," it has been remarked, with truthful- 
 ness that history attests,* " will go on a desperate 
 adventure, who shall proceed to hunt out the Presby- 
 terian tories of that day. Our ministers were Whigs, 
 patriots, haters of tyranny, known abettors of the 
 very earliest resistance, and often soldiers in the 
 field. It was not they, nor any of them, who acted 
 as guides for invading generals, or who wrote pas- 
 quinades for New York Journals, or who insulted 
 Washington by scurrile letters. On these points we 
 ask no better task than that of printing a few docu- 
 ments, when the truths suggested shall be denied. 
 The name of a Presbyterian Whig stank in the nos- 
 trils of truckling courtiers, renegade Scots, and non- 
 juring semi-papists, as much in the Colonies as at 
 home ; and the revolutionary struggle was carried on, 
 
 * Review of "Davidson's Presbyterian Churcli in Kentucky," 
 Princeton Repertory, October, 1847. 
 
 19 
 
218 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 in a large part of the Middle and Southern States, 
 by the sinew, sweat, and blood, of Presbyterians." 
 
 We have thus, hurriedly, given a general sketch of 
 the venerable and romantic spot long known as Rocky 
 Spring. The neglected condition, and general decay- 
 ing appearance of the church, portend a speedy ruin. 
 A few short years will only have elapsed, before the 
 stranger will stand by the tottering walls on the 
 hilltop, and sadly meditate upon the past history of 
 the sacred pile. Then the descendants of the old 
 congregation will have gone, and no one will be able 
 to recount the many stirring events connected with 
 it in former years, or reverentially commemorate its 
 departing glory. 
 
219 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 PATH VALLEY CHURCHES. 
 
 At an early day in the history of Pennsylvania, 
 the people were forbidden by laws, " repeatedly sig- 
 nified by proclamations," to take possession of the 
 lands beyond the Kittochtinny Mountains, not pur- 
 chased of the Indians. This prohibition was grounded 
 in a fear, on the part of the existing authorities, that 
 if such a course should be pursued, " a breach might 
 ensue between the Six Nations of Indians and this 
 Province." Notwithstanding this precautionary enact- 
 ment, however, the wave of emigration soon rolled 
 beyond the limit designated for the residence of the 
 daring pioneers. Neither the prospect of peril, nor 
 the apprehension of the privations and toils incident 
 to a settlement in the wilderness, could repress the 
 adventurous spirit which swelled their bosoms, or 
 restrain them from the occupancy of the vast and 
 inviting tracts of land, which spread out beyond the 
 Blue Mountains. 
 
 The following extract from a letter, dated July 2d, 
 
220 CHURCHES of the valley. 
 
 1750, from Richard Peters, who had received orders 
 from Governor Hamilton, to give information to the 
 proper magistrates, against all such as had presumed 
 to violate the law which he had published by procla- 
 mation, and to bring them to a legal conviction, will 
 shed some light upon this subject, in regard to Path 
 Valley : 
 
 " On Wednesday, the 30th of May, the magistrates 
 and company, being detained two days by rain, pro- 
 ceeded over the Kittochtinny Mountains, and entered 
 into the Tuscara Path, or Path Valley, through which 
 the road to Alleghany lies. Many settlements were 
 formed in this valley, and all the people were sent 
 for, and the following persons appeared, viz. : Abra- 
 ham Slack, James Blair, Moses Moore, Arthur Dun- 
 lap, Alexander McCartie, Felix Doyle, Andrew Dun- 
 lap, Robert Wilson, Jacob Pyatt, Jacob Pyatt, Jr., 
 William Ramage, Reynold Alexander, Samuel Pat- 
 terson, Robert Baker, John Armstrong, and John 
 Potts, who were all convicted by their own confession 
 to the magistrates, of the like trespasses with those 
 at Shearman's Creek, and were bound in the like 
 recognizances to appear at court, and bonds to the 
 proprietaries, to remove with all their families, ser- 
 vants, cattle, and effects, and having all voluntarily 
 given possession of their houses to me, some ordinary 
 log houses, to the number of eleven, were burnt to 
 the ground ; the trespassers, most of them cheerfully, 
 and a very few of them with reluctance, carrying out 
 
PATH VALLEY CHURCHES. 221 
 
 all their goods. Some had deserted before, and lay 
 waste." 
 
 It is not possible, of course, to justify the conduct 
 of these primitive settlers in this portion of Franklin 
 County, in taking possession of it contrary to law, 
 yet much apology is found for them in the circum- 
 stances of the country at the time, and in their wil- 
 lingness to risk any conflict into which they might 
 thus be brought, with the aboriginal inhabitants. It 
 is also gratifying to know, that they promptly and 
 peaceably submitted to the requirements of the law, 
 as carried into efi'ect by the officers of government. 
 
 The first preaching by a Presbyterian minister, 
 among the almost exclusively Irish or Scotch-Irish 
 population of this region, of which we have any know- 
 ledge, was in 1767. In that year "verbal applica- 
 tions in behalf of a few in Path Valley," were made 
 to Presbytery. The appointment, under this request, 
 was given to the Rev. Hobert Cooper, who was direct- 
 ed to preach to that people a Sabbath, "at discretion." 
 After this, supplies were occasionally sent to that re- 
 gion, and not without success, as would appear from 
 the fact, that in 1769, " application was made by a 
 commissioner, for the Presbytery to endeavour to ac- 
 commodate some diiFerences subsisting among the 
 congregation, concerning the situation of their meet- 
 ing-house or meeting-houses." 
 
 - The people, as we learn from the Presbyterial re- 
 cords, were divided into two parties. One party in- 
 sisted for a meeting-house near James Montgomery's, 
 
 19* 
 
222 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 where they had found a warrant for a piece of ground, 
 for the sole purpose of a meeting-house and grave- 
 yard, and where they had ah^eady put up logs for a 
 place of w^orship. The other party insisted for two 
 meeting-houses, and that neither of them should be 
 at James Montgomery's ; or, if one house only should 
 be allowed, that it should be placed lower down, so 
 as to be near the centre of the congregation. To 
 harmonize these conflicting views and feelings, Pres- 
 bytery appointed a committee of five Ministers and 
 five Elders. This committee, however, after hearing 
 the statements of commissioners from each of the par- 
 ties, were not able to adjust the existing difficulty, as 
 is evident from the following minute of their proceed- 
 ings : 
 
 " The committee, finding that the majority of the 
 people are for the house which is begun at James 
 Montgomery's, and that they had never applied to the 
 Presbytery to interpose in this matter, nor are now 
 willing to leave it to the decision of this committee, 
 judge that they can not proceed to do anything in 
 this matter, except by way of advice, which was done 
 by the Moderator." 
 
 In the year 1T73, the congregations of " Upper 
 Tuscarora" and "Path Valley," which were united 
 as a charge, placed themselves under the pastoral 
 care of the Reverend Samuel Dougall. In 1779, Mr. 
 Dougall resigned his relation to the former of these, 
 congregations, and the other applied for, and obtained, 
 the whole of his labours, " promising to contribute 
 
PATH VALLEY CHURCHES. 223 
 
 and pay annually to him, the sum of XlOO, and the 
 quantity of one hundred bushels of wheat, during the 
 present circumstances of the times." Mr. Dougall 
 departed this life, October 4th, 1790. 
 
 After this event, the Rev. David Denny was 
 called to the Upper and Lower Churches of Path Val- 
 ley, and continued to serve them in the Gospel, from 
 1793 until 1800, when he accepted the pastorate of 
 the Church at Chambersburg. 
 
 Mr. Denny was succeeded by the Rev. Amos A. 
 M'Ginley, a native of Adams County, Pennsylvania, 
 who became pastor of the congregations in 1802, and 
 continued to be so until April, 1851, when he resigned 
 his charge, though he officiated as their stated sup- 
 ply till October following. The Rev. William A. 
 Graham is now the pastor of the Upper Church of 
 Path Valley, and the Rev. L. W. Williams is the 
 pastor of the Lower Church, in connexion with the 
 Church of the " Burnt Cabins," which is a colony from 
 the Lower Church. 
 
 Dr. M'Ginley, though he has retired, by reason of 
 the infirmities of old age, from the active duties of 
 the ministry, still lives in the midst of the people 
 whom he has long and faithfully served, and is uni- 
 versally beloved. For nearly fifty years, has he pro- 
 claimed the glorious Gospel of the blessed God to the 
 same community, and now at length, he has, under the 
 burden of advanced years, forsaken his pulpit, that 
 others may occupy it, and hold up, as he has done, 
 Jesus crucified, as the hope of a guilty and perishing 
 
224 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 world. Thus we pass away ; thus the day for activity 
 in God's service hastens to its close ; — and never per- 
 haps is a sense of this rapid transientness orfugacity 
 of life more vividly flashed upon the soul, than when 
 turning over the records of an ecclesiastical body, we 
 read, in almost the same book, of the licensure of a 
 man in all the vigour of youth, to fight the battles of 
 the Lord, and then, of permission given him as a 
 veteran tottering with age, to lay down the weapons 
 of his warfare. Certain it is, however, that if there 
 is any vocation in which old age has nothing to be 
 dreaded or deplored, it is that of serving God in the 
 ministry of reconciliation. The life of a man invested 
 with this high office, may have been spent in compa- 
 rative quietness. It may, too, have presented but 
 little to the world, to interest or attract. Yet has 
 that man's life been devoted to the highest and holiest 
 purposes. He has been striving to stem the current 
 of human corruption ; he has been labouring for God ; 
 he has been endeavouring to elevate and heal fallen 
 and diseased humanity ; he has been casting the seeds 
 of life into a dying world ; he has been battling for 
 the right and the true against enemies seen and invisi- 
 ble ; he has been watching for souls, — 
 
 '*For souls, which must for ever live — 
 In raptures, or in woe," — 
 
 and therefore, in his case emphatically, "the hoary 
 head found in the way of righteousness is a crown of 
 glory." How worthless, oh, how hollow and vain, do 
 
PATH VALLEY CHURCHES. 225 
 
 the honours lavished by the world upon the conquer- 
 ing hero, seem, in comparison with those to which he 
 is entitled as an ambassador for Christ, and which he 
 shall receive and enjoy, when earth with all its pseans 
 and plaudits shall have for ever passed away ! 
 
 Toward the close of such a life Doctor M'Ginley 
 has now far advanced. He has reached the seventy- 
 fifth year. A long shadow stretches before him on 
 the plain. All the days of his appointed time is he 
 waiting until his change come. For a period longer 
 than many are permitted to live, he has been enabled 
 by grace, to exhibit to the world a happy exemplifica- 
 tion of the wisdom from above, which " is first pure, 
 then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full 
 of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and 
 without hypocrisy," and to preach the word with ten- 
 derness, and ability, and cheering success ; and when 
 the time of his departure shall come, we doubt not 
 that he will enter heaven, to meet with many there, 
 who, though casting their crowns at the Saviour's 
 feet, will not forget the Saviour's instrument for their 
 conversion. " For what is our hope, or joy, or crown 
 of rejoicing ? Are not even ye in the presence of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ at his coming ? For ye are our 
 glory and joy." 
 
 The following statenient, which has been furnished 
 by Dr. M'Ginley, will be read with interest, espe- 
 cially by those living, or who have lived, within the 
 limits of his recent field of labour. 
 
 " I can give no information with regard to the 
 
226 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 prosperity of these churches, before A. D., 1802. 
 During the time intervening between 1802 and 1831, 
 there was a regular yearly increase of members. In 
 1831 there was an addition to the communion of 127 
 members ; and, in the year following, sixty members 
 were added. Those who were, at one time, in com- 
 munion with us, are numerously scattered over the 
 western country, from Pittsburg to New Orleans. 
 Two western churches, which are now comparatively 
 flourishing, never would have been organized, had it 
 not been for the number and influence of our people 
 who emigrated thither. 
 
 "By removal to the West, we lost in one year, 
 thirty-five communicating members, and five were 
 removed by death the same year. Notwithstanding 
 our severe losses, we have nearly as many members 
 now as we ever had. 
 
 " In the Lower Church, John Cunningham, Robert 
 Walker, Francis Elliott, Samuel Walker, and Archi- 
 bald Elliott, were the first elders of whom I can gain 
 any information. Since their decease the followin-g 
 persons have been elders in the Lower Church : — 
 David Walker, William Maclay, Paul Geddes, John 
 Campbell, James Walker, and Joseph Brown, all of 
 whom are now dead. The elders now living, and in 
 connexion either with the Lower Church, or the 
 Burnt Cabins' Church, are Alexander Walker, 
 George Elliott, William Elliott, James Campbell, 
 James Cree, Sen., James Cree, Jr., William Camp- 
 bell, and Daniel Brown. 
 
PATH VALLEY CHURCHES. 227 
 
 " The elders who have been in the Upper Church 
 since 1808, were James Alexander, William Alex- 
 ander, John Elder, John Holliday, Andrew Morrow, 
 David Riddle, Stephen Skinner, James McCurdy, 
 Sen., and James McCurdj, Jr., all of whom are 
 dead. Those now acting as elders in the Upper 
 Church, are James Dougall, John Alexander, James 
 Stark, Jacob Shearer, Peter Shearer, John W. Still, 
 William A. Mackey, William Herron, and James 
 McCurdj. The Trustees are James McCartney, 
 John Alexander, and Stephen M. Skinner. 
 
 " The oldest elders in the Upper Church, whose 
 names have been handed down to us, are John Hol- 
 liday, James Ardery, David Elder, Samuel Mains, 
 and Richard Morrow." 
 
228 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 DICKINSON CHUKCH. 
 
 "In rival haste, the wished-for temples rise! 
 I hear their Sabbath-bells' harmonious chime 
 Float on the breeze — the heavenliest of all sounds, 
 That hill or vale prolongs or multiplies!" 
 
 Wordsworth. 
 
 As the population of Cumberland Valley rapidly 
 increased, at the beginning of the present century, 
 there was necessity for additional churches. Villages 
 springing up in various directions, and numerous 
 families settling around them, a house was required 
 in the several localities, in which the people could 
 conveniently assemble for public worship, and espe- 
 cially such as had not means of conveyance to a dis- 
 tant point. Nor was there, at that time, any objec- 
 tion, that could legitimately be urged against yielding 
 to such a demand, inasmuch as that region was then 
 constantly receiving accessions to its numbers from 
 abroad, instead of sending out, as it has done for the 
 last score of years, family after family, and some- 
 times colonies, to the distant West. It was, it would 
 
DICKINSON CHURCH. 229 
 
 seem, in part, at least, under the force of such a 
 necessity, that the church in Dickinson Township, 
 Cumberland County, came into existence. 
 
 The first notice of this congregation by Presby- 
 tery, is to be found in their records for the year 
 1810, and is as follows : — 
 
 " An application was made, subscribed by James 
 Moore and Joseph Galbraith, in behalf of a number 
 of persons, calling themselves the Presbyterian Con- 
 gregation of Walnut Bottom, in the County of Cum- 
 berland, that the Rev. Henry R. Wilson should be 
 appointed to supply them, any portion of time which 
 he may be able and willing to give them. Presby- 
 tery thought proper to comply with their request." 
 Mr. Wilson preached to this people a part of the 
 time during his connexion with Dickinson College as 
 Professor of Languages, and, we believe, until he 
 accepted the call given to him from Silvers' Spring. 
 
 It was not, however, until 1823, that a congrega- 
 tion was organized in Dickinson Township. At that 
 time an application, for this purpose, was made to 
 Presbytery, by a number of persons residing near 
 the "Stone Meeting-House;" and it was resolved 
 that their request be granted. The Rev. Messrs. 
 Williams, Duffield, and McClelland, carried this reso- 
 lution into effect; and the congregation organized 
 was reported by them as, " The Congregation of 
 Dickinson." 
 
 There was no regular public worship among this 
 people, until July, 1826, when Mr. McKnight Wil- 
 
 20 
 
230 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 liamson, a Licentiate of the Presbytery of Carlisle, 
 consented to act as a missionary within their bounds, 
 one-half of his time, for the term of nine months. 
 At the expiration of that time, Mr. W. was unani- 
 mously elected pastor of the congregation. The call 
 given him he accepted, and he continued to labour 
 successfully in this field until October, 1834 ; when, 
 at his own request, he was dismissed, to connect him- 
 self with the Presbytery of Huntingdon. 
 
 Just one year after Mr. Williamson's resignation, 
 the congregation, through Presbytery, presented a 
 call to the Rev. Charles P. Cummins, which was ac- 
 cepted. Mr. Cummins faithfully discharged the 
 duties of the pastoral relation, until April, 1844, 
 when he relinquished his post, and was dismissed by 
 Presbytery to connect himself with the Presbytery of 
 Iowa. 
 
 Mr. Cummins's successor was the Rev. Oliver 0. 
 McClean, who was installed as pastor of the congre- 
 gation, November 4th, 1844, and is still labouring 
 among his attached people with gratifying tokens of 
 the divine favour. 
 
 At the organization of Dickinson Church, John 
 Ross and Samuel Woods were the only ruling elders. 
 
 At the close of Mr. Williamson's labours as pastor, 
 the Session consisted of Samuel Woods, John Ross, 
 William Woods, Jr., George Davidson, and David W. 
 McCulloch. 
 
 At the time of Mr. Cummins's resignation, the act- 
 
DICKINSON CHURCH. 231 
 
 ing elders were, William Woods, Jr., Robert Donald- 
 son, William G. Davidson, and Lewis H. Williams. 
 
 The Session, as at present constituted, consists of 
 William Woods, Jr., Robert Donaldson, William G. 
 Davidson, William Mateer, and John T. Green. 
 
 When the church at Dickinson was organized, there 
 were not, as far as can be ascertained, more than 
 from seventeen to twenty members in full communion. 
 The number at present is one hundred and sixty. 
 The temporal condition of the church is prosperous. 
 There is no debt resting on the people. The pastor 
 receives a salary of six hundred dollars. The Board 
 of Foreign and Domestic Missions and the Board of 
 Education, have each separate and distinct appropria- 
 tions made, in aid of them, annually. Other benevo- 
 lent enterprises, of an incidental character, are regard- 
 ed with a spirit of liberality. There are two Sabbath 
 schools in the congregation in a flourishing condition. 
 
 At the first stated administration of the word and 
 ordinances among them, the congregation worshipped 
 alternately in the stone church belonging to the Co- 
 venanters, and in the log church of the German 
 Reformed and Lutheran Congregations, both of which 
 are in Dickinson Township. The building in which 
 they now worship was erected in 1829, at an expense 
 of nearly two thousand dollars, and stands on a slight 
 eminence, at the point where the road leading from 
 Mount Rock to Spring Mills crosses the Walnut Bot- 
 tom Road, eight miles west of Carlisle. The lot of 
 ground on which it is erected, was given for the purpose 
 
232 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 by William L. Weakley, Esq. The situation is in all 
 respects a beautiful one. The building, which is of 
 brick, is 45 by 56 feet, and is capable of accom- 
 modating with its seventy pews, five hundred persons. 
 Its interior is neatly and comfortably finished, and 
 does credit to the taste and liberality of the congre- 
 gation. 
 
233 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 4 
 
 THE CHURCH AT CARLISLE. 
 
 About the year 1736, the Presbyterians erected a 
 log church on the Conodoguinett Creek, about two 
 miles north of Carlisle, or West Pennsborough, as it 
 was then called, at a place known ever since as the 
 "Meeting-House Spring." No vestige of this build- 
 ing now remains, nor are there any of the oldest sur- 
 viving residents of the neighbourhood, who are able 
 to give anything like a satisfactory account of it. 
 The members of the large congregation which wor- 
 shipped within its walls, have all long ago disappeared, 
 and with them the memory of the venerable edifice 
 and the interesting incidents which were doubtless 
 associated with its history, have well-nigh perished. 
 
 The first pastor of this church was the Rev. 
 Samuel Thompson, from Ireland. Mr. Thompson was 
 ordained and installed November 14th^ 1739. Of 
 this there is the following notice taken on the minutes 
 of a meeting of Presbytery, of that date, at " Penns- 
 boro." 
 
 "Mr. Anderson at the meeting-house door gave 
 
 20* 
 
234 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 public advertisement that if any could advance any 
 lawful objection against Mr. Samuel Thompson being 
 set apart to the work of the holy ministry to both 
 societies in this place, and no objection appearing, 
 Mr. Craighead delivered a sermon from Ezekiel xxxiii. 
 6, and presided in the work of ordination. Accord- 
 ingly, Mr. Samuel Thompson was set apart to the 
 work of the sacred ministry by the imposition of 
 hands." 
 
 It is probable, however, though Mr. Thompson 
 was the first settled pastor at " Pennsborough," that 
 the Rev. Messrs. Craighead and Caven laboured there 
 for some time previously, in the character of stated 
 supplies. This, at least, seems to be indicated by 
 this record, made at the meeting of Presbytery just 
 referred to : 
 
 " It being inquired whether the upper settlement 
 of Pennsborough had paid the arrears due by them to 
 the estate of the deceased Mr. Craighead, Daniel 
 Williams appeared and publicly engaged to pay said 
 arrears speedily, viz. : the sum of ^5 6s. 8d. Said 
 Daniel Williams likewise agreed to pay the arrears 
 due by said society to Mr. Caven." 
 
 Mr. Thompson resigned his pastoral relation in 
 1748. To this step he was led " by several reasons, 
 but chiefly by the fact, that he doubted he could not 
 be farther useful in this congregation." He had 
 withdrawn from Lower Pennsboro' in 1744. After 
 his release from this charge, he settled at "Great 
 Conawago," where he remained until the infirmities 
 
THE CHURCH AT CARLISLE. 235 
 
 of age disqualified him for the active duties of the 
 ministerial office. His son, the Rev. William Thomp- 
 son, was an itinerant missionary, as late as 1766, for 
 several years, in the counties of York and Cumber- 
 land, after these counties were founded, under the 
 direction of the " Society for the Propagation of the 
 Gospel in Foreign Parts." 
 
 Before taking leave of the Old Log Church, on 
 the bank of the creek, it may be well to state that 
 the congregation that worshipped in it, had some dif- 
 ficulty with the people of Hopewell, about the erec- 
 tion of a meeting-house at Great Spring. This the 
 following extracts from the Presbyterial Records will 
 serve to show. 
 
 "Aug. 31, 1737.— Mr. Black reports that he sup- 
 plied at Pensborrow, and convened the people and 
 those of Hopewell on the Monday following, and 
 heard them confer about the meeting-house proposed 
 to be built at the Great Spring ; but the parties did 
 not agree about the same." 
 
 " 16th Nov., 1737.— The affair of perambulation 
 being taken into consideration, and after much dis- 
 course upon it, the Presbytery agree to defer a fur- 
 ther consideration of said affaire until Spring ; the 
 report made by the perambulators is, that, in their 
 judgment, the distance between Pennsborough Meet- 
 ing-House and that at the Great Spring, is 8 miles, 
 and that another road is found to be 12 miles." 
 
236 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 Shortly after Carlisle was laid out, a Presbyterian 
 congregation was organized in it, and a church was 
 built. In relation to this latter movement, John 
 Armstrong wrote to Richard Peters as follows : — 
 
 " Carlisle, 30 June, 1757. 
 " To-morrow we begin to haul stones for the build- 
 ing of a meeting-house, on the north side of the 
 square; — there was no other convenient place. I 
 have avoided the place you once pitched for a church. 
 The stones are raised out of Col. Stanwix's entrench- 
 ments : we will want help in this political as well as 
 religious work." 
 
 ^' About the year 1760, a license was obtained 
 from Governor Hamilton, authorizing the congrega- 
 tion to raise by lottery, 'a small sum of money to 
 enable them to build a decent house for the worship 
 of God;' and, in 1766, the ministers and others peti- 
 tioned the Assembly, for the passage of an act to 
 compel the 'managers to settle,' and the 'adven- 
 turers to pay,' the settlement of the lottery having 
 been for a ' considerable time deferred,' by reason of 
 the ' confusion occasioned by the Indian wars.' The 
 act prayed for was passed." It is unnecessary for 
 us, perhaps, here to state, that the method of raising 
 money by lottery, for church purposes or any other, 
 was not at that time regarded as it is now. 
 
 In the year 1759, the Rev. George Duffield was 
 called to the congregations of Carlisle and Big 
 
THE CHURCH AT CARLISLE. 237 
 
 Spring, and installed as their pastor, with the un- 
 derstanding that two-thirds of his labours were to be 
 given to the former. Two years after his settlement, 
 an effort was made by the people of Big Spring, to 
 obtain one-half of Mr. Duffield's time, but this effort 
 was not successful, because the Carlisle congregation 
 were unwilling to agree to such an arrangement, and 
 because Presbytery apprehended that Mr. Duffield's 
 constitution would not be able to endure, any length 
 of time, the fatigue of being the one-half of his time 
 at Big Spring. 
 
 As we find in the Records of Presbytery, of April 
 16th, 1T60, a resolution to " meet the third Tuesday 
 of October, at Mr. Steel's meeting-house in Carlisle," 
 there would seem to have been two Presbyterian 
 Churches at that time in this borough. There were, 
 at least, two congregations, which had a separate 
 existence, in virtue of the division of the church, 
 which then prevailed throughout the Synod.* On 
 this subject, Mr. Rupp, in his History of Cumberland 
 County, says: "A short time afterwards (1761), the 
 congregation in the country, then under the care of 
 the Rev. Mr. Steel, constructed a two-story house of 
 worship in town ; and, some time before the Revolu- 
 tion, erected the present First Presbyterian Church, 
 on the northwest corner of the centre square. Mr. 
 Duffield's congregation erected a gallery in Mr. 
 Steel's church, and the two parties worshipped sepa- 
 rately." 
 
 * See Appendix III. 
 
238 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 In the year 1764, Carlisle and East Pennsborough 
 congregations agreed to unite, and to enjoy each an 
 equal proportion of the Rev. John Steel's labours.* 
 
 After the removal of Mr. Duffield to Philadelphia, 
 and the death of Mr. Steel, the two congregations, 
 which had been known as the ^' Old Lights" and 
 "New Lights," united, and called, in 1785, the Rev. 
 Robert Davidson. The following year, the congre- 
 gation thus united was incorporated. Dr. Davidson 
 was removed by death, December 13th, 1812. In 
 Connexion with him, and as his colleague, the Rev. 
 Henry R. Wilson preached some time to the con- 
 gregation, whilst professor in Dickinson College. 
 
 In 1816, the Rev. George Duffield, a licentiate of 
 the Philadelphia Presbytery, was called to be pastor 
 of the congregation of Carlisle. Mr. Duffield's labours 
 among this people were greatly blessed for a number 
 of years. In 1832, a book was published by him, 
 which was entitled "Duffield on Regeneration," and 
 which as the embodiment of some new views intro- 
 duced by him into his pulpit, produced a distracted 
 state of his congregation. We have not the space to 
 give a minute statement of the proceedings of Presby- 
 tery in relation to this book and its author. As, 
 however, the case is interwoven with the history of 
 Presbyterianism in Carlisle, we are warranted, at 
 least, in presenting the following synoptical view 
 of it. 
 
 * See call given to Mr. S., Appendix II. 
 
THE CHURCH AT CARLISLE. 239 
 
 At a meeting of Presbytery in June, 1832, a com- 
 mittee, previously appointed to examine the above- 
 mentioned book, submitted a report, in which they 
 specified " a number of objectionable doctrines" which 
 it contained, ^' doctrines in opposition to those con- 
 tained in the Confession of Faith, and on subjects 
 which are essential in the Gospel scheme of salva- 
 tion."* 
 
 The report concludes in this wise : 
 
 "Finally, the committee would only add, that in 
 many parts of the work the language is exceedingly 
 obscure, or equivocal ; many theological terms and 
 phrases, long in use and well understood, are set aside, 
 and a new phraseology is introduced unnecessary, 
 and often unintelligible to most readers ; which things 
 are calculated greatly to embarrass and mislead even 
 honest inquirers after truth, who are not accustomed 
 to very elaborate investigation ; that although the 
 work sometimes professes to set all philosophy aside, 
 and to adhere simply to Scripture and to facts, yet 
 does the author range through every department of 
 natural science ; and it is evident his philosophy re- 
 specting the nature of life, runs through the greater 
 part of the work and gives character to it." 
 
 The following resolutions were adopted by Presby- 
 tery in regard to this report. "Kesolved, That we 
 adopt the concluding part of the report, as expressive 
 of our view of the whole matter of it. 
 
 * These doctrines are included in the "charges" to be found 
 on a subsequent page. 
 
240 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 " Resolved, That after deliberate consideration, hav- 
 ing declared the foregoing doctrines contained in the 
 book entitled ' Duffield on Regeneration,' as pre- 
 sented in the report of the committee, to be erroneous, 
 and contrary to the doctrines of the Bible and the 
 standards of our Church, we do most solemnly and 
 affectionately warn all our ministers, and elders, and 
 people, to guard against such distracting and danger- 
 ous errors, and this we feel constrained to (io, under a 
 deep conviction of our responsiWlity to the great Head 
 of the Church, to guard against everything which will 
 corrupt the purity or disturb the peace of the Church." 
 
 At a meeting of Presbytery in October of the same 
 year, a committee was appointed to take into conside- 
 ration the entire proceedings of Presbytery in regard 
 to Mr. Duffield's book, in order to bring in, if possi- 
 ble, some minute which might be satisfactory to all, 
 and arrest further proceedings. The report of this 
 committee not having been adopted, a committee was 
 appointed at the next meeting of Presbytery, to pre- 
 pare charges against the Rev. George Duffield, and 
 report to Presbytery. 
 
 We give the report of this committee, and the action 
 of Presbytery in regard to it : — 
 
 "After due deliberation on the several articles of 
 the report of the committee in the case of the Rev. 
 George Duffield, the Presbytery adopted them as 
 relevant charges, and they are as follows : 
 
 " The committee appointed to prepare charges of 
 error, to be preferred against the Rev. George Duffield, 
 
THE CHURCH AT CARLISLE. 241 
 
 are unanimously of opinion, that he may be fairly 
 charged on the ground of 'common fame,' with 
 maintaining and industriously propagating, both from 
 the pulpit and through the press, the following doc- 
 trines or opinions, either absurd in themselves, or 
 directly at variance with some of the most important 
 and vital doctrines and truths taught in the standards 
 of the Presbyterian Church and the word of God, 
 namely : — 
 
 '' 1. That life consists in the regular series of rela- 
 tive, appropriate, characteristic actions in an indi- 
 vidual being, and that the life of God himself is not 
 distinguishable from his own holy volitions and ac- 
 tions. 
 
 " 2. That the human soul equally with the body is 
 derived from the parents by traduction or natural 
 generation ; that the soul and body are alike deve- 
 loped in their actions respectively, and the soul as 
 created by God and brought into connexion with the 
 body, whether in conception, quickening, or the first 
 inspiration, is wholly destitute of all capacities wdiat- 
 ever. 
 
 " 3. That the image of God, in which man or Adam 
 was originally created, principally consisted in a 
 threefold life, with which he was endowed by his 
 Maker, viz., vegetable^ animal, and spiritual life. 
 
 " 4. That Adam was not the federal covenant head 
 
 of the human race ; that he sust^iined no other relation 
 
 to his posterity than that of a natural parent ; and 
 
 that there did not exist anything which could pro- 
 
 21 
 
242 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 perly be denominated a covenant relation between 
 God and Adam, as the representative of his natural 
 offspring. 
 
 " 5. That Adam's sin is in no proper sense imputed 
 to his posterity to their legal condemnation, and that 
 the temporal or natural death of infants is the natural 
 result or consequence of Adam's sin, solely by virtue 
 of their connexion with him as a parent. 
 
 " 6. That all holiness and sin consists exclusively in 
 voluntary acts and exercises of the soul ; that there 
 is no principle of holiness or sin inherent in the soul, 
 which exerts any power or causal influence in produc- 
 ing holy or sinful acts and exercises ; and that there 
 is no innate, hereditary, derived depravity or cor- 
 ruption in our nature. 
 
 " 7. That no moral character can be appropriately 
 predicated of, or possessed by infants ; that they are 
 neither sinful nor holy, are not actually under the 
 government of law, nor above the level of the mere 
 animals ; and that even our Lord Jesus Christ, in his 
 infant state, possessed no holiness of character, other 
 than what might be affirmed of the Mosaic tabernacle 
 or inmost chamber of the temple, and other consecrat- 
 ed instruments of Jewish worship ; and that our first 
 parents themselves were not created in a state of 
 moral rectitude, that is, they possessed no holiness or 
 moral character, anterior to, and independent of, their 
 own volitions and exercises, or, in other words, they 
 had no spiritual life till they acquired it by their own 
 voluntary acts and exercises. 
 
THE CHURCH AT CARLISLE. 243 
 
 " 8. That man in his fallen state is possessed of 
 entire ability to repent, believe, and perform other 
 holy exercises, independently of any new power or 
 ability imparted to him by the regenerating or new- 
 creating influences of the Holy Ghost, — consequently, 
 
 '^ 9. That regeneration is essentially a voluntary 
 change or act of the soul, is exclusively the effect of 
 man's own unassisted powers and efforts, independently 
 of any divine influence whatever, except what is of a 
 mere objective moral kind, or, in other language, the 
 moral suasion of the spirit, or the suasive influence of 
 the truth, in connexion with an arrangement of provi- 
 dential circumstances. 
 
 ^' 10. That by election, in the Sacred Scriptures, is 
 meant nothing else than the actual selection of a cer- 
 tain number from the great mass, by their being made 
 the subjects of spiritual life, which is not possessed 
 by the rest ; that it is the actual display of God's 
 sovereignty in making believers alive from the dead, 
 or quickening them (believers), from the death of 
 trespasses and of sins, in which they (believers), with 
 all mankind were lying." 
 
 This report having been " considered and sus- 
 tained" by Presbytery, they resolved to institute judi- 
 cial process against Mr. Duffield, on the grounds of 
 the specifications contained in it, and to cite him to 
 appear before Presbytery at its next meeting, to an- 
 swer the same. 
 
 When Mr. Duffield appeared, in obedience to the 
 citation issued, the prosecuting committee which had 
 
244 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 been appointed, having submitted to Presbytery all 
 the testimony in support of the charges preferred 
 against him, he was heard at some length in his de- 
 fence, and then the vote " whether Mr. Duffield 
 is guilty or not guilty," was taken, with the following 
 result : — 
 
 1st Charge, — guilty ; seven votes affirmative, four 
 negative, six non liquet. 2d Charge, — guilty ; six 
 affirmative, five negative, and seven non liquet. 3d 
 Charge, — five affirmative and five negative ; not 
 guilty, by the casting vote of the Moderator. 4th 
 Charge, — guilty ; twelve affirmative, four negative, 
 and two non liquet. 5th Charge, same vote. 6th 
 Charge, same vote. 7th Charge, same vote. 8th 
 Charge, same vote. 9th Charge, — guilty; ten af- 
 firmative, four negative, and four non liquet. 10th 
 Charge, — not guilty; two affirmative, nine negative, 
 and seven non liquet. 
 
 The trial being over, a motion was made to adopt 
 the following minute as expressive of the sense of 
 Presbytery in the case, and it was carried : 
 
 "As to the counts in which Mr. Duffield has been 
 found guilty, Presbytery judge, that Mr. Duffield's 
 Book and Sermons on Regeneration do contain the 
 specified errors : yet as Mr. Duffield alleges that 
 Presbytery have misinterpreted some of his expres- 
 sions, and says he does in fact hold all the doctrines 
 of our standards, and that he wishes to live at amity 
 with his brethren, and labour without interruption 
 for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, there- 
 
THE CHURCH AT CARLISLE. 245 
 
 fore. Resolved, that Presbytery, at present, do not 
 censure him any further, than warn him to guard 
 against such speculations as may impugn the doc- 
 trines of our Church, and that he study to maintain 
 ' the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.' 
 
 It is proper to add, that this decision was not ap- 
 proved by Synod, as the annexed extract from the 
 adopted report of Synod's committee to examine the 
 Records of the Presbytery of Carlisle, will show : 
 
 " The committee cannot recommend an approval of 
 this decision; because it compromises essential truths, 
 defeats the ends of discipline, and, under the circum- 
 stances of the case, presents a result never contem- 
 plated by our constitution, after a judicial conviction 
 upon points involving material departures from the 
 doctrines of our standards." 
 
 In this brief statement of the trial of Mr. Duffield, 
 we have omitted most of the interlocutory proceedings, 
 such as protests, complaints, and exceptions, emana- 
 ting from himself and those who sympathized with 
 him, in relation to the alleged injustice and infor- 
 mality of the action of Presbytery. This, however, 
 we have felt constrained to do by a regard to the 
 limitedness of our space. And this course we have 
 been the less reluctant to pursue, as our avowed object 
 is not to argue the case, or act as reporter of it, but 
 merely to state in the most compendious way possible, 
 what Presbytery did in relation to the book and its 
 author, and what was the ground of their action. 
 
 21* 
 
246 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 Contemporaneously with Dr. Duffield's difficulties in 
 Presbytery, there existed also difficulties in the con- 
 gregation of which he was pastor. The first intima- 
 tion of these which we have in the Presbyterial records, 
 is in "a memorial and a communication from part of 
 the congregation of Carlisle, requesting Presbytery to 
 redress certain grievances complained of in them." This 
 was soon followed by a petition, which was presented 
 by Mr. Andrew Blair, and signed by seventy-seven 
 members of the congregation, praying to be set off 
 and formed into a separate congregation. Presbytery 
 having granted this prayer, "in view of the things 
 now existing in that congregation and known to 
 Presbytery," the Second Presbyterian Church of Car- 
 lisle was organized, by a committee appointed for the 
 purpose, in the town hall of that place, on the 12th 
 January, 1833. Of this new congregation, Messrs. 
 Andrew Blair, John M'Clure, and Robert Clark, 
 were unanimously chosen elders, and Peter B. Smith, 
 ^ Robert Irvine, John Proctor, and Robert Giffin, 
 deacons, — all of whom had been elders and deacons, 
 respectively, in the old church. 
 
 At a meeting of Presbytery in March, 1835, Dr. 
 Duffield's pastoral relation with the First Church of 
 Carlisle was, at his own request, dissolved, and he was 
 regularly dismissed to connect himself with the Ge- 
 neral Assembly's Second Presbytery of Philadelphia. 
 For some time, the pulpit thus vacated was filled 
 by supplies, among whom were the Rev. Mr. Granger, 
 
THE CHURCH AT CARLISLE. 247 
 
 and the Rev. Mr. Burrowes, each of whom served for 
 a number of months. 
 
 In July, 1837, the Rev. W. T. Sprole, a member of 
 the Classis of Philadelphia, in connexion with the 
 German Reformed Church, was called to the pastorate 
 of the First Church of Carlisle. It is not necessary to 
 notice, in detail, the difficulties which sprang up be- 
 tween the Session of this church and Presbytery, in 
 connexion with the prosecution of this call, and sub- 
 sequently, and therefore we only give the record of 
 the final disposition of the case, as it is contained in 
 the concluding part of the report of a committee of 
 Presbytery, adopted April 13th, 1839. It is as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 " Therefore seeing that this Session has been twice 
 duly cited to appear before the Presbytery, to answer 
 for certain alleged improprieties and irregularities, to 
 which citation they have not responded, nor have 
 they in a single instance sent a representative to the 
 Presbytery since our meeting at Newville, Oct. 3d, 
 1837, although we have had no less than seven meet- 
 ings of the Presbytery since that time, and the pre- 
 sent meeting and a preceding one in the town of 
 Carlisle: from every view which the Presbytery can 
 take of this subject, the conduct of this Session ap- 
 pears to us to have been disrespectful and rebellious 
 against their authority. Therefore, Resolved, That 
 the First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle be consider- 
 ed no longer a constituent part of! this Presbytery, 
 nor as belonging to the Presbyterian Church of the 
 
248 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 United States of America, and that its name be 
 stricken from the Roll of Presbytery." 
 
 The Rev. Daniel M'Kinley was installed as pastor 
 of the Second Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, Aug. 
 7th, 1833, and continued to be so until July, 1838, 
 when, on his own application to Presbytery, the pas- 
 toral relation was dissolved, that he might accept an 
 invitation which he had received, to become an Agent 
 for the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presby- 
 terian Church. To this measure, the congregation, 
 though warmly attached to Mr. M'Kinley, consented, 
 under a sense of duty. 
 
 Mr. M'Kinley was succeeded, in October of the 
 same year, by the Rev. Alexander T. M'Gill. The 
 following papers which relate to Mr. M' Gill's trans- 
 fer to the Presbyterian Church, and which were laid 
 before Presbytery, will be read with interest : 
 
 "To THE Associate Presbytery of Philadelphia. 
 " Rev. and dear Brethren, — 
 
 " It is the duty of all believers, and especially mi- 
 nisters of the Gospel, ' to prove all things,' not only 
 before they make a solemn and particular profession 
 of the faith, but afterwards and always till we cease 
 to 'see through a glass darkly.' No process of 
 time, nor investment of office, nor pressure of circum- 
 stances, can exonerate from the obligation to ' search 
 and see whether these things be so', so long as we 
 are fallible. Perhaps I have erred in not searching 
 more thoroughly when I first made a profession of the 
 
THE CHUECH AT CARLISLE. 249 
 
 peculiarities of the Associate Church. But it is now 
 mj painful situation to doubt the propriety and truth 
 of such a profession. 1st. I cannot sustain the dis- 
 cipline of our Church, which makes it censurable for 
 any member to attend the preaching of the word in 
 any Church that we acknowledge to be a Church of 
 Christ. 2d. I cannot see a warrant for excluding 
 from the Table of the Lord, all who are not in full 
 standing in our own particular communion. I can- 
 not see that communion in the ordinance of the Sup- 
 per, should not be as free to believers, as the ordinance 
 of preaching the word is to sinners. As all men have 
 the privilege of hearing the word from us wherever 
 we labour, so all believers should have the privilege 
 of receiving at our hands the symbols of Christ's 
 dying love. To define believers, we need only inquire, 
 'Are they unblemished members of the Church to 
 which they belong, and- is that Church, according 
 to our admission, a Church of Christ V 3d. Although 
 the Psalms of David should always be used in the 
 worship of God, although they are doubtless in- 
 tended for worship in New Testament, as well as Old 
 Testament times, I cannot see that they were exclu- 
 sively used in the days of Christ and his Apostles 
 on earth. I believe that the warrant for singing 
 praises to God comprehends human compositions, or 
 the doctrines of the Gospel and the exercise of faith, 
 couched in human language, as well as in the very 
 words of a literal human version of the Scriptures. 
 " These views. Brethren, have been gaining on my 
 
250 CHUKCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 conviction for the last two years. It would have 
 injured the peace of the Church, and my own useful- 
 ness, to have avowed them from time to time. Till 
 now, I have concealed them wherever I have laboured, 
 believing it wrong to broach anything contrary to 
 our profession, while I remained in its connexion. 
 But to pursue such a course any longer, is disinge- 
 nuous, and ruinous to my own peace. I now, there- 
 fore, frankly disclose to you my belief, where it 
 varies from the peculiarity of our communion. Be- 
 lieving that with such views, I would not be permitted 
 to remain in connexion w^ith you, I respectfully ask 
 you for a dismission to join the Presbytery of Car- 
 lisle, in subordination to the General Assembly of 
 the Presbyterian Church in the United States; or, if 
 such dismission be not granted, I ask a certificate of 
 my standing among you as a minister of Christ. 
 " Yours, aJGfectionately, 
 
 '^ In the bonds of the Gospel, 
 
 "Alexander T. M'Gill. 
 
 *' October 24th, 1888." 
 
 "Whereas, the Rev. Alexander T. M'Gill has ap- 
 peared before Presbytery, professing that he enter- 
 tains doubts in regard to certain points of the public 
 profession of the Associate Church, and has signified 
 his intention to withdraw from the communion of this 
 Church, and has to this end applied for a dismission ; 
 therefore, 
 
 "Resolved, That Mr. M'Gill be required to ac- 
 knowledge his sin, and return to his duty. Further, 
 
THE CHURCH AT CARLISLE. 251 
 
 " Resolved, That in default thereof, he be sus- 
 pended from the exercise of the ministry and the 
 communion of this Church. 
 
 " A true extract from the minutes of the Associate 
 Presbytery of Philadelphia. 
 
 "Attest, John G. Smart, 
 
 " Clerk, pro tem. 
 
 " Mercersburg, October 24th, 1838." 
 
 " To THE Moderator and Members of the 
 Presbytery of Carlisle. 
 
 " Rev. and dear Brethren, — 
 
 "Believing that your confession embodies the doc- 
 trines of the Gospel, and that your practice is scrip- 
 tural, and more accordant with my own views than 
 that of any other branch of the visible church, I re- 
 spectfully ask admission to your communion, and to 
 the exercise of the ministry among you. My stand- 
 ing in the Associate (Presbyterian) Church was un- 
 blemished. But on disclosing to them doubts re- 
 specting sundry peculiarities in their public profes- 
 sion, the Presbytery of Philadelphia immediately 
 suspended me, 'from the exercise of the ministry 
 and the communion of the Church.' A paper con- 
 taining a true copy of my letter to that Presbytery, 
 and a paper containing a true extract from the 
 minutes of their proceedings thereon, are herewith 
 laid before you. 
 
 " Yours, with much respect and affection, 
 
 " Alexander T. M'Gill." 
 
252 CHURCHES OF THE VALLEY. 
 
 After these communications were read before Pres- 
 bytery, the following action was taken : 
 
 "Resolved, That the reasons' contained in the 
 above-named papers, for which the Associate Pres- 
 bytery suspended Mr. M'Gill, namely: 1. Occasional 
 hearing ; 2. Catholic communion ; and 3, the rejec- 
 tion of the exclusive use of Rouse's Psalms, are, in 
 our opinion, insufficient grounds for any ecclesiastical 
 censure, much less for suspension from the ministry 
 of the Gospel ; and, therefore, the act of the Associate 
 Presbytery, suspending Mr. M'Gill from the exercise 
 of the functions of his ministerial office, forms no bar 
 in our way to his reception as a member of this Pres- 
 bytery." 
 
 Mr. M'Gill was examined on his views of the doc- 
 trines, government, and discipline of the Presbyte- 
 rian Church, and his examination was sustained : 
 after which the Moderator proposed to him the con- 
 stitutional questions contained in the Confession of 
 Faith, Form of Government, Chap. XY., which he 
 answered in the affirmative : whereupon it was 
 
 "Resolved, that Mr. M'Gill be received as a 
 member of this Presbytery, and his name be entered 
 upon our roll." 
 
 Dr. M' Gill's pastoral relation to the Second 
 Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, which was formed 
 in April, 1839, continued until December, 1841, 
 when, at the earnest solicitation of the President 
 and Secretary of the Board of Directors of the 
 Western Theological Seminary, at Allegheny City, 
 
THE CHURCH AT CARLISLE. 253 
 
 it was dissolved, that he might occupy the chair of 
 Ecclesiastical History in that Institution. He has 
 since accepted a professorship in the Theological 
 Seminary at Columbia, South Carolina. 
 
 The Rev. T. V. Moore, a licentiate under the care 
 of the Presbytery of West Jersey, was installed as 
 Dr. M'Gill's successor at Carlisle, in the spring of 
 1842, and continued to be so until his acceptance of 
 a call from the congregation of Greencastle, in the 
 autumn of the year 1845. 
 
 After Mr. Moore's resignation, the Rev. James 
 Lillie, of the Classis of Ulster, became pastor of the 
 congregation, and served it for several years. The 
 present pastor, the Rev. Mervin E. Johnston, was 
 ordained and installed August 22d, 1849, and has 
 since been favoured with gratifying evidence of the 
 Divine blessing upon his labours. The Session, as 
 now constituted, consists of Andrew Blair, Robert 
 Clark, Samuel Hepburn, and Matthew Davidson. 
 The church, which stands on the corner of South 
 Hanover and Pomfret Streets, is a very neat and 
 capacious building ; and the congregation, according 
 to the last report made to Presbytery, numbers two 
 hundred and eighty-five communicating members. 
 
 It gives us great pleasure to add, that whilst the 
 
 Second Presbyterian Congregation of Carlisle is in a 
 
 flourishing condition, so likewise is that from which 
 
 it seceded. Its esteemed pastor, the Rev. Mr. Wing, 
 
 is cultivating, with success, the field in which God 
 
 22 
 
254 CHURCHES OP THE VALLEY. 
 
 has placed him. Equally pleased are we to record, 
 that any asperity of feeling, with which the history 
 of these dissociated churches may have been attended, 
 has largely yielded, as it ought entirely to do, to the 
 harmonizing spirit of the Gospel of their common 
 Lord. 
 
SUPPLEMENT. 
 
SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 PAXTON AND DERRY CHURCHES. 
 
 Paxton Church is situated about three miles east 
 of Harrisburg, and about one-fourth of a mile north 
 of the Reading Turnpike. As this congregation is 
 one of the oldest in the State, it doubtless had a 
 house of worship before that which is now in use, 
 but of this no knowledge can be derived, either from 
 the recollections of the living, or the records of the 
 dead. The Rev. A. D. Mitchell, the present pastor, 
 in a letter in which he expresses his regret, that by 
 reason of the loss of the records of the churches 
 under his care, with the exception of those of compa- 
 ratively recent date, he is unable to furnish more 
 extensive and accurate information respecting them, 
 says : — " When the present building was erected is 
 not certainly known. From evidence that I have in 
 my possession, I know that it has been standing for 
 at least ninety-eight years. This is, perhaps, as 
 near an approximation to the time of its erection, as 
 can be made." 
 
 ''Derry," Mr. Mitchell adds, "is located about 
 
 22* 
 
258 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 ten miles farther east, and but a short distance north 
 of the turnpike leading from Harrisburg to Reading. 
 The present building was erected about ninety years 
 ago. The congregation, though at one time among 
 the largest in the Presbytery, is now almost entirely 
 broken up by emigration." 
 
 We could not, perhaps, make our brief sketch of 
 Paxton and Derry more interesting, than by present- 
 ing, at some length, what is to be found concerning 
 them, on the Presbyterial Records. 
 
 " Oct. 11th, 1732.— This day appeared Geo. Re- 
 nick, and others, from Paxton and Derry, requiring 
 an answer to their call, given to the Rev. Mr. Ber- 
 tram, at Philadelphia, where the Presbytery of New 
 Castle met, producing their subscription for his sup- 
 port ; whereupon the Presbytery asking Mr. Ber- 
 tram if he had considered said call, and requiring 
 his answer in relation thereunto, he declared his ac- 
 ceptance thereof, and that he would take the people's 
 subscriptions, without any other obligations for his 
 support." 
 
 "Nov. 15th, 1732.— The Presbytery order the 
 congregations of Derry and Paxton to pay up the 
 arrears due to Mr. Anderson. Mr. Bertram gave 
 in a list of more nominations by the congregations 
 of Paxton and Derry, to be set apart for Ruling 
 Elders : the Presbytery appoints that they be again 
 published, and intimation given that if any objection 
 be made against any of them, that said objections 
 shall be given in in due time." 
 
PAXTON AND DERRY CHURCHES. 259 
 
 " The congregation of Paxton and Derry, -vvitli the 
 concurrence of the Presbytery, appoints Thomas 
 Foster, George Renick, William Kimingham, Thomas 
 Mays, for Paxton side ; and, for the other side of 
 the creek, Rowland Chambers, Hugh Black, Robert 
 Campbell, John Wilson, William Wilson, James 
 Quigly, William M'Cord, and Jon. Sloan, to take 
 care that the subscriptions for Mr. Bertram's main- 
 tenance be paid, and to collect the same until the 
 congregation be better regulated." 
 
 "Paxton, Aug. 28th, 1734.— A visitation having 
 been appointed here, Mr. Bertram, after previous 
 intimation to the congregation, preached upon 2 Cor. 
 iv. 5, with approbation. It being interrogated whether 
 Mr. Bertram had performed his duty as a Gospel 
 minister, and the several branches thereof, and had 
 a conduct and behaviour suitable to his station; it 
 was answered by the representatives of both societies 
 in the affirmative, to their great satisfaction and spi- 
 ritual edification. The said representatives being 
 asked about the elders in both societies, replied that 
 they had no objection, nor much time to make trial 
 of their behaviour, said elders being but lately in- 
 vested with that office. It was likewise proposed 
 whether any proper modes were taken to collect Mr. 
 Bertram's salary : they answered that suitable modes 
 were laid down, and they hoped would be duly pro- 
 secuted. The elders of both societies being called 
 in, were asked concerning the general behaviour of 
 their minister in the congregation, and his particular 
 
260 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 conduct in managing sessional affairs ; they replied 
 that his conduct was exemphiry and agreeable ; and, 
 because of the late formation of the session, they had 
 not opportunity of much experience that way. Mr. 
 Bertram was called in, and asked whether the people 
 had performed their duty to him in all the branches 
 of it : he answered that he had no general com- 
 plaints, but was not fully satisfied in reference to his 
 house ; and, for the payment of his subscriptions, he 
 had not computed his book accounts, but expected to 
 be capable to give a particular account thereof against 
 our next." 
 
 " Oct. 7th, 1735.— Mr. Bertram and his elder re- 
 presented to the Presbytery, that inasmuch as Mr. 
 Bertram is under an intolerable burden of labour and 
 fatigue, in the discharge of the work of the ministry 
 to both parts of the congregation to which he stands 
 related, it is their desire that some of the ministers 
 might be appointed, at a convenient time, to go unto 
 and convene the people of said congregation, and in- 
 quire into their circumstances, as to their ability to 
 be separated into two distinct congregations, and 
 subsist by themselves, in order to Mr. Bertram's 
 being eased of part of his burden, that he may be 
 able, with more comfort, to go on in the discharge of 
 his duty, unto whatever part of said people he shall 
 be determined to continue with." 
 
 "Nov. 18th, 1735. — A supplication was presented 
 from the Session of the congregation of Derry, desir- 
 ing that if they should be separated from Paxton, as 
 
PAXTON AND DERRY CHURCHES. 261 
 
 a distinct congregation, their bounds may be fixed so 
 as that they may be able to take steps for their being 
 supplied." 
 
 At this meeting of Presbytery, " Lazarus Stuart 
 appeared to prosecute the supplication of Monada 
 Creeh^ for a new erection." In answer to this sup- 
 plication, Mr. Anderson, Andrew Galbraith, and one 
 of the elders from Paxton — William Maxwell by 
 name — were ordered to perambulate the bounds be- 
 tween the people of Derry and those of Monada. 
 This committee discharged the duty assigned them, 
 and the Presbytery approved their judgment, viz. : 
 " That the people of Monada be erected into a dis- 
 tinct congregation, and that the place where now 
 they have begun to build a house is the most commo- 
 dious place for a meeting-house for that people." 
 
 In 1736, in the prospect of Mr. Bertram's release 
 from one part of his charge, the people of Paxton de- 
 clared that they could aiford yearly for the support 
 of their minister, .£60, one-half in money, the other 
 half in hemp, flour, linen yarn or linen cloth, at mar- 
 ket price. The people of Derry, likewise, promised 
 the sum of £k)^, to be paid in like manner, and both 
 societies engaged to allow their minister the benefit 
 of overplus subscriptions. It was farther agreed to 
 by the people of Monada and Derry, and ordered by 
 the Presbytery, that those living upon the borders of 
 those two congregations, that is, between the two 
 meeting-houses, and beyond the creek of Swatara, 
 should, on or before the first of the ensuing November, 
 
262 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 declare, in an orderly way, whether they would con- 
 nect themselves with the congregation of Derry or 
 Monada. 
 
 About the same time, Mr. Bertram being asked by 
 Presbytery which of the congregations, Paxton or 
 Derry, he was w^illing to adhere to, expressed his de- 
 sire to remain connected with Derry. Of the conti- 
 nuance of this connexion Presbytery approved, and 
 declared the congregation of Paxton vacant. This 
 approval was accompanied with a recommendation to 
 the people of Derry, " speedily to improve upon the 
 glebe-land that was talked of, in order to make it 
 inhabitable for Mr. Bertram, that his easement of 
 travel may be obtained." 
 
 In 1737, a supplication together with a call to 
 the Rev. Mr. Sanckey, was presented by John Cun- 
 ningham and Robert Grier, commissioners from the 
 congregation of Hanover, by which said commission- 
 ers were empowered to promise toward Mr. Sanckey's 
 outward support, among that people, as their orderly 
 pastor, the annual sum of sixty pounds, that is, one- 
 half in cash and the other in particular commodities, 
 as flax, hemp, linen yarn and cloth, together with seve- 
 ral gratuities mentioned in said supplication. 
 
 In 1738, Mr. Elder, of the Presbytery of New 
 Castle, accepted a call, which was presented to him a 
 second time, from the congregation of Paxton, with 
 the promise for " a stipend," of X60 in money. His 
 ordination took place in November of the same year, 
 and was followed with an order of Presbytery, that 
 
PAXTON AND DERRY CHUECnES. 263 
 
 " he and the Session take care, that none of those 
 who are deficient, as to what they were to pay to Mr. 
 Bertram, by note or otherwise, be admitted to any 
 church privileges till they satisfy Mr. Bertram." 
 
 At a meeting of Presbytery at Derry, December 
 9th, 1741, " Mr. Bertram having given his reason 
 for suing for a dismission from his congregation, viz. : 
 bodily weakness and inability, the congregation an- 
 swered by their representatives, Rowland Chambers 
 and James Carothers, that they had enjoyed Mr. 
 Bertram's labours when he was more able, and they 
 were willing now to sympathize with him in his weak- 
 ness, which so engaged Mr. Bertram to them, that he 
 desisted from his suit at that time." 
 
 In 1762, the Rev. Mr. M'Mordie received a call 
 from Hanover, which he accepted, with " the promise 
 of X80, for his temporal support, to be secured by 
 bond." 
 
 In 1764, on account of some difficulty which had 
 arisen, several supplications from Hanover were 
 brought into Presbytery and read, requesting a dis- 
 mission for the petitioners, from the Rev. Robert 
 M'Mordie's congregation, with liberty to join some 
 neighbouring congregation under the care of Presby- 
 tery, till their way should be clear to return and join 
 Hanover congregation again. This request was not 
 granted, so far as to dissolve the relation of member- 
 ship, but the petitioners were allowed, for the time, to 
 put themselves under the care of any neighbouring 
 minister belonging to the Presbytery, so as to enjoy any 
 
264 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 privileges or administration of ordinances they should 
 desire, until something farther should be done in said 
 affair. 
 
 Paxton and Derry, it would seem, were united to 
 the congregation of Donegal in the year 1768, for in 
 the Presbyterial Kecords of that date, reference is 
 made to an authentic account produced by a commis- 
 sioner for the congregations of Paxton, Derry, and 
 Donegal, from which it appeared they were in arrears 
 to the Rev. John Sloan, their pastor. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Woods received and accepted a call 
 from Hanover congregation, in June, 1781. 
 
 In 1787, the petition of a number of the inhabi- 
 tants of Harrisburg and others in the township of Pax- 
 ton, having been presented to Presbytery, in which 
 they expressed a desire to be erected into a congre- 
 gation, and to have the place of worship in that town, 
 and this movement disturbing the peace and harmony 
 which had existed between that people and Paxton 
 congregation, a committee was appointed by Pres- 
 bytery to visit that region, the result of whose inter* 
 position to adjust the difficulty, was an agreement to 
 the following articles by Mr. Elder, his congregation, 
 and Harrisburg. 
 
 1. The congregation shall have two stated places 
 of public worship, the one where the Rev. Mr. Elder 
 now officiates, the other in Harrisburg. 2. The Rev. 
 John Elder shall continue to have and receive, during 
 his life or incumbency, all the salary or stipends that 
 he now enjoys, to be paid by his present subscribers. 
 
PAXTON AND DERBY CHURCHES. 265 
 
 as he and they may agree, and continue his labours in 
 Derry as usual. 3. For the present, the congregation 
 may apply to the Presbytery for supplies, which, when 
 obtained, the expenses shall be defrayed by those who 
 do not now belong to Mr. Elder's congregation and 
 such as may think proper to join with them, and 
 should such supplies be appointed when Mr. Elder is 
 to be in Paxton, then he and the persons to supply 
 shall preach in rotation, the one in the country and 
 the other in the town ; but should Mr. Elder be in 
 Derry, then the supplies shall officiate in town. 
 4. The congregation, when able, or they think proper, 
 may invite and settle any regular Presbyterian minis- 
 ter they or a majority of them may choose, and can 
 obtain, as a co-pastor with Mr. Elder, who shall offi- 
 ciate as to preaching in the manner specified in the 
 third proposal. 
 
 In 1791, the Rev. Mr. Elder resigned the pastoral 
 charge of the congregations of Paxton and Derry, with 
 which he had been intrusted for 60 years, on account 
 of the infirmities of age, and in July of the following 
 year he died, at the advanced age of 86 years, on his 
 farm adjoining Harrisburg, beloved in life, and in 
 death lamented. 
 
 The following extracts, which relate to the bloody 
 outrage which was perpetrated on the Indians at 
 Conestoga, on the night of the 14th December, 1763, 
 and in which many of the people of Paxton acted a 
 prominent part, are from a series of historical num- 
 bers in the Lancaster Intelligencer and Journal, 
 
 23 
 
266 ^ SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 1843, by Redmond Conyngham, Esq., and may be 
 of interest in this connexion. 
 
 ^' Imagination cannot conceive the perils with which 
 the settlement of Paxton was surrounded, from 1754 
 to 1765. To portray each scene of horror would be 
 impossible — the heart shrinks from the attempt. The 
 settlers were goaded on to desperation ; murder fol- 
 lowed murder. Scouts brought in the intelligence that 
 the murderers were traced to Conestogue. Rifles 
 were loaded, horses were in readiness. They mount- 
 ed ; they called on their pastor to lead them. He 
 was then in the 57th year of his age. Had you seen 
 him then, you would have beheld a superior being. 
 He had mounted, not to lead them on to the destruc- 
 tion of Conestogue but to deter them from the attempt ; 
 he implored them to return; he urged them to reflect. 
 ^ Pause, pause before you proceed.' It was in vain. * The 
 blood of the murdered cries aloud for vengeance ; we 
 have waited long enough on government. The murder- 
 ers are within our reach, and they must not escape.' 
 Mr. Elder reminded them that the ^ guilty and inno- 
 cent could not be distinguished.' 'Innocent! can 
 they be called innocent who foster murderers ?' Mr. 
 Elder rode up in front, and said, ' As your pastor, 
 I command you to relinquish your design.' * Give 
 way, then,' said Smith, ' or your horse dies,' at the 
 same time presenting a rifle. To save his horse, to 
 which he was much attached, Mr. E. drew him aside, 
 and the rangers were off on their fatal errand. 
 
 *' Mr. Elder frequently visited the Indians at Co- 
 
PAXTON AND DERRY CHURCHES. 267 
 
 nestogue, Pequehan, and the Big Island, and was 
 much respected by them. He had frequently repre- 
 sented to the Christian Indians the wrong they were 
 doing to the whites by admitting stranger Indians 
 among them, — conduct which made them suspected of 
 treachery." 
 
 Extract from a letter of Mr. Elder to Governor 
 Penn, January 27th, 1764. 
 
 " The storm which had been so long gathering, has 
 at length exploded. Had government removed the 
 Indians from Conestogue, which had frequently been 
 urged without success, this painful catastrophe might 
 have been avoided. What could I do with men heated 
 to madness ? All that I could do, was done. I expos- 
 tulated, but life and reason were set at defiance. And 
 yet the men in private life are virtuous and respecta- 
 ble ; not cruel, but mild and merciful." 
 
 In the year 1788, Mr. James Snodgrass, after his 
 ordination by Presbytery, was installed pastor of 
 the congregation of Hanover. Mr. Snodgrass de- 
 parted this life, July 2d, 1846, aged 84 years, after 
 having long and faithfully served his Master in the 
 ministry of reconciliation, and exhibited the power of 
 godliness in his walk and conversation. The church 
 in Hanover, where he preached for nearly sixty years, 
 is now, as a Presbyterian church, nearly extinct. 
 
 In 1793, a call was received and accepted by Mr. 
 Nathaniel R. Snowden, from the congregations of 
 Harrisburg, Paxton, and Derry, in which each con- 
 gregation engaged to pay him the sum of fifty pounds 
 
268 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 annually for his pastoral services. Three years af- 
 terwards, the relation between the Rev. Mr. Snowden 
 and the congregation of Derry was dissolved, and the 
 congregation of Paxton having by a considerable 
 majority declared their determination to " hold a con- 
 nexion with Derry," this arrangement was approved 
 by Presbytery, and Mr. Elder was subsequently pas- 
 tor of Harrisburg only. 
 
 In 1799, Mr. Joshua Williams was installed pastor 
 of the united congregations of Derry and Paxton, 
 with the agreement, that for two-thirds of his labours 
 the congregation of Derry was to pay him one hun- 
 dred and twenty pounds, and that for one-third of his 
 labours he was to receive from the congregation of 
 Paxton sixty pounds annually. This pastoral rela- 
 tion was dissolved in June, 1801, at the request of 
 Mr. Williams. After this (1803), a call from these 
 congregations was given to Mr. James Adair, but be- 
 fore the meeting of Presbytery after that at which 
 this call was put into his hands, Mr. Adair was re- 
 moved by death. 
 
 The next pastor of Paxton and Derry was the Rev. 
 James Sharon. Mr. Sharon died, April 18th, 1843. 
 We regret that the obituary of this excellent man, as 
 well as that of Mr. Snodgrass, has not yet been re- 
 ported to Presbytery so as to be entered in their book 
 and be available for our purpose ; but he was, as all 
 know who ever came within the range of his influ- 
 ence, a sound divine, an exemplary Christian, and dili- 
 
PAXTON AND DERRY CHURCHES. 269 
 
 gent in the great work to which his life was conse- 
 crated. 
 
 In April, 1809, the Rev. James Buchanan was in- 
 stalled pastor of the united congregations of Har- 
 risburg and Middle Paxton. Two years afterwards 
 Mr. Buchanan resigned the pastoral charge of the 
 congregation of Middle Paxton, in which he had spent 
 one-fourth part of his time. In 1815, the relation 
 between the congregation of Harrisburg and Mr. 
 Buchanan was dissolved at his request. Mr. Bu- 
 chanan was succeeded at Harrisburg, in 1819, by the 
 Bev. William R. Dewitt, who still continues to serve 
 the congregation with every indication of attachment 
 on the part of the people, and gratifying evidence that 
 the long pastoral supervision of a flock, is not neces- 
 sarily attended with a diminution of usefulness in their 
 midst. At the request of Doctor Dewitt, in 1832, 
 the re-organization of the Church of Middle Paxton 
 was noticed on the Minutes of Presbytery. 
 
 In 1843, the congregation of Paxton obtained 
 leave of Presbytery to procure the services of Mr. John 
 M. Boggs for six months. In 1844, a call from the 
 congregation of Paxton and Derry was received and 
 accepted by Mr. Boggs. At Mr. Boggs's ordination 
 and installation, the Rev. Doctor J. C. Watson was 
 appointed to preach the sermon. Doctor Moody to 
 preside, and Doctor M'Ginley to deliver the charge. 
 The present pastor of these congregations, the Rev. 
 A. D. Mitchell, has had the charge of them for seve- 
 ral years. 
 
 23* 
 
270 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 The Session of Paxton, at present, consists of Ben- 
 jamin Jordan, Robert W. M'Clure, and John B. 
 Rutherford. Of Derry, the only Elder is, James 
 Clark, Esq., of Hummelstown. 
 
 MONAGHAN AND PETERSBUKG CHURCHES. 
 
 The Presbyterian Church at Dillsburg, York 
 County, Pennsylvania, ecclesiastically known as 
 " Monaghan," takes its name from the township in 
 which it was formerly embraced. It is often called 
 " Old Monaghan/' because of its unquestionable anti- 
 quity. It was organized more than a century ago, 
 although at this late period nothing certain is known 
 as to the very year of its origin. At first it belonged 
 to the old Presbytery of Donegal, for the Presbytery 
 of Carlisle, with which it is now connected, was not 
 erected until 1786. Tradition says, that for some 
 years after its organization, the savages were nume- 
 rous in the region round about, and daring in their 
 movements of hostility towards the white settlers, so 
 much so, indeed, that a part of the congregation, for 
 the sake of protection, and to guard against surprise, 
 found it necessary to carry their fire-arms with them 
 to church. 
 
 We find the following reference to this congrega- 
 tion in the minutes of a meeting of Presbytery at 
 East Pennsborough, September 3d, 1745. " Com- 
 
MONAGHAN AND PETERSBURG. 271 
 
 missioners from a small settlement in Bermudin ac- 
 quainted the Presbytery that, in order to have the 
 ordinances dispensed among them, they desired to be 
 adjoined to, and looked on as a part of, the Lower Con- 
 gregation of Pennsborough, and that they might be 
 allowed to build a meeting-house convenient for them." 
 Prom this record, it is evident, we think, that the 
 congregation had an anterior existence, and then only 
 sought such a connexion as would secure to them the 
 regular enjoyment of the public means of grace. In 
 relation to the latter part of the above request pre- 
 sented to Presbytery, the following action was had 
 at their meeting in April, 1760. 
 
 " Pursuant to Monaghan's application, the Pres- 
 bytery orders Mr. Thomson, John M'Knight, Esquire, 
 and John Davies, to meet at Mr. John Dill's, on Mon- 
 day, the 28th inst., to judge respecting the situation 
 of the place where Monaghan people design to build 
 their meeting-house, and fix the bounds of that and 
 East Pennsborough congregations, if they have suf- 
 ficient clearness." The report which this committee 
 made, two years afterward, was, " that Yellow 
 Breeches should be the line between East Pennsbo- 
 rough and Monaghan, and that Monaghan meeting- 
 house should be near John Dill's." 
 
 We are indebted, for the subsequent particulars in 
 relation to this church, to the Rev. Joseph A. Mur- 
 ray, at present the pastor of Monaghan and Peters- 
 burg. 
 
 " The first place in which the early settlers wor- 
 
272 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 shipped, was a log house, which stood at the ^ old 
 grave-yard,'* about a quarter of a mile northwest of 
 the present town, — for at that time there was not so 
 much as a town commenced here. Where precisely 
 this church was built, and how long it was used, can- 
 not now be ascertained. In the year 1782, a stone 
 edifice was erected at what is now the edge of the 
 town. It was about 50 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 
 15 feet high to the square of the walls. The pulpit, 
 small and elevated, was at the north side ; and a door 
 was at the south side, as well as at each end. A small 
 stone building, about 15 feet square and 8 feet high, 
 was attached to the north side, having two entrances, 
 one communicating with the yard, and the other with 
 the church, near the pulpit. In olden times this was 
 called ' The Study,'' it was also used as a school- 
 room. Here the Session met ; here were prayer-meet- 
 ings held ; and here at last was the winter fuel kept. 
 In 1813 this church was burnt, the fire originating 
 in the small building attached, then used for a school. 
 The year following it was repaired. The stonework 
 was not taken down, and it was soon found necessary 
 to support the south wall by huge props, in the form 
 of logs, one end placed against the wall and the other 
 in the ground. It was supposed that the wall had 
 been injured by the fire, or else was not strong 
 enough to sustain the new roof, which, with its frame- 
 
 * So called on account of its antiquity, and to distinguish it 
 from another grave-yard, of more recent origin, adjoining the 
 present church edifice. 
 
MONAGHAN AND PETERSBURG. 273 
 
 work, was thought much heavier than the first roof; 
 hence the wall began to bulge, and called for the 
 props in question. Subsequently the interior was re- 
 modelled. Four supports, in the form of long co- 
 lumns, were placed within the church, near the south 
 wall, reaching from the ground-floor to the rafters 
 above, and the outside props were removed. The 
 ceiling was gently arched, and lined with boards. 
 The door at the west end was closed, and the pulpit 
 placed there, leaving three entrances, one at the east 
 end, another at the south side, and the other at the 
 north side, communicating with the session-room. The 
 pews had narrow seats, with a very narrow ledge to 
 support the backs of the occupants ; and uncomforta- 
 ble as these would be to those accustomed to some- 
 thing better, yet doubtless they were considered a de- 
 cided improvement where something worse had been 
 enjoyed ! This edifice had become so dilapidated, so 
 unsafe and uncomfortable, that, in the spring of 1849, 
 it was taken down, and gave place to another — built 
 of brick, and occupying in part the same ground. 
 The new church has many of the improvements of 
 modern times, is as chaste and attractive as it is 
 commodious and comfortable, and is capable of hold- 
 ing 400 persons, — a greater number than the previous 
 building could conveniently seat. It was opened for 
 divine worship on Friday, the 30th of November 
 1849, on which occasion the pastor gave a history of 
 the church. On the day following, the congregation 
 unanimously agreed to introduce and use the book of 
 
274 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 Psalms and Hjmns approved and authorized by the 
 General Assembly. 
 
 " The Rev. George Duffield — grandfather of Dr. 
 Duffield, of Detroit, Michigan — and the Eev. John 
 Steel, members of the Presbytery of Donegal, preach- 
 ed at different times, to the congregation worshipping 
 in the log church. Mr. Duffield was installed as their 
 pastor, ' to give them one-third part of his stated 
 labours,' November 15, 1769. The Rev. Samuel 
 Waugh, a member of the same Presbytery, having ac- 
 cepted a call, was installed pastor of the united con- 
 gregations of East Pennsborough and Monaghan, in 
 the year 1782, and continued their pastor till the time 
 of his death, which occurred in 1807. The late vene- 
 rable Dr. Cathcart describes him as ' a most wor- 
 thy, excellent man;' and there are those here who 
 can bear similar testimony to his character. In 
 March, 1809, the Rev. John Hayes — antecedently 
 Professor of Languages in Dickinson College — became 
 their pastor, and continued as such till the spring of 
 1815. He was not only a linguist, but a poet of no 
 mean reputation, and in 1807 had published a volume 
 entitled, ' Rural Poems, Moral and Descriptive.' 
 His talents were consecrated to useful purposes ; and, 
 though 'dead,' he 'yet speaketh.' For a number 
 of years after he resigned the charge — an event occa- 
 sioned in consequence of his health failing — the 
 church, which had become detached from East Penns- 
 borough, or Silvers' Spring, was dependent upon 
 supplies, stated and occasional. The Rev. Dr. A. 
 
MONAGHAN AND PETERSBURG. 275 
 
 M'Clelland, now of New Brunswick, New Jersey, 
 preached to the congregation during his connexion, 
 as Professor, with Dickinson College. His character 
 and services, his genius and wit, are well and favour- 
 ably remembered. The Rev. N. R. Snowden, father 
 of the late State Treasurer, was also a frequent sup- 
 ply.* The Rev. N. Todd, then a probationer under 
 the care of the Philadelphia Presbytery, and now a 
 venerable minister and teacher in Western Pennsylva- 
 nia, supplied the congregation for some time ; and 
 during his services Watts's book of Psalms and Hymns 
 was introduced, in the place of the old version of 
 Psalmody by Rouse. 
 
 *' In the spring of 1830, the Rev. A. B. Quay 
 commenced his labours among the people ; and in the 
 spring of 1832 he was installed pastor of the united 
 congregations of Monaghan and Petersburg, — on 
 which occasion the Rev. Samuel B. Howe, D.D., 
 then President of Dickinson College, preached the 
 sermon, and the Rev. George Duffield, then of Car- 
 lisle, gave the charge to the pastor and people. The 
 pastoral relation then constituted continued till the 
 autumn of 1839 ; Mr. Quay then resigned the charge, 
 having accepted of an appointment to act as an agent 
 of the Board of Education. For about the space of 
 two years afterwards, the united congregations were 
 supplied by the Rev. E. M'Kinney, now a missionary 
 
 * He died at the residence of his son, Dr. C. Gt. Snowden, 
 Freeport, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, November 3d, 1850, 
 in the 81st, year of his age. 
 
276 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 of our Board among the Ottoe and Omaliaw Indians. 
 In October, 1841, Mr. Joseph A. Murray received and 
 accepted a call from the united congregations of 
 Monaghan and Petersburg, and in April following 
 the Presbytery ordained and installed him pastor 
 of the same, — on which occasion the Rev. George 
 Morris preached the sermon, the Rev. Dr. Amos 
 A. M'Ginley presided, the Rev. Dr. Daniel M'Kin- 
 ley delivered the charge to the pastor, and the Rev. 
 J. T. Marshall Davie gave the charge to the congre- 
 gation. The pastoral relation then constituted still 
 continues. 
 
 " Among the first elders of the church — of whom 
 any recollection exists, and whose descendants arc 
 still with us — were Messrs. Lewis Williams,"^ Matthew 
 Dill, John Williams, William Porter,t Alexander 
 Ross,| William Mitchell, JohnNisbet, and Alexander 
 Sanderson. In 1802, Messrs. Edward O'Hail, Henry 
 Logan, John M'Clellan, Allen Torbet, and George 
 Robinette§ were appointed elders. These all repose 
 with the dead. During the suppletory services of 
 Mr. Snowden, Messrs. William Ross, Alexander 
 M' Curdy, George Crocket, George Smith, and William 
 M'Mullen were appointed elders. Most of these 
 
 * Father of the late Rev. Joshua Williams, D.D., and grand- 
 father of Mr. Lewis H. Williams, an elder in Dickinson Church. 
 
 f Father of James Porter, Esq., one of our present elders. 
 
 J Father of William Ross, Esq., one of our present Session. 
 
 § Father of George Robinette, an elder in the Petersburg 
 church. 
 
MONAGHAN AND PETERSBURG. 277 
 
 have finished their work on earth and entered upon 
 their reward. When Mr. Quay assumed the pastoral 
 care of the church, the Session consisted of Messrs. 
 George Crocket, George Dare, G. W. Howard, James 
 Porter, William Ross, and James Black. Mr. Crocket 
 died in 1835. Messrs. W. W. Jones, Jacob Ritner,* 
 and J. B. Hursh were chosen elders in the same year. 
 In June, of 1837, Mr. Jones was dismissed to connect 
 himself with the Second Presbyterian Church in Car- 
 lisle ; and some time afterwards Mr. E-itner was dis- 
 missed for the same purpose. Mr. James Clark was 
 chosen an elder in September, of 1842. In a letter 
 received from the late Dr. Cathcart, he says: — 
 ^ Monaghan Church was always well represented in 
 Presbytery by her eldership, one of the three, either 
 Messrs. Dill, Ross, or O'Hail, being always in atten- 
 dance. Mr. O'Hail,' he adds, ' was once a delegate 
 to the General Assembly, and attended its sessions 
 with great punctuality.' 
 
 *' The original settlers were chiefly, if not exclusively, 
 from Ireland and Scotland ; rigid Presbyterians, ar- 
 dently attached to the Church — a sober, industrious, 
 moral, intelligent people. At an early period the 
 congregation was very large, comprising nearly all 
 the inhabitants of the settlement, whose religious 
 predilections were thoroughly Calvinistic, and it was 
 not unusual to see the church crowded to overflowing. 
 It is not so now, owing to the operation of manifest 
 
 * Son of Ex-Governor Ritner. 
 24 
 
278 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 causes. Death has done its work, in removing many 
 who had been pillars in the Church, and useful mem- 
 bers of society. Another cause may be found in the 
 spirit of adventure, and the hopeful prospects of emi- 
 gration. And still another cause may be found in 
 the establishment of other denominational organiza- 
 tions throughout the region. Here, as in many other 
 places, the original race of settlers is becoming gra- 
 dually displaced by another race. Still, the Presbyte- 
 rian element is comparatively strong and influential. 
 " The year 1831 was rendered remarkable for the out- 
 pouring of the Holy Spirit in many parts of our land. 
 It was a season of refreshing to the churches belong- 
 ing to the Carlisle Presbytery. Here the means of 
 grace were well attended and properly appreciated. 
 On one occasion the concourse of people was so great, 
 that, while Mr. Williamson was proclaiming the Gos- 
 pel to those who found room within the church, Mr. 
 Duffield was preaching it to those outside. And there 
 were those then added to the Church who are still ex- 
 emplary members, and doubtless look back to that 
 period with tender emotions. In the winter of '42 
 and '43, there was an unusual degree of interest here 
 on the subject of religion ; there was a great longing 
 for the means of grace ; much and deep feeling exist- 
 ed ; and some permanent good, we trust, was the 
 result. 
 
 " The persons who were organized into the Peters- 
 burg Church — Adams County, Pennsylvania — previ- 
 ously worshipped at Monaghan, having to travel from 
 8 to 12 miles to church, and the same distance return- 
 
MONAGHAN AND PETERSBURG. 279 
 
 4 
 
 ing home, and it was on the ground of convenience 
 that the little church was formed. For several years 
 they had no church edifice. At first a ham in the 
 summer, and a har-room'^ in the winter, served as the 
 place of religious service. When the Academy was 
 built in Petersburg, it became the usual place of wor- 
 ship. The present brick edifice was erected in 1830, 
 on a lot of ground presented by Mr. James M'Cosh. 
 
 " The first Communion was held at the ' York 
 Springs,' in 1826, when about a dozen of persons 
 participated in the memorial of their Saviour's love. 
 
 "The Rev. McKnight Williamson, now in Ohio, 
 spent a part of his early ministerial career among the 
 little flock. The Rev. H. R. Wilson, now deceased, 
 preached for them several times; and occasionally 
 they would be supplied by others, till Mr. Quay was 
 installed pastor of the united congregations of Mona- 
 ghan and Petersburg. 
 
 " The first elders appointed were, Captain George 
 Smith — previously an elder of Monaghan, — Major 
 John Bonner, and James Robinette, Esq., son of 
 George Robinette, one of the early elders of Mona- 
 ghan. Captain Smith afterwards moved to the West, 
 where he died. Major Bonner died several years 
 ago ; his son, Colonel William F. Bonner, is a trus- 
 tee of the church. And within the current year 
 'Squire Robinette has been called to his reward in 
 
 ■^ A public house, then kept by the two sisters, Agnes and Mar- 
 garet Bigham — firm Presbyterians, well and favourably known, 
 the latter of whom is still living, a steadfast and consistent fol- 
 lower of the Saviour. 
 
280 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 heaven. During Mr. Quay's ministry, Mr. George 
 Robinette, brother of 'Squire Robinette, and Mr. 
 William B. Brandon, grandson of Captain Smith, 
 were chosen elders ; and since the present pastoral 
 relation was constituted, Mr. John Mateer was elect- 
 ed an elder ; — these form the present Session. 
 
 " Although the church has grown, yet it continues 
 somewhat small, but contains a commendable amount 
 of intelligent piety and active benevolence." 
 
 LOWER MARSH CREEK CHURCH. 
 
 About the years 1734-6, a band of emigrants from 
 Scotland and the north of Ireland, more usually known 
 in Pennsylvania as Scotch-Irish, settled on the "red 
 lands" in the southeastern part of York County. Not 
 long afterwards, and probably about the year 1740, 
 a number of the same race made the first settlement 
 in what is now Adams County, among the hills near 
 the sources of Marsh Creek. These settlers were of 
 the better order of peasantry, and brought with them 
 the characteristics of their native land. They were 
 moral, industrious, and intelligent, and for the most 
 part were rigid Presbyterians, or "Seceders." They 
 were frugal, as the Scotch always are — plain in their 
 mode of living, but cordial and hospitable. They were 
 universally men of undaunted courage, and high pa- 
 triotic feeling, and when the alarm of the Revolution 
 first rung through the land, it called no truer or more 
 willing hearts than those of the Scotch-Irish Presby- 
 
LOWER MARSH CREEK CHURCH. 281 
 
 terians. The manners and character of the early 
 settlers have been very generally inherited by their 
 descendants, — many of whom still cultivate the same 
 farms, worship in the same old churches, and hold fast 
 to the rigid and venerated ''form of sound words" of 
 the Presbyterian Church. (Pennsylvania Historical 
 Collections, p. 56.) 
 
 We make the following extracts, touching the his- 
 tory of Presby terianism in the region of Marsh Creek, 
 from the Presbyterial Records. 
 
 " In 1740, Mr. Sankey was appointed to preach at 
 Great Conewago and Marsh Creek, the second Sab- 
 bath of August, and Mr. Samuel Thompson the fourth 
 Sabbath. 
 
 '' 1742. Upon reading of the minute of our last, re- 
 lating to the Committee appointed to fix the site of a 
 Meeting-House at Marsh Creek, appeared Commis- 
 sioners from both those places with supplications, sig- 
 nifying their acquiescence in the judgment of said 
 Committee, viz. : that it is expedient that there be two 
 Meeting-Houses, and that the people of Marsh Creek 
 are agreed that their Meeting-House be at a certain 
 spring near Robert McFerson's, which the Presby- 
 tery approve of." 
 
 Some time after this, the Rev. Andrew Bay was 
 called to take charge of the congregation of Marsh 
 Creek, and was, in all probability, its first minister 
 Whether he was installed or not, is not known. Mr. 
 Bay was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. M'Mordie, whose 
 pastoral relation was dissolved in 1761. 
 
 24* 
 
282 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 In 1765, "A paper was brought in from Marsh 
 Creek, Thorn's, and Piney Creeks, respecting their 
 having fixed the bounds between said congregations, 
 which the Presbytery ordered to be entered on record, 
 and which is as follows : 
 
 "We the subscribers, commissioners of the Marsh 
 Creek, Thom's Creek, and Piney Creek congregations, 
 being met this 25th day of April, 1765, in order to 
 treat respecting the division lines between said con- 
 gregations, have agreed, that a line being drawn 
 straight from Marsh Creek Meeting-house to that of 
 Thom's Creek, a line crossing that line at right angles, 
 at the end of four miles and a half from Marsh Creek 
 Meeting-house, and extended on the one side to Thom's 
 Creek, and on the other till it intersect Piney Creek 
 congregation, shall be the division line between said 
 congregations, and that the division line between 
 Marsh Creek congregation and that of Piney Creek, 
 shall be midway between the meeting-houses of said 
 congregations. Witness our hands this day and 
 year above written." 
 
 (Et sic subscribitur.) 
 
 John Alexander, 
 Saml. McFarpvAN, 
 Wm. Shields, 
 Andrew Hart, 
 Wm. Cochran, 
 Jno. McKinly, 
 James McGinley, 
 Wm. Porter. 
 
LOWER MARSH CREEK CHURCH. 283 
 
 The Rev. John Slemmons was ordained and in- 
 stalled pastor of Lower Marsh Creek congregation 
 in 1765, and dismissed in 1774. He was removed 
 by death, July 10th, 1814, and his remains lie in the 
 graveyard at Piney Creek Church. 
 
 In 1779, "the congregation of Lower Marsh 
 Creek entered into an agreement with Mr. Martin 
 for one year of his labours, to which agreement Pres- 
 bytery acceded." 
 
 In 1781, a supplication having been brought in 
 by William F.inley and James Ferguson, commissioners 
 from Lower Marsh Creek congregation, that they 
 might have leave to join with Thorn's Creek, this 
 request was granted by Presbytery. 
 
 The Reverend John M' Knight (afterwards Dr. 
 M'Knight), became pastor of this charge in 1783, and 
 continued to be so until 1789, when he accepted a 
 call from the united congregations of New York City. 
 Dr. M'Knight Avas a very popular preacher, and 
 greatly beloved by his people. 
 
 In 1792, the Rev. Wm. Paxton accepted a call from 
 Lower Marsh Creek and Thorn's Creek congregations, 
 and on the 3d of October in the same year (Dr. 
 Davidson and Mr. Lang officiating on the occasion), 
 he was ordained and installed in the woods near to 
 the church, where a temporary pulpit and seats were 
 placed for the use of the congregation which the 
 house could not accommodate, and where the services, 
 on communion occasions, were for many years after- 
 wards held. 
 
284 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 In 1794, the pastoral relation which the Eev. Mr. 
 Black had sustained for some time to the congregation 
 of Upper Marsh Creek, was dissolved by his request. 
 We acknowledge our obligation to the present 
 esteemed pastor of Lower Marsh Creek, for the 
 following particulars : 
 
 '' To me it seems that Lower Marsh Creek Church 
 was formed by the division of the Presbyterian Church 
 into Old and New Side. Lower Marsh Creek was New 
 Side. I have seen no mention, on the minutes of Pres- 
 bytery, of Lower Marsh Creek, for a long time after 
 Upper Marsh Creek is mentioned. There is no men- 
 tion of the organization of Lower Marsh Creek on 
 the minutes of the Donegal Presbytery, as far as I 
 remember. Its first minister was a member of the 
 Newcastle Presbytery. It would seem that it was 
 organized by some minister of the New Side. As 
 far as I can determine, Rev. Andrew Bay was the 
 first minister. He was a member of the Synod of 
 New York during the separation." (Rev. H. R. 
 Wilson, D.D., to Rev. D. D. Clarke.) 
 
 ^' The first house of worship was a log building, 
 located at the graveyard, on the bank of Lower Marsh 
 Creek. A stone in the yard bears date, 1749. It was 
 rude throughout, benches being used instead of pews. 
 While the congregation worshipped there, it was sup- 
 plied for a time by a Mr. Balch. 
 
 ".About the year 1790, the old log house was thrown 
 down, and the present stone edifice erected. This 
 building is about five miles southwest of Gettysburg, 
 
LOWER MARSH CREEK CHURCH. 285 
 
 in ^Carroll's Tract,' a section of country named 
 after the venerable proprietor and patriot, Charles 
 Carroll of Carrollton. This was a considerable ad- 
 vance in capacity and appearance on the old log house, 
 yet it was unsightly. The seats were straight and 
 high-backed, and the pulpit very narrow and deep, 
 and elevated on the side of the building. It was sub- 
 sequently placed at the end, and somewhat modern- 
 ized. The entrance was by four doors, two at each 
 end of the house ; the door in front of the pulpit was 
 paved with brick, and had a gradual elevation to the 
 opposite wall. There was no stove or fire used in 
 winter, in the log house, nor in the present one, for 
 many years after its erection. 
 
 " Lower Marsh Creek Church was incorporated in 
 1805. The first trustees were, Elijah Hart, George 
 Kerr, Reynolds Ramsay, Samuel AVitherow, William 
 Miller, William Bigham. The Rev. William Pax- 
 ton, Benjamin Reid, William M' Clean and Moses 
 M' Clean, were appointed a committee to carry out the 
 desire of the congregation in reference to the provi- 
 sions of the charter. 
 
 " The names of but few of the first elders are now 
 known. Among them were Mr. Cotton, James Fer- 
 guson, James M'Gaughy, Benjamin Reid, William 
 Hill, William M' Clean, Captain David Wilson, Sa- 
 muel Witherow, Samuel M'Cullough, John M'Ginley, 
 Abraham Scott. In later times, John Kerr, John 
 Stewart, Hugh M'Gaughy, Amos Maginley, William 
 
286 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 M'Gaughy, William M. Scott, who have gone to 
 their reward, while many of their descendants are still 
 in the church of their fathers, and some have taken 
 their place in the eldership. 
 
 " From this congregation the following persons have 
 entered the ministry : Samuel Shannon, first lieu- 
 tenant of the company of Captain David Wilson, an 
 elder, and officer in the War of the Revolution. Mr. 
 Shannon went to Kentucky. John M' Knight, one 
 of the pastors; John Linn of Shearman's Valley ; Sa- 
 muel Waugh of Silvers' Spring ; John Slemmons, 
 another of its pastors ; Samuel Ramsey, who settled in 
 Virginia; Amos M'Ginley, D.D., of Path Valley ; H. 
 R. Wilson, D.D., James Black, Virginia; John Waugh 
 (of John), John Waugh (of David) ; Rev. John 
 M'Pherrin of West Pennsylvania, it is believed, went 
 from this congregation. All of the above, except 
 Dr. M'Ginley and Mr. Black, have died. Several 
 of the sons of those who were pastors of this congre- 
 gation are now in the ministry, or preparing for it. 
 We here insert the Obituary of Dr. W. Paxton, as 
 it is found in the Presbytery's Book of Obituaries. 
 
 " The Rev. William Paxton, D.D., late pastor of 
 the Presbyterian Church of Lower Marsh Creek, 
 died at his late residence, in Fairfield, Adams County, 
 Pa., on the 16th day of April, 1845, in the 86th year 
 of his age, and in the 53d year of his ministry. He 
 was born in Lancaster County, on the 1st day of April, 
 1760. Very little is known of his early life ; but from 
 what is known, it appears that he remained with his 
 
LOWER MARSH CREEK CHURCH. 287 
 
 parents until he was nearly thirty years of age, 
 when he commenced his classical education, under 
 the superintendence of the Rev. Nathaniel Sample, 
 with whom, also, he pursued his theological studies. 
 On the 29th day of April, 1789, Dr. Paxton was 
 received under the care of the Presbytery of New- 
 castle as a candidate ; and on the 8th day of April, 
 1790, he was licensed by the same Presbytery, as a 
 probationer for the Gospel ministry. On the 4th 
 day of October, 1791, the churches of Thorn's Creek 
 and Lower Marsh Creek, within the bounds of the 
 Presbytery of Carlisle, requested that he might be ap- 
 pointed a stated supply to them, and the Presbytery 
 of Newcastle gave him permission to preach to their 
 churches for five successive Sabbaths. On the 21st 
 of December, 1791, the churches of Thom's and Lower 
 Marsh Creek, presented calls to the Presbytery of 
 Newcastle for the ministerial services of Dr. Pax- 
 ton ; and on the 4th day of April, 1792, he accepted 
 these calls, and was accordingly dismissed from the 
 Presbytery of Newcastle, to put himself under the 
 care of the Presbytery of Carlisle. On the 7th of 
 June, 1792, he was received under the care of the 
 Presbytery of Carlisle, and on the 3d day of October, 
 1792, he was ordained to the work of the Gospel 
 Ministry, and installed Pastor of the churches of 
 Thom's and Lower Marsh Creek. 
 :-^" It cannot be ascertained how long Dr. Paxton 
 was pastor of the church at Thom's Creek; but the 
 church of Lower Marsh Creek, finding themselves 
 
288 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 able to support him all his time, received the whole 
 of his ministerial services from an early date. 
 
 " On the 20th day of January, 1794, Dr. Paxton was 
 united in marriage with Miss Jane Dunlap, of Cum- 
 berland County. This lady still lives, waiting for the 
 salvation of God. Dr. Paxton had four children, 
 all of Avhom, with one exception, preceded their father 
 to the grave. 
 
 " On the 19th day of October, 1841, on account 
 of the infirmities of age. Dr. Paxton applied to 
 Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral connexion between 
 him and the Church of Lower Marsh Creek ; which con- 
 nexion, after having existed for a period of forty-nine 
 years, was accordingly dissolved. It may be proper, 
 however, to add, that Dr. Paxton continued to supply 
 the Church of Lower Marsh Creek occasionally, until 
 they obtained their present pastor, so that it may be 
 said that that church was favoured with his minis- 
 trations for more than half a century. It is worthy 
 of remark, also, that during the forty-nine years of 
 his pastoral life, Dr. Paxton rarely, if ever, disap- 
 pointed his people, by a failure in attendance upon 
 the duties of the sanctuary. No inclemency of wea- 
 ther ever prevented him from being in the house of 
 God on the Sabbath, to preach the Gospel to those 
 who might not be prevented by the same cause, from 
 attending upon his ministry, 
 
 " The early life of Dr. Paxton was somewhat identi- 
 fied with the struggles of our country for her national 
 independence. He served in three campaigns in the 
 
LOWER MARSH CREEK CHURCH. 289 
 
 Revolutionary War, in one of which he was in the 
 neighbourhood, during the battle of Trenton. 
 
 "Although Dr. Paxtonhad not the advantage of a 
 collegiate education, still, by close application, under 
 private tuition, he attained to a standing in literature, 
 science, and theology, rarely equalled by many who 
 have enjoyed that benefit. Accordingly, the Trustees 
 of Dickinson College, in virtue of his attainments in 
 those acquisitions, conferred on him the honorary de- 
 gree of Doctor of Divinity, — a title which in those days 
 was far more the reward of merit than of favour. Dr. 
 Paxton was possessed of a profound and discriminat- 
 ing intellect. His pulpit performances bore ample 
 testimony to the extent and variety of his acquisitions. 
 His sermons were rich in thought, always exhibiting 
 with great force and plainness the fundamental doc- 
 trines of the Gospel. 
 
 " In his private intercourse, he was remarkable for 
 afi'ectionate simplicity; he claimed no distinction above 
 the plainest individual ; and he seemed to be conscious 
 of no superiority to others, either in understanding or 
 knowledge. His habits were domestic, perhaps to a 
 fault. The circle around his own fireside was so de- 
 lightful to him, that he seldom sought enjoyment 
 abroad. His door was always open to his acquain- 
 tances and friends ; he was always particularly pleased 
 with the company of his ministerial brethren, and few 
 ever left his house without feelings of gratitude for 
 his society and hospitality. As a Christian, his object 
 appeared to be, to cultivate and cherish an intelligent 
 
 25 
 
290 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 piety. Humble and unostentatious in his deportment, 
 his unabating confidence, amidst all the dealings of 
 God with him, was founded on the merits of the bless- 
 ed Saviour, whose Gospel he was permitted to preach 
 to others. The venerable father is now at rest. With 
 him, we trust, the agonies of dissolving nature were 
 but the prelude to eternal joys. His dying was but 
 the laying down of mortality to put on immortality, 
 and He who is the resurrection and the life, will 
 watch over the sleeping dust in its repose in the grave, 
 and He will, in his own time, burst the bars of the tomb, 
 and that which was born a natural, will be raised a 
 spiritual body, in angelic splendour and beauty." 
 
 The Rev. D. D. Clarke, the present pastor of Lower 
 Marsh Creek, was installed in June, 1843. 
 
 The following persons compose the Session at this 
 time : James Ely the, Andrew Marshall, John Marshall, 
 James Bigham, R. Cobean, John M'Ginley, J. J. 
 Kerr, A. W. Maginley, — the two first of whom do not 
 act, by reason of infirmity. 
 
 Recently, the house has been thoroughly remodelled. 
 The improvements are, a new roof, floor, and pulpit ; 
 the seats lowered and sloped in the back. Venetian 
 blinds ; carpeting ; vestibule, with the entrance by two 
 doors into the vestibule ; making it as neat and com- 
 fortable as most of the country churches. The con- 
 gregation, during the present pastorate, has suffered 
 by death and removals, but it has received numerous 
 valuable accessions. Harmony prevails among its 
 
CHURCH AT GETTYSBURG. 291 
 
 members the attendance is good; and the spirit of 
 benevolence has greatly increased. 
 
 CHURCH AT GETTYSBURG. 
 
 This church was originally known as the " Upper 
 Presbyterian Church of Marsh Creek." This is the 
 name which it bears in the Act of Incorporation, 
 passed 13th of September, 178T. The first pastor of 
 the congregation of whom any notice is taken on the 
 records of Presbytery, was the Rev. Mr. M'Mordie, 
 who resigned his charge about the year 1762. The 
 Kev. Mr. Black, who was a successor of Mr. M'Mordie, 
 applied for, and obtained the dissolution of his pas- 
 toral relation in 1794. " Of his history," writes the 
 present pastor, the Rev. Mr. Johnston, "I cannot 
 learn anything, excepting that tradition says he 
 formed and sustained a temperance society before 
 the present temperance movements had a being." 
 It may be here stated that intemperance was the 
 prevailing sin of the Church in its early history in 
 this country, and more frequently than any other 
 called for the exercise of discipline. 
 
 The congregations of Upper Marsh Creek and 
 Great Conewago were united in 1798, and the Rev. 
 David M'Conaughy was installed their pastor on the 
 8th day of October, 1800. " In that same year the 
 formation of Adams into a separate county took 
 
292 supplement! 
 
 place, and Gettysburg became the county seat. 
 This town was situated about three miles from the 
 site of the Upper Marsh Creek Church, and within 
 the limits of that congregation. Increasing in wealth 
 and population, and embracing within it a number of 
 Presbyterian families, it was deemed too important a 
 place to be left without the stated preaching of the 
 Gospel by Presbyterians. For a time it was supplied 
 by occasional preaching by Dr. M'Conaughy himself, 
 and also by Dr. Paxton, the talented and eloquent 
 pastor of the adjacent church of Lower Marsh Creek, 
 one or more, of the families belonging to whose church, 
 resided in the town. After some years, however, the 
 congregation of Upper Marsh Creek determined to 
 remove their edifice to town, and in the year 1813, 
 Dr. M'Conaughy preached his last sermon in the old 
 church, previous to its demolition. From various 
 causes the new edifice was not ready for occupancy 
 for several years. In the mean time, the congregation 
 were kindly allowed the use of the Associate Reformed 
 Church, then vacant, until a pastor should be procured. 
 Afterwards they w^orshipped in the court-house, until 
 the completion of their edifice. In the month of 
 August, 1816, the house, having been completed, was 
 solemnly dedicated to the worship of the Triune God. 
 The congregation still retained its original chartered 
 name of ' Upper Marsh Creek,' and still remained 
 in union with Great Conewago, under the same pas- 
 toral care as before. In these united congregations 
 Dr. M'Conaughy continued, in the faithful and 
 
CHURCH AT GETTYSBURG. 293 
 
 acceptable discharge of his ministerial duties, until 
 the spring of 1832, when he was dismissed, at his 
 own request, to connect himself with the Presbytery 
 of Washington, within the bounds of which he intended 
 to reside, as President of Washington College." 
 
 From the same source to which we are indebted 
 for the extract just given, we derive the following 
 condensed sketch of Dr. M'Conaughy's history and 
 character.* 
 
 The Rev. David M'Conaughy was a native of 
 Pennsylvania. He was born in Menallen Township, 
 York County (now Adams), about six miles from 
 Gettysburg, on the 29th of September, 1775. His 
 collegiate education he received at Dickinson College, 
 Carlisle, where he was graduated on the 30th day of 
 September, 1795, during the presidency of the Rev. 
 Dr. Charles Nisbet. He had the Latin Salutatory 
 assigned him, which, according to the usage of the 
 institution, at that time, was considered the first 
 honour. After leaving college, he remained two 
 years under the direction of the Rev. Dr. Nathan 
 Grier, of Brandywine, in the prosecution of his theo- 
 logical studies, when, on the 5th day of October, 
 1797, he was licensed by the Presbytery of New- 
 castle to preach the Gospel. 
 
 On the 8th day of October, 1800, he was ordained 
 
 * A discourse commemorative of the late Rev. David M'Co- 
 naughy, D.D., L.L.D., by the Rev. David Elliott, D.D., preached 
 March 21, 1852. 
 
 25* 
 
294 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 and installed pastor of the united churches of Upper 
 Marsh Creek and Great Conewago. 
 
 Dr. M'Conaughj watched over his flock with a 
 shepherd's care, and was ever ready to bestow his 
 labour and exert his influence for the advancement, 
 not only of their spiritual, but also of their temporal 
 interests. He was the pioneer in the temperance 
 reform in his native county. Preparatory to the 
 formation of a society, and with a view of gaining 
 access to all classes, he appointed meetings to be held 
 in the court-house in the evenings, at which he read 
 the temperance essays of Drs. Rush, Beecher, and 
 others. Through his agency the first temperance 
 society in Adams County was formed, of which he 
 was elected the first president. 
 
 On the 9th of May, 1832, Dr. M'Conaughy was 
 inaugurated as President of Washington College. 
 The number of students at the time of his accession, 
 was one hundred and nineteen. Under his mild and 
 paternal administration, the number continued to 
 increase, and every year added to the strength and 
 reputation of the institution, in the minds of intelli- 
 gent and well-informed men. 
 
 On the 1st of October, 1849, Dr. M'Conaughy 
 tendered his resignation of the presidency to the 
 Board of Trustees, by whom, after they had ascer- 
 tained that his purpose to retire was immovably fixed, 
 it was accepted. The high respect and veneration 
 entertained for him by the Board of Trustees, were 
 indicated by the strongly expressive resolutions which 
 
CHURCH AT GETTYSBURG. 295 
 
 were passed immediately upon the acceptance of his 
 resignation. 
 
 Dr. M'Conaughj, after the dissolution of his con- 
 nexion with the college, pursued his mental labours 
 with his accustomed activity. As evidence of this, 
 during the next year after his resignation, he pre- 
 pared and published a volume of "Discourses, chiefly 
 Biographical, of Persons eminent in Sacred His- 
 tory." These are admirable discourses, — " fine speci- 
 mens of discriminating thought, lucid arrangement, 
 vigorous style, and the skilful and profitable exhibition 
 of sacred truth." 
 
 In the year 1838, he published, for the exclusive 
 use of the senior class in Washington College, "A 
 brief Summary and Outline of the Principal Subjects- 
 comprehended in Moral Science." This is a compre- 
 hensive and well-digested outline, which, it is to be 
 regretted, he did not fill up, and thus have furnished 
 our colleges with a convenient and religious text-book 
 on that subject. His other publications consist of 
 some half dozen sermons, and a few of his Bacca- 
 laureate Addresses. These are all written with his 
 accustomed ability, and were well adapted to the oc- 
 casion and circumstances which severally called them 
 forth. Since his decease, a couple of tracts from his 
 pen have been issued from the pr^ss, — one on the 
 Doctrine of the Trinity, and the other on the Salvation 
 of Infants. 
 
 Of Dr. M'Conaughy's early religious experience, 
 and his first introduction into the kingdom of God 
 
296 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 we have no knowledge, but that he was a man of emi- 
 nent piety towards God, no one acquainted with his 
 character can entertain a doubt. His piety was 
 intelligent, of a confiding character, cheerful, and 
 eminently spiritual. 
 
 He died at his residence in Washington, on Thurs- 
 day, the 29th of January, 1852, in the seventy- 
 seventh year of his age, and the fifty-fifth of his 
 ministry. 
 
 The Rev. James C. Watson, D.D., in June, 1832, 
 became the successor of Dr. M'Conaughy in the 
 churches of Gettysburg and Great Conewago, and 
 continued to be their pastor until August, 1849, when 
 he resigned, and the churches were separated. The 
 "Rev. Robert Johnston entered upon his labours as 
 Pastor at Gettysburg, in January, 1850. 
 
 The names of the present elders of this congre- 
 gation, are, George Arnold, Moses McLean, Nicholas 
 Randolph, James M'Alister, Hugh Denwiddie, Robert 
 G. M'Creary. 
 
 The present church edifice in Gettysburg, which is 
 large and beautiful, was erected in 1842. 
 
 CHURCHES AT BEDFORD AND SCHELLSBURG. 
 
 Bedford County, originally part of Cumberland 
 County, was established, March 9th, 1771. It then 
 included the entire southwestern part of the State. 
 
BEDFORD AND SCHELLSBURG. 297 
 
 The establishment of Westmoreland in 1773, of Hunt- 
 ingdon in '87, and Somerset in '95, and Fulton in 
 1850, reduced it to its present limits. 
 
 Bedford, the county seat, has, in addition to a 
 Presbyterian church, churches for German Reformed 
 and Lutheran, Methodist, and Catholic congrega- 
 tions. 
 
 The Presbyterian interest in this borough and the 
 circumjacent region, was watched over by supplies 
 from Presbytery, from 1763 until about the year 
 1782, when, as the Records of Presbytery show, there 
 was a congregation in existence of sufficient ability 
 to call a pastor. This call was given to the Rev. 
 Mr. Waugh, and contained an agreement on the part 
 of the congregation, that if Mr. W. should become 
 their pastor, his time should be divided, as follows : 
 one-fourth in Providence Township, five Sabbaths in 
 the year in Colerain Township and Cumberland Val- 
 ley, and the remainder in the town of Bedford. This 
 call was not accepted. 
 
 In 1786, a call from this congregation was given 
 to the Rev. Mr. Bard, who consented to settle as 
 pastor, and continued in this relation until the 
 autumn of 1789. After this, the congregation was 
 supplied by appointments of Presbytery, the Rev. Mr. 
 Bard, also, frequently officiating for it, until 1808, 
 when the Rev. Alexander Boyd accepted the Pastor- 
 ate of the church, which he retained until 1815. The 
 ruling elders of an early date, were, James Taylor, 
 Sr., David Anderson, David Riddle, John Reynolds, 
 
298 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 William Reynolds, and John Ritchey. Mr. Boyd 
 preached at his settlement, in the old court-house, 
 and during his incumbency (1810) the first church 
 edifice was erected. 
 
 The next Pastor at Bedford, was the Rev. Jeremiah 
 Chamberlain, a native of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 
 Mr. C. took charge of the church in 1819, and re- 
 signed his post in 1822, to accept an invitation, which, 
 at the early age of twenty-seven, he had received, to 
 the Presidency of Centre College, Danville, Ken- 
 tucky. The following extract in relation to him, from 
 a discourse on his life and character by the Rev. 
 Joseph B. Stratton, on the occasion of his death as a 
 victim of murder, in 1851, whilst President of Oak- 
 land College, will be read with interest. 
 
 " That his character was no ordinary one, the his- 
 tory of his achievements sufiiciently indicates. His 
 intellectual endowments and acquirements, without 
 being brilliant or profound, were such as qualified him 
 to be a ready and clear-sighted student, and an able 
 and perspicuous instructor. His life was too crowded 
 with extraneous duties to allow him the opportunity 
 to seek the scholastic eminence, which otherwise would 
 have been easily accessible to him. It was rather 
 as the man of practical energy, of high-toned loyalty 
 to principle, of self-possessed sobriety, of forethought 
 and farsightedness, of fertility of invention and aptness 
 in execution, of firmness tempered by suavity, of 
 strict uprightness and disinterested devotion to what- 
 ever his heart and conscience approved, it is rather 
 
BEDFORD AND SCHELLSBURG. 299 
 
 as the paternal counsellor, the warm-hearted friend, 
 the cheerful companion, the sincere and simple 
 preacher, with the clear doctrine of Scripture ever on 
 his lip, and the tear of emotion often in his eye, as 
 the comforter in sorrow, and the helping brother to 
 all who asked his sympathy or aid — it is in such cha- 
 racters as these, that Dr. Chamberlain won distinc- 
 tion, and merited all he won." 
 
 Dr. Chamberlain's successor at Bedford was the 
 Rev. Daniel M'Kinley, who accepted the call given 
 him in 1827, and resigned his pastoral relation in 
 1831, on account of the delicate state of his health, 
 which unfitted him for the discharge of duty. 
 
 Mr. McKinley was succeeded by the Rev. Baynard 
 R. Hall, who served the congregation about six years ; 
 the Rev. Elbridge Bradbury, whose pastoral relation, 
 formed in 1839, was dissolved in 1841 ; the Rev. 
 Alexander Heberton, who was installed in 1843, and 
 resigned in 1845 ; and the Rev. William Maclay Hall, 
 who was pastor for several years. When Mr. Hall 
 was released from the pastoral care of the church, on 
 account of increasing infirmities, which, not long 
 after, terminated by death the life which he had de- 
 voted to the self-denying toils of the ministry, by 
 renouncing a lucrative practice of the Law, the pul- 
 pit was supplied for a length of time by the Rev. 
 William L. McCalla, during which period the Schells- 
 burg and Bedford churches were united by Presby- 
 tery in one charge. In 1850, Mr. Thomas K. Davis, a 
 licentiate, supplying the pulpit of the church at 
 
300 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 Fayetteville, was called to the pastoral charge of the 
 Bedford and Schellsburg churches. 
 
 With the following data w^e have been kindly fur- 
 nished by the Rev. Mr. Davis. 
 
 *' The old building in Bedford was torn down about 
 the year 1828, to give place to a more comfortable 
 edifice. This building is of brick, and handsomely 
 situated on the public square. It will accommodate 
 500 persons. The room in the basement is used for 
 a lecture and Sabbath-school room. The building, 
 although in many respects commodious and fine-look- 
 ing, contains the lofty pulpit, and high-backed box- 
 like pews of ancient times. The spirit of modern im- 
 provement will, doubtless, ere long lower the pulpit, 
 and give a comfort to the seats which they now 
 lack. 
 
 " The congregation have a large and conveniently 
 situated burying-ground, not far from the church. 
 They have never as yet secured a parsonage. 
 
 " The church numbers eighty-four communicating 
 members at the present time. There are but two 
 ruling elders, Mr. James Rea, Sr., and John Mower, 
 Esq. 
 
 " In May, 1833, Mr. James Taylor, Sr., and thirty- 
 eight other members of the Bedford Church, made ap- 
 plication and were organized as the Church of Schells- 
 burg. The Rev. James G. Brackenridge was their 
 first pastor. The memory of this devoted man is 
 revered by the people, and the sudden and untimely 
 death of their young minister and his excellent wife, 
 
THE CHURCH AT SCHELLSBURG. 301 
 
 when on a visit to their friends near Taney town, Md., 
 is still deplored. James Taylor, Sr., and Benjamin 
 Gibbony, were the first ruling elders. The church 
 building which is now used, was erected about the 
 year 1835. It cost nearly $2200. It is pleasantly 
 situated, has a neat appearance, and will accommo- 
 date about 400 persons. 
 
 " The pastors who succeeded Mr. Brackenridge 
 were, the Rev. Messrs. Samuel Montgomery, David D. 
 Clark, and Geo. S. Inglis. In 1848, this church was 
 connected with that of Bedford, in receiving the ser- 
 vices of Mr. M'Calla; and in 1850, the present pastor 
 of the Bedford Church was installed pastor of the 
 Schellsburg charge. 
 
 " Apart of the Schellsburg congregation now wor- 
 ship statedly in a sanctuary of their own, recently built 
 near ' The Forks,' about equally distant from Bed- 
 ford and Schellsburg. ' The Stone Church' was 
 commenced during Mr. Inglis's time, and finished 
 in 1851. ^^^iHnitifully situated at the western 
 base of A'VlBj^ountain, on the banks of the Bays- 
 town Branch, and is an interesting and encourag- 
 ing field of labour. 
 
 " The Schellsburg Church now numbers one hundred 
 members more than the parent church, which sent 
 out the colony in 1833. The elders at present are, 
 Messrs. James Taylor, Jr., John Smith, George W. 
 Hunt, Robert M. Taylor, and James Mullin. 
 
 "With the exception of two small congregations in 
 Wells' Valley, and at Green Hill, under the care of the 
 
 26 
 
302 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 Rev. Mr. White, and another on Yellow Creek, minis- 
 tered to by the Rev. Mr. Hill, of the Huntingdon 
 Presbytery, these are the only Presbyterian congre- 
 gations in the county. We have Romanists in Har- 
 man's Bottom, that dark corner of Bedford County, 
 Hicksites in the ' Quaker Settlement,' north of 
 Schellsburg, and Unitarian Baptists of the Christian 
 connexion, in different parts, with multitudes of people 
 in various sections, who are very, very destitute of 
 Gospel blessings. If our Presbytery were not so far- 
 sighted as to bestow their attention on distant parts 
 of the land and on other continents, overlooking the 
 home field, which is full of interest and full of impor- 
 tance, we would have a missionary or two preaching 
 sound doctrine and holy living, among the wild moun- 
 tains and in the pleasant valleys of old Bedford 
 County." 
 
 urg,^Ree 
 
 THE CHURCHES OF M CONNELLSBURG,^mEEN HILL, 
 AND wells' valley. 
 
 It is with the Church of M'Connellsburg, as with 
 most of the other churches of the Presbytery, — no re- 
 cords of its early history can be found. The proba- 
 bility is, that no such records were kept ; but if they 
 were, they have perished. It is, however, evident 
 from the minutes of Presbytery, that " The Great 
 
CHURCH OF m'connellsburg. 303 
 
 Cove," (as the place was first called,) was a point fre- 
 quently supplied with the preaching of the Gospel by 
 appointment of Presbytery, as far back, at least, as 
 1769. There are also still living within the bounds 
 of the congregation, some aged members of it, whose 
 memories are of service in rescuing its history from 
 oblivion. From this source, the Rev. N. G. White, 
 the present pastor of the charge, received aid in the 
 preparation of the subjoined satisfactory sketch. 
 
 " The congregation now worshipping in the Presby- 
 terian church in the Borough ofM'Connellsburg, was 
 organized some time before the year 1791. I know 
 not the precise date. It was called the 'Presbyterian 
 Congregation of the Great Cove.' Its first elders were 
 William Alexander, William Gaff, and Charles Tag- 
 gart. To their number were added shortly after- 
 wards, Alexander Alexander (familiarly known as 
 * Double Alick'), and James White. They worshipped 
 for some ti me iojprivate houses, mostly in that of 
 John Dick^PphWras an Associate Judge of Bedford 
 County nearjy fifty years, and was one of the first 
 and most eificient members of the congregation. It 
 was owing chiefly to Judge Dickey's instrumentality, 
 that a small log church was built, about two miles 
 south of the town, which continued to be occupied as a 
 house of worship until the present edifice was erected, 
 in the year 1811. A Mr. Barclay, a Scotchman and 
 member of the congregation, left by will $500 towards 
 the erection of a church in the town. This sum, to- 
 gether with subscriptions of various sorts from diffe- 
 
304 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 rent members of the congregation, enabled them to 
 put up the present building. It continued (though 
 occupied all the while) in an unfinished state for four 
 or five years, when a pulpit, pews, and other fixtures 
 were added, putting it in the state in which I found 
 it when I first visited this place. 
 
 " Its first pastor was the Rev. Isaac Kellar, who was 
 settled here in the year 1818, and remained about 
 five years as minister of the congregations of M'Con- 
 nellsburg and Loudon. After his removal, a Mr. 
 Jewett, from one of the New England States, came 
 and established an Independent church, which greatly 
 distracted the Presbyterian congregation. They, 
 however, obtained occasional supplies for several years 
 after which the late Rev. Robert Kennedy, of the 
 "Welsh Run Church, was their stated supply, till the 
 fall of 1833. During the winter of 1833-4, 1 preached 
 to them ; in the spring following received and accepted 
 their call, and was ordained and installed on the 11th 
 of June, 1834. Perhaps I may sd|^h^p^that I was 
 licensed by the Presbytery of Newcastle, on the 2d of 
 October, 1833. The call to me included not only 
 the Church of M'Connellsburg, but certain inhabi- 
 tants of Green Hill, and Wells' Yalle}^, each of which 
 is supplied with a comfortable and neat church, in 
 which I preach every four weeks. The Session of the 
 church in town, is at present composed of James Ag- 
 new, John Jordan, Henry Hoke, and David Agnew. 
 
 " The Church at Green Hill was organized on the 
 12th day of September, 1835, consisting of twenty-one 
 
GREEN HILL AND WELLS' VALLEY. 305 
 
 members, and John Jordan was elected and ordained 
 a ruling elder. During the summer of that year, they 
 put up a neat frame church, in which they still con- 
 tinue to worship. The Session of that church is at 
 present composed of James Austin, and James Lyon. 
 William Alexander and Roland Austin have been re- 
 cently elected elders, and will be ordained in a few 
 weeks. 
 
 " The Church in Wells' Valley, which is twenty 
 miles west of M'Connellsburg, never was formally or- 
 ganized. It is composed chiefly of the descendants 
 of Alexander Alexander (' Double Alick', referred to 
 above), who was a member of the Church in town, and 
 whose son John was chosen an elder, and served with 
 great acceptance in that capacity, until his death in 
 1840. This John Alexander was in every respect a 
 model of a good elder. He was one of the best men 
 I ever knew. And though so modest and retiring in 
 his disposition and habits, as to attract but little notice 
 beyond the nRrow circle of his acquaintance, yet 
 few ministers of the Gospel of the present day possess 
 as accurate a knowledge of the Scriptures, and of 
 Systematic and Polemic Theology, as he did. He 
 could repeat verbatim, nearly all of the New Testa- 
 ment, and more than one-half of the old. The 
 Bible was his daily study for half a century, he 
 imbibed its spirit, and he was truly ' clothed with 
 humility.' No man that ever lived in this section 
 of the country, possessed so strongly the confi- 
 dence of the community, as a man of honesty, inte- 
 
 26^ 
 
306 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 grity, and true piety. Truly * the memory of the 
 just is blessed.' The elders of this church are, John 
 Wishart and John B. Alexander. 
 
 " There are about one hundred and forty communi- 
 cating members in the Church in M'Connellsburg, 
 about fifty at Green Hill, and about forty in Wells' 
 Valley, — making two hundred and thirty in the whole 
 charge." 
 
 CHURCH AT CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND. 
 
 We have been favoured with the following sketch 
 by the Rev. John H. Symmes. 
 
 "We have no record among us of the date of the 
 organization of the Presbyterian Church in Cumber- 
 land, Md., but it is certain that there was preaching 
 here occasionally, by supplies, from .thoJ^pginning of 
 the present century. The congregation was small 
 and feeble for many j^ears, struggling, as it were, for 
 a mere existence. Among those who ministered in 
 holy things to this feeble church, at different times, 
 were the Rev. Messrs. Hays, Kennedy, Raymond, and 
 S. H. M'Donald. During the time that Messrs. Hays, 
 Kennedy, and Raymond laboured here, the church was 
 able to do very little towards the support of a pastor. 
 Messrs. Hays and Kennedy were successively princi- 
 pals of the Allegany County Academy, in which 
 they taught for many years. From this source they 
 
CHURCH AT CUMBERLAND, MD. 307 
 
 derived their principal support, and it is probable ex- 
 pended upon it their principal labours. Mr. Ray- 
 mond, at a later date, laboured a part of his time in 
 Cumberland as a missionary, and was aided from the 
 Missionary Fund. The Presbyterians in Cumberland, 
 for many years had no place of worship of their own, 
 but worshipped alternately in the Lutheran church. 
 
 " In connexion with the Episcopalians, they at one 
 time erected a house of worship, under an agreement, 
 that each denomination should have the right to wor- 
 ship in it alternately, according to their respective 
 forms. But in process of time, the Presbyterians 
 were denied their interest and privileges in the build- 
 ing ; and the Episcopalians very unjustly appropria- 
 ted the entire property to their own use. Had the 
 Presbyterians appealed to Caesar to avenge them of 
 their adversary, the Episcopalians would doubtless 
 have been compelled to abide by the terms of the 
 agreement, and restore to the others their privilege, 
 or its equivgil^nt. But the Presbyterians, as usual in 
 such cases, chose rather to suffer wrong. 
 
 " In the year 1838, they erected a house of worship 
 for themselves, 45 by 55 feet, with a gallery in the 
 end, and surmounted by a small cupola and a bell. At 
 this time, they were efficiently aided by the indefati- 
 gable efforts and labours of the Rev. S. H. M'Donald, 
 who for the space of five or six years acted as their 
 stated supply. He was succeeded by the Rev. B. 
 Wall, who was installed as the first regular pastor of 
 this church, on the second Sabbath of July, 1843. 
 
308 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 The present incumbent, the Rev. J. H. Symmes, after 
 labouring here from December, 1844, until the 9th 
 of April, 1845, was on that day installed as pastor of 
 the church, by a committee of the Presbytery. The 
 congregation having increased so that the building 
 was too small for their accommodation, in the 
 autumn of 1846, an addition of 18 feet was made to 
 the rear, and a lecture and Sunday school-room, 26 
 by 36 feet, mostly in the rear of the church edifice as 
 altered. In 1846, the number of communicants was 
 thirty-five ; they now number about one hundred and 
 twenty. The present ruling elders are, John Boward, 
 James M. Smith, M.D, J. P. Agnew, and Abraham 
 Russell." 
 
 HAGERSTOWN CHURCH. 
 
 The first pastor of this church, as flit as we can 
 learn, was the Rev. Thomas M'Pherrin. How long 
 precisely, he was connected with it in this character, 
 we do not know ; but, as we find in the minutes of 
 the Presbytery of 1774, a notice of his acceptance of 
 a call from the united congregations of East and 
 West Conococheague and Jerusalem, and then in the 
 minutes of 1779, a notice of the dissolution of his 
 pastoral relation to the people of Hagerstown, it is 
 evident that his connexion with that congregation 
 was of short duration. 
 
HAGERSTOWN CHURCH. 309 
 
 In 1788, in compliance with a supplication from 
 Falling Waters, Hagerstown, and Williamsport, the 
 Rev. Mr. Caldwell was appointed by Presbytery 
 "as a constant supply for those places for one year." 
 
 In September, 1825, the Rev. M. L. Fullerton was 
 installed as pastor of the church in Hagerstown, on 
 which occasion the Rev. Mr. Elliott preached the 
 sermon from 1 Thess. ii. 4, and the Rev. Mr. ^xton 
 presided, offered up the consecrating prayer, and 
 delivered the charges. 
 
 The pastoral relation of the Rev. Richard Wyn- 
 koop, which had existed for four years, was dissolved 
 by Presbytery in April, 1838. 
 
 The Rev. J. T. Marshall Davie was installed pastor 
 of the congregations of Greencastle and Hagerstown, 
 in October, 1840, and his connexion with the latter 
 congregation, was dissolved in 1842. 
 
 Mr. William Love, a licentiate of the Presbytery 
 of Baltimore, was called to the church of Hagerstown, 
 in 1845. At«the same time, the Associate Reformed 
 Church of that place was taken under the care of 
 the Presbytery of Carlisle, as " The Second Presby- 
 terian Church of Hagerstown." 
 
 In 1846, the First Presbyterian Church and the 
 Presbyterian Church of Hagerstown, were, by a reso- 
 lution of Presbytery, and on their own request, 
 united, to be known as " The Presbyterian Church 
 of Hagerstown," the name by which it was desig- 
 nated prior to the separation. In the same year Mr. 
 Love's labours among his people ceased, and he was 
 dismissed to the Presbytery of Winchester, Va. 
 
310 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 The Rev. Septimus Tustin, who had for several 
 years served as Chaplain to the Senate of the United 
 States, was elected pastor at Hagerstown in 1848, 
 and served in this capacity until 1850. Dr. Tustin 
 afterwards settled in Germantown, near Philadel- 
 phia, and now, having temporarily desisted from pas- 
 toral labour, by reason of indifferent health, is residing 
 with kis son in Washington City. 
 
 The Rev. Robert W. Dunlap, who previously had 
 charge of a church in Baltimore, was Dr. Tustin's 
 successor at Hagerstown, and still labours among his 
 attached people with encouraging success. 
 
 The building in which the congregation now wor- 
 ship, was the first used by them, and was first occu- 
 pied in July, 1817. Previous to that time, the con- 
 gregation worshipped in the German Reformed 
 Church. The church was built by subscription. A 
 list of the subscribers is in the hands of the Session^ 
 and embraces the names of nearly all the citizens of 
 the town and surrounding country. * 
 
 The first Bench of Elders were — John Kennedy, 
 Robert Douglass, John Robertson, Joseph Gabby. 
 The present Session consists of Joseph Gabby, Samuel 
 Steele, William Stewart, William Marshall, Joseph 
 Rench, and James M'Dowell. 
 
 The Church at Hagerstown has passed through 
 some stormy scenes, but its present condition is 
 peaceful and prosperous. 
 
CHURCH AT SHERMAN'S CREEK. 311 
 
 SHERMAN'S CREEK. 
 
 The following sketch of tHs congregation, is from 
 the pen of the Rev. M. B. Patterson, its stated 
 supply : 
 
 " The early history of the Sherman's Creek con- 
 gregation, is involved in considerable uncertainty as 
 to dates, from a want of authentic records. It can, 
 at present, be learned only from the diverse and 
 sometimes contradictory testimony, gathered from the 
 fading memories of a few of the most aged members. 
 
 " It appears that towards the end of the last cen- 
 tury, a few Presbyterian ministers had visited this 
 region, of whom nothing more is remembered than 
 their names, which were Rev. Messrs. Boyd, Porter, 
 and Hoge. 
 
 "About the beginning of the present century, sup- 
 plies were sent to this section of country, from the 
 Presbytery of Carlisle, viz.. Rev. Messrs. Sharon, 
 Moodey, Wilson, and Brady. 
 
 " The majority of the first settlers of this peaceful 
 and retired region, were of Scotch-Irish descent, and 
 warmly attached to the doctrines and order of the 
 Presbyterian Church. In an early day, it was no 
 uncommon thing for persons of both sexes, to travel 
 on foot from ten to fifteen miles, when an opportunity 
 ofi'ered of hearing the Gospel. The names of the 
 families are, Adams, Boyd, Finley, Kirkpatrick, 
 
312 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 Ickels, M'Cord, M'Clintock, Smiley, Wallace, and 
 White. 
 
 " In 1804, a lot of ground was purchased and a 
 house for public worship erected. Its dimensions 
 were twenty-eight feet square. Tke materials were 
 logs, which were delivered on the ground by the 
 members of the congregation, in fulfilment of a pre- 
 vious contract entered into by subscription. The 
 logs were raised in 1804, but the building was not 
 finished till 1805, owing to a prevailing disease. 
 
 " In the year 1805, the Sherman's Creek Church 
 was organized by Rev. Joseph Brady, a member of 
 the Carlisle Presbytery, who was regularly called 
 and installed their first pastor. His salary was $400, 
 one-third of which was to be paid by this congre- 
 gation. 
 
 " The following named persons composed its first 
 Session : — John White, Samuel Ickels, James AVal- 
 lace, and Samuel Smiley. They all served this 
 church in the capacity of ruling elders, till they were 
 removed by death. There are no means of ascer- 
 taining at the present time, the number of communi- 
 cants composing their first organization. 
 
 "Near the church a burying-ground was made, in 
 which reposes the dust of many of the early inhabi- 
 tants of this region. 
 
 "In 1808, a session-house was built of logs, which 
 is standing yet. 
 
 " This church continued under the pastoral care of 
 Rev. Joseph Brady, until the time of his death, which 
 took place April 24, 1821. 
 
CHURCH AT Sherman's creek. 313 
 
 "Mr. Brady was interred in the burying-ground 
 at the Mouth of Juniata ; and the three congrega- 
 tions, which he served about twenty years, in token 
 of respect, erected at his grave a suitable monument. 
 
 "After the death of Mr. Brady, this church was 
 supplied by Rev. Mr. Lochrain, Prof. M'Clelland, 
 of Dickinson College, and other supplies from Pres- 
 bytery, till November 12, 1826, when Rev. John Nib- 
 lock, of the Northumberland Presbytery, was called 
 and installed pastor. 
 
 "During Mr. Niblock's time, the church edifice 
 was enlarged by the addition of fourteen feet of 
 frame, and the whole was weather-boarded and plas- 
 tered. 
 
 "April 16, 1829, the Sherman's Creek Congrega- 
 tion was incorporated by an act of the Legislature. 
 
 " The pastoral relation between Mr. Niblock and 
 this church was dissolved by death, August 11, 1830. 
 Mr. Niblock was buried in the graveyard at Middle- 
 ridge Church. 
 
 "Rev. Matthew B. Patterson supplied this church 
 from January 1, 1831, until the 22d of November 
 following, when he was installed its pastor. 
 
 "In 1833, the General Assembly's collection of 
 Psalms and Hymns was introduced. 
 
 "In 1843, the present edifice was erected. The 
 materials are frame. The dimensions are 28 by 36 
 feet. It is located two miles west of the old site. 
 
 " The members of the present Session are, Jesse 
 Kirkpatrick, David Smiley, and Frederick M'Kasky." 
 
 27 
 
314 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 MOUTH OF JUNIATA AND MILLERSTOWN. 
 
 The present pastor of these churches, has kindly 
 furnished us with the following information : 
 
 " The church at the Mouth of the Juniata, was 
 organized by the Rev. Joseph Brady, A. d. 1804, who 
 was ordained by the Carlisle Presbytery, Oct. 3, 1804. 
 The church edifice (which was the first in this region), 
 was erected in 1804. The first elders of this church 
 were, Isaac Kirkpatrick, John Woodburn, William 
 Patterson, and George M'Ginnes. Mr. Kirkpatrick 
 is the only one of the first elders, now living in the 
 bounds of this congregation. This church continued 
 under the care of Mr. Brady till his death, which 
 took place April 24th, 1821. 
 
 From this period it was supplied with the word 
 and ordinances, by Messrs. Lochrain, Tod, and other 
 persons appointed by Presbytery, till Rev. John 
 Niblock was installed its pastor, Nov. 21, 1826. In 
 1826, Wm. Irwin, John Hearst, Samuel Willis, James 
 Wilson, Jacob Steel, and Robert Galey, were elected 
 and ordained elders. 
 
 This congregation was incorporated by the Legisla- 
 ture, during the session of 1828-9. 
 
 Mr. Niblock died Aug. 11, 1830. 
 
 Rev. M. B. Patterson, who was received by the 
 Carlisle Presbytery, Sept. 27, 1831, supplied this 
 church from Jan. 1st, 1831, till the following Novem- 
 
MOUTH OF JUNIATA. 315 
 
 ber 22d, when he was installed its pastor. The pas- 
 toral relation was dissolved in 1844 or '45. 
 
 The church edifice at the Mouth of the Juniata, 
 having become very much out of repair, and the 
 location being one difficult of access, it was deter- 
 mined by the congregation to erect a new house of 
 worship, which they did, in the village of Petersburg, 
 one mile distant from the old church. The building 
 was completed in 1841. Its dimensions are forty by 
 fifty feet. 
 
 In 1845, John Mineer and Thomas White were 
 elected and ordained elders. 
 
 The Rev. Charles B. Maclay, who was licensed by 
 the Carlisle Presbytery, April, 1846, and ordained 
 June 2, 1847, supplied this church from April, 1846, 
 till Nov. 1847, when he was installed its pastor. 
 The pastoral relation was dissolved Oct., 1848. 
 
 Mr. Hezekiah Hanson, who was licensed by the 
 Carlisle Presbytery, Oct. 4th, 1848, commenced to 
 supply this church, Dec. 26, 1848, received a call, 
 and was ordained August 22d, 1849. 
 
 The church edifice in Petersburg was repaired in 
 1850-51. 
 
 The old church at the Mouth of the Juniata, is used 
 occasionally during the summer ; its dimensions are 
 about 25 by 30. 
 
 The present elders of this church are, Isaac Kirk- 
 patrick, Thomas White, William Irwin, and Jacob 
 Steel. 
 
 The Presbyterians of Millerstown and vicinity 
 
316 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 erected a small house, in which they worshipped 
 until after their present house was erected. The 
 land upon which the first house was built, was con- 
 veyed, on the 4th of May, 1808, to Thomas Cochran, 
 William North, and Amos Jordan, and their suc- 
 cessors in office for ever, as trustees of the Millers- 
 town Presbyterian Congregation. 
 
 According to the most reliable information we can 
 obtain, there was no regular church organization, 
 until the Rev. N. R. Snowden, in 1818, organized 
 the present congregation. Mr. Snowden, shortly 
 after, was installed pastor over the united congrega- 
 tions of Millerstown, Liverpool, and Buffalo. The 
 elders who were then elected and ordained, were Wil- 
 liam North, John Black, and Joseph Castles. About 
 two years after, owing to some dissatisfaction, the 
 pastoral relation between Mr. Snowden and the con- 
 gregation was dissolved. The congregation was sup- 
 plied with the word and ordinances, from this period, 
 by Messrs. Hill, Grey, Lochrain, and other appoint- 
 ments from the Huntingdon Presbytery, till Novem- 
 ber, 1829, when Mr. B. E. Collins, a licentiate of the 
 Philadelphia Presbytery, was engaged to preach as 
 a supply, which he did until he was installed pastor, 
 November 29, 1832. In June, 1830, Thomas Coch- 
 ran and Isaac M'Cord, were elected and ordained 
 elders of this congregation. In consequence of the 
 smallness of the house, the congregation determined 
 to erect a new house of worship, in a more central 
 part of the town. The building, 45 by 50 feet, was 
 
MILLERSTOWN CHURCH. 317 
 
 finished and opened for worship, in 1832. Mr. Col- 
 lins continued as pastor of this church until April, 
 1839, when the pastoral relation was dissolved. The 
 congregation was supplied from this time by Messrs. 
 Williamson and McDonald, till Kev. George D. 
 Porter, who was elected pastor, entered upon his 
 duties, November 17, 1844. This church, being 
 under the care of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, was 
 transferred to the care of the Presbytery of Carlisle, 
 by the Synod of Philadelphia, at their meeting held 
 in Philadelphia, October, 1845. Mr. Porter was in- 
 stalled pastor of this church, September 12, 1846, 
 and continued as such until June 10, 1851, when the 
 relation was dissolved at an adjourned meeting of 
 the Carlisle Presbytery, held in Greencastle, June 
 10th, 1851. 
 
 Rev. H. Hanson, who was labouring at Peters- 
 burg, Perry Co., being invited by this congregation, 
 entered upon his ministerial duties, June 29, 1851. 
 
 The present members of Session are, H. Hanson, 
 Mod. ; Elders, Samuel Black, William Kip, W. J. 
 Jones, George Rothrock, Jacob Kip, and John 
 Shammo. 
 
 LANDISBURG, BLOOMFIELD, AND BUFFALO. 
 
 The churches of Landisburg, Buffalo, and Bloom- 
 field, were organized about the year 1823. " For- 
 
 27* 
 
318 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 merlj," says the Rev. Mr. Dickey, ^' the Presbyte- 
 rians within the bounds of the two former congrega- 
 tions, were a part of the Centre Church, then under 
 the care of the Rev. John Linn. At what time 
 houses of worship were built and a church organized, 
 I am unable to say, as I have not access, at present, 
 to the sessional records of either church. It was 
 probably soon after the death of Mr. Linn. For a 
 few years, the churches of Landisburg and Buffalo 
 were united with the Centre and Upper Churches, 
 and were under the pastoral care of the Rev. James 
 M. Omstead. Afterwards, Mr. Omstead having re- 
 signed his pastoral charge, a new connexion was 
 formed with the Church in Bloomfield, and the present 
 pastor was called and installed in 1834. The original 
 elders in the Landisburg Church were, Samuel Linn, 
 Francis Kelly, John Deven, and James M'Clure. 
 Those in the Buffalo Church, were, Charles Elliot, 
 Robert Elliot, Andrew Linn, George Baker, Robert 
 Irvine, and John Sanderson. Both churches possess 
 neat and comfortable houses of worship ; the buildings 
 are of frame, and tastefully furnished. The present 
 Buffalo Church is a new building, with a belfry and 
 bell, and is located in the vicinity of Ickesburg. The 
 present elders in Buffalo Church, are, Robert Elliot, 
 George Baker, and John M'Kee. In Landisburg, 
 James M'Clure, Parkinson Hench, Henry Fetter, and 
 John Linn. 
 
 The Bloomfield Church was originally formed out 
 of the Ridge Church, about four miles distant, which 
 
LANDISBURG, BLOOMFIELD, BUFFALO. 319 
 
 has now become extinct. The church was built in 
 1834, and is a substantial brick building, with a base- 
 ment story for a Sunday-school and Lecture-room. 
 The original elders were Wm. M. M'Clure, Jeremiah 
 Madden, James M' Chord. The elders at present, 
 are, John Campbell, and Finlow M' Cowan. 
 
 Note. — It was our intention to give a running 
 sketch of the churches of Thom's Creek and Piney, 
 Williamsport and Hancock, and Great Conewago. 
 As, however, our volume has already far exceeded, 
 in the number of its pages, what was originally de- 
 signed, and, especially, as up to a point which admits 
 of no delay, we have failed to receive the data which 
 are necessary to make such a sketch at all satisfac- 
 tory, we are reluctantly obliged to abandon this 
 purpose. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
APPENDIX I. 
 
 CALL PROM THE BIG SPRING CONGREGATION TO THE REV. 
 SAMUEL WILSON. 
 
 Big Spring, Cumberland County, 
 
 21st March, 1786. 
 
 We, the subscribers of this paper, and members of the ' 
 Congregation of Big Spring, do hereby bind and oblige 
 ourselves annually to pay Mr. Samuel Wilson, Preacher of 
 tbe Gospel, on his being ordained to be our minister, and 
 for his discharge of the duties of said office, the sum of one 
 hundred and fifty Pounds, Pennsylvania Currency, in specie, 
 and allow him the use of the dwelling-house, barn, and all 
 the clear land on the glebe, possessed by our former minis- 
 ter also plenty of timber for rails and fire-wood, likewise 
 a sufficient security for the payment of the above-men- 
 tioned sums during his incumbency. As witness our 
 hands : — 
 
 Alexander Laughlin, Alexander Thompson, 
 
 John Davidson,. Kannel Blair, 
 
 Robert Shannon, Samuel Finley, 
 
 David Williamson, Samuel Cunningham, 
 
 Thomas Buchanan, John Eawing, 
 
324 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Robert Bovard, 
 Solomon Liglitcap, 
 Joseph Pollock, 
 James Jack, 
 William Dening, 
 Andrew Bell, 
 John Allison, 
 John Bell, 
 Robert Patterson, 
 David Ralston, 
 John M'Geehen, 
 Hugh Laughlin, 
 John Bell, 
 Jeremiah M'Kibbin, 
 James G-raham, 
 Joseph Partes, 
 Charles Leeper, 
 George M'Greehen, 
 Hugh Patton, 
 Margaret M'Kain, 
 William Giffin, 
 ■ William Hodge, 
 Alexander M^Geehen, 
 William M'Cracken, 
 Robert Bell, 
 William M'Farland, 
 Samuel M'Cormick, 
 William Laughlin, 
 Thomas Jacobs, 
 Andrew Walker, 
 John M'Clintock, 
 Andrew Thompson, 
 
 James Laughlin, 
 Atchison Laughlin^j. 
 Robert Hutchison, 
 John Mitchell, 
 Samuel Mathers, 
 Jermon Jacobs, 
 John Reed, 
 John Hodge, Senr.,- 
 William Diuison, 
 James Irvine, 
 John Brown, 
 John O'Neal, 
 William Douglass, 
 Alexander Officer, 
 James Officer, 
 Thomas Espey, 
 James Gillespie, 
 Samuel Hathorn, 
 James Johnston, 
 Alexand. Lechey, 
 Catherine Brown, 
 Margaret M'Clure, 
 James Armstrong, 
 James Stewart,' 
 Robert Lusk, 
 Andrew M'Elwain, 
 Mary M'Elwain, 
 James M'Elwain, 
 Thomas Alison, 
 John Wallace, 
 Joseph M^Donnel, 
 Robert Gillespie, 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 325 
 
 Nathanael Gillespie^ 
 Samuel Mitchell, 
 John Mitchell, 
 Alexander Elliott, 
 John Munro, 
 John Reed, 
 Samuel Fenton, 
 Andrew Deniston, 
 John M'Farland, 
 John Purdy, 
 James Brandon, — 
 James Shannon, 
 Hugh Smith, 
 John Shannon, 
 Thomas Mathers, 
 John Patton, 
 John PorterJBeld, 
 Jared Graham, 
 Margaret M'Farland, 
 William Brisbane, 
 James M'Farland, 
 Richard Woods, — • 
 William Nicholson, 
 William Stevenson, 
 David Ramsey, 
 Paul Martin, 
 Robert M'Comb, Jun., 
 Andrew Bell, 
 William Thompson, 
 David Sterret, 
 Adam Carnahan, 
 James M'Guffin, 
 
 L. Work, 
 James Carson, 
 William Thompson, Jr., 
 John Murain, 
 Daniel Boyle, 
 William Himter, 
 Robert Patterson, 
 Widow Preaugh, 
 James Huston, 
 Robert Mickey, Sen., 
 Robert Mickey, Jun., 
 James Mickey, 
 Elizabeth Kilgore, 
 William Kilgore, 
 Samuel Weaver, 
 George Weaver, 
 John M'Cune, 
 John M'Farland, 
 James Johnston, 
 Samuel Lindsey, 
 Matthew Wilson, 
 Samuel Wilson, 
 William Lindsey, 
 John Wliitin, Jun., 
 Elizabeth M^Cullough, 
 Thomas Grier, 
 Ann Brouster, 
 John Lusk, 
 David Lusk, 
 Alexander M'Bride, 
 William Milligan, 
 Agnes L'wine, 
 
 28 
 
326 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 James Aumer, 
 William Wilson, 
 James Wilson, 
 Francis Donald, 
 George Little, 
 James M^Cune, 
 John Brown, 
 William Hunter, 
 Adam Bratton, 
 William Walker, 
 Joseph Walker, 
 Eobert Walker, 
 John Carson, 
 Isabella M^Cune, 
 Patrick M'Farland, 
 Abigail Flinn, 
 John Coply, 
 Patrick Murdock 
 Thomas Appleby, 
 John Brown, 
 ' William Adams, 
 ' William Ferguson, 
 • John Graham, 
 Berry Kilbourne, 
 James Mitchell, 
 Thomas Moore, 
 Caleb Ardle, 
 William Smith, 
 James Laughray, 
 
 David Graham, 
 William Patton, Jun., 
 Joseph Pierce, 
 Joseph Hays, 
 Matthew Davidson, 
 George M'Geehen, 
 James M'Geehen, 
 Benjamin M^Geehen, 
 Jacob Atchison, 
 Joseph Van Horn, 
 John Robinson, 
 John M'Cune, 
 Richard Nicholson, 
 James Nicholson, 
 Samuel M'Elhenny, Jr. 
 Samuel M'Elhenny, Sr. 
 John Gourril, 
 Samuel Morrow, 
 John Bell, 
 William Carnahan, 
 William Bryson, 
 Hugh Allen, 
 John Sumar, 
 John Clark, 
 William Clark , 
 James Hamilton. 
 Hannah Bovard. 
 Number of Pew-Holders, 
 204. 
 
327 
 
 APPENDIX II. 
 
 CALL PROM THE CONGREGATIONS OF CARLISLE AND LOWER 
 PENNSBOROUGH TO THE REV. JOHN STEEL. 
 
 " Whereas at the union of the congregations of Carlisle 
 and Lower Pennsborough in April, 1764, it was agreed that 
 each congregation should pay seventy-five pounds to Mr. 
 John Steel, our minister, as stipends, yearly and every year 
 from time of said union, and said agreement was signed by 
 six men of each congregation in the name and behalf of 
 said congregations, 
 
 " Now in order to give ease and relief to said six men 
 who signed in behalf of the congregation of Lower Penns- 
 borough, and at the same time to secure to our said minis- 
 ter his yearly stipends, said congregation have this day 
 concluded that forty-two men shall give their promissory 
 note to said John Steel for his yearly stipends, and that 
 said forty-two men shall be a fix'd committee of said con- 
 gregation, and have power to regulate seats and order all 
 the other affairs of said congregation. 
 
 " Therefore, in consequence of said agreement, and to an- 
 swer the above said ends, we the subscribers, with the con- 
 sent and by the appointment of said congregation, do offer 
 ourselves and accordingly become jointly bound to Mr. 
 John Steel, our present minister, to pay him, yearly and 
 every year, the sum of seventy-five pounds, good and lawful 
 
328 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 money of Pennsylvania, at or upon the first day of April, in 
 every year following the date hereof, including the stipends 
 of seventy-five pounds due to our said minister for the year 
 past, April, 1768, and what arrears may be due to our said 
 minister for the years 1765 and 1766, — all which we bind 
 ourselves to pay or cause to be paid unto said John Steel, 
 according to the tru'fe intent and meaning of the agreement 
 made at the union of said congregations, as witness our 
 hands this twentieth and seventh day of June, 1768. 
 
 Moses Star, 
 James Crawford, 
 Joseph M'Clure, 
 
 Abernethy, 
 
 Andrew Armstrong, 
 John Caruthers, 
 John M'Teer, 
 James M'Curdy, 
 William M'Cormick, 
 John Carothers, 
 James «Nailer, 
 James Oliver, 
 Samuel Fisher, 
 John Dickey, Sen., 
 Thomas Donaldson, 
 William M'Teer, 
 Thomas M'Cormick, 
 David Hoge, 
 William Orr, 
 John Nailer, 
 John Trindle, 
 
 William Gray, 
 Christopher Quigly, 
 Edward Morton, 
 Samuel Geddis, 
 Andrew Ervin, 
 James Caruthers, 
 Jonathan Hoge, 
 Samuel Huston, 
 John Semple, 
 John M'Cormick, 
 William Trindle, 
 Alexander Trindle, 
 Hugh Laird, 
 Thomas Stewart, 
 James M'Teer, 
 Patrick Holmes, 
 David Bell, 
 Nathanael Nelson, 
 William Geddis, 
 Matthew Loudon. 
 
329 
 
 APPENDIX III. 
 
 SOME ACCOUNT OP THE SCHISM IN THE PRESBYTERIAN 
 CHURCH or THIS COUNTRY, A CENTURY AGO. 
 
 In the beginning of the last century there was a sad 
 declension of religion in this country, as there was also 
 in Great Britain. Of this there is evidence from vari- 
 ous sources. According to the testimony of the Rev. 
 Samuel Blair, ^^ a very lamentable ignorance of the es- 
 sentials of true practical religion, and of the doctrines re- 
 lating thereto, very generally prevailed, in Pennsylvania." 
 There was, also, necessity, in 1735, for a solemn injunc- 
 tion from the Synod of Philadelphia, to the Presbyteries 
 under its jurisdiction, carefully to guard the doors of ad- 
 mission to the ministerial office and to church member- 
 ship, against unworthy and unfit candidates. 
 
 Such was the state of religion, likewise, in the Congre- 
 gational Churches of New England. ''There is," said Dr. 
 Increase Mather, in 1721, " a grievous decay of piety in the 
 land, and a leaving of her first love, and the beauties of 
 holiness are not to be seen as once they were." 
 
 About the year 1732, the work of G'od was signally 
 revived. This was the case simultaneously in America, 
 England, and Scotland. The first of the gracious visita- 
 tions with which this country was blessed, occurred at 
 Freehold, New Jersey, under the ministry of the Rev. 
 
 28* 
 
330 APPENDIX. 
 
 John Tennent. Soon there was a similar manifestation of 
 the Spirit^s presence and power, in Lawrence, Hopewell, 
 and Am well, three contiguous towns in New Jersey, under 
 the ministry of the Rev. John Rowland ; in Newark and 
 Elizabethtown ; in Philadelphia, under the ministry of Mr. 
 / Whitefield ) in New Londonderry (Fagg's Manor), in Penn- 
 sylvania, under the ministry of the Rev. Samuel Blair; and 
 in New Providence, Nottingham, White Clay Creek, Nesha- 
 miny, and other places of this region, as well as through- 
 out New England. 
 
 That this revival was a* genuine one, is evident, from the 
 testimony in its favour of such men as Edwards, Cooper, Col- 
 man, and Bellamy, in New England, and the Tennents, Blair^ 
 Dickinson, and Davies, in the Presbyterian Church. This 
 is evident, also, from the experience of its subjects which 
 was in general answerable to the truth, and from its results, 
 as exhibited in the external fruits of holiness in the lives 
 of the large majority of those, to whom its special influence 
 extended. It cannot be denied, indeed, that in some de- 
 gree, and in some localities, fanaticism prevailed, and that 
 there was an unwarrantable dependence placed upon bodily 
 agitations, as evidential of conversion, and that there was 
 a harshness and censoriousness, utterly incompatible 
 with the spirit of the occasion, manifested by ultraists, 
 toward all who would not follow them to their dangerous 
 extremes. Equally undeniable is it, however, that the 
 genuineness of the great and extensive awakening now re- 
 ferred to, is not to be questioned, because of some of the 
 evils and irregularities with which it was attended and fol- 
 lowed, for from these, perfect exemption cannot be ex- 
 pected for any movement, in a world such as this, where 
 wheat is being sown as well as tares, and where every light 
 
APPENDIX. 331 
 
 produces its shadows. Of these errors, there may be spe- 
 cified in addition to those already noticed, " a strong 
 leaven of enthusiasm, manifesting itself in the regard paid 
 to impulses, inspirations, visions, and the pretended power 
 of discerning spirits, — and the disregard shown to the 
 common rules of ecclesiastical order, by itinerant preachers 
 and lay exhorterS; who went into the parishes of settled 
 ministers, and without their knowledge, or against their 
 wishes, insisted on preaching to the people.'^ 
 
 In relation to this revival, there was, as was to be ex- 
 pected from what has been already stated, a wide diffe- 
 rence of opinion among the ministers of Synod. Some re- 
 garded it as the work of Grod, and were active in furthering 
 it, but others, and the more numerous party, withheld from 
 it all co-operation, and pronounced it a mere fermentation of 
 unsanctified feeling, which could not issue in any good 
 results either God-ward or man-ward. As was natural 
 amongst persons occupying such opposite stand-points, irri- 
 tation arose, both among the ministry and laity. Those 
 favourable to the work in progress, viewed all who were 
 adverse, to it, as fighting against God, and as having the 
 root of their hostility in unrenewed hearts; and those op- 
 posed to this work, condemned the terrific style of preach- 
 ing employed in its promotion, and accused the more pro- 
 minent actors in the movement, of exhibiting a spirit of 
 malignant denunciation and misrepresentation, and of 
 helping to obscure the true idea of religion, by encouraging 
 the belief, that it exists rather in violent excitement and 
 rapture than in principle carried into obedience. 
 
 There was, however, another ground of dissension among 
 the ministers of the Synod, beside that just noticed. The 
 Rev. William Tennent established a classical school at 
 
332 APPENDIX. 
 
 Neshaminy, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, about twenty 
 miles north of Philadelphia. The object of this institution, 
 (which afterwards became the celebrated Log College), 
 was, to furnish candidates for the ministry an opportunity 
 for securing the requisite literary qualifications for this 
 oflS.ce, without the inconvenience and expense of becoming 
 students of a college in New England or Europe. Back of 
 this, however, there was another desideratum aimed at, which 
 was this, — that the Presbyterian Church of this country, 
 might be able to rely upon a ministry educated at home, 
 rather than be under the necessity of receiving ministers 
 from foreign lands, who, at that time, to say nothing of the 
 chances of imposition which existed, were not, generally, 
 even when able to show their credentials, such men as the 
 Church could with much hope of benefit, welcome to her 
 communion. The competency of Mr. Tennent to conduct 
 such a school, so as to accomplish the first of these objects, 
 at least, was demonstrated by the very satisfactory exami- 
 nation which his son Grilbert, one of his students, sustained 
 before the Presbytery of Philadelphia. Notwithstanding 
 this proof, however, the Synod resolved, 1738, thatin order 
 to prevent the admission of uneducated men into the mi- 
 nistry, every candidate for the sacred ofiice, before he was 
 taken on trial, should be furnished with a diploma of gra- 
 duation from some European or New England college, or 
 with a certificate of competent scholarship from a committee 
 of Synod. The same year, the Presbytery of New Bruns- 
 wick was formed. At the next meeting of Synod, a re- 
 monstrance was presented by this Presbytery against this 
 resolution, and it was modified so as to express the deter- 
 mination of Synod, " that every person who proposes him- 
 self to trial, as a candidate for the ministry, and who has 
 
APPENDIX. 333 
 
 not a diploma, or the usual certificate from a European or 
 New England University, shall be examined by the whole 
 Synod, or its commission, as to those preparatory studies 
 which we generally pass through at college, and if they 
 find him qualified, they shall give him a certificate, which 
 shall be received by our respective Presbyteries, as equiva- 
 lent to a diploma or certificate from the college, &c.'' 
 But as thus modified, the resolution was no more accepta- 
 ble than in its original form, to those who from the begin- 
 ning had resisted it, and therefore a protest was entered 
 against it, signed by William Tennent, Senr., Gilbert Ten- 
 nent, William Tennent, Jr., Charles Tennent, Samuel Blair, 
 and Eleazer Wales. We pretend not to state all the reasons, 
 which influenced these ministers in their opposition to the 
 action of Synod in this matter, but it is plain that they re- 
 garded it as inconsistent with the rights of Presbyteries, as 
 calculated, if not intended, to disparage or destroy the Log 
 College, and as tending to frustrate their design, in having 
 a Presbytery set off in New Jersey chiefly composed of the 
 friends of this Institution, which was, to license such men 
 as they should deem properly qualified, and to make fervent 
 piety the first and principal qualification for the ministry. 
 The Presbytery of New Brunswick having, in 1738, in 
 contravention of the authority of Synod as expressed in its 
 late act, licensed Mr. John Rowland to preach the Grospel, 
 when the records of this Presbytery came to be reviewed 
 by the Synod, that body declared, by " Si great majority," 
 the licensing of Mr. Rowland ^Ho be very disorderly, and 
 admonished the said Presbytery to avoid such divisive 
 courses for the future, and determined not to admit the said 
 Mr. Rowland to be a preacher of the Gospel within our 
 bounds, nor to encourage any of our people to accept him 
 
334 APPENDIX. 
 
 until he submit to such examinations as were appointed by 
 this Synod for those that have had a private education. '^ 
 In anticipation of this result, the Presbytery came prepared 
 with an " Apology for dissenting from two acts or new reli- 
 gious laws passed at the last session of the Synod. '^ After- 
 wards, in the same year, the New Brunswick Presbytery 
 continued to disobey the Synod, and licensed Mr. M^Crea, 
 and in 1740, they licensed Mr. William Robinson, and Mr. 
 Samuel Finley, having no respect, in either case, to the 
 requisition of Synod. 
 
 The effect of this controversy throughout the presbyte- 
 ries and congregations of the Church was, of course, disas- 
 trous, and hence, in 1740, an effort was made to compro- 
 mise the difficulty, by repealing the first act of Synod in 
 relation to itinerant preaching, and by so modifying the 
 second act in relation to the examination of candidates, as 
 to meet the views of the New Brunswick brethren. It was 
 also proposed by Mr. Dickinson, that the matter in dispute 
 should be referred to some ecclesiastical body in Scotland, 
 Ireland, or England, or to the ministers of Boston, xlfter 
 this, a member of the New Brunswick Presbytery proposed, 
 '■'■ that the Synod might appoint two of their number to be 
 present at the examination of candidates for the ministry, 
 who, if they found them (the presbyteries), guilty of mal- 
 conduct, might accuse them to Synod ; but when it was 
 ascertained that an objection of these delegates to the com- 
 petency of a candidate would refer the question of his 
 licensure to the Synod, the Brunswick brethren declined. 
 
 The failure of these efforts at accommodation, increased 
 the unhappy state of feeling which had been growing in 
 the Synod and Church, and at this point this feeling was 
 greatly aggravated by the reading of formal papers of com- 
 
APPENDIX. 335 
 
 plaint, by Mr. Gilbert Tennentand Mr. Blair, against their 
 brethren, before Synod. The same effect, in a high degree, 
 was produced, by Mr. Tennent's famous Nottingham Sermon 
 (called so because it was preached at that place), in which 
 he describes the body of the ministers of that generation 
 as letter-learned Pharisees, plastered hypocrites, having 
 the form of godliness, but destitute of its power. The di- 
 vision which thus already virtually existed, was consum- 
 mated at the meeting of Synod, June 1st, 1741, when a 
 protestation, read by the Rev. Robert Cross, and signed 
 by twelve ministers, and seven elders, was adopted, to the 
 effect, that "the former protesting brethren, whether they 
 were the major or minor number, had no right to sit, or to 
 be looked upon as the Synod. ^' The day after this rup- 
 ture, the Presbytery of New Brunswick held a pro re nata 
 meeting in Philadelphia, with four members, and seven 
 correspondents, and resolved that in view of what had 
 taken place, it was the bounden duty of the exscinded bre- 
 thren, to form themselves into distinct presbyteries for carry- 
 ing on the government of Christ's Church. This revolu- 
 tion led to the attaching Mr. William Tennent, Sen., and 
 Richard Treat, to the Presbytery of New Brunswick, and 
 the erection of a new Presbytery to be called Londonderry, 
 both of which Presbyteries were to meet in the ensuing 
 August, at Philadelphia, in the capacity of a Synod. 
 
 After several unsuccessful efforts for reconciliation, at a 
 meeting of Synod, in 1743, an overture was presented from 
 the Presbytery of New York, proposing that for certain 
 reasons, and on certain terms, a reunion should take place 
 between the Synod and the ejected members, and all past 
 differences be buried in oblivion, but this proposal was una- 
 nimously rejected. In 1744, no member of the New 
 
336 APPENDIX. 
 
 York Presbytery appeared in Synod, and no new effort was 
 made to heal the schism. In 1745, a committee was ap- 
 pointed to draw np a plan of union. To this plan the New 
 York brethren immediately refused to accede. The conse- 
 quence was the erection of another Synod, under the name 
 of the Synod of New York, which met as a separate and 
 independent body, at Elizabethtown, September, 19, 1745. 
 In May, 1758, a union was effected between this Synod 
 and that of Philadelphia, on a plan devised by committees 
 appointed by these respective bodies for this purpose, and 
 unanimously agreed to by them. 
 
 Thus, after seventeen years' duration, ended this unhappy 
 schism in the Presbyterian Church, — a schism Avhich made 
 its influence to be felt throughout the presbyteries and 
 congregations, and which, it is scarcely necessary to add, 
 was not produced by any diversity of opinion as to doctrine 
 or discipline, or the form of church government, but by 
 loss of confidence and alienation of feeling, arising from the 
 different views entertained of the revival which then pre- 
 vailed, and of the place for receiving, and the tribunal for 
 testing, literary qualifications of candidates for the minis- 
 try. We regret that our statement of the subject must be 
 so compendious as to be unsatisfactory, but those who wish 
 to examine it thoroughly, can do so by reference to Dr. 
 Alexander's ''Log .College,' ' and Dr. Hodge's ''History of 
 the Presbyterian Church," from which the facts we have 
 presented, have been gleaned. 
 
337 
 
 APPENDIX IV. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY. 
 
 The Franklin County Bible Society was organized at 
 Chambersburg, December 12th, 1814, some time before 
 the formation of the American Bible Society, 
 
 The first oflficers of this Institution were : — The Rev. 
 John McKnight, D.D., President; the Rev. James Hofi"- 
 man, and James Riddle, Esq., Vice-Presidents; the Rev. 
 John Lind, Secretary ; the Rev. David Elliott, Clerk ; 
 John Findlay, Esq., Treasurer; and the Rev. Messrs. 
 David Denny, John F. Moeller, John Moodey, Robert 
 Kennedy, Mr. James McFarland, Mr. John Colhoun, 
 Edward Crawford, William M. Brown, and George Cham- 
 bers, Esq'rs, other Managers. 
 
 In pursuance of appointment, the Rev. John Lind de- 
 livered a discourse before the Society, at Chambersburg, 
 February 17th, 1815 ; and-the Rev. David Elliott, by like 
 appointment, rendered the same service, at the same place, 
 November 14th, 1815. 
 
 In April, 1816, public attention was invited to the con- 
 sideration of the propriety of uniting the friends of the 
 Bible cause, and a meeting was desired at New York for 
 
 29 
 
338 APPENDIX. 
 
 the purpose. This measure was approved . of by the 
 Franklin County Bible Society, and on the 11th of April, 
 1816, Matthew St. Clair Clarke, Esq., one of its members, 
 was appointed a delegate to represent this Society at New 
 York. Mr. Clarke fulfilled his appointment, and assisted 
 in organizing the American Bible Society, in May, 1816. 
 
 The Franklin County Bible Society was for many years 
 very active and efficient in ascertaining and supplying those 
 destitute of the Bible, within the limits of Franklin 
 County, and still is faithful to the purpose of its existence. 
 
 Of its officers at its organization, but three survive, viz., 
 Rev. John Moodey, D.D., Rev. David Elliott, D.D., and 
 Judge Chambers. 
 
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